Tensions rise as Rajasthan Royals reject allegations of match tampering and collusion made by RCA ad hoc committee convener Jaydeep Bihani following a narrow IPL 2025 loss.

Rajasthan Royals refute match-fixing allegations by RCA's Jaydeep Bihani

Tensions rise as Rajasthan Royals reject allegations of match tampering and collusion made by RCA ad hoc committee convener Jaydeep Bihani following a narrow IPL 2025 loss.

A fresh controversy has erupted between the Rajasthan Royals and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) following comments made by Jaydeep Bihani, convener of the RCA's ad hoc committee, in the aftermath of the Royals' narrow 2-run defeat to the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.&nbsp;
Bihani cast doubt on the legitimacy of the result, even implying the possibility of match tampering.
Reacting strongly to the allegations, the Rajasthan Royals have lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Minister, Sports Minister, and Sports Secretary, urging them to take appropriate action against Bihani.
Deep Roy, a senior official with the franchise, firmly denied the accusations, calling them &ldquo;false, baseless, and without any evidence.&rdquo;
Bihani&rsquo;s statement did not just question the outcome of the match&mdash;it went further, accusing the Rajasthan Royals, Rajasthan Sports Council, and the BCCI of working together to exclude the RCA&rsquo;s ad hoc committee from all IPL-related matters.
The Royals management responded with a firm rebuttal: &ldquo;We reject all allegations made by the convener of the ad hoc committee. Such public statements are not only misleading but have caused serious damage to the reputation and credibility of Rajasthan Royals, Royal Multi Sport Private Limited (RMPL), the Rajasthan Sports Council, and the BCCI. They also tarnish the integrity of cricket.&rdquo;
The franchise highlighted its long-standing association with both the state government and the cricketing authorities, pointing to nearly two decades of collaboration. They reaffirmed that all operations are in line with BCCI protocols, under which the Rajasthan Sports Council currently holds the rights to host IPL matches in Jaipur.
According to the Royals, the tournament is being managed in coordination with the Council and the BCCI, under the state government's oversight, to ensure its smooth execution. Meanwhile, Bihani emphasized that the RCA has a history of successfully hosting ICC-BCCI international fixtures in the state.
However, he accused the Sports Council of undermining the RCA&rsquo;s role, stating that &ldquo;The State Sports Council kept the RCA ad hoc committee away from organising the IPL. They did not even make accreditation cards for the members related to the event,&rdquo; and alleged that &ldquo;the Sports Council is conspiring against sports interests by keeping the ad hoc committee formed by the government away from the IPL match being held in Jaipur.&rdquo;

Harsha Bhogle addresses rumors linking his IPL absence to a CAB complaint, emphasizing pre-set schedules instead.

Harsha Bhogle Clarifies IPL Match Absence

Harsha Bhogle refutes claims of IPL absence due to CAB's complaint. He mentions his pre-scheduled commentary duties as the reason.

Harsha Bhogle dismisses rumors about his IPL absence, citing scheduled duties, not CAB's complaint over pitch criticism.

Noted commentator Harsha Bhogle has rejected speculation that he was kept away from the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans on Monday due to a complaint by the Cricket Association of Bengal, insisting that he was only empanelled for two games in Kolkata, which are over.
His clarification came a day after the CAB's letter to the BCCI, sent about 10 days ago by its secretary Naresh Ojha, was revealed in media reports. In the letter, the body asked for the removal of Bhogle and New Zealand's Simon Doull from the commentary panel for matches in Kolkata after they stated that the Eden Gardens pitch was not helping the local franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.
"There are some inappropriate conclusions being drawn about why I wasn't at yesterday's game in Kolkata. Quite simply, it wasn't on the list of matches I was down to do!" Bhogle posted on 'X'.
"Asking me would have resolved the issue. Rosters are done before the tournament starts. I was rostered for two games in Kolkata. I was there for the first and an illness in the family prevented me from being at the 2nd," he added without specifying the games.
KKR played against Gujarat Titans at the Eden Gardens on Monday and lost by 39 runs.
Both KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit have demanded a more spin friendly track at the venue and expressed their frustration at not being given a track that suits their attack featuring Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Moeen Ali.
After the CAB threw its weight behind curator Sujan Mukherjee, Doull had suggested that KKR should look for a new base given that Mukherjee was not fulfilling the team's requirements.
Bhogle had also stated that KKR deserved to have the home advantage.

The Laureus World Sports Awards celebrated achievers like Mondo Duplantis and Simone Biles. Real Madrid and Rafael Nadal were also among the honorees.

Mondo Duplantis Simone Biles Shine at Laureus Awards

At the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, Mondo Duplantis and Simone Biles were top honorees. Real Madrid won Team of the Year, and Rafael Nadal was honored for his tennis legacy.

In Madrid, Mondo Duplantis and Simone Biles win top honors at the Laureus World Sports Awards. Real Madrid takes Team of the Year, and Rafael Nadal receives a special tribute.

Star pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, while American gymnast Simone Biles bagged the top women's honour at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony here on Monday.
The 25-year-old Duplantis, regarded as the greatest pole vaulter of all time, was fourth-time lucky after being nominated in each of the past three years. He became only the second track-and-field athlete after four-time winner Usain Bolt to claim the prestigious award.
Duplantis won his second World Indoor Championship gold medal in March and broke his own world record for a remarkable ninth time in 2024 en route to Olympic gold in Paris.
The Swede-American gained more votes than Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (Tennis), France's L&eacute;on Marchand (Swimming), Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar (Cycling) and Netherlands' Max Verstappen (Motor Racing).
"I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in the sporting capital of Madrid and to have the great Usain Bolt pay tribute to me..." he said.
Biles, who returned to action after a break, clinched three gold and one silver medal in a stunning comeback at the Paris Olympics to claim her fourth Laureus award -- equalling the record held by Serena Williams. Both the athletes also have one Comeback of the Year honour.
"I'm so happy to be here in Madrid and to receive my fourth Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award," said Biles, who topped the polls ahead of Spain's Aitana Bonmati (Football), Netherlands' Sifan Hassan (Athletics), Kenya's Faith Kipyegon (Athletics), USA's Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Athletics) and Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis).
Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade got the Comeback of the Year award for her inspirational return from a series of career-threatening injuries. Andrade, who contemplated quitting after three ACL injuries, made a triumphant return by winning gold in the floor exercise at the Paris Games.
"This beautiful Laureus Statuette represents a huge amount of hard work, of struggle and pain, and also great happiness," she said.
She surpassed Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant, USA's Caeleb Dressel (Swimming), Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami (Alpine Skiing), Spain's Marc Marquez (Motor Cycling) and Australian Ariarne Titmus (Swimming).
Real Madrid were adjudged Laureus World Team of the Year following a dominant campaign that saw them win La Liga for a record 36th time, clinch their 15th UEFA Champions League title, and defeat Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana.
They also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup early in the 2024-25 season, making Carlo Ancelotti the most decorated manager in the club's history.
Tennis great Rafael Nadal was conferred the Laureus Sporting Icon Award in a year he announced his retirement from professional tennis.
'Back in 2006 I won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award in Barcelona... Tennis and sports in general has given me so much...," Nadal said.
Tom Pidcock won the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award for his dramatic Olympic mountain bike cross country gold. After suffering a puncture, the British cyclist fought back to overtake home favourite Victor Koretsky in the final stages.
Pidcock became the fourth British cyclist to win the award after Jamie Bestwick (2014), Rachel Atherton (2017) and Beth Shriver (2022).
Paralympic swimmer Jiang Yuyan won the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award after claiming seven gold medals from as many events.
Teen football sensation Lamine Yamal received the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. The Spanish winger became the youngest player to score and feature in a European Championship final and was named the tournament's Best Young Player.
Kelly Slater, widely considered the greatest surfer of all time, received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. Slater is a four-time winner of the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award and an 11-time World Surf League champion.
The full list of Winners is:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award: Mondo Duplantis Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Simone Biles Laureus World Team of the Year Award: Real Madrid Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Lamine Yamal Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award: Rebeca Andrade Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Jiang Yuyan Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: Tom Pidcock Laureus Sport for Good Award: Kick4Life Laureus Sporting Icon Award: Rafael Nadal Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Kelly Slater.

Rajasthan Royals are under scrutiny after a narrow defeat to Lucknow Super Giants, with RCA's Jaideep Bihani alleging possible match-fixing.

IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals face match-fixing allegations after loss to LSG

Rajasthan Royals are under scrutiny after a narrow defeat to Lucknow Super Giants, with RCA's Jaideep Bihani alleging possible match-fixing.

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have landed in fresh controversy after a shocking two-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 36 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.&nbsp;
With nine runs required off the final over and six wickets in hand, the Sanju Samson-led side collapsed dramatically at their home ground in Jaipur, sparking allegations of foul play.
Jaideep Bihani, convenor of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee, raised serious concerns over the nature of RR&rsquo;s defeat. In an interview with News18 Rajasthan, Bihani alleged that there may have been match-fixing involved.&nbsp;
He recalled the franchise&rsquo;s tainted history, referring to the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal that led to the arrest of players and a two-year suspension for the team due to betting charges involving co-owner Raj Kundra.
Bihani stated, &ldquo;On the home ground, how did they lose when requiring so few runs in the final over?&rdquo; He called on the BCCI and relevant investigative agencies to probe the match.
The controversy doesn't end there. Bihani also claimed that the Rajasthan Cricket Association was sidelined from IPL hosting duties under &ldquo;baseless excuses.&rdquo; According to him, although the BCCI initially sent the hosting correspondence to RCA, the Rajasthan Sports Council and Rajasthan Royals took over, citing a lack of a formal MoU with the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. He questioned the rationale: &ldquo;If MoU is not there, so what? Aren&rsquo;t you paying Sports Council for every match?&rdquo;
He added that the ad hoc committee, appointed by the state government, had received its fifth extension due to successful administration. &ldquo;During our tenure, we&rsquo;ve conducted all competitions successfully right from the district level to the national level. However, as soon as the time for hosting IPL came, the Sports Council took control of it,&rdquo; Bihani said.
This is not the first time RR has choked under pressure this season. In another earlier match against Delhi Capitals, the Royals failed to score nine runs in the last over despite having seven wickets in hand and eventually lost in a Super Over. Following four consecutive defeats, they now sit eighth in the points table, with just two wins from eight matches and four points overall.
Their most recent defeat on April 19 in Jaipur also witnessed a significant IPL moment&mdash;14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his debut, becoming the youngest player in the history of the league. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson was absent due to injury, and is expected to miss the next fixture as well.
Under the guidance of head coach Rahul Dravid, RR now faces mounting pressure both on and off the field. They will next take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 24 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

Shubman Gill's 90 and Sai Sudharsan's 52 set the foundation for Gujarat Titans' 39-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna led a disciplined bowling effort, restricting KKR to 159/8.

IPL 2025: Gill's grace, Rashid's resurgence propel Gujarat Titans to commanding win over KKR

Shubman Gill's 90 and Sai Sudharsan's 52 set the foundation for Gujarat Titans' 39-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna led a disciplined bowling effort, restricting KKR to 159/8.

Skipper Shubman Gill's elegant 90 off 55 balls on a challenging Eden Gardens pitch was complemented well by a disciplined bowling from Gujarat Titans as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders succumbed to a 39-run loss in an IPL match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.
Gill's innings, adorned with 10 fours and three sixes, along with Sai Sudharsan's 36-ball 52, his fifth fifty in six matches, that made him the first player this season to surpass 400 runs to reclaim the Orange Cap, laid the foundation for GT's total of 198 for 3 after KKR opted to bowl on tacky track.
The total, which was well calculated and strategised by GT, proved more than enough as GT bowlers led brilliantly by Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna's identical figures of 2/25 restricted KKR to 159 for 8.
It was yet another low for the defending champions after their horror show of 95 all out while chasing 112 in the last match as their batting looked woefully out of depth and succumbed to their third defeat in four matches at home, and fifth overall from eight games.
For GT, this victory marked their sixth win in eight matches, consolidating their position at the top of the IPL standings with 12 points, two clear of Delhi Capitals.
KKR's chase faltered early as Mohammed Siraj removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 1 in the opening over.
Sunil Narine's brief 17-run cameo ended with his dismissal by Rashid, who found his mojo back after an indifferent start to the season.
The wily Afghan spinner, who had been under scrutiny for his recent performances, delivered a tight spell beautifully exploiting the conditions to return with 2/25 including the prized scalp of Andre Russell (21; 15b).
His control and variations on the slow Eden pitch signaled a return to form. He showcased his prowess by conceding just five runs in his two-over spell.
In-form seamer seamer Prasidh also showed his magic in the back-end as he dismissed Ramandeep Singh (1) and Moeen Ali (0) in successive balls as it was all but over for KKR at 119 for 7 in 16.3 overs.
KKR's innings stagnated during the middle overs, with Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer struggling to accelerate against GT's spinners in a phase where for 36 balls they failed to get a boundary.
Sai Kishore's economical 1/19 in three overs further tightened the screws, leading to Rahane's stumping for 50 off the bowling of Washington Sundar (1/36 in three overs) and Iyer's departure for 14 from 19 balls. Requiring 108 runs from the final 45 balls, KKR's hopes rested on Russell and Rinku Singh. However, the mounting required run rate proved insurmountable against GT's disciplined attack.
Earlier, opting to bowl, KKR's bowlers faced an early onslaught as Gill (90 off 55) and Sudharsan (53 off 38) forged a 114-run opening stand.
Sudharsan's consistent form earned him the Orange Cap, becoming the first player this season to surpass 400 runs.
Jos Buttler, entering with momentum from a previous unbeaten 97, was contained to an unbeaten 41 off 23 balls, unable to find the boundary ropes as expected but GT managed to score a par score on this challenging conditions.

Sanju Samson's injury sidelines him for the IPL 2025 match against RCB. Riyan Parag takes charge, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi opening. RR monitors his recovery closely as they navigate the tournament.

Sanju Samson Injury: RR vs RCB Update

Rajasthan Royals' captain, Sanju Samson, will miss the IPL 2025 match against RCB due to a side strain injury. Riyan Parag will lead the team, while Vaibhav Suryavanshi opens alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. RR monitors Samson's progress closely.

Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson will miss the IPL 2025 clash against RCB due to injury. Riyan Parag steps in as captain, while Vaibhav Suryavanshi continues at the top order. RR monitors Samson's recovery closely.

Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson is set to miss the upcoming IPL 2025 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru due to a side strain injury. The franchise announced that Samson will remain in Jaipur for recovery, under the supervision of select RR medical staff, and will not be traveling to Bengaluru.
The injury was sustained during a match against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where Samson retired hurt after scoring a brisk 31 off 19 balls. RR eventually lost that contest in a nail-biting Super Over.
A statement from the franchise on Monday stated that team management is closely monitoring Samson's progress and will decide on his participation on a game-by-game basis. As a result, Riyan Parag, who has captained the team in Samson's absence for four games, will lead the side against Rajat Patidar's RCB at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday.
With Samson unavailable, the left-handed batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi will continue to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Suryavanshi, who made history as the youngest player to feature in the tournament at age 14, played during RR's narrow two-run defeat to Lucknow Super Giants at Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Sanju Samson, presently the second-highest run-getter for RR in IPL 2025, has accumulated 224 runs in seven innings with an impressive average of 37.33. He, along with Riyan Parag and the team's top scorer Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has amassed 307 runs in eight innings, are the only three RR batters to have crossed the 200-run mark this season.
Currently, Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural IPL champions of 2008, find themselves in eighth position on the IPL 2025 points table, with four points. They hold a slight advantage over Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad due to a better net run rate.

Ayush Mhatre, at just 17, made a striking IPL debut for CSK against MI, scoring 32 runs off just 15 balls with impressive boundary shots.

Ayush Mhatre Impresses on IPL Debut with 32 Runs

Chennai Super Kings' Ayush Mhatre, at 17, made a sensational IPL debut against Mumbai Indians, scoring 32 off 15 balls. His performance included powerful boundary hits and garnered praise from team captain MS Dhoni, marking him as a promising talent in cricket.

Ayush Mhatre, at 17, dazzled on his IPL debut for CSK against MI, scoring 32 off 15 balls and impressing with his boundary-hitting prowess.

Chennai Super Kings' young prodigy, Ayush Mhatre, made headlines with a stunning performance at the Wankhede Stadium during his IPL debut against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday. Stepping in as an injury replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad, the 17-year-old marked his presence in the Indian Premier League with an explosive innings, scoring 32 off just 15 deliveries.
His innings was studded with four boundaries and two towering sixes, leaving a lasting impression on those watching, including CSK's iconic captain, MS Dhoni, who was seen smiling appreciatively from the dressing room.
At 17 years and 278 days, Mhatre became the youngest player to don the Super Kings jersey, surpassing Abhinav Mukund, who debuted at 18 years and 139 days back in 2008 against the Rajasthan Royals.
Mhatre's debut came when Chennai found themselves in a precarious position after the early dismissal of Rachin Ravindra. With the momentum slipping, Mhatre injected energy into the innings with his aggressive batting, providing CSK a much-needed boost. His intent was clear from the outset, dispatching his second ball for a boundary soon after Ravindra's exit at the hands of young seamer Ashwani Kumar.
Unfazed, Mhatre continued to attack Ashwani, culminating in a massive hit over the boundary. Attempting to tame the youngster, Ashwani delivered a short ball, only for Mhatre to expertly pull it deep over square leg.
By the end of the powerplay, Mhatre's contribution helped CSK amass 48/1, setting a strong foundation. Not restricted by field limitations, he maintained his boundary-hitting prowess. He notably unsettled Deepak Chahar, who struggled to maintain his line and length against the young batsman&rsquo;s strategic shot-making.
In a display of his robust batting skills, Mhatre drove the first ball after the powerplay wide of cover, with fielders reduced to onlookers. Shortly after, he outmaneuvered MI captain Hardik Pandya, finding the gap at extra cover for yet another four.
However, Mhatre's aggressive stint came to a close when Chahar managed to outwit him. A deceptive short ball lured Mhatre into an uncontrolled pull, resulting in a catch by Mitchell Santner. Despite his dismissal, Mhatre's innings played a crucial role in Chennai's final score of 176/5, underscoring his potential as a future star for the Super Kings.

CAB urges BCCI to ban commentators Bhogle and Doull from Eden Gardens over pitch criticism, defending their curator's compliance with BCCI rules.

CAB Seeks BCCI's Ban on Commentators at Eden

The CAB requests BCCI to ban commentators Bhogle and Doull from Eden Gardens over critical pitch remarks, defending their curator's adherence to rules.

The CAB demands BCCI ban Bhogle and Doull from Eden Gardens for criticizing pitch prep, asserting support for their curator.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ban commentators Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull from covering matches at Kolkata's Eden Gardens due to their outspoken criticism of the pitch preparation.
This move comes after the commentators suggested relocating the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) due to the curator's refusal to prepare pitches as per the franchise's requests.
According to a report by RevSportz, the CAB has submitted a strongly worded letter to the BCCI. It urges the board to prevent Bhogle and/or Doull from commentating during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season at Eden Gardens.
During a session on Cricbuzz, Doull opined that if the curator at Eden Gardens continues to disregard the home team's wishes, KKR should consider changing their home ground. Doull expressed that the curator's role is to accommodate the home team's preferences, as they finance the use of the stadium during the IPL. "If he's still not paying heed to what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else," Doull commented, emphasizing that the curator should not impose his opinions on the game.
Harsha Bhogle also shared a similar viewpoint, stating that a home team should have a pitch tailored to benefit their bowlers. "I saw something about what the KKR curator has said," Bhogle noted.
However, the CAB is backing curator Mukherjee, asserting that he is adhering to official BCCI guidelines, which prohibit franchises from dictating the specific nature of pitch preparation. KKR&rsquo;s captain, Ajinkya Rahane, reportedly requested a spin-friendly wicket to support their key bowlers such as Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, but the pitch often ended up being more conducive to pace, resulting in high-scoring matches.
The CAB insists that the curator has followed the rules regarding pitch preparation. As of now, no official statement has been issued by the BCCI. Nonetheless, it has been reported that Bhogle and Doull are unlikely to commentate on the upcoming KKR match against the Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens on Monday.
In addition, it&rsquo;s noteworthy that Eden Gardens is set to host the IPL 2025 final on May 25, which adds another layer of significance to this ongoing debate.

The Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru features top javelin athletes. The event promises a global lineup and marks a milestone in Indian athletics with plans for future expansions.

Neeraj Chopra Classic Moves to Bengaluru

Witness the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru as world-class javelin athletes, including Anderson Peters and Thomas Rohler, compete. The event marks a significant moment for Indian athletics with its first edition featuring esteemed participants and promising future growth.

The Neeraj Chopra Classic will now take place in Bengaluru's Kanteerava Stadium, featuring top javelin stars. The move ensures better facilities, with participation from global champions and Indian athletes.

The maiden edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event on May 24 has been shifted from Panchkula to Bengaluru due to lack of adequate lighting at the original venue but the field will be teeming with stars as the likes of Anderson Peters and Thomas Rohler have confirmed their participation.
Peters, who hails from Grenada, is a two-time world champion and Rohler is the gold-medallist from the 2016 Olympics. Chopra said he has also invited Pakistani Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem who is, however, yet to confirm participation.
"I have sent invitation to Arshad and he said he will get back to me after discussing with his coach. As of now he is yet to confirm participation," Chopra told reporters in a virtual media interaction.
The competition has been granted category A status by World Athletics.
"I wanted the event in Panchkula but there are certain issues related to lighting at the stadium there. World Athletics requirement is 600 lux (a measure of the intensity of light), which is not there (in Panchkula) and it will take time (to install it)," he said.
"So, we have decided to shift the event to Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. We have a team there and it will be lot easier for the event to be staged there," said the 27-year-old who is also supported by Bengaluru-based JSW Sports.
The event will be jointly organised by Chopra and JSW Sports in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and World Athletics, featuring top global as well as Indian javelin throwers.
Besides Peters, who also won a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Rohler, the participation of Kenyan Julius Yego, a silver-medallist in the 2016 Rio Olympics besides being a 2015 World Championships gold winner, and American Curtis Thompson, who is the current season leader with 87.76m, has also been confirmed.
"A Brazilian, who qualified for the final in (Paris Olympics) has also confirmed participation," Chopra said without giving name, though it could be Luiz da Silva, who finished 11th in Paris with a best throw of 80.67m.
"I'm very much involved in the organisation of the event, which is a dream come true for me. I am also competing. Yesterday, I spoke to Rohit (Yadav) and three to four Indians will be competing. It will be a very good opportunity to get ranking points for World Championships in Tokyo (in September)." He said his current coach Jan Zelezny, the legendary world record holder, suggested that the event should be named after the Indian superstar.
"I was talking to Zelezny about this event and he said that it would be good if it is named after me.
"I am very excited. I have won Olympic and other medals for the country. Now with this event, I am giving back something to Indian athletics, to Indian athletes and the fans." He said the NC Classic will be an annual competition and he is hoping that events other than javelin will be added in the future.
"I wanted to state that this event will be an annual affair. As of now, it will be just a men's javelin event. But in future, I am hoping that women's event and other events will also be added.
"If you ask me, I want a Diamond League Meeting to be held in India. We have the stadium to host DL Meetings, and it will be good for World Athletics also to spread athletics. World Athletics knows that athletics is growing in India." The fans will need to buy tickets to watch the NC Classic javelin event.
"There will be tickets for the event, for different boxes. But we will try that the ticket price is not too much. The fans should feel the ticket price is worth the enjoyment of watching the event," said Chopra.

Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli remain in the top A+ category of BCCI contracts. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan return to the fold in lower categories. Rishabh Pant also re-enters Category A, with the complete list of 2024-25 BCCI contracts now announced.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli retained in BCCI A+ category; Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan make comeback

Rohit Sharma &amp; Virat Kohli remain in the top A+ category of BCCI contracts. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan return to the fold in lower categories. Rishabh Pant also re-enters Category A, with the complete list of 2024-25 BCCI contracts now announced.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday released its central contract list for the 2024-25 season, marking several notable inclusions and exclusions.&nbsp;
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retained their places in the A+ category, which comes with a Rs 7 crore annual retainership. Along with them, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah remain in this prestigious category, continuing their dominance in India&rsquo;s elite cricket roster.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨 BCCI announces annual player retainership 2024-25 - Team India (Senior Men)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> Details 🔽<a href="https://t.co/lMjl2Ici3P">https://t.co/lMjl2Ici3P</a> <a href="https://t.co/CsJHaLSeho">pic.twitter.com/CsJHaLSeho</a>
&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1914195313658572826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
One of the biggest developments in the new list is the return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who were dropped last year. Iyer, who was excluded due to his perceived neglect of domestic cricket in favor of IPL, makes a comeback in the B category with a Rs three crore retainer.&nbsp;
Kishan, who faced similar exclusion, returns to the C category with an annual remuneration of Rs one crore.
The BCCI has also made changes to Category A, with Rishabh Pant moving back into the category after his demotion last season due to recovery from a serious accident. He replaces Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired earlier this year.&nbsp;
Pant now joins the likes of Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami in this prestigious group, which offers a Rs five crore retainer.
Category C sees the largest number of players, including newcomers Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Along with them, established players like Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sanju Samson find themselves in this group, which offers an annual retainership of Rs one crore.
The contract list reflects the continued growth and development of India&rsquo;s cricketing talent, with several emerging players being brought into the fold alongside established stars.&nbsp;
The announcement also comes on the back of a remarkable IPL achievement by Rohit Sharma. The Mumbai Indians captain surpassed Virat Kohli for the most &lsquo;Player of the Match&rsquo; awards in IPL history after his impressive performance in the ongoing season.
BCCI Central Contracts List (2024-25):
A+ Category: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja A Category: Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant B Category: Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer C Category: Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Akash Deep, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana.

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New Zealand squad completed their quarantine and enjoyed their first practice session at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England on Thursday.
New Zealand will play hosts England in a two-Test series and then wrap up their tour with the ICC World Test Championship final against India.
The games against England are to be played at Lords and at Edgbaston, in Birmingham while the WTC final is scheduled at Ageas Bowl from 18th-22nd June.
Captain Kane Williamson and the rest of the players who played at the IPL are still confined to their rooms. Williamson is also en route&nbsp;to regaining full fitness after sustaining an injury on left elbow earlier in the year.
&nbsp;

Kiwis complete quarantine in England, Williamson still confined to the room 

New Zealand's&nbsp;IPL stars are still in quarantine and are expected to start training soon for the upcoming Test series vs England and the World Test Championship final vs India&nbsp;

New Zealand squad completed their quarantine and enjoyed their first practice session at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England on Thursday.
New Zealand will play hosts England in a two-Test series and then wrap up their tour with the ICC World Test Championship final against India.
The games against England are to be played at Lords and at Edgbaston, in Birmingham while the WTC final is scheduled at Ageas Bowl from 18th-22nd June.
Captain Kane Williamson and the rest of the players who played at the IPL are still confined to their rooms. Williamson is also en route&nbsp;to regaining full fitness after sustaining an injury on left elbow earlier in the year.
&nbsp;

Explore Tim Wigmore's 'Test Cricket: A History,' a rich and captivating narrative featuring exclusive interviews. Perfect for cricket enthusiasts, Wigmore's work covers 150 years of Test cricket history, from Bodyline to Bazball.

Test Cricket Insight of Tim Wigmore

Tim Wigmore's 'Test Cricket: A History' offers a rich narrative backed by exclusive interviews. Discover the essence and impact of Test cricket's 150-year history in this acclaimed volume, praised for its depth and readability.

Tim Wigmore's "Test Cricket: A History" delves into the sport's storied past with exclusive interviews and insightful narrative, perfect for enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive understanding of Test cricket's impact.

A new book, "Test Cricket: A History" by author Tim Wigmore, tells the gripping story of the players and stories that have shaped the game's evolution since 1877.
The book, published by Hachette, features over 40 exclusive interviews with cricket greats including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Pat Cummins, Michael Holding, Muthiah Muralidaran, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Chappell, and Dale Steyn.
"From Bodyline to Bazball, the golden age to the rise of West Indies, and Shane Warne to Ian Botham, readers will come to appreciate Test cricket's remarkable history like never before. A perfect single volume history for any cricket fan from an award-winning Telegraph cricket correspondent!" the publisher said in a statement.
The history of Test cricket is rich, stretching back nearly 150 years and forming the foundation of the modern game. The first official Test match was played between Australia and England from March 15&ndash;19, 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) -- which was won by Australia.
Touted to be the definitive history of test cricket, the book brings to life both Test cricket on the pitch and the game's social significance around the world. It has received rave reviews from English historian David Kynaston.
"Wonderfully wide-focused, unfailingly readable and laced with passages of insightful analysis, Tim Wigmore&rsquo;s history of test cricket is a true tour de force," writes Kynaston in his praise for the book.
Wigmore's previously authored books include "Crickonomics", a Waterstones sports book of the year, and "Cricket 2.0: Inside the T20 Revolution", which won the Wisden Book of the Year and Daily Telegraph Cricket Book of the Year in 2020.
"Test Cricket" is available for purchase across online and offline stores.

Mumbai Indians secured their fourth consecutive win in IPL 2025, chasing down 144 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rohit Sharma’s 70 led the charge, as MI won comfortably with 26 balls to spare. 

IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians dominate SRH with a seven-wicket victory

Mumbai Indians secured their fourth consecutive win in IPL 2025, chasing down 144 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rohit Sharma&rsquo;s 70 led the charge, as MI won comfortably with 26 balls to spare.&nbsp;

A rampant Mumbai Indians rode on Rohit Sharma&rsquo;s (70) second consecutive fifty to pulverise a hapless Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets in their Indian Premier League match in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Mumbai Indians&rsquo; fourth win on the trot, which took them to the third spot from the earlier sixth on the points table, came after SRH posted a below-par 143/8 and Rohit making the most of the perfect batting conditions to score 70 off 46 balls (8x4s, 3x6s).
MI scored 146/3 in 15.4 overs to win the match with 26 balls to spare, with Suryakumar Yadav hitting a 19-ball 40 not out (5x4s, 2x6s).
The fate of the contest was all but sealed when SRH crumbled to 35/5 following an embarrassing collapse. Despite Heinrich Klaasen&rsquo;s 71 and Abhinav Manohar&rsquo;s 43, the hosts did not have enough runs on the board to challenge MI&rsquo;s batting might.
The five-time winners recorded their third consecutive win while chasing, having drubbed Chennai Super Kings by nine wickets last Sunday.
It was also their second win over SRH in the season, having beaten them by four wickets last week in Mumbai.
India&rsquo;s Test and ODI captain Rohit announced his intentions when he hoisted an off-cutter from Pat Cummins over deep square leg fence for a six and followed it up with a four in the third over.
On a flat and hard deck here, Rohit was quick to read the conditions, having come on to the field as an impact sub late in the second half.
When Jaydev Unadkat took the pace off the ball in the fourth over, Rohit was quick to pounce on it, lifting it powerfully over cover for his second six.
Having gone through a phase wherein he didn&rsquo;t look out of form yet big scores eluded him, Rohit blended defence and attack deftly for another high quality knock which shut the doors completely on SRH.
Earlier, Klaasen's measured 71 and Manohar's 43 rescued a listless SRH from a terrible start and guided them to 143/8.
Klaasen struck nine fours and two sixes for his 44-ball 71, putting on 99 runs for the sixth wicket with impact substitute Abhinav Manohar, who played a steady second fiddle with his 37-ball 43 (2x4s, 3x6s).
But it was a harrowing start for SRH who are placed second-last on the points table and face an uphill battle to keep themselves alive.
The lack of confidence was evident when SRH's top-order crumbled without any apparent pressure from the bowlers.
Instead of putting pressure on the MI bowlers, SRH presented a meek batting show, which was compounded by a reckless decision from Ishan Kishan (1) who walked back despite not having edged one behind the stumps.
Deepak Chahar's (2/12) ball drifted down the leg side, which the on-field umpire duly called a wide. But seeing Kishan walking back, he raised his finger.
Interestingly, neither the bowler nor MI wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton appealed for a caught behind.
The collapse began when Travis Head (0) threw his bat at a wide delivery on the off side from Trent Boult (4/26) to give catching practice to Naman Dhir at third man.
Abhishek Sharma (8), who hit a six to begin with, gave another simple catch to Vignesh Puthur off Boult, while Nitish Kumar Reddy played one straight to Mitchell Santner at mid-on for Chahar's second wicket.
The top order implosion saw last year's finalists crawling to an embarrassing 24 for four in the powerplay.
Aniket Verma and Klaasen steadied the ship for a while but SRH's misery continued when the former was bounced out by MI skipper Hardik Pandya.
Klaasen struck two fours and a six off Puthur in the 10th over and hit three more boundaries off Pandya in the next to give SRH some momentum, but MI bowlers kept a tight control in general to not let the burly South African get away.
Klaasen did not get much assistance from the other end as Manohar, sent as an impact substitute, crawled to one off seven balls before his first big hit.
Klaasen's resistance ended in the penultimate over when Jasprit Bumrah (1/39) had him caught by Tilak Varma for his 300th T20 wicket, while Manohar fell to Boult in the last.&nbsp;

India's cricket coach Gautam Gambhir receives death threats from ISIS-Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack. Gambhir takes immediate action, submitting an FIR with Delhi Police for his safety and vows justice for the victims.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir receives death threat via mail

India's cricket coach Gautam Gambhir receives death threats from ISIS-Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack. Gambhir takes immediate action, submitting an FIR with Delhi Police for his safety and vows justice for the victims.

India&rsquo;s cricket head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has reportedly received a disturbing death threat from the terror group "ISIS-Kashmir."&nbsp;
On April 22, Gambhir received two e-mails with the chilling message "IKillU" &mdash; one in the afternoon and another in the evening. The threat comes on the heels of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists.&nbsp;
The attack has been condemned nationwide, with Gambhir expressing his outrage and grief on social media, stating that the perpetrators will face justice.
In response to the threats, Gambhir swiftly took action on April 23 by approaching the Delhi Police. He submitted a formal request for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR), calling for urgent police intervention to ensure his safety and that of his family.&nbsp;
Gambhir also reached out to the SHO at Rajinder Nagar Police Station and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Central Delhi, urging them to take the necessary steps to protect his loved ones.
This latest threat is not the first time Gambhir has been targeted. Back in November 2021, he received a similar threat while serving as a Member of Parliament. However, this recent threat, following the Pahalgam massacre, is particularly concerning.
The timing of the threat is particularly troubling, given the national grief and concern surrounding the Pahalgam attack. Known for his outspoken stance on national security, Gambhir had condemned the terror attack the day after it occurred, expressing his condolences and fury on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, "Praying for the families of the deceased. Those responsible for this will pay. India will strike."
Following his proactive steps to involve the police, the Delhi Police have assured that they will take all necessary measures to ensure Gambhir&rsquo;s safety. Given his high-profile position as the head coach of the Indian cricket team, the threat has drawn widespread attention. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities promising swift action to protect Gambhir and his family.

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians will don black armbands as a tribute to Pahalgam attack victims. The match will omit cheerleaders and fireworks, highlighting respect.

Tribute to Pahalgam Attack Victims in SRH vs MI match

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians will wear black armbands to honor Pahalgam attack victims. The IPL match will proceed without cheerleaders or fireworks, underscoring respect and solidarity.

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians will honor Pahalgam attack victims by wearing black armbands and observing a minute's silence. The IPL match will proceed without cheerleaders or fireworks as a mark of respect.

The players of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians will wear black armbands during their IPL match which will not feature cheerleaders and fireworks here on Wednesday to mourn the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that caused 26 deaths.
The teams will also observe a minute's silence to pay their respects to those affected by the incident that has drawn international condemnation.
"The players of two teams will wear black armbands and observe a minute's silence in memory of all those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam," a BCCI source told PTI.
"As a mark of respect there would be no cheerleaders on the sidelines of MI vs SRH game. No crackers will be burst," he added.
Terrorists opened fire on civilians at the popular tourist location in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 persons and injuring several others.
The Resistance Front (TRF), which is a part of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack has drawn strong condemnation from across the world.
The Indian cricket team snapped bilateral cricket with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and recently refused to tour the country for the Champions Trophy, prompting the ICC to make provisions for a neutral venue in Dubai.

Indian cricketer Shivam Dube pledges Rs 70,000 to 10 Tamil Nadu athletes, complementing TNSJA scholarship efforts to inspire young stars.

Shivam Dube will Support Tamil Nadu Athletes

Indian cricketer Shivam Dube pledges financial support to enhance existing scholarships for 10 Tamil Nadu athletes, encouraging young sports talent across disciplines.

Shivam Dube pledges Rs 70,000 each to 10 Tamil Nadu athletes, enhancing existing scholarships. This support aims to inspire young talent and encourage other states to follow suit.

In a heart-warming gesture, India all-rounder Shivam Dube on Tuesday promised to provide Rs 70,000 each to 10 budding athletes from Tamil Nadu.
Dube, who plays for Chennai Super Kings, made the touching decision during the Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists&rsquo; Association&rsquo;s awards and scholarships function here.
Dube's reward was in addition to the scholarship of Rs 30,000 given by the TNSJA. &ldquo;When I was travelling from the team hotel to this venue, Dr Baba (TNCA secretary), told me that it was an effort to help some of the youngsters over here. So, this is truly encouraging for all the young athletes,&rdquo; said Dube during the function which was also attended by CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan.
The cricketer, who was part of India&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2024 winning squad, said such awards, however small in nature, will work as an inspiration for young athletes to bring laurels to the country.
&ldquo;These small things provide them with the extra motivation to strive harder and bring pride to the nation. I have witnessed such initiatives in Mumbai, but I am not certain about other states. I will certainly tell other states also to initiate such programmes.
"This Rs 30,000 may seem like a small amount, but it serves as encouragement. When you are young, every penny and every award truly matters,&rdquo; added Dube, who was the chief guest during the function.
The talents who were awarded the scholarship were: PB Abhinandh (table tennis), KS Vhenisa Sree (archery), Muthumeena Vellasami (para athletics), Shameena Riaz (squash), Jayant RK, S Nandhana (both cricket), Kamali P (surfing), R Abinaya, RC Jithin Arjunan (both athletics), and A Takkshanth (chess).

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