A Victory Without the Silverware
The controversy ignited after India's men's team won the 2025 Asia Cup and the women's team triumphed in the 2026 edition. In both instances, the victorious Indian teams were not physically presented with the championship trophy during the post-match
ceremonies. This unusual situation repeated itself, with the women's team recently defeating Sri Lanka but leaving the stadium without the coveted prize, mirroring the events of the men's final a year prior. This has left fans wondering why the champions returned home empty-handed from tournaments they so convincingly dominated.
The Real Reason: A Principled Stand
According to both BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and Secretary Devajit Saikia, the refusal to accept the trophies was a deliberate and pre-planned decision by the board. The core of the issue stems from the fact that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is currently chaired by Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister and the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The BCCI communicated to the ACC in advance that, due to prevailing political tensions and national sentiments, the Indian teams would not accept the trophy from him. Shukla confirmed this was a “collective decision” and not a spontaneous act by the players.
Rajeev Shukla's Clarification
Rajeev Shukla stepped forward to clear the air, emphasizing that this was an institutional stand. "We discussed the matter among ourselves and decided that we would not accept it (trophy) from him," Shukla stated to reporters. He made it clear that the decision was communicated to Naqvi, who did not object. Shukla stressed that there was no confrontation or clash during the ceremony; the BCCI had simply established its position beforehand. The board even suggested that an alternative official, like the ACC vice-president, could present the trophy to avoid controversy, but this request was not accommodated. Saikia added that the stance was also to maintain solidarity with the men's team, who are still waiting for their 2025 trophy.
More Than Just a Trophy
While the physical trophy is the symbol of victory, the issue has often been linked with administrative holdups, including prize money. After the 2023 Asia Cup, there were reports of delays in the disbursement of prize money to the winning and runner-up teams, which was later attributed to administrative processes within the ACC. The winner of the tournament is set to receive a significant sum, and delays in payment can cause friction between boards and the council. In the past, the BCCI has even rewarded the team with prize money far exceeding the official tournament winnings, showcasing its own commitment to rewarding players while navigating disputes with the ACC.
So, When Will the Trophies Arrive?
This is the question every fan wants answered. According to BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, the trophies are expected to be delivered to the BCCI's office in Mumbai. While a firm date has been a moving target, the board has been in continuous communication with the ACC to resolve the handover. There have been suggestions of holding a separate ceremony or having an Indian representative collect the trophy from the ACC's Dubai office. The BCCI has made it clear that it will continue to press the matter, even indicating it would raise the issue at the next ICC meeting if the delay persists. For now, the trophies from the 2025 and 2026 victories remain in the custody of the ACC, awaiting a diplomatic resolution.
