The memories of January 15, 2023, remain deeply etched into the fabric of Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield International Stadium. Long after the floodlights dimmed and the crowd dispersed, the echoes of thunderous sixes, crisp boundaries and deafening cheers seemed to linger in the humid Kerala air. For everyone present that night — fans, players, officials — it was an experience that felt historic even as it unfolded.India had already sealed the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka by winning the opening two games. The final encounter was meant to be a formality, an opportunity to complete a clean sweep. Few, however, could have predicted that the contest would turn into one of the most one-sided matches in the history of the format, producing a record that would stand tall for years.

Batting first, India piled on a colossal 390 runs, a total built almost entirely on the brilliance of Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. The duo stitched together a monumental partnership, scoring 282 runs between them and completely flattening a Sri Lankan bowling attack that had no answers. Kohli’s masterclass and Gill’s elegance transformed what was expected to be a competitive total into a near-impossible chase.Sri Lanka’s response was nothing short of catastrophic. Under relentless pressure, they folded for a mere 73, with only three batters managing to reach double figures. India’s 317-run victory became the biggest margin of victory in ODI history — a record that would remain intact for two years before England eclipsed it.How the India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI unfolded:India completed a flawless 3-0 series triumph by dismantling Sri Lanka in the final ODI, delivering a crushing 317-run defeat that rewrote the record books.On a flat surface that offered little for bowlers, Kohli produced yet another statement innings, registering his 46th ODI century. At the other end, Gill continued his meteoric rise, reinforcing his credentials as India’s long-term opening option with his second hundred. Their dominance propelled India to a formidable 390/5, a score that left Sri Lanka staring at a mountain far too steep to climb.BIGGEST ODI WINS (BY RUNS)

What followed was a total collapse. Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 73 runs inside 22 overs — their fourth-lowest total in ODIs. Mohammed Siraj led the charge with the ball, exploiting movement and seam to rip through the top order. His spell of 4 for 32 was the best of his ODI career. Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav provided excellent support, picking up two wickets apiece and maintaining relentless pressure.Siraj struck early, drawing Avishka Fernando into edging a delivery straight to first slip. In his next over, he unleashed a wobble-seam ball that forced Kusal Mendis to nick behind to the wicketkeeper. Shami then joined the act, inducing Charith Asalanka into mistiming a shot to backward point.The carnage continued as Siraj picked up his third wicket when Nuwanidu Fernando chopped an outswinger onto his stumps. In the final over of the powerplay, he produced another wobble-seam delivery that jagged back in to uproot Wanindu Hasaranga’s off stump.With half the side back in the dressing room, panic spread through the Sri Lankan camp. That nervousness resulted in a bizarre run-out, with Chamika Karunaratne caught out of his crease after a defensive shot, allowing Siraj to hit the stumps directly at the striker’s end.Kuldeep then took charge in the middle overs, luring Dasun Shanaka forward before beating him through the gate. Dunith Wellalage, who came in as a concussion substitute after a collision while fielding, lasted briefly before chipping a simple catch to point off Shami.With injuries reducing Sri Lanka’s resistance further, Kuldeep wrapped up the innings by knocking over Lahiru Kumara, sealing a staggering victory. Kohli’s unbeaten 166 off 110 balls earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.Rohit the captain marvelWhen discussing the biggest ODI wins by margin of runs, India feature twice in the top five — a remarkable achievement made even more special by the fact that both victories came under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.After orchestrating the historic win against Sri Lanka in January 2023, Rohit etched his name deeper into cricketing folklore just ten months later. During the ICC World Cup in November 2023, India once again turned Sri Lanka into their victims, hammering them by 302 runs in a high-stakes tournament clash.That World Cup encounter at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium was equally ruthless. Siraj, Shami and Jasprit Bumrah tore through Sri Lanka’s batting line-up, bundling them out for just 55 and sealing India’s seventh straight win of the tournament. The result confirmed India’s place in the semi-finals and underlined their dominance.Chasing 358, Sri Lanka had no response to India’s pace battery. Shami, already in sensational form after nine wickets against New Zealand and England, added another five to his tally. The top order collapsed in stunning fashion, with the first five scores reading like binary code: 0, 0, 1, 0, 1.By the time Shami removed the seventh and eighth batters for ducks, Sri Lanka were on the brink of registering the lowest ODI total ever. They were eventually dismissed in 19.4 overs, as India completed the fourth-biggest ODI win in history. Shami’s figures of 5 for 18 also made him India’s leading wicket-taker in World Cup history.It marked the third instance in 2023 where India dismissed Sri Lanka for under 100 in ODIs — and their second victory by a margin exceeding 300 runs in the same year — further cementing Rohit’s era as one defined by dominance and record-shattering performances.

Vande Bharat sleeper, Indian Railways’ new train for overnight premium travel, has received overwhelming passenger response, according to the Ministry of Railways. The first commercial run of Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Kamakhya and Howrah saw all tickets selling out within hours of bookings opening, Indian Railways said.According to railway officials, reservations for the Vande Bharat Sleeper (Train No. 27576) were fully booked across all classes within 24 hours after ticket sales opened on January 19 through the Passenger Reservation System and online platforms. The train will begin its maiden commercial journey from Kamakhya on January 22 and from Howrah on January 23, according to a PIB press release.

The swift sell-out comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train from Malda town in West Bengal on January 17. The service is aimed at making long-distance overnight travel faster and more comfortable while improving connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast.

Vande Bharat Sleeper: All About The New Train

The semi-high-speed, fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat sleeper will run six days a week, barring Wednesdays from Kamakhya and Thursdays from Howrah. It will complete the Howrah–Kamakhya journey in about 14 hours, making it the fastest train on the route. En route, it stops at key stations including Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri, New Cooch Behar and New Alipurduar.Railway officials said that the strong booking response reflects a growing preference among passengers for modern trains that offer shorter travel times, improved safety and enhanced comfort.The new service is expected to significantly benefit passengers travelling between West Bengal and Assam, particularly those undertaking overnight journeys.The Vande Bharat Sleeper train has 16 coaches, including AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier and First AC with a total passenger capacity of 823. Fares range from Rs 2,299 for AC 3-tier to Rs 3,640 for First AC between Howrah and Kamakhya, excluding GST.Designed for a maximum speed of 160 kmph, the train is equipped with safety systems such as the indigenous KAVACH anti-collision technology and regenerative braking. Passenger amenities include improved sleeping berths, onboard information systems, CCTV surveillance, bio-vacuum toilets, and facilities for persons with disabilities.Officials said the introduction of the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat marks an expansion of India’s premium rail services beyond day travel, with the high occupancy on its first run indicating sustained demand for upgraded long-distance train travel in the region.

NOIDA: The waterlogged trench in Sector 150, where the 27-year-old software engineer drowned on Friday midnight, was initially allotted for a private mall project, but had turned into a pond as rainwater and wastewater discharged from nearby housing societies was allowed to accumulate in it for a decade.The road Mehta took has a sharp right-angle turn that becomes hazardous in fog without warning signs or lights.

A stormwater management plan that was chalked out by the irrigation department in 2015 remained on the papers, despite multiple rounds of surveys and site inspections.

Documents accessed by TOI showed that the irrigation department in 2015 proposed a head regulator to divert runoff into the Hindon. In Feb 2016, it received Rs 13.5 lakh from Noida Authority to undertake a survey and prepare a design of the proposed regulator.A letter, shot by the executive engineer of the irrigation department’s construction division in Ghaziabad to the senior manager of Noida Authority’s work circle 10 on Oct 9, 2023, showed that multiple communications were exchanged between 2015 and 2023. It also flagged the need to channelise rainwater from the developing sectors into the Hindon.

The letter stated that the irrigation department had drawn up designs for a regulator with mechanical gates at Sector 150 through a consultant, which was eventually vetted by IIT-Delhi. But following a joint site inspection on Oct 4, 2023, Noida Authority officials said stormwater from additional sectors had been linked to the existing drain, potentially increasing discharge and suggested that hydraulic or pneumatic gates be used instead of mechanical ones.Subsequently, the irrigation department had sought an additional Rs 30 lakh for a fresh survey, revised designs and drawings, along with updated hydrological data such as maximum discharge, water depth, longitudinal slope and freeboard. A revised survey report remains pending.Senior Noida Authority officials, including deputy general managers (civil and water), senior managers, assistant managers, and engineers from the irrigation department, were present during the inspection, the letter stated. The impact of the delay was evident during the 2023 monsoon, when Sector 150 and nearby areas saw severe waterlogging. Basements of several housing societies by ATS, ACE, Godrej, Tata, Eldeco and Samridhi in nearby areas were flooded as rainwater could not be discharged into the Hindon in the absence of a regulator. Without a controlled outlet, the water stagnated and risked backflow when the river swelled.Also read: Mumbai road crash: Auto driver hurt as Mercedes collides with Akshay Kumar’s escort vehicle; driver hospitalised Residents alleged inaction by the Noida Authority, forcing societies to use heavy dewatering pumps, while choked drains triggered sewer backflow into homes.Following the engineer’s death, the irrigation department executive engineer BK Singh told TOI that work on the regulator would start in a week. Singh said the project, estimated to cost Rs 10.5 crore, would be financed by the Noida Authority. The department has received the selected contractor’s financial bid, and the remaining formalities, including submission of official documents and a security deposit, were expected to be completed within a week.He said that the project moved through multiple stages over the years, including proposal preparation, consent from the Authority, vetting by a state-level committee, and the tendering process. Final approval was granted by the chief engineer committee before bids were invited, Singh said. The department was now targeting completion of the head regulator before the onset of the monsoon season to minimise disruption.Residents said that had the regulator been in place, water may not have accumulated on the low-lying commercial plot near the Hindon-Yamuna confluence. “The regulator could have controlled flows and accommodated excess water within the plot,” said Jitendra Meena, a resident of Tata Eureka Park.

Facebook-parent Meta’s senior public policy executive for Asia-Pacific is leaving the company amid regulatory challenges in the region. Singapore-based Simon Milner has been with Meta since 2012. In a recent LinkedIn post, he announced that he will leave the company in the first half of this year to retire from full-time work. In his post, Milner said: “I recently celebrated the completion of my 14th year at Meta. That’s around half of my long career in public policy.”The departure comes as Meta faces increased scrutiny of its platforms and is focusing more on artificial intelligence (AI). Recent regulatory challenges include Australia’s decision to restrict children’s access to social media. In his role, Milner leads staff in countries including China, India, and Japan, according to his LinkedIn profile. He previously served as head of policy for the UK and Ireland before becoming a director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Read Meta’s Asia Policy chief Simon Milner’s farewell note

In his farewell note on LinkedIn, Milner wrote: “I recently celebrated the completion of my 14th year at Meta. That’s around half of my long career in public policy. The first half the BBC and BT (aka British Telecom) was exhilarating but, frankly, the second half has been off the scale in terms of opportunity, challenge and impact. I have thoroughly enjoyed being at the heart of innovation and count myself extremely lucky. Having passed this milestone, I’m now excited to begin the next stage of my life. I’ll be leaving Meta later this half and retiring from full-time work. It’s been the privilege of my career to spend the last 8 years working on the most critical policy issues for Meta and the APAC region. I’ll be sticking around for a few more months to help determine my successor and ensure they are well placed to lead the APAC Policy team on to even greater success.”How Simon Milner’s exit can be a ‘problem’ for MetaPublic policy staff typically advise companies on regulatory issues and coordinate with governments. The Asia-Pacific region is essential to Meta because of its many populous, youthful markets that can support the social media company’s growth.Recently, Taiwan and Japan criticised Meta for Facebook-based financial scams. In 2025, Taiwanese banks removed their advertisements from Facebook due to the rise of fake bank ads, while Japanese lawmakers called on Meta to take action against ads using images of celebrities to deceive users.Moreover, to protect young people from online harms, Australia implemented a ban on children under 16 accessing social media platforms such as Meta’s Instagram and Facebook in December 2025. Other Asian countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, have also said they have been inspired to adopt similar measures.Meanwhile, Meta has said it has implemented many safety features for young people on its services over the years.

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has stirred discussion ahead of Team India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand by unveiling his all-time India T20 XI. Speaking during a segment on ESPNcricinfo, Bangar picked a star-studded lineup drawn from players he believes best define India’s success and adaptability in the shortest format, with Virat Kohli named as captain.

The announcement comes shortly after New Zealand clinched the ODI series against India, sealing the decider at Indore on Sunday. With attention now shifting firmly to T20 cricket, the series opener is scheduled for January 21 in Nagpur, making Bangar’s selections especially topical as debates around India’s T20 legacy resurface.

Sanjay Bangar names his all-time India T20 XI

Bangar’s XI blends experience, match-winning pedigree, and versatility, reflecting how India’s T20 approach has evolved over the years. From explosive openers to seasoned all-rounders and a varied bowling attack, the former coach emphasized balance as the key theme behind his picks.

While the squad features several players no longer active in T20Is, Bangar made it clear that past impact, consistency, and ability to influence big moments were the defining criteria.

Virat Kohli to lead Bangar’s side

Despite stepping away from T20 internationals, Kohli remains central to Bangar’s vision. The former India skipper has been chosen not only as an opener but also as the captain of the side. Bangar highlighted Kohli’s unmatched consistency, adaptability across conditions, and leadership qualities as reasons for handing him the armband.

Kohli’s opening partner in the XI is Shubman Gill, India’s current batting poster boy. Interestingly, Gill is not part of India’s T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand series and is also absent from the plans for the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, Bangar backed Gill’s technique and temperament as ideal traits for the top order in an all-time setup.

Behind the openers, KL Rahul slots in as the designated wicketkeeper-batter, offering flexibility and experience at the top and middle order.

Yuvraj Singh headlines middle order and all-rounders club

The middle order is headlined by Yuvraj Singh, whose legacy in T20 cricket is firmly etched in Indian folklore. Yuvraj played a defining role in India’s triumphant 2007 T20 World Cup campaign, including his iconic six sixes, and Bangar acknowledged his ability to change games within a few overs.

Joining him is Suryakumar Yadav, India’s current T20I skipper and one of the most innovative batters in modern cricket. His 360-degree stroke play adds unpredictability to the lineup. Power-hitting all-rounder Shivam Dube and swing-bowling option Deepak Chahar round out the all-rounders’ group, ensuring depth in both batting and bowling.

Also WATCH: Virat Kohli’s graceful response to a Pitch Intruder during IND vs NZ 2nd ODI

Ashish Nehra to lead the bowling attack

The bowling unit reflects a blend of pace, swing, and spin. Veteran left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra leads the attack, recognized for his effectiveness in white-ball cricket and ability to strike early.

He is supported by Mohammad Shami, whose seam movement and experience make him a potent T20 option. The spin department features the wrist-spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, providing variety and wicket-taking threat through the middle overs.

Sanjay Bangar’s all-time India T20 XI

Virat Kohli (c), Shubman Gill, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, Shivam Dube, Deepak Chahar, Mohammad Shami, Ashish Nehra, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Also READ: Harshit Rana clears up misconceptions about Virat Kohli and shares hilarious first meeting with Anushka Sharma

D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi (Photos from PTI)

NEW DELHI: Indian chess grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has confirmed his participation in the prestigious Norway Chess tournament for the third time. This will continue his steady rise among the world’s elite. One of the standout talents of the new generation, Praggnanandhaa recently qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament after winning the 2025 FIDE Circuit.

Speaking about his return, Praggnanandhaa said, “Looking forward to be back in Norway Chess, I enjoyed playing in 2024. Most exciting format I have played!”His connection with Norway Chess grew stronger in 2024, when he registered his first classical victory over Magnus Carlsen.The same year, he was part of India’s gold medal–winning team at the Chess Olympiad. These consistent performances have helped Praggnanandhaa reach a career-high world ranking of number four, along with a peak rating of 2785.With this announcement, Praggnanandhaa has been confirmed as the second player to participate in this year’s Norway Chess event in Oslo, following Magnus Carlsen, who was revealed earlier as the first entrant. As the organisers continue to unveil the remaining names each week, hopes remain alive for reigning world champion D Gukesh and India’s top-ranked player Arjun Erigaisi to also feature in the prestigious tournament.Norway Chess organisers were equally enthusiastic about his confirmation. COO Benedicte Westre Skog praised his impact at the event, saying, “Praggnanandhaa delivered some memorable moments at Norway Chess in 2024, and it’s great to welcome him back.“From qualifying for the Candidates to achieving major results on the world stage, his consistency and ambition make him an exciting player for both fans and competitors. We’re looking forward to seeing what he brings to the tournament in 2026.”

VISAKHAPATNAM: Senior YSRCP leader Gudivada Amarnath on Tuesday alleged that Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu used a global platform for self-promotion and to level baseless charges against the opposition.Amarnath’s remarks came amid Naidu’s participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, where CM addressed members of the Telugu diaspora and global investors.“Naidu misused a global platform for self-promotion and for making baseless allegations against the opposition YSRCP, while the situation in the state tells a different story,” Amarnath claimed while addressing a press conference.The former minister accused Naidu and his team of turning “the overseas tour into an exercise in political marketing”, ignoring the ground realities faced by people in Andhra.He alleged that several sections of society were in distress, claiming that farmers were not receiving the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and students were burdened by pending fee reimbursement dues.Amarnath further alleged that the NDA coalition government had failed to fulfil its election promises to youth, women, farmers and students, and accused it of repeatedly “misleading the public through propaganda.” He also accused the TDP-led NDA government of indulging in “credit chori” over the Bhogapuram airport project, claiming that statutory clearances and preliminary groundwork had been secured during the YSRCP government’s tenure between 2019 and 2024.The Bhogapuram project is a proposed aviation hub near Visakhapatnam, aimed at boosting regional connectivity, handling passenger and cargo traffic, and supporting economic growth in north Andhra.A validation flight was conducted on January 4 to assess runway readiness, navigational systems, and overall operational safety ahead of commercial operations.Amarnath said the TDP “had a history of making false claims” and asserted that people were aware of the facts and would not be misled again.There was no immediate response from the ruling TDP.