India has allocated ₹600 crore in developmental aid to Maldives in the 2025-26 Budget, marking a 28% increase from ₹470 crore in 2024-25. The move follows strained ties after Maldivian leaders made derogatory remarks about PM Modi in 2024. Relations improved after President Mohamed Muizzu’s October visit to India, where he called India a “key partner.” Bhutan received the highest aid at ₹2,150 crore, followed by Nepal at ₹700 crore. Mauritius saw a reduction to ₹500 crore, while Myanmar’s budget was cut to ₹350 crore. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka retained their previous allocations.

Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan clean-bowled Virat Kohli for just 6 runs, cutting short his highly-anticipated Ranji Trophy return. Playing for Delhi after 13 years, Kohli lasted only 15 balls before Sangwan shattered his off-stump in the 28th over. The Arun Jaitley Stadium saw thousands of fans gather, only for many to leave disappointed. Sangwan, a 29-year-old Delhi-born pacer, has 77 first-class wickets and has represented Railways in all formats. Kohli had trained extensively before the match but struggled against deliveries outside off-stump, a weakness exposed once again. His early exit left fans and Delhi reeling.

Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated Ranji Trophy return ended in heartbreak as he was bowled for 6 by Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Fans queued from 3 AM to watch the Indian superstar but were left stunned as his off-stump was shattered. Many exited the stadium after his dismissal. Kohli, struggling for form, had a tough Test season, prompting BCCI to mandate domestic participation. He will aim for redemption in the second innings. Delhi, led by Ayush Badoni, faces a crucial battle. Supporters remain hopeful for a classic Kohli comeback.

India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, will not attend the Champions Trophy opening ceremony in Pakistan. Due to scheduling conflicts, England and Australia also won’t participate in the pre-tournament events. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the cancellation of the captains’ photo shoot and press conference. India will play all its matches in Dubai for security reasons, and if they reach the final, it will also be in Dubai. England and Australia will skip warm-up matches, entering the tournament directly. Despite the changes, the tournament remains highly anticipated, set to start in mid-February.

Virat Kohli is making his long-awaited return to the Ranji Trophy after 12 years, playing for Delhi against Railways in their Elite Group D match on January 30, 2025. Kohli's last appearance in the tournament was in November 2012. The crowd at the Arun Jaitley Stadium has been electrified by his return, with fans lining up as early as 3 AM to catch a glimpse of the star. Delhi, with slim chances of advancing to the knockouts, needs an outright win over Railways to keep their hopes alive.

Former India captain Virat Kohli’s humility shone through when he declined an offer to have his kit bag carried during his first Ranji Trophy appearance since 2012. Delhi team manager Mahesh Bhati, who coached Kohli during his Under-19 days, revealed that Kohli, despite his superstar status, insisted on carrying his own gear. Kohli's down-to-earth nature extended to his interactions with teammates, reminiscing about playing on matting during training. "It’s my playing gear, I’ll carry it myself," Kohli said, demonstrating the same commitment to hard work that has defined his cricketing journey.

Virat Kohli, Making His First Ranji Trophy Appearance In Over 12 Years, Impressed During A Recent Training Session With Delhi's Squad. Despite The Session Being The Longest Before A Ranji Game, The 36-Year-Old Batter Showed Exceptional Fitness, Unlike His Fatigued Teammates. Kohli Spent Nearly An Hour At The Nets, Practicing Pull Shots And Facing Spinners And Pacers. Reportedly, He Wasn't Troubled By Any Deliveries, Focusing On Playing Beside The Line. Kohli, Gearing Up For His First Ranji Match Since November 2012, Even Capped Off The Intense Session With A Lap Around The Ground.

Virat Kohli's return to the Ranji Trophy, playing for Delhi against Railways, raises mixed expectations. After a tough Test series in Australia and ongoing recovery from a neck strain, Kohli's performance in the final round of the league will attract attention. While a century or more would be seen as routine against a relatively weak Railways side, another low score could fuel critics. Despite the stakes being low, this rare domestic appearance has generated interest, especially with the upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy. Kohli's commitment to the game remains unquestioned, even in this low-pressure scenario.

Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy after 13 years has created a buzz rarely seen in domestic cricket. Ahead of Delhi’s match against Railways at Arun Jaitley Stadium, a Delhi police officer requested more security due to the unexpected crowd of journalists and fans. Kohli, choosing not to captain Delhi, supported Ayush Badoni’s leadership. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and JioCinema will live-stream the match to meet fan demand, deviating from their original broadcasting plans. This marks a significant moment for the tournament, showcasing Kohli’s dedication to promoting domestic cricket.

India’s chase of 172 in the third T20I against England faltered as Hardik Pandya struggled in the middle overs, scoring 40 off 35 balls. Parthiv Patel slammed Pandya for taking 20-25 balls to get set, criticizing his dot-ball approach. Kevin Pietersen also criticized India’s batting order, suggesting Dhruv Jurel should’ve batted higher. England's spinners, led by Adil Rashid and Jamie Overton, choked India’s innings, as India managed just 40 runs in seven middle overs. Varun Chakravarthy’s 5-wicket haul restricted England to 171/9, but India fell short by 26 runs in Rajkot.