Stalin, who is the opposition leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, mentioned that the state knows the "story of the wife looking for a husband in the Chengalpattu court", a possible tacit reference to Vijay's wife Sangkeetha Sornalingam filing the divorce petition before the Chengalpattu Family Court in December 2025, seeking legal separation to end their 27-years of married life.

It is condemnable that he (Vijay) insulted the farmers by saying that the farmers are protesting at the instigation of the opposition parties. His statement that he is telling a short story is completely against their dignity. Only Tamil Nadu knows the story of the wife looking for a husband in the Chengalpattu court. Therefore, @actorvijay Forget about it, at least for now," Stalin posted on X, moving from political to personal.

சட்டப்பேரவையில் ஆளுநர் உரைக்கு பதிலுரை என்ற பெயரில் scripted அவதூறுகளை அள்ளிவீசி acting performance காட்டி இருக்கிறார் முதலமைச்சர்.

பேரவையின் live Camera-வை, சினிமா camera என்று நினைத்துக் கொண்டு அவர் பேச, அதனை எதிர்க்கட்சிகளின் குறுக்கீடுகள் இன்றி single take-இல் shoot செய்ய… pic.twitter.com/54XX1k929L

— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) June 23, 2026

The high-profile divorce case is ongoing at the Chengalpattu Family Court, with the next hearing scheduled for August 7, as both parties attempt to navigate the legal process.

Stalin's acerbic post was after actor-turned-politician Vijay shared a story in the Assembly on a "missing man", seen as a tacit reference to MK Stalin.

Earlier today, speaking in the Assembly, Vijay launched also launched a pointed attack on the DMK, saying his government would recover the public funds allegedly misappropriated under the guise of "party fund collections". 

His sharp remarks triggered immediate, vehement objections from the opposition benches. Udhayanidhi protested, raising a point of order demanding that the Chief Minister ought to speak that way only if he has evidence.

The speaker, however, ruled out any interventions during Vijay's speech and said the chief minister should be allowed to complete his reply to the Governor's address to the Assembly. But the DMK members stood protesting.

Resuming his speech, Vijay said, unlike the previous DMK government, the TVK will never indulge in corrupt practices, nor will it allow anyone to "loot" the government coffers.

Before winding up his nearly 45-minute fiery speech in the Assembly, the chief minister, pointing to the empty opposition benches, asked Speaker JCD Prabhakar if he could make a hand gesture in the House.

"I wanted to enact this little bit in the presence of the DMK members. But they have all walked out. Can I make the gesture, with your permission?" Vijay asked. Immediately, the speaker replied, "Why not, nothing wrong".

Then a smiling Vijay made a downward hand-slashing gesture, as the Treasury benches responded with loud thumping of tables, and it left the speaker himself amused.

The gesture appeared to be mimicking former chief minister MK Stalin's viral hand gesture he had made at the DMK headquarters on a day he sealed the deal with the Congress ahead of polls. The gesture was interpreted by many as a signal that "everything is settled" or "all finished".

#WATCH | Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay seeks permission from the Speaker and performs a cinematic gesture as he concludes his speech in the State Assembly.

(Video source: Tamil Nadu State Assembly) pic.twitter.com/Y7BlOXHkYI

— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2026

Outside the Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin dismissed the chief minister's speech as one curated for "reels".

🔴#BREAKING | "TVK has made Assembly into cinema" : DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin hits back at Vijay

NDTV's @jsamdaniel joins @GargiRawat with more details pic.twitter.com/DM3gzjDq3X

— NDTV (@ndtv) June 23, 2026

"TVK has made the assembly into a cinema theatre, they've started whistling now. Soon, ministers will play songs and dance to item songs. The chief minister's speech was only for reels and social media. Reels can be made from his nearly 30-minute speech. It was scripted and very artificial. He has started acting. The speaker is saying 'Action' and 'cut'. And next they will go for a 'once more' take. He is asking the speaker's permission for action. Next, a caravan, makeup artists and a stunt master will come here. They will turn the assembly into a shooting spot," Junior Stalin said. 

"Yeah, I think not only Shreyas but also (ODI captain) Shubman. Because both of them are young captains. And both of them are captains with a lot of empathy," Paranjape told PTI after Shedge's maiden India call-up for the white-ball tour of Ireland and England following the injury-forced withdrawal of Nitish Kumar Reddy.

"And they will understand the pressure Suryansh will be feeling, the nervousness that he will be feeling. Shreyas definitely, because they know each other, Suryansh has played under him. So, there will be a lot of comfort." With both Hardik Pandya and Reddy out of the UK tour, Paranjape feels even in ODIs, Gill can guide Shedge.

"Mainly because he is young and he will be able to relate to what's going on inside that debutant's mind, basically." For the upcoming tour, beginning with two T20Is against Ireland from June 26, Paranjape's advice is simple: absorb as much knowledge as possible.

"If you are able to be a sponge... And my advice to him is to be a sponge around all the champions in that dressing room. So, I think if he is able to adapt to that atmosphere, I think England is a great location," he said.

Paranjape said the opportunity has come through hard work and should be embraced with humility.

"This has come as a lucky break. He accepts it with all humility and he will try to do his best for the team. That's the message. Always be a team-man. Think like a captain and try to win games for your team," he said.

Paranjape said he first met Shedge through a mutual friend and immediately recognised a profile that Indian cricket desperately needs.

"I have been involved with him for probably the last year and a half. And he is a very, very talented cricketer and he has shown glimpses of that talent in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

"But what really enthuses me is that here is an all-rounder and we are looking for all-rounders. We are looking for fast bowling all-rounders, batsmen who can bowl medium pace. We are looking for spin all-rounders as well." According to Paranjape, Shedge's progress accelerated once he was able to address the technical gltches that many young cricketers encounter on their way up.

"So, I knew about him. But when we met, there were a few things which were kind of impeding his progress. And these are very natural roadblocks that top-flight cricketers face on their journey.

"And at the end of the day, I think it was just about him knowing that I am here for him. I genuinely believed in him as a cricketer from an ability, from a skill perspective." The former national selector said one of the reasons he was convinced about Shedge's future was his belief that the youngster could eventually become a genuine all-format cricketer.

A significant part of Shedge's development has involved improving his bowling.

Paranjape revealed that former national selector and noted bowling coach Subroto Banerjee has been working closely on the technical aspects of the youngster's bowling.

Paranjape believes that while Shedge's batting is currently better than his bowling, the gap is narrowing rapidly.

"But Subroto Banerjee and I are working on his bowling as well. There are a couple of technical things which Subbu (Banerjee's nickname) is working on.

"And once those settle in over the next few months, I think he is a guy who will be then able to select himself as a batter or as a bowler. I think he will be genuinely an all-rounder." 

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

Founded in 2023 by former Puma India and Southeast Asia Managing Director Abhishek Ganguly, along with Atul Bajaj and Amit Prabhu, Agilitas is pursuing a vertically integrated model that combines product design, manufacturing and retail.

ALSO READ | I am Done With It: Virat Kohli Rules Out Test Return

The company strengthened that strategy through the acquisition of Mochiko Shoes, one of India's largest sports footwear manufacturers, which has produced footwear for global brands including Adidas, Puma, Skechers, Reebok, Asics and Decathlon.

The manufacturing backbone is central to Agilitas' ambitions. With facilities across Noida and Uttarakhand, the company believes domestic production offers a structural cost advantage amid India's evolving footwear import regulations. Mochiko generated revenue of Rs 642 crore in FY23, and Agilitas is targeting Rs 1,350 crore by FY26.

Investor confidence has followed. Agilitas has attracted backing from Convergent Finance, Nexus Venture Partners and Rainmatter. Following its latest funding round, the company is valued at approximately Rs 2,058 crore.

Regulatory filings show Kohli was allotted 3,61,611 compulsorily convertible preference shares worth nearly Rs 40 crore, giving him a 1.94% stake. Rather than earning fixed endorsement income, his returns are now linked to the company's long-term growth.

On June 21, One8 unveiled its first independent footwear collection in New Delhi. The range includes cricket spikes, Cover Drive 18 Pro and Cover Drive 18 X, both priced at Rs 13,999, alongside lifestyle and training footwear. Kohli revealed he rejected 17 prototypes before approving the final design.

ALSO READ | What's 'The Rocky Curse'? The Strange Philadelphia Sports Superstition Worrying FIFA World Cup Fans

At the launch event, comedian Danish Sait, appearing as Mr. Nags, joked about Kohli returning to Test cricket to improve sales of the Seam XVIII Signature shoe, priced at Rs 9,230 to reflect his Test career run tally. Kohli responded: “I am done with the longest format of the game.”

The move represents a shift from celebrity endorsement to business ownership. By walking away from guaranteed earnings, Kohli has effectively wagered that an Indian sports brand can compete with global giants. Whether that bet succeeds will depend not on marketing campaigns, but on Agilitas' ability to scale One8 into a globally relevant sportswear business.

"Over the last few days, I have seen many people say that I am seeking a place in the Asian Games team or that I am asking for special consideration. Let me state this clearly. I am not asking to be selected. I am not asking anyone to overturn the decision. I am asking for answers," she said in a fresh statement.

"I sincerely hope that a clear and factual explanation is provided. However, if I do not receive satisfactory answers regarding the basis of this decision, I will be left with no option but to explore all remedies available to me, including legal recourse through my legal team," she warned.

The former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist and two-time Olympian said the TTFI has not communicated the specific reason for her omission.

"I am currently World No. 51. Rankings in table tennis are updated every week and operate on a rolling points system. That naturally raises important questions. What time-line was considered while evaluating rankings? Was the assessment based on the previous 12 month, six months, the previous two months, or a single weekly ranking snapshot?" she asked.

"If an athlete who has consistently been around the Top 50 moves from 50 to 51 over a week or two, does that suddenly make her ineligible? These are questions that deserve clear answers," she said.

Responding to criticism of her non-appearance at national level events, Manika said her busy international calendar should have been taken into account by TTFI.

"I have immense respect for national events and have always been proud to compete in them. But athletes competing regularly on the international circuit often have to manage an intense global calendar, recovery periods, travel, visa processing and preparation for major events.

"Domestic participation cannot be viewed in isolation from international commitments. Having said that, I will certainly be more mindful of participating in national events going forward and will continue to do my best to contribute to Indian table tennis at every level," she pointed out.

Describing her international performances this season as strong, Manika said her victories against top Asian players and highly-rated Chinese opponents on the World Table Tennis circuit should have been considered when evaluation was being done by the selection committee.

"Current form is something even the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports directs, should be considered when selecting players/teams for the Asian games," she said.

Manika said besides her own omission, she has also been left surprised to see some other players with proven records being left out.

"Take the example of Ayhika Mukherjee, who was part of India's historic women's doubles medal at the last Asian Games. When athletes with such achievements are left out, it naturally raises questions about the criteria and evaluation process that led to these decisions.

"I have been informed that the final selection involved a voting process. If that is true, then I believe athletes have a right to know who made those decisions and on what basis. What were the reasons? Were they documented? Were they communicated? Were conflict of interests disclosed?" she asked.

Is selection committee qualified?

Manika questioned the credentials of the TTFI selection committee. The federation has not revealed its composition on the official website.

"...athletes have a right to know who is making these decisions and what qualifications or experience they bring to the selection process. How many members of the Selection Committee have represented India internationally?" she said.

"How many have competed at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, or at the highest levels of table tennis? If a vote was taken against me, what were the reasons behind those votes? Were they based on documented performance criteria, or on subjective opinions?" Accusing TTFI of following a process that lacks transparency, Manika said her concerns should not be viewed as that of "an amateur athlete reacting emotionally to one selection decision." "That is why I have requested the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the Hon'ble Sports Minister to look into this matter. Not because I want a place in the team. Not because I want special treatment.

"But because I believe every athlete deserves transparency, consistency, and accountability in the selection process... And just to be absolutely clear once again — I am asking questions, not special consideration," she said.

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

The woman who died has been identified as Jayamma. Police have arrested her daughter Bhagyalakshmi and grandson Vikas in connection with the murder.

According to investigators, the crime occurred on the night of June 21 and came to light only later. Preliminary inquiries suggest that members of the family were addicted to alcohol and had allegedly sold off property to fund their drinking habits.

Police said an argument broke out between Jayamma and Bhagyalakshmi over the sale of family property. The quarrel escalated, following which Vikas also joined the confrontation. During the altercation, the duo allegedly assaulted Jayamma with a wooden stick used for preparing ragi mudde, leading to her death.

Investigators further revealed that after the murder, the accused allegedly attempted to conceal the crime and did not inform anyone. A few hours later, Vikas reportedly called a friend and asked him to bring alcohol, telling him that his grandmother had died and he was distressed.

When the friend arrived for the drinking session, he noticed Jayamma's body and immediately alerted the police. Upon reaching the spot, officers uncovered the murder and launched an investigation.

Police have arrested Bhagyalakshmi and Vikas. Further investigation is underway.

Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland, whose double helped secure the win, brought the squad together to perform the row in front of the fans, but they had to wait for coach Stale Solbakken, who sprinted up the steps in the stand at the final whistle to kiss and hug his wife.

With the squad sitting in rows resembling those of a Viking longboat and Solbakken squeezing into the middle behind Haaland, Odegaard began beating the drum to a joyous climax.

What Is the Viking Row?

The celebration, according to several reports, is inspired by Norway's Viking tradition. According to the BBC, "The Viking Age was from about AD 700 to 1100. Many Vikings left their homes in Scandinavia and travelled by longboat to other countries, like Britain and Ireland. The people of Britain called the invaders 'Danes', but they came from Norway and Sweden as well as Denmark. Vikings sailed the seas trading goods. They bought silver, silks, spices, wine, jewellery, glass and pottery to bring back home."

The rowing motion is a tribute and symbolises the voyages that the Vikings undertook. It is an integral part of Norwegian identity.

Vikingler ilerliyor…

Norveç: 3- Senegal: 2

Altı puanla son 32'yi garantileyen Norveç milli takımı, MetLife Stadyumu'ndaki maçın sonunda turu, taraftarlarıyla birlikte Viking küreği çekerek kutladı. pic.twitter.com/c4X3FekqmJ

— serbestiyet (@serbestiyetweb) June 23, 2026

What are the Norway players saying about the celebration?

TV pictures showed fans back in Trondheim joining in as the celebration brought Norway supporters around the world together, but midfielder Patrick Berg revealed that he did not think the row was going to catch on.

"At the start, I think people doubted a little bit - like, is this something that's going to last or just something that's going to die off? But it's been a massive part of our World Cup so far," he told reporters.

"Doing it in New York is a really beautiful moment for us together. They started doing it back home in Oslo before we left for the World Cup, and now I think the whole world is aware of it... I feel the energy that we create together with (the fans) is really important for us."

"It was incredibly fun," forward Alexander Sorloth said, beaming with pride after the game. "A lot more fun than I would have thought. When you hear the sound, it's magical."

Asked how far he and the Viking rowing might take him and his team at the World Cup, Sorloth was confident.

"We'll see, but if we reach our top level, it's a tournament and anything can happen. If we reach our top level, we can go far," he said.

Norway are second in the group with six points, behind France on goal difference, with the two teams meeting in their final Group I game on Friday.

With Reuters inputs 

MrBeast expected only a few minutes with Ronaldo

Before the cameras even started rolling, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, was already trying to make things easy for Ronaldo's team.

He explained that he understood how busy the football superstar was and even joked that he only needed a few minutes to make the video work. According to him, he was willing to build an entire challenge around whatever tiny window of time Ronaldo could spare.

That expectation changed once filming began. MrBeast recalled Ronaldo telling him to take as much time as necessary because he wanted the content to turn out well. Instead of rushing through the shoot, the Al-Nassr star reportedly made it clear that there was no pressure to hurry things along.

The collaboration didn't end when filming wrapped

The videos they filmed together became some of the biggest collaborations of late 2024. Ronaldo featured MrBeast in his YouTube video I Meet MrBeast To Break The Internet!!, while MrBeast later uploaded Beat Ronaldo, Win $1,000,000. 

The projects helped bring together two of the biggest audiences on the internet and played a role in the explosive early growth of Ronaldo's YouTube channel. What stood out most to MrBeast, though, happened after the production was over.

Ronaldo invited MrBeast to his house after filming

According to MrBeast, Ronaldo invited him over to his house once the shoot was finished. He said he repeatedly tried to give Ronaldo opportunities to back out, insisting that the filming itself had already been more than enough. 

Ronaldo apparently wasn't interested in ending the interaction there. The pair spent additional time together away from the cameras, talking and hanging out without turning it into more content.

Reflecting on the collaboration, MrBeast described Ronaldo as a genuinely nice person and said the football icon treated him far better than he had imagined beforehand.

The creator explained that his assumptions were shaped largely by Ronaldo's status and demanding schedule. Instead, he walked away remembering the extra time, the conversations away from the spotlight, and the hospitality he received.

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.

Here are the Colombia vs DR Congo Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026 Match

Pandya's second coming to Mumbai Indians has been a tumultuous one, with only one entry into the play-offs under his leadership. "Ajinkya Rahane was always a stop-gap arrangement for KKR, and he was always going to be released after this season. The KKR top brass had approached MI owners towards the end of last season, but since Reliance's annual AGM was round the corner, at that time IPL trade wasn't the biggest priority.

"However, it has been learned that KKR has again approached MI top leadership and there have been a few rounds of discussion," the source informed.

It is a given that if Pandya goes to KKR, either for an all-cash deal or a trade-off, the captaincy is there for the taking, as Rinku Singh at this point doesn't look to be a suitable option.

However, the source couldn't confirm, when asked, whether MI wants an all-cash deal for the star India all-rounder or a trade-off.

The IPL transfer rule clearly states that a player can't have any sort of discussion individually with any other franchise with regard to a trade.

The rule states that it is only franchise-to-franchise discussion that can happen, but it also states that without a player's consent, there can't be a trade. In case the player doesn't give consent, then he has to be released back to the auction pool.

The second offer that has come MI's way is learned to be a trade-off between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Pandya, but one can't say with a lot of surety whether talks have progressed to an advanced stage.

However, with Royals looking at Assam star Riyan Parag as a long-term captain, it will be difficult for Pandya to get a leadership role.

If Pandya's transfer sees the light of the day, KKR looks a far more viable option at the moment compared to Rajasthan Royals

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

With this, the film's total India net collection has reached Rs 61 crore, while its India gross collection stands at approximately Rs 72.86 crore. Overseas markets contributed another Rs 1.5 crore on Tuesday, taking the film's overseas total to Rs 22.25 crore. The worldwide gross collection has now climbed to Rs 95.11 crore.

Occupancy Climbs

The film was screened across 9,565 shows nationwide on Day 5. Despite no jump in collections, audience turnout improved significantly, with overall Hindi (2D) occupancy rising to 21.88% from around 16% on Monday.

Morning shows recorded 12.62% occupancy, which increased to 21.23% during afternoon screenings. Evening occupancy stood at 23.38%, while night shows registered the strongest response at 30.31%, indicating better traction in later shows.

Regional Performance

The NCR remained the strongest market for the film, registering 30.8% occupancy across 1,065 shows. Footfalls increased steadily through the day, with night shows touching 42%.

Jaipur emerged as another standout centre with 33% occupancy across 118 shows, while Chennai delivered a strong 26.5% occupancy despite a limited screen count.

Mumbai recorded a healthy 25.5% occupancy from 658 shows, followed by Pune at 23.5% and Chandigarh at 22.3%.

ALSO READ: Avatar: Fire and Ash OTT Release: Date, Time, Where To Watch James Cameron's Blockbuster?

Among other major markets, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru both posted 18.5% occupancy. Kolkata registered 18%, Lucknow 18.3%, Hyderabad 17.5% and Bhopal 17.8%. Surat remained among the comparatively weaker centres at 14.5%.

Box Office Journey So Far

The romantic drama opened with Rs 13.50 crore on Friday, followed by Rs 16.25 crore on Saturday and Rs 17.75 crore on Sunday. It earned Rs 6.75 crore on Monday and maintained the same figure on Tuesday, demonstrating a stable weekday hold after a strong opening weekend.

About Cocktail 2

Directed by Homi Adajania, Cocktail 2 serves as a spiritual successor to the 2012 hit Cocktail. The film follows Diya and Kunal, whose decade-long relationship is disrupted when their old friend Ally re-enters their lives, setting off a series of emotional, romantic and unexpected events.

ALSO READ: Who Is Sukrut Deo? Meet Marathi Theatre Artist Behind India's Got Latent's Viral Drunk-Man Act

They must avoid defeat in their Group K showdown against Portugal to remain top of the table. For Portugal, the mission is simple: they must beat Colombia to leapfrog them by a single point. Portugal currently have four points from their two matches, two fewer than an unbeaten Colombia side.

Despite the loss, DR Congo still hold an outside chance of reaching the Round of 32 in their first World Cup appearance since 1974, when the country was known as Zaire.

Similarly, Uzbekistan can still progress as one of the best third-placed teams from the group stage, but they must beat DR Congo in their final match to have any hope of doing so.

Colombian fans turned the Mexican stadium into a sea of yellow, vastly outnumbering supporters of the African nation.

The South Americans, who beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their tournament opener, dominated the early stages, peppering Lionel Mpasi's goal.

Daniel Munoz squandered an early chance and shortly afterwards had a goal ruled out for offside while James Rodriguez unleashed a stinging shot that was brilliantly saved as Colombia kept probing.

Mpasi made further sharp stops from Johan Mojica and Luis Diaz as the Colombians, playing with pace and invention, continued to dominate.

But their intensity dipped after the first drinks break, allowing DR Congo to edge back into the contest and pose their own occasional threat.

Mpasi made another stunning save with his leg from Diaz in the 50th minute to keep the game goalless.

DR Congo briefly threatened but Crystal Palace defender Munoz made up for his first-half miss when his shot was deflected past a wrong-footed Mpasi.

The African team did not give up and as the clock ticked past 90 minutes Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas was forced to scramble to his left to turn a fierce Nathanael Mbuku shot behind.

(With AFP Inputs)

Stokes and Atkinson are back in the squad for the third and deciding test at Trent Bridge starting Thursday — the series is tied at 1-1 — and a report in British newspaper The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday said there was a rift between Stokes and the team leadership, which includes McCullum.

That was denied by McCullum, who said he had a “great catchup” with Stokes for more than an hour on Tuesday morning.

“He looks ready to go, enthusiastic about the week, and from our point of view it's nice to have the band back together,” McCullum said.

“We've been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions here in English cricket,” the New Zealander added. “In the end, we both want what's right and what's best for English cricket, and we're crystal clear on the direction we want this team to take.”

McCullum never publicly backed Stokes to return as captain while the investigation was ongoing and said “I worry for him” in light of the post-first test night out that included a trip to a nightclub.

Since then, Stokes has played for his county team, Durham, and hit 95.

Now, McCullum said Stokes looked “outstanding” and “fantastic.”

“I think we had a process we had to go through, things needed to be ticked off, and we've arrived at this stage now, and we're excited to see him back leading us on,” he said.

England won the first test by 115 runs before New Zealand tied the series with a dominant 253-run win at The Oval.

"Didier Deschamps will not be able to lead training sessions ahead of the Norway-France match. He will also not be present on the bench on Friday for the last match of the Bleus in Group I," the FFF said in an X post.

Didier Deschamps ne pourra pas assurer les entraînements avant la rencontre Norvège-France. Il ne pourra pas non plus être présent sur le banc vendredi pour le dernier match des Bleus dans le groupe I (21 heures, h.f.).

Le sélectionneur national a eu la douleur, ce mardi matin,… pic.twitter.com/Mqi67B0tJF

— FFF (@FFF) June 23, 2026

The FFF said that Deschamps learned of his mother's passing on Tuesday morning and will return to France to attend her funeral.

"The national team coach had the sorrow, this Tuesday morning, of learning of the death of his mother. He will return to France to attend her funeral," the FFF said.

The FFF further said that, in agreement with federation president Philippe Diallo, Deschamps has handed temporary responsibility of the France team to his assistant, Guy Stephan, during his absence.

"In agreement with Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, who is present at the France team's base camp for the World Cup in the United States, Didier Deschamps has entrusted responsibility to his assistant, Guy Stephan, to lead the group until his return. In this extremely painful moment, we wish the coach and his family much courage and assure them of the support of everyone at the Federation," the federation added.

France has already secured qualification for the Round of 32 at the ongoing FIFA World Cup after registering consecutive wins over Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0), maintaining a strong start to their campaign.

Notably, Deschamps, one of football's most accomplished figures, is among the only three individuals to have won the FIFA World Cup both as a player and a coach. He won the coveted trophy as a player in 1998 in France, where he also captained the side, and then won it in 2018 as the head coach of the French national football team, in Russia.

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

'Too many minds' at LSG

Lucknow Super Giants have a number of leadership characters. Justin Langer is the head coach, but Tom Moody - himself a reputed IPL coach - sits above him as Director of Cricket. On the pitch, Pant captains the likes of Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, who have commendably led their national teams in recent years.

Usually, the presence of several leaders in a dressing room is a good thing. But that may not have been the case at LSG.

The boiling point came after LSG's Super Over defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In that game, Pant's decision to hand the 20th over to uncapped spinner Digvesh Rathi backfired, as he was hit for four sixes by Rinku Singh. After the game, Pant spoke on receiving too much input from the dugout.

"See, there are always times in cricket where you can change things a little, but sometimes bowlers have to bowl those tough overs. And there will be times when I have to use them in the middle overs because I was looking for a wicket. I just didn't get one. That was the thought process behind it. And too many minds don't make it easy on the ground," Pant had said after the match.

As the season went on and LSG's form got worse, Pant cut a more and more frustrated figure in the post-match interviews. The climax came when he hurled the 'F-word', calling his side a "f***ing good team".

Disappointment over Pant's captaincy

Right after LSG's final game of IPL 2026, team director Moody had admitted that the franchise needed a leadership reset. Before the tournament had even ended, Pant was gone from the helm.

Here's what Moody had said regarding LSG's leadership issue before the announcement of Pant stepping down:

"When it comes to the leadership of the franchise, it's certainly something that we'll be taking some very serious consideration to, you know, what it looks like in the future."

And here's what he had said after it:

"I think I made the statement at the end of our last game that we needed to consider a leadership reset, and I think everyone knew that. It's going to take a long time for us to debrief, review the whole squad and what we are looking to do."

Moody's blunt comments of a leadership reset painted a picture that there wasn't total satisfaction in Rishabh Pant's captaincy within the management itself, and possibly massive doubt over his place at Lucknow Super Giants.

Satish Shah was named for the award alongside distinguished individuals from the fields of art, education, sport, and various other disciplines.

Shah died on October 25 last year. He is survived by his wife, Madhu Shah.

The actor's diverse filmography includes popular hits such as the satirical black comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Hum Saath-Saath Hain, Main Hoon Na, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Om Shanti Om and Shaadi No. 1. His career spanned over four decades.

A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Shah's mastery of situational comedy and versatility as a character actor made him one of the most respected and beloved performers in the Indian entertainment industry.

His portrayal of Indravadan Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai remains one of Indian television's most iconic characters, remembered for his wit, warmth and unmatched comic brilliance.

The Padma Awards, among the country's highest civilian honours, are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and the Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.

ALSO READ: R Madhavan Receives Padma Shri, Wife Sarita And Son Vedaant Cheer

Speaking at the Republic Summit, the actor revealed that he had recently watched Dhurandhar on a digital platform and was deeply impressed by the film.

"It is a terrific, fantastic, phenomenal film. It had everything falling in place in the right way, in the right tempo. Should more films like this come out? Of course. National integrity, like India first, is very important in our forthcoming films. It has brought the country together," Ram Charan said.

The actor also reflected on the franchise's remarkable box office success.

"It has become the highest-grosser; it earned more than Rs 1800 crore. Why would this be? The box office number is nothing but the number of people who have accepted it, and the footfall in theatres is what matters. If people of India are owning it and want this to happen, why not? It's doing good for our nation," he added.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role, was released in December 2025 and went on to collect more than Rs 1,300 crore worldwide. 

Its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, hit cinemas in March this year and surpassed Rs 1,800 crore globally, emerging as the highest-grossing Hindi film after Dangal.

Both films in the franchise are currently available to stream on Netflix and JioHotstar.

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

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"

England captain Kane endured a disappointing evening, most notably spurning a clear-cut second-half opportunity as the Black Stars produced a disciplined defensive display. England were frustrated by Ghana in a 0-0 stalemate, marking the Three Lions' 13th goalless draw in World Cup history. Despite creating chances, England failed to break through as Ghana's disciplined defence earned a crucial point.

While attention has largely centred on matters on the pitch, an off-field storyline has also captured headlines. Nana Kwaku Bonsam, one of Ghana's most controversial spiritual figures, has resurfaced with claims that he influenced England captain Harry Kane after previously asserting he was behind Cristiano Ronaldo's injury setback in 2014.

"I am working on Harry Kane," he told the Daily Star ahead of the clash. "I have shown what I am capable of before, so I know what work I must do to stop him."

"I am very famous for my predictions. I am not wishing him serious injury. It will be just enough to stop him against my country. I will do my work so that it can help Ghana," Bonsam said.

ALSO READ: What's 'The Rocky Curse'? The Strange Philadelphia Sports Superstition Worrying FIFA World Cup 2026 Fans

Who Is The 'Witch Doctor'?

A prominent and often controversial figure in Ghana, Bonsam operates three shrines in the capital, Accra. Branding himself as "The Great Authentic Man", he says he has lived in several international cities, including New York, Amsterdam and Berlin, as well as in Italy. His website also highlights coverage in two separate profiles published by The New York Times.

"Nana Kwaku Bonsam is an African Traditional Priest based in Ghana. In the last 20 years, he has been helping thousands of people around the world to achieve their goals in life and fortify their spiritual selves. His commitment is to prove that, despite the impact of Chrisitanity and colonialism, there is Real Power in Africa," according to his website. 

Bonsam claims to help individuals pursue their ambitions through the spiritual powers of Kofi oo Kofi. He says his guidance can support people seeking financial security, career advancement and personal wellbeing.

He describes himself as an herbalist who draws on traditional African knowledge of plants and natural remedies. He claims these treatments can be used to address a range of physical and mental health issues, including conditions he says are not always effectively treated by conventional medicine.

The Ghanaian spiritualist is perhaps best known for asserting that he played a role in the injury suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal's 2014 World Cup campaign.

"I said it four months ago that I will work on Cristiano Ronaldo seriously and rule him out of the World Cup or at least prevent him from playing against Ghana, and the best thing I can do is to keep him out through injury," he had said at the time, according to Football360.

After the match, Bonsam posted on Facebook that he would "release" Kane so that the forward could score a goal in the next match. "I am the most powerful spiritualist in the whole world now I am going to release Harry Kane so that his next match he can score a goal harry I will come and visit you ok we are brothers I love you soo much," Bonsam added.

WATCH

ALSO READ: 'Awful', 'Damp Squib': Fans Slam Lacklustre England After Ghana Draw At FIFA World Cup 2026