From Jofra Archer's race against time for the T20 World Cup to India's women cricketers surging in the ICC rankings, December 30 brings together sports
stories that reflect both excellence and uncertainty.
Australia's women remain defiant despite recent title losses, while the Women's Premier League sees major leadership and coaching appointments ahead of its 2026 season. Elsewhere, cricket history resurfaces with a rare Don Bradman artefact heading for auction, even as Pakistan hockey battles internal unrest over player payments.
In India, IPL 2026 has already been dragged into a political-religious debate following Kolkata Knight Riders' signing of Mustafizur Rahman, while domestic cricket records were rewritten for all the wrong reasons in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Here's a detailed look at all the major sports developments making headlines today.
1. Archer Named in England's Provisional T20 World Cup Squad Despite Injury
England have taken a calculated gamble by naming Jofra Archer in their provisional 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next February, despite the fast bowler continuing his recovery from a left-side strain. Archer sustained the injury during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide and has since been placed on a carefully managed rehabilitation programme.
While his inclusion signals England's confidence in his recovery timeline, Archer will not feature in the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka starting January 22, as he continues to work closely with the ECB's medical team. The injury had already ruled him out of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne, which England went on to win inside two days.
The ECB has clarified that Archer's World Cup participation will depend on medical assessments closer to the tournament. With his pace and control considered vital to England's title defence, selectors appear willing to wait rather than rush him back prematurely.
2. Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur Surge in ICC Women's T20I Rankings
India's dominance in the ongoing home T20I series against Sri Lanka has been mirrored in the latest ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings, with Shafali Verma and Renuka Singh Thakur making significant gains. Shafali climbed four places to sixth among batters after a prolific run that included three half-centuries in quick succession.
Her fearless strokeplay at the top has provided India early momentum throughout the series. Meanwhile, Renuka Singh Thakur jumped eight places to joint sixth in the bowling rankings following her match-winning spell of 4 for 21 in the third T20I, a performance that sealed the series for India. Renuka's new-ball bursts have underlined her importance in India's T20 setup.
3. Australia Remain Top Team in Women's Cricket, Says Gardner Ahead of India Series
Despite losing their T20 and ODI world titles, Australia remain the benchmark in women's cricket, according to star all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner. Speaking ahead of Australia's home series against India in February, Gardner acknowledged that recent defeats have placed the team under unfamiliar pressure.
However, she remained confident in Australia's overall quality and resilience, insisting that setbacks have only sharpened their focus. Australia will host India - the new 50-over world champions - for a full series comprising three T20Is, three ODIs and a one-off Test.
The series is expected to be a major test for both teams, with Gardner highlighting it as an opportunity for Australia to reassert dominance and respond to the challenges exposed by recent global tournaments.
4. WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants Appoint Ashleigh Gardner as Captain
Gujarat Giants have named Ashleigh Gardner as captain for the 2026 Women's Premier League season, signalling continuity and renewed ambition. Retained for ₹3.50 crore ahead of the auction, Gardner is among the highest-paid players in the league and a central figure in the franchise's plans.
The Giants have endured mixed results in previous editions, and Gardner's appointment reflects a desire for stronger leadership and tactical clarity. The Australian all-rounder expressed excitement about leading a squad she believes has the right blend of experience and youth.
With her international pedigree and calm on-field presence, Gardner will be tasked with guiding Gujarat Giants towards their maiden WPL title.
5. Don Bradman's Baggy Green from India Series Heads to Auction
A rare Baggy Green cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman during Australia's historic 1947-48 home series against India is set to go under the hammer next month, drawing global attention. Bradman gifted the cap to Indian all-rounder Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni during India's first tour as an independent nation.
The cap has remained in uninterrupted family ownership for over 75 years and has never been publicly displayed. Auctioneers have described it as one of the most significant Bradman-related artefacts to surface.
Bradman scored 715 runs at an astonishing average of 178.75 during the series, which Australia won 4-0. The auction is expected to attract interest from collectors, museums and cricket institutions worldwide.
6. Pakistan Hockey in Turmoil as Players Protest Allowance Cuts
Pakistan hockey has been hit by unrest after senior players threatened to boycott the second phase of the FIH Pro League in February over reduced daily allowances. Players claim they were promised PKR 30,000 per day for the Argentina leg earlier this month but were paid only PKR 11,000.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has stated that funding came from the Pakistan Sports Board, which follows a USD 40 per day allowance policy for overseas events. With Pakistan set to play four matches in Australia in February, the standoff has cast doubt over team availability.
The dispute highlights long-standing financial instability in Pakistan hockey and raises concerns about player morale ahead of crucial international fixtures.
7. KKR's Mustafizur Rahman Signing Draws Backlash Ahead of IPL 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders' signing of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for ₹9.20 crore at the IPL 2026 auction has triggered a political-religious backlash. Religious groups in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, have questioned his participation amid reports of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
The controversy intensified after a local priest warned of stadium protests if Mustafizur is allowed to play. Social media users have also targeted KKR management and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan over the decision.
With the BCCI yet to respond, the issue has shifted focus away from cricketing merit to broader security and governance concerns ahead of the IPL season.
8. WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians Appoint Kristen Beams as Spin Bowling Coach
Mumbai Indians have strengthened their support staff by appointing former Australia leg-spinner Kristen Beams as spin bowling coach for WPL 2026. Beams brings vast playing and coaching experience, having featured in Tests, ODIs, T20Is, the WBBL and The Hundred.
She has also served as Australia Women's U19 coach and worked in cricket development roles. At Mumbai Indians, Beams will join a high-profile coaching group led by head coach Lisa Keightley and mentor Jhulan Goswami.
The appointment reflects MI's focus on technical depth as they chase a third WPL title.
9. Bindra-Led Task Force Rejects NIS Patiala as National Sports Academy
The Abhinav Bindra-led Task Force on sports governance has rejected a proposal to convert NIS Patiala into a central academy for training sports administrators. The panel found the idea restrictive and unsustainable for a diverse sporting ecosystem.
While acknowledging NIS's legacy in coaching education, the Task Force warned that exclusive institutional status limits opportunities for other credible and international programmes.
Instead, the panel recommended a broader, decentralised approach to capacity building, aimed at professionalising sports administration nationwide.
10. VHT: Aman Khan Concedes 123 Runs, Most in Men's List A History
Puducherry captain Aman Khan endured a forgettable outing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, conceding 123 runs in 10 overs against Jharkhand - the most expensive spell in men's List A cricket history.
Jharkhand posted 368, powered by a century from Kumar Kushagra and an unbeaten 98 from Anukul Roy. Although Aman picked up a wicket, he surpassed the previous record of 116 runs conceded.
The match underlined the brutal nature of modern limited-overs batting and marked an unwanted milestone in domestic cricket records.
