Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Saikia Says Asia Cup Trophies Will Reach BCCI Headquarters
India’s women’s cricket team won the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.
They did not collect the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi during the official ceremony.
Naqvi is both the Asian Cricket Council president and a senior Pakistani official.
Instead, the team held a smaller ceremony of its own.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said this was an official decision by the cricket board.
He said the decision was not against the players or the tournament.
Saikia also said the trophy would eventually be delivered to the BCCI office in Mumbai.
A similar situation happened after India’s men won the Asia Cup last year.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said both Asia Cup trophies would eventually reach the board’s headquarters in Mumbai.
India’s women’s team declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi after defeating Sri Lanka in the final.
The team skipped the official presentation and held its own ceremony, led by fielding coach Munish Bali.
Saikia said refusing the trophy was a firm institutional decision influenced by sentiments in India, not a rejection of the players, tournament or sport.
A similar incident occurred after India’s men retained the Asia Cup against Pakistan last year, and Saikia said another episode could occur at the Asian Games.
- Who
- The Indian women’s cricket team, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi.
- What
- India’s women’s team declined to receive the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi, while Saikia said the trophies would eventually reach BCCI headquarters.
- When
- The women’s final was held on Sep. 13, and Saikia made his latest comments on Sep. 18; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- The final and presentation were in Dubai, while BCCI headquarters is at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
- Why
- Saikia said the decision reflected the circumstances and sentiments prevailing in India and was a firm institutional position.
- BCCI headquarters
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Asia Cup final
- India defeated Sri Lanka in Dubai
- Trophy presentation
- India’s women’s team did not attend the official ceremony
- Alternative ceremony
- Fielding coach Munish Bali presented the best fielder award to Nandani Sharma
- ACC presidency
- Mohsin Naqvi is scheduled to remain ACC president until April 2027
- Previous incident
- India’s men similarly declined the trophy from Naqvi after retaining the Asia Cup last year
- Potential future repetition
- The article says a similar episode could occur at the Asian Games in Japan