New Zealand will face West Indies in the opening Test of the three-match series at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval from December 2 to 6.

New Zealand boast formidable numbers at this ground, registering nine Test wins, driven by experienced pacers who thrive in home conditions. Among the current players, Matt Henry relishes bowling in Christchurch, pairing effectively with his fellow pacers to build relentless pressure through accuracy and movement. With conditions again favouring seam, New Zealand’s pace battery will be central to their game plan.

For West Indies, young quicks like Jayden Seales could exploit the early swing and seam, but their batters face a significant challenge – only two visiting teams have won here in 15 matches. Surviving the first session against the new ball will be key, as most successful chases at Hagley have been below 200, demonstrating the difficulty of batting fourth on this pitch.

NZ vs WI, 1st Test: Pitch Report

The Hagley Oval pitch is expected to offer classic seamer-friendly conditions when Fresh green grass and cool weather are forecast to assist swing and seam movement, particularly on Day 1, before the surface settles into a more balanced track.

Historically, teams bowling first have enjoyed significant success at the venue, winning 9 of 15 Tests (60%), underlining how crucial the toss and new-ball periods can be. The average first-innings score sits around 284, but scoring becomes increasingly difficult later in the match, with fourth-innings totals averaging just 179, reflecting Hagley Oval’s consistent assistance to pacers throughout the game.

The surface at Hagley Oval is known for its true bounce and pronounced seam movement, especially in the opening session. With pacers claiming nearly 90% of the wickets historically at the ground, both teams are expected to lean heavily on their fast-bowling units.

The grass cover can sometimes deceive captains at the toss, but experts warn that while the pitch appears extremely green, the sharpest movement often fades after Session 1. Once set, batters can accumulate meaningful totals – as seen in England’s massive 499 posted at the venue recently. However, sustained discipline is crucial, as any lapse in technique is quickly punished by the seamers.

Spinners, on the other hand, traditionally play minimal roles, averaging just three wickets per Test, making pace combinations the likely go-to strategy. As a result, captains have opted to bowl first 60% of the time – a trend that could continue in this Test.

Also READ: Kane Williamson returns as New Zealand announce 14-man squad for first Test against West Indies

Hagley Oval Test Stats and Records

• Total matches: 16
• Matches won batting first: 4
• Matches won bowling first: 10
• Average 1st innings score: 288
• Average 2nd innings score: 315
• Average 3rd innings score: 271
• Average 4th innings score: 173
• Highest total recorded: 659/6 (158.5 Overs) by New Zealand vs Pakistan
• Lowest total recorded: 95/10 (49.2 Overs) by South Africa vs New Zealand
• Highest score chased: 286/8 (70 Overs) by New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
• Lowest score defended: 227/10 (93.5 Overs) By New Zealand vs South Africa
• Most runs scored: Tom Latham (971)
• Most wickets: Tim Southee (61)

Also READ: Breakdown of Andre Russell’s IPL salary since his debut – From 2012 to 2025

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/education/darwin-theory-row-govt-says-evolution-still-part-of-school-science-curriculum-9730463” on this server.

Reference #18.26fdd417.1764643210.8c361390

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.26fdd417.1764643210.8c361390

LUDHIANA: A 32-year-old businessman who was caught in a shootout between gangsters invited to a wedding in Ludhiana on Sunday night died trying to shield his wife and their three-year-old son. Vasu Chopra’s pyre was lit by the toddler Monday as the victim’s mother broke down: “ Mainu apne naal leja ,Vasu (Vasu, take me along with you).” The toddler was heard asking relatives to let him talk to his father on phone as he “hadn’t seen him since last night”.

Around 30 rounds were fired at the wedding, attended by VIPs, including politicians and at least one MLA. Ludhiana police commissioner Swapan Sharma said it “wasn’t a gang war”, but a “fight between local boys for supremacy”. The prime accused are wanted in several cases, including attempted murder.Ludhiana police commissioner Swapan Sharma said it “wasn’t a gang war”, but a “fight between local boys for supremacy”. The prime accused are both criminals, wanted for several cases, including attempted murder.But the criminal record of the prime accused — Shubham Arora alias Mota and Ankur — make it clear they are no amateurs. Shubham faces as many as 18 FIRs, including for attempted murder. His rivalsAnkur, Rubal and Jasvir Singh Jassa have a shorter crime history but they too face cases of attempted murder. Now, it’s double murder.Vasu fell victim to the senseless shootout at his friend’s wedding. The groom’s aunt, Neeru Chhabran, was also killed, shot in the face. Both of them died on the spot.Vasu’s family said he, his wife and son were eating dinner when the criminals started firing. Vasu picked up his son, grabbed his wife’s hand and started running into thewedding hall, keeping them both shielded by his body. A bullet hit him on the left of the stomach, killing him on the spot. Ankur was arrested on Monday, along with four people who allegedly harboured him. One of them is a woman. Three private security guards at the wedding venue have also been arrested for “allowing armed people to enter”.Of the 18 accused, six of whom are identified, only two are in custody — Ankur and Jatindar Kumar Dawar, whose licensed pistol was allegedlyused in the shootout. Shubham is on the run.Vasu’s brother-in-law Parul Malhotra, a local Congress functionary, said, “Those criminals were firing gunshots brazenly, without any fear, and people were running for their lives.” He said he counted at least 30 spent bullet shells at the wedding venue.“My sister lost her husband. They have two little kids. Vasu lost his father a year ago and he was the sole earning member.”

Panaji: Bibiano Fernandes is expecting an urgent call from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).The India U-16 coach’s short-term contract with the AIFF ended with the memorable win against Iran last night. Now with the team making it to the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next year, a new improved deal is expected to be inked, and of course, there are plans to be drawn to ensure that India is in best shape for the continental tournament in May.This will be India’s tenth assignment at the continental stage, and for Bibiano, it will remarkably be the fourth time he is managing the team. His record in the Qualifiers is impeccable: four out of four, since 2018.“This was the most difficult campaign because we didn’t have a long camp and exposure tours like in the past,” Bibiano told TOI on Monday. “It was difficult for the boys in the Qualifiers. We knew it would be a tough task and the challenge was to keep the boys motivated, make them believe that we can qualify.”Nobody had more belief than Bibiano that India can make it to the AFC U17 Asian Cup. It is precisely for this reason that the former midfielder from Goa quit a secure two-year contract at Bengaluru FC to take up the India assignment on a short-term basis. “(Training) Reserves wasn’t really for me. When I got an offer (to work) for the national team, I said, this is where I want to work, and this is how I want to work.”Seeing his desire, Bengaluru agreed to free him from his contract.At the Qualifiers in Ahmedabad, India started gingerly with a draw against Palestine, put it across Chinese Taipei and then lost to Lebanon in what turned out to be an inconsequential tie. In the end, it all came down to the ‘final’ against Iran, which India won 2-1 to top the group and qualify.“The win against Iran proves that we are not short of talent in India. I’ve seen different batches and one thing we cannot deny is the talent at our disposal. Against Iran, a powerhouse, we knew they had better players in every position. They were strong physically and our best chance was to defend really, really well. Because if we held them, we would surely have our chances,” explained Bibiano.For someone who has won five SAFF titles and dedicated his life to shaping India’s future in football, qualification isn’t enough. He wants to take India to the World Cup and that’s only possible if the team makes it to the semifinals in Saudi Arabia, a goal that Bibiano has set for himself and the team.“With the first batch (in 2018), we made it to the quarterfinals (before losing to South Korea). If we can prepare the way we did that year and make it to the quarters, it’s anybody’s game. We are very close (to qualification), just have to do what’s needed from our side and play our part well. We have to get these boys at the highest level possible.“We have to start scouting immediately. We have a batch of 23 players, there’s a need to scout for another 23, merge and finalise the best (team). Exposure is a must too. Playing these matches in qualifiers, we have improved so much. If we go into any qualifier, we will be a different team. We need to play these kind of qualifiers, higher-level matches,” said Bibiano.

Jaxson Dart’s necklace (Getty Images)

Jaxson Dart’s necklace sparkles during every New York Giants game, but beneath the bright stadium lights, it stands for something far more personal. This small piece of jewelry has been with him through bowl games, draft day expectations, and now the roaring NFL stage. It is never just part of his outfit. It is a ritual, a reminder, a heartbeat from home woven into every snap and every throw.He takes the field with confidence, toughness, and real emotion. It is a demanding job to step into the spotlight as a rookie quarterback in New York, but Dart brings a piece of family faith to steady him in every moment. That little chain carries a lot of heart.

Jaxson Dart‘s necklace: The deeper meaning behind a Giants good luck charm

When asked about the necklace, Dart explains it openly. “I haven’t missed a game with it. I make sure it’s one of the first things that I pack,” Dart said. For him, it is not crafted from diamonds or forged by luxury jewelers. It is something much more meaningful. It came from his sister.He still remembers the moment he first picked it up. “I remember I was walking out the door, and I was just grabbing my headphones, whatever it may be on the table, and I saw this necklace,” he said. “I looked at it and I was like, dang, I like that necklace. I asked my mom, I said, ‘Whose is it?’ And she’s like it’s your sister’s.”That day, he wore it into a college bowl game and threw four touchdowns. From then on, it became tradition. “It started out because I felt like it looked cool, you know, during the games. And that was kind of a swag piece that I’d put together each game day,” he said. “It’s a good luck charm for sure. But at the same time, it’s a cool thing between me and my sister.”Through every rough tackle and every triumphant first down, it stays with him. “I try to do my best to adjust it if it’s kind of messed up when I come back on the sideline,” Dart said. “It’s definitely held its own because I’ve taken a lot of hits.”The hearts on the chain are not real gemstones, but they might as well be priceless. “It’s definitely very valuable to me, because like I said, it’s a relationship thing between me and my sister,” Dart said. Then he shared the meaning that goes beyond football. “I’ve kind of thought of it as a deeper meaning to love all that you’re around … a special reminder that we live in a world where maybe not everybody agrees with everybody’s opinion. I think that’s kind of the beauty of our identity as people. But at the same time, I think it’s important to share love and bring people together. So that’s just kind of like the emoji of a heart, bringing people together and kind of spreading joy and love to all.”In a league full of glare and glitter, Jaxson Dart reminds us that the most powerful symbols are not worn for show. They are carried from home, from family, and from the people who held belief long before the world ever did.Also Read: While Drake Maye prepares for Giants, his wife Ann’s Patriots-themed cookies become unexpected pre-game sensation

An IIT professor said the institutes have also decided to emphasise more on participation by start-ups promoted by Centre under Viksit Bharat scheme

MUMBAI: Even as the placement season began across the premier IITs on Monday, more than 20 companies were banned from participating this year. These firms had rescinded job offers made to students in the last academic year, some even as late as June or July this year, at the time of joining. Since many IITs do not allow students with existing offers to sit for further interviews, such late withdrawals not only jeopardised career prospects but also affected students’ mental well-being, said officials. IITs, therefore, unanimously decided to ban these companies from the current placement cycle. IITs tried helping the concerned students despite the time lapse.The list of banned companies was finalised after these firms revoked offers at more than one IIT. Some of them are data analytics and software-based firms. They, however, are allowed to place students through off-campus process.An IIT professor involved in the placement process said the names of the companies were cross-verified by placement coordinators at 15 IITs recently. “We looked at their past records too. Some of these companies had a history of revoking offers and six to seven IITs had already banned them from participation. Offers have been revoked by some companies where some alumni are working. There were also a few companies that reduced salary packages offered in the letter. The placement cells are trying to speak to higher authorities in these companies,” said the professor.Speaking about such cancellations, a computer science graduate from IIT-Bombay’s batch of 2025, said he was hired by a trading platform last December and his joining date was June 1, 2025. “My offer was revoked on May 29. The company made me an offer of nearly Rs 30 lakh and I was more than happy to join. They revoked my offer just two days before I was supposed to join, but fortunately, I got a better offer through an alumnus in some time. Though IIT-Bombay extended help, I did not need it at that time,” said the graduate. He said some of his friends’ offers were revoked too, but a few of them landed other offers. “By June and July it becomes difficult for the institutes too to help with placements as phase-II of the process concludes by the end of the academic year,” he said.The professor added that the IITs this year have also decided to emphasise more on participation by start-ups promoted by the Centre under the Viksit Bharat programme. “The job market is slow, but we are trying to reach out to many more companies and encourage start-ups incubated on prominent campuses to reach the best targets,” he said, adding that so far the placement season looks good.

Virat Kohli brought Bollywood flair to the cricket field by mimicking Salman Khan‘s iconic Tere Naam dance steps to tease Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s hairstyle before India’s thrilling 17-run win over South Africa in the first ODI at Ranchi on November 30, 2025.

Virat Kohli pulls off Salman Khan’s trademark dance to mock Yashasvi Jaiswal’s hairstyle

As Team India lined up behind the boundary ropes for the national anthem at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Kohli performed the open-chested “Lagan Lagi” moves from the film, drawing laughter from Jaiswal whose hairdo echoed Khan’s famous look. This light-hearted moment showcased Kohli’s fun side amid high stakes, following India’s 0-2 Test series loss to the Proteas, setting an upbeat tone for the white-ball redemption.​

The Ranchi pitch offered early bounce for pacers before slowing down, aiding India’s total of 349/8 after South Africa won the toss and bowled. Kohli anchored with his 52nd ODI century, 135 off 120 balls (11 fours, 7 sixes), in his 306th match, alongside fifties from Rohit Sharma (57) and KL Rahul (60). South Africa fought back with Matthew Breetzke‘s 72, Marco Jansen‘s explosive 70 off 39, and Corbin Bosch‘s 67, but fell to 332 all out in 49.2 overs. Kuldeep Yadav starred with 4/68, dismantling the lower order in a tense finish.​

Here’s the video:

Kohli trolling Jaiswal’s hairstyle with Salman’s dance in Tere naam 🤣 pic.twitter.com/V9jF1PccKK

— Gangadhar (@90_andypycroft) November 30, 2025

Also WATCH: Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir engage in an animated discussion after India’s 1st ODI win against South Africa

Kohli’s mental mastery secures Player of the Match

Named Player of the Match, Kohli credited his “mental” approach for the knock, stating all his cricket stems from visualization and fitness rather than excessive nets. “I’ve never been a believer of a lot of prep. All my cricket has been mental. I work physically very hard… you visualise batting and feeling well,” he explained post-match, emphasizing awareness of conditions at Ranchi where the pitch held decently for 20-25 overs. Now with 14,390 ODI runs at 58.02 average and 93.41 strike rate—including 52 centuries—Kohli affirmed his focus on ODIs at 37, arriving “at 120%” when selected.​

This victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the next ODI in Raipur on December 3, as Kohli’s return with Rohit bolsters the side post-Test woes. Fans erupted as Kohli reached three figures off Jansen, looking skyward in thanks amid a fan breaching security. South Africa’s resilience highlighted their WTC gains from the Tests, but India’s experience prevailed in this balanced contest.

Also READ: “I’d be lying if…”: KL Rahul on India’s nervy win over South Africa in Ranchi ODI