Bangladesh Cricket Board Ousts Indian Presenter Ridhima Pathak from BPL

The move follows the BCCI’s directive to release Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026; BCB also bans IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh.

January 7, 2025: The diplomatic and sporting standoff between India and Bangladesh reached a new low on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially removed Indian television presenter Ridhima Pathak from the hosting panel of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Pathak, a veteran sports anchor known for her work with Star Sports and Sony Sports, had been co-hosting the 2025-26 edition of the BPL alongside Pakistan’s Zainab Abbas.

Her sudden removal is being viewed as a direct retaliation against the BCCI’s recent decision to force the exit of Bangladeshi star Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

The Retaliatory Cycle

The “cricket war” between the neighboring nations has escalated rapidly over the last four days:

1. January 3: The BCCI instructs KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman due to “geopolitical developments.”
2. January 4: The BCB requests the ICC to move its T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing security fears.
3. January 5: The Bangladesh government imposes a formal ban on IPL broadcasts through local cable and digital operators.
4. January 6: Ridhima Pathak is dropped from the BPL broadcast panel to “ensure a local and neutral atmosphere,” according to BCB sources.

ICC Stance: Play in India or Forfeit

While the BCB has been pushing for a “Hybrid Model” similar to the one used by Pakistan in previous years, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a stringent stance.

In a virtual meeting on Tuesday night (Jan 6), the ICC reportedly told the BCB that their request for a venue change was rejected.

• The Warning: The ICC clarified that the schedule for the February tournament remains unchanged.
• The Consequence: If Bangladesh refuses to travel to Kolkata and Mumbai for their Group C matches, they will be forced to forfeit points, effectively ending their World Cup campaign before it begins.
• The Revenue Risk: Sources suggest the ICC also reminded the BCB that a boycott could lead to a significant reduction in their annual revenue share.

Impact on BPL 2026

The removal of Ridhima Pathak leaves the BPL without an Indian face in its presentation team for the first time in several seasons. The tournament will continue with Zainab Abbas and a revised panel of local Bangladeshi anchors.