Shooter Manu Bhaker, a double-medal winner at the Paris Olympics, is surprisingly absent from the Khel Ratna Award nominations. Reports suggest the omission may stem from Bhaker not applying for the award, though her family claims she did. The sports ministry officials cite procedural issues, while others call for suo moto recognition of Bhaker’s achievements. Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar are among the nominees. Congress MP Vijay Vasanth has also urged the government to honor Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired. The controversy has reignited discussions about fairness in award selections.

A controversy surrounding Ravindra Jadeja's alleged Hindi-only press conference led to the cancellation of a friendly cricket match between Indian and Australian journalists in Melbourne. Scheduled for Sunday at Junction Oval, the match was called off after some members of Team India’s backroom staff and Indian media boycotted the event. Australian media claimed Jadeja refused to answer questions in English, but Indian journalists and the team's media manager denied this, asserting Jadeja only responded to Hindi queries from traveling reporters. Cricket Australia had organized the fixture, which was scrapped due to insufficient players following the boycott.

India captain Rohit Sharma's form remains a concern after a viral video showed him struggling against part-timer Devdutt Padikkal in net practice ahead of the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne. The 37-year-old has scored just 19 runs in three innings this series and 152 runs in his last 13 Test innings at an average of 11.69. Fans labeled his struggle as "embarrassing," speculating he is in his "endgame." Sunil Gavaskar hinted that Rohit might step down as captain if his form doesn’t improve. Speculation grows that senior players, including Rohit, may retire before the next WTC cycle in 2025.

Australian media has launched a fresh attack on Indian cricketer Virat Kohli following a confrontation at Melbourne Airport. Kohli, accompanied by his wife Anushka Sharma and children, confronted a journalist filming his family, requesting her to delete the footage but allowing her to keep clips of him. Tony Jones from 9 Sports criticized Kohli, labeling him a "bully" for his actions. Additionally, Ravindra Jadeja faced backlash for conducting a Hindi-only press conference. Channel 7 reporters accused Jadeja of ignoring English questions, leaving them "bemused and confused." This controversy arises ahead of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test.

India captain Rohit Sharma suffered a knee injury during a net session on December 22, four days before the fourth Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The injury occurred when a ball from a throwdown hit his left knee, forcing him to leave the nets and apply an ice pack. This comes after KL Rahul injured his hand during practice on December 21. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, Rohit's fitness remains crucial for India’s chances. India has a strong recent record at the MCG, with two wins and one draw in their last three matches since 2014.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has urged skipper Rohit Sharma to adopt an attacking mindset in the last two Tests against Australia. Rohit, struggling with form, has managed only 19 runs in the series so far and shifted to the No. 6 position to accommodate KL Rahul as opener. Shastri emphasized the importance of Rohit playing naturally, leveraging his quick length-picking skills to dominate bowlers early on. "He should attack and not overthink. A confident Rohit can turn the tide for India," said Shastri. India seeks to regain momentum as the series moves to Melbourne.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin on his remarkable 14-year cricket career following his surprise retirement after the Brisbane Test. Ashwin, India's legendary off-spinner, retired with 537 Test wickets, 156 ODI wickets, and 72 T20I wickets. In a heartfelt message, PM Modi praised Ashwin's unique skills, especially his carrom ball, which “bowled everyone.” Modi also acknowledged the support Ashwin received from his family and wished him a fulfilling future. He expressed hope that Ashwin would continue contributing to cricket in the years ahead.

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has addressed the recent arrest warrant issued against him in connection with a Provident Fund (PF) fraud case. Uthappa clarified his limited role in the companies involved, stating that he was appointed as a director due to his financial contributions in 2018-19 but had no executive responsibilities. He assured that his legal team has provided documentation confirming his lack of involvement in day-to-day operations. Uthappa vowed to resolve the matter legally and urged the media to accurately report on the case.

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan shared a heartfelt story about Virat Kohli, revealed by Anushka Sharma during their time on the sets of Sui Dhaaga. Speaking on a podcast, Varun said Anushka recounted how Kohli cried after India’s Nottingham Test loss, blaming himself despite being the highest scorer. Anushka praised Kohli’s dedication and self-reflection. Known for her spiritual journey, Anushka also left a strong impression on Varun with her authenticity. Married since 2017, the couple has two children, Vamika (2021) and Akaay (2024), reflecting a strong personal and professional bond.

Virat Kohli, his wife Anushka Sharma, and their children, Vamika and Akaay, are set to move to London soon, confirmed Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma. Kohli plans to settle in the UK after retiring from cricket. The family already owns property in London, where their son Akaay was born earlier this year. Although Kohli remains focused on cricket, he has spent much time in London recently. Rajkumar Sharma assured fans that Kohli is in great form and expects him to continue playing for at least five more years, including the 2027 World Cup. Kohli’s next big match is the Champions Trophy.