BCCI cites political climate as reason; tournament’s future now uncertain
The Asia Cup 2025 is facing a major crisis after India’s reported decision to withdraw from the tournament. The competition, set to follow a T20 format as a lead-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, may not happen as planned.
According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has told the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that Team India will not take part in the Asia Cup 2025 or the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, citing ongoing political tensions with Pakistan. The ACC is currently headed by Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi, which has further complicated matters.
A BCCI official told Indian media, “We’ve informed the ACC that, given the current climate and leadership, India cannot participate. We’re also consulting with the government.”
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This announcement comes just days after reports of alleged Indian missile strikes on Pakistani cities, which have dramatically escalated tensions between the two nations. The diplomatic fallout is now spilling over into sports, threatening one of Asia’s biggest cricketing events.
India’s potential exit could lead to sponsor pullouts, broadcaster losses, and even full cancellation of the tournament. Most Asia Cup sponsors are India-based, and without India’s participation, the commercial value of the event drops sharply.
The last Asia Cup, held in 2023, saw India emerge victorious over Sri Lanka. That edition used a hybrid model due to similar tensions — Pakistan hosted, but India played all its matches in Sri Lanka.
As cricket fans wait for an official statement, one thing is clear: the Asia Cup 2025 now hangs by a thread, with politics once again disrupting the game loved by millions.
