NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday stepped up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of presiding over what he described as a series of national “shames”, as he went on to talk about the US trade deal and Epstein files charges. This comes after PM Modi slammed Congress for the ‘shirtless’ protest at AI Summit terming it “gandi aur nangi (dirty and shameless) politics”.“Modi ji, you talk of shame? Let me tell you what shame is. Your name, your minister’s, and your friend’s appearing together in the Epstein files, your name being linked to such a vile criminal—that’s what shame is,” he said in a post on X, along with a video message.

Accusing the PM of selling out the nation to the US via the trade deal, Rahul said, “The trade deal you’ve struck with America, in which you’ve sold out the country—that’s what shame is. You’ve handed over our country’s data. You’ve wiped out the farmers. You’ve ruined the textile industry—that’s what shame is.”He brought up the Gautam Adani indictment case in the US, and alleged that the prime minister was favouring his “friends Anil Ambani, Adani”.“The entire country knows it: the case running against Adani in America has kept you awake at nights—because it’s a case against the BJP and your financial architecture. For 14 months, no action has been taken on it—that’s what shame is. Modi ji, do whatever you deem fit for your friends Anil Ambani, Adani, and yourself,” he said.“I and the lion-hearted warriors of the Congress Party will keep defending the country—we won’t retreat an inch,” he added.Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri has clarified over his purported links to Epstein. He said that during the eight years he spent in the United States, he met convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “only three to four times” in a private capacity. He said the interactions occurred when he was associated with the Independent Commission on Multilateralism after retiring from the Indian foreign service, and added that he had just one email exchange with Epstein.Puri maintained that the meetings took place before he joined the Union Cabinet in 2017 and that the details were already in the public domain.

The domestic cricket season in India has reached its crescendo. The historic KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground will play host to a David vs. Goliath narrative that has captured the imagination of the cricketing fraternity: Karnataka versus Jammu and Kashmir in the final of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26.

This is more than just a match; it is a collision of eras and regions. On one side stands Karnataka, a perennial powerhouse seeking to reclaim its former glory. On the other, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the ultimate underdog, making a historic maiden appearance in the summit clash. As the dew settles on the Hubli track, the weight of history will be felt by all 22 players taking the field.

Contrasting journeys of Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka to the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Final

Karnataka’s journey to the final has been a clinical display of depth and dominance. Under the leadership of Devdutt Padikkal, they have navigated a gruelling season with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine. Bolstered by the return of seasoned international stars like KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal during key phases, Karnataka topped their group and dismantled opponents in the knockout rounds with a balanced attack of pace and spin. Their campaign has been defined by finding a hero in every session, whether it was Karun Nair anchoring the middle order or Vidhwath Kaverappa extracting bounce on unresponsive tracks.

Conversely, Jammu and Kashmir’s path to the 2025-26 final is the stuff of folklore. Long considered a side capable of upsets but lacking consistency, J&K transformed into a relentless unit this season. Led by the veteran Paras Dogra, they exhibited a never-say-die attitude, winning crucial away games in challenging conditions. Their journey was marked by a disciplined bowling effort that often-defended modest totals, proving that their presence in the final is no fluke but a result of systemic growth and individual brilliance.

Also READ: Explained: Why Ranji Trophy final has been shifted from Bengaluru to Hubballi?

5 players to watch out for in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final 

While the team tactics will be paramount, these five individuals possess the form and temperament to turn the tides of the Ranji Trophy final.

1. Smaran Ravichandran (Karnataka)

If there is a “breakout star” tag for this season, it belongs to Smaran Ravichandran. With a staggering average of 95.00 across 8 matches, Smaran has been the backbone of Karnataka’s batting. He has amassed 950 runs, including an unbeaten 227 that showcased his ability to bat long periods without losing concentration. In a lineup featuring superstars, Smaran has often been the one holding the innings together. His strike rate of 62.58 suggests he knows exactly when to accelerate, making him the biggest hurdle for the J&K bowlers.

2. Paras Dogra (Jammu and Kashmir)

The captain of J&K is a living legend of the Ranji Trophy. Dogra recently etched his name in the history books by becoming only the second batter, after the great Wasim Jaffer, to cross the 10,000-run mark in the tournament. His experience is J&K’s greatest asset. Dogra isn’t just a run-machine; he is the emotional and tactical anchor of the team. In a high-pressure final, his ability to handle Karnataka’s international-quality pace attack, consisting of Prasidh Krishna and Vijaykumar Vyshak, will likely determine if J&K can post a competitive total.

3. Karun Nair (Karnataka)

The man for the big occasion, Karun Nair, remains as lethal as ever. Having scored 699 runs this season at an average of 63.54, Nair brings a sense of inevitability to the crease. His highest score of 233 this year serves as a reminder of his triple-century pedigree. Nair’s game is built on exquisite footwork against spin and a watertight defence. For J&K to win, they must find a way to dismiss Nair early, or he will simply bat them out of the contest over two days.

4. Auqib Nabi (Jammu and Kashmir)

If J&K are to take 20 wickets in Hubli, Auqib Nabi will be the protagonist. Nabi has been a revelation this season, picking up 55 wickets in 9 matches at an incredible average of 12.72. His ability to move the ball both ways at a brisk pace has rattled the best batting lineups in the country. With two 5-wicket hauls and a best of 7/24, he is the primary threat to Karnataka’s top order. His battle against the likes of Mayank and Rahul will be the most anticipated contest of the opening session.

5. Shreyas Gopal (Karnataka)

In the latter half of a five-day match, the spinner usually decides the fate of the trophy. Shreyas Gopal has been Karnataka’s trump card, balancing his role as a wicket-taker and a containing bowler. With 46 wickets at an average of 19.30, Gopal has rediscovered the drift and turn that made him a household name. Furthermore, his lower-order batting utility cannot be ignored. In a tight final, his ability to break partnerships and contribute 40-50 runs with the tail could be the marginal difference between the two sides.

Also READ: Meet Auqib Nabi: The Jammu & Kashmir speedster who drove his team to a historic maiden Ranji Trophy final

Following the US Supreme Court’s ruling late last week, an Indian delegation has postponed a planned trip to Washington.

India now has more room for negotiations in a trade deal with the US after the American Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump’s tariffs are illegal. The US Supreme Court’s move to invalidate President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs has created additional room for India in ongoing trade negotiations, people aware of the discussions told Bloomberg. Reacting to the verdict, Trump has announced a 10% global tariff which he later raised to 15%.Both countries had agreed in February to reduce US tariffs on Indian exports to 18% from 50%. In return, India expressed intent to purchasing $500 billion worth of American goods over a five-year period.

India-US trade deal: More scope for negotiation?

Following the court’s ruling late last week, an Indian delegation has postponed a planned trip to Washington that was intended to finalize the interim trade deal. However, India is not weighing any withdrawal from the bilateral trade arrangement reached with Washington earlier this month, Bloomberg reported. The two sides had been set to formalize the initial phase of their agreement next month, while continuing discussions toward a broader bilateral trade pact.According to people familiar with the discussions, India is expected to push for clauses that protect against similar judicial setbacks in the future. One source noted that the decision has materially weakened Trump’s negotiating leverage.Although India has scaled back its imports of Russian oil in recent months – a key demand from Trump – it has continued to assert that decisions on crude oil purchases will be guided by domestic energy requirements and prevailing market dynamics.Madhavi Arora, an economist at Emkay Global Financial Services Ltd., said India may now revisit elements of its trade understanding with the US, particularly since the risk of penal tariffs linked to Russian oil imports has gone.However, she added that India could still opt to gradually reduce such purchases to preserve ties with Trump. Arora suggested that the reduced pressure may allow India to push for improved terms without making significant concessions.In the aftermath of the verdict, India is proceeding cautiously, seeking to safeguard its commercial interests while minimizing potential tensions with the Trump administration, which has emphasized the importance of adhering to signed agreements. Despite being among the earliest nations to initiate trade discussions with Washington, India ultimately faced some of the steepest tariff rates, even after multiple negotiation rounds and exchanges between leaders previously viewed as close allies.Interestingly, when Donald Trump was asked about the impact of the ruling on the India-US trade deal, he said, “”Nothing changes, they’ll be paying tariffs, and we will not be paying tariffs. So, the deal with India is they pay tariffs. This is a reversal for what it used to be. I think Prime Minister Modi is a great gentleman, a great man, actually, but he was much smarter than the people that he was against in terms of the United States. He was ripping us off, India. So we made a deal with India, it’s a fair deal now, and we are not paying tariffs to them and they are paying tariffs. We did a little flip.”

India, China benefit from US SC ruling

China, India and Brazil are among the countries poised to benefit from reduced tariffs on exports to the United States after the apex court ruled that Donald Trump’s reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to levy tariffs was unlawful. Although Trump later proposed a uniform global tariff of 15%, Bloomberg Economics estimated that this would translate into an average effective rate of roughly 12% — the lowest level since the “Liberation Day” tariffs were introduced in April.Jayant Dasgupta, India’s former ambassador to the World Trade Organization, said India should remain engaged with Washington to better understand its intentions and any prospective policy moves, and to maintain open dialogue. Speaking to Bloomberg Television’s Haslinda Amin, he remarked that the direction of future developments remains uncertain.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it was premature to offer detailed comments on the US SC’s decision, adding that the commerce ministry is currently evaluating the implications.

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Thousands of people in Iran reportedly received anonymous text messages on Monday, warning of possible US action asserting American president as “man of action”, according to Iran International English citing Iranian state media.The alerts come amid rising tensions between Iran and Donald Trump, as the US president has increased rhetorical attacks on Tehran and has increased the deployment of military assets in the Middle East for a possible strike.In a post on X Iran International said, “Iranian state media reported that an anonymous text message was sent to people across the country on Monday saying: ‘The US president is a man of action. Wait and see.'”Trump has reportedly considered a “limited military strike” against Iran, even as the next round of talks between the two countries is scheduled in Geneva on Thursday. Reports from Reuters and The Wall Street Journal note that military options could range from targeted strikes on regime figures to a broader campaign, should Tehran refuse US demands.Earlier, on Thursday Trump while speaking at Board of Peace meeting warned that US could take the next step in its standoff with Iran within the next 10 days, warning that “bad things will happen” if a “meaningful deal” is not reached.Speaking on CBS, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said there is still a “good chance” for a diplomatic solution, while reiterating that Tehran would not be pressured by the US military buildup.Meanwhile, anti-regime protests have resurfaced across Iran, with demonstrations reported at five universities in Tehran and one in Mashhad over the weekend, according to NBC News, and more protests continued on Monday. Former deputy commander of US central command vice admiral (ret) Bob Harward, told the Jerusalem Post that the US military assets amassed in the region could potentially dismantle Iran’s power structure in hours if a broader campaign were ordered.The anonymous texts, combined with the US military buildup and renewed protests, have escalated fears of a potential confrontation between the two countries.

Diplomats asked to leave

A state department official on Monday said the US has asked its nonessential diplomats and their family members to leave Lebanon as tensions over Iran rise with the threat of a potentially imminent military strike, reported AP.An official, speaking anonymously, said that a continuous evaluation of the regional security situation made it “prudent” to reduce the US embassy’s presence, leaving only essential staff on site. The official added that the move is temporary and that the embassy remained fully operational on Monday.

Gautam Gambhir and Abhishek Sharma (Image credit: X)

NEW DELHI: Gautam Gambhir was seen in an intense conversation with Abhishek Sharma inside the team bus after India landed in Chennai ahead of their crucial Super 8 clash in the T20 World Cup 2026. As players boarded the bus outside the Chennai airport, cameras captured the Indian head coach and the struggling opener seated just behind the driver, engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion. The video has since gone viral on social media.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Abhishek, one of India’s brightest young prospects, is enduring a difficult run in the tournament. His numbers tell the story — 0, 0, 0 and 15. The left-hander failed to open his account in group matches against USA, Pakistan and the Netherlands.

Despite backing from the team management, he could not capitalise on another opportunity in the Super 8 match against South Africa.Chasing a stiff target, Abhishek began positively with a boundary, briefly raising hopes of a turnaround. However, he was dismissed for 15, and India eventually slumped to a heavy 76-run defeat. The loss not only dented India’s momentum but also raised fresh concerns over the top order’s form.With the stakes rising in the Super 8 stage, India arrived in Chennai on Monday for their second Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe, scheduled for February 26 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. As the squad made its way to the hotel from the airport, the focus shifted to Gambhir and Abhishek’s animated exchange.WATCH: From their body language, it appeared the coach was offering guidance and perhaps discussing technical or tactical adjustments ahead of the must-win encounter.Abhishek has managed just 15 runs in four matches so far, and his prolonged lean patch has become a matter of concern for the defending champions. India will be hoping the young opener can rediscover his rhythm quickly. With the semifinal race heating up, a strong start at the top could prove vital against Zimbabwe.

Mohammad Amir makes fresh Abhishek Sharma admission

NEW DELHI: India suffered a big setback in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage after losing badly to South Africa. Even though India had gone through the group stage without losing, the heavy 76-run defeat has made their path to the semi-finals much tougher. One major concern for the team is the poor form of opener Abhishek Sharma, who scored just 15 runs in the match after getting out for three ducks in a row earlier in the tournament.

Abhishek’s repeated failures at the top have put extra pressure on India’s middle order. Players like Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, and Suryakumar Yadav had handled that pressure in earlier matches, but they struggled against South Africa’s strong bowling attack.Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has now given Abhishek some advice. Amir, who earlier called him a “slogger,” said Abhishek needs to play smarter and not attack blindly. “You must have seen that he scored 14 runs on the same side. All three of the boundaries he hit were off bad balls. He does have potential. He kept the same intent even after three ducks. But, as a senior player, my message to him would be that international cricket will expose your technique. If he brings a little patience and hits the ball where it is, it would be better. He has the skills; how he wants to utilise them is up to him,” Amir said on the show Haarna Mana Hai.Amir also said India are not as strong while chasing targets anymore. “India were exposed as they were chasing for the first time in this T20 World Cup. This isn’t a team that has Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. They handled the match as the situation demanded,” he said.He also criticised India’s team selection and strategy. “The biggest mistake India made was sending three left-handers at the top. Rinku doesn’t even get time to play. You benched Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel against batters who struggle against spinners. No matter how big a team you are, you won’t get results until you play the right combinations,” he asserted.

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