PV Sindhu’s strong comeback at BWF Malaysia Open
Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu advanced to the semifinals of the BWF Super 1000 Malaysia Open after her Japanese opponent, world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi, retired due to a knee injury in the quarterfinal match. Sindhu took the opening game 21-11 and then progressed when Yamaguchi withdrew, keeping India’s singles hopes alive at one of the year’s biggest tournaments.
This run is significant for Sindhu, representing one of her best results early in the 2026 season after returning from an extended injury layoff. It boosts her confidence and ranking momentum as the season progresses towards the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty exit in quarters
India’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty saw their Malaysia Open campaign end at the quarterfinal stage. The Indian duo suffered a straight games defeat to Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto (21-10, 23-21), despite a strong comeback effort in the second game.
While a quarterfinal exit can be disappointing for a pair that has won medals at major events, this result still reflects competitive match play at the Super 1000 level early in the year.
Hockey: Men’s Hockey India League action continues
The Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) features a doubleheader on January 9:
- Hyderabad Toofans vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club
- Tamil Nadu Dragons vs SG Pipers
These matches continue positioning for playoffs and are crucial for team momentum in the league’s mid-season run.
Football: Indian Women’s League (IWL) fixtures
The final round of Phase 1 of the Indian Women’s League takes place today with the following fixtures:
- Kickstart vs SESA FA and NITA FA vs Sreebhumi at 9 AM
- Gokulam Kerala vs East Bengal and Sethu vs Garhwal United at 2:30 PM
Results here will determine standings and set up qualification paths for the next stage of the competition.
Boxing: National Championships in Greater Noida
The Senior National Boxing Championships continue in Greater Noida, with top contenders including veterans and emerging talents:
- Poonam delivered a major upset by defeating defending champion Sakshi.
- Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain advanced into the semifinal rounds.
These championships are key for national selection and identifying medal prospects for upcoming international competitions.
Chess: Tata Steel India Rapid & Blitz
The Tata Steel India (Rapid & Blitz) Chess tournament is underway in Kolkata, featuring India’s top players:
- Viswanathan Anand leads in the Rapid section heading into the final rounds.
- Fellow Indians in action include R Praggnanandhaa, Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali.
Anand’s performance reaffirms his enduring strength in rapid formats and sets up a compelling battle on the final day.
Earlier results setting the stage
Badminton earlier progress
Before today’s action, India saw solid results earlier in the Malaysia Open:
- Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty also advanced through early rounds, with Shetty causing an upset over Lee Jii Zia.
These results underline the depth in India’s singles badminton talent beyond the headline names.
Other ongoing and recent Indian sports highlights
While not part of today’s fixtures, here are additional updates affecting the broader Indian sports scene:
- Ranchi Royals secured third place in the Women’s Hockey India League with a 5-2 win over SG Pipers.
- Kalinga Lancers moved into second place in the Men’s HIL standings with a close win over Shrachi Bengal Tigers.
These league standings provide context for team performances as tournaments progress.
What to watch next
Here are key moments to look out for following this action:
- Malaysia Open Semifinals — Can Sindhu go deep and challenge for her first Super 1000 title since returning?
- IWL final standings — Outcomes will determine which teams proceed to the later phases of the women’s league.
- Boxing Nationals finals — Remaining medal bouts will shape national rankings and international selections.
- Tata Steel Rapid & Blitz final day — Anand’s performance could set up a title challenge against rising younger competitors.
In summary
Today’s Indian sporting action delivered some big stories:
- PV Sindhu’s semis berth at a major BWF event marks a solid comeback effort.
- Satwik-Chirag’s run ended at the quarterfinals but showed competitive fight.
- National boxing and IWL matches continue to shape domestic season standings.
- Chess remains a highlight with Anand leading in Rapid play.
