The Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand national cricket team is fully ready to face the mighty India national cricket team on Sunday, March 8, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams have played fearless cricket in the tournament, but the final brings a completely different level of pressure.

And New Zealand is fully aware that they will have to produce their best performance to stop a confident Indian side on home soil in the title clash in Ahmedabad – the same venue for the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where Australia broke Indian hearts with the historic title glory.

Mitchell Santner admits the T20 World Cup 2026 final challenge and pressure

Mitchell Santner is fully aware of the huge challenge waiting for his team in the T20 World Cup 2026 final. The New Zealand skipper expects a good batting pitch for the title clash, which could turn the final into a high-scoring battle. But he also knows that India’s bowling attack can change the match at any moment, especially with their biggest match-winner leading the pace attack.

Read Also: Mitchell Santner issues Pat Cummins-like ‘breaking billion hearts’ warning ahead of T20 WC 2026 final

Mitchell Santner admitted that India’s star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is the kind of player every team worries about before a big match. The Kiwi camp has already spent a lot of time discussing how to handle his deadly spells because he has the ability to change the game in just a few balls.

Mitchell Santner said at the pre-match press conference in Ahmedabad: One can assume pitch could be flat. Jasprit Bumrah will be a part of every team’s conversation. England looked pretty hard to hit, but he’s a game changer.”

Varun Chakravarthy on New Zealand’s radar

The New Zealand captain also kept a close eye on India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has troubled many batters in the tournament. Santner believes the spinner can be very dangerous if he finds rhythm, and he could play a huge role in deciding the final.

He added, “Varun is a very good bowler. He’s one game away from breaking the tie.” However, Chakravarthy has been expensive in the last four games; still, he will be a big threat to the Kiwis.

Meanwhile, Santner revealed that the Black Caps are studying videos, analyzing strategies, and making sure they stay calm under pressure so they can execute their plans perfectly on the big day.

Read Also: Suryakumar Yadav labelled minnow basher by ex-KKR star before T20 World Cup final

The spinner further mentioned, “A lot of different things can happen in a game. You want to be consistent with the approach. Watch the videos, analyze, and execute well out there.”

New Zealand using India series experience for final preparation

Additionally, New Zealand are carrying important lessons from their recent bilateral tour of India. That series gave them experience of playing in Indian conditions and on different types of pitches. But they lost the T20I series 1-4 to India.

However, Santner admitted that a World Cup final is a completely different stage, where even small moments can decide who lifts the trophy. Santner signed off by saying, “We were challenged in the bilateral series. We played on five very good surfaces. It’s all learning. Good conversation from that series. The World Cup final is pretty much different.”

DEHRADUN: Union govt’s decision to roll back India’s newly introduced seismic zonation map and revised earthquake design code has triggered concern among seismologists and geologists, many of whom said the move could weaken the country’s preparedness for a future major earthquake.The revised framework, introduced in Nov 2025 by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), proposed significant updates to India’s seismic design norms, including placing the entire Himalayan arc under a new Zone VI – the highest seismic risk category.

India’s seismic risk far from marginal, warn geologistsSeveral experts described the withdrawal as “a missed opportunity to strengthen India’s disaster resilience”, particularly in regions that scientists long warned could experience a devastating earthquake.Senior geoscientist CP Rajendran termed the rollback a “bad step”. “We don’t know what triggered the govt to roll back such a bold policy. The new seismic code was based on the knowledge the scientific community had accumulated about earthquakes and its possible impact on India,” he said.Rajendran added that scientists repeatedly warned that the Himalayan region could witness a magnitude eight or a larger quake in future. “New code was a reflection of the real earthquake risks the country faces,” Rajendran said.Geologists pointed out that India’s seismic risk was far from marginal. According to experts, nearly 59% of the country’s landmass and nearly 80% of the population fell under moderate to very high seismic hazard zones.Piyoosh Rautela, geologist and former executive director of Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, said the proposed revisions to the code represented a major step forward in improving the country’s preparedness.“The proposed revisions marked a major step in strengthening India’s seismic design framework to better protect the country’s built environment from future earthquakes,” Rautela said. He added that the newly- proposed Zone VI covering the Himalayan arc acknowledged the persistent tectonic threat along the Indo-Eurasian plate boundary — similar to the earthquakes seen during the 2001 Bhuj and 2015 Nepal earthquakes.Experts further said the revised code introduced stronger safety measures, including improved design spectra, a 10-30% increase in base shear requirements, stricter rules for structural irregularities, and more rigorous geotechnical and dynamic analyses. These changes aimed to promote performance-based engineering — ensuring buildings were designed not only to survive shaking, but also to minimise collapse risks and economic losses during large quakes.At the same time, experts acknowledged that the revised code had major implications for construction practices and ongoing infrastructure projects across the country.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana high court on Saturday acquitted the jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, overturning a life sentence awarded by a CBI court and dealing a blow to the investigating agency.Gurmeet remains lodged in Sunaria jail in Rohtak, serving a 20-year sentence since August 2017 after conviction for raping two women devotees. He has spent more than eight years in prison in that case.He also faces a separate CBI case over the alleged castration of some Dera followers. Trial is pending in a court in Panchkula. HC had earlier acquitted him in the murder case of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh. On Saturday, HC allowed the Dera chief’s appeal against his conviction in the Chhatrapati murder case while upholding life sentences of three co-accused. The slain journalist’s son Anshul, said the family plans to challenge the acquittal in Supreme Court. Chhatrapati was the editor of evening newspaper Poora Sach.

He had published reports alleging sexual exploitation of women disciples at Dera Sacha Sauda. Prosecution alleged he was killed in retaliation for the coverage.Dera chief counsel alleges CBI torture and revengeA special CBI court had sentenced the Dera chief and three others to life imprisonment in 2019, along with a fine of 50,000 each. Gurmeet challenged that conviction in HC, saying he had been wrongly accused.“Krishan Lal was tortured by CBI. The name of the Dera chief was thereafter included as an accused by way of revenge,” his counsel said.Lawyers also questioned the testimony of key witness Khatta Singh, saying the claim that a conspiracy was hatched in his presence and wasn’t undisclosed to anyone “stands falsified by the admission of IO, M Narayanan, in his cross-examination”. The defence further argued prosecution failed to show Gurmeet had any grievance against the journalist. “The investigating agency failed to prove even an iota of evidence that the appellant ever read the said newspaper,” the counsel said, adding that the evening paper largely reproduced reports already published by morning newspapers.

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has explained the reason behind his celebration after the dismissal of Jacob Bethell during the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.Pandya’s direct throw at the striker’s end in the final over of England’s chase ended Bethell’s innings of 102. After the dismissal, the 32-year-old reacted with an animated celebration and tried to lift the team’s energy. Pandya later said the reaction came because his son Agastya and girlfriend Mahieka Sharma were watching the match from the stands, and he wanted them to experience his emotions at that moment.

“Clutch is Hardik Pandya,” the all-rounder said in a video released by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on X. “See, there are two ways in life. I could have got my heart rushing and would have not been able to execute. So, I went in my zen mode. Quite amazing that instead of getting my heartbeat rushed, I was still. And I’m really proud of that,” Pandya said.“One batter I had to get out from the field was Bethell, the way he was batting. I knew I had to keep calm and throw it where it was supposed to be. I would have liked it a little closer to the stumps, but nevertheless, we got the job done,” Hardik said in a video released by BCCI on X.“The reaction was also because my son came, and I wanted my son and Mahieka to enjoy this moment and feel how emotional I was,” he added.

Before the run-out, Pandya had also made an impact with the ball. In the 19th over, he conceded nine runs and took the wicket of Sam Curran, who was trying to accelerate the scoring but was caught at mid-wicket.Pandya said he focused on staying calm before bowling the over.“There are two ways in life. I could have got my heart racing and not been able to execute, so I went into my Zen mode. It’s quite amazing that instead of my heartbeat rushing, I stayed still. I’m really proud of that,” Hardik said.For his performance, Pandya was named the impact player of the match in the dressing room after the game.India will next face New Zealand in the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: Two days after 26-year-old Tarun was beaten to death in southwest Delhi’s Uttam Nagar following a dispute that arose during a Holi celebration, a car and a bike, allegedly belonging to a relative of one of the accused, were torched. This has made the communally tense neighbourhood more worried.The area has heavy security now. Barricades have gone up at both ends of the street where the attack happened, and CRPF personnel stand guard. Police are keeping an eye to prevent any flare-up.

Some unidentified people set the car and bike ablaze on Friday afternoon. Delhi Fire Service (DFS) sent its fire tenders to douse the flames. Police said they are verifying the ownership of the vehicles and the identity of those who allegedly set the vehicles on fire.After the March 4 violence, four people were arrested. On Friday, four more people were arrested, taking the total arrests to eight.Tarun’s family, along with neighbours and friends, gathered outside Uttam Nagar police station to protest on Friday. They demanded the arrest of all those involved in the killing. They raised slogans and urged the police to take stricter action against the suspects.In the lane where Tarun was killed, faint stains of blood are visible on a pillar near the end of the street. Residents said Tarun had tried to steady himself here during the assault.Some residents demanded that the families of the accused and their relatives should not be allowed to live in the area. They said their presence in nearby lanes had heightened fears among others.Ronit (19), who lives in the same lane where Tarun was assaulted, said he had known the attackers’ families for years. “We grew up together. Their house is right next to ours and we have known them from childhood,” he said. “Even when the women in our family were pleading with them to stop, they didn’t listen. They just kept attacking.”Elderly residents recounted how quickly the situation spiralled out of control. Saroj (60), said: “At first there were only five or six people arguing in the lane, but soon around 30 to 40 people gathered. Instead of calming things down, more people arrived with sticks and rods.”She said the residents feared for their safety. “Some people have been arrested, but many are still outside. Their relatives live nearby. We are scared that once the police leave, we will face them again,” Saroj said.

Mumbai: Amidst a few citizen groups’ opposition to the impact on nearly 45,000 mangroves due to the proposed Mumbai Coastal Road (North) project, BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said on Saturday that infrastructure projects of such scale are not decided by a single person.Speaking at the second edition of the International Arboriculture Conference held in Mumbai, Gagrani said multiple statutory processes and approvals are involved before projects are cleared.“Such projects do not happen on the decision of a single person. Several agencies and regulatory processes are involved right up to the courts,” he said, adding that permissions were obtained from the concerned authorities.Gagrani also said that the Bombay High Court closely monitored the project, particularly with regard to compensatory afforestation measures that the civic body is undertaking.The conference, organised by Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan along with the Amenity Tree Care Association, brought together arborists, tree-care professionals, researchers, educators and environmental enthusiasts from across the world to discuss the science and practice of arboriculture and its role in improving urban landscapes.Vaibhav Raje, director of the Amenity Tree Care Association, said that there is a great need for arborists to guide civic staff when it comes to the well-being and preservation of trees.Chairman of Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan, Sanjay Pandey, said that balancing urban growth with tree protection needs to be looked at with a closer lens for the larger public good.Mumbai’s Guardian minister, Ashish Shelar, said, “Through modern arboriculture, we will establish ‘tree clinics’, include funding and policy for trees within municipal areas, and celebrate ‘tree literature’ and ‘tree festivals’. The problem of pollution is felt in Mumbai, Delhi and many cities around the world. Everywhere, a conflict between nature and humans is ongoing. It gives me satisfaction to see that this International Arboriculture Conference is finding environment-based solutions to all these problems.“Architect Alan Abraham delivered the keynote address on “Urban Public Spaces, Green Infrastructure and Citizen Participation.” Abraham explained how architecture and ecological planning can work together seamlessly if one attempts to do so.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) were planning to play a white-ball series in the UAE. However, the escalating conflict, which involves missile exchanges between the USA, Israel, Iran, and other countries in the Middle East, has made it very difficult to play cricket in the region.

The UAE is usually a popular and busy place to host a cricket series. Notably, the main focus of the cricket world is on the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is happening in India and Sri Lanka. Fans are watching the marquee tournament, but cricket boards also have to plan for future bilateral series.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Series Postponed

According to www.adaderana.lk, Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to postpone the upcoming series against Afghanistan. Afghanistan were supposed to host Sri Lanka for a white-ball series for the very first time.

The teams were scheduled to play three T20Is in Sharjah from March 13 to 17. After that, they were supposed to play three ODIs in Dubai from March 20 to 25.

The series has been postponed because of the Middle East conflict. SLC CEO Ashley de Silva recently said that no final decision had been made. However, both boards are now talking about either delaying the series or moving the matches to Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to postpone the upcoming T20 and ODI series against Afghanistan which was scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),” according to sources.

Middle East Conflict Disrupts Multiple Cricket Tours

The Sri Lanka-Afghanistan series is not the only cricket event affected by this conflict. The situation has led to airspace closures across West Asia. This has caused major travel and logistics problems for teams playing in the T20 World Cup.

The West Indies and Zimbabwe teams are currently stranded in India after getting knocked out of the tournament. Their return flights via Dubai were cancelled due to problems and reported damage at Dubai International Airport.

The rest of the England Lions tour in Abu Dhabi was cancelled due to security fears. They were supposed to play matches against the Pakistan Shaheens. A one-month training camp for the England Women’s team in Abu Dhabi was also abandoned, forcing them to find other options.

Sri Lanka to Wait Until West Indies Tour

The Afghanistan T20I series was supposed to start just five days after the T20 World Cup ends on March 8. The ODI matches were planned to finish right before the IPL and PSL start on March 26.

Players like Dasun Shanaka, Rashid Khan, Kusal Perera, and Noor Ahmad were supposed to play in this series before joining their franchise teams. If this bilateral series is fully cancelled, the Sri Lankan team will not play any international cricket for a few months.

They will have to wait until June or July this year. Sri Lanka are scheduled to travel to the West Indies for an all-format tour. They will play two Test matches for the ICC World Test Championship, followed by ODIs and T20Is.

Also read: Viral claim: Mitchell Santner clicked Ahmedabad pitch photo like Pat Cummins before final – Fact Check

NEW DELHI: There may be troubling news for women who rely heavily on morning-after pills to avoid pregnancy. Doctors warn that frequent use of emergency contraceptive pills can disrupt hormonal balance and menstrual cycles, cautioning that the medication is meant only for unexpected situations and should not be used as a routine method of birth control.Gynaecologists say the pill is intended for emergencies such as contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse, but many women are increasingly using it repeatedly within short spans of time.“Emergency contraception is a very useful tool when there is an unplanned situation,” said Dr Aparna Sharma, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, AIIMS. “But when it is used regularly it creates multiple problems. Compared to regular contraception, it is less effective, so the chances of pregnancy are higher if someone relies only on emergency pills.”Doctors say one of the most common problems reported by women who use the pill repeatedly is disruption of the menstrual cycle. Periods may be delayed, unusually heavy, or accompanied by spotting between cycles.“Emergency pills contain a high dose of hormones. Frequent use can disturb ovulation and lead to irregular menstrual cycles,” Dr Sharma said.Dr Rahul Manchanda, senior consultant in endoscopic gynaecology at PSRI Hospital, said the medication can trigger several short-term side effects.“The common short-term side effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting, abnormal spotting or bleeding and menstrual irregularities,” he said. “These pills are intended for emergency situations. Frequent or indiscriminate use can disturb menstrual health and hormonal balance.”Repeated hormonal exposure may also interfere with ovulation patterns over time, potentially affecting reproductive health, doctors say.Another concern is that emergency pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.“Barrier methods like condoms remain essential because emergency pills only prevent pregnancy and do not protect against infections,” Dr Sharma said.Experts say there is no medically fixed limit on how many emergency pills can be taken in a month. However, doctors emphasise that needing them repeatedly usually indicates a need for a more reliable contraceptive method.