The Times of India

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.

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal says his divorce from Dhanashree Verma is a closed chapter, emotionally settled once legal proceedings ended. Choosing peace over bitterness, he says both have moved on happily. Unfazed by rumours, dating speculation, or online trolling, Chahal focuses on personal growth, maturity, and moving forward without resentment.

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced strong criticism of the team management's handling of Arshdeep Singh, who has been overlooked for the first two ODIs against New Zealand. Ashwin emphasized the detrimental impact on a player's confidence and argued Arshdeep's consistent performances warrant automatic selection, questioning the logic of his late inclusion.

Virat Kohli's return to the No. 1 ODI batting ranking was marred by an ICC error regarding his days at the top. Initially stated as 825 days, the figure was corrected to 1,547 days, placing him third all-time and first among Indians. This correction followed a backlash from fans and statisticians.

Riyan Parag, one of the early picks in Gautam Gambhirs coaching era, is nearing full fitness after a shoulder injury layoff. Currently training at the BCCIs Centre of Excellence, the all-rounder has resumed full-intensity bowling and batting. With injuries hitting Indias white-ball setup, Parag could re-enter contention pending clearance.

Bangladesh cricket in turmoil: What it means for the T20 World Cup?

A Rs 100 crore defamation suit has been filed against actress Khushi Mukherjee by social media personality Faizan Ansari. Ansari alleges Mukherjee's remarks about T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav were false and damaging. Mukherjee claims her comments were misinterpreted and denies any romantic involvement, stating any past communication was friendly and limited.

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Ottneil Baartman press conference: On missing out of T20 World Cup squad | SA20

Canadian Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse, visiting Mumbai as ambassador for the Tata Mumbai Marathon, reflected on his journey from an accidental runner to a seven-time Olympic medallist. He discussed his iconic race against Usain Bolt, his favourite win at the Pan Am Games, and his ambition to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The ICC is expected to visit Bangladesh for discussions regarding the national team's participation in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Bangladesh's sports ministry and cricket board are firm on not traveling to India due to security concerns, insisting matches be played only in Sri Lanka. Dialogue continues to explore solutions.

Ottneil Baartmans sensational hat-trick and five-wicket haul powered Paarl Royals to a bonus-point win over Pretoria Capitals, sealing a playoff berth and top spot in the SA20 standings. Sikandar Raza chipped in with key wickets as the Capitals were bowled out for 127, a target the Royals chased comfortably.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, a seam-bowling allrounder, remains a puzzle for the Indian team management despite being seen as a key player. Captain Shubman Gill and others have shown reluctance to give him a significant role, raising questions about his future. Selectors aim to develop him as a backup for Hardik Pandya ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

All-rounder Washington Sundar's side strain is more serious than initially thought, casting doubt on his availability for the T20 World Cup's initial stages. The team management is preparing backup plans, with a decision on his participation pending a full medical assessment. Other injury concerns also loom for the Indian squad.

Indian cricket coach Gautam Gambhir sought blessings at Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple before the crucial ODI series decider against New Zealand. He participated in the Bhasma Aarti and expressed contentment with the temple's arrangements. The three-match series is currently tied at 1-1, with the final match set to determine the winner.

Bangladesh cricketers ended their boycott of the BPL 2025-26 after controversial director Najmul Islam issued a public apology and was removed from his finance committee role. The standoff, triggered by Najmul's remarks about Tamim Iqbal and player compensation, saw matches postponed. Players agreed to return to action following a meeting with the BCB and CWAB.

Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan sparked online ridicule by choosing Ahmed Shehzad over cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag in a questionnaire. Farhan cited Shehzad as an inspiration for his own cricket journey. Former Pakistan cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal expressed disbelief and apologized for Farhan's controversial selection.

Cricketer Manoj Tiwary expressed deep hurt over Mary Kom's public statements about her ex-husband, Karung Onkholer Kom, highlighting the crucial role of a support system for athletes. Tiwari emphasized the importance of mutual contribution in relationships and voiced concern for Onkholer's mental well-being following the public dispute over alleged financial misconduct.

Harleen Deol's unbeaten 64 guided UP Warriorz to their first WPL 2026 win, defeating defending champions Mumbai Indians by seven wickets. Deol's stellar performance anchored the chase after Mumbai's Nat Sciver-Brunt's 65 had earlier propelled them to 161 for five. UPW sealed the target with seven wickets in hand.

Englands Ashes defeat in Australia was shaped as much by selection conservatism as on-field execution. Like India before them, they prioritised batting depth over wicket-taking firepower, rarely playing four frontline fast bowlers.

The Badminton World Federation acknowledged player concerns at the India Open Super 750, citing seasonal challenges like haze and indoor air quality. Despite issues including bird droppings and a monkey sighting, the BWF maintained the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex is a significant upgrade and capable of hosting major events, with insights guiding future improvements.

Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) stated players will return to cricket if BCB director M Najmul Islam issues a public apology and his removal process progresses. Players reconsidered their boycott, citing the impact on national teams and the importance of the Bangladesh Premier League.

Henil Patel's spectacular five-wicket haul powered India U19 to a commanding six-wicket victory over USA U19 in their World Cup opener. Despite a rain delay, India successfully chased a revised target, with Abhigyan Kundu's unbeaten 42 guiding them home. Patel's bowling brilliance set the tone, restricting the USA to a mere 107.

Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz expressed deep disappointment over BCB director M Nazmul Islam's recent comments, which he believes fuel a misleading narrative about player compensation and disrespect the team's efforts. Miraz emphasized that player earnings are generated through performance and participation in tournaments, not from taxpayers' money, highlighting the financial realities of the sport.

South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt has been named ICC Women's Player of the Month for December after a stellar performance. She led her team to series victories against Ireland, scoring three centuries across T20I and ODI formats, including an unbeaten 115 in a T20I and back-to-back ODI centuries. This marks her second Player of the Month award in three months.

Because of the delayed start to the season, Indian clubs will not be able to complete the mandatory 24 matches across the top-tier league and domestic cup required for direct entry into AFC club competitions.

Mitchell Starc has been crowned ICC Men's Player of the Month for December, celebrating his stellar Ashes performance. The Australian speedster claimed 16 wickets and amassed 139 runs in December alone, contributing significantly to his team's iconic series victory. Starc's all-round prowess was key, earning him this prestigious award over strong contenders like Justin Greaves and Jacob Duffy.

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India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged Nitish Kumar Reddy's struggle to impress despite opportunities, while noting Rohit Sharma's lack of recent match practice. The team might have misjudged conditions, potentially needing an extra spinner. KL Rahul's strong form offers batting order flexibility, and Ravindra Jadeja's bowling is deemed improving despite recent wicket scarcity.

Bangladesh Cricket Board director M Nazmul Islam has been removed from all his duties. This decision came after cricketers demanded his resignation. The controversy erupted over his remarks regarding player remuneration and the country's potential withdrawal from the T20 World Cup. Players threatened to boycott cricket if he did not step down.

India's T20 World Cup hopes face a significant setback as all-rounder Washington Sundar is battling a serious injury. He is set to miss the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand and faces a race against time for the World Cup. A thorough assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence will determine his recovery timeline.

With the Candidates Tournament approaching, seasoned chess titans Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and Anish Giri face what could be their final realistic shot at the world chess title. Despite their experience, younger players' vigour and complete skillsets pose a significant challenge, making this a pivotal moment for the established stars.

Hardik Pandya's festive kite-flying with Mahieka Sharma in Jaipur went viral, sparking discussions about his fitness. Despite being sidelined from the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand due to bowling workload concerns, Pandya showcased strong all-round form in domestic cricket. He is expected to return for the upcoming T20I series, crucial for India's T20 World Cup preparations.