Andre Russell has retired from the IPL after 14 seasons with Kolkata Knight Riders. The West Indies all-rounder said he wants to leave the league on a high and not “fade out”. Russell will now join KKR’s support staff as their new power coach for the 2026 season. He said the role suits him because of the power and energy he brought as a player. Russell thanked KKR CEO Venky Mysore and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for their support over the years. He added that he could not imagine playing in any colour other than KKR’s purple and gold. (PC: X)

India face South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi on Sunday, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the squad. KL Rahul leads the team as India look to recover from their Test series loss. Injuries to Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer give India a chance to try new players in key roles. Yashasvi Jaiswal will open with Rohit, while Kohli bats at No. 3. India will also test their young pace attack. South Africa arrive with a strong squad and will look to build on their recent success. Dew is expected, making chasing easier in Ranchi. (PC: India Today)

The BCCI will hold an important review meeting after India’s ODI series against South Africa to discuss the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in 50-over cricket. According to reports, board officials, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar will meet in Ahmedabad to plan a clear roadmap for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rohit has been told to focus on fitness and performance and avoid reacting to speculation. The board is concerned about long breaks between ODIs and recent rusty form. Both senior players are still seen as key batters, but expectations on them remain high. (PC: Reuters)

Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal have postponed their November 23 wedding after a sudden health emergency. On the day of the ceremony, Smriti’s father fell ill and was taken to hospital. A day later, Palash was also admitted and later shifted to Mumbai. Both have now been discharged, but the families have not announced a new wedding date. Smriti removed all wedding posts from Instagram, adding to online rumours, though casual photos with Palash remain. Both recently updated their Instagram bios with a ‘nazar’ emoji. Family members say the delay is only due to health issues, and the wedding will happen soon. (PC: Instagram)

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal, whose November 23 wedding was postponed due to separate health emergencies in both families, have drawn renewed attention after updating their Instagram bios with identical nazar (evil-eye) emojis. The symbolic update appeared shortly after news of the delay, leading fans to interpret it as a coordinated message. Both families continue to maintain that the postponement is purely due to ongoing health-related circumstances on both sides. Despite the speculation, no new wedding date has been announced, and the couple has remained private while focusing on recovery and family well-being. (NDTV)

The BCCI has advised veteran cricketer Rohit Sharma to focus squarely on his fitness and on-field performance, cautioning him against reacting to mounting speculation about his future in the team. This comes ahead of a planned closed-door review after India’s ODI series vs South Africa, where board officials, coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are expected to chart a roadmap for both Rohit and Virat Kohli with a view to the 2027 World Cup. (PC: Reuters)

India bowling coach Morne Morkel expressed confidence that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can feature in the 2027 World Cup, contingent on maintaining fitness and dedication. The former South African pacer emphasized experience's irreplaceable value in high-pressure tournaments, recalling sleepless nights bowling against them. Rohit returned with Player of the Series against Australia, while Kohli rebounded from back-to-back ducks with an unbeaten 74. Both retired from Tests and T20Is, now exclusively playing ODIs. Reports suggest they may participate in Vijay Hazare Trophy before New Zealand series. Rohit openly desires redemption after India's 2023 World Cup final loss to Australia, while Kohli reportedly shares similar ambitions for the South Africa-Namibia-Zimbabwe tournament.(PC: HT)

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales officially launched their joint bid for the 2035 Women's World Cup, the UK's first football World Cup since 1966. The proposal features 22 stadiums across 15 cities,16 in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland with Wembley hosting the July 2035 final. Organizers project 4.5 million ticket sales, a 3.5 billion global TV audience, and accessibility for 63 million people within two hours of venues. The tournament will expand from 32 to 48 teams, featuring 104 matches over 39 days. FIFA Congress will ratify plans in April. The only valid bid submitted promises the largest single-sport event ever staged in the UK.(PC: Sky News)

Gautam Gambhir's coaching tenure faces critical scrutiny following India's humiliating 0-2 home Test whitewash against South Africa. The BCCI is reportedly displeased with his press conference remarks, particularly comments about Kolkata pitch conditions deemed unnecessarily inflammatory. While Gambhir currently retains board backing, his future hinges on India's T20 World Cup 2026 home performance. Critics highlight his tactical missteps, including over-reliance on all-rounders over specialists, compromising team stability in five-day cricket. India's home Test record has deteriorated under Gambhir compared to predecessors Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. With no home Tests until August 2026, the BCCI delays dismissal decisions, but mounting public sentiment and multiple home series defeats place Gambhir's position precariously close to termination. (PC: NDTV Sports) 

Palash Muchhal and cricketer Smriti Mandhana’s wedding was postponed indefinitely after Smriti’s father suffered heart-attack-like symptoms just hours before their planned ceremony. The emotional turmoil also affected Palash, who was hospitalized due to stress. Palash’s mother, Amita, expressed her hope and faith in the union, recalling that her son “dreamt of coming home with his bride” and that she had even planned a special welcome for Smriti. Despite the delay, she remains confident that the wedding will happen soon. (PC: NDTV)