Tag: BCCI

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Cricket Pioneer Inderjit Singh Bindra Passes Away at 84

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Indian cricket has lost one of its most influential architects with the passing of Inderjit Singh Bindra, former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and a towering figure in cricket administration. Bindra passed away on Sunday evening at his New Delhi residence following a prolonged illness. He was 84.

Widely regarded as a visionary administrator, Bindra played a pivotal role in shaping the modern era of Indian cricket. Working closely with former BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya, he was instrumental in bringing the 1987 and 1996 ICC Cricket World Cups to the Indian subcontinent—milestones that firmly established India as a global cricketing powerhouse.

Bindra was also a key force behind breaking long-standing broadcasting monopolies, a move that significantly enhanced the commercial value of Indian cricket and expanded its global reach. His progressive outlook helped lay the foundation for the financial and administrative strength that Indian cricket enjoys today.

As President of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), Bindra oversaw the construction of the iconic Mohali cricket stadium, now officially named the Inderjit Singh Bindra Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in his honour. The venue remains one of India’s most prominent cricket grounds and a lasting symbol of his contribution to the sport.

Tributes poured in from across the cricketing fraternity. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle, and several current and former administrators remembered Bindra as a father figure whose integrity, foresight, and administrative acumen helped fuel Indian cricket’s meteoric rise. The BCCI, Punjab Cricket Association, and Punjab Kings franchise also expressed their condolences, acknowledging his enduring impact on the game.

Inderjit Singh Bindra’s legacy extends beyond titles and infrastructure—he is remembered as a man who believed in cricket as a force for unity, professionalism, and national pride. His contributions will continue to shape Indian cricket for generations to come.

Sports

Mahesh Dessai Appointed Team Manager for India vs New Zealand Series

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The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) has announced with pride that Mr. Mahesh Dessai, President of the Goa Cricket Association, has been appointed as the Team Manager for the upcoming India vs New Zealand series, scheduled to be played in India.

The appointment is a significant honour for Goa cricket and reflects the confidence reposed in Dessai’s administrative acumen, leadership abilities, and deep understanding of the game, both as a former player and an administrator.

Expressing his gratitude, Dessai said, “I am deeply honoured by this appointment and thankful to ICC Chairmam, Jay Shah. As well as the President, Secretary and the Managing Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India for entrusting me with this responsibility. It is a privilege to serve Indian cricket at the national level.”

He further added that the recognition is a collective achievement for Goa cricket. “This appointment is not just personal, but a reflection of the disciplined administration, professionalism, and consistent efforts of the Goa Cricket Association over the years. I will carry out my responsibilities as Team Manager with utmost sincerity and dedication, while upholding the values and standards of Indian cricket,” Dessai stated.

The Goa Cricket Association has congratulated Mahesh Dessai on this prestigious appointment and wished him success in his assignment with the Indian team during the India–New Zealand series.

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IPL 2026 to Begin on March 26, Final Scheduled for May 31

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

The Indian Premier League 2026 season is set to begin on Thursday, March 26, with the final scheduled for Sunday, May 31. The dates for the upcoming edition were revealed by IPL CEO Hemang Amin during a briefing with all ten franchises ahead of the mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi, according to Cricbuzz. While the complete match schedule is yet to be announced, it is expected to be made public in the coming days.

It has been confirmed that defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will feature in the opening fixture of the tournament. However, uncertainty remains over whether the match will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Traditionally, the IPL season opener is hosted at the home venue of the defending champions, but the availability of the stadium is yet to be finalised.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association has received conditional clearance from the state government to host IPL matches, with final approval pending the fulfilment of safety and security requirements. The venue has not hosted matches since a tragic stampede outside the stadium during victory celebrations last year resulted in the loss of 11 lives, following which even Women’s World Cup matches were relocated.

Ahead of the auction, the Board of Control for Cricket in India held a meeting with representatives of all ten franchises, during which teams were informed about the tentative window for the tournament. Attention will now shift to the IPL 2026 auction, where franchises will compete for 77 available slots, including 31 overseas player positions. The highest reserve price has been set at ₹2 crore, with 40 players registering in this bracket.

Several prominent international and domestic players, including Cameron Green, David Miller, Devon Conway, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Gus Atkinson, Wanindu Hasaranga, Venkatesh Iyer and Liam Livingstone, have entered the auction at the top base price. Meanwhile, notable absentees from the auction list include Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis. As teams prepare to finalise their squads, anticipation continues to build for the return of one of cricket’s most-watched tournaments.

Sports

Goa’s Saibar Mulla Appointed BCCI Match Observer for India–South Africa Test in Guwahati

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa’s cricket administration has received a significant boost with the appointment of Saibar Mulla as the BCCI Match Observer for the second Test match between India and South Africa in Guwahati. Mulla, a former junior cricketer who represented Goa at U-13, U-14, and U-15 levels, described this recognition as a proud moment not only for himself but for the entire Goan cricket community.

Reflecting on his journey, Saibar credited his father, Akbar Mulla—who served the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) in several key capacities including Treasurer, Senior Vice-President, and member of the BCCI Marketing Committee—for inspiring his early involvement in cricket administration. Over the years, Saibar served as President of Akbar Sports Club, managed club-level cricket operations, and actively participated in GCA organising committees for A Division, B Division, and Premier League tournaments, eventually becoming a co-opted member of the GCA.

He highlighted five key mentors who shaped his administrative journey: his father Akbar Mulla, senior GCA stalwart Chetan Desai, Vinod Phadke, former GCA President Suraj Lotlikar, and current GCA President Mahesh Desai. Their guidance, combined with his own dedication, paved the way for his national-level appointment.

As a BCCI Match Observer, Saibar will oversee the logistical and operational aspects of the Test match, ensuring compliance with regulations and smooth execution of the event. He emphasized the broader significance of this role, stating that it reflects the emerging administrative talent from Goa and serves as inspiration for umpires, scorers, and administrators in the state.

Saibar’s journey from a junior cricketer to a national-level administrator illustrates Goa’s contribution to Indian cricket beyond the playing field. He hopes his appointment will motivate young Goans to pursue careers behind the scenes in cricket, stressing the importance of hard work, passion, and dedication to the sport. This achievement stands as a testament to Goa’s growing presence in national cricket administration and highlights the state’s commitment to nurturing talent and contributing meaningfully to Indian cricket.

Sports

Nevagi’s Power-Hitting Lights Up Goa’s Fighting Effort Against Odisha

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Panaji: Goa’s Under-23 men’s cricket team put up a valiant performance against Odisha in the Men’s State ‘A’ Trophy Elite One-Day Tournament, played at the GSFC Ground in Vadodara on Sunday. Despite an inspired innings from opener Sanath Nevagi, Goa lost the match by seven wickets.

After Odisha won the toss and chose to bowl, Goa faced early setbacks but found stability when Nevagi took control of the innings. The young opener played a fearless knock, smashing 91 runs off 78 balls, including eight boundaries and five sixes. His aggressive stroke play lifted Goa’s innings and gave the side much-needed momentum. Supporting contributions came from Aman Dhooper, who added 26 runs, and Shivendra Bhujbal with 19, while Anuj Yadav remained unbeaten on 15. Goa’s innings concluded at 166 in 36.4 overs.

For Odisha, Syed Tufail Ahmed was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for just 9 runs in a remarkable spell. Chasing a target of 167, Odisha’s openers Sasanka (56) and captain Om Munde (53) stitched together a 101-run partnership that set the tone for an easy chase. The team reached the target in 28.5 overs, losing only three wickets.

Goa’s bowlers, particularly leg-spinner Manish Kakode who picked up two wickets and Aman Dhooper who took one, showed spirit and control despite defending a modest total.

While the result did not go Goa’s way, the match highlighted the talent and resilience of the young side. Nevagi’s commanding performance and the bowlers’ determination were major positives as Goa look to regroup and come back stronger in their next fixture against Assam on November 11 at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.