The Times of India News

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja will retire from international cricket after the final Ashes Test. The batsman announced his decision at his home ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground. Khawaja has had a distinguished 15-year career. He will continue playing domestic cricket. Tributes have poured in from teammates and former players.

Indias selectors face key decisions ahead of the New Zealand ODI series, with Shreyas Iyer racing to regain fitness, uncertainty surrounding Rishabh Pants spot, and Mohammed Shami pushing for a comeback. With workload management and long-term planning in mind, the squad selection could shape Indias white-ball roadmap ahead of the T20 World Cup.

England have announced a 12-man squad for the final Ashes Test in Sydney following a morale-boosting win at the MCG. Shoaib Bashir is included, keeping spin options open, while Matthew Potts joins as cover. Opener Zak Crawley emphasised the team's aggressive batting approach will continue, aiming for a strong 3-2 series finish.

Sjoerd Marijne returns as chief coach of the Indian women's hockey team, aiming to build on their Tokyo Olympic success. He brings a fresh vision and energy, supported by analytical coach Matias Vila and scientific advisor Wayne Lombard. Marijne's immediate focus is the World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, with a national camp starting soon in Bengaluru.

Usman Khawaja's retirement speech: 'I want the journey for the next Usman Khawaja to be easier'

Jason Gillespie felt completely humiliated during his nine-month tenure as Pakistan's Test coach. He resigned after the PCB sacked senior assistant Tim Nielsen without consultation, a decision that blindsided him. Gillespie also revealed feeling marginalized, questioning the board's commitment to his role. A financial dispute over unpaid dues is ongoing.

Jammu and Kashmir Police are investigating a Palestinian flag displayed on a cricketer's helmet during a local match. A player and tournament organiser have been summoned for questioning as authorities examine the circumstances and intent behind the flag's appearance. The privately organised league is not recognised by the state cricket association.

Santa drops by an Indian cricket fan's room on New Year's Day & asks for a wish for 2026. The fan, of course, has 10 demands...

Joburg Super Kings climbed to the top of the SA20 table after edging Durbans Super Giants in the leagues first-ever Super Over. Donovan Ferreiras last-ball run-out forced the tie, Richard Gleesons composure sealed the Super Over, and JSK chased five with ease to remain unbeaten.

Mumbai's Sarfaraz and Musheer Khan are electrifying the domestic cricket scene with their combined skill and swagger. The brothers have been instrumental in Mumbai's four consecutive wins in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing their individual strengths and mutual understanding on the field. Sarfaraz's explosive batting and Musheer's all-round contributions are keeping the 'Khan show' unmissable.

Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn is showing positive signs of recovery after being hospitalised with meningitis and placed in an induced coma. Ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist shared the encouraging update, noting improvements over the past 24 hours. The cricketing world has rallied with immense support for the elegant batter, who remains in serious condition at Gold Coast University Hospital.

Shubman Gill reflected on a momentous 2025, a year of sharp contrasts. Despite being dropped from the T20I setup, he achieved extraordinary red-ball success in England, piling up 754 runs. Gill also captained India to a memorable 2-2 draw in the Test series and played a key role in their Champions Trophy triumph.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, aged 45, will make a historic return to the Australian Open after receiving a wildcard. This marks her 22nd appearance at the Melbourne Park event, making her the oldest woman to compete in the season's opening major. Williams expressed excitement for her return, recalling numerous incredible memories at the venue.

Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket, confirming the upcoming fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be his last. The veteran left-hander, Australia's first Muslim Test cricketer, reflected on a journey of resilience and representation, overcoming early career setbacks to become a key player and advocate.

Irfan Pathan drew parallels between his own early international career under Rahul Dravid and Shubman Gill's current trajectory. Pathan believes Gill's leadership roles have fostered significant growth, mirroring the lessons he received about handling increased pressure. Despite a T20 setback, Pathan sees Gill's talent and willingness to learn as indicators of future success.

Former India batter Robin Uthappa critiques the MCG Test pitch as seam-friendly but not unplayable, attributing struggles to modern batting's lack of patience. He argues for a reset in expectations, suggesting 250 can be competitive with discipline, citing Pujara and Rahane as examples. Uthappa also lamented Joe Root's struggles, reflecting a broader concern about Test cricket's entertainment over endurance.

Michael Vaughan dismisses England's Melbourne Test win as a 'lottery', urging the team to prove their mettle in Sydney. He stresses that a competitive performance in the final Ashes Test is crucial for the Brendon McCullum-Ben Stokes regime to avoid scrutiny, emphasizing the need for honest reflection on mistakes rather than denial.

Australian star Travis Head is prioritizing international commitments over the Big Bash League due to a demanding schedule. Following an intense Ashes series, the batter plans to focus on the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and the IPL, acknowledging the physical and mental toll. Head expressed concerns about player workload in the increasingly congested cricket calendar.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka is eager for a rematch against Nick Kyrgios after their exhibition Battle of the Sexes loss. She believes a full-sized court and adjusted serving rules would better level the playing field for a second encounter. Sabalenka expressed confidence in her ability to learn from the defeat and secure revenge.

Ravichandran Ashwin expressed serious doubts about the long-term future of ODI cricket, suggesting it might not survive beyond the 2027 World Cup after the departure of stars like Kohli and Sharma. He highlighted the growing dominance of T20 leagues and Test cricket's enduring appeal, noting that ODI relevance heavily relies on its biggest names.

Why Mohammed Shami needs to return in India colours before World Cup

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's selective ODI appearances have revitalized the format, drawing significant fan interest. Their continued commitment and strong performances, reflected in the batting rankings, have restored anticipation. Former cricketer Irfan Pathan advocates for longer series and multi-team tournaments to sustain this momentum and capitalize on their impact.

Australia has revealed their 15-member squad for the final Ashes Test in Sydney, with Steve Smith captaining again. Pat Cummins is rested to manage his workload ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Usman Khawaja retains his spot despite a mixed series. The team aims to bounce back after their recent defeat.

Virat Kohli celebrated New Year's Day 2026 with wife Anushka Sharma, sharing intimate moments on social media. Kohli recently made a return to Indias premier domestic one-day competition for the first time in 15 years and made an immediate impact. Kohli struck scores of 131 and 77 in successive innings, reaffirming his class and enduring hunger for runs.

Raza himself responded to the tragic news on social media, sharing a broken heart emoji beneath Zimbabwe Crickets condolence message. The personal loss comes at a demanding phase in Razas professional career. He was last seen in action for the Sharjah Warriorz during the ILT20 2025, where he featured in 10 matches, scoring 171 runs and picking up 10 wickets.

Sarfaraz Khan brought up his hundred in just 56 balls in what was a breathtaking knock. Ashwin also highlighted the batters performances in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he amassed 329 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 203.08 and an average of 65.80.

She has also represented India at two Commonwealth Games, winning bronze in Birmingham. She has been part of the teams that won a silver and a bronze at the Asian Games and has competed in two World Cups.

David Millers unbeaten 71 off 38 balls guided Paarl Royals to their first SA20 Season 4 win, chasing down Sunrisers Eastern Capes 149 with two balls to spare at St Georges Park. After slipping to 35/4, Miller and Keagan Lion-Cachet added 114 for the fifth wicket, while teenager Nqobani Mokoena starred with 4/34.

Sherfane Rutherford starred with bat and ball as Pretoria Capitals opened their SA20 Season 4 account with a commanding 85-run win over MI Cape Town. After a blazing late assault alongside Dewald Brevis lifted Capitals to 220/5, Rutherfords career-best 4/24 dismantled the hosts for 135 at Newlands.

By winning the World Rapid and Blitz titles in Doha, Qatar his fifth such double and 20th overall world title in a jaw-dropping career the 35-yearold once again proved that his competitors, including what Garry Kasparov termed Vishy Anands children, are kids in comparison.

Batting at No. 4, Sarfaraz Khan blasted nine fours and 14 sixes, bringing up his hundred off just 56 balls. His innings left Goas bowlers and fielders looking shellshocked. On Wednesday, he delivered it with a sledgehammer, scoring a blistering 157 off 75 balls to power Mumbai to a 87-run victory over Goa at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground.

Joshua was travelling on Monday with Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele on a busy highway linking Lagos and Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria when their SUV crashed into a stationary truck. The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) in Ogun state, where the accident occurred, said preliminary investigations showed the vehicle suffered a tyre burst before ramming into the truck.

Defending champions Australia have unveiled a spin-heavy squad for the T20 World Cup, notably excluding a left-arm pacer after Mitchell Starc's retirement. Cooper Connolly, absent from recent T20Is, is a surprise inclusion. The team faces injury concerns for Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David as they prepare for matches in Sri Lanka.

Ajit Agarkar has been repeatedly questioned about the omission and has maintained the eed to play some cricket stand. If 145.2 overs in Ranji Trophy, 26.5 overs in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 34.2 overs in ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy doesn't qualify, then the definition of some cricket needs to be made clear.

India and New Zealand are set for an eight-match limited-overs series, including three ODIs and five T20Is, from January 11 to 31. This series is crucial for senior players returning to the ODI setup and for finalising T20 combinations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. While the BCCI has already announced the T20I squad for the New Zealand series, the ODI squad is yet to be named.

Virat Kohli celebrated the start of 2026 with a personal social media post alongside wife Anushka Sharma. On the cricketing front, the 35-year-old continues his remarkable ODI form, recently becoming the fastest to 16,000 List A runs after a stellar domestic return and a strong ODI series against South Africa.

Actress Khushi Mukherjee clarified her recent remarks about T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, stating they were friends and no romantic relationship exists. She explained her comments were taken out of context and her Instagram was hacked. Mukherjee expressed support for Yadav and Team India ahead of the T20 World Cup, emphasizing no current contact.

Real Madrid faces a significant blow as Kylian Mbappe has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain, sidelining him for at least three weeks. This injury jeopardizes his participation in crucial upcoming fixtures, including the league clash against Real Betis and the Spanish Super Cup semi-final. The forward's absence further exacerbates Real Madrid's existing injury woes.

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India's 2026 cricket calendar is packed, featuring a home T20 World Cup defense as the centerpiece. Following a mixed 2025, the team aims to leverage white-ball strength. The year kicks off with New Zealand, then the World Cup, IPL, and tours to England, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand, demanding peak performance throughout.

The Indian squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand will be selected on January 3. The series begins on January 11 in Vadodara. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to feature. Shubman Gill will lead the team. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah may be rested for workload management. Dhruv Jurel is a potential wicketkeeper choice.

Fourteen-year-old climbing prodigy Amieyra Khoslla delivered an outstanding performance to win the Gold Medal in the Youth Girls (Under-17) category at the 29th National Sport Climbing Championship 2025, held in Bengaluru from 26-29 December 2025.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra backs Delhi Capitals to win the 2026 Women's Premier League. He also tips Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Smriti Mandhana to dominate the batting charts and win the Orange Cap. Delhi Capitals' Shafali Verma is also a strong contender for the top run-scorer award.

The platform was laid by openers Nitya Pandya and Amit Pasi, who put together a 230-run stand for the first wicket. Nitya scored 122 from 110 balls, while Pasi made 127 from 93 deliveries, taking Hyderabads bowlers out of the game early.

Michael Vaughan urged Usman Khawaja to decide his own Test cricket future, suggesting the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG could be a fitting farewell. Vaughan also highlighted the need for England to win strongly in Sydney to solidify Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's positions, emphasizing acceptance of tour mistakes and team maturity.

Australian opener Travis Head expressed his hope for a return to the tradition of post-Ashes drinks between England and Australia. He believes mutual respect exists despite past tensions, particularly after the Jonny Bairstow stumping incident in the 2023 series. Head looks forward to sharing a beer, highlighting the positive relationships between players on both sides.

Pacer Fazal Haq Farooqi, who missed the recent Bangladesh series and featured only in the final T20I against Zimbabwe, has also been included in the 15-player squad for both the West Indies series and the World Cup. The inclusion of Mujeeb Ur Rahman is another key highlight, with AM Ghazanfar being named among the reserves along with middle-order batter Ijaz Ahmadzai and emerging fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.

Next Travis Head? Meet Jerrssis Wadia, the Indian-Origin batter, who is taking over BBL

Damien Martyn was also part of Australias triumphant 2003 ODI World Cup squad, playing a decisive role in the final against India with an unbeaten 88 in a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting. He retired from international cricket in 2006 during the Ashes series and has largely kept a low profile since.

Watched by Tim Paine in a T10 tournament in Melbourne, Indian-origin batter Jerrssis Wadias fearless hitting has fast-tracked his rise in Australian cricket. From losing his U-19 years to COVID to smashing a 16-ball 34 in the BBL, the Mumbai-born 24-year-old is now tipped as the 'Next Travis Head' in South Australia.