Sharjah Warriorz clinched a crucial victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in a key ILT20 match, propelling them to third place. Key contributions came from Johnson Charles with a brilliant 65 and effective bowling from Adam Zampa and Adam Milne. The team remains focused on playoff aspirations amidst tight competition.
England U19 batter Aaryan Sawant was dismissed in a bizarre fashion during a match against South Africa U19 when a ball deflected off a fielder’s helmet and hit the stumps. The match ended in a thrilling draw with South Africa falling just 22 runs short of the target, with nine wickets down.
The PCB showcased the upgraded Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, emphasizing their readiness for the Champions Trophy amid concerns over venue preparations. Scheduled to start on February 19, the event's first game is between Pakistan and New Zealand. With PKR 12 billion spent on renovations, doubts remain until PCB confirms stadium possession.
Steve Smith fell just one run short of 10,000 Test runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, reaching the milestone during the Test series against Sri Lanka. Smith became the fifth-fastest and 15th player overall to reach 10,000 Test runs. He joins Australian legends Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh in achieving this feat.
Wednesday will see a thrilling conclusion to the UEFA Champions League's league stage with 18 simultaneous matches kicking off at the same time. Teams like Manchester City and PSG are fighting to avoid elimination, while Liverpool and Barcelona have secured their places in the last-16. Key battles include Manchester City's match against Club Brugge and PSG's clash with Stuttgart.
Trisha Gongadi became the first player to score a century in women's U-19 T20 World Cup history, leading India to a 150-run victory over Scotland with an unbeaten 110 off 59 balls. India posted 208 for 1, with support from Kamalini G and Sanika Chalke. Scotland were bowled out for 58, with Ayushi Shukla taking 4 wickets for 8 runs.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra questions Mohammed Shami's fitness and readiness for India's T20I series against England after his extended absence despite being in the squad. Shami has not played in the first two T20Is, raising concerns about his availability. Chopra emphasizes the need for Shami to play to assess his form and fitness for future tournaments.
Sunil Gavaskar criticised India's top cricketers for their performances in the Ranji Trophy after returning from the disappointing Australia tour. Notable exceptions were Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill. Gavaskar highlighted Shardul Thakur's standout batting, criticized over-aggressive batting techniques and emphasized the importance of balancing caution and aggression on difficult pitches.
As Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli approach the end of their careers, former cricketers predict that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill will rise to fill their roles in white-ball cricket. Both Jaiswal and Gill have had impactful starts to their international careers and are seen as the new generation leaders for Team India.
The Desert Vipers secured their playoff spot in ILT20 season three, with standout performances from Gulbadin Naib and Tom Curran. The Giants stayed in playoff contention with crucial contributions from Blessing Muzarabani. The Vipers, with their dominant form, look formidable heading into the tournament’s final stages.
Pakistan endured a significant 120-run defeat against West Indies in the second Test at Multan, with a collapse to 133. Jomel Warrican's impressive 9-wicket haul contributed to this first home defeat against West Indies in 35 years. As a result, Pakistan is last in the ICC World Test Championship standings, while South Africa leads.
Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev's decision not to shake hands with Indian player R Vaishali due to religious reasons caused controversy at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. After the incident went viral, Yakubboev issued an apology, explaining his actions and expressing respect. He later informed other players of his beliefs to avoid misunderstandings.
Esha Oza of the UAE has been named ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year for 2024 due to her remarkable performance with both bat and ball. Oza led UAE to significant victories, including the Asian Cricket Council Women’s Premier Cup and a solid run in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, boasting impressive stats in 2024.
Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus has won the ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year award for 2024. His consistent performances in ODIs and T20Is, including scoring eight half-centuries and taking 36 wickets, have been pivotal. Notable achievements include his all-round contributions during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, solidifying his status as a premier all-rounder.
Veteran cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara celebrated his 37th birthday with a touching tribute from his wife, Puja. Despite not being in the Indian national team since June 2023, Pujara's impressive career continues at the domestic level. The BCCI also honored his contributions to cricket. Pujara remains a source of inspiration both on and off the field.
Australia's Big Bash League may introduce 'double play run-outs' and 'designated hitters' to attract elite players and spectators. High-level discussions are underway to implement these innovations in BBL15, aiming to speed up matches and reduce players' workload. The Playing Conditions Advisory Committee will review these potential changes, inspired by baseball and England's 'The Hundred' tournament.
England captain Heather Knight displayed visible frustration when rain interrupted play during the second T20I against Australia, halting a close chase. England, needing only six runs from five balls under the DLS method, ultimately lost by six runs. Knight praised her team's fight and expressed pride in their performance. Australia went on to win the rain-affected match by six runs in Canberra.
The SA20 T20 tournament in South Africa uses a points-based system ensuring fairness and excitement in rankings. Teams earn four points per win, with an additional bonus point for a commanding performance. Tiebreakers prioritize wins, bonus points, and NRR. Sunrisers Eastern Cape recently earned their third consecutive bonus point victory to remain in third position with 15 points.
England captain Jos Buttler believes their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan should proceed despite calls for a boycott due to the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights. Over 160 British lawmakers urged the ECB to avoid the match, but Buttler argues politics should not influence sports. ECB CEO Richard Gould plans to advocate for ICC to take collective action.
India captain Rohit Sharma returns to Ranji Trophy after nearly a decade for Mumbai's Round 6 match against Jammu & Kashmir on January 23. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja bolster their respective domestic teams. The BCCI mandates participation for contracted players unless unfit. Other fixtures involve star players like Shubman Gill.
Paige Lorenze, the influencer and entrepreneur, has become a notable figure at the 2025 Australian Open for her stylish courtside presence, supporting tennis player Tommy Paul. Praised for promoting Australian fashion, Lorenze stands out among other WAGs, enhancing her influence in the tennis world.
Rishabh Pant has been named captain of the Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2025 after being acquired for a record Rs 27 crore. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra praised Pant's impact, highlighting his significant role in shaping the team. The leadership group includes Zaheer Khan and RPSG chairman Sanjiv Goenka, with an all-Indian bowling attack adding to the challenge.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders secured their second win in ILT20 Season 3 with a 37-run victory over Gulf Giants. Michael Pepper’s half-century and strong bowling contributed to the win, overshadowing Aayan Afzal Khan’s 4/16 for the Giants. The Knight Riders’ solid start and strategic play were crucial, while the Giants' batting struggle was evident.
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra criticised Mohammed Siraj's omission from India's Champions Trophy squad, suggesting Siraj's consistent ODI performances should have earned him a place over Ravindra Jadeja. Chopra emphasised Siraj's higher potential for contribution and discussed his impressive statistics, arguing that he would have been more valuable to the team in the tournament.
Pakistan's spinners led their team to a 127-run victory over the West Indies in the first Test in Multan. Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed took nine and four wickets, respectively, as West Indies were dismissed for 123. This marks Pakistan's third consecutive home win by making pitches extremely spin-friendly.
David Warner endorses Travis Head as the potential next Test captain for Australia if Steve Smith is unable to play the Sri Lanka tour due to an elbow injury. Smith's injury, sustained during the Big Bash League, casts doubt on his participation, potentially leading to Head's captaincy debut.
A severe crash occurred during Australia's Tour Down Under cycling race, resulting in a female spectator being hospitalised with serious injuries. Cyclists collided with barricades, causing one rider to fly into the crowd. South Australia state Premier described it as an 'awful, freak accident.' The men's classic sprint race accident happened before the main six-stage event.
American tennis star Coco Gauff expressed her sadness over the ban of TikTok in the US by writing 'RIP TikTok USA' after winning at the Australian Open. Gauff, who frequently posted on TikTok, reflected on the app's role in supporting small businesses and creators. The ban follows a federal law requiring its parent company to sell the platform.
Despite his exceptional form in domestic cricket, Karun Nair has been left out of India’s Champions Trophy squad. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar highlighted the team's depth and competition for spots. Nair's remarkable performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including five centuries, were not enough to secure him a place among the selected 15 players.
At 26, Priya Saroj is a young MP from Uttar Pradesh's Machhlishahr constituency, having defeated BJP's BP Saroj. Initially pursuing a career in law, she transitioned into politics in 2024. Rumours of her engagement to cricketer Rinku Singh have been denied, though discussions between families are ongoing, emphasising the confluence of their successful careers.
Naomi Osaka retired from her third-round Australian Open match against Belinda Bencic due to a stomach injury. Osaka received medical attention but ultimately could not continue, highlighting her recent challenging run with injuries and personal issues. Bencic progressed after winning the opening set tiebreak. Osaka expressed optimism earlier, but the injury hindered her performance.
Ace shooter Manu Bhaker, awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan, achieved historic success at the Paris Olympics 2024 by winning two bronze medals, becoming the first Indian to secure two Olympic medals in shooting post-Independence and the second Indian woman to win two Olympic medals.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering expanding the coaching staff for the Indian Men's team, specifically a batting coach. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has expressed interest in the role. The coaching team, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, is under scrutiny following a string of losses and consistent batting challenges.
India and Pakistan will face off in the Champions Trophy on February 23 in Dubai. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has suggested appointing Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led Pakistan to a win against India in the 2017 final, as mentor.
The BCCI, after back-to-back Test series losses, plans to implement a strict fitness program and address team camaraderie issues. Restrictions on player time with spouses on tours and banning PR agencies for players have been discussed. India prepares for a white-ball series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy starting from January.
Mohammad Amir shares his thoughts about playing all matches in the fast-paced format of cricket, emphasising human limitations and the need to manage workloads. Despite retiring from international cricket twice, he continues to participate in T20 leagues, highlighting the rise of younger talents and the challenges of maintaining fitness amid continuous back-to-back games.
Novak Djokovic advanced to the Australian Open third round after defeating Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria in a four-set match. Djokovic's victory marked his 430th Grand Slam singles match, surpassing Roger Federer. Despite losing the second set, Djokovic regained control and praised Faria's performance. Djokovic now faces Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac in the next round.
Daniil Medvedev, the No. 5 seed and 2021 US Open champion, smashed a camera in frustration during his first-round match at the Australian Open against wildcard entrant Kasidit Samrej from Thailand, ranked 418th. Medvedev was trailing and eventually needed to battle back to win in five sets
The captains of 16 teams for the U19 Women's T20 World Cup assembled for a photo session at the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. The event highlighted their ambition as they posed with the tournament trophy, kicking off the competition starting on January 18 across Malaysia.
Anuj Rawat has joined Gujarat Titans' IPL camp in Surat, causing controversy as it coincides with Delhi's Ranji Trophy preparations. Rawat’s lack of permission from the DDCA has been criticised, while Ishant Sharma's participation is justified due to his retirement from Ranji cricket. Permission protocols for joining IPL-related activities during state commitments are highlighted.
Glenn Maxwell has agreed with his exclusion from Australia's Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour, understanding the selectors' decision to field uncapped all-rounder Cooper Connolly. Maxwell, who last played in 2017, prioritizes opportunities for new players in subcontinent conditions while refraining from future Test cricket plans.
Shaheen Shah Afridi's Test cricket future is uncertain as he has been repeatedly sidelined since early 2024. Pakistan selectors excluded him from the upcoming West Indies series to keep him fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy. Despite his desire to play, Shaheen has missed several key Test matches, raising questions about his role in the Test format.
India's squad for the T20I series against England has raised eyebrows with the exclusion of Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Aakash Chopra questions these decisions, highlighting Pant's talent and potential and suggesting that Jaiswal could have been given a chance. Chopra also critiques the lack of a third opener, raising concerns for the upcoming series.
Ireland's Aimee Maguire has been reported for a suspect bowling action in the first women's ODI against India in Rajkot. She will undergo testing at an ICC Accredited Testing Centre. Cricket Ireland supports her during this process, emphasizing her return with an improved action.
Shakib Al Hasan has been banned from bowling in domestic and international cricket after failing a second test of his bowling action. Despite this setback, he remains eligible to play as a batsman. Shakib is still in the running for a spot in Bangladesh's Champions Trophy team set to compete against India on February 20.
Sri Lanka triumphed over New Zealand in the third ODI at Auckland, clinching a 140-run victory. Key performances included Asitha Fernando and Eshan Malinga's three-wicket hauls. Pathum Nissanka led Sri Lanka's batting with 66 runs. Despite Mark Chapman's 81, New Zealand were bowled out for 150.
Rahul Dravid, a cricket legend known as 'The Wall', turned 52 on January 11. Renowned for his remarkable technique and patience, Dravid scored over 23,000 runs in international cricket and was India's captain. He played a pivotal role as the coach, leading India to T20 World Cup victory last year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the induction of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Mohammad and Saeed Anwar into the PCB Hall of Fame, honouring their significant contributions to Pakistan cricket.
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised Rishabh Pant for having one of the best defences in world cricket, despite his poor shot-selection during the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Ashwin highlighted Pant's ability to avoid getting out while defending. Pant's performances during the Australia tour were inconsistent. He scored 255 runs in the series.