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History does not always stay in textbooks. Sometimes, it returns framed on a wall. In Malegaon, a portrait of the 18th-century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan, briefly placed inside the office of a newly-elected deputy mayor, triggered a political controversy that has travelled far beyond the municipal corporation building where it began. Within 48 hours, the image was removed by the civic administration, the matter escalated into a war of words between Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and state Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, protests broke out in multiple cities, and eight people were injured in stone pelting in Pune.At the centre of the row was not merely the presence of Tipu Sultan’s portrait but Sapkal’s statement comparing him with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as belonging “to the same league of valour”. The chief minister described the comparison as “unacceptable” and said the Congress politician should be “ashamed”. What followed was a familiar pattern in Indian public life where history, memory, symbolism and contemporary political positioning intersect.
The controversy began after Shiv Sena corporators in Malegaon objected to the display of Tipu Sultan’s portrait in deputy mayor Shaan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed’s office. A delegation met Malegaon civic chief Ravindra Jadhav, demanding that it be removed and warning of an agitation if the administration failed to act. The Malegaon Municipal Corporation on Saturday removed the portrait from the office.Jadhav confirmed that the administration examined the state government’s official protocol list, which outlines leaders whose anniversaries are observed and whose portraits are permitted for display in government offices, before taking the action. “Tipu Sultan’s name is not included in the list. Therefore, the portrait was removed from the deputy mayor’s office,” MMC officials said.Ahmed, however, defended the figure’s historical relevance. “Tipu Sultan fought against the British and was acknowledged for his bravery at that time. There are roads named after him in Mumbai and Nagpur. This is an attempt to divert attention from our work. Some people are unable to digest that two Muslim women are mayor and deputy mayor in Malegaon,” she told reporters.When asked about the controversy, Sapkal, speaking in Buldhana on Saturday, said, “He (Tipu Sultan) waged a war against the British and was a brave warrior. He was a son of the soil. He never entertained poisonous or divisive thoughts. We should view Tipu Sultan as an equal to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a symbol of bravery,” he said.
Sakpal’s remark sparks a storm
CM Fadnavis called the comparison unacceptable. Congress “should be ashamed of equating the founder of Hindavi Swarajya with Tipu Sultan, who butchered 1,000s of Hindus,” he said.The episode reopened an older historical debate that has periodically entered political discourse as both figures occupy significant but very different spaces in Indian history.
CM Fadnavis hits back
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, born in 1630, is widely regarded as the founder of the Maratha state and the architect of Hindavi Swarajya. His military campaigns against the Mughal Empire and regional sultanates laid the foundation for a political formation that eventually expanded into one of the most powerful empires in early modern India. Shivaji’s legacy in Maharashtra is not confined to historical admiration alone. He represents resistance, self-rule, regional pride, and a warrior ethos deeply embedded in the state’s socio-political consciousness.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Tipu Sultan, born in 1751, ruled the Kingdom of Mysore during a period of intense conflict between Indian polities and the expanding British East India Company. Alongside his father, Hyder Ali, he waged multiple wars against British forces and is remembered in several accounts as one of the earliest rulers to adopt modern military technologies such as iron-cased rockets. In 1799, Tipu Sultan died fighting the British during the siege of Srirangapatna.For many historians, Tipu Sultan’s significance lies in his sustained resistance to colonial expansion. For others, particularly in regions such as parts of Karnataka and Kerala, he remains a contested figure due to accounts of forced conversions, temple desecrations and harsh campaigns against certain communities.
Tipu Sultan
The debate over his rule has persisted for decades and has often been shaped by political context as much as archival evidence. These differing interpretations have given Tipu Sultan a complex afterlife in contemporary politics.
In Maharashtra, Shivaji Maharaj occupies an almost sacred position across ideological lines, but particularly within the political vocabulary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena. The Maratha ruler is frequently invoked as a symbol of indigenous sovereignty, martial pride and cultural assertion. References to Hindavi Swarajya resonate strongly with narratives centred on civilisational identity and self-determination.Any perceived attempt to equate Shivaji Maharaj with another historical figure, especially one whose legacy is contested, therefore carries political sensitivity.
BJP activists protest against Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal’s remarks equating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan outside Congress Bhavan, in Pune.
BJP leaders have argued that comparisons diminish the unique historical role of Shivaji Maharaj. BJP Pune city president Dheeraj Ghate said, “Sapkal’s remarks deeply hurt the sentiments of all those who idolise Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a deity. It is a deliberate attempt to create a rift in society.”For the Congress, Tipu Sultan has at times represented anti-colonial resistance and an inclusive strand of historical nationalism. In southern states, especially Karnataka, Congress governments have celebrated Tipu Jayanti, framing him as a freedom fighter who resisted British rule. Political opponents, particularly from the BJP and allied organisations, have long argued that such commemorations reflect an attempt at minority outreach, with the emphasis on Tipu’s anti-British legacy seen by them as part of a broader effort to counter the rise of Hindutva-centred historical narratives.This divergence in emphasis reflects deeper ideological differences in how the past is mobilised in present day politics. While the BJP’s political messaging often foregrounds civilisational continuity and indigenous cultural pride aligned with Hindutva thought, the Congress has tended to promote pluralist interpretations of history that critics frequently characterise as accommodative or appeasement-driven in their political intent.The political undertone of invoking either figure is therefore significant. Shivaji Maharaj serves as a unifying icon in Maharashtra, but also as a potent symbol within a wider discourse on identity, sovereignty and cultural resurgence associated with Hindutva politics. Tipu Sultan, by contrast, often becomes a focal point in debates where his remembrance is interpreted by critics through the prism of Muslim appeasement versus majoritarian assertions of historical identity.
The controversy in Malegaon quickly spread beyond the initial administrative decision. BJP and right organisation supporters protested in Nagpur, Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Sangli, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Latur and elsewhere. In Pune, Patit Pawan Sanghatana members were the first to assemble in front of the Congress Bhawan on Sunday morning, condemning Sapkal’s remarks.Around 12.30 pm, BJP workers, including mayor Manjusha Nagpure, reached the site and started sloganeering and showing posters. By then, about 100 Congress workers reached the site and started raising counter slogans.“As the sloganeering was on from both sides, someone hurled a stone. This set off stone pelting by members from either side,” additional commissioner of police Manoj Patil said. “Two women constables, two reporters and two workers each from BJP and Congress were injured. “The nature of injuries was not serious,” he said.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis pays tribute to the greatest king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Shivtirtha, Ichalkaranji, in Kolhapur.
As political leaders weighed in, the debate widened. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi defended Tipu Sultan, saying, “In 1799, Tipu Sultan died fighting the British,” and added, “He did not sit in jail and write love letters to the British.”Meanwhile, Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao said by glorifying Tipu Sultan, the AIMIM “is distorting history”.Amid mounting criticism, Sapkal later clarified his remarks. “My statement was misinterpreted by the BJP for political benefits. I said that there cannot be anyone like Shivaji Maharaj, and Tipu Sultan took inspiration from him.” He subsequently expressed regret, saying, “I did not say anything wrong about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The question of comparison does not arise; I did not make one.”He described Shivaji Maharaj as “my ideal, my inspiration and my pride,” and appealed for calm. “If any Shiv devotees’ sentiments were hurt because of misuse of my words, I sincerely express regret. It was never my intention to hurt anyone’s feelings. Let us put this matter to rest here.”Yet, the episode illustrates how historical figures continue to function as political signifiers in contemporary India. Portraits in public offices are rarely neutral. They signal not only admiration but also affiliation, narrative and sometimes ideological positioning.As demonstrations spread and leaders traded charges over historical interpretation, the controversy showed no immediate sign of abating. What began as the placement of a portrait has become a reminder that in Indian politics, the past remains an active participant in the present. The images on the wall often speak as loudly as the speeches delivered beneath them.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that America could take the next step in its standoff with Iran within the next 10 days, warning that “bad things will happen” if a “meaningful deal” is not reached.Speaking at a Board of Peace event in Washington, Trump said talks with Iranian representatives are ongoing and described them as constructive, but cautioned that progress had historically been difficult.Referring to US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, leading the US in indirect talks with Iran, who were sitting across from Trump, the president said, “Good people and they like them both. And they’ve had some very good meetings. They’ve had some very interesting meetings having to do with, as you know, Iran is a hotspot right now, and they’re meeting and they have a good relationship with the representatives of Iran.”Trump further went on to warn, if over the period of next 10 days there is no meaningful deal, America might escalate and take a step further,“And, you know, good talks are being had. It’s proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal, otherwise bad things will happen,” Trump said. “So now we may have to take a step further or may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You’re going to be finding out over the next, probably, 10 days,” he added.
Trump’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. As reported earlier by, Reuters the US has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying aircraft carriers, fighter jets and additional defence systems to the region.Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters has also shown Iran reinforcing key nuclear and missile-related sites, including fortifying tunnel entrances and adding concrete shielding at sensitive facilities. Tehran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons.The renewed push for a deal follows years of strained diplomacy. Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term and has since advocated for a new arrangement that he says must be stronger and more comprehensive. Efforts under former President Joe Biden to revive the earlier framework did not yield a final agreement.Recent negotiations in Geneva between US officials and Iranian representatives were described by both sides as constructive, but senior US officials have indicated that significant gaps remain.Trump’s 10-day timeline signals that a decision point may be approaching. While he reiterated that a deal remains possible, his warning suggests that Washington is prepared to consider other options if talks fail.There has been no official indication of immediate military action. However, the combination of diplomatic deadlines, visible force deployments and continued nuclear tensions has kept the spotlight on US-Iran relations in recent days.
NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump on Thursday once again boasted about his tariff-centred approach to peace negotiations. Speaking at an event of his self-styled UN-like body, the “Board of Peace,” he referred to the India-Pakistan military tensions of May 2025 and claimed he had threatened to impose “200 per cent tariff” on both countries if they had continued fighting.His remarks came in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who attended the Board of Peace event.
Trump praised his own role and cited Sharif’s statement as validation of his peace efforts. He also claimed he had saved 25 million lives when he “stopped war” between the two nuclear-armed nations, saying the “war was raging.”At the Board of Peace event, US President Donald Trump said, “…He (Pakistani PM) said in front of our Chief of Staff that President Trump saved 25 million lives when he stopped the war between us and India…That war was raging. Planes were being shot down. And I got on the phone with both of them, and I knew them a little bit. I knew Prime Minister Modi very well…I called them and I said, listen, I’m not doing trade deals with you two guys if you don’t settle this up... And all of a sudden, we worked out a deal. I said, if you fight, I’m going to put 200 per cent tariffs on each of your countries. They both wanted to fight. But when it came to money, it’s nothing like money. When it came to losing a lot of money, they said, I guess we don’t want to fight…11 jets were shot down. Very expensive jets…”Trump delivered these remarks at the first meeting of the Board of Peace, his initiative aimed at promoting global peace. Invitations for membership were sent to several countries, including India.Pakistan immediately joined the Trump-led “Board of Peace.” Islamabad has also aligned itself with Trump’s narrative. Its army chief Asim Munir and PM Sharif have earlier nominated Trump for the Nobel Prize, acknowledging his claimed efforts for peace.India, however, has distanced itself from Trump’s claims of mediation in easing tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had clarified that no foreign power mediated the India-Pakistan military situation of May 2025.
Mumbai: A day after two senior officers attached to Kurar police station were arrested in an alleged bribery case, they were remanded to ACB custody till February 23.The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested senior police inspector Sanjeev Tawde and police sub-inspector Dnyaneshwar Jutre on Wednesday, after the latter was allegedly caught while accepting Rs 1 lakh during a trap operation. According to the 35-year-old complainant, an applicant had filed a financial fraud complaint against him, while his transgender brother had lodged a complaint alleging sexual exploitation. The complainant claimed that Tawde summoned him to the police station and demanded Rs 3 lakh bribe to avoid legal action, of which he paid Rs 2 lakh. Later, on February 2, Jutre allegedly demanded the remaining Rs 1 lakh to settle both cases. The complainant approached the ACB on February 3. After verifying the complaint, the ACB laid a trap and apprehended Jutre while allegedly accepting the bribe money on Wednesday. During searches, the officials recovered Rs 6.3 lakh cash and three mobile phones. The ACB also conducted searches at the residences of the two accused.While seeking the duo’s custody on Thursday, investigators told the ACB court that custodial interrogation is necessary to probe the money trail, prior payments, and the alleged conspiracy. The court granted their custody till February 23.
BENGALURU: A Brazilian national has been arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after officials seized cocaine worth about Rs 24 crore, authorities said.The man was intercepted on Tuesday after arriving from São Paulo via Doha. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said 4.77 kilograms of cocaine was found concealed inside four handbags.According to the federal anti-narcotics agency, the cocaine had been soaked into clothes and packed inside the bags. The seized drugs have an estimated market value of Rs 23.88 crore in India.Cocaine is commonly described as a party drug.Further investigation is under way, the NCB said.
US stocks edged lower on Thursday as rising oil prices and renewed concerns over a potential US-Iran conflict weighed on investor sentiment, even as several companies reported mixed quarterly earnings, according to AP.The S&P 500 slipped 0.4% and was on track for its first decline in four sessions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 257 points, or 0.5%, while the Nasdaq composite dropped 0.6% as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time.Oil prices climbed more than 1.5%, with benchmark US crude moving above $66 per barrel amid fears that escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran could disrupt global oil supplies. President Donald Trump has been increasing pressure on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, raising concerns that any military confrontation could constrict the global flow of oil.Among individual stocks, Booking Holdings tumbled 8% despite reporting quarterly profit that slightly beat analysts’ expectations. The company, which operates Booking.com, Priceline and OpenTable, has faced pressure due to concerns that artificial-intelligence-powered competitors could disrupt its business.Such fears have spread across Wall Street, affecting industries ranging from software and legal services to trucking logistics. Analysts said investors have recently adopted a “shoot first-ask questions later” approach toward companies perceived to be vulnerable to technological disruption.Carvana declined 4.3% even after posting stronger-than-expected quarterly profit, as investors focused instead on lower-than-anticipated profit per vehicle sold.Walmart helped limit broader losses, rising 1.6% after fluctuating in premarket trading. The retailer reported stronger results for the end of its fiscal year but issued a profit outlook for the coming year that fell short of analysts’ estimates.eBay gained 2.8% after reporting better-than-expected profit and revenue and announcing plans to acquire secondhand fashion marketplace Depop from Etsy for about $1.2 billion in cash, a move aimed at attracting younger customers.Energy stocks recorded some of the strongest gains as crude prices advanced. Occidental Petroleum jumped 8.7% after delivering quarterly profit that exceeded expectations.In the bond market, Treasury yields were largely steady following data showing fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, suggesting layoffs may be slowing. A resilient labour market could prompt the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged for longer as policymakers await further evidence of easing inflation.The yield on the 10-year Treasury remained at 4.09%, unchanged from late Wednesday.Markets overseas were mixed, with European indexes declining after stronger performances in Asia. South Korea’s Kospi surged 3.1% as trading resumed after the Lunar New Year holiday, while markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai stayed closed.
In a dramatic turn of events during the final T20 World Cup 2026 Group D fixture at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 19, 2026, Canada‘s Jaskaran Singh produced a game-changing over that revitalized his side’s hopes against Afghanistan. Despite both teams being out of Super 8 contention, the match ignited when Jaskaran removed the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the experienced Gulbadin Naib within the space of just four deliveries.
The first breakthrough came on the 5.3 over mark when Gurbaz, known for his relentless aggression, attempted to charge down the wicket after having already struck 30 runs. Jaskaran anticipated the movement and hit the deck hard, causing the ball to rise sharply on the batter. Gurbaz, unable to restrain his instincts, went through with a forceful slog-pull but only managed a thick top-edge that swirled toward deep backward point. Yuvraj Samra kept his composure, running forward to claim the vital catch and ending a dangerous opening stand that had already produced 47 runs. This wicket set the stage for an even more clinical dismissal just three balls later to close out the first six overs.
The final delivery of the over, at 5.6 overs, saw Jaskaran produce a perfect full-length nip-backer that caught Gulbadin completely off-guard. The ball skidded through the air, stayed low, and struck Naib dead in front of middle and leg before he could bring his bat down. Although the on-field umpire initially hesitated, the Canadian side opted for a tactical review that proved to be a masterstroke. UltraEdge confirmed there was no bat involved, and the Ball Tracker showed the delivery crashing into the top of the leg stump. With three reds appearing on the big screen, the decision was overturned, and Naib was sent packing for just 1 run from 2 balls, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 49/2 after a promising start.
What an over! 🔥
Jaskaran rips through with two wickets in an over, removing Gulbadin Naib and Rahmanullah Gurbaz early to put Afghanistan under pressure! 🎯
ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #AFGvCAN | LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/0BcVdzugXC pic.twitter.com/r6S5ZG6KCO
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 19, 2026
Following the mini-collapse triggered by Jaskaran, Afghanistan shifted gears from raw aggression to calculated accumulation to rebuild their innings. Ibrahim Zadran emerged as the anchor, reaching a sublime half-century off just 33 balls, his second consecutive fifty of the tournament. He was ably supported by Sediqullah Atal, who provided the necessary spark in the middle overs, including a massive 81-metre six off Canada’s veteran Saad Bin Zafar. Together, the duo stitched an unbeaten 72-run partnership that stabilized the innings and effectively nullified Canada’s early momentum.
By the 15th over, Afghanistan had surged to 131/2, moving at a healthy run rate of 8.73. While Canada’s bowlers, particularly Ansh Patel and Dilon Heyliger, tried to maintain pressure, a few costly lapses in the field, including a dropped catch of Zadran by Kaleem Sana, allowed the Afghan batters to keep the scoreboard ticking. With five overs remaining and eight wickets in hand, Afghanistan are now well-positioned to launch a final assault, eyeing a target in excess of 190 on a Chepauk surface that is beginning to offer more to the batters as the lights take full effect.
Lucknow: On a day when the result was a mere formality and Karnataka’s place in the Ranji Trophy final was already assured, the umpires briefly kept the semifinal against Uttarakhand alive — much to the bemusement of players and broadcasters alike. The only moment of intrigue at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Thursday came at tea, when captains Kunal Chandela and Karun Nair — standing in for an injured Devdutt Padikkal — shook hands, signalling what everyone believed was the end of proceedings. Presentation signage was rolled out, players drifted towards the ceremony area, and one even headed to the dressing room to pack for the airport.
However, a few minutes later, play was ordered to resume after tea. With Uttarakhand six wickets down, umpires pointed to the rulebook, noting that an outright result for Karnataka was still technically possible. A visibly disgruntled Karnataka side returned to the field, but with the match long decided, Abhay Negi (57 n.o.) and Saurabh Rawat (53 n.o.) treated the final session as batting practice, while the opposition wound down the clock. The match was finally called off less than an hour after tea, with Uttarakhand at 260/6. Karnataka will now host first-time finalists Jammu and Kashmir at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium — the first time the northern Karnataka region will stage a Ranji Trophy final. “We are playing the final after a long time. We’ve been working very hard for the last few years but couldn’t quite make it,” said Karnataka head coach Yere Goud. “Playing at home makes it even more special.” Goud was quick to underline the challenge posed by Jammu and Kashmir. “They have done extremely well, beating MP and Bengal. A lot of credit should go to them. They are a very dangerous side. We need to play good cricket and focus on our processes — we’ll have to play well to beat them.” Karnataka sweat over Padikkal Karnataka skipper Devdutt Padikkal did not take the field on the final day after suffering a cut while fielding on Wednesday, which required five stitches on his right hand. However, Goud played down concerns over his availability for the final starting Tuesday. “When I saw the cut, I was pretty sure he’ll make it. He probably needs two to three days’ rest and should be fine for the game,” Goud said. Shreyas’ landmark The match also marked a personal milestone for leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal, who became the latest Karnataka bowler to reach 300 first-class wickets, which came in his 97th appearance in the format. The 32-year-old is the side’s leading wicket-taker this season with 46 scalps. “It’s a special feeling to reach the milestone in a semifinal, and it gives me a lot of confidence going into the final,” said Shreyas. Earlier, Karnataka, resuming at 299/6, were bowled out for 323, with KL Rahul left unbeaten on 86 after running out of partners. Karnataka’s focus now shifts to Hubballi and a chance to add a ninth Ranji Trophy title to their storied history. SCOREBOARD Karnataka (I innings): 736 Uttarakhand (II innings): 233 Karnataka (II innings, o/n 299/6): KL Rahul (not out) 86, Vyshak Vijaykumar st S Rawat b Mishra 0, Shikhar Shetty b Mishra 7, Prasidh Krishna (run out) 7, Devdutt Padikkal (absent hurt). Extras (B-8; NB-4; LB-2; W-1) 15. Total (all out; 74.3 overs) 323 Fall of wickets: 7-299, 8-311, 9-323 Bowling: Abhay Negi 19-9-63-2, Janmejay Joshi 9-0-54-0, Mayank Mishra 18-3-69-4, Avneesh Sudha 12-1-50-1, J Suchith 12-0-59-1, Aditya Rawat 3.3-0-15-0, Lakshya Raichandani 1-0-3-0. Uttarakhand (II innings): Bhupen Lalwani c Kruthik b Prasidh 15, Prasanth Chopra c Kruthik b Vyshak 0, Avneesh Sudha c Rahul b Shreyas 66, Lakshya Raichandani c Kruthik b Prasidh 10, J Suchith c Aneesh (sub) b Shreyas 19, Saurabh Rawat (not out) 53, Kunal Chandela st Kruthik b Shreyas 20, Abhay Negi (not out) 57. Extras (B-12; LB-2; W-6) 20. Total (6 wkts; 62 overs) 260. Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-48, 3-72, 4-107, 5-128, 6-156. Bowling: Vidyadhar Patil 4-0-13-0, Prasidh Krishna 6-1-17-2, Vyshak Vijaykumar 4-0-22-1, Shikhar Shetty 24-1-97-0, Shreyas Gopal 19-1-83-3; Karun Nair 2-0-9-0; Mayank Agarwal 2-0-5-0.
NEW DELHI: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) confirmed on Thursday that the upcoming Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir will be played in Hubballi. The move has been made to allow safety upgrade work at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to progress faster.The final will begin on February 24.“KSCA had the option of hosting this prestigious final either at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, or at the KSCA Hubballi grounds. After careful evaluation and detailed consultations, the Association, in coordination with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, has taken a considered and strategic decision to stage the final at Hubballi,” said Vinay Mruthyunjaya, the KSCA official spokesperson.He said infrastructure and safety upgrade work is in progress at the Bengaluru venue as per recommendations of a state-appointed expert committee and other authorities.“Several spectator gates and access points are currently being dismantled and widened, along with other critical improvement works.”“In view of these ongoing developments, it would not have been feasible to ensure the high-quality match-viewing experience and spectator convenience that a marquee fixture such as the Ranji Trophy Final deserves,” said Mruthyunjaya.He added that the shift also allows a major match to be staged outside Bengaluru, in line with the vision of the newly elected KSCA managing committee led by Venkatesh Prasad.“This initiative is aimed at promoting cricket across the State, nurturing regional fan engagement, and strengthening the sporting ecosystem beyond Bengaluru,” he added.
![T20 World Cup 2026 [WATCH]: Jaskaran Singh’s double-strike stuns Afghanistan as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib fall in one over vs Canada](https://thefourthcolumn.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/T20-World-Cup-2026-WATCH-Jaskaran-Singhs-double-strike-stuns-Afghanistan.webp.webp)
