Sports Bulletin on November 26: Rohit Sharma to play Adelaide Test, Gautam Gambhir returns to India and More

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In today's sports roundup (November 26), Rohit Sharma returns as India's captain for the upcoming Adelaide Test, following a historic victory in Perth. Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir heads back to India for personal reasons during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Other highlights include Sachin Tendulkar's tribute to the martyrs of the 26/11 attacks and Saudi Arabia's denial of launching a new cricket league. Let's take a look at all the sports bulletins below:

Rohit Sharma to Lead India in Adelaide Test After Historic Perth Victory

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla confirmed Rohit Sharma's return as captain for the second Test against Australia in Adelaide. India secured a stunning 295-run victory in Perth, despite a shaky start with just 150 runs in the first innings. Star performances from stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah (Player of the Match with 8 wickets), Harshit Rana, and Virat Kohli's unbeaten century led the team to a commanding win for a 1-0 lead, which led to speculation if Bumrah will continue as the captain.

Gautam Gambhir Returns to India Amid Border-Gavaskar Trophy for Personal Reasons

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has returned to India due to a personal emergency, confirmed by BCCI. He is expected to rejoin the team before the second Test in Adelaide starting December 6. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma will lead India in a two-day pink-ball warm-up match against Prime Minister's XI in Canberra from November 30, as India enjoys a 1-0 series lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Perth Test Breaks Attendance and Viewership Records in BGT Opener

The Perth Test between India and Australia set new benchmarks, with record attendance of 96,463 across four days and a 63% year-on-year increase. Days one and two drew the highest single-day crowds for Test cricket in Perth. Viewership surged by 30%, with over 1 million viewers per session on average. Cricket Australia also saw a 259 million video views globally, reflecting immense fan engagement for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.

Australia Retain 13-Member Squad for Adelaide Test Despite Heavy Perth Defeat

Despite a 295-run loss to India in the Perth Test, Australia will field an unchanged 13-member squad for the second Test in Adelaide, starting December 6. Selector-coach Andrew McDonald expressed confidence in the team, including struggling batter Marnus Labuschagne. Reserve players Josh Inglis and Scott Boland may be considered for the Pink-Ball Test. Jasprit Bumrah and India's batting stars powered a comeback in Perth, handing Australia their first-ever loss at Optus Stadium.

Paul Pogba Blackmail Trial Begins in Paris; Brother Among Accused

Six men, including Paul Pogba's brother Mathias and three childhood friends, stand trial in Paris for blackmail, attempted extortion, and holding the Juventus star at gunpoint. The accused allegedly demanded €13 million, with Pogba reportedly paying €100,000 under duress. The case, sparked by Mathias' 2022 social media claims and threats, has shocked French football. Pogba's legal troubles come amid his professional struggles, including Juventus terminating his contract after a doping ban.

Sachin Tendulkar Pays Tribute to Martyrs of 26/11 Terror Attacks

On the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar honored the martyrs who lost their lives. Reflecting on the tragic events, Tendulkar wrote on X, acknowledging the courage of the heroes and the resilience of Mumbai's citizens, stating that the attacks tested but never broke the spirit of the nation. The attacks, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, killed 174 people and injured over 300. President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Maharashtra leaders also paid tribute to the security personnel who sacrificed their lives.

Saudi Arabia Denies Reports of Launching the World's Richest Cricket League

Saudi Arabia has denied reports about launching a cricket league aimed at competing with the Indian Premier League (IPL). Prince Saud bin Mishaal Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), clarified that the Kingdom has no plans for such a league or to invest in the IPL. These rumors emerged despite Saudi Arabia's growing presence in global sports, notably in golf and football. While confirming future plans to develop cricket infrastructure, including a new stadium in Jeddah, Al Saud expressed interest in potentially hosting IPL matches in the Kingdom, with discussions underway.

Rishabh Pant Pens Emotional Farewell Note for Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant, after being bought by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record Rs 27 crores in the IPL 2025 mega auction, bid an emotional farewell to his former team, Delhi Capitals. Reflecting on his nine-year journey with DC, Pant expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support, especially during tough times. The wicketkeeper-batter, who scored over 3,200 runs for DC and captained them to the 2021 playoffs, promised to entertain the fans in his new chapter with LSG, carrying their love and support in his heart.