MUMBAI: Adani Group will invest $100 billion to build renewable energy-powered AI-ready data centres by 2035 as the ports-to-power conglomerate seeks to cash in on India’s attempt to pitch itself as the hub of AI infrastructure. The investment is expected to “catalyse” an additional $150 billion investment across server manufacturing, advanced electrical infrastructure and related sectors, potentially fueling a $250 billion AI infrastructure ecosystem in India over the decade, flagship Adani Enterprises said in a statement on Tuesday.From Google to Amazon and Reliance Industries, deep-pocketed business giants from across the world have pledged several billion dollars of investments to set up data centres in India, fueled by rapid adoption of AI by enterprises, lower costs (of building data centres compared to other places) and data localisation norms mandated by the govt. The recent investment will build on AdaniConneX’s existing 2GW national data centre which is expanding towards a 5GW target, helped by partnerships with tech majors Google and Microsoft, the company said.In Oct last year, Adani Enterprises through its joint venture company AdaniConneX announced a partnership with Google, which is spending $15 billion to build India’s largest AI data centre hub and energy infrastructure in Visakhapatnam.With Microsoft, it is setting up campuses across Hyderabad and Pune, the statement indicated without sharing additional details.The Adani Group is also in discussions with other major players looking to build large-scale data centre campuses across India, it said, adding that the company will also partner with Walmart’s Flipkart to develop a second AI data centre to support Flipkart’s AI workloads and next-generation digital commerce.The announcement coincides with the inaugural AI Impact summit being hosted by New Delhi where top global tech leaders including Google’s Sundar Pichai, OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei will be in attendance. “At Adani, we are building on our foundation in data centres and green energy to expand into the complete five-layer AI stack focused on India’s technological sovereignty. India will not be a mere consumer in the AI age. We will be the creators, builders and the exporters of intelligence,” said Gautam Adani, chairman, Adani Group.Adani Enterprises said that it will also invest another $55 billion to expand its renewable energy portfolio, including one of world’s largest battery energy storage systems.

Rohit Sharma and Wasim Akram (Image credit: X)

A warm hug between Rohit Sharma and Wasim Akram stole the spotlight in Colombo — and it came amid the ongoing no-handshake row between India and Pakistan. As the two icons embraced and shared a laugh before Sunday’s high-voltage clash, the moment quickly went viral, standing in sharp contrast to the frostiness that has defined on-field protocol between the two teams.Rohit was present at the venue in his capacity as a brand ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan encounter, he spent time around the Indian camp, exchanging smiles, hugs and handshakes with players and members of the support staff. The former captain appeared relaxed, soaking in the build-up to cricket’s biggest rivalry while offering encouragement before the big night.

The highlight, however, was his interaction with Akram. The Indian great and the Pakistan pace legend had the ceremonial duty of walking out with the T20 World Cup trophy. Before stepping onto the field at the R Premadasa Stadium, the two chatted briefly, posed for photographs and embraced warmly — a gesture that triggered mixed reactions online.The hug was particularly striking because it unfolded against the backdrop of India’s continued no-handshake stance with the Pakistan team. At the toss, India captain Suryakumar Yadav once again refrained from the customary greeting with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, in line with the approach the Indian side has maintained since the Asia Cup. While the policy has been a talking point in recent meetings, Rohit and Akram’s exchange offered a reminder that respect between players transcends contemporary tensions.Amid the charged atmosphere and packed stands bracing for another fierce chapter in the rivalry, the embrace provided a softer image — two legends from opposite sides of the border united by their shared history in the game.Once the match began, though, the warmth gave way to ruthless efficiency from the defending champions. India crushed Pakistan by 61 runs in their Group A encounter, a result that sealed their progression to the Super Eights.HOW INDIA TROUNCED PAKISTANIshan Kishan’s explosive 77 set the platform as India posted 175. The target of 176 always looked steep under pressure, and India’s bowlers ensured it remained that way.Hardik Pandya set the tone with a wicket-maiden opening over, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for a four-ball duck after inducing a mistimed pull. Jasprit Bumrah then struck twice in quick succession — first deceiving Saim Ayub with a sharp inswinger and then removing Salman Agha with a tame chip to mid-on. At 13/3 inside two overs, Pakistan’s chase was already in tatters.Babar Azam’s dismissal soon after left Pakistan reeling at 34/4. Usman Khan attempted to mount resistance with an enterprising 44, striking boundaries to briefly lift spirits. However, the required rate kept climbing, and India’s spinners tightened the screws.Kuldeep Yadav delivered a crucial, economical spell that built pressure before Axar Patel produced the breakthrough, stumping Usman just as he threatened to rebuild. From there, wickets fell in a procession. Kuldeep removed Mohammad Nawaz, Tilak Varma struck with his very first ball to dismiss Shadab Khan, and Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with two scalps.Pandya eventually knocked back Usman Tariq’s middle stump to wrap up proceedings as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs — their third-lowest total in T20 World Cup history.

NEW DELHI: SC on Tuesday criticised 12 ’eminent’ persons who together filed a PIL “targeting” CMs of BJP-governed states for alleged hate speeches while making a plea for framing guidelines to restrain constitutional functionaries and bureaucrats from breaching fidelity to constitutional morality. Appearing for petitioners, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices BV Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi that the country’s atmosphere had become toxic and “it is only the SC which can and should remedy it.”However, the CJI-led bench was quick to point out that the petition had selectively named individuals while highlighting the problem. “This petition is definitely targeting certain individuals as it leaves out others who routinely make such hate speeches. Let the petitioners not create an impression that it is targeting certain individuals.”The petitioners, including Roop Rekha Verma, Mohd Adeep, Harsh Mander, Najeeb Jung, John Dayal and Ashok Kumar Sharma had cited the alleged hate speeches of Himanta Biswa Sarma, Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Anantkumar Hegde and Giriraj Singh, all of whom belong to BJP, in addition to certain remarks by some bureaucrats.“Come with an impartial and neutral petition. The issue is important. Ultimately, there must be restraint in speech from all sides. We would like to say all political party functionaries must be mindful of constitutional morality and exercise restraint in their speeches, and any guideline should be applicable across the board,” said the CJI.The bench said there are political parties which brazenly make speeches based on their communal ideology and openly profess hatred. “You have not cited a single example from the other side.”When Sibal said he would delete all references to individuals in the petition, the bench responded that it would hear the PIL after the necessary amendments are carried out.Justice Nagarathna said, “Political party leaders must foster fraternity. Courts can pass orders. But the remedy lies in political parties and democratic institutions living up to constitutional values and morality.” Justice Nagarathna added, “The origin of speech is the thought process. Can by court order the thought process of a person be altered or restricted? What about free speech?”Justice Bagchi told Sibal, “It is such a vague petition. Instead of it being a populist exercise, let it be a constructive constitutional exercise. Humdrum of politics should not dictate the filing of the PIL.”Sibal sought two weeks to amend the PIL.The two prayers of the petitioners read like fundamental duties of a citizen: a) declaration that public speeches of constitutional functionaries or holders of public office are subject to constitutional morality and should not violate fundamental rights of others; b) formulation of guidelines to govern public speech by constitutional functionaries and bureaucrats to ensure fidelity to constitutional morality, without imposing prior restraint or censorship.

India’s Hardik Pandya (ANI Photo)

India’s premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya has revisited the turning point of his career, casting his mind back to the dramatic final over against Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 that first thrust him into the national spotlight. Tasked with defending 11 runs in the last over, Pandya held his nerve in a finish that remains one of the most unforgettable moments of that tournament. Nearly a decade on, he is now part of India’s squad as a senior figure in their title defence. He believes that night in 2016 laid the foundation for everything that followed.

“I think all these moments made me the kind of person I am. There were early challenges in my international career where I had to hold my ground and back myself. It was important to have belief. In cricket, even if there is just a 1% chance, the game is not over until the last ball of the match is bowled. “That Bangladesh match was a classic example of that. One ball before the wicket, the batter had started celebrating as if the game was over. He was celebrating right in front of me, and it was all happening before my eyes. “When things turn around like that, they create wonderful memories. Every time I see it, I think about how, in the early days, that was one of the challenges in my life and one of the moments in my career that shaped Hardik Pandya. I have had many more moments like this, but my journey started with that one,” Pandya said on JioStar. Pandya also described himself as a bowling-first “cricket geek”, admitting that he has not yet fully unlocked his batting ability. After the most recent IPL season, he realised he wanted to push towards his true ceiling as a batter. He also acknowledged the role his girlfriend, Mahieka, played in helping him reconnect with the joy of the sport. “I think the child in me, the cricket geek, who is always there, was focusing more on my skill set as a bowler. I have always had a lot of confidence in my bowling, but batting was very close to my heart. “After the last IPL, I realised that I really wanted to play to Hardik’s full potential. I think until now, I haven’t utilised more than 40 per cent of my batting potential, and that is genuinely honest feedback. “What I know as a cricketer, what I imagine, what I manifest, and how I practice, have not translated into performance by more than 40 per cent. I took some time in my life to figure out how to bring that out. That’s when Mahieka came into my life. “We started talking about the sport and how to bring that child back. She helped me rediscover that excitement for the game that I always had. I went behind the scenes, worked really hard, and had a good amount of batting sessions. “There were days when I was on the ground for six to seven hours. When I went to the NCA, I would go at 3:30 in the afternoon and finish at 12:30 at night. I was usually the last person to leave and shut the lights off,” he added. Those marathon sessions at the NCA in Bengaluru, stretching from mid-afternoon until well past midnight, underline Pandya’s determination to turn potential into performance as he enters the next phase of his international journey.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was visibly frustrated with paparazzi as he left the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after visiting his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, who is currently under medical care.Video footage circulating online shows Salman exiting the hospital, in his car. He was joined by his brother, Arbaaz Khan and sister-in-law Sshura Khan. The actor, who was seated in the front seat, was seen looking visibly upset as a crowd of paparazzi crowded around his car to take photos. Some photographers were even heard shouting “Salman Bhai!” repeatedly while he made his exit. Video footage shows Khan closing his eyes as the cameras flashed in front of his car. The actor was also seen ducking his head, trying to avoid the paparazzi.

Fans outraged at paparazzi

The videos prompted the actor’s fans to step in and express their displeasure and urge photographers to give him space. The incident drew sharp criticism from fans, many of whom scolded the paparazzi for their conduct. One comment read, “Why can’t these spectators/media give them a little privacy? At least, they must learn to control their excitement and stop yelling the names of the celebs. These celebs are human too… with emotions.” Another wrote, “Why can’t you guys give the man space while recording? Don’t go in front of the car. Do it respectfully.”A third added, “Why are the cameramen and reporters running behind the cars?”

Fans compare frenzy to Dharmendra’s hospitalisation

“First the Deol brothers and now Salman Khan,” read a post, pointing out similar episodes involving other stars. Previously, the paparazzi came under fire for their ‘insensitive’ behaviour towards the Deol family when veteran actor Dharmendra was in hospital. Besides the fans, Sunny Deol, Esha Deol and other family members also expressed their displeasure with the photographers during their father’s hospitalisation.Salim Khan was admitted to the ICU on Tuesday morning. His children, including Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Alvira Khan Agnihotri, Arpita Khan and other family members were spotted arriving at the hospital throughout the day to be by his side.As per a statement issued by Dr Jalil Parkar, Lilavati Hospital, “Salim Khan was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital under Dr Jalil Parkar in the ICU at 8.30 am on Tuesday morning. He was brought into the emergency by their family doctor, prompting emergency care. Salim Khan was later shifted to the intensive care. He is stable but is under close observation in regards to his clinical status.”Parker said the doctors will hold a press bulletin on Wednesday at 11 am with “due consent of the relatives and maintaining the confidentiality of the patient to the utmost.”

New Delhi: Residents of east Delhi’s Trilokpuri were in shock on Monday, struggling to come to terms with two diametrically opposite images of their neighbour, 32-year-old Sumit Kumar. One is of a jovial and deeply religious person who used to spend his evenings playing volleyball and cricket with local children; the other is at the centre of an alleged murder-suicide plot that unfolded in Noida two days ago.Sumit and Rekha (28) were found dead with gunshot wounds inside his locked car in Noida’s Sector 107 on Saturday. He probably shot her before turning the gun on himself, police said.

The cops are studying a message purportedly typed by Sumit on his phone that though the two had been in a relationship for 15 years, Rekha recently decided to marry elsewhere, which prompted him to take the extreme step. However, Sumit’s family members claimed on Monday that they were not aware of any friction between them. However, they said Sumit had been visibly distressed over the past two months and alleged foul play behind the twin deaths.TOI visited Sumit’s Trilokpuri home, where he lived with his parents, brother, sister-in-law and nephew. Sumit, who used to run a mineral water business, had reportedly played state-level cricket before a road accident forced him to pause. “He took care of everyone. We wouldn’t worry when he was around,” said his cousin, Amit.The Kumars can’t comprehend how he accessed a firearm. “We never saw him in bad company,” said his uncle, Surender Kumar.Sumit would regularly drive to Noida to pick Rekha up from work and drop her home, a routine he was to follow last Friday when he left home at 5 pm.Sumit had been supporting Rekha financially over the years, his relatives claimed. “He recently bought a car and a house, where the couple was expected to stay after marriage,” said Rajpal, a family friend. However, plans of their wedding had been delayed as Rekha’s family wanted to marry off her elder sister first, the Kumars said.

Abhishek Sharma suddenly lost control over his form. Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, the opener was in fabulous form. He entered the tournament with high hopes on the back.

So far, Team India has played three matches in the tournament, and Sharma played in two and is yet to make a run in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Ahead of India’s next assignment, which is against the Netherlands on February 18, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak put a safeguard in front of the batter.

Abhishek Sharma was in fine form before the T20 World Cup 2026

Before the tournament, when Team India was engaged with New Zealand for a 5-match T20I series, the southpaw scored a truck full of runs, which has naturally escalated hopes around him for the ongoing title race, where Team India is playing as the co-host, as well as the defending champion.

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The first Team India and the Indian cricket fans sustained when Abhishek Sharma departed for a golden duck against the United States cricket team. The USA placed a fielder on the square, where the left-handed batter loves to hit the most.

Against Pakistan, the result did not change. Sharma had to go home again without scoring a single run. On February 15, when India was up against Pakistan in Colombo, Salman Ali Agha dismissed the dangerous Indian batter.

Sitanshu Kotak explains the scenario

But why did Abhishek suddenly lose his form when he was performing smoothly? During the press conference on Tuesday, Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak stated that because of the illness, the batter lost the momentum. But he does not want to stress too much over the form of Sharma, considering a long-term vision.

“He made runs before falling ill. It is a high-risk game. If we stress too much about a few failures, the pressure will be carried to the batters as well,” Kotak said ahead of the India vs. Netherlands match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Indian team management had to change their opening pair for their clash against Namibia because of the illness of Abhishek Sharma. The 25-year-old sustained an upset stomach before India’s opening match of the tournament. He might have eaten something wrong in Mumbai, which affected his stomach.

Abhishek Sharma admitted to hospital

According to the reports, the health condition of the opener worsened during the India vs. United States game. After the quick dismissal, he did not even come to take the fields in the second innings. Later, for the second match, he traveled to Delhi for the next match but was unable to because of the stomach issue.

Tilak Varma further informed that Sharma was admitted to the hospital for medical care. The Punjab-born player returned to action through the India vs. Pakistan match, only to be dismissed again for a duck.

Read More: Mohsin Naqvi in BIG trouble as ‘boycott circus’ blamed for loss vs India – Pakistan govt action incoming?

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that groping a female and untying her pyjama string constituted “attempt to rape” and set aside Allahabad HC’s controversial judgment terming the offence not an “attempt” but “preparation to commit rape”, which attracts less punishment, being categorised as outraging the modesty of a woman. The HC’s March 17, 2025, judgment had created a furo-re and SC took suo motu cognisance of the case after a letter from NGO ‘We the Women’ through founder president and senior advocate Shobha Gupta. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N V Anjaria set aside the HC judgment and revived the original stringent charge of attempt to rape against the two persons under Pocso Act. Referring to pleas by Gupta and senior advocate H S Phoolka for greater sensitivity in judges while dealing with sexual offences against women, the bench said, “No judge or judgment of any court can be expected to do complete justice when it is inconsiderate towards the factual realities of a litigant and the vulnerabilities which they may be facing in approaching a court of law.” Writing the judgment, CJI Kant said the efforts of judges “must not only be grounded in the sound application of constitutional and legal principles but also foster an environment of compassion and empathy. The absence of eit-her of these cornerstones wo-uld prevent judicial institutions from properly performing their critical duties.” The bench said, “Our decisions as participants in the legal process, from laying down the procedure that shall have to be faced by common citizens to the final judgment passed in any given case, must reflect the ethos of compassion, humanity and understanding, which are essential for creating a fair and effective justice system.” SC said it had laid down principles to sensitise judges and so would refrain from taking an open-ended approach to devise fresh guidelines without guidance. It requested National Judicial Academy director Justice Aniruddha Bose to constitute a committee of experts to prepare a “comprehensive report” on ‘Developing Guidelines to Inculcate Sensitivity and Compassion into Judges and Judicial Processes in the Context of Sexual Offences and other Vulnerable Cases’. “The guidelines, we expect, will not be loaded with heavy, complicated expressions borne from foreign languages and jurisdictions,” said the CJI-led bench, which had termed then CJI D Y Cha-ndrachud’s ‘Handbook on Co-mbating gender Stereotypes’ too “Harvard-oriented”.

South Africa cricket team (AP)

TimesofIndia.com in New Delhi: It was just past 3:15 PM (local time) here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday when the cover on the pitch finally came off, and the curator customarily began the ritual of heavy rolling. South Africa’s preparations for their final Group D match had already gathered pace. Near the Mohinder Amarnath Stand, the Proteas batters sweated through an extended net session, while the fast bowlers loosened up closer to the Bishan Singh Bedi Stand.

Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch

In between lay the surface that will host South Africa’s Wednesday morning fixture against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a pitch that recently offered pace, bounce, and late turn during UAE’s nail-biting five-wicket win over Canada.

That contest saw Canada limited to 150 despite batting first, with Junaid Siddique claiming a five-wicket haul, before UAE scraped home with two balls to spare.With early movement for seamers and some assistance for spinners later in the day, the surface could again offer a balanced contest, particularly in the morning, when moisture and freshness may suit South Africa’s pace-heavy attack.For Aiden Markram’s side, the hard work is already done. Three wins from three matches so far, including a dramatic double Super Over victory against Afghanistan, have secured their place in the Super Eight. But the Proteas are unlikely to treat their final group game as a formality.“Associate cricket has grown a lot over the last couple of years. They’ve had opportunities on stages like this where they can play. As I’ve said, batting conditions are really good (here), and this T20 format brings teams closer together because one guy on his day can win you the game. So no, I’m not surprised (at their performances in this T20 World Cup),” South Africa’s specialist consultant Albie Morkel told reporters in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.“The World Cup really starts now. Even though we had a tough group, now you face India, possibly Australia or Zimbabwe, and West Indies in our group. So it’s really tough. It’ll be all good games. Yes, there will be more pressure as you move towards the playoffs. But I feel we’ve got a very experienced group, bowlers and batters.”‘Brevis, Rabada’s form not a concern’South Africa’s group-stage performances have been nothing short of inspiring. Marco Jansen’s career-best 4 for 40 against New Zealand dismantled a formidable batting lineup, while Lungi Ngidi stands joint-second in the list of wicket-takers with eight scalps.“If you look at his T20 record, he (Ngidi) has one of the best records in taking wickets. He’s developed a very deceptive slower ball, which he knows when to use and how to use,” Morkel explained.Kagiso Rabada, however, is still working to find his peak sharpness. In this T20 World Cup, he has accumulated two wickets in three matches, having maintained an economy of nine runs per over.“It’s not a concern. I think that can happen to any bowler at any stage… But he’s still our premier fast bowler, and we’re going to double down on him and back him all the way,” he added.Brevis has yet to live up to the hype. The 22-year-old Protea, who spent considerable time in the nets on Tuesday, has scored just 50 runs in three matches in this World Cup and is without a 30-plus score in his last five T20I innings“There are no chats (with Brevis on his form). We see him as an X-factor player. We feel if you ask him to play a certain way, you take away that X factor, and he’s going to break your heart at some stage, but he’s also going to win you games,” the 44-year-old stated.