Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed on Sunday confirmed his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing an end to a long international career in which he led the side to memorable triumphs against arch-rivals India national cricket team in two major ICC tournament finals.The wicketkeeper-batter, who last represented the Pakistan national cricket team in a Test against the Australia national cricket team in Perth in December 2023, announced his decision through a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the formal announcement could now allow Sarfaraz to be appointed as the head coach of the national Test team on a long-term basis.The red-ball coaching role has remained unfilled since the board decided not to continue with Azhar Mahmood, who had been serving as the interim head coach of the Test team last year.Sarfaraz, who will turn 39 in May, has already been given several responsibilities within Pakistan’s cricket structure. Recently, he was named as a member of the national selection committee and also appointed mentor and manager for the Pakistan Under-19 and Shaheens squads.Despite nearing the end of his career, the Karachi-born cricketer had continued playing domestic cricket and featured in a first-class match as recently as October last year. However, in his statement, he said he now intends to dedicate his time to his administrative and mentoring duties.“I could never have dreamt of captaining Pakistan in all three formats and winning the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2006 and the 2017 Champions Trophy… they are unforgettable moments for me,” he said.Sarfaraz added that throughout his career he had aimed to encourage fearless cricket while also fostering strong unity within the team environment.During his international journey, the wicketkeeper-batter represented Pakistan in 54 Tests, 117 One-Day Internationals and 61 T20 Internationals. He also captained the national side in 100 matches across the three formats.

NEW DELHI: Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have revealed their new jersey ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, with the design built around the theme of Lines of Legacy.The concept draws inspiration from several defining moments that have shaped the franchise’s journey over the years. From the unforgettable opening night of the IPL in 2008 when Brendon McCullum smashed an unbeaten 158, to Rinku Singh’s dramatic five sixes in the final over, KKR have produced numerous moments that are now part of IPL folklore.

Each of these iconic memories is represented as a line in the franchise’s glittering story. When these lines come together, they form the initials (K) (K) (R) through a style of abstract linear art.“This season, those lines are not just remembered – they are woven into the jersey itself, allowing fans to wear a piece of the team’s story,” KKR said in a statement.Speaking on the jersey reveal, Venky Mysore, Chief Executive Officer, Knight Riders Sports, said, “The Lines of Legacy captures the essence of KKR’s storied history and celebrates the journey of the team over the years. Each line represents a pivotal moment of brilliance, reflecting the energy and spirit that weaves together to form our identity. We are proud of this legacy that we have built and want to carry it into the upcoming season while creating more memories for our fans to cherish.”According to the first 20-match schedule released by the BCCI, Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their campaign with an away fixture against five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.Their first home match will be against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 2. Eden Gardens is expected to turn purple as fans arrive in large numbers wearing their team jerseys to cheer for the side.The team’s third match will be against the 2025 IPL runners-up Punjab Kings at the same venue on April 6. KKR will then play their third consecutive home game against Lucknow Super Giants on April 9.KKR also bolstered their squad during the IPL 2026 auction, securing marquee names such as Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana and Finn Allen, while bringing in West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell to fill the gap left by Andre Russell.

Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has triggered another controversy within the country’s cricket setup. Senior players, including Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, have come under scrutiny after Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed questioned whether the players carried injuries during the tournament without proper disclosure.

Pakistan’s campaign ended in disappointment after they failed to progress beyond the Super 8 stage, continuing a worrying trend of underwhelming performances in recent ICC tournaments. With criticism mounting over team selection and player performances, fresh questions have now been raised about fitness management within the squad.

Aaqib Javed demands clarity over players’ fitness

Speaking at a press conference, Javed expressed concern over the fitness status of several players during the T20 World Cup. The former Pakistan fast bowler revealed that after returning from the tournament, it was discovered that Babar had been dealing with an injury that now prevents him from participating in domestic competitions.

Javed said the selectors were unaware of the injury issues during the World Cup and have now requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to investigate the matter. According to him, it is worrying that players like Babar and Fakhar were reportedly unfit while still being part of the national squad during such a crucial tournament.

He emphasized that the team management, including the head coach and medical staff, are responsible for monitoring player fitness during international events. Javed questioned why the selectors were not informed earlier if key players were struggling physically during the competition.

“Babar Azam is not fit to play. Fakhar Zaman is not fit to play. Salman Mirza is not fit to play. We are requesting the PCB to conduct an inquiry. How is it possible that both Fakhar and Babar were unfit? After the World Cup, we have learned about their injuries. So, does that mean that during the T20 World Cup their fitness was not being monitored? Were they not fully fit despite being part of the squad? We selectors should be aware of this, but when the players go for the World Cup, their health issues and injury concerns should be looked after by the head coach and the physio. We should have been informed,” said Javed in a presser.

Also READ: BAN vs PAK: Mohammad Kaif shares his verdict on Salman Agha’s controversial run-out

Javed explains reason behind the absence of Babar from Bangladesh series

After Pakistan returned from the tournament, medical staff examined Babar and confirmed that his injury would prevent him from participating in upcoming domestic competitions, including the ongoing National T20 Championship and Pakistan’s series against Bangladesh.

According to Javed, the star batter was eager to play but has been advised against doing so due to the injury. This revelation has further intensified debate around Pakistan’s preparation and player management during the World Cup. The situation has raised concerns about whether injured players were risked during the global event, potentially affecting their performance and Pakistan’s overall campaign.

“When he came back from Sri Lanka, our doctors examined him (Babar Azam). His injury is preventing him from playing this series (vs Bangladesh) and the National T20. He wanted to play, but the injury is not allowing him to do so,” added Javed.

Also READ: ICC punish Salman Agha for his furious reaction after the controversial run-out in BAN vs PAK 2nd ODI

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Sunday announced the schedule for the 2026 Puducherry Assembly election, with polling to be held in a single phase on April 9 and counting of votes on May 4. Voting will take place for all 30 constituencies of the 16th Puducherry Legislative Assembly.Chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, addressing a press conference, said elections across the four states and one Union Territory must be conducted in a free, fair and violence-free manner. He said the Election Commission would take strong action against any attempt at violence or inducement and ensure greater transparency in the counting process and announcement of results.

Puducherry Election 2026: Key dates

For Puducherry, the election will be held in one phase on April 9, while the result will be declared on May 4. The Union Territory goes to the polls along with Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.The EC has announced voting for all 30 Assembly seats in Puducherry, where nearly 9.44 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballots.

Puducherry voters and polling stations

According to data shared by the Election Commission, Puducherry has around 4.43 lakh male voters, 5 lakh female voters and 139 third-gender electors, taking the total electorate to about 9.44 lakh.Among them, the Union Territory has 54 centenarian voters, 6,034 voters aged 85 and above, and 12,204 persons with disabilities (PwD). It also has 23,033 first-time voters aged 18 to 19, around 1.87 lakh voters in the 20–29 age group, and 328 service electors.Polling will be held across 1,099 polling stations, of which 610 are in urban areas and 489 in rural areas. The EC said the average number of electors per polling station in Puducherry is 859, which falls within the 750–900 range across the five poll-bound regions.

The Commission also said Puducherry will have 30 model polling stations, 60 women-managed polling stations, and four PwD-managed polling stations. Importantly, 100 per cent webcasting will be in place at polling stations.

What the Election Commission said

CEC Gyanesh Kumar said a total of 17.4 crore voters are eligible to vote in elections to five assemblies with 824 constituencies. Across the four states and one Union Territory, polling will be conducted at around 2.19 lakh polling stations, with nearly 25 lakh election officials deployed.Kumar said the number of total voters across the five poll-bound regions is equivalent to the population of countries such as Australia, France, South Africa, Germany and Canada. He also said pure electoral rolls are the bedrock of democracy and stressed that no eligible voter should be left out, while no ineligible voter should be included.The CEC added that representatives of election bodies from 20 countries will visit the poll-bound states to observe India’s electoral process, which he described as the “Festival of Democracy”.

What happened in the 2021 Puducherry election?

The last Assembly election in Puducherry was held in 2021, when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a simple majority. N Rangaswamy of the All India NR Congress (AINRC) was sworn in as chief minister for the fourth time.In that election, the NDA won 16 seats with a 44.2 per cent vote share, while the UPA won eight seats.Party-wise, AINRC emerged as the largest party with 10 seats and a 26.2 per cent vote share. The DMK won six seats with 18.8 per cent vote share, while the BJP also won six seats with 13.8 per cent vote share. The Congress won two seats with 15.9 per cent vote share.

NDA’s 2026 seat-sharing plan

Ahead of the 2026 election, the AINRC-BJP alliance has already finalised its seat-sharing arrangement. Under the formula, AINRC will contest 16 seats, while the BJP-led combine will contest 14 seats.The alliance has said it is also in talks with the AIADMK. In the previous election, five seats had been allotted to the AIADMK from the BJP’s quota.

Puducherry Election 2026 result date

The Puducherry Assembly Election 2026 result will be declared on May 4, when counting is taken up along with the other four state elections.

Developments in the ongoing Middle East conflict and the movement in crude oil prices will be the key drivers for Indian equity markets this week, analysts said, with investors also closely tracking the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, inflation data and foreign fund flows after a bruising selloff in Dalal Street.Market participants are bracing for another volatile week after Indian benchmarks logged steep losses amid rising oil prices, a weakening rupee and persistent foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows linked to the widening US-Israel-Iran conflict.“This week is packed with several important developments and data releases, both domestically and globally. Geopolitical developments will remain the key factor to watch, as their impact on crude oil prices is likely to influence overall market direction,” Ajit Mishra, SVP, research, Religare Broking Ltd, said, as quoted by news agency PTI.He said investors on the domestic front would watch wholesale price inflation (WPI), balance of trade data and foreign exchange reserves, while globally, attention would be on the US Fed’s rate decision and the Federal Open Market Committee’s economic projections.

Crude, Hormuz disruption keep markets on edge

Analysts said the Strait of Hormuz will remain the biggest pressure point for markets, as any prolonged disruption to shipping could tighten oil supplies, stoke inflation fears and hurt risk appetite across Asia.“The week ahead is expected to remain highly volatile, with market direction largely influenced by developments surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said, as per PTI.“Particular focus will remain on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint, where any prolonged disruption to shipping could tighten global oil supplies, influence inflation expectations across Asia, and keep overall risk sentiment fragile,” he added.The US-Israel-Iran conflict escalated from February 28 and has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the main transit route for Gulf energy supplies.

Markets reeling after sharp weekly fall

The caution comes after a brutal week for Indian equities. The BSE benchmark Sensex plunged 4,354.98 points, or 5.51 per cent, last week, while the NSE Nifty dropped 1,299.35 points, or 5.31 per cent.Since February 27, the 30-share BSE Sensex has slumped 6,723.27 points, or 8.27 per cent.Indian markets ended the week under “significant corrective pressure” as global risk sentiment deteriorated amid rising crude oil prices, escalating geopolitical tensions in Middle East and continued FII selling, Hariprasad K, research analyst and founder, Livelong Wealth.On Friday alone, the Sensex fell 1,470.50 points, or 1.93 per cent, to settle at 74,563.92, while the Nifty dropped 488.05 points, or 2.06 per cent, to 23,151.10. The rupee also weakened to a fresh record low of 92.45 against the US dollar, while Brent crude climbed to $100.7 per barrel.

FII flows, global central banks in spotlight

Analysts said foreign investor activity and rupee movement will remain crucial indicators in the days ahead, as global capital allocation toward emerging markets like India stays sensitive to geopolitical tensions and commodity volatility.Foreign investors pulled out Rs 52,704 crore (about $5.73 billion) from Indian equities in the first fortnight of March amid Middle East tensions, rupee depreciation and concerns over the impact of elevated crude prices on growth and corporate earnings.Siddhartha Khemka, head of research, wealth management at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said that investors would also monitor key global data points, including Eurozone CPI, the Fed rate decision, and policy decisions from the Bank of England and European Central Bank, along with US jobs data.With oil hovering near the $100-a-barrel mark and geopolitical uncertainty still high, Dalal Street is likely to remain highly sensitive to every new headline from Middle East this week.

Mayank Chakraborty becomes the first GM from Northeast India (Special Arranements)

NEW DELHI: On Saturday morning, Rajib Dhar, the general secretary of the All Assam Chess Association, was having a good sleep. And why not? His protégé, Mayank Chakraborty, had just secured his final Grandmaster (GM) norm at the 8th GM Tournament in Sweden. In doing so, the 16-year-old became the first-ever Grandmaster from Assam and Northeast India, and the 94th overall for the country.The bedtime, however, didn’t last. Dhar felt a thud and heard a faint but extremely familiar voice: “Papa?” Papa?” It was Dhar’s little girl, clutching a chessboard close to her chest.“She doesn’t have a very strong interest in chess yet, but today, she tells me, ‘Papa, you teach me too, as you did with Mayank Dada. I will also become the first WGM (Woman Grandmaster) from Assam. If Mayank Dada can do it, then I can do it too,'” Dhar told TimesofIndia.com during an exclusive conversation.

A spark in Pandu

Mayank, born in 2009, was around seven when his mother, Dr Monomita Chakraborty, a gynaecologist, reached out to Dhar via Messenger.She, settled in Pandu (a small locality in Guwahati), was looking for someone nearby to guide her restless son through the basics of chess. Dhar, who is also from the same place and has trained Assam’s star International Master (IM) Shahil Dey, agreed.“In the beginning, his tactical skills were great, but he was a bit impatient and very restless, as kids that age are. But he later developed himself beautifully,” Dhar recalled.Mayank, now 16, soon started flaunting his skills over the board in the domestic circuit, becoming a three-time national champion across various age categories.“He has that high confidence level; he’s never afraid of who is sitting across the board,” Dhar said.

Mayank Chakraborty (Special Arrangements)

Sensing Mayank’s innate potential of becoming a GM, Dhar asked for some financial help from the All India Chess Federation (AICF) president Nitin Narang last year.“We just asked our AICF president, Nitin Narang, regarding sponsorship,” he revealed. “We told him he has the talent to become a Grandmaster, so we need a sponsor. He immediately said, ‘Okay, I will give Rs 2.5 lakh for his next tournaments.'”The investment paid off quite beautifully, it can be said.

The Mother’s Gambit

However, as the saying goes, behind every successful man, there is a woman. For Mayank, that woman is Monomita. To call her “dedicated” would be an understatement.Dhar still recalls a moment that perfectly encapsulates her sacrifice.“I remember going to give a ChessBase pendrive to her. She was in the middle of a surgery, and she came out for a second with her gloves still stained with blood just to make sure Mayank got his materials,” Dhar revealed.When she was on night duty at the hospital, Mayank would often be in the ward room, practising his lines while his mother worked.

Mayank Chakraborty playing with black pieces (Special Arrangements)

Nevertheless, the balancing act eventually became impossible. In 2022, Monomita left her government job to travel full-time with her son.“There was no one else to take Mayank to tournaments,” Dhar shared. “His mother’s dedication is tremendous. She left everything because chess was the number one priority for them. This achievement is completely because of her.”Monomita explained how her husband used to accompany their son, before she started to travel full-time. “My husband, Keshab Chakraborty, used to work at Airtel. In the early days of Mayank’s journey, I couldn’t travel much because I was still working until 2022. So initially, it was my husband who accompanied him to tournaments,” Monomita told TimesofIndia.com from Sweden.She further explained why travelling with her son became a necessity, adding, “Later, after my father-in-law passed away, we had some family difficulties, and my husband couldn’t travel as much anymore. That’s when I started accompanying Mayank. At one point, Mayank also faced some health problems; he developed sinusitis and severe allergies.“The cold, especially when we travel abroad, often triggers his cold allergy. Sometimes he needs medical attention, and managing that in a foreign country can be quite difficult and expensive for us. So in those situations, it became important for me to be there with him and accompany him during his travels.”

Culmination of a quest

For Monomita, the victory in Sweden is the culmination of a quest that was as much about regional pride as it was about individual excellence.“Since 1988, when Viswanathan Anand became India’s first GM, Assam and the entire Northeast have been waiting,” Monomita told this website.“When Mayank started serious chess, his only aim was: ‘I will be the first Grandmaster from Assam and the Northeast.’ With this motivation, we progressed.”The path was not linear. The COVID-19 pandemic halted their momentum for two years, and the transition from International Master (IM) to Grandmaster proved to be a psychological mountain.

Mayank Chakraborty (Special Arrangements)

Between August 2023 and early 2026, Mayank’s rating fluctuated wildly.“That was a demotivating phase,” Monomita admitted. “He was a bit skeptical because when you play too forcefully or aggressively, you lose rating points. I told him, ‘Once you touch 2500, the rest is just a matter of months.’ There was a threshold, maybe a moment of self-doubt. Once he passed that, he performed brilliantly in Prague and then Sweden.”In Sweden, Mayank secured the norm with a round to spare. The final round was a mere formality, a victory lap for a boy who had spent half his life chasing sixty-four squares.

Mother’s call for support

While the GM title is now a reality, the financial reality of elite chess is a different story. The Chakraborty family has exhausted their savings, liquidating Fixed Deposits to fund trips to Europe where the most competitive tournaments are held.“Chess is very expensive and time-consuming,” Monomita admitted. “It’s not like other sports where you keep your ‘belt’ forever. In chess, one second of lost focus and your rating, your pride, is gone. To reach 2600, he needs to play in elite tournaments against the top 20 players in the world. But that requires significant funds.”

Mayank Chakraborty (Special Arrangements)

The infrastructure in the Northeast, while improving through initiatives like the Khel Mahotsav, still lacks the corporate backing found in states like Tamil Nadu or Maharashtra.“I have reached a level where I have to choose priorities. My son is doing something for Assam as a whole,” Monomita said, her voice a mix of pride and urgency.ALSO READ: India gets first WIM from Northeast: How 15-year-old Arshiya Das is rewriting chess geography“I’ve liquidated what I could from my government job savings. Now, his future depends on government help and corporate support. My son has the capacity, and he believes in himself. If people believe in him, I will just follow him and let him continue his journey.”Back in Guwahati, children will be waking up their parents, chessboards in hand, ready to follow the path the 94th Grandmaster has finally cleared.

Iran is considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, provided that the oil cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, CNN reported quoting an Iranian official.Tehran is working on a new plan to manage the flow of tankers through the key maritime corridor amid escalating tensions in the region, the source told the outlet.

Apart from sanctioned Russian crude which is often traded in rubles or yuan, most global oil transactions continue to be priced in dollars.China has been trying for years to expand the use of the yuan in global oil trade, including attempts to convince Saudi Arabia to accept the Chinese currency for crude purchases. However, the US dollar remains the dominant global reserve currency and the yuan is still not widely accepted in international markets.Concerns over potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes have pushed global crude prices to their highest levels since July 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had struck Iran’s key oil export hub at Kharg Island.“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,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.However, the US president said the operation deliberately avoided Iran’s oil infrastructure on the island, which handles roughly 90% of the country’s crude exports.Trump also warned that the United States could target the oil facilities if Iran continues to obstruct shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.Earlier, the United Nations has warned that restrictions on shipping through the narrow waterway could have serious global consequences.“When ships stop moving ⁠through that Strait, the consequences ‌travel fast,” said Tom Fletcher, the UN’s under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs.“Food, medicine, fertilizer and other supplies become harder ⁠to move ‌and more ⁠expensive to deliver,” he added.The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for oil and gas trade. Any disruption to shipping through the passage raises concerns among major energy-importing nations, including India, which rely heavily on crude imports passing through the route.

India’s triumphant campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was not just a celebration of international success – it also reflected the immense depth of talent nurtured through the Indian Premier League (IPL). Several players who played a key role in India’s historic title run have also enjoyed remarkable success in the IPL, lifting the trophy with their respective franchises over the years.

The overlap between T20 World Cup champions and IPL winners highlights how the league has become a breeding ground for match-winners capable of thriving under pressure. For many Indian players, success in the IPL has helped build the experience, confidence, and temperament required to perform on the global stage.

IPL champions in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad

A number of players in India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad had already tasted IPL glory before conquering the international stage. Among them are some of the biggest names in modern Indian cricket.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya stands out as one of the most decorated IPL champions in the squad. Pandya has won the IPL title five times – four with Mumbai Indians (2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) and once as captain of Gujarat Titans in their debut season in 2022. His ability to deliver with both bat and ball in high-pressure matches has made him one of the league’s most valuable players.

Another key figure in India’s pace attack, Jasprit Bumrah, has also lifted the IPL trophy five times with Mumbai Indians. Since his debut in 2013, Bumrah has been the spearhead of Mumbai’s bowling attack, playing a crucial role in their dominant run of titles.

Indias’ T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav has also experienced multiple IPL triumphs. He first won the trophy with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 before adding more titles with Mumbai Indians during their golden period in 2019 and 2020. Known for his innovative strokeplay, Suryakumar has been a consistent performer in both franchise and international cricket.

Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has also enjoyed IPL success with Mumbai Indians, winning back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020. His aggressive batting style at the top of the order has often provided explosive starts for his teams.

Meanwhile, mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy and power-hitter Rinku Singh were both part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ memorable IPL title-winning campaign in 2024. Rinku’s finishing ability and Varun’s wicket-taking knack in the middle overs made them crucial players in that championship run.

All-rounder Shivam Dube also features on the list after winning the IPL with Chennai Super Kings in 2023. His powerful hitting in the middle order proved vital for CSK during their title-winning campaign.

Also READ: From Rahul Dravid to Shubman Gill: BCCI unveils list of winners for Naman Awards

India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad members associated with winning IPL teams

Apart from the players who actively contributed to title victories, a couple of members from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad were also part of IPL-winning franchises earlier in their careers.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad that won the IPL in 2012. However, he did not get an opportunity to feature in any matches during that season. Despite that, Samson has gone on to establish himself as one of the most talented batters in Indian cricket.

Similarly, all-rounder Axar Patel was included in the Mumbai Indians squad that won the IPL in 2013, although he did not play a game that year. Over the years, Axar has developed into a dependable all-rounder for India, contributing with both bat and ball across formats.

The presence of so many IPL champions in India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad underlines the massive influence the league has had on shaping modern Indian cricket. Playing in the IPL exposes cricketers to intense competition, international stars, and high-pressure scenarios – factors that often prepare them for the demands of global tournaments.

India’s triumph at the 2026 T20 World Cup showcased exactly that. Players who had already experienced the thrill of winning the IPL brought invaluable confidence and composure to the international stage.

At the same time, the squad also featured emerging talents who are gradually building their legacy in both domestic and international cricket. This blend of experienced IPL champions and rising stars proved to be the perfect combination for India’s success.

Also READ: Former RCB coach takes blind rank challenge, puts Virat Kohli at No. 5 among 6 IPL captains