Shreyas Iyer-Led India Forced To Accept Asian Games Medals From Mohsin Naqvi

Mohsin Naqvi and Shreyas Iyer (Source: AFP)Indian teams (both men’s and women’s) could face a fresh situation involving Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi at the Asian Games in Japan.According to a recent report, Indian players could receive their medals from Naqvi if the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) appoints him to conduct the ceremony and if India wins under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer.The issue has gained limelight because India has previously avoided collecting silverware directly from Mohsin Naqvi.Why Are Indian Teams Not Accepting The Asia Cup Trophy From Mohsin Naqvi?This is not the first time the Indian team has refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi. The situation dates back to the 2025 Asia Cup when India won the tournament under Suryakumar Yadav but did not collect the trophy from Naqvi.The decision came during a period of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.The Indian women’s team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, later followed the same approach and also did not accept its Asia Cup trophy from him.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said the board is concentrating on the competition (Asian Games 2026) rather than discussing a possible medal ceremony in advance.“We are focusing solely on the matches. The teams have to first reach the podium. We will take a call then, taking into account all prevailing factors at that moment," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said while speaking to The Times of India.“We will cross the bridge only when we reach it. The focus of the board and cricketers is only on winning the matches. We don’t want to comment on anything else that hasn’t happened yet," Saikia added.Also Read: RCB Star Rejoins India For Asian Games 2026 After Missing Asia CupWhat Does The OCA Rule Say About Medal Presentation?The Asian Games 2026 medal ceremony is governed by OCA regulations, not the arrangements of an ICC or bilateral cricket tournament.Rule 66 of the OCA regulations says medals at OCA Games are to be presented by the OCA president. However, the rule also allows the president to delegate that responsibility to another OCA member. The delegation can involve the president or deputy of the relevant international or Asian sports federation.“Medals to the winners of the OCA Games shall be presented by the OCA President."Rule 66 also states: “No kind of demonstration or commercial, political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted during the victory ceremony of the Games."Therefore, if the OCA president formally delegates the medal presentation to Naqvi, the ceremony would operate under OCA rules and not the protocol of the Asia Cup.Could Mohsin Naqvi Actually Present India’s Asian Games Medals?According to OCA regulations and Indian Olympic Association sources, Mohsin Naqvi could be assigned the role if OCA president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani delegates it to him.The OCA and Aichi-Nagoya organisers are working with the ACC on cricket-related arrangements. Naqvi has also been involved in preparations for the cricket venue, Korogi Sports Park.The Ministry of External Affairs has also described the matter as one concerning the BCCI.Ultimately, the medal ceremony will depend on the OCA's decision. If the OCA president selects Naqvi, the Games’ official protocol will govern the situation. Whether he is actually chosen for the presentation remains undecided as of now.Also Read: Nasser Hussain Picks World's 2 Best Batters, No Indian Listed