Sport

Sjoerd Marijne has been reappointed as India women’s hockey coach, five years after guiding the team to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics. His first major challenge will be the World Cup qualifiers in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14

The men’s Hockey India League 2026 begins in Chennai with Tamil Nadu Dragons facing Hyderabad Toofans in the opener. The league features eight teams, top Indian and foreign stars, and a new round-robin format before the final in Bhubaneswar on January 26

Selectors meet to pick India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series starting January 11 in Vadodara. Pant’s role as wicketkeeper and Siraj’s return to the pace attack are key talking points, with Sarfaraz Khan and Padikkal also in contention

Hyderabad defeated Vidarbha by 20 runs in the BCCI Women’s Under-15 one-day cricket championship first-round match at Vizianagaram. Arya Nandanwar starred with four wickets, while K Deekshaja’s three-wicket haul could not prevent Vidarbha’s defeat

Sportive CC defeated Khammam by five wickets, while Ensconse outplayed Apex in the HCA B-Division T-20 cricket quarterfinals. CPS Karthikeya and Siddharth Rao starred for Sportive, while Junai Ali’s unbeaten 65 powered Ensconse to a quick chase

Gowtham Model School stormed into the HCA Inter-schools and District Under-14 cricket final with a 234-run win over Academic Heights Public School, thanks to centuries from Akhileshwar and Sai Vaibhav. The Sarrornagar unit beat Pallavi Model School in the other semi-final

Adilabad defeated Medak by four wickets, while Karimnagar outplayed Hyderabad in the Kaka Venkataswamy Memorial T-20 cricket tournament. Sai Krishna starred for Adilabad with 38 runs, while Shuanik’s four-wicket haul could not save Hyderabad

The Ice Skating Association of Telangana ended a successful campaign at the Short Track Ice Skating Open in Delhi. With 52 skaters competing after a six-day camp, the team secured podium finishes under the guidance of coach Mohammad Abdul Quadeer and Jitender Kumar

The WTT Youth Contender 2026 began in Vadodara with strong performances from Divyanshi Bhowmik, Syndrela Das, Miku Matsushima and Tanishka Kalbhairav in U-17 girls singles. Ritvik Gupta and Ved Panchal impressed in boys’ U-17, while Divija Paul dominated U-13 girls

Haryana’s Ameerah Arshad won gold in the 10m Air Rifle Women final, while Uttar Pradesh’s Zuhair Khan clinched the men’s trap title at the 68th National Shooting Championships. Karnataka’s Tilottama Sen secured a golden double in junior and youth women’s events

M Vinay of Karimnagar and M Mallika of Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri won the men’s and women’s titles in the 11th Telangana State cross country championship at GMC Balayogi Stadium, Hyderabad. The meet also saw strong performances across boys and girls categories

Sai Anshitha Puvvala from Telangana secured second place in the Under-9 Girls category at the 14th National School Championship held in Guwahati, Assam, from December 27 to 31, 2025.

Gowtham Model School (West Marredpally) thrashed Academic Heights Public School by 234 runs in the HCA under-14 cricket championship, with centuries from Akhileshwar and G Sai Vaibhav. Gowtham World School (Sarrornagar) also advanced after beating Pallavi Model School by seven wickets

Gowtham Model School (West Marredpally) thrashed Academic Heights Public School by 234 runs in the HCA under-14 one-day cricket championship, thanks to centuries from Akhileshwar and G Sai Vaibhav. Gowtham World School (Sarrornagar) also advanced with a seven-wicket win

World Cup gold medallist Niraj Kumar, who won silver at the 68th National Shooting Championships, said the Shooting League of India will help popularise the sport, inspire young athletes and assure parents that shooting offers a sustainable career path.

The Congress government has restricted public access to Srisailam and Jurala reservoir data ahead of an Assembly debate on the Palamuru–Rangareddy project, drawing criticism over transparency and allegations of avoiding scrutiny on irrigation and water management.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has been granted a wildcard entry into the 2026 Australian Open, marking her first appearance in Melbourne since 2021. At 45, she is set to become the oldest woman to compete in the main draw.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have ordered a preliminary enquiry after a south Kashmir cricketer wore a helmet displaying the Palestinian flag during a private cricket tournament match in Jammu, citing sensitivity and possible public order implications.

Jammu and Kashmir Police ordered a preliminary enquiry after a cricketer from south Kashmir wore a helmet bearing the Palestinian flag during a private cricket league match in Jammu. Authorities cited sensitivity and possible public order implications

Australian opener Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, using the moment to reflect on his career and openly criticise racial stereotyping and criticism he faced as a Pakistan-born Muslim player

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open, marking her return to Melbourne Park at age 45 and making her the oldest woman to compete in the tournament’s main draw

Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya criticised Shah Rukh Khan over KKR signing Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026, citing attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and urging the Indian government to take a firm stand.

Australia named an unchanged squad for the final Ashes Test at the SCG starting January 4. Usman Khawaja is set to play amid retirement rumours, while Beau Webster could replace Cameron Green as Australia aim to finish the series strongly

Ravichandran Ashwin has raised doubts about the survival of ODI cricket beyond the 2027 World Cup, citing the rise of T20 leagues and ICC’s frequent tournaments. He suggested limiting ODIs to the World Cup every four years to keep relevance