India’s Sanju Samson (ANI Photo)

Sanju Samson capped off a remarkable campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by winning the Player of the Tournament award after playing a decisive role in India national cricket team’s title triumph.Samson finished the tournament with 321 runs, an extraordinary achievement considering he played only five matches in the competition. The 31 year old was not part of India’s playing eleven at the start of the tournament and was drafted into the side after India’s loss to South Africa national cricket team. From that moment, the wicketkeeper batter produced a string of match winning performances.

His campaign was highlighted by three consecutive half centuries at the most crucial stages of the tournament. Samson first delivered a brilliant unbeaten 97 against the West Indies cricket team in a virtual quarter final, guiding India to victory in a tense chase. He followed it up with 89 in the semi final against England national cricket team and then struck another 89 in the final against New Zealand national cricket team.The Indian batter also rewrote several records during the tournament. Samson smashed 24 sixes, the most by any player in a single T20 World Cup edition. His 89 in the final is now the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final, surpassing the previous best of 85 not out by Marlon Samuels in 2016 and 85 by Kane Williamson in 2021.Samson’s tally of 321 runs is also the highest by an Indian batter in a single T20 World Cup, overtaking Virat Kohli’s record of 319 runs set during the 2014 tournament.His consistency also placed him in an elite group of players who have scored half centuries in both the semi final and the final of a T20 World Cup. Before Samson, only Shahid Afridi in 2009 and Virat Kohli in 2014 had achieved that feat.Speaking after receiving the award, Samson reflected on the journey that led to the defining tournament of his career.“Feels like a dream. Very happy and grateful. Out of words, out of emotions. [On his three fifties, thought process] To be honest, it started one-two years before. When I was in the 2024 World Cup team where I didn’t play, I kept visualising, kept on working and this was exactly what I wanted to do. After the NZ series I was broken, my dreams were completely shattered. And I was thinking what can I do. But God had different plans. And I was rewarded for being brave enough to dream. A lot of former players have reached out to me and tried to help me out.”“For the last couple of months, I have been in constant contact with Sachin sir. I reached out to him and had big big conversations with him. Getting a guidance from someone like him, what more can you ask for? I am very grateful for everyone who supported me. [What more does he want to achieve?] This itself is very big for me, I want to enjoy it right now and then after a few day will figure out what more to do.”

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-news-iran-israel-us-war-mojtaba-khamenei-news-khameneis-name-to-continue-iran-clerics-big-hint-on-next-supreme-leader-11187234” on this server.

Reference #18.27fdd417.1773004066.6158765d

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.27fdd417.1773004066.6158765d

THANE: Thane Rural Crime Branch team have arrested a 21-year-old engineering student for the alleged murder of a cab driver whose body was found in a remote area of Ahilyanagar district after he had gone missing for four days.The accused, identified as Adarsh Chandrakant Bhalerao, was apprehended from Titwala following an investigation by the Thane Rural Crime Branch.

The deceased, Nasir Ahmed, a resident of Navi Mumbai, had been reported missing earlier this week. A complaint regarding his disappearance had been registered at Rabale Police Station.According to police, Ahmed’s body was discovered on Saturday in the jurisdiction of Otur Police Station near Malshej Ghat. His car was later found abandoned in a forested area at Govili village along the Kalyan–Murbad road under the limits of Kalyan Taluka Police Station. Police said the vehicle had several blood stains inside, indicating a violent assault.Investigators said the accused, originally from Ghansoli and currently residing in Titwala, is a second-year electrical engineering student.On March 5, he had allegedly booked a cab through a ride-hailing app to travel to Junnar in Ahilyanagar district, from where he planned to take a bus to Pune to meet a friend.Assistant police inspector Bhausaheb Gaikwad said that during questioning, the accused claimed that when the car reached near Otur, the driver allegedly threatened him with a knife and attempted to rob him. The accused told police that he attacked Ahmed in self-defence during the scuffle, and by mistake it led to the driver’s death.Police said that after the incident, the accused allegedly dumped the body near the spot and drove the vehicle to Titwala before abandoning it and fleeing.During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage along the vehicle’s route as well as footage from petrol pumps. Investigators were able to identify a passenger seen travelling in the vehicle. Using the images, police traced the suspect and arrested him Saturday late night.Meanwhile, Ahmed’s family has expressed anger over the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible for his death. According to Ahmed’s brother, Ahmed had called mother on March 5 informing her that he was heading to Pune with a passenger. When the family lost contact with him afterwards, they approached the police and filed a missing person complaint.Police said further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and verify the accused’s claims.

Stranded UAE Workers: What Happens to Your Job and Salary Amidst Regional Instability?

Thousands of residents across the United Arab Emirates have recently found themselves unexpectedly stranded outside the country due to flight disruptions, airspace closures and regional instability amid Iran vs US-Israel war. For many employees working in the UAE, the sudden inability to return to work has raised urgent questions: Will salaries continue? Can employers terminate contracts? Is remote work allowed?Legal experts say that under UAE labour law, employees who are unable to return because of circumstances beyond their control, such as travel restrictions or conflict-related disruptions, may still have certain protections. However, the situation depends on several factors, including employment contracts, company policies, and communication between employers and workers.Understanding how the law applies in such cases is becoming increasingly important as regional events continue to affect travel and work arrangements across the Gulf.

Why many UAE workers are stranded abroad amid Iran vs US-Israel war

The issue gained attention after travel disruptions across the Middle East forced many residents to remain overseas longer than expected. Flight cancellations, airspace closures and safety concerns have prevented some employees from returning to their workplaces in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates.For expatriate workers, who make up the majority of the UAE workforce, being stranded abroad can create serious uncertainty. Many worry about whether their absence could affect their salary, leave balance or even their employment status.

UAE Workers Stranded Abroad: Your Rights and Salary Amidst Regional Conflict

Legal analysts note that such scenarios are not entirely new. Similar questions arose during the Covid-19 pandemic, when border closures left many UAE residents unable to return to the country for months but while every case is unique, UAE labour law provides a framework for how employers and employees should handle such disruptions.

Is your absence due to Iran vs US-Israel war considered legal in the UAE?

The key issue under UAE labour law is whether the employee’s absence from work is considered justified. Experts say that if a worker is unable to return to the UAE due to external circumstances such as government travel restrictions, flight suspensions, or security concerns, the absence may be treated as legitimate. In such cases, employers are expected to assess the situation reasonably rather than automatically treating the absence as misconduct.Legal specialists emphasise that employers should verify the circumstances before taking disciplinary action. However, the employee is still responsible for maintaining communication with their employer and providing proof, such as cancelled flight bookings or official travel advisories, if requested. Failure to communicate with the employer could complicate the situation.

What happens to your salary in the UAE, amid leave due to Iran vs US-Israel war?

Salary is one of the biggest concerns for employees stranded outside the UAE. Under the law, whether workers continue receiving their salary depends largely on whether they are able to work remotely or whether their absence is counted as leave. If an employee continues working remotely with the employer’s approval, they are generally entitled to their full salary as per the employment contract.However, if the employee cannot perform their duties remotely, several other possibilities may apply:

The final decision often depends on the company’s internal policies and operational needs.

Can UAE employers terminate a stranded employee?

Another major concern is whether an employer can terminate an employee who is unable to return to the UAE. According to legal experts, termination in such cases is not automatic. Under UAE labour law, termination without notice is typically allowed only in specific circumstances, such as serious misconduct or prolonged absence without a valid reason.

Iran-US-Israel War Leaves UAE Workers Stranded: Are Employers Exploiting the Crisis?

If an employee is stranded due to force-majeure circumstances, such as war, airspace closures or government restrictions, the absence may be considered justified. In such situations, terminating the employee could potentially be challenged as arbitrary dismissal, especially if the worker has clearly communicated the situation and attempted to return.However, if an employee fails to return for more than seven consecutive days without a valid excuse, the employer may have the legal right to terminate the contract after conducting a formal investigation. This is why maintaining documentation and communication is crucial.

The role of remote work for UAE employer amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Remote work has become one of the most common solutions for employees stranded abroad. During recent travel disruptions, many companies in the UAE have temporarily allowed staff to continue their work from overseas until they can return.Legal experts say remote work arrangements are permitted if both the employer and employee agree. However, there are several factors companies must consider:

For office-based roles such as technology, marketing, finance and consulting, remote work may be feasible. But employees working in sectors like hospitality, construction, retail, or healthcare may find it more difficult to continue working from abroad.

Employer responsibilities under UAE Labour Law

While employers have operational challenges during crises, UAE labour law still requires them to follow certain obligations. These include:

Experts emphasise that labour laws are designed to balance the interests of both employers and employees, particularly during unexpected disruptions. Companies are encouraged to work collaboratively with staff to find practical solutions rather than immediately resorting to disciplinary measures.

What UAE employees should do if they are stranded amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Legal specialists recommend several steps for employees who find themselves unable to return to the UAE:

These steps can help protect employees if any disputes arise later. The issue of employees stranded abroad reflects a broader shift in the modern workplace. Global mobility, remote work technology and geopolitical events are increasingly shaping employment relationships in ways that traditional labour systems were not originally designed for.The UAE has been updating its labour regulations in recent years to make the workforce more flexible and resilient. The Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 introduced new rules governing employment contracts, leave, termination procedures and worker protections. These reforms aim to create a balanced labour market that supports both businesses and employees.As travel disruptions continue to affect some residents, labour experts expect more companies to adopt temporary remote work policies or flexible leave arrangements. Authorities may also issue additional guidance if large numbers of employees remain stranded abroad for extended periods. For now, the key message from legal specialists is clear: communication and cooperation between employers and employees are essential.While unexpected travel disruptions can create uncertainty, UAE labour law provides mechanisms to ensure that workers are treated fairly while businesses maintain operational stability.

Prithvi Shaw announced his engagement to his long-time partner Akriti Agarwal on Sunday, sharing the happy news with fans through a series of photos on social media. The Indian batter posted glimpses from the intimate ceremony, and the pictures quickly gained traction online as fans and well-wishers flooded the comments with congratulatory messages.Agarwal, an actress and social media influencer, has previously been seen with Shaw on several occasions. Their relationship had often drawn attention online, and the engagement announcement sparked excitement among followers of the cricketer.Also See: IND vs NZ Live Score T20 World Cup Final 2026 Along with the photos, Shaw posted a heartfelt caption reflecting on the new chapter in his life. “From sixes on the field to a lifetime of hits off it. She’s is my perfect innings! #justengaged,” Prithvi wrote on Instagram.The engagement comes shortly after Shaw’s childhood friend Arjun Tendulkar tied the knot with Saaniya Chandhok earlier this week.With the celebrations behind him, Shaw will soon shift his focus back to cricket as the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League approaches. The right-handed batter will represent the Delhi Capitals, who picked him up for Rs 75 lakh during the auction. Whether he secures a regular spot in the playing XI, however, remains to be seen.Shaw’s return to Delhi is noteworthy as he went unsold during the IPL 2025 auction before being brought back by the franchise that has been his home since the start of his IPL journey. He made his league debut in 2018 and has spent his entire IPL career with the Capitals.Across 79 matches in the tournament, Shaw has scored 1,892 runs at an average of nearly 24 and a strike rate of 147.46, including 14 half-centuries. Despite those numbers, inconsistent form over the past few seasons saw him struggle for momentum, which eventually resulted in him going unsold last year.However, Shaw has shown signs of revival in domestic cricket while representing Maharashtra cricket team. That improvement helped him secure another IPL contract, and he will now look to make the most of the opportunity and re-establish himself in the league.

India’s young opener Abhishek Sharma etched his name into the history books with a sensational knock in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand. The left-hander blasted a brilliant fifty in the summit clash, reaching the landmark in just 18 balls at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8. His explosive innings provided India with a dream start in the final and set the tone for a massive total.

Abhishek Sharma breaks Mitchell Marsh’s record

Abhishek delivered one of the most electrifying knocks seen in a World Cup final. Walking in with intent, the Indian opener attacked the New Zealand bowling attack from the very beginning, unleashing a flurry of boundaries and sixes.

The 24-year-old reached his half-century in only 18 deliveries, surpassing the previous record held by Australia’s Mitchell Marsh. Marsh had scored a 31-ball fifty against New Zealand in the 2021 T20 World Cup final, a benchmark that stood for five years before Abhishek rewrote the record books.

Abhishek eventually departed after scoring 52 runs off just 21 balls, a blistering knock that included powerful strokes all around the ground. His fearless batting ensured India maintained a stunning run rate during the powerplay. Despite this historic feat, the fastest fifty in the overall history of the T20 World Cup still belongs to his mentor and a legend of the game Yuvraj Singh, who smashed a legendary 12-ball half-century against England in the 2007 edition of the tournament.

Fastest fifties in T20 World Cup finals

Also WATCH: MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma walk out with T20 World Cup trophy at Narendra Modi Stadium during IND vs NZ Final

Sanju Samson and Abhishek headline India’s batting masterclass

India produced a breathtaking batting display in the final, piling up a mammoth 255/5 in 20 overs against New Zealand. Leading the charge was Sanju Samson, who continued his spectacular form in the tournament. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter played a stunning innings of 89 runs off 46 balls, smashing five fours and eight towering sixes. Samson’s aggressive approach kept the scoreboard ticking and put the Kiwi bowlers under constant pressure.

Abhishek’s explosive cameo at the top perfectly complemented Samson’s innings. The duo ensured India dominated the powerplay and middle overs with fearless stroke play. Adding further firepower was Ishan Kishan, who chipped in with a brilliant 54 off just 25 deliveries. His quickfire knock in the latter stages of the innings helped India accelerate even further and push the total close to the 250-run mark.

With contributions coming from multiple batters, India registered one of the highest totals ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final, putting New Zealand under immense pressure in the title clash.

Also WATCH: Ricky Martin, Sukhbir and Falguni Pathak deliver electrifying performances at T20 World Cup 2026 Final closing ceremony

Ishan Kishan of India makes their way off after being dismissed during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: On Saturday evening, Rajkumar Sharma was watching his son, Abhishek Sharma, train at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pranav Pandey, father of Ishan Kishan‘s father, had similar plans, too, had similar plans but instead of being in Ahmedabad to watch his son train and later smash a sparkling 25-ball 54 while taking three catches in the field, he was sitting in a morgue in Siliguri.On Friday, just when Pranav Pandey was on his way to the Patna Airport to catch his flight to Ahmedabad, he received the wretched news of a car accident that took the lives of two of his relatives. The young family was on their way to attend a wedding.

“Anarth ho gaya. Hum log bahut badi musibat mein hain (Something terrible has happened. We are in a very big problem),” he told TimesofIndia.com on the eve of the match.In the accident, Ishan lost his cousin sister and brother-in-law. Miraculously, the couple’s two children — aged six months three years old — survived.“We are all in shock. Ishan wanted to visit us, but he couldn’t return because of the final. He is absolutely distraught,” said Pranav Pandey.

Ishan Kishan of India celebrates reaching his half century during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

When Ishan Kishan scored his third half-century of the T20 World Cup, he gave the customary bat raise towards the dressing room but also took a moment to point towards the heavens. He does not do it often.Even on the eve of the match, Kishan was not his usual chirpy self when the rest of his teammates trained under the ring of fire. The batting hit was not the usual long one and even during fielding drills with coach T Dilip, he was not the Ishan who usually brought life to the team’s training sessions.However, the work continued. He took catches from different angles and from various parts of the ground to get used to the ring of fire. The session paid off as he took a stunning catch off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling to send Rachin Ravindra back to the hut and later juggled the ball near the ropes to dismiss Tim Seifert. Daryl Mitchell followed soon after.

Ishan Kishan of India celebrates after taking the catch to dismiss Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

Throughout the session, different teammates came and put their arms around his shoulders, trying to lighten the mood for the youngster who had just lost a close family member.There were regular cries of “Ishan bhaiya autograph” and his attempts to deflect the requests by raising his hand while keeping his back to the little ones were unsuccessful. They only grew more restless and Ishan eventually walked to the sightscreen near the home dugout to sign blank papers and pose for selfies.“Baccho ko dene do,” he would politely request the others who were using their reach to tower over the kids, ensuring no child left without the memory they wanted to create with the wicketkeeper-batter.A boy full of life was struggling to hold himself together on the eve of the biggest night of his career but still stood out, first with the bat and then in the field, to win his first ICC title.His sister would have hoped for nothing but this. Unfortunately, he would not be able to celebrate the biggest moment of his career with one of his biggest cheerleaders.

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/israel-iran-war-oil-depot-airstrikes-first-inferno-then-darkness-smoke-from-burning-oil-blots-out-sun-in-tehran-11186321” on this server.

Reference #18.34a21ab8.1772989585.f8b70a

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.34a21ab8.1772989585.f8b70a

India’s Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson (ANI Photo)

India national cricket team produced a record breaking batting display to post the highest total ever in a final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, smashing 255 for five against New Zealand national cricket team in the 2026 summit clash in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Defending champions India were ruthless after being invited to bat, with Sanju Samson leading the charge with a stunning 89 off 45 balls. The wicketkeeper batter attacked from the very first over and combined with Abhishek Sharma to dismantle the New Zealand bowling attack.Also See: IND vs NZ Live Score T20 Word Cup Final 2026The opening pair stitched together a blistering 98 run stand in just 7.1 overs, laying a perfect platform for a massive total. Abhishek struck a quickfire 52 before Ishan Kishan continued the onslaught with an explosive 54 from only 25 deliveries.Batting with authority and relentless aggression, India raced past the 200 run mark inside just 15 overs, leaving the Kiwi bowlers struggling for answers.Samson’s knock also created history as his 89 became the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final. The Indian star surpassed the previous best of 85 not out by Marlon Samuels in 2016 and 85 by Kane Williamson in 2021.

Highest team totals in T20 WC

260/6 – SL vs KEN, Johannesburg, 2007256/4 – IND vs ZIM, Chennai, 2026255/5 – IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026 Final254/6 – WI vs ZIM, Mumbai WS, 2026253/7 – IND vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2026 SF246/7 – ENG vs IND, Mumbai WS, 2026 SFNew Zealand briefly pulled things back in the 16th over when James Neesham struck three times in the span of six balls, dismissing Samson, Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav to halt India’s charge.However, Shivam Dube ensured India finished strongly with an unbeaten 26, hammering 24 runs off the final over from Neesham. India plundered 52 runs in the last five overs to push the total to a daunting 255 for five.The score is now the highest ever posted in a T20 World Cup final and ranks among the biggest totals in the tournament’s history.India’s dominance with the bat has also been evident in the overall T20 landscape. The team now holds the record for the most 250 plus totals in men’s T20 cricket with seven, ahead of teams such as Sunrisers Hyderabad and the West Indies cricket team.Notably, India also became only the second side to register three 250 plus totals in a single T20 competition, matching the feat achieved by Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League.With their explosive batting display on the biggest stage, India once again underlined their dominance in the shortest format of the game.