The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was a sea of blue on Sunday as India etched their name into the history books, successfully defending their crown in the T20 World Cup 2026 final. The Men in Blue delivered a masterclass, dismantling New Zealand by 96 runs to remain the undisputed kings of the shortest format. However, while the fireworks lit up the Gujarat sky, a different kind of spark was flying on social media.

In the VIP stands, the sight of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, the two architects of India’s previous T20 world titles sent fans into a frenzy. Yet, the ‘Trio of Titans’ felt incomplete. The absence of Virat Kohli, the man who arguably carried Indian T20 batting on his back for over a decade, left a void that had fans and pundits alike asking, Where was King Kohli?

Why Virat Kohli skipped the T20 World Cup 2026 Final?

While the stadium buzzed with the presence of ‘Captain Cool’ and ‘The Hitman,’ Kohli’s seat remained empty. Despite the swirling rumours of a rift or a snub, the reality is far more grounded in logic and personal philosophy. Here are the three primary reasons behind his absence:

• Lack of official ‘Title-Winning Captain’ status: The ICC and BCCI often extend special invites to former winning captains for landmark finals. Dhoni (2007) and Rohit (2024) were present in an official capacity to celebrate the legacy of Indian leadership in this tournament. Since Kohli never lifted the T20 World Cup trophy as a captain, he lacked the specific official protocol commitment that brought Dhoni and Rohit to the venue.
• The “Gone when I’m done” philosophy: Kohli has been vocal about his post-career invisibility. He famously stated, “Once I am done, I will be gone, you won’t see me for a while.” Having retired from the T20I format after the 2024 glory, Kohli is strictly adhering to his desire for privacy. For him, being a spectator in a high-octane stadium isn’t the preferred way to celebrate; he chose the quietude of home over the glare of the VIP box.
• Prioritizing family time: With a reduced international schedule after stepping away from T20Is, Kohli has pivoted his life toward his family. Reliable sources suggest that Virat preferred to witness India’s historic defence of the title from the comfort of his home with Anushka Sharma and their children. For a man who lived under a microscope for 15 years, the chance to be a “fan in the living room” outweighed the lure of a stadium appearance.

Also READ: ICC announces T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament, Aiden Markram to lead

India reigns supreme after winning back to back T20 World Cup title wins

While the subplots in the stands were intriguing, the action on the pitch was clinical. India’s 96-run victory over New Zealand wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of T20I dominance. Batting first, the Indian top order capitalized on a true surface, setting a mammoth target that left the Kiwis gasping for air.

The Indian bowling attack, spearheaded by a relentless pace battery and crafty wrist-spin, never allowed the Black Caps to settle. As the final wicket fell, the celebrations in Ahmedabad mirrored the scenes from Barbados two years prior. India have now officially transitioned from a team that chokes in knockouts to a ruthless dynasty. Even without Kohli in the stands, his legacy of fitness and intensity was visible in every diving stop and every sprint between the wickets, proving that while the King might be absent, his DNA remains embedded in the team’s winning culture.

Also READ: Complete list of T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament winners ft. Sanju Samson

NEW DELHI: In yet another strong pitch for “one nation one law”, Supreme Court on Tuesday said Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is the most effective tool to remove the prevailing discrimination against women in marriage, succession, inheritance and property rights under Muslim personal law and other customary laws.This statement – “most effective answer is UCC” – came from a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi after advocate Prashant Bhushan said inferior inheritance rights given to women under the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, violated their right to equality and non-discrimination, and hence, must be struck down as unconstitutional, like triple talaq.Appearing for PIL petitioner Poulomi P Shukla, Bhushan said it is inconceivable that Muslim women in Uttarakhand, which has enacted UCC, would enjoy equal property inheritance rights with their male siblings, but Muslim women in Delhi or other states in India would be deprived of the same.

The bench said inequalities in inheritance rights of women compared to their male siblings are present even in Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and tribal societies. “This court has already recommended in its judgment the directive principles of state policies under Article 44 (UCC),” the bench said.SC told Bhushan that he has made a very good case of discrimination against Muslim women but striking down of a standalone provision does not take away the discrimination that inheres within Muslim personal law.“Triple talaq is declared unconstitutional (and subsequently banned by a Parliament enacted legislation). But grounds of divorce in Muslim marriage remain asymmetrical. The right to dissolution of marriage by Muslim women continues to be limited under the 1937 Act. But a Muslim man has much wider grounds to give divorce,” Justice Bagchi said. CJI Kant said, “The most effective answer, as articulated by Justice Bagchi, is UCC.“Bhushan said this is ideal, but till that comes, should Muslim women continue to suffer violation of their Article 14 right to equality in inheritance, which is not an essential religious practice, but a civil right. Justice Bagchi asked, “What about the rights in marriage and inheritance of scheduled tribes? Many such discriminations are there in society.”Referring to polygamy permitted for Muslim men under Section 2 of the 1937 Act, Justice Bagchi said, “The basic equality of one man to one woman that is monogamous marriage, has it been achieved throughout the country? Can we declare all bigamous or polygamous marriages under the personal laws to be unconstitutional as it violates the right to equality under Article 14?”“All these have to appeal to conscience of the legislature to bring into reality the object of Article 44 in Directive Principles of State Policy chapter of the Constitution,” SC said.When the bench said if some Muslim women or wakf board had filed the petition, it would have been different, Bhushan responded by saying he can bring in as many Muslim women as petitioners to challenge the discriminatory provision on inheritance in the 1937 law. “A large number of Muslim women are aggrieved by this discriminatory practice,” he said.The bench said if the court struck down the inheritance provision of the 1937 Act, it would create a vacuum and deprive Muslim women whatever little they were getting. Bhushan said SC can say that the inheritance among Muslims would be governed by secular Indian Succession Act. SC asked him to contemplate all situations that would arise and file an amended petition.

Sunita Ahuja’s latest vlog turned into a heartfelt family moment after her daughter Tina Ahuja surprised her on Women’s Day with flowers, gifts and a solitaire ring. The vlog also saw Tina briefly addressing rumours about her parents’ marriage and admitting that the last couple of years have been challenging.

Sunita Ahuja’s latest vlog turned into a heartfelt family moment after her daughter Tina Ahuja surprised her on Women’s Day with flowers, gifts and a solitaire ring. The vlog also saw Tina briefly addressing rumours about her parents’ marriage and admitting that the last couple of years have been challenging.At the start of the vlog, Tina revealed that she had “hijacked” her mother’s vlog to plan a surprise for her.

“Us women do a lot for others and we don’t think about ourselves. So I thought of doing something special for my woman,” she said.As the video cut to headlines about divorce rumours surrounding Govinda and Sunita, Tina addressed the speculation.“Two years have not been great. There has been turbulence,” she admitted.For the unversed, Sunita had earlier accused Govinda of having an affair with an actress named Komal, a claim the actor had strongly denied.In a candid moment, Tina also shared how living in another city has made her more independent and taught her basic life skills.“I might get trolled for this. I recently started learning how to buy vegetables like gobhi, aloo and all of that, jo bhi hota hai,” she said with a laugh.

Sunita Ahuja: ‘Now I will live my life king size’

When Tina finally presented the flowers and gifts to her mother, Sunita spoke about reaching a stage in life where she wants to focus on herself.“Everything must be done in a limit. I have done all my duties but at this point I have started living for myself and I deserve more than this,” Sunita said.She added, “Now I will live my life king size.”Sunita also hinted at the future success of her children.“Yash and you both have grown up. Sab maldar party hone wale hai,” she said, while Tina responded, “Touch wood.”

Tina gifts her mother a solitaire ring

The emotional moment concluded with Tina gifting her mother a solitaire ring. Speaking about it, Sunita proudly mentioned her daughter’s professional success.“Tina has become a brand ambassador of a jewellery design company and this is a gift she has given me,” Sunita said.Tina quickly clarified with a smile, “But this is not that brand.”Sunita laughed and added, “She has earned money so she has gifted me this. This is another solitaire ring in my collection. Now Yash is left to gift me this.”

LONDON: Gangs of suspected Somalian men have allegedly been terrorising Indian-origin shopkeepers and restaurant owners in Wembley and trashing their shops in targeted attacks of late. This follows the attack in Harlow last week, wherein a gang attacked Holi revellers. Wembley shopkeepers felt it could be the same group.Bob Blackman MP raised the Harrow attack in Parliament on Monday, stating: “Thugs from the Central Mosque attacked the annual Holi celebration in Harrow, attempting to assault over 1,000 peaceful worshippers. 20 attackers, one arrest… The Met has questions to answer.”Manek Chowk Indian restaurant on Ealing Road, Wembley, was attacked twice in the past week — March 5 and March 7. Videos showed the miscreants, most in thobes and all in face coverings, descending upon the restaurant and wrecking it. Another showed tables and chairs turned over, with food and crockery all over the place.A local PIO store owner, who witnessed the vandalism, said: “It started in Traders Wembley last Wednesday. Three men from Daman and Diu were beaten up in the toilets and left bleeding. It was a Somalian gang of young boys. Next, they targeted Manek Chowk. It was a gang of 15 to 20. They came from the mosque area and attacked the restaurant, and 10 or 12 youths got off the bus and joined them and started smashing the restaurant. They didn’t speak with anyone. They just started throwing tables and chairs. They attacked the tills and broke the lights. An Indian man who tried to intervene was hit with a bottle. It keeps happening after 8pm and is totally unprovoked.”Another video, shot March 6, showed a gang of masked men in thobes pulling fruit and veg boxes out at Panesar Food and Wine in Harrow Road, Wembley, throwing them on the ground and treading on them. “They destroy the places, video it and go. It looks like they are paid,” a local said.Both times, by the time police showed up, the gang had fled after causing destruction worth thousands of pounds.On Monday night, a Gujarati-origin man was stabbed in Ealing Road and rushed to A&E. A Brent Council spokesperson said: “Any violent or targeted intimidation of local businesses is utterly unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Brent. We encourage anyone with information or footage to come forward to the police without delay.”