The most famous cricket umpire of his time has left the ground forever.
From Royal Challengers Bengaluru's historic first IPL title to star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finally breaking the iconic 90-meter mark to India women winning their first cricket World Cup, this was the year of long-awaited victories and record-breaking feats.
Inter Miami secured their first MLS Cup crown on Saturday, beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at Chase Stadium as Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende struck late from a pair of Lionel Messi assists.
After Saturday's 2-1 win at Chelsea - their 12th in 13 league matches - Aston Villa have claimed 18 points from losing positions so far this season, more than any other team.
Shubman Gill's unbeaten 129 in Delhi wasn't just another century; it was history etched in numbers and intent.
Eighth seeds Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens fought back from a set down to win their first Grand Slam as a pair, beating Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the Wimbledon women's doubles final on Sunday.
Italian Cocciaretto stuns Pegula in big Wimbledon upset; Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen was beaten by Czech Katerina Siniakova.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland came back to haunt Borussia Dortmund with a clinical finish against his former team, while Phil Foden bagged a brilliant brace as the hosts cruised to a 4-1 win in the Champions League on Wednesday to climb to fourth.
Defending champions India will open their campaign against USA in Mumbai on February 7 before facing Namibia in Delhi on February 12.
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
...And Alcaraz continues hat-trick quest
England midfielder Jack Grealish joined Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City on Tuesday as he seeks to restart his stalled international career.
The controversial decision to select Shubman Gill in place of a well-settled Sanju Samson as the opener has backfired for the Indian team so far.
'I'm proud of my Indian connection. Why shouldn't I be?'
Arsenal's miserly defence has conceded three Premier League goals so far this season and manager Mikel Arteta hopes their fortress-like foundation can finally deliver the silverware that has eluded the North London club for so long.
The 35th-ranked Bencic did not do a lot wrong but was broken twice in the first set and three times in the second as a sizzling Swiatek brought her A-game to what turned into a one-sided contest.
'I'm looking at it as a chance to play international football, to represent India, and to hopefully inspire other players with a similar background to me, to show them that they can come to India and do the same thing.'
Grealish made only seven league starts last season and was not included in City's recent Club World Cup squad.
While his overall win rate is more than 70%, Liverpool have been a tough nut for Pep Guardiola to crack since he arrived at City in 2016, first under Juergen Klopp and now Arne Slot.
Lionel Messi and Major League Soccer's Inter Miami were awarded a spot in next year's 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday and will host the opening game of the 32-team tournament featuring top clubs from around the world.
Shubman Gill joined an unwanted list following the loss to Australia in the first ODI at Perth, becoming the second Indian skipper after Virat Kohli and overall ninth captain to lose their first matches in all three formats as captain.
Factbox on Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Italian world number one Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) in the French Open final on Sunday to win his fifth Grand Slam title.
Ashvir Singh Johal has become the first Sikh to coach a professional club in England after being named as first-team manager at fifth-tier Morecambe on Tuesday.
'The way he controlled the players on and off the field, it was brilliant. That's why the players also took to him very easily.'
Engineer played for Lancashire for close to a decade while former West Indies captain Lloyd was with the club for two decades, making indelible contributions to the history of club.
Debutants, heat and distance shape mood ahead of 2026 World Cup draw
Jannik Sinner beat defending champion and Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Wimbledon title.
'I just don't want to face that hate again.'
Aitana Bonmat won the women's Ballon d'Or for the third year running while the 18-year-old Yamal, who was Dembele's teammate at Barcelona when he first broke through in 2023, was again awarded the men's Kopa Trophy.
The English Premier League (EPL) has announced cricketer Sanju Samson as its new official ambassador in India.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim would have enjoyed some relative calm during the international break after backing from club co-owner Jim Ratcliffe but will find himself in the Premier League maelstrom once again at Liverpool on Sunday.
Rahul had scored last scored a century home way back in December 2016 against England at Chennai, scoring 199.
Medvedev makes early exit after Wimbledon meltdown
Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif hailed opener KL Rahul following his century against West Indies at Ahmedabad, saying that his biggest strength is "belief and hard work" and slammed his critics for 'changing opinions' after few great innings.
Newcastle United have signed German forward Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart in a club-record deal.
Jadeja reduces South Africa to 93/7 in second innings, India smell big win
Now 29, Renshaw is hopeful of having another run in Test whites and believes being father to two young children has helped give him a sense of perspective.
Tilak Varma is set to represent Hampshire in the County Championship after being approached by the English club
With Wimbledon happening simultaneously with India's five-match Test series in England, a lot of former and current cricketers have been seen at the All England Lawn Tennis Club enjoying tennis.
Jemimah Rodrigues rose through the ranks in Mumbai to become one of the key batters for India, but the journey wasn't easy.
