Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold its 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, with the primary agenda being the election of two representatives to the International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings. The meeting gains significance as the ICC is scheduled to hold a conclave in Dubai following the conclusion of the Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE.Incumbent BCCI secretary Jay Shah will take over as ICC chairman from December 1, leaving the position of BCCI representative vacant. While BCCI president Roger Binny is the Alternate Director who can represent the board at ICC meetings, he rarely performs this duty.With a year remaining in his tenure, it remains uncertain whether Binny will continue as Alternate Director or if someone else will be nominated at the AGM. Two names have emerged as potential candidates for the secretary position: Anil Patel, secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association, and Rohan Jaitley, president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association. Patel is reportedly the current frontrunner for the post, which will be officially ratified at a Special General Meeting (SGM).The AGM will also ratify the induction of a representative from the Indian Cricketer's Association (ICA) and two from the General Body. Sub-committees such as the Cricket Committee will be appointed, and the annual budget for the 2024-25 season will be approved.Additionally, the AGM will consider the report submitted by the board's internal committee formed under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.

Green Park Stadium's Future in Jeopardy as BCCI Questions Hosting CapabilitiesKanpur's Green Park Stadium, a historic Test venue in India, faces an uncertain future as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expresses concerns about its hosting capabilities. Sources within the BCCI have revealed that senior Indian players have expressed reluctance to play at the venue due to its outdated facilities.With the state-of-the-art Ekana Stadium in Lucknow and a new international stadium planned for Varanasi, Green Park faces stiff competition for hosting international matches. The BCCI has been made aware of the concerns raised by the Indian team management, who prefer to play in Lucknow with its superior facilities.The Green Park Stadium, built in 1949, has a charming old-world charm but lacks modern amenities. For the ongoing Test match between India and Bangladesh, one of the stands has been deemed unsafe for full capacity seating. Structural issues with a floodlight tower and questionable hygiene and maintenance standards have also raised concerns."The stadium in Varanasi should be ready well before the T20 World Cup in India in 2026," said a BCCI source. "Green Park needs an overhaul and better management. The BCCI can't really say when the next international match will be played here."Despite the challenges, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is making efforts to attract spectators to the Test match. They have invited families of martyred soldiers to attend the match and plant saplings in their honor as part of a go-green initiative.The future of Green Park Stadium remains uncertain as the BCCI weighs its hosting capabilities against the availability of more modern venues. The stadium's rich history and nostalgic charm may not be enough to secure its place in the international cricket calendar.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has decided to maintain the number of matches at 74 for the 2025 season, despite initially planning for 84 matches. This decision is primarily driven by the need to manage the workload of Indian international players, who are expected to participate in the World Test Championship final in June 2025.The IPL has been a major success since its inception in 2008, attracting a massive fan base and becoming one of the richest sporting leagues in the world. In 2022, the media rights for the 2023-27 cycle were sold for a staggering INR 48,390.5 crore (USD 6.2 billion approx.).The number of matches in the IPL has varied over the years, with 74 matches being played in the last three seasons. However, the IPL had initially planned to increase the number of matches to 84 in 2025 and 2026, and 94 in 2027.The decision to reduce the number of matches in 2025 is a significant departure from the original plan. It reflects the BCCI's commitment to player welfare and the recognition that the increased number of matches could put undue strain on the players.The IPL dates for the 2025 season have not yet been finalized, but the window is likely to stretch between mid-March and the last week of May. The IPL will determine the number of matches in the special package (package C) based on the total number of games in a season.The special package includes the tournament opener, weekend evening matches, and the four playoffs, including the final. The opening match and the playoffs will be mandatory, while the IPL will decide which evening matches from the double-headers will be included in this package.With 74 matches in a season, the special package will have 18 matches. If there are more than 74 matches in a season, the special package matches will rise by two for every ten additional matches.

India's fast-rising pace sensation, Akash Deep, has hailed the country's robust domestic cricket system as a crucial factor in his seamless transition to international cricket. Deep, who has already made a mark in his two Test appearances, credits the BCCI's well-structured domestic setup for preparing him for the rigors of international competition."The domestic cricket structure in India is incredibly strong," Deep said. "By the time you reach the international level, you've already played a significant amount of high-quality cricket. You have a clear understanding of your bowling strengths and areas for improvement."Deep's journey to the Indian team is a testament to the effectiveness of the domestic pathway. After an impressive Ranji Trophy campaign in 2019, where he claimed 35 wickets at an average of 18.02, he was selected for the East Zone in the Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy. His consistent performances earned him a call-up to India A, and eventually, a Test debut against England Lions.The support and guidance of senior players in the Indian team have also played a significant role in Deep's transition. "I'm fortunate to play under Rohit Sharma," Deep said. "He simplifies things and creates a comfortable environment for newcomers. He made me feel like I was playing domestic cricket, not international cricket."Deep's success at the international level is a reflection of the hard work and dedication he has put in throughout his career. He has played over 100 first-class, List A, and T20 matches, honing his skills and developing a deep understanding of the game."I've played a lot of cricket in the last two years," Deep said. "It's important to understand yourself as a cricketer. When you're selected for a new team, there shouldn't be any confusion. I've worked on my strengths and identified areas where I can improve."Deep's focus on the present and his ability to adapt to different conditions have been key to his success. "My job is to put the ball in good areas, regardless of the wicket," he said. "I need to find ways to pick up wickets, even if the conditions aren't favorable for fast bowlers."As India prepares for the final Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Deep is excited to play on a ground that holds special significance for him. "I'm from Banaras, which is not far from here," Deep said. "I had heard of Green Park when I was young, and I thought it was called that because the whole ground was green. It feels nice to be here, at the place I had heard of as a kid."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Apex Council will convene on Wednesday to address various matters pertaining to the Board's operations. However, the appointment of a new secretary to succeed Jay Shah, who was recently elected as the next ICC Chairman, is not on the agenda.This meeting marks the final Apex Council gathering before the Board's 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bengaluru, scheduled to take place in five days. The appointment of a new secretary has become imperative following Shah's unanimous election as ICC Chairman. However, he will continue in his current role as BCCI Secretary during the upcoming AGM, as he is set to assume his new position only from December 1.Despite the need for a new secretary, the eight-item agenda for the Apex Council meeting does not include any discussion on the nomination process. Instead, the agenda focuses on other matters, including an update on the Byju's matter. The BCCI has an outstanding payment settlement issue with its former title sponsor, Byju's, which ended its sponsorship deal in March 2023.The Apex Council will also discuss the inauguration of the state-of-the-art National Cricket Academy (NCA) on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Currently, the NCA operates from the M Chinnaswamy stadium premises, where it has been based for over two decades.Other agenda items include approval for the commencement of renovation work on the exteriors of the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai and the North East development project.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come under fire from former cricketer Kamran Akmal for its lack of professionalism, which he believes has contributed to the team's recent struggles. Akmal's criticism comes in the wake of Pakistan's humiliating 2-0 Test series defeat to Bangladesh, a team they had previously dominated.Akmal pointed to the stark contrast between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which he praised for its professionalism and success. He emphasized the importance of a well-structured team, selectors, captain, and coaches, all of which he believes are lacking in Pakistan cricket."PCB should learn from BCCI, their professionalism, their team, selector, captain, and coaches. These are the things that make a team number one and dominate the world. If we were so good, then Pakistan cricket wouldn't be here. It is because of your ego Pakistan cricket is suffering," Akmal said on his YouTube channel.Pakistan's recent Test series defeat against Bangladesh has highlighted the instability that has plagued the team in recent years. Under the captaincy of Babar Azam, Pakistan suffered a disappointing defeat in the Asia Cup final in 2022 and was eliminated from the Super 4 stage in the subsequent edition of the tournament.The team's decline continued in the ODI World Cup 2023, where they were eliminated in the group round. A series of adjustments followed, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking over the captaincy from Babar and Shan Masood leading the Test team.However, Pakistan's struggles persisted, with defeats to Ireland and England in T20Is and a humiliating Test series loss in Australia. The team's poor performance continued in the T20 World Cup, where they lost a thrilling Super Over match against the co-hosts, the USA, and were eventually eliminated from the group round after a defeat to India.In response to the string of disappointments, the PCB has announced a high-level Connection Camp aimed at creating a coherent and distinct vision for the future of the sport. Nine Pakistani cricketers, including Babar, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, will be present at the camp, along with head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten.

Rohit Sharma's Forgetfulness: A Quirky Trait Humored by TeammatesIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has become renowned for his amusing tendency to forget things, a trait that has been the subject of lighthearted banter among his teammates. Virat Kohli, in particular, has often poked fun at Rohit's forgetfulness, highlighting his habit of misplacing items.In a recent video chat shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Virat and Gautam Gambhir engaged in a humorous exchange ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh. Gambhir asked Virat, "So Virat, the next guest is Rohit. What do you want me to ask? What should be the first question?"Virat, with a mischievous grin, suggested, "I think it is a very simple question to Rohit. Ke subah bheege badam khate ho ki nahi (Do you eat soaked almonds in the morning?)."This prompted laughter from Gambhir, who added, "That will help Rohit remember to come in at 11 am, not at night." He continued, "Ke subah 11 bhaje ke jagah, raat ko 11 bhaje na aa jaye (So that he comes in at 11 am and not 11 pm).""So, Rohit, that's the first question for you," Virat quipped.Rohit's forgetfulness has become a running joke within the Indian cricket team, with teammates often teasing him about it. However, it is clear that this quirk is not taken seriously and is instead a source of amusement for the team.

India's star batsman Shreyas Iyer faces an uphill battle to regain his spot in the Test cricket team. Despite a chance for a comeback in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, Iyer's disappointing performance has further diminished his prospects.Iyer's struggles in the Duleep Trophy, where he managed only 104 runs in four innings, have raised concerns among BCCI officials. His shot selection has been particularly criticized, with one official expressing doubts about his place in the current Test team."At the moment, there's no room for Shreyas to be in the Test team. Who will he replace? Besides, his shot selection has been a concern in Duleep, especially yesterday (Sunday)," the official told Telegraph.The rise of young talents like Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, who impressed during the series against England earlier this year, has pushed Iyer down the pecking order. Another board official hinted that Iyer will continue playing in the domestic circuit and suggested his inclusion in the five-match Test tour of Australia later this year is unlikely.However, the official also mentioned the possibility of Iyer participating in the Irani Cup and the Bangladesh T20I series, depending on his performance and availability. The official emphasized the need for Iyer to regain form while acknowledging his past achievements, particularly his batting during last year's ODI World Cup."Now, if he doesn't fire in Irani too, he still has the Ranji Trophy to get runs. It wasn't too many days ago when he was batting so well in last year's ODI World Cup. He suffered an injury too, which needs to be considered. Also, with still one round left in Duleep, you never know he might score a hundred. He needs to regain form. Most likely he won't go to Australia for his problems against the short ball, but one can't just ignore his runs at home," the official added.Iyer's absence from the Test team is a significant setback for India, as he has been a key member of the side in recent years. His ability to play spin and score runs quickly has made him a valuable asset in the middle order. However, his recent form has raised questions about his ability to perform at the highest level.

India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy remains uncertain as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to confirm the team's travel plans to Pakistan. The BCCI has repeatedly stated that the Indian team will only travel to Pakistan if the Central government grants permission.Amidst the ongoing debate, former Pakistan cricketer Moin Khan has appealed to legendary Indian players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Kapil Dev, and Rahul Dravid to persuade the BCCI to send Team India for the Champions Trophy."Former India cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid, etc., should tell their cricket board to keep politics away from cricket. Cricket should not be obstructed by political issues. The fans would love to see India and Pakistan play. It will not only benefit Pakistan, but overall cricket will be benefitted," Moin said at an event.However, Moin also emphasized that Pakistan should not send their team to India if India does not participate in the Champions Trophy. "India ought to honor their commitments with the ICC. And if they do not come, then Pakistan should reconsider their decision to participate in any future events slated to be held in India," he added.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will commence on February 19 and be held entirely in Pakistan, rejecting a hybrid model for India's matches, as was the case with the Asia Cup 2023.According to the PCB proposal, the ICC Champion's Trophy 2025 will be scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with all matches taking place across three major cities: Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. Sources within the PCB indicate that International Cricket Council (ICC) officials who visited Pakistan to inspect the arrangements for the event have expressed satisfaction with the systems in place.If the Champions Trophy does remain in Pakistan, it could be the first major international cricket tournament hosted solely by the nation.