Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajeev Shukla on 14 September 2026 confirmed that the decision to decline the Women's Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi was made after thorough internal discussion, not on impulse. The move followed India's record eighth Women's Asia Cup title, secured with a 72-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

What Happened at the Trophy Ceremony

After Harmanpreet Kaur's squad clinched the title, India's players declined to collect the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister and head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Following a 50-minute delay, Naqvi distributed runners-up medals to Sri Lanka before the presentation ceremony concluded abruptly, with India's players having already exited with their medals and whatever was offered.

The episode closely mirrored what happened after the Indian men's team's 2025 Asia Cup victory over Pakistan — that squad also declined to collect their trophy from Naqvi, and the men's team is still yet to formally receive that trophy.

What Shukla Said

Speaking to reporters after returning from Dubai, Shukla sought to de-escalate any perception of hostility. 'We discussed the trophy issue and decided not to take it from him. He didn't object to it, and we told our team. They gave whatever they had and left. There was no quarrel, no fight, no clash,' he said.

Shukla also appeared to address the optics of BCCI officials being seen conversing cordially with Naqvi in the Royal Box during the match — visuals that drew wide attention on social media. 'When you sit in a match, everyone sits and meets there. It doesn't mean that you have to criticise them hugely. When you sit in a match, everyone sits there and meets all people from various countries,' he explained. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, who was also present in the Royal Box, had earlier made similar remarks, which Shukla endorsed: 'What Saikia ji said is right.'

The Geopolitical Backdrop

The trophy refusal is set against the backdrop of sustained geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. India has maintained a policy of not engaging in bilateral cricket with Pakistan, and the Asia Cup ceremonies have now twice become a flashpoint for that broader diplomatic strain. Naqvi's dual role — as a senior political figure in Islamabad and the presiding officer of Asian cricket — has made these moments especially charged.

Notably, BCCI officials engaging socially with their Pakistani counterparts in a multi-nation tournament setting is not the same as bilateral engagement, a distinction Shukla appeared to draw carefully in his remarks.

India Eyes Asian Games Next

With the Women's Asia Cup title secured, the Indian squad is preparing to depart for the Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Shukla expressed confidence about continued success, referencing India's prior Asian Games gold. 'We had won the Asian Games. We have now won the Asia Cup. Our women have once again made us feel honoured. We will continue to win. Our team is going to Japan tomorrow, and we will win there as well. We have a lot of hope. We have a lot of enthusiasm in our women's team, and they will give a very good performance,' he said.

India's women cricketers now arrive at the Asian Games as one of the tournament's most in-form sides, with a record Asia Cup title and a pattern of international dominance backing them.