Dense fog delayed four Vijay Hazare Trophy matches in Jaipur on Tuesday. Poor visibility made it unsafe to start play in the morning. Punjab, led by Shubman Gill, were set to face Goa, while Shreyas Iyer’s Mumbai were scheduled to play Himachal Pradesh. Tosses planned for 9 am were pushed back as fog covered the city. Ground staff waited for conditions to improve. Gill was set to return after illness, while Iyer was making a comeback after injury. Both players are part of India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series starting January 11. (PC: PTI)

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam stated the board doesn't feel secure sending their national team to India for the T20 World Cup amid current circumstances. The statement follows BCB's formal request to the International Cricket Council to shift Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches out of India. Bangladesh was scheduled to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. This strong move was triggered by BCCI instructing Kolkata Knight Riders to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL contract. Aminul told reporters the next steps depend on ICC's response to their venue change request, marking an unprecedented escalation in cricket relations between India and Bangladesh. (PC: PTI)

BCCI ordered Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL 2026 contract without consulting all board officials or IPL Governing Council members. The decision, made at the highest BCCI level, stunned officials who learned about it through media reports. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia cited "recent developments" when announcing Mustafizur's release, who was bought for INR 9.20 crore at auction. Bangladesh responded with an unprecedented nationwide IPL telecast ban. The move follows escalating bilateral tensions after Hindu minorities were attacked and killed in Bangladesh, including a Hindu man being lynched and burned. Bangladesh Cricket Board now seeks to shift T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka. (PC: AFP)

Bangladesh has suspended IPL 2026 broadcast following BCCI's directive to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman, citing atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced all IPL matches and related programs will remain suspended until further notice. This follows Bangladesh Cricket Board's formal request to ICC to relocate their 2026 Men's T20 World Cup matches from India, citing safety and security concerns. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh stated India welcomes all teams but emphasized it's Bangladesh's choice whether to participate. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the instruction to release Rahman due to recent developments. The IPL commences March 26. (PC: ANI)

The Election Commission of India has summoned cricketer Mohammed Shami and his brother, Mohammed Kaif, for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing in Kolkata regarding discrepancies in their enumeration forms. Issues include complications in progeny mapping and self-mapping. Shami, enrolled as a voter in KMC Ward No. 93 under Rashbehari Assembly constituency, informed the ECI he cannot attend as he's representing Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Rajkot. His hearing, initially scheduled for January 5, has been postponed to January 9-11. Although born in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha, Shami has been a permanent Kolkata resident for years. This development follows West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's concerns about SIR procedural lapses. (PC: PTI)

The Bangladesh government has ordered an open-ended ban on the telecast and promotion of the Indian Premier League after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. In a notice issued on January 5, authorities said all IPL shows, ads and event coverage must stop with immediate effect. The order said the move was taken in the public interest. Officials said the decision to remove Mustafizur was conveyed as a direction from the BCCI and had no clear reason. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has also decided not to send its men’s team to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, citing security concerns and government advice. The ICC is expected to review the situation. (PC: India Today)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized BCCI's decision to ask Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, arguing sport shouldn't bear political failures' burden. "Sport should be kept apart from politics," Tharoor told ANI, emphasizing India has multiple diplomatic channels with Bangladesh. He noted India's Foreign Minister recently met Bangladesh's likely future Prime Minister. On minority attacks in Bangladesh, Tharoor said India is urging law and order restoration diplomatically. He expressed concern over social media outrage driving policy decisions. Tharoor defended Rahman, stating the cricketer "has nothing to do with any of these things" and hasn't been accused of hate speech or defending attacks. He warned against isolating neighbors over political differences. (PC: X)

Bangladesh has announced it won't travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, creating a major setback for BCCI. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also revoked Mustafizur Rahman's IPL No Objection Certificate after Kolkata Knight Riders released him following BCCI orders amid Hindu persecution concerns in Bangladesh. Following an emergency board meeting, BCB cited "deep concern over the current security situation" and requested ICC relocate all Bangladesh matches outside India. The BCB emphasized protecting players' safety and well-being. BCCI sources responded firmly, calling relocation a "logistical nightmare" involving air tickets, hotels, and broadcast crews. This crisis mirrors the Champions Trophy 2025 situation when India refused touring Pakistan. (PC: PTI)

The process of refunding ticket money to spectators affected by the chaos at Yuvabharati Stadium has officially begun. After thousands bought tickets to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi but were unable to see him due to poor crowd management and ensuing disorder, police have seized ₹22 crore from organiser Shatadru Dutta’s firm for refunds. Around 35,000 tickets were sold, raising about ₹19 crore, and damage to government property was estimated at ₹2 crore. West Bengal police assured fans their money would be returned and have started the legal and administrative steps to ensure refunds reach ticket buyers. (PC: X)

Despite a century against South Africa, Ruturaj Gaikwad was omitted from India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, sparking debate in cricket circles. Veteran Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the selection, suggesting Gaikwad deserved inclusion and that the spot went instead to Rishabh Pant due to his left-handed batting role. Ashwin argued that Gaikwad’s consistent domestic form and batting versatility make him worthy of a place, but acknowledged limited opportunities while stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma anchor the batting order. Ashwin urged patience for the young batter amid India’s fierce competition for spots.