The 2025 Asia Cup victory saw several Indian players make important contributions, but opener Abhishek Sharma was the tournament’s standout. His consistent performance earned him the title of Player of the Tournament. However, a significant hurdle has emerged: Sharma cannot bring the HAVAL H9 SUV he won as a prize back to India, due to legal complications.
Sharma showcased impressive batting throughout the Asia Cup. He scored 314 runs across seven innings, maintaining an average of 44.86 and a striking strike rate of 200. His achievements included three half-centuries, 32 boundaries, and 19 sixes. His aggressive starts significantly benefited India, helping them secure the title. Despite not performing as expected in the final, his overall performance in the tournament was commendable, and he was awarded a HAVAL H9 SUV. The luxury off-road vehicle is famed for its rugged build and advanced features, but this prize has presented a problem.
The HAVAL H9, while attractive, is incompatible with Indian laws. The car is a left-hand drive (LHD) model, while Indian law only permits right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles. Under India’s road safety and vehicle registration act, LHD cars cannot be registered or driven in the country. Thus, Sharma cannot bring the SUV to India or use it. Initially, fans wondered why the car was left behind, but now, the reason is clear: the car violates Indian regulations.
There is news that HAVAL may launch an RHD version of this SUV in India by November 2025. If this occurs, Sharma might receive a new model, which can legally be used in India. However, neither the company nor the event organizers have released an official statement.
