Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially released the full schedule for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with the tournament set to begin on March 26 and conclude on May 3, 2026. The upcoming season promises to be the biggest yet, featuring eight teams and a total of 44 matches played over a span of 39 days.

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars will kick off the tournament at their home ground, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where they will face new franchise Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen in the opening clash. The season will culminate at the same venue with the grand final scheduled for May 3, while May 4 has been reserved as a backup day in case of weather interruptions.

Eight teams to battle for PSL 11 title

For the first time in PSL history, the tournament will feature eight teams. Alongside the existing franchises, two new teams—Rawalpindi Pindiz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen—have joined the league, expanding the competition and increasing the excitement around the tournament.

Each team will play 10 matches in the league stage, ensuring a competitive round-robin format. At the end of the league phase, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs. The knockout stage will consist of Qualifier 1, Eliminator 1, Qualifier 2, and the Final.

Six venues to host matches

The 2026 season will be staged across six venues in Pakistan, marking a significant expansion of the tournament’s geographical footprint. Faisalabad and Peshawar will host PSL matches for the first time, joining established venues in Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi.

Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host the most matches during the tournament, staging 15 games including the final and Eliminator fixtures. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, while Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium will stage seven encounters.

Karachi’s National Bank Stadium will host six matches, while the Multan Cricket Stadium will stage four games. Meanwhile, Peshawar’s Imran Khan Cricket Stadium will host a historic match on March 28, when Peshawar Zalmi face Rawalpindi Pindiz in a day fixture.

The tournament schedule includes six double-header matchdays, adding to the excitement for fans. Three of those double headers will be played at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Also READ: Complete list of sold players at PSL 2026 auction: From Daryl Mitchell to Haris Rauf

Complete schedule of PSL 2026

Also READ: Here’s the list of players of unsold in IPL 2026 but picked in PSL auction

Just days after celebrating India’s historic T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, star spinner Kuldeep Yadav is preparing to begin a new chapter in his personal life. The 31-year-old left-arm wrist spinner will marry his childhood friend Vanshika Chadha this month in Uttarakhand.

For Kuldeep, the timing of the wedding could hardly be more special. Fresh from helping India defend their T20 World Cup title, the cricketer now steps into what many describe as the most important “second innings” of his life.

Kuldeep Yadav and Vanshika Chadha’s wedding plans

Kuldeep and Vanshika, both originally from Kanpur, have known each other since childhood. Their relationship took a formal step forward when the couple got engaged on June 4, 2025, during a private ceremony at a hotel in Lucknow. The engagement was attended by close friends and family, including Rinku Singh and his fiancee Priya Saroj.

Initially, the wedding had been scheduled for November 2025, but the plans had to be postponed due to Kuldeep’s busy international schedule and India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup. With the tournament now successfully concluded, the couple has finally set a new date.

The celebrations will unfold over several days, beginning with traditional pre-wedding ceremonies in Mussoorie before concluding with a grand reception in Lucknow.

The Mussoorie wedding is expected to be an intimate affair attended by close family members and relatives. The scenic hill station, known for its peaceful atmosphere and breathtaking views, will provide a beautiful backdrop for the couple’s special day.

The reception in Lucknow, however, is expected to be a much larger celebration. Sources suggest that several BCCI officials, current and former Indian cricketers, Bollywood personalities and prominent political figures could be present for the event.

Kuldeep’s father, Ram Singh Yadav, has already begun extending invitations. On March 8, he personally visited the state secretariat in Lucknow to invite Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, reflecting the family’s deep connection to the region.

Kuldeep Yadav’s journey: From small-town dreams to World Cup glory

Kuldeep’s journey to the top of international cricket has been nothing short of inspiring. Born in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district, he grew up in modest surroundings. His father ran a brick kiln but always supported his son’s ambitions of becoming a cricketer.

Interestingly, Kuldeep was not initially drawn to cricket. However, once he began training seriously under coach Kapil Dev Pandey, his talent as a left-arm wrist spinner quickly stood out.

Over the years, Kuldeep has developed into one of India’s most reliable bowlers across formats. So far in his international career, he has played 191 matches for India, taking 365 wickets with an impressive average of 22.50 and an economy rate of 4.84. His ability to deliver match-winning spells has made him a crucial part of the national team.

Also READ: Explained – Virat Kohli’s absence from the T20 World Cup 2026 Final while MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma were in attendance

Kuldeep was also part of India’s successful campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026, which concluded on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India defeated New Zealand in the final to become the first team to successfully defend the title and the first host nation to win the tournament.

During the competition, Kuldeep contributed with disciplined bowling performances, including a notable spell of 1/14 in three overs during the high-pressure group-stage match against Pakistan.

Reflecting on the victory, Kuldeep also expressed happiness for teammate Sanju Samson, who played a key role in India’s success.

“I have shared my cricketing journey with him since the Under-12s, and I am very happy to see him get the rewards of his hard work over the years,” he told NDTV.

Beyond cricketing achievements, what makes Kuldeep and Vanshika’s story particularly touching is its simplicity. In an era where the personal lives of sportspersons often dominate headlines, their relationship represents a genuine, grounded bond – two people from the same city who grew up just a few kilometres apart and eventually found their way to each other.

Also WATCH: Ishan Kishan reacts after Kirti Azad questions Indian team’s temple visit following T20 World Cup 2026 triumph

New Zealand have unveiled a mixed and experimental squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa at home, with Mitchell Santner and Tom Latham set to share leadership duties. While Santner will captain the side for the first three matches, Latham will take charge for the final two games of the series, which begins at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on March 15. The squad also features several new faces alongside experienced campaigners as the Black Caps manage player workloads following their recent T20 World Cup campaign.

Tom Latham returns to T20I setup after two-year gap

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Latham has made a return to New Zealand’s T20I squad after last appearing in the format in April 2023. His comeback follows an impressive run in domestic cricket, where he emerged as the top run-scorer for Canterbury Kings in the latest Super Smash season.

Latham’s leadership experience will also come into play as he is set to captain the team in the final two matches of the series. His inclusion provides stability to a squad that blends youth and experience as New Zealand continue to build their T20 depth ahead of future global tournaments.

Mitchell Santner to lead first three games as squad rotation continues

All-rounder Santner, who was part of New Zealand’s recent T20 World Cup campaign, will lead the side for the opening three matches of the series. Santner is among eight players from the World Cup squad included for the South Africa clash.

Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson will also feature in the first half of the series before leaving after the third game. Meanwhile, several players including Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi have been selected for the entire five-match contest.

The selection approach reflects New Zealand Cricket’s intention to carefully manage player workloads after a busy international schedule that included tours to India and Sri Lanka earlier in the year.

Three uncapped players earn maiden call-ups

The squad includes three uncapped players – Katene Clarke, Nick Kelly and Jayden Lennox – who have been rewarded for their impressive performances in domestic competitions.

Clarke’s selection follows a remarkable Super Smash campaign in which he scored 431 runs, including an unbeaten century, helping Northern Brave lift the domestic T20 title. He is expected to be available for the final two matches of the series.

Left-arm spinner Lennox also earned his maiden T20I call-up after impressing during his debut ODI series against India earlier this year. Meanwhile, Kelly has been picked following consistent performances for Wellington Firebirds and his ODI debut against Pakistan last season.

Also READ: Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu return to fold as New Zealand announces squad for South Africa Women’s T20I series

Rested players and injury concerns shape squad selection

Several senior players have been rested after the demanding T20 World Cup schedule. Key names such as Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert will sit out the series.

Fast bowler Matt Henry is also unavailable as he spends time with his newborn child. In addition, a few players were not considered for selection due to injuries, including Michael Bracewell (calf), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back) and Blair Tickner (ankle).

Dane Cleaver will join the squad for the final two matches once Conway departs after the third game, marking his return to the national setup after nearly two years.

New Zealand’s squad for the T20Is against South Africa: Mitchell Santner (captain for matches 1–3), Katene Clarke (matches 4–5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wicketkeeper, matches 4–5), Devon Conway (wicketkeeper, matches 1–3), Lockie Ferguson (matches 2–3), Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper and captain for matches 4–5), Jayden Lennox (matches 4–5), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.

Also READ: South Africa unveil 15-member squad for the T20I series against New Zealand, Keshav Maharaj to lead

As the dust settles from the recent T20 World Cup, international cricket returns to the iconic Shere Bangla National Stadium for a three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and Pakistan. This opening clash on March 11 marks a fresh chapter for both sides, featuring new leadership and a youth-centric approach.

Bangladesh enter this series with Mehidy Hasan Miraz at the helm. With the transition away from the “Big Five” era, the Tigers are leaning heavily on their domestic stars. Keep an eye on the pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mustafizur Rahman, who have developed world-class variations (cutters and slow bouncers) specifically for these Mirpur conditions.

Pakistan, led by speedster Shaheen Afridi, arrives with a squad that emphasizes “the next generation.” With Babar Azam rested, the spotlight shifts to young talents like Shamyl Hussain and Sahibzada Farhan. The inclusion of specialist leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed suggests Pakistan are ready to fight fire with fire on a spinning track.

BAN vs PAK, 1st ODI: Match Details

• Date and Time: March 11; 01:45 pm IST/ 08:15 am GMT/ 02:15 pm Local
• Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

BAN vs PAK, Head-to-Head Record

Matches Played: 39 | BAN won: 5 | PAK Won: 14 | No results: 0

Shere Bangla National Stadium Pitch Report

The surface at Shere Bangla National Stadium is known for its slow and low nature. Historically, the track assists spinners from the very first hour. Expect Mehidy and Abrar to be the most influential figures on the field. Batting is generally easiest during the first 10–15 overs when the ball is hard. Once the shine wears off, the surface becomes “tacky,” making it difficult for incoming batters to find their timing. The captain winning the toss is likely to bowl first to capitalize on any early humidity and avoid the “dry” period of the afternoon when the pitch is at its slowest.

Also READ: Pakistan name 6 uncapped players in ODI squad for Bangladesh tour, no place for Babar Azam

Squads

Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul ​Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, ⁠Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad ⁠Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Saad Masood, ‌Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shamyl Hussain

BAN vs PAK, 1st ODI: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Bangladesh wins the toss and bowl first
• Pakistan powerplay score: 50-60
• Pakistan total score: 270-280

Case 2:

• Pakistan wins the toss and bowl first
• Bangladesh powerplay score: 40-50
• Bangladesh total score: 250-260

Match result: Team bowling first will win the game.

Also READ: Mike Hesson explains Babar Azam’s omission from Pakistan ODI squad for Bangladesh tour

With the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup appearing on the horizon, both Bangladesh and Pakistan enter this three-match ODI series in Dhaka looking to solidify new combinations. This tour marks a significant transitional phase for Pakistan, who have arrived with a refreshed squad, while Bangladesh look to assert dominance at their fortress in Mirpur.

The big story for Pakistan is the absence of Babar Azam, who was omitted as selectors pivot toward the next World Cup cycle. Under the leadership of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan have named six uncapped players, including exciting prospects like Shamyl Hussain and Abdul Samad. With veteran Mohammad Rizwan providing the backbone, the Men in Green are clearly testing their bench strength in subcontinent conditions.

The Tigers, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, are formidable at home. While they are missing the injured Hasan Mahmud and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, the recall of Afif Hossain adds depth to a middle order that includes the experienced Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto. For Miraz, this series is a chance to prove his tactical mettle as a full-time leader.

Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2026: ODI fixtures

• 1st ODI: March 11, 2026, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, 1:45 PM IST/ 08:15 AM GMT / 02:15 PM LOCAL
• 2nd ODI: March 13, 2026, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, 1:45 PM IST/ 08:15 AM GMT / 02:15 PM LOCAL
• 3rd ODI: March 15, 2026, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, 1:45 PM IST/ 08:15 AM GMT / 02:15 PM LOCAL

Also READ: Bangladesh name strong squad for the ODI series against Pakistan, Atif Hossain returns

Squads:

Pakistan: Shaheen Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha, Shamyl Hussain.

Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana

Broadcast and Live Streaming details

• USA: Sling TV – Willow TV (sign up here)
• UK: Sky Sports Cricket
• India: Fancode
• Pakistan: PTV Sports, A Sports
• Bangladesh: T Sports, Nagorik TV
• New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
• Australia: Fox Sports, Amazon Prime
• South Africa: SuperSport

Also READ: ICC announces T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament, Aiden Markram to lead

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 schedule has been announced on Tuesday, as Pakistan’s franchise league is set to begin on 26th March and will run till May 3. This is going to be the 11th edition of the PSL, as reigning champions Lahore Qalandars will take on the newly introduced Hyderabad Kingsmen in the opening match of the fixture.

The 11th season has been bigger for PSL as they have eight teams instead of six. The Hyderabad Kingsmen is the new side, alongside Rawalpindi Pindiz. Multan Sultans came back as CD Ventures has acquired a majority stake in the Sialkot Stallionz franchise, which was supposed to become the newest edition in the league.

Peshawar to host one game of PSL 2026

The Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, in Peshawar have also got its first game after the renovation of the new stadium. As in the previous edition, they failed to host any matches in this stadium. So, Peshawar-based franchise Peshawar Zalmi will play one of their matches at this venue.

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Lahore Qalandars defeated the Quetta Gladiators in the final of the PSL 2025. They are the joint-most successful franchise alongside Islamabad United, as both teams have won the PSL three times each. With the new edition, the Qalandars will look to defend their trophy.

PSL sets new broadcasting records

Walee Technologies has obtained the record-breaking four-year broadcast and live-streaming rights to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for roughly PKR 26.11 billion ($93 million USD), a 21% increase each game. The agreement provides global rights (excluding India), with 44 matches slated for the 2026 season.

Lahore will host the highest number of games, with 15 matches, including key knockout fixtures. Rawalpindi follows with 11 matches. Faisalabad has been allotted 7 matches, while Karachi will stage 6 matches. Meanwhile, Multan is set to host 4 matches, and one match will be played at Peshawar.

PSL format explained

The Pakistan Super League 2026 will follow a revamped format with 44 matches in total. The tournament will be divided into two groups of four teams each, adding a structured league stage before the playoffs.

Group A consists of Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators, and Hyderabad Kingsmen. Meanwhile, Group B includes Islamabad United, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Rawalpindi Pindiz.

Each team will play a total of 10 matches in the league stage. Within their own group, teams will face every other side twice, and each team will play one match against every team from the opposite group. Then the top four teams will qualify for the knockout stages.

Schedule for PSL 11

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav blocks new captain talk in India T20I team, shifts focus to Olympic gold

Former England batter Mark Butcher went on to praise Gautam Gambhir and team India‘s performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He not only praised the winners as a unit but also praised their strategy to move on from prioritizing individual milestones.

India won the second T20 World Cup in a row, but it seemed evident that they had moved ahead of the idea of just one player contributing to the run tally or the pile of wickets. This World Cup win for India was a combination of efforts from every member of that playing XI.

Ever since Gautam Gambhir took charge of the India team as their head coach, he had worked hard, tried several combinations, and then finalized the team for the ICC T20 World Cup, which, according to him, could secure all ends, and it did.

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India and Pakistan’s contrasting fortunes in ICC tournaments

The Men in Blue have been the best side in ICC tournaments over the last three years. The last time they lost an ICC tournament knockout game was back in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. India lost the finals against Australia, and since then, they have been unstoppable.

India, under Rohit Sharma, broke their World Cup jinx after winning the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in Barbados. He then led them to the Champions Trophy triumph in 2025 in Dubai. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 win, India have now won three back-to-back ICC tournaments.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have been very unfortunate over the past four ICC tournaments. The last time they made it to the knockouts was back in 2022 against England in the T20 World Cup final. Since then, they have been knocked out of four ICC tournaments without making it to the semi-finals.

England star praises Gautam Gambhir’s farsightedness in T20s, mocks Pakistan over backdated mentality

Former England batter Mark Butcher praised Gautam Gambhir’s philosophy for moving away from the superstar culture and focusing on a more formidable team effort. Butcher also criticized India’s arch-rival, Pakistan, since the Men in Green are still stuck on personal milestones.

“There’s quite a stark contrast there in the way that their neighbours in Pakistan are still stuck in the idea of personal milestones and individual superstars. Gautam Gambhir, who’s had his detractors over his time in charge, has basically walked away from that mantra and has built a team,” Butcher said on India’s dominant run.

“The point is that in order to win a game of T20 cricket, no matter who the star is, whether it’s a bowling team who are brilliant defensively or a bowling team that knocks a team over for 120 and then you chase them down in 10 overs, it’s the whole that gets you the result,” he added.

Bumrah won that game for India- Mark Butcher declares

Butcher went on to claim that bowlers are the crucial axis of any team in any format of the game. He highlighted the massive scoring contest between India and England, where the Indian bowlers restricted them from securing the most thrilling World Cup semi-final win.

In that contest, while all bowlers were taken for runs, Bumrah secured an incredible show with just 33 runs in his 4 overs. He bowled the 18th over and gave away just 6 runs while England needed 45 runs in the last three overs.

“Look at India’s win over England in the semi-final, there were lots of complaints that there was nothing in it for the bowlers. Bowlers won that game –Bumrah won that game for India. His two overs in the final five… those two overs stopped England in their tracks and stopped England from pulling off the most extraordinary run chase you’ll have seen in a semi-final,” said Butcher (via the aforementioned source).

“That’s why I hold no truck with the idea that bowlers are not important in T20 cricket; they absolutely are, as they are in every format of the game,” he added.

ALSO READ: IPL 2026 fixtures revealed; RCB to play……

Indian cricket fans have eagerly been waiting for the IPL 2026 schedule to be revealed, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia provided an insight into that on Tuesday. Though the schedule is yet to be announced, the update brings along good news for the fans.

The BCCI were busy hosting the ICC T20 World Cup, and with Sri Lanka and Pakistan out of the equation ahead of the semi-finals, they hosted the semi-finals as well as the final on their soil. India also became the first-ever side to win the title on home soil.

Amid the ongoing positive environment in India after the World Cup triumph, the BCCI has announced the probable date for announcing the first half of the IPL schedule.

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IPL 2026 schedule to be announced in two halves

The IPL will be held from the 28th of March, which was officially confirmed by the official broadcasters of India’s most prestigious T20 franchise league, Star Sports, ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup final match between India and New Zealand.

However, due to the impending elections across several states in India, the release of the IPL schedule has been delayed for a long period. The elections will be held in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the coming months.

The BCCI Secretary, Devajit Saikia, announced on Tuesday that the BCCI will be announcing the 20-day schedule of the IPL first, and the remainder of the schedule will be announced later. There might be adjustments needed to be made to venues due to the elections.

“We will announce the first 20-day schedule of IPL in 2 or 3 days after considering the election dates in a few states and will announce the rest of the tournament schedule later,” Saikia said to ANI.

Virat Kohli’s RCB to return to Chinnaswamy for IPL 2026

Indian cricketing legend Virat Kohli will be seen back on the field from the 28th of March, since RCB will mark the beginning of the proceedings after they lifted the IPL trophy for the first time in 18 seasons in 2025. They are the defending champions and will play the first game.

However, RCB faced a massive blow to their victorious season after their victory celebrations were ruined by an unfortunate incident at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The stampede, which resulted in the death of RCB fans and injured many, led to the suspension of operations at the very venue.

The KSCA Secretary Santosh Menon went on to announce that RCB will return to their home ground in IPL 2026, and the Chinnaswamy, which is now operational, will host 5 of their home matches.

Chinnaswamy finalized as the venue for the IPL 2026 final

The KSCA President and the Secretary, Venkatesh Prasad and Santosh Menon, have worked very hard to meet several demands that were laid out in the report submitted to the Karnataka government to initiate proceedings at the stadium.

The secretary had confirmed that the venue will be hosting the IPL 2026 final, along with one of the playoff matches in the tournament. However, it is notable that two of RCB’s home matches will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

ALSO READ: NOT Rohit Sharma! Suryakumar Yadav credits MS Dhoni after ICC Men’s T20 WC 2026 glory

Former World Cup-winning Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has slammed former Indian spinner Kirti Azad for politicizing cricket after the latter’s hurtful comments on Suryakumar Yadav and Jay Shah, accusing them of religious bias.

After India won the T20 World Cup on home soil, not one Indian fan is anything but delighted. However, controversies continue to find their way into every situation, and this time as well, a former cricketer and current politician has complicated the situation, pointing at a religious bias after Suryakumar Yadav, alongside coach Gautam Gambhir and Jay Shah, carried the trophy to a nearby Hanuman Temple to seek blessings.

These comments came from TMC MP Kirti Azad, whose party has been ruling over Bengal for over a decade and has been at loggerheads with the BJP government. The two parties have often had conflicts over using religious beliefs as propaganda.

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What did the 1983 World Cup winner say that irked Indian fans?

Kirti Azad was part of the Indian squad when they won the first-ever ICC trophy back in 1983. The former World Cup winner raised questions on Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Jay Shah for having taken the trophy to a ‘Hindu’ temple and not to the respective religious places of the other religions, like a Mosque or a Church.

He made some sharp accusations, claiming that the win was for the 1.4 billion Indians, which includes people of every religion, not just Hindus, and also highlighted that several players from other beliefs, like Mohammad Siraj and Sanju Samson, the player of the tournament, contributed heavily to India’s success.

He also recalled the 1983 World Cup when India had Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian players in the team and brought the trophy back to India, which he called out as their, “…motherland India Bharat Hindustan.”

Harbhajan Singh gets back at Kirti Azad for unnecessarily politicizing cricket

While opinions on this issue would also split the Indian fans into two parties, yet it seems to be the unnecessary escalation of a trivial matter. Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who is also a former World Cup winner for India, also commented on the same.

Getting back to the senior spinner, Harbhajan said that it is absurd that, despite being a former cricketer himself, he is politicizing the simple act of the players taking a trophy into a temple.

Here’s the video

#WATCH | Delhi | On BCCI announcing Rs 131 Crore prize money for Team India for winning the ICC T20 World Cup, Former Indian Cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, says, “I was expecting more, because when such a big task is undertaken, the reward should be even greater.… pic.twitter.com/xOxejmhZEG

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2026

Bhajji said, “It’s absurd that someone is politicizing the players taking the trophy to a temple… Kirti himself is a former cricketer, so I didn’t expect him to say such a thing… Perhaps he’s prioritizing politics more and has forgotten he’s a sportsman.”

Harbhajan Singh takes a dig at the BCCI after the prize money announcement for Team India

Harbhajan Singh looked delighted at India winning the ICC tournament and wanted a bit more from the management to praise the cricketers, who, according to him, deserved a lot more.

The BCCI had announced an INR 131 crore prize money to the Indian Cricket Team after they won the ICC trophy for the second time in a row. However, Harbhajan felt that the prize could have been increased a bit more after all the hard work the team did over the past year.

Former Indian Cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh said, “I was expecting more, because when such a big task is undertaken, the reward should be even greater. But congratulations to the team for their dominance in the World Cup, and for showing everyone how powerful India is.”

ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir praised as ex-England star blasts Babar Azam and Pakistan’s ‘personal milestones’ obsession

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has mentioned that Sanju Samson was treated unfairly on the Indian side. He should have been part of the Indian T20I XI after those big hundreds in 2024, but instead lost his position to Shubman Gill.

India were the defending champions and looked like one of the strongest sides in the T20 World Cup, but during the start of their tournament, Abhishek Sharma‘s poor form had cost them the early upper hand in their home World Cup. The issue was resolved with Sanju Samson’s heroic entry into the Indian XI.

Not until the New Zealand series did Sanju have a place in the XI, but he was then tried after Indian selectors dropped Shubman Gill from the squad. However, despite the chances, Samson could not make full use of the NZ games and ended up scoring runs at an average of around 10.

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With Sanju Samson, I think there were serious blunders committed – Sanjay Manjrekar

The cricketer-turned-commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar, stressed the fact that the Indian team management was unfair with the wicket-keeper batter early on. India suddenly ignored his spectacular form in T20s and reinstated Shubman Gill into the side due to his prolific run in a Test series in England.

Forget Samson’s impact; Gill was not even effective in the shorter format of the game.

“With Sanju Samson, I think there were serious blunders committed. One is when Sanju Samson seemed to have come of age and recently got three T20 international hundreds in five innings against teams like South Africa. He was actually dropped down the order a few matches later, just after four or five innings, because Shubman Gill in England had a tremendous Test series.

“It just warped logic that because Shubman Gill played so well in Test cricket, he was reinstated, he was recalled to the Indian T20 team, and what’s worse, Sanju Samson, who was at the top of the order, was pushed down the order to make way for Shubman Gill,” he said while speaking in a video on Instagram.

Sanjay Manjrekar narrates how Samson’s T20 World Cup redemption was written

He continued with Sanju, slowly losing form in the Asia Cup, where he was sent in to bat lower in the batting order. However, despite limited opportunities, Samson scored 132 runs in 4 outings in the Asia Cup, 5 runs more than Shubman Gill’s 127 in 7 innings.

The former batter cited the vital role played by fate in Sanju Samson’s being reinstated into the Indian playing XI and his firing off to take India home through the knockout games in the ICC T20 World Cup.

“Now, this is where fate comes in. Rinku Singh’s absence [actually Abhishek Sharma due to illness] in one of the games [against Namibia] got Sanju Samson to come back in, and Tilak Varma, who was struggling at No. 3, was pushed down the order [against Zimbabwe], and that is why Ishan Kishan was batting at No. 3.

“He could bat at No. 3, and Sanju Samson got that spot, which should’ve been his right through at the top of the order, and as they say, the rest is history,” Manjrekar added.

A record three-match half-century streak from Sanju Samson to emerge as India’s World Cup hero

Sanju’s axing came despite the batter’s dynamic form in 2024 for India in T20I cricket and limited opportunities to express himself in 2025; however, he had to eagerly wait for the right stage, and he did.

When he got the unforeseen opportunity in the T20 World Cup, Samson did not miss out. He started off with a 22-run cameo against Namibia and followed it with a 24 off 15 against Zimbabwe.

However, his true redemption came when India were almost in a knockout situation against the West Indies. His 97* off 50 balls helped them through to the semi-finals in a high-voltage chase, and then he looked unstoppable.

An 89 off 42 against England in the semi-final and another 89 off 46 against New Zealand in the finals is what made Samson finish the tournament with 321 runs at a strike rate of 199.37.

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