Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli is set to miss the third and fourth Tests against England, citing personal reasons. After withdrawing from the first two Tests, Kohli's absence raises concerns for Team India's lineup. The third Test is scheduled at Rajkot's Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium from February 15, followed by the penultimate Test at JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi from February 23. While doubts persist over Kohli's availability for the fifth Test in Dharmasala, selectors anticipate his return. Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to recover for the upcoming matches. Kohli's decision stems from impending family obligations, confirmed by AB de Villiers on his YouTube channel.

Railways Sports Promotion Board secretary Prem Chand Lochab, recently elected as general secretary in Wrestling Federation of India, emphasizes rebuilding trust with wrestlers. Lochab, backed by protesting athletes, faces opposition from WFI supporting former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Amidst differences, Lochab advocates prioritizing wrestlers' confidence in the federation after a year-long hiatus. WFI, currently suspended by the sports ministry, faces challenges with decisions made under new president Sanjay Singh. Lochab underscores adherence to rules and constitution, urging a transparent approach. Despite WFI's derecognition by UWW, Lochab outlines plans for grassroots strengthening, coach training, and future wrestling improvements.

Lionel Messi expressed regret over his inability to participate in Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Hong Kong, citing a hamstring injury. Fans, anticipating Messi's presence, voiced frustration and demanded refunds after the match. David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, faced boos during a post-match speech. The Hong Kong government expressed disappointment over Messi's absence and organizers' lack of explanation. Despite the setback, Messi trained with the team in Japan and expressed hope to play in their upcoming match against Vissel Kobe. He emphasized his desire to contribute to matches and expressed gratitude for fans' support.    

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has voiced apprehensions about India's batting performance despite their victory in the second Test against England. Khan highlighted the team's reliance on individual brilliance from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, emphasizing the need for a collective effort. India's failure to excel as a batting unit, especially in the absence of key players like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, raises concerns ahead of the upcoming matches. With the series tied 1-1, the third Test in Rajkot poses a crucial opportunity for India to address these batting frailties and assert dominance.      

India's U-19 cricket team secures a thrilling victory over South Africa, advancing to the final of the U-19 World Cup. Sachin Dhas's 96 and skipper Uday Saharan's 81 steer India from a precarious position of 32/4 to a remarkable 2-wicket win in the semi-final clash. Their record-breaking 171-run partnership rescues the defending champions, who chase down 245 under pressure. South Africa's early dominance with the ball is nullified by Dhas and Saharan's resilient batting display. India awaits the winner of the Australia-Pakistan semi-final, eyeing their sixth U-19 World Cup title.

Fans expressed fury as Lionel Messi remained benched during Inter Miami's match in Hong Kong, prompting chants of "refund" from disappointed spectators. Despite Inter Miami's 4-1 victory, anger overshadowed the game as Messi, plagued by muscle inflammation, failed to make an appearance. Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino cited Messi's health concerns, but fans questioned why he didn't at least acknowledge the crowd. Organizers withdrew a government funding application worth $2 million, following threats from Hong Kong officials. The government had expected Messi to play at least 45 minutes, seeking to boost tourism post-pandemic. Messi's participation in future matches remains uncertain.

India's second Test win against England saw notable records and milestones. Ravichandran Ashwin became India's top wicket-taker against England, surpassing BS Chandrasekhar with 97 dismissals. Jasprit Bumrah's bowling average of 10.11 ranks second-best for an Indian pacer taking nine or more wickets in a home Test. Bumrah's match haul of 9/91 is his second-best in Tests. Yashasvi Jaiswal's double hundred and Shubman Gill's ton marked a rare feat of two batters aged below 25 scoring centuries in a Test match since 1996. James Anderson set a record for most maidens bowled by a visiting bowler in India.          

A sparkling double ton by Yashasvi Jaiswal (209) in the first innings and a commanding century from Shubman Gill (104) in the second, helped set up a dominant 106-run victory for India in the second Test against England at Vizag. Chasing 332 in the second innings, the visitors crumbled under pressure with only Zak Crawley's 73 providing resistance. Jasprit Bumrah and Ashwin shared six wickets (three each) as the hosts bundled out the visitors for 292 chasing 332. Jaiswal's superb knock laid the platform for India's first innings total while Bumrah and Ashwin capped off the match with a stellar bowling display. The comprehensive win marked a superb comeback for India after the opening Test defeat to level the series at 1-1. [Photo: BCCI X handle]  

India's opening batsman, Shubman Gill, was sidelined on Day 4 of the Vizag Test against England due to a right index finger injury. The BCCI medical team opted to rest Gill, with Sarfaraz Khan stepping in as his substitute fielder. Gill's absence didn't hinder India's batting, as they had already completed their innings in both rounds. However, with Gill returning to form with a century on Day 3, India hopes his injury isn't severe. Gill attributed his recent success to playing his natural game, emphasizing the importance of staying true to his batting style despite recent low scores.

England's pursuit of a record 399-run chase against India in the second Test has been buoyed by an inspiring pep talk from head coach Brendon McCullum. Despite daunting historical statistics, England remains optimistic after closing Day 3 at 67 for 1. McCullum's message, "if India get 600 ahead, we're going to try and chase it down," resonated with the team, according to veteran fast bowler James Anderson. England's determination to achieve the improbable in Visakhapatnam reflects the impact of McCullum's motivational words, setting the stage for a potential Bazball-era triumph.