India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill is set to lead the team in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, marking his return after a two-month injury layoff caused by a neck problem suffered during the South Africa Test series. Gill, 26, who has played only three T20Is recently, said the series is crucial for preparing for the 2027 50-over World Cup and to assess player roles. He also highlighted the value of veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the squad. Despite being omitted from the T20 World Cup squad, Gill remains committed to his leadership role. (PC: Reuters)

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar surprised Jemimah Rodrigues with a bat-shaped guitar in Mumbai. He then joined her for a duet, keeping a promise made during India’s Women’s World Cup campaign. Jemimah was delighted as she opened the custom-made gift. The two sat together and sang “Yeh Dosti,” a famous song from Sholay. Jemimah later shared the moment online and wrote, “Sunil sir kept his promise.” The meeting happened just before the start of the Women’s Premier League. (PC: Jemimah Rodrigues/Instagram)

Bangladesh Cricket Board finance committee chairman M Nazmul Islam sparked controversy by calling former captain Tamim Iqbal "an Indian agent" on Facebook after Tamim advised against emotional decision-making regarding T20 World Cup participation in India. Current and former players, including Taskin Ahmed, Mominul Haque, and Taijul Islam, condemned the remark. The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) expressed shock, calling it "utterly condemnable" and insulting to the cricketing community. CWAB submitted a protest letter demanding a public apology and accountability. The controversy erupted after Bangladesh requested the ICC to move T20 World Cup matches out of India following BCCI's instruction to KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman without explanation. (PC: NDTV)

India batter Tilak Varma has been ruled out of the first three T20 Internationals against New Zealand, starting January 21, after undergoing surgery for an abdominal/groin issue in Rajkot, confirmed by the BCCI. He was discharged from hospital and is now stable and recovering, but will resume training only after full symptom resolution and healing. The board said his availability for the final two matches of the five-game series will be assessed based on his progress during return-to-training and skill phases. His absence is a setback for India’s T20I plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup. (PC: PTI)

Haryana Police registered a case against national shooting coach Ankush Bharadwaj for allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old national-level shooter in Faridabad. The incident occurred on December 16, 2025, after the athlete competed at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in South Delhi. The FIR alleges Bharadwaj asked the minor to meet him at his Surajkund hotel to review performance, then persuaded her to his room where the assault occurred. He allegedly threatened to harm her career and family if she disclosed the incident. The case was registered under POCSO Act Section 6 and BNS Section 351(2) following the victim's mother's complaint. The National Rifle Association of India suspended Bharadwaj pending inquiry. (PC:  Instagram/ankush597)

Bangladesh has said it will not play its T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked the International Cricket Council to shift their matches to a neutral venue. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said the issue is not just about safety but also national dignity. “We do not want to play at the cost of national humiliation,” he said. Bangladesh wants to play in Sri Lanka instead. The row follows Mustafizur Rahman’s release from IPL side KKR after security concerns were raised. (PC: PTI)

Arjun Tendulkar is set to marry fiancée Saaniya Chandhok in a three-day ceremony from March 3-5, 2026, according to Times of India reports. The wedding will be an intimate, private affair with a curated guest list comprising family, close friends, and select cricket community members. The couple got engaged in August 2025 in a low-key ceremony, with Sachin Tendulkar confirming the news during a Reddit AMA. Saaniya Chandhok is an entrepreneur and designated Partner-Director at Mr Paws Pet Spa & Store LLP. She's the granddaughter of industrialist Ravi Ghai, head of Graviss Group, which manages Mumbai's Intercontinental Hotel and recorded Rs 624 crore revenues in FY23-24. (PC: Instagram)

India's Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya sparked widespread ridicule after mispronouncing Mohun Bagan and East Bengal—two of India's most iconic football clubs during a crucial ISL press conference on January 6, 2026. The minister was announcing that the stalled ISL 2025-26 season would resume February 14 with all 14 clubs participating, ending months of uncertainty. However, his pronunciation gaffes calling them "Mohan Baigan" and "East Baigan" instantly overshadowed the positive announcement and became viral on social media. The slip-up triggered backlash and reopened questions about football awareness at top government levels. Mandaviya appeared alongside AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and club representatives during the announcement meant to signal stability for Indian football.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has publicly addressed its recent communication with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding security concerns for the national team at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India. The issue followed controversy over pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL release, prompting Bangladesh to request their four World Cup matches be moved to co-host Sri Lanka. The ICC reportedly assured commitment to Bangladesh’s full participation and expressed willingness to collaborate on addressing safety issues, according to BCB. Both parties continue discussions to find a workable solution ahead of the February tournament.

Indian sports presenter Ridhima Pathak has said she withdrew from the Bangladesh Premier League hosting panel by choice and was not removed. Her statement comes after media reports in Bangladesh claimed she had been dropped from the show. Pathak said the decision was personal and linked to the present political climate between the two countries. She added that her nation comes first and that she values the game more than any single job. The row follows growing tension after the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman, leading Bangladesh to ban IPL telecasts and seek to shift its T20 World Cup matches from India. (PC: NDTV)