The pursuit of the 85th international century reaches a fever pitch as India lands in Rajkot for the 2nd ODI against New Zealand on January 14, 2026. Following a high-stakes series opener at Vadodara, where India chased down 301 to take a 1-0 lead, the spotlight remains firmly on Virat Kohli.

Although India secured a four-wicket win, the King experienced a heartbreak of sorts, falling for a masterful 93 off 91 balls. Dismissed just seven runs shy of his 54th ODI ton by Kyle Jamieson in the 40th over, Kohli’s knock was the backbone of the chase, featuring his signature flick-shots and peerless strike rotation.

While the team celebrated the win, fans are now desperate for that elusive 85th ton at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, a venue where Kohli has a record of remarkable consistency but is yet to cross the triple-figure mark in ODIs. With his current red-hot form, Rajkot’s flat deck provides the perfect stage for him to finally bridge that 7-run gap.

Virat Kohli’s ODI record at Niranjan Shah Stadium (Rajkot)

Virat Kohli’s history at the Niranjan Shah Stadium (formerly SCA Stadium) is a tale of incredible individual starts that have rarely resulted in Indian victories. Across four separate ODI appearances, he has scored four consecutive half-centuries, proving he reads this pitch better than anyone else, yet he is still hunting for his first century here.

1) Game 1: vs England (Jan 11, 2013)

In the first-ever ODI at this venue, Kohli walked into a massive chase of 326. He looked in sublime touch immediately, racing to 15 runs off 18 balls with three boundaries before a rare lapse in concentration saw him caught off James Tredwell. While his contribution was small in volume, his intent was clear on a batting beauty. However, despite half-centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh, India lost by a narrow 9 runs, finishing at 316/9. This match established the stadium’s reputation as a high-scoring graveyard for bowlers.

2) Game 2: vs South Africa (Oct 18, 2015) 

Chasing 271 on a pitch that began to grip and turn, Kohli played a masterpiece of an anchor role. He scored 77 runs off 99 balls, striking 5 boundaries and keeping India on course alongside MS Dhoni. He looked certain to carry India home, but a tired shot against Morne Morkel in the 45th over saw him hole out to long-on. His dismissal triggered a collapse, and India eventually fell short by 18 runs. It was a classic case of Kohli doing the heavy lifting only for the finish to remain out of reach.

3) Game 3: vs Australia (Jan 17, 2020)

Kohli finally tasted team success at Rajkot in this high-pressure encounter. After a solid start by Dhawan, Kohli walked in and dismantled the Australian spin duo of Zampa and Agar. He hammered 78 runs off 76 balls, showcasing elite running between the wickets. His partnership with KL Rahul propelled India to a massive 340/6. Unlike previous occasions, the bowlers backed his effort, and India bowled Australia out for 304 to win by 36 runs. This remains Kohli’s highest score at the venue to date.

4) Game 4: vs Australia (Sept 27, 2023)

In a mammoth chase of 353, Kohli once again proved he is a different beast in Rajkot. He looked arguably the most comfortable batter on the park, timing the ball with ease to reach 56 runs off 61 balls (5 fours, 1 six). He was set for a big one until he played a Glenn Maxwell delivery straight to mid-wicket. His dismissal at 171/3 effectively ended India’s realistic hopes of a chase, and they lost by 66 runs. This marked his fourth 50+ score in as many games at the ground, leaving him with a ground average of 56.50.

Also WATCH: CSK fever hits IND vs NZ 1st ODI as Devon Conway responds to chants at BCA Stadium

Kohli’s ODI surge post-test retirement

Since announcing his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli has entered a “specialist phase” that has the cricketing world in awe. By stepping away from the long-form game after 123 Tests and 9,230 runs, he has focused his physical and mental reserves exclusively on the 50-over format. This shift has resulted in a staggering peak in performance; since June 2025, Kohli has scored four centuries in his last eight ODIs, including back-to-back tons against South Africa () in late 2025.

In the current series against New Zealand, he achieved a monumental milestone by becoming the fastest player to reach 28,000 international runs (624 innings), breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record by 20 innings. His current ODI average has climbed back above 58.00, and he is batting with a strike rate of 105+, suggesting that the King is more dangerous than ever when he only has one format to conquer. He is no longer playing for survival or rank; he is playing with the clinical freedom of a man destined to retire at the very top of the World Cup 2027.

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli reveals where does he keeps his Player of the Match awards

World Economic Forum 2026

US President Donald Trump will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos later this month, accompanied by at least five Cabinet members, as global leaders gather against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. The five-day summit will begin on January 18 in the Swiss ski resort town, organisers announced on Tuesday.As per news agency PTI, at least 64 heads of state or government are expected to attend the annual meeting, with six of the seven G7 nations represented by their top leadership. China and Pakistan will also send large delegations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is among the leaders expected to be present, with the forum set to focus closely on the situation in Ukraine, the war in Gaza and developments in Latin America, including Venezuela.WEF President and CEO Borge Brende said the meeting comes at a time of extraordinary global strain, describing the current geopolitical situation as the most complex since 1945. Dialogue is not a luxury in times of uncertainty, but an urgent necessity today, he said, underlining the forum’s theme of fostering a spirit of dialogue.“At a critical juncture for international cooperation – marked by profound geoeconomic and technological transformation – this year’s Annual Meeting will be one of our most consequential. With historic levels of participation, it will provide a space for an unparalleled mix of global leaders and innovators to work through and look beyond divisions, gain insight into a fast-shifting global landscape, and advance solutions to today’s and tomorrow’s biggest and most pressing challenges,” he added.Trump is expected to lead the largest-ever US delegation to Davos. According to PTI, those accompanying him include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. As per news agency AFP, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East and Ukraine, will also attend. Trump had addressed Davos via video last year, but his in-person participation this time follows a year marked by aggressive tariff measures that reshaped global trade dynamics.India will also feature prominently at the summit with a strong political and corporate presence. As per PTI, at least four Union ministers — Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi and K Ram Mohan Naidu — are expected, along with six chief ministers, including Maharashtra’s Devendra Fadnavis, Andhra Pradesh’s N Chandrababu Naidu, Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh’s Mohan Yadav, Telangana’s A Revanth Reddy and Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren. Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar is also likely to attend.More than 100 Indian CEOs are expected in Davos, including Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran, Bajaj Group’s Sanjiv Bajaj, Bharti Group’s Sunil Bharti Mittal and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, according to PTI. Indian leaders will take part in panel discussions, including one examining whether India can become the world’s third-largest economy, besides holding bilateral meetings and attending India-focused events on the sidelines.Overall, the WEF expects more than 3,000 participants from over 130 countries, including over 1,700 business leaders and a record number of political leaders, along with representatives from civil society, global financial institutions and technology companies, reinforcing Davos’s role as a key platform for global dialogue.

Lakshya Sen (PTI Photo/Salman Ali)

NEW DELHI: India’s ace shuttler Lakshya Sen began his India Open Super 750 campaign on a strong note on Tuesday. He moved into the second round with a comfortable straight-game win over fellow Indian Ayush Shetty. The match was played at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.Lakshya, the 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, was in control from the start. He defeated the 20-year-old Ayush 21-12, 21-15. Ayush was playing his first match at the Super 750 level and found it tough against the experienced campaigner.

After the match, Lakshya spoke about the conditions and the challenge ahead.“I didn’t expect it to be too tricky, but I think it will get better from the second round,” Lakshya said.He also spoke about adapting to the new hall.“We thought the hall was big, so the shuttle might travel a little bit slower, but I think it was quick, and also there was a little bit drift or sideways, but I think again, first round it’s always we have to adapt to the situations.”Lakshya praised his opponent and said he was staying focused.“He’s a really, really good opponent, and I had to come really prepared for the match. I’m just taking one match at a time, so I’m not thinking, I think, too wide, just focusing on the next match.”In the opening game, Lakshya dominated early at the net. He raced to a 17-6 lead. Ayush tried to fight back and won a few points in a row, but Lakshya closed the game without trouble. The second game was more competitive. Ayush started well and led early. Lakshya soon found his rhythm. He tightened his shots and forced errors. He pulled ahead late and sealed the match with a strong winner.Lakshya will next face Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto. Nishimoto advanced after his compatriot Kodai Naraoka retired mid-match.In women’s doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also started well. The Indian pair won 21-15, 21-11 against Thailand’s Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn and Sukitta Suwachai. They will now play China’s seventh-seeded pair Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min.In men’s doubles, Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun won their first-round match against Malaysia’s Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin. They will face China’s fourth seeds next. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty moved into the next round after receiving a walkover.Lakshya also spoke about planning his season carefully.“I think we have big tournaments coming up this year, so I think it will be important to maintain a good ranking but also peak at the right time for the big ones,” he said.“So just I think in the training plan for the year or the tournament plans I think we have made it skipped a few tournaments also to get a good practice so that towards the end when we have big tournaments like Asian games and world championship coming up so we are better prepared for those ones.”Elsewhere, men’s singles fourth seed Chou Tien Chen and French sixth seed Alex Lanier were knocked out on the opening day.ALSO READ: Fresh controversy amid Olympics 2036 ambitions: Denmark badminton player Mia Blichfeldt blasts India Open conditions

A black-and-white image of Donald Trump wearing a milk moustache recently circulated online, deliberately echoing the iconic 1990s “Got Milk?” campaign. The image, shared through official channels and amplified by Trump allies, was more than a nostalgic visual. It signalled a clear shift in US food policy thinking, with whole milk once again being promoted as a legitimate and even preferable option in American diets.The timing mattered. The post followed a major change in federal rules governing school nutrition, bringing whole milk back into classrooms and reigniting long-running debates about fat, health and government control over food choices.

The law behind the milk moustache moment

The renewed push for whole milk is tied to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, signed into law in late 2025. The legislation rolls back earlier federal restrictions that had limited schools to serving only low-fat or skim milk under the National School Lunch Program.Those earlier rules were introduced to curb saturated fat intake, but school administrators and lawmakers argued they produced unintended consequences. Participation in school milk programmes declined, cartons went untouched, and children consumed fewer nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and protein. Supporters of the new law say the policy prioritises real-world behaviour over theoretical guidelines: children are more likely to drink milk they enjoy.

Trump, symbolism and food politics

Trump’s embrace of whole milk fits a familiar pattern in his political style, but it is also rooted in a specific nutritional argument. Food, like energy or agriculture, becomes a cultural signal. Whole milk is framed as “real”, traditional and minimally altered, in contrast to low-fat or skim milk, which supporters argue removes naturally occurring fats only to compensate later with additives or flavourings.By invoking the “Got Milk?” era, Trump taps into a period when dietary guidance was simpler and less polarised. The milk moustache imagery mirrors a broader messaging strategy seen throughout his campaigns: reclaiming everyday products and reframing them as symbols of resistance to elite-driven consensus. In this framing, whole milk is not indulgent but complete, delivering fat, protein and fat-soluble vitamins in their original form.

The nutritional case for whole milk

Advocates of whole milk point to several practical advantages. Whole milk is more satiating than low-fat alternatives, meaning it can help children feel fuller for longer and potentially reduce snacking between meals. A growing body of observational research has found no consistent link between whole-milk consumption and higher rates of childhood obesity, challenging assumptions that shaped earlier low-fat mandates.Whole milk can also be particularly beneficial for younger children, adolescents with high energy demands and physically active students, providing a dense source of calories and nutrients without relying on processed substitutes. Supporters stress that the argument is not that whole milk is superior for everyone, but that it should remain an available option rather than a prohibited one.

Critics and ongoing concerns

Public health experts remain divided. Critics warn that promoting whole milk without broader dietary context could increase saturated fat intake if consumed excessively. They argue that nutrition policy should focus on overall diet quality rather than singling out specific foods.The renewed attention has also reignited debate around raw milk, with some online supporters calling for wider access to unpasteurised dairy products. Health agencies continue to strongly oppose raw milk consumption due to the risk of bacterial infections, drawing a clear line between whole milk and raw milk advocacy.

More than just milk

The milk moustache image may appear light-hearted, but it reflects a deeper shift in how nutrition policy is being framed. Under Trump’s influence, food guidance is increasingly tied to ideas of personal choice, cultural identity and scepticism toward shifting expert advice.Whether whole milk’s return to school lunches leads to measurable improvements in children’s health remains an open question. What is already clear is that something as ordinary as milk has once again become political.In Trump’s America, even a lunchroom staple can serve as a statement about regulation, expertise and who gets to decide what is healthy.

The sixth match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 officially got underway tonight, January 13, 2026, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai with a high-stakes encounter between two heavyweights. Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to field first, identifying the heavy dew as a critical factor that would favor the chasing side.

The encounter is marked by a massive shift in team dynamics, with both sides missing iconic veterans and blooding new talent. The Gujarat Giants (GG) have entered the fray with a bold, aggressive-heavy lineup featuring breakout domestic stars, looking to end their winless streak against the defending champions. Meanwhile, Mumbai are looking to maintain their dominance despite being forced into late changes to their core combination.

WPL 2026, MI-W vs GG-W: Reason behind the star all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt’s absence

In a significant blow to the defending champions just moments before the toss, Mumbai revealed that their star England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt would miss the clash. Captain Harmanpreet confirmed that Sciver-Brunt, who has been the ‘engine’ of MI’s success over the past three seasons and was coming off a match-winning 70 in the previous game, was ruled out after suffering a minor niggle during the warm-ups.

Her absence forced a tactical reshuffle, leading to the return of West Indian superstar Hayley Matthews, who steps back into the XI after recovering from the illness that kept her out of the season opener. Beyond her cricketing contributions, Sciver-Brunt’s presence in the middle order is a major miss for Mumbai, as she has been instrumental in stabilizing their innings in high-pressure games. The team management expressed hope for her quick recovery, but for tonight, the onus shifted to the remaining veteran core of Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr to fill the massive void left by the England superstar.

“And now Hayley’s back, she’s fit, so hopefully we’ll click in that area as well. Unfortunately, Nat (Sciver-Brunt) is not well today, so in place of her, Hayley’s back.” Harmanpreet said at toss.

Also WATCH: Nandini Sharma takes a sensational hat-trick in WPL 2026

WPL 2026, MI vs GG: Reason behind the star all-rounder Anushka Sharma’s absence

In a significant blow to the Gujarat just moments before the toss, the franchise revealed that their breakout teenage sensation Anushka Sharma would miss the crucial encounter. Captain Ashleigh Gardner confirmed that Sharma, who set the tournament alight with a sparkling 44 on debut against UP Warriorz, was ruled out after suffering a minor injury during the team’s final training session.

“One team change today. Anushka is unfortunately out with an injury, and Ayushi makes her debut today.” Gardner said.

Her absence forced a tactical reshuffle, leading to a WPL debut for domestic recruit Ayushi Soni, who steps in to provide stability in the middle order. Beyond her recent run-scoring, Sharma’s fearless approach at No. 3 had become a vital component of Gujarat’s aggressive new identity this season. The team management expressed hope for her quick recovery, but for tonight, the onus shifted to the experienced core of Sophie Devine and Gardner to anchor the innings and fill the void left by the young Indian star.

Also READ: 5 contenders to replace Alyssa Healy as Australia captain after her retirement from international cricket

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

BENGALURU: Orbital Paradigm, the firm whose re-entry capsule Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator or KID was among the payloads on the failed PSLV-C62 mission, Tuesday said it has begun analysing data the capsule sent after separating from the launch vehicle.“Our KID capsule, against all odds, separated from PSLV-C62, switched on, and transmitted data over 3+ minutes. We’re reconstructing [the] trajectory. We survived peak heat and peak g-load (~28g recorded)…Full report will come,” the firm said.Isro, would have also begun analysing data it had obtained up to the time the third stage (PS3) of the launch vehicle suffered a glitch. Aside from KID and India’s own strategic satellite Anvesha or EOS-N1 by DRDO, the mission carried a satellite (Munal) for Nepal through the ministry of external affairs (MEA), a technology demonstrator (AyulSat) from startup OrbitAID aimed at cracking on-orbit refuelling, along with 12 other payloads.On Monday, the 44.4-metre-tall PSLV, flying its fifth mission in the DL (dual strap-on) configuration, lifted off from SDSC’s first launch pad at 10.18am, about 1.30 minutes after scheduled time. About 8.40 minutes later, after the third-stage shutoff and fourth-stage (PS4) ignition was announced — command was initiated but there was no confirmation if PS4 ignited — the atmosphere in mission control turned tense. Narayanan eventually announced that the mission had failed. The failure came only nine months after a glitch in PSLV-C61’s PS3 prevented EOS-09, another strategic satellite, from reaching orbit on May 18, 2025, marking a second consecutive failure of PSLV. Not only has PSLV never failed back-to-back in the past, it has also not seen the same rocket stage falter more than once — until now.“…Close to the end of the third stage [PS3] we saw little more disturbance in the vehicle roll rates and subsequently there was a deviation in the flight path. We are analysing the data and we shall come back at the earliest,” Isro chairman V Narayanan said on Monday.

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