Indian Women's Cricket Team Declines Trophy Amid National Pride

The Indian women's cricket team made headlines by refusing to accept the Women’s T20 Asia Cup trophy from the PCB chief, citing national pride. BJP spokesperson Shaik Baji expressed support for the team's decision, emphasizing the importance of respect for the nation. This incident occurred during a tense backdrop of cross-border terrorism. Despite the controversy, the team celebrated a significant victory over Sri Lanka, securing their eighth continental title. The match showcased impressive performances, including a record opening partnership and strong bowling. Discover more about this unfolding story and the implications of their stand.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 14, 2026, 12:37 IST

BJP Supports Team's Stand on National Pride

On Monday, Shaik Baji, spokesperson for the BJP in Andhra Pradesh, expressed support for the Indian women's cricket team's choice to decline the Women’s T20 Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the ACC President and PCB chief. He emphasized that national pride and respect for India are of utmost importance. In a statement, Baji remarked, "We honor our courageous women athletes, just as we commend players like Mohammed Shami and Mohammad Kaif who represent our nation with dignity. We remain vigilant against those who celebrate Pakistan's victories by distributing sweets while residing here. As Indian citizens, we proudly salute our nation worldwide."

Presentation Ceremony Controversy

The Indian team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, was absent from the stage during the post-match presentation after their victory in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final. They refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi due to ongoing tensions related to cross-border terrorism and the context of Operation Sindoor, India's military action against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. During the ceremony, Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu received the runners-up cheque from Naqvi, while the Indian players were not present on stage. Consequently, there were no images of Team India celebrating or lifting the trophy, as the broadcast returned to the studio after Sri Lanka's presentation.

Prior to the ceremony, Team India gathered for a huddle, where head coach Amol Muzumdar addressed the players. Additionally, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajiv Shukla awarded the 'Fielder of the Match' medal to pacer Nandani Sharma, who made two catches during the match. Saikia congratulated the team on their victory.

Previous Similar Incident in Men's Asia Cup

This incident mirrors a previous controversy during the men’s Asia Cup 2025 final, where India also declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi after defeating Pakistan.

India Secures Eighth Continental Title

In the final match, the Indian women's team triumphed over Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Dubai, marking their eighth continental title. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad remained undefeated throughout the tournament.

Following the victory, Ghosh commended the entire team for their outstanding performance, noting that every player played a crucial role in the title win. He stated, "It's fantastic to beat Sri Lanka by such a significant margin. We are immensely proud of all the girls. Each of them contributed significantly. Richa is doing her best, which we appreciate. Ultimately, the trophy is what matters most... I am confident that more trophies will follow in the future."

India showcased a remarkable all-round performance in the final, scoring 183/5 after a record opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, and then limited Sri Lanka to 111 runs. Deepti Sharma excelled with the ball, taking three wickets, while Shree Charani claimed four wickets, leading India to their eighth Asia Cup title.