BAREILLY: Even as memories of the brutal “Blue drum murder case” in Meerut remain fresh, a similarly chilling murder has come to light from Chandausi in Sambhal district, where a woman allegedly conspired with her lovers to kill her husband, chop his body into pieces and dump them at multiple locations.The case surfaced on December 15 after severed body parts of a man were found packed in polythene bags near the Idgah on Patraua Road in Chandausi region of UP’s Sambhal.

Police said the body was mutilated with extreme brutality, with the head, hands and legs chopped off.Police added, “Initial identification proved difficult as the head was missing. However, police got a crucial lead when they noticed the name “Rahul” engraved on one of the severed arms. Further investigation confirmed the deceased as Rahul (40), a shoe trader and resident of Chunni locality in Chandausi.”The probe took a dramatic turn when police found that Rahul’s wife, Ruby, had lodged a missing persons complaint for him on November 18. During questioning, contradictions in her statements raised suspicion. Surveillance and technical evidence helped police piece together the sequence of events, following which Ruby, her lover, Gaurav, and one more person were detained for questioning. Police said Rahul had been married to Ruby for 15 years. The couple has two children — a 12-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. The girl allegedly told police that her parents often fought and that three people used to visit their house, sometimes bringing her chocolates. She broke down during questioning and repeatedly said her mother was also involved, urging police to “hang everyone responsible”.On Sunday, police recovered key evidence from Rahul’s house, including a cot leg, a scooter, a bag, a toilet brush, an iron rod and an electric heater. Forensic teams suspect the murder was carried out inside the house, after which the body was cut up and disposed of.Police are still searching for Rahul’s missing head and other body parts. The murder was allegedly planned on the lines of the Meerut Muskaan case. However, the official disclosure of the case is yet to come.

Former India captain Rohit Sharma has candidly spoken about the emotional aftermath of India’s crushing defeat to Australia in the final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, revealing that the loss left him mentally drained and questioning his future in the sport.

Speaking at a Masters’ Union event, Rohit admitted that the disappointment from the final lingered far longer than expected, describing it as one of the most difficult phases of his cricketing life.

Rohit reveals depth of personal devastation

Opening up about his state of mind after the final, Rohit shared that the emotional impact was overwhelming.

“After the 2023 World Cup final, I was completely distraught and felt like I didn’t want to play this sport anymore because it had taken everything out of me,” he said. “I felt I had nothing left.”

Rohit explained that the sense of emptiness did not fade overnight. He needed time away from the emotional high of the tournament to reconnect with his love for cricket, reminding himself why he started playing the game in the first place.

Slowly, through reflection and self-motivation, he began to rediscover his energy and drive. “I kept telling myself that this is something I truly love, and I couldn’t let it go so easily,” he added.

One loss that stunned the host nation

India’s campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup had been nothing short of dominant. Under Rohit’s leadership, the team won every match leading into the final, producing one of the most consistent tournament runs in World Cup history.

However, the final in Ahmedabad unfolded in heartbreaking fashion. Despite Australia losing three early wickets, India were outplayed as the visitors chased down the target comfortably, sealing a six-wicket victory. The defeat stunned fans across the country, turning a month of celebration into collective disbelief.

“Everybody was extremely disappointed,” Rohit said. “We just couldn’t believe what had happened.”

World Cup dream consumed Rohit’s leadership tenure

Rohit acknowledged that the loss hurt deeply because the World Cup had been his singular focus since taking over the captaincy in 2022. Whether it was the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup, his goal was clear – to lift a global trophy for India.

“I had put everything into that World Cup, not just in the months before it but ever since I became captain,” he said. “When it didn’t happen, I was completely devastated. There was no energy left in my body.”

The former opener admitted it took a couple of months to mentally recover, regain motivation and feel ready to step back onto the field with purpose.

Also READ: Mumbai announces squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma makes historic return

India bounce back under Rohit’s leadership with T20 World Cup 2024 triumph

Rohit’s story, however, did not end in despair. India responded to the 2023 heartbreak with resilience, going on to win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 under his captaincy.

The title triumph served as redemption – not just for the team, but for Rohit personally. It validated his perseverance through doubt and emotional exhaustion, reinforcing his belief in persistence and long-term vision.

Also WATCH: Virat Kohli shows class by signing net bowler’s iPhone after practice session in Alibaug

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AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis of South Africa (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

South Africa have long been known for chasing the impossible. They still hold the world record for the highest successful run chase in ODI cricket, when they hunted down 438 vs Australia. But 12 years ago at the Wanderers, they came within touching distance of pulling off something even more extraordinary in Test cricket.Set a target of 458 against India on a cracked, uneven surface, South Africa began the fifth day with far more modest ambitions. Needing 320 runs with eight wickets in hand, a draw or an India win felt like the realistic outcome. Few could have imagined that by the final hour, victory would be within reach for the Proteas.

Early wickets shifted the balance back towards India, but then Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers came together with clarity and purpose. Time at the crease mattered more than the scoreboard. What followed was a partnership built on patience, courage and immense control.For almost four hours, the pair batted with discipline on a pitch that offered variable bounce and plenty of movement. They faced 375 deliveries together and added 205 runs, taking South Africa from 197 for 4, still 261 away, to the brink of a historic chase. Cracks opened up, balls reared up and down, edges flew over the slips, but both batters absorbed it all and kept moving forward.By the final session, the equation had shifted dramatically. South Africa needed 66 runs from 15 overs with both batters unbeaten on hundreds. The chase was suddenly real.Against the flow of the game, Ishant Sharma struck. De Villiers chopped on from a back-of-a-length delivery, giving India an opening. JP Duminy followed soon after, inside-edging a cover drive. Momentum swung again when du Plessis was run out, exhausted after a long innings, following a magnificent direct hit from Ajinkya Rahane.With 20 runs needed and the score reading 438, the dream was still alive. But only Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn remained, with an injured Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir unable to contribute meaningfully with the bat. Safety became the priority. Philander and Steyn blocked, left and survived. Steyn even sent the final ball of Mohammed Shami into the stands for a huge six, but it came too late. South Africa finished just eight runs short, securing one of the greatest draws the game has seen.It felt intense, dramatic and strangely anti-climactic all at once. A draw had been the morning goal, yet victory slipped away by the narrowest of margins.While du Plessis and de Villiers defined the day, the Test also marked an important chapter for India. Batting first, India were bowled out for 280, with Virat Kohli standing tall with a superb 119. Ajinkya Rahane was the next best scorer with 47. In reply, South Africa made 244, led by captain Graeme Smith’s 68, while Vernon Philander provided crucial lower-order support with a valuable 59. Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma picked up four wickets each. India then batted again with a slender lead of 36. Although Shikhar Dhawan fell cheaply for 15, Murali Vijay scored 39 and added 70 for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara went on to play a brilliant innings of 153 and then added 222 runs with Virat Kohli, who agonisingly missed out on a century by just four runs. India were all out for 421, setting South Africa a daunting target of 458. In the chase, Alviro Petersen’s 76 and Graeme Smith’s 44 laid a strong foundation with an opening stand of 108 before the first wicket fell.After the match, du Plessis reflected on the escape, saying: “If you had asked us this morning whether we would have taken saving the game, we definitely would have taken it. I was struggling a bit with cramps and some stomach aches too, which I don’t normally get. I was thinking about Adelaide. I knew I had done it before and I just placed a very high price on my wicket and made sure the Indians found it difficult to get me. The wicket was just a blur. In hindsight, I should have been out there holding one end while Vern went and took it on. India bowled very skilfully.”Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match for scores of 119 and 96. Cheteshwar Pujara showcased his class with a commanding 153 in the second innings. It was a period of transition, the first major overseas assignment for Kohli, Pujara and Rahane as a group.India lost the series 1-0 and went down by 10 wickets in the second Test, but they discovered something lasting. Kohli, Pujara and Rahane finished as the three highest run scorers in the series. Pujara made 280 runs at an average of 70. Kohli followed with 272 at 68. Rahane added 209 at 69.66. Together, they would go on to shape India’s batting for the next decade. Twelve years on, that final day at the Wanderers remains unforgettable.

Chennai: With overcrowding and unregulated growth straining Tamil Nadu’s popular hill stations, the state has begun redrawing its tourism map. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has rolled out projects to introduce organized camping and glamping facilities across three hill destinations—Jawadhu Hills, Vathalmalai, Kolli hills and Yelagiri. However private operators point out that without proper co-ordination with other depts, especially forest, these projects won’t take off.The initiatives signal a shift from large hotels towards low-impact, experience-driven tourism. Jawadhu Hills, known more to trekkers and local communities than mainstream tourists, is set to get its first organized glamping facility spread over about 7.65acres. TTDC has laid basic infra and wants a private operator to step in with luxury and safari tents, domes and prefabricated cottages.

“Now the forest dept has camping sites. They have developed accommodation near the lake. The private operator will have to set 10 accommodation units with a restaurant, reception is being planned. Approximately 1,000 people come to Jawadhu malai every month,” said an official from Tiruvannamalai district.A similar approach is being considered at Vathalmalai in Dharmapuri district. The scenic plateau that has remained largely off the tourism radar, will get a camping site spanning about 6.1acres and will have tents and eco-cottages supported by basic amenities. “We have already constructed the restaurant. It is a hill station and has waterfalls, tribal settlements and we have proposed trekking. We have requested the forest department for a route,” said an official from Dharamapuri district.Tourism officials say the idea is not to replicate Ooty or Kodaikanal, but to offer quieter, nature-based alternatives. “Till date we were stuck with age-old destinations. If executed as planned, the projects will be a step towards developing new hill destinations. But these projects should not be dropped midway,” said N Ravi, former tourism department official.Meanwhile, Richard Harris, who has been trying to start a campsite in Tiruvallur for the past five years, said that starting a tourism venture is not possible unless there is coordination between various departments.”My project is stuck as different departments are not cooperating. The district tourism promotion committee should become functional,” he said.