File Pic: Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma

MUMBAI: When Team India lines up for the National Anthem at the Wankhede Stadium prior to their T20 World Cup opener against USA on Saturday, they will be watching former captain Rohit Sharma place the coveted trophy — which he lifted on June 29, 2024 in Barbados — on the podium. Rohit is the tournament ambassador for this edition of the World Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!While his selfless explosiveness as opener is being probably matched by another Sharma, in Abhishek, one wonders whether Rohit, who has been part of every T20 World Cup since 2007, will be missed more as a leader. Of course, under Suryakumar Yadav too, India have built up a stellar record in the shortest format.

In a pressure-soaked environment of a home World Cup though, Rohit, who often was the zen architect with excellent man-management skills, coupled with tactical empathy for his bowlers and clutch composure, will probably be on SKY’s speed dial during the course of the event.Former India pacer and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, who combined superbly with head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma for three ICC events (2022 T20 WC, 2023 ODI WC and 2024 T20 WC), feels the current regime’s pragmatic approach is based on the reality that Rohit is not with the squad. “The question of missing him does not arise.”Mhambrey, though, hails the impact of Rohit the captain, especially when India ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought in the USA and West Indies. He also endorsed Jasprit Bumrah’s views of Rohit as a “bowler’s captain”, who allows the bowlers to set fields and steps in only when their plans do not work. Paras explains the reasons why he became such a bowler’s captain, despite being such a destructive and classy opening batter who prioritised impact over milestones.

“He was completely involved during bowlers’ meetings. When you’re the captain and are playing a World Cup, there’s so many other things happening. Yet, he gave so much of his time to the bowlers and to us as coaches. He was there for discussions. That gave us great communication on the field, knowing the captain was very clear with plans. The bowlers were locked in on them too. If things didn’t work out, he h a d o p t i o n s ready. And what really makes great captains is instincts to read situations and rely on an option which is contrary to the popular one.”That perhaps explains the way he rotated his resources in two high-stakes encounters in the 2024 T20 WC. In the defence of 119 in the league phase vs Pakistan in New York, he kept holding Bumrah back rather than use him up in desperate search of wickets on a pitch that had begun to ease out. Conversely, in the final, when South Africa needed 30 off 30 balls with six wickets left in Barbados, he used Bumrah in the 16th and 18th over, rather than waiting for him to bowl the 18th and 20th.Paras feels the bowlers and the team look for calmness in the leader when things are not going well, and that is something which Rohit gave them. “Rohit is not very expressive and exudes a calm body language. That dilutes pressure and stops it from getting transferred to the bowler. In that game vs Pakistan, despite him wanting the bowlers to defend 120 and look for wickets, he never looked desperate.”Apart from prioritising high batting tempo in the powerplay, the Rohit-Rahul Dravid era will also go down in history probably as India’s most data-driven think-tank. Paras conforms to that view and highlights how Rohit often called Hari Prasad Mohan, the analyst, late at night before games during the WC, saying he needed data on some player.“Another fab guy, Hari, who worked very hard behind the scenes. During conversations, he used to often tell me and Rahul: ‘Rohit called me late at night, wanting a particular bit of data.’ Just shows how much Rohit was thinking all the time,” Paras stresses.The challenge, though, in team environments is often making people see your point of view or buy into what plans you have. Data, something which Rohit was heavily invested in, was one aspect. How did he make others accept the fact that data is important and filter it in a way that did not complicate things? “I don’t think anyone told him that they weren’t comfortable with data,” reveals Paras, and adds that he had the gift of filtering information in a way that the bowlers felt comfortable using. “Maybe, individual X wanted to know four points. Someone else wanted to know only two, depending on what stage of the game he was bowling and to whom. He addressed both quite well.”While SKY has imbibed most things from Rohit’s captaincy style, Paras feels it would be wrong to compare individuals. “When you entrust a captain with responsibility, you got to allow him to function the way he wants. Not every game will run the way you want it to run, but as long as you are consistent with your thought processes, things should be fine.”

—Stats: Rajesh Kumar

Bollywood actor Rajpal Naurang Yadav on Thursday surrendered before the Tihar Jail authorities after the Delhi High Court refused to extend the deadline granted to him in connection with his conviction in multiple cheque dishonour cases.“He surrendered before the jail authorities at 4 pm on Thursday. Now the jail authorities will follow the standard operating procedure,” a jail source was quoted as saying by PTI.

Court refuses to extend surrender deadline

The Delhi High Court had, on Wednesday, declined Yadav’s plea seeking more time to surrender. His counsel informed the court that the actor had arranged Rs 50 lakh and requested a week’s extension to deposit the amount.However, Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma rejected the application, stating that there was no ground to grant further relief. Yadav had earlier been directed to surrender by 4 pm on February 4, 2026.

Final attempt to avoid imprisonment rejected

On Thursday, the High Court rejected Yadav’s final attempt to avoid imprisonment and made it clear that no further hearing would be granted unless the actor first surrendered before the jail authorities. The court noted that the direction followed repeated violations of undertakings given by Yadav regarding payment of settlement amounts to the complainant company.Senior counsel appearing for the actor submitted that Yadav was willing to deposit Rs 25 lakh immediately and that both parties had tentatively agreed on a repayment schedule for the remaining dues. The court, however, declined to grant any relief.Justice Sharma observed that since Yadav had failed to comply with the earlier surrender order, he would be heard only after he hands himself over to the jail authorities.

‘Repeated breach of undertakings’

Following the court’s observation, Yadav’s counsel informed the bench that the actor would surrender at Tihar Jail later in the day. The court clarified that after surrendering, Yadav would be at liberty to file an appropriate application in accordance with law.The High Court noted that the leniency earlier extended to Yadav had been withdrawn due to repeated breaches of undertakings. The sentence awarded by the trial court had been suspended in June 2024 solely to facilitate a settlement between the parties.However, the court recorded that despite multiple opportunities and clear timelines, Yadav failed to honour commitments involving payments running into several crores of rupees. Even partial payments promised through demand drafts and instalment schedules were not deposited within the stipulated time.Rejecting explanations citing technical or typographical errors in demand drafts, the court held that such reasons did not inspire confidence, especially given the consistent pattern of default.

Amounts to be released to complainant

Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma also took adverse note of the fact that undertakings were given in open court through senior counsel and that additional time was granted based on the actor’s instructions. Despite this, no effective compliance followed.Taking note of the admitted liability and repeated non-compliance, the High Court declined to extend any further indulgence and directed that the amounts already deposited with the Registrar General be released in favour of the complainant company.

All eyes are on the Harare Sports Club as the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 reaches its summit clash. The final revisits the 2022 title showdown, with five-time champions India locking horns with a formidable England outfit. Expect a gripping contest as India’s strategic acumen goes head-to-head with England’s sharp, aggressive approach.

India U19 has been the most dominant force in the tournament, reaching their sixth consecutive final. Led by Ayush Mhatre, the “Boys in Blue” have displayed a perfect blend of power-hitting and disciplined bowling. Their semifinal victory over Afghanistan was a statement of intent, where they successfully chased down a record 311. With Aaron George coming off a sensational century and Vaibhav Suryavanshi leading the run charts with his aggressive strokeplay, India’s batting lineup looks nearly impenetrable.

England U19, under Thomas Rew, has shown immense grit, particularly in their semifinal win against arch-rivals Australia. Their strength lies in their pace battery, led by the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Manny Lumsden, and a middle-order that has consistently recovered from early wobbles. England are chasing their first U19 title in 28 years, and their “never-say-die” attitude makes them a dangerous opponent in a one-off final.

ENG vs IND, U19 World Cup 2026 final: Match Details

• Date and Time: February 06, 1:00 pm IST | 9:30 am Local | 7:30 am GMT
• Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

ENG vs IND, Head-to-Head Record in U19s

Matches played: 55 | England won: 13 | India won: 41 | No result/Tied: 1

Harare Sports Club Pitch Report

The Harare surface has been a “sporting” one throughout the tournament. Fast bowlers like Manny Lumsden and Henil Patel will find significant swing and extra bounce with the new ball in the first 10 overs. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to dry out and slow down. This will bring spinners like Mohamed Enaan (India) and Farhan Ahmed (England) into play during the middle overs. Once a batter is set, the true nature of the bounce allows for high-scoring games. The average first-innings score here has hovered around 240–250, though India proved that even 300+ is chaseable.

Also READ: Harsha Bhogle picks England’s ideal playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026

Squads

England U19: Ben Dawkins, Joseph Moores, Ben Mayes, Thomas Rew (c anw wk), Caleb Falconer, Ralphie Albert, Farhan Ahmed, Sebastian Morgan, James Minto, Manny Lumsden, Alex French, Alex Green, Isaac Mohammed, Luke Hands, Will Bennison, Ali Farooq

India U19: Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Harvansh Pangalia, Mohamed Enaan, Udhav Mohan, Kishan Kumar Singh

ENG vs IND, U19 World Cup 2026 final: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• England wins the toss and fields first
• India powerplay score: 50-60
• India total score: 290-300

Case 2:

• India wins the toss and fields first
• England powerplay score: 40-50
• England total score: 260-270

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.

Also READ: Indian-origin cricketers in T20 World Cup 2026: Full list of players representing various countries

MUMBAI: BMC has issued a stop-work notice for a transit camp in Worli after finding out it is coming up on the civic body’s own reserved land parcel earmarked for construction of a sewage treatment plant.Civic officials said two of BMC’s sewer lines pass through the plot, and preliminary findings indicate construction activity has already disturbed sewage flow, raising concerns of flooding and infrastructure failure, especially during monsoon. Additional civic chief Ashwini Joshi Thursday directed BMC’s chief engineer (sewerage operations) to file a criminal complaint against D B Patil, a Slum Rehabilitation Authority executive engineer from G South ward, for allegedly illegally granting permission in April 2025 for seven transit camp buildings.In her official communication, Joshi accused Patil of collusion with the project’s privatedevelopers, Lokhandwala Infrastructure Pvt Ltd along with M/s Lokhandwala DB Realty LLP. The developer claimed all approvals had been duly granted.The transit camp buildings (numbered 1 to 7) are for a proposed special township project involving redevelopment of slums at Jivanjyot (SRA) CHS, Shree Swami Vivekanand Nagar, Veer Jijamata Nagar and Mata Ramabai Nagar in Worli.Patil told TOI that the SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) had revoked permission for construction of the transit camp buildings and he had filed an FIR against the developers on Sept 15, 2025, stating that work on the camp was started without permission. He added, “We are handing over the reservation plot (to the BMC) tomorrow.”The latest developments come in the wake of a notice issued by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which warned that damage to major sewer lines at the site could trigger flooding across large parts of central and south Mumbai during monsoon.According to DDMA, the site houses a critical and ageing sewer network, including a 57inch diameter sewer line and a 4ft 8 inches by 7ft main sewer line. These lines are connected to the Lovegrove Sewerage Pumping Station and carry substantial sewage flow from G South and G North wards.Any damage to these lines, particularly during the monsoon, when sewage inflow rises significantly, the DDMA has said, could disrupt upstream sewer networks and trigger flooding in several densely populated areas including Shivaji Park, Dadar, Prabhadevi, Lower Parel, Delisle Road, Worli and Saat Rasta.Civic officials said the approvals were granted despite the land being reserved for public utilities and the presence of critical sewer infrastructure. “The approval of transit camps on a reserved plot that is to be handed over to BMC is completely illegal,” Joshi said, adding that the SRA asking the architect to seek a no-objection certificate from the land-owning authority (BMC) was also illegal.The BMC has annexed the property register (PR) card to its official communication to make it clear that the land belongs to it. A letter sent by the SRA to the BMC on Thursday also stated that the slum rehab authority had initiated the action of revoking the approval given to construct the transit camp buildings.A spokesperson for Lokhandwala DB Realty LLP (now renamed Valor Estate) stated, “The temporary transit camp structures are permitted in-situ on the reserved land as per the provisions of Clause 4 of Reg. 33(10) of Development Control & Promotion Regulations, 2034 (DCPR-2034). Accordingly, SRA has duly granted the approval for temporary transit camp structure buildings on 11.04.2025. Further, as per clause 4.6 of Reg. 33(10) of DCPR-2034, ‘In all such cases where the temporary transit camp is erected, the condition shall be that the structures shall be demolished by the developer/society/NGO within 30 days of granting Occupation Certificate to the rehab buildings and the site should be brought back to the original state. Till the transit camps are fully demolished, development rights for the free sale area shall not be permitted to be used beyond 75% of the total admissible free sale area permissible under this regulation.’ A condition to the above effect has already been incorporated in the letter of intent (LOI) dated 31.12.2012 issued by the SRA in favour of the principal developer (BMC) & the implementing agency.”The spokesperson said that BMC’s assertions in the matter “are inconsistent with the law and the approvals granted so far.”

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Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, remained missing as the search for her entered its fifth day Thursday. Investigators said they had no proof she was still alive but continued to hope she was “still out there.”Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her Tucson home against her will over the weekend. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said no suspects or persons of interest have been identified in the case.

Investigators found blood on Guthrie’s porch and it was later confirmed it belongs to her.“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference, while acknowledging authorities had no proof she was OK.Investigators said the case had intensified as ransom notes sent to multiple media outlets were being treated as credible. Authorities also released a more detailed timeline from the hours after Guthrie was last seen.The notes demanded money with a deadline set for Thursday evening and a second deadline for Monday if the first was not met, said Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix. The messages also included details about a floodlight at Guthrie’s home and an Apple Watch.TMZ reported that a note sent to its newsroom demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin and described damage to Guthrie’s home that was believed to have occurred during her abduction. Authorities said it was unclear whether that description was accurate.“To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma,” Janke said.Authorities said any decision on ransom demands ultimately rested with the family.

Nancy Guthrie spent Saturday night eating dinner and playing games with family members before one of them dropped her off at her home in a well-to-do Tucson neighborhood, according to the sheriff.About four hours later, just before 2 am Sunday, the home’s doorbell camera was disconnected, Nanos said. Because Guthrie did not have an active subscription, the company was unable to recover any video footage.Minutes later, software data recorded movement at the home, though Nanos said the activity could have come from an animal. At 2.28 am, the app connected to Guthrie’s pacemaker was disconnected from her phone.Guthrie was reported missing shortly before noon Sunday after she did not show up at church.While she was able to drive, regularly attended church and was mentally sharp, the sheriff said Guthrie had difficulty walking even short distances and required daily medication that was vital to her health. During the search Sunday, a sheriff’s dispatcher said Guthrie had high blood pressure and heart issues.

Ransom notes and family plea

At least three media houses reported receiving ransom notes and turned them over to investigators. Authorities said an arrest was made after one ransom note was determined to be fake.One note emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN.In a video released by the Guthrie family Wednesday night, Savannah Guthrie struggled to hold back tears as she sat between her older siblings, Annie and Camron. She said the family was aware of the purported ransom letters and wanted to hear directly from whoever had taken their mother.“We are ready to talk,” Savannah Guthrie said in the video. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive, and that you have her.”Fighting back tears, Guthrie said the situation was becoming increasingly urgent.In a separate video posted on social media Thursday, Nancy Guthrie’s son Camron said the family had still not heard directly from the person or people responsible for her disappearance.“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you,” he said. “We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward.“But first,” he added, “we have to know that you have our mom.”

US President pledges support

President Donald Trump spoke with Guthrie by phone Wednesday and later said on social media that he had directed all federal law enforcement agencies to assist her and local police.“I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY. We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY!” said Trump in a post on Truth Social.

Nancy Guthrie is a retired communications professional and longtime volunteer who is often seen around her Tucson community, according to those who knew her. She lives in a quiet, wealthy area of the Catalina Foothills north of Tucson, where homes are spread across large lots and are not part of a gated community.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Radha Yadav celebrates after hitting the winning shot during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 final T20 cricket match, at Baroda Cricket Association Stadium, Kotambi in Vadodara, Gujarat. (PTI Photo)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title after beating Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets in the final on Thursday in Vadodara, completing a record chase with two balls to spare. It was another disappointing end for Delhi Capitals, who were playing their fourth straight final in as many seasons and again finished runners-up.Chasing 204, RCB were led by captain Smriti Mandhana, who scored 87 off 41 balls, and Georgia Voll, who made 79 off 54 deliveries. The pair added 165 runs for the second wicket, a partnership that decided the contest. With this win, RCB drew level with Mumbai Indians (MI) as the most successful teams in the WPL.

Delhi Capitals had earlier posted 203 for four after being asked to bat. Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 57 off 37 balls, anchoring the innings after Shafali Varma and Lizelle Lee provided a strong start. Chinelle Henry provided the late push with 35 off just 15 balls. Laura Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 44 off 25 balls, while Lizelle Lee made 37 off 30 deliveries. Shafali Verma also contributed at the top before falling in the powerplay.RCB began well with the ball, as Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare conceded only nine runs in the first three overs. The pressure eased in the fourth over when Lee struck Satghare for two sixes. That over also included a stumping appeal created by Richa Ghosh and a difficult caught-and-bowled chance that Satghare could not hold. Delhi reached 36 after five overs.Arundhati Reddy was brought into the attack and removed Shafali Verma with a short ball, which was taken by Ghosh behind the stumps. Wolvaardt and Lee then increased the scoring, with Lee taking on Shreyanka Patil for two fours and a six as Delhi moved to 72 for one in seven overs. Nadine de Klerk broke the partnership by dismissing Lee, who was caught by Grace Harris running in from long-on.Rodrigues and Wolvaardt added 76 runs for the next wicket, keeping the innings on track. Henry’s late hitting ensured Delhi crossed the 200 mark.In reply, RCB lost Grace Harris early for nine, but Mandhana and Voll kept the chase under control. They scored freely through the middle overs and reached 100 at the halfway stage, needing 104 from 60 balls. Mandhana brought up her fifty in 23 balls and continued to find boundaries, while Voll matched her at the other end.RCB reached 150 in the 14th over, needing 54 from 36 balls. Voll was dismissed by Minnu Mani, briefly giving Delhi hope, but RCB stayed calm and finished the chase. The result meant RCB once again defeated Delhi Capitals in a final, repeating the outcome of the 2024 title match.

As the city unwinds after long workdays, Mumbai’s dance floors are coming alive again, pulsing with old-school jive and new-age joy. Held on weeknights, twice or thrice a month at different venues, these gatherings are less about polished performances and more about community, meeting new people, letting one’s hair down and dancing simply for the love of it.

For the love of dancePetra Fernandes, one of the organisers and a dance teacher says, “These socials are for those who love to dance. They offer a wholesome, breezy atmosphere that’s also beginner-friendly, often with free introductory workshops.” Jive instructor Philip Mendonsa explains that the idea was to move jive beyond its “Catholic wedding vibe”. “We wanted to revive it for a wider audience, alongside salsa and bachata.” Choreographer Valentino Victoria describes the evenings as a playful blend of styles. “It’s jive with a dash of Kizomba and Bachata and these socials capture what I call a true révolution du dance floor.” More than a dance, it’s a community For many participants, the appeal goes far beyond learning steps. Vama Jain, a marketing manager from Juhu, calls jive her “go-to after a hectic work day,” adding, “It’s my way to let loose and have a good time. The jive community as a whole is very wholesome and kind.” She describes her takeaway from the social as “energetic, beginner-friendly and warm.” Echoing this sentiment, Fiona Puthur, a senior brand manager from Mira Road, believes “life needs whimsy.” For her, jive is “a fun break from everyday corporate sludge,” and a rare space where community flourishes even as adulthood takes over. “After a few jive socials, the people really start to become the best part and the reason I keep coming back,” she says. A safe, welcoming space for all Participants also highlight how inclusive and welcoming these socials feel. Nerissa Fernandes from Andheri says what stands out most are the themes and the warmth of the hosts. “My core takeaway from all of the jive socials is that it’s a safe space for women to socialise,” she shares. For Anjana Ayyar, who works as an administrative professional at a clinic, curiosity about jive turned into commitment. “This community, the music and the fact that we are all so different but our love for jive brings us together is what makes me come back to this,” she says. Dancing away the Monday blues That sense of belonging is what keeps professionals returning, even on packed weeknights. Devang Bidaye, a dentist from Bandra East, loves the “pure infectious energy, music and a close-knit warm-hearted community.” For him, timing doesn’t matter. “It doesn’t matter how the Monday goes, there’s always a jive social to make it end perfectly joyful and full of energy to kickstart the week.” Across generations, one beat The socials cut across age groups, too. Kael Mascarenhas, a college student from Goregaon West, says watching his father dance inspired him to attend. “My core takeaway from here is that friendships and connections can be made anywhere and everywhere,” he says. For Faye Rodrigues from Bandra, jiving is her monthly stressbuster. “It feels like I am out of my reality and come to just dance my heart out,” she says, praising the innovative themes, spot prizes and the chance to network while brushing up on her moves.

Themes, sneakers and shared joy The themed nights have also built a loyal following. Samuel Ranganathan, a senior analyst from Santacruz East, says the organisers’ attention to detail keeps him hooked. “It’s been more than a year and not a single theme has been repeated,” he says, adding that as a sneaker enthusiast, some themes are simply unmissable. “Dancing unites people, brings us joy and happiness, and lets us forget all our problems.” Finance executive Ejnath Salian agrees. “Dance always brings people together,” he says. “For those few hours, we forget everything else going on in life.”