Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra)

BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla congratulated young cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on Friday after the 14-year-old received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from President Droupadi Murmu. The award is given to children who show exceptional talent and achievement, and Vaibhav’s recent rise in Indian cricket made him a clear choice.

Vaibhav surprised the cricketing fraternity with outstanding batting performances at the age-group level, as his remarkable impact is also felt in senior cricket, including the Indian Premier League. Despite being only 14, he has already achieved feats that many players can only dream of after long careers. Rajiv Shukla shared a photo on social media platform X showing Vaibhav receiving the award from the President. He praised the young batter and said the recognition should inspire young athletes across the country. “Congratulations to young cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on being conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by the Hon’ble President of India. This recognition of his talent and dedication is a proud moment and an inspiration for young athletes across the country. Wishing him continued success in his cricketing journey,” the BCCI vice-president said on X. Vaibhav has been rewriting record books over the past year. Recently, he became the youngest player ever to score a century in men’s List A cricket. He achieved the milestone during a Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate League match against Arunachal Pradesh. At just 14 years and 272 days, he scored his first senior non-T20 hundred in only 36 balls, stunning everyone with his fearless batting. His rise to fame began last year when he became the youngest player to receive an IPL contract. Rajasthan Royals picked him for Rs 1.1 crore, instantly making headlines. In IPL 2025, Vaibhav went a step further by scoring a sensational century against Gujarat Titans. That knock made him the youngest centurion in T20 cricket and the fastest Indian to score an IPL hundred, reaching the landmark in just 35 balls.

MUMBAI: The Centre recently sought dismissal of a woman’s petition for the transfer of her late son’s sperm sample for IVF use saying he had not consented to its posthumous use.His mother petitioned the Bombay high court earlier this year seeking permission to access and transfer the semen sample preserved in a cryobank. Her son died intestate and single on Feb 16, following a health battle. The central health ministry, in an affidavit filed before the high court seeking dismissal of her petition, said during his medical treatment, he had executed a consent form under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulations) Rules, in which he explicitly chose that his stored semen sample should “perish” in the event of his death.In March, the mother applied to the authority established in Maharashtra under the ART Act for permission to access the sample but was advised to approach the National ART and Surrogacy Board. She did so, and her request was rejected on May 6. Aggrieved, she approached the high court for relief.The high court, in June, observed that the mother raised important questions on how to preserve gametes post the death of a person and that if, during its pendency, the semen sample is discarded, the whole purpose of the petition would stand frustrated. The high court had hence, in interim orders, directed the state health department “to ensure safe-keeping and storage of the frozen semen sample of the deceased” till final orders.The high court said the issue was particularly significant in the present case since the son was unmarried at the time of his death. The high court had also allowed the mother to amend her petition and challenge the validity of certain provisions of the ART Act. The Centre’s reply said the petition filed by the mother was legally untenable.The Centre stated: “There is no provision in the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, for the storage and transfer of a preserved semen sample to another clinic. The only provisions dealing with the transfer of gametes are Sections 29 and 30 of the ART Act, 2021. Section 29 expressly prohibits the sale, transfer, or use of any gamete or embryo to any party within or outside India, except that a person may transfer his own gametes for personal use with the permission of the National Board. Section 30 prohibits the transfer of human gametes or embryos outside India for research. Thus, under these provisions, the transfer of a gamete to any party (other than for one’s personal use with Board approval) is strictly forbidden.”Under the law too, the mother, 55, is ineligible, said the Centre’s reply. The Surrogacy Act applies to an ‘intending’ couple or woman, and ART applies to a ‘commissioning couple’ or ‘woman’ seeking ART treatment. The Centre says the case before the high court is distinguishable since the man opted to discard the frozen samples on his demise. The Centre said the son “did not consent to any posthumous use of his semen. Therefore, by law, the semen cannot be used for fertilisation by the petitioner or anyone else”.The high court, on Dec 22, for paucity of time, posted the matter to Feb 2026 for further hearing.

Silver prices climbed to fresh lifetime highs in both domestic and international markets on Friday, driven by strong global cues and thin year-end trading, according to the All India Sarafa Association.In the national capital, silver soared by Rs 9,350 to close at a record Rs 2,36,350 per kilogram on Friday, up from Rs 2,27,000 per kg in the previous session, PTI reported. Over the past four trading sessions, the metal has gained Rs 32,250, or 15.8%, from Rs 2,04,100 per kg on December 19.For the calendar year, silver has recorded an even sharper rise, adding Rs 1,46,650, or 163.5%, from Rs 89,700 per kg on December 31, 2024.Meanwhile, gold maintained its upward momentum in the local bullion market. The precious metal of 99.9% purity jumped Rs 1,500 to touch a new lifetime high of Rs 1,42,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), compared with Rs 1,40,800 per 10 grams in the previous session. On a year-to-date basis, gold has gained Rs 63,350, or 80.24%, from Rs 78,950 per 10 grams at the end of 2024.“The precious metals rally continued on the last trading day of the week, with gold and silver reaching new record highs once again,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities, said, PTI quoted..In overseas markets, benchmark spot gold rose $50.87, or 1.13%, to hit a fresh lifetime high of $4,530.42 per ounce.“Gold continues to trade at a record high of $4,530 per ounce, buoyed by Fed rate cut expectations and a positive undertone in the commodities market. Thin trading conditions due to the year-end holidays are exaggerating the moves,” Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities and Currencies at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.Silver also extended its rally abroad. Spot silver climbed $3.72, or 5.18%, to touch a new high of $75.63 per ounce, breaking past the $75 per ounce mark for the first time.“Spot silver hit a high of $75 during Asian trading hours on Friday. The strong bullish momentum has attracted more momentum-driven traders, who have been active in the precious metals market since early December,” Gandhi added, noting that low liquidity around the Christmas and year-end holiday season has intensified price moves.Structural factors are also supporting silver’s advance, analysts said. Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities, pointed to a multi-year supply deficit, with global mine output lagging demand and above-ground inventories declining.“Structural tightness in the physical market could support much higher prices if deficits deepen,” Trivedi said, highlighting silver’s crucial role in sectors such as solar panels, electric vehicles, 5G and AI electronics, and other clean-tech infrastructure.He also noted that a weak US dollar and rising safe-haven demand could push silver prices toward $100 per ounce in 2026.

BENGALURU: Commuters were shocked when they came across a rashly driven Hyundai Creta on the Summanahalli flyover in Kamakshipalya, West part of city on Wednesday night, as sparks were produced beneath the wheels of the vehicle.As some of them drove close to the SUV, they noticed a Bullet motorbike stuck on the front portion. Despite alerting the SUV driver, the vehicle continued. The commuters video-recorded the act on their mobile phones and uploaded on social media.

However, the SUV was blocked by angry commuters near the Nayandahalli junction, and they handed over its driver to the police. An alcohol test proved that the SUV driver, Srinivas KV of Kunigal, was driving in an inebriated condition. He also hit another car and a motorbike while being chased.An owner of a wine shop in Kunigal, Tumakuru district, Srinivas was driving towards Sunkadakatte when he suddenly rammed into the Bullet motorbike ridden by Rohit S. “The SUV rear-ended my Bullet, throwing me down. As I fell, I saw that the SUV continued to move with my Bullet stuck in the front. The SUV driver dragged my Bullet for almost 500 metres. Then, the Bullet got separated from the SUV, and the SUV continued in the Nayandahalli direction,” Rohit, who registered an FIR with Kamakshipalya police, said.Meanwhile, the police registered a case against Srinivas, who confessed to consuming alcohol due to ‘personal problems’. “I was panicked after ramming into the bullet. But i was not aware that the bullet was struck. When other commuters shouted at me, i thought they were shouting for hitting the bullet,” Srinivas told cops.“Fortunately, the other bike rider escaped unhurt. The angry mob not only beat up Srinivas but also damaged his vehicle and smashed the windshield,” an investigating officer said.

India continued their dominance in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, sealing an unassailable 3-0 lead with a commanding eight-wicket victory in the third match at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The hosts once again followed a familiar blueprint, clinical bowling up front followed by a ruthless chase. Sri Lanka were kept to a modest total after losing wickets at regular intervals, leaving India with a straightforward target. The chase never looked in doubt as India cruised home with 40 deliveries to spare, underlining the gulf between the two sides in the series so far.

Renuka Thakur and Deepti Sharma script Sri Lanka’s batting collapse in 3rd T20I

Renuka Singh Thakur (4/21) made an immediate impact with the new ball, swinging it sharply and unsettling Sri Lanka’s top order. Hasini Perera provided early resistance with a brisk 25, including a couple of boundaries and an audacious scoop, but India quickly tightened the screws. Deepti Sharma broke the opening stand by dismissing Chamari Athapaththu, who struggled to get going and perished trying to force the pace.

Renuka then delivered the decisive blows in quick succession, first removing the in-form Perera before completing a sharp caught-and-bowled to dismiss Harshitha Samarawickrama. Her spell reduced Sri Lanka to 32/3 and effectively knocked the wind out of their innings. She struck again later to trap Nilakshika Silva leg-before, finishing with a memorable comeback performance. Deepti, meanwhile, continued her remarkable consistency, picking up 3/18 and equalling Megan Schutt’s record as the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is with her 151st scalp. Although Kavisha Dilhari and Imesha Dulani added 40 runs, Deepti ensured Sri Lanka never escaped, restricting them to 112/7, well below par on the surface.

Renuka Singh Thakur runs through Sri Lanka! ⚡

A match-winning 4-fer crowns her Player of the Match in the 3rd T20I 🏆🔥#Cricket #INDWvSLW #RenukaSingh #India #3rdT20I pic.twitter.com/ooTI0Di1Jw

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 26, 2025

Also READ: ICC Women’s T20I Rankings: Deepti Sharma dethrones Annabel Sutherland to become No. 1 bowler

Shafali Verma’s fireworks seal the deal for India in style

Chasing a modest target, Shafali Verma turned the contest into a one-sided affair with another breathtaking display at the top of the order. After three initial dot balls, the explosive opener changed gears instantly, dancing down the track to launch an 83-metre six over long-off and setting the tone for the chase. From there, she barely put a foot wrong, timing the ball sweetly and punishing anything loose.

Shafali smashed an unbeaten 79, laced with 11 boundaries and three towering sixes, registering her second consecutive half-century and making a mockery of the target. Spinner Kavisha Dilhari briefly slowed India’s progress by dismissing Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, but the outcome was never in doubt. Shafali fittingly finished the chase with a boundary, capping off a dominant all-round performance and confirming India’s supremacy in the series with two matches still to play.

🔥 SHAFALI STORM CONTINUES! 🔥🇮🇳

Back-to-back blazing fifties for Shafali Verma against Sri Lanka! 💪💥

69* in the 2nd T20I, followed by an unbeaten 79* in the 3rd – pure dominance at the top! ⚡🏏#Cricket #ShafaliVerma #3rdT20I #INDWvSLW #India pic.twitter.com/HNhQ0fQ8tE

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 26, 2025

🔥 UNSTOPPABLE INDIA WOMEN! 🇮🇳🏏

Series wrapped up with authority as India secure a 3–0 T20I lead with two games remaining 💪

Shafali Verma’s fluent 79* guides India to an emphatic 8-wicket win ⚡

Scorecard: https://t.co/ZBFewLWkBx#Cricket #INDWvSLW #India #3rdT20I… pic.twitter.com/TgmA3lEMiw

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 26, 2025

Also READ: IND-W vs SL-W: Smriti Mandhana breaks Suzie Bates’ record in T20Is

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