Kolkata, Dec 13: With chaos and vandalism breaking out at Salt Lake Stadium on the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Saturday over high ticket prices and limited access to Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi during his visit to the stadium, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced setting up a judicial committee headed by a retired judge of the Calcutta High Court to probe the mismanagement that led to the chaos.

With the agitators resorting to a rampage within the stadium over limited access to Messi despite purchasing tickets at exorbitant prices, the police had to resort to a massive lathi charge and deploy Rapid Action Force (RAF), following which the Argentinian soccer star left the stadium early.

The Chief Minister was on her way to the stadium. However, on receiving the news of the ruckus at the stadium, she directed her driver to turn back the car. Soon after that, she issued a statement announcing her decision to set up a judicial committee headed by a retired judge of the Calcutta High Court to probe the mismanagement that led to the chaos.

“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” the Chief Minister said in her social media statement.

Announcing the decision to form the judicial probe committee, she said that the committee will be headed by Justice (Retd) Ashim Kumar Ray. The state chief secretary, Manoj Pant, and the additional secretary to the state home and hill affairs department, Nandini Chakraborty, will be the two other members of the probe panel.

“The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. Once again, I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers, the Chief Minister added.

New Delhi, Dec 12: Delhi is in the grip of full-blown football frenzy as Lionel Messi – ‘La Pulga’ – the little magician with the giant footprint prepares to land in the national capital on December 15. What began as buzz has escalated into electricity, with fans counting down the moments until the Argentine legend walks into the Arun Jaitley Stadium. One thing is certain: Delhi isn’t just welcoming a star; it’s getting ready to be utterly ‘Messi-merised’.

Across the city, football has spilled onto the streets. Argentina jerseys dominate marketplaces, graffiti artists are splashing Messi tributes across walls, and neighbourhood gullies echo with kids trying to bend the ball like La Pulga.

“For us, this is bigger than a festival,” said a fan from Karol Bagh who has been collecting Messi posters since he was 6. “Messi coming to Delhi feels unreal. I haven’t slept properly for a week.”

Fan clubs are gearing up with early-morning queues, drum-led chants, and massive tifos set to unfurl the instant Messi steps onto the turf. A college student from South Campus, summed up the excitement: “I’ve watched Messi my whole life on TV. To see him walk out in front of me – that’s a childhood dream finally taking shape.”

Inside the stadium, preparations mirror the hype. Security teams and volunteers are bracing for a massive early surge, with stands expected to fill long before the programme begins.

But the frenzy goes deeper than a single visit. Messi’s arrival underscores just how sharply football’s pulse has quickened in India. In a country where cricket has long dominated, the sheer scale of Messi’s draw shows how firmly the beautiful game has taken root in the dreams of young players.

“Messi is the reason I picked up a football,” said a 14-year-old fan, practising step-overs outside his school in Dwarka. “If I get to see him once, even from far away, that’s enough motivation for the next 10 years.”

Come December 15, when Messi steps out and the roar rises to the sky, Delhi won’t just witness a global icon; it will watch an entire city lose itself, happily and wholeheartedly, to La Pulga fever.

Arguably the greatest footballer to ever play the game, Messi is set to embark on a three-day, four-city tour of India on December 13, 14, and 15.

As part of the tour, the Argentine forward will visit Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The tour will conclude in the capital, where Messi is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

New Delhi, Dec 10: After being named Player of the Match in the first T20I against South Africa on Tuesday, all-rounder Hardik Pandya set his sights on larger goals. Fully embracing his comeback, he aims to cherish every moment ahead.

Any doubts over his fitness were settled when he demonstrated his form in his first match since the Asia Cup 2025 injury. He delivered an impressive all-round performance, taking 1-16 with the ball and scoring an unbeaten 59 runs, aiding India’s 101-run victory over South Africa in Cuttack and securing a 1-0 lead in the series.

“You should be a rockstar, come perform for 10 minutes, and the crowd goes berserk. That has been the biggest motivation for me. Life has always thrown a lot of lemons at me, and I always thought that I would make lemonade. I’ve always believed that if I don’t believe in myself, how will others believe me? My mindset was really about coming back stronger, bigger and better,” Hardik said in a video shared by the BCCI.

“Every time that I walk in, I feel like the crowd has been waiting for this moment. They’ve come to watch me bat. Because I have stood strong, I have done a lot of things with grace. That has helped me become even more confident, back myself, and really trust my skill set. I really believe in myself as a player. Injuries test you mentally as well, and at the same time, it puts you in a lot of doubt,” he added.

Hardik also credited his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, for bringing positivity into his life before confidently stating that his goal is now to pursue bigger ambitions and excel in every opportunity he gets.

“A lot of credit goes to my loved ones. Special mention to my partner as well. She’s been nothing but the best to me since she entered my life. A lot of great things have happened since she’s arrived,” he said.

“I’ve been a very honest and very real person in life as well, which has helped me a lot. I don’t really sugarcoat a lot of things in my life. It’s never about the other person, never about how others think or how others perceive. It is always about how I feel inside. Now it’s a time where Hardik Pandya just wants to play the sport and enjoy every second on the ground. And yes, bigger and better will be the motto in my life,” he added.