"Hope And Pray He Gets To Play Tests": Ex-India Captain Azharuddin On Tilak

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 18:47:32 +0000

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin hailed Tilak Varma following a calm and composed knock in a tense run chase against New Zealand in the second T20I, while also expressing hope that he gets to play Test cricket for India as well. Tilak Varma's love affair with run chases and death overs batting continued as he and Nitish Kumar Reddy pulled Team India out of troubled waters, stitching a 69-run stand to chase down 181 runs with a ball to spare at Christchurch. Once again while batting in the middle-order, Tilak brought his game awareness and ball striking, calculated acceleration while chasing.

Speaking to ANI after the match, Azharuddin, one of the finest cricketers to emerge out of Hyderabad, said, "Today, I am very happy with the way Tilak Varma has played. He is a very good player, and I sincerely hope and pray that he gets the opportunity to play Test cricket. For me, Test cricket is the most important format, and I hope he goes on to represent India in Tests as well. He has been performing very well in T20 cricket, and I think he played a crucial role in ensuring India's victory today. Congratulations to the team. Cricket is a team game, and the entire team deserves to be congratulated. I wish them the very best of luck."

In first-class cricket, Tilak has fine numbers, having made 1,828 runs in 25 matches and 38 innings, with an average of 57.12, five centuries and seven fifties, including a best score of 121.

Coming to the match, India won the toss and elected to bowl first. They had New Zealand down 41/3 within the powerplay. Glenn Phillips (70 in 46 balls, with four boundaries and sixes each) and Bevon Jacobs (58 in 46 balls, with five fours and a six) led New Zealand's recovery after an early top-order collapse against India after Kiwis were down 41/3 within powerplay, stitching a 116-run stand for the fourth wicket, taking NZ to 180/5 in 20 overs.

Besides Arshdeep's 2/33, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy got a wicket each.

While chasing 181 set by New Zealand, the world champions collapsed from 40/0 to 112/6, with Mitchell Santner's four-fer causing havoc in the middle overs. The hope was reinstated by a quickfire 31 in 17 balls (with a four and three sixes) by Naman Dhir, and it was Tilak (51* in 26 balls, with six fours and a six) and Nitish (26* in 13 balls, with a four and a six) who took India to victory with a ball left. India is 2-0 up in the five-match series.

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

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Drake Maye's Interception Draws Reaction From Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:47:16 +0000

It was a throw by Drake Maye that gave the Chicago Bears another chance to add to their lead before halftime of the New England Patriots' 30-24 loss on Thursday night. The rookie tight end Eli Raridon was the unfortunate recipient of the interceptable pass. Even after the “bone-headed play” by the critics, where the head coach defended his quarterback, Vrabel admitted that Maye would want the throw back but praised him for competing until the end for the team.

Mike Vrabel on Drake Maye's interception

Maye's mistake was committed with a total of 3:31 remaining in the second quarter; it happened when he attempted to complete a pass to Raridon in the end zone, but the Bears intercepted the ball and scored points before halftime to improve their position.

For New England, the play hurt at a time when the offense needed to make the most of its opportunities.

Vrabel spoke about the turnover after the loss. He made sure not to let one bad call define Maye's night. The Patriots coach praised the quarterback's effort under pressure. Highlighted the plays he ran with both his arm and his legs.

“He gave us a chance. He competed,” Vrabel said. “I know he'd like to have that throw back to Eli, but I thought he really competed. Whether that was running around or scrambling... I'm glad he's ours.”

Drake Maye played well against the Bears

The numbers backed up Vrabel's praise. Maye completed 24 of 31 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with a 77.4% completion rate.

He ran for 26 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, giving him a hand in all three of New England's touchdowns.

The quarterback was under pressure from the Bears' defense, which applied blitzes to try to stop him. He responded by going outside the pocket to avoid the pressure, scrambling around and generally finding a way to keep the offense on the field. His interception was an exception, not the rule.

New England entered the game without several impactful players. Wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins were unavailable, while injuries left the offensive line without multiple starters. Those absences added to the challenge against Chicago.

The defeat ended the Patriots' three-game winning streak and spoiled their unbeaten run through October.

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Brook Breaks Gill's Huge World ODI Record, Scripts History For England

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:47:42 +0000

Captain Harry Brook smashed the fastest ever double century in men's one-day cricket internationals and the first for England on Thursday. Brook took 114 balls for the double ton and holed out two balls later for 202 off the final ball of England's innings against Sri Lanka in a tri-series match. He clobbered 10 sixes and 21 boundaries to lead England to 429-4, its fourth highest ODI total. Brook reached his first century off 75 balls with a ramped boundary over fine leg; reached 150 with a similar shot, and took 39 balls to hit the second century, reached with a paddle sweep against Janith Liyanage in the final over.

Brook's effort was two balls less than Shubman Gill's record of 116 balls which the Indian made against West Indies at Guwahati last month.

Fastest Double Century in ODIs:

114 balls - Harry Brook v SL*
117 balls - Shubman Gill v WI
126 balls - Ishan Kishan v BAN
128 balls - Glenn Maxwell v AFG
136 balls - P Nissanka v AFG
138 balls - Chris Gayle v ZIM
140 balls - Virender Sehwag v WI

- Fastest ODI double century in history. - Highest individual ODI score for England. - Highest ODI total vs Sri Lanka. - Highest ODI total in Pakistan. - Highest individual ODI score in Pakistan. HARRY BROOK - A HISTORIC DAY, A HISTORIC PLAYER. https://t.co/3jki2n3Jzi
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) October 22, 2026

Joe Root (69), Will Jacks (66 not out) and Tom Banton (50) also contributed to England's monster total after being sent in.

Sri Lanka fast bowlers Eshan Malinga (0-91) and Dilshan Madushanka (0-89) were blazed all around Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium while Dasun Shanaka, returning to ODIs after more than two years, was smacked for 74 off his six overs.

Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage returned with somewhat respectable figures of 2-56, but the seamers went for plenty as Brook and Jacks added a rapid 156 runs in the final 10 overs.

Both teams are looking for their first win in the tournament after losing to Pakistan.

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

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Houthis Claim They Rescued 14 Indians From Yacht, India Says Extending Help

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:29:41 +0000

The reported incident comes a day after an Indian national was killed in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Another person was also killed, while two Indian nationals were injured.

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Bipasha Reacts To Deepika-Ranveer Naming 2nd Daughter Devi

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:47:03 +0000

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh revealed the name of their second daughter on the occasion of Dussehra. The couple shared their first family photograph since welcoming their second child, introducing her as Devi Padukone Singh.

Bipasha Basu, whose daughter's name is also Devi, reacted to Deepika Padukone's choice of name for her second daughter. Commenting on the post, Bipasha Basu wrote, "So you were really serious when you told me you love the name Devi."

Deepika Padukone and Bipasha Basu worked together in the 2008 film Bachna Ae Haseeno, directed by Siddharth Anand.

The Announcement Post

Deepika took to Instagram to share the heartwarming picture, captioning it, "Of Love & Abundance...Devi Padukone Singh."

In the photograph, Ranveer, Deepika, their elder daughter Dua, and little Devi can be seen dressed in matching golden traditional outfits. Ranveer is seen holding Dua as she plants a kiss on her baby sister.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by दीपिका पादुकोण (@deepikapadukone)

Deepika, meanwhile, cradles Devi in her arms as the family shares a special moment together.

The post soon attracted love from several celebrities, including Sharvari, Mrunal Thakur, Bhumi Pednekar, Pragya Jaiswal, and Harshdeep Kaur, among others, who showered the family with warm wishes.

The couple welcomed their second child on September 19, 2026.

About Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh

Deepika and Ranveer married on November 14, 2018, in a grand ceremony held in Lake Como, Italy. Their wedding included two ceremonies that reflected Deepika's Konkani heritage and Ranveer's Sindhi background.

The couple's relationship began on the sets of their film Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram‑Leela in 2013. After dating for several years, they secretly got engaged in 2015.

Deepika and Ranveer welcomed their first child, Dua, on September 8, 2024.

ALSO READ | Deepika Padukone And Ranveer Singh Reveal Name Of Their Second Daughter On Dussehra, Share First Glimpse Of Newborn

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Sami Zayn Loses WWE Title Rematch To Cody Rhodes But Retains Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:47:43 +0000

Sami Zayn is still the WWE Champion, because Cody Rhodes beat him only by disqualification in a dark match following Monday Night Raw. Rhodes got the rematch he was waiting for against the man who took the championship from him, but he couldn't leave with the gold. So Zayn's reign survives, and his announced champion-versus-champion match against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel on November 7 stays on the schedule. Rhodes had already lost the title to Zayn in June, and because of that history this rematch was more than just another title bout. Zayn now goes toward Crown Jewel still holding the belt.

Sami Zayn LOST the match to Cody Rhodes but he is still the WWE undisputed champion. ????@gael_306 #WWERaw https://t.co/o16bNDLc8B
— SuplexInsider (@SuplexInsider) October 20, 2026

Rhodes Gets His WWE Championship Rematch After Four Months

Rhodes was waiting around four months for another shot at the WWE Championship, ever since he lost it to Zayn at Night of Champions in June. Gunther was also part of that match, and Zayn won his first world title there, after his friendship with Rhodes broke down in the weeks before the event.

Zayn's title run didn't start smoothly. He lost the championship to CM Punk in his first defense, just days after winning it. The original plan was Zayn to defend against Rhodes, but Cody got attacked backstage and this changed the match.

Later, Zayn won the belt back from Punk on the September 11 episode of SmackDown in Mexico. Then he retained it against Kevin Owens a week later, which was one more successful defense before Rhodes finally got his rematch on Monday night.

A title doesn't change hands on disqualification, so the finish decided everything. Rhodes couldn't take the championship back, and Zayn stayed champion after their latest meeting.

Roman Reigns Remains Zayn's Crown Jewel Opponent

WWE has already announced Zayn vs. Reigns for Crown Jewel in a champion-versus-champion match on November 7. Both men also had a tense face-off during Raw, so the upcoming bout was getting some attention even before Zayn's match with Rhodes came into picture.

Rhodes had a chance to disturb those plans by winning the title back. But the disqualification result left Zayn with the championship going into his scheduled meeting with Reigns.

Rhodes missed another opportunity to regain the belt, while Reigns stays as Zayn's announced opponent for Crown Jewel. The championship is still in Zayn's hands, and the November 7 clash remains on WWE's schedule.

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Comedian Neetu Bhardwaj Makes Shocking Claims Against Abhishek Upmanyu, Others

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:47:27 +0000

Neetu Bhardwaj has raised concerns about her safety. The stand-up comedian has accused fellow artists Abhishek Upmanyu, Urooj Ashfaq and others of allegedly stalking and harassing her and her family.

In an Instagram post, she has claimed that her phones were hacked and private information was shared without permission.

“Guys, I am being followed everywhere by the Mumbai comedy mafia of Upmanyu and Urooj and others. My family and I are really unsafe. All of our phones are hacked, all calls are being heard, all our personal and private information is stolen and is being circulated (sic)," she wrote on Instagram.

Neetu Bhardwaj Says She Is Being Followed

Neetu also claimed that the alleged stalking was not limited to specific places or occasions. According to her, she has been followed even during routine outings, such as visiting a nearby grocery store or going for a walk in the park.

She also expressed concern about the safety of her family members and held the people named in her posts responsible for any harm that might come to them.

“Even if I go to a nearby grocery store or take a walk in the park, I am being followed. If anything happens to me or any of my family members, it's on these people (sic)," Neetu Bhardwaj wrote.

Take a look at her post below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Neetu Bhardwaj (@wisegirlneetu)

As of now, Abhishek Upmanyu and Urooj Ashfaq have not publicly commented on the allegations.

ALSO READ: Ranbir Kapoor's India's Got Latent Appearance Sparks Buzz, Samay Raina Responds

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DA Hike Before Diwali? Here's How Much More Employees Could Get

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 19:47:10 +0000

Nearly 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners are awaiting the July 2026 Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) revision. A three-percentage-point increase, from 60% to 63%, is expected, but the Centre has not announced the rate or approval date.

With Diwali on November 8, employee organisations are pressing for the installment to be released before the festival.

The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers wrote to the Cabinet Secretary on October 14, calling for nationwide lunch-hour demonstrations on October 16. Its demands included immediate declaration of the DA and DR installment due from July 1, alongside festive bonuses.

The bonus announcements have since followed. Eligible central government employees will receive a 30-day ad-hoc bonus, capped at ₹6,908. More than 11.4 lakh railway employees will receive a separate 78-day productivity-linked bonus, with a maximum payout of ₹17,951.
DA, however, adds to monthly earnings rather than providing a one-time payment.

What A Three-Point Increase Would Mean

DA is calculated on basic pay. At 63%, an employee earning ₹18,000 in basic pay would receive ₹11,340 a month in DA, up from ₹10,800. That means an additional ₹540 monthly, or ₹6,480 over 12 months.

Those earning ₹25,500 in basic pay would get ₹765 more a month, totalling ₹9,180 annually. At ₹35,400 basic pay, the increase would be ₹1,062 monthly, or ₹12,744 a year.

For employees earning ₹44,900, the additional DA would be ₹1,347 a month and ₹16,164 annually. Those on ₹56,100 basic pay would receive ₹1,683 more each month, adding up to ₹20,196 over a year.

A revision effective from July 1 would also bring arrears. For an employee on ₹18,000 basic pay, a three-point increase would mean ₹1,620 for July through September alone. Pensioners would receive the corresponding DR increase on their basic pension.

The Centre normally revises DA twice annually, effective January 1 and July 1, using movements in the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers.
The pending installment is separate from the 8th Pay Commission's review. Constituted on November 3, 2025, the commission has 18 months to submit its report, placing its expected deadline around May 2027.

DA revisions can continue under the existing pay framework while the commission prepares its recommendations.

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'Play Him Exceptionally Well': NZ Great Offers Shocking Tests Stat Of Bumrah

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 19:47:35 +0000

India's squads for the ODI and Test series against New Zealand were announced on Friday. Before those assignments, the two teams will face off in a five-match T20I series, beginning on October 22. For India, the most crucial leg of the tour will be the two-Test series as they continue their push for a place in the World Test Championship 2027 final. New Zealand have enjoyed a significant edge over India in recent Test encounters, winning six of their last eight matches against them.

Jasprit Bumrah has been included in India's Test squad after being rested for the ODI series. The star pacer, who has battled injury concerns in recent years, is expected to be a key weapon for India. However, former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee offered an interesting perspective on Bumrah's impact.

Southee pointed out that, somewhat surprisingly, Bumrah has never been part of an Indian team that has defeated New Zealand in a Test match. He added that the Kiwis are well aware of how to counter Bumrah's pace and skill.

"I think New Zealand have played Bumrah incredibly well in Test cricket. I don't think Bumrah has played in an Indian team that has beaten New Zealand. So, I think New Zealand play him exceptionally well in Tests," Southee said during a virtual interaction by Sony Sports Network.

So far, Bumrah has played five Tests against New Zealand and claimed nine wickets. India, however, ended up on the losing side in all five matches.

Southee also highlighted Mohammed Siraj as a crucial member of India's bowling attack, praising the pacer for the unique energy and intensity he brings to the field whenever he plays.

"I'm a big fan of Mohammed Siraj and the way he bowls. If he can get his length right in New Zealand, he could be a handful. The energy he brings, the way he runs in all day, the type of bowler he is, there's no reason why he can't have a lot of success in New Zealand conditions. There's a lot to like about him in particular," Southee said.

Following the five-match T20I series, India and New Zealand will meet in a five-match ODI series starting on November 4, before the two-Test series gets underway on November 19.

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Private Jet Makes Emergency Landing After Door Detaches Mid-Air In Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 19:29:29 +0000

A Challenger 604 jet returning to Abuja airport after a door separated mid-flight.

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31-Test Veteran Emerges As Strong Contender For India Chief Selector's Job

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:47:46 +0000

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has applied for the vacant senior national selector's post, putting himself in contention for a position that fell vacant after the BCCI decided against renewing Ajit Agarkar's contract. "Yes, I have applied for the job," Jaffer confirmed to PTI. The 48-year-old Jaffer played 31 Tests for India, scoring close to 2,000 runs, including five centuries. His Test hundreds included a double century against the West Indies and a hundred in South Africa. He also scored a double century against Pakistan in Kolkata.

If selected by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, Jaffer would have the highest number of Test appearances among the candidates being considered for the chairman's position.

With 31 Tests, he has a better playing record in the longest format than Pragyan Ojha, who represented India in 24 Tests. Under the existing selection process, the member from the zone with the highest number of Test appearances is eligible to head the committee.

However, it is understood that there is strong support within the BCCI for retaining Ojha as chairman, which could influence the composition of the new selection panel.

In that scenario, former India spinner Ramesh Powar, who played two Tests, could also be in contention for a place on the committee, potentially from the West Zone.

The final composition of the selection panel will depend on the CAC's assessment of the applicants and the BCCI's preferences as it looks to fill the vacancy left by Ajit Agarkar.

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

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PM Modi's 15-Year-Olds Remark, Then An Epic Reaction From Sooryavanshi

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 18:47:25 +0000

India's teenage prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, was in attendance among the country's Asian Games 2026 stars at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Delhi Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated the contingent. Sooryavanshi was a part of the Indian men's cricket team that won the gold medal in Tokyo. During the ceremony, PM Modi gave a riveting speech that also captured how 15-year-olds are winning medals for the country at grand events such as the Asian Games. The remark drew a smile even on the face of Sooryavanshi.

PM Modi could not stop hailing the Indian athletes during the felicitation ceremony, including the cricketers, hockey teams, and boxers, whilst lauding the records that were broken in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the historic milestones that were achieved.

As PM Modi continued his speech, he made a special mention of the 15 and 17-year-olds who won medals for India at the Games. Although he did not mention Sooryavanshi by name, the mention did see the camera shift focus to the Indian cricketing prodigy.

"This time in the Asian Games, there were many players on Team India whose age was only 15 to 17 years. At such a young age, these players have enhanced the pride of the country with their spectacular performances. They have won the hearts of the countrymen. This shows that for success, age is not a restriction. In sports, it is the start made at a young age that becomes an added advantage," he said.

As PM Modi said this, Sooryavanshi had a big smile on his face.

"Therefore, it is our effort that in sports, the identification of talent should happen at a young age. For children between 5 and 15 years of age, we are especially focused on identifying sporting talent and its training. In the coming years, thousands of new players will get opportunities to advance through Khelo India and Emerging Khelo India," PM Modi added.

WATCH | "Reel Ke Chakkar Mein Thuk Jaoge": Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Epic Chat With Paps Viral

PM Modi also reserved special praise for the country's female contingent at the Asian Games. He said: "Friends, I would like to especially praise our daughters. Out of the 85 medals won by India, 38 medals were won by our women athletes, and 11 gold medals are included in them. These medals are not just a number. This is a picture of a new India."

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Iran Plans New Tactics To Strike Ships In Hormuz To Sway US Elections: Report

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 19:29:14 +0000

As part of the new strategy, Tehran will also expand the geographical scope of its operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman and waters further afield, the officials said.

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Ahead Of Durga Puja, Bangladesh Prime Minister Assures Safety Of Hindus

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:29:43 +0000

He made the comments during an interaction with members of the Hindu community from the Dhaka-17 constituency.

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'Kya Samajhta Hai Re Tu Budhau': Big B Recalls Being Trolled Over His Age

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:47:26 +0000

Amitabh Bachchan may have millions of followers, but that has not kept him away from online trolling. The veteran actor recently shared how social media users have commented on his age and questioned his posts. During an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, Big B spoke about how these reactions changed his approach to social media and why he no longer writes as much as he used to.

The conversation began when a contestant named Vinamra asked Amitabh Bachchan how he deals with criticism online. He pointed out that people from his age group often find it difficult to handle negative comments and wanted to know how the actor manages such reactions.

Big B explained that when he first started using social media, he saw it as a space where he could express his thoughts freely. Things changed when he began reading what people had to say about his posts.

Recalling the comments, the actor said, “Pehle humne socha ki yeh bahut accha yantra hai, ismein hum apne dil ki baat bol dete hain… Uske baad jab humne padhna shuru kiya ki iska comment kya hai, humne aise likhna band kar diya. ‘Apne aap ko kya samajhta hai re tu budhau… Aise kyun bol raha hai?' Toh aise-aise shabdawali hoti hai, bada ajeeb lagta hai. Toh ab humne zyada likhna chhod diya hai (At first, I thought this was a very good platform, where I could express what was in my heart… Then, when I started reading the comments, I stopped writing only. ‘What does he think of himself, this old man… Why is he talking like this?' You come across such kinds of language, and it feels very strange. So now, I have stopped writing as much)…"

He then turned the conversation into a joke, pointing out an unexpected upside to his decision.

“Aur bhaisahab ek baat batayein aapko? Jab se kam likhna kar diya hai, humara follower badhta chala ja raha hai (And brother, let me tell you one thing? Ever since I started writing less, my followers have continued to increase)."

His observation left Vinamra and the studio audience laughing.

Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 premiered on August 10. The quiz-based reality show airs on Sony Entertainment Television and streams on SonyLIV.

ALSO READ: Madhuri Dixit Channels Her Inner Diva On Kaun Banega Crorepati, Amitabh Bachchan In Awe

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Australia's Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon Create Test Cricket History

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 18:47:35 +0000

Australia's fabled fast-bowling quartet of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon etched their names into the history books during the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead. The renowned bowling unit breached a special 600-wicket milestone with their scalps in the first innings against the Proteas. The four have become the first quartet to complete 600 wickets in Test cricket while playing together. Coming into the first Test in Durban, the four bowlers had taken 599 wickets in the 37 Tests they had played together and breached the 600-wicket mark during Day 2 of the fixture at Kingsmead.

The four bowlers now have more than 600 wickets in the 38 Tests they have played together. This came after they combined to take the first eight wickets to fall in South Africa's innings at the time of writing.

Cummins leads the chart among the four with 160 wickets in matches played alongside Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon.

Starc is second with 155 wickets in 74 innings, while Hazlewood stands third with 152 wickets in 72 innings. Lyon is a close fourth with 140 wickets in 70 innings when playing alongside the other three bowlers.

They are the first quartet to cross the mark and have a substantial lead over the next most prolific quartet of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, who have taken 433 wickets in the 34 Tests they played together.

Australia's bowlers continued to make inroads into South Africa's batting line-up on Day 3 of the fixture. Cummins took three wickets, while Hazlewood and Lyon claimed two each, and Starc also picked up one.

The hosts were in trouble at 197/8 when Hazlewood removed Marco Jansen, leaving the Proteas in deeper trouble.

Australia had earlier made 390 batting first, with Matt Renshaw scoring a century.

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

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Gambhir's Strict Message To Iyer And Co Post 2nd T20I Loss: "Don't Shrug Off"

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 18:47:30 +0000

India suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of West Indies in the second T20I in Ranchi, as the visitors pulled off their record chase in the format. Despite putting up a total of 249, West Indies chased down the mammoth target of 250 with nine balls to spare. Speaking after the match, Gambhir stated that India cannot afford to take the defeat lightly, and that as T20 world champions, there should be higher expectations on them to deliver consistent victories.

“You don't shrug off any defeat. If you want to keep improving, you don't want to put anything under the carpet. We are a world-champion team so we want to keep improving. These are obviously tough conditions to bowl - we know flat wickets with the dew - obviously it's tough but we need to figure out and find the way.

“Especially with the opposition having lost two wickets in the first over and then lost three wickets in the powerplay. But again, credit to the West Indies, the way Shai Hope and Sherfane batted, we know they are world-class batters, especially in the format. It was tough on us but we're going to keep improving,” Gambhir told the media in the post-game press conference.

The result also renewed questions about the balance between bat and ball in high-scoring T20 cricket. India posted 249 for five, with Sanju Samson leading the charge with 82 off 41 balls and Tilak Varma contributing 44, but the West Indies batters made light of the target with a relentless assault.

Asked about the nature of the contest, Gambhir emphasised that conditions should allow bowlers a fair opportunity to compete rather than leave them at the mercy of the batters.

“You don't want a good bat-and-ball competition?” Gambhir asked. “What you want to see, that's also what we want to see. We also want to see an even contest.

“These bowlers are our bowlers, not someone else's bowlers. Their careers are at stake, they have worked hard to sit in this dressing room. If it's an even competition, we'll see a better game of cricket.”

India had appeared to seize control when Mayank Yadav struck twice in the opening over and removed another batter early in the sixth. However, Hope and Rutherford dismantled the attack through a 120-run partnership, with Rutherford smashing 84 off 37 deliveries before Hope completed an unbeaten 102.

Gambhir backed Mayank's decision to rely on pace rather than take the pressure off with slower deliveries, saying the young quick had followed the approach expected of a fast bowler.

“He is a fast bowler, he should bowl like a fast bowler,” Gambhir said of Mayank's spell. “He isn't a slower bowler. If you can bowl 150kph, bowl at 150kph, if you bowl at 120kph, bowl at 120kph. When you are playing as a fast bowler, it is your responsibility to bowl fast. And he did that today, getting success,” he stated.

With IANS inputs

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2nd T20I LIVE: Mayank Yadav's Blunder Costs India Big, Windies In Command

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 18:47:18 +0000

India vs West Indies 2nd T20I Live Updates: Shai Hope's marathon knock has put West Indies on the verge of victory in the chase of 250 against India in the second T20I of the five-match series in Ranchi. He stitched a 120-run stand with Sherfane Rutherford (84) to put the guests in control. Earlier, India posted a massive total of 249/5 after being invited to bat first. Sanju Samson scored 82 off 41, making the most of the two dropped chances. His innings was laced with nine fours and four sixes. Ishan Kishan also contributed 43 off 22. Shreyas Iyer (40 off 18) and Tilak Varma (44 not out off 18) then stitched an 83-run partnership off 32 balls to take India to a big total. For West Indies, Roston Chase turned out to be the most successful bowler with figures of 3/24. (LIVE SCORECARD)

Here are the LIVE Scores and Updates of the India vs West Indies 2nd T20I match:

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Centre Of Excellence, Women's Cricket Part Of ICC's Big China Push

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:47:33 +0000

In a bid to capitalise on China's renewed interest in cricket following the sport's Olympic inclusion, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said the world body would support the national association in staging a Tier 2 event soon and assist with setting up a Centre of Excellence in the country. Gupta told PTI that making cricket more accessible and promoting the women's game are also part of the expansion plans. The possibilities are enormous if the ICC is able to gain a stronghold in China, whose massive population rivals that of the game's behemoth, India. The Chinese Cricket Association (CCA) has already discussed the possibility of a Centre of Excellence on the lines of the ICC Academy in Dubai, said Gupta, who took charge in July.

"The CCA has expressed a strong desire to institute, with ICC's support, a Centre of Excellence, along the lines of the ICC Academy in the UAE, to fast-track player development and enhance facilities available for high-performance programmes," said Gupta.

"Strategic support from the ICC could also motivate the General Administration of Sport in China (GASC) to take a more active interest in the development of the sport," he added.

The majority of cricket fans live in South Asia, but the sport's return to the Olympics after 128 years gives national bodies like the CCA a chance to introduce it on mainstream platforms, the National Games in China's case.

"Cricket's return to the Olympic Games at LA28 is changing the context in which the sport is viewed in markets that have ignored or not developed consideration for it," Gupta said.

"Olympic inclusion gives cricket greater relevance within institutional sporting systems and can open the door to greater government attention, investment, infrastructure and player development. We are already seeing these dynamics play out in markets such as China," he reasoned.

Out of the 22 provinces in China, cricket has a presence in nine, and it is bound to increase if the sport enters the National Games. The sport being played regularly at the Asian Games has also helped.

"The Asian Games have also given cricket meaningful visibility in China, particularly following the Hangzhou Games in 2022, and deeper integration into the country's domestic sporting structure would be a significant step. Cricket's inclusion in China's National Games could supercharge the momentum," said Gupta.

"This is how you begin to embed a sport more deeply into the system, by creating pathways, encouraging provinces to invest, developing coaches and facilities, making the sport more visible and ultimately giving more young people the opportunity to play," he said.

Women's cricket is being used aggressively to spread the game in the country, with the CCA remarkably having a policy of 50 per cent female participation across all its programmes.

"China is an important geography for cricket, both as a market and a participating nation, especially in women's cricket because of the sheer scale that it offers. Securing the attention, and hopefully affiliation, of even a segment of the available audience in China can significantly bolster cricket's global fandom.

"We will need a multi-dimensional approach in the country, with viewership, participation and cultural connections driving our ambition to see cricket develop sustainable green shoots," the CEO pointed out.

A 1,500-capacity cricket venue was recently launched in China, and now the ICC is keen on hosting a Tier 2 event with the CCA's support.

"The Chinese Cricket Association (CCA) is striving to develop and upgrade infrastructure with the ambition of hosting an ICC Tier 2 event in the near future. The staging of the event will be a strong signal to the government machinery of both the ICC's resolve to grow the sport in China and the support the CCA can receive if it is ambitious about the prospects of the sport," said Gupta.

"A significant driver of cricket's growth, and particularly the institutional support it receives in many countries, will be its inclusion in select multi-sport events at regional, sub-regional and national levels. This is especially true for sporting cultures which celebrate medals more than cups or trophies, with government commitments playing a driving role."

Gupta spent some time in China soon after joining the ICC and said he was pleasantly surprised by what he saw on the ground.

"I spent 10 days in China inside the first six months of my stint at the ICC, and I was surprised by cricket's entrenched presence in certain provinces. I sensed a growing commitment from provincial and local authorities towards the adoption of the sport.

"We also received commitments for programmes to be launched in schools across provinces such as Shandong and Tianjin. The immediate goal of both the ICC and the CCA is to have cricket included in China's National Games, which will give the sport national prominence and drive adoption of the sport across provinces," said Gupta.

The ICC streamed both the 2026 Men's and Women's T20 World Cups in Mandarin on Chinese platforms, another clear indicator of its commitment to grow the sport in the country.

The men's T20 World Cup generated 4.4 million video views in the final week of the competition.

The ICC's funding to the CCA has totalled more than USD 1.5 million over the past five years. The CCA's revenue generation has also been impressive, and it reported the highest non-ICC income among all associate members in 2024.

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Klay Thompson Opens Up About Giannis Antetokounmpo's Meaningful Gesture

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:47:47 +0000

Klay Thompson and Giannis Antetokounmpo are now Miami Heat teammates, but their connection started years before they shared a locker room. Thompson still remembers a moment from 2022 when Antetokounmpo showed him support after a big game. Thompson had just returned from a long injury layoff and scored 38 points against Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks. What happened after the game stayed with him. Antetokounmpo walked across the court to congratulate Thompson, even though Milwaukee had lost. Speaking to The Athletic, Thompson said that small gesture changed how he viewed the two-time MVP. Now, with both players in Miami, Thompson says being Antetokounmpo's teammate feels special.

Klay Thompson Remembers Giannis Antetokounmpo's 2022 Gesture

For Thompson, the 2022 game was about much more than his 38 points. He had spent a long time away from the court because of injuries and was still trying to feel like himself again. Antetokounmpo's reaction gave him a boost at a time when he needed it.

“This is a testament to his humility,” Thompson said, describing the incident to The Athletic. “(That game) made me feel like I could be a great player again. After the game, he walked from the opposing bench all the way down to our bench just to tell me how happy he was for me.”

Thompson then explained why the moment stayed with him.

“I don't want to get emotional, but that meant a lot to me,” he continued. “To be one of the 75 best players ever and not to be bitter in a moment where your team loses, and I have a great game and to just give me those props, that made me look at him in a different light.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo finds ‘Heat Culture' With Klay Thompson

The two now have a chance to build something together in Miami. Antetokounmpo arrived from Milwaukee in July, while Thompson joined the Heat in August. NBA.com confirmed Thompson's two-year deal is worth about $11.5 million.

Thompson is clearly happy about the reunion. “So now, to be his teammate is just awesome,” he said in his interview with The Athletic.

Antetokounmpo has also spoken positively about his new surroundings. He described Miami's approach in simple terms: “Communication. Hard work. Competition. Being direct,” he said, explaining Heat Culture to The Athletic. “The expectations that I have for you, make sure you do your job. It's real. It's very real. Guys are playing hard, playing fast in practice. It's real.”

For Antetokounmpo, that environment has brought back a feeling he had been looking for. “It gives me goosebumps. It's almost like being alive again,” he said.

The Heat now have two players who already understand what it takes to win at the highest level, but their connection goes beyond basketball. Thompson remembers what Antetokounmpo did for him when they were opponents. Now, they get to push each other as teammates.

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Satellite Images Show Activity At Iran's Bombed 'Nuclear' Compound

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:29:11 +0000

High-resolution satellite images captured by Vantor Technologies in early September show that Iran has begun an extensive clean-up at the Minzadayi compound.

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"Ask for Forgiveness": Rio Explodes At Jorge Over Ronaldo Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:47:24 +0000

Former England and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand launched a scathing attack on Portugal boss Jorge Jesus, accusing him of mistreating legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo and saying that he must "ask for forgiveness". The Al Nassr star left the national team camp early after a breakdown in communication during the UEFA Nations League, with the 41-year-old's role under Jorge, who was also part of Al Nassr's trophy-winning set-up with Cristiano, coming under question. Tensions reached their peak when Portugal played Norway. Ahead of the match, Cristiano was instructed to warm up with the expectation of featuring later in the contest. However, Jorge eventually decided against bringing him on, leaving the legendary striker frustrated on the bench.

While Jorge claimed that Cristiano was left out for tactical reasons, it only added to the growing rift between the once-close coach-player pair.

Ferdinand, Cristiano's teammate at Manchester United from 2003 to 2009, jumped to the legend's defence, saying on his 'Rio Presents' podcast, as quoted by Goal.com: "Cristiano Ronaldo was put in a very bad situation and was treated in an inappropriate way. He has an enormous history in football. Jorge Jesus did not deal with Ronaldo well and chose to treat him in that way, but I cannot find any explanation for it. This manager thinks he is Alex Ferguson or Pep Guardiola."

"I do not know why he puts himself among the great managers. I cannot find an explanation for it. He should have shown Cristiano Ronaldo the respect he deserved," he added.

Ferdinand argued that the fallout between Cristiano and Jorge was rooted in poor management and a failure to give the superstar a clearly defined role. He said it had created an environment of uncertainty that mirrored previous struggles within the team's dressing room during major tournaments.

"The coach must come and ask for forgiveness... otherwise he will end up being fired. He must come out and say: 'Listen, I misjudged this situation'," he added.

Despite the debate surrounding Cristiano's age and where he fits into the modern game, Ferdinand feels that the veteran still has a lot to offer his country, and the challenge is to find the balance between the player's ego and the team's needs.

"I believe he still has a role to play. The question is whether it will be as a starter, as an important substitute in some games, or even if he will start in some and come on in others. This is what needs to be discussed, and then it will just be a matter of respecting the agreements made. These coaches are paid to manage a team, but they are also paid to manage people," Ferdinand signed off.

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

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Gemini AI Paywall: Google Restricts Free Users To Flash-Lite Model From October 9

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 19:47:44 +0000

Google is reworking which Gemini models are available on each of its plans. Starting October 9, users on the free tier and the AI Plus plan will lose access to some models, while AI Pro subscribers are set to gain a feature that was previously exclusive to the top tier. The company also appears to be working on new reasoning controls for the Gemini app.

What Changes for Free and AI Plus Users

According to an updated Google support document, people without a Google AI subscription will be left with only Flash-Lite from October 9. Flash and Pro will no longer be part of the free plan.

AI Plus, which costs $4.99 (roughly Rs 500) a month, will keep Flash-Lite and Flash but drop the Pro model. Google said affected AI Plus users will get an email telling them when their accounts will switch over.

AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers keep all three models: Flash-Lite, Flash and Pro.

ALSO READ | Gemini 4 Argon: Google Unveils New Frontier AI Model — Prices, Features And Key Things Explained

Why Usage Limits Matter More Now

The changes come after Google started measuring Gemini usage earlier this year based on how much computing power each request requires. This means that heavier requests, such as tricky questions, long back-and-forth chats or the more advanced models, draw down a user's quota more quickly.

Deep Think Arrives on AI Pro

Until now, Deep Think was available only to AI Ultra subscribers. It is now coming to the AI Pro plan, priced at $19.99 (roughly Rs 1,900) a month. AI Ultra users, on either the $99.99 (roughly Rs 9,600) or $199.99 (roughly Rs 19,300) monthly plan, will still have it. Deep Think tackles complex tasks using parallel reasoning and works only with the Pro model.

ALSO READ | Google Photos Gets An AI Boost With Redact Tool, 'Vintage' Moods And Expanded AI Wardrobe

New Thinking Levels May Be On The Way

Gemini could let users pick from Low, Medium and High thinking settings to decide how much effort the chatbot puts into a response. Choosing a higher level could use up more of a user's allowance. Right now, the Gemini app has an Extended Thinking option for harder problems. Google AI Studio and Antigravity already give users comparable controls.

Gemini 4 Argon Testing Continues

Google is also preparing to roll out Gemini 4 Argon more widely. The model is currently being tested by trusted cybersecurity professionals under the company's Fairwind programme. AI Ultra subscribers and paying API customers will get access at a later stage. It's still unclear whether Argon will sit within the Pro tier or in a separate, higher tier.

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Two Airport Baggage Handlers Arrested Over Alleged Theft of $79,000 Patek Philippe Watch In US

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 19:29:29 +0000

When the traveller retrieved his luggage, he noticed that the zippers on both of his locked suitcases had been forced open.

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Abhinav Bindra After Asian Games: "Los Angeles Less Than Two Years Away"

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 18:47:20 +0000

Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra on Sunday congratulated Indian athletes for their Asian Games campaign but called for greater urgency in strengthening the country's high-performance ecosystem with the Los Angeles Olympics less than two years away. India finished at the fourth place on the medal table with 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. "Congratulations to every Indian athlete and to Team India on the Asian Games. A Games campaign is never just the few days we see on television. It is years of early mornings, injuries, doubts, missed occasions and countless hours of work.

"So first and foremost, enormous respect to our athletes and also to their families who live this journey with them and make sacrifices that are rarely seen. To the coaches, support staff, federations, SAI, the Government and everyone working behind the scenes, THANK YOU !," Bindra wrote on 'X'.

"There have been some terrific breakthrough performances at these Games. Young athletes have announced themselves, others have stepped up to a new level and there have been moments that give us a lot to be excited about."

Congratulations to every Indian athlete and to Team India on the Asian Games. A Games campaign is never just the few days we see on television. It is years of early mornings, injuries, doubts, missed occasions and countless hours of work. So first and foremost, enormous respect to our athletes and also to their families who live this journey with them and make sacrifices that are rarely seen. To the coaches, support staff, federations, SAI, the Government and everyone working behind the scenes, THANK YOU ! There have been some terrific breakthrough performances at these Games. Young athletes have announced themselves, others have stepped up to a new level and there have been moments that give us a lot to be excited about. There have also been disappointments. That is sport and every Games will have them. What matters now is how honestly we learn from them. High performance cannot only be about reacting when an athlete is close to a medal. We have to keep building systems that understand the athlete over several years. Systems that spot gaps early, use science and data intelligently, get coaching and competition planning right, manage training load and recovery, reduce preventable injuries and build athletes who are physically and mentally resilient when the pressure is greatest. Most importantly, the right expertise has to reach the athlete at the right stage of their career, not when it is already too late. LA is less than two years away. In Olympic sport that is not a long time. The athletes who will stand on the podium there are already deep into their preparation today. So this is the moment to celebrate what went well, be honest about what did not and get back to work with urgency and purpose. Congratulations again to our athletes and to everyone who stood behind them. Be proud of what has been achieved. Learn from these Games and keep moving forward. Wishing Team India everything good on the road to LA.
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) October 4, 2026

India's medal tally was 21 medals and seven golds fewer than the 106-medal haul, achieved in the last edition at Hangzhou, China.

China topped the table for the 12th consecutive edition, finishing with 169 gold, 89 silver and 83 bronze for a total of 341 medals, its best haul at an overseas Asian Games. Host Japan ended second with 269 medals (83 gold, 95 silver and 91 bronze), followed by South Korea with 39 gold, 43 silver and 68 bronze.

"There have also been disappointments. That is sport and every Games will have them. What matters now is how honestly we learn from them. High performance cannot only be about reacting when an athlete is close to a medal. We have to keep building systems that understand the athlete over several years," he said.

"Systems that spot gaps early, use science and data intelligently, get coaching and competition planning right, manage training load and recovery, reduce preventable injuries and build athletes who are physically and mentally resilient when the pressure is greatest. Most importantly, the right expertise has to reach the athlete at the right stage of their career, not when it is already too late."

Looking ahead to the Los Angeles Olympics, Bindra said the next phase of preparation needs to begin with urgency.

"LA is less than two years away. In Olympic sport that is not a long time. The athletes who will stand on the podium there are already deep into their preparation today. So this is the moment to celebrate what went well, be honest about what did not and get back to work with urgency and purpose.

"Congratulations again to our athletes and to everyone who stood behind them. Be proud of what has been achieved. Learn from these Games and keep moving forward. Wishing Team India everything good on the road to LA."

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

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