The first Test between New Zealand and the West Indies at Hagley Oval in Christchurch ended in a historic draw, with West Indies successfully saving the match despite chasing down a colossal target of 531. West Indies were on the brink of defeat after being bowled out for just 167 in their first innings and reduced to 72/4 in the second. However, thanks to a determined partnership between Justin Greaves (202*) and Kemar Roach (58*), the West Indies batted through 163.3 overs, ending on 457/6. This remarkable effort denied New Zealand their first victory in the series and secured their first points in the World Test Championship 2025-27.

Justin Greaves’ historic double ton anchors West Indies’ fightback in the 1st Test

In a Test match that had all the makings of a defeat, Greaves played a pivotal role in West Indies’ dogged resistance. After early setbacks in their second innings, Greaves teamed up with Shai Hope, who had earlier scored a crucial century. Greaves, unbeaten on 202, faced 388 balls, including 19 boundaries, in what was a career-defining knock. The duo added 196 runs before Hope was dismissed. From there, Greaves and Roach built a formidable partnership, ensuring that West Indies avoided a loss. Their stand of 180 runs off 409 balls became a historic one as it not only saved the match but also kept New Zealand from taking the crucial victory.

Shai Hope, Kemar Roach and Justin Greaves provide the backbone for West Indies’ resilience

Despite the top-order collapse in the fourth innings, the West Indies showcased remarkable resilience. Shai Hope’s 140 in the first innings and his subsequent support to Greaves in the second innings were critical in keeping the chase alive. Roach, playing a never-before-seen role, provided calm and stability at the other end, contributing an invaluable 58* off 233 balls. His resistance not only held the fort but also allowed Greaves to play freely, leading to a remarkable partnership that effectively shut down New Zealand’s hopes of a win. Roach’s performance added to his growing stature as a reliable performer in the longest format of the game.

Also READ: 5 players Chennai Super Kings (CSK) can target in the IPL 2026 mini-auction

New Zealand’s declaring and Jacob Duffy’s early breakthroughs set the stage for a thriller

New Zealand had set the stage for a potential victory after declaring their second innings at 466/8, with a mammoth target of 531 to chase. The hosts had been propelled by a stunning 171 from Rachin Ravindra and a solid 145 from Tom Latham, both of whom were key contributors in setting the huge target. On the bowling front, Jacob Duffy’s five-wicket haul in the first innings, along with Matt Henry’s 3-43, had put the West Indies on the back foot. Despite their excellent bowling effort, New Zealand’s hopes of securing the win were dashed by Greaves’ epic stand with Roach, which marked the first-ever draw for West Indies after a significant target chase.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

Justin Greaves, that is a monumental and historic double century 🙌🏼🫡

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) December 6, 2025

Today happens only once in a lifetime and it’s that day for “Justin Greaves”.

Let’s not forget Kemar Roach in this effort👏👏

Also, Shai Hope was remarkable with the bat in both the innings ✅

Exceptional day for @windiescricket #wivnz pic.twitter.com/4skhfByeyQ

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 6, 2025

Great double century by Justin Greaves🔥👌🏾 #NZvWI

— Phelani🇿🇦 (@BabaloLubuzo) December 6, 2025

Justin Greaves just did something incredible.

But remember Kemar Roach, that man was born to block.

The West Indies just batted 163.3 overs to draw the match against New Zeland.

These two almost did 70 on their own.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) December 6, 2025

Phenomenal effort by the West Indies. They have shown so much fight during the tour.

— Adam Bell 🇳🇿🇮🇹 (@AdamKerrBell) December 6, 2025

Magnificent Justin Greaves 👏🏻

A double century of the highest quality

Nothing quite like Test cricket 🤩 pic.twitter.com/4X2uKp7TWO

— Werner (@Werries_) December 6, 2025

A double century in the fourth innings of an away Test match!

Remember the name – Justin Greaves. 🙌🏻

— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) December 6, 2025

West Indies batted 163.3 overs in that innings

It took 3 new balls

When was the last time you saw that in a Test?!

Well done West Indies!!!#NZvWI

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) December 6, 2025

Nine hours. Twenty-four minutes. One unforgettable knock.

Justin Greaves, you’ve given Test cricket a classic. 🫡🔥 pic.twitter.com/wcf3mPcXM4

— Barbados Royals (@BarbadosRoyals) December 6, 2025

Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach pull off a historic draw for West Indies.#NZvWI #cricket #1stTest pic.twitter.com/2a5Avyu3mI

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 6, 2025

Also READ: IPL 2026: Ravichandran Ashwin names uncapped youngster CSK should target in the mini-auction

PM Modi presents Srimad Bhagavad Gita to Russian President Vladimir Putin (IANS photo)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a set of specially curated gifts to visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin during his two-day trip to India. The gifts showcased India’s culture, craftsmanship, and heritage.They included a Russian edition of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, GI-tagged fine Assam tea, Kashmiri saffron, and an ornate silver tea set.

Putin was in India for a special edition of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, a tradition that has continued since 2000. His visit included a joint statement with PM Modi, several trade and business agreements, and other official engagements.

Assam black tea

The finely processed Assam black tea, grown in the Brahmaputra plains, is known for its strong flavour and bright colour. It received the GI tag in 2007 and is valued not only for its taste but also for its cultural significance and health benefits.

Ornate silver tea set

The Murshidabad silver tea set from West Bengal features detailed hand engravings. It represents India’s rich artisanal tradition and also reflects the shared importance of tea culture in both India and Russia.

Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Russian edition)

PM Modi gifted President Putin a Russian copy of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Part of the Mahabharata, the text contains Lord Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna on duty, the soul, and spiritual wisdom—guidance that continues to inspire people around the world.

Kashmiri saffron

Kashmiri saffron, known locally as Kong or Zaffran, is one of the costliest spices in the world. Recognised with GI and ODOP tags, it is valued for its deep colour, aroma, and flavour. Hand-harvested in Kashmir’s highlands, this “red gold” supports local farmers and carries enormous cultural significance.

Handcrafted silver horse

The Prime Minister also gifted a handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, known for its detailed artistry and fine metalwork. In both India and Russia, the horse symbolizes dignity and valour. Its forward-moving stance represents the strong and steadily progressing partnership between the two countries.

Putin’s first India visit since 2021

Russian President Putin concluded his two-day visit on Friday with a special dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This was his first visit to India after December 2021 and his first since the Ukraine war began in 2022. During the trip, he attended the 23rd annual India–Russia summit in New Delhi.

D Gukesh and Anish Giri (FIDE Photo and Screengrab)

Despite its rich history, centuries-old traditions, and evolution across eras, chess remains a strangely solitary soul. Even today, barring a few occasional team events, it remains a sport where battles are fought alone, move by move, with the clock always pressing.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!And yet, beneath that surface of concentration, players often reveal different shades of their personality.

The current Dutch No. 1, Anish Giri, recently opened up about this duality during an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com.Among the many anecdotes he shared during this conversation, one stood out: his observation of the “different modes” of D Gukesh, the reigning World Chess Champion, and how the 19-year-old can almost seem like a different person depending on the moment.“Gukesh was not in my team (in the last GCL), but I’ve been with him on many different occasions. During tournaments, after tournaments, I was with him at Vidit’s wedding as well,” 31-year-old Giri told this website. “And it’s like different people every time. When Gukesh is at Vidit’s wedding, he is a different person than when he is playing the second round of Wijk aan Zee. Some people have this very, very strong game mode.”On Friday, Gukesh took some time out to interact with his followers on X, responding to questions from the teenager’s growing fanbase.When asked whether this behaviour change comes naturally to him or is something he has consciously developed over the years, the Chennai-born Grandmaster explained that it was largely innate.“It has mostly been natural, and I have been similar outside of Chess too, but the last couple of years, I’m more engaging and open outside of Chess. But it was never through effort; everything happened on its own,” wrote D Gukesh.Having won the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, Giri has already booked his place in the 2026 Candidates. A victory there would give him a shot at challenging Gukesh for the world title next year.Before that, though, the two could meet in the upcoming season of the Global Chess League (GCL).The third season of the GCL kicks off at the iconic Royal Opera House in Mumbai from December 14 to 23, with Giri suiting up for the Alpine SG Pipers and Gukesh donning the colours of Giri’s former side, PBG Alaskan Knights, this time. Perhaps expect a few more glimpses of Gukesh’s “modes.”

SpaceX might soon reach a $800 billion valuation as the rocket maker has began a new secondary share sale, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. In case it manages to reach the figure, SpaceX will rush ahead of OpenAI to become the most valuable private company in the US. The new valuation target is double the $400 billion the company received in its most recent secondary sale.However, there is no assurance that the company will achieve the desired $800 billion valuation.

Executives also said the company is considering an IPO next year, something investors have been waiting on for years.The aerospace giant has become a key partner for the US government, launching satellites and astronauts. Its Starlink broadband service is also used widely around the world, including in remote parts of the US and in the war in Ukraine. Starlink now has more than eight million active customers, which many investors believe is helping push the company’s valuation higher, Wall Street Journal reported. The IPO market has shown signs of improvement this year after a long slowdown. Shares of Circle Internet Group and Figma rose sharply when they went public in 2025. The government shutdown slowed activity, but many bankers and investors think 2026 could see IPO levels return to normal. SpaceX runs its share sale as a tender offer, something it usually does twice a year. This allows employees and early investors to sell some of the shares they already hold. The company is almost 25 years old but hasn’t yet gone public. The Texas-based company continues to fly missions for commercial satellite firms and for US agencies including NASA, the Pentagon and the intelligence community. It also regularly launches its own satellites. There are around 9,000 Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit providing high-speed internet to homes, businesses and airlines. SpaceX is also building a service to link satellites directly to mobile phones. To support that project, the company has agreed to buy spectrum from EchoStar. It has committed more than $20 billion in cash, stock and debt to secure the spectrum. “We are so pleased to be doing this transaction with @EchoStar and working with operators across the globe to advance our mission to end mobile dead zones everywhere on Earth,” SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said in a September post on X. The company is also spending heavily on Starship, the large rocket it is developing for future missions, including NASA’s planned moon landing with astronauts. Tech site The Information earlier reported that SpaceX had been speaking with investors about the timing of a possible IPO.

As digital banking and mobile apps become more common, scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to steal sensitive information. A rising threat involves exploiting screen sharing during phone calls, where fraudsters pose as banks or trusted institutions to trick users into revealing passwords, account details, or authorising unauthorised transactions. To tackle this issue, Android has launched a pilot programme in the United States, designed to protect users from such scams. The feature automatically detects when a call from an unknown number coincides with screen sharing on a banking app, issuing a prominent warning and providing an option to end the call immediately. This approach helps disrupt social engineering tactics, giving users time to reconsider actions and prevent financial loss.

Screen sharing scams: How fraudsters exploit mobile users and banking apps

Screen sharing scams represent a new level of cybercrime that targets mobile users through social engineering. Fraudsters often pose as representatives of banks, payment platforms, or other trusted institutions. The typical scam scenario includes:

The danger lies in the psychological tactics used. Scammers create urgency and pressure, making victims feel they must act immediately to prevent financial loss. This combination of fear and authority makes screen-sharing scams particularly effective.

Android screen sharing protection: Safeguarding users from call scams

Android devices running version 11 and above now include a proactive safety feature that targets these risky scenarios. The system monitors for situations where a user is:

When both conditions are met, Android automatically displays a large, on-screen warning. This warning:

This immediate intervention helps prevent potential fraud before the scammer can gain access to sensitive information.

30-second pause feature: Protecting users from call-based scams

A unique aspect of this protection is the 30-second pause introduced before users can continue interacting with the call. This pause serves several important purposes:

This combination of warning and delay is designed to neutralise the social engineering strategies that scammers rely on.

From UK testing to US rollout: Strengthening call and screen sharing safety

Before launching in the US, Google tested the feature in the United Kingdom earlier in 2025. Results showed that:

The UK pilot demonstrated that simple interventions, such as warnings and a call-ending button, can have a major impact on user safety.Android’s scam protection is now being piloted in the United States, with support from several major financial services providers. This includes:

Integration with these apps ensures the feature functions effectively, providing real-time protection for users who interact with banking services on their phones.

Why in-call scam protection is essential

As scammers employ more advanced tactics, traditional security measures are no longer sufficient. Android’s in-call protection addresses the problem by:

By combining these three elements, Android makes it significantly harder for fraudsters to manipulate users into revealing sensitive information.

India and South Africa head into the third ODI on December 6, 2025, at Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Stadium with the series poised at 1-1, following a thrilling opener where India defended 299 to win by 17 runs in Ranchi and a high-octane second match where South Africa chased 359 with four wickets and seven balls remaining in Raipur. Virat Kohli‘s 52nd ODI century anchored India’s first victory, while Aiden Markram‘s 110 and a partnership with Matthew Breetzke powered South Africa’s comeback, highlighting both teams’ batting depth amid bowling concerns.​

India started strongly in Ranchi, posting 299/8 with Kohli’s ton outshining Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s half-century, as Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav restricted South Africa to 282 despite Temba Bavuma‘s resistance. South Africa bounced back emphatically in Raipur, where Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s century helped India reach 358/6, but Markram and Breetzke’s stand dismantled the target, exposing India’s middle-order fragility and Prasidh Krishna‘s high economy. Head-to-head, South Africa leads ODIs 51-41 overall, but India holds recent edge with four wins in the last five.

Visakhapatnam Pitch Report

The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam presents a batting paradise for the India-South Africa 3rd ODI, featuring true bounce, consistent carry, and short boundaries that have fueled high scores in ODIs, with an average first-innings total around 237 across 19 matches. Teams chasing have triumphed 14 times, largely due to evening dew that grips the ball, making bowling second a challenge amid 27-28°C temperatures and 60-65% humidity. Expect captains to prioritize fielding first, with pacers vital early before spinners exploit any grip; no rain forecast ensures a full contest favoring aggressive strokeplay.

Also READ: Top 5 highest ODI run chases in India ft. South Africa

ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium ODI Stats and Records

• Total matches: 20
• Matches won batting first: 3
• Matches won bowling first: 15
• Average 1st innings score: 233
• Average 2nd innings score: 213
• Highest total recorded: 387/5 (50 Ovs) by India vs West Indies
• Lowest total recorded: 76/10 (39.3 Ovs) by Sri Lanka vs India

Also READ: Fans roar in delight as Aiden Markram’s brilliant century keeps South Africa alive in tough chase vs India in Raipur ODI

Putin at state banquet (@rashtrapatibhvn)

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin at Rashtrapati Bhawan for a lavish state banquet on the second day of his India visit, featuring an all-vegetarian menu presented as a traditional thali built around fresh ingredients and aromatic spices. The carefully curated spread was designed to highlight India’s regional diversity and culinary heritage while remaining light, elegant and festive.The meal began with murungelai chaaru soup, a light broth of moringa leaves and moong beans garnished with curry leaf-scented seeds, setting a delicate and comforting tone for the evening. This was complemented by gucchi doon chetin (stuffed morels with white walnut chutney), kaale chane ke shikampuri (black gram kebabs) and vegetable jhol momo served with chutney, offering a mix of textures and flavours that moved from earthy to tangy and subtly spiced.

Putin attends lavish banquet at Rashtrapati Bhawan hosted by President Droupadi Murmuu (PTI)

For the main course, guests were served zaafrani paneer roll, palak methi matar ka saag, tandoori bharwan aloo, achaari baingan and dal tadka. Together with the variety of gravies and dry preparations, harmonised the international palate while staying firmly rooted in Indian traditions.

Putin was presented with lavish vegetarian menu during the state banquet

These dishes were paired with dry fruit and saffron pulao and an assortment of Indian breads, including lachha parantha, magaz naan, satanaj roti, missi roti and biscuity roti, ensuring ample options for guests to sample different combinations. Desserts featured badam halwa, kesar pista kulfi and fresh fruits, rounding off the meal with a blend of rich, nut-based sweetness and light, refreshing elements.Alongside this culinary journey, a parallel “raag menu” on the table introduced an ensemble of classical instrumentalists on the sarod, sarangi and tabla, who performed Indian classical ragas accompanied by familiar Russian melodies, turning the dinner into a cultural exchange as much as a gastronomic one.

Music score for the lavish banquet at Rashtrapati Bhawan

The melodies included a Bollywood number like “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” and Indian classical pieces like raag Shivranjini and raag Yaman, which were harmoniously supplemented by Russian melodies such as an excerpt from “The Nutcracker Suite” as a tribute to Tchaikovsky and “Kalinka”, a Russian folk tune rendered by a naval band. Together, the food and music created a carefully choreographed atmosphere of warmth, respect and soft diplomacy, blending Indian and Russian traditions in a single, memorable evening.Putin underlined the breadth of the India–Russia partnership, saying the joint declaration with PM Modi spans cooperation in politics, security, economy and trade, energy, education and more, and stressed that both countries are working to build a “fairer and just world order,” framing the relationship as one of “go together, grow together.” He later departed Delhi after the banquet, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar seeing him off at the airport.

Newlyweds Sara Khan and Krish Pathak, who recently began their wedding festivities with a Haldi ceremony, tied the knot according to Hindu rituals on December 5. They also hosted a reception in Mumbai for close family and friends, which was attended by Awez Darbar, Nagma Mirajkar, Falaq Naaz, Rajiv Thakur, Deepshikha Nagpal and others.Sara and Krish, who earlier tied the knot in October in a court marriage setup, looked picture perfect at their wedding. Sara chose to wear a traditional red colour lehenga for her wedding and teamed up with gold jewellery. She wore a golden necklace, huge nath and maang tikka. Newlyweds Sara Khan and Krish Pathak looked elegant as they arrived for their wedding reception. Their simple charm and happy glow made them the centre of attention.The Bidaai actress kept the look simple and looked pretty. Just like their haldi, the couple were seen twinning for the rituals. While Sara wore a red lehenga, Krish complimented in a red sherwani. For the reception Krish opted for a black sherwani with an embroidered overcoat. The couple posed for the photographers and were seen flaunting their mehendi. Sara was also seen flaunting sindoor and a happy smile. The couple danced at their wedding to popular Bollywood songs and had a gala time with friends and family. As per a report in Bombay Times, the couple’s love story began on a dating app a year ago. Sara told BT, “I saw his picture and immediately felt a sense of belonging,” recalled Sara, adding, “We started chatting and met the next day. I told him upfront that I wasn’t looking for anything casual. I was ready to settle down.”Krish is actor Sunil Lahri’s son, who played Lakshman from Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan. In the same interview, he added, “Ours is quite a Gen-Z story. Both of us were coming out of heartbreaks. I never saw myself as the marrying kind because I was raised by a single mother and didn’t grow up around the idea of marriage. Sara, on the other hand, had seen her parents’ strong bond and always wanted that kind of stability. When I came across her photo, I felt an instant pull. Meeting her changed everything, and I knew I didn’t want to let her go.”

Elon Musk on Saturday slammed the European Union’s $140 million fine on his social media platform X, calling the penalty “crazy” and “insane” in a post on the site. Taking to the site, he said, “The EU imposed this crazy fine not just on @X, but also on me personally, which is even more insane!”“Therefore, it would seem appropriate to apply our response not just to the EU, but also to the individuals who took this action against me.”

The penalty comes after a two-year investigation into X under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and represents the first formal non-compliance ruling since the sweeping framework was introduced. The DSA requires major digital platforms to assume greater responsibility for user safety, curb illegal or harmful content, and maintain full transparency in their advertising and data practices.“Freedom of speech is the bedrock democracy. The only way to know what you are voting for,” he posted earlier on X. Regulators concluded that X violated three different transparency requirements. According to the Commission, the platform’s current blue checkmark system amounted to “deceptive design practices” that can expose users to scams. Prior to Musk’s takeover in 2022, badges on the former Twitter were mostly reserved for prominent public figures, however, after the acquisition, X began issuing the symbols to anyone prepared to pay $8 per month. The Commission argued that this system does not “meaningfully verify who’s behind the account,” making it harder for users to judge authenticity. The EU also faulted X for shortcomings in its digital ad database, which is legally required to disclose who paid for advertisements and the audiences targeted. Officials said the platform’s system is weakened by built-in limitations, delays and access obstacles that make it harder for researchers to identify scams and influence campaigns. Regulators further accused X of placing “unnecessary barriers” in the way of researchers seeking public data relevant to systemic risks. Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, said in a prepared statement, “Deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU. The DSA protects users.” The ruling has fuelled criticism from Washington, where senior officials have long accused Brussels of singling out American technology companies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X that the punishment was aimed at the United States rather than at one social platform. “The European Commission’s $140 million fine isn’t just an attack on X, it’s an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments,” Rubio wrote. “The days of censoring Americans online are over.” Musk went on to agree with his statement. Vice President JD Vance also pre-empted the decision on X, claiming the Commission sought to fine the platform “for not engaging in censorship.” He added: “The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage.” Despite the backlash, European officials rejected suggestions that the DSA is designed to suppress major American firms. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters in Brussels, “The Commission is not targeting anyone, not targeting any company, not targeting any jurisdictions based on their color or their country of origin. Absolutely not. This is based on a process, democratic process.” In a separate action taken the same day, EU regulators closed another DSA case involving TikTok, after the video platform committed to making changes to ensure full transparency in its advertising database.