Devajit Saikia Refutes Reports of BCCI Pulling Out from ACC Tournaments
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has officially denied reports suggesting that India will withdraw from the upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events, including the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the Men’s Asia Cup scheduled for September 2025.
Addressing the speculation, Saikia stated,
“Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news items about BCCI’s decision not to participate in Asia Cup and Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC’s events. Such news are devoid of any truth as till now BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the upcoming ACC events, leave alone writing anything to the ACC.”
Saikia further clarified that the board’s current focus lies solely on the ongoing IPL 2025 season and the upcoming England series for both men and women. He emphasized that discussions regarding ACC events have not yet taken place at any official level within the BCCI.
“The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary,” Saikia told Cricbuzz.
“BCCI will announce in due course as and when any discussion on any ACC events should take place or any key decision is reached.”
The Background of the Controversy
The clarification comes in the wake of a report published by The Indian Express that claimed BCCI had decided to withdraw from ACC tournaments due to escalated tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The report also pointed out that ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, was a key reason for the reported decision.
The alleged source from the BCCI reportedly said,
“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation.”
This had led to massive speculation that India would pull out from both the Women’s and Men’s Asia Cup tournaments.
Current Status of Asia Cup 2025
India is scheduled to host the Men’s Asia Cup in September 2025. The tournament is a significant event in the subcontinent cricket calendar and typically features teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. A hybrid model was used in the 2023 edition, where India played all their matches in Sri Lanka due to security concerns in Pakistan.
As it stands, BCCI has made no official moves to withdraw from any ACC events. All updates regarding India’s participation in continental tournaments will be officially announced after due internal discussion.
Stay tuned for official developments.
