বাংলায় পডুন: ভারতীয় টি-টোয়েন্টিতে নতুন যুগ, বিদায় সূর্যকুমারের! নেতৃত্বে শ্রেয়স আইয়ার

The squads for the Ireland and England tours, along with a probable squad for the upcoming Asian Games, were announced on Saturday. Since the announcement, discussions have intensified across the cricketing fraternity, with many viewing the decision as the beginning of a new chapter in India’s T20 setup.

Big Decision at BCCI Meeting

The selection meeting took place at the Board of Control for Cricket in India headquarters in Mumbai. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was also present during the discussions.

The biggest surprise from the squad announcement was the omission of Suryakumar Yadav. Despite being one of India’s most dependable T20 batters in recent years, he failed to find a place in the squad and also lost the captaincy role.

In his place, the selectors handed leadership responsibility to Shreyas Iyer.

Selectors Looking Toward the Future

Shreyas has been an important figure in India’s white-ball setup for several years and already possesses leadership experience from both the IPL and international cricket.

Cricket experts believe the move reflects the selectors’ long-term planning ahead of future ICC tournaments, including the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The management now appears focused on building a fresh leadership group for the coming years.

15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Steals Spotlight

While the captaincy change grabbed headlines, the biggest excitement surrounded teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The 15-year-old prodigy earned his maiden India call-up after impressive performances in the IPL. His fearless batting style and mature temperament had already made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers in the country.

The selectors have shown enormous faith in him by including him across all three announced squads, clearly indicating that he is part of India’s long-term cricketing plans.

Chance to Break Sachin’s Historic Record

Vaibhav’s selection has also sparked discussion about a possible historic milestone.

Currently, Sachin Tendulkar remains one of the youngest players ever to represent India internationally after making his Test debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days against Pakistan.

Vaibhav is currently just 15 years and 71 days old. If he makes his international debut soon, he could potentially surpass Sachin’s long-standing age record.

Clear Signs of Transition

The latest squad announcement highlights a major transition phase in Indian T20 cricket.

With a new captain, fresh faces and bold selection decisions, the team management appears determined to reshape India’s white-ball future with an eye on long-term success.

All attention will now shift to how Shreyas Iyer handles his new leadership role and whether young talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can live up to the enormous expectations surrounding them.

The Royals displayed strong camaraderie between their raiding and defensive units, particularly in the second half, which proved crucial in sealing the victory. They will look to replicate that clinical approach against a well-balanced Hisar outfit in the upcoming clash.

Star raider Milan Dahiya has been in tremendous form, earning the Raider of the Match award while scoring back-to-back Super 10s in the league. His stunning Super Raid in the previous game, where he pinned down four opponents in a single raid with his acrobatic skills, has been one of the highlights of the season so far. Providing strong support is local lad Ankit Rana, who has consistently outplayed his opponents, while Rakesh Singroha will aim to maintain his attacking and defensive prowess, offering additional raiding options that have proven difficult for opposition defences to contain. Led by captain Sandeep Narwal, Rohtak Royals will once again rely on their defensive strength, with Aaryan, Sandeep Deswal, Naveen, and Rakesh Singroha forming a formidable wall.

Head Coach Surender Nada expressed confidence ahead of the upcoming clash, saying, “The win against Faridabad was exactly what we needed. The boys responded brilliantly to our tactical adjustments, and the energy in the camp is now fully charged. We’re aware that Hisar is a balanced and competitive team, but we believe the momentum we’ve built will carry us through. It’s important we stay focused and continue improving with every match”.

Hisar Heroes, meanwhile, enter the fixture after a narrow 47–43 win over Panipat Panthers. The Heroes showed resilience in that contest, mounting a second-half comeback highlighted by a timely Super Raid from marquee raider Ashu Malik. Nitesh Kumar anchored the defence with disciplined tackling and positioning. With a balanced mix of raiding and defensive options, Hisar present a competitive challenge for the Royals in the upcoming clash.

Rohtak Royals have partnered with ixigo, John Players, Campus Activewear, Knack Pro Sports and MuscleBlaze as their official Travel, Loungewear, Footwear, Hydration and Nutrition Partners, respectively.

It’s not a blockbuster tournament game, but a single preparation match will see the senior Indian squad led by Suryakumar Yadav in action. The match is scheduled for February 4 in Mumbai, where India will face South Africa. Notably, these two teams also clashed in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, making this a rematch fans are eagerly anticipating.

Alongside the senior team, attention will also be on India ‘A’, which features young talents like Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya. India ‘A’ will play warm-up matches against the USA and Namibia. Meanwhile, Scotland has been allocated two warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia. England and Australia, on the other hand, will not play separate preparation games.

The Men in Blue are currently in red-hot form. In the last three years, India has lost only one T20 match, and since then, victories have flowed steadily. In their most recent series against New Zealand, India remained undefeated, with Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah showcasing dominating performances. This form will be crucial for India to carry into the World Cup.

In total, 15 warm-up matches will be played before the T20 World Cup. These matches will serve as a form check for senior players and provide valuable experience for emerging talent.

Cricket fans are eagerly waiting to see how India performs in these preparation matches, especially the senior team’s showdown against South Africa. Maintaining their current momentum in the warm-ups will position India as one of the top contenders for lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

বিশ্বকাপের আগেই কোহলিকে টপকে ‘বিরাট’ নজির গড়লেন এই নাইট তারকা

In the match, Rinku scored 44 not out in the first game and 39 in the fourth match. While he couldn’t make a big score with the bat and India were bowled out for 165, his fielding contributions stood out significantly for the team.

Among his four catches, notable ones included Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, and Zakary Fooks. Rinku displayed spectacular fielding with high-flying catches, long-off dives, and jumping catches.

This record is limited to home matches. Pakistan’s Syed Ayub had taken the same number of catches in Auckland in 2024. Additionally, Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Ajinkya Rahane had taken four catches in a T20I against England in 2014, but that was on foreign soil.

Although Rinku shone in the field, India lost the fourth match by 50 runs due to the lack of big batting contributions. Nevertheless, his fielding performance will be remembered by cricket fans as a remarkable moment. Rinku Singh is proving that he is not just a batsman, but his fielding on home soil is also making a new mark in Indian cricket history.

The tie had been finely poised at 3–3 after six bouts, before Player of the Match Iryna Koliadenko produced a dramatic comeback win by fall in the seventh bout to swing momentum decisively in Haryana’s favour. UP Dominators, who finish with two wins, four points, and 23 bout wins, now sit fourth and will have to wait on the outcome of the Punjab Royals versus Delhi Dangal Warriors match to determine their semi-final fate. Tapsya Gahlawat was named Fighter of the Match for her standout performance for UP Dominators.

Haryana made a strong start through narrow, high-pressure victories in the opening two bouts. In the 76kg women’s contest, Kajal Dhochack edged past Mansi Lather in a tightly fought bout that finished 3–3, clinching the decision on last point scored after responding to an early takedown with a crucial second-period takedown and a passivity point. The momentum continued in the 57kg men’s bout, where Ankush Chandram and Rahul Deswal were locked at 4–4 before Ankush’s scoring sequence proved decisive on last point criteria, doubling Haryana’s advantage.

UP Dominators responded emphatically in the 57kg women’s bout through Tapsya Gahlawat. After an even opening exchange, Tapsya took complete control in the Power Minute, scoring two decisive takedowns in Phase 6 to pull away for a commanding 10–3 victory and reduce the deficit. The tie was then levelled in the 65kg men’s category as Vishal Kali Raman produced a spirited comeback against Tumur Ochir Tulga, capitalising on passivity calls, a successful challenge, and a decisive Power Minute takedown followed by a push-out to secure a 9–6 win.

Haryana regained the lead in the marquee 53kg women’s bout through captain Yui Susaki. The former Olympic champion capitalised on multiple turn-and-exposure sequences to race to an 8–0 lead, before Antim Panghal became the first wrestler to score points against Susaki in PWL 2026 with a late surge in the opening period. The second period unfolded as a tactical duel, but Susaki’s experience ensured she closed out an 8–3 victory, putting Haryana ahead 3–2.

UP Dominators drew level once again in the 86kg men’s bout as Mykhailov Vasyl produced a patient and well-timed performance against Ashirov Ashraf. After Ashirov led early through passivity and a takedown, Vasyl forced a passivity call before executing a decisive four-point takedown in the Power Minute to claim a 5–3 win and make it 3–3.

The turning point of the match arrived in the 62kg women’s bout. Nisha Dahiya struck first with an early takedown, but Iryna Koliadenko responded emphatically in the second period with a powerful takedown and seamless turn sequence, forcing a fall to hand Haryana a crucial 4–3 lead and swing momentum decisively in their favour.

Anirudh Gulia then ensured there was no way back for UP Dominators in the heavyweight clash. After Jaspooran Singh picked up early points through push-outs and a caution, Gulia dominated the second period with a takedown-and-turn combination and successive Power Minute takedowns to seal an authoritative 11–5 victory, confirming Haryana’s match win and top-of-the-table finish.

Haryana rounded off the night with another composed performance in the 74kg men’s bout as Parvinder defeated Abhimanyu Mandwal 8–5. Parvinder established control early with a takedown and back-to-back turn exposures, absorbed late pressure in the second period, and responded with a crucial takedown to close out the contest and cap a dominant team performance.

মুস্তাফিজুর ইস্যুতে বলিউড বাদশাকে বিরাট সতর্কবার্তা এই রাজনৈতিক দলের

In recent times, allegations of persecution of minorities in Bangladesh have triggered anger among sections of the Indian public. Against this backdrop, some political leaders have demanded that Bangladeshi cricketers should not be allowed to play in the IPL. As a result, KKR and its owner Shah Rukh Khan have been directly dragged into the controversy.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, speaking to news agency ANI, effectively issued a “warning” to Shah Rukh Khan. He stated that in the current situation, anyone associated with Bangladeshi citizens could become a target of public anger. He said,
“When the entire country is angry over the Bangladesh issue, if Shah Rukh Khan has a Bangladeshi player in his team, he could become a major target. We request, for his own good and in the interest of India, that the player be dropped from the team.”

Taking an even tougher stance, Shiv Sena spokesperson Anand Dubey called for a complete ban. Speaking to ANI, he said,
“Pakistani and Bangladeshi players should not be allowed to play in the IPL on Indian soil. If Mustafizur is not dropped from KKR despite so much controversy, it will prove that Shah Rukh Khan does not understand the importance of public sentiment in the country.”

However, a section of the cricketing community believes that the IPL is a sporting competition where player selection should be based on performance and skill, not political tensions. Mustafizur Rahman is well known in international cricket for his deceptive cutters and effectiveness in death overs, which is precisely why KKR invested such a large amount in him, according to cricket analysts.

As of now, neither KKR management nor Shah Rukh Khan has issued any official response. The question remains—will cricket be able to withstand political pressure, or will off-field controversies decide Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL future?

The concern stems from Bangladesh’s international commitments during the IPL window. In April, Bangladesh are scheduled to play a limited-overs series against New Zealand, featuring both ODIs and T20Is. While Mustafizur is no longer a regular in the ODI setup, he remains a key figure in Bangladesh’s T20 squad. If he is selected, KKR may have to release him for a few matches midway through the IPL.

The IPL 2026 season will run from March 26 to May 31. The Bangladesh–New Zealand T20 series is likely to take place between April 16 and April 23. If Mustafizur is called up during this period, securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board could become complicated, potentially disrupting KKR’s plans.

Notably, this is the highest-ever auction price paid for a Bangladeshi cricketer in IPL history. Mustafizur is also set to be the only Bangladeshi player in IPL 2026, as Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, and Tanzim Hasan Shakib went unsold at the auction.

This will be the first time Mustafizur wears the KKR jersey. To secure his services, KKR had to outbid Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings—both teams he has represented in the past. His proven IPL track record is what makes him such a valuable asset for the Knight Riders.

Mustafizur made a sensational IPL debut in 2016, winning the Emerging Player of the Year award in his very first season. So far, he has taken 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches. Across all T20 cricket, he has played 308 matches and claimed 387 wickets.

In the end, the big question remains: if national duty pulls him away midway, will KKR’s ₹9.20 crore gamble be put at risk? Or will Mustafizur silence all speculation and set the IPL on fire in Kolkata colors throughout the season? Only time will tell.

IPL 2026: Former Knight Rider Sees 70% Pay Cut, Joins RCB

Details of the race route, medical preparedness, and participant facilities were shared during a press conference held at the Media Centre on the iconic Red Road. Organisers highlighted their focus on seamless execution and an enhanced race-day experience for athletes and recreational runners alike.

The event carries a total prize purse of USD 142,214 and continues its commitment to equal prize money for men and women winners. Marking the 10th edition, an additional world record bonus of USD 25,000 has been announced for breaking the current 25K world record of 1:11:08. To encourage amateur participation, cash prizes of ₹35,000, ₹25,000 and ₹10,000 will be awarded to the top three amateur runners in both men’s and women’s categories across various age groups.

Race Day proceedings will be broadcast live on Sony Sports 1 HD and SD from 5:30 am onwards.

Speaking at the media interaction, Race Director Hugh Jones said, “This year’s course is different and more demanding, offering a mix of challenges for the participants. However, good weather conditions and an early start will provide runners with a tactical advantage.”

Sanjukta Dutta, Emergency Head at Fortis Hospitals and Medical Director for the race, praised the medical arrangements made by Procam in collaboration with Fortis Hospitals. She advised runners to take adequate rest before race day, have a light breakfast, warm up before running, cool down after finishing, and avoid pushing beyond their limits. “Run to enjoy and have a good time,” she added.

Participant Category-Wise Breakup (On-ground + Virtual)

25K: 6,927

Open 10K: 8,068

Ananda Run: 6,066

Senior Citizens Run: 1,815

Champions with Disability: 450

For the 2025 edition, all five race categories will start and finish at Red Road. With the Vidyasagar Setu closed on Sundays due to ongoing work, the course has been reimagined with support from city authorities. Runners will head further south, exploring new stretches of the city, passing landmarks such as Tipu Sultan Mosque and Rabindra Sarobar, and tackling a fresh challenge at the Lakes Flyover.

নিলামের ৭০ শতাংশ বেতন কমল নাইটদের এই প্রাক্তন ক্রিকেটারের

Last season, Iyer struggled to live up to expectations. Playing 11 matches for KKR, he scored just 142 runs, with minimal impact in both batting and bowling. The hefty price tag appeared to weigh him down, resulting in a disappointing 2025 campaign.

However, in 2024, Iyer had been a key player in KKR’s title-winning season, scoring 370 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 159. That performance laid the foundation for him to press the “reset” button for the new season.

During the auction, KKR did not completely let go of Iyer. A bidding battle with RCB went up to ₹6.8 crore. But after spending ₹25.2 crore on Cameron Green, Kolkata were unwilling to push further. Finally, RCB snapped him up for ₹7 crore. With a new team, a defined role, and less financial pressure, this move could work in Iyer’s favour.

The IPL 2026 auction also delivered a shock for South African veteran David Miller, whose value dropped from ₹7.5 crore last season to just ₹2 crore with Delhi Capitals.

There were also some bargain deals at base price: England’s Ben Duckett was signed for ₹2 crore, Wanindu Hasaranga also for ₹2 crore, while Mumbai Indians brought back Quinton de Kock for just ₹1 crore.

Interestingly, several big names including Liam Livingstone, Rachin Ravindra, Jamie Smith, Prithvi Shaw, and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold in the first round, but teams later included them strategically according to squad requirements.

Overall, the IPL 2026 auction reaffirmed that form and team roles outweigh price tags. Venkatesh Iyer’s journey to RCB is not just a transfer—it’s an opportunity to prove himself all over again.