India women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar has backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s decision to not accept the Women’s T20 Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi following the team’s emphatic 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final in Dubai.
Muzumdar made it clear that the decision was taken by the BCCI and that the Indian team stood firmly behind the board’s position. India did not take part in the trophy presentation after Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, appeared on stage for the ceremony.
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“The stand has been taken by the BCCI. We stand by it,” Muzumdar said during the post-match press conference.
The presentation ceremony had already attracted attention as Naqvi was expected to be involved in handing over the championship trophy. As Sri Lanka’s chase neared its conclusion, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajeev Shukla were seen speaking with the Indian players and officials.
After India completed its victory, the team did not come out for the official presentation. Naqvi presented Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu with the runners-up cheque and the Sri Lankan team subsequently collected its medals. The ceremony ended without India receiving the championship trophy.
Muzumdar said the Indian team considered the tournament finished and was satisfied with having secured the title.
“For us, this tournament is over. We are the champions. That’s good enough. This tournament is officially over for us,” he said.
The coach also pointed to the tournament’s official result, saying India had been listed as the champions of the 2026 Asia Cup. He added that the team would now turn its attention towards the Asian Games.
When asked whether India would eventually receive the trophy, Muzumdar said he had no information on its status.
“No news. I cannot answer about this,” he said.
The episode comes after the Indian men’s team had also taken a similar stance during the previous Asia Cup. India’s men had refused to shake hands with Pakistan players amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent border hostilities. The men’s team also did not collect the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after winning the tournament, with the trophy yet to be formally handed over to the BCCI.
On the field, however, India’s campaign ended on a dominant note. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided the platform for a commanding total of 183 for five after India were sent in to bat. Mandhana scored 59, while Shafali produced a blistering 68.
Sri Lanka struggled during the chase and were eventually bowled out for 111. Deepti Sharma claimed three wickets for 19 runs, while Sree Charani delivered a standout spell of four for 20 as India completed a comprehensive 72-run victory.
With the Asia Cup title secured, Muzumdar said the team’s focus would now shift to the Asian Games.
