Sriram Raghavan’s ‘Ikkis,’ starring Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, reached theaters on January 1st. The war biopic also features Simar Bhatia, Dharmendra, and Jaideep Ahlawat. Soon after the release, Vivaan Shah, the son of Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak, shared an emotional tribute to Agastya and described how strongly the film affected him.

Vivaan Shah praises Agastya Nanda

As reported by the media outlets that circulated the Instagram post, Vivaan Shah posted a glowing note for his co-star on Instagram. He wrote, “This is an appreciation post for my favourite co-actor and one of the kindest, most brilliant and most beautiful human beings I have ever met!You’re a blessing in all of our lives Aggi!Love you,”.

Vivaan compared Agastya’s maturity to his own at the same age. He recalled working with Abhishek Bachchan and wrote, “I was exactly Agastya’s age when I worked with his Maamu (working with @bachchan was one of the most special and sacred experiences of my entire life), and let me tell you I was not half as evolved and mature as Agastya at that age.” He added, “Agastya is an inspiration to me!At 23 going on 24 (now 25) he is a fully formed individual and an extraordinarily sophisticated actor. He has such command over his craft. Just two films old he has already delivered one of the greatest performances I have ever seen!”.Vivaan also praised Agastya’s lead role as Arun Khetarpal. He wrote, “His portrayal of Arun Kheterpal is magnificent beyond words; poignant, powerful, intense, full of the vitality and confusion and also innocence of youth.” He highlighted specific moments and said, “I especially love it when he shouts ‘Fire!’or ‘Let’s go boys!’” He also reflected on classic film performances and wrote, “I remember the goosebumps I would get when his Nana would perform such scenes in his beautiful films.“

Shweta Bachchan responds with emotion

Shweta Bachchan reacted after she read Vivaan’s message. She wrote, “Dearest Vivaan – I started my morning with your post and teared up!!!I hope my son lives up to all the faith and belief you have in him.” She thanked him directly and added, “Thank you for holding his hand through it all encouraging teaching and I’m sure at times tolerating his pranks. Sending you all my gratitude. Thank you.”‘Ikkis’ tells the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and centers on the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India Pakistan War. The title reflects the age at which he attained martyrdom.

Pretoria Capitals and Durban’s Super Giants square off in a high‑stakes SA20 2025-26 clash at SuperSport Park, with both sides needing consistency after explosive but uneven starts to the season. Expect a hard-hitting contest between two power-packed batting units on a venue that generally rewards strokeplay and pace bowlers.​

Pretoria Capitals sit mid-table after one win in three, but their campaign was reignited by a crushing 85‑run win over MI Cape Town, where they piled up 220 and bowled the champions out cheaply. Durban’s Super Giants have six points from four games but arrive on the back of a heavy defeat to Joburg Super Kings and a winless run in their last three, making this a pressure fixture to reset momentum.​

Capitals’ batting template finally clicked at Newlands, with runs across the order and Sherfane Rutherford starring with both bat and ball, signalling a more rounded threat than in their early losses.​ Super Giants have already twice crossed 200 this season, yet their fragility has been exposed when early wickets fall, highlighted by being bowled out for 86 in their previous outing.​ DSG hold a narrow edge in the rivalry, leading 3–2 in completed games, with one no-result; recent meetings have typically produced big totals and sharp momentum swings.

PC vs DSG, SA20 2025-26: Match details

• Date and Time: January 3 (Saturday); 9:00 pm IST / 03:30 pm GMT / 5:30 pm Local
• Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion

PC vs DSG, Head-to-Head Record in SA20 2025-26:

Matches played: 5 | Pretoria Capitals won: 3 | Durban’s Super Giants won: 2 | No result/Tied: 0

SuperSport Park Pitch Report

SuperSport Park has become one of the quicker-scoring SA20 venues, the average first‑innings score across recent T20s here hovers in the mid‑160s, with many games comfortably exceeding 180.​ Fast bowlers dominate wicket columns, taking roughly three‑quarters of the dismissals in the last batch of T20s at this ground, but true bounce also lets stroke‑makers hit through the line.​ While historically chasing has often been attractive at Centurion, recent SA20 data shows defending totals is very viable; with scattered evening thunderstorms forecast, captains are still likely to field first to keep DLS in play.

Squads:

Pretoria Capitals: Will Smeed, Bryce Parsons, Shai Hope (wk), Dewald Brevis, Connor Esterhuizen, Sherfane Rutherford, Wihan Lubbe, Keshav Maharaj (c), Codi Yusuf, Tymal Mills, Lungi Ngidi, Daniel Smith, Roston Chase, Lizaad Williams, Sibonelo Makhanya, Keith Dudgeon, Junaid Dawood, Gideon Peters, Meeka eel Prince

Durban’s Super Giants: Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Jos Buttler, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Evan Jones, David Wiese, Eathan Bosch, Simon Harmer, Kwena Maphaka, Noor Ahmad, Sunil Narine, Taijul Islam, Dayyaan Galiem, Daryn Dupavillon, Tony de Zorzi, Marques Ackerman, Gerald Coetzee, David Bedingham, Andile Simelane, Gysbert Wege

Also WATCH: Dewald Brevis and Sherfane Rutherford unleash a flurry of sixes on MI Cape Town bowlers in SA20 2025-26

PC vs DSG, SA20 2025-26: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Pretoria Capitals wins the toss and bowls first
• Durban’s Super Giants’ powerplay score: 50-60 (6 overs)
• Durban’s Super Giants’ total score: 165-175

Case 2:

• Durban’s Super Giants wins the toss and bowls first
• Pretoria Capitals’ powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Pretoria Capitals’ total score: 150-160

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also READ: Faf du Plessis recalls MS Dhoni’s iconic act after Donovan Ferreira’s stunning run-out for Joburg Super Kings in SA20 2025-26

NEW DELHI: India announced their squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand on Saturday. Batter Shreyas Iyer’s return to India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand has brought relief to fans, but it comes with an important condition. The right-handed batter has been named in the 15-member squad and will also serve as vice-captain, yet his place in the playing group depends on final fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE).

The three-match ODI series begins on January 11 in Vadodara, followed by matches in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18. India will be led by Shubman Gill, who is also making his return as ODI captain after missing the South Africa series due to injury. If Shreyas Iyer is fully cleared, the New Zealand series could mark the comeback of both India’s ODI captain and vice-captain at the same time.Iyer has been recovering from a serious abdominal injury he suffered during the ODI series against Australia in October last year. The injury forced him to miss several matches, including the South Africa series and domestic tournaments. Since then, he has been working hard on his rehabilitation and recently completed match-simulation sessions at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.Before his injury, Iyer was an important part of India’s middle order. He brought stability at No. 4 and had a strong ODI record, making him a key player in India’s plans.However, the team management is being careful. They do not want to rush Iyer back and risk another setback. With major tournaments ahead, fitness is being given top priority. For now, Iyer is back in the squad, but all eyes will be on the final medical clearance that will decide whether he takes the field against New Zealand.

Venezuelans woke on Saturday to deserted streets, plumes of smoke and a single, nagging question: who is in charge now?Security forces patrolled near-empty avenues in the capital hours after loud explosions rattled Caracas and US commandos carried out overnight strikes that President Donald Trump said led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Reuters reported that areas around the Miraflores presidential palace were sealed off with checkpoints manned by armed personnel, while residents stayed indoors, glued to their phones for updates.Follow live updates here“We don’t know what’s coming next,” Nancy Perez, 74, told Reuters. “I saw it first on social media, then on television. Now everyone is just waiting,” she said.Dark smoke continued to rise from the direction of the Port of La Guaira north of Caracas which was severely damaged according to CBS news, while another plume was visible near a major air base in the capital. Meanwhile, videos showed explosions lighting up the night sky, followed by sustained blasts. Most residents chose to remain at home, though long lines formed at grocery stores as people stocked up on food and essentials. Fuel stations were shut across several cities, adding to fears of prolonged disruption.“I went to check on my workshop because I was afraid of looting, but the streets were empty,” Jairo Chacin, 39, a mechanic in the oil hub of Maracaibo told Reuters. For some opposition supporters, cautious optimism mixed with anxiety. Chacin said his sister, who lives in the United States, called him in tears when the news broke. “We cried together out of happiness,” he said, “but nobody knows what happens now.”Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump confirmed Maduro’s capture, following months of accusations that the Venezuelan leader was involved in drug trafficking and illegitimately clinging to power. The operation marked the first US military intervention aimed at removing a foreign leader since the 1989 invasion of Panama.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement.”

India’s capital expenditure upcycle is showing early but credible signs of revival, with several investment-linked sectors likely to benefit over the next two to three years, according to Antique Stock Broking’s India Equity Strategy 2026. Improving macroeconomic conditions, policy support and rising private and household investment are laying the groundwork for a broader capex recovery.As per news agency PTI, the report identifies defence as one of the strongest structural beneficiaries of the capex push, driven by higher budgetary allocations, a strong order pipeline and continued emphasis on indigenisation under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme. Export opportunities are also expanding, providing an additional growth lever. Capital goods companies are expected to see outsized earnings growth as fresh order inflows coincide with high operating leverage, with the report noting that even modest revenue growth could translate into sharp profit expansion.Industrial and electronics manufacturing services are also positioned to gain from domestic capex and global supply-chain diversification. As multinational firms pursue “China+1” strategies, India is emerging as a preferred manufacturing base, supporting demand for industrial equipment and electronics, according to PTI. The gradual return of private investment is expected to benefit infrastructure developers and engineering players, particularly those linked to roads, railways, power and urban infrastructure, while lower interest rates and improved affordability are reviving housing demand.Alongside the capex theme, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) could stage a comeback in Indian equities in 2026 after record outflows last year. As per ANI, FPIs pulled out about $17.5 billion in 2025, the highest annual outflow on record. Antique said CY26 could see a revival as earnings visibility improves, valuations turn reasonable and macro stability strengthens.Corporate earnings are projected to re-accelerate, with Nifty earnings expected to grow around 16% CAGR over FY26–FY28, compared with about 7% over the previous two years. However, the report cautioned that global investor preference for AI-exposed markets remains a risk, potentially leading to sectoral divergence within Indian equities.

BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rajajinagar MLA Suresh Kumar on his remarkable cycling journey from Bengaluru to Kanyakumari, covering 702 km in five days. The PM’s message, shared on his X account, lauded Kumar’s resilience and fitness, highlighting the inspiring nature of his achievement.

“Shri S. Suresh Kumar Ji’s feat of cycling from Bengaluru to Kanniyakumari is commendable and inspiring. The fact that it was done after he overcame health setbacks highlights his grit and unyielding spirit. It also gives an important message of fitness. Spoke to him and congratulated him for the effort,” Modi posted on X, linking a Times of India story on the journey.

Speaking about the PM’s call, Kumar said, “I was really thrilled to receive a call from none other than Hon’ble PM of Bharat congratulating me for my 702 kms cycling to Kanyakumari. He was happy to know that after 51 years this was my 2nd cycling to Kanyakumari, that too after suffering a serious ailment.”

The 70-year-old MLA undertook the challenge months after recovering from chikungunya encephalopathy (CE), a rare neurological complication that had left him bedridden. Kumar described the ride not only as a personal milestone but also as a message promoting fitness and healthy living.Motivated by PM Modi’s earlier call to encourage cycling in every constituency, Kumar has been actively promoting cycling at the local level, often riding with residents to foster community participation. “My neurologists are extremely happy that I took up cycling again. It has helped me recover physically and regain confidence,” he said.Kumar began the journey on December 23, departing Bengaluru at 4 am. Over five days, he and a group of 12 cyclists under the banner ‘Rajajinagar Pedal Power’ covered the following distances: 157 km on day one, 159 km on day two, 155 km on day three, 156 km on day four, and 73 km on the final day — totaling 702 km in almost 37 cycling hours.Reflecting on his lifelong association with cycling, Kumar said he grew up riding extensively and continued the habit even during his early career as an advocate. “Cycling was always part of my life. I took a brief break after entering politics, but I returned to it with a renewed purpose,” he added.Fellow cyclist Prashant Sadashiv Patil praised Kumar’s leadership on the journey: “He was inspiring us throughout the journey with interesting stories; he also taught us about team bonding. It is high time all constituencies encouraged cycling so that we can bring back the habit of cycling in Bengaluru.”Kumar’s ride stands as a testament to resilience, recovery, and public leadership, inspiring both his constituents and the wider public to embrace fitness and perseverance in the face of health challenges.

Ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025–26 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith has opened up on the growing speculation around his international future. Speaking on the eve of the Sydney Test, Smith shared his thoughts regarding the potential retirement, insisting he is focused solely on the present rather than setting timelines for the end of his storied career.

Steve Smith addresses retirement chatter

Smith, widely regarded as one of the finest Test batters of his generation, has been under the spotlight due to a perceived dip in output in recent seasons. While his numbers remain respectable, they have not matched the extraordinary heights he scaled during his peak years, prompting questions about how long he intends to continue.

However, Smith was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the Sydney Test could mark a farewell. He revealed that he prefers a flexible, short-term approach to his career rather than planning too far ahead. According to Smith, his enjoyment of the game and his ability to contribute meaningfully are the only factors that matter at this stage.

He explained that he is taking his journey ‘day by day, series by series,’ adding that there is no fixed end date in his mind. As long as he feels competitive and motivated, Smith believes there is no reason to step away.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing at the end of this week. I’ve said it for a while. I’m taking it day by day, series by series. We’ll see where things land. I feel like I’m doing all right at the moment. I’m enjoying it. I’m contributing and having fun. There’s no real end date for me, I suppose. I’m still playing. I’m enjoying it,” Smith told reporters.

Numbers still tell a strong story

Although critics have pointed to a decline, Smith’s record over the past few years suggests he remains a reliable performer. After averaging over 70 across multiple calendar years during his prime, he has continued to average above 50 in several recent seasons. For most batters, those figures would represent career-best numbers, highlighting the extraordinary standards Smith set for himself earlier on.

This contrast between past brilliance and present consistency has arguably fueled the retirement narrative. Yet, Smith’s comments suggest he views his current phase as an evolution rather than a downturn, adapting his game and mindset to remain effective at the highest level.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: Shoaib Bashir returns as England unveil squad for the SCG Test

Smith highlights Australia’s collective strength and his evolving leadership role

Beyond personal form, Smith also spoke about Australia’s broader success in Test cricket. He praised the collective nature of the team’s achievements, particularly their ability to share responsibility rather than rely on individual brilliance.

Reflecting on the past few years, Smith highlighted Australia’s consistency, including multiple appearances in the World Test Championship final. He noted that different players have stepped up at crucial moments, which has been key to sustaining success in a competitive era of Test cricket.

Now one of the most experienced figures in the dressing room, Smith acknowledged that his role has evolved. Alongside contributing with the bat, he sees mentoring younger players and passing on Test-match knowledge as a key responsibility.

“I think we’ve got a really good team. I think the team we’ve had over the last three or four years, obviously making two World Test Championship finals, different people have stood up at different times. It’s never been one or two people just getting the job done. It’s been shared across and guys have done great jobs throughout and I think that’s what’s made us a really good team. So it’s been good to be a part of and, yeah, as an older player now, hopefully I can help some of the players coming through and help teach them the game of test cricket. I guess that’s my role now,” added Smith.

Also READ: Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket, SCG Test to be his final bow

Hardik Pandya (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s absence from India’s ODI plans has drawn attention, especially after the squad for the New Zealand series was announced on Saturday. The right-handed batter has not been cleared by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence to bowl a full 10-over spell in an ODI.

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup coming up, the team management has decided not to rush him back and instead focus on managing his workload carefully. For the team management, the priority is to keep 32-year-old Pandya fully fit for major tournaments rather than pushing him in bilateral ODIs.India’s selection committee has named a strong squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11 in Vadodara. Shubman Gill will captain the side, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the ODI setup. Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain, though his availability depends on fitness clearance from the BCCI COE. The squad also includes KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as wicketkeepers, along with all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The bowling unit features Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav.“Hardik Pandya has not been cleared by the BCCI COE to bowl 10 overs in a match, and considering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to follow, his workload is being managed,” said the statement.While Pandya is missing from ODIs, his form with the bat remains outstanding. On Saturday in Rajkot, he produced a stunning innings for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Vidarbha. Baroda were struggling at 71 for 5 when Hardik came to the crease. He rebuilt the innings calmly before exploding in the 39th over and smashed five sixes and a four to collect 34 runs in six balls. That blitzkrieg took him from 66 to a century in just 68 balls.Hardik finished with 133 off 92 balls, hitting 11 sixes and 8 fours. Earlier, in India’s T20I series against South Africa, Pandya had played several eye-catching knocks and even completed 100 T20I wickets with his effective bowling.