11 foreign players have departed their respective ISL clubs in January and more could be on their way out. The truncated 2025-26 season will get underway on February 14, for which a one-time AFC exemption was granted. With revenues and commercials significantly hit, clubs have been forced to take steps to cut costs.
Bangladesh cricket faces turmoil as a board director's controversial remarks about national cricketers sparked a boycott threat. The Bangladesh Cricket Board issued a show-cause notice and expressed regret over the comments, urging players to reconsider their stance. The BPL faced immediate disruption, with match toss delays reported amid the escalating crisis.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma expressed devastation after learning of his T20 World Cup 2026 omission, admitting the news came as a shock without prior communication. Despite initial heartbreak, he accepted the selectors' reasoning after discussions. Jitesh found solace in family and guidance from Dinesh Karthik to move past the disappointment.
Ayush Badoni joins the Indian ODI squad for the New Zealand series. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak highlighted Badoni's consistent performances for India A and in the IPL. He offers a valuable sixth bowling option. Badoni's inclusion provides flexibility to the team's bowling attack. He has a strong record in List A and IPL cricket.
Mary Kom's estranged husband, Karung Onkholer, denies her allegations of financial misappropriation and land loss, calling them baseless. He counters by accusing the boxer of extramarital affairs, claiming their marriage deteriorated over a decade ago. Kom, meanwhile, describes the separation as the "darkest phase" of her life, alleging she was cheated of crores and lost land.
Leg-spinner KC Cariappa has announced his retirement from BCCI cricket at 31. After a memorable IPL debut for KKR where he dismissed AB de Villiers, Cariappa played 11 IPL matches. He also had a productive domestic career representing Mizoram, taking 75 first-class wickets.
Ayush Badoni received his maiden ODI call-up as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar. The 24-year-old, who has had a strong domestic season, joined the Indian squad in Rajkot for the second ODI against New Zealand. A video of Badoni singing at the team's request has also gone viral.
India's ODI series against New Zealand faces disruption as Washington Sundar is ruled out due to a rib injury sustained in the first match. Young batter Ayush Badoni earns his maiden national call-up as his replacement. This setback follows Rishabh Pant's earlier withdrawal, highlighting ongoing injury concerns for the Indian squad.
India's master batter Virat Kohli expressed discomfort with fans cheering his arrival at the crease upon a batter's dismissal, a practice he finds disheartening for the departing player. Despite this, Kohli remains grateful for fan support and focused on team victory, as demonstrated by his match-winning 93 in India's chase.
Virat Kohli's masterful 93 guided India to a four-wicket victory in the first ODI against New Zealand, marking his 28,000th international run and surpassing Kumar Sangakkara in the record books. Shreyas Iyer, returning from injury, praised Kohli's consistent brilliance and steadying presence, while even rival Kyle Jamieson acknowledged Kohli's unparalleled influence on the game.
Virat Kohli has achieved another milestone, becoming the fifth Indian with the most ODI appearances, surpassing Sourav Ganguly. With 309 matches played, he now trails only Tendulkar, Dhoni, Dravid, and Azharuddin. Kohli is also nearing a significant batting record, poised to become the second-highest international run-scorer across all formats.
India's leading cricket equipment manufacturer SG has put sponsorship contracts with top Bangladeshi cricketers, including captain Litton Das, on hold due to escalating India-Bangladesh tensions. This, coupled with a halt in equipment distribution and manufacturing supply lines, is set to financially impact Bangladesh's sports industry.
Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto revealed the psychological strain on players due to uncertainty surrounding their T20 World Cup participation in India. He also condemned a BCB director's 'Indian agent' remark against former captain Tamim Iqbal, emphasizing the need for respect within the cricketing fraternity.
India's ODI campaign kicks off against New Zealand with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in top form. Captain Shubman Gill faces scrutiny after T20 World Cup omission, while Shreyas Iyer's return bolsters the middle order. New Zealand, missing key players, aims to leverage a winning mindset led by Michael Bracewell.
India is significantly raising its Olympic medal ambitions, targeting 12-14 gold and 30-35 overall medals for the 2036 Games, while also bidding to host. A long-term strategy aims for 30-35 gold and 100 total medals by 2048, positioning India among the top sporting nations.
At 58, veteran striker Kazuyoshi Miura, affectionately known as 'King Kazu,' is embarking on his 41st professional season. He has joined third-division side Fukushima United on loan, aiming to score and assist. Miura, a pioneer of Japanese football, remains driven by a desire to play, even for a fleeting moment, showcasing his enduring passion for the game.
Bangladesh cricket faces uncertainty as Indian sponsorship deals for players like Litton Das are at risk following the Mustafizur Rahman controversy. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has requested the International Cricket Council shift T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns, impacting players and coaching staff.
PV Sindhu has advanced to the Malaysia Open Super 1000 semifinals, marking a strong comeback after an injury layoff. Her quarterfinal opponent, Akane Yamaguchi, retired hurt after the first game, with Sindhu dominating the initial set. This victory underscores Sindhu's growing confidence as she progresses in her return to peak form.
England captain Ben Stokes candidly admitted his team's Ashes campaign fell significantly short, losing 4-1 to Australia. He highlighted a lack of execution with bat, ball, and in the field, allowing Australia to repeatedly seize momentum. Stokes acknowledged the team's performance was well below the required standard for winning Test matches in Australia.
Bhopal-born cricketer Rahila Firdous, inspired by Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, has earned an engineering degree while honing her cricket skills. After impressive domestic performances, she was picked by Mumbai Indians for Rs 10 lakh in the WPL auction, a significant career leap. Rahila is eager to learn from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and leverage the WPL platform for growth.
Magnus Carlsen's repeated emotional outbursts, including slamming boards and scattering pieces, have sparked debate about sportsmanship in elite chess. While FIDE prioritizes commercial success, critics argue that unaddressed behavior sends the wrong message to young players who idolize the world champion.
Jacob Bethell's magnificent maiden Test century, an unbeaten 142, anchored England's fightback on Day 4 of the fifth Ashes Test. Despite losing key wickets, the young batsman's composure helped England build a slender 119-run lead. The match remains delicately poised heading into the final day, with Bethell's remarkable knock a highlight.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah questioned the IPL's decision to release Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, citing strained India-Bangladesh ties. He argued that removing a single player wouldn't resolve diplomatic issues and could negatively impact the upcoming T20 World Cup, with Bangladesh potentially boycotting India as host.
Travis Head's explosive 163 and Steve Smith's steady 129 powered Australia to a commanding 134-run lead over England on day three. Head's third century of the series, coupled with Smith's maiden hundred, put Australia in a dominant position. England, already having lost the Ashes, struggled to contain the Australian batsmen.
Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman is unlikely to get paid by Kolkata Knight Riders after his IPL contract termination. Despite being a high-value signing, his release, not due to injury or misconduct, leaves him unprotected by insurance and contractual clauses. This situation highlights player rights issues and potential legal avenues for the bowler.
Joe Root scored a brilliant 160 for England, reaching 384. Australia fought back strongly with Travis Head's unbeaten 91. Despite losing two wickets, Australia ended the day at 166 for 2. Root’s masterful knock — his 41st Test century, drawing him level with Ricky Ponting — finally ended when Michael Neser pulled off a superb caught-and-bowled, the seamer finishing with figures of 4 for 60.
England entered the match buoyed by a four-wicket win inside two days in the previous Test in Melbourne and were eager to carry forward the momentum. That victory ended a 15-year winless streak in Australia but came too late to save the series, with the hosts having already retained the urn through wins in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Kolkata Knight Riders must release Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026. The BCCI has directed the franchise to do so. KKR is expected to receive the full Rs 9.20 crore auction amount back. This allows them to find a replacement player. The decision follows political sensitivities. This move impacts KKR's bowling plans for the upcoming season.
Steve Smith has firmly dismissed retirement rumours ahead of the final Ashes Test, stating his commitment to Test cricket. While acknowledging a dip from his peak, he insists he's still contributing and enjoying the game, taking it series by series. Smith also highlighted Australia's team strength and his evolving role in mentoring younger players.
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja will retire from international cricket after the final Ashes Test. The batsman announced his decision at his home ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground. Khawaja has had a distinguished 15-year career. He will continue playing domestic cricket. Tributes have poured in from teammates and former players.
England have announced a 12-man squad for the final Ashes Test in Sydney following a morale-boosting win at the MCG. Shoaib Bashir is included, keeping spin options open, while Matthew Potts joins as cover. Opener Zak Crawley emphasised the team's aggressive batting approach will continue, aiming for a strong 3-2 series finish.
Sjoerd Marijne returns as chief coach of the Indian women's hockey team, aiming to build on their Tokyo Olympic success. He brings a fresh vision and energy, supported by analytical coach Matias Vila and scientific advisor Wayne Lombard. Marijne's immediate focus is the World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, with a national camp starting soon in Bengaluru.
Australia has revealed their 15-member squad for the final Ashes Test in Sydney, with Steve Smith captaining again. Pat Cummins is rested to manage his workload ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Usman Khawaja retains his spot despite a mixed series. The team aims to bounce back after their recent defeat.
Sarfaraz Khan brought up his hundred in just 56 balls in what was a breathtaking knock. Ashwin also highlighted the batter’s performances in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he amassed 329 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 203.08 and an average of 65.80.