India’s Jasprit Bumrah (ANI Photo)

Ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final between the India national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team, former Australia captain Michael Clarke has showered praise on star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, describing him as the most crucial bowler in world cricket at the moment. Clarke also suggested that Bumrah could play a decisive role in the title clash and even emerge as the Player of the Match.Bumrah has been one of India’s standout performers in the ongoing tournament. He currently sits second on the team’s wicket-taking charts with 10 scalps from seven matches, only behind Varun Chakaravarthy, who has 13 wickets. The fast bowler has also maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.63, the best among Indian bowlers in this edition.

Speaking on the Beyond23 cricket podcast, Clarke highlighted Bumrah’s exceptional ability to deliver under pressure, saying his execution sets him apart from the rest.“One thing is having so many options (variations), but most importantly, having the skills to execute under pressure. This is what makes him the best in the world. He has been a defining factor for India. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is Man of the Match in the final. He’s just so dominant.”Clarke further emphasised Bumrah’s value across all formats of the game, calling him a rare match-winner who consistently delivers in high-pressure situations.“India are the standout team in this tournament. They have been absolutely brilliant. We probably haven’t spoken much about him throughout this World Cup campaign, because we now just expect it. Bumrah. He is just a freak. All three formats, he is, by a distance, the most important player in the world in all three formats. He is a match-winner. He bowls the most difficult overs. Run-saving machine, wicket-taker, execution under pressure is better than anybody in world cricket.“The former Australian skipper also reflected on the challenge of managing a bowler like Bumrah if he were leading a team. According to Clarke, deciding when to use the pacer during an innings would be the biggest tactical decision for any captain.“He’s got so many different skills. It’s like when you see the best batters, we always talk about how they make runs under pressure, but they do it in different conditions around the world. Bumrah does that. He wins games in all different conditions and at different stages of the game. If I was captaining him, my biggest challenge would be when to use him. That’s why they don’t look to open the bowling with him and you want two overs from him at the death.“

Suryakumar Yadav responded to comments made by Mitchell Santner about silencing the home crowd in the final

NEW DELHI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Saturday responded to comments made by Mitchell Santner about silencing the home crowd in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad, saying such remarks have become common before major matches.India will face New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.Earlier in the day, New Zealand captain Santner had said his team would look to quieten the home crowd during the final. His statement was similar to one made by Pat Cummins before the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at the same venue, when Australia defeated India.“The goal is to silence the crowd. There are a lot of variables in T20 cricket, and it is fickle at times,” the 34-year-old said. “If we go out about our business the same way we can upset another big team. There’s obviously a lot of pressure on in there (on India) to win this World Cup at home.”

Responding to the remark, Suryakumar said such statements are now repeated often before major games.“Sab he same line chipka rahe hai. Kuch to naya bolo (Everyone is now saying the same thing. Come up with something new),” Suryakumar Yadav told reporters in the pre-match press conference.The 35-year-old India captain, who is the second-highest run-scorer for the team in the 2026 T20 World Cup, said leading the side in a World Cup final comes with pressure but he wants to enjoy the occasion.He added that the atmosphere in the Indian dressing room remains positive as the team prepares for the final.“It’s a special feeling and everyone is very excited. We have a very good environment in the group. We are looking forward to the big final,” he said.“As a leader, there would be pressure; I cannot deny that. Definitely, there would be added pressure, the excitement is there of playing a World Cup final, that too in India,” Suryakumar added.India became the first defending champions to reach the final of the T20 World Cup. They will look to win the title and also become the first host nation to lift the trophy when they face New Zealand on Sunday.

Cricket fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final, where India will face New Zealand in a high-stakes clash on Sunday, March 8, in Ahmedabad. The summit clash promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams that have showcased remarkable consistency and resilience throughout the tournament.

India have enjoyed an impressive campaign under captain Suryakumar Yadav, combining explosive batting with disciplined bowling to reach the final. Several players have stepped up during crucial moments, helping the defending champions overcome strong opposition and maintain momentum heading into the decisive match.

New Zealand, on the other hand, have once again demonstrated why they are one of the most dependable sides in global tournaments. Known for their tactical discipline and calm approach in pressure situations, the Black Caps have navigated tough matches to book their place in the final.

With the title on the line, fans and experts have begun debating which players could emerge as the match-winners. While names like Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson, and other star performers often dominate discussions, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes another player could quietly play a decisive role in the final.

Ravichandran Ashwin names India’s key player in the T20 World Cup 2026 final

Ashwin recently shared his thoughts on India’s prospects in the final and highlighted Shivam Dube as a player New Zealand must keep a close eye on. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the veteran off-spinner said Dube’s contributions in the tournament have been significant but have not received the attention they deserve.

According to Ashwin, Dube has consistently delivered impactful performances, particularly in the middle overs when the pressure is high and spinners are often introduced into the attack.

“It is important to speak about one player who has been pivotal and has done so very well, but he’s been spoken very little about. I am talking about Shivam Dube. All Rashid and the other bowlers had to do was think if their team can chase 10 runs less. Rashid bowled a couple of really good bad deliveries,” Ashwin said.

Ashwin also explained that Dube’s ability to dominate spin bowling could pose a serious threat to New Zealand’s bowling strategy. The former India spinner believes the Black Caps will need a clear plan to contain him, especially when their spinners come into the attack.

“If you are New Zealand, Shivam Dube is someone you have to keep very quiet, because he can take the game away from you when spinners are on operation. New Zealand have got Santner and Ravindra, who I think they will try to avoid against Dube. If you miss the lengths, Dube is going to take you for plenty,” added Ashwin.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Team India’s road to the final under Suryakumar Yadav

Impactful run in the tournament

Dube has been one of India’s most reliable middle-order batters in the tournament, often stepping up when the team needed momentum. His aggressive approach and ability to clear the boundary with ease have made him a crucial asset in India’s batting lineup.

One of his most memorable contributions came in the semi-final against England, where he played a decisive innings under pressure. Dube scored 43 runs from just 25 deliveries, striking one boundary and four towering sixes while maintaining a remarkable strike rate of 172. His knock helped India accelerate at a crucial stage and set the platform for victory.

Across the tournament so far, Dube has accumulated 209 runs in seven matches, averaging 34.83 with a blistering strike rate of 159.54. His tally also includes a valuable half-century, further highlighting his consistency.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony: Performers, Timings and Everything You Need to Know

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (ANI photo)

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of having “betrayed the country” by entering into a trade agreement with the United States, claiming the deal would adversely affect farmers and small businesses in India.Gandhi made the remarks while inaugurating the valedictory function of the state-wide “Puthuyuga Yatra” led by Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan.

“PM has let the country down. He betrayed the country. I believe the Prime Minister betrayed the country by signing the US deal,” Gandhi said.He alleged that ordinary citizens, particularly farmers and small business owners, would ultimately bear the burden of the agreement.“No Prime Minister before him opened Indian agriculture to US agriculture,” he said.Rahul said the entry of large and mechanised American agricultural corporations into the Indian market would put small farmers under severe pressure and could lead to “devastation” in the agricultural sector.He further alleged that the country’s energy sector had been compromised and claimed that US President Donald Trump had obtained Indian data through the agreement.The Congress leader also alleged that Modi was controlled by Trump, adding that the chief minister of Kerala was similarly controlled by Modi.During his address, Gandhi briefly referred to cricketer Sanju Samson, saying it was encouraging to know that the star wicketkeeper-batsman who featured in the T20 World Cup quarter-final comes from Thiruvananthapuram.The yatra, which began a month ago as part of the party’s campaign ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, travelled across all districts of Kerala.Several leaders attended the event, including KPCC and AICC members such as Sachin Pilot and Deepa Dasmunshi, along with other leaders from the UDF alliance.Addressing the gathering, Satheesan described the yatra as the most meaningful experience of his political life.He said the UDF had presented a “charge sheet” against the LDF government during the course of the march.“Wherever the LDF government failed, the UDF will elevate the state,” he said.Satheesan added that the yatra helped the alliance gather public feedback from across the state, which would be used in shaping policies for Kerala’s future development.He said the UDF intended to introduce a “neo-Kerala model” focused on good governance and solutions to the problems faced by ordinary citizens.“The Kerala government secretariat will be made the most efficient in the country,” he said.Satheesan also promised greater accountability in governance and reforms in key sectors including health, education and employment.He added that specific initiatives would be undertaken to address the challenges faced by poorer sections of society.Expressing confidence about the upcoming Assembly elections, Satheesan said the UDF would return to power.“UDF will come to power winning more than 100 seats,” he said.

BlackRock has restricted investor withdrawals from its $26 billion HPS Corporate Lending Fund (HLEND) after redemption requests surged beyond the usual threshold, underscoring mounting pressure in the $2 trillion global private credit market, Reuters reported.The move came after investors sought to withdraw $1.2 billion in the first quarter, equivalent to roughly 9.3% of the fund’s net asset value. The fund said it would distribute $620 million in the quarterly redemption cycle, reaching the 5% limit, which allows managers of such vehicles to restrict further withdrawals.The development comes as investors grow increasingly cautious about private credit funds that invest in loans to companies that cannot be quickly sold if redemption requests spike.“It should serve as a warning sign for the industry and the rulemakers about the downside of illiquid funds for retail investors,” said Greggory Warren, senior stock analyst at Morningstar.Market pressure has also hit BlackRock’s stock. Shares of the world’s largest asset manager fell 6.7% on the New York Stock Exchange, amid a broader selloff triggered by weaker-than-expected US jobs data and escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Rising pressure across private credit funds

HLEND, structured as a business development company (BDC), was acquired by BlackRock along with its manager HPS Investment Partners in a $12 billion expansion into private credit in 2024. BDCs primarily raise money from retail investors and lend it to mid-sized companies.Because these loans are typically illiquid, large redemption requests can create liquidity challenges.HLEND said the redemption cap helps prevent “a structural mismatch between investor capital and the expected duration of the private credit loans in which HLEND invests.”“By preventing redemptions through gates, fund managers can avoid being forced sellers of assets, which would negatively impact investment returns for the remaining fund investors, given the opacity and illiquidity of the holdings in these funds,” Warren said.Investor pressure is being seen across the sector. Earlier this week, Blackstone raised the redemption limit on one of its $82 billion funds to 7% from the usual 5%, while the firm and its employees injected $400 million to meet withdrawal requests. Blue Owl also repurchased 15.4% of one of its funds in January.

Loan defaults and sector exposure concerns

Concerns about lending quality have also risen after bankruptcies of a US auto parts supplier and a subprime auto lender last year, along with the collapse of a UK mortgage lender last week.HLEND said its lending portfolio focuses mainly on mature private companies with stable cash flows, with loan structures designed to ensure repayment priority in the event of bankruptcy.Company documents show that about 19% of the fund’s portfolio is exposed to the software sector, which has faced aggressive selling as investors worry about disruption from AI-driven startups.Subscriptions to the fund reached $840 million in the first quarter, below the $1.2 billion investors requested to withdraw.Amid heightened volatility linked to Middle East tensions, potential economic slowdown, and rising loan defaults, investors have increasingly shifted toward safer assets.HPS said in a statement that it sees an opportunity to lean into the current volatility, according to Reuters.

Union home minister Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah on Saturday dedicated the newly commissioned Sulphuric Acid Plant–3 (SAP–III) at the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) unit in Paradeep, Odisha, to the nation. Shah said the Ministry of Cooperation and the Odisha government would work together to improve rural life in the state. He noted that this is the third stream of the sulphuric acid plant at IFFCO’s Paradeep unit. “In 2005, IFFCO bought this plant for Rs 2,577 crore and at that time its production capacity was 7.5 lakh metric tonnes. Today the capacity has increased to about 22 lakh metric tonnes,” he stated. According to Shah, IFFCO benefits nearly five crore farmers across the country.“Wherever IFFCO’s factories are located, their real owners are the five crore farmers of India. Its turnover of over Rs 41,000 crore, profit exceeding Rs 3,800 crore and net worth of more than Rs 28,000 crore belong to these farmers. This is the true strength of the cooperative model,” he said. “The Government of India is committed to strengthening the cooperative movement so that farmers can become economically stronger and agriculture can move towards greater self-reliance. Expanding fertiliser infrastructure using modern technology will ensure timely availability of agricultural inputs to farmers and help improve productivity,” he added. The new sulphuric acid plant has been established at an estimated cost of around Rs 700 crore and has a production capacity of about 2,000 metric tonnes per day. The facility is expected to enhance the operational capability of the Paradeep complex, one of India’s largest integrated phosphatic fertiliser production units.Besides Shah, the dedication ceremony was attended by Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, IFFCO chairman Dilip Sanghani, IFFCO managing director KJ Patel, Members of Parliament, state ministers, and senior officials.

India vs New Zealand (Agency Image)

The spotlight shifts to Ahmedabad as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final between the India national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team is set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. With anticipation building for the title clash, the Indian Railways has stepped in to help fans reach the venue by introducing a special train service from New Delhi to Ahmedabad.On Saturday, the official handle of Northern Railway announced that the train had been arranged to assist supporters eager to witness the final in person. The move comes amid soaring flight fares and limited ticket availability for travel to Ahmedabad.

The special train is scheduled to depart from New Delhi at 11:45 PM on Saturday. Fans have been encouraged to secure their seats quickly to avoid missing the opportunity to travel.“A Special Gift from Indian Railways for Cricket Lovers! Considering the increased flight ticket prices and unavailability of tickets, Indian Railways has announced a special train from New Delhi to Sabarmati for passengers’ convenience, departing today, March 7, 2026, at 11:45 PM. Book your seat in this 19-coach train featuring 3rd AC and 2nd AC coaches.”Earlier, Western Railway had also revealed plans to run another special train for the final. This service will operate between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, offering fans an affordable and convenient way to travel for the highly anticipated contest.The Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to witness a packed house for the tournament decider. India sealed their place in the final after edging past the England cricket team by seven runs in the semi-final, while New Zealand secured their berth by comfortably defeating the South Africa national cricket team.Before the first ball of the final is bowled, spectators will also be treated to a vibrant closing ceremony. Puerto Rican Grammy-winning star Ricky Martin will headline the event alongside renowned Gujarati folk singer Falguni Pathak and Bollywood playback singer Sukhwinder Singh.The International Cricket Council has also planned a musical entertainment segment before the toss, where the crowd of nearly 1,32,000 spectators is expected to dance to Martin’s iconic hit Un Dos Tres (Maria).This will mark the second time that Ahmedabad hosts India in a World Cup final. The previous instance came during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, when Australia national cricket team stunned the hosts to lift the 50-over title.

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