India’s Yuki Bhambri and his Swedish partner Andre Garansson progressed to the second round of the Australian Open 2026 men’s doubles event with a win over local wild cards James Duckworth and Cruz Hewitt, the son of former World No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam winner Lleyton Hewitt, in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Match Highlights

The 10th-seeded Indo-Swedish pair secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory in just 57 minutes. In the second round, Bhambri and Garansson will face either Mexico’s Santiago Gonzalez and the Netherlands’ David Pel or the Brazilian duo of Marcelo Melo and Fernando Romboli.

Bhambri and Garansson dominated from the start, delivering a near-perfect serving performance. In the opening set, they held four of their five service games to love, dropping just a single point in the ninth game. A break in the eighth game against Duckworth and Hewitt was all they needed to clinch the set.

The momentum carried into the second set, where Bhambri and Garansson once again won four of their five service games to love. A decisive break in the seventh game proved sufficient to wrap up the contest.

Previous Achievements

Bhambri’s best performance at the Australian Open came in 2014, when he reached the third round alongside New Zealand’s Michael Venus. His best showing at a Grand Slam occurred last year, when the pair made a run to the semi-finals at the US Open.

Mixed Doubles Partnership

Bhambri will partner with the 2018 Wimbledon champion, Nicole Melichar-Martinez of America, in the mixed doubles event. They are set to compete against the sixth-seeded Zhang Shuai of China and Germany’s Tim Putz in the opening round on Thursday.

Earlier, another Indian, Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha, exited in the first round of the men’s doubles draw. Poonacha and his Thai partner Pruchya Isaro lost 7-6(3), 7-5 to Spain’s Pedro Martínez and Jaume Munar on Tuesday.

With the Chhattisgarh Open Golf Championship 2026 just around the corner, excitement is rapidly building in the golfing community. Fans are eagerly anticipating strong player participation, heightened competition, and the prestige of Raipur hosting the first major tournament of the new PGTI season.

Ongoing PGTI Qualifying School 2026

Adding to this momentum is the ongoing PGTI Qualifying School 2026, the annual qualifying tournament of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). This event grants golfers their playing status (“tour card”) for the upcoming season, determining eligibility for tournaments throughout the year.

The Qualifying School will unveil a new set of Tour card-holders, many of whom are expected to be in contention for the Raipur season-opener. This influx of fresh talent will bring new energy and high-intensity competition to the field.

Significance of the PGTI Qualifying School

The PGTI Qualifying School is crucial in shaping the competitive landscape of Indian professional golf each season. It offers aspiring professionals, returning golfers, and international participants the chance to secure their playing status, establishing a priority list for PGTI events throughout the year.

As the final qualifiers emerge in the coming days, interest will heighten among golf fans and stakeholders, keenly observing who earns the right to compete on the national stage.

“With new qualifiers entering the main Tour, fans can look forward to an even stronger and more exciting field in Raipur,” he said.

Chhattisgarh Open: A Showcase of Elite Golf

The Chhattisgarh Open in Raipur has quickly become a marquee event, known for its world-class setting and growing reputation as a tournament that showcases elite golf while fostering strong public engagement. With the tournament approaching, the focus is on Raipur as it prepares to welcome India’s leading professionals alongside newly qualified contenders from the Q-School.

Upcoming Highlights:

• Q-School qualifiers earning their 2026 cards
• A strong and competitive field for Raipur
• A high-energy season launch in Chhattisgarh

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has reflected on his international career, missed opportunities, and return to the opening role in a video released by the BCCI. Samson, who was part of India’s squad for the historic T20 World Cup 2024 triumph but did not get an opportunity to play, admitted that the phase was challenging, though he remained thankful for being included in the 15-member squad.

Career Reflection

“Talking about the T20 World Cup 2024, I didn’t play a game. Things were up and down, to be very honest, and I was not matching the expectations I had set for myself. But I was grateful that I made it to the fifteen,” Samson said.

Reflecting on his journey so far, the Kerala batter described his career as marked by unpredictability, especially in the shortest format. “My journey is very special. You never know when you will get the opportunity to play. In this format, ups and downs keep happening,” he mentioned.

Dealing with Pressure

Samson also addressed dealing with external pressure while playing for the national team. “It’s hard to ignore outside noise when you’re playing for India. I created my own bubble and kept focusing on the little things. I knew my time would come,” he added.

The wicketkeeper-batter noted that the unexpected opportunity to open the innings turned out to be a significant turning point in his career. “With God’s grace, it happened out of nowhere. I came into the World Cup side as a middle-order batter, but an opening slot opened up. I got the opportunity to bat in around 10 or 11 innings, and I did something special, which brought me into the Indian opening role,” Samson stated.

Motivation and Mindset

Addressing the stop-start nature of his international appearances, Samson mentioned that continued belief in getting a chance kept him motivated. “People say I didn’t get a long run, but I see that as a positive sign. After 10 years of international cricket, I still feel very special wearing this jersey. That feeling keeps me going,” he said.

He also spoke about his fearless batting approach in T20Is, stating that it aligns naturally with the format’s demands. “This format demands fearlessness and not thinking too much about mistakes. Luckily, that comes naturally to me,” he noted.

Team Rapport

Samson further emphasized his strong rapport with T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, highlighting the importance of communication. “I have a great connection with Surya. We exchange a lot of ideas and ask questions. Having that rapport with the captain is very important in this format,” he said.

Samson will be in action later when he opens the innings for India in the first match of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed former Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter Dishant Yagnik as their fielding coach ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Yagnik is set to bring a wealth of experience and a sharp eye for fielding excellence to KKR, with the franchise entering the IPL with a fresh, new-look support staff unit. This unit will be led by Abhishek Nayar (Head Coach), DJ Bravo (Mentor), Shane Watson (Assistant Coach), Tim Southee (Bowling Coach), and Andre Russell (Power Coach), as stated by KKR.

Hailing from Banswara in Rajasthan, Yagnik, 43, featured in 25 IPL matches from 2011 to 2014 for Rajasthan Royals. He played 50 first-class, 41 List A, and 56 T20 matches in his domestic career spanning 13 years. Since retiring, Yagnik has worked as a fielding coach in the league across multiple seasons. Notably, he was with the Rajasthan Royals from 2018 to 2025 as their fielding coach.

During his long stint with the Jaipur-based franchise, Yagnik worked extensively with overseas players and nurtured Indian cricketers. He is currently serving as the fielding coach for the Jammu & Kashmir senior men’s team in the ongoing domestic cricket season.

In last year’s IPL auction held in Abu Dhabi, KKR had a busy day acquiring as many as 13 players, including Australia’s seam-bowling all-rounder Cameron Green for a whopping Rs 25.2 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player in the tournament’s history. However, his actual earnings will be capped at Rs 18 crore under a new IPL regulation, with the rest of the money paid by KKR going to the BCCI’s player welfare fund. They also secured the services of Sri Lanka’s death overs bowling specialist Matheesha Pathirana for a massive Rs 18 crore.

KKR further added Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Akash Deep, Tejasvi Singh Dahiya, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Sarthak Ranjan, and Daksh Kamra at the auction.

India prepares for an exciting Davis Cup challenge against the Netherlands in the Round 1 Qualifiers, scheduled for February 7 and 8. The two-day tie will commence with two singles matches on the first day, followed by doubles and reverse singles on the second day at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) Stadium.

Official Draw Ceremony

The official draw ceremony, part of the buildup, will be held on February 6, previewing a thrilling weekend of team tennis.

Team Rankings and Lineup

India enters the tie ranked No. 33 worldwide and faces a tough challenge against the No. 4 ranked Netherlands, who were the runners-up at the 2024 Davis Cup. India’s singles lineup is led by Sumit Nagal, flanked by Dhakshineswar Suresh and Karan Singh, while Yuki Bhambri and Rithvik Bollipalli will take charge of the doubles.

The team is captained by Rohit Rajpal, with Ashutosh Singh serving as coach.

Netherlands Squad

The Netherlands Davis Cup team is expected to rely on Jesper de Jong and Guy den Ouden for singles matches, while the seasoned doubles team of David Pel and Sander Arends offers stability under captain Paul Haarhuis.

Official Statement

On this occasion, Sunil Yajaman, Honorary Joint Secretary of KSLTA, stated, “The Davis Cup has always been a special competition for Indian tennis, and we are delighted to welcome fans for this important Qualifiers tie against the Netherlands. Tickets for the tie are now live and we encourage fans to come out and support the team in person. Home support plays a huge role in Davis Cup ties, and we are confident of creating a great atmosphere over the two days.”

Tickets for the tie are now on sale at Ticketgenie.

Bengaluru’s Davis Cup History

Bengaluru has a storied Davis Cup history, having hosted numerous tennis matches over the years. The city has previously hosted India’s matches against Australia in 1970, Sweden in 1985, Indonesia in 2013, Serbia in 2014, and Uzbekistan in 2017.

The Indian tennis team has made it to the finals three times: in 1966, 1974, and 1987.

Qualification Achievement

The Indian team qualified for the 2026 qualifiers with a solid 3-1 win against Switzerland in September, marking their first victory over a European team since 1993. Led by Sumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh, the performance was also India’s best result since the competition format changed in 2019.

Harry Brook, a day before the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, has expressed his gratitude for retaining England’s white-ball captaincy after an off-field incident in New Zealand.

Brook feels that he has work to do in order to rebuild trust within the squad. Last November, the England star had a clash with a nightclub bouncer just before the third ODI against New Zealand. Given that this was Brook’s first time leading England in an overseas series, he informed the team management about the incident. He faced a significant fine but did not lose his captaincy.

Acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, Brook admitted that the thought of losing the captaincy was on his mind. “I didn’t think about resigning, but getting sacked was definitely playing through my mind; I left that decision to the hierarchy. If they had taken the captaincy away, I would have accepted it as long as I could still play for England,” Brook said to the media ahead of the first ODI.

The 26-year-old also recognized his fortune in not losing the captaincy. “I made a mistake, and I would have held my hands up if the decision had gone the other way,” he admitted.

Brook mentioned that he has already apologized to his teammates and acknowledges the responsibility that comes with leadership. “It’s not acceptable as a player, and as a captain, it’s even less acceptable. I know I have work to do to regain the trust of the players.”

However, Brook strongly dismissed the idea that the England squad has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. “I don’t think there’s a drinking culture at all. We’re all grown up enough to make our own choices,” he said.

The first ODI of the three-match series is scheduled for January 22 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The second and third ODIs will follow at the same location on January 24 and 27.

Following the ODIs, the former champions will bolster their preparations for the T20 World Cup with a three-match T20I series against co-host Sri Lanka, starting on January 30 at Pallekele International Stadium.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), expressing support for Bangladesh’s position of not wanting to play their matches in India during the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.

The ICC is expected to make a final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday. According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the PCB conveyed its support for the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) stance, citing prevailing political tensions between the two countries. The PCB has also copied members of the ICC Board in this communication.

It has been learned that a meeting took place between the ICC and BCB on Wednesday, where both parties upheld their positions. While the ICC emphasized that the tournament should proceed as scheduled, the BCB reiterated its inability to send its team to India.

Earlier, reports suggested that Pakistan threatened to withdraw from the T20 World Cup if Bangladesh’s request to relocate its matches out of India was not met. In light of this, the PCB has advised its team to ease preparations for the event.

Additionally, Bangladesh proposed to the ICC that it be moved to Group B, swapping places with Ireland, which is scheduled to play its group matches in Sri Lanka. However, the ICC has reportedly assured Ireland that no such adjustment will occur.

India and Sri Lanka are set to co-host the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup starting on February 7. Nonetheless, the BCB has been firm that its league stage matches be shifted to Sri Lanka due to security concerns and rising tensions between Bangladesh and India.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has kicked off the ‘Class of 26’ series, spotlighting the alma maters of Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson. This initiative celebrates the early careers of current World Cup players and aims to inspire the next generation across the nation during the World Cup Trophy Tour.

Celebrating Early Journeys

The Class of 26 intends to return the prestigious trophy to the schools where each Indian cricket team member’s journey began. Their goal is to make history by defending the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title on home ground, bringing the trophy back to the places that ignited the ambitions of these talented players, where their skills were first recognized and nurtured.

By connecting the trophy to the players’ formative years, the series honors their early journey from school dreams to international stardom. It serves as a reminder to students that every successful career starts with a dream. These visits transform the trophy from a mere symbol of global achievement into a reflection of potential.

Inspiring Future Generations

The Class of 26 also emphasizes the extensive journey behind each World Cup appearance, showcasing the years of discipline, sacrifice, and persistence that characterize an international career. Through interactive and enjoyable activities, young fans celebrate and connect with the trophy, inspiring them to dream big and elevating excitement for the upcoming global tournament.

At all three institutions visited, the trophy was met with a ceremonial guard of honour. Students engaged in activities with Blaze and Tonk, the tournament mascots, and participated in interactive games and challenges, with winners receiving ICC Men’s T20 World Cup merchandise. This contributed to a lively and memorable campus tour.

Visits to Notable Institutions

The first visit was to MK High School in Vadodara, where India all-rounder Hardik Pandya studied. The event was attended by Principal Vinaya Tulasi and Director Subhash Pandya.

Next, the tour moved to the College of Commerce in Patna, attended by wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Vice Principal M Faizal, Sports In-charge K.B Padmadeo, and other faculty members, including Mukesh Kumar Madhukar, Prof. Mridula Kumari, Manisha Roy, Ayan Mukherjee, and Satyam Kumar, were present.

The final stop was Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram, where India wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson studied. Principal Meera George and faculty members including Bursar Fr. Thomas Kaiyaleckal, Tom Thomas, Jiji Kurian, Ratheesh R, and Deepa Mary Joseph attended the event.

At Mar Ivanios College, students added creativity by writing Sanju Samson’s name with ‘post-it’ notes on a backdrop and leaving messages for him, highlighting the emotional connection between players and their roots.

Upcoming Engagements

The tour will continue with visits to the former educational institutions of other squad members, sharing stories of ambition that began there and led to global success.

The Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8 across various venues in India and Sri Lanka, including Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy).

European T20 Premier League (ETPL), officially sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC), has announced Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Belfast as the first franchise cities to join the competition, set to begin at the end of August this year.

Franchise Ownership Announcements

At an international press conference, the League confirmed the owners of its first three franchises. Amsterdam will be owned by a group led by Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh, alongside five-time World Player of the Year and Olympic gold medallist Jamie Dwyer, and former CEO of the Centre for Australia-India Relations, Tim Thomas.

“I’ve always been selective about where I invest my time and energy in cricket. Franchise cricket has expanded quickly, but this opportunity stood out because it is driven by aspiration and long-term thinking. In many ways, it marks a return to the game for me — but in a very different role. This is about helping uphold the standards and spirit of cricket while supporting its growth into Europe, which remains the game’s last great frontier,” Waugh stated.

Edinburgh’s franchise will be owned by former New Zealand internationals Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills, the latter being a former fast bowler and ICC No.1 ODI bowler.

Belfast will see ownership from Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Rohan Lund, a former Group CEO of NRMA.

Defining Moment for European Cricket

This announcement marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of professional cricket in Europe and represents the first phase of ETPL’s franchise rollout ahead of its inaugural season, which is set to commence in the last week of August.

“I am thrilled to be involved with the Irish Wolves, where we will build a culture of fun, family and playing without fear. The Irish people love their sport and Cricket Ireland has made huge strides in expanding the game over the last two decades. The Wolves and the European T20 Premier League will accelerate that growth and I feel super proud to be leading the franchise in its inaugural year,” said Maxwell.

“The opportunity to be part of franchise ownership in a league built with strong governance and deep board partnerships is hugely compelling. ETPL has all the ingredients to become a serious force in global cricket,” added Mills.

Ownership and Governance

ETPL is owned and operated through a joint venture between Rules Global (“Rules X”) and Cricket Ireland, a Full Member of the International Cricket Council. The league is co-founded by Abhishek Bachchan, Saurav Banerjee, Priyanka Kaul, and Dhiraj Malhotra, with formal partnerships with Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB).

Abhishek Bachchan, co-founder of ETPL, is an acclaimed Indian actor and sports entrepreneur. “My journey across sport has taught me that meaningful franchises are built with intent, integrity and vision; and these three teams represent exactly that. ETPL will bring together established international stars alongside emerging talent from Europe and other associate nations, while upholding the highest standards of governance, transparency and sporting integrity, setting a new benchmark for emerging franchise leagues.”

Saurav Banerjee, co-founder of the ETPL, mentioned, “Europe is home to nearly one-third of the ICC’s global membership, with 34 member nations across the continent, the largest concentration anywhere in the world. Through professional governance, a franchise-based structure and long-term discipline, ETPL aims to catalyse sustainable commercial growth and elevate European cricket on the global stage.”

Future of European Cricket

As European cricket continues to gain momentum, highlighted by Italy qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and England, Ireland, and Scotland hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Europe is positioned to play a significant role in shaping the sport’s next decade.

Brian MacNeice, Chair of ETPL and non-executive Director on the Board of Cricket Ireland, stated, “The launch of the European T20 Premier League is not only a landmark occasion for European cricket but is also a crucial step forward in the development and growth of Irish cricket. Since gaining Full Membership, we have made steady and sustainable progress as a sport – but over the next few years, we are poised for an enormous leap.”

Trudy Lindblade, CEO of Cricket Scotland, expressed, “We are delighted to welcome the first three ETPL franchise owners. This league represents a significant step forward for European cricket, and we appreciate the role played by our stakeholders in creating a truly exciting and groundbreaking opportunity for everyone involved, particularly Scottish players and supporters of cricket in this country.”

Lucas Hendriske, interim CEO of KNCB, remarked, “The launch of the European T20 Premier League will be a landmark moment for cricket in Europe. The League will accelerate the growth of cricket across the region by providing visibility, high-performance standards, and inspiration for the next generation. We are excited to see Europe take this step forward and proud that the Netherlands will play a central role in shaping its future.”