Iran has been rocked by widespread anti-government protests that have already entered their second week. What began as demonstrations over economic collapse has quickly escalated into broader calls for political change and the end of the country’s theocratic regime. Protests have spread across multiple cities despite heavy security measures, internet restrictions and mass arrests. As unrest has intensified, one familiar name from Iran’s past has re-emerged in public debate: Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince.In recent statements, Pahlavi has urged protesters to remain on the streets, arguing that sustained public pressure could bring about the collapse of the clerical regime. In a video message circulated on social media, he told Iranians that their presence had “severely weakened Khamenei’s repressive apparatus” and claimed the authorities were facing a shortage of loyal security forces. According to reporting by ANI, he called on members of the military, police and state institutions to defect, warning them not to stand “against the Iranian people for the sake of a regime whose fall has begun and is inevitable”.

Pahlavi insisted that the opposition was prepared for a post-regime transition, saying there was a “100-day plan” to establish a democratic government and prevent chaos. Urging continued demonstrations, he told protesters: “Do not abandon the streets. My heart is with you… We will take back Iran”, ANI reported.

Who is Reza Pahlavi?

Reza Pahlavi is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s last shah, who was overthrown during the 1979 revolution. Born in Tehran in 1960, he was formally named crown prince in 1967 at the time of his father’s coronation.. According to his website, he left Iran in 1978 at the age of 17 to undergo jet fighter training at Reese Air Force Base in Texas, just months before the revolution forced the royal family into exile.After completing his military training, Pahlavi pursued higher education in the United States, earning a degree in political science from the University of Southern California. Following his father’s death in 1980, he declared himself shah in exile during a ceremony in Cairo, later telling The Washington Post in a 1989 interview: “In a way, I’m king-elect.”Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the United States for five decades, announced his plan to return to Iran in a video message and a recent post on X, as demonstrations continued across Tehran and other cities. “I, too, am preparing to return to the homeland so that at the time of our national revolution’s victory, I can be beside you, the great nation of Iran. I believe that day is very near,” he wrote.Pahlavi has lived mainly in the Washington, DC area, campaigning for political change in Iran. He has consistently said he does not seek a return to monarchy, instead portraying himself as an advocate for a secular, democratic system achieved through non-violent civil disobedience and a national referendum. In an interview with USA Today, he said he wanted to be a “catalyst” to help Iranians achieve “full democracy for the first time in their country’s history”.His influence remains contested. While some analysts cited by the New York Post argue that growing nostalgia for the pre-revolutionary era has boosted his standing, others question whether he commands broad support inside Iran after decades in exile.

PM Modi during Yatra in Gujarat

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took part in a ‘Shaurya Yatra’ at Somnath, marking a four-day national commemoration observing 1,000 years of uninterrupted faith and resilience since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple in January 1026 by Mahmud of Ghazni.PM Modi also paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who made significant efforts in the restoration of the Somnath Temple following Independence.

He also paid floral tributes to the countless warriors who laid down their lives defending the temple.Visuals from the event showed the Prime Minister standing in an open, flower-adorned vehicle as the procession moved through the town. He was joined by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel and deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi.During the yatra, the Prime Minister was seen blowing a conch shell and greeting crowds that had gathered along the route. The Shaurya Yatra forms part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, a symbolic observance highlighting courage, sacrifice and the enduring spirit that ensured Somnath’s survival through centuries of destruction and rebuilding.PM Modi also offered prayers at Somnath Temple before interacting with ‘Rishikumar’ and artists in attendance.Ahead of the procession, 108 horses from the Gujarat Police Mounted Unit arrived to take part in the event. Officials said the mounted contingent played a central ceremonial role in the yatra.DIG Rajendrasinh Chudasama said the procession included horses from the police mounted unit, featuring locally bred Kathiawadi and Marwadi breeds. He noted that the animals had undergone months of specialised preparation for the event.“Shaurya Yatra is being organised in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and 108 horses of the Gujarat Mounted Unit will be participating in it. The unit consists of Kathiawadi and Marwadi horses and are locally bred… The horses have been trained for the Shaurya Yatra for eight months,” he told ANI.Several saints, seers and groups of children were present to welcome the Prime Minister. Students from Brahmarshi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya in Gujarat’s Kheda district also participated in large numbers.Sanjay Brahmbhatt of the institution said around 350 students had travelled to Somnath to take part in the procession.“We have come from Nadiad in Kheda district. We are from Brahmarshi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, and Dahyabhai Shastri is with us, along with all his students. Around 350 students have come here, and all of us will take part in the Shaurya Yatra. Our children will play the conch (shankh) and damru, and we will lead the procession ahead of the horses,” he told ANI.

Cold water baths have gone from something a few eccentric athletes did in backyards to a full-blown wellness obsession. Scroll social media for five minutes in winter and you’ll see people lowering themselves into tubs of ice, teeth chattering, faces calm like monks. They’ll tell you it builds mental strength, boosts immunity, burns fat, cures bad moods, and maybe even fixes your life. And if you don’t do it, well, are you even trying? But here’s the thing: most of the loudest voices talking about cold plunges aren’t the ones dealing with the real risks, or the messy science, or the fact that cold isn’t magic just because it’s uncomfortable.

So what’s actually going on here?

Cold exposure isn’t new. Humans have been stepping into cold rivers and winter seas long before hashtags existed. The difference now is how confidently claims are made, and how rarely anyone pauses to ask, “Does this really work for everyone?” Or, “At what point does this stop being helpful and start being stupid?” Because there is a line. Some benefits are real. Cold water can sharpen your senses, spike adrenaline, and leave you feeling oddly clear-headed afterward. What doesn’t get talked about enough is what happens when people chase that feeling too hard, too often, or without understanding their own limits. Or how cold exposure affects hormones, recovery, heart rate, and the nervous system in ways that aren’t always positive.

And then there’s the hype. Claims get exaggerated, studies get oversimplified, and suddenly a short-term stress response is being sold as a cure-all. This piece isn’t here to scare you away from cold plunges or cheerlead them blindly. It’s here to slow things down. To separate what’s backed by real expertise from what’s just internet bravado. “Cold water baths have been trending every winter; they seem to enhance one’s strength, discipline, etc., and benefit overall health, as well. Taking cold baths during the winter has become a form of demonstrating one’s capability of mental and physical conditioning and toughening. However, from a physician’s perspective, a balanced approach towards evaluating the health benefits of cold water baths should be taken. Thus, an understanding of the mythological claims of cold water baths and their actual facts, as well as possible side effects and dangers associated with them, should be addressed,” says Dr Ajay Kumar Gupta, Senior Director & Head – Internal Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali and debunks common myths around this popular practice.

Myth 1: Staying in a cold water bath regularly will help you strengthen your immune system.

People tend to think that taking a cold water bath will automatically help improve their immune systems. While briefly exposing oneself to cool or cold temperatures may elicit some reaction from your body, it will not actually help build stronger immunity over time. In fact, research suggests that obtaining a good night’s sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising consistently and obtaining vaccinations are all far more beneficial to maintaining a healthy immune system than taking regular cold water baths. If you take cold baths regularly in the winter, for example, you may actually decrease your immunity due to increased fatigue, or potentially increase your chances of becoming ill.

Myth 2: The colder the temperature you are exposed to, the better it is for your body.

That statement is false. The sudden shock of exposure to extremely cold water can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to increase rapidly and could lead to serious medical consequences for those with heart disease, diabetes or thyroid disorders. Healthy individuals may also experience dizziness or difficulty breathing if they experience a sudden shock of cold water too rapidly. Therefore, it is recommended that you utilize short periods of cold exposure in a controlled manner rather than bathing in cold water for extended periods of time.

Myth 3: Cold water can burn fat

Cold baths have been promoted as “burning” off large amounts of fat, however, while cold temperatures have the ability to awaken “brown fat” (the type of fat that keeps us warm), the number of calories burned from taking cold baths is relatively small. Using cold water baths alone will not replace the benefits of eating properly and exercising if your goal is weight loss. Most advertisements about cold bath burning fat is more of a ploy to sell products than it really is based on scientific facts. Cold water baths have been used by athletes to reduce muscle soreness after training, therefore exposing your body to cold water for short periods may help to relieve discomfort. Some people experience increased alertness and/or improved concentration after taking a cold shower or bath, which is attributed to the release of the hormones adrenaline and endorphins into the bloodstream. Anyone who uses cold water showers as part of their daily routine may find that they develop a greater sense of mental strength and improve focus if approached with intention. When using cold water, the constriction and subsequent dilation of the blood vessels increases blood flow; however, this reaction is only temporary and does not indicate an overall improvement in cardiovascular health over time.Cold water immersion is likely to exacerbate Moisture Loss and Winter Skin; therefore, eczema or sensitive skin may become more aggravated through excessive use of cold water in the winter months. Cold weather may stiffen the joints and further contribute to increased stiffness from exposure to cold.

Who should avoid cold water bath

“Individuals who suffer from serious medical conditions such as heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, asthma, Raynaud’s Phenomenon, fainting episodes, or severe anxiety should consult with their physician prior to attempting cold water bath therapy. Older adults are also at higher risk of experiencing hypothermia or experiencing an abrupt drop in body temperature following cold water immersion,” warns Dr Ajay.“Those wanting to experiment with cold water bath therapy can do so in a safe manner under the direction of their physician. The safest method is to first take a warm bath, and then following that, take a quick cool shower for 30-60 seconds or less. It is best to do so during the early part of your day, and to stop immediately if you begin experiencing discomfort, chest pain, or dizziness.” he adds.

NEW DELHI: West Bengal leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday hit out at chief minister Mamata Banerjee, strongly rejecting her allegations about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, Adhikari highlighted that Mamata Banerjee’s letter to the EC “appears to be a desperate and politically motivated attempt to derail the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which is a crucial step toward ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections in our state.”

“This process, undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) with utmost diligence, has evidently exposed vulnerabilities in the electoral rolls that threaten the prospects of her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, prompting such unfounded outbursts,” Adhikari added.Adhikari dismissed Mamata’s claims that the Special Intensive Revision is “unplanned, insensitive, and inhuman” as exaggerated and politically motivated.He said allegations of harassment, intimidation, and excessive workload on citizens are unsubstantiated. He also criticized her attribution of 77 deaths, four suicide attempts, and 17 hospitalizations to the exercise, calling the figures fabricated or opportunistically linked to unrelated incidents.“There is no verifiable evidence connecting these tragic events to the electoral revision; instead, it reflects a pattern of scapegoating central institutions to mask local governance lapses. The SIR is a verification process, not a punitive one, and any genuine hardships can be addressed through the appeals mechanism already in place. To sensationalize such matters for political gain undermines the gravity of real human tragedies and disrespects the affected families,” Adhikari said.Adhikari defended the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision, saying its actions reflect impartiality, not overreach, and ensure that no one is above scrutiny.He called it selective and misleading to label certain cases as a “profound shame,” noting the broader goal is to maintain electoral integrity for all.He also claimed that concerns over women changing surnames after marriage and the treatment of migrant workers are overstated.Adhikari further rejected claims of selective targeting or “logical discrepancies” in certain constituencies, emphasizing that the process is data-driven and uniform statewide.“This letter from the Chief Minister is a frantic bid to sabotage the SIR, as it has inflicted irreparable damage to the TMC’s prospects by exposing the rot in the voter rolls; rot that has allegedly been nurtured through years of unchecked additions of bogus voters, including infiltrators from across borders. Halting or diluting this exercise would betray the democratic ideals enshrined in our Constitution and disenfranchise genuine voters who deserve clean elections,” Adhikari said.Mamata Banerjee had earlier criticised the ongoing SIR in the state, alleging that a process intended to be constructive has already resulted in 77 deaths and left several others hospitalized.Mamata alleged that the ECI carried out the procedure without proper planning, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. “This is attributed to fear, intimidation and disproportionate workload due to unplanned exercise undertaken by ECI,” the chief minister wrote in her letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner.

Rishabh Pant (Image credit: X)

NEW DELHI: India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant suffered a major setback on Saturday after picking up a side strain during a training session in Vadodara, ruling him out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting Sunday.Pant was batting for an extended period in the nets when he was struck on the ribs, just above the waist, by a delivery from a throwdown specialist late in his session.

Support staff rush in as Pant grimaces in painThe 28-year-old was immediately attended to by members of India’s support staff, with head coach Gautam Gambhir also present at the BCA Stadium’s Ground B. Pant was seen grimacing in discomfort as treatment was administered on the field.After receiving initial medical attention, Pant walked off the ground but did not resume training.Medical diagnosis confirms series-ending injuryA medical assessment later confirmed the severity of the injury.“He has been diagnosed with a right-sided strain with internal oblique muscle tear, and has thus been ruled out of the forthcoming ODI series against New Zealand,” a reliable source told TOI.With Pant unavailable, the selectors are expected to announce a replacement soon. KL Rahul remains India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in the ODI setup.Gill-Agarkar conversation draws attentionFollowing Pant’s exit from the nets, India captain Shubman Gill was seen engaged in a lengthy discussion with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar at the venue, underlining the sudden nature of the setback ahead of the series opener.Pant’s recent cricketing journeyPant last featured in an ODI against Sri Lanka in July 2024. Although part of India’s Champions Trophy-winning squad in 2025, he did not play a match. He recently led Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring two half-centuries against Services and Railways.The left-hander had made a return to competitive cricket after recovering from a toe fracture sustained during the fourth Test against England in Manchester.Jurel replaces PantDhruv Jurel has been named as Pant’s replacement in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The wicketkeeper-batter has been in fine form for Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy and joined the Indian team on Saturday night.India gear up for series openerThe ODI series against a revamped New Zealand side will begin at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium, which will host its first men’s international match. The second and third ODIs will be played in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18, respectively.

Lohri 2026, on January 13th, celebrates the end of winter with bonfires, songs, and traditional delicacies, honoring harvest and longer days. This vibrant festival in northern India, especially Punjab, signifies gratitude, hard work, and intergenerational togetherness, marking the Sun’s Capricorn entry and ushering in prosperity.

Lohri lights up the winter night like a warm hug from family and tradition, chasing away the chill with bonfires, songs, and shared love and delicacies. This vibrant festival pulses with joy in northern India, especially Punjab, where communities get together to celebrate harvest gathering and the longer days coming ahead.The festival is actually much more than just rituals and traditions that tag along the festivities; in essence, it’s like a deeply emotional remembrance of our roots, relentless hard work, and togetherness that binds generations.

Happy Lohri 2026

As 2026 Lohri is just around the corner, the air fills with dhol beats, laughter, and stories of folklore heroes. Families collectively sit in a circle around flames, offering grains and sesame as thanks to the Sun and Earth, marking winter’s end and spring’s arrival and promises to bring sunshine.The festival celebrates the bonds of the newlyweds and new parents who shine the brightest, showered with blessings for prosperity. From rural fields to city homes, Lohri weaves culture into modern lives, reminding us that gratitude helps in growth. Amid global work hustle, this pause revives spirit through simple feasts of rewri, phirni, and til gud. It’s a timeless call to connect, dance under stars, and embrace abundance with open hearts.

When is Lohri 2026

Lohri 2026 falls on Tuesday, January 13, the eve of Makar Sankranti on January 14 at 03:13 PM, as per Drik Panchang timings in New Delhi. Celebrated across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and beyond, it honours the winter solstice’s end, ushering in longer days and rabi crop harvests like wheat and sugarcane. Families light bonfires around evening, tossing sesame seeds, jaggery, and grains while singing folk tunes. It’s a Sikh and Hindu folk fest symbolic of light over darkness, fertility, and prosperity, especially joyous for new brides and babies.

Significance and legends associated with Lohri

Lohri embodies gratitude to Agni or Fire God and Surya the Sun God for abundance, marking the Sun’s Capricorn entry. Folklore includes Dulla Bhatti, a 16th-century hero who robbed the rich to free village girls, giving rise to Sundar mundriye songs.Spiritually, it signifies positivity triumphing hardship, with bonfires purifying souls. Farmers pray for fertile fields; it’s nature’s renewal bash. In 2026’s Tuesday timing, devotion promises warmth and happiness all year. This harvest festival helps to grow community unity, celebrated according to the ancient Bikrami calendar wisdom.

Happy Lohri 2026

Traditional step-by-step rituals for Lohri

Starting pre-dusk, people clean homes, wear yellow/orange outfits. Gather wood for a bonfire at around 6 PM in Punjab. Circle flames clockwise, offering til (sesame), gud (jaggery), peanuts, popcorn, and reciting prayers.Sing Sundar mundriye for Dulla Bhatti. Newlyweds circle the fire 7 times; elders bless kids. Feast on sarson da saag, makki di roti, rewri, gajak, phirni. Dance bhangra/giddha to dhol. End with blessings from elders. Avoid non-veg or leftover food. These rituals keep traditions alive vibrantly.

50 wishes, messages, and quotes to send on Lohri 2026

Heartfelt wishes for lohri 2026

Happy Lohri! May the bonfire’s warmth fill your life with endless joy and prosperity.Wishing you a Lohri blessed with sweet rewri and sweeter moments with loved ones.Lohri 2026: Let the fire burn away worries, igniting success in your path.Warm Lohri greetings! May this festival bring harvest of happiness to your home.Happy Lohri to the family – may Agni bless us with health and abundance.Celebrate Lohri with bhangra beats and bountiful blessings for 2026!Lohri ki shubhkamnayein! Sesame and jaggery sweeten your year ahead.May Dulla Bhatti’s spirit inspire courage and kindness this Lohri.Happy Lohri! Shorter nights, brighter days, and fulfilling dreams await.Lohri Mubarak! Gather around the fire, make memories that last.Wishing Lohri fills your heart with the glow of love and laughter.Blessed Lohri 2026 – may prosperity circle your life like the bonfire.Happy Lohri! Thankful for harvests, hopeful for what’s next.Lohri cheers: Sweet treats, folk songs, and family hugs galore.May Lohri’s flames kindle passion and peace in your soul.

Messages to share with friends and family on Lohri 2026

To my dear family, Happy Lohri—let’s light up the night together!Lohri 2026: Cherish bonds stronger than the winter chill.Warm wishes for Lohri—may our home echo with joy forever.Happy Lohri family! Sarson saag and saagheart love this season.Lohri blessings for kids, newlyweds—new beginnings shine bright.Gathering for Lohri: Where love warms more than any fire.Happy Lohri to parents—your light guides us always.Lohri Mubarak to siblings—dance, feast, create traditions.Family Lohri 2026: Harvest joy, sow endless memories.Wishing our clan a Lohri full of til gud sweetness.Happy Lohri! United around the bonfire, unbreakable always.Lohri greetings to grandparents—legends of our Lohri lore.May Lohri unite us in gratitude and glee.Family first this Lohri—blessings multiply shared.Happy Lohri 2026: Love’s harvest never ends.

Happy Lohri 2026

Inspirational quotes to share with friends and family on Lohri 2026

Lohri teaches gratitude turns scarcity to abundance.Bonfires burn winter away; hope lights eternal paths.In Lohri’s glow, find victory of light over dark.Harvest joyfully, for earth gives as we thank.Dulla Bhatti lives in acts of bold kindness.Lohri: Where fire purifies, sun renews.Shorter nights herald longer triumphs.Celebrate Lohri—dance like flames, free and fierce.Gratitude around bonfire: True prosperity’s seed.Lohri whispers: Resilience blooms in winter’s end.

Funny and short quotes to share with friends and family on Lohri 2026

Happy Lohri! More rewri, less worry!Lohri: Eat gajak, dance bhangra, repeat.Bonfire calories don’t count—Happy Lohri!Lohri 2026: Til gud fixes everything.Warning: Excessive bhangra may occur!Happy Lohri—winter’s out, party’s in!Lohri hack: Offer jaggery, get blessings free.Makki di roti + saag = Lohri goals.Sundar mundriye—sing it louder!Happy Lohri! Fire warm, heart warmer

Delicious Lohri recipes and modern twists

No Lohri skips sarson da saag (mustard greens curry) with makki di roti (cornbread), slow-cooked saag is a combination of greens, spices, and butter; roti’s rustic charm pairs perfectly. Til gud laddoo (sesame-jaggery balls) symbolise the stickiness of bonds. Gajak (peanut brittle), phirni (rice pudding), payesh (sweet porridge) , and sweet feasts. Pinni (wheat-jaggery sweets) adds to the winter vigour.

What are the Lohri traditional attire and rituals

Following the bonfire, bhangra and giddha dances come alive with energetic steps to the rhythm of dhol drums, celebrating vitality and joy. Women wear salwar kameez or ghagra choli in vibrant red and gold, while men don kurtas or tejas. Children imitate the moves, and elders share stories.

Iran has been hit with a near‑total nationwide internet blackout amid widespread anti‑government protests, with independent monitors reporting connectivity has fallen to a tiny fraction of normal levels as authorities restrict access across the country. NetBlocks, a global internet monitoring group, confirmed the blackout has persisted for over 36–48 hours, sharply curtailing Iranians’ ability to communicate and share information.Cybersecurity expert noted the shutdown appears to be an intentional, centrally imposed disruption — often described as an “internet kill switch” — rather than a technical failure, and is intended to limit coverage of events on the ground and disrupt protest coordination. The move appears to be aimed at limiting and hiding the flow of information about alleged abuses and crimes by security forces as nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocracy continue. Concerns existed that authorities might attempt to interfere with satellite signals to prevent footage of the unrest from reaching the outside world.

According to the Associated Press, at least 116 people have been killed in connection with the nationwide unrest so far.Amnesty International said, “People in Iran daring to express their anger at decades of repression and demand fundamental change are once again being met with a deadly pattern of security forces unlawfully firing at, chasing, arresting and beating protesters.”Alp Toker, CEO of NetBlocks, was quoted by Fox News as saying, “This is Iran’s war against its own population using digital means. This was a piecemeal measure that eventually encompassed the entire country, with the government willing to use this kind of measure for an extended period of time.”He added that “There would be an attempt by the regime to cover up crimes that it may have committed, so this blackout could potentially last for days or weeks.”NetBlocks has described the current blackout as among the most severe ever recorded in Iran. “We are tracking near-total disconnection of internet service across Iran right now, and connectivity is below 2% of ordinary levels,” Toker said. “This is a nationwide disruption that is impacting almost all services, all connectivity and all avenues of life, extending beyond just mobile phones and computers.”The shutdown is affecting essential services, including banks, and severely restricting communication within the country. “There are a few gaps, so it’s possible to communicate with those close to the borders through Wi-Fi or mobile service that crosses borders,” Toker explained. “It’s also occasionally possible to find a part in the service, in a fixed-line service, where they can tunnel through all those, but that is increasingly rare and no longer an option.“Satellite internet, such as Starlink, remains technically feasible but the regime has banned the equipment. “The technology that the Iranian regime uses to trace links is essentially anti-espionage technology,” Toker said.He noted that similar measures were imposed during multi-week blackouts in 2019 and 2022, both coinciding with major protests, including those following the killing of Mahsa Amini. “In past incidents, we did observe that the government attempted to keep a baseline of service available. In this recent case, they pulled the plug, so there’s a far more extreme measure in place here, which suggests that the regime is scared and isn’t taking risks when it comes to the possibility of information reaching the outside world,” he said.Protests fuelled by a deepening economic crisis have swept Iran since they began on December 28, following the collapse of the Iranian rial, as soaring inflation has driven frustrated traders and university students into the streets of major cities, including Tehran. The unrest, challenging Iran’s theocracy, has since intensified. Observers say the demonstrations are the largest since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody sparked nationwide anti-government protests. At least 116 people have been killed in violence linked to the nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocratic leadership. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that more than 2,600 people have also been arrested. With internet access restricted and phone lines cut across Iran, assessing the full scale of the demonstrations has become increasingly difficult.

As the first rays of the 2026 cricketing season dawn, all eyes turn to the cultural capital of Gujarat, Vadodara. The BCA Stadium in Kotambi is set to make history on Sunday, January 11, by hosting its first-ever men’s One Day International. This series opener between India and New Zealand isn’t just a match; it’s a high-stakes encounter where world-class talent meets a brand-new international venue.

With heavyweights like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the fold under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, and a resilient New Zealand side led by Michael Bracewell looking to repeat their giant-killing heroics, the atmosphere in Baroda is nothing short of electric.

Vadodara Weather Forecast

On Sunday, the city is expected to experience typical winter conditions for Gujarat – bright, sunny, and dry. The maximum temperature will hover around 28°C to 29°C during the afternoon, providing a comfortable environment for the players and the thousands of fans expected to pack the Kotambi stands.

As the sun sets over the BCA Stadium, the mercury is projected to dip significantly, reaching a minimum of 15°C to 16°C. While there is absolutely zero probability of rain, the humidity levels are expected to rise from 40% in the afternoon to nearly 65% late in the evening. For the players, this means a pleasant day in the field, but for the strategists, the dropping temperatures signal the arrival of a familiar foe: the evening moisture.

Dew Factor

In day-night ODIs across the Indian subcontinent, dew often plays a more decisive role than the opposition’s bowling attack. At the Kotambi International Stadium, which is situated on the outskirts of the city amidst open fields, the impact of dew is expected to be substantial. As the temperature drops after 6:30 PM, a thick layer of moisture will likely settle on the outfield, making the ball greasy and difficult to grip for the spinners and the seamers alike.

For the Indian spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, the second innings could become a battle of control. A wet ball rarely turns as effectively and often skids onto the bat, significantly neutralizing any assistance the pitch might offer. Consequently, the team bowling second will need to be equipped with plenty of saw-dust and towels to manage the “invisible twelfth man” that often turns a competitive total into an easy chase.

Also READ: Former opener explains how Yashasvi Jaiswal can become a three-format player for Team India

Toss Prediction

Given the significant dew forecast, the toss prediction for the 1st ODI heavily favors the side winning the coin flip to bowl first. Captain Gill and his counterpart Michael Bracewell are well aware that defending a total becomes a nightmare once the ball becomes like a bar of soap.

Statistically, at newer venues like the BCA Stadium—where the pitch is fresh and the bounce is true—chasing provides a tactical advantage. By bowling first, a team can exploit any early morning moisture or zip available for pacers. More importantly, it ensures their own batters have the best of the conditions under the lights, where the ball will likely come onto the bat much better due to the skidding effect of the dew.

Par Score at the BCA stadium

On this surface, a score of 280-290 is no longer considered safe. To truly challenge a chasing team under the lights, the side batting first should aim for a minimum target of 315-325. India’s pace attack should prioritize early wickets with the new ball while it swings, whereas New Zealand must use cutters and variations to stifle the middle-order scoring rate. For the chasing side, the strategy is to keep wickets in hand to capitalize on the skidding ball and wet outfield during the final 15 overs of the match.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra names Indian cricket’s top 5 defining moments of 2025