Gujarat Giants aim to build on their batting improvements, with Ashleigh Gardner leading the charge, while Mumbai Indians seek to bounce back from a narrow loss and fix their middle-order issues. Giants' opener Beth Mooney has shown form, but Laura Wolvaardt needs to step up. Gardner has led both with bat and ball. Mumbai Indians are hoping for a stronger performance from Yastika Bhatia and their lower order, alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership. Their bowling unit remains reliant on Shabnim Ismail, despite the controversial run-out issues.

Harbhajan Singh downplayed the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, predicting it would be a one-sided game in India’s favor. Singh highlighted India's superior squad strength and Pakistan's recent inconsistencies. He pointed out that key Indian players are in strong form, while Pakistan's lineup lacks depth beyond Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Harbhajan also suggested Afghanistan could be a strong contender, alongside India, for the tournament. India is aiming for its third Champions Trophy title, while Pakistan is looking to defend its 2017 crown.  

The 38th National Games, held in Uttarakhand from January 28 to February 14, 2025, concluded with the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) leading the medal tally. SSCB secured a total of 121 medals, comprising 68 golds, 26 silvers, and 27 bronzes. Maharashtra followed closely with 201 medals (54 golds, 71 silvers, and 76 bronzes), while Haryana claimed third place with 153 medals (48 golds, 47 silvers, and 58 bronzes). Hosts Uttarakhand achieved a commendable sixth position, amassing 103 medals, including 24 golds. Notably, Bihar ended a 25-year gold medal drought, with athletes Payal, Khushboo Kumari, and Nikhath Khatoon winning the women's triple lawn bowls event. The Games featured over 10,000 athletes competing across 35 sports disciplines, showcasing India's diverse athletic talent.   

The IPL 2025 season kicks off on March 22 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens. The tournament will feature 10 teams and span 65 days across 13 venues, with the final on May 25 in Kolkata. Key matchups include CSK vs MI and KKR vs RCB on the opening weekend. The season includes 12 double-headers, and new venues like Dharamsala, Guwahati, and Visakhapatnam will host a few games. Playoffs will be held in Hyderabad and Kolkata.

Indian Grandmasters D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi are set to compete in the upcoming Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam event this April. The trio, ranked among India's top chess players, will join global stars like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. This marks an exciting chapter for Indian chess, with Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa in top form, and Arjun aiming to recover from recent rating shifts. The event promises to capture the attention of both Indian and international chess fans.

In a candid response, Pakistan's vice-captain addressed the question of whether defeating India holds more significance than winning the ICC Champions Trophy. He emphasized that while the rivalry with India is intense, the primary goal remains to secure the Champions Trophy title. He stated, "Our focus is on winning the tournament; any match, including against India, is part of that objective." This perspective underscores the team's commitment to the broader championship rather than individual rivalries.

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on March 22, 2025, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. The season will feature 74 matches over 65 days, culminating in the final on May 25 at the same venue. Eden Gardens will also host Qualifier 2 on May 23. Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator are scheduled for May 20 and 21, respectively, at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Matches will be held across 13 cities, including Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Dharamsala, with 12 double-headers planned. Afternoon games will start at 3:30 PM IST, while evening matches are slated for 7:30 PM IST. Notably, KKR and Delhi Capitals have yet to announce their captains for the season. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to announce the full schedule for the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) today, February 16, 2025. The season is slated to commence on March 22, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hosting Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens. The tournament will span two months, culminating in the final on May 25, also at Eden Gardens. Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is expected to host two playoff matches, marking its first playoff games since 2017. Fans and franchises eagerly await the detailed fixture list to plan for the upcoming season.     

Despite a strong ODI series against England, India’s unsettled middle order remains a concern for the Champions Trophy. Selection debates revolve around KL Rahul's role over Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper and Axar Patel batting at No. 5. Experts warn that inconsistency in key positions could hurt India in high-pressure matches, similar to past tournament collapses. The team management faces a crucial decision on finalizing a stable batting lineup.    

The IPL 2025 season will begin on March 22 with a match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. The final will also be held at the same venue on May 25. Punjab Kings will play some matches in Dharamsala, while Rajasthan Royals will also have games in Guwahati. Chennai Super Kings will start their campaign on March 23 against Mumbai Indians in Chennai. RCB will be led by Rajat Patidar, replacing Faf du Plessis, while KKR has yet to announce their captain after Shreyas Iyer joined Punjab Kings in the auction.