Sunil Gavaskar criticized Australian cricketers and fans for targeting Mohammed Siraj after his altercation with Travis Head in the Adelaide Test. Siraj faced boos from Australian crowds during his bowling spells in both Adelaide and Brisbane. Gavaskar, in his Sydney Morning Herald column, called out Australia’s "double standards," claiming they would cheer if their player displayed similar aggression. Siraj's animated send-off to Head, who scored a century, incited the backlash. Gavaskar also noted the reduced animosity due to the Indian Premier League. The ICC penalized both players, with Siraj losing 20% of his match fee.

D Gukesh, the youngest-ever world chess champion at 18, revealed how Magnus Carlsen's 2013 World Championship victory over Viswanathan Anand inspired him as a child. Gukesh, who was seven at the time, expressed his desire to reclaim the title for India, a dream he pursued for over a decade. Speaking after his victory over Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship, Gukesh said, "Doing this for myself, my country, there is probably nothing better than this." Gukesh is the second Indian Grandmaster to win the title after Anand, who held the crown from 2007 to 2013.

The opening day of the 3rd Test between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane was cut short by persistent rain, with only 13.2 overs of play possible. Australia ended the day at 28/0, with Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney solid against a testing opening spell from Jasprit Bumrah. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field, introducing Ravindra Jadeja and debutant Akash Deep into the playing XI. The series, tied 1-1, hinges on the outcome of this Test, but further weather interruptions are expected, complicating the fate of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and WTC prospects.

Pakistan’s fast bowler Mohammad Amir, 32, announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career spanning over a decade. Amir played 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20Is, taking 271 wickets. Known for his 3-16 spell in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India, Amir's performance was pivotal in Pakistan securing the title. He retired a day after teammate Imad Wasim. Amir expressed gratitude to fans, PCB, and his family, stating, "Representing my country has been the greatest honour of my life." He hopes the next generation will elevate Pakistan cricket to greater heights.

D Gukesh, after winning the World Chess Championship and becoming the youngest-ever world champion at 18, responded to Magnus Carlsen’s criticism of the match’s quality. Carlsen had labeled the final a “second or third-round match” and questioned its standard. Gukesh said, “Not really hurt,” adding that while some games had flaws, world championships are decided not just by chess skills but also by “who has the better character and who has the better willpower.” He admitted the match quality wasn’t ideal but expressed satisfaction with his performance at critical moments. Despite the criticism, Gukesh received support from Viswanathan Anand.

Rain washed out Day 1 of the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane on December 14, 2024. India won the toss and opted to bowl first, but the decision was soon questioned as rain interrupted play twice. Only 13.2 overs were bowled, with Australia reaching 28/0. The weather cleared briefly, but Australia's openers, Usman Khawaja (19) and Nick McSweeney (4), weren't troubled. This follows a similar scenario in the 2023 World Test Championship final, where India’s decision to bowl first also faced criticism after conditions changed. Day 2 starts at 9:50 am local time.

India made two changes for the crucial third Test against Australia in Brisbane, with the series tied 1-1. Captain Rohit Sharma opted to field first under overcast conditions, aiming to exploit a grassy, soft pitch. Akash Deep replaced Harshit Rana, while Ravindra Jadeja returned for Ravichandran Ashwin. Rohit emphasized capturing key moments after India's previous loss. Australia's only change saw Josh Hazlewood return, replacing Scott Boland. Both captains highlighted the significance of this game in deciding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India's XI includes Jaiswal, Rahul, Kohli, Pant, and Bumrah, while Australia fields Khawaja, Labuschagne, and Smith.

India and Australia are set to face off in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, starting on Saturday. The series is tied at 1-1 after India’s 295-run victory in Perth and Australia’s dominance in the pink-ball Test. However, the weather forecast for Day 1 predicts heavy rain, with an 88% chance around the toss time, potentially delaying the start. India is expected to make changes, with Akash Deep and Washington Sundar likely replacing Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana. The match is set to begin at 5:50 AM IST.

D Gukesh, the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, expressed deep admiration for his opponent, Ding Liren, after his historic victory. At the closing ceremony, Gukesh said, “This journey has been beautiful because of the people around me. I would also love to thank my opponent, Ding Liren. He is, in my eyes, a true champion. Despite a lot of pressure, he was able to put on a huge fight. This match has been what it is because of his fighting spirit. I really admire you.'' Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also announced a Rs 5 crore reward for Gukesh’s remarkable achievement.

The ICC has approved a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025, with matches hosted in Pakistan and Dubai. The PCB agreed to the terms, ensuring that Pakistan's league-stage clash against India will take place in Colombo instead of India. However, the BCCI has rejected Pakistan's call for a similar hybrid hosting model for ICC events in India in 2026, citing no security threats. Scheduled from Feb 19 to Mar 9, 2025, the tournament will feature 8 teams in two groups, with semifinals and finals. Pakistan also secured hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament post-2027.