BENGALURU: Any space agency will tell you that every rocket launch comes with anxious moments, no matter what the record is. Yet, India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) failing twice in consecutive attempts won’t be easy for Isro to digest given its workhorse’s record. PSLV has had 64 missions, of which four, including Monday’s PSLV-C62, failed to put the spacecraft in orbit, and one in 1997 placed the payload on a lower orbit than the intended one. When a launcher is seen as proven, scrutiny can soften. But back-to-back failures need to be treated as a structural warning – not bad luck – as they suggest deeper issues, whether with quality control, supply chains, testing protocols, or configuration management. When PSLV-C61 failed last year, it brought down the rocket’s success rate from 95.2% to 93.7%. Now, it has slipped further. Isro told TOI on Monday that the failures have affected the collective morale of the team. “It would have been different if any other launcher failed, but a PSLV failure worries us,” said a scientist. An analysis of setbacks shows that PSLV-C62’s failure could have been caused by unresolved issues from the failed PSLV-C61 on May 18, 2025. In both cases, PS3, or the third stage – a solid motor that provides a high-energy boost after the second stage burnout – suffered a glitch. While Isro has not made the previous failure analysis committee (FAC) report public, TOI has learnt there was a fall in chamber pressure of the motor case. The PSLV-C62 will now be analysed by another FAC. Isro said there was disturbance in the “roll rate” during the final stages of PS3 burning on Monday, and that caused a deviation. Failures before 2025 all point to different glitches. The first setback was on Sept 20, 1993 when PSLV-D1, the rocket’s first mission, failed due to a guidance system error during the separation of PS2 (a liquid stage). Isro launched again on Oct 15, 1994, and thereon PSLV showed no glitch until Sept 29, 1997, when PSLV-C1 mission became a “partial success”. Here, the pressure regulator on PS4 (which uses twin liquid engines) failed, resulting in the satellite being placed in a lower-than-intended orbit. The 1997 glitch has not repeated. The next failure came 20 years later, in Aug 2017, when the PSLV-C39 mission failed. In this case, the problem was with the heat shield, which has since been rectified. After the PSLV-C39 mission, the launch vehicle had 21 successful flights before the failure last year, followed by Monday’s.

Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Ajinkya Rahane has offered a rare, close-up look at what truly sets Virat Kohli apart, drawing from years of sharing the dressing room with him and playing under his leadership. According to Rahane, Kohli’s greatness goes far beyond visible passion or the hunger for runs. The real difference, Rahane said, lies in attitude, one that is often misunderstood from the outside. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Rahane explained, “However much we talk about Virat Kohli is never enough. But I have seen him very closely, how he goes about his batting. We talk about his passion and his intent each and every time. But I feel for me what stands out is his attitude. Attitude of learning, attitude of never giving up. People outside think Virat is arrogant, but he is not. He gets into the zone.” Rahane revealed that Kohli’s behaviour before matches has frequently been misread. In the days leading up to a game, Kohli tends to withdraw into his own space, limiting conversations even with teammates. Rahane stressed that this silence has nothing to do with ego. It is simply how Kohli prepares.

“I saw him two days before the game. He’ll hardly talk with people, even with the teammates. That’s what actually gets him into the zone,” Rahane said. “He’ll always wear his AirPods or try and listen to whatever he wants to and what he likes to get into the zone.” Rahane admitted that this approach initially puzzled many players. “Initially it took all the players a little bit of time. Why is he doing that? But then I got to know that he’s actually getting into the zone while not talking to the players or while not talking to anyone,” Rahane added. Beyond preparation, Rahane highlighted Kohli’s relentless work ethic and constant desire to improve, even after achieving everything in the game. “His attitude is amazing. His work ethics are amazing,” Rahane said. “Every time you see him, you see something different. He always wants to change. He always wants to improve and always wants to contribute for the team.” These reflections come at a time when Kohli continues to rewrite record books. During the first ODI against New Zealand, a match-winning 93 took Kohli past Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer across all international formats. Kohli now has 28,068 runs since debuting for India in 2008, with only Sachin Tendulkar ahead on the all-time list.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, stepping up pressure on Tehran over its violent crackdown on nationwide protests.Trump said the tariffs would take effect immediately. In a social media post, he wrote, “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America.” “This Order is final and conclusive,” he added.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier said, “One thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table,” adding, “airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president.”The US president has repeatedly warned Iran over its treatment of protesters and has threatened military action if the violence continues. On Monday, Trump said Washington was closely monitoring the situation and considering possible military retaliation. When asked how the United States would respond if Iran were to strike American military bases, he said, “we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iran appeared to be nearing a red line he had set, adding, “they’re starting to, it looks like.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of attempting to destabilise Iran by fomenting unrest. While pledging that the government would hear public grievances, he warned against violent protesters and urged Iranians to stay away from “rioters and terrorists.”The decision comes as unrest continues across Iran, where activists say security forces have used deadly force against antigovernment demonstrators. At least 648 people have been killed since the protests began, with the toll expected to rise. More than 10,600 people have been detained over the past two weeks, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

The Indian superstar Virat Kohli continued his red-hot run in ODI cricket in Vadodara on Sunday (January 11). Chasing a tough target of 301 against New Zealand in the first ODI, Virat Kohli played a classy and controlled knock of 93, guiding India to a hard-fought four-wicket win in Vadodara.

Virat Kohli’s classy knock seals tough chase against New Zealand in 1st ODI

With this win, the Men in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home. India looked completely in charge for most of the chase, but Kohli’s dismissal sparked a mini collapse. Still, the hosts held their nerve and crossed the line with one over to spare.

Even at 37, Kohli continues to dominate the 50-over format with ease. After retiring from T20Is and Tests, the former Indian captain has made ODIs his main stage and remains one of India’s biggest match-winners. However, he fell just seven runs short of his 54th ODI hundred.

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Read Also: Rohit Sharma loses cool, gives Kuldeep Yadav a brutal scolding mid-match in Vadodara ODI

Before this knock, the dashing right-handed batter smashed three centuries—two against South Africa and one in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also hit fifties against the Australia and Proteas sides, as well as one in the 50-over tournament for Delhi. Now on Sunday, he missed his ton by just 7 runs.

Virat Kohli can keep playing for India for the next 5-6 years: Mohammad Kaif

Reacting to Kohli’s blistering form, the former India batter Mohammad Kaif has made a bold prediction for the batting maestro. Impressed by his hunger, fitness, and calm mindset, Kaif feels Kohli has enough fuel in the tank to keep playing for India for another five to six years.

Kohli is aiming to play in the 2027 World Cup, but Kaif is confident that age will not slow him down and that he will play beyond the mega event. He has pointed out that Kohli now bats with a relaxed freedom, mixing aggression with patience, reading bowlers early, and enjoying his time in the middle.

Mohammad Kaif posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday (January 12): “Virat Kohli plays ODIs like he is playing in the Delhi local league. Looks relaxed, jokes with mates, and always has a smile on his face. Takes a hard look at bowlers, plays aggressively but shows patience. If he continues like this and remains motivated, he can keep playing for India for the next 5-6 years.”

Virat Kohli plays ODIs like he is playing Delhi local league. Looks relaxed, jokes with mates, always has a smile on his face. Takes a hard look at bowlers, plays aggressively but shows patience. If he continues like this, remains motivated, he can keep playing for India for the…

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 12, 2026

If Kohli features in the 2027 World Cup, he will be close to 40, an age rarely seen in international cricket at the highest level. Yet, his current form suggests the former Indian captain could break new ground and achieve something no cricketer has done before.

Read Also: Virat Kohli retirement shadow grows: Shubman Gill warns India of a dark future

He’s on a different level: Kyle Jamieson

Even the New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson was in awe of Kohli. Jamieson admitted that Kohli plays at a level where even smart plans stop working, and bowlers are left just trying to hang on.

Jamieson said in Vadodara, “It’s hard to say whether this is the best version of him or not—he’s been pretty good for a long time. Every time you come up against him, you’ve got to be at your absolute best just to compete. He’s on a different level.”

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Monday asked Election Commission to respond within a week to TMC MP Dola Sen’s plea accusing the poll panel of arbitrarily deleting more than 58 lakh names from West Bengal’s draft voters’ list by refusing to accept valid and permissible documents from people during the SIR exercise. Appearing for Sen, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, “What is this happening? EC is sending instructions to various election officers through WhatsApp messages or through video conferencing. This is impermissible as all such instructions must be in writing to ensure transparency in the process of preparation of voters’ list.” A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked EC counsel Eklavya Dwivedi to respond to Sen’s petition by Saturday, and posted the matter for Jan 19. Sen has sought extension of Jan 15 deadline for submission of claims and objections to draft voters’ list. Calling EC ‘WhatsApp commission” for issuing instructions to election officers through the messaging platform and not through written orders, the MP said EC must be directed to accept permanent residence certificates, panchayat residence certificates and family registers as valid documents for inclusion in voters’ list. The draft electoral roll for Bengal was published on Dec 16, and 58,20,898 names were deleted, which the Rajya Sabha MP alleged was without any notice or personal hearing. She said there has been a precipitous decline from 7,66,37,529 voters after the Special Summary Revision of 2025 to 7,08,16,616 voters on the draft electoral roll. She said contrary to the SOP for SIR, in several assembly constituencies, deletion decisions with respect to voters categorised as absentee, shifted, dead and duplicate (ASDD) are being processed centrally and marked en masse as ‘Disposed – Form 7’ on the Electoral Registration Officer Net Portal. “Alarmingly, this appears to be occurring without physical verification, individual hearing or meaningful involvement of the EROs concerned,” she alleged. Sen said, “A majority of affected electors are women voters, whose surnames have changed post-marriage, leading to misclassification by algorithm used by EC; over 90% of the cases are mismatch in names attributable largely to failure of algorithm; minorities are largely affected by misclassification of algorithm.” As the final roll, scheduled to be published on Feb 14 (after closure of notice and hearing phase on Feb 7), Sen apprehended that the Bengal assembly elections will be immediately declared thereafter, and requested SC to direct EC to correct its voters’ list revision process and attempt to include all eligible voters.

NEW DELHI: Enforcement Directorate Monday filed a writ petition in SC seeking a CBI probe into 17 offences under BNS allegedly committed by Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, state DGP and Kolkata police commissioner on Jan 8 by obstructing ED raid on I-PAC’s Pratik Jain, tampering and stealing evidence and intimidating its officials. It requested SC to “direct immediate seizure, sealing, forensic preservation, and restoration to lawful custody of the ED all digital devices, electronic records, storage media, and documents illegally and forcibly taken away from the search premises.” ED has accused the CM and top police brass of committing 17 offences under BNS, including robbery, dacoity, theft, assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty, causing disappearance and destruction of evidence and criminal intimidation. Terming the incident shocking, unprecedented and extraordinary, ED said, “Protectors of law – the CM, DGP and Kolkata police commissioner are party to serious cognisable offences requiring registration of an FIR.” It said the raid on Jain’s residential premises was conducted as part of investigations into a multi-state money laundering case involving nearly Rs 3,000 crore derived from illegal coal mining. It alleged that Jain had received Rs 20 crore of the illicit money. “To the shock and surprise of ED officers and everyone concerned, the CM along with chief secretary, DGP, Kolkata police commissioner and deputy police commissioner along with cops and officials barged into premises under the search. They not only started intimidating ED officers but also snatched the files and electronic evidence containing incriminating material from the officers.” “Officers of the petitioners were threatened and were not permitted to conduct any further search on the premises. The searches were conducted at two places – one at residence of Pratik Jain and second office premise of one company called Indian Pac Consulting Pvt Ltd,” it said. It will be futile to approach local police to register an FIR for these illegal actions by the state’s constitutional and police authorities as it involves the CM who also holds the home portfolio under whom the police function, ED said. It said Calcutta HC could not conduct hearing in its writ petition seeking registration of FIR and CBI probe into the illegal acts of the CM and others as her supporters created a ruckus and forced the judge to adjourn hearing. It sought a direction from SC to West Bengal Police not to lodge any FIR against ED officials without court’s prior permission. “The fact that the supporters of CM are involved in creating ruckus is evidenced from the WhatsApp message in the WhatsApp group by party members to come and gather in huge numbers in the court. As a result of the tactics by the CM and her followers, remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution (in HC) has become illusory in the facts of the present case,” ED said. ED said that the state police has maliciously registered several FIRs against its officers for conducting the raid and sought protection from the court to carry out unhindered its investigations into the PMLA case relating to illegal coal mining and I-PAC.

India’s KL Rahul (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra praised KL Rahul’s composure, adaptability and finishing skills after the wicketkeeper-batter played a decisive unbeaten knock to steer India to a four-wicket win in a tense chase against New Zealand in the first ODI at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, on Sunday. Chasing 301, India appeared to be cruising before the innings hit a nervous phase. The hosts slipped to 242 for 5, bringing Harshit Rana to the crease alongside Rahul, with the pressure firmly back on India. What followed, however, underlined Rahul’s maturity and game awareness.

Rahul chose caution over aggression during his stand with Rana, putting together a vital 37-run partnership. Rather than forcing shots, Rahul focused on strike rotation and protecting his partner, allowing Rana to take the risks while ensuring New Zealand were not gifted a breakthrough that could have exposed the tail. After Rana’s dismissal, Rahul shifted gears subtly. He added another crucial 27 runs with Washington Sundar, this time taking greater responsibility for scoring while still keeping the chase under control. Despite being known for his attacking strokeplay, Rahul resisted the temptation to go big until the moment was right. With India needing 12 runs from the final two overs, Rahul finally unleashed. He found the boundary early in the 49th over, then sealed the contest by striking two boundaries followed by a six in the closing stages, finishing the chase with authority. Speaking on JioStar, Aakash Chopra highlighted how Rahul adapted his approach to the situation. “KL Rahul’s batting approach in this first ODI against New Zealand was interesting. We know him as an aggressive player. But here, with Harshit Rana and an injured Washington Sundar batting with him, he was different,” Chopra said. “Many times you think he will accelerate and finish the match quickly with a big shot, but he took his time. The first ball he hit in the 49th over wasn’t a boundary ball, but he found the boundary. He has the ability of finding the boundaries easily and he hits his shots when he wants,” he added. Chopra also underlined Rahul’s versatility and temperament, comparing his calmness in the closing overs to that of MS Dhoni. “He was taking singles off balls he usually hits, but he waited for the right chances. In a different way, his versatility is his biggest quality. Ask him to open, keep the wickets, or be the stand-in captain, he will do it. He just hasn’t bowled yet, that is pending,” Chopra said. “In these death overs, controlling the chase so well, controlling the nerves almost like Dhoni, hats off to KL Rahul. He is excelling at the toughest role in modern cricket – the finisher,” he concluded.