Jan 12, Sports News: IPL dates, WPL venues announced; Aus Open begins; Jemimah's special 100

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WPL 2025 to be held in Mumbai, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Vadodara

In a move to spread the game across the country, the BCCI has decided to host the Women’s Premier League across four venues - Mumbai, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Vadodara - from the first week of February.

The tournament will begin in Mumbai, before the caravan moves to Lucknow and Bengaluru. The newly-built Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, will host the final, scheduled to be held in March.

Shayan Acharya reports.

Gavaskar, Kambli among stalwarts honoured by MCA at Wankhede 50th anniversary celebration

It was a star-studded affair at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday morning as some of the former India internationals, who also served as the Mumbai captain, were felicitated by the Mumbai Cricket Association as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the iconic venue.

From Sunil Gavaskar to Prithvi Shaw - it was a perfect congregation across generations, and along with the captains of the men’s team, the women skippers from Mumbai were also felicitated.

A short report.

IPL 2025 to begin on March 21, final to be held on May 25

The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League will begin on March 21 and the final will be held on May 25.

While the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad will hold the first two qualifiers, Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the second playoff and the final.

This time around, the IPL will follow the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct regulation for participating players.

Shayan Acharya brings you what we know so far.

India's Champions Trophy squad to be announced on Janaury 19

India’s squad for the Champions Trophy will be picked on January 19, the Board of Control for Cricket in India vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed.

Even though the ICC deadline for submission of teams is on January 12, the BCCI had sought an extension and it was decided that the provisional squad will be picked a month before the tournament, which begins on February 19.

With Jasprit Bumrah remaining doubtful for the tournament due to a swelling in his back, the national selection committee is awaiting further details from the National Cricket Association on the fitness of the fast bowler.

What we know so far.

Healy-led Aussies draw first blood in Ashes

Australia drew first blood and collected two points in the Women’s Ashes 2025 with a six-wicket victory over England in the first Women’s ODI at the North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

Despite losing just one wicket in the first PowerPlay and a 50-run second-wicket association between Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont, England could only post 204 on the board.

Ashleigh Gardner was the pick of the bowlers with her 3/19 while Kim Garth, Annabel Sutherland and Alana King claimed two wickets each.

Alyssa Healy’s 70 off 78, put together with a run-a-ball 28 from Beth Mooney and Garnder’s unbeaten 44-ball 42 got the home side over the line in the 39th over.

The North Sydney Oval was packed in a sold-out game to open the series.

Messi headed to Kerala?

Lionel Messi and the Argentina men’s national football team is likely to visit Kerala in the later half of 2025, the state’s Sports Minister said in a public event.

However, the minister may have gotten the dates mixed up.

According to FIFA’s 2025 international calendar, there’s no such window for the dates spoken about by the minister. However, there are two windows towards the end of the year - October 6 to 14 and November 10 to 18.

Australian Open 2025 sees stormy yet successful starts?

Kei Nishikori, the only Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final, made a winning return to Melbourne Park ?coming back from two sets down to beat Thiago Monteiro.?

Hady Habib became Lebanon’s first player to win a men’s singles main draw match at a Grand Slam in the professional era, defeating China’s Bu Yunchaokete.?

India’s Sumit Nagal exited in the first round, after being overpowered by Czechia’s Tomas Machac.

Aryna Sabalenka’s title defence got off to an easy start with a triumph over Sloane Stephens

Jemimah’s maiden ton helps India series win vs Ireland

A collective batting performance headlined by Jemimah Rodrigues’ maiden hundred formed the cornerstone of India’s commanding 116-run win against Ireland in the second women’s ODI in Rajkot on Sunday as the host took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

India scored a massive 370 for five riding on three half-centuries and a ton before restricting Ireland to 254 for seven in 50 overs.

Here is a match report of the fixture in Rajkot

Suspect action: Shakib’s suspension in place, Aimee Maguire under scanner?

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s suspension from bowling in all competitions organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board will remain in place after he failed an independent re-assessment.?

Shakib failed the independent re-assessment test conducted at the Sri Ramachandra Centre for Sports Science in Chennai, India last month.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s cricket association came out in full support of spinner Aimee Maguire after the player was reported for ‘suspect bowling action’ after the first One Day International between host India and the Irish side in Rajkot.

She will have to go under testing at an ICC Accredited Testing Centre. If the results show that the youngster was using an illegal action then she will be suspended from bowling until she modifies it and subsequently undergoes another test with the ICC.

Manchester United beats Arsenal on penalties in thrilling third round clash

Manchester United survived for an hour a man down to knock Arsenal out the FA Cup 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates on Sunday.

Kai Havertz's spot-kick was saved by Altay Bayindir, who also saved a penalty from Martin Odegaard in normal time, as the holders progressed to the fourth round.

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