India bowling coach Morne Morkel with Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: As defending champions India prepare to face England in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, bowling coach Morne Morkel says dew could play a big role.He explained that conditions at Wankhede can be tricky. “I think dew is always a big concern. But that’s again something you can’t control: the toss. I think at Wankhede there’s always that extra bit of bounce. Guys can trust the bounce and lead through the line that can also, as a bowler, bring you into the game. I just felt or feel that the margins here are a lot smaller. The ball travels; it’s quite a small ground,” Morne Morkel told the reporters.

He added that bowlers must stay brave despite the risks. “So you just need to be really fighting that over, staying in the moment and competing for every ball. Because, as I said, a batter’s strength can also be his weakness on the surface. So it’s sometimes not to go too defensive and keep on attacking because opportunities can come,” he added.Head coach Gautam Gambhir also spoke about how the lack of dew during this tournament has affected India’s batting compared to earlier bilateral series. “During the bilateral series as well, there was a lot of dew in the second innings as well, but we did not see a lot of dew during this World Cup campaign. So I felt that it was not only about the strike rate, but it was about reading the game properly and obviously reading the situation as well. And that is something that is going to be important, and the guys did that really well,” Gambhir said.“Even today, you saw they were chasing 195. We never felt that we were out of the game. Never ever did we feel in 20 overs that the chase was away from us. So the guys kept in control. Yes, there were times in bilateral matches where we could chase the target in 16 or 17 overs, but this is the World Cup. And the pressure is different, and the quality is different as well.”India reached the semi-finals after wins over Zimbabwe and West Indies, despite a setback against South Africa in the Super Eights.

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended sharply lower on Wednesday, tracking weakness in Asian markets as escalating tensions in West Asia pushed crude oil prices higher and weighed on investor sentiment.The 30-share BSE Sensex fell for the fourth consecutive session, dropping 1,122.66 points or 1.40 per cent to close at 79,116.19. During the day, the index plunged 1,795.65 points or 2.23 per cent to hit 78,443.20 before trimming losses in the latter half of the session.The NSE Nifty declined 385.20 points or 1.55 per cent to settle at 24,480.50, marking its third straight day of losses and the lowest closing level in the past six months. The index had slipped 560.3 points or 2.25 per cent intraday to 24,305.40.

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“Global risk sentiment remained fragile amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which kept oil prices volatile. Indian equities mirrored the broader risk-off environment due to the impact of inflation and the potential for higher CAD.“The continued depreciation of the INR also remains a key concern, while incremental foreign outflows lead to near-term volatility in the market,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said, PTI quoted.The rupee weakened to an all-time low of 92.35 against the US dollar on Wednesday, pressured by the sharp rise in crude oil prices.Broader markets also remained under pressure. The BSE smallcap index tumbled 2.42 per cent, while the midcap index dropped 2.10 per cent.Sectorally, metal stocks led the losses with a 4 per cent decline. BSE PSU Bank fell 3.50 per cent, industrials dropped 3.29 per cent, realty declined 3.16 per cent and commodities lost 3.12 per cent. Capital goods fell 2.64 per cent, power 2.59 per cent, services 2.25 per cent and energy 2.23 per cent.On the BSE, 3,245 stocks declined, while 1,053 advanced and 135 remained unchanged.Asian markets also closed with steep losses. South Korea’s Kospi plunged 12 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei 225, China’s Shanghai SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index ended significantly lower.European markets were trading higher, while US markets had ended Tuesday’s session in the red.The conflict in West Asia has intensified, with Iran continuing attacks on several Gulf countries in retaliation for the joint strike by Israel and the US. Washington and Tel Aviv have also carried out fresh strikes on Iran.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 3,295.64 crore on Monday, according to exchange data, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought shares worth Rs 8,593.87 crore.

In a throwback interview, Rashmika Mandanna made heartfelt reflections on motherhood and her now-husband Vijay Deverakonda. Following their dreamy Udaipur wedding on February 26, 2026, this interview has resurfaced where the ‘Pushpa’ star discussed her protective instincts for her future children and her plans for a balanced life in her 30s. On the work front, Rashmika Mandanna will be seen in ‘Cocktail 2’ with Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. She will also be seen in the period drama, ‘Ranabaali’ opposite Vijay Deverakonda.

The “VIROSH” era officially kickstarted with a magnificent and dreamy Udaipur wedding on March 26, 2026. It will be followed by a reception for political dignitaries, industry peers and friends today, March 4, 2026. While the internet is currently flooded with “Shiv-Parvati” coded pictures of the newlyweds, a resurfaced interview has resurfaced. In the candid throwback, Rashmika reveals a deeply maternal and protective side, confessing that even before marriage, she felt a fierce “warrior” instinct for her future children.

‘I’d go to war for them’: Rashmika Mandanna’s fierce maternal instinct

Long before the intimate rituals at ITC Mementos, Rashmika Mandanna opened up about her emotional connection to the idea of motherhood. Despite not being a parent yet, the actor described a visceral sense of responsibility toward her future children, in an old interview with Gulte.

“I’m not even a mother, but I already feel… I know I’m going to have kids, and I love that that’s going to happen. But I already feel something so strongly for these little humans that are not even born yet,” Mandanna shared.The ‘Animal’ actress emphasized that her fitness and career drive are partly fueled by this future role. She noted that she wants to be “fit enough to go to war” to protect her children, highlighting a protective side that fans are now finding even more touching following her union with Vijay.Mandanna shared, ““I want to do everything for them. I want to keep them so safe, so protected. And if I’m supposed to get into a war, I need to be fit enough to go to war for them. I’m already thinking about that.”

Rashmika Mandanna on stability and financial independence

The ‘Geetha Govindam’ actress has always been vocal about her “work-hard-now” philosophy. In the same conversation, she detailed her roadmap for life, explaining that her 20s and 30s were strictly reserved for building a stable foundation.Mandanna revealed, “I always knew that I would just put my head down and keep working in my 20s and 30s.We need to make a living; we need to have our own money. I knew that 30 to 40 was always going to be about work-life balance, and I have to ensure that it happens. And 40 onwards, I still haven’t thought that far.”

More about Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda‘s pre-wedding festivities

The couple didn’t just celebrate with a grand “Virosh Premier League” (VPL) and a Japanese-themed dinner; they have also made headlines for their post-wedding philanthropy. Following their Grihapravesham in Vijay’s ancestral village of Thummanpeta, Telangana on March 2, the couple announced the Deverakonda Charitable Trust scholarships. This initiative will support Class 9 and 10 students across 44 government schools in the Achampet division.

Rashmika Mandanna on the work front

On the work front, Rashmika Mandanna will be seen in ‘Cocktail 2’ with Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. She will also be seen in the period drama, ‘Ranabaali’ opposite Vijay Deverakonda.

Here are the top 5 stories of the day

Iran tensions deepen: Khamenei funeral delayed, Israel warns successor, 101 missing at sea

Tensions surrounding Iran intensified as state media said a farewell ceremony for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was postponed. Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that any future Iranian leader would be a “target for elimination.” Additionally, 101 people were reported missing after a submarine attack on an Iranian vessel off Sri Lanka. Follow live updates

‘Such a scary time’: How stranded passengers in Dubai used cabs, cash and detours to flee Iran crisis

As regional airspace closures followed missile exchanges linked to the Iran conflict, thousands were stranded in Dubai and across Gulf hubs. With flights grounded, travellers improvised — hiring taxis, crossing borders overland and paying thousands for last-minute tickets. Amid interceptions overhead and explosions nearby, many described the scramble to leave as chaotic and deeply unsettling. Read full story

MS Dhoni fined Rs 1000 after caught breaking traffic rules

Former Indian men’s cricket team captain MS Dhoni has been fined Rs 1000 for overspeeding in Ranchi after his car was caught breaking traffic rules near his home. The city’s automated traffic monitoring system recorded the vehicle going above the speed limit, and an e-challan was issued under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Read full story

‘Committed war crimes’: BLA says it executed 7 Pakistan soldiers captured during Operation Herof II

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed it has executed seven Pakistani military personnel who were taken captive during “Operation Herof II” last month. The BLA had captured 17 soldiers on February 14, releasing 10 of them because they were ethnic Baloch. The group had suggested a prisoner swap with Islamabad in exchange for the remaining captives. Read full story

Protests over Ayatollah Khamenei’s killing in Kashmir: School closed, Meta blocks media pages

After large-scale protests over the past two days against the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Jammu and Kashmir government extended the closure of schools and colleges across the Valley until Saturday. At the same time, Meta blocked several newspaper accounts in the Valley, evoking condemnation from political parties. Read full story

Jailer actor Vasanth Ravi is among the Indian celebrities who are stranded in Dubai due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States-Israel coalition. The actor spoke to us on experiencing war firsthand, the on-ground situation, and how he plans to get back to India with his family...‘THE CITY CONTINUES ITS REGULAR OPERATIONS, BUT PRICES MAY SHOOT UP’We came here four days back. Appa had some work here, and he wanted me to come. It was all fine until that first attack happened in Abu Dhabi when things started to change. But while flights have been cancelled, schools are closed and people have been advised to work from home if possible, the city continues its regular operations and everything else is functioning as normal.

And people are also stepping out of their homes. I went to a mall on Sunday. I was told that the place is crowded on weekends, but on that day, it was only 20%. That’s the case with other touristy places as well. But people are stepping out, but it’s very limited. I think eventually things will return to normal.There is talk that prices of essentials, like vegetables and grocery items, will shoot up soon if this situation continues because many of the items are imported and stocks might not last long.‘IRAN’S MISSILES ARE BEING INTERCEPTED AND DEBRIS KEEPS FALLING ON THE CITY’Iran and Dubai are very close, separated by a stretch of sea, so we’re experiencing war firsthand. As Iran’s missiles fly over the skies here, they are being intercepted, and the debris keeps falling on the city. That’s the major anxiety as you do not know where the next missile is going to come from and you cannot predict where the debris might hit. My parents have lived through a range of situations and Appa was saying that this was their first experience of a war situation. But they have been strong so far, because they believe Dubai will withstand this situation.‘HOTELS ARE LETTING TOURISTS EXTEND THEIR STAY’The government has assured that they will take care of the accommodation and food of the over 20,000 who were stranded at the airport on the first day of the attack. We are staying in a hotel and there are rooms available. We were supposed to leave for India on Monday, but have asked the hotel to extend our stay given the flight situation. And since there’s no inflow, hotels across the city have been letting tourists extend their stay. Restaurants are also open across the city.‘I’M EXPLORING DRIVING TO OMAN AND FLYING BACK TO INDIA’We are all waiting for air travel to open. That said, I’m also exploring the option of driving to Muscat from here by car and taking a flight from there. But I’m told flights from Oman, though operational, are all full. I’m planning to assess and then take this option in a day or two if the situation continues to be the same here.

The pre-wedding celebrations for Arjun Tendulkar, son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, and his fiancée Saaniya Chandhok kicked off in grand style in Mumbai on Tuesday night, with a galaxy of cricket stars including Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan attending the combined mehendi and sangeet ceremony . The star-studded evening, hosted by Sachin and Anjali Tendulkar at a venue in South Mumbai, saw the who’s who of Indian cricket come together to bless the couple ahead of their wedding scheduled for March 5 .

Tendulkar family dazzles in traditional ensembles

The Tendulkar family stole the spotlight as they arrived in stunning traditional outfits for the occasion. The Master Blaster himself chose a bright green kurta-pyjama set, which he paired with a printed jacket, looking every bit the gracious host. His wife Anjali Tendulkar glittered in a gorgeous deep blue ensemble accessorised with elaborate jewellery, completing the regal family portrait.

Daughter Sara Tendulkar looked radiant in a beautiful pink lehenga, adding to the family’s festive charm.

The soon-to-be groom, Arjun Tendulkar, opted for a sophisticated beige bandhgala set befitting the joyous occasion, while his bride-to-be Saaniya Chandhok stunned in a pastel gota-patti lehenga with soft pink accents, complemented by heavy jewellery and traditional kaleeras.

Arjun Tendulkar with Fiance Saaniya & Both Side Family Arrived For Mehendi & Sangeet #arjuntendulkar #entertainmentvideo #viral #trending #fyp pic.twitter.com/hWJKiFP76A

— entertainment Video (@entertainm58059) March 3, 2026

The couple, who got engaged in August 2025, was seen holding hands in videos that have since gone viral on social media, their chemistry evident as they mingled with guests.

Cricket’s who’s who grace the occasion

The guest list read like a who’s who of Indian cricket, with former stars arriving with their families to shower blessings on the couple. Yuvraj Singh, the hero of India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, arrived with his wife, actress-model Hazel Keech, adding glamour to the proceedings.

The Pathan brothers – Irfan and Yusuf – were also in attendance with their wives Safa Baig and Afreen respectively, bringing their trademark warmth to the celebrations.

Harbhajan Singh, ever the life of any party, was spotted with his wife, former actress Geeta Basra, while Zaheer Khan arrived with his wife, actress Sagarika Ghatge, the couple posing happily for the cameras.

Ravi Shastri, former India head coach and cricket commentator, was also seen at the venue, adding to the cricketing royalty present.

Ajit Agarkar, the current BCCI chairman of selectors, made time to attend the celebrations despite his busy schedule with the ongoing T20 World Cup. The presence of these cricket icons underscored the deep respect and affection the cricketing fraternity holds for the Tendulkar family.

Viral moments from the celebrations

Social media has been abuzz with videos and pictures from the mehendi-sangeet ceremony. One particularly touching moment captured Sachin Tendulkar posing proudly with his son Arjun, the emotion evident on the cricket legend’s face. Another video showed the entire Tendulkar and Chandhok families coming together for a group photograph, encapsulating the joy of the occasion.

Tendulkar & Chandok families come together for Arjun & Saaniya’s Mehndi Ceremony ❤️😍
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.#ArjunAndSaaniya #MehndiCelebration #TendulkarFamily #ChandokFamily #WeddingVibes #IndiaForums pic.twitter.com/igWGIZwfJ5

— India Forums (@indiaforums) March 3, 2026

Also WATCH: Sachin Tendulkar turns emotional for son Arjun at pre-wedding bash with Saaniya Chandhok in Jamnagar

Wedding set for March 5

With the mehendi and sangeet ceremony successfully concluded, both families now prepare for the main wedding ceremony on Thursday, March 5. The wedding is expected to be an intimate affair held at a high-security venue in South Mumbai, followed by a dinner reception.

Sachin Tendulkar has personally extended invitations to top dignitaries including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The presence of these national leaders alongside cricket royalty will make the wedding one of the most high-profile social events of the year.

For Arjun, who was traded from Mumbai Indians (MI) to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2026, this week marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter both personally and professionally. As the Tendulkar family celebrates, the cricketing world joins in wishing the couple a lifetime of happiness.

Also READ: Mohammad Amir makes a bold prediction ahead of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final clash with England

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Veteran Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has underlined that he has no immediate plans to step away from T20 internationals, with both the 2028 T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics firmly on his radar.Now 37, Maxwell would be 40 by the time Australia hosts the 2028 T20 World Cup, an event slated to take place only months after cricket features at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Speculation around his future intensified following Australia’s early exit at the recent T20 World Cup and a lean patch with the bat, but the explosive all-rounder insists he is not rushing into any retirement decision.“I think not making a decision around my future was probably based more on what’s to come over the next 12 months. There’s not a whole lot of T20 cricket planned, so there’s probably no need to make any sort of formal announcements and just see how my body’s going and see how I’m travelling, and if there’s an opportunity to play in the future, hopefully I’m fit and firing,” Maxwell told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.Australia’s T20I calendar remains light until August 2027, with only eight bilateral fixtures currently scheduled. Maxwell has already called time on his ODI career, yet he remains open to prolonging his stint in the shortest international format.When quizzed about the prospect of featuring at both the 2028 Olympics and the home T20 World Cup, Maxwell struck a hopeful yet measured tone.“Fit and firing? Hopefully. But yeah, not setting any dates. I felt like I got better and better throughout the World Cup. I probably more judge it on how I’m running around the field and how I’m feeling, probably more so than any statistics regarding wickets and runs. And I just felt like I was able to get through games a lot easier. Felt like I was playing my role as well as I could, and felt like I still had plenty to offer,” he said.Although his recent returns in T20Is and the Big Bash League have been modest, Maxwell believes his value to the side extends beyond the numbers alone.Australia’s next T20I assignment is a three-match series against Bangladesh in June, part of a wider tour that also includes ODIs in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Maxwell confirmed that discussions with selectors are ongoing regarding those plans.“We’ve had some discussions about what the next little bit looks like, and we’ll continue to have really open and fluid discussions going forward. As I said, if I’m fit and firing and available, I’ll be ready,” he said.Away from the international arena, Maxwell is set to remain busy on the franchise circuit. He has agreed to a two-year extension with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and will also feature in the Pakistan Super League, Major League Cricket and a new Europe-based T20 competition later this year. He is due to represent the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL, marking his debut in the tournament.“Looked at the window that I had in between the World Cup and MLC, and with us not going as far into the tournament as I probably previously planned, found myself with a bit more time in between tournaments, and just felt like I would have been going in cold into the next one,” Maxwell said.“So probably bridges a timing gap beautifully. And getting the opportunity to get to a new team and start at the start with someone – I really like those opportunities. I think to start with a team from the very start is nice to be able to be a part and build a brand,” he mentioned.

F/A-18 Super Hornet (Image credit: Boeing website)

Three US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets went down over Kuwait on Sunday in what American officials have described as an “apparent friendly-fire incident,” amid escalating hostilities linked to the Iran conflict.According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with preliminary findings, a Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet is suspected of having mistakenly launched missiles that struck the US aircraft during joint operations.A US official quoted in the report said three missiles were fired toward the American jets, which subsequently went down over Kuwaiti territory. All six crew members ejected safely and were later recovered. They are reported to be in stable condition.The United States Central Command initially described the episode as an “apparent friendly-fire incident,” saying the aircraft were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences during active combat conditions that included incoming Iranian drones and missiles. Investigations are ongoing.

What Is the F/A-18 Hornet?

The F/A-18 Hornet is a US-made, twin-engine, supersonic multirole combat aircraft designed to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The “F/A” designation signifies its dual fighter and attack role. The aircraft was developed by McDonnell Douglas in partnership with Northrop and entered service with the United States Navy in 1983. It was built for aircraft carrier operations and later exported to several US allies, including Kuwait. Boeing, which acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, now manufactures the newer F/A-18 Super Hornet variant. Boeing says the F/A-18 Super Hornet is the “backbone of carrier air wings”.Key features of the legacy F/A-18 Hornet include:

Kuwait ordered its fleet in 1988, with deliveries taking place between October 1991 and August 1993. US and Australia also use these jets. In one interesting fact, the F/A-18 jets, which were featured in Tom Cruise-starrer “Top Gun: Maverick”

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed it has executed seven Pakistani military personnel who were taken captive during “Operation Herof II” last month, ANI reported, citing The Balochistan Post (TBP).The BLA, an insurgent group that frequently attacks the Pakistani military to push for Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan, had captured 17 soldiers on February 14, releasing 10 of them because they were ethnic Baloch.The group had suggested a prisoner swap with Islamabad in exchange for the remaining captives. The deadline was later extended to 14 days on “humanitarian grounds.”Also Read | ‘How can army ignore us?’: BLA releases video of captured Pakistan soldiers pleading for helpIn a statement on Tuesday, the BLA said the seven individuals were members of regular Pakistani armed forces units and had been sentenced by the “Baloch National Court” for involvement in enforced disappearances, civilian abuses, and other war crimes.The statement added that during the extended captivity, the group determined Pakistani military authorities were “not serious” about negotiating their release. The BLA alleged that initial talks of a potential exchange were a “cunning manoeuvre” designed to buy time for military operations, while Pakistani forces continued using gunship helicopters, drones, and large troop deployments.According to the group, its Senior Command Council concluded that the humanitarian extension had been “misused” to escalate hostilities and target Baloch fighters. It further claimed that Islamabad’s approach showed it “only understands the language of strength and action.”The BLA stated that, following the final ruling of the “Baloch National Court,” the sentences against all seven detainees were carried out on Tuesday.The group held Pakistan’s military high command responsible for the deaths, accusing it of putting “ego, military misadventures, and cunning culture” above the lives of its personnel.Pakistani military authorities have not issued any official response to the claims.