Sports Bulletin For January 6: From Shreyas Iyer's Vijay Hazare Knock To Mustafizur Rahman's Exit Not Discussed

Sports Bulletin For January 6: Indian sport delivered a packed day of headlines across disciplines, from standout performances in domestic cricket to major developments on and off the field globally. Shreyas

Iyer's confident return in the Vijay Hazare Trophy sent a timely reminder of his class, while administrative and disciplinary matters involving Mustafizur Rahman and Rajan Kumar made waves behind the scenes.

Off the pitch, personal milestones and tragic incidents grabbed attention, as football and tennis saw significant announcements and Indian badminton continued its upward surge on the international stage.

1) Shreyas Iyer smashed 52-ball 83 in VHT, gives strong signal to selectors

Shreyas Iyer's fluent 82 for Mumbai on Tuesday has emerged as one of the standout moments of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Making his return after injury, Iyer looked assured and in complete control, silencing doubts over his fitness with a composed and authoritative innings. The knock served as a timely reminder of his quality and intent, sending a clear signal to the selectors that he is physically ready, mentally sharp, and prepared to put in the hard yards as he works his way back to peak form.

2) Mustafizur Rahman IPL Exit Not Discussed in Any Meeting, No Response From Saikia: Top BCCI Official

The move that resulted in Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman's release from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad ahead of IPL 2026 was never formally deliberated within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a senior board official has told The Indian Express. The official added that the matter did not come up in any structured discussion or meeting. Meanwhile, when BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia was approached for clarity on the issue, he chose not to respond.

3) Ex Kabaddi Player Shot Dead in Ludhiana; Assailants Announce Crime To Family, Say 'Go and Pick Up His Body'

Punjab witnessed yet another shocking act of violence on Monday as a former kabaddi player was gunned down in Ludhiana district. Police said the incident occurred in Manuke village, where 36-year-old Gagandeep Singh alias Gagna was at Dana Mandi with his friend Ekam when attackers on motorcycles opened fire. Gagandeep was killed in the attack, and his body was later found dumped in nearby fields.

4) Shikhar Dhawan Set to Begin New Chapter, Wedding With Sophie Shine Likely in February: Report

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan is set to begin a new chapter in his personal life, with reports suggesting that he will tie the knot in February. As per The Hindustan Times, Dhawan is likely to marry his longtime partner Sophie Shine in the third week of the month, with the wedding expected to be held in the Delhi-NCR area.

5) Ex RCB Pacer, Who Last Played In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 Tests Positive For Doping

Indian domestic cricket has been hit by an unusual doping controversy after Uttarakhand left-arm fast bowler Rajan Kumar returned a positive test for a banned substance. The 29-year-old, who was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2024 squad, has been placed under provisional suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) following a failed dope test, PTI reported on Monday, January 5.

6) Chelsea Announce Liam Rosenior As New Manager To Replace Enzo Maresca

Chelsea FC confirmed on Tuesday (January 6) that Liam Rosenior has been appointed as the club's new head coach, succeeding Enzo Maresca. The London-based side announced that the Englishman has committed to a long-term deal running until 2032.

Rosenior joins Chelsea after spending the first half of the 2025-26 season in charge of RC Strasbourg, a club that operates under the same ownership group, BlueCo. During his time in France, he made a strong impression by guiding Strasbourg to European qualification last season - a feat the club had not achieved in nearly 20 years. Prior to his stint in Ligue 1, Rosenior also gained managerial experience with Hull City and Derby County.

7) Australian Open Prize Pool Hits $75M, New Record For Grand Slams

Tennis Australia revealed on Tuesday that the prize money for the upcoming Australian Open has been increased by 16%, taking the total pool to a record-breaking $75 million - the highest ever for a Grand Slam tournament. Winners of both the men's and women's singles events at the season's first major will earn $2.79 million each, marking a 19% rise from the $2.35 million awarded last year.

8) Ayush Shetty Stuns Paris Olympics Bronze Medallist Lee Zia Jia At Malaysia Open

Indian badminton player Ayush Shetty produced a commanding performance on Tuesday, stunning home crowd favourite and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia in straight games in the first round of the Malaysia Open. The emphatic win underlined Ayush's growing stature in men's singles and served as a clear warning to the rest of the field.

Fresh from quarterfinal appearances at the Australian Open and the Hylo Open in November, Ayush appeared calm and in complete control throughout the contest. He handled Lee's attacking play with ease and sealed the victory without being pushed too hard, showcasing both confidence and maturity on court.