BCCI Explains Why India Women’s Team Declined Asia Cup Trophy From Mohsin Naqvi: ‘Solidarity’ With Men’s Team Stance

India’s women’s cricket team lifted the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 title in Dubai, but the post-match trophy presentation once again became a major talking point after the players declined to receive the silverware from Mohsin Naqvi.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has now explained that the decision was not an individual call made by the players. According to him, it was a BCCI position and was intended to demonstrate solidarity with the Indian men’s team, which had refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after winning the men’s tournament last year. 

Why did India refuse the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi?

Naqvi is not only the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) but also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s interior minister.

Saikia said the BCCI had maintained the same stance in the women’s tournament as it did during the men’s Asia Cup. The decision followed heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 and the subsequent military confrontation between the two countries. 

The BCCI had also informed the ACC in advance about its position regarding the presentation, according to reports. 

‘Solidarity with the men’s team’

The key explanation from the BCCI is that the women’s team was maintaining consistency with the stance adopted by the men’s side.

India’s men had refused to accept the 2025 Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after defeating Pakistan in the final. The team instead celebrated without the trophy on the podium. 

This time, the women’s team followed the same approach after beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final and securing their eighth Asia Cup title. 

What happened during the presentation?

The trophy presentation in Dubai was delayed as the Indian players did not come forward to collect the trophy from Naqvi.

Reports said captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates stayed away from the presentation, while BCCI officials were present at the venue. Captain Smriti Mandhana was also reported to have returned to the dressing room after seeing Naqvi at the podium. 

The incident was particularly notable because the Indian women had produced a dominant performance on the field and won the tournament convincingly.

India remain dominant in the Asia Cup

Despite the controversy surrounding the presentation ceremony, India’s campaign was defined by their performance on the field.

The team remained unbeaten through the tournament and went on to defeat Sri Lanka in the final. The victory gave India their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title, further underlining their dominance in the competition. 

Cricket and politics collide again

The trophy controversy highlights how deeply India-Pakistan political tensions have spilled into cricket.

While India continues to participate in multinational tournaments where Pakistan is also present, the BCCI has maintained a distinction between playing matches and engaging in certain ceremonial interactions with Pakistani officials.

The latest decision by the women’s team therefore appears to be part of the same broader policy rather than an isolated incident involving the players.

For Indian cricket, the message from the BCCI is clear: the women’s team’s refusal was intended to maintain institutional consistency and solidarity with the men’s team, even as both sides continue to compete in international tournaments. 