We support T20 leagues in new territories but nothing on table yet in Saudi Arabia: IPL chairman
New Delhi (PTI): Nearing two decades of existence, brand IPL has become stronger than ever and doesn't see any threat from the growing number of T20 leagues globally, its chairman Arun Dhumal said on Saturday as he steered clear of the speculation swirling around an event backed by Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to PTI as the league enters its 18th edition, Dhumal said the BCCI supports the rise in number of T20 leagues globally, especially in unchartered territories like Saudi Arabia, Europe and the USA. He feels the growth will eventually help the game ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics where cricket will be played.
"There is no point discussing something on the basis of speculation. There is nothing on the table for discussion with everyone (all stakeholders). And as far as my knowledge goes, there is no infrastructure as of now in Saudi Arabia that can cater to a tournament of this scale.
"So, there is no point discussing speculative stories," said the IPL chairman.
Plenty has been reported in international media about the oil-rich Saudi Arabia foraying into cricket over the last two years but nothing concrete has come out of those speculations.
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‘Not water, poison was distributed’: Rahul Gandhi targets BJP govt over Indore deaths
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government over the contamination of drinking water in Indore, where at least ten people have died following a diarrhoea outbreak.
Rahul Gandhi said, "In Indore, there was no water, just poison being distributed, while the administration slumbered like Kumbhakarna." He alleged that the tragedy exposed administrative failure in a city that has repeatedly topped the Centre’s ‘cleanest city’ rankings.
"Mourning has spread from home to home, the poor are helpless, and to top it off, arrogant statements from BJP leaders. Those whose hearths have gone cold needed solace; the government served up hubris instead," he said in a post on X.
His remarks came amid controversy over comments made by Madhya Pradesh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who had snapped at journalists when questioned about the deaths caused by contaminated water.
According to officials, the deaths were linked to a diarrhoea outbreak triggered by toxic substances in the drinking water supply. Laboratory tests conducted by a city-based medical college confirmed that sewage had leaked into the water pipeline near a newly constructed public toilet in the Bhagirathpura area.
Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey reportedly said, "We are closely examining the entire drinking water supply pipeline to find out if there is any leakage elsewhere." He said water supply had been restored but people had been urged to boil the water before drinking it.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Indore, met patients, and chaired a review meeting, promising that such a tragedy would not be repeated and that action would follow the investigation report.
So far, two Public Health Engineering Department officials have been suspended and one has been dismissed. A three-member committee has been constituted to probe the incident. The state government has announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives.
इंदौर में पानी नहीं, ज़हर बंटा और प्रशासन कुंभकर्णी नींद में रहा।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 2, 2026
घर-घर मातम है, गरीब बेबस हैं - और ऊपर से BJP नेताओं के अहंकारी बयान। जिनके घरों में चूल्हा बुझा है, उन्हें सांत्वना चाहिए थी; सरकार ने घमंड परोस दिया।
लोगों ने बार-बार गंदे, बदबूदार पानी की शिकायत की - फिर भी…
