The Board of Control for Cricket in India has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the IPL 2026 season. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the move to India Today, saying the decision was taken after recent developments. Mustafizur was bought by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore at the mini-auction in December. His signing later drew criticism from political and social groups following events in Bangladesh. The board said the franchise can name a replacement if it wishes. The move leaves KKR short of an overseas pace option for the coming season. (PC: India Today)

India’s ODI squad for the three-match home series against New Zealand is set to be announced by the BCCI today, with major selection drama brewing around key names. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant looks likely to be dropped, sparking debate after his inconsistent domestic form and lack of ODI chances in 18 months. Meanwhile, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is in contention for a return, backed by strong domestic performances, though fitness remains a question. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya may be rested to manage workloads, and other senior players like Shreyas Iyer are racing against time to prove fitness ahead of the series starting January 11. (PC: AP)

Ravichandran Ashwin has warned that ODI cricket's future appears uncertain post-2027 World Cup, particularly after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's era concludes. Speaking on his YouTube show "Ash ki Baat," the off-spinner expressed concerns about the format's relevance amid thinning ODI calendars. While asserting Test cricket will endure in a T20-dominated age, Ashwin doubts ODIs enjoy similar guarantees. He highlighted how Vijay Hazare Trophy viewership surged when Rohit and Virat returned, emphasizing that star power currently drives fan engagement. With 156 wickets in 116 ODIs, Ashwin questioned what happens when these superstars retire. The BCCI recently mandated contracted players feature in domestic 50-over competitions, requiring at least two appearances before international commitments. (PC: PTI)

Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s long absence from the Indian team may soon end, with selectors reportedly reconsidering his place ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Shami hasn’t played an ODI since March 2025 and a Test since June 2023, but his strong domestic form — including 37 wickets in his last 10 matches — has put him back on the BCCI’s radar. Sources say fitness remains the key concern, but discussions are ongoing, and a recall, potentially in the upcoming series vs New Zealand, isn’t ruled out. His experience could bolster India’s pace attack if he stays fit and in form. (PC: AFP)

India defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the fifth women’s T20I at Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday to complete a 5-0 series clean sweep. Asked to bat first, India were in trouble at 77 for five after early wickets. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings with 68 off 43 balls, while Arundhati Reddy added an unbeaten 27. India finished on 175. Sri Lanka fought hard in reply as Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani built a partnership. Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma then took key wickets. Sri Lanka ended on 160 for seven. (PC: India Today)

British former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, 36, was injured in a serious car crash on the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, local police confirmed on December 29, 2025. The Lexus SUV he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck, killing two passengers at the scene. Joshua, seated in the rear, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities said preliminary investigations suggest excessive speed and a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre caused the crash. An official inquiry is underway, and details about the deceased are yet to be released. (PC: AP)

Indian ODI vice‑captain Shreyas Iyer is nearing a long‑awaited return to competitive cricket following a near‑fatal spleen laceration injury sustained during an ODI against Australia in Sydney in October. After being hospitalised and treated for internal bleeding, Iyer was discharged and has been progressing well in recovery. He recently resumed batting and is training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru as he builds fitness. Reports indicate he could play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 3 and 6, before potentially rejoining India for the ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, 2026. (PC: X)

The BCCI had informally approached former India batter VVS Laxman to take charge of the Test team after India’s 0–2 home series defeat to South Africa, a report said. The move came even though current head coach Gautam Gambhir is under contract until the 2027 ODI World Cup. This was the second time Laxman was contacted, after a similar outreach last year before Gambhir’s appointment. Laxman declined again, saying he is happy as Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The report said the board still has doubts about Gambhir’s red-ball role, with India sixth in the World Test Championship. (PC: HT)

The BCCI has named a 15-member India squad for the 2026 Under-19 World Cup in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Ayush Mhatre will lead the side, with Vihaan Malhotra as vice-captain. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is set for his first World Cup after strong youth form this year. He scored 690 runs in 12 youth one-day games in 2025. The squad also includes Aaron George and wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu. India will play New Zealand, USA and Bangladesh in the group stage. The team will tour South Africa for three one-day matches from January 3 before the tournament begins on January 15. (PC: India Today)

England snapped a 15-year drought in Australia by defeating the hosts in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, winning by four wickets while chasing 175. The Boxing Day Test concluded within two days amid dramatic collapses and spirited batting from England’s middle order. Australia’s first defeat in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle still leaves them atop the table with a strong points percentage, while England slightly improved their position but remain in the lower half. The result hasn’t altered the Ashes series outcome, with Australia already leading 3-1.