India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

NEW DELHI: India kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign with a win over the USA, but captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted the team had to dig deep after a shaky start. India posted 161/9, thanks largely to SKY’s unbeaten 84 off 49 balls after the top and middle order collapsed. The USA then managed 132/8 in reply, as India’s bowlers kept things under control.

After the match, Suryakumar was honest about India’s batting struggles. He said, “Only I can tell at the position we were in at 77/6, how much pressure we were in… We could’ve batted a little better.” He also spoke about the conditions, noting the pitch and morning light were unusual, but stressed that the team should not make excuses.“It was a little different wicket from what it is always at Wankhede. But at the same time, we knew when we woke up in the morning, we saw outside there wasn’t a lot of sun outside,” he added.Surya, who got the Man of the Match award for his exceptional knock, explained how he approached his innings when India were in trouble, adding, “I always felt that there was a need for a batter to bat till the end. I never felt that it was a 180-190 wicket. I felt it was a 140 wicket.” He revealed that coach Gautam Gambhir also advised him to stay till the end and back himself. “Gauti bhai told me the same thing during the break after the 14 overs. He told me, just try and bat till the end, you can cover it any time,” he continued.Drawing on his experience of playing in Mumbai maidans, he focused on timing his shots and managing the innings under pressure.He also reflected on his personal journey, saying, “I knew definitely someday it was going to come… I was trying to bat in such a way, hold the innings for the team, but it wasn’t happening.”India’s bowlers then stepped up. Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel shared key wickets to keep the USA chase in check. Though Milind Kumar, Shubham Ranjane and Suraj Krishnamurthi fought back with useful knocks, they could not match India’s experience in crunch moments.Earlier, India were rocked at 77/6 after Shadley van Schalkwyk ripped through the batting with four wickets, including a triple strike in one over. But Suryakumar’s calm and aggressive knock rescued India and gave the bowlers enough runs to defend.In the end, India won by 29 runs, an important but hard-earned victory that showed both their resilience and the areas they still need to improve.

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The interim India-US trade agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation in pharmaceuticals and medical technology, with industry bodies saying medicine supply chains are closely linked to national security priorities.Strengthening the India-US medicines partnership is important as medicine security is a part of national security, the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance said on Saturday, welcoming the interim trade agreement between the two countries.

“Generics are exempted from tariffs. As noted in the Joint Statement, overall pharmaceuticals (including generics) are subject to ongoing US Section 232 investigation. This is consistent with the approach across FTAs,” Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) Secretary General, Sudarshan Jain said in a statement, PTI quoted.US Section 232 investigations are conducted by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security with an aim to protect US national security.“Strengthening the India-US medicines partnership is important, as medicine security is a part of national security,” Jain noted.Poly Medicure Ltd Managing Director Himanshu Baid said, “With US import tariffs on Indian medical devices at 18 per cent, Indian MedTech exporters gain a meaningful competitive advantage in one of the world’s most sophisticated healthcare markets.This agreement will further empower MSMEs, deepen India-US economic engagement, and create long-term opportunities for innovation-led growth,” he added.The US continues to be a key and growing market for Polymed, aligned with its global expansion strategy, Baid said.India and the US on Saturday announced they have reached a framework for an interim trade agreement under which both sides will reduce import duties on a number of goods to boost two-way trade.Under the pact, the US will reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the present 50 per cent, while India will eliminate or cut down import duties on all US industrial goods and a wide range of American food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits

Sanjay Ghadi and Ritu Tawde (PTI image)

NEW DELHI: BJP corporator Ritu Tawde is set to become Mumbai’s next mayor after being elected unopposed, marking the party’s return to the post after 44 years and ending the Shiv Sena’s uninterrupted 25-year hold over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).The contest turned uncontested after the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) decided not to field a challenger against Tawde, effectively clearing her path to the mayor’s office. Though the mayor’s role is largely ceremonial, it carries strong political and symbolic significance in Mumbai’s identity-driven civic politics.Tawde’s elevation will be the BJP’s first mayoral win in Mumbai since Prabhakar Pai’s tenure in 1982–83. It also means the undivided Shiv Sena, which controlled the BMC from 1997 to 2022, will not hold the mayor’s post after nearly three decades.On the final day of nominations, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, a BJP ally in the ruling Mahayuti, nominated Sanjay Ghadi as its candidate for deputy mayor. The party announced that the deputy mayor’s tenure would be split, allowing multiple corporators to serve during the term.A senior BMC official told PTI that only one nomination each was received for the mayor’s and deputy mayor’s posts before the 6 pm deadline. “We have received just one nomination from BJP’s Ritu Tawde for the mayor’s post and another from Sanjay Ghadi for the deputy mayor’s post,” the official said.Although opposition parties have not filed nominations, the election process will be formally completed on February 11, which is also the last day for withdrawal of nominations. The mayor’s post has been reserved for a woman candidate from the open category following a draw of lots by the Urban Development Department.Tawde (53), a corporator from Ghatkopar East, filed her nomination at the municipal secretary’s office in the presence of senior Mahayuti leaders, including minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and BJP Mumbai unit chief Ameet Satam. Speaking to reporters, she said a safer and more developed Mumbai was her priority and that she wanted to work for citizens of the cosmopolitan city.The Shiv Sena (UBT) was expected to challenge the BJP nominee but decided against it after a meeting at party chief Uddhav Thackeray’s residence. Former Mumbai mayor and Sena (UBT) leader Kishori Pednekar said the decision reflected respect for Marathi identity.“The BJP had to accept that Marathi manoos is a Hindu. If the mayor of Mumbai is Marathi manoos, we won’t do anything that amounts to a bad omen. We have accepted the arithmetic and will play the role of a strong opposition and fight for Mumbai,” Pednekar said.The Sena (UBT) had raised the Marathi identity plank in last month’s BMC elections, where it contested in alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats in the 227-member civic body. The ruling Mahayuti alliance, with a combined strength of 118 corporators, comfortably crossed the halfway mark of 114.Addressing a press conference earlier in the day, BJP’s Satam said that the city was set to get a BJP mayor after four decades. “We have the backing of 118 corporators and the support of more members. The Mahayuti will work to free the BMC from the clutches of corruption,” he said.Satam also said that the alliance had asserted from the beginning that Mumbai’s mayor would be Marathi and Hindu. “The city will now get a Marathi, Malvani, Konkani and Hindu mayor,” he added.Reacting sharply, the NCP (SP) criticised the BJP’s choice, saying selecting a former Congress leader as mayor had demoralised party loyalists. NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto said, “By choosing a former Congresswoman as mayor, the BJP has insulted its own loyal corporators who have given their blood, sweat and tears for the party.”Tawde, who joined the BJP in 2012 after quitting the Congress, was elected as a corporator the same year. During her first term, she chaired the BMC’s Education Committee and raised issues related to infrastructure, water supply and public safety. She was also in the spotlight for raising objections to mannequins displaying objectionable clothing in shops.Ghadi, a corporator from Ward No. 5 who defected from Sena (UBT) to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, will serve as deputy mayor for 15 months, party secretary Sanjay More said.The BMC, India’s richest civic body, has been under a state-appointed administrator since March 2022 following the end of the previous term. Its budget for 2025–26 stands at Rs 74,450 crore, higher than that of several Indian states.

PALANPUR: For the past five years, hundreds of villagers in Sabarkantha and Mehsana districts have unknowingly consumed milk and buttermilk adulterated with detergent powder, urea and other toxic chemicals.On Friday, the Sabarkantha Local Crime Branch (LCB) busted a factory allegedly manufacturing adulterated milk near Salal village in Prantij taluka and arrested five people, including a juvenile.

The raid was conducted at a unit named Shree Satya Dairy Products, where milk was reportedly prepared by mixing water, milk powder, caustic soda, refined palmolein oil, refined soybean oil, detergent powder and urea fertiliser.“Using 300 litres of genuine milk, the accused used to produce 1,700 to 1,800 litres of milk daily by mixing various chemicals. The milk was packed in pouches and supplied to villages,” said a senior police official.Police seized adulteration materials including 450 kg whey powder, 625 kg skimmed milk powder, 300 kg premium SMP powder, urea fertiliser, caustic soda, detergent powder, soybean oil and palmolein oil, besides 1,962 litres of adulterated milk and 1,180 litres of adulterated buttermilk meant for distribution.Officials said the adulterants were used to artificially increase the thickness, foam, protein content and overall appearance of milk to deceive consumers.Acting on specific intelligence, a joint team of the LCB, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the food and drugs department carried out the operation. During the search, officials recovered large quantities of hazardous chemicals, adulteration substances and equipment used for manufacturing and packaging milk. The factory was sealed immediately.Police arrested four accused — plant operator Jitendra Patel and employees Sachin Makwana, Karan Parmar and Ajaysinh Parmar — while a juvenile worker was detained.The factory owner, Rakesh alias Dhamo Patel, a resident of Salal currently living in Himmatnagar, is absconding. Police have launched a search operation to nab him.A case has been registered at Prantij police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The energy at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is nothing short of electric as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is in its high-octane Group A proceedings. In the third match of the tournament, the defending champions, India, face off against a resilient United States of America (USA) team on Sunday, February 07. While the atmosphere is festive, a wave of concern swept through the Indian camp just moments before the toss when it was revealed that India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, was missing from the team sheet.

The match marks a significant moment for the Men in Blue as they begin their title defense on home soil. However, the absence of the world’s premier fast bowler has forced a late tactical shift for captain Suryakumar Yadav.

Suryakumar Yadav provides a crucial update on Jasprit Bumrah

At the toss, which saw the USA opt to bowl first, Suryakumar addressed the elephant in the room. Despite the breezy and batting-friendly conditions at the Wankhede, the skipper confirmed that India would be without their X-factor bowler.

“We were looking to bat first. It looks good here. I played a lot of cricket here. There’s a wind around as well, so I don’t think there’ll be a lot of dew later on. Of course there’ll be a little bit of pressure. We can’t run away from that fact, but then new tournament, we want to play the same way how we’ve been playing in the last one or two years and continue the same thing. It’s live before the game starts and I’m sure when we start batting, it will be more wilder. We have Washington Sundar missing out, Sanju Samson missing out. Unfortunately Jasprit Bumrah is not well so Mohammed Siraj is playing,” Suryakumar Yadav stated at the toss.

Reports suggest that Bumrah has been sidelined due to a viral fever. The BCCI medical team has decided to take a cautious approach, resting him to ensure he recovers fully for the more grueling stages of the tournament. In his stead, Mohammed Siraj, who was recently drafted into the squad as an injury replacement for Harshit Rana, takes the ball, bringing his fiery pace back to the T20I arena.

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IND vs USA: Playing XI of both teams

The absence of Bumrah isn’t the only change for India. The management has opted for the explosive opening duo of Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma, meaning Sanju Samson misses out on the starting eleven. Meanwhile, the USA, led by Monank Patel, enters the fray with a lineup featuring several players of Indian origin, adding a unique emotional layer to this clash.

India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy.

United States of America: Andries Gous (wk), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Monank Patel (c), Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.

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The 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) has launched its official website and begun seeking structured feedback from stakeholders, marking a key step in the process of reviewing salaries, pensions and allowances for central government employees and pensioners.According to a statement posted on the Commission’s official website, inputs are being collected through a structured questionnaire hosted on the MyGov portal. The move is aimed at gathering broad-based feedback before finalising recommendations.“The 8th Central Pay Commission solicits views/opinions/inputs for being better informed. These inputs are being sought in a structured manner through a questionnaire with 18 questions hosted on the MyGov.in web portal. Responses are invited from ministries, departments, state/UTs, employees of the government, employees of Union Territories, judicial officers, officers/employees of courts, members of regulatory bodies, associations or unions of serving or retired employees, pensioners, researchers, academicians and individuals,” the Commission said.The Commission added that identities of respondents will remain confidential and data will be analysed and disclosed only in aggregate, non-attributable form.Check official website

Deadline and submission rules

The last date to submit responses to the questionnaire is March 16, 2026.“All responses should be through the MyGov portal. Paper-based physical response, emails or pdf response are not being considered by the commission,” the Commission said.The questionnaire has been made available in both English and Hindi to ensure wider participation.

When was the 8th Pay Commission notified?

The formation of the 8th Pay Commission was announced in January 2025. It was formally notified by the Ministry of Finance on November 3, 2025, along with approval of its Terms of Reference (ToR).The Commission has been given 18 months to submit its recommendations on revision of salaries, pensions and allowances. It has also been allotted office space in the national capital.

Who can participate in the questionnaire?

The consultation process has been opened to a wide stakeholder base, including:

What kind of policy questions are being asked?

The questionnaire includes macro and structural policy questions, including:

The government has not announced an implementation date yet.Replying in Lok Sabha in December 2025, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said:“The date for implementing the 8th Central Pay Commission will be decided by the government. The government will make appropriate provisions of funds for implementing the accepted recommendations of 8th CPC.”

How arrears may be calculated

Experts say arrears are generally calculated using a standard formula.Ramachandran Krishnamoorthy, Director – Payroll Services, Nexdigm, told ET arrears can be calculated as:

He said arrears usually include:

The final arrears amount depends on the delay period, which is typically estimated between 18–24 months depending on implementation timelines.

Why the 8th CPC matters

The 8th Pay Commission is expected to influence income levels and consumption patterns across millions of government-linked households. Its recommendations typically impact salary structures, pension payouts and allowances across central government departments.

Sanju Samson during a practice session ahead of the fifth and final T20 International cricket match between India and New Zealand, at the Greenfield International Stadium, in Thiruvananthapuram. (PTI Photo)

Sanju Samson was not named in India’s playing XI for their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against the United States of America at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed at the toss that Ishan Kishan replaced Samson at the top of the order, opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma. Tilak Verma was included in the middle order. USA skipper Monank Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first.India also left out Jasprit Bumrah, who is unwell, with Mohammed Siraj coming into the XI. Washington Sundar did not make the team either.“We have Washi (Washington Sundar) missing out, Sanju (Samson) missing out. Unfortunately, Bumrah is not well so Siraj is playing,” said Suryakumar Yadav at the toss.“We were looking to bat first. Wicket looks good, there is wind around so we don’t expect dew. It’s alive even before the game starts and I am sure it is going to be even better,” he added.Samson had opened the batting in the last five T20I matches during the series against New Zealand but did not score many runs. In India’s only warm-up match before the T20 World Cup, Samson did not bat.Kishan, meanwhile, strengthened his case with recent performances. Batting at No. 3, he scored a half-century and a century in New Zealand series. He also opened the innings in the warm-up game against South Africa, scoring 53 off 20 balls and keeping wickets in that match.Apart from Samson, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar were not included in India’s playing XI for the match.TeamsIndia: Ishan Kishan (w), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy.USA: Saiteja Mukkamalla, Andries Gous (wk), Monank Patel (c), Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Shubham Ranjane, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan.