Rupee extended its downward rally on Tuesday, slipping to a record low of 90.83 against the US dollar. The currency began trading on a weak note, opening 0.1% lower at 90.79 against Monday’s close of 90.73, as continued foreign fund outflows and trade-related uncertainty weighed on the domestic currency.The muted opening follows a sharp sell-off in the previous session, when the rupee slid to an all-time intra-day low of 90.80 before ending trade at a record closing level of 90.78 against the greenback. The domestic unit had registered a loss of 29 paise on Monday, extending its recent losing streak.According to forex traders, persistent risk aversion in the market, strong demand for dollars from importers, kept the currency weak. Concerns also rose over the timing and outcome of an India-US trade deal.VK Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist, Geojit Investments Limited told TOI that the currency “is likely to stabilise since November trade deficit has come down to $ 24.53 billion from $ 41.64 billion in October. This will take away some pressure on the FIIs to sell anticipating further depreciation.”Earlier on Monday, rupee opened at 90.53 at the interbank foreign exchange market. The latest slide came after the rupee had already fallen 17 paise, last week on Friday to close at 90.49, which was then its lowest-ever level against the US dollar.“The Indian rupee plunged to a record low, positioning it as the worst performer among the Asian currencies. Despite the better-than-expected trade balance number, the rupee was unable to find support,” Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities told PTI.Looking ahead, Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst, MiraeAsset ShareKhan, said that the currency is likely to remain under pressure in the near term.“The rupee is expected to trade with a negative bias amid delay in Indo-US trade deal and FII outflows,” he said. “A weak dollar and any intervention by the RBI may also support the rupee at lower levels. Investors may watch for central bank monetary policy decisions from BOE, ECB and BoJ. USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of Rs 90.30 to Rs 91.”

Hobart Hurricanes host Sydney Thunder in the third match of the Big Bash League 2025-26 at Bellerive Oval on December 16, marking an early clash between a confident home side and a motivated visitor seeking redemption. As defending champions, the Hurricanes boast a well-rounded squad under Nathan Ellis‘ captaincy, blending Matthew Wade‘s seasoned wicketkeeping with explosive finishers like Tim David and the pace firepower of Riley Meredith and Chris Jordan. Their home record at Bellerive, where batting first succeeds 56% of the time amid flattening pitches and sea breezes, gives them a tactical edge, especially with spinners Rehan Ahmed and Rishad Hossain to exploit any early grip.​

Sydney Thunder, led by Chris Green, counter with a potent mix of Sam Billings‘ aggression, Shadab Khan‘s all-round dynamism, and Reece Topley‘s swing to disrupt Hobart’s top order early. Finishing third last season, they crave an opening win after the Hurricanes dominated their prior final encounter, and their middle-order depth via Daniel Sams and Oliver Davies could punish any loose bowling on a venue averaging 147 in first innings but capable of 200-plus hauls. Analytical trends highlight Thunder’s superior death bowling economy in recent BBL outings, potentially curbing Hobart’s big hitters if the pitch holds true to its batting-friendly evolution.

HH vs ST, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: December 16 (Tuesday); 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 4:15 pm Local
• Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
• Head-to-Head Record in BBL: Matches played: 22 | Hobart Hurricanes won: 14 | Sydney Thunder won: 08 | No result/Tied: 0

Bellerive Oval Pitch Report

Bellerive Oval’s pitch in Hobart promises a balanced T20 contest for the Big Bash League 2025-26 opener between Hurricanes and Thunder. Fresh grass offers early seam movement and low bounce, assisting pacers like Ellis and Topley in the powerplay, with an average first six overs scoring under 40 runs historically. As the match progresses, the surface flattens under sea breezes from the Derwent River, favouring batters and spinners like Rehan or Sangha in middle overs, where economy rates dip below 7. Teams batting first win 56% of games, targeting 160-170, though dew could aid chases later. High scores past 200 are possible if batters settle.

Squads:

Hobart Hurricanes: Nathan Ellis (c), Tim David, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Beau Webster, Jake Weatherald, Chris Jordan, Rishad Hossain, Rehan Ahmed, Mac Wright, Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Fergus O’Neill, Ollie Peake

Sydney Thunder: David Warner (c), Sam Billings, Lockie Ferguson, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Cameron Bancroft, Wes Agar, Ollie Davies, Shadab Khan, Matthew Gilkes, Tanveer Sangha, Ryan Hadley, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Tom Andrews, Ravichandran Ashwin, Blake Nikitaras

Also READ: BBL 2025-26: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch the Big Bash League in Australia, India, USA, UK & other countries

HH vs ST, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Sydney Thunder wins the toss and bowls first
• Hobart Hurricanes’ powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Hobart Hurricanes’ total score: 170-180

Case 2:

• Hobart Hurricanes wins the toss and bowls first
• Sydney Thunder’s powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
• Sydney Thunder’s total score: 180-190

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also READ: Fans go wild as Tim Seifert’s perfectly-timed BBL century sends strong message ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli and former cricketers Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers celebrate with the IPL trophy. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will begin on March 26 (Thursday) and conclude on May 31 (Sunday), with the dates emerging as the central takeaway from a meeting between franchise representatives and IPL authorities in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening, as per a Cricbuzz report. The confirmation of the Season 19 window brings clarity to teams planning their campaigns, even as uncertainty continues to loom over the venue for the opening match.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The dates were formally communicated by IPL CEO Hemang Amin during a briefing held ahead of Tuesday’s auction. As per tradition, the tournament opener is staged in the home city of the defending champions, which would put Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium in line to host the curtain-raiser featuring Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, the availability of the venue remains a major talking point among franchises attending the pre-auction meeting at the W Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has received only a conditional clearance from the state government to host IPL matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, subject to meeting stringent safety and security requirements. The hesitation stems from the tragic stampede on June 4 during RCB’s IPL title celebrations, which claimed at least 11 lives and left several others injured. Since then, the state government has consistently denied permission for major cricket matches at the venue, forcing the BCCI to relocate Women’s World Cup fixtures away from Bengaluru.Asked about the possibility of IPL 2026 starting at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, a senior BCCI official said, “We hope so,” adding that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had publicly expressed optimism. Shivakumar was recently quoted as saying the government was positive about hosting IPL matches and had asked Home Minister G Parameshwara to engage with KSCA officials to address concerns.

While the schedule dominated discussions, the build-up to the IPL 2026 auction has also gathered momentum. The auction, to be held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, will mark the third consecutive year the event takes place outside India, following Dubai and Jeddah. On the eve of the auction, the BCCI finalised the player pool by adding 19 names, including Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, New Zealand pacer Ben Sears and South African all-rounder Ethan Bosch.All ten franchises will be keen to assemble squads capable of challenging for the IPL 2026 title. A total of 77 slots are available, including 31 for overseas players. Kolkata Knight Riders have the most vacancies with 13, followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad with ten. From an initial list of 1,355 players, 359 have been shortlisted — 244 Indians and 115 overseas — with 40 players entering at the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore.The spotlight at the auction will be on marquee names such as Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone and Ravi Bishnoi. Green, in particular, is expected to attract aggressive bidding amid a skewed demand-supply ratio for seam-bowling all-rounders, with projections suggesting bids could cross Rs 25 crore. With the IPL 2026 schedule now locked in, franchises will hope the remaining uncertainties — especially around venues — are resolved well before the season begins.

Ford has redrawn its electric vehicle roadmap, announcing that it will pull back from large EVs as the US carmaker transitions towards hybrids, petrol-powered trucks and a new battery storage venture. The auto giant also predicted profits to take a hit of almost $19.5 billion in the next few years.The US automaker, on Monday, said that several large electric models will be dropped, including the F-150 Lightning, as demand has failed to meet expectations amid rising costs and changes in regulation. The decision marks a clear departure from Ford’s earlier EV-heavy ambitions, at a time when the industry is reassessing the pace of the electric transition.“This is a customer-driven shift to create a stronger, more resilient and more profitable Ford,” chief executive Jim Farley said, adding that “the operating reality has changed, and we are redeploying capital into higher-return growth opportunities.”The announcement follows a move by US President Donald Trump to roll back stricter fuel economy rules introduced under former president Joe Biden, which had encouraged US carmakers to accelerate investments in electric vehicles. Farley welcomed the rollback, saying Trump was “aligning fuel economy standards with market realities” and calling it “a win for customers and common sense.” Trump has frequently criticised what he called an EV “mandate”, while Republican lawmakers have also scrapped clean-energy tax credits that had supported EV sales.Going forward, Ford said its electric vehicle development will be limited to smaller, lower-priced models. Production of the current F-150 Lightning has already been stopped, the company said. Its successor will be launched as a hybrid model, pairing an electric battery with a petrol engine and offering a driving range of more than 700 miles.Plans to introduce new electric commercial vans in Europe and North America have also been abandoned. Instead, Ford will produce petrol and hybrid vans at its Ohio assembly plant from 2029. In Tennessee, the company will retool its EV-focused factory, now to be renamed the Tennessee Truck Plant, to build affordable petrol-powered trucks from the same year.As part of its broader reset, Ford is also entering the battery energy storage market. A plant in Kentucky will be converted to manufacture storage systems for data centres and power utilities. The company expects to invest around $2 billion over two years in the project and aims to reach an annual capacity of 20 gigawatt-hours by late 2027, positioning itself as a significant player in the fast-growing sector.

Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan make one of the most iconic onscreen pairs in Hindi cinema. They have worked together in films like ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’, ‘Suhaag’, ‘Do Anjaane’, ‘Mr Natwarlal’, ‘Ram Balram’. Perhaps, that also had to do with rumours of their relationship offscreen. They were always linked to each other, though they’ve never admitted to it. Meanwhile, Rekha has expressed her admiration towards him at several instances. In an old interview with Simi Garewal, when she was asked if she ever fell in love with him, she had said, “Absolutely! That’s a dumb question!” She then added, “I’m yet to come across a man, woman, or child who can’t help but fall completely in love with him. Why should I be singled out?” Though, she had denied having any personal connection. Rekha had said, “You want to know the truth? There was never a personal connection with him. What do I deny? I’m not in love with him? Of course I am. Duniya bhar ka love aap le lijiyega and add some more, I feel that for that person. Bottomline”Now in a recent interview with ANI, Rekha’s friend has now spoken on their relationship. Author, fashion designer and entrepreneur Bina Ramani, who shared a deep personal bond with Rekha, recently spoke about the emotional phase the actress was navigating at the time. In an interview, Ramani indicated that Rekha was not seeking secrecy, but validation. According to her, Amitabh Bachchan’s marriage to Jaya Bachchan and his growing political ambitions ultimately made such acknowledgment impossible.Talking about Rekha’s childhood, Ramani said during a chat, “Rekha was a very good friend. She was childlike. She is pure. If she has made silly moves in her life, those were out of innocence. She was trapped by her childhood. Between the role of a mother and a father, she must have craved and couldn’t get enough of love. And then at a very young age 13–14, she started working. She didn’t really enjoy the childhood.” According to Ramani, this longing for emotional reassurance shaped Rekha’s personal relationships, and she felt that sense of security with Amitabh Bachchan. Speaking candidly about Rekha’s feelings, Ramani revealed how deeply consumed the actress was by that bond. “When I met her, her whole life was in encased in Amitabh Bachchan,” she said. When asked whether Rekha was genuinely in love with him, Ramani responded, “Yes, she believed she belonged to him in spirit. And she believed that he belonged to her in spirit. They had a communication. These things can happen.”The situation, however, became more complicated when Amitabh Bachchan stepped into politics. Ramani recalled that Rekha found it increasingly difficult to accept that their relationship could never be publicly recognised.“Amitabh had joined politics, and she had come to visit me in New York. She was going through hard time because Amitabh had now become a public person, and he may have probably said to her that there was no chance of him ever… their alliance must have had to drift…publicly no more,” Ramani shared.Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan were last seen together onscreen in in Yash Chopra’s ‘Silsila’ in 1981 which also starred Jaya Bachchan this was nothing less than a casting coup.

US President Donald Trump (Photo credit: AP)

US President Donald Trump on Monday filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC, accusing Britain’s public service broadcaster of misleadingly editing a speech he delivered to supporters in Washington on January 6, 2021, shortly before the US Capitol was stormed. The January 2021 attack on the US Capitol sought to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Trump has repeatedly denied responsibility for the violence.According to Reuters, the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Miami. Trump has alleged that edited clips aired by the BBC falsely suggested he urged supporters to storm the Capitol, causing him serious reputational and financial damage.Trump claims the broadcaster stitched together excerpts from different parts of his speech including remarks urging supporters to march to the Capitol and another in which he said “fight like hell” — while excluding a passage calling for peaceful protest. He argues that the edit created a misleading impression of a direct call for violence.

BBC’s response so far

The BBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit, according to The Guardian. However, the broadcaster has previously apologised, conceding an “error of judgment”, and acknowledged that the edit gave a mistaken impression. It has maintained that there is no legal basis for a defamation claim.In a statement issued earlier, a BBC spokesperson said lawyers had replied to Trump’s legal notice, adding: “While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim.”

What the edited clip showed?

The disputed clip featured in an episode of Panorama broadcast shortly before the 2024 US presidential election. The controversy triggered one of the biggest crises in the BBC’s 103-year history and led to the resignations of director general Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness last month, The Guardian reported. The broadcaster has said it does not intend to rebroadcast the documentary on any of its platforms.According to The Guardian, the edit drawn from sections of Trump’s speech delivered almost an hour apart gave the impression that he told the crowd: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol and I’ll be there with you, and we fight. We fight like hell.”A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team said the edited footage, aired in the run-up to the 2024 election, amounted to a “brazen attempt” to interfere in the contest. “The BBC has a long pattern of deceiving its audience in coverage of President Trump, all in service of its own leftist political agenda,” the spokesperson said. “President Trump’s powerhouse lawsuit is holding the BBC accountable for its defamation and reckless election interference.”The row intensified after the leak of a BBC memo by an external editorial standards adviser, which raised concerns over how the programme had been edited as part of a wider review into alleged political bias at the publicly funded broadcaster. The documentary was not aired in the United States.Trump’s lawyers argue that the BBC acted “intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively”. In the filing, Trump is seeking damages of at least $5 billion.Speaking earlier to reporters, Trump said: “We’ll sue them for anywhere between $1bn and $5bn probably sometime next week. I think I have to do it. They cheated. They changed the words coming out of my mouth,” as quoted by the BBC. In a separate interview, he said: “I think I have an obligation to do it. If you don’t do it, you don’t stop it from happening again with other people.”Legal experts cited by Reuters say Trump faces a high legal threshold under US law. As a public figure, he must prove not only that the edit was false and defamatory, but also that the BBC knowingly misled viewers or acted with reckless disregard for the truth, given strong constitutional protections for free speech and the press.The BBC is expected to argue that the programme was substantially accurate, that its editing did not materially distort the meaning of the speech, or that Trump’s reputation was not harmed. In the UK, defamation claims must be filed within a year of publication, a deadline that has passed for the Panorama episode which may explain why Trump has chosen to sue in the US.Trump’s lawsuit argues that the Florida court has jurisdiction because the BBC conducts “substantial” business in the state, including through its website and the BritBox streaming service, which operates in the US.The case adds to a series of legal actions Trump has brought against media organisations. While CBS and ABC have settled lawsuits with him following his 2024 election victory, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and an Iowa newspaper have denied wrongdoing in cases filed against them.

The air in Abu Dhabi is thick with anticipation as the IPL 2026 mini-auction is set to begin tomorrow, December 16th. With franchise war chests loaded—especially for teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (₹64.3 Cr) and Chennai Super Kings (₹43.4 Cr)—and only 77 available slots to fill, the competition will be fierce. While global stars like Cameron Green and Wanindu Hasaranga will command attention, history proves that it is the premium Indian players who dictate the auction’s strategic flow and ignite the most explosive bidding wars. As teams look to plug crucial gaps in their domestic core, some Indian cricketers, possessing unique and high-demand skill sets, are perfectly poised to break the bank and become the headlining stories of the day.

5 Indian players who can trigger a bidding war in the IPL 2026 auction

1) Ravi Bishnoi

Despite a challenging IPL 2025 season (Economy Rate over 10), Bishnoi remains the most valuable Indian spin property available. His high base price of ₹2 Crore reflects the strategic value franchises place on a young, capped wrist-spinner. Notably, Indian wrist-spinners who can be reliable wicket-takers in the middle overs are a structural necessity for almost every team. Furthermore, Bishnoi has shown the ability to bowl in the powerplay, a tactical ace few Indian spinners possess.

Teams like CSK, playing on a spin-friendly pitch and needing a long-term Indian option, and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who need to balance their pace attack with a wicket-taking spinner, are expected to enter a fierce bidding war.

2) Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer’s release by KKR after a high-price season (₹23.75 Cr) shocked many. However, his base price of ₹2 Crore still puts him in the top bracket, highlighting his perceived value. The scarcity of a left-handed Indian batting all-rounder who can open or anchor the middle order while offering handy seam bowling is immense. Iyer’s versatility allows a team to adjust their entire batting line-up without using an overseas slot.

While KKR may attempt to buy him back at a lower price, they will face stiff competition. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), with a substantial purse and a need to bolster their middle-order power, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who were keen on him previously and require more Indian batting depth, will likely push his price further.

Also READ: 5 overseas players that franchises can target in IPL 2026 Auction ft. Cameron Green

3) Prithvi Shaw

After going unsold in the last auction, Prithvi Shaw has registered at a modest ₹75 Lakh and is notably placed in the opening set of Capped Batters. His recent domestic form revival for Maharashtra, including a strong Ranji Trophy run, has put him back in the spotlight. Teams needing an explosive Indian opener to maximize the Powerplay, a strategy that is non-negotiable in modern T20 cricket, will target him. His career IPL strike rate is a proven asset.

As one of the first players up, he will benefit from teams having their full purse and a clear, immediate need for an opener. His former team, Delhi Capitals (DC), is reportedly keen to re-acquire him, while KKR, with the biggest purse and a need for a dynamic Indian opener, are prime candidates to launch a bidding war that could easily push his price.

4) Sarfaraz Khan

Like Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan is featured in the initial Capped Batters set, registering at a very attractive base price of ₹75 Lakh. His domestic record is undeniable: a First-Class average of over 63 and recent white-ball heroics. Franchises desperately need Indian batters who can handle the pressure of the middle-order, rotate strike, and accelerate at the death. Sarfaraz offers a rare combination of composure and power, especially in the context of filling the crucial No. 4 or No. 5 slot.

His low base price is almost certain to be ignored as teams prioritize his current form over his inconsistent IPL past. Teams that have secured their top-order and now seek an experienced, in-form Indian middle-order anchor—such as Gujarat Titans (GT) or SRH—will drive his bidding, expecting him to fetch a price in the big bracket.

5) Akash Madhwal

Akash Madhwal’s base price in the Uncapped category makes him the ultimate value-for-money high-potential asset on the auction list. His defining moment remains his record-breaking 5/5 spell in the IPL 2023 Eliminator. Indian pacers who can execute yorkers reliably in the death overs are the rarest asset in the IPL. Madhwal has proven his ability to perform in high-pressure knockout scenarios.

While he was with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2025, his value far exceeds his modest base price. Teams that miss out on the top-tier Indian pacers, or those looking to add high-impact Indian depth to their bowling unit, will see him as a steal. Every team, especially Punjab Kings (PBKS) and DC, will vie for him. Expect an exponential jump in his bidding, as he is a top uncapped talent who could land a mega deal.

Also READ: 5 uncapped stars who can trigger a bidding war in IPL 2026 mini auction