The New Zealand tour of India 2026 kicks off with an opening ODI at the newly inaugurated BCA Stadium in Vadodara. This marks the first-ever men’s international match at this venue, setting a prestigious stage for two of the world’s most consistent ODI sides. India, led by Shubman Gill, enters the series with a reinforced squad featuring the return of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, will be eager to break their recent winless streak against the Men in Blue in this format.

IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Match Details

• Date and Time: January 11 (Sunday); 1:30 pm IST / 8:00 am GMT / 9:00 pm NZDT
• Venue: BCA Stadium (Kotambi), Vadodara

Head-to-Head Record (ODIs):

Matches played: 120 | India won: 62 | New Zealand won: 50 | No result/Tied: 8

BCA Stadium, Vadodara Pitch Report

As this is the debut men’s international match at the BCA Stadium, the pitch remains somewhat of a mystery, though early indicators from domestic matches suggest it is a batting-friendly surface with a fast outfield. The track is expected to offer a true bounce, favoring stroke-makers like Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Historically, fresh surfaces in Gujarat have provided some initial movement for the seamers, but as the match progresses, spinners are likely to find grip. With the match being a Day/Night affair, dew is expected to be a significant factor in the second innings, making the toss crucial. The captain winning the toss will likely elect to bowl first to capitalize on easier chasing conditions under the lights.

Also READ: Adult film star Kendra Lust shares photo with Virat Kohli; fans react to the viral buzz

India vs New Zealand: Team dynamics and key players

India: The hosts boast a star-studded lineup with Shubman Gill leading the side. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli provides immense stability at the top, while Shreyas Iyer, returning from injury as vice-captain, adds depth to the middle order. The bowling attack is a blend of experience and youth, with Mohammed Siraj leading the pace battery in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence. The spin department looks formidable with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom are expected to thrive on the Vadodara surface.

New Zealand: The BlackCaps arrive with a balanced squad known for their tactical discipline. Captain Michael Bracewell and Devon Conway will anchor the batting, while the explosive Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips provide the finishing fire. Their pace attack, featuring the Kyle Jamieson and the express pace of Zak Foulkes, will look to exploit any early moisture. New Zealand’s success will hinge on how well their spinners, particularly Adithya Ashok, can contain the Indian middle order during the crucial middle-overs phase.

IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• India wins the toss and bowls first
• New Zealand powerplay score: 45-55 (10 overs)
• New Zealand total score: 265-280

Case 2:

• New Zealand wins the toss and bowls first
• India powerplay score: 55-65 (10 overs)
• India total score: 300-320

Match result: India to win the contest 

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

Mumbai: In a ruling aimed at providing “just compensation” for life-altering injuries, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) ordered the owner of a school bus and Reliance General Insurance to pay a total payout of Rs 2.12 crore (this amount includes interest) to a 44-year-old teacher left bedridden after a 2022 road accident. The victim, Shital Salunke, once an active teacher earning an annual salary of over Rs 11 lakh, is now unable to speak or perform daily activities independently. The tribunal noted the severity of the neurological damage. “The physical disablement assessed… is permanent in nature and will not reduce over the period of time,” the tribunal observed, citing medical evidence that Salunke suffers from aphasia (loss of speech) and right-hand weakness.Salunke moved the tribunal through her husband in Dec 2022. The victim worked at the school in Bhandup. On the morning of June 10, 2022, while riding her scooter with “due care and caution” on LBS Road in Mulund, a school bus belonging to Golden Travels, driven in a “rash and negligent manner”, struck her vehicle. The impact was so severe that Salunke sustained a traumatic head injury, a temporal burst lobe, and multiple fractures. The bus driver fled the scene immediately after the collision. Salunke spent a lot of time in hospital and spent around Rs 25 lakh. “She is totally dependent on the help of her caretaker. She is having unbearable pain and sufferings. Her expectation of life has been shortened and adversely affected. She had to bear huge medical expenditure for her treatment and is still undergoing treatment,” her claim said.During the proceedings, the insurance company attempted to argue that Salunke was partially responsible for the accident and that her disability might be treatable through speech therapy. However, the tribunal rejected these claims. Referring to the teacher’s inability to return to her profession, the tribunal stated, “Although the permanent disablement suffered by the claimant is ascertained as 60%, there is total disablement with regard to her occupation as she will not be able to work as a teacher at any point of time in future.”A key point involved medical expenses already covered by Salunke’s private Mediclaim policy. The insurer argued these should be deducted from the award. The Judge firmly disagreed, citing established High Court precedents: “The claimant is entitled to the entire medical expenditure incurred for treatment even though a certain amount was covered under the Mediclaim policy.” The final award includes loss of future earnings, alongside compensation for pain, suffering, and medical bills. The tribunal ordered the owner and the insurer to pay the amount jointly and severally.

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday stepped up its attack on the INDIA bloc over the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. It accused opposition parties of shifting positions and turning a constitutional exercise into what it called a “spectacle”, after the Samajwadi Party questioned the credibility of the Election Commission over the scale of voter deletions in Uttar Pradesh. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said SIR is increasingly becoming “Yaksha prashna” for opposition parties making them unable to “speak openly or remain silent” on the issue.Referring to the Samajwadi Party and Congress, Trivedi said they are contradicting themselves on whether SIR was cutting or adding votes. He cited recent statements by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders to argue that the opposition’s stand had kept changing. “The issue of SIR appears to be turning into a real conundrum for the INDIA alliance. Their situation has become such that they can neither speak openly nor remain silent. Today, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said —just 12 days ago—that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s votes had been cut. A few days before that, the Congress party was saying that through SIR, opposition votes were being cut. Now today, they are saying that SIR is not meant to cut votes but to add votes.”He went on to say, “I request the INDIA alliance parties – Samajwadi Party and Congress – to clearly explain, according to them, whose votes are being cut and whose votes are being added,” adding that SIR was “a constitutional process being carried out with professional competence and on a completely technical basis”. Using a Hindi idiom, the BJP MP described the opposition’s position as inconsistent. “If I were to put it in one line: in a moment it is a ‘tola’, in another moment it is a ‘masha’; in a moment it is one thing, in the next it is something else,” he said, calling the issue a “Yaksha prashna” created by the opposition itself. He urged opposition parties to cooperate with the process “with seriousness and awareness”.The BJP’s remarks came after Akhilesh Yadav alleged that Uttar Pradesh BJP leaders had advance knowledge of how many voters would be excluded from the SIR draft electoral roll, raising questions about the poll panel’s neutrality. The draft roll, published on January 6, excluded 2.89 crore voters while retaining 12.55 crore out of 15.44 crore names listed earlier.Speaking in Lucknow, Yadav said he had been apprehensive about the removal of three crore voters, but claimed BJP leaders had publicly cited even higher figures before the draft was released. “If BJP leaders, a former party MP, and the chief minister are making such statements, then what is the credibility of the Election Commission?” he asked, according to PTI.The SP chief also questioned discrepancies between voter data used for assembly and panchayat elections and sought clarity on figures compiled by BLO. He said the party would demand answers from the Election Commission and expressed hope that “genuine voters will have their names added to the voter list” before the final roll is published on March 6.Yadav said party workers had been given draft complaint formats to flag alleged irregularities and reiterated his demand for linking voter information with Aadhaar, alleging misuse of fake identification during elections.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Saturday said it has taken suo motu action against 27 restaurants across the country for mandatorily levying service charges on customers, holding the practice to be a violation of consumer law.The restaurants have been fined up to Rs 50,000, directed to refund the service charge collected from consumers, and asked to modify their billing systems to remove any default addition of such charges, the authority said.According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, the CCPA took “suo motu cognizance against 27 restaurants located across the country for violation of consumer rights and adoption of unfair trade practices under Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, relating to the mandatory levy of service charge”.The action followed complaints received on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), supported by invoices showing that a 10 per cent service charge was being added automatically to bills.Investigations found that several establishments, including Café Blue Bottle, Patna, and China Gate Restaurant Pvt Ltd (Bora Bora), Mumbai, were levying service charges by default — a practice declared an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and barred under CCPA guidelines.In the case of Café Blue Bottle, Patna, the CCPA directed the restaurant to refund the entire service charge collected from the complainant, discontinue the practice with immediate effect, and pay a penalty of Rs 30,000.In the case of China Gate Restaurant Pvt Ltd (Bora Bora), Mumbai, the restaurant refunded the service charge during the hearing. It was further directed to modify its software-generated billing system to remove the default levy and pay a penalty of Rs 50,000.The CCPA said it is “closely monitoring complaints received on the National Consumer Helpline regarding levy of service charge and will continue to take strict action against non-compliant restaurants to safeguard consumer rights and prevent unfair trade practices”.The action comes after the Delhi High Court’s March 2025 ruling, which upheld the CCPA’s guidelines on service charges and held that mandatory collection of service charge by restaurants is contrary to law. The court also affirmed that the CCPA is fully empowered to enforce its guidelines.The Guidelines to Prevent Unfair Trade Practices and Protection of Consumer Interest with Regard to Levy of Service Charge in Hotels and Restaurants, issued on July 4, 2022, clearly state that restaurants cannot add a service charge automatically or by default, cannot collect it under any other name, and cannot force consumers to pay it. The guidelines also bar restaurants from denying entry or service to customers who refuse to pay a service charge.

NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma countered AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi‘s remarks of India’s potential to see a “hijab-clad” daughter as the Prime Minister. He said that India is a Hindu nation and the Prime Minister of India shall always be a Hindu person.Responding to Owaisi’s remark, Sarma said, “Constitutionally, there is no bar. Anyone can become the Prime Minister. But India is a Hindu nation, Hindu civilisation, and we will always believe, and we are extremely confident that the Indian Prime Minister will always be a Hindu person.”

BJP spokesperson also sharply responded to the statement, challenging Owaisi of making a burqa-clad woman or anyone from the Pasmanda community to make the President of his own party.Poonawala said, “Owaisi Miya, there is no restriction in the Constitution on whether the Prime Minister should be someone who wears a hijab or not. Anyone can become Prime Minister, but first, win the votes.”He further went on to challenge Owaisi saying, “Before dreaming of becoming Prime Minister, Owaisi Miya, why don’t you first make a hijab-wearing woman, a burqa-clad woman, or at least someone from the Pasmanda community the president of your own party?”Also read: Asaduddin Owaisi says India will one day have Hijab-clad PM Earlier, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, highlighting the inclusivity in the Indian constitution, had stated that it is his dream to see a hijab-clad daughter as the Prime Minister of India. He drew comparisons with the Pakistani constitution, stating that Pakistan’s constitution restricts non-muslim people from holding top positions.“The constitution of Pakistan clearly states that a person belonging to only one religion can become the Prime Minister of the country. Baba Sahib’s constitution says that any citizen of India can become Prime Minister, CM, or mayor. It is my dream that a day will come when a hijab-clad daughter will become the Prime Minister of this country,” he said.The remarks come amid intense campaigning for Mumbai’s upcoming civic elections, which are scheduled to be held on January 15. The results will be announced on January 16.

Mumbai Indians Women vs Delhi Capitals Women, WPL Live Score: Delhi Capitals step into the Women’s Premier League 2026 spotlight with a new captain at the helm and familiar ambitions driving them forward.

Jemimah Rodrigues, one of Indian cricket’s brightest stars, has been handed the leadership role after the franchise decided to move on from Australian great Meg Lanning, who captained the side for the first three seasons.

For Jemimah, the responsibility comes with both excitement and reflection, especially given Lanning’s deep imprint on the team’s culture.

“I met Meg Lanning, and it felt weird to see her wearing the yellow jersey of the UP Warriorz. I have to say the impact Meg had on our franchise, the Delhi Capitals, and the standards and culture she set was huge. I learned so much from her. I even picked her brain about captaincy,” said Jemimah, acknowledging the influence of her predecessor.

The 24-year-old, who starred in India’s ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph with a memorable century against Australia in the semi-finals, believes leadership brings out the best in her. Drawing confidence from her domestic captaincy experience, she is ready to guide a side that has reached the WPL final in every edition so far.

“This new role as captain is exciting. I am also a little nervous because it is new. But I have led my domestic side for a while. I love leading because that extra responsibility brings out my best. My message to the Delhi Capitals is the same. We have played amazing cricket and have an amazing support staff. We just keep working hard and doing the right things, and I know things will fall into place. That is our energy,” Jemimah added.

Delhi Capitals open their campaign with a high-voltage clash against defending champions Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai — a reminder of past finals heartbreaks and a chance to set the tone for 2026.

Head coach Jonathan Batty expressed optimism about the squad’s makeup and preparation following a productive pre-season camp in Goa.

“It’s really nice to have a lot of familiar faces back in the squad from the last few years, and at the same time, it’s been great to bring in some fresh faces who add a new dynamic to the team,” Batty said.

He added, “It’s been a fantastic preparation period… everything feels really positive, and we’re raring to go.”

With balance, belief and a new leader, Delhi Capitals will once again chase the one prize that has narrowly eluded them — the WPL title.

When US President Donald Trump met senior oil executives to press for investment in Venezuela, the message from the White House was deliberately ambitious. Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Its political landscape, Trump argued, has shifted. With American backing and security guarantees, the country should once again become a major destination for US energy capital.The response from the oil industry was notably restrained.Executives did not dispute Venezuela’s resource potential. Instead, they pointed to a combination of legal uncertainty, economic risk and hard-earned experience that continues to make large-scale investment unattractive, even with presidential support.

A country rich in oil, poor in production

Venezuela’s oil numbers are striking. The country holds an estimated 303 billion barrels of proven reserves, roughly 17% of the global total, more than any other nation. In the late 1990s, it produced over 3 million barrels per day, ranking among the world’s leading exporters.Today, output has fallen to below 1 million barrels per day. Years of mismanagement, underinvestment, sanctions and infrastructure decay have hollowed out what was once one of the most sophisticated oil industries in the developing world.This collapse is central to the scepticism voiced by oil companies. Restoring production on a meaningful scale is not a matter of restarting wells. It would require rebuilding pipelines, upgraders, refineries, power supply and skilled manpower, all of which demand long-term capital commitments.

Trump’s argument: security, speed and scale

At the meeting, Trump urged companies to think big. He spoke of investments running up to $100 billion, promised “total security” for American firms and suggested deals could be finalised quickly. The broader geopolitical framing was also clear: US companies should move decisively to prevent China or Russia from expanding their footprint in Venezuela.From the administration’s perspective, Venezuela’s oil represents both an economic and strategic opportunity. For the companies in the room, however, the issue was not opportunity but risk.

ExxonMobil draws a clear boundary

The most direct assessment came from ExxonMobil. Its chief executive described Venezuela’s current investment environment as “uninvestable”. The comment reflected Exxon’s long institutional memory. The company has operated in Venezuela since the 1940s, and has seen its assets expropriated twice, most recently during the nationalisation wave under Hugo Chávez.For Exxon, whose projects often involve tens of billions of dollars and operate over 20 to 30 years, the absence of durable legal protections is decisive. The company indicated it could send a technical team to assess the condition of assets, but stopped well short of committing capital.The distinction matters. Technical assessments are reversible. Large upstream investments are not.

Chevron’s limited optimism

If Exxon articulated the industry’s red lines, Chevron illustrated what cautious engagement looks like. Chevron is already operating in Venezuela through joint ventures and special licences. At the meeting, it said production from its existing operations could increase by as much as 50% over the next 18 to 24 months.That figure, while significant, must be viewed in context. Chevron’s Venezuelan output remains a fraction of the country’s historical production. The projected increase reflects incremental improvements to existing assets, not the launch of new, capital-intensive projects.Chevron’s stance suggested that limited gains are possible where infrastructure and personnel are already in place, but that this does not justify a rapid expansion of exposure.

Conditional interest from others

Other companies struck a similar tone.Shell indicated it has several billion dollars’ worth of potential opportunities in Venezuela, but only if sanctions waivers and regulatory clarity are sustained over time. Without that certainty, the projects remain hypothetical. Oilfield services firms such as SLB expressed confidence in their ability to ramp up activity. Their optimism reflects a different risk profile. Service providers supply equipment and expertise and can scale operations more easily than producers who must commit capital to fields and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Continental Resources founder Harold Hamm, a close ally of Trump, described Venezuela’s reserves as a “real jewel” while declining to commit investment. The assessment captured the mood in the room: admiration without obligation.

Economics and risk still dominate

Beyond politics, the economics remain challenging. Much of Venezuela’s crude is heavy or extra-heavy, making it more expensive to extract and refine. Restoring production requires reliable access to diluents, functioning upgraders and stable export logistics. Industry estimates suggest that reviving Venezuela’s oil sector at scale would require tens of billions of dollars in upfront investment, with returns spread over decades. At a time when oil companies have access to lower-cost, lower-risk projects elsewhere, particularly in parts of South America and offshore developments, Venezuela struggles to compete on risk-adjusted returns.

What the meeting revealed

The White House meeting did not produce the sweeping commitments Trump had hoped for. Instead, it clarified the industry’s position. Oil companies are not disputing Venezuela’s resource base. They are questioning whether the legal, regulatory and political environment is stable enough to support long-term investment. Exxon wants structural reform before capital. Chevron will optimise what it already operates. Shell wants sustained sanctions clarity. Service companies are ready to engage, but operators remain cautious.

The bottom line

Venezuela’s vast oil reserves are beyond doubt. What remains uncertain is whether the conditions needed to attract large, long-term investment can be put in place and sustained. Until oil companies are confident that contracts will be enforced, policies will remain predictable and political shifts will not undo commercial agreements, interest is likely to remain measured and capital deployment limited. The meeting underscored that for Big Oil, enthusiasm follows stability, not the other way around.

As Hrithik Roshan prepares to ring in his 52nd birthday tomorrow, Sanjay Khan, his former father-in-law, took to penning an emotional note reminiscing about their first meeting with the actor and the strong bond they’ve cherished over the years. He showered praise on Hrithik, dubbing him one of Bollywood’s premier talents, while reflecting on the “graceful” and “never bitter” divorce from Sussanne. Sanjay proudly shares with friends that she gifted Hrithik “two aces of spades”, their sons Hrehaan and Hridaan.

Sanjay Khan Instagram post on Hrithik Roshan

Sanjay Khan shared a touching Instagram snapshot of himself embracing Hrithik Roshan. Another photo captures him beaming with daughter Sussanne and grandsons Hrehaan and Hridaan. His caption reads, “I first met Hrithik Roshan as a teenager, introduced through Zayed. Back then, I needed a new bicycle for my morning rides and casually mentioned it to Zayed. With a grin, he replied, “Hrithik’s your guy for advice on that.” True to his word, Hrithik visited one morning, diving into details about the latest models—like the trendy three-speed gear systems. His explanations were crystal clear, precise, and delivered with a quiet, sincere confidence that left me impressed. Little did I know this young man would one day marry my daughter Sussanne and join our family.”

Khan further added, “Around that time, I’d just finished building the Hilton Golden Palms in Bengaluru. To fine-tune everything before launch—rooms, services, water quality—I wanted friends to test it out. My wife Zarine, with her intuitive warmth, agreed instantly. That choice proved magical, especially as Hrithik skyrocketed to fame with Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. Our casual chats revealed a disciplined professional beneath the stardom: focused, respectful, and eager for insights. He’d seek my thoughts on film life, listening intently with those sharp, absorbing eyes. I’ve long told friends his success stems from unwavering dedication and craft. Today, Hrithik stands as one of Bollywood’s finest—actor, star, and eternal student of his art. From Sussanne come my joys, grandsons Hrehaan and Hridhaan—handsome, wonderful boys raised with her signature integrity. Their separation was graceful, never bitter. I proudly joke to friends that she’s gifted Hrithik “two aces of spades.” On January 10th, as millions celebrate, I wish Hrithik a birthday brimming with health, peace, joy, and prosperity. Happy Birthday, Hrithik. I love you, son”.

Hrithik Roshan’s note for Sanjay Khan

Recently, Hrithik posted a heartfelt tribute to his ex-father-in-law Sanjay Khan, clearly showing their bond remains strong. Beyond Sussanne and Sanjay, Hrithik enjoys close ties with other family members like Zayed Khan, Farah Khan Ali, and more.

Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan‘s marriage and separation

Hrithik Roshan wed Sussanne Khan on December 20, 2000, during an intimate ceremony at Bangalore’s Golden Palms Resort. The couple parted ways after 14 years, finalizing their divorce in 2014. Even after separating, they jointly raised their sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan.

Several thousand Irish farmers took to the streets of central Ireland on Saturday to protest the European Union’s trade agreement with the South American bloc Mercosur, a day after EU member states approved the deal despite opposition from Ireland and France, according to AFP.Tractors converged on the town of Athlone, with farmers holding placards reading “Stop EU-Mercosur” and banners depicting the European Union flag marked with the words “sell out”. The protest formed part of wider demonstrations across Europe, with farmers marching in Poland and blocking roads in France and Belgium on Friday as the deal received political clearance.The EU–Mercosur agreement, negotiated over more than 25 years, aims to create one of the world’s largest free-trade areas, linking the 27-nation EU with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Under the pact, Mercosur would gain greater access to EU markets for agricultural products and minerals, while European exporters would benefit from lower tariffs on machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Why farmers are protesting

Irish farmers say the deal threatens to undercut domestic agriculture by opening the door to large volumes of cheaper imports, particularly beef, from South America. The agreement is opposed by farm groups over concerns that an additional 99,000 tonnes of low-cost beef could enter the EU market, putting pressure on prices and farm incomes in Ireland.These concerns prompted Ireland, France, Poland, Hungary and Austria to vote against the accord at the EU level.The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), the country’s main farming lobby, described the approval of the deal as “very disappointing” and said it would intensify efforts to block the agreement in the European Parliament.“We expect Irish MEPs to stand behind the farming community and reject the Mercosur deal,” IFA president Francie Gorman said in a statement.Although EU governments have approved the pact, it still requires backing from a majority of Members of the European Parliament in the coming months, where shifting alliances could influence the final outcome.