Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav scripted history on Day 3 of the second Test against West Indies, becoming the fastest left-arm wrist spinner to claim five five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Kuldeep achieved the milestone in just 15 Tests, shattering England's Johnny Wardle's record of 28 matches. He delivered a match-defining performance with figures of 5-82, bowling out West Indies for 248 at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. His clinical spell, featuring guile, variations, and drift, helped India secure a commanding 270-run first-innings lead. India enforced the follow-on, leaving West Indies facing an uphill battle. Kuldeep's devastating googly dismissed Jayden Seales for his fifth wicket. (PC: Sports Tak)

Football fans across India are preparing for Lionel Messi's historic three-day GOAT Tour starting December 13. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner will be joined by Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez and Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul, both now reunited at Inter Miami. The tour begins at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, followed by Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium (December 14) and Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium (December 15). Organizers are attempting to bring Neymar Jr. for the Kolkata leg, potentially recreating Barcelona's legendary MSN trio. Events include fan interactions and a children's motivational session featuring Messi's iconic skills. Tickets are selling rapidly, with ₹3,850 passes already sold out. (PC: Roma Press, FC Barcelona & Quest France)

Head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed unwavering support for Test captain Shubman Gill, praising the 25-year-old's exceptional composure during India's challenging England tour. Gambhir recalled telling Gill he was being thrown into "deep sea" when appointed captain, but the youngster responded brilliantly, scoring 754 runs including four centuries. Despite facing unfair criticism about his appointment, Gill demonstrated remarkable leadership through the intense five-Test series that ended 2-2. Gambhir emphasized he would absorb all criticism for Gill as long as the captain remains transparent and honest. Now elevated to ODI captaincy replacing Rohit Sharma, Gill has scored 966 Test runs this year, leading India's charts while preparing for potential 2027 World Cup leadership. (PC: Facebook)

The Asia Cup trophy remains locked at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters in Dubai. Pakistan Cricket Board chief and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reportedly took the trophy from the post-match ceremony after India refused to accept it. Sources say Naqvi has instructed that the trophy should not be moved or handed over without his presence. Only he will personally give it to the Indian team or BCCI. The move has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, already high after the Pahalgam attack. The BCCI is expected to raise the issue at the upcoming ICC board meeting. (PC: HT)

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 173 runs off 253 balls on Day 1 of the second Test against West Indies in Delhi. The 23-year-old hit 22 fours and played with great control. With this knock, Jaiswal became the Indian player with the most 150-plus Test scores (5) before turning 24, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 4. Don Bradman still leads the world list with 8. India ended Day 1 at 318/2 after electing to bat. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Jaiswal, saying his calm approach and smart shot selection made the innings “brilliant.” (PC: BCCI) 

Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has clarified that Rohit Sharma’s replacement as India’s ODI captain should not be viewed as a sacking but as part of a natural transition process. Ganguly compared the situation to his and Rahul Dravid’s own exits from leadership roles, emphasizing that such changes are common as players age. He noted that Rohit’s performance and contributions remain commendable, but at 38, selectors may be looking to groom a younger leader to prepare the team for the next World Cup cycle. (PC: PTI)  

India's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, expressed frustration following her team's three-wicket defeat to South Africa in the Women's World Cup. She criticized the top-order batsmen for not taking responsibility, leading to early wickets and setting a challenging foundation. Despite Richa Ghosh's remarkable 94 off 77 balls, the middle-order collapse left India with a modest total of 251. South Africa's Nadine de Klerk's unbeaten 84 and Laura Wolvaardt's 70 guided them to victory. Kaur emphasized the need for the top-order to deliver consistently in upcoming matches. (PC: AP)  

Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 powered South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket win over India in the Women’s World Cup 2025 match at Vizag. Richa Ghosh’s stunning 94, supported by Sneh Rana’s quick 33, rescued India from 102 for 6 to a total of 251. Chasing 252, South Africa struggled early but recovered through partnerships between Laura Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon, and De Klerk. In the tense finish, De Klerk smashed consecutive sixes to seal victory, ending India’s unbeaten run in the group stage. Despite Richa’s brilliance, South Africa’s calm chase secured a memorable triumph. (PC: BCCI )

In a bold move, veteran Indian cricketer R. Ashwin has publicly advised star batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to participate in domestic tournaments. The suggestion comes amid discussions about their place in the squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Ashwin stated that playing in events like the India 'A' series or the Vijay Hazare Trophy is crucial to prove their commitment and maintain game-level fitness. He supported the selection committee's decision to name Shubman Gill as the new ODI captain, calling it a rational step to prepare a new leader for the future. (PC: PTI)

Australia’s Pat Cummins and Travis Head have turned down a ₹58 crore per year offer from an IPL team group to quit international cricket. The deal would have seen them play in global T20 leagues full-time, but both chose to stay loyal to Australia. Cummins, who leads the team, earns about ₹17.5 crore yearly with bonuses, while Head earns ₹8.7 crore. Both also play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. The rejected deal highlights growing pressure from T20 leagues as cricket boards discuss new ways to retain top players and attract private investment. (PC: AP)