Varun Chakravarthy (ICC Photo)

KOLKATA: The one thing that strikes you about Varun Chakravarthy is his complete lack of facial expressions. Just by looking at him, you wouldn’t know if he has taken a wicket or gone for a six. Rather, his teammates seem to be more excited about his achievements than him. But that takes nothing away from him being an integral part of India’s T20 squad.Varun is now back at the venue where he has thrived in the past. The 34-yearold leg-break googly bowler, an important part of the Kolkata Knight Riders team in the IPL, will consider Eden Gardens his home. Of his 100 IPL wickets, 99 are for KKR, with this iconic venue contributing quite a few of those. This is not lost on the Indian team management and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate agrees Varun could be one of their potent weapons here.

“Varun obviously had a lot of success here,” ten Doeschate said on Saturday. “I think it’s pretty standard how we’ve utilized Varun so far. He bowls one over in the powerplay. He’s our attacking option as well.”However, is Varun still as effective as he was in his early days? In the last two games against South Africa and Zimbabwe, he conceded 82 runs for his two wickets. Are the batters approaching him in a different way? Ten Doeschate is inclined to agree.

“We’re also aware that teams are now starting to play him a little bit differently. So we have some other strategies to deploy him in different facets of the game. But generally speaking he’s someone we turn to for wickets and he’s been really good at that and expect more of the same on Sunday.”The West Indies won’t take Varun lightly despite his relatively indifferent form. “Last time I checked I think he was the No. 1 bowler in T20 cricket,” West Indies coach Darren Sammy said. “We respect every opposition. We have our plans against each bowlers and vice versa, our bowlers versus their batsman. We got to play a complete game.”

Back in the familiar surroundings of the Eden Gardens, the occasion could just be the perfect setting for Varun to silence doubters. And an early wicket in his powerplay over could well give India the edge.Team firmly behind RinkuTen Doeschate said that the team is standing firmly with batter Rinku Singh, who lost his father to cancer on Friday. “It’s obviously a very sad time and he’ll continue to get the love and support from everyone,” he said.

UAE Stock Markets Closed: Regional Conflict Halts Trading on ADX and DFM

In an unprecedented economic response to escalating regional conflict, the United Arab Emirates has announced that its two major financial markets, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), will remain closed on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The decision comes as the UAE reels from a series of retaliatory Iranian strikes following coordinated US and Israeli military actions against Iran, which have destabilised Gulf business sentiment and prompted sweeping security and economic precautions.The UAE Capital Markets Authority said that keeping the exchanges closed temporarily is part of its supervisory and regulatory mandate, providing authorities and market participants time to assess the impact of recent events on financial infrastructure and investor confidence. The halt affects equities, derivatives and trading in hundreds of billions of dollars in listed assets and is among the clearest signs yet of economic shockwaves from the regional crisis.

Why UAE stock markets are paused: Regional conflict among Iran–US–Israel disrupts confidence

The closures follow Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Gulf cities and strategic targets, including airports and other infrastructure, after a joint US–Israel offensive. These attacks have not only led to safety measures such as airspace restrictions and travel advisories but also triggered widespread business disruption across the Gulf. Major airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have seen operations halted or altered and commercial hubs from ports to retail centres have felt the strain.

UAE Markets Shut Down: Is This Economic Capitulation to Regional War?

Financial markets are typically among the first economic indicators affected by geopolitical instability. When investors fear prolonged unrest, they often pull funds from equities and seek so-called “safe-haven” assets like gold, sovereign debt or commodities such as oil, especially when conflict threatens critical energy supply corridors like the Strait of Hormuz.

Regional market turmoil and knock-on effects in the Middle East amid Iran–US–Israel clashes

While the UAE exchanges are closed, other Gulf markets that remained open on Sunday experienced significant sell-offs as investors reacted to the turmoil:

Financial markets are serving as a barometer of risk and economic confidence and the dramatic moves across the Gulf underscore how intertwined political stability is with economic performance in the region.

What the UAE’s stock market closure means for investors

For both domestic and international investors, the temporary shutdown of ADX and DFM has several implications. Liquidity and price discovery are paused, leaving billions of dollars in listed assets in limbo. Risk premiums on Gulf assets may rise, as traders reassess exposure during periods of heightened uncertainty. Investor sentiment is likely to remain fragile until there are visible signs of de-escalation or credible diplomatic resolutions.Economists note that halting trading does not eliminate market pressure, it simply delays it and when markets do reopen, there may be sharp moves as investors recalibrate positions based on new geopolitical and economic realities. The conflict has not just shaken stock markets, energy markets have also reacted. Reports from analysts indicate that crude oil prices have surged as fears of supply disruptions increase, with the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for roughly 20% of global oil exports, under theoretical threat of closure.

UAE Stock Markets Closed: What Does This Mean for Global Investors Amidst Escalating Conflict?

Higher oil prices can partially offset stock market pain in energy-exporting economies like the UAE but the overall economic impact remains complex. Other sectors, from tourism and hospitality to trade and logistics, have also felt immediate fallout: airport shutdowns have stranded travellers and corporate events and networking key to Ramadan business cycles have been postponed, compounding uncertainty.

UAE government messaging and future prospects

UAE authorities have stressed that public and economic safety remain top priorities. The temporary market closure is coupled with broad advisories across transportation, education and public services, such as airports issuing travel advisories and schools moving to remote learning, aimed at ensuring operational stability while the situation evolves. Officials have pledged to monitor conditions closely and communicate updates on any further market action. This includes potential rescheduling of reopening dates for ADX and DFM or additional measures to support investors once trading resumes.The UAE Capital Markets Authority ordered a two-day closure of the Abu Dhabi and Dubai stock markets on March 2–3, 2026, in response to escalating regional tensions. The pause follows retaliatory strikes by Iran after US and Israeli military action, which have disrupted markets, air travel and business operations across the Gulf. Gulf markets that remained open experienced sharp declines and volatility, reflecting investor risk aversion. Oil prices and safe-haven assets have climbed as geopolitical risk fuels global economic uncertainty. Authorities will continue to assess and communicate market developments as conditions evolve.

Fresh explosions rocked key Gulf cities early Sunday as Iran expanded its retaliatory campaign following US and Israeli strikes on its territory, sharply escalating tensions across the region. AFP confirmed blasts in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Doha in Qatar and Manama in Bahrain, all countries that host US military bases.According to CNN, at least three loud explosions were heard in Dubai on Sunday morning, followed by another series of blasts minutes later.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, and it remains unclear whether any sites were directly hit by incoming fire.The fresh explosions came a day after deadly Iranian strikes targeted the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi, as well as military bases and civilian infrastructure across several Gulf states with mediator Oman the only country spared.The escalation comes after US and Israeli strikes that began Saturday battered Iran, killing its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Panic at Dubai International Airport

Passengers rushed to evacuate Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest travel hubs after a reported Iranian strike overnight.Videos showed panicked passengers running along airport concourses as smoke spread through parts of the terminal. Water triggered by smoke alarms collected on the floor as people fled.The footage also captured people escaping a smoke-filled passageway from earlier overnight strikes.Airport authorities did not specify the cause of the evacuation. However, aviation sources told Reuters that an overnight Iranian attack damaged one of the terminals.Dubai Airports later said a concourse sustained “minor damage” and that emergency response teams were “immediately deployed” during Sunday’s evacuation.Eyewitnesses told CNN that ambulances rushed toward the airport following the incident. Dubai Airports confirmed that all flights in and out of the city’s two main airports have been suspended until further notice.“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time and to contact their respective airlines directly for the latest updates regarding their flights,” the Dubai Media Office said.In Dubai’s upscale Palm Jumeirah district, an explosion struck the Fairmont Hotel, leaving parts of the property in flames.

Missiles over Doha, drone damage in Bahrain

In Qatar, missiles were intercepted over the capital Doha on Saturday.In Bahrain, officials said a drone strike damaged Bahrain International Airport. The interior ministry confirmed the attack caused “material damage without loss of life,” adding that authorities were securing the site.Videos geolocated showed a large fire at a residential high-rise building in Manama.

Regional airspace shut down

A wide corridor of Middle Eastern airspace was closed over the weekend as tensions soared.Airlines suspended flights across the region on Saturday, including to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Flight-tracking maps showed large stretches of airspace nearly empty, with multiple airports temporarily shutting operations.International carriers also announced cancellations and disruptions to Middle East routes. The strikes mark a dramatic expansion of the conflict, directly hitting major Gulf travel hubs long viewed as stable and secure gateways in a volatile region.

Drone strike hits Kuwait International Airport

A drone strike hit Kuwait International Airport (KWI) on February 28, 2026, damaging Terminal 1 (T1) and injuring several employees, according to Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).Kuwaiti civil aviation officials said the drone caused limited material damage to Terminal 1 and resulted in minor injuries to airport workers. Authorities immediately activated emergency procedures following the strike.Officials said the situation was brought under control, with response teams deployed to assess the damage and ensure safety at the airport.

South Africa suffered a major blow ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 knockouts as their opener Ryan Rickelton suffered a nasty head injury during their last Super 8 clash on Sunday (March 1) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Ryan Rickelton hit on helmet by Brad Evans before T20 World Cup 2026 knockouts

The incident unfolded in the fourth over of South Africa’s chase in Delhi. Brad Evans bowled a fast short ball to Ryan Rickelton. The ball came up sharply towards the batter’s head. The 29-year-old tried to play a pull shot, but he missed the ball completely.

The ball hit him hard on the front of his helmet, right on the badge area. He has not taken any run on that ball. After getting hit, Rickelton looked shocked and a little confused for a moment. He stood still and looked uncomfortable.

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The team physio quickly ran onto the field to check if he was okay. Rickelton removed his helmet and started rubbing his head. A small bruise was seen on the South Africa opener’s forehead where the impact happened. It was a serious blow, so everyone looked concerned in the Proteas camp as they are chasing their maiden T20 World Cup 2026.

Hopefully Rickelton won’t show any concussion symptoms this week, otherwise he won’t be able to play the semi final pic.twitter.com/Qd15yj28nX

— Werner (@Werries_) March 1, 2026

Following the shocker, David Miller even started getting ready, but after a few minutes, Rickelton’s condition looked better. After around five minutes of checking and rest, he put his helmet back on. He signaled that he was fine and ready to continue batting.

Ryan Burl shows brilliant effort to remove Ryan Rickelton

However, following the fiery incident, the opener could face only a couple of overs against Zimbabwe. Brad Evans bowled another short ball to Rickelton, and this time, he got success. Rickelton tried to play a pull shot. But the ball did not come onto the bat nicely.

It slowed down a little after pitching and did not bounce properly, making the batter play his shot a bit too early. He was through his swing before the ball properly reached him. The ball hit the toe-end of his bat; as a result, he did not get good power or control.

The ball went high towards the long-on area. Fielder Ryan Burl first ran forward, thinking the ball would fall short. But he instantly realized the ball was going over his head and then displayed superb athletic effort. He then turned around and ran back fast.

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It was a tough adjustment, yet he kept his eyes on the ball and took a stunning catch, removing Rickelton for 31 runs off 22 balls. Presently, South Africa needs 41 runs in 49 balls to beat Zimbabwe in the Super 8 game in Delhi.

South Africa dominate Zimbabwe in World Cup clashes

Notably, South Africa has had the upper hand over Zimbabwe in World Cup history. In ODI and T20 World Cups combined, they have met four times in completed matches, and South Africa has won three of those games.

Zimbabwe’s only World Cup win over South Africa came in the 1999 ODI World Cup at Chelmsford. That victory helped Australia reach the final after their dramatic tied semifinal against South Africa at Edgbaston. That was one of Zimbabwe’s biggest World Cup moments to date.

Indonesia coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, who works with two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu, had a close call after an explosion occurred near their location at Dubai International Airport as they were travelling to Birmingham for the All England Championships.Sindhu and Irwansyah were stranded at the airport after flight operations were suspended amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The tournament is set to start on Tuesday.

Explosions were reported in parts of the Gulf after Iran launched missiles in response to military action, including in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This led to the suspension of all flights at Dubai airport.“In Dubai at the moment, flights getting cancelled. There was an explosion in airport, so we are stuck here at the moment,” Irwansyah told news agency PTI.“They have put us in the hotel, we are okay but again there is a little bit of worry at the same time. We want to go to All England. I hope we can fly out today because Sindhu’s match is on Wednesday.”The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said it was monitoring travel issues linked to the situation in the Middle East along with Badminton England.“We remain in regular contact with teams and players whose journeys to Birmingham for the YONEX All England Open 2026 may be affected.The safety and wellbeing of all athletes, officials and support personnel remain our highest priority,” BWF said in a statement.“BWF is working with the tournament organisers and national associations to assess travel conditions, while our operations teams maintain real-time oversight of the situation and stand ready to assist delegations experiencing delays or route changes.“This includes reviewing and preparing potential contingencies within the competition schedule should any players experience delayed arrival.We will continue to share updates as the situation evolves and more information becomes available.”Sindhu shared her experience on social media on Sunday morning.“The ordeal continues to unfold, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour. A few hours ago, there was an explosion close to where we were holed up at the airport,” she wrote.“My coach had to quickly run out of the area as he was closest to the smoke and debris. It was an extremely tense and scary moment for all of us.”Most Indian players scheduled to compete in the tournament have already reached Birmingham. Men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, men’s singles player Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and women’s doubles pair Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly are in the city.Malvika Bansod has also arrived, but Unnati Hooda remains in India after her direct flight from New Delhi to Birmingham was cancelled at short notice.“I was supposed to travel today around 11 but early morning came to know that the flight has been cancelled. Now seats are not available in connected flights. I am in touch with BAI and they are in conversation with BWF to maybe schedule my matches late,” Unnati said.Former India coach Vimal Kumar was also set to leave on Saturday but was informed of his cancellation shortly before boarding in Bengaluru.Doubles coach B Sumeeth Reddy will travel via Singapore along with mixed doubles pair Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani.“There are some players we are trying to send via Singapore, some have reached. Satwik and Chirag have reached, “Badminton Association of India secretary Sanjay Mishra said.The United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran on Saturday. US President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to remove its leadership.The strikes led to airspace closures across parts of the Gulf, affecting several international carriers including Emirates and Air India.Air India said it has cancelled all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Muscat, Riyadh and Tel Aviv until further notice.Dubai International Airport has suspended operations indefinitely due to airspace restrictions following the missile strikes.

Mumbai: Medical literature has long held that heart disease primarily affects men and that women have a natural biological “shield” to a certain extent owing to the presence of oestrogen, but recent data from the civic-run Sion Hospital indicates that that protection is breaking down.Cardiac procedures among women at the hospital surged nearly 20% in two years—from 742 cases in 2023 to 884 in 2025. Even those in the age group of 20-40 underwent such procedures; the most common age group impacted was 50-60. Moreover, coronary angioplasty, which is performed in instances of heart attack, accounted for 20% of all cardiac procedures performed in women. Diabetes, tobacco and hypertension remain the primary risk factors. Dr Pratap Nathani, head of the department of cardiology at Sion Hospital, said what is more concerning is that these are women who were referred to them through various OPDs and departments. “It never happens that they reach us because they believe it is a heart attack. It is common for women to neglect all types of illness. On top of that, symptoms of heart attack in women are not classic. So, the ones we can save are just by luck.” He said the crisis in women is masked by “atypical symptoms” like acidity or fatigue, back pain, abdominal pain, jaw or neck pain, nausea, flu-like symptoms and even anxiety. “These could be mistaken for a wide range of ailments.” Such is the case with a patient Dr Vidya Suratkal has been treating at Lilavati Hospital for the last four years: A 28-year-old woman walked in with gastrointestinal issues but walked out with an angioplasty after an angiography detected blockages. “She came back multiple times with different arteries each time. She also underwent a bypass now. There is no clear identifying factor or cause in her case.” While doctors at Sion Hospital found stress to be a contributing factor in 16% of the cases—which ranged from financial to domestic—the cause in 1% of the cases every year is unknown. Both Dr Nathani and Dr Suratkal said factors like pollution have a correlation with heart issues, but more data is needed for a clearer link. Dr Nathani said women are naturally protected because of oestrogen, “but urban life, stress, lack of proper sleep, and even the increasing incidence of smoking among women is tearing apart that protective layer”. Dr Charan Lanjewar, cardiologist at civic-run KEM Hospital, is more cautious about drawing many conclusions from the uptick. “There are multiple factors. Diagnostic services have improved over the last few years. Besides, at BMC or govt hospitals, schemes like MJPJAY (Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana) have started covering more procedures, which could also play a role in the increase in cases.”

Mumbai: A modified nasal spray could help reduce anxiety and pain in adults undergoing certain medical procedures, as per a prospective study conducted by a city hospital.The intranasal spray contained medicines commonly used by anaesthetists, such as ketamine, midazolam and lignocaine, to sedate patients and reduce pain associated with surgeries. The study, conducted from July 2023-June 2024, was recently published in International Journal of Clinical Anesthesia and Research.Over 300 adults scheduled for gastrointestinal endoscopy at H N Reliance Hospital, Girgaum, were enrolled into two groups: a control group received standard sedation via IV drip and the test group got pre-operative medications through the intranasal spray. “The intranasal drug delivery system achieved better pain control, mobility and lower post-operative anxiety versus the intravenous procedural sedation group,” said author Dr Misha Mehta. “When patients are brought to the OT, they are anxious—for the first time, they are away from their family and they are also worried about the instruments in the OT. This spray puts them in a trance-like sleep from which they can awaken when spoken to,” said senior author and anaesthesiologist Dr Hemant Mehta. An article in Anesthesiology and Perioperative Science in Jan 2025 said: “The rapid advancement of AI has facilitated the emergence of automated anaesthesia systems, significantly enhancing the precision, efficiency, and adaptability of anaesthesia management in complex surgical environments.” The intranasal anaesthetic spray is a step in this direction; the team administered the spray to patients before surgery, and then at four-hour intervals. “Patients feel anxious about IV medications. The nasal spray eliminated that fear and post operation, they didn’t have symptoms such as vomiting,” said the doctors. Additional professor Dr Ashish Mali from BMC-run Nair Hospital said such sprays could help with anxiety but may not be enough for sedation. “Sedation dosages depend on the kind of surgery being performed.” A pre-operative IV drug as anaesthesia is preferred in case a patient’s blood pressure drops during surgery and doctors scramble to find blood vessels. “Also, nasal sprays, while convenient, may not be suitable for all patients. It may be useful for dentistry, in paediatric patients, and certain non-invasive procedures like a long MRI scan or endoscopy,” said Dr Mali.

A major military escalation is unfolding in the Middle East, with the United States and Israel launching coordinated strikes on multiple locations, including Tehran. In retaliation, Iran has reportedly targeted American bases across the region, triggering a dangerous exchange of missiles that threatens civilian lives. Amid this volatile situation, reports have emerged claiming that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks. The development has allegedly led to a nationwide mourning period, even as uncertainty and fear grip the region.While the reported death has shocked many, reactions on social media appear sharply divided. Several viral videos purportedly show groups of Iranian women celebrating in public, expressing relief and joy. Among those reacting online was actress Elnaaz Norouzi, known for her work in Indian projects, who shared her response through Instagram stories. She described the development as “the most incredible news,” suggesting that many had been waiting decades for such a moment.

In one of her posts, she wrote, “This is the most incredible news for us. The news we’ve been waiting for for 47 years has arrived. Khamenei is dead. God is greatest.” She followed it with another story featuring the same news headline accompanied by “thank you” and celebratory emojis, indicating her strong emotional reaction.

Elnaaz Norouzi speaks about ongoing war situation

Elnaaz Norouzi also posted a video message addressing the broader conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran. She stated that she has been closely following developments on television and social media. According to her, many people outside Iran do not fully understand the realities faced by ordinary citizens inside the country. She warned that uninformed commentary could worsen tensions and spread misinformation.She further claimed that if civilians lose their lives in the conflict, responsibility would lie with the Iranian leadership, which she accused of suppressing its own people for decades. In her view, the current crisis reflects long-standing political issues rather than a sudden escalation.https://www.instagram.com/p/DVTBRLEgi46/

Long-standing protests and calls for change

The actress also highlighted that demands for political change in Iran have existed for years. She noted that public protests have repeatedly taken place, though demonstrators often felt their voices went unheard. According to her, the present war has put ordinary Iranians at greater risk, intensifying fears about safety and stability. Despite the turmoil, she expressed hope that civilians would remain unharmed.Elnaaz Norouzi has previously voiced support for women’s rights and personal freedoms in Iran. She has spoken about restrictions imposed on women, including dress codes, limitations on mobility and barriers to employment. Women’s groups have staged numerous protests against these policies over the years, and the actress has publicly aligned herself with such movements advocating greater freedom.

In a high-pressure encounter at the T20 World Cup 2026, Zimbabwe’s talisman Sikandar Raza delivered a moment of magic that left fans and commentators in awe. Defending a modest total, Raza produced a peach of a delivery to clean up South Africa captain Aiden Markram, handing Zimbabwe the perfect start in their bid to upset the Proteas. The dismissal came at a crucial juncture and instantly shifted the momentum, injecting belief into the Zimbabwean camp.

Sikandar Raza delivers a peach to get rid of Aiden Markram

It was the fifth ball of the third over when Raza unleashed his trickery. Bowling to Markram, he fired in a well-disguised carrom ball that pitched on a good length. The delivery skidded on and stayed unusually low. Markram, attempting to punch it off the back foot, was caught in two minds.

Before he could bring his bat down in time, the ball sneaked under it and crashed into middle stump. The sight of the stumps rattling sent the Zimbabwean players into wild celebrations. It was not just a wicket — it was a statement.

Raza’s variation, subtle change of pace, and clever use of length showcased his experience on the global stage. In a format where batters often dominate, this was a reminder of how skill and deception can still outfox the best.

Here’s the video:

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Zimbabwe post fighting total

Earlier in the evening, Zimbabwe had opted to bat first, hoping to put scoreboard pressure on South Africa. However, their decision did not unfold as planned. Regular wickets disrupted their rhythm, preventing them from fully capitalizing on the powerplay and middle overs.

Despite the stumbles around him, Raza stood tall. The veteran all-rounder played a captain’s knock, scoring a brilliant 73 off just 43 deliveries. His innings was studded with eight crisp boundaries and four towering sixes. He rotated strike smartly and accelerated at the right moments, ensuring Zimbabwe posted 153/7 in their allotted 20 overs — a total that looked competitive but far from imposing.

Every run seemed valuable on a surface that offered some grip and variable bounce, something Raza later exploited with the ball.

Kwena Maphaka shines for Proteas

For South Africa, young pacer Kwena Maphaka was the standout performer with the ball. He finished with impressive figures of 2/21 in his four overs, maintaining tight lines and building pressure during key phases.

All-rounder Corbin Bosch also picked up two wickets, but his spell proved expensive. Conceding 40 runs in four overs, Bosch struggled to contain Zimbabwe’s late surge, especially against Raza’s calculated aggression.

Also READ: Former Pakistan cricketers react after Men in Green knocked out of T20 World Cup 2026