A former BCCI selector has warned the board against dropping Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the 2027 World Cup plans. Gautam Gambhir has said that both seniors are not automatic picks, but Devang Gandhi disagrees. He believes the team must be built around Kohli and Rohit to avoid past mistakes. Gandhi warned that India used too many players before the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, which hurt team balance. He said India must fix the middle order and pick a stable group of 20 players. He added that ignoring the seniors could lead to a “catastrophic” outcome. (PC: HT)

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana announced her wedding to musician Palash Muchhal has been cancelled, requesting privacy without revealing reasons. The World Cup winner confirmed the decision on Instagram after weeks of speculation, stating her focus remains on representing India and winning trophies. Muchhal separately confirmed the split, slamming "baseless rumours" circulating since their November wedding postponement following Mandhana's father's heart attack symptoms. He warned of legal action against those spreading "false and defamatory content," calling it the "most difficult phase" of his life. Both emphasized the relationship's sacred nature and urged society to avoid judgment based on unverified gossip.

India Pickleball Association partnered with DUPR, the world's leading pickleball rating system, marking significant progress toward global integration. All IPA events and match results will now feed into DUPR's platform, which evaluates players on a 2.000-8.000 scale. Starting 2026, IPA tournaments become DUPR Verified Events requiring stricter score reporting, player authentication, and DUPR+ subscriptions for participants. DUPR CEO Tito Machado called it a major Asian milestone, while IPA President Suryaveer Singh Bhullar emphasized enhanced competitive standards and community connectivity. The collaboration ensures fairness, transparency, and unified ratings for India's rapidly growing pickleball community, aligning with DUPR's mission of providing one consistent global rating standard.(PC: Times Now)

Music composer Palash Muchhal and cricketer Smriti Mandhana have officially called off their wedding. Both shared separate statements on Instagram, asking for privacy. The couple had postponed their November wedding after Smriti’s father fell ill and Palash was also hospitalised a day later. Rumours of cheating spread online, but Palash called them “baseless” and said this was the hardest phase of his life. Smriti said she wanted to end the speculation and focus on her cricket career. After their statements, both unfollowed each other on Instagram. Smriti also deleted all wedding-related photos, while Palash kept their proposal video. (PC: HT)

Smriti Mandhana has confirmed that her wedding to Palash Muchhal has been cancelled, ending a two-week period of rumours and confusion. The couple, who began dating in 2019, had planned to marry on November 23. Their engagement took place at DY Patil Stadium after India’s World Cup win. But the wedding was first postponed when Mandhana’s father was hospitalised, followed by Palash’s sudden hospitalisation the next day. Fans were shocked as videos earlier showed celebrations underway. On December 7, Mandhana issued a statement asking for privacy and said it was time to “move forward” and focus on cricket again. (PC: X)

Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana has confirmed that her wedding with music composer Palash Muchhal has been called off. Posting on Instagram, she said, “Over the past weeks, there has been plenty of speculation. I feel it is important to speak out. The wedding is called off.” The ceremony was postponed in November after her father faced a medical emergency and reports surfaced of Muchhal’s stress-related hospitalisation. Mandhana added, “I would like to close this matter here and request privacy for both families.” She stressed her focus remains on cricket, saying, “Representing my country is my highest priority.” (PC: NDTV)

Virat Kohli said he played at his best in two to three years as India clinched a 2–1 ODI series win over South Africa. The 37-year-old scored 302 runs, including two centuries and an unbeaten 65, at an average of 151, earning him the Player of the Series. In the final game in Visakhapatnam, he struck 65 off 45 balls — hitting three sixes — and then charged down the pitch to finish the chase. Kohli described the series as mentally freeing: “I feel really free in my mind … I don’t think I’ve played at this level for a good two-three years.” He also reflected on the internal struggles of being a seasoned batsman, admitting that self-doubt and pressure still affect him, but overcoming them has made him stronger and more balanced. (PC: Reuters)

After South Africa lost the ODI series 2–1 to India, coach Shukri Conrad expressed regret for saying he wanted to make India “grovel” during the recent Test series. He admitted that his choice of words, though not intended to offend, had “taken the sheen” off South Africa’s big Test win. Conrad explained he meant India should “work really hard” in the field, but conceded he could have picked a better expression. He promised to be more cautious with his language, acknowledging how quickly words can be misinterpreted. 

Virat Kohli said he feels “free in the mind” after scoring 302 runs in the ODI series against South Africa. He hit 12 sixes in three matches and scored at a strike rate above 100. Kohli said he has not batted like this in 2–3 years and called it very satisfying. He said long careers bring doubt, but he always works on improving himself. Kohli picked his 135 in Ranchi as his best knock. He said playing freely helps him hit more sixes. India won the series 2–1, and Kohli said tough deciders always bring out the best in the team. (PC: HT)

India defeated South Africa by nine wickets in the third ODI at Visakhapatnam to win the series 2-1. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his maiden ODI hundred, remaining unbeaten on 116. He shared a 155-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma, who made 75 and crossed 20,000 international runs. Virat Kohli finished the chase with an unbeaten 65 as India reached the target of 271 with 10.1 overs left. Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna took four wickets each to bowl South Africa out for 270. Quinton de Kock scored 106 for the visitors. Both teams now move to the T20 series. (PC: AFP)