India dropped Shubman Gill and recalled Ishan Kishan for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, marking Kishan's return after two years following strong domestic performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the defending champions, with Axar Patel reinstated as vice-captain replacing Gill. Rinku Singh returns after being dropped post-Asia Cup, while Jitesh Sharma misses selection. Gill's poor form just 291 runs from 15 innings with a highest score of 47 prompted his exclusion despite replacing Sanju Samson as opener. The 15-man squad features Abhishek Sharma-Samson opening pair, middle-order comprising Suryakumar, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav.

India will announce their T20 World Cup 2026 squad on Saturday, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav holding a press conference at 1:30 PM IST at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The major focus is on the opener's slot battle between Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson, with Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion despite superior records raising questions. Concerns surround Gill and Yadav's poor form, while wicketkeeper choices between Jitesh Sharma, Samson, and potential returnees like Rishabh Pant remain uncertain. India has maintained a settled squad since the Asia Cup, with only minor changes expected. The tournament runs February 7-March 8, with India facing USA, Namibia, Pakistan, Netherlands in group stages.(PC: Goya Hills)

Hardik Pandya made history in India’s fifth T20I win against South Africa at Ahmedabad, becoming the first Indian cricketer to score 2000 runs and take 100 wickets in T20Is. The 32-year-old all-rounder smashed a 16-ball half-century, the second-fastest by an Indian, and scored 63 runs off 25 balls, adding a 105-run stand with Tilak Varma. Pandya is now the fifth Indian to cross 2000 runs in T20Is, joining Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and KL Rahul. He also became the third Indian bowler to reach 100 wickets in the format. His feat cements him as India’s premier fast-bowling all-rounder in T20 cricket. (PC: X)

Varun Chakravarthy created history in India’s 30-run T20I victory over South Africa at Ahmedabad, taking a four-wicket haul and finishing the series with 10 wickets in four matches. This marked the third time in his career he has taken double-digit wickets in a bilateral T20I series, previously 12 against South Africa (2024) and 14 against England (2025). No other Indian has achieved this even once. Globally, only New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy has managed the feat twice. Varun also became the first player to take 10 wickets in a T20I series twice against the same team (South Africa). He now holds the world no.1 T20I bowler ranking, surpassing Duffy at no.2. (PC: Times Now)

Pakistan thrashed Bangladesh by eight wickets in the Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 semi-final at The Sevens Stadium, Dubai, setting up a final clash with India on Sunday. Pakistan chased down a 122-run target with ease after bowling tightly to bundle out Bangladesh for just 121 runs. Abdul Subhan starred with four wickets as no Bangladesh batter could build a substantial innings. The rain-affected match was reduced to 27 overs per side. Bangladesh had topped Group B with three consecutive wins, while Pakistan finished second in Group A after losing to India. The victory ensures a highly anticipated India-Pakistan final in the youth tournament's title decider. (PC: X)

India defeated South Africa by 30 runs in the fifth T20I at Ahmedabad, clinching the series 3-1. Chasing 232, South Africa reached 201/8 despite Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis smashing 42 runs in two overs during the ninth and tenth. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy's crucial strikes dismissed both batsmen, ending South Africa's hopes. Earlier, Hardik Pandya's explosive 16-ball fifty, India's second-fastest in men's T20Is and Tilak Varma's consistent half-century powered India to 231/5. Pandya smashed 32 runs off his first eight balls after Suryakumar Yadav's dismissal. The all-rounder and Bumrah led India's dominant performance, ensuring South Africa couldn't pull off an upset in the series finale.

Hardik Pandya blazed to India's second-fastest T20I fifty off just 16 balls against South Africa in the 5th T20I, earning a standing ovation from coach Gautam Gambhir. Pandya hammered George Linde for 27 runs in one over, including consecutive sixes. Tilak Varma contributed a 30-ball fifty, providing crucial support. Earlier, Sanju Samson's aggressive 37 gave India a flying start after Shubman Gill's injury ruled him out. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav's poor form continued with another failure. Abhishek Sharma departed for 34 after a promising start. Pandya's powerful six accidentally hit a cameraman during his explosive innings. India posted a strong total with the duo's partnership propelling them forward. (PC: X)

India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill has traveled with the national cricket team to Ahmedabad ahead of the fifth and final T20 International against South Africa, despite carrying a toe injury sustained during a net session earlier in the series. His participation in the decisive match remains uncertain as team management weighs his fitness and recovery prospects before naming the playing XI. Gill had already missed some matches due to injury and inconsistent form, adding to the selection dilemma for the series decider. India currently lead the five-match T20I series. ‍(PC: India Today)

Sachin Tendulkar met the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team, newly crowned T20 Blind Cricket World Cup champions, at Mumbai’s MIG Cricket Club, celebrating their historic achievement. He spent nearly an hour with the players, praising their resilience, hard work and the crucial support of their families. Sachin reminded them that success brings greater responsibility and urged them to stay focused as their victory marks the beginning of a larger journey. The players described meeting him as overwhelming and deeply motivating. Captain Deepika TC called it a dream come true. CABI President Dr. G.K. Mahantesh said Sachin’s encouragement boosts confidence across India’s blind cricket ecosystem.

Pakistani international kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput faces disciplinary action after representing a team labeled "India" at Bahrain's GCC Cup tournament on December 16. Social media photos showing Rajput wearing Indian jersey and waving the flag sparked backlash. Pakistan Kabaddi Federation scheduled emergency meeting for December 27 to decide penalties. PKF secretary Rana Sarwar revealed 16 Pakistani players traveled without mandatory federation or Sports Board clearances. The private tournament featured teams named after countries, with players expected to align with their national origins. Rajput apologized, claiming he discovered the team designation later and requested organizers avoid using national names. He emphasized past mixed tournaments never used country labels, calling this a misunderstanding. (PC: Facebook)