On the final day of 2025, the sports world remains as vibrant as it gets. The Vijay Hazare Trophy continues as Sarfaraz Khan bolstered his ODI call-up chances with a stunning century. In football, Arsenal secured a superb victory, while Cristiano Ronaldo goes closer to 1000 goals.
1. Sarfaraz Khan scores brilliant 157 for Mumbai in VHT
Sarfaraz Khan smashed a blistering 157 off 75 balls (9 fours, 14 sixes) for Mumbai against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 in Jaipur on December 31. His knock, including a 56-ball century-the fastest List A hundred for Mumbai-powered Mumbai to 444/8, their second-highest total. Sarfaraz shared a 93-run stand with brother Musheer (60) and bolstered his ODI selection case ahead of the New Zealand series.
2. Bengal bundle out J&K for 63 runs
Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep picked up 4 wickets each as Bengal
bundled out Jammu and Kashmir for just 63 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In the run chase, Bengal had broke little sweat and chased it down within 9.3 overs. Abishek Porel remained unbeaten along with Sudip Gharami, as Mukesh was awarded player of the match.
3. Deepti Sharma becomes highest wicket-taker in Women's T20Is
Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma scripted history by claiming her 152nd T20I wicket, surpassing Australia's Megan Schutt (151) to become the highest wicket-taker in women's T20 Internationals. The milestone came during the fifth T20I against Sri Lanka when she dismissed Nilakshika Silva.Deepti's feat helped India complete a 5-0 series whitewash with a 15-run victory. Earlier in the series, she became the first cricketer (male or female) to achieve 1,000 runs and 150 wickets in T20Is.
4. Arsenal stay top with thumping 4-1 win over Aston Villa
Arsenal mauled Aston Villa 4-1 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 5 points. After a goalless first half, the Gunners showcased a strong performance in the second half. Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring, while Martin Zubimendi scored soon after. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus scored two stunning goals to add Villa's misery, who got a late consolation through Ollie Watkins.
5. Rashid Khan named Afghanistan captain for T20 WC
Afghanistan named star leg-spinner Rashid Khan as captain for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Building on their 2024 semi-final run, the 15-member squad features returns for Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Gulbadin Naib.
Squad: Rashid Khan (C), Ibrahim Zadran (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
6. BPL to resume from January 1 after Khaleda Zia's death
Bangladesh Premier League will resume from January 1 after a brief hiatus due to ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's death on December 30. The cancelled match has been scheduled to play on January 4, while the Chattogram leg has been scrapped. Along with that, Dhaka has been confirmed as hosts for the playoffs with the final on January 23.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo ends 2025 with 957 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo struck a crucial goal against Al Ettifaq as the Al Nassr star ended the calendar year 2025 with 957 career goals. The Portugal star is now just 43 goals away from the coveted 1000-goal mark and will be aiming to reach the milestone in 2026.
8. Arjun Erigaisi claims Bronze in Blitz Championship
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi secured bronze at the FIDE World Blitz Championship 2025 in Doha, topping the Swiss phase with 15 points before a 2.5-0.5 semifinal loss to Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Magnus Carlsen staged a dramatic comeback to claim his record ninth Blitz title, defeating Abdusattorov in the final, completing a Rapid-Blitz double. Fabiano Caruana shared bronze.
