BCCI's Shukla says Naqvi 'did not object' to Indian women refusing Asia Cup trophy from ACC chief

Shukla frames trophy refusal as BCCI's 'collective decision'

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said on Monday that the Indian women's team's decision not to receive the Women's Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi was taken collectively by the Board and that Naqvi "did not raise any objection" to it. "We discussed the matter among ourselves and decided that we would not accept it (trophy) from him. It was our collective decision. He (Naqvi) also did not raise any objection to it," Shukla told reporters after arriving with the team at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, adding, "We informed our team accordingly, and he presented it to whoever he had to and then left."

Continuity with the 2025 men's team stance

India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday but did not accept the trophy from Naqvi. It was the second consecutive year that an Indian team skipped receiving the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, after the men's team did the same during the 2025 Asia Cup following the Pahalgam terror attack. Shukla's comments were in line with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia's explanation after the final, in which Saikia said the Board's stand changed after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack while adding that India would continue to play Pakistan in multinational tournaments in line with the government's policy.

How the ceremony unfolded in Dubai

After India won the match by 72 runs, the trophy presentation was delayed by roughly 50 minutes, after which Naqvi presented the medals to the runners-up, Sri Lanka, and the ceremony ended abruptly afterward. India's medal ceremony was held separately by the team, with the "best fielder" medal announced by fielding coach Munish Bali and presented by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, with board vice-president Rajeev Shukla in attendance.

Shukla defends Saikia's exchange with Naqvi

Earlier, pictures surfaced showing Saikia talking to Naqvi during the Asia Cup final in Dubai. Responding to criticism over those images, Shukla described the exchange as routine and professional. "What Saikia ji said is absolutely correct. When you are at a match, everyone is present there and interacts in a professional capacity. Therefore, I do not think there should be so much criticism over that," he said.