Strikes in Iran (AP photo)

With the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran launched attacks against the United States and Israel, hitting key US military bases in the region and targeting Israeli sites.Operation Epic Fury, the US-led military action under President Donald Trump, achieved its most critical objective: the killing of Khamenei in strikes early Sunday in Tehran. The operation reportedly also killed Khamenei’s daughter and grandchild, as the attacks hit several key locations in the Iranian capital.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Donald Trump declared on his Truth Social. The offensive marked a major escalation, with Trump launching a full-scale operation aimed at dismantling the Khamenei-led political establishment and reshaping power dynamics in the oil-rich nation. Israel, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also joined the strikes under the codename Operation Lion’s Roar.

Loud explosions heard in Tehran

Several loud explosions were heard in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian state media reported.The blasts came after Israel said it had launched another wave of strikes. The Israeli military said it targeted Iran’s ballistic missile and air defence systems on Sunday morning.

MEA advisory

The Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory for foreign nationals in India who have had to change travel plans due to the escalating security situation in West Asia.The MEA urged affected individuals to contact their nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for assistance with visa extensions or to regularise their stay. It said the concerned FRROs will facilitate the required formalities.The advisory follows widespread flight cancellations and airspace restrictions triggered by the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict, which has disrupted international travel, including services to and from India.Also read: Why Saturday? How Israel-US strikes targeted Khamenei and his inner circle‘1,200 munitions were dropped by fighter jets in Iran'” IsraelClaiming massive attack against Iran, the Israeli airforce claimed that, “More than 1,200 munitions were dropped by fighter jets of the Air Force in the past day,” while sharing footage from the take-offs for the strikes.

Iran strikes US naval base in Kuwait

Iran also struck US military bases in Kuwait, according to the IRGC. “The American naval base in the Abdullah Mubarak area of Kuwait was hit by four ballistic missiles and 12 drones. All infrastructure was destroyed, and a large number of American personnel were killed or injured. Additionally, the MST-class combat support ship, carrying fuel for American vessels in the Indian Ocean, was hit by Iranian Qadr 380 missiles,” the report said.Also read: More explosions in Dubai, Doha and Manama; airports targeted?

Iran’s top military leadership killed

Apart from Khamenei, Iran also reported that Gen. Abdol Rahim Mousavi and Defence Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh were also killed in an airstrike on a defence council meeting.The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Maj Gen Mohammad Pakpour, and senior security adviser Ali Shamkhani were also killed, according to IRNA.

Civilian toll rises in Iran

Iranian prosecutor Ebrahim Taheri said 148 people were killed and 95 wounded after a US–Israeli strike hit a girls’ school in Minab county in southern Iran.

Iran forms interim leadership council

A constitutional council has been formed to govern Iran following Khamenei’s death. The body includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and a member of the Guardian Council selected by the Expediency Council.Under Iranian law, the Assembly of Experts must appoint a new supreme leader “as soon as possible.”

Iran vows retaliation

Pezeshkian denounced Khamenei’s killing “as a great crime” and promised a response.“This great crime will never remain unanswered and will turn a new page in the history of the Islamic world and Shiism. The pure blood of this high-ranking leader will flow like a roaring spring and will eradicate American-Zionist oppression and crime,” his office said.“This time too, with all our strength and determination, with the support of the Islamic nation and the free people of the world, we will make the perpetrators and commanders of this great crime regret it,” it added.Pezeshkian also declared seven days of public holidays in addition to the 40-day mourning period. Iran’s parliament speaker said the country had prepared for “all scenarios” including Khamenei’s death.

‘They better not do that’: Trump warns Iran

US President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Sunday after Tehran signalled it might launch heavy attacks in response to recent US‑led strikes. Trump took to Truth Social, saying he had seen reports that Iran planned to “hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before.”“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” Trump wrote. “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

Air raid sirens sound across Israel

Israel’s military said it was responding to Iranian missile fire, with air raid sirens activated across central Israel and parts of the occupied West Bank.“Sirens were sounded in several areas across the country, following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,” the military said. “The air force is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary.”

Explosions reported in gulf cities

Fresh blasts were reported in Dubai, Doha, and Manama as Iran targeted multiple territories in retaliation.Iran’s military reportedly struck Dubai International Airport, the Burj Al Arab, and other high-profile locations. Four people were injured in the airport attack, causing damage inside a passenger terminal.In Iraq, Iran targeted a US base in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said a drone strike hit Bahrain International Airport, causing material damage but no casualties.AFP reporters also heard explosions across Dubai, Doha, and Manama, with thick black smoke seen over Doha after several loud blasts.

US Central Command confirms operations

The head of US Central Command said American forces were engaged in military operations during the first 24 hours of “Operation Epic Fury.”“The President ordered bold action,” Adm. Brad Cooper said.

IRGC carries out sixth wave of attacks

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it was carrying out a sixth wave of attacks in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes.It said it had launched “extensive missile and drone” attacks on Israel and US bases. According to Iranian reports, 27 US bases, Israel’s Tel Nof Airbase, the Israeli army’s command headquarters at HaKirya in Tel Aviv, and a major defence industrial complex were targeted.The IRGC warned it would “implement a different and harsh step of revenge, with successive, regrettable slaps.”

Global reaction remains cautious

The death of Khamenei, who had no designated successor, is expected to increase uncertainty in Iran and raise fears of a wider conflict. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting.Many countries abstained from commenting directly on US-Israeli strikes but condemned Iran’s retaliation. Some, like Australia and Canada, supported the US, while Russia and China criticized the strikes.The 22-nation Arab League called Iran’s attacks “a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability.” Morocco, Jordan, Syria, and the UAE condemned Iranian strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Emirates.Despite the violence, some international leaders have urged a resumption of dialogue to avoid further escalation, as tensions continue across the Middle East.

Regional travel chaos

Airspace closures across Israel and parts of the Gulf stranded tens of thousands of travellers.Emirates suspended flights to and from Dubai. Qatar’s airport closed until at least Monday morning. Israeli airspace remains shut.In Bali, more than 1,600 passengers were stranded after Middle East-bound flights were cancelled.

Protests and security alerts

Protesters in Baghdad attempted to approach the heavily fortified Green Zone housing Iraqi government buildings and the US Embassy. The US Embassy in Jordan urged Americans to remain indoors, citing reports of missiles, drones or rockets in Jordanian airspace.

Zahra Ghanbari (Image credit: X)

NEW DELHI: Football chiefs offered “full support and assistance” to the Iranian team in Australia on Sunday for the Women’s Asian Cup after the United States and Israel launched massive attacks on their homeland. Iran’s 26-strong squad arrived on the Gold Coast days before the strikes on Saturday killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Washington and Tel Aviv seek to topple the Islamic republic.They are due to open their tournament on Monday against South Korea.

The Asian Football Confederation said in a statement it “continues to closely monitor the recent developments in the Middle East during this challenging period”.“The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and security of all players, coaches, officials and fans,” it added.“In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the Iran women’s national team and officials on the Gold Coast and are offering our full support and assistance.”Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari held a pre-match press conference on Sunday but focused on football, saying the tournament was a chance to show “the potential of Iranian women”.“After the league season in Iran, we came together for three training camps, before coming to Australia where we have had a few fruitful sessions, so I hope tomorrow we can show you a good match,” she said.The 12-team tournament, which kicks off Sunday, will be one of the biggest stages ever for many Iranian players.They made a historic debut at the last Asian Cup in India in 2022 and suffered heavy defeats against China and Taiwan, but it made them national heroes in a country where women’s rights are severely restricted.“In India in 2022, the group was a little easier, now in 2026 we enter with more experience but the group is more tough,” said Jafari of a group that also includes hosts Australia and the Philippines.“But we (still) want to show in these games the potential of Iranian women.”Iran showed grit to come through a challenging qualifying campaign for Australia that culminated with a win against favourites Jordan to seal a back-to-back appearance.Skipper Zahra Ghanbari said she was dreaming big.“I believe this tournament is great with great teams, but we really want to qualify for the World Cup,” said the 33-year-old.“We know these will be tough games, but we have a tough mentality and we want to do our best.”The top six finishers will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

MUMBAI: Even as India sharpened its focus on artificial intelligence at a recent national AI summit, an 18-year-old commerce student from Navi Mumbai has quietly scripted his own global tech milestone.Jeet Santosh Bhaskar, who is yet to complete Class 12, has independently built and launched BrontoAI, a consumer-facing artificial intelligence platform that went live on the Apple App Store on January 25 and is now accessible in 175 countries.What sets the journey apart of a Kharghar (Navi Mumbai) boy is that he has no formal education in computer science.

Bhaskar identifies himself as founder and CEO of Bronto Intelligence, a parent entity currently under process of incorporation, which oversees BrontoAI and MSPConnect — platforms positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence and applied economics.“I had no formal coding background. I don’t communicate much socially. On October 15, my father gave me a MacBook, and that became my primary medium of learning and building,” Bhaskar said.BrontoAI is positioned as a human-centred AI platform rather than a utility-driven chatbot, giving it a distinct advantage for both Indian and international users. Unlike many global apps that deliver rigid, command-based responses, BrontoAI focuses on emotionally aware, context-sensitive conversations that feel closer to natural human interaction.From farm economics to AIHis entrepreneurial journey began with MSPConnect in October 2025 after he studied pricing gaps affecting farmers. The platform was conceived to improve awareness of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and enhance market transparency.Encouraged by the response, Bhaskar began work on BrontoAI, dedicating nearly four months to developing the application. He said he handled the coding architecture and product development independently, while also managing the technical review process with Apple.“I undertook online courses and taught myself coding. My way of learning is step by step. I used a split screen — one side for learning and the other for implementation — and that’s how I mastered the process,” he said.A human-centred designUnlike conventional AI tools that prioritise structured outputs, Bhaskar claims BrontoAI has been designed to communicate in a natural, Gen-Z-native tone that is emotionally aware and context-sensitive.According to him, the platform offers human-like language flow, realistic audio interaction and detailed image generation, with the aim of creating a more intuitive user experience.Academic groundingAlongside his technology pursuits, Bhaskar has focused on economics. He said he has authored two research papers — one examining the gap between MSP awareness and realised selling prices among farmers in Maharashtra, and another on shadow pricing based on perceived affluence.His father, Santosh Bhaskar, said the teenager completed eight advanced economics courses simultaneously and has secured undergraduate admission offers from eight universities abroad.Looking ahead, Bhaskar said he aims to explore the convergence of economics and artificial intelligence.“I want to pursue advanced research in economics while building scalable, human-centred technology platforms from India,” he said.For global users, the app’s strength lies in its Gen-Z-native language flow, realistic voice interaction and advanced image generation, making it intuitive across cultures and age groups without requiring technical expertise. Its design philosophy prioritises how people think and feel, not just what they ask, allowing smoother communication for everyday problem-solving, creativity and learning.From an Indian perspective, BrontoAI’s economic and social grounding enables it to understand developing-market contexts—pricing sensitivity, behavioural economics and real-world constraints—areas often overlooked by Western-centric AI tools. This makes it equally relevant for users in emerging economies and mature markets.By blending applied economics with AI, BrontoAI aims to offer smarter, more empathetic responses, positioning itself as a globally accessible platform that feels less like software and more like a thinking digital companion—an approach that differentiates it in an increasingly crowded global AI ecosystem.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a daylight pre-emptive airstrike in a joint operation by US and Israel on Saturday.Iranian confirmed early Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died following the attack. US President Donald Trump described Khamenei’s death as offering Iranians their “greatest chance” to reclaim control of their country.The operation – dubbed as ‘The Epic Fury’ – was timed to coincide with a meeting of the country’s top leadership, according to US officials.

Why US chose Saturday to carry out the strikes?

The joint US-Israel operation, reportedly planned for months, took place Saturday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek.The attack marked a dramatic escalation in US intervention in Iran, raising the risk of retaliatory violence and a broader conflict, while showcasing the military reach of a president who came to office on an “America First” platform and pledged to avoid “forever wars.”A US official added that the strike was designed to target Khamenei first, in order to maintain the element of surprise, amid concerns that he might go into hiding if given the chance, as cited by Reuters. Two Iranian sources told Reuters that Khamenei met on Saturday with Shamkhani and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani at a secure location shortly before the strikes started.Two US sources and a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said confirmation of Khamenei’s meeting with top advisers triggered the Israeli-US air and naval operation.The CIA monitored Khamenei for several months and shared detailed, high-confidence intelligence with Israel indicating he would attend a meeting of senior Iranian officials in Tehran on Saturday, according to a report by The New York Times.Israeli intelligence independently confirmed the gathering at a leadership compound, where senior defence officials were expected to convene. US and Israeli officials subsequently advanced plans for a strike to capitalize on the opportunity, the report said.The precise location of Khamenei’s meeting was not immediately known. Nevertheless, his high-security compound in Tehran was targeted at the start of the operation, with satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters confirming that it had been destroyed.One source noted that the meeting had initially been expected on Saturday evening in Tehran, but Israeli intelligence detected it taking place Saturday morning, prompting the strikes to be moved forward, as cited by Reuters.It followed tense negotiations and warnings from Trump, who last year highlighted his administration’s success in limiting Iran’s nuclear program but framed the latest strike as necessary to prevent a potential resurgence.Tensions have escalated in recent weeks as the Trump administration deployed what officials described as the largest concentration of US warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. While Trump publicly pushed for a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program, Iran faced mounting domestic unrest following nationwide protests.Although Trump declared last year that US strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said Tehran had begun rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Intelligence assessments indicated that Iran had developed the capability to produce high-quality centrifuges domestically—an essential component for enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels.Iran has said it sought to avoid war but maintained its right to enrich uranium. While Tehran has stated it has not enriched uranium since June, it has barred international inspectors from accessing sites targeted in US strikes. Satellite imagery analyzed by the Associated Press showed renewed activity at two of those locations, suggesting efforts to assess damage and potentially recover material.

MUMBAI: The committee appointed by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) to examine the unusual cancellation of 18 admissions under the institutional and NRI quotas at NY Tasgaonkar Institute of Medical Science, Karjat, has given the college a clean chit. The findings close the state-level inquiry into a case that had raised questions about how all candidates admitted under these higher-fee quotas withdrew simultaneously.“The committee, in its report, stated that it had contacted all 18 candidates, who informed the panel that they had withdrawn their admissions voluntarily,” a source in the state government said. However, sources familiar with the inquiry process pointed out that the panel relied on phone numbers supplied by the college itself, which had assembled the list of candidates placed before the committee. Sources said some parents are preparing to approach Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with supporting documents, seeking a detailed probe into the entire admission process and the way inquiry was carried out in this matter.On Saturday, at around 3pm, the college published its vacancy position, declaring that 12 institutional quota seats, three NRI quota seats and one state merit seat were vacant. This disclosure came a day after the college had, on Friday evening, selected 12 candidates under the institutional quota from a special list prepared internally and submitted earlier to the Bombay High Court.Dr Pravin Shingare, former head of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, said that in his decade-long tenure as the competent authority for postgraduate admissions, he had never encountered a situation where admissions under the institutional and NRI quotas were cancelled en masse. “And even if such a situation had arisen,” he said, “what prevented the CET Cell from preparing a fresh list of meritorious candidates willing to take admission in this college under the institutional and NRI quotas?”When asked whether the panel sought details from the college on the penalties levied on students who cancelled their admissions after submitting the retention form, a source said there would be no penalty since the seats had not lapsed. However, the rules governing private medical colleges state that “any candidate resigning a seat from an unaided private or minority medical college after the prescribed date will have to pay three years’ fees as a penalty.” The senior official said he would look at the details mentioned in the report on Monday. The state CET Cell has posted an observer at the college campus, said a senior officer from the CET cell.

A newly released high-resolution satellite image revealed significant destruction at the official residence compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, following US-Israeli military strikes early Saturday morning.The image, captured by Airbus Defence and Space and obtained by The New York Times, shows multiple collapsed buildings, heavy structural damage, and a prominent black plume of smoke rising from the secure government complex.

Several key structures within the compound, long used as Khamenei’s primary official residence and a central hub for leadership functions, appear obliterated or severely compromised.

Satellite image

Iran struck American military bases across the Middle East in retaliatory strikes against Israel and the United States, hours after the two arch-rivals rocked Tehran Saturday morning.Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said the military struck several facilities across the region in what they named operation “Truthful Promise 4.”The Revolutionary Guard said in a statement that in the first phase of the operation, named “Truthful Promise 4,” Iran’s military struck the command of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain, as well as US bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and military targets in Israel.However, the extent of the damage at the headquarters of the United States Fifth Fleet was not immediately clear. The base lies just southeast of central Manama, capital of the island nation of Bahrain.There have been no reports of damage in these areas apart from one death in the United Arab Emirates.Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the capital of the United Arab Emirates killed one person Saturday.The state-run WAM news agency reported the fatality, the first known in the Iranian counterattack following the United States and Israeli launching a major airstrike campaign targeting Iran. The buildup of tensions in West Asia erupted on Saturday morning as multiple explosions thundered across Tehran, with the United States and Israel launching coordinated daylight strikes on the Iranian capital. The offensive was aimed at deterring the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-led regime from advancing its nuclear ambitions.In what appeared to be preparation for a decisive confrontation, Washington named its military campaign “Operation Epic Fury,” while Israel called its offensive “Operation Lion’s Roar.”Hours after the strikes, Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel and American bases across the region.

After a commanding victory over Zimbabwe, India have kept their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign alive and breathing. The Men in Blue are now firmly in the race for a semi-final berth, but their path is far from easy. The upcoming clash against West Indies is a virtual knockout — whoever wins will punch their ticket to the semis.

With the stakes sky-high, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shared his insights on how mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy can elevate his game and deliver a match-defining performance.

Irfan Pathan on how Varun Chakaravarthy can unleash his ‘A game’ in the clash against West Indies

Chakaravarthy’s tournament statistics reflect consistency. He currently stands as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the competition with 11 wickets in six matches at an impressive economy rate of 7.20. Those are solid numbers in a high-scoring T20 era. However, despite the encouraging figures, the Tamil Nadu spinner hasn’t quite looked at his intimidating best and had produced concerning performances in the recent few games. The sharp bite off the pitch, the unplayable variations, and the aura of unpredictability that once rattled batters seem slightly muted.

With India heading into a do-or-die contest, the team will hope their mystery weapon rediscover his most lethal version. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan highlighted minor technical adjustments that could transform Chakaravarthy’s impact against West Indies.
According to Pathan, it’s all about subtle refinements rather than major overhauls.

“Against West Indies in Kolkata — a pitch he knows well — he can bounce back. Just a slight adjustment in length, maybe come closer to the stumps around the wicket to left-handers, and he’ll be back. If he picks up an early wicket, he can create serious pressure,” Pathan said.

The advice centers around bowling a fraction fuller or shorter depending on conditions and attacking from tighter angles, especially against left-handers. By coming closer to the stumps and operating around the wicket, Chakaravarthy could cramp batters for room and force mistakes. On a Kolkata surface that traditionally offers grip and turn, those minor tweaks could prove decisive.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 [EXPLAINED]: Why Matt Henry is returning home after the England vs New Zealand match?

Recent dip in Varun’s form raises questions

Chakaravarthy’s overall figures in the tournament still look impressive on paper, but his last two outings have sparked a bit of concern. In the clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad, he leaked 47 runs at a steep economy rate of 11.75, managing just a single wicket. The trend continued in the next game versus Zimbabwe, where he conceded 35 runs in three overs, going at 8.75 per over.

These performances stood in sharp contrast to his strong showing in the group stage, where his clever variations and tight control played a key role in providing India with timely breakthroughs.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan’s semi-final qualification scenario after England’s win over New Zealand

Salman Ali Agha (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup came to a disappointing end despite a win over Sri Lanka national cricket team on Saturday, with captain Salman Ali Agha conceding that the team’s batting frailties proved costly.While Sahibzada Farhan stood out with a superb hundred, the rest of the batting unit failed to deliver consistently through the tournament. Agha admitted that Pakistan’s middle-order woes have lingered for years. Senior batters Babar Azam and Saim Ayub were left out of the Super Eights clash owing to poor form.

“We couldn’t bat well throughout the tournament. If Farhan had more support, it’d have been better. Middle order has been a problem for a few years now, we’ll have to look at that,” Agha said at the post-match presentation.At one stage, Farhan (100) and Fakhar Zaman (84) had Sri Lanka on the ropes, raising hopes of a 225-plus total. However, Pakistan eventually finished at 212 for 8, falling short of fully capitalising on their blistering start.“Couldn’t finish the way we wanted to. We batted well 18 overs, opposition did well in the other two. Even 160 would’ve been difficult to defend,” Agha said.He also pointed to conditions playing a part in the contest.“(It) was always challenging after losing the toss because of dew. Could’ve been a different story had we won the toss. Dew was a factor. We couldn’t execute plans. Usman (Tariq) had an off-day, it can happen.”Asked to bat first, Pakistan piled up a formidable 212 for 8, riding on the heavy lifting done by Farhan and Zaman. To edge past New Zealand national cricket team on net run rate and qualify for the semifinals from Group 2, Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer.That scenario never materialised. The co-hosts, already out of semifinal contention, mounted a strong chase to finish on 207 for 6.Both Pakistan and New Zealand ended the Super Eights stage with three points apiece, but the Kiwis advanced as the second-placed side from the group courtesy of a superior net run rate. England cricket team had already sealed their semifinal berth after winning all three of their Super Eights matches.Farhan, who was named Player of the Match, expressed mixed emotions after his century went in vain.“(I) wanted to do well for the team, wanted Fakhar to ton up actually. The ton didn’t work for the team, that’s why I’m sad,” he said.“I have been feeling well, that brings confidence. Knew I could hit whatever was in my arc. All credit goes to domestic cricket, it’s brought out the habit of scoring at pace and scoring big.”Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka, who nearly pulled off a stunning win with a blistering 76 not out off 31 balls, felt he let the opportunity slip.“It was a close game, I could’ve finished it. Well bowled to Shaheen,” said Shanaka who needed just six runs from the last two balls to win the match.“Yes, we’re disappointed. I want to say sorry to the fans. Unfortunately, we fell down to injuries. In the future, I hope there are no injuries. Missing two key bowlers in (Wanindu) Hasaranga and (Matheesha) Pathirana. Hope they’ll return soon and do well for Sri Lankan cricket.“Sometimes, as players, we feel pressure. It was a mistake, I’m sorry to fans for disheartening them. We’re all thankful for all the support. (Pavan) Rathnayake is consistent, uses the crease well. We (also) have (Dunith) Wellalage, they (young players) are growing.”