The Economic Times

Australia triumphed emphatically with a 4-1 victory over England in the Ashes, revealing the vulnerabilities of England's aggressive 'Bazball' tactic on tough surfaces. The series sparked speculation regarding coach Brendon McCullum's tenure, celebrated Travis Head's ascendance in the batsman ranks, and underscored Australia's depth in bowling, alongside the enduring prowess of seasoned players Joe Root and Steve Smith.

The Women's Premier League kicks off today, with teams like Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants aiming for their maiden titles. Mumbai Indians retain their winning core, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru and UP Warriorz face challenges with squad balance and key absences. All teams are gearing up for a competitive season.

Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour will guide Sri Lanka's batsmen. He joins the team as a consultant for the T20 World Cup. Rathour brings extensive experience from his tenure with India. He will focus on preparations for the upcoming tournament. His role begins soon and continues through March.

Sarfaraz Khan Vijay Hazare Trophy: Mumbai's right-hand batsman Sarfaraz Khan smashed the fastest half-century in Vijay Hazare Trophy history, reaching fifty in just 15 balls against Punjab. Despite his explosive 62 off 20 balls, Mumbai narrowly lost the thrilling Group C match by just one run.

In an electrifying display at the Malaysia Open, PV Sindhu has gracefully glided into the women's singles quarterfinals after a stunning win over Tomoka Miyazaki. Meanwhile, the men's singles hopes for India came to an end as both Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty faced defeat.

Indian crickets middle-order batter Tilak Varma is doubtful for the 2025 ICC T20 World Cup and will miss the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand after undergoing testicular torsion surgery. The 23-year-old left-hander, a key player in Indias Asia Cup 2025 win, has scored 1,183 runs in 40 T20Is at an average of 49.29.

India's women cricketers begin the fourth Women's Premier League. This tournament serves as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Defending champions Mumbai Indians face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match. Teams from around the world will compete. Players aim to enhance their skills for the global event.

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Playing 11: Melbourne Stars host Sydney Sixers in a Big Bash League 2025-26 encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Stars aim to recover from recent losses, while the Sixers seek to build on a narrow victory. Overcast skies and a bowler-friendly pitch are expected. This match promises a challenging contest for both sides as they strive for crucial points.

Former India batter Robin Uthappa believes ICC tournaments are losing their appeal. He suggests the game needs administrative changes to maintain fan interest. Uthappa feels there should be more gaps between ICC events. He also highlighted the SA20 league as a strong preparation platform for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Balkrishna Industries Ltd. is the new Official Tyre Partner for all five teams in India's premier women's T20 championship. This partnership supports women's cricket growth. BKT's commitment to inclusion and high performance is highlighted. The company has existing global cricket associations. This move strengthens BKT's sports portfolio in India.

A prominent Indian shooting coach, Ankush Bhardwaj, faces serious allegations of sexual harassment from a minor shooter. The National Rifles Association of India has suspended Bhardwaj. An FIR has been filed against him. The coach is suspended on moral grounds pending an inquiry. He will not be involved in any coaching activities until the investigation concludes.

Australia defeated England by five wickets in the final Ashes Test at Sydney, sealing a dominant 4-1 series win. The victory marked a high note for retiring Usman Khawaja, who received a standing ovation in his final Test appearance. Cameron Green and Alex Carey guided Australia to their 160-run target despite early wickets.

The Women's Premier League is entering its most profitable season. Strong advertiser interest follows the Indian team's World Cup victory. Viewership has increased significantly, changing how brands value the league. Sponsorship revenues are expected to reach 120 crore this season. New deals with major brands have been signed, indicating a bright future for women's cricket.

India and Bangladesh face escalating media and sports broadcasting disputes. Bangladesh banned Indian Premier League telecasts following a player release directive. India has not yet restricted Bangladesh Premier League broadcasts. This situation impacts commercial ties and content availability. Piracy is also a concern in Bangladesh.

The T20 World Cup starts on February 7 and Bangladesh are due to play their four games in Kolkata and Mumbai.

Anchored by Bethell's 142 not out, England reached the close of play on 302 for eight with a modest lead of 119 runs over Australia's bumper first-innings tally of 567.

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Live Streaming: Sri Lanka and Pakistan commence their T20I series in Dambulla, with both teams facing significant player absences. Pakistan misses key figures Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, while Sri Lanka navigates a new captaincy under Dasun Shanaka. The pitch is expected to favour batters, promising an exciting encounter despite potential showers.

The International Cricket Council will work with Bangladesh Cricket Board to address security concerns for the T20 World Cup in India. Bangladesh had requested to shift their matches due to issues with player participation. The ICC has assured full and uninterrupted participation for the Bangladesh team. Inputs from the BCB will be considered for security planning.

India U19 vs South Africa U19 Live Streaming: India's Under-19 team holds a commanding 2-0 lead against South Africa in their unofficial ODI series, heading into the third match at Willowmoore Park. With momentum firmly on their side, India aims to secure a clean sweep, while South Africa faces a crucial must-win encounter to avoid defeat. The series continues amidst potential weather disruptions.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has taken a significant step in the padel arena by merging his venture with PadelPark India, paving the way for a strong national framework for this dynamic sport. This partnership will expedite the development of new courts and elevate participation rates across the country.

The Indian presenter Ridhima has been removed from the presentation panel of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Local media reported on Wednesday, quoting sources in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

JioStar has attracted 15 brands for the TATA Women's Premier League 2026. This shows the increasing commercial strength of women's cricket in India. Sponsors include State Bank of India, OpenAI, and OnePlus. The league begins January 9. Brands seek long-term connections with the growing sport. Mumbai Indians face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match.

Indian Super League clubs face financial strain as a commercial partner remains elusive. Bengaluru FC owner Parth Jindal has appealed to players for sacrifices to manage the increased costs of participation. The league is set to commence on February 14. Without financial support, clubs may cease operations.

New Zealand has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Jacob Duffy is poised for his debut. Mitchell Santner will lead the team. The squad features a mix of experienced players and all-rounders. New Zealand aims for a strong performance after their previous exit. They will face Afghanistan in their opening match.

The ICC has rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) request to shift their T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. The BCB had stated their team would not travel to India, citing safety issues, which the ICC has now deemed grounds for forfeiture.

Steve Smith's unbeaten century propelled Australia to a dominant 518/7 on Day 3 of the final Ashes Test against England. Smith's 129* put Australia in a strong position with a 134-run lead. He also became the second-highest Ashes run-scorer, surpassing Jack Hobbs.

Good news for football fans. The Indian Super League will kick off on February 14. All 14 clubs will participate. The I-League will also start around the same time with its 11 clubs. A central pool of Rs 25 crore has been established for the ISL. The All India Football Federation will contribute significantly until a commercial partner is found.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed to 13th in the ICC Women's T20I batter rankings. Her stellar 68-run performance against Sri Lanka earned her Player of the Match. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma maintain their top positions. Deepti Sharma lost the top bowling spot to Annabel Sutherland. Shree Charani also advanced in the bowling rankings.

West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry views the upcoming Women's Premier League as vital preparation for the international season. She aims to cement her spot in the national team for the World Cup. Henry's previous WPL performance earned her a significant contract with Delhi Capitals.

Chelsea has a new head coach. Liam Rosenior takes charge of the London club. He has signed a deal until 2032. Rosenior previously managed Racing Strasbourg. He also had coaching roles at Derby County and Hull City. This appointment follows the departure of Enzo Maresca. Rosenior expressed his honour at the new role. He highlighted Chelsea's winning spirit and history.

Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner acknowledges India's rapid improvement in women's cricket. She anticipates India will be a dominant team in the next decade. Gardner maintains Australia remains the world's best. She is preparing for the Women's Premier League with Gujarat Giants, confident in her team's ability to win despite the absence of a frontline Indian batter.

Indian ace Lakshya Sen started the new season with a win at the Malaysia Open. He defeated Jia Heng Jason Teh of Singapore in a tough match. Sen advanced to the second round. Malvika Bansod lost her opening match. Ayush Shetty and the men's doubles pair will also compete.

The Netherlands will face India in the Davis Cup Qualifiers in Bengaluru on February 7-8. Notably, their top singles players Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp are not in the squad. India's coach believes this omission boosts India's prospects. Indian players are preparing well, with some competing in the Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger.

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman faces no financial compensation from Kolkata Knight Riders. The BCCI instructed his contract termination. This decision impacts player rights. Existing insurance frameworks offer little recourse. KKR is not contractually bound to pay. Legal routes are complex. Geopolitical factors add to the risk. Rahman may walk away empty-handed.

Venus Williams faced her first singles defeat of 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand. The veteran player lost to Magda Linette in a competitive match. Despite the loss, Williams showcased strong performance, moving freely and hitting powerfully. She now heads to Australia for upcoming tournaments, including the Australian Open. This marks her 1,101st singles match on the WTA Tour.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam expressed security concerns regarding the national team's participation in the T20 World Cup in India. The board has formally requested the International Cricket Council to shift their games. This decision follows the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.

UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning will leverage experienced players like Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone for guidance while leading the team. Lanning, a decorated Australian captain, aims to integrate her leadership style with the team's existing strengths. She also expressed admiration for the growing depth of Indian talent in the WPL.

FanCode has secured exclusive multi-year broadcast and streaming rights for the ATP Tour in the Indian Subcontinent until 2028. This partnership with ATP Media will provide subscribers access to 56 tournaments annually, including major events and non-live content, making FanCode the premier destination for men's tennis in the region.

India U-19 achieved an eight-wicket win against South Africa U-19. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's rapid 68 powered the chase. The match was shortened due to weather. India now leads the series 2-0. South Africa scored 245 earlier. Kishan Singh took four wickets for India. The DLS method determined the revised target.

Ricky Ponting expressed surprise at Suryakumar Yadav's recent form slump, advising the Indian skipper to focus on scoring runs rather than getting out. Ponting also voiced astonishment at Shubman Gill's World Cup squad exclusion, highlighting India's immense cricketing depth. He identified Axar Patel as a key player for India in the upcoming tournament.

Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari passed away at 67 following a cardiac arrest in Tamil Nadu. A towering figure in Indian cue sports for over three decades, Kothari won the IBSF World Billiards Championship in 1990 and was a guiding force as chief national coach.

Virat Kohli will not play for Delhi against Railways in the Vijay Hazare Trophy today. He is set to join the Indian team for the ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11. However, Rishabh Pant and Harshit Rana are available for Delhi's match. Delhi currently leads Group D and a win today will help them advance.

Travis Head has achieved a significant milestone in the Ashes series. He is the first batter to cross 500 runs with a strike rate exceeding 75. Head has amassed 528 runs, making him the highest scorer in the current series. His explosive batting has been a game-changer for Australia.

UP Warriorz celebrated Meg Lanning's appointment as captain. Young fans welcomed the Australian cricketer with music and songs. Lanning shared her favorite Indian dish and cricketing idols. The event highlighted the growing popularity of women's cricket. UP Warriorz aim to inspire young talent under Lanning's leadership for the upcoming Women's Premier League season.

Shreyas Iyer will lead Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He replaces injured Shardul Thakur. Iyer returns to competitive cricket after a spleen injury. Mumbai plays Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in Jaipur. Qualification for the knockout stage appears likely. Iyer's availability for New Zealand ODIs depends on clearance.

PV Sindhu makes her comeback at the Malaysia Open 2026, marking her return to international badminton after a break due to injury. The tournament begins Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur. Other Indian players like Lakshya Sen and Chirag Shetty Satwiksairaj Rankireddy are also competing.

Eleven-year-old Atiqa Mir made history as the first Indian to achieve a top-five finish in the tougher junior S125 category on her debut at the IAME UAE Karting Championship. Despite a kart issue in qualifying, she showcased remarkable skill, climbing through the field to finish a close fifth, just four tenths off a podium spot.

UP Warriorz are awaiting BCCI clearance for batter Pratika Rawal's participation in the upcoming Women's Premier League. Coach Abhishek Nayar highlighted the team's focus on diverse player styles and captain Meg Lanning's leadership. The team is addressing wicketkeeping concerns. Lanning expressed confidence in experienced players like Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone.

Prominent cricketers Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues are now part of the National Anti-Doping Agency's Registered Testing Pool for early 2026. Athletics has the largest representation with 118 athletes. This expansion is driven by upcoming major games and increased testing efforts. Athletes in this pool must provide their whereabouts to the agency.