The Indian women's cricket team declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy and cheque from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi following their record-extending eighth Asia Cup title on 14 September 2026 in Dubai, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirming the gesture was a deliberate act of solidarity with the precedent set by the Indian men's team in 2025. The women's side had beaten Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to clinch the continental title.

Why India's Women Declined the Trophy

Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates did not appear on the podium to collect their trophy from Naqvi, who serves concurrently as Pakistan's Federal Minister for Interior. The move directly mirrored the Indian men's team's decision after winning the men's Asia Cup in 2025, when they too declined to receive the trophy from the same official.

Saikia explained the context: 'Our men's team won the Asia Cup a year and a half ago. Our overall situation changed after the Pahalgam incident in April 2025. Following that event, citizens across the country called on us to sever all ties and refrain from playing cricket with the neighbouring nation.'

BCCI's Position: Play, But on India's Terms

Saikia was careful to distinguish between participating in multi-nation events and accepting conditions the BCCI considers untenable. 'Our central government has a clear policy that we should participate against every country in multi-nation tournaments. We respect and strictly abide by that policy, and the BCCI remains ready to play in all multi-nation events,' he said.

At the same time, he was unambiguous about why the trophy was declined: '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.'

India Women's Historic Asia Cup Run

The title was India's eighth in the women's Asia Cup, extending their own record. Saikia highlighted the broader arc of the team's recent achievements: a 50-over World Cup win in November 2025, a Test match victory at Lord's against England, and now the Asia Cup. He noted that in the men's counterpart last year, India defeated Pakistan three times, while in this women's edition they beat Pakistan once before defeating Sri Lanka in the final — all wins coming convincingly, without a close contest.

'It doesn't diminish the performances of our team. Our team played superbly,' Saikia said, adding that women's cricket in India was on a clear upward trajectory.

Next Stop: Asian Games Gold

Saikia confirmed there are no immediate felicitation ceremonies planned, as the team's attention has already shifted to the Asian Games in Japan. The squad is set to depart via Delhi imminently, with matches scheduled on the 18th, 20th, and 22nd. 'Our goal is to bring home the gold medal, and that is our sole objective,' he said.

The Indian women's cricket team heads into the Asian Games on the back of one of the most successful runs in recent memory — and with a statement on the field, and off it, that will resonate far beyond the boundary rope.