Cricket
As the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 draws closer, rumours of a Nipah virus threat in India began circulating, raising concerns about player safety and match venues
The BCCI stepped in to shut down the speculation, stating clearly that the situation is fully under control and there is no credible threat to the tournament
The board confirmed that no schedule or venue changes are being considered. High-profile matches, including those at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, will go ahead as planned
Senior BCCI officials stressed that player and fan safety comes first. They also revealed ongoing coordination with the Union Health Ministry and local authorities
Health concerns traced back to a small, contained cluster in West Bengal. Only two confirmed cases were reported, with 196 contacts testing negative and no new cases since mid-January
The World Health Organization classified the risk as low, recommending no travel restrictions. With rumours dismissed, the focus shifts back to cricket and the road to T20 World Cup 2026