The Economic Times

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an unspecified injury, cutting short a tournament that saw her make a memorable fashion statement and engage in a tense second-round match. The two-time champion announced her withdrawal on social media, expressing heartbreak at having to stop but prioritizing her health.

Suryakumar Yadav found his rhythm again with a powerful 82 not out against New Zealand. He shared that extensive net sessions, stepping away from social media, and his wife's guidance helped him regain his confidence. This performance ended a frustrating run drought for the T20I star. He also addressed team dependency concerns. Ishan Kishan also contributed significantly to the win.

India U19 vs New Zealand U19 Playing 11: India U19 plays New Zealand U19 on January 24. India is already group toppers. New Zealand needs this win for a Super 6 place. India wants to stay undefeated. Their bowlers have performed well. Batting needs improvement. Captain Ayush Mhatre seeks form. Opener Vaibhav showed promise. Stability is key for India.

Ishan Kishan's explosive batting has put Sanju Samson's opening spot under pressure. India aims to seal the T20 series against New Zealand in the third match. Suryakumar Yadav silenced critics with a brilliant fifty. The team looks largely settled for the T20 World Cup defense. New Zealand needs to regroup after a significant defeat.

Indian tennis player N Sriram Balaji and his partner Neil Oberleitner were eliminated from the Australian Open men's doubles. They lost in the second round. Another Indian, Yuki Bhambri, had his second-round match suspended. This was due to the tournament's extreme heat policy. His match will resume later.

India's squad for the Perth Test against Australia Women has been announced by the BCCI. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the team as captain, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. The Test match is scheduled to be played at the WACA from March 6th to 9th, 2026. Uma Chetry replaces G Kamalini in the T20I and ODI squads for the Australia tour.

Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav for their exceptional batting against New Zealand. India secured a series win with a dominant chase. Kishan displayed his domestic form while Yadav returned to scoring runs. Ashwin noted India's improved T20 strategy, emphasizing aggressive play and powerplay exploitation. This strong batting lineup now instills fear in opposing teams.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame extreme heat and cramp to reach the Australian Open fourth round. He lost his first set since October but fought back against Eliot Spizzirri. The extreme heat policy and a roof closure proved pivotal. Sinner will now face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi for a quarter-final spot.

FIFA will award $2.3 million to the winner of the inaugural Women's Champions Cup, with a total of $3.9 million distributed among six continental champions. This event serves as a precursor to a full Women's Club World Cup planned for 2028. The semifinals and finals will take place in London next week.

Australian Open play halted briefly due to extreme heat. Defending champion Jannik Sinner faced a break down in the third set. The roof on Rod Laver Arena was closed. Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula advanced in their morning matches. Temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius.

The Bavarian powerhouse has a whopping 71 goals in 18 games, conceded only 14 goals, and drawn only two matches. It has won the other 16. With 50 points and a goal difference of plus-57, Bayern has made the best ever start to the Bundesliga at this stage of the season. And its rivals are struggling to keep up. Bayern already leads by 11 points from Borussia Dortmund and is on course for its 13th Bundesliga title in 14 years.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav led the recovery with an unbeaten 82 off 37 balls, while Ishan Kishan struck 76 off 32 deliveries. Shivam Dube added a quick 36 off 18 balls.

Bangladesh Cricket Board has appealed to the ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee to overturn the decision to host their T20 World Cup games in India, citing security concerns. However, the appeal is unlikely to be heard as it falls outside the DRC's remit, which cannot act as an appeal body against the ICC Board's decisions.

India's challenge at the Indonesia Masters concluded on Friday. P V Sindhu and Lakshya Sen were defeated in their respective quarterfinal matches. Sindhu lost to Chen Yu Fei, while Sen was beaten by Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul. Other Indian players and pairs had also exited the tournament earlier. The event was a USD 500,000 badminton tournament.

India vs New Zealand Playing 11: India aims to extend their T20I series lead against New Zealand in Raipur. A potential late change sees Axar Patel's finger injury casting doubt on his participation, with Kuldeep Yadav the likely replacement. New Zealand, after a loss, might bring in Matt Henry. The pitch is expected to favor spinners.

India vs New Zealand Live Streaming: India aims to extend their series lead against New Zealand in the second T20I at Raipur on January 23, 2026, following a commanding 48-run victory. The Men in Blue, leading 1-0, will look to capitalize on home advantage. New Zealand, facing early pressure, is expected to make changes to their lineup to level the series.

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.