News for 'bits'

Bird droppings halt Prannoy-Loh match at India Open

Bird droppings halt Prannoy-Loh match at India Open

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

India Open badminton: "Bird droppings" interrupt Prannoy-Loh match, add to organisers' woes

Bangladesh to suspend IPL broadcast?

Bangladesh to suspend IPL broadcast?

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

'The BCB announced the schedule for India's tour of Bangladesh because there was a sense of positivity but now we need to get an official confirmation from the Indian board as to why Mustafizur's contract was cancelled.'

Cheekatlo Review: Conventional

Cheekatlo Review: Conventional

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Cheekatlo is a run-of-the-mill crime procedural, notes Arjun Menon.

Finding The Perfect Goan Seafood Curry

Finding The Perfect Goan Seafood Curry

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Sona Bahadur's Goa currython yielded interesting results.

Steve Waugh: 'Europe is the last frontier of cricket'

Steve Waugh: 'Europe is the last frontier of cricket'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Cricket legend Steve Waugh believes the European T20 Premier League can unlock new talent and expand cricket's footprint across Europe.

Bayern crush Wolfsburg 8-1; Napoli hold Inter Milan

Bayern crush Wolfsburg 8-1; Napoli hold Inter Milan

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Bayern Munich, helped by two record-breaking VfL Wolfsburg own goals and two from man-of-the-match Michael Olise, demolished the visitors 8-1 in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Sunita Williams: 'Humans arguing seems silly when...'

Sunita Williams: 'Humans arguing seems silly when...'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Astronaut Sunita Williams discusses how space travel changed her perspective on life, emphasizing the unity of Earth and the silliness of human conflicts when viewed from space.

Dakar Rally: Variawa wins eighth stage

Dakar Rally: Variawa wins eighth stage

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Al-Attiyah retains overall lead; Sixth-placed Sebastien Loeb, the nine-times world rally champion driving for Dacia, remained in contention and was within 17 minutes of his leading teammate.

Roma takes Dakar lead as Ford goes one-two

Roma takes Dakar lead as Ford goes one-two

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The 410km stage from Wadi Ad Dawasir to the overnight bivouac, first half of a marathon stage, was won by 21-year-old Polish non-factory Toyota driver Eryk Goczal.

Victor Lai's rise amid Canada's badminton struggles

Victor Lai's rise amid Canada's badminton struggles

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

'Self-funded is a big one. We don't travel as a team so we don't have a therapist, treatment support or a trainer. A lot of times you're training on your own and it's tough.'

Aus Open PIX: Sinner ousts home hope; Djokovic, Swiatek cruise

Aus Open PIX: Sinner ousts home hope; Djokovic, Swiatek cruise

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

IMAGES from the Australian Open matches played at Melbourne Park in Melbourne on Thursday.

Harmanpreet has another 4-5 years of cricket left in her: Jhulan

Harmanpreet has another 4-5 years of cricket left in her: Jhulan

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Harman's record as captain untouchable, she has another 4-5 years to offer: Jhulan Goswami

No World Cup distraction for Team India

No World Cup distraction for Team India

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

'We are fully focused on this series. Every series is important. Individually for these players, there's a lot at stake.'

Cummins sits out Tests to focus on T20 World Cup

Cummins sits out Tests to focus on T20 World Cup

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

With the Ashes urn in their hands, Australia decided to rule Cummins out of the two remaining Tests.

The formula that finally won Vidarbha a ODI crown...

The formula that finally won Vidarbha a ODI crown...

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Vidarbha's dominant title run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was a result of the players' belief in each other which helped them overcome challenging situations successfully, reckoned head coach Usman Ghani.

Vidarbha overpower holders K'taka to enter VHT final

Vidarbha overpower holders K'taka to enter VHT final

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Aman Mokhade's hundred carries Vidarbha into VHT final

Alcaraz and Sinner drop big doubles hint

Alcaraz and Sinner drop big doubles hint

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

As Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner prepare for their season-opening exhibition match in Incheon, the world's top two men's tennis players floated the prospect of one day playing together in a doubles tournament.

One Slam missing: Swiatek eyes Aussie Open

One Slam missing: Swiatek eyes Aussie Open

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Iga Swiatek heads into Melbourne Park with the Australian Open title the only gap on her Grand Slam resume, but the world number two is keen to avoid setting herself targets for the new season and says her main goal is to improve her game.

Team India will be feeling the heat going into decider

Team India will be feeling the heat going into decider

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

'But now they can't take any chances. They have to play their best eleven again.'

Waugh Tips Jaiswal To Be Next Test Great!

Waugh Tips Jaiswal To Be Next Test Great!

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

'At 24 years of age, he's already scored a double hundred and averages just under 50. There's something special about this kid.'

AR Rahman Blames 'Communal Thing' For Lesser Work

AR Rahman Blames 'Communal Thing' For Lesser Work

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

A R Rahman feels a power shift may have happened in the past eight years, as 'people who are not creative have the power now to decide things.'

How England can breathe life back into Ashes campaign

How England can breathe life back into Ashes campaign

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

'We've just got to stand up in them certain situations, read the game slightly better (and) just have a little bit of grit and determination about you.'

Amid CM change buzz, Siddaramaiah equals Urs' record

Amid CM change buzz, Siddaramaiah equals Urs' record

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah equals Devaraj Urs' record as the longest-serving CM of the state, while expressing confidence about completing his full term, he stated that the Congress high command will have to decide on it.

'We don't want Gill to justify his place in team'

'We don't want Gill to justify his place in team'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Shubman Gill has been guilty of taking too much load on himself since his T20 comeback and the Indian team wants him to bat as freely as he does in the IPL, said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.

How A Sanitation Worker Became A Celebrity

How A Sanitation Worker Became A Celebrity

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

S Padma, a street cleaner in Chennai, found a box full of gold worth more than Rs 45 lakh and returned it. 'I have been sweeping the streets of Chennai for 21 years. Nobody in the street knew me. I was just a faceless, nameless sanitation worker in an orange and blue uniform.'

'Wherever Cricket Is Played In The World, Indian Audiences, Indian Sponsors, Indian Corporate Houses Provide Funding, Make It A Success'

'Wherever Cricket Is Played In The World, Indian Audiences, Indian Sponsors, Indian Corporate Houses Provide Funding, Make It A Success'

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Inderjit Bindra, who raised Indian cricket on the world stage in the 1990s and early years of this century, passed into the ages on Sunday. 26 years ago, Mr Bindra spoke at length to Rediff about his vision for Indian cricket, an interview which we republish in his memory.

Smith back as Australia pick all-pace attack for Boxing Day Test

Smith back as Australia pick all-pace attack for Boxing Day Test

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Steve Smith returns to action in the Boxing Day Test against England as Australia opted to include four fast bowlers in their 12-man squad.

WPL: RCB's Vastrakar sidelined for two weeks

WPL: RCB's Vastrakar sidelined for two weeks

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

In absence of Pooja, RCB handed the responsibility of bowling to new recruits -- England left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, Arundhati Reddy and de Klerk as they managed to keep the opponents to 154-6.

Prannoy rediscovers joy after 'toxic' 2025

Prannoy rediscovers joy after 'toxic' 2025

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

'I'm still here, still able to play against somebody who is 14 years younger to me and give tough competition, I should be able to find happiness in it.'

India's unbeaten home run on the line in NZ showdown

India's unbeaten home run on the line in NZ showdown

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

India's absolute dominance at home will come under examination when they meet a determined New Zealand in the decisive third ODI at the high-scoring Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, with the three-match series locked at 1-1.

City stalled, Liverpool blunt as New Year turns goal-shy

City stalled, Liverpool blunt as New Year turns goal-shy

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Second-placed City would have reduced Arsenal's advantage to two points but instead were frustrated as their winning streak in all competitions was halted at eight.

Too many World Cups hurting cricket's charm?

Too many World Cups hurting cricket's charm?

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

'How much value do fans and audiences hold for an ICC tournament every year? The novelty of it is wearing off, to be very honest and with all due respect.'

India Boycott Could Hurt Bangladesh: Tamim Warns BCB

India Boycott Could Hurt Bangladesh: Tamim Warns BCB

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal has urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board to avoid being driven by "public emotion" while deciding the national team's participation in next month's T20 World Cup.

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

I am inclined to believe that the Venezuela adventure is not an indication of American strength, alas, but rather of American weakness, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

Mitchell Starc opens up on retirement

Mitchell Starc opens up on retirement

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

'As I said, while you're contributing, or while you're in the best group of players, why do you have to put a cap on a guy or a girl, if you're a certain age?'

Relief or rage? Man United fans react to Amorim sacking

Relief or rage? Man United fans react to Amorim sacking

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Manchester United supporters had mixed feelings on Monday after the club fired Ruben Amorim, with some mentioning relief having grown weary of rigid tactics, strange team selections and confusing press conferences.

BJP has turned Shinde's Shiv Sena into doormat: Uddhav

BJP has turned Shinde's Shiv Sena into doormat: Uddhav

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Uddhav Thackeray asserts that his alliance with MNS chief Raj Thackeray is permanent, dismissing speculation about their unity ahead of civic elections.

Dropped chances, last-over carnage: De Klerk stuns MI

Dropped chances, last-over carnage: De Klerk stuns MI

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Nadine de Klerk's four-fer, followed by a match-winning half-century, powered RCB to open their account with a win in the opening match of WPL 2026 against MI on Friday in Navi Mumbai.

Suryakumar Flops Again!

Suryakumar Flops Again!

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Suryakumar Yadav suffered another failure during Mumbai's Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Punjab on Thursday.

Aus Open PIX: Sabalenka, Alcaraz survive to advance

Aus Open PIX: Sabalenka, Alcaraz survive to advance

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

IMAGES from Day 4 of the matches played at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.