BCCI secretary Devajit Sakia (2nd from left) and Rajiv Shukla (left) congratulate Team India after the win. (Photo:@lonsaikia/X)
New Delhi, Sep 14: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Monday, backed the Indian women’s cricket team’s decision to decline the Asia Cup trophy and cheque from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, saying the move was a “conscious, institutional” decision taken in view of prevailing circumstances and sentiments.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the Board had communicated its position to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in advance and that the team’s decision mirrored the stance taken by the men’s side after winning the Asia Cup last year.
“We had taken a conscious decision considering all prevailing aspects, and our position had been communicated to the ACC in advance, that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation under the circumstances,” Saikia told a news agency, on Monday.
Harmanpreet Kaur-led India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to win the continental title for a record-extending eighth time on Sunday. The players, however, did not turn up to receive the trophy from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior.
Saikia stressed that India’s participation in the tournament was in keeping with its sporting commitments as an ACC member and did not imply acceptance of every condition surrounding the event.
“Our participation in the Asia Cup was in fulfilment of our sporting commitments as a member of the ACC by adhering to the policy in place, and there was never any question of compromising on the spirit of the game or our commitment to international cricket,” he said.
At the same time, he said relations with Pakistan had deteriorated significantly since April 2025.
“Our relations with that country have deteriorated significantly since April 2025, and ongoing operations continue. We simply cannot accept a trophy from one of their main leaders who acts against our country. Just as our men’s team chose not to take the trophy, our women’s team made the conscious decision to stand by that same move,” he said.
Saikia said the decision did not diminish India’s dominant campaign, noting that the team had won every match convincingly.
“It doesn’t diminish the performances of our team. Our team played superbly,” he said, adding that the women’s side had come a long way.
India’s focus now shifts to the Asian Games in Japan, with the team scheduled to leave via Delhi.
“Right now, our focus is on tomorrow… Our goal is to bring home the gold medal, and that is our sole objective,” Saikia said, ruling out any immediate felicitation for the Asia Cup-winning side.