BJP's Punjab unit criticised killing of kabaddi player Rana Balachauria, shot dead minutes before a match in Mohali. It said, "Punjab has become insecure to the point that even the kabaddi field is no longer safe from bullets." It added, "This isn't first such incident...Previously, kabaddi players Sandeep Nangal Ambian and Tejpal Singh of Jagraon have also been brutally murdered."

The members of Bambiha gang, in a post on social media, has reportedly claimed responsibility for killing kabaddi player and promoter Rana Balachauria in Punjab's Mohali. The gang said that it avenged the murder of Sidhu Moosewala, claiming that Rana was linked to Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. The post also warned players not to participate in Jaggu-sponsored kabaddi teams.

The first-ever IPL auction took place on February 20, 2008. Richard Madley, who conducted the auction, later shared the picture of the "first-ever auction sheet" after MS Dhoni's sale in the auction. Dhoni was bought by CSK in the auction for $1.5 million. "A rare piece of cricket memorabilia," Madley had captioned the picture.

With the IPL 2026 auction approaching, Delhi Capitals CEO Sunil Gupta has underlined that the franchise is entering the event with a well-defined plan. Emphasising preparation, Gupta said the franchise is "clear about our targets" going into the auction, reflecting months of internal discussions, performance reviews and scouting reports.

As the Ashes series shifts to Adelaide Oval for the third Test, England has revealed its playing XI with only one alteration from the side beaten in the second Test. The most notable switch is the inclusion of fast bowler Josh Tongue in place of Gus Atkinson, a strategic adjustment aimed at bolstering England's bowling threat in Adelaide.

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel shared his satisfaction with the way the team's bowlers recovered following a difficult outing in the second T20I against South Africa. Reflecting on the turnaround, Morkel emphasized his contentment with the attitude and resilience shown by the bowlers. In a video shared by BCCI, he said: "I am just happy how the boys bounced back."

The crowd at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi chanted "AQI, AQI" at CM Rekha Gupta when she came to meet Argentine football legend Lionel Messi at his event. A video of the same has gone viral. The chants came amid worsening AQI in Delhi-NCR. Notably, Messi's flight from Mumbai to Delhi was also delayed due to inclement weather conditions.

Sri Lanka plans to arrest 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga on corruption charges from his tenure as petroleum minister. He and his brother are accused of causing an 800 million rupee state loss through costly oil purchases in 2017. Dhammika Ranatunga was arrested and bailed. The case is part of a broader anti-corruption crackdown.

Shaheen Afridi was removed from bowling on his BBL debut after delivering two waist-high full tosses in one over. ICC Law 41.7 states: "Any delivery above the waist height of the striker is deemed dangerous." It further adds a repeat offence allows umpires to "suspend that bowler for the remainder of the innings." Afridi finished with figures of 0/43 overall.

Rajasthan Royals aim for IPL 2026 glory with ₹16.05 crore to fill nine slots. The franchise may target players like Abhinav Manohar, Indian spinner Rahul Chahar, pacers Auqib Dar, Ashok Sharma, and overseas seamer Mustafizur Rahman to strengthen batting depth, spin control, and pace attack ahead of the upcoming season.