Month: May 2024

Despite the talks around strike rate and lack of great pace bowling options, Team India is heading into the ICC T20 World Cup starting from June 1 with the most series wins and fine performances under their belt.

India will start their T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland at the newly constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

Here is a look at Men in Blue’s form and statistics, since their T20 WC semifinal loss to England by 10 wickets in November 2022, ahead of the campaign:

-India tour of New Zealand (2022)

India won the rain-effected three-match T20I series under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya by 1-0, with the highlight being a knock of 111* in 51 balls by Suryakumar Yadav in the second T20I and four-wicket hauls by Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj in the third rain-affected T20I.

-Sri Lanka tour of India (January 2023)

India won this three-match T20I series by 2-1 to kickstart the home season with a bang. The highlight of this series was once again, a knock of 112* in 51 balls by Suryakumar in the third T20I and some fine all-round performances by Axar Patel.

-New Zealand tour of India (January-February 2023)

Yet another fine series win for India by 2-1, coming back after being 1-0 down in the series. The highlight of this series was a fine 126* in 63 balls by Shubman Gill, the batters’ first T20I century in the third T20I and a fine show by Indian pacers that skittled NZ out for just 66 in pursuit of 235 run target set after Gill’s ton, including Hardik Pandya’s four-wicket-haul.

-India tour of West Indies (July-August 2023)

This is the only blip in India’s T20I resume after the T20 WC. After securing the Test and ODI series, India was expected to win the T20I series as well, with a young Team India around. However, West Indies players fought really well in what was a tight, back-and-forth series to win it 3-2, winning the fifth and decider T20I match.

A major taking point of this series was the emergence of Tilak Varma, who batted with maturity and elegance beyond his age, top scoring for India with 173 runs in five matches at an average of 57.67, with a half-century.

-India tour of Ireland (August 2023)

This series served as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s comeback to the national side after battling injuries and he was appointed as a captain of a young Indian side in the absence of Hardik Pandya. India won the series 2-0. This series saw the international debut of India’s newest finisher and sensation, Rinku Singh.

-Asian Games Hangzhou (September 2023)

India secured a gold medal at the event, winning the gold on the basis of their seeding as their final with Afghanistan did not go further due to rain. A 49-ball century by Yashasvi Jaiswal was the big highlight from the competition.

-Australia tour of India (November-December 2023)

The series was conducted after India’s loss to Australia in the World Cup finals, with both teams fielding a young side, with the main squads being rested after the tournament. India won the series 4-1, with some fine performances from youngsters like Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, skipper Suryakumar Yadav etc. Gaikwad was the top run-scorer for India, with 223 runs in five matches with a century and fifty. Spinners Ravi Bishnoi (9 wickets) and Axar Patel (6 wickets) also delivered some fine performances.

-India tour of South Africa (December 2023)

Team India travelled to South Africa under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. The series ended with a 1-1 draw as one match could not be played due to rain. A fine 68 by Rinku Singh in the first T20I and a fourth T20I century by Surya in the second T20I along with a five-wicket haul from Kuldeep Yadav were major highlights, performance-wise.

-Afghanistan tour of India (January 2023)

Afghanistan’s first international series against India marked the return of veterans Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma to the T20Is after the team’s loss in the 2022 WC semis. India won the series 3-0. The highlights of the series were twin half-centuries from Shivam Dube, a scorching fifth T20I century by Rohit, a knock of 121* in 69 balls, with 11 fours and eight sixes in the final game, some stunning fielding by Virat and a cameo of 29 in 16 balls that displayed his new, attacking attitude.

Some talking points for India heading into the tournament:

-Red-hot form of Virat Kohli (741 runs in 15 games), Jasprit Bumrah (20 wickets in 13 matches) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with the rise in former’s strike rate and six-hitting being a big highlight.

-Poor form of all-rounder Hardik Pandya (216 runs and 11 wickets in 14 games) in the IPL and diminishing of his finishing/six-hitting abilities

-Skipper Rohit Sharma’s (417 runs in 14 games) disappointing strike rate of just 127.84 against spin in IPL 2024 and six dismissals in the tournament. He also had a very inconsistent run in the tournament.

-Bowlers like Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh (19 wickets each), and Mohammed Siraj (15 wickets) are among the wickets in IPL 2024, delivering some fine performances but are prone to inconsistency and erratic line and lengths.

-Absence of a proper, consistent finisher in Rinku Singh in the squad of 15.

Top performers for India during this phase:

Suryakumar Yadav: 857 runs in 20 matches and 19 innings at an average of 53.56 and a strike rate of 161.39, with three centuries and five fifties, best score of 112*.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: In 17 T20Is for India, Jaiswal scored 502 runs in 16 innings at an average of 33.46 and a strike rate of 161.93, with a century and four half-centuries. His best score was 100.

Arshdeep Singh: Leading wicket-taker for India, with 33 wickets in 25 matches at an average of 23.09 and an economy rate of 9.10, with a best of 4/37.

Kuldeep Yadav: 15 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 14.33 and an economy rate of 13.50, with a best of 5/17.

Rinku Singh: 356 runs in 15 matches and 11 innings at an average of 89.00 and a strike rate of 176.24, with two half-centuries and best score of 69*.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan. (ANI)

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Hours after a media report claimed that Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani was in talks with Paytm founder Vijay Shankar Sharma to buy a stake in Paytm, the popular fintech company termed the report “speculative”.

Paytm informed stock exchanges in a filing that the company is not engaged in any discussions in this regard.

“…We hereby clarify that the abovementioned news item is speculative and the Company is not engaged in any discussions in this regard,” the filing read.

“We have always made and will continue to make disclosures in compliance with our obligations under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.”

In the early hours of Wednesday, a newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, reported that Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani is looking to buy a stake in One 97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm.

The report claimed that Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma met Gautam Adani at the latter’s office in Ahmedabad on Tuesday to “finalise the contours of a deal”.

According to the news report, Sharma owns about 19 per cent of One 97, which is worth Rs 4,218 crore based on the stock’s Tuesday closing price of Rs 342 per share. (ANI)

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The 5T chairman and the BJD leader, VK Pandian, said on Wednesday that a native son of the soil would take over the role of Chief Minister in Odisha on June 9.

“I think on 9th June, ‘Bhoomiputra’ will take over. The one who not just speaks Odia but lives in the hearts of the people of Odisha will be the Chief Minister. On 9th June, between 11:30 am to 1 pm, the son of the soil will take over as the Chief Minister,” Pandian said.

The assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the BJD-ruled state are being held across four phases, from May 13 to June 1.

Hitting out at the central government over the coal royalty amount, 5T Chairman and the party’s leader VK Pandian said that the Centre is taking Rs 60,000 crores from Odisha and repaying only Rs 4,000-5,000 crores alleging that they are taking away all the profits.

“The central leaders and CMs who are coming to Odisha repeatedly, their campaign will not have an impact because they have not done anything for Odisha. They are taking Rs 60,000 crores from Odisha and repaying only Rs 4,000-5,000 crores and are shedding crocodile tears saying that Odisha is a mineral-rich state. Coal is one of the biggest minerals from Odisha, you take Rs 27,000-30,000 crores and give Rs 4,000 crores to Odisha. Why can’t you revise the coal royalty for the last 20 years?” Pandian said.

“The people of Odisha can understand what the Center takes away from Odisha. Yes, we are mineral rich but where are you allowing us to get the profit out of minerals? You are giving us pollution and taking away all the profits,” he added.

Exuding confidence in the BJD’s win in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha, Pandian said that the people of Odisha will not be swayed away by the statements of central leaders and chief ministers who are coming to the state for their campaign.

“The people of Odisha will not be swayed away by central leaders and Chief Ministers’ statements. If they have done something for Odisha definitely their visit will have an impact and if they have not done anything and they are shedding crocodile tears, the people of Odisha are smart enough to understand this,” the BJD leader said.

The BJD leader also criticised the Election Commission for suspending an officer working as special secretary.

“It is very unfortunate that the Election Commission has taken action against some of the officers who are working in the CMO. I would say that those two officers are outstanding officers of Odisha and both of them have played a great role in controlling Naxalism in Odisha risking their lives. I think they have been awarded by the highest authorities in the country for their commitment, dedication and sacrifice. This is very unfortunate and it is as per the design of BJP which cannot digest imminent defeat in the hands of BJD and it cannot stand against the popularity of Naveen Babu and his sway over the people of Odisha,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Election Commission of India (#ECI) suspended senior IPS officer DS Kutey who was working as special secretary to #Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Senior IPS officer has been charged with directly exerting undue influence on the conduct of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.

Odisha is seeing simultaneous polls to both Lok Sabha and the assembly. The assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the BJD-ruled state are being held across four phases, from May 13 to June 1. Navin Patnaik, who has been in power as the chief minister since 2000, is seeking a record sixth term in simultaneous state elections. The counting of votes for all phases in the state and elsewhere in the country will be held on June 4.

In the last assembly elections in 2019, the BJD won the maximum number of seats, winning 112 out of the 146 seats. The BJP won 23 seats, while Congress had to be content with just 9. (ANI)

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The Tis Hazari court on Tuesday granted Delhi Police three days custody for the interrogation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar. He was produced before the court after the expiry of four days of judicial custody.

Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Gaurav Goyal remanded Bibhav Kumar to three days. He is directed to be produced before the court on May 31.

After the hearing, when the order was reserved, the Defence counsel raised an objection over the Additional Public Prosecutor sitting in the chamber of a judge after the order was reserved.

The judge asked who told that APP was sitting in my chamber.

Counsel for the accused himself said that he saw the APP coming out of the judge’s chamber. Counsel also said that he got the complaint that it happened last time.

The court said the defence counsel is levelling allegations against the court.

Counsel said that they are not levelling the allegations but raising their objection. When the counsel complained of the APP sitting inside the chamber for the last one hour.

The court said, it is my order and I will pronounce it.

The Delhi police sought five days of police custody of Bibhav Kumar.

At the outset, Defence counsel Rajat Bhardwaj referred to the High Court rules and requested the court to peruse the case diary, sign it and paginate it.

Delhi police prosecutor submitted that there is an amendment in the Rules related to the case diary. It is duly paginated. The court may peruse it.

A case diary produced before the court by police. Defence counsel requested the court to peruse and sign the case diary.

Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Atul Srivastava submitted that the accused formatted his mobile phone and refused to share the password.

It was also submitted that police have received an interim report of a forensic expert on CCTV footage. The accused is seen entering the area where the DVR were there. He remained there for 20 minutes. There are chances of tampering with the evidence, APP argued.

“We need to take him to some places. We requested five days of police custody,” APP prayed.

APP also submitted that the complainant stated that the accused videographed the incident. He was seen with two mobile phones.

Defence counsel Rajiv Mohan was opposing the remand application.

The alleged incident occurred on 13 May, there was no complaint for three days, No MLC, FIR was lodged on May 16, accused was arrested on 18, defence counsel argued.

He also argued that the evidence is being created by defence counsel. Police want custody of the accused till the time he gives a statement that suits their requirements.

It is admitted case that the footage of the place of occurrence is not available, Defence counsel submitted. In this case, no weapon has been used, the accused’s counsel submitted.

The Defence counsel also argued that the evidence is being created.

It is admitted case that the footage of the place of occurrence is not available. In this case, no weapon has been used, the accused’s counsel submitted. Data of mobile can be retrieved, defence counsel argued

Why an accused would create evidence against him so that police can use it, defence counsel said.

The accused cannot be compelled to share the password, the accused’s counsel argued.

FIR is very simple but Prosecution is reading between the lines, Defence counsel argued.

There is no evidence on record that the mobile was formatted, defence counsel submitted.

The fact of formatting of the phone is not admissible without any report of the forensic report, the defence counsel submitted.

The accused can be examined scientifically, there is not a requirement of custody, defence counsel Rajiv Mohan argued.

There should be a compelling ground to seek further custody. There is no material with the police to confront the accused with, the defence counsel submitted.

APP opposed the submissions of the defence and said that police had received an interim report of a forensic expert regarding the blank portion of the footage. There is a chance of tampering.

The accused was using two mobile, where the second mobile, APP submitted.

Defence counsel argued that this aspect has not been investigated why the complainant went to the CM house. Defence counsel also argued that it is not a murder case where custody to required to recover the weapon.

“There is no evidence to show that the injuries mentioned in the MLC have been caused by the accused,” defence counsel submitted.

MLC is of three days after the incident, defence counsel submitted.

Kumar is accused of assaulting the AAP Rajya Sabha member at the chief minister’s residence on May 13. He was sent to four days’ judicial custody on May 24. (ANI)

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AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi expressed hope that the people will strengthen beauty, brotherhood, and Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb when they go out to vote in the last and seventh phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“We hope that those who have voted or are going to vote in the 7th phase will vote to strengthen the beauty, brotherhood, and ‘Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb’ of India. I am hopeful that the people of the country will not make PM Modi the prime minister for the third time…,” Owaisi told reporters here.

Responding to the remark of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister KP Maurya that a survey would be done on the Muslim reservation after June 4, the Hyderabad MP said, “I want to ask him. Has he so much love for the backward Muslims? (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji gave speeches on the backward Muslims”.

He also referred to a 1950 Presidential Order. “And gave that status to the backward Muslims. It clearly proves that he (PM Modi) is merely talking about ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and (Sabka) Vishwas. He does not believe in it”.

Replying to a query, he said, “Had they (BJP) done something in the last ten years…but the poor people of the Bharat, Backward, Dalit, Muslim, and Christian have realised that the ‘400 paar’ means to end the Constitution or the basic structure”.

Uttar Pradesh is voting in all seven phases of the Lok Sabha polls, the last phase of which is scheduled for June 1. The Congress is fighting the polls in partnership with the Samajwadi Party in the state and has a seat-sharing agreement with each other.

As per the seat agreement, Congress is contesting 17 seats, and the Samajwadi Party has the remaining 63 seats in the electorally crucial state.

In the 2019 general elections, the BJP emerged triumphant, securing 62 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, supplemented by two seats clinched by its ally Apna Dal (S). Mayawati’s BSP managed to secure 10 seats, while Akhilesh Yadav’s SP garnered five. Conversely, the Congress party secured only one seat.

The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19. The counting of the votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)

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Actor Akshay Kumar, who is gearing up for his next release ‘Sarfira,’ was recently spotted performing energetic dance moves along with Radhika Madan on a rooftop.

The video garnering attention of fans and went viral on social media.

In the video, Akshay and Radhika are seen together with two others. All four grooved to the beats of the music. The two can be seen performing dance steps on the background music. It seems to have been shot during the shoot of their upcoming film ‘Sarfira’.

‘Sarfira’ is a remake of Tamil film ‘Soorarai Pottru’. The title of the film was announced in February, and it is scheduled for release on July 12.

Taking to Instagram, Akshay shared a short teaser of the film which he captioned, “Dream so Big, they call you Crazy! #Sarfira releasing only in cinemas on 12th July, 2024.”

The film is all set to hit theatres on July 12, 2024.

The film also features Paresh Rawal, Radhika Madan and Seema Biswas in pivotal roles.

An incredible story, set in the world of startups and aviation, Sarfira is all set to inspire the common man to dream big and to chase your dreams even if the world calls you crazy.

Sarfira is a uniquely Indian story of grit, determinaton and jugaad, of an underdog challenging the socio-economic fabric of a system entrenched in class, caste and power dynamics.

Written by Sudha and Shalini Ushadevi, with dialogues by Pooja Tolani, and a G.V. Prakash Kumar musical, Sarfira is produced by Aruna Bhatia (Cape of Good Films), South superstars Suriya and Jyotika (2D Entertainment) and Vikram Malhotra.

South actor Suriya had played the lead role in ‘Soorarai Pottru’, he will also be seen in a guest appearance role in ‘Sarfira’. (ANI)

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Taking time out from his busy schedule, actor VarunDhawan spends time with his fur baby Joey. The actor treated fans with a fun video on Tuesday.

Varun took to Instagram to overload the platform with their cuteness.

Varun is seen holding Joey’s front paws while they jam together. Joey can be seen showing his affection by planting wet kisses on Varun’s face.

Sharing the video, he wrote, “Do you dance with your dog like this.”

As soon as the video was shared, fans and industry members chimed in the comment section.

Arjun Kapoor wrote, “Content creation.”

Varun’s ‘Baby John’ co-star Keerthy Suresh commented, “Awwwwww.”

One of the users wrote, “Two cuties in one frame.”

Another user commented, “Haha love it. I do the same, with my cats.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Varun will be seen in action thriller ‘Baby John’.

Recently, makers of the much-awaited treated fans with a return gift on Varun’s birthday by sharing a new poster of him.

Taking to Instagram, film’s producer Murad Khetani shared the poster and wished the actor on his big day.

In the poster, Varun Dhawan is seen sporting long hair and donning an intense look.

Under the rain, Varun can be seen holding an individual by the neck with a fierce expression on his face.

Sharing the poster, he wrote, “Happy Birthday to the force behind #BabyJohn @varundvn. Brace yourselves for an unforgettable cinematic experience. #BabyJohn coming soon!”

The film will also star Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jackie Shroff and Rajpal Yadav in key roles.

‘Baby John’ is the title of the film, which is directed by A Kaleeswaran. Atlee is presenting the film in association with Jio Studios and Cine1 Studios.

The teaser of the film received massive responses from the fans.

The film is produced by Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee and Jyoti Deshpande.

In the coming months, Varun will be seen in the Indian adaptation of the Hollywood series ‘Citadel’ opposite actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

He will also be seen in ‘Sunny Sanskari ki Tulsi Kumari’.

The film is written and directed by Shashank Khaitan. The film features an ensemble cast, including Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in leading roles, alongside Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, and Akshay Oberoi.

Produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Shashank Khaitan, the movie is slated to hit theaters on April 18, 2025. (ANI)

Launching a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remark that the Bhagwant Mann government will fall after June 4, Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday that the BJP thinks as they broke Shiv Sena, NCP, they can break Punjabis too but they will fail.

Addressing a rally here today, Kejriwal said, “They are running dictatorship in the entire country. Amit Shah said in Ludhiana that after June 4, our government will fall and Bhagwant Mann will not remain the CM. He is openly threatening the Punjab. They think that just as they broke Shiv Sena and NCP, they will break Punjabis too. Do not threaten Punjab, it will harm you.”

“They (BJP) have withheld Rs 9,000 crore of Punjab’s rights. Rs 5,500 crore is from the Rural Development Fund through which roads were to be built in villages. The money from the National Health Commission was to be used to build Mohalla Clinic. This is hooliganism. Politics should happen during elections,” Kejriwal added.

Further, the AAP chief said that in the previous governments, traders and industries were fleeing from the state while in AAP’s 2-year tenure, leaving Punjab has topped.

“When other parties were in power two years ago, traders and industries were fleeing Punjab. But now leaving Punjab has stopped. Our effort is to bring back those who have left, to give an opportunity to those who are here to build their businesses and to bring foreign investment into Punjab. In the last 2 years, investment of about Rs 56,000 crore has started in Punjab, which will employ about 3 lakh youth. If such a huge investment is coming, then it means the situation has improved,” Arvind Kejriwal added.

He further urged the people to vote for AAP in the Lok Sabha election and make it win all 13 seats in the state.

“If we have power at the Centre, we will be able to fight on the issues of the states. Today I request you to give 13 seats of Punjab so that your rights can be brought from the Centre,” he said. (ANI)

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