In a major boost for domestic cricket and a treat for fans, former Indian captain Rohit Sharma has officially been included in the Mumbai squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. After initial uncertainty, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed on Friday that the veteran opener will participate in the opening stages of the prestigious 50-over tournament.

The move comes as part of the BCCI’s recent mandate requiring fit national players to participate in at least two domestic games to remain in rhythm for upcoming international assignments, specifically the ODI series against New Zealand scheduled for January 2026.

Limited appearances for Rohit Sharma in Vijay Hazare Trophy

While Rohit is a part of the squad, he is not expected to play the entire tournament. According to MCA sources, Rohit has confirmed his availability for the first two matches of the league stage. These games will serve as crucial match practice for the “Hitman” before he leads India’s charge in the upcoming white-ball season.

Rohit’s confirmed schedule:

• Dec 24, 2025: vs. Sikkim (Jaipur)
• Dec 26, 2025: vs. Uttarakhand (Jaipur)

Shardul Thakur to lead as seniors take a backseat

Interestingly, Rohit will not be captaining the side. The selectors have handed the leadership reins to all-rounder Shardul Thakur. This decision allows Rohit to focus purely on his batting and preparation.

Other senior figures are currently missing from the lineup for various reasons:

• Suryakumar Yadav & Shivam Dube: Currently on national duty.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal: The explosive opener is currently recovering from a bout of acute gastroenteritis and was recently hospitalized in Pune.
• Ajinkya Rahane: The veteran batter has requested rest for the initial phase to recover from a minor hamstring issue.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Salary of Mumbai Indians (MI) players; check out how much Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav earn

The much-awaited return to domestic roots for Indian superstars

Rohit is not the only superstar returning to his roots. The 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile editions in years. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have both confirmed their availability for the Delhi squad, with Pant set to captain the team. This synchronized return of India’s “Big Three” to domestic cricket has sparked immense interest in the tournament, which will be held across Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Bengaluru.

Mumbai squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy:

Rohit Sharma (Two matches), Shardul Thakur (C), Hardik Tamore (WK), Ishan Mulchandani, Shams Mulani, Musheer Khan, Tanush Kotian, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Tushar Deshpande, Sarfaraz Khan, Onkar Tarmale, Siddesh Lad, Sylvester Dsouza, Sairaj Patil, Akash Anand (WK), Suryansh Shedge

Also READ: Rishabh Pant to captain Delhi as Virat Kohli makes historic Vijay Hazare Trophy return; squad announced for first two games

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File photo: Elon Musk (Picture credit: ANI)

Elon Musk secured a major legal victory on Friday after the Delaware Supreme Court cleared the way for him to receive a long-disputed Tesla pay package worth about $55–56 billion, reversing an earlier ruling that had stripped him of the compensation. The decision likely marks the end of a years-long shareholder lawsuit over what was once described as the largest executive pay deal in corporate history.The top court overturned a January 2024 judgment by Delaware Chancery Court judge Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick, who had rescinded the 2018 pay package after finding that Tesla’s board was too close to Musk and failed to follow a fair approval process.

McCormick had called the process “deeply flawed” and ruled that Musk effectively controlled the company at the time, according to CNBC.In its 49-page ruling, the Delaware Supreme Court said the lower court went too far by cancelling the pay package outright.“It is undisputed that Musk fully performed under the 2018 grant, and Tesla and its stockholders were rewarded for his work,” the judges said, according to AFP. The court restored the package and awarded Tesla $1 in nominal damages.The ruling adds to Musk’s already vast wealth, estimated at around $679 billion, as per CNBC. It also supports Musk’s long-held criticism of Delaware’s legal system. Following the 2024 ruling, Musk publicly attacked the judge, encouraged other entrepreneurs to leave Delaware and led Tesla to reincorporate in Texas, AP reported.The original 2018 pay deal was tied entirely to performance milestones. At the time, Tesla was valued between $50 billion and $75 billion and was struggling with production challenges. The package set ambitious targets linked to market value and operations. Over the following years, Tesla’s manufacturing improved, sales surged and its market capitalisation crossed the thresholds needed for Musk to earn the payout, AP noted.Despite shareholder approval of the plan in 2018, Tesla investor Richard Tornetta challenged it in court, arguing it was excessive. While Tesla shareholders later voted again in 2024 to reaffirm the package, McCormick maintained her decision to cancel it. That stance has now been overturned.Tesla’s board has consistently backed Musk. In recent years, it approved an interim compensation award worth about $29 billion and later unveiled an even larger long-term pay plan, AFP reported. Shareholders approved that new package last month. The plan could be worth up to $1 trillion if Musk leads Tesla to raise its market value from about $1.6 trillion to $8.5 trillion over the next decade.Legal experts noted that while the Supreme Court restored the pay package, it did not overturn all of McCormick’s findings. “None of that was reversed in this decision,” Columbia Law School professor Dorothy Lund was quoted as saying by CNBC, referring to conclusions about Musk’s influence over Tesla.Lawyers representing the shareholder who brought the case said they were considering their next steps, reported AFP.

AMBERNATH: On the eve of the Ambernath Municipal Council elections, the Shiv Sena on Friday late evening raised serious allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering at a polling booth under Panel No. 5, creating a stir in the political atmosphere just hours before voting is scheduled to take place.Shiv Sena candidate Shailesh Bhoir alleged that at polling booths located at South Indian College in Ambernath, boxes of five EVM machines were found opened, raising suspicion of possible tampering. Bhoir claimed that a video of the incident is available, allegedly showing EVM boxes being opened. He further pointed out that Tushar Telange, brother of a BJP candidate, was present at the location at the time, which, according to Bhoir, has deepened doubts over the incident.Demanding immediate action, the Shiv Sena leader Gopal Landge has called for a thorough investigation and insisted that the allegedly opened EVM boxes be replaced with new ones before polling begins. The party has maintained that voting should only proceed on this particular booth after ensuring complete transparency and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.However, election officials have categorically denied the allegations. Speaking to TOI, Vijay Sharma, Returning Officer clarified that there was no tampering with the EVMs. The official stated that the presiding officer had opened the EVM boxes only to check the battery status and ensure that the machines were functioning properly. The officer acknowledged that such checks are normally conducted during the mock poll, which is held about an hour before the start of voting, and not on the previous day.“We have checked all the machines thoroughly and found no signs of tampering whatsoever. The EVMs are safe and secure,” the election officer said.With polling scheduled for Saturday, the incident has heightened political tension in Ambernath. Election authorities have assured voters that all necessary safeguards are in place to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, urging citizens to participate in the democratic process without fear or doubt.

Suryakumar Yadav and Ajit Agarkar (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Indian team squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand in January will be announced by skipper Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday. India has been placed in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States, and will begin its campaign against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai.Star performersThe star opener Abhishek Sharma appears to be a guaranteed starter, following a dream run in T20 cricket this year across franchises and the national team. Sharma has scored 825 runs in 20 matches at an average of 43.42 and a strike rate above 195, including a century, five fifties, and a best of 135.

The leadership duo of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill is expected to retain their spots despite a challenging year. Suryakumar has managed 213 runs in 18 innings at an average of 14.20 with no fifties, while Gill has scored 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25 and remains without a fifty since his T20I return.Tilak Varma, who impressed in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan and has excelled in run-chases and at number three, is also a likely pick. He has scored 494 runs in T20Is this year at an average of 44.90 with three fifties, and his ability to switch gears between anchoring and attacking makes him a key asset.Wicketkeeping optionsOpener Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma could be the wicketkeeping options, depending on team combination and form. Ishan Kishan, having just won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and finishing as the leading run-scorer with 517 runs in 10 innings, could also be considered.All-rounders and bowlersAll-rounders Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar provide depth in both batting and bowling. Kuldeep Yadav could be the sole specialist spinner, supported by Sundar and Axar. The pace attack is expected to be led by Jasprit Bumrah, with youngsters Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana as additional options.Fan favourites like Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal, currently outside the T20I setup, may also be considered.

India T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement: Time, date and live streaming details

WHENIndia’s squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be revealed at 1:30 pm IST on Saturday, December 20, with Ajit Agarkar and Suryakumar Yadav addressing the media.WHEREThe announcement will be made at the BCCI headquarters, located within the Wankhede Stadium complex in Mumbai.LIVE STREAMING DETAILSFans can watch the announcement live on the Star Sports Network, while online viewers can stream it on JioHotstar website and app.

Google has asked some of its employees in the US to not travel abroad amid the H-1B visa row. According to a report by Business Insider, the company’s outside counsel, BAL Immigration Law has sent an internal memo which says that workers who require a new visa stamp to re-enter the US risk being stuck overseas for months because many embassies and consulates are experiencing severe appointment backlogs. The memo said that U.S. embassies and consulates are reporting visa stamping delays of up to 12 months, and recommend that affected employees avoid international travel unless absolutely necessary. The advisory affects workers on H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas.“Please be aware that some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months,” the memo read. I

US Visa delays linked to new social media vetting rules

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of State enforced the new social media screening rules. The department confirmed to Business Insider that it is now conducting “online presence reviews for applicants,” adding that embassies may reschedule appointments as resources shift, and applicants can request expedited processing in limited situations.The publication quotes a a spokesperson for the Department of State who said that consulates worldwide, including in India, are placing greater emphasis on detailed vetting over speed, resulting in longer wait times. Immigration firms have also reported postponed visa appointments in countries such as Ireland and Vietnam.“While in the past the emphasis may have been on processing cases quickly and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates around the world, including in India, are now prioritizing thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else,” the State Department spokesperson told the publication.

What is new social media screening rules

The department has started social media screening of H-1B applicants and family members on dependent visas. Social media reviews is the latest attempt by the Trump administration to investigate violations connected to employment of foreign workers on the visas. In September this year, the US introduced a $1,00,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications.“The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission,” the State Department then said in its announcement.

NEW DELHI: In stark contrast to politicians and activists using Article 32 rights to approach the Supreme Court directly, the SC acted promptly to respond to the tearful pleas of a poor young advocate, who lost her father in her childhood, tormented by her paternal uncle eyeing her share in ancestral property.She was incoherent when she interjected into a proceeding on Thursday afternoon before a three-judge bench led by CJI Surya Kant, who calmed her down and told her to place her grievances in Hindi. Tearfully she narrated how her uncle has slapped false cases on her and her widowed mother and is attempting to alienate her share in the ancestral property.What forced her to unceremoniously appear before the court was the police of Bulandshahr, allegedly hand-in-gloves with her monied uncle, issuing a bailable warrant in a case accusing her of throwing acid on him and his family members.CJI Kant asked the SC Legal Services Committee to immediately assign a competent lawyer to help her draft a petition overnight and ordered that the petition be listed for hearing on Friday. Her advocate Dushyant Parashar told the court that her father passed away in 2002 and since then her father’s younger brother has been attempting to deprive her and her mother of their share in the ancestral property by foisting cases on them.“Both were arrested sometime ago and had spent a month in jail. The local lawyers came to their rescue. After they were out on bail, she pleaded with the local SHO and Bulandshahr Superintendent of Police to provide her protection, but to no avail. She was abducted once,” Parashar said.The bench of CJI Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi directed the local police SHO and Bulandshahr SP to ensure that the young woman and her mother do not come to any harm and provide them with security if need be. It directed the UP police not to register any fresh FIR or take coercive action against the daughter-mother duo without SC’s prior permission.It restrained the girl’s uncle and his family members not to alienate the ancestral property and passed pre-emptive restraint orders. It asked the Bulandshahr SP to investigate into the matter and file a report on the genesis of the family dispute and the allegations of the young advocate.When asked what motivated him to entertain oral pleas of the young advocate, CJI Kant told TOI, “Poor have the first right over judicial time, and the courts must listen to their grievances on priority. Article 32 is meant to help mitigate the woes of the poor.” The case epitomized Dr Ambedkar’s words – “Article 32 is the heart and soul of the Constitution.”Before parting, the CJI told the young advocate – “Patience and perseverance is key to success in the legal profession.”

Aditya Dhar‘s ‘Dhurandhar’ is showing no signs of stopping at the box office. The film has been earning big since its release in theaters. While performances of every actor received appreciation, Akshaye Khanna‘s character Rehman Dakait went viral on the internet. Recently, R. Madhavan, who is also part of the film, was asked to share his views on Khanna grabbing all the attention. Let’s take a look at what Maddy has to say.

Is R Madhavan envious of Akshaye Khanna getting all the hype for ‘Dhurandhar’

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, R. Madhavan was asked if, according to the netizens, he is unhappy with Akshaye Khanna going viral for his role as Rehman Dakait from ‘Dhurandhar’. The actor, who played the character of Ajay Sanyal in the film, said, “Not at all! I cannot be happier for Akshaye. He deserves every bit of the adulation he is getting.”R Madhavan further called Akshaye a “talented” and “grounded” actor. Maddy said, “He could be giving a million interviews. But he is sitting in his new home enjoying the silence that he has always cherished.”

R Madhavan calls Akshaye Khanna an ‘underplayer’

In the same interaction, R. Madhavan shared that he always thought of himself as an “underplayer.” He said, “I thought I was the underplayer when it came to public attention. But Akshaye Khanna is on another level. He just doesn’t care. Success, failure are all the same to him.”Talking about being envious of Akshaye, Madhavan expressed that just being a part of ‘Dhurandhar’ is “enough.” He added that the movie is making history, and he is glad to be part of it. R Madhavan concluded, saying, “Neither Akshaye nor the director, Aditya Dhar, is interested in cashing in on the success.”

More about ‘Dhurandhar’

‘Dhurandhar’ has been raking in big numbers at the box office. The film starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun has earned Rs 483 crore at the box office. It was released in theaters on December 5, 2025. The next part is scheduled to hit cinemas on March 19, 2026.

IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi on December 15, 2025, saw franchises splurge ₹215.45 crore on 77 players, filling all slots with intense bidding wars. Rajasthan Royals (RR) entered with a ₹16.05 crore purse after retaining a strong core and making strategic trades, spending ₹13.40 crore (now listed as ₹122.35 crore total outlay) to buy nine players and complete a 25-member squad with eight overseas stars. This smart spending left RR with ₹2.65 crore remaining, positioning them as playoff contenders under their balanced rebuild strategy.​

RR’s approach blended youth, experience, and firepower, targeting mystery spinners, pace options, and uncapped finishers to complement their retained hitters. Key auction highlights included outbidding Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi at ₹7.20 crore from a ₹2 crore base, adding middle-overs control after his release from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). They also secured New Zealand pacer Adam Milne for ₹2.40 crore (base ₹2 crore) for death-over bite and South African quick Nandre Burger at ₹3.50 crore for swing, bolstering a varied attack alongside Jofra Archer‘s return.​

Rajasthan Royals stick with core and make smart additions for IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals built their IPL 2026 foundation around explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, retained at a massive ₹18 crore for his consistent T20 firepower and international pedigree. The franchise locked in all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (₹14 crore via trade), keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (₹14 crore), and rising star Riyan Parag (₹14 crore), creating a dynamic top order with IPL breakout performer Vaibhav Suryavanshi (₹1.10 crore) for depth. Shimron Hetmyer stayed on at ₹11 crore as a proven finisher, while Jofra Archer‘s ₹12.50 crore retention signals high expectations from his raw pace.​

Trades brought Sam Curran (₹2.40 crore) for seam-bowling all-round utility and Donovan Ferreira (₹1 crore) for middle-order muscle. RR targeted bowling reinforcements amid spin-friendly pitches expected in 2026 venues, snapping Tushar Deshpande (₹6.50 crore), Sandeep Sharma (₹4 crore), and young guns like Kwena Maphaka (₹1.50 crore) and Kuldeep Sen (₹0.75 crore, base-matched). Uncapped buys such as Ravi Singh (₹0.95 crore from ₹0.30 crore base), Sushant Mishra (₹0.90 crore), and domestic pacers Vignesh Puthur, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma, and Aman Rao (all ₹0.30 crore base) added squad balance at minimal cost

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

Salaries of RR Players in IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals have filled all 25 slots for IPL 2026, spending a total of ₹122.35 crore with ₹2.65 crore left in their purse. Here’s the full breakdown:

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

KALYAN: “The Congress will contest the seats allotted to it if the alliance is finalised, otherwise the party is fully prepared to contest all 122 seats on its own,” said District Congress president Rajabhau Patkar, making the party’s stand clear as preparations for the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections gather pace.With the civic election bugle sounding, political activity in Kalyan-Dombivli has intensified, marked by sharp allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling parties and the opposition. Amid this churn, the Congress has signalled its intent to enter the elections with renewed vigour and organisational strength.According to party leaders, the Congress has received an encouraging response from aspirants, with around 50 aspirants from Dombivli and 76 from Kalyan seeking party tickets. Patkar said the party machinery is fully geared up for an aggressive campaign, adding that seat-sharing discussions under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are still underway and will determine the final strategy.The run-up to the elections has also seen political realignments and internal criticism. Former Congress corporator Ratnaprabha Mhatre accused former district president Sachin Pote of weakening the party by blocking the rise of new leadership. Pote recently joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, following which the Congress addressed the issue at a press conference. Mhatre said the party was compelled to respond after Pote made remarks against the Congress.Senior Congress leader Mama Pagare has once again come into focus ahead of the elections. Pagare had earlier sparked controversy over a social media post related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi resulting BJP workers forcefully had made him to wear saree in full public view on road, an incident that drew statewide criticism attention and was even acknowledged by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. In a move aimed at strengthening the organisation, the party has appointed Pagare as a vice-president.Meanwhile, Congress Maharashtra secretary Navin Singh expressed confidence about the party’s prospects in the KDMC polls. “The Congress will perform much better in the upcoming elections. We will give the people of Kalyan-Dombivli strong and capable candidates,” he said.In the 2015 civic elections, the Congress had won four corporator seats, but all four later switched parties, raising questions about its grassroots strength. However, Congress leaders maintain that the party has regrouped and is ready to test its strength—either within the alliance or independently—in the forthcoming civic elections.