Rohit Sharma Padma Shri, Abhishek record and PSL 2026– January 25 Cricket highlights

Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Sharma [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @BCCI/x]Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri alongside Harmanpreet Kaur. Abhishek Sharma charted a record 14-ball half-century against New Zealand in the third T20I. In other news, the PCB has announced the dates for the PSL 2026 auction.Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Sunday, January 25. Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur to receive Padma Shri Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur have both been conferred with the Padma Shri, one of India’s most prestigious civilian honours. The two legendary Indian captains will receive the honour for their respective contributions for India in the field of cricket. It is worth noting that Rohit Sharma led the Indian team to an unbeaten title-winning crusade at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in the last two years. Under Rohit, Team India also won the 2018 and 2023 ODI Asia Cups. Harmanpreet Kaur, on the other hand, recently led the India Women’s team to a historic 2025 Women’s World Cup win at home. PCB sets date for PSL 2026 auction The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the dates for the player auction of the upcoming PSL 2026 season. As per the board, the PSL 2026 auction will take place on February 11 next month, i.e., during the opening week of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The PSL 2026 auction marks a historic occasion for the Pakistan T20 tournament, considering the league will be adopting an auction system for the first time. Earlier, the PSL seasons used the draft system for picking players. Jhye Richardson, David Payne anchor Scorchers’ BBL 2025-26 win Perth Scorchers crushed Sydney Sixers in the final of the BBL 2025-26 season in Perth by six wickets and 15 balls to spare. The outcome marked Scorchers’ sixth BBL trophy, and their first in three years. Fast bowlers Jhye Richardson (3-32) and David Payne (3-18) picked up three wickets each in the game to restrict the Sixers to a modest 132 all out. In response, senior opener Mitchell Marsh compiled 44 from 43 balls, and his opening partner Finn Allen made 36 off 22 as the Scorchers made lightwork of the Sydney Sixers total. PCB chairman to meet PM for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 fate As per reports, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the fate of Pakistan team’s involvement in the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Even though the PCB has unveiled the entire Pakistan squad for the tournament, several reports claim that Pakistan might likely pull out of the competition, or may be boycott their Team India fixture in a bid to protest Bangladesh’s ouster from the showpiece event. Abhishek Sharma blasts 14-ball fifty for India vs NZ India opener Abhishek Sharma blasted 68* runs off just 20 balls with seven fours and five sixes against New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series. The attacking left-hander raced to his 50 from just 14 balls to record India’s second-fastest half-century in the history of T20 cricket, falling only behind his own mentor Yuvraj Singh. Abhishek Sharma’s whirlwind knock, coupled with Ishan Kishan’s cameo and Suryakumar Yadav’s fifty helped India bulldoze New Zealand by eight wickets in just 10 overs. Comeback man Jasprit Bumrah also picked up three wickets to hog the limelight with the ball.