Sports Bulletin For January 17: From Virat Kohli's spiritual stop in Ujjain ahead of India's ODI decider to Damien Martyn's remarkable recovery journey, the sporting world had a busy day of headlines.
Young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi carved his name into World Cup history, Mohammed Siraj opened up on his T20 World Cup omission, and Real Madrid sought calm from their fans after a turbulent week.
Meanwhile, Bradman's iconic cap attracted massive bidding, the PSL weighed a major signing-format overhaul, and Vidit Gujrathi raised alarm over Delhi's hazardous air quality. Here's a quick roundup of the day's top stories.
1) Virat Kohli Chants 'Jai Shiva' At Mahakaleshwar Temple Before NZ Series Decider
Ahead of the ODI series decider against New Zealand, Virat Kohli took time away from his training to visit the Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. On January 18, the star batter sought blessings at the historic shrine before the crucial clash with the Black Caps.
A video shared by ANI showed Kohli performing rituals inside the temple, receiving a teeka and offering prayers to Lord Shiva. Surrounded by security personnel, he made a quick exit as fans tried to grab selfies. While he couldn't stop for photos, Kohli acknowledged a devotee's chant of "Jai Shiva" with a warm "Jai Shiva" of his own before heading to his vehicle.
2) 'My Life Was Taken Out Of My Hands': Damien Martyn Returns Home After 'Miracle' Recovery
Former Australia batter Damien Martyn has returned home to continue recovering from meningitis after spending eight days in an induced coma at a Gold Coast hospital last month. In a social media post, Martyn thanked everyone for their support and revealed that doctors had given him only a 50-50 chance of survival, but he has recovered much faster than expected.
3) Mohammed Siraj Breaks Silence On T20 World Cup Snub
Mohammed Siraj, part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad, has missed out on selection for the upcoming title defence at home. India have opted for Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana as their frontline pacers, with Hardik Pandya offering support.
Although a key figure in Tests, Siraj has slipped in the T20I pecking order, with his last appearance in the format coming during the 2024 Sri Lanka tour. Currently featuring in the ODI series against New Zealand, he explained that his absence is mainly due to workload management. Siraj said he wasn't dropped but rested after bowling 40 overs in the second Test against South Africa, stressing the importance of recovery for fast bowlers.
Reflecting on missing the World Cup, Siraj said representing India at such events is every player's dream, but he backed the selected squad, calling it strong and in great form. He wished the team success, hoping the trophy stays in India.
4) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Creates History With 50-plus score in U19 World Cup
India's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created history on January 17 by becoming the first player under 15 to hit a fifty in a U19 World Cup match. The young opener from Samastipur, Bihar-just 14 years and 296 days old-scored an impressive 72 off 67 balls against Bangladesh in India's second Group A game in Bulawayo.
Representing Rajasthan Royals at the junior level, Vaibhav struck 6 fours and 3 sixes and built a crucial 62-run stand with Abhigyan Kundu for the fourth wicket, helping the Ayush Mhatre-led side to a strong position.
5) Real Madrid Asks Fans To Back Players, Not Boo Them, Vs Levante: Report
Real Madrid have urged supporters not to boo the players at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of their match against Levante. The appeal comes after back-to-back defeats to Barcelona and Albacete, which knocked them out of the Copa del Rey. Some fan groups had been preparing a protest following the club's difficult week.
6) Don Bradman's Gifted Cap To Ex India Cricketer On Auction, Bidding Beyond Rs. 4 Crore
Donald Bradman's iconic 'baggy green' from his final Test series in Australia has been transported from Mumbai to Sydney and is now up for auction. By Saturday afternoon (January 17), bids had reached $445,000 (around ₹4 crore), with experts predicting it could climb to nearly $1 million before the January 26 deadline.
Bradman wore the cap when he struck his 100th First-Class century on November 15, 1947, scoring 172 for an Australian XI against a visiting Indian team on their first tour after independence. After the series, he gifted the cap to Indian all-rounder Sriranga Sohoni, and it remained in the Sohoni family for over 70 years, kept carefully as a treasured heirloom.
The historic cap will be displayed in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in the lead-up to the final auction day
7) PSL Considering New 'Drauction' Formula For Signing Players In 11th Season
The Pakistan Super League is considering a major change to its player recruitment process, with discussions underway about a hybrid draft-auction model-informally called a "drauction"-for PSL 11. As per an ESPNcricinfo report, the idea has surfaced as the league looks to expand by adding teams from Hyderabad and Sialkot.
The PSL has used a draft system for its first 10 seasons, but interest in adopting an auction-style format has grown. In a recent governing council meeting with all eight franchises represented - and the PCB standing in for the ownerless Multan Sultans - the proposal was debated before being handed to a smaller working group for further review. While no final decision has been made, the PCB has publicly acknowledged that a revamped player-signing model is under consideration.
8) 'We Are Slowly Being Poisoned: Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi Slams Delhi's AQI
Indian chess grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi criticised the Delhi administration on Saturday, sharing a screenshot of the city's hazardous Air Quality Index. Expressing concern over worsening pollution levels, he wrote that people are "slowly being poisoned" and questioned why addressing the health crisis isn't the government's top priority.
