Sri Lanka National Cricket Team’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign ended in total disappointment, and former cricketer Russel Arnold made his strong words felt across the nation.

Sri Lanka crash out of T20 World Cup 2026

On Wednesday, February 27, New Zealand crushed Sri Lanka by 61 runs in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

That heavy loss knocked Sri Lanka out of the tournament, making them the first team in the Super 8 to be eliminated from the semifinal race.

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Sri Lankan bowlers did a decent job by restricting the Black Caps to 168/7, but the batting unit has once again failed badly in the crucial match. The top order collapsed for just 46 runs, putting the team under huge pressure, and then eventually they could make only 107 runs in 20 overs.

Batting collapse ends Sri Lanka’s World Cup dream again

Earlier in the Super 8, England had bowled Sri Lanka out for just 95. That batting problem hurt them again against the New Zealand cricket team. Rachin Ravindra was the hero for the Black Caps as he destroyed Sri Lanka’s middle order and scalped four wickets.

Sri Lanka had only one happy moment in the tournament, and that was a stunning win against Australia. Apart from that, fans did not get much to celebrate on home soil. After Sri Lanka’s elimination, Arnold questioned the selection committee and team management.

The former cricketer said that the same mistakes have continued for years. He made it clear that talent alone is not enough. Players must show desire, hunger, and performance.

If you can’t perform, just leave: Russel Arnold

Russel Arnold said on his social media handle, “It’s simple. If you can’t play, that’s it. There’s no point talking about this and that anymore. This has been happening for years. We just keep hanging around. I’m asking the players: can you score runs? Can you catch a ball? If not, leave.”

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In his brutal attack, Arnold continued, “We’ll bring in someone who can catch. I can’t be here from morning until night trying to teach you how to catch a ball. Do you even have the desire to catch the ball? Do you have the desire to score some runs?”

Russell slams Sri Lankan selectors

The cricket pandit stressed that if someone cannot deliver, the team should give chances to others instead of protecting underperformers; otherwise, they can never win the global tournaments.

Russell added, “These are simple questions. If you can answer them, then play. This person is good, that person is good, he needs twenty more matches…I think we’re in this state because we’ve been pampering everyone. If you’re going to play, play. If not, it’s fine; we’ll find someone else.”

Russell Arnold isn’t mincing words anymore, and neither should we.

“If you can play well, play. If not, you can leave. We can’t do this every day. Catch the ball, score runs, stay. If not, get lost. That’s it.
We’re in this mess because we’ve tried to please everyone for too… pic.twitter.com/5GMNCZoLdU

— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) February 28, 2026

Sri Lanka’s batting struggles

Notably, the Islanders’ batting troubles started at the beginning of this year. The top and middle order kept failing under pressure, which led them to a 3-0 bilateral series defeat against England before the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at home and in India.

They entered the global tournament with the same weak and struggling batting lineup, and the result is in front of the world.

Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Operation Epic Fury — an extensive US military action under President Donald Trump, have achieved its most consequential objective: the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes carried out early Sunday against the political heart of Tehran.According to initial reports, the operation did not only target Iran’s top leader. Khamenei’s daughter and grandchild were also said to be among those killed in the American strikes that hit key locations in the capital.Unlike last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer, aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear aspirations at key sites, Operation Epic Fury carried out in broad daylight with a much wider strategic objective, leading to the killing of the Supreme Leader.“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Donald Trump declared on his Truth Social.The offensive marked a dramatic escalation, with Trump launching a full-scale military operation against Iran over the weekend. The move appeared aimed at dismantling the Khamenei-led political establishment and reshaping power dynamics in the oil-rich nation.

A daylight strike at the centre of power

Modern aerial bombardments typically begin under the cover of darkness, exploiting confusion and weakening air defence response. This time, however, the strategy appeared deliberately different.Missiles and bombs began striking Tehran in broad daylight, a calculated move that seemed designed to ensure the presence of senior officials in government offices. Thick plumes of smoke soon rose over the capital, particularly from buildings located in the city’s political and administrative district.The strikes reportedly hit areas along Pasteur Street, where key institutions of the Iranian state are clustered. The district houses the offices of the Supreme Leader, the presidential complex of Masoud Pezeshkian, the national security headquarters, and the Assembly of Experts, the powerful clerical body responsible for appointing a new supreme leader.

Satellite imagery later showed the compound associated with Khamenei reduced to a vast stretch of grey dust and debris.

A decapitation strike

Israeli officials later described the initial assault as a “decapitation strike” an attempt to simultaneously eliminate Iran’s political leadership and cripple the core apparatus of governance. Such operations aim not just at military installations but at the individuals who command the system.The offensive appeared to extend beyond the sitting leadership. Reports indicated that the Tehran residence of former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also struck during the operation, though his condition or whereabouts were not immediately confirmed.

Explosions across multiple cities

While Tehran bore the brunt of the initial wave, explosions were reported across several Iranian cities. Attacks were said to have taken place in Qom, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Lorestan, Khorramabad and Karaj, suggesting a nationwide operation targeting strategic infrastructure and political centres.In Tehran, ambulances were seen rushing out of the Pasteur district carrying the injured as emergency services scrambled to respond to the destruction.

A moment that could reshape the region

If confirmed, the killing of Iran’s supreme leader would mark one of the most consequential geopolitical events in recent decades — potentially reshaping power dynamics in the Middle East and triggering a chain reaction across the region.For now, however, conflicting claims and limited verifiable information have left the world watching closely as Tehran assesses the damage and prepares its response.

MUMBAI: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in its preliminary report on the fatal Jan 28 Learjet crash at Baramati has flagged pilots’ non-adherence to standard operating procedures, low visibility and absence of basic meteorological facilities at the uncontrolled airfield. The report said that the crew attempted the visual landing despite being informed that the visibility was only 3 km. A minimum visibility of 5 km is mandated for visual landing. The factors given in the preliminary report were put forth in the early narratives that emerged after the accident.On Jan 28, a Learjet operated by VSR Ventures took off from Mumbai and crashed before landing at Baramati. All five persons on board were killed in the accident, including the then Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.The preliminary report, which carries the timeline of the occurrence shows the last proper communication between the pilot and the Baramati air traffic controller was at 08:43:55 seconds when the co-pilot radioed, “Field in sight”. At 08:44:13 the pilot can be heard saying “Oh s**t, oh s**t” before the aircraft crashed at the left side of the runway. The report does not give details of what transpired in the final 18 seconds before the impact. CCTV footage from a local gram panchayat office showed the aircraft banking sharply just before the crash. The preliminary report instead has a satellite image tracing the probable flight path of the aircraft after the go-around. A green-marked flight track shows the aircraft approaching from the right of the runway centreline, never properly aligned with the strip visible at the end of the path. Based on the depicted track, the aircraft appears to have remained offset to the right of runway 11 before making a pronounced left turn in the final moments.The report states: “As per the CCTV footage installed in a nearby village, the aircraft was observed to have banked towards right before impacting the terrain. The aircraft first impacted the trees before hitting the ground which is at a lower elevation than the runway surface. The ground impact of the aircraft was at a lateral distance of about 50 meters on the left edge of runway 11,” the report said.Safety experts pointed out the confusion over whether the aircraft sharply banked right or left. Capt Amit Singh of Safety Matters Foundation said: “The plotted track shows the aircraft to the right of the runway whereas the report’s own narrative indicates the aircraft impacted terrain left of the runway and that the aircraft was in a right bank at impact.” He added that the report “remains data-light against reasonable public expectations for evidence-backed transparency, especially given that it confirms that Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data was successfully downloaded”. “It contains a flight track plot presented without a stated data source, despite apparent inconsistencies when compared with the reported wreckage location and aircraft attitude at impact… The public does not need conclusions at the preliminary state, but it does need sourced facts,” he said.Rohit Pawar posted on X that the AAIB did not prepare the report with seriousness.The final report is expected to carry more details. If the deadline has to be met, it should be released on or before Jan 2, 2027. In its interim safety recommendations, the AAIB has asked the DGCA to ensure stricter compliance with standard operating procedures for flights operating to uncontrolled airfields, particularly adherence to minimum visibility requirements. It has called for directions to aerodrome operators to permit operations only when weather conditions meet prescribed criteria. The Bureau has also recommended that safety standards at uncontrolled airfields be strengthened through oversight and audits, that basic meteorological facilities and improved landing aids be introduced to support non-scheduled and charter operations, and that the feasibility of formally licensing such aerodromes for safe, regulated operations be examined.

India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu plays China’ s Wang Zhi Yi during their women’s third round match of the Badminton World Championships in Paris. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is currently stranded at Dubai airport after airspace closures in the Middle East disrupted flights. Sindhu was travelling to Birmingham for the 2026 All England Open Super 1000 when operations were suspended following the US and Israel’s attack on Iran.The former world champion shared the situation on social media, posting a video that showed long queues at the airport.

“All flights suspended until further notice,” she wrote while sharing the post.“It’s hard to process what’s unfolding right now. Hearing the interceptions overhead and seeing how quickly everything has escalated is honestly terrifying. So many disturbing videos are coming to light, and this is sadly the reality of what is happening. Dubai is a city I deeply love, a place that has always felt safe and full of life, which makes this moment even harder to comprehend,” she wrote in a different post on X.“To everyone who has been messaging and checking in, thank you, it truly means a lot. I am safe right now, stuck here in Dubai with my team, and we are doing okay as the situation around the war with Iran continues to evolve. The Airport is chaotic, with many families stranded and waiting, all of us just hoping we get past this soon.“Moments like these remind you how fragile normal life really is. Praying for safety and peace for everyone affected.”While Sindhu remains stuck, India’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have safely reached Birmingham for the prestigious tournament. Shetty confirmed their arrival through a social media post, writing, “Safely landed in Birmingham before US struck Iran.”Sindhu is not the only Indian sportsperson affected by the sudden escalation of tensions in the region. The Indian men’s basketball team is also stranded due to the airspace closure. The team is currently in Doha, Qatar, where they had travelled for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. They were scheduled to fly to Lebanon for their next assignment but are now unable to proceed because of the disrupted flight operations.The unexpected travel chaos has impacted several international passengers, including athletes heading for major sporting events. With flights suspended until further notice, Sindhu and others will now have to wait for further updates before continuing their journeys.

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Chiyaan Vikram, the acclaimed Tamil actor, embraces a simple, eco-conscious life at his Chennai home in Mahalingapuram. The residence features a minimalist design and natural materials—teakwood and marble—framed by garden pockets and inner courtyards that cultivate serenity and sustainability. His deep commitment to his craft complements a grounded personal life.

Famed Tamil actor Vikram, who is best known for his roles in ‘En Kadhal Kanmani’, ‘Sethu’, ‘Deiva Thirumagal’, and ‘Cobra’, is a force to be reckoned with. While he is also known for his acting prowess on the big screen, in his personal life, he chooses to live a more comfortable and eco-friendly life. Here is all that you need to know about Chiyaan Vikram’s home in Chennai.

About Vikram’s home

As per reports by Housivity, Vikram lives in an upscale neighbourhood in Chennai. He resides at 18, Murali Street, Mahalingapuram, Chennai, which is a well-connected yet peaceful part of the city. Mahalingapuram is located in a green area and is known for its well-connected network to basic facilities. According to reports, a house in the Mahalingapuram area in Chennai can cost anywhere from Rs 15,000 to 25,000 per square foot for independent homes, while premium apartments in the area cost Rs 12,000 to 18,000 per square foot. The area also has options of luxury villas, which cost more and start from around Rs 20,000 and go upto Rs 30,000 per square foot.

Details about Vikram’s home

The actor’s home prioritises minimalist and simplistic themes over all else. Some of the most common materials used in the actor’s home include teakwood, marble, and natural stone. His property also has garden pockets, along with internal courtyards, and a simpler colour palette as well. As for the kitchen, the space is well updated and uses state-of-the-art and modern equipment to cater to his family’s needs.

About Tamil star Vikram

Over the years, the 59-year-old actor has become a force to reckon with. The actor started his career in 1988 and has been working actively in the Tamil entertainment industry since then. He started his career starring in the popular romantic drama film ‘En Kadhal Kanmani’ and never looked back. He last appeared in ‘Veera Dheera Sooran’, a 2025 thriller film which is available for viewing on Prime Video.He has been married to Shailaja Balakrishnan since 1992, and the couple are parents to two children, Dhruv, who is also an actor,and daughter named Akshita.

Just minutes after US President Donald Trump announced that “Khamenei is dead,” a cryptic message was shared by Iran’s Supreme Leader’s social media platform XThe message was in Persian, invoking the name of Haidar — the first Shia Imam and a central figure in Shia Islam.“Be nām-e nāmi-ye Heydar, alayhis-salām,” the Persian text read, which translates to: “In the exalted name of Haidar (peace be upon him).”Earlier, Trump announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in a joint US-Israel strike on Tehran.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead.”He claimed the cleric was tracked using “highly sophisticated tracking systems” and described the assassination as “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were “many signs” that the 86-year-old leader was “no more.”Iran has not formally confirmed his death. However, senior official Ali Larijani warned that the United States and Israel would “regret their actions,” vowing an “unforgettable lesson” from Iran’s armed forces. Within hours, missiles and drones were launched at Israel and at US military bases across the Gulf.Strikes began around 09:30 Tehran time, with explosions reported near Khamenei’s heavily guarded Leadership House compound. Satellite imagery showed blackened buildings and debris within a kilometre of the site. Israeli officials later said the compound had been destroyed in what they described as a “powerful surprise strike.”Khamenei had ruled since 1989, succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Over nearly four decades, he consolidated power over the clerical establishment, judiciary and armed forces.There is no publicly confirmed successor. Constitutionally, a panel of clerics selects the next supreme leader, but analysts warn that in wartime, power could shift to a temporary council or to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).With tensions at boiling point, even minor factional splits could destabilise the political system that Khamenei spent decades fortifying.

NEW DELHI: The military strikes on Saturday put the spotlight on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for India and other Asian countries, prompting officials here to activate contingency plans to safeguard energy supplies, reports Atul Mathur.While keeping a close watch on the unfolding situation, they also have an eye on crude as global benchmark Brent closed at a seven-month high of $72.87 on Friday. Prices are expected to spike after Saturday’s attack. Supplies are unlikely to be hit immediately although shipments via the Strait were suspended.

OPEC+, the group of oil producing nations, is meeting Sunday after Saudi Arabia and UAE raised exports in anticipation of the US-Israel strikes. A modest increase in supply was planned.The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, handling nearly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil trade. India imports nearly 90% of its crude requirement – about 5.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) – and more than 40% of it comes from West Asia through this narrow passage. Officials said this share increased to about 50% in the first two months of this year. India ready with options if supplies get disrupted About half of the LNG supplies reaching India also transit through this route.With limited alternatives to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption would have major consequences for global oil markets. It would not only trigger a surge in global crude prices, but diversification of imports would also add to freight and insurance costs. According to analysts, Brent crude has already risen from about $65 per barrel to $72-73 in the past few days and may climb to $80 if geopolitical tensions persist. Every $10 per barrel increase in crude prices could add $13-14 billion annually to India’s import bill.In India, officials said pre-emptive measures such as strengthening strategic oil reserves and diversifying imports from 41 countries are already in place. India may also explore importing part of its West Asian supplies through the 360-km Habshan-Fujairah oil pipeline operated by ADNOC, which has a capacity of 1.5 mbpd, and the 1,200-km East-West crude oil pipeline controlled by Saudi Aramco, which has a capacity of 5 mbpd and provides access to the Red Sea.Multiple options have been explored including increasing the sourcing from the US, West Africa, Russia and Latin America through the eastern route, if supplies from West Asia are disrupted.India’s strategic petroleum reserves – including cavern storage, refinery stocks and floating inventories at ports – can last up to 74 days to meet demand during any global crisis, an official said.An executive at a state-owned refiner said the situation in the region has been on the boil for the past few weeks. “Though there has been no disruption to supplies, internal discussions on alternative routes have been underway,” the executive said.