India's pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out of the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney due to a stiff back. The 28-year-old took five wickets in the series but suffered from a heavy workload on Australia's challenging pitches. Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed the injury and hinted at either Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna replacing him. India trails 1-2 in the series and needs a win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Meanwhile, Australia dropped all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for poor form, with Beau Webster set to debut. The series-decider starts tomorrow with high stakes for both teams.

Sushila Meena, a 10-year-old from Rajasthan, became an overnight sensation after Sachin Tendulkar shared a video of her impressive bowling action, likening it to Zaheer Khan's style. Despite her viral fame, Sushila admits she doesn’t recognize Tendulkar due to her family’s lack of television access. Her rural school, led by teacher Ishwarlal Meena, promotes cricket to engage students, yet lacks resources. While her fame has brought gifts, including bats, Sushila still practices with rubber balls. Her mother vows to support her passion despite societal criticism. Local officials have promised improvements, but Sushila’s journey highlights challenges faced by talented rural athletes.

Amid Rohit Sharma’s ongoing struggles in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, a senior Indian cricketer has reportedly positioned himself as an interim captain. Rohit’s poor form, scoring just 31 runs in his last 5 innings against Australia, has intensified scrutiny. Reports suggest the Indian dressing room is in disarray, with head coach Gautam Gambhir criticizing the team’s lackluster performance. Rohit, who moved down the order temporarily, has failed to deliver consistently. Former cricketer Irfan Pathan remarked Rohit’s current selection hinges on his captaincy. Speculations about leadership changes loom as the team seeks stability. Rohit may decide his future post-tour.

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has called for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prepare an exit plan for Virat Kohli, citing his ongoing struggles in Test cricket. Kohli's form has been a concern, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has failed to score consistently. Since 2020, his Test average has dropped significantly to 31.32. Wassan emphasized the need for a clear succession plan, noting that uncertainty about Kohli’s future could affect the team’s structure and management. Despite his current form, Kohli’s legacy in cricket remains unmatched.

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli celebrated New Year’s Eve in Sydney as the cricketer tours Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A video shared online shows the couple twinning in black while strolling down a Sydney street, accompanied by teammate Devdutt Padikkal. Anushka wore a little black dress, while Virat opted for a black co-ord set with white sneakers. Fans appreciated their understated celebrations. Kohli's form has been under scrutiny this tour, but the duo maintains their focus on family, fiercely guarding their children's privacy. Anushka, last seen in Zero, awaits the release of her Jhulan Goswami biopic, Chakda Xpress.

Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi made chess history on December 31, 2024, by sharing the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship title. After seven rounds and three sudden-death draws in New York, Carlsen proposed splitting the title, a first in chess history. The decision gave Carlsen his eighth Blitz title and Nepomniachtchi his first. Earlier, Carlsen withdrew from the tournament following a dress code controversy but rejoined after FIDE relaxed its rules. "This unprecedented decision reflects sportsmanship and mutual respect," noted FIDE officials. The event highlighted resilience, strategy, and the evolving spirit of competitive chess.

Rohit Sharma's final Instagram post of 2024 went viral after his batting struggles in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite leading India to a T20 World Cup title, Sharma has been facing criticism for his poor form, with scores of 3, 3, 6, 10, 3, and 9 in recent matches. Former cricketer Irfan Pathan criticized Sharma’s performance, stating his place in the team is secured more by captaincy than merit. Pathan suggested that if Sharma weren’t captain, he might not make the playing XI. Sharma’s post thanked 2024 for its ups and downs.

Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams, serving as ISS Commander, will welcome 2025 uniquely by celebrating New Year 16 times in space. The Expedition 72 crew will witness 16 sunrises and sunsets as they orbit Earth at 400 km altitude every 90 minutes. Initially planned for 8 days, Williams’ mission aboard Boeing's Starliner has extended until March 2025 due to technical challenges. The crew will enjoy special meals, connect with loved ones via video calls, and continue vital scientific research. Williams, describing space as her "happy place," embraces this rare experience, showcasing the resilience and joy of human space exploration.

Cricket Australia announced its Test Team of the Year for 2024, naming India’s Jasprit Bumrah as captain. Bumrah, who led India to a historic win in Perth last month, was praised for his leadership and outstanding five-wicket haul. The team featured two players each from India, New Zealand, and Australia, with three from England and one each from Sri Lanka and South Africa. Yashasvi Jaiswal, another Indian star, was recognised for scoring 1,478 runs, including three centuries. Other notable players included England’s Joe Root, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, and Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis. Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma were excluded.

Former India pacer Atul Wassan has called for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to have an "exit plan" for Virat Kohli, as the 36-year-old’s poor form continues in Tests. Kohli, who has struggled with his shot selection, has only 67 runs in six innings (excluding a century in Perth). Wassan emphasized the need for clarity in team management, suggesting a succession plan to prevent pressure on Kohli and the team. The player’s poor 2024 Test average of just over 24 has sparked debate about his future in the team.