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Cricket matches usually end because one team scores more runs than the other. On December 27, 2009, in Delhi, the pitch ended the contest instead.The fifth and final ODI of the series between India and Sri Lanka at the Ferozeshah Kotla was abandoned after just 23.3 overs because the surface was deemed unsafe. India had already won the five-match series, but this game never reached a sporting conclusion. Instead, it became a reminder that a cricket pitch can take control of a match when it behaves beyond what players can reasonably expect.The Ferozeshah Kotla became the centre of attention for the wrong reasons after the match was abandoned following concerns over safety of payers. The decision brought an uncomfortable end to the series and even raised questions about the venue’s readiness to host international cricket.

India had already sealed the five-match ODI series before the teams arrived in Delhi. However, only 23.3 overs were possible before officials decided that the surface offered “extremely variable bounce and was too dangerous for further play”. From similar areas of the pitch, the bounce ranged from shin height to shoulder height.Batters could not trust length, pace, or bounce; but could only react and hope.Sri Lanka were asked to bat first. Within a few overs, it was obvious that this was not a normal contest between bat and ball. Balls climbed sharply. Others stayed low. Some seamed off the grass, others died off bare patches. The danger was not theoretical. Batters were being hit.On a surface where deliveries of similar length behaved very differently within an over, Sri Lanka were fortunate to escape with only two blows that required medical attention. The uneven bounce made batting difficult and unpredictable throughout the short duration of play.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who was on pitch-report duty, expressed his displeasure with what he saw. He described the irregular grass cover on the wicket as a “hair transplant” with bald patches. He explained that balls hitting grassy areas seamed and bounced, while those landing on bare patches stayed low. What added to the problem was that the areas producing such contrasting behaviour were close to each other. Moisture in the pitch added to the difficulty.Despite lasting only 23.3 overs, the match saw a lot of action. There was a wicket off the first ball, a dropped catch off the first ball of the second over, several blows to the body, thick edges flying past third man, and wickets for Zaheer Khan, debutant Sudeep Tyagi and Harbhajan Singh. MS Dhoni, returning after a two-match ban, impressed behind the stumps, handling both low shooters and rising deliveries without conceding a single bye.

How it unfolded

The match was abandoned after 23.3 overs, triggering unruly scenes in the packed stands. Angry spectators threw water bottles and chair covers and damaged parts of the stadium, bringing a chaotic end to a series India won 3-1.The relaid Kotla pitch proved difficult for the Sri Lankan batters, who were asked to bat first. Deliveries rose sharply, forcing players into awkward defensive shots. Sri Lanka were in the 24th over when Thilina Kandamby approached the on-field umpires to express concerns.This led to a meeting involving match referee Alan Hurst, India captain MS Dhoni, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, coaches Gary Kirsten and Trevor Bayliss, and curator Vijay Bahadur Mishra. Officials from the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), including vice-president and former Test cricketer Chetan Chauhan, offered an alternative pitch. However, the match could not be resumed.

Inglorious end

India entered the final match hoping to finish the series with a win, but the conditions made that impossible. Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan was struck on the forearm by an Ashish Nehra delivery and needed on-field treatment after falling to the ground in pain. Sanath Jayasuriya, who batted the longest, was hit several times on the upper arm and wrist during his stay. Despite visible discomfort among batters, play continued until the 24th over.The situation escalated after a delivery from Sudeep Tyagi rose sharply and Kandamby again complained to umpires Marais Erasmus and Shavir Tarapore. The match was eventually abandoned, though the official announcement came more than an hour later. By then, both teams and officials had already left the ground.Earlier in the day, conditions had seemed favourable for hosts. Dhoni, back after serving a ban, won the toss and chose to bowl. India’s bowlers reduced Sri Lanka to 63 for several wickets inside 18 overs.Zaheer Khan struck with the first ball of the match, beating Upul Tharanga’s defence. Ashish Nehra nearly dismissed Dilshan with his first delivery, but Suresh Raina dropped a catch at cover. Dilshan later took a blow to the forearm from another Nehra delivery before Zaheer ended his innings.Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara was dismissed for one run, becoming Sudeep Tyagi’s first ODI wicket. Sanath Jayasuriya struggled through his innings before Harbhajan Singh trapped him lbw with a top-spinner. Thilan Samaraweera was run out following a mix-up with Kandamby.The match continued for another 5.3 overs before it was finally called off, marking one of the most uncomfortable days in Delhi’s cricketing history and a reminder of how unsafe pitches can bring international matches to a halt. Feroz Shah Kotla, now known as the Arun Jaitley Stadium, was barred from staging international matches for one year, a decision that proved lenient as a two-year ban from the ICC would have cost Delhi its 2011 World Cup fixtures.

Whether it be with naked-eye viewing, through a pair of binoculars, or with a beginner’s telescope, a certain amount of planning can make way for viewing enthusiasts to fully enjoy the spectacular events that take place in the sky in 2026. Be it eclipses, aligned planets, or an eight-year supermoon, there are plenty of spectacular sky events in 2026 for enthusiasts to enjoy. Sky viewing in 2026 has plenty on offer for anyone, be it a beginner sky watcher or an enthusiast with a deep love for astronomy. Events such as a lunar eclipse, a solar eclipse, a list of sky showers, aligned planets, and an Artemis Mission to orbit around the Moon by NASA make it a perfect year to experience the beauty of sky viewing with friends and family.

List of celestial events in 2026

Key celestial events in 2026

The year opens with a supermoon at the wolf moon on 3 January. This moon will appear slightly larger and brighter in the sky due to its close approach to Earth. The opposition of Jupiter will be observed on 10 January. It will appear at its brightest in 13 months.

17 February: There is an annular solar eclipse, which presents the “ring of fire” that can be seen in totality only in Antarctica, with partial eclipses in southern Africa and South America.3 March: A total lunar eclipse makes the worm moon appear deep red for 58 minutes in western North America, East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It is the last total lunar eclipse before 2028.20 March: During the spring equinox, observers at mid-latitudes may see vivid displays of the aurora, due to the interaction of charged solar particles with the Earth’s magnetic field.On 31st May, the second full moon in the month, a blue moon rises. While the colour has not changed, the moon rise is a treat to watch.

The year’s biggest event is on 12-13 August. A total solar eclipse moves across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. Later that night comes the Perseid meteor shower. Dark-sky enthusiasts find this an ideal time for ‘star streaks.’

28 August: A deep partial eclipse plunges more than 96% of the Moon into the Earth’s shadow, making it appear rust red to observers in the Americas, Europe, and Africa.14-16 November: Mars and Jupiter come close to each other within a degree so that both can be viewed in the same field of a pair of binoculars.The year will conclude with a supermoon on 24 December, which will be the closest full moon occurring since 2019.Apart from natural occurrences, NASA’s Artemis II will see four astronauts go on a lunar orbital mission on February 5, comprising a 10-day journey around the lunar body on the Orion spacecraft, with a distance of over 5,800 miles past the lunar surface. This will be the farthest trip for human beings from Earth.

India must allow insolvency and bankruptcy to build dynamic, risk-taking economy: PM’s Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal

NEW DELHI: India needs to be comfortable with people and companies going bankrupt, as continuous insolvency and bankruptcy are essential for building a risk-taking and dynamic economy, said Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) member Sanjeev Sanyal.In an interview with ANI, Sanyal said a healthy economic system must allow for “continuous churn”, where old companies shut down, and new ones emerge to take their place. He stressed that constant change is necessary for long-term economic strength.Sanyal said allowing large companies to fail is sometimes unavoidable. Referring to 2017, he recalled that Indian banks were under severe stress, following which the government allowed some of the country’s biggest companies to go bankrupt.“This did not make the corporate sector weaker. In fact, it came back much stronger after the cleanup,” he told ANI.Using the airline sector as an example, Sanyal said the closure of Jet Airways created space for other airlines to expand. He added that companies that fail to follow rules or meet standards should be allowed to shut down.“We should allow continuous churn,” he said.In his interview with ANI, Sanyal also said that success should not be viewed negatively and that people should not resent companies that perform well.However, he added that regulators must intervene if large companies misuse their power or distort competition.The discussion also touched on welfare policies. Sanyal said he is “very, very uncomfortable with freebies” but supports the idea of a safety net for people who take risks.He said a risk-taking culture exists at every level of society, from a billionaire starting a large business to a person opening a small kirana shop. Since risks can fail, a safety net is necessary to support those who “fall off at the edges.Sanyal highlighted the growing strength of India’s financial markets, saying Mumbai has now become a more important centre for raising capital than London or Singapore. He said innovation is driven mainly by risk-taking capital such as equity and venture funding.He expressed hope that over the next 25 years, the top 20 companies in India’s stock market will be completely different from those today.Comparing global trends, Sanyal said countries like the United States and China remain strong because their leading companies change frequently. In contrast, he said Europe’s largest companies have remained largely unchanged for nearly 30 years, which he described as “stagnation”.Sanyal added that bankruptcy “should not be held as a moral failure” but should be seen as a natural part of a society willing to take risks and grow.

NEW DELHI: The Unnao rape case victim levelled serious allegations against the investigating officer in the case saying that IO “colluded with the judge” to ensure that the “other party won”. The charges came as the Delhi high court granted bail to the convict and expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and suspended his life sentence. The survivor and her mother met the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials on Saturday and submitted a complaint regarding the same.

“The complaint is that the investigating officer has wronged me. He colluded with the judge to ensure that the other party won, so that the rape victim would lose, her courage would be broken, and she would not be able to pursue the case further,” ANI quoted the survivor as saying.“Had the CBI stood with my lawyer, we wouldn’t have had to see this day. We would have won, and they would have lost,” she further said.The CBI has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi high court’s order staying the life sentence of former Uttar Pradesh MLA and granting him bail. The high court’s ruling sparked strong backlash from the survivor’s family and opposition parties, escalating calls for the Supreme Court to step in.Reacting to this, the survivor’s mother said: “If CBI meets us, only then will we trust them. How can we trust them otherwise? We have not discussed CBI. We have only said that the Investigating Officer met them. He was talking to Kuldeep Sengar’s daughter. When we asked him whether he knew the victim, he said, ‘Why would I know her?’ He said this in a crowded court.”Sengar was found guilty in the Unnao rape case in December 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a Rs 25 lakh fine. Despite being granted bail in this matter, he will remain incarcerated as he is serving a separate 10-year sentence in another CBI case linked to murder.Delhi witnessed protests on Saturday over the suspension of the life sentence of Sengar, with police detaining several demonstrators near the Parliament complex. Activist Yogita Bhayana, Congress leader Mumtaz Patel and others were taken into custody after they staged a sit-in to oppose the Delhi high court’s recent order granting Sengar bail.

Brisbane Heat secured a nail-biting seven-run win against Adelaide Strikers in the 13th match of Big Bash League (BBL|15) at The Gabba on December 27, 2025. Heat posted 179/9 in their 20 overs before Bartlett’s stellar bowling restricted Strikers to 172 in 19.5 overs. The match showcased high-octane T20 action, with Heat climbing to third on the points table.​

Max Bryant’s explosive batting sets target against Adelaide Strikers

Heat’s innings kicked off shakily in the powerplay, losing Jack Wildermuth (1) and Colin Munro (14) early to slump to 35/2 after four overs, but Matt Renshaw‘s aggressive 33 off 21 balls, including two fours and two sixes, steadied the ship.

Renshaw fell at 74/4 in the ninth over, yet Max Bryant unleashed a blistering 63 off 38 balls—featuring four fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 165.79—to propel Heat past 100 by the 13th over. His fifty came off 29 balls, anchoring a crucial 52-run stand with Jimmy Peirson (13), pushing the score to 150/6 by the 16th over despite Hasan Ali‘s twin strikes of Bryant and Xavier Bartlett (15).​

Bryant’s brilliant innings laid the foundation for Brisbane Heat, even though his dismissal sparked late drama at the Gabba. Once Bryant fell for a superb 150, the Heat innings briefly lost momentum as Shaheen Shah Afridi was dismissed cheaply and Jimmy Peirson was run out in quick succession. However, Matthew Kuhnemann and Thomas Balkin held their nerve at the end to push the total to a competitive 179 for 9, scored at an impressive run rate of nearly nine an over. Adelaide Strikers’ bowlers kept things tight during the middle overs, with Luke Wood and Hasan Ali picking up two wickets each, while Matthew Short’s economical spell applied pressure. Despite the late stutter, Bryant’s commanding knock on a bouncy surface ensured the Heat had enough runs to defend under lights.​

Also READ: BBL|15: Tim David’s injury sours Hobart Hurricanes’ win over Perth Scorchers

Xavier Bartlett’s bowling seals dramatic win for Brisbane Heat

In reply, the Strikers got off to a flying start, racing to fifty without loss in the powerplay as Short attacked aggressively and combined with Chris Lynn for a brisk opening stand. The momentum shifted in the eighth over when Bartlett struck twice, removing Lynn with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort and dismissing Mackenzie Harvey for a duck, halting the chase. Short continued to dominate, bringing up a rapid half-century and keeping the Strikers in the hunt as they crossed 150 with five wickets down.

However, Bartlett returned at a crucial moment to dismiss Short, triggering another collapse. The lower order struggled under pressure as wickets fell regularly, and despite a late push, the Strikers fell short, finishing on 172. Bartlett’s outstanding spell, supported by key contributions from Jack Wildermuth and Thomas Balkin, sealed a tense victory for Brisbane Heat, earning Bartlett the Player of the Match award for his all-round impact.

What a thriller 🔥

– Brisbane Heat hold their nerve to defend 179 👏#BBL2025 #BrisbaneHeat pic.twitter.com/cqNpIQ15sx

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 27, 2025

Also READ: Sam Harper’s explosive ton powers Melbourne Stars to a dominant win over Sydney Sixers in BBL|15

Delhi government halts DSSSB March exams amid age relaxation review

The Delhi government has postponed the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) examinations that were scheduled to take place in March 2026. The decision comes as the government reviews demands to increase the maximum age limit for candidates applying for teaching and other posts. Many aspirants had raised concerns that they were unable to appear for exams because of age restrictions.If you were preparing for the DSSSB exam, the wait has just become longer. The education department has paused the process until a final call on age relaxation is made. Officials say the move aims to protect the interests of students and fill long-pending vacancies in government institutions.Exams put on hold after candidate protestsThe DSSSB, which conducts recruitment exams for various Delhi government departments, had issued a notification announcing exams in March. However, protests by candidates over age eligibility drew the government’s attention. As a result, the education department suspended the earlier order and halted the examination process.Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood explained the reasoning behind the decision while speaking on the issue. He said previous governments failed to conduct timely DSSSB exams, which caused many candidates to cross the eligible age limit. Sood stated that the government wants to ensure fairness while also addressing staff shortages in schools, according to statements posted on X by the ANI.What the minister said on age relaxationAshish Sood said that DSSSB exams play a key role in selecting teachers and other staff. He pointed out that delays over the years meant candidates reached the maximum age without getting a chance to appear. “We want vacant posts to be filled so students can get quality education,” Sood said, as quoted by the ANI.In conversation with the ANI, the minister added that the government decided to stop the DSSSB order temporarily. He said a new decision on age limit relaxation would be announced soon, and only after that would fresh exam dates be declared.Why DSSSB exams matterDSSSB stands for Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board. It conducts recruitment exams for teaching and non-teaching posts across Delhi government departments. These include roles such as teachers, clerks, assistants, stenographers, lab assistants, nurses, wardens, and technical staff.The board also organises specific exams like TGT, PGT, and PRT for teacher recruitment. Thousands of candidates appear for these tests every year to secure government jobs.What happens next for candidatesThe Delhi government has said that no DSSSB exam will be held until a revised order on age eligibility is issued. Officials believe the upcoming decision could bring relief to many candidates who missed earlier chances due to age limits.Sood said the government has taken this step with students’ interests in mind and assured that the issue would be resolved soon, according to information shared by the ANI. For now, aspirants will have to wait for an official update on both age relaxation and new exam dates.

Thiruvananthapuram: India’s women’s team will seek to continue their dominance and secure a fourth straight victory against Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. At the heart of India’s command stands Renuka Singh, the indefatigable pacer from Himachal who seems to find something extra every time she turns up in Kerala.

Kerala, it appears, has a way of rewarding Renuka’s faith. Each visit to Thiruvananthapuram brings with it an extra spring in her stride and a sharper nip through the air. From her U-19 days to the senior international stage, the venue has steadily become her personal hunting ground. “Kerala is my lucky place,” Renuka said after India’s dominant win over Sri Lanka on Friday. “I played U-19 cricket here as well. Whenever I come here, I take four wickets. I’m always excited to come to Kerala and Thiruvananthapuram is my lucky ground.” In the third T20I, Renuka ripped through Sri Lanka’s middle order with figures of 4/21, a spell that earned her the player-of-the-match award and left the visitors struggling for answers. That medal around her neck tells a deeper story, one built on persistence, preparation and an unwavering belief in process. “I never get five wickets, it’s always four,” she laughs disarmingly, even as she continues to be India’s most dependable pace option in the shortest format. Preparations for Renuka follow a familiar and disciplined path. Before every major assignment, she heads to the National Cricket Academy. “I go to the NCA to prepare for any tournament because it works for me,” she says. “I can do some extra work on my bowling and fitness, and that helps me execute better.” Over the last year, the 29-year-old’s evolution has been unmistakable. No longer just a new-ball bowler relying on swing and seam, Renuka has broadened her repertoire. Slower balls, changes of pace, and subtle variations in length and release are now central to her craft. The timing is deliberate. With a World Cup on the horizon, she knew there was no room for doubt. “For the last six months to a year, I’ve been working on my variations because I knew the World Cup was coming up,” she explained. “There shouldn’t be a doubt in my head. I want to be mentally prepared.” That mental clarity shows most when things don’t go to plan. Even if the first over goes for runs, as it did in the third T20I, Renuka doesn’t retreat. She recalibrates, reads the pitch and commits to the delivery she believes will fetch a wicket. Leadership support from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur helps, but so do the words of a mentor she deeply respects. Jhulan Goswami’s advice — that five-wicket hauls demand extra effort — still echoes. Renuka has just one T20I five-for so far, a 5/15 against England at the 2023 World Cup, and she knows there is more to chase. Former India player and women’s team coach WV Raman sees her value clearly. Renuka, he says, is a “vital cog” in India’s bowling unit: crafty, intelligent and armed with truckloads of variations. “In helpful conditions, she can be a handful. England, host of next year’s T20 World Cup, with its seam-friendly pitches and swinging skies, could well be her stage,” Raman argued. India, buoyed by the recent ODI World Cup success, is shaping its core for the future. In that group, Renuka remains indispensable. In Thiruvananthapuram, and perhaps soon in England, she isn’t just bowling spells, but carving out her signature, one hard-earned wicket at a time.

Maglev train tested in China (Image taken from X)

Chinese scientists have achieved a milestone in magnetic levitation technology. Researchers at China’s National University of Defence Technology successfully propelled a one-tonne vehicle to 700 kilometers per hour in just two seconds on a 400-meter test track, setting a new world record for superconducting electric maglev systems.The test, shown in footage making rounds on social media and Chinese news outlets, displayed a chassis-like vehicle zooming across the track leaving a misty trail. This demonstrates significant progress in both extreme acceleration capabilities and high-power control systems.“It resolves core technical challenges including ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric suspension guidance, transient high-power energy storage inversion, and high-field superconducting magnets,” CCTV stated, as reported by South China Morning Post (SCMP).

. This breakthrough could revolutionise various transportation methods, from hyperloop systems to aerospace launches.The same team had previously reached 648 km/h on the same track in January. Their decade-long research puts China at the forefront of global maglev technology, marking significant progress since developing their first manned maglev train thirty years ago.Professor Li Jie, who led Beijing’s first commercial maglev subway line, believes this success will speed up China’s ultra-high-speed maglev transport development.In 2020, CRRC Qingdao Sifang had tested a 600km/h prototype. In the meantime, Southwest Jiaotong University developed a high-temperature superconducting maglev system in Chengdu targeting speeds over 600km/h.The latest development includes a collaboration between the Third Research Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and North University of China. The built a 2-kilometer experimental line in Datong for testing maglev trains in low-vacuum pipelines, with an aim for eventual speeds of 1,000 km/h.This technology has the potential to transform city-to-city travel through vacuum-sealed tubes and potentially revolutionise rocket launches by reducing fuel consumption during takeoff. It also offers new possibilities for testing high-speed flight equipment through ground-based simulations.