IPL 2025: Starc Hails 'calm' And 'fantastic' Captain Axar Patel After DC Win

Lucknow Super Giants: Australia and Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Mitchell Starc has lauded captain Axar Patel for his calmness following a thrilling one-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their IPL 2025 opener in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Starc returned with the figures of 3-42 in his four-over spell to restrict LSG to 209/8 despite power-hitting flex by Mitchell Marsh (36-ball 72) and Nicholas Pooran (30-ball 70). In reply, Delhi had a wobbly start and went on to lose wickets at regular intervals, but Ashutosh Sharma's blitz proved crucial to take the side over the line with an unbeaten knock of 66 in 31 balls laced with five sixes and as many fours. He was also named the Player of the Match. Axar also contributed with a cameo knock of 22 off 11 balls, while Tristan Stubbs contributed a crucial 34 before debutant Vipraj Nigam (39 off 15 balls) stitched a crucial stand in the pressure situation. He's been pretty calm. This is the first time I've shared a dressing room with him. Having seen him from the other side of the field, it's impressive how he has developed into such a dominant all-rounder in international cricket today. Even the intent he showed with the bat tonight played a crucial role in getting us on our way. Hes been fantastic, Starc said on JioHotstar. Of course, we also have Faf Du Plessis, who has captained extensively in both international and franchise cricket. I think we have a great mix of senior players - experienced leaders like Faf and Tristan Stubbs, who have been with this team for a while. Theres a wealth of knowledge within the group. And with Axar, his cool, calm, and collected approach to the game is evident. Hopefully, that rubs off on the rest of the team. Chases like tonight - where we dig deep and get over the line - will only strengthen us moving forward, he added. Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar feels that LSG captain Rishabh Pant will deliver an improved performance in the coming matches after getting out on a six-ball duck in his first match for the new franchise. I think he knows. He actually mentioned in the post-match interview that you often learn more from your mistakes than from your successes. When you bat well, theres not much to reflect upon, but when you dont perform with the bat or ball, you understand the areas that need improvement, he said. Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar feels that LSG captain Rishabh Pant will deliver an improved performance in the coming matches after getting out on a six-ball duck in his first match for the new franchise. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

The Rise of Franchise Cricket Leagues Like IPL and Their Global Impact

Franchise cricket leagues, led by the revolutionary Indian Premier League (IPL), are transforming the landscape of cricket. These leagues have taken the traditional structure of cricket and turned it into a high-energy, entertainment-driven spectacle. But beyond the boundaries and sixes, the IPL and similar leagues have also created ripples across various industries, from sports management [] The post The Rise of Franchise Cricket Leagues Like IPL and Their Global Impact appeared first on Caught At Point .

Karur Vysya Bank Shares Rise To Over One-Month High As Axis Capital Initiates 'Buy'

Karur Vysya Bank's strong deposit franchise has allowed it to lower the cost of funds and price risks more effectively than its peers, according to Axis Capital.

Doctors stress greater awareness for hereditary angioedema

BHUBANESWAR : Hereditary angioedema is a rare genetic disorder which can affect several members of the family, said experts at a CME organised at SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack. Addressing students and faculty of various departments, professor of clinical immunology and rheumatology Dr Bidyut Das said hereditary angioedema usually starts in childhood and goes undiagnosed because of poor awareness among patients and doctors alike. Recently the doctors in the department were able to diagnose this rare condition in six members of a family. The severity of the disease can be understood by the fact that three members of the family had died without the disease being recognised. The disease is characterised by episodic swelling of the face, lips, limbs, larynx or the gastrointestinal tract. Laryngeal edema can sometimes be life threatening, said Dr Ankur Jindal from the department of Paediatrics, PGI Chandigarh. Organising secretary of the CME, assistant professor Manoj Kumar Parida presented the data about patients diagnosed at SCB MCH. Several families were screened for hereditary angioedema. The rheumatology unit is planning to establish SCB as a referral centre for Odisha and a Centre of Excellence for this rare condition so that many precious lives can be saved by timely diagnosis and management, said Dr Das. Former DMET Dr Prasanna Das, superintendent SVPPGI, Cuttack Dr Pravakar Mishra and paediatric rheumatologist from Ranchi Dr Neha Singh also spoke among others.

Learn from south producers how to make cinema with love: Sunny Deol to Hindi filmmakers

Mumbai, March 24: Bollywood superstar Sunny Deol, who will next be seen in Jaat, on Monday said producers up north should take lessons from their southern counterparts on how to make cinema with love. Deol-starrer Jaat is produced by Hyderabad-based Mythri Movie Makers, best known for the superhit Pushpa franchise starring Allu Arjun. Set to []

Yellow fever grips Chepauk

THE vendors had appeared on Wallajah Road in the third week of March. Cheap replica jerseys of Chennai Super Kings famous canary yellow were either hung from trees or folded and kept on the pavement, on both sides of the road connecting Marina Beach to Anna Salai. Triplicanes bustling roads danced and shimmered as an already harsh summer sun made its presence felt. All of the above, tell-tale signs that the city was primed to welcome their favourite sports team into their favourite sporting cathedral, the MA Chidambaram Stadium. On Sunday, as CSK hosted their inaugural game of the 18th edition of the IPL, a sea of humanity, most of them sporting knockoff Dhoni 7 replicas, made their way past the rickety turnstiles. The beginning of the two-month pilgrimage for some of the fans had begun in an earnest fashion. As soon as the stadium gates opened a good three hours before 7.30 pm, the scheduled start time, the paying public entered. They could afford to be late for subsequent games but not the season-opener. Plus, the promised appetiser a concert by Anirudh Ravichander was too good to miss. A sea of yellow After the musician played some of his greatest hits with Leos Badass a particular highlight it was time for the entree. And it didnt disappoint. From start to finish, the capacity crowd, a circular Yellow Wall who have made the stadium an intimidating place over the last decade, got their moneys worth. The tifosi had even unfurled a tifo for Dhoni. They not only got to witness R Ashwins homecoming but Noor Ahmads, one of the franchises big-money recruits in the off season, four-fer. The best, though, was saved for last. As is customary these days, the crowd started cheering for Dhoni when the pair of Ravindra Jadeja and Rachin Ravindra were involved in a crucial stand. After the former got out, Dhoni came out to rapturous applause. The stadium DJ predictably played one old Vijaykanth number Nee Pottu Vechcha Thanga Kodam to welcome the stalwart to the middle. This song has captured the heart of many in the state following the way it was used as a backdrop in Lubber Pandhu, a relationship drama with cricket playing a prominent role. Anirudh Ravichander gave a performance When Dhoni came out to bat, all sense of jeopardy in the game had evaporated. So, the crowd were on the feat to cheer for one of their favourite adopted sons. Its difficult to soak it in when youre in the moment, because youre simply focused on winning the game for the team, Ravindra said when asked about whether he had time to soak in the reaction of the crowd as Dhoni came out to bat. Its hard to ignore, though. You hear Dhoni come out with the whistles and the noise. Its cool to share the crease with him for the first time. Hes a legend of the game, and people love him here. So its special. All the crowd would have been hoping that I gave him (the strike) and he finished it. But its just about getting the job done. He has finished so many games to CSK, and Im sure theres plenty more to come. Thats what the people of Chennai would hope as well.

After going unsold in IPL 2025 mega auction, David Warner to lead THIS franchise in PSL 2025

Warner did not receive any bids in the Indian Premier League 2025 auction. Instead, he will be joining the upcoming season 10 of the Pakistan Super League.

Rahul-Athiya blessed with a baby girl!

Rahul had not yet joined his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals for the impending birth of his child.

Delhi Capitals elect to field against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL

Visakhapatnam: Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and opted to field against Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League match here on Monday. KL Rahul is unavailable for the opening game of his new franchise Delhi Capitals as he is expecting the birth of his first child. At the time of writing, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

From Malappuram, football country, to a starry IPL night in Chennai the Vignesh Puthur story

CHENNAI: The nature of the Indian Premier League (IPL) doesn't lend itself well to the primacy of scouts. Because of the absence of transfer fees and presence of auctions, teams may, at some point in time, be forced to release players they shaped and built in their own image. Some franchises, though, have continued to unearth and develop players despite the talent drain. Mumbai Indians have a penchant for doing this. Over the last 14 years or so, they have scouted and onboarded the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, three World Cup-winners and India regulars across formats. There have been other, more recent success stories. Nehal Wadhera is one name that readily comes to mind. In 2025, that honour belongs to Vignesh Puthur, the Malappuram-born Kerala left-arm wrist-spinner who hadn't played a senior game for the State. Yet, less than an hour after Noor Ahmad's dazzling spell, Puthur tried his best to keep his team in the game. And, for a period of time, he did just that by accounting for Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda across 12 balls. Like most left-arm wrist-spinners the rarest primary skill because there are very few practitioners of this art form in the game there is a mystery element attached to him. It's what attracted Mumbai when he trialled with him before the mega auctions last year. I think the uniqueness, said bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey. I think in this format, you need to be a little bit different. You see all the Chinaman bowlers Kuldeep prior to this has done well. So I think the idea of how we use him in terms of the potential that he has. Because he was inexperienced not really a problem because every year the league does tend to throw up performances from greenhorns Mumbai wanted him to bring him upto speed. And fast. So they put the 23-year-old, who had initially caught the eye while playing for Alleppey Ripples in the first season of the Kerala Premier League, on a flight to be a net bowler for their sister concern, MI Cape Town. He spent more than a month bowling to the likes of Ryan Rickelton as well as shadowing the likes of Rashid Khan. IPL 2025: Spinners to the fore for and at Chennai If that was part one of the plan, the second one was rather more fundamental. Would he make an impression on the likes of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in pre-season? The answer was yes. I think when Rohit, Surya and Tilak (Varma)... when all these guys batted against him, they felt it wasn't easy, Mhambrey, former India bowling coach, said. It was why they decided to give him an IPL debut at Chennai. Never easy, first game against CSK. But purely the way he responded, hats off. I think he got us in the game. Very happy about his performance. After coming in as an Impact player in the second innings, he was pressed into service to defend what looked like a lost cause. With two well-set batters Rachin Ravindra and Gaikwad at the crease, it seemed like a case of giving the 24-year-old some experience with next to no pressure. Five balls later, he had removed the hosts' skipper. The ball was in the slot to be pumped downtown, an option Gaikwad accepted. But he holed out just inside the boundary at long off. Dube perished in similar fashion, a boundary rider accepting the offering. Both of those balls were there in the slot but Puthur, son of an autorickshaw driver, will say you stand a chance of winning the lottery only when you buy the ticket. He bought a ticket. These are very early days in his career but his journey from Malappuram very much football country and a cricketing backwater to Mumbai is just getting started. What was his initial few days like in the dressing room? He's a sweet kid. He's a lovely kid to have in the team. He's more like a sponge right now, just absorbing everything, looking around, having conversations. You have heroes, you see them playing on TV, and all of a sudden, you are sharing the dressing room with them, sitting next to someone like Rohit. It's a dream come true for a lot of these guys, right? His technical attributes also checkout, according to Mhambrey. He spins the ball pretty consistently. Lands the ball on pretty much what we wanted. Is pretty accurate... I think those are the tick marks that we look into but not only that. But it's just the fact that he is different. Spins the ball, has a googly. That kind of stuff. So you know he will be able to trouble quality batters with the skills that he has. Just after he took the field to replace Rohit, one visit to the official MI website gave a small insight into how highly they rate him. Kerala's sensation is the latest in Mumbai Indians' long list of unearthing the unknown, it read in the 'About' section of his page. Well, he isn't staying unknown for long. A few more Sunday nights under the IPL lights and he will become a 'household name' just like the website says.

Unsold in IPL 2025, David Warner set to lead this team in PSL

David Warner has been named captain of Karachi Kings for PSL Season 10, succeeding Shan Masood. Warner's extensive experience and impressive T20 record make him a fitting choice. The franchise hopes his leadership will inspire a successful campaign. Warner's selection came after he went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, and the team owner expressed excitement over his inclusion.

IPL 2025, DC vs LSG: Delhi Capitals win toss, elect to field against Lucknow Super Giants

KL Rahul is unavailable for the opening game of his new franchise Delhi Capitals as he is expecting the birth of his first child.

IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals win toss, elect to field against Lucknow Super Giants

Visakhapatnam: Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and opted to field against Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League match here Monday. KL Rahul is unavailable for the opening game of his new franchise Delhi Capitals as he is expecting the birth of his first child. The Teams: Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel []

PSL: Karachi Kings Appoint David Warner As Captain For 2025 Season

Pakistan Super League: Former Australia opener David Warner has been appointed as Karachi Kings captain for the 2025 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), commencing on April 11. This will be Warner's maiden appearance in the PSL after becoming the first pick of Karachi Kings in the Players Draft 2025 held at the iconic Hazuri Bagh in Lahore on January 13, underscoring the franchises confidence in his abilities. Warner was acquired by Karachi Kings for a record-breaking USD 3,00,000, making him the most expensive signing in PSL history. The dynamic left-handed batsman, renowned for his aggressive leadership and match-winning prowess, will spearhead the franchises campaign in the highly anticipated season, the franchise said in a release on Monday. Warner, a World Cup-winning veteran and one of the most explosive openers in T20 cricket brings a wealth of experience to the role. With over a decade of leadership in global leagues, including the Big Bash League (BBL) and Indian Premier League (IPL), Warner is poised to inspire a fresh chapter for the Kings, it added. Warner will replace Shan Masood in the leadership role. Karachi Kings finished fifth in the six-team competition last year with only four wins in 10 matches. They have won the PSL title once in the 2020 season. We are thrilled to welcome David Warner to the Karachi Kings family as our new captain. His track record as a leader and match-winner aligns perfectly with our vision for HBL PSL 10. At the same time, we extend our deepest appreciation to Shan Masood for his exceptional contributions last season. His efforts were pivotal in building a strong foundation, and we look forward to his continued role as a key player in the squad, said Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal. Warner will replace Shan Masood in the leadership role. Karachi Kings finished fifth in the six-team competition last year with only four wins in 10 matches. They have won the PSL title once in the 2020 season. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Jharkhand to conduct caste census in next financial year: Minister Deepak Birua

RANCHI: Transport, Revenue, and Land Reforms Minister Deepak Birua confirmed that the state government plans to conduct a caste-based survey in the next financial year. Birua was responding to a question raised by Congress MLA Pradip Yadav during the ongoing Budget session of the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday. With this, Jharkhand will be the third State in the country to conduct caste census after Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. Birua Assured that the Personnel department has been appointed as the nodal agency for the survey. Birua emphasized the governments commitment to the survey, revealing that the decision was made in February of the previous year. The Minister also stated that efforts would be made to carry out the survey during the upcoming fiscal year, following a similar approach used in Telangana and Bihar, further adding that the Personnel department had issued a notice on March 4 to hire an agency that would assess the required workforce, task levels, and financial aspects of the exercise. Birua also mentioned that he had been in discussions with several agencies, though the process would take some time. With only a few days left in the current financial year, the minister assured that the survey would be conducted promptly in the next fiscal year. Meanwhile, MLA Pradip Yadav also requested the government to include a Sarna religious code in the survey to account for the population of Sarna followers. Notably, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the then Chief Minister Champai Soren had given his approval for the caste census in Jharkhand. After the caste census was conducted in Bihar, many parties started demanding the same in Jharkhand. Notably, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also promised caste census during his Nyay Yatra in Jharkhand. The previous government led by former CM Hemant Soren also wanted to conduct a caste census in the State, but it could not make a decision that which department would do the census. As per the rule book, the census is allotted to the Land and Revenue and Land Reforms Department, but the work of caste-based census was not allotted to any department in the executive rules. Champai Soren government, however, succeeded in resolving the issue and gave his approval for conducting the survey by Personnel Department which is to prepare a proposal regarding the caste census.

IPL 2025: There Is No Need To Change The Way We've Played In Last Three Years, Says Parthiv Patel

Narendra Modi Stadium: Ahead of 2022 champions Gujarat Titans set to open their IPL 2025 campaign against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, assistant coach Parthiv Patel said the side has done its preparations very well and are ready to take on anything that comes their way. We've had a couple of camps before coming to Ahmedabad. We had a five-day camp twice in Surat. We've had great facilities there. So obviously, everyone worked really hard there. As you talked about batting, everyone has batted enough balls. There's been a lot of volume in terms of hitting the cricket ball and that's what all the players have done. In Ahmedabad, we've got together. We started training from March 10 and played a couple of practice matches also. Obviously, we've been very conscious about not letting too many things out in social media. But I think we are very well prepared and we are ready to take on this IPL, said Parthiv to IANS in a select virtual interaction on Monday. PBKS, as compared to previous IPL editions, emerged as one of the strongest squads after last years mega auction and Parthiv stated GT can stand up to the challenge posed by the Shreyas Iyer-led side by sticking to their well-laid plans. I think we believe in keeping it simple, understanding the conditions, and situation, as that's what our goal will be. When the auction finished, Punjab Kings looked as another strong side. They have change of leadership in Shreyas and Ricky Ponting. That pair also did really well when they were with DC. But I think our plans would be to making sure that we execute whatever we are thinking and what works for us, he said. After winning the title in 2022 and becoming runners-up in 2023, GT finished at seventh place in 2024. With the first weekend of IPL 2025 becoming a run-fest, barring the clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, Parthiv stressed on how the batters will go their way as per the conditions on offer. We've always believed in assessing and playing to the conditions, as that's how we want to play our cricket. Its something the way we have been playing and that's how Gujarat Titans is playing their cricket since last three years. To be honest, it is a fair amount of success. You have won one year, then a last ball defeat in the final. Yes, last year wasn't that great. But if you look at success ratio, it's pretty high. So I mean, that is working for Gujarat, and there is no need of changing the way we have played in last three years. But having said that, I mean, yes, there have been 200, 250 and 280 runs being scored. But conditions are important. Like yesterday in Chennai, the conditions were not allowing anyone to score 150-200. It was a tight match for 150 also. So conditions and assessing the situation are important, and that's what we believe in doing. Though GT dont have the services of David Miller anymore, Parthiv feels the likes of Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan can cover up for his absence in the middle-order. I don't see there's a problem. See, obviously, letting go of a player who has done really well is not easy. But the auction dynamic is such that sometimes you have to let go of someone. In this case, we had to let go of David Miller. But we have brought in Sherfane Rutherford, who is a very good hitter. Then obviously, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan, who's have done really well for GT. So obviously, when someone like David Miller is not there, you don't look at that. It's very difficult to fill those shoes. But we have players who can play that role and do the job for the team. Being the assistant coach at GT is Parthivs first coaching role in the IPL. In his time as an IPL player, Parthiv mostly featured as an opener-keeper for six franchises from 2008 to 2019, and won the championship thrice: in 2010 with Chennai Super Kings and twice with Mumbai Indians in 2015 and 2017. After 2020, when his playing career ended, Parthiv had been an IPL commentator before taking up the assistant coach role with GT. I think it is great to be back on the ground. I have done a bit of coaching with MI Emirates (in ILT20), and I've done my level two coaching course also. So obviously, there was always a desire to coach an IPL side and to coach any side. When this offer came in, obviously, there was a lot of excitement. The other thing was, since I've played for a lot of franchises and cities, but never represented my own state where I've played cricket for 15-20 years that was Gujarat. So now, coming back to home team and getting this opportunity was (something I am) very grateful. Now I'm looking forward to the coaching role as well. So commentary is not going anywhere. I will still be commentating after the two months of IPL, he added. With this being his first brush of coaching in an IPL team, Parthiv signed off by explaining how hes managing to maintain the balance between data and instincts. I am someone who actually likes looking at numbers, videos and make my own notes so that I can represent my thoughts with the player. If someone's coming and asking me about what a certain bowler is doing, so I have my own notes ready. I do look at data, but it is very subjective. I don't force data on anyone. It depends on the player how they are thinking it. It is about accommodating players' needs. With this being his first brush of coaching in an IPL team, Parthiv signed off by explaining how hes managing to maintain the balance between data and instincts. I am someone who actually likes looking at numbers, videos and make my own notes so that I can represent my thoughts with the player. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

'Gaikwad Was Making 99 Pc Decisions,' Dhoni Brushes Off Speculations Of Taking On-field Calls For CSK Skipper

The MS Dhoni Experience: Former skipper MS Dhoni clarified that all crucial decisions, such as bowling changes and field placements, were solely made by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, with his role being limited to offering guidance following his decision to pass the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captaincy to Gaikwad. Dhoni, who led CSK in 212 matches, winning 128 games while losing 82 matches since the IPL began in 2008 except for the two seasons when the franchise was suspended due to spot-fixing, stepped down as the captain of the CSK on the eve of 2024 IPL and handed over the reins to Gaikwad, who has been part of the franchise since 2019. You have to look at the long-term picture. More often than not, the batsmen who are part of your core squad and do well for you are the ones you can rely on for a longer period. With bowlers, especially fast bowlers, there is always a tendency for injuries. Ruturaj has been part of us for quite some time. He has done well for us. His temperament is very goodhes very calm, very composed. He and Fleming get along very well. So those were the reasons we considered him for leadership. We were quite sure Ruturaj would be good for us, Dhoni said on JioHotstar show The MS Dhoni Experience. In Gaikwads first season as captain, CSK narrowly missed out on playoffs berth. The Chennai side had seven wins and as many losses in their 14 games campaign, which saw them finish fifth, below Royal Challengers Bengaluru on net run rate. Dhoni further that he told Gaikwad to continue to lead the team next season and encouraged him to start mentally preparing for the leadership role right away. After IPL last year, I almost immediately told him, 90% you will lead next season, so start preparing yourself mentally. Before the start of the tournament, I also told him, If I give you advice, it doesnt mean you have to follow it. I will try to stay away as much as possible', he said. During the season, a lot of people speculated that I was making the decisions in the background. But the fact is, he was making 99 per cent of the decisions. The most important calls - bowling changes, field placements - were all his. I was just helping him out. He did a brilliant job of handling the players, Dhoni added. Ahead of the IPL 2025, the CSK skipper recalled the moment when Dhoni handed over his responsibilities to him. Just a week before the tournament last year, MS Dhoni came up to me and said, Im not leading this year - you are. I was taken aback, asking, From the first game? Are you sure? With just a few days to prepare, it was overwhelming. But he assured me, This is your team. You make your own decisions. I wont interfere - except when field placements are a 50-50 call. Even then, its not a compulsion to follow my advice. That trust meant a lot to me, Gaikwad had said. Just a week before the tournament last year, MS Dhoni came up to me and said, Im not leading this year - you are. I was taken aback, asking, From the first game? Are you sure? With just a few days to prepare, it was overwhelming. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Assassins Creed Shadows Hits 2 Million Players In Just Two Days; Details Here

Assassins Creed Shadows surpassed two million players within just two days of its release, making it one of the franchises most successful launches.

Ishan Kishan's maiden IPL century against RR floods internet with hilarious memes, netizens say from 'zero to hero'

The 26-year-old batsman, who had recently faced criticism and lost his place in the BCCI team and with his former IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians, was lauded for his comeback.

Ton-up Kishan fashions 44 run win for Sunrisers Hyderabad over Rajasthan

HYDERABAD, Mar 23: Ishan Kishans blitzkrieg trumped the heroic efforts from Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel as Sunrisers Hyderabad buried Rajasthan Royals under a deluge of runs to start its IPL 2025 campaign in style with a 44-run win here on Sunday. After Travis Head teed off with a 31-ball-67 adding 94 for the opening stand with Abhishek Sharma, Kishan (106 not out off 47 balls) smashed a 45-ball-100 in his first appearance for the new franchise as Sunrisers Hyderabad [] The post Ton-up Kishan fashions 44 run win for Sunrisers Hyderabad over Rajasthan appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

IPL 2025: Noor Is An X-factor, Its Good To Have Him In The Team, Says Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad lauded Noor Ahmads spell of 4-18 in the sides four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians, saying that its good to have an x-factor player like the left-arm wrist-spinner in the side for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Noor was CSKs costliest pick at last years mega auction with Rs 10 crore splurged on him by the five-time champions, and he justified that by ripping through MIs middle-order to pick the best figures for a CSK spinner against MI, as well as recording his career-best IPL spell. Apart from Noor, left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed shined by picking 3-29. Our spinners were right on the mark, we were really excited about them bowling in tandem at Chepauk after the auction. Khaleel has been doing well for the last 2-3 years, he's experienced. Noor is an X-factor and it's good to have him in the team. Dhoni is still the same, he's fitter this year and hitting more sixes in the nets this year, said Gaikwad after the match ended. Noor, named Player of the Match, also represented CSKs sister franchise Texas in last years Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA. Feels great to play around the world but special to play for CSK. Sometimes I thought they weren't picking me but I was focusing on my bowling. My favourite was Surya's wicket, Mahi bhai's stumping was so electric. It's great to have Mahi bhai behind the stumps, he said. In the chase of 156, Gaikwad mixed aggression and timing to hit six fours and three sixes while bringing up his fifty in 22 balls, his fastest half-century in the tournament. He also indicated about batting at number three for CSK in the entire tournament. Right after I got out (the chase might have been tense). There are matches that get close sometimes but happy to be on the winning side. Me batting at number three is the requirement for the team, gives our new team balance and Rahul Tripathi can be aggressive at the top while I can play both sides of the game, he said. Despite wickets falling from the other end, Rachin Ravindra held one end firm to hit an unbeaten 45-ball 65, laced with two fours and four sixes, as CSK completed a nervy win with five balls to spare. Ravindra stated that he had to stay till the end as the pitch became challenging to bat at Chepauk. Mumbai made it really difficult for us, they changed the pace nicely in the middle. They choked us in the middle overs and made it difficult for us. The Chepauk wicket is definitely tricky at times, you don't know what to expect. The pitch was definitely holding a fraction, wasn't turning a mile but their lengths made it difficult of runs. Rutu is amazing, struck at 200 without really trying, great batsmanship. It (the bump on the head he suffered in Pakistan) has been alright, hopefully, it doesn't happen again. Suryakumar Yadav, MIs stand-in captain, admitted they fell short of the par total and appreciated debutant left-arm wrist-spinner Vignesh Puthurs spell of 3-32. We were actually 15-20 runs short but the fight the boys showed was commendable. There was no dew but it was pretty sticky, Ruturaj batted very well in the second innings. The pitch was definitely holding a fraction, wasn't turning a mile but their lengths made it difficult of runs. Rutu is amazing, struck at 200 without really trying, great batsmanship. It (the bump on the head he suffered in Pakistan) has been alright, hopefully, it doesn't happen again. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Senior Advocate N Hariharan elected as President of DHCBA

Senior Advocate N Hariharan was on Sunday chosen as the new President of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) following a two-day counting process. Total 7674 members of DHCBA exercised their franchise during the elections held on March 21 at the premises of the Delhi High Court. The counting of votes started on March [] The post Senior Advocate N Hariharan elected as President of DHCBA appeared first on India Legal .

Maoists are rattled by ongoing operations against them: Jharkhand CM Soren

Ranchi: Reacting to the death of CRPF Sub-Inspector Sunil Kumar Mandal in an IED blast triggered by Maoists in Chaibasa, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that insurgents are rattled by the ongoing operations against them. Maoists are frustrated with the ongoing operation against them in Jharkhand. Regular attacks by the security personnel are indicative of their frustration, CM Soren said after paying tribute to the martyred officer. He reaffirmed that the campaign against Maoists would continue without any slowdown. CM Soren, along with Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, paid floral tributes to the mortal remains of Mandal, who succumbed to his injuries in hospital after being critically injured in the blast. Sub-Inspector Mandal of CRPFs 193 Battalion was out on an operation against Maoists in the forests of Chhotanagra Police Station area when an IED planted by insurgents exploded, injuring both him and CRPF Jawan GD Parth. They were immediately airlifted to Ranchi for treatment, but Mandal could not be saved. CM Soren also expressed grief over the death of Jawan Kishore Bara from Simdega, who lost his life in an Army vehicle accident in Ladakh. Sad news has been received about the martyrdom of Jawan Kishore Bara Ji from Simdega and another Jawan due to an Army vehicle accident in Ladakh. May the souls of the martyrs rest in peace, and may Marang Buru give strength to the bereaved families to bear this difficult time of grief, he posted on X. Security forces continue to face frequent IED attacks in the Maoist-infested Saranda forests of Chaibasa, where several insurgent commanders remain active. Maoists have planted thousands of IEDs across the region, leading to repeated blasts that have killed both security personnel and civilians. On Monday, security forces recovered a 10 kg IED from the region. Just a day earlier, SI Subodh Kumar of CRPFs 134 Battalion was injured in a similar explosion in Saranda. Over two dozen villagers, including women and children, have lost their lives to IED blasts in Maoist-hit West Singhbhum, with several security personnel also falling victim to the explosives planted in the Kolhan jungles. The ongoing anti-Maoist operations in Saranda involve CRPF, CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, and Jharkhand Police personnel, who continue to recover IEDs on a near-daily basis.

IPL 2025: Ishan Kishan Stars As SRH Beat RR By 44 Runs In Run-fest

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Ishan Kishan's electrifying century proved to be the difference as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 44 runs in the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Sunday. It was a completely entertaining run-fest which saw 528 runs being scored in 40 overs of the match as bowlers endured a tough day in Hyderabad. Earlier, Kishan slammed his maiden IPL ton on his SRH debut to steer the side to 286/6, the second-highest total in IPL history. Chasing the gigantic target of 287, Rajasthan suffered a chaotic start as they lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (1), captain Riyan Parag (4), and Nitish Rana (11) in the first five overs. However, Impact Substitute Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel provided the much-needed juice to Rajasthan's innings. The duo kept the run-rate ticking nearly around the required run rate and stitched a 111-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Meanwhile, Samson and Jurel completed their half-centuries off 26 and 28 balls respectively. As things were looking in control for Rajasthan, pacer Harshal Patel turned the tide in Hyderabad's favour with the dismissal of Samson (66) in the 14th over. In the next over, spinner Adam Zampa removed Jurel for 70, studded with six sixes and five fours, to give a double blow to RR. In the end, Shimron Hetmyer and Shubham Dubey fired on all cylinders but could not take the side over the line. Hetmyer played a quickfire knock of 42 off 23 balls while Dubey scored 11-ball 34 not out at an electric strike rate of 309.09 with the help of four sixes and a four. In the end, Rajasthan were only able to reach 242/6 in 20 overs with Simranjeet Singh and Harshal Patel bagging two scalps each. Earlier, banking on blazing knocks by Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, Kishan was on cruise control mode since the start of his innings and gave a thumping reply to his critics with a maiden IPL ton. After being invited to bat first, the SRH openers started from where they left last season as Abhishek commenced an assault on the RR attack in the power-play. The Indian opener got off the mark with consecutive fours against Fazalhaq Farooqi in the first over of the match. Head from the other end hammered four and a six against Maheesh Theekshana in the second over to give a blistering start to the side. Abhishek unleashed his full potential when he struck three successive fours before Head ended Farooqi's over with a six to accumulate 21 runs from it. Meanwhile, Theekshana broke the opening partnership and dismissed Abhishek for 11-ball 24 on the first ball of the fourth over. Ishan Kishan joined Head in the middle and carried the momentum as he smashed consecutive fours off Theekshana in the same over. In the fifth over, Head gave an unforgettable welcome to Jofra Archer as the Australian amassed four fours and a six off six deliveries to gather 23 off it. With 16 from the sixth over, SRH accumulated 94 in the power-play to lay a solid foundation for the gigantic total. Despite the end-of-field restrictions, Head completed his first half-century of the season in 21 balls and stitched an 85-run quickfire partnership off 39 balls for the second wicket. He was dismissed by pacer Tushar Deshpande in the 10th over. Head scored 31-ball 67 laced with nine fours and three sixes. Nitish Kumar Reddy came in at No. 4 and took over from where his predecessor left and struck two boundaries off Archer in the 11th over. On the other hand, Kishan slammed back-to-back sixes off Archer to complete his half-century in 25 balls on his SRH debut. He hit another six before smashing Farooqi for a six behind square. Reddy too joined the party and dispatched the short ball to deep square before Kishan hit four on the final ball of the over. Nitish's (15-ball 30) stay was cut short by Theekshana in the 15th over as SRH crossed the 200-run mark. He was involved in a 29-ball 72-run partnership with Kishan. It was also the joint-fastest team 200 in the history of the IPL, equalling Royal Challengers Bengaluru's feat against Punjab Kings in 2016. Heinrich Klaasen joined Kishan as the scoring rate didn't come down for the franchise in the final phase of the innings with the help of regular boundaries. The duo added 56 runs in just 25 balls as Klaasen departed after contributing 14-ball 34 with the help of five fours and a six. Meanwhile, Kishan completed his century off 45 balls to become the first player in the season to reach the milestone. He remained unbeaten on 106 off 47 balls, his knock studded with 11 fours and six sixes. For Rajasthan, Tushar Deshpande bagged three wickets while Theekshana returned with the figures of 2-52 in his four overs. Brief scores: For Rajasthan, Tushar Deshpande bagged three wickets while Theekshana returned with the figures of 2-52 in his four overs. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

IPL 2025: Axar Non-committal Over Rahuls Availability For DCs Opening Game Against LSG

Indian Premier League: Ahead of Delhi Capitals (DC) opening their IPL 2025 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), skipper Axar Patel said he was non-committal over KL Rahul playing in Mondays game at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium due to personal reasons. Rahul joined the DC set-up in the run-up to their opening game in Visakhapatnam, but may or may not be for the game against LSG, a team he led previously, for personal reasons. It is to be noted that Rahul is expecting his first child with his wife Athiya Shetty. Obviously, he joined the team and we all know that he has a personal problem. So, we don't know yet. So, if he comes back, we ask him if he is okay and we'll let you know tomorrow morning. I think we've got to know and so, now we don't know if he is available or not, said Axar in the pre-match press conference on Sunday. Axar, the left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, will be leading DC for the first time in a full IPL season, and he sounded optimistic about leading the side to the elusive championship win. I have been playing for this franchise since 2019, and it has played a huge role in my growth as a cricketer. Being entrusted with the captaincy is a great honour for me. We have several leaders within the squad, and I continue to learn from their experience. Its reassuring to have such seasoned players like KL Rahul, and Faf du Plessis by my side. I believe we have a well-balanced team this season, and I am confident that we will turn things around and achieve the results we aspire to. Asked about his vision as DCs captain, Axar stressed the importance of keeping things simple. At the end of the day, I dont want to overcomplicate things. As a captain, I have told the group that cricket is just a gamekeep it simple. If your execution is good, everything will fall into place. Im not asking them to chase specific results; I just want them to focus on keeping things simple. That will be my approach throughout the tournament. All the players are eager to do something special for this franchise. With a new team and a new captain, we haven't played together much yet, but our mindset is clear, to go out there, express ourselves, and play fearlessly. Everyone is committed to giving their 100%, and the players truly enjoy the atmosphere within the DC family. DC also have a new coaching staff and head Coach Hemang Badani was happy over the new rules usage of saliva for bowlers and a provision to change the ball after the 11th over in chases in evening games. For me, cricket has always been about the battle between bat and ball, but the balance has tilted heavily in favour of the batters in recent times. With the saliva ban being lifted, I think it just gives something to the bowlers. Even if the ball deviates a wee bit, that is the difference between hitting the middle of the bat and the inside part of the bat. Even with regards to the new rule allowing a ball change between overs 11-20, gives the fielding side in the second innings a chance to stay in the game. I am all in for the change and I think it is a good change, he said. Last year, DC played two IPL games, and it produced run-fests. Axar said he is expecting the same to happen this year as well. The Vizag pitch is a very good one. Last season, we played two matches here, and KKR put up a score of around 250-260. It has consistently been a high-scoring venue, offering plenty of fireworks from the batters. However, we are prepared with our plans and will focus on executing them well to restrict the opposition to a low total. The pitch does favor batters, but every match is a learning experience. Last year, DC played two IPL games, and it produced run-fests. Axar said he is expecting the same to happen this year as well. The Vizag pitch is a very good one. Last season, we played two matches here, and KKR put up a score of around 250-260. It has consistently been a high-scoring venue, offering plenty of fireworks from the batters. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings Elect To Bowl First Against Mumbai Indians In Clash Of Titans

Chennai Super Kings: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the toss and elected to bowl first against fellow five-time winners Mumbai Indians in the second game of Sunday's first double-header of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here. MI hold a 20-17 edge over CSK in 37 IPL matches held between the two teams. After winning the toss, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad said they are going with three pacers and as many spinners, with Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Rachin Ravindra and Sam Curran being their overseas picks. Playing on this pitch for the first time, so don't really know how it will play. So we just want to adapt and chase accordingly. Looks a good wicket to bat. Prep has been good. We had our young wicket-keeper (a cheeky reference to MS Dhoni) coming back early to the camp, he said. MI will be led by Suryakumar Yadav as Hardik Pandya is serving a one-match ban due to a slow over-rate offence from last season. Suryakumar said Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks, Trent Boult, and Mitchell Santner are the four overseas players, with young pacer Satyanarayana Raju getting his debut IPL cap. I am good with batting first. We had a lovely camp back home, we were here 2-3 days before. Both are unbelievable franchises in terms of achievements. I am sure it will be a good game, he said. The square boundaries at Chepauk dont have much difference, as it's 72m on one side while being 75m on the other. The match also marks Ravichandran Ashwins return to CSK set-up after nearly a decade. Playing XIs: Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed Impact Substitutes: Rahul Tripathi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, Shaik Rasheed Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, and Satyanarayana Raju Impact Substitutes: Rahul Tripathi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, Shaik Rasheed Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

'Stree' Maker Amar Kaushik Shares How He Never Expected Horror Comedy To Be Such A Hit | EXCLUSIVE

'Stree' maker Amar Kaushik talks about his hit franchise 'Stree'. Watch the video to get more deets! bollywood news | entertainment news live | latest bollywood news | bollywood | news18 | n18oc_moviesLiked the video? Please press the thumbs up icon and leave a comment. Subscribe to Showsha YouTube channel and never miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHOWSHAIndiaFollow Showsha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showsha_/Follow Showsha on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/showshaFollow Showsha on X: https://x.com/news18showshaFollow Showsha on Snapchat: https://snapchat.com/t/6YeotZeyMore entertainment and lifestyle news and updates on:https://www.news18.com/entertainment

IPL 2025: Feels Good, It Was Coming For A While, Says Kishan After Scoring A Maiden Century

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan scored his maiden century of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 in his first match for new franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Sunday. Reflecting on his unbeaten 47-ball 106, Kishan said he knew of his abilities and was waiting for this knock. Kishan, who scored 320 including a half-century in the last season for Mumbai Indians, was bought by SRH for Rs 11.25 crore, the costliest purchase by the franchise in last year's auction in Jeddah. Feels good, it was coming for a while. Wanted to get this last season but happy to get that first hundred. The team has put their faith in me, and I want to do my best for them, Kishan said during the mid-innings break. The southpaw credited the momentum set by openers Travis Head (67) and Abhishek Sharma (24) in the first three overs of the power-play and the backing from the captain and the management to play such a fearless knock. The captain has given us all a lot of freedom and confidence, hats off to the management. When Abhishek and Head started, they gave a lot of confidence to us batters in the dugout. The pitch was looking good and we were just trying to get them under pressure. We need to be on point with the ball and keep it simple. Rajasthan bowlers are good but if we bowl in the right areas and to the plans, we should be good, Kishan added. Kishan smashed 11 fours and six sixes during his knock as Sunrisers Hyderabad cruised to 286/6 in 20 overs. It was also the second-highest team total in IPL history, one run short of SRH's total against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last season. The captain has given us all a lot of freedom and confidence, hats off to the management. When Abhishek and Head started, they gave a lot of confidence to us batters in the dugout. The pitch was looking good and we were just trying to get them under pressure. We need to be on point with the ball and keep it simple. Rajasthan bowlers are good but if we bowl in the right areas and to the plans, we should be good, Kishan added. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

IPL 2025: Ishan Kishan's Century Powers SRH To Second-highest Total Of 286 Against RR

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan hammered an unbeaten 106 off 47 balls as Sunrisers Hyderabad cruised to 286/6 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals in the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Sunday. It was also the second-highest team total in IPL history, one run short of SRH's total against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2024 season. Banking on the knocks of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, Kishan was on cruise control mode since the start of his innings and gave a thumping reply to his critics. After being invited to bat first, SRH openers started from where they left last season as Abhishek commenced an assault on the RR attack in the power-play. The Indian opener got off the mark with consecutive fours against Fazalhaq Farooqi in the first over of the match. Head from the other end hammered four and a six against Maheesh Theekshana in the second over to give a blistering start to the side. Abhishek unleashed his full potential when he struck three successive fours before Head winded Farooqi's over with a six to accumulate 21 runs from it. Meanwhile, Theekshana broke the opening partnership and dismissed Abhishek for 11-ball 24 on the first ball of the fourth over. Ishan Kishan joined Head in the middle and carried the momentum as he smashed consecutive fours off Theekshana in the same over. In the fifth over, Head gave an unforgettable welcome to Jofra Archer as the Australian amassed four fours and a six off six deliveries to gather 23 off it. With 16 from the sixth over, SRH accumulated 94 in the power-play to lay a solid foundation for the gigantic total. Despite the end-of-field restrictions, Head completed his first half-century of the season in 21 balls and stitched an 85-run quickfire partnership off 39 balls for the second wicket. He was dismissed by pacer Tushar Deshpande in the 10th over. Head scored 31-ball 67 laced with nine fours and three sixes. Nitish Kumar Reddy came in at No. 4 and took over from where his predecessor left and struck two boundaries off Archer in the 11th over. On the other hand, Kishan slammed back-to-back sixes off Archer to complete his half-century in 25 balls on his SRH debut. He hit another six in the other before smashing Farooqi for a six behind square. Reddy too joined the party and dispatched the short ball to deep square before Kishan hit four on the final ball of the over. Nitish's (15-ball 30) stay was cut short by Theekshana in the 15th over as SRH crossed the 200-run mark. He was involved in a 29-ball 72 stand with Kishan. It was also the joint-fastest team 200 in the history of the IPL, equalling Royal Challengers Bengaluru's feat against Punjab Kings in 2016. Heinrich Klaasen joined Kishan as the scoring rate didn't come down for the franchise in the final phase of the innings with the help of regular boundaries. The duo added a 56-run stand in just 25 balls as Klaasen departed after contributing 14-ball 34 with the help of five fours and a six. Meanwhile, Kishan completed his century off 45 balls to become the first player in the season to reach the milestone. He remained unbeaten on 106 off 47 balls studded with 11 fours and six sixes. For Rajasthan, Deshpande bagged three wickets while Theekshana returned with the figures of 2-52 in his four overs. Brief scores: For Rajasthan, Deshpande bagged three wickets while Theekshana returned with the figures of 2-52 in his four overs. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Olympian Priyanka Goswami sets NNR in Slovakia

A two-time Olympian, Goswami bettered the previous national record of 2:57:54 set by Manju Rani at the 2023 National Open Race Walking Championships in Ranchi.

IPL 2025: Abhishek Got A Lot Better Than Last Year, Says Head

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Australia and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Travis Head is pleased with the rise of his opening partner Abhishek Sharma's stature in international cricket and is also looking forward to continuing to build a stronger foundation for the side in the IPL 2025 season. Head finished as the highest run-scorer for the franchise in the last edition with 567 runs including four half-centuries and a hundred. On the other hand, Abhishek was just behind Head and amassed 484 runs, including three fifties. He also went on to show his class for India on the international stage. Before the start of their season opener against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, Head shared his views on the team's combination and environment. Feels good to be back, seen some pretty good moments last year. Fingers crossed that it can happen early season again to get that momentum that we had. Im enjoying the fact that Abhi (Abhishek Sharma) has had a really good 12 months, hes got a lot better than last year and done extremely well on the International stage. Looking forward to supporting him again, and I think hes going to have a huge year once again. Hopefully, I start well too. It is just about continuing the messaging that we had last year, the relaxed environment we wanted and the expectation that someone will have their day, he said. Australian batter said the SRH is not relying on one individual but the team to do the job in the tournament after finishing as runners-up last season. Feels good to be back, seen some pretty good moments last year. Fingers crossed that it can happen early season again to get that momentum that we had. Im enjoying the fact that Abhi (Abhishek Sharma) has had a really good 12 months, hes got a lot better than last year and done extremely well on the International stage. Looking forward to supporting him again, and I think hes going to have a huge year once again. Hopefully, I start well too. It is just about continuing the messaging that we had last year, the relaxed environment we wanted and the expectation that someone will have their day, he said. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Tamannaah Bhatia`s Odela 2 to start from THIS point: Creator Sampath Nandi

Sampath Nandi, who is credited with having created the popular Odela franchise, has now disclosed that director Ashok Tejas eagerly awaited supernatural thriller, Odela 2,

IPL 2025: 'Every Time People Question Dhoni, He Proves Them Wrong', Says Gavaskar

Chennai Super Kings: As the Chennai Super Kings set to kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Mumbai Indians (MI) in a clash of the five-time champions, all eyes will be on MS Dhoni, who continues to be a key figure in the league. Addressing the speculation over ex-skipper's participation in the season, India legend Sunil Gavaskar said that whenever people questioned the CSK stalwart, he silenced those critics with his skills. The cricketer, who turns 44 in July, is playing his 18th straight IPL season, 16 of these representing Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He has so far played 264 games and scored 5243 runs, placing him sixth on the all-time run list, with 24 half-centuries to his name. Why should we even ask that question? Why put pressure on him? Every time people question MS Dhoni, he proves them wrong. Dont doubt his ability. Even at this age, hes hitting sixes not just past the boundary but into the stands during practice. Age is just a number when it comes to Dhoni, Gavaskar said on JioHotstar. When Dhoni takes the field against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday evening, he needs to hit just two maximums to complete 250 sixes for CSK, the franshise he led in 212 matches, winning 128 games while losing 82 matches since the IPL began in 2008. Overall, Dhoni is placed fourth in the most IPL sixes list, trailing Chris Gayle (357), Rohit Sharma (280) and Virat Kohli (272). Dhonis tenure as captain of CSK began in the first season back in 2008 and resulted in five trophy-winning campaigns. He has spent his entire career with the Super Kings, barring the 2016 and 2017 seasons when the franchise was suspended due to spot-fixing scandal. CSK used the retention clause in the IPL mega auction last year to keep Dhoni for the 2025 season as an uncapped player, given his five-year absence from international cricket. Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden reflected on the 'El Clasico' clash between MI and CSK at Chepauk, saying the Super Kings controlled the game at the MA Chidambaram, as MI does at Wankhede Stadium. This will be the 38th encounter between the two teams, with MI leading the head-to-head 20-17. The Super Kings, however, won the only meeting between the sides last year by 20 runs in Mumbai. Its such a great fixture. These two sides have so much history together. And at Chepauk, CSK has controlled the game, just like Mumbai does at Wankhede. A win there would be significant, and CSKs spin unitone of the best in the competitionwill play a crucial role. This will be the 38th encounter between the two teams, with MI leading the head-to-head 20-17. The Super Kings, however, won the only meeting between the sides last year by 20 runs in Mumbai. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

IPL 2025: LSG Sign Shardul Thakur As Replacement For Injured Mohsin Khan

Registered Available Player Pool: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have named India allrounder Shardul Thakur as a replacement for left-arm fast bowler Mohsin Khan, who has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 due to injury. Shardul, who went unsold at the mega auction last year, has played 95 games in the IPL for five franchises - Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals (DC), Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings, PBKS), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rising Pune Supergiant (defuct) - and has 67 wickets to his name with an economy rate of 8.89. Thakur, an experienced all-rounder, has been signed from the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) at his reserve price of Rs 2 crore. A proven performer across all three formats for India, he brings valuable IPL experience, having played 95 matches for five franchises, the IPL statement read. Mohsin tore the anterior cruciate ligament tear (ACL) on his right knee last December while playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He did join the LSG pre-season camp, but had sustained a calf strain when he was bowling in the nets, which eventually ruled him out of the tournament. The 33-year-old Thakur, who went unsold in the auction, had signed a seven-match County Championship deal with Essex for the start of the 2025 season. However, this may no longer proceed as the allrounder is now required to fulfill his IPL duties for LSG. Mohsin tore the anterior cruciate ligament tear (ACL) on his right knee last December while playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He did join the LSG pre-season camp, but had sustained a calf strain when he was bowling in the nets, which eventually ruled him out of the tournament. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

IPL 2025 A Huge Chance For Axar To Be An Effective Leader For Delhi Capitals

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Over the past year, Axar Patels stocks within Indian cricket has significantly increased. The all-rounders significant contributions with both bat and ball were instrumental in Indias victories in the 2024 Mens T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. If this wasnt enough, Axar was made the vice-captain in Indias 4-1 T20I series win over England earlier this year. Shortly after winning his second ICC title with the Indian team in Dubai, Axar was made the captain of the Delhi Capitals one of the three original franchises to have not won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title yet. Having witnessed Axar Patels growth firsthand as Gujarats captain, Priyank Panchal believes hes well-suited to lead DC effectively in IPL 2025. Ill go back to his early days when he started playing for Gujarat, he always was a good all-rounder. He always used to do his bowling really well. He was naturally talented, but he needed to do the hard work to carry that talent forward to big heights especially in his batting. He was the captain of the Gujarat team at the under-19 level. When Gujarat became the champions of 2016-17 Ranji Trophy, he was the captain for a few matches. So, he knows how to do this captaincy thing. Since he has been vice-captain of Delhi Capitals for quite some time, this is just a natural progression for him. As someone who has seen him from his early days, I feel that Axar will easily fit into the role of a captain because he doesnt panic much, and is very calm and composed. I would say that its a great opportunity for him if Delhi Capitals wins the IPL from here, as he is someone who one cannot even underestimate him as a captain and an all-rounder, said Panchal in an exclusive conversation with IANS. Last years match against Royal Challengers Bangalore marked Axars only previous appearance as DCs captain in the IPL, as his predecessor Rishabh Pant was absent due to a one-match ban for a slow over-rate offence. Axar also led his domestic team Gujarat during the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where they missed out on a spot in the knockouts as Baroda and Saurashtra had a higher net run rate. Subsequently, with him at the helm, Gujarat made it to the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-finals before suffering a defeat against Haryana. In Axar, Panchal vividly recognises aspects reminiscent of MS Dhonis leadership. The best thing about him is that he doesnt have a junior or senior thing in his mind when in the team. He is someone who sees everyone equally, and gets along well with juniors because of his fun-loving nature. Plus, he is someone who doesnt get so bogged down when chips are down or when a youngster is not able to perform. He is the one who would be the first one to go and tell a youngster having a bad game that its okay, it can happen to anyone and just focus on the next game. With him being experienced now, he has a natural tendency to do all those things. So, the best thing about leadership is, as we have seen in MS Dhoni sir, that he does simple things but does it repeatedly. He does those simple things so nicely. So, not that I am comparing Axar with MS Dhoni sir, but I am just saying that the calmness and the way he does his things simply makes him an apt fit for the leadership role. In a captains role, you have many options to choose from. But he is someone who will use his options in the best way possible, as well as by focusing on making that simple thing so impactful, he elaborated. While Axars DC team-mates like Abishek Porel, Karun Nair, Tristan Stubbs and Mohit Sharma pointed out how his fun-loving nature will make the DC environment easy-going, Panchal stated about the all-rounders astute tactical nature. From what I observed, in terms of tactical inputs, he is someone who can judge batters and bowlers very well. He is someone who is always in the game, and his natural instinct comes out very well. Like, he knows where a particular batter will play and where he will try to get runs. So, he strategically tries to change the field placement. After that, even in batting, if he knows that I dont want to attack the off-spinner and I want to hit him over the cover, he is someone who in any situation, will bat himself accordingly. If he gets out, its okay, because its a high-risk game, especially T20. So, he is someone who adapts his batting by himself as per the situation, as well as around others, he added. Axars tactical skills, particularly his bowler rotation strategiesincluding when to introduce himself in the bowling attack as well as his communication with players within the Delhi Capitals set-up, will be critically examined during the high-pressure environment of a world-class tournament like the IPL. Panchal signed off on an optimistic note by saying the new DC support staff will help make Axars life easy as the captain. Mostly, he has to manage local players as well as have easy communication with the overseas players. Apart from the four overseas players, all of them will be Indian players. So, Axar has played so many games in the Indian domestic circuit and knows how to get the best out of the home players. The game awareness of players like Mitchell Starc and Faf du Plessis is so high that they dont need to say much most of the time. Panchal signed off on an optimistic note by saying the new DC support staff will help make Axars life easy as the captain. Mostly, he has to manage local players as well as have easy communication with the overseas players. Apart from the four overseas players, all of them will be Indian players. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

CSK vs MI: H2H Record, Match Time, Playing XI, Live Streaming And More

Two of the most successful IPL franchisesMumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on each other on Sunday, March 23.

National Womens Hockey League: Odisha, Haryana and Mizoram win on Day 4

National Womens Hockey League: Odisha, Haryana and Mizoram win on Day 4 Ranchi: Top contenders Hockey Association of Odisha, Hockey Haryana and Hockey Mizoram had fruitful outings as they won their respective matches on the fourth day of the Final Phase of the National Womens Hockey League 2024-2025 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda [] The post National Womens Hockey League: Odisha, Haryana and Mizoram win on Day 4 appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Roads deserted, uneasy calm during Ranchi bandh against flyover

RANCHI: Normal life was put to stand still during the day-long bandh called by the tribal outfits against the construction of a flyover ramp near Sarna Sthla at Siramtoli in Ranchi. Vehicle movement was affected for several hours as the protesters blocked roads at various locations. Public transportation was severely affected, with city buses and motorised and battery-operated auto-rickshaws remaining off the roads. Many commuters resorted to walking long distances in an attempt to reach their destinations. The Ranchi-Lohardaga Road was also blocked near Titla Chowk in Ranchi. The protesters are demanding that a ramp of the flyover being constructed in Siram Toli be removed as it obstructs access to the religious site and could disturb its sanctity due to traffic movement. About three lakh people from different places will reach the central Sarna Sthal at Sirmatoli with a procession on Sarhul and the construction of the ramp will cause inconvenience to the people coming to the procession, they said. The agitators also had a scuffle with the police at various locations, including in Hinoo and Argora. The district administration, however, said that the bandh remained peaceful without any major incident. Barring a few incidents of traffic jams and burning of tyres, no major incident was reported from any part of the city, said Ranchi Sub-divisional Police Officer Utkarsh Gupta. In the wake of the bandh, the police had also made strong security arrangements. Additional police personnel were deployed at all major squares and intersections to deal with the bandh supporters. Police personnel were also equipped with water cannons at all strategic locations. The bandh was also being monitored with CCTV cameras.

CRPF Sub-Inspector succumbs to IED blast injuries during treatment in Jharkhand

RANCHI: The CRPF Sub-Inspector, who got injured in the IED blast along with a jawan in the forest of Marangponga under Chotanagra police station in Chaibasa, succumbed to his injuries during treatment in the hospital on Saturday. The sub-inspector, Sunil Kumar Mandal, of CRPF 193 Battalion was airlifted to Ranchi along with the Head Constable Parth Pratim for better treatment after getting injured in the IED blast on Saturday. Security forces were conducting a search operation here on Saturday afternoon, during which, two security personnel were hit by an IED. CRPF Sub-Inspector Sunil Kumar Mandal was martyred during treatment in the hospital on Saturday, said Chaibasa SP Ashutosh Shekhar. Notably, several Maoist commanders are active with their squads in the Saranda forests of Chaibasa and have planted thousands of IEDs to check security forces enter into the jungles, due to which regular incidents of blasts are taking place during operations. These IEDs explode as soon as a foot or slight pressure is applied on them. Security forces are continuously conducting anti-Maoist operations in the region and IEDs are being recovered almost every day. On Monday also, security forces had recovered an IED weighing 10 KG. Earlier on Tuesday, SI Subodh Kumar of CRPF's 134 battalion was injured in an IED blast in Saranda forests. The injured jawan was given initial treatment at the spot itself and was airlifted to Ranchi by helicopter.

National Womens Hockey League: Odisha, Haryana, Mizoram win on Day 4

Ranchi: Top contenders Hockey Association of Odisha, Hockey Haryana and Hockey Mizoram had fruitful outings as they won their respective matches on the fourth day of the Final Phase of the National Womens Hockey League 2024-2025 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda International Hockey Stadium in Ranchi Saturday. In the first match, the Hockey []

IPL 2025: Tripathi Can Rattle Any Bowling Line-up As A No.3 Batter For CSK, Says Jadhav

Chennai Super Kings: Ahead of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opening their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign against Mumbai Indians in Chennai, former India batter Kedar Jadhav said Rahul Tripathi should bat at No.3 position for the side in the yellow jersey, citing his ability to rattle any bowling line-up. Tripathi has made a name for himself as a top-order attacking batter clearing the 30-yard circle with ease ever since he became a part of the IPL fold through the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017. In last years IPL, Tripathi made 165 runs in six innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he emerged as the problem solver of the missing link at number three in their chase of 215 against Punjab Kings. Now in CSKs colours, Tripathi, who had five T20I appearances for India, has been backed by Jadhav to bat at number three, a role held by Ajinkya Rahane in the last season. If Devon Conway is fit, then I'm sure definitely he'll start with Ruturaj Gaikwad. They have been very consistent and successful as an opening pair. I think after that, Rahul Tripathi is also one where I would put my bet on, as he had previous good performances for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, said Jadhav, a JioStar Marathi Expert, to IANS on Saturday. After Suresh Raina retired from CSK, they havent found a good attacking number three batter. Plus, I also think both Conway and Ruturaj are very conventional batters, but Rahul is unconventional. He can rattle any bowling lineup, which is very much needed in the first six overs. So I think these three are the key, he said. Since IPLs inception in 2008, the matches between MI and CSK have produced memorable clashes, with the rivalry between the two teams being dubbed as El Clasico of the tournament. MI, though, have the upper hand by winning 20 matches, while in the rest of 17 games, CSK emerged victorious. Jadhav, who himself won a match for CSK in 2018 by one wicket despite a hamstring injury, believes the quest to be number one between MI and CSK is the factor that adds a lot of spice to the rivalry between the two teams. Both the teams are very star-studded, and Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are very successful franchises as they have won the IPL title five times. So, I believe that this thing of who wants to be the number one in this race, both of them always are up against each other for a tight battle. If MI wins, they will be ahead of CSK, while if CSK wins, they will be ahead of MI. So, I think it is because of the competitiveness between the two teams that it often results in star-studded clashes, he added. Jadhav, who himself won a match for CSK in 2018 by one wicket despite a hamstring injury, believes the quest to be number one between MI and CSK is the factor that adds a lot of spice to the rivalry between the two teams. Both the teams are very star-studded, and Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are very successful franchises as they have won the IPL title five times. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

2025-26 Season: Have Cricket South Africa Prioritised The Quick Buck Over Home Tests?

With the way franchise cricket is gathering steam in todays sporting landscape,perhaps itdoesntcome as ashockerthat a lot of cricketing boards are deprioritizing Test cricket and giving more momentum to the T20 excursion. Afterall the moolah rests in franchise T20 tournaments with the sponsorships, the television revenue and the in stadia ticket sales. Perhaps the so [] The post 2025-26 Season: Have Cricket South Africa Prioritised The Quick Buck Over Home Tests? appeared first on Caught At Point .

IPL 2025: CSK Start Favourites Against Bumrah-less Mumbai Indians In El Clasico

The El Clasico: The El Clasico of Indian Premier League (IPL) between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will return as the two most successful franchises lock horns in their opening match of the 2025 season at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. With CSK relying on their formidable spin attack and MI missing key players, the home side will start as slight favourites in a contest that could set the tone for both teams campaigns. Five-time IPL champions CSK have built their squad with a clear focus on maximising their advantage in spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk. They strengthened their spin department in last years mega auction by acquiring Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Shreyas Gopal and Deepak Hooda, adding to the experience of Ravindra Jadeja. With these reinforcements, CSKs strategy to choke opposition batters on slow, turning tracks could be crucial against MIs power-packed batting line-up. At the center of it all will be MS Dhoni, whose presence remains a source of inspiration for CSK fans. The veteran keeper-batter, who has been with the franchise since the IPLs inception, will once again play a key role both behind the stumps and in guiding his bowlers tactically. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, will be without their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who continues to recover from a back injury. His absence, particularly in the death overs, could leave MI vulnerable against CSKs aggressive middle order. Adding to their concerns, regular captain Hardik Pandya is also unavailable for this match due to a one-game suspension for a slow over-rate violation in the previous season. In his absence, India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav will lead MI in a crucial away fixture. CSK will also have a decision to make regarding their opening pair. One of New Zealands dynamic batters, either Rachin Ravindra or Devon Conway, is expected to partner captain Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top. Their middle order features a strong Indian core in Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda while Dhoni and Jadeja will provide the finishing touch. For MI, they will rely on an explosive top order featuring Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar and Tilak Varma. The departure of Ishan Kishan has left a void, but the South African wicketkeeper-batter Rickelton has the firepower to fill that role. MIs bowling attack is yet to be at full strength. While they boast experienced pacers like Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar and Reece Topley, the team will have to carefully manage their resources in the absence of Bumrah. The presence of all-rounder Corbin Bosch could offer some flexibility, while former CSK spinner Mitchell Santners familiarity with Chepauk conditions might prove useful. CSK have dominated MI in recent meetings, winning four of their last five encounters, including three consecutive victories. Mumbai will be eager to turn things around after finishing at the bottom of the table last season, a campaign marred by Hardiks appointment as captain over Rohit Sharma. The match will also offer a first glimpse at how the new ball-change rule in the second innings influences team strategies. With CSK banking on spin and MI dealing with key absences, the Chepauk showdown promises an intriguing battle between two IPL heavyweights looking to start their season on a winning note. Squads: Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Shaik Rasheed, Vansh Bedi (wk), C Andre Siddharth, Rachin Ravindra, Ravichandran Ashwin, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Anshul Kamboj, Deepak Hooda, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Matheesha Pathirana. Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Shrijith Krishnan (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Raj Angad Bawa, Vignesh Puthur, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Karn Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, VS Penmetsa, Arjun Tendulkar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah. When: Sunday, March 23 Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Broadcast: The match will be televised live on the Star Sports Network. Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Worst team ever: Fans slam LSG for 'unnecessary' video with David Miller

In a video posted by the franchise on Thursday, South African explosive batter David Miller was asked about his biggest heart breaks

IPL 2025: Batters Dominant Sunrisers Hyderabad Look For Strong Start Against Rajasthan Royals

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Sunrisers Hyderabad, last seasons IPL runners-up, will look to kick-start their campaign on a strong note when they take on Rajasthan Royals in their opening match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday. Armed with a destructive batting line-up and an experienced bowling attack, Sunrisers head into the clash as clear favourites, especially on a batting-friendly surface that could witness a high-scoring contest. The Hyderabad franchise boasts some of the most explosive batters in world cricket, with Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen forming a formidable top order. With their reputation for setting massive totals, Sunrisers remain one of the few teams capable of breaching the elusive 300-run mark in T20 cricket. Their dominance last season saw them post 250-plus totals on three occasions, including a record 287 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and 277 against Mumbai Indians. A key boost for Sunrisers is the return of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy from injury, further strengthening their already potent line-up. Abhishek Sharma, in particular, has been in sensational form, having smashed 135 off just 54 balls against England in a recent T20I. With Rajasthan Royals lacking depth in their bowling attack, barring the presence of England pacer Jofra Archer, the Sunrisers will be eyeing another mammoth total if they bat first. The bowling unit, led by captain Pat Cummins and veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, ensures that Sunrisers remain a well-balanced side. The presence of experienced spinner Adam Zampa adds further variety to their attack, giving them an edge over Rajasthans relatively inexperienced squad. The Royals, meanwhile, face an early setback with skipper Sanju Samson nursing a finger injury. While Samson can still bat with protection, he wont be able to field or keep wickets, meaning Rajasthan will be forced to make tactical adjustments. Young batter Riyan Parag will lead the team in the interim for the first three matches. Rajasthans batting looks slightly weaker following the release of Jos Buttler, though they still have quality players in Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Shimron Hetmyer, and Dhruv Jurel. However, with Sunrisers' recent dominance over themhaving beaten them twice last season, including a crucial Qualifier 2 victoryRajasthan will need a special performance to turn the tables. Squads: Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, Sachin Baby, Mohammed Shami, Adam Zampa, Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Chahar, Eshan Malinga, Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis, Wiaan Mulder, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Atharva Taide, Brydon Carse, Simarjeet Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari. Rajasthan Royals: Riyan Parag (c), Sanju Samson, Shubham Dubey, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Rana, Kunal Singh Rathore, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Ashok Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Sandeep Sharma, Maheesh Theekshana, Yudhvir Singh. When: Sunday, Match 23 Where: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Broadcast: The match will be televised live on the Star Sports Network. Where: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Construction of flyover near Sarna Sthal: Tribal outfits hit streets to enforce bandh in Jharkhands Ranchi; admin on alert

The Ranchi-Lohardaga road was blocked near Titla Chowk in Ranchi, while agitators gathered at the city's Kanke Chowk and other areas to impose the bandh

When Shah Rukh Khan delivered powerful speech after KKR's defeat in IPL 2024 match; might remind fans of Chak De! India

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has always been passionately involved with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his franchise team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This becomes evident time and again from SRK's comments and actions. One such story is from last year's edition of the IPL when SRK delivered a powerful speech to KKR players after a defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Eden Gardens.

Ranchi Bandh: Tyres burnt to protest construction near Sarna Sthal, police security upped

RANCHI: Over 40 tribal organisations have called an 18-hour bandh in Ranchi on Saturday to protest the construction of a flyover near Sarna Sthal, a sacred site. Protestors blocked roads to Lowadih Chowk at Namkum, Tilata Chowk on Ring Road, Piska More, and several other locations in Ranchi. Protestors demonstrated by burning tires in the middle of roads. The bandh is supported by political organisations like AJSU and Sarna committees. Sirmatoli Sarna Sthal Bachao Morcha said essential services will not be disrupted by the bandh. Earlier, on Friday evening, tribal organisations took out a torch procession and seeking support for the bandh. According to tribal organisations, on the occasion of Sarhul festival, about three lakh people from different places will take part in a procession towards the central Sarna Sthal at Sirmatoli. Construction of the flyover near the Sarna Sthal will inconvenience those taking part in the procession, they said. In the wake of the bandh, police have made strong security arrangements. Additional police personnel have been deployed at all major squares and intersections to deal with the bandh supporters. Police personnel have been equipped with water cannons at all strategic locations. The bandh will also be monitored with CCTV cameras. The district administration has issued strict instructions, stating that anyone in support of the bandh jam should not cause any disruption or obstruction to the traffic, dignitaries, students, members of educational institutions, or the general public. If any protestor violates legal provisions by vandalising or disrupting civic life, police will take strict action, district authorities have warned. The construction of a 2.34-km-long elevated road, which includes a 132-metre section over a railway line, is aimed at easing traffic movement by connecting Siram Toli to Mecon. The Rs 340-crore project was launched in August 2022, an official said.

Ranchi bandh: Tribal outfits hit streets, admin on alert

Activists from tribal outfits enforced an 18-hour bandh in Ranchi, protesting the construction of a flyover near Sarna Sthal, a sacred religious site. They blocked roads and burned tyres, claiming the ramp would obstruct access and disrupt the sites sanctity. Authorities urged peaceful protests and maintained security, while the construction aims to ease traffic with a new elevated road.

Akshay-Arshad's 'Jolly LLB 3' releases in September: What to expect

The much-anticipated third installment of the popular Jolly LLB franchise finally has a release date.

Despite Ranji final show, only four Kerala players make IPL cut

KOCHI: As another edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) begins at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, most cricketers from Kerala will be left watching the show from the sidelines despite the state finishing runners-up in the Ranji Trophy. Only four players from the state figure in this years IPL. Malayali icon Sanju Samson, who leads Rajasthan Royals, was not part of the Kerala team in the Ranji knockouts. While left-handed batter and Kerala captain Sachin Baby is with Sunrisers Hyderabad, another batter from the Ranji squad Vishnu Vinod, who formerly played for Mumbai Indians, has been picked by Punjab Kings. An eye-catching selection this time is that of Vignesh Puthur, a 23-year-old from Perinthalmanna, who was acquired by Mumbai Indians for Rs 30 lakh in a surprise move. A left-arm wrist spinner who played for Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League, Vignesh was not part of the Ranji squad. The IPL auctions were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last November. And out of 16 Kerala players in the fray, only three were selected. Selecting a player is the franchisees decision. The four representations we have is not a small thing. The auctions happened six months ago, before we made the giant strides in the Ranji Trophy, Kerala Cricket Association president Jayesh George said. Mohammed Azharuddeen, one of the stars of Keralas Ranji campaign, said the real selection does not happen in the auctions but in the knockout stages of major tournaments. We get eliminated at the pre-quarter or quarterfinal stages of major tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (national Twenty20 championship).When we put in consistent performances and reach the semifinals or win championships, more people notice the players, Azhar said. The franchises and scouts evaluate players at that stage and become interested in acquiring them. They look at how we manage pressure and expectation, which is a major factor in IPL. I think we should become more consistent and present ourselves in more crucial matches to resolve this issue we are facing, the wicketkeeper-batter said. Critically, Keralas run to the final of the Ranji Trophy happened after the IPL auctions. This time, we had a very early auction. Our sixth Ranji match happened only after that, followed by our major performances. That could have been a reason for most of our players not getting chosen. But theres always a chance of a spot opening up in case of player replacements, which might come later, Azhar pointed out. Maybe next year, more Kerala players will find favour with IPL teams based on our Ranji performances this year, Jayesh added on an optimistic note.

IPL 2025: Flower Acknowledges shift In Power Towards Big Hitters But Still Backs Kohli To Perform

Indian Premier League: Ahead of the start of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season RCB head coach Andy Flower weighed in on the broader trend of higher scores in the tournament, attributing it to the evolving physicality and approach of modern batters but backed the top scorer in the tournaments history Virat Kohli to perform. The previous edition saw the batters dominate the tournament with the top five scores in a single innings in IPL history all coming in 2024. A lot of the batters are becoming bigger and stronger and are starting to recognise the importance of it. But there's still place in the game for players like Virat Kohli as well. Obviously, hes a super fit, strong young man as well. There's still space for high-quality, highly intelligent cricketers like that as well. But there is a shift towards power. There's no doubt about that and we saw that in the scores. But you see just that in the selection of our batting unit, you will see the emphasis on power with just a couple of exceptions. And I think that is the way the game is going, said Flower in a press conference. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will kick off the IPL season with an away fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Saturday. The match marks the dawn of a new era for RCB, with Rajat Patidar set to lead the franchise as captain. Ahead of the match, Flower acknowledged the challenge ahead, expressed confidence in the teams leadership and balance and shared his thoughts on the evolving trends in the game. On playing the KKR, he said, They had a great season last year, but this is a new year, everyone has got new squads, we have had a great preparation period. We like the look of our squad. We are pretty much ready. As Patidar steps into the captaincy role, Flower backed the 31-year-old and emphasised the experienced core surrounding him. We were conscious of building an experienced side in our recruitment, and in saying that, they will be able to give a lot of support to Rajat. I think he is really excited about this challenge, and we're right behind him. Flower also highlighted the significance of the early fixtures, particularly playing two away games against strong opposition. Its a really good challenge for us, in our first two games, to play away against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. It is a great opportunity for us to get stuck into this competition and have a great start in two big away games. With the Knight Riders boasting a formidable spin attack, Flower acknowledged the threat posed by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy. But RCB head into the encounter with a formidable batting unit that includes the likes of Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David and Krunal Pandya. Chakaravarthy is in really good form and we know about Narine over many years. But that is why you play this game at this levelit is to test yourself against the best in the world, and that is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of playing international cricket or IPL cricket, which the standard is very much like international cricket and obviously all the excitement and energy that comes with playing top-class cricket in India comes with that as well, he remarked. With the Knight Riders boasting a formidable spin attack, Flower acknowledged the threat posed by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy. But RCB head into the encounter with a formidable batting unit that includes the likes of Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David and Krunal Pandya. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

IPL 2025: Indias Favourite T20 Tournament Turns 18 Amidst Riveting Sub-plots On And Off The Field

Indian Premier League: Turning 18 means one gets into the swirling world of adulthood, acquiring independence in decision-making, and assuming new responsibilities related to living life. At this stage, the parents go into their emotional mode of how time flies it feels as if yesterday the kid arrived on earth and is now an adult in the blink of an eye. Well, the same can be said about the Indian Premier League (IPL), whose arrival in 2008 set the stage for crickets landscape to transform on its head and is now about to enter a mature phase of its existence when the 2025 season starts with the Kolkata Knight Riders-Royal Challengers Bengaluru clash at the Eden Gardens, though the washout threat looms large in the opener. As has always been the case, theres plenty of things to look forward to: a second new ball in evening matches chases, the saliva ban lifted and allowing bowlers to shine the ball, DRS being used for high and off-side wides and the impact player rule, always dividing the cricketing house, still intact. But a closer look at the IPL and how it has managed to thrive makes for an interesting study - by successfully merging sports, entertainment, and business, each element has managed to retain its distinct identity. All three elements have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship, with neither affecting each others existence so far and has spilled over to other sports in India too, as well as in cricket within and outside the country. Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has revolutionised cricket in India and globally, blending sports and entertainment to create a recognised brand. Its franchise-based model has attracted significant investments, leading to substantial economic growth within the sports industry. The league's success has inspired the creation of similar T20 tournaments worldwide, enhancing the sport's global appeal. Its also not too far-fetched to say that other sports in India such as kabaddi and football have benefitted from the IPL playbook, says Siddharth Raman - CEO, Sportz Interactive, to IANS on Friday. The IPL stability is awe-inspiring, as it survives seasonal cycles, changes in government, economic crises and even pandemics. Initially, the IPL was anything but a summer pastime for many, but now it has become an inseparable part of Indian culture. For example, new academic session in schools and exam time chatter in universities, as well as afternoon timepass talks in colonies are centered around which team would win the IPL, whose team composition is strong or light and tracing the backstory of a player who was a nobody, but has become a renowned face due to the tournament. Such is the pull of the IPL that big-budget movies dont dare to release theatrically or on OTT platforms when IPL is on, while TV producers have a curious eye on the dwindling TRPs as the ten-team tournament becomes the de-facto prime time daily soap for three months. The IPL's prime-time matches have drawn massive audiences, often surpassing traditional television shows and impacting movie theatre attendance during the season. The league's popularity has prompted broadcasters and streaming platforms to innovate, offering interactive and immersive viewing experiences to retain and grow their audience base, adds Raman. He also adds that IPL's brand value was at two billion dollars in 2009 and has now jumped to 12 billion dollars in 2024. Four teams - Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders - have individual brand valuations of 100 million dollars. The league's media rights, now firmly with JioStar in TV and digital, have also escalated, with deals contributing to a business enterprise value of 15.4 billion dollars, up 80% from 2022. Speaking about numbers, the changes in captains and support staff across ten IPL teams have been eye-catchy. Seven teams will be starting off with new captains Riyan Parag is a stop-gap arrangement for the first three games of Rajasthan Royals, till Sanju Samson passes the keeping test. Suryakumar is just leading Mumbai Indians for the opening game, as Hardik Pandya serves a one-game ban citing a slow over rate. Rajat Patidar and Axar Patel are the newbie leaders for RCB and Delhi Capitals respectively, while IPL 2024 winning skipper Shreyas Iyer is leading Punjab Kings and Ajinkya Rahane is at the helm of defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders. Rishabh Pant, IPLs most expensive player at Rs 27 crore, is captaining Lucknow Super Giants, who have been shaken up by injury cloud in fast-bowling department. The 2025 IPL could be the springboard for Pant, Iyer, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul to reclaim their spots on the national T20I team after varied periods of absence. Theres also the matter of India, the defending champions, and Sri Lanka set to jointly host the T20 World Cup early next year. The mega tournament is still about a year away, and a lot could happen before then. Despite everything, the IPL continues to be vital for those aiming to be back into the India T20I team, and a strong showing in the tournament will provide a massive boost to rest their cases for a recall in front of the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee. Pant, Iyer, and Gill will be aiming to showcase their leadership skills in IPL 2025 and strengthen their case for themselves to take up a leadership role for the Indian team if the chance comes in future. Rahul - unburdened by captaincy responsibilities while turning out for the Delhi Capitals will aim to impress selectors with his batting prowess in the T20 format. Adding to the intrigue of this subplot is the fact that they might compete for the same limited top-order spots. In the last T20I series that India won 4-1 over England earlier this year, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened the innings, with Tilak Varma at number three. While the middle order competition is a bit crowded, it is yet to be established if Samson and Abhishek are Indias best choices as openers, especially with someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal also in the waiting list. In the bowling list, someone like Mohammed Siraj will be roaring to hit the high notes after his stocks fell across formats, while young turks Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana will be aiming to maintain their rise in the cricketing world. The coaches have also changed Ricky Ponting is at Punjab Kings, Hemang Badani has taken charge at Delhi Capitals, Rahul Dravid, despite a leg injury, is coaching Rajasthan Royals. Kevin Pietersen and Dwayne Bravo are mentors of DC and KKR. DC have a total coaching revamp, while others have changes in varying degrees. Three months of IPL action also acts as big economic support to affiliate industries like tourism, wellness, hospitality, merchandising, ticketing, fantasy gaming, influencer economy, social media specialists and cricket-related technology. Former mens and occasionally womens players enjoy a wealth of options of being associated with the IPL, with coaching, and commentary being the most preferred. A major economic force, the IPL generated over 1.2 million direct and indirect jobs across India in 2024. Roles were created in stadium operations, security, and logistics, while merchandising, marketing, and event management contributed to the job scene as well. The hospitality and tourism industries reportedly saw a 35% surge in hiring, adding new jobs across hotels, restaurants, transport, and tour operators. Small businesses and startups leveraged the IPLs massive reach, many new jobs, while the demand for digital fan experiences led to new hires in tech, including developers, designers, and data analysts. From fantasy gaming to streaming innovations, we have seen the IPL fuelling sustained job growth across multiple sectors, stated Raman. In the start, IPLs staunchest critics would tear into the leagues razzamatazz for being the main reason behind all small or big issues in the cricketing world or giving more exposure to overseas players, who go on to humble India on their home soil in bilateral series. Apart from exchange of tactics and strategies, IPL has truly established itself as the most influential league in the cricketing world. Eighteen years of existence on planet earth isnt much time as a whole lifetime of possibilities and the best years of a human beings life are yet to come. Same is the case when IPL 2025 starts on Saturday - turning 18 is a big milestone in its existence, but it has been through its twists and turns which many adults wouldnt have experienced. In the start, IPLs staunchest critics would tear into the leagues razzamatazz for being the main reason behind all small or big issues in the cricketing world or giving more exposure to overseas players, who go on to humble India on their home soil in bilateral series. Apart from exchange of tactics and strategies, IPL has truly established itself as the most influential league in the cricketing world. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Got Match Winners And Experience Right Throughout Their Lineup, Says Finch

Indian Premier League: Former Australia captain Aaron Finch feels that five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have got match winners in their squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, starting on Saturday. MI brought back pacer Trent Boult and Naman Dhir in last year's mega auction to keep their core intact after retaining Rohit Sharma, captain Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah. I just feel everything is coming back together for the Mumbai Indians, they've just got match winners and experience right throughout their lineup. If you look down there, if I'm pointing at a couple of superstars, you forget Rohit, he's a legend of the game, but they've got Sky, Tilak, Hardik, Bolt, Bumrah. There's everything there to post a huge score if they happen to bat first, but also wicket taking ability through Bumrah, through Bolt. These guys are seasoned campaigners who know how to get the job done under pressure, said Finch, JioStar expert, in an exclusive interaction with IANS prior to the 18th edition of TATA IPL. I think in a tournament like the IPL, I know that they're notoriously slow starters, but I think it might be time for Mumbai back up the ladder. The former opener also predicted a breakout season for uncapped batter Naman, who was acquired by the franchise for Rs 5.25 crore via Right to Match. He has played seven IPL matches for the franchise and has accumulated 140 runs including a half-century. I think it's somebody like Naman Dhir. I know he's only played seven IPL games, but he's striking at 177. And you look at the way that T20 has evolved over the last months. It's almost gone to a new level in the last two years. I think it's these type of players who can come in and be so explosive from the start. The young Indian players in particular are so fearless now. They're prepared to take it on from ball one, even if they've played one or two games. Whereas in the past, you might have got guys that are looking to knock the ball around and almost try and buy themselves another game. That's not the case anymore. These youngsters, like Naman Dhir, they're prepared to take it on from the start. And I think that that's such an important role that he'll play in that middle to lower order. So I think that he'll be a breakout star, he added. When asked about which Australian he might think will have a stellar season, Finch picked tournament debutant Josh Inglis to have a memorable outing. Well, I think it's Josh Inglis. We've seen him recently. Like he hasn't, I don't think he's played an IPL game. If he has it, it's only one or two. I'm confident that he hasn't, but he's a super player. I know he's not a youngster, but it's his first real crack at playing IPL. The way that he's played international cricket over the last 18 months after sitting on the sidelines, waiting his turn, travelling around for a long time with the Australian team. When asked about which Australian he might think will have a stellar season, Finch picked tournament debutant Josh Inglis to have a memorable outing. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

IPL 2025: If We Crack The Code To Having Consistent XI, We've Great Chances Ahead, Says KKR's Chakaravarthy

Kolkata Knight Riders: The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be back in action at the iconic Eden Gardens as they are all set to clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in an Indian Premier League 2025 season opener on Saturday. Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who was the cornerstone of KKRs success last year, spoke about the franchise building up for the title defense and said if the team is able to crack the code of having the best playing XI performing consistently, then there are great chances ahead in the tournament. The squad looks good. I think its about cracking the code and having the best playing XI performing consistently. If we are able to get a set core in the first three matches, then we have great chances ahead in this season. Chakaravarthy picked 14 wickets in the five-match T20I series against England and was adjudged the Player of the Series for his stellar bowling performance in January. Chakaravarthy joined the ODI squad against England and later secured his place in the Champions Trophy squad and formed a deadly spin quartet with Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in India's triumphant campaign. The mystery spinner was the second leading wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy with nine scalps to his name in four games. He returned figures of 5-42, the combined best bowling figures in the tournament, in just his second ODI game as India beat New Zealand in their last group game. The main thing is working on consistency, which is the toughest thing to master and Im putting in constant work in order to achieve that. And of course, Im working on a few other deliveries which I'm hoping will come off nicely in the upcoming games, said Chakaravarthy. KKR will be looking forward to adding to the winning streak with wins in the last four consecutive games against RCB. With a favourable 20-14 head-to-head record, the defending champions will be eager to kick off their title defence with a victory. Reflecting on what that brings the best out of you against RCB, Chakaravarthy said, Nothing in specific, just the situation of those matches which helped me pick wickets. In all those games the conditions and the situations were completely favourable towards us so I was able to extract the best possible result. Stats to watch out for in the season opener: Vaibhav Arora is 1 wicket away from 50 wickets in T20s. Sunil Narine is 3 sixes away from 100 sixes in IPL. Sunil Narine is 2 wickets away from 200 wickets for KKR Sunil Narine is 3 sixes away from 100 sixes in IPL. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Pakistan T20 Franchise Triggers Row With 'Shameful' Rohit Sharma Video

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Coco 2 confirmed: Pixar is revisiting the land of the deadWhat we know so far?

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Boston Celtics sold for record-breaking $6.1 B to tech billionaire William Chisholm; all you need to know

The Boston Celtics have been purchased by private equity investor William Chisholm and a group of investors for $6.1 billion. This sale is the largest of a North American sports franchise. This deal surpasses the previous record of $6.05 billion, which was set in 2023 for the purchase of the Washington Commanders, a professional football team.

Maiyan Samman Yojana: Jharkhand government to release list of deleted beneficiaries

RANCHI: Jharkhand government will release a list of the names of the beneficiaries whose names have been deleted from Maiyan Samman Yojana. Responding to the question raised by BJP MLA Neera Yadav during the Budget Session of the Jharkhand Assembly on Thursday, Minister Chamra Linda said that the government will consider her suggestions and will work to make necessary improvements. MLA Neera Yadav questioned that the government has disqualified the beneficiaries of Maiyan Samman Yojana, who received the amount for three months before 2024 Assembly elections, without giving any reason which has created a sense of confusion among them. According to MLA, women are making rounds of the block offices to get the benefit of the scheme. To remove this confusion, the government should organize a camp and issue a list of ineligible women along with the reasons for deleting their names. My demand is simple. If the state government has fixed any criteria for giving the benefits of Maiyan Samman Yojana then make it public and release a list of those women whose names have been deleted from the list of beneficiaries along with the reasons for denying the benefits of the scheme by organizing camps at Block of Panchayat level, said Neera Yadav. The Minister has assured the women that the government will consider their suggestions and will work actively to make necessary improvements in it, she added. Maiyan Samman Yojana: Funds of 112 women going into one mans account, probe underway Notably, names of more than 18 lakh women have been deleted from the list of beneficiaries of Maiyan Samman Yojana without giving them any reasons. Those women, whose names have been deleted from the list have been making rounds of the block officers but are not getting any satisfactory answers from them and hence there is a sense of confusion. These women want to know where they went wrong or what mistakes they have made in filling up their forms. According to government sources, major reason for most of the women not getting money under Maiyan Samman Yojana is that there is a mismatch between their bank account number and online account number. Due to this, a large number of women have been kept on hold, they said. The second major reason is that most bank accounts do not have Aadhaar cards linked to them, leading to the deletion of their names from the list of beneficiaries. Thirdly, most of the beneficiaries have not yet got their KYC done, hence their payments have been kept on hold, said a government employee requesting anonymity. In addition to that, a lot of irregularities came into light during the physical verification of the beneficiaries being conducted all over the state following reports that huge fraud had been committed by the computer operators while filling up the forms for the scheme. Based on those reports, names of ineligible beneficiaries are being deleted from the list. Maiyan Samman Yojna, Hemant Soren Governments flagship programme under which women between the age group of 18-49 get Rs 2500 every month. Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore has tabled the annual Budget of Rs 1, 45,400 crores for FY 2025-26 in the Jharkhand Assembly on March 3, out of which Rs 13,363 crore has been allocated for the Maiyan Samman Yojana.

Throwback to when CSK star Ravindra Jadeja was banned from IPL after trade talks with THIS franchise

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Efforts on to settle royalty, tax dues with certain states over mineral rights: Centre tells SC

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it was making efforts to resolve the issue of recovery of royalty and tax dues on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands between it and several mineral-rich states. The top court meanwhile deferred to April 24 the hearing on subsequent pleas of several mineral-rich states like Jharkhand seeking to recover royalty and tax dues on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands worth thousands of crore of rupees from the Centre and the mining firms. A special three-judge bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and MM Sundresh and Ujjal Bhuyan said it will decide on the sequence in which the pleas of several mineral-rich states would be heard. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said efforts were on to find a settlement of the issue and the pleas may be listed in the first week of May. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for Jharkhand, said a settlement can be arrived at any stage and the hearing should not be delayed. On July 25, 2024, a nine-judge bench headed by the then Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud (since retired), in a majority 8:1 verdict, had ruled that the legislative power to tax mineral rights vests in states and not Parliament. In a subsequent order on August 14, the top court clarified that the judgement will not have prospective effect and permitted mineral-rich states recover from the Centre and mining firms the royalty and tax dues on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands worth thousands of crore of rupees since April 1, 2005 over a period of 12 years. Later, a special bench headed by Justice Oka was set up to resolve the subsequent dispute between several states and the Centre. Dwivedi had urged the bench to allocate states' pleas relating to recovery of dues and the legal impediments in realising them to a bench. Post the July 25, 2024 judgement that held that the states have the power to levy tax and royalty, Dwivedi had referred to legal impediments coming in the way of Jharkhand in levy tax on minerals and mineral-bearing lands. He had said one issue still remained and that was Jharkhand's law to collect royalty on minerals and mineral-bearing land, which was set aside earlier, needed to be upheld now. Unless the Act is declared valid, we cannot collect taxes on minerals and mineral-bearing land. Please list it expeditiously before the appropriate bench, Diwvedi had said. He had referred to a decision of the Ranchi bench of the Patna High Court that had struck down Section 89 of the Mineral Area Development Authority Act of 1992 vide its judgment dated March 22, 1993. Section 89 of the Mineral Area Development Authority Act empowered the state government of then undivided Bihar to levy tax on not only mineral-bearing land but also land used for commercial or industrial purposes. In a majority 8:1 verdict on July 25, the bench had held that legislative power to tax mineral rights vests with states. The verdict had overruled a 1989 judgement, which held that only the Centre has power to impose royalty on minerals and mineral-bearing land. Some opposition-ruled mineral rich states then sought refund of royalty levied by the Centre and taxes from the mining companies since the 1989 verdict.

Indian Superbike League launched with Ducati as motorcycle supplier

The Indian Superbike League (ISBL) has been launched to boost Indian motorsports, featuring franchised motorcycle racing across multiple cities. Set to begin later this year, the league aims to nurture home-grown talent, support technical expertise, and create career pathways. Ducati is among the suppliers, and over 400 riders have already registered, highlighting strong interest.

Zero tolerance on terror, 71% decline in cases, says government

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that terror incidents have been reduced by 71 percent in the country under the Modi government. He attributed it to the administrations zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. He declared that terrorists would either be sent to jail or hell under the current government. He took a swipe at previous non-BJP governments, saying in the past, terrorists were glorified and served good food. The strong policy against terrorism has paid dividends in bringing down the cases of terror to zero in the hinterland, he remarked. He said after amendments to the law governing the National Investigation Agency, the NIA is now investigating cases abroad, including attacks on Indian High Commissions in London and Ottawa and the consulate in San Francisco. Regarding terror-related cases, he stated that special courts have been established in Jammu and Ranchi, with 23 such courts operating elsewhere across the country to handle such matters exclusively. Referring to under-trials and convicts charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or other terror-related legislation, the minister reported, So far, the courts have decided 157 cases, 95.54 percent of total cases. In cases of terror financing, there is 100 per cent success. He informed that 57 individuals have been declared terrorists since 2014, and nine organisations have been designated as terror outfits under the UAPA. Moreover, 23 organisations have been classified as unlawful. Twenty-three cases of human trafficking and 30 bomb attacks, along with one case of cybercrime, are being investigated, which is helping to curb terror activities, the minister informed the House.

Renowned Japanese anime director Shigeki Awai passes away

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Naughty Dog Reportedly Taking Inspiration From Elden Ring for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

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Punjab Kings IPL 2025: From Shreyas Iyer to Yuzvendra Chahal; 5 key players to watch out for in PBKS team

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Birsa Agricultural University Young Professional II Recruitment 2025 Walk in

Birsa Agricultural University Recruitment 2025 for 01 posts of Young Professional II. Candidates with B.B.A, B.Sc, B.Tech/B.E Can attend the walkin.The Walk-in on 05-04-2025. For detailed information please visit Birsa Agricultural University official website, bauranchi.org.

Spitze by Everyday Partners with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as its Official Modular Kitchen Accessories Partner for IPL Season 2025

www.spitzebyeveryday.com . About Royal Challengers Bengaluru Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo India, owns the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (often abbreviated as RCB) are a franchise cricket team based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, that plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL). One of the original ten teams has made three final appearances in the IPL and reached the Playoffs for three consecutive years in 2020, 2021 and 2022. In 2024, the team qualified by winning 6 out of 6 games from the bottom of the points table with a 1 % chance. The squad consists of a fine blend of proven stars of the international arena and emerging talent. Royal Challengers Bengaluru emerged champions in the Womens Premier League 2024. RCB won the rights to own and operate a team in the Women's Premier League with a bid of 901 Crores in January 2023 and shaped a bold squad in the auction with the buy of distinguished Indian opener Smriti Mandhana (INR 3.40 CR), who also happened to become the most expensive buy not only at WPL but among all other women's cricket leagues in the world

IPL 2025: Here Are The Highest Paid Players From MI, CSK, RCB, KKR And Other Teams

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Three inter-district burglars held, valuables worth Rs 25 lakh seized in Odisha

CUTTACK: Police have busted an inter-district burglary gang, arresting three members, including the receiver, and recovered stolen jewellery and other items worth Rs 25 lakh from them. The gang comprised mainly members of a nomadic group. The burglars, Bikas Das and Kuna Das, and receiver Debasish Sahoo belong to Kendrapara district. While Bikas and Kuna were nabbed on Sunday, Debasish was apprehended on Tuesday. Gold and silver ornaments and brass utensils worth around Rs 25 lakh were seized from him. Briefing mediapersons, Cuttack SP (Rural) Prateek Singh said they began an investigation after receiving a complaint from one Ramesh Sahoo of Erakana within Bhadreswar police limits that some miscreants looted his house on March 7. Basing on further inputs provided by the complainant, we suspected the accused belonged to a nomadic community. So we engaged our sources in different villages where people of the community reside to gather more information. Subsequently, acting on a tip-off that some youths slept in an open field in the night, a special police team led by Salipur SDPO Biranchi Narayan Pati nabbed Kuna and Bikash on Sunday, the SP said. During interrogation, they confessed to have committed a series of burglaries in Cuttack and neighbouring districts and handed over the stolen ornaments to Debasish, who was the receiver, Singh said. During interrogation, Debasish revealed he had pledged the stolen gold in INDEL Money and Muthoot Mercantile Limited branches at Kendrapara in his wife and mothers names. While 24 pledged gold deposited in the name of his mother were seized from Muthoot Mercantile Limited, around six pledged gold in the name of his wife were recovered from INDEL Money. This apart, as many as 376 pledges were found to have been created in the name of Debasish and his mother with INDEL Money during the last two years which are under investigation, Singh added. While Bikash is involved in 18 burglary cases, as many as 11 burglary cases are pending against Kuna at different police stations in Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Jajpur districts. Similarly, Debasish has so far been arrested in 13 cases, the SP said. The gang grazes cattle in the morning and resorts to burglary in the nights, Singh said, adding that efforts are underway to nab the other gang members.

Shreyas Iyer wants to mark himself at number three this IPL

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Former New York Yankees star Alex Verdugo yet to receive major league offer: Report

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The Best Assassin's Creed Games Right Now

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IPL 2025 countdown | Knight Riders have the class and balance to do an encore

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Uproar in Jharkhand Assembly over demand of special debate over law and order situation

RANCHI: The Jharkhand Assembly on Tuesday witnessed an uproar over the clash between the two groups in Giridih during the Holi procession, with BJP legislators trooping into the well of the House and demanding a special debate over the state's law and order situation in the state. Despite repeated requests by Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato, the BJP MLAs continued to raise slogans against the JMM-led coalition government and disrupted the House not letting the question hour take place. Unable to run the House, the Speaker adjourned proceedings till noon. Notably, several people were injured after a clash broke out between two groups during a Holi procession in Giridih on Friday, during which, at least three shops were allegedly torched by the unruly mob. The incident took place during the passing of a Holi procession in Ghodthamba when it was opposed by a group, leading to a clash. Leader of the Opposition, Babulal Marandi, alleged that the incident occurred in a planned manner, further adding that when people were moving forward while playing Holi, police stopped them while miscreants threw stones, and hurled petrol bombs at them. Meanwhile, the police remained mute spectators without taking any concrete action against the miscreants, he said. Marandi also charged the Hemant Soren government of practising the politics of appeasement, stating that it had gone too far. An FIR has been filed against 80 people, with 40 Hindus and 40 Muslims among them. Of the 22 arrested, 11 were Hindus and 11 were Muslims, said Marandi. Hindus were going to play Holi and neither had stones nor petrol bombs in their hands; therefore, action should be taken against those who tried to disturb the communal harmony, he added. Marandi then insisted on holding a debate on law and order, highlighting that law and order in the state was deteriorating, especially with upcoming events such as Eid, Sarhul, and Ram Navami. He requested that the debate be held instead of the question hour. Looking at the seriousness of the matter, I would insist that a debate on the incident of Giridih should be conducted in the House instead of the question hour, said Marandi. Earlier on March 10, the Jharkhand Assembly had witnessed uproar as the MLAs stormed the well of the House and raised slogans against the government following the BJP MLAs allegations of lawlessness in the state. Citing the incidents of Ranchi, Mandar, and Hazaribagh, Marandi claimed that such a deteriorating law and order situation had never been seen in the past 25 years. Marandi also highlighted the recent shooting of coal trader Vipin Mishra in Ranchi and the cold-blooded murder of NTPC DGM in Hazaribagh, questioning the governments response to the increasing crime rate.

CRPF SI injured in IED blast triggered by Maoists in Jharkhands Chaibasa

RANCHI: A CRPF sub-inspector was injured near Radha Poda village under Jeraikela police station in Chaibasa on March 18 in yet another IED blast triggered by Maoists in Kolhan jungles. Identified as Subodh Kumar, belonging to the CRPFs 134 battalion was airlifted immediately to a hospital in Ranchi after being administered first aid at a health hub in Jeraikela. According to police, the paramilitary forces, including the CRPFs 134 battalion had been conducting anti-insurgency operations in the hilly terrain of Jeraikela and the adjoining areas since March 4. During the operation, the paramilitary forces had an encounter with the Maoists on March 18. After a prolonged exchange of fire between the two sides, the Maoists started retreating as they could withstand the firing being done by the paramilitary forces. Meanwhile, while fleeing from the spot, the Maoists triggered a powerful IED, planted earlier by them to target the security forces, said Chaibasa SP Ashutosh Shekhar. The SP further added that the sub-inspector Subodh Kumar who was in the blasts impact range was injured in the incident. He was immediately airlifted and admitted to a hospital in Ranchi after being provided first aide in Chaibasa, he said. The condition of the injured officer is stable and he is recuperating, said the SP. According to a press communique released by the police, the encounter took place at around 10 am on March 18 following which an intensive search operation is being conducted in the region. Notably, several Maoist commanders are active with their squads in the Saranda forests of Chaibasa and have planted thousands of IEDs to check security forces enter into the jungles, due to which regular incidents of blasts are taking place during the operations. Since November 2022, at least four security personnel have been killed while more than 30 were critically injured. Besides claiming the lives of more than a dozen civilians in IED blasts triggered by Maoists in Kolhan jungles, the Maoists have also distributed pamphlets in the adjacent villages. They have also warned villagers not to enter deep into the jungles as they may walk over an IED and lose their lives. According to Chaibasa SP, even though Maoists have planted IEDs in the entire area, forces are advancing slowly into the jungles with full determination and have established several temporary security camps in their core areas. The state police launched a joint operation in Kolhan jungles in November 2022 after a tip-off that some of the senior Maoist leaders, including Misir Besra and Patiram Majhi alias Anal Da are hiding in that forest stretch. It is said to be strategically important.

Baahubali of SRH joins camp for IPL 2025!

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Army Officer Found Dead In Ranchi Parking Lot, Suicide Suspected

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The next film in the Saw franchise, Saw XI, is reportedly in jeopardy over behind-the-scenes conflicts that may doom the franchise.

CCF Premier League Season 1 launched

KOCHI: The Celebrity Cricket Fraternity is set to host its first-ever premier league (CCFPL) from April 19 to 25 at St Pauls College ground. The tournament will feature 12 teams comprising film, television, and media personalities. Organised in association with the Kochi Blue Tigers cricket team, CCFPL is Keralas only league conducted in the Last Man Stands amateur cricket format, a style popularised by South African cricketer AB de Villiers. The tournaments official logo was unveiled by former Indian cricketer S Sreesanth at an event held at Holiday Inn, Kochi. The launch was attended by Kerala Ranji team captain Basil Thampi, whose team recently finished as runners-up, along with CCF president Anil Thomas, secretary Sleeba Varghese, treasurer Sudheep Karat, and actors Unni Mukundan, Siju Wilson, and Mahima Nambiar, among other franchise owners and celebrities.

Patidar will lead RCB for a long time: Kohli

BENGALURU, Mar 17: Indian superstar Virat Kohli has backed newly-appointed Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar to lead the side for a long time. Kohli, who has been with RCB since IPLs inception in 2008, led the franchise for more than a decade and remains its face. Patidar has succeeded Faf du Plessis as captain with the South African moving to Delhi Capitals this season. This guy is going to lead you for a long time. He is going to [] The post Patidar will lead RCB for a long time: Kohli appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Jharkhand HC rejects plea seeking probe into former Ministers' assets

RANCHI: In a major relief to the five ministers of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das's Cabinet, the Jharkhand High Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a probe into their assets. The petition filed by social activist Pankaj Yadav, seeking an investigation into the disproportionate assets of five former ministers of the Raghuvar government, was dismissed by the bench of Chief Justice Ramchandra Rao. The PIL was dismissed by the court saying that the ACB is already investigating the case and hence interference of the court is not required in this regard, said Advocate Piyush Chitresh appearing on behalf of the state government. Notably, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against five ministers in the erstwhile Raghubar Das Government was filed in Jharkhand High Court in 2020 for amassing several hundred per cent properties, more than the known source of their income. Petitioner Pankaj Yadav, in his PIL, has demanded CBI inquiry against the five former ministers Randheer Kumar Singh, Amari Kumar Bauri, Neera Yadav, Louis Marandi and Neera Yadav as their properties increased up to 1100 per cent in the last five years. Incidentally, Louis Marandi is currently a JMM MLA. In July 2023, Chief Minister Hemant Soren had also given approval for ACB investigation against the five former ministers of Raghubar Das Cabinet following which, ACB started investigation in this regard and Pankaj Yadav's complaint was found to be true. Moving forward in this direction, ACB had also sent notices to the former ministers and the complainant by registering PE in this matter. The case is currently investigated by the ACB.

Amazon Plans to Introduce Premium Tier of AI-Powered Alexa Gadgets

Amazon is stepping up its AI game with the next line of Alexa gadgets. The introduction of tonier hardware, which will coexist with lower- and mid-priced products, is a bid to give consumers more choice while generating new excitement for an Alexa franchise that has lost luster in recent years.

IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals name Faf du Plessis as vice-captain

The former South Africa captain will be Axar Patel's deputy in the Delhi-based franchise. Axar was named DC captain on Friday.

God of War Ragnark Gets Dark Odyssey Collection Update as Part of Series' 20th Anniversary Celebrations

Sony is celebrating 20th anniversary of God of War, one of PlayStations biggest franchises, on March 22. The company has announced new in-game content for God of War Ragnark, 20th anniversary merchandise, an art exhibition and more to mark the occasion.

Maiyan Samma Yojana row: BJP questions deletion of 18 lakh names

RANCHI: Making a fresh attack on Hemant Soren government, Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has questioned the removal of the names of 18 lakh women from the list of beneficiaries under Maiyan Samman Yojana. According to Marandi, Hemant Soren had promised to give benefits of Maiyan Saaman Yojana to nearly 56 lakh women, but is giving it to only to 38 lakh women. Posting on social media platform X, Marandi said that the state government should stop making excuses and release the amount of Maiyan Samman Yojana to all women, or BJP will launch a statewide movement for the rights of the women who are not getting the aid. Marandi has asked Chief Minister Hemant Soren that what harm have the remaining 18 lakh women have done to him? Before the elections, Hemant Soren had announced to give the amount of Maiyan Samman Yojana to 56 lakh women, but gave it only to 38 lakh women Hemant ji, what harm have the remaining 18 lakh women done to you? Marandi posted on X. Maiyan Samman Yojana: Funds of 112 women going into one mans account, probe underway Now the amount is being sent to the accounts of only 38 lakh women; he remaining 18 lakh women have had their funds withheld citing ineligibility or technical constraints or some other reason, he added. Marandi further added that the state government should stop making excuses and release the amount of Maiyan Samman Yojana to all the women, or the BJP will launch state-wide protest for the rights of these women. Earlier, Marandi had criticized the rationale behind providing Rs 2,500 in financial assistance to young women under the Maiyan Samman Yojana while widows and elderly women receive only Rs 1,000 as pension. He urged the state government to reconsider its decision, calling it an infringement on the rights of the most vulnerable and helpless widowed women. Notably, a lot of irregularities came into light during the physical verification of the beneficiaries being conducted all over the state following reports that huge fraud has been done by the computer operators while filling up the forms for the scheme. Based on those reports, names of ineligible beneficiaries are being deleted from the list. Earlier too, several complaints of fraud related to Maiyan Samman Yojana were received from across the state where money was being transferred to the bank accounts of wives and daughters of some government employees. Men found taking financial aid from 'Maiyan Samman Yojana' in Jharkhand; FIR lodged Similar irregularities were also received from Kasmar Block in Bokaro, where two computer operators were found to be taking benefits of Maiyan Samman Yojana in their bank accounts, following which an FIR was lodged against one of them. In Garhwa also, which IDs of three CSC operators were cancelled after they linked the bank accounts of their friends and relatives with application of others and the financial aid transferred to their bank accounts. In another case, 95 applicants of Maiyan Samman were found linked to a single bank account, which was opened recently in West Bangal. During the investigation, it was found that the bank account of Yusuf, a resident of Patagoda, Barakhanti in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal, was used 95 times. Maiyan Samman Yojna, Hemant Soren Governments flagship programme under which women between the age group of 18-49 gets Rs 2500 every month. Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore tabled the annual Budget of Rs 1, 45,400 crore for FY 2025-26 in the Jharkhand Assembly, out or which Rs 13,363 crore has been allocated for the Maiyan Samman Yojana. Financial aid for eight women credited to one person's account under Jharkhand's Maiyan Samman Yojana