Institutional decision to not receive the trophy - Devajit Saikia

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the Indian women’s team’s decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi was a conscious and institutional call, as it was not considered appropriate to participate in the presentation under the circumstances. The BCCI also said the decision had been conveyed to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in advance.

“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,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement released to Cricketlineguruji on Monday, hours after the trophy impasse in Dubai.

Saikia did not take the name of Naqvi or mention Pakistan in his statement, but made it clear that the wounds of the Pahalgam terror attack have not healed in the country. India retaliated against Pakistan through Operation Sindoor in May 2025, and since then, India teams engaged with Pakistan on the sporting field but refrained from the customary pleasantries.

So much so that Indian players have stopped shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts and steadfastly refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also happens to be a minister in the Pakistan government apart from being the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the ACC.

“Given the circumstances and the sentiments prevailing in the country, the BCCI felt that it would not be appropriate for the team to receive the trophy in the proposed manner. This was a firm institutional decision, reflective of the position we have maintained, and was not directed at the players, the tournament or the sport,” Saikia said.

The BCCI secretary said India will honour its international sporting commitments, but participation in multi-national competitions and accepting the trophy are two separate issues.

“Our participation in the Asia Cup was in fulfilment of our sporting commitments as a member of the Asian Cricket Council 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. However, participation in a multinational tournament and the manner in which the trophy is received are two separate matters.”

Congratulating the Indian women’s team on their Asia Cup triumph, Saikia said the BCCI would not allow the trophy fiasco to be a distraction in the team’s Asian Games campaign.

“The Indian women’s team has done what matters most, they have won the Asia Cup through their outstanding performance on the field. We as well as the whole nation are immensely proud of the team, and the achievement belongs to the players and to Indian cricket. Now, our focus is on the Asian Games and we do not allow any distraction at this stage from the preparation for the same,” Saikia remarked.