Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the 2025 IPL champions, have been put up for sale by their owner, Diageo. The franchise plays in both the IPL and Women’s Premier League (WPL). Diageo has started the sale process and expects it to finish by March 31, 2026. RCB has been part of the IPL since 2008 and won the WPL in 2024. Top players like Virat Kohli, Smriti Mandhana, and Josh Hazlewood are in the team. Reports say Diageo is seeking around USD 2 billion. Interested buyers, including Adar Poonawalla, may participate. The team will still play in upcoming auctions. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted India's Women's World Cup-winning cricket team at Lok Kalyan Marg on November 5, congratulating them on their remarkable comeback victory. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur recalled meeting PM Modi in 2017 without the trophy, expressing delight at returning victorious. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana praised his motivational influence on girls nationwide. PM Modi discussed Deepti Sharma's "Jai Shri Ram" Instagram post and Hanuman tattoo, recalled Harleen Deol's 2021 catch, and praised Amanjot Kaur's focus during her famous catch. He encouraged players to promote fitness in schools, addressing youth obesity concerns. The team gifted a signed jersey with "Namo" and number 1, while Modi invited Kranti Gaud's family to meet him. (PC: X)

Days after India's historic Women's ODI World Cup victory, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana permanently celebrated their triumph with tattoos. Harmanpreet shared her left arm tattoo featuring the World Cup trophy, numbers 52 and 2025 representing India's 52-run victory over South Africa and the championship year. "Forever etched in my skin and my heart," she captioned. Mandhana's tattoo similarly displays the trophy with 2025 below. Harmanpreet reflected on her childhood dream of wearing India's blue jersey, inspired by watching matches with her father's oversized bat. This tradition follows athletes like Argentina's Angel Di Maria, who commemorated their 2022 FIFA World Cup win with similar tattoos. (PC: The Telegraph)

Former Indian cricketer Reema Malhotra praised Jemimah Rodrigues for markedly improving her batting following her participation in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Malhotra noted that the high-level exposure, intense competition and rigorous training in the franchise setup sharpened Rodrigues’ intent and clarity at the crease. She credited WPL’s structure with boosting the World Cup-winning batter’s confidence and adaptability in international cricket. The change was evident in Rodrigues’ recent stellar performances—combining technique and aggression effectively. Malhotra believes the WPL is “raising the bar” for India’s women cricketers and helping talents like Rodrigues flourish. 

Sunil Gavaskar said India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup victory is not the same as the men’s 1983 win, though both changed Indian cricket. He noted that the men’s team had never reached a knockout before 1983, while the women had already played two finals. Gavaskar praised Harmanpreet Kaur’s team for their “sporting intelligence” and credited Indian coaches for understanding players better. He said the win will motivate young girls across India to play cricket, just as 1983 inspired boys. “This victory will give new wings to women’s cricket,” Gavaskar wrote in his column. (PC: X)

Football legend David Beckham has been officially knighted by King Charles III for his services to football and British society. The ceremony took place at Windsor Castle in Berkshire on Tuesday. Beckham, the former England captain and Manchester United star, received the honour surrounded by family members. He called it “one of the proudest days” of his life. The knighthood recognises his achievements on the field and his charitable work off it. Beckham has long been a global ambassador for British sport and philanthropy, supporting children’s and health causes through his charity work. 

Rishabh Pant has returned to India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, the BCCI announced on Wednesday. Pant, who was injured during the England tour, recently made a successful comeback in the India A vs South Africa A series, where he led the team to victory. He will serve as vice-captain under skipper Shubman Gill, with Dhruv Jurel as the second wicketkeeper. Axar Patel also returns to the squad, while Prasidh Krishna misses out. India’s squad includes Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj. The two-Test series will mark Pant’s first major comeback after his long injury break. (PC: India Today)

Coach Amol Muzumdar was greeted by an exuberant crowd in his Ville Parle, Mumbai neighbourhood after India women's cricket team clinched their maiden ODI World Cup title by defeating South Africa women's cricket team by 52 runs in the final. Neighbours formed a guard of honour, with applause and cheers underscoring the magnitude of the moment. Muzumdar, formerly one of India’s most prolific domestic batsmen who never played for the national men’s side, called the win a “watershed moment” for Indian women’s cricket.

The Indian women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, received a grand welcome in Delhi on Tuesday after winning the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup. The team defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final in Navi Mumbai, claiming their first-ever World Cup title. Players Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, and Sneh Rana danced to dhol beats as fans and staff celebrated their arrival. Security was tightened in the capital ahead of their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The victory marks a historic milestone for Indian women’s cricket and a proud moment for the nation. (PC: @DelhiAirport/X)

The ICC has punished players from India and Pakistan over incidents during the Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has been fined 30% of his match fee and suspended for two ODIs for making provocative gestures during matches against India. He also received four demerit points within 24 months. India captain Suryakumar Yadav was fined 30% of his match fee for his “Pahalgam tribute” comment, which the ICC said brought the game into disrepute. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan received a warning for his “gunshot” celebration. The punishments followed hearings by ICC match referee Richie Richardson. (PC: AFP)