Rohit Sharma, 37, has opted out of the fifth Test against Australia, citing the need for rest. Jasprit Bumrah will lead India in the crucial Sydney match, aiming to level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit informed head coach Gautam Gambhir and selector Ajit Agarkar of his decision. Shubman Gill is set to return at No. 3, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul retain their opening roles. Rohit’s form has been under scrutiny, with just 31 runs in three Tests this series. If this marks his Test exit, Rohit finishes with 4,301 runs in 67 matches, averaging 40.57.

Rohit Sharma, India's cricket team captain, will be rested for the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney, sources say. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in his place. Rohit has struggled in the series, scoring only 31 runs in three matches. He also missed the first Test to stay with his family after the birth of his second child. Head coach Gautam Gambhir said the final playing XI would be announced after reviewing the pitch. India, trailing 1-2 in the series, must win the Test to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive.

Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, world chess champion D Gukesh, Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and Paralympian Praveen Kumar will be conferred with the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on January 17. Bhaker’s initial exclusion from the nominees list sparked controversy, later resolved by the Sports Ministry. Bhaker expressed gratitude, reiterating her focus on achieving more for India. Gukesh earned the honor for becoming the youngest world chess champion. Harmanpreet led India to an Olympic hockey bronze, while Praveen claimed gold in high jump T64 at the Paris Olympics. The awards will be presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Rohit Sharma’s tenure as India’s Test captain is reportedly under review amid poor performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With India facing a must-win fifth Test in Sydney, tensions in the dressing room have escalated. Reports suggest Rohit may not feature in India’s Test plans after the series, though no immediate retirement announcement is expected. Virat Kohli, seen actively guiding the team during the series, is a strong contender to reclaim the captaincy. Additionally, concerns over Gautam Gambhir’s coaching approach and the handling of Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement have prompted the BCCI to plan a post-tour performance review.

India's pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out of the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney due to a stiff back. The 28-year-old took five wickets in the series but suffered from a heavy workload on Australia's challenging pitches. Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed the injury and hinted at either Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna replacing him. India trails 1-2 in the series and needs a win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Meanwhile, Australia dropped all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for poor form, with Beau Webster set to debut. The series-decider starts tomorrow with high stakes for both teams.

Sushila Meena, a 10-year-old from Rajasthan, became an overnight sensation after Sachin Tendulkar shared a video of her impressive bowling action, likening it to Zaheer Khan's style. Despite her viral fame, Sushila admits she doesn’t recognize Tendulkar due to her family’s lack of television access. Her rural school, led by teacher Ishwarlal Meena, promotes cricket to engage students, yet lacks resources. While her fame has brought gifts, including bats, Sushila still practices with rubber balls. Her mother vows to support her passion despite societal criticism. Local officials have promised improvements, but Sushila’s journey highlights challenges faced by talented rural athletes.

Amid Rohit Sharma’s ongoing struggles in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, a senior Indian cricketer has reportedly positioned himself as an interim captain. Rohit’s poor form, scoring just 31 runs in his last 5 innings against Australia, has intensified scrutiny. Reports suggest the Indian dressing room is in disarray, with head coach Gautam Gambhir criticizing the team’s lackluster performance. Rohit, who moved down the order temporarily, has failed to deliver consistently. Former cricketer Irfan Pathan remarked Rohit’s current selection hinges on his captaincy. Speculations about leadership changes loom as the team seeks stability. Rohit may decide his future post-tour.

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has called for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prepare an exit plan for Virat Kohli, citing his ongoing struggles in Test cricket. Kohli's form has been a concern, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has failed to score consistently. Since 2020, his Test average has dropped significantly to 31.32. Wassan emphasized the need for a clear succession plan, noting that uncertainty about Kohli’s future could affect the team’s structure and management. Despite his current form, Kohli’s legacy in cricket remains unmatched.

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli celebrated New Year’s Eve in Sydney as the cricketer tours Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A video shared online shows the couple twinning in black while strolling down a Sydney street, accompanied by teammate Devdutt Padikkal. Anushka wore a little black dress, while Virat opted for a black co-ord set with white sneakers. Fans appreciated their understated celebrations. Kohli's form has been under scrutiny this tour, but the duo maintains their focus on family, fiercely guarding their children's privacy. Anushka, last seen in Zero, awaits the release of her Jhulan Goswami biopic, Chakda Xpress.

Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi made chess history on December 31, 2024, by sharing the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship title. After seven rounds and three sudden-death draws in New York, Carlsen proposed splitting the title, a first in chess history. The decision gave Carlsen his eighth Blitz title and Nepomniachtchi his first. Earlier, Carlsen withdrew from the tournament following a dress code controversy but rejoined after FIDE relaxed its rules. "This unprecedented decision reflects sportsmanship and mutual respect," noted FIDE officials. The event highlighted resilience, strategy, and the evolving spirit of competitive chess.