Athiya Shetty and Indian cricketer KL Rahul have announced they are expecting their first child together. The couple, who married in January 2023, shared the joyful news with fans through a heartfelt joint Instagram post. The post, adorned with golden stars and tiny footprints, read, "Our beautiful blessing is coming soon. 2025," signaling the arrival of their baby in the coming year. The announcement was met with love and congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities alike. Athiya and Rahul's relationship, once kept private, has now blossomed into a happy marriage with the couple looking forward to this new chapter.

Suryakumar Yadav, set to lead India in the T20I series against South Africa, hinted at a potential Test comeback after India’s 0-3 home defeat to New Zealand in the recent Test series. Not included in the Test squad, Yadav, who has played only one Test match for India, shared that he’s actively participating in all domestic formats, aiming for a Test recall. "If a Test comeback is meant to happen, it will," Yadav stated. Known for his consistent domestic performance, he boasts 5,656 runs in first-class cricket with 14 centuries. His dedication underscores his ambition for a Test return.

India's cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, citing security concerns. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of its decision, requesting to play all matches in Dubai instead. This comes despite recent talks between Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, sparking speculation of a possible India-Pakistan series. The BCCI's stance prioritizes player safety, amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will likely consider India's request.

Bayern Munich aims to extend its Bundesliga lead to six points with a win at St Pauli on Saturday. RB Leipzig, currently second, hosts Borussia Moenchengladbach later that day. Leipzig's 2-1 loss to Dortmund last week gave Bayern the opportunity to pull ahead. The two title contenders are set to face off on December 22. Bayern's strong form and Leipzig's recent loss have made them the clear frontrunners, surpassing defending champions Bayer Leverkusen and inconsistent Borussia Dortmund. A Bayern win would increase pressure on Leipzig to maintain pace in the title race.

India’s top-order batters, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have been facing struggles with poor performances in 2024, averaging just 22.72 and 29.40, respectively. Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, former Australian captains Mark Taylor and Ian Chappell expressed concerns over India's batting lineup. While younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have impressed, Kohli and Rohit have not delivered at their usual standards. Taylor warned that without runs from the senior players, India’s batting woes would intensify, while Chappell pointed out that the duo’s age may be a factor in their decline.

Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty in first-half stoppage time gave Inter Milan a 1-0 win over Arsenal in the Champions League, marking the Gunners’ first defeat in the revamped competition. The victory extended Inter’s unbeaten run, putting them on 10 points at the halfway mark of the new single league phase. Inter are now one of four teams two points behind leaders Liverpool, with a strong chance of finishing in the top eight to secure direct qualification for the last 16. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi praised his team for beating a strong Arsenal side, who are competing with Manchester City.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has urged senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to return to domestic cricket, advising them to “forget big cars, flights, and VIP treatment.” Kaif emphasized that India’s 0-3 loss to New Zealand highlights the need for senior stars to rebuild form by playing in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic matches. Citing Rishabh Pant’s success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a practice match century, Kaif said domestic cricket could boost the morale and performance of out-of-form players. “They should 100% play in domestic cricket,” Kaif stressed.

Debate around Olympic champion Imane Khelif's gender has resurfaced after a leaked medical report allegedly revealed she has XY chromosomes and male anatomical traits. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova questioned Khelif’s eligibility in women's boxing, referencing the report and criticizing the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow her participation. Khelif, the first Algerian woman to win Olympic gold in boxing, defended her identity, saying, “I am a woman like any other woman.” The IOC continues to support her right to compete, condemning any criticism as hate speech. India Today could not confirm the report’s authenticity.

The early departure of KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel to Australia, ahead of the India A match, has sparked concerns over India's batting lineup following their 0-3 series loss to New Zealand. The move, led by Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir, suggests a lack of confidence in India's top order, with former cricketer Aakash Chopra questioning the decision. Chopra also highlighted Sarfaraz Khan's potential exclusion from the squad despite his recent performances. With Australia awaiting, the upcoming series could see Rahul and Jurel being considered for the starting XI.

Following India's 0-3 defeat to New Zealand, David Warner has questioned the form and attitude of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both struggling with low scores ahead of the Australia Test series. Kohli tallied only 93 runs in six innings, while Rohit managed just 91. With India aiming to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Warner stressed that their performance is crucial. "Age is just a number, but they’re at the backend," Warner said, adding that India's chances hinge on these two senior batters. India must also secure a 4-0 series victory to qualify for the World Test Championship final.