Have India Pulled Out of Asia Cup 2025? BCCI Breaks Silence

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had reportedly decided to pull out of all tournaments organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). This decision comes after rising political tensions between India and Pakistan. It is a bold decision taken by the Indian board as the ties between India and Pakistan go from bad to worse. However, these reports have been now dismissed by the BCCI.

As per the Asia Cup 2025 schedule, the tournament was to be held in India in the month of September. The tournament is the biggest cricketing extravaganza in the Asian subcontinent. In 2025, the tournament was scheduled to have 8 teams, with the top five teams in Asia and three qualifiers. The tournament is to be played in the T20 format as a part of the preparation for next year's T20 World Cup which will be jointly host by both India and Sri Lanka.

India Pulling Out of Asia Cup 2025 Reports Fake

According to a previous report in The Indian Express, the BCCI had already told the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) about its decision. The report stated that the Indian cricket team will not take part in the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup next month in Sri Lanka as well because of Pakistan's participation. The BCCI went on to add that they will withdraw from the Men’s Asia Cup 2025. Interestingly, India is the host for the Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

One major reason for India’s pullout is the current leadership of the ACC. Mohsin Naqvi, who is both the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and a Pakistan government minister, is now the ACC President. “The Indian team cannot play in a tournament led by a Pakistani minister. This reflects the mood of the nation,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express.

He further added that the Indian board is in regular touch with the Indian government on this issue. This move by BCCI could hace casted doubt over the Asia Cup 2025. India is the host, but without their participation, the tournament may lose its value. The Asia Cup 2025 India vs Pakistan match is usually the biggest draw in the tournament. Without it, fan interest and sponsor value could drop significantly.

Speaking to ANI, the BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed the rumours of India pulling out of Asia Cup 2025. He said, "Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news reports that the BCCI has decided not to participate in the Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both of which are ACC (Asian Cricket Council) events. 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. At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men's and women's."

He further added, "The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary. It may be said that BCCI, as and when any discussion on any ACC events takes place and any important decision is reached, the same will be announced through the media."

Will Asia Cup 2025 Get Cancelled?

As of now, there is no official confirmation if the Asia Cup 2025 will be cancelled or if India will participate or not participate in the subcontinental tournament. From the sponsor's point of view, India's pulling out will be a huge challenge since they bring in the most revenue in the tournament.
Previously, in 2024, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) bought the Asia Cup media rights for $170 million.

This deal covers eight years. If the Asia Cup 2025 gets cancelled or India pulls out, this agreement may have to be changed. This is not the first time political issues have affected India-Pakistan cricket ties. In the 2023 Asia Cup, India refused to travel to Pakistan.

To solve this, a 'hybrid model' was used. India’s matches were played in Sri Lanka, even though Pakistan was the official host. A similar model was used during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. India played all its matches in Dubai while the rest of the tournament was in Pakistan. India won the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka, where Pakistan failed to qualify for the final.

Sponsors, many of whom are Indian companies, may not be interested in an Asia Cup without India. This adds pressure on the ACC and the other participating boards. The future of the tournament now looks uncertain. With India’s withdrawal, it is not yet clear whether the Asia Cup 2025 will go ahead. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan may still want to play. But the absence of the biggest team in Asia, India, could force the organisers to cancel or delay the tournament.

Sources had stated that the ACC was trying to convince the BCCI to reconsider. But with political tensions high and the Indian government backing the BCCI’s stance, chances look slim. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012. They now face each other only in ICC events or continental tournaments. Even those are now being played in neutral venues.