Neeraj Chopra (Image credit: Olympics.com)

NEW DELHI: As he begins his journey into yet another Olympic cycle, has Neeraj Chopra’s celebrated tryst with foreign coaches come to an end? The new year began with an unexpected announcement for the Indian athletics community, with Chopra deciding to end his short yet fruitful partnership with Czech legend Jan Zelezny, which began in Nov 2024, and instead chose familiarity over form. Childhood coach Jaiveer Singh Chaudhary has returned to his training circle to guide him through his forthcoming season, it was announced.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Chopra’s decision indicated that he would work with an allIndian coaching setup going forward, primarily taking greater control of his playing and professional career. TOI has even learnt that Chopra will no longer look for a foreign expert — something that was felt so vital for his development and domination, till not so long ago — and that the 28-year-old Olympic and world champion’s career will henceforth be managed by Indian coaches. On Wednesday, Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) selection committee chairman Adille Sumariwalla told TOI that Chopra will begin his season training with Chaudhary and long-time physio Ishaan Marwaha by his side.

“Chopra requested that Chaudhary be attached with him. He was his coach when he began his javelin journey. Chopra said he wasn’t looking to be coached by a foreign expert,” Sumariwalla said.Having been attached as Chopra’s physio since early 2017 when the two were managed by JSW Sports, Marwaha has even joined Chopra in his new venture Vel Sports, an athlete management firm coowned by the javelin thrower.“Chopra understands his body well. He is a champion thrower and knows the requirements of a professional athlete. Having been guided by four foreign coaches on different occasions, Chopra doesn’t feel the need to be mentored by another expert,” the AFI official added.“All I can say is neither the AFI nor Chopra are looking at engaging a foreign coach anytime soon. There are no talks around it. He will be coached by Chaudhary going forward, and the two are already busy in off-season training. Chopra will have Chaudhary and Marwaha as part of his coaching staff,” he said.

Chopra could most likely begin his season with Doha Diamond League on May 8. He is currently training at his regular base in Potchefstroom, for a 32-day off-season camp, which will run until Feb 5.A source familiar with the development said this arrangement could work until the Asian Games in Japan, scheduled from Sept 19-Oct 4 this year, and possibly until the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 if Chopra feels comfortable with the setup.Chopra was coached by three Indian and four foreign coaches in a stellar career. Being coached by relative Chaudharyat in Panipat, he was later trained by Naseem Ahmad as a 13-year-old from 2011 in Panchkula. Later, Chopra shifted his base to NIS Patiala as a national camper under Kashinath Naik.Later he trained under Australian Garry Calvert, Germans Uwe Hohn, Klaus Bartonietz and Jan Zelenzy of Czech Republic (see graphic).A possible reason behind Chopra and Zelezny parting ways, according to a well-placed source, was that the 59-year-old, in addition to coaching the Indian, was also fulfilling his duties as national coach with the Czech Athletics Federation. While Zelezny was accompanying Chopra to training trips and international assignments, the coach was apparently under pressure from the Czech athletics body to also report for national duties and camps. “It was getting difficult to work under such an arrangement,” a source said.

The rupee recovered 15 paise on Thursday, strengthening to 91.50 against the US dollar in early trade, rebounding from its all-time low levels touched in the previous session. The recovery was supported by improved risk appetite after US President Donald Trump said he had no intention of imposing tariffs on Europe over Greenland, easing geopolitical concerns. On Wednesday, the rupee plunged 68 paise to close at an all-time low of 91.65, reflecting heightened global uncertainty and strong dollar demand. Forex traders said investor sentiment improved after Trump announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he was scrapping planned tariffs on eight European nations and indicated that a framework had been reached on Greenland. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 91.54 before gaining further ground to trade at 91.50, marking a 15-paise rise from its previous close. Forex traders, however, cautioned that the currency remains under pressure amid ongoing global geopolitical uncertainties, despite the near-term relief. The pending trade agreement with the United States continues to be seen as a key stabilising factor, with traders noting that the rupee may remain vulnerable to external shocks until geopolitical risks ease and the deal materialises. According to Anil Kumar Bhansali, head of treasury and executive director at Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, the rebound was aided by gains in Asian equities and Trump’s relatively conciliatory tone towards Europe in his Davos speech, reported news agency PTI. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.02 per cent to 98.78. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, traded 0.17 per cent higher at USD 65.35 per barrel in futures trade. On the domestic equity market front, the Sensex jumped 533.37 points to 82,443, while the Nifty advanced 157.20 points to 25,314.70 in early trade, lending further support to the rupee. Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 1,787.66 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.

NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, calling it a “picnic” and questioning the relevance of the conference.“Chief ministers from various states in India are having a picnic in Davos,” Raut said. “The Davos conference is ridiculous from an Indian perspective.”Raut also raised questions over the chief minister signing agreements with Indian companies during the visit, stating that such deals could have been finalised in Mumbai. Raut told reporters, “The chief ministers from across the country are having a picnic in Davos. He (CM Fadnavis) will pay attention to the mayoral elections after that is over. The Davos conference is ridiculous from an Indian perspective. Chief ministers from many states meet there, they talk to each other, and Indian industries go to Davos and sign agreements, on taxpayers’ money.”Also read | BMC mayor race heats up: CM Devendra Fadnavis in Davos, talks on hold, poll process set to last till Jan-end“They go to Davos every year. They should tell the nation and their states how much is spent on their travel. This could have happened sitting in Mumbai. If the figures (of the investment and job creation) being given are true, then I welcome them,” he added.Devendra Fadnavis is currently in Davos to attend the WEF annual meeting.Responding to Raut’s remarks, CM’S wife Amruta Fadnavis dismissed the criticism as baseless. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Mumbai, she said, “I can never understand his (Raut’s) language. But I will only say this much that someone who goes for a picnic does not hold conferences and meetings daily from 6 am to 11 pm to bring investment to India and Maharashtra, and boost employment.”“So I feel that this statement of his, like all his other statements, is baseless,” she said.Amruta also underlined the importance of the Davos summit, saying it is an international platform where representatives from across the world meet to discuss their countries and explore business opportunities. “Going there, I believe, is the duty of the head of every state in India,” she added.Devendra Fadnavis has been credited with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s performance in the recent municipal corporation elections. The BJP emerged as the single largest party in the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, winning 89 seats.

KALYAN: The UBT Sena’s Kalyan district chief Sharad Patil Wednesday accused MNS of betrayal after it extended its support to Shiv Sena in KDMC.Sena MP from Kalyan Shrikant Shinde said MNS had extended support in the interest of the city’s development. Asked if Shiv Sena would form the local govt without the support of BJP which had won 50 seats, he said that Sena and BJP had contested the civic polls together as Mahayuti and that the mayor would be from Mahayuti. A final decision on the mayoral post would be taken by deputy CM Eknath Shinde and BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, he added. BJP state president Ravindra Chavan said the mayor in Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar and Thane will be from the Mahayuti. He said a final decision will be taken after CM Devendra Fadnavis returns from Davos.

All 53 Sena corporators in KDMC visited the Konkan divisional commissioner’s office on Wednesday to complete the process of group registration. At the same venue, the five MNS corporators formed a separate group. While this process was on, MNS’ Raju Patil held a meeting with Shrikant Shinde, after which MNS officially declared its support to Sena.Explaining MNS’s stand, Raju Patil said the BJP had 50 seats and the Shinde-led Sena had 53, and for days, KDMC had witnessed political manoeuvring, including number games and alleged poaching. He said similar confusion could arise during formation of civic committees. “To ensure stability and to facilitate development work, we have decided to extend support,” Patil said. UBT Sena’s Sharad Patil told TOI his party and MNS had contested the elections together and voters had voted against Shinde Sena and BJP. “We sacrificed several of our Shiv Sainiks by denying them tickets to accommodate MNS candidates. By supporting Shinde Sena now, MNS has betrayed not only our party but also the voters who supported them,” he alleged.He said that of the 11 UBT Sena corporators elected, four were not reachable. According to his information, he said, two of them were in touch with the MNS and two with the Shinde-led Sena. He said the party would initiate disqualification proceedings against them.Political observers said Wednesday’s developments have raised questions over whether Sena is trying to gain a majority in the KDMC House independently or is seeking to strengthen its bargaining power within Mahayuti, especially after BJP’s demand that it should get the mayor’s post for a two-and-a-half-year term.Analysts also said that with Kalyan LS seat being with Shrikant Shinde and BJP demonstrating growing strength in the region-evident from its win in the council president’s election in Ambernath and emergence as the single largest party in Ulhasnagar-the Sena leadership may be working to consolidate its position in the various contests over the mayor’s posts and other important posts in civic bodies.

Stock market today (AI image)

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmarks, rallied strongly in opening trade on Thursday as Donald Trump’s remarks on Greenland and withdrawal of tariff threat on EU eased investors’ fears. While Nifty50 went above 25,300, BSE Sensex was up over 560 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 25,323.75, up 166 points or 0.66%. BSE Sensex was at 82,476.79, up 567 points or 0.69%.Analysts expect stock markets to remain range-bound. Stock-specific moves around quarterly earnings from IndiGo, DLF, Indian Bank and Coforge are possible, even as global cues stay supportive following US President Donald Trump’s remarks at Davos.​​Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “In yet another classic TACO (Trump Again Chickens Out) President Trump has withdrawn from his threat to “annex Greenland by force, if necessary.” Instead, in Davos yesterday he said “ we have reached a framework of a future deal on Greenland.” More importantly, the message that the US would “refrain from imposing tariffs on Europe” takes away the threat of a US – Europe trade war which was dragging the markets down. The consequent relief rally in the market today can be significant since there are about 2 lakh short contracts in the market and the market construct is right for short-covering.” “The Q3 profitability of companies have been affected by higher provision for the new labour code commitments. But the market will shrug it off since this is a one time commitment. Among results announced yesterday Eternal stands out with better-than-expected revenue and profit growth from quick commerce business.”Asian markets advanced on Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street after Trump’s comments on a “framework” deal with NATO over Greenland helped calm investor nerves and reduced concerns that had triggered recent volatility. The easing of geopolitical worries weighed on safe-haven assets, with gold and silver prices declining.Overnight in the US, all three major Wall Street indices ended higher on Wednesday after reports that a framework agreement on Greenland had been reached, removing the immediate risk of fresh US tariffs on European allies.Back home, foreign portfolio investors continued to pare exposure, selling shares worth Rs 1,788 crore during the session. Domestic institutional investors provided some support, emerging as net buyers with inflows of Rs 4,520 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Today is the day the 2026 Oscar nominations start, so buckle up-the fever is about to get real as Hollywood is ready, along with flocks of fans worldwide, for the big reveal. This moment kicks off the final stretch toward the 98th Academy Awards, spotlighting the films and talents that defined the past year.

2026 Oscar Nominations: Announcement date and time

Set for Thursday, January 22, 2026, the nominations drop at 8:30 a.m. EST, or 5:30 a.m. PST, for Indian audiences, which translates to 6:30 p.m. IST, a prime evening time slot. Danielle Brooks of The Color Purple fame and Lewis Pullman from the upcoming Spaceballs 2 take the stage to unveil picks across 24 categories. This includes the exciting new Best Casting category, a nod to the craft behind assembling stellar ensembles.

Spotlight on presenters

Danielle Brooks shines from her Oscar-nominated role as Sofia in ‘The Color Purple,’ a performance that earned her widespread acclaim and a Tony nod on Broadway. She recently wrapped the holiday film ‘Oh. What. Fun.’ alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and picked up a Critics Choice nomination for her work in the HBO Max series Peacemaker.Lewis Pullman rounds out the duo with credits in major hits like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts.’ He scored an Emmy nod in 2024 for ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ opposite Brie Larson, and his latest turn came in ‘The Testament of Ann Lee with Amanda Seyfried.’ Known for his grounded intensity, Pullman also connects with the ‘Spaceballs 2’ buzz.

2026 Oscar Nominations: Where to watch

Catch the action live on ABC’s Good Morning America, the traditional home for these announcements. Streaming fans have plenty of choices: Hulu, Disney+, and ABC News Live offer seamless access. For free options, head to Oscar.com, Oscar.org, or the Academy’s vibrant social feeds on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. No matter your setup, the event streams globally, making it easy to join the conversation.

2026 Oscar: Award night date

Mark your calendars for the main event on March 15, 2026. Conan O’Brien returns as host, bringing his sharp wit for a second straight year after last year’s hit turn. Predictions swirl around heavy hitters like Marty Supreme, who has built serious momentum. Other buzzed titles include Bugonia, It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, and Weapons, per Los Angeles Times insights. These could shake up Best Picture, acting nods, or technical fields.

Buzz and fan stakes

The awards season survives, and even succeeds, because of the anticipation that turns watercooler talk into global debates. From indie films to blockbuster releases, the nomination process recognizes creativity in storytelling and authenticity in performances. The Indian audience, where the Indi-Bollywood meets the US-Hollywood cult, will be watching the nomination process either in the OTT media or in social media clips, dissecting the snubs and locks. Whether one likes to predict the sweepers or the dark horses, today’s announcement kicks off the golden path.

In a high-octane series opener at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur (January 21, 2026), India secured a commanding 48-run victory over New Zealand to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. Batting first, the Men in Blue posted a mammoth 238/7, their highest-ever T20I total against the Black Caps, driven by a scintillating 84 from Abhishek Sharma and a late flourish by Rinku Singh. Despite early setbacks, India’s aggressive intent never wavered, setting a target that proved too steep for the visitors.

New Zealand’s chase was kept alive by a defiant half-century from Glenn Phillips, but the disciplined Indian bowling attack, led by Varun Chakaravarthy and Arshdeep Singh, ensured the required run rate remained out of reach. With this clinical win, India have sent a clear message as they refine their combinations for the T20 World Cup 2026.

Abhishek Sharma’ batting masterclass anchors India’s record total against New Zealand in 1st T20I

The foundation of India’s victory was laid by world No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek, who produced a breathtaking 84 off just 35 deliveries. After New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to field, India lost Sanju Samson (10) and Ishan Kishan (8) early, but Abhishek refused to let the pressure build. He reached his half-century in a blistering 22 balls, marking his seventh T20I fifty and taking a particular liking to the spin of Glenn Phillips and the pace of Kyle Jamieson.

His innings was a symphony of power-hitting, featuring 8 sixes and 5 fours as he shared a 99-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav (32). Even after Abhishek fell in the 12th over, the momentum didn’t shift; Hardik Pandya chipped in with a brisk 25 before Rinku took over the finishing duties. Rinku smashed an unbeaten 44 off 20 balls, including a massive 21-run final over against Daryl Mitchell, to propel India to 238/7. Jacob Duffy was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with 2/27, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain the Indian onslaught on a flat Nagpur deck.

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Abhishek Sharma goes past mentor Yuvraj Singh with blistering knock against New Zealand in Nagpur T20I

Glenn Phillips’ lone fightback highlight New Zealand’s chase

New Zealand’s pursuit of 239 got off to a disastrous start on the very second ball of the innings, thanks to a moment of pure magic from Sanju Samson. Arshdeep Singh bowled a fullish, wide delivery that Devon Conway chased with a cover drive; the resulting thick outside edge flew low to the left of the keeper. In a display of elite reflexes, Samson executed a full-length horizontal dive to pluck the ball one-handed just inches above the grass, effort that dismissed Conway for a duck.

New Zealand’s woes deepened as Hardik removed Rachin Ravindra shortly after, leaving them reeling at 1/2. However, Phillips kept the Kiwis in the hunt with a ferocious 78 off 40 balls, smashing 6 sixes and keeping the scoreboard ticking during the middle overs alongside Mark Chapman (39). The chase eventually faltered when Varun (2/36) and Axar Patel removed the set batters in quick succession. Despite some late resistance from Mitchell Santner, New Zealand finished on 190/9, handing India a comprehensive 48-run win and a perfect start to the home season.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

Abhishek Sharma snd Samson at the top, Rinku Sungh at the finish, SkY and Pandya in the middle, India’s explosive batting line-up will be the dread of all teams in the T20 WC

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 21, 2026

This team is such a joy to watch.
Full of aate hee kaam shuru kar diye energy. Well played 👏👏 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/KqPm31jsIO

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 21, 2026

Abhishek is a very high risk batter but to think he’s the most consistent in this batter Indian team… Man really sets the tone most games upfront

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) January 21, 2026

In the last two years, no one has proved me more wrong than Abhishek Sharma. I mean I never said he is a bad player, but I always had it in my mind that this approach might fail in big matches, when bowlers would bowl with proper plans and according to the conditions. But this…

— 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭!𝟎𝐧_👑🚩 (@bholination) January 21, 2026

Abhishek Sharma sets a new record for India 🏏#cricket #INDvNZ #1stT20I pic.twitter.com/Ipjakm4xjR

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 21, 2026

Abhishek Sharma always reads the situation perfect and tries to do what’s needed – he tries to hit a six. There’s no other situation in T20. Every ball has to go for six. Anything else is suboptimal. Its what a player should aspire to if they want to be top T20 player.

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) January 21, 2026

Proper todfod! 💥#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/3fOqG8LoZu

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 21, 2026

Glenn Phillips, please spare us. I have told all my eight kids that we are dominating in T20Is. Don’t make me look bad.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 21, 2026

That Glenn Phillips innings gave me joy as a GT fan knowing how little batting my team has in the middle order

— Shreya (@shreyamatsharma) January 21, 2026

I’ve said it many times before, and I’ll continue to say it every time he goes ballistic.

Glenn Phillips is an absolute monster in white ball cricket.

— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) January 21, 2026

Also READ: REVEALED: The ‘Bangladesh’ reason behind James Neesham absence from IND vs NZ 1st T20I in Nagpur

Mumbai, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, is experiencing a classic clear-sky winter day, characterized by bright, dry, and largely comfortable conditions, with the forecast indicating sunny weather throughout the day.Temperatures are expected to rise to approximately 28°C and dip to around 22.6°C by night. However, air quality remains a significant concern, as yesterday’s AQI (India) registered 251, placing it in the “Very Poor” category, which may persist into the morning hours before the day’s mixing winds offer some improvement, prompting recommendations for masks in traffic-heavy areas for those stepping out early.Sunshine is the dominant weather feature for the day, leading to a warm afternoon and a calmer evening period.The temperature range for today is forecast to be fairly steady for late January, moving from 22.6°C to 28°C.The average temperature for the day is projected to be near 24.8°C.Humidity levels are expected to sit around 61% on average, indicating that the day will not feel muggy.Despite this, individuals spending extended periods in the sun around midday may still notice a slightly sticky sensation.Winds are anticipated to pick up sufficiently to be noticeable, reaching speeds of up to about 22 km/h.This increased air movement is expected to make the afternoon feel a touch more breathable compared to days with windless or hazy conditions.Rain is essentially off the table for the day, with 0 mm of precipitation expected.The chance of rain is also at 0%.Visibility is forecast at 10 km, which is considered decent on paper.However, real-world haze, particularly when pollution is elevated, can still reduce how clear the skyline appears.In terms of how the day shifts, the best comfort window is expected to be from the morning into the late forenoon.This period will offer cooler air, less direct heat, and generally calmer conditions, making it suitable for errands or a quick jog.The afternoon is projected to be the harshest period due to glare and heat, especially between roughly noon and 3 pm.During these hours, the sun feels strongest, even in winter.By evening, temperatures are expected to ease, and with sunset occurring at 6:25 pm, a gentler and more comfortable outdoor stretch is anticipated for activities such as a stroll or a short commute break.

Air Quality Details

Yesterday, Wednesday, January 21, Mumbai recorded an AQI (India) of 251, which placed it in the “Very Poor” category.The US AQI for the same day was 197, also indicating unhealthy air quality.The biggest culprits identified for the air quality were PM2.5 at 116 µg/m³ and PM10 at 140 µg/m³, with CO recorded at 465, as listed.The article states:“In real terms, that mix can trigger throat irritation, watery eyes, coughing, and shortness of breath, especially for children, older adults, and anyone with asthma or heart conditions.”Today’s weather conditions, including sunny skies and a moderate breeze, can encourage better dispersion of pollutants compared to a still, stagnant day.However, since there is no rain, which typically helps wash particulates out of the air, a dramatic “scrubbed clean” effect should not be expected.In many cities, pollution can feel worst during the early morning and late evening hours.This is when air near the ground tends to be more trapped, so outdoor exercise plans should be adjusted accordingly.

Recommendations

For those commuting, carrying sunglasses is advised, as the afternoon sun will be sharp.Keeping water handy is also recommended, as bright winter sunshine, even at 28°C, can lead to dehydration faster than anticipated.Individuals sensitive to pollution are advised to choose mid-morning or early afternoon for shorter outdoor tasks.During these times, winds are more active, and masking up near congested junctions is a practical suggestion.For workouts, considering indoor sessions is recommended if one wakes up feeling wheezy or notices a smoky haze.If outdoor exercise is chosen, selecting open areas away from main roads is preferable, and maintaining a moderate intensity is advised.By evening, temperatures will be more pleasant, but if air quality remains elevated, a relaxed walk is considered safer than a hard run.

Week Ahead Forecast

The broader story for the week ahead is one of consistency, with sunny weather expected every day, no rain, and comfortable winter warmth.On January 23, a cooler daytime peak near 25.3°C is expected, with a low around 22.2°C, and breezier conditions with winds up to 25.2 km/h.January 24 will see a similar maximum temperature of 25.5°C, but a cooler low of 20.4°C.This day is likely to be the best night for open windows.From January 25 to 26, temperatures are expected to become warmer again, with highs near 27–27.3°C.On January 27 and 28, highs will be around 26.2–26.3°C, with January 28 turning breezier again, experiencing winds up to 25.6 km/h.For those who prefer cooler evenings, Saturday, January 24, is identified as the best day for outdoor plans, thanks to its lowest nighttime temperature.If pollution continues to be a pattern, the breezier days, specifically January 23 and January 28, may feel a bit more comfortable for longer outdoor time.Data referenced in this article is taken from AQI.in.