In January 2025, Yuvraj Singh made history by scoring the most hundreds in India vs England ODIs. The former Indian all-rounder has four centuries to his name in 37 matches, surpassing Joe Root and Virat Kohli who hold the second and third positions respectively. The top 10 also includes former English players Robin Smith, Marcus Trescothick, and Ian Bell, along with current Indian captain Rohit Sharma and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.
During a press conference, New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson was distracted by cats that sneaked into the room. But the focus quickly shifted to the upcoming final against India in Dubai, and the question on everyone's mind - which Indian spinner will be able to stop Williamson? According to statistics, Williamson has been a consistent performer against India, with 11 fifty-plus scores and a ton in 30 ODIs. However, his average drops to 34.80 when playing in Asia. As the teams gear up for the final, all eyes will be on the battle between Williamson and the Indian spinners.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma lost his 12th consecutive toss in an ODI match against New Zealand in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With this, he tied with West Indian legend Brian Lara for the most consecutive tosses lost in ODIs, surpassing Dutch captain Peter Borren. The team's win record despite this streak seems to suggest that the toss may not matter much for India.
The Central Bureau of Investigation is seeking assistance from the United States in the investigation of the 1980s Bofors scandal. Investigator Michael Hirschman could potentially provide fresh insights into the case, which has been ongoing for over three decades. This move comes as the CBI continues to probe the high-profile corruption case, involving Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors AB and Indian politicians.
Steve Smith, one of the greatest cricketers of his generation, has announced retirement from ODI cricket after Australia's elimination from ICC Champions Trophy. Smith, who was leading the team in place of injured Pat Cummins, has played 170 ODIs for Australia, scoring 572 runs and winning two World Cups. However, he will not be a part of the team in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Indian batsman KL Rahul has faced a lot of criticism for his inconsistent performances in the ODI team, despite excelling in Test matches. However, in a recent interview, Rahul opened up about the challenges he faces while batting in different positions and praised captain Rohit Sharma for his support and trust in him. Despite having to adapt to various roles in the batting order, Rahul remains committed to performing to the best of his abilities, with the captain's backing.
After a semifinal defeat to India in the ongoing Champions Trophy, Australian cricketer Steve Smith has decided to retire from ODI cricket. Smith, who first made his debut as a legspinner, went on to become one of the greatest batters in the game. He was also a successful captain for Australia, leading them to World Cup victories in 2015 and 2023. Smith's record of 5,800 runs in ODIs puts him at 12th spot among Australian batsmen. Additionally, he seemed to have a special flair when playing against India, scoring 1,383 runs with five centuries and seven half-centuries in 30 matches against them.
Legendary Afghan cricketer Mohammad Nabi has decided to put his retirement plans on hold in order to fulfill his dream of playing international cricket alongside his teenage son, Hassan Eisakhil. Nabi, who had earlier announced his retirement from ODIs after the 2025 Champions Trophy, was instrumental in Afghanistan's recent victory against South Africa, taking two crucial wickets. The 40-year-old veteran has played a total of 305 international matches for his country and is actively involved in the franchise T20 circuit.
After a solid start with opener Tony de Zorzi, South Africa lost their footing against a formidable Afghanistan team led by Hashmatullah Shahidi. With a recent winning streak of eight out of ten ODIs, Afghanistan enter this match as the favorites, while South Africa looks to bounce back after a string of six consecutive ODI losses. Both teams boast strong squads including key players like Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram from South Africa and Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan from Afghanistan. With a close match predicted, it's a must-watch for cricket fans.
Virat Kohli, often hailed as one of the best batsmen in the world, has been struggling with his form in recent times. After missing the first ODI due to injury, he had a poor outing in the second match against England. However, in the third and final match before the Champions Trophy 2025, Kohli seemed to be getting back into his rhythm with a good half-century. But, once again, he was dismissed by Adil Rashid. Former England batter Kevin Pietersen pointed out that Kohli's over-commitment on the front foot was the reason for his dismissal and that he should have played back to the ball.