The BCCI has requested an extension from the ICC to announce India’s provisional Champions Trophy squad, delaying the original January 12 deadline. Reports suggest the squad will now be revealed on January 19, one month before the tournament begins in Pakistan. The delay is attributed to ongoing deliberations after India’s performance in Australia and ahead of the England series, which could shape the final squad. The provisional squad will feature 15 members and 3 reserves as per ICC rules. A review meeting with captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir will finalize the team for both events.

Novak Djokovic has claimed he was poisoned during his detention in Melbourne before the 2022 Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was held due to unvaccinated status and travel document discrepancies. During the quarantine, Djokovic said he experienced severe flu-like symptoms, later confirmed by toxicology tests in Serbia to be caused by heavy metals, including lead and mercury. The visa saga led to his deportation and missed tournaments, including the US Open. Despite lingering trauma, Djokovic returned in 2023, winning his 10th Australian Open title. He holds no grudges but admitted to feeling uneasy during subsequent Australian visits.

Star cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, at a college graduation event in Chennai, stated that Hindi is not India’s national language but an official one. His remarks came after students hesitated to ask questions in Hindi, prompting him to address India’s linguistic diversity. Ashwin highlighted Tamil Nadu's sensitive relationship with Hindi due to historical resistance to its imposition in schools and government policies. Known for his candid views, Ashwin also shared personal anecdotes on persistence and lifelong learning. His comment reignited debates over Hindi’s status, especially in Tamil Nadu, where pride in Tamil culture and language remains deeply rooted.

Manoj Tiwary has criticized India head coach Gautam Gambhir, calling him a hypocrite and questioning his coaching style. Tiwary claimed Gambhir took undue credit for Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL successes, attributing them to effective PR. He also suggested a rift between Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma. In response, KKR players Harshit Rana and Nitish Rana defended Gambhir, praising his selflessness and leadership. Both players emphasized that Gambhir's contributions to KKR's success, including the 2024 IPL victory, were genuine, and criticized Tiwary for personal insecurities in his criticism.

Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness remains a concern ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. The Indian pacer, struggling with back spasms, recently consulted New Zealand orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rowan Schouten. Reports suggest Bumrah might be included in the squad but will only play if he is pain-free. Meanwhile, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif advised against making Bumrah India’s Test captain, citing risks to his fitness and career longevity. Kaif suggested KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant as better options for the role. Speculation about Rohit Sharma stepping down as Test captain has fueled discussions about leadership changes in Indian cricket.

Brazilian football star Neymar has announced the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last, calling it his "final shot" at glory. Neymar also hinted at a potential reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami once his Al-Hilal contract ends in June 2024. He described the prospect as “incredible,” praising their past partnership at Barcelona. Neymar has played only seven matches for Al-Hilal since his €90M move in 2023 due to injuries. Brazil currently ranks 5th in World Cup qualifiers, and Neymar is determined to represent his nation one final time.

Michael Clarke has criticized Cricket Australia (CA) for excluding Sunil Gavaskar from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy presentation despite his presence at the SCG. The trophy, named after Gavaskar and Allan Border, saw only Border present the award to Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins. Gavaskar, who was reportedly meant to present the trophy had India won, expressed disappointment. Clarke, defending Gavaskar, emphasized that both legends should have jointly presented the trophy. He called the decision a missed opportunity and an oversight, stating that having both men present at the same time was a rare privilege.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticized Rohit Sharma's decision to sit out the series-deciding Sydney Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit, citing poor form, stepped aside, leaving India under the leadership of stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, who later sustained an injury. India lost the match by six wickets, surrendering the trophy to Australia after seven years. Kaif emphasized that as captain, Rohit should have led despite his struggles, especially during such a critical game. While some praised Rohit's selflessness, Kaif labeled it a poor decision, citing the leadership void during key moments of the match.

India's 16-year-old squash prodigy, Anahat Singh, claimed the U17 British Open Squash title, defeating Egypt's Malika Elkaraksy 3-2 in the final. The top-seeded Delhi girl showcased resilience, bouncing back from deficits in the semi-finals and final. This marks her third British Open win, adding to her U11 and U15 titles. Anahat aims for higher accolades, including the World Juniors and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. A former badminton player, her switch to squash was inspired by her sister. Coached by Ritwik Bhattacharya, Anahat's journey symbolizes India's rising stature in international squash.

Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a 3-1 series win over India, ending a 10-year drought. ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting praised the team's resilience and leadership under Pat Cummins. The Australians overcame a crushing first-Test loss, with a break allowing them to regroup. Key performances from Travis Head, Cummins, and the bowling quartet—Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, and Cummins—propelled the team. Ponting highlighted Cummins' 25 wickets and leadership but noted the aging squad's challenge of nurturing young talent. With tours to Sri Lanka and the West Indies looming, Ponting emphasized the need to balance transition and success.