Sport

KL Rahul delivered a record-breaking performance in Rajkot, becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score an ODI century against New Zealand. Batting at number five, he steadied India’s innings after early setbacks, forging crucial partnerships with Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

PV Sindhu suffered a shock Round of 32 exit at the India Open 2026, losing in three games to Vietnam’s T.L. Nguyen. The defeat marked her earliest exit at the home tournament since 2023.

India batter Shreyas Iyer said he realised the seriousness of his spleen injury only after being hospitalised, describing it as excruciatingly painful. He spoke about his recovery, mindset since returning, and his on-field communication with Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli reclaimed the No. 1 position in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings for the first time since 2021 after a match-winning 93 against New Zealand in Vadodara, overtaking team-mate Rohit Sharma.

India brought in seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for the second ODI against New Zealand after the visitors opted to bowl at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. India lead the three-match series 1-0, while New Zealand handed a debut to left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox.

JioStar launched a campaign for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, featuring Women’s World Cup champions Rodrigues, Sharma, and Verma rallying the men’s team. India aims to defend its title, starting with matches against USA, Namibia, Pakistan, and Netherlands

Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League Season 3 returns to Ladakh from January 29–February 14, featuring 75 round-robin matches across men’s and women’s categories. The League promotes local talent, women’s participation, community development, and professional officiating in Himalayan ice hockey

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has directed all National Sports Federations to form dedicated Committees on International Relations and Make in India. These committees will enhance India’s global sports engagement and promote domestic sports manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat

India’s para badminton team kicks off its 2026 season at the SPIRO SPATHIS Egypt Para Badminton International in Cairo. Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam will compete in men’s singles and doubles, using the tournament to build form and momentum for the year

Australian cricket great Alyssa Healy announced her retirement from all formats following the upcoming multi-format home series against India. The 35-year-old ends a 15-year career marked by leadership success, multiple World Cup titles, and record-breaking performances

Olympic bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat toured Mumbai to connect with youth and akhada wrestlers ahead of the Pro Wrestling League starting January 16. His outreach highlighted grassroots wrestling as Tiigers of Mumbai Dangal prepare for their debut season

Kane Russell scored his third hat-trick of the season as HIL GC defeated Tamil Nadu Dragons 4-2 in Ranchi. Sam Ward added a goal, while Blake Govers and Uttam Singh scored for the Dragons, who suffered their first loss of the season

Medchal Urban defeated Ranga Reddy by five wickets in the Telangana Gold Cup cricket tournament, with V Kalyan scoring 75 and S Praneeth Reddy adding 70. Cyberabad also registered a convincing win, beating Vikarabad by 87 runs thanks to Narayanashetty Tejesh’s 75

Osmania University will conduct men’s cricket selections at Bhavan’s Vivekananda Degree and PG College, Sainikpuri, on January 17. The team chosen will represent OU in the South Zone Inter-university cricket championship scheduled in Mysuru from January 27

Khammam defeated Warangal by nine wickets in the Kaka Venkataswamy Memorial Telangana Inter-district T20 cricket tournament at Mahabubnagar. Vishal Yadav scored 71 not out. Nalgonda also registered a convincing 86-run win against Karimnagar in another match

P Shanvi has been named captain of Hyderabad for the BCCI Women’s under-15 one-day cricket championship knock-out matches starting January 14 in Puducherry. V Nikeshini will be vice-captain, with Prateeka Katravath as wicketkeeper in the 15-member squad

Hyderabad Cricket Association will organise the Telangana T20 League in February and March. The Governing Council has been announced, and HCA Acting President Sardar Daljeet Singh said the league will nurture local talent and strengthen Telangana’s cricketing ecosystem

Tanvi Sharma, Ashwini Bhat K, Shikha Gautam and Tharun Mannepalli were promoted to the India Open 2026 main draw after top players withdrew. Tanvi will debut against Wang Zhi Yi, while Tharun faces Kidambi Srikanth in men’s singles

Grace Harris smashed a 40-ball 85, including the fastest fifty of the season, to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a nine-wicket win over UP Warriorz in the WPL. Smriti Mandhana added 47 as RCB chased 144 in 12.1 overs

SG Pipers defeated Hyderabad Toofans 2-1 in Ranchi to claim their first win of the HIL 2025-26 season. Tomas Domene scored twice, while goalkeeper Tomas Santiago denied a late penalty stroke to secure victory despite Toofans’ relentless pressure

The Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026, a HSBC BWF Super 750 tournament, begins January 13 in Delhi. PV Sindhu, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy stressed its importance as a build-up to the BWF World Championships 2026, to be held at the same venue

India announced its Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers squad to face the Netherlands in Bengaluru on February 7–8. Sumit Nagal, Yuki Bhambri and Karan Singh will play, with Digvijay Singh in reserves. India qualified after defeating Switzerland in 2025

Sunshine defeated Mahesh CC by three wickets in the HCA C-Division one-day league quarterfinal. In the Under-14 multi-day probables, centuries by M. Dakshdeep and Mahaprasada powered Team C to a commanding position on the opening day.

C. Karthik Sai of Hyderabad clinched the Open prize-money chess tournament organised by A2H Chess Academy, scoring 4.5 points from five rounds. S. Srujan Keerthan finished second on tie-break, despite matching the winner’s score.