In the opening match of the Ranji Trophy, seasoned bowler Umar Mir showed off his skills by dismissing big names like Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, and Shivam Dube. With an impressive history of performances in domestic cricket, Mir continues to be a key player for Jammu and Kashmir. The much-awaited return of Rohit Sharma and his partner Yashasvi Jaiswal to domestic cricket was not as successful as they were both dismissed early in the match. Mir's display of pace and bounce kept Mumbai on edge and sent their wickets tumbling. The sparse crowd at the stadium quickly returned to their desks after Rohit's dismissal.
Star Indian batter Rohit Sharma returned to domestic cricket after a decade but was out for just 3 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir. Mumbai struggled early on, losing their openers early, and were left reeling at 41 runs for the loss of half their side as Rohit's dismissal added to their woes. J and K pacer Umar Nazir Mir was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets, as Mumbai's Test stars flopped in their return to the Ranji Trophy.
With just one game left in this phase, four Italian teams - Inter, Atalanta, Milan, and Juventus - are close to securing direct access to the Champions League Round of 16. The new format of the competition has made it more exciting with all the results going into a single large table. However, Juventus faces an uphill battle and needs to win their final match at home, while all remaining matches will be played simultaneously on Wednesday January 29 at 20.00 GMT.
Ronald Araujo is set to stay at Barcelona for the long haul as he reportedly signs a contract extension with the club until 2031. The Uruguayan defender has been a key player for the team since his promotion to the senior side in 2020 and has attracted interest from top European clubs. After returning from a hamstring injury, Araujo's performance in the Supercopa de Espana final against Real Madrid solidified his importance to the team. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has also praised him as one of the best defenders in the world.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released a high-energy campaign film for the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, featuring top stars from participating countries. The film highlights the intense nature of the tournament where every match counts and players put everything on the line for a chance to claim the unique White Jackets. With the tournament featuring the world's top-eight cricketing nations, and Afghanistan making its debut, the stage is set for an electrifying competition. Players like India's Hardik Pandya, England's Phil Salt, and Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi share their excitement and determination to win the coveted trophy.
In the series opener, left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma stole the show with a stunning display of power hitting. His unbeaten 79 runs off just 34 balls included eight sixes and five fours, helping India chase down a modest total of 132 with ease. Sharma's incredible hitting was praised by coach Ravi Shastri and his partnership with Sanju Samson proved to be crucial in India's victory. England will have a tough task ahead if they want to level the series in the next match.
In the sports world, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel shines with his performance against England in the first T20I. He picks up two wickets and concedes just seven runs in three overs, including the dismissal of struggling Gus Atkinson. England, in the meanwhile, struggles to put up a good batting performance, setting a target of 132 for India. Follow Sportskeeda for live updates and news on the ongoing T20I series.
In the first T20 match between India and England, the Indian team put on an impressive performance, chasing down a target of 133 runs with ease to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Despite initial struggles against Jofra Archer, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on strong batting displays to help secure the win. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy was the standout player of the match, picking up three crucial wickets and being named Player of the Match. With five more matches to go, the series is sure to deliver more exciting moments.
Despite calls for England to boycott their match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler believes that it is not the right way to move forward. The Taliban regime's assault on women's rights in Afghanistan has sparked controversy, leading to UK politicians urging for the boycott. However, Buttler believes that political situations should not affect sports and hopes for a successful tournament.
After a thrilling match, Barcelona secured their spot in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a resounding victory. The team's post-match reactions and interviews are captured in this update, providing fans with all the latest insights and analysis. Read on for a full match report and highlights of this exciting game. Make sure to follow Al Jazeera English for more sports updates and news.