India Women were crowned champions of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 after a commanding 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in Dubai, but an extraordinary post-match standoff meant Harmanpreet Kaur’s side ended the night without collecting the champions’ trophy or winners’ medals during the official presentation ceremony.
- India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final.
- India posted 183/5 before bowling Sri Lanka out for 111.
- Shafali Verma smashed 68 from 39 balls and was named Player of the Match.
- Smriti Mandhana struck 59 from 39 deliveries.
- Shree Charani took 4/20 and Deepti Sharma claimed 3/19.
- India secured a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
- The champions did not receive their official winners’ medals or trophy during the presentation ceremony.
- Head coach Amol Muzumdar later indicated that the decision reflected the BCCI’s position.
Champions on the Field, But No Trophy in Their Hands
The scenes after India’s emphatic victory became almost as dramatic as the final itself.
Mohsin Naqvi, the President of the Asian Cricket Council and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, was present for the post-match presentation at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and her teammates came forward to collect their runners-up medals, while Athapaththu received the runners-up cheque from Naqvi.
When it was India’s turn to be honoured as champions, however, the expected presentation did not take place. Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates did not come forward to receive the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi.
The presentation eventually concluded without India being shown receiving their winners’ medals or lifting the trophy they had emphatically won on the field.
BCCI Stance Behind India’s Decision
India head coach Amol Muzumdar later made clear that the trophy decision was not an individual call by the players but reflected the position adopted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Muzumdar stressed that, from India’s perspective, the most important fact was already settled: India had won the tournament and were officially the Women’s Asia Cup champions.
The unusual conclusion created a striking contrast – the scoreboard and tournament record recognised India as champions, while the team celebrations took place without the traditional trophy presentation.
The incident closely mirrors the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup controversy, when the Indian men’s team also did not accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. The Women’s Asia Cup final has therefore produced another chapter in the continuing presentation dispute involving India and the ACC president.
Presentation Delayed Before Standoff
There was already uncertainty after the final wicket fell, with a lengthy delay before the formal presentation proceedings got underway.
Match officials received their mementos first, followed by Sri Lanka’s runners-up presentation. Naqvi remained among the officials on the podium, while the Indian players stayed together away from the main presentation area.
The broadcast ultimately moved away after Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu’s presentation segment, without the customary images of the winning captain raising the trophy amid her teammates.
What should have been the defining visual of India’s title triumph, Harmanpreet Kaur lifting the Women’s Asia Cup – never happened.
India Crush Sri Lanka by 72 Runs in Final
Before the controversy surrounding the presentation, India had produced a performance worthy of champions.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, India surged to 183 for five in their 20 overs, driven by a destructive opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana.
The pair put Sri Lanka under immediate pressure and added 129 runs for the opening wicket, providing the platform for India’s imposing total.
Shafali Verma Stars With Bat and Ball
Shafali Verma was the standout performer in the final, smashing 68 from just 39 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.
Her aggressive innings forced Sri Lanka onto the defensive early, while Mandhana provided equally important support with 59 from 39 deliveries, striking five fours and three sixes.
Shafali later contributed with the ball as well, taking a wicket during Sri Lanka’s chase to complete an outstanding all-round performance and claim the Player of the Match award.
Indian Spinners Tear Through Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s pursuit of 184 never developed enough momentum to seriously threaten India’s total.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu offered the strongest resistance with 36 from 32 balls, while Vishmi Gunaratne made 20 and Nilakshika Silva contributed 22.
Once Athapaththu was removed, India’s spinners tightened their grip on the contest.
Shree Charani produced the decisive spell, finishing with 4 wickets for 20 runs from four overs. Deepti Sharma added 3 for 19, including the final wicket that sealed India’s victory.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 on the final delivery of the 20th over, triggering celebrations among the Indian players and supporters in Dubai.
India Reclaim Women’s Asia Cup Crown
The victory secured India’s eighth Women’s Asia Cup championship and underlined their dominance in the continental competition.
India have now won the Women’s T20 Asia Cup in 2012, 2016, 2022 and 2026, in addition to winning all four earlier ODI editions in 2004, 2005–06, 2006 and 2008.
It was also a powerful response after Sri Lanka had won the previous Women’s Asia Cup edition in 2024.
A Familiar Asia Cup Trophy Controversy
The post-match scenes inevitably brought back memories of the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup, when India’s men’s team also finished the competition as champions but did not receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.
Less than a year later, the Women’s Asia Cup has ended with a remarkably similar situation: India officially crowned champions, Naqvi present for the presentation, and the Indian team leaving without receiving the trophy from him.
The difference between the sporting result and the ceremonial outcome could not have been more striking.
For Harmanpreet Kaur and her players, the focus will quickly shift to their next challenge. But the extraordinary trophy standoff ensures that the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup final will be remembered not only for India’s dominant cricket, but also for one of the most unusual championship presentations in the tournament’s history.
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