England pacer Saqib Mahmood, who is yet to make his T20I debut, has not received his visa for the upcoming tour of India. The England Cricket Board (ECB) was forced to cancel his flight as his passport remains with the Indian Embassy. Mahmood was scheduled to join a pace bowling camp in the UAE with fellow bowlers but could not travel due to the visa delay. With the first T20I against India set for January 22, it is unclear if Mahmood will be able to join the team in time.

Karun Nair, who scored a historic triple century for India in 2016, faced a tough phase when he was dropped from the national team. However, he has made a strong comeback in domestic cricket, particularly in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair has been in sensational form, scoring multiple centuries, including a 163* and 122, helping Vidarbha reach the semi-finals. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “I stood on the balcony and thought, ‘What just happened?’” Nair remains hopeful of returning to the Indian team, saying, “I dream of playing for my country again.” His resilience continues to inspire.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented strict measures following India's 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. To restore discipline, BCCI has restricted wives and girlfriends from accompanying players for more than 14 days on tours exceeding 45 days. Players must now use the team bus and cover extra luggage charges if exceeding 150 kg. Head Coach Gautam Gambhir’s personal manager is barred from the team bus and VIP box. These actions aim to improve team focus ahead of the Champions Trophy in six weeks. The review follows dressing room controversies and poor performances.

Nishesh Basavareddy, a 19-year-old American tennis player of Indian origin, made an impressive Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open. Facing 24-time champion Novak Djokovic, Basavareddy stunned the crowd by winning the first set before losing 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in a nearly 3-hour match. Born to Indian parents from Andhra Pradesh, Basavareddy has risen through the tennis ranks with grit, overcoming knee surgeries and excelling in junior and Challenger tournaments. Djokovic praised his dynamic game and fighting spirit, saying, "He pleasantly surprised me." Basavareddy’s debut marks him as a future star in tennis.

As wildfires devastate Los Angeles, elites are hiring private firefighting services at $2,000 per hour to protect their properties. Over 24 people have died, 16 are missing, and 12,000 structures destroyed in the firestorms, including the Palisades area. Public firefighting resources have been overwhelmed, leading wealthy individuals like Rick Caruso to deploy private crews with fire engines and chemical retardants. Critics argue this highlights class divides, as only the affluent can afford such services. Private companies also assist insurers to mitigate claims. While some see it as resourceful, others deem it unfair during a time of widespread tragedy and loss.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has proposed splitting coaching roles in Indian cricket, suggesting VVS Laxman for Test matches and Gautam Gambhir for white-ball formats. Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid in July 2024, has struggled as Test coach, with 3 wins in 10 matches and a historic home whitewash against New Zealand. However, his record in T20Is remains perfect, with 6 consecutive wins. Panesar argued that Gambhir’s past as a teammate may complicate relationships with senior players and believes Laxman’s stellar Test record commands greater respect. India’s next Test challenge is a five-match series in England in June 2025.

The future of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Indian cricket team will be decided after the 2025 Champions Trophy. Both struggled in recent series against New Zealand and Australia, with Rohit failing consistently and Kohli performing below expectations, despite a century in Perth. A special BCCI meeting chaired by President Roger Binny reviewed their performance. Management has asked both to improve and committed to stricter rules, disallowing players to skip bilateral and domestic games. Changes in captaincy and team composition may follow if their Champions Trophy performance does not meet expectations.

Mohammed Shami has been named in India's T20I squad for the 5-match series vs England, marking his return since the ODI World Cup 2023 final. Shami, recovering from multiple injuries, impressed in domestic cricket. Rishabh Pant was left out, with Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel chosen as wicketkeepers. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the team, supported by vice-captain Axar Patel. Emerging talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana are also included. The series begins on January 22 in Kolkata, with India seeking a strong start against a competitive England side.

Sanju Samson has impressed fans and experts with his strong T20I performances last year, including centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa. Former India coach Sanjay Bangar compared Samson's six-hitting ability to Yuvraj Singh, praising his consistency when given regular chances. Samson, a key part of India's T20 World Cup-winning team in June, is likely to return for the limited-overs series against England this month. With KL Rahul expected to rest, Samson may also play in ODIs. The Kerala batter aims to secure a spot for the Champions Trophy in February and continue his strong run in international cricket.

The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has rejected KL Rahul's request for a break from the upcoming white-ball series against England. Rahul had asked for time off following his demanding performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Initially agreed upon, the committee reversed the decision, instructing Rahul to participate in the ODIs starting February 6. This decision was made to provide Rahul with match practice ahead of the Champions Trophy, starting February 19. The committee aims to finalize India's combination for the tournament, with Rahul being a key figure, especially as a wicketkeeper in the ODIs.