Devajit Saikia Defends India’s Trophy Stand, Says BCCI Won’t Compromise on Its Position

India's eighth Women's Asia Cup title was followed by an unusual trophy presentation in Dubai, as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side did not participate in the official ceremony involving Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi.

India had defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to lift the continental title, but the traditional trophy-lifting moment did not take place. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia subsequently defended the decision, making it clear that the board stood behind the team's position.

India Win the Asia Cup in Dominant Fashion

The controversy came after India had produced one of their strongest performances of the tournament. They posted 183/5 before dismissing Sri Lanka for 111, completing a convincing 72-run victory.

Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided the foundation with a 129-run opening partnership, while Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma led the bowling effort during Sri Lanka's collapse.

No Trophy Presentation for India

Following the final, the Indian players did not come onto the presentation stage to receive the trophy from Naqvi. The ceremony was delayed as discussions continued over how the presentation would be conducted.

The situation eventually ended without the Indian captain lifting the trophy in the conventional manner, despite India having clearly won the tournament on the field.

Saikia Backs the Decision

Devajit Saikia said the BCCI supported the team's decision and indicated that India did not want to change the position it had previously taken regarding Naqvi.

His comments came after the same issue emerged during the men's Asia Cup last year, when India's men's team also did not accept the trophy from the ACC president.

The Same Issue Emerged Last Year

The current controversy is effectively a continuation of the dispute that followed India's men's Asia Cup triumph in 2025. After defeating Pakistan in the final, the Indian team did not receive the trophy from Naqvi.

That trophy has still not been formally handed over to India, adding another layer to the events surrounding Sunday's women's final.

Why Naqvi Is at the Centre of the Dispute

Naqvi occupies several significant positions in Pakistan's sporting and political structure. He is the president of the Asian Cricket Council and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, while also serving as Pakistan's interior minister.

That combination of cricket administration and political responsibility has made his involvement in the trophy ceremony particularly sensitive for the BCCI.

India-Pakistan Relations Remain a Factor

Saikia referred to the broader situation between India and Pakistan when explaining the board's position. Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military escalation.

The cricket teams have continued to meet in multinational competitions, but several traditional post-match interactions have changed amid the strained relationship.

India Had Offered an Alternative

According to Saikia's explanation, the BCCI was prepared for the trophy to be presented by another ACC official rather than Naqvi.

However, that alternative did not materialise. With the presentation arrangement remaining unacceptable to the Indian side, the team chose not to participate in the official trophy ceremony.

The Team Followed the Established Position

The decision by the women's team was consistent with the stance taken by India's men's side previously. Rather than treating the women's final as an isolated situation, the BCCI viewed it as a continuation of its existing position.

That meant the players did not make an exception even after producing a title-winning performance against Sri Lanka.

Players Still Celebrated the Championship

The absence of the official trophy presentation did not take away from India's celebrations. The players celebrated their victory on the field after completing a comprehensive win over the defending champions.

India's internal celebrations also included recognition for individual performances, with BCCI officials taking part in parts of the post-match proceedings.

Amol Muzumdar Also Supports the BCCI

India women's head coach Amol Muzumdar subsequently backed the board's decision. He stressed the team's unity and indicated that the players stood together behind the BCCI's position.

For the coaching staff and players, the main achievement remained the title itself rather than the traditional presentation ceremony.

India's Eighth Asia Cup Title

On the cricket field, India had little to worry about. Their batting and bowling performances in the final were comprehensive enough to secure another continental championship.

Shafali's 68 and Mandhana's 59 took India to a formidable 183/5, while Charani's four-wicket haul helped dismantle Sri Lanka's chase.

Sri Lanka Never Found a Way Back

After losing early wickets, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain the required scoring rate. India's spinners kept tightening the pressure, and the defending champions were eventually dismissed for just 111.

The 72-run margin gave India a decisive victory and ensured they finished the tournament as unbeaten champions.

A Second Asia Cup Trophy Dispute

The latest incident has revived questions about the unresolved trophy situation from the previous men's Asia Cup. India won that tournament but did not take the trophy during the presentation.

The women's triumph has now produced a similar scene, with another Indian championship being celebrated without the customary trophy handover.

BCCI Says the Trophies Will Eventually Return

Despite the unusual presentation, Saikia has expressed confidence that India will eventually receive the Asia Cup trophies. The board's position is that the dispute over who presents the trophy does not change the identity of the champions.

The immediate issue, however, remains unresolved, with the latest women's title adding another trophy to the broader dispute between the BCCI and ACC leadership.

Cricket and Politics Once Again Collide

The episode demonstrates how sporting events between India and Pakistan continue to be affected by the wider political relationship between the two countries.

While the teams continue to compete when scheduled in multinational tournaments, ceremonies, handshakes and other traditional interactions have increasingly become sensitive subjects.

India's Achievement Remains Undiminished

Whatever happens with the trophy presentation, India's eighth Women's Asia Cup title cannot be disputed. The team won the final convincingly and completed an unbeaten campaign.

The players will therefore leave Dubai as continental champions, even though the familiar image of the captain lifting the trophy on the presentation stage was missing.

Saikia Makes BCCI's Position Clear

Saikia's comments have removed much of the uncertainty surrounding the decision. The BCCI is not treating the women's team's absence as an independent player-led action but as part of the board's established position.

For now, the cricketing achievement belongs firmly to India, while the question of when and how the Asia Cup trophy reaches the champions remains a matter for the ACC and BCCI to resolve.