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.
A reunion of Messi and Barcelona for the first time after five years!
For the first time in the last five years, a reunion between Lionel Messi and his former club, Barcelona, is going to happen as Inter Miami, the MLS Cup champion, has announced a pre-season tour where the American club will play against Barcelona. Messi, who left Barcelona in May 2021 with a loss to Celta Vigo at an empty Camp Nou, has never played against his former clubs so far. Inter Miami’s pre-season tour, starting next month, has been scheduled for the first three pre-season matches across South America on Saturday. Miami will open its pre-season tour visiting Peru. In its second pre-season tour Inter Miami will be playing against Alianza Lima. Alianza is the second most successful side in Peru with 25 First Division titles, while also boasting an international competition cup in its trophy cabinet. Its next trip will be to Medellin for a match against Atlético Nacional, Colombia’s most successful football club, with 18 First Division titles, two Copa Libertadores titles, two Copa Merconorte titles, two Copa Inter-Americana titles, and seven Copa Colombia titles. The MLS Cup champion’s final trip will be against Barcelona de Guayaquil in its first-ever match against a team from Ecuador. Barcelona is the most successful side in the Ecuadorian top-flight league, with 16 titles.
Religious leader threatens to disrupt IPL matches if Mustafizur is seen in action in IPL!
Hindus in Bangladesh are maltreated constantly, and the wrath is increasing in India. Especially, the target is currently on the Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahaman, who has not yet shown any kind of protest against the oppression. He has not yet made any statement or posted on his social media account. Considering the perspective, religious leaders in Ujjain have warned that they may disrupt IPL 2026 matches if Mustafizur Rahman is allowed to play in the upcoming edition. The pacer has been bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹9.20 Crore. The seers said they could storm stadiums and damage pitches to stop matches involving Mustafizur Rahman, citing anger over recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Mahavir Nath, chief priest of the Rinmukteshwar Mahadev Temple, told reporters that their supporters would act because authorities ignore what they call the “persecution” of Hindus in Bangladesh. According to an IANS report, other religious organizations in India have issued similar warnings.
AIFF optimistic about ISL clubs’ consent to its 20-year proposal; also finds interest from new corporates!
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) seems optimistic that the clubs that were handed a long-term (20-year) proposal to run the country’s top-tier football league on Friday will finally agree. The Federation is waiting for the clubs’ consent in the next crucial meeting on 29th December, scheduled at the Football House in New Delhi. The club representatives, however, will reportedly convince the respective club owners before agreeing to the AIFF proposal. They are also expected to confirm the model of the ISL, proposed by the three-man committee. AIFF, however, is aware that with the resumption of the ISL this year, operated by the clubs themselves, it will not be able to gain financial profit. But it is believed that three multi-national corporate houses have expressed a desire to invest in Indian football in the near future. They are reportedly keen to join the ISL as commercial partners, but from the next season. It is also believed that once the AIFF gets clubs’ official consent in its 29th December meeting, the Federation has planned to appeal to the Union Sports Ministry to ask the respective state governments to come forward with their support for the ISL clubs who will be hosting their home matches, after choosing the proposed model.
BPL coach Mahbub Ali Zaki dies minutes before the team’s opener
Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki died on Saturday after collapsing suddenly at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, minutes before the commencement of his team’s opening Bangladesh Premier League match against the Rajshahi Warriors. Team staff and medical personnel immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after Zaki, 59, collapsed on the ground during his team’s pre-match preparations. He was taken by ambulance to Al Haramain Hospital, where he was declared dead. The match went ahead as per the original schedule, with the players, coaches, and match officials observing a minute’s silence for Zaki. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board deeply mourns the passing of Mahbub Ali Zaki (59), Specialist Pace Bowling Coach of the BCB Game Development Department and Assistant Coach of Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026. “He passed away today, 27 December 2025, in Sylhet at around 1:00 PM. Mahbub Ali Zaki’s dedication and invaluable contribution to the development of fast bowling and Bangladesh cricket will be remembered with profound respect and gratitude. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire cricketing fraternity at this time of immense loss,” said the BCB in a statement on Saturday. The sudden collapse shocked everyone on the ground, with team officials saying Zaki gained prominence in Bangladesh’s cricket circles after working closely with fast bowler Taskin Ahmed when the paceman’s bowling action came under scrutiny during the Men’s T20 World Cup in India in 2016.
Billie Jean King says, ‘Battle of Sexes’ between Sabalenka and Kyrgios has no historic value!
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will meet in the ‘Battle of Sexes’ on Sunday in an exhibition match that reminds the tennis fraternity of the first historic ‘Battle of Sexes’ between legendary Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in September 1973. Women’s world number one Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, takes on injury-prone Australian Kyrgios in a highly publicised showdown that has not only divided tennis fans, but also raised questions over tagging the name of the exhibition match, as King herself feels this Battle of Sexes does not have any historic value. Rather, it is going to be only a high-publicity event. Although Aryna Sabalenka says the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios will continue to help women’s tennis, the 82-year-old Billie Jean King, while speaking to BBC, stated, “It is not the same. I showed that women are strong.” In 70s, when King and Riggs participated in the ‘Battle of Sexes’, the women’s professional tours were budding, fighting for their legitimacy and prize money for the female players, which was far lower than that for the men. King pioneered the battle for female tennis players, and her relentless effort off the court paid off as women nowadays are receiving equal prize money at each of the four Grand Slams. King added, “Ours was about social change. But this one is not. Mine was really political. It was rough, culturally, what was coming in with it. I knew I had to beat him for social change. I had a lot of reasons to win.” King, one of the all-time greats of the women’s game who was at the peak of her powers, trounced the 55-year-old Riggs, a top player in his day, 6-4, 6-3, and 6-3 in Houston.
NITA FA’s winning streak continues; Shreebhumi FC on a winning note too
NITA FA’s winning streak continues as in their second match of the Indian Women’s Super League (IWL) on Saturday, the Odisha team humbled Kickstart FC of Karnataka 5-0 at Kalyani Stadium. India international Pyari Xaxa was, as usual, in good touch, scoring a hat-trick. Togolese international Amiratou N’Djambara and Neha Sillay scored one each. NITA’s national coach, Paromita Sit, although satisfied with the girls’ performance, said, “It would have been better if the team had obtained at least a month for intensive training. Still, they have been improving gradually.” Paromita praised Pyari Xaxa also for her consistency despite the fact that she had to travel the whole night by bus from Odhisha to Kolkata on the day before NITA’s opening match against Gukalam FC, as she was not initially allowed by her employer, Odhisha Police, to take part in the ongoing IWL. However, in another match on Saturday morning at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE) ground, Shreebhumi FC edged past debutant SESA Goa Academy to maintain their winning line. India international Anju Tamang scored the winner in the 20th minute.
