Hardik Pandya (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

Rajkot saw a masterclass from Hardik Pandya as Baroda posted a competitive 293 for 9 against Vidarbha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 32-year-old all-rounder took control of the innings when his team was in trouble, turning the game into a spectacle even without a crowd in attendance. Baroda had been struggling at 71 for 5 when Hardik walked in. He started carefully, working with the lower order and picking gaps to keep the scoreboard ticking. The innings built steadily, with singles and boundaries helping Baroda recover from a shaky position.The real fireworks came in the 39th over when Hardik unleashed a staggering sequence: 6,6,6,6,6,4 against Vidarbha spinner Parth Rekhade . He hit five consecutive sixes and finished the over with a four through point, taking 34 runs from just six balls and moving from 66 to a whirlwind century in just 68 balls. Hardik finished with 133 off 92 balls, hitting 11 sixes and 8 fours at a strike rate of 144.57. He virtually carried the Baroda innings, as no other batter crossed even 30, with Vishnu Solanki providing brief support with 26 off 17 balls. The Vidarbha bowlers tried to make breakthroughs, but Hardik’s timing and power proved unplayable. Yash Thakur ended with 4 wickets for 64, but it was Hardik’s innings that dominated the game and lit up the Vijay Hazare Trophy.In the last T20, the fifth match against South Africa, Hardik Pandya played a sensational innings, smashing 63 runs off just 25 balls to help India post a massive total of 231 and seal the series victory. On top of his explosive batting, Hardik also achieved a remarkable milestone, completing 100 wickets in T20 internationals. He became only the third Indian bowler, after Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, to reach this landmark. Pandya now joins an elite group of players with over 2,000 T20 runs and 100-plus wickets, highlighting his status as one of India’s most versatile and impactful all-rounders.

Joel Embiid injury update (Image via NBA)

Joel Embiid is expected to be available when the Philadelphia 76ers face the New York Knicks on January 3, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. He is listed as probable due to right knee injury management, but his recent right ankle sprain no longer appears on the injury report. That change points to improved health as Philadelphia looks to build on recent wins.The matchup carries added attention because Embiid has not played at Madison Square Garden since the 2024 playoffs. With the Sixers finding some rhythm and Embiid logging steady minutes, Saturday night presents a chance for both the player and the team to measure where they stand entering the heart of the season.

Joel Embiid’s injury status heading into MSG on January 3 vs the New York Knicks

Joel Embiid has dealt with ongoing knee management throughout the season, the same issue that limited him for long stretches last year. Despite that, he has been able to stay on the floor recently, and Saturday would be his third game in five days.The removal of the ankle sprain from the report is a key development. It suggests the Sixers are more concerned with managing workload than reacting to a new setback. The team is expected to monitor his minutes, but there is confidence he will play.

Joel Embiid’s Recent form shows consistency

Across his last six games, Embiid is averaging 29.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks in about 33 minutes per night. Those numbers reflect steady production rather than short bursts.Philadelphia has benefited from that stretch, snapping a three-game losing streak and winning back-to-back games. In a recent overtime victory, Embiid finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds, controlling the paint late.

Philadelphia 76ers injury report vs the Knicks

• Joel Embiid: Probable (right knee injury management) • Kelly Oubre Jr.: Out (left knee sprain), sidelined since mid-November • Trendon Watford: Out (left adductor strain), continuing his recovery from a late-November injuryThe Sixers enter the game with a relatively short injury list compared to earlier in the season.

Knicks’ situation and matchup context

New York is coming off a 111-99 loss to Atlanta, shooting 37.1 percent from the field. The Knicks are dealing with several question marks, including Karl-Anthony Towns (illness), Josh Hart (ankle), and Mitchell Robinson (knee).Also read: Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks regular season game: Full injury report, who’s out, where to watch, and more (January 3, 2026)If New York’s frontcourt remains thin, Philadelphia could lean heavily on Embiid inside while Tyrese Maxey applies pressure on the perimeter. With Embiid likely available, the Sixers hold a clear advantage in the paint, setting up a meaningful test at Madison Square Garden.

In 2024 after Govindha accidentally shot himself while cleaning his revolver. Many rumours started spreading after the incident. Now, his niece Ragini Khanna has spoken openly about what really happened that day. She shared how her family first heard the news and how shocking it was for them.Speaking about that moment, Ragini said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani, “My mother told me she had gotten a call saying that Chichi mama had been shot. We were shocked at that time. Then my mother told me that he had shot himself.” The news came suddenly and left everyone scared and confused.

Rushing to the hospital

Ragini then spoke about how her family reacted after hearing the news. Her mother did not waste any time and rushed straight to the hospital. Ragini shared how she personally handled the situation in her own way.She said, “My mother rushed to the hospital, and I was shocked. I had a very emotionally reactive response, so I decided to go a little later to prevent creating more tension with my reaction. I went three hours late. My mother and brother went immediately.” She explained that she wanted to stay calm and not add more stress to an already tense situation.

Clearing foul play doubts

After the incident, many people on social media started questioning if there was any foul play involved. Ragini clearly addressed these doubts and spoke strongly about trusting the police investigation.She said, “There were 200 cops at the hospital itself, and 50 cops were outside his house to know what happened. How can you escape that kind of situation if it is not genuine? I have full faith in our police. They have done their due diligence, and they got satisfactory results. Because if somebody else had been involved, he couldn’t have escaped after doing something like this to such a big personality.”

Govinda’s recovery journey

Ragini also spoke about Govinda’s recovery and reassured fans that he healed well after the accident. She shared that the actor showed strength and bounced back within a short time. She said, “He was fine in a month, he stood on his feet in a month’s time.”

Desert Vipers will be up against MI Emirates in the final of the International League T20. This article provides details about Desert Vipers’ Playing 11 vs MI Emirates for the upcoming match of the tournament.

Desert Vipers Playing XI vs MI Emirates- ILT20 2025-26, Final:

Openers: Fakhar Zaman, Andries Gous (wk)

Desert Vipers would aim to earn back-to-back wins when they take on the MI Emirates in the final of the ILT20, having got the better of them in the first qualifier by 45 runs and win their second title by doing so.

The Sam Curran-led side would want its players to bring their A game to the fore against MI Emirates, a team that has got all its bases covered, be it in the batting and bowling departments, and would come hard at them in a bid to win the contest.

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To begin with, the onus will be on the opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Andries Gous, who was the player of the match in the previous game, to get the team off to a good start.

The team management would also hope for the two batters to score runs individually as well, so as to get the MI Emirates bowling attack under pressure.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Max Holden, Hasan Nawaz, Sam Curran (c), Jason Roy, Dan Lawrence, Sanjay Pahal

As far as the makeup of the middle order of the Desert Vipers for the final is concerned, it is expected to comprise Max Holden, Hasan Nawaz, captain Sam Curran, and Jason Roy.

Sam Curran would be relied upon to lead from the front, being the captain of the team, with other batters providing him good support in order to challenge the MI Emirates bowlers.

However, before Curran comes into bat, all eyes will be on Max Holden, who is expected to bat at number three to deliver a good performance.

Other than the two batters that have been mentioned, experienced English opener Jason Roy, who is batting in the middle order for the Desert Vipers, would look to take on the spinners while batting in the middle phase of the innings.

Bowlers: Khuzaima Tanveer, David Payne, Usman Tariq

Like in the batting department, Sam Curran, who in all likelihood will take the new ball and bowl an over or two in the powerplay, will be trusted to pick wickets in that particular phase and in the middle overs as well.

Curran will be assisted by Davud Payne and Khuzaima Tanveer, both of whom will also look to deliver a match-winning spell of fast bowling for their team and make things easy for the spinners.

The spin bowling department of the Desert Vipers will be taken care of by Usman Tariq, who had a good tussle with Kieron Pollard in the last game, and will be up for it again in the title clash, and Dan Lawrence.

All things said, Desert Vipers will have to come up with a disciplined bowling effort to restrict a powerful group of batters that the MI Emirates have at their disposal.