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Women's Asia Cup: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia's major statement on the Indian women's team's decision not to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi
The Indian women's cricket team clinched the Women's Asia Cup title by defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final, but a major controversy unfolded during the presentation ceremony. The Indian team flatly refused to accept the trophy from the hands of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has openly supported the team's firm stance.
'Cannot accept the trophy from those acting against the country'
Speaking to IANS, Devajit Saikia clarified that relations between the two nations are currently under severe strain due to the terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025 and the subsequent 'Operation Sindoor' launched by the Indian Army.
Saikia said:
"In accordance with government policy, we play against every country in multi-nation tournaments, and the BCCI adheres to this. However, this does not mean we will accept every condition. We cannot accept the trophy from a country with which our relations have consistently deteriorated, and whose prominent leader stands against our nation's interests. The men's team took the same decision last year, and our women's team has adopted this firm stance to demonstrate that same solidarity."
Team India was willing to accept the trophy from Khalid Al Zarooni
After the final match, the Indian team was prepared to accept the trophy from ACC Vice-President Khalid Al Zarooni, but Mohsin Naqvi was unwilling to step aside. Consequently, a standoff regarding the trophy presentation ensued. However, Saikia clarified that there were no regrets about this:
- Our primary objective was to win the match in spectacular fashion, in which the team was completely successful. Who was handing over the trophy was not a priority for us.
- He described sitting alongside Naqvi and Rajeev Shukla in the Royal Box as a matter of standard formal protocol.
Won the title unbeaten; sights now set on the Asian Games
Lauding the Indian team for winning the title while remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament, Saikia stated that the team's full focus would now shift to the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. In the women's T20 event, which begins on September 17, India will face hosts Japan in the quarter-finals.
