Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has sought the “considered views” of participating clubs on the inclusion of Churchill Brothers FC in the Indian Super League (ISL).The top-tier league kicked off on Feb 14 with 14 teams taking part, which included I-League champions Inter Kashi. The teams have played two rounds so far, and AIFF is now awaiting feedback on Churchill’s participation after two clubs – FC Goa and Sporting Club Delhi — said they had no objection to the inclusion of the Goan side, “a long-standing club in Indian football.”The emails from Goa and Delhi, dated Feb 13, were attached by club president Churchill Alemao in his Feb 20 appeal to the AIFF, seeking another look at their proposal after the executive had turned it down on Feb 12.Interestingly, Alemao’s email mentions inclusion in the “2026-2027 ISL”, which is next season. However, senior AIFF officials said they have no confirmation if it’s a “typing error”, though the club has been fighting all along to be included in the current edition.“The emails (from Goa and Delhi) put on record that the clubs have no objection, in principle, to the participation of Churchill in the current ISL season, while acknowledging that the matter is currently sub-judice at the Swiss Federal Tribunal and that any determination must be contingent on the outcome of the said proceedings,” AIFF secretary general M Satyanarayan said in his email to all ISL clubs on Wednesday. “The email from Sporting Club Delhi further puts forth that it does not oppose the proposal that the league maybe conducted with an expanded number of participating clubs, provided that all additional operational costs attributable to such expansion shall be borne exclusively by Churchill.”Satyanarayan said AIFF is seeking the views of other participating clubs “in keeping with the principles of good governance, transparency, and the integrity of the competition.”Representatives of Goa and Delhi were members of the ISL interim committee, with the five-member club officials’ team empowered to decide on behalf of the others, if they have a majority of three. Subsequently, officials of these two clubs — Ravi Puskur and Dhruv Sood — resigned from the interim committee and the panel was also dissolved.In their email to AIFF, supporting Churchill’s inclusion, Goa said they would “defer to the federation and the collective judgement of the other participating clubs to decide what they consider appropriate in the overall interest of the competition.”Delhi said they have no objection, in principle, to the participation of Churchill in ISL. “We believe that considerations of fairness would support allowing their participation, subject to the outcome of the legal process, and to maintaining the stability of the competition structure,” said Sood.Churchill finished at the top of the I-League standings after the final matchday last season and were even awarded the trophy. However, second-placed Inter Kashi, which had four points deducted by the AIFF Appeals Committee challenged the sanctions at the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), eventually getting the verdict in its favour to be crowned champions.

India will be up against Zimbabwe tomorrow at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Ahmedabad. The match is set to start at 7:00 PM IST. It is a must-win situation for both sides to keep their semi-final hopes alive after losing their opening Super 8 games against South Africa and the West Indies, respectively.

Ahead of the game, Zimbabwe all-rounder Ryan Burl has shared some important updates on the team’s preparation against India, and he also pointed out India’s struggle against spin and the pace of deliveries.

Zimbabwe have some good spinners- Ryan Burl

Teams have planned not give pace to the India batters, as they have struggled in this World Cup, especially against off-spin. This has been in notice for the Chevrons, who have a spinner like Sikandar Raza.

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Ryan Burl said, “Thank you for saying Zimbabwe have some good spinners. That’s a good compliment to have. Yes, we have done our home work. I won’t give too many secrets but yes, we have studied how Indian batters have fared against spinners.”

Brul kept on saying, “We would be silly to ignore that (India vs spin). We have done our homework but have to take the matchups into the account as well. Bowling first does help. No one wants to bowl with the slippery ball. We are aware of the dew factor.”

We are aware of the dew factor- Ryan Burl

Ryan Burl was asked about the dew factor in Chennai, as the toss will be a crucial factor with teams liking to bowl first on a pitch that has assisted the spinners over the years, especially in the first innings.

Burl said, “We have played a lot of night games. We played in Pakistan where dew was a big factor. It is something we are prepared for. You have to execute on the day. Bowling first does help. No one wants to bowl with the slippery ball. We are aware of the dew factor.”

India’s struggle against slower ball continues

Since the start of the tournament, India has been struggling against the slower balls and spins. They have had a collapse in every game; despite recovering from other games, they failed to do so against South Africa last Sunday and were bowled out for 111 while chasing 188. More than 50% slower balls bowled by the Protea pacers were slower.

As per the stats, in the South Africa game, India batters’ strike rate went down to 135, with boundaries per ball being 5.3, and on pace on deliveries, they have struck with 167 with 4.2 balls per boundary. Their off-spin problem was also exploited first in the game against Pakistan, when they lost Abhishek Sharma early for a duck.

Spin to Win motto for Zimbabwe against India

The No.1 T20I batter also went back for a duck, having been bowled by Aryan Dutt in the final group stage, who is also an off-spinner. Next, it was Ishan Kishan, who fell prey to Aiden Makram in the very first over. This highlights India’s problems against off-spin.

Zimbabwe has Sikandar Raza in their team, and being the captain, he would like to exploit this problem of India early on and might bowl the first over with the new ball.

Also Read: Sikandar Raza ruled out of India clash? Official medical bulletin issued

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains references to alcohol and drug addiction.Robert Cosby Jr., the son of ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ star Mary Cosby, has sadly passed away. He was 23. Authorities confirmed to TMZ that Salt Lake City police responded Monday night to a call regarding a “full arrest/medical emergency” involving a 23-year-old man in Utah. Three units of fire and paramedics were dispatched to the residence. However, upon arrival, the medical emergency turned into a death investigation.

Robert Cosby Jr. dies in ‘possible overdose’

Although an official cause of death is still unknown, TMZ reports that authorities acknowledged that they initially responded to a ‘possible overdose’.

Mary Cosby releases statement on son’s death

Mary Cosby and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr., released a joint statement to the media that read, “Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”

Robert Cosby Jr’s death comes after wife files for divorce

Robert secretly married Alexiana Smokoff back in August 2022 at a Utah courthouse. News of his death also comes a couple of months after his wife reportedly filed for divorce.

Robert Cosby Jr opens up on substance abuse

Robert Jr. had appeared on several episodes of ‘RHOSLC’ over the years. In recent seasons, the show also addressed his battle with addiction and suicidal ideation. At the time, he revealed that he began experimenting with prescription medications and recreational drugs since he was 16 after trying the anxiety medication Xanax at a party. He also shared that he had been abusing other prescription drugs, including the ADHD medication Adderall and the opioid painkiller OxyContin, taking as many as 10 at once. “I couldn’t even feel it,” he recalled. “I couldn’t feel it at all.”

Robert Cosby Jr completes rehab

In December 2024, Mary shared that her son had completed a month-long stay in rehabilitation. “He completed it. He did an excellent job. He came out a new person,” Mary said.News of Robert Jr’s demise comes after a tough year. He faced legal issues when he was arrested in Utah in September on charges including trespassing and assault. In 2022, he was arrested for driving under the influence and later pleaded guilty.

‘RHOSLC’ producers on Robert’s demise

Executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise and host of Watch What Happens Live, Andy Cohen, reacted to the news on social media, writing, “Devastatingly sad news out of SLC. This is every parent’s worst nightmare. My heart is broken for Mary, and I am sending all my love to her and Robert Sr.”DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, please seek help from available helplines or support organizations.

Abhishek Sharma during a net session at MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Chennai, India. (Photo/Getty Images)

With India facing a must-win T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has expressed support for under-pressure opener Abhishek Sharma and number three Tilak Varma, saying both are close to delivering.India are coming off a 76-run defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad and need a win against Zimbabwe on Thursday to stay in contention. They will also partly depend on South Africa finishing the Super Eight stage unbeaten. The struggles of Abhishek and Tilak, especially against off-spin, have hurt India’s campaign.Abhishek, the world number one T20I batter, entered the South Africa game after three consecutive ducks in the tournament. He scored 15 off 12 balls but failed to convert the start. The left-hander continued to attack but could not build an innings. Tilak, meanwhile, has scored 107 runs in five innings at an average of around 21, with a strike rate just above 118.“We lost one game only, it was a good game for them (South Africa), we did not bat well. Abhishek looked good in the last game; overthinking about one individual does not make sense. It puts too much pressure on them. Our job is to keep him in a good frame of mind. So when he was scoring 80, 70, 90 in 30 balls, 100 in 40, 50 balls, that time nobody was discussing his game. Once he starts hitting the ball again, you will see the same Abhishek again. There is no doubt. Now, in this game, nobody can give a guarantee that he will do it in the next match. But I think he is not far (from a big score),” said Sitanshu.Kotak also defended Tilak’s strike rate, referring to his 25 off 24 balls against Pakistan on a Colombo pitch where the team was targeting 175 or more.“Our planning was right. The ball was spinning there. Ishan gave us a fine start, and after such a start, no team wants to lose three or four wickets quickly. It is a matter of two boundaries for Tilak. Sometimes a batsman does not get those balls. So I don’t think there is a question of run-a-ball. Neither is he instructed (to go at run a ball). Neither does he think so himself. Sometimes, depending on wickets and depending on the situation, I think there was more about partnerships in that game in Colombo. And I think we achieved that,” he concluded.