Jacob Bethell has been trending on social media after a video of him watching the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semifinal between India and England posted by ICC went viral. In the video, Bethell is seen watching the match with his close friend Tom Prest, who captained England Under‑19 cricket team. England won that semifinal by 10 wickets, and Bethell said the moment felt “surreal.” He also said he hopes England can recreate that moment. The video gained attention shortly after Bethell played a brilliant innings for England in the semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. England were chasing a huge target of 254 runs set by defending champions India.

Bethell played a fearless knock, scoring 105 runs and keeping England in the game almost single-handedly. However, despite his efforts, England lost the thrilling match by seven runs.With this innings, Bethell became the fourth England player to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket. He joined the list that includes Jos Buttler, Dawid Malan, and Harry Brook.His century also became the second-fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history, reaching the milestone in 45 balls. The fastest century in the tournament was scored by Finn Allen of New Zealand national cricket team, who hit a 33-ball century against South Africa national cricket team in the first semifinal.Bethell is only the second player to score a century in a T20 World Cup knockout match, and his 105 is the highest score in a knockout game in the tournament’s history.

Watch the viral video here:

In the ongoing World Cup, Bethell has scored 280 runs in eight innings at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 152, including one century and one half-century. Despite England’s defeat, his outstanding performance showed why he is considered one of the team’s most exciting young players.

Afghanistan have announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, with a significant leadership change in the T20I format. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on Thursday that opening batter Ibrahim Zadran will lead the national team in T20 Internationals. The announcement came alongside the unveiling of both the ODI and T20I squads for the limited-overs tour scheduled later this month.

The decision marks a new chapter for Afghanistan’s T20I setup, as Zadran replaces star leg-spinner Rashid Khan as captain. The move comes after Afghanistan’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where the team failed to progress to the Super Eights stage.

Ibrahim Zadran handed leadership role in T20Is

Afghanistan board has placed its faith in the young opener by elevating him to the captaincy role. Zadran previously served as the vice-captain of the T20I side and has been one of Afghanistan’s most dependable batters across formats in recent years.

ACB had reportedly been reviewing the team’s leadership structure following the T20 World Cup. With the Sri Lanka series approaching, the board decided to make the change official, handing the responsibility to Zadran while Rashid remains a key member of the squad.

The decision signals the board’s intention to build a fresh leadership structure while maintaining continuity within the team. Zadran’s calm temperament and consistent performances with the bat are believed to have played a key role in the board’s decision.

Several changes in squad composition

Along with the leadership change, Afghanistan have also made a few notable adjustments to their squad for the upcoming series. Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq have not been included in either the ODI or T20I squads despite being part of the team during the recent T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, several players have earned opportunities in the T20I setup. Top-order wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman, left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf, and left-arm pacer Fareed Ahmad Malik have been included in the T20I squad.

Fareed Ahmad Malik has also made a return to the ODI squad, adding experience to Afghanistan’s pace department for the 50-over matches.

Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi receives maiden ODI call-up

One of the most notable selections is that of Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, who has earned his maiden call-up to Afghanistan’s ODI squad. Sharifi had featured in three of Afghanistan’s four matches during the T20 World Cup and impressed the team management with his performances.

His inclusion in the ODI squad reflects the selectors’ desire to gradually expand Afghanistan’s talent pool and give opportunities to emerging players on the international stage.

The white-ball series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will consist of three T20 Internationals followed by three One-Day Internationals. The T20I matches are scheduled to be played on March 13, March 15 and March 17, while the ODI series will take place on March 20, March 22 and March 25.

With a new captain at the helm in the shortest format and several fresh faces in the squad, the series could mark the beginning of a new phase for Afghanistan cricket.

Also READ: Afghanistan Cricket Board announces schedule for historic white-ball series against Sri Lanka

Afghanistan squads for Sri Lanka series

T20I: Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Noor Rahman (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai.

ODI: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Bilal Sami.

Also READ: BCCI unveils fixtures for India’s home series against Afghanistan

Mumbai Indians team (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians have revealed their new jersey ahead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League 2026 season, introducing a fresh design centred around a repeating ‘M’ motif that symbolises the franchise’s identity and philosophy.While the previous season’s kit retained the traditional blue and gold colours associated with the team, the 2026 version takes the visual concept a step further. The new jersey prominently features the letter ‘M’ arranged in a repeating pattern across the fabric, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity throughout the design. Despite their five championship titles, the jersey still does not display five stars above the team logo.

Explaining the concept behind the design, the franchise said the repeated ‘M’ reflects the mindset and collective energy that define the team.“The design of the Mumbai Indians’ jersey, edition 2026, is inspired by the letter ‘M’ developed as a repeating pattern to create rhythm and continuity across the print. The ‘M’ represents the MI mindset, mentality and momentum, reflecting focus and a forward-driving spirit. Transforming a single letter into a unified pattern expresses the collective strength that emerges when the team and its supporters come together,” the team said in a statement.The franchise also emphasised that the familiar colour scheme remains central to the jersey’s identity.“MI’s signature blue and gold define the visual identity of the jersey. The deep blue reflects the spirit of Mumbai, strong, energetic, and constantly in motion, while the bold, flowing gold waves introduce energy and movement into the design. Gold represents success, victory, and legacy, reinforcing the Mumbai Indians’ identity and enduring passion for the game,” the statement added.The team will once again be captained by all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been in impressive form during the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.Mumbai Indians endured an inconsistent start to the 2025 season before staging a strong comeback to reach the playoffs. Their campaign eventually ended in Qualifier 2, where they were defeated by the Punjab Kings.The franchise has not lifted the IPL trophy since their triumph in 2020 and will be eager to end that drought in the 19th edition of the tournament. A title in 2026 would also make Mumbai Indians the first team in IPL history to claim six championships.

NEW DELHI: Invoking its emergency powers, the government directed oil refiners late on Thursday to increase production of cooking gas and ensure there is no shortage of LPG for domestic customers due to supply constraints arising from the ongoing military conflict in West Asia.India imports over 60% of its domestic LPG requirement, and nearly 85-90% of these imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently disrupted, making supplies vulnerable. In 2024-25, India consumed 31.3 million tonnes of LPG, of which only 12.8 million tonnes were produced domestically.Since India has surplus oil refining capacity, officials said all public and private oil refineries have been directed to maximise production of LPG from propane and butane streams produced, recovered, fractionated or otherwise available with them. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane.The order issued by ministry of petroleum and natural gas on March 5, under powers derived from Essential Commodities Act, 1955, stated that these streams must be utilised for LPG production and supplied only to the three public sector oil marketing companies – Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum.The order also barred refiners from using the two chemicals for producing petrochemicals. “All oil refining companies shall not divert, utilise, process, crack, convert or otherwise employ propane or butane stream for the manufacture of petrochemical products or other downstream derivatives,” it stated. The additional LPG procured by OMCs is to be sold only to domestic households for cooking purposes, and any contravention will attract penal action, as per the order.Officials said the step has been taken to ensure uninterrupted cooking gas supply to nearly 33.1 crore active LPG consumers.Apart from ramping up domestic production, the government is scouting for LPG supplies from geographies outside the conflict zone. Officials said India recently signed an LPG import contract with the US and cargoes have started arriving. Public sector oil companies will import 2.2 million tonnes of LPG from the US Gulf Coast in 2026 – roughly 10% of the country’s annual LPG imports – in a move to diversify energy sources and bolster energy security.Officials also noted that gas companies are re-prioritising natural gas supplies to ensure that critical sectors such as automobile fuel, household kitchens, and fertiliser industries continue to receive uninterrupted supply. India currently consumes about 195 million metric standard cubic metres per day of natural gas, used as auto and kitchen fuel as well as feedstock for fertiliser, power and other industries. More than 50% of this requirement is met through imports.Since Qatar, the main supplier, has shut its LNG production facility and shipment movement through the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, about 60 million metric standard cubic metres per day of supplies are currently unavailable, forcing companies to source gas from elsewhere. “A company bought a cargo (shipload of LNG) just yesterday,” an official said.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rumored wedding plans may face unexpected attention as another high-profile celebrity wedding is scheduled around the same time. Sources claim the overlap could reignite discussions about Swift’s past relationship, potentially drawing comparisons online. The pop star reportedly hopes her big day remains focused on her relationship with Kelce rather than past headlines resurfacing.

Wedding chatter around Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce has been building for months, but a fresh twist has suddenly complicated the narrative. As speculation about their rumored summer ceremony intensifies, another headline is quietly surfacing at the same time. Swift’s former partner, Matty Healy, is reportedly preparing for a wedding of his own.The timing has caught the attention of fans and entertainment watchers alike. While Swift and Kelce have not officially confirmed their wedding date, several reports suggest a June ceremony could be on the horizon. That places the pop superstar’s big day just weeks before Healy’s expected wedding to model Gabbriette Bechtel in California. With both figures deeply embedded in pop culture headlines, even the smallest overlap between their personal milestones could spark widespread discussion.

Taylor Swift could see wedding headlines clash with ex boyfriend’s big day

Sources familiar with the situation say the overlapping timelines could reopen conversations Swift would rather leave in the past. According to reports, the singer hopes her wedding moment remains focused on the present rather than revisiting past relationships.One insider explained the concern, saying the close timing between the ceremonies could quickly become a major talking point. The source noted that “both of them occupy such a huge place in pop culture, even a small overlap in their personal timelines becomes a talking point.”Swift and Healy were briefly linked in the past, a relationship that attracted intense media attention despite its short duration. That history, however fleeting, is now resurfacing as fans notice the proximity between the rumored wedding dates.The same source suggested that such comparisons might frustrate Swift if they overshadow her celebration with Kelce. According to the report, “fans and commentators are naturally going to draw comparisons and revisit the history between them.”If the rumored June ceremony moves forward, the source added, the singer may prefer that the spotlight stay firmly on her current relationship. The insider concluded that the situation could “leave Taylor a bit furious, as she wants her wedding free of talk of her exes’ activities.”For now, both weddings remain surrounded by speculation. Neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly confirmed their date. Still, with two high profile ceremonies potentially happening weeks apart, fans are already watching closely to see how the headlines unfold.

BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the state government is planning a social media ban for children below 16 years while presenting the state budget for 2026–27.“Social media will be banned for children under the age of 16 to prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile usage. The ban is aimed at preventing the negative impact on children caused by increasing mobile phone usage, ” Siddaramaiah said.“AI and Tech park under IISC will set up a robotics and AI campus called Bangalore Robotics and AI innovation zone in collaboration with ISRO and Keonics,” he added further.Also read: No social media for under-16s? Karnataka govt proposes ban; Andhra Pradesh, Goa weigh similar steps — what you need to know

Presenting his 17th budget, Siddaramaiah also criticised the Centre, saying it was doing injustice to the state by not adhering to the federal system of governance as laid out in the constitution.He said the state government was pursuing a development strategy that balances welfare programmes with investments in infrastructure and long-term economic transformation, while urging the Union government to be more sensitive to the state’s demands.Siddaramaiah said Karnataka remains at the forefront of the nation’s development and is among the largest contributors of tax revenues to the country.“Our state is at the forefront in all sectors of the nation’s development; it is one of the key states that contributes the highest tax revenues,” he said.Total expenditure for 2026–27 is estimated at Rs 4,48,004 crore, Siddaramaiah said. State budget of Rs 4,48,004 croreA state budget of Rs 4,48,004 crore for the financial year 2026–27, outlining plans centred on technology-driven growth, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.CM said Karnataka continues to play a distinctive role in national and global trade and that rapid advances in artificial intelligence are transforming production systems worldwide. He added that scientific and technological innovation is increasingly shaping the state’s development trajectory.In that context, the chief minister said the budget had been framed with “responsibility and foresight” and with a resolve to “turn fire into light”.However, he also flagged concerns over falling revenue growth following the rationalisation of rates under the Goods and Services Tax in September 2025.According to the government, Karnataka’s average monthly GST revenue growth in 2025–26 was about 10% before the changes, after accounting for refunds. After the revised rates came into effect, the average monthly growth slowed sharply to around 4%.The restructuring is expected to reduce the state’s GST collections by roughly Rs 10,000 crore in the current financial year and by about Rs 15,000 crore in the next year.Among the key announcements was a plan to establish an artificial intelligence centre in Bengaluru. Two centres of excellence will be set up in collaboration with the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms and NASSCOM at a cost of Rs 16 crore.The government also announced the establishment of a leopard rehabilitation facility at Bannerghatta Biological Park. The Rs 5-crore centre will house and rehabilitate leopards captured from residential areas on the outskirts of the city.To tackle urban flooding, the state will implement disaster management projects in Bengaluru under the Karnataka Water Security and Resilience Programme, a World Bank-funded initiative. The programme will run for five years with an estimated outlay of Rs 5,000 crore.The chief minister also said the excise department had introduced digital counselling for the transfer of Group-C cadre officers, including excise inspectors and constables, in an effort to improve transparency. The system will now be extended to transfers of deputy superintendents and superintendents in the department.

England head coach Brendon McCullum has highlighted a couple of crucial moments as the defining factor behind his side’s narrow defeat to India in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final. In a thrilling contest at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, England came agonisingly close to chasing down a massive 254-run target but eventually fell short by just seven runs. While England’s batters fought hard till the end, McCullum reckoned India’s brilliance in the field swung the momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour.

Brendon McCullum on the turning point behind England’s loss against India

Reflecting on the match after England’s exit from the tournament, McCullum admitted that two outstanding catches by Axar Patel played a major role in shaping the outcome of the high-scoring encounter. According to the England coach, fielding under pressure at Wankhede is extremely challenging due to the pace of the outfield and the way the ball travels off the bat. However, India managed to hold their nerve at critical moments, something McCullum felt ultimately separated the two sides.

Notably, Axar’s first moment of brilliance came early in England’s chase when he completed a spectacular backward-running catch to dismiss Harry Brook in the fifth over. The England batter, known for his aggressive stroke play, had looked threatening before departing for just seven runs.

The Indian all-rounder later played another pivotal role near the boundary rope when he combined with Shivam Dube to remove Will Jacks. The pair executed a perfectly timed relay-style effort that resulted in Will Jacks being dismissed for 35 off just 20 deliveries. Both wickets came at crucial phases of the chase and forced England to constantly rebuild their innings rather than sustain momentum.

“I’ll probably look more at their two catches, to be honest. I think it is not an easy ground to field with the ball sailing everywhere. To be able to stay in the contest, the Indian players were able to execute those catches. Axar executing those catches, it was the difference in the game. In the big moments, they stood up. Their fielding hasn’t been great, so to execute it tonight was disappointing from our point of view, but fair play to them,” McCullum told Sky Sports Cricket.

Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026 – MS Dhoni’s priceless reaction to wife Sakshi’s early celebration during IND vs ENG semi-final goes viral

McCullum on another missed opportunity by English side

McCullum also pointed to a missed opportunity that proved extremely expensive for England. During India’s innings, Brook dropped a straightforward catch when Sanju Samson was batting on just 15. That mistake allowed the Indian wicketkeeper-batter to continue his assault. Samson made England pay heavily by smashing 89 runs off just 42 balls, an innings that laid the foundation for India’s imposing total.

McCullum admitted that once Samson found his rhythm, it became extremely difficult for England to regain control of the match. He noted that the bowlers struggled to adjust their lengths on the batting-friendly Wankhede pitch, where even slightly short deliveries can be punished.

“We put the chance down, and he was able to capitalise on it from there. We wanted to try and bowl a touch fuller. Sometimes here at the Wankhede, what feels like a good length is too short because of the extra bounce. We weren’t able to execute, and when you’ve got a player as powerful as Sanju, he’s able to capitalise on it, and he put us under pressure. It is hard to regain that composure when you’ve got a player who’s going like that,” added McCullum.

Also READ: Harry Brook reveals key reason behind England’s defeat in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against India