India Pulls Out of Asia Cup 2025: In the wake of mounting diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a decisive stance by withdrawing from all upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments. This includes next month’s Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the highly anticipated Men’s Asia Cup scheduled for September 2025.
According to The Indian Express, the BCCI has already informed the ACC of its intent, signaling a broader strategy to distance Indian cricket from any event presided over by Pakistan officials. Notably, the current ACC president is Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman — a detail that reportedly influenced India’s decision.
A Strategic Move with Political Undertones
“This isn’t just about cricket anymore,” a senior BCCI official told the press. “The sentiment of the nation is clear — the Indian team cannot participate in a tournament governed by a minister from a hostile country. We’ve communicated this to the ACC and will continue to consult with the Indian government on future participation.”
The decision effectively puts the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup on ice. The tournament, set to feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, is now shrouded in uncertainty. Industry insiders suggest that an Asia Cup without India would be commercially unviable, particularly because the marquee India-Pakistan clash is a major draw for both audiences and broadcasters.
Commercial Fallout Looms Large
In 2024, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) secured broadcasting rights for all ACC events over the next eight years for a staggering $170 million. If India pulls out and the Asia Cup doesn’t take place, the ACC might be forced to renegotiate its broadcasting deal — a financial blow that could disrupt revenue flows to all participating cricket boards.
Each of the five full ACC members — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan — typically receives 15% of the broadcasting revenue, with the rest allocated to associate members. Without India, the entire financial structure could crumble.
A Pattern Repeats Itself
This isn’t the first time political tensions have spilled over into the cricketing world. In the 2023 Asia Cup, India refused to play matches in Pakistan, forcing a hybrid model in which India’s games were relocated to Sri Lanka. India went on to win the tournament, while Pakistan failed to reach the final.
A similar script unfolded during the 2024 ICC Champions Trophy. Despite Pakistan hosting, India again pushed for a neutral venue. The Men in Blue played their games in Dubai and eventually lifted the trophy, leaving Pakistan out of its own title match yet again.
The Changing Face of Asian Cricket Governance
The ACC, founded in 1983 to promote cricket across the subcontinent and strengthen the region’s influence in world cricket, is at a crossroads. Previously led by India’s Jay Shah, now chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the ACC’s leadership dynamics have shifted. With a Pakistani minister now at its helm, India’s withdrawal signals deeper fractures in cricket diplomacy.
What Lies Ahead?
For now, India’s position is clear — no cricket under Pakistan’s leadership in regional bodies. As political tensions deepen, cricket boards and fans alike await clarity on the future of flagship events like the Asia Cup.
With broadcasters, sponsors, and millions of fans caught in the crossfire, the big question remains: can cricket rise above politics, or will geopolitics continue to redraw the boundaries of the gentleman’s game?
