Despite retiring from Test cricket, Virat Kohli may return to England's red-ball scene, as Middlesex expresses interest in signing him for a county stint at Lord's. Middlesex's Director of Cricket, Alan Coleman, confirmed discussions are underway, highlighting Kohli's iconic status. While BCCI restricts contracted players from overseas T20 leagues, county championship participation remains possible. Kohli's retirement statement omitted any mention of first-class cricket, leaving the door open. Middlesex, aiming for Division Two promotion, envisions a potential Kohli-Williamson middle-order partnership. Upcoming matches at Lord's and an away game against Lancashire could feature Kohli, rekindling his rivalry with James Anderson. Kohli concluded his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches. (PC: AFP)

On May 16, 2025, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) honored Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma by naming a stand at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium after him. The “Rohit Sharma Stand” at the Divecha Pavilion Level 3 was unveiled in a ceremony attended by dignitaries, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and veteran politician Sharad Pawar. Rohit, visibly emotional, expressed deep gratitude to his parents for their sacrifices, guiding them onto the stage during the event. Teammate Suryakumar Yadav shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, praising Rohit's journey from finisher to opener to captain, and highlighting his humility and leadership. (PC: India Today)  

Former India coach Ravi Shastri disagreed with the decision to exclude Rohit Sharma from the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. With India trailing 2-1, Shastri said that if he were coach, Rohit would have definitely played, as the series was still open. Rohit stepped down due to poor form, allowing Jasprit Bumrah to captain. He prioritized team needs over personal ambitions. The Test was played on a bowler-friendly pitch, and India failed to level the series. (PC: Wikipedia)

On May 16, 2025, Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra achieved a major career milestone by surpassing the 90-meter mark for the first time, registering a personal best of 90.23 meters at the Doha Diamond League. He became the first Indian and only the third Asian to breach the 90-meter barrier in men's javelin, joining an elite group of 25 global athletes. Despite this landmark throw, Chopra finished second behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who won with 91.06 meters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Chopra, calling the achievement a moment of pride for India. (PC: PTI)

India’s Neeraj Chopra shattered the 90m barrier for the first time in his career with a stunning 90.23m throw at the 2025 Doha Diamond League, but settled for second place. Germany’s Julian Weber stole the win with a final-round throw of 91.06m. Despite not clinching gold, Chopra set a new national record and became only the third Asian to cross 90m. This was his season debut and first major competition under new coach Jan Zelezny. Grenada’s Anderson Peters placed third, while India’s Kishore Jena finished eighth. Chopra’s feat marks a significant milestone in his legendary career. (PC: India Today)

Speculation swirls around India’s Test captaincy as Gautam Gambhir reportedly held an extended meeting with the likely skipper, with Shubman Gill emerging as the frontrunner. Jasprit Bumrah, once considered the natural choice, now finds his leadership chances clouded by concerns over injury and workload. While no official announcement has been made, insiders hint at shifting dynamics within the team. With Gambhir known for his firm stance on team culture, managing Bumrah’s morale and role will be critical. As the BCCI weighs its options, the dressing room's balance and India's Test future could hinge on how this sensitive transition unfolds.

A day after announcing his Test retirement, Virat Kohli visited Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan with wife Anushka Sharma. The couple sought blessings from spiritual leader Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj. A video of their interaction, where Maharaj Ji asked Kohli, “Prasanna ho?” (Are you happy?), and Kohli replied, “Ji, abhi thik hain,” has gone viral. The spiritual leader spoke about prosperity and divine focus, advising detachment from worldly recognition. Anushka asked about the power of chanting God’s name, to which Maharaj Ji assured its importance. The moment has struck an emotional chord online. (PC : India Today)

Despite retiring from Test and T20I formats, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will remain in the BCCI’s Grade A+ contract list, confirmed secretary Devajit Saikia. The legendary duo, still active in ODIs, were named in the top contract tier alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja for 2024–25. Kohli retired with 9,230 Test runs and 4,188 T20I runs, while Rohit scored 4,301 Test and 4,231 T20I runs. Their continued presence reflects their impact and ongoing value to Indian cricket as the team enters the new World Test Championship cycle starting June 20 with a tour of England. (PC: BCCI)

The BCCI is under fire after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their Test retirements within five days of each other, just before the England tour. Former captain Anil Kumble criticised the board for denying the cricket icons a proper on-field farewell, urging officials to address the issue. The abrupt exits leave a leadership and batting void ahead of the five-Test series beginning June 20, marking the start of the 2025-27 WTC cycle. Shubman Gill is expected to take over as captain. Kumble called the timing a shock for selectors and warned of challenges ahead in tough English conditions. (PC: AFP)

After a week-long suspension due to India-Pakistan hostilities, the IPL 2025 will resume on May 17, with the final now scheduled for June 3. The BCCI announced a revised schedule featuring six venues—Bengaluru, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. Play-offs venues remain undecided. The Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match, halted mid-way on May 8, will now be played in Jaipur on May 24. The league avoids border-proximate cities like Dharamsala, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Two double-headers are planned on May 18 and 25. Concerns remain about overseas player availability, particularly Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood due to injury and WTC commitments. (PC: AP)