Jasprit Bumrah and Usman Tariq (AP Photos)

NEW DELHI: Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed on Saturday sparked debate after making a surprising comparison between Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq. His remarks came after India’s strong campaign in the T20 World Cup, where Bumrah played a key role in the team’s success.Bumrah was one of the standout players of the tournament, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets alongside Varun Chakravarthy.

His best performance came in the final against New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad, where he produced a brilliant spell of 4/15 in four overs. The performance helped India secure a dominant 96-run victory and defend their title, earning Bumrah the Player of the Match award.Explaining his comparison, Javed said Bumrah’s bowling style is rare because of his unusual action and the difficulty batters face in settling against him. “In today’s era, across this entire World Cup, there is only one bowler like that – Bumrah. Because he is different. He is not a normal bowler. Even his action is unusual. When he comes in to bowl, I always say he is like the Usman Tariq of fast bowlers,” he told reporters.He further explained that Bumrah’s pace and unique rhythm make him extremely hard to face. “He bowls so quickly and in such a unique manner that a batter never really finds any flow or rhythm against him. He simply doesn’t allow it,” he added.Javed also argued that bowlers with the aura of past greats are becoming rare in modern cricket. “Other than him, tell me one more bowler in this entire World Cup – from any team – whom you can look at and feel satisfied that he carries the reflection of a Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, or anyone like that. You won’t find one anymore,” he further noted.

Here are the top 5 stories of the day:

Indian LPG ships cross Hormuz safely as US hits Iran’s Kharg Island

The government said all Indian crew members in the Persian Gulf are safe, as two Indian-flagged LPG vessels — Shivalik and Nandadevi, carrying 92,700 tonnes crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are set to dock at Mundra and Kandla on March 16 and 17. The update came as US forces struck over 90 military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, while Tehran warned it could deploy more powerful ballistic and precision missiles. Follow live updates

Government says LPG supply intact, warns against panic booking amid Middle East tensions

The government said the LPG situation remains serious due to the geopolitical crisis, but stressed there is no shortage of cylinders and no stockouts have been reported. At an inter-ministerial briefing, officials said panic booking has surged sharply, with bookings rising to nearly 8.8 million from around 7.5–7.6 million. Follow live updates

Centre revokes Sonam Wangchuk’s NSA detention, activist released

The Centre revoked climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act with immediate effect, and he was released from Jodhpur Central Jail. The home ministry said the move was aimed at promoting peace, stability and meaningful dialogue in Ladakh. Read full story

Akasa Air to add fuel surcharge from March 15 amid ATF price spike

Akasa Air will impose a fuel surcharge of Rs 199 to Rs 1,300 on domestic and international tickets booked from March 15, citing a sharp rise in aviation turbine fuel prices amid Middle East tensions. The airline said the charge will apply per sector and vary by flight duration. Read full story

TMC, BJP workers clash ahead of PM Modi’s Kolkata rally

Clashes erupted between TMC and BJP supporters near Girish Park in central Kolkata, just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Brigade Parade Ground. A police officer and a BJP leader were injured in the violence, which involved stone-pelting and slogan-shouting. Read full story

Former Michael Vaughan sparked a lively debate in the cricket world after calling South Africa the “stupidest team” of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. His comment, made during the Stick to Cricket podcast, quickly grabbed headlines and left fans wondering what exactly he meant.

Vaughan’s criticism was not about South Africa’s performance on the field alone. Instead, it was based on a controversial theory that the Proteas missed a strategic opportunity during the Super 8 stage – one that, according to him, could have prevented India from eventually winning the tournament.

Michel Vaughan’s Theory: Eliminating the tournament’s ‘juggernaut’

While discussing the Super 8 stage of the tournament, Vaughan suggested that South Africa could have changed the entire outcome of the World Cup by losing a particular match intentionally. The match in question was their Super 8 clash against the West Indies.

According to Vaughan, a defeat for South Africa in that game would have dramatically altered the group standings and potentially knocked India out of the competition much earlier.

“If South Africa had allowed the West Indies to beat them in the Super 8s, India would have been knocked out,” Vaughan explained.

In his view, tournaments like the World Cup are often decided not just by performances, but by key moments and strategic outcomes. Vaughan argued that removing the strongest team early can significantly improve a team’s chances of winning the title.

He went on to describe India as the tournament’s unstoppable force and suggested that South Africa made a mistake by allowing them to stay alive in the competition.

By defeating West Indies in that crucial Super 8 match, Vaughan believes South Africa unintentionally kept India in contention, enabling what he described as the “juggernaut” to continue its march toward the trophy.

Also WATCH: Salman Agha loses cool after unusual run out by Mehidy Hasan Miraz in BAN vs PAK 2nd ODI

The tournament scenario behind Vaughan’s remark

To understand Vaughan’s argument, it is important to look at the situation in Group 1 of the Super 8 stage.

At that point in the tournament, India’s campaign was under pressure after suffering a defeat to South Africa earlier in the group stage. That loss meant the Indian team needed favourable results in other matches to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Meanwhile, the West Indies had already made a strong start to the Super 8 phase by winning their opening game against Zimbabwe.

If the West Indies had also defeated South Africa, it would have significantly complicated India’s path to the semi-finals. In Vaughan’s view, such a result could have left India virtually eliminated from the competition.

Instead, South Africa went on to win the match against the West Indies, keeping the group standings wide open. That victory ensured India still had a realistic chance of progressing.

Vaughan also pointed out another moment that supported his argument. South Africa rested three players during their final Super 8 match against Zimbabwe, which the former England captain suggested showed they were not considering the broader tournament permutations involving India.

Eventually, India took advantage of the situation. The team defeated Zimbabwe and then overcame the West Indies in what effectively became a virtual quarter-final to secure a place in the semi-finals.

From there, India continued their impressive run and ultimately lifted the T20 World Cup trophy.

In a twist of irony, South Africa – who had earlier beaten India – failed to reach the final themselves. They were knocked out in the semi-finals after losing to New Zealand.

Also READ: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulate India on clinching the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam (AFP Photo)

The Pakistan Cricket Board is set to conduct an inquiry into the injuries of star batters Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman after concerns emerged over their fitness following the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Pakistan selector and former fast bowler Aaqib Javed revealed during a press conference that the selection committee had requested the PCB to investigate how both players sustained injuries and why the issue only came to light after the tournament.

Selectors raise concerns over injury updates

Speaking alongside fellow selection committee members Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq, Aaqib Javed said the selectors were unaware that Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were carrying injuries during the World Cup.The selectors have now asked the PCB to review the circumstances surrounding the injuries and whether proper fitness updates were communicated during the tournament.“Fakhar is also injured – on this, we have also requested the cricket board for an inquiry. How can it be that Fakhar is also unfit and we only found out after the World Cup ended?” Aaqib said.“When you go to a World Cup, whatever health or injury issues there are, your head coach and physio should keep everyone updated. As selectors, we should know these things.”

Babar Azam ruled out of Bangladesh series

Aaqib Javed also clarified why Babar Azam was not included in Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh national cricket team. According to the selector, the former Pakistan captain is currently dealing with an injury that has prevented him from participating in both the Bangladesh series and the domestic National T20 Cup.“Babar Azam is facing an injury, which is why he wasn’t included against Bangladesh. He also wanted to play the National T20 Cup, but his health condition didn’t allow him,” Aaqib explained.“Whether it was visible to you or to me is not important. But if a player gets injured in practice or a match, how it happens and when it happens should be known.”Aaqib even questioned whether the players would have been declared fit had Pakistan progressed further in the tournament.“Today the situation is that Babar Azam is not fit to play and Fakhar Zaman is not fit to play. If we had made the semifinal, would they have suddenly become fit? That is the question.”

Young players given opportunities

Aaqib also revealed that the team management had already planned to send a younger squad for the Bangladesh series following the World Cup. The selection committee has been experimenting with emerging players in recent bilateral series, similar to the approach used during Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2024.“We had already decided before the World Cup that we would not send a full-strength squad here. We wanted to give opportunities to younger players so we have more options going forward,” he said.

In a boost to domestic energy supplies amid disruptions in West Asia, two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz early Saturday and are now on course for ports in Gujarat. LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are heading to Mundra and Kandla, respectively, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping, said at a media briefing. The ships are carrying a combined 92,700 tonne of LPG and are expected to dock at Indian ports on March 16 or 17, he said. The two vessels were among 24 ships that had been stranded on the western side of the strategic waterway since the war broke out in the region.

Petrol, diesel stocks adequate

India has sufficient availability of petrol and diesel and refineries are operating at full capacity despite disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, a senior petroleum ministry official said, urging consumers to avoid panic booking of LPG cylinders.Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery) Sujata Sharma said the country currently has enough crude supplies and domestic production is meeting fuel requirements.“As far as crude oil and refineries are concerned, we have a sufficient supply of crude and our refineries are operating at full capacity. There have been no reports of any dry-out at retail outlets. Adequate petrol and diesel are available,” she said.She added that India does not need to import petrol and diesel at present. “We produce enough petrol and diesel in the country according to our requirements, and therefore there is no need for us to import them,” Sharma said.

LPG supply under watch, PNG push for commercial users

While domestic fuel supplies remain stable, the official flagged concerns about cooking gas availability amid the prevailing geopolitical situation.“Regarding LPG supply, I would like to say that it is still a matter of concern for us in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation. However, no dry-out has been reported,” she said.The government is encouraging commercial consumers facing supply disruptions to switch to piped natural gas (PNG). In this context, the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has held meetings with city gas distribution operators to facilitate immediate PNG connections wherever feasible.“There was considerable discussion regarding commercial cylinders, and after that it was decided that some LPG should also be supplied to commercial consumers,” Sharma said, adding that distribution has begun in about 29 states and Union territories.

Panic booking spikes, govt appeals for restraint

Sharma also pointed to a sharp increase in LPG bookings, describing the trend as panic-driven.“Panic booking is still happening on a very large scale. Yesterday, we informed you that the number of bookings was around 7.5-7.6 million, and now that number has increased to almost 8.8 million. So this is nothing but panic booking,” she said.Appealing for restraint, she urged consumers to place orders only when required. “I would like to appeal to the citizens of the country to avoid panic booking and to make bookings only when there is an actual need. This will be good for everyone,” Sharma added.Highlighting the progress in digital adoption, the official said most LPG bookings are already being made online. “Online booking is currently about 84 per cent, but it needs to improve to almost 100 per cent,” she said.(With inputs from agencies)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) while addressing a mega rally at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, accusing the state government of “protecting rapists”, undermining constitutional institutions and insulting President Droupadi Murmu.Bringing up Sandeshkhali and the brutality faced by a woman at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, PM said, “Here, the insensitive government openly protects rapists and makes every effort to shield criminals. The images from Sandeshkhali and the attitude of the TMC, as well as the brutality faced by that daughter at RG Kar Hospital, have not been forgotten by the people of Bengal. The way the TMC was seen openly standing with the accused has not been forgotten. It is the result of this mindset that crimes such as acid attacks against women are happening in large numbers in West Bengal today…I assure the mothers and sisters of Bengal that if you bless the BJP, women will be safe under a BJP government and criminals will be in jail. This is Modi’s guarantee.”The Prime Minister also accused the TMC government of disrespecting the President during her recent visit to north Bengal.

“The TMC has not just insulted the President, but it has insulted the country’s tribals, the people of this country and the Constitution. The TMC has crossed all limits by insulting President Droupadi Murmu,” Modi said.

He said Murmu had travelled to the state to participate in a Santhal tribal festival, but alleged that the programme was mishandled by the state administration. “Just a few days ago, the President of our country, the esteemed daughter of the Adivasi community, Honourable Droupadi Murmu Ji, came to Bengal. She was to participate in the sacred festival of the Santhal Adivasi tradition, but this ruthless government, steeped in arrogance, not only boycotted that programme but handed it over entirely to utter chaos,” he said.“Because a daughter of the Adivasi community holds such a high position, the TMC folks could not accept her honour,” PM Modi further alleged.Stepping up his attack ahead of the assembly elections, PM Modi also accused the TMC of opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to protect “infiltrators”.“The TMC is opposing SIR so that infiltrators can be protected,” he said.Claiming that infiltration had altered the demographic profile of several areas in the state, he said, “Due to unchecked infiltration, the demography of several areas of West Bengal has changed. The TMC is deliberately making Hindus a minority in many areas.”PM further alleged that the ruling party opposed citizenship for Hindu refugees for political reasons. “The TMC opposes granting citizenship to Hindu refugees because they do not consider them their vote bank,” he claimed.He also accused the TMC of attacking constitutional institutions, saying it was shameful that the party was targeting bodies such as the Election Commission of India.

Mumbai: Net FPI selling on Indian exchanges reached around Rs 54,455 crore ($5.9 bn) by 13 Mar 2026 as global risk sentiment turned negative after a brief recovery in foreign flows earlier in the year.The earlier improvement in flows followed the India–US tariff deal, which reduced tariffs on Indian exports to the US and improved investor sentiment toward India’s growth and export outlook. February saw strong foreign buying in equities as market corrections and resilient corporate earnings supported investor confidence.“The weakness in global equity markets following the war in West Asia, the steady depreciation of the rupee and concerns surrounding the impact of high crude price on India’s growth and corporate earnings contributed to the concern of FPIs. The poor returns from India vis a vis other markets – both developed and emerging- during the last eighteen months is the principal reason for FPI’s indifference towards India. If their sustained selling strategy is to change, there should be clear indications of earnings recovery in India. In the present uncertain context, this will take time,” said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.Geopolitical tensions escalated after US–Israel strikes on Iran at the end of Feb, triggering a global risk-off move. Foreign investors began unwinding positions in Indian equities soon after the conflict intensified. The escalation also triggered outflows from India’s fully accessible Govt bond route as investors reassessed risks in emerging markets.“Now FPIs regard South Korea, Taiwan and China as better markets to invest since they are relatively cheaper than India even after the recent correction. Also, the corporate earnings prospects in these markets appear better than that of India. Therefore, further selling by FPIs in India is likely in the short term. On the positive side, huge selling by FPIs in financials has made their valuations attractive and investable for domestic investors,” added Vijayakumar.Investors cited the risk of higher crude oil prices, pressure on the rupee, and rising bond yields as key concerns. The selling reversed improving flows seen earlier in the year.Domestic institutional investors absorbed much of the selling, which helped limit broader declines in equity markets.The outflows reflect portfolio de-risking and a reassessment of external risks rather than a structural change in India’s growth outlook.

As Team India embarks on a new cycle that will culminate in the ODI World Cup next year, will Sanju and Ishan’s T20 WC heroics be good enough for them to be candidates in the set up?The bubbly of euphoria of the T20 World Cup triumph was still spilling over when Gautam Gambhir was asked whether the current Indian white-ball generation is the best in business. The coach was at his pragmatic best when he said: “I am not so sure when you’ve lost two bilateral ODI series recently.”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The indications were quite clear. The T20 World Cup win is all fine but it’s time to look forward because India will be judged in the next one-and-a-half years on its ODI performances. Reason: The ODI World Cup in South Africa in October-November 2027.While the Indian T20 team has been a force of nature in the last couple of years, the ODI team has stuttered a bit. While the Mr Matchwinner for India, Jasprit Bumrah hasn’t played a single ODI since the 2023 World Cup final, the results haven’t always been that convincing.

In 2024, India lost an ODI series in Sri Lanka, one in Australia in 2025 and one at home to New Zealand earlier this year. In between, there was a Champions Trophy triumph in Dubai, but those matches were played in designer spinfriendly conditions which won’t be replicated in South Africa.

That brings us to a pertinent question — is India lacking something in the ODI format?Given the way new-age whiteball cricket is being played, one may be tempted to say it is the explosivity in the batting department that can be an area of discussion. Of course, ODIs are not T20s — which is mostly sixth gear cricket — and you need a little bit of balance in the 50-over format. Still, it won’t be a bad time to ask whether some of the T20 superstars who have the wherewithal to play the longer format should be looked at in ODIs in the lead-up to the World Cup.

The two obvious names that can come up for immediate discussion are that of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. Sanju made the difference at the most crucial stages of the T20 World Cup while Ishan is a proven player in 50 overs — boasting of a highest score of 210 in ODIs. Sanju, on the other hand, has an impressive ODI average of 56.66 and a strike-rate of 99.60.Former India batter WV Raman feels Sanju has all the elements in his game that can make him a success in ODIs. “He is a terrific player and whatever problems he was having with his temperament, he has addressed that. I am convinced that Sanju has the game to succeed in ODIs,” Raman told TOI.But then, the question begs: Where is the vacancy? Sanju is essentially an opener and India’s two current ODI openers are Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Rohit has been a little up and down in the only format that he plays, while Shubman is team captain. Former national selector Devang Gandhi added the name of Yashasvi Jaiswal to the list. “Next in line is Jaiswal and if a slot opens up, how can you give somebody a go ahead of him? I have nothing against Samson, but let him go back to domestic one-day cricket get runs, and then try for an ODI comeback. That’s how the selectors should think,” Gandhi said.Raman, though, is a believer of backing a player when he is in form. “It’s for the team management to find a place for Sanju. For me, Sanju is good enough for ODIs,” Raman said.Ishan, meanwhile, may have a little more flexibility in finding a place. The Jharkhand left-hander can play in top-three as well as lower down the order. Additionally, like Sanju, he is a keeper as well and can be a deputy to KL Rahul. “But then, there’s Rishabh Pant. What has Pant done wrong to be dropped from the ODI set-up? These are very talented young players we are talking about and they should be handled with care,” Gandhi said.Indian cricket will dive deep into IPL in a couple of weeks’ time and as per the recent trend, performances in the two-month tournament will become a serious benchmark for selection across formats.Ishan, playing at No. 3 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Sanju, opening the batting for his new side Chennai Super Kings, will have the opportunity to break every selection door down.Gandhi, though, argues that shouldn’t be the case.“Don’t forget, there are hardly any close-in fielders in T20s. The aim of every bowler is containment. It’s not always the case in ODIs,” the former India opener said.