Ray Sports Web Desk: Ahead of the 2026 IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders are facing consecutive setbacks. First it was Mustafizur Rahman, and now Akash Deep. Following a legal notice from the BCCI, KKR released Mustafizur from the squad and opted for Blessing Muzarabani as his replacement. However, their search for reinforcements does not end there, as Akash Deep has now been ruled out of the IPL due to a severe injury. Sources confirm that another left-arm pacer is set to join the KKR squad as his replacement.
Due to his injury, Akash Deep will not be able to feature for KKR in the 2026 IPL. According to sources, the Kolkata team management has been keeping an eye on Saurav Dubey from Vidarbha. Although he has not made his IPL debut, he does have prior experience with franchise cricket. In the 2022 IPL, he secured a spot with Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹20 lakh, where he shared the dressing room with Pat Cummins and other renowned pacers. In the 2026 IPL auction, his base price was ₹30 lakh, but he went unsold. Following Akash Deep’s injury, Dubey has now been drafted into the KKR squad.
In 2019, Dubey also represented India in the Emerging Asia Cup. He took 4 wickets for 26 runs against Nepal and was named Player of the Match in his first game. Over the course of the tournament, he picked up 7 wickets in three matches. On the domestic front, he is a familiar name, currently representing Vidarbha. In 8 matches, he has already taken 16 wickets, making him a valuable prospect for the team. His inclusion could address another concern for KKR, as the team has been short of a left-arm pacer since Mustafizur Rahman’s departure.
According to sources, Kolkata Knight Riders are yet to finalise a replacement for Harshit Rana and are also awaiting confirmation regarding Matheesha Pathirana’s fitness. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board is yet to declare Pathirana fully fit. If the medical clearance comes by Tuesday, KKR could breathe a sigh of relief.
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IPL Telecast to Resume in Bangladesh

Ray Sports Web Desk: The Indian Premier League is all set to kick off on the 28th of March. Ahead of the tournament, the Bangladesh government has come up with another surprising development regarding the IPL telecast. Earlier, the government had decided to ban the telecast of the Indian franchise league, but that decision now appears likely to be reconsidered by the new administration.
During the 2026 IPL auction, fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman secured a spot with Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs. 9.20 crore. However, following an official notice from the BCCI, he was released from the team, which sparked significant controversy. The then Bangladesh government not only announced a ban on the IPL telecast but also decided to boycott the 2026 T20 World Cup, which was scheduled to be held in India.
However, after the change in government in Bangladesh, a very different picture is emerging. The new Youth and Sports Minister, Aminul Haque, appears keen to adopt a more friendly approach towards India. “As we are celebrating Eid, the meetings have been postponed. I will soon speak with the cricket board and make a further decision on this matter. First, we need to understand why the IPL telecast was banned, and only then can we reach a conclusion,” said Aminul.
He also hinted that mixing politics with sports is not a good idea. “I don’t think politics should be involved in sports. We want to maintain a friendly relationship with India, and hence we will reconsider the decision made by the previous government,” he added.
From his remarks, it is clear that the Bangladesh government is taking its time to review the matter. It now remains to be seen whether the IPL telecast will resume in Bangladesh soon.
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Sayan Pramanik: A newly signed defender of Mumbai City FC recently shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview, opening up about his return to India, the current state of Indian football, refereeing standards, and adapting to new challenges both on and off the field.

Ray Sportz: How difficult was your decision to return to India and play again?
Nuno: It wasn’t a tough decision to come back to India. The real challenge in Indian football right now is the uncertainty. There are always some club-related issues, which are normal, but the league needs more stability. If agreements can be reached quickly, it will benefit all clubs.
Ray Sportz: You have previously worked with your coach. Did that influence your move?
Nuno: Yes, of course. He was my coach at Melbourne City FC and remains a good friend. We stayed in touch even when I played elsewhere. When I returned to Portugal, he called me and asked if I would consider coming back to India. Knowing his style and professionalism made the decision easy. Mumbai City is also a great club, so everything aligned perfectly.
Ray Sportz: There were some controversial refereeing decisions in your recent match. What is your opinion on Indian referees?
Nuno: We all make mistakes because we are human. But I think referees explaining their decisions after matches—like players and coaches do in press conferences—could be a positive step. It would improve transparency in football globally. However, as players, we must be careful when commenting, as it can lead to suspensions.
Ray Sportz: There were reports of heated moments in the match. Any comments?
Nuno: The match was intense, and some things happened on the field. But it’s better to keep those matters within the game. Unfortunately, we lost a player for the next match, but that’s football—we move forward.
Ray Sportz: How are you adapting to India’s climate?
Nuno: The biggest challenge is humidity. In places like Mumbai, the weather can be manageable, but in regions like Kerala, the humidity is very high, making it difficult. You need time to adapt gradually.
Ray Sportz: Coming from Portugal, did players like Cristiano Ronaldo influence your career choice?
Nuno: Not really. My father, who was a central defender, influenced me the most. He put me in that position from a young age. But if I had the choice, I might have preferred being a striker—it’s more fun, scoring goals and entertaining fans!
Ray Sportz: You will face your former teammate Jamie Maclaren. How special will that be?
Nuno: We are friends off the field, but during the 90 minutes, there is no friendship—only competition. He’s a great striker, and I’ll do my best to stop him from scoring.
Ray Sportz: Did he say anything to you after your move?
Nuno: Yes, he congratulated me and wished me the best. He’s a fantastic person and a great leader.
Ray Sportz: Does your recent win boost confidence ahead of the next match?
Nuno: Definitely. It’s always easier to work after a win. The victory gives us confidence, but we must stay grounded, keep working hard, and improve day by day.
Ray Sportz: Have you tried Indian food yet?
Nuno: Not properly traditional Mumbai food yet, but I’m looking forward to exploring it soon.