Cricket

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested the government to provide a security consultant for their upcoming tour of Pakistan, scheduled for July and August. This request comes amidst concerns raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the safety of the Indian team during the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year.The BCB's cricket operation chairman, Jalal Yunus, expressed concerns about security but stated that the board had received assurances from Pakistan and had decided to proceed with the tour. He emphasized the importance of a security consultant to maintain constant communication with the government on security matters.Bangladesh is set to play two Tests in Pakistan, with the first match in Rawalpindi from July 21 and the second in Karachi from August 30. Yunus noted that none of the Bangladesh players had expressed reservations about the tour and that recent teams visiting Pakistan had been satisfied with the security arrangements."We agreed to go on this tour because they ensured us of that," Yunus said, referring to the security provided during the Asia Cup in Pakistan. "You might have seen in recent times that some international teams have also visited (Pakistan) and they are quite happy with the security they provided."The BCCI, on the other hand, is still awaiting permission from the Government of India for the Indian team's participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The BCCI has repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of its players and staff in Pakistan, citing past incidents of violence and terrorism.The security situation in Pakistan has improved in recent years, but concerns remain, particularly in the wake of the 2022 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. The BCB's request for a security consultant reflects the ongoing need for vigilance and the importance of ensuring the safety of players and officials during international cricket matches.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is facing a major dilemma ahead of the upcoming season: whether to hold a mega auction. The issue was the central topic of a recent meeting between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the 10 IPL franchises.The meeting, held at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, ended inconclusively, with no consensus reached on the mega auction. According to Cricbuzz, several franchise owners, including Kolkata Knight Riders' Shah Rukh Khan, are opposed to holding an auction. This was confirmed by Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal, who also noted that the teams are divided on the Impact Player rule.The mega auction, if held, would determine the number of player retentions allowed for each franchise. If the BCCI decides against an auction, retentions may not be necessary.Another point of contention was the number of retentions. The franchise owners could not agree on a specific number. Reportedly, Shah Rukh Khan and Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia engaged in a heated argument over the issue, with Khan advocating for major retentions and Wadia opposing them.Regarding the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during a match, Jindal expressed his disapproval. He believes it hinders the development of genuine all-rounders in Indian cricket.Other IPL owners present at the meeting included Kiran Kumar Grandhi (Delhi Capitals), Sanjiv Goenka (Lucknow Super Giants), Rupa Gurunath (Chennai Super Kings), Kavya Maran (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Manoj Badale (Rajasthan Royals), Amit Soni (Gujarat Titans), and Prathmesh Mishra (Royal Challengers Bengaluru). The Ambani family of Mumbai Indians attended via video conferencing.The BCCI is expected to make a decision on the mega auction and other issues in the coming weeks. The outcome will have a significant impact on the IPL's upcoming season.

Byju's Settles $19 Million Dispute with BCCI, Averts InsolvencyIndian ed-tech giant Byju's has reached a settlement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a $19 million payments dispute, averting an insolvency process that threatened to freeze its assets.The settlement was confirmed by Arun Kathpalia, a senior lawyer involved in the case. According to Kathpalia, Byju's founder's brother, Riju Raveendran, will make the payment to BCCI. While the exact amount to be paid is not yet known, Kathpalia revealed that 500 million rupees (around $6 million) has already been disbursed to the Indian cricket board.The dispute stemmed from unpaid sponsorship payments by Byju's, which led BCCI to initiate insolvency proceedings against the company earlier this month. The situation marked a significant setback for Byju's, which has faced numerous challenges in recent years.Once a darling of investors, Byju's has experienced significant turmoil, including changes in its board of directors, conflicts with investors, and a dramatic drop in its valuation from $22 billion in 2022 to under $3 billion in 2023. Despite these challenges, Byju's has denied any wrongdoing.The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, which is currently handling the case, has announced that it will continue to hear the matter on Thursday. The settlement with BCCI is expected to provide some relief to Byju's, which has been struggling to raise funds and restructure its operations.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian Premier League (IPL) owners will convene on Wednesday at the Wankhede Stadium complex to discuss player retentions ahead of the upcoming mega auction.Key Points of Discussion:* Retentions: Franchises are expected to retain a maximum of five or six players, with a potential increase in the frequency of mega auctions from three to five years.* Increased Purse: The auction purse may be raised to Rs 130-140 crore from the current Rs 90 crore.* Performance-Based Increments: Players may receive performance-based increments.* Uncapped Player Retention: Franchises may be allowed to retain two or three uncapped players under a separate slot.Uncapped Players in Demand:Several franchises have expressed interest in retaining uncapped players who have shown promise in recent seasons. These include:* Mumbai Indians: Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir, Akash Madhwal* Kolkata Knight Riders: Vaibhav Arora, Ramandeep Singh, Suyash Sharma* Punjab Kings: Harpreet Brar, Ashutosh Sharma, Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh* Chennai Super Kings: Mukesh Chaudhary, Simarjeet Singh, Sameer Rizvi* Sunrisers Hyderabad: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abdul Samad* Royal Challengers Bangalore: Yash Dayal, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror* Lucknow Super Giants: Mayank Yadav, Mohsin KhanOther Considerations:* The Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, is likely to continue in IPL 2025.* One Right-to-Match card may be introduced this season.

Pakistan's hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy have ignited uncertainty over India's participation due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations. Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been suspended since 2013, leaving the BCCI facing the prospect of not receiving travel clearance from the Indian government for the tournament in Pakistan.However, Pakistan's recent visit to India for the 2023 fifty-over World Cup has sparked discussions about a potential thaw in relations. The initial Champions Trophy schedule designates Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium as the venue for all of India's matches, including the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan.Amidst the ongoing debate, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has implored India to travel to Pakistan, emphasizing that it is the "only thing left" in Virat Kohli's illustrious career. Kohli, who made his international debut in 2008, has never played a Test match against Pakistan and has not played a bilateral series in the country since 2006.The BCCI has reportedly proposed a hybrid model similar to the one used for last year's Asia Cup, where India's matches were held in Sri Lanka. The PCB has entrusted the ICC with the responsibility of persuading the BCCI to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.According to a PCB source, the budget for the tournament has been approved, but the schedule and format have yet to be finalized. The PCB has proposed hosting all of India's games in Lahore, including a potential semi-final and final if India qualifies.The outcome of the Champions Trophy hosting rights for Pakistan hinges on the BCCI's decision, which will be influenced by the political climate between the two countries. If India does not participate, it would be a significant blow to the tournament and a missed opportunity for fans to witness some of the world's best cricketers in action.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain for the Sri Lanka T20Is raised eyebrows, as many expected Hardik Pandya to take over the role. However, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Hardik's injury concerns and workload management prompted the board to look beyond him.Agarkar also highlighted Suryakumar's leadership abilities and positive feedback from players as factors in his appointment. Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha believes the selectors considered Suryakumar's maturity and experience, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind.Ojha also pointed out the connection between Suryakumar and newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, who played together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He believes their understanding and trust played a role in Suryakumar's selection.While Hardik's fitness issues were a concern, Ojha praised Suryakumar's street-smartness and ability to handle pressure. He believes Suryakumar is the best choice for the captaincy role, given his experience and leadership qualities.The decision to appoint Suryakumar as captain has sparked discussions about the future of Hardik Pandya in the T20I setup. However, the BCCI has made it clear that Hardik remains an integral part of the team and will continue to play a key role in the future.

Hardik Pandya's captaincy woes have continued since his appointment as Mumbai Indians skipper in 2024. Despite being touted as a potential T20 captain for India, Pandya has faced setbacks and criticism.After a disappointing IPL season, where he was booed by fans, Pandya was overlooked for the T20 captaincy in favor of Rohit Sharma. Post the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he served as vice-captain, Pandya was again expected to take over the reins. However, Suryakumar Yadav was surprisingly named T20I skipper for the Sri Lanka Tour.BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar attributed the decision to Pandya's injury concerns. However, former Sri Lankan player Russell Arnold believes there may be more to the story."Hardik couldn't really gain the respect of everyone around him," Arnold told Sports Tak. "It's about getting everyone to gel and keeping everyone calm and happy so that you can pull in the one direction."Arnold suggests that Pandya's inability to command respect within the team may have influenced the BCCI's decision. He also highlights the impressive form of Suryakumar Yadav, who is considered one of the best T20 batters in the world."It's a great opportunity for Suryakumar to showcase what he can do and make it his own," Arnold added.Pandya's captaincy struggles have raised questions about his leadership abilities. While he is an exceptional player, his inability to inspire and unite his team has been a concern. The BCCI's decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as T20I skipper is a clear indication that they are looking for a different direction.It remains to be seen whether Pandya can regain the trust of the BCCI and the Indian cricket team. His injury concerns and leadership challenges will need to be addressed if he wants to fulfill his potential as a captain.

The fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), remains uncertain due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) reluctance to travel to Pakistan. The PCB has submitted its plans for the tournament to the International Cricket Council (ICC), but the possibility of a hybrid model remains.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticized the BCCI and its secretary, Jay Shah, for their stance. Ali believes that other cricket boards will follow the BCCI's lead when the issue is discussed at the ICC meeting. He has urged the PCB to adopt a tit-for-tat approach and refuse to play matches outside of Pakistan if India refuses to travel for the Champions Trophy.The PCB has reportedly left the decision in the hands of the ICC. The budget for the tournament has been approved, but the schedule and format have not yet been finalized. The PCB has proposed hosting all of India's matches in Lahore, including a semi-final and the final if India qualifies.The BCCI's refusal to travel to Pakistan stems from security concerns. India has not played a bilateral series in Pakistan since 2007 due to tensions between the two countries. The PCB has assured the ICC that it will provide adequate security for the tournament, but the BCCI remains unconvinced.The ICC is expected to make a decision on the venue and format of the Champions Trophy in the coming months. If the tournament is held in a hybrid model, it would be the first time that the Champions Trophy has been played in multiple countries.

Kapil Dev's Emotional Message to Anshuman Gaekwad: 'Don't Let Us Down'Former India cricket captain Kapil Dev has shared an emotional video message for Anshuman Gaekwad, who is battling cancer. Kapil's message comes after he urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to provide financial assistance to Anshuman, who was struggling to arrange funds for his treatment.In his message, Kapil recalled the good times he shared with Anshuman on the cricket field. He remembered Anshuman's captaincy and his impressive double century against Pakistan in Jalandhar. Kapil urged Anshuman to continue his fight against cancer, reminding him of his fighting spirit on the field."I know you are going through a rough time, but it doesn't matter, we have all gone through rough times in life," Kapil said. "Difficult times come and go, but I know that you are a fighter. Come on, cheer up and try to live a life, whatever God has given you."Kapil acknowledged that everyone has to leave this world one day, but he encouraged Anshuman to keep fighting. "We all have to go one day, but the best part about human beings is fighting it out the way you fight it out on the cricket field," he said.Kapil expressed his love and support for Anshuman, saying that the entire cricket community was proud of him. He promised to celebrate with Anshuman once he recovers."We had a good time. You just look after yourself. It doesn't matter whatever happened, it happened for good, and I think you are a wonderful person," Kapil said. "We had great stories to talk about. We have a lot to talk about, but firstly you need to get well soon. We will have coffee together and if nothing, then we can have a little drink together as well."