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PSL 2025: Shane Watson Betrays Quetta Gladiators, Rejects Head Coach Role

PSL 2025: Quetta Gladiators have faced a massive blow ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. Head coach Shane Watson won't be part of the team for the next edition of the league due to the change in the schedule of the tournament, which is played during the February-March window every year.

This comes as a massive surprise because Shane Watson has been long associated with the Quetta Gladiators. He played as a player for the team for a long time before taking over the head coach role of the team ahead of the 2024 edition of the Pakistan Super League.

Watson won't be continuing as the head coach because of his pre-signed long-term agreements. The development was confirmed by the Quetta Gladiators on their social media account, saying the former Australian player has been the lucky charm for the team.

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Quetta Gladiators Head Coach Shane Watson will not be able to continue as Head Coach with the franchise for HBL PSL season 10 as the league's window got changed - Franchise statement

The statement read: "Quetta Gladiators Head Coach Shane Watson will not be able to continue as Head Coach with the franchise for HBL PSL season 10 as the league's window got changed which will be affecting his pre-signed long-term agreements.

"Watson has been a lucky charm for the franchise as the Gladiators won the PSL title when he came to Pakistan as a player while QG qualified for the play-off stage after a wait of four long years as soon as Watson took charge of the team."

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Quetta Gladiators will always be indebted to Shane Watson for his outstanding contribution both as a player and head coach - Franchise owner Nadeem Omar

Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar also talked about the development, saying that they will be indebted for Watson's contribution to the team. He also wished him luck for his future assignments and said:

"Quetta Gladiators will always be indebted to Shane Watson for his outstanding contribution both as a player and head coach. The Gladiators are known throughout the world because of certain superstars who have represented our franchise and Shane is on top of that list.

"We wish Shane all the very best for his future assignments and I have no doubt that he will be one of the most sought after coaches in world cricket."

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Shane Watson played a huge role in Quetta Gladiators, and Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to be the head coach

Watson played a huge role in Quetta Gladiators winning the PSL title in 2019. He was at his best with the bat as he had 430 runs throughout the season to bag the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award. Under his guidance last year, the team reached the playoffs, losing in an eliminator.

With Watson parting ways with the franchise, there have been several reports that claimed that the Quetta Gladiators are likely to rope in Sarfaraz Ahmed as the coach. The batter was unsold in the draft and now will be taking the coaching role of the team.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Jasprit Bumrah Delivers Major Injury Update After 'bed rest' Report

Champions Trophy 2025: Jasprit Bumrah has put an end to rumors about his fitness, as the ace Indian pacer categorically denied reports that he has been advised bed rest due to swelling on his back. The 31-year-old fast bowler dismissed the claims with humor, calling them baseless and coming from unreliable sources.

With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, Bumrah's participation remains in serious doubt after he suffered a back spasm during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. While the BCCI remained silent on Bumrah’s availability, there has been a lot of speculation about his injury.

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Jasprit Bumrah denies reports of swelling on his back!!

On January 15, a report by The Times of India created a storm on social media. The report claimed that medical experts have allegedly advised the Indian bowler to take bed rest due to swelling on his back, and he will soon head to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for treatment.

The Times of India was quoted as saying by a source: “Bumrah could go to the CoE next week, but right now there is no fixed date yet. He has been advised to have bed rest at home to help the muscles recover and the swelling to subside. Once that is done, the future course of action will be ascertained.”

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“Fake news made me laugh”: Jasprit Bumrah dismisses reports of bed rest

After the news spread like wildfire, Jasprit Bumrah was forced to take to his social media handle to quash the rumors. He laughed at the “fake news” and called the source “unreliable.” The Indian pacer rubbished the report while tagging the content creator on X, which was later deleted following the Indian star's reaction.

Bumrah posted on X: “I know fake news is easy to spread, but this made me laugh. Sources unreliable,” with a couple of laughing emojis.

Meanwhile, the Indian pacer was in stellar form last year across the format before suffering the back spasm on the Australia tour, where he took 32 wickets in nine innings and won the Player of the Series award.

Bumrah is currently the top-ranked bowler in the ICC Test Rankings and was also awarded the ICC Player of the Month award for December 2024 for his remarkable performance in the recent Test series against Australia.

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BCCI delays ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad announcement due to Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav's fitness issues

He has taken 22 wickets in three Tests at an average of 14.22 last month in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Bumrah was also recently nominated for two of the top honors in the ICC Awards 2024—the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year Award and the coveted Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year for his incredible bowling display in 2024.

Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to announce the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 before the final deadline, and the reason behind this delay is the uncertainty over the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.

The Men in Blue will kickstart their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, UAE.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Jasprit Bumrah Ordered Bed Rest as BCCI Blocks His Return

Champions Trophy 2025: The latest update on Jasprit Bumrah has raised serious concerns about his availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He sustained the back spasm after being over bowled in Australia during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Jasprit Bumrah is currently under medical supervision after being advised to take bed rest at home. Following a grueling Test tour of Australia, the Indian pace spearhead returned home last week, but his condition remains alarming due to swelling in his back.

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Jasprit Bumrah under medical supervision, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 participation remains uncertain

Sources revealed that Bumrah is expected to report to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. But there is no clarity on when he would visit the Centre of Excellence (CoE), putting his participation in the Champions Trophy 2025 in jeopardy.

However, Jasprit Bumrah is likely to visit the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru next week, but that totally depends on his progress. The sources further revealed that the medical experts have asked Bumrah for rest to allow the swelling to subside so that they would be able to determine the next steps for his recovery and treatment.

For now, the focus remains on ensuring the Indian pacer’s back muscles recover fully and swelling subsides before any further decisions are made regarding his fitness and future plans. However, if there is only swelling, then Bumrah might be available for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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Jasprit Bumrah could go to the CoE next week: Report

A source close to the development was quoted as saying by Times of India: “Bumrah could go to the CoE next week, but right now there is no fixed date yet. He has been advised to have bed rest at home to help the muscles recover and the swelling to subside. Once that is done, the future course of action will be ascertained.”

As Bumrah is currently struggling with back swelling, Team India’s premier pacer won't be rushed back into the action. Given his history of back problems, the BCCI has been warned against rushing him back onto the cricket field.

It is being said that the exact cause of the swelling is still unclear, but if it's more serious than expected, his recovery might take longer, and he could miss the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 to be held in Pakistan and Dubai.

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BCCI faces tough decision as Jasprit Bumrah battles back swelling

The source further noted, “Bed rest doesn't sound good. I hope it's not a disc bulge or a muscle swelling that is of a higher grade. The approach has to be similar with him—wrap him in cotton wool and preserve the talent like him.”

So, now the Indian cricket team management and selectors are hoping that Jasprit Bumrah's back issue should be just limited to swelling, as a disc-related problem could further delay his return. With a packed calendar ahead, including the Champions Trophy 2025, IPL 2025, and India's England tour, carefully and patiently managing the Indian pacer’s recovery is crucial.

India is yet to finalize their provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as the national selectors are waiting for the medical team’s report before taking a call on Bumrah’s inclusion in the 15-member squad. They are hoping to get a clear picture in the next couple of days.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: KL Rahul Kicked Aside As Two Wicketkeepers Chosen for Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy 2025: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has shared his views on the debate over India's wicket-keeper for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel in line for the main and backup keeping options.

Basit Ali believes that Rishabh Pant's skill set puts him ahead of KL Rahul for the upcoming prestigious tournament. He said that Rishabh Pant should be India’s first choice and Sanju Samson will be the second option, making it tough for KL Rahul to secure a spot in India’s squad as a primary keeper.

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Basit Ali picks Rishabh Pant over KL Rahul as India's first-choice wicketkeeper for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rishabh Pant might not have played many ODIs since returning to action after his horrific car accident, but his supreme wicket-keeping and explosive batting, along with his past performances, make him the favorite for the first-choice Indian wicketkeeper for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

On the other hand, Sanju Samson has also emerged as a strong contender for the role after his explosive performances as an opener in T20I cricket. Following Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is, Samson grabbed the opportunity with both hands as an opener, becoming the first player to score three centuries in a calendar year in T20I cricket.

Basit Ali said at the ICC event: “Rishabh Pant should be the first choice. Sanju Samson will be the second choice. I think it will be difficult for KL Rahul.”

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Players do not have ground fitness like him: Basit Ali hails Virat Kohli's fitness

Speaking about the fittest player in the Indian cricket team, the former Pakistan selector praised Virat Kohli for being the fittest Indian cricketer. He noted that Virat Kohli’s fitness level is higher than even the youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.

He mentioned that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have potential, but they don’t match Virat Kohli's ground fitness, as he highlighted the former Indian captain’s ability to run around the ground, like slips, cover, mid-off, and deep, thanks to his supreme fitness level.

Basit further noted, “Virat Kohli has high fitness. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are there, but they are not top-class players. Players do not have ground fitness like Virat. Like running in the ground, shouting from slips, cover, mid-off, or deep, from four sides of the ground.”

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Basit Ali says Jasprit Bumrah is the best of all ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Furthermore, Basit Ali also showered rich praise on Jasprit Bumrah, saying no player in the Indian team is currently on the same level as the pacer. He also noted only Mohammed Shami has the potential to match Bumrah's skill with the ball, but only if he is fully fit.

Basit signed off by saying, “Jasprit Bumrah is the best of all. You take the names of Shami, Arshdeep, and Siraj; no one is close to him. If someone comes a little close, it is Shami that too, if he is fit.”

However, there are dark clouds over both Bumrah's and Shami’s availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to their fitness. Along with the duo, India is also sweating over Kuldeep Yadav’s fitness, as they have not yet announced the squad for the upcoming tournament.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: KL Rahul Kicked Aside As Two Wicketkeepers Chosen for Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy 2025: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has shared his views on the debate over India's wicket-keeper for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel in line for the main and backup keeping options.

Basit Ali believes that Rishabh Pant's skill set puts him ahead of KL Rahul for the upcoming prestigious tournament. He said that Rishabh Pant should be India’s first choice and Sanju Samson will be the second option, making it tough for KL Rahul to secure a spot in India’s squad as a primary keeper.

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Basit Ali picks Rishabh Pant over KL Rahul as India's first-choice wicketkeeper for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rishabh Pant might not have played many ODIs since returning to action after his horrific car accident, but his supreme wicket-keeping and explosive batting, along with his past performances, make him the favorite for the first-choice Indian wicketkeeper for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

On the other hand, Sanju Samson has also emerged as a strong contender for the role after his explosive performances as an opener in T20I cricket. Following Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is, Samson grabbed the opportunity with both hands as an opener, becoming the first player to score three centuries in a calendar year in T20I cricket.

Basit Ali said at the ICC event: “Rishabh Pant should be the first choice. Sanju Samson will be the second choice. I think it will be difficult for KL Rahul.”

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Players do not have ground fitness like him: Basit Ali hails Virat Kohli's fitness

Speaking about the fittest player in the Indian cricket team, the former Pakistan selector praised Virat Kohli for being the fittest Indian cricketer. He noted that Virat Kohli’s fitness level is higher than even the youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.

He mentioned that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have potential, but they don’t match Virat Kohli's ground fitness, as he highlighted the former Indian captain’s ability to run around the ground, like slips, cover, mid-off, and deep, thanks to his supreme fitness level.

Basit further noted, “Virat Kohli has high fitness. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are there, but they are not top-class players. Players do not have ground fitness like Virat. Like running in the ground, shouting from slips, cover, mid-off, or deep, from four sides of the ground.”

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Basit Ali says Jasprit Bumrah is the best of all ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Furthermore, Basit Ali also showered rich praise on Jasprit Bumrah, saying no player in the Indian team is currently on the same level as the pacer. He also noted only Mohammed Shami has the potential to match Bumrah's skill with the ball, but only if he is fully fit.

Basit signed off by saying, “Jasprit Bumrah is the best of all. You take the names of Shami, Arshdeep, and Siraj; no one is close to him. If someone comes a little close, it is Shami that too, if he is fit.”

However, there are dark clouds over both Bumrah's and Shami’s availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to their fitness. Along with the duo, India is also sweating over Kuldeep Yadav’s fitness, as they have not yet announced the squad for the upcoming tournament.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB Confident Rohit Sharma will Defy Government Orders and Visit Pakistan

Champions Trophy 2025: There is growing suspense surrounding whether Team India captain Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains hopeful that Rohit Sharma will attend the captains' photoshoot and pre-event press conference.

The opening ceremony of the event is set to take place on either February 16 or 17. The PCB is awaiting confirmation from the International Cricket Council regarding the schedule for the captains' photoshoot and press conference. All eight team captains are expected to attend the ceremony in Pakistan.

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Pakistan Hopeful of Rohit Sharma’s Visit for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

According to a PTI report, the Pakistan Cricket Board is hopeful that Rohit Sharma will attend the Champions Trophy event in Pakistan. The PCB has received the necessary government approvals to issue visas for all visiting captains, players, and team officials attending pre-tournament events.

"This obviously includes Rohit or any other Indian team player or official or board official," the source said.

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BCCI Yet to Issue Official Statement on Rohit Sharma's Visit to Pakistan

If it happens, it will mark the first time in over a decade that an active Indian cricketer visits Pakistan. According to ICC rules, all team captains must attend the opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy.

There were earlier speculations about Rohit traveling to Pakistan for the opening ceremony and captains' photoshoot. The discussions about his possible visit arose because India will not be playing any matches in Pakistan. However, the BCCI has not yet issued an official statement on the matter.

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SportsTeam India Set to Play Champions Trophy Matches in Dubai

The Indian national cricket team will play its Champions Trophy matches in Dubai rather than travel to Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions. The marquee tournament will be held under a hybrid model after the Indian government and the BCCI declined to send their team to Pakistan, citing security concerns.

Pakistan agreed to host all events by India from 2024-2027 at neutral venues. The eight-team tournament will run from February 19 to March 9, with matches taking place in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, while all India-related games will be in Dubai. India and Pakistan will face each other in Dubai on February 23.

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali urged Rohit Sharma to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit expressed doubts about whether Rohit will attend the opening ceremony. He said that while Rohit might want to go, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may prevent him.

"When the World Cup happened Babar Azam and Kane Williamson took a flight and went to Australia together. Will Rohit Sharma come to Pakistan? He should. He should come to the ICC event. I want him to come and he would have the wish to come too. Maybe he will give a reason that the ties with Pakistan are not good. Maybe the BCCI will give that reason," Basit said.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB Ordered to Appoint Sarfaraz Ahmed as 'mentor' to Crush India

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: The Champions Trophy 2025 is just a month away now and the teams have started preparing their respective squads for the marquee ICC tournament. While all the teams have officially announced their squads, India and Pakistan are yet to do it.

According to the reports, Pakistan has submitted its list of preliminary players but will trim the squad down to 15 players by February 10. The Men in Green have opted to go for a young squad and it doesn't have the experience of veteran wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed in it.

However, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has a new role for Sarfaraz Ahmed in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Basit wants Sarfaraz Ahmed to be appointed as the mentor and has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to take action soon.

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Basit Ali has a new role for Sarfaraz Ahmed

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali asked the PCB to learn from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and appoint a mentor for the Champions Trophy. He named Sarfaraz Ahmed for the role since he has the experience of beating India in the Champions Trophy 2017 final.

“Afghanistan appointed the great Younis Khan as mentor, who is a good choice. People in Pakistan must be sleeping, so is the board. They need a mentor against India, someone who won you the Champions Trophy the last time: Sarfaraz Ahmed,” Basit said.

“In this match, Sarfaraz's suggestions will work. He has the experience of lifting the trophy against them. I won't take anyone else's name. He led the team to victory,” he added.

Under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pakistan won the 2017 Champions Trophy after defeating arch-rivals India in the final. The Men in Green arrived into the final as underdogs but stunned India on the historic occasion.

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Afghanistan rope in Younis Khan as a mentor

The ACB recently appointed the legendary Pakistan batter Younis Khan as Afghanistan's mentor for the upcoming Champions Trophy to help the team get used to the local conditions. The ACB has previously picked players from the host nations as mentors for specific ICC tournaments.

In the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India, Ajay Jadeja was roped in as their mentor as Afghanistan registered historic wins over Pakistan and England in the tournament. Jadeja's experience of local conditions helped the team get used to it.

In the T20 World Cup 2024, Afghanistan had Dwayne Bravo as their mentor as the tournament was held in the West Indies. Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the tournament in their greatest-ever finish in a senior ICC event.

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Champions Trophy 2025 schedule

The Champions Trophy 2025 will be played from February 19 to March 9. The big match between India and Pakistan will be played on February 23 in Dubai. India and Pakistan are in Group A alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand.

The other group includes England, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan. The tournament will begin with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. India's first match will be against Bangladesh on February 20.

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Gautam Gambhir Reports Rohit Sharma & Co.'s Indiscipline to BCCI, on Mission to Eliminate ItS

BGT 2024-25: India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under massive scanner ever since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has ended. He has faced a lot of criticism as under him, the team has been performing extremely poorly in the ODIs as well as the Tests.

Gautam Gambhir recently attended the BCCI review meeting along with BCCI officials, Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma. The head coach reportedly was very serious during the meeting as he passed on some strong suggestions as a road map for the India National Cricket Team.

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Gambhir, during the review meeting, spoke about indiscipline in the Indian dressing room - Source

As per the reports in India Today, head coach Gambhir wants to instill discipline in the team. The coach reported a lot of indiscipline to the BCCI during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Hence, the head coach is keen to end all this as he wants a new culture in the India National Cricket Team.

The source close to the developments said that due to the indiscipline in the team, BCCI is reverting to pre-COVID rules, allowing two weeks of family presence on tour. He also revealed that players of the India National Cricket Team were on the same page as Gautam Gambhir. He said:

"Gautam Gambhir, during the review meeting, spoke about indiscipline in the Indian dressing room following the loss in the Border-Gavaskar series. Indiscipline is the reason why the BCCI is reverting to pre-COVID rules, allowing two weeks of family presence on tour. Gautam and the players were on the same page regarding the topic of family stays."

The BCCI reportedly reintroduced the old policy related to the family of the players. The family members won't be allowed on the entire tour. They can pay a visit only for two weeks on the 45-day long day tour. This was one of the major things that was discussed in a review meeting.

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Senior Team Player suggested to the BCCI that the match fee should not be distributed immediately

The source also claimed that one of the senior players of the team who was present in the meeting suggested the match fee changes. The cricketer reportedly suggested that the BCCI shouldn't distribute match fees, but instead, they should look at that based on performances. He added:

"One senior player, who was present at the meeting, suggested to the BCCI that the match fee should not be distributed immediately. Instead, players' performance should be considered before disbursing the fee, as some players are not prioritising domestic and national team commitments,"

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BCCI will be holding a meeting with head coach Gautam Gambhir amidst ongoing controversies

The reports also claimed that the BCCI will be holding a meeting with head coach Gautam Gambhir amidst ongoing controversies. The meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of the first T20I against England in Kolkata.

There were earlier reports that the position of Gautam Gambhir is not secure as well. The call related to his future will be taken on how the team performs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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Durbar Rajshahi in Damage Control Mode, Apologize and Promise Payment After Players' Outrage in BPL

BPL 2025: Chaos erupted in Chattogram as Durbar Rajshahi cancelled their training session on January 15 during the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2024-25 (BPL 2024-25). The players refused to train, protesting against Durbar Rajshahi after being frustrated and disheartened with salary delays.

The Bangladesh Premier League franchise owner, Shafiq Rahman, delayed payment dates several times, forcing players to stage protests. Durbar Rajshahi players informed the management of their decision to skip training with the franchise, stating the team had "opted for a rest day."

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Rajshahi Players refuse to train over payment delays during the BPL 2024-25

But the truth is that the local players had boycotted training after not receiving their payment for weeks. It is being said that the overseas players and coaching staff received 25% of their total fees after January 6, but the Bangladeshi players were forced to struggle for salaries in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2024-25 (BPL 2024-25).

After the matter became public, following the local players opting to boycott the practice session, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed consulted with the board directors in a Zoom meeting and later visited the team hotel to discuss the situation with Rajshahi owner Shafique Rahman, captain Anamul Haque, and several other players.

The protest worked in favor of Bangladeshi players, as the Durbar Rajshahi franchise apologized for delaying payments and promised to pay 50% of the fees by January 16. After this, the Rajshahi players returned to practice on Thursday (January 16), with only the star Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed missing due to workload management.

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Durbar Rajshahi apologizes and promises 50% payment after player protest in the BPL 2024-25

Meanwhile, Jayed Ahmed, the operation in charge of the franchise, publicly apologized for the payment delays but clarified that the players didn’t cancel the practice session because of the payment issue. He revealed that some players stayed in Dhaka for rest before the whole squad arrived in Chattogram, and that’s why they rested the team management, coaches, and players.

According to Cricbuzz, Jayed Ahmed in an official statement: “We are committed from the team management to all cricketers that we will pay them by January 16, and the not practicing is not related to it. They will get the payment by January 16, and there is no doubt about it.”

The Durbar Rajshahi official signed off by saying, “We were late in giving the payment, and we cannot deny it, and we apologize to everyone for it because this shouldn't have been the case. We are giving the payment tomorrow (Thursday), while the next two days are government holidays, and so we will give 25 percent in cash while the rest 25 percent is through a cheque, and we will pay off 50 percent by tomorrow.”

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Rajshahi franchise faces backlash as checks bounce and players bear their own costs during BPL 2024-25

On the other hand, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Governing Council has already set a clear payment schedule for franchises: 50% of players' total fees must be paid before the tournament, 25% during it, and the remaining 25% after the competition.

On January 9, the checks for some of their local players bounced as reported by ESPNCricinfo, and the players threatened the franchise with a walkout before their January 10 game against Khulna Tigers. Darbar Rajshahi team owner Shafique Rahman promised payment by January 14, but he once again failed to meet his promise in the ongoing BPL 2024-25.

Additionally, the Rajshahi players were forced to bear their own costs from January 5 to 11 after the franchise had not made daily allowance payments in the tournament.

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Devdutt Padikkal Destroys Virat Kohli's Record, Demands Spot in Champions Trophy 2025 Squad with Performances

Champions Trophy 2025: Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal has achieved a massive feat in the history of List A cricket. He went past India National Cricket Team batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli to become the batter with the highest average in the format among the batters with a minimum of 2000 runs.

Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal achieved the feat during the semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 against Haryana on Wednesday (15th January). The match between the two teams took place at the newly built Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.

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Devdutt Padikkal notched up his 7th consecutive half-century in List-A cricket

Padikkal notched up his 7th consecutive half-century in List-A cricket as he played a magnificent innings to take his team to the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. His innings helped Karnataka chase a total of 238 runs and move one step forward to the final.

Padikkal, who slammed a staggering century in the Quarter Final, played another half-century in the tournament. He played a magnificent knock of 86 runs off 113 balls. The Southpaw batted with a strike rate of around 77 and also slammed 8 fours and 1 six.

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Devdutt Padikkal completes 2000 runs in List A cricket, going past average of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli

With this, Padikkal also completed 2000 runs in List A cricket and what caught the attention of many was the average he completed the milestone with. The left-hander has an average of 82.38, which is the most in the format. He is now ahead of second-placed Ruturaj Gaikwad (58.16) and a few other modern-era greats in Michael Bevan (57.86), Virat Kohli (57.05) and AB de Villiers (53.47).

Padikkal also equalled his streak of seven fifty-plus knocks in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also achieved the same feat during the 2021-22 season of the tournament. His current scores read: 86, 102, 114, 93*, 70, 117 and 71*

Devdutt Padikkal, who played just one match for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, has now made his case strong for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The young batter will be fighting for the place of backup opener/ top-order batter with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

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It's a format I enjoy batting in, whenever I come back to bat for Karnataka it's always a pleasure - Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal talked about innings, saying that he enjoys playing List-A cricket. He talked about his partnership with Smaran, saying that it was important for them to take singles. The batter also expressed disappointment about not getting a ton. Speaking after the game, he said:

"It's a format I enjoy batting in, whenever I come back to bat for Karnataka it's always a pleasure. Look to get on the front foot, it was keeping low and both me and Smaran were able to get the singles away and keep the scorecard going.

"Try to move your body towards the ball, if you hang back then you will be in trouble and I felt that he [Smaran] batted beautifully through that phase. It's always great to have that [100], but as long as Karnataka is winning, I'm happy."

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BCCI Issued Strict 'Ban PR' Order After Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's BGT Disaster

India Cricket Updates: Veteran cricket expert Harsha Bhogle has a great suggestion that can serve Indian cricket in good stead in the future. Bhogle feels that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should ban the players and the team members from having PR agencies.

Recently, the BCCI announced strict protocols regarding the players' unity in the team and the involvement of families with the players. Bhogle feels that the ban on PR will be beneficial for the team's overall performance in the future.

The PR agencies of big players have often come to their rescue during their tough times. Virat Kohli arguably has the best PR among the cricketers and also comes with a huge fan following. Along with him, Rohit Sharma also has a good PR which comes to his rescue during a tough period.

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Harsha Bhogle wants BCCI "to ban team members from having PR agencies"

Harsha Bhogle took to social media and suggested the BCCI to ban the players and the team members from having PR agencies as one more rule apart from the other rules related to discipline and team unity.

"Reading of the changes the BCCI is apparently suggesting for the Indian team. I don't know how much to believe but if I had to nominate one rule to be strictly applied, it would be to ban team members from having PR agencies," Harsha Bhogle posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The ban on PR agencies for the team members will allow all the players to be treated equally in terms of performance. The Public Relations (PR) is responsible for managing a player's reputation.

A PR team ensures that a player maintains a positive profile in front of the public despite a poor run. Big players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been going through a bad patch recently and their PR has come to their rescue.

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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in BGT 2024-25

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy recently. Kohli scored 190 runs in five Tests at an average of 23.75 while Rohit scored 31 runs at a miserable average of just 6.20.

Virat Kohli constantly suffered from his old weakness of poking outside off stump and was out off his outside edge on all eight times during the course of the series. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma looked way under par and even had to drop himself from the final Test.

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What are the New BCCI Rules?

Recently, the BCCI announced stricter restrictions on the travel of players' families during a tour. On a tour of 45 days or more, a player's family can stay with him for not more than 14 days. The family includes the player's wife and children and they cannot be with him for the first two weeks.

If a tour is shorter than 45 days, families can accompany the player for not more than a week. These rules were already a part of player's contracts issued by the BCCI but had been relaxed after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The players' mental well-being was one of the main reasons for relaxing the rules and regulations. However, India's recent defeat in Australia has prompted the board to take stricter action on the team.

Apart from this rule, the BCCI has also made it compulsory for all the players to travel by team bus instead of going individually to the ground. This rule will boost team unity.

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BCCI Takes Harsh Step, Fresh Ban Imposed on Indian Cricketers

BCCI 2025: In what has been the latest development, as per the reports in ANI, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made another change in the rules for the players. The decision was taken by the governing body after the review meeting related to the team's performance.

The reports claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has categorically told all the players that they won't be allowed to travel with their personal staff in hairstylists, Cooks, or personal security guards during overseas tours.

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Players are not allowed to travel with their personal staff ( hairstylist, Cook, personal security guard) on tour anymore - BCCI source

Speaking to the ANI, the source close to the governing body said: "Players are not allowed to travel with their personal staff ( hairstylist, Cook, personal security guard) on tour anymore."

The BCCI, since the last few days, has been taking harsh steps after the team's poor performances in the Tests and ODIs. The governing body also put restrictions on the families of the players on the tours. The families will be allowed only for two weeks on the 45-day long tours.

BCCI also wants to go back to the fitness method, Yo-Yo test is all set to be reintroduced

Apart from this, the governing body also wants to go back to the fitness method, which started under Virat Kohli. The board wants the players to focus on fitness criteria for selection, instead of just focusing on preventing injuries due to the hectic schedule. The Yo-Yo test is all set to be reintroduced.

Not only this, BCCI also introduces new rules for travel and luggage. As per the reports, a player will be allowed only 150 kgs on the tour, including their personal items, kit bags, and team kit. All these developments have seen many fans and pundits reacting to it.

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India National Cricket Team have displayed torrid performances in ODIs and Tests under Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma

The India National Cricket Team, in the last few months, have displayed torrid performances. They went on to face the ODI series loss to Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years, faced a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand at home, and failed to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

India National Cricket Team lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 by the margin of 3-1 and this saw them getting eliminated from the final of the ICC World Test Championship. This saw them facing a lot of criticism for their poor performances with Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma under massive scanner.

The fate of the head coach and captain is all set to be decided after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament is all set to be played from 19th February to 9th March, with India National Cricket Team all set to play their games in the United Arab Emirates.

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BCCI's Brutal 10-point Diktat Shocks Team India, Kohli-Rohit Targeted, IPL Ban for Violators

Cricket Updates 2025: The recent failure of the Indian cricket team has forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to tighten the reins on the players.

Following India’s Test whitewash at home at the hands of New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 loss to Australia, the BCCI has introduced a comprehensive 10 guidelines for the national players to improve overall performance and team unity and the violators will most likely face IPL ban.

The Indian Cricket Board announced strict rules for travel, spouses, luggage, and personal staff for the Indian cricket team players. The players must strictly follow the new policies; otherwise, violations could lead to disciplinary actions against them. They will have to take prior approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee and the Head Coach for any exceptions.

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BCCI introduces strict guidelines to revive Indian Cricket after recent failures

If the Indian players fail to follow any of the new guidelines, they may face suspension from BCCI tournaments, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), and deductions from retainers or match fees. This step has been taken to ensure accountability and the importance of prioritizing Indian cricket.

A BCCI document reads: “All players are expected to adhere strictly to the above guidelines. Any exceptions or deviations must be pre-approved by the Chairman of the Selection Committee and Head Coach. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the BCCI.”

It further said: “Additionally, the BCCI reserves the right to take disciplinary action against a player, which may include (i) sanction against the concerned player from participating in all BCCI-conducted tournaments, including the Indian Premier League, and (ii) deduction from retainer amount/match fees under the BCCI Player contract. This measure ensures accountability and reinforces the importance of adhering to established policies and prioritizing Indian cricket.”

The BCCI’s latest policy also mandates that all the players participate in domestic cricket to ensure that players remain connected to the domestic cricket ecosystem, fostering talent development, maintaining match fitness, and strengthening the overall domestic structure.

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New policies for Indian cricket team stress team unity

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket board has also taken some strict actions to promote discipline and team unity among players during matches and practice sessions. According to the new policy, all players must travel with the team, discouraging separate travel arrangements with families to maintain ‘discipline’ and ‘team cohesion.’.

However, if someone wants relaxation in this rule, then he must receive prior approval from the Head Coach and Chairman of the Selection Committee. Now, the Indian players won’t be allowed to take personal staff, such as managers, chefs, assistants, and security personnel, during tours or series unless specifically approved by the board.

The board took this step to streamline operations and reduce logistical complications. Now, players will have to be with the Indian cricket team until the official conclusion of the series or tour, even if matches finish earlier than the scheduled time, in order to promote team bonding and avoid disruptions to overall team dynamics.

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These new policies are aimed at upholding “the highest standards of professionalism and discipline within Team India. By fostering unity and ensuring operational efficiency, we can create an environment where players thrive and perform to their fullest potential.”

Have a look at here for detailed information about BCCI's new policies for players:

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Champions Trophy 2025: Will Rohit Sharma visit Pakistan for Captains Meet?

Rohit Sharma to Attend Champions Trophy Opening Ceremony in Pakistan: The cricketing world is buzzing with anticipation as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, set to be a landmark event for Pakistan cricket after a 29-year hiatus from hosting major ICC tournaments.

While India has opted to play all their matches at neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates, a significant development has emerged: Indian captain Rohit Sharma is expected to attend the tournament's grand opening ceremony in Pakistan.

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According to reports from IANS, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning an elaborate opening ceremony, tentatively scheduled for February 16th or 17th, where all participating team captains are expected to be present, as is customary for ICC events.

"The Indian team captain will visit Pakistan to attend the opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy as the PCB plans a grand event, marking the return of a major international cricket event to Pakistan after 29 years," - sources told IANS.

The last time the Indian cricket team toured Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. The acrimonious political climate has since significantly impacted bilateral cricketing ties, with no full-fledged series between the arch-rivals taking place in recent years. The last time India played Pakistan on Pakistani soil was during the Super Four stage of the 2008 Asia Cup, where the Men in Blue suffered a crushing 8-wicket defeat.

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The 2025 Champions Trophy, commencing on February 19th, will see a hybrid format. While most matches will be hosted by Pakistan, all matches involving India, including the crucial knockout stages, will be played in the UAE. This arrangement aims to ensure the safety and security of the Indian team while allowing Pakistan to showcase its cricketing prowess on the international stage.

The tournament will kick off with the hosts, Pakistan, facing New Zealand in Karachi. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash is scheduled for February 23rd in Dubai, promising to be a spectacle of cricketing drama and intense rivalry. India will commence their campaign against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium.

Pakistan enters the tournament as the defending champions, having convincingly defeated India by a margin of 180 runs in the 2017 edition. The 2025 edition promises to be a thrilling contest, with top cricketing nations vying for the coveted trophy.

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