Times of India

Ishika Bala, a class 10 student from the Maoist-affected Kanker district, triumphed over blood cancer and emerged as the state board exam topper with an impressive 99.2%. Her success story shines as a beacon of hope in a region with low female literacy. Akhil Sen, the class 12 commerce topper, also hails from Kanker, highlighting the district's academic excellence.

Following Rohit Sharma's Test retirement announcement, head coach Gautam Gambhir dispelled rift rumors with a supportive message, praising Sharma's leadership and contributions. Gambhir had previously dismissed speculation about tension, emphasizing their successful partnership in winning the Champions Trophy. Former teammate Shikhar Dhawan also celebrated Sharma's Test career, wishing him well for the future.

India conducted a nationwide civil defence exercise named 'Operation Abhyaas'. The exercise simulated various emergency scenarios across multiple states and union territories. Drills included air raids, fire emergencies, and rescue missions. Delhi experienced sirens, evacuations, and a brief blackout. Other states like Punjab, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu also conducted similar exercises.

Delhi Capitals have signed Afghanistan's Sediqullah Atal for Rs 1.25 Crore as a replacement for Harry Brook, who opted out of IPL 2025 due to personal reasons. Atal, known for his aggressive batting, averages 34.25 in T20s and played a key role in Afghanistan's ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 victory.

Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket, concluding a career where he scored 4301 runs in 67 Tests, including 12 centuries. The 38-year-old will continue to lead India in ODIs, having already retired from T20Is. His departure means India needs a new Test captain for the upcoming series in England.

In a cinematic landscape driven by high-budget spectacles, action-packed sequences, and star-studded lineups, Chhaava, a film rooted in the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has carved a unique space by resonating deeply with audiences, especially in Maharashtra. Its success lies not in glitz, but in its grounded narrative and cultural authenticity. ETimes spoke to audiences to understand what drew them to Chhaava.

A flu-like outbreak has led to the quarantine of over 1,000 mules and horses, suspending equine services on the Kedarnath yatra route for a third day. Following the deaths of 15 animals and detection of equine influenza symptoms, authorities have isolated affected animals and initiated widespread screening and treatment.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack and escalating tensions, Indian stock markets have shown resilience, with Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex rising. Conversely, Pakistan's stock market crashed, reflecting economic vulnerabilities and investor jitters.

In a striking coincidence, Rohit Sharma mirrored MS Dhoni's retirement timing, announcing his exit at 19:29 IST, reminiscent of Dhoni's 2020 departure. Sharma, 38, declared his Test retirement via Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support he received. His career concluded with 4301 runs in 67 matches, including 12 centuries, and a commendable captaincy record.

Rohit Sharma, India's Test captain, has retired at 37. His last match was against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India lost the series 1-3. Sharma became captain in 2021 after Virat Kohli. He led India to the World Test Championship final. India won against West Indies and England under his leadership. However, India lost to New Zealand and Australia.

Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket prompted a heartfelt reaction from his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, who expressed her emotions with heartbreak emojis on social media. Sharma, aged 38, concluded his Test career with 4,301 runs in 67 matches, including 12 centuries. He captained India in 24 Tests, securing 12 wins. He will continue to represent India in the ODI format.

Rohit Sharma, the seasoned Indian cricketer, has announced his retirement from Test cricket after a decade-long career. The 38-year-old shared his decision on Instagram, expressing gratitude for representing India in the longest format. This move comes amid speculation about his place in the Test side, especially with the England series approaching.

MS Dhoni reminisced about his extensive cricket experience at Eden Gardens, hinting it could be his last appearance at the venue. With CSK out of playoff contention, Dhoni emphasized the importance of evaluating players for the next season, giving opportunities to Urvil Patel and others.

In a surprising turn, Rohit Sharma declared his retirement from Test cricket via an Instagram story. This decision comes amidst reports suggesting his place in the upcoming Test series against England was uncertain. While stepping away from the longer format, the 38-year-old will continue to represent India in ODIs.

Ahead of the IPL match between KKR and CSK, Eden Gardens paid tribute to the Indian Armed Forces for Operation Sindoor, a strategic missile operation. This operation targeted sites in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists.

Gold prices in India surged past Rs 1 lakh per 10 grams, fueled by escalating India-Pakistan tensions following reported missile strikes on terrorist targets. The surge prompted investors to seek safe-haven assets. Silver prices also rose, while international spot gold declined due to easing global geopolitical concerns amid US-China trade talks.

Following Operation Sindoor, NSA Ajit Doval assured counterparts in the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, and other nations that India doesn't intend to escalate tensions with Pakistan. Doval emphasized that India's actions were measured and restrained, but the nation is fully prepared to retaliate decisively if Pakistan initiates any hostile actions. He briefed officials on the precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure.

Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, the Indian Army launched "Operation Sindoor," targeting nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The strikes, executed with precision, aimed at dismantling critical infrastructure belonging to terror groups like LeT, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahideen.