Alyssa Healy of Australia is chaired by Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry of Australia after playing her final international match and winning the match and series on day three of the Women’s Test Match between Australia and India at the WACA ground on March 08, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Alyssa Healy ended her international career on a high after leading Australia women’s national cricket team to a 10-wicket victory over India women’s national cricket team in the one-off Test at WACA Ground. The win marked the end of Healy’s 16-year international career.After the match, the Australian captain said she was proud of how the team bounced back after struggling in the T20 leg of the tour. “Really pleased with that effort. Bouncing back from the T20 series, I sense that coming into the group, there was a bit of disappointment and a little bit of uncertainty. But the way that they responded and came out and played in the last four fixtures has been unbelievable, and I’m really proud,” Healy said in her farewell speech.Also See: India vs New Zealand Live Score T20 World Cup Final 2026

Healy also used the moment to highlight the importance of Test cricket in the women’s game. “I think the white ball doesn’t really give us that opportunity to set up batters or build an innings. Learning how to play the longest form of the game is really important. So long live Test cricket and hopefully we can see more,” said Healy.The 35-year-old admitted the emotional moment truly hit her just before she addressed the team for the last time. “Honestly, it hit me just before that I get to come into that change room again and be around the girls. I’m going to enjoy the next little bit and sing the team song one last time. But I’m genuinely really excited to watch this group moving forward,” she said, adding that she believes the team will achieve “great things” under new captain Sophie Molineux.Healy also thanked fans and praised the Indian team for competing through a hectic schedule. “When you’re representing your country and competing at the highest level, you’re sort of in this bubble. You just want to win games and compete, and you probably don’t realise what’s going on outside. To feel that love and support over the last week has been amazing,” she said.She added: “Thanks to the Indian team. It’s a hectic schedule in the women’s game. To come here after a busy WPL, fight hard in the T20 series and stay here for five weeks is a huge effort. All the very best for the World Cup in the middle of the year.”In the match, India were bowled out for 149, leaving Australia with a small target of 25 runs, which they chased in under five overs. Annabel Sutherland starred with a century and six wickets, earning both Player of the Match and Player of the Series. As celebrations ended in Perth, Healy shared emotional moments with teammates, bringing down the curtain on a remarkable career.

NEW DELHI: Sometimes symbolism trumps intent in Parliament. The opposition appears to be embarking on one such endeavour as its no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is set to come up for discussion and voting when the second half of the Budget Session resumes on Monday.In the first part of the session, the opposition accused the Chair of partisan functioning, stitching together a series of flashpoints including the alleged denial of speaking time to leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and the suspension of MPs.

Now, as MPs prepare to vote on a motion widely expected to be defeated, the specifics of Birla’s conduct may remain incidental, with the debate instead turning into a political stage for parties to position themselves ahead of upcoming assembly elections. Additionally, the opposition is likely to attempt to corner the government on issues like US tariffs and the Jeffrey Epstein files.While the motion is unlikely to succeed given the numbers in the House, the debate may also become a platform for parties to position themselves ahead of upcoming assembly elections.

The motion appears largely symbolic and a case of political posturing, as the removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker requires an effective majority that is, a majority of the present strength of the House, excluding vacant seats.Given the numbers in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the opposition faces an uphill task in securing the required majority.Opposition’s unity showHowever, the INDIA bloc is likely to use the debate as an opportunity to project unity ahead of the high-stakes assembly elections in states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala.This comes amid signs of strain within the opposition bloc, after several leaders called for a leadership rejig.Earlier, veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is central to the survival of the opposition’s INDIA bloc. Meanwhile, leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sanjaya Baru, who served as media adviser to then prime minister Manmohan Singh, have also suggested that “new ideas should” lead or manage the INDIA bloc.

Trinamool Congress had initially decided not to back the resolution, leading to confidence among treasury bench members that Birla could receive support from outside the opposition bloc as well. However, it is now reported that TMC MPs are likely to support the motion following directions from party chief Mamata Banerjee.Additionally, Congress and DMK are expected to present a show of unity, even as negotiations continue between the two parties over seat-sharing for the Tamil Nadu polls.Meanwhile, Congress has also issued a whip to its Lok Sabha members, asking them to ensure their presence in the House for three days as it seeks to marshal maximum strength, since a division of votes is expected.What can we expect?Beyond the Speaker’s conduct, the opposition is expected to broaden the debate and raise several other issues. Among the matters likely to be raised are the proposed India–US trade deal, Russian oil imports, the Israel–Iran conflict, and the Epstein files.Accusing the prime minister of “selling out” the country through the proposed trade deal with the US, Rahul Gandhi in his speech had said, “the trade deal you’ve struck with America, in which you’ve sold out the country, that’s what shame is. You’ve handed over our country’s data. You’ve wiped out the farmers. You’ve ruined the textile industry — that’s what shame is”.The treasury benches also appear prepared to mount a strong defence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. A clear signal came when the government sent Birla to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman as prime minister of Bangladesh on February 17.With parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju leading the charge, the ruling side is likely to counter the opposition by accusing it of politicising an issue unrelated to the functioning of the House.

Additionally, the government is expected to raise the alleged “insult” to President Droupadi Murmu after the West Bengal government changed the venue of the International Santhal Conclave that she was scheduled to attend.Just days ahead of the resumption of the Parliament session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the West Bengal government, calling the episode “shameful and unprecedented.”“Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness among the people of India. The TMC government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President,” Modi said in a post on X.“It is equally unfortunate that a subject as important as Santhal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal government. The office of the President is above politics, and the sanctity of this office should always be respected. One hopes better sense prevails among the West Bengal government and TMC,” he added.The ruling side may also target the Congress in the House over its plan for a controversial shirtless march at Bharat Mandapam during the AI summit in Delhi.Historical precedentsAlthough rare, such motions have in the past been used to question the moral authority of the Chair rather than to actually remove the Speaker.Earlier in 2024, the opposition moved a similar motion against then Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.However, Deputy Chairman Harivansh dismissed the motion, terming it an act of impropriety that was severely flawed and drawn up in haste to tarnish the reputation of the Vice President.At least 60 opposition members had signed the notice seeking Dhankhar’s removal on December 10.History also records at least three instances since Independence when a motion was moved to remove the Speaker.The first was against India’s first Lok Sabha Speaker G V Mavalankar in 1954, after MP Vigneshwar Misra alleged that the Speaker was not impartial.In 1966, opposition MPs moved a motion against Speaker Sardar Hukum Singh, with Madhu Limaye leading the charge, while Deputy Speaker S V Krishnamoorthy Rao presided over the proceedings.The third motion was moved on April 15, 1987, seeking the removal of Speaker Balram Jakhar, with CPI(M) MP Somnath Chatterjee leading the move and Deputy Speaker Thambi Durai presiding. The motion was ultimately rejected by the House.While the motion is unlikely to alter the Speaker’s position, the debate around it is expected to set the stage for the upcoming electoral battles in the states.

The latest search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has ended without uncovering any evidence about the missing aircraft, Malaysia’s transport ministry said on Sunday, as the disappearance marked its 12th anniversary.The Boeing 777 carrying 239 people vanished from radar screens on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in what remains one of aviation’s most enduring mysteries.In a statement, Malaysia’s transport ministry said the latest search, which began in December and covered around 15,000 square kilometres of the seabed, failed to locate the aircraft.

The efforts “have not yielded any findings that confirm the location of the aircraft wreckage”, the ministry said.The search operation was carried out by exploration firm Ocean Infinity, based in Britain and the United States. The company ended the mission on January 23 after weeks of scanning the seabed using advanced underwater technology.To try to locate the missing aircraft, Ocean Infinity deployed autonomous underwater drones capable of diving to depths of up to 6,000 metres (20,000 feet).The disappearance of MH370 triggered the largest search effort in aviation history, yet neither the aircraft, its passengers nor the flight recorders have been recovered.The plane was carrying passengers from several countries, with two-thirds of those on board being Chinese nationals. Others included Malaysians, Indonesians and Australians, along with Indian, American, Dutch and French citizens.Families of Chinese passengers expressed frustration over the lack of communication about the latest search in an open letter published on Sunday, the anniversary of the aircraft’s disappearance.“We understand the difficulties of the search,” the relatives said in a joint open letter addressed to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in which they thanked him for initiating the search.“However, since 15 January this year, families have received no further search briefings whatsoever.”The families also said they had repeatedly tried to contact authorities without success.“Over the past two months, we have repeatedly contacted Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport through both Malaysia Airlines and the Chinese government, yet have received no response,” they said.They also described the emotional toll the prolonged uncertainty has taken on relatives of those on board.“For 12 years, we have received virtually no genuine psychological support.”“We ask for little: only to be seen, to be heard, and to be treated as individuals with emotions and dignity.”Relatives of the Chinese passengers are expected to meet officials from China’s foreign ministry on Monday, a yearly meeting held on the anniversary of the flight’s disappearance. They are also expected to visit the Malaysian embassy in Beijing to deliver their letter to Prime Minister Anwar.Ocean Infinity had previously conducted an unsuccessful search for the aircraft in 2018. Earlier, Australia led a three year multinational search that ended in January 2017 without finding the plane.More than a decade after MH370 vanished, the fate of the aircraft and the 239 people on board remains unknown.

As the Middle East conflict continues to escalate, India is rerouting its crude supply chains to secure uninterrupted fuel imports. Indian refiners are securing additional crude oil from the United States, Russia, and West Africa to maintain adequate supplies if the Middle East conflict stretches on for long, industry officials and analysts said. Refineries that convert crude into petrol, diesel and other fuels, have put their planned maintenance on a hold and are operating at normal processing rates, building reserves to meet short-term demand to ensure domestic fuel needs are met.India’s oil basket relies on imports for around 88% of its crude, with roughly half of February’s supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but vital sea route between Iran and Oman. The recent military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, coupled with Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on US bases in neighbouring countries and Israel, have sharply raised regional tensions, effectively halting tanker movement through the strategic strait.

“Non-strait sources are fully operational and we are sourcing more and more supplies from non-conflict zones,” a senior oil ministry official said. adding that non-Strait sources, which accounted for 60% of supplies last year, climbed to 70% after the Middle East conflict.

Diversifying oil basket – Russia, West Africa and more

Indian refiners are increasingly sourcing crude from West Africa, Latin America, and the US. The US Treasury recently issued a 30-day waiver allowing delivery of sanctioned Russian crude already loaded onto vessels bound for India. The waiver, valid until April 5, permits the sale, delivery, or discharge of Russian-origin crude loaded on or before 5 March, including vessels under certain sanctions.Inflows from RussiaIndustry sources said 120 million barrels of Russian crude are currently on the water, with 15 million barrels near India in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, and another 7 million barrels near Singapore. Reliance Industries, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd have resumed purchases of Russian crude after halting imports following US sanctions on major producers Rosneft and Lukoil last year.Before sanctions were imposed in October 2025, Reliance Industries was the largest Russian crude buyer, importing more than 500,000 barrels per day under a long-term agreement with Rosneft. The Oil ministry official noted that India never fully stopped importing Russian crude, bringing in around 1.04 million barrels per day in February 2026, down from 1.6–1.8 million bpd in 2023–2025.“We are in a very comfortable position as far as crude and finished products are concerned,” he said, adding that India’s combined inventory can meet demand for 50 days. Onshore storage currently holds about 144 million barrels, enough for roughly 30 days at 2025 import levels, and supplies are constantly replenished.India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves provide around 9.5 days of net import coverage, while state-run companies hold crude and product stocks covering 64.5 days. Together, total storage capacity equates to roughly 74 days of net imports.While India is physically able to secure crude from alternative sources, analysts warned that costs could rise due to higher prices, longer shipping routes, increased freight, and elevated insurance premiums. International crude prices surged above $92 per barrel, up from around $70, after the US and Israel struck Iran on 28 February. LNG prices have more than doubled, reaching $24–25 per million British thermal units.

India’s import billHigher import costs could widen India’s fiscal deficit or translate into price increases for consumers. Every $10 rise in crude prices may add 20–25 basis points to the consumer price index if passed on, analysts said.India, the world’s third-largest crude importer, depends on the Middle East for roughly half of its imports. In February 2026, India received 2.8 million bpd from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, accounting for 53% of total imports, while global flows through the Strait of Hormuz were around 15 million bpd of crude and 5 million bpd of oil products in 2025.Exposure to the Hormuz route was around 41 per cent in 2025 but has risen recently as Indian refiners reduced Russian crude purchases. Imports from Russia averaged 1.15 million bpd in the first two months of 2026, compared with approximately 1.7 million bpd in 2025.

Shirin Ansari: Female auto driver from Mumbai

Picture this: It’s a rainy day in Mumbai. In the chaotic, wet streets of Mumbai, you stretch out your hand to call an auto as one pulls up in front of you. Rushed to save yourself from the moist drizzles, you quickly sit inside. Right when you look up at the driver’s seat to tell ‘auto waale bhaiya’ about your destination, you witness something which is not accounted as a common sighting. A figure in hijab, smiling at you as she says, “This auto wale is not a bhaiya, it’s a didi.”This is not just an imaginary scenario but a reality shaping itself not just in Mumbai but across the streets of different Indian cities.Driving the handlebars of the auto rickshaw is Shirin Ansari, the ‘Dabangg Lady’, navigating through not just the heavy traffic, but a labyrinth of societal scorn.

It’s been eight years since she first revved up her own auto, the three-wheeled orange beast she owns. Although the vehicle was originally intended for her injured son, it seemed the machine clearly had a different owner in mind all along, an owner that would go on to achieve destinations on the road and milestones in Ansari’s life.

Shirin’s story, and those of hundreds like her, are driving the wheels of change. These women aren’t just ferrying passengers; they’re dismantling gender fortresses, one kilometre at a time, in a profession where men have long held the throttle. However, it would be unfair to mention pioneers like Shila Dawre in Pune, the Limca World Record holder, who has been recognised and listed as India’s first female auto driver. With just Rs 12 in her pocket, she had taken the steering of her life as she later went on to become a successful entrepreneur, founding her own travel company, Vighnaharta Tourism, in Pune.Operated as an auto-driver for over 13 years, paving the way for future generations of women to enter unconventional, male-dominated careers in public transport, she has also been honoured by the President of India as one of the “First Ladies” of the country, a title given to women who were the first to set a milestone in their respective fields.Bottom line? When we generally mention professions from the white-collar jobs like doctors and CEOs, to something like driving an auto rickshaw, our mind automatically imagines a man holding the spot. But these women are going that extra mile, quite literally, to change that idea.By reclaiming these spaces, they are dismantling gender norms and redefining what it means to celebrate womanhood in the modern world.

The ‘Dabang Lady’ Of Mumbai

Shirin is not your regular auto driver. She is practically a celebrity now.The respect and recognition she has earned surely includes the “auto-driver brothers” and the locals. However, it also extends to some prominent Bollywood figures. That’s how her job also landed her a role in a movie.Fame knocked unexpectedly: director Leena Yadav, widely popular for feminist movies like Parched, spotted her lit-up orange rickshaw en route to the hospital. She then roped her into a film with Jacqueline Fernandez.“I was nervous, I told her, don’t act. But she was very kind to me, and she said don’t worry, we will teach you that,” Shirin marvels, recalling the khichdi fed with love on set, and the first time she found out that she would be working with Jacqueline Fernandez.Television personalities like Archana Puran Singh, when learnt about her, was also drawn to come and meet her.

However, it was not all hunky dory for her when it all started.Divorced fifteen years ago following a marriage strained by the shadow of triple talaq, she became a single mother to three children.Drawing from her hard-earned savings, she took out a Rs 4.5 lakh loan to purchase an auto-rickshaw. Though she initially bought the vehicle for her son, she had no way of knowing it would eventually become her own lifeline.“I was so tense,” she recounts in her candid interview. “The auto sat idle for two months while I struggled to pay the weekly EMIs.”Before taking the wheel, she had supported her family as a hospital patient attendant and even ventured into business with a biryani stall. However, that dream ended in financial loss after the stall was shut down during BMC raids.Pushed by mounting financial pressure and the steady encouragement of her friends, she finally decided to take the driver’s seat herself.

Female auto driver Shirin Ansari shares her ‘auto driver brothers’ welcome and respect her with garland

Though she began as a hesitant driver, her bravery didn’t go unnoticed. When she went to claim her official permit, the officers present broke into cheers; they were witnessing a milestone, as she became the first woman in her region to be granted a commercial driving license for the vehicle.Now, she clocks 12-14 hours daily, from 7 AM to 10 PM, with no midday breaks.“I drive by rules—no signal jumping, no wrong turns, sticking to the rules and my principles. Police salute me,” she beams, passengers clapping, college students queuing for selfies and stories.Shirin’s “Dabang Lady” moniker? Born from collar-grabbing showdowns with eve-teasers who mistook her for easy prey.“They tried fun; I beat back,” she laughs, her auto a rolling testament to soft power laced with steel.

Women in male-dominated field

Shirin’s personal journey from a struggling single mother to a local celebrity is part of a much larger, national shift in India’s workforce.While she once felt “tense” about her idle vehicle, she is now among the pioneers breaking into the informal transport sector—a field where women accounted for only about 12 per cent of all driving licenses as of 2020.This movement is particularly significant in states like Karnataka, where women comprise barely 6 per cent of professional drivers as per “The Rise of Feminine Leadership Edition-II” by Ms Chhavi Mathur.By taking the wheel, women like Shirin are doing more than just earning a fare, they are asserting their “right to the city,” reclaiming public roads that have historically been treated as male-dominated spaces.Research shows that family stressors, such as widowhood, divorce, or a male breadwinner losing their job, are often the primary triggers for women entering this profession. However, this path to independence is paved with significant financial risk.In a study of Chennai drivers, it was found that 93 per cent of women carried outstanding loans for their vehicles, often averaging over Rs 1.41 lakh. While the work offers a way to fund their children’s education and improve their status at home, many remain vulnerable to economic dips, such as those seen during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when some drivers were left unable to pay rent for months.

Beyond individual survival, these drivers are acting as “catalysts of social transformation”.When a woman drives an auto, it changes the way the city functions and feels. Many female passengers report an “added sense of security” when they see a woman behind the wheel, especially during late-night commutes. This creates a safer urban network and fosters a “sisterhood” of mutual support among the drivers themselves.Despite these benefits, the “grit” required is immense.Some women in cities like Pune report needing to adopt a “masculine attitude” and more assertive behaviour just to survive the social stigma and harassment they face on the road.As Shirin puts it, “When I used to drive a rickshaw, many people used to look at me in a bad way. Many people tried to shake hands with me. Many people used to sit in a rickshaw and have fun with me.”“Why should I do this? There are many ways to do it. Then I grabbed their collar and beat them. That’s how I got the name, Dabang Lady,” she added.

Gears of change: Programs backing women drivers

To support this rising tide of female leadership, government and institutional programs are beginning to provide the necessary “gears” for change. These initiatives move beyond just giving out licenses; they focus on building a sustainable ecosystem for women in transport.

For this movement to last, cities must invest in “Pink Auto Stands” that include proper lighting, CCTV, and public toilets to ensure driver safety.Shirin’s story of solidarity, symbolised by the garlands gifted by fellow rickshaw drivers, stands in stark contrast to the invisible walls many others face.

‘Job reduces chances of marriage’

An attempt to document another female auto driver’s story brought forth the other side of this reality.An auto driver from Delhi, who did not wish to be named, kept her face covered in fear of being recognised. Despite assurances of anonymity, she became reluctant to share her story.She explained that since she was unmarried, she was unwilling to let her identity come out.Though initially eager to share her journey, her brother intervened, ‘denying’ her permission to speak to TOI. “Because I’m not married yet. What if this becomes a problem someday? Apart from my family, meaning my mom, dad, brother and sister-in-law, no one knows that I drive a rickshaw.”Her response reveals a painful reality.For many unmarried women in this profession, driving remains a secret to protect their “image” and marriage prospects. They are caught in a gender paradox, skilled and willing to navigate the city, yet tethered to the permissions of male family members.In public spaces, they must pay a “character tax”, with their morals questioned simply for working outside the home.While International Women’s Day celebrates the strides women have made in reclaiming public space, many are still waiting for the movement to reach them and allow them to live on their own terms.

Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan, swooped in to defend fellow B-town actress and mom Deepika Padukone in the heated 8-hour shift debate that seemed to divide the industry. The actress and mom of two, shared her own experience on balancing work and personal commitments while raising her two boys, Taimur and Jeh. Defending Deepika’s alleged decision to step away from a big-ticket project following the birth of her first child, daughter Dua, Kareena said that women in the film industry should have the freedom to set boundaries and come to an understanding with the director and producers, well in advance.

Kareena Kapoor Khan on shooting the ‘Buckingham Murders’

The actress, who shot the ‘Buckingham Murders’ while raising her two boys, shared that detailed planning that the team was ‘kind enough’ to accommodate. Recalling the shooting process, she said to the Hollywood Reporter India, “For that, I had to be away in London for about 35 days. We divided the shoot in such a way that I went and came back twice. We had Diwali in between, so we planned it in such a way.”

Kareena Kapoor Khan on work-life balance

Bebo, however, noted, “I just feel like everything needs to be really well planned and you have to be very clear right from the beginning. I’m also lucky that I would say, ‘This is what I can do. This is because I have 2 children. I need to come back. You need to shoot other portions while I come back to visit them. And then I come back and I finish the rest of the shoot’. So they were kind enough to understand that.”

Kareena Kapoor Khan credits partnership with Saif Ali Khan

The actress also highlighted the importance of support within a marriage. Giving her husband due credit, she said that managing her film career with Saif Ali Khan’s, often requires coordination. “If you’re in a marriage and both partners are working, there has to be an understanding. We can’t both be working and leave the children alone,” she said.

Kareena Kapoor Khan on making sacrifices

She also shared that this balancing act can sometimes mean turning down professional opportunities. “It is a little bit of sacrifice,” she said and added, “of time, or a film, or maybe saying ‘no’ sometimes to a film, particularly, because in that time zone, he’s (your husband) is working…”She then went on to express her full support for her ‘Singham Again’ co-star’s alleged choice to prioritise motherhood and set a work schedule. “As a woman, if you want to give time to your children, you should have the freedom to say ‘This is what I want. I can only work this number of hours’,” she said. However, she did conclude that while these seem acceptable conditions, they must be said, “Before a film starts.”Kareena won praise over the years, for being among the few Bollywood actresses who continued working during her pregnancies and even headed back to the sets to take up work commitments soon after her sons’ births. The star has been seen juggling her time between the film sets, her home and even gym and yoga sessions. She has previously also opened up about her partnership with Saif to raise her two young boys.

In a tournament defined by tactical brilliance and ice-cold composure, New Zealand have punched their ticket to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Under the shrewd leadership of Mitchell Santner, the Black Caps have once again proven why they are the most consistent knockout-stage contenders in world cricket. With six wins in eight matches, New Zealand’s journey has been a masterclass in collective effort and strategic execution.

Stepping into the captaincy role full-time following the Kane Williamson era, Santner has infused the team with a bowling-first mindset and middle-order aggression. The Kiwis will now walk out at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8, 2026, to face defending champions India in a high-stakes rematch of their growing white-ball rivalry.

New Zealand navigates Group D with flare

New Zealand enjoyed a strong start in the group stages held in Chennai and Ahmedabad, finishing near the top of Group D despite a minor hiccup against the Proteas.

Tim Seifert guides Kiwis past Afghanistan

The campaign opened with a tricky chase against Afghanistan in Chennai. After the Afghans posted a competitive 182/6, Tim Seifert took control. His Player of the Match performance of 65 off 42 balls combined with two crucial catches behind the stumps, anchored the chase. New Zealand reached the target with 13 balls to spare, winning by five wickets and setting a positive tone for the tournament.

Clinical 10-wicket victory over UAE

New Zealand’s second match was a display of absolute dominance. The bowlers restricted the UAE to 173/6, but it was the opening duo that stole the show. Seifert was unstoppable once again, smashing an unbeaten 89* off just 42 deliveries. The Black Caps chased down 174 without losing a single wicket, finishing the game in just 15.2 overs.

A setback against South Africa

In a high-stakes clash at Ahmedabad, New Zealand faced their first defeat. Despite a solid team effort to post 175/7, South Africa’s Marco Jansen proved too much to handle with his 4/40. The Proteas chased the target comfortably with 17 balls to spare, handing Santner’s men a seven-wicket loss.

Glenn Phillips powers New Zealand past Canada

The Kiwis bounced back immediately in their final group game. After Canada posted 173/4, Glenn Phillips produced a masterclass in aggressive batting and elite fielding. Phillips smashed 76* off 36 balls and took three sensational catches, guiding New Zealand to an eight-wicket victory and securing their spot in the Super Eights.

Also READ: New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner issues bold warning to Team India ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 final

Resilience in the Super Eights

The Super Eight stage in Colombo was a test of patience and skill, as New Zealand battled both elite opposition and the weather.

Rain spoils Pakistan encounter; Rachin Ravindra dismantles Sri Lanka

The highly anticipated clash with Pakistan ended in a No Result due to rain, splitting the points. However, the Kiwis made up for it against hosts Sri Lanka. Batting first, New Zealand struggled to 168/7, but Rachin Ravindra turned the game with the ball. After contributing 32 with the bat, Ravindra took 4/27 to dismantle the Sri Lankan lineup, securing a massive 61-run win.

England edges out the Kiwis

In their final Super Eight match, New Zealand posted a modest 159/7. England’s Will Jacks played a decisive knock to take the game away in the final over, as the defending 2022 champions won by four wickets. Despite the loss, New Zealand’s superior net run rate and previous win ensured their passage to the semi-finals.

The semi-final masterclass: Finn Allen’s dominating century

The semi-final at Eden Gardens saw a rematch against South Africa, and this time, New Zealand left nothing to chance. South Africa was restricted to 169/8 thanks to a disciplined New Zealand attack.

What followed was one of the greatest knocks in World Cup history. Finn Allen tore the Proteas bowling attack apart, smashing a breathtaking 100 off just 33 deliveries. His century powered New Zealand to the target in a staggering 12.5 overs, securing a nine-wicket win and a ticket to the final.

One step away from the glory of maiden T20I title

New Zealand enters the final as a team that has found its peak at the right time. Under Santner’s astute captaincy, they have balanced the explosive power of Allen and Seifert with the all-round brilliance of Ravindra. Having dismantled South Africa in the semi-final, the Black Caps are now ready to face the Indian juggernaut in Ahmedabad, seeking redemption for past heartbreaks and a place in the history books.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 Prize Money Breakdown: From Champions to Runner Ups to Group Stage Teams

Jemimah Rodrigues, Suryakumar Yadav

Members of the Indian women’s team, along with head coach Amol Muzumdar, have sent their wishes to India ahead of the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday evening.The men’s team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will look to achieve several milestones in the final. India are aiming to become the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup, the first team to defend the title, and the first side to win the tournament three times.

Last November, the women’s team secured their first ICC title when they defeated the South Africa women’s team by 52 runs in the final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium.Ahead of the men’s final, the women’s team expressed support through a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India Women on X. The video featured Muzumdar, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana sending their wishes to the men’s team. The caption read: “From one Team India that clinched a World Cup at home to the other going for World Cup glory at home tonight.”“I would like to wish everyone all the very best. In Narendra Modi Stadium, there will be a huge crowd. Fantastic ambience to play the World Cup Finals,” Muzumdar said.“All the best men in blue for the World Cup Finals. We all are supporting you. Go get it,” Deepti Sharma said, while Jemimah Rodrigues added, “Let’s bring this home. We are rooting for you.”India have reached the final of the T20 World Cup for the fourth time, the most by any team. Out of the nine previous finals, six have been won by the team chasing. Of the other three, India won two — in 2007 and 2024 — both in matches decided in the final over.

As tensions in the Middle East enter their second week, concerns are rising over whether India’s energy supplies are sufficient. According to a recent government report, the country has more than 250 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products in reserve, enough to meet demand for nearly two months. The combined reserves, estimated at around 4,000 crore litres, provide coverage for seven to eight weeks across the country’s energy supply chain.The reserves are spread across multiple storage points, including underground strategic caverns located in Mangalore, Padur and Visakhapatnam. Additional volumes are held in above-ground storage tanks, pipelines and offshore vessels as part of the wider distribution network, the report mentioned, as cited by ANI. It also pushed back against claims that the country holds only about 25 days of reserves, stating that the broader supply chain stockpile significantly extends the country’s buffer. It also highlighted a major shift in the way crude oil is imported with procurement now diversified across 40 countries, compared with 27 nations a decade ago, with the strategy described as being “anchored in national interest”.Although the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, the report notes that only around 40% of India’s crude imports pass through the narrow waterway. The majority, about 60%, reaches India through other routes, with supplies coming from Russia, West Africa, the Americas and Central Asia.

“The days when India’s energy security rose and fell with conditions in a single maritime chokepoint are over,” the document states, adding that any disruption in one corridor would lead to a “managed sourcing adjustment, not a supply emergency”.Russia continues to be India’s biggest crude supplier as of February 2026. The report notes that despite geopolitical pressure in recent years, India has maintained purchases while complying with the G7 price cap rules.“India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil. India is still importing Russian oil even in February 2026, and Russia is still India’s largest crude oil supplier,” the document says.It also mentions a recent 30-day waiver from the US Treasury allowing continued purchases of Russian oil, saying the move “removes a friction that was never in anyone’s interest to sustain” and acknowledges India’s contribution to stabilising global energy markets.On the domestic front, India’s ethanol blending programme has also reduced dependence on crude imports. The 20% blending initiative now replaces roughly 44 million barrels of crude oil every year.Meanwhile, the country’s refining capacity has expanded to 258 million metric tonnes per annum, exceeding domestic consumption levels estimated between 210 and 230 million metric tonnes per annum.The report says this capacity enabled Indian refiners to supply fuel to Europe when sanctions on Russian crude created shortages in that market. It notes that “Indian refiners do not depend on a fixed slate from a fixed origin,” highlighting the sector’s flexibility in sourcing crude.Data cited from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell shows that retail fuel prices in the country have remained largely stable over the past four years. Between February 2022 and February 2026, petrol prices in Delhi fell by 0.67%. Over the same period, prices increased by 55% in Pakistan and by 22% in Germany.To maintain stable prices, public sector oil companies absorbed significant financial losses. The report states that these firms bore losses of Rs 24,500 crore on petrol and diesel and about Rs 40,000 crore on LPG.It concludes that decisions in the sector are assessed on the basis of “affordability, availability, and sustainability”, while also noting that no fuel pump outlet in the country has run dry over the past twelve years.