Abused journalist complains to BCCI, ICC

The controversy surrounding Virat Kohli's abusive behaviour with an Indian journalist refused to subside on Wednesday despite the team management's efforts to play it down with complaints being made to the ICC and BCCI about the episode. The team management issued a brief statement saying that, “there was a misunderstanding and no abusive language was used. Virat has spoken to the concerned gentleman immediately and matter ends.” However, the Hindustan Times, whose reporter was abused by Kohli, has filed complaints with the ICC and the BCCI.”

Tendulkar wants 25 teams in World Cup

Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday labelled the ICC's decision to restrict the World Cup to just 10 nations as “a backward step”. The ICC announced in December that only 10 teams will compete in the 2019 World Cup, down from 14 in the 2011 and 2015 tournaments. Tendulkar, part of India's 2011 World Cup winning side, said cutting back the number of teams in the showpiece event would limit the globalisation of the game. He called on the ICC to expand the quadrennial event to as many as 25 teams. “(The ICC's decision) is slightly disappointing because as a cricketer I want the game to be globalised as much as possible and, according to me, this is a backward step,” he said. “We've got to find ways of encouraging the lesser teams.” Ireland's victory over the West Indies in Nelson last month was the most recent occasion when an Associate nation has upset a Test playing side at a World Cup. The Irish produced a shock win over England at the 2011 World Cup and also beat Pakistan in 2007. — Agencies