The Times of India

Devon Conway will miss the ODI series against India due to a concussion injury, making way for Nick Kelly to step in. Kelly is set to join the team in Wellington by Friday. In a positive update, Matt Henry has been declared free of concussion after a training incident. New Zealand faced defeat in the first ODI, despite a strong performance from Virat Kohli.

Saishiva Sankaran and Viswas Vijayaraj underline the challenges young Indian racers face in pursuing a career in motorsport, with limited testing, financial constraints and the demands of balancing education and racing. As they target Formula 1, both stress the need for greater support for Indian drivers to compete on the international stage. Their return to the Buddh International Circuit also brings back memories of India's previous F1 era.

In a remarkable achievement at the Youth Olympic Games, Tanvi Patri has secured a historic silver medal in badminton, becoming the first Indian woman to earn a medal at the event. Competing fiercely, she reached the finals, facing off against China's Zhang Yi Xin. Although she narrowly missed out on victory, her unwavering spirit and determination shone through, amplifying India's growing reputation in the badminton arena.

Jaypal Malviya announced his talent by winning a silver medal at the ISSF World Championships. His performance earned India its first shooting quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Malviya had qualified for the final in third place and showed resilience during tense moments. He previously made a mark by winning gold in national trials and has since equipped himself for future competitions.

India's hockey team clinched an impressive victory, capturing the men's Asian Champions Trophy against Japan. Despite falling behind initially, the players rallied to turn the tide, with Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad each scoring vital goals. Japan's early lead was met with India's unwavering spirit, culminating in the team's sixth title in the tournament's history.

Prithvi Shaw scored an unbeaten 53 runs to guide Maharashtra to a 10-wicket win over Bengal. After shifting from Mumbai, he enjoys leading Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy match. Shaw emphasised the importance of focusing on immediate tasks rather than thinking ahead about his return to the national team. He expressed confidence in achieving big runs with more consistent performances in forthcoming innings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the remarkable success of India's para-athletes at the 2026 Asian Para Games, where they earned a historic total of 114 medals, including 30 golds. He urged this triumph to be a stepping stone toward even greater achievements in the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, underscoring the strides made in India's para-sports since 2010.

Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya is keen to have Virat Kohli in the dressing room if the senior India batter wants to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Dahiya also expressed his desire to have veteran pacer Ishant Sharma as a red-ball mentor. The Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Services ended in a draw, with Delhi walking away with three points after taking the first-innings lead.

India secured a silver medal in the team event at the ISSF World Championships held in Doha. However, Manu Bhaker and Suruchi Inder Singh failed to earn individual medals or Olympic quotas. Manu finished fifth while Suruchi placed sixth in the women's 10m air pistol final. Their individual performances disappointed the Indian team as they aimed for Olympic qualification.

Cristiano Ronaldo has officially retired from international football after an extraordinary 23-year career with Portugal. Leaving behind 234 appearances, a record 146 goals, six World Cup campaigns and three major international trophies, the 41-year-old ends his national-team journey as one of footballs greatest icons. His departure marks the end of an era, with records that may stand for generations.

Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been excluded from the AFCON qualifiers following the death of Jesus de Miguel. De Miguel passed away after a collision with Owono during a match, leaving many in mourning. Owono expressed deep sorrow and struggles to process the tragedy he experienced. He has faced online abuse, leading him to deactivate his social media account.

Cristiano Ronaldo has officially retired from international duty with Portugal after 23 years and six World Cups. He announced his retirement through an emotional video message to the Portuguese people, marking the end of his national career. Ronaldo holds a record of 146 international goals and significant victories, including Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League title.

Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad have made headlines with a notable four-player trade for IPL 2027. CSK welcomes Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards, while SRH gains Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis. Livingstones new contract is INR 6 crore, reflecting a pay cut, and Edwards remains at INR 3 crore. Khaleel rejoins SRH for INR 4.8 crore, and Ellis, also recovering from injuries, strengthens SRH for INR 2 crore.

Virat Kohli welcomed Glenn Phillips by mimicking John Cena's gesture during the first ODI match. This incident occurred when Phillips entered the field while John Cena's entrance music played. Kohli performed this gesture to lighten the moment but went unnoticed by Phillips and Daryl Mitchell. Kohli scored 74 runs, contributing to India's victory over New Zealand by five wickets.

The NBA is looking beyond live match viewership to build a sustainable business in India. Through broadcast partnerships, digital engagement, merchandise, retail and fan experiences, the league is creating multiple consumer touchpoints. But converting its growing popularity and cultural appeal into commercial success remains the biggest challenge in a cricket-dominated market.

Virat Kohli took to Star Sports to reflect on his best ODI inning, choosing his unexpected 43 runs from the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy final against England. This decision underlines his ability to thrive under pressure over more recognized innings. Kohli's stellar career is marked by impressive milestones, having scored over 28,600 international runs, which is a testament to his phenomenal consistency and skill in the game.

Virat Kohli, one of cricket's greatest players, celebrates his 38th birthday today and reflects on his journey. He has achieved numerous records and is aiming for more milestones in his career. Kohli's contributions to India include a 2011 World Cup title and an expected focus on the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. Throughout his career, he has consistently performed well across all formats of the game.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir share a light-hearted moment during a team bus conversation, and the video is winning hearts online! Watch the viral interaction between the two Indian cricket stars along with Team Indias visuals from the airport.

Arshdeep Singh delighted fans by showcasing a special dance dedicated to his girlfriend Samreen Kaur after claiming a wicket. He shared that these dance moves are a mood booster during tough times. His outstanding four-wicket haul was pivotal for India's bowling prowess, while Virat Kohli's steady batting led India to a five-wicket victory post-rain delay, putting them in the lead in their ODI series against New Zealand.

Tanvi Patri has made history by reaching the badminton final at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. She defeated Japan's Yuzuno Watanabe in a challenging three-game semifinal match. Previously, only three Indian players had attained similar success in this competition. Tanvi has previously won prestigious titles at the Badminton Asia U-17 Championships as well.

Melbourne Renegades achieved a four-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the Women's Big Bash League. The Hurricanes set a target of 155 runs, with Nicola Carey scoring a crucial 62 runs. In a dramatic final over, a wicketkeeping no-ball decision allowed the Renegades to win. Hayley Matthews contributed significantly with 59 runs despite a late collapse of the team.

Eden Park in Auckland has unveiled a special mural featuring Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Created in just 24-48 hours, the artwork celebrates India's connection with New Zealand and the players' impact on fans. Kohli and Rohit also signed the mural with special messages.

Tanvi Patri has etched her name in the record books by being the first Indian woman to reach the semifinals in badminton. Following an impressive win against Thailand's Kakanik Kungkaew, she previously dominated her group with three straight victories. Tanvi's upcoming match against Japan's Yuzuno Watanabe not only represents a chance for a gold medal but also highlights her bright future in the sport.

India delivered a stunning display of skill, overpowering South Korea 8-1 in the Asian Champions Trophy semi-final. With Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh each netting two goals and Harmanpreet Singh converting a key penalty corner, the team regained control after an early goal from their opponents. The momentum carried through the second quarter, as India continued to surge, setting up a final showdown against Japan.

Despite missing out on the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Priyansh Arya remains unfazed, determined to keep pushing for opportunities. The Delhi batter discusses his explosive white-ball game, competition with Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, his red-ball growth and his ambition to keep knocking on the door of India selection.

Rafael Nadal has been offered a position on Real Madrid's Board of Directors and has accepted the proposal. This appointment will be submitted for ratification by the club's General Assembly of Delegate Members. Nadal expressed his gratitude and excitement about contributing to the club's future. He remains active in public engagements following his retirement from professional tennis.

Virat Kohli delivered a brilliant knock as India defeated New Zealand in Auckland to take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series. From Kohli's impressive response to New Zealand's short-ball tactics to Anshul Kamboj's impactful performance, here's a breakdown of the key talking points. We also look at India's batting concerns, Shreyas Iyer's challenge and the possible role of a wrist spinner in Wellington.

India's Anshul Kamboj opens up about India's ODI win over New Zealand, adapting to bowling-friendly conditions at Eden Park, learning from his debut setback and his approach as an all-rounder. He also discusses the importance of sticking to the process, bowling partnerships and preparing for the challenges ahead.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has officially unveiled the schedule for the eagerly awaited fifth edition of the Women's Premier League. Kicking off on January 14, 2027, the tournament will take place across the vibrant cities of Vadodara and Mumbai. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will clash with the Mumbai Indians in the opening match.

PV Sindhu has ascended to the world No. 6 ranking in women's singles, her best position since December 2022. Her recent triumph at the Hylo Open in Germany, which marks her second title this season, showcases her impressive consistency. Notably, Sindhu is set to participate in the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China.