Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina applauded captain Rohit Sharma and the selectors for including young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad despite him not playing an ODI yet. Raina highlighted Jaiswal's hunger for runs and impressive List A record, averaging 54 with five centuries in 32 matches. Raina termed the inclusion as the "beauty of Indian cricket," emphasizing Jaiswal's dedication and readiness to represent India. While Jaiswal might warm the bench during the tournament, he could debut in the upcoming ODI series against England. His consistent performances have cemented his reputation as a promising cricketing talent.

Virat Kohli, ahead of his rumoured return to the Ranji Trophy, trained in Alibaug under the guidance of former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar. Kohli, focusing on his backfoot play, practiced playing rising deliveries with throwdowns from 16 yards. A portable cement slab was used to simulate steep bounce and back-of-length deliveries. Kohli's session comes after struggles in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where his front-foot game was troubled by Australian pitches. The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) is preparing for Kohli’s return, with expectations of 10,000 fans at the final Ranji match.

Jasprit Bumrah, recovering from a back injury, attended Coldplay’s concert in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Lead singer Chris Martin dedicated a humorous song to Bumrah, praising him as the "best bowler in cricket" while joking about England’s defeats. Coldplay also displayed Bumrah’s signed Test jersey on stage, honoring the pacer at his home ground. The concert, live-streamed on Hotstar, surprised fans with Bumrah’s presence. Bumrah is expected to recover in time for the Champions Trophy, beginning February 19, with his participation depending on fitness. The moment brought a blend of music and cricket, thrilling fans nationwide.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner won the Australian Open 2025, beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the final. Sinner became the first Italian to win three Grand Slam titles, breaking Nicola Pietrangeli's record. He also won the US Open last year, making this his third straight hard-court major win. Zverev, the World No.2, struggled with 45 unforced errors and is still chasing his first Grand Slam win. Despite facing a doping scandal, Sinner showed great strength and focus. Now, he aims for success on clay and grass courts at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Indian batter Tilak Varma created history in the second T20I against England in Chennai, scoring an unbeaten 72 off 55 balls. This match-winning performance helped him break the world record for the most runs in T20Is without being dismissed, amassing 318 runs. His remarkable streak includes 107* and 120* against South Africa, 19, and now 72* against England. Tilak's composed finish guided India to a two-wicket win. Captain Suryakumar Yadav praised Tilak for his responsibility and resilience in critical moments of the match.

Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 72 off 55 balls guided India to a thrilling two-wicket win against England in the second T20I in Chennai. Chasing 166, Tilak held his ground despite losing partners, showcasing grit and adaptability, as advised by head coach Gautam Gambhir. The left-hander targeted Jofra Archer and built a crucial ninth-wicket partnership with Ravi Bishnoi, securing the win with four balls to spare. Tilak, 22, has remained unbeaten in his last four T20Is, amassing 318 runs between dismissals. "Adapt to situations and stay flexible," Tilak quoted Gambhir, crediting the guidance for his match-winning knock.

All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I series against England due to a side strain injury. He will receive treatment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Rinku Singh, who suffered a back spasm, will miss the second and third matches of the series. Shivam Dube and Ramandeep Singh have been called up as replacements. India has had a strong record in T20Is this year, winning previous series under Suryakumar Yadav. India won the first T20I against England easily, chasing down 133 in 13 overs.

Rohit Sharma was named captain of the ICC T20I Men's Team of the Year 2024. Three other Indians—Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh—also made the list. Despite his match-winning knock in the T20 World Cup final, Virat Kohli was excluded. The team includes stars like Babar Azam, Rashid Khan, and Sikandar Raza. India’s pace attack dominated the lineup after their World Cup win. Rohit’s stellar performance, including 378 runs in the tournament, earned him this honour. The announcement highlights India’s successful year in cricket, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.

Mumbai cricket fans flocked to watch Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir. Despite Mumbai needing a strong response after a first-innings collapse, Rohit lived dangerously, scoring 28 runs in 70 minutes before being caught. Jaiswal followed with 26 runs, as Mumbai erased the 86-run deficit but lost half their batsmen by lunch. Rohit displayed glimpses of brilliance with a six and elegant boundaries but ultimately fell to a sharp midwicket catch. Defending champions Mumbai now face an early elimination, raising concerns over their form and composure in the domestic tournament.

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has made stunning allegations against MS Dhoni, claiming he was unfairly dropped after scoring a century in 2011. Speaking to Lallantop, Tiwary revealed that despite his match-winning performance, he was sidelined for 14 matches, while players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retained their spots despite poor form. Tiwary highlighted the dominance of captains in Indian cricket, stating that team selections often depend on their decisions. He also criticized the lack of clarity and support for dropped players. Tiwary, who later led Bengal and served as a minister, expressed frustration over missed opportunities.