The aggressive and high-octane ‘Bazball’ era of England cricket has officially hit a wall, following a devastating 3-0 Ashes series defeat that saw Australia retain the urn in just 11 days of play. In the wake of this humiliation, legendary opener Sir Geoffrey Boycott has emerged as the loudest voice calling for an immediate and total overhaul of the team’s leadership. Writing in his column for The Daily Telegraph, Boycott argued that the ultra-aggressive philosophy which once liberated England has now devolved into a dangerous form of arrogance.

Sir Geoffrey Boycott on failure of England’s current Test strategy under Brendon McCullum after Ashes 2025-26 defeat

Boycott did not mince words when diagnosing the failure of England’s current Test strategy, declaring that the novelty of ‘Bazball’ has finally been extinguished by the clinical efficiency of the Australian attack. While he acknowledged the initial energy that the Brendon McCullum–Ben Stokes partnership brought to a struggling side, he argued that their refusal to compromise has turned a positive mindset into a liability.

Boycott’s critique centers on the idea that England has prioritized entertainment over results, leading to a ‘gung-ho’ style of play that collapses under the weight of genuine pressure from world-class bowling. He insisted that the team’s failure to adjust their tempo according to the match situation is not a sign of bravery, but rather a catastrophic lack of common sense. The legendary batter believed that the philosophy has become a rigid doctrine that ignores the technical requirements of the five-day game, ultimately leaving the players exposed and directionless.

“A lot of credit should go to Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes for what they have done for our cricket, but it is obvious that Bazball has run its race. Hubris has taken over from common sense and that cannot be allowed to carry on. Stokes and McCullum are like men digging a hole to nowhere. If what you are doing isn’t working, then stop digging. Change is absolutely necessary to step up to the next level.” Boycott wrote.

“What would I do? Change the coach. We are tired of this duo talking a good game but not delivering against the best teams, so Rob Key, it is time for you to assert yourself. They don’t accept the fact that when England come under pressure against the ‘Big Two’ (India and Australia), they are found wanting in technique, unable to think on their feet and adjust to the rhythm of Test cricket. They are so stubborn and will not listen to anyone, always insisting their way is the only way.” the former England legend added.

Also WATCH: Rohit Sharma takes a cheeky dig at England after their poor show in Ashes 2025–26

Boycott puts forward 2 names as McCullum’s successor as England’s coach in test cricket

As the calls for McCullum’s dismissal grow louder, Boycott has provided a clear roadmap for the ECB, identifying specific individuals who could bring the necessary discipline back to the dressing room. He argues that the England coaching role remains one of the most coveted positions in world sport and should attract candidates who prioritize tactical flexibility over fixed ideologies.

Boycott specifically championed former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie and England stalwart Alec Stewart as the ideal figures to lead a ‘post-Bazball’ recovery. By suggesting these names, he is advocating for a return to a more traditional, “thinking” style of cricket where players are encouraged to use their brains rather than simply following a reckless mandate to attack. The goal, according to Boycott, is to find a leader who can balance the natural talents of the squad with the strategic patience required to win Test series against the sport’s superpowers.

“Many people would cherish the England coach’s job because it is very high profile and exceptionally well paid. Jason Gillespie did a great job at Yorkshire, or they could go for an English coach like Alec Stewart. I would like this ‘gung-ho’ batting to stop. I realise it has been ingrained over three years but we have to get it out of them. It may take a little time but it can be done.” the ex-England opener stated.

“We were always told to use our brain. A thinking cricketer is a better cricketer. Nobody wants dour, defensive cricket, but let’s get back to textbook cricket with guys assessing the situation, thinking on their feet, and batting with discipline. If there is no change in personnel and attitude then you get the same cricket and the same failures. There has to be a shift in policy, ideas and mindset for England to go to the next level. Stewart or Gillespie would bring authority and balance to the squad.” Boycott concluded.

Also READ: England captain Ben Stokes opens up on another Ashes series defeat in Australia

NEW DELHI: Fans are unlikely to get the chance to watch Virat Kohli’s return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, with the Karnataka government set to stage the match behind closed doors owing to security concerns.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Delhi’s Elite Group D opener against Andhra Pradesh was moved from Alur to the Chinnaswamy Stadium after Kohli and Rishabh Pant confirmed their availability for the first two matches of the tournament. However, as per ESPNcricinfo report, despite the venue change, spectators are now expected to be barred from entry. The BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is being considered as a backup venue if police permission for the Chinnaswamy is not granted, according to the report.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had initially explored the option of opening two stands to the public, which could have accommodated around 2,000 to 3,000 spectators. That proposal, however, was rejected by the state government, which cited potential security and compliance issues. The report further stated that the government is keen to avoid crowd-related chaos around the stadium during the holiday season, particularly given the stature of players involved.Following a formal request from the KSCA, the Karnataka government constituted a committee comprising officials from the police, public works and fire safety departments. The committee inspected the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday and is expected to submit its report on Tuesday. The findings are likely to reinforce the decision to hold the match behind closed doors.

The cautious approach stems from the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations in June, which resulted in 11 deaths and several injuries. Kohli, Pant, Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini are all part of Delhi’s squad for the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Pant appointed captain. Kohli and Pant arrived in Bengaluru late on Monday and are expected to train with the team on Tuesday.

BJP MPs’ first meeting today, strategy for Sansad Khel Mahotsav to be discussed

NEW DELHI: The first meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament will be held on Tuesday and will be chaired by BJP President JP Nadda, along with National Working President Nitin Nabin. The meeting will be held on Tuesday at 9 pm through video conferencing.According to a BJP source, the meeting will focus on finalising the strategy to successfully organise the Sansad Khel Mahotsav. “The focus of the meeting will be on finalising the strategy to ensure the successful organisation of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav. Detailed discussions will be held on coordination and preparations related to the event,” a party source said.During the meeting, BJP Working President Nitin Nabin will be formally introduced to the party’s MPs.Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya will also attend the meeting, along with BJP President JP Nadda and Working President Nitin Nabin.All BJP MPs are expected to participate in the meeting.The Prime Minister will join the closing ceremony of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav on December 25 via video conferencing. Preparations and arrangements ahead of the closing ceremony will also be reviewed and discussed in today’s meeting.Nabin is scheduled to visit Bihar today to participate in various party programs and interact with workers and elected representatives.This marks his first visit to the state after being elected as the party’s National Working President. Nabin is the youngest working president ever elected in the party, at 45 years old. He also serves as the Minister of Road Construction in the Bihar Cabinet.The BJP appointed Nitin Nabin as the National Working President on December 14, marking a significant generational shift in the party’s leadership.According to BJP sources, his selection is closely linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The BJP leadership aims to ensure that, by 2047, when India becomes a developed nation, the party has a mature, experienced leadership in place. With this objective, the party has begun grooming young leaders well in advance.This move is seen as a strategic decision to strengthen the party’s organisational structure and recognise talent from various states. Nabin, a 45-year-old Bihar minister and five-term MLA, brings rich experience in governance and party organisation to the role.

NEW DELHI: A passenger allegedly assaulted by an off-duty Air India Express pilot at Delhi airport has revealed that a CT scan confirmed a displaced fracture of his left nasal bone. The passenger, Ankit Dewan, said he is now seeking justice in the matter. Dewan, who filed a written complaint with Delhi Police, said, “I am focusing on my health right now. A CT scan today showed a displaced fracture of my left nasal bone. I hope I get justice in this matter.” Delhi Police confirmed that a case has been registered based on Dewan’s email complaint under sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint), and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. An investigation is currently underway, according to news agency PTI. Earlier, police officials had stated that they were unaware of the incident until Dewan’s post appeared on social media platform X. According to Dewan, the assault occurred on December 19 near the security area of Terminal 1. He alleged that the altercation began when he objected to staff members allegedly cutting the queue at the security checkpoint. Dewan claimed that the pilot, identified as Virender Sejwal, verbally abused him before physically attacking him. The passenger said the incident caused bleeding and traumatised his seven-year-old daughter, who witnessed the confrontation. Air India Express issued a statement acknowledging the incident, noting that the employee was travelling as a passenger on another airline at the time. The airline said the pilot has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, pending an internal investigation. Police officials added that the case will be examined based on the complaint and available evidence, including CCTV footage from the terminal.

Nicki Minaj is back to making headlines again, but this time it’s not her rapping prowess or witty posts, it’s her surprise appearance with late activist Charlie Kirk‘s widow Erika Kirk. On Sunday, the rapper made a shocking appearance at a gathering of conservatives in Arizona that was memorialising the late activist and sat down with Kirk to talk about President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The 43-year-old celebrity who is yet to be naturalised, talked to Kirk at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention, calling the two leaders “role models” for young men. She also discussed her newfound support for Trump and her denunciation of violence against Christians in Nigeria.

However, while the netizens were able to digest Minaj’s appearance at the United Nations Convention in New York, to talk about the latter, they have been questioning her appearance at a TPUSA event, considering Charlie Kirk himself never had good words to say about the rapper.

What did Charlie Kirk say about Nicki Minaj?

Videos of Kirk criticising Minaj have been making rounds on the internet, questioning his wife’s choice of calling her to the organisation’s event. In one video going viral on X, Kirk can be seen telling a woman that Nicki Minaj is “not a good role model” for the topics she makes songs about. “Okay, Nicki Minaj is causing dads to leave the home? Charlie Kirk can be seen saying in the video. “I don’t think that’s a good role model for 18-year-old black girls. I don’t,” he added. Along with it another X post made by Kirk is being shared by netizens, claiming that he predicted Minaj’s turn towards Republicans long ago. In the 2021 tweet, Kirk talks about how the Democrats have treated Nicki Minaj. Conservative journalist Eric Daugherty took to X to share clips of the post, “INCREDIBLE: Charlie Kirk spotted Nicki Minaj’s movement toward the Right YEARS ago. Now look where we are today. She’s a top voice in the WORLD for Christians. And on stage with Erika in front of thousands of young conservatives,” he wrote. “Democrats’ treatment of Nicki Minaj should be all the proof you need that they don’t care about black people, especially those they can’t control,” wrote Charlie Kirk in the post. “They just use them every four years for their votes. But people are waking up.”

Highlights of Nicki Minaj’s TPUSA talk

From conversations on Christianity, talks about Trump and Vance and a music drop, a variety of topics were discussed between TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk and Nicki Minaj. One of the most viral points of the conversation was when Minaj called Vance an “assassin” by mistake on stage, a moment that caused massive uproar. She was quick in apologising to Kirk and correcting herself. She also revealed that she is working on a remix of the song ‘We Are Charlie Kirk’ set to be released soon. With Charlie Kirk’s videos condemning Minaj, the conservatives are right to question her appearance on TPUSA. But then, Republicans have always been welcoming of converts and Minaj is a top-tier persona with a humongous following that can benefit them in the midterms.

The US Department of War has now entered into an agreement with Elon Musk’s xAI. As part of the agreement the Elon Musk’s company’s frontier-grade artificial intelligence systems into the military’s bespoke platform GenAI.mil. The deal marks a significant expansion of the Department’s AI ecosystem, which already serves more than 3 million military and civilian personnel. “Today, the War Department officially entered into an agreement with xAI, paving the way for the deployment of its advanced capabilities on GenAI.mil. This move builds on the rapid deployment of cutting‑edge AI across the Department’s 3 million military and civilian personnel,” reads the release.

Embedding Grok models into GenAI.mil

As part of the agreement, xAI’s Grok family of models will be embedded directly into GenAI.mil, with initial deployment schedule for early 2026. The integration will operate at Impact Level 5 (IL5). This certification will enable secure handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across daily workflows. This also means that the personnel will be able to make use of advanced AI tools while maintaining compliance with stringent security standards. In add-on to the AI-powered workflows, the partnership will offer War Department staff with real time global insights from Musk’s platform. Officials are of the opinion that this capability will deliver a decisive information advantage, allowing faster decision-making and situational awareness across military and civilian operations.

Scaling AI for speed and security

The Department emphasised that the agreement is part of a broader push to scale an AI ecosystem “built for speed, security, and decision superiority.” By embedding IL5-certified systems into everyday tasks, the War Department aims to transform AI from a specialized tool into a daily operational asset for its workforce.“The War Department will continue scaling an AI ecosystem built for speed, security, and decision superiority. Newly IL5-certified capabilities will empower every aspect of the Department’s workforce, turning AI into a daily operational asset,” adds the release.

Former India captain Rohit Sharma lit up a Gurugram event with a sharp, humorous remark targeting England‘s dismal Ashes 2025-26 campaign against Australia. Speaking at the Masters’ Union convocation, the Mumbai batter highlighted the brutal challenge of Test cricket Down Under amid England’s 3-0 series deficit after crushing defeats in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Australia clinched the series-retaining win by 82 runs in the third Test, equaling the shortest Ashes decision period in a century.​

England’s Ben Stokes-led side crumbled in all three matches, losing the openers by eight wickets each inside three days before folding while chasing 435 in Adelaide. Mitchell Starc‘s 3-62 and Scott Boland‘s decisive blow sealed England’s fate at 352 all out, extending their winless streak in Australia to 18 Tests since 2011. Head coach Brendon McCullum faces mounting pressure, with ex-players calling for change as Australia retained the Urn for the fourth straight time post-2017-18.​

Rohit Sharma delivers cheeky jab at England’s Ashes 2025-26 woes in Australia

Rohit, reflecting on India’s iconic 2021 Gabba triumph despite injuries and debutants, drove home Australia’s fortress status. “Australia mein khelna sabse difficult hai, aap England ko puch hi sakte ho,” he quipped, translating to “Playing in Australia is the toughest; just ask England.” The line, delivered with his signature wit, recalled Rishabh Pant‘s match-winning knock and Tim Paine‘s pre-game comments, underscoring how India defied odds for a historic series win.​​

The remark resonated across cricket circles, amplifying fan banter as England eyes pride in the final two Tests to dodge a 5-0 whitewash—their fourth in Ashes history. Rohit’s timely troll, amid his own recent ODI ton in Australia on October 25, 2025, reaffirms his stature as a candid voice in global cricket.​​

Here’s the video:

Rohit Sharma said : “Playing in Australia is the most difficult you can ask England about it.” 😭😂🔥

bRO just owned England and @TheBarmyArmy 🤣😆🙏 pic.twitter.com/qvXQWMQNe3

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) December 21, 2025

Also READ: Key reasons why Shubman Gill was dropped from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad at the last moment

Rohit set to return for Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Shifting gears, Rohit eyes domestic action, named in Mumbai’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 opener. The 50-over event kicks off December 24 at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, with Shardul Thakur captaining.​

Mumbai faces Sikkim first on December 24, followed by Uttarakhand on December 26—Rohit’s confirmed availability before rejoining India for January’s New Zealand ODI series. His last full Vijay Hazare stint in 2018-19 featured a match-winning unbeaten knock against Bihar in quarters, aiding Mumbai’s title. Fans anticipate fireworks from the Hitman, blending his international pedigree with Ranji hopefuls in Elite Group C.

Also READ: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 full schedule: Which Delhi and Mumbai games will they be part of?

MUMBAI: With parties racing against time to finalise candidates for the BMC polls, the principle of ‘family first’ appears to be guiding ex-corporators and MLAs. They are making a strong push to secure tickets for their wives on seats reserved for women or for their children and relatives, leaving long-waiting party workers sidelined.On Sunday, nepotism emerged as a flashpoint at BJP’s coordination committee meeting for BMC elections when a senior politician insisted the party should not allocate tickets to relatives of its leaders. BJP national joint general secretary Shivprakash reportedly stated at the meeting that no BJP neta should ask for a ticket for kin.

BJP Mumbai unit president Ameet Satam however said Shivprakash merely reiterated the party’s longstanding stance that it is winnability of a candidate, ground report and local sentiment that are important factors in selecting a nominee.The demand for tickets from BJP MLAs for their wives (at least three MLAs from North Mumbai have made this demand), for his daughter from a MLA from South Mumbai, for the son from a North Mumbai MLA and the daughter-in-law from an MLA in central Mumbai has caused unease in the party. Shivprakash’s statement was in response to the issue raised by workers.Last week, BJP’s Borivli MLA Sanjay Upadhyay and Mumbai BJP secretary Vivekanand Gupta each wrote to party leaders urging them not to field spouses of leaders or office-bearers but give a chance to active workers. Upadhyay addressed his letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis, stressing women’s reservation was likely to be implemented in the 2029 assembly elections and “responsible public representatives and party office bearers [seeking] tickets for their inactive family members... would send the wrong message to society.” He called for long-serving female workers to be given the opportunity to contest. Another office-bearer, Vivekanand Gupta, wrote to Satam under the heading ‘Regarding not allotting tickets to wives, daughters, sons or relatives of party office-bearers in the BMC elections,’ stating, “It is often seen that when such a worker finally gets a chance to contest an election in his department, that opportunity is taken away due to pressure from some leader or office-bearer. This leads to deep disappointment and frustration, which is extremely wrong and unfortunate.” Last weekend, Congress’s interviews for aspirants saw a similar trend, with former corporators eyeing seats for spouses and relatives. It is often observed that ex-corporators opt for tickets for their wives when their own seats are reserved for women, enabling them to manage the constituency on their behalf. Insiders said many politicians across parties are trying to arrange tickets for female family members in anticipation of the 33% reservation for women in the assembly elections in 2029.

NEW DELHI: Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas on Tuesday questioned leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi’s absence from Parliament during the Winter Session and criticised Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s participation post-session in “chai pe charcha” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Speaking to ANI, Brittas took a sharp dig at Priyanka for attending a tea meeting hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the conclusion of the Winter Session, saying the move “sent a wrong message” to the public, coming just hours after the BJP “bulldozed” the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). “This has been a matter of concern for people like us… It was not a good scene for us to see Priyanka Gandhi and others sitting at the tea party along with the Prime Minister,” he said.“We would have expected better wisdom to guide them. I can also tell you that for comparatively insignificant issues, we stayed away from such tea parties,” he told ANI.Referring to past parliamentary protests, he said the Opposition had deliberately avoided similar meetings earlier. “Last monsoon session, the opposition stayed away from such tea parties, because the government was not prepared for a discussion on SIR,” he said, adding that, “Earlier, when the Waqf Bill was bulldozed, we stayed away.”Calling the latest episode particularly damaging, Brittas said, “Compared to all those issues, this was a humongous issue… Such a spectacle of Priyanka Gandhi having a cup of tea with the Prime Minister. Just a few hours after the bulldozing of Mahatma Gandhi, it was not only a sad scene, it has sent a wrong message to the people of the country.”“I don’t subscribe to such bonhomie which is detrimental to the unity of the opposition and the betterment of the poor people of this country,” he added.Brittas also raised concerns over Rahul Gandhi’s absence from Parliament during the Winter Session. “Why travel abroad when the Parliament session is on? We had already decided that Rahul Gandhi, as part of the opposition, should be present when the three anti-people bills were piloted in Parliament. However, it is for him and his political party to decide,” he told IANS.Rahul Gandhi was on a five-day visit to Germany, where he held meetings with former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Environment Minister Carsten Schneider, among others, to discuss issues of mutual interest.