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2025 turned out to be a landmark year for Smriti Mandhana both professionally and personally. On November 2, she etched her name in history as the Indian women’s cricket team lifted the World Cup for the first time, a moment that made the entire nation proud. Around the same time, her pre-wedding shenanigans with music composer Palaash Muchhal had captured public attention, with the couple scheduled to tie the knot on November 23, 2025. However, the much-talked-about wedding was eventually called off, amid massive speculations, marking a dramatic turn in what had seemed like a fairytale year.
As 2025 drew to a close, Smriti Mandhana took to Instagram on December 31 to share a recap video of the year gone by. The video featured glimpses of her World Cup-winning celebrations, cherished moments with her family, and snippets from her fitness routine. What stood out, however, was the quote she chose to end the video with—a line attributed to Lord Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita.
The quote read, “DAY 12 Of daily Bhagavad Gita ‘Before something great happens to you, everything falls apart. So just wait.’ – Lord Krishna.”The message immediately caught attention, with many seeing it as a reflection of the emotional ups and downs she experienced over the year.
Earlier, on December 7, 2025, Smriti had confirmed through an Instagram Story that her wedding to Palaash Muchhal had been called off. Addressing the speculation around her personal life, she wrote, “Over the past few weeks, there has been plenty of speculation around my life, and I feel it is important for me to speak out at this time. I am a very private person, and I would like to keep it that way, but I need to clarify that the wedding is called off.”She further appealed for privacy, adding, “I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same. I request you to please respect the privacy of both families at this time and allow us the space to process and move on at our own pace.”In the same note, the Indian vice-captain underlined where her priorities lie. “I believe there is a higher purpose driving us all, and for me, that has always been representing my country at the highest level. I hope to continue to play and win trophies for India for as long as possible, and that is where my focus will forever be. Thank you for all your support. It’s time to move forward.”
Smriti and Palaash’s relationship had been in the spotlight just weeks earlier, from a dreamy proposal at the DY Patil Stadium—where she had lifted the World Cup—to their mehendi and sangeet ceremonies. The wedding, scheduled to take place in Smriti’s hometown of Sangli, was initially postponed after her father Shrinivas Mandhana was hospitalised. Soon after, allegations and speculation surrounding Palaash Muchhal surfaced, further intensifying public scrutiny. Eventually, both Smriti and Palaash addressed the situation separately, bringing an end to the chapter.
The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–26 once again lived up to its reputation for high-octane entertainment as Melbourne Renegades took on Sydney Sixers in Match 18 at the Docklands Stadium. While the Sixers eventually cruised to a six-wicket victory, the contest was lit up by a jaw-dropping moment in the field, with Renegades all-rounder Hassan Khan pulling off a sensational catch to dismiss Sixers skipper Moises Henriques.
Batting first after Sydney Sixers opted to bowl, Melbourne Renegades posted a competitive 164/9 from their 20 overs. Josh Brown provided early fireworks with a blistering 43 off just 19 balls, while Jake Fraser-McGurk and Hassan added vital middle-order contributions to keep the scoreboard ticking.
However, the Sixers’ bowlers struck at regular intervals to prevent Melbourne from gaining full control. Sean Abbott led the attack with an excellent spell, while Jack Edwards and Hayden Kerr chipped in with key wickets, ensuring the Renegades were kept to a chaseable total on a good batting surface.
The standout moment of the match came on the final ball of the 14th over during Sydney Sixers’ chase. Gurinder Sandhu delivered a full ball outside off stump, and Henriques shuffled across in an attempt to scoop the ball over the leg side. The shot was mistimed and went high into the air, seemingly heading towards safety.
What followed left everyone stunned. Hassan, positioned deeper at mid-wicket, sprinted a long distance across to his left, judged the ball perfectly, and slid full length to complete an extraordinary two-handed catch just above the turf. The athletic effort drew loud applause from the crowd and instant admiration from teammates and opponents alike.
That is OUTSTANDING 😮🔥 Hassan Khan takes a screamer in full flight! #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/FlldlVfQP4
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 1, 2026
Also WATCH: Tanveer Sangha takes a sensational diving catch to dismiss Josh Inglis in BBL|15
Despite the brilliance in the field, Sydney Sixers remained in control of the chase. Babar Azam anchored the innings with a composed half-century, while Joel Davies provided the finishing touch with an aggressive unbeaten cameo. The Sixers eventually reached 168/4 in 19.1 overs to seal a comfortable win.
Also READ: BBL|15: Sean Abbott, Babar Azam star in Sydney Sixers’ thrilling win over Melbourne Renegades
Agra: A man who had been missing for 28 years and was presumed dead by his family returned to his hometown in Muzaffarnagar recently — not for reunion with family but for collecting documents for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in West Bengal.When Sharif Ahmed, 79, arrived at his native place Mohalla Balkaram in Khatauli town on Dec 29, relatives and locals were overwhelmed with emotion. Disbelief and celebration juxtaposed to create a heart-warming scene when the man who people here thought was no more appeared at the gate.Ahmad had gone missing in 1997 after he married for the second time following the death of his first wife that same year. He quietly moved to West Bengal’s Midnapore district and never bothered to stay in touch with his family and relatives. During his visit, he collected the death certificate of his father, which will help him in the SIR process.“My uncle needed some original documents as part of the ongoing SIR process in Bengal. With no other alternative, he had to return to his ancestral house on Dec 29,” his nephew Mohammad Akleem told TOI.“After searching for him for nearly 15-20 years, we finally accepted that he was no more. Recently, when we got a call saying chacha (uncle) returned, our joy knew no bound,” Akleem said, adding he went back to West Bengal after completing the necessary paperwork and meeting family members.Sharif himself said, “In 1997, there were no proper arrangements. I got married and settled with my wife in Midnapore. I completely disappeared as there was no way to stay in touch at that time. I came back only to collect some documents as the local BLO asked me for the domicile certificate.”
Mumbai: Over 1,000 patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Mumbai started a new drug combination that reduced the treatment period to six months from the usual 18–24 months.The BMC started the BPaL-M regimen—a 4-drug combination of bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid, and moxifloxacin (not all patients need mox)—in March 2025. “Till end-Nov, 1,093 eligible patients were put on the BPaL-M regimen,” said BMC executive health officer Dr Daksha Shah.She added that 89 patients successfully completed the treatment in Mumbai so far.The BPaL-M regimen was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2019, but India introduced it in the National TB Elimination Programme in March 2025 after a 2-year trial; however, 5 Centres of Excellence, including JJ Hospital, started it in Dec 2024.Doctors called the BPaL regimen a game-changer because the shorter treatment led to greater patient compliance. “I have patients who saw their siblings undergo 18-month-long treatment and suffer side effects. As they did not suffer many of those side effects, they are happy with the six-month option,” said pulmonologist Dr Vikas Oswal, who works with the BMC at its Shatabadi Hospital in Chembur and is a member of the national technical expert committee on TB.However, both Dr Shah and Dr Oswal said that BPaL-M cannot be given to all patients with drug-resistant TB. “Patient selection is to be done carefully. It works best for those with pulmonary TB and cannot be given to a patient with, say, spine TB,” said Dr Oswal.The BMC holds sessions with private practitioners to explain the criteria for BPaL-M; doctors have to refer patients to the govt sector for free BPaL-M drugs, as they are not sold at pharmacies.The city records 4,500 to 5,000 new cases of drug-resistant TB every year, along with 60,000 cases of drug-sensitive TB.
NEW DELHI: Australian selectors have named a spin-heavy squad as the defending champions gear up for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.The 2021 champions, announced on Thursday, have opted not to include a left-arm pacer following Mitchell Starc’s retirement from T20 Internationals. Starc, who stepped away from the format late last year, had missed just one of the past six ICC T20 events.
The biggest surprise in the squad is Cooper Connolly, who has not featured in any of Australia’s last 12 T20 Internationals.Australia will begin their campaign against Ireland in Colombo on February 11, before facing Zimbabwe at the same venue on February 13. They then travel to Kandy for group-stage fixtures against Sri Lanka on February 16 and Oman on February 20.Pat Cummins’ participation in the tournament remains uncertain, with a scan on his back scheduled later this month set to determine his availability. Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, meanwhile, are both working their way back from hamstring injuries.Under ICC regulations, teams are permitted to make changes to their squads until January 31.Australia will play a three-match T20I series against Pakistan later this month as part of their preparation.All of Australia’s group-stage matches will be played in Sri Lanka, though the side will travel to India for at least part of the Super Eights stage should they progress.Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Mumbai: Police have registered a case and are searching for a biker who rammed into a traffic constable and fled from the spot. The constable sustained injuries and is said to be stable. The accident took place at Worli early on Thursday during a nakabandi to check drunken drivers.Tardeo police and traffic police teams were on a checking duty on New Year’s Eve. Barricades were put up by the police to stop the motorists during checking. Police constable, Asish Nigot, asked a biker coming towards them to halt at around 3.30 am. The biker did not stop and rammed into Nagot who fell on the road. A police team rushed Nigot to Nair Hospital. He sustained injuries to his legs and hands. “We have identified the bike’s number plate and contacted the owner. We are working on the case,” said a senior police officer.
Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized gold worth Rs 3.8 crore at Mumbai airport from a passenger who had arrived from Bahrain. A search of his baggage led to the recovery of 12 capsules filled with gold dust in wax form, weighing 3.05 kg, official said. The gold is found to be 24-carat.
Robert Pires will go down as one of the defining wide players of early-2000s English football, an elegant and industrious winger whose technical talents were key to Arsenal’s strongest modern era. Arriving from Marseille in 2000, Pires was a walking commercial and sporting asset: winning major silverware while raising his market value, consistent and on the world stage. He still provides the basis for the household income with his career earnings and post-retirement media work.Jessica Lemarie, publicly Jessica Lemarie-Pires, is a model and public personality attending football, fashion, and charity events along with Pires. As for what she is worth herself, this is not separately itemised in the mainstream press, but her contribution to the public profile of the couple and their lifestyle as brands is considerable. This has led to most estimates of combined net-worth being vastly over-reliant on Pires’ documented football earnings and commercial longevity.
Arsenal eventually picked up Robert Pires for around £6 million and, after a settling-in period, blossomed under Arsène Wenger. At his peak, between 2001 and 2004, he was among the club’s best contributors, scoring and assisting from wide positions and being a defining part of the “Invincibles” season in 2003-04.To put Pires firmly in the upper salary bracket at Highbury, contract renewals in that period. Reports at the time suggested basic salaries of £60,000 to £70,000 per week in the area, plus bonuses and image rights deals. The vast majority of his career earnings came from those seasons, before factoring in signing fees, performance incentives, and sponsorship revenue. His subsequent stints at Villarreal and Aston Villa were less financially rewarding, yet they more than proved solid additions to his overall earnings.
Most public estimates of the net worth of Robert Pires fall between $10 million and $25 million, depending on whether property ownership, income from investments, and income after retirement are included. Jessica Lemarie, whose own particular funds are not available to the general public, has been assigned a cautious estimate of value. The couple’s combined net worth is generally attributed to Pires’s playing and media career. A commonly referenced consolidated estimate by analysts and commentators puts their wealth in the combined $12 to $20 million range.Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo named Best Middle East Player at Globe Soccer Awards 2025 in Dubai
Mumbai: BJP Mumbai unit president Ameet Satam lodged a complaint with the election officer overseeing the BMC election about a candidate, Shilpa Keluskar, submitting a duplicate AB form of the party and filing her nomination as the party’s official candidate from Ward No. 173.In his letter submitted on Dec 31 to the election office, Satam stated the AB form given to Keluskar was taken back, and the AB forms submitted by Keluskar to the election office were duplicates and should be discarded.
Sources said Satam’s letter clearly indicated his signature on the AB forms was forged.
