Green Park Stadium's Future in Doubt as BCCI Raises Concerns

Green Park Stadium’s Future in Doubt as BCCI Raises Concerns

Green Park Stadium’s Future in Jeopardy as BCCI Questions Hosting Capabilities

Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium, a historic Test venue in India, faces an uncertain future as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expresses concerns about its hosting capabilities. Sources within the BCCI have revealed that senior Indian players have expressed reluctance to play at the venue due to its outdated facilities.

With the state-of-the-art Ekana Stadium in Lucknow and a new international stadium planned for Varanasi, Green Park faces stiff competition for hosting international matches. The BCCI has been made aware of the concerns raised by the Indian team management, who prefer to play in Lucknow with its superior facilities.

The Green Park Stadium, built in 1949, has a charming old-world charm but lacks modern amenities. For the ongoing Test match between India and Bangladesh, one of the stands has been deemed unsafe for full capacity seating. Structural issues with a floodlight tower and questionable hygiene and maintenance standards have also raised concerns.

“The stadium in Varanasi should be ready well before the T20 World Cup in India in 2026,” said a BCCI source. “Green Park needs an overhaul and better management. The BCCI can’t really say when the next international match will be played here.”

Despite the challenges, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is making efforts to attract spectators to the Test match. They have invited families of martyred soldiers to attend the match and plant saplings in their honor as part of a go-green initiative.

The future of Green Park Stadium remains uncertain as the BCCI weighs its hosting capabilities against the availability of more modern venues. The stadium’s rich history and nostalgic charm may not be enough to secure its place in the international cricket calendar.

Pickleball Goes Hollywood: Andy Roddick to Star in Comedy “The Dink”

Pickleball, the rapidly growing sport, is making its way to the silver screen with the upcoming comedy “The Dink.” Former tennis world No. 1 Andy Roddick will make his big screen debut in the film, which stars Jake Johnson as a washed-up tennis pro forced to play pickleball to save a club in crisis.

The film, produced by Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films, also features Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris in supporting roles. Josh Greenbaum will direct the film, with Rivulet Films also producing. Filming is set to begin in Los Angeles this November.

The news of “The Dink” has raised questions about whether it will have the same impact on pickleball as the Zendaya-led “Challengers” had on tennis this year. After the release of “Challengers,” searches for “adult tennis lessons” increased by 245% worldwide, and the film generated award show buzz.

Pickleball, already the fastest growing sport in the USA, is expected to gain even more popularity as “The Dink” introduces the sport to a wider audience. The film’s release is likely to spark a surge in interest in pickleball, similar to the “tenniscore” trend that emerged after “Challengers.”

With its accessible gameplay and social nature, pickleball has attracted a diverse range of players, including celebrities like Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Tom Brady. The sport’s popularity has led to the construction of new courts and the formation of leagues and tournaments across the country.

“The Dink” is poised to further fuel the pickleball craze by showcasing the sport’s humor, competitiveness, and inclusivity. The film’s star-studded cast and the involvement of experienced producers like Ben Stiller suggest that “The Dink” has the potential to become a cultural phenomenon and introduce pickleball to a new generation of fans.

IOC, Railways Advance to Semifinals of MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey

IOC, Railways Advance to Semifinals of MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey

Indian Oil, Railways Secure Semifinal Berths in MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Indian Railways, the defending champions, have secured their places in the semifinals of the 95th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup All-India hockey tournament.

IOC, despite fielding a weakened team due to viral fever affecting four key players, managed to draw 5-5 with NCOE, Bhopal in a Pool-B contest. The former champion remains the leader in its group.

Meanwhile, Indian Railways displayed their dominance in Pool-A, thrashing Tamil Nadu 5-0. The defending champion will face Odisha in the semifinals, while IOC will take on Army.

IOC’s Draw with NCOE

IOC’s decision to rest its key players was evident in their performance on the field. The team struggled to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities. NCOE took advantage of this and scored through Sadiq Mohd., Pawan Kumar Jaat (2), Faraz Md., and Parmod.

However, IOC showed resilience and managed to equalize each time. Roshan Minz, Affan Yousuf, Talwinder Singh, Sumit Kumar, and Manpreet scored for the former champion.

Railways’ Dominant Victory

In contrast to IOC’s struggles, Indian Railways played with authority against Tamil Nadu. Pardeep Singh and Aditya Singh scored early goals to give Railways a comfortable lead. Shivam Anan, Affan Yousuf, and Pardeep Singh added to the tally in the second half.

Tamil Nadu failed to create any significant chances and was unable to penetrate Railways’ defense.

Semifinal Matchups

The semifinals will be held on Saturday, September 28. Indian Railways will face Odisha, while IOC will take on Army. The winners of these matches will advance to the final on Sunday, September 29.

Indian Tennis Duo Bollipalli and Kadhe Advance to Challenger Semifinals

Indian Tennis Duo Bollipalli and Kadhe Advance to Challenger Semifinals

Top-seeded Indian tennis duo Rithvik Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe advanced to the semifinals of the $133,250 Challenger tournament in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Thursday. The pair defeated Gabriel Diallo of Canada and Seita Watanabe of Japan 7-6(3), 7-6(5) in a hard-fought doubles quarterfinal.

Bollipalli and Kadhe displayed their resilience and determination throughout the match. In the first set, they faced a tough challenge from their opponents, who pushed them to a tiebreaker. However, the Indian duo remained composed and secured the set with a 7-3 victory in the tiebreaker.

The second set was equally competitive, with both teams trading blows. Once again, the match went into a tiebreaker, where Bollipalli and Kadhe showcased their superior skills and closed out the set 7-5.

Their victory sets up a semifinal clash against Toshihide Matsui of Japan and Ramkumar Ramanathan, who defeated Alejandro Moro Canas of Spain and Marco Trungelliti of Argentina 6-3, 6-4 in the other quarterfinal.

In other results from the tournament, Max Houkes of the Netherlands defeated Siddhant Banthia of India 6-2, 6-0 in the singles pre-quarterfinals. Adil Kalyanpur overcame Bharath Kumaran 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, while Karan Singh edged out Denis Spiridon of Italy 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-4.

In the doubles quarterfinals, Siddhant Banthia and Sai Karteek Reddy defeated Guy Iradukunda of Burundi and Mohamed Safwat of Egypt 6-3, 6-4. Aryan Lakshmanan and Roland Stuurman of the Netherlands beat Nikita Ianin and Grigoriy Lomakin of Kazakhstan 7-6(3), 7-6(5).

Dwayne Bravo Retires from Cricket, Ends Illustrious T20 Career

Dwayne Bravo Retires from Cricket, Ends Illustrious T20 Career

Dwayne Bravo, the legendary all-rounder, has bid farewell to cricket after a glittering career spanning over two decades. The 41-year-old, who holds the record for most T20 wickets, announced his retirement on Instagram, citing physical limitations.

Bravo’s international career ended in 2021, and he stepped away from the IPL last year. However, he continued to play in various T20 leagues around the world, including the CPL, where he was the most decorated player with five titles.

In his retirement post, Bravo expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout his career. He acknowledged that his body could no longer withstand the rigors of the game, and he did not want to compromise his performance or let down his teammates.

Bravo’s retirement marks the end of an era in T20 cricket. He was known for his exceptional bowling skills, particularly his variations and ability to bowl at the death. He also contributed with the bat, often playing crucial cameos in the lower order.

Beyond his on-field achievements, Bravo was also a respected leader and mentor. He played a key role in nurturing young players, such as Dominic Drakes and Ali Khan, who have gone on to become stars in their own right.

Bravo’s retirement leaves a void in the world of cricket. He was a true entertainer and a role model for aspiring cricketers. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

IPL 2025 to Feature 74 Matches, Prioritizing Player Workload

IPL 2025 to Feature 74 Matches, Prioritizing Player Workload

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has decided to maintain the number of matches at 74 for the 2025 season, despite initially planning for 84 matches. This decision is primarily driven by the need to manage the workload of Indian international players, who are expected to participate in the World Test Championship final in June 2025.

The IPL has been a major success since its inception in 2008, attracting a massive fan base and becoming one of the richest sporting leagues in the world. In 2022, the media rights for the 2023-27 cycle were sold for a staggering INR 48,390.5 crore (USD 6.2 billion approx.).

The number of matches in the IPL has varied over the years, with 74 matches being played in the last three seasons. However, the IPL had initially planned to increase the number of matches to 84 in 2025 and 2026, and 94 in 2027.

The decision to reduce the number of matches in 2025 is a significant departure from the original plan. It reflects the BCCI’s commitment to player welfare and the recognition that the increased number of matches could put undue strain on the players.

The IPL dates for the 2025 season have not yet been finalized, but the window is likely to stretch between mid-March and the last week of May. The IPL will determine the number of matches in the special package (package C) based on the total number of games in a season.

The special package includes the tournament opener, weekend evening matches, and the four playoffs, including the final. The opening match and the playoffs will be mandatory, while the IPL will decide which evening matches from the double-headers will be included in this package.

With 74 matches in a season, the special package will have 18 matches. If there are more than 74 matches in a season, the special package matches will rise by two for every ten additional matches.

Hampshire Dominate Somerset with Abbott and Dawson's Bowling Masterclass

Hampshire Dominate Somerset with Abbott and Dawson’s Bowling Masterclass

Hampshire’s quest for second place in the Vitality County Championship received a significant boost as they dismantled Somerset for a paltry 136 on the opening day of their final Division One encounter at Taunton. Kyle Abbott and Liam Dawson wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming four wickets apiece.

Somerset’s batting woes began early as Tom Lammonby and Andy Umeed departed cheaply to Abbott. Tom Abell’s brief resistance ended when Mohammad Abbas bowled him for 10. Tom Kohler-Cadmore emerged as the lone bright spot, launching his innings with a flurry of boundaries.

Dawson’s introduction proved pivotal as he trapped Archie Vaughan and James Rew leg before wicket. Kasey Aldridge’s struggles against Dawson culminated in another lbw dismissal. Lewis Gregory and Kohler-Cadmore briefly steadied the ship, but Dawson struck again to remove Gregory.

Kohler-Cadmore reached his half-century, but his resistance ended when he was caught behind off Abbott. Shoaib Bashir’s brief stay at the crease ended in an lbw dismissal, leaving Somerset all out for 136.

Hampshire’s reply got off to a shaky start as Alfie Ogborne dismissed Fletcha Middleton. Nick Gubbins and James Vince fell to Gregory and Leach, respectively. Leach continued his impressive spell by removing Tom Prest and Dawson.

Despite the setbacks, Hampshire closed the day on 62 for 5, with Toby Albert unbeaten on 38. Somerset now face an uphill battle to overtake Hampshire and finish second behind champions Surrey.

England's Josh Hull Ruled Out of Pakistan Test Tour with Quad Injury

England’s Josh Hull Ruled Out of Pakistan Test Tour with Quad Injury

Josh Hull, the promising Leicestershire left-arm seamer, has been ruled out of England’s Test tour of Pakistan due to a persistent quad injury. The 20-year-old sustained the niggle during his debut in the final Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval.

Initially, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) believed Hull had sufficient time to recover and withdrew him from the limited-overs series against Australia. However, the injury has lingered, forcing the decision to exclude him from the three-Test series in Pakistan.

England will not call up a replacement and will travel to Pakistan with a 16-man squad on October 1. The first Test in Multan commences on October 7.

Hull’s selection for the tour was intended to accelerate his development as a unique asset for England’s bowling attack. Standing at 6ft7in, his left-arm angle and ability to swing the ball into right-handers offer a distinct skillset.

After impressing in a tour match against Sri Lanka, Hull was drafted into the squad following Mark Wood’s injury in the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford. His strong performances in training caught the attention of head coach Brendon McCullum and bowling consultant James Anderson, leading to his surprise debut at The Oval.

Hull displayed glimpses of his potential, taking 3 for 53 in the first innings. However, he failed to claim any wickets in the second innings as Sri Lanka chased down 219 to inflict England’s only Test defeat of the summer.

The match marked Hull’s 11th first-class appearance, a season in which he had managed only two wickets in three Division Two appearances for Leicestershire, at a high average of 182.50.

It remains uncertain whether Hull would have featured in Pakistan or if he will be included in the tour to New Zealand. The ECB will monitor his recovery closely.

IOA Standoff over CEO Appointment Delays Olympic Bid Dialogue

IOA Standoff over CEO Appointment Delays Olympic Bid Dialogue

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has hit a roadblock in its bid to host the 2036 Olympics, as the executive council (EC) has refused to ratify the appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer. This decision has created a standoff with IOA president PT Usha, who believes the move will hinder India’s dialogue with the IOC’s Future Host Commission (FHC).

Usha emphasized that without a CEO, the IOC will not engage in discussions regarding the 2036 Olympics. She stated that the appointment of Iyer in January had led to two meetings with the FHC, but now the process is at a standstill.

During the crucial EC meeting, 12 members expressed their concerns about Iyer’s nomination and the agenda was put to vote. The minutes of the meeting, signed by all EC members except Usha, indicate that 12 members voted against the ratification of the CEO.

The EC members raised objections to Iyer’s pay package of ₹20 lakh per month and called for a reinitiation of the appointment process with new terms of reference. They expect the process to be completed within two months.

Usha left the meeting after the vote, while the members decided that Joint Secretary Kalyan Chaubey would continue as acting CEO until a new CEO is appointed.

Usha expressed her disappointment with the EC’s decision, stating that the members had initially agreed to negotiate Iyer’s salary but later changed their stance. She also questioned the EC’s authority to include the discussion in the meeting minutes, as she had left the meeting.

The IOC representative in the meeting, Jerome Poivey, stated that the matter was an internal issue for the IOA and that the IOC had no specific views on the matter.

An EC member questioned the interest of the CEO in continuing with the IOA despite the board’s refusal to ratify his appointment. The member emphasized that the appointment of a new CEO should not take more than two months.

India’s bid for the 2030 Youth Olympics and 2036 Summer Olympics is facing delays due to the turmoil within the IOA. The FHC engages in discussions with nations interested in hosting the Olympics before finalizing the bid and candidates. The IOC has stressed the importance of a strong NOC for a successful bidding process.

Lalit Modi Slams ECB’s Hundred Projections as “Disconnected from Reality”

Lalit Modi, the visionary behind the Indian Premier League (IPL), has cast doubt on the financial viability of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Hundred tournament. In a scathing post on social media, Modi leaked confidential financial projections and team valuations, accusing the ECB of being “disconnected from reality.”

Modi’s intervention comes as the ECB seeks private investment for the Hundred, which has faced delays in securing equity sales. Despite Modi’s initial interest in the tournament, he now dismisses the ECB’s projections as “dangerously overambitious and unsustainable.”

Modi acknowledges the potential growth of the ECB’s domestic TV rights but questions the Hundred’s international appeal. He argues that the tournament faces stiff competition from established leagues like the IPL, Caribbean Premier League, and Major League Cricket.

“The Hundred’s teams are projected to be worth a mere £5 million to £25 million in the best-case scenario,” Modi wrote. “Worse still, it struggles to match even the Caribbean Premier League’s profitability.”

Modi’s criticism is significant as he played a pivotal role in revolutionizing T20 cricket with the IPL. The IPL’s media rights recently fetched a record US$6.2 billion, making it the world’s second-most valuable sports league on a per-game basis.

The ECB has anticipated pushback on its financial projections but points to Modi’s previous interest as proof of concept. However, Modi’s latest comments raise concerns about the Hundred’s long-term viability.

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