NEW DELHI: Vrinda was only 16 when her father was shot dead. To keep the family afloat, her mother, Rachna Yadav, opened a small shop selling salwar suits. Now, Vrinda and her elder sister have lost her to bullets too.Rachna (52) was the president of her block’s residents welfare association and also worked with a party. The family said she was also planning to revive a YouTube-based news portal that was shut after her husband’s death. “My mother promised that once I finished my degree, we would turn our shop into an office for the news portal and I would become its anchor,” said Vrinda, a journalism student at IP University. Recalling their last conversation, Rachna’s elder daughter, 32-year-old Kanika, said, “Just the night before she was killed, she said she wanted to see my daughter. I was planning to come this week,” she said. Having lost both parents to violence, the sisters said they feared for their own safety.

Siblings Fear For Safety, Rachna Yadav Was RWA President

Since 2023, Rachna had run the garment shop from a small space near her house, which also doubled as her RWA office. A whiteboard outside listed her open-door policy for residents and her fixed hours – 11am to 2pm and again from 5pm to 6.30pm – during which she addressed local grievances. In between, she continued selling clothes to support her family.On Saturday, the park outside her house was filled with mourners. Many women from the neighbourhood sat quietly on benches, offering condolences. A resident said Rachna had encouraged women to raise local issues and stand up for themselves. “A few years ago, when there was a fire in the nearby shanties, she played a key role in helping residents,” she said.On May 22, 2023, Rachna’s husband, property dealer Bijender Yadav, was shot in Bhalswa village of Jahangirpuri. Bijender, a declared criminal with nine cases, including murder, was killed following a long-standing rivalry that was brewing for nearly 18 months. The crime branch had arrested Sanju Yadav and his associate Sandeep Panwar. The conflict was triggered by a parking dispute between Sanju and Bijender’s brother, Rahul Yadav, which escalated after Rahul posted offensive comments and threats on Facebook. Fearing that Bijender was plotting to kill them, Sanju and Sandeep conspired to strike first. The rivalry, police said, was further escalated during the 2022 MCD election when Sanju’s brother became a councillor while Bijender’s brother lost it and allegedly tried to threaten Sanju’s group.The family claimed Bijender was acquitted in many of the criminal cases.

Problems inside the England camp during the recent Ashes 2025-26 in Australia have now been finally exposed by the English media. England head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes were not always on the same page, even though they looked united in public.

Despite their Ashes loss to Australia by a 4-1 margin, both McCullum and Stokes kept supporting the Bazball style openly, but the things behind closed doors were very different.

Explosive report reveals Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes rift during Ashes 2025-26

A bombshell new report by The Telegraph has lifted the lid on the serious behind-the-scenes tensions between Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes during their disastrous 2025-26 Ashes campaign in Australia.

Your daily dose of cricket!

Read Also: Nasser Hussain breaks silence on clash with Brendon McCullum, issues ‘sacking’ warning after Ashes loss

It is being said that there was a significant tactical and philosophical clash between the coach and captain that played a key role in the team’s embarrassing Ashes defeat in Australia.

The incident: training ground dispute sparks rift

The report revealed that the first heated exchange happened during the long break between the first and second tests. England had suffered a heavy loss in the first Test that ended in just two days. After the Ashes opener, McCullum and Stokes had opposite ideas about how to handle the team.

Brendon McCullum’s Approach: The head coach wanted lighter and relaxed sessions so that the players could stay fresh and relaxed and maintain a positive mindset.

Stokes’ Demand: The captain wanted intense and grueling training physically and mentally. He felt the team needed more intense work to bounce back from such an embarrassing defeat.

This disagreement on philosophy created the first crack in their once-solid partnership.

Tactical tensions spill onto the field

This difference slowly began showing on the field as well. As the five-match Test series progressed, Stokes, who is usually very attacking, started batting more carefully and became cautious with his bowling plans. This change did not sit well with Brendon McCullum, who strongly believes in always playing positive and aggressive cricket.

Read Also: ‘Angry’ James Anderson destroys Ben Stokes over ‘nonsense’ comments after 1-4 Ashes defeat

The report claimed that this also caused tension inside the England dressing room. Their words in public also began to sound different. Stokes started talking more about toughness, fight, and mental strength. He wanted his players to show more hunger and grit.

On the other hand, McCullum continued to speak about freedom, trust, and keeping a happy team environment. An insider claimed that McCullum felt Stokes was starting to feel the pressure of the Ashes 2025-26, and this was affecting his decisions and instincts.

Mixed messages and confusing team selections

England’s team selections and plans also became confusing as Stokes and McCullum were not fully aligned during the Ashes tour. Some decisions made little sense, such as playing Will Jacks at number eight on flat pitches where batting depth was needed. The overall strategy looked unclear, and the team never found a proper rhythm during the Test series.

Remains of ancient settlement off the Dwarka coast in the Arabian Sea

AHMEDABAD: Dwarka, the ancient Gujarat coastal town closely associated with the legend of Lord Krishna and home to the revered Dwarkadhish Temple, is set to witness renewed rounds of archaeological excavations, both on land and underwater, senior officials of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have said. The proposed work aims to explore previously unexamined areas using modern technology to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s historical and cultural past, reports Parth Shastri. Underwater archaeological excavations at Dwarka were last carried out between 2005 and 2007, while limited exploratory studies were conducted again in 2025.Upcoming Dwarka exploration phase to be more extensive: ASIAccording to ASI officials, the upcoming phase will be more extensive and systematic. Alok Tripathi, additional director-general of ASI, told TOI that new areas at Beyt Dwarka and unexplored underwater zones will be covered by the agency’s Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW). “Dwarka has been under study for nearly 40 years, but the work so far has been limited in scope and objectives. We are now examining the other side of the mouth of the Gomti river,” Tripathi said. Experts said modern tools and technology would be deployed to enable larger and deeper excavations in the Arabian Sea. Tripathi himself was part of the five-member UAW team that conducted underwater exploratory work at Dwarka in Feb last year. During that time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also dived underwater off Dwarka coast to view submerged remains discovered on the seabed, drawing national attention to the site. On land, the focus will be on relatively undisturbed areas of Beyt Dwarka. Earlier excavations were largely concentrated near the cliff area. “We are now going deeper inside the forest area, where we have observed signs of a significant settlement. The site has some remarkable features, and excavations at lower levels could reveal important details about settlement planning, economic activities, arts and crafts, and the way of life of the inhabitants,” Tripathi said. The site has attracted attention alike due to the legend of the sunken city of Dwarka, believed to be founded by Lord Krishna. The ASI website indicates that explorations were carried out to understand the submerged archaeological remains off the coast of Dwarka as sculptures and stone anchors were found during low tide in coastal areas. The excavations so far have yielded many antiquities, including terracotta objects, beads, fragmented bangles, copper rings, iron ingots and pottery among others, according to the ASI website. Apart from Dwarka, the ASI has also initiated excavations at other key sites in Gujarat. Work has begun at Valabhipur, the ancient capital located in Bhavnagar district, and at Lothal, the Harappan-era site renowned for its water structure believed to be among the world’s oldest dockyards. With the upcoming National Maritime Heritage Complex near Lothal, archaeologists are exposing a larger area of the site using advanced tools and techniques. Tripathi emphasised that archaeology goes beyond excavation. “Our task is to place findings in perspective and fill gaps in historical understanding,” he said, adding that India’s use of technology in archaeology is on par with global standards and increasingly relies on interdisciplinary approaches. Gujarat has seen significant archaeological activity over the past decade, including extensive ASI-led excavations at Vadnagar in Mehsana district, PM Modi’s hometown, uncovering evidence of continuous habitation over two millennia. The state is also home to major Harappan sites such as Dholavira, now a Unesco World Heritage Site, and Lothal, highlighting Gujarat’s rich and layered archaeological heritage.

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has decided to move Supreme Court seeking remedy against the “unfortunate action of West Bengal chief minister” in obstructing the probe and tampering with evidence in a PMLA case against I-PAC, and a nod to continue with its probe against the political consultancy agency. The petition is likely to be filed late in the night or early Sunday morning. Lawyers aware of the developments told TOI that ED has, in its petition, accused the West Bengal police of actively acting under the directions of the TMC govt to thwart the probe into the money laundering case against I-PAC, by an FIR against the directorate officials to coerce them not to conduct investigations in the case.

ED is trying to get the petition listed for Monday amid indications that the solicitor general may represent it if the Supreme Court entertains the plea. The West Bengal govt has already filed a caveat in SC to preempt ED from seeking and getting an ex parte order, amid its continuing political slugfest with central agencies which began with the state govt in Nov 2018, withdrawing general consent to CBI to investigate cases inside the state. ED, it is learnt, has argued that its attempt to raise its grievances before Calcutta HC was unsuccessful as unruly scenes during the hearing on Friday forced the judge to adjourn hearing on a case which required urgent interim orders to protect the sanctity of investigations. Multiple FIRs filed ‘in malicious manner’ against officers: ED The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also contemplating requesting Supreme Court to transfer the pending petitions, one by ED and the other by Trinamool Congress relating to I-PAC case, to Delhi high court to be in an atmosphere conducive to adjudication by a constitutional court. The agency had petitioned Calcutta high court on Friday to order a CBI probe against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, DGP Rajeev Kumar, Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Varma and others for “theft of digital and other evidence, wrongful restraint and confinement of central govt officers, and breakdown of the rule of law”. It said that multiple FIRs had been registered “in a malicious manner” against its officers for conducting an investigation under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) into the financial dealings of political consultancy I-PAC, which has been associated with TMC and the Bengal govt for years. The 28-page petition, filed in response to Mamata and the police brass’s allegedly “illegal and unconstitutional interference” in ED’s search of addresses linked to I-PAC, details how the Bengal CM and her entourage tailed the central agency throughout Thursday – from the Loudon Street residence of the firm’s director Pratik Jain to its office in the tech hub of Salt Lake’s Sector V. The petition alleges that Mamata entered Jain’s residence around 12.05pm and “took possession of all digital devices along with key incriminating documents” from an ED officer, ignoring requests not to interfere with the investigation into I-PAC’s alleged role in money laundering linked to a 2020 coal scam. At I-PAC’s Salt Lake office, ED officers were “obstructed” while performing their duties as the CM and a contingent of Trinamool functionaries and workers refused to budge from there for nearly four hours, the petition stated. Countering the CM’s allegation that Union home minister Amit Shah had sent ED to “snatch” documents and digital storage containing Trinamool Congress’s poll plans under the garb of an investigation into I-PAC’s dealings, ED informed the high court that its officials officially recorded the sequence of events in a panchnama.

Pakistan pacer Zaman Khan’s action questioned (Screengrabs)

NEW DELHI: A fresh controversy has erupted in the Big Bash League after Pakistan’s young fast bowler Zaman Khan was questioned over his unusual bowling action during a match on Saturday. The incident quickly grabbed attention as Australia star David Warner openly raised concerns on the field. Zaman Khan, known for his slingshot-style action, was playing his first match of the season for Brisbane Heat. He joined the team as a replacement for injured Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, his debut did not go as planned.

While batting for Sydney Thunder, David Warner looked uncomfortable facing Zaman. Warner, who went on to score a strong 82, was seen repeatedly stopping play and speaking to the on-field umpire about the pacer’s action. Cameras also caught him exchanging words directly with Zaman during the spell. “He is bowling like a four-year-old bowling. It stay so low,” Warner was heard as saying to Zaman. Warner’s reaction sparked immediate debate among fans watching the game. Some felt that Zaman’s low-arm action looked different. Others also believed Warner’s comments were harsh and unnecessary. On the field, Zaman couldn’t make an impact as he gave away 32 runs in his three overs and failed to trouble the batters consistently. It was a tough start for the young pacer. Brisbane Heat still ended the night on a positive note. They chased down the target to win the match by seven wickets. Former Australian international Usman Khawaja played a key role in the victory, having amassed a fluent 78 and guiding the team home with ease. The incident brought back memories of an earlier Big Bash controversy involving another Pakistani fast bowler, Muhammad Hasnain. During a previous season, Hasnain’s action was questioned after Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis raised concerns. Hasnain was later suspended from bowling, went through a long process to fix his action, and saw his international career badly affected.

CHENNAI: A Chennai consumer court has ordered luxury hotel The Leela Palace, Udaipur, to pay more than Rs 10.65 lakh in compensation and refund after holding it guilty of deficiency in service over a serious breach of guest privacy involving a pregnant woman.The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai (North), in its December 16 order, found that a housekeeping staff member unlawfully entered an occupied room using a master key while the complainant and her husband were inside the washroom, causing severe mental trauma and humiliation.

The complainant, a Chennai-based advocate, had booked a premium “Grand Room with Lake View” at the Leela Palace, Udaipur, for Rs 55,500 on a non-refundable basis for a one-day stay in January 2025 to celebrate her husband’s birthday and their baby-moon. The commission noted that despite the room being occupied, a housekeeping associate entered the room within seconds of ringing the bell, relying on internal standard operating procedures.Rejecting the hotel’s defence, the commission held that internal SOPs cannot override a guest’s fundamental right to privacy, particularly in a five-star hotel charging premium tariffs. It observed that entry using a master key within less than a minute was unreasonable and unsafe, especially when the washroom was in use.The commission relied on contemporaneous evidence, including WhatsApp communications with hotel officials, apology letters issued by the housekeeping staff and hotel management on the same day, and photographs showing a broken washroom door and a non-functional CCTV camera outside the room. It said these documents supported the complainant’s version and disproved the hotel’s claim that there was no immediate protest.The court also criticised the hotel’s conduct after the incident, citing delays in sharing CCTV footage, misleading assurances, and harassment at checkout, when the complainant and her husband were made to wait for hours and their luggage was withheld. The complainant’s pregnancy, the commission said, aggravated the trauma and imposed a higher duty of care on the hotel.Holding the hotel liable, the commission ordered refund of the full room tariff of Rs 55,500 with 9% interest from January 26, 2025, Rs 10 lakh as compensation for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages, and Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs, to be paid within two months.

Brendon McCullum responded to the claims of a ‘booze-fueled’ Ashes tour, which resulted in England‘s 4-1 humiliation in Australia. He defended the England players, saying that the real picture is very different from what has been painted recently.

England lost the Ashes to Australia by a humiliating margin of 4-1 as the Aussies continued their domination in the massive rivalry. However, what humiliated England was not the loss but the fact that the matches looked very one-sided before Australia finally won it with some performance.

Moreover, when England lost the series, one of the main reasons that was cited for the loss was the lack of discipline within the English camp. Throughout their Aussie tour, Brendon McCullum’s strategies remained under severe scrutiny, as sometimes England were seen skipping practice matches, while next they were partying and spending a holiday after repetitive losses.

Your daily dose of cricket!

“Half our guys don’t have a drink, to be honest” – Brendon McCullum

England and ECB were both mocked after their loss in Adelaide, which crushed England’s hopes for a fightback, since they lost the series with their third consecutive loss at the Adelaide Oval. However, England players took a holiday off to Noosa during the period between the second Test at the Gabba and the Third Test at Adelaide.

During this break, England players were spotted drinking together, while Ben Duckett was caught intoxicated on camera alongside Jacob Bethell, who was seen dancing with an unknown woman. Brendon McCullum denied such claims of irregularity despite accepting the fact that the team was on a holiday.

“Half our guys don’t have a drink, to be honest. They’ll have a couple of beers every now and again. I think people do that in most walks of life,” McCullum said, as quoted by The Guardian.

Brendon McCullum declares the Noosa break as “quite important”

According to the dynamic coach, McCullum, the team’s culture should not be under scrutiny since the mid-series break to Noosa was planned long ago and was deemed as absolutely necessary for the English players.

McCullum had also claimed that England lost the pink ball Test at the Gabba due to overpreparation and hence were not fresh enough to outdo the Aussies.

He then further claimed that cricket is a very demanding sport in the region, and with the amount of fans storming in with high hopes, the players are often under immense pressure; hence, such go-out refreshments are important. But he did not believe that any player did things in excess.

“These guys are young men playing a highly pressurised sport, there’s an opportunity for us to guide and nurture as they become fully grown men who are dealing with some high pressure,” he said.

“Maybe there is someone better,” Brendon McCullum denies compromising

With several speculations over Brendon McCullum’s removal from the position of England’s head coach and the questions swirling over the end of the Bazball era, McCullum has made his stand clear through a statement: “Maybe there is someone better” for the job if he is not allowed to implement his own plans.

He clearly signalled that he is ready to continue as the head coach for England and is open to changes, but the changes should be in accordance with his own strategies. In short, McCullum has been clear that he won’t be implementing anyone else’s plans.

ALSO READ: Huge blow! Rishabh Pant injured ahead of 1st ODI vs New Zealand after intense practice session