LUCKNOW: A govt school teacher from Lucknow fell prey to a ‘pig butchering romance’ scam, an insidious blend of romance, deception, and financial fraud—losing a staggering Rs 49 lakh to a woman he met on a matrimonial platform. Police officials said it was the first such scam in the city. According to the FIR filed with the cyber police, a resident of Jankipuram and an employee of the basic education department came in contact with a woman identifying herself as Isha Desai on June 20, 2025, via the app m4marry. Claiming to be a Mumbai-based textile business owner, she cultivated a relationship with the victim, gradually building emotional trust. Police, on the basis of the FIR, said this emotional manipulation was the first step in what experts describe as a ‘long con’. Thereafter, the accused introduced the teacher to a trading platform—gomarketsuma.com.Initial investments yielded fake profits. Drawn deeper into the scheme, the teacher transferred Rs49 lakh to various bank accounts provided by the accused in six months. A dummy credit of Rs 10 lakh was also reflected in his trading account. The scam took a dramatic turn when the victim attempted to withdraw Rs2.5 lakh. The platform showed a sudden spike in profits—Rs 1 crore — and demanded Rs Rs33 lakh as “tax” to release the funds. “When the teacher refused to give more money and demanded his Rs 49 lakh back, he was allegedly threatened with legal action, including proceedings by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a tactic aimed at inducing fear and compliance,” police said.Realizing the fraud, the teacher approached cyber crime police, who confirmed that the entire operation was part of a coordinated cyber fraud network. Investigators have been provided with key digital evidence, including transaction records, chat logs, the mobile number of the accused, and screenshots of the fake trading platform. Officials said a detailed probe has been initiated. “No genuine platform demands upfront tax for withdrawals,” an officer noted. What is ‘pig-butchering’A cybercrime expert and former IPS officer, Triveni said that this is a textbook ‘pig-butchering’ romance scam, where fraudsters ‘fatten’ the victim emotionally and financially over time like a ‘pig’, and then take away all his wealth, ‘slaughtering’ him financially. “They build trust, show fake gains, and then extract large sums before disappearing. These scams are psychologically engineered and often run by organised international syndicates,” he said.

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just a few days away, as the franchises have their final round of training ahead of the mega event in India. One of 10 franchises, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hosted a press conference ahead of their first game against the Mumbai Indians on March 29, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Ahead of the first game, the head coach, Abhishek Nayar, provided a massive update on the Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was bought during last year’s auction for a hefty price of INR 18 crore. Matheesha Pathiranahas been out injured since February 16, 2026, as he picked up a hamstring pull during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup group stage match against Australia.

KKR Head coach provides update on Matheesha Pathirana

Since then, Matheesha Pathirana has been doing rehab. His manager provided an update about his availability in the IPL 2026. As per recent reports, he has been fit but requires the NOC from the national cricket board and a fitness certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in order to participate in the league.

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During the press-conference, Abhishek Nayar provided an update about the premium fast bowler. He stated that the pacer will not be available for the initial games for the three-time winners and will join the squad mid-April.

They look after his [Matheesha Pathirana] rehab- Abhishek Nayar

Nayar said, “He is with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. They look after his rehab. The latest communication we sort of had is hopefully, somewhere in mid-April, they feel he will be match fit. That’s what we know as of now. That’s the update we got from the board. That’s how it’s looking now.”

“I think in any tournament with any team, once you lose some of the key bowling options, these are not things they plan for, but these are things they have to accept. The good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, they have a lot of them.”

I think we’ll be fine- Abhishek Nayar

“So they have some guys that we are, as the coach mentioned, that we are looking at, definitely going to fill the spot. There are the likes of Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi. These guys are also players who represent the national team at some point in time, and have also played in the IPL before. They are young and exciting talents,” he said.

Abhishek Nayar concluded, saying, “So, for me, personally, I’m happy along with Tim (Southee) to work with this group of fast bowlers. We have the best spin duo in the entire competition. So from a bowling point of view, I think we’ll be fine. Also, we can’t forget Vaibhav (Arora), who had a fantastic season last year, been the leader of the attack for a few seasons as well.”

KKR have the likes of Blessing Muzarabani, who have been in good form in the T20 World Cup. Picking up 13 wickets for Zimbabwe. So KKR might miss Matheesha Pathirana in their death overs as they do not have an out and out death bowler with Rana and Pathirana out.

Also Read: KKR assistant coach leaks Cameron Green’s batting position ahead of IPL 2026

Matheesha Pathirana (AFP Photo)

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that its players will only be allowed to participate in IPL 2026 after successfully completing mandatory physical performance tests. The board confirmed that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will be issued strictly based on players meeting the required fitness standards.“Only those who successfully meet the required standards of the physical performance tests will be cleared to participate in the ongoing domestic tournament and also granted an NOC to take part in IPL 2026.

“Accordingly, Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis, who have successfully completed their physical performance tests, have been issued NOCs to participate in the IPL. Nuwan Thushara’s eligibility for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the IPL will be subject to the outcome of his Physical Performance Test.“Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana, who have requested NOCs to participate in IPL 2026, are yet to undergo the Physical Performance Test, as they are still undergoing rehabilitation to recover from injuries sustained. The respective players will undergo the tests upon completion of their recovery and rehabilitation programs,” said SLC in a statement on Friday.With IPL 2026 to begin on March 28, Chameera and Nissanka will now link up with Delhi Capitals, while Mendis will join Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pathirana, who is to turn out for Kolkata Knight Riders, has been on the sidelines after a hamstring injury ruled him out of Sri Lanka’s campaign in the mid-way of 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.Hasaranga (Lucknow Super Giants), Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Thushara (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) also missed the World Cup at various stages due to injuries to hamstring, shoulder and broken left thumb.“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce that players who have requested to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will be issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) only upon successfully passing SLC’s mandatory Physical Performance Test.“At present, SLC is conducting an eight-week specialized physical training program for all nationally contracted players. This initiative aims to enhance players’ physical performance standards in preparation for upcoming international assignments.“Along with this program, players are also undergoing the mandatory physical performance tests, a routine process followed to check the fitness standards of the players,” added SLC.The board added that these tests are part of a routine process to monitor and maintain player fitness at the highest level.