India and Pakistan cricket rivalry shaped some of the most memorable moments in ODIs through the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s. The fantasy XI includes legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Imran Khan, and Wasim Akram, celebrating those who had the most significant impact in these head-to-head encounters.
England and Australia face off in the Champions Trophy opener, with both teams looking to recover from recent ODI setbacks. Key players are missing for Australia, while England aims to leverage their pace attack and proven batsmen for a strong start in the tournament.
MS Dhoni, 43, remains committed to the Indian Premier League, feeling capable of rigorous training for six to eight months to perform at the highest level. Despite retiring from international cricket, Dhoni's dedication to fitness and the game continues as he leads Chennai Super Kings, emphasizing the importance of effort and enjoyment.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Amanjot Kaur led Mumbai Indians to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a Women's Premier League match. Notable contributions came from Ellyse Perry for RCB and crucial partnerships during MI's chase ensured their win.
Shubman Gill's unbeaten 101 guided India to an easy six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener. Gill described the knock as one of his most satisfying and acknowledged the importance of staying till the end to secure the victory.
With the Champions Trophy format allowing little room for error, India's big stars, led by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, face Bangladesh in their opening Group-A match in Dubai. Hosts Pakistan, meanwhile, opened the tournament with a defeat against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday and will face India on February 23 in a must-win game.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, a principle central to his cricketing success. Retired since 2020, Dhoni encourages young cricketers to prioritise their sport, just as he did. Post-retirement, Dhoni continues to enjoy cricket, reminiscing his innocent childhood passion for the game. Despite having retired from international cricket, Dhoni still continues to wins the hearts of all cricket lovers in the Indian Premier League where he plays for the Chennai Super Kings.
Captain Meg Lanning's stellar 69 off 49 balls led Delhi Capitals to a seven-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League (WPL). Chasing 166, Lanning was supported by Annabel Sutherland's unbeaten 41 and Marizanne Kapp's 19 not out. Despite Kiran Navgire’s explosive 51, UP Warriorz’s total proved insufficient against Delhi's strong batting performance.
Novak Djokovic's return from injury ended with a defeat against Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open, as the Italian won 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. Djokovic admitted he was outplayed despite being pain-free.
The Champions Trophy begins today with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. The tournament, last held in 2017, has the defending champions hosting the event. Matches will take place across three cities in Pakistan, while the Indian team is set up in Dubai after their refusal to travel to Pakistan.
Nat Sciver-Brunt's stellar performance in both batting and bowling led the Mumbai Indians to a five-wicket win against Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League. Sciver-Brunt claimed two wickets and scored 57 runs off 39 balls. Key contributions by teammates further restricted Gujarat Giants to 120 runs, securing an easy chase for Mumbai.
Barcelona reached the top of La Liga after defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 with a Robert Lewandowski penalty. This victory came following recent draws by Madrid clubs. Barcelona had been behind by seven points just weeks earlier. The match featured strong performances by both teams and ended Rayo’s 10-match unbeaten streak.
The BCCI has released Team India's official jerseys for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, featuring star players including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The Indian squad will miss Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, with Harshit Rana named as his replacement. India will start their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.
Smriti Mandhana's explosive 81 off 47 balls and a solid 107-run stand with Danni Wyatt-Hodge propelled RCB to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League. Renuka Singh and Georgia Wareham led RCB's strong bowling performance, dismissing Delhi for 141. RCB now leads the league with two wins in two matches.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh downplays the hype around the upcoming India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy, asserting India's superiority due to their stronger squad. He highlights India's key players' form and Pakistan's inconsistency, predicting a one-sided match. Harbhajan also sees Afghanistan as potential strong contenders in the tournament.
Tottenham's 1-0 win over Manchester United, thanks to James Maddison's early goal, lifted Spurs to 12th place and eased pressure on manager Postecoglou. Manchester United, plagued by injuries and lacking offensive punch, slipped to 15th. Fans protested against Tottenham's chairman Levy, demanding change. Key players returned for Spurs, while United struggled with a youthful bench.
Virat Kohli and the Indian cricket team engaged in their first training session in Dubai ahead of the Champions Trophy. Despite an intense practice, Kohli maintained his routine by arranging a post-session meal. A concerning moment arose when a Pandya slash injured Rishabh Pant's knee, but he continued to bat with determination.
Ashleigh Gardner's all-round performance led Gujarat Giants to a six-wicket victory against UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League. Gardner's contributions with 2 for 39 in bowling and a swift 32-ball 52 in batting were pivotal. Priya Mishra's 3 for 25 and essential partnerships propelled Gujarat to chase down 143 with two overs remaining.
Australian cricket star Steve Smith expressed confidence that spinner Matt Kuhnemann will pass biomechanical tests on his bowling action despite being reported during a Test match against Sri Lanka. Despite surprise and confusion from Australian officials, Kuhnemann is set to undergo testing within 10 days and remains eligible for domestic cricket.
Salman Ali Agha, vice-captain of the Pakistan cricket team, highlights the significance of winning the Champions Trophy over simply beating India. He expresses confidence in Pakistan's ability to secure the title. Acknowledging the excitement of the India-Pakistan clash, Salman emphasises focusing on the bigger goal of lifting the Champions Trophy.