Former Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Sarfaraz Khan to earn a spot in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) playing XI for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Ashwin stated that the five-time IPL champions should capitalize on Sarfaraz’s purple patch by giving him a regular role in the line-up.

Sarfaraz has been delivering consistent big performances across tournaments. He smashed a century and three half-centuries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which convinced CSK to sign him at his base price of Rs 75 lakh in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The batter carried that form into the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

CSK Should Look at Riding Sarfaraz Khan’s Purple Patch – Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin said that Sarfaraz Khan must start for the Chennai Super Kings during the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Ashwin stated that Sarfaraz has the ability to dominate spin bowling in the middle overs, especially through sweeps and slog sweeps.

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“100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT. That form transitioned seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55(49) followed by a blistering 157(75) today with 14 sixes. It’s particularly impressive how he murders spin in the middle overs with his sweeps and slog sweeps,” Ashwin posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Avan kadhava thattala, idichi odachitu irukaan.’ ( He is not knocking on the door; he is breaking it open ). CSK should look at riding his purple patch by slotting him into the Playing XII surely? A genuine problem of plenty with the bat for the men in yellove this season! Can’t wait for IPL 2026!” he added.

100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT.

That form’s transitioned seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55(49) followed by a blistering 157(75) today with 14 sixes. It’s particularly impressive how he murders spin in the middle overs with his sweeps and slog sweeps.… pic.twitter.com/MfBWAD6QH8

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 31, 2025

Sarfaraz Khan Joins CSK After Going Unsold, Eyes IPL Return After 2023

Sarfaraz Khan initially went unsold, but the Chennai Super Kings later signed him into their squad. If he gets a game, it will mark his first IPL appearance since playing for Delhi Capitals in 2023.

The Mumbai batter expressed gratitude to CSK for the opportunity, promising to give his best for the franchise. Sarfaraz is no stranger to the league, having previously represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, with his IPL debut coming for RCB back in 2015.

In the latest Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Sarfaraz piled up 329 runs at a remarkable average of 82.25 and a strike rate of 204.34, including a century, making a strong case for a fresh IPL run.

Sarfaraz Khan Smashes Blistering 157 for Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Sarfaraz Khan played a sensational knock for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, tearing apart Goa with a blistering 157 off just 75 balls in Jaipur. Walking in at No. 4 after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal, Sarfaraz completely dominated the Goa bowling attack.

The right-hander reached his century in just 56 balls and brought up 150 with a maximum early in the 42nd over. His explosive innings powered Mumbai to a massive total of 444 for 8 in 50 overs.

Sarfaraz also built key partnerships during the innings, including big stands with his brother Musheer Khan, captain Shardul Thakur and wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore. Musheer chipped in with 60, while Tamore added 53, but it was Sarfaraz’s extraordinary knock that defined the match.

Also read: ‘Red-hot’ Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad put selectors under pressure ahead of NZ series

JAMMU: A village defence guard (VDG) opened fire after allegedly spotting a terror suspect in a remote village in J&K’s Rajouri district, even as security forces intensified surveillance in the upper reaches of Chenab region — Doda and Kishtwar districts — officials said Wednesday.Officials said the VDG fired about six rounds in the air upon allegedly sighting a terror suspect in Dali village in Rajouri’s Kalakote area late Tuesday. None was injured in the firing. “A joint team of the Army and police subsequently rushed to the spot and launched a search operation in the area, but found nothing suspicious,” an official said.A series of anti-terror operations was underway in the upper reaches of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts in Chenab region, especially in areas bordering Udhampur and Kathua districts, officials said. Similar operations were also ongoing in the two frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch, as well as Reasi, which shares a border with Rajouri-Ramban in Jammu Division and Kulgam in south Kashmir, said officials.Security forces were anticipating that terrorists hiding in non-habituated (higher reaches) may try to enter the mainland, in view of the closure of mountain passes, to get commodities. The intensified operations by Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police’s SOG were also extended to a large area in Chenab region, said officials.The Army, meanwhile, stepped up efforts to strengthen grassroots security by imparting training to VDGs — the “first responders” in the security grid — in Doda district. On Tuesday, about 150 VDGs from 17 remote villages along Doda-Chamba border, including women volunteers, underwent intensive training in handling automatic rifles, minor tactics, self-defence, bunker construction and repelling enemy attacks, officials said. The training was being conducted at Shingini Panchayat in Bhalessa, around 90km from Doda district HQ, to equip volunteers with the necessary skills to protect their villages and act as the first line of defence, especially in vulnerable areas, an official said.Separately, a suspected Pakistani drone was spotted hovering briefly over Phulpur area near the International Border in Samba district late Tuesday. “Soon after the sighting, police and BSF personnel rushed to the spot and conducted a thorough search to ascertain whether any payload containing weapons or narcotics had been air-dropped, but found nothing on the ground,” an official said.

SRINAGAR: The J&K high court set aside Wednesday the conviction of an elderly woman in a 1979 murder case from Uri near the LoC in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, citing 46 years of prolonged proceedings and her age-related infirmities.A single-judge bench of Justice Sanjay Parihar ruled that the sentence of Shameema Begam should be treated as already undergone, saying no useful purpose would be served by maintaining a substantive jail term after decades of litigation. The court ordered closure of the case, while saying that “the offence was committed in a heat of passion without premeditation.”The killing dates back to July 10, 1979, when Begam of Bijhama village struck her mother-in-law with an axe during a domestic quarrel. The older woman had intervened in an argument when Begam was repeatedly asked to irrigate maize fields and later died of head wounds four days later.Begam was arrested on July 21, 1979, and released on bail on Oct 25 that year. Police registered an FIR at Bijhama police station under sections 326 and 324 of Ranbir Penal Code, the criminal law then in force in J&K under Dogra-era statutes. After the victim died, the charge was converted to murder under section 302 RPC.The trial dragged on for three decades. On July 16, 2009, a trial court convicted Begam under section 304 RPC, holding that the act was culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and sentenced her to five years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 2,000. She was arrested after conviction but released on bail within days — on July 28, 2009.Begam appealed the verdict. The appeal remained pending for more than 16 years before coming up for final hearing. Her lawyer Nida Nazir said extraordinary delay in both trial and appeal violated Begam’s right to a speedy trial and warranted a sympathetic approach.HC called the case “a testimony to the systemic delay in the disposal of criminal cases”. While delay cannot ordinarily benefit a convict, the court said, it cannot ignore the reality of accused people remaining trapped in the criminal justice system for decades. “The appeal is accordingly disposed of,” the court said, bringing an end to one of Kashmir’s longest-running criminal cases.

NEW DELHI: India welcomed the New Year 2026 with vibrant celebrations across the country, as people gathered in large numbers to mark the occasion with joy and festivity on Thursday night.Cities came alive with fireworks, cultural events, live music performances, and themed decorations as the nation stepped into another year.The outgoing year, 2025, was remembered for India’s focus on reforms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.“What makes the reforms of 2025 significant is not only their dimension but also their underlying philosophy. We modernised institutions, simplified governance, and strengthened the foundations for long-term inclusive growth,” he added, noting that his government prioritised collaboration over control and facilitation over regulation “in the true spirit of a modern democracy.”President Droupadi Murmu also extended New Year greetings to citizens in India and abroad, calling the occasion a symbol of renewed energy, positive change and fresh beginnings.“May the year 2026 bring peace, happiness and prosperity into our lives and infuse new energy to build a stronger and more prosperous India,” she said.In Delhi, popular spots including India Gate, Hauz Khas, Connaught Place were bustling with revelers celebrating the arrival of 2026. Ahead of the festivities, the Delhi Police shared a humorous social media post warning against drunk driving, saying, “Kuch Tests me Zero lana hi best hota hai.”In Bengaluru, large crowds of people gathered at the bustling intersections of Mahatma Gandhi Road and Brigade Road.Around five youths, who allegedly misbehaved with women revellers and later with police who questioned them, were detained at Church Street little before midnight. Another youth, in an inebriated condition and seen arguing heatedly with a police inspector at MG Road, was also detained and taken away from the spot.In Punjab, people gathered at the Golden Temple in Amritsar to welcome the New Year, while Mumbai saw large crowds at Juhu Beach, Chowpatty Beach, and Carter Road in Bandra. Marine Drive also drew many visitors eager to watch the spectacular fireworks display.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan were recently spotted in New York. The couple was seen enjoying a calm, personal break away from work. There were no film sets, events, or promotions around them.The beautiful couple was seen simply spending time together. Fans quickly noticed the pictures and videos online and shared their love.

Simple winter style, calm mood

The ‘Taal’ actress looked graceful as always in the pictures shared on social media platforms. She wore a winter outfit that looked warm and simple and elegant. Her style felt easy and natural. Abhishek Bachchan kept things very casual. He blended in like any other person enjoying the city.

Why New York feels special to them

New York has always been a favorite place for the Bachchan family, and this is especially true during the winter season. The city feels festive but also gives space to stay private. The busy streets and quiet corners help stars feel normal for a while. This visit also looked the same. There were no big crowds or staged photos. Just two people enjoying the winter air. Together they looked comfortable and calm. They did not pose for the camera. It felt like a real moment and not a planned one. This is something that we often don’t see in film stars, especially in Bollywood.Check out the pics.

Old words that now feel special

Abhishek Bachchan had spoken about spending quality time with his family back in 2021. The ‘Housefull 5’ actor shared his wish to go on a long drive with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and their daughter Aaradhya Bachchan in an interaction on Instagram. He said, “We always love going on long drives, and I hope to be able to do it once things improve. I would love to take my daughter and wife on a nice long road trip.” He also felt nostalgic while talking about past outings and family moments.

Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone‘s New Year celebrations

A couple of days back, the beloved couples were seen enjoying their Christmas in New York City and the duo will welcome the new year in the same city. Deepveer were also spotted by fans and happily posed for the perfect picture moment with their fans. As seen in the photo shared on social media, Ranveer posed with a smile. In another pic, Deepika was seen surrounded by fans and looked radiant in an all-white attire.

Work Note

Ranveer Singh is enjoying the success of Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’; he played the role of Hamza Ali Mazari, an Indian spy who infiltrates a Pakistani gang. The supporting cast also includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun in key roles. Whereas, Deepika will be seen in filmmaker Siddharth Anand’s ‘King,’ which will also star Shah Rukh Khan. Furthermore, she will be seen opposite Allu Arjun in ‘AA22XA6.’

Mumbai: BMC carried out fire safety inspections at 2,703 establishments across Mumbai ahead of new year celebrations, taking action against 136 premises for violations, officials said on Wednesday.The inspections were conducted by the Mumbai Fire Brigade as part of a ‘Special Fire Safety Drive’ between December 22 and December 28, 2025, in view of large gatherings expected at hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, party halls and other venues during year-end festivities.Civic officials said the action continued beyond the drive period. On the night of December 30, teams from the G-South ward carried out inspections at 15 establishments in the Kamala Mills and Shakti Mills premises in Lower Parel. During the drive, officials seized eight illegal commercial LPG cylinders, 200 kg of coal, and 135 litres of edible oil stored in basements.According to the BMC, establishments were checked for compliance with fire safety norms, including the availability of firefighting equipment, safe storage of fuel, and adherence to operational conditions. Of the 2,703 premises inspected between December 22 and December 30, action was initiated against 136 for violations, while 55 establishments were issued notices under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006.The inspections covered a wide range of premises, including 38 malls, 51 five-star hotels, 194 lodging and boarding houses, 37 rooftop establishments, 325 pubs, bars and clubs, 37 party halls, 28 gymkhanas, and 1,993 restaurants.

The final ICC Test Batting Rankings of the year 2025 were finally released by the International Cricket Council on Wednesday (December 31), following a dramatic Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The results triggered significant movement at both the batting and bowling rankings, with Shubman Gill making a return to the top 10 batters and Harry Brook reaching his career-high rankings.

Latest ICC Test Rankings: Boxing Day Tests Trigger Major Shake-Up, Shubman Gill Returns To Top-10

India’s Test captain Shubman Gill has found himself among the Top 10 batters in the latest ICC Test Batting Rankings. Even though he featured in only one of the four innings during the recent home Test series against South Africa, Gill has jumped to the 10th spot with 730 rating points.

The right-handed batter’s rise comes after Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey slipped four places and dropped out of the elite list. Gill now finds himself firmly back among the world’s best and continues as India’s second-highest-ranked Test batter, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal ahead of him.

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Read Also: Shubman Gill accused of being “complacent” as all-format captaincy dreams shatter: ‘He’s not Virat Kohli’

Currently, Jaiswal is the 8th-ranked batter in the ICC Test Rankings with 750 rating points.

Harry Brook becomes the world’s No.2 Test batter

However, England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook made the biggest jump at the top of the batting rankings. On a difficult pitch at the MCG, Brook showed grit and patience, scoring 41 and 18* to make a big gain.

He climbed past three big stars, Kane Williamson, Travis Head, and Steve Smith, from the top five. Brook ends the year as the world’s second-ranked Test batter, trailing only his teammate Joe Root, who remained the No. 1 batter with 867 rating points in the updated ICC Test Rankings.

At the same time, Smith’s struggles with consistency have cost him dearly, pushing the Australian stars down to fifth place. Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel also jumped to the 9th spot, while Dinesh Chandimal (11th) and Rachin Ravindra (12th) have also made one spot’s gain each on the latest rankings.

Updated ICC Test Bowling Rankings: Jasprit Bumrah’s Dominance Continues

India’s dominance in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings continued, as Jasprit Bumrah retained his position as the world’s No. 1 Test bowler with 879 rating points. However, Australia’s Mitchell Starc and Pakistan’s Noman Ali are challenging Bumrah’s position at the top in the updated ICC Test Bowling Rankings.

Read Also: Travis Head promotes ‘Drinking Culture’ in cricket after Noosa controversy

Starc’s sensational form in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 has propelled him to second place in the latest rankings with 843 rating points. Starc and Noman Ali both have the same points, but the Australian star has the best chance to outbid the Pakistan spinner and push Bumrah down in the chart when he turns up in the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney, starting on January 4.

Scott Boland also made a two-spot gain and jumped to the 7th spot, while Gus Atkinson shared the 13th spot with Ravindra Jadeja after making the jump of four spots, thanks to their Ashes show.

Ravindra Jadeja Remains No.1 Test All-Rounder

On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja finished 2025 as the world’s number one Test all-rounder with 455 rating points. England captain Ben Stokes sits third in the latest ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings with 316 rating points.

Indian all-rounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel are tied at 11th with 202 rating points. Surprisingly, Atkinson jumped to the 8th spot, ranking among the top 10 all-rounders in the world in Test cricket. Cameron Green also jumped to the 17th spot in the rankings.

Mumbai: The price of eggs has attained a record high of Rs 108-110 per dozen in certain retail markets of Mumbai. Traders cite high demand due to baking requirements over Christmas and New Year, a cold wave in North India as well as lower production as a reason for “short supply”. Some wholesalers are hopeful that rates will drop marginally the following week given that the peak consumption period of Christmas-New Year will have ebbed.On Nov 25, TOI had reported how eggs had broken the psychological barrier of Rs 100 per dozen. On Dec 31, eggs sold for Rs 110 per dozen in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri, Rs 108 in Bandra, Khar and Dadar, Rs 96 in Borivli and Vikhroli and Rs 90 in wholesale-cum-retail shops of Kurla.Actor Khurshed Lawyer, the famous Swami of Munnabhai MBBS, tweeted, “Impossible to understand how and why eggs’ price today is Rs 108 a dozen considering poultry farms have opened by the kilo across India AND breeding/ growth is done via Injections/ artificial means.” Lawyer told TOI Wednesday, “I live in Dadar and I was shocked to see that eggs have crossed Rs 100 per dozen. They are now selling for Rs 108. I don’t see any shortage — shop shelves are filled with eggs.” He agreed that consumption has risen, “firstly because a lot of people now perceive eggs as vegetarian,and secondly because the trend towards gymming and fitness has drawn more people to eat eggs”.On a wider front, Mumbaikars are unnerved by the rapid increase in cost of basic non-vegetarian items. Chicken has come to cost Rs 280-320 per kg depending on weight and cut, where it had cost Rs 175-180 not too long ago. Goat mutton is priced Rs 850-1,000 per kg on average with the boneless variety scaling Rs 1,400 per kilo.Altaf Ahmed Khan of Ahmed Eggs Merchant, whose father Ahmed Khan is chairman of the Mumbai Egg Traders Association, said, “The festive season and cold weather has raised demand for eggs to very high levels. The NECC wholesale rate is Rs 710 for 100 pieces while our shop’s retail price is Rs 90 a dozen. But vendors charge by locality and also do home delivery. So eggs may sell for Rs 110 a dozen in Bandra West and Rs 90 in Bandra East. Still it is expected that the market will fall soon now that Christmas is over and sale is also slow.”Khan said, “Broiler chicken is also quite expensive due to New Year requirement in restaurants and cafes. Dec 31 tends to record the highest sale of chicken products in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Slum localities are selling chicken for Rs 280 per kg at present while residents of Bandra West are purchasing for Rs 320 per kilo.”