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.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, along with their children Vamika and Akaay, visited Vrindavan Dham to meet spiritual guru Premanand Ji Maharaj. A viral video captured the family kneeling and seeking blessings from the renowned guru. Anushka shared her experiences with Premanand, expressing her spiritual growth through his teachings. Premanand praised the couple's devotion, calling it a rare achievement. This public appearance with their children marked a rare moment for the family, who typically keep them away from the spotlight. Virat, after a tough Australia series, now focuses on upcoming ODIs and the ICC Champions Trophy.

The BCCI has requested an extension from the ICC to announce India’s provisional Champions Trophy squad, delaying the original January 12 deadline. Reports suggest the squad will now be revealed on January 19, one month before the tournament begins in Pakistan. The delay is attributed to ongoing deliberations after India’s performance in Australia and ahead of the England series, which could shape the final squad. The provisional squad will feature 15 members and 3 reserves as per ICC rules. A review meeting with captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir will finalize the team for both events.

Novak Djokovic has claimed he was poisoned during his detention in Melbourne before the 2022 Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was held due to unvaccinated status and travel document discrepancies. During the quarantine, Djokovic said he experienced severe flu-like symptoms, later confirmed by toxicology tests in Serbia to be caused by heavy metals, including lead and mercury. The visa saga led to his deportation and missed tournaments, including the US Open. Despite lingering trauma, Djokovic returned in 2023, winning his 10th Australian Open title. He holds no grudges but admitted to feeling uneasy during subsequent Australian visits.

Star cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, at a college graduation event in Chennai, stated that Hindi is not India’s national language but an official one. His remarks came after students hesitated to ask questions in Hindi, prompting him to address India’s linguistic diversity. Ashwin highlighted Tamil Nadu's sensitive relationship with Hindi due to historical resistance to its imposition in schools and government policies. Known for his candid views, Ashwin also shared personal anecdotes on persistence and lifelong learning. His comment reignited debates over Hindi’s status, especially in Tamil Nadu, where pride in Tamil culture and language remains deeply rooted.

Manoj Tiwary has criticized India head coach Gautam Gambhir, calling him a hypocrite and questioning his coaching style. Tiwary claimed Gambhir took undue credit for Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL successes, attributing them to effective PR. He also suggested a rift between Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma. In response, KKR players Harshit Rana and Nitish Rana defended Gambhir, praising his selflessness and leadership. Both players emphasized that Gambhir's contributions to KKR's success, including the 2024 IPL victory, were genuine, and criticized Tiwary for personal insecurities in his criticism.