Ahmedabad: Amidst widespread speculation about Team India donning a special saffron-colored jersey for their highly anticipated 2023 World Cup match against Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put an end to the rumors.

BCCI's Treasurer, Ashish Shelar, categorically denied any plans of Team India wearing an alternative match kit for the game against Pakistan.

In an official statement, Shelar refuted the media reports, dismissing them as baseless and the product of someone's imagination. He emphasized that Team India would sport their original colors at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

While it is true that Team India has introduced a new saffron-colored training kit for the World Cup, their official match jersey remains the trademark light blue color. This clarification comes after media reports stirred debates about the possibility of India wearing a saffron jersey for the blockbuster clash against Pakistan.

Notably, in the 2019 World Cup, Team India did sport a saffron and dark blue jersey against England, designated as their away kit for the tournament. However, as hosts of this edition, India is not required to have an alternate jersey.

As the cricketing world eagerly anticipates the India-Pakistan faceoff, all eyes will be on the iconic match set to take place on October 14. Before this marquee battle, Team India is scheduled to play against Afghanistan at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 11.

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Mirzapur (UP) (PTI): BJP president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday voiced confidence that his party will form the government in West Bengal with a "thumping majority".

Polling is underway for 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, covering key districts, including Kolkata, Howrah and North and South 24 Parganas.

The high-stakes contest is being seen as decisive for the ruling TMC's bid for a fourth consecutive term and the BJP's push to form its first government in the state. The first phase held on April 23 recorded a high voter turnout of over 93 per cent, reflecting intense electoral engagement.

Speaking to reporters in Mirzapur, Nabin said, "The BJP will form the government in Bengal. We are winning the elections with a massive majority."

Earlier in the day, the BJP chief visited the Vindhyavasini temple and offered prayers. The rituals were conducted by his priest Acharya Agastya Kumar Dwivedi.

On his first visit to the district after assuming office, Nabin was welcomed by party workers at several places. At the temple, he was received by city MLA Ratnakar Mishra and District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Gangwar, who felicitated him with a traditional 'angvastram'.

After offering prayers for about 10 minutes amid Vedic chants, Nabin held a meeting at a hotel with local MLAs, including Mishra, Majhwan MLA Suchismita Maurya and Madihan MLA Ramashankar Patel.

Patel said Nabin emphasised strengthening the organisation and asked public representatives to focus on serving people in their respective constituencies.

Several party leaders, including district president Lal Bahadur Saroj, district vice-president Gaurav Umar, municipal chairperson Shyam Sundar Kesari, women workers and senior officials, were present on the occasion.

Elaborate security arrangements were put in place by the district administration for the visit, with multiple officers of circle officer rank deployed, officials said.