Hardik Pandya (PTI Photo)

MUMBAI: Of late, Hardik Pandya has been making headlines for reasons beyond cricket. His cosy celebrations with girlfriend Mahieka Sharma after India’s triumph in the 2026 T20 World Cup drew criticism, with a Nagpur-based advocate even filing a police complaint. Reports of the allrounder buying a Rs 12-crore Ferrari 12Cilindri have added to the chatter around his flamboyant lifestyle — from his blonde hairstyle to the trademark gold chain.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Yet, amid all the noise, Pandya’s crucial role in India’s back-to-back T20 World Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2026 has not received the same attention.In both the 2026 semifinal against England at the Wankhede Stadium and the 2024 final against South Africa in Barbados, Pandya delivered decisive spells at the death, proving the perfect pace-bowling foil to the peerless Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah rightly walked away with most of the accolades, but Pandya’s contributions were equally vital.

In the 2026 semifinal, Pandya chipped in with a 12-ball 27 before returning figures of 2/38 in four overs in a high-scoring contest.When he came on to bowl the 19th over, England needed 39 off two overs, with Jacob Bethell — who blasted 105 off 48 balls — threatening to chase down India’s daunting 253. After Bethell launched the first ball for six, Pandya responded brilliantly, conceding just three runs from the next five deliveries and dismissing Sam Curran.With 30 needed off the final over, Pandya then produced a moment of brilliance in the field — a bullet throw from long-off that ran out Bethell at the start of the 20th over, effectively sealing the match for India.

Overall, Pandya finished the tournament with nine wickets in nine matches at 32.33, an economy of 8.81, while scoring 217 runs at a strike rate of 160.74, including two fifties.With the bat, one of his key contributions came against Netherlands in Ahmedabad, where his 21-ball 30, including three sixes, helped India recover from 110/4 in the 14th over. His 76-run stand with Shivam Dube lifted India to 196/6, a total that proved just enough in the end.Two years earlier, after enduring perhaps the toughest IPL season of his career with Mumbai Indians, Pandya bounced back magnificently in the 2024 T20 World Cup, taking 11 wickets in eight matches at 17.36 while scoring 114 runs at 48, including a fifty.In the 2024 final in Barbados, while Bumrah’s 2/18 grabbed the headlines, it was Pandya who turned the game with figures of 3/20 in three overs. When he returned for the 17th over, South Africa needed 26 off 24 balls. Pandya conceded just four runs and removed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen, who had blasted 52 (27b).Entrusted with the final over, Pandya then had David Miller caught by Suryakumar Yadav, whose stunning running catch sealed India’s dramatic seven-run win.A source close to Pandya says cricket remains the allrounder’s primary focus, especially around major tournaments.“Cricket is his first love. It takes precedence over everything else. But away from the field, he enjoys his life and doesn’t worry about what people say. His philosophy is simple: live life fully, but when it comes to cricket, be completely dedicated.”According to the source, Pandya enters a different ‘zone’ before major tournaments. “He was rested from the ODI series against New Zealand in Jan and focused entirely on preparing for the T20 World Cup. He trained twice daily, stayed disciplined and avoided social media. He believes in practising in silence rather than showing everything on Instagram.”The source added that Pandya even logs off social media a month before major tournaments. “He doesn’t read newspapers or follow online chatter. His focus is only on winning the trophy.”Over the years, Pandya’s understanding of the game has also improved significantly. “As a batter he reads bowlers well, and as a bowler he reads batters well. He may not be the quickest, but he uses his intelligence and variations — especially that outswinger — to get the job done.”Though no longer India’s captain in any format, the 32-year-old has embraced his role as a senior leader in the side. During the World Cup, he was often seen encouraging teammates, especially fellow allrounder Shivam Dube, in team huddles.Quite simply, Pandya remains one of the finest white-ball allrounders in world cricket — arguably India’s best since the legendary Kapil Dev.Frequent injuries may have cost him the white-ball captaincy, but Pandya has repeatedly returned leaner, fitter and hungrier.Nearly eight years ago, after playing his eighth Test at Southampton against England, Pandya stepped away from red-ball cricket to extend his white-ball career — a decision that has clearly paid off. In limited-overs cricket, Pandya remains the player India can rely on with both bat and ball.

Oil prices climbed further on Monday after the US administration signalled that the Middle East crisis may persist for several more weeks, raising concerns over prolonged disruptions to global energy supplies. Donald Trump also called on other countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most crucial routes for oil and gas shipments. Global benchmark, Brent crude jumped 2.9% to almost $106.12 a barrel, according to CNN while US oil was up 2.6% reaching $101.53.Oil markets have seen a sharp rally this month. Both benchmarks have surged by more than 40%, touching their highest levels since 2022. The spike followed US-Israeli attacks on Iran, after which Tehran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has cut off around a fifth of global oil supply, creating what has been described as the biggest disruption to the market.Earlier on Sunday, Trump said that the United States wants other countries to play a role in protecting the crucial energy corridor. He added that Washington is already holding discussions with several nations about taking steps to police the passage.The US president also said that communication channels remain open with Iran, though he indicated scepticism about whether Tehran is prepared to engage in meaningful negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.The situation escalated over the weekend when Trump warned of further strikes on Kharg Island oil export hub after US forces targeted military sites. Iran responded by warning of more retaliation. Kharg Island is responsible for handling roughly 90% of the country’s oil exports.Following the strikes, Iranian drones targeted a key oil terminal in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Four sources said oil loading activities at the facility have resumed, although it remains uncertain whether operations have fully returned to normal levels.Meanwhile, as oil markets remain volatile, the International Energy Agency announced releasing over 400 million barrels of crude from strategic reserves soon. The record draw is intended to counter the surge in prices triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict.According to the agency, supplies from Asia and Oceania will begin flowing immediately. Stocks held in Europe and the Americas are expected to be released by the end of March.

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-war-news-live-trump-tells-allies-to-escort-ships-through-hormuz-not-everyone-is-on-board-11220659” on this server.

Reference #18.cdf5d217.1773634197.31975f5a

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.cdf5d217.1773634197.31975f5a

Aamir Khan celebrated his 61st birthday on March 14 and marked the occasion with a special video message for his fans. The actor revealed that he has spent the last few months focusing on selecting scripts and is now gearing up to concentrate more on acting.In the video shared by fan page ‘Aamir Khan Universe’, the actor thanked fans for their continued love and support while giving a glimpse into what he has been working on recently.“Thank you so so much for all the love you have given me all this time. And it really means a lot to me. I have been working hard at selecting scripts now for the upcoming films. And last six months I’ve only been listening to scripts. So I’ve finally decided on the next couple of films that I’m going to be doing,” Aamir said.While he did not reveal the titles of the projects he has finalised, the actor hinted that audiences will soon see more of him on screen.

Aparna Purohit to handle Aamir Khan Productions

The actor also announced a major restructuring at his banner, Aamir Khan Productions. Aamir revealed that producer and executive Aparna Purohit will now oversee the day-to-day functioning of the production house.“And here onwards, Aamir Khan Productions—because I used to spend a lot of time with my production house as well—is going to be handled by Aparna Purohit. And I am focusing on acting. So hopefully you will see a lot more work from me as an actor,” he said.

Two productions lined up for release this year

Aamir also confirmed that two films backed by his production house are scheduled to release this year. The first is Ek Din, starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, which is slated to release on May 1.This will be followed by Lahore 1947 in August. The superstar also hinted at another project titled Ati Sundar, which is expected to arrive towards the end of the year. At present, Aamir is closely involved in the post-production work of Ek Din, a romantic drama directed by Sunil Pandey. The film is produced by Aamir along with Mansoor Khan and Aparna Purohit.As the May 1, 2026 theatrical release approaches, the actor is said to be personally ensuring that every aspect of the film’s production is completed smoothly.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a stage where young cricketers turn into overnight sensations, and few stories captured the imagination of fans more than Vaibhav Suryavanshi‘s stunning debut season. However, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes the teenage prodigy could face a much tougher challenge in IPL 2026 as bowlers begin to understand his game better.

While acknowledging the youngster’s exceptional talent, Uthappa suggested that the second season often becomes the real test for emerging stars in a competition as demanding as the IPL.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s incredible rise in IPL

Vaibhav’s journey to stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. The young batter from Samastipur in Bihar entered IPL 2025 as one of the most exciting teenage prospects and quickly justified the hype surrounding him. Rajasthan Royals signed the 14-year-old prodigy for ₹1.10 crore, making him the youngest player ever to debut in the history of the tournament. Despite the pressure that comes with such a milestone, Vaibhav displayed remarkable confidence and fearless intent at the crease.

The youngster’s breakthrough moment came in a memorable clash against Gujarat Titans, where he smashed a breathtaking 35-ball century — the fastest by an Indian in IPL history. His aggressive strokeplay and ability to dominate experienced bowlers instantly made him one of the breakout stars of the season.

Throughout the campaign, Vaibhav continued to impress with his fearless approach. He finished IPL 2025 with 252 runs from seven innings at an average of 36 while maintaining a staggering strike rate of 206.55. Those numbers not only highlighted his attacking mindset but also signaled the arrival of a potentially special talent in Indian cricket.

Robin Uthappa explains why IPL 2026 could be tougher for Vaibhav

Despite the remarkable debut season, Uthappa believes the upcoming IPL could test Vaibhav more thoroughly. Speaking on Star Sports, the former India batter praised the youngster’s talent but pointed out that the element of surprise played a significant role in his early success.

“I’ve been following every match Vaibhav has played over the last 12 months. He is a brilliant player. But when you watch him bat, it sometimes feels like he is also riding a bit of luck. When the level becomes tougher and bowlers know exactly where to bowl, the challenge increases,” Uthappa said.

According to Uthappa, opposition teams will now analyze Vaibhav’s strengths and weaknesses more carefully. With detailed match data and video analysis available, bowlers are likely to arrive with clearer plans against the teenager this season.

“The surprise factor is gone. I think this season will be a learning phase for him. He will score runs, but he may not replicate last year’s performance,” Uthappa added.

Also READ: IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan explains why Sanju Samson will be a huge advantage for CSK in the clash against RR

Expectations high from star-studded Rajasthan Royals

The pressure will not only be on Vaibhav but also on the Rajasthan Royals as the franchise heads into IPL 2026 with renewed ambition and a dramatically reshaped squad. Ahead of the new season, RR underwent a major transformation, most notably parting ways with long-time captain Sanju Samson, who was traded to Chennai Super Kings. In a bold leadership move, the franchise handed the captaincy to rising Indian star Riyan Parag.

The Royals have also focused heavily on strengthening their all-round depth and bowling resources. In one of the most notable deals, RR acquired veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and England’s Sam Curran from CSK in exchange for Samson. The franchise also added Donovan Ferreira to its roster.

Their spin department received a major boost with the signing of Ravi Bishnoi for ₹7.2 crore, while experienced pacer Adam Milne and returning domestic seamer Kuldeep Sen further strengthened the bowling attack. With explosive batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, and Vaibhav already in the lineup, Rajasthan Royals appear to have assembled a formidable squad.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 glory: Indian players who are also IPL champions

New Delhi: Indian men’s cricket team player Sanju Samson with a trophy during the BCCI Naman Awards 2026. (PTI Photo)

Sanju Samson, the standout performer and Player of the Tournament in India’s 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup victory, admitted he still wakes up in disbelief at winning the title on home soil. Yet, he is confident that India’s continuous stream of emerging talent ensures more triumphs in the years ahead.“Not yet, I am still like, when I get up in the morning, I’m like, ‘has it really happened’. So honestly, that’s the feeling. But I feel that in the coming years, with the quality of players we have in our country, this is going to be repeated. The number of players who are coming up in India is definitely going to do this more and more often,” Samson told broadcasters at the BCCI awards in New Delhi on Sunday.

Samson’s tournament performance was extraordinary. Despite not being part of India’s starting XI, he amassed 321 runs in just five innings at a strike rate approaching 200. His innings included a match-winning 97* against West Indies in the Super Eight stage, followed by 89 in both the semi-final against England and the final versus New Zealand.Reflecting on his journey, Samson said, “You can only dream where you want to go, but you can’t definitely ride the path towards it. So my life or my career has been one of the best examples. I definitely wanted to do this a couple of years ago. I want to win a World Cup for my country, but it had its own plan, its own script. So, it’s more like a movie. I enjoyed it.“As I said before, I wanted to do something like this, then I got pulled out of my journey, and then suddenly, the team wanted me to contribute, and that’s when I actually mentally flipped a bit… I think, before that, in the New Zealand series, the focus was all about me.“But in the World Cup, the focus is all about the team, what the team requires. And in the Zimbabwe game, right from that moment, everyone wanted me to contribute. I had a role to play. So that’s when the shift happened and the confidence that, okay, ‘the team needs you, Sanju’, and let’s do what you can to the best. So that’s where everything started from.“And then I had the experience, I was working mentally. I was working physically, so I knew that I was ready, and I knew that this was meant for me, so I just had to do what I know best.”Samson’s story was not the only one of perseverance. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who joined the squad late as a replacement for the injured Harshit Rana, described his journey to a second T20 World Cup medal as almost miraculous. “I was not in the initial squad, then I got it, played a game, and now I have been part of two World Cup-winning squads. I would say it’s a miracle for me,” he said.