Prominent Indian sports presenter Riddhima Pathak has publicly addressed the swirling reports about her sudden departure from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 presentation panel. Contrary to media speculation, Pathak has firmly stated that she was not removed from the role but instead took a personal decision to step away.
Clarifying the Narrative on Social Media
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Riddhima Pathak took to her Instagram account to set the record straight. She directly countered the claims circulating in various media outlets. "In the last few hours, there's been a narrative suggesting I was 'dropped' from the BPL. That is not true. I made a personal decision to opt out," she wrote in her post. This marked her first public reaction since news of her ouster from the league's presentation team broke.
Pathak was originally scheduled to host the Dhaka leg of the ongoing BPL season. The high-profile presentation panel for the tournament also includes Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas and former cricket stars like Waqar Younis, Ramiz Raja, and Darren Gough. Her exit had raised eyebrows, leading to widespread conjecture about the reasons behind it.
Nation First, Says Pathak
While clarifying that her exit was voluntary, the seasoned presenter made a strong statement about her priorities, though she did not explicitly link her decision to the recent cricketing tensions between India and Bangladesh. "For me, my nation comes first—always. And I value the game of cricket far beyond any single assignment," she asserted.
She further emphasized her long-standing commitment to the sport, stating she has served cricket for years with "honesty, respect, and passion." Pathak vowed to continue standing for the core values of the game. "I'll continue to stand for integrity, for clarity, and for the spirit of the game," she added, signing off with a powerful line: "Cricket deserves truth. Period." She also mentioned she would offer no further comments on the matter.
Background and Immediate Aftermath
Riddhima Pathak is one of the most recognized faces in Indian sports broadcasting and recently worked as a presenter in the International League T20 (ILT20) in Dubai. Her statement has shifted the focus from a speculated removal to a principled personal choice.
The incident highlights the sensitive intersection of sports, national sentiment, and media narrative. By choosing to address the issue head-on, Pathak has controlled the conversation, redirecting it towards integrity and personal principle. Her message of gratitude to supporters who reached out to her concluded the note on a personal touch, underscoring the impact of the episode.
