Australia’s legendary cricketer Ricky Ponting believes that Rohit Sharma still has unfinished business in ODI cricket, which has driven his decision to continue playing and leading India until the 2027 ODI World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Barring the ODI World Cup, Rohit has secured all major ICC trophies while captaining India. The closest he came to lifting the prestigious 50-over title was in 2023, when India suffered a heart-breaking loss to Australia in the final.

Speaking on The ICC Review, Ponting shed light on Rohit’s determination to keep going.

“When you reach a certain age, everyone starts speculating about your retirement. But why should you retire when you’re still performing at your best? I think Rohit wanted to put an end to all these rumors and make it clear that he still loves playing and leading this team.”

Ponting believes that Rohit’s decision to extend his career suggests a clear long-term goal — winning the 2027 World Cup.

Rohit’s Leadership and Continued Dominance

Handed the captaincy in 2021 at 34, Rohit recently added another ICC trophy to his cabinet as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets to clinch the Champions Trophy on Sunday. Rohit led from the front, scoring a vital 76 off 83 balls, setting up India’s successful chase of 252 runs.

Before the tournament, speculation was rife that Rohit might retire from ODIs after the Champions Trophy, similar to his decision to retire from T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup last year. However, he dismissed all rumors in the post-match press conference.

“Just to clear things up, I am not retiring from this format. No more rumors, please,” Rohit declared after receiving the Player of the Match award.

Ponting: ‘ODI World Cup Is the Missing Piece for Rohit’

Ponting feels that the disappointment of the 2023 World Cup final loss has fueled Rohit’s hunger for another shot at the title.

“The fact that they lost the last one with him as captain is probably playing on his mind. He wants one more crack at the big three – the T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy, and most importantly, the ODI World Cup.”

Ponting further stated that given Rohit’s stellar form, there is no reason for him to consider retirement anytime soon.

“When you see him play like he did in the Champions Trophy final, you can’t say his time is up yet,” Ponting added.

What Lies Ahead for Rohit and Team India?

With the 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, Rohit Sharma will continue to play a crucial role in India’s title aspirations. As he remains committed to leading India in ODIs, the cricketing world will keenly watch whether he can add the elusive 50-over World Cup to his already illustrious career.

In a major development for Indian wrestling, the Sports Ministry has revoked the suspension imposed on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), bringing an end to months of uncertainty and allowing for the resumption of crucial activities, including selection trials for the upcoming Asian Championship in Amman.

Suspension and Its Aftermath

The ministry had suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023, citing lapses in governance and procedural integrity. The decision followed the election of a new governing body on December 21, which quickly faced scrutiny over its operations. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was tasked with forming an ad-hoc panel to manage the Federation’s affairs.

The controversy deepened when the Sanjay Singh-led administration announced the hosting of Under-15 and Under-20 National Championships in Nandini Nagar, Gonda—the political stronghold of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment. This move triggered government intervention and subsequent suspension of WFI’s activities.

Ministry’s Justification for Revoking Suspension

The Sports Ministry, in an official order issued on Monday, stated that WFI had taken corrective measures to comply with governance requirements. The government concluded that lifting the suspension was necessary to ensure Indian wrestlers’ participation in upcoming international tournaments, including the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Olympic Games.

A verification committee was formed to assess complaints that WFI was still operating from Brij Bhushan’s residence. The inspection confirmed that WFI had relocated its office to East Vinod Nagar, New Delhi, thereby satisfying the ministry’s compliance requirements.

WFI’s Response and Future Course of Action

WFI President Sanjay Singh welcomed the ministry’s decision, stating, “I thank the government for taking this step. It will allow us to function smoothly. The athletes were suffering due to lack of competitions.”

However, the ministry has laid down strict conditions for WFI:

• Maintain a balance of power among elected office bearers.
• Disassociate from suspended or terminated officials.
• Submit a compliance undertaking within four weeks.
• Ensure free, fair, and transparent selection for international tournaments as per Sports Code and United World Wrestling (UWW) regulations.

General Secretary Prem Chand Lochab, who was elected from a rival camp, will be closely monitored for compliance with these directives.

Indian Wrestlers Back on the Mat

With the suspension lifted, WFI will soon call an Executive Committee (EC) meeting and issue a circular for selection trials ahead of the Asian Championship in Amman, Jordan, scheduled for March 25.

During the suspension, Indian wrestlers missed key Ranking Series tournaments in Zagreb and Albania. Protestors, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Satyawart Kadian, had argued that WFI lacked the authority to select national teams while under suspension.

Despite legal interventions, the UWW had reinstated WFI on January 13, 2024, warning the IOA against interference. The UWW had also threatened further action if governance issues persisted.

Wrestlers and Coaches React

A Haryana-based wrestling coach expressed relief, stating, “The young wrestlers suffered for no fault of theirs. They missed out on competitions and training camps. This decision should have come sooner.”

Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik—who spearheaded protests against Brij Bhushan—continue to push for systemic reforms in the sport. While Brij Bhushan faces an ongoing trial for sexual harassment, he has denied all allegations.

Political Fallout

Following the protests, Vinesh Phogat joined the Congress Party, winning the Julana seat in the Haryana state elections. Bajrang Punia has since taken up the role of Chief of the All India Kisan Congress (AIKC).

The Road Ahead

With the WFI’s reinstatement, Indian wrestling is set to regain momentum. The focus now shifts to fair governance, athlete welfare, and international success, as the Federation works towards restoring trust and transparency in the sport.

Designer duo Shivan & Narresh have issued an apology after facing backlash for their controversial fashion show in Gulmarg last week. The event, held on March 7 to mark the 15th anniversary of their label, sparked outrage for being organized during the holy month of Ramzan.

Kashmir’s chief priest, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, condemned the event in a post on X, calling it “outrageous.” His remarks gained traction, prompting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take cognizance of the matter. Abdullah has ordered an inquiry into the incident, which also led to heated protests in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday.

Following the criticism, the designers issued a public apology on their official X handle:

“We deeply regret any hurt caused by our recent presentation in Gulmarg during the holy month of Ramadan. Our sole intention was to celebrate creativity and the ski & après-ski lifestyle, without any desire to offend anyone or any religious sentiments. Respect for all cultures and traditions is at our heart, and we acknowledge the concerns raised. We sincerely apologize for any unintended discomfort and appreciate the feedback from our community.”

Farooq, in his statement, urged authorities to take immediate action: “Outrageous! That in the holy month of Ramzan, an obscene fashion show is organized in #Gulmarg, sparking shock and anger among people. Such obscenity in the name of tourism promotion will not be tolerated in #Kashmir!”

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responded to Farooq’s post, calling the anger and shock “totally understandable.” He expressed dismay at the disregard for local sentiments and religious sensitivities, particularly during Ramzan. “The images I have seen show a complete disregard for local sensitivities and that too during this holy month. My office has been in touch with local authorities, and I have asked for a report to be submitted within the next 24 hours. Further action, as appropriate, will follow from this report,” Abdullah stated on X.

The controversy also triggered a strong reaction from social activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who accused the organizers of attempting to “demolish the moral, religious, and ethical values of Kashmir.” Many social media users also condemned the event, questioning how such a show was allowed to take place.

In the Assembly, Abdullah assured lawmakers that the government had no involvement in the event. “Those who organized the fashion show have not applied their mind, showed disregard for public sentiment, and paid no attention to where they were organizing it and its timing. Some people are saying that such a show should not have happened in the month of Ramzan. After what I have seen, I am of the opinion that it should not have taken place any time of the year,” he said.

He further clarified that the government did not grant permission for the show and would not have allowed such an event if approached. “If the law has been violated, strict action will be taken,” he assured.

While some users appreciated the designers’ apology, the controversy continues to stir debate on the intersection of modern fashion, religious sentiments, and cultural values in Kashmir.

Dubai: Skipper Rohit Sharma delivered a captain’s knock with a brilliant half-century as a determined Team India clinched their third ICC Champions Trophy title with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final on Sunday.

Opting to bowl first after losing his 12th consecutive toss, Rohit’s side displayed disciplined bowling as India’s spinners restricted New Zealand to 251 for seven in 50 overs. Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/45) played pivotal roles in keeping the Kiwi batting lineup in check.

India’s chase of 252 was completed with six balls to spare, thanks to stellar performances by Rohit Sharma (76 off 83 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62 balls). The team faced tense moments after being well-placed at 183 for three but briefly stumbling. However, KL Rahul (34 not out off 33 balls) maintained his composure and guided India to victory, supported by Hardik Pandya’s crucial 18-run cameo.

For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls), Michael Bracewell (53 not out off 40 balls), and Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29 balls) were the key contributors with the bat. Their efforts, however, were not enough to deny India another historic win.

With this triumph, India lifted the Champions Trophy without losing a single match, underscoring their dominance throughout the tournament. This marks India’s third title victory in the competition, following previous wins in 2002 and 2013—an achievement unmatched by any other team.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand: 251/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53*, Rachin Ravindra 37; Kuldeep Yadav 2/40, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/45).
India: 254/6 in 49 overs (Rohit Sharma 76, Shreyas Iyer 48; Mitchell Santner 2/46, Michael Bracewell 2/28).

Celebrations erupted across Jammu and Kashmir as Team India secured a spectacular 4-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium. The thrilling win, which saw India successfully chase down a target of 252 in 49 overs, ignited massive festivities throughout the region.

In Jammu, the streets came alive with jubilant crowds waving Indian flags, bursting firecrackers, and dancing to the rhythm of traditional drums. Families, students, and people from all walks of life gathered to mark the remarkable victory, chanting “India-India” with pride and enthusiasm.

The celebrations extended to almost every district of Jammu and Kashmir, with major festivities in Jammu, Kathua, Katra, and beyond. In some parts of Jammu, fans took the excitement to another level by beginning Holi celebrations in advance, adding vibrant colors to the joyous occasion.

“We are thrilled by this incredible victory. We are proud of Captain Rahul Sharma. No team can defeat us now. India has brought back the Champions Trophy!” exclaimed one ecstatic fan.

The euphoria was not limited to J&K, as the entire nation joined in the celebrations. From bustling metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai to tier-2 cities such as Nagpur, Dehradun, and Chandigarh, cricket lovers expressed their pride in Team India’s resilience and outstanding performance.

With Captain Rahul Sharma’s leadership being widely praised, the victory has united the country in celebration, reinforcing India’s dominance on the global cricket stage.