Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari dies
Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari died on Monday following a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, a family member told PTI. He was 67 and survived by his wife and son, Sourav Kothari. Ten days ago, Kothari had a liver transplant at Kauvery Hospital in Tirunelveli, more than 600km from Chennai. He was based in Kolkata. “Surgery was successful, and he was sitting and talking on the third day. But he had a lung infection a few days back, and this morning at 7.30am, he succumbed to a massive cardiac arrest,” a family member said. Kothari won the World Billiards Championship title in 1990. His son Sourav is also a former world billiards champion, having won the title in 2025. Sourav was mentored by his father. His son, Sourav Kothari, is also a professional billiards player who became a world champion in 2018.
Manchester United removes Ruben Amorim from the coach’s post!
The rumours were already there for the last couple of months, and Manchester United has sacked its Portuguese coach, Ruben Amorim, after his stint with the team for only 14 months. Manchester United are presently languishing in sixth position in the Premier League table. The club, in its statement, has revealed that Ruben Amorim has departed his role as head coach of Manchester United. Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May. With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly decided that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish. The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday. Ruben Amorim has also been expressing his displeasure over the club administration’s interference. After United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday, Amorim challenged the club’s hierarchy, saying in his post-match press conference: “I just want to say I came here to be the manager, not to be the coach. “In every department – the scouting department, the sporting director – [they] need to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months, and then we move on. “I just want to say that I’m going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. I was really clear on that. That is going to finish in 18 months, and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job. Not to be a coach.” Manchester United are sixth in the Premier League after 20 matches following their 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday afternoon. That result means Ruben Amorim’s side has now won only one of their last five in the competition – and just three of their past 11. Amorim oversaw 63 games as Manchester United manager – but failed to win more than half of those matches. He departs the club with a record of 24 wins, 18 draws, and 21 losses, for a win percentage of 38.1%. United suffered their worst Premier League season last campaign, finishing 15th with their lowest points tally in a top-flight season since 1973–74, when they were relegated. Amorim also floated the idea that United have become too sensitive to outside criticism, naming Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United player Gary Neville. “If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club,” he said.
Bangladesh protests against Mustafizur’s ouster by banning live-streaming of IPL in the country
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry of Bangladesh has decided to ban the live streaming of the IPL this season. The statement cited the removal of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad for the 2026 season as the reason behind the indefinite ban. “This is to inform that the Indian Cricket Board has instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League, which is due to start on 26th March. This decision has hurt and angered the Bangladeshi citizens. Due to this, a request is made as per instructions to stop the broadcast/telecast of all matches and programmes of the Indian Premier League,” said the ministry in its statement. The move comes a day after Asif Nazrul, the advisor for Youth and Sports in the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh, said in a statement on his Facebook page that he has requested the country’s Information and Broadcasting Advisor not to broadcast IPL matches in the country. “We won’t stand for any insult to Bangladesh’s cricket, cricketers, and the country. The days of slavery are over,” he said, concluding his statement.
Neeraj Chopra starts own management firm; parts ways with JSW after nine years!
Neeraj Chopra has finally parted ways with JSW Sports after nine years! The two-time Olympic medallist announced on Monday the end of his decade-long association with JSW Sports. The javelin sensation launched his own athlete management firm, Vel Sports. The 28-year-old’s rise to international stardom has been closely involved with JSW Sports since 2016. Chopra recalled the importance of the partnership during his formative years, acknowledging it as a cornerstone of the most successful period of his career. “Over the last decade, our journey together has been one of growth, belief, and achievement. JSW Sports has played a defining role in my career, and I’ll always remain grateful for their support and vision,” Chopra said in a press release. “As we conclude this chapter, I carry forward the same values into the next phase of my journey,” he added. Chopra was first scouted by JSW Sports in their sports excellence program nine years ago. In 2021, Chopra became the first Indian to clinch an Olympic track and field gold medal during the Tokyo Games, and backed it up with a gold medal in the 2023 World Championships and a silver medal at the Paris Games in 2024. Chopra is still recovering from injuries sustained in 2025 and has not decided when to open his 2026 season.
Joe Root scores 41st Test century! Levels Ponting at joint-third position
Joe Root notched up his 41st Test hundred on the second day of the final Ashes Test in Sydney on Monday to level with Australia’s Rickey Ponting at joint-third for most hundreds in the longest format. Only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45) have scored more Test hundreds than Root. This was Root’s second hundred in the ongoing Ashes, after his ton in Brisbane in the second Test. The former England skipper, who is closing in on 14,000 runs in Test cricket, is currently the second-highest run scorer in the format and has set his sights on Tendulkar’s record tally of 15,921 runs. However, the former England captain struggled to convert his starts into big scores, going without a century across 14 matches in the previous three tours. The veteran England batter has shown resilience and fight throughout the series, producing a couple of strong innings while struggling for consistency in others, often carrying the middle order during tricky periods for his team.
Spanish defender Tiri parts ways with Mumbai City FC
Experienced Spanish defender Tiri and Mumbai City FC have parted ways, the ISL club confirmed on Monday. He is only the second international player to make 150 appearances in the competition. “A true professional on and off the pitch, Tiri’s journey with the Club has been marked by resilience, leadership, and unforgettable moments. From battling it out on the continental stage in the AFC Champions League to lifting the Indian Super League Cup in the 2023/24 season, his contributions will always hold a special place in our story,” a statement from the club read. The 34-year-old had signed a one-year extension with the club last June, with the 2025-26 edition of the ISL set to be his 10th in the league, the most by any foreign player. Tiri began his football career with his hometown side, Cadiz CF, competing in the Spanish divisions. He later moved to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, where he spent three years playing for their B team. Tiri initially joined Mumbai City in the 2023–24 season and has since made 49 appearances for the club. He has also featured for Atletico de Kolkata, Jamshedpur FC, and ATK Mohun Bagan.
