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January 2026 ODIs saw power-hitting take centre stage as a few batters dominated the six-hitting charts. Big scores, fearless strokeplay and timely maximums highlighted how clearing the ropes has become a key weapon in modern ODI cricket.

January 2026 ODIs saw power-hitting take centre stage as a few batters dominated the six-hitting charts. Big scores, fearless strokeplay and timely maximums highlighted how clearing the ropes has become a key weapon in modern ODI cricket.

Meet 5 batters with most sixes in Jan 2026: SHOCKING! Harshit Rana ahead of Virat and Rohit

In California's Santa Clara, a superhero showed up to the city council meeting to berate officials about letting US President Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) man the city during the Super Bowl next month. During the public comments section of Tuesday’s (Jan 27) meeting, a man dressed head to toe as Batman stepped up to the microphone and launched into a furious rant about immigration enforcement and the upcoming Super Bowl.<h2>'Ker-pow...What the f*ck are we doing?'</h2>The Caped Crusader opened his statement with a dramatic “Ker-pow!” and slammed his fist on the lectern. Dropping an expletive, the man identified only as Batman, demanded to know what city officials were doing to protect residents.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/sometimes-people-need-a-dictator-trump-stuns-davos-after-greenland-rant-1769047692322">Sometimes people 'need a dictator’: Trump stuns Davos with sinister threat after Greenland rant</a>'What the f*ck are we doing?' he asked. The city is set to host the Super Bowl next month, where the New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks on February 8. But for Batman, football was not the real issue. “You have had months to prepare for this upcoming event,” he told councillors. “People are dying on our streets every single day in this country because we allow this federal government to walk all over you.”Watch video here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Gay Batman has a meltdown in front of City Council over ICE coming to Santa Clara <a href="https://t.co/JhoC0I9peq">pic.twitter.com/JhoC0I9peq</a>&mdash; End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) <a href="https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/2016938752577269769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

His anger was directed at reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, could be involved in security operations around the Super Bowl. “You need to affirm that no city resources will go to ICE,” he said. “That no cooperation will be given to them.” The man’s real identity remains unknown. On the council’s speaker list, he was simply logged as “Batman”, with a digital timer counting down his slot like any other resident.<h2>Why ICE is in the spotlight</h2>The outburst comes as tensions in the United States remain high following the deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis this month, both shot by federal agents during operations linked to ICE and Border Patrol.Those incidents have fuelled widespread protests and renewed anger over immigration enforcement tactics, especially in cities that describe themselves as immigrant-friendly.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/shot-dying-then-insulted-disturbing-video-shows-ice-agent-mutter-crude-slur-after-killing-renee-nicole-good-fucking-bitch-jonathan-ross-1768018859463">'Fu**ing b***h': Disturbing video shows ICE agent mutter crude slur after killing Renee Good</a><h2>The Super Bowl controversy</h2>The question of ICE and the Super Bowl first surfaced publicly last year, after Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser at the Department of Homeland Security, criticised the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny as the halftime performer. Lewandowski accused the Puerto Rican star of “hating America” and used the moment to argue that there should be no “safe havens” for undocumented migrants. “Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else,” he said at the time.While no official plan has been published confirming ICE patrols inside the stadium, federal agencies typically play some role in major event security.

A man dressed as Batman stormed a Santa Clara city council meeting, ranting against plans for ICE involvement during Super Bowl security. Shouting “Ker-pow” and demanding no city cooperation with federal agents, he blasted officials and said…

In California's Santa Clara, a superhero showed up to the city council meeting to berate officials about letting US President Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) man the city during the Super Bowl next month. During the public comments section of Tuesday’s (Jan 27) meeting, a man dressed head to toe as Batman stepped up to the microphone and launched into a furious rant about immigration enforcement and the upcoming Super Bowl. 'Ker-pow...What the f*ck are we doing?' The Caped Crusader opened his statement with a dramatic “Ker-pow!” and slammed his fist on the lectern. Dropping an expletive, the man identified only as Batman, demanded to know what city officials were doing to protect residents. Also read | Sometimes people 'need a dictator’: Trump stuns Davos with sinister threat after Greenland rant 'What the f*ck are we doing?' he asked. The city is set to host the Super Bowl next month, where the New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks on February 8. But for Batman, football was not the real issue. “You have had months to prepare for this upcoming event,” he told councillors. “People are dying on our streets every single day in this country because we allow this federal government to walk all over you.” Watch video here:

A man dressed as Batman stormed a Santa Clara city council meeting, ranting against plans for ICE involvement during Super Bowl security. Shouting “Ker-pow” and demanding no city cooperation with federal agents, he blasted officials and said…

'What the f*ck are we doing?': Batman storms Santa Clara city council meeting to rage against ICE, Super Bowl | Watch

Bangladesh has found itself in a position of hypocrisy after it recently allowed its shooting team to travel to India, just days after the country’s cricket team refused to tour the same nation, citing safety concerns. This decision ultimately cost Bangladesh a place at the T20 World Cup 2026. The Bangladesh cricket team was dropped from the T20 World Cup, scheduled for India from February 7 to March 8, after the board made it clear that the team would not travel due to security concerns.&nbsp;&nbsp;The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka, stating that independent security reports had cleared India as a safe host and that a late change in schedule was not possible. Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the tournament.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/betrayal-or-memory-loss-how-bcci-once-backed-bangladesh-to-gain-test-status-in-2000-1769440768780">Betrayal or memory loss? How BCCI once backed Bangladesh to gain Test status in 2000</a>&nbsp;However, shortly after the ICC’s decision, Bangladesh approved a three-member shooting contingent to compete in the Asian Shooting Championships in New Delhi next month. The squad includes shooter Robiul Islam, his coach Sharmin Akhter and jury member Saima Feroze. The event will be held in the Indian capital from February 2 to 14.&nbsp;The decision has raised questions over the differing standards applied to two national teams travelling to the same country within days of each other. Confirming Bangladesh’s participation, National Rifle Association of India secretary-general Pawan Singh said the process had been underway well in advance.&nbsp;“Bangladesh’s participation was confirmed a month ago. Our applications for clearances for all nations have been in process for almost three months,” Singh was quoted saying to Reuters.&nbsp;Singh added that the Bangladesh contingent did not seek any additional security measures for their stay in India. “The Bangladesh team has come to our tournaments many times, so they know our strict protocols well. Maybe that’s why they are confident and have not made any special requests,” he said.&nbsp;He also highlighted that shooting competitions follow global sporting rules. “We have to follow ISSF norms as a sport and comply with the IOC charter, and as NRAI, we have always received support from the government,” Singh added.&nbsp;The Asian Shooting Confederation, which is organising the championship, has not responded to requests for comment.&nbsp;The contrasting decisions by Bangladesh have labelled the move as double standards, raising serious questions over whether the claimed security threats for the cricket team were real or politically motivated.

Days after refusing to travel to India for the T20 World Cup citing concerns, the Bangladesh shooting team has made a sharp U-turn and is now set to visit India, sparking debate and criticism.

Bangladesh has found itself in a position of hypocrisy after it recently allowed its shooting team to travel to India, just days after the country’s cricket team refused to tour the same nation, citing safety concerns. This decision ultimately cost Bangladesh a place at the T20 World Cup 2026. The Bangladesh cricket team was dropped from the T20 World Cup, scheduled for India from February 7 to March 8, after the board made it clear that the team would not travel due to security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka, stating that independent security reports had cleared India as a safe host and that a late change in schedule was not possible. Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the tournament. Also read | Betrayal or memory loss? How BCCI once backed Bangladesh to gain Test status in 2000 However, shortly after the ICC’s decision, Bangladesh approved a three-member shooting contingent to compete in the Asian Shooting Championships in New Delhi next month. The squad includes shooter Robiul Islam, his coach Sharmin Akhter and jury member Saima Feroze. The event will be held in the Indian capital from February 2 to 14. The decision has raised questions over the differing standards applied to two national teams travelling to the same country within days of each other. Confirming Bangladesh’s participation, National Rifle Association of India secretary-general Pawan Singh said the process had been underway well in advance. “Bangladesh’s participation was confirmed a month ago. Our applications for clearances for all nations have been in process for almost three months,” Singh was quoted saying to Reuters. Singh added that the Bangladesh contingent did not seek any additional security measures for their stay in India. “The Bangladesh team has come to our tournaments many times, so they know our strict protocols well. Maybe that’s why they are confident and have not made any special requests,” he said. He also highlighted that shooting competitions follow global sporting rules. “We have to follow ISSF norms as a sport and comply with the IOC charter, and as NRAI, we have always received support from the government,” Singh added. The Asian Shooting Confederation, which is organising the championship, has not responded to requests for comment. The contrasting decisions by Bangladesh have labelled the move as double standards, raising serious questions over whether the claimed security threats for the cricket team were real or politically motivated.

Days after refusing to travel to India for the T20 World Cup, citing concerns, the Bangladesh shooting team has made a sharp U-turn and is now set to visit India, sparking debate and criticism.

‘If hypocrisy had a face’: Bangladesh shooting team to visit India days after refusing T20 World Cup travel

A blazing century from Quinton de Kock and a quick half-century from Ryan Rickelton guided South Africa to an easy seven-wicket win over West Indies in the second T20I at Supersport Park in Centurion. With this victory, the Proteas sealed the three-match series. Batting first, West Indies put up a strong total of 221 for four in 20 overs. Shimron Hetmyer was the top scorer with an impressive 75 off 42 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Sherfane Rutherford remained unbeaten on 57, while Brandon King contributed 49 runs, helping their team post a challenging score.&nbsp;For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj was the most successful bowler, picking up two wickets for 22 runs in his four overs. Kagiso Rabada (1/35) and Marco Jansen (1/39) took one wicket each. However, Anrich Nortje had a tough outing, giving away 59 runs in three overs without taking a wicket.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/peers-gadecki-retain-mixed-doubles-crown-at-australian-open-2026-1769745977884">Peers, Gadecki retain mixed doubles crown at Australian Open 2026</a>&nbsp;Chasing 222, South Africa lost their captain Aiden Markram early, as he was dismissed for just 15 runs by Matthew Forde. After that, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton took control of the chase. De Kock played a sensational knock of 115 runs off just 49 balls, smashing six fours and ten sixes. While, Rickelton supported him well with a quick 77 not out from 36 deliveries, including nine fours and three sixes. The Proteas completed the target with 15 balls to spare.&nbsp;For West Indies, Akeal Hosein claimed two wickets for 41 runs, while Matthew Forde took one for 34. The rest of the bowlers struggled to stop the flow of runs as the Proteas batters dominated the chase.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-didn-t-feel-respected-yuvraj-singh-reveals-reason-behind-his-retirement-1769742180822">'Didn’t feel respected': Yuvraj Singh reveals reason behind his retirement</a>&nbsp;Quinton de Kock was named Player of the Match for his match-winning century. The third and final T20I between South Africa and West Indies will be played on Jan 31 at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Quinton de Kock was named Player of the Match for his match-winning century. The third and final T20I between South Africa and West Indies will be played on Jan 31 at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

A blazing century from Quinton de Kock and a quick half-century from Ryan Rickelton guided South Africa to an easy seven-wicket win over West Indies in the second T20I at Supersport Park in Centurion. With this victory, the Proteas sealed the three-match series. Batting first, West Indies put up a strong total of 221 for four in 20 overs. Shimron Hetmyer was the top scorer with an impressive 75 off 42 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Sherfane Rutherford remained unbeaten on 57, while Brandon King contributed 49 runs, helping their team post a challenging score. For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj was the most successful bowler, picking up two wickets for 22 runs in his four overs. Kagiso Rabada (1/35) and Marco Jansen (1/39) took one wicket each. However, Anrich Nortje had a tough outing, giving away 59 runs in three overs without taking a wicket. Also Read - Peers, Gadecki retain mixed doubles crown at Australian Open 2026 Chasing 222, South Africa lost their captain Aiden Markram early, as he was dismissed for just 15 runs by Matthew Forde. After that, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton took control of the chase. De Kock played a sensational knock of 115 runs off just 49 balls, smashing six fours and ten sixes. While, Rickelton supported him well with a quick 77 not out from 36 deliveries, including nine fours and three sixes. The Proteas completed the target with 15 balls to spare. For West Indies, Akeal Hosein claimed two wickets for 41 runs, while Matthew Forde took one for 34. The rest of the bowlers struggled to stop the flow of runs as the Proteas batters dominated the chase. Also Read - 'Didn’t feel respected': Yuvraj Singh reveals reason behind his retirement Quinton de Kock was named Player of the Match for his match-winning century. The third and final T20I between South Africa and West Indies will be played on Jan 31 at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Quinton de Kock was named Player of the Match for his match-winning century. The third and final T20I between South Africa and West Indies will be played on Jan 31 at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

SA vs WI, 2nd T20I: De Kock, Rickelton power Proteas to 7-wicket win, seal series

Wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki defeated France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard in a close mixed doubles final at Rod Laver Arena on Friday (Jan 30). The French pair won the first set 6-4, but Peers and Gadecki fought back to take the second set 6-3, forcing a match tiebreak. In a tense finish, the Australians held their nerve to win the tiebreak 10-8. Peers and Gadecki spent much of the match trying to recover from early setbacks. They appeared under pressure when they trailed 7-5 in the match tiebreak, but they raised their game at the right time and won five of the final six points to secure the title.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ao-2026-you-went-uh-aya-sabalenka-s-semis-win-vs-svitolina-mired-by-hinderance-call-controversy-1769695877548">AO 2026 | 'You went, Uh-aya': Sabalenka's semis win vs Svitolina mired by hinderance call controversy</a>&nbsp;Gadecki was especially impressive in the closing moments, striking cleanly from the baseline, while the French pair struggled under pressure near the end.&nbsp;With the victory, Peers and Gadecki became the first pair to win back-to-back Australian Open mixed doubles titles since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh in 1988-89. They also became the first Australian duo to win the title in consecutive years at Melbourne Park since Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher did so in 1963-64.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-2026-elena-rybakina-sweeps-jessica-pegula-in-straight-sets-to-face-aryna-sabalenka-in-repeat-of-2023-final-1769686332883">Australian Open 2026: Rybakina sweeps past Pegula in straight sets, to face Sabalenka in repeat of 2023 final</a> The win marked Peers’ third grand slam mixed doubles title. He previously won the US Open mixed doubles in 2022 with Storm Sanders. Peers has also enjoyed success in men’s doubles, winning the Australian Open in 2017 with Henri Kontinen and claimed Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games alongside Matthew Ebden.&nbsp;&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

With the victory, Peers and Gadecki became the first pair to win back-to-back Australian Open mixed doubles titles since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh in 1988-89.

Wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki defeated France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard in a close mixed doubles final at Rod Laver Arena on Friday (Jan 30). The French pair won the first set 6-4, but Peers and Gadecki fought back to take the second set 6-3, forcing a match tiebreak. In a tense finish, the Australians held their nerve to win the tiebreak 10-8. Peers and Gadecki spent much of the match trying to recover from early setbacks. They appeared under pressure when they trailed 7-5 in the match tiebreak, but they raised their game at the right time and won five of the final six points to secure the title. Also Read - AO 2026 | 'You went, Uh-aya': Sabalenka's semis win vs Svitolina mired by hinderance call controversy Gadecki was especially impressive in the closing moments, striking cleanly from the baseline, while the French pair struggled under pressure near the end. With the victory, Peers and Gadecki became the first pair to win back-to-back Australian Open mixed doubles titles since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh in 1988-89. They also became the first Australian duo to win the title in consecutive years at Melbourne Park since Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher did so in 1963-64. Also Read - Australian Open 2026: Rybakina sweeps past Pegula in straight sets, to face Sabalenka in repeat of 2023 final The win marked Peers’ third grand slam mixed doubles title. He previously won the US Open mixed doubles in 2022 with Storm Sanders. Peers has also enjoyed success in men’s doubles, winning the Australian Open in 2017 with Henri Kontinen and claimed Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games alongside Matthew Ebden. With inputs from agencies

With the victory, Peers and Gadecki became the first pair to win back-to-back Australian Open mixed doubles titles since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh in 1988-89.

Peers, Gadecki retain mixed doubles crown at Australian Open 2026

Yuvraj Singh is regarded as one of India’s greatest cricketers and played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and the ODI World Cup win in 2011. He was also named Player of the Tournament in 2011 under captain MS Dhoni. However, after battling cancer, his career never returned to the same level and in June 2019, he retired from international cricket after missing out on selection for the World Cup squad. Yuvraj last played for India in an ODI against West Indies in June 2017 and after that, he was not selected again. Nearly seven years after retiring, he has now spoken openly about why he decided to quit and expressed that he felt he was no longer respected or supported, which made him step away from the game.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ex-india-men-s-hockey-team-coach-michael-nobbs-passes-away-after-prolonged-illness-1769706080651">Ex-India hockey team coach Michael Nobbs passes away after prolonged illness</a>&nbsp;While speaking on a podcast with former tennis player Sania Mirza, Yuvraj shared that he kept asking himself why he was playing when he was not enjoying it. He felt mentally and physically exhausted and believed he could not give more. Once he stopped playing, he finally felt like himself again.&nbsp;"I was not enjoying my game. I had a feeling that why am I playing cricket when I'm not enjoying it? I was not feeling supported. I was not feeling respected," Yuvraj said.&nbsp;"And I felt, why do I need to do this when I don't have this? Why am I lingering on to something that I'm not enjoying? Why do I need to play? To prove what? I can't do more than this, mentally or physically, and it was hurting me. And the day I stopped, I was myself again," he added.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wpl-2026-rcb-dent-up-warriorz-s-playoff-hopes-clinch-one-sided-contest-by-eight-wickets-1769712499493">WPL 2026: RCB dent UP Warriorz's Playoff hopes, clinch one-sided contest by eight wickets</a>&nbsp;Yuvraj also spoke about facing doubts earlier in life. He recalled an incident from his teenage years when someone made a comment about his ability. While it did not affect him much, but his father, Yograj Singh was deeply hurt by it.&nbsp;Yuvraj Singh made his India debut in 2000 and went on to serve the national team for 18 years. He represented India in 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20Is, scoring 1,900, 8,701 and 1,177 runs respectively. During his time in international cricket, he registered 17 centuries and 71 half-centuries.

Yuvraj Singh will always be remembered as a cricketing hero, but his words show that his retirement was strongly linked to his mental health, not just his performance on the field.

Yuvraj Singh is regarded as one of India’s greatest cricketers and played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and the ODI World Cup win in 2011. He was also named Player of the Tournament in 2011 under captain MS Dhoni. However, after battling cancer, his career never returned to the same level and in June 2019, he retired from international cricket after missing out on selection for the World Cup squad. Yuvraj last played for India in an ODI against West Indies in June 2017 and after that, he was not selected again. Nearly seven years after retiring, he has now spoken openly about why he decided to quit and expressed that he felt he was no longer respected or supported, which made him step away from the game. Also Read - Ex-India hockey team coach Michael Nobbs passes away after prolonged illness While speaking on a podcast with former tennis player Sania Mirza, Yuvraj shared that he kept asking himself why he was playing when he was not enjoying it. He felt mentally and physically exhausted and believed he could not give more. Once he stopped playing, he finally felt like himself again. "I was not enjoying my game. I had a feeling that why am I playing cricket when I'm not enjoying it? I was not feeling supported. I was not feeling respected," Yuvraj said. "And I felt, why do I need to do this when I don't have this? Why am I lingering on to something that I'm not enjoying? Why do I need to play? To prove what? I can't do more than this, mentally or physically, and it was hurting me. And the day I stopped, I was myself again," he added. Also Read - WPL 2026: RCB dent UP Warriorz's Playoff hopes, clinch one-sided contest by eight wickets Yuvraj also spoke about facing doubts earlier in life. He recalled an incident from his teenage years when someone made a comment about his ability. While it did not affect him much, but his father, Yograj Singh was deeply hurt by it. Yuvraj Singh made his India debut in 2000 and went on to serve the national team for 18 years. He represented India in 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20Is, scoring 1,900, 8,701 and 1,177 runs respectively. During his time in international cricket, he registered 17 centuries and 71 half-centuries.

Yuvraj Singh will always be remembered as a cricketing hero, but his words show that his retirement was strongly linked to his mental health, not just his performance on the field.

'Didn’t feel respected': Yuvraj Singh reveals reason behind his retirement

After suffering two consecutive defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are back to winning ways as they thrashed UP Warriroz by eight wickets in the 18th fixture of the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. With this victory, the Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued to stay at the top with 12 points to their name in eight matches. They have six wins and two losses, with a Net Run Rate of +1.247. Meg Lanning's UP Warriorz are languishing at the bottom of the points table with just four points in seven matches. They have suffered five defeats and secured two wins at a Net Run Rate of -1.146. After being asked to bat first, UP Warriorz were restricted to 143/8 in 20 overs. All-rounder Deepti Sharma and captain Meg Lanning stitched a crucial 74-run stand for the opening wicket for the Warriorz. This was also UP Warriorz's first 50-plus partnership for the first wicket this season. Captain Lanning departed after scoring 41 runs off 30 deliveries, with six fours and one six. Amy Jones had a dismal outing, scoring just one run.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a> Harleen Deol (14) didn't convert her start, whereas Chloe Tryon departed for just six runs. Deepti Sharma completed her half-century in 40 deliveries, which is also the joint-most 50-plus scores for the UP Warriorz alongside Tahila McGrath (4). The all-rounder played a fighting knock of 55 runs off 43 balls, with six fours and one six as UP Warriorz crossed the 140-run mark. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Lauren Bell (1/21), Shreyanka Patil (1/27), and Grace Harris (2/22) had decent outings with the ball. The star performer with the ball was Nadine de Klerk, who picked up a four-wicket haul (4/22), which broke the back of the UP Warriorz batting attack after a brilliant opening partnership.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a> Chasing 144 runs, Captain Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris stitched a match-winning 108-run partnership for the opening wicket. Mandhana also became the joint-most player to be involved in the most century stands in the tournament's history alongside Nat Sciver-Brunt (5). The elite list also includes Meg Lanning (4), Shafali Verma (4), and Hayley Matthews (4). Grace Harris departed after playing a blistering knock of 75 off 37 balls, with 13 fours and two sixes. Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down the 144-run target in just 13.1 overs. Captain Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 54 off 27 balls, with eight fours and two sixes, as the one-time WPL champion registered a dominating eight-wicket win. For UP Warriorz, Shikha Pandey (1/36) and Asha Sobhana (1/24) were among the wicket-takers.&nbsp;(With Inputs from Agencies)

With this victory, the Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued to stay at the top with 12 points to their name in eight matches. They have six wins and two losses, with a Net Run Rate of +1.247.

After suffering two consecutive defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are back to winning ways as they thrashed UP Warriroz by eight wickets in the 18th fixture of the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. With this victory, the Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued to stay at the top with 12 points to their name in eight matches. They have six wins and two losses, with a Net Run Rate of +1.247. Meg Lanning's UP Warriorz are languishing at the bottom of the points table with just four points in seven matches. They have suffered five defeats and secured two wins at a Net Run Rate of -1.146. After being asked to bat first, UP Warriorz were restricted to 143/8 in 20 overs. All-rounder Deepti Sharma and captain Meg Lanning stitched a crucial 74-run stand for the opening wicket for the Warriorz. This was also UP Warriorz's first 50-plus partnership for the first wicket this season. Captain Lanning departed after scoring 41 runs off 30 deliveries, with six fours and one six. Amy Jones had a dismal outing, scoring just one run. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds Harleen Deol (14) didn't convert her start, whereas Chloe Tryon departed for just six runs. Deepti Sharma completed her half-century in 40 deliveries, which is also the joint-most 50-plus scores for the UP Warriorz alongside Tahila McGrath (4). The all-rounder played a fighting knock of 55 runs off 43 balls, with six fours and one six as UP Warriorz crossed the 140-run mark. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Lauren Bell (1/21), Shreyanka Patil (1/27), and Grace Harris (2/22) had decent outings with the ball. The star performer with the ball was Nadine de Klerk, who picked up a four-wicket haul (4/22), which broke the back of the UP Warriorz batting attack after a brilliant opening partnership. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Chasing 144 runs, Captain Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris stitched a match-winning 108-run partnership for the opening wicket. Mandhana also became the joint-most player to be involved in the most century stands in the tournament's history alongside Nat Sciver-Brunt (5). The elite list also includes Meg Lanning (4), Shafali Verma (4), and Hayley Matthews (4). Grace Harris departed after playing a blistering knock of 75 off 37 balls, with 13 fours and two sixes. Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down the 144-run target in just 13.1 overs. Captain Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 54 off 27 balls, with eight fours and two sixes, as the one-time WPL champion registered a dominating eight-wicket win. For UP Warriorz, Shikha Pandey (1/36) and Asha Sobhana (1/24) were among the wicket-takers. (With Inputs from Agencies)

With this victory, the Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued to stay at the top with 12 points to their name in eight matches. They have six wins and two losses, with a Net Run Rate of +1.247.

WPL 2026: RCB dent UP Warriorz's Playoff hopes, clinch one-sided contest by eight wickets

Delhi Dangal Warriors sealed a spectacular semi-final berth with a 5-4 win over Punjab Royals in the final league match of the Pro Wrestling League 2026 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Thursday (Jan 29). Delhi stunned Punjab with an outright win to secure second place, ruling out technical interference in their journey to the final four.&nbsp;&nbsp;Delhi’s decisive moment arrived in the eighth tie of the match, where Player of the Match Turan Bayramov produced a dominant performance to outclass U23 Asian Champion, Chandermohan and level the tie at 4–4, effectively securing Delhi’s place in the last four. Earlier, Fighter of the Match Ana Godinez kept Punjab firmly in contention with a high-quality win in the women’s 62kg contest, ensuring the contest went down to the wire. Punjab Royals, already assured of a semi-final berth with six points, began the tie strongly in the 76kg women’s category as Priya Malik edged Anastasiya Alpyeeva 2–0 in a disciplined tactical contest. Delhi responded emphatically in the 86kg men’s category through Vafaeipour Hadi Bakhtiar, who overwhelmed Sandeep Maan with relentless offense to register a commanding 20–7 win and bring the tie level. Delhi then surged ahead as captain Sujeet Kalkal delivered a composed 10–1 victory over Anuj Kumar in the 65kg men’s tie, before Shubham Kaushik followed up with a clinical 9–0 shutout against Chirag Chhikara to extend Delhi’s advantage to 3–1. Punjab pulled one back in the 57kg women’s category through Rajnita Jangra, who dictated proceedings against Karla Godinez Gonzalez to claim a 5–1 win.&nbsp;The momentum swung again in the 62kg women’s bout, where Ana Godinez produced one of the standout contests of the night. Godinez opened up a decisive lead with a massive five-point throw in the first period and, despite resistance from Anjli in the second period, held her nerve to secure an 11–7 win and level the team score at 3–3.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Punjab then moved ahead for the first time since the opening contest as Meenakshi dominated Saarika in the 53kg women’s contest, forcing an injury stoppage after building a commanding lead to make it 4–3 in Punjab’s favour.&nbsp;With Delhi’s semi-final hopes hanging in the balance, Turan Bayramov delivered when it mattered most. Facing U23 Asian Asian champion Chandermohan in the 74kg men’s bout, Bayramov absorbed early pressure before unleashing a scoring burst of takedowns and exposures across both periods, powering to an emphatic 18–8 victory to draw Delhi level at 4–4 and confirm qualification.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;The final bout was decided by forfeit in the 125kg men’s category, handing Ronak the win and sealing a 5–4 triumph for Delhi Dangal Warriors.&nbsp;With this result, Delhi secures their semi-final berth and second place finish with six points and 24 bout wins, while Punjab Royals also advance, having already confirmed qualification earlier with six points. They finished fourth in the league stage with 23 bout wins.&nbsp;(Inputs from Agencies)

Delhi’s decisive moment arrived in the eighth tie of the match, where Player of the Match Turan Bayramov produced a dominant performance to outclass U23 Asian Champion, Chandermohan and level the tie at 4–4, effectively securing Delhi’s place in the last four.

Delhi Dangal Warriors sealed a spectacular semi-final berth with a 5-4 win over Punjab Royals in the final league match of the Pro Wrestling League 2026 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Thursday (Jan 29). Delhi stunned Punjab with an outright win to secure second place, ruling out technical interference in their journey to the final four. Delhi’s decisive moment arrived in the eighth tie of the match, where Player of the Match Turan Bayramov produced a dominant performance to outclass U23 Asian Champion, Chandermohan and level the tie at 4–4, effectively securing Delhi’s place in the last four. Earlier, Fighter of the Match Ana Godinez kept Punjab firmly in contention with a high-quality win in the women’s 62kg contest, ensuring the contest went down to the wire. Punjab Royals, already assured of a semi-final berth with six points, began the tie strongly in the 76kg women’s category as Priya Malik edged Anastasiya Alpyeeva 2–0 in a disciplined tactical contest. Delhi responded emphatically in the 86kg men’s category through Vafaeipour Hadi Bakhtiar, who overwhelmed Sandeep Maan with relentless offense to register a commanding 20–7 win and bring the tie level. Delhi then surged ahead as captain Sujeet Kalkal delivered a composed 10–1 victory over Anuj Kumar in the 65kg men’s tie, before Shubham Kaushik followed up with a clinical 9–0 shutout against Chirag Chhikara to extend Delhi’s advantage to 3–1. Punjab pulled one back in the 57kg women’s category through Rajnita Jangra, who dictated proceedings against Karla Godinez Gonzalez to claim a 5–1 win. The momentum swung again in the 62kg women’s bout, where Ana Godinez produced one of the standout contests of the night. Godinez opened up a decisive lead with a massive five-point throw in the first period and, despite resistance from Anjli in the second period, held her nerve to secure an 11–7 win and level the team score at 3–3. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Punjab then moved ahead for the first time since the opening contest as Meenakshi dominated Saarika in the 53kg women’s contest, forcing an injury stoppage after building a commanding lead to make it 4–3 in Punjab’s favour. With Delhi’s semi-final hopes hanging in the balance, Turan Bayramov delivered when it mattered most. Facing U23 Asian Asian champion Chandermohan in the 74kg men’s bout, Bayramov absorbed early pressure before unleashing a scoring burst of takedowns and exposures across both periods, powering to an emphatic 18–8 victory to draw Delhi level at 4–4 and confirm qualification. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds The final bout was decided by forfeit in the 125kg men’s category, handing Ronak the win and sealing a 5–4 triumph for Delhi Dangal Warriors. With this result, Delhi secures their semi-final berth and second place finish with six points and 24 bout wins, while Punjab Royals also advance, having already confirmed qualification earlier with six points. They finished fourth in the league stage with 23 bout wins. (Inputs from Agencies)

Delhi’s decisive moment arrived in the eighth tie of the match, where Player of the Match Turan Bayramov produced a dominant performance to outclass U23 Asian Champion, Chandermohan and level the tie at 4–4, effectively securing Delhi’s place in the last four.

PWL 2026: Bayramov leads Delhi Dangal Warriors into semifinals with dramatic win

Former India Hockey team coach and ex-Australia international Michael Nobbs passed away on Thursday (Jan 29) after a prolonged illness, which came as sad news for the fraternity. Nobbs, who served the Indian men’s side during the 2012 London Olympics, was a legend of the game and played 76 international matches for his country. At the time of his passing, Nobbs was 72 with his playing career spanning from 1979 to 1985.<h2>Nobbs passes away</h2>"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael's family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport,” said Hockey Australia in a statement.&nbsp;Nobbs was a popular figure in the Indian hockey circuit, having become the coach of the national side in June 2011 until July 2013. He was pivotal in the Indian team’s return to the Olympics and played a crucial role in the qualification campaign. He took over the charge of the Indian side when things were going downhill.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;India famously missed out on qualification for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, with pressure on Nobbs to bring back glory days for the nation. The build-up to his tenure was not smooth as India missed out on winning the gold medal in the 2010 Asian Games, therefore, missing out on direct qualification to the London Olympics.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;However, Nobbs successfully blended formulae to help India win qualification rounds for the London Olympics, which were held on home soil in Feb 2012. While success eluded India on the turf, Nobbs played a key role in building India's future and drafting young talent on the field.&nbsp;That paid dividends for the Indian side in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to Covid-19) and the 2024 Paris Olympics. India won bronze medals at both tournaments, ending a 41-year wait for the glory.

Michael Nobbs, who served the Indian men’s side during the 2012 London Olympics, was a legend of the game and played 76 international matches for his country. At the time of his passing, Nobbs was 72 with his playing career spanning from 1979 to 1985.

Former India Hockey team coach and ex-Australia international Michael Nobbs passed away on Thursday (Jan 29) after a prolonged illness, which came as sad news for the fraternity. Nobbs, who served the Indian men’s side during the 2012 London Olympics, was a legend of the game and played 76 international matches for his country. At the time of his passing, Nobbs was 72 with his playing career spanning from 1979 to 1985. Nobbs passes away "Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael's family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport,” said Hockey Australia in a statement. Nobbs was a popular figure in the Indian hockey circuit, having become the coach of the national side in June 2011 until July 2013. He was pivotal in the Indian team’s return to the Olympics and played a crucial role in the qualification campaign. He took over the charge of the Indian side when things were going downhill. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli India famously missed out on qualification for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, with pressure on Nobbs to bring back glory days for the nation. The build-up to his tenure was not smooth as India missed out on winning the gold medal in the 2010 Asian Games, therefore, missing out on direct qualification to the London Olympics. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds However, Nobbs successfully blended formulae to help India win qualification rounds for the London Olympics, which were held on home soil in Feb 2012. While success eluded India on the turf, Nobbs played a key role in building India's future and drafting young talent on the field. That paid dividends for the Indian side in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to Covid-19) and the 2024 Paris Olympics. India won bronze medals at both tournaments, ending a 41-year wait for the glory.

Michael Nobbs, who served the Indian men’s side during the 2012 London Olympics, was a legend of the game and played 76 international matches for his country. At the time of his passing, Nobbs was 72 with his playing career spanning from 1979 to 1985.

Ex-India men's hockey team coach Michael Nobbs passes away after prolonged illness

Running has evolved into far more than a solo fitness habit. Across cities and communities, it brings people together, through running clubs, charity events, and informal park meetups, creating connections that extend well beyond the miles covered. It’s an activity that welcomes everyone, regardless of age or background, offering motivation, shared purpose, and a strong sense of belonging. Beyond the social aspect, running plays a major role in supporting overall well-being. Regular participation helps improve heart health, manage stress, and boost mental resilience. When combined with the encouragement of a community, it becomes easier to stay consistent and committed, making running a powerful tool for both physical and emotional health.&nbsp;In that same spirit of inclusivity and impact, the Wings for Life World Run, organised by Red Bull, is set to return in 2026. This global charity race stands apart from traditional running events thanks to its innovative format and meaningful cause. Registration for the upcoming edition is now open, with a bonus: runners who sign up before January 30 can secure an additional free entry.<h2>When will the 2026 Wings for Life World Run take place?</h2>The 2026 race will be held worldwide on May 10, starting simultaneously across all participating locations at 4:30 pm GMT.<h2>Who is leading the event in 2026?</h2>Legendary athlete Colin Jackson, two-time World Champion and Olympic silver medallist in the 110m hurdles, serves as the International Sports Director for the Wings for Life World Run.<h2>What makes this race different?</h2>Unlike conventional races, the Wings for Life World Run has no set finish line. Instead, participants are chased by a Catcher Car that begins moving 30 minutes after the start. Once the car overtakes a runner, their race comes to an end. This unique setup ensures that runners of all abilities, from elite athletes to beginners, can compete together on equal footing.&nbsp;What’s more, runners across the globe all start at the exact same moment, making it a truly unified international experience, whether participants are running under the sun or after dark. Participants can choose to run at an official event location or take part from anywhere using the Wings for Life World Run App, which features a Virtual Catcher Car and live audio updates. This flexibility makes it one of the most accessible running events in the world.<h2>Understanding the Catcher Car</h2>The Catcher Car acts as a mobile finish line, gradually increasing its speed as it pursues runners from behind. Major race locations feature a real vehicle, while app-based participants experience a virtual version that tracks progress and signals when the car is approaching.

A global race with no finish line: Wings for Life World Run 2026 is back

Running has evolved into far more than a solo fitness habit. Across cities and communities, it brings people together, through running clubs, charity events, and informal park meetups, creating connections that extend well beyond the miles covered. It’s an activity that welcomes everyone, regardless of age or background, offering motivation, shared purpose, and a strong sense of belonging. Beyond the social aspect, running plays a major role in supporting overall well-being. Regular participation helps improve heart health, manage stress, and boost mental resilience. When combined with the encouragement of a community, it becomes easier to stay consistent and committed, making running a powerful tool for both physical and emotional health. In that same spirit of inclusivity and impact, the Wings for Life World Run, organised by Red Bull, is set to return in 2026. This global charity race stands apart from traditional running events thanks to its innovative format and meaningful cause. Registration for the upcoming edition is now open, with a bonus: runners who sign up before January 30 can secure an additional free entry. When will the 2026 Wings for Life World Run take place? The 2026 race will be held worldwide on May 10, starting simultaneously across all participating locations at 4:30 pm GMT. Who is leading the event in 2026? Legendary athlete Colin Jackson, two-time World Champion and Olympic silver medallist in the 110m hurdles, serves as the International Sports Director for the Wings for Life World Run. What makes this race different? Unlike conventional races, the Wings for Life World Run has no set finish line. Instead, participants are chased by a Catcher Car that begins moving 30 minutes after the start. Once the car overtakes a runner, their race comes to an end. This unique setup ensures that runners of all abilities, from elite athletes to beginners, can compete together on equal footing. What’s more, runners across the globe all start at the exact same moment, making it a truly unified international experience, whether participants are running under the sun or after dark. Participants can choose to run at an official event location or take part from anywhere using the Wings for Life World Run App, which features a Virtual Catcher Car and live audio updates. This flexibility makes it one of the most accessible running events in the world. Understanding the Catcher Car The Catcher Car acts as a mobile finish line, gradually increasing its speed as it pursues runners from behind. Major race locations feature a real vehicle, while app-based participants experience a virtual version that tracks progress and signals when the car is approaching.

The Wings for Life World Run 2026 returns on May 10, 2026, uniting runners worldwide in a unique race with no finish line, all for spinal cord research

Liverpool fans are set for a happy reunion with their former manager Jurgen Klopp; however, he won’t be replacing under-fire Arne Slot. In fact, Klopp, who won all possible club honours as the manager of the side between 2015 and 2024, will be assistant manager to Sir Kenny Dalglish for the charity match. The charity match will be played during the March International break when Liverpool FC Legends management team face Borussia Dortmund Legends on Saturday (Mar 28).<h2>Klopp set for Anfield reunion</h2>“Klopp will return to the Anfield dugout to assist manager Sir Kenny Dalglish for the charity match, presented by AXA and in association with Forever Reds, on Saturday (Mar 28 ),” a statement on Liverpool’s website read.&nbsp;“Dalglish and Klopp will be joined on the touchline by LFC ambassador Ian Rush and Forever Reds chair John Aldridge,” the statement added.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;The legendary manager will be back at Anfield for the first time since leaving the club in 2024. Klopp enjoyed a highly successful spell in charge of the Reds when he joined the club in 2015. His success story included one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup and two League Cups. He would also help the club win the UEFA Super Cup in 2019, the Club World Cup in the same year, and the FA Community Shield in 2022.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund will come together for the legends game at Anfield 10 years on from their dramatic Europa League quarter-final meeting in 2016. As always, 100 per cent of the proceeds from the match will go directly towards the work of LFC Foundation and Forever Reds, the club’s official former players association.

Jurgen Klopp will be back at Anfield for the first time since leaving the club in 2024. Klopp enjoyed a highly successful spell in charge of the Reds when he joined the club in 2015.

Liverpool fans are set for a happy reunion with their former manager Jurgen Klopp; however, he won’t be replacing under-fire Arne Slot. In fact, Klopp, who won all possible club honours as the manager of the side between 2015 and 2024, will be assistant manager to Sir Kenny Dalglish for the charity match. The charity match will be played during the March International break when Liverpool FC Legends management team face Borussia Dortmund Legends on Saturday (Mar 28). Klopp set for Anfield reunion “Klopp will return to the Anfield dugout to assist manager Sir Kenny Dalglish for the charity match, presented by AXA and in association with Forever Reds, on Saturday (Mar 28 ),” a statement on Liverpool’s website read. “Dalglish and Klopp will be joined on the touchline by LFC ambassador Ian Rush and Forever Reds chair John Aldridge,” the statement added. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli The legendary manager will be back at Anfield for the first time since leaving the club in 2024. Klopp enjoyed a highly successful spell in charge of the Reds when he joined the club in 2015. His success story included one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup and two League Cups. He would also help the club win the UEFA Super Cup in 2019, the Club World Cup in the same year, and the FA Community Shield in 2022. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund will come together for the legends game at Anfield 10 years on from their dramatic Europa League quarter-final meeting in 2016. As always, 100 per cent of the proceeds from the match will go directly towards the work of LFC Foundation and Forever Reds, the club’s official former players association.

Jurgen Klopp will be back at Anfield for the first time since leaving the club in 2024. Klopp enjoyed a highly successful spell in charge of the Reds when he joined the club in 2015.&nbsp;

Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp set for Anfield return, but here's a catch

Cricket Iceland has once again come up with a tounge-in-cheek post on social media platform X about replacing Pakistan in upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Amid the uncertainty over Pakistan's participation in the tournament after Bangladesh's ouster, Iceland had offered itself as a potential replacement in place of Pakistan. In their latest post, however, Cricket Iceland has declared their unavailablity to participate in the ICC tournament, citing shortage of time for preparation given their players coming from 'all walks of life.'<h2>Iceland replacing Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026?</h2>Declaring their unavailability to replace Pakistan for the T20 World Cup 2026 with 'a heavy heart,' Cricket Iceland wrote: “Regardless of whether they now withdraw, the short timescales ensure it is impossible for our squad to prepare in the professional manner necessary to compete effectively in this global cricketing spectacle.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-wc-2026-fixing-contriving-to-fix-icc-suspends-usa-batter-aaron-jones-for-corruption-related-charges-1769671506297">ICC suspends USA's Aaron Jones for corruption related charges</a>The witty post also took a dig at Scotland, which has replaced Bangladesh in the tournament, but failed to get a kit sponsor. Mocking Scotland, Cricket Iceland wrote: "We are not like Scotland and able to turn up on a whim, with no kit sponsor. Our players are from all walks of life and cannot simply drop their occupations to fly halfway around the world to experience temperatures only normally felt in Finnish saunas."They post also included details about the various jobs their players do when not playing cricket before signing off with a heartmelting hopeful signature: "The future is always ice, until it isn’t. Yours sincerely, Icelandic Cricket Association." Read the full post below:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Dear <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ICC</a>, It is with a heavy heart that we now announce our unavailability to replace Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Regardless of whether they now withdraw, the short timescales ensure it is impossible for our squad to prepare in the professional manner necessary to…&mdash; Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/icelandcricket/status/2016783371691839704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Paksitan coming to play T20 World Cup or not?</h2>After Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi's meeting with Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, he had said that the decision would lie with the government. Pakistan, notably, will be playing their matches in Sri Lanka under the agreement with ICC according to which they will not travel to India, co-host of T20 World Cup 2026 with Sri Lanka, and India will be also not travel to Pakistan for the ICC tournaments and their matches will played at a neutral venue. The decision on Pakistan's participation, however, is still pending with the tournament set to begin on Feb 7 and the final scheduled for Mar 8.&nbsp;

Declaring their unavailability to replace Pakistan for the T20 World Cup 2026 with 'a heavy heart,' Cricket Iceland says ‘short timescales ensure it is impossible’ even if Pakistan withdraw now.

Cricket Iceland has once again come up with a tounge-in-cheek post on social media platform X about replacing Pakistan in upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Amid the uncertainty over Pakistan's participation in the tournament after Bangladesh's ouster, Iceland had offered itself as a potential replacement in place of Pakistan. In their latest post, however, Cricket Iceland has declared their unavailablity to participate in the ICC tournament, citing shortage of time for preparation given their players coming from 'all walks of life.' Iceland replacing Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026? Declaring their unavailability to replace Pakistan for the T20 World Cup 2026 with 'a heavy heart,' Cricket Iceland wrote: “Regardless of whether they now withdraw, the short timescales ensure it is impossible for our squad to prepare in the professional manner necessary to compete effectively in this global cricketing spectacle.” Also Read: ICC suspends USA's Aaron Jones for corruption related charges The witty post also took a dig at Scotland, which has replaced Bangladesh in the tournament, but failed to get a kit sponsor. Mocking Scotland, Cricket Iceland wrote: "We are not like Scotland and able to turn up on a whim, with no kit sponsor. Our players are from all walks of life and cannot simply drop their occupations to fly halfway around the world to experience temperatures only normally felt in Finnish saunas." They post also included details about the various jobs their players do when not playing cricket before signing off with a heartmelting hopeful signature: "The future is always ice, until it isn’t. Yours sincerely, Icelandic Cricket Association." Read the full post below:

Declaring their unavailability to replace Pakistan for the T20 World Cup 2026 with 'a heavy heart,' Cricket Iceland says ‘short timescales ensure it is impossible’ even if Pakistan withdraw now.

T20 WC 2026 | 'Future is always ice, until it isn’t': Cricket Iceland, withdrawing from race to replace Pak, takes shot at ICC & Scotland

Pakistan made a winning start in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Australia as the hosts won by 22 runs. Playing at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, batters Saim Ayub and Salman Agha were the stars of the day as Australia were left flat. The win in Lahore means Pakistan lead 1-0 in the series with matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.<h2>Pakistan edge Australia</h2>With hype surrounding Pakistan’s potential pullout from the T20 World Cup, the hosts made a poor start as they lost Sahibzada Farhan on the first ball of the series. The poor start, though, did not affect Pakistan’s confidence, as Ayub (40) and Agha (39) stitched a stand of 74 runs for the second wicket. However, their partnership did not last long, with Adam Zampa scalping back-to-back wickets of the duo. Pakistan’s middle order made a decent contribution with Babar Azam (24), Usman Khan (18) and Mohammad Nawaz (15) amongst runs.&nbsp;Zampa was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as he bagged four wickets, while Mahli Beardman and Xavier Bartlett also ended with two wickets each.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a><h2>What happened in Australia innings?</h2>Chasing 169, Australia started the proceedings with an aggressive intent but quickly unravelled against Pakistan's disciplined spin attack. While Travis Head provided a brisk start with 23 off 13 balls, he fell to the spin of Saim Ayub (2/29 in 3 overs), who proved to be a surprise weapon by picking up two early wickets. Cameron Green (36 runs off 31 balls) tried to anchor one end while wickets tumbled around him and the required run rate continued to climb.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;The Australian middle order, missing several veteran stars like Tim David and Glenn Maxwell, struggled to cope with Pakistan's spin attack. Abrar Ahmed (2/10 in 4 overs) was the standout performer with the ball, claiming two wickets (Cooper Connolly and Josh Philippe), effectively breaking the back of the Australian chase.&nbsp;Mohammad Nawaz provided the decisive blow by dismissing Green, leaving the visitors in deep trouble at 96/6 in 12.2 overs. While the Australian tail, led by Xavier Bartlett (unbeaten 34 off 25), tried defiantly, Australia ultimately finished their 20 overs at 146/8, handing Pakistan a comfortable 22-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Playing at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, batters Saim Ayub and Salman Agha were the stars of the day as Australia were left flat. 

Pakistan made a winning start in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Australia as the hosts won by 22 runs. Playing at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, batters Saim Ayub and Salman Agha were the stars of the day as Australia were left flat. The win in Lahore means Pakistan lead 1-0 in the series with matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Pakistan edge Australia With hype surrounding Pakistan’s potential pullout from the T20 World Cup, the hosts made a poor start as they lost Sahibzada Farhan on the first ball of the series. The poor start, though, did not affect Pakistan’s confidence, as Ayub (40) and Agha (39) stitched a stand of 74 runs for the second wicket. However, their partnership did not last long, with Adam Zampa scalping back-to-back wickets of the duo. Pakistan’s middle order made a decent contribution with Babar Azam (24), Usman Khan (18) and Mohammad Nawaz (15) amongst runs. Zampa was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as he bagged four wickets, while Mahli Beardman and Xavier Bartlett also ended with two wickets each. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds What happened in Australia innings? Chasing 169, Australia started the proceedings with an aggressive intent but quickly unravelled against Pakistan's disciplined spin attack. While Travis Head provided a brisk start with 23 off 13 balls, he fell to the spin of Saim Ayub (2/29 in 3 overs), who proved to be a surprise weapon by picking up two early wickets. Cameron Green (36 runs off 31 balls) tried to anchor one end while wickets tumbled around him and the required run rate continued to climb. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli The Australian middle order, missing several veteran stars like Tim David and Glenn Maxwell, struggled to cope with Pakistan's spin attack. Abrar Ahmed (2/10 in 4 overs) was the standout performer with the ball, claiming two wickets (Cooper Connolly and Josh Philippe), effectively breaking the back of the Australian chase. Mohammad Nawaz provided the decisive blow by dismissing Green, leaving the visitors in deep trouble at 96/6 in 12.2 overs. While the Australian tail, led by Xavier Bartlett (unbeaten 34 off 25), tried defiantly, Australia ultimately finished their 20 overs at 146/8, handing Pakistan a comfortable 22-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Playing at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, batters Saim Ayub and Salman Agha were the stars of the day as Australia were left flat.&nbsp;

PAK vs AUS: Pakistan edge Australia in T20I series opener; Saim Ayub, Salman Agha shine with bat

Aryna Sabalenka was sujected to a 'gruffing' controversy during her Australian Open 2026 women's singles semis win against Elina Svitolina. The controversy happened in the fourth game of the second set when the chair umpire stopped the match, taking both the players by surprise - claiming Sabalenka didn't make 'natural sound.' Sablenka, however, won the match 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets on Thursday (Jan 29) at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to advance to h<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ao-2026-76-minutes-to-dominance-sabalenka-in-final-after-straight-sets-win-over-svitolina-1769681757205">er fourth consecutive Australian Open final</a> - becoming just the third women's player to do so in open era history.<h2>What was Sabalenka's 'hinderance call' controversy in AO 2026 semis</h2>The stoppage by chair umpire in the fourth game of the second set was because of the 'hinderance call'. "Stop, hindrance" said the chair umpire Louise Azemar Engzell, putting both the players in shock. "What?" was Sabalenka's reaction to which the umpire replied: "You went, ‘Uh-aya'. You don’t make the normal sound."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-7-australian-open-titles-23-grand-slams-serena-williams-says-not-a-maybe-on-potential-comeback-1769679088523">'7 Australian Open titles &amp; 23 grand slams': Serena sparks comeback buzz</a>Sabalenka challenged the decision but the umpire held up the call after review and the world number 1 went on to lose the point as well as the review.<h2>What did Sabalenka say about it?</h2>At the post match press-conference, Sabalenka addressed the controversy and revealed how it helped her focus and eventually win the match.“That’s actually never happened to me. Especially with my grunting. It’s so off I think,” Sabalenka told reporters. “I was like ‘What? What is wrong with you?’ I think it was the wrong call. She really pissed me off. It actually helped me and benefited my game,” she added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Aryna Sabalenka on the umpire calling a hindrance on her during her match against Elina Svitolina at Australian Open “That’s actually never happened to me. Especially with my grunting. It’s so off I think.” “I was like ‘What? What is wrong with you?’ I think it was the wrong… <a href="https://t.co/iTJSd9mxMK">pic.twitter.com/iTJSd9mxMK</a>&mdash; The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTennisLetter/status/2016842628009251248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What next for Sabalenka?</h2>The 2023 and 2024 champion will now face Elena Rybakina in the women's singles final on Saturday (Jan 30) for her fifth grand slam title overall and third Australian Open title. Sabalenka was also the runners up in AO 2025 after she lost to Madison Keys in the final. Apart from the AO, Sabalenka has also won two US Open grand slam titles as well in addition to a trip to final in French Open 2025 and three semis in Wimbledon (2021, 2023, &amp; 2025).&nbsp;

The stoppage by chair umpire in the fourth game of the second set was because of the 'hinderance call'. "What?" was Sabalenka's reaction to which the umpire replied: "You went, ‘Uh-aya'. You don’t make the normal sound." Sablenka, however, won the match 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets.

Aryna Sabalenka was sujected to a 'gruffing' controversy during her Australian Open 2026 women's singles semis win against Elina Svitolina. The controversy happened in the fourth game of the second set when the chair umpire stopped the match, taking both the players by surprise - claiming Sabalenka didn't make 'natural sound.' Sablenka, however, won the match 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets on Thursday (Jan 29) at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to advance to her fourth consecutive Australian Open final - becoming just the third women's player to do so in open era history. What was Sabalenka's 'hinderance call' controversy in AO 2026 semis The stoppage by chair umpire in the fourth game of the second set was because of the 'hinderance call'. "Stop, hindrance" said the chair umpire Louise Azemar Engzell, putting both the players in shock. "What?" was Sabalenka's reaction to which the umpire replied: "You went, ‘Uh-aya'. You don’t make the normal sound." Also Read: '7 Australian Open titles & 23 grand slams': Serena sparks comeback buzz Sabalenka challenged the decision but the umpire held up the call after review and the world number 1 went on to lose the point as well as the review. What did Sabalenka say about it? At the post match press-conference, Sabalenka addressed the controversy and revealed how it helped her focus and eventually win the match. “That’s actually never happened to me. Especially with my grunting. It’s so off I think,” Sabalenka told reporters. “I was like ‘What? What is wrong with you?’ I think it was the wrong call. She really pissed me off. It actually helped me and benefited my game,” she added.

The stoppage by chair umpire in the fourth game of the second set was because of the 'hinderance call'. "What?" was Sabalenka's reaction to which the umpire replied: "You went, ‘Uh-aya'. You don’t make the normal sound." Sablenka, however, won the match 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets.

AO 2026 | 'You went, Uh-aya': Sabalenka's semis win vs Svitolina mired by hinderance call controversy

India batter Ajinkya Rahane has shut down Pakistan’s claim of boycotting the 2026 T20 World Cup after reports of the same emerged earlier in the week. Pakistan, winners of the 2009 T20 World Cup, have threatened to boycott the competition, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi stating his team is yet to receive a final green light from the government over participation in the tournament. However, Rahane reckons Pakistan don’t have the guts to pull out of the T20 World Cup, which starts on Feb 7.<h2>Rahane shuts Pakistan’s calls for boycott</h2>“I don't think they can do that. I don't think they have, am I allowed to say, guts? Yeah, I don't think they can do that. They are going to come,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz.&nbsp;After the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) request to move out their matches from India, Pakistan has threatened a boycott in support of the latter. Bangladesh tried to have their matches moved out of India due to security fears, but the ICC rejected the request. An angry Bangladesh then withdrew from the tournament, and Scotland were drafted in as their replacement.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Reports in Pakistan media have also suggested that the 2009 champions could boycott the India match rather than the entire tournament. However, any such decisions could come as a huge consequence for PCB, with ICC ready to axe them from future tournaments and canceling Non Obligation Certificate (NOC) of foreign players to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a><h2>When is the India vs Pakistan clash?</h2>According to an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), all India vs Pakistan matches will be played at a neutral venue in case either nation is a designated host. As things stand, the India vs Pakistan contest in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15.

India vs Pakistan contest in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15. Ajinkya Rahane reckons Pakistan don’t have the guts to pull out of the T20 World Cup, which starts on Feb 7.

India batter Ajinkya Rahane has shut down Pakistan’s claim of boycotting the 2026 T20 World Cup after reports of the same emerged earlier in the week. Pakistan, winners of the 2009 T20 World Cup, have threatened to boycott the competition, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi stating his team is yet to receive a final green light from the government over participation in the tournament. However, Rahane reckons Pakistan don’t have the guts to pull out of the T20 World Cup, which starts on Feb 7. Rahane shuts Pakistan’s calls for boycott “I don't think they can do that. I don't think they have, am I allowed to say, guts? Yeah, I don't think they can do that. They are going to come,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz. After the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) request to move out their matches from India, Pakistan has threatened a boycott in support of the latter. Bangladesh tried to have their matches moved out of India due to security fears, but the ICC rejected the request. An angry Bangladesh then withdrew from the tournament, and Scotland were drafted in as their replacement. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Reports in Pakistan media have also suggested that the 2009 champions could boycott the India match rather than the entire tournament. However, any such decisions could come as a huge consequence for PCB, with ICC ready to axe them from future tournaments and canceling Non Obligation Certificate (NOC) of foreign players to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds When is the India vs Pakistan clash? According to an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), all India vs Pakistan matches will be played at a neutral venue in case either nation is a designated host. As things stand, the India vs Pakistan contest in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15.

India vs Pakistan contest in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15. Ajinkya Rahane reckons Pakistan don’t have the guts to pull out of the T20 World Cup, which starts on Feb 7.

T20 World Cup 2026: Ajinkya Rahane shuts down Pakistan's boycott call, says 'I don't think they have...'

Elena Rybakina will have another date with destiny as she reached her second Australian Open women’s singles final on Thursday (Jan 29). Playing at the Rod Laver Arena, Rybakina outclassed Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 and won the contest in less than two hours. Rybakina’s win also means she will face Aryna Sabalenka for the title, in what will be a repeat of the 2023 Australian Open women’s singles final, when the Kazakh star suffered a defeat.<h2>Rybakina sees off Pegula</h2>Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, was at her best in the opening set, having dropped only three games. However, it was the second set where both players gave their best shots as it went to the tiebreaker. Rybakina served an astonishing six aces in the match and won 73 per cent of her first serves. She broke her opponent four times during the match while giving away just four break points.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;"It was such a battle. It was an epic second set. I'm really glad I managed to win it," she said.&nbsp;"I'm really proud that no matter the situation, I was leading, and then, of course, it was very tight, I still stayed there. I was fighting for each point and just happy.&nbsp;"Overall, it's a lot of positives to take."&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Moscow-born Rybakina, who defeated second seed Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, is trying to get back on the Grand Slam title board for the first time in three-and-a-half years after winning Wimbledon in 2022. She has been in sizzling recent form, beating Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November and winning 19 of her last 20 matches.&nbsp;Sabalenka has an 8-6 advantage in head-to-head meetings with Rybakina, the pair splitting their four meetings last year.&nbsp;(With Inputs from Agencies)

Playing at the Rod Laver Arena, Elena Rybakina outclassed Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 and won the contest in less than two hours. 

Elena Rybakina will have another date with destiny as she reached her second Australian Open women’s singles final on Thursday (Jan 29). Playing at the Rod Laver Arena, Rybakina outclassed Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 and won the contest in less than two hours. Rybakina’s win also means she will face Aryna Sabalenka for the title, in what will be a repeat of the 2023 Australian Open women’s singles final, when the Kazakh star suffered a defeat. Rybakina sees off Pegula Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, was at her best in the opening set, having dropped only three games. However, it was the second set where both players gave their best shots as it went to the tiebreaker. Rybakina served an astonishing six aces in the match and won 73 per cent of her first serves. She broke her opponent four times during the match while giving away just four break points. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds "It was such a battle. It was an epic second set. I'm really glad I managed to win it," she said. "I'm really proud that no matter the situation, I was leading, and then, of course, it was very tight, I still stayed there. I was fighting for each point and just happy. "Overall, it's a lot of positives to take." ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Moscow-born Rybakina, who defeated second seed Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, is trying to get back on the Grand Slam title board for the first time in three-and-a-half years after winning Wimbledon in 2022. She has been in sizzling recent form, beating Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November and winning 19 of her last 20 matches. Sabalenka has an 8-6 advantage in head-to-head meetings with Rybakina, the pair splitting their four meetings last year. (With Inputs from Agencies)

Playing at the Rod Laver Arena, Elena Rybakina outclassed Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 and won the contest in less than two hours.&nbsp;

Australian Open 2026: Rybakina sweeps past Pegula in straight sets, to face Sabalenka in repeat of 2023 final

Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the Australian Open 2026 women's singles final afte beating Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday (Jan 29) in Melbourne. Sabalenka, who won the title in 2023 and 2024, needed only 76 minutes to overcome Svitolina's challenge and asserting her dominance. Sabalenka was also in the final of Australian Open 2025 but lost unexpectedly to Madison Keys - somthing she would be hoping to avoid in the final this time when she plays winner of Rybakina vs Pegula on Saturday (Jan 30).<h2>Why this win is historic for Sabalenka?</h2>With her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, Sabalenka in now only the third women's player in the open era history to achieve the feat. Before her, Evonne Goolagong appeared in seven consecutive AO finals between 1971 and 1977, and Martina Hingis appeared in six back-to-back AO finals between 1997 and 2002. Reacting to the win, Sabalenka said: "An incredible achievement, but the job’s not done yet." Have a look at the moment she won the contest:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Here&#39;s how the world No.1 did it 👇 <a href="https://t.co/mKEJehRBrW">https://t.co/mKEJehRBrW</a> <a href="https://t.co/lxTOcMAMhq">pic.twitter.com/lxTOcMAMhq</a>&mdash; #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/2016814106339397752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-7-australian-open-titles-23-grand-slams-serena-williams-says-not-a-maybe-on-potential-comeback-1769679088523">'7 Australian Open titles &amp; 23 grand slams': Serena sparks comeback buzz</a><h2>Sabalenka explains her aggressive style</h2>The two-time AO champion was very assertive througout the contest hitting 29 winners in the match and took her tournament-leading tally to 172. She explained the reason behind agrressiveness and said: “I felt like I had to step in and put as much pressure as I could back on her, and I’m glad that the level was there today. I played great tennis and happy to get the win in straight sets.”The result eventually went in her favour and Sabalenka was ecstatic: “Super happy with the win, she’s such a tough opponent, was playing really incredible tennis throughout the whole week and just super happy to be through this tough match.”

Sabalenka was also in the final of Australian Open 2025 but lost unexpectedly to Madison Keys - somthing she would be hoping to avoid in the final this time when she plays winner of Rybakina vs Pegula on Saturday (Jan 30).

Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the Australian Open 2026 women's singles final afte beating Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday (Jan 29) in Melbourne. Sabalenka, who won the title in 2023 and 2024, needed only 76 minutes to overcome Svitolina's challenge and asserting her dominance. Sabalenka was also in the final of Australian Open 2025 but lost unexpectedly to Madison Keys - somthing she would be hoping to avoid in the final this time when she plays winner of Rybakina vs Pegula on Saturday (Jan 30). Why this win is historic for Sabalenka? With her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, Sabalenka in now only the third women's player in the open era history to achieve the feat. Before her, Evonne Goolagong appeared in seven consecutive AO finals between 1971 and 1977, and Martina Hingis appeared in six back-to-back AO finals between 1997 and 2002. Reacting to the win, Sabalenka said: "An incredible achievement, but the job’s not done yet." Have a look at the moment she won the contest:

Sabalenka was also in the final of Australian Open 2025 but lost unexpectedly to Madison Keys - somthing she would be hoping to avoid in the final this time when she plays winner of Rybakina vs Pegula on Saturday (Jan 30).

AO 2026  | '76 minutes of great tennis': Sabalenka enters fourth straight final after straight sets win over Svitolina

The Sri Lankan government has added an extra layer of security to the upcoming T20 World Cup, as it unofficially co-hosts the tournament with India. The T20 World Cup, set to start on February 7, will host all matches for Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Australia (group stage only). With India vs Pakistan also on the cards, the Sri Lankan government will deploy elite armed units to avoid any lapse in security measures.<h2>Sri Lanka to deploy elite armed units</h2>Sri Lanka has given the "highest priority" to ensuring the tournament runs smoothly and is "paying special attention to the India-Pakistan matches", sports minister Sunil Kumara Gamage told AFP late Wednesday.&nbsp;According to an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), all India vs Pakistan matches will be played at a neutral venue in case either nation is a designated host. As things stand, the India vs Pakistan contest in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15. To avoid any security lapses, the Sri Lankan government has given topmost priority to the safety of players, officials and fans.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Elite commando units, usually assigned to guard visiting heads of state, will be deployed to protect all participating teams, police and security officials said.&nbsp;“From the time they step out of the airport till they return to their aircraft, they will be protected by armed guards,” an official said, asking not to be named.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;India and Pakistan have previously refused to travel across the border for sporting events, opting to play on neutral ground via a hybrid model instead. Hence, for the T20 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has shifted their matches to Sri Lanka.&nbsp;Bangladesh also tried to have their matches moved out of India due to security fears, but the ICC rejected the request. An angry Bangladesh then withdrew from the tournament, and Scotland were drafted in as their replacement.&nbsp;(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

The India vs Pakistan contest in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15. To avoid any security lapses, the Sri Lankan government has given topmost priority to the safety of players, officials and fans.

The Sri Lankan government has added an extra layer of security to the upcoming T20 World Cup, as it unofficially co-hosts the tournament with India. The T20 World Cup, set to start on February 7, will host all matches for Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Australia (group stage only). With India vs Pakistan also on the cards, the Sri Lankan government will deploy elite armed units to avoid any lapse in security measures. Sri Lanka to deploy elite armed units Sri Lanka has given the "highest priority" to ensuring the tournament runs smoothly and is "paying special attention to the India-Pakistan matches", sports minister Sunil Kumara Gamage told AFP late Wednesday. According to an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), all India vs Pakistan matches will be played at a neutral venue in case either nation is a designated host. As things stand, the India vs Pakistan contest in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15. To avoid any security lapses, the Sri Lankan government has given topmost priority to the safety of players, officials and fans. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Elite commando units, usually assigned to guard visiting heads of state, will be deployed to protect all participating teams, police and security officials said. “From the time they step out of the airport till they return to their aircraft, they will be protected by armed guards,” an official said, asking not to be named. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds India and Pakistan have previously refused to travel across the border for sporting events, opting to play on neutral ground via a hybrid model instead. Hence, for the T20 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has shifted their matches to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh also tried to have their matches moved out of India due to security fears, but the ICC rejected the request. An angry Bangladesh then withdrew from the tournament, and Scotland were drafted in as their replacement. (With inputs from Agencies)

The India vs Pakistan contest in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15. To avoid any security lapses, the Sri Lankan government has given topmost priority to the safety of players, officials and fans.

T20 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka deploys elite armed units in major security boost; eyes on IND vs PAK tie

Serena Williams, 23-time grand slam champion including 7 Australian Open titles, has sparked the comeback rumours again. Williams retired after playing her lastmatch in US Open 2022 but registered herself in the players' drug testing pool last December. The 44-year-old, however, has neither confirmed not denied about her potential return but is he manages to comeback, it will surely be a sight for the tennis fans to watch one of the greatest players of all time to show her skills on the court again.<h2>Is Serena Williams coming out of retirement?</h2>During the Today Show on Wednesday (Jan 28), Williams did not clearly say that she is not going to make a comeback and that has sparked a buzz around her coming out of the retirement.Also Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-it-very-well-could-be-watch-video-lebron-james-in-tears-after-potentially-last-nba-game-in-hometown-cleveland-1769676886643">NBA superstar LeBron James in tears after potentially last game in hometown Cleveland</a>"I don't know, I'm just going to see what happens," Williams said about the potential return when asked by the show host. "It's not a maybe," she added when the host replied to her previous anwer as "that's a maybe to me."Upon being asked about her return to the durg testing pool, something confirmed by International Tennis Integrity Agency to BBC in December, Serena said: "I don't know if I was out. Listen, I can't discuss this. If I want to put it [rumours] to bed... listen, I want to go to bed."<h2>What is dug testing pool list for tennis players?</h2>The drug testing pool is the list of top 100 players in singles, doubles and wheelchair categories as well as returning athletes. A retired player in only eligible to return to competitive tennis after spending six month in the list. Serena's name appeared on the list on October 6. Once in the list, the players need to let the testers know their where they will be for one hour every single day in order to ensure that they are tested at random to avoid any unfair advantage by using banned substance.

A retired player in only eligible to return after spending six month in the International Tennis Integrity Agency drug testing pool list. Serena's name appeared on the list on October 6. The players in the list need to let the testers know their where they will be for one hour each day.

Serena Williams, 23-time grand slam champion including 7 Australian Open titles, has sparked the comeback rumours again. Williams retired after playing her lastmatch in US Open 2022 but registered herself in the players' drug testing pool last December. The 44-year-old, however, has neither confirmed not denied about her potential return but is he manages to comeback, it will surely be a sight for the tennis fans to watch one of the greatest players of all time to show her skills on the court again. Is Serena Williams coming out of retirement? During the Today Show on Wednesday (Jan 28), Williams did not clearly say that she is not going to make a comeback and that has sparked a buzz around her coming out of the retirement. Also Watch: NBA superstar LeBron James in tears after potentially last game in hometown Cleveland "I don't know, I'm just going to see what happens," Williams said about the potential return when asked by the show host. "It's not a maybe," she added when the host replied to her previous anwer as "that's a maybe to me." Upon being asked about her return to the durg testing pool, something confirmed by International Tennis Integrity Agency to BBC in December, Serena said: "I don't know if I was out. Listen, I can't discuss this. If I want to put it [rumours] to bed... listen, I want to go to bed." What is dug testing pool list for tennis players? The drug testing pool is the list of top 100 players in singles, doubles and wheelchair categories as well as returning athletes. A retired player in only eligible to return to competitive tennis after spending six month in the list. Serena's name appeared on the list on October 6. Once in the list, the players need to let the testers know their where they will be for one hour every single day in order to ensure that they are tested at random to avoid any unfair advantage by using banned substance.

A retired player in only eligible to return after spending six month in the International Tennis Integrity Agency drug testing pool list. Serena's name appeared on the list on October 6. The players in the list need to let the testers know their where they will be for one hour each day.

'7 Australian Open titles & 23 grand slams': Serena Williams says 'not a maybe' on potential comeback

NBA superstar LeBron James could not hold his tears back during what could be his last game in his home town Cleveland. James, who plays for Los Angeles Lakers, was given a 'welcome home' tribute in Cleveland during the game against Cavaliers on Wednesday (Jan 28) night. The Lakers star, who guided his hometown team Cavaliers for NBA title in 2016, was visibly emotional. James has not committed to play beyond the ongoing season - his 23rd in the league and a record as well. Shall he chooses not to return, LeBron would definitely have the sweetest memories from his last game in Cleveland.<h2>Why LeBron was crying during Lakers vs Cavaliers game?</h2>LeBron, who was bron and raised in Akron - a town 35 minutes south of Cleveland - was given a heartlfelt tribute during Wednesday night's game between the Lakers and the Cavaliers. LeBron used to play for Cleveland in the past and even led them to NBA title in 2016. At the age of 41 years, LeBron has neither confirmed nore denied playing another season but the tribute, in wha could be his final game in the hometown, got him emotional. Have a look at the video below:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">An emotional LeBron soaks in the Cleveland tribute 🥹 <a href="https://t.co/SrcXsUIEfl">pic.twitter.com/SrcXsUIEfl</a>&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/2016681447847841849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Is LeBron James retiring after ongoing NBA season?</h2>The Lakers star and NBA's all-time point leader (regular season), spoke about his future and playing another season after Lakers' 99-129 loss on Wedneaday (Jan 28). "I haven't made a decision on the future but it very well could be. It means a little bit more for me personally because I grew up 35 minutes south of here," James acknowledged after the game about the game being his last in Cleveland.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-wc-2026-fixing-contriving-to-fix-icc-suspends-usa-batter-aaron-jones-for-corruption-related-charges-1769671506297">ICC suspends USA's Aaron Jones for corruption related charges</a>About the potential retirement, LeBron left the door open for speculations and said: "I don't know what the future holds. Just trying to live in the moment, not take for granted the opportunity and be present. I don't know what the future holds for me, so I'm just trying to live in the moment. I don't know if it's my last game here or not."&nbsp;

James has not committed to play beyond the ongoing season - his 23rd in the league and a record as well. Shall he chooses not to return, LeBron would definitely have the sweetest memories from his last game in Cleveland.

NBA superstar LeBron James could not hold his tears back during what could be his last game in his home town Cleveland. James, who plays for Los Angeles Lakers, was given a 'welcome home' tribute in Cleveland during the game against Cavaliers on Wednesday (Jan 28) night. The Lakers star, who guided his hometown team Cavaliers for NBA title in 2016, was visibly emotional. James has not committed to play beyond the ongoing season - his 23rd in the league and a record as well. Shall he chooses not to return, LeBron would definitely have the sweetest memories from his last game in Cleveland. Why LeBron was crying during Lakers vs Cavaliers game? LeBron, who was bron and raised in Akron - a town 35 minutes south of Cleveland - was given a heartlfelt tribute during Wednesday night's game between the Lakers and the Cavaliers. LeBron used to play for Cleveland in the past and even led them to NBA title in 2016. At the age of 41 years, LeBron has neither confirmed nore denied playing another season but the tribute, in wha could be his final game in the hometown, got him emotional. Have a look at the video below:

James has not committed to play beyond the ongoing season - his 23rd in the league and a record as well. Shall he chooses not to return, LeBron would definitely have the sweetest memories from his last game in Cleveland.

'It very well could be:' LeBron James in tears after potentially last NBA game in hometown Cleveland - WATCH

Australia has named Sophie Molineux successor of outgoing Alyssa Healy as all-format women's team captain. Molineux wil take charge during the home T20I series of upcoming India's tour. She will then make way for Healy who will lead the side in her farewell ODI series as well as the solitary Test in Perth. Molineux will then take over as captain across formats including in the T20 World Cup in June later this year. Cricket Australia has also kept Tahlia McGrath as the vice-captain and named Ashleigh Gardner as the second deputy to Molineux as well.<h2>Why Sophie Molineux was chosen as Australia women's team captain?</h2>Molineux, a 28-year-old spinner from Victoria, edged the likes of McGrath and Gardner for the captain's role. Her success as the Melbourne Renegades captain in Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in which she led the side to drought-breaking title in 2024-25 is the major reason for her elevation as the captain.<h2>Is Molineux a good choice as Australia women's captain?</h2>Molineux is certainly an interesting choice as captain, given her injury history. The spinner has not played T20I or a Test match since 2024 because of an injured knee and was managed in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup as well. She also did not play in all the matches in WBBL for the Renegades in the most recent season.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-wc-2026-fixing-contriving-to-fix-icc-suspends-usa-batter-aaron-jones-for-corruption-related-charges-1769671506297">'Fixing, contriving to fix...': ICC suspends USA batter Aaron Jones for corruption related charges</a>Australia's national selector Shawn Flegler, however, backed Molineux as the right choice despite confirming that she'll be managed in the future as well,"We will continue to manage Sophie's workload, prioritising key tournaments and major international series following injury challenges in recent seasons. Ash and Tahlia provide complimentary skills in support of Sophie and are also both capable of leading the team as stand-in captain if required," said Flegler.<h2>Molienux record for Australia</h2>The spinner, given her injury history, has played only three Tests, 17 ODIs, and 38 T20Is for Australia. She has taken 7 Test wickets, 31 in WODIs and 41 T20I wickets in her career. In WBBL, Molineux has played 112 matches for Renegades, taking 97 wickets. In Women's Premier League (WPL), she played 10 matches for RCB-W in 2023/24 season and took 12 wickets.

Molineux, a 28-year-old spinner from Victoria, is certainly an interesting choice as captain, given her injury history. The spinner has not played T20I or a Test match since 2024 because of an injured knee and was managed in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup as well.

Australia has named Sophie Molineux successor of outgoing Alyssa Healy as all-format women's team captain. Molineux wil take charge during the home T20I series of upcoming India's tour. She will then make way for Healy who will lead the side in her farewell ODI series as well as the solitary Test in Perth. Molineux will then take over as captain across formats including in the T20 World Cup in June later this year. Cricket Australia has also kept Tahlia McGrath as the vice-captain and named Ashleigh Gardner as the second deputy to Molineux as well. Why Sophie Molineux was chosen as Australia women's team captain? Molineux, a 28-year-old spinner from Victoria, edged the likes of McGrath and Gardner for the captain's role. Her success as the Melbourne Renegades captain in Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in which she led the side to drought-breaking title in 2024-25 is the major reason for her elevation as the captain. Is Molineux a good choice as Australia women's captain? Molineux is certainly an interesting choice as captain, given her injury history. The spinner has not played T20I or a Test match since 2024 because of an injured knee and was managed in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup as well. She also did not play in all the matches in WBBL for the Renegades in the most recent season. Also Read: 'Fixing, contriving to fix...': ICC suspends USA batter Aaron Jones for corruption related charges Australia's national selector Shawn Flegler, however, backed Molineux as the right choice despite confirming that she'll be managed in the future as well, "We will continue to manage Sophie's workload, prioritising key tournaments and major international series following injury challenges in recent seasons. Ash and Tahlia provide complimentary skills in support of Sophie and are also both capable of leading the team as stand-in captain if required," said Flegler. Molienux record for Australia The spinner, given her injury history, has played only three Tests, 17 ODIs, and 38 T20Is for Australia. She has taken 7 Test wickets, 31 in WODIs and 41 T20I wickets in her career. In WBBL, Molineux has played 112 matches for Renegades, taking 97 wickets. In Women's Premier League (WPL), she played 10 matches for RCB-W in 2023/24 season and took 12 wickets.

Molineux, a 28-year-old spinner from Victoria, is certainly an interesting choice as captain, given her injury history. The spinner has not played T20I or a Test match since 2024 because of an injured knee and was managed in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup as well.

No T20I or Test since 2024: Sophie Molieneux succeeds Alyssa Healy as new Australia women's captain

In a blow to USA's T20 World Cup 2026 hopes, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended batter Aaron Jones for corrpution related charges including fixing or trying to match fix. The decision was announced on Wednesday (Jan 28) in an ICC statement, rendeding Jones ineligible for participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled from Feb 7 to Mar 8 in India and Sri Lanka. The charges against Jones stemmed from his participation in Bim10 tournament in Barbados in 2023-24 which falls under the jurisdiction of Cricket West Indies (CWI).<h2>USA batter Aaron Jones suspended - what did he do and what are the charges against him?</h2>As per the ICC, Jones was found in breach on on five account for ICC's Anti-Corrpution code. While his charges are mainly from Bim10 tournament, two of them are also for international matches as well. Below is the list of charges against Jones:<ul><li>Breach of Article 2.1.1 of the CWI Code - Fixing, contriving to fix or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct or other aspect of matches in the Bim10 tournament in 2023/24 (or attempting to do so).</li><li>Breach of Article 2.4.2 of the CWI Code - Failing to disclose to Cricket West Indies details of any approaches or invitations to engage in conduct that would amount to a breach of the CWI Code.</li><li>Breach of Article 2.4.4 of the CWI Code - Failing or refusing to cooperate with a reasonable investigation carried out by the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (or his/her designee) in relation to possible offences under the CWI Code.</li><li>Breach of Article 2.4.4 of the ICC Code - Failing to disclose to the ICC ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct under the ICC Code.</li><li>Breach of Article 2.4.7 of the ICC Code - Obstructing the ACU's investigation into possible Corrupt Conduct by concealing and/or tampering with information that may have been relevant to the investigation, or which may have constituted evidence or led to the discovery of evidence of Corrupt Conduct.</li></ul><h2>What next for Aaron Jones?</h2>While the ICC has suspended Jones from playing cricket immediately, he has 14 days to respond to the charges. The USA has not yet announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup but Jones, who is in Sri Lanka as one of the 18 players, is unlikely to make the cut. The ICC also said that the investigation is still on and more personnel will be named in due course.The charges against Jones are "part of a wider investigation which is likely to result in further charges being issued against other participants in due course," read the ICC statement.<h2>Aaron Jones cricket career highlights</h2>Jones made his debut for USA in 2019 and has played 52 ODIs as well as 48 T20Is, scoring 1,664 and 770 runs, respectively. He is most famous for scoring 94 off just 40 balls against Canada in T20 World Cup and 36 not out off 26 balls against Pakistan in USA's famnous victory in the same tournament. In franchise cricket, Jones has played for USA-based Major League Cricket (MLC), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as well. He last played international cricket in April 2025.

As per the ICC, Jones was found in breach on on five account for ICC's Anti-Corrpution code and has 14 days to respond. The USA has not yet announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup but Jones, who is in Sri Lanka as one of the 18 players, is unlikely to make the cut.

In a blow to USA's T20 World Cup 2026 hopes, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended batter Aaron Jones for corrpution related charges including fixing or trying to match fix. The decision was announced on Wednesday (Jan 28) in an ICC statement, rendeding Jones ineligible for participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled from Feb 7 to Mar 8 in India and Sri Lanka. The charges against Jones stemmed from his participation in Bim10 tournament in Barbados in 2023-24 which falls under the jurisdiction of Cricket West Indies (CWI). USA batter Aaron Jones suspended - what did he do and what are the charges against him? As per the ICC, Jones was found in breach on on five account for ICC's Anti-Corrpution code. While his charges are mainly from Bim10 tournament, two of them are also for international matches as well. Below is the list of charges against Jones: Breach of Article 2.1.1 of the CWI Code - Fixing, contriving to fix or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct or other aspect of matches in the Bim10 tournament in 2023/24 (or attempting to do so). Breach of Article 2.4.2 of the CWI Code - Failing to disclose to Cricket West Indies details of any approaches or invitations to engage in conduct that would amount to a breach of the CWI Code. Breach of Article 2.4.4 of the CWI Code - Failing or refusing to cooperate with a reasonable investigation carried out by the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (or his/her designee) in relation to possible offences under the CWI Code. Breach of Article 2.4.4 of the ICC Code - Failing to disclose to the ICC ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct under the ICC Code. Breach of Article 2.4.7 of the ICC Code - Obstructing the ACU's investigation into possible Corrupt Conduct by concealing and/or tampering with information that may have been relevant to the investigation, or which may have constituted evidence or led to the discovery of evidence of Corrupt Conduct. What next for Aaron Jones? While the ICC has suspended Jones from playing cricket immediately, he has 14 days to respond to the charges. The USA has not yet announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup but Jones, who is in Sri Lanka as one of the 18 players, is unlikely to make the cut. The ICC also said that the investigation is still on and more personnel will be named in due course. The charges against Jones are "part of a wider investigation which is likely to result in further charges being issued against other participants in due course," read the ICC statement. Aaron Jones cricket career highlights Jones made his debut for USA in 2019 and has played 52 ODIs as well as 48 T20Is, scoring 1,664 and 770 runs, respectively. He is most famous for scoring 94 off just 40 balls against Canada in T20 World Cup and 36 not out off 26 balls against Pakistan in USA's famnous victory in the same tournament. In franchise cricket, Jones has played for USA-based Major League Cricket (MLC), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as well. He last played international cricket in April 2025.

As per the ICC, Jones was found in breach on on five account for ICC's Anti-Corrpution code and has 14 days to respond. The USA has not yet announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup but Jones, who is in Sri Lanka as one of the 18 players, is unlikely to make the cut.

'Fixing, contriving to fix...': ICC suspends USA batter Aaron Jones for corruption related charges

Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona booked last-16 places in the Champions League on Wednesday, as holders Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid missed out on the top eight. Premier League champions Liverpool thrashed Qarabag 6-0 in the eighth and final round of league-phase matches at Anfield to finish third in the 36-team table behind already-qualified Arsenal and Bayern Munich. They were joined in the last 16 by Tottenham, Barca, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Man City.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-as-we-build-towards-2027-odi-wc-stokes-joins-england-lions-coaching-staff-1769613773362">'As we build towards 2027 ODI WC': Stokes joins England Lions coaching staff</a>But holders PSG will have to go through the knockout play-off round, as they did en route to glory last season, after a 1-1 home draw with Newcastle.Record 15-time winners Real Madrid also missed out on direct last-16 qualification in a dramatic 4-2 loss at former coach Jose Mourinho's Benfica, who snatched the final play-off spot thanks to a 98th-minute goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.Liverpool forged ahead against Qarabag with a scrappy goal from Alexis Mac Allister before Florian Wirtz slotted in a second.Mohamed Salah curled in from the edge of the box after Dominik Szoboszlai laid off a free-kick early in the second half and Hugo Ekitike raced clear to make it four.Mac Allister completed a brace and substitute Federico Chiesa rounded off the rout."Hopefully (we can reach) the final," Mac Allister told uefa.com. "We know what we're capable of."Man City, Champions League winners in 2023, saw off Galatasaray 2-0 at the Etihad to grab eighth place with goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.Barcelona, semi-finalists last season, came from behind to beat FC Copenhagen 4-1 at the Camp Nou, finishing fifth in the table.Barca were stunned by a fourth-minute goal from 17-year-old Viktor Dadason, but Robert Lewandowski levelled shortly after half-time.Lamine Yamal put Barca ahead with a shot that took a big deflection, before Raphinha's 69th-minute penalty and a late free-kick from Marcus Rashford secured the Spanish champions a last-16 berth.Tottenham beat already-eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in Germany to take fourth, courtesy of goals from strikers Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke.Chelsea made it five English teams straight through to the last 16, knocking Serie A title holders Napoli out of the competition with a 3-2 win.Enzo Fernandez put Chelsea in front from the penalty spot but Antonio Vergara scored his first goal for Napoli to revive his team's hopes of reaching the knock-out phase.Hosts Napoli completed the first-half turnaround when Rasmus Hojlund crashed in a close-range shot.But they were knocked out of the top 24 by Joao Pedro's second-half double, a thumping strike followed by a cool finish on the counter.Sporting Lisbon were the surprise top-eight finishers as they twice fought back to win 3-2 at Athletic Bilbao.<h2>Real face play-offs after 'keeper drama</h2>Real Madrid took the lead against Benfica when Kylian Mbappe headed home his 12th Champions League goal of the season.But Benfica hit back before the break through Andreas Schjelderup and Vangelis Pavlidis's penalty.Schjelderup drilled in his second early in the second period, although Real pulled one back through Mbappe, leaving Benfica needing to score again to pip Marseille to the last play-off spot.Both Raul Asencio and Rodrygo were sent off to leave Real down to nine men in injury time, and Trubin sensationally headed home a free-kick with the last touch of the game.Real will face either a rematch with Benfica or a tie with Bodo/Glimt, who won 2-1 at Atletico Madrid, in the next round."I think we were far from the level we need to show," said new Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa.Newcastle and PSG will both go into the play-offs, against either Qarabag or Monaco, after a stalemate at the Parc des Princes.Nick Pope made an excellent save to keep out Ousmane Dembele's spot-kick, but PSG soon took the lead through Vitinha's low strike from the edge of the box.Newcastle managed to stay in the game and equalised in first-half added time, as Joe Willock arrived late in the box to head in a Dan Burn flick-on."It's always difficult when you have expectations to be in the top eight," PSG coach Luis Enrique told TNT Sports."Newcastle is a very good side... But we need to improve."<h2>Inter, Juve miss top eight</h2>Inter Milan failed to seal a top-eight berth despite a 2-0 success over Borussia Dortmund, as did Juventus after their goalless draw at Monaco.Atletico, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge and Galatasaray are the other sides into the play-off round.Arsenal made it eight wins from eight to wrap up top spot with a 4-1 victory over Kairat Almaty, while Bayern saw off PSV Eindhoven 2-1 with a winner from Harry Kane, knocking their Dutch opponents out of the competition.

Record 15-time winners Real Madrid also missed out on direct last-16 qualification in a dramatic 4-2 loss at former coach Jose Mourinho's Benfica, who snatched the final play-off spot thanks to a 98th-minute goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona booked last-16 places in the Champions League on Wednesday, as holders Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid missed out on the top eight. Premier League champions Liverpool thrashed Qarabag 6-0 in the eighth and final round of league-phase matches at Anfield to finish third in the 36-team table behind already-qualified Arsenal and Bayern Munich. They were joined in the last 16 by Tottenham, Barca, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Man City. Also Read: 'As we build towards 2027 ODI WC': Stokes joins England Lions coaching staff But holders PSG will have to go through the knockout play-off round, as they did en route to glory last season, after a 1-1 home draw with Newcastle. Record 15-time winners Real Madrid also missed out on direct last-16 qualification in a dramatic 4-2 loss at former coach Jose Mourinho's Benfica, who snatched the final play-off spot thanks to a 98th-minute goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. Liverpool forged ahead against Qarabag with a scrappy goal from Alexis Mac Allister before Florian Wirtz slotted in a second. Mohamed Salah curled in from the edge of the box after Dominik Szoboszlai laid off a free-kick early in the second half and Hugo Ekitike raced clear to make it four. Mac Allister completed a brace and substitute Federico Chiesa rounded off the rout. "Hopefully (we can reach) the final," Mac Allister told uefa.com. "We know what we're capable of." Man City, Champions League winners in 2023, saw off Galatasaray 2-0 at the Etihad to grab eighth place with goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki. Barcelona, semi-finalists last season, came from behind to beat FC Copenhagen 4-1 at the Camp Nou, finishing fifth in the table. Barca were stunned by a fourth-minute goal from 17-year-old Viktor Dadason, but Robert Lewandowski levelled shortly after half-time. Lamine Yamal put Barca ahead with a shot that took a big deflection, before Raphinha's 69th-minute penalty and a late free-kick from Marcus Rashford secured the Spanish champions a last-16 berth. Tottenham beat already-eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in Germany to take fourth, courtesy of goals from strikers Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke. Chelsea made it five English teams straight through to the last 16, knocking Serie A title holders Napoli out of the competition with a 3-2 win. Enzo Fernandez put Chelsea in front from the penalty spot but Antonio Vergara scored his first goal for Napoli to revive his team's hopes of reaching the knock-out phase. Hosts Napoli completed the first-half turnaround when Rasmus Hojlund crashed in a close-range shot. But they were knocked out of the top 24 by Joao Pedro's second-half double, a thumping strike followed by a cool finish on the counter. Sporting Lisbon were the surprise top-eight finishers as they twice fought back to win 3-2 at Athletic Bilbao. Real face play-offs after 'keeper drama Real Madrid took the lead against Benfica when Kylian Mbappe headed home his 12th Champions League goal of the season. But Benfica hit back before the break through Andreas Schjelderup and Vangelis Pavlidis's penalty. Schjelderup drilled in his second early in the second period, although Real pulled one back through Mbappe, leaving Benfica needing to score again to pip Marseille to the last play-off spot. Both Raul Asencio and Rodrygo were sent off to leave Real down to nine men in injury time, and Trubin sensationally headed home a free-kick with the last touch of the game. Real will face either a rematch with Benfica or a tie with Bodo/Glimt, who won 2-1 at Atletico Madrid, in the next round. "I think we were far from the level we need to show," said new Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Newcastle and PSG will both go into the play-offs, against either Qarabag or Monaco, after a stalemate at the Parc des Princes. Nick Pope made an excellent save to keep out Ousmane Dembele's spot-kick, but PSG soon took the lead through Vitinha's low strike from the edge of the box. Newcastle managed to stay in the game and equalised in first-half added time, as Joe Willock arrived late in the box to head in a Dan Burn flick-on. "It's always difficult when you have expectations to be in the top eight," PSG coach Luis Enrique told TNT Sports. "Newcastle is a very good side... But we need to improve." Inter, Juve miss top eight Inter Milan failed to seal a top-eight berth despite a 2-0 success over Borussia Dortmund, as did Juventus after their goalless draw at Monaco. Atletico, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge and Galatasaray are the other sides into the play-off round. Arsenal made it eight wins from eight to wrap up top spot with a 4-1 victory over Kairat Almaty, while Bayern saw off PSV Eindhoven 2-1 with a winner from Harry Kane, knocking their Dutch opponents out of the competition.

Record 15-time winners Real Madrid also missed out on direct last-16 qualification in a dramatic 4-2 loss at former coach Jose Mourinho's Benfica, who snatched the final play-off spot thanks to a 98th-minute goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

UEFA Champions League: Liverpool, Man City, Barcelona in last 16, PSG & Real Madrid miss top 8 berth

New Zealand finally broke the duck in the ongoing T20I series against India as they got the better of the Men in Blue in the fourth contest in Vizag on Wednesday (Jan 28). Riding on an excellent batting display followed by a good bowling attack saw the BlackCaps emerge victorious by 50 runs despite Shivam Dube’s 65-run knock. The means New Zealand have restored pride with a win while India still lead the series 3-1 with one match to go.<h2>New Zealand floor India</h2>Having already won the series, India did not hold back and were tasked to chase 216 runs to win. However, like every other match in the series, India made a poor start to their innings, losing Abhishek Sharma on the first ball. India would quickly lose captain Suryakumar Yadav (8) before Sanju Samson (24) and Rinku Singh (39) played their part in stabilising the innings. However, quick wickets once again derailed India’s chase as they lost Samson and Rinku in close proximity.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Samson’s 24-run knock made him no favours as his poor form continues ahead of the T20 World Cup, which starts on Feb 7. India were 82/5 at one stage before Shivam Dube’s batting onslaught started. Dube scored his fifty in mere 15 balls, keeping India in the contest. Dube and Harshit Rana (9) stitched a stand of 63 runs in 27 balls before the former was dismissed through an unfortunate run out.&nbsp;India would eventually lose wickets in tandem before the hosts were folded for 165 in 18.4 overs. Dube’s quickfire fifty did no favours to the Indian team as they lost by 50 runs.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a><h2>What happened in New Zealand innings?</h2>Having been put to bat first, New Zealand's opening pair of Devon Conway (44) and Tim Seifert (62) stitched a stand of 100 runs to build momentum. Glenn Phillips (24) and Daryl Mitchell (39) scored valuable runs as New Zealand made efforts to reach 200. Useful knocks from Zakary Foulkes (13) and captain Mitchell Santner (11) helped the BlackCaps reach 215/7 in their 20 overs.&nbsp;Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav both bagged two wickets each for India, with Ravi Bishnoi and Jasprit Bumrah also amongst the wickets.&nbsp;The two nations now meet in the final T20I on Saturday (Jan 31) at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram with India already leading 3-1 in the series.

Riding on an excellent batting display followed by a good bowling attack saw the BlackCaps emerge victorious by 50 runs in the fourth T20I despite Shivam Dube’s 65-run knock. 

New Zealand finally broke the duck in the ongoing T20I series against India as they got the better of the Men in Blue in the fourth contest in Vizag on Wednesday (Jan 28). Riding on an excellent batting display followed by a good bowling attack saw the BlackCaps emerge victorious by 50 runs despite Shivam Dube’s 65-run knock. The means New Zealand have restored pride with a win while India still lead the series 3-1 with one match to go. New Zealand floor India Having already won the series, India did not hold back and were tasked to chase 216 runs to win. However, like every other match in the series, India made a poor start to their innings, losing Abhishek Sharma on the first ball. India would quickly lose captain Suryakumar Yadav (8) before Sanju Samson (24) and Rinku Singh (39) played their part in stabilising the innings. However, quick wickets once again derailed India’s chase as they lost Samson and Rinku in close proximity. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Samson’s 24-run knock made him no favours as his poor form continues ahead of the T20 World Cup, which starts on Feb 7. India were 82/5 at one stage before Shivam Dube’s batting onslaught started. Dube scored his fifty in mere 15 balls, keeping India in the contest. Dube and Harshit Rana (9) stitched a stand of 63 runs in 27 balls before the former was dismissed through an unfortunate run out. India would eventually lose wickets in tandem before the hosts were folded for 165 in 18.4 overs. Dube’s quickfire fifty did no favours to the Indian team as they lost by 50 runs. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds What happened in New Zealand innings? Having been put to bat first, New Zealand's opening pair of Devon Conway (44) and Tim Seifert (62) stitched a stand of 100 runs to build momentum. Glenn Phillips (24) and Daryl Mitchell (39) scored valuable runs as New Zealand made efforts to reach 200. Useful knocks from Zakary Foulkes (13) and captain Mitchell Santner (11) helped the BlackCaps reach 215/7 in their 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav both bagged two wickets each for India, with Ravi Bishnoi and Jasprit Bumrah also amongst the wickets. The two nations now meet in the final T20I on Saturday (Jan 31) at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram with India already leading 3-1 in the series.

Riding on an excellent batting display followed by a good bowling attack saw the BlackCaps emerge victorious by 50 runs in the fourth T20I despite Shivam Dube’s 65-run knock.&nbsp;

IND vs NZ: New Zealand floor India in dead-rubber Vizag contest; Dube shines, Samson fails again

The Ice Hockey League (IHL) returns to Ladakh for its third season, set to begin on Thursday (Jan 29) and will run through Feb 14 at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium. Building on months of structured training and community-led preparation, Season 3 marks the league’s most expansive and competitive edition to date, reaffirming its role as a critical platform for the growth of Ice Hockey in the Himalayan region.&nbsp;Spanning 17 days, the League will feature a complete round-robin format across both men’s and women’s categories, ensuring each team competes against each other. This format underscores the growing competitive depth and consistency of Ice Hockey talent emerging from Ladakh.&nbsp;Defending champions Kangs Sing enter Season 3 as the team to beat, having retained their men’s title last year with a dominant 5–2 victory over Changthang Shans in the final. The men's champions remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, with captain Mushtaq Ahmed Giri earning the Best Player award in the men’s category. In the women’s category, Padma Chorol emerged as the Best Player.&nbsp;&nbsp;On the scoring front, Waseem Bilal of Humas Warriors led the men’s scoring charts with 10 goals, while Tsewang Chuskit led the women’s category with 10 goals. Reinforcing the League’s emphasis on sportsmanship, the Fair Play Awards were presented to Humas Warriors (men) and Sham Eagles (women) for their exemplary conduct on the ice.<h2>Opening Day Fixtures</h2>The league will begin on January 29 with Sham Wolves taking on debutants Kharu Falcons in the opening game at 9:00 a.m. This will be followed by a clash between last season’s semi-finalists, Purig Warriors and Humas Warriors, at 11:00 a.m.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;The opening ceremony, scheduled for 12:30 p.m, will mark the formal commencement of the season in the august presence of Mr. Ashish Kundra, IAS, Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh. Also, Ladakh’s popular band, Dashugs, will perform at the ceremony, setting the tone for a season that blends high-intensity competition with strong local cultural identity.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Post the ceremony, the women’s category will take centre stage as last season’s runners-up Changla Lamos face Sham Eagles, a repeat of their semi-final encounter from the REIHL Season 2. The day will also see men’s defending champions Kangs Sing begin their title defence against last season’s runners-up ChangthangShans, followed by Changla Blasters locking horns with Zanskar Chadar Tamers.&nbsp;In the women’s category, Kharu Eagles, making their League debut this season, will play their first match against Humas Queens on January 31.&nbsp;(With Inputs from Agencies)

Defending champions Kangs Sing enter Season 3 as the team to beat, having retained their men’s title last year with a dominant 5–2 victory over Changthang Shans in the final.

The Ice Hockey League (IHL) returns to Ladakh for its third season, set to begin on Thursday (Jan 29) and will run through Feb 14 at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium. Building on months of structured training and community-led preparation, Season 3 marks the league’s most expansive and competitive edition to date, reaffirming its role as a critical platform for the growth of Ice Hockey in the Himalayan region. Spanning 17 days, the League will feature a complete round-robin format across both men’s and women’s categories, ensuring each team competes against each other. This format underscores the growing competitive depth and consistency of Ice Hockey talent emerging from Ladakh. Defending champions Kangs Sing enter Season 3 as the team to beat, having retained their men’s title last year with a dominant 5–2 victory over Changthang Shans in the final. The men's champions remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, with captain Mushtaq Ahmed Giri earning the Best Player award in the men’s category. In the women’s category, Padma Chorol emerged as the Best Player. On the scoring front, Waseem Bilal of Humas Warriors led the men’s scoring charts with 10 goals, while Tsewang Chuskit led the women’s category with 10 goals. Reinforcing the League’s emphasis on sportsmanship, the Fair Play Awards were presented to Humas Warriors (men) and Sham Eagles (women) for their exemplary conduct on the ice. Opening Day Fixtures The league will begin on January 29 with Sham Wolves taking on debutants Kharu Falcons in the opening game at 9:00 a.m. This will be followed by a clash between last season’s semi-finalists, Purig Warriors and Humas Warriors, at 11:00 a.m. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds The opening ceremony, scheduled for 12:30 p.m, will mark the formal commencement of the season in the august presence of Mr. Ashish Kundra, IAS, Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh. Also, Ladakh’s popular band, Dashugs, will perform at the ceremony, setting the tone for a season that blends high-intensity competition with strong local cultural identity. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Post the ceremony, the women’s category will take centre stage as last season’s runners-up Changla Lamos face Sham Eagles, a repeat of their semi-final encounter from the REIHL Season 2. The day will also see men’s defending champions Kangs Sing begin their title defence against last season’s runners-up ChangthangShans, followed by Changla Blasters locking horns with Zanskar Chadar Tamers. In the women’s category, Kharu Eagles, making their League debut this season, will play their first match against Humas Queens on January 31. (With Inputs from Agencies)

Defending champions Kangs Sing enter Season 3 as the team to beat, having retained their men’s title last year with a dominant 5–2 victory over Changthang Shans in the final.

India's Ladakh set for third season of Ice Hockey League, 16 teams to participate across divisions

From Abhishek Sharma to Shivam Dube here is a look at five Indian batters with fastest fifties in the ongoing IND vs NZ T20I series. The honourable list consists of names like Shivam Dube and skipper Suryakumar Yadav. 

From Abhishek Sharma to Shivam Dube here is a look at five Indian batters with fastest fifties in the ongoing IND vs NZ T20I series. The honourable list consists of names like Shivam Dube and skipper Suryakumar Yadav.&nbsp;

From Abhishek Sharma to Shivam Dube, 5 Indian batters with fastest fifties in IND vs NZ T20I series

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Meet 5 Indian batters with fastest fifties in IND vs NZ T20I series