Babar Azam Injured, Capitals Mentor Out And CSK Event- March 14 Cricket Highlights

Babar Azam and CSK [Source: AFP, @ChennaiIPL/x]

PCB official Aaqib Javed explained the reason behind the ODI snub of legendary batter Babar Azam. Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen has opted out of the IPL 2026 season. The CSK franchise has announced a special mega event for fans in the lead up to the tournament.

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Saturday, March 14.

Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen pulls out of IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen has opted out of the upcoming IPL 2026 season in India. The former England captain confirmed the same on his social media account on March 14, i.e., exactly a couple of weeks prior to the launch of the tournament. 

Pietersen claimed that he cannot commit to the time as a mentor, but will be available for commentary duties at some stage. He also described the IPL as the “best league in the world” and expressed his excitement in joining the cricketing carnival in some capacity this year.

Rahul Dravid, Shubman Gill, Mandhana among Indians to be honoured by BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be honoring former men’s cricketers Rahul Dravid and Roger Binny, as well as former women’s captain Mithali Raj with Lifetime Achievement awards at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026. 

The board will also recognize Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana for their prolific performance during the 2024-25 Indian season. Both Gill and Mandhana will be receiving the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer in men’s and women’s categories respectively.

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Additionally, the likes of Ayush Mhatre, Harsh Dubey, Ira Jadhav and Shafali Verma will be receiving awards for their excellence in domestic cricket.

PCB’s Aaqib Javed explains Babar Azam snub from Bangladesh ODIs

PCB Director of High Performance Aaqib Javed has issued a huge update involving Babar Azam after the legendary Pakistani batter was dropped from the national squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh. 

Javed said that Babar was dropped from the series owing to an injury, and the same injury has even prompted the cricketer to miss the National T20 Cup 2026 in Pakistan.

It is worth noting that Babar Azam showed no form of injury concern during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Salman Agha reprimanded by ICC for breaching code of conduct

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially reprimanded Pakistan all-rounder Salman Agha for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second ODI match against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Agha was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code, and was handed one demerit point.

The incident occurred in the 39th over of the Pakistan innings after the cricketer was run out by Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz under bizarre circumstances. On his way back to the sheds, the all-rounder inappropriately threw his batting gloves and helmet to the ground.

CSK announce pre-season IPL 2026 event for fans

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise has confirmed a pre-season mega event for fans ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026 season. 

The event will be organised on March 22, i.e., mere few days prior to the launch of the tournament, and will be attended by former cricketer and franchise legend Suresh Raina along with several others.

Indian music composer AR Rahman will also attend the stadium to deliver a special live performance for the fans.

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