Sports Bulletin on January 15: Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill to play Ranji, India women and Smriti Mandhana break records

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In today's sports bulletin on January 15, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal make their return to the Ranji Trophy after a hiatus, while Smriti Mandhana sets a new record with the fastest ODI century by an Indian woman.

We also cover updates on Prithvi Shaw's cryptic post, and Manu Bhaker and Aman Sehrawat's concerns over deteriorating Paris Olympics medals.

Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal Return to Ranji Trophy

A day after Rohit Sharma showed up at the Mumbai training session, three prominent Indian cricketers -- Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal -- are set to participate in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 after a hiatus. Pant will represent Delhi in their clash against Saurashtra on January 23, marking his return to Ranji after 2017. Gill will play for Punjab against Karnataka in Bengaluru, aiming to bounce back after a lackluster Australia tour. Jaiswal has confirmed his availability for Mumbai’s encounter with Jammu & Kashmir, looking to regain form post the Australia series. These returns align with the BCCI’s push for central contract players to engage in domestic cricket.

Smriti Mandhana Hits Fastest ODI Century by an Indian Woman in Record-Breaking Knock

Smriti Mandhana shattered the record for the fastest ODI hundred by an Indian woman, reaching the milestone in just 70 balls during the third ODI against Ireland in Rajkot. She surpassed Harmanpreet Kaur’s previous mark of 87 balls set in 2024. The stand-in captain’s scintillating 135 off 80 deliveries featured 12 fours and seven sixes. This innings marked her 10th ODI century and ranks as the joint-seventh fastest in women’s ODIs. Mandhana, along with opener Pratika Rawal, forged a formidable 200-plus partnership in a dead rubber, with India already leading the series 2-0.

India Sets New Record with 435/5, Crosses 400 for the First Time in Women's ODIs

India Women achieved their highest-ever ODI total, amassing 435/5 against Ireland in Rajkot. This historic feat marks the first time India has crossed the 400-run threshold in Women's ODIs, joining Australia and New Zealand as the only teams to achieve this milestone. Pratika Rawal shone with a maiden international century, scoring 154 off 129 balls, while Smriti Mandhana contributed 135 off 80 balls, breaking the record for the fastest ODI hundred by an Indian woman. The duo’s 233-run opening stand powered India past their previous best of 370 runs, recorded earlier in the series.

Gautam Gambhir Reprimanded Morne Morkel Over Training Delay; BCCI Reviews Support Staff Roles

Head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly reprimanded bowling coach Morne Morkel for arriving late to a training session during India’s Australia tour, leading to tension between the two. Sources suggest the BCCI has been informed and is closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing team harmony. The board is also scrutinizing the contributions of support staff, including batting coach Abhishek Nayar and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, following concerns over their impact on player performance. The BCCI is considering two-to-three-year caps on support staff contracts to address loyalty issues.

Prithvi Shaw Posts Cryptic Message Amid Domestic Cricket Snub and Fitness Concerns

Prithvi Shaw, facing exclusion from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad after missing the Vijay Hazare Trophy and going unsold at the IPL auction, posted a cryptic Instagram message: "You can take me out of the game!! But you can't stop me working... 😉". Concerns over his fitness and discipline have been cited as reasons for his sidelining, with a team official noting Shaw's lack of fielding agility during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Once touted as India’s next cricketing star, Shaw's struggles with form and attitude have raised questions about his future.

Manu Bhaker and Aman Sehrawat Raise Concerns Over Deteriorating Paris Olympics Medals

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker and wrestler Aman Sehrawat have raised concerns about the quality of their bronze medals from the Paris Olympics, claiming they have lost their sheen. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Monnaie de Paris have acknowledged the issue and are working to replace the affected medals. The replacements will mirror the original ones, including their engravings. The issue of medal deterioration has been reported by several Olympic medalists, prompting the IOC to address the matter.

Vinesh Phogat Resumes Training for the First Time Since Paris Olympics Heartbreak

Vinesh Phogat, the 30-year-old wrestler-turned-politician, has returned to training, sharing a video on her social media. This marks her first time training since her disqualification from the Paris Olympics, where she missed out on a historic Olympic final appearance due to failing to make weight by just 100 grams. Phogat, who became the first Indian woman to qualify for an Olympic wrestling final, had faced immense challenges during the weight-cutting process. Despite the heartbreak, she announced her retirement from wrestling and joined politics, winning the Julana constituency as an MLA in Haryana. Phogat expressed the difficult decision to enter politics, aiming to fight for change within the system.

Novak Djokovic Breaks Roger Federer's Record with Australian Open 2025 Win

Novak Djokovic made history at the Australian Open 2025, surpassing Roger Federer’s record for the most major singles matches played. In his 430th Grand Slam match, Djokovic triumphed over qualifier Jaime Faria with a 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-2 victory, setting a new all-time record for Grand Slam singles matches. The 37-year-old also became the first man over 30 to reach 150 Grand Slam singles wins. Djokovic, aiming for a 25th Grand Slam title, will next face Czech Tomas Machac in the third round.