India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Men's T20I All-Rounder Rankings. Meanwhile, rising star Tilak Varma has made a meteoric rise into the top 10 batters as the ICC released the latest rankings updates on Wednesday.

Pandya’s consistent performances during India’s 3-1 series win in South Africa have earned him accolades. His unbeaten 39 in the second T20I stabilised India’s innings, while his economical spell of 1/8 in three overs during the decisive fourth game was pivotal in sealing the series. This marks Pandya’s second stint as the No. 1 T20I all-rounder, having previously achieved the ranking after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year.

Rafael Nadal started the final tournament of his farewell season with a defeat in a quarterfinal match against the Netherlands in the Davis Cup finals here on Tuesday. Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam winner, opened Spain's campaign against the Netherlands with a 4-6, 4-6 defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp.

Van de Zandschulp smashed eight aces to two by Nadal. Though he also served seven double faults compared to two by Nadal, the Dutch star won 77% points on the first serve compared to 67% by the Spanish legend.

By winning this match, Botic van de Zandschulp put Netherlands 1-0 ahead in their quarterfinal tie against Spain. Unfazed by the magnitude of the occasion, The 29-year-old delivered a blow to Nadal’s hopes of drawing the curtain on his professional career with a sixth Davis Cup crown.

India pacer Harleen Deol returned from injury as India revealed their squad for next month's women's ODI series in Australia, commences in Brisbane on December 5.

Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading the squad while Smriti Mandhana will be her deputy in the three-match series.

Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh are the two wicket-keeping options within the 16-player squad. Harleen was included in the squad, after battling a knee complaint for much of the year.

There is no room for batter Shafali Verma, while inexperienced duo Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor get another chance to show their capabilities after impressing during the recent ODI series against New Zealand.

The first two ODIs will be held at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane before the action shifts to WACA Ground, Perth for the final match of the series, which is a part of the ICC Women’s Championship.

Josko Gvardiol struck a second half equaliser as Croatia secured a 1-1 UEFA Nations League home draw with Portugal to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Defender struck on 65 minutes to cancel Joao Felix’s first half opener in what was a high quality clash in Split.

Felix’s crisp finish gave Portugal the lead inside 33 minutes, but Zlatko Dalic’s substitutions inspired a second half turnaround from the hosts. Kristijan Jakic's excellent cross found Gvardiol at the far post in the 65th minute and the defender's confident finish placed qualification back in their hands.

While Portugal were already guaranteed top spot in Group A1, Croatia kicked off knowing a point would be enough to seal second place and so a place in the last eight.

Australia bowling coach Daniel Vettori will leave the team during the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India, starting on November 22 in Perth, to attend the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Vettori will attend the two-day auction proceedings in Jeddah on November 24 and 25 as Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach. "We are very supportive of Dan's role as Head Coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Dan will complete final preparation for the first Test before attending the IPL auction. He will then be with team for the remainder of the Border Gavaskar Trophy," said a statement from the Australian team spokesperson.

Apart from Vettori, it is also believed that former Australia players Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, who are contracted with Channel Seven as commentators for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, are also set to miss part of the first Test to attend the IPL 2025 mega auction as head coaches of Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants respectively.

The ATP Finals will be staged in Italy for a further five years, through 2030. The extension follows a five-year term through 2025 in Turin, where the ATP’s 2024 season finale has excelled, the governing body of men's tennis and Italian Tennis Federation (FITP) have announced.

Sinner became the first Italian to claim the title on Sunday after beating American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the final.

This year in Turin, the event attracted a record-breaking on-site audience of more than 183,000, with all 15 sessions sold out across the eight days. Prize money in 2024 reached USD 15.25 million – an all-time tournament record.

With five additional years of collaboration, ATP and FITP will continue to drive progress, capitalising on Italy’s position as one of the world’s strongest and most established tennis markets.

The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has criticised the Greek authorities for the way they conducted their operations at the Athens Olympic Stadium, where England defeated Greece 3-0 on Wednesday night.

The FSA are claiming fans were subjected to extreme measures of ‘using shields and tear gas’ to form queues outside the stadium.

"Unfortunately, once again, we are having to ask England supporters to send in their witness accounts to ourselves regarding the situation outside of the Athens Olympic Stadium.

Vinicius Junior missed a second-half penalty as five-time world champions Brazil were held to a 1-1 away draw with Venezuela in their World Cup qualifier.

Barcelona winger Raphinha put the visitors ahead on the stroke of halftime with a curling 20-yard free-kick that rebounded into the net off the post.

But Venezuela looked equally potent in attack and Telasco Segovia equalized just after the restart when he received Jefferson Savarino's back-pass before rifling a first-time effort into the top-left corner, reports.

Real Madrid forward Vinicius, who hit the post with an earlier effort, squandered a chance to restore Brazil's lead as he directed a tame spot-kick straight at goalkeeper Rafael Romo.

Antonio Sanabria and Omar Alderete scored either side of halftime as Paraguay recovered from a goal down to clinch a 2-1 home win over Argentina in their World Cup qualifier.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez put the visitors ahead when he ran onto Enzo Fernandez's chipped pass and showed deft control before slotting a low shot into the far corner.

Sanabria equalised with a superb overhead volley following a Gustavo Velazquez cross from the right flank, reports.

The hosts took the lead just after halftime through Alderete, who headed home after Diego Gomez's floating free-kick.

South Africa fast-bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the side’s upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan due to a groin injury, said Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday.

CSA added that Ngidi, 28, recently underwent a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning period, during which scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy. He will now begin a rehabilitation programme and is expected to return to play in January.

It means that South Africa will be without Ngidi’s services for the two Tests against Sri Lanka and the all-format series against Pakistan. Ngidi has picked 55 wickets for South Africa in Tests at an average of just 23.14 in 19 Test matches. His last appearance for the Proteas internationally came in the ODI series against Ireland in Abu Dhabi last month.