Today is the day! The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 culminates in a heavyweight clash as defending champions India take on the ever-consistent New Zealand. With over 130,000 fans expected to pack the world’s largest cricket stadium, the atmosphere in Ahmedabad will be nothing short of electric.

India enter the final as the favorite, looking to become the first team to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title and secure a record third trophy. Their journey has been clinical, highlighted by a high-pressure semi-final victory over England. The Men in Blue have relied on a balanced attack, though their top-order batting remains a point of concern despite the individual brilliance of Sanju Samson.

New Zealand, the perennial dark horses, have once again punched above their weight. Their decimation of an unbeaten South African side in the semi-finals sent a clear message: the Black Caps are peaking at the right time. Led by Mitchell Santner, they are chasing their first-ever T20 World Cup title. Historically, New Zealand has been a “bogey team” for India in ICC tournaments, adding a layer of psychological tension to this finale.

Fixture and Venue Details:

T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Broadcast Details (TV and Digital)

Also READ: IND vs NZ, T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report, T20I Stats and Records

T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Broadcast details (Radio)

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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for major infrastructure projects in Delhi on Sunday, with a total investment of around Rs 33,500 crore. The projects include two new corridors of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, worth over Rs 18,300 crore, aimed at strengthening public transport across the national capital.CM Rekha Gupta said that the metro expansion is expected to make daily commuting smoother, cut traffic congestion and help tackle pollution in the capital. She further noted that the projects would also boost connectivity for residents of the National Capital Region, particularly commuters from Noida and Faridabad, by offering better access to Indira Gandhi International Airport.Here is a look at the projects:

Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur corridor (Pink Line)

PM Modi will inaugurate the Majlis Park to Maujpur-Babarpur stretch of the Pink Line, which spans around 12.3 kilometres and includes eight elevated stations. With the addition of this section, the Pink Line will extend to about 71.56 kilometres, making Delhi home to the country’s first fully operational Ring Metro. Stations along the corridor are Majlis Park, Burari, Jharoda Majra, Jagatpur-Wazirabad, Soorghat, Nanaksar-Sonia Vihar, Khajuri Khas, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and Maujpur-Babarpur.The project also includes the construction of a new bridge across the Yamuna River and a double-decker viaduct that will carry both a metro track and a road flyover.

Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park corridor (Magenta Line)

The second section to be inaugurated is the Deepali Chowk to Majlis Park stretch of the Magenta Line, which is about 9.9 kilometres long.The new link will enhance connectivity for areas such as Madhuban Chowk, Haiderpur Badli Mor, Bhalaswa and Majlis Park, strengthening the overall transport network in northern parts of the city.Talking about the corridor, CM Rekha Gupta said, “These metro corridors are also significant achievements from an engineering perspective. A portion of the Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park corridor reaches a height of approximately 28.36 metres, making it one of the highest elevated sections in the Delhi Metro network.”

New metro corridors under Phase V-A

Alongside the inauguration of the two corridors, PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for three new routes under Phase V-A of the Delhi Metro, covering a combined route length of around 16.10 kilometres. The proposed corridors include:

Officials said that these new routes will improve connectivity to key locations across the capital and facilitate travel for commuters moving between Noida, South Delhi and the airport.

GPRA redevelopment projects

Before the programme, the PM will visit the GPRA Type-5 quarters at Sarojini Nagar and hand over keys to female allottees. He will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 15,200 crore under the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) Redevelopment Plan. The projects are being implemented at Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Kasturba Nagar and Sriniwaspuri as part of a broader effort to modernise government housing colonies and develop improved infrastructure for government employees and administrative offices.The redevelopment is being carried out through a self-sustainable financial model under which a limited portion of the project area is being developed and monetised for commercial and residential use to finance the overall redevelopment.Once completed, the plan will provide more than 9,350 modern flats for government employees and create about 48 lakh square feet of office space, aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency while also generating monetisation potential.

Daren Sammy (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has expressed frustration after the team’s return home from India was delayed following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The delay has been caused by international airspace restrictions in the Gulf region due to the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict, which has forced airlines to change several flight routes.

Sammy made his feelings clear on social media. In a short post on X, he wrote, “I just wanna go home.” Later, he also shared an emotional message on Instagram, saying, “Dear Lord. I put this situation in your hands and I pray that you bless everyone handling it. Give them all that is required to get us all safely to our destination sooner than later. These I ask in your precious name. Amen.”Cricket West Indies confirmed that the team’s travel plans had been postponed because of security concerns affecting flight routes in the Gulf region. In a statement, the board said, “These restrictions are a direct result of the security threats posed by military action in the Gulf Region, which has impacted several international flight routes and required airlines to adjust scheduled services for safety reasons.”The board also stressed that the safety of players, coaches, and staff remains the top priority and said it is working with the International Cricket Council, government authorities, and airlines to arrange the earliest safe journey home.The delay comes after West Indies were knocked out of the tournament in the Super Eights following a five-wicket defeat to India at Eden Gardens. Despite performing well in the group stage, the Caribbean side could not make the semi-finals.West Indies had posted 195/4 in their final match, but India chased the target comfortably, led by a brilliant unbeaten 97 from Sanju Samson.West Indies remain one of the most successful teams in T20 history, having won the T20 World Cup twice — in 2012 and 2016.

Explosion at US embassy in Oslo.

An explosion struck the consular section entrance of the United States Embassy in Norway capital Oslo in the early hours of Sunday, police said, adding that no injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.The blast occurred at around 1.00 am local time (5.30 am IST), according to a statement from the Oslo Police Department.

Police incident commander Michael Dellemyr told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that the explosion hit the entrance to the embassy’s consular section.“At around 1.00 am we received several reports of an explosion. We arrived shortly afterwards and confirmed that there had been an explosion that hit the US embassy,” Dellemyr said, adding that the damage appeared to be minor.Authorities declined to disclose further details about the nature of the blast. “We are not going to comment on the type of damage or what may have exploded because it is very early in the investigation,” he said.Dellemyr later told TV2 Norway that police believe the incident may have been an act carried out by an individual, though investigations are ongoing. Officers are currently speaking with witnesses, while a bomb squad was also deployed at the scene.Police confirmed they are in contact with officials at the US embassy, and a large security presence was established in the area following the explosion.Residents living near the embassy reported hearing a loud blast. A 16-year-old witness identified as Edvard told TV2 that he initially thought the sound came from his own house.“My mother and I first thought it came from our house, but then we saw flashing lights outside the window and a lot of police,” he said, describing the presence of police dogs, drones, armed officers and helicopters.Authorities cordoned off a large area around the embassy and stopped vehicles approaching the site, according to local media reports.The incident comes as US diplomatic missions remain on heightened alert in several regions following recent American military operations targeting Iran, which have raised concerns about retaliatory attacks.However, Dellemyr said there is currently no indication that the Oslo explosion is linked to the conflict.

NEW DELHI: A seemingly minor splash of Holi water turned deadly in Uttam Nagar on March 4, leaving 26-year-old Tarun Butolia dead and the southwest Delhi neighbourhood on edge. What began as a child’s playful act escalated into a brutal attack with communal undertones, highlighting how quickly festive celebrations can spiral out of control.

The call that led Tarun back

The trouble started when an 11-year-old girl from Tarun’s family, playing Holi on their terrace, accidentally threw a water balloon that landed on a woman from the neighbouring family, splashing coloured water on her. Although Tarun’s family immediately apologised, the woman reportedly called her relatives, escalating tensions.

About an hour later, Tarun, who had gone to a Holi party, received a phone call claiming his parents were under attack. Alarmed, he rushed back on his bike. His mother, Sunita Butolia, recounted, “They called my son and told him we were being beaten up. He came to save us, but they were waiting for him.”

When he reached the narrow lane near his home, the neighbourhood was in chaos. Locals tried pleading with the attackers to stop, but their appeals went unanswered.

Neighbourhood pleas ignored

Despite the repeated pleas, the mob continued its assault. Tarun, trained at the gym, tried to defend himself, but seven to eight men overwhelmed him. Even after he fell unconscious, the attackers allegedly kept hitting and stabbing him.Sunita described the horrifying scene, “We had locked ourselves inside the house because the mob just wouldn’t stop. They were beating our family members with rods, bats, and hockey sticks. My son had nothing to do with the fight. When he came back, he was on his bike at the end of the lane while we were all trapped inside. The attackers continued to hurl stones at the house and damaged the railings. Even when Tarun started bleeding and fell unconscious, they didn’t stop. They kept hitting and stabbing him. He only came to save us. Someone deliberately called him there knowing what would happen.”His father, Mamraj Butolia, added, “He used to go to the gym and lift weights. But seven or eight men attacked him together with rods, bats, bricks, and stones. It took several of them to bring him down. Even after he slipped and lost consciousness, they didn’t stop.”

A life of ambition cut short

Tarun’s sister, Rekha, remembered her brother as a dreamer, “My father takes whitewash contracts, but my brother’s dreams were bigger than this colony. He studied BCA and was pursuing an online course in digital architecture and design. He created maps and house designs, imagining how houses should bebuilt.”She added, “Women, men, the elderly, everyone was pleading with folded hands, but the mob wouldn’t stop. Within minutes, over 50 people filled the lane to attack my brother for something he didn’t do. A small girl in our family unintentionally splashed water on someone. It was a child’s mistake during a festival. They targeted us. How is this fair: a child’s mistake is paid for with murder.”His cousin Rahul noted, “Tarun had a lot to look forward to. He was just waiting to finish his course so he could start a career.”

Aftermath and escalating tensions

In the days following the attack, two days after March 4, a car and a motorcycle, allegedly belonging to relatives of the accused, were torched in Uttam Nagar, heightening fears of retaliation. Security has been tightened, with CRPF personnel deployed, barricades erected, and drones monitoring the area.Police said eight people, including a minor, have been arrested so far, but Tarun’s family continues to demand a CBI probe, fearing some attackers remain free.

Protests and calls for justice

Residents and family members blocked major roads, raised slogans, and demanded justice. Members of Hindu outfits, including Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, joined the demonstrations, amplifying the tension. Authorities have maintained a strong presence to prevent further escalation, reviewing CCTV footage and recording witness statements.The tragic death of Tarun Butolia underscores how a seemingly small splash of water during Holi escalated into a deadly incident, leaving a community shaken, families grieving, and neighbours fearful.

A chart from A16Z titled “Apple on Capex: ‘Nah, we’re good'” might be the most humbling visual Wall Street has seen in a while. Sourced from FactSet data as of February 9, 2026, it shows Apple’s quarterly capex sitting nearly flat since 2016—down 19% year-over-year—while Amazon (+42%), Microsoft (+89%), Alphabet (+95%), and Meta (+48%) have each rocketed into the $20–40 billion-per-quarter range. Together, these four hyperscalers are on track to spend roughly $635–700 billion on capex in 2026, most of it poured into AI data centres and GPU clusters. Apple’s projected budget for the entire year? A little over $14 billion—essentially flat year-over-year.The chart’s been called “the funniest in tech right now.” But the real joke landed on the analysts who spent two years calling Apple’s restraint a strategic disaster.

The consensus got Apple’s AI playbook backwards

Through 2024 and into mid-2025, the conventional narrative was that Apple was losing the AI race. Siri delays, no proprietary frontier model, and zero appetite for warehouse-scale GPU buildouts drew downgrades and warnings that the company was one to two years behind competitors. Apple’s Q4 2025 capex actually dropped 17% to just $2.4 billion—a rounding error next to what peers were burning per quarter.What analysts missed was that Apple wasn’t sitting out the AI era. It was building for a different version of it. The M-series unified memory architecture—optimised for edge inference since the M1 launched in 2020—turns out to be exactly what on-device AI needs. An OpenClaw-fuelled ordering frenzy has created genuine Mac shortages, with high unified memory Mac Studio orders now stretching to 54-day wait times. The new M5 Max, with 128GB of unified memory and 614GB/s bandwidth, runs a Llama 70B model quantized to Q6 entirely on a laptop—no data centre in sight. Early benchmarks show it hitting 30 tokens per second on Llama 70B, outperforming clusters that cost $40,000 just eighteen months ago.Apple also struck a deal to use Google’s Gemini to power the next generation of Siri and Apple Intelligence—reportedly worth about $1 billion a year. That’s access to a top-tier model for pennies on the dollar compared to building one from scratch.

The balance sheet tells the rest of the story

Apple posted record Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue of $143.8 billion, up 16% year-over-year, with diluted EPS of $2.84—a 19% jump. It held $145 billion in cash and returned $32 billion to shareholders in a single quarter. The hyperscalers, meanwhile, had a rougher time. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft saw a combined $900 billion in market value erased after earnings reports, as investors grew uneasy about the gap between AI spending and actual returns.Whether Apple’s spending gap represents a failure of vision or an exercise of it depends on a question nobody can answer yet: will AI models become interchangeable commodities? Apple appears to be betting they will. If it’s right, the flattest line on the graph was the smartest one all along.

The stage is set for a captivating showdown as defending champions India prepare to take on New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With more than 130,000 spectators expected to fill the stands and millions of fans tuning in from around the world, the summit clash promises to be one of the most memorable nights in modern cricket.

India enter the final with the opportunity to script history. If they manage to lift the trophy, they will become the first team ever to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title. It would also mark the first time a host nation has won the Men’s T20 World Cup. On top of that, India would become the first side to claim three titles in the tournament’s history, adding the 2026 triumph to their earlier victories in 2007 and 2024.

Mitch Santner‘s New Zealand, however, will be equally motivated. The Black Caps are chasing their maiden T20 World Cup crown after finishing as runners-up in the 2021 edition. Sunday’s clash will be only their second appearance in a T20 World Cup final, and they will be eager to go one step further this time.

Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad holds a special place in Indian cricket, but it also carries memories that many fans would rather forget. Over the years, the venue has been associated with some significant moments involving Team India, making the conditions there a topic of great interest whenever a major match is played. As the Men in Blue prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026 final under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the nature of the pitch has once again become a key talking point.

Reports suggest that the summit clash will take place on a mixed-soil surface, which is quite different from the black-soil pitch used during the 2023 ODI World Cup final between India and Australia. This time, the pitch is expected to consist of roughly 70 percent red soil and 30 percent black soil, a combination that could produce an interesting balance between bat and ball.

Such a surface is likely to provide good bounce and some assistance to fast bowlers, especially in the early stages of the game. At the same time, batters should also find enough pace on the wicket to play their shots freely once they settle in. Another important factor is that the pitch remains relatively fresh, having last been used for the Canada vs South Africa match on February 9.

In a high-pressure final, teams batting first may aim to post a 200-plus total to feel secure. While aggressive batting in the powerplay could prove crucial, the middle overs might present challenges due to uneven bounce, forcing batters to adjust their approach carefully.

Also READ: IND vs NZ – ICC names the umpires and match referee for T20 World Cup 2026 final

Narendra Modi Stadium T20I Stats and Records

• Total matches played: 17
• Matches won batting first: 11
• Matches won bowling first: 6
• Average 1st innings score: 174
• Average 2nd innings score: 150
• Highest total recorded: 234/4 (20 Overs) by India vs New Zealand
• Lowest total recorded: 66/10 (12.1 Overs) by New Zealand vs India
• Highest score chased: 178/3 (17.1 Overs) by South Africa vs New Zealand
• Lowest score defended: 107/7 (20 Overs) by West Indies Women vs India Women

Also READ: IND vs NZ, T20 World Cup 2026 Final Match Prediction – Who will win today’s game between India and New Zealand?

Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri has assured that oil imports to India are continuing smoothly through alternative routes as the Middle East conflict enters its second week and concerns are growing over the country’s energy supplies. The minister, on social media platform X, confirmed that inflows are “full flow from all non-Hormuz routes” and requirements of all citizens are also fulfilled.Speaking to reporters, he talked about government’s strategy to manage energy availability, affordability and sustainability amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Minister Puri later shared details of the interaction on X, stressing that there was no cause for concern regarding supplies. “In my excellent interaction with members of the media fraternity today, we discussed how India is navigating the trilemma of energy availability, affordability and sustainability even in the face of the current geopolitical challenges. Energy imports into the country are in full flow from all Non-Hormuz routes.”

Talking about ongoing worries surrounding the inflows, the minister confirmed, “the energy requirements of our citizens are being fully met. India is in a comfortable position. There is no room for anxiety or speculation in this regard.”Officials also indicated that India has received assurances from Qatar regarding liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. According to government sources, the country has been informed that deliveries will resume immediately once the shipping route reopens. “We are assured by Qatar that they will start supplying to India on the very first minute once the route is open,” the sources said.Authorities added that India currently has adequate LNG reserves and continues to receive offers from multiple countries willing to supply the fuel. “We have surplus stock of LNG” and “We have got offer of LNG from a large number of countries,” officials said.The disruption in supplies from Qatar has largely been linked to the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf with open seas. The route has been significantly affected by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, United States and Israel.However, officials suggested that movement of cargo vessels near the strait could resume soon.Government sources said the “cargo movement near the Strait of Hormuz may start soon,” adding that the development follows a statement from Iran indicating it would not target neighbouring countries unless attacked from their territory.Officials further noted that India has worked to reduce risks to its energy supply chain by diversifying import routes and lowering dependence on the volatile Strait of Hormuz.

NEW DELHI: A political row has erupted over the recent International Santhal Conclave in West Bengal after the state government changed the venue for the event at the last minute. The controversy intensified after President Droupadi Murmu, who was scheduled to attend the event, publicly expressed displeasure over the decision and also noted the absence of chief minister Mamata Banerjee and other ministers during her visit.President Murmu said authorities informed her that the venue was shifted because the original location was congested. However, she questioned the reasoning, saying the new venue made it difficult for members of the Santhal community to attend the gathering.Later, Murmu visited the original venue and challenged the claim made by authorities. “When I came here I found the field was big enough to accommodate 5 lakh people,” she said, adding that she felt very sad about the last-minute change in location.Addressing the International Santhal Council, the president also suggested that attempts were being made to prevent the community from progressing. “Someone doesn’t want Santhal to get united, to progress, to get educated…someone doesn’t want Santhal to become strong. However, I know Santhals have scarifised their lives for the nation.”Murmu, who herself belongs to the Santhal community, also said that the community’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle has not received proper recognition. “I know how much the Santals have contributed to the country’s freedom struggle. But the names of Santal legends have not deliberately been included in history,” she said, while stressing the need for education for Santhal children.The issue quickly escalated into a political confrontation between the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the BJP-led central leadership.

‘BJP using President to malign Bengal’: Mamata

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee questioned Murmu’s concern for tribal issues and accused the BJP of politicising the matter. “Why don’t you protest when atrocities are committed against tribals. Why don’t you protest when it happens in Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh?… First do something for them, then say anything,” Banerjee said.“Don’t play politics at the time of the election, as per the BJP’s advice,” she added, further alleging that the BJP was using the president to target the state government. “BJP has stooped so low that it is using President Droupadi Murmu to malign West Bengal,” Banerjee said.The controversy also drew sharp reactions from several BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

‘Shameful and unprecedented’: PM Modi

PM 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 in the minds of 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,” he 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.

‘New lows in TMC’s anarchic conduct’: Amit Shah

Union home minister Amit Shah also attacked the Mamata government over the incident. “The Trinamool government of West Bengal has sunk to new lows today through their anarchic conduct. By showing utter disregard for protocol, they have insulted the President of India. This incident has laid bare the deep rot within the Trinamool government.”He added, “A government that tramples on citizens’ constitutional rights at will does not hesitate to dishonour the nation’s highest constitutional office—the President. This affront to the President at an event organised by our tribal brothers and sisters is an insult to our nation and the values of our constitutional democracy. Every citizen who believes in democracy today is deeply hurt and anguished.”

‘Raises questions about conduct’: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan also criticised the arrangements made during the president’s visit. “When the President is compelled to express disappointment over the arrangements made, it raises serious questions about the conduct and preparedness of the authorities responsible. The sanctity of constitutional offices must remain above politics,” he said.Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi also condemned the developments, saying they had hurt the sentiments of the tribal community. “Such actions raise serious concerns and convey an unfortunate message when an event, where the Hon’ble President herself was to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, is subjected to such disruptions,” he said.Calling the episode insensitive, Majhi added: “As a member of the Santal community, this hurtful action of the TMC govt of West Bengal also created a deeper sense of anguish and hurt within me, and the entire Odia populace.”The controversy has now turned into a broader political battle between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, with both sides accusing each other of politicising the issue involving tribal communities and the office of the President.