India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir announced that Jasprit Bumrah will captain the team in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy if regular captain Rohit Sharma is unavailable. Speaking at a pre-departure press conference in Mumbai, Gambhir confirmed, "Bumrah is vice-captain; if Rohit is not available, he will lead in Perth." The first Test is set to begin on November 22 at Optus Stadium in Perth. This series against Australia is crucial for India, though Gambhir noted the team’s primary focus is to win the series rather than the World Test Championship final.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma won’t travel with the team to Australia ahead of the first Test on November 22 in Perth. According to RevSportz, Rohit is staying back for personal reasons, though details are unconfirmed. The rest of the team will depart in two batches on Sunday and Monday. Head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to provide updates in a press conference on Monday. Meanwhile, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes Jasprit Bumrah, vice-captain, is ready to lead if needed, though he acknowledges captaincy can be challenging for a bowler.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the ICC that India won’t travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, sources told India Today. The BCCI’s communication was verbal, with a formal announcement expected after the schedule is finalized. The tournament is set to be hosted in Pakistan for the first time in eight years. However, BCCI sources confirmed that India would prefer a hybrid model, potentially playing in the UAE. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chair Mohsin Naqvi insists on written confirmation from India, adding that PCB has no current plans for a hybrid model.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will join a training group led by triple Olympic gold medalist Jan Zelezny this winter. The Czech Athletics Federation confirmed Chopra's request to be coached by Zelezny, who praised the Indian javelin star as a "great talent". Zelezny, a three-time Olympic champion, will lead the group for two years. Chopra, 26, won gold in Tokyo 2021 and silver in Paris 2024. This partnership aims to further enhance Chopra's skills under Zelezny's expert guidance. The training arrangement is set to commence this winter, boosting Chopra's prospects for future international competitions.

Sanju Samson made history on November 8 in Durban, South Africa, becoming the first Indian to score consecutive T20I centuries. Following his 47-ball 111 against Bangladesh, he continued his blistering form with a 107-run knock off 47 balls, striking 7 boundaries and 9 sixes. His record-breaking performance included becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to hit two T20I centuries and the fourth Indian with multiple T20I hundreds. Under captain Suryakumar Yadav's leadership, Samson's partnership of 66 with Yadav powered India to 202/8, putting South Africa under significant pressure in the opening match of the series.

Athiya Shetty and Indian cricketer KL Rahul have announced they are expecting their first child together. The couple, who married in January 2023, shared the joyful news with fans through a heartfelt joint Instagram post. The post, adorned with golden stars and tiny footprints, read, "Our beautiful blessing is coming soon. 2025," signaling the arrival of their baby in the coming year. The announcement was met with love and congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities alike. Athiya and Rahul's relationship, once kept private, has now blossomed into a happy marriage with the couple looking forward to this new chapter.

Suryakumar Yadav, set to lead India in the T20I series against South Africa, hinted at a potential Test comeback after India’s 0-3 home defeat to New Zealand in the recent Test series. Not included in the Test squad, Yadav, who has played only one Test match for India, shared that he’s actively participating in all domestic formats, aiming for a Test recall. "If a Test comeback is meant to happen, it will," Yadav stated. Known for his consistent domestic performance, he boasts 5,656 runs in first-class cricket with 14 centuries. His dedication underscores his ambition for a Test return.

India's cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, citing security concerns. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of its decision, requesting to play all matches in Dubai instead. This comes despite recent talks between Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, sparking speculation of a possible India-Pakistan series. The BCCI's stance prioritizes player safety, amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will likely consider India's request.

Bayern Munich aims to extend its Bundesliga lead to six points with a win at St Pauli on Saturday. RB Leipzig, currently second, hosts Borussia Moenchengladbach later that day. Leipzig's 2-1 loss to Dortmund last week gave Bayern the opportunity to pull ahead. The two title contenders are set to face off on December 22. Bayern's strong form and Leipzig's recent loss have made them the clear frontrunners, surpassing defending champions Bayer Leverkusen and inconsistent Borussia Dortmund. A Bayern win would increase pressure on Leipzig to maintain pace in the title race.

India’s top-order batters, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have been facing struggles with poor performances in 2024, averaging just 22.72 and 29.40, respectively. Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, former Australian captains Mark Taylor and Ian Chappell expressed concerns over India's batting lineup. While younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have impressed, Kohli and Rohit have not delivered at their usual standards. Taylor warned that without runs from the senior players, India’s batting woes would intensify, while Chappell pointed out that the duo’s age may be a factor in their decline.