Indian sports presenter Ridhima Pathak has stepped forward to address the speculation surrounding her exit from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), firmly denying that she was removed from the tournament's
hosting panel.
In a clear and composed statement on social media, Pathak explained that she opted to leave the role voluntarily, citing the tense political climate between India and Bangladesh as the primary reason behind her decision.
In recent days, multiple reports suggested that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had dropped Pathak from the BPL broadcast team, where she had been co-hosting alongside Pakistan's Zainab Abbas. These claims surfaced during a period of strained cricketing relations, intensified after the BCCI directed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL squad.
However, Pathak dismissed the narrative that she had been ousted, emphasising that her decision stemmed from personal conviction and national sentiment. She reiterated her deep respect for the sport and clarified that her exit had no connection to actions from the tournament organisers.
Expressing gratitude for the support she received, Pathak noted that "cricket deserves truth" and indicated that she would not be commenting further. Her remarks underscore an effort to put an end to the speculation and maintain focus on integrity amid an increasingly politicised environment.
Her clarification comes at a time when Bangladesh cricket is embroiled in more controversy on the global stage. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly turned down Bangladesh's request to shift their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India. On Sunday, January 4, the BCB confirmed that it had formally appealed for their Group C fixtures to be relocated, citing security concerns. But as reported by ESPNCricinfo on January 6, the ICC rejected the plea during a virtual meeting. According to the report, the board informed Bangladesh that "Bangladesh will need to travel to India to play the T20 World Cup or risk forfeiting points. "
Bangladesh are scheduled to contest all four of their group-stage games in India - three in Kolkata against West Indies (February 7) and Italy (February 9 and 14), before concluding with Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
