Sports Bulletin For December 22: From Rohit Sharma opening up about his ODI future to major developments across cricket and football, the sports world
witnessed a flurry of headline-making moments.
While Smriti Mandhana etched her name into the record books and Kane Williamson's future sparked fresh debate, off-field stories - ranging from administrative decisions and safety measures to disturbing instances of online abuse - also grabbed attention. Here's a quick look at the top sports stories making waves.
1) Rohit Sharma Breaks Silence On ODI Future
At an event in Gurugram on Sunday (December 21), Rohit Sharma spoke candidly about his outlook on the ODI future, offering insight into his international ambitions. Using a vivid analogy, he explained how his journey was tough in the beginning but gained momentum over time. "Mera bhi life kuch aise he tha; start karna bahut difficult tha. I don't want that plane to land so quickly now. Mere ko abhi tak upar rehna hai," Rohit said, making it clear that he is keen to remain at the top for as long as possible.
2) Following Stampede That Killed 11, KSCA Holds Rituals At Chinnaswamy Stadium
Months after the fatal stampede outside Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Karnataka State Cricket Association has taken a symbolic step ahead of cricket's return to the venue. On December 22, the KSCA held a traditional havan within the stadium premises, seeking blessings for safety before resuming matches.
The ritual comes in the wake of the June tragedy that unfolded during celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first IPL title, when overcrowding led to chaos and the loss of 11 lives. Following the incident, all matches at the stadium were suspended as authorities examined safety lapses and implemented corrective measures.
3) 'Your Kids Have Terr*** Blood': Usman Khawaja, Family Dragged Into Hate Storm After Bondi Beach Attack
Usman Khawaja's wife, Rachel Khawaja, has disclosed that their daughters were subjected to online abuse following the tragic Bondi Beach attack at a Jewish event. The incident, allegedly involving Naveed Akram and his father Sajid Akram, triggered a surge in anti-Islamic sentiment across Australia, with Khawaja - who was born in Pakistan - becoming an unfair target of hateful trolling.
Rachel also pointed out that this was not an isolated incident, revealing that the family has faced similar online abuse in the past.
4) Asian Football Body Announces Launch Of AFC Nations League
The Asian Football Confederation has confirmed plans to launch an AFC Nations League, introducing a tier-based international competition aimed at improving the quality of matches between its member nations. The format will be similar to UEFA's Nations League, with teams divided into levels and playing opponents of comparable strength during international windows.
The decision follows growing concerns around scheduling congestion and the rising cost of international fixtures. Further details regarding the tournament's structure, timeline and any connection to World Cup or Asian Cup qualification will be announced later.
5) IND W vs SL W: Smriti Mandhana becomes first Indian to unlock this mighty milestone in T20Is
Smriti Mandhana created history by becoming the first Indian woman to score 4,000 runs in T20 Internationals. The 29-year-old reached the milestone during the opening T20I against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam, getting there with a trademark boundary in the fifth over. Her composed knock set the tone for India's successful chase of a modest 122 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
6) Kane Williamson hints at retirement after conclusion of New Zealand vs West Indies Test series
Kane Williamson's future in international cricket is under speculation, with New Zealand's ongoing home Test series against the West Indies possibly marking his farewell. The series-deciding third Test at Mount Maunganui is being viewed as a potential final outing for the 35-year-old, though no official decision has been announced, keeping fans guessing.
7) LSG to send Avesh, Mohsin and others to South Africa to train with their SA20 team, take BCCI's permission ahead of Vijay Hazare Trophy: Report
Despite signing just one overseas fast bowler, Anrich Nortje, at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Lucknow Super Giants are sending their bowlers abroad for early preparation. According to a Cricbuzz report, several LSG bowlers, including Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan and Naman Tiwari, will train with the franchise's SA20 team, Durban Super Giants, after receiving BCCI approval. The players will work under a shared coaching group featuring Lance Klusener, Tom Moody, Bharat Arun and Carl Crowe.
8) Pakistan PM Announces 10 Million Rupees Cash Reward For Each Member Of U19 Asia Cup-Winning Squad
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday declared a cash reward of Rs 10 million for every player in the country's Under-19 Asia Cup-winning team. The announcement came a day after Pakistan clinched the title with a commanding 191-run victory over India.
