India's participation in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 is under serious doubt after reports claim BCCI will not host and could pull the team out entirely from the tournament.
This is due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions between neighbours India and Pakistan.
BCCI has refused to allow India to play Pakistan in a bilateral series for almost two decades, following the Indian government's advice.
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The two teams have only faced each other in recent times during multi-team tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy, the World Cup, or the Asia Cup.
BCCI unlikely to allow India to play Asia Cup 2025
According to the latest reports, BCCI is considering withdrawing and boycotting the Asia Cup 2025 tournament, with Pakistan in it.
The Women's Emerging Asia Cup, scheduled for next month, has been cancelled, while a final decision for the Men's tournament in September will be made in the next ACC (Asian Cricket Council) meeting.
An Indian Express report stated that one of the reasons for BCCI pulling out was that Mohsin Naqvi, who will be heading the ACC meeting, is also the Interior Minister in the government of Pakistan.
"The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation. We have verbally communicated to ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future participation in their events too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government."
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However, BCCI has reportedly made its stance clear in advance, stating that it will neither host nor play the upcoming tournament. Without India, the Asia Cup is likely to all but be abandoned as the country brings a majority of the sponsorship and broadcast revenues.
It remains to be seen if India will adopt a similar stance for the bigger ICC tournaments such as the World Cup. Due to BCCI's financial leverage in the cricket world, such a scenario could put the other boards and the competitions themselves under pressure.
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What leverage does India and BCCI have to cancel the Asia Cup 2025?
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) reportedly acquired media rights for the Asia Cup last year, for about USD 170 million, across eight years. If India withdraws from the tournament, it will mean a major loss of broadcasting revenue for the ACC.
While the decision has not been officially announced, it appears to be likely after April's Pahalgam terrorist attack, followed by retaliatory attacks between the two nations' militaries.
Check: Hybrid model for all ICC events in India and Pakistan till 2027?
The Men's Asia Cup 2025 is regarded to be a preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup and was set to feature teams such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
The 2023 Asia Cup faced similar issues with Pakistan as the official host. However, India refused to travel to the country, and therefore, a hybrid model was adopted.
India played all their matches in Sri Lanka and eventually won the tournament. Has BCCI opted to go with a stricter approach this time around or will we see a similar hybrid model again this year?