Media speculation is rife in India as regards the trophy that was handed out to the Indian team at the World Cup final ceremony.
While several media reports stated before the final that the actual World Cup trophy was not cleared by Indian Customs officials, as duty had not been paid on it, sources have now said that a fake was given.
If this is true it has never happened in the 36-year history of the World Cup competition.
The Times of India today reported that according to its sources, Team India were given a replica of the World Cup trophy.
If true, it likely to put a dampener on the wild celebrations in the Indian subcontinent.
"The original is lying with the Customs," the TOI quoted a BCCI source without elaborating.
When contacted Customs sources, however, said the Cup was with them for non-payment of duty of 35 per cent of the original value.
"We will release it after payment of 35 per cent customs duty after its valuation," they told PTI.
The Cup, meanwhile, has been in the forefront of the celebrations by the entire Indian nation with players even posing with it along with President Pratibha Patil at the Raj Bhavan yesterday.
The captain of the winning team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been photographed and caught on television cameras carrying the replica to the iconic Gateway of India opposite the team hotel yesterday. Man of the Tournament, Yuvraj Singh, has been kissing the replica repeatedly in delight.
The ICC on Monday rejected reports that the World Cup with the Indian team is a replica and maintained that it is the original trophy after controversy broke out over news that that it was a fake that was presented to the team on Saturday
Indian given ‘fake’ cup, with real one stuck in customs: reports - Emirates 24/7
While several media reports stated before the final that the actual World Cup trophy was not cleared by Indian Customs officials, as duty had not been paid on it, sources have now said that a fake was given.
If this is true it has never happened in the 36-year history of the World Cup competition.
The Times of India today reported that according to its sources, Team India were given a replica of the World Cup trophy.
If true, it likely to put a dampener on the wild celebrations in the Indian subcontinent.
"The original is lying with the Customs," the TOI quoted a BCCI source without elaborating.
When contacted Customs sources, however, said the Cup was with them for non-payment of duty of 35 per cent of the original value.
"We will release it after payment of 35 per cent customs duty after its valuation," they told PTI.
The Cup, meanwhile, has been in the forefront of the celebrations by the entire Indian nation with players even posing with it along with President Pratibha Patil at the Raj Bhavan yesterday.
The captain of the winning team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been photographed and caught on television cameras carrying the replica to the iconic Gateway of India opposite the team hotel yesterday. Man of the Tournament, Yuvraj Singh, has been kissing the replica repeatedly in delight.
The ICC on Monday rejected reports that the World Cup with the Indian team is a replica and maintained that it is the original trophy after controversy broke out over news that that it was a fake that was presented to the team on Saturday
Indian given ‘fake’ cup, with real one stuck in customs: reports - Emirates 24/7