Monday, May 04
Former India opener Aakash Chopra strongly advocates for Shreyas Iyer's immediate inclusion in the T20I squad. He believes Iyer is the ideal replacement for the injured Tilak Varma, emphasising the need for middle-order stability and experience ahead of a crucial white-ball calendar. Chopra sees Iyer as the most logical choice, even over other contenders like Riyan Parag.
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal urged the BCB to carefully consider the national team's T20 World Cup participation, warning against hasty decisions driven by public emotion. He emphasized prioritizing Bangladesh cricket's long-term future and suggested dialogue over public pronouncements. Iqbal stressed the BCB's need for independent decision-making while acknowledging government involvement.
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand recovered from an early setback to register two victories and emerge as joint leader with Nihal Sarin after six rounds of the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid here on Thursday. Rounds four to six produced fighting chess and frequent shifts at the top of the standings in both the Open and Women's sections.
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa questioned the need for hosting an ICC tournament every year, saying the novelty of multi-nation events is wearing off. Speaking during the SA20 in Durban, he urged administrators to revisit scheduling to preserve value for fans. Uthappa also reminisced about Durban and the 2007 T20 World Cup bowl-out win against Pakistan, calling it a special and well-prepared moment for the Indian team.
A controversial moment dominated Day 2 of the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid in Kolkata when R Praggnanandhaa stopped the clock with one second left, leading to a disputed draw against Wesley So. Arbiter Chris Bird said it should have been a loss under chess laws. Elsewhere, Viswanathan Anand rebounded to joint lead with Nihal Sarin, while Kateryna Lagno topped the women’s standings.
A significant setback for India's T20 World Cup preparations, middle-order batter Tilak Varma has suffered an abdominal injury requiring surgery. The 23-year-old's potential absence from the upcoming T20I series and the mega event next month opens doors for a T20 comeback for Shreyas Iyer. Varma's crucial role in the Asia Cup final is highlighted.
Bangladesh's government has hardened its stance on playing the T20 World Cup in India, citing national dignity and cricketer security concerns. Dhaka will urge the ICC to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka, believing the global body misunderstands the gravity of the situation. Participation will not come at the cost of humiliation or compromised safety.
Indian batter Tilak Varma has undergone emergency abdominal surgery in Rajkot and will miss the first three T20Is against New Zealand. The 23-year-old is recovering well and has been discharged from the hospital. His availability for the remaining matches and the T20 World Cup opener remains uncertain as he begins his return-to-training process.
Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott has sharply criticised England after their Ashes defeat, accusing Brendon McCullum, Rob Key and Ben Stokes of promoting a flawed, consequence-free philosophy. Boycott said players lacked accountability despite early success under McCullum-Stokes. Selection issues and injuries hurt England’s bowling, while Jacob Bethell’s Sydney hundred showed the promise.
Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua paid a moving tribute on Thursday to the two close friends killed in a car crash in Nigeria, labelling them "brothers" and "great men". Ayodele, the personal trainer of the former two-time unified heavyweight champion, and Ghami, Joshua's long-time strength and conditioning coach, both died at the scene of the crash on December 29.
