Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to return to international cricket as India face Australia in a three-match ODI series starting October 19. The series marks the beginning of a new phase, with Shubman Gill leading the team and Gautam Gambhir as head coach. Selectors chose to look ahead to the 2027 World Cup, replacing Rohit with Gill as captain. Yet, Rohit and Kohli’s inclusion shows respect for experience. The challenge for Gambhir will be balancing transition and teamwork. With only 20 ODIs before 2027, India’s focus will be on form, fitness, and maintaining harmony in the dressing room. (PC: India Today)

West Indies displayed remarkable resilience, forcing the Delhi Test into a fifth day despite India's dominant position. John Campbell scored his maiden Test century while Shai Hope ended an eight-year drought with his third Test hundred, stitching a 177-run partnership. Justin Greaves's gritty half-century and a record 79-run 10th-wicket stand with Jayden Seales (32) frustrated India further. India's decision to enforce follow-on backfired as West Indies, bowled out for 390, set a 121-run target. India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early but need just 58 runs for a 2-0 series sweep. The stubborn resistance raised questions about India underestimating their opponents on turning Kotla wicket. (PC: X)

Smriti Mandhana created history in India’s Women’s World Cup 2025 match against Australia in Visakhapatnam. The Indian opener scored 80 runs off 66 balls, marking a powerful return to form. She became the fastest woman to reach 5000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in just 112 innings. Mandhana also became the first woman in ODI history to score over 1000 runs in a calendar year, breaking Belinda Clark’s 1997 record. The 29-year-old’s knock gave India a strong start and lifted team spirits after their earlier loss to South Africa in the tournament.

6Smriti Mandhana made history on Sunday by becoming the first cricketer ever to score 1000 runs in a calendar year in women’s ODIs. She reached the milestone during India’s match against Australia in Visakhapatnam by hitting a six off Sophie Molineux. Mandhana broke former Australian batter Belinda Clark’s 1997 record of 970 runs. The Indian opener has scored over 1000 runs in 18 matches this year. She is also close to completing 5000 runs in her ODI career, which only four women have achieved so far. Mandhana is currently ranked the world’s No. 1 ODI batter. (PC: AFP)

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav scripted history on Day 3 of the second Test against West Indies, becoming the fastest left-arm wrist spinner to claim five five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Kuldeep achieved the milestone in just 15 Tests, shattering England's Johnny Wardle's record of 28 matches. He delivered a match-defining performance with figures of 5-82, bowling out West Indies for 248 at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. His clinical spell, featuring guile, variations, and drift, helped India secure a commanding 270-run first-innings lead. India enforced the follow-on, leaving West Indies facing an uphill battle. Kuldeep's devastating googly dismissed Jayden Seales for his fifth wicket. (PC: Sports Tak)

Football fans across India are preparing for Lionel Messi's historic three-day GOAT Tour starting December 13. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner will be joined by Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez and Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul, both now reunited at Inter Miami. The tour begins at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, followed by Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium (December 14) and Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium (December 15). Organizers are attempting to bring Neymar Jr. for the Kolkata leg, potentially recreating Barcelona's legendary MSN trio. Events include fan interactions and a children's motivational session featuring Messi's iconic skills. Tickets are selling rapidly, with ₹3,850 passes already sold out. (PC: Roma Press, FC Barcelona & Quest France)

Head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed unwavering support for Test captain Shubman Gill, praising the 25-year-old's exceptional composure during India's challenging England tour. Gambhir recalled telling Gill he was being thrown into "deep sea" when appointed captain, but the youngster responded brilliantly, scoring 754 runs including four centuries. Despite facing unfair criticism about his appointment, Gill demonstrated remarkable leadership through the intense five-Test series that ended 2-2. Gambhir emphasized he would absorb all criticism for Gill as long as the captain remains transparent and honest. Now elevated to ODI captaincy replacing Rohit Sharma, Gill has scored 966 Test runs this year, leading India's charts while preparing for potential 2027 World Cup leadership. (PC: Facebook)

The Asia Cup trophy remains locked at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters in Dubai. Pakistan Cricket Board chief and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reportedly took the trophy from the post-match ceremony after India refused to accept it. Sources say Naqvi has instructed that the trophy should not be moved or handed over without his presence. Only he will personally give it to the Indian team or BCCI. The move has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, already high after the Pahalgam attack. The BCCI is expected to raise the issue at the upcoming ICC board meeting. (PC: HT)

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 173 runs off 253 balls on Day 1 of the second Test against West Indies in Delhi. The 23-year-old hit 22 fours and played with great control. With this knock, Jaiswal became the Indian player with the most 150-plus Test scores (5) before turning 24, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 4. Don Bradman still leads the world list with 8. India ended Day 1 at 318/2 after electing to bat. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Jaiswal, saying his calm approach and smart shot selection made the innings “brilliant.” (PC: BCCI) 

Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has clarified that Rohit Sharma’s replacement as India’s ODI captain should not be viewed as a sacking but as part of a natural transition process. Ganguly compared the situation to his and Rahul Dravid’s own exits from leadership roles, emphasizing that such changes are common as players age. He noted that Rohit’s performance and contributions remain commendable, but at 38, selectors may be looking to groom a younger leader to prepare the team for the next World Cup cycle. (PC: PTI)