‘No truth in reports’ — BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rubbishes claims of India opting out of Asia Cup, ACC events
‘No truth in reports’ — BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rubbishes claims of India opting out of Asia Cup, ACC events
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the Board has not taken any decision regarding its participation in tournaments affiliated with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Amid reports claiming that the BCCI has pulled out of next month’s Women’s Emerging Asia Cup and put Asia Cup participation on hold, Saikia told Sportstar, “There is no truth to such reports. There has been no discussion of any sort…”
“Such news is devoid of any truth as till now, BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC (Asian Cricket Council). At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women,” Saikia said.
Some media reports had earlier suggested that the decision had already been communicated to the ACC, with India officially pulling out of the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka next month.
While a final decision on the Men’s Asia Cup, scheduled for September 2025, is yet to be made, the tournament’s future now appears bleak as the ACC is currently chaired by Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister and the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
However, Saikia rubbished such claims.
“It may be said that the BCCI, as and when any discussion on any ACC events takes place and any important decision is reached, the same will be announced…” he added.
The Women’s Emerging tournament is slated to be held next month, with India having the hosting rights for both the women’s (emerging) and men’s editions.
India is the defending champion in the men’s Asia Cup, having beaten Sri Lanka in the final in 2023, while Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are the other countries in the tournament.
The previous edition was also marred by India-Pakistan tensions. Originally set to be hosted entirely by Pakistan, the tournament was forced into a hybrid model after India refused to travel across the border, with all its matches shifted to Sri Lanka.
