Times of India

Dinesh Karthik, now an RCB mentor, reflects on the team's championship defense, highlighting Rajat Patidar's calm leadership and Devdutt Padikkal's evolving game. He shares insights on coaching international stars, adapting to their independence, and the crucial mindset for finishers. Karthik emphasises that team combinations, not just individual selection, define value.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 97 off 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator has stunned the cricket world, drawing comparisons to Shahid Afridi. The Rajasthan Royals sensation shattered records for most runs by an uncapped batter and most sixes in a season, showcasing fearless batting that has bowlers on edge.

Violence erupted in Haryana's Nuh district following Eid prayers, with clashes in two villages leaving at least 12 people injured. Old disputes fueled the altercations in Nizampur and Singar villages, involving stone-pelting and the use of weapons. Police intervened to control the situations, with one critically injured individual transferred for advanced care.

Filmmaker Karan Johar has left social media users surprised after netizens noticed a major change in his Instagram following list. The director-producer, who enjoys a massive following of over 17 million on the platform, appears to have unfollowed several Bollywood celebrities, including some of his closest friends and long-time collaborators.

Outgoing Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's last-minute acceptance of the caste census report presents a political dilemma for successor DK Shivakumar. The report, potentially validating the strength of backward classes, could alienate dominant communities. This also challenges Rahul Gandhi's national push for caste data, risking accusations of hypocrisy if not acted upon.

Siddaramaiah rejected a Rajya Sabha offer, opting to remain in Karnataka politics after resigning as Chief Minister. This decision complicates the transition for successor DK Shivakumar, as Siddaramaiah retains influence and potential leverage. His move signals a long-term strategy to shape state politics and potentially influence future elections.

Amidst escalating tensions and attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, the US and Iran are reportedly nearing a diplomatic breakthrough. A draft Memorandum of Understanding could extend a fragile ceasefire, opening a 60-day window for talks on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for economic relief.

Kolkata airport's capacity can be extended by a decade by relocating a mosque near the secondary runway. Experts believe this shift, coupled with runway upgrades, will boost flight handling from 33 to 43 flights per hour, accommodating millions more passengers annually and preventing economic stagnation due to limited airside infrastructure.

Tyson Fury's daughter, Venezuela, a recent newlywed, has hit back at online trolls calling her 'ignorant' and 'self-centered' after sharing her marriage and honeymoon posts. The 16-year-old influencer, now living in a static caravan with her husband Noah Price, declared she doesn't care about the negativity, showcasing her confident spirit.

A high-level committee, tasked with examining "artificial" demographic shifts due to illegal immigration, will also assess the need for a new law. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated the panel, headed by Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naoleker, will report within a year.

Sunrisers Hyderabad staged a remarkable IPL 2026 turnaround, becoming a feared batting unit. Despite a strong league run, their title hopes were dashed by RR opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's sensational knock. The team's reliance on an explosive top order and lack of Powerplay wickets ultimately proved their undoing in the playoffs.

Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel highlighted stopping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early as a major priority for their IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals. The 15-year-old sensation is in red-hot form, recently smashing 97 off 29 balls. GT has analyzed his batting and hopes to execute a plan to contain his fearless approach.

The Indian Air Force is significantly upgrading its Sukhoi-30MKI fleet, a massive Rs 63,000 crore project. This 'Super Sukhoi' initiative will enhance avionics, sensors, and mission systems, including a new indigenous AESA radar and AI-powered computers.

A special flight carrying Karnataka leader Siddaramaiah and several other Congress dignitaries was diverted to Jaipur due to adverse weather in Delhi. The group was en route to the capital for a meeting with the party high command following Siddaramaiah's resignation.

India and Australia are forging a robust defence partnership to counter China's Indo-Pacific assertiveness. Focusing on practical cooperation, they've inked a logistics agreement for reciprocal base access and expanded joint military exercises. Enhanced maritime domain awareness and defence technology collaboration are key, alongside army-to-army engagements. This deepening alliance aims to ensure a multipolar and stable region.