‘He presented it and left’: Rajeev Shukla on India’s Asia Cup trophy decision involving Naqvi

The Asia Cup trophy was won on the field, but India made a statement off it too.

After defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Sunday’s final in Dubai, the Indian women’s team chose not to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Monday said the decision was not taken by the players independently but followed an internal discussion within the Board.

He also said Naqvi did not object to India’s decision.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at the Indira Gandhi International Airport with the Indian team, Shukla said the BCCI had discussed the matter before informing the players that they would not accept the trophy from Naqvi.

‘We discussed the matter among ourselves and decided that we would not accept it (trophy). It was our collective decision. He (Naqvi) also did not raise any objection to it,’ Shukla said, as quoted by PTI.

According to Shukla, the team was subsequently informed about the decision. Naqvi then presented the trophy to whoever he had to before leaving.

The development has echoes of the stance taken by the Indian men’s team during last year’s Asia Cup.

India had won the men’s tournament in 2025, but the trophy is yet to reach the country.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had addressed the issue following Sunday’s final, saying the Board’s decision was guided by the ‘interest of our country’ as well as the sentiments of the people.

Saikia said India’s position was not about refusing the trophy itself, but about accepting it from individuals who were not acceptable to the team at the present stage.

‘What happened today after the final is nothing else but a normal thing, keeping in mind the interest of our country and the respect of all our people,’ Saikia said after the final.

‘Our only concern is that we cannot receive a trophy from some persons who are not acceptable to us at this stage,’ he added.

He also pointed to the unresolved issue surrounding the men’s Asia Cup trophy, saying the Board wanted to maintain solidarity with the team that won the tournament nearly a year ago.

‘We are also keeping in mind the respect and solidarity with our men's Asia Cup team. If you look at our men's team, which won the Asia Cup about one year ago, the trophy is yet to come to our land,’ Saikia said.

Saikia argued that changing the position for the women’s tournament would have conflicted with the stand already adopted by the Board.

‘If that is the position, then how can we violate our stand and do something that conflicts with our original position? The situation has not changed for the last one and a half years, and we hope that good sense will prevail and both trophies will be given to India at the earliest possible time,’ he added.

The episode also drew attention after images emerged showing Saikia speaking with Naqvi during the final.

Shukla, however, played down the significance of the interaction, describing it as part of the normal professional conduct expected when officials attend a match.

‘What Saikia ji said is absolutely correct. When you are at a match, everyone is present there and interacts in a professional capacity. Therefore, I do not think there should be so much criticism over that,’ Shukla said.

With the Asia Cup title secured, Shukla said the Indian women’s team now has another major assignment ahead: The Asian Games in Japan.

Congratulating the players on their continental triumph, he expressed confidence that the team could carry its winning momentum into the next competition.

‘We became Asia Cup champions. Our women have once again made us proud and we will continue to win in the future,’ he said.

‘The team is now heading to Japan and we are fully confident that we will secure a victory there as well,’ Shukla added.