“Stop Playing Them”: 1983 World Cup Hero Madan Lal Slams Decision as Indian Women Skip Asia Cup Presentation
The atmosphere surrounding India’s dominant Women’s Asia Cup triumph was marred by a growing diplomatic standoff after the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side opted to skip the official post-match trophy presentation ceremony on Sunday. Following a commanding 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final, the Indian squad’s decision to remain off-field when it came time to receive the silverware from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has sparked a fierce debate across the cricketing fraternity.
Madan Lal Calls for Stronger Stance
The incident drew an immediate and sharp response from 1983 World Cup winner Madan Lal. The former Indian all-rounder did not mince words, suggesting that if the diplomatic tension between the two nations is significant enough to warrant such protests on the podium, the BCCI should reconsider its participation in tournaments featuring Pakistan.
“It is the same old story playing out again,” Madan Lal remarked. “If we are going to act in this manner, then we should simply stop playing Pakistan in any tournaments. I understand this is a board-level decision, but it reflects poorly on the sport when these situations persist.”
A Pattern of Diplomatic Friction
This episode marks the second consecutive year that an Indian team has deliberately avoided receiving honors from Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi, who holds the dual responsibilities of serving as the ACC chairman and the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), also functions as Pakistan’s Interior Minister—a dual role that has become a flashpoint for India’s cricket administration.
Last year, the Indian men’s team engaged in a similar protest. After winning the Asia Cup title, the players refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, leaving it to sit at the ACC headquarters where it remains to this day. During that ceremony, the Indian men’s team celebrated their victory on the dais without the physical trophy, a symbolic gesture that has now been mirrored by the women’s team.
Divergent Scenes at the Stadium
The contrast between the two teams was evident during Sunday’s proceedings. While the Indian contingent remained absent from the official presentation, the Sri Lankan team proceeded with their duties. The Sri Lankan players and their support staff accepted their runners-up medals from the Sri Lanka Cricket interim chief, Eran Wikramaratne, before receiving their participation cheque from Naqvi.
Observers noted that Naqvi departed the stadium shortly after handing the runners-up award to Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, indicating that the absence of the Indian team was anticipated. The incident underscores the deepening complexity of cricket relations between the two nations, where sporting excellence is increasingly overshadowed by political nuances.
While the Indian women celebrated their eighth Asia Cup title with their fans in the stands, the absence of the trophy handover serves as a stark reminder that the off-field narrative remains as turbulent as ever. With the cricket calendar constantly evolving, calls from legends like Madan Lal for a clearer policy on cross-border encounters are only expected to grow louder.
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