Naqvi had no objection to India denying him Women’s Asia Cup title, says Shukla
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said on Monday that India’s decision not to accept the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi was a collective decision of the board, adding that the Pakistan administrator had no objection.
India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai on Sunday but did not take the trophy from Naqvi and continued the stance taken by the men’s team during last year’s Asia Cup.
Speaking to reporters after the arrival of the Indian team at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Shukla said that the BCCI had discussed the matter internally before deciding that the players would not receive the trophy from Naqvi.
“We have discussed the matter among ourselves and decided not to accept it (the trophy) from him. It was our collective decision. He (Naqvi) also did not raise any objection,” Shukla said, as quoted by PTI.
“We informed our team about it and they presented it to whomever they had to and then left,” he added.
BCCI STATION
Shukla’s comments came a day after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained the thinking behind the decision.
Saikia had earlier told India Today that the decision was taken in the “interests of our country” and moods of the people in mind while stressing that India’s attitude was specifically about getting the trophy from individuals who were not acceptable to the team at that stage.
“What happened today after the final is nothing but a normal thing, considering the interest of our country and the respect of all our people,” Saikia said after the final.
“Our only concern is that we cannot get the trophy from some persons who are not acceptable to us at this stage,” he added.
Saikia also linked the decision to the pending issue of the Indian men’s team trophy in Asia. India won the men’s tournament in 2025 but the trophy is yet to arrive in the country.
“We also bear in mind the respect and solidarity with our men’s Asia Cup team. If you look at our men’s team that won the Asia Cup about a year ago, the trophy is yet to come to our country,” Saikia said.
“If this is the position, then how can we violate our position and do something that is against our original position? The situation has not changed in the last year and a half and we hope that common sense will prevail and both the trophies will be handed over to India as soon as possible,” he added.
ROUTINE INTERACTIONS
Pictures emerged of Saikia talking to Naqvi during Sunday’s finale, but Shukla described the interaction as routine.
“What Saikia ji said is absolutely right. When you are at a match, everyone is there and interacts like a professional. That’s why I don’t think it should be criticized that much,” Shukla said.
ASIAN GAMES NEXT
Shukla also congratulated the Indian women’s team for winning the Asia Cup and expressed confidence in its chances at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
“We became the champions of the Asian Cup. Our women have made us proud again and we will continue to win,” he said.
“The team is now heading to Japan and we are fully confident of securing victory there as well,” added Shukla.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
15 Sep 2026 0:05 AM IST