Harshit Rana's unexpected selection to replace Jasprit Bumrah for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has raised eyebrows. Despite being inexperienced, Rana was chosen over established players like Mohammed Siraj, sparking fan outrage on social media. Some critics allege favoritism, citing Indian coach Gautam Gambhir’s ties to Kolkata Knight Riders, as both Rana and Varun Chakravarthy are KKR players. Fans questioned whether Rana’s selection was influenced by Gambhir's connections, noting Siraj’s strong ODI record. The debate has fueled claims of bias and "politics" in team selection.

India suffered a major setback as pacer Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a lower back injury. The BCCI confirmed Harshit Rana as his replacement, while spinner Varun Chakaravarthy replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad. Bumrah’s absence is a blow, given his outstanding performances, including 32 wickets in the Australia Test series. India, two-time Champions Trophy winners, now faces an uphill battle. Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube remain on standby. The tournament begins on February 19.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faced criticism after New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra suffered a head injury while fielding in the 1st ODI in Lahore. Critics blamed poor floodlighting, with some questioning Pakistan’s readiness for the Champions Trophy 2025. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt defended PCB, claiming Ravindra misjudged the ball. Ex-cricketer Tanvir Ahmed, however, slammed PCB’s stadium management, while Shoaib Mohammad suggested lighting issues. The debate intensified after India’s ODI in Cuttack also saw floodlight failures. New Zealand confirmed Ravindra needed stitches but will continue to be monitored.

Kane Williamson became the second-fastest batsman to reach 7000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs), surpassing Virat Kohli. Williamson achieved it in 159 innings, whereas Kohli had reached there in 161 innings. The New Zealand captain's brilliant unbeaten 133 off 113 balls against South Africa guided his team to a six-wicket victory, which confirmed their place in the final of the tri-series. The record for the fastest to 7000 runs still remains with Hashim Amla, who had reached there in 150 innings. 

Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans saw the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, but the stands were packed with A-list celebrities. Taylor Swift cheered for Travis Kelce’s Chiefs, while Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Jay-Z attended. Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to attend a Super Bowl. Bradley Cooper hyped up the Eagles, and Jon Hamm introduced the Chiefs. The halftime show featured Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Serena Williams also made an appearance, adding to the star-studded night. Fans celebrated an exciting game and a glamorous celebrity presence at the Superdome.

Rohit Sharma roared back to form with a commanding 119 off 90 balls in Cuttack, leading India to a series-clinching victory against England. Reflecting on his approach, Rohit said, “I really broke it down into pieces about how I wanted to bat.” His 136-run stand with Shubman Gill (60) laid the foundation for India’s chase of 305, completed in 45 overs. Gill praised Rohit’s dominance, calling it “a treat to watch.” With the Champions Trophy approaching, Rohit’s resurgence in ODIs is a significant boost for India’s campaign.

India defeated England by 4 wickets in Cuttack, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series. Rohit Sharma ended his 16-month century drought with a 119 off 90 balls, supported by Shubman Gill’s 60. India successfully chased the target in 44.3 overs despite a late collapse. Ravindra Jadeja’s 3/35 restricted England, whose batting was criticized by Kevin Pietersen for failing to convert starts into big scores. With the Champions Trophy approaching, India’s dominance strengthens their campaign, while England struggles with form and consistency.

India captain Rohit Sharma smashed 119 off 90 balls as India closed in on victory against England in the 2nd ODI at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Chasing 305, India needed less than 20 runs with four wickets remaining. Rohit’s 32nd ODI century, reached in 76 balls, was his 49th international ton, surpassing Rahul Dravid in India’s all-time list. He also overtook Chris Gayle for the second-most ODI sixes (332), trailing Shahid Afridi (351). Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja’s 3/35 helped restrict England to 304. India is on the verge of sealing the series.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma was frustrated after KL Rahul and Axar Patel chose not to review an LBW appeal against Joe Root. In the 25th over, Axar's delivery struck Root on the pads, but umpire Chris Brown denied the appeal. Rahul and Axar decided against reviewing, only for replays to show the ball clipping the off-stump. Rohit was visibly irritated, shaking his head in disappointment. Earlier, India had wasted a review on Root. England, batting first in Cuttack, started strong, with Ben Duckett scoring 65. India leads the three-match ODI series 1-0.

New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra suffered a forehead laceration after losing sight of the ball under floodlights in the first ODI against Pakistan. The incident, which left him bleeding, raised concerns over Pakistan's hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy. Social media users blamed the PCB, urging the ICC to shift the tournament to Dubai. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif highlighted LED lights as a potential issue. New Zealand Cricket confirmed Ravindra is "well" but will be monitored under HIA protocols. The PCB now faces scrutiny as discussions on venue safety intensify ahead of the ICC event.