India’s women won the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup on September 13 but left Dubai without lifting the trophy on the presentation stage. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs, finishing an unbeaten campaign and claiming India’s record eighth continental title. Yet when Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi came onto the dais, India did not appear to collect the winners’ trophy or medals from him. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later said the Board had decided this in advance and had informed the ACC before the presentation. The decision, he said, reflected the BCCI’s institutional position amid strained India-Pakistan relations.
What Happened After India Beat Sri Lanka In The Final?
India had already done the hard part on the field. After winning the toss, the side posted 183/5, powered by Shafali Verma’s 68 from 39 balls and Smriti Mandhana’s 59 from 39. Their 129-run opening partnership put Sri Lanka under pressure before Sree Charani took 4/20 and helped dismiss the defending champions for 111, as detailed in the final match report from AP.
The 72-run victory gave India its eighth Women’s Asia Cup title and fourth in the T20 format. The presentation, however, did not follow the usual script. Reports said roughly 40 to 50 minutes passed before proceedings began. Sri Lanka’s players received their runners-up medals, and captain Chamari Athapaththu collected the runners-up cheque from Naqvi. India’s players then stayed away from the trophy handover.
Before the formal ceremony, BCCI officials joined India’s own celebration on the outfield. Nandani Sharma also received the team’s fielding medal after taking two catches during the final.
Why Did BCCI Tell The Team Not To Receive The Trophy?
Saikia said the refusal was not a sudden decision by Harmanpreet or her teammates. The BCCI had already told the ACC that India would not join the trophy presentation if Naqvi was the official handing over the silverware. The Indian Express report on Saikia’s explanation said the Board described it as a firm institutional call.
Naqvi is the ACC president, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister. Saikia said the decision was taken after considering the prevailing situation and public sentiment following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. He also said India playing in a multinational competition and accepting a trophy under a particular presentation arrangement were two different issues.
The main points from BCCI’s explanation were:
- The ACC was informed about India’s position before the final.
- The refusal was a Board decision, not an individual call by the players.
- BCCI said the action was not aimed at Sri Lanka, the tournament or cricket.
- The women’s team followed the position previously taken by India’s men.
- Saikia said India would collect the Women’s Asia Cup trophy later.
The Business Standard report carrying Saikia’s comments also said BCCI had tried to resolve the presentation situation but those efforts did not succeed.
How Did The 2025 Men’s Asia Cup Trophy Row Return To The Spotlight?
The scene immediately recalled the 2025 men’s Asia Cup final. India defeated Pakistan in Dubai but declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi. Suryakumar Yadav’s team eventually celebrated its title without the physical cup, and the dispute continued well beyond the tournament.
That history meant Naqvi’s appearance at the 2026 women’s final was being discussed even before Sunday’s match. A day earlier, the official BCCI Women account had shared Harmanpreet Kaur and Chamari Athapaththu posing with the trophy ahead of the final. nBCCI Women’s official X post before the final
India had also avoided handshakes with Pakistan during their group-stage meeting earlier in the tournament, adding another chapter to the continuing cricket tensions between the neighbouring countries.
What Comes Next For Harmanpreet Kaur And India?
Away from the trophy controversy, India finished the tournament unbeaten, reclaimed the title Sri Lanka had won in 2024 and produced its strongest batting display of the competition in the final. The ICC’s tournament coverage had highlighted India’s push to regain the continental crown before the title clash.
Head coach Amol Muzumdar backed the BCCI position after the match and stressed that India were officially champions even without the trophy appearing in their celebration pictures. Saikia has now shifted attention toward the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, with the team preparing for its next major assignment.
Five FAQs
Why did India Women refuse the Asia Cup trophy?
BCCI decided beforehand that India would not receive the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi.
Who is Mohsin Naqvi?
Mohsin Naqvi is ACC president, PCB chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister, overseeing regional cricket administration.
How did India win the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup final?
India scored 183/5 before dismissing Sri Lanka for 111, completing a 72-run victory in Dubai.
Did India receive the Women’s Asia Cup trophy later?
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said India would collect the trophy later after rejecting the presentation.
What is India’s next major target after the Asia Cup?
India will turn its attention toward the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and another medal campaign.
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