Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has confirmed participation of the men’s national team at the four-nation Unity Cup in London where Nigeria (world no 21) and Jamaica (71) are expected to be the highest-ranked participating countries.Nigeria surprisingly missed out on qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the playoff stage, while Jamaica were one win away from the competition, until they lost a nervy final round qualifier against DR Congo on TuesdayThe two teams are expected to be the biggest attractions at the Unity Cup which will be played from May 26-30.Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago took part in last year’s tournament while Republic of Ireland, Nigeria and Jamaica featured in the original Unity Cup held in the summer of 2004.“The Unity Cup features nations with large communities in the UK,” a senior official told TOI on Wednesday. “India have been invited for the first time.” There is no word yet on the fourth participating team, though it’s likely to be from Africa.The Unity Cup is a knockout tournament with the semifinal winners moving to the final while the losing teams will feature in the clash for third place.The Indian football team’s first visit to England was at the 1948 London Olympics. The last full-fledged tour was in 2000 when the Bhaichung Bhutia-captained side lost against Fulham (0-2), drew goalless against West Bromwich Albion and concluded the trip by recording a 1-0 victory against Bangladesh in Leicester.“India has a large community in the UK so the team is expected to attract a good crowd,” said another official.India defeated Hong Kong 2-1 in their final AFC Asian Cup 2027 final round qualifier in Kochi on Tuesday. It was the first win for Khalid Jamil’s side, made possible by debutant Australia-born Ryan Williams’ fourth-minute opener.The Bengaluru FC winger plied his trade at Fulham during the early stages of his career and will now return as a key player for India.“Everybody worked very hard, and we got the result we wanted. Credit to the players. They have been working very hard. They are playing as a good team, which is important because we need to develop more,” said Jamil.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has never been just about the cricket; it is a high-octane blend of entertainment, brand endorsements, and digital storytelling. However, for popular sports presenter and actor Sahiba Bali, the spotlight has recently turned from the pitch to a growing storm of online criticism. Known for her infectious energy and deep connection with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) fanbase, Bali has found herself at the centre of a cancel culture wave that highlights the volatile nature of being a public figure in the digital age.

What sparked criticism against Sahiba Bali online?

The controversy did not stem from a recent event but rather from the digital footprint of years past. The backlash intensified following a similar controversy involving Reet Padda, whose comments on certain films sparked national debate. As netizens began scrutinizing the past statements of various influencers and presenters, older videos of Sahiba Bali were pulled from the archives and amplified across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

The criticism is primarily rooted in two specific pieces of content. The first is a clip from several years ago where Bali describes a teenage visit to Pakistan as “eye-opening,” referring to the people she met as “loving.” In the current socio-political climate, these comments were stripped of their original context and framed by critics as being “insensitive” to national sentiments, especially given her prominent role in a major Indian sporting league.

The second flashpoint involves her views on the film ‘The Kashmir Files’. In a resurfaced video, Bali, who herself hails from a Kashmiri Pandit background, criticized the movie’s cinematic quality and narrative approach, suggesting it felt like propaganda. For many social media users, this was the tipping point. Critics have accused her of dismissing historical trauma, while her supporters argue that as a professional and a member of the community, she is entitled to her nuanced critique of cinema.

Also READ: From Mayanti Langer to Sahiba Bali: Complete list of star presenters for IPL 2026

Impact on Bali’s IPL 2026 and Punjab Kings Association

As the hashtags trended, the conversation shifted toward her professional standing. Bali has been a vital part of the Punjab Kings digital strategy, often seen interviewing players like captain Shreyas Iyer and creating behind-the-scenes content that humanizes the franchise.

The backlash has put both the presenter and the franchise in a delicate position:

• Brand Neutrality: IPL franchises typically prefer a ‘safety-first’ approach to maintain a broad fan base. The noise surrounding Bali’s personal opinions has led to speculation on Reddit and fan forums regarding whether the team will reduce her on-screen visibility to avoid ‘brand rub-off’ from the controversy.
• The ‘Creator’ risk: This incident underscores the precarious balance for “hybrid” celebrities—those who are both professional anchors and independent content creators. Statements made in a personal capacity years ago are now being used to judge their professional suitability today.

While Bali continues to be a respected name in the industry with a master’s degree from Durham University and a background at Oxford’s Saïd Business School, this episode serves as a stark reminder of how quickly the tide can turn in the IPL’s digital ecosystem. For now, the ‘PBKS find’ remains under intense scrutiny as fans wait to see if she will address the controversy directly or let her professional work on the field do the talking.

Also WATCH: Prince Yadav engages in a heated exchange with Tristan Stubbs during LSG vs DC game at IPL 2026

Centre’s decision to remove customs duties on petrochemicals might reportedly cost the government around 18 billion rupees. The measure has been introduced under emergency provisions to tackle supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Announced on Thursday, the decision follows New Delhi’s invocation of emergency powers and the diversion of local chemicals towards cooking gas production to manage shortages triggered by the Gulf war.According to Reuters, the government is set to forgo an estimated 18 billion rupees or $193.02 million in revenue. Authorities have also diverted domestic chemical supplies towards cooking gas production to address shortages linked to the Gulf war situation. The import duty exemption covers 40 petrochemical products and will remain in effect until June 30, 2026, according to official information.Earleir on Wednesday, the government announced a complete customs duty exemption on select critical petrochemical inputs in order to support domestic industries facing global supply chain pressures due to the conflict in West Asia.An official statement said the exemption is aimed at ensuring steady availability of essential petrochemical raw materials for domestic manufacturing sectors and will be valid until June 30, 2026.The move comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia that have disrupted international supply chains and increased costs for industries dependent on petrochemical feedstock and intermediates.The government said the step is intended to provide temporary relief by stabilising supplies, reducing input costs, and supporting downstream industries that rely on these materials.Sectors expected to benefit include plastics, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive components and other manufacturing industries. The decision is also expected to ease pressure on end-consumer prices by helping moderate production costs.The list of exempted items includes key petrochemical inputs such as anhydrous ammonia, methanol, toluene, styrene, vinyl chloride monomer, monoethylene glycol (MEG), phenol, acetic acid, and purified terephthalic acid (PTA), among others.It also covers polymers including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) chips, and engineering plastics such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polycarbonates.Speciality chemicals and intermediates such as epoxy resins, polyurethanes, formaldehyde derivatives and polyols have also been included in the exemption list.Government sources said the situation will continue to be monitored closely, with further action possible depending on how geopolitical and supply chain conditions evolve.

Nuwan Thushara of Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrates (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has approached the Colombo District Court seeking legal intervention to allow him to play in the 2026 Indian Premier League. Thushara has filed a case against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), requesting that the board be ordered to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for his participation. The matter was heard in court today and is scheduled for a full hearing on April 9. In his petition, Thushara has named SLC President Shammi Silva, Secretary Bandula Dissanayake, Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda, and CEO Ashley de Silva as defendants. Thushara, who was picked by Royal Challengers for the 2026 IPL, highlighted that he had previously played in the 2024 and 2025 editions after receiving NOCs from SLC. However, the board has refused to grant the 2026 NOC, citing that he did not meet the prescribed fitness standards. The pacer maintains that his contract with SLC ended on March 31, 2026, and that he had already informed the board of his decision not to renew it and to step away from international cricket. He argued that he had also been informed he would not be selected for national duties, making the refusal to issue an NOC on fitness grounds unreasonable. Thushara further stated that his current fitness levels are consistent with those maintained throughout his career and that similar standards had not prevented SLC from issuing NOCs in the past. He warned that failing to obtain the NOC would force him to be replaced by his IPL franchise, resulting in a loss of income and career opportunities. Through the court, Thushara is seeking a declaration confirming his entitlement to the NOC, along with interim and permanent orders directing SLC to issue the certificate, ensuring his eligibility for the IPL and other overseas leagues. The court has fixed the next hearing for April 9.