India and Pakistan flags (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: In the humid, electric air of the DY Patil Stadium on June 1, 2008, a tall, lanky left-armer with an action that looked like a tangle of limbs stood at the non-striker’s end. The scoreboard read 163 for 7. One ball remained. The Rajasthan Royals needed one run to win the inaugural Indian Premier League.As Sohail Tanvir scurried across the pitch to complete that final, historic run, he wasn’t just sealing a victory for Shane Warne’s “underdogs”; he was unknowingly bringing the curtain down on an era.

He was the last player from Pakistan to effectively “finish” an IPL game. Since that night, the border has grown taller, the cricket grounds quieter, and the presence of Pakistani talent in the world’s richest league has shifted from a vibrant reality to a ghost of “what if.”

What did happen after the IPL 2008 final?

The 2008 IPL season was a carnival of cross-border camaraderie. Shahid Afridi was the icon for Deccan Chargers, Shoaib Akhtar was steaming in for the Kolkata Knight Riders, and Misbah-ul-Haq was the middle-order backbone for Bangalore.But it was Sohail Tanvir who became the face of Pakistani success in India. Sporting the first-ever Purple Cap, Tanvir had dismantled lineups with his “wrong-footed” delivery, finishing the season with 22 wickets, including a staggering 6/14 against Chennai Super Kings.

Sohail Tanvir (IPL Photo)

When the 2008 final concluded, there was every expectation that the 2009 season would see even more stars from Lahore and Karachi under the IPL lights. However, the geopolitical landscape shifted violently on November 26, 2008. The Mumbai terror attacks changed everything. In the immediate aftermath, the Indian government suspended bilateral ties, and the BCCI, citing “security concerns”, decided not to include Pakistani players in the 2009 auction.What was initially thought to be a one-year cooling-off period became a permanent lockout. The “No-Objection Certificates” (NOCs) from the Pakistan Cricket Board became harder to obtain, and the appetite of IPL franchises to bid for players who might be denied visas vanished.

The case of Azhar Mahmood

While Tanvir was the last player to play in that original 2008 cohort, the “last Pakistani” to actually feature in the IPL is a technicality that belongs to Azhar Mahmood.Mahmood, a former Pakistan international, managed to play for Kings XI Punjab (2012–2013) and Kolkata Knight Riders (2015). However, he didn’t do so as a Pakistani. Having moved to the UK and secured a British passport, he entered the auction as an English player.

Azhar Mahmood (ANI Photo)

His presence was a bittersweet reminder of what was missing. While he performed admirably, the league lacked the raw pace of a Wahab Riaz or the modern-day brilliance of a Babar Azam. Mahmood’s stint was a legal workaround, but the political ban on players representing the Pakistan national team remained absolute.

Why it happened

The exclusion isn’t found in any official “rulebook” of the IPL. There is no written clause that says “No Pakistanis Allowed.” Instead, it is a combination of two powerful forces:For a franchise to invest millions in a player, they need a guarantee that the player can actually enter the country. Given the volatility of India-Pakistan relations, the risk of a player being denied a visa at the eleventh hour is too high for team owners.

The trophy of Indian Premier League (IPL) (PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar)

Public Sentiment and Commercial Risk Franchises are brands. In an era of heightened nationalism, owners have often been wary of the “backlash” that could come with signing a Pakistani player, fearing it could alienate local fanbases or lead to protests at stadiums.In 2010, there was a brief moment of hope when several Pakistani stars were included in the auction pool. However, in a move that became a major controversy, not a single franchise placed a bid for any of them. The “silent snub” effectively signalled that the IPL had moved on.

The 2026 “Shadow Ban” and global expansion

As we stand in March 2026, the situation has become even more complex. The IPL is no longer just a two-month tournament in India; it is a global ecosystem. IPL owners now own teams in South Africa (SA20), the UAE (ILT20), the USA (MLC), and the Caribbean (CPL).This expansion has led to what players like Azhar Mahmood have recently called a “Global Shadow Ban”. However, recently, The Hundred 2026 auction in England saw a massive debate as Indian-owned franchises like Sunrisers Leeds (owned by the Sunrisers Hyderabad group) finally broke the trend by picking Abrar Ahmed.

Kavya Maran, co-owner and head of Sunrisers Leeds (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

However, the backlash was immediate. On social media, fans criticised the franchise owners for “funding” talent from across the border, even in a foreign league. This highlights the current status: Sohail Tanvir is now a retired veteran, coaching and commentating. His Purple Cap sits as a relic of a brief, beautiful window where sport briefly transcended the map.The last ball of the 2008 IPL didn’t just win a trophy; it ended a chapter of history. Until the political climate undergoes a seismic shift, the Pakistani presence in the IPL will remain confined to YouTube highlights of Shoaib Akhtar’s roar at Eden Gardens and Sohail Tanvir’s winning run in Navi Mumbai.

FILE – President Donald Trump stands on stage next to the FIFA World Cup after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Iran has insisted that no one can prevent its national team from participating in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, responding strongly to comments made by US President Donald Trump regarding the team’s safety in the United States, Canada & Mexico.The Iranian national football team issued a statement on social media on Thursday after Trump warned that the players’ “life and safety” could be at risk in the US, which is one of the three co-hosts of the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.

Trump raises safety concerns

Trump’s remarks came just two days after he reportedly assured FIFA president Gianni Infantino that Iranian players would be welcomed at the World Cup despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety”.His comments came amid heightened geopolitical tensions following a war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, which has raised concerns over Iran’s potential participation in the tournament.

Iran responds strongly

In response, Iran’s national team said the World Cup is governed by FIFA and not by any single country or individual, adding that the team had earned its place in the tournament through strong performances as quoted by AFP.“The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA, not any individual or country,” the statement said.The team also stressed that Iran had qualified on merit, pointing to its impressive performances during the qualification campaign.“Iran’s national team, with strength and decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament,” the statement further added.

Questions raised over host responsibilities

Iran also suggested that if the host nation cannot ensure safety for participating teams, its role as host should be questioned. “Certainly no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup,” read the statement, adding, “The only country that can be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security for teams participating in this global event.”The statement appeared to be a direct response to Trump’s warning about safety concerns.

Trump reassures safety for the tournament

Later, Trump posted another message emphasising that the United States is ready to host the global event safely. “The United States of America looks very much forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup. Ticket sales are ‘through the roof!’”Despite the political tensions surrounding Iran’s participation, FIFA has not indicated any plans to alter the qualification status of the team.

Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed, right, celebrates (AP/PTI)

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla has clarified that the board has no authority to intervene in the controversy surrounding the Sunrisers franchise signing Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for the upcoming season of The Hundred.The franchise, which is owned by Sun TV Network, has been facing heavy criticism across social media platforms after acquiring Abrar during the players’ auction. Many users in India have voiced their anger over the decision, citing the prevailing national mood. Franchise owner Kavya Maran has also been targeted online, while the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Sunrisers Leeds was reportedly suspended amid the backlash.

Despite the growing criticism, the franchise has not yet issued an official statement. On Friday, however, Shukla made it clear that the matter does not fall under the BCCI’s jurisdiction since the tournament is played outside India.“This is not at all concerned with the IPL. It’s an overseas league. This is not in our domain. We cannot do anything. They have to take a call,” Shukla told news agency ANI on Friday afternoon.During Thursday’s auction, Abrar, currently ranked the world No.3 bowler in T20 Internationals, was bought by the franchise for £190,000 (approximately USD 255,000). At the auction table, head coach Daniel Vettori and Maran were seen placing the successful bid, beating competition from the Trent Rockets.

Sunrisers management explains decision to sign Abrar Ahmed

Following the signing, Vettori explained that the team targeted Abrar after missing out on England spinner Adil Rashid, who had already been drafted by another side. He also mentioned that Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq had been part of the franchise’s plans earlier, but once Abrar was secured, the management decided against pursuing another spinner.Indian investment in The Hundred expanded significantly in October 2025, with four teams in the competition receiving backing from Indian owners. Since then, speculation had circulated suggesting that franchises with Indian ownership might avoid signing Pakistani players. Sunrisers’ move to acquire Abrar effectively dispelled those rumours.In fact, only two Pakistani cricketers were picked during the men’s Hundred auction this year: Abrar and Tariq. Nevertheless, Sunrisers’ decision has triggered strong reactions in India, with many fans urging the franchise to reconsider the signing.

Backlash not the first controversy involving an IPL-linked franchise

This is not the first instance of an IPL-linked franchise drawing criticism for a foreign signing. Earlier this year, Kolkata Knight Riders faced backlash after including Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman in their squad. The criticism intensified following reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Eventually, the situation cooled after the BCCI intervened and directed KKR to release the left-arm pacer.The fallout from that episode also affected international cricket. Bangladesh later declined to travel to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, forcing tournament organisers to replace them with Scotland national cricket team in the 20-team competition, which was ultimately won by the India national cricket team.

Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav will marry his longtime partner Vanshika Chadha on March 14 in Mussoorie. The couple, childhood friends from Kanpur, saw their friendship grow into a lifelong relationship. Vanshika works at the Life Insurance Corporation of India and maintains a private life away from the spotlight. Wedding festivities begin March 13, with cricket stars like Virat Kohli expected to attend.

Preparations are in full swing in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, for the wedding of Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav, who is set to marry his longtime partner Vanshika Chadha on March 14. While the wedding has attracted significant attention because of the star cricketer, many people are also curious about the bride and her background.

Who is Kuldeep Yadav’s bride-to-be Vanshika Chadha?

Vanshika Chadha shares a long-standing bond with Kuldeep Yadav that dates back to their childhood. The two grew up in Kanpur and were friends long before their relationship developed into a lifelong partnership. Kuldeep hails from Lal Bungalow in Kanpur, while Vanshika is from the Shyam Nagar area of the city.Their friendship gradually turned into a serious relationship over the years. Despite Kuldeep’s fame in international cricket, Vanshika has largely remained away from the public spotlight and has maintained a private life.

What does Vanshika Chadha do?

Professionally, Vanshika Chadha works with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), one of India’s most respected financial institutions. According to reports, she holds an administrative or managerial role within the organisation.Unlike many partners of high-profile athletes, Vanshika has built a stable career outside the glamour and attention that often accompanies celebrity life. She is also known to keep a low public profile and is rarely seen on social media or at public events.While Kuldeep Yadav’s cricketing achievements have kept him in the limelight for years, Vanshika Chadha has chosen a quieter path. Very little is publicly known about her personal life, and she has stayed largely out of media attention.Those close to the couple say Vanshika has been a steady support system for Kuldeep throughout the ups and downs of his cricket career. Her preference for privacy has only increased public curiosity about the woman who will soon marry the Indian cricket star.The wedding celebrations are set to begin on March 13 with traditional Haldi and Mehendi ceremonies. The couple will tie the knot on March 14 in Mussoorie in the presence of close friends and family.Several prominent cricket personalities are expected to attend the ceremony, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, along with officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.Following the private mountain wedding, the couple will host a grand reception in Lucknow on March 17, which is expected to attract cricket stars, political leaders, and other prominent guests.

Orijit Chaliha, India Men’s Badminton Player

Behind the medals and victories, mental health plays a big part in an athlete’s life and career. Athletes are often admired for their strength and toughness, but many quietly face mental health challenges.Top athletes like Michael Phelps, Naomi Osaka, Tyson Fury, Serena Williams and Indian stars such as PV Sindhu, Virat Kohli and many others have been vocal about the mental side of their careers.A 2019 review by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) found that many top male athletes in team sports like hockey, football, cricket, and rugby face mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. Nearly 45 % of these athletes reported experiencing such symptoms, showing that even elite players struggle with mental health. The review also found that some male athletes use substances like painkillers and opioids to manage pain, recover from injuries, or cope with stress from training and competition.In a conversation with Orijit Chaliha, an Indian men’s singles badminton player from Guwahati, Assam, the shuttler shed light on his struggles and why it’s important for athletes to prioritise mental health.The former Junior India No. 2, Chaliha is now ranked 20th in senior rankings, with a career-high national rank of 9 and a world ranking of 156.He won his first senior international medal, a silver, at the 2025 Victor Croatian International.Currently he is based in Bangalore, where he trains under Arvind Bhatt, a two-time national champion in men’s singles, at Simply Sport Badminton Academy.

Orijit Chaliha holds his silver medal at the Victor Croatian International.

Mental health in sports is finally getting the attention it deserves, and more athletes are speaking openly about their challenges. Orijit believes this change is helping normalise conversations about mental wellbeing. “More athletes are talking about their hardships and their journey, whether on YouTube, Instagram, or other platforms. This encourages others to open up as well,” Orijit told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive chat. “Physical struggles were always highlighted, but mental struggles were considered taboo for a long time. That is changing now.” When asked if he had faced any mental challenges in his career, and how he dealt with them, Orijit opened up about his experiences.Orijit shared that he faced a major mental challenge in 2020, soon after moving from the U-19 circuit to the senior level. The constant routine of daily practice began to feel exhausting and repetitive, and he started experiencing burnout.“It reached a point where winning didn’t feel exciting and losing didn’t bother me either. I just lost the motivation to play,” he said.At the time, Orijit said he found it difficult to deal with those feelings, especially since many people believed that skipping practice could harm an athlete’s career.

Orijit Chaliha

Despite this pressure, he chose to take a break from badminton until he genuinely felt the desire to return, and he credits his support system for standing by him during that decision. Stepping away from the sport helped him see the bigger picture and reflect on his relationship with the game. “Eventually I made a bold decision to take a break from the sport and distance myself from it indefinitely and get back to it once I felt the desire to play again. I’m extremely fortunate to have a support system who supported this decision.“Being away from the sport helped me look at the bigger picture and separate myself from the everyday grind and look at things rationally. I found it difficult to do this while I was involved in the whole routine.” he said.After a few months of reflection, Orijit gradually regained his love for the game and slowly returned to practice at his own pace, with his motivation to compete eventually coming back.“When I returned to full-time training, I carried the lessons I had learned during that break,” he explained, adding that he now focuses on keeping practice both fun and challenging while paying attention to his mental wellbeing and trusting himself.

Orijit Chaliha

Orijit emphasised that accepting criticism and failure is key to professional growth. “At some point in your career, you realise criticism and failure are part of the process of becoming a champion. The better you play, the more people will notice your performance—it’s inevitable that some of it will be negative,” he explained.He added that criticism can even be seen as a privilege. “When people critique you, it shows you’re making an impact. Failures teach you what to improve, and using that feedback makes you a stronger player,” he said.When asked about the growing mental health support for athletes in India, Orijit said the system is slowly improving.“National centers, especially in badminton, now hire psychologists who travel with players for domestic and international tournaments. A few years ago, this was unseen. Now, players can talk to psychologists before and after matches, which is a huge step forward,” he said.When asked about how athletes handle pressure in India compared to other countries, he said there’s a noticeable difference.“Players in Western countries usually take criticism more easily, while in India and other Asian countries, athletes and their support teams are tougher on themselves. It’s stricter, but it also helps build resilience,” he said.

Orijit Chaliha

Orijit emphasised the importance of acceptance and preparation. “Pressure will always be there. It’s important to treat it as normal and find strategies that work for you. Take time off the court to think about situations that make you feel pressured and plan how you’ll handle them. Accepting pressure and preparing for it helps build resilience,” he said.When asked about staying motivated during low points, Orijit shared his personal mantra: “The only way is through.”He explained, “Whatever challenge comes your way, the only way to overcome it is by going through it. Every situation is a learning opportunity, and facing obstacles makes you stronger and a better athlete.”

Playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, James Coles amassed 152 runs at a strike rate of 170.78 and picked up five wickets with his left arm spin. (SA 20)

NEW DELHI: Dinesh Karthik, the mentor and batting coach of the London Spirit men’s team for the 2026 season of The Hundred, described uncapped England all-rounder James Coles as possessing “rare” skill sets, which is why he attracted so much interest during the auction.The 21-year-old was roped in by London Spirit for a whopping £390,000 after a fierce bidding war between five franchises.

“First up with the bat, I think for the first time he is able to bat anywhere between 4, 5 and 6. At times he has been very good at 3 as well, so we have definitely looked at that aspect. He is a gun left-hander, someone involved in the powerplay and someone who has shown incredible skills with the ball. The fact that not too many of those skill sets exist in the UK tempted us to go strongly towards him,” said Karthik after the auction.Coles was part of the England squad for the 2022 U-19 World Cup and was recently included in the England Lions squad for the tour of Australia in January 2025. He made his county debut as a 16 year old at Sussex County Cricket Club, where he became the club’s youngest ever debutant in 2020.

In the County Championship last season, he scored 1,032 runs, including four centuries, at an average of 47 and added 20 wickets, while also proving to be a safe pair of hands with 19 catches, most of them at second slip, a position in which he has excelled.Coles’ record in the T20 Blast last season was equally impressive. He scored 397 runs at an average of 33 and took 10 wickets at an economy rate of just over nine.

James Coles of Sussex celebrates with Jack Carson after dismissing h10on Day 2 of the Rothesay County Championship Division 1 match between Sussex and Hampshire at The 1st Central County Ground on September 09, 2025 in Hove, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

But it was in the SA20 where the talented youngster caught everyone’s attention. Playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, he amassed 152 runs at a strike rate of 170.78 and picked up five wickets with his left arm spin.“For a start we were getting dry right at the end there. I do not think there was too much to say, but he has been someone who has had a great upward curve. You could see walking into the auction that he would be one of the most sought after players,” said Karthik.“Mo [Mo Bobat, Spirit director of cricket] and I have worked with him with England Lions and I have really enjoyed working with him as a player.

James Coles of Southern Brave bats during the The Hundred match between Southern Brave Men and Welsh Fire Men at Utilita Bowl on August 28, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“We have had our eyes on him for some time now. He has always been a part of our plan and the fact that he has done so well in the recent past shows why teams really wanted him. We were very keen on him and we are very happy we got him,” he said.Coles is the fourth most expensive player recruited by Hundred sides this year. England’s Jofra Archer (£400,000), Phil Salt (£450,000) and Harry Brook (£465,000) were signed before the auction by Southern Brave, Welsh Fire and Sunrisers Leeds respectively.When asked whether the heavy price tag would put pressure on the youngster, Karthik replied: “For starters, we know his personality and because we know him quite intimately over a period of time from working with him, we back his skill sets.

Poll

What do you think of James Coles’ signing for London Spirit?

“We also back the person that he is. He is a very sorted kid, someone who does not get too carried away or too frustrated. Yes, there is a high price, but at some point in life when you do well, you have to deal with it.“I think he is at a stage where he is ready to deal with it because he seems to be someone who has shown a lot of growth in the recent past. The way he speaks, the way he has played in franchise leagues and the way we have observed him over a period of time suggests that his graph will only go up. He is definitely a future prospect for England, if not immediately then in the near future. To back somebody like him is quite a good achievement for us.“