India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the fourth T20I against South Africa due to a foot injury after a series of low scores and continued poor form, sparking debate about his place in the side. Fans on social media questioned whether his absence was performance-related rather than just injury-linked, with many trolling his recent struggles at the top order. Gill managed just 32 runs in the first three T20Is, prompting criticism and calls for opportunities for others like Sanju Samson. The controversy highlights growing pressure ahead of the T20 World Cup. 

The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned in Lucknow due to dense smog and poor visibility. The toss was delayed several times before officials called off the match without a ball being bowled. The AQI in Lucknow touched 411, raising serious safety concerns for players. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the venue choice and said the match should have been held in Thiruvananthapuram. He pointed out that Kerala had much cleaner air. Fans expressed anger over the cancellation. Many questioned hosting matches in north India during peak winter smog season. (PC: India Today)

The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned in Lucknow on Wednesday due to dense smog and poor visibility. No toss was held, and not a single ball was bowled. Umpires inspected the ground six times over three hours before calling off the match. Visibility was very low, raising safety concerns for players. Air quality in the city remained hazardous, with AQI crossing 400. Fans waited in large numbers but left disappointed. The decision has sparked criticism of the BCCI for hosting winter matches in fog-prone cities. (PC: PTI)

Football legend Lionel Messi received a rare luxury watch during his visit to India. The watch was gifted during his visit to Vantara, a wildlife centre founded by Anant Ambani. It is a Richard Mille RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon Asia Edition. The watch costs about Rs 10.9 crore. Only 12 such watches exist worldwide. It has a tourbillon movement and dual time display. The watch also shows power reserve and torque levels. It is made using carbon and titanium. Several global leaders and sports icons own this model. Messi was later seen wearing the watch after receiving it. (PC: NDTV)

Star Indian cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal was hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis following Mumbai's victory over Rajasthan in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League match in Pune on Tuesday. After scoring 15 runs off 16 balls, Jaiswal experienced worsening stomach cramps post-match and was admitted to Aditya Birla Hospital in Pimpri-Chinchwad. He underwent CT and ultrasound tests, received IV medication, and was advised to rest and continue treatment. In three SMAT games, Jaiswal scored 145 runs at a 168.6 strike rate. Mumbai won the match by three wickets, chasing 217, with Ajinkya Rahane's unbeaten 72 and Sarfaraz Khan's explosive 22-ball 73 leading the charge. (PC: AP)

After years of being overlooked in IPL auctions, Sarfaraz Khan finally found a buyer at the 2026 IPL mini-auction when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) signed him at his base price of ₹75 lakh. The domestic batting star had impressed with a blistering 22-ball 73 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy just hours before the auction, highlighting his form. Sarfaraz took to Instagram to thank CSK for giving his career “a new life,” expressing gratitude and optimism after years of IPL exclusion. The move ends a long-standing snub and boosts his chances of making an impact on cricket’s biggest stage. (PC: NDTV)

Global football icon Lionel Messi visited Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, founded by Anant Ambani, blending cultural immersion with nature care. Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, received a traditional Indian welcome with folk music, floral greetings and a ceremonial aarti, participating in Hindu rituals for peace and unity. He toured Vantara’s expansive conservation ecosystem, observing rescued lions, tigers, elephants, reptiles and other animals under advanced care, and interacted with veterinary teams. A lion cub was named “Lionel” in his honour, highlighting appreciation for his visit and the centre’s mission. (PC: X)

Prithvi Shaw made a dramatic social media U-turn after being bought by Delhi Capitals at the IPL 2026 auction. The India batter initially went unsold twice at his Rs 75 lakh base price, prompting him to post "It's Ok" with a heartbreak emoji on Instagram. However, Delhi Capitals revived his name in a late bid and acquired him. Shaw promptly deleted his heartbreak post within six minutes, replacing it with "Back to my family" alongside a heart emoji, resharing DC's welcome post. The 25-year-old represented Delhi Capitals from 2018-2024 and recently switched from Mumbai to Maharashtra in domestic cricket, scoring the fastest Ranji Trophy double century in October. (PC: NDTV Sports)

Sri Lankan authorities plan to arrest 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga on corruption charges related to his tenure as petroleum minister. He and his brother Dhammika are accused of altering oil procurement procedures in 2017, making spot purchases at inflated costs instead of following standard long-term contract protocols. The corruption watchdog reports a state loss of 800 million Lankan rupees (approximately Rs 23.5 crore) from 27 purchases. Dhammika, former Ceylon Petroleum Corporation chairman, was arrested Monday and released on bail with a travel ban. Arjuna, currently abroad, faces arrest upon return. The case is part of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's anti-corruption crackdown, with another Ranatunga brother also facing fraud charges. (PC: NDTV Sports) 

FIFA has responded to global criticism of steep ticket pricing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by creating a new **“Supporter Entry Tier” with tickets priced at $60 for all 104 matches, including the final. The limited low-cost tickets will make up about 10% of each national team’s allocation and will be distributed through participating member associations to loyal fans. Fans and groups had condemned earlier prices as “extortionate,” with some games and stages costing hundreds to thousands of dollars. Despite the concession, critics say it may not sufficiently address affordability concerns ahead of the tournament hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico. (PC: Reuters)