Richa Ghosh's Father Supports Indian Women's Cricket Team's Trophy Decision

The Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, made headlines by refusing to accept the Women’s T20 Asia Cup trophy from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. Richa Ghosh's father, Manabendra Ghosh, supported this decision, emphasizing that the championship victory is more significant than the trophy itself. The team celebrated their win privately before the official ceremony, highlighting their strong performance throughout the tournament. India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs to clinch their eighth title, showcasing a dominant display in the final. Ghosh praised the entire team's effort and expressed confidence in future successes.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 14, 2026, 11:10 IST

Support for Team's Decision

Manabendra Ghosh, the father of Indian women's cricket team wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, expressed his support for the team's choice to decline the Women’s T20 Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He emphasized that the victory itself holds greater significance than the trophy presentation.

India's Absence from the Ceremony

The Indian team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, chose not to attend the post-match presentation ceremony after their triumph in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final. This decision was influenced by ongoing tensions related to cross-border terrorism and India's military operations against Pakistan-sponsored threats. Consequently, the team did not receive the trophy from Naqvi.

Internal Celebrations

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

Manabendra Ghosh's Comments

In an interview, Manabendra Ghosh remarked on the significance of the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that it is an event that cannot be overlooked. He fully supported the team's decision, saying, "Taking a trophy from someone who no longer has the right to give trophies was a justified choice for us. The BCCI is part of us, and we all stand behind that decision. The trophy is secondary; winning the championship is what truly matters."

Celebrating the Championship Win

India secured their eighth continental title by defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 final held in Dubai. The team remained undefeated throughout the tournament. Ghosh praised the players for their collective effort, stating, "It's fantastic to beat Sri Lanka by such a significant margin. We are immensely proud of all the girls. Richa is doing her best, and we appreciate that. The trophy is ours, and that’s what counts. I am confident that more trophies will follow in the future."

Match Highlights

In the final, India showcased a strong performance, scoring 183/5, aided by a record opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. They then restricted Sri Lanka to 111 runs, with Deepti Sharma taking three wickets and Shree Charani claiming four, leading India to their eighth Asia Cup title.