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. 

Indian sprinter Animesh Kujur says he aims to run “10-flat” in the 100 metres in 2026 after a strong breakthrough year. The 22-year-old became India’s fastest man in 2025, clocking 10.18 seconds in the 100m and 20.32 seconds in the 200m. He also won a medal at the Asian Athletics Championships and competed at the World Championships. Kujur said he raced too often last year and plans to focus more on training this season. He targets the Senior Federation meet in May and hopes to contend for medals in the 200m and 4x100m relay at the Asian Games in September. (PC: India Today)

Bangladesh plans to formally ask the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing player safety concerns after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said Bangladesh cannot feel safe playing in India if contracted players are excluded and wants Sri Lanka as an alternative host. The move has heightened cricket and political tensions between the neighbouring countries ahead of the February tournament. (PC: Reuters)

Bangladesh has decided not to travel to India for its T20 World Cup matches and has written to the ICC seeking to move the games to Sri Lanka, a senior government adviser said on Sunday. The team was due to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai from February. The move follows the BCCI order to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its IPL squad. A Bangladesh Cricket Board director said the board is concerned about player security. The BCB has also said it will seek a formal explanation from the BCCI and review the no-objection certificate given to the player. (PC: HT)

The BCCI has directed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its IPL squad, raising fresh questions over India-Bangladesh cricket ties. KKR had signed the player in the December auction. League rules do not allow teams to drop a player after the auction without board approval. Following the move, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is considering approaching the ICC to shift its T20 World Cup matches from India, citing security concerns. India is due to tour Bangladesh later this year, but officials said the series will depend on government clearance. A similar freeze has existed between India and Pakistan for years. (PC: HT)