Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev sparked controversy at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament after refusing to shake hands with India’s GM R Vaishali due to religious reasons. A viral video showed Vaishali extending her hand before their match, only for Yakubboev to sit silently, leaving her awkwardly. Yakubboev later apologized, explaining his decision was rooted in his Muslim faith, which prohibits touching women. He clarified he respects Vaishali and her brother, Indian GM Praggnanandhaa, and doesn’t impose his beliefs on others. The incident has drawn mixed reactions, with some labeling it discriminatory.

Jasprit Bumrah was awarded the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year 2024. The Indian pacer surpassed Travis Head, Joe Root, and Harry Brook to win the honor, becoming the fifth Indian cricketer to do so. Bumrah's exceptional performance in 2024 saw him claim 71 wickets in just 13 Test matches, with an average of under 15. He also became the fastest Indian pacer to reach 200 Test wickets and ended the year with 907 points in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, the highest for any Indian bowler.

India's batting collapse saw them lose to England by 26 runs in the third T20I in Rajkot, despite Varun Chakravarthy's brilliant 5-wicket haul. Chasing 172, India failed to build partnerships, with Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid wreaking havoc. Hardik Pandya's 40 off 35 balls was not enough as India ended with 145/9. England’s bowlers, led by Jamie Overton's 3 wickets, restricted India’s chase, while Chakravarthy's efforts were overshadowed. England’s win keeps the five-match series alive, with India leading 2-1.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has reportedly filed a formal complaint with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. This follows Gavaskar's sharp criticism of Sharma's poor form during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Sharma managed only 31 runs in three Tests. Gavaskar also questioned Sharma’s leadership abilities and hinted at a potential change in captaincy. Sharma, feeling the scrutiny was unfair, cited external factors for his performance and expressed his dissatisfaction with Gavaskar’s public comments, which added pressure during the challenging series.

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina applauded captain Rohit Sharma and the selectors for including young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad despite him not playing an ODI yet. Raina highlighted Jaiswal's hunger for runs and impressive List A record, averaging 54 with five centuries in 32 matches. Raina termed the inclusion as the "beauty of Indian cricket," emphasizing Jaiswal's dedication and readiness to represent India. While Jaiswal might warm the bench during the tournament, he could debut in the upcoming ODI series against England. His consistent performances have cemented his reputation as a promising cricketing talent.

Virat Kohli, ahead of his rumoured return to the Ranji Trophy, trained in Alibaug under the guidance of former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar. Kohli, focusing on his backfoot play, practiced playing rising deliveries with throwdowns from 16 yards. A portable cement slab was used to simulate steep bounce and back-of-length deliveries. Kohli's session comes after struggles in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where his front-foot game was troubled by Australian pitches. The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) is preparing for Kohli’s return, with expectations of 10,000 fans at the final Ranji match.

Jasprit Bumrah, recovering from a back injury, attended Coldplay’s concert in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Lead singer Chris Martin dedicated a humorous song to Bumrah, praising him as the "best bowler in cricket" while joking about England’s defeats. Coldplay also displayed Bumrah’s signed Test jersey on stage, honoring the pacer at his home ground. The concert, live-streamed on Hotstar, surprised fans with Bumrah’s presence. Bumrah is expected to recover in time for the Champions Trophy, beginning February 19, with his participation depending on fitness. The moment brought a blend of music and cricket, thrilling fans nationwide.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner won the Australian Open 2025, beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the final. Sinner became the first Italian to win three Grand Slam titles, breaking Nicola Pietrangeli's record. He also won the US Open last year, making this his third straight hard-court major win. Zverev, the World No.2, struggled with 45 unforced errors and is still chasing his first Grand Slam win. Despite facing a doping scandal, Sinner showed great strength and focus. Now, he aims for success on clay and grass courts at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Indian batter Tilak Varma created history in the second T20I against England in Chennai, scoring an unbeaten 72 off 55 balls. This match-winning performance helped him break the world record for the most runs in T20Is without being dismissed, amassing 318 runs. His remarkable streak includes 107* and 120* against South Africa, 19, and now 72* against England. Tilak's composed finish guided India to a two-wicket win. Captain Suryakumar Yadav praised Tilak for his responsibility and resilience in critical moments of the match.

Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 72 off 55 balls guided India to a thrilling two-wicket win against England in the second T20I in Chennai. Chasing 166, Tilak held his ground despite losing partners, showcasing grit and adaptability, as advised by head coach Gautam Gambhir. The left-hander targeted Jofra Archer and built a crucial ninth-wicket partnership with Ravi Bishnoi, securing the win with four balls to spare. Tilak, 22, has remained unbeaten in his last four T20Is, amassing 318 runs between dismissals. "Adapt to situations and stay flexible," Tilak quoted Gambhir, crediting the guidance for his match-winning knock.