The Times of India

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul has revealed that Mustafizur Rahmans removal from an IPL team over security concerns triggered Bangladeshs hardening stance against travelling to India for the T20 World Cup.

Indian players Sriram Balaji and Yuki Bhambri secured wins in the Australian Open men's doubles first round. Balaji and his partner defeated a French-Aussie duo. Bhambri and his partner also advanced. However, Indian-American Nishesh Basavareddy was knocked out in the men's singles second round. Yuki Bhambri and Nicole Melichar-Martinez exited the mixed doubles in the first round.

Bangladesh has reiterated that its refusal to play the upcoming World Cup in India is solely due to security concerns and is a sovereign decision. Government adviser Professor Asif Nazrul criticised the ICC for failing to address Bangladeshs grievances, while BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed the boards demand for a neutral venue, insisting the team is ready to play.

Several prominent Pakistani cricketers, including Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, are reportedly victims of a massive financial scam. A businessman, who had sponsored PSL franchises, allegedly fled the country after promising profits that never materialized. Players, who invested personal and family funds, now face losing millions, with total investments potentially exceeding one billion rupees.

Bangladesh Cricket Board has confirmed its non-participation in the T20 World Cup, refusing to travel to India due to the Mustafizur Rahman issue and rejected venue change requests. The BCB cited security concerns and national pride, stating they will continue to fight for their position.

Men's tennis looks to 38-year-old Novak Djokovic to challenge the dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic's win at the Australian Open shows his continued ability to compete. Other top players acknowledge Sinner and Alcaraz are on another level. The hope remains that even the best can be beaten on any given day.

Bangladesh cricketers met with sports officials to discuss their T20 World Cup participation after the ICC rejected a request to move matches from India. The team's attendance hinges on a final decision regarding security concerns, with Scotland poised to replace them if they withdraw.

Stan Wawrinka, in his final Australian Open appearance, battled through a grueling five-set thriller to reach the third round. The 40-year-old Swiss veteran, playing his last professional season, outlasted young qualifier Arthur Gea in a marathon match. This historic win marks him as the oldest man to reach this stage at a Grand Slam since 1978.

While India and Australia are favoured for the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup, former South Africa spinner Paul Adams highlights Pakistan as a strong contender. Pakistan's recent Under-19 Asia Cup triumph, where they convincingly defeated India, signals their formidable presence and potential to challenge traditional powerhouses in the tournament.

Rohit Sharma lauded Tilak Varma's composure and big-match temperament, highlighting his potential for the T20 World Cup. Sharma also humorously advised Kuldeep Yadav to focus on bowling rather than appealing excessively. Both players are crucial for India's title defense campaign.

The Ranji Trophy clash between Punjab and Saurashtra saw senior India players Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja endure forgettable outings on a day of falling wickets. Gill was dismissed for a duck, while Jadeja managed only 7 runs. Saurashtra was bowled out for 172, with Punjab struggling at 87 for 5 by the end of Day 1.

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The AIFF has reissued a broadcast tender for the ISL 202526 season after its earlier RFP failed to attract bidders. With its deal with FSDL expired, reduced production budgets, uncertain fixtures and limited bargaining power, the federation faces a tough challenge in securing a viable broadcast partner, raising concerns over revenues, broadcast quality and club finances.

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Babar Azam's challenging Big Bash League stint with Sydney Sixers has concluded as he returns to Pakistan's national camp for upcoming T20Is against Australia and the World Cup. Despite a disappointing BBL run with modest statistics, his recall signals his importance to Pakistan's plans, aiming to regain form.

Abhishek Sharma's explosive 84 off 35 balls powered India to a record-extending 238/7 against New Zealand in the first T20I. Sharma became the fastest to 5,000 T20 runs and hit the quickest fifty by an Indian against New Zealand. Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh also contributed significantly, while Arshdeep Singh continued his wicket-taking spree.

Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Suryakumar Yadav's 22-ball 32 in the first T20I against New Zealand, calling it a crucial knock to overcome a lean patch. India secured a commanding 48-run victory, with strong performances from Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh, taking a 1-0 series lead.

Pakistan expressed disappointment as the International Cricket Council rejected Bangladesh's request to move T20 World Cup matches from India, despite Pakistan backing Bangladesh's stance in principle. However, Pakistan has clarified that withdrawing from the tournament is not an option, as they are already scheduled to play at a neutral venue.

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips showcased impressive strokeplay against India's Varun Chakravarthy, scoring 19 runs off nine deliveries. Phillips attributed his success to maintaining balance, correct head position, and extracting information at the point of release. He acknowledged that combating spinners like Varun requires individual approaches based on pitch conditions.

Retired sprint legend Usain Bolt has expressed his interest in a potential return to elite sport, this time on the cricket field. With cricket set for its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games, the eight-time Olympic gold medallist is willing to represent Jamaica if the opportunity arises, citing his deep childhood passion for the sport.

Steve Waugh, co-owner of Amsterdam Flames in European T20 Premier League (ETPL), bats for the survival of Test cricket but admitted that playing in the T20 leagues provides current cricketers stability and regular income. The 60-year-old also maintained that Test cricket will survive because top cricketers of the world still want to play the game's ultimate format.

Pretoria Capitals booked their place in the SA20 Season 4 final after beating Sunrisers Eastern Cape by 7-wickets at Kingsmead in Durban. Bryce Parsons (3/10 and 60) and Dewald Brevis (75 off 38 balls) played key roles in Capitals' surge to the title match. This will be their first appearance in the SA20 final.

Domestic cricketers face a fractured Ranji Trophy season, with a 63-day break interrupting play for white-ball tournaments. This schedule shuffle, despite the premier status of red-ball cricket, raises questions about its relevance. Players highlight the challenge of adapting between formats and managing workloads, particularly for fast bowlers, impacting their performance and readiness.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has ended his partnership with foreign coach Jan Zelezny, opting to train with his childhood coach Jaiveer Singh Chaudhary. This move signals Chopra's desire for greater control over his career, with an all-Indian coaching setup now guiding him. Long-time physio Ishaan Marwaha will also remain by his side.

Cricket star Rohit Sharma experienced a security scare when a woman, seeking funds for her daughter's life-saving treatment, grabbed his arm at his hotel. The woman explained her desperate attempt to reach out to cricketers for help with the Rs 9 crore injection.

The ICC board rejected Bangladesh's plea to move T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing no independent security threats. The decision was made despite the Pakistan Cricket Board's support for Bangladesh's demand, which stemmed from a player's IPL ouster.

Abhishek Sharma's instinctive 84 off 35 balls powered India to 238/7, securing a 48-run T20I win against New Zealand. Sharma emphasized timing over range-hitting, while captain Suryakumar Yadav praised his preparation and the team's batting resilience despite early setbacks.

Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 in India is uncertain after the ICC rejected their request to relocate matches. The Bangladesh Cricket Board is now in urgent talks with the government and players, who were not consulted initially. The ICC has given Bangladesh 24 hours to confirm their travel to India.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met India head coach Gautam Gambhir in Nagpur. Tharoor lauded Gambhir's challenging role, calling it the toughest after the Prime Minister's. Gambhir thanked Tharoor for his appreciation. The T20 series against New Zealand is crucial for the T20 World Cup 2026 preparations. India won the first match.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul urged the ICC to shift T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns. The ICC confirmed the tournament will proceed as scheduled in India, stating independent security assessments found no threat to the Bangladesh team.

Rohit Sharma admits watching the T20 World Cup from home will be strange. He shares insights into his captaincy, highlighting difficult selection choices. Sharma explains that balancing the team often required tough calls. He emphasizes open communication and building trust within the squad. Sharma expresses confidence in the current Indian team's stability and understanding.

India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs in the first T20 International. Abhishek Sharma scored 84 runs off 35 balls. Rinku Singh added 44 runs. New Zealand's Glenn Phillips scored 78 runs. India's bowling secured the win. Abhishek Sharma's performance was key to India's dominance.

The 2002 Antigua Test between India and West Indies is remembered for Anil Kumble's courageous bowling with a broken jaw. Beyond this, it marked a rare occasion where all eleven Indian players bowled in an innings. The match, which ended in a draw, also saw Ajay Ratra become the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test century at the time.

Indian badminton's rising stars, Sanskar Saraswat and Arsh Mohammad, are making waves. Saraswat, a singles focus player, secured a Guwahati Super 100 title and aims for the top 80 globally. Mohammad, a doubles specialist, overcame an ACL injury to win senior national bronze and targets the top 100 doubles ranking, dreaming of Olympic glory.

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France's sports minister stated the government is not considering a boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, despite political tensions. While emphasizing sport's separation from politics, she acknowledged the situation could evolve. The remarks follow US President Trump's comments on Greenland, raising concerns among European allies.

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The ICC has rejected Bangladesh's request to shift T20 World Cup matches from India, threatening to replace them if they refuse to travel. This decision follows a dispute over pacer Mustafizur Rahman's IPL removal and Bangladesh's subsequent ban on IPL broadcasts. Scotland is poised to replace Bangladesh if they maintain their stance.

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Former pacer Varun Aaron believes Suryakumar Yadav's recent T20I struggles stem from shot selection and difficulty with slower deliveries. Aaron suggests batting Suryakumar at number four, similar to his IPL role, to improve his consistency and address concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Daryl Mitchell has ascended to the top of the men's ODI batting rankings, surpassing Virat Kohli after a stellar series against India. Mitchell's consecutive centuries powered New Zealand's victory and earned him the No. 1 spot with 845 rating points. Ibrahim Zadran also climbed to third, while Glenn Phillips reached 20th.