Ravichandran Ashwin has warned that ODI cricket's future appears uncertain post-2027 World Cup, particularly after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's era concludes. Speaking on his YouTube show "Ash ki Baat," the off-spinner expressed concerns about the format's relevance amid thinning ODI calendars. While asserting Test cricket will endure in a T20-dominated age, Ashwin doubts ODIs enjoy similar guarantees. He highlighted how Vijay Hazare Trophy viewership surged when Rohit and Virat returned, emphasizing that star power currently drives fan engagement. With 156 wickets in 116 ODIs, Ashwin questioned what happens when these superstars retire. The BCCI recently mandated contracted players feature in domestic 50-over competitions, requiring at least two appearances before international commitments. (PC: PTI)

Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s long absence from the Indian team may soon end, with selectors reportedly reconsidering his place ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Shami hasn’t played an ODI since March 2025 and a Test since June 2023, but his strong domestic form — including 37 wickets in his last 10 matches — has put him back on the BCCI’s radar. Sources say fitness remains the key concern, but discussions are ongoing, and a recall, potentially in the upcoming series vs New Zealand, isn’t ruled out. His experience could bolster India’s pace attack if he stays fit and in form. (PC: AFP)

India defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the fifth women’s T20I at Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday to complete a 5-0 series clean sweep. Asked to bat first, India were in trouble at 77 for five after early wickets. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings with 68 off 43 balls, while Arundhati Reddy added an unbeaten 27. India finished on 175. Sri Lanka fought hard in reply as Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani built a partnership. Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma then took key wickets. Sri Lanka ended on 160 for seven. (PC: India Today)

British former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, 36, was injured in a serious car crash on the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, local police confirmed on December 29, 2025. The Lexus SUV he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck, killing two passengers at the scene. Joshua, seated in the rear, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities said preliminary investigations suggest excessive speed and a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre caused the crash. An official inquiry is underway, and details about the deceased are yet to be released. (PC: AP)

Indian ODI vice‑captain Shreyas Iyer is nearing a long‑awaited return to competitive cricket following a near‑fatal spleen laceration injury sustained during an ODI against Australia in Sydney in October. After being hospitalised and treated for internal bleeding, Iyer was discharged and has been progressing well in recovery. He recently resumed batting and is training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru as he builds fitness. Reports indicate he could play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 3 and 6, before potentially rejoining India for the ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, 2026. (PC: X)

The BCCI had informally approached former India batter VVS Laxman to take charge of the Test team after India’s 0–2 home series defeat to South Africa, a report said. The move came even though current head coach Gautam Gambhir is under contract until the 2027 ODI World Cup. This was the second time Laxman was contacted, after a similar outreach last year before Gambhir’s appointment. Laxman declined again, saying he is happy as Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The report said the board still has doubts about Gambhir’s red-ball role, with India sixth in the World Test Championship. (PC: HT)

The BCCI has named a 15-member India squad for the 2026 Under-19 World Cup in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Ayush Mhatre will lead the side, with Vihaan Malhotra as vice-captain. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is set for his first World Cup after strong youth form this year. He scored 690 runs in 12 youth one-day games in 2025. The squad also includes Aaron George and wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu. India will play New Zealand, USA and Bangladesh in the group stage. The team will tour South Africa for three one-day matches from January 3 before the tournament begins on January 15. (PC: India Today)

England snapped a 15-year drought in Australia by defeating the hosts in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, winning by four wickets while chasing 175. The Boxing Day Test concluded within two days amid dramatic collapses and spirited batting from England’s middle order. Australia’s first defeat in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle still leaves them atop the table with a strong points percentage, while England slightly improved their position but remain in the lower half. The result hasn’t altered the Ashes series outcome, with Australia already leading 3-1.

Fourteen-year-old cricketing prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi received India's highest civilian honor for children, the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP), from President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. Following the ceremony, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside fellow awardees. The Bihar batsman missed the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Manipur to attend the prestigious event. Vaibhav gained national attention after smashing a stunning 190 runs off just 84 balls in Bihar's opening match against Arunachal Pradesh. The PMRBP recognizes exceptional achievements by children aged 5-18 in bravery, art, culture, environment, innovation, science, technology, social service, and sports, celebrating India's youth excellence.

Harmanpreet Kaur created history by becoming the first captain to achieve 77 T20I victories, breaking Australian legend Meg Lanning's record of 76 wins. The milestone came after India's eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, sealing a 3-0 series lead. Harmanpreet has captained India in a record 130 T20Is, making her one of only three captains to lead over 100 matches in the format. She also became the first captain to win 16 matches against a single opponent (Sri Lanka) and holds the record for most Women's T20I appearances (185 games). This achievement follows India's historic World Cup victory two months ago, marking their first-ever ICC tournament title. (PC: X)