AIFF eyes centralized venue and waits for AFC slots to resume ISL
The Indian Super League (ISL) this season, even if it can be resumed, has a chance of being staged at only two or three centralized venues. With any new commercial partner yet to be confirmed, the AIFF and the clubs (seven ISL clubs attended the meeting virtually), in a scheduled meeting on Monday, spent the whole day on budgeting of the ISL this season in a new format. Along with the budgeting, which is expected to take shape in Tuesday’s meeting again, AIFF is also likely to appeal to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC,) whether they allot any slot for the ISL champions in any AFC club competitions if a single-leg League or the League is staged at centralized venue.s. Simultaneously, AFC is expected to get confirmation from the AIFF about the number of teams participating in the League this season. However, one of the AIFF officials, when asked whether it would be possible for the Federation to resume the League without the support of FSDL, revealed on condition of anonymity, “We are sure that the ISL will resume this season and it will take off from the next season.”
Prime Minister inspires seven-year old World School Chess Champion
Seven-year-old chess prodigy Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika from Surat, Gujarat, was conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar at a ceremony held in New Delhi on 26th December. The award was presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, in recognition of her exceptional achievements in the field of sports. Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika brought international recognition to India by winning the Under-7 Girls title at the 2025 FIDE World Schools Chess Championship in Serbia, where she scored a perfect 9 out of 9 points. This feat is considered historic as it marks the first time a player has achieved a flawless score at the World Schools Chess Championship. Pragnika’s mother Praveena, when asked about Pragnika’s meeting with Prime Minister by the Times of India revealed, “Initially, she was a little nervous. She said she wants to be the best chess player in the world when she grows up, and in reply, PM Modi sir inspired her. It was a historic moment for all of us.” Pragnika is presently busy participating in the Under-9 chess tournament in Guwahati. Pragnika was admitted to a chess coaching centre in Surat as her parents tried to keep both the sisters engaged. During the COVID-19 Pragnika and her sister started learning online chess under the guidance of Vickey Chauhan. Coach also had a huge appreciation for his student as he stated, “Pragmika’s strength is her temperament. She is courageous, rough, and tough. While playing, a chess player needs these ingredients the most.”
The CSK scout joins the list of elites with seven wickets in VHT!
He was an uncapped cricketer in the IPL. Still, the Chennai Super Kings, who scouted him last year, decided to retain him for the IPL this year. The 28-year-old Maharashtra pacer Ramakrshna Ghosh justified his presence, becoming the first pacer from Maharashtra to have scalped seven wickets for only 42 runs against Himachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Monday. He was the country’s 12th bowler to have claimed seven wickets in VHT. Ghosh recorded figures of 7/42 from 9.4 overs as Maharashtra bowled out Himachal Pradesh for 271 in the first innings of the match. The right-arm quick cleaned up the Himachal Pradesh top-order, claiming four wickets in the opening seven overs. Ghosh returned for a late spell to claim his maiden List A five-wicket haul and added two more scalps. Ghosh had begun the VHT 2025-26 campaign by claiming three wickets each against Sikkim and Punjab. Two bowlers have registered eight-wicket hauls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy so far. They are Arpit Guleria of Himachal Pradesh, who captured 8 wickets for 50 runs against Gujarat in 2023, and Jharkhand’s Shabhaz Nadeem, who picked up 8 wickets for only 10 runs against Rajasthan in 2018. Journey of Ghosh was established as a key man for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy when his bowling prowess was on full display in the last season. He took 11 wickets in just six matches, showcasing an average of 41.45 and an economy rate of 3.70. His best performance came against Odisha, where he claimed 3-50, demonstrating his knack for breaking partnerships and providing crucial breakthroughs. At the same time, Ghosh’s journey in the domestic T-20 circuit was significant. In the Maharashtra Premier League last year, he emerged as a standout performer, taking 20 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 17.20.
BCCI likely to send Bumrah and Pandya to a ‘rest’ in ODI series against Kiwis!
Both Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested from India’s first assignment of 2026, a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand. However, the duo will play the five T-20 Internationals that will start from 21st January. New Zealand will play India in the three-match ODI series starting from 11th January 11 as the matches are scheduled in Baroda, Rajkot, and Indore. According to a report from a national website, the key reason behind resting Bumrah and Pandya is to give them time for the preparation of the T-20 World Cup, to be held in 2026. The decision resembles BCCI’s decision of resting them from the ODI series against South Africa. But both of them took part in the T-20 Internationals against the team. Both Pandya and Bumrah have proved themselves indispensable for the shortest format of the game. Pandya recently completed a double of 100 T-20I wickets and 1000 runs, and Bumrah has already established himself as a T-20 specialist. So, BCCI feels both these players’ workloads should be managed carefully. Without Pandya in the ODIs, India might try Nitish Kumar Reddy in the role. He was there in the previous ODI series against the Proteas as well, but didn’t get a game. Instead, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar filled two all-rounders’ roles. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana took the pace-bowling responsibilities. It must be noted that Pandya hasn’t played an ODI since the Champions Trophy final earlier this year, while Bumrah has been kept away since the infamous November 19, 2023. Following the T20 World Cup 2026 at home, India’s next ODI series will be against England away from home in July. Both Pandya and Bumrah, if fit, will be seen playing there.
Cristiano Ronaldo says the historic 1,000-goal achievement is within his grasp, provided injuries do not obstruct him!
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again expressed the desire to define his football journey. He has made it clear that the 1000-goal milestone is not a distant dream but a target he fully expects to reach. The Portuguese legend reaffirmed his belief at the recent Globe Soccer Awards. He pointed out that the historic achievement is within his grasp, provided that injuries do not intervene. “It doesn’t matter if I play in the Middle East or Europe. I want to keep winning titles and reach the milestone everyone knows. I’m confident I’ll get there if there are no injuries. Enjoy the night and Happy New Year,” stated Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s recent brace in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win over Al-Akhdoud brought his career tally to 956 goals, putting the four-figure mark in sight. That victory was Al-Nassr’s 10th straight Saudi Pro League win, keeping them atop the table. Ronaldo and Joao Felix are now tied on 12 league goals each in the Golden Boot race. Despite occasional debate around his international role following Portugal’s turbulent qualification phase, head coach Roberto Martinez has consistently defended Ronaldo’s place, citing his influence, professionalism, and output. Even at nearly 41, Ronaldo continues to deliver at a level most players never reach in their prime. With 40 goals in 2025 and peak fitness, Ronaldo’s chase for 1000 goals feels realistic.
