Month: June 2025

A political row has erupted after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin alleged biased allocation of central funds favouring Sanskrit over other Indian classical languages, including Tamil.

Citing a media report and voicing strong criticism on social media platform X, the Chief Minister wrote, “Sanskrit gets the crores; Tamil and other South Indian languages get nothing but crocodile tears.”

The criticism follows a media report that quoted the reply to an RTI query, which said that the Union Government allocated Rs 2,532.59 crore between 2014-15 and 2024-25 for the promotion of Sanskrit.

In contrast, a total of only Rs 147.56 crore was spent on all five other classical Indian languages combined–Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia–over the same period, claimed the report.

MH Jawahirullah, the president of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), alleged that the funding disparity revealed a discriminatory and biased approach by the BJP-led Union Government and called for urgent corrective measures.

He said, “This amount is 17 times higher than the total funding of ₹147.56 crore allocated for all five other classical languages combined, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia, according to data obtained through an RTI query, as reported by an English daily. On average, Sanskrit has received ₹230.24 crore per year, whereas the other five classical languages have received only ₹13.41 crore per year on average, revealing the Union BJP government’s discriminatory and biased approach.”

He urged the Centre to provide equitable funding and fair recognition for Tamil and other classical languages.

“Recently, Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah stated in Madurai that Tamil is the “best language in India”. But these statistics expose that such remarks are mere lip service without substance. I urge the Union Government to immediately provide due recognition, equitable funding, and developmental programs for Tamil and all other classical languages,” he said. (ANI)

Highlighting India’s success in Operation Sindoor through indigenous weapons, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the actions reflected India’s firm policy against terrorism before the world.

Addressing an event on the centenary celebration of the historic conversation between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi, PM Modi said, “…Recently, the world saw India’s capability. Operation Sindoor made India’s firm policy against terrorism very clear before the world. We have shown that no place is safe for terrorists who spill Indians’ blood. Today’s India takes steps as per what can be done and what is right in the interest of the nation. For defence requirements, India’s dependence on foreign countries is declining continuously.”

The Prime Minister said that the country is becoming self-reliant in the defence sector, asserting that Made in India weapons will soon be well-known across the world.

“We are becoming ‘aatmanirbhar’ in the defence sector. We have seen its impact even during Operation Sindoor. Our Forces forced enemies to fall to their knees in 22 minutes, with the help of Made in India weapons. I am confident that in the time to come, Made in India weapons will be well-known across the world,” he added.

The Prime Minister today inaugurated the centenary celebration of the historic conversation between two of India’s greatest spiritual and moral leaders, Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi, on 24th June, 2025, at around 11 AM in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

The historic conversation took place at Sivagiri Mutt on 12 March 1925 during Mahatma Gandhi’s visit and centred around Vaikom Satyagraha, religious conversions, non-violence, abolition of untouchability, attainment of salvation, and the uplift of the downtrodden, among others.

Organised by Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, the celebration will bring together spiritual leaders and other members to reflect upon and commemorate the visionary dialogue that continues to shape India’s social and moral fabric. It stands as a powerful tribute to the shared vision of social justice, unity, and spiritual harmony championed by both Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi. (ANI)

A team from Shillong Police seized a CCTV DVR from the Indore residence of Shilom James late Monday evening in connection with the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case.

Shilom Jame, a property dealer who had reportedly rented out a flat to the accused Sonam, was arrested on June 21.

Earlier on Saturday, the brother of Sonam Raghuvanshi, one of the prime accused in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, called for strict action against her.

Speaking to ANI, Govind Raghuvanshi said, “The police are doing their work. We have demanded that strict action be taken… According to me, the police have investigated the case.”

He added that Sonam should be punished as she has already confessed to the crime.

“She (Sonam) has confessed to her crime, so now punishment should be given. The police have taken our statements. If the police call us to Shillong, we will go,” Govind said.

This comes after a district and sessions court in Meghalaya’s Shillong on Saturday, sent Sonam Raghuvanshi and co-accused Raj Kushwaha to 13 days of judicial custody in connection with the murder case.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Khasi Hills district Vivek Syiem told ANI that Raghuvanshi and Kushwaha have been remanded to 13-day judicial custody.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Tushar Chanda also said the accused have been remanded to judicial custody since the police didn’t ask for custody.

“The court has remanded both the accused for 13 days of judicial custody. The police did not ask for custody. The Investigating Officer pleaded for judicial custody. The court granted 13-day judicial custody,” Chanda told ANI.

Meghalaya Police arrested five people in connection with the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, a newlywed who had come to the state on his honeymoon.

Those arrested include his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, and four others: Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Raj Singh Kushwaha, and Anand.

Raja Raghuvanshi’s body was found in a gorge near Sohra (Cherrapunji) on June 2. Sonam was later found near a roadside dhaba along the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump has once again reiterated that the West Asia ceasefire is in effect and should not be violated.

In a post on Truth Social, the US President wrote, “The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it! Donald J. Trump, President of the United States.”

Earlier, Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire,” in what would bring about an end to the conflict just hours after Tehran targeted American Air bases in the Middle East. In a Truth Social post, Trump said Israel and Iran would likely exchange final blows over the next six hours before the deal would come into place on Tuesday.

“Iran will start the ceasefire and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the ceasefire and, upon the 24th Hour, an official end to the 12-Day War,” he said.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani secured Iran’s approval for a US-proposed ceasefire in the conflict with Israel, Reuters reported, quoting an official briefed on the negotiations.

PM Al Thani obtained Tehran’s agreement during a phone call with Iranian officials, Reuters reported. The conversation followed US President Donald Trump’s communication with Qatar’s Emir, in which Trump informed him that Israel had accepted the ceasefire proposal and requested Doha’s assistance in convincing Tehran to agree to the deal, as reported by Reuters.

Just after the announcement, Iran again launched missiles into Israel. The Times of Israel reported that 4 people were killed in Beersheba and several were injured in a hot on a residential building in the Southern city.

The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, codenamed “Operation Rising Lion”. In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated a large-scale drone and missile campaign called ‘Operation True Promise 3’, targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres.

Tensions escalated further after the US conducted precision airstrikes early Sunday morning on three key Iranian nuclear facilities under “Operation Midnight Hammer.” Iran retaliated by launching multiple missiles at US military installations in Qatar and Iraq, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar–the largest US military base in the region. (ANI)

Karnataka police arrested the driver and gunman of former BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde in connection with a road rage incident that took place near Dabaspet in Bengaluru Rural district, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The case stemmed from an alleged assault on the driver after a road altercation involving two vehicles on a highway near Nelamangala (Dabaspet).

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, commenting on the matter, said, “As per the information I have received, it seems that when Anant Kumar Hegde was to arrive on the highway, his driver and gunman stopped a vehicle and assaulted someone. I can’t say anything right now, as a full investigation is still pending. They (Hegde’s side) have claimed that no assault took place. Let’s wait and see what comes out of the investigation.”

He further added, “Near Dabaspet, someone allegedly overtook a vehicle, and in response, Anantkumar Hegde’s gunman and driver stopped the car and assaulted the person — a case has been filed in this regard. The police have registered the case. The police have stated that Anantkumar Hegde himself did not assault anyone. They have informed me that they will carry out the next phase of the investigation and take appropriate action. The investigation will determine whether Anantkumar Hegde was involved or not.”

According to Bengaluru Rural SP C K Baba, “This is a road rage incident. One vehicle is an XUV and the other is an Innova car. Two cars were coming in front of each other and there was a scuffle between the two. Then they pushed the two cars to the side, then the gunman of former MP Anantkumar Hegde and the driver went and fought with the Innova car driver. Then they beat them up. There is a case.”

He said that a case was registered at Dabaspet police station under Sections 117(2), 126(2), 74, 351, and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

SP Baba added, “They have named three accused. They have complained that there were four more people along with them. First, we have filed an FIR, and then the investigation will be done. We have taken this seriously and registered a case. The injured are in a hospital in Tumkur. We will file a complaint of threatening with a gun. We have secured three people and will arrest them later.”

He further added, “Gunman Sridhar and driver Mahesh have been arrested. An investigation is ongoing, and a further probe will reveal details.”

Further investigation is still ongoing. (ANI)

The Election Commission of India on Monday announced the results for the by-elections conducted on five seats of four states – Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala and West Bengal.

While most of the parties like Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) retained their seats in this by-elections, but the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in Kerala faced a major blow, as the alliance failed to retain its Nilambur assembly seat.

The bypolls were conducted on Kaliganj assembly constituency of West Bengal, Kadi and Visavadar seats of Gujarat, Nilambur of Kerala and Ludhiana West of Punjab.

In a significant blow to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in Kerala, UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath of Congress defeated LDF’s M Swaraj of CPI(M) by a large margin of 11,077 votes in the Nilambur assembly by-election.

Shoukath had secured 77737 votes, a lead of 11077 votes from M Swaraj of the CPM after 19 rounds of counting.

The bypoll for the Nilambur seat was necessitated after the resignation of Left Democratic Front independent legislator PV Anvar, who later joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) after his acrimonious break-up with the ruling alliance.

In its official statement, Congress in Kerala said, “Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has won the Nilambur assembly constituency, a sitting seat of the ruling CPM combine, by a huge margin of over 11,000 votes. Big congrats to Aryadan Shoukath and the entire Congress-UDF team that worked relentlessly for this shining victory.”

“Successive bypoll wins and a clean sweep in the parliament elections by the Congress and UDF have proved beyond doubt that the anti-incumbency sentiment against the Pinarayi Vijayan government is gaining momentum by the day. Now the anger of the people has reached its peak. The government cannot escape the heat or continue to live in denial, hiding behind the multi-crore PR machinery,” it added.

In West Bengal, Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Alifa Ahmed secured victory in the Kaliganj assembly by-election by a margin of 50,049 votes.

Alifa defeated Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Ashish Ghosh and Congress’ Kabil Uddin Shaikh and emerged victorious on the seat.

According to the Election Commission of India, Alifa received 1,02,759 votes while BJP’s Ghosh received 52,710 votes. Congress’ Shaikh managed to get 28,348 votes while 2,502 votes went to NOTA (None of the above).

The by-poll in the constituency was necessitated after the death of TMC leader Nasiruddin Ahmed.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her deep gratitude to the voters, thanking them for their overwhelming support after party took lead on the Kaliganj seat.

In a social media post on X, Chief Minister Banerjee wrote, “In the by-election of the Kaliganj Assembly constituency, people from all religions, castes, communities, and all walks of life have overwhelmingly blessed us by exercising their voting rights. I humbly express my gratitude to them.”

She credited the victory to the guiding values of Maa-Mati-Manush (Mother, Soil, People), emphasizing, “The main architect of this victory is Maa-Mati-Manush. My colleagues in Kaliganj have worked tirelessly for this, and I extend my sincere congratulations to them as well.”

In Punjab, AAP’s Sanjeev Arora won the by-elections by with a margin of 10,637 votes, retaining the party’s seat.

In Gujarat, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gopal Italia won the Visavadar seat while BJP’s Rajendrakumar (Rajubhai) Daneshwar Chavda won the Kadi seat.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gopal Italia won the Visavadar (Gujarat) Assembly by-election by a margin of 17,554 votes.

The Visavadar seat fell vacant after Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai resigned.

After party’s victory, former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal congratulated the people of Gujarat and Punjab after the party’s spectacular performance in the bypolls in Visavadar and Ludhiana West and said that people rejected Congress and BJP in both the constituencies.

Speaking on his victory, Gopal Italia said, “These elections were contested by the public… I was only a medium. When the people contest the elections themselves, it is confirmed that the results would be historic… The BJP did everything to win these elections… This is people’s win. The people want change in Gujarat… The people have faith in the AAP and its leadership… I thank everyone who was involved in these elections…”

Gujarat AAP leader Anup Sharma said, “The people of Visavadar saw the false promises made by the BJP. All their fake promises have been revealed, and Gopal Italia did not win alone. Today, every member of the Aam Aadmi Party is feeling this victory, and this lead will increase. This is a ‘khasa tamasha’ to the BJP by the people of Gujarat.”

Following Gopal Italia’s victory in the Visavadar by-election, Gujarat AAP president Isudan Gadhvi said that AAP will form the government in 2027.Gadhvi said this is a victory for the people of Visavadar, including farmers, labourers, and unemployed youth.

He claimed it marks the beginning of AAP’s rise in Gujarat and further emphasised that AAP, not Congress, can challenge the BJP’s dominance in the state.

In a post on X, AAP Gujarat expressed its gratitude, stating, “Many thanks to the people of Visavadar, Bhensan, and Junagadh villages for choosing the politics of work of the Aam Aadmi Party.”

Meanwhile, BJP’s Rajendrakumar (Rajubhai) Daneshwar Chavda won the Kadi seat with a margin of 39,452 votes. He managed to gain 99,742 votes.

In a social media post on X, the Gujarat BJP expressed gratitude to the public after party candidate Chavda secured victory from Kadi.

“Many thanks to Janata Janardhan and hearty congratulations to the workers for giving a grand victory to Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Shri Rajendrabhai Chavda in the Kadi Assembly by-election,” the Gujarat BJP posted. (ANI)

Actor Athiya Shetty has praised her husband and cricketer KL Rahul for his 9th Test Century.

On Monday, Athiya posted a picture of KL Rahul from the match on her Instagram Story and wrote, “This one is special.”

Athiya also reposted actor Arjun Kapoor’s Instagram Story, where Arjun can be seen playing cricket and wrote an adorable caption.

“@klrahul stunning off drives while scoring his beautiful century in Headingley. Inspiring me in Bandra!!,” he captioned.

Indian opener KL Rahul continued his brilliant run in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia (SENA) conditions, re-writing record books with yet another classy century against England during the first Test at Leeds on Monday.

After playing a solid knock of 42 runs in the first innings, but missing out on scoring big in the first innings, KL made the most of all chances he got, scoring an unbeaten 120* in 227 balls, with 15 fours by the end of second session. His runs came at a strike rate of 52.86.

This is KL’s sixth century in SENA countries, including three in England, one in Australia and two in South Africa.

KL overtook legendary Rahul Dravid (2) to register his third century in England as an opener, the most by an Indian in the country as an opener.

This is his fourth century as an opener against England, tying with Sunil Gavaskar and Rohit Sharma (4 each).

This is KL’s fifth century as an opener in SENA conditions for India, and he is four away from breaking the record of Gavaskar (nine centuries).

He has levelled with Mohammed Azharuddin and Rishabh Pant (six centuries each) to have the joint fourth-most centuries by an Indian in SENA conditions. The record holder here is legendary Sachin Tendulkar (17), followed by Virat Kohli (12) and Dravid (10).

KL has a solid record in England, with 776 runs in 10 matches and 20 innings at an average of 40.84, with three centuries and a fifty. His best score is 149.

Coming to the match, at Tea, India were 298/4, with KL Rahul (120) and Karun Nair (4) unbeaten. Pant scored 118 runs in the second innings, his second ton in the match, and consolidated the innings with a crucial 195-run partnership with KL Rahul.

India started the second session at 153/3, with Pant (31) and KL (72) unbeaten. The duo launched a brilliant counter-attack against English bowling, taking them to their respective centuries, with Pant dismissed for 118 in 140 balls, with 15 fours and three sixes.

India ended the first session at 153/3, with vice-captain Rishabh Pant (31) and KL Rahul (72) unbeaten.

Despite Carse striking early, removing Shubman for just eight and sinking India to 92/3, Team India managed to give themselves a solid platform to go all guns out blazing for the remainder of the match, but not without giving England some chances.

The final session on day three was cut short due to rain. Rahul was joined by skipper Shubman Gill, who was unbeaten on 6*. India ended at 90/2.

England started the second session at 327/5, with Harry Brook (57) and Jamie Smith (29) unbeaten. Brook continued his counter-attack, while Smith (40 in 52 balls, with five fours and a six), Chris Woakes (38 in 55 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Brydon Cwefarse (22 in 23 balls, with four boundaries) also piled up useful scores.

Brook missed out on his century, scoring 99 in 112 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, with Prasidh Krishna getting him caught by Shardul Thakur at deep backwards square leg. A 55-run stand between Woakes and Carse took England past the 400-run mark, and they threatened to surpass India’s first innings total before Jasprit Bumrah came in clutch.

Bumrah (5/83) and Prasidh Krishna (3/128) were the top bowlers as England was bowled out for 465.

England kickstarted the first session of the day at 209/3, with Ollie Pope (100) and Brook (0) unbeaten. While Prasidh struck early to remove Pope (106 in 137 balls, with 14 fours), Brook stitched a 51-run stand with skipper Ben Stokes (20 in 52 balls) and a 73-run stand with Smith, taking England well beyond the 300-run mark at session end. A century by Ollie Pope (106 in 137 balls, with 14 fours) and fifty from Ben Duckett (62 in 94 balls, with nine fours) on day two served as valuable contributions as well.

Brief Scores: England: 465 (OIlie Pope 106, Harry Brook 99, Jasprit Bumrah 5/83) vs India: 471 and 298/4: KL Rahul 120*, Rishabh Pant 118, Brydon Carse 2/62). (ANI)

Former Indian cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has hailed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s audacious century in the second innings at Leeds against England, saying that there is an ” element of a sharp cricket brain” behind Pant’s batting.

Pant and KL’s second-innings centuries put India in a dominant position as the second innings lead swelled over 300, setting up for an exciting finish on the final day at Leeds. While KL’s ton was much more calm, composed and defined by technique, Pant delivered box-office cricket with his aggressive brand of batting.

Accoridng to Sky Sports, Shastri said Pant’s knock has given India a lot of food for thought.

“There is plenty of food for thought, but India will be very happy after a technical masterpiece from Rahul and the flamboyance and exuberance that you can imagine from Pant.”

“People say Pant’s batting defies logic, but there is an element of a sharp cricket brain behind it. He knows when to counterattack,” he added.

Shastri said Pant could have had a double-digit of Test centuries had he converted his seven dismissals in 90s to triple figures.

Coming to the match, at Tea, India were 298/4, with KL Rahul (120) and Karun Nair (4) unbeaten. Pant scored 118 runs in the second innings, his second ton in the match, and consolidated the innings with a crucial 195-run partnership with KL Rahul.

India started the second session at 153/3, with Pant (31) and KL (72) unbeaten. The duo launched a brilliant counter-attack against English bowling, taking them to their respective centuries, with Pant dismissed for 118 in 140 balls, with 15 fours and three sixes.

India ended the first session at 153/3, with vice-captain Rishabh Pant (31) and KL Rahul (72) unbeaten.

Despite Carse striking early, removing Shubman for just eight and sinking India to 92/3, Team India managed to give themselves a solid platform to go all guns out blazing for the remainder of the match, but not without giving England some chances.

The final session on day three was cut short due to rain. Rahul was joined by skipper Shubman Gill, who was unbeaten on 6*. India ended at 90/2.

England started the second session at 327/5, with Harry Brook (57) and Jamie Smith (29) unbeaten. Brook continued his counter-attack, while Smith (40 in 52 balls, with five fours and a six), Chris Woakes (38 in 55 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Brydon Cwefarse (22 in 23 balls, with four boundaries) also piled up useful scores.

Brook missed out on his century, scoring 99 in 112 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, with Prasidh Krishna getting him caught by Shardul Thakur at deep backwards square leg. A 55-run stand between Woakes and Carse took England past the 400-run mark, and they threatened to surpass India’s first innings total before Jasprit Bumrah came in clutch.

Bumrah (5/83) and Prasidh Krishna (3/128) were the top bowlers as England was bowled out for 465.

England kickstarted the first session of the day at 209/3, with Ollie Pope (100) and Brook (0) unbeaten. While Prasidh struck early to remove Pope (106 in 137 balls, with 14 fours), Brook stitched a 51-run stand with skipper Ben Stokes (20 in 52 balls) and a 73-run stand with Smith, taking England well beyond the 300-run mark at session end. A century by Ollie Pope (106 in 137 balls, with 14 fours) and fifty from Ben Duckett (62 in 94 balls, with nine fours) on day two served as valuable contributions as well.

Brief Scores: England: 465 (Ollie Pope 106, Harry Brook 99, Jasprit Bumrah 5/83) vs India: 471 and 298/4: KL Rahul 120*, Rishabh Pant 118, Brydon Carse 2/62). (ANI)

When Team India takes to the field to defend a total of 371 runs, they will have a massive task in hand to deal with a ‘Bazball’ powered England, despite having a fine record while defending scores of 350 or more.

Skipper Shubman Gill will have a total to defend in his first outing as a captain, as centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, himself, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, a total of five across both innings, gave Team India a fine cushion despite lower-middle-order failure. But a crucial task will be handling the explosive openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, rising star Harry Brook and ever-consistent Joe Root, who all have treated these run chases very well under the Stokes-McCullum era.

While defending totals of 350 or more in Test cricket in 59 matches, India has won 42, losing just once and drawing 16 times. That one loss came against England itself, freshly powered by Stokes-McCullum’s attacking brand of cricket, at Edgbaston back in 2022. Chasing 378 runs, they made an absolute meal out of Indian bowlers, with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow slamming centuries.

Coming to the ongoing Leeds Test, in pursuit of a 371-run target, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett ensured England walked out of day four unscathed to set up the final day of the opening Test perfectly against India at Headingley.

England ended Day 4 with 21/0 in six overs, with the opening pair Crawley and Duckett unbeaten with scores of 12(25) and 9(11), respectively. Crawley and Duckett ensured England walked out unscathed, setting up an enthralling final day of the series opener, leaving them 350 runs shy of victory.

In reply to 371, Crawley and Duckett focused on preserving their wicket and didn’t engage in a shot that threatened a wicket loss. Crawley creamed Mohammed Siraj for back-to-back boundaries, which allowed England to finish on a high and stay in the race towards a remarkable victory.

Before England came out to bat in the final session, India’s long-standing Achilles heel was again exposed by England’s pace attack, which was bereft of experience. From 349/6 to 364, the tourists’ bottom end was cleaned up in five overs. The collapse began with Brydon Carse rattling the timber to send KL Rahul back to the dressing room on 137(247).

The Headingley crowd stood on its feet and applauded Rahul’s masterclass. In the next over, Karun Nair dispatched the ball back to Chris Woakes’s hands, marking the opening of the floodgates. Josh Tongue punched Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj’s return ticket on successive deliveries. Jasprit Bumrah denied Tongue a hat-trick, but the 27-year-old had the last laugh and rattled timber on the next delivery.

Ravindra Jadeja waited for the opportunity and embraced it in the 95th over. He heaved the ball powerfully past the leg-side boundary rope for a maximum. He pulled the ball away on the next delivery and creamed Tongue for a four to add valuable runs.

India’s last resistance eventually gave in after Prasidh Krishna, responsible for holding one end, gave in to his attacking instincts and tried to take on England’s sole frontline spinner, Shoaib Bashir. He swiped the ball across the line but failed to get the desired distance. Tongue sprinted and got hold of the ball to conclude India’s innings on 364.

The batting calamity of India resonated in the difference between the top five batters and the bottom six. India’s first half was the prime weapon with the bat and accumulated 721 runs, courtesy of five centuries. At the same time, the rest could only muster 65 runs and added to India’s agony.

Before an enthralling final session, at Tea, India were 298/4, with KL Rahul (120) and Karun Nair (4) unbeaten. Pant scored 118 runs in the second innings, his second ton in the match, and consolidated the innings with a crucial 195-run partnership with KL Rahul.

India started the second session at 153/3, with Pant (31) and KL (72) unbeaten. The duo launched a brilliant counter-attack against English bowling, taking them to their respective centuries, with Pant dismissed for 118 in 140 balls, with 15 fours and three sixes.

India ended the first session at 153/3, with vice-captain Rishabh Pant (31) and KL Rahul (72) unbeaten.

Despite Carse striking early, removing Shubman for just eight and sinking India to 92/3, Team India managed to give themselves a solid platform to go all guns out blazing for the remainder of the match, but not without giving England some chances.

The final session on day three was cut short due to rain. Rahul was joined by skipper Shubman Gill, who was unbeaten on 6*. India ended at 90/2.

Brief Scores: India: 471 and 364 (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118, Brydon Carse 2/62) vs England 21/0 (Zak Crawley 12, Ben Duckett 9). (ANI)