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California man kept in refrigerator for days after 33 drinks on Royal Caribbean ship; fiancée claims in lawsuit | World News


A wrongful death lawsuit filed against Royal Caribbean alleges that the body of a California man was stored in a refrigerator for the remainder of a three-day cruise after he died following a violent restraint by ship security. The complaint claims the man, 35-year-old Michael Virgil, had been served 33 alcoholic drinks under the cruise line’s unlimited beverage package before becoming severely intoxicated and entering a distressed state that led to a fatal confrontation with crew members.According to the lawsuit, Virgil was travelling with his fiancée, Connie Aguilar, and their 7-year-old autistic son on a short holiday cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada in December 2024. After consuming numerous drinks at one of the ship’s bars, he became disoriented, unable to find his cabin and increasingly agitated. The complaint states that he then erupted into a rage, allegedly threatening passengers and crew members.Security staff allegedly tackled Virgil, held him face-down with several guards applying their full body weight, and used pepper spray before administering an injection of the sedative Haloperidol. The autopsy later reported that while his blood alcohol level was high, it was “not lethal on its own.” The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, citing mechanical asphyxiation, respiratory failure and cardiopulmonary arrest associated with restraint.Aguilar’s lawyer says that after Virgil died, she pleaded with the ship’s officers to return to port, but the request was denied. Instead, the lawsuit alleges that staff placed his body in a refrigeration unit and continued the voyage for multiple days until the ship’s scheduled return to Los Angeles. Cruise ships typically have a small morgue, but the suit asserts that Royal Caribbean did not use standard procedures in this case.The family’s attorney has compared Virgil’s death to high-profile restraint-related fatalities, arguing that prolonged compression on his back and neck prevented him from breathing. He maintains that over-serving alcohol contributed to the crisis but was not the primary cause of death, emphasising the role of physical restraint.Royal Caribbean has not publicly addressed the full allegations contained in the complaint. The lawsuit accuses the company of negligence, excessive force, failure to follow safety protocols and improper handling of Virgil’s remains. The case adds to ongoing scrutiny over how cruise lines manage intoxicated passengers, onboard violence and medical emergencies at sea.



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WBBL|11: Perth Scorchers’ road to the final under Sophie Devine



The Perth Scorchers, led by captain Sophie Devine, completed a late-season surge and navigated the challenging Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025 finals structure to earn their place in the Grand Final against the Hobart Hurricanes. Having finished the league stage in third position, the Scorchers had to win two do-or-die elimination matches to secure their spot.

Perth Scorchers Women’s flawless WBBL|11 campaign under Perth Scorchers

Key player Contributions

  • Beth Mooney: The tournament’s leading run-scorer was the team’s anchor, delivering match-winning innings in all three crucial final stage games.
  • Sophie Devine (Captain): Provided crucial all-round stability and leadership, finishing as the team’s top wicket-taker for the season with 15 scalps. Her bowling was vital in restricting opponents in the knockout stages.
  • Alana King: The leg-spinner delivered a match-defining performance in the Challenger with figures of 3 wickets for 17 runs, trapping the Sixers’ biggest hitters.

Perth Scorchers Women’s road to the final’ in WBBL 2025: All 12 matches

The Perth Scorchers, captained by Sophie Devine, fought through a streaky league campaign (6 Wins, 4 Losses) before dominating the knockout stage to earn their place in the WBBL|11 Grand Final. Their complete journey is detailed below.

Match 1: Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers (The Dominant Opener)

The Scorchers kicked off their campaign in spectacular fashion against the Sydney Sixers, securing an emphatic 10-wicket victory. The bowlers set up the win by restricting the Sixers’ formidable batting lineup to a low total. Openers Beth Mooney and Katie Mack then completed the chase without losing a single wicket, sending a powerful statement about the team’s intent and opening dominance.

Match 2: Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat (First Win with the Ball)

The Scorchers secured their second consecutive win with a 23-run victory over the Brisbane Heat. Batting first, the Scorchers posted a competitive total powered by strong top-order contributions. Captain Sophie Devine then led the bowling attack, delivering a crucial spell to stifle the Heat’s chase and ensure a comfortable victory, proving the depth of their bowling unit.

Match 3: Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars (First Loss)

The winning streak was temporarily halted in Match 3 as the Scorchers succumbed to a 16-run defeat against the Melbourne Stars. Chasing a challenging target, the Scorchers’ batters struggled to maintain momentum against a disciplined Stars bowling attack, resulting in their first loss of the campaign.

Match 4: Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers (DLS Victory)

In a rain-affected match, the Scorchers secured their third win against the Adelaide Strikers by 9 runs (DLS Method). The Scorchers bowled first, dismissing the Strikers for 112, with Sophie Devine starring with superb figures of 3/12. When rain interrupted the chase, the Scorchers were ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern par score, securing the vital two points.

Match 5: Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder (Heavy Defeat)

This match marked the heaviest defeat of their season, as the Scorchers suffered a huge nine-wicket loss against the Sydney Thunder. Their batting unit failed to post a competitive total, which the Thunder’s batters chased down with ruthless efficiency and time to spare, exposing an area of concern early in the campaign.

Match 6: Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers (The One-Run Thriller Win)

In a very tight, nerve-wracking match, the Scorchers secured a dramatic one-run victory over the Adelaide Strikers. After posting a defendable total, the game went down to the final ball, where the Scorchers bowlers held their nerve under extreme pressure to seal the close win—a critical victory that proved their clutch performance ability.

Also READ: India hand maiden T20I call-ups to G Kamalini and Vaishnavi Sharma for Sri Lanka series

Match 7: Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades (The Mid-Season Revival Win)

The Scorchers stopped the slide and regained crucial footing with a key four-wicket victory over the Melbourne Renegades. Chasing a competitive target, the Scorchers’ middle order successfully navigated the chase. Sophie Devine was instrumental in both innings, guiding the team to a much-needed victory that ended their losing streak and revitalized their push for the finals.

Match 8: Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes (Toughest Loss)

The Scorchers suffered a major setback with a seven-wicket defeat against the table-topping Hobart Hurricanes. The Hurricanes successfully chased down the Scorchers’ target, inflicting a tough loss that further complicated the Scorchers’ path to the final.

Match 9: Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades (Back-to-Back Win)

The Scorchers secured a third straight victory, winning by 30 runs against the Melbourne Renegades. They posted a challenging score, and the bowling unit, spearheaded by the effective four wicket haul by Sophie Devine, strangled the Renegades’ chase. The team demonstrated collective strength, with multiple players contributing to what became a comfortable defense of their total.

Match 10: Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat (Clinching the Final Spot)

In their final league match—a must-win situation—the Scorchers delivered under pressure, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over the Brisbane Heat. Chasing a testing target, Beth Mooney put on a masterclass, hitting an unbeaten 94 to single-handedly anchor the innings and steer the team home. This crucial win secured their 3rd-place finish and their spot in the finals.

The Knockout: Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars (Elimination Victory)

The Scorchers hosted the 4th-placed Melbourne Stars in an elimination match and delivered a strong performance to win by 28 runs. A high total of 173 was set up by a solid opening partnership between Mooney and Katie Mack. The Scorchers’ bowlers then applied the squeeze effectively, with key spells from Sophie Devine, ensuring the Stars never threatened the target, and propelling the Scorchers to the next final.

The Challenger: Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers (Sealing the Grand Final Spot)

In the do-or-die Challenger match, the Scorchers travelled to Sydney and triumphed over the 2nd-placed Sydney Sixers by 11 runs. Batting first, they posted a massive 183/8, headlined by a spectacular 76-run innings from Beth Mooney. The Scorchers successfully defended the total, with Alana King’s three-wicket haul being decisive in breaking the Sixers’ resistance. This victory secured their Grand Final berth against the Hobart Hurricanes.

Also READ: Smriti Mandhana’s remarks on ‘feeling low’ returns after her wedding setback with Palash Muchhal

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.



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Zubeen Garg death: 4 charged with murder; singer’s cousin accused of culpable homicide | India News


Zubeen Garg death: 4 charged with murder; singer's cousin accused of culpable homicide

NEW DELHI: Four people have been charged with murder in the Zubeen Garg death case, Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe revealed on Friday. The singer’s cousin and suspended Assam Police officer Sandipan Garg, has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the chargesheet.Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddhartha Sharma, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta are the four accused.

Assam CM Calls Zubeen Garg’s Death ‘Plain Murder’, Drops Explosive Revelation

Mahanta served as the chief organiser of the North East India Festival, which Garg attended in Singapore before he died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea on September 19.“As promised, we have filed a chargesheet in the Court of CJM…A few have been charged with murder. One has been charged with culpable homicide, and the other two PSOs have been charged with other charges,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.“Now, we have filed a chargesheet with almost 12,000 pages of documents, along with the main chargesheet, seizure, and examination of witnesses. It is a meticulously done exercise. Although we have taken documents from Singapore, we have proved the case with our independent documents,” he added.The singer’s two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, have been charged under Section 31c of the BNS, which pertains to criminal breach of trust involving the misuse of funds or property entrusted to them.The Assam government had set up an SIT headed by Special DGP MP Gupta to probe the singer’s death. However, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), which is conducting its own investigation into Garg’s death, said in a statement that initial findings show no signs of foul play and that the probe may take up to three more months.



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Copra price boost: Govt hikes Copra MSP for 2026 season; farmers to get up to Rs 12,500 per quintal


Copra price boost: Govt hikes Copra MSP for 2026 season; farmers to get up to Rs 12,500 per quintal

The Centre government on Friday approved higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for copra for the 2026 season, in line with the government’s policy of fixing MSPs at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.The MSP for Fair Average Quality milling copra has been set at Rs 12,027 per quintal, while ball copra will fetch Rs 12,500 per quintal in 2026. This marks an increase of Rs 445 per quintal for milling copra and Rs 400 per quintal for ball copra compared with the previous season, according to the cabinet release.The statement noted that MSPs for both varieties have risen sharply over the past decade. Milling copra MSP has climbed from Rs 5,250 per quintal in 2014 to Rs 12,027 in 2026, while ball copra has risen from Rs 5,500 to Rs 12,500, registering growth of 129% and 127%, respectively.“A higher MSP will ensure better remunerative returns to coconut growers and incentivise farmers to expand copra production to meet rising domestic and global demand,” the government said in the release.The Centre added that NAFED and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) will continue to act as central nodal agencies for procurement under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).



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Karnataka CM row: D K Shivakumar will become CM after assembly’s winter session, claims Congress MLA | India News


Karnataka CM row: D K Shivakumar will become CM after assembly's winter session, claims Congress MLA

NEW DELHI: Karnataka Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain on Friday claimed that deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar will become chief minister after the ongoing winter session of the state legislature, adding fuel to speculation over a possible leadership change within the ruling party.Speaking to reporters, the Ramanagara MLA confirmed that he attended a late-night dinner with Shivakumar and several ministers and legislators. He dismissed suggestions that the meeting was a show of strength. “MLAs from various constituencies have come for the session; it is a rare opportunity for all of us to meet. During the session, we meet each other. We had dinner together. What’s there in that? Can having food together be called a show of strength?” he said.Asked whether Shivakumar shared any political developments during the gathering, Hussain responded, “I’m giving the good news. He will become (CM) after the session, he will become. What’s wrong with it?” He added, “….Shivakumar will get a chance, he will become the chief minister now.”Hussain said 50 to 55 Congress legislators attended the dinner. While party leaders described it as a casual meeting, it took place amid heightened speculation over a power tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, particularly after the government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.Reacting to remarks that Shivakumar’s elevation would depend on destiny, Hussain said, “Everything will happen if the god has written in one’s fate…. We are all confident that Shivakumar has a chance for his efforts, struggle, and organising the party. We have told the same to the high command, the high command will decide.”The MLA reiterated that the Congress remains disciplined and that the final decision on the chief ministership rests with the central leadership. “Numbers are not important here. We should be committed to the decision they make. They have said that everyone should abide by the party discipline and abide by their decision. This is the party culture, too. We will abide by their decision,” he said.The Congress high command has recently attempted to contain the leadership friction, with both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar holding breakfast meetings at each other’s residences. The gesture was seen as a signal that Siddaramaiah would continue as chief minister for now, particularly with the Belagavi legislature session underway. The session, which began on December 8, will continue until December 19.

Karnataka deputy CM, ministers, Cong MLAs meet over dinner: PTI sources

Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar and over 30 Congress legislators, including some ministers, met for a dinner late on Thursday night, party sources told PTI.Ministers K H Muniyappa, Mankal Vaidya, Dr M C Sudhakar, MLAs N A Haris, Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, H C Balakrishna, Ganesh Hukkeri, Darshan Dhruvanarayana, Ashok Kumar Rai, K Y Nanjegowda were among those present in the meeting, the sources added.Expelled BJP MLAs ST Somashekhar and Shivaram Hebbar also attended the dinner, they said.The dinner meeting came a day after CM Siddaramaiah, along with ministers and a few legislators considered close to him, met for a dinner hosted by former Belagavi North MLA Feroz Sait.Though leaders term it a casual dinner meeting, speculation is rife as it had taken place amid a power tussle in the ruling party, over the CM post.There were speculations about a change in chief minister when the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, as it was believed that there was a powersharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar after the grand old party won the Assembly election in 2023.As the government crossed this crucial date, activities intensified in Congress, and both the CM and the Deputy CM met over breakfast at each other’s residences, on the instructions of the high command. This was seen as a move to pause the leadership tussle between the two and to signal Siddaramaiah’s continuation as the CM for the time being, especially ahead of the Belagavi legislature session.



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IND vs SA: Rarest of the rare! Jitesh Sharma’s lucky escape against South Africa goes viral – Watch | Cricket News


IND vs SA: Rarest of the rare! Jitesh Sharma's lucky escape against South Africa goes viral - Watch
Jitesh Sharma’s lucky escape against South Africa (Screengrabs)

NEW DELHI: In the second T20I match of the five-match series between India and South Africa, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma experienced an unusual moment at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Thursday.Jitesh Sharma, who currently serves as India’s primary wicketkeeper-batter in T20Is after Sanju Samson’s omission from the playing XI, represents Royal Challengers Bengaluru in domestic cricket.

Ryan ten Doeschate backs under-fire Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill to regain form

Known for his exceptional hitting abilities, particularly during death overs, Jitesh Sharma typically bats in the lower order to maximise his aggressive strokeplay.During the match’s 15th over, a remarkable incident occurred when Ottneil Baartman delivered a length ball on off-stump. Sharma, who could only score 27 off 17, attempted to hit the ball but missed completely. The ball touched the bail and rolled it over, yet surprisingly, the bail remained in place, allowing Sharma to continue batting.Watch:Despite Jitesh’s lucky escape, South Africa secured a 51-run victory against India in the second T20 match. After winning the toss, South Africa posted a score of 213-4, while India was dismissed for 162 in 19.1 overs, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.The South African team made three changes following their previous match, where they recorded their lowest-ever T20 total of 74 runs. India maintained their unchanged lineup from their 101-run victory in the series opener.Quinton de Kock delivered an impressive performance, scoring 90 runs off 46 balls, including seven sixes and five fours. His innings came to an end when he was run out following quick work by Indian wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma.South Africa finished strongly in the final three overs, adding 49 runs to their total. Donovan Ferreira remained unbeaten with 30 runs from 16 balls, including two sixes against Jasprit Bumrah in the final over. David Miller also contributed with an unbeaten 20 runs from 12 deliveries.For India, Tilak Varma emerged as the highest scorer with 62 runs from 34 balls.



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Census 2027: Headcount to begin from April; to be held in two phases – all you need to know about exercise | India News


Census 2027: Headcount to begin from April; to be held in two phases - all you need to know about exercise

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday allocated Rs 11,700 crore for the upcoming census schedule from April to September in 2027.According to Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the census will be conducted in two phases — housing enlisting and population enumeration.“Census 2027 will be the first ever digital census. The digital design of the census has been made keeping in mind data protection. It will be conducted in two phases: Phase 1: House Listing and Housing Census from April to September 2026. Phase 2: Population Enumeration in February 2027The Census will include social status and Caste census. Additionally, the Union minister said that the Census is expected to generate 1 crore days employment.(This is a developing story)



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The Trump Gold Card: All that glitters is not gold for Indians


Applications for the Trump Gold Card are now being accepted on the official website, which went live on Wednesday night. ‘Unlock life in America. Apply now’, it announces. But, read between the lines and it is apparent that all that glitters is not gold, at least not for Indians who may wish to apply for a permanent residency in the US via this card.For Indians, the term ‘apply now’ does not translate into getting a permanent residency now. In reality it means paying millions of dollars only to wait years — or even decades — in the same overburdened queues.

Trump’s $1 Million Gold Card Explained: What America’s Costliest Visa Means For Indian Applicants

The price tag alone is hefty. The program requires a $ one million donation ($ two million for corporate sponsorship) to the US Treasury, plus a $15,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) processing fee for every applicant. The recently updated Trump Gold Card website reveals something even more startling, Mitch Wexler, senior counselor at Fragomen, a global immigration law firm, points out: “Each family member (spouse or child under 21) must also pay their own $ 1 million donation and the $15,000 processing fee.” The wordings on the official website are clear: “If an individual applicant or corporate sponsor wishes for a spouse or unmarried children (under 21 years old) to join the cardholder in the US, then each such family member should be included as part of the initial application. This will ensure that these family members receive all of the privileges conferred by the Gold Card Program, including expedited processing. Each family member is subject to an additional $15,000 DHS processing fee and $1 million gift.”

Trump gold card

In other words, a family of four could therefore be looking at a minimum outflow of $4 million, even before legal fees and documentation costs.Yet despite the extraordinary sums involved, the program does not create a new immigration category, nor does it reserve visa numbers or confer any priority. The USCIS form for Gold Card applicants explicitly requires them to file under existing green card pathways: EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver). There is no separate Gold Card classification.Under US immigration laws, an annual limit for employment-based green cards (into which the Gold Cards also fall) is pegged at 1.40 lakh plus any unused family-sponsored green cards that are passed on to this category, with a per-country limit of 7%. Thus, with large numbers of high-skilled Indian applicants, the backlog for these categories of green cards is lengthy.New York–based immigration attorney Cyrus D. Mehta spells out the stark reality: “If you are born in India, beware of Trump’s Gold Card, as you will be stuck in the India EB-1 or EB-2 backlogs for years and even decades after you have shelled out $ one million or more and won’t see your green card for a very long time or never.”The official website states: Applicants must be eligible for lawful permanent resident status, admissible to the US, and a visa must be available. ‘A small number of countries may have wait times of up to a year or more based on visa (aka green card) availability’, it adds.The Gold Card Program offers no relief from the green card backlogs. For Indian-born applicants, this is the core problem. To explain the backlog lingo: The priority date is the day US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives the green-card application, but an individual cannot apply for a change of status to receive a green card, until this priority date becomes current. Because of this, India-born foreign nationals often have to wait longer than people from other countries to receive their EB-1 or other employment-based green cards.As per the December 2025 Visa Bulletin, for the EB-1 India category the priority date is around April 15, 2023. That means Indians who filed their application before this date are seeing a movement in the backlog and will be able to file for adjustment of status to a green card. The EB-2 India category is far worse, stuck around May 15, 2013, that means only applicants who filed before that date are currently being processed. In fact, in both instances, post filing for adjustment of status, there is another bout of waiting to get a green card. The huge donation under the Gold Card program does nothing to move an applicant forward in this queue.Further, Gold Card applicants may have to satisfy the full evidentiary burden of EB-1A or EB-2 NIW. It is not very clear, from Trump’s executive order which ushered the Gold Card Program, whether the donation by itself will suffice. These are rigorous, evidence-heavy standards that are challenging to meet.To qualify for EB-1A, an applicant must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim, typically through a portfolio of achievements such as major awards, high-impact publications, original contributions to the field, and recognition by peers. USCIS must be convinced the applicant is among the “top few percent” in their domain.Even the EB-2 “exceptional ability” threshold — the baseline requirement before NIW criteria are evaluated — requires meeting at least three stringent regulatory criteria such as professional recognition, high salary relative to the field, or significant contributions. NIW, among other criteria, also requires applicants to show that their work has substantial merit and national importance.Wexler states that after processing of their applications, it is anticipated that Gold Card applicants will be required to appear at the US consulate in their home country for an in-person interview before their immigrant visa can be approved. Once approved, the individual can enter the United States as a lawful permanent resident. “In general, consular processing – the last step in the process, which results in the grant of permanent residence status – can take several months, depending on the consular post,” adds Wexler. He further points out that the Trump administration has not yet indicated whether foreign nationals already in the US will be permitted to use the USCIS adjustment of status process to apply for their green cards under the Gold Card program and details on this are awaited.



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Cricket fraternity showers birthday wishes on Yuvraj Singh as the legendary all-rounder turns 44



Yuvraj Singh turns 44 today, drawing an outpouring of birthday wishes from the cricket world on December 12, 2025. The former Indian all-rounder, recently spotted joining Team India‘s huddle at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur ahead of the second T20I against South Africa, continues to inspire fans and players alike. A stand named after him was inaugurated at the venue, honoring his Punjab roots and stellar contributions.​

Yuvraj Singh receives a flood of wishes from cricket fraternity and wife Hazel Keech on his 44th birthday

Wife Hazel Keech led the celebrations with an emotional Instagram post, praising Yuvraj’s resilience after a recent injury and his role as a devoted father, calling him a “legend” beyond cricket. Fans flooded social media with messages hailing his fearless spirit, from six-hitting exploits to overcoming cancer, while posts highlighted his ongoing influence, including mentoring young talents like Abhishek Sharma. Cricketers and cricket enthusiasts reminisced about his warrior mentality, wishing him health and more milestones, reflecting his enduring popularity.​

Also READ: Cricket presenter Gaurav Kapur, actress Kritika Kamra make romance official with heartwarming post

Here’s how the fraternity reacted:

Yuvraj’s illustrious career highlights

Yuvraj burst onto the scene as a teenager in the 2000 ICC KnockOut, evolving into a white-ball maestro across 40 Tests (1900 runs, 9 wickets), 304 ODIs (8701 runs at 36.55 average, 111 wickets), and 58 T20Is (1177 runs, 28 wickets). His pinnacle came in major ICC triumphs: smashing six sixes off Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup for the fastest T20I fifty (12 balls), and earning Player of the Tournament in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win with 362 runs at 90.50 and 15 wickets. Unique feats include seven ODI centuries at No. 5 (an Indian record) and two IPL hat-tricks in 2009 for Punjab.​

In the IPL, Yuvraj represented Punjab Kings, Pune Warriors, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Mumbai Indians, though consistency eluded him post-cancer. Retirement in 2019 followed frustrations with selection criteria like the yo-yo test, despite clearing it at 36; he rejected a conditional farewell match, opting to move on.

Also READ: Ravindra Jadeja’s wife Rivaba sparks controversy with ‘wrong activities’ allegation against Indian cricketers





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Putin’s India visit: What does it signal? Jefferies report decodes


Putin's India visit: What does it signal? Jefferies report decodes

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to India from December 4-5, does not signals that Delhi is on Moscow’s side, rather it highlights Modi government’s determination to maintain its non-aligned position, according to Christopher Wood, Global Head of Equity Strategy at Jefferies. In his weekly report GREED & fear, Wood pointed out that India is asserting its independence in foreign policy and “is not going to allow itself to be pushed around serving the imperial interests of other powers.” He further clarified that Putin’s visit should not be interpreted as Delhi siding with Russia. “Putin’s visit does not mean that Delhi is on Russia’s side. What it does mean is that the Modi Government is sending the message that it maintains its non-aligned status and is not going to allow itself to be pushed around serving the imperial interests of other powers,” Wood wrote in the report, as cited by ANI. Wood also noted a stark contrast between the portrayal of Putin in Western media as an Austin Powers-style “Dr Evil” figure and the tone of his official engagement in Delhi. Ahead of his trip, Putin spoke to Indian journalists at the Kremlin, sharing Russia’s perspective on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “That is of course that the conflict originated in what Russia regards as the Maidan coup back in February 2014,” Wood further said, referring to the political upheaval in Ukraine during 2013-14. During the summit, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s longstanding stance on the conflict, stressing the country’s interest in an early cessation of hostilities and a sustainable resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. Modi also highlighted that India stands ready to provide any required assistance and play an appropriate role. The visit coincided with the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, held at Modi’s invitation. According to the joint statement issued on December 5, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership, first established during Putin’s state visit to India in October 2000. “The Leaders emphasised the special nature of this long-standing and time-tested relationship, which is characterised by mutual trust, respect for each other’s core national interests and strategic convergence. They underscored that, as major powers with shared responsibilities, this important relationship continues to be an anchor of global peace and stability that should be ensured upon the basis of equal and indivisible security,” the statement said. The joint statement also highlighted that India-Russia ties have remained “resilient” amid a complex and uncertain global environment. Both nations agreed to foster a contemporary, balanced, mutually beneficial, and sustainable long-term partnership. “Development of India-Russia relations across the entire spectrum is a shared foreign policy priority. The Leaders agreed to make all efforts to unlock the full potential of the strategic partnership,” it added.



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