Sports Bulletin For January 21: From PCB's Support For BCB On T20 World Cup To Delay In IPL 2026 Schedule

Sports Bulletin For January 21: Several key developments across cricket and football have drawn attention as major tournaments approach and administrative decisions take shape.

From governance matters and

scheduling challenges to ranking shifts, legal verdicts and coaching appointments, the latest updates highlight the evolving dynamics of global sport both on and off the field.

1) PCB Writes To ICC Backing Bangladesh's Stand On T20 World Cup 2026: Report

The venue dispute surrounding the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has escalated after the Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly threw its weight behind the Bangladesh Cricket Board's refusal to play matches in India. As per ESPNcricinfo, the PCB has written to the ICC and informed other board members of its support, just ahead of a key ICC meeting set to decide the issue. Despite this, the ICC is believed to be sticking with the original schedule for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh are currently scheduled to play their group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.

2) IPL 2026 Fixtures On Hold As Election Calendar Delays Full Schedule: Report

The IPL 2026 season is expected to get underway on March 26, with the final likely on May 31, but the complete schedule is yet to be announced. The BCCI has decided to hold back the fixture release until the Election Commission confirms polling dates for the upcoming assembly elections. The polls, scheduled across April and May in several states including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Kerala, will require extensive security arrangements, prompting the board to coordinate its planning accordingly.

3) Virat Kohli's Reign As World's No. 1 ODI Batter Ends As Daryl Mitchell Displaces Him

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings, moving to No.1 with 845 rating points and dropping Virat Kohli to second. The pair remain comfortably ahead of the chasing pack, which includes Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Babar Azam and Ibrahim Zadran. This marks the second occasion Mitchell has topped the ODI rankings, having previously held the position briefly in November before being overtaken by Rohit Sharma.

4) BCCI Sets Deadline For RCB & RR To Confirm IPL 2026 Home Venues

The BCCI has asked Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals to confirm their home venues for IPL 2026 by January 27, following uncertainty over their traditional grounds. The directive was issued during an IPL Governing Council meeting amid concerns surrounding venue readiness. RCB, in particular, are in discussions with the Karnataka government over new conditions for hosting matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, including added responsibilities outside the stadium premises. The matter has gained sensitivity after last year's tragic stampede during RCB's title celebrations, which claimed 11 lives.

5) Delhi High Court Dismisses PIL To Ban Bangladesh From Cricket Over Violence Against Hindus

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a ban on Bangladesh from international cricket over alleged violence against the Hindu community. A bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya observed that the plea was not maintainable, as it involved matters of foreign policy and international relations, which fall outside the judiciary's scope and within the executive's authority.

6) Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill To Be In Category A Of BCCI's Revamped Central Contracts: Report

The BCCI is planning to restructure its central contracts for the 2025-26 season by scrapping the A+ category to streamline the system. The current four-tier model, which offers Rs 7 crore to A+ players, will be replaced by a three-category structure comprising A, B and C, aligning contracts more closely with players' multi-format involvement.

7) Amelia Valverde Named Head Coach Of Indian Women's Football Team Ahead Of 2026 AFC Asian Cup

The AIFF has appointed Amelia Valverde as the new head coach of the Indian women's national team ahead of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026. The 39-year-old Costa Rican has already joined the squad in Antalya, Turkiye, bringing extensive international experience at both club and national level.

8) Cristiano Ronaldo Wins €10m Court Battle Against Juventus For Deferred Wages

Cristiano Ronaldo has secured another legal victory against Juventus after an Italian court ruled that the club cannot recover nearly €10 million paid to the Portuguese star. As reported by The Athletic, Juventus had challenged a 2024 arbitration decision that directed them to settle Ronaldo's deferred wages from the COVID-19 period.