Sports Bulletin on January 10: Manoj Tiwary blasts Gautam Gambhir for BGT debacle, Varun Aaron retires from all forms of cricket

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In the sports bulletin today (January 10), major cricket headlines include Manoj Tiwary's criticism of Gautam Gambhir's favouritism and the retirement of pacer Varun Aaron from all forms of cricket.

Other key stories cover Saim Ayub's Champions Trophy absence, a potential Afghanistan boycott in the tournament, and updates from the Australian Open and Spanish Super Cup. Let's take a look at all the sports bulletin from today:

Manoj Tiwary Criticises Gautam Gambhir, Labels Nitish and Harshit Rana as 'PR Agents'

Manoj Tiwary has reignited his feud with Gautam Gambhir, accusing him of favouritism and hypocrisy. The former cricketer criticized Gambhir’s coaching appointment, calling for experienced names like VVS Laxman. Tiwary claimed Gambhir unfairly favoured players like Harshit Rana, sidelining deserving talents such as Akash Deep. He also accused Nitish Rana and Harshit Rana of being "PR agents" for Gambhir, defending him on social media to cover biases in team selection. Tiwary argued his remarks are fact-based, dismissing accusations of personal insecurities.

Varun Aaron Retires from Professional Cricket, Reflects on a 20-Year Journey

Indian pacer Varun Aaron has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket at the age of 35. Known for his raw pace, including clocking 153 kph during the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy final, Aaron represented India in nine Tests and as many ODIs, claiming 29 international wickets. Plagued by injuries throughout his career, his last Test appearance was in November 2015 against South Africa. In an emotional Instagram post, Aaron expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, and the National Cricket Academy for supporting his journey.

Virat Kohli and Family Visit Premanand Maharaj After BGT Setback

Following India’s 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and a dip in his batting form, Virat Kohli, accompanied by wife Anushka Sharma and their children, visited spiritual guru Premanand Maharaj at Vrindavan Dham. The couple sought "prem-bhakti" and shared heartfelt moments with the guru, who praised their devotion despite fame. Kohli's batting struggles against Australia, where he scored 190 runs at an average of 23.75, have been a concern. His focus now shifts to preparing for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Alex Hales Reveals Heated Exchange with Tamim Iqbal After BPL Match

England's Alex Hales and Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal were involved in a post-match spat during a BPL 2025 clash between Rangpur Riders and Fortune Barishal. Hales claimed that Tamim mocked his past drug suspension, asking if he was still using drugs. Hales called the remarks "pathetic" for crossing the line into personal territory. The confrontation reportedly began when Hales made a face at Tamim, provoking the latter to confront him. Despite Hales scoring only 1 run, his team secured a three-wicket win.

Saim Ayub Ruled Out of Champions Trophy 2025, Faces Six-Month Recovery

Pakistan's young batting sensation Saim Ayub has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a fractured ankle sustained during a Test series against South Africa. Renowned specialist Dr. Jeyaseelan in London recommended six months of rest to ensure full recovery. Ayub's absence is a major blow to Pakistan's plans, especially after his stellar form with two centuries in the recent ODI series. The PCB has yet to announce his replacement for the marquee event.

South Africa Sports Minister Supports Boycott of Afghanistan in Champions Trophy

South Africa's Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has joined calls for a boycott of Afghanistan's fixtures in the Champions Trophy, citing the Taliban government's crackdown on women's rights. South Africa is scheduled to face Afghanistan on February 21, 2025, but McKenzie urged Cricket South Africa not to honor the match. He emphasized that it would be hypocritical to ignore the plight of women, drawing parallels to South Africa's own apartheid history. The call follows similar pressure from British politicians, with more than 160 urging the England and Wales Cricket Board to boycott their fixture against Afghanistan.

Novak Djokovic Faces Tough Path, Jannik Sinner Starts Title Defence at 2025 Australian Open

At the 2025 Australian Open draw, Novak Djokovic is set for a challenging tournament, potentially facing Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals and Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. He begins his campaign against wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy. Defending champion Jannik Sinner, who won his first major last year, will open against Nicolas Jarry amid a doping cloud, with a possible quarterfinal clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alex de Minaur. On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka defends her title against Sloane Stephens, while Coco Gauff faces Sofia Kenin in a tough start.

Real Madrid Beat Mallorca 3-0 to Set Up Super Cup Final with Barcelona

Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory over Mallorca in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal, with Jude Bellingham scoring the opener in the 63rd minute. An own goal from Mallorca's Martin Valjent and a late strike from Rodrygo sealed the win. Mallorca struggled to contain Real Madrid's attack, with Kylian Mbappe and Bellingham creating several chances. The victory sets up a Super Cup final against Barcelona, who defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in the earlier semifinal.