South Africa players during the first T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal in Kolkata. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: South Africa’s dream run at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 came to a crashing halt on Wednesday night as New Zealand handed them a crushing nine-wicket defeat in the semifinal. And head coach Shukri Conrad did not hold back while describing what unfolded.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking after the match, Conrad dismissed suggestions that South Africa had “choked” under pressure — a tag that has followed them in global tournaments for decades.“I don’t know if tonight was a choke. I thought it was a bloody walloping,” Conrad said bluntly. “In order for you to choke, you must have had a sniff in the game. We didn’t have a sniff.”

Chasing a competitive 170, New Zealand made a mockery of the target. Opener Finn Allen produced a historic assault, smashing an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls — the fastest century in the tournament’s history — while Tim Seifert hammered a 33-ball 58. The chase was wrapped up in just 12.5 overs, leaving South Africa stunned.Conrad even dipped into his native Afrikaans to sum up the scale of the defeat.“Tonight we got a proper ‘snotklap’,” he said. “That’s an Afrikaans word for a real hiding, a smack you don’t see coming. That’s what it felt like.”Earlier, New Zealand’s bowlers had laid the platform. Cole McConchie struck twice in the second over, removing Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in consecutive deliveries. Spinners then tightened the screws as South Africa’s middle order — including Aiden Markram, David Miller and Dewald Brevis — failed to gain momentum.A late counterattack from Marco Jansen, who smashed an unbeaten 55 off 30 balls, and Tristan Stubbs helped South Africa reach 169, but the total proved nowhere near enough.“They strangled us up front and we never got any momentum,” Conrad admitted. “A hell of a lot didn’t go right tonight — but that was probably enforced because they were so good.”Despite the heavy defeat, Conrad said he remained proud of his team, who entered the semifinal as the tournament’s only unbeaten side with seven consecutive wins.“I thought we did some exceptional stuff throughout the tournament,” he said. “Not many people gave us a chance of making the semifinals when we left home. I’m incredibly proud of these guys — even if that’s no consolation right now.”

Commercial airlines have suspended most regional services across the Middle East after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Tehran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a sharp escalation in tensions and widespread airspace closures that have crippled travel through key Gulf hubs.Iran retaliated with waves of missiles, sending projectiles and interceptors over major Gulf hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Several countries temporarily closed their airspace, forcing thousands of stranded travelers to chart their own routes out of the region.

With airports shut and flights grounded, many have resorted to long desert drives, multiple border crossings and expensive last-minute tickets.‘Morning you woke up to missiles intercepted’Among those caught in the disruption was Kalie Moore, who became stranded in Doha after returning from a safari in Kenya. She was preparing to board a connecting flight to Berlin when Qatar closed its airspace as missiles flew overhead.After waiting with thousands of passengers at the airport, Moore checked into a nearby hotel, where staff advised guests to remain indoors.“It was actually pretty crazy because in the morning you woke up to the missiles being intercepted,” Moore told Bloomberg.Realizing flights would not resume soon, she decided to leave Qatar overland for Saudi Arabia, where air operations were still functioning. She teamed up with another traveler and hired a driver to take them on the six-hour journey to Riyadh for $1,000.Despite online narratives of influencers escaping in luxury vehicles and private jets, Moore’s journey was far less glamorous. The pair traveled in an old Toyota, switched cars and drivers at the border, and ate at roadside gas stations.From Riyadh, Moore booked a British Airways flight via London, paying an additional $2,000 to reach home. Her experience mirrors that of many others, including European officials and athletes stranded after events in Dubai.

‘Oman border is closed’A US State Department advisory urging Americans to leave several Middle Eastern countries quickly went viral. Many expatriates in Dubai contacted their employers to check whether evacuation plans would be activated.Some companies have begun relocating staff. Macquarie Group moved certain employees out of Dubai overland via Saudi Arabia and Oman.Two main exit routes have emerged: driving to Saudi Arabia or heading to Muscat International Airport, where operations remain normal. The journey from Dubai to Muscat takes under five hours, though travelers report long traffic queues and uncertain border conditions.“One day it was all open and no queue,” Karim Gharbi, head of Arton Capital’s private jet concierge and global mobility service told Bloomberg.“The second day was too many people going, then the Oman border is closed,” Karim said further adding that his company helped relocate more than 40 people, including families. Some were accompanied by bodyguards to assist with border procedures.‘You hear this explosion — time to go’Thierry Carbou, a French-Canadian tech entrepreneur who has lived in Dubai for 15 years, was having lunch at a beach club when he heard explosions overhead.He returned to his apartment in the Burj Khalifa and was speaking with his family when a blast struck City Walk nearby. “You hear this huge explosion, then this black smoke,” he said. “We looked at each other, and we said, ‘OK, time to go,'” he added.Will Bailey, a 26-year-old fitness coach and influencer from Manchester, had just returned to Dubai to launch a new business when the strikes began. Posting from a beach club as air defenses intercepted missiles overhead, he pointed to smoke rising from a nearby building and said, “That is the Fairmont Hotel in Dubai. Oh my God.”Bailey’s updates drew praise from followers for capturing the unfolding crisis, but also criticism from some in the UK.

‘It is such a scary time’The situation has sparked debate in Britain about whether expatriates should be included in any government evacuation.In Parliament, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey questioned whether “washed-up old footballers” and others who moved abroad to avoid higher taxes should receive state-funded evacuation support.Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded that all British citizens were entitled to assistance regardless of tax status.Entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne defended Dubai residents on social media, writing, “Not one Dubai resident has expressed a desire to leave as far as I know. The British who need to vacate are on holiday or on business in Dubai.”Reality TV personality Arabella Chi said, “It is such a scary time right here at the moment.”Life goes onDespite the tension, daily life in parts of the UAE continues with an air of normalcy. Hotels remain open and beaches are active, even as missile interceptions light up the night sky. Bailey later moved with friends to a residential house away from tourist areas, continuing to post updates.“There are a lot of people in Dubai who are not taking it as seriously as some others,” he said during a radio interview interrupted by another interception, saying “I’m shaking now just hearing that sound.”As regional tensions remain high and airspace closures continue, thousands of travelers and expatriates face uncertain days ahead navigating not just borders and highways, but a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.

The high-stakes 2nd Semi-Final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features defending champions India taking on two-time winners England at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. This is the third consecutive T20 World Cup where these two giants have met in the semi-finals.

The Men in Blue enter the semi-finals after a clinical Super 8 performance, capped by a victory against the West Indies. Sanju Samson is the man of the moment following a brilliant 97 off 50 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan have been consistent run-getters.

Led by Harry Brook, England topped their Super 8 group with a perfect record. Brook recently scored a century against Pakistan, and all-rounder Will Jacks has been in exceptional form, winning four Player of the Match awards in seven games.

IND vs ENG: Mumbai Weather Forecast

The weather conditions look excellent for an uninterrupted contest during the India vs England clash this evening. All indicators suggest a clear and pleasant evening for cricket, meaning fans and players can expect a full match without weather interruptions. The temperature during the evening is expected to be around 27°C, which is quite comfortable for players. With 0% cloud cover, the sky will remain completely clear, ensuring perfect visibility under the lights. There is 0% probability of precipitation, meaning rain is highly unlikely to interrupt the match. This is great news for both teams and fans eagerly waiting for the high-stakes encounter. Humidity levels are expected to be around 42%, which is moderate for coastal conditions. Players may feel slightly warm early in the evening, but overall the conditions should remain manageable. The dew point is around 15°C, which suggests that dew could develop later in the night, especially in the second innings. This might make the ball slightly slippery for bowlers and could favour the chasing side.

IND vs ENG: Dew factor at the Wankhede Stadium

Dew is traditionally a major factor at the Wankhede Stadium, often making the ball difficult to grip for bowlers in the second innings and aiding the chasing side. However, recent reports suggest the pitch has been providing consistent turn and grip, which might slightly mitigate the dew’s impact. India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has labeled it a “big concern,” but analysts note that if the pitch remains dry or rough, spinners like Varun Chakaravarthy and Adil Rashid could still remain effective under lights.

Also READ: IND vs ENG, T20 World Cup 2026 Semifinal 2 Match Prediction – Who will win today’s game between India and England?

IND vs ENG: Toss Prediction

Historical data at Wankhede strongly favors the team winning the toss electing to field first.

Evening dew: Meteorological data for tonight indicates a “Heavy Dew Alert” starting around 8:00 PM IST. Humidity is expected to spike from 65% at the start of play to over 82% during the second innings. This will likely make the ball slippery, significantly hampering spinners like Varun Chakaravarthy and Adil Rashid, and making it difficult for pacers to execute precision yorkers.

Bounce and hitting: The Wankhede surface for this semi-final is reported to be a flat batting beauty with a “green tinge” that helps the pitch stay true. While the initial sea breeze might offer some “zing” and early swing for Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer, the true bounce will favor aggressive hitters. Both teams boast explosive power—India with Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav, and England with Harry Brook and Will Jacks—meaning the ball is expected to fly off the bat once the powerplay ends.

Chasing or defending?: Historically, Wankhede is a “chase-first” venue, and the heavy dew forecast reinforces that trend. Chasing teams have a distinct psychological and physical advantage under the lights when the ball slides onto the bat. However, there is a counter-strategy: England’s Harry Brook has shown a recent preference for setting massive totals (200+) to let “scoreboard pressure” do the work. Despite this, given the 82% humidity forecast, the captain winning the toss is almost certain to elect to bowl first.

Also READ: IND vs ENG, T20 World Cup 2026 Semifinal 2: Wankhede Pitch Report, T20I Stats and Record

India has sought to buy Russian crude to avoid supply shortages as Middle East tensions show no sign of abating. (AI image)

India is back to stepping up purchases of Russian crude as the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war blocks Strait of Hormuz and crucial oil supplies from the Middle East, according to reports. India imports nearly 90% of its crude oil, and in the last few months had increased purchases from the Middle East to wean away from Russian crude oil. However, with its energy security priorities in mind, India has sought to buy Russian crude to avoid supply shortages as Middle East tensions show no sign of abating.In recent weeks, Indian refiners had trimmed their purchases of Russian crude amid concerns that continued imports could complicate ongoing trade negotiations with the Donald Trump administration. This shift had prompted Moscow to divert additional volumes toward Chinese buyers.

Middle East Crisis: India Turns To Russian Oil

According to a Bloomberg report, ship-tracking data indicates that two Russian crude shipments which were originally bound for East Asia have redirected their course to India. According to vessel monitoring data from Kpler and Vortexa, the two tankers together carry roughly 1.4 million barrels of Urals crude and are scheduled to unload at Indian ports this week. Earlier voyage signals had suggested that the cargoes were headed to destinations in East Asia.The crude grade involved is Urals crude, typically shipped from ports in the Baltic and Black Sea regions. This grade had earlier become a preferred feedstock for Indian refiners. However, shipments to India declined significantly this year amid pressure from the United States on New Delhi to scale back purchases.

One of the vessels, the Suezmax tanker Odune, carrying about 730,000 barrels, reached Paradip on India’s eastern coast on Wednesday, according to shipping data and reports from port agents. It remains unclear whether the cargo has been fully discharged. The second vessel, the Aframax tanker Matari, transporting more than 700,000 barrels, is expected to arrive at Vadinar on India’s western coast on Thursday.Also Read | US-Iran war sends shockwaves! Most crude via Strait of Hormuz heads to China, India – how vulnerable are they after closure?The escalating conflict in the Middle East and the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz have heightened fears of supply disruptions. As a result, refiners in India now appear to be reconsidering Russian crude supplies to offset potential shortages.Additional diversions may occur. Ship-tracking information indicates that Indri, a Suezmax tanker currently in the Arabian Sea, has altered its route after initially signaling Singapore as its destination. The vessel, which is carrying about 730,000 barrels of Urals crude, made a sharp turn northward earlier this week and is now heading toward India.The three tankers involved in these movements – Odune, Matari, and Indri – were all placed under sanctions last year by the European Union and the United Kingdom Government.

MUMBAI: A interior designerfrom Breach Candy has filed a cheating complaint against the directors of a window systems company, alleging financial loss of over ₹72 lakh due to defective and unsafe installation work at a luxury Malabar Hill residence. In the FIR complainant alleged that accused company assured European-standard fabrication and installation However, after installation, the homeowner reportedly complained of whistling noise during strong winds, rainwater seepage, faulty locks, damaged gaskets and poor finishing.The Dadar police has registered the offence under the BNS section of 318 (4) and have booked the directors of Yantra Window System directors Ravi Punjwani and Nikhil Daswani. Panwani who has got interim relief from arrest has denied all the allegations.Complainant beauvuestiledivita private limited, stated in the FIR that in December 2022, they secured a turnkey interior contract For a duplex apartment at , Nepeansea Road. For specialised aluminium window systems valued at ₹34.81 lakh, Kothari’s firm issued a work order on February 27, 2023 to Yantra Aluminium Window System Pvt. Ltd. The accused allegedly assured European-standard fabrication and installation.According to the complaint, payments totalling ₹31.86 lakh were transferred to the company between March and November 2023. However, after installation, the homeowner reportedly complained of whistling noise during strong winds, rainwater seepage, faulty locks, damaged gaskets and poor finishing.The complainant and his team conducted inspections and claimed the systems were fabricated and installed improperly. An independent audit by various auditors and others allegedly found the installation structurally unsafe and functionally unsuitable and faulty .Despite three reinstallation attempts and multiple repairs, the issues allegedly persisted. In July 2025,beauvuestiledivita private limited refunded ₹41.51 lakh to the homeowner. He further claimed he would incur an additional ₹30 lakh towards removal, civil repairs and reinstallation of new systems.“It is all allegations. The dispute arises out of civil work but has been wrongly given criminal colour with the intention to harass us. We have been in this profession for more than 25 years and have completed the entire work in the building. If there were systemic issues, there would have been many complaints,” Panjwani told TOI.He added that the company had delivered the contracted products and was willing to repair or replace them if required but the client was pissed off. “We have not run away. We have recorded our statements, explained our position to the police and are taking all legal remedies available to us,” he said. The complaintant alleged that the accused misrepresented product quality and failed to deliver agreed standards, causing reputational and financial losses. Police are examining and Further investigation is underway.

NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced his decision to step down from the state’s top job and head to the Rajya Sabha.In a social media post on X, Nitish said he had long harboured a desire to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislative Assembly as well as both Houses of Parliament.

“For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on the strength of that trust that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication. It was the power of your faith and support that has enabled Bihar today to present a new dimension of development and dignity. For this, I have expressed my gratitude to you on several occasions in the past as well,” Nitish said.“From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, I have harboured a desire to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislative Assembly as well as both Houses of Parliament. In keeping with that aspiration, I seek to become a Member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections taking place this time. I wish to assure you with complete honesty that my bond with you will endure in the future as well, and my resolve to work alongside you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast as ever. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance,” he added.The post came less than four months after Nitish led the National Democratic Alliance to a sweeping victory in the Bihar polls. The veteran leader, who recently turned 75 and took oath for a record tenth term in November, is now set to move to the Rajya Sabha.With Nitish joining the Upper House, the door is open for the Bharatiya Janata Party to appoint its own chief minister in Bihar for the first time. According to leaders familiar with the discussions, Nitish will formally enter the Upper House once the new Rajya Sabha term begins after April 9, when outgoing members retire. The transition is seen within the NDA as a carefully timed change of guard that would allow a new leadership team to settle in before the next political cycle.Speculation has also grown over the political debut of Nitish’s son, Nishant Kumar, who is expected to enter public life soon. While some within the alliance believe he could be considered for a deputy chief minister’s role, there is no clarity yet about his position or responsibilities.Potential successors include Bihar deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary and Union minister Nityanand Rai, both seen as strong contenders if the BJP takes over the top post, TOI earlier reported.

Sanju Samson (Pic credit: BCCI)

NEW DELHI: Speculation surfaced on social media after India’s win over West Indies that Sanju Samson could face disciplinary action — or even a ban — for his emotional on-field celebration in Kolkata. The rumours claimed that the Indian batter might miss the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England on Thursday because he dropped his helmet to the ground after hitting the match-winning boundary.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The moment came at the end of a tense chase when Samson sealed India’s victory with a boundary. As the ball raced away, the right-handed batter removed his helmet and dropped it onto the ground before falling to his knees and offering a prayer. The emotional celebration quickly went viral, with some observers suggesting the act might fall under the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct related to equipment abuse.

A closer look at the rules suggests that the fears of a suspension are largely misplaced. Under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players can be penalised for “abuse of cricket equipment,” which includes actions such as throwing or striking items like helmets, bats, or stumps in frustration. The rule also covers deliberate damage to advertising boards, boundary fences, or dressing room fixtures.Even if Samson’s act were to be reviewed under this provision, it would most likely fall under a Level 1 offence — the lowest category of disciplinary breaches. Level 1 incidents typically attract fines or demerit points rather than suspensions.Former international umpire Anil Chaudhary also dismissed the speculation, explaining that Samson’s gesture appeared to be an emotional celebration rather than an act of anger or protest. According to him, such moments are common in high-pressure matches and are rarely treated as serious offences.Recent examples support this interpretation. Scotland’s George Munsey received only one demerit point earlier in the tournament after throwing his helmet in frustration following his dismissal.As things stand, there has been no official charge or complaint against Samson from match officials. India are scheduled to face England in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5, and the wicketkeeper-batter remains fully eligible to play.

Suryakumar Yadav (R) with Tilak Varma during a practice session. (Getty Images)

MUMBAI: India and England will clash in their third consecutive T20 World Cup semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday night. Both sides have one win each in their previous knockout meetings, with the victor on both occasions going on to lift the trophy.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!England thrashed India by 10 wickets in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal, chasing 170 with openers Alex Hales (86 not out) and Jos Buttler (80 not out) dominating on a flat Adelaide pitch. Two years later in Providence, India avenged that defeat with a 68-run victory as spinners Kuldeep Yadav (3-19) and Axar Patel (3-28) bowled England out for 103 in 16.4 overs.

India had beaten England 4-1 in a five-match T20I series last January, sealing it with a 150-run win at the Wankhede. However, the stakes are much higher in a World Cup semifinal.Both teams enter the match with confidence, though England appear to have greater momentum after winning all three of their Super 8 matches against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand. India, meanwhile, will be looking to defy history — no defending champion has retained the T20 World Cup and no host nation has won the title. In fact, no defending champion has even reached the final in the subsequent edition.India topped Group A alongside Pakistan and associate teams, winning all four league matches. However, their batting has looked vulnerable on slower pitches against spin. That was evident during a collapse against the United States at Wankhede, where the hosts slumped to 77-6 before captain Suryakumar Yadav rescued them with an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls.

England began their campaign with a narrow four-run win over Nepal at Wankhede, with Sam Curran defending 10 runs in the final over and Will Jacks producing a fine all-round effort.They later lost to the West Indies by 30 runs at the same venue, where Sherfane Rutherford smashed 76 not out off 42 balls and the Caribbean spinners stifled England’s batting.India’s Super 8 campaign started with a 76-run loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad. They bounced back by thrashing Zimbabwe by 72 runs in Chennai after posting 256 for four, and then beat the West Indies by five wickets at Eden Gardens, powered by Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 off 50 balls and Jasprit Bumrah’s double strike.England, meanwhile, began the Super 8s with a 51-run win over Sri Lanka, bowling them out for 95. They followed it up with a twowicket victory against Pakistan, highlighted by captain Harry Brook’s blistering 100 off 51 balls and Liam Dawson’s 3-24. England sealed a semifinal berth with a four-wicket win over New Zealand.

Samson has been among India’s most consistent batters, in sharp contrast to opening partner Abhishek Sharma, who has managed just 80 runs in six matches at an average of 13.33, including three ducks.His fifty against Zimbabwe remains his only significant contribution. The left-hander will hope to rediscover his touch at a venue where he once smashed 135 off 54 balls.England too have concerns over their openers. Buttler has scored just 62 runs in seven matches at an average of 8.85, while Phil Salt has struggled for consistency apart from a 62 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Samson, who has struggled against short-pitched bowling, and the out-of-form Abhishek could face a stern test from Jofra Archer in the powerplay.However, Archer too has found Wankhede unforgiving, returning figures of 1-42 against Nepal and 1-48 against the West Indies.Ishan Kishan has been quiet after a match-winning 77 off 40 balls against Pakistan in Colombo. However, he, along with Surya, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya — all former Mumbai Indians players — will be familiar with the Wankhede conditions.Tilak looked more comfortable after moving from No. 3 to No. 6, scoring 44 not out off 16 balls against Zimbabwe and 27 off 15 against West Indies.India’s vulnerability against spin could again be tested by England’s attack comprising Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed and off-spinning allrounder Will Jacks. India will counter with Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel, though Varun has struggled for rhythm — a far cry from last year’s bilateral series against England when he claimed 14 wickets in five matches at an average of 9.85.