‘My nation comes first’: Indian presenter Ridhima Pathak addresses Bangladesh Premier League ouster
Ridhima Pathak on Wednesday morning took to social media and refuted any such reports. She shared a lengthy statement on social media, clarifying her exit from the BPL.
The sporting relations between India and Bangladesh have taken a major hit in the recent few weeks. It all began with protests in India over participation of Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman in the IPL, who has now been released by the franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This was followed by Bangladesh directing a complete ban on IPL telecast in the country and demanding ICC to shift their matches from India to Sri Lanka at the upcoming T20 World Cup.
In addition to this reports also emerged of Indian presenter Ridhima Pathak being removed from the hosting panel of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Many Bangladeshi media outlets reported that Pathak was removed from the panel as a result of the same.
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However, Pathak on Wednesday morning took to social media and debunked any such reports. She shared a lengthy statement on social media, clarifying her exit from the BPL.
In the last few hours, there has been a narrative suggesting I was ‘dropped’ from the BPL. That is not true. I made a personal decision to opt out. For me, my nation comes first – always. And I value the game of cricket far beyond any single assignment. I’ve been privileged to serve this sport for years with integrity, respect, and passion. That won’t change. I’ll continue to stand for integrity, for clarity, and for the spirit of the game.
“Thank you to everyone who reached out with support. Your messages means more than you know. Cricket deserves truth. Period. No further comments from my side.”
As the tension continues, the ICC has reportedly rejected Bangladesh‘s demands concerning the T20 World Cup. “The ICC have told the BCB that their senior men’s national cricket team will need to travel to India to play their T20 World Cup matches or risk losing points,” news agency ANI said quoting sources.
“Cricket Deserves Truth”:
Ridhima Pathak, Indian Presenter, On Her Bangladesh Premier League ExitIndian presenter Ridhima Pathak has confirmed that she wasn’t removed from the Bangladesh Premier League panel but withdrew herself.NDTV Sports DeskUpdated: January 07, 2026 10:40 am ISTRead Time: 4 min
“Cricket Deserves Truth”: Ridhima Pathak, Indian Presenter, On Her Bangladesh Premier League Exit
Ridhima Pathak removed from Bangladesh Premier League© Instagram
Quick ReadSummary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed
Indian presente r Ridhima Pathak voluntarily withdrew from the Bangladesh Premier League hosting panelIn a statement, Ridhima said: “I made a personal decision to opt out. For me, my nation comes first-always””Cricket deserves truth. Period. No further comments from my side,” she further said
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The sporting ties between India and Bangladesh have taken a sharp downturn following reports that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially removed Indian presenter Ridhima Pathak from the hosting panel of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). This move is viewed as the latest ripple effect in a rapidly escalating diplomatic and sporting row between the two nations. However, Pathak—a prominent figure in Indian sports broadcasting—has refuted these reports, stating that she voluntarily withdrew from the T20 league due to the current political climate.
The friction intensified on 3 January, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allegedly directed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. In response to this decision, the Bangladesh government announced a nationwide ban on the telecast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and demanded that its T20 World Cup matches be shifted to Sri Lanka.
Amid this back-and-forth between the BCCI and the BCB, various Bangladeshi media outlets reported that Pathak had been ousted from the BPL. Pathak quickly moved to clarify that the decision to leave the competition’s panel was her own.
In a statement shared on social media, Pathak addressed the rumors direct:
“In the last few hours, there’s been a narrative suggesting I was ‘dropped’ from the BPL. That is not true. I made a personal decision to opt out. For me, my nation comes first-always. And I value the game of cricket far beyond any single assignment. I’ve been privileged to serve this sport for years with integrity, respect, and passion. That won’t change. I’ll continue to stand for integrity, for clarity, and for the spirit. of the game.
“Thank you to everyone who reached out with support. Your messages means more than you know. Cricket deserves truth. Period. No further comments from my side.”
Bangladesh’s Response To Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL Ouster:
Shift T20 World Cup Matches: The BCB held an emergency meeting and informed the ICC that they are reluctant to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup due to safety concerns, requesting a venue change.
IPL Broadcast Ban: On 5 January, the Bangladesh government imposed a ban on the broadcast of the IPL via local operators.
As the tussle between India and Bangladesh continues, the BCB has suffered a big setback in its pursuit of getting its T20 World Cup matches moved to Sri Lanka. The ICC has told Bangladesh they must play in India or risk forfeiting their matches, while uncertainty also looms over Bangladeshi golfers participating in the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
Indian sports presenter Ridhima Pathak has stepped ahead 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 chose 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 besides 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 rejected the narrative that she had been ousted, emphasizing 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 organizers.
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