Author: Debasis Sen

Team India made a mockery of the run chase in the third T20I against New Zealand at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday. Chasing 154 for victory, the hosts reached the target with 10 overs to spare, courtesy a blistering partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. However, the comprehensive series win did not signal the end of the day’s work for star all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, who chose to push themselves even after the match had ended. As the post-match presentation was under way at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the duo were already back…

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), on Thursday, reaffirmed its decision not to travel to India for their group league matches in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 following a meeting in Dhaka that included the Bangladesh players, BCB President and the country’s Sports Advisor, Asif Nazrul. The BCB were given 24 hours time to rethink their stance after the ICC board members on Wednesday voted unanimously against relocation of Bangladesh’s matches from India. Earlier, the BCB formally asked the ICC to move Bangladesh’s matches outside India, citing concerns over players’ safety amid ongoing political tensions. The ICC rejected…

The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) on Sunday, issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to appoint a broadcast/commercial partner for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season. The deadline to seek clarifications is January 26, while bids must be submitted by 5 pm on February 1. The AIFF issued the RFP after receiving a joint consent letter signed by all the 14 clubs. The consent was granted on an interim basis to avoid any more delay in starting the ISL. Interested bidders will have to submit a security deposit of Rs. 5 lakhs with their bid. Eligibility criteria specify that bidders…

Shahbaz Ahmed was seen working on his footwork with former cricketer, Joydeep Mukherjee, at the JU campus in Salt Lake, on Saturday. After missing most of last season due to a dislocated shoulder and sports hernia, the lanky all-rounder has made a strong comeback, scoring 300 runs in four Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 60, alongside picking up 22 wickets. Shahbaz continued his fine form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, hitting three half-centuries in five innings and taking five wickets. He was a part of India’s previous T20I series against South Africa as a replacement for Axar Patel.…

The announcement of the much-anticipated fixtures for the ISL 2025–26 season is likely to be delayed by at least a couple of days. The preliminary fixtures were scheduled to be released on Wednesday in the presence of club representatives, but clubs have raised certain concerns regarding the decision-making powers of the AIFF. On Tuesday, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) finalised the proposed Indian Super League (ISL) charter for implementation from the 2026–27 season, granting clubs and potential commercial partners a significant role in league governance. According to the proposed governance structure, the top-tier league will be owned and governed…

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remain firm in their respective stances, with the latter maintaining its decision not to travel to India to play their matches in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. ICC officials held a video conference with the BCB hierarchy on Tuesday and urged the Bangladesh board to revisit its position regarding participation in the tournament. Sources close to the Bangladesh Cricket Board say the ICC may communicate its final decision on the matter by Thursday, or at the latest by Monday next week. The video conference on Tuesday…

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has once again made it clear that the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins next month in India and Sri Lanka, will proceed according to the schedule released last November, despite multiple requests for a venue change from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in recent weeks. The ICC, in its independent security review, has not identified any genuine risk to the safety of the Bangladesh team that is set to travel to India. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, during a media interaction on Tuesday said that the cricket board had…

Odisha FC has sought an extension until Monday to decide on its participation in the 2025–26 Indian Super League (ISL) season after failing to meet the 5 pm deadline on Friday set by the All-India Football Federation (AIFF). At least five other clubs, including FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai FC and Kerala Blasters, have also raised concerns regarding participation fees, relegation and stadium-related costs. The clubs collectively demanded the waiver of the ₹1 crore franchise (participation) fee for the season, especially as they would be contributing directly to the league’s operational expenses. The clubs have also sought clarity…

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to carefully weigh the long-term impact of its actions amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the men’s team’s participation in the T20 World Cup in India, scheduled to begin next month. Tamim’s remarks come in response to the BCB’s decision not to send its senior men’s team to India for the tournament. He cautioned that decisions driven by emotion could have enduring consequences for Bangladesh cricket. The BCB has already indicated that it does not intend to travel to India and has formally requested that Bangladesh’s matches be shifted…

Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting Club continues to grapple with uncertainty ahead of the 2025–26 Indian Super League (ISL) season, with no investor yet in place and a FIFA-imposed ban severely restricting squad-building plans. The situation has forced the century-old club to prepare for the possibility of fielding an all-Indian squad, with no foreign recruits, posing a major challenge. Despite sustained efforts, Mohammedan Sporting have failed to secure financial backing so far, significantly impacting pre-season planning and transfer activity. In light of the uncertainty, the club management has opted to prioritise cost control and long-term sustainability by relying solely on domestic players…