With the year sprinting to a close, we bring you, in pictures, some of the best action from the sports world.
ECB to allow replacements for concussed players in domestic matches
Check out the statistical highlights on Day 1 of the second Test between India and New Zealand.
The return of all-rounder Ben Stokes will be a welcome boost to the England squad as he provides much-needed balance and lifts morale, team mate Moeen Ali said ahead of the two-match test series in New Zealand.
Harbhajan, who was part of the T20 squad for the three-match series, was left out for the ODIs but got a lucky call-up after Ashwin managed to bowl only 4.4 overs at Green Park.
Rediff.com takes a look at a few brilliant efforts which, unfortunately, were in a losing cause.
Chelsea's new signing Gonzalo Higuain netted his first two Premier League goals in Chelsea's 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town while Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min struck late for a 1-0 win over Newcastle United as they moved into second place.
There's been no place like home for Australia and New Zealand on their respective paths to the World Cup final but just one of the co-hosts will enjoy that particular advantage when they meet in Sunday's title decider.
Shikhar Dhawan, on Friday, said the pitch at the Eden Gardens was better than the one at Delhi Capitals' home ground.
'I've played a lot of matches up and down the order so I think I've become a more mature player after 2011' 'I know that if I play till the 50th over, the team can get 20-25 runs extra'
'I can't remember seeing Dhoni do wicket-keeping drills at the nets'
Chelsea regained their six-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and took a step closer to the title thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Hull City on Sunday.
English Premier League leaders Liverpool will need to maintain their excellent recent record against Everton in Sunday's Merseyside derby if they are to hold their advantage over second-placed Manchester City.
Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming feels India's upcoming tour of Australia next month will determine how the defending champions' campaign pans out in the World Cup next year.
Confirming the news, SSP Shalabh Mathur said the state administration official has also decided to put up a 10-feet net in front of the stands so that a similar incident wouldn't be repeated.
Images from the 3rd ODI between England and India played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday
Shikhar Dhawan hit a century but pacer Neil Wagner took four wickets to help New Zealand clinch a thrilling 40-run victory on the fourth day of the first Test.
Former Real youth player Joselu pulled a goal back for Alaves in the 59th minute, powering in a header from a free kick, but Benzema rounded off the victory for second-placed Real with an exquisite solo run and goal in the 70th minute.
Pre-tournament favourites Australia currently occupy third spot in Pool A.
He returns to international cricket after 15 months on the sidelines
'Anantkumar Hegde will be pleased that those thousands who formed a long line to enter the grounds of St Paul's Cathedral on Christmas Eve night were both aware of their 'parentage' -- to use his insulting term -- and would describe themselves as Hindu,' says Rahul Jacob.
Lukman Meriwala's fifer was the cornerstone of Baroda's thumping nine-wicket win over Chhattisgarh
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said that senior team's head coach Ravi Shastri will be asked to get "more involved" in grooming talent at the National Cricket Academy "till the time he is coach".
5 instances when teams didn't cross the 70 run mark in 13 seasons.
Lorenzo Insigne curled a quite wonderful shot beyond the reach of Belgium goal-keeper Thibaut Courtois after jinking in from the left flank.
The epithets of colossus and regal were reserved for Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath but Dilip Vengsarkar has no regrets that he was not as feted as his two illustrious colleagues, saying he cherished an 'extremely fulfilling' career. Vengsarkar, who turned 64 on Monday, was India's batting mainstay during the 1980s when he outscored the iconic Gavaskar as his upright stance and ability to play swing and spin with aplomb was a delight for Test afficianados.
Arsenal named a strong side captained by Mesut Ozil while Real had Bale on the bench and Eden Hazard, wearing the number 50 shirt, starting alongside fellow new signing Luka Jovic in attack.
Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara guided India to 87 for one to leave the first Test against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland delicately poised at the end of a tumultuous third day.
McCullum was 143 not out at the close of play, his eighth Test century, while Williamson was dismissed after tea for 113, his fifth hundred, as the Kiwis finished the opening day on a strong 329 for four in 90 overs.
The West Indies tasted success for the first time on their New Zealand tour on Thursday when they scraped home by two wickets in the first One-Day International in Auckland. After dismissing New Zealand for a modest 156 in 42.1 overs, the West Indies made hard work the target for the loss of eight wickets in 27.3 overs.
The ICC hailed the 11th cricket World Cup the 'most popular ever.'
A round-up of all the Ranji Trophy matches played on Thursday.
Chelsea banished any fears of a repeat of last season's shock FA Cup fourth-round exit to Bradford City when they crushed Championship (second-tier) side Milton Keynes Dons 5-1 away to reach the fifth round on Sunday.
It's never easy for a fast bowler to make a comeback from a knee injury but Mohammed Shami is working very hard to get his rhythm back.
If the weather holds up, expect a run feast in the 2nd ODI at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday. But should the Aussies retain the same team or bring Ashton Agar on for Adam Zampa and bench misfiring opener Cartwright?
A summary of Saturday's action in Serie A and La Liga.
Kolkata Knight Riders leg-spinner Piyush Chawla says it was fun bowling in tandem with veteran Brad Hogg and the Australian's performance made life easier for him from the other end.
"The bench strength will warm the bench," is what the captain MS Dhoni had declared after India had beaten West Indies in Perth.
Chelsea took a major step towards the Premier League title with an impressive 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
A preview of the line-up action in the English Premier League from October 20-22.
