Cricket Highlights: Khawaja Retires, Martyn's Health Scare, and India's ODI Squad Announcement
Cricket Developments This Week
This week in cricket has been eventful, featuring Usman Khawaja's retirement, Damien Martyn's health issues, the announcement of India's ODI squad for the New Zealand series, and KKR's release of Mustafizur Rahman amidst controversy. Additionally, Bhutan's Sonam Yeshey achieved a remarkable 8-wicket haul in T20Is.
Major Highlights from December 2025 to January 2026
The last week of December 2025 and the first week of January 2026 have seen significant events in cricket, including Usman Khawaja's retirement, Damien Martyn's health scare, India's squad announcement for the ODI series against New Zealand, and KKR's controversial release of Mustafizur Rahman, which has sparked diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Usman Khawaja Announces Retirement
Usman Khawaja, the veteran Australian opener, has declared his retirement after a distinguished 15-year international career. The 39-year-old will conclude his journey at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the fifth Test of the Ashes 2025 series, the venue of his Test debut. Khawaja has excelled in all formats, particularly in Test cricket, where his endurance and ability to play long innings have made him a key player.
Khawaja's Retirement Speech
In his retirement announcement, Khawaja addressed the stereotypes he faced throughout his career, highlighting issues of racial bias and cultural misunderstandings. He expressed frustration over being judged on his attitude and commitment despite consistently performing at a high level for Australia.
India's T20I Series Victory
India's women's cricket team completed a clean sweep in the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, winning by 15 runs at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The team secured victories in the first two matches at Dr YS Rajashekhara Reddy Stadium in Vishakhapatnam before continuing their success in Thiruvananthapuram.
Match Highlights
India set a target of 175/7, led by Harmanpreet Kaur's impressive 68 runs off 43 balls. The Sri Lankan team managed to score 160/7, falling short despite fifties from Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani. India's disciplined bowling in the final overs ensured a 5-0 series victory.
Damien Martyn's Health Update
Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn was hospitalized due to meningitis and placed in an induced coma. He fell ill at his home on Boxing Day and was taken to a Queensland hospital. Recently, it was confirmed that he has come out of the coma and will be moved out of the ICU for further treatment.
KKR Releases Mustafizur Rahman
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of IPL 2026, following backlash over his signing amid rising religious tensions in Bangladesh. Rahman was acquired for INR 9.2 crore, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history.
Background on Tensions in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has been experiencing increased religious tensions following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, leading to public outrage in India regarding Rahman's IPL signing.
India's ODI Squad Announcement
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11 at Vadodara International Cricket Stadium. Shubman Gill returns as captain, while Shreyas Iyer is included as vice-captain, pending fitness.
Sonam Yeshey's Historic Achievement
Bhutan's Sonam Yeshey made history by taking 8 wickets in a single T20I match against Myanmar, a record confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Yeshey's remarkable figures of 8/7 in four overs helped secure a significant victory for Bhutan.
Brendon McCullum's Future in Question
Following England's loss in the Ashes series, there are uncertainties regarding Brendon McCullum's position as Test coach. Despite calls for change, captain Ben Stokes has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to maintain faith in McCullum, emphasizing their successful partnership.
Outstanding Performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
The ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy has showcased exceptional performances from various players, including Devdutt Padikkal and Hardik Pandya, who both scored centuries. In bowling, Arshdeep Singh achieved a five-wicket haul, while several others also excelled.
Bangladesh's T20 World Cup Participation in Jeopardy
The controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman has escalated into a diplomatic issue, with Bangladesh's cricket board considering relocating their T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka due to safety concerns for players amid rising tensions.