Amid growing tensions in Bangladesh, award-winning author Taslima Nasreen has sparked controversy by stating that Muslims in Bangladesh are being indoctrinated to hate India and embrace sister country Pakistan. This statement was accompanied by a photo showing apparent Bangladeshis holding flags of Bangladesh and Pakistan, leading to discussions about the ingrained notions of Muslim brotherhood in the country.
Indian cricketer Shubman Gill has credited his focus on defensive batting as the key to his turnaround in Test fortunes during the England series earlier this year. The 24-year-old, who currently has an average of 35.52 in 25 Tests, has been working on his defensive skills in preparation for upcoming series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. His improved performance will be crucial in India's pursuit of the Border Gavaskar Trophy later this year.
KL Rahul, who is vying for a spot in India's squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh, faced criticism from fans on social media after a disappointing knock of 37 off 111 balls in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. Representing India A, Rahul's rusty form has raised concerns among fans as they trolled him on Twitter. This adds pressure on the star batter to perform better and secure a spot in the national team.
During the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024, young Indian batsman Sarfaraz Khan delivered an exciting performance in the India B vs India A match. After a disappointing first inning, Sarfaraz came back strong with a rapid-fire knock of 46 runs in just 36 balls, powered by five consecutive boundaries against India A's Akash Deep. This spectacular display of batting surely put him back in contention for the upcoming Bangladesh Test series.
After a clean sweep against Pakistan on their home turf, the Bangladesh cricket team is feeling confident and optimistic as they prepare for their upcoming challenges in the ICC World Test Championship. The 2-0 series win has propelled Bangladesh to fourth place in the WTC standings, just behind India, Australia, and New Zealand. Captain Najmul has spoken about the team's boosted morale and how they plan to approach their upcoming matches against India and South Africa. This series win against Pakistan is a significant achievement for Bangladesh, who had previously been winless in 13 attempts against the team.
Rishabh Pant, a key player for the Indian cricket team, spoke about the impact former coach Gautam Gambhir has had on the team. Gambhir's aggressive approach, in contrast to the previous coach Rahul Dravid's balanced approach, has brought a new energy to the team. As India prepares for a two-Test series against Bangladesh, Pant warns against underestimating their opponents and emphasizes the importance of continuously improving to stay ahead of the competition.
In an interview with PTI, Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh's interim government, refuted India's portrayal of recent violence in the country as communal and urged for better ties between Bangladesh and India. He argued that the attacks on minority Hindus are politically motivated and not indicative of religious strife. Yunus also called on India to abandon its narrative of Bangladesh being stable only under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina and to view the country as a neighbor rather than through a lens of fear.
In a fiery interview with an Indian news agency, Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus accused India of hiding former Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina, who fled to India after being deposed by student protesters during the "Monsoon Revolution". Dr Yunus called for her extradition and trial in Bangladesh for numerous atrocities committed during her rule, creating an embarrassing situation for India as several countries have refused to grant her asylum. As India grapples with the influx of a stateless person, it raises questions about their willingness to defend against such political turmoil.
Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah, known as one of the greatest pacers of the current generation, recently answered a question about the toughest batter to bowl to in his typical style. Despite being asked about his opponent, Bumrah's answer showed his focus on his own performance rather than worrying about others. The viral video of his response has gained a lot of attention, while Bumrah is currently on a break and will likely be back for India's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.
Despite facing challenges following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's downfall, Bangladesh is seeking to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as a way to diversify its foreign policy and reduce its dependence on India. Observers say that the country's experience in international maritime arbitration and cultural links with the region could work in its favor, but it is unlikely to become a new member of the regional bloc at this time. Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has sought the support of Malaysia, Asean's chairman for next year, for Bangladesh's bid to join the 10-member organization. This development comes after Yunus's return to Bangladesh last month to lead democratic reforms and restore stability in the country following Hasina's departure to India.