The Economic Times

The India Open badminton tournament presented a rollercoaster of results for the Indian contingent. P V Sindhu, the celebrated two-time Olympic medallist, faced an unfortunate early downfall, while Kidambi Srikanth battled through to the second round with a gritty performance. Malvika Bansod's match was a testament to her robust defensive skills as she claimed victory.

Virat Kohli has reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings after a match-winning 93 against New Zealand. His consistent form, with five consecutive fifty-plus scores, has propelled him back to the top, narrowly ahead of Daryl Mitchell and Rohit Sharma. KL Rahul and Mohammad Siraj also made significant gains in their respective rankings.

Virat Kohli is back at the top of ODI cricket. He regained the number one ranking after scoring 93 runs against New Zealand. This marks his return to the summit after a significant period. Kohli's recent form has been exceptional, with consistent high scores. He also achieved a major milestone by reaching 28,000 international runs.

Danish badminton player Anders Antonsen withdrew from the India Open. He cited extreme air pollution in Delhi as the reason. The Badminton World Federation fined him USD 5,000 for his decision. This is the third consecutive year Antonsen has pulled out of the tournament. Delhi's air quality is a recurring issue during winter months.

India's coaching system needs a major overhaul. A government task force suggests empowering coaches and creating a structured, three-tier system. This aims to build expertise and self-reliance for international sporting success. The plan emphasises coach authority and accountability. It also calls for better inclusion of women coaches and leveraging former athletes' experience.

India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI Live Streaming: India aims to extend their 1-0 series lead against New Zealand in the second ODI. After a close two-wicket win in the first match, India will look to their strong batting lineup to secure another victory. The match is set to be played on a batter-friendly pitch in Rajkot under clear skies.

India starts its campaign for a sixth Under-19 World Cup title against USA. The team is a strong contender with a history of success. Several past stars emerged from this tournament. India's squad appears balanced and has shown good form. The tournament is being co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. India is in Group B with New Zealand, USA, and Bangladesh.

Youth cricket's next chapter unfolds this week with the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup 2026 in southern Africa. Zimbabwe and Namibia host 16 teams battling for the junior world title. India begins its campaign on January 15 against USA. The tournament features a familiar format with group stages, Super Six, semi-finals, and a grand final.

Harmanpreet brought up her 10th fifty-plus score in Women's Premier League (WPL) history, outdoing MI's Nat-Sciver Brunt and UP Warriorz skipper Meg Lanning (nine each). She also became the second player, after Nat Sciver, to complete 1,000 WPL runs, with 1,016 runs in 30 matches and 29 innings at an average of 46.18 and a strike rate of 146.18, with 10 fifties.

India plans a major boost for sports and infrastructure. The upcoming budget will likely announce a multi-year plan for world-class facilities. This includes training centers and a sports science institute. The goal is to build a strong sports ecosystem. Private sector participation will be encouraged for stadiums and athlete villages.

India made a winning start defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the lung-opener in Vadodara, but the hosts lost Washington Sundar for the remainder of the series due to a side strain.

Climate change is significantly impacting winter sports, threatening the future of the Winter Olympics. Researchers predict a shrinking pool of reliable host locations due to warming temperatures and reduced snowfall. The IOC is exploring solutions like rotating hosts and earlier game dates, while relying heavily on snowmaking technology.

MI W vs GG W Live Streaming: Mumbai Indians Women, bolstered by Hayley Matthews' return, face Gujarat Giants Women in WPL Match 6. MI-W, coming off a dominant win, hold a perfect head-to-head record against GG-W, who have posted high scores but show bowling concerns. The match is expected to be a high-scoring affair at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.

Bangladesh Cricket Board insists on relocating its T20 World Cup matches from India. The ICC has requested reconsideration of this demand. The Board cites security concerns for its players. Discussions are ongoing to find a solution. Bangladesh is scheduled to play matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.

Navi Mumbai and UP Warriorz are seeking their first Women's Premier League win, needing to address top-order batting issues. Delhi Capitals aim to improve their powerplay bowling, a key area identified after recent losses. Both teams are under pressure to secure crucial points early in the tournament.

India seeks to clinch the ODI series against New Zealand in the second match. Virat Kohli's stellar performance is crucial as the team manages player injuries. Despite setbacks, India aims for a strong batting display. New Zealand, also depleted, showed promise in the first game. The focus remains on securing the series win.

The Sports Ministry is directing National Sports Federations to establish new committees. One committee will focus on international relations, aiming to boost global ties for joint training and hosting major events. Another committee will promote 'Make in India' initiatives in sports, encouraging local manufacturing and innovation.

Virat Kohli's brilliant 93 guided India to a four-wicket win in the first ODI. He became the fastest to 28,000 international runs. A viral video showed his quick pre-batting routine. Kyle Jamieson praised Kohli's extraordinary batting. The focus now shifts to the second ODI in Rajkot.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dominant nine-wicket victory against UP Warriorz. Grace Harris smashed a rapid 85, including the season's fastest fifty. Smriti Mandhana provided solid support with an unbeaten 47. UP Warriorz recovered from a collapse thanks to Deandra Dottin and Deepti Sharma. RCB chased the target comfortably, boosting their net run rate.

Bangladesh's sports advisor claimed the ICC acknowledged specific security concerns for the T20 World Cup in India, including player selection and national jersey use. However, the ICC vehemently denied these claims, calling them a complete lie and stating no such advisory was issued in formal communication.

India secured a four-wicket victory against New Zealand in the ODI series opener. Shreyas Iyer lauded Virat Kohli's exceptional batting display. Iyer expressed his delight at returning to the team after an injury layoff. Fast bowler Harshit Rana impressed with key wickets and a valuable contribution with the bat. Rana is also focusing on improving his batting skills.

Uncapped Ayush Badoni has been called up to India's ODI squad for the remaining matches against New Zealand. All-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out due to a rib injury sustained during the first ODI. Badoni, a batter who bowls off-spin, will join the team for the second ODI in Rajkot.

Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades Live Streaming: Melbourne Renegades need a win against Sydney Thunder to keep their season alive. Adam Zampa returns for the Renegades. Sydney Thunder have made squad changes, dropping Nathan McAndrew. David Warner is named despite a knee knock. The match is expected to be high-scoring. Renegades are favoured to win.

A new study reveals that advertising during the TATA IPL 2025 significantly boosted FMCG sales. Brands saw an average 5.7% uplift in sales value. Campaigns across TV and digital platforms performed better. Higher spending also correlated with greater sales increases. This data confirms the IPL's power to drive real business outcomes for advertisers.

Ind U19 vs Eng U19 Live Streaming: India U19 faces England U19 in their second ICC U19 World Cup 2026 warm-up on January 12. India enters with a dominant win over Scotland, while England also had a strong warm-up. The match at Bulawayo Athletic Club is crucial for India's preparation against a strong English side.

All-rounder Washington Sundar is out of the ODI series against New Zealand. He sustained a rib injury during the first match in Vadodara. Sundar left the field midway through the New Zealand innings. He later batted but will now undergo scans. This is the third injury concern for India in the ongoing series.

Pakistan Cricket Board has offered its grounds to host Bangladesh's matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup after Bangladesh refused to travel to India due to security concerns. This development follows rising tensions between the two nations, exacerbated by the IPL's decision regarding a Bangladeshi player.

India secured a four-wicket win against New Zealand in the first ODI. Virat Kohli starred with 93 runs, leading India's chase. New Zealand posted 300-8, with Daryl Mitchell scoring 84. India reached the target in 49 overs. Lokesh Rahul and Harshit Rana provided crucial support in the end. India leads the series 1-0.

Virat Kohli achieved a significant milestone, becoming the fastest player to reach 28,000 international runs in his 624th innings. This feat follows a period of strong form, including a century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and consistent performances in ODIs, showcasing his enduring batting prowess.

Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants clash in the WPL 2026 on Sunday. Gujarat Giants secured a victory in their opener, while Delhi Capitals faced a defeat. Both teams aim to gain momentum in this crucial encounter. The match is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.

New Zealand posted 300-8 in the first ODI against India. Daryl Mitchell scored a rapid 84. Openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls provided a solid start. Indian bowlers took regular wickets. The series continues with T20 matches before the T20 World Cup.

Allan Donald, a former pace legend, feels Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket prematurely. He believes Kohli's hunger and work ethic will see him play in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Donald also expressed confidence in South Africa's T20 World Cup squad and praised the growth of the SA20 league.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, fresh off a thrilling last-ball victory against Mumbai Indians, aim to build momentum against a strong UP Warriorz. RCB's Nadine de Klerk starred with bat and ball, but the team seeks improved performances from its top-order batters. UP Warriorz, meanwhile, will look for a resurgence from their key all-rounder Deepti Sharma.

India faces New Zealand in the first ODI at Vadodara, with former captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returning to action. This series could be their last in Indian colours until July, preceding the T20 World Cup and IPL. Shubman Gill will lead the ODI side, aiming for his first series win as captain.

Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand due to a side strain sustained during a net session. Dhruv Jurel has been named as his replacement for the three-match series. Pant's injury was diagnosed as an oblique muscle tear after MRI scans.

Hardik Pandya is on the verge of joining an elite club of ODI players with 2,000 runs and 100 wickets. He needs 96 runs and 9 wickets in the upcoming series against New Zealand to achieve this milestone. Pandya's all-round abilities make him a rare commodity in the format.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Playing 11 Full Squad list Virat Kohli is on the verge of two major international cricket milestones ahead of India's ODI series against New Zealand. He needs just 25 runs to surpass 28,000 international runs and 42 to overtake Kumar Sangakkara. The series also sees Shubman Gill's return and a new-look pace attack for India.

Mumbai Indians bounced back with a strong 50-run victory over Delhi Capitals. After setting a target of 196, Mumbai's bowlers restricted Delhi to 145. Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt starred with the bat for Mumbai. This win follows their initial loss in the tournament.

India and RCB all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar will miss the initial two weeks of the Women's Premier League 2026 season due to a hamstring injury. She sustained the injury at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru while undergoing shoulder treatment. Her recovery will be monitored weekly.

Javelin star Neeraj Chopra has ended his partnership with Czech coach Jan Zelezny. The duo worked together for one season, achieving significant progress. Chopra expressed gratitude for the experience and the friendship developed. Zelezny also reflected positively on their time together. Chopra will now lead his coaching direction, focusing on upcoming championships and the 2028 Olympics.

UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants kick off their WPL campaigns aiming for a maiden title. Warriorz, led by new captain Meg Lanning, seek consistency, while Giants, buoyed by a playoff appearance, boast a strong overseas contingent. Both teams are in transition, making this opening clash crucial.

Shubman Gill accepts his exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad. He states he respects the selectors' choice. Gill is focused on performing well whenever opportunities arise. He looks forward to the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Gill emphasizes the importance of preparation for different formats. He believes in giving his best for the country.

Mizoram cricketer K. Lalremruata has died at the age of 38. He collapsed during a local match and later passed away. Lalremruata represented Mizoram in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He was a respected figure in the local cricket community. The BCCI and the Sports Minister have expressed their condolences.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) AGM on Friday was successful, with President PT Usha announcing a major increase in funding for sports bodies. Annual grants for national sports federations will rise from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, while state Olympic bodies will receive Rs 10 lakh instead of Rs 7 lakh.

Tournament organizers in Nairobi admitted a mistake in granting a wildcard to Hajar Abdelkader, whose lopsided 6-0 6-0 loss went viral. The Egyptian player, who struggled with basic tennis, was given a last-minute entry. Tennis Kenya stated such an occurrence will not happen again.

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, with goals from Fede Valverde and Rodrygo Goes. This win sets up a Clasico final against rivals Barcelona. Despite a challenging period, Madrid has found winning form, though performances remain a point of discussion.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dramatic three-wicket win against Mumbai Indians. Nadine de Klerk starred with both bat and ball. She took four wickets and then scored an unbeaten 63. De Klerk guided RCB to victory in a tense final over. Mumbai Indians posted 154 for 6. RCB chased down the target reaching 157 for 7.

MI W vs RCB W: The Women's Premier League Season 4 commences on Friday, January 9, 2025, with a highly anticipated clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This opening match, featuring squads led by Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, marks the beginning of the tournament and serves as a crucial build-up for India's women cricketers ahead of the T20 World Cup.