Sport

Defending champions Australia will lead Group A of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, alongside Sri Lanka, Ireland and Japan. The group features a blend of established contenders and emerging teams seeking a maiden title.

Hyderabad Toofans staged a superb second-half comeback to beat Ranchi Royals 3-2 in the Hero Hockey India League. After trailing 2-0 at halftime, goals from Amandeep Lakra, Nic Woods and Talwinder Singh sealed the win.

Indian rifle shooter Akhil Sheoran believes the franchise-based Shooting League of India could transform fan engagement and competitive preparation. With a mixed-team format and February window, the league aligns with India’s growing shooting ecosystem and preparations for major international events.

Mumbai Indians will enter the 2026 Women’s Premier League season with a significantly expanded sponsorship portfolio, reflecting growing commercial interest in women’s cricket. The roster includes leading global brands such as De Beers Group and BKT Tires, underlining the franchise’s premium positioning.

The referee stopped the bout between Nikhat and Ladakh's Kulsooma Bano in the first round due to the domination of the Telangana boxer

In the singles group stage, Yashansh Malik, Sanyog Kapali, and Jash Modi in men’s and Selena Selvakumar, Nithya Mani and Sampada Bhiwandikar in women's won their opening matches

In the A-Division two-league championship semifinal, Shashank Mehrotra cracked 168 for Deccan Wanderers against Evergreen

Prraneeth emerged winner in a field of 151 players from across the world with seven wins and a draw

Haryana’s dominance was underlined by strong performances across disciplines, with 13 gold medals in rifle, 14 in pistol, and four in shotgun events

The 69th National Under-17 Boys' Kabaddi Championship began on Wednesday at Edulla Bayyaram village in Kothagudem district. Organised by the School Games Federation and sponsored by Kandi Charitable Trust and Mouri Tech, the event was inaugurated by Ministers Vakiti Srihari and Seethakka, along with local MLAs and officials.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s mispronunciation of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal at a press conference announcing the resumption of the Indian Super League has sparked a political storm in West Bengal. His slip, phonetically resembling “baigan” (eggplant), went viral online and drew sharp criticism from the TMC.

Khammam registered a commanding 75-run win over Hyderabad in the Kaka Venkataswamy Memorial Inter-District T20 Championship at Siddipet, while Mahbubnagar edged past Warangal by four wickets in another match.

Santosh Hariharan clinched the open category title at the City Square Open and Children’s Chess Tournament held in Hyderabad, while young players impressed across multiple age-group categories in a competitive event showcasing emerging talent.

SBI Hyderabad Circle booked a semi-final berth in the All India SBI Inter-Circle Football Tournament with a commanding 4-0 victory over SBI Patna Circle in Bhubaneswar, registering its third consecutive win in the competition.

The ICC has announced the full schedule for the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026, to be held in Nepal from January 18 to February 1, with 10 teams competing for four World Cup spots.

Arjun Tendulkar, son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, will marry entrepreneur Saaniya Chandhok on March 5 in Mumbai. The intimate wedding celebrations will begin on March 3 and be attended by close family and friends.

BIG Academy, a hybrid learning-focused EdTech platform, was launched in Hyderabad with cricketer Yuvraj Singh announced as its brand ambassador. The academy aims to offer student-centric education combining technology, mentorship and mental well-being.

Sony Sports Network has been announced as the official broadcast partner for the Pro Wrestling League’s 2026 season. Returning after a seven-year hiatus, the league will feature six franchise teams and live coverage across television and digital platforms.

Women-focused helmet brand Tvarra announced Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues as an investor partner. She will help shape the brand’s vision, advocate responsible riding, and promote women’s safety. Tvarra plans offline retail expansion in 2026, beyond its current 600-city online presence

With four Associate nations competing in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, the ICC has highlighted four emerging players from Japan, Scotland, Tanzania and the USA who could make a strong impact at the tournament.

Indian shuttlers face challenging opening-round matches at the India Open Super 750 in New Delhi. Lakshya Sen meets Ayush Shetty in an all-Indian clash, while P V Sindhu opens against Vietnam’s Thuy Linh Nguyen.

Australian Open organisers announced a record AUD 111.5 million prize pool, a 16 per cent rise from last year. Singles winners will earn AUD 2.79 million, with increases across all rounds. The Grand Slam begins January 12 at Melbourne Park

The 69th SGF Under-17 Boys National Kabaddi Championship will be held in Kothagudem from January 7 to 11. As many as 33 teams from states, union territories and national institutions will compete, with meticulous arrangements made for players and officials

Lakshya Sen opened his season with a hard-fought win over Singapore’s Jason Teh at the Malaysia Open Super 750, advancing to the second round. Malvika Bansod lost her opener, while Ayush Shetty and M R Arjun-Hariharan Amsakarunan were set to play later