Here we go again: Why India refused to receive the Women’s Asia Cup trophy

Trophy Refused Again: India Women Mirror Men's Boycott in 2026 Women's Asia Cup Win

Here we go again, folks. The Indian women's team, just like their men did in 2025, walked away from the trophy at the presentation ceremony after lifting the 2026 Women's Asia Cup.

A One-Sided Final

India crushed Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final. Smriti Mandhana (59 off 39) and Shafali Verma (68 off 39) put on a blustery 129 for the opening wicket in just 12.5 overs, firing India to a total before Sri Lanka's reply. The Lankans clawed back a bit but were never really in it, getting bowled out for 111 as Shree Charani (4/20) and Deepti Sharma (3/19) shared seven wickets.

The Presentation That Spoke Volumes

Sri Lanka picked up their runners-up medals from ACC Chief Mohsin Naqvi — a man who also heads the PCB and serves as Pakistan's interior minister. But when it came to the winners, the broadcasters cut straight to the studio and the Indian team didn't reach for the trophy.

Why? The Politics Behind the Boycott

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia laid it out plainly the morning after the final. He pointed to the April 2025 Pahalgam incident, which he said shifted the entire national mood.

"Pressure from citizens to cut relations with our neighbouring country," he said, "but our government has a policy that we must play against every country in multinational tournaments."

That doesn't mean India follows every condition. "Our military conflict is still ongoing. One of the main leaders working against our interests — we can't receive the trophy from him," Saikia added, stressing the women's team stood in solidarity with the men's 2025 decision.

"We have no regrets. Our priority wasn't who'd hand over the trophy — we wanted India to win, and we've done that."

The message is clear: India won on the pitch, and they're making a statement off it.

Source: Wisden