Sachin Tendulkar Addresses Speculation About Becoming Next BCCI President: ‘Being Considered or Nominated…’
Sachin Tendulkar has addressed rumours, confirming he is not in contention to become the next BCCI President. Sachin Tendulkar Denies BCCI President Speculation Former India batter Sachin Tendulkar has clarified that he is not in contention to become the next president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Recent rumours suggested he might replace Roger Binny, but SRT Sports Management Pvt Ltd issued an official statement dismissing such reports. “It has come to our attention that certain reports and rumours have been circulating regarding Mr. Sachin Tendulkar being considered, or nominated, for the position of President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI),” the statement read. “We wish to categorically state that no such development has taken place. We urge all concerned to refrain from giving credence to unfounded speculations.” The BCCI president post is currently vacant after Roger Binny stepped down earlier this year upon turning 70, in line with the board’s age-limit rules. Vice-president Rajeev Shukla is serving as acting president until elections are held at the upcoming BCCI Annual General Meeting on September 28. Speculation around Tendulkar’s potential candidacy stemmed from media reports and the growing trend of former cricketers taking up the top post, a practice that began in 2019 when Sourav Ganguly assumed the presidency before being succeeded by Binny. Sachin Tendulkar hasn’t held any administrative post It is important to note that Sachin Tendulkar has never held an administrative position, and eligibility for the BCCI president role requires being an active member of a state cricket association. While every former India player automatically becomes a member of their respective state association, contesting any office-bearer post requires a formal nomination from that association. Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in cricket history. He holds numerous records, including the most runs in both Tests and ODIs, and the highest number of centuries in Test cricket. Although he once held the record for most ODI centuries, Virat Kohli surpassed him during the 2023 World Cup, fittingly at Wankhede Stadium in the semi-final against New Zealand. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
“Idhar Mat Dekho”: Suryakumar Yadav Reacts to Muhammad Waseem’s Cheeky Move – Watch
Suryakumar Yadav shared a light-hearted moment with UAE captain Muhammad Waseem during the toss ahead of their Asia Cup clash. Suryakumar Yadav Shares Light Moment at Toss A jovial Suryakumar Yadav won the toss in India’s opening Asia Cup 2025 game, opting to have the United Arab Emirates bat first in Dubai. Introduced by Sanjay Manjrekar and asked to flip the coin while UAE captain Muhammad Waseem made the call, Suryakumar shared a playful moment with his counterpart, resulting in broad smiles from both players. Just before tossing the coin, Suryakumar leaned over to Waseem, grinned, covered the coin, and said, “Idhar mat dekho (don’t look here),” prompting laughter and a light-hearted exchange between the two skippers. A jovial Suryakumar Yadav won the toss in India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener, opting to have the United Arab Emirates bat first in Dubai. Introduced by Sanjay Manjrekar and asked to flip the coin while UAE captain Muhammad Waseem made the call, Suryakumar shared a playful moment with his counterpart, resulting in broad smiles from both players. Just before tossing the coin, Suryakumar leaned over to Waseem, grinned, covered the coin, and said, “Idhar mat dekho (don’t look here),” prompting laughter and a light-hearted exchange between the two skippers. The friendly banter continued as the pair crossed paths after the toss presentation. They exchanged words, parted with smiles, and demonstrated a mutual respect for each other ahead of the contest. Change of toss fortunes for India Captain Suryakumar Yadav ended India’s long run of bad luck at the toss, marking the first time in 15 attempts that an Indian captain won the toss in international cricket. Choosing to bowl first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, he asked opening batter Muhammad Waseem to face up under the evening lights, aiming to capitalize on chasing conditions. India’s lineup for the opener features Shubman Gill partnering Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order, while Sanju Samson takes on a new role in the middle order. Jasprit Bumrah leads as the lone frontline seamer, supported by Hardik Pandya and potentially Shivam Dube, who remains a key player in the shortest format. A trio of spinners, combined with a strong contingent of all-rounders, completes India’s balanced squad for the opening match. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
‘Who Called India No.1?’: Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav Dismiss Asia Cup Favourite Tag
Asia Cup: India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha stress T20 cricket’s unpredictability, downplaying India’s top ranking. India Enter Asia Cup 2025 as Overwhelming Favourites With a record eight Asia Cup titles, current form as reigning T20 World champions, a balanced squad, and power-packed players, India enters the 2025 Asia Cup as the overwhelming favourite. The number one-ranked T20 side will begin their campaign against the UAE on Wednesday, while the tournament officially opens with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong on Tuesday. Ahead of the action, captains of all eight participating teams gathered for a pre-tournament press conference. During the presser, both India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha were asked about India’s status as the top-ranked team. Both chose to downplay the question. When informed by a journalist that India is being treated as the form favourite by a wide margin, Suryakumar responded with a smile, “Kisne bola? Maine toh nahi suna (Who said this? I didn’t hear anything of this sort). We are playing this format for a long time. If your preparations are good, you enter the field with a lot of confidence.” India Ready After Long T20 Break, Pakistan Cautions on Format’s Unpredictability India haven’t played as a T20 unit for a long time, with their last international match being against England at home earlier this year. Suryakumar Yadav, however, said the team reached the UAE early and has already had a few productive practice sessions. “Yes, we are playing after a long time. But we landed here three to four days back. We have had some good practice sessions. So we are really looking forward to this tournament,” he said. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged India as strong favourites but stressed the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. “In T20s, I don’t really think anyone is favourite, because on a particular day you have to play good cricket. It’s a very fast game. In one or two overs, the game can change,” he said. Pakistan entered the Asia Cup after winning the tri-series against the UAE and Afghanistan. “The tri-series was always a preparation. If you won it, that’s very good. If you didn’t, we still have to play, come here, play good cricket, and aim to win the Asia Cup.” Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Virat Kohli’s Fierce Persona Compared to Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Angry Young Man’: A Post-Fab Four Necessity for India
Bangar stated that Kohli’s fiery demeanor mirrors his true personality, reminiscent of the intensity and defiance of Bachchan’s 1970s “angry young man” era. Sanjay Bangar Compares Virat Kohli’s On-Field Fire to Amitabh Bachchan’s “Angry Young Man” Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar drew a striking parallel between Virat Kohli’s fiery on-field persona and Amitabh Bachchan’s legendary “angry young man” roles that defined Bollywood in the 1970s. Kohli, known for his aggressive attitude, never hesitated to confront opponents, constantly keeping pressure on them. During his captaincy, India adopted an assertive approach in Test cricket, achieving a historic series win in Australia, challenging strongly in England and South Africa, and instilling the belief that the team could succeed anywhere in the world. Bangar explained that Kohli’s intensity wasn’t just a show, but a true reflection of his personality, reminiscent of the defiance that defined Bachchan’s iconic roles. “Virat Kohli has a natural character, like brash, in your face, and that was his natural character. A natural character always feels right. Why did Amitabh Bachchan’s films work in the 1975-1980 era? It was because there was this thought of an angry young man, and in the Indian society, anger was somewhere simmering,” Bangar said on DD Sports. “Virat Kohli had to take cricket forward after Fab 4 retired” Former India coach Sanjay Bangar believes Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach arrived at a crucial juncture for Indian cricket. With the “Fab Four” — Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly — retired, the team faced a leadership and identity gap. Bangar emphasised that Indian cricket needed a fresh voice to usher in a new era of intensity and competitiveness. “Indian cricket needed some aggression because our fabulous four had retired, and Kohli had to take cricket forward, which he did in his own style. He changed India’s image completely in how they approach Test cricket,” Bangar added. Earlier this year, Kohli retired from Test cricket after playing 123 matches in his 14-year red-ball career. Making his Test debut in 2011 against West Indies, he became India’s standout batter after Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement in 2013. Kohli finished his Test career with 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, at an average of 46.85. He also captained India in 68 Tests, becoming the nation’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Shreyas Iyer’s India A captaincy boosts Test comeback hopes as Karun Nair faces uncertain future
Shreyas Iyer to captain India A in two multi-day matches against Australia A starting September 16 in Lucknow. Shreyas Iyer Elevated as India A Captain, Karun Nair’s Test Future in Doubt Shreyas Iyer might have been overlooked for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, but the batter has been elevated to India A captaincy, leading the side in two multi-day matches against Australia A, beginning September 16 in Lucknow. Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes this move clears the path for the 30-year-old to make a Test comeback. Shreyas Iyer was not named in India’s squad for the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. He last played a Test in 2024 but was sidelined following injury and his reluctance to play the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai. Although ousted from the central contracts list, strong performances in white-ball cricket earned him a return. Speaking on Shreyas Iyer captaincy, Chopra also discussed Karun Nair’s uncertain Test future. In the series against England, Nair managed just one fifty in eight innings, scoring 205 runs. After eight years, he had earned a place in the Test squad, but despite his 2016 Chennai triple century fame, he failed to capitalize on starts in the UK. “Shreyas Iyer is the captain of India A for the multi-day matches against Australia A. Dhruv Jurel is the vice-captain. Abhimanyu Easwaran used to be the captain, but that is no longer the case. He is a member of the team, but he is not the captain. If you see the last few tours, there has always been a new captain. The leadership of late has been a case of musical chairs,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. Chopra added, “Why has Shreyas been elevated as the captain? It is because the No.3 and No.6 slots in Tests are still open. Sai Sudharsan and Easwaran are also in the squad, but Karun Nair is not there. It is a big step because Karun asked for a second chance, and he was given that. He performed okay-okay; he was shuffled up and down the batting order. I thought the upcoming West Indies series would see Karun Nair being included.” ‘Karun Nair won’t play further’ Aakash Chopra believes Karun Nair’s path has become tricky, with all signs pointing to his exclusion from India’s upcoming home series against the West Indies, beginning October 2. Chopra also highlighted that Shreyas Iyer now has the opportunity to cement his place in the Test playing XI and could shine if selected for the series. “Unfortunately, it looks like you won’t see Karun Nair playing further. He is fit but not picked; it seems the selectors have decided to look past him. Shreyas is interesting. He was not picked for the Asia Cup, and there was a lot of backlash. Now he finds himself at the helm of the India A team,” said Chopra. “Looking at the Indian team’s next few assignments, you would think that Shreyas will play two of the three formats. He plays ODIs, and I think he would get a chance in Tests in the upcoming series against the West Indies and South Africa. The kind of pitches there are in India, I think, he will score runs. The door has opened up for him, and nicely,” he added. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
BCCI Set to Earn Additional ₹500 Crore as New Jersey Sponsors Pay ₹3.5 Crore Per Match: Report
The BCCI has revised its jersey branding rights, fixing new rates at INR 3.5 crore for bilateral matches and INR 1.5 crore for multilateral games. BCCI Hikes Base Price for Team India Jersey Sponsorship The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly raised the stakes for sponsors looking to associate with the Indian cricket team, setting new and higher base prices for jersey branding rights. The revised rates come as the board opens up bidding for a fresh three-year sponsorship cycle. According to a report published in Cricbuzz, industry sources indicate that the BCCI has fixed the new reserve price at INR 3.5 crore per match for bilateral fixtures and INR 1.5 crore for multilateral games, including tournaments under the ICC and ACC. These rates reflect a modest increase from the outgoing sponsor Dream11’s terms, which were INR 3.17 crore for bilateral games and INR 1.12 crore for multilateral ones. The move marks a targeted uplift of over 10 percent in valuation for bilateral contests and close to three percent for multilateral matches. The discrepancy between the two categories is attributed to the visibility factor. Sponsors gain prominent placement on the front of the Indian jersey during bilateral games, whereas ICC and ACC events restrict branding to the sleeves, offering limited exposure. BCCI Eyes New Sponsorship Deal Worth Over INR 400 Crore The new sponsorship term is set to span around 130 matches over the next three years, including marquee events such as the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup. At the revised base price, the BCCI could generate upwards of INR 400 crore during the tenure, with the final figure likely to rise depending on the bidding outcome. The bidding is scheduled for September 16, which means the new sponsor will not be in place before the Asia Cup begins on September 9. A senior BCCI official has confirmed that an interim sponsor is unlikely, indicating that the team may play the Asia Cup without any branding on the front of the jersey. On September 2, the board issued an Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) for lead sponsor rights. The notice outlined restrictions, ruling out companies in categories such as gaming, betting, crypto, and tobacco. Additionally, brands dealing in athleisure, sportswear, banking and finance, non-alcoholic cold beverages, fans, mixer grinders, safety locks, and insurance were excluded due to potential conflicts with existing sponsors. This shift in sponsorship dynamics comes after the exit of Dream11, which was forced to withdraw following the Indian government’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The law prohibits operations by real-money gaming firms, directly impacting the fantasy sports platform’s deal with the board. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
MS Dhoni’s Surprise Appearance at US Open to Watch Novak Djokovic Grabs All the Attention – Watch
MS Dhoni attended Novak Djokovic’s US Open 2025 quarterfinal clash against Taylor Fritz, with pictures of the former Indian captain at the venue going viral on social media. MS Dhoni Spotted at US Open 2025 Quarterfinal The star-studded evening at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday also featured former India captain MS Dhoni, who was among the spectators during Novak Djokovic’s US Open 2025 quarterfinal clash against Taylor Fritz. The Serb secured a four-set victory to reach the semifinal. The 44-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2020, was seen enjoying the second men’s singles quarterfinal in New York. Businessman Hitesh Sanghvi later shared a picture with Dhoni along with a clip from Djokovic’s match on his Instagram account. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hitesh Sanghvi (@hitesh412740) Djokovic Advances to Semifinals, Sets Clash with Alcaraz Djokovic defeated Fritz 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to continue his impressive run at 38, having now reached at least the semifinal in all four majors this season. Next up is Carlos Alcaraz, whom he beat for Olympic gold in Paris last year and eliminated in the Australian Open quarterfinals earlier this year. Djokovic holds a 5-3 head-to-head record against the 22-year-old, who has now made his ninth Grand Slam semifinal—second only to Rafael Nadal’s 10 before turning 23. US Open: Meanwhile, in Indian cricket, an old interview of Irfan Pathan resurfaced, where he recalled a communication gap with MS Dhoni during the 2008 Australia series. Pathan revealed he confronted Dhoni after media reports claimed the captain was unhappy with his bowling, despite his belief that he had performed well. He further added, “I don’t have a habit of setting up hookah in someone’s room or talking about this. Everyone knows. Sometimes if you don’t speak about it, it’s better. A cricketer’s job is to perform on the field and that is what I used to focus on.” Although Dhoni has not addressed the claims, Pathan later reacted on X, posting: “Half decade old video surfacing NOW with a twisted context to the Statement. Fan war? PR lobby?” Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Sanju Samson Earns New Batting Spot in India’s Asia Cup XI; Gautam Gambhir Suggests Replacing Tilak Varma
Gautam Gambhir has been advised to provide Sanju Samson with a consistent opportunity at No. 3 in the Asia Cup, with Mohammad Kaif highlighting that Samson is the squad’s most experienced player. Kaif Backs Sanju Samson for India’s No. 3 Spot Ahead of Asia Cup 2025 Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes Sanju Samson deserves to play at No. 3 ahead of Tilak Varma in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. India will begin their campaign on September 10 against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Suryakumar Yadav-led side faces several key selection decisions. With Shubman Gill included as vice-captain, it is almost certain that the 25-year-old will open alongside Abhishek Sharma. This leaves Samson’s role in the balance. Over the past year, the right-hander has opened the batting alongside Abhishek, smashing three T20I centuries—one against Bangladesh and two against South Africa. Sanju Samson has also been in strong form in the Kerala Cricket League. Initially batting lower down the order in the T20 competition, he struggled in his first two games before returning as an opener, which saw him start scoring freely. However, dropping Tilak Varma won’t be straightforward. The left-handed youngster has impressed at No. 3 for India in T20Is, including back-to-back centuries against South Africa last year. This leaves the management with a selection headache ahead of the Asia Cup. “Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will open in the Asia Cup. For the No. 3 spot, I feel Tilak Varma is a youngster and can wait for his turn. Sanju is an experienced batter, and he could be groomed by giving him consistent opportunities at No. 3. There is a World Cup after six months, and he deserves a chance,” Kaif said in a video shared on his Instagram account. Samson best bet against Rashid Khan Kaif believes that if India faces a team like Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, Sanju Samson would be the ideal choice to take on a bowler like Rashid Khan, thanks to his ability to strike maximums down the ground. “He is among the top 10 six-hitters in the IPL. That’s why I believe when Rashid Khan comes to bowl in the middle overs, there cannot be a better player against him than Sanju, as he can hit sixes down the ground,” Kaif said. He added, “South Africa has one of the toughest conditions for batting, and he has hit two centuries as an opener there. He plays both pace and spin well, and in the IPL, he scores 400-500 runs every year.” The former India batter also highlighted Samson’s recent form, saying he would be hard to ignore in the upcoming eight-team tournament, which begins September 9 with the opening match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. “Do you know that Sanju Samson is the most senior member of this Asia Cup squad? He made his debut in 2015 and was part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2024 in Barbados,” Kaif said. “He didn’t get to play much then, but when he did, he scored runs for fun with a 180 strike rate. He scored almost 450 runs. He has been scoring consistently in the Kerala Cricket League and is in fine form,” he added. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
‘Virat Kohli toured Australia…’: Root faces harsh reality check as England legend hints at looming retirement
Citing Virat Kohli’s example, a former England cricketer suggested that a poor Ashes campaign might push Joe Root toward Test retirement. Joe Root Still Chasing First Test Century in Australia Over the years, Joe Root has cemented his status as England’s premier Test batter. Yet, one milestone continues to elude him—a century in Australia. In 27 innings Down Under, Root has amassed 892 runs at an average of 35.68, including nine fifties. On three occasions, he crossed 80 but failed to convert those starts into three figures. Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes the upcoming Ashes series could be a defining moment for Root’s career. Drawing a parallel with Virat Kohli, Panesar warned that another poor campaign might even push Root towards Test retirement. England legend uses Virat Kohli’s example Speaking to IndiaToday.in, former England spinner Monty Panesar said Joe Root’s career could hinge on his performance in next year’s Ashes. Panesar drew comparisons with Virat Kohli, recalling how the Indian great struggled in Australia against deliveries outside the off-stump—a phase that eventually played a role in his Test retirement. “It really depends how next year goes for him, how the Ashes go… If Joe Root doesn’t have a good Ashes series and it goes really bad for him, suddenly all it takes is one series. People begin questioning, is he past his best? England could even lose their coach or captain if the series is disastrous,” Panesar remarked. Looking ahead, Panesar admitted that Root faces an uphill challenge in securing his first century in Australia. He pointed to the hosts’ formidable attack, calling it “one of the strongest bowling units we’ve seen.” However, he added that Root might find an opening on less lively tracks at venues like Adelaide or Melbourne. “If there’s a pitch without too much bounce or pace, he has a chance. But on anything quick or bouncy, it’ll be very difficult for him,” Panesar concluded. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Arshdeep Singh Opens Up on India vs England Ordeal: “I Spoke to Siraj… He Gave Me This…”
Arshdeep Singh faces strong competition for a spot in India’s Asia Cup playing XI, with Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana already included in the squad. Arshdeep Singh Misses England Tests but Prepares for Asia Cup Arshdeep Singh did not play in India’s recent five-match Test series in England, despite injuries to several pacers and Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management. His situation worsened when a left thumb injury ruled him out of the fourth and fifth Tests. Currently, Arshdeep is representing North Zone in the Duleep Trophy clash against East Zone in Bengaluru. After the tournament, he will head to the UAE to join India’s squad for the Asia Cup. Arshdeep Singh Reflects on Learning Patience and Enjoying the Boring Phases in Red-Ball Cricket Opening up on his recent struggles on the sidelines of the ongoing Duleep Trophy, Arshdeep Singh said, “Mentally, in the last two months, I have learnt how to enjoy the boring time. In Test cricket or red-ball matches, there is a time when the work gets boring. Like the session after lunch, the ball doesn’t do anything… how can you enjoy that?” He credited Mohammed Siraj for motivating him: “I spoke to Siraj, he told me that when nothing is happening, how you enjoy that phase will tell you how successful you can be in red-ball cricket. He gave me this small tip and I really liked it. The same thing happened here. They (East Zone) were just down four wickets and the ball wasn’t doing anything. So, that was the main motive… how to enjoy each other’s company. That’s how the results came.” Arshdeep will face stiff competition for a place in India’s Asia Cup playing XI, with Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya all in contention. Pandya, in particular, will play a key role in India’s ambitions at the continental tournament. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!