NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki India dispatched over 5.85 lakh vehicles by the railway network in 2025, a record number for the company in a single year. This marked an 18% growth over 2024 and the share of rail now accounts for about 26% of its outbound vehicle movement, up sharply from 5.1% in 2016.The shift towards rail-based logistics has led to an estimated avoidance of nearly 87,904 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and fuel savings of more than 687 lakh litres during the year, the company said.Rail dispatch volumes for Maruti have grown more than seven-and-a-half times over the past decade, from about 77,000 vehicles in 2016 to over 5.85 lakh units in 2025. The move has also helped reduce road congestion and dependence on fossil fuel imports, it said.

Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, said 2025 marked a milestone for the company’s logistics operations. “The year 2025 marks our highest-ever rail dispatch… During the year, we strengthened our green logistic efforts through two landmark events – inauguration of India’s largest automobile in-plant railway siding at our Manesar facility, and second was we dispatched vehicles by rail to Kashmir valley through the world’s highest railway arch bridge over Chenab river, a first by any automobile manufacturer.”Takeuchi said the company’s mid-term goal is to increase rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35% by FY2030-31 as it works towards aiding India’s net-zero ambition by 2070. “Maruti has adopted a comprehensive ‘Circular Mobility’ approach to sustainability, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint across the entire vehicle lifecycle—from design and production to logistics and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) management”Maruti was the first automobile company to obtain an AFTO (Automobile-Freight-Train-Operator) license, back in 2013. Since FY 2014-15, it has transported over 28 lakh vehicles from 22 destinations servicing over 600 cities pan India through a hub and spoke model.Currently, the company uses over 45 flexi deck rakes, each with a capacity of carrying around 260 vehicles per trip.In CY 2025, rail dispatches from Maruti Suzuki’s in-plant railway siding at Gujarat and Manesar facility accounted for 53% of the Company’s total rail dispatches.

NEW DELHI: The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Monday that all-rounder Muhammad Zohaib has been sent back from the squad due to disciplinary issues but did not share more details on the matter. “Muhammad Zohaib has been sent back due to disciplinary issues. More details will be provided in due course. ECB will at this stage not make any further comment on the matter,” the board said in a statement.

Meanwhile, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem made it clear that tensions around India-Pakistan matches do not affect his team ahead of their opening game in the T20 World Cup against New Zealand on Tuesday. He stressed that the UAE squad is united regardless of nationality. “No, to be honest, there is no India-Pakistan. We are playing for the UAE and we are always treating ourselves like a family,” Waseem said. He added, “We are living like a family, friends. We are spending time together, eating together. There is no Indian-Pakistani in the UAE team to be honest.”Waseem also praised Indian head coach Lalchand Rajput, who joined the team in 2024. He said Rajput’s experience has helped the players understand conditions better. “He has so much experience about India. He is working with the boys; he is telling everything about the pitches and the other things. So it helped us a lot and we are working on that and inshallah you will see tomorrow the same things he told to boys,” he added.Looking ahead to their match against New Zealand, Waseem said UAE would take confidence from their historic win over the Black Caps in 2023. “Our strategy is very simple. We beat them before in UAE but this time it’s a different venue, different tournament, different ground, and different game also,” he said. “So we came with the other plan right now… we prepared ourselves like a champion team. So inshallah, we will try to play a good cricket against them tomorrow.”He also said the team is well prepared, adding, “Yeah, preparation is going very good to be honest… we came here with a different mindset and mentality. So you will see tomorrow the way boys will play.”

The 10th Match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features a high-stakes Group A clash between two of the most consistent Associate nations: the Netherlands and Namibia. Both teams see this fixture as their best opportunity to secure two vital points in a group that includes heavyweights like India and Pakistan.

The Netherlands come into this match battle-hardened after a spirited performance against Pakistan. Although they fell short, their bowling unit, led by Logan van Beek and the veteran Roelof van der Merwe, proved they could squeeze world-class batters. Scott Edwards will look to anchor the middle order, but the Dutch will need more explosive starts from Max O’Dowd and Michael Levitt to post a challenging total.

Namibia, on the other hand, are beginning their campaign with the tactical advantage of having legendary coach Gary Kirsten in their corner as a consultant. Under the seasoned leadership of Gerhard Erasmus, the “Eagles” boast a versatile squad. Watch out for Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who holds the record for the fastest T20I century, and the left-arm threat of Ruben Trumpelmann with the new ball.

NED vs NAM, T20 World Cup 2026: Match details

• Date and Time: February 10; 11:00 am IST / 5:30 am GMT
• Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

NED vs NAM, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 04 | Netherlands won: 03 | Namibia won: 01 | Win/Tied: 0

Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report

The Arun Jaitley Stadium is traditionally known for its low and slow nature, but recent T20 matches have seen a shift toward more batter-friendly surfaces with shorter square boundaries. Since this is an 11:00 AM start, the dew factor will be non-existent. This is a massive boost for the spinners, who will find plenty of grip and turn in the second innings as the sun dries out the surface. With the match starting in the relatively cool Delhi morning (approx. 18-22°C), there might be some moisture trapped under the surface, offering early swing for the likes of Trumpelmann and Paul van Meekeren. As the match progresses, expect Aryan Dutt and Bernard Scholtz to be the most influential bowlers. The pitch tends to hold, making stroke-playing difficult against slower deliveries. A total in the range of 160–170 is expected to be highly competitive here.

Squads:

Namibia: Malan Kruger, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Louren Steenkamp, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Ruben Trumpelmann, Zane Green (wk), Jan Balt, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Dylan Leicher, Jack Brassell, Willem Myburgh, Max Heingo

Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (c and wk), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Roelof van der Merwe, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren, Timm van der Gugten, Saqib Zulfiqar, Fred Klaassen, Noah Croes

Also READ: Michael Leask’s all-round show powers Scotland to emphatic win over Italy in T20 World Cup 2026

NED vs NAM, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Netherlands wins the toss and bowls first
• Namibia’s powerplay score: 30-40
• Namibia’s total score: 140-150

Case 2:

• Namibia wins the toss and bowls first
• Netherlands’ powerplay score: 40-50
• Netherlands’ total score: 155-165

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Nepal pacer Nandan Yadav left speechless by Dale Steyn’s heartwarming message after England thriller

Sachin Tendulkar abd Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Image credit: Agencies)

India’s Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2026 had many heroes, but one name towered above the rest — Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. In the final against England in Harare, the 14-year-old prodigy delivered a breathtaking performance that left the cricketing world stunned. Smashing 175 off just 80 balls, Sooryavanshi powered India to their sixth U19 World Cup title and rewrote record books in the process, including registering the highest individual score in a U19 World Cup final.The sheer audacity of his strokeplay, combined with a growing list of centuries at age-group level, has triggered a familiar debate in Indian cricket circles: should generational talents be fast-tracked?

Among those voicing strong support for the idea is Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who drew a direct parallel between Suryavanshi and one of the game’s greatest icons — Sachin Tendulkar.“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi deserves to be fast-tracked into higher honours. The last time we had a 14-year-old genius at the crease, his name was Sachin Tendulkar. And we didn’t keep him waiting long,” Tharoor wrote on X (formerly Twitter).The comparison is not without historical weight. Tendulkar, after piling up runs in school and domestic cricket, was ushered into the Indian team in 1989 at just 16 years of age, making his international debut against Pakistan. His rapid ascent went on to redefine Indian cricket for over two decades.Yet, unlike Tendulkar’s era, Sooryavanshi faces a non-negotiable roadblock. Despite the clamour around him, the Bihar-born left-hander cannot represent India at senior international level until March 2026. The obstacle lies in the ICC’s Minimum Age Policy, introduced in 2020 to protect young cricketers’ physical and mental well-being. Under the regulation, a player must be at least 15 years old to feature in international cricket.Born on 27 March 2011, Sooryavanshi was still technically 14 at the time of India’s World Cup triumph in February 2026. As a result, regardless of how many blistering 36-ball centuries he piles up for Bihar or how many established IPL bowlers he dismantles for the Rajasthan Royals, the national selectors have no choice but to wait.For now, even with influential voices like Tharoor echoing the Sachin precedent, Sooryavanshi’s India dream remains on pause — at least until the calendar turns to 27 March 2026.

Mumbai woke up on Sunday to a sight rarely witnessed in a modern metropolis: 64 mumukshus stepping away from worldly attachments and into the austere discipline of Jain diksha. The occasion — Sanyamrang Utsav at Chikuwadi Ground, Borivali West marked one of the most significant collective renunciation ceremonies the city has seen in recent years. What unfolded was not merely a ritual, but a powerful public affirmation of faith, restraint and spiritual courage.

Before dawn, a city gathers

Devotees arrive at 4am as Borivali prepares for history Long before sunrise, streams of devotees began converging on Chikuwadi. By 4am, families, elders, youth groups and community leaders had taken their places, determined not to miss a moment. Within hours, the vast ground was filled beyond capacity, with estimates placing attendance at over 50,000 people. The atmosphere was reverent yet electric — quiet anticipation layered with emotion, devotion and collective pride.

Under the gaze of the acharyas

A rare congregation of spiritual authority The ceremony unfolded under the guidance and blessings of some of Jainism’s most revered spiritual leaders, including Gachchhadhipati Acharya Som Sundar Suriji, Acharya Yogtilak Suriji, Acharya Kushalchandra Suriji and Acharya Punyasundar Suriji. They were joined by a large congregation of sadhus and sadhvis, lending the event unmistakable gravity. As the diksharthis accepted the vows of restraint, discipline and renunciation, the silence of the gathering spoke louder than words.

A chorus of conviction

‘Jainam Jayati Shasanam’ echoes across Chikuwadi At around 9.30am, the ritual offering of the rajoharan transformed the ground into a single, resonant voice. The chant — “Jainam Jayati Shasanam” — rose from thousands of throats, creating a moment many described as overwhelming. For families, it was a delicate mix of pride and parting. Tears flowed freely, yet faith remained steady. The pain of separation was tempered by the belief that their loved ones had chosen the highest spiritual calling.

Youthful renunciation, shared resolve

A young couple’s decision stands out Among the 64, one decision drew particular attention. Rishabhbhai, a young social worker associated with Adhyatma Parivar, and his wife Sonalben chose renunciation together. Embracing lifelong celibacy at a young age, their shared resolve became a powerful symbol of commitment in an age often defined by material aspiration. Their choice drew prolonged applause — and deep reflection.

Public life meets spiritual life

Political leaders acknowledge the moment Maharashtra cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha attended the ceremony, paying homage to the courage of the diksharthis and the emotional strength of their families. Several senior figures from the Jain community, trustees and representatives of religious organisations were also present, underscoring the wider social resonance of the event.

Sacred ground, renewed legacy

Chikuwadi’s growing spiritual history Chikuwadi Ground already holds a special place in Jain collective memory. Nearly seven years ago, it hosted 44 dikshas. With Sunday’s ceremony, the number of initiations conducted on the same ground has risen to 108, giving the space near-mythic status within the community.

Faith with responsibility

An environmentally conscious celebration Even at this scale, the organisers remained attentive to environmental concerns. Plastic and disposable items were avoided during food distribution, while volunteers ensured cleanliness throughout the day — demonstrating that spiritual discipline can extend beyond ritual into everyday responsibility.

Bangladesh cricket team (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has concluded a constructive and open dialogue with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), covering issues including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader growth of cricket in South Asia, the governing body said in a media release. In particular, the discussions acknowledged the disappointment surrounding Bangladesh’s absence from the T20 World Cup, while reaffirming the BCB’s status as a valued Full Member of the ICC. The global governing body emphasised Bangladesh’s rich cricketing heritage and its critical role in growing the sport, highlighting the country’s vibrant fanbase of over 200 million supporters. The ICC also made clear that the national team’s non-participation would not have any long-term impact on cricket in Bangladesh.

Key outcomes from the discussions include: No penalties for BCB: The ICC confirmed that Bangladesh will face no financial, sporting, or administrative sanctions in relation to its T20 World Cup absence. The BCB also retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) under ICC regulations if it wishes. The ICC reiterated its commitment to neutrality and fairness, focusing on facilitation rather than punishment. ICC event hosting 2028–2031: As part of the agreement, Bangladesh has been confirmed to host an ICC event before the 2031 Men’s Cricket World Cup, subject to standard ICC hosting requirements. This decision reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s ability to stage international tournaments and demonstrates the ICC’s commitment to distributing hosting opportunities across its member nations. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said, “Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter our commitment to the country as a core cricketing nation. We remain focused on growing the sport sustainably in Bangladesh, creating opportunities for players and fans, and investing in its long-term competitiveness and global integration.” The ICC, PCB, and BCB, alongside other member boards, reaffirmed their dedication to dialogue, cooperation, and constructive engagement, underlining the importance of unity and integrity in the global cricket community.

The United States and Bangladesh on Monday reached an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade as both sides seek to deepen their “bilateral economic relationship”. Under the arrangement, Bangladesh’s exports to the American market will face a 19% tariff, slightly below the earlier rate of 20%. The signing brought together US trade representative Jamieson Greer and Bangladesh’s adviser overseeing commerce, textiles and jute, and civil aviation and tourism, Sheikh Bashir Uddin. Bangladesh commerce secretary Mahbubur Rahman and assistant US trade representative Brendan Lynch were also present.Speaking on the agreement, Greer said, “Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is pursuing a trade policy that delivers real results for American workers and businesses, strengthening our economic and security partnerships abroad.” He further added, “today’s signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with Bangladesh is the first in South Asia and marks a meaningful step forward in opening markets, addressing trade barriers, and creating new opportunities for American exporters.”Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus said that the agreement indicates a “historically new level” in relations between the two nations.The latest deal also reduces the reciprocal tariff from the initial figure of 37% and the 20% that had been in place since August last year. As part of the deal, Washington has also committed to establish a pathway for certain textile and apparel shipments from Bangladesh made with US cotton and man-made fibre to enter the United States at a zero reciprocal tariff. “The reduction of reciprocal tariff will grant further advantage to our exporters, while zero reciprocal tariff on specific textile and apparel exports from Bangladesh using US inputs will give substantial added impetus to our garments sector”, said NSA Rahman, Bangladesh’s chief negotiator.Dhaka said that the agreement was approved by the council of advisers approved and the pact will come into force once both governments issue formal notifications.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Monday registered an FIR over the circulation of an unpublished book of ex-Chief of Army Staff General Naravane on social media, cops told news agency PTI.A row erupted over General Naravane’s book after Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi cited excerpts from the former Army chief’s unpublished memoir and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “not fulfilling responsibility” during the 2020 India-China military clashes in Ladakh.

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament the Congress leader said, “The speaker is saying that this book does not exist, Rajnath ji has said this book does not exist. This is Naravane ji’s book wherein he has written the account of Ladakh…Narendra Modi ji did not fulfil his responsibility.”Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on reading purported extracts from the yet-to-be-published Naravane’s book shone the spotlight on the rules and regulations that restrict senior military officials from revealing classified information or crucial leadership decisions even after retirement.Meanwhile, Penguin Random House, which holds the publishing rights, said the book has “not gone into publication. No copies of the book – in print or digital form – have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public” by them.“In light of recent public discourse and media reporting, Penguin Random House India would like to clarify that we hold the sole publishing rights for the book Four Stars of Destiny, a memoir by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, former Chief of the Indian Army. We wish to make it clear that the book has not gone into publication. No copies of the book – in print or digital form – have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public by Penguin Random House India,” the publishing house wrote on X.There has been no official word from the author or even the ministry on the status of the book.Senior military officials, particularly those dealing with classified information, are subject to regulations under the Official Secrets Act that restrict the publication of books or information even after retirement to prevent such classified material from becoming public.While a general one-year “cooling-off” period exists for taking up commercial or private employment, regulations for publishing secret content require prior government clearance.“Four Stars of Destiny”, a memoir of Naravane, who was Army chief from December 31, 2019, to April 30, 2022, remains unpublished due to pending clearance from the defence ministry regarding sensitive details on the 2020 Line of Actual Control (LAC) standoff and Agnipath scheme.If the said rules and regulations are violated, the government can take legal action and such violations can also lead to the withholding of part or all of the pension of the military official concerned, as per CCS (Pension) Rules. There are chances that if the memoir is published, it could “flare up” the LAC situation with China.In May-June 2020, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in violent face-offs along the LAC in eastern Ladakh and Sikkim, most notably during the June 15, 2020, clash in Galwan Valley that resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers. There were casualties on the Chinese side as well. This marked the deadliest confrontation in decades, leading to major troop escalations.Under the then General Naravane’s command, India and China held a series of ground-level talks that led to “disengagement” in a phased manner from the stand-off areas. As of today, the situation along LAC is characterised by a “thaw” following a series of disengagement agreements, yet high-level military forward deployment from both sides persists.

Babar Azam’s return to the T20 World Cup stage has sparked a massive debate following his sluggish 15 off 18 balls in Pakistan’s nervous opening win against the Netherlands on February 7. While Pakistan narrowly avoided a historic upset thanks to Faheem Ashraf’s explosive late-order hitting, Babar’s inability to rotate strike or find boundaries at No. 4 has left fans and experts questioning his fit in the modern T20 setup. As Pakistan prepares for their crucial second match against the USA on February 10, the pressure on Babar has reached a boiling point, with Shastri offering a blunt ‘intent-first’ roadmap to help the superstar rediscover his rhythm before the tournament progresses.

Ravi Shastri delivers direct challenge to Babar Azam ahead of PAK vs USA match in T20 World Cup 2026

Ravi Shastri believes Babar is currently fighting an internal battle against his own reputation rather than the bowlers. Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri analyzed Babar’s current slump as a byproduct of his seniority, stating: “When you are at that stage of your career, there’s baggage. There’s a weight of expectation. People expect you to go out there and deliver.”

To counter this, Shastri’s advice was direct and almost reckless: “Get out there and in your first five balls, I don’t care if you get out, but I want you to make an effort to hit a couple of boundaries. Choose your spot, get into good positions, anticipate what the bowler is doing. You will feel a lot better and things might change.” By encouraging Babar to potentially sacrifice his wicket in search of early aggression, Shastri hopes the batter can ‘break the mental shackles’ that have led to his recent ‘turtle-paced’ strike rates.

Also READ: 3 key conditions from Pakistan to lift boycott of India for T20 World Cup 2026

T20 World Cup 2026: Shastri’s warning to Babar regarding time

Beyond the mental aspect, Shastri emphasized that the modern T20 game, specifically the middle-over phase where Babar now operates, simply does not allow for a ‘settling in’ period. He warned that while Babar has the class to recover, time is a luxury Pakistan cannot afford: “He’s a quality player. We know he’s got the experience to adjust very quickly, but he has to do it quickly because the middle overs are a very crucial period of play.”

Shastri pointed out that in a tournament of this magnitude, any drop in momentum during the 7-15 over block can be fatal, adding: “In T20 cricket, you can’t give it that much time unless the conditions are really in favor of the bowlers.” With critics already suggesting his spot is under threat, Shastri concluded with a stark reality check for the former captain: “There will be questions asked.” The upcoming clash against the USA in Colombo is now widely seen as a make or break moment for Babar to prove he can still match the scoring rates of the world’s elite.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Donald Trump sends morale-boosting message to Team USA after India defeat