NEW DELHI: India never stopped sourcing crude from Russia, government sources said on Saturday, despite US President Donald Trump’s linking the withdrawal of a 25% penalty tariff in the proposed trade deal framework to New Delhi’s purported pledge to halt such purchases. Sources said India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil, and Russia continued to be its largest crude supplier in February. They added that India’s energy procurement decisions are guided by the principle of “national interest”. “We source crude from wherever supplies are available, competitively priced and deliverable, and we will continue to do so,” a government source said.Declaration of a “30-day waiver” by top US officials for India to buy Russian oil was, sources said, meant for their domestic audience. 

Hormuz not sole route, only 40% of India’s crude imports pass through it, says officialThis has been our consistent position across administrations and geopolitical cycles,” a government source said, adding that every decision made by government in the petroleum sector is guided by three criteria: affordability, availability and sustainability. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said late Thursday that the Trump administration had granted a temporary 30-day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea so that supplies continue flowing into the global market and ease the pressure caused by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.US energy secretary Chris Wright also said later that, Washington had sounded India on purchase of excess Russian barrels floating around South Asia. Government sources said the 30-day waiver merely removes a friction point that was not in any party’s interest to sustain. Officials said during three years of the Russia-Ukraine war since 2022, India continued buying oil from Moscow due to deep discounts it was offering and refinery demand despite objections from the US and the European Union.Suggesting that a short-term waiver enabled these purchases overlooks the fact that the trade has continued consistently.India’s crude imports from Russia in February were a little over 1 million barrels a day (mbd), nearly 20% of its total purchases, compared with 1.1 mbd in Jan and 1.2 mbd in Dec.Officials also said India has expanded its supplier base from 27 to 40 countries, and its energy security is no longer tied to conditions at a single maritime chokepoint such as the Strait of Hormuz. “The Strait of Hormuz is not the only route for India’s crude imports. Only around 40% of India’s crude imports pass through Hormuz, while about 60% are routed through other supply corridors that remain unaffected,” an official said.Government sources said India holds over 250 million barrels (nearly 4,000 crore litres) of crude oil and refined petroleum products, translating into 7-8 weeks of buffer coverage across the supply chain.

New Zealand’s Matt Henry , second from left, celebrates with teammates (AP/PTI)

Former South Africa national cricket team pace legend Dale Steyn has made a bold remark ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final, stating that New Zealand national cricket team could inherit the long-standing “chokers” label if they fail to overcome hosts India national cricket team in Sunday’s title clash in Ahmedabad.New Zealand secured their place in the final after defeating Steyn’s former side, the South Africa national cricket team, in the first semi-final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The victory helped the Black Caps reach the T20 World Cup final for the second time in their history.

India, meanwhile, advanced to the summit clash by edging past the England cricket team by seven runs in a thrilling high-scoring semi-final played in Mumbai on Thursday.Speaking on a YouTube discussion with former teammate AB de Villiers, Steyn suggested that New Zealand have reached several ICC finals in recent years and should be the ones facing scrutiny if they fall short again.“Let’s be honest here. Everyone likes to call South Africa chokers, but I am going to say it. New Zealand haven’t won many World Cups themselves, and they have been in more finals than we have. So, no offence, New Zealand, but please go on to win this,” said Steyn in a chat with AB de Villiers on the latter’s YouTube channel.“Otherwise, I am formally handing over that card to you; it’s yours. I love New Zealand, but they won’t beat India.”Steyn also highlighted the Black Caps’ repeated appearances in global finals in recent years. New Zealand reached the title match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, but ended up finishing runners-up on each occasion.The former fast bowler, who took more than 400 wickets in Test cricket, believes India hold the advantage heading into the final. According to Steyn, the hosts would need to suffer a dramatic collapse for New Zealand to emerge victorious.“It would require a monumental choke from India. I am calling it; it’s possible. I really want them (New Zealand) to win, but do I think they’ll beat India? No,” Steyn said.Overall, New Zealand have reached eight ICC tournament finals since winning the ICC KnockOut Trophy 2000, but have lifted just one trophy in that period — the 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final, where they defeated India.

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The India National Cricket Team is just one step away from lifting the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy, but the struggles of the mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy have left many worried.

The defending champions will face the New Zealand National Cricket Team in the T20 World Cup 2026 Final at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8, and every bowler must deliver on the big night to script history.

It is a bit of a concern for India: Anil Kumble on Varun Chakravarthy

However, Varun Chakravarthy’s sudden dip in form has raised a serious question before the title clash. The mystery spinner has lost his charm since the Super 8 stage began, conceding more than 40 runs in his four overs against the West Indies and England.

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Ahead of the summit clash, the legendary spinner Anil Kumble believes that Varun Chakravarthy’s struggles could create extra pressure on India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The former Indian head coach pointed out that if Chakravarthy fails, New Zealand will freely score in the middle overs.

Anil Kumble said on ESPNCricinfo, “Yes, it is a bit of a concern for India because he’s been their go-to bowler; he’s been their wicket-taking bowler in the middle overs. Obviously, it starts putting extra pressure on Jasprit Bumrah. So, it’s not easy when the opposition sort of now looks at India and says, “Okay, it’s only Jasprit Bumrah’s four overs that we need to be worried about, not necessarily Varun.” Not easy from an Indian captain’s perspective.”

Faf du Plessis points out India’s biggest weakness before T20 World Cup 2026 Final

Meanwhile, former South African skipper Faf du Plessis pointed out that India usually relies heavily on its main five bowlers. But if one of them struggles badly, the captain is forced to look at a sixth bowling option, which has been the Men in Blue’s weakness in this tournament.

That means rival teams can target weaker overs and put India’s bowling attack under huge pressure. Faf du Plessis said during the same discussion: “Makes a difference in terms of that sixth bowling option. When you back your five bowlers, you’re hoping that they’re delivering in every match.”

The Proteas star added, “And, these last two-three games, there’s been a bit of concern around his form. So now, if you’re playing your match-ups really well, you can really expose that fourth and fifth bowler to bring someone as your sixth bowler in on the day.”

Read Also: IND vs NZ Match Prediction – Who Will Win Final? | ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Ravichandran Ashwin explains why batters target Varun Chakravarthy early

Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin said that Varun Chakravarthy’s confidence drops whenever batters start attacking him early in the spell, which makes it harder for the mystery spinner to stay calm and control the game.

The former off-spinner feels the leg-spinner should avoid bowling from around the wicket to left-handed batters, as it gives them a better angle to attack. Ashwin feels the Indian team management needs to talk to Varun and help him adjust his tactics as soon as possible.

Ashwin said on “Ash ki Baat”: “You cannot miss the lengths. Line and length variations with speed variations are important. Varun has to be spoken to. Do not bowl from round the wicket to the left-hander.”