The second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium witnessed a spectacular moment of fielding brilliance as India’s Axar Patel produced a breathtaking catch to dismiss England batter Harry Brook. The stunning effort came early in England’s chase and immediately shifted momentum in India’s favour during the high-stakes clash.

India had earlier posted a mammoth total of 253/7 in 20 overs, thanks largely to a sensational knock from Sanju Samson, putting England under immense pressure right from the start.

Axar Patel produces a moment of magic to dismiss Harry Brook

The moment arrived on the first ball of the fifth over when India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah delivered a cleverly disguised slower ball to England’s skipper Brook.

Brook attempted to manufacture room by backing away, looking to smash the delivery over the off-side. However, Bumrah’s change of pace deceived him completely. The England batter was through the shot too early, losing control of his bottom hand as the ball ballooned high over the cover region.

Stationed nearby, Axar immediately tracked the swirling ball. He sprinted backwards while keeping his eyes firmly locked on it before launching into a dramatic forward dive. Just as the ball appeared to be drifting away from his reach, Axar stretched out both hands and completed a stunning grab inches above the turf.

The all-rounder stayed on the ground momentarily after completing the catch, soaking in the moment as his jubilant teammates rushed toward him to celebrate the crucial breakthrough.

Here’s the video:

“Bapu tari fielding kamal che!” 🔥

Out of words for that sensational catch by Axar Patel to end Harry Brook’s stay at the crease! 👏

Catch of the tournament? 🤔

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | Semi-final 2 | #INDvENG | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/L2OuYBUDbL pic.twitter.com/qFwnou3pCo

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 5, 2026

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Fans brutally troll Abhishek Sharma for his flop show with the bat during IND vs ENG semi-final

Sanju Samson powers India to a gigantic total

Earlier in the evening, India’s batting unit delivered a dominant performance after being asked to bat first. Leading the charge was wicketkeeper-batter Samson, who played a blistering innings that set the tone for India’s massive total.

Samson smashed 89 runs off just 42 deliveries, combining elegance with brute power. His innings was studded with eight fours and seven towering sixes, keeping England’s bowling attack under constant pressure.

He received valuable support from middle-order hitters. Shivam Dube contributed an aggressive 43 runs, while Ishan Kishan chipped in with a quick 39-run cameo, helping India accelerate in the middle overs.

With contributions throughout the batting lineup, India finished with a formidable 253/7, one of the highest totals in the knockout stages of a T20 World Cup.

Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026 – Hardik Pandya visits Siddhivinayak Temple with girlfriend Mahieka Sharma ahead of semifinal showdown

US stock markets fell on Thursday as investors turned cautious after the previous session’s rally, while rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions weighed on sentiment.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 801 points, or 1.6 per cent, dragged down by losses in stocks such as Caterpillar and Goldman Sachs. The S&P 500 declined 0.9 per cent, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.6 per cent.The selloff came as crude oil prices jumped to their highest level since June 2025 after Iran said it had struck an oil tanker with a missile. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures surged 6 per cent to trade above $79 per barrel, while international benchmark Brent crude futures rose about 3 per cent to more than $84 per barrel. Oil prices had stabilised in the previous trading session.Markets had rallied on Wednesday, supported by gains in technology and semiconductor stocks. The Dow had snapped a three-day losing streak, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite ended the session with solid gains.Despite the ongoing US-Israeli air campaign against Iran, US markets have performed relatively better than European and Asian counterparts this week, largely supported by a rebound in technology stocks that had been hit hard during February’s selloff.The tech-led recovery in the previous session helped the Nasdaq erase its weekly losses, putting the index on track to end the week in positive territory if gains hold through Friday.Investors remain concerned that prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key global energy corridor –could push oil prices higher and add to inflationary pressures through rising energy and shipping costs.Markets are particularly wary of crude prices moving towards $100 per barrel, which could complicate the Federal Reserve’s efforts to control inflation while considering interest-rate cuts.“For the past couple of years, bringing inflation down has been the Fed’s entire focus, and they were finally making progress. But if energy stays expensive, inflation could start climbing again and that would force the Fed to rethink its plans,” said Adam Sarhan, chief executive of 50 Park Investments, Reuters quoted.According to data compiled by LSEG, investors are increasingly expecting the Federal Reserve to delay a 25-basis-point interest rate cut to September from the previously anticipated July timeline.Among sectors, healthcare led declines on the S&P 500, dropping 1.6 per cent. The energy index, however, gained 0.7 per cent, with shares of ConocoPhillips and Valero Energy rising about 2 per cent each.The CBOE volatility index (VIX), widely seen as a gauge of market fear, rose 0.9 points to 22.08, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. The small-cap Russell 2000 index fell 1 per cent.Travel and tourism stocks, which are sensitive to fuel costs, were under pressure. Delta Air Lines slipped 3.3 per cent, while Royal Caribbean Cruises declined 0.6 per cent.On the other hand, some travel booking companies rallied sharply. Booking Holdings jumped 11 per cent and Expedia surged 8 per cent after a report by The Information said OpenAI was scaling back on-platform shopping checkout plans for ChatGPT, easing concerns about disruption to online marketplace businesses.Chip stocks showed mixed performance. Nvidia edged down 0.3 per cent, while Marvell Technology gained 1.3 per cent.Shares of Broadcom rose 2.9 per cent after the chip designer projected that its artificial intelligence chip revenue could exceed $100 billion next year.Elsewhere, Trade Desk surged 22.5 per cent following a report that OpenAI had held early discussions with the advertising technology company regarding the sale of advertisements.Economic data released on Thursday showed the number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits remained unchanged last week.Investors are also awaiting remarks from Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michelle Bowman later in the day, ahead of the closely watched non-farm payrolls report due on Friday.On the New York Stock Exchange, declining stocks outnumbered advancers by a ratio of 2.48-to-1, while on the Nasdaq the ratio stood at 1.63-to-1.The S&P 500 recorded four new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite registered 17 new highs and 33 new lows.

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has been named in Barbie’s first-ever Dream Team, becoming the first cricketer in the world to receive a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll inspired by her journey. The announcement was made on Thursday, March 5.Toy manufacturer Mattel aligned the recognition with International Women’s Day, which is observed every year on March 8. According to the company, the initiative aims to honour women who have broken barriers in their respective fields. The doll created in Mandhana’s likeness has been specially designed to celebrate her achievements and will not be available for retail sale.Mandhana features in the Dream Team alongside several prominent global personalities. The list includes tennis great Serena Williams, astronaut Kellie Gerardi, racing driver Regina Sirvent Alvarado, England footballer Chloe Kelly, singer Helene Fischer, climber Zoja Skubis and surfer Stephanie Gilmore.“The dream is real and we have the team to prove it,” Mattel said in a statement while unveiling the initiative. “Ahead of International Women’s Day, Barbie is proud to announce our first-ever Barbie Dream Team, honouring eight women from across the globe who have led the way for future generations of girls by accomplishing breakthrough firsts in their chosen paths.”Mandhana later shared pictures of her personalised Barbie doll on Instagram, admitting that the moment still feels surreal.“Still processing this moment… Seeing a one-of-a-kind @Barbie doll inspired by my journey is something I never imagined growing up. Cricket has given me so much, and if my story helps even one girl believe she belongs on the field, that means everything. Honored to be part of Barbie’s Dream Team alongside incredible women from around the world who are breaking barriers in their own fields. When girls see what’s possible, they dream bigger,” Mandhana said.Mandhana currently serves as India’s vice-captain across formats and is widely regarded as one of the side’s most dependable batters. She recently climbed back to the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Earlier this year, she also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second title in the Women’s Premier League. At the peak of her career, Mandhana continues to shine both on and off the field.

In a move that will benefit thousands of state employees, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to increase the dearness allowance (DA) to 58%, aligning it with the rate currently given to central government employees.The revised allowance will be applicable from April 2026 and will be paid with the May salary. The decision also covers pending dues from July 2025 to March 2026, which will be cleared in instalments, according to an announcement made by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.“The arrears amount from July 2025 to March 2026 will be paid in 6 equal instalments starting from May 2026. Pensioners will also receive a 58% dearness relief in their pension from January to February 2026,” Yadav said.Dearness allowance plays a key role in government salary structures as it helps offset the impact of inflation and supports employees in maintaining their purchasing power as the cost of living rises.

Kerala government also raised DA recently

Last month, the Kerala government approved a 10% increase in DA and dearness relief (DR) for employees and pensioners respectively, raising both from 25% to 35%.The decision was notified through an official government order on February 20, 2026, providing financial relief to government employees and pensioners.

FNPO seeks DA merger with basic pay before 8th Pay Commission

Meanwhile, the Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO) has urged the 8th Pay Commission to consider merging 50% DA with basic pay and granting interim relief to central government employees and pensioners from January 1, 2026.In a letter dated February 27, 2026 to the 8th Pay Commission chairperson Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, FNPO secretary general Sivaji Vasireddy said:“In the light of the prevailing inflationary conditions and the erosion of real wages, my federation earnestly request the Hon’ble commission to recommend to the government the merger of 50% dearness allowance with basic pay/pension with effect from January 1, 2026, as a measure of interim relief. This measure would provide immediate financial relief, restore partial purchasing power and ensure economic dignity to lakhs of employees and pensioners across the country.“

What is dearness allowance?

Dearness allowance (DA) is a cost-of-living adjustment provided to government employees and pensioners. It is designed to offset the impact of inflation on salaries.The government typically revises DA twice every year — in January and July. The allowance is calculated as a percentage of an employee’s basic pay and is based on the 12-month average of the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW).

How a 3% DA hike can affect salaries

If an employee’s basic salary is Rs 40,000, a 3% increase in DA would result in an additional Rs 1,200 per month.This calculation applies only to the basic pay component of the salary and does not include other allowances such as house rent allowance (HRA) or travel allowance (TA).Similarly, the impact of a 3% DA hike on different salary levels would be as follows:

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NEW DELHI: The BJP is on the threshold of a historic first in Bihar. After a long wait – spanning first the Lalu era and then the Nitish era in Bihar – the saffron party is all set to get its first chief minister in the state. This follows JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar’s “voluntary decision” to return to national politics, marking the biggest political transition in the state in recent times. Chief minister Nitish Kumar, who led the NDA alliance to a thumping victory in the assembly elections just four months ago, today filed his nomination papers for Rajya Sabha paving the way for a change of guard in the state.Announcing his decision, Nitish Kumar said in a post on X: “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 trust and support that has enabled Bihar today to present a new dimension of development and dignity. In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time.“Nitish Kumar’s move marks the end of an era in Bihar politics. But does it come as a surprise? The answer is “no”. The transition was widely anticipated especially after the BJP edged past the JD(U) as the largest party in the ruling coalition for the second time in a row. In the 2025 assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party winning 89 seats with a vote share of 20.45% while the JD(U)’s score was 85 with 19.61% votes. However, the BJP did not stake claim to the top post and Nitish Kumar took oath as chief minister for the record 10th time. But the dominance of BJP in decision-making became evident as the saffron party got a lion’s share in the new council of ministers and for the first time Nitish Kumar had to let go of the all-important home portfolio. The swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar was more of a BJP show of strength. It was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and a number of their cabinet colleagues, besides CMs of several states ruled by the BJP.In fact, the BJP could have claimed the top post in Bihar six years back in 2020. The BJP had then won 74 seats with a vote share of 19.46%. This was almost double of what Nitish Kumar’s party had won: 43 assembly seats with a vote share of 15.39%. However, the BJP decided to honour its pre-poll commitment of making Nitish Kumar the chief minister if the alliance won the elections. The BJP perhaps did not have an option then as Lalu Prasad’s RJD had won 75 seats and would have readily supported Nitish Kumar to keep the BJP out. So, Nitish Kumar continued as chief minister. However, the power dynamics within the Bihar NDA had changed as the BJP for the first time became the senior ally in the coalition. It has been a long wait for the BJP to have its first chief minister in Bihar. It is the only Hindi heartland state where the party has not held the top office so far. The BJP and the JD(U) came together in the state for the first time in 2005. From 2005 to 2015, the JD(U), guided by Nitish Kumar’s towering presence, was the dominant partner in the coalition. Even number wise, the JD(U) was always ahead of the BJP – forcing the saffron party to play second fiddle in the state coalition. Such was the dominance of Nitish Kumar in state politics, that the BJP was forced to welcome him back with open arms twice after the JD(U) left the NDA and joined hands with the rival Mahagathbandhan. It is in this context that the turn of events in Bihar is significant for the BJP. Its rivals have been quick to draw parallels from Maharashtra to attack the saffron party for coercing Nitish Kumar into submission. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the opposition in the state assembly, alleged that the BJP had always been opposed to Dalits and OBCs, and with Kumar leaving the CM’s post the party would attempt to implement its agenda in the socialist stronghold.“The BJP has done a Maharashtra in Bihar. We have been saying from the very beginning that the BJP will not let Nitish Kumar remain the chief minister after the elections. This is exactly what has happened. This development is against the mandate of the people and amounts to a betrayal of it,” he said.Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “What the Indian National Congress had been saying often during the Bihar election campaign has now come to pass.”“A leadership coup and regime change orchestrated by G2 has taken place. It is, in many ways, a huge betrayal of the mandate of the people,” Ramesh said on X.For the BJP, the next big challenge would be to keep the caste considerations in mind in deciding the next chief minister of the state. The names of some big contenders – Samrat Choudhary who is the deputy chief minister, Nityanand Rai, who is a Union minister are already doing the rounds. But these big names will be keeping their fingers crossed given the BJP track record. It has rarely chosen prominent faces to lead the government and has instead always surprised by picking up unknown leaders for the post of chief minister.