Five members of Iran women's national football team have returned to Iran after dropping asylum bids in Australia. The squad travelled via Malaysia and Oman, landing in Igdir, Turkey, before crossing by coach. Players had initially sought humanitarian visas over fears of repercussions for remaining silent during the national anthem. Activists allege pressure through threats to families. Named players include Zahra Soltan Meshkehkar, Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali and captain Zahra Ghanbari. Two teammates granted sanctuary remain in Australia. Authorities earlier confirmed players were moved to safety, while Iran dismissed the episode as foreign interference. (PC: BBC)

Sunrisers Hyderabad have suffered an early setback ahead of IPL 2026 as regular skipper Pat Cummins will miss the first few matches due to a lower back injury. The Australian pacer has been recovering from a lumbar stress issue that kept him out of recent international fixtures. In his absence, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the stand-in captain, marking a significant leadership opportunity. Abhishek Sharma has been named vice-captain to support him. Cummins is expected to join the squad later and resume captaincy once fully fit, though his exact return timeline remains uncertain. (PC: Reuters)

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has reignited debate by hinting that head coach Gautam Gambhir may have influenced a transition phase affecting Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test cricket. Speaking publicly, Ashwin suggested that team management may have encouraged senior players to move on for long-term planning. Though he stopped short of confirming forced retirements, he stressed prioritizing team needs over individual ambitions. His remarks have intensified speculation about whether the senior stars’ exits were fully personal decisions or partly shaped by strategic changes within the Indian team setup. (PC: X)

The sale of IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru is close to completion, with two bidders in the final stage, a report said. One bid has come from Swedish firm EQT. The other is a group led by Ranjan Pai, along with KKR and Temasek. Other interested parties have stepped back from the process. The deal value is expected to cross $2 billion. Earlier offers were lower, but bidding has increased in the final phase. Sources said owner Diageo has set a March 31 deadline to close the deal. The final decision is expected soon. (PC: NDTV Sports)

Mexico has offered to host Iran's FIFA World Cup 2026 matches after the Iranian team expressed reluctance to play in the United States amid escalating US-Israel military conflict. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the country would have "no problem" hosting Iran's fixtures, pending FIFA approval. Iran's football federation has formally approached FIFA requesting venue relocation, citing player safety concerns, potential visa complications, and the hostile political climate. Iran is currently scheduled to play group-stage matches across multiple American cities under the tri-nation hosting model shared by the US, Mexico, and Canada. FIFA has yet to respond officially. Iran's participation in the tournament remains uncertain if concerns go unaddressed. (PC: Reuters)

Afghanistan cricketers Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi strongly condemned Pakistan following a deadly airstrike in Kabul that reportedly killed over 400 people. Both players expressed grief over civilian casualties, with Rashid calling attacks on homes, schools and hospitals a “war crime” and urging the United Nations to investigate. Nabi shared an emotional message describing the destruction of a drug treatment hospital and the loss of lives during Ramadan. The incident has intensified tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with growing international concern over civilian safety and adherence to humanitarian law.

The India women's national cricket team has earned a historic nomination for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, becoming the first women’s cricket team to receive the honour. The nomination follows India’s landmark victory in the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, where the team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, defeated South Africa women's national cricket team by 52 runs in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. India’s campaign also featured a record-breaking semifinal win against Australia women's national cricket team, chasing 339 the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history. The nomination marks a major milestone for women’s cricket and Indian sport.

Formula One is set to cancel the 2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April due to escalating conflict in the Middle East linked to the Iran war. The Bahrain race was planned for April 12, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on April 19. Safety concerns for drivers, teams, and fans, along with logistical challenges, prompted the decision after missile and drone attacks affected parts of the Gulf region. If confirmed, the cancellations will reduce the 2026 Formula One season from 24 to 22 races. The calendar will likely see a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix in late March and the Miami Grand Prix in early May. (PC: Getty Images)

The franchise Sunrisers Leeds has defended its decision to sign Pakistan mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed during the 2026 auction of The Hundred, saying it is “very pleased” to have him in the squad despite heavy online criticism. The signing sparked backlash from some Indian fans due to Ahmed’s past social media post linked to the 2019 India-Pakistan military standoff. Team officials clarified that the decision was based purely on cricketing merit. Head coach Daniel Vettori said the franchise needed a quality spinner after missing out on Adil Rashid and believed Ahmed was the best available option. The deal reportedly cost around £190,000. (PC: AP)

Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was signed by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 during the 2026 auction of The Hundred, sparking criticism from several Indian cricket fans. The franchise, owned by the same group as Sunrisers Hyderabad, faced online calls for boycott after the signing. Many fans questioned the move because Pakistani players have not participated in the IPL since 2009. The England and Wales Cricket Board earlier clarified that selections must be based on performance, not nationality. Despite the controversy, the signing highlights growing international participation in the league ahead of the 2026 season. (PC: Getty Images)