The Economic Times

Delhi Capitals need a strong all-round performance to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Capitals aim to stay in the playoff race. Bengaluru is unbeaten and looking to secure a top spot. Capitals' batting and bowling must perform well against Bengaluru's experienced lineup. The match is set for Saturday evening.

Carlos Alcaraz dominated Corentin Moutet in straight sets to reach the Australian Open last 16, marking his 100th Grand Slam match with a commanding performance. The top seed's victory sets up a clash with Tommy Paul for a quarter-final spot, as Alcaraz continues his pursuit of the only Grand Slam title missing from his collection.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif urged the PCB to boycott the T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh, which is threatening to withdraw over security concerns. Latif believes Pakistan's absence would significantly impact the tournament and presents a crucial opportunity to challenge the existing cricket power structure.

Australian Open: Wawrinka had to dig deep Thursday to edge Arthur Gea in a 4-hour, 33-minute epic to become the first man 40 or older to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since the 1978 Australian Open.

When the Bangladesh board, instructed by their government, issued an ultimatum to the ICC and the cricket world at large, they painted themselves into a corner. Given that they have little to bargain with, this was a highrisk strategy and an ill-advised one at best, from a cricketing point of view.

Adar Poonawalla has announced plans to bid for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL team. The current owners are seeking a new buyer for the franchise. This development comes as RCB considers moving its home matches from Bengaluru. Other potential buyers are also reportedly in contention. The ownership transfer is expected to be finalized soon.

Bangladesh has been given more time by the ICC to decide on playing the 2026 T20 World Cup in India. Security concerns remain the primary reason for their hesitation. If Bangladesh withdraws, Scotland will take their place based on rankings. The Bangladesh government has firmly stated its decision not to participate in India.

India's 2026 T20 World Cup campaign is framed as a battle against history, aiming to break records like defending a title, winning as hosts, and achieving a third championship. Led by Rohit Sharma, the team confronts the challenge of overcoming unprecedented feats, with a campaign film emphasizing belief over statistics. This initiative highlights India's ambition to rewrite the record books.

Skipper Rohit Sharma lauded young batter Tilak Varma for his excellent attitude and temperament. Sharma also humorously advised spinner Kuldeep Yadav to focus on bowling. These insights come as India prepares for the T20 World Cup. Varma's batting prowess and Yadav's bowling skills are key for India's campaign. The team aims for a successful title defense.

Gujarat Giants have signed Jintimani Kalita as a replacement for injured Titas Sadhu. Kalita joins the Giants from Mumbai Indians for the rest of the Women's Premier League season. Sadhu, who was acquired from Delhi Capitals, has not yet played a match. Kalita brings WPL experience to the Giants squad.

West Indies aim to salvage pride in the final T20I against Afghanistan in Dubai after losing the series. Afghanistan secured victory with a strong batting performance and Mujeeb Ur Rahman's impressive four-wicket haul, including a hat-trick. The match is scheduled for Thursday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup participation is in jeopardy after the ICC rejected their request to move matches from India to Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh Cricket Board is now in urgent talks with the government and players, facing a 24-hour ultimatum to confirm their travel to India.

Rinku Singh made a significant impact in the death overs with a match-tilting 44 not out off 20 balls, showcasing his exceptional finishing abilities. His prowess against fast bowlers and staggering strike rate in the final two overs highlight his value as a finisher, crucial for India's upcoming World Cup campaign.

Indian badminton stars PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen have reached the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters. Both players secured dominant straight-game victories in their respective round-of-16 matches. Sen defeated Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong China. Sindhu overcame Line Hojmark Kjaerfeldt of Denmark. Sindhu now faces top seed Chen Yu Fei of China in her next match.

India coach Gautam Gambhir amusingly dismissed notions of having unlimited authority in team selections, responding to Shashi Tharoor's comparison of his job to the Prime Minister's. Gambhir's tenure has seen significant team transitions, including captaincy changes and senior player retirements, amidst ongoing speculation about his relationships with key players and the team's recent home Test performance.

Sanju Samson aims for a stable top-order role, while Ishan Kishan seeks to capitalize on limited chances in the second T20 against New Zealand. India's dominant win signals strong form ahead of the T20 World Cup, with Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh impressing.

Manchester City suffered a stunning 3-1 upset against Bodo/Glimt, while PSG also fell to Sporting Lisbon. Real Madrid dominated Monaco 6-1, and Arsenal secured direct qualification for the round of 16 with a perfect record.

Abhishek Sharma's explosive 84 powered India to a 48-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20I. Sharma's blistering 35-ball innings, featuring eight sixes, set a formidable target of 238. Despite Glenn Phillips' rapid 78, New Zealand fell short, finishing at 190-7.

Team India secured a commanding 48-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20I. India posted a formidable 238 runs, powered by Abhishek Sharma's explosive 84 and Rinku Singh's unbeaten 44. New Zealand fought back with Glenn Phillips' 78, but ultimately fell short, reaching 190/7. India takes a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

India achieved a record 44th 200-plus score in T20 internationals. They posted 238/7 against New Zealand. Opener Abhishek Sharma scored a rapid 84. He also became the fastest to 5000 T20 runs by balls faced. Rinku Singh contributed an unbeaten 44. This performance sets a strong tone for the series.

Following embarrassing lapses at the India Open badminton, the Sports Ministry is directing SAI to create a Standard Operating Procedure. This move aims to prevent future incidents like bird droppings and unhygienic conditions, especially with India eyeing the 2036 Olympics. The ministry seeks a proactive role to ensure athlete comfort and uphold international standards.

Bangladesh's participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup is uncertain. The ICC has rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board's request to move matches from India. The global body has warned Bangladesh to confirm travel to India within a day or face replacement. Scotland is next in line to take their spot. This standoff follows a dispute over an IPL player.

AFG vs WI Playing 11: Afghanistan aims to seal the T20I series against a depleted West Indies on Wednesday in Dubai. Following a dominant first-match victory, Afghanistan, with a full-strength squad, holds a significant advantage. This encounter also serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of their upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns.

Bangladesh cricket team captain Litton Das is unsure about the team's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The team has refused to play matches in India citing security concerns. Bangladesh has requested their matches be moved to Sri Lanka. Das stated that the entire nation is uncertain about the team's participation.

Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja are set for a key Ranji Trophy clash as Punjab faces Saurashtra. Mohammed Siraj will captain Hyderabad in his first Ranji appearance of the season against Mumbai, who will be without Ajinkya Rahane. KL Rahul also returns to bolster Karnataka's push for a quarter-final spot.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes India is incomplete without all-rounder Hardik Pandya. He stresses Pandya's unique value with bat and ball. The upcoming five-match series against New Zealand is crucial for India to finalize team combinations. This series will help address questions regarding player selection and batting order before the T20 World Cup.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes India is incomplete without all-rounder Hardik Pandya. He stresses Pandya's unique value with bat and ball. The upcoming five-match series against New Zealand is crucial for India to finalize team combinations. This series will help address questions regarding player selection and batting order before the T20 World Cup.

The Delhi High Court has strongly criticized a law student's Public Interest Litigation. The petition aimed to prevent Bangladesh from participating in the T20 World Cup. It cited alleged atrocities against its Hindu minority. The court questioned the PIL's jurisdiction and purpose. Judges advised the student to focus on constructive work. They warned against wasting judicial time and resources.

Daryl Mitchell has regained the top spot in the ICC ODI Rankings. He surpassed Indian batting star Virat Kohli after a stellar performance in the recent ODI series against India. Mitchell scored two centuries, earning him the Player of the Series award. Kohli drops to second place despite his strong batting efforts.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia expressed strong reservations about the maintainability of the petition, observing that the reliefs sought involved matters of foreign policy and international relations, which fall squarely within the domain of the executive.

India vs New Zealand Playing 11: India faces selection dilemmas ahead of their T20I series opener against New Zealand in Nagpur. Ishan Kishan is confirmed at No. 3, pushing Shreyas Iyer to the sidelines. The Indian batting order is expected to feature Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top, with Suryakumar Yadav anchoring the middle order.

Bangladesh T20I captain Litton Das has cast doubt on the team's World Cup participation. This follows a BPL qualifier loss and concerns over pitch conditions. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has not communicated with Das about the tournament. Unreasonable conditions from the ICC are cited as a reason for potential withdrawal. The ICC maintains the current schedule for the event.

Suryakumar Yadav plays his 100th T20I in Nagpur. He seeks a fresh start after a difficult year with poor batting form. His performance against pace bowling has declined sharply. Yadav aims to regain his touch before the T20 World Cup. He is close to reaching 3,000 T20I runs.

India vs New Zealand Live Streaming: India and New Zealand commence a five-match T20I series today, crucial for World Cup preparations. Despite New Zealand's historic ODI series win, India boasts a strengthened squad with key players like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah returning, alongside a formidable bowling attack.

Pakistan Cricket Board backs Bangladesh's stance on not playing T20 World Cup matches in India. This follows security concerns raised by Bangladesh. The International Cricket Council will decide on Bangladesh's participation. Bangladesh wants its matches shifted to Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play its matches in Sri Lanka. The issue began after a directive from the BCCI regarding a player.

A new European Twenty20 league is set to begin in August. Cricket boards from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands back the league. Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan is a founder. Glenn Maxwell co-owns the Belfast franchise. Steve Waugh is part of the ownership for the Amsterdam team. The league aims to boost cricket in Europe.

The European T20 Premier League, backed by Abhishek Bachchan, is seeking $20 million for its August launch, featuring six city-based teams. With three franchises already sold, the league aims to tap into Europe's significant cricket market, which currently lacks a T20 franchise league. ETPL plans a centralized revenue model to accelerate monetization and franchise profitability.

India's T20 World Cup journey is underway. The series against New Zealand offers a vital chance to refine strategies. Captain Suryakumar Yadav faces scrutiny as he leads the team. This period is key for India to build a cohesive unit. The team aims to address any weaknesses before the main event.

Bangladesh's sports advisor Asif Nazrul firmly stated the national team will not travel to India for the T20 World Cup, despite an ICC ultimatum. Citing security concerns and national pride, Bangladesh Cricket Board wants to play group matches in Sri Lanka. This stance follows the removal of a Bangladeshi player from the IPL, escalating bilateral tensions.

India vs New Zealand Tickets: India begins its T20 World Cup preparations with a five-match home series against New Zealand, placing captain Suryakumar Yadav under scrutiny. While his leadership boasts a strong winning record, his recent batting form is a key concern as the team aims for sharpness ahead of the global tournament.

Pakistan Cricket Board has paused preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 due to uncertainty over Bangladesh's participation. Pakistan supports Bangladesh's demand to shift matches away from India over security concerns, threatening its own involvement if the issue isn't resolved.

India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav needs to find form against New Zealand. This series is a final World Cup tune-up. India has a strong record under Suryakumar. New Zealand is a tough opponent. Player selections like Shreyas Iyer or Ishan Kishan are key. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah return. Varun Chakravarthy is an important factor.

New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson believes the upcoming T20I series against India is perfect preparation for the T20 World Cup. He is eager to join the team and experience Indian conditions. Ferguson is recovering from a calf injury and aims to contribute significantly. He also plans a short paternity break during the World Cup.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to introduce a revised central contract system, under which the Grade A+ category will be discontinued. If the new model is approved by the board, Team India veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be placed in Grade B, according to BCCI sources.

Gautami Naik's stellar 73 guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a commanding 61-run victory over Gujarat Giants, securing their top-three finish in the Women's Premier League. This fifth consecutive win propelled RCB into the knock-out stage, with Sayali Satghare taking three wickets to seal the dominant performance.

Senegal's thrilling Africa Cup of Nations win has been dimmed by controversy, as a walk-off protest during their final against Morocco looms over celebrations. Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw made the dramatic decision to lead his team off the field following a debatable VAR penalty call, although they did return to finish the game.

GG W vs RCB W Live Streaming: Gujarat Giants Women will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women in the 12th WPL 2026 match on January 19 in Vadodara. RCB Women, currently leading the table with four wins, will look to extend their dominance against a Gujarat Giants side aiming to improve their head-to-head record.

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup participation hangs in the balance. A final decision is due January 21. The team's travel to India remains uncertain. The ICC has refused schedule changes. Scotland is the likely replacement if Bangladesh withdraws. The tournament is just three weeks away.