Gary Kirsten, the newly appointed head coach of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team, was highly impressed and backed the philosophy of the India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir about ending the “superstar culture” inside teams.

Gambhir has always been vocal about the team culture, and now he has the strong backing of his former head coach, who helped India win the 2011 ODI World Cup at home. His philosophy gained more attention after the transformation of the Indian cricket team in T20I cricket.

Gautam Gambhir brings big cultural changes in Indian cricket

After the retirement of two of India’s biggest icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, following the T20 World Cup 2024, many believed the teams would struggle. But the young group surprised everyone by defending the title at the T20 World Cup 2026 under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and Gambhir and becoming the first team to win the tournament three times.

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Since becoming India’s head coach after Rahul Dravid, Gambhir has pushed strongly for a team-first culture. Several changes were introduced after India’s defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. The Indian head coach has shifted the focus towards discipline, equal responsibility, and reducing the influence of individual star power in the dressing room.

He’s absolutely spot on: Gary Kirsten backs Gautam Gambhir’s philosophy

Now, after taking up the new job with the Islanders, Gary Kirsten believes that modern Indian cricket has enough talent and depth to move away from depending on a few big players. The legendary South African cricketer has stressed that the system now produces so many quality cricketers that the team does not have to rely on only two or three superstars anymore.

Gary Kirsten was quoted as saying by Wisden Cricket, “I think he’s absolutely spot on. I think India was driven largely around that superstardom status of each individual, and I think there was a massive commercial entity to that as well. I think IPL has brought on a different dynamic there. I mean, when I was with the Namibians (as a consultant in the T20 World Cup 2026), we were down at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, and it is the most impressive cricket facility I have seen anywhere.”

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Gary Kirsten praises India’s incredible bench strength

Gary Kirsten hailed India’s depth that was clearly visible during a warm-up clash before the T20 World Cup 2026 clash. An India A side led by Ayush Badoni dominated the Namibia National Cricket Team in Bengaluru. India A piled up a big total close to 200 runs, thanks to a brilliant fifty from Riyan Parag.

Naman Dhir and Ashutosh Sharma also made valuable contributions. In reply, Namibia collapsed and was bowled out cheaply for just 60 runs, showing the massive difference in depth between the two sides.

Kirsten further added, “We played against an India A regional team (during the T20 World Cup 2026 warm-ups), which had IPL players in it, but we got bowled out for 60 maybe, and there is just so much depth in the system in India. So, it makes complete sense that the whole game resting on two or three individuals is not necessary anymore.”

MUMBAI: Reliance Industries (RIL) will bankroll the first new oil refinery project in the US in 50 years, marking one of its biggest overseas bets and a return to the American energy market after four years.America First Refining (AFR), the startup developing the refinery at the Brownsville port in Texas, said it received a “nine-figure investment from a global supermajor at a 10-figure valuation” in Feb but did not name the investor. “For the first time in half a century, the US will build a new refinery designed specifically for American shale oil,” said AFR chairman & founder John Calce.US President Donald Trump, announcing the refinery project on his social media platform Truth Social, named RIL as the investor and called the investment by India’s largest privately held energy company “tremendous”.This announcement comes after RIL exited the upstream oil and shale gas business in the US in 2021.Construction of the 168,000-barrels-per-day shale oil refinery is expected to begin in the second quarter of this year.

‘Opportunity for Indian co to enter US refining ecosystem’AFR also said the “same global supermajor” had signed a 20-year agreement to purchase the refinery’s output.The project is also expected to help narrow India’s trade surplus with the US, an issue that has long been a point of concern for Trump. “This is a historic $300 billion deal, the biggest in US history,” read Trump’s post on Truth Social.According to AFR, the figure reflects the long-term offtake arrangement under which the global supermajor will purchase 1.2 billion barrels of shale oil valued at $125 billion and 50 billion gallons of refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel worth about $175 billion. Combined, the transactions are expected to improve the US trade balance by $300 billion, it said.Analysts noted that the actual equity investment in the refinery itself has been described as a “nine-figure” sum, implying several hundred million dollars, while the project valuation is in the “ten-figure” range, indicating that the capital commitment is likely to remain below $1 billion.The Texas refinery will mark RIL’s second greenfield investment outside India. In 2021, the company announced a partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to build a $2 billion petrochemicals plant in the UAE.Industry experts say the project could deepen economic cooperation between India and the US. M S Banani, joint managing director of Axiom Gas Engineering, a fuel station developer, said Texas is one of the world’s most important energy hubs, hosting major companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell and BP.“Establishing a refinery there provides direct access to crude supply and one of the largest fuel markets globally,” Banani said. “RIL has extensive experience in processing heavy and sour crude at its Jamnagar refinery complex, which gives it a strong technical advantage in refining diverse crude grades, including those available from regions such as Venezuela.”From a business perspective, the investment represents an opportunity for an Indian company to enter the American refining ecosystem and potentially expand into fuel distribution and retail in the future, Banani added.“It reflects both the growing global presence of Indian industry and the strengthening strategic partnership between India and the US.”The development coincides with volatility in global oil prices driven by the intensifying conflict in West Asia. However, the announcement had little impact on RIL’s shares. At close of trading, the stock was down 1.3% at Rs 1,391 on the BSE. RIL did not comment on the announcement.

Main course dishes at the lawyers’ canteen at Delhi high court were taken off the menu for a while on Wednesday; roti became the first casualty at Hyderabad hostels and PGs; and employees at Infosys campuses in Pune, Chennai and Bengaluru were notified that they may have to forgo dosa cravings, as the LPG scarcity created by the war in West Asia threatened to become a full-blown crisis across the country. Several restaurants in Pune city downed their shutters as the second day of the commercial LPG shortage continued. Industry representatives said Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd (MNGL) company has offered to help eateries switch to piped gas connections to ease the crisis. The popular Modern Cafe in Shivajinagar remained closed on Wednesday after running out of LPG, and its Kharadi branch is also expected to remain shut on Thursday due to lack of supply. With commercial LPG supply virtually drying up, more restaurants and eateries shut for the day, even as contingency measures were being planned by stakeholders to allow the sector to hold on till the situation improves.As war affects LPG supplies, hoteliers explore alternatives like coal, biogas, electric kitchensDelhi HC administration and advocates were informed that the canteen management would offer food items such as sandwiches, salads, fruit chaat and other similar refreshments, but not the main course dishes due to unavailability of cooking gas. Although the services resumed shortly after LPG supply was secured for the day, the management said uncertainty over availability continues.In Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, dosa, poori and other gas guzzling food items are disappearing from the menus of restaurants, canteens and catering services. In some hostels and PGs along Hyderabad’s IT corridor, certain curries such as rajma and chickpea-based dishes were dropped, much to the discomfort of inmates from north India. Even tea and coffee were being rationed by many eateries.Hotel associations are exploring alternatives, including coal, firewood, biogas and electric kitchens. The railways’ tourism and catering arm, IRCTC, has asked static catering units at stations to switch to alternative modes — microwave and induction plates. Bhubaneswar municipal corporation rolled back its ban on the use of coal and firewood by roadside eateries, hotels and dhabas, imposed in Jan to curb air pollution, much to the relief of these establishments.In Bengaluru, while eateries across the city are a worried lot, a few restaurants in city’s Koramangala area, including the popular Empire restaurant, remain unfazed as their fuel demand is met by a biomethanation plant. Shakir Haq, CEO of Hotel Empire Chain, said, “I regret that we did not push the biogas model across more outlets earlier. Going forward, we are seriously looking at a dual-fuel system so that we are not completely dependent on LPG.”Some of Mumbai’s bakeries, too, said although BMC recently instructed them to shift to LPG gas, their traditional firewood ovens were still intact and could be used to meet demand if authorities permit.In UP, oil marketing companies have begun to evaluate if kerosene — largely phased out over the past few years — could serve as an emergency alternative. In Bihar, Jharkhand and other states, too, businesses such as PG accommodations, hostels and catering services are bearing the brunt of commercial cylinder shortage.K Kundan, who runs a PG accommodation with nearly 45 girls in Patna, said his kitchen staff have shifted to electric cooking arrangements.In states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, hoteliers are sweating out at the prospect of a wasted tourist season ahead. In Himachal, the hospitality industry has sounded an alarm as peak tourist season is just days away. In Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Kasauli and Kasol, eateries are already feeling the heat. Dharamshala Hotels and Restaurant Association president Ashwani Bamba said: “Tourist rush goes up on weekends, but most hoteliers are not sure whether they should accept advance bookings.”

NEW DELHI: The governing NDA MPs on Wednesday slammed Rahul Gandhi as a “leader of propaganda” who is accustomed to dynastic privilege and cannot accept equal treatment with others, as they kept the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha in their line of fire over the opposition’s resolution for the removal of Speaker Om Birla.“Rahul Gandhi thinks the rules are not for him, but he is the rule. One family thinks that it is above the rules and procedures of the House and above the Constitution,” BJP‘s Anurag Thakur alleged. He likened Birla to a school principal who wants to enforce discipline, Anurag said, adding those who do not like the principal were free to quit the school if they did not like the principal as the Speaker is not going anywhere.He said remarks of several ruling party MPs, including his own, have been expunged in the past by the Speaker. Rahul suffers from “FOMO” (fear of missing out) and makes all sorts of allegations to remain in news, he said, slamming him as a “leader of propaganda”.BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad said the motion has been brought to satisfy someone’s ego, a jab at Rahul, and asserted that PM Modi can never be compromised. The LoP should measure his words carefully, especially on issues of national security, he said.“I accuse that opposition, especially Congress and Rahul Gandhi, of having anarchic thoughts and wanting to turn this Parliament into an anarchy,” he said.TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti praised Birla for conduct as the Speaker and said attempts to “erode” the institution’s standing in the name of political disagreement are dangerous. “I am not defending an individual alone; I am defending the integrity of this House. The authority of the Speaker is not a personal privilege. It is an institutional necessity,” he said.BJP’s Tejasvi Surya alleged that the Gandhi family is unable to accept equal treatment before law. “Those accustomed to dynastic privilege often mistake even equal treatment for injustice,” he said, claiming that its members believe themselves to be king who can do no wrong.AIMIM member Asaduddin Owaisi, who is not aligned to any bloc, accused govt of trying to overpower the legislature but also slammed opposition parties for neglecting representatives of smaller parties like him. He is accused of being “B team” of BJP, Owaisi said.

Suryakumar Yadav of India poses for a photo with the trophy after victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Riding high on a historic triumph in Ahmedabad, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav unveiled an ambitious blueprint: lead India at the 2028 LA Olympics, win gold, and defend the T20 World Cup title later that year in Australia and New Zealand.“The next goal is Olympic gold and also the T20 World Cup that year,” a jubilant Surya told reporters after India trounced New Zealand by 96 runs to become the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cups.

Surya is not wrong to set a lofty standard for the current India team, which has produced unreal consistency in this format since he took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma in 2024.Surya has impressive numbers as captain. Since taking reins after the 2024 World Cup, India have been the team to beat in the shortest format. Under Surya, India have played 52 matches, won 42 (including two in Super Overs) and lost only eight games, with two matches ending in no result.

Suryakumar Yadav of India interacts with the crowd following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

The record under Surya is enviable, but with talent waiting in the wings, age not on his side, a poor run of form, and a cloud over his injured wrist, he may not be the right man to lead India into the future.Before the T20 World Cup, Surya’s form had nosedived. He had gone 23 innings without a fifty. In that period, his strike rate was below 120. But he bounced back in style at the right time just before the T20 World Cup, slamming three fifties in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand. He carried that form into the T20 World Cup, scoring a magnificent 84 off 49 balls in India’s opening match against the USA.After that, Surya again struggled with his form. In the tournament, he scored 242 runs in nine innings at an average of 30.25 and a strike rate of 136.72. He crossed 30 thrice – against Pakistan, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe – and looked shaky against quality spin in the middle overs.

AHMEDABAD, INDIA – MARCH 08: Suryakumar Yadav of India reacts during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

In Delhi against Namibia, he was undone by 35-year-old left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz. On a double-paced surface at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Surya looked all at sea against Pakistan’s spin trio of Saim Ayub, Usman Tariq and Mohammad Nawaz. Surya’s 29-ball 32 took the momentum away after a fiery start by Ishan Kishan.In the next fixture against the Netherlands, he again halted things with a 28-ball 34. If not for Shivam Dube’s 31-ball 66 and lusty blows from Hardik Pandya, India could have been in danger as the margin of victory was only 17 runs.Against South Africa, Surya scored 18 off 22 balls during a painstaking stay at the crease. The Indian captain found his groove against Zimbabwe in Chennai with a fiery 33 off 13 balls. It was his second impactful knock of the tournament.

AHMEDABAD, INDIA – MARCH 08: Suryakumar Yadav of India reacts during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

In a virtual quarter-final against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, he again faltered. His 16-ball 18 sucked the momentum out of a high-scoring chase.In the semi-final, on a belter at the Wankhede where balls were flying, Surya was stumped off Adil Rashid. This was the second time in the tournament that he was caught fishing outside the crease.In the final, when India were cruising at 200 in the 15th over, he decided to come out to bat instead of sending in an in-form Tilak Varma or Shivam Dube. However, his stay lasted just one ball as he went for a golden duck.

Despite his batting failures, he became the third Indian captain to lead the side to a T20 World Cup crown, following in the footsteps of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.With Jasprit Bumrah’s golden four overs, India will again go to LA 2028 and the next T20 World Cup as favourites, and that is a no-brainer. But Surya certainly may not be the right person to lead India at the Olympics and in the next T20 World Cup. India should thank Surya for his service and start preparing a blueprint under a new captain.