The Economic Times News

India secured a dominant 15-run victory over Sri Lanka in the fifth T20I. This win completed a 5-0 whitewash for the Indian team. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's 68 runs were crucial. Sri Lanka's chase fell short despite strong performances from their openers. India concluded their exceptional World Cup-winning year on a high note.

Deepti Sharma has achieved a significant milestone. She is now the leading wicket-taker in Women's T20 Internationals. Sharma surpassed Australia's Megan Schutt to claim this record. She continues to be the top-ranked bowler in the ICC rankings. Other Indian players like Renuka Singh Thakur and Shafali Verma have also seen positive movements in the rankings.

England has announced its provisional squad for the T20 World Cup. Batter Jamie Smith has been left out. Pacer Jofra Archer has been included despite a side strain. Archer's inclusion comes after his performance in the Ashes series. England's T20 World Cup campaign begins in February. The tournament is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Indian mens cricket in 2025 was defined by success in white-ball formats, leadership transition, and setbacks in Tests. India won the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, adding to their limited-overs dominance, but lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and suffered a home Test whitewash against South Africa.

Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner narrowly missed a century, finishing on an unbeaten 99. His explosive innings helped his team post a strong total. Turner now joins an elite group of Big Bash League players who have been dismissed on 99 not out. This remarkable performance marks his fifteenth fifty in the tournament and takes him past 2,400 runs.

The Indian Olympic Association will host the inaugural National Athletes' Forum in Ahmedabad on January 10. This event aims to empower athletes in sports governance and accountability. Current and former athletes will engage in discussions on crucial issues. The forum seeks to translate athlete feedback into actionable reforms. This initiative marks a significant step towards athlete-centered decision-making in Indian sports.

Indian opener Shafali Verma has surged to sixth in the ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings. Her recent half-centuries against Sri Lanka propelled her up the standings. Smriti Mandhana remains third, while Deepti Sharma leads the bowlers. Renuka Singh Thakur also entered the top ten.

IND W vs SL W 5th T20I Playing XI: India Women aim for a clean sweep against Sri Lanka Women in the fifth T20I, having already secured the series 4-0. Sri Lanka, seeking to avoid a 5-0 loss, will target India's fielding lapses. Despite India's dominance, fielding concerns persist as both teams prepare for the T20 World Cup.

Indian sportswomen dominated 2025 with historic wins in chess, cricket, shooting, and archery. Sheetal Devi became the first armless para world champion. Blind women's cricket team also won a world title. Men's cricket and hockey saw successes too. New sports laws and a Commonwealth Games bid were announced.

The Global Chess League (GCL) aims to make chess more engaging beyond its traditional, individual-focused format. Historically, chess has been a solitary, disciplined sport, respected but limited in broad emotional appeal. GCL introduces team-based franchises, faster formats, and digital innovations to retain the games intellectual integrity while making it more accessible and exciting for younger audiences.

The legacies of some of the biggest names were sealed as some once-elusive tasks/titles were ticked off, while some young rising talent just started writing their story as the torch-bearers of the next generation, who could lift on their shoulders hopes of their countrymen and take forward cricket as not only as a sport, but also a moolah-making, superstar-producing and glamorous industry it has turned into over the years.

Mumbai Indians have appointed Kristen Beams as their spin bowling coach for the upcoming 2026 Women's Premier League season. Beams, a former Australian leg-spinner, brings extensive playing and coaching experience. She expressed excitement about joining the team's winning culture and family environment. The Mumbai Indians, two-time champions, are preparing for the new season with a retained core and new additions.

India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's impressive podium streak concluded at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships. Despite this, Chopra achieved a significant milestone by crossing the 90-meter mark for the first time in his career. He also secured victories and top finishes in various other prestigious events throughout the 2025 season, showcasing his continued dominance in the sport.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices. He cited immense demand and revenue generation for global football. Millions of ticket requests flooded in for the upcoming tournament. These revenues support football in 150 countries. Dubai will also host the FIFA Best Awards next year. The awards celebrate top players, coaches, and teams.

Indian football endured a difficult 2025. The sport saw administrative turmoil and the Indian Super League's suspension. Lionel Messi's tour faced chaos in Kolkata. The men's national team hit a historic low in FIFA rankings. However, the women's teams achieved significant qualifications for upcoming tournaments. Indian football looks to rebuild in 2026.

Mumbai dominated Chhattisgarh by nine wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Skipper Shardul Thakur took four wickets early. Shams Mulani also claimed five wickets. Chhattisgarh was bowled out for 142. Mumbai chased the target easily with Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Siddhesh Lad scoring fifties. Mumbai topped Group C with this win.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will miss the third round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with both Delhi and Mumbai set to play without their biggest names as the domestic tournament continues on Monday. The two senior India players had committed to limited appearances in the competition, ruling them out of the upcoming round of league matches.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian chess stars Koneru Humpy and Arjun Erigaisi. They both secured bronze medals at the FIDE Rapid Chess Championship in Doha. Arjun Erigaisi achieved his first bronze. Koneru Humpy also finished strongly in the women's section. The Prime Minister praised their achievements and dedication to the sport. The World Blitz Championship is now underway.

Bhutan's Sonam Yeshey has made history. The 22-year-old spinner took eight wickets in a T20 international match. He achieved this remarkable feat against Myanmar. Yeshey's performance helped Bhutan secure an 82-run victory. This sets a new record for the most wickets taken by a bowler in this format. The previous record was seven wickets.

Smriti Mandhana has reached a significant milestone, scoring 10,000 runs in international cricket. She is the fourth woman and second Indian player to achieve this feat. Mandhana's performance in the recent T20I against Sri Lanka was instrumental in India's victory. She emphasized the importance of starting fresh in every match.

Indian cricket saw a year of highs and lows in 2025. The women's team achieved a historic World Cup victory. The men's team dominated white-ball cricket, winning key tournaments. However, the men's Test team suffered a significant home series defeat. The IPL and WPL continued their financial success. The year highlighted both achievements and areas needing improvement.

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar believes Ravi Shastri could lead England's cricket team to success. Shastri's proven track record in building winning units, especially against Australia, makes him a strong candidate. Panesar highlighted India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy wins under Shastri's guidance.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains passionate and motivated to reach his 1,000 career goal target, currently sitting at 956. After being named Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards, the Portuguese forward expressed his desire to continue playing for one or two more years, emphasizing his enjoyment of the game regardless of location and his ambition to win trophies.

Indian chess player Koneru Humpy won bronze at the FIDE World Rapid Championships. She tied for the top spot but lost out on the title due to tie-breaker rules. Magnus Carlsen won his sixth World Rapid title in the open category. Arjun Erigaisi secured bronze in the open section. The World Blitz Championships are set to begin.

IND W vs SL W 4th T20I Prediction and Playing 11: India has already secured the series against Sri Lanka, leading 3-0 heading into the fourth Women's T20I. Dominating with both bat and ball, the hosts have comfortably chased targets, with bowlers like Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh Thakur proving highly effective.

Pakistan has recalled allrounder Shadab Khan for the upcoming T20 series in Sri Lanka, while uncapped batter Khawaja Nafay also earned a maiden call-up. The selectors are using a rotation policy ahead of the T20 World Cup, resting key players like Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The media reports of Laxman being approached to become India's next Test coach has been doing the rounds since yesterday. The news comes just a few weeks after India suffered a 0-2 Test whitewash to South Africa at home under Gautam Gambhir, their second whitewash in back-to-back years following a humiliating 0-3 loss to New Zealand last year under the same coach, which marked India's first Test series loss at home since 12 years and starting of crumbling of India's great Test empire, guarded we

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated India's sporting triumphs in 2025. The Men's Cricket team secured the ICC Champions Trophy. The Women's Cricket team won their maiden World Cup. Para-athletes achieved significant success at the World Para Athletics Championships. The Women's Blind T20 World Cup was also won. These victories marked a memorable year for Indian sports.

Pakistan has recalled all-rounder Shadab Khan for the upcoming T20I series in Sri Lanka. Top players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi will continue their Big Bash League commitments. The squad, led by Salman Ali Agha, includes uncapped batter Khawaja Nafay. This series is crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.

Australian pace bowling legend Brett Lee has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. Lee, a proven winner and entertainer, joins an elite group of cricketing superstars. He represented Australia in 76 Tests and 221 ODIs, achieving significant wicket-taking milestones and contributing with the bat.

Indian chess stars are making their mark at the FIDE World Rapid Championships in Doha. Koneru Humpy shares the lead in the women's section. D. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi are in contention in the open category. The championships continue with more rounds to determine the winners.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground curator is in shock after a two-day Ashes Test. Excessive grass on the pitch led to a rapid collapse of wickets. This resulted in a massive financial shortfall for Cricket Australia. Many fans had their tickets refunded. This is the first time in 129 years that two Ashes Tests have ended so quickly.

The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2025 concluded in Mumbai, showcasing India's growing ambition in exporting sports formats. While online viewership booms, the article explores the contrasting live experiences of chess events, from the quiet intensity of the FIDE World Cup in Goa to the energetic spectacle of the GCL, highlighting the evolving nature of the sport.

For the third year in a row, India earned the dubious distinction of topping the global list of doping violations in sports, as per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report. The rankings were based on tests conducted in 2024, but the technicality did little to wash away the embarrassment. India, which won just 6 medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, accounted for a record 260 adverse analytical findings from 7113 samples a positivity rate of 3.6 per cent, the highest among all countries tha

2026 brings a double bonanza for Indian athletes: the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. While India has crossed the 100-medal mark in both events101 at the 2010 Delhi CWG and 107 at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games (held in 2023)the challenge is to do it in the same year. With India set to host the 2030 CWG, Asian Games sometime in the future and eventually the Olympics, athletes need to stand up.

Between themselves, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shared the last eight slams. It is a duopoly at the top of the rankings tree, with these two generational talents competing in their own bubble, while the rest play catch-up. Alcaraz won an epic five-setter at Roland Garros; Sinner got his own back at Wimbledon, only for Alcaraz to land another counterpunch in New York. Thrilling as this rivalry is, the cage is ripe to be rattled. Remember; back when it was all about Federer versus Nadal,

From Harmanpreet and Co. lifting the World Cup trophy to Gambhirs wards losing another Test series at home. From Sin-Caraz dominating the mens circuit to Sabalenka just about staying ahead of the chasing pack. From India topping the doping charts to the endless wait for ISLs resumption. 2025 was a fascinating year, full of highs and lows, and one that leaves sport with a big wishlist for 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will captain the India U19 squad for a three-match ODI series against South Africa, commencing January 3 in Benoni. Aaron George will serve as vice-captain. Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra have been ruled out due to wrist injuries but are expected to join for the U19 World Cup.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's Junior Cricket Committee has revealed the India squads. These teams are selected for the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup and an upcoming three-match One-Day series against South Africa. Ayush Mhatre will captain the U19 World Cup squad. Vihaan Malhotra is named vice-captain.

India last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 in England under the leadership of MS Dhoni. They reached the final again in 2017 but lost to arch-rivals Pakistan at The Oval in London.

The Aussie veteran made this upward movement in charts during his side's fourth Ashes Test at Melbourne against England. While he could score just nine in the first innings, falling to Josh Tongue, he made 24* in 39 balls, with a four, standing as a lone warrior as the Aussie batting crumbled to heaps, presenting an easy target to England.

Josh Tongue's remarkable comeback fuels England's Ashes victory. He overcame career-threatening injuries to deliver a match-winning five-wicket haul. This performance secured England's first test win in Australia in fifteen years. Tongue's dedication highlights his dream of playing for England. The series concludes with the fifth test in Sydney.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is looking to sell two new teams for the Pakistan Super League. Each team will cost 1.3 billion Pakistani rupees annually. The auction is set for January 8. Former owners of Multan Sultans have submitted bids. The PCB is guaranteeing franchises a minimum of 850 million Pakistani rupees from central revenue for five editions.

The bowler-friendly Melbourne pitch, where 20 wickets fell on Day 1, has drawn criticism from Kevin Pietersen and Dinesh Karthik. They highlighted the selective scrutiny of Indian pitches when spinners dominate, contrasting it with the current Ashes series where pacers have thrived. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg acknowledged that short Tests are detrimental to business.

India eyes a dominant fourth victory against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Women's T20I series. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team has showcased strong bowling and batting performances. While Indian bowlers have restricted Sri Lankan batters, the batting lineup has also delivered. Star batter Smriti Mandhana seeks a significant contribution. India may also test new players in the upcoming match.

A fighting England won their first Test on Australian soil in 15 years Saturday, restoring their battered pride with a gutsy four-wicket victory to clinch a chaotic fourth Ashes clash that was all over inside two days. It was the most wickets to tumble on the first day of an Ashes Test since 1909, and eclipsed the 19 on day one of the series opener in Perth.

Deepti Sharma achieved a historic feat in the third T20I against Sri Lanka. She became the third-highest wicket-taker in women's international cricket. Sharma also reached a unique milestone, becoming the first cricketer in men's or women's T20 Internationals to score 1000 runs and take 150 wickets. India secured an eight-wicket victory in the match.

Indian boxing faced a tumultuous 2025 marked by internal BFI disputes and court battles. Despite administrative chaos, boxers like Jaismine Lamboria and Minakshi Hooda emerged as world champions, salvaging the year. The men's team, however, endured a medal-less World Championships, though promising young talents showed potential.

Alistair Cook expressed concerns over England's Ashes preparation, citing their 2-2 home series draw against India as a result against a ot a great Indian side. He believes the team's recent results have masked deeper issues and that leadership has taken their eye off the ball for bigger series, leading to their current 0-3 Ashes deficit.

Indian weightlifting saw Mirabai Chanu win a World Championships silver medal. This was the sport's main achievement this year. Doping issues continued to be a problem for India. However, junior lifters showed good performances. They set new records. This offers hope for the future of Indian weightlifting.