The BCCI has expressed its condolences on the passing of former Indian cricketer Syed Abid Ali, who died at 83. Renowned for his versatility, Ali played a significant role in India’s historic Test series victories in England and the West Indies in 1971. BCCI officials remembered him as a dedicated and respected figure in Indian cricket.
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports restored the Wrestling Federation of India’s recognition, lifting its suspension. Former WFI President, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh shared his views on the decision. The suspension was initially imposed due to procedural lapses and accusations of sexual harassment against Singh, but has now been lifted to benefit the sport and its athletes.
A Sydney District Court jury acquitted former Australia Test cricketer Stuart MacGill of involvement in a significant commercial drug deal but convicted him on a lesser charge tied to drug supply. Despite arranging a meeting, MacGill claimed he was unaware of the cocaine transaction arranged by his supplier and brother-in-law.
Indian shuttler PV Sindhu was defeated in the first round of the All-England Open 2025 by South Korea’s Kim Ga Eun, marking her fourth straight opening-round exit at the tournament. Sindhu began strongly but struggled to maintain momentum, while her South Korean opponent advanced. Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced in men’s doubles.
The BlackCaps last won a white-ball title in an ICC tournament way back in 2000, when they clinched the Champions Trophy; but former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes it won’t be long before that wait ends for New Zealand.
Rishabh Pant, the most expensive player in IPL history, faces a crucial season for his international limited-overs career. Despite his Test cricket success, Pant struggles to secure a firm spot in India’s white-ball teams, and his performance in this IPL season will be pivotal.
Carlos Alcaraz displayed exceptional mastery at the ATP Indian Wells Masters, defeating Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-1 under windy conditions. This victory marks his 50th ATP Masters 1000 win and maintains his chance to join Federer and Djokovic in winning three consecutive Indian Wells titles. Alcaraz will next face Francisco Cerundolo in the semi-finals.
Former world number one Viktor Axelsen faced an unexpected first-round defeat against Taiwan’s Lin Chun-yi at the All England Open. While Axelsen managed to dominate the second game, he couldn’t sustain his momentum, ultimately losing 21-19, 13-21, 21-11. Top-seeded An Se-young and former champion Chen Yufei advanced in the women’s singles event.
Real Madrid won against Atletico Madrid in a dramatic Champions League last-16 tie decided by a penalty shootout. Arsenal and Aston Villa advanced to the quarter-finals with convincing victories, while Borussia Dortmund overcame Lille. The upcoming quarter-finals feature intriguing matchups, including Real Madrid versus Arsenal and Aston Villa against PSG.
Pakistan cricket is facing turmoil after an early exit from the Champions Trophy 2025. Mickey Arthur criticises the instability despite talented players and quality coaches like Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten. Internal conflicts and media agendas are blamed for undermining efforts. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been dropped for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
A video of MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant singing ‘Tu Jaane Na’ at Sakshi Pant’s sangeet has gone viral. The ceremony, held in Dehradun, featured several cricket stars. Dhoni attended with his wife Sakshi, and Pant joined fresh from winning the Champions Trophy. More cricketers like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected at the wedding.
The ICC praised the Pakistan Cricket Board for successfully hosting the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, marking Pakistan’s first ICC event since 1996. India won the tournament, which saw 15 matches played across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Dubai. The event showcased Pakistan’s passion for cricket and ability to host global events, drawing fans worldwide.
Mahmudullah, a celebrated Bangladeshi cricketer, has announced his retirement from international cricket, capping a 17-year career. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and family in his announcement. Notably, Mahmudullah holds the distinction of being the only Bangladeshi to score three centuries in ODI World Cups.
Former Pakistan cricketer Imad Wasim has criticised Pakistan’s outdated playing style following their poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy. He highlighted that modern cricket requires an aggressive approach and that Pakistan has failed to adapt. Imad warned that continuing to play cautiously would result in losing fan interest and called for a complete overhaul of their cricketing approach.
Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal criticised the absence of a Pakistani representative during the ICC Champions Trophy prize distribution, attributing it to the team’s subpar performance. The PCB lodged a complaint with the ICC, but officials defended the protocol, stating that it did not require the presence of the tournament director on stage.
Sanju Samson shares his emotional attachment to former teammate Jos Buttler and his regret over the IPL’s player release regulation. Samson valued their friendship and partnership over the years. He wishes the rule could be changed to maintain long-term relationships. Samson also looks forward to working with head coach Rahul Dravid again.
Sunil Gavaskar paid tribute to former allrounder Abid Ali, who passed away at 83. Abid Ali took 47 wickets in 29 Tests and was notable for his key role in India’s historic 1971 Test wins. He was known for his lion-hearted cricket, versatile batting, and impeccable manners. Condolences were extended to his family.
Former captain Dilip Vengsarkar criticized the speculation on Rohit Sharma’s retirement, saying the player should decide his future. Rohit, 37, remains pivotal for India, especially in crucial tournaments. Vengsarkar praised Rohit’s performances and also highlighted the contributions of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul in India’s recent successes, giving credit to the selectors for their decisions.
Sanju Samson, captain of Rajasthan Royals, shares his experiences and admiration for former Indian captain MS Dhoni, while expressing enthusiasm about RR’s young talent, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Samson highlights his evolving relationship with Dhoni and praises 13-year-old Vaibhav’s power-hitting abilities and potential in the IPL, boasting his impressive performance and promising future.