The year began on an unusually dull note with boxers absent from most international competition in the aftermath of a medal-less Olympic campaign.
A look at some of the major controversies in past World Cups.
Non-league Macclesfield produced perhaps the FA Cup's greatest upset on Saturday when they beat holders Crystal Palace 2-1 in a thirdround thriller, knocking Oliver Glasner's team out of the competition and sending the Moss Rose crowd into raptures.
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Former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood was elevated to the post of Pakistan's acting head coach in Test cricket until the conclusion of his current contract.
Shubman Gill's fate wasn't actually sealed on Saturday when BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced the squad for the T20 World Cup but when the fourth T20 International was called off on Wednesday due to thick smog.
Indian football team drops six places to 142nd in FIFA rankings after 0-1 loss to Bangladesh
Like the billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Gautam Gambhir, the tenacious former opener-turned-coach, also seems to be governed by instincts while picking unheralded players and turning them into match-winners, points out Vishal Menon.
Sheetal shines, but recurve concerns linger in Indian Archery 2025
India's biggest challenge could come from an unexpected source -- Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq.
The country also mounted bids on some high-profile continental and global events, including the 2031 World Athletics Championships with Ahmedabad as the proposed venue.
The Indian women's kabaddi team put on a strong show to win their second women's Kabaddi World Cup in Dhaka, beating Chinese Taipei 35-28 in the final.
Manisha Kumari created history as the first athlete from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district to win gold in an international event when she triumphed in the women's 4x400m relay at the South Asian Athletics Championships.
Fans on social media accused Gautam Gambhir of favouritism, questioning Ayush Badoni's inclusion given his modest List A record.
Junior National team chief coach Ramesh Nagpuri was suspended by the National Anti Doping Agency for "complicity" in doping and seven athletes were in dock for "evading" tests after a slew of dope cases rocked Indian athletics.
A gritty India fought hard for most part but let in two goals in the last seven minutes to eventually lose 0-3 to defending champions Iran in their second group match of the CAFA Nations Cup football tournament, in Hisor, Tajikistan, on Monday.
Four-time World champions Italy now have to battle through the playoffs in March if they are to avoid missing the tournament for a third straight occasion.
Cristiano Ronaldo birthday special coverage: Check Cristiano Ronaldo age, stats, total goals, career records, trophies and net worth details.
England will be heading into the T20 World Cup with a massive confidence boost following a series win across both white-ball formats in Sri Lanka under captaincy of young Harry Brook, who has switched his side's fortunes since taking over.
Easwaran has been a domestic cricket stalwart for Bengal, with 107 first-class games, 8,070 runs at an average of 48.32 with the help of 27 centuries and 33 fifties.
Out-of-form India vice-captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the last two T20I games against South Africa with a toe injury, sources close to the team told PTI.
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'Everyone knows what is at stake, and the approach and mindset that we need in these matches.'
Jason Gillespie stepped down from his role as Pakistan's Test team coach
A PCB source however told PTI that recent media speculations about Shan Masood and Babar Azam's sacking is nothing more than kite flying.
'I know it's a pressure on the boys that it has been one year, but soon we will win a game. Don't worry, we are on the right track.'
In a row that has rocked Bangladesh women's cricket, captain Nigar Sultana Joty has denied claims that she beat junior players, responding with a fiery defence that included a dig at India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
Abhishek Sharma admitted that India's batting unit was caught slightly off guard by the extra bounce and disciplined bowling in Australian conditions in the second T20I in Melbourne.
After retiring from international hockey in 2012, Abbas kept a low profile. He took up his first coaching role as an assistant coach for penalty corners with the Malaysia national team in October 2024.
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.
Bangladesh women's pacer Jahanara Alam has alleged that captain Nigar Sultana Joty "beats up" junior cricketers, a charge that has been rejected by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie labelled his successor Aaqib Javed a 'clown' and accused the former fast bowler of undermining him and ex-white-ball coach Gary Kirsten.
Sreejesh, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, believes India have the potential to finish on the podium in the upcoming junior World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 till December 10.
Diego Forlan, whose fine performances and five goals helped Uruguay finish fourth in the 2010 World Cup, announced his retirement.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed India's ICC Women's World Cup 2025 victory, calling it a historic moment for the nation and praising the team for "bringing the World Cup home."
Former South Africa pace ace Dale Steyn feels Suryakumar Yadav's "secure, welcoming, and willing to adjust" captaincy brings out the best in the players, who in turn back their skipper.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is destroying his legacy at the club with his fiery reaction to being left out of the side, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said.
The Mariners had successfully defended their ISL Shield to book a direct berth in ACL 2, finishing eight points clear of FC Goa.
