Asia Cup trophies will reach BCCI headquarters one day, says Saikia
Synopsis
India's women snubbed PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi at the Asia Cup podium — and now the BCCI secretary is making it official: both trophies will one day sit at Wankhede. It's the most pointed institutional endorsement yet of the players' diplomatic protest, and signals the BCCI isn't about to soften its stance toward Pakistan's cricket establishment.
Key Takeaways
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia pledged on 18 September 2026 that both the men's and women's Asia Cup trophies will eventually be displayed at the board's Mumbai headquarters.
The Harmanpreet Kaur -led women's team refused to collect their winner's medals and trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi in Dubai , echoing the men's team's protest from the previous year.
The IPL player auction is set for the second week of December , the final mini-auction of the 2023–27 rights cycle, with 20th anniversary celebrations planned.
Subhadeep Ghosh has been named India's men's team fielding coach on a short-term basis; his performance will be assessed after the New Zealand tour, with a possible extension to the 2027 ODI World Cup .
The BCCI will mark its centenary in December 2027 with year-long celebrations.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia on Friday, 18 September expressed firm confidence that both the men's and women's Asia Cup trophies will eventually be housed at the board's headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. His remarks came at the close of the 95th BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the same venue.
The Trophy Standoff Explained
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women's team declined to accept their winner's medals and the Asia Cup trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi — who also serves as PCB chairman and Pakistan's interior minister — after India won the final in Dubai last week. The decision mirrors a similar stance taken by the Indian men's team following their own Asia Cup triumph the previous year, establishing a pattern of diplomatic protest against Pakistani officialdom.
'Asia Cup trophies… we hope it will come one day. I will not give you a timeline, but I can assure you that both the trophies will come up and land up in this BCCI head office at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai,' Saikia told reporters after the AGM.
Women's Team Performance and Asian Games
Saikia also congratulated the Indian women's team on their Asia Cup triumph and their subsequent opening victory against Japan in the Asian Games. He expressed hope that the side would clinch the gold medal on 22 September.
IPL Auction and BCCI Centenary Plans
The player auction for the upcoming IPL season is scheduled for the second week of December, marking the final mini-auction of the current 2023–27 broadcast rights cycle. The BCCI is also planning grand celebrations to commemorate 20 years of the IPL. Looking further ahead, the board will mark its centenary in December 2027, with year-long celebrations planned from that month. Saikia also noted that the BCCI is working to engage state associations to better support physically-challenged cricketers.
Fielding Coach Update: Subhadeep Ghosh on Short-Term Watch
Saikia confirmed that former Assam Ranji Trophy cricketer Subhadeep Ghosh has been appointed as the Indian men's cricket team's fielding coach on a short-term basis, following the exit of T Dilip. Ghosh previously coached the senior women's side between 2021 and 2023 and currently serves as a fielding coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
'Indian men's team fielding coach has been appointed for a short time but we will be assessing his performance,' said Saikia. Ghosh's tenure will be evaluated following India's upcoming tour of New Zealand, with input from team management. If the assessment is favourable, he could remain in the role through the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Point of View
With no dissent from the board, means this is now policy in all but name. The real question is what it means for the ACC's governance dynamic, where the PCB chair also controls podium optics. India's cricket diplomacy has consistently outpaced its diplomatic establishment on Pakistan issues, and this incident underlines how far that drift has gone.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Indian women's team refuse the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi?
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women's team declined to accept the winner's trophy and medals from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi — who also serves as PCB chairman and Pakistan's interior minister — after winning the Asia Cup final in Dubai. The gesture mirrors a similar protest by the Indian men's team after their Asia Cup victory the previous year.
What did BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia say about the Asia Cup trophies?
Saikia expressed confidence that both the men's and women's Asia Cup trophies will eventually be housed at BCCI's headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. While he declined to give a specific timeline, he offered a firm assurance at the 95th BCCI AGM on 18 September 2026.
When is the IPL 2026 player auction?
The IPL player auction is scheduled for the second week of December 2026. It will be the final mini-auction of the current 2023–27 broadcast rights cycle, with the BCCI also planning grand celebrations to mark 20 years of the league.
Who is Subhadeep Ghosh and why has he been appointed India's fielding coach?
Subhadeep Ghosh is a former Assam Ranji Trophy cricketer who has been named India men's cricket team fielding coach on a short-term basis after T Dilip's departure. He previously coached the senior women's side from 2021 to 2023 and works at the BCCI Centre of Excellence; his continuation beyond the New Zealand tour will depend on a performance assessment.
What are the BCCI's centenary plans?
The BCCI will complete 100 years in December 2027 and has announced year-long centenary celebrations starting from that month. The board is also working with state associations to strengthen support for physically-challenged cricketers.
