India and New Zealand are set for an eight-match limited-overs series, including three ODIs and five T20Is, from January 11 to 31. This series is crucial for senior players returning to the ODI setup and for finalising T20 combinations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. While the BCCI has already announced the T20I squad for the New Zealand series, the ODI squad is yet to be named.from Sports News: Cricket Live Scores, Latest Sports News, Football, NBA, NFL, WWE, NHL, MLB News & More https://ift.tt/PIxve6K
Virat Kohli celebrated the start of 2026 with a personal social media post alongside wife Anushka Sharma. On the cricketing front, the 35-year-old continues his remarkable ODI form, recently becoming the fastest to 16,000 List A runs after a stellar domestic return and a strong ODI series against South Africa.
Deepti Sharma has become the leading wicket-taker in women's T20 Internationals, surpassing Megan Schutt with her 152nd wicket. This achievement comes after she also became the first cricketer to score 1,000 runs and take 150 wickets in T20Is. India secured a 5-0 series win against Sri Lanka.
Mandhana’s run-scoring at the top of the order has played a key role in India Women’s results this season. She has scored runs in different formats and conditions while setting up innings for the team.
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has a surprising passion for perfumes. Teammate Axar Patel shared that Bumrah is deeply involved in understanding perfume composition. Bumrah even gifted a perfume to Siraj after a match. Patel also received a perfume gift from Bumrah. These anecdotes reveal a lighter side to the formidable bowler off the field.
The modern 'Battle of the Sexes' exhibition between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios was a detrimental circus act for women's tennis. Despite rigged rules, the match highlighted a lack of competitive substance, contrasting sharply with Billie Jean King's impactful 1973 win that shaped the formation of the WTA and paved way for equality.
Nick Kyrgios beat women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the "Battle of the Sexes" on Sunday, in a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans. On Sunday, each player received only one serve and the dimensions of Sabalenka's side of the court were nine percent smaller, in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios' power and speed advantage.
Both sets of fans sang chants in Jota's name in the 18th and 20th minutes -- the shirt numbers he wore during his spells at Molineux and Anfield respectively.
Like Axar Patel, Jayswal hails from Nadiad in Gujarat’s Kheda district and began his cricket journey at the same academy where Team India’s T20I vice-captain took his first steps. Jayswal lost his father when he was just eight months old. As he grew older, cricket became his passion, and he told his mother of his dream to become a professional cricketer. The road was far from easy, but his mother stood firmly by him.
Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu wants Virat Kohli to return to Test cricket. Kohli retired from Tests in May 2025 after a successful career. He continues to perform well in One Day Internationals. Recent performances in Australia and South Africa show his enduring form. This has led to calls for his Test comeback.
A dramatic opening day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground saw 20 wickets fall. Australia were bowled out for 152, and England followed for 110. This collapse has raised concerns for Cricket Australia about the impact of shortened Test matches on business.
Ajinkya Rahane's century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2020, was a pivotal moment for Indian Test cricket. Following a humiliating defeat, Rahane's resilient innings, marked by calm determination, restored belief and set the stage for a historic series victory against Australia. His performance showcased his ability to deliver under immense pressure.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a young cricketer, made headlines in the past year. He received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, India's highest civilian honor for young achievers. Sooryavanshi broke several cricket records, including the youngest player to score a century in List A cricket. He also achieved a T20 century at a young age.
Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made history by smashing 190 off 84 balls for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He became the youngest to score a List A hundred and the first men’s cricketer to hit centuries in both List A and T20 cricket before 15. His knock helped Bihar post a record 574.
Australia will be without captain Pat Cummins and injured spinner Nathan Lyon for the Boxing Day Test against England. Cummins is being rested as part of a workload management plan, while Lyon requires surgery on a torn hamstring. Todd Murphy and Jhye Richardson have been added to the squad, with Steve Smith set to resume captaincy.
Pakistan won the Under-19 Asia Cup by thrashing India by 191 runs, ending a 13-year title wait. After the final, mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed accused India of “unethical” behaviour and poor sportsmanship. He said he asked his players to celebrate respectfully and confirmed viral remarks urging discipline. The comments added controversy to Pakistan’s dominant victory.
Pakistan's chief selector Aaqib Javed revealed he's studied India's white-ball success to improve Pakistan's cricket structure. He stressed that quality talent, fostered by robust infrastructure and competition, is key to sustained success, not just individual brilliance. Javed expressed optimism about Pakistan's current team, especially with the upcoming T20 World Cup in familiar conditions.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma revealed he considered quitting cricket after the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia. The emotional toll of the defeat, after investing heavily since becoming captain, left him feeling drained. It took months of recovery and self-reflection to regain his passion for the sport.
Pakistan's U19 team triumphed over India in the Asia Cup final by a commanding 191 runs. Mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed's presence resonated with fans, leading to an emotional plea for his appointment as T20 World Cup mentor. This victory marks Pakistan's first U19 Asia Cup title in 13 years, with Sameer Minhas starring with 172 runs.
Shubman Gill's surprising omission from India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad and Axar Patel's appointment as vice-captain have sparked debate. Sunil Gavaskar expressed shock, highlighting Gill's class despite recent struggles and attributing his T20 rhythm issues to a layoff and natural game suited to longer formats. Gavaskar offered personal advice, believing Gill will return with renewed rhythm and fortune.
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was seen losing his temper at an airport, snatching a fan's phone who was recording him without permission. After a brief exchange, Bumrah returned the device. The cricketer is currently part of India's T20I series against South Africa, with India leading 2-1.
A new IPL rule caps overseas player salaries at INR 18 crore, regardless of auction bids, to enforce financial discipline and prevent inflation. While franchises pay the full bid amount, the excess goes to the BCCI's player welfare fund, with Indian players remaining unaffected by this cap.
Jimmy Neesham's adventure in the ILT20 for Dubai Capitals didn't get off a flying start. He scored just 16 runs and went for 22 runs in an over having come on as an unprepared Impact Player replacement. He wishes the rule gets removed from T20 leagues to give players time to prepare.
Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff were booed by fans at Wankhede Stadium during Lionel Messi's event. The crowd's displeasure was evident during the felicitation ceremony. Many spectators seemed more interested in seeing Messi than the celebrities. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also faced jeers. The mood improved when Sachin Tendulkar met Messi.
Indian cricketers grappled with mounting pressure during an intense practice session in Dharamshala ahead of the third T20I. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill focused on refining their batting techniques, addressing recent struggles. Meanwhile, South Africa, leading the series 1-1, enjoyed a day off, appearing more composed.
Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwari slammed organizers after Lionel Messi's appearance at Salt Lake Stadium descended into chaos. Fans, paying exorbitant prices, were left frustrated by mismanagement and a lack of clear views of the football icon. The event exposed significant planning and crowd control failures, leading to fan unrest and damage to stadium property.
Mohammed Siraj showcased exceptional bowling prowess in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, claiming three crucial wickets against a formidable Mumbai lineup. Despite the presence of several Indian stars, Mumbai faltered, setting a modest target. Hyderabad comfortably chased it down, securing a dominant nine-wicket victory, with Siraj earning the Player of the Match award for his stellar performance.
Exciting news for cricket fans. Ticket prices for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan are set to be very affordable. Entry-level tickets for this highly anticipated match will start as low as Rs 438. The International Cricket Council aims to make the tournament accessible to more fans.
India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged a "far from good enough" performance after a significant defeat to South Africa. He highlighted early wickets and a muddled batting strategy, admitting the team's over-reliance on Abhishek Sharma. Despite acknowledging bowling struggles with dew, Yadav stressed the team's commitment to learning and improving for future matches.
India's U-19 Asia Cup campaign faces scrutiny over whether players will shake hands with Pakistan, a gesture previously omitted in senior tournaments. The BCCI's stance on this sporting courtesy at the junior level remains a key point of attention, with the ICC preferring to keep politics separate from youth cricket.
India suffered a 51-run defeat to South Africa in the second T20I, raising concerns over Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav's form. The team's bowling discipline also faltered, with numerous full tosses and expensive overs contributing to South Africa's 213/4. India's chase collapsed early, falling short at 162 despite Tilak Varma's 62.
Shubman Gill is poised to become India's next all-format captain, with the BCCI identifying him as a long-term leader years ago. His recent appointment as T20I vice-captain solidifies this plan. Gill has already impressed as Test and ODI skipper, demonstrating strong leadership and exceptional performance under pressure, particularly during his record-breaking tour of England.
Venkatesh Iyer, released by KKR, enters the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a Rs 2 crore base price. Head coach Abhishek Nayar revealed Iyer's attitude and willingness to face adversity, not just his numbers, were key factors in his selection. Nayar highlighted Iyer's self-belief and conviction during trials as standout qualities.
Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar strongly defended Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's place in the ODI team, citing their exceptional records. He argued that established stars, having retired from other formats, deserve time to regain match fitness and their presence significantly boosts team morale and confidence, especially after tough losses.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has confirmed the cancellation of her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal, ending weeks of social media speculation. Both individuals have requested privacy for their families and expressed their desire to move forward. Muchhal also stated his team will take legal action against those spreading defamatory content.
Virat Kohli is back in top form, scoring 376 runs in his last four ODIs with two centuries and feeling liberated. After a Player of the Series award, he expressed his best rhythm in years, contributing to India's series win. Kohli, who holds the world record with 53 ODI centuries, rated his 135 in Ranchi as his best knock of the series.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's maiden ODI century (116*) powered India to a commanding nine-wicket victory over South Africa, clinching the series 2-1. Rohit Sharma also shone with 75 runs, crossing 20,000 international runs. The duo's 155-run opening stand set the stage for a dominant chase, with Virat Kohli adding an unbeaten 65.
IndiGo faces widespread passenger anger and flight disruptions due to new pilot rest regulations. Thousands were stranded, including cricketer Madan Lal, as over 1,000 flights were cancelled. The airline admitted to planning gaps and expects full normalisation between December 10 and 15.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana broke her social media silence with a toothpaste ad post, sparking speculation due to her missing engagement ring. Her wedding to Palash Muchhal was indefinitely postponed due to family medical emergencies, with recent nazar emojis in bios addressing further rumours. Mandhana is set to return to cricket soon.
Andre Russell's IPL journey with KKR takes a new turn as he transitions to 'Power Coach' for 2026. CEO Venky Mysore revealed the decision, influenced by auction rules and Russell's own thoughts on retirement. This innovative role aims to leverage Russell's explosive power and game-finishing expertise for the team's future.
Easwaran, who is also trying to strengthen his case ahead of the IPL auction, scored 58 off 37 balls. Bengal chased 166 in 15.1 overs. Abhishek Porel, representing Delhi Capitals in the IPL, scored 56 off 29 balls. The pair added 93 runs for the second wicket in 8.2 overs, which set up the chase.
A heartwarming moment saw Rishabh Pant remove an eyelash from Rohit Sharma's face before India's impressive 358/5 in the second ODI. Virat Kohli's 53rd century and Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden ton powered the score. Rohit also unveiled India's new T20I jersey, expressing confidence for the 2026 World Cup.
Prasidh Krishna faced severe online criticism after India's four-wicket loss to South Africa in the second ODI. His expensive spell, conceding 85 runs in 8.2 overs, allowed South Africa to comfortably chase a target of 359. Despite centuries from Kohli and Gaikwad, Markram's 110 led the visitors to a memorable victory, leveling the series.