Indian Women's Cricket Team Declines Trophy Amid Political Tensions

Clarification from the Ministry of External Affairs

On September 15, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) provided clarification regarding the Indian women's cricket team's decision to decline the Women's Asia Cup 2026 trophy. This incident, which occurred during the post-match presentation, is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team chose not to appear on stage after their victory in the final against Sri Lanka. Their refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), stems from ongoing tensions related to cross-border terrorism and India's military operations against Pakistan-sponsored threats.

Historical Context of the Decision

This decision by the women's team echoes a similar stance taken by the men's team last year after their own Asia Cup victory. During a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the situation falls within the BCCI's domain, indicating that it is not a matter for the ministry to address.

During the presentation ceremony, Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu accepted the runners-up cheque from Naqvi, while the Indian players were notably absent. Consequently, there were no images of the Indian team celebrating or lifting the trophy, as the broadcast quickly returned to the studio after Sri Lanka's acknowledgment.

Team India's Performance

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

India showcased an unbeaten run throughout the tournament, culminating in a dominant final where they scored 183/5 and limited Sri Lanka to just 111 runs, securing their eighth Asia Cup title.