India Skip Asia Cup Trophy Presentation Again: BCCI Clarifies Its Stand Amid Fresh Controversy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified why the Indian women’s team did not accept the Asia Cup trophy after defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final.

India completed a dominant campaign by lifting the title, but the trophy presentation became the centre of attention after the players chose not to receive the silverware from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the controversy shortly after the final on Sunday, September 13, saying the decision was taken in line with the board’s position on India’s cricketing relationship with Pakistan.

BCCI SAYS DECISION WAS ABOUT ‘RESPECT’

Explaining the decision, Saikia said India’s stance was driven by the sentiments surrounding its relationship with Pakistan and the circumstances involving Naqvi.

He said the board did not want the Indian players to accept a trophy from someone whom it currently considers unacceptable.

According to Saikia, India continues to participate in international tournaments despite widespread opposition to playing against Pakistan, but the BCCI has drawn a line over certain interactions.

He stressed that the decision was not intended to create another controversy but was based on what the board believes is in the interest of the country.

MEN’S ASIA CUP TROPHY ALSO A FACTOR

Saikia also linked the decision to the unresolved issue involving India’s men’s Asia Cup trophy.

India won the 2025 men’s Asia Cup, but the trophy has reportedly still not been handed over to the BCCI. Saikia said the board remains in contact with the relevant officials and is continuing to seek its return.

He argued that accepting the women’s trophy from Naqvi would have contradicted the position maintained by the BCCI over the men’s trophy.

“We are also keeping in mind the respect and solidarity with our men’s Asia Cup team,” Saikia said.

He added that the situation had remained unchanged for around a year and a half and expressed hope that both trophies would eventually be handed over to India.

BCCI PROPOSED AN ALTERNATIVE

The BCCI had reportedly suggested a different arrangement to prevent the trophy presentation from becoming controversial.

Saikia said the board had requested that the ACC deputy chairman present the trophy to the Indian team instead of Naqvi.

According to him, the proposal was made specifically to avoid an issue that both sides were aware could become contentious.

However, that arrangement did not materialise.

Naqvi later appeared during the presentation ceremony and handed the runners-up cheque to Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu. The broadcast ended shortly after Athapaththu spoke with Farvez Maharoof, leaving the subsequent proceedings unclear.

INDIA CELEBRATE TITLE WITHOUT TROPHY PRESENTATION

Despite the unusual trophy ceremony, India celebrated their title victory on the field.

Head coach Amol Muzumdar addressed the players before the medal ceremony, while Saikia and BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla were also present. Saikia congratulated the squad on its successful campaign, and Nandani Sharma received the fielding medal.

The trophy itself, however, was not handed over to the Indian players by Naqvi.

INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS AGAIN IN SPOTLIGHT

Saikia insisted that the BCCI’s position should not be interpreted as an attempt to manufacture controversy.

He said the board was fully aware of the political and security situation surrounding India and Pakistan and did not want to act as though relations between the two countries were normal.

The episode has once again brought the complicated India-Pakistan sporting relationship into focus. India continues to compete against Pakistan in multinational tournaments, while maintaining its longstanding opposition to bilateral cricket between the two nations.

The latest trophy controversy is now likely to add another chapter to that increasingly complicated relationship.