New Delhi, Apr 4 : The International Cricket Council on Monday confirmed that the World Cup trophy presented to India on Saturday night was indeed the real one and not the replica as was claimed in some "erroneous and mischiveous media reports".
"Contrary to some erroneous and mischievous media reports, the ICC can confirm that the trophy presented to India at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday was the original ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy and the one that was always intended to be presented to the winner of the event," the ICC said through a written statement.
"There is no question that this was a replica. The trophy presented to India indeed carries the specific event logo of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and has always been the cup that the 14 teams were playing for.
"The trophy seized by Mumbai customs is the promotional, perpetual trophy which remains in the keeping of ICC at its headquarters in Dubai. It carries the generic ICC corporate logo rather than the logo specific to the 2011 event. That trophy will be reclaimed today and will travel back to Dubai with ICC staff as was always intended," the statement added.
The controversy about the replica of the trophy being handed to India arose after a report that quoted a BCCI source as saying that "the original is lying with the customs".
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 on Sunday.
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 on Sunday.
Man of the Tournament, Yuvraj Singh, has been kissing the replica repeatedly in delight.
(With PTI inputs)
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