Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli marked their return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy with commanding centuries on Wednesday. Rohit smashed 155 from 94 balls as Mumbai beat Sikkim by eight wickets in Jaipur. It was his first match in the tournament in seven years and he was named Player of the Match. Kohli scored a rapid hundred from 83 balls for Delhi against Andhra Pradesh in their Group D game. During the knock, Kohli crossed 16,000 List A runs. He became only the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the mark. In another match, Ishan Kishan hit a 33-ball century for Jharkhand. (PC: NDTV )

Delhi Capitals have appointed Jemimah Rodrigues, 25, as captain for the WPL 2026, replacing former skipper Meg Lanning. Rodrigues, DC’s first-ever signing, has been a consistent performer with 507 runs at a strike rate of 139.66, making her the team’s third-highest run-scorer. Fresh from a standout year, including a World Cup semi-final hundred against Australia, she now aims to lead DC to their first title after three consecutive runner-up finishes. Calling the role an “absolute honour,” Rodrigues said the team feels like family. Co-owner Parth Jindal praised her energy, leadership qualities, and inspiring performances, expressing confidence she will finally help DC cross the elusive championship line. (PC: X)

Shubman Gill's exclusion from India's T20 World Cup squad has sparked troubling celebrations on social media, crossing from criticism into toxic territory. The 26-year-old Test and ODI captain struggled in T20Is, managing just 291 runs across 15 matches at 137.26 strike rate without a half-century. His inclusion altered India's aggressive batting approach, placing explosive responsibility on Abhishek Sharma while Gill anchored. After Gill's injury, Sanju Samson's return justified selectors' decision. While the exclusion made cricketing sense, fan toxicity threatens Indian cricket's future. As Test and ODI captain, Gill needs support, not vilification as excessive negativity risks undermining the team's transition phase post-Kohli and Rohit Sharma. (PC: AP)

Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat defeated USA's Anthony Taylor by unanimous decision at Misfits Boxing in Dubai, but the victory was overshadowed by backstage chaos. Goyat dominated all six rounds, winning with scorecards of 59-55, 58-56, and 60-54. Pre-fight tensions escalated after Taylor disparaged India's boxing credentials. Post-fight, when Taylor attempted a handshake in the medical room, Goyat refused, triggering an explosive confrontation where Taylor threw a bottle and verbally abused the Indian fighter before security intervened. Goyat's camp questioned how Taylor accessed the room. The Indian boxer later declared, "Do not underestimate Indians. India is your father," responding to Taylor's pre-fight disrespect.

Adidas orchestrated a historic meeting at Delhi's Purana Qila, bringing together football legend Lionel Messi and India's elite world champions. The iconic gathering featured Para Athletics champions Sumit Antil and Nishad Kumar, Women's World Boxing Champion Nikhat Zareen, and T20 World Champions Renuka Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav. Against the majestic heritage site backdrop, the athletes exchanged mutual respect and inspiration across different sporting disciplines. Messi acknowledged that despite playing different sports, champions share the same passion and drive. adidas GM Vijay Chauhan emphasized sport as the ultimate unifier, reinforcing the brand's vision to foster a dynamic multi-sport culture in India and create a global stage celebrating excellence beyond borders.

Shubman Gill was not picked in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. The decision ended the selectors’ four-month experiment with Gill in T20Is. Sanju Samson returned as India’s main opener. Ishan Kishan was named as back-up after strong domestic form. Former India cricketer Atul Wassan said Gill did not fit the T20 format. He said playing all formats puts unfair pressure on players. Gill is now expected to focus on Tests and ODIs. (PC: HT)

Lionel Messi’s appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata during his India tour was marred by chaos and dissatisfaction. Organiser Satadru Dutta told investigators that Messi was uncomfortable being touched and hugged by crowds, and was surrounded closely, including by West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, who was seen posing with Messi. This situation made the Argentina star visibly unhappy and contributed to mismanagement. Thousands of ticket-holding fans struggled to see Messi, leading to frustration and vandalism inside the stadium. A Special Investigation Team is probing security lapses, crowd control failings, and organisational issues surrounding the event. (PC: AFP)

Pakistan U19 clinched their first-ever sole U19 Asia Cup title with a commanding 191-run victory over India in Dubai. Sameer Minhas' sensational 172 off 113 balls powered Pakistan to 347/8 before bowlers dismissed India for 156. Minhas won both Player of the Match and Series awards, finishing as tournament's top scorer. During the presentation, Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi avoided contact with Indian players, staying away from cameras while handing medals to Pakistani players. India's captain Ayush Mhatre collected the runners-up cheque from an Afghanistan Cricket Board official, with medals distributed by ICC Director Mubashir Usmani. India lost wickets regularly, offering only brief lower-order resistance. (PC: X)

Pakistan U19 clinched their first U19 Asia Cup title since 2012 with a dominant 191-run victory over India U19 in Dubai. After posting 347/8 in 50 overs, powered by Sameer Minhas' record-breaking 172, Pakistan bowled India out for just 156 in 26.2 overs. Deepesh Devendran top-scored with 32 off 14 balls in India's collapse. The comprehensive win avenged Pakistan's earlier group-stage defeat where they were bowled out for 150 chasing 241. India, led by Ayush Mhatre, had entered the final unbeaten after victories over UAE, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Pakistan's young guns significantly improved their batting and bowling performances to secure the title.

Pakistan dominated India in the U19 Asia Cup 2025 final at ICC Academy Ground, Dubai, as India crumbled to 112/7 after 20.1 overs while chasing 348. India require 236 runs from 179 balls at 7.91 runs per over. Earlier, Pakistan posted a mammoth 347/8 in 50 overs, driven by Sameer Minhas' record-breaking 172. India, led by Ayush Mhatre, entered the final unbeaten, having defeated UAE, Malaysia, Pakistan in the group stage, and Sri Lanka in the semifinals. Pakistan sought redemption after collapsing to 150 all-out in their previous encounter against India, finishing second in their group before beating Bangladesh in the semifinals. (PC: X)