Times of India

Mark Wood recounted a bizarre IPL offer: a franchise owner proposed a private jet flight for a match despite Wood being seriously ill. The owner insisted on Wood playing, even suggesting a quick flight out and back. Wood, though tempted by the novelty, ultimately declined, prioritizing his health over the surreal proposition.

Chennai Super Kings face a significant blow as MS Dhoni misses their IPL 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday due to delay in injury recovery. He remains in Chennai for rehabilitation, raising concerns about his availability. This absence impacts CSK's playoff aspirations as they navigate a crucial phase of the tournament.

The 2026 assembly elections have dramatically reshaped India's political landscape. Vijay's debut in Tamil Nadu, the BJP's gains in West Bengal and Kerala's return to rotation mark significant shifts. Established powers face challenges as new forces emerge, redefining narratives and pushing others to the margins. This analysis highlights the key winners and losers.

West Bengal's assembly election results reveal widespread public anger against the Trinamool Congress, according to AUJP founder Humayun Kabir. He accused the ruling party of extensive corruption, surpassing even British-era exploitation. Kabir, a former TMC leader, expressed confidence in winning his seats, as early trends indicated a significant shift in power.

Babar Azam captained Peshawar Zalmi to their second PSL title, defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets. A light-hearted attempt to recreate Rohit Sharma's iconic walk during celebrations became a viral meme. All-rounder Aaron Hardie was the star, excelling with both bat and ball in the final.

Jacob Bethell is making the most of his IPL 2026 opportunity with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He is learning from Virat Kohli and other senior players. Bethell's role has increased due to Phil Salt's absence. He is adapting to the high tempo of the league. Bethell's development could be crucial for RCB's playoff push.

Directing the party candidates and counting agents not to leave the couting centre, Mamata said her party would win after the sunset and that there is "no need for anyone to be afraid". Mamata, who is seeking the fourth strait term, alleged a foul play by the Election Commission, and claimed that there's a BJP's ​plan to show themselves ahead first.

Early West Bengal election results indicate the Bharatiya Janata Party is making significant inroads in Muslim-majority constituencies. This suggests a shift in voter allegiance. The Trinamool Congress faces challenges converting votes despite secularism campaigns. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urges party workers to remain steadfast, asserting the TMC is still ahead. High voter turnout was recorded across phases.

England opener Phil Salt has returned home for scans on a finger injury sustained during an IPL 2026 match, casting doubt on his immediate availability for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Salt, who had been in impressive form, is hopeful of a swift recovery and a return later this month as RCB push for the playoffs.

The BJP, which had won 77 seats and 38.15% vote share in 2021, is now showing a dramatic surge in counting trends. By noon, several live trackers had the BJP crossing or approaching the halfway mark, with leads in the 140–150 range and vote share estimates hovering around 46–48%, while the TMC trailed significantly behind.

In a closely watched West Bengal election, RG Kar rape victim’s mother and BJP candidate Ratna Debnath is currently leading in Panihati. She is campaigning on women's safety and her daughter's memory against TMC's Tirthankar Ghosh. Nationally, BJP leads on 121 seats, TMC on 71, with high voter turnout recorded.

Gujarat Titans secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, marking their third consecutive win and reigniting playoff hopes. Sai Sudharsan's steady fifty and Washington Sundar's crucial late hitting guided them home. Despite the wins, a negative Net Run Rate and tough upcoming fixtures mean Gujarat must secure at least two more victories to guarantee qualification.

And today, one of the starkest outliers in the early trends is the performance of Vijay’s TVK. But who is Vijay, who, if trends hold, could become the new Thalapathy of Tamil Nadu politics?

AWS CEO Matt Garman views the AI-driven 'SaaSpocalypse' as a major business opportunity, not a threat. He highlighted the rise of agentic AI reshaping work and announced new AI-powered tools like the Quick desktop app, aiming to revolutionize personal productivity. AWS is also deepening its OpenAI partnership, integrating advanced AI models into its cloud services to meet surging demand.

Analysts are bullish on Bajaj Finance, IIFL Finance, and Navin Fluorine, citing strong quarterly results and positive future outlooks. Federal Bank is seen as fairly valued, while Waaree Engineering's revenue beat expectations despite margin concerns. Investors are watching these key companies closely.

Shakib Al Hasan said he is ready to return to Bangladesh and face ongoing legal cases if assured “normal security” and protection from harassment. The former captain, absent from Bangladesh since May 2024, also revealed his bank account has been frozen during investigations. Shakib denied wrongdoing in multiple cases and said authorities have found no evidence against him so far.

Nepal has officially objected to India resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Lipulekh Pass, a territory it claims based on the 1816 Sugauli Treaty. India dismissed these claims as unjustified and historically unfounded, stating Lipulekh has been a long-standing yatra route. This dispute marks a potential test for bilateral ties as both nations prepare for diplomatic discussions.