NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep sorrow after ten army personnel were killed and 11 injured in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge.In a post on X, he wrote: “Deeply anguished by the mishap in Doda, in which we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will be remembered forever. May the injured recover at the earliest. All possible support is being provided to those affected.”The bullet-proof vehicle was carrying 17 personnel, at Khanni top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road, moving towards a high altitude when its driver lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge.

A joint rescue operation by the Army and police was immediately launched, and four soldiers were found dead, officials, quoted by PTI said. Later, six more succumbed to injuries, taking the toll to 10.President Droupadi Murmu also expressed sorrow over the tragic incident. In a post on X, she wrote: “The news of the death of Indian Army soldiers in a road accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, is extremely tragic. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of the injured soldiers.” “Deeply saddened at the loss of lives of 10 of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate road accident in Doda. We will always remember the outstanding service and supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers. My deepest condolences to the grieving families,” office of Lt Governor of J&K said in a statement.“In this moment of profound sorrow, the entire nation stands united with the bereaved families in solidarity and support. 10 injured soldiers have been airlifted to the hospital. Directed the Senior officials to ensure best possible treatment. Praying for their speedy recovery,” the statement read.One of the injured is under observation at the Bhaderwah sub-district hospital, while 10 soldiers were airlifted to the Udhampur command hospital for specialised treatment.“We have lost 10 soldiers with 11 others injured in the unfortunate accident involving an Army vehicle,” Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bhaderwah, Sumit Kumar Bhutyal told PTI.J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah’s office in a post on X wrote: “Chief Minister has expressed deep grief over the tragic accident involving an Army vehicle at Khannitop on the Bhaderwah–Chamba road. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, lauding the swift rescue and evacuation efforts.” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condemning the incident in a post on X, wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear the tragic news from Doda, where an Army vehicle met with an accident, claiming the lives of 10 brave soldiers and leaving several others injured. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.”Defence minister Rajnath Singh also offered his tributes and updated that injured soldiers are receiving treatment.

The series now shifts to Raipur as India looks to build on their 1-0 lead following a dominant 48-run victory in Nagpur. For New Zealand, the second T20I is a must-win to stay level in this high-stakes series. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, one of the largest in the world, presents a completely different challenge with its massive boundary dimensions and a surface that rewards tactical discipline over raw aggression.

IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Probable Playing XI

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel (vc), Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson/Kristian Clarke, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson.

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium Pitch Report

The Raipur pitch is known as a balanced, two-paced surface. Early in the innings, the black soil offers decent bounce and carry, allowing batters to play through the line. However, as the ball loses its shine, the pitch tends to slow down significantly. Spinners often find grip and natural turn here and pacers who utilize cutters and slower balls are typically more successful than those relying on pure pace.

With average boundaries of it is one of the toughest grounds to clear in India. Batters must rely on gap-finding and hard running rather than just power-hitting. Heavy evening dew is a common occurrence in Raipur during January. This usually makes the ball skiddy and difficult for bowlers to grip in the second innings, making chasing the preferred option for the toss-winning captain.

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Arshdeep Singh reveals the key to thriving on batting-friendly pitches

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium Stats & Records

Raipur is a relatively new international venue, having hosted its first T20I in late 2023. The stats reflect a ground where scores are competitive rather than record-breaking.

• Total T20I Matches: 1 (India vs Australia, 2023)
• Matches won batting first: 1
• Matches won bowling first: 0
• Average 1st Innings Score: 174
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 154
• Highest Total Recorded: 174/9 by India vs Australia
• Lowest Total Recorded: 154/7 by Australia vs India
• Highest Score Chased: N/A (International)
• Lowest Score Defended: 174/9 by India vs Australia

Also WATCH: Sanju Samson turns ‘Superman’ with brilliant one-handed catch to dismiss Devon Conway during IND vs NZ 1st T20I

NEW DELHI: Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has reignited the debate around Virat Kohli’s Test retirement with a sensational claim, insisting the former India captain was “forced” into stepping away from the longest format rather than walking away by choice.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Kohli’s decision to retire from Tests continues to dominate cricketing discourse, largely because his red-ball career defined an era for India. With contemporaries like Joe Root and Steve Smith still piling up Test hundreds, the void left by Kohli remains a constant talking point.

Speaking to InsideSport, Tiwary strongly disagreed with Sanjay Manjrekar’s assertion that Kohli left the “hardest format” to continue in the “easiest” one. “I don’t agree with him. Usko majboor kiya gaya tha,” Tiwary said. “An atmosphere was created as such that he had to say goodbye to Test cricket. He is not someone who would just decide on his own to leave. Yes, the decision came from his mouth, but everyone knows what happened behind the scenes.”Tiwary added that, given the context, it was unfair to accuse Kohli of choosing formats merely to pad his numbers. “After knowing everything, how can you say he left the hardest format to play the easiest one just for runs? I don’t agree with him,” he reiterated.

While the Test debate rages on, Kohli’s bat continues to do the talking in ODIs. Despite India failing to seal the ODI series against New Zealand, Kohli produced a valiant century — a lone-warrior effort that kept India in the contest and once again underlined his enduring class.Kohli smashed a 108-ball 124, laced with 10 fours and three sixes in the third ODI against the Kiwis. The knock marked Kohli’s 85th international century and his 54th ODI hundred, extending his own record. It was also his seventh ODI ton against New Zealand, the most by any batter, further reinforcing that while his Test chapter may be closed, Kohli’s impact on the game is far from over.

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US President Donald Trump withdrew his invitation to Canada to join the Board of Peace after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected Trump’s claims of Canada’s dependence on the United States.Trump, in his post on Truth Social, wrote, “Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.”Tensions escalated between the two leaders at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday. Carney, in his speech, took a stance against the US’s “ruptured” global order. Following this, Trump, in his address, claimed that Canada lives because of the US.Later, Mark Carney, responding to Trump’s remark in a national address at Quebec City on Thursday, claimed that Canada thrives because of itself. Acknowledging the “remarkable partnership” between the two nations, the press, he said, “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”He further added that Canada should serve as a model in an era of “democratic decline.” Carney said, “Canada can’t solve all the world’s problems, but we can show that another way is possible, that the arc of history isn’t destined to be warped towards authoritarianism and exclusion.”Earlier in Davos, Carney, in his speech, also received a standing ovation over his stance against the “rupture” in the US-led, rules-based global order. He implied that the trade rules and international laws are applied based on military and economic might.In his speech, Carney said, “We knew the story of the international rules-based order was partially false, that the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient, that trade rules were enforced asymmetrically. This fiction was useful, and American hegemony, in particular, helped provide public goods, open sea lanes, a stable financial system, collective security and support for frameworks for resolving disputes.“Calling out the faults of the system, he said, “We placed the sign in the window. We participated in the rituals, and we largely avoided calling out the gaps between rhetoric and reality. This bargain no longer works. Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.”Trump, later in his speech, trained guns at Carney as he said, “I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”

NEW DELHI: Flight operations at Srinagar were temporarily suspended on Friday due to snowfall, with both arrivals and departures put on hold.In an advisory to passengers, the airline said the suspension could lead to extended wait times, both onboard aircraft and at the airport, as weather conditions continued to affect operations. It added that boarding formalities may be completed in advance so that flights can depart immediately once clearance is granted.The airline said it was closely monitoring the situation and assured passengers that efforts were being made to minimise inconvenience. Travellers have been advised to check the latest status of their flights before heading to the airport, as operations will resume only after weather conditions improve.Cold conditions tightened their grip across Kashmir on Thursday as minimum temperatures dipped further at most locations, with officials warning that an approaching western disturbance could bring fresh snowfall later in the day.Night temperatures fell below the freezing point across the valley. In Srinagar, the minimum temperature dropped by one degree from the previous night to settle at minus 3.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night.The coldest spot in the valley was Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, where the mercury plunged to minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 5.5 degrees Celsius a night earlier. North Kashmir’s ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a minimum of minus 4 degrees Celsius.In south Kashmir, Pahalgam, which also serves as a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, registered a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, down from minus 3.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.Officials said Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag settled at minus 2.6 degrees Celsius and Kupwara at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius.According to the meteorological department, two strong western disturbances are expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir this week. The first system is likely to impact the region on Thursday, followed by another on January 26. Under their influence, widespread light to moderate rainfall and snowfall, including in the plains of the Kashmir Valley, is forecast, with peak activity expected on January 23 and January 27.

Litton Das of Bangladesh (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has weighed in on the ongoing standoff involving the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC, suggesting that Bangladesh should look to ease tensions with India rather than seek a relocation of its matches from India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking to ANI, Wassan said the appointment of Litton Das as Bangladesh captain could be used as a bridge-building opportunity between the two countries. He argued that shifting matches at such a late stage would pose serious logistical challenges for the ICC and maintained that India is capable of providing robust security for visiting teams.

“It is a logistical nightmare for the ICC. The preparations for the T20 World Cup have been going on for so long, and it is not possible to do so with the tournament so close now. I don’t think there will be any security issues in India. We have foolproof security and safety measures in place here,” Wassan said. He added, “Your captain is a Hindu, and I think Bangladesh should use the tournament as an olive branch and assuage the ongoing tensions.” On Wednesday, the ICC confirmed that the T20 World Cup 2026 would go ahead as scheduled, with Bangladesh’s matches remaining in India. The decision followed an ICC Board meeting held via video conference, which was convened after the BCB requested that its fixtures be moved to Sri Lanka citing security concerns. Wassan said Bangladesh’s position does not align with the ICC’s stance and described the request as impractical at short notice. “You cannot just wake up one day and write a letter asking for your matches to be shifted. Things don’t move in this manner,” he said. “The ICC must have told them to either get in line or get out, and I think the BCB knows it.” Despite the ICC’s ruling, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul reiterated on Thursday that the board remains firm on its decision not to play its World Cup matches in India. The Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7, with India and Sri Lanka serving as co-hosts.

Asian markets traded in green on Friday, as investor sentiments improved due to stronger US economic indicators and easing ties between the EU and US as Trump withdrew tariff threats for the bloc. In Hong Kong, the HSI inched 158 points or 0.6% to 26,788. Japan’s Nikkei also jumped 193 points or 0.36% to 53,882. Shanghai and Shenzhen also rose, up 0.37% and 0.56%, respectively. South Korea’s Kospi also traded in green, adding 0.27% to reach 4,965 at 8:00 am IST.Meanwhile, Wall Street also ended higher on Thursday, continuing the rally for a second day. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite rallied 0.9% as sentiment improved across markets. Currency markets reflected the shift in sentiment, as dollar remained muted after suffering its steepest decline in the month, boosting demand for safe-haven assets. This pushed spot gold close to $4,960 an ounce, while silver climbed to a fresh all-time high. In currency trade, Japanese yen weakened 0.1% to 158.54 against the dollar ahead of the Bank of Japan meeting. The move followed government data released on Friday showing Japan’s core consumer prices rose 2.4% in December from a year earlier, matching analysts’ estimates. The rebound in global equities after losses earlier in the week highlighted that sentiment has turned in response to geopolitical developments. Ongoing gains in major AI-linked stocks, alongside improving diplomatic relations between the US and Europe, including discussions around Greenland, have encouraged investors to step back into riskier assets. Economic data from the US added to the upbeat tone as revised figures show that the economy expanded in the third quarter by slightly more than initially estimated. Investors will also be watching US PMI data, scheduled to for later on Friday, for further signals on economic momentum. Markets are also tracking developments at the Federal Reserve after US president Donald Trump said he would soon announce a successor to chair Jerome Powell.