The big focus of this episode of Super 6 is on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay skipping the swearing-in ceremony of Kerala chief minister-designate VD Satheesan on Monday and TVK expanding its base into Kerala following success in Tamil Nadu.
Even though India banned e-cigarettes and vapes in 2019, these colourful devices may still be quietly creating a whole new generation addicted to nicotine.
US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was to end.
IPL: Fast bowler Vijaykumar Vyshak praised Shreyas Iyer for being super approachable at the Punjab Kings. Vyshak said that Shreyas' traits will make him the India captain one day.
The government has cut the excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre, a move that comes as the West Asia war impacts global fuel supply and logistics.
Amid escalating West Asia tensions, Donald Trump has extended a pause on attacks against Iran's energy infrastructure until April 6, claiming diplomatic talks are progressing.
IPL 2026: In a press conference facilitated by JioStar on Friday, assistant coach Shane Watson said that the Kolkata Knight Riders have a strong squad at their disposal with a blend of youth and experience.
IPL 2026: Punjab Kings all-rounder Shashank Singh emphasised that the side will work on their drawbacks shown in the 2025 final, and go the full distance in the upcoming season. PBKS lost the IPL 2025 final to RCB and missed out on a maiden title.
Opposition parties led by the Congress have submitted a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, signed by 118 MPs.
This special report details the unprecedented decision by the Bangladesh interim government to boycott the T20 World Cup in India. The speaker notes, 'Bangladesh has clearly chosen politics over cricket at this point of time, boycotting the T20 World Cup despite the ICC security assurances.' The fallout of this decision is immediate, with Scotland set to replace Bangladesh as the highest-ranked non-qualified team. The report highlights that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) lost an ICC board vote 14-2 regarding a venue change, with only Pakistan supporting them. Tensions reportedly escalated after the BCCI requested Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman. Despite the ICC providing security guarantees, the interim government cited 'genuine security risks' and a preference for the tournament to be moved to Sri Lanka. This marks the first time a team has boycotted an entire ICC tournament, leaving the future of Bangladesh cricket in a precarious position as the global tournament faces significant controversy.
The big talking point of this episode of India First is Bangladesh's decision to boycott the T20 World Cup in India over security concerns.
On this India Today special report, former Indian cricketer Atul Vasan reacts to the Bangladesh government's decision to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. Vasan criticises the move as a 'rash decision', stating, 'I think it's quite funny because they actually didn't see through the endgame'. He argues that Bangladesh has 'cut their nose to spite the face' by mixing politics with cricket over safety concerns and IPL snubs. Vasan supports the BCCI and ICC for refusing to shift matches out of India, noting that the logistical challenges would be a 'nightmare'. He further suggests that Scotland could replace Bangladesh in the tournament, dismissing the impact of potential support for the boycott from Pakistan. The discussion highlights the shift in the global cricket order and the financial influence of India in the current revenue model, concluding that Bangladesh's absence will not significantly affect the tournament's competitive nature.
On this Special Report, sports editor Nikhil Naz discusses the escalating tension between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The ICC has issued a firm ultimatum to Bangladesh, demanding confirmation by Wednesday, January 21, regarding their participation in the T20 World Cup hosted by India. Nikhil Naz notes, 'If you do not confirm your participation, then we will be forced to replace you with another team based on rankings.' The standoff follows the BCB's refusal to travel to India citing security concerns, a situation triggered after the BCCI reportedly requested an IPL franchise to drop Mustafizur Ahmed. While Bangladesh has proposed moving their matches to Sri Lanka or adopting a hybrid model, the ICC has rejected these alternatives. If Bangladesh fails to comply by the deadline, they risk being replaced by Scotland, marking an unprecedented logjam in international cricket history.
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court permitted the ritual, dismissing the state government's objections related to law and order and the shrine's proximity to the Sikandar Badusha Dargah.
In this special report, India Today's Nitin Srivastava details the controversy surrounding Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman's release by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The BCCI directed KKR to release Mustafizur, who was bought for ₹9.2 crore, citing 'developments all around' amid diplomatic tensions. Srivastava explains that the pacer is unlikely to receive any financial compensation as he did not attend the training camp or play any matches. The segment also touches on the criticism faced by KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan and the reaction from Bangladesh.
The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on the contaminated water crisis in Indore, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru and politics over air pollution in Delhi.
Following the Bangladesh government's decision to ban the Indian Premier League (IPL) telecast indefinitely, sports analyst Nikhil Naz provides an in-depth analysis.
In this transcript, an unidentified speaker discusses the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) request for a 'hybrid model' for the T20 World Cup. The speaker states that the board is ready to play India but prefers matches to be moved out of the country due to safety concerns for players. The individual mentions that the decision is influenced by government directives and cites the release of a player, likely Mustafizur Rahman, from the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for security reasons. The speaker also notes that the team was scheduled to play three games in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.
In this special broadcast, the focus is on the escalating diplomatic and sporting tension between India and Bangladesh. The controversy stems from the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders reportedly releasing Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman following political pressure. In a retaliatory move, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The programme features a discussion on the implications of this decision, comparing it to Pakistan's stance, and explores whether politics is overshadowing the spirit of the game. Experts debate if this sets a dangerous precedent for global sports and if the IPL brand value could suffer due to such geopolitical exclusions.
In a major geopolitical escalation affecting cricket, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced it will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The decision follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. The BCCI cited 'recent developments' and safety concerns for the directive. The move has triggered a political storm, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticizing KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan. Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, speaking exclusively to India Today, expressed sadness over the developments.
