NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday held a meeting with leaders of political parties and Members of Parliament in his chamber at Parliament House, marking the conclusion of the Winter Session of Parliament 2025.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi and several other opposition leaders were present at the meeting.Earlier in the day, amid continued opposition protests over the passage of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die.Prime Minister Modi, who returned on Thursday from a three-nation foreign visit, was present in the House during the adjournment.With this, the 19-day-long Winter Session, which had 15 sittings, formally came to an end. Several key Bills were passed during the session, and the Lok Sabha recorded a productivity of 111 per cent, reflecting what the Speaker described as strong legislative engagement by members.Rajya Sabha was also adjourned sine die on the day. Chairman C P Radhakrishnan read out a summary of the legislative and other business conducted during the session before the National Song was played.Radhakrishnan also criticised disruptions during proceedings, saying, “The conduct of members during the Minister’s reply yesterday, which included protesting and tearing of papers, was unbecoming of the House.”Opposition parties continued to oppose the VB-G RAM G Bill even after the session ended. They also staged a protest outside Parliament, while Trinamool Congress MPs continued their demonstration on the steps near the House entrance.Overall, the House functioned for around 92 hours during the Winter Session, achieving a productivity of 121 per cent. During this period, 58 starred questions, 208 Zero Hour submissions and 87 special mentions were taken up.The Winter Session of Parliament began on December 1. Adjournment sine die, Latin for “without a day,” means that a House is suspended indefinitely without fixing a date for its next sitting.

NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showered praise on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their astute buys at the IPL 2026 mini auction, singling out the signings of Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chouhan, both snapped up for Rs 30 lakh.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!According to Ashwin, the moves underlined the franchise’s strong scouting network, and he backed Chouhan to go on and achieve big things in the future. Both Chouhan and Malhotra are currently part of the India Under-19 squad competing in the ongoing Men’s Asia Cup. The IPL 2026 mini auction wrapped up in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

“I want to praise and applaud RCB. They have snapped both Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chouhan at 30 Lakhs. This is scouting of a really good order. If you do such scouting, then there will not be too much competition. Kanishk Chouhan will go on to do special things,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.Ashwin also highlighted RCB’s successful pursuit of Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore, despite competition from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and felt the franchise enjoyed another strong auction.“How are RCB so lucky at the auction? Last time they went all out for Venkatesh Iyer, if KKR had pulled out back then, RCB’s auction would have been over there itself. This time, even when KKR had the money, RCB were able to secure him for 7 crore. RCB have once again had a fabulous auction,” he added.Venkatesh Iyer entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, with Lucknow Super Giants initiating the bidding before Gujarat Titans joined in. The contest intensified once his former franchise, KKR, stepped in. While RCB and KKR went head-to-head for the all-rounder, RCB eventually sealed the deal.The MP all-rounder has scored 1,468 runs in 56 IPL innings at an average of 29.12 and a strike rate exceeding 137, including one century and 12 half-centuries. He had been bought back by KKR for Rs 23.75 crore last season but endured a lean campaign, managing 142 runs in seven innings with just one fifty.RCB also bolstered their squad depth by signing left-arm pacer and lower-order batter Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.2 crore, making him the fourth-most expensive uncapped Indian buy of the day. The franchise further added firepower by bringing in England wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox.Continuing their focus on youth, RCB secured 18-year-old Satvik Deswal for Rs 30 lakh and also roped in New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy for Rs 2 crore.

According to GTRI, India’s trade relationship with China has entered a phase of sharp contrasts. (AI image)

India’s exports to China surged 90% in November to hit $2.2 billion! However, the remarkable year-on-year spike masks the truth of how volatile India’s exports to China are, and the growing dependence on the neighbouring country for imports, according to a new report by Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). From April to November, exports grew by 33%, touching $12.2 billion, up from $9.2 billion the previous year. According to GTRI, India’s trade relationship with China has entered a phase of sharp contrasts. “Overall, India’s export growth to China is not broad-based. It is concentrated mainly in naphtha and a few atypical electronics products, rather than across India’s traditional export basket,” said GTRI, striking a cautious note.

Why did India’s exports to China surge?

According to GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava, the spike in exports is largely driven by a limited range of products. Naphtha is the largest contributor, with exports rising by 512% in October and 172% from April to October – totaling a whopping $1.4 billion, due to strong Chinese demand for petrochemical feedstocks. Electronics also saw unusually sharp increases. Exports of printed circuit boards surged to $296.5 million in October, an 8,577% year-on-year increase, while shipments from April to October rose over 2,000% to $418 million.Exports of mobile phone components also increased by 82% to $362 million, which is unusual given India’s significant imports of these items from China. In contrast, exports of iron ore continued to decline, dropping by 1.2% in October and 30% from April to October, while shrimp exports showed only modest growth. Devil in Details?India’s exports of its leading three products to China—naphtha, iron ore, and shrimps—have seen huge fluctuations from year to year, indicating that these exports are more influenced by Chinese demand than by a stable export strategy, notes GTRI.Naphtha exports increased from $1.83 billion in FY2022 to $1.91 billion in FY2023, but then sharply declined to approximately $1.26 billion in FY2024. They remained unchanged in FY2025.Iron ore exports were even more erratic, dropping from $2.49 billion in FY2022 to $1.40 billion in FY2023, then rising to $3.64 billion in FY2024, before falling again to $1.89 billion in FY2025. Shrimp exports have been relatively more stable but still showed variations, increasing from $823 million in FY2022 to $924 million in FY2023, then decreasing to $798 million in FY2024 and $773 million in FY2025. “This uneven pattern shows that India’s key exports to China lack consistency and largely rise or fall with shifts in Chinese demand, prices and policy, rather than reflecting sustained market access or diversification,” says the GTRI analysis.

What is India importing from China?

India’s imports from China are heavily concentrated in four main categories: machinery, electronics, plastics, and organic chemicals – these make up nearly 80% of the total.From January to October 2025, electronics led the imports, at $38 billion. This included mobile phone components ($8.6 billion), integrated circuits ($6.2 billion), laptops ($4.5 billion), solar cells and modules ($3.0 billion), flat-panel displays ($2.6 billion), lithium-ion batteries ($2.3 billion), and memory chips ($1.8 billion). Machinery imports were next at $25.9 billion, with transformers alone making up $2.1 billion. This indicates India’s reliance on Chinese capital goods for power and industrial projects. Organic chemicals imports touched $11.5 billion – this was largely due to $1.7 billion in antibiotics. This highlights China’s strong position in the pharmaceutical intermediates sector.Plastics imports were $6.3 billion, including $871 million in PVC resin, while steel and steel products totaled $4.6 billion, and medical and scientific equipment added $2.5 billion. Together, these figures show that India’s import bill from China is anchored in electronics, machinery, chemicals and materials that are difficult to substitute quickly, explaining the persistence of a large bilateral trade deficit despite efforts to diversify supply chains, says GTRI.

India-China Trade Deficit Mounting – and it’s a cause for worry!

The GTRI report notes that India’s trade gap with China is touching new records, reflecting a skewed trade relationship that warrants a closer look. As GTRI points out – India’s trade with China remains extremely imbalanced, and it is characterized by weak exports, increasing imports. A record trade deficit is expected this year.Exports have decreased from $23.0 billion in 2021 to $15.2 billion in 2022, remained low at $14.5 billion in 2023, and increased slightly to $15.1 billion in 2024. In 2025, exports are projected to rise to $17.5 billion – but this is still considerably below levels seen before.Importantly, imports have risen much more rapidly—from $87.7 billion in 2021 to $102.6 billion in 2022, $91.8 billion in 2023, and $109.6 billion in 2024. In 2025, they have surged to around $123.5 billion. This has widened India’s trade deficit with China substantially – from $64.7 billion in 2021 to $94.5 billion in 2024 – with an expected $106 billion in 2025.What’s even more worrying is that data from China actually indicates an even larger gap! China’s own estimates put India’s exports to it in 2025 at about $19.1 billion, while imports are pegged much higher at $134.3 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $115.2 billion.This gap highlights how sharply the trade imbalance between the two countries has widened. A closer look at the numbers also shows noticeable differences between data released by China Customs and India’s DGCI&S, even though both sets broadly point in the same direction. For example, in November 2025, China recorded India’s exports at $1.9 billion, compared with $2.2 billion reported by Indian authorities. Over the January–November period, China’s data showed exports of $17.5 billion, while India’s figures were lower at $16.0 billion. Import data shows a similar divergence: China reported $11.1 billion of exports to India in November and $123.1 billion for the first eleven months of the year, exceeding India’s own estimates of $10.3 billion and $113.2 billion, respectively.For the entire year of 2025, China’s data suggests Indian exports of $19.1 billion and imports of $134.3 billion, compared to India’s data showing $17.5 billion in exports and $123.5 billion in imports.“Normally, import values are higher than export values because imports include freight and insurance (CIF), while exports are recorded on an FOB basis. On that logic, India reporting lower imports from China than China reports as exports is unusual, and may point to under-invoicing of imports to reduce customs duties—an issue that warrants investigation,” says GTRI.“Taken together, the data shows that India’s recent export gains to China are narrow, volatile and heavily dependent on shifts in Chinese demand, rather than on durable market access or a diversified export base,” it says.“Without a sustained strategy to expand competitive manufacturing, reduce import dependence in key sectors, and strengthen trade monitoring, short-term export spikes will do little to alter the fundamentally imbalanced nature of India–China trade,” it concludes.

MUMBAI: Actor Shilpa Shetty has responded to allegations in a Rs 60-crore fraud case, strongly denying any wrongdoing and clarifying her limited role with the company. Through a statement released by her team on December 18, Shetty emphasized that her involvement was strictly non-executive, with no operational control, while revealing that her family had loaned approximately Rs 20 crore to the company which remains unpaid.

The case, filed in August, involves accusations from businessman Deepak Kothari, director of Lotus Capital Financial Services Ltd, who claims Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra allegedly cheated him of over Rs 60 crore between 2015 and 2023. Kothari alleges the couple took money under the pretext of business expansion but used it for personal expenses instead. “I am deeply saddened by the baseless attempt to link my name to this matter. My association with the company was strictly in a non-executive capacity, with no role in its operations, finances, decision-making, or any signing authority. In fact, like several other public figures, I had endorsed certain products for the home shopping channel, in a professional capacity, for which payments due to me remain outstanding,” Shetty stated. “I want to put it on record that almost Rs 20 crore has been loaned to the company by us as a family, and the said amount remains unpaid. The mischievous attempt to impute criminal liability on me, particularly after an unexplained delay of nearly nine years, is legally unsustainable and contrary to settled principles of law,” she added. “Despite these facts, my name continues to be unnecessarily dragged into the proceedings, which is both distressing and unjustified. Such unwarranted allegations not only misrepresent facts but also result in a woman’s dignity, integrity, and reputation being unfairly trampled upon in the public domain,” her statement continued. “With a quashing petition already filed before the Honourable Bombay High Court, I have complete faith in the judicial process and will be seeking appropriate legal remedies to protect my rights and reputation,” Shetty concluded, requesting responsible media reporting. Raj Kundra also defended against the allegations on his X handle, stating: “We categorically deny the baseless and motivated allegations being circulated. The issues sought to be raised are being given a criminal colour without any lawful basis.” “A Quashing Petition has already been filed before the Hon’ble High Court and is pending adjudication. Having fully cooperated with the investigation, we are sanguine that justice will prevail and have complete faith in the law enforcement authorities and the Indian judiciary. We respectfully urge the media to exercise restraint as the matter is sub judice,” Kundra’s statement read. Both Shetty and Kundra have filed a quashing petition in the Bombay High Court, expressing confidence in the judicial process while urging media restraint as the matter remains under legal consideration.(With agency inputs)

India and Sri Lanka are set to face each other in the semifinal of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on Friday (ACC Photo)

NEW DELHI: India and Sri Lanka are set to face each other in the semifinal of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on Friday, with weather looming as a potential spoiler. Persistent rain in Dubai has already caused delays in recent matches, raising questions over what happens if the knockout clash is washed out without a result.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India Under-19 have enjoyed a dominant run en route to the semifinals of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 and will enter the contest with considerable momentum. They began their Group A campaign in emphatic fashion, registering a thumping 234-run victory over the UAE after piling up a massive 433 for 6 at the ICC Academy. India followed that up with another commanding performance against arch-rivals Pakistan, bowling them out for 150 to clinch a comfortable 90-run win after posting 240.

The young Indian side then sealed the top spot in Group A with a crushing 315-run win over Malaysia, scoring 408 for 7 before dismissing their opponents for just 93. Those comprehensive results ensured India finished as group toppers with a perfect record.Sri Lanka Under-19, meanwhile, booked their semifinal berth through a series of competitive performances in Group B. They began with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Nepal at The Sevens Stadium, chasing down a modest target with ease. Sri Lanka then showed nerves of steel in a tense encounter against Afghanistan at the ICC Academy, edging past the target with just two wickets in hand in the final over.Despite suffering a 39-run defeat against Bangladesh in their final group match, Sri Lanka had already done enough to qualify for the semifinals, finishing second in Group B and showcasing resilience under pressure.

What if rain washes out India vs Sri Lanka semifinal?

If the semifinal between India and Sri Lanka is washed out without any play, tournament regulations come into effect. In such a scenario, India Under-19 will progress to the final by virtue of finishing at the top of their group, while Sri Lanka ended second in theirs. Similarly, in the other semifinal, Bangladesh would advance in the event of a no-result against Pakistan.

What is the right job for you? Which professions will hand you the highest paychecks? Which roles offer the strongest growth potential? And which skills will truly help you stay relevant as the job market continues to evolve? These questions have filled the search engines of young professionals and graduates today.Struggling to define your right job? As daunting as job hunting may seem, preparing yourself for the next step can actually be quite simple, provided you have the right insights into where the landscape is likely to move next year.

After all, the job market is never static. Artificial intelligence (AI), advent of new technologies, changing industry priorities and evolving workplace needs continue to reshape careers, making room for new roles and redefining existing ones. Sometimes the gap between what yesterday provided and what future needs opens up opportunities that barely existed a few years ago.While some traditional roles are losing relevance, new-age jobs driven by AI, sustainability and digital transformation are gaining momentum. As companies rethink workforce strategies amid global uncertainty and technological disruption, one trend is clear: by 2026, skills, adaptability and digital fluency will matter far more than tenure alone.Signals from industry surveys, hiring platforms and consulting firms point to a major shift underway in India’s labour market. Here are some potential sectors to watch, industries poised for growth, the roles likely to offer top pay and the skills you will need to skyrocket your portfolio!To begin with, let us first have an overview of the sectors that have the most potential in the upcoming year.

Main engines of job growth in 2026

In the coming year, technology-led roles are expected to offer the strongest career potential. These include roles in data science and analytics, AI and machine learning, cloud and enterprise architecture, business intelligence, and risk management, Roopank Chaudhary, Partner and Rewards Consulting Leader at Aon India told TOI. At the same time, the job market is shifting towards roles that combine basic digital skills with practical technical work, giving rise to a new kind of “blue-collar tech” worker. The largest job growth by 2026 is expected in sectors such as green infrastructure, quick commerce, and precision manufacturing, said Balasubramanian A, senior vice president at TeamLease Services.Green InfrastructureGrowth is being driven by the PM Surya Ghar scheme and the push for electric mobility. This is creating strong demand for Solar Panel Technicians, EV Charging Station Maintenance Staff, and Certified Construction Safety Officers as infrastructure projects expand and regulations tighten.Quick commerce The need for faster deliveries has digitised operations. Companies are hiring Fleet Managers who use digital dashboards to manage rider movement, along with Warehouse Automation Operators skilled in handling inventory through scanners and automated systems.Precision manufacturingSupported by PLI schemes, this sector is seeing rising demand for skilled shop-floor talent such as Precision Assembly Specialists in electronics and CNC Machine Programmers who can manage and troubleshoot automated manufacturing systems.Services sectorIn community healthcare and in retail the next-generation services sector is getting bigger. The fact that people are getting older is causing an increase in the need for Geriatric Care Assistants. At the time retailers are looking for people who are good with technology and can provide a great experience, for customers whether they are shopping online or in the store. These Tech-Savvy Retail Experience Associates need to be able to manage customer journeys in both places. The next-generation services sector, including community healthcare and retail is really. Changing the way things are done.Much of the hiring momentum is driven by companies expanding into new markets and strengthening their customer journeys.Much of the hiring momentum is driven by companies expanding into new markets and strengthening their customer journeys. As a result, roles in inside sales, business development, customer success, and account management continue to see strong demand, as more businesses sell digitally while also reaching regional markets, said Kartik Narayan, CEO at jobs marketplace Apna.co. Other sectorsIn addition, more and more interest is seen in healthcare coordination, workflow specialists, and retail experience roles as services become more structured. “Broadly, the roles that seem to be moving fastest are the ones that combine strong execution, good communication and comfort with digital tools,” Narayan told TOI.

Where to go with your resume? Hiring hotspots in 2026

Now that we have a clear understanding of the sectors with the highest growth potential in the coming year, it’s equally important to examine which industries are actively expanding their workforce. According to the Manpower Group, in the first quarter of next year, the average company is expected to add around 65 new employees.

These insights not only highlight where opportunities are emerging but also reveal which industries are hiring the most, enabling you to plan your career path more effectively and strategically.According to Roopank, most hiring increases are planned in a variety of sectors including real estate, finance, engineering, science etc. Here are some of the top industries that will be stepping up their hiring game in 2026.FinanceA few sectors are set to stand out in the 2026 job market, with financial services and fintech expected to remain strong as more consumers and small businesses enter the formal credit system. “India’s most competitive sector is Finance & Insurance, with an employment outlook of 61%,” ManpowerGroup reported in its latest employment outlook survey.ElectronicsAccording to Balasubramanian, the biggest growth will come from electronics manufacturing services (EMS). Driven by the ‘China Plus One’ strategy, India is solidifying its position as a global assembly hub for smartphones. Simultaneously, the Quick Commerce revolution is penetrating Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, turning the logistics sector into a massive employment generator.HealthcareHealthcare is another growing sector, including both traditional and digital services, driven by better access and increased adoption of insurance.RenewableThe EV and renewable energy sectors are expanding their support systems, leading to steady demand for workers in manufacturing and maintenance, Narayan told TOI.Logistics sectorThe logistics and warehousing sector is evolving into a significant employment generator as D2C brands and the ‘quick commerce’ revolution penetrate Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, spreading consumption patterns across the country.Infrastructure and constructionAt the same time, Infrastructure and Construction will continue to be major employers, but with more focus on organised and regulated workers for government highway projects and the fast growth of affordable housing.

Highest Paychecks: Who gets the “digital premium”?

Now that you know which sectors have the most growth and hiring opportunities, wouldn’t you want to find out which industries are paying the highest salaries?“The roles that tend to see the best salary movement are the ones where capability is genuinely scarce,” Narayan told TOI.

“Digital premium”A distinct ‘digital premium’ is reshaping the wage structure. According to Balasubramanian A, the primary driver of income disparity is no longer just tenure, but the specific digital capability distinguishing a high-value specialist from a general helper. This is why tech-savvy field staff, such as loan verification associates and Relationship executives, are being rewarded for their ability to manage complex digital workflows on the go.Special tech roles in new industries: Jobs like electrical engineers in electric vehicles and network engineers in telecom are seeing big salary increases.Skilled blue-collar workers: Electric vehicle mechanics, smart appliance repair workers, and skilled masons are earning better pay than general office staff, showing that hands-on technical skills are highly valued.

Table credit: Aon

New credentials of 2026: From gatekeeper skills to niche licenses

In 2026, the definition of a “qualified” candidate is shifting from traditional degrees toward a combination of digital survival skills and highly specialized technical certifications.The non-negotiable “gatekeepers”According to Balasubramanian A, basic digital literacy has moved from an advantage to a requirement. “For the mass workforce of 2026, Smartphone Literacy has graduated from a soft skill to a non-negotiable gatekeeper.”“The ability to navigate inventory apps, digital attendance systems, and GPS tools is now mandatory,” he added. Alongside this, Basic English Proficiency has become critical—not just for conversation, but as a safety requirement for reading international machinery interfaces and safety labels.AI fluencyArtificial intelligence, machine learning, data sciences / analytics, supply chain analytics / optimization, project management and lean manufacturing will help you navigate through 2026’s job market better, according to Roopank.At the corporate level, the focus is shifting toward how technology is used rather than how it is built. Kartik Narayan notes that “AI fluency is becoming something most people will need to be comfortable with… not from a technical angle, but simply knowing how to use AI tools to work a little faster, understand things better and make sharper calls.” However, technology is only half the battle. Narayan emphasises that the traits which consistently stand out are “adaptability and the ability to learn quickly,” noting that “as companies adopt new tools, the people who settle in fast and stay reliable tend to do really well.”High-paying niche licensesTo unlock premium salaries, specific technical credentials are now mandatory for handling next-gen infrastructure. According to Balasubramanian A, the most valuable credentials are:

Beyond the mainstream: Unconventional roles taking root

While traditional tech and finance dominate headlines, several “under-the-radar” roles are slowly gathering pace as they solve uniquely Indian challenges and adapt to new lifestyle shifts.A quiet but massive shift is occurring in infrastructure and sustainability. “We are seeing a quiet but massive shift towards jobs that solve local Indian challenges,” says Balasubramanian A. He highlights Smart Meter Technicians as one of the fastest-growing “invisible” job categories, driven by India’s mission to replace 250 million traditional electricity meters.Similarly, E-waste recyclers are moving from informal scrap yards to organised factories to safely extract materials like gold and lithium from discarded electronics. In our crowded cities, Urban Farming Technicians are also gaining traction, maintaining hydroponic and vertical farming setups as food production moves closer to the consumer.In our crowded cities, Urban Farming Technicians are gaining traction as food production moves closer to the consumer. Additionally, the deployment of Drone Pilots is increasing rapidly, not just for logistics, but for agricultural monitoring and complex last-mile delivery.New-age service & operational rolesAs digital adoption deepens, several specialised support roles are quietly becoming mainstream. Kartik Narayan observes that “there are a few roles that don’t always show up in big reports but are quietly growing.”

These unconventional roles reflect an increasingly diverse labour market where specialised hands-on technical skills are frequently earning better pay than general office roles. As Narayan concludes, “These roles reflect how broad and diverse India’s labour market is becoming.”

All eyes will be on Ahmedabad as India and South Africa prepare for the fifth and final T20I, with conditions expected to be near-perfect for a high-quality series decider. According to forecasts, there is no threat of rain or fog, while dew is likely to play a decisive role later in the night, making the toss a crucial factor at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

With the series currently in favour of the home team, captains and coaches will closely study the conditions to determine the best approach on a surface that traditionally rewards teams chasing under lights.

Ahmedabad Weather Forecast 

Weather updates from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and other leading forecasting agencies suggest a smooth evening in Ahmedabad on match day. Clear skies are predicted throughout the game, with no precipitation expected during playing hours.

Temperatures are likely to range between 16°C and 20°C once the match gets underway, offering pleasant conditions for both players and spectators. Light winds and moderate humidity should not significantly influence swing or movement, allowing the contest to unfold without weather-related disruptions.

The absence of fog – an issue that affected earlier matches in northern India – comes as a relief, ensuring full visibility and uninterrupted play for the series finale.

Dew Factor 

One of the most significant factors in Ahmedabad night matches is the dew, and analysts expect it to feature prominently in the second innings of the IND vs SA 5th T20I.

As temperatures drop later in the evening, a noticeable layer of dew is likely to form on the outfield and pitch. This often causes the ball to skid on, making it harder for bowlers – particularly spinners and seamers relying on cutters – to maintain grip and control.

For batters, these conditions typically ease stroke-play, allowing them to play through the line with greater confidence. As a result, defending a total under dew-heavy conditions can become increasingly challenging, especially in the death overs.

Toss Prediction

Given the expected conditions, most pre-match assessments suggest that the team winning the toss should opt to bowl first. The logic is simple: exploit slightly drier conditions early on, then take advantage of dew-assisted batting later in the game.

Captains are likely to back their bowling units to keep the opposition in check during the first innings before relying on improved batting conditions to chase down the target.

Also READ: ‘Sold three sacks of wheat to watch the match’ – Heartbroken fans demand full refund after India vs South Africa 4th T20I gets called off due to excessive fog in Lucknow

Par score and match strategy at Narendra Modi Stadium

Based on recent matches at the venue and current pitch behaviour, a first-innings par score of 170-180 is expected. Teams batting first will aim to push beyond this range to offset the impact of dew later on.

Bowling sides will focus on disciplined powerplay spells and smart middle-over strategies to restrict scoring, while batting units chasing will look to pace their innings and capitalise on the slick outfield and skiddier ball.

Also READ: IND vs SA, 5th T20I, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s game between India and South Africa?

Sanju Samson during a training session. (PTI Photo)

LUCKNOW: While Shubman Gill’s latest injury has disrupted India’s immediate plans, it has simultaneously created an opportunity for the team management to experiment within the T20I setup. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The toe injury, while unfortunate for the stylish opener, has inadvertently cleared the deck for the think-tank to stress-test the bench strength not just for the T20I series finale against South Africa in Ahmedabad, but crucially for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand slated for January next year.

Sources indicate that the selection committee, along with the team management, wants to leverage this enforced absence to firm up the batting combination. One selector, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the upcoming New Zealand T20Is demand a proactive approach, adding that every available game before Feb 2026 should effectively be treated as an extended trial. The primary beneficiary of Gill’s absence is likely to be Yashasvi Jaiswal. The southpaw has been waiting in the wings, his aggressive intent in the Powerplay viewed by many as the perfect template for modern T20 cricket.

However, he isn’t the only name floating. Insiders reveal that there is a strong temptation to revive the option of Sanju Samson returning to the opening slot. Samson, whose career has often been a game of snakes and ladders, offers a destructive capacity in the Powerplay that the management values highly, especially on the batting-friendly Indian tracks. Samson and Abhishek Sharma formed a potent, aggressive T20I opening pair for India, scoring 267 runs in 12 innings at a high run-rate of 9.82 (averaging 22.25). The intrigue, however, isn’t limited to the opening slot. Perhaps the most significant development brewing in the corridors of the selection committee is the potential recalibration of KL Rahul’s role. Reports emerging suggest that Rahul is being seriously considered for a middle-order wicketkeeper-batter slot. The logic is sound: with the top heavy with explosive talent, the team requires a seasoned hand in the middle overs who can arrest a collapse or accelerate at will. Sources indicate that the management is eager to see if Rahul can replicate his ODI utility in the shortest format. Rinku Singh’s name, too, is doing the rounds after his omission from the South Africa T20Is. Dropped more due to combinations than form, Rinku remains highly rated internally for his composure under pressure and clarity in finishing roles. Furthermore, the swashbuckling century by Ruturaj Gaikwad in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa has not gone unnoticed. While he is naturally an opener, his ability to adapt to game situations makes him a dark horse in these deliberations. In contrast, the bowling department appears largely settled, offering the team management a sense of continuity. The presence of seam-bowling allrounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube provides invaluable balance, effectively giving the captain the luxury of choosing between an extra pacer or spinner based on conditions. Their roles also cushion the impact of batting experiments, allowing India to field deeper line-ups without sacrificing bowling options. Axar Patel’s illness, however, has briefly unsettled that equilibrium. His absence has brought another left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Shahbaz Ahmed back into the picture after a prolonged period on the fringes. Shahbaz’s domestic performances have been gritty, but the hierarchy seems clear. It is Washington Sundar who is poised to get the first look-in. Washington’s Powerplay bowling prowess and his improved batting chops make him the like-for-like replacement for the balance the team seeks.