As suspense continues to remain over Virat Kohli‘s participation in the next round of Delhi’s Ranji Trophy 2025 campaign, the star batter has been sent a blunt message by the Delhi & District Cricket Association. Rishabh Pant, also a player hailing from Delhi, has already made himself available for selection, while a number of other players like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have agreed to play in the Ranji Trophy as well. Though Kohli has been named in Delhi’s provisional squad, there’s still no confirmation of his availability.

DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma has urged Kohli to take a leaf out of Mumbai cricketers and play Delhi’s next Ranji Trophy game against Saurashtra, beginning January 23.

“Virat Kohli’s name is in the probables list. Rishabh Pant has confirmed that he will be available for selection for Delhi’s Ranji Trophy game against Saurashtra in Rajkot on January 23. Virat should take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket, whenever he is available. See in Mumbai, there has always been a culture where their India players turn up for Ranji matches whenever available. It is missing in the North, especially in Delhi,” Sharma was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also made its stance on the matter clear in a recent review meeting, suggesting those available and eager to prolong their Test careers should play Ranji Trophy. But, Virat continues to maintain silence on the matter.

“The BCCI has also mentioned players should participate in domestic cricket. I feel Virat should play at least one game,” Sharma said.

DDCA president Rohan Jaitley, though, maintains a slightly different stance. Though he wants Kohli to play Ranji Trophy for Delhi, he feels there are other factors which need to be considered too.

“He should, but there are too many moving parts,” Jaitely told the paper. “With the amount of cricket that they (cricketers) are playing, they have to be at the top of their fitness. Multiple factors have to be looked at.”

“It is exceptionally important to participate in domestic tournaments. If on national duty, obviously one cannot participate, but otherwise they should. Since the players are managed by the NCA (National Cricket Academy) and the national selectors, there are multiple things, based on their load management, etc. But they should keep domestic cricket on their priority list, which is exceptionally important,” he said.

Yograj Singh, the father of one of India’s finest cricketers Yuvraj Singh, has often triggered controversies with his debate-stirring remarks. In a podcast, Yograj made some over-the-top comments while also showcasing his misogynistic mindset. Yograj, a former cricketer himself, said that the Hindi language sounds as if a ‘woman is talking’. For Yograj, while it is fine for women to speak Hindi, men should prefer speaking languages like Punjabi which has a bolder aura to it.

“Mujhe to hindi language aise lagti hai jaise koi aurat bol rahi ho (To me, the Hindi language feels like a woman is speaking)” Yograj told the YouTuber.

“Jab aurat bolti hai to buhut acha lagta hai, jab mard hindi bolta hai to aisa lagta hai ke kya bol raha hai ye kon aadmi hai. Mujhe wo difference lagta hai (When a woman speaks Hindi, it sounds really pleasant, but when a man speaks Hindi, it feels like, ‘What is he saying? Who is this person?’ I sense that difference)” the former cricketer, known for making provocative statements, said.

Yograj Singh has dropped a banger once again! pic.twitter.com/q77UYrXmGq

— Heisenberg (@uncertaintweet_) January 12, 2025

He also claimed that women shouldn’t be made the head of households as they ‘destroy it’. “Wife will destroy your house if you give her power. Sorry to say, Indira Gandhi ran this country and destroyed it. Give them respect and love, but never give them power,” Yograj said.

Never give power to a women,they will destroy everything around,they are very hungry for power – Yograj Singh pic.twitter.com/niXBfqFzEF

— Berlin (Parody) (@Toxicity_______) January 12, 2025

The comments made by Yograj didn’t go down well with social media users, who slammed him for the sexist remarks. Here are some of the reactions:

Yograj ji has made very disgraceful statements. While speaking he forgot he is being disgraceful towards his mother as well. He needs to be restrained from demeaning women . Madam @rajlali kindly take strict action against him as taken by you in case of jathedars. pic.twitter.com/q89d7nPbTM

— Samita Kaur (@samitakaur74) January 12, 2025

Yogaraj Singh, Yuvraj’s father:

“Wife will DESTROY your house if you give her power. Sorry to say, Indira Gandhi ran this country and DESTROYED it.

Give them Respect, Love but never give them power.”

Earlier he gave nonsensical statements on Dhoni, now on Women. pic.twitter.com/G0H0gqeRf9

— The Analyzer (News Updates) (@Indian_Analyzer) January 12, 2025

Women have been building homes, families, and nations for centuries. Leadership isn’t about gender; it’s about capability.

I don’t know how the women in Yograj Singh and Yuvraj Singh’s family are putting up with this.

Video Credit: @UFbySamdishh pic.twitter.com/2yUuki8ZOa

— Akanksha Mishra (@akaankshamishra) January 12, 2025

During the podcast, Yograj also claimed that he once went to Kapil Dev‘s house with a gun in his hand and wanted to shoot him.

Bangladesh legend Tamim Iqbal and former England cricketer Alex Hales got into a heated altercation during a Bangladesh Premier League 2024-25 match on January 9. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media in which Tamim could be seen losing his control. It happened after Rangpur Riders beat Fortune Barishal in a nail-biting thriller at the Sylhet International Stadium. Barishal captain Tamim, whose team was at the receiving end of the terrific finish, was seen involved in a war of words with opponent team opener Hales.

Both the players opened up on the fight later.

“He was asking if I was embarrassed for getting banned for drugs for England and he was asking if I was still taking drugs and he was very, very rude. It’s a real shame really because if anything happens on the field that just ends on the field, but to get personal and that too after the game, I think is pathetic, to be honest,” Hales revealed on Channel 24, as quoted by Wisden.

Notably, England batsman Alex Hales, in 2019, served a ban for an ‘off-field’ incident reported to involve recreational drug use.

Tamim too presented his case to another media organisation, stating that it was Hales who was at fault.

“He abused Emon, and it was visible on TV. He mocked him again today. If you watch the celebration video, Rangpur players ran towards (Nurul) after the win, but Hales kept looking at me and mocking me. It seemed like he wanted a fight,” explained Tamim on Riasad Azim’s YouTube channel.

“Later, when he again insulted Emon, I had to stand up for my teammate, and I have no regrets about doing so. We both exchanged words.”

He added: “I didn’t even know about his ban or follow him that closely. But I do know there are many accusations against him in England. If anyone says something about me or my team, I will always stand up for us, regardless of how I’m portrayed on TV.”