When Lauren Bell signed up for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), few could have predicted just how dramatically her life would change — both on and off the field. The England pacer not only lifted her second WPL trophy with RCB but also witnessed an unprecedented surge in her global fan following, turning her into one of the most talked-about cricketers of the season.

Bell’s journey with the Bengaluru franchise has been nothing short of transformational. The moment she donned the red and gold jersey, her popularity began soaring, fueled by the passionate and loyal RCB fanbase that has long been known for embracing its stars wholeheartedly.

Lauren Bell reacts to viral fame after RCB heroics

Speaking on the Wisden Women’s Cricket Weekly podcast, Bell admitted she is still trying to process the overwhelming growth in her social media presence.

She began the year with around 800,000 followers on Instagram. Within just the first week of the WPL, she crossed the one-million mark. Today, her follower count stands at an astonishing 2.3 million.

“I remember when I first got out there and I got to a million in the first week, I was like ‘how are one million people following me on Instagram?’ It’s crazy,” Bell said.

Despite the meteoric rise, she insists her approach to social media hasn’t changed.

“I still post like I’ve got 10 of my friends on it. I guess that’s part of it and why people follow me,” she said with a laugh.

Bell is now the third most-followed English cricketer on Instagram, trailing only Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. Remarkably, she has surpassed the combined follower count of Joe Root and Jofra Archer — a statistic that underlines the scale of her surge.

The new fan favourite of RCB

Beyond numbers, Bell has become a cultural phenomenon among RCB supporters. Viral reels featuring her signature smile and dimples have regularly trended across platforms, earning her the unofficial tag of the new crush of the RCB community.

The connection, however, runs deeper than viral moments. Bell credits the franchise’s passionate supporters for making her feel instantly at home.

“They have such passionate fans and I felt really supported. I don’t think about it too much, but I do find it crazy that I’ve got two million people following what I’m up to,” added Bell.

Also READ: AB de Villiers, Ashwin and others in awe as Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll drive RCB to 2nd WPL triumph

Backing the buzz with on-field brilliance

While social media fame grabbed headlines, Bell ensured her cricket did the talking. She played a crucial role in RCB’s title-winning campaign, finishing the tournament with 12 wickets. What stood out even more was her exceptional control — she maintained an economy rate of 5.52, the best among all bowlers in the competition.

In the final against the Delhi Capitals, Bell delivered a disciplined four-over spell, conceding just 19 runs. RCB captain Smriti Mandhana later described her performance as match-winning, highlighting the trust the team placed in her during high-pressure moments.

Also SEE: 7 most stunning pics of Southern Brave’s star Lauren Bell – The Hundred

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

Team India trains ahead of South Africa matche (PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Team India will begin their Super 8 campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with a blockbuster clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Ahead of the match, bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted that Indian batters have struggled against spin but expressed confidence that improvement is coming soon.

Morkel pointed out that the pitches in the tournament have been challenging for batters, especially against slower bowlers. He said, “To be honest, I think on the surfaces we have played so far, it was not the easiest wickets to hit the ball. We tried that in Mumbai, and found ourselves in trouble. So I think the important thing is that we know we can always… If we have some sort of platform, we can catch up at the back end.”India will also face Zimbabwe on February 26 and West Indies on March 1 in the Super 8 stage.

The weather in Ahmedabad is expected to be hot and clear for the India vs South Africa Super 8 clash, with temperatures around 36°C and hazy sunshine throughout the day. There is no chance of rain or thunderstorms, so fans can expect an uninterrupted 40-over match. Winds will blow from the west-northwest at around 7 km/h, with gusts up to 26 km/h, while the UV index will be high, meaning players will need to manage the heat carefully.

India vs South Africa: Squads

India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Mohammed SirajSouth Africa Squad: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan RickeltonALSO READ: When, where and how to watch IND vs SA live on TV and online

Maye Musk defends Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the CEO of companies including Tesla, SpaceX and X, has frequently been the subject of public debate and media reports. Critics have questioned his business choices, his role in social media policy, and his political ties in the last few years. Mainstream media, social media discussions, and commentaries often talk about these issues. People around the world support and criticise them.In February 2026, Maye Musk, Elon Musk’s mother, publicly defended her son against what she called unfair coverage and “extreme negativity” from some news outlets. Maye Musk, who has a sizable following on the social media platform X, posted a message on February 19 highlighting her reaction to ongoing criticism of Elon Musk’s actions and achievements, especially in technology and business. Her comments drew attention because of her long-standing public profile as a dietitian, author and former international model. Throughout her life, she has also authored books on health and her own memoir.The post came out during bigger talks about how Elon Musk affects business, technology, and public conversation. People all over the world, including in the United States, are still talking about and paying attention to Musk’s leadership of well-known companies and his presence on social media.

Maye Musk’s message defends Elon Musk on social media

On X (formerly Twitter), Maye Musk wrote that she has been aware of negative and what she described as “dishonesty and extreme negativity” in mainstream media coverage for many years. She said that it was difficult to cope with what she termed “hateful headlines” while citing her son’s accomplishments around the world. Maye Musk also mentioned in her post that she recently finished writing another book that, according to her, includes content about her past interactions with news outlets and journalists. She expressed approval of Elon Musk’s decision to purchase Twitter and rename it X, a move she said made her “happy” every day.Maye Musk’s statement did not include specific examples of news coverage she was referring to, but reflects her view on how some critics have described her son’s work.

Media and public reactions on Maye Musk’s X post

Maye Musk’s post continues a pattern seen with public figures’ family members engaging in discussions about media coverage. Her message showed support for her son and criticism of some media stories, but it also showed how famous people and their families react to public discussion in the digital age.People on different social media sites had different things to say about her post. Many people shared their own thoughts on the media coverage, Elon Musk’s leadership, and Maye Musk’s comments. Like with a lot of posts from famous people, some people agreed with them and others disagreed.

About Maye Musk

Maye Musk, 77, is a Canadian-born model and registered dietitian. She has had a long career in modelling and health, and she has published books in both areas. Her memoir, A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success, was published in 2019. She has also been active on social media, where she shares her own views on a range of topics and engages with a large audience.Her public defence of her son adds to a history of her speaking in support of him. In previous years, she has praised Elon Musk’s work and influence in technology, and the two have appeared together at public events.

Union minister Pralhad Joshi (ANI photo)

NEW DELHI: Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said the Centre will study the recent US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs before making any official statement, stressing that the matter will be handled by the Piyush Goyal-led commerce ministry and Jaishankar’s ministry of external affairs (MEA).Speaking to reporters here, Joshi said, “I have read in the media that the US top court has given some judgment and the Indian government will study that, and whatever the reaction needs to be given, that will be given by the commerce ministry and MEA, not by me.”His remarks come after the US Supreme Court, in a 6–3 ruling, said the Trump administration had exceeded its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose sweeping import tariffs.Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and the three liberal justices, ruled that IEEPA does not allow the president to impose tariffs, as that power is constitutionally given to Congress. However, US President Donald Trump called the verdict a “terrible decision” and announced a fresh 10 per cent global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits temporary import surcharges for up to 150 days.He also said that he is “ashamed” of the Supreme Court, after it handed him the stinging defeat in the second stint of his presidency.Meanwhile, Joshi also criticised the Indian Youth Congress for staging a shirtless protest during the India AI Summit. “It is the most shameful thing that the Congress party is behaving like this when 20 heads of state, 45 ministers and important functionaries from nearly 150 countries participated,” he said.“Instead of celebrating India’s performance, they are trying to create a ruckus. They are trying to become a hurdle for the growth of India,” he added.The protest on Friday saw Youth Congress members removing their shirts at the summit venue, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “compromised.” Police later detained the protesters. In a statement, the Youth Congress said the demonstration was against a “compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit.”

US President Donald Trump when he annoucned reciprocatory tariffs (File photo)

US President Donald Trump has imposed a fresh 10% tariff on imports from all countries, including India, hours after the US Supreme Court struck down a key legal basis for several of his sweeping global tariffs. The move shifts the legal foundation of his trade policy rather than ending it, ensuring tariffs remain central to his economic strategy.In a 6–3 ruling, the Supreme Court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorise the president to impose broad tariffs, invalidating duties imposed under emergency powers. The decision affects a major portion of Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs,” which had significantly raised import duties worldwide.

However, Trump quickly pivoted by invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, signing an executive order imposing a 10% global tariff “effective immediately,” while keeping sector-specific tariffs and other trade levies in place.The ruling marks a legal reset in a tariff campaign that began in April 2025 and reshaped global trade flows, including sharply raising and later reducing duties on Indian exports.

Timeline: How US tariffs on India changed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump agreed to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, signalling intent to deepen economic ties even as tariff tensions loomed.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Washington DC and held talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other officials to address trade concerns and prevent tariff escalation.

The US announced a 26% total tariff on Indian imports, comprising a 10% baseline tariff and an additional 16% reciprocal tariff, marking the first major escalation affecting Indian exports.

The US suspended the 16% reciprocal tariff for 90 days, reducing India’s effective tariff burden to 10%, while negotiations continued.

An Indian delegation travelled to Washington to bridge differences before the July deadline, as both sides sought to avoid higher duties.

The US declared a 25% tariff on Indian goods, effective August 7, significantly increasing pressure on Indian exporters.

The US imposed an additional 25% tariff linked to India’s Russian oil purchases, taking the total tariff burden on Indian exports to 50%, the highest level during the dispute, effective August 27, 2025.

Indian officials visited Washington again, with six formal rounds of trade negotiations completed by this stage to resolve tariff disputes.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India was working to finalise the trade agreement quickly, raising expectations of tariff relief.

India and the US agreed on an interim trade deal that cut US tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, down from 25%, restoring some competitiveness to Indian exports after months of elevated duties. Additionally, India cut the tariffs on US goods to zero.

After US supreme court deemed the country-specific tariffs “illegal”, Trump announced 10 per cent global tariffs, applicable on all countries. So, for now, India will also pay a 10 per cent tariff “until another authority is invoked,” as per White House official, quoted by ANI. Although, earlier Trump had said nothing “changed” for India and will continue as per trade deal terms. Thus, how much tariffs India pays will depend on formal signing of the India-US trade deal.

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Read more: How much tariff will India pay after US SC ruling, Trump’s 10% global duty? What White House said

US tariffs: From ‘Liberation Day’ to legal reset

The overall US tariff campaign began in February 2025, when Trump imposed duties of up to 25% on major trading partners such as Canada, Mexico and China, signalling a shift towards aggressive protectionist trade policies.The escalation intensified on April 2, 2025, dubbed “Liberation Day”, when the US introduced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on imports from most countries, along with higher reciprocal tariffs targeting dozens of nations. In the weeks that followed, some tariffs were temporarily paused to allow negotiations, even as legal challenges began in US courts over the president’s use of emergency powers to impose the duties.By mid-2025, the administration expanded tariffs further, targeting sectors such as steel, aluminium and automobiles, while extending duties across dozens of trading partners. These measures disrupted global trade flows and forced several countries to enter negotiations with Washington, leading to selective adjustments and supply chain shifts later in the year.The legal foundation of the tariff regime faced a major setback in February 2026, when the US Supreme Court ruled that emergency powers could not be used to impose sweeping tariffs, invalidating a key pillar of the policy. However, within hours of the verdict, Trump imposed a fresh 10% global tariff under a different legal authority, ensuring tariffs remained central to his trade strategy despite the court ruling.Ultimately, the Supreme Court’s ruling blocks Trump from using emergency powers under IEEPA to impose sweeping tariffs, invalidating a key legal pillar of his tariff strategy. However, sector-specific tariffs and other trade measures remain in force.Trump said the India-US trade deal remains unchanged and confirmed that Indian exports will continue to face tariffs under the revised framework.The administration has indicated it will use alternative legal provisions to sustain tariffs.

Man’s best friend is known for loyalty, instinct and an uncanny ability to mirror its owner’s personality. With the right training, dogs can become indispensable partners in service — from K-9 units and guide dogs to medical alert companions or, in this case, illegal garbage dumping.In Italy’s Sicily, footage released by the Catania municipality shows a dog trotting down a street in the San Giorgio neighbourhood, a bulging trash bag clamped carefully between its teeth. The animal pauses, lowers the bag gently onto the roadside, and walks away — as if completing a routine errand.According to a report by CNN, authorities believe the dog had been trained by its owner to dispose of rubbish this way in order to avoid paying regular garbage collection fees.The municipality shared the surveillance clip on Facebook with a pointed caption: “Inventiveness… can never be an alibi for incivility.” The message set the tone for what officials described as a calculated attempt to sidestep civic responsibility.In a longer statement accompanying the video, authorities detailed “videos recorded by surveillance cameras in Via Pulacara, in the San Giorgio neighbourhood, in which a dog can be seen dumping a bag of rubbish on the road. A scene that leaves little room for doubt: the animal allegedly was trained to prevent the owner from being caught throwing away the trash irregularly.”Describing the act as “a behaviour that is as clever as twice correct,” the post went on to underline the ethical concerns. Beyond littering the city’s streets, authorities argued, the act sought to “escape the rules by taking advantage of the unconscious four-legged friend.”In other words, the dog may have followed commands faithfully — but accountability lies firmly with its human.The report later confirmed that the man responsible was identified and fined, reiterating that enforcement measures would follow regardless of who — or what — is seen on camera.The incident unfolds against a larger backdrop of waste-related crime in Italy. According to environmental group Legambiente, nearly 10,000 offences linked to illegal dumping, burning and burying of waste are recorded each year. The scale of the problem has prompted many municipalities to install surveillance “camera traps” to monitor trouble spots.Penalties are steep. Fines for illegal dumping range from €1,500 ($1,770) to €18,000 ($21,200), and in some cases may carry criminal charges. Authorities also note that such activities are often connected to organised crime networks, known to law enforcement as the “eco-mafia.”For many, the Sicilian dog’s unlikely role has added an element of dark humour to an otherwise serious issue. But behind the viral clip lies a sobering reminder: even the most inventive schemes cannot outrun civic duty — and a dog’s loyalty should never be exploited to clean up its owner’s mess.

Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma

NEW DELHI: Amid the poor run of form of opener Abhishek Sharma in the T20 World Cup, India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Saturday backed the explosive batter, saying “it’s now our turn to cover for him”.“Abhishek Sharma ki form ki jo chinta kar rahe hain, unki chinta mai kar raha hu. (I am worried for those who are worried about Abhishek Sharma’s form),” Surya said in the pre-match press conference in Ahmedabad.“He covered for us all year, now it’s our turn,” the India captain added ahead of the Super 8 clash against South Africa on Sunday. In the three matches he has played so far in the T20 World Cup, Abhishek Sharma has failed to score a single run and has been dismissed for a duck in all three matches vs USA, Pakistan, and the Netherlands in the group-stage. The prolific opener with a monstrous strike rate of 192-plus is enduring a sudden lean patch, which can primarily be attributed to his return to competitive cricket less than a week after hospitalisation.The slow pitches haven’t helped his cause either.So far, the team’s collective might has successfully ensured that results are not impacted but with the Super Eights set to take off on Saturday, it would be crucial that his bat talks loudly. India take on South Africa on February 22 in their opening match of the stage.Earlier, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel also backed the left-handed batter on Friday and said the left-hander was just one innings away from getting back in the zone.Absolutely no discussion in our team group about that,” said Morkel about Abhishek’s three ducks.“He is a world-class player. We are going to a very important phase of the World Cup now and I am sure he is going to deliver.“I am pretty sure he is hitting the ball in the nets. “It is just a matter of getting the start and getting the innings going.”

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Rohit Pawar and Ajit Pawar

NEW DELHI: NCP (SP) general secretary Rohit Pawar on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the resignation of civil aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu until the inquiry into the January 28 plane crash that killed former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is completed. He also demanded an independent and transparent probe into the incident.In his letter to the PM Modi, a copy of which was marked to Union home minister Amit Shah, Rohit Pawar raised concerns about the air charter company VSR, which owned the ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft and alleged possible links that need independent scrutiny, according to news agency PTI. “Serious questions have been raised about the company VSR and its links with Rammohan Naidu’s party (TDP). These links must be investigated by an independent and competent authority, preferably in collaboration with international agencies,” Pawar said in the letter.Seeking the minister’s resignation, he wrote, “You have always shown respect for Ajit Dada and his contribution to the country. In this context, I request that Rammohan Naidu be asked to resign from his post until the investigation is completed. This is necessary to ensure there is no influence or interference in examining whether the DGCA was compromised in any manner in relation to VSR.”Addressing a press conference, Rohit Pawar alleged that the circumstances surrounding the crash warrant deeper examination and suggested that the possibility of conspiracy must be explored.“If we talk about conspiracies, there can be two types of conspiracies: political and commercial. We want to find out which one it is. Another thing is that if someone is supporting or protecting the VSR company, which is responsible for it, that could also be a conspiracy. So many powerful people are behind this company. DGCA officials are behind it,” he said.Calling for direct intervention by senior national leaders, he added, “But if this investigation needs to be brought to justice, only the most powerful people in India, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, can bring justice to Ajit Dada, because the rest of the people involved are also powerful. I request them to personally address this investigation. I’m going to send a letter addressed to PM Modi via email today... The Aviation Minister must resign. This is our demand.”Rohit Pawar also raised doubts about technical aspects of the crash, including the aircraft’s black box and possible causes of the fire.“We had expressed doubts about the black box. When the accident happened, there was not just one blast, there were many blasts… VSR, the company that operates the flight, has a lot of issues. They are mechanical, maintenance issues. There is an area where bags are kept, additional petrol cans were kept there, and that’s what caused the fire, so this needs to be investigated,” he said.Ajit Pawar and four others were killed on the morning of January 28 when the aircraft carrying them crashed near Baramati airport in Pune district while attempting to land. The Nationalist Congress Party (SP), along with Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress leaders, have raised questions over the incident and suggested possible foul play.