Hello and welcome to ESPN India's daily blog, where we bring you all the updates from the world of Indian sports and all the news, scores, schedule, results and commentary that comes with it.
January will see Indian athletes in action across leagues. You can see details of other events in our 2025 sporting calendar.
Here are all the updates from January 18, 2025.
What's on today?
Badminton: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy - Chirag Shetty are the only Indians left in the semifinal stage of the India Open.
Chess: D Gukesh, freshly crowned World Champion and Khel Ratna awardee, returns to the board in the Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk Aan Zee. He's joined by fellow Indians Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnandhaa, Pentala Harikrishna & Leon Luke Mendonca.
HIL: We have a double-header in Ranchi with Hyderabad Toofans vs Tamil Nadu Dragons at 6 PM, after which Team Gonasika take on UP Rudras at 8:15 PM.
ISL: A Saturday double-header with Hyderabad hosting Bengaluru FC at 5PM, after which Kerala Blasters face NorthEast United at home (7:30 PM).
Kho Kho: The World Cup continues in New Delhi, with India in the semifinals.
What happened yesterday?
Badminton: PV Sindhu and Kiran George went down fighting in the quarterfinals of the India Open, but Satwiksairaj Rankireddy - Chirag Shetty had little trouble in reaching the semifinal.
WHIL: Delhi SG Pipers defeated Soorma HC 2-0 to grab their first win of the season.
ISL: Jamshedpur climbed to second place with a battling 1-1 draw against leaders Mohun Bagan.
National Sports Awards: D Gukesh, Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, Praveen Kumar received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, alongside a whole host of Arjuna Award recipients.
Kho Kho: India (W) romped past Bangladesh 109-16 to reach the semifinal; India (M) also made the semifinals after a comfortable 100-40 victory over Sri Lanka.