Chris Paul, the star of the Phoenix Suns, has a long history of giving back to the sport he loves. The 12-time All-Star was named the maiden recipient of the Kobe and Gigi Bryant Award 2022. On Sunday, the WNBA and Vanessa Bryant will deliver the honour to the Phoenix Suns point guard at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
This Kobe and Gigi Bryant Award honours someone who has gone above and above to support the progress of girls and women's basketball, as well as WNBA activism. However, this is the first year that this award has been given out. It was something Kobe Bryant, the late great, held close to his heart. Furthermore, according to Shams Charania, Chris Paul will accept the prize on Sunday night. Vanessa Bryant and Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA President, will deliver the trophy to the Suns point guard.
Engelbert elaborated on why she strongly believes Paul was the best choice. In her words, "I have seen first-hand Chris' appreciation of the WNBA. And the game at every level for women and girls. Especially in Phoenix and North Carolina. And his ardent support of our game strongly reflects the legacy of Kobe and Gigi."
Paul has long been a vocal advocate of the WNBA and women's basketball. The Suns great is a merited recipient for his regular attendance at WNBA games, his use of his public platform to showcase the successes of women in the sport, and his commitment to youth girls' games.
Outsiders loved, Bengal talents ignored in Bengal Pro T20 League 2025
In the recently concluded Bengal Pro T20 League 2025 drafting, it was seen how players who are from other states were taken in franchise teams, depriving homegrown Bengal talents. Sportz Point explains the situation with examples and proof.
In recent years and decades, Bengal cricket has frequently witnessed the emergence of players from outside the region, who quickly become integral to Bengal's cricket scene. This trend was evident during the recently concluded draft for the Men's Bengal Pro T20 League 2025.
It is important to clarify that we are not referring to outstation players, like Rohan Gavaskar and Arun Lal, who came to Bengal from other states and made it their home for cricket.
Instead, we are talking about cricketers from outside West Bengal who are arriving here and illegally obtaining Aadhaar cards and other documents with false addresses.
Fake addresses, corruption and outsiders in Bengal cricket
These players are rapidly rising through the ranks, some based on merit while others without any noteworthy performances, and they are moving on to represent the state at various levels. Furthermore, those who are advancing are bringing more players from their home states to Bengal and creating paths for them.
This situation points to a larger conspiracy involving club officials who are allegedly accepting bribes. Some of these officials are supposedly encouraging players to participate without payment in exchange for assisting them in gaining entry into Bengal under-age teams or even the Bengal Pro T20 League squads.
It's worth noting that platforms like the Bengal Pro T20 League provide players with exposure to IPL scouts and teams, which can significantly boost their careers. Players like Sai Sudharasan, Priyansh Arya, Digvesh Rathi, Vipraj Nigam, and Ashwani Kumar have all emerged from their respective state T20 leagues.
Consequently, these outstation players have come to believe that if they cannot succeed in their own state, they can come to Bengal, create illegal documents, collaborate with certain club officials, and gain access to platforms like the Bengal Pro T20 League.
This situation is depriving talented young cricketers from Bengal, who have been performing well at the club level, of opportunities.
In a recent video, presented in Bengali, Sportz Point addressed these issues, which was well received within the Bengal cricket community. We have translated this information into English to ensure the message reaches a wider audience across the nation.
Siddharth Patidar - supposed to play in both MPT20 League and Bengal Pro T20 League
One such instance is Siddharth Patidar, a player from Madhya Pradesh who has represented MP in the past and participated in the MP T20 League since 2022. He is now claimed to be a local player in Bengal.
Patidar is currently a member of the Jabalpur Royal Lions and will be playing under Saransh Jain in the tournament.
This Instagram post clearly suggest that Patidar will be playing in MP T20 League
How can a player local to the MP T20 League also be considered a local player in West Bengal? This suggests he was provided with illegal documentation to verify his status as a Bengal domestic player.
The MP T20 League is set to commence on June 12, and it will be interesting to see how Patidar competes in two different state leagues, claiming residency in both Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
Sandeep Tomar - played in UP T20 League, but has documents of West Bengal
Another player, Sandeep Tomar, known to be from Uttar Pradesh, also appears to possess Bengal documents in his name. Sandeep has previously participated in the UP T20 League as a local player, and last season, he played in the Bengal Pro T20 League as a local player.
This Instagram post by UP T20 League clearly shows Sandeep Tomar in action in that tournament in 2023.
This raises the implication that Sandeep, too, has illegally registered as a Bengal player with the Cricket Association of Bengal.
Not only these two players, but reports indicate that multiple athletes are arriving from various states and illegitimately registering as Bengal players with forged documents. Clearly, such actions cannot occur without the support of officials.
C.A.B.'s efforts to stop this
Recently, the Cricket Association of Bengal announced that from the next season, all players will be required to submit bank documents that are more than three years old, along with their parents' documents, before registering. However, the pressing question remains: If they can not even stop a daylight robbery, will they be able to stop outstation players' entry? Only time will tell.
As a result, many deserving players from Bengal, who have been topping charts in runs, wickets, and trophy wins, have been deprived of the opportunities they rightfully deserve.
Numerous players expressed feelings of frustration, sadness, and hopelessness after the events that unfolded during the draft for the Men's Bengal Pro T20 League.
Beyond individual heroics, IPL 2025 delivered some game-changing partnerships. It is now time to celebrate those batting duos with equal amount of electrifying energy and passion for the game!
Check out the highest partnerships in IPL 2025 by runs so far, and relive how these pairs dominated with the bat.
Shubham Gill and Sai Sudharsan during their 205-run partnership against DC in IPL 2025. Image | Rediff
Shubham Gill and Sai Sudharsan delivered an iconic batting partnership of 205* runs against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. This opening pair of Gujarat Titans left the opponent's home crowd stunned by chasing down 200+ target without losing a single wicket.
They are the first batting duo to cross the 200-run mark this season, and tops the chart for highest partnerships in IPL 2025.
Sudharsan scored a phenomenal 108* runs off 61 balls, whereas Gill scored an explosive 93* off 53 balls, hitting 7 huge sixes!
They have also crossed the 100-run mark in terms of batting partnership thrice this season.
This partnership was shaped by the record-breaking 141 runs off just 55 balls from Abhishek Sharma's bat, along with a quick 66 off 37 balls from Head.
This pair have showcased a glimpse of such destructive partnership against LSG back in IPL 2024, and yet again proved how Sunrisers Hyderabad are blessed to have them!
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi during their 166-run partnership against GT in IPL 2025. Image | Instagram
Yashasvi Jaiswal and the youngest debutant of IPL history, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, currently holds the 3rd position for highest partnerships in IPL 2025. They pulled of a partnership of 166 runs and secured the win for Rajasthan Royals.
In this match, Vaibhav scored his maiden century to become the youngest centurion in IPL. His knock of 101 runs from 38 balls was unbelievably good, accompanied by a classy 70 runs off 40 balls from Jaiswal.
IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians makes additions to their squad with signings of Bairstow, Asalanka, and Richard Gleeson
As the IPL 2025 playoffs approach, Mumbai Indians have made strategic additions to their squad with the signings of Jonny Bairstow, Charith Asalanka, and Richard Gleeson.
3 teams have made their place in the IPL 2025 playoffs and only one team is yet to be decided. There is a fierce battle going on between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals for the remaining playoff spot. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have made a three new changes in their squad.
Mumbai has announced the replacement of three foreign players. The team has included Jonny Bairstow, Charith Asalanka, and Richard Gleeson in the squad in place of Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch. These three foreign players of Mumbai Indians are going to join their respective national teams after playing the last league match. In such a situation, the franchise had no other option but to bring their replacements.
Mumbai Indians have included England's experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow in the team as a replacement for Will Jacks for Rs 5.25 crore. Bairstow has had good experience in IPL and is considered an aggressive batsman in the T20 format. His presence is expected to strengthen the top order batting of Mumbai Indians.
At the same time, English fast bowler Richard Gleeson has been included in the team in place of Ryan Rickelton. Gleeson has been added to Mumbai Indians for Rs 1 crore. He has been signed by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1 crore. Gleeson's fast pace and ability to bowl yorkers in the death overs can prove to be important for the team.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Charith Asalanka has been included in the squad in place of Corbin Bosch for Rs 75 lakh. Asalanka can not only bat aggressively but can also give options to the team with his part-time off-spin bowling.
Mumbai Indians are currently in the playoff race. If the team qualifies for the next round, then these three new replacement players will be available for the team from the playoff matches. This will help the team to create balance and fill the gap of foreign players.
It is worth noting that Mumbai Indians have 2 matches left in the league stage. In one match, the team will face Delhi Capitals, while in its last league stage match, it will face the challenge of Punjab Kings. Punjab has already made its place in the IPL 2025 playoffs.
Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season?
Virat Kohli's 973 runs in IPL 2016 stands as a monumental record. Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season?
Breaking records is what IPL is all about and Virat Kohli's record of 973 runs in IPL 2016 is unmatched for 9 years. IPL 2025 can be the record-breaking year, as GT's opening pair is having an incredible season with the bat, shuffling the orange cap with every match.
As we are heading towards the end of the tournament, it will be a major thing to keep an eye on.
Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season? Or maybe it is truly unbreakable.
How big is Virat Kohli's 973-run record?
Virat Kohli celebrating his 3rd century of IPL 2016 season. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Virat Kohli set the batting standards up in IPL 2016 that everyone talks about till date. He scored 973 runs in 16 matches with an 80+ average.
He scored 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, bagging the Orange cap in that season.
This is the phenomenal record of most runs in a single IPL season that no one could break since 2016.
Shubman Gill in action for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. Image | TOI
The only player who ever came to Kohli's record is Shubman Gill, with his 890-run season in IPL 2023. He is having another successful one in IPL 2025 and has already surpassed the 600-run mark.
The way Gill is firing this season for Gujarat Titans, he might just break the record and get in top. He scored 601 runs in 12 matches with 6 half-centuries to his name so far.
Calculating the remaining target for Shubham Gill
With potentially 5 innings left (2 league matches + playoffs), the race is heating up. This is subject to GT to lose Qualifier 1 and get an extra innings to go play for the IPL title.
Required: 974-601 = 373 runs more (to break Kohli's record)
Required Avg for next 5 innings: 74.6 runs per inning
Required Avg if they get 4 innings to play: 93.25 runs per inning
Sai Sudharsan in action for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. Image | Instagram
Sai Sudharsan is currently the leading run-scorer in the race for Orange Cap in IPL 2025. He scored 617 runs in 12 matches, with 1 century and 5 fifties to his name.
This rising star has remarkable potential to with the kind of explosive form he has right now.
Calculating the remaining target for Sai Sudharsan
As for GT, Sudharsan also gets the same number of innings as Gill. It is either 2 league matches and 2 playoff matches, or a loss in Qualifier 1 to get an extra innings, making it 5 innings in total.
Required: 974-617 = 357 runs more (to break Kohli's record)
Required Avg for next 5 innings: 71.4 runs per inning
Required Avg if they get 4 innings to play: 89.25 runs per inning
Bengal Pro T20 League 2025: 8 franchises choose squads among 802 players; here are the full squads
The Bengal Pro T20 League Season 2 kicked off its preparations with a grand men’s draft ceremony on Monday, where a staggering 802 cricketers were selected by eight franchises at a city hotel on Monday.
The Bengal Pro T20 League Season 2 kicked off its preparations with a grand men’s draft ceremony on Monday, where a staggering 802 cricketers were selected by eight franchises at a city hotel on Monday.
8 franchises, led by their retained players and coaches along with their owners, selected their squads for the upcoming season.
CAB Office bearers led by President Snehasish Ganguly, Vice President Amalendu Biswas, Secretary Naresh Ojha, Treasurer Prabir Chakrabarty, Joint Secretary Debabrata Das along with India cricket legend Sourav Ganguly, women’s cricket icon Jhulan Goswami were present for the draft.
"I hope you will all witness an exciting draft process in the next few hours. I am sure we will have an even more successful Bengal Pro T20 League season this time," Sourav Ganguly said during the event.
A+ category players will get INR 4,75,000, A grade players will get INR 3,75,000, while B and C category players will receive INR 1,50,000. D category players will get INR 1,50,000.