Indian cricketers Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah were notable absentees from the team's training session in Rajkot ahead of the third Test against England. While Bumrah is set to join the squad later, Gill arrived late on Monday night. Devdutt Padikkal and Akash Deep, also absent, are expected to join later in the evening. Gill's absence is attributed to his late arrival, with no injury concerns reported. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj had an intense training session, receiving batting lessons from captain Rohit Sharma. Yashasvi Jaiswal focused on leaving deliveries during his practice session.

Kenya mourns the loss of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana, killed in a road accident near Eldoret. Kiptum, 24, set the world record with a time of 2:00:35 in the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Tributes pour in from athletics world, with World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressing shock and sadness. Kiptum's manager and London Marathon organizers also offer condolences. Kenyan Olympians and political figures pay respects to the athlete hailed as a rising superstar. The tragic accident highlights the fragility of life and leaves a void in the world of marathon running.

Tragedy struck on the football field as a 35-year-old Indonesian player lost his life after being struck by lightning during a friendly match between 2 FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang. The distressing incident, captured on video, shook the Indonesian football community. This marks the second lightning-related fatality in the country within a year. Despite the match commencing under clear skies, weather conditions rapidly deteriorated, prompting discussions on safety measures during adverse weather. The incident underscores the inherent dangers posed by outdoor sports activities during inclement weather, urging authorities to prioritize player and spectator safety.

India's KL Rahul has been ruled out of the third Test match against England in Rajkot due to fitness concerns, with fellow Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal set to take his place. The BCCI medical team deemed Rahul unfit, opting to observe him for another week. Padikkal, in excellent form, replaces Rahul after scoring consistently in domestic and unofficial international matches. His flexibility in batting order adds depth to the team's lineup. The absence of key players like Rahul and Virat Kohli has posed challenges for the Indian team in the ongoing series.          

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan responded strongly to Pakistani fans' trolling after India's defeat to Australia in the U-19 World Cup final. Pathan criticized "keyboard warriors" across the border for finding pleasure in India's loss despite Pakistan not making it to the final. Australia's U-19 team outclassed India by 79 runs, with Pathan highlighting the negative attitude reflected by such trolling. Meanwhile, in the final, Australia set a record target of 253, and India's batting lineup faltered, ending at 174. Mahli Beardman's three-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match award.      

Ahead of the third Test match against England in Rajkot, the Indian cricket team has gathered at Sayaji Hotel, where captain Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul enjoy presidential suite accommodations. The team will relish Gujarati and Kathiyawadi cuisine, including delicacies like Fafda-Jalebi, Khakhra, and Khichdi Kadhi. Hotel director Urvesh Purohit expressed excitement about serving the players' favorites, with stars like Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and MS Dhoni known to appreciate Kathiyawadi dishes. Meanwhile, England players are set to arrive in Rajkot after a break in Abu Dhabi, aiming to reclaim the series lead after India's impressive victory in Vizag.

Australia clinched the U19 World Cup title, defeating India by 79 runs in a one-sided final. India's batting collapsed as Australia posted 253, their highest final total. Despite captain Uday Saharan's strong tournament performance, India's top-order failed. Australia's Mahli Beardman and Raf MacMillan took crucial wickets, restricting India to 174. It marks Australia's fourth U19 title and third successive win over India in ICC men's finals. The loss adds to India's recent final woes after defeats in the ICC Men's World Cup and ICC World Test Championship. Australia's captain Hugh Weibgen led from the front, sealing their long-awaited victory.

India's batting stalwart Virat Kohli will continue to be absent from the ongoing England Test series due to personal reasons, as confirmed by the BCCI. Meanwhile, middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has been axed following a series of low scores. The squad sees the return of injured duo Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul, pending fitness clearance. Additionally, newcomer Akash Deep replaces Saurabh Kumar. Sarfaraz Khan retains his spot despite not featuring in the playing XI previously. With the series leveled 1-1, India prepares for the third Test in Rajkot starting February 15, with the touring England team set to return from their break in Abu Dhabi.

Paris 2024 Olympics medals will showcase a unique touch with each medal containing a hexagonal chunk of iron from the Eiffel Tower. Organizers unveiled the revolutionary design, marking the first time a host city incorporates a famous monument into the medals. The iron pieces, weighing 18 grams each, were cut from parts of the iconic tower during renovations and polished for their second life. Designed by Paris jewelry house Chaumet, the medals also feature recycled gold, silver, or bronze disks around the iron pieces. The inclusion of the Eiffel Tower adds a historic and symbolic element to the prestigious Olympic medals.

Indian chess player Divya Deshmukh, 18, ignites discussion on sexism in chess through Instagram. Deshmukh, an International chess Master, addresses online comments focusing on appearance rather than skill. The post, following the Tata Steel Chess tournament, prompts support from tournament organizers. Sexism in chess, still under-discussed, impacts confidence of women players. Online trolling deepens stereotypes, affecting gender balance with only 10% of licensed players globally being women. Chess experts call for breaking socio-cultural barriers, promoting women's participation, and increasing women-only tournaments for a more equal chess environment. Deshmukh's post gains thousands of likes, highlighting the need for change.