India's team management, led by stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah and head coach Gautam Gambhir, is set to surprise with Ravichandran Ashwin as the lone spinner in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. Ashwin will replace Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar due to the presence of left-handers in the Australian lineup. Additionally, seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is expected to make his debut, adding depth to India's bowling attack. With a green top expected at the Optus Stadium, India is likely to field three fast bowlers and Ashwin in the XI.

India’s practice session in Perth was marked by an intense battle between Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, with both players showcasing their skills ahead of the first Test against Australia. Kohli appeared in excellent form, while Bumrah’s precision and pace tested the batsman. Yashasvi Jaiswal, however, struggled against pacers, displaying discomfort. Shubman Gill, nursing a thumb injury, missed the session, with Devdutt Padikkal stepping in as a potential replacement. Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, and Kohli all showed good form, while Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy also impressed during the session.

India successfully defended their Women's Asian Champions Trophy title, defeating China 1-0 in the final at Rajgir Sports Complex. The match remained closely contested in the first half, with both teams creating chances. However, Deepika, who was named Player of the Tournament, scored the lone goal in the third quarter, securing India's victory. Despite a few missed penalty corners, India's defense and control improved, with Lalremsiami being named Player of the Match for her crucial defensive efforts. India maintained dominance, with impressive performances from Sangita Kumari and captain Salima Tete.

Hilarious moments unfolded during India's practice session ahead of the first Test against Australia in Perth. Sarfaraz Khan dropped an easy catch during slip-catching drills, triggering uncontrollable laughter from Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Dhruv Jurel. Pant fell down laughing, while Kohli and Jurel struggled to keep calm. The light-hearted moment highlighted team camaraderie before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy clash starting Friday. Jurel, likely to play his maiden Test in Australia, impressed in past matches. With Kohli and Pant pivotal to India's batting and no Rohit Sharma, the focus shifts to India's final practice and team selection.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old batting sensation from Bihar, has become the youngest player ever to feature in the IPL auction list. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced his inclusion among 574 players for the IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah. Despite modest First-Class stats (100 runs in 5 matches), Suryavanshi's stellar century in the India U19 vs. Australia U19 series showcased his immense potential. Occupying the 491st spot in the uncapped category, he is also part of India’s squad for the U19 Asia Cup, starting November 30, against Pakistan.

Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman announced that the Argentina football team, including Lionel Messi, will visit Kerala next year for an international match. The match will be organized under the state government’s supervision, with financial backing from local merchants. Messi, who last played in India in 2011, enjoys a huge fanbase in Kerala, a state known for its strong football culture. The match will be a historic occasion for Indian football fans, particularly in Kerala, where Messi’s popularity continues to soar after his move to Major League Soccer (MLS).

Magnus Carlsen had a memorable moment in Kolkata during the Tata Steel Chess India tournament. While handing the trophy to 20-year-old Bristy Mukherjee, who won the All India Women Rapid event, the World No. 1 was left blushing when she touched his feet for blessings. Carlsen also clinched the blitz title with 13 points, completing a double victory in Kolkata for the second time since 2019. Filipino-American Grandmaster Wesley So secured second place, while Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa finished third and fourth. Carlsen now heads to Singapore for Freestyle Chess promotions and a match against Fabiano Caruana.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes Virat Kohli could have a "massive" Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, possibly his last Test series there. Ganguly highlighted Kohli’s stellar Australian record, including four centuries in 2014 and one in 2018, while dismissing concerns over his recent poor form. He emphasized Kohli’s ability to thrive on batting-friendly Australian pitches despite a 16-month Test century drought. Ganguly also praised young Dhruv Jurel for his strong performance in the second tour game and hinted at his inclusion in the middle order for the first Test in Perth.

Jake Paul celebrated his boxing triumph over 58-year-old legend Mike Tyson with a grand afterparty in Dallas. Held at a $9-million mansion, the event featured premium drinks, fried chicken sliders, and live music by DJ E-V. Attendees, including model Amber Rose and former NFL player Dez Bryant, enjoyed hip-hop, EDM, and R&B classics. Paul, 27, arrived with girlfriend Jutta Leerdam and his golden retriever, Thor. The bout, viewed by over 65 million globally, took place at AT&T Stadium, Texas. The night concluded with a tribute to Muhammad Ali, cementing Paul’s legacy in the boxing world.

India captain Rohit Sharma will miss the opening Test against Australia in Perth, as he and wife Ritika Sajdeh recently welcomed their second child. Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in Rohit’s absence. Rohit will rejoin the squad in Adelaide, playing a two-day pink-ball warm-up game against the Australian Prime Minister's XI on November 30, ahead of the day-night Test. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, initially doubtful after an elbow injury, is fit and ready to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Perth Test. However, Shubman Gill’s thumb injury may lead to a debut for Devdutt Padikkal or Abhimanyu Easwaran.