June 7, 2025
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Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede: Victims Family Demands Answers

Shubman Gill aims to craft own captaincy style for India’s Test team, not fazed by Bazball

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India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill has said he does not intend to follow any particular style of leadership, instead hoping to shape his own identity as he gains experience. Gill, however, stressed his focus on providing teammates with clarity and a secure environment to perform at their best. Gill was addressing the media for the first time since being appointed as India’s Test captain. He and head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters on the eve of the team’s departure to England for a five-match Test series. Named captain last month by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, Gill takes over following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket. He will lead a youthful and relatively inexperienced squad in England, with both Rohit and Virat Kohli stepping away from the longest format in June. “My style of captaincy will be my own; it will develop with experience. I will want to make the players feel safe, comfort them, and build strong bonds. Players need to feel secure… only then can they give 100 percent,” said Gill. At 25, Gill is among the youngest to lead the Indian Test side in recent years. While he lacks leadership experience in red-ball cricket, he captained India during a five-match T20I series in Zimbabwe in 2024 and led Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, embracing the pressure that comes with the role. However, in first-class cricket, Gill has captained Punjab in just five matches, winning only one. Gill admitted he was overwhelmed upon learning of his appointment, having been chosen ahead of experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul, both former captains. “When I came to know about the Test captaincy, I was overwhelmed by the honour and the opportunity. It is a big responsibility, and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said. GILL NOT BOTHERED BY BAZBALL TALKS India’s campaign in England will mark the beginning of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The first Test begins on 20 June at Headingley, Leeds. England, under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, have reinvented their Test game with an ultra-aggressive style dubbed ‘Bazball’. While they were outplayed by India in their 2023 away series, they remain formidable at home, having won 15 of their 20 Tests since the duo took charge. Gill, however, remained unfazed by England’s aggressive approach. “They play a certain way. I think we saw that when they came to India as well,” he said. “It’s very exciting for us. It gives us an opportunity, a great challenge. If we are very proactive with our execution and with our plans, I think it would put them under immense pressure.” Published By: Akshay Ramesh Published On: Jun 5, 2025 Tune In

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'How can BCCI be held responsible?': IPL chairman says board had 'no control' as stampede hits RCB's Bengaluru event

‘How can BCCI be held responsible?’: IPL chairman says board had ‘no control’ as stampede hits RCB’s Bengaluru event

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Jun 05, 2025 07:18 AM IST Arun Dhumal, the IPL chairman, had a strong response on the stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during RCB’s title-winning celebrations. The BCCI has clarified that it had no role in organising the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) post-title celebration in the city, which turned tragic after a stampede outside the venue left at least 11 people dead and nearly 50 injured. RCB’s victory in IPL 2025 ended an 18-year drought and brought the city to a standstill. Thousands of fans gathered outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate the historic win, but the sheer volume of the crowd overwhelmed the arrangements, leading to chaos and fatalities. The event, however, continued inside the packed stadium despite the tragedy unfolding just outside. A number of shoes and slippers lying outside Chinnaswamy Stadium after a stampede during Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)’s victory celebrations(ANI Grab ) IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal expressed deep sorrow over the incident but was firm in stating that the BCCI could not be held accountable. “It is sad and tragic. The celebrations turned into a tragedy. Our heartfelt condolences go to the families who lost their loved ones. For the BCCI, the IPL concluded last night. We had no knowledge of such an incident occurring, so how can we be held responsible for it?” Dhumal told India Today. He also pointed out the lack of involvement or presence of IPL officials during the event. “How can we be held responsible for something like this? It is indeed a very tragic incident, and we extend our deepest condolences. But we cannot be held accountable for something over which we had no control. I am not certain if the stampede occurred directly outside the stadium—I have no specific knowledge of that. Have you seen any IPL officials present at the gate, managing the crowd or facilitating the players’ entry?” asked Dhumal. In contact with RCB officials Dhumal revealed that upon learning of the incident, he contacted RCB officials and asked for the event to be wrapped up. “Have I been in touch with RCB officials? Yes, as soon as I was informed about the incident, I spoke to them. They told me they were inside the stadium and had no knowledge of what was happening outside. Based on that conversation, I was told they immediately called off the event,” Dhumal added. Earlier, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had also issued a response on the tragedy. “I think there were some lapses. The BCCI has no role in it. But it’s a lesson to learn. We will look into forming new rules for such victory celebrations going forward,” Saikia had said. News / Cricket News / ‘How can BCCI be held responsible?’: IPL chairman says board had ‘no control’ as stampede hits RCB’s Bengaluru event See Less

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BCCI break silence on stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium: 'Totally shocking. There have been lapses' | Cricket News

BCCI break silence on stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium: ‘Totally shocking. There have been lapses’ | Cricket News

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Karnataka Police resort to lathicharge to contain the crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during RCB’s IPL trophy celebrations. (PTI) A tragic incident unfolded at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday when at least eight people died and more than 40 were injured in a stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL title celebrations. The celebration was meant to mark the team’s first IPL championship after an 18-year wait, following their victory over Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.The situation turned chaotic as thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium to catch a glimpse of the Rajat Patidar-led team. Police forces struggled to maintain control of the crowds, eventually resorting to mild force to manage the situation.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The incident prompted an immediate response from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who acknowledged serious security lapses in the organisation of the victory celebration. Poll Should the BCCI prioritize safety over celebration in future events? “This incident of deaths due to stampede is totally shocking for us. We at BCCI extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We also pray for the speedy recovery of all those who have been injured. When one organises a victory celebrations of this magnitude, proper precautions, safety and security measures need to be taken. There has been some lapses in some corner somewhere. Due diligence should have been done so that an incident like this could have been avoided,” Saikia told news agency PTI.The BCCI secretary also expressed concern about the ongoing celebrations, hoping to prevent any further incidents.Saikia drew a comparison to recent successful crowd management efforts, highlighting the IPL finals at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium and the T20 World Cup victory parade in Mumbai. Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans at the Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru during the team’s felicitation ceremony. (AP) “I have heard that celebrations are on and I sincerely hope that nothing untoward happens. Even yesterday in Ahmedabad, during IPL finals, there were 120,000 people at the Narendra Modi Stadium. But BCCI has a dedicated team which has done elaborate planning in coordination with local district administration and law enforcing authorities to ensure that safety and security of the spectators,” he said.He further elaborated on the BCCI’s approach to organising large-scale celebrations, citing the T20 World Cup victory parade as an example.“When we organised the Victory parade in Mumbai after the T20 World Cup, we had spoken to the local authorities and made elaborate arrangements keeping in mind the safety and security of the crowd who had come to see their heroes,” Saikia added.

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'DISGRACED': BCCI shocked but has 'no role' in Bengaluru stampede that caused deaths, injuries during RCB victory parade

‘DISGRACED’: BCCI shocked but has ‘no role’ in Bengaluru stampede that caused deaths, injuries during RCB victory parade

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The Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s celebration of their maiden IPL title – ending an 18-year-long wait – turned into chaos on Wednesday, after a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium left four people dead and several injured. Calling it a “shocking” incident, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia blamed lapses in security arrangements and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the top BCCI official said that he is disgraced by the incident.  BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia reacted after deaths, injuries were reported due to stampede outside Chinnaswamy(AP) Thousands gathered outside the Chinnaswamy stadium to catch a glimpse of their favourite RCB stars, who beat the Punjab Kings on Tuesday in Ahmedabad to win the IPL title. But the police struggled to take control of the situation, forced to resort to mild force as well.  “I am just not shocked but disgraced by this incident. This event of tragedy that has happened in the victory celebrations in Bengaluru today. It was such a wonderful and colourful closing of the IPL. It’s really shocking for us. We are really frustrated to hear this kind of news, and we are extremely sorry. We extend our heartfelt condolences to all the members of the bereaved families, and we also pray that whoever is injured will recover at the earliest,” the secretary said. The festive mood outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium quickly turned into agony as several ardent RCB supporters lost their lives because of the stampede. Many others had to be hospitalised as well. The RCB event continued irrespective, although Saikia insisted it is unfair to comment on why the celebrations went ahead. “I do not know. What is the ground reality? There may be a lot of other reasons. We don’t know what the further outcome could have been. It will not be proper for me to pass any comment. My only concern is that there must have been some serious lapses on the part of the organisers and the district authorities in allowing this kind of event where so many people gathered without following the due protocols of safety, security, and law and order,” he said. “Whenever BCCI or any cricket association organises this kind of events – like yesterday, also in Ahmedabad, where 1.3 lakh fans assembled in that stadium – you always take precautions, and there is proper planning with the district authorities and police. So that when there is a gathering of a huge number of people, certain protocols are to be maintained to ensure that no situation like this happens. For example, take last year’s World Cup-winning celebration in Mumbai after the T20 World Cup was won by India in the West Indies. There was proper planning by the BCCI. Despite so many people, not a single unfortunate incident happened because everything was done in a very systematic and disciplined manner,” he added.  Saikia asserted that the proper protocols were not followed, and hence, a situation like this transpired. “The proper protocol was not maintained in Karnataka today in Bengaluru. It was such a short time. I do not know, it is not possible to plan this kind of event at such short notice. So maybe somebody has made some mistake at some point in time. As a result, this unfortunate event or tragedy has taken place as a result of which so many cricket lovers, so many cricket fans have lost their lives, and so many others have gotten injured in the incident,” he said. ‘Need to do some soul searching’ The BCCI secretary also stated that this incident in Bengaluru will now prompt the board to brainstorm with franchises on how celebrations need to be looked at once the IPL is over. “We hope good sense will prevail, and in future, whoever organises such events will follow the necessary protocols after having proper due diligence. The authorities are responsible for such celebrations. After the IPL is over, BCCI directly has no role to play,” he said. “That is why we are a little bit more shocked. Maybe we’ll have to think about the future because every year, there will be celebrations by the winning team in some cities. Maybe we’ll have to do some soul-searching and some brainstorming sessions to set some norms on how things can be celebrated so that in future this kind of tragedy is not repeated,” Saikia pointed out.

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PCB proposes February 19 start for Champions Trophy 2025, rejects hybrid model for India’s matches | Cricket News

PCB proposes February 19 start for Champions Trophy 2025, rejects hybrid model for India’s matches | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put forward a proposal for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to commence on February 19 and be hosted entirely in Pakistan. The PCB has firmly rejected the idea of a hybrid model for India’s matches, similar to the arrangement made for the Asia Cup 2023.According to the PCB’s proposed schedule, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will span from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with all matches taking place in three major Pakistani cities: Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore.Sources within the PCB have revealed that International Cricket Council (ICC) officials, who recently visited Pakistan to assess the preparations for the tournament, have expressed their satisfaction with the arrangements in place.Notably, the PCB has taken a strong stance against the idea of a hybrid model, particularly for India’s matches, insisting that all games should be played on Pakistani soil.This stance is likely to elicit a focused response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had previously suggested a hybrid model where India’s matches would be played at neutral venues outside of Pakistan, similar to the arrangement made during the Asia Cup 2023, when India’s matches were relocated to Sri Lanka.However, Pakistan remains firm in its position, desiring all matches, including those involving India, to be played within its borders.“We have not opted for the hybrid model. However, we have given this leverage that India’s matches can be played in Lahore only. This way, the team will not be required to move around cities within Pakistan and its security can be well maintained in Lahore”, said a source in the PCB.“India can be based in Lahore for the entire tournament. This would minimise logistical and security complications associated with their travel between cities”, the source added.The Indian team might find it more convenient and less challenging to participate in matches, as the special arrangement would allow them to play in a single city. This could potentially simplify their travel and logistical requirements throughout the tournament.“The proximity of Lahore to Wagah Border crossing is also going to be more suitable for the Indian fans. However, the question remains, if India would accept and participate in the event”, the PCB source said.According to the PCB’s suggested itinerary for the Champions Trophy, Karachi will host a minimum of three matches, including the tournament opener and a semifinal.Lahore is set to stage at least seven matches, with the final being one of them. Rawalpindi will be the venue for no fewer than five matches, which includes a semifinal.It is worth noting that the Indian cricket team has not set foot in Pakistan since their participation in the 2008 Asia Cup. The decision regarding India’s travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy will be made by the Indian government, which has been opposed to the cricket team crossing the border due to Pakistan’s alleged involvement in supporting terrorism within India’s borders.The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will mark the first time Pakistan has been the sole host of a major international cricket event. In the past, Pakistan shared hosting duties with India and Sri Lanka for the 1996 Cricket World Cup, and prior to that, co-hosted the Reliance Cup alongside India in 1987.(With IANS inputs)

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Virat Kohli joins Indian team for T20 World Cup campaign | Cricket News

Virat Kohli joins Indian team for T20 World Cup campaign | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli, India’s top batsman, reached New York on Friday to join his team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. His arrival comes five days after the rest of the Indian squad landed in the city.However, there is still uncertainty surrounding Kohli’s participation in the warm-up match against Bangladesh, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday. “Virat Kohli has checked in at the team hotel and after a long flight, he would be taking rest,” a senior BCCI source confirmed his arrival.After a lengthy 16-hour journey to reach the ‘Big Apple’, Kohli’s involvement in the practice match will hinge on his personal inclination and readiness to face the Bangladesh team at the Nassau County Cricket Ground.With an impressive tally of 741 runs in 15 IPL matches, Kohli’s need for additional match practice is minimal. Moreover, he is scheduled to participate in three high-quality net sessions prior to the opening encounter against Ireland on June 5.Friday morning saw an optional training session, during which Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Mohammed Siraj put in the hard yards under the watchful eyes of the support staff.The team management and the BCCI have a history of granting special considerations to Kohli regarding his joining the national squad. In a previous instance, he was allowed a break before the South Africa Test series, arriving in the “Rainbow Nation” only to depart for the UK due to personal matters before eventually rejoining the team.Kohli prioritized family over cricket earlier this year when he opted out of the entire Test series against England at home to be present for the birth of his second child.As the Indian team prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the players have been arriving in batches. The first group landed on May 25, while the second contingent reached on May 28.Although Kohli has been absent from three training sessions so far, the team management remains unconcerned. They acknowledge that the legend knows his stuff and his routines won’t be tinkered with, demonstrating their trust in Kohli’s ability to prepare himself adequately for the tournament.(With PTI inputs)

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'Fair character', 'has the fire', 'can infuse winning culture': Gautam Gambhir can be the kind of coach India need | Cricket News

‘Fair character’, ‘has the fire’, ‘can infuse winning culture’: Gautam Gambhir can be the kind of coach India need | Cricket News

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While it has been widely reported that former India opener Gautam Gambhir as the new India coach is a ‘done deal’, an official announcement on the team’s new boss replacing Rahul Dravid might take a few more days to come. But experts have no doubt left that Gambhir is the kind of character who has the fire inside him to take the Indian team to new heights.Among his most recent successes, Gambhir took over the role of Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) mentor just before IPL 2024 and turned out to be the chief architect of KKR’s third triumph in the T20 league. It only added to his credentials as a mentor, after he had taken Lucknow Super Giants to the playoffs in two successive editions, before making a move to join KKR in a similar role. “What a record he has had as a coach!” said the former wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who announced his retirment after IPL 2024, on Cricbuzz. “Being a mentor for LSG, two years on the bounce qualifying (for playoffs), comes to KKR and they say, ‘Please, you got to do something special for us’. Ends up winning the trophy.” It was effectively Gambhir’s third IPL title in KKR colours. When the team won its two titles in 2012 and 2014, Gambhir was the KKR captain. “He has been at the helm, taken all the decisions (for KKR), be it sending (Sunil) Narine opening or getting Mitchell Starc in the auction — in all of those big recruits and getting the right team, the right balance, and then taking all the shots,” Karthik, who has previously played for KKR in the IPL, said.“I am seeing in the news that he could be part of the Indian team (chief coach) as well, and I really wish he does. He has that fire in him,” Gambhir added. Gambhir’s track record as a player and coach/mentor reflects that he knows what it takes to win big tournaments. Besides three IPL titles with KKR, Gambhir was part of the team under MS Dhoni when India won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.Karthik believes that Gambhir has put things in such proper order at KKR that even if he has to leave the job and take up the role of India’s chief coach, KKR remain well placed to excel in the next IPL season as well. “I think he has really built a good (KKR) team, one that will have a lot of players retained and he has left them in a very, very good place. And if he gets the opporunity (India coach), I really wish he takes it. Being part of the national team and the patriotism that he has, I think he will definitely be tempted to take it and I really wish he comes in because he will infuse that winning culture he has infused here (at KKR),” reckoned Gambhir. “India would do very well under him because I feel he has that fire that is required.“When it comes to KKR, whenever he is back (after stint as India coach), they will take him back with open arms. But I do believe he has left Shreyas Iyer and the team in a much better place than it was when he took it (mentorship role).” Former New Zealand pace Simon Doul was also part of the discussion on Cricbuzz, and fully agreed with Karthik’s opinion.“Those (Gambhir) are the kind of people you want at the helm — highly respected, tough. He is a tough character, but I think he is very fair character and I think he’ll do a great job if he were to take over, if he were to accept the role,” said Doull.The tenure of current India coach, Rahul Dravid, will end after the T20 World Cup in June.

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T20 World Cup: In Team India's first practice session, Hardik bowls for almost an hour; Rohit, Suryakumar focus on getting used conditions | Cricket News

T20 World Cup: In Team India’s first practice session, Hardik bowls for almost an hour; Rohit, Suryakumar focus on getting used conditions | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Team India got their T20 World Cup preparations underway with their first training session in New York on Thursday that lasted three hours.Having landed in the US on May 27, the team had a couple of off days to overcome the jet lag and get used to the weather and conditions. After a light training session session a day before, the Indian team on Thursday hit the nets and meant serious business as skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav were seen batting against likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. In focus Hardik too had gruelling training session with both bat and ball. The all-rounder was first seen bowling in the nets for almost an hour and then went hard after the bowlers while batting. The 30-year-old also had a long chat with batting coach Vikram Rathour during the net session. In unusual scenes, tailenders Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singht were seen focussing on their batting skills while all the all-rounder Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Hardik trained with both bat and ball. Yuzvendra Chahal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Avesh Khan and Rinku Singh, who arrived late in New York featured only in light training drills. The focus of the training session revolved around getting used to the pitch conditions that had considerable bounce in it.India play their first warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday.

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'Choose wisely': Sourav Ganguly makes veiled comment as BCCI hunt for new India coach | Cricket News

‘Choose wisely’: Sourav Ganguly makes veiled comment as BCCI hunt for new India coach | Cricket News

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With Rahul Dravid‘s tenure as India coach ending after the T20 World Cup in June, the hunt for India’s new head coach has already gathered pace, with reports suggesting BCCI’s interest tilted towards Kolkata Knight Riders’ mentor and former India opener Gautam Gambhir. However, in a post on X on Thursday, former BCCI president and India captain Sourav Ganguly seemed to have indirectly advised the BCCI to “choose…wisely”.“The coach’s significance in one’s life, their guidance, and relentless training shape the future of any person, both on and off the field. So choose the coach and institution wisely…” Ganguly wrote on ‘X’.Ever since Gambhir guided KKR to their third IPL title, he has been tipped to take over from Dravid. It was under Gambhir’s captaincy that the Kolkata franchise won its two previous titles in 2012 and 2014. He returned to KKR as mentor ahead of the 2024 edition, after a similar role with Lucknow Super Giants, and the move played a crucial role in KKR’s triumphant run this season.Monday (May 28) was the last date to apply for the job of Team India’s chief coach and BCCI secretary Jay Shah meeting Gambhir after KKR’s title triumph made the speculations gain strength.A recent report in Cricbuzz has stated that Gambhir’s appointment is almost certain and negotiations are underway on multiple fronts. “A very high-profile owner of an IPL franchise, who is very close to the BCCI top brass, said that Gambhir’s appointment is a done deal and the announcement will come soon. A high profile commentator, who is very clued to the happenings in the BCCI said efforts are being made to rope in Gambhir. The fact that an announcement has not yet come suggests that negotiations are underway on multiple fronts — between the two parties and, perhaps, with some others too,” the report said.The BCCI secretary also refuted reports saying the board has approached Australian cricketers, namely Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, for the role. “Neither I nor the BCCI have approached any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer. The reports circulating in certain media sections are completely incorrect,” Shah said in a statement.

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Virat Kohli: T20 World Cup: Uncertainty looms over Virat Kohli's participation in warm-up match | Cricket News

Virat Kohli: T20 World Cup: Uncertainty looms over Virat Kohli’s participation in warm-up match | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Star batter Virat Kohli remains the only player from India’s T20 World Cup squad who has yet to arrive in the USA. While the other 18 cricketers, including four reserves, began their training session in New York on Wednesday, Kohli’s arrival is still pending.Kohli was recently seen in Mumbai with his wife Anushka Sharma and former India cricketer Zaheer Khan and he has reportedly requested an extended break after the grueling two-month-long Indian Premier League. “There has been no update on his travel status from the BCCI yet,” reported ESPNCricinfo. Kohli last played on May 22 in the IPL Eliminator, where his team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, was knocked out by Rajasthan Royals.According to PTI, Kohli is expected to reach New York on Friday. “Kohli took a break for personal work after RCB’s IPL ouster and in all likelihood, he will join the squad by Friday,” the news agency stated.However, doubts remain about Kohli’s availability for India’s only warm-up match against Bangladesh on Sunday, June 1. “It is not clear if he would be able to take part in the only warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday after a long flight,” PTI wrote.Kohli had a stellar IPL season, winning the Orange Cap for the second time with 741 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 154.70.India will start their campaign on June 5 against Ireland in New York, followed by a highly anticipated match against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9. They will face hosts USA on June 12 before moving to Lauderhill, Florida, for a game against Canada on June 15.

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