The clarification came during a detailed briefing on India's rapidly expanding passport and mobility ecosystem, which highlighted major reforms aimed at making passports more accessible, secure and globally accepted while facilitating overseas employment and international travel for millions of Indians.

Officials stressed that while passports are issued to Indian citizens, the document's primary purpose is to enable international travel and establish identity abroad. Questions have earlier been raised about other documents as proof of citizenship, including Aadhaar and Voter ID cards. 

The government also showcased significant improvements in passport services, with processing times now reduced to as little as five working days in many cases. According to officials, applicants are spending less than 45 minutes at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), reflecting the impact of technology-driven reforms and streamlined procedures.

A major milestone highlighted during the briefing was the nationwide rollout of chip-enabled e-passports. Since May last year, all newly issued Indian passports have been embedded with secure electronic chips containing biometric information and security features compliant with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The move is expected to strengthen document security, reduce fraud and improve acceptance at international border checkpoints.

India's passport service network has also witnessed dramatic growth. From a limited footprint a decade ago, the network now comprises 545 passport service centres across the country, representing a six-fold expansion. The government plans to open 20 additional Passport Seva Kendras this year, with the objective of ensuring that at least one passport facility is available in every Lok Sabha constituency by 2027.

Officials noted that the passport network now covers nearly every parliamentary constituency, with only around 30 districts yet to receive a dedicated centre. Special mobile passport teams have also been deployed to remote and difficult-to-access regions, while dedicated outreach camps conducted last year helped issue passports to nearly 300,000 people in underserved areas.

Despite these gains, passport penetration remains relatively low. Only about 10 per cent of India's population currently possesses a passport. The government said expanding access to travel documents remains a priority as international mobility becomes increasingly important for education, employment and business opportunities.

The MEA also highlighted India's growing global mobility partnerships. The country has signed 27 mobility agreements with 25 nations, including major destinations such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia and several Gulf countries. These arrangements are designed to facilitate smoother movement for students, apprentices, researchers, professionals and business travellers.

Visa access for Indian passport holders has improved steadily, with 27 countries currently offering visa-free entry. An additional 47 countries provide visas on arrival, while 66 nations extend e-visa facilities to Indian travellers.

On overseas employment, officials said the upgraded eMigrate 2.0 platform has significantly improved the emigration clearance process. Since its launch in October 2022, nearly 700,000 Indian workers have obtained emigration clearance through the portal. Randomised processing systems introduced in 17 passport offices have further enhanced transparency and reduced delays.

The government is also focusing on worker welfare. Pre-departure orientation programmes now provide country-specific cultural training and job-related skills to workers heading overseas. 

Next week, India will host a major Human Resource Mobility Forum involving Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and Denmark to connect skilled Indian workers with ethical employers abroad.
Additional support mechanisms have been established for vulnerable overseas Indians. One-stop support centres for distressed Indian women, offering legal assistance and psychological counselling, are now operational in Gulf countries and Singapore. These initiatives are backed by the Indian Community Welfare Fund.

Officials said the government's broader objective is to transform the passport from a privilege held by a small section of the population into an accessible travel document for millions more Indians, while ensuring that international migration remains safe, orderly and beneficial for both workers and destination countries.

"I'm back," Ronaldo said directly into the television camera as he produced a Man of the Match performance against Uzbekistan. Sitting in the Fox Sports studio, Ibrahimovic said Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan was no surprise to him, considering the gap in quality between the two sides.

However, he did express surprise over Ronaldo's comments after scoring his brace.

"It was a game to score. It was a game for Portugal to score a lot of goals. And regarding his message, I thought he never left. I don't know why he says 'I'm back,'" Ibrahimovic said after the match.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Ronaldo saying “I'm back” after scoring vs Uzbekistan:

“I thought he said he never left. I don't know why he was yelling I'm back.” pic.twitter.com/4oYc6sZGTG

— AM(@AbsoluteMxssi) June 23, 2026

Speaking after the game, Ronaldo addressed questions about a potential face-off with his long-time rival, Argentine legend Lionel Messi, calling the prospect "awesome" while stressing that his immediate focus remained on Portugal's progress in the tournament.

"I don't know how to answer that. But, well, it would be awesome. The most important thing was today, winning to advance, and being ready for what's next ... The main goal was to advance from the group stage, and we did it," Ronaldo said.

The 41-year-old emphasised that qualification from the group stage was the main target and noted that Portugal had achieved it with a convincing performance.

Ronaldo also acknowledged a challenging build-up to the match, pointing to intense public scrutiny of both the players and head coach Roberto Martinez. He said criticism is part of his long career, noting that opinions swing between praise and doubt depending on results.

"It was a very tough and difficult week, with public opinion being very harsh on all the players, especially on me and the coach [Roberto Martinez]," Ronaldo said.

"But I don't mind. I've been in this profession for 23 years now, and whenever things go well, 'Cristiano is doing great,' but when they go badly, 'Cristiano is retired, he's too old.' It will always be like that. But we responded well today," the great footballer added.

With ANI inputs

The caption read, "This was the journey, thank you for loving it."

The BTS clip shows the intense prep that went into acing the film's action sequences. Several frames show her husband, screenplay writer and producer of Maa Inti Bangaaram, Raj Nidimoru, directing scenes and prepping as Samantha performs the sequences.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Samantha (@samantharuthprabhuoffl)

About Maa Inti Bangaaram

Maa Inti Bangaaram has had a solid start at the box office, earning over Rs 12 crore in India and crossing the Rs 25 crore mark worldwide within just two days of its release. As of Day 6, the film's gross India collection stands at Rs 36.92 crore.

On Friday, Samantha Ruth Prabhu expressed her happiness at the film's success. She wrote on X, "To see a film open so well on day one is hugely humbling and means the world to us. So very glad to see the day when audiences embrace a film irrespective of whether it is male-led or female-led. And it's beautiful to see people show up wholeheartedly - from the young to the seniors - to cheer the film's release. The most heartening thing of all is seeing women contribute so heavily to the opening day. For the longest time, we've heard that theatrical openings are driven by male audiences. It's wonderful to see the audience for cinema continue to grow and evolve. Our little production house delivered! Tra-la-laaaaaa." 

Samantha also hosted a success meet of Maa Inti Bangaaram, where she was seen with her husband and filmmaker Raj Nidimoru. 

ALSO READ | Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Husband Raj Nidimoru Expecting First Child: Sources

Breaking Down The Numbers

On Day 5 (June 23), Cocktail 2 earned a net of Rs 6.65 crore across 9,565 shows. This took its total India gross collections to Rs 72.75 crore and total India net collections to Rs 60.90 crore so far. The steady weekday hold indicates sustained audience interest after a strong opening weekend.

Overseas, the film added Rs 1.50 crore on Day 5, taking its total overseas gross to Rs 22.25 crore. With this, the worldwide gross collection stands at Rs 95.11 crore.

The film collected Rs 6.35 crore net across 9,785 shows in India on Monday.

After opening with Rs 13.5 crore on its first day, the film went on to collect Rs 16.25 crore on Saturday and Rs 17.75 crore on Sunday in the Indian market (net).

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote a note on X, praising the film's performance. He wrote, "#Cocktail2 maintains a super-solid grip on Tuesday, with the discounted ticket offer providing a healthy boost to its business."

#Cocktail2 maintains a super-solid grip on Tuesday, with the discounted ticket offer providing a healthy boost to its business.

The film is now eyeing a Week 1 total of around ₹ 73 cr [+/-], depending on how it performs on Wednesday and Thursday.#Cocktail2 faces competition… pic.twitter.com/eFqXcCmuqg

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 24, 2026

Talking about the upcoming film Welcome To The Jungle and Cocktail 2's box office clash, he mentioned, "#Cocktail2 faces competition from the multistarrer #WelcomeToTheJungle from Thursday evening [7.30 pm onwards], so it will be interesting to see whether it impacts the film's evening and night show collections."

Cocktail 2 was released in theatres on June 19 and was helmed by Homi Adajania. The original Cocktail, starring Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan, and Diana Penty, was released in 2012.

Also Read: Internet Spots Similarity Between Cocktail 2 And Dhurandhar, Says "Shahid Bhi Spy Hai"

Speaking to the media at the event, Samantha revealed that she plans to take a break from acting after completing her current commitments.

"After Maa Inti Bangaaram, I will have to take a small break, given my condition. I'll have to take maternity leave. After that, I'll be back with another film for my fans," Samantha said.

Rumours about Samantha's pregnancy had been doing the rounds online for several days. The speculation began after videos from the success celebrations of Maa Inti Bangaaram surfaced on social media, with many fans noticing what appeared to be a baby bump.

About Samantha And Raj

Samantha and Raj married on December 1, 2025, in an intimate ceremony at Sadhguru's Isha Foundation in Coimbatore. She shared a few wedding pictures on Instagram on the same day.

The pair had earlier collaborated on the popular web series The Family Man 2.

Rumours about their relationship began when Samantha shared photos from the World Pickleball League on Instagram, where she was seen supporting the Chennai Super Champs with Raj by her side.

The two recently collaborated again on Maa Inti Bangaaram.

About The Film

Maa Inti Bangaaram is a family action-comedy directed by Nandini Reddy, marking her reunion with Samantha after their successful collaboration on Oh! Baby in 2019. The screenplay has been written by Raj Nidimoru and Vasanth Maringanti.

The film also stars Gulshan Devaiah and Diganth Manchale in key roles, alongside Gautami Tadimalla, Sreemukhi, Manjusha, and Srinivas Gavireddy in supporting parts.

ALSO READ | Samantha Ruth Prabhu Jokes She Is 'Raj Nidimoru's Problem Now' In New Wedding Photos

As per a Sacnilk report, the film collected a net of Rs 3.5 crore on day 5 across 2,765 shows. The figures represent a 14.6 per cent drop from day 4's net collection of Rs 4.1 crore.

Maa Inti Bangaaram Day Wise Box Office Collection (India Net)

Day 1 (1st Friday): Rs 5.35 crore

Day 2 (1st Saturday): Rs 7.65 crore

Day 3 (1st Sunday): Rs 10.1 crore

Day 4 (1st Monday): Rs 4.10 crore

Day 5 (1st Tuesday): Rs 3.5 crore

After day 5, the film's total India net collection stands at Rs 30.7 crore, pushing the India gross collection to Rs 35.47 crore. Overseas, the film collected Rs 1.25 crore on Tuesday, taking its total overseas gross to Rs 15.85 crore so far. This brings the film's total worldwide gross collection to Rs 51.32 crore.

On day 5, the Telugu version alone contributed Rs 3.35 crore to the overall collection, while the Tamil version added Rs 15 lakh. The Telugu version had a total occupancy of 29.74 percent. While morning shows started off with only 18.46 percent occupancy, afternoon shows witnessed a hike, reaching 31.46 percent. Evening and night shows did well, with 34.62 per cent and 31.38 percent occupancy rates, respectively.

Among the regions, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana secured Rs 3.08 crore on day 5. Followed by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, each of them collecting Rs 60 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, respectively. Kerala added another Rs 2 lakh while the rest of India collected Rs 8 lakh on the day.

Maa Inti Bangaaram was directed by BV Nandini Reddy.

Also Read: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Husband Raj Nidimoru Expecting First Child: Sources

The actress took to her Instagram handle on Tuesday and announced that she was leaving behind the Upper West Side apartment she called home for the past eight years. Offering a look inside the moving process, she revealed that she was now relocating full-time to their upstate New York property, which was raided by federal agents earlier this year.

The first slide of the post showed stacks of boxes labeled for various items lined up against the wall. Gilbert is seen laying on the floor next to the boxes in the next image, followed by a snap of what her home looked like before it was all packed up.

In the last slide, she gave a tour of her apartment during the packing process, revealing a mattress leaning against the wall in her bedroom, her nearly empty bathroom and also a peek at the living room filled with flat cardboard boxes and wrapped furniture being prepared for the move.

"So long perfect little one bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side. The last eight years here have been so special," she wrote in the caption.

She added, "A lot of amazing work was done in and around this city. So many theaters and soundstages. So many wonderful dinners with friends and nights out on the town."

Reflecting on what she'll miss most about life on the Upper West Side, Gilbert said, "I'll miss the walking and our neighborhood, the subway rides, the amazing people I've met there and on the streets. This city truly has a pulse."

She went on to say, "You can feel it in your heart. Goodbye favorite newsstand, bodega, dance studio and laundry. Goodbye shoe repair, dry cleaners, nail salon. Goodbye sweet neighbors whom we love so much. And a very fond 'farewell and see you soon' to our favorite city in the world."

Concluding her post, Gilbert promises to be back soon. "It's just that right now......well.... you know. Excited to live in our wonderful home upstate full time for a good long while," she wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Melissa E. Gilbert (@melissagilbertofficial)

Timothy Busfield's Arrest

This comes months after Timothy Busfield was arrested in January in New Mexico on child abuse and criminal sexual contact charges. The case stems from allegations that he inappropriately touched 7-year-old twin boys while working on Fox's The Cleaning Lady in October 2022.

The actor was first arrested on January 13 on charges of two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. In a warrant issued on January 9, it was alleged that Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys. One week later, he was released following a pretrial detention hearing in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

The 69-year-old, who has denied the allegations, was formally charged on February 6 by a New Mexico grand jury with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under 13.

He has currently filed a motion to quash the grand jury indictment. His trial is scheduled to begin in May 2027. 

An image shared by motorsports reporter Cole Cusumano showed Adams enjoying the race atmosphere. Fans soon focused on an unusual detail in the photo, which is her feet and turned it into a viral topic.

Known for her sense of humour, Adams decided to address the unexpected attention and jokingly said people should face harsh punishment for posting photos of her feet online.

In the photo posted on X, Cole Cusumano simply wrote, “Kay Adams is here for her first NASCAR race.” What started as a post about her presence at the event took a different turn, as fans focused on Adams' feet rather than the action on the track.

She replied, “Posting feet should be punishable by fire-squad.”

posting feet should be punishable by fire-squad. https://t.co/SeNkEGhgOq

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) June 21, 2026

During a 2022 interview with Interview Magazine, Kay Adams revealed that she regularly receives hundreds of strange and unwanted direct messages on Twitter. She also shared that many of those messages are specifically focused on her feet.

She said, “We should make it how many DMs you get a week about your feet and it would still be over a hundred. It's fine to be into feet. There are people that you and I both know that are really into feet. I mean, if Up & Adams doesn't work out, I might become a foot model. People make bank.”

Since leaving NFL Network's Good Morning Football in 2022, Kay Adams has remained active in sports media. Shortly after her departure, she launched Up & Adams on FanDuel TV, where she interviews athletes, discusses major sports stories, and provides analysis of the latest developments across leagues.

According to the police, the CCTV showed Ketan and his fiancee Siya Goyal walking together at the fort. Another man, now identified as Chetan Choudhary - Siya's lover - was following them from a close distance of around 20 to 30 feet. He was seen wearing shorts and a hoodie that covered his face. He was also wearing a headset over the hoodie.

In another CCTV footage, Siya suddenly looked back at the man in the hoodie, and immediately, he sat down.

Cops said that it was 33 degrees Celsius at the time from the footage - prompting them to investigate the case as they wondered why anyone would wear a hoodie during a hike in the scorching heat.

"The technical analysis established a close connection between the Siya and Chetan and pointed towards a well-thought-out conspiracy. We then examined photographs and social media profiles linked to Chetan. A comparison of those images with CCTV footage from the fort showing a hooded individual in the area helped police narrow their focus on him," an official said as quoted by news agency PTI.

According to the police, another reason for their suspicion was how Siya did not show any sadness in her behaviour after her fiance's death.

Also Read: "Heart Found Its Home": Pune Woman's Romantic Posts With Fiance Before Killing Him

During the probe, Ketan's uncle revealed that Siya had expressed reservations about the marriage and had once asked whether the wedding could be postponed by a year.

Investigation also revealed that Siya and Chetan had exchanged 2,004 phone calls of nearly 238 hours in total over the last seven months.

The murder case

Siya and Ketan -  the young son of a prominent Maharashtra businessman - had announced their engagement in February, and a grand wedding involving private jets and palaces was scheduled for November. But Ketan died on June 18 after Siya and her lover pushed him into a valley at Lohagad Fort near Pune. 

Investigation revealed that Siya was also in a relationship with Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, 22 - whom she met at a business meeting last year. While Siya owned a bakery, Chetan ran a dry fruit business. Their relationship began in November 2025, while her and Ketan's families were moving ahead with wedding preparations. According to the police, Chetan was unhappy with Siya's relationship with Ketan and viewed him as an obstacle, and so, the two allegedly conspired to kill him.

Cops said that Siya lured Ketan to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of a casual outing. Chetan was reportedly called to the location later, and the pair then allegedly pushed Ketan from behind into the gorge, causing his death.

Failed murder attempt

Days before the murder, Ketan and Siya were set to fly off to Bali for a pre-wedding photoshoot last month, but had to change plans when the man realised his passport was missing upon arriving at Mumbai airport. The victim's father alleged that Siya sabotaged the trip by hiding his passport.

Later during their trip to the Lohagad Fort in Pune, Siya had attempted to kill him first on June 14 but had failed to do so. According to the police, she had pushed him at the fort, but he managed to grab a cliffside bush. To cover tracks, Siya created a distraction by screaming about a fake snake sighting and then hugging him.

Siya and her lover then killed Ketan on June 18. Case files revealed that the two had also locked in a "plan C" in case the earlier planned crime had failed.

Siya and Chetan have been arrested on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy and remanded to seven-day police custody.

While Sooryavanshi will be part of the Indian dressing room, he will have to use a separate changing room for 'safeguarding reasons on his first international tour in England this summer', according to a report in The Guardian.

The England series is an ICC-approved event and hence the world cricket governing body's 'safeguarding procedures' will be in effect as per the report.

The report said, as per sources, both ICC and ECB prohibit under-16 players from using adult changing rooms. Hence, Sooryavanshi will have his own facilities at all venues. His parents will also accompany him at all venues.

"Sooryavanshi will be permitted in the India dressing room during the game and can attend team talks, with the restriction only applying when he is getting changed before and after each match," the report added.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old schoolboy needs to be eased into a senior team set-up, said BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia as he explained the Board's decision to allow Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's parents to accompany him on the white-ball tour of Ireland and England later this month. The big-hitting Sooryavanshi, who has earned his maiden call-up in the Indian T20 set-up, has been selected for seven games (two vs Ireland and five vs England) on the tour, which begins on June 26 in Belfast.

"You see, not all national teams at the senior level have a 14 or 15-year-old in their squad. After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi," Saikia told PTI in an exclusive interview.

"At one point in time, it was Sachin Tendulkar (16 and a half at the time of his Test debut) who made it to the national team at such a young age. When such a young kid is part of the senior team, there are obviously a lot of issues that can crop up," he added without elaborating.

"Therefore, to make him comfortable and help him get used to an adult environment, where all the other players are above 18 years of age, and the team management members are also adults, we felt it would be helpful," Saikia, a former Ranji Trophy player for Assam, stated further.

"We are doing this because we believe it will ease a lot of issues as far as Vaibhav is concerned." Saikia cited the example of how senior teachers accompany students on school excursions.

"Even when a school student goes on an excursion, there is usually a senior person accompanying them. Vaibhav is still a kid. He has only just come out of school, or is perhaps in his final year of school.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has already said that Neymar will be included in his matchday squad for Thursday's match in Miami, though he is almost certain to start on the bench.

The 34-year-old Santos forward, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 international appearances, has not played for the national team since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in October 2023.

Meymar has earlier indicated the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the last of his career. The 34-year-old made the statement in response to a social media post from FIFA showing images of Neymar's career along with the words, "We've watched him grow up."

Brazil leads Group C with four points. They have the same points as Morocco, but are in first place due to goal difference (3 against 1). And qualifying for the knockout stage as group leaders is one of the team's objectives, for logistical reasons and to improve team preparation.

“We want to go to Miami and win the game to qualify in first place. Staying at the hotel here with all the facilities we have is much better. If we qualify in second place, we have to go to Mexico and that ends up changing the whole schedule. Our mentality is to win and stay here because of all the benefits we have. The training center and the hotel are very good and we have a lot to do here together,” he explained.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ronaldo and Messi, even in the twilight of their careers, continue to make headlines. While Messi has dominated the scoring charts in the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far -- with five goals in two matches -- Ronaldo bagged a brace in his second game after drawing a blank in Portugal's opener.

As he arrived to speak to the media, questions around comparisons and the competition with Messi were bound to emerge. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Ronaldo could be seen ignoring a journalist who tried to ask a question about Messi.

"Yesterday," a reporter began asking in the post-game mixed zone, "Lionel Messi scored two goals, [Kylian] Mbappe..." but Ronaldo spun his head to the other side and said, "Vale (Go on)," to take another question from a different reporter.

Cristiano Ronaldo avoided talking about Lionel Messi when asked about him during the post-match press conference. pic.twitter.com/JCmYdxM0g2

— Bolavip US (@bolavipus) June 23, 2026

During his chat with the media, Ronaldo was asked by another reporter if they could pose a question, prompting a playful reply. "That depends on the question, otherwise I won't answer you," he said jokingly.

The 41-year-old then briefly spoke about playing Messi's Argentina at a later stage in the tournament when asked by a reporter for his thoughts on such a match.

READ | Cristiano Ronaldo Shuts Down Critics After "Difficult, Dark Week"

"I don't know how to answer. It's a question that doesn't make much sense," Ronaldo said. "But, well, it would be top."

As Ronaldo was about to leave the mixed zone, another reporter began to ask him a question about Messi. The Portuguese icon, however, wasn't pleased.

Journalist: "Leo Messi scored a hattrick..."

Cristiano Ronaldo: "I couldn't care less about the others...

Mbappé also scored..." pic.twitter.com/UScBZRTCvs

— All About Argentina (@AlbicelesteTalk) June 24, 2026

While Messi's Argentina are through to the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup, Portugal are yet to seal their progression, having only accumulated 4 points from their first two matches.

"The format-based central contract is the first step towards separating teams for each format. This is only the beginning. Eventually, every format could have its own dedicated squad. We will have to do this, and immediately, Test and T20 teams must be separated because the two formats cannot be played in the same way," he said.

The PCB are yet to announce the list of players who will get the new contracts.

Aqib said a lot of thought has gone into the process and the main aim was to ensure players who are Test match specialists are not at a disadvantage compared to those who play a lot of white ball cricket.

"Now, if a player only plays Test cricket, he will be assessed against other Test players and compensated accordingly. The best performers in the Test category will earn up to PKR 4 million per month, while those with lower performances will receive between PKR 3 million and PKR 3.5 million.

"Similar performance-based categories will apply to Test-ODI and ODI-T20 players," he added.

He said players, in order to qualify for the central contracts, must feature in at least six first-class matches for the Test category central contracts.

Test-category players will be granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas four-day competitions, while players in the Test-ODI category may receive permission to participate in one franchise league.

Meanwhile, cricketers in the ODI-T20 category must play at least two List A matches and 10 domestic T20 matches and will be eligible for two NOCs.

Players contracted solely in the T20 category will be required to participate in domestic T20 competitions but may otherwise play franchise cricket.

Aqib stated that salaries in the Test-ODI category could rise to as much as PKR 4.8 million per month.

"You can't expect a player who has had his base in T20 cricket and has been playing the format for 2-3 years to suddenly succeed in Test cricket," he said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

"He (Chappell) had emailed me in 2011, when I was KKR captain. I was checking my mail one morning at my England home. I saw his mail and thought, 'Am I still sleeping?'. Then I checked it properly, checked the name and checked the ID, because a lot of fake mails come," Ganguly narrated on the AddaGB podcast.

"He wanted to coach KKR. With me as captain!" Ganguly revealed.

Ganguly then joked about the reaction of the people upon hearing the revelation.

"(People) must be thinking that Dada couldn't be that big of a fool. He might have been a fool once, but surely he couldn't be fooled again."

As it turned out, even Ganguly did not remain at KKR for the 2011 season, being released by the franchise ahead of the mega auction. Ganguly eventually went unsold in the auction, before joining Pune Warriors India (PWI) for two seasons in 2011 and 2012. KKR, on the other hand, bought Gautam Gambhir for 2011, making him their new captain.

Ganguly endured a tumultuous period with Australian coaches during the 2000s. While he was dropped from the Indian team by Chappell, he was also axed as KKR captain in 2009, when John Buchanan was in charge.

Ganguly further reflected on his relationship with Chappell, stating that he does not answer his messages.

"I don't answer him. I don't answer people who are not honest," he stated.

What follows, however, has become a recurring problem. India's middle order has struggled to convert those strong starts into commanding totals. Too often, momentum has stalled during the middle overs, forcing finishers Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma to play catch-up with limited deliveries remaining. Against stronger opposition, that approach could prove costly.

The defeat to South Africa highlighted another issue. After reducing the Proteas to 25 for 2, India appeared in complete control before missed opportunities in the field allowed the game to drift away. As the knockout stage approaches, such lapses could become the difference between victory and elimination.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, arrives with confidence and momentum. Wins over Pakistan and defending champions New Zealand have demonstrated the depth and discipline within their squad. Rather than relying on individual brilliance, Bangladesh have built their campaign on collective contributions and smart execution.

For India, the equation is straightforward. A victory would strengthen their hold on a semi-final berth and restore confidence before a blockbuster clash against Australia. For Bangladesh, another upset would dramatically reshape the Group A standings and enhance their own qualification prospects.

The spotlight may be on India's batting lineup, but Thursday's contest could ultimately be decided by which team handles the pressure moments better.

When: Thursday, June 25, 7:00 PM IST

Where: Old Trafford, Manchester

Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming

Squads:

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Radha Yadav, Nandini Sharma, Shree Charani.

Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana (c&wk), Nahida Akter (vc), Dilara Akter (wk), Juairiya Firdous (wk), Sobhana Mostary, Tej Nehar, Sharmin Akhter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Trisna, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Sultana Khatun.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

"Ronaldo is the decoy. Everybody's attention is focused on him, but I always thought this left-footed player did not know whether Ronaldo would give that up to him. When he did-and if you think he is a team player, he is a team player. No question about it," the commentator said.

Ronaldo later revealed how they tricked the Uzbek goalkeeper.

"I was going to take the second one, but I told them to trick the goalkeeper and for Nuno to shoot hard because it was going to be a goal. We're going to be united until the end to control things, because anything that comes from the outside is difficult to control. Everyone scored today, and that was the main objective," Ronaldo said about the goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo expressed satisfaction with Portugal's performance following their emphatic 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their second FIFA World Cup 2026 match on Tuesday (local time) at Houston Stadium, according to Reuters. The Portuguese captain, who set multiple records during the match - including becoming Portugal's all-time leading World Cup scorer and the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments - said that his main focus remains on helping the team achieve success.

Ronaldo produced a record-breaking performance with a brace as Portugal registered a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao were also on the scoresheet, while an own goal involving Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov added to the Fabio Cannavaro-led men's woes as Roberto Martinez's side secured their first win of the tournament in emphatic fashion.

Speaking after the match, Ronaldo said the team showed significant progress from their opening match, which was a draw against DR Congo. While acknowledging that breaking records was special, he stressed that his main objective is always to help the national team achieve its goals.

"The team performed really well and improved a lot. As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Obviously, speaking personally, records are always nice, but my goal is always to help the national team achieve its objectives," he said, as quoted by Reuters.

In an exclusive chat with NDTV, the actor opens up about transitioning between different characters, working under the tutelage of industry stalwarts Aditya Dhar and Imtiaz Ali, and the 15-year struggle that ultimately paved his way to success.

The Roar of the Audience for Main Vaapas Aaunga

When asked about the kind of feedback he has been receiving so far for his performance in Main Vaapas Aaunga, Danish sounded genuinely thrilled by the overwhelming reception from both audiences and industry peers.

He told us, "Feedback has been great. I have been receiving so many messages on Instagram. I've been receiving calls and messages from my friends and people from the fraternity who have seen it, and it was a surprise for them to see me in Main Vaapas Aaunga as well. There are so many people messaging me saying that the moment Afzal (Danish in Main Vaapas Aaunga) comes on screen, the whole theatre starts hooting, 'Oh, Uzair! That's Uzair!' (Danish in Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2), and then everyone's face lights up."

The Shift from Uzair to Afzal

Danish's transition from the authoritative yet vulnerable Uzair in the Dhurandhar franchise to the cold Afzal in Main Vaapas Aaunga required a complete psychological shift. He broke down the stark contrasts between the two personas, noting how the characters belong to opposite sides of a historical timeline.

Talking about the contrast between the characters, Danish said, "It was completely different. If you take Uzair, for example, he belongs to Pakistan. The characterisation was completely different. He was very vulnerable and very emotional. In this case, Afzal is very calm, very composed, and very authoritative, which is somewhat similar to Uzair only in that aspect."

Danish Pandor in Dhurandhar.

"But the thing is, Uzair is not so calculative. On the other hand, Afzal is calculative. At the same time, there are a lot of other things happening. Afzal belongs to this side of the country, that is India, before the partition, when Sargodha was part of India and later became part of Pakistan."

Mindful of the lingering impact of his previous role, Danish worked consciously to ensure that audiences would eventually see Afzal as an entirely distinct entity.

He said, "Both are completely different for me, from my perspective. I tried to put my best foot forward so that people do not imagine Uzair in that persona. A lot of times what happens is that the energy has not yet faded from Dhurandhar, and when you see Afzal on screen, people relate that to Uzair. But as the film progresses, they understand that Uzair and Afzal are entirely different entities. I'm not boasting, but I was able to justify that, and people have appreciated it."

On Uzair's Tragic Fate and Sympathising with a Gangster

Following the release of Dhurandhar 2, social media was flooded with fans lamenting that Uzair was dealt an unfair hand, demanding a more conclusive arc. Danish, however, defended the open-ended trajectory as the ultimate poetic victory.

He said, "For me, I was extremely satisfied with the end. There has to be something left open-ended. Interpretations are open for people - that's what they are doing. If Uzair had been given a definite ending, the whole charm of the character would have been ruined. Something should be left open-ended and kept intact. Sometimes that is very beautiful."

"When people saw what happened to Uzair in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, it was as if he was a scapegoat planted by Hamza, and he was completely oblivious to it. Despite being a gangster, people related more with Uzair. That justifies everything. They wanted more because they developed too much fondness for the character and wanted a proper ending. But I was completely satisfied with how it was shown, so that people sympathise with the character more than anything else," added the actor.

Reflecting on the rare feat of eliciting deep empathy for an antagonist, he added with a smile, "Imagine! That's a victory for an actor. Being a gangster, being a negative character, and still people are empathising with him. What else do you need?"

The Whirlwind of Social Media Stardom

With back-to-back prominent roles making him a constant fixture on social media feeds, Danish shed light on what this sudden wave of adoration feels like after years of struggle.

He said, "It feels great. You work so hard for it. After 15 years of struggle, running from pillar to post, when things start working in your favour, you feel extremely grateful.

And the most important thing is that people are showering so much love on all the characters I have played, from Chhaava to Dhurandhar. In Chhaava, the part was not very significant, but it was still enough to be noticed. Dhurandhar had more screen time and was one of the most pivotal parts of the film. In Main Vaapas Aaunga, it is less screen time, but the part is very impactful and significant."

"When things start working in your favour, you feel extremely blessed and grateful. There are so many fans messaging, saying they want to see me as a lead in more films, in romantic dramas, and in different genres. It feels great that people are rooting for you and want to see you on screen," added Danish.

Danish Pandor in Main Vaapas Aaunga.

Prioritising Character Impact Over Screen Time

Danish signed Main Vaapas Aaunga just before Dhurandhar hit theatres. Asked whether he would still have taken on the project after Dhurandhar's release, given the shorter length of the role, he emphasised his philosophy of choosing meaningful characters.

Danish said, "For me, the first prerogative was that after finishing Dhurandhar, I tested for the part and got it. The casting was done by Mukesh Chhabra for this film as well. I really wanted to work with Imtiaz Ali. Secondly, when I read the part, the character showed impact despite having less screen time. The film is more about an ensemble cast. We have four primary characters, but many others are pushing the story forward. My character comes in at a very triggering time when things are going haywire, and he is responsible for the turn of events around the partition."

The actor continued, "For me, it's not about screen time. It's about whether your character has significance. People should remember your character when they leave the cinema hall. I will always choose characters based on their impact, not their length. You can have massive screen time and still be insignificant. What matters is whether people remember you."

Learning from the Masters: Aditya Dhar and Imtiaz Ali

Having worked under two major directors back-to-back, Danish described the experience as an invaluable learning curve.

He said, "It was a great learning experience. Working with Aditya Dhar and then Imtiaz Ali - two big institutions with different filmmaking processes but the same intent: to serve the audience and deliver a cinematic experience. Both are extremely well-versed, with a clear vision. They know exactly what they need from actors and from the frame. It helps you understand many aspects of filmmaking and the nuances of performing a scene. An actor dreams of such opportunities."

When asked about the major differences, Danish commented, "For me, both are very similar in their approach. Both are extremely calm on set - you hardly realise they are there. They are deeply involved and passionate about filmmaking. They narrate each scene with intricate detail, explaining the crux and motivation, so you are already imagining the scene even before blocking. Creative liberty was given in both cases. A strong and positive intent is important for any filmmaker, and both of them share that. That is why they excel."

Surviving the Mumbai Struggle Without a Plan B

Long before his breakthrough, Danish navigated years of rejection. He credits his support system and single-minded focus for keeping him going.

"You need people around you who constantly motivate you. I'm extremely blessed to have my family and close friends supporting me. At the same time, I never had a plan B. I didn't know anything apart from acting. I have a degree in business management, but I was never meant for a 9-to-5 job. I just kept working on my craft, believing something would eventually work out. You have to trust the process and keep going, like a horse with blinders, focused only on the path ahead."

And today, with both audience love and critical acclaim on his side, Danish hopes to deliver many more remarkable performances that leave a lasting impact on viewers. 

Also Read: Ram Charan Calls Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar A 'Terrific Film': 'It Has Brought The Country Together'

Top picks for Wednesday, June 24, include Adani Power, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ola Electric, IRCTC, and GRP Limited.

Adani Power
Shrikant Chouhan, Executive VP & Head Equity Research at Kotak Securities, expects positive price action in the power sector. He recommended a buy on Adani Power for a target of Rs 242, advising traders to maintain a stop loss at Rs 224.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries 
Shrikant Chouhan of Kotak Securities also identified a buying opportunity in the pharmaceutical sector. He recommended entering Sun Pharmaceutical for an upside target of Rs 1,920, while protecting the position with a stop loss at Rs 1,830.

Ola Electric Mobility Limited
Deven Mehata, Manager – Technical & Derivatives Analyst at IDBI Capital Market and Securities Ltd, sees technical strength in the EV sector. He recommended a buy on Ola Electric for a target of Rs 48.55, suggesting a stop loss at Rs 41.85 to manage downside risk.

IRCTC
VLA Ambala, SEBI registered Research Analyst and Founder of SMT Stock Market highlighted momentum in the tourism and hospitality segment with a buy call on IRCTC. He recommended an entry for an upside target of Rs 550 and Rs 600, advising traders to keep a stop loss at Rs 485.

GRP Limited
VLA Ambala of SMT Stock Market also sees strong technical momentum in the rubber space. He recommended a buy on GRP Limited for an upside target of Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,300. Traders are advised to protect the position with a stop loss at Rs 1,740.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the investment advisers on NDTV Profit are of their own and not of NDTV Profit. NDTV Profit advises users to consult with their own financial or investment adviser before taking any investment decision.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

Rockstar Games confirmed the pre-order details and pre-order bonuses for GTA 6 on Wednesday, and shared a tranche of new screenshots from the game. Last week, the studio announced that pre-orders for the game would go live on June 25. Pre-orders are now confirmed for midnight local time on the date. That means you'll be able to pre-order GTA 6 on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X later tonight.

GTA 6 Editions and Prices

Grand Theft Auto 6 will be available to pre-order in a Standard edition, priced $79.99, and an Ultimate edition, priced $99.99. The announcement confirms that GTA 6 will be priced above the industry standard of $70 for standard editions of triple-A games — an outcome predicted by several industry analysts and expected by fans.

The Ultimate edition will come with a range of in-game benefits, including vehicles, outfits, weapons, and action spread across all aspects of Jason and Lucia's story. New items will be uncovered behind each chapter, Rockstar said on the GTA 6 website.

GTA 6 Ultimate edition will feature several outfits for Lucia and Jason
Photo Credit: Rockstar Games

Additionally, all GTA 6 Standard and Ultimate edition pre-orders and purchases before November 20 will get the Vintage Vice City Pack, which includes a collection of 80s-themed retro items.

Digital pre-orders will also grant a free month of GTA+. The membership will be instantly redeemable, allowing players to access GTA 5 and other classic Rockstar titles as part of the GTA+ games library.

Pre-ordering GTA 6 will grant players a Vintage Vice City pack
Photo Credit: Rockstar Games

No Disc Version at Launch

Rockstar Games also revealed that GTA 6 won't get a disc version at launch, just as earlier leaks had claimed. The physical version of Grand Theft Auto 6 will come with a digital download code inside the box, that will support pre-loading starting November 12, 2026, a week before the game's launch. Players who pre-order digital versions of GTA 6 will be able to begin pre-loading on the same date, as well.

It also seems that GTA 6 will be a single-player experience at launch, with GTA Online launching later. In a press release, Rockstar said that GTA 6 features a single-player experience set in the “biggest, most immersive evolution of the series yet.”

Grand Theft Auto 6 will be available to pre-order on PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Rockstar Games Store, and other participating global retailers and storefronts. It launches on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X on November 19, 2026.