The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is packed to the rafters for Match 52 of the T20 World Cup 2026 as India faces Zimbabwe in a high-stakes Super 8 encounter. With both teams desperate for a win to keep their semi-final dreams alive, the atmosphere at Chepauk is nothing short of electric. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the early moisture in the Chennai air and put the Indian top order under immediate pressure.

Sanju Samson vs Ishan Kishan: Suryakumar Yadav confirms India’s wicketkeeper for Zimbabwe clash

The biggest headline from the toss was the confirmation of Sanju Samson’s return to the playing XI. Addressing the long-standing debate over the wicketkeeping role, captain Suryakumar Yadav put all speculation to rest at the toss by confirming, “Sanju will keep.” Samson replaces Rinku Singh in the lineup, a move necessitated by tactical requirements and Rinku’s brief absence to attend to a family emergency.

While Ishan Kishan remains in the side, he has handed over the gloves to Samson to focus entirely on his batting at number three. The decision to play Samson as the primary keeper is a strategic play by the management to disrupt the ‘finger-spin trap’ that has plagued India’s left-hand heavy top order. By having Samson, a natural right-hander, at the top of the order, India aims to neutralize Zimbabwe’s off-spin threat early on. Suryakumar noted that the move brings better balance to the side, especially on a Chepauk track that historically rewards right-handed stability against turn.

Also READ: SA vs WI: Fans go berserk as Aiden Markram takes South Africa into the semifinals of T20 World Cup 2026

High-Stakes at Chepauk between India and Zimbabwe: A virtual T20 World Cup 2026 knockout

Both teams have made significant adjustments to their lineups, reflecting the absolute urgency of the situation. India has made two high-profile changes: Sanju Samson comes in for Rinku Singh, who is away for a family emergency, and vice-captain Axar Patel returns to replace Washington Sundar after India’s ‘Sundar experiment’ drew heavy criticism following the loss to South Africa. Zimbabwe has also made a tactical tweak, bringing in the pace of Tinotenda Maposa for the veteran Graeme Cremer, sensing that the ‘black soil’ surface might offer more assistance to the seamers early on.

The stakes for this encounter are as high as they get in tournament cricket, this is a virtual knockout for both nations. India, the defending champions, find themselves in a corner after a crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa plummeted their Net Run Rate (NRR) into the negative. To stay alive in the hunt for the semi-finals, India must win both of their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies; anything less would likely result in an early exit for the hosts.

Zimbabwe enters the fray with an identical ‘do-or-die’ mandate. After a sensational group stage where they knocked out Australia and Sri Lanka, a 107-run hammering by the West Indies has left them reeling. A win tonight would be a historic achievement for the ‘Chevrons,’ keeping their underdog story alive and potentially ending India’s campaign on home soil. With the Chennai crowd giving Samson a roaring welcome, marking his recent move to CSK for the IPL 2026, the stage is set for a high-intensity battle where the loser officially bows out of the World Cup.

Also WATCH: Keshav Maharaj plucks a screamer to remove Shimron Hetmyer during T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 encounter

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s wedding photos are finally here, and they do far more than capture a ceremony. The images tell a story — one of friendship, faith, tradition and a love that feels deeply rooted and unfiltered.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s wedding photos are finally here, and they do far more than capture a ceremony. The images tell a story — one of friendship, faith, tradition and a love that feels deeply rooted and unfiltered.

A bride glowing in tradition and confidence

In one striking frame, Rashmika Mandanna walks forward holding a ceremonial coconut, her smile radiant and completely unguarded. Dressed in a rust-orange silk saree adorned with intricate gold embroidery, she embodies the grace of a traditional South Indian bride.

Her elaborate temple jewellery — layered necklaces, ornate maang tikka, stacked bangles and statement jhumkas — doesn’t overshadow her presence; instead, it enhances her natural glow. There is poise in her posture, joy in her expression, and a quiet confidence that makes the moment feel authentic rather than staged.

Intimate emotions over grand spectacle

Another close-up shot captures something deeper — anticipation and emotional surrender. There’s laughter dancing in her eyes and softness in her expression. It isn’t a carefully constructed bridal portrait; it feels candid, almost spontaneous.

The sindoor, the nose ring, the intricate gold detailing — every element adds to the ritual’s authenticity. But what truly stands out is Rashmika’s emotion. It’s the look of someone fully present, absorbing every second of a life-altering moment.

A celebration wrapped in culture and chaos

In a wide frame bursting with colour and movement, Rashmika and Vijay Deverakonda walk hand-in-hand under a canopy of flowers as petals shower down on them. Vijay, dressed in a traditional veshti and angavastram paired with layered gold ornaments, appears proud yet playful.

Rashmika mirrors that energy effortlessly. They don’t look like stiff newlyweds posing for the perfect shot — they look like best friends reveling in their big day. The crowd around them, smiling and cheering, amplifies the warmth and celebratory chaos.

Love in the quiet in-between moments

Perhaps the most powerful image is the black-and-white embrace. Stripped of colour and grandeur, it leaves behind only emotion. Rashmika rests her face gently against Vijay’s shoulder, eyes closed, holding him close.

It’s tender. It’s private. It feels almost cinematic.

Two equals, one journey

These photos capture balance — Vijay and Rashmika looking into each other’s eyes, garlands resting against their coordinated ensembles. There’s admiration, laughter and ease in the way they stand together.

Neither outshines the other. They glow in harmony.

Rashmika and Vijay’s wedding photos prove this wasn’t merely a star-studded event. It was a celebration of companionship — of two individuals who look completely at home with each other, whether in the midst of rituals, laughter, or the quiet silence in between.

Pakistan has launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq against the Afghan Taliban regime after Kabul claimed its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers in cross-border strikes, sharply escalating tensions along the volatile Durand Line.State broadcaster PTV News said the operation was initiated in response to what it called “unprovoked aggression” from Afghanistan. According to the channel, 58 “Afghan kharjis” have been killed so far, more than 100 injured, and 12 Afghan posts completely destroyed. It also reported that over 30 Afghan tanks, artillery guns and armoured personnel carriers were destroyed during the operation.Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the armed forces were delivering a “crushing response” to aggression from the Afghan Taliban. He urged the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the federal authorities and other provinces in defending the country.The escalation follows claims by the Taliban-led Afghan government that it had seized 19 Pakistani military outposts and captured a major headquarters at Anzar Sar in Khost province. Afghanistan’s Deputy Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat wrote on X that “heavy retaliatory offensive operations” were launched along the so-called Durand Line by the 203 Mansouri Corps and the 201 Khalid bin Walid Corps.“To date, one headquarters and nineteen outposts have been captured,” he said, adding that “up to fifty-five Pakistani soldiers have been killed,” with 23 bodies recovered and others taken alive. He claimed dozens of weapons were seized and that operations were continuing across several eastern provinces, including Paktia, Paktika and Nangarhar, as well as at the Torkham Gate crossing.Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the offensive was in response to repeated Pakistani assaults. “Extensive offensive operations have begun against Pakistani army centers and military facilities along the Durand Line,” he posted.Islamabad has rejected Kabul’s casualty figures. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three wounded, while 36 Afghan fighters had died. He described Afghanistan’s actions as unprovoked and said Pakistan was giving a “strong and effective response”.The clashes follow Pakistani airstrikes earlier this week that Islamabad said targeted militant training camps near the border. Afghanistan said the strikes killed civilians, including women and children, and called them a violation of its sovereignty.With both sides trading heavy fire and evacuations reported near the Torkham crossing, fears are mounting of a wider confrontation between the two neighbours.

Mumbai: Bombay high court recently held that 217 acres of land in Manpada, Thane, could not be dubbed a private forest and dismissed the state govt’s challenge to a Maharashtra revenue tribunal order of 2017 that set aside the acquisition of land by the govt.The HC held that no notice was served by the state on the actual landowner, D Dahyabhai and Co Pvt Ltd, before acquiring the land as private forest, as mandated, and hence the state’s plea failed. The dispute originated 50 years ago.

The HC said the Supreme Court in the Godrej & Boyce case settled that service must be done properly and on the landowner for any proposed acquisition of land under the state’s private forest Act. In this case, the notice had several glaring aspects, one of which was that it was signed merely by a forest guard and not an authorised officer, said Justices R V Ghuge and Ashwin Bhobe. The HC found the notice was not served on Dahyabhai and Co Pvt Ltd, but on some other entity. Besides, 14 acres were already transferred before such notice for various uses.The HC allowed a petition filed by landowners and directed the Thane Municipal Corporation to grant Dayabhai, in 21 days, development permissions and transferable development rights (TDR) against 100 acres reserved for a park. The plea said around 104 acres was acquired, owned and possessed by the TMC, which used it for a 40 metres DP road, Thane Municipal Bus Depot, and reserved portions for a garden, maternity home, park, school and Metro rail, as well as the twin tunnel, a public project, at an advanced stage.The state, through the chief conservator of forests and director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, wanted the land in Manpada to be declared as finally acquired private forest, with the status of deemed reserved forest. The landowner denied it was a private forest and also cited the SC judgment in the Godrej & Boyce case to contend that service of notice under the Forest Act on the landowner was also to be done before Aug 30, 1975.A 373-page judgment made available on Friday, said the SC ruling on private forest acquisition mandated proper notice on landowners and, “Mutation entries are ministerial in nature and cannot perfect an acquisition that lacks the statutory predicates. They neither create title in the State nor divest title from the private owner.”The state, represented by senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, petitioned the HC in 2018 and argued that tribunal erred in accepting the landowner’s submission over the notice date when the SC never prescribed that notice be served before August 30, 1975, the date of coming into force of the Maharashtra Private Forests (Acquisition) Act, 1975.The state said the notice for protection and notification of forest land was issued on Aug 29, 1975 under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and served on Dayabhai on Sept 4, 1975, and was thus “live” and legitimately served, with “multiple opportunities for the landowner to present his case.”The landowner, through its counsel Cherag Balsara, argued that despite the land being in possession of his client for decades, for almost 48 years the state never claimed it was forest land nor issued any such notice under the Indian Forest Act until it was “arbitrarily” issued just a day prior to commencement of the State private forest (acquisition) Act, with no proof of service to the landowner. The land was already used by then for cultivation and quarry, he said.The HC agreed that the MRT was wrong only in holding that the State’s notice had to be served prior to Aug 30, 1975. The state argued that since the landowner subsequently reacted and participated in discussions, it indicated notice was properly served. The HC found such contention to be one of “desperation which is a result of surmises, conjectures and presumptions” and dismissed the state’s petition.

Mumbai: The Silver Oak complex at Bhulabhai Desai Road (Warden Road) in south Mumbai, where NCP leader Sharad Pawar resides in one of the bungalows, is likely to be redeveloped soon.Lodha Developers has acquired the development rights from the owner, the Sorabji Kanga Charity Trust for the 4.3-acre land parcel. Confirming the deal, a Lodha spokesperson however said currently plans have not been firmed up on how to redevelop this property.

As its name indicates, the trust was meant for Parsis and its trustees too belonged to the community. However, it is learnt that a few decades ago, it became a cosmopolitan trust. According to documents made available to TOI, the present trustees are Kamlesh Ghisulal Mehta, Vadappa Ramappa Kori and Vikas Champalal Mehta.“It is one of the last verdant areas in south Mumbai which has a cluster of old bungalows with servant quarters. The Pawars have been staying here for many years,” said a neighbourhood resident. Nestled amidst giant banyans and peepuls and wide roads, this is a cluster of old world Mangalore-tiled bungalows and old world politicians.“Bill Clinton had attended a lavish brunch in the garden which Pawar had hosted. Clinton had ended his term in office and was visiting Mumbai when he came to Silver Oak,” recollected another resident. Bungalow No 2, a ground-plus-one-storey structure where the Pawars stay, is in the name of Nishant Finance and Trading Company, whose director is Sadanand Bhalchandra Sule, son-in-law of the NCP leader.The trust had purchased the land way back in 1942 and currently has six bungalows and other structures occupied by tenants and lessees. The Silver Oak complex also has a tower named Palacimo. However, this building is excluded from the development agreement signed between the trust and developer.“The trust has been facing a financial crunch for the last several years and the income is barely sufficient to meet routine expenses. It is thus unable to undertake charitable activities in consonance with its objects. In order to raise funds, the only source available to the trust is the sale of development rights in respect of its properties,” said the trust. Last year, it invited offers from interested bidders for the sale of development rights.Subsequently, the trust accepted Lodha Developers’ security deposit of Rs 125 crore. In Oct last, the charity commissioner’s office granted approval for the sale of development rights. According to the agreement, the trust will receive 42.5% of the gross revenue from the development of the free sale project and a building with about 54,000 sq ft carpet area.