Sports Bulletin of February 15: From India Team Heading for Dubai for Champions Trophy 2025 to Pakistan Football Team Ban

Add as a preferred source on Google

From Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the first India cricket team batch heading for Dubai for Champions Trophy 2025 preparations to Pakistan football team ban threatening their Asian Cup qualifiers participation, many things have unfolded in the sports world.

Indian cricket team, both Pakistan cricket and football teams, and tennis superstar Jannil Sinner are dominating the proceedings on a busy Saturday (February 15) in the World of Sports. Here are the ten unmissable stories of the day -

1. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli travel as team India first Batch flies to Dubai, Shubman Gill not Spotted

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were seen departing with the initial group of Team India players heading to Dubai for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Notably, Shubman Gill was absent from this group. Gill recently played a pivotal role in India's four-wicket victory over England in the first ODI, scoring 87 runs. The Champions Trophy is set to commence on February 19, with India placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand.

2. R Ashwin calls to dismiss 'Superstar Culture' in team India

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has criticized the "superstar culture" within the national team, emphasizing the need for normalization. He stated, "We are cricketers. We are not actors or superstars." Ashwin highlighted that for accomplished players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, achieving another century should be "business as usual," urging the team to focus on larger goals beyond individual milestones.

3. Gautam Gambhir didn't want Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant in Champions Trophy squad

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has clarified that KL Rahul is the team's primary wicketkeeper for the upcoming Champions Trophy, indicating that Rishabh Pant is not currently in the playing eleven plans. Gambhir stated, "KL is our No 1 wicketkeeper and this is what I can say at the moment." This decision suggests that both Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant may not feature in the starting lineup for the tournament.

4. RCB opened the WPL 2025 campaign with a 6-wicket win over GG with several records broken

In a thrilling WPL 2025 opener, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) chased down 202 to defeat Gujarat Giants (GG) by six wickets, setting a new tournament record for the highest successful chase. Richa Ghosh's explosive 64* off 26 balls, including a pivotal 23-run over against Ashleigh Gardner, turned the game in RCB's favor. The match also recorded the highest aggregate total in WPL history, with 403 runs scored.

5. Jannik Sinner banned from playing for three months as doping case settlement

World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month suspension after testing positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic agent. The ban, effective from February 9 to May 4, 2025, allows Sinner to return in time for the French Open. WADA acknowledged the substance entered his system unintentionally through massages from a team member.

6. Furious Pakistani fans warn team 'Don't hug Virat Kohli, Indian' with Champions Trophy 2025 coming

In light of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, some Pakistani fans have expressed frustration over India's refusal to play matches in Pakistan, leading to a hybrid tournament model. Journalist Farid Khan shared a video featuring a fan urging Pakistani players to "stop hugging" Virat Kohli and other Indian players during the tournament. The fan's sentiment reflects disappointment over missing home-ground advantage in the India-Pakistan clash.

7. Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali questions team's decision to open with Babar Azam saying 'Kaise pagal log hai'

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has criticized the team's decision to have Babar Azam open the batting in the recent tri-nation series, expressing surprise at the strategy. He noted that Babar was performing well at number three, scoring consistently against South Africa, but the change disrupted his rhythm, resulting in just 62 runs over three matches. Basit questioned, "Who is the one who told Babar Azam to open? I am surprised who he is. What crazy people they are."

8. Steve Smith shows hope about Champions Trophy 2025 even after series loss to Sri Lanka

Despite Australia's 2-0 ODI series loss to Sri Lanka, stand-in captain Steve Smith remains optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Smith acknowledged the team's struggles but expressed confidence in the squad's depth, particularly highlighting the potential of young batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk and the team's spin options. He stated, "We've got plenty of options," emphasizing readiness for the tournament in Pakistan.

9. Pakistan football team ban threatens their participation in Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been suspended by FIFA for the third time since 2017, jeopardizing the men's national team's participation in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The suspension resulted from the PFF Congress's rejection of constitutional amendments proposed by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The AFC had stipulated that the suspension must be lifted by March 4 for Pakistan to compete in their opening qualifier against Syria on March 25. However, the ban remains in place, leading to Pakistan's exclusion from the qualifiers.

10. Manchester United may be 'willing to offer €150m' for Julian Alvarez

Reports suggest that Manchester United may be preparing a substantial bid, potentially reaching €150 million, to acquire Argentine forward Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid. Álvarez, who transferred from Manchester City to Atlético Madrid in 2024 for approximately €95 million, has quickly become integral to Diego Simeone's squad. Despite United's significant offer, Atlético Madrid are reportedly reluctant to part with their star striker, viewing him as essential for their long-term ambitions.