ISLAMABAD: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has categorically denied reports suggesting that India is set to withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 and other upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events.
Speaking to the press, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed the media claims as speculative and unverified.
Reacting to a wave of media reports circulating since the morning, Saikia stated that no formal decision has been taken regarding India’s participation in either the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September in India, or the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup, slated for June in Sri Lanka.
Saikia clarified that the BCCI’s primary focus at present is on the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and the upcoming series against England, and that any decisions concerning ACC tournaments will be announced officially by the board. He emphasised that the news of India’s withdrawal is baseless and driven by speculation.
Several Indian media outlets earlier reported that India would neither host nor participate in the Asia Cup 2025, citing rising diplomatic tensions with Pakistan. One BCCI source was quoted as saying, “The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC, whose chief is a Pakistani minister [Mohsin Naqvi]—that is the sentiment of the nation.”
Despite Saikia’s denial, media reports also claimed that the BCCI had verbally communicated to the ACC about its withdrawal from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and that India’s future participation in ACC events is under review, pending consultations with the Indian government.
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since 2007 due to political hostilities. The two rivals only face off in ICC and ACC events held at neutral venues.
In 2023, Pakistan had proposed a hybrid hosting model for the Asia Cup after India refused to travel across the border, a plan that was eventually implemented.
