NAVI MUMBAI: In a daylight heist, three unidentified men disguised in burqas with their faces covered robbed Sangam Gold jewellery store located in Neelkanth Pride society in Sector 42A, Seawoods-Nerul on Monday around 10.45 am. While one of the robbers threatened the jeweller with a pistol, two others collected all the gold ornaments on display and decamped with the booty. Coincidentally, the robbers dared to target the jewellery store located in a building in the vicinity of a police chowkie.

The robbery was captured by the CCTV surveillance at the store. The three robbers escaped with the huge booty in a car in which their aide was waiting outside the store and keeping watch.ACP (Zone-2) Mayur Bhujbal informed that an FIR was registered at NRI Coastal Police Station where the four unidentified accused were booked under relevant sections of BNS for the offence of robbery, and robbery or dacoity with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt, along with the Indian Arms Act.ACP Bhujbal said, “As many as four police teams of the detection branch and one team each of all four crime branch units have been formed to trace the robbers. The CCTV footage on the streets is being scanned to track the car in which the robbers escaped. From the CCTV footage, the car’s registration number has been obtained, but it is possible that the robbers might have used a fake number plate, which is being ascertained. As the robber who pointed the pistol at the jeweller did not fire any round in the air while escaping, it is possible that the pistol was also fake, which will be confirmed once the robbers are arrested and the robbed gold ornaments and pistol are recovered from them. The jeweller Sunil Sharma (42) has claimed that the robbers decamped with around 250 grams of gold ornaments estimated to cost around Rs 25 lakhs. Hence, he has been told to submit a precise list of all the robbed ornaments mentioning their type, weight, purity, and any unique features or identification marks along with the original purchase bills, valuation certificates, etc.”The jeweller Sunil Sharma told media representatives that when three persons attired in burqas entered his store, he thought they were women customers. But actually, they were men and were speaking in Hindi. As their faces were covered in burqas, they could not be identified. One of them pointed a pistol at him and threatened to kill him if he raised an alarm. Two other robbers collected all the gold ornaments on display and even took Rs 35,000 cash at the counter. He said that he begged them not to harm him. They asked him if there was more gold in stock at the store, to which he replied that all gold ornaments were kept on display. The three robbers then told him to enter the room behind the counter and threatened him not to come out until they left the store. As the robbers exited the store, he rushed outside and shouted for help. The three robbers were seen escaping in a car driven by their aide.

On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, several major cricket news stories took the internet by storm, and in this article, we will have a look at some of the top stories and updates of the day.

From Australia announcing their squad for the fourth Ashes Test to the venue for Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match being shifted – a lot happened on the day, but some other major news stories also kept the fans talking about the game.

Ravindra Jadeja’s Vijay Hazare Trophy participation confirmed

The veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has made it very clear to the BCCI selection committee that he wants to feature in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

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Hence, to make his case strong for the selection and prove that he is fully dedicated, Ravindra Jadeja is all set to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Saurashtra.

According to a report in Times of India, the spin-bowling all-rounder is likely to feature in two fixtures on January 6 and January 8 against Services and Gujarat, respectively, in Alur.

“Yes, he has confirmed to play these two games on January 6 and January 8. This is the plan for now,” a senior SCA official told TOI.

England Cricket Team U19 World Cup Squad Announced

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the England Lions squad for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Somerset Wicketkeeper-batter Thomas Rew has been named captain of the side, while Farhan Ahmed will be his deputy.

Squad: Thomas Rew (c), Farhan Ahmed, Ralphie Albert, Ben Dawkins, Caleb Falconer, Ali Farooq, Alex French, Alex Green, Luke Hands, Manny Lumsden, Ben Mayes, James Minto, Isaac Mohammed, Joe Moores, Sebastian Morgan.

Sunil Gavaskar Secures Personality Rights Protection

India National Cricket Team batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has become the first Indian sportsperson to secure personality rights protection. He has received court-backed protection for his personality and publicity rights.

Senior Advocate Gopal Jain appeared for the batting legend, briefed by Krida Legal, comprising Managing Partner Vidushpat Singhania and his team.

The Delhi High Court has issued a strict order to everyone using Sunil Gavaskar’s name and image to remove all such posts, videos, and related content from social media and e-commerce platforms within 72 hours.

If the individuals don’t follow the order of the court, the platforms themselves will be required to take down the infringing content. Also, the court took notice of the misleading content shared online and stated that sharing posts that can’t harm an individual’s public image can’t be permitted.

Sanjay Manjrekar Launches Attack On Shubman Gill

Former India National Cricket Team batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has launched an attack on the star batter Shubman Gill after his axing from the Indian T20I team.

Shubman Gill was recently dropped from India’s T20I squad despite being the vice-captain, and Axar Patel was named as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Gill’s axing came on the back of his horrible run in T20I cricket since his return to the format. Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar took an indirect dig at Gill in a social media post discussing his exclusion. He stated:

“He hasn’t got a single 50 in 20 innings. A stat often cited to suggest loss of form. T20s are & will always be about strike rates. The last thing you want is an out-of-form batter playing cautiously when he comes close to 50. This will lose you the game.”

He hasn’t got a single 50 in 20 inngs. A stat often cited to suggest loss of form. T20s is & will always be about strike rates.
The last thing you want is an out of form batter playing cautiously when he comes close to 50. This will lose you the game.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 23, 2025

Also Read: Shubman Gill’s domestic cricket grind begins after T20 World Cup snub; next move revealed

Bangladeshi journalists say they are facing death threats, targeted surveillance, and intimidation in the run-up to Feb 2026 national elections — a crisis that deepened after mobs attacked and set fire to offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star on Dec 19, trapping more than two dozen media personnel inside. No journalists were killed, but those present said they were left with little doubt about what the attackers intended.Staffers described how they were forced onto the rooftop as smoke from the arson filled the buildings. Phone signals were weak, and help took hours to arrive. “We weren’t sure we would survive the night,” said a senior journalist at The Daily Star, speaking to TOI from Dhaka. “And since then, it hasn’t felt like we got out of it. The fire was just the beginning.”A total of 28 people, mostly journalists and staffers, were eventually rescued by firefighters and army personnel. Press freedom organisations later said the mob appeared intent on burning the journalists alive, and in some cases, actively blocked emergency responders. While those statements describe the level of threat, no deaths have been confirmed.What followed the attack has been quieter, but no less insidious. Reporters from both national and international publications told TOI that they are now being tracked online, receiving anonymous warnings, and in some cases, being surveilled in person. Some have gone off social media altogether. “They watch our posts to see whose side we’re on,” said a journalist from Sylhet. “Especially if you’re a minority or write with any liberal perspective, you’re marked. These next two months will be dangerous.”The attacks were sparked by protests over death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi but quickly spiralled into a broader assault on the press. Offices were ransacked. Computers and equipment were looted or destroyed. In The Daily Star’s newsroom, editors and reporters said they had minutes to evacuate before flames reached their desks. “We could hear them breaking things downstairs,” said one editor. “We left without shutting down our systems. We didn’t look back.”No arrests have been made. No formal investigation has reached those responsible. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Access Now, have condemned the incident, warning that it signals a deeper erosion of civic space in Bangladesh. Their joint statement also criticised the state’s failure to act on rising hate speech and online harassment directed at journalists.Chief advisor Muhammed Yunus has condemned the arson and promised to ensure safety for media professionals. But journalists on ground say the promises feel detached from reality. “It wasn’t just vandalism,” said one reporter at Prothom Alo. “It was theatre. And the State was part of the audience.”In Dhaka, the newsrooms that were torched are operating from makeshift setups. Reporters are still filing stories, but fewer are signing bylines. “We do this job knowing there are costs,” said a Daily Star journalist. “But we were never meant to do it without protection — not from the State, not from the law, not even from the public.”In Nepal, too, media offices have come under fire this year. During anti-govt demonstrations in Sept, protesters vandalised and set fire to the headquarters of Kantipur Media Group. A senior editor there told TOI that the trend is unmistakable: “It starts with undermining reporters, then moves to surveillance, and finally turns violent. This is not isolated. This is coordinated tolerance for impunity.”

England’s Ben Stokes (AP/PTI)

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised questions over Ben Stokes’ method against spin bowling, pointing to what he believes are long-standing technical issues following the England captain’s dismissal in the third Ashes Test at Adelaide.Stokes was bowled by Australian spin great Nathan Lyon in the second innings as England chased a daunting target of 435. While England showed resolve in the chase, they eventually lost by 82 runs, a defeat that handed Australia the Ashes and marked England’s fourth straight series loss against their oldest rivals. With England beaten in three Tests inside 11 days, scrutiny has fallen on the entire side, but Ashwin suggested the captain must also look closely at his own game.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin analysed Stokes’ approach to spin, drawing on his own experience of bowling to the England all-rounder. Ashwin has dismissed Stokes 13 times in Test cricket.“Ben Stokes has been getting out to off-spinners for as long as I have bowled and watched,” Ashwin said. “Is this question being asked? He is a fabulous player with the right attitude, but you cannot play spin the same way you play fast bowling.”Ashwin explained that playing spin requires getting to the pitch of the ball rather than relying on bounce, something that works better against pace bowlers. He added that fast bowlers, who rely more on lateral movement, can be handled with adjustments, whereas spin presents different challenges such as the risk of being trapped lbw.“You have to watch the ball out of the hand,” Ashwin said. “The theory of playing spin is to get to the pitch of the ball. If you do not do that, you are always vulnerable.”Ashwin also pointed to what he sees as a growing trend among non-Asian batters to depend heavily on the sweep and reverse sweep against spin. He argued that this stems from flawed defensive technique.“I am seeing many western players like Ben Stokes, Ben Duckett and Aiden Markram sweeping or reverse sweeping because their defensive technique against spin is not right,” Ashwin said. “The moment you commit to the sweep, you are picking the line early and trying to defend it, instead of reading what the ball is doing and getting to it.”According to Ashwin, the core principle of playing spin is lost when batters retreat onto the back foot and look to score rather than meeting the ball. He added that this issue, in his view, is not being addressed enough at the highest level.Stokes’ dismissal in Adelaide proved pivotal in England’s failed chase and has now become a focal point in wider discussions about England’s approach to spin bowling, both in the Ashes and beyond.

An explosion at a nursing home in Pennsylvania left residents trapped as emergency crews rushed to rescue potential victims of the fire.The blast occurred on Tuesday around 2 pm (local time) at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township, around 30 minutes northeast of Philadelphia. Authorities and first responders described the incident as a possible gas explosion.“We understand that there are people trapped inside,” said Ruth Miller, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, according to The Associated Press. Emergency crews responded immediately to the facility, working to evacuate residents and search for those who may have gone missing. Video footage on social media showed police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks with flashing lights at the scene, while flames and black smoke poured from the building. Windows were blown out, and part of the roof collapsed.The Upper Makefield Township police department called the explosion a “mass casualty incident” and urged residents to avoid the area due to the large emergency response, reports the Independent. Lieutenant Sean Cosgrove of Bristol Township police told Levittown Now that residents were evacuated by emergency crews, staff, and even bystanders. He added, “I do not know if everyone is accounted for or not yet. I’m not aware of any critical injuries but there definitely were injuries.”The nursing home’s last fire safety inspection took place in September 2024. According to Medicare.gov, the facility has a one-star rating with health inspections described as “much below average.”Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed on X that he has been briefed on the incident. “My Administration is in contact with local officials and first responders on the ground,” he said. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, and authorities have not yet confirmed the number of injuries or fatalities.

Salim Durani’s ex-wife (84) found abandoned at Belapur station

MUMBAI: Late India cricketer Salim Durani‘s former wife was rescued from Belapur station last week in a fragile state, seemingly abandoned, and with no memory of how she ended up at the station.The 84-year-old, Rekha Shrivastava, and Durani, who died in 2023, had divorced years ago, said a close friend of the former couple, adding that she lived in Khar after remarrying, later moved to Mira Road with her son from that marriage, and had been staying in an Andheri hotel for the last couple of years.

Tarun Mishra, founder of NGO Help Drive Foundation that runs shelters for the homeless, who was involved with her rescue, said she is in hospital in “very poor” condition and has lost her memory. A source said that Shrivastava and Durani’s daughter is in touch with Mishra and discussions are underway regarding the next steps. “Once the son is traced, there will be more clarity on what exactly happened to her.” Shrivastava’s plight came to light after a video uploaded by the NGO’s founder on Instagram went viral. In the clip, she claimed to be the late all-rounder’s former wife. While some disputed the claim, conversations with multiple people, including the friend, and further verification confirmed her identity. Mishra, who is based in Surat and runs over 20 centres across Gujarat, said Shrivastava first spoke about Durani when she was taken to Belapur police station as part of the protocol. “We posted the video on social media to gather more information about her, verify what she was telling us, and trace her family. We follow this process for every homeless person brought to our shelter, since many cannot recall where they are from,” he told TOI. “Later, her friends and associates contacted me and confirmed her identity. Since Durani’s name is connected to her, people have shown interest. There are many others at our centres whose families we still haven’t been able to locate.” A representative of former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja reached out to Mishra to offer assistance, but he declined individual help. “Ours is not an old-age home; it’s a shelter for the homeless. We are self-sufficient in caring for everyone who comes here, and all are treated equally. We told them that if they wish to help, they can donate to the NGO —not to an individual,” he said. Known for his charming looks, Durani played 29 Tests for India, during which he took 75 wickets with his left-arm spin and scored 1,202 runs. A left-handed batter, he had the ability to change the course of a match with his aggressive strokeplay and earned a reputation for hitting sixes on demand.

Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner Rashid Khan is one of the most recognisable faces in modern cricket. From dominating T20 leagues across the globe to being the heartbeat of Afghanistan’s rise on the international stage, Rashid’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. However, away from packed stadiums and franchise celebrations, the life he leads back home comes with serious challenges—so much so that the world’s premier T20 spinner is forced to travel in a bulletproof car for his own safety.

Rashid Khan reveals why he travels in a bulletproof car in Afghanistan

The startling detail emerged during a candid conversation with former England captain Kevin Pietersen. What began as a casual discussion about fame and daily life quickly turned serious when Pietersen asked whether Rashid could freely walk the streets of Kabul. Rashid’s blunt reply—’No’—immediately set the tone. The revelation that followed left Pietersen visibly shocked.

“I can’t walk in the street in Afghanistan. I have a bulletproof car,” Rashid explained.

When Pietersen asked why such extreme measures were necessary, the spinner calmly responded, “It’s for safety. You don’t want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s normal in Afghanistan. Everyone has it.”

Also READ: KL Rahul, Prasidh Krishna bolster Karnataka squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy defense

Safety over status in an unstable environment

For Rashid, the bulletproof vehicle is not a symbol of luxury, excess, or celebrity privilege. Instead, it is a basic necessity shaped by the ongoing security concerns in Afghanistan. Despite recent improvements in certain areas, instability remains a constant backdrop in the country, particularly for high-profile public figures.

As one of Afghanistan’s most famous athletes, Rashid’s visibility makes him vulnerable. Large crowds, spontaneous public gatherings, and unpredictable security situations mean that even routine travel can pose risks. In such an environment, additional protection becomes essential rather than optional.

Also READ: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma headline Punjab’s 18-man squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy