Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has received confirmation of participation from all Indian Super League (ISL) cubs, and even though some said they are waiting for a word from the sports ministry to take an informed decision, the federation expects the league to kick off next month with 14 teams.Last week, the AIFF asked clubs to send the details of the venues where they plan to play their home matches by Monday noon, so that it can start working on the schedule.“All 14 clubs have confirmed (participation),” AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan told TOI. “We will have a meeting with the clubs on Tuesday where a presentation will be made on the composition of the governing board and council. Once the council is formed, we will release the short-term RFQ. We will also have discussions about the venues.”Some clubs said while they “await responses” on the points raised with the sports ministry, they’ve been doing their homework and preparing internally on matters that are within its control. FC Goa, for example, has provided all logistical information with Fatorda as home, but wants clarity on points that were discussed with govt and AIFF.Most clubs’ choice with their home venues was straightforward: Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal at Salt Lake stadium; FC Goa at Fatorda, Jamshedpur at JRD Tata Sports Complex, and NorthEast United in Guwahati. Chennaiyin and Bengaluru FC are also keen on playing at home, even though their home venues will need sprucing.The top-tier ISL will feature 91 matches on a home-and-away basis, with clubs playing 6/7 matches at home or away, depending on draw of lots. According to sources, at least two clubs – Inter Kashi FC and Mohammedan Sporting – will play all their matches away from home, while Kerala and Goa could have most of their matches at home.“With regard to our home venue, given that the season is proposed to be conducted under a Swiss System with a single leg format, and in the larger interest of the growth of Indian football, we are willing to play all our matches in an away format this season,” Inter Kashi wrote to AIFF on Monday. “This, we believe, will allow other clubs to maximise matchday revenues while collectively contributing to the momentum and visibility of the league.”Cost is understood to be a major factor behind Mohammedan’s thinking of playing matches away rather than incur cost of organising a home match.Mumbai City will have to wait till after the civic body elections to decide on their home venue. Goa and Kerala are understood to be alternatives should the Mumbai Football Arena be out of reach.

In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cricket, few things spark as much debate as the career choices of its modern-day legend, Virat Kohli. Following India’s gritty four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI at Vadodara, former India batter Mohammad Kaif launched a spirited defense of Kohli, taking a direct jibe at critics, most notably Sanjay Manjrekar who suggested the star batter has opted for an easier format by continuing in ODIs after his Test retirement.

Mohammad Kaif slams critiques over Virat Kohli’s format choice

The tension began when Manjrekar expressed disappointment over Kohli’s decision to continue playing 50-over cricket while stepping away from the gruelling Test arena. Manjrekar hinted that at 37, Kohli might be seeking the path of least resistance. However, speaking on his YouTube channel on January 12, Kaif dismantled this narrative, labeling such arguments as “childish and foolish.”

Kaif emphasized that Kohli’s pedigree in the longest format is beyond reproach, citing his 9,230 Test runs and 30 centuries as evidence of his mastery over difficult conditions. He argued that no format of international cricket can be labeled “easy,” noting the immense mental and physical toll of batting where a single delivery can end a player’s contribution.

“He (Virat Kohli) scored around 9,000 runs in Test cricket. It is not as if he has not proven himself in difficult conditions. He hit around 30 Test centuries to his name. Not many players will ever get close to that. So these are childish and foolish arguments saying that Virat Kohli chose an easy format. There is no easy cricket at all. Even a club match is not easy. Batting is the most demanding because your entire game can be destroyed on just one ball,” Kaif remarked.

Kaif further challenged the comparison with other modern greats like Joe Root, pointing out that while Root excels in Tests, he lacks Kohli’s staggering consistency and presence across white-ball formats. For Kaif, the suggestion that a player with over 28,000 international runs is looking for easy runs is a fundamental misunderstanding of the sport.

Is @imVkohli playing the easiest (ODI) format? @MohammadKaif has answer #viratkholi #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/5FosEjefwL

— Ravish Bisht (@ravishbofficial) January 13, 2026

Also READ: Fastest to 28,000: Here’s the breakdown of Virat Kohli’s international runs

Kohli’s resurgent masterclass silences the noise in ODIs

While the experts debated his future, Kohli provided a resounding answer on the field. During the 1st ODI in Vadodara on January 11, Kohli anchored India’s pursuit of 301 with a magnificent 93 off 91 balls. His innings was a masterclass in pacing a chase, featuring eight boundaries and a towering six, proving that his hunger for runs remains undiminished.

During this knock, Kohli etched his name deeper into the history books by becoming the fastest player to reach 28,000 international runs, achieving the feat in just 624 innings—surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar‘s mark of 644. He also overtook Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of the game.

With the second ODI scheduled for January 14 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, India lead the three-match series 1-0. Kohli’s imperious form, as Kaif puts it, has become the backbone of the Indian lineup, particularly as the team navigates injury concerns like the loss of Washington Sundar. As the Men in Blue look to clinch the series, the focus remains firmly on Kohli, whose easy format continues to witness record-breaking performances that most cricketers can only dream of.

Also READ: Top 3 cricketers with most Player of the Match awards in ODIs ft. Virat Kohli

Makar Sankranti is one of the biggest and most auspicious festivals celebrated in India. Unlike many festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is based on the solar calendar and is celebrated as the Sun moves into the Capricorn or Makara zodiac. This cosmic movement ushers in Uttarayan-the northward journey of the Sun, associated traditionally with lengthening days, growing warmth, plenty, and spiritual development. Celebrated across the country by different names like Pongal, Lohri, Magh Bihu, and Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti binds people in joy, thanksgiving, and hope.One of the most charming traditions connected with this festival is exchanging warm wishes, messages, and blessings. Whether one does it in person, over the telephone, or through social media, such words are full of warmth and positivism. To inspire you to word your emotions and to spread celebrations, here is a carefully collated list of Top 50 Happy Makar Sankranti 2026 wishes, messages, and quotes, apt for sharing with family, friends, colleagues, and near-dear ones.

Image Credit: Canva

The occasion of Makar Sankranti represents change, from darkness to light, from cold to warmth, and from stagnation to growth. The act of exchanging greetings and wishes during this occasion is a sign of change and gratitude. The practice of using deseeded sesame and jaggery in preparations during this occasion is a sign that one should be sweet and warm towards each other despite the hardships faced in life. A genuine message can make relationships stronger and take a positive start into a new year.Here are some top Makar Sankranti wishes you can share with your loved ones:

Traditional Makar Sankranti wishes

May the holy Sun bless your life with warmth, happiness, and prosperity. Happy Makar Sankranti 2026.As the Sun begins its northward journey, may your life move toward success and peace.Wishing you a harvest of joy, health, and abundance this Makar Sankranti.May this auspicious festival bring positivity and new opportunities into your life.Let the sweetness of til and jaggery fill your days with love and harmony, Happy Makar Sankranti.May your home be blessed with prosperity and your heart with contentment.On this sacred day, may all negativity melt away and hope rise anew.Sending warm wishes for a joyful and blessed Makar Sankranti 2026.May the divine light of the Sun guide you toward a brighter future.Wishing you peace, happiness, and success on this festival of new beginnings.

Image Credit: Canva

Heartfelt wishes for family

This Makar Sankranti, I pray for our family’s health, happiness, and togetherness.May this festival strengthen our bonds and fill our home with joy.Grateful to celebrate another Sankranti with you, may our love always grow.As the seasons change, may our family continue to prosper and thrive.Wishing you warmth, comfort, and endless blessings this Sankranti.May the harvest season bring fulfillment and harmony to our lives.Thankful for the love and support we share – Happy Makar Sankranti 2026.Let us welcome this festival with gratitude and hope in our hearts.May our family moments be as sweet as tilgul this Sankranti.Sending my love and best wishes to you on this beautiful occasion.

Makar Sankranti messages for friends

May this Makar Sankranti inspire you to rise higher and dream bigger.Wishing you success, confidence, and clarity as the new season begins.May your hard work be rewarded with happiness and prosperity.Let this festival fill your life with fresh energy and optimism.Happy Sankranti, may brighter days and better opportunities lie ahead.May positivity surround you and guide you toward your goals.Wishing you balance, growth, and peace this Makar Sankranti 2026.As the Sun changes its path, may your life take a positive turn.May this festival bring motivation and renewed determination.Sending best wishes for a joyful and successful year ahead.

Image Credit: Canva

Professional wishes for Makar Sankranti

Wishing you progress, prosperity, and success this Makar Sankranti.May this festival bring new ideas and opportunities to your professional journey.Let the spirit of Sankranti inspire teamwork and positive growth.May your efforts lead to rewarding outcomes in the coming year.Wishing you clarity, focus and achievement this festive season.Happy Makar Sankranti, may your work and aspirations shine bright.May this new phase bring success and satisfaction in your career.Sending warm wishes for growth and excellence ahead.May this festival mark the beginning of productive and fulfilling days.Best wishes for a prosperous and harmonious Sankranti.

Short quotes for Makar Sankranti

“Makar Sankranti teaches us to move toward light and positivity.”“A festival that celebrates change, hope, and gratitude.”“Let your life rise as the Sun begins its northward journey.”“Harvest joy, spread kindness, and welcome new beginnings.”“Makar Sankranti reminds us that every season brings renewal.”“Sweetness shared is happiness multiplied.”“From longer days come brighter hopes.”“Let warmth fill your heart and peace guide your path.”“Celebrate the Sun, celebrate life.”“New season, new light, new possibilities – Happy Sankranti 2026”Makar Sankranti is an occasion that effortlessly merges traditions, nature, and hopes. It is an occasion that reminds us that change is always an ongoing process and always has something new to offer. When wishes, messages, and quotes are shared on this occasion, it only has a positive impact and further helps in developing a strong bond between loved ones. No matter what it is, be it a prayer, a message, or a quote, your words will surely spread love and joy in another person’s life. Wishing this Makar Sankranti brings light, prosperity, and joy in your life. Happy Makar Sankranti!

It looked like just another harmless plane in the Caribbean sky — white paint, clean lines, no visible weapons until and unless it attacked. The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to resemble a civilian plane in its first attack on a boat that the Trump administration said was smuggling drugs, killing 11 people last September, according to officials briefed on the matter. The aircraft also carried its munitions inside the fuselage, rather than visibly under its wings, the officials said.

The nonmilitary appearance was significant, according to legal specialists, because the administration argued its lethal boat attacks were lawful, not murders, because President Donald Trump “determined” the United States was in an armed conflict with drug cartels, New York Times reported.Did Trump administration committed war crime?The laws of armed conflict prohibited combatants from feigning civilian status to fool adversaries into dropping their guard, then attacking and killing them, a war crime called “perfidy.”Retired Maj Gen Steven J Lepper, a former deputy judge advocate general for the United States Air Force, said that if the aircraft was painted in a way that disguised its military nature and got close enough for the people on the boat to see it, tricking them into failing to realise they should take evasive action or surrender to survive, that was a war crime under armed-conflict standards.“Shielding your identity is an element of perfidy,” he said. “If the aircraft flying above is not identifiable as a combatant aircraft, it should not be engaged in combatant activity.”The aircraft swooped in low enough for the people aboard the boat to see it, according to officials who saw or were briefed on surveillance video from the attack. The boat turned back towards Venezuela, apparently after seeing the plane, before the first strike.Two survivors of the initial attack later appeared to wave at the aircraft after clambering aboard an overturned piece of the hull, before the military killed them in a follow-up strike that also sank the wreckage. It was not clear whether the initial survivors knew that the explosion on their vessel was caused by a missile attack.The military later switched to using recognisably military aircraft for boat strikes, including MQ-9 Reaper drones, although it was not clear whether those aircraft got low enough to be seen. In a boat attack in October, two survivors of an initial strike swam away from the wreckage and avoided being killed by a follow-up strike on the remnants of their vessel. The military rescued them and returned them to their home countries, Colombia and Ecuador.US military manuals about the law of war discussed perfidy at length, saying it included when a combatant feigned civilian status so the adversary “neglects to take precautions which are otherwise necessary.” A US Navy handbook said lawful combatants at sea used offensive force “within the bounds of military honor, particularly without resort to perfidy,” and stressed that commanders had a “duty” to “distinguish their own forces from the civilian population.”The Pentagon said in a statement that its arsenal underwent legal review for compliance with the laws of armed conflict.“The U.S. military utilizes a wide array of standard and nonstandard aircraft depending on mission requirements,” Kingsley Wilson, the Pentagon press secretary, said in response to questions from The New York Times. “Prior to the fielding and employment of each aircraft, they go through a rigorous procurement process to ensure compliance with domestic law, department policies and regulations, and applicable international standards, including the law of armed conflict.“It was not clear what the aircraft was. While multiple officials confirmed that it was not painted in a classic military style, they declined to specify exactly what it looked like.Amateur plane-spotting enthusiasts posted pictures on Reddit in early September of what appeared to be one of the military’s modified 737s, painted white with a blue stripe and with no military markings, at the St. Croix airport in the US Virgin Islands.The administration argued that the strikes were lawful and the people on the boats were “combatants” because Trump decided the situation was a so-called noninternational armed conflict, meaning a war against a nonstate actor, between the United States and a secret list of 24 criminal gangs and drug cartels he deemed terrorists.

MUMBAI: Mumbai stand-in captain Siddhesh Lad has called on the BCCI to do away with 9am starts for knockout matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, saying the scheduling gives a clear advantage to teams bowling first and makes the toss a decisive factor. Lad’s remarks came after Mumbai lost to Karnataka by 55 runs (via the VJD method) in the quarterfinals in Bengaluru on Monday. He suggested that all knockout matches be played in a day-night format to ensure equal conditions for both teams.Asked to bat first by Karnataka, who won the toss at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, Mumbai slided to 60 for four in the 18th over, before fighting back through a half-century by Shams Mulani (86 off 91 balls) and support acts by Lad (38 off 58 balls) and Sairaj Patil (33 off 25 balls) to finish at 254 for eight in 50 overs. Karnataka coasted to 187 for one in 33 overs, with Devdutt Padikkal (81 not out off 95 balls) and Karun Nair (74 not out off 80 balls) going strong, before rain and bad light stopped play.“It doesn’t make sense to start the quarterfinal matches of VHT at 9 am. The ball was seaming around for around 40-45 overs of our innings, and our young batsmen were being beaten. Any cricketer will tell you how it’s such a big disadvantage to the team batting first. In those conditions, you can’t put up a good score while batting first. If you lose early wickets, it’s very difficult to stage a recovery. Still, we made a decent score. To add to our woes, the pitch at CoE had a generous grass cover. Combine that with a 9am start, and it’s trouble for the team batting first,” Lad fumed, while talking to TOI on Tuesday.“I request the BCCI to stage the VHT quarterfinals in the Day/Night format from the next season, so that any team batting first doesn’t face a disadvantage. I can understand that you can’t play day/night matches during the league stage, because there are many teams involved. However, you can play under lights in the KOs because only eight teams are there,” Lad stressed.Lad’s suggestion has found an echo in former India batsman and ex-Punjab captain Mandeep Singh. “As we saw in the first two quarterfinals of VHT, it’s about winning the toss, and winning the match. In our List A cricket, matches start at 9am. There is moisture in the wicket. For a substantial part of the first innings, the conditions are tough for batting, which gives an undue advantage to the fielding side. I remember that during the 2022-23 season, we were playing our Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad,” Mandeep said in a video on Instagram.“Due to the big stands there, there would hardly be any sunlight inside the stadium. There were four matches at that ground, and on all occasions, the team batting second won the match. Saurashtra were the worthy champions that time, but the toss was a very big factor that time. I hope that the same is not the case this time and the team batting first too wins a match,” Mandeep said.“In Jaipur (where Mumbai played their league matches), you can still bat well in the morning because the wicket is dry. However, in Bengaluru, especially on a red soil pitch at CoE with a big tinge of green, it’s tough to score runs and keep the wickets in the morning time,” Lad felt.“I’m not making up excuses for our defeat. But this (early start in VHT) has been happening for a long time now. It’s not about us losing or winning a match. This needs to change in the future,” asserted the 33-year-old.“We had our issues. We were without (in-form) Sarfaraz Khan and Tushar Deshpande, which meant that our pace attack was inexperienced, and we dropped a couple of catches that Padikkal offered at the start of his innings. However, he too was tentative at the wicket, as the ball was moving a bit at the start of the second innings too. Imagine how much the ball was seaming around in the first innings,” Lad lamented.

Eternal-owned quick commerce platform Blinkit has removed its long-promoted “10-minute delivery” claim from all platforms, amid growing concerns over the safety and welfare of delivery workers.According to news agency PTI, the company has revised its tagline from “10,000+ products delivered in 10 minutes” to “30,000+ products delivered at your doorstep”, signalling a shift away from time-bound delivery branding.The move comes after discussions between quick commerce firms and the Union ministry of labour, which raised concerns about the pressure such tight delivery timelines could place on gig workers.The labour ministry engaged with platforms to push for safer working conditions, better security and improved welfare measures for delivery partners. Aas per PTI, other players such as Swiggy and Zepto may also follow Blinkit’s lead in dropping similar delivery-time commitments.The issue had gained prominence after gig workers staged a nationwide strike on New Year’s Eve in 2025, protesting the 10-minute delivery model. The strike highlighted concerns related to riders’ health, road safety and income, and was backed by worker unions seeking the removal of ultra-fast delivery promises.While Blinkit has removed the claim across its branding, the “10-minute delivery” promise was still visible on app stores for platforms such as Zepto, Instamart and BigBasket.Eternal Group CEO Deepinder Goyal, however, has maintained that the 10-minute promise does not push riders into unsafe behaviour. Earlier, in a post on X, he said delivery partners are not shown customer-facing time commitments on their apps. “There is no ‘10-minute timer’ or countdown in the delivery app,” Goyal said, adding that faster deliveries are achieved mainly because stores are located closer to customers, not because riders are expected to speed.The government intervention followed meetings led by Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya, after which companies agreed to remove delivery-time assurances from advertisements and social media, with the stated aim of improving gig worker safety and working conditions.

Piyush Goyal holds talks with EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on India-EU FTA negotiations (ANI image)

India and the European Union are in the final stages of negotiating a long-pending free trade agreement (FTA). The deal could significantly boost India’s exports to the 27-nation bloc and deepen economic ties amid global trade disruptions.If signed, the India-EU FTA will become India’s 19th trade agreement and one of its most consequential, given the EU’s position as India’s largest trading partner for goods. The agreement is expected to help Indian exporters diversify markets at a time when high US tariffs and geopolitical tensions are reshaping global supply chains.

Why India-EU FTA matters?

The push for the agreement has gained urgency as steep US tariffs, reaching as high as 50%, have disrupted global trade flows. For India, the FTA offers a strategic opportunity to reduce dependence on China, expand exports to Europe and cushion the impact of protectionist policies elsewhere.Tariffs or import duties are either reduced or eliminated under FTAs, allowing easier market access and regulatory alignment. The India-EU deal is expected to benefit sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, textiles, steel, petroleum products and electrical machinery, according to PTI. Labour-intensive sectors like garments, leather and pharmaceuticals could see improved competitiveness in the EU market, while Indian services exports, particularly telecommunications, transport, and business services, are also expected to grow.According to think tank GTRI, the EU stands to gain from higher exports of aircraft and parts, electrical machinery, diamonds and chemicals to India. European services such as intellectual property, IT, telecommunications and business services may also see expanded access.

Trade ties at a glance

India’s bilateral trade in goods with the EU stood at USD 136.53 billion in 2024–25, comprising USD 75.85 billion in exports and USD 60.68 billion in imports, making the EU India’s largest goods trading partner.The EU accounts for around 17% of India’s total exports, while India represents about 9% of the bloc’s overseas shipments. In 2023–24, India exported USD 76 billion in goods and USD 30 billion in services to the EU, while EU exports to India included USD 61.5 billion in goods and USD 23 billion in services.Spain, Germany, Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands are among the top EU destinations for Indian exports.With a GDP of about USD 19.5 trillion and a population exceeding 450 million, the EU remains a major global trade player. India, meanwhile, exported USD 437 billion in goods and USD 387.5 billion in services in 2024–25, while importing goods worth USD 720 billion and services worth USD 195 billion.

Key exports, imports and tariff challenges

India’s major exports to the EU include petroleum products, electronics (including smartphones), textiles, machinery, organic chemicals, iron and steel, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals and auto parts.However, Indian textile exports currently face tariffs of 12–16% in the EU, making them less competitive than products from countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, which enjoy preferential access under EU trade agreements.India’s main imports from the EU include machinery, aircraft and parts, electronics, medical devices, scientific instruments, rough diamonds, chemicals, plastics, cars and auto components. In services, India exports business, IT, telecom and transport services, while importing intellectual property and IT-related services.

Alcohol trade and investment flows

Alcohol is another significant component of bilateral trade. In 2023–24, India exported wines worth USD 1.5 million and spirits worth USD 64.9 million to the EU, while importing wines worth USD 412.4 million and spirits worth USD 22.3 million.On the investment front, cumulative FDI inflows from the EU into India between April 2000 and September 2024 stood at USD 117.4 billion, accounting for 16.6% of India’s total FDI equity inflows. Around 6,000 EU companies operate in India.India’s outward FDI to the EU was valued at about USD 40.04 billion between April 2000 and March 2024. The Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain and Belgium are among the largest EU investors in India.

A long road to the final stage

India-EU FTA talks began in 2007, with multiple negotiation rounds held until 2013. However, differences over tariffs on automobiles, wine and spirits, data security for Indian IT firms, intellectual property rights, labour standards and public procurement led to a deadlock.While efforts to revive talks between 2016 and 2020 made limited progress, momentum returned after 2020. In June 2022, India and the EU formally re-launched negotiations covering a Free Trade Agreement, an Investment Protection Agreement and an Agreement on Geographical Indications.

Chennai: A 890-crore makeover of Tambaram railway station to transform it into a modern transit hub is taking shape with the railway land development authority (RLDA) recently holding a stakeholder meeting on key projects to be developed under the public-private partnership mode.Sources said the tenders will be floated soon, with completion scheduled in three years. The passenger handling capacity of Tambaram railway station, which is now 13,500 during peak hours, will increase to 28,750 after the makeover. The number of tracks will increase to 16 from 12 and three more platforms will be built.

Railways is already constructing a platform that passengers can access directly from the entrance to east without using foot overbridges and escalators. “The redevelopment of Tambaram is part of a broader modernization scheme, similar to Egmore. When completed, the station’s handling capacity will be bigger than Egmore, as the latter has space restrictions, while space is available in Tambaram. In future, more express trains are planned from Tambaram itself, for which the redevelopment is crucial,” said an official. Additional foot overbridges, a concourse at the first level, and new facades for both the east and west sides of the station are also part of the plan.Dayanand Krishnan, a city-based transport activist, said Tambaram handles at least 3.4crore passengers a year, and it requires more passenger amenities. “The proposed plan by RLDA focuses heavily on employees’ quarters and cargo handling capacity. But the station needs better accessibility, parking lots, and a concourse for passengers to wait. RLDA proposed an air concourse at Rani Kamlapati Railway Station (RKMP) in Bhopal, but not for Tambaram,” he pointed out.P Viswanathan, convenor of the coordination committee of Chitlapakkam residents’ welfare associations, said the vast expanse of land available at Tambaram railway station should be put to better use in the redevelopment. However, railway officials maintained that RLDA’s proposed plan is not final and that it will undergo changes with inputs from all stakeholders, including state agencies. Officials said Avadi and Coimbatore could also get similar makeovers, though there were no firm plans as yet.

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has officially broken his silence on January 13, regarding the viral rumors linking him to a high-profile reality television debut. For weeks, entertainment portals have been abuzz with claims that the cricketer would be appearing on the upcoming Indian adaptation of a famous French show alongside several high-profile social media influencers.

Yuzvendra Chahal responds to rumours of sharing screen with ex-wife Dhanashree Verma in reality show

The speculation reached a fever pitch following multiple reports that he might share the screen with with his ex-wife Dhanashree Verma, leading to intense debate among fans about his future in professional cricket. However, Chahal has now issued a firm clarification through his representatives to protect his professional image and focus. As the cricketer gears up for the domestic season, he has urged the media to refrain from circulating unverified stories that blend his personal life with speculative career moves.

Putting all speculation to rest, Chahal shared an official statement issued by the sports management platform Legacy on his Instagram story to clarify his stance. The statement categorically denied reports that he had been cast in the reality show ‘The 50’, which is set to air on Colors TV and stream on JioHotstar.

The official note stressed that there is “no truth” to these claims and confirmed that the cricketer has neither been approached nor has he entered into any discussions regarding the project. The statement read:

“There is no truth to the reports currently circulating about Yuzvendra Chahal’s participation in any reality show. These claims are speculative and incorrect. Yuzvendra is not associated with the show mentioned in recent reports, and there are no discussions or commitments of this nature. We request media platforms and social media users to refrain from spreading unverified information,” Chahal said in a statement.

This firm rebuttal aims to shut down assumptions that the leg-spinner is looking to explore the entertainment industry while still active in the national circuit.

Also READ: From Yuzvendra Chahal to Smriti Mandhana: Cricketers who announced divorce or breakup in 2025

The reality show chaos: Farah Khan to host Indian ‘Les Cinquante’

The rumors gained traction due to the controversial format of ‘The 50’, an Indian adaptation of the hit French series Les Cinquante, which is slated to be hosted by filmmaker Farah Khan. The show’s premise involves 50 contestants living together in a lavish, palace-like setting with no fixed rules, designed specifically to trigger shifting alliances and unpredictable gameplay.

Speculation intensified when various media houses reports suggested that Chahal and his former wife, Dhanashree, who officially ended their marriage in February 2025, could potentially be housemates. While Chahal has called himself  happily single and stated that that chapter is over, the media frenzy regarding a potential on-screen reunion necessitated this legal clarification. With the cricketer now confirmed to be out of the lineup, the show is expected to rely on its roster of social media influencers and former Bigg Boss contestants to provide the promised high drama.

Also READ: Yuzvendra Chahal reveals which IPL franchise Ravi Bishnoi will represent in 2026 edition