Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness remains a concern ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. The Indian pacer, struggling with back spasms, recently consulted New Zealand orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rowan Schouten. Reports suggest Bumrah might be included in the squad but will only play if he is pain-free. Meanwhile, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif advised against making Bumrah India’s Test captain, citing risks to his fitness and career longevity. Kaif suggested KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant as better options for the role. Speculation about Rohit Sharma stepping down as Test captain has fueled discussions about leadership changes in Indian cricket.

Brazilian football star Neymar has announced the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last, calling it his "final shot" at glory. Neymar also hinted at a potential reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami once his Al-Hilal contract ends in June 2024. He described the prospect as “incredible,” praising their past partnership at Barcelona. Neymar has played only seven matches for Al-Hilal since his €90M move in 2023 due to injuries. Brazil currently ranks 5th in World Cup qualifiers, and Neymar is determined to represent his nation one final time.

Michael Clarke has criticized Cricket Australia (CA) for excluding Sunil Gavaskar from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy presentation despite his presence at the SCG. The trophy, named after Gavaskar and Allan Border, saw only Border present the award to Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins. Gavaskar, who was reportedly meant to present the trophy had India won, expressed disappointment. Clarke, defending Gavaskar, emphasized that both legends should have jointly presented the trophy. He called the decision a missed opportunity and an oversight, stating that having both men present at the same time was a rare privilege.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticized Rohit Sharma's decision to sit out the series-deciding Sydney Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit, citing poor form, stepped aside, leaving India under the leadership of stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, who later sustained an injury. India lost the match by six wickets, surrendering the trophy to Australia after seven years. Kaif emphasized that as captain, Rohit should have led despite his struggles, especially during such a critical game. While some praised Rohit's selflessness, Kaif labeled it a poor decision, citing the leadership void during key moments of the match.

India's 16-year-old squash prodigy, Anahat Singh, claimed the U17 British Open Squash title, defeating Egypt's Malika Elkaraksy 3-2 in the final. The top-seeded Delhi girl showcased resilience, bouncing back from deficits in the semi-finals and final. This marks her third British Open win, adding to her U11 and U15 titles. Anahat aims for higher accolades, including the World Juniors and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. A former badminton player, her switch to squash was inspired by her sister. Coached by Ritwik Bhattacharya, Anahat's journey symbolizes India's rising stature in international squash.

Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a 3-1 series win over India, ending a 10-year drought. ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting praised the team's resilience and leadership under Pat Cummins. The Australians overcame a crushing first-Test loss, with a break allowing them to regroup. Key performances from Travis Head, Cummins, and the bowling quartet—Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, and Cummins—propelled the team. Ponting highlighted Cummins' 25 wickets and leadership but noted the aging squad's challenge of nurturing young talent. With tours to Sri Lanka and the West Indies looming, Ponting emphasized the need to balance transition and success.

Australia’s 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas, who scored a half-century on his Test debut at the MCG during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, revealed a heartfelt post-match conversation with his idol, Virat Kohli. Despite an on-field shoulder bump that earned Kohli a demerit point, the Indian star wished Konstas well for his upcoming Sri Lanka tour. "I idolise him. Playing against legends like Kohli and Bumrah was surreal," Konstas shared. The debutant, amazed by the 90,000-strong crowd at MCG, is set to play Big Bash League matches under David Warner before heading to Sri Lanka for red-ball cricket on January 29.

The Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on February 19, may move from Pakistan to the UAE. Construction at Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi stadiums remains incomplete. The ICC requires the venues to be ready by February 12. Reports suggest the PCB is struggling to meet the deadline. An ICC team is expected to visit Pakistan soon to assess progress. If the stadiums fail to meet standards, the tournament could shift entirely to Dubai. This would be a setback for the PCB, which had insisted on hosting the event in Pakistan. The coming days will decide the tournament’s future location.

Following India’s 1-3 Border Gavaskar Trophy defeat against Australia, the BCCI announced a review of the team’s performance. Despite scrutiny of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their poor performances, both will remain in contention for the Champions Trophy and England Test series. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, whose role faced criticism, will also retain his position. Kohli scored a century in the first Test but faltered later, while Rohit managed only 31 runs in 3 matches. Gambhir defended the players, citing their passion for Indian cricket. India will next face England in white-ball games and a five-match Test series.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma faces scrutiny after a dismal performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, amassing only 31 runs across five innings in Australia. His "I'm not going anywhere" comment on retirement reportedly holds little weight in the BCCI circuit. The 37-year-old's poor form, averaging just over 10 in his last eight Tests, has raised questions about his future in the format. The upcoming BCCI Special General Meeting will review the team's performance, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar expected to play a pivotal role in deciding Rohit's fate. Speculation grows as fans await clarity on his Test career.