Sports Bulletin on March 3: Ajinkya Rahane named KKR captain, Rohit Sharma rejects 'unfair advantage' claims in Dubai

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In today's sports bulletin (March 3), Ajinkya Rahane takes over as Kolkata Knight Riders' captain ahead of IPL 2025, while Rohit Sharma responds to criticism regarding India's fixed venue in the Champions Trophy.

Meanwhile, FIFA lifted the suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation, and Barcelona strengthened its grip on the La Liga title race. Here's a detailed look at the top stories.

Ajinkya Rahane Named KKR Captain for IPL 2025, Venkatesh Iyer as Vice-Captain

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for the IPL 2025 season, with Venkatesh Iyer named as his deputy. Rahane, who was bought for ₹1.5 crore in the auction, expressed his excitement about leading the defending champions. KKR CEO Venky Mysore highlighted Rahane’s leadership experience and Iyer’s growing influence within the team. KKR had released their previous captain, Shreyas Iyer, who will now lead Punjab Kings. KKR’s IPL 2025 campaign kicks off on March 22 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens.

Rohit Sharma Dismisses 'Home Advantage' Claims for India in Champions Trophy

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has refuted claims that playing all matches in Dubai gives India an unfair advantage in the ICC Champions Trophy. He emphasized that Dubai is not India's home ground, pointing out the varying pitch conditions in every match. Former cricketers from Pakistan, Australia, and England had criticized India’s fixed venue, arguing it helps them adapt better. Rohit, however, stressed the importance of quick adaptation, stating that India's preparation, including analyzing ILT20 conditions, was crucial. India faces Australia in the semifinal, with spin likely to play a key role.

BCCI Condemns Body-Shaming Remarks on Rohit Sharma by Congress Leader

The BCCI has strongly criticized Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed’s comments on Rohit Sharma’s physique, calling them “very unfortunate”. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia questioned the timing of such remarks, especially with India set to play Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal. Following backlash, Mohamed deleted her tweet and issued an apology, clarifying that she did not intend to body-shame but was commenting on fitness standards for athletes. Despite this, she maintained her stance, asserting her right to express opinions in a democratic setup.

Ganguly Lauds Team India After CT 2025 Win Over New Zealand

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised Team India’s dominant performance after their 44-run victory over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, securing a semifinal clash against Australia. Ganguly highlighted India’s strength in white-ball cricket, stating, "It has the capability to defeat anyone." He also commended Mohammed Shami’s impact despite injuries. India posted 249/9, with key contributions from Shreyas Iyer (79) and Hardik Pandya (45). Varun Chakravarthy’s brilliant 5/42 dismantled New Zealand’s chase, restricting them short of the target.

Cooper Connolly Replaces Injured Matthew Short in Australia’s CT 2025 Squad

Australia has called up young spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly to replace the injured Matthew Short for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 knockouts. Short sustained a calf injury during the match against Afghanistan and has been ruled out of the tournament. Connolly, who was initially a travelling reserve, has played six internationals, including three ODIs. His inclusion was approved by the ICC’s Event Technical Committee. Australia, led by Steve Smith, will face India in the first semifinal on Tuesday.

FIFA Lifts Ban on Pakistan Football Federation After Constitutional Reforms

FIFA has officially lifted the suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after the necessary constitutional amendments were made. The ban, imposed on February 5 due to governance issues, was revoked following a consensus among PFF Congress members last Thursday. Since 2019, Pakistan football has been under a FIFA-appointed normalisation committee, but disputes persisted. An AFC official's recent intervention helped resolve the deadlock, leading to FIFA’s decision. With the suspension lifted, Pakistan can now compete in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, beginning with a match against Syria on March 25.

Barcelona Opens Gap at La Liga Summit After 4-0 Win Over Real Sociedad

FC Barcelona took control of the La Liga title race with a dominant 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad, moving a point ahead of Atletico Madrid and three clear of Real Madrid. Aritz Elustondo’s early red card for pulling down Dani Olmo set the tone, with Gerard Martin opening the scoring soon after. Marc Casado doubled the lead before halftime, while Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski sealed the win. Coach Hansi Flick rotated key players ahead of their Champions League clash with Benfica. Elsewhere, Valencia drew 3-3 at Osasuna, Leganes edged Getafe 1-0, and Mallorca-Alaves ended 1-1.