Recent reports suggesting India's withdrawal from the Asia Cup 2025 have been refuted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has clarified that no such decision has been made and that the board's primary focus is currently on the ongoing IPL 2025 and the upcoming tour of England.
Several media outlets had reported that the BCCI had informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of its decision to withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025, citing heightened political tensions with Pakistan. These reports also indicated that India's discomfort with Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi becoming the ACC President was a contributing factor. Furthermore, it was suggested that the BCCI had also pulled out of the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka next month, and put its future ACC participation on hold.
However, Saikia has firmly denied these reports, stating that the BCCI has not even discussed the matter, let alone communicated any decision to the ACC. "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 said.
He emphasized that the BCCI's current priorities lie elsewhere, specifically with the ongoing Indian Premier League and the series against England. "At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women," the BCCI official further stated.
The reports of India's potential withdrawal had cast a shadow over the Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan later this year. India's participation is crucial for the tournament's commercial success, particularly due to the high-stakes India-Pakistan matches. Broadcasters and sponsors heavily rely on these encounters, and India's absence could lead to significant financial setbacks and contractual complexities.
The uncertainty surrounding the Asia Cup also comes at a time when India-Pakistan cricketing ties are already strained. Bilateral series between the two nations have been suspended since 2012, and their encounters are limited to multi-nation events. Any further escalation of political tensions could jeopardize even these occasional face-offs.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had reportedly offered to host the remainder of IPL 2025 in England due to the escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. While the BCCI has not commented on this offer, it highlights the challenges and uncertainties facing Indian cricket in the current climate.
Despite the speculations and concerns, the BCCI has reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its cricketing obligations. Saikia clarified that the Asia Cup matter has not been discussed at any level within the board, and any news or report on that is purely speculative. He assured that the BCCI will make an announcement in due course when any discussion on ACC events takes place or any key decision is reached.
