FIFA is considering increasing the number of teams in the 2030 World Cup to 64, marking the centenary of the event. The proposal came as a surprise during a FIFA board meeting. Previous expansions and changes, including partnerships and new competitions, underscore FIFA's ongoing efforts to reshape global football.

New Zealand are set to strategize smarter for the Champions Trophy final against India, mindful of the Indian team's spin-heavy approach. Veteran Ambati Rayudu highlights Mitchell Santner's spin, Rachin Ravindra's explosive top-order batting and Devon Conway's potential threat as key threats to watch out for India in the title clash on Sunday.

Mumbai Indians successfully chased 151 runs to defeat UP Warriorz by six wickets in the Women's Premier League. Amelia Kerr's fifer and Hayley Matthews' 68 runs were pivotal. Mumbai's win placed them second with eight points. Kerr and Matthews' performances highlighted the match, alongside Nat Sciver-Brunt's key 37 runs, propelling Mumbai's strong finish.

Sunil Chhetri has come out of international retirement to support the Indian national team in upcoming FIFA friendly matches. The announcement by the All India Football Federation indicates Chhetri's return to bolster the team's efforts. His comeback follows less than a year after his initial retirement, aiming to address the significant gap left in the team.

New Zealand and India prepare for the Champions Trophy final in Dubai. New Zealand's journey saw them adapt to multiple venues, while India played all fixtures in Dubai. Despite a previous loss to India, New Zealand pose a significant threat with their recent experience of Dubai's conditions. Both teams have similar strengths, making an exciting final anticipated.

New Zealand's Mitchell Santner acknowledges India's familiarity with Dubai's pitch for the upcoming Champions Trophy final and prepares for a tough contest. Despite a busy schedule and previous defeat to India, Santner is optimistic about their experience. The team adapts well to the busy schedule and is ready for the challenge ahead.

England's managing director Rob Key is considering expanding Ben Stokes's leadership role to include the white-ball team following Jos Buttler's resignation. Stokes's exceptional leadership in Tests makes him a strong candidate, amid England's continued poor white-ball performance this year.

The Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand in Dubai will feature Australia's Paul Reiffel and England's Richard Illingworth as on-field umpires. Sri Lanka's Ranjan Madugalle will serve as the match referee. India and New Zealand reached the final after defeating Australia and South Africa respectively.

Mohammed Shami's cousin, Mumtaz, defended the cricketer for not observing 'Roza' during Ramadan while playing for India, calling criticism 'shameful.' Shami faced backlash from All India Muslim Jamaat President, Maulana Bareilvi, but was supported by other clerics, who stated that players are exempt from fasting during travel or illness as per the Quran.

South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder replaced England's Brydon Carse in Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2025 after Carse was ruled out due to a toe injury. Mulder, who recently played in the Champions Trophy, joins SRH for Rs 75 lakh. The 27-year-old has represented South Africa in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Rafael Nadal recently shared his experience mentoring young players at his Rafa Nadal Academy, highlighting his interaction with 15-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi. Maaya, who gained prominence after her unexpected semi-final run at the Mumbai Open, attributes her success to her supportive parents and aims to become the world number one and win Grand Slams.

South Africa's coach Rob Walter remains optimistic despite the team's failure in the ICC semifinal against New Zealand. The Proteas fell short by 50 runs. Walter emphasized the importance of learning from each game and remains focused on the 2027 ODI World Cup at home.

New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra emphasizes the necessity of adapting to Dubai's unique pitch conditions for the Champions Trophy final against India. Despite New Zealand's limited experience on this pitch, Ravindra remains optimistic about their preparation and aims to deliver a stronger performance than in their previous encounter with India.

Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie hit out at Pakistan's interim head coach Aaqib Javed, calling him a 'clown' for campaigning for the head coach role. Gillespie condemned Javeds claims that constant changes in management and team personnel affected Pakistan's performance recently

Mushfiqur Rahim, the 37-year-old veteran cricketer from Bangladesh, has retired from ODI cricket following his team's exit from the ICC Champions Trophy. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he expressed gratitude for his 19-year career, during which he amassed 7,795 runs and secured 243 catches and 56 stumpings. He remains the second-highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in ODIs.

South Africa's David Miller criticised the logistical disruptions that required his team to make a quick round-trip to Dubai before their Champions Trophy semi-final defeat against New Zealand. The scheduling issue arose due to India's refusal to play in Pakistan, resulting in South Africa and Australia having to travel to Dubai. New Zealand will face India in the final.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey will feature a Super Bowl-style half-time show. Coldplay's Chris Martin and Phil Harvey will select the performers. The event will mark a historic moment as FIFA also plans to take over New York's Times Square during the final weekend.

Kane Williamson stresses the importance of learning from New Zealand's earlier defeat to India as they prepare for the Champions Trophy final against the same opponents in Dubai on March 9. New Zealand advanced after a 50-run win over South Africa with standout performances from Williamson, Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner.

Liverpool secured a crucial 1-0 victory against PSG in the Champions League last-16 first leg, thanks to Harvey Elliott's late goal. Bayern Munich dominated Leverkusen with a 3-0 triumph, while Barcelona and Inter Milan also secured narrow wins to gain an advantage in their respective matches.

New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the Champions Trophy semifinal, setting up a title clash with India. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson's centuries propelled New Zealand to 362 for 6, while South Africa's response fell short despite David Miller's unbeaten century. The final is set for March 9 in Dubai.

In the Champions Trophy semifinal, New Zealand beat South Africa by 50 runs, advancing to the final against India. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson scored centuries, leading New Zealand to 362/6. South Africa's chase fell short at 312/9 despite David Miller's unbeaten 100. Mitchell Santner took 3 wickets for New Zealand.

BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla stated that resuming India-Pakistan cricket ties depends on the Indian governments approval. He emphasized the teams should play on each other's soil, not neutral venues. Shukla mentioned the ICC's provision about government consent and rebutted claims of Indias advantage in the Champions Trophy due to venue allocation.

Star India batter Virat Kohli, after his match-winning 84-run knock against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal, expressed his enduring love for cricket and batting. Praising teammates Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer for their crucial contributions, Virat emphasized the importance of staying motivated for big matches and meeting team expectations for successful results.

Virat Kohli's outstanding 84-run performance against Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal has elevated him to fourth in the ICC ODI rankings for batters. Shubman Gill retains the top spot while Rohit Sharma drops to fifth. Notable performances by Axar Patel and Mohamed Shami also reflect in their improved rankings.

Pakistan's cricket team has seen a significant decline in performance over the past decade, struggling in major tournaments and undergoing frequent changes in leadership. The instability within the Pakistan Cricket Board and inconsistent domestic structures have contributed to this downfall, highlighting the need for a stable administration and proper player development.

New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra matched Sourav Ganguly's record by scoring his second century in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, placing him among an esteemed group of players. Notable mentions include Chris Gayle with three centuries. Ravindra's 108 runs helped New Zealand achieve a strong position against South Africa in the semi-final.

Steve Smith's retirement from ODI cricket concludes a notable chapter in Australian cricket. With a 57.50% win rate and 2,270 runs as captain, Smith stands among Australia's notable ODI leaders. Though lacking a major ICC tournament win, his leadership was marked by key performances and steady captaincy, despite being overshadowed by the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.

India table tennis legend Achanta Sharath Kamal will retire after the WTT Contender Chennai from March 25 to 30, marking the end of a career spanning over two decades. Sharath, who has won six Commonwealth Games golds and two Asian Games bronzes, competed in his final Olympics in Paris last year.

India continued their unbeaten streak in the Champions Trophy by defeating Australia in the first semifinal with Rohit Sharma's team now just one win away from lifting the trophy. Former cricketer S Sreesanth expressed confidence in India winning the title, regardless of their opponent in the final

Rohit Sharma has become the first captain in cricket history to lead his team to the finals of all ICC tournaments, accomplishing this feat in just three years. Under his leadership, India reached the Champions Trophy final, which could make Rohit the second Indian captain after MS Dhoni to win the tournament.

India's Mohammed Shami cites the advantage of playing all Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, leading to their win against Australia. Shami advocates for the reintroduction of saliva for ball polishing to aid in obtaining reverse swing. India's consistency in Dubai strengthens their chances in the final.

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane credits his success in IPL and domestic T20s to playing fearless yet composed cricket. He emphasizes staying calm, improving, and enjoying the game while leading KKR in the upcoming season. Rahane applauds India's victory in the Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia.

Despite his team's unbeaten record, India head coach Gautam Gambhir is still seeking a 'perfect game' for the Champions Trophy final. Post India's semifinal win against Australia, Gambhir emphasized the importance of improvement and keeping players out of their comfort zone to achieve the best results.

Brahim Diaz's exceptional solo goal led Real Madrid to a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in their Champions League clash, continuing their dominant record. Meanwhile, Arsenal overwhelmed PSV with a 7-1 win, while Lille and Dortmund drew and Aston Villa achieved a rare away win at Club Brugge.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir defended Virat Kohli's ability against leg-spinners after a crucial win over Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinals. Gambhir dismissed criticism regarding Indias alleged advantage of playing all matches in Dubai, emphasizing team performance and preparation in neutral conditions.

In a decisive moment of the Champions Trophy semi-final, KL Rahul boosted India's chances by advising Virat Kohli to bat smart, but Kohli's uncharacteristic dismissal almost jeopardised the game. Rahul then led India to a memorable victory over Australia, ensuring a spot in the final with his calm, calculated play amidst pressure.

India captain Rohit Sharma's performance with the bat in the Champions Trophy was defended by head coach Gautam Gambhir, emphasizing the skipper's intent rather than the amoutn of runs he has scored. Gambhir highlighted Rohit's fearless approach at the top of the order as having a positive impact on the teams dressing room.

Virat Kohli's 84 runs played a crucial role in India's semifinal victory against Australia in the Champions Trophy. Despite falling short of his century, Kohli's partnerships with Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and KL Rahul led India to chase down the target. Hardik Pandya's late sixes ensured India avoided a nervous finish.

India triumphed in the Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia, securing a four-wicket win to reach the final. Virat Kohli's masterful 84 off 98 balls steered India, while contributions from Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya also played a key role. India's bowling, meanwhile, was led by old warhorse Mohammed Shami who took three wickets.

Virat Kohli led India to victory in the Champions Trophy semifinals against Australia, scoring 84 runs. Despite falling short of a century, his effort allowed KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya to chase down Australia's 264. Mohammed Shami and spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took key wickets.

Virat Kohli steers India to third consecutive Champions Trophy final

Steve Smith after Champions Trophy loss: 'India outplayed us and deserve the victory'

Gautam Gambhir hits out at critics after India beat Australia to reach Champions Trophy final

India, led by Virat Kohli with a composed 84, secured a tense four-wicket victory over Australia in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final. This victory ended Australia's dominant run in ICC knockout matches against India and booked a spot for India in the final. Chasing 265, India lost the 36-year-old Kohli in the final stretch, but KL Rahuls unbeaten 42 ensured the team crossed the line with 11 balls to spare at the Dubai International Stadium.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir defended their Dubai-only schedule after defeating Australia by four wickets in the Champions Trophy semi-final. Virat Kohli scored a brilliant 84, leading Indias chase with contributions from Shreyas Iyer and others. Mohammed Shami and the bowlers restricted Australia to 264. India advanced to the final to face the winner of South Africa vs New Zealand.

India's captain Rohit Sharma praised his team's calm and composed chase to reach the target of 265 against Australia, leading to their third consecutive Champions Trophy final. Key contributions came from Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya. Rohit is confident ahead of the final on March 9 and lauds his team's form and depth.

Batting maestro Virat Kohli highlighted the importance of India's victory over personal achievements after his crucial 84-run knock helped secure a win against Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday. Kohli stressed that team success is paramount and personal milestones occur naturally when the focus remains on winning.

Virat Kohli showcased yet another masterful run chase, keeping calm under pressure to steer India towards a tricky target of 265 in a high-stakes knockout against Australia. Despite losing early wickets, Kohli's composed performance, including a vital partnership with Shreyas Iyer, ensured stability before he fell short of completing his 52nd ODI hundred.

During the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma confronted Kuldeep Yadav over a fielding error against Australia. Despite the mishap, India restricted Australia to 264 runs, with Steve Smith scoring 73. Indian bowlers' disciplined performance, especially Mohammed Shami and Axar Patel, ensured the game remained competitive, setting up a thrilling chase for India.