Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) said that the country’s refineries are capable of processing Venezuelan crude if supplies resume. “If at all things start settling down, if at all a lot of crude starts coming out of Venezuela, then can’t we import oil from Venezuela?” he said.The executive further added that the company, used to process Venezuelean crude a decade back and can do so again. “Venezuelan crude earlier when it was available, like 10 years back or eight years back when it used to be there in the market,” Sahney said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Speaking about the capabilities of the refineries, the chairman highlighted that they are strong and can process the supplies. “So our refineries are varied, our refineries are robust. They can process in an admixed manner, but we can process Venezuelan crude if and when it is made available.”The remarks follow the US’s capture of outsted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation and an agreement to send 50 million barrels of oil, worth $5.2 billion, to the interim Venezuelan government.Sahney also highlighted India’s favourable economic and energy landscape. “India is growing at a phenomenal rate, and everybody is interested in talking about doing business with India,” he said.Commenting on global crude prices, he noted, “Crude has been trading in the range of $60-65 per barrel over the past several months. For the better part of the last six months, they were at $60 or below. This is a good zone where economic growth is also happening and sellers of crude are comfortable.”Pointing out India’s reliance on imports, he said, “India remains heavily dependent on imports to meet its energy needs, with IOCL importing about 85-87% of its crude oil requirements. The current price band is supportive for economic stability.”Sahney explained that refining margins depend on more than crude prices. “Refining margin is a very broad term. It is finally affected by the cracks in the international market. Today, cracks are working fine. They have returned to normalcy but are still in a healthy zone,” he said.He added that government policy has also supported the sector. “There is no problem on the policy side. Whatever support is required has already been given. It is up to us to improve profitability by increasing efficiency, reducing costs and optimising the supply chain,” Sahney said.Moving forward, Indian Oil plans to continue investing across the energy value chain, including downstream petrochemicals and cleaner energy solutions.The WEF’s 56th Annual Meeting runs from January 19 to 23, 2026, in Davos-Klosters, with around 3,000 participants from over 130 countries, including world leaders, CEOs, innovators and policymakers, under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.”

India captain Suryakumar Yadav has put an end to speculation surrounding India’s No. 3 batting position ahead of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Nagpur, Suryakumar confirmed that Ishan Kishan will bat at number three in the opening encounter, which takes place on Wednesday.

The announcement comes amid debates over whether Shreyas Iyer, returning to the squad after a 25-month absence, would slot back into the role. However, the Indian captain made it clear that the team management has a defined plan in place.

Suryakumar Yadav explains Team India’s no. 3 strategy

Addressing the media, Suryakumar Yadav said that Ishan is firmly part of India’s long-term planning for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and deserves a consistent run in the middle order.

“The team management believes that Ishan is the strongest option for number three, and he should get opportunities,” Suryakumar said. He also highlighted Kishan’s recent consistency in domestic cricket as a key factor behind the decision.

With the T20 World Cup less than a month away, India appear keen to back players who fit their aggressive batting philosophy and can adapt to different match situations.

While Shreyas Iyer’s return to the T20I setup generated excitement, the decision suggests that the management is not rushing him back into the playing XI. Iyer, who has not featured in a T20I for over two years, will need to wait for his opportunity as India prioritize stability ahead of a packed international calendar.

The move reflects India’s emphasis on role clarity rather than reputation, especially in the shortest format where momentum and adaptability are crucial.

Ishan Kishan’s T20I record at No. 3

Ishan has batted at number three in four T20 Internationals so far, scoring 114 runs, including two half-centuries. While his average of 28.50 in that position seems ordinary, the team believes his attacking style and ability to counter spin make him a strong option in the middle overs.

Overall, Kishan has played 32 T20Is since making his debut against England in March 2023, accumulating 796 runs at an average of 25.67 with six half-centuries. His last appearance in the format came against Australia in November 2023.

One of the biggest reasons behind Ishan’s selection at No. 3 is his outstanding recent form in domestic cricket. Representing Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, Kishan emerged as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

He amassed 517 runs in just 10 matches at an exceptional average of 57.44 and a blistering strike rate of 197.32. His tally included two centuries and two half-centuries, playing a pivotal role in guiding Jharkhand to the title.

Also READ: IND vs NZ 2026, T20I series – India’s best playing XI for the first 3 games vs New Zealand

India look ahead to crucial T20I series against New Zealand

As India prepare to face New Zealand in Nagpur, the clarity around the No. 3 position offers stability to the batting order. With Ishan backed by the captain and selectors, the series presents an opportunity for the left-hander to cement his place ahead of the T20 World Cup.

For Shreyas, patience may be required, while for Ishan, the spotlight is firmly on delivering at the international level once again.

Also READ: Adam Zampa picks his best all-time T20 XI; no place for MS Dhoni

Wall street took a sharp hit on Tuesday, plunging to their steepest single-day losses in three months, as investors reacted to US President Donald Trump’s fresh tariff threats targeting Europe. The move sparked a widespread risk-off selloff across asset classes, triggering concerns about another round of market volatility. All three major US indices posted their worst daily performance since October 10, last year. While the S&P 500 dropped 143.15 points, or 2.06%, to close at 6,796.86, Nasdaq Composite tumbled 561.07 points, or 2.39%, to 22,954.32. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 870.74 points, or 1.76%, settling at 48,488.59. Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq ended the session below their 50-day moving averages, Reuters reported. The impact was not limited to just equities. In other asset classes, gold climbed to fresh record highs as investors rushed towards safer assets, while US Treasuries came under renewed selling pressure, pushing borrowing costs higher. Bitcoin, which usually benefits during periods of market stress, declined more than 3%. Tuesday marked the first chance for US investors to react to Trump’s weekend remarks, as markets were closed on Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr Day. Trump said that additional 10% import tariffs would be imposed from February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain, all countries already facing US tariffs. He further added that the levies would rise to 25% from June 1 and remain in place until the US reached a deal to purchase Greenland. Meanwhile, leaders in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, and Denmark have maintained that the island is not for sale. The return of tariff-related uncertainty was similar to market disruptions seen earlier in April, during what was referred to as “Liberation Day”, when Trump’s trade measures against global partners pushed the S&P 500 close to bear market territory.The CBOE Volatility Index, a measure that indicates market fear, jumped to 20.09 points, its highest closing level since November 24. Trading activity also accelerated, with almost 20.6 billion shares changing hands on US exchanges, well above the 20-day average of 17.01 billion.In India, the NSE and BSE benchmarks also ended the day in red, falling over 1% each, erroding investors of almost Rs 9.86 lakh crore. While Nifty50 slid 1.38% to close at 25,232.5, Sensex fell 1,065.71 points, or 1.28%, to settle at 82,180.47.Elsewhere, on Wednesday, Asian stocks also showed losses for a third session, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Short-term jitters or a longer mood swing?

While investor sentiment was clearly strained, questions remain over whether the sharp reaction is a short-lived response or signals deeper market implications. Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group, said he was not seeing evidence of investors exiting the market. “I’m not at the point yet where I’m willing to say what is happening with Greenland, and the resurgence of the tariff threat back and forth, is going to precipitate a correction in the equities markets,” he told Reuters. The expert further added that he would be surprised if markets fell by 3% to 5% this week. Cox pointed instead to developments in bond markets as a potentially more significant risk. Japanese government bonds fell sharply on Tuesday, sending yields to record highs, while Tokyo stocks and the yen weakened after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called for a snap election, raising concerns over Japan’s fiscal health. The moves contributed to higher yields on longer-dated European government bonds, while selling pressure in US Treasuries was more pronounced at the long end of the curve. Despite the renewed tariff threats and volatility across bond markets, the US economy continues to show strength. Investors are set to receive a series of economic indicators this week, including an update to third-quarter GDP, January PMI data and the Personal Consumption Expenditures report, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure. The earnings season is also gathering momentum, with several major companies due to report results. Netflix was among those in focus, ending the session 0.8% lower ahead of its quarterly earnings announcement after market close.

India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav during a practice session. (ANI Photo)

NAGPUR: Over the last two years, India in T20Is have been an irresistible force. Powered by a batting unit packed with big-hitters and attacking stroke-makers, a balanced bowling attack with full of variety, the reigning World T20 champions have won 72% of the matches in this period.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!With their playing XI sorted for the T20 World Cup, a bilateral series barely three weeks ahead of the marquee event should ideally have been all about last-minute fine-tuning for India.

The Kiwis, though, with their recent exploits, have forced India to approach the five-match series, beginning in Nagpur from Wednesday, as more than just a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup. Just 447 kms away, on Sunday, New Zealand won their first ODI series in India in Indore. A couple of years ago, the Kiwis broke India’s 12-year invincible home record in Tests with a 3-0 clean sweep.Up against their nemesis of sorts, India are led by a man desperately trying to rediscover his form. With Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, India perfected the art of winning T20Is. The captain, though, has been plagued by diminishing returns when it comes to consistency. In the last 22 T20Is, Suryakumar has averaged just 12.84 without a fifty to his name.It’s to his credit that his poor form has not affected his decision making and captaincy. But can that continue when more pressing engagements lie ahead in a high pressure environment like a home World Cup? It’s a situation Indian fans dread. The Indian camp would be hoping that the marauding Suryakumar of the past turns up at the Jamtha Stadium on Wednesday and for the rest of the series.

Apart from the skipper’s form, India do not have too many other issues in the batting department.They would have loved to have the reassuring sight of Tilak Varma walk in at no.3 though. Sadly, the left-hander is recuperating after abdominal surgery. With Shubman Gill out of the T20I scheme of things, Sanju Samson is assured of his preferred opening slot along with Abhishek Sharma. Samson has a terrific record as a T20I opener — three centuries in 18 innings, a strike rate of 178, and a 32-plus average.On the eve of the match, Suryakumar announced that Ishan Kishan will be India’s No 3 batter on Wednesday. While the skipper and Hardik Pandya complete the batting line-up, the remaining lone slot is expected to be a toss-up between Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Shreyas Iyer. In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah will be making a comeback along with Varun Chakravarthy.Having won their first Test and ODI series in India recently, New Zealand will be looking for an encore in the T20 format too. With the likes of skipper Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Jacob Duffy in their ranks, New Zealand have the firepower to spring a surprise.Kiwi coach Rob Walter said that Michael Bracewell’s participation in the series depends on his recovery from an injury. Pacer Kristian Clarke was added as a backup for the first three T20Is.While chasing is the ‘in thing’ in T20s, the past few games at Jamtha Stadium indicate it is not a wise decision. Of the last four matches in Nagpur, teams that have opted to chase have lost thrice. The only exception was the eight-over shootout, which India won by six wickets against Australia in 2022.

NEW DELHI: Singapore ranked first and India 16th in the Responsible Nations’ Index (RNI) launched by former president Ram Nath Kovind here on Monday.Switzerland was second, Denmark third and the Central African Republic stood last on the 154-nation index.

India’s neighbour Pakistan was in the 90th place. China was ranked 68th and the US 66th, according to the RNI.Kovind launched the RNI, a first-of-its-kind global index that evaluates countries based on how responsibly they exercise power towards their citizens, global community and the planet.The RNI is a global evaluative framework developed by the think tank World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) in academic collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and methodological validation by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai.Kovind underlined the importance of ethical governance, inclusive development, and moral responsibility in shaping sustainable national and global futures.“The index is not a scoreboard which increases competition, but a mirror of morality and responsibility which reflects if countries are doing justice to their citizens,” he said.The index is anchored in three core dimensions — internal responsibility, environmental responsibility and external responsibility.The RNI has been operationalised through seven dimensions, 15 aspects and 58 indicators.Sudhanshu Mittal, Founder and Secretary, WIF, said the RNI represents a shift from power-centric assessments to responsibility-centric evaluation of nations.“The Responsible Nations Index asks a fundamental question – how responsibly does a nation exercise its power? Prosperity without responsibility is unsustainable. The RNI seeks to encourage ethical governance, humane development and global stewardship,” he said.

Selecting the best all-time XI in T20 cricket is one of the toughest exercises for any player or expert. The format has evolved rapidly over the last two decades, with different eras producing different types of match-winners. Some players dominated powerplays, others thrived in finishing roles, while bowlers adapted with variations, mystery spin, and pinpoint death bowling. Add to that the global spread of leagues like the IPL, Big Bash League, and other franchise tournaments, and the challenge becomes even more complex. Every list inevitably sparks debate, especially when legendary names are left out.

Against this backdrop, Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa recently revealed his best all-time T20 XI — but with a clear caveat. Zampa picked the side only from players he has shared the field with during his career. The team, unveiled on the Willow Talk Cricket podcast ahead of the IPL 2026 season, is stacked with superstars, yet one omission has surprised fans across the cricketing world.

Adam Zampa reveals his best all-time T20 XI

Zampa’s chosen XI reflects his experiences in international cricket and global T20 leagues. The team includes explosive batters, versatile all-rounders, and a well-balanced bowling attack capable of handling high-pressure situations.

The combination highlights Zampa’s preference for power, adaptability, and proven match-winners — players who can change games within a few overs.

Dynamic openers

At the top of the order, Zampa went with two contrasting but equally iconic openers. Chris Gayle, the original T20 destroyer, brings unmatched power and intimidation. Gayle’s ability to dominate bowlers from ball one has defined T20 batting, making him an automatic choice in any all-time XI.

Partnering him is Virat Kohli, whose consistency and adaptability set him apart. While Gayle provides brute force, Kohli offers stability, strike rotation, and the ability to accelerate at will. Together, they form a balanced opening pair capable of setting or chasing any target.

Solid middle order

The middle order blends flair, innovation, and reliability. Kevin Pietersen slots in as an aggressive yet technically sound batter who thrived against both pace and spin in the shortest format. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis adds flexibility, athleticism, and fearless stroke play, qualities highly valued in modern T20 cricket.

Completing the trio is AB de Villiers, widely regarded as one of the greatest T20 batters ever. His ability to innovate, adapt to any situation, and finish games makes him the lynchpin of Zampa’s middle order.

Star all-rounders

Zampa’s XI is powered by elite all-rounders who offer impact in multiple facets. Glenn Maxwell provides explosive batting, off-spin options, and exceptional fielding.

Alongside him is Andre Russell, one of the most feared finishers in T20 history. Russell’s power-hitting and death bowling make him a match-winner on his own. Mystery spinner Sunil Narine completes the all-round trio, offering economical bowling in the powerplay and useful lower-order hitting.

Sizzling bowling attack

The bowling unit is a mix of pace, control, and variation. Nathan Ellis brings deadly slower balls and yorkers at the death. Samuel Badree adds accuracy and control with the new ball, while Josh Hazlewood provides bounce, discipline, and big-match temperament.

Also READ: Venkatesh Iyer reveals his all-time T20 playing XI ahead of IPL 2026; no place for Virat Kohli

No place for MS Dhoni raises eyebrows

The most talked-about aspect of Zampa’s XI is the absence of MS Dhoni. Given Dhoni’s legendary T20 résumé — multiple IPL titles, countless match-winning finishes, and his calm leadership — the omission is surprising. Dhoni boasts a track record few can match. His influence in high-pressure chases and his tactical acumen behind the stumps have long made him a staple in discussions around the greatest T20 players of all time.

Zampa’s selection criteria were clear: he only picked players he has personally played with. However, the Australian leg-spinner has indeed played against the former India captain. Zampa made his international debut for Australia in early 2016, a period when Dhoni was still an active cricketer and India’s limited-overs captain.

Adam Zampa’s best all-time T20 XI (from players he has played with):

Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Kevin Pietersen, Josh Inglis, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nathan Ellis, Samuel Badree, Josh Hazlewood.

Also READ: Amit Mishra opens up on rumours claiming MS Dhoni hindered his career