Tilak Varma is establishing himself as a dependable T20I batter, particularly in run-chases, where his average is second only to Virat Kohli. His recent performances, including a fluent 62 against South Africa, further highlight his form. Varma has expressed his readiness to bat anywhere from number three to six, prioritizing team needs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a sensational 101 off 48 balls, leading Mumbai to a remarkable four-wicket victory over Haryana in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This dominant chase, the second-highest in tournament history, saw Jaiswal's brilliant century, supported by Sarfaraz Khan's quickfire 64, propel Mumbai to a memorable win.
At the toss, neither Ayush Mhatre nor Pakistan skipper Farhan Yousaf initiated the customary exchange of pleasantries. After Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first, the two captains avoided eye contact, gave their respective interviews, and proceeded to their dressing rooms.
Chaos marred Lionel Messi's Kolkata visit as overcrowding and poor crowd control led to his early departure from Salt Lake Stadium. Fans expressed anger and disappointment, with the Chief Minister issuing an apology and ordering an inquiry. Messi's GOAT India Tour continues to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, with organizers now under pressure to ensure smooth events.
Shubman Gill faces a crucial three-match trial against South Africa to secure his T20 World Cup spot. With Suryakumar Yadav also under scrutiny, the Indian top-order needs a significant turnaround. The team management grapples with batting order confusion and selection dilemmas, including the potential exclusion of key spinner Kuldeep Yadav, as they aim to find form before the global tournament.
Football icon Lionel Messi's Kolkata visit was a whirlwind of adoration and disruption. While a massive crowd caused chaos during his stadium appearance, leading to security concerns, fans also celebrated his legacy with a 70-foot statue unveiling. Messi's return after 14 years ignited immense enthusiasm, highlighting his enduring popularity.
Young Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed a brilliant 171 against UAE in the U19 Asia Cup, marking him as the second-highest Indian scorer in U19 ODIs. His aggressive innings, featuring nine sixes, propelled India to a strong start. Suryavanshi also holds the record for the fastest Youth ODI century.
New Zealand dominated the West Indies with a commanding nine-wicket win in the second Test, securing vital World Test Championship points. Jacob Duffy's stellar five-wicket haul dismantled the visitors' second innings. Devon Conway and Kane Williamson expertly chased down the modest target, putting New Zealand in a strong position for a potential championship final.
Abhishek Sharma's rapid rise to international cricket is attributed to his rigorous childhood training and the strict mentorship of Yuvraj Singh. His father and coaches recall his dedication from a young age, with Yuvraj's tough love continuing to shape his game, even influencing his adoption of golf to refine his batting.
Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh revealed his YouTube channel's origin stemmed from frustration after being dropped for the Champions Trophy 2025 opener. Instead of dwelling on disappointment, he embraced the downtime, finding positivity and a creative outlet. His relatable humor, exemplified by a viral reel with Virat Kohli, has captivated fans, turning setbacks into opportunities.
Lionel Messi's highly anticipated GOAT India Tour 2025 is set to captivate fans across four cities from December 13-15. The Argentina legend will visit Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, engaging in football clinics, friendly matches, and a special meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Former teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul will join him for select events.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was surprised by a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi inquiring about "Simu." He later learned Simu Das, a visually impaired cricketer, was the Player of the Match in India's Blind Women's T20 World Cup victory. Her extraordinary performance earned her national recognition and government support.
Dale Steyn praises Suryakumar Yadav's flexible captaincy as the bedrock of India's aggressive T20 approach, fostering player confidence. This leadership style, coupled with Gautam Gambhir's dynamic role philosophy, empowers players to adapt for team success. Hardik Pandya's return further bolsters India's balance and match-winning potential.
Hardik Pandya strongly condemned paparazzi for intrusive photography of Mahieka Sharma, calling it disrespectful and cheap sensationalism. He urged the media to be more mindful and respect boundaries, emphasising that not everything needs to be captured. Meanwhile, Pandya is nearing a T20I milestone of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin's cryptic social media post, a visual pun combining Sunny Leone and Sadhu Street, baffled fans until they realised it was a tribute to young cricketer Sunny Sandhu. Sandhu's match-winning cameo in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earned him this unique endorsement, potentially boosting his profile ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
India cricketer Smriti Mandhana has confirmed her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal is called off, following weeks of speculation. Teammate Jemimah Rodrigues has provided significant emotional support throughout the ordeal. Mandhana, however, remains focused on her cricket career, emphasising her commitment to representing India.
Shakib Al Hasan has admitted that extreme physical fatigue pushed him to intentionally chuck during an English County match for Surrey — a move that ultimately led to his bowling suspension. The left-arm spinner was banned from bowling in all competitions governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after independent testing at Loughborough University in December last year deemed his action illegal.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has officially confirmed her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal is off, ending weeks of speculation. She requested privacy for both families, stating her focus is now on representing India. Calling herself a “very private person,” she urged restraint and understanding from the public.
Following a stellar India vs South Africa ODI series, where he smashed two centuries and a fifty, Virat Kohli visited the Simhachalam Temple. His exceptional form, culminating in Player of the Series, saw him finish 2025 as India's top ODI scorer. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also sought blessings at the temple before the decisive Vizag match.
Indian women’s team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana on Sunday addressed weeks of speculation surrounding her personal life, confirming that her wedding with music composer Palash Muchhal has been "called off". The star batter appealed to fans and the media to respect the privacy of both families.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar asserts that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserve special treatment and their places in the ODI setup should never have been questioned. He believes their years of contribution and recent strong performances warrant a different evaluation standard, highlighting their impact on team morale and performance.
Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202 to help West Indies achieve a remarkable draw against New Zealand. Chasing a huge target, the team showed immense grit. Shai Hope and Kemar Roach also played vital roles. Despite this heroic effort, West Indies remains at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings. New Zealand moves up the table.
Shubman Gill had been included in the T20I squad subject to fitness and was required to undergo a full set of rehabilitation and skill-based Return To Play (RTP) protocols. Gill's injury occurred due to a whiplash incident on the second day of the Kolkata Test, resulting in Gill being hospitalised for a couple of days and administered an injection.
India won the toss and elected to field against South Africa in the third and final ODI of the series at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. The last time India won the toss in an ODI was during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.
India and South Africa are tied 1-1 heading into their final ODI, a series marked by high-scoring games and broken batting records. Virat Kohli is on the verge of multiple century milestones, while both teams could set new records for successful 350+ chases. The decisive match promises further batting fireworks.
Andy Flower, in Dubai for ILT20 commentary and RCB scouting, praised Virat Kohli’s hunger and “incredible standard” after his back-to-back ODI tons. The RCB coach backed India head coach Gautam Gambhir amid criticism following consecutive home Test series defeats, saying responsibility cannot fall on one man. Flower also urged India to avoid extreme turners, insisting their talent is strong enough to win on sporting pitches.
Mitchell Starc has become the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test history, surpassing Wasim Akram's 414 wickets with a stellar 6/75 performance. Akram lauded Starc as a worthy successor, but the Australian humbly stated Akram remains the benchmark. Starc now ranks among Australia's top wicket-takers, with his pursuit of further milestones ongoing.
Thousands of passionate Indian cricket fans descended upon Cuttack's Barabati Stadium for tickets to the India vs. South Africa T20I, resulting in chaotic scenes. A viral video captured a frenzied crowd pushing and surging towards ticket counters, raising concerns about public safety amidst intense demand for the upcoming series.
Sunil Narine etched his name in T20 history, becoming the third bowler to claim 600 wickets in competitive matches during an ILT20 game. The spinner's remarkable achievement places him alongside elite bowlers like Rashid Khan and Dwayne Bravo. His consistent brilliance across various Knight Riders franchises underscores his legendary status in the format.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed bewilderment over Mohammed Siraj's exclusion from the ODI setup. He questioned the decision, highlighting Siraj's strong ODI record and contrasting it with the struggles of other young pacers who were preferred. Chopra finds it inexplicable that Siraj has seemingly become a red-ball specialist.
A rare defeat for India saw Virat Kohli's brilliant century go in vain as South Africa chased down 358 to level the ODI series. This marked the first loss in nearly seven years despite a Kohli ton, highlighting an unusual outcome. Aiden Markram's century also played a crucial role in the visitors' successful chase.
Senior women's hockey coach Harendra Singh resigned citing personal reasons, but sources point to long-standing player grievances. Eight senior players submitted an 18-point letter detailing allegations of mental harassment, prompting an investigation by Hockey India. The team's future hangs in the balance amidst calls for honesty and bold decisions.
Boxing coach Santiago Nieva returns to lead Indian women's boxing with a mission for the 2028 Olympics. He emphasizes the need for high-quality, organized training to convert potential into Olympic medals, aiming for multiple gold medals at world championships and the Olympics. Nieva believes in selecting the best boxers based on consistent performance and international competition.
New Zealand reached 231-9 on a rain-affected day one of the first Test against West Indies. Justin Greaves triggered a middle-order collapse after dismissing Kane Williamson for 52, but Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith offered resistance with a crucial partnership.
Usman Khawaja's back injury has forced Australia into a significant selection dilemma ahead of the Gabba day-night Test. With no replacement named, selectors must choose between Josh Inglis and Beau Webster to open, potentially disrupting the top order again. This setback raises questions about Khawaja's future and Australia's quest for stability.
The Indian Street Premier League's Season 3 player auction is set for December 9 in Mumbai, featuring 408 players from 101 cities. With an increased team purse to Rs 1.5 crore and expanded squads of 18, the tournament introduces new features like 'Googly Power' and retention cards.
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn lauded Virat Kohli's enduring ODI relevance, highlighting his "mentally young, fresh, and hungry" approach after a match-winning 135. Steyn emphasised Kohli's vast experience and unwavering self-belief, noting the star batter's palpable excitement for playing for India, even at 37. This stellar performance powered India to a 17-run victory.