Asia Cup 2025 / BCCI's big decision- Team India will not play in Asia Cup

Asia Cup 2025: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a big and shocking decision regarding Team India's participation in the Asia Cup. In view of the ever-increasing political and diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan, the BCCI has decided to distance itself from this multinational tournament for the time being. According to the BCCI, Team India will no longer participate in the upcoming Asia Cup, and its official information has also been given to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

India withdraws from Asia Cup

The impact of this decision of BCCI will not be limited to the Men's Asia Cup only, but according to the Indian Express report, the board has also decided not to participate in the upcoming Women's Emerging Asia Cup, which is to be held in Sri Lanka next month. Thus it is a clear indication that India is currently adopting a policy of keeping distance from Asian tournaments, especially when there are officials associated with Pakistan in the organizing country or in key positions.

Pakistani leadership and growing discord

It is worth noting that at present the command of the Asian Cricket Council is in the hands of Pakistani minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The effect of the continuously deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan can be clearly seen on cricket as well. The BCCI believes that participating in the tournament in the current circumstances is neither safe for the team nor strategically appropriate.

Diplomatic tensions on the cricket field as well

Although cricket has often been considered a means of improving relations between the two countries, bilateral series between India and Pakistan have almost stopped in the last few years. The two teams come face to face only in ICC tournaments. In such a situation, after the ACC handed over the leadership to Pakistan, this decision by the BCCI also gives a political message somewhere.

What will be the way forward?

After this step of BCCI, it will now be interesting to see what is the reaction of the Asian Cricket Council. Also, the question arises whether other countries will also take a stand after India's decision or will India alone keep distance from this tournament.