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<h2 data-path-to-node="4">The Battlefield of Sport: Pakistan&rsquo;s High-Stakes Gambit</h2>
In the volatile theatre of South Asian geopolitics, where a cricket pitch often serves as a proxy for the Line of Control, the latest "U-turn" by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provided more than just a fixture update. After weeks of brinkmanship and threats to boycott the February 15 T20 World Cup encounter, Islamabad has finally blinked. However, the capitulation came wrapped in a coat of heavy-duty military rhetoric that has left diplomats and sporting purists equally uneasy.
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">The Great Capitulation</h3>
The drama reached its crescendo on Monday when PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who doubles as Pakistan&rsquo;s Interior Minister, confirmed that the "Men in Green" would indeed face India in Colombo. This reversed a weeks-long standoff initiated in supposed solidarity with Bangladesh. The decision, framed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a gesture to "friendly nations" like Sri Lanka and the UAE, essentially saves the International Cricket Council (ICC) from a commercial catastrophe. Without the India-Pakistan blockbuster, the tournament&rsquo;s financial spine would have snapped.
<h3 data-path-to-node="8">A Field Marshal in the Commentary Box</h3>
What has raised eyebrows from New Delhi to Dubai, however, is not the U-turn itself&mdash;which many seasoned observers saw coming but Naqvi&rsquo;s deliberate invocation of Field Marshal Asim Munir. By stating that neither he nor the "unafraid" Field Marshal were intimidated by "threats" from India or the ICC, Naqvi successfully dragged the barracks into the boardroom.
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This wasn&rsquo;t a mere slip of the tongue. In Pakistan&rsquo;s complex power hierarchy, name-dropping the military chief is the ultimate signal of domestic alignment. By invoking Munir elevated to Field Marshal in May 2025 following the "Operation Sindoor" border skirmishes&mdash;Naqvi sought to reassure a domestic audience that playing India was not an act of weakness, but a strategic move backed by the highest echelons of "Rawalpindi."
<h3 data-path-to-node="11">The Ghost of Operation Sindoor</h3>
To understand the weight of Naqvi&rsquo;s words, one must look back to May 2025. The promotion of Asim Munir to the five-star rank&mdash;only the second in Pakistan&rsquo;s history after Ayub Khan was Islamabad&rsquo;s way of claiming a "moral victory" after India&rsquo;s precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pahalgam. By bringing this specific figure into a cricket dispute, the PCB has effectively told the world that for Pakistan, there is no "boundary" between national security and national sport. It serves as a reminder to India that while the cricketers are shaking hands in Colombo, the mindset remains one of a defensive crouch.
<h3 data-path-to-node="14">Where Does This Head?</h3>
The "cricket diplomacy" of the 1980s and 90s is officially dead, replaced by a "cricket deterrent" model. Pakistan&rsquo;s U-turn proves that the financial might of the ICC and the diplomatic pressure from co-hosts Sri Lanka still hold sway. However, the rhetoric suggests a hardening of hearts.
We are heading toward a period where every match will be a high-altitude tightrope walk. By linking the PCB&rsquo;s survival to the image of a Field Marshal, Naqvi has ensured that any future loss on the field could be interpreted as a slight against the military&rsquo;s prestige. For India, the message is clear: Pakistan is playing under protest, and the spirit of the game is being held hostage by the shadows of 2025. The match on February 15 will be played, but the "peace" it brings will be as fragile as a middle-order collapse.

PCB Chief Naqvi cites Field Marshal Munir in shock U-turn over T20 World Cup row

Pakistan Ends Boycott; Will Face India Feb 15

Virat Kohli fans can finally breathe easy as the former India captain&rsquo;s Instagram account has been fully restored after being unavailable for several hours. The profile, followed by nearly 274 million users, is now back online with all 1,044 posts visible, allowing fans to once again access Kohli&rsquo;s photos and videos.
The temporary disappearance of Kohli&rsquo;s Instagram account sparked widespread speculation on social media, especially on X, where his name began trending within an hour. Many fans wondered if the move was linked to a possible retirement from international cricket. However, those rumours have been put to rest, as the account&rsquo;s restoration confirms there is no such development.
At present, the reason behind the sudden outage remains unclear, and no official explanation has been issued. Interestingly, Kohli&rsquo;s elder brother Vikas Kohli&rsquo;s Instagram account also went missing around the same time and is still not visible on the platform.
Kohli&rsquo;s account became accessible again around 8:30 am on Friday. While all previous posts have been restored, the star batter has not shared any new content since the incident.
The episode triggered a wave of relief among fans, many of whom celebrated Kohli&rsquo;s return to Instagram online. The incident once again highlighted the massive digital influence and following the cricketer commands across platforms.
On the cricketing front, Kohli has been in exceptional form in the ODI format. He was last seen in action during the three-match series against New Zealand, where he scored a century and a half-century. Across his last seven ODIs for India, Kohli has amassed three centuries and three half-centuries, underlining his dominance in 50-over cricket.
Following the conclusion of the New Zealand series, Kohli travelled to London to spend time with his family. He is set to return to competitive action in the Indian Premier League, where he will represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After the IPL, he is expected to feature in India&rsquo;s ODI series against England in July 2026.
Earlier this month, Kohli briefly reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings before being overtaken by New Zealand&rsquo;s Daryl Mitchell.
Virat Kohli made his international debut for India in 2008 and rose to prominence after captaining the Under-19 team to a World Cup title the same year. Over the years, he evolved into one of the greatest batters of the modern era, known for his aggressive approach, consistency across formats, and exceptional fitness standards.
Kohli has captained India in all three formats and led the team to historic overseas Test victories. With over 25,000 international runs, multiple ICC awards, and a massive global fanbase, he remains one of the most influential figures in world cricket.

Fans relieved as Kohli’s Instagram returns after hours, no clarity on outage

Virat Kohli’s Instagram Account Restored

Virat Kohli&rsquo;s outstanding run in One Day International cricket has helped him reclaim the top position in the ICC Men&rsquo;s ODI Batting Rankings for the first time since July 2021. The Indian star surged to No.1 after a match-winning knock of 93 off 91 balls in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara.
Kohli&rsquo;s innings laid the foundation for India&rsquo;s victory in the first match of the three-game series and saw him overtake teammate Rohit Sharma at the top of the rankings. This marks the 11th occasion in Kohli&rsquo;s career that he has led the ICC ODI batting charts, underlining his sustained excellence in the format.
The 35-year-old&rsquo;s return to peak form follows a brief lean patch. After registering back-to-back ducks against Australia in October last year, Kohli bounced back strongly with a fluent 74 in Sydney. He then carried his momentum into the home season, scoring 135, 102 and an unbeaten 65 in the ODI series against South Africa.
Kohli first became the world&rsquo;s top-ranked ODI batter in October 2013 and has now spent a cumulative 825 days at No.1, the most by any Indian batter. He currently stands 10th on the all-time list, which is led by West Indies legend Viv Richards.
However, the competition at the top remains intense. New Zealand&rsquo;s Daryl Mitchell is just one rating point behind Kohli after his aggressive 84 in the series opener, which lifted him to second place. Rohit Sharma has slipped to third, 10 points behind Kohli.
Elsewhere in the ODI rankings, K.L. Rahul moved up to 11th among batters, while Devon Conway climbed three spots to 29th. In the bowling rankings, Mohammed Siraj rose five places to 15th, and New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson jumped 27 spots to 69th.
In the ICC Men&rsquo;s Test Rankings, Australia&rsquo;s Travis Head and Steve Smith climbed to third and fourth respectively following their centuries in the final Ashes Test in Sydney. England&rsquo;s Joe Root retained the top position after finishing as the series&rsquo; highest run-scorer, with Harry Brook holding on to second place. Among bowlers, Mitchell Starc moved up to third after his Player of the Series performance in the Ashes.
&nbsp;

Kohli returns to top after four years, replaces Rohit Sharma in ICC list

Virat Kohli regains No.1 spot in ODI rankings

Bangladesh has decided not to travel to India for its scheduled matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup, prompting the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to formally write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking intervention.
Bangladesh&rsquo;s youth and sports adviser Asif Nazrul announced the decision on Sunday, stating that the team would not participate in matches slated to be held in India when the tournament begins on February 7. Bangladesh were scheduled to play four matches, three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.
&ldquo;Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup, it was decided by the Bangladesh Cricket Board today,&rdquo; Nazrul wrote on his official Facebook page. &ldquo;We welcome this decision taken in the context of the radical communal policies of the Indian cricket board.&rdquo;
The BCB confirmed that the decision was taken during a board meeting attended by 17 directors. Following the meeting, the board communicated its concerns to the ICC, requesting a change of venue for their matches.
&ldquo;If they have said they cannot provide security to one of our players, how will they ensure the security of our entire team? That is why we will not go there to play,&rdquo; BCB director Khaled Mashud Pilot said, adding that the board had asked for the matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka.
The decision follows controversy surrounding the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman by his IPL franchise after he was bought for ₹9.20 crore at the auction. The BCB has decided to revoke the no-objection certificate granted to Rahman for participation in the IPL and will also seek a formal explanation from the Indian cricket board regarding his release.
Nazrul also said he had requested Bangladesh&rsquo;s information and broadcasting ministry to stop airing the IPL in the country.
The move adds further uncertainty to the T20 World Cup, which has already seen the India&ndash;Pakistan group match shifted to a neutral venue under the ICC&rsquo;s hybrid model. With Bangladesh now unwilling to play in India, the tournament&rsquo;s scheduling faces renewed pressure.
Bangladesh&rsquo;s adviser on cultural affairs Mostofa Sarwar Farooki also criticised the situation, writing, &ldquo;What happened with Mustafizur in the IPL is despicable. Bangladeshi citizens have witnessed the politics of hatred in this incident and are deeply saddened.&rdquo;
He further added, &ldquo;As you know, the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already expressed concern about the persecution of minority communities in India over the past few days. The relevant authorities will surely investigate whether this incident is also driven by the same motive. The safety of our cricket or football teams there in the future will also surely be considered.&rdquo;

Bangladesh Pulls Out of India T20 World Cup Games

BCB writes to ICC citing security concerns after Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL release

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has directed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh left arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season.
Confirming the decision, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the move followed recent developments in the region and added that the franchise would be permitted to sign a replacement once Rahman is released. The directive comes amid heightened political and public scrutiny surrounding the participation of Bangladeshi players in Indian sporting leagues.
Rahman had been acquired by KKR for ₹9.20 crore at the mini auction, following a competitive bidding process involving multiple franchises. The signing soon became a flashpoint, drawing criticism from political figures who questioned the timing of the move against the backdrop of strained India Bangladesh relations and reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
The controversy also placed KKR co owner Shah Rukh Khan in the spotlight, with sharp reactions from leaders affiliated with the BJP and Shiv Sena. Calls for Rahman&rsquo;s removal intensified after the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and other reported incidents targeting Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
While announcing the decision on Rahman, the BCCI did not comment on India&rsquo;s scheduled tour of Bangladesh later in 2026, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is. The itinerary, announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, marks the rescheduling of a series that was earlier deferred due to unrest.
Rahman&rsquo;s exit from KKR brings a sudden pause to his IPL journey. The left arm pacer has featured in 60 matches across seasons, taking 65 wickets. He has previously represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings. Most recently, he appeared for Delhi Capitals as a replacement player, claiming four wickets in three matches.
With the BCCI opening the door for a replacement signing, KKR are expected to move quickly to rebalance their squad as preparations for IPL 2026 gather pace.

BCCI asks KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman

Decision cites regional tensions as KKR cleared to sign a replacement for IPL 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had informally approached former India batter VVS Laxman to explore the possibility of replacing Gautam Gambhir as head coach of the Indian men&rsquo;s Test team following the recent home series whitewash against South Africa, but Laxman declined the offer, according to reports.
Gambhir, who took over as head coach earlier this year, has come under scrutiny after India suffered a 0&ndash;2 defeat against South Africa at home last month. It marked India&rsquo;s second home Test series whitewash in the past 12 months, both occurring during Gambhir&rsquo;s tenure. The losses have triggered internal discussions within the BCCI about the future leadership of the red-ball team.
Amid speculation, Gambhir had defended his position by highlighting his success in limited-overs cricket, pointing to India&rsquo;s Champions Trophy and Asia Cup triumphs under his coaching. The BCCI has publicly backed him, assuring continuity until the completion of his contract, which runs through the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, deliberations reportedly continue behind the scenes regarding his suitability as Test coach.
In this context, Laxman was once again sounded out to gauge his interest in taking charge of the red-ball side. This marked the second such approach, with the first having taken place last year when Rahul Dravid&rsquo;s term was nearing its end and Gambhir eventually emerged as the leading candidate. On both occasions, Laxman chose to turn down the opportunity, expressing his preference to continue in his current role as Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Despite Gambhir enjoying strong backing within influential circles of Indian cricket, his position in the Test format remains a topic of discussion, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching. India currently sit sixth in the 2025&ndash;27 World Test Championship standings, with nine Tests still remaining in the cycle.
While Gambhir&rsquo;s continuation across formats appears secure if India perform strongly in upcoming limited-overs tournaments, the long-term structure of India&rsquo;s coaching setup, particularly in red-ball cricket, could be reassessed. With Laxman not inclined to take up the role, the lack of clear alternatives in the Test coaching space remains a key factor influencing the board&rsquo;s decision-making.

BCCI is not quite convinced with Gautam Gambhir as Test coach

Laxman declined Test coach role as Gambhir faces scrutiny after home whitewash

BCCI sounded out Laxman after SA loss

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Indian grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi delivered a remarkable defensive performance to hold Magnus Carlsen to a draw in the Rapid section of the World Rapid &amp; Blitz Championship in Doha, halting the Norwegian&rsquo;s winning run on the opening day of the tournament.
The clash came in the fifth and final round of Day 1, with both Arjun and Carlsen entering the game as the only players with perfect scores of four wins from four games. With the sole lead at stake, the contest turned into a gripping 101-move marathon that showcased Arjun&rsquo;s resilience and precision. His play, marked by an impressive 98 percent accuracy despite the shortened time control, ensured that Carlsen was unable to convert his endgame pressure into a win.
Known for his aggressive and ambitious style, Arjun revealed a contrasting side of his game against the five-time World Rapid Champion. While remaining alert to winning chances, he prioritised solidity and patience, forcing Carlsen to spend significant time on the clock early in the game. By move 17, the players had already transitioned into a queen-and-rook endgame, setting the stage for a prolonged battle.
Carlsen gradually extracted small advantages in the endgame, winning a pawn and later going two pawns up, applying sustained pressure with his king and rook. However, Arjun responded with precise defensive moves, constantly keeping the advancing pawns in check and denying any breakthrough. Despite extending the struggle deep into the endgame, Carlsen eventually accepted the draw on the 101st move, his first non-win of the event.
The result left Arjun with four wins and one draw from five rounds, placing him among the joint leaders on 4.5 points alongside Carlsen, D. Gukesh, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Vladislav Artemiev.
Earlier in the day, Arjun began his campaign with a win over Marco Materia, converting an endgame advantage after his opponent faltered in the middlegame. He followed it up with a dramatic victory over compatriot Sandipan Chanda in a chaotic encounter that featured sharp tactics and time trouble. Further wins against Bai Jinshi and Aram Hakobyan set up the much-anticipated showdown with Carlsen.
For Arjun, the draw against the world number one carried added significance, underlining his growing maturity and reinforcing his credentials as a serious contender in the championship.
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Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi in action

Indian grandmaster forces 101-move draw against Magnus Carlsen at World Rapid 2025

Arjun Erigaisi holds Carlsen in Doha

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Shubman Gill will look to use the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy as a platform to reclaim his white-ball status after being left out of India&rsquo;s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The 25-year-old, who has been named in Punjab&rsquo;s squad for the List A tournament starting December 24, is set to return to competitive action with a point to prove.
Gill&rsquo;s omission from both the T20 World Cup squad and the T20I series against New Zealand marked a rare setback in his international career. Despite being recently backed as India&rsquo;s long-term all-format captain, the decision was taken following a lean run in T20 internationals over the past four months, during which he scored 291 runs from 15 innings without registering a single half-century.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy now presents Gill with an opportunity to remind selectors of his pedigree in white-ball cricket. He will be joined in the Punjab squad by India teammates Arshdeep Singh and Abhishek Sharma, adding further quality and experience to the side.
However, the availability of the trio remains subject to India&rsquo;s international commitments. The national team is scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, followed by a five-match T20I series from January 21. Punjab&rsquo;s league-stage fixtures in the Vijay Hazare Trophy are set to conclude on January 8, just days before the ODI series begins.
With centrally contracted players reportedly required to participate in domestic competitions until their next international assignment, Gill is expected to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at least until the New Zealand series begins. Punjab, who were knocked out at the quarter-final stage last season, will play all seven of their league matches in Jaipur.
Placed in a competitive group alongside Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa and Mumbai, Punjab have assembled a strong squad packed with power-hitters and all-rounders. The batting lineup includes Prabhsimran Singh, Naman Dhir, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sanvir Singh and Harpreet Brar, alongside the India regulars. The pace attack will be led by Gurnoor Brar and Krish Bhagat.
For Gill, the tournament represents more than just a domestic assignment. Strong performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy could go a long way in reinforcing his credentials as one of India&rsquo;s premier white-ball batters and in reopening the door to the national T20 setup.
Punjab squad: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Harnoor Pannu, Anmolpreet Singh, Uday Saharan, Naman Dhir, Salil Arora (wk), Sanvir Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Jashanpreet Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Harpreet Brar, Raghu Sharma, Krish Bhagat, Gourav Choudhary, Sukhdeep Bajwa.
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Shubman Gill was not picked in India's T20 World Cup squad

Punjab stint offers Gill chance to revive white-ball form after World Cup omission

Snubbed for T20 WC, Gill turns to Vijay Hazare

From the outside, it looks baffling. Two batters struggling for runs, similar numbers, similar questions. Yet one is dropped, the other trusted with the captaincy. For the common cricket fan, the obvious question is simple: if Shubman Gill was expendable, why does Suryakumar Yadav still get a long rope?
The answer lies beyond scorecards. Suryakumar&rsquo;s form slump is undeniable, but so is his imprint on the team. When he gets going, even briefly, he still looks like the batter who once terrified bowlers worldwide. More importantly, under his leadership, India have barely put a foot wrong. Wins have kept coming, series after series, creating an environment where the captain&rsquo;s lack of runs feels like a personal battle rather than a team problem.
Gill, younger and technically sound, hasn&rsquo;t yet carried that same aura in T20s. His starts haven&rsquo;t threatened games, and his presence hasn&rsquo;t tilted matches. Suryakumar, even in failure, still carries the promise of sudden destruction. For selectors and teammates alike, that promise matters, especially when the team keeps winning without panic.
For fans watching from living rooms and local grounds, it&rsquo;s a reminder that cricket isn&rsquo;t just about form; it&rsquo;s about faith, timing and trust. Suryakumar may be hurting inside, but as long as India are conquering opponents, the belief is that one innings could change everything. And in T20 cricket, sometimes that belief is worth more than runs on paper.

Out of runs, not belief: why India backs Suryakumar despite a prolonged lean patch

Why SKY Still Gets Time, Not Gill

The total expenditure for Lionel Messi&rsquo;s India tour reached ₹100 crore, with the football superstar reportedly receiving ₹89 crore for his visit, while ₹11 crore went to the Indian government as taxes. Around 30% of the tour&rsquo;s funding came from sponsors, and another 30% was generated through ticket sales.
The Kolkata leg of Messi&rsquo;s GOAT India tour on December 13 descended into chaos, with thousands of spectators crowding around the player on the field, leaving him barely visible from the galleries. Frustrated fans later vandalised parts of the stadium, highlighting significant lapses in crowd management and security.
The main organiser of the event, who was arrested after the incident, disclosed during questioning that only 150 ground passes were initially planned. However, the number reportedly tripled when a highly influential person arrived at the stadium, disrupting the flow of the programme and overwhelming security arrangements. Investigators are examining whether this expanded access directly contributed to the breakdown in crowd control.
The organiser also revealed that Messi had expressed discomfort with being touched on the back or hugged, instructions that were reportedly communicated in advance to security personnel. Despite repeated public announcements urging the crowd to maintain distance, the footballer was repeatedly surrounded and embraced, aggravating the situation.
Visuals from the event showed West Bengal&rsquo;s sports minister in close proximity to Messi, holding him around the waist during photographs. The minister has been accused of using his influence to allow relatives and personal acquaintances access to the footballer and resigned from his post pending the investigation.
Authorities are continuing to probe security lapses, access violations, the role of organisers and officials, and how such a large number of people gained access to the ground area during the programme.

Argentine footballer Lionel Messi with West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas

Messi paid ₹89 crore for India tour; crowd control failure sparks vandalism

Sports