Major Conspiracy Foiled in Amritsar: Two Foreign Handlers Arrested with Hand Grenades
Chandigarh, June 9: The Amritsar rural police, in collaboration with a central agency, successfully arrested two individuals linked to cross-border handlers in a joint operation. Two hand grenades were seized from their possession. This information was shared by Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav via the social media platform X. According to the Punjab DGP, initial investigations ... Read more Major Conspiracy Foiled in Amritsar: Two Foreign Handlers Arrested with Hand Grenades
Sanjeev Arora case: ED conducts fresh raids in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh
Sanjeev Arora was arrested by the Central agency last month following day-long searches at his official residence in Chandigarh
I Was Practising With The Red Ball During IPL': Suthar Reveals How He Prepared For Test Debut
Indian Premier League: Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar opened up about the emotions of receiving his debut cap and revealed that when his name came up for one-off Test he started practising with the red ball during the IPL. India added Suthar to the XI for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. Suthar, who played for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 under Indias red-ball skipper Shubman Gills leadership, earned his first cap from senior spinner Kuldeep, becoming India's first specialist spin-bowling Test debutant since Axar Patel made his debut in 2021. Gautam sir and the skipper informed me that I would be making my debut. It was a very proud moment because, ever since I started playing, it had been my dream, my father's dream, and everyone's dream for me to play Test cricket for India. From the very first day I started playing and as I progressed through the ranks, red-ball cricket meant everything to me. It is the pinnacle of the sport. So, whether I was playing U-19 cricket or the Ranji Trophy, the goal was always to play Test cricket for India. Kuldeep bhai's speech while presenting me with the cap was very motivating. Everyone encouraged and motivated me a lot, so it felt really special, Suthar said on JioStar. On his very first international outing for India, Suthar carved a piece of history as India notched their biggest-ever win (by margin of runs in Test history. He claimed 6-33 in Afghanistans first innings to become only the fifth Indian to pick up a fifer on debut. When my name came up in the team, I was practising with the red ball during the IPL as well, thinking about how I would approach things if given the opportunity. After coming here, I had three or four long practice sessions. With bowling, it's not really about how many hours you put in. If you enjoy bowling, you can bowl 20-25 overs without even realising it. So, the key is to keep bowling as much as you can, revealed. While revealing his bowling plans on the New Chandigarh surface, the 23-year-old spinner said his debut wicket will always remain his favourit. When they were bowling, a few deliveries were turning. When I was batting, the odd ball was holding up. So, I felt there might be some assistance for the spinners on that track. As soon as I bowled my first over, the ball was turning, so I tried to bowl my stock ball as much as possible on that wicket. When my name came up in the team, I was practising with the red ball during the IPL as well, thinking about how I would approach things if given the opportunity. After coming here, I had three or four long practice sessions. With bowling, it's not really about how many hours you put in. If you enjoy bowling, you can bowl 20-25 overs without even realising it. So, the key is to keep bowling as much as you can, revealed. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I didn't want to get carried away, but my focus was on consistently putting the ball in the right area. Since the beginning, I have focused on spot-bowling, and whatever consistency I have today is because of that. My favourite wicket was obviously the first one, my debut wicket. It will always remain my favourite. There was a good battle going on, so my focus was simply to keep bowling consistently in the same area,' he said. Article Source: IANS
'ED targeting Hindu traders': Arvind Kejriwal attacks Centre over Punjab raids
Enforcement Directorate officials conducted raids at the Jalandhar residence and office of businessman Amit Bajaj, reportedly close to the Aam Aadmi Party. In response, AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, framed the action as harassment of 'Hindu traders' in Punjab, urging them not to panic and pledging government support against the central agency.
Approach in policies, schemes, should focus on transforming life of last person in society: Om Birla
CHANDIGARH, Jun 8 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday emphasised that for the resolve of a Viksit Bharat, our approach in policies, schemes, programmes and budget provisions should focus on transforming the life of the last person in society. Stressing a meaningful and a positive discussion in legislative assemblies, Birla noted that there should be a contribution of each section of the society towards realizing the resolve of a developed nation, calling it as a national pledge. When [] The post Approach in policies, schemes, should focus on transforming life of last person in society: Om Birla appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Employees protest lathi charge, burn govt effigy
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Public Participation, Youth Empowerment Key to Achieve Viksit Bharat: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
Staff Reporter / New Delhi/Chandigarh Lok Sabha Speaker Mr Om Birla on Monday called for stronger public participation, responsive governance and citizen-led development to accelerate Indias journey toward becoming a developed nation, stating that the goal of Viksit Bharat is not merely a government programme but a national commitment requiring collective action. Addressing the inaugural []
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Haryana BJP chief interacts with Lakhpati Didis in Mahendragarh
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In 11th chargesheet as part of SC-mandated nationwide probe, CBI names Gurgaon realty group
Punjab Establishes Community Cooling Zones to Combat Heatwave
Chandigarh, June 8: Amid rising temperatures and the increasing threat of heatwaves, several non-governmental organizations, along with social and religious groups, have collaborated to establish a network of community cooling zones and shelters for daily wage workers, travelers, and the general public affected by the extreme heat across Punjab. Initiated by organizations such as Sanjha ... Read more Punjab Establishes Community Cooling Zones to Combat Heatwave
Graham Pybus: Afghanistan head coach Graham Pybus conceded his side's shortcomings after their humiliating innings-and-300-run defeat to India in New Chandigarh, admitting the team looked usty and aive in only their 13th Test match since gaining Test status nearly nine years ago. Just over half an hour into the third session of Monday's play, India sealed their one-off Test victory, bowling Afghanistan out for 152 and 112 following a massive 564/8 declared of their own. It was the second time Afghanistan suffered a big defeat at the hands of India, who previously secured an innings and 262-run win in Bengaluru in 2018. Speaking after the thumping loss, Pybus confessed Afghanistan's inexperience with the longest format of the game poses the biggest obstacle. We were rusty, we showed our naivety, and there's plenty of work to be done, he told reporters after the match. The England-born coach, who took over from Jonathan Trott earlier this year, went on to state that the only way Afghanistan could compete with the more established nations in the game of Test cricket was to play the format on a more regular basis. I think... In the same way that the white ball side has developed, you only develop through fixtures. Since being granted full member status of the ICC, Afghanistan have played 13 Test matches, winning 4, losing 8, and drawing one. He also used the journey of Bangladesh as an example of how a relatively new side to the format could improve if afforded regular opportunities. I was with Pakistan when we played Bangladesh ... The game was over in two-and-a-half days, and that was part of Bangladesh's learning curve, Pybus continued. Now we see that Bangladesh are beating Pakistan. That's the evolution of the game. Fixtures need to be built out. India clearly controlled the match from start to finish, piling on a massive total over the first three days, before the bowlers, led by debutant Manav Suthar and Washington Sundar with their two wickets apiece, routed Afghanistan's batting line-up twice. Now we see that Bangladesh are beating Pakistan. That's the evolution of the game. Fixtures need to be built out. Also Read: Live Cricket Score However, the Afghanistan coach conceded that the fixture had given the side a stark reminder of where the standards need to be to compete at the very top. They've given us a very clear indication... Showing us exactly where we are in terms of our skills, game strategy, and ability to execute. We've got a lot to work on. Article Source: IANS
World Test Championship: India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak hailed debutant Manav Suthar's outstanding performance against Afghanistan, saying the left-arm spinner's rise was a reflection of the strong domestic and developmental structure in Indian cricket. Suthar made a remarkable international debut, taking 7 for 62 and winning the Player of the Match award as India defeated Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test at New Chandigarh. The 22-year-old spinner played a key role in India's strong performance. He helped dismiss Afghanistan for just 152 in the first innings and contributed to another collapse in the follow-on. He also added helpful runs lower down the order, impressing the team management with his overall contribution. Reflecting on Suthar's impressive debut, Kotak noted that the young player's success came from years of development in India's cricketing system. He has been playing for two or three years - India A, India Emerging, and all. It was a great opportunity for him. He bowled really well and also batted effectively, which is very satisfying. Kotak added, The structure of the BCCI is such that players move from age groups to the Ranji Trophy, then to the Emerging team, onto India A, and eventually to the national team. The IPL also provides great exposure for all the players. India scored a huge first-innings total before bowling Afghanistan out quickly, leaving them with the choice to bat again or enforce the follow-on. Despite the hot conditions, India decided to send Afghanistan back in. Kotak explained that this choice was part of preparing the team for future challenges. If they had batted until the second session, then maybe we would have batted again. But since we scored so many runs and they got out for 152, everyone thought that if they got out before lunch, we should try to bowl again. He continued, There will be times when we have to bowl 100 or 120 overs in one innings or across two innings. Its not just about practising batting. We also need to work on bowling longer spells of spin. While Suthar excelled on his debut, Washington Sundar also played a significant all-round role, scoring a half-century in the first innings and taking 4 for 36 in the second. Kotak praised Sundar's maturity and versatility, noting how his time with India A and the senior team has made him a reliable player. Usually, he bats at seven or eight. In the Kolkata Test, due to the pitch conditions and thinking about the left-right batting combination, he batted higher up. But he has been part of the system since India A. He was part of the first series I did in 2019. He is very mature, I believe. In red-ball cricket, he contributed with both bat and ball. He is a very useful player. He has the right temperament. Whether he gets the opportunity to bowl or bat, his work ethic and behaviour stay consistent. There are players who feel disappointed. If you keep working hard for six, seven, or eight years and continue to mature, I believe you will perform, Kotak stated. Although the one-off Test doesn't count towards the World Test Championship standings, Kotak sees it as an important step in India's efforts to address issues revealed during last year's tough tour of South Africa. There are players who feel disappointed. If you keep working hard for six, seven, or eight years and continue to mature, I believe you will perform, Kotak stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In England, our batters did really well against fast bowlers. In the South Africa series, we could have performed better against spin. Many people say our batters struggle against spin; I don't agree with that. Article Source: IANS
Gavaskar Urges India To Move Beyond 'transition' Tag After Record Win Over Afghanistan
Sunil Gavaskar: India great Sunil Gavaskar believes it is time to stop viewing the Indian Test side as a team in transition and instead judge it by the standards expected at the highest level, following India's crushing 300-run innings victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test at New Chandigarh. The win marked India's largest innings victory in Test cricket, highlighting the depth of the squad led by captain Shubman Gill. Debutant spinner Manav Suthar played a key role, and the bowling attack dominated Afghanistan throughout both innings. After the victory, Gavaskar noted that it was time to change the conversation around the team. He suggested shifting away from seeing the team as transitioning and focusing more on performance and accountability. I think we should stop describing this team as being in transition and instead pay attention to the standards expected in Test cricket. Every team faces retirements and changes in personnel, but the focus must stay on performance, Gavaskar told JioStar. Recent Test results reveal that our bigger concern has been batting rather than bowling. The bowlers have generally done their job, but the batters need to show more discipline and stronger technique, especially in tough situations. Sometimes, there's a tendency to adopt a T20 mindset, where patience fades after a few dot balls, leading to poor decisions. Test cricket requires a different approach. Moving forward, India must focus on tightening their batting processes, building longer innings, and staying present rather than viewing every result through the lens of transition. India all-rounder Washington Sundar shared the team's commitment to improving ahead of challenging overseas assignments, starting with a tour of Sri Lanka. We know the challenges ahead, especially with the demanding tour of Sri Lanka coming up, along with other important matches. As a team, we recognise what it will take to succeed in those conditions and perform consistently across formats. Our focus is on keeping India a strong and competitive side, whether in Tests, ODIs, or T20Is. We put in a lot of preparation, planning, and individual improvement, and as a team, we are dedicated to the effort required to succeed. Our goal is to keep raising our standards and ensure India stays at the top in all formats of the game. With the retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja affecting India's spin department, Sundar is expected to take on more responsibility alongside Kuldeep Yadav. Discussing their partnership, Sundar emphasised their understanding of each other's strengths. Kuldeep and I have played a lot of cricket together, so we understand each other's strengths and roles within the team. We support one another and aim to complement each other, especially during crucial moments when managing partnerships and pressure is important. Regardless of who is in the lineup, we focus on doing what is needed to help the team win. As a bowling unit, it's vital to understand our responsibilities, adapt to the match situation, and contribute effectively to the team's success. While India celebrated their win, former England spinner Graeme Swann urged patience with Afghanistan. He pointed out that the visitors' struggles mainly stemmed from a lack of Test experience, not from a lack of talent. Afghanistans performance highlighted challenges stemming from limited exposure to Test cricket, not a lack of talent. The many situations they faced in this match, from decision-making to using DRS and adjusting their batting approach, are lessons that come with experience and regular opportunities at the Test level. In the first innings, they were too defensive against Indias spin attack, while in the second innings, they may have counterattacked too aggressively. The ideal balance is somewhere in between, using positive strategies like footwork, strike rotation, and sweep shots without taking unnecessary risks. Despite the result, there is much talent within Afghanistans squad, and the crucial part will be learning from this experience. Touring India is one of the toughest challenges in Test cricket, and this match should serve as a valuable step in their growth as a Test-playing nation. One of the highlights for India was the debut performance of left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who took seven wickets in the match and played a crucial role in dismantling Afghanistan's batting lineup. Gavaskar praised Suthar's composure but cautioned against setting unrealistic expectations too soon. Manav Suthar has had an incredible start to his Test career, and his seven-wicket haul is certainly impressive. What stood out was his accuracy and temperament during the match. However, we should avoid jumping to conclusions after just one performance. History shows that many bowlers have started strong, but maintaining success at the Test level requires ongoing improvement and adaptation. The conditions in this match favoured spin, and Suthar took full advantage with his disciplined line and length. The next challenge will be to perform well on surfaces that provide less assistance, where hell need to develop more variations to create opportunities. Equally promising was his batting approach. Despite being a debutant, he focused on the team's needs rather than personal achievements, showing he was willing to play positively when the team needed quick runs. The conditions in this match favoured spin, and Suthar took full advantage with his disciplined line and length. The next challenge will be to perform well on surfaces that provide less assistance, where hell need to develop more variations to create opportunities. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the one-off Test complete, attention now shifts to the three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan starting on June 13. Article Source: IANS
India Crush Afghanistan By Innings And 300 Runs For Record Test Victory
India delivered a dominant all-round performance to crush Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test at New Chandigarh on Monday, June 8, recording the biggest innings-margin victory in the team's Test history.
Illegal arms smuggling module busted in Punjab, Afghan national among 4 held
CHANDIGARH, June 8: Punjab Police on Monday said it has busted a cross-border illegal arms smuggling and hawala network with the arrest of four persons, which included an Afghan national. The Amritsar Commissionerate Police also recovered eight sophisticated pistols along with seven live cartridges from them. Preliminary investigation revealed that the four men were allegedly in contact with a foreign-based smuggler who supplied illegal weapon consignments through hidden drop locations, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav in a post on [] The post Illegal arms smuggling module busted in Punjab, Afghan national among 4 held appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
India Secures Historic Test Victory Over Afghanistan by Innings and 300 Runs
New Chandigarh, June 8: India has achieved a monumental victory against Afghanistan in a single Test match held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. The win by an innings and 300 runs marks the largest victory margin for India in Test history by innings. Winning the toss, the Indian team opted to bat ... Read more India Secures Historic Test Victory Over Afghanistan by Innings and 300 Runs
India Dominates Afghanistan by an Innings and 300 Runs in Test Match
New Chandigarh, June 8: India triumphed over Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in a one-off Test match held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Afghanistan struggled in their first innings, collapsing for just 152 runs, which forced them to follow on. The visitors fared even worse in their second innings, managing ... Read more India Dominates Afghanistan by an Innings and 300 Runs in Test Match
Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher's marriage of 41 years began not with romance, but with friendship. They met as students in Chandigarh, with Kirron already a star. Anupam moved to Mumbai, and they remained close friends through life's changes. A turning point came when both faced personal challenges, leading to a new beginning.
Intex Partners Afghanistan Men's Cricket Team as Associate Sponsor for India Tour 2026
s Cricket Team as the Official Associate Sponsor for their multi-format tour of India scheduled from June 6 to June 20, 2026. Intex Partners Afghanistan Men's Cricket Team
Major Arms Smuggling Bust in Punjab: Four Arrested Including Afghan National
Chandigarh, June 8: The Amritsar Commissionerate Police has achieved a significant breakthrough in combating cross-border illegal arms smuggling and hawala networks. Four suspects, including an Afghan national, have been arrested. Authorities seized eight advanced pistols and seven live cartridges from their possession. This information was shared by Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav via a post on ... Read more Major Arms Smuggling Bust in Punjab: Four Arrested Including Afghan National
Next-gen Stars Look To Take Centrestage At Womens T20 World Cup 2026
With Renuka Singh Thakur: Every Women's T20 World Cup has minted new stars. The 2016 edition gave the world an 18-year-old Hayley Matthews, who was named Player of the Match in the final as West Indies lifted the trophy and is now the sides captain in the upcoming competition. The 2018 edition saw young Sophie Ecclestone tying batters in knots as England reached the final in the West Indies. The 2020 edition saw young Shafali Verma take the world by storm through her explosive power-hitting in Australia. For the upcoming 12-team competition, to be held in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, it will be no different. IANS looks at the five players who have it in them to shine at the 2026 Womens T20 World Cup. Nandni Sharma (India) Indias search for a reliable fast-bowling option may have found its answer in Chandigarh-based Nandni. She made her T20I debut against England in Chelmsford last month with figures of 3-34, as India got a nice victory. Before this, Nandni shot into limelight by picking 17 wickets in ten matches for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026, including a hat-trick and a five-for. With Renuka Singh Thakur yet to play on tour of England and Amanjot Kaur plus Kashvee Gautam unavailable due to injuries, Nandnis pace, accuracy and variation, especially of it being effective in the slog overs, has arrived at the right time to boost Indias campaign. Georgia Voll (Australia) Australias batting depth has long been the envy of the womens game, and Georgia has surged to the front of that queue. An ODI century in only her second appearance against India in 2024 announced her arrival at the international stage. A repeat hundred against the same opponents in early 2026 confirmed her credentials to be a consistent run-scorer for Australia. A blistering 101 off 53 balls against the West Indies in March elevated her to the top of the ICC Womens T20I batting rankings. In 12 matches, Georgia has amassed 474 runs while averaging 39.50 with a strike-rate of 156.43. With an appetite for scoring on big occasions, Georgia enters her maiden T20 World Cup as one of the most dangerous young batters in the draw. Kayla Reyneke (South Africa) The batting all-rounder has wasted little time in making an instant impression at the international level ahead of her first Womens T20 World Cup. She previously captained South Africa to the Under 19 Womens Cricket World Cup final in 2025 and made herself known as the next star of the game. In the first half of 2026, Kayla has collected two Player of the Match awards in her first three senior outings. She has so far proved that ice runs in her veins - on her T20I debut, Kayla scored an unbeaten 29 off 16 balls, including hitting the winning six against Pakistan. She replicated that performance on her ODI debut against New Zealand, hitting two sixes in the last over of the game to help the Proteas get an unlikely win. Tilly Corteen-Coleman (England) The 18yearold leftarm spinner has quickly established herself among Englands most promising bowlers. With her picking a two-wicket haul on ODI debut against New Zealand, Tilly will be a player to watch out for in the World Cup. Having debuted for Kent in 2024, Tilly rose through the domestic ranks with South East Stars before producing a headlinegrabbing spell in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, where she claimed four wickets in four balls. Her reputation was further enhanced at the ICC Womens Under19 T20 World Cup in 2025, delivering a matchwinning 4-8 against New Zealand in the Super Six stage. Darcey Carter (Scotland) Having debuted for Kent in 2024, Tilly rose through the domestic ranks with South East Stars before producing a headlinegrabbing spell in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, where she claimed four wickets in four balls. Her reputation was further enhanced at the ICC Womens Under19 T20 World Cup in 2025, delivering a matchwinning 4-8 against New Zealand in the Super Six stage. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the stakes high, Darcey produced her best innings of the campaign under pressure. Still only 20 and having played international debut for three years, Darcey is already sitting at third spot on Scotlands alltime womens T20I runscoring list, which is a measure of her rapid rise in the national setup. Article Source: IANS
Batting Heavy India Seek T20 WC Silverware Despite Inexperience In Bowling (SWOT Analysis)
With Renuka Singh Thakur: India will enter the tenth edition of the Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales on the back of winning the 50-over World Cup on home soil last year. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side has a batting lineup capable of frightening any opponent, yet the bowling attack is still relatively inexperienced to excel in English conditions. Indias best finish in the Womens T20 World Cup came in 2020 when they became runners-up after losing to Australia in the final at Melbourne Cricket Ground. With the side set to open their Group 1 campaign against Pakistan on June 14 and followed by taking on Bangladesh, Netherlands, South Africa and Australia, IANS takes a look at the Indian team through an in-depth SWOT analysis. Strengths: The batting is where India genuinely stands apart from other 11 teams. Since the last Women's T20 World Cup in 2024, their top order possesses the second-highest team average in the world (30.1) and run rate (8.8), which is behind only six-time winners Australia. At the top, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have been nothing short of devastating. Their opening partnership has yielded 762 runs in that period, with a strike rate of 150, more than any other pair in women's T20Is. Smritis record in England specifically warrants attention. Among batters with 500 or more runs in women's T20Is in England, nobody averages higher than her 38.3. Despite her making 40 runs in the recent 2-1 T20I series loss in England, India will count on Smriti to get big runs at the top in the World Cup. Shafali, meanwhile, brings something different raw power coupled with immense maturity. Her strike rate of 157 during the powerplay since the 2024 World Cup is the highest among any batter who has faced a significant volume of balls, and she has somehow been even more destructive in the middle overs, striking at 164. She has hit 16 sixes in this period, joint-second in the world alongside Smriti, Sophie Devine and Sobhana Mostary. One will hope that Shafali will finally hit her first T20 World Cup fifty in England, as her explosive power-game separates her from a lot of batters in T20Is. The spin bowling department is also another strength point of India, especially if hot conditions are on offer on match days. Post the 2024 edition, the Indian spin bowling unit has the second-best balls per wicket rate (17.9) after Australia, while picking 84 wickets in 24 innings at an economy rate of 7.6. Sree Charani, who debuted in T20is in England last year and took ten wickets in that series to win Player of the Series award, will hold the key again alongside Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav. Deepti Sharma, the all-time leading wicket-taker in women's T20Is with 161 scalps, provides the experience that holds the Indian team together despite a slight recent mixed time in the format. Weaknesses: The pace bowling department remains a persistent source of anxiety, especially with no Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam due to back and knee injuries respectively. With Renuka Singh Thakur not featuring in Indias 2-1 series loss to England due to unknown reasons, it has meant that the side are well short of depth in fast bowling pool. Moreover, not all bowlers in the Indian team have considerable experience of bowling in English conditions, which means theres inexperience aplenty and thats something which opposition batters will look to exploit. In the powerplay, when conditions in England may offer the most help, India have been the most expensive attack in - conceding at eight runs per over, and they take a wicket only once every 28 balls - again the worst figure among the top teams. For a side that relies heavily on spinners to do the choking and wicket-taking job, the pacers giving away runs could prove to be costly. There is also the matter of India not settling its middle order Yastika Bhatia did well on return to the T20I team after two years at number three, a place held by Jemimah Rodrigues for a long time. But her tendency to suffer a slowdown after power-play means the pressure comes more on batters coming after her to do the bulk of the scoring. The point of concern for India is also their finishing department Richa Ghosh hasnt fired yet while Bharti Fulmali, who was brought into the Indian team for the second finisher role, has not got a consistent run and when she has come in, hasnt looked in prime touch. Opportunities: A year ago, India lifted the 50-over World Cup on home soil and sent the nation into the joy of breaking the drought of a senior womens cricket silverware. Now, going all the way to the T20 World Cup title will help India become the third side to clinch back-to-back silverwares after Australia and England. Momentum has been on Indias side until at least April's 4-1 defeat to South Africa and 2-1 loss to England. But India can take heart from their ability to switch on and perform well when it matters the most. Since the 2024 Womens World Cup, India have a win percentage of nearly 62 percent something which suggests a team moving in the right direction, even if the last few weeks have introduced doubts in the mind of its ardent supporters. The WPL has handed Harmanpreet two players who could change the complexion of close matches. Bharti is the power-hitter India's lower order has been eyeing on. Her role is straightforward - to go after bowling alongside Richa and give the innings a good finishing flourish. Meanwhile, Nandni Sharma arrives with even more fanfare. The Chandigarh-based pacer is the joint-leading wicket-taker in this year's WPL with 17 scalps from ten outings, she walked into her T20I debut against England last month and took 3-34. For a bowling attack searching for variety, Nandni is a timely arrival. Threats: The mixed recent form of India has meant that theres a feeling of the script from 2024 edition possibly repeating in 2026. In the UAE in 2024, India entered the competition with high expectations but unravelled after a heavy opening defeat to New Zealand in Dubai. Meanwhile, Nandni Sharma arrives with even more fanfare. The Chandigarh-based pacer is the joint-leading wicket-taker in this year's WPL with 17 scalps from ten outings, she walked into her T20I debut against England last month and took 3-34. For a bowling attack searching for variety, Nandni is a timely arrival. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For India to enter the semi-finals, it has to upstage South Africa and Australia in Group 1. The Proteas have been dominant, while Australia, entering without the pressure of a silverware defence, are dangerous to deal with in major competitions. India have been here before - good enough to go deep, unable to go all the way. Whether that is enough remains the only question that matters. Article Source: IANS
Magic of Spin: Manav Suthar Shines on Test Debut with Record-Breaking Spell
Chandigarh, June 8: The only Test match between India and Afghanistan is currently taking place at the Maharaja Yadavendra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Afghanistan was bowled out for just 152 runs in their first innings, thanks to the remarkable spin bowling of Manav Suthar, who claimed 6 wickets. In a stunning 22-over spell, Manav conceded ... Read more Magic of Spin: Manav Suthar Shines on Test Debut with Record-Breaking Spell
Chandigarh University holds 8th CU Online Annual Convocation; 363 Students Degrees Awarded
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Indian Air Force Successfully Airlifts Five Individuals from Ladakh, Including Three Soldiers
New Delhi, June 8: The Indian Air Force has successfully executed a critical medical emergency operation. During this mission, five seriously ill patients were airlifted from the challenging mountainous terrain of Ladakh to Chandigarh. Among those rescued were three soldiers from the Indian Army. Despite difficult geographical conditions and adverse weather, the Air Force ensured ... Read more Indian Air Force Successfully Airlifts Five Individuals from Ladakh, Including Three Soldiers
One-off Test: Suthar Will Be A Match-winner In This Format, Believes Sundar
New Chandigarh: India all-rounder Washington Sundar believes debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar has all the abilities to become a match-winner in Test cricket after the youngster impressed on the second day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the PCA Stadium. Suthar enjoyed a memorable start to his Test career on Sunday, picking up 3-21 in 15.5 overs as India reduced Afghanistan to 113/5 after declaring their first innings at 564/8. Speaking before the start of play on Monday, Sundar said Suthar's impact did not come as a surprise to those within the Indian setup. I mean, we all know what he could actually bring into the table, especially in this format. And we've all seen him win games for all the teams that we've played, especially in this format. I guess it was just about time and it was going to come, Sundar told the broadcasters. The 25-year-old Rajasthan spinner struck on the fourth ball of his Test career, dismissing Abdul Malik before adding the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Afsar Zazai to put Afghanistan under immense pressure. Sundar backed Suthar to make an even bigger impact for India in the years to come. And especially the way he turned up and bowled on his day one was amazing. And obviously, we could expect a lot more from him. And eventually, he will be a match winner for us, especially in this format, he added. Asked what stands out most about Suthar as a bowler, Sundar pointed to the effort and intensity he puts behind every delivery. I think the amount of body that goes into every single delivery of his is fabulous to watch. And I think that's something which is quite evident for all of us to see. And it's amazing to watch for all of us, I'd say, he said when asked which attribute of Suthar had impressed him the most. While Suthar shone with the ball, Sundar himself made a valuable contribution with the bat. The all-rounder remained unbeaten on 52, helping India stretch their advantage after centuries from captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, while Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant also made significant contributions. Sundar, however, said his focus remains on fulfilling whatever role the team requires rather than settling into a particular batting position. Honestly, it's not like that for me. For me, whatever the team demands and wherever I need to play so that obviously the team benefits and we win a lot of games, that's more important to me. And that's what I've been looking to do also. Try and understand situations, obviously conditions in different test matches that we play and play the role that I need to play in that situation in that game, he stated. Sundar, however, said his focus remains on fulfilling whatever role the team requires rather than settling into a particular batting position. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I'd say there was a lot of preparation that needed to be done mentally also. And once that mental shift happened, it's all about just execution and playing some quantity of balls and prep also. So, I think all of it panned out really well just before the test match and I'm really happy with the way it went for all of us, Sundar mentioned. Article Source: IANS
Delhi Assembly Speaker to attend CPA India Region Zone-II meeting in Chandigarh
The conference, themed Role of Aware Society and Legislators in Realising Future Challenges and the Goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, is scheduled to take place from June 89 at the Haryana Legislative Assembly, said the official
Delhi Assembly Speaker to Address CPA Conference in Chandigarh
New Delhi, June 8: Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta will address the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-2 North Zone conference in Chandigarh on Monday. According to an official, the conference, themed The Role of an Aware Society and Public Representatives: Future Challenges and Realizing the Developed India 2047 Goal, will take place on ... Read more Delhi Assembly Speaker to Address CPA Conference in Chandigarh
The Untold Story of Team India Spin Coach Sairaj Bahutule
With the Test against Afghanistan at New Chandigarh, former India player Sairaj Bahutule began his new innings with Team India, this time not as a player but as India's new spin-bowling coach. India has never lacked for big-name spinners, and compared to them, former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule was neither as prominent nor as well-known. The truth is that his name may not be popular with Gen Z as he was not in the news in recent years for some controversy or some juicy stories. He has consistently been involved in cricket and not only coached the IPL sides (this season Punjab Kings), but also previously served in the India Under-19, India A and domestic sides. Bahutule himself played two Tests and eight ODIs, taking five international wickets. Clearly, he wasn't very successful in international cricket and accordingly didnt get many opportunities. However, in a first-class career spanning nearly two decades, he took 630 wickets, scored over 6,000 runs, and took 197 wickets in List A cricket. He played in six Ranji Trophy finals (all for Mumbai), winning all of them. The most talked-about of these was the 2003-04 final, in which he scored 92 runs, lower down the order. Currently around 53, Bahutule's resume as a coach is comparatively much better. He retired from cricket and served as head coach of Vidarbha, Kerala, Gujarat, and Bengal. In the IPL, he was spin-bowling coach for Rajasthan Royals and then Punjab Kings. He was also associated with the BCCI and coached at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru from 2021 to 2024. He was the bowling coach for the Indian team that won the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2022 and was part of the support staff for the 2024 edition of the event also. He has also worked as a specialist bowling coach on several other assignments. In India, there aren't many coaches with such an active resume. Well, now he's got his biggest promotion, and what could be a bigger responsibility than joining Team India's support staff? This role with Team India will open the doors of international assignments for him. With the opportunity to play international cricket drying, Bahutule intended to remain involved with the game as a coach. Thats why while still playing cricket, when an opportunity came to coach the Vidarbha side, he grabbed it with both hands and announced his retirement. He became only the 9th bowler to take 400 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. Despite all this, Bahutule is disappointed that he never played in the IPL. He played List A cricket until 2010, T20 cricket until 2011, and first-class cricket until 2013, but franchises focused more on his age than his skill. Especially in the first two seasons of the IPL, he was one of the most successful spinners in India. Bhuutule holds a unique record that often goes unnoticed when his name is mentioned. He holds the India record for missing the most matches during his One Day International career. He played seven ODI between December 1997 and January 1998 but returned to Team India in November 2003 to play another one. During that period, Team India had played 196 consecutive ODI in which he was not part of the team. He failed to make a significant impact upon his return and was sidelined thereafter. In Indian cricket, the most discussed story of a cricketers recovery from a traumatic car accident gets connected with Rishabh Pant. The story of Sairaj Bahutules accident was no less tragic. In July 1990, the car accident of Vivek Singh, son of famous singers Jagjit and Chitra Singh, in which he died was in the headlines. Sairaj Bahutule, his close friend, was also with him in the car and was lucky to survive. He broke my femur, and had a major fracture on his right leg, and needed to have a steel rod inserted in the leg. He also slipped into a coma, and it was very, very tough. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The medical aid and familys support helped him, particularly his fathers support, who himself was a Ranji cricketer. His father Vasant, who played for Maharashtra, kept on motivating him to get back to playing cricket. The steel rod was removed a year after the accident and very soon he started playing for the senior Mumbai team as well as got picked for the India Under-19 squad against New Zealand.
Hit by truck, picked up, then driven around until death: Chilling twist in Haryana hit-and-run
A distressing hit-and-run case in Pinjore has sparked a wave of anger among locals. Reports indicate that a security guard was struck by a pickup truck, only to be driven around by the occupants for an excruciating 90 minutes before being left by the roadside after he tragically died.
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