Will the Asia Cup return home?

As India prepare to take on Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup, the trophy is ready and the Jaipur-based team that worked on it is charged about the Cup returning home, writes Ashish Mehta.

An emphatic Indian performance on the cricketing field, and the workplace would be abuzz with activity. The workers would begin moving their hands swiftly on the design of the trophy. A miserable loss, and their dedication would wear off.

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As India prepare to take on Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup, the trophy is finally ready and the Jaipur-based team that worked on it is charged about the prospects of the Cup returning to Indian hands.

"When Jayasuriya was hammering the Indians, our workers slowed down on the finishing touches to the trophy but the moment Zaheer bowled the last delivery, they were ecstatic and turned in suggestions on how to make the trophy look smarter," said Rajiv Pabuwal, one of the two brothers who have been entrusted with the job here on Thursday.

But despite designs of some of the most coveted international cricketing trophies in their booty, the Pabuwal brothers from Jaipur are a hurt duo. Four of the five trophies that they have designed so far have landed in the hands of other nations.

"Often it seems that we end up as exporters of cricket trophies. It hurts but still it is a great feeling to see people worldwide appreciate our work," he said.

The cups they have designed include the Reliance World Cup (1987), MRF World Series Cup (1989), Hero Cup (1993), Wills World Cup (1996) and Independence Cup (1997). India only won the Hero Cup.

Kishore Rungta, secretary of Rajasthan Cricket Association, was present at the unveiling ceremony and he had a word of praise for the designers. "Whenever these brothers designed the trophies, people from around the globe called me up and asked about the credentials of the manufactures of these trophies," he said.