India’s Asia Cup Trophy Snub Was a Collective Call, Says Rajeev Shukla

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Monday said the Indian women's cricket team's decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi was a “collective decision” taken by the Board, adding that the Pakistani official did not object to it.

India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai on Sunday to win a record-extending eighth Women's Asia Cup title. However, the Indian players did not participate in the formal trophy presentation as Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Pakistan's interior minister, was present to hand over the trophy.

“We discussed the matter among ourselves and decided that we would not accept it. It was our collective decision. He (Naqvi) also did not raise any objection to it,” Shukla told reporters after arriving at the Indira Gandhi International Airport with the team.

The BCCI had communicated its position to the ACC in advance, making it clear that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation if Naqvi was involved. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia described it as a conscious institutional decision taken in view of the prevailing circumstances and sentiments in India.

The trophy ceremony was delayed by around 40 minutes after Sri Lanka's final wicket. Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu received the runners-up cheque from Naqvi before India skipped the presentation. The BCCI has indicated that it will collect the winners' trophy later.

Saikia also stressed that India's participation in the tournament and the manner in which the trophy was received were two separate matters. India played in the competition as part of its sporting commitments while maintaining its position on the presentation ceremony.

The decision echoed the Indian men's team's stance during the 2025 Asia Cup, following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Shukla defended Saikia's interaction with Naqvi during the final, calling it a routine professional interaction. He also backed the team to continue its winning run at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.