An unusual and controversial run-out involving Salman Ali Agha during the second ODI between Bangladesh national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team in Dhaka has sparked intense discussion on social media, with many fans debating the spirit of cricket surrounding the dismissal.Pakistan are currently touring Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series, with the hosts already leading the series after winning the opening match. However, the second ODI witnessed a dramatic moment that quickly went viral online.

Controversial moment during the 39th over

The incident took place in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when a mix-up and quick thinking from Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz resulted in Agha’s dismissal.Mohammad Rizwan nudged the ball to the right of the bowler, where Mehidy moved across to stop it with his boot. At that moment, Agha was standing out of his crease and the two players collided slightly as the ball trickled to a halt near their feet.Believing the ball was effectively dead, Agha bent down to pick it up and return it to the bowler. However, Mehidy reacted quickly, grabbed the ball and underarmed it onto the stumps, catching Agha outside his crease.The on-field umpire, Tanvir Ahmed, referred the decision to the third umpire.After reviewing the footage, the third umpire ruled that the ball was still in play, meaning Mehidy’s action was completely within the laws of the game. Agha was therefore given out.The dismissal led to heated exchanges between Agha and Mehidy, while Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das also appeared involved in the discussion before players stepped in to calm the situation.Agha departed after a well-made 64 off 62 balls, including seven fours and two sixes.

Pakistan collapse after strong start

Pakistan’s innings eventually ended before the 50-over mark despite a dominant start earlier in the game. Young opener Maaz Sadaqat set the tone for Pakistan with an explosive knock, reaching his half-century in just 31 balls while taking on Bangladesh’s pace attack.Pakistan raced to a 100-plus opening partnership, providing the perfect platform for a big total. Later, another century stand between Rizwan and Agha put Pakistan firmly in control. However, the controversial run-out of Agha proved to be a turning point.After his dismissal, Pakistan’s innings collapsed dramatically as they lost their final seven wickets for just 43 runs as they were bowled out for 273.

Craving that dosa cooked to a perfect crisp? Off the menu. Those freshly fried canteen samosas? Gone as well. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East have begun to ripple into everyday industrial activity in India, as shortages of commercial LPG start to disrupt factory operations. Manufacturers said that tightening supply is creating hurdles not only for production processes but also for routine worker facilities such as factory canteens. “Every day has become a new challenge now,” Satish NS, president of Haier India, a maker of refrigerators and televisions, told ET. “Component suppliers are facing challenges with low LPG supplies, which will impact final production. Brazing operations in factories are getting affected. And even running factory canteens has become difficult, which is why we are now electrifying all equipment.”

India Inc redesigns menu

The strain is being felt in staff kitchens, where menus are being pared back as dishes that require significant gas consumption are removed. Meals that require little or no cooking, including packaged foods and sandwiches, are increasingly being served to workers, while in a few plants even the supply of tea has been reduced. Items such as dosa, samosa and non-vegetarian dishes are gradually disappearing from factory canteens. In many plants, they are being replaced with simpler options that require minimal cooking. Executives described the situation as “hand-to-mouth,” saying that some facilities now have LPG stocks that may last only until the weekend.The impact is visible across several large manufacturers. Parle Products, the country’s biggest packaged food company, has scaled down the variety of food served at its 10 company-run factories and 125 third-party plants. The canteen menu, which earlier included multiple items, has now been restricted to only a few dishes. Foods such as chapati, dosa and fried snacks are being replaced by simpler preparations like sandwiches. The company employs close to 4,500 people across these plants. “Workers understand the problem at hand,” said Mayank Shah, vice president at Parle Products. “Even production is being impacted in plants that run on fuels such as LPG, propane, and butane, with some shifts or lines not operating. We are trying to balance overall production with the plants that are least impacted.”

It’s not just food industry!

Other companies have also begun adjusting their operations. At Mahindra & Mahindra, canteens have removed live counters and fried foods to reduce gas consumption. Tata Motors similarly warned participants attending a supplier event at its Pune plant that the food menu would be restricted. Manufacturing facilities in the country generally employ between 3,000 and 5,000 workers, including contract and indirect staff, while the management of canteens is usually outsourced to external vendors.Kamal Nandi, head of the appliances business at Godrej Enterprises, said the shortage has severely affected brazing work involved in sheet metal operations. “It has become a hand-to-mouth situation,” he said. “We are trying alternatives to LPG as we have supplies only until Saturday. This is when demand for cooling appliances such as air-conditioners and refrigerators is peaking.”

Chulhas make a comeback as India Inc turns to alternatives

To ensure workers continue to receive meals, the company has revived the use of firewood stoves in its canteens. To cope with the shortage, factories are introducing electric alternatives including induction cooktops, electric rice cookers and electric roti makers. In some locations, firewood chulhas have also returned. GK Sharma, India region chairperson at French auto parts maker OP Mobility, said the company has been exploring alternatives such as electricity and solar power. However, LPG shortages are still affecting certain operations. “We are navigating a tough phase,” he said, referring to the impact on paint shop processes.However, not all factories have faced disruptions as many had already switched to alternatives. At Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, which manufactures trucks and buses under the Bharat Benz brand, canteen operations have continued normally. The facility’s kitchen runs entirely on electricity after the plant switched to 100% solar power, shielding it from the current LPG shortage.

Here’s what the government is doing to cushion the impact:

The government has moved to prioritise LPG supply for households as the energy crunch deepens amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Earlier on Thursday, Centre announced a 20% cap on the average monthly supply of commercial LPG by oil marketing companies, which will coordinate the distribution with state governments. Refineries have also been asked to maximise LPG production. Some have already increased output by diverting propane and butane streams towards LPG production. Manufacturing companies will receive up to 80% of the average supply they had received during the previous six months.

A dramatic moment in the second ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur triggered heated scenes on the field and reignited the long-standing debate around the Spirit of Cricket.

Salman Agha’s fiery reaction: Throws gloves and helmet in anger

Pakistan batter Salman Ali Agha lost his cool after being run out in an unusual fashion by Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz during a crucial phase of Pakistan’s innings.

The controversial moment occurred in the 39th over and quickly became the talking point of the match. What initially seemed like a routine piece of play soon turned into a tense exchange between players from both sides.

At that stage of the innings, Pakistan were rebuilding strongly after an early wobble. Agha and Mohammad Rizwan had put together a valuable 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket, stabilizing the innings and putting their team in a strong position.

The drama unfolded when Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered the fourth ball of the 39th over. Rizwan gently nudged the ball toward mid-on, and as it rolled toward the non-striker’s end, Mehidy moved across in his follow-through and stopped it with his boot.

Seeing the ball close to him, Agha – who had backed up outside his crease – appeared to act instinctively. In what seemed like a gesture of sportsmanship, he bent down as if to pick up the ball and hand it back to the bowler.

However, Mehidy reacted instantly. The Bangladesh captain grabbed the ball and underarmed it onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end while Agha was still outside his crease. Mehidy immediately appealed for a run-out.

On-field umpire Tanvir Ahmed referred the decision to the third umpire. After a quick review, TV umpire Kumar Dharmasena ruled that the ball had remained in play and that Agha had not grounded his bat behind the crease in time. The decision confirmed the Pakistan captain was run out.

The dismissal sparked immediate frustration from Agha. Normally known for his calm demeanor, the Pakistan skipper reacted angrily to the decision. Cameras showed him throwing his gloves and helmet to the ground in visible frustration.

He also engaged in a heated verbal exchange with Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das. The confrontation briefly escalated before Mohammad Rizwan stepped in to calm the situation, physically separating the players and preventing the argument from getting out of hand.

Even as he walked off the field, Agha continued to show his displeasure, tossing his gloves and helmet aside again near the boundary rope.

Here’s the video:

Crucial moment! Mehidy Hasan Miraz removes Salman Agha with a brilliant run-out. ⚡🏏#BCB #Cricket #Bangladesh #Pakistan #ODI pic.twitter.com/N0inKkZVwz

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 13, 2026

Interestingly, the dismissal – while controversial – did not ultimately work in Bangladesh’s favour. Before the incident, Pakistan had been in a comfortable position at 231 for 3 in 38.3 overs, with Agha scoring a well-compiled 64 off 62 balls and the partnership with Rizwan gaining momentum.

The run-out briefly disrupted Pakista’’s progress. Rizwan was dismissed just two balls later, and the remaining wickets fell quickly, with the final seven wickets adding only 43 runs.

However, Bangladesh failed to capitalize on that opportunity during their chase.

Rain interruptions meant Bangladesh were set a revised DLS target of 243 runs in 32 overs. But Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the contest, and Bangladesh collapsed dramatically.

The hosts were eventually bowled out for 114 runs, handing Pakistan a convincing 128-run victory and leveling the three-match ODI series at 1-1.

Also WATCH: Tawhid Hridoy plucks a spectacular catch to remove Sahibzada Farhan during BAN vs PAK 2nd ODI

The legal framework: What does ICC law say?

The incident has once again sparked discussion among cricket fans and experts about the balance between the rules of the game and its unwritten values. Under the laws of cricket, the decision was legally correct. The ball was still in play, and Agha had not made his ground when the stumps were broken.

However, critics have debated whether Mehidy’s movement may have distracted or impeded the batter’s attempt to return to the crease. Others argued that Agha’s decision to attempt to pick up the ball created the unusual situation in the first place.

Also READ: Amid Kavya Maran backlash, Daniel Vettori explains Sunrisers’ decision to sign Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred Auction 2026

 

NEW DELHI: India has announced an extension of visas and a waiver of overstay penalties for foreign nationals stranded in the country due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region.The Indian Consulate in Dubai said in a notification that all visas and e-visas that are expiring or due to expire soon will be extended for one month free of charge through the jurisdictional foreigners regional registration offices (FRROs).Authorities also said that penalties for any overstay by affected foreign nationals after February 28 will be waived if the delay was caused by the conflict.They added that exit permits will be issued free of charge to foreign nationals affected by travel disruptions so they can leave India once routes reopen.The consulate further clarified that if a foreign national is unable to apply for an exit permit or visa extension because of the situation, it will not be treated as a violation of immigration rules.Authorities also said that a Temporary Landing Permit (TLP) will be granted free of cost to foreign nationals whose flights are diverted to India.The move comes as the conflict in West Asia continues, with the United States and Israel carrying out drone and missile strikes on Iran. Iran has retaliated by targeting US strategic bases in the Gulf region and launching direct strikes on Israel.Meanwhile, nearly 500 Indian nationals travelled from Qatar to India and other global destinations on flights operated by Qatar Airways, the Indian Embassy in Doha said in an advisory.In a post on X, the embassy on Friday said the passengers travelled on Qatar Airways flights to Kochi and other destinations. The airline also helped transport the mortal remains of two Indian nationals who died of natural causes, along with their accompanying family members, to Kochi on humanitarian grounds.The embassy said Qatar’s airspace is only partially open, which has limited flight operations by Qatar Airways.“One flight to Mumbai is planned for operations by Qatar Airways on March 14,” the advisory said.The limited flight operations come amid the escalating security crisis in Middle East, triggered by Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases, embassies, and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.The conflict has also disrupted global energy supplies, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes.

In the cauldron that was the Eden Gardens in March 2001, John Wright — the first foreigner to coach India — witnessed the ebb and flow of the Test, with all its drama, emotion and sheer improbability. Twenty-five years later, the New Zealander tells TOI from Christchurch, of the pressure, the tactical decisions and the far-reaching impact of beating Australia.When you look back at that Eden Gardens Test, 25 years later, what stands out the most for you?

I can’t believe it’s 25 years already! I had never seen crowds like that before. It was packed to the rafters. Things looked bleak for us on Day 3. But then came that incredible turnaround over the next two days, thanks largely to that sensational partnership between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. It eventually culminated in Harbhajan Singh’s bowling heroics on the final day. The pressure on us was enormous. Australia were the world champions and they had been winning everything.What were the circumstances around the Indian team before that match?It was still my early days as the first foreign coach of the Indian team, and Sourav Ganguly was also a relatively new captain. The odds were stacked against us. Before the series we had a preparatory camp in Chennai with our physio Andrew Leipus. The big question we kept asking ourselves was simple: how do we beat Australia? I think we prepared extremely well for that challenge.How did the absence of Anil Kumble shape the team’s plans?Our most experienced spinner, Anil Kumble, was injured and unavailable. The selectors had identified a young off-spinner named Harbhajan Singh, and this series ended up defining his career. Looking back, I would rank this series with the 2004 series win against Pakistan in terms of its importance.The turning point of the Test was VVS Laxman’s promotion up the order. How did that decision come about?After the first innings we were asked to follow on, but Laxman had already batted beautifully and scored 59. We were also trailing 1–0 in the series, so in a sense we had nothing to lose. I remember listening to Ian Chappell on television commentary. He’s one commentator whose views I value greatly. Ian suggested that India should promote Laxman up the order because he was in terrific form. What he said made a lot of sense.We wanted someone who could play aggressively and put pressure on Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Sourav and I sat down after the first innings and agreed that promoting VVS (Laxman) was the best way forward. I’ve always believed that the captain is the central figure in a team. The coach is more on the periphery. But in this case, our collective decision worked perfectly.What made VVS Laxman’s innings so remarkable?What fascinated me the most was the way he played Shane Warne. He often played him against the spin and also got to the pitch of the ball so effortlessly. It was a masterclass on how to play spin. After tea that day he played two glorious off drives on the up: one against McGrath and the other off Jason Gillespie. I remember thinking: how on earth does he play like that? It was so regal.Apart from his batting, how else did Laxman contribute to the team’s dynamics and development?Laxman was the bridge between the younger players and the seniors in the squad. If I remember correctly, he was sharing a room with Zaheer Khan. We had a policy at the time where a bowler would room with a batter. Laxman spent a lot of time giving Zak (Zaheer) advice on his batting. During my early stint as coach, Sourav and I focused on three key areas: improving close catching, sharpening running between the wickets, and raising overall fitness levels. We also wanted the lower order to contribute more so that we wouldn’t collapse after being 200/5. The only thing missing in that squad was a genuine all-rounder.How crucial was Rahul Dravid’s contribution?Absolutely. Rahul deserves enormous credit. He was pushed down to No.6 in the second innings. It was a demotion, but he was a sport. His 180 was monumental. Laxman and Dravid were a terrific pair. They were also involved in another remarkable partnership against Australia in Adelaide in 2003. Rahul was in an incredibly productive phase of his career then. Whether it was Headingley in 2002, Adelaide in 2003 or Lahore in 2004. He was truly our rock.Harbhajan Singh’s bowling on the final day was legendary. Who were the other unsung heroes?Harbhajan’s performance, including that famous hat-trick, is rightly remembered. But we shouldn’t forget Sachin Tendulkar’s spell either. He picked up three crucial wickets. The pitch was gripping on the final day, and it was a masterstroke from Sourav to give Sachin the ball. I also remember SS Das taking two outstanding catches. There were contributions from everyone in that match.What do you recall about that manic final day?It was incredibly tense. I watched from a distance as the drama unfolded. Eden Gardens had turned into a cauldron. The ebb and flow made it riveting. I’ve always believed India has the best cricket fans in the world and they deserved every bit of the entertainment they got.How important was that win for the team?The victory at Eden Gardens gave us enormous confidence heading into the third Test in Chennai, which we also went on to win. It also extended my tenure as Team India’s coach. I stayed with the team for another four years. If we had lost that series, I would have packed my bags and returned home. At the time, everything was happening so quickly that you didn’t fully absorb it. Looking back, I think that victory injected self-belief in the team. It also paved the way for the overseas successes that followed.

MUMBAI: The Food Distribution Department conducted a crackdown on a gang involved in the black marketing of domestic and commercial gas cylinders in the Worli area, seizing a significant stock, officials reported on Saturday.The joint operation, carried out by the Controller Food Rationing Office squad along with officers from Office No. 21, focused on the illegal stockpiling and sale of gas cylinders at inflated prices in the ‘Suraj Vallabhdas Chawl’ area on Ganpatrao Kadam Road near Worli Naka, accordint to news agency ANI.

Authorities confiscated 64 filled 4-kg and 19 filled 12-kg cylinders of Super Gas Company, as well as six filled and 58 empty 5-kg cylinders of HP Gas Company. In addition, 25 empty cylinders of various sizes—12 kg, 4 kg, and 2 kg—were seized.This action comes amid a nationwide rise in LPG cylinder prices, largely due to supply chain disruptions resulting from the ongoing West Asia conflict.Meanwhile, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Sujata Sharma assured on Thursday that the domestic supply of LPG, petrol, diesel, kerosene, and natural gas remains stable. Citizens have been urged to avoid panic booking and conserve fuel.To curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders amid rising global energy concerns linked to the West Asia conflict, the Central government instructed oil refineries nationwide to increase LPG production and introduced a 25-day inter-booking system on March 10.The additional production will be directed to meet domestic household demand and help stabilize supply in the coming months, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated on Monday.In a post on X, the ministry said oil refineries have been instructed to enhance LPG production and prioritise the extra output for household consumption. “In light of current geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply and constraints on the supply of LPG, the Ministry has issued orders to oil refineries for higher LPG production and using such extra production for domestic LPG use. The ministry has prioritised domestic LPG supply to households and introduced a 25 day inter-booking period to avoid hoarding/black marketing,” it said.

Swara Bhasker‘s mother and film scholar Ira Bhaskar has criticised Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar while discussing the politics of contemporary Indian cinema during a recent panel conversation hosted by activist-writer Harsh Mander on his YouTube channel Karwan e Mohabbat.The discussion also featured Harish Wankhede, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and examined how politics, ideology and representation intersect in Indian films today.

‘This is an example of a filmmaker ideologically convinced by Hindutva’

During the conversation, Bhaskar pointed to the commercial success of Dhurandhar while questioning the ideological messaging she believes the film promotes.“Let me give the example of Dhurandhar, which is earning crores at the box office. Since it’s the most recent example of this, also doing very well at the box office. This is an example of a film made by a filmmaker who is ideologically convinced by Hindutva and the ideology of Hindutva,” she said.At the same time, Bhaskar acknowledged Dhar’s filmmaking ability and described him as a competent director, while maintaining that the film reflects a clear ideological position.Bhaskar also questioned whether a film’s technical craft can be separated from the ideas it conveys.“But what is technical, you know, I mean, how is technique to be divorced from and how is form to be divorced from content,” she said, arguing that form and content in cinema cannot be viewed in isolation.

‘You don’t see any normal Muslim there’

The scholar further criticised the way Muslims are portrayed in the film, saying the narrative reinforces certain stereotypes.“It’s extremely violent. And its violence is at the service of a belief structure of an ideology that Muslims are very violent people. Pakistan is a very violent nation. You don’t see any normal Muslim there. Everyone is a terrorist or a gangster,” Bhaskar said.She also argued that films claiming to be inspired by real events often selectively present facts.“It’s a fiction film based on true events, supposedly. And it’s selective as all these films are. It will only selectively choose what to put together in order to serve the ideology,” she added. The discussion also touched upon the portrayal of Dalits and Muslims in Indian cinema and what these depictions reveal about the country’s political and cultural climate. The panel reflected on whether films centred on themes of humanism, secularism and social equality continue to find space in the current landscape of Indian filmmaking.Meanwhile, after the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar, its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is set to release in theatres on March 19, with paid previews scheduled for March 18.

Hours after claiming that US forces “totally obliterated” Iran’s key oil hub at Kharg Island, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) shared an aerial video showing bombs being dropped on ground targets.Sharing a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump released “unclassified” footage of US strikes on Iran. The black-and-white clip, carried an “unclassified” watermark and showed multiple explosions and thick smoke rising from several locations after bombs were dropped.However, Trump did not provide a caption with the video, making it unclear whether the footage specifically showed the strikes on Kharg Island.According to RT news, the video shared by Trump included footage of the strike on Kharg Island Iran’s main oil export hub located about 30 kilometres off the mainland. The island handles nearly 90% of Iran’s crude exports, according to a recent note by JPMorgan.

Trump claims major bombing raid

Earlier, Trump announced the attack in a post on Truth Social saying US forces had carried out a major operation against Iranian targets.“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” he wrote.However, Trump said the United States had deliberately avoided striking the island’s oil infrastructure. “Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” he said.

Trump also warned Iran against escalating the conflict stating, “Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack . There is nothing they can do about it! Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East or, for that matter, the World! Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much! Thank you for your attention to this matter.“Trump had even earlier threatened to target Kharg Island’s oil infrastructure if Iran blocked shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route through which about a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes.

Iran confirms strikes but denies oil damage

Iranian media also confirmed that Kharg Island had been targeted in airstrikes earlier on Friday. Local sources said more than 15 explosions were heard across the island, with thick smoke rising from several areas.However, Iranian reports said that “despite the intensity of the blasts, none of the island’s oil infrastructure was damaged.” No further details about casualties or additional damage were released.Earlier, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the scale of strikes carried out since the war began had been significant. He said more than 15,000 enemy targets had been hit so far, averaging over 1,000 strikes per day.Hegseth also downplayed concerns about potential disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz saying that, “We have been dealing with it and don’t need to worry about it.”

Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday sharply criticised the United States over its stance on Russian crude oil, claiming Washington was now “begging” countries, including India, to buy Russian oil after earlier pressuring them to halt such imports.In a post on X, Araghchi said, “The US spent months on bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia. After two weeks of war with Iran, White House is now begging the world–including India–to buy Russian crude.”He also criticised Europe’s position on the conflict, writing, “Europe thought backing illegal war on Iran would win US support against Russia.”

Ending the post with a blunt remark, he added, “pathetic,” while sharing a report highlighting how the US war with Iran could end up benefiting Russia,a country Donald Trump has remained at odds with on several geopolitical issues.Araghchi’s comments came a day after he spoke with his counterpart in New Delhi S Jaishankar. The call marked the fourth interaction between the two ministers since tensions escalated in the Middle East.Meanwhile, Iran has allowed two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers to transit through the Strait of Hormuz despite the ongoing conflict in the region, according to a Reuters report citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter.Reuters also reported, citing shipping data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence, that a crude oil tanker carrying Saudi Arabian oil is expected to arrive in India after transiting the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month.Also read: Five US refuelling planes struck by Iran strikes at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air BaseEarlier, Iran’s ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali confirmed that Tehran would ensure safe passage for vessels headed to India through the Strait of Hormuz.Responding to a question on whether Indian-bound ships would be allowed safe transit through the key energy route, Fathali said, “Yes. Because India and I are friends. You can see the future, and I think that after two or three hours. Because we believe that. We believe that Iran and India are friends. We have common interests; we have a common fate.”He added, “Suffering of the people of India is our suffering and vice versa. And for this reason, the government of India help us, and we should help the government of India because we have a common fate and common interest.”

As the countdown to the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League begins, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are leaving no stone unturned to erase the memories of a lacklustre 2025 campaign. Under the seasoned leadership of Rishabh Pant, the franchise has officially kicked off its pre-season preparations with a clear focus on synergy and tactical clarity. After finishing seventh in the previous season, the team management has orchestrated a strategic overhaul, blending high-octane international talent with seasoned Indian veterans to build a squad capable of securing its maiden IPL title.

Rishabh Pant sends first message to Lucknow Super Giants’ new recruits ahead of IPL 2026

The air at the LSG camp was thick with anticipation as captain Pant addressed the young lot and new arrivals in a powerful introductory session. Pant, who recently underwent specialized training with legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh to sharpen his white-ball skills, emphasized that the current phase is more than just physical practice, it is about emotional and professional integration.

” A lot of people are from last year. A few new faces for sure. Welcome, everyone. Let’s look to build the relationships. If we don’t talk about cricket, we’re not going to improve. As an individual, let’s take whatever we can from all these gentlemen here and try to build something for this season to look forward to, we’re not going to improve,” Pant stated in a video released by the franchise. His message was a direct call for open communication, urging the newcomers to absorb the collective wisdom of the gentlemen in the room.

Pant’s emphasis on clarity defining what each individual wants to achieve for the team, highlights a shift toward a more structured psychological approach. With the full squad expected to congregate by March 16, this early camp serves as a vital foundation for the gruelling season ahead, which begins for LSG on April 1 against the Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Stadium.

Here’s the video:

LSG Brigade, this is your captain speaking ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/EMM7ysTz63

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) March 13, 2026

Also READ: Lakshmipathy Balaji names his strongest Lucknow Super Giants XI ahead of IPL 2026

Mohammed Shami and Wanindu Hasaranga lead the new look bowling attack of LSG

The LSG roster for 2026 features a formidable array of new faces acquired through savvy trades and a focused mini-auction in December. The headline acquisition is undoubtedly veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who was traded in from Sunrisers Hyderabad. Shami’s ability to extract seam movement under the lights at Lucknow is expected to be the linchpin of an attack that also features the lightning-fast Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan. Adding to the bowling firepower is South African speedster Anrich Nortje, providing a terrifying pace battery for any opposition.

Complementing the pace is the “Sri Lankan sensation” Wanindu Hasaranga, who joined the squad for a bargain price of 2 crore. Hasaranga replaces Ravi Bishnoi as the primary spin option, bringing a deceptive googly and lower-order hitting capability that LSG lacked last year. The squad depth is further bolstered by Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, whose versatility in the middle order offers a safety net for the explosive top order of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. With local talents like Naman Tiwari and Akshat Raghuwanshi also in the mix, Pant’s revamped brigade appears significantly more balanced and ready to challenge the league’s heavyweights.

Also READ: Suresh Raina picks the batting position of LSG captain Rishabh Pant for IPL 2026