Head Coach Amol Muzumdar Confirms BCCI Directive Behind India’s Asia Cup Trophy Snub

India’s women’s team clinched the Asia Cup in Dubai, yet the trophy ceremony sparked controversy once more. This time, the BCCI emphasized that the decision to skip the presentation was a collective directive, not a personal choice by the players.

Following Harmanpreet Kaur’s squad’s 72‑run victory over Sri Lanka, which secured their eighth Asia Cup title, the Indian players declined to receive the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi.

The incident echoed last year’s men’s Asia Cup final, where the Indian side similarly refused the trophy from Naqvi, who holds the roles of ACC president, PCB chairman, and Pakistan’s interior minister.

Amol Muzumdar Reveals BCCI’s Stand

India’s head coach, Amol Muzumdar, stated after the match that the players were following the BCCI’s official stance.

“The BCCI has taken this position, and we support it. For us, the tournament is finished; we are the champions. That’s sufficient. The scoreboard showed India as Asia Cup 2026 champions, and for us the event is officially over,” Muzumdar remarked during the post‑match press conference.

He further noted that India had been declared the official champions and that the squad was already turning its focus toward the upcoming Asian Games.

“We are delighted to have emerged as champions, and our attention now shifts to the Asian Games.”

What Happened During the Presentation?

The Indian players did not re‑take the field for the official trophy ceremony. Instead, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice‑president Rajeev Shukla remained with the squad, as Saikia presented the in‑house Best Fielder award to Nandini Sharma. The players stayed clear of the formal presentation.

Naqvi attended the ceremony and subsequently handed the runners‑up cheque to Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu. The Indian side, however, did not collect the winners’ trophy from him. Contrary to the men’s final last year, Naqvi did not walk away with the trophy this time.

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