The Times of India

New Zealands Tim Seifert and Finn Allen smashed an unbeaten 175-run opening stand to chase down UAEs 173/6 with a 10-wicket win in just 15.2 overs. Seifert made 89* and Allen 84*, dominating UAEs bowlers. Earlier, Muhammad Waseem (66 not out) and Alishan Sharafu (55) had lifted UAE to their highest T20 World Cup total, but NZs explosive chase sealed their second straight win.

Norway Chess has confirmed Alireza Firouzja for its 2026 event in Oslo, while India No. 1 Arjun Erigaisi is still not in the announced lineup. Firouzja, a former prodigy who became a GM at 14 and the youngest to reach 2800 rating, has twice played the Candidates and finished runner-up at Norway Chess before. India will be represented by world champion Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa, with more names to be revealed.

Bas de Leede delivered a match-winning all-round performance against Namibia in Delhi, a venue where he previously set an unwanted ODI record. His unbeaten 72 and two wickets secured Netherlands' first T20 World Cup win, erasing the memory of a tough outing against Australia in 2023.

Virat Kohli announced his T20I retirement after Indias seven-run win over South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, saying it was time for the next generation. He was Player of the Match for his 76 and finished with 4,188 T20I runs. India ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought with an unbeaten campaign, celebrated nationwide with major rewards and honours.

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych will compete with a black armband after the IOC granted an exception, but his custom helmet honoring fallen Ukrainian athletes was banned. Officials cited Olympic regulations against political statements, calling the armband a compromise. Heraskevych expressed confusion over the helmet's rejection, emphasizing it was a tribute to the Olympic family.

Bengal secured a commanding innings and 90-run victory over Andhra to advance to the Ranji Trophy semifinals. Sudip Kumar Gharami's exceptional 299 laid the foundation for Bengal's dominance. The team will now face Jammu and Kashmir in the next round. Shahbaz Ahmed's bowling proved crucial in dismantling Andhra's second innings.

Museum tour at the Wankhede Stadium | Ft. MCA President Ajinkya Naik

Former Pakistan bowler Mohammad Asif warns the national team against the United States in their upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 match, predicting another upset. He recalls the dramatic Super Over loss in the 2024 edition, where USA secured a historic victory. Asif believes history could repeat itself, putting Pakistan's campaign at risk.

Former captain Sourav Ganguly expressed his enthusiasm for India's upcoming T20 World Cup encounter against Pakistan on February 15. He believes India, a strong team, will pose a significant challenge. Ganguly also highlighted his admiration for Abhishek Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan within the current squad, noting the tournament's exciting start.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky backs skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych. Heraskevych faced a ban from the International Olympic Committee for his helmet design. The helmet featured portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia. Zelensky stated the helmet's message is a reminder of modern Russia's actions. Heraskevych aims to keep global attention on the conflict.

Bas de Leede starred with bat and ball as the Netherlands bounced back from their narrow loss to Pakistan to register their first win of the T20 World Cup, beating Namibia by seven wickets in Delhi. Asked to bat first, Namibia scored 156 for eight. In reply, Netherlands chased down the target of 157 in 18 overs

England cricketer Jos Buttler has lauded Indian prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling the 14-year-old the est player I've ever seen after his record-breaking 175 in the U-19 World Cup final. Sooryavanshi's explosive innings secured India's sixth title and ignited discussions about cricket's next generational superstar.

In a record-breaking deal, Walee Technologies has acquired the Multan Sultans for $8.8 million annually, making it the most expensive Pakistan Super League franchise. The team will be rebranded as Rawalpindi. This significant sale follows the PSL's expansion to eight teams and marks a new era for the league, with the former owner stepping down after disagreements with the PCB.

The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match is confirmed, averting significant financial losses. Back-channel talks between the ICC, PCB, and BCB secured the fixture's continuation. This clash is a commercial powerhouse, generating millions in advertising and impacting broadcast rights negotiations, making its potential cancellation a major concern for all stakeholders.

Pakistan face immense pressure in their T20 World Cup encounter against the United States, still haunted by a past upset. The American side, bolstered by a near-shock against India and insider knowledge from a former Pakistani player, feels confident. Pakistan, having narrowly escaped defeat in their opener, acknowledges the rising threat of emerging teams.

Fast bowler Harshit Rana underwent successful knee surgery on Monday, ruling him out of the T20 World Cup and a significant portion of the upcoming IPL season. The injury occurred during a warm-up match, and Rana will now begin rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

T20 World Cup: Lungi Ngidi press conference after South Africa vs Canada

National coach Jaspal Rana was sidelined from the Field of Play during Manu Bhaker's 25m pistol event due to a dress code violation. Despite this, Bhaker secured a silver medal. Meanwhile, a junior shooter named Anjali Bhagwat, inspired by the Olympian, clinched her first international bronze in the same event.

Dhakshineswar Suresh delivered crucial wins for India in the Davis Cup Qualifiers, notably defeating World No. 88 Jesper De Jong and Guy den Ouden with his powerful serve. The 25-year-old, standing 6'6, has honed his booming serve through years of consistent practice, a trademark that has seen him defeat several top-ranked opponents.

Gary Kirsten, the celebrated former India coach, is lending his expertise to Namibia as a consultant for the T20 World Cup. His presence brings a winning mentality and invaluable knowledge of Indian conditions. Captain Gerhard Erasmus highlights Kirsten's player-first approach, emphasising his ability to connect deeply with the squad, a crucial element for a team balancing aspirations with semi-professional realities.

Pakistan, after a shaky win against the Netherlands, faces a confident USA in their next T20 World Cup match. The USA, with roots in Pakistan, aims to replicate their past Super Over success. Pakistan's faltering middle order, including Babar Azam's struggles, remains a key concern as they prepare for this crucial encounter.

How PCB, ICC, BCB reached a resolution on India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match

Robot dogs will aid police in Mexico during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These robotic units will enter high-risk areas, sending live video to officers. This allows for remote assessment of situations. The robots can also issue commands via loudspeaker. Their deployment aims to protect police officers during confrontations. Guadalupe city council purchased these advanced machines for enhanced security.

India's T20 World Cup campaign faced an early jolt with a surprisingly difficult Wankhede pitch against the USA. The team management expressed displeasure to the BCCI, as the sluggish track challenged their aggressive batting plans. Team India prefers high-scoring games and must adapt to varying conditions to succeed in the tournament.

Dhumketu XI, featuring Mustafizur Rahman, clinched the Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup title after a thrilling seven-run victory over Durbar XI. Tanzid Hasan's unbeaten 88 was the cornerstone of Dhumketu's imposing 208/3. Despite strong efforts from Durbar's batsmen, Mustafizur's crucial wickets in the death overs secured the championship for his side.

Pakistan has agreed to play India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on February 15th in Colombo, reversing their boycott. This decision followed extensive talks involving the ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the directive, emphasising the outcomes of multilateral discussions and requests from friendly nations.

Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Al-Nassr is under scrutiny following a Saudi Pro League statement emphasizing no player is bigger than the club or league. This comes as Ronaldo missed recent matches amid reported frustration with club funding, particularly after rival Al-Hilal's signings. Despite his absence, Al-Nassr secured a key victory.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 14-year-old prodigy, stunned the cricketing world with a record-breaking 175 in the U19 World Cup final, leading India to victory. His performance has reignited the debate on fast-tracking young talents, with Shashi Tharoor drawing parallels to Sachin Tendulkar. However, ICC regulations prevent Sooryavanshi from playing international cricket until March 2026.

USA fast bowler Jasdeep Singh has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 with a shoulder injury sustained during a warm-up match against New Zealand. The ICC approved former Pakistan player Ehsan Adil as his replacement. Jasdeep, a key USA bowler with 54 ODI and 31 T20I wickets, was part of their historic 2024 World Cup win over Pakistan. His absence is a big setback for the team.

The BCCI's central contracts for 2025-26 see several prominent names like Mohammed Shami and Ishan Kishan excluded, with the A+ category abolished. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are moved to Group B, while Shubman Gill enters Group A alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. Sai Sudharsan is the sole new male entrant.

The standoff is over. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a U-turn over their boycott of the February 15 game against India at the T20 World Cup. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup will go ahead as scheduled.

Aiden Markram's explosive 59 powered South Africa to a commanding 213/4 against Canada. Despite a valiant 64 from Navneet Dhaliwal, Canada fell short, finishing at 156/8. Lungi Ngidi's 4/31 and a late surge from David Miller and Tristan Stubbs secured a dominant 57-run victory for the Proteas in their T20 World Cup opener.

Cricket's governing body, the ICC, met with Pakistan and Bangladesh boards. Discussions covered the T20 World Cup and South Asian cricket growth. Bangladesh will face no penalties for its absence from the recent T20 World Cup. The nation will also host an ICC event before 2031. This reaffirms Bangladesh's importance in global cricket.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has urged Pakistan to play the scheduled T20 World Cup match against India on February 15, saying it would serve the interests of the global cricket ecosystem. The appeal came after BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul's visit to Pakistan, where he praised the PCB for its support and sportsmanship.

Muhammad Zohaib was sent back from the UAE squad due to disciplinary issues, with the ECB refusing further comment. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem said India-Pakistan tensions do not affect his team, stressing unity among players of different nationalities. He praised coach Lalchand Rajputs guidance and said the team is well prepared for their match against New Zealand, drawing confidence from their historic 2023 win over them.

Associate teams have set the tone at the T20 World Cup, and Scott Edwards-led Netherlands will look to build on their strong showing against Pakistan when they face Gerhard Erasmus' Namibia in Delhi. While the Dutch may carry momentum from a high-intensity opener, Namibias consistency promises a closely-fought Group A encounter.

BCCI announced annual player contracts for Indias mens and womens teams for 202526. Grade A includes Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and women stars Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma. Senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in Grade B, signalling a shift toward younger players and a new phase in Indian cricket.

Punjab Kings have commenced their IPL preparations with an overseas training camp in Abu Dhabi, focusing on fitness and team cohesion. This follows a successful pre-season camp in Udaipur. The franchise aims to build on their strong 2025 runners-up finish, led by Shreyas Iyer, as they target their maiden IPL title.

Ian Bishop warned that England are a dangerous T20 World Cup team due to their powerful batting and strong bowling options. He praised players like Harry Brook, Jofra Archer, and Adil Rashid. England proved their strength by narrowly beating Nepal by four runs, with Jacob Bethell and Brook scoring key half-centuries and bowlers taking timely wickets to defend 184.

Zimbabwe dominated Oman in their T20 World Cup match, winning by eight wickets. Fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, and Brad Evans dismantled Omans batting to limit them to 103 runs. In reply, Brian Bennetts unbeaten 48 and Brendan Taylors 31 guided Zimbabwe to a comfortable chase in just over 13 overs. The win highlighted Zimbabwes strong bowling attack and Bennetts excellent form.

Indias presence on the BWF calendar has been cut, with the Syed Modi International downgraded to Super 100 and events in Guwahati and Odisha dropped, leaving just two tournaments. The India Open retains Super 750 status. BWF also announced major World Tour changes, higher prize money, new formats, and expanded competitions to boost global growth and player opportunities from 2027.

Nepal's cricket team gave a strong performance against England in their T20 World Cup debut. They narrowly missed a win, scoring just four runs less than England's 185. Nepali batters displayed impressive skills against world-class bowlers. Their passionate fans created a vibrant atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium. This close match highlights Nepal's growing presence in international cricket.

Italy captain Wayne Madsen is likely to miss the rest of the T20 World Cup league stage after dislocating his shoulder while fielding against Scotland. Coach John Davison said scans will determine his return but called it doubtful. Despite the setback, Italy showed fight in the chase, and Davison hopes Madsen can still travel with the team and help as part of the coaching staff.

Manu Bhaker secured a silver medal in the women's 25m pistol at the Asian Championship after a close shoot-off loss. Compatriot Esha Singh claimed bronze, while the Indian team, including Bhaker and Singh, dominated the team event to win gold. Naamya Kapoor also won junior gold in a tense shoot-off.

Former India batter Aakash Chopra urged the ICC and top nations to offer sustained opportunities to associate teams like Nepal, citing their thrilling T20 World Cup 2026 performance against England. He criticized token participation, emphasizing that genuine growth requires regular bilateral series and tournaments, not just fleeting applause after major events.

Arshi Gupta, a 9-year-old from Faridabad, became the youngest driver selected for the F1 Academys Discover Your Drive (DYD) programme. Noticing her early love for speed, her father guided her into karting, leading to international training and wins in the UAE, UK, and India. Her journey highlights not only her exceptional talent but also Indias limited motorsport infrastructure.