India created history on Sunday by winning the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 for a record eighth time, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final.
But the trophy presentation became the bigger talking point.
India put up 183 runs for 5 wickets, powered by brilliant knocks from Shafali Verma, who scored 68, and Smriti Mandhana, who scored 59.
Sri Lanka struggled in the chase and were bowled out for 111, giving India a comfortable 72-run victory.
India put up 183 runs for 5 wickets, powered by brilliant knocks from Shafali Verma, who scored 68, and Smriti Mandhana, who scored 59.
Sri Lanka struggled in the chase and were bowled out for 111, giving India a comfortable 72-run victory.
But when it was time for the trophy presentation, the Indian team did not come out to receive the trophy.
The presentation was being led by Mohsin Naqvi, the President of the Asian Cricket Council and also Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
The Indian team therefore did not accept the trophy from him, and the ceremony went ahead without the champions on stage.
The BCCI later explained that its position had been communicated before the final, and India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar backed the decision.
So, India walked away with the title, but the actual trophy presentation never happened in the usual way.
A record eighth Asia Cup title, a dominant final… but no trophy presentation for the champions.
India won the tournament — and the trophy ceremony became a story of its own.
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