Sports Bulletin on January 29: Tilak Varma becomes World No. 2 in T20I Ranking, Novak Djokovic pulls out of Serbia's Davis Cup tie

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In today's sports bulletin (January 29), we bring you the latest updates from the world of cricket, tennis, and more.

From Tilak Varma’s rise to No. 2 in the ICC T20I rankings to Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from Serbia’s Davis Cup tie, we cover key moments and stories from across the sporting landscape. Read on for more.

Adil Rashid Reclaims No. 1 Spot in ICC T20I Bowling Rankings; Varun Chakravarthy Rises to Fifth

England’s Adil Rashid has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I bowling rankings after his stellar performances in the ongoing series against India. Rashid’s economical spells helped England stay in the contest, with figures of 1/15 in the third T20I. Meanwhile, India’s Varun Chakravarthy soared 25 places to reach fifth, thanks to his five-wicket haul in Rajkot. Jofra Archer also climbed to sixth. Among batters, Tilak Varma moved to No. 2, closing in on Travis Head. In Test rankings, Pakistan’s Noman Ali rose to No. 5, while West Indies’ Jomel Warrican entered the top 25.

Tilak Varma Rises to No. 2 in ICC T20I Rankings; Chakravarthy Enters Top Five Among Bowlers

India’s Tilak Varma has moved up to No. 2 in the latest ICC T20I batting rankings, trailing only Australia’s Travis Head. The young left-hander, who has been in impressive form against England, could become the youngest-ever T20I No. 1 if he continues his run in the remaining matches. Meanwhile, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy stormed into the top five among T20I bowlers after a stellar five-wicket haul in Rajkot. England’s Adil Rashid reclaimed the No. 1 bowling spot. In Test rankings, Jasprit Bumrah continues to dominate as the top-ranked bowler.

IND vs ENG: Experts Criticize Hardik Pandya's Slow Start, SKY and Sanju under the Scanner Too

India’s 26-run defeat to England in the third T20I has sparked criticism from former cricketers about the team’s batting approach. Hardik Pandya’s slow innings of 40 off 35 balls, which included several dot balls, was called out by Parthiv Patel, who highlighted the need for strike rotation in T20 cricket. Irfan Pathan also pointed out that India left it too late in their chase. Former cricketer Kevin Pietersen questioned India’s batting order, suggesting Dhruv Jurel should have batted higher. Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson faced criticism from the fans too for failing top of the order in back-to-back games.

ICC CEO Geoff Allardice Steps Down Amid Champions Trophy Concerns

Geoff Allardice has stepped down as ICC CEO just weeks before the 2025 Champions Trophy, with his departure attributed to pressure over mismanagement of funds during the T20 World Cup and the delayed preparations for the tournament in Pakistan. Venues in Rawalpindi and Karachi were reported to be unready for the Champions Trophy, causing dissatisfaction within the ICC board. The resignation follows several other key exits from the ICC, including officials from the marketing and anti-corruption departments. The ICC has announced plans to initiate a search for Allardice’s replacement.

PCB Confident in Champions Trophy Venue Readiness Despite Concerns

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reassured that the National Stadium in Karachi will be ready to host matches for the upcoming Champions Trophy, despite growing concerns about the stadiums' preparedness. Reports indicate delays in renovations, with key construction work still underway at venues in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The PCB remains confident, stating that the venues will be in shape for the tournament, though questions remain about whether they can deliver a world-class experience. Renovation head Bilal Chohan has voiced frustration over delays in receiving necessary equipment. The PCB has invested PKR 12 billion in these upgrades, with tickets already on sale, though concerns persist until official confirmation of the stadiums' readiness.

Steve Smith Becomes 15th Batter to Reach 10,000 Test Runs

Australia's Steve Smith reached a significant milestone, surpassing 10,000 Test runs on the first day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka. The 35-year-old, who started the match with 9,999 runs, took a single off his first ball to become the 15th player in history to achieve the feat. Smith joins an exclusive group, with only Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting among his fellow Australians to have reached the milestone. The record for most Test runs is held by India's Sachin Tendulkar, with 15,921 runs.

Virat Kohli Meets Old Friend at Kotla before Ranji Return

Virat Kohli is all set to make a grand return to the Ranji Trophy for Delhi after a 12-year gap. Upon arriving at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, media gathered to capture his every move. Kohli spent time reconnecting with his old friends, including Delhi's team manager Mahesh Bhati, whom he’s known since his U-16 days. The two shared jokes and reminisced about old times. Kohli also spent time playing football with the team before engaging in a solid batting practice. His dedication and camaraderie with former teammates highlighted the day, especially when he met childhood friend Shawej Khan, creating a heartwarming moment.

Novak Djokovic Withdraws from Davis Cup Tie vs Denmark Due to Hamstring Injury; Eyes French Open Return

Novak Djokovic has pulled out of Serbia's upcoming Davis Cup match against Denmark due to a persistent hamstring injury sustained during his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev. Djokovic, who retired during the match against Zverev after experiencing increasing pain, will not participate in Serbia’s first-round qualifier starting January 31. The Serbian team, now missing both Djokovic and Dusan Lajovic, will rely on Miomir Kecmanovic, Hamad Mededovic, and Laslo Dere. Djokovic is expected to return to action at the French Open in May after skipping the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami Masters).