Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in a pre-poll interview to TOI on Tuesday, admitted that bitterness between both groups of NCP has subsided after the alliance was forged for the elections to the Pune municipal corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body. He said the tie-up had made contest against BJP “tighter”. Ajit indicated at a possible reunion with his uncle Sharad Pawar, saying that he believes in the politics of “addition, not subtraction”. He said while he has had no discussion with Pawar Sr on the issue, “there are no permanent enemies in politics”. Ajit also spoke about following his uncle’s style of working, and relations with his Mahayuti allies. He insisted that ties between the ruling partners was not affected by the criticism they directed at each other during the recent poll campaign. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar spoke to TOI in Pune on a range of issues. Excerpts:Q: Will the NCPs’ alliance continue even post-civic elections?A: I have not thought about it right now, but when such an alliance happens, it automatically helps reduce the bitterness on both sides. There have been no adverse remarks against each other from either group after the alliance was formed.Q: Did you have any discussions with your uncle Sharad Pawar about continuing the alliance or a possible merger of the NCPs?A: There has been no discussion with Pawar Saheb at all. However, I want to make it clear that there are no permanent enemies in politics.Q: The opposition has alleged that the NCP and the BJP made adjustments for the PMC and PCMC polls by not forming an allianceA: That is not at all true. There is no match-fixing between us (NCP and BJP). They are trying to strengthen their party and I am trying the same for mine. I do not think there is anything wrong with it. When I take up a task, I try to complete it with full dedication and that is what I am doing in this election for my party.Q: Whose decision was it for the Mahayuti partners to contest separately in the PMC and PCMC polls?A: It was the chief minister’s call. The BJP already had a big number with them in both the civic bodies and it was difficult for them to make adjustments in any alliance. Had talks of an alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena failed early, we would have probably got Shinde’s party on our side in both civic bodies. Looking at the margin of seats we lost in the previous elections and the votes Shiv Sena candidates got, an alliance between the two NCPs and Shiv Sena would have helped increase the number of our seats this time.Q: Will the criticism of each other in the civic polls affect the alliance in the state?A: I don’t think so. Even when the BJP and the Shiv Sena were in an alliance, they criticised each other during elections but ultimately they came together.Q: What is your poll assessment for PMC and PCMC civic bodies?A: Initially, many thought that it was a one-sided contest in favour of the BJP. However, now they are admitting that the contest is getting tighter between the BJP and the NCPs in alliance. Residents from both PMC and PCMC areas are not only listening to us but also responding positively. I did not see this kind of response when I campaigned for Sunetra (his wife and now a Rajya Sabha MP) during the Lok Sabha elections.Q: Is the response due to the alliance of both NCP groups?A: Yes. NCP supporters have always given their first preference to Pawar Saheb. A section of them also likes my style of working. They are drawn to my style of politics. When we split, our supporters were divided. Now, after we formed the alliance, both sections of supporters have reunited. Their reunion will naturally benefit us in these polls.Q: The bitterness between party workers and supporters of both groups was witnessed during the Lok Sabha and assembly polls last year. Has it been reduced because of the alliance?A: I am telling you, party workers from both sides are responsible for bringing us together. My section convinced me to ally with them. Similarly, party workers from the other group conveyed the same message to their seniors. Thanks to our party workers, we came together to discuss the alliance and later, seat sharing.Q: Who took the initiative for the talks of an alliance?A: Based on our party workers’ opinions, I met the seniors of the other side including Supriya Sule, Rohit Pawar and Amol Kolhe. Later, our respective city unit office-bearers held a series of meetings and finalised the alliance.Q: A large number of NCP functionaries joined other parties before the election. How did it impact the distribution of tickets?A: When many of my party workers switched allegiance, I had it in mind that I should wait for the distribution of A and B forms, hoping that there were party workers with them (the BJP) who were preparing for the last 8-9 years and would change sides in anger at the last moment when they were denied tickets. We did this and gave tickets to such aspirants based on their winnability factor.Q: You usually start your day early like your uncle Sharad Pawar. Did he influence your style of working too?A: I was in Std III when Pawar Saheb became the MLA. I would carry tea in a tray for guests when they would come to meet him. Since then, I have been observing his style of working. I was always told that if I needed to be successful in politics, I would have to start my day early and I have been following the same principle in my political career for over three decades. The legacy was started by Pawar Saheb and I am only continuing it.

BENGALURU: Days after 23-year-old dental student Yashaswini B was found hanging in her bedroom, her mother has accused six of her daughter’s lecturers of abetment to suicide.Based on her complaint, Suryanagar police in Bengaluru Rural district have registered a zero FIR, which has been transferred to Bommanahalli police.

Initially, police had registered a case of unnatural death, following a complaint filed by Yashaswini’s mother, G Pramila. However, on Sunday, she submitted a fresh complaint, alleging sustained harassment by a group of lecturers at Oxford Dental College on Hosur Road, leading to the registration of a new case.Based on Pramila’s complaint, police have booked the accused under BNS Section 108 (abetment to suicide). The FIR names lecturers Dr Anmol, Dr Alba, Dr Shabana, Dr Faika, Dr Sindhu, and Dr Sushmini.Yashaswini had left behind a suicide note, stating that she alone was responsible for her death and no one else was to be blamed. The note was sent to the FSL to determine whether the handwriting was hers.Despite the contents of the note, Pramila insisted that her daughter had been subjected to continuous harassment and humiliation by the lecturers over the past year. She claimed Yashaswini was frequently reprimanded for arriving a few minutes late to class and was allegedly targeted over her dressing style.According to the complaint, when Yashaswini did not respond to these remarks, the lecturers allegedly awarded her lower marks in seminars. Pramila said her daughter repeatedly confided in her about the distress and insults she faced at college.Pramila further stated that a day before her death on Jan 8, Yashaswini suffered from eye pain and skipped classes. When she returned to college, she was allegedly insulted in front of her classmates. The lecturers allegedly even questioned her about the medicines she had taken.The complaint also alleges that the lecturers made remarks about Yashaswini’s skin colour and questioned her suitability to become a doctor, asking why she wanted to pursue the profession “with this face”.

At a time when his name continues to dominate discussions around selection and form, Sarfaraz Khan found a different way to grab attention. The Mumbai batter, who has been piling on runs in domestic cricket, recently shared a subtle yet emotional moment from his personal life on social media. Without much explanation, Sarfaraz uploaded a glimpse of a ‘special gift’ he had received, instantly setting off curiosity among fans and followers.

The post stood out not just because of the gift itself, but because it hinted at strong bonds within the Indian dressing room. With Sarfaraz still waiting for another opportunity at the international level, the gesture was seen as a reminder that performances do not go unnoticed, even when selection doors remain temporarily shut.

Sarfaraz Khan showcases a special gift given by Shubman Gill

Soon after, it emerged that the gift came from none other than India’s current skipper Shubman Gill. During the recent ODI series against New Zealand, Gill presented Sarfaraz with an expensive G-Shock watch as a token of appreciation.

Sarfaraz, who was not part of the ODI squad, took to Instagram to thank the Indian captain, expressing gratitude for the unexpected but meaningful gesture. While Gill did not make any public comment, the act reflected the camaraderie and mutual respect shared among players, regardless of their presence in the playing XI.

The moment also resonated with fans, many of whom viewed it as encouragement for a player who has been relentlessly consistent on the domestic circuit. Sarfaraz last featured for India in November 2024, and despite his absence from the national setup since then, his performances have continued to make a strong case. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 season, the 28-year-old has amassed 303 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 75.75, including a top score of 157.

Also READ: Former cricketer explains why Shubman Gill cannot be all-format captain of India

Fresh start with CSK in IPL 2026

While international opportunities remain uncertain, Sarfaraz is set for a new chapter in franchise cricket. The batter has been roped in by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of IPL 2026 at his base price of ₹75 lakh. The move marks a fresh opportunity for Sarfaraz to revive his IPL journey after last featuring in the league during the 2023 season with Delhi Capitals.

Across 50 IPL matches so far, Sarfaraz has scored 585 runs at an average of 22.5, with a strike rate of 130.59. While the numbers may not fully reflect his domestic dominance, the CSK setup is known for backing players and offering clearly defined roles.

Also READ: Sarfaraz Khan shares emotional note after getting picked by CSK in IPL 2026 auction

NEW DELHI: Pakistan once again found themselves in an uncomfortable spotlight in the Big Bash League. Just a day after Mohammad Rizwan’s unusual “retired out” moment, Hasan Ali added to the embarrassment with a poor piece of fielding on Tuesday.The incident happened during the match between Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers, with the Stars were chasing a small target of 84 runs. They were 35 for 2 in the eighth over. Tabraiz Shamsi was bowling. The fifth ball was pushed towards the cover region.Hasan Ali ran in to stop the ball before it reached the boundary. However, he misjudged it badly. And despite him giving his all till the last moment, the ball slipped past and crossed the rope. The third umpire later confirmed it was a boundary. The moment quickly went viral, with social media accounts of both Fox Sports and Big Bash League sharing the video.This came just one day after another awkward episode involving a Pakistan player. On Monday, Mohammad Rizwan was retired out during a Big Bash League match between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades. Rizwan struggled to score quickly near the end of the innings. He made 26 runs off 23 balls. His knock included two fours and one six.Failing to add momentum, Rizwan was called back by the Renegades. Captain Will Sutherland replaced him at the crease. Rizwan became the first overseas player in BBL history to be retired out.On Tuesday, the match itself was a one-sided affair. Tom Curran produced a career-best bowling performance to help Melbourne Stars crush Adelaide Strikers. The Strikers were bowled out for just 83 runs in 19.3 overs.Curran’s spell with the new ball caused early damage. The Strikers were reduced to 21 for 4 by the end of the powerplay. A small partnership between Jamie Overton and Liam Scott briefly lifted the score near 40. The collapse soon followed.Chasing 84, the Stars lost early wickets. Sam Harper made nine. Campbell Kellaway was dismissed for a duck. Thomas Rogers steadied the chase. He top-scored with 32 off 40 balls. Blake Macdonald supported him with a useful stand.The Stars reached the target in 15.1 overs. Marcus Stoinis made 23 off 20 balls before retiring hurt. Liam Scott took two wickets for the Strikers.Tom Curran was named Player of the Match. He took four wickets for just 10 runs. Mitchell Swepson also impressed with three wickets.

KOLKATA: The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, has confirmed Nipah, a viral disease with high mortality, in both samples sent from Bengal. The samples were taken from two nurses of a Barasat hospital whose condition remain critical. A house staff at a Burdwan hospital, who came in close contact with one of the nurses, has developed mild fever, sources said. Officials are planning to bring the doctor to Beliaghata ID hospital. Earlier, samples from the two nurses, who are being treated at the Barasat hospital where they are employed, tested positive for Nipah at AIIMS Kalyani and were sent to Pune for re-confirmation.

The health department has identified over 120 people who came in close contact with the two nurses, one male and the other female, recently. All of them are in home isolation now. Efforts are on to identify more close contacts. “Contact tracing is on. The 120-odd close contacts identified so far include family members of the nurses and healthcare workers,” said a health department official.The healthcare personnel include nurses and doctors from the Barasat hospital and two hospitals in Katwa and Burdwan, where the female nurse was treated before being shifted to Barasat.Sources in the East Burdwan health department said 10 individuals from Katwa, including two doctors, and 38 from Burdwan, including eight doctors, are in home isolation.Apart from doctors, those under observation include nurses, ambulance drivers and other healthcare providers. Samples of some of the close contacts have been sent to AIIMS Kalyani.Sources said both patients are on ventilation, while the female nurse is in coma. “Doctors at the Barasat hospital are following all protocols. But the concern is the severity and high mortality of the infection,” said a health official.While the source of the infection is still unclear, sources indicated that the nurses might have contracted the virus from a colleague at the Barasat hospital. A healthcare worker at the hospital died a few weeks ago after showing symptoms of Nipah.“It is difficult to pinpoint the source of infection. It could be human-to-human transmission or they might have got the virus from contaminated fruits or fresh date palm sap,” an official said.The patients have no significant travel history outside the state, but they had gone home, to East Midnapore and Katwa, days before being taken ill. Health officials said many migrant workers from the state tend to come back home around this time, indicating another possibility of human-to-human transmission.“During winter, people in rural areas tend to drink raw date palm juice, which can be a potential source of infection as fruit bats feed on date palm,” said the source. A panel is coordinating with a National Joint Outbreak Response Team sent by the Union health ministry to monitor the situation.(With inputs from Mohammad Asif)

Ghaziabad: A six-year-old girl was allegedly beaten to death by her stepmother in Dasna under the jurisdiction of Wave City police station on Monday. Police said the accused assaulted the child for over 20 minutes after locking her inside a room. The child’s father and stepmother have been detained for questioning.The victim was identified as Shifa, a resident of Dasna. According to police, her father, Akram, lived with his second wife, Nisha, and his three children from his first marriage — Fiza (8), Shifa (6) and Aahil (4). Akram ran a shoe and slipper stall at a weekly market in the area.

Wave City ACP Priyashri Pal said Akram’s first wife, Tarana alias Gulzar, died of burn injuries in 2022. Although her family alleged dowry-related harassment, no complaint was filed at the time. Akram married Nisha, a resident of Kithaur in Meerut, in 2023.Police said preliminary inquiry revealed that the children were allegedly subjected to abuse after the second marriage. On Monday, around 11am, Akram left for work. Soon after, Nisha allegedly began assaulting Shifa. When the elder sister, Fiza, intervened, Nisha took Shifa into a room, locked it from inside and continued beating her with hands, legs and later a stick for over 20 minutes.Around 1pm, a neighbour heard the child screaming and knocked on the door. The girl was found unconscious and unresponsive. Neighbours alerted the police and rushed the child to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead.Police said multiple injury marks were found on the child’s body. The body was sent for autopsy, and the report is awaited. Akram and Nisha were taken into custody, and questioning is underway.Shifa’s siblings told police they had earlier complained to their father about Nisha’s behaviour, but no action was taken. Injury marks were also found on Aahil’s body. Tarana’s family has been informed and is expected to take custody of the children, police said.

In a historic display of chasing prowess, the Mumbai Indians (MI) etched their name into the record books on Tuesday night at the DY Patil Stadium, pulling off a high-octane 7-wicket victory over the Gujarat Giants (GG). In what has become the league’s most one-sided rivalry, Mumbai tracked down a massive 193-run target to extend their flawless head-to-head record to 8-0.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Nicola Carey added 84 runs for the fourth-wicket stand to carry the side over the line and also register their highest chase in WPL history. This feat now stands as the overall second-highest successful run chase in the tournament’s history, highlighting the sheer batting depth of the defending champions. The result not only halts Gujarat’s unbeaten start to the season but also serves as a stern reminder of Mumbai’s clutch ability when the stakes are highest.

Aggressive Gujarat Giants batting sets massive target after mid-inning collapse

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Mumbai’s attack initially struggled to contain the Giants’ explosive start. Beth Mooney (33 off 26) and Kanika Ahuja (35 off 18) took a liking to the returning Hayley Matthews, who looked rusty in her opening spell. However, MI fought back through the middle overs as Amelia Kerr (1/32) applied the brakes, removing the dangerous Mooney just as she looked set for a big score.

The real destruction occurred in the final four overs. Following the historic tactical ‘retired out’ of debutant Ayushi Soni, Bharti Fulmali looked like a woman possessed, dismantling the MI death bowling with surgical precision. Fulmali smashed a staggering 36 off just 15 deliveries*, decorated with 3 boundaries and 3 towering sixes. Alongside Georgia Wareham (43 off 33)*, the duo stitched together an unbeaten 56-run partnership in just 24 balls to drag the score to 192/5. Despite the late onslaught, Carey remained the one of most economical for MI, picking up the vital wicket of Ashleigh Gardner.

Also READ: EXPLAINED: Why Ayushi Soni was retired out during MI-W vs GG-W match in the WPL 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur’s masterclass and Nicola Carey’s clinical finish secure historic MI victory

The second half of the contest was a showcase of pure batting intelligence. Despite the early loss of Matthews and Gunalan Kamalini (13), Amanjot Kaur (40 off 26) kept the required rate in check with a flurry of boundaries. The stage was then set for Harmanpreet, who anchored the chase with an unbeaten 71 off 43 deliveries. Kaur reached her half-century in just 33 balls, using her trademark wristy flicks and powerful drives to puncture the gaps with ease.

The partnership with Carey proved to be the decisive blow for the Giants. Carey played the perfect foil, remaining unbeaten on 38 off 23 balls, finding boundaries at critical moments to prevent the run rate from spiraling. The duo’s 84-run unbeaten stand dismantled the Giants’ confidence, with Mumbai reaching the target when Kaur elegantly flicked Sophie Devine through square leg for the winning boundary.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Orange Cap for Mumbai Indians queen Harmanpreet Kaur. Captain leading us from the front. pic.twitter.com/YAOGLPtLNt

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) January 13, 2026

It looks like the story of this year’s #TATAWPL will be about batters from outside the national team making a big impact. It means India’s player base is starting to grow and that is music to my ears.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 13, 2026

Another day, another Harmanpreet Kaur masterclass 👑

— PUMA Cricket (@pumacricket) January 13, 2026

Back to winning ways! 💪

Mumbai Indians win their second match against GG in the TATA WPL 💙

Strong comeback and great team effort!

Well played, Nicola Carey & Amanjot Kaur👏

Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 71*#MumbaiIndians #MIvGG #AaliRe#TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/RLfJW6FIfc

— Aneesh (@Aneesh_98) January 13, 2026

HARMANPREET KAUR – THE BEST BATTER IN WPL HISTORY 🥶💥 pic.twitter.com/5wByUIEFRH

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 13, 2026

Harmanpreet thor the player you are🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/pTeoZOJLWy

— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) January 13, 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur is a beast in batting.

Truly the best in the WPL. 🔥

— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) January 13, 2026

Nicola Carey is having a dream debut in WPL for Mumbai Indians. She delievered almost everytime whenever team needed her.

She has provided crucial wickets in the middle at crucial junctures, add those clutch runs at the end. What a signing she is turning out be. MI has found… pic.twitter.com/FWXAYAeIZ2

— Akshat (@Akshatgoel1408) January 13, 2026

If you see Nicola Carey and Sophie Molineux bat, you would think they both are sisters and learned batting styles under the same coach so identical ffs.

— Sai (@akakrcb6) January 13, 2026

Captain, Leader & Match Winner- Harmanpreet Kaur 👑#HarmanpreetKaur #WPL2026 pic.twitter.com/40R4ALfN5D

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) January 13, 2026

Also READ: 5 contenders to replace Alyssa Healy as Australia captain after her retirement from international cricket

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.