Saturday, May 02
Bangladesh captain Litton Das questioned his team’s T20 World Cup participation after Rangpur Riders’ BPL exit, criticising slow pitches and saying, “Are you sure we are going to play in the World Cup?” He confirmed the BCB has not discussed the issue with him. The uncertainty follows Bangladesh rejecting ICC conditions to play in India, amid an unresolved venue dispute and a looming February 7 tournament start.
Sanjay Manjrekar defended coach Gautam Gambhir after India’s ODI series loss to New Zealand, urging fans not to overreact. He said bilateral ODIs hold little value today and are often forgotten quickly. Manjrekar stressed that only World Cups truly matter in 50-over cricket and that poor results in smaller series can help teams reset before major tournaments.
Former pacer Varun Aaron believes Suryakumar Yadav's recent T20I struggles stem from shot selection and difficulty with slower deliveries. Aaron suggests batting Suryakumar at number four, similar to his IPL role, to improve his consistency and address concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan has offered to host Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches, backing Dhaka's refusal to play in India due to security concerns. The ICC is set to decide Bangladesh's participation amid ongoing talks. Bangladesh insists on shifting venues, while the ICC prefers the original schedule. This standoff follows recent IPL-related directives impacting Bangladeshi players.
Sanju Samson, India's first-choice keeper for the 2026 T20 World Cup, reflects on his decade-long journey marked by failures and successes. Having returned to his preferred opening role, Samson emphasizes his fearless approach and the importance of his bond with captain Suryakumar Yadav. He remains driven by a hunger to contribute positively.
Daryl Mitchell has ascended to the top of the men's ODI batting rankings, surpassing Virat Kohli after a stellar series against India. Mitchell's consecutive centuries powered New Zealand's victory and earned him the No. 1 spot with 845 rating points. Ibrahim Zadran also climbed to third, while Glenn Phillips reached 20th.
At the 1990 Australian Open, tennis icon John McEnroe was disqualified from his fourth-round match, becoming the first player in the Open Era to be defaulted from a Grand Slam for triple court violations. This infamous incident occurred on January 21, marking a significant moment in tennis history.
The BCCI is delaying the IPL 2026 schedule, awaiting government election announcements in key states like Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. This uncertainty impacts venues in Guwahati, Chennai, and Kolkata. Franchisees Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been asked to confirm their home grounds within a week, further influencing the final fixture list.
