Times of India

Mohammed Shami had a forgettable outing, conceding 75 runs in his four overs against Punjab Kings, the second-most expensive in IPL history. Marcus Stoinis's late onslaught, including four consecutive sixes in the final over, compounded Shami's woes. Shreyas Iyer's explosive 82 off 36 balls powered Punjab to a massive total, their second-highest ever in the IPL.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian embassy in India. The embassy criticized Russia's actions as a deliberate attack on Indian businesses, destroying medicines intended for children and the elderly, despite claiming a special friendship with India.

Tamil Nadu forest minister K Ponmudy apologized for his derogatory remarks against women and certain Hindu sects, acknowledging it as a lapse in judgment. The DMK removed him from his party position but not his ministerial post. DMK MP Kanimozhi and opposition leaders condemned his remarks, with calls for his removal from the government.

In Kolkata, a Behala family discovered their former maidservant, Purnima Mondal, had stolen gold ornaments after spotting her wearing them in YouTube Shorts. Sanchita Mukherjee, the employer, recognized her jewelry in the videos and alerted the Parnasree police. Mondal was arrested, and the stolen items were recovered.

Deepak Chahar highlights the diminishing swing in IPL pitches, forcing bowlers to adapt with more attacking strategies due to stronger batting lineups and the 'Impact Player' rule. He praises Jasprit Bumrah's resilience after injury and acknowledges the distinct psychological approaches of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, emphasising Mumbai's talent scouting and player development.

WhatsApp is currently experiencing a widespread disruption, impacting numerous users globally. Reports indicate that individuals are facing difficulties with sending messages, establishing connections, and utilizing call functionalities on both the mobile application and the web-based platform. Downdetector has registered a surge in user complaints, with a significant portion reporting issues specifically related to message transmission.

Concerns rise for Mumbai Indians as Rohit Sharma's knee injury resurfaces ahead of their clash with Delhi Capitals. Sharma, seen with a knee brace and skipping net practice, previously missed a game due to the same issue. Despite playing against RCB, his recovery seems incomplete. His form is also a worry, averaging just 9.

A violent protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Tripura's Unakoti district led to clashes between demonstrators and police, resulting in injuries to at least 18 officers, including a Sub-divisional Police Officer. The rally, organized by the 'Joint Movement Committee' and led by a Congress leader, escalated when protesters allegedly pelted police with stones and bottles.

Punjab Police arrested Saidul Ameen, the main suspect in the Jalandhar grenade attack on BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia's residence. The arrest occurred in Delhi with support from central agencies and Delhi Police. Two local associates were previously arrested for providing logistical support. Investigations are ongoing to find handlers, financial supporters, and any foreign links to the attack.

Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, chose to bat first after winning the toss against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Sunrisers Hyderabad made one change, bringing in Eshan Malinga for Kamindu Mendis. Malinga, a Sri Lankan pacer known for his death-overs expertise, was acquired for Rs 1.2 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.

In an unexpected and emotional social media post, singer Sonu Kakkar declared that she is no longer a sister to her younger siblings, singer Neha Kakkar and music composer Tony Kakkar. The announcement has left fans stunned and has triggered a wave of speculation, especially since it comes shortly after Sonu’s absence from Tony’s birthday celebrations on April 9 — a detail that many had already found curious.

A UN trade official warns that escalating US tariffs and China's retaliation could shrink global trade by 3%, prompting shifts in export flows towards emerging economies like India and Brazil. The tariff war is causing supply chain reorientation, impacting developing nations reliant on sectors like textiles. Experts suggest China is strategically positioning itself for long-term advantage amidst the trade tensions.

Before the IPL clash, Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid shared a warm moment. Kohli embraced Dravid, who is recovering from a leg injury. The meeting highlighted the camaraderie in Indian cricket. Rajasthan Royals shared the moment on social media. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals aim to recover from recent losses. The teams will battle on Sunday.

Rishabh Pant's unexpected return to opening the innings for Lucknow Super Giants against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 sparked excitement. This strategic move aims to leverage his explosive batting during the Powerplay, marking a significant shift after primarily playing in the middle order. Pant's previous T20 opening record boasts a strong strike rate and average, including a century.

Paulina Gretzky has been a supportive presence for her husband, Dustin Johnson, at recent golf events, including the Masters Tournament in Georgia. She was seen carrying his golf kit and walking hand-in-hand with him. This support comes after Paulina remained silent amidst online trolling directed at her father, Wayne Gretzky, following the 4 Nations tournament.

The BJP has appointed Nainar Nagenthiran as the new Tamil Nadu unit president, succeeding K Annamalai. This decision follows the announcement of the BJP's alliance with AIADMK for the 2026 elections. Nagenthiran, a former AIADMK minister and current BJP MLA, is viewed as a crucial link between the parties.

The ICC is contemplating significant alterations to ODI cricket, potentially eliminating the two new-ball rule to restore equilibrium between batting and bowling. This proposal, spearheaded by Sourav Ganguly, suggests reverting to a single ball, addressing concerns about the decline of reverse swing and challenges faced by spinners.