As Mumbai Indians (MI) gear up for IPL 2026, a new name has quietly entered the spotlight – and it comes with a strong endorsement.

“His slower ball can trouble even the best batters”: Irfan Pathan

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has singled out young pacer Mohammed Izhar as a player to watch, highlighting his ability to trouble even top-level batters with his variations.

With MI preparing for their season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29, the buzz around the team isn’t just about established stars. Instead, it’s also about emerging talent – and Izhar seems to have caught the attention of one of India’s sharpest cricket minds.

Speaking about the young fast bowler, Pathan didn’t hold back in his praise.

“His slower ball can trouble even the best batters,” Irfan stated emphatically as quoted by TOI.

Coming from someone who built his career on skillful swing bowling and tactical awareness, this praise carries serious weight. Pathan’s understanding of pace bowling – especially variations like slower balls – makes his observation particularly significant.

Izhar, though still uncapped in the IPL, has reportedly impressed the Mumbai Indians coaching staff during pre-season training. His ability to execute slower deliveries under pressure has stood out, a skill that often proves crucial in T20 cricket, especially in the middle overs and at the death.

Will Mohammed Izhar get a chance in star-studded MI pace attack?

While Mohammed Izhar may not yet be a household name, his journey reflects Mumbai Indians’ strong reputation for discovering and nurturing fast-bowling talent. Over the years, the franchise has built a legacy of identifying raw potential and turning it into world-class performance.

Jasprit Bumrah is the perfect example. Once an unknown prospect, he went on to become one of the best fast bowlers in the world under MI’s guidance. The franchise has also played a key role in shaping players like Hardik and Krunal Pandya, giving them platforms to grow.

Also READ: Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene reveals big change for Rohit Sharma’s role in IPL 2026

Now, Izhar could be the next in line.

However, breaking into MI’s playing XI won’t be easy. The team boasts a formidable pace attack featuring experienced names like Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar and Reece Topley. Each of them brings a unique skill set, making competition for spots intense.

But this also works in Izhar’s favour. Training alongside bowlers like Bumrah – who has mastered the art of slower deliveries – provides him with the perfect environment to learn and evolve. If he continues to impress, MI could use him as a surprise weapon, especially in conditions where variation is key.

For MI, the upcoming season is about more than just rebuilding – they are chasing their sixth IPL title after a gap of five years. Their bowling attack will play a major role, particularly at the Wankhede Stadium, where conditions often favour batters and bowlers need to rely on clever variations to succeed.

This is where Izhar’s skill set could become valuable. A well-executed slower ball can change the course of a game, and if he lives up to the hype, MI might have uncovered another hidden gem.

Also READ: IPL 2026 – Mumbai Indians responds to claims of Hardik Pandya issuing a warning to Rohit Sharma

After weeks of soaring prices that kept many buyers on the sidelines, gold has finally taken a sharp turn in the UAE, dropping over Dh50 from its March peak and triggering a surge in last-minute Eid shopping across Dubai’s jewellery markets. For shoppers who had been waiting patiently, the dip has arrived just in time and for the gold market, it has sparked a familiar Ramadan pattern of hesitation, followed by a sudden rush.

What’s happening to gold prices in the UAE?

Gold prices in Dubai have seen a significant correction in recent days, with 24K gold falling to around Dh554 per gram, down sharply from earlier highs that touched above Dh640 earlier this month. The drop is not just a daily fluctuation, it reflects a broader trend. Prices are down Dh30+ in a single day and nearly Dh80–Dh90 below early March peaks.Similarly, 22K gold has followed suit, falling by more than Dh80 from its peak levels, making jewellery purchases noticeably cheaper for consumers. For many buyers, this is the first real price relief window in weeks.

Eid ul Fitr rush returns to gold souks

The timing of the dip couldn’t be more significant. With Eid Al Fitr just around the corner, UAE shoppers, especially families preparing for gifting and weddings, are now returning to gold markets in large numbers.Jewellers are reporting:

After holding off purchases during the price surge, many shoppers are now seeing this correction as a “buy-now” moment. This pattern is not new. Every year, gold demand spikes before Eid ul Fitr but this time, the surge is being amplified by sudden price relief.

Why are gold prices falling in the UAE?

The drop in UAE gold prices is closely tied to global market movements. Gold, often seen as a safe-haven asset, had surged earlier this month due to geopolitical tensions, inflation fears, and economic uncertainty but recent developments have led to a partial pullback.

Key factors behind the decline include:

Interestingly, while geopolitical risk usually pushes gold prices up, sudden shifts in sentiment can also trigger quick corrections—exactly what is being seen now. March 2026 has been anything but stable for gold. Prices started the month at elevated levels, surged to peaks above Dh640 and then began a steady decline punctuated by sharp daily swings.In fact, gold has risen rapidly on global tensions, fallen sharply on corrections and rebounded briefly before dipping again. This volatility has made timing the market difficult for buyers but for those who waited, the current dip offers a rare advantage.

Global factors driving local gold prices

What’s happening in Dubai’s gold markets is deeply connected to global developments. Dubai is one of the world’s largest gold trading hubs, and its prices are influenced by:

Recent disruptions in flights across the Middle East, even affecting gold shipments, have added another layer of complexity to pricing dynamics. At the same time, the broader economic impact of the ongoing conflict with rising oil prices, inflation concerns and market uncertainty, has created unpredictable price movements across commodities.For shoppers, the current scenario presents a clear opportunity. Lower prices mean:

Retailers say many customers are opting for larger pieces than they initially planned, buying earlier than expected and locking in prices before another potential rise. However, experts caution that this window may not last long.

Will gold prices fall further?

The big question on everyone’s mind is whether this the lowest point or just a pause before another surge. Analysts suggest that gold prices are likely to remain volatile in the short term, influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions, central bank policies and inflation trends. Given the uncertainty, prices could drop slightly further, stabilise or rebound quickly if global tensions escalate again. This unpredictability is what makes the current moment both an opportunity and a risk.

The sharp drop in gold prices has quickly become a trending topic across the UAE and for good reason. The dip comes just days before Eid ul Fitr, when demand is naturally high. A drop of Dh50–Dh90 per gram is significant, especially for bulk purchases. Gold is deeply tied to cultural traditions, gifting, and celebrations. In a time of global uncertainty, any price relief is major news.

What gold buyers should keep in mind

While the dip is attractive, experts advise buyers to remain cautious:

The goal is to strike a balance between timing the market and meeting personal needs. The current gold price movement reflects a larger global reality. Markets are volatile, geopolitical tensions are shaping economic trends and consumer behaviour is adapting quickly. In this environment, even traditional assets like gold are behaving in less predictable ways.Gold prices dropping over Dh50 in the UAE has created a rare buying window just before Eid, drawing shoppers back into the market after weeks of hesitation with prices down significantly from peak, demand rising rapidly and market still highly volatile but beyond the numbers lies a deeper story. In a world shaped by uncertainty, even gold (long seen as a symbol of stability) is now moving to the rhythm of global events and for UAE shoppers, it means that the best time to buy might just be now but only for those ready to act fast.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured a rare moment involving the comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) as it began breaking apart. Events like this are not often seen, mainly because comet fragmentation is difficult to anticipate and even harder to observe at the right time. The results were later published in the journal Icarus.Interestingly, the comet was not part of the original plan. A change in the observation schedule led the team to select it instead. That decision ended up offering a closer look at how such breakups unfold, giving researchers more detail than they usually get from similar events.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope documents early breakup of comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)

The research team, which consisted of scientists from Auburn University, had originally intended to observe another comet. However, because of their technology’s limitations, they decided to observe C/2025 K1 (ATLAS). According to NASA reports, the research team made their observations over three days: 8th to 10th November 2025.While reviewing the images taken of the comet, John Noonan, the research team’s co-investigator, noticed something unusual. Instead of one bright point of light, there were many. The research team’s review of the images revealed that the comet had indeed split into at least four different fragments. Each of these fragments had its own “coma,” which is the gas and dust that normally surrounds the “core” of the comet.

Hubble Space Telescope tracks three-day progression of comet

The sequence of images shows how the breakup unfolded over time. On the first day, multiple bright spots appeared close together. By the second day, the largest fragment had already divided into two. On the third day, the pieces had drifted farther apart, continuing along a similar path.Hubble’s sharp imaging made it possible to clearly distinguish these fragments. At the same time, ground-based telescopes could only detect faint, blurred patches of light. Researchers believe the fragmentation had actually started about eight days before Hubble captured it. During the observation period, one of the smaller fragments also continued to break down further.

Comet fragmentation reveals early solar system material, says Dennis Bodewits

According to principal investigator Dennis Bodewits, comets are leftover material from the early solar system. They formed billions of years ago, and while their outer layers have changed over time, their interiors may still hold more original material. When a comet breaks apart, that inner material becomes exposed. This gives scientists a chance to study what lies beneath the surface and better understand how the solar system formed.One detail that stood out in this case was the delay between the breakup and the increase in brightness seen from Earth. Normally, freshly exposed ice quickly turns into gas, which makes the comet appear brighter. Here, that brightening happened later than expected. Researchers suggest that this could be due to a layer of dust forming first or because the heat needed more time to reach deeper layers before triggering visible activity.

Composition and future analysis

Early observations from ground-based telescopes suggest that C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) contains less carbon than many other comets. This is not typical and could offer clues about where it formed and how it has changed over time. Further analysis is expected using Hubble’s instruments, including the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. These tools can provide a closer look at the comet’s chemical makeup.

Current status of the comet

After breaking apart, the fragments of C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) are now moving away from the Sun. They are currently about 250 million miles from Earth and lie within the constellation Pisces. The comet is following a path that will take it out of the solar system. Based on current estimates, it is not expected to return.

Mumbai: A colourful palette of Hindu new year festivals led by the Maharashtrian celebration of Gudi Padwa unfolded across the city on Thursday. Grand parades were led in Girgaum and Dombivli, whose theme centred on the 150th anniversary of national song ‘Vande Mataram’.Individual households hoisted the gudi in their balconies or windows and served shrikhand and puranpoli. Natives of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka celebrated Ugadi the same day, while the Sindhis will enjoy Cheti Chand on Friday. Shreedhar Agarkar, president of Swami Vivekanand Yuva Pratishthan, which organises the Girgaum parade, said, “This was the 24th year of our procession and we focused on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram… A 20ft statue of Veer Savarkar held the gudi in its hand.” This year’s highlight was a display of Maharashtra’s award winning Republic Day tableau. Mumbadevi and Mahalakshmi—indeed all temples dedicated to the Mother Goddess—rose early to launch the nine-day Chaitra Navratra with the ghatsthapna ceremony. This observance will culminate on Ram Navami. Sri Sankara Mattham, Matunga, will conduct daily hom (fire sacrifice) and offer free food to devotees through Navratri. Nearby, the 300-year-old Marubai Gavdevi Mandir will conduct pujas each day and bhajans in the evening, said chairman Anil Gavand. All communities issue the annual almanac on Chaitra pratipada (Gudi Padwa). Kedia Sabha released two panchangs prepared by Pt Bharat Bhushan Mishra at a special ceremony in Goregaon. In Dombivli, a 3km-long shobha yatra continued a 27-year-old padwa legacy helmed by Ganesh Mandir Sansthan, along with Navvarsh Swagat Yatra Coordination Committee. BJP state president Ravindra Chavan and Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Shrikant Shinde joined the procession featuring a ‘Vande Mataram’ float. One tableau depicted development projects in Kalyan LS constituency, including the proposed double-decker transport corridor. Spectators marvelled at a replica of Khidkali Shiv temple that is undergoing beautification, a superspeciality hospital in Ulhasnagar, Sant Sawalaram Maharaj Mhatre Sports Complex and Warkari Bhavan. The Persian New Year of Jamshedi Nowruz falls on Saturday. Agiaries disseminated messages on social media inviting people to special prayers. Muslim Iranians will celebrate Nowruz with baklava, sherbet and ethnic sweets. The month-long fast of Ramzan draws to a close on Friday, with Eid ul’ Fitr expected to fall on Saturday.