India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on September 13, 2026 in Dubai but did not accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, continuing the trend started by the men’s team during the 2025 Asian Cup. Photo: X/@ShuklaRajiv
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Monday (September 14, 2026) said the Indian women’s team’s refusal to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi was a “collective decision” of the board and the Asian Cricket Council chairman also “did not raise any objection to it.”
India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on Sunday (September 13, 2026) in Dubai but did not accept the trophy from Mr Naqvi, continuing a trend started by the men’s team during the 2025 Asian Cup after last year’s Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.
“We discussed the matter among ourselves and decided that we will not accept it (the trophy) from him. It was our collective decision. He (Naqvi) also had no objection to it,” Mr. Shukla told reporters after arriving with the team at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
“We informed our team about it and he presented it to everyone who needed it and then left,” Shukla added.
The veteran administrator’s words reflect the stance of BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
“We have taken a conscious decision keeping in mind all prevailing aspects and our position has been communicated to the ACC in advance that the Indian team will not participate in the trophy presentation under the circumstances,” Mr. Saikia said. PTI previously.
Earlier, some footage of Mr Saikia’s conversation with Mr Naqvi during the Asia Cup final had surfaced, but Mr Shukla said it was just a “normal conversation”. “What Saikia ji said is absolutely true. When you are at a match, everyone is there and interacts in a professional capacity. So I don’t think there should be so much criticism about it,” he said.
Mr. Shukla also congratulated the team on their triumph at the Asian Cup and expressed confidence that the team will perform well at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
“We have become Asian Cup champions. Our women have once again made us proud and we will continue to win in the future.
“The team is now heading to Japan and we are fully confident that we will win there too,” he said.
Published – September 15, 2026 02:57 EST.