Sri Lanka cricket team (ANI)

Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed the appointment of R. Sridhar as the national team’s fielding coach, with his contract running through the end of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The appointment came into effect on December 11 and will conclude shortly after the T20 World Cup finishes on March 10. The global tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

A BCCI Level 3 qualified coach, Sridhar brings vast experience at the international level. He previously served as India’s fielding coach from 2014 to 2021, working across more than 300 international matches. His tenure included involvement in two ODI World Cups and two T20 World Cups. In his new role, Sridhar will focus on improving Sri Lanka’s overall fielding standards. He will work closely with the national squad during upcoming tours of Pakistan and England, before shifting attention fully to preparations for the T20 World Cup. Reacting to the appointment, Sridhar said Sri Lankan cricketers have long been known for their natural flair and resilience. He stressed that his aim is to create the right environment rather than enforce rigid methods, allowing athleticism, awareness and pride in fielding to develop organically. The role also marks a return to familiar surroundings for Sridhar. Earlier this year, he conducted a 10-day specialised fielding camp at Sri Lanka Cricket’s National High Performance Centre in May. The programme began with the national men’s team and later extended to other squads. During the camp, Sridhar oversaw intensive fielding drills, skill-based sessions and simulated match scenarios designed to mirror real game conditions. He worked closely with national, high-performance and club coaches throughout the stint. Speaking further, Sridhar highlighted the importance of connection and realism in fielding preparation. He said Sri Lanka’s traditional strengths, including quick hands, sharp reflexes and fearless intent, can be taken to another level through game-like training environments. Last year, Sridhar also had a brief coaching assignment with Afghanistan. He was named assistant coach for their one-off Test against New Zealand in Noida and the three-match ODI series against South Africa in September.

India’s Aadhaar database has not suffered any breach since its inception, the government told Parliament, underscoring that a multi-layered technology framework continues to safeguard the personal data of over 134 crore Aadhaar holders, ANI reported.In a statement placed in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) follows a “defence-in-depth” security architecture to protect citizens’ biometric and demographic information stored in the central database.“Till date, no breach of Aadhaar card holders’ data has occurred from the UIDAI database,” the ministry said in a press release issued on Wednesday, asserting that Aadhaar data remains fully secure.

Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada submitted the details in Parliament on December 17, 2025, outlining the safeguards deployed to prevent unauthorised access and cyber threats.According to the government, UIDAI uses advanced encryption technologies to secure data both during transmission and while at rest, ensuring that sensitive personal information remains protected at all times.The Aadhaar ecosystem is supported by multiple layers of security controls, combined with continuous monitoring and periodic system audits to verify that protections remain effective. UIDAI also conducts regular security assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.Highlighting international validation of these systems, the ministry said UIDAI’s Information Security Management System is certified under ISO 27001:2022 by STQC. “UIDAI is also certified ISO/IEC 27701:2019 (Privacy Information Management System),” the release said.Further, UIDAI has been declared a protected system, with the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) providing continuous cybersecurity advisories to strengthen its security posture, the government added.In addition to internal safeguards, an independent agency periodically audits compliance with security protocols. These audits include Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) to detect application-level risks.Aadhaar remains the world’s largest biometric identity system, with about 134 crore active users. The platform has completed more than 16,000 crore authentication transactions, forming a critical backbone for delivery of government services and welfare schemes across the country, the ministry said.

Prashant Veer has officially etched his name into Indian Premier League (IPL) history as the joint most expensive uncapped player ever, a feat achieved during the high-octane 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. At just 20 years old, the Uttar Pradesh sensation was signed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a staggering ₹14.20 crore, serving as the strategic replacement for the legendary Ravindra Jadeja.

IPL 2026: CSK’s replacement for Ravindra Jadeja in form of Prashant Veer

A dynamic left-arm orthodox spinner and a ferocious lower-order batter, Veer mirrors Jadeja’s multi-dimensional skill set that CSK has relied upon for over a decade. His meteoric rise follows a breakout season in the UP T20 League where his ‘spark’ caught the eye of MS Dhoni and the CSK scouts. Standing at the threshold of greatness, he carries the heavy tag of being the “new Jadeja” for a franchise in deep transition.

Beyond his technical prowess, he is known for his lightning-quick reflexes in the field, making him a complete 3D package. For CSK, this investment isn’t just about a single season; it’s about securing the next decade of their spin-bowling all-round core. His journey from the dusty lanes of Amethi to the yellow jersey of Chennai is nothing short of a cricketing fairytale.

IPL 2026: The historic ₹14.20 crore bidding war for uncapped player Prashant Veer

The auction room in Abu Dhabi crackled with electricity the moment Prashant Veer’s name was announced at a modest base price of ₹30 lakh. The initial skirmish broke out between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, who recognized the rare value of a domestic left-arm all-rounder. However, as the bid zoomed past the ₹5 crore mark, the heavyweights stepped in, with Rajasthan Royals, the team that had recently traded for Jadeja, desperate to find a young alternative.

The atmosphere turned into a high-stakes standoff when Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad locked horns in a relentless bidding war that spanned nearly 86 rounds of rapid-fire raising of paddles. Every time the auctioneer looked ready to drop the hammer, a new bid would fly in from the CSK table, led by a determined management team acting on specific trial data. When the price hit ₹14.20 crore, SRH finally bowed out, making Veer the joint-most expensive uncapped player in history alongside Kartik Sharma. This massive 47-times jump from his base price signaled CSK’s absolute all-in commitment to their new era.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Full list of unsold players along with their base price

7 lesser known facts about Prashant Veer

• Birth and Rural Roots: Prashant Ramendra Veer was born on November 24, 2005, in the small village of Shahjipur, located about 13 kilometers from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. His early years were spent playing tennis-ball cricket in local fields, where he was often the youngest but most talented player among older boys.

• The Humble Shiksha Mitra Father: His father, Ramendra Veer, works as a Shiksha Mitra (contractual primary teacher) earning a modest salary of approximately ₹12,000 per month. Despite the financial constraints, his father prioritized Prashant’s dreams, often stating that he would support his son even if he chose farming over cricket.
• A Mother’s Silent Support: His mother, Anjana Tripathi, a dedicated housewife, has been the emotional backbone of his journey. Following his record-breaking auction win, the family celebrated by distributing sweets in their village, with his mother expressing that the money is for the family to manage, while Prashant remains focused only on the ball and bat.

• Educational Struggles and Migration: Prashant completed his primary schooling at Bhardwaj Academy and KPS School in Sang Rampur. To pursue cricket seriously, he moved to Mainpuri for a sports hostel, where he passed his 9th and 10th-grade exams, and eventually completed his Intermediate (12th) from Saharanpur in 2025.
• The Saharanpur Transformation: Realizing that cricket in Mainpuri wasn’t competitive enough, he moved to Saharanpur seven years ago under the guidance of coach Rajiv Goyal. When his grandfather, Suryakumar Tripathi (who funded his cricket with his pension), passed away, Prashant nearly quit the sport due to lack of funds, but his coach and local officials stepped in to sponsor his kit and training.

• The ‘Miller’ Moniker and Idolatry: In the UPCA Green Park Academy, he was nicknamed ‘Miller’ (after South African David Miller) by his coach Sunil because he often wore a green jersey and shared a similar explosive hitting style. However, his true idol is Yuvraj Singh, and he proudly wears the Jersey Number 12 to honor the Indian legend.
• Statistical Brilliance & Resilience: His rise is backed by workhorse numbers; he once played 6 matches in 7 days across different cities for the UP Under-23 and Senior teams. In the 2025 UP T20 League, he smashed 320 runs (strike rate 155.34) and took 8 wickets, while in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy league stage, he maintained a lethal strike rate of 170 with his lower-order cameos.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Complete list of sold players with their price

The UAE approved amendments to corporate tax, VAT, and company laws, clarifying tax credits, easing VAT rules, and updating corporate structures/Representative Image

The UAE has introduced a set of significant legislative changes covering corporate tax, value added tax (VAT), and the Commercial Companies Law. These amendments aim to make business operations simpler, reduce regulatory ambiguities, and strengthen the country’s business friendly framework, giving companies clearer guidance on taxation and corporate structures.The corporate tax amendments provide detailed guidance on calculating and settling tax liabilities when credits, incentives, or reliefs apply. Liabilities will be settled in a specific order: first, withholding tax credits; then, foreign tax credits; followed by any other Cabinet approved incentives or reliefs. Any remaining corporate tax must be paid. Taxpayers are also allowed to claim payments for unused tax credits, provided they adhere to specified timelines and procedures. These measures remove previous uncertainties and ensure consistent and transparent application of the corporate tax framework, which applies a standard 9 percent rate to companies with profits above Dh375,000 ($102,110), while profits below this threshold remain tax free.On the VAT side, Federal Decree Law No. 16 of 2025, effective January 1, 2026, simplifies tax procedures while maintaining compliance with international standards. Businesses will no longer need to issue self-invoices under the reverse charge mechanism if supporting documentation is kept. In addition, a five-year time limit is introduced for submitting claims to recover excess refundable VAT after reconciliation, providing clear timelines for businesses to manage tax recoveries.The amendments to the Commercial Companies Law expand flexibility and competitiveness in corporate structures. The law introduces the non-profit company, allowing organizations to reinvest net profits to achieve their objectives without distributing profits to shareholders. It also permits more complex capital structures, including multiple classes of shares with different rights for voting, profit distribution, redemption, and liquidation, as outlined in a company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws.Together, these updates reinforce the UAE’s commitment to creating a transparent, efficient, and predictable regulatory environment. By clarifying tax procedures, streamlining compliance, and enabling more flexible corporate structures, the country strengthens its position as a preferred destination for businesses and investors alike.

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday permitted Delhi-based journalist and activist Gautam Navlakha to move back to his residence in Delhi until the framing of charge proceedings begin in the 2018 Elgar Parishad-Maoist link case. This permission comes with certain conditions, including that he cannot leave the capital without prior permission and must visit the Kalkaji police station every Saturday to mark attendance anytime between 9 am and noon.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) submitted a list of suggestions following the hearing on Tuesday regarding a plea made by Navlakha to allow him to reside in Delhi instead of Mumbai. The Court granted Navlakha bail in 2023 but stated he should continue to remain in a house in Mumbai until the trial concludes. His counsel, Yug Chaudhry, pleading for his stay in Delhi, said the trial is far from starting and the restrictive bail condition was causing severe personal and financial strain on the 73-year-old, who has to rent accommodation in Mumbai.A division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Shyam Chandak observed orally on Tuesday that Navlakha never attempted to abuse his liberty while on bail and did not appear to be a flight risk. Earlier this year, when he approached the special NIA trial court at the Sessions Court to permit his shift to Delhi, his hometown, it was denied. He thus moved the High Court.The High Court on Wednesday reviewed the points suggested by the NIA, submitted by ASG Anil Singh, and said it would tweak one condition to state that Navlakha has to remain physically present when the framing of charge hearing occurs. The framing of charge by a trial court is the last pre-trial step before the actual criminal trial starts.Navlakha’s counsel mentioned that there is no special judge assigned yet, and the trial will take a long time even once it starts. When asked which was the local police station in Delhi for Navlakha, the High Court was informed it was Kalkaji police station. While in Mumbai, he had to report to a local police station once a month; the High Court made it once a week in Delhi, saying, “since you are out of our jurisdiction,” and noted he is on bail but not yet a free man.The other conditions for Navlakha to reside in his hometown are to surrender his passport, not to move out of Delhi without leave of the NIA court, and to remain present during the trial on all dates physically once the trial begins, except when exempted by the special trial court. The NIA additional charge sheet against Navlakha and others, on October 9, 2020, invoked offences against them, including waging war, sedition, and terror offences under UAPA.

Australia’s Alex Carey celebrates his century at the Adelaide Oval. (AP Photo)

A composed Alex Carey marked a special day at his home ground with a majestic century as Australia seized control on the opening day of the third Ashes Test against England at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday. Carey’s assured 106, combined with a defiant 82 from veteran Usman Khawaja, lifted the hosts to a commanding 326 for 8 at stumps after captain Pat Cummins won the toss in sweltering conditions.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Temperatures soared past 36 degrees Celsius, and Australia’s preparations were jolted just before play when Steve Smith was ruled out with illness. Smith, who has scored more than 10,000 Test runs, was named in the XI but withdrew shortly before the toss, forcing a late reshuffle.

That surprise absence opened the door for Khawaja, who turns 39 on Thursday and had been overlooked as an opener earlier in the series. Given a lifeline, the left-hander responded with a calm, resilient knock, anchoring the innings after Australia lost early wickets. Dropped on five at second slip, Khawaja made England pay, grinding his way to a hard-earned half-century before falling just before tea while attempting a slog-sweep.Carey then took charge, shepherding the lower middle order with maturity and precision. He first added useful runs alongside Josh Inglis (32), then Pat Cummins (13), before combining effectively with Mitchell Starc, who was unbeaten on 33 at the close. Carey struck eight fours and a six, bringing up his third Test century in front of family, friends and a record Adelaide Oval crowd of 56,298. He eventually departed late in the day, top-edging Will Jacks to the wicketkeeper, but not before firmly tilting the contest Australia’s way.

England’s standout bowler was Jofra Archer, who finished with an impressive 3 for 29 on a taxing day in the field. Archer produced a blistering spell after lunch, removing Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in quick succession to briefly stall Australia’s momentum. Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse also chipped in with key wickets, though England were guilty of missed chances that proved costly.Earlier, openers Jake Weatherald (18) and Travis Head (10) fell cheaply, while Inglis and Cummins were dismissed in the final session. Nathan Lyon was yet to score at stumps.The day began on a sombre note, with players from both teams wearing black armbands and observing a minute’s silence to honour the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting. Flags flew at half-mast as security was heightened around the packed venue.Leading the five-Test series 2-0 after emphatic wins in Perth and Brisbane, Australia are well placed to push for a result that would see them retain the Ashes.

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