India Has Not Pulled Out of Asia Cup 2025, Confirms BCCI
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly denied rumors that India will withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025. The tournament is scheduled for September and is expected to be a key event in the lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed recent media reports, stating, “Such news is devoid of any truth.” He clarified that no discussions regarding India’s participation in the Asia Cup have taken place within the board. Saikia added that the BCCI is currently focused on the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and the upcoming series against England.
The clarification comes after some reports claimed India had opted out of the tournament due to ongoing hostilities with Pakistan. It was also speculated that the BCCI had communicated this decision to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), citing political tensions and concerns over the ACC being chaired by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
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The Asia Cup 2025 would mark the first on-field encounter between India and Pakistan since the recent conflict. Calls for a boycott have already emerged, with India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir urging the board to sever cricketing ties with Pakistan.
The tournament will feature eight teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Oman, and the UAE. It is planned to follow a hybrid hosting model previously agreed upon by the BCCI and PCB. India enters the competition as the defending champion.
While the BCCI’s denial aims to ease speculation, the final decision on India’s participation is still pending. An official announcement is expected in the coming weeks.
