The Economic Times

Former BCCI president Inderjit Singh Bindra passed away on Sunday at the age of 84. A key figure in Indian cricket administration, Bindra served as BCCI president from 1993 to 1996 and led the Punjab Cricket Association for over three decades.

In a nail-biting finish, Bournemouth triumphed over Liverpool courtesy of Amine Adli's last-minute strike. This defeat marked Liverpool's seventh of the league season, with Bournemouth initially taking control thanks to goals from Evanilson and Alejandro Jimenez.

After an intense Africa Cup of Nations final, Senegal's Pape Gueye shared his insights regarding a tense situation when the team walked off the pitch after a penalty was given to Morocco. He humbly confessed their collective error, reminding everyone that athletes are fallible. The drama continued as Morocco's Brahim Diaz, under immense pressure, missed the crucial penalty.

India secured an unassailable 3-0 series lead against New Zealand by winning the third T20 by 8 wickets. Suryakumar Yadav's team chased down 154 in just 10 overs, with Abhishek Sharma smashing a rapid fifty. A dominant bowling performance, featuring wickets from Bishnoi, Pandya, and Bumrah, set up the emphatic victory.

Novak Djokovic reaches the Australian Open quarter-finals. His opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew due to an abdominal injury. Mensik cited the injury progressed over recent matches. Djokovic continues his pursuit of a record-extending Melbourne Park title. He aims for a 25th Grand Slam crown. The next opponent for Djokovic will be Taylor Fritz or Lorenzo Musetti.

As cricket navigates the complex geopolitical landscape of the Indian subcontinent, recent events reveal the sport's volatile intersection with politics. Bangladesh's exit from the T20 World Cup, rooted in internal political strife, has intrigued observers as Pakistan deliberates a potential withdrawal in support.

ICC warning to Pakistan: The International Cricket Council has issued a stern warning to Pakistan. Withdrawal from the 2026 T20 World Cup could lead to severe sanctions. This follows Bangladesh's removal from the tournament. Pakistan's participation hinges on government directives. The ICC has outlined potential penalties including suspension of bilateral series and exclusion from future Asia Cups. Pakistan's schedule remains intact for now.

Pakistan has revealed its 15-player squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Salman Ali Agha will captain the team. The squad includes prominent players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah. Pakistan is grouped with India, Netherlands, USA, and Namibia. Their tournament begins on February 7 against the Netherlands in Colombo.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Mumbai Indians on Monday. Bengaluru seeks to recover from their initial loss. Mumbai Indians aim to end a three-match losing streak. Both teams need key players to perform. The match holds significance for playoff standings. The Vadodara pitch favors bowlers. This encounter promises a competitive contest.

Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the Australian Open quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive year. She overcame young Canadian Victoria Mboko in a tough match. Sabalenka showcased her tiebreak prowess, winning 22 consecutive tiebreaks. She will now face American Iva Jovic in her next Grand Slam quarter-final appearance.

Bangladesh will not participate in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. This absence is a sad moment for cricket. The international cricketers' association urges leaders to unite the sport. Political tensions between India and Pakistan also affect cricket. Pakistan's participation is not yet confirmed. These events highlight issues in global cricket's operating model.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka expressed her desire to partner Novak Djokovic in mixed doubles. She humorously stated she is awaiting a message from the Serbian star confirming she is his dream partner. The pair previously played together in a charity match. Sabalenka mentioned a potential collaboration at the US Open this year.

Pakistan's participation in the T20 World Cup is under review. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated a decision will be made upon the Prime Minister's return. Pakistan is already scheduled to play all league matches, including against India, in Sri Lanka. Naqvi expressed support for Bangladesh, calling their ejection unfair and citing double standards by the ICC.

Football managers face job losses with mixed emotions. Some find relief from intense pressure, while others suffer significant blows. Lucrative payoffs can ease financial worries for high-profile figures like Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca. However, for managers like Andy Whing, a sacking brings embarrassment and uncertainty. The industry remains precarious, impacting careers and families.

Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the upcoming men's T20 World Cup after the latter refused to travel to India due to safety concerns. The ICC rejected Bangladesh's request to move their matches to Sri Lanka. This decision will result in significant financial losses for the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Jannik Sinner survived a tough Australian Open match against Eliot Spizzirri. Sinner faced cramps and soaring temperatures. A heat rule suspension and roof closure helped Sinner recover. He then dominated the match to advance. Spizzirri acknowledged the rules despite the timing. Sinner admitted luck with the heat rule.

Suryakumar Yadav holds a special place in the Indian T20 team. His value extends beyond scoring runs, making him a crucial player. He brings intangible qualities to the squad. This makes him the glue that binds the team together. His recent performance against New Zealand provides the much-needed runs.

The 2029 Asian Winter Games, originally scheduled for Saudi Arabia, have been postponed. The Olympic Council of Asia and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee announced the decision in a joint statement, confirming an updated framework for future hosting. A new date for the 2029 edition will be announced later.

Pakistan's participation in the T20 World Cup hinges on a final decision from the government, according to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He stated the matter will be presented to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif upon his return, emphasizing the government's directive will be binding. Naqvi also criticized the ICC's handling of Bangladesh's situation, alleging unfair treatment and selective decision-making.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla asserts Gautam Gambhir leads the Indian cricket team effectively. He acknowledges mixed results, particularly in Test cricket, but highlights strong performances in ODIs and T20Is. Shukla dismisses social media negativity, emphasizing player popularity. India faces the T20 World Cup next, aiming to defend its title.

The ICC has officially informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of their replacement by Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup. This decision follows Bangladesh's refusal to travel to India due to security concerns, a move the ICC deemed a violation of protocol. Scotland is expected to play their group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.

Scotland will play in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The International Cricket Council removed Bangladesh from the tournament. This decision came after the Bangladesh Cricket Board failed to meet ICC demands. Scotland's consistent performance in recent events secured their spot. They are ranked 14th globally. Scotland will compete in Group C.

Yuki Bhambri and his partner Andre Goransson advanced to the third round of the Australian Open men's doubles on Saturday. They defeated Santiago Gonzalez and David Pel in a three-set match. Meanwhile, N. Sriram Balaji and his partner Neil Oberleitner were eliminated in their second-round encounter.

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.