Indian sports wrap, January 19: WTA Mumbai Open returns for fifth edition in 2026

TENNIS

Mumbai Open 2026 WTA 125K Series event returns for its fifth edition; main draw to be held from February 2 to 8

The Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series is set to return for its fifth edition in 2026. The tournament will be played at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA), with the qualifying rounds scheduled for January 30, 31, and February 1, followed by the main draw from February 2 to 8.

The 2026 singles entry list includes New Zealand’s Lulu Sun, Latvia’s Darja Semenistaja, Australia’s Kimberly Birrell, Belgium’s Hanne Vandewinkel, and Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland. Returning from the last edition, the tournament will also feature Runner-Up Mananchaya Sawangkaew from Thailand and France’s Leolia Jeajean.

The Mumbai Open has played a key role in India’s recent progress on the international stage. In the last edition, 16-year-old Maaya Rajeswaran impressed with a breakthrough run to the semifinals, while players such as Ankita Raina, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty and Prarthana Thombare benefited from valuable match practice ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group I.

“The L&T Mumbai Open has steadily grown into a marquee event on the Indian tennis calendar,” said MSLTA honorary secretary Sunder Iyer. “We are delighted to return with a highly competitive field and continue providing Indian players the opportunity to compete at a high international level.”

-Team Sportstar

CRICKET

T. Natarajan launches CSK Academy centre in Tiruchengode

Indian cricketer T Natarajan launched the latest Super Kings Academy centre at the KSR Educational Institutions in Tiruchengode on Monday.

The academy is equipped with 2 turf, 2 astroturf, 1 matting wicket and floodlights. There is a small gym and a full-size ground with one matting wicket and turf wicket.

T. Natarajan said: “I am very happy to be a part of this event. Sport is very important for everyone, and it teaches us a lot of things. Whichever sport you play or whichever field you are in, be true to that field, and that will help you succeed. And remember, hard work never fails.”

– Team Sportstar

Quarterfinal fixtures set at Women’s National Blind Cricket Tournament 2026

Women’s National Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2026 saw commanding performances across venues in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Khordha, as teams wrapped up the league stage and confirmed its places in the quarterfinal.

The tournament moves into the quarterfinal phase on January 20. At the Hi-Tech Medical College Ground in Bhubaneswar, Madhya Pradesh will face Maharashtra, while Odisha will take on Rajasthan. Meanwhile, at the KT Cricket Academy in Barunei, Khordha, Karnataka will clash with West Bengal in the morning, followed by Gujarat versus Andhra Pradesh in the afternoon.

The four quarterfinal encounters will determine the semifinalists, setting the stage for an intense knockout journey leading up to the final on January 22, 2026.

– Team Sportstar

SHOOTING

Manini, Aishwary top 50m rifle prone on first day of National Selection Trials

World Championship silver medallist Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Manini Kaushik finished on top of the men’s and women’s 50m rifle 3P fields, respectively, on the first day of the Rifle/Pistol National Selection Trials 1&2 (Group A) here on Monday.

Manini topped the women’s 50m rifle prone T1 with a total of 625.0, built on a composed and balanced series-by-series performance of 104.7, 104.2, 102.3, 104.6, 104.2, and 105.

Karnataka’s Tilottama Sen finished second with 622.6, while Kerala’s Vidarsa K Vinod was third on 622.0. The depth of competition was evident with just 0.4 separating the athletes placed fifth to eighth.

In the men’s 50m rifle prone Trials 1, Aishwary stamped his authority early, finishing at the top with an impressive 629.6. The 50m 3P national champion combined a high opening series with a controlled finish to create a clear buffer of 3.2 at the top with 105.3, 105.4, 105.7, 104.9, 103.7, and 104.6.

Former world champion Akhil Sheoran claimed second place with 626.4, while current national champion Swapnil Kusale finished third with 625.3.

In T1 of the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event, Omkar Singh of Navy leads the lineup after Stage 1 of qualification with a score of 295-14x. World Championship silver medallist Anish Bhanwala shot 286-12x and is currently in seventh place.

– PTI

KABADDI

Inaugural Kabaddi Champions League from January 25 to February 7

The inaugural Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) will be held from January 25 to February 7 at the Sports University of Haryana, Rai, the organisers informed on Monday.

The KCL has officially announced the match schedule for the inaugural season.

Over 12 days, eight franchises — Sonipat Stars, Gurugram Gurus, Hisar Heroes, Bhiwani Bulls, Rohtak Royals, Karnal Kings, Panipat Panthers, and Faridabad Fighters — will battle it out in a tightly packed league format.

-PTI

GOLF

Shubhankar, Yuvraj receive invites for Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026

Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Singh Sandhu have received official invitations to compete at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 26.

While Sharma is making his eighth successive start at the iconic USD 9 million event, Sandhu will make his debut, though he has played the course before.

Rory McIlroy, who defends his Masters’ Green Jacket in April, leads the field, which will also have the likes of former Masters winner Dustin Johnson, who has also received an invitation.

– PTI

ESPORTS

S8UL Esports secures historic top five finish at ALGS 2026 Championship

S8UL Esports finished among the top five teams globally at the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) 2026 Championship, held in Sapporo, Japan, from January 15 to 18. This result represents the best-ever finish by an Indian organisation on the Apex Legends global stage.

S8UL’s all-Australian roster, featuring Rick Wirth (Sharky), Benjamin Spaseski (Jesko), and Tom Canty (Legacy), led by head coach Harrison Rogers (Rogers), delivered a standout campaign and earned USD 120,000 (approximately INR 1 crore) from the tournament’s USD 2,000,000 (approximately INR 18.14 crore) total prize pool.

“The margins at this level are extremely fine, and the team showed tremendous composure throughout the tournament. From the group stage through to the finals, the players displayed adaptability, trust, and resilience. Finishing in the top five globally is a major milestone, and it reinforces our confidence in this roster’s ability to contend for championships in the future,” commented Rogers, coach of S8UL’s Apex Legends team.

– Team Sportstar

Published on Jan 19, 2026