The Times of India

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured an eight-wicket win against Delhi Capitals. Skipper Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a significant half-century. This victory marks RCB's fourth consecutive win, placing them at the top of the standings. Delhi Capitals, despite a strong innings from Shafali Verma, could not defend their total. RCB chased down the target comfortably, showcasing strong batting performances.

Vihaan Malhotra's brilliant 4/14 spell triggered a dramatic Bangladesh collapse, securing an 18-run DLS victory for India in a rain-hit Under 19 World Cup match. Despite a strong start in their chase, Bangladesh faltered against Malhotra's spin, falling short of the revised target. Earlier, Kundu and Sooryavanshi anchored India's innings.

The Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee was briefly delayed after climate activists from Extinction Rebellion dumped 2,025 kg of coal at the venue, accusing sponsor Tata Steel of pollution and sportswashing. Protesters highlighted alleged carbon and lead emissions, while organisers defended the events sporting and cultural value, urging respect and safety as the tournament resumed under heightened coordination with authorities.

Michael Carricks reign at Manchester United began in style as his side stunned Manchester City 2-0 in the Premier League, easing the gloom at Old Trafford. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a dominant derby win. Carrick called it a great start but stressed consistency. The victory lifted Uniteds Champions League hopes and extended Citys winless league run to four games.

Abhishek Dalhor takes first five-wicket haul in ISPL history

Bangladesh Cricket Board has formally requested the ICC to swap its T20 World Cup 2026 group with Ireland, aiming to play matches in Sri Lanka due to security concerns in India. The ICC delegation visited Dhaka to address these worries and advocate for the original schedule, but the board remains firm on its request.

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes Abhishek Sharma represents the fearless T20 brand India want to play at the upcoming World Cup. The 25-year-old, who topped ICC T20 rankings in 2025 with 859 runs, has earned praise from Suresh Raina and Cheteshwar Pujara for his aggressive intent, shot range and all-round scoring ability.

Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is set to host international and IPL cricket once again. The Karnataka Home Department has granted formal permission to the Karnataka State Cricket Association, ending a period of uncertainty following a tragic stampede during last year's IPL celebrations. This clearance allows the iconic venue to gradually rejoin the cricketing calendar, marking a return to normalcy.

The making of Cooper Connolly: Australias 22-year-old star

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name in history, becoming the youngest to score a fifty at the Men's U19 World Cup. His brilliant 72 anchored India's innings, crossing 1,000 Youth ODI runs. Despite a late collapse and rain interruptions, India posted 238, with Sooryavanshi's record-breaking knock stealing the show.

Indian boxing icon Vijender Singh has been appointed to the Asian Boxing Council, marking a key step in his transition from athlete to administrator. Indias first Olympic boxing medallist brings nearly two decades of elite experience. His inclusion is expected to add an athlete-first perspective to Asian boxing governance, with a focus on strengthening opportunities for Indian boxers.

Steve Smith's tactical decision to deny Babar Azam a single during a crucial power surge ultimately paid off as Smith smashed a record-breaking 32 runs in the subsequent over. Despite Babar's visible frustration, Smith's aggressive batting secured a five-wicket win for the Sydney Sixers, with Smith going on to score a century.

Pakistan stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan endured a tough BBL 2026, topping the list of the slowest batters with strike rates of 107.48 and 102.74. Babars frustration was visible after a mid-pitch clash with Steve Smith, before his dismissal. Rizwan, meanwhile, became the first overseas player in BBL history to be retired out, highlighting concerns over their T20 tempo.

India and Bangladesh U-19 captains notably skipped the customary handshake at the toss, reflecting strained bilateral relations. This follows a pattern seen in previous matches involving Indian teams and Pakistan. Recent political tensions between India and Bangladesh have also impacted cricket, with player releases and security concerns raised.

Ravindra Jadeja's ODI form is under scrutiny due to quiet performances with bat and ball, with recent numbers raising questions. Mohammad Kaif believes Axar Patel is a superior option in white-ball cricket, citing batting prowess and bowling versatility. Kaif also questioned team selection, advocating for Axar's inclusion over Nitish Kumar Reddy for better balance.

Mohammed Siraj press conference: gearing up for series decider vs New Zealand

Pacer Mohammed Siraj expressed full faith in Ravindra Jadeja's bowling ahead of the series decider, stating a single wicket will reignite his form. Siraj acknowledged missed chances cost India in the second ODI, particularly against Daryl Mitchell. He emphasized a healthy team environment despite the series being tied, and discussed bowling plans for the small Indore ground.

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Adrian Birrell press conference: 'We didn't quite get going with the bat' vs MICT

Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn has returned home after a severe bout of meningitis, which saw him placed in an induced coma for eight days. He described the experience as a stark reminder of life's fragility, expressing immense gratitude to medical staff, family, and friends for their unwavering support during his recovery.

George Linde press conference: On bonus point and impact of Kieron Pollard

The India Open Super 750 badminton tournament was marred by embarrassing venue failures, including dirty surroundings, bird droppings, and animal intrusions. While the Badminton Association of India organised the event, the Sports Authority of India, as the stadium's custodian, faces scrutiny for its role in the administrative neglect that exposed deep cracks in infrastructure management.

New Zealand secured a seven-wicket victory in the second ODI, highlighting concerns over Arshdeep Singh's continued exclusion from India's playing XI. Despite strong performances in previous series, the left-arm pacer has been benched, prompting debate about workload management versus maintaining player rhythm and form.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has shared a participation framework with ISL and I-League clubs for the much-delayed 2025-26 season in Indian football. The two proposals contrast sharply, and clubs are divided over the structure.

Rohit Sharma's aggressive batting approach, adopted after the 2022 T20 World Cup, has shifted to a more conservative style recently. While his overall average remains strong, his strike rate has seen a dip. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate attributes this to challenging pitches and limited recent match practice, not a conscious change in strategy.

MI Cape Town kept their SA20 playoff hopes alive with a tense three-wicket win over Sunrisers Eastern Cape at a packed Newlands. Trent Boult and Corbin Bosch starred with the ball before Reeza Hendricks anchored the chase. A late no-ball sealed the result as the defending champions moved to 14 points.

Virat Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav sought blessings at Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple before the series decider against New Zealand. Kuldeep shared his spiritual joy, hoping for divine grace for team performance. Kohli recently reclaimed the ODI batting top spot and became India's highest ODI scorer against New Zealand, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar.

Babar Azam's rare on-field frustration during a BBL clash was overshadowed by Steve Smith's record-breaking century. Smith's explosive Power Surge and unbeaten 110 guided the Sixers to a thrilling five-wicket victory, eclipsing David Warner's earlier ton. Babar's dismissal and subsequent bat smash drew criticism, but Smith's historic knock stole the show.

Cooper Connollys rise has been rapid. From a school classroom phone call notifying of a rookie contract to representing Australia in two U-19 World Cups, leading in one, to playing all three formats, bagging an IPL contract and now T20 World Cup selection, the 22-year-old reflects on family, reinvention, learning in India, batting versatility and the hunger that drives him.

England U19 secured a dramatic 37-run victory over Pakistan in their ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 opener. Despite a close contest, Pakistan's chase faltered, ending with a bizarre run-out of Ali Raza that sealed England's win. England posted 210, with Caleb Falconer scoring 66, before bowling Pakistan out for 173.

Former India coach WV Raman cautioned against overexposing 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the U-19 level, emphasizing long-term development over immediate success. Despite his IPL debut and strong performances, Raman believes this level might hinder his growth. Meanwhile, India began their U-19 World Cup campaign with a win against the USA, though Sooryavanshi had a quiet outing with the bat.

Manoj Tiwary has criticized Rohit Sharma's removal as ODI captain, suggesting head coach Gautam Gambhir influenced the decision. Tiwary believes selectors disrespected Rohit, who was performing well and led India to an ICC Champions Trophy win. He feels the move lacked cricketing logic and has diminished his interest in ODIs.

Saurashtra secured a commanding nine-wicket victory over Punjab to reach the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, thanks to Vishvaraj Jadeja's unbeaten 165. They will face Vidarbha in the title clash on January 18. Punjab's 291 was built on centuries from Anmolpreet Singh and Prabhsimran Singh, but Saurashtra's bowlers, led by Chetan Sakariya, contained them effectively.

Bird Poop, Monkeys & Smog: Inside the 2026 India Open Badminton Controversy

Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the T20I series against New Zealand due to a side strain, with Ravi Bishnoi named as his replacement. Shreyas Iyer also joins the squad for the first three T20Is, replacing the injured Tilak Varma. Iyer brings significant T20I and IPL experience to the Indian team.

Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt has strongly criticized the hygiene at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, calling conditions unacceptable after bird droppings disrupted matches at the India Open. Despite BWF assurances, she doubts the venue's readiness for the World Championships, citing ongoing issues with animals and cleanliness impacting player focus and fairness.

Babar Azam was left furious during a BBL match when teammate Steve Smith refused a simple run to keep strike in the Power Surge. The incident occurred in the 11th over and went viral. Smith later smashed a record 32-run over and scored 100. Babar was dismissed soon after in frustration, but the Sixers won comfortably, with Smith named Player of the Match.

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Will Young on record chase, Daryl Mitchell partnership & decider in Indore | IND vs NZ

Aaryan Varshney became Indias 92nd chess Grandmaster at 21, guided entirely by his father Gaurav, a single parent since Aaryan was five. With no coach, academies, or foreign training, Gaurav trained him at home using game analysis and ChessBase. Overcoming pandemic hurdles, Aaryan rose rapidly and now dreams of becoming a World Champion.

RCB have proposed installing 300350 AI-enabled cameras at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium and offered to fund the Rs 4.5 crore project to improve crowd safety. The move follows last years deadly stampede. Partnering with Staqu, RCB hopes to retain IPL matches at the venue, or else may shift home games elsewhere.

Ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand, KL Rahul visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple to seek Lord Shivas blessings. He offered prayers and worshipped Nandi. Rahul is in strong form after scoring an unbeaten 112 in the second ODI, though India lost and the series is tied 1-1. Coaches Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak also attended the Bhasma Aarti.

Bangladesh Cricketers Welfare Association president Mohammad Mithun faces death threats after advocating for players subjected to derogatory remarks. He insists his actions are solely for player welfare, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching. Mithun expressed shock at the threats, emphasizing his commitment to player rights and national interest, not politics.

David Warner smashed an unbeaten 110 in the BBL 2025-26 season. This century was his tenth in T20 cricket, surpassing Virat Kohli's nine. Warner's performance also marked his eighth century in the current BBL season, a new record. The match also saw Mitchell Starc's return to the BBL after eleven seasons. Sam Curran took three wickets for the Sydney Sixers.

While Virat Kohli shines with consecutive fifties, Rohit Sharma faces scrutiny in the ongoing ODI series. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate attributes Sharma's recent modest scores to challenging pitch conditions and a lack of recent match practice, emphasising his team-first approach and overall strong ODI record.