Prominent Indian sports broadcaster Ridhima Pathak has firmly refuted reports claiming she was dropped from the presentation panel of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Instead, she stated her withdrawal was a personal decision influenced by the current political climate between the two nations.
Pathak's Statement: A Voluntary Decision
Addressing the speculation directly on social media, Pathak dismissed the narrative of her removal. "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 clarified. Emphasizing her priorities, she added, "For me, my nation comes first—always. And I value the game of cricket far beyond any single assignment."
She expressed gratitude for the support received and concluded her statement by asserting her commitment to the sport's integrity, adding there would be no further comments on the matter.
Background and BPL Panel Changes
The development comes as the BPL authorities implemented significant changes to their presentation and commentary teams for this season. Pathak was originally scheduled to host the Dhaka leg of the tournament, which has already commenced in Sylhet. However, she did not travel to Bangladesh.
Her spot has been filled by other international personalities. Notably, Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas has arrived in Bangladesh, joining veteran commentators like Waqar Younis, Ramiz Raja, and Darren Gough for the league's coverage.
Escalating Cricket Diplomacy Tensions
This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic friction between India and Bangladesh, spilling onto the cricket field. The trigger was a recent directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
On January 5, the Bangladesh government suspended the broadcast of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 matches after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. The IPL is scheduled to begin on March 26.
In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) held an emergency meeting. Their actions included:
- Requesting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift T20 World Cup matches out of India, citing security concerns.
- Upholding the ban on IPL broadcast within Bangladesh.
Reports indicate that the ICC has informed Bangladesh that they must play their World Cup matches in India as scheduled or risk forfeiting them.
The situation remains fluid, with Pathak's withdrawal marking another chapter in the complex interplay of sports and politics between the neighboring countries.
