World Cup 2011 Trophy controversy: True lies

As the nation is basking in the glory of Team India’s World Cup win scripted by MS Dhoni & his men, there has been widespread controversy whether MS Dhoni was presented the right World Cup trophy, not a replica. According to a newspaper report, the original ICC World Cup had been detained by Customs officials in Mumbai after non-payment of duty to the tune of RS.20 lacs. Dhoni and his intrepid warriors had been given a dummy. This is supported by the fact that Ponting and his men are in possession of 2003 World Cup Trophy which was different from the one with Team India. According to Customs Officials, the tournament-specific trophy brought to India by two ICC officials was not in the list of ICC goods exempted from duty and hence it was detained and duty was levied on it. However, the ICC had refused to pay and instead will carry the trophy back to Dubai. The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) also issued a statement that the trophy had been retained by the Customs at the behest of ICC. Therafter, the Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Haroon Lorgat clarified that Team India had been handed the right trophy intended to be given to the winners of World Cup 2011. It said the 'perpetual trophy' had been detained by the Customs officials. This 'perpetual trophy' was given to winners until the 2003 edition of the Cup. Australia, the 2003 world cup winner, wanted to retain Cup that it had won. Hence, ICC devised a new system that allowed winning team to retain the trophy. Accordingly, during world cup 2007 and 2011, the 'perpetual trophy' was used only for promotional purposes and the winner was accorded a trophy tailor-made for that particular edition of the World Cup. BCCI officials were miffed over the handling of the issue by Custom officials and the manner in which they had detained the trophy despite the fact that it was carried out of the country several times during the tournament.