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)

The ICC has rejected Bangladesh's request to relocate their T20 World Cup matches from India, instructing them to play as scheduled or face point forfeitures. The decision follows escalating tensions after the BCCI directed Kolkata Knight Riders to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL amid political backlash over reported violence against minorities in Bangladesh. The BCB raised security concerns for their players and cited Pakistan's hybrid model participation as precedent. Bangladesh has since banned IPL broadcasts domestically. While the ICC conveyed its decision in a virtual meeting, the BCB claims no official communication has been received. Mustafizur has joined Pakistan Super League, and uncertainty continues as Bangladesh hasn't confirmed its next steps. (PC: AP)

India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad was overlooked for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand despite scoring a century in the previous series versus South Africa, triggering debate over selection choices. Former India player Robin Uthappa advised Gaikwad to persevere, saying success in Indian cricket demands resilience — especially for players outside major centres like Mumbai, Delhi and Punjab. Gaikwad, who debuted in ODIs in 2022, has had limited opportunities and was left out after Shreyas Iyer’s return from injury. Critics argue consistent runs and patience remain key for his India comeback. (PC: HT)

Joe Root’s form since 2021 has moved him near Sachin Tendulkar’s long-held Test runs record. He has scored 24 centuries in the last five years and has averaged above 55 in each season. Root is now less than 2,000 runs behind Tendulkar. His career has also been helped by strong fitness, with few injuries since his Test debut in 2012. This has allowed him to play most matches each year. England’s heavy Test schedule gives him steady chances to add more runs. At 35, Root already has close to 14,000 Test runs, more than Tendulkar had at the same age. (PC: HT)

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the Indian Super League will resume February 14 with all 14 clubs participating after being paused due to absence of commercial partner. The tournament will feature 91 matches in single-leg round-robin format on home-and-away basis. Participating clubs include Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammaden FC, Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, SC Delhi, Bengaluru FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC, and Inter Kashi. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey revealed a Rs 25 crore central pool for ISL conduct, with AIFF contributing Rs 14 crore. The I-League will also resume simultaneously with 11 clubs playing 55 matches.