NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday “reaffirmed its position” to not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 during a meeting with the International Cricket Council (ICC). A video conference between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) was held this afternoon, the BCB said in a media release.

During the meeting, the BCB “reaffirmed its position regarding the decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns”, the release said. The BCB also repeated its request to the ICC to consider moving Bangladesh’s matches outside India.However, as reported earlier by TOI, the ICC has rejected claims that security concerns could prevent the Bangladesh team from travelling to India for the tournament.The ICC said the tournament schedule has already been announced and asked the BCB to reconsider its stand. The BCB’s position, however, “remains unchanged”, the Bangladesh board said. Both sides agreed to continue discussions to look for possible solutions, according to the BCB release.“The BCB remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of its players, officials and staff while engaging constructively with the ICC to address the matter,” the statement said.The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7. As per the existing schedule, Bangladesh are set to start their campaign on the same day against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They will then play Italy on February 9 at the same venue, followed by a match against England, the 2022 T20 World Cup champions, also in Kolkata. Bangladesh will finish their group-stage matches against Nepal on February 17.The BCB’s concerns followed the release of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) amid attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.According to the current schedule, Bangladesh are to play their first three group matches in Kolkata and their final group match in Mumbai.After Mustafizur was released from the KKR squad, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL in the country.Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal and current Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto have warned against taking a rigid position on the issue. Tamim said decisions taken now could have an impact 10 years later. Shanto has spoken about the mental pressure on players at the possibility of missing a World Cup. Nazrul, however, has maintained that Bangladesh will not move away from its demand.

KC Cariappa (Pic credit: Cariappa’s Instagram post)

NEW DELHI: Former Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings leg-spinner KC Cariappa has announced his retirement from Indian (BCCI) cricket at the age of 31, bringing the curtain down on a career that promised much and delivered moments he says will stay with him forever.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Cariappa burst into the limelight in the IPL in 2015 when KKR snapped him up for a hefty Rs 2.4 crore. On debut, the young leg-spinner produced a moment that instantly etched his name into league folklore — dismissing South African great AB de Villiers. Yet, in a twist that would come to define much of his professional journey, Cariappa played just one match that season before being released.

The following year, he was picked up by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for Rs 80 lakh and played nine games there in two seasons. Cariappa would return to KKR in 2019, only to feature in a solitary game once again. In total, he played 11 IPL matches, picking up eight wickets at an economy rate of 9.66, while spending much of his IPL stint on the fringes despite the early hype. He was part of Rajasthan Royals squad too during his IPL career.Announcing his retirement through an emotional Instagram post, Cariappa reflected on a journey that began far from the limelight. “From the streets where it all began to stadium lights and wearing the jersey with pride – I lived the dream I once only imagined. Today, I officially announce my retirement from BCCI cricket,” he wrote. “This journey gave me everything. Victories that made me smile, defeats that broke me and lessons that shaped me.”“I’ve felt pressure, pain, sacrifice but also the kind of joy only cricket can give,” he added. Though he hails from Karnataka, Cariappa represented Mizoram in domestic cricket and enjoyed a productive run. In 14 first-class matches, he claimed 75 wickets at an impressive average of 23.20, while also taking 24 wickets in 20 List A games. In T20s, he finished with 58 wickets from 58 matches at an economy of 6.60.Expressing gratitude, Cariappa thanked the Karnataka State Cricket Association for “building me, guiding me and believing in me,” and the Cricket Association of Mizoram for supporting him “like family.” He also looked back fondly on his IPL years. “My 7-year IPL journey will always stay close to my heart,” he wrote.Signing off, Cariappa struck a poignant note: “I may be retiring from BCCI cricket today but I will never retire from loving this game.”

File Pic: Bangladesh fans cheer for their team in the stands. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: A day after Bangladesh government’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul sent shockwaves through world cricket by declaring that Bangladesh would play the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 anywhere except India, this report re-examines the allegations he levelled — and why the ICC has firmly pushed back against them.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Nazrul’s remarks on Monday came against the backdrop of strained ties between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the BCCI, triggered by the release of Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders and reports that Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram had emerged as alternative venues for Bangladesh’s World Cup matches. Speaking to reporters at the Bangladesh Football Federation, Nazrul insisted that Dhaka’s position was categorical.

Nazrul’s allegations, claims and defiance“I already said India means India. We are talking about India; we did not say Kolkata,” he said. “If you change it from Kolkata and give another venue — Sri Lanka can be given, no problem. Hold it in Pakistan, no problem. Hold it in the United Arab Emirates, no problem.”At the heart of Nazrul’s argument was what he described as an ICC security assessment that allegedly validated Bangladesh’s concerns. According to him, the ICC’s security team had warned that risks would increase if Mustafizur Rahman was selected, if Bangladeshi supporters wore national jerseys in public, and if the tournament coincided with Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections.

“If the ICC expects that we will form a team excluding our best bowler, that our supporters cannot wear our national jersey, and that we will postpone our election to play cricket, then there cannot be anything more bizarre or unreasonable,” Nazrul said, adding that these points “undoubtedly proved” there was no environment for Bangladesh to play anywhere in India.Nazrul also framed the issue in political and ideological terms, alleging an “aggressive communal situation” and a sustained “anti-Bangladesh campaign” in India over the past 16 months. “No one should have a monopoly over cricket,” he said, accusing the ICC of bowing to India’s influence and urging the governing body to prove its global credentials by shifting Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka.ICC’s quick rebuttalHowever, within hours of his comments, the ICC poured cold water on those claims. Sources in the governing body clarified that its independent risk assessments — carried out by internationally recognised security experts — did not support the conclusion that Bangladesh could not travel to India. The overall security risk for the tournament, including Bangladesh’s scheduled fixtures in Kolkata and Mumbai, was assessed as “low to moderate”, with no specific or direct threat identified.The ICC also rejected any suggestion that it had recommended changes to squad selection, fan behaviour or domestic political processes. “Routine contingency planning has been selectively referenced and misrepresented,” an ICC source told TimesofIndia.com.Bangladesh’s clarificationBangladesh deputy press secretary Azad Majumdar later acknowledged that Nazrul had misread an internal note, explaining that it was not an ICC response to Bangladesh’s request for relocation.As things stand, Bangladesh remain scheduled to play four group matches in India, with fans and the wider cricketing world now waiting to see what unfolds next in this evolving controversy.

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli continued his rich vein of form, anchoring India’s chase with a polished knock of 93 off 91 deliveries as the hosts overhauled a 301-run target to secure a four-wicket victory and go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series. Batting with trademark composure, Kohli once again controlled the tempo and ensured India stayed on course throughout the chase.The innings marked Kohli’s seventh successive fifty-plus score in ODI cricket since making his return in October last year, underlining his remarkable consistency in the format.

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was full of praise for Kohli’s approach, highlighting the mental clarity that has defined the star batter’s recent performances. According to Ashwin, Kohli appears liberated at the crease, batting with a blend of youthful freedom and seasoned experience.“It looks like nothing is going on in his mind. You asked me what he has changed-he hasn’t changed anything; he is just not thinking about anything. He made a decision that he just wants to enjoy his cricket. It seems like he is playing with the attitude of batting in his childhood, combined with the experience of so many years,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.Ashwin also reserved special mention for Shreyas Iyer, who marked his return to international cricket after a lengthy injury layoff with a vital contribution. Iyer had been sidelined for months due to a spleen laceration but showed no signs of rust, scoring 49 off 47 balls and forging an important partnership with Kohli.Reflecting on Iyer’s body of work in the 50-over format, Ashwin described him as one of India’s most reliable performers in ODIs, even while acknowledging the unusual nature of his dismissal.“We know that Shreyas has been Mr. Consistent for India in ODI cricket. His dismissal was very unlike Shreyas; he never leaves the game like this-he generally finishes it. But it is very understandable; he is making a comeback, and that was a good ball by Jamieson,” he added.The second ODI of the series will be played on Wednesday at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.

NEW DELHI: The govt is actively considering bringing in Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders to play for the tricolour to shore up the country’s medal fortunes at the forthcoming edition of the Olympics, according to its 10-year strategic plan for the Games, TOI has learnt. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Under the plan, OCI or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) athletes would be approached through their respective national sports federations (NSFs) to come and play for India. The govt has encouraged the NSFs to pursue the idea and get in touch with such athletes in their respective sports.

The proposal was mooted at a recent Sports Governance Conclave in Ahmedabad, where ministry officials gave a detailed presentation on India’s sporting ambitions for coming years and how to transform the nation into a global sporting powerhouse such as China and USA. The idea was to bring such OCI or PIO athletes to play for India as an ‘interim measure’. “Talking about ‘Play for India’, in certain sports we don’t have enough talent. In such cases, we can approach and bring in our OCI athletes to play for the country. This may not be needed in every sport but, in some sports, it may be required as an interim measure. This is possible,” union sports secretary Hari Ranjan Rao told the NSFs’ presidents and secretaries who attended the conclave.

It’s been learnt the govt has targeted sports such as football, tennis, swimming and athletics for OCI athletes. Recently, Australian-born footballer Ryan Williams of Indian descent became eligible to play for India by giving up his Australian citizenship for an Indian passport. In 2008, an order from the ministry of youth affairs and sports (MYAS) issued in Dec directed all NSFs to permit only sportspersons with a valid Indian passport to represent the country at international events. As a result, only Indian passport holders were eligible to compete for India. This regulation was later challenged by UK-based OCI card holder squash player Karm Kumar, but the Delhi high court upheld the rule in 2010. “The idea has been deliberated upon (to reverse the policy to allow OCI or PIO athletes to represent India). There are certain sports where India isn’t a force to reckon with. The govt wants to strengthen such disciplines to boost the country’s sporting ecosystem,” a source added. In the past, Indian-origin athletes such as tennis player Prakash Amritraj (nationality United States), Shikha Uberoi (USA), Sunitha Rao (USA), squash player Karm Kumar (UK) and swimmer Ankur Poseria (USA), among others, represented India as OCI card holders before the policy change kicked in.

Indian Super League trophy (Pic credit: ISL)

New Delhi: All 14 first division clubs have confirmed their intention to play the much-delayed 2025-26 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday. Some clubs have been clear that they want to get the ball rolling while others have sought clarity on finances from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).On January 6, all clubs had verbally agreed to play the truncated league, although at least six had asked for conditional support to go ahead. The clubs wanted a complete waiver of Rs 1 crore participation fee and government support in reduced costs to host games.

“We are standing our ground saying, ‘Yes we will participate as we committed to the government. But we need more clarity from you, from the AIFF,” said a club official to TimesofIndia.com.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Easier way to say it is that our participation is confirmed (in the ISL), if certain conditions are met,” added the official before clarifying that they need commitments to be made over the financial aspects of the league.As the deadline to confirm their home venues came on Monday, all clubs confirmed their participation to the AIFF, including Odisha FC who had sought further time to deliberate.Odisha FC had suspended first team operations in August 2025, and pulled out of Durand Cup and Super Cup. They had sought a long-term financial roadmap before committing to play.The objective for clubs will now be on cutting costs. With 91 games to be played in the season in a single-leg home and away format, ISL will begin on February 14 and would end before May 31.Of the Rs 24.26 crore budget allocated for the 2025-26 season, the clubs will foot Rs 1 crore each as participation fee, AIFF will contribute Rs 9.77 crore and the remaining expenses will be come from federation’s resources on an ongoing basis.As a result, the clubs will pay the participation fee, the logistics, for the venues, player wages among other things. The returns, in comparison to previous years, will be lower with broadcast revenue alone amounting to Rs 275 crore per season – something that won’t be as substantial this time.“Which is why we’ve all questioned the participation fee and said that ideally it should be lesser if not charged at all. But I think it’s also a new model that everyone’s trying to work out and experiment, right?,” reasoned an ISL club official.One significant outlay for ISL clubs over the years has been on salaries. One player agent confirmed that some clubs have reached out to players and asked them to take a pay cut now that the revenues will be lower.The agent explained that the clubs cannot force pay cuts on players since they are contract bound. If a club does look to force their way, a player can take the legal route. In case the players do accept the proposals of reduced wages, a new contract will be drawn.At this stage, not every ISL club is looking at reduced player wages as first option. With season shortened, logistical costs will be reduced and resources will be utilised differently to prepare home venues.“There were certain standards which were set by the ISL. There were certain norms that we used to follow, there were certain criteria’s which we used to follow, certain kind of basic parameters. It could be a difference of almost 20 to 30 percent in cost, resource management type, resource utilization (now),” said another ISL club official who wished to not be named.“So that would obviously … we’ll try to see where we can curtail without compromising on any kind of safety or any of those things. But yeah, maybe the glamour quotient will come down,” he added.Some clubs are okay to bite the bullet to get the league underway in the first place. Newly promoted Inter Kashi are one who have agreed to play all their games on the road since their home stadium in Varanasi would only be operational around Diwali.“I think the most important part is that in our country, since the last 6 months, football had come to a stop. Now, football is going to start. And there will be football. Let us focus on the football,” said Prithijit Das, President of Inter Kashi.“What is the production cost, who is the sponsor, what difference does it make? If you play a game, that game is starting, that is the biggest thing. At the end of the season, we can have a discussion on what was bad, what was good. But first, there should be a season. We were thinking there won’t be a season at all,” he added.His views were echoed by another club chief who were one of the firsts to confirm participation in the 2025-26 ISL.

“Our biggest (goal) was that football should happen. We were anyway not making profits and this was not going to make you profitable anyway. If there is a gap year, Indian football will go to the dogs! All the effort that you’ve put in so far, would have gone for a toss. “Today it is more about being alive than sustainability in time to come. Going by the circumstances, we were more for football and that’s what we were pushing for.”The immediate next steps for AIFF will be finalising a shortened calendar, getting an exemption from AFC related to ACL 2 slot and finding commercial and broadcast partners.

Virat Kohli reacts during the first ODI in Vadodara, Gujarat. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli may be India’s biggest crowd-puller, but the former captain has made it clear that he is uncomfortable with a long-standing habit of fans cheering when an Indian batter gets out — simply because it signals his arrival at the crease.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The moment has played out for years in Indian cricket. During Sachin Tendulkar‘s era, a loud cheer at the fall of the second wicket in Test matches often meant the legend was next in. The same followed MS Dhoni, and now Kohli. But on Sunday, during India’s first ODI against New Zealand, something changed.

When Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a brisk 26, the stadium briefly fell silent. Kohli waited before walking out, allowing Rohit to leave the field first. The applause came only after that pause — and Kohli later addressed the issue head-on.“I’m aware of it, and honestly, I don’t feel good about it,” Kohli said after being named Player of the Match. “I’ve seen the same thing happen with MS as well. It’s not a great feeling for the guy walking back. I understand the crowd’s excitement, but I try to focus on what I need to do and not think too much about it.”Kohli then balanced that honesty with gratitude for the love he receives. “I’m extremely grateful. It’s a blessing, honestly. To give so much happiness to so many people just by doing what you love — what more can I ask for? I’m living my dream, and seeing people smile makes me happy.”

The 37-year-old backed his words with another masterclass in a chase, scoring 93 as India overhauled 301. It marked his seventh consecutive fifty-plus score in List-A cricket and underlined his dominance while chasing big totals.“The basic idea is I bat at number three and, if the situation is tricky, I back myself to counterattack,” Kohli explained. “Any ball can have your name on it, so there’s no point being passive. You stick to your strengths.”Despite missing his 54th ODI hundred, Kohli insisted milestones were not on his mind. “If I’m being brutally honest, I’m not thinking about records at all. The only thing on my mind was getting the team into a position where we could win comfortably.”

India’s captain Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli (PTI Photo)

Indian cricket’s next wave is being told, in no uncertain terms, that raw ability will only take them so far. What truly separates the elite from the rest is discipline, routine and an almost obsessive commitment to improvement. Ahead of India’s ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, that message was driven home by former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who pointed to Virat Kohli’s work ethic as the benchmark young captain Shubman Gill should aspire to match. Speaking during commentary in the first ODI at Vadodara, with Gill and Kohli batting together, Shastri chose not to dissect technique or shot selection. Instead, he focused on what happens away from the spotlight. Kohli’s greatness, he stressed, is rooted in habits built day after day, often unseen on match nights.

“The single-mindedness, the hunger. The willingness to push that body to the limits. And I have seen that in my time when I was with the team, his work ethics probably second to none. I have seen just the way he goes about his job, the number of catches he takes in the morning, the catches in the outfield, and the throws into the keeper’s gloves. Apart from his batting and everything else, it’s a routine,” Shastri said. Those routines were reflected on the field as India began the series with a four-wicket win over New Zealand at the Kotambi International Stadium to take a 1-0 lead. Chasing 301, India were powered by half-centuries from Kohli and Gill, followed by a calm finish from KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 29. Rohit Sharma set the tone early to become the first cricketer to hit 650 sixes in international cricket before falling for 26. Kohli then took centre stage, racing past 28,000 international runs and overtaking Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in international history. His 93 came as part of a crucial 118-run stand with Gill, who marked his return from injury with a fluent 56. Despite a brief collapse sparked by Kyle Jamieson, Rahul held his nerve at the end, sealing the chase with a six in the final over. Earlier, Daryl Mitchell’s composed 84 had anchored New Zealand to 300/8. As India now head to Rajkot for the second ODI, Gill finds himself leading a side that still features Kohli at the peak of his professionalism. The lesson, as Shastri underlined, is clear. Talent opens the door, but it is discipline and obsession with the finer details that keep players at the top.

Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Ajinkya Rahane has offered a rare, close-up look at what truly sets Virat Kohli apart, drawing from years of sharing the dressing room with him and playing under his leadership. According to Rahane, Kohli’s greatness goes far beyond visible passion or the hunger for runs. The real difference, Rahane said, lies in attitude, one that is often misunderstood from the outside. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Rahane explained, “However much we talk about Virat Kohli is never enough. But I have seen him very closely, how he goes about his batting. We talk about his passion and his intent each and every time. But I feel for me what stands out is his attitude. Attitude of learning, attitude of never giving up. People outside think Virat is arrogant, but he is not. He gets into the zone.” Rahane revealed that Kohli’s behaviour before matches has frequently been misread. In the days leading up to a game, Kohli tends to withdraw into his own space, limiting conversations even with teammates. Rahane stressed that this silence has nothing to do with ego. It is simply how Kohli prepares.

“I saw him two days before the game. He’ll hardly talk with people, even with the teammates. That’s what actually gets him into the zone,” Rahane said. “He’ll always wear his AirPods or try and listen to whatever he wants to and what he likes to get into the zone.” Rahane admitted that this approach initially puzzled many players. “Initially it took all the players a little bit of time. Why is he doing that? But then I got to know that he’s actually getting into the zone while not talking to the players or while not talking to anyone,” Rahane added. Beyond preparation, Rahane highlighted Kohli’s relentless work ethic and constant desire to improve, even after achieving everything in the game. “His attitude is amazing. His work ethics are amazing,” Rahane said. “Every time you see him, you see something different. He always wants to change. He always wants to improve and always wants to contribute for the team.” These reflections come at a time when Kohli continues to rewrite record books. During the first ODI against New Zealand, a match-winning 93 took Kohli past Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer across all international formats. Kohli now has 28,068 runs since debuting for India in 2008, with only Sachin Tendulkar ahead on the all-time list.