Haryana has suspended Rohtak’s District Sports Officer after two teenage basketball players died in separate pole-collapse accidents within 48 hours. The first death occurred in Bahadurgarh, followed by a similar incident in Rohtak. The 16-year-old Rohtak player, a national-level athlete, died after an iron pole fell on him during solo practice. State Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam has ordered a high-level review and strict inspections of all sports facilities. Officers must remove unsafe equipment, close risky buildings, and ensure personal accountability. The incidents have raised concerns over poor sports infrastructure and urgent reforms are expected in the coming days.

India’s proud home Test record has collapsed after a 2-0 series loss to South Africa, following a 3-0 defeat to New Zealand. The defeats have raised questions about coach Gautam Gambhir’s decisions on pitches and team selection. Critics say India looked confused and lacked fight. South Africa won the second Test by 408 runs, exposing India’s weak batting and poor temperament. Players like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant also struggled with basic errors. Analysts say young players were picked without enough domestic form, while key tactical calls backfired. India’s once-strong home advantage now looks lost. (PC: X)

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir faced tough questions after India lost the second Test against South Africa by 408 runs in Guwahati, completing a 0–2 series loss. This is his second home series whitewash, after a 0–3 defeat to New Zealand. When asked if he is still the right man for the job, Gambhir said, “It’s up to the BCCI to decide. Indian cricket is important, I am not important.” He highlighted past successes, including the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup wins, and said the young team is learning and improving under his guidance. (PC: X)

South Africa completed a 2-0 Test series whitewash over India after a commanding 408-run win in Guwahati. Simon Harmer took six wickets, dismantling India’s batting line-up. Captain Temba Bavuma led South Africa to their first series victory in India in 25 years, joining Hansie Cronje in history. Marco Jansen’s spectacular catch sealed India’s collapse at 140 in the second Test. Coach Shukri Conrad praised the team’s effort and discipline. South Africa’s spinners and seamers excelled in challenging conditions, and the team continued its strong run across South Asia, following wins in Bangladesh and Pakistan earlier this year. (PC: India Today)

Smriti Mandhana's father Srinivas has been discharged from the hospital after suffering a heart attack on Sunday, with doctors confirming no blockages were found during angiography. The medical emergency forced cricketer Smriti Mandhana and groom Palash Muchhal to postpone their scheduled Sunday wedding indefinitely. Despite Srinivas's recovery, neither family has announced a revised wedding date, triggering speculation after Smriti deleted all pre-wedding pictures and videos from Instagram. Her teammates also reportedly removed related content. Adding to concerns, Palash has been admitted to Mumbai's SVR Hospital due to stress from continuous travel for concerts and wedding preparations. Fans await clarity on both the wedding plans and Palash's health condition.

The UK and 32 other countries have expressed serious concern over the International Paralympic Committee's decision to lift suspensions on Russia and Belarus. IPC President Andrew Parsons explained the reinstatement wasn't linked to the Ukraine war but to reduced evidence of using Paralympic sport for promoting the conflict. The initial 2023 suspension occurred because both nations promoted what Russia called the "special operation" through Paralympic sports. Parsons noted that banning countries for launching wars isn't a breach of IPC constitution, despite government beliefs otherwise. Russia and Belarus were banned from Beijing 2022 Paralympics after Ukraine's invasion. However, no Russian or Belarusian teams will compete at Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics due to ongoing federation bans. (PC: Reuters)

India will face Pakistan in a major T20 World Cup 2026 match on February 15 in Colombo. Both teams are in Group A with USA, Namibia and Netherlands. India will open their campaign against USA on February 7 in Mumbai, followed by Namibia on February 12 in Delhi. After the Pakistan match, India will play the Netherlands on February 18 in Ahmedabad. The tournament starts on February 7 and the final is set for March 8 in Ahmedabad, but it will shift to Sri Lanka if Pakistan reach the title match. Matches will be hosted across India and Sri Lanka. (PC: NDTV)

Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal postponed their wedding after her father suffered a serious heart issue. Soon after, Smriti deleted all wedding posts from Instagram, which sparked online rumours. Unverified screenshots claiming to show Palash chatting with another woman began spreading on social media. More anonymous posts on Reddit accused him of flirting with a choreographer and even kissing another woman days before the engagement. None of the claims are confirmed. Fans have reacted strongly and are supporting Smriti. Both families have not spoken about the rumours and have asked for privacy due to health emergencies. (PC: X)

India struggled again in the second Test in Guwahati after South Africa set a massive target of 549. The pitch suddenly helped bowlers, and India lost both openers early. Yashasvi Jaiswal was hit on the fingers by a sharp bouncer from Marco Jansen, while Simon Harmer bowled KL Rahul with big turn. India ended Day 4 at 27 for 2, with Sai Sudharsan and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav unbeaten. South Africa had declared at 260 for 5 after building a strong lead. India now face a near-certain whitewash, with their batters lacking confidence throughout the series. (PC: India Today)

India’s women’s kabaddi team etched history by winning back-to-back Women’s Kabaddi World Cup titles, defeating Chinese Taipei 35–28 in Dhaka. Calm from the start, India’s defense absorbed early pressure while raiders struck with precision. Captain Ritu Negi controlled tempo, vice-captain Pushpa Rana delivered fearless raids, and teammates Champa Thakur, Bhawna Thakur, and Sakshi Sharma ensured consistency. Their semifinal against Iran was equally dominant, showcasing India’s supremacy. Coaches Tejaswi and Priyanka shaped a disciplined, united squad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the team’s grit and dedication, noting their victory will inspire youth to dream bigger. India’s women reaffirmed themselves as the undisputed queens of kabaddi.