Football icon Lionel Messi will visit India in October 2025 as Argentina plays an exhibition match in Kerala, 14 years after his last appearance in the country. HSBC India, now an official partner of Argentina’s national team, confirmed the match as part of their promotional efforts. Messi’s previous visit was in 2011 when Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0 at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. The Argentine Football Association aims to expand its global presence through this partnership. Indian football fans eagerly await the chance to witness the World Cup-winning captain in action once again. (PC: Reuters)

Argentina dominated Brazil with a 4-1 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier. Giuliano Simeone, Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez scored for Argentina, while Matheus Cunha netted Brazil’s only goal. The win secured Argentina’s place in the World Cup after Bolivia’s draw against Uruguay. Brazil, currently third in the CONMEBOL table, still needs points to qualify. Argentina's commanding performance reinforced their dominance in South American football. With this victory, Lionel Scaloni’s squad continues to impress, building momentum for the World Cup. ( PC: AFP)

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly hailed Shreyas Iyer as the "most improved batsman" in the last year, asserting he is ready for all formats. Iyer’s unbeaten 97 off 42 balls led Punjab Kings to an 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. Ganguly praised his adaptability, especially after topping the charts in India's Champions Trophy triumph. Iyer expressed joy over his innings, saying his early boundary gave him confidence. Punjab Kings next face Lucknow Super Giants on April 1. Fans now eagerly watch if Iyer cements his place across formats for India. (PC: X/ @PunjabKingsIPL)

During the high-stakes IPL 2025 match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), a viral video allegedly showed two CSK players engaging in suspicious activity with the ball, triggering ball-tampering allegations. Fans took to social media, accusing CSK of unethical play, with heated debates surfacing online. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL officials have yet to comment on the incident. CSK ultimately won the match by four wickets, but the controversy has overshadowed the game, with cricket enthusiasts demanding clarity on the issue. (Mathrubhumi English)

  Reports suggest that Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer are set to be reinstated in the BCCI’s central contract list after being dropped earlier. Their potential return follows improved form and discussions within the board. Meanwhile, senior pacer Mohammed Shami’s contract status remains uncertain due to prolonged fitness issues and lack of domestic cricket participation. The BCCI’s final contract list, which categorizes players into different grades based on performance and availability, is under review. An official announcement is expected soon, signaling the board’s emphasis on form and fitness in player contract decisions.    

India failed to break through Bangladesh’s defense in a 0-0 draw in their opening AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier. Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury shone on his debut for Bangladesh, disrupting India’s midfield. Sunil Chhetri missed key chances, while Liston Colaco and Subhasish Bose were among India’s bright spots. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith had nervy moments but kept a clean sheet. The result puts pressure on India ahead of crucial clashes against Singapore and Hong Kong in Group C. Bangladesh celebrated a strong defensive performance, frustrating India’s attack in a hard-fought match. (PC:X and AIFF)

Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 97 off 42 balls powered Punjab Kings to 243/5 against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Shashank Singh’s 44* off 16 added late fireworks. Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, fought hard but fell short at 232/5. Sai Sudharsan’s 74, Jos Buttler’s 54, and Sherfane Rutherford’s quick 46 weren’t enough to seal the chase. Arshdeep Singh’s crucial breakthroughs helped Punjab Kings hold on for an 11-run victory. Iyer's aggressive innings and Punjab’s late-order acceleration proved decisive, securing an important IPL 2025 win. (PC: BCCI)

Punjab Kings dominated Gujarat Titans, posting 243/5 in 20 overs in IPL 2025. Skipper Shreyas Iyer led with an unbeaten 97* off 42 balls, while debutant Priyansh Arya contributed 47 off 23 balls. Shashank Singh's explosive 44* off 16 balls further boosted PBKS. GT’s Sai Kishore claimed 3 wickets, while Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada took 1 each. In response, GT’s Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill built a solid opening stand in pursuit of the daunting target. (PC: X/@PujabKingsIPL)

KKR all-rounder Ramandeep Singh revealed how Yuvraj Singh sacrificed his practice to mentor him, recording his batting videos and providing crucial advice. "Yuvi paaji stood in the sun and helped me improve," Ramandeep shared. The Punjab cricketer, who idolizes Yuvraj, has twice come close to hitting six sixes in an over but believes it will happen when the time is right. He emphasized Yuvraj’s selfless support for young talents like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. "He never ignores calls from young cricketers," Ramandeep added, highlighting Yuvraj’s lasting impact on Indian cricket. (PC: Getty Images)

MS Dhoni's lightning-fast 0.12-second stumping of Suryakumar Yadav in IPL 2025 has taken the cricketing world by storm. Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad, who delivered the ball, called it "out of the world" and praised Dhoni’s unmatched reflexes. The Chepauk crowd erupted as the legendary wicketkeeper showcased his trademark agility. Dhoni’s brilliance behind the stumps remains a game-changer, proving why he’s still one of the sharpest minds in cricket. His heroics continue to inspire, making IPL 2025 even more electrifying. (PC: BCCI)