Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly has officially stepped down from hosting the popular show Dadagiri on Zee Bangla. In his recent interview to News18 Bangla, he informed that from now on he will be heard in a different avatar with Star Jalsha as Sourav allegedly signed a Rs 125 crore four-year contract with them. According to the report, he will also be hosting Bigg Boss Bangla, another new quiz program on the channel, soon. 

The erstwhile Indian cricket captain was keen about the new assignment and announced, "I am very happy to be with Star Jalsha. We are beginning a new journey together with an emphasis on storytelling through engaging non-fiction programs."

He further stated, "I have always been a firm believer in the potential of relating to people outside of cricket. This partnership will enable me to do that by offering fresh formats and real-world stories that will entertain and inspire."

Sourav Ganguly accepts new roles off and on camera: From Bigg Boss Bangla to ICC cricket committee

While talking about the power of television, Sourav Ganguly told Indiatimes, “I’ve always believed in the power of connecting with people beyond the cricket field, and this collaboration allows me to do just that — by exploring fresh formats and real stories that inspire and entertain.” Bigg Boss Bangla is slated for a primetime launch in July next year and production will commence in a few months. Sourav was also featured in an advertisement clip for OTT show Khakee: The Bengal Chapter. He had been featured as a policeman in the clip for Netflix show, where Saswata Chatterjee, Ritwik Bhowmik, Aadil Zafar Khan, Pooja Chopra, Aakanksha Singh, Mimoh Chakraborty, and Shraddha Das starred.

Also read: Michael Slater suspended jail term for domestic violence

For the unknown, cricketer Saurav Ganguly was recently re-appointed as chairperson of the ICC men's cricket committee, and VVS Laxman has also been re-elected among the panelists.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has once again been re-appointed as the chairperson of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee, reaffirming his continued influence in the cricketing world. The announcement came from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday.

Ganguly, who first took on the role in 2021, replaced another Indian legend, Anil Kumble, after he served the maximum tenure allowed. Known for his bold and transformative leadership during his stint as India’s captain from 2000 to 2005, Ganguly has carried that same sharp cricketing mind into his post-playing career, including his term as BCCI President.

Laxman and Other Legends Join the Panel

Joining Ganguly on the committee is his longtime teammate and fellow Indian batting icon VVS Laxman, who has also been reappointed. The rest of the panel brings together a truly global mix of cricketing experience:

ALSO SEE: "RCB Ne Tod Di Rajasthan Ki Ghar Wali Ghamand!" – Fans go wild as Royal Challengers Bangalore crush RR in their own backyard in IPL 2025

• Desmond Haynes – West Indies batting legend
• Temba Bavuma – South Africa’s current Test and ODI captain
• Hamid Hassan – Former Afghan fast bowler
• Jonathan Trott – Former England batter and current Afghanistan head coach

Together, the committee will advise on key aspects of the men’s game, including playing conditions, rules, player behavior, and technological advancements in the sport.

Catherine Campbell to Head ICC Women’s Cricket Committee

In a parallel announcement, the ICC named Catherine Campbell, former New Zealand off-spinner, as the chairperson of the Women’s Cricket Committee. This move comes at a time when women’s cricket is rapidly expanding and gaining global attention.

ALSO SEE: Top 3 batters with most fifties in T20 cricket

Supporting Campbell on the panel are:

• Avril Fahey – Former Australian cricketer
• Pholetsi Moseki – CEO of Cricket South Africa (CSA)

The committee will be essential in determining the future of women's cricket through developing, structuring, and professionalizing the sport.

These new appointments reflect the ICC's vision for balancing tradition and modernization so that both the men's and women's games can move forward with robust leadership and diverse opinions.

Gujarat Titans have won their third game by beating the mighty SRH team in their own backyard. Gujarat Titans captain Subhman Gill won the toss and elected to field first on the covered black soil pitch. SRH who are on the verge of loss expected to gain momentum at their home ground. But it was the total opposite of what they thought of SRH with their strong batting lineup tending to lose wickets at the regular intervals.
SRH mainly known for their aggressive batting side, felt completely shattered against Mohammad Siraj. SRH despite quite a good start lost the plot at regular intervals. There was no bigger partnership, in the end, it was captain Pat Cummins who blew some boundaries and six, he scored 22 runs out of 9 balls which helped SRH to cross the 150 mark. But Gujarat Titans planned their chase. 

Read More: IPL 2025: MS Dhoni breaks silence on IPL retirement amid retirement rumours
Gujarat Titans With Their Third Win In The League
Gujarat restricted mighty SRH within 153 runs and to win their historic game they needed to chase 154 runs within 20 overs, but Gujarat Titans lost their two for middle batsman Sai Sudharshan and Jos Butler who were the heroes of the last game. Though Captain Gill and Washington Sundar retaliated in the innings, that too Sundar was taking some risks to clear the boundary which benefitted GT a lot. Both ensured a secure partnership and were heading towards victory. 

Washington Sundar was added for this game, though he wasn't able to get the ball in hand but gave a huge impact with the bat, when Jos Butler's wicket was down ultimately the pressure built up for GT. Washington Sundar had other plans he counter-attacked the SRH bowlers with boundaries and sixes which just shifted the momentum to the GT side. Both Gill and Washington Sundar played brilliantly, but against the run of play, Washington Sundar was caught out, and the remaining procedures were taken care of by Rutherford and Gill. 
Sourav Ganguly Impressed With Ashish Nehra's Coaching Style
Gujarat Titans was formed in 2021 and the franchise roped Ashish Nehra as their head coach the very next year Gujarat Titans won their first IPL title and even coach Ashish Nehra was praised for his coaching technique. Dada goes on to say that There is a lot of cricket brain in their team set-up and their approach .. Ashish Nehra has really shown his qualities as head coach.. tremendous game sense. 

Like the way Gujarat has gone about their job in IPL since the first season . There is lot of cricket brain in their team set up and their approach .. Ashish Nehra has really shown his qualities as head coach.. tremendous game sense .. @IPL

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) April 6, 2025

Subhman Gill as captain is improving a lot, getting the tosses right, use of bowlers, field placements and today the tactics of playing Washington Sundar and bringing him up the order. Ashish Nehra too deserves applause for guiding the team in the right way and ensuring everything goes right. 

IPL has seen a number of high-profile, controversial send-offs of its well-known players, ones that led to major debates. Memorable moments consist of Harbhajan Singh slapping down Sreesanth, MS Dhoni getting into a shouting match, and Virat Kohli yelling at the crowd....

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5 of the most controversial send-offs in IPL history

Virat Kohli vs. Gautam Gambhir (2013 & 2023)

• Incident: Kohli and Gambhir had heated exchanges on the field, showcasing the competitive spirit and tensions between players.
• Impact: These confrontations emphasized the fierce rivalries in the league.

MS Dhoni's Pitch Invasion (2019)

• Incident: Dhoni’s on-field tantrum punctuated the unwelcoming atmosphere, where managers and owners were expecting a star player to storm onto the pitch to accost the referees over a bad call in a match.
• Impact: His actions ignited national conversations about player empowerment and respect for officials.

Also read:KKR vs SRH: Match 15 Weather and Pitch Report – IPL 2025

 Harbhajan Singh vs. Sreesanth (2008)

• Incident: After a match, Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth, leading to a significant suspension for Harbhajan.
• Impact: This incident highlighted the intense emotions in the IPL and raised questions about player conduct.

Kieron Pollard vs. Mitchell Starc (2014)

• Incident: During an IPL 2014 clash between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, tensions escalated when Pollard backed away mid-delivery, but Starc still bowled the ball aggressively toward him, prompting Pollard to almost throw his bat in retaliation.
• Impact: This altercation, one of the most heated in IPL history, sparked major debates on sportsmanship and the limits of aggression in the game.

Also read: IPL 2025: Updated points table after LSG vs PBKS clash

Sourav Ganguly vs. Shane Warne (2008)

• Incident: During an IPL 2008 match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, Ganguly questioned a catch taken by Graeme Smith, prompting the umpire to refer it. With inconclusive replays, Ganguly was given the benefit of the doubt, leading to Warne openly criticizing him in the post-match press conference.

• Impact: This controversy ignited debates on the spirit of the game, with Ganguly and Warne exchanging heated words, showcasing their long-standing rivalry even in the IPL.

Throughout the years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the site of many struggles for the biggest names in this sport, causing some of them to struggle with higher strike rates on particular venues, highlighting the difference in pitch conditions all over India.

Virat Kohli’s Struggles at Chepauk

Although he is one of the most dangerous run-scorers of the IPL till now, Bangalore Royal Challengers and Indian favorite Virat Kohli had a restrained run due to Chepauk. His career strike rate of 110.40 at this ground is the lowest among the majority of the people with at least 400 runs. The slowness and the turn of the ball offered by the track at Chepauk, which is basically a spin-friendly track, is the main reason for batsmen to struggle to make their shots. Consequently, they have to change the way they hit the ball. The other one is S. Badrinath, who has played many shots, but his strike rate of 116.80 is the lowest of all.

Also read:IPL 2025: latest points table after RCB vs CSK match

Eden Gardens – The Nightmares of the Greats

The Eden Gardens in Kolkata have been a slippery road to walk on for some of the biggest names who have ever arrived there. Some big names like Manoj Tiwary, Jacques Kallis, and Sourav Ganguly have encountered hurdles in reaching higher strike rates at the venue

Manoj Tiwary – 111.71
Jacques Kallis – 112.25
Sourav Ganguly – 119.01

Ajinkya Rahane, known for his classical style, has a strike rate of 114.95 at MCA, Pune.

Made public recently, it seems unlikely that these kinds of numbers will grow in the future. These numbers are clear enough to indicate the difficulty that the greatest of batsmen face when they have to adjust themselves to the venue in IPL. It happens because there are not just one but two main types of challenges. To start things off, some grounds in the IPL are offering support to the bowlers. It is essential to know how to adapt to the conditions if you want to be successful in the IPL.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly had a narrow escape after his car collided in an accident on Thursday night while he was traveling to Burdwan to attend an event. The mishap occurred in the rural belt of Hooghly on the Durgapur Expressway.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly escapes unhurt in Durgapur Expressway car accident

Read more👉: https://t.co/R7OFaCq7IF pic.twitter.com/E5j4rAfwPe

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 21, 2025

ALSO SEE: Kerala Seizes Crucial First-Innings Lead Against Gujarat in Ranji Trophy Semifinal

It is reported that two cars in his convoy were slightly damaged, and Ganguly himself escaped unscathed and went ahead with his planned program. The individuals who were traveling in the convoy also escaped unharmed according to the reports.
What occurred?
According to News 18, Ganguly was riding in a Range Rover, which was at a normal speed. The truck came from behind and hit the vehicle, making the driver press the brakes. This made the vehicles in the convoy crash into one another.
The former captain had to wait for ten minutes in view of the unexpected situation, after which he proceeded to the University of Burdwan. At the university, Ganguly mingled with students and dignitaries, where he also discussed the future of Indian cricket and narrated incidents from his storied career.

There's a major issue when India and Pakistan play cricket against each other. Everyone gets extremely happy and is very eager to see what'll happen because they don't play each other that much just in major championships called ICC and ACC. And every time they do, all the fans everywhere think it's incredible to see. They made a new movie on Netflix that makes people remember how great this rivalry is.

India and Pakistan Cricket Rivalry: Fierce Battles and Lasting Friendships

The famous players such as Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, and Shoaib Akhtar ,there's even a part where Ganguly notes the time both countries played, but called it the Friendship Series, which is kind of amusing, because, be that as it might, they were really trying utterly hard or difficult to win not simply be friends.  Ganguly makes a joke about how it was called Friendship but jokes, Oh really, with Shoaib bowling inordinately speedily balls at me, it didn't seem like we were friends. And it's as if he's saying, discursively hinted, how they were all just trying to win hard. But then Shoaib says nice things back about Ganguly on the X (Twitter), praise is situational currency in today's world.

Dada @SGanguly99 you're awesome. Indian cricket is incomplete without you. pic.twitter.com/tRtb58EGp2

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 29, 2025

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma Shine in Latest ICC T20I Rankings

Akhtar says Ganguly is exceptionally wonderful and Indian cricket isn't the same without him. It shows they really respect each other even though they were rivals. Even though they work really hard to win against each other in the games, and there are some very near and thrilling endings, sometimes they do good deeds also.

Clearly showing that the game isn't the only important thing. For abject reason, they can still be peers. Like this one time, Virat Kohli gave his bat to Mohammad Amir, or when they hug after playing really tough games. It tells us that cricket can make people be friends even if they are from different places. The world stops to watch whenever India and Pakistan play each other, and they are going to do it again in Dubai on February 23. It's going to be a really cool Match, It's not only just about winning or losing, it's also about the two teams that have been rivals for so many years. They play very strongly but they also respect each other. Everyone can't wait to see what happens in the game, it's very thrilling.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 edition kickstarts from February 19. The 9th edition of the tournament will be played in Pakistan and UAE (only for India matches). The top eight teams that qualified for the Champions Trophy from the 2023 World Cup will grind it hard to win the title.

With over eight editions being played, the tournament has seen it all amidst the clashes between the best versus best sides. One such element would be veteran batting campaigners who have shown their impact by scoring some pivotal and large count of runs. That said, here are the top five batters with the most runs across the ICC Champions Trophy timeline.

The Indian Premier League has played a pivotal role in being the benchmark of how cricketing tournaments should be unfolded. From being lucrative to enticing several fanatics, the IPL has shown it all, with the players being the backbone of it.

With teams or franchises acting as the initiator and face of it, some players and team combinations have worked tremendously. At the same time, there were a few that were forgettable. That said, through this listicle, we dive deep into the top IPL campaigners betrayed by their respective teams across the tournament's timeline. 

David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

David Warner's shocking exit from the Sunrisers Hyderabad has bewildered many followers, primarily when the same swashbuckling left-hand batter led them to their first-ever title in the 2016 edition. It all started in the 2021 edition when he couldn't deliver the desired performances as a captain, and the team's management took the harsh step of sacking him as the captain for the season's midway.

In the second half of the season, the franchise dropped and blocked Warner on social media. Warner's expression was filled with sadness as he brought drinks for his squad during matches. Despite his substantial accomplishments and loyalty to the Orange team, it is unsurprising that this is a perfect example of a franchise betraying a devoted cricketing campaigner inside the IPL ecosystem.

Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)

Suresh Raina, a.k.a Mr IPL, sadly gets his name to this list. Raina was one of the Chennai Super Kings' longest-serving players, spending 12 years with them. From IPL 2008 to 2015, the left-handed batter was entirely devoted to the Yellow Army, missing no matches. But in 2022, CSK dismissed him and opted not to bid for their former vice-captain. Raina got unsold and did not receive a decent farewell from IPL.

Two years later, Raina has broken his silence on the subject, adding that he is delighted to see MS Dhoni still playing and should not be sad. Nonetheless, it has sparked a lot of suspicion among die-hard fans, mainly because he is the tournament's fifth-highest run-getter. As it suggests, this makes him one of the players who deserved a befitting end to an illustrious IPL stint.

Yuzvendra Chahal (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

India's current spinmeister, Yuzvendra Chahal, Royal Challengers Bengaluru purchased Chahal during the IPL 2014 auctions, and he proved to be an excellent addition to the Bangalore-based team. His achievements at RCB won him a call-up to India's white ball teams, and he quickly established himself as the country's go-to spinner in both T20I and ODIs. However, ahead of the major auction in 2022, RCB chose to release Chahal, who the Rajasthan Royals then signed.

Mike Hesson, the franchise's director of cricket at the time, recalled the phone conversation in which Chahal expressed frustration and displeasure, which was an apparent reaction from a frequent contributor. Still, many fans believe he should have been retained and played for a long time, as he's known for his consistency.

Sourav Ganguly (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Sourav Ganguly, an Indian cricketing great, was released by his home team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, and the release of 'Dada' surprised many fans and critics, who raised their voices and criticised the Knight Riders' massive action for a short time. Ganguly's stay with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was fraught with controversy. He was named captain for the first season, but the club failed to reach the semi-finals.

Then, in 2009, he was fired as captain, and before the 2011 auction, he was also dismissed as a player. It all started when the current CEO, Venky Mysore, held the team's responsibility and first took this major decision, which wasn't that difficult for him, as it was a matter of getting the team to triumph. 

See Also: IPL 2025: The ₹23.75 crore gamble that could define KKR's IPL 2025 campaign

Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers)

Adam Gilchrist has been one of the most incredible wicketkeeper batters in the sporting world. He has gained prominence in the Aussies cricket space and aroused dominance in the IPL through his impeccable stint for the now-defunct franchise, the Deccan Chargers. The side had a forgettable start in the inaugural edition, and no one believed that the same team would go on to win the second-ever IPL title under the helms of Adam Gilchrist.

But, as was the case for many, Gilchrist was surprisingly not retained for the 2011 IPL season, which aroused a big question mark. In an interview in 2017, Gilchrist didn't have a definite answer and was equally perplexed, like the others, behind his release as he still believed that he had some game left for the franchise. 

Mohammed Siraj (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Mohammed Siraj has become a reliable Indian pacer in the International space thanks to his commendable and eight-long years of contribution to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Known for having a loyal fanbase, RCB had its priorities straight in going for a massive restructuring across all the departments. Though Siraj has been consistent in his wicket-taking abilities and has leaked some critical runs, there is no denying that the speedster has shown promise in recent international encounters.

With a large amount of purse and a couple of Right-to-Match cards (RTM) available, many anticipated him to return to the squad, but that did not happen. The main reason for this is the overall restructuring, and many supporters believe he should have received an RTM and stayed with the franchise. 

Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals)

Many expected Rishabh Pant to stay because he had virtually become the franchise's face. Pant's name, however, did not appear on Delhi Capital's retention list. Despite not playing a T20I since his vehicle accident in December 2022, he returned well in the IPL 2024, scoring 446 runs and earning a position in India's T20 World Cup-winning side this year.

According to a report by The Times of India, Pant requested to stay captain of the Capitals and be part of the coaching staff selection process. However, the Capitals side was not impressed by his T20 performance or captaincy and has opted not to retain the T20 World Cup-winning player, citing other future goals and plans.

KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants)

KL Rahul is another high-profile skipper released from the current IPL super auction for 2025. The 32-year-old was one of the Lucknow Super Giants' initial draft selections when the franchise debuted in 2022. However, he was not retained. LSG made the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023 under Rahul's leadership, and he has been the team's leading scorer in three seasons.

But following a disastrous IPL 2024 match against SunRisers Hyderabad, in which LSG lost by ten wickets, TV cameras filmed LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka conversing with KL Rahul, which seemed intense and a bit towards a harsh venting out. This led to several criticism notes to the owner, and many assumed that this would prompt Rahul to leave the franchise. Though this reason might not be apparent, he will be next seen for the Delhi Capitals as the potential heir for the squad's leader.

Regardless of how many T20 competitions emerge in other countries each year, the Indian Premier League remains the most-watched cricket league globally. The 2018 edition promises a thrill, with each squad vying for the prized trophy. This year's mega auction included 1574 registered players, with the BCCI settling on a total of 574 names going under the hammer.

366 names were Indian/domestic players, 208 are overseas cricketers, including three associate nation players, were under all the teams radar between November 24th and 25th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. However, this year's IPL mega auction has generated some surprise buyers and unsold talents throughout the years, causing a lot of debate among fans and critics. Here is a list of five renowned players who went unsold during the IPL Auction and deserved to make it through the lucrative cricket competition, even after their stupendous contributions. 

David Warner

David Warner, the swashbuckling left-hand batter from down under, has got unsold in the ongoing 2025 IPL Mega Auction, which has undoubtedly raised the eyebrows of many. David Warner, an IPL icon, is a former winning captain who has led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first-ever title in 2016. Despite his outstanding league record, his past two seasons were ordinary, especially given his lofty expectations.

As a result, when his name was called, no franchise raised their paddles, and the former IPL captain went unsold at the auction. In 184 matches, he has made 6565 runs at an average of over 40 while striking 62 half-centuries and four centuries, making him the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL. 

Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly, an Indian cricketing star, was released by his home team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, and 'Dada' found plenty of suitors at the 2011 auction. Indeed, it was a shock for many fanatics and critics, and they raised their voices and protested the Knight Rider's big step for a brief period.

Despite Ganguly being signed by the Pune Warriors (gone) during the season to replace the injured Ashish Nehra, it served as a clear reminder that teams valued form and age over fame and notoriety. In 59 IPL appearances, he scored 1349 runs at an average of more than 25 and took ten wickets.  

Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow of England and David Warner had a devastating opening combination against Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, since joining Punjab Kings, the Yorkshire batter has battled for consistency. Despite his lack of form, Bairstow's ability to keep wickets would have been advantageous for the teams, but they chose not to pursue that option, leaving the player unsold. 

Bairstow, with a base price of 2 crore, failed to generate any interest across all the franchises. His poor recent results over the last two seasons are a big reason why the English power hitter has found no admirers in Jeddah. In his IPL career, he has played half a century of matches and amassed 1589 runs, averaging over 35. He has struck nine half-centuries and two centuries.

See Also: IPL 2025: Top 5 Most Overpriced Players from the 2025 IPL Mega Auction

Steve Smith

Former Australia captain Steve Smith is considered in the same breath as Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root, together known as the 'Fab Four'. However, Smith's fortunes in the IPL have not been kind.

The great batter, who guided Rising Pune SuperGiants to the IPL final way back in 2017, has played for four teams: Pune Warriors India, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, and the Delhi Capitals. Not to forget he has pulled the Rising Pune Supergiant to their first-ever final, though they ended as runners-up. Smith went unsold in both the 2022 and 2024 auctions. In 103 matches, he has scored a total of 2485 runs, averaging at 35.  

Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla was drafted by Kings XI Punjab in 2016 to replace the injured Shaun Marsh. Amla established a strong case for himself as a credible opening batsman. The speedy player scored 577 runs in 16 matches, including two centuries and three half-centuries, for an average of 44.38.

The South African icon was genuinely excellent for Kings XI Punjab at the top of the order, but he went unsold in the IPL 2018 and 2019 auctions. Despite being statistically extremely good in limited-overs cricket, none of the IPL clubs selected him, leading him to announce his retirement immediately from international cricket.