As anticipation builds for the upcoming IPL 2026 clash between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, Suryakumar Yadav has already stolen the spotlight—off the pitch. The dynamic batter surprised fans by recreating a viral Bollywood dance, blending cricketing charisma with cinematic style and sending social media into a frenzy.

Suryakumar Yadav steals spotlight by recreating viral dance steps from Dhurandhar

In a refreshing break from intense match preparations, Suryakumar showcased his lighter side at a recent public event. The Mumbai Indians star recreated the viral dance steps of Akshaye Khanna’s character Rehman Dakait from the film Dhurandhar.

The performance was inspired by the hit track Fa9la, which has captured the imagination of fans ever since the film’s release. Known for its intense beats and striking choreography, the song has sparked a viral trend across social media platforms, with users attempting to replicate its signature moves.

Suryakumar’s rendition stood out for its precision and flair. From the confident stride to the rhythmic footwork, he mirrored the character’s swagger with surprising ease. His expressions, timing, and energy elevated the performance, drawing loud cheers from the audience present at the event. Within hours, clips of the act flooded the internet, quickly gaining traction among cricket and Bollywood fans alike.

Here’s the video:

Ye Dada ka style hai, full Dhurandhar mode 🕺🔥 pic.twitter.com/wukQlxgER6

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 2, 2026

Also READ: IPL 2026: Why sports presenter Sahiba Bali is facing backlash on social media?

Expectations high from Surya ahead of DC clash

While the dance performance grabbed headlines, the focus now shifts back to cricket. Suryakumar remains a crucial figure for Mumbai Indians as they prepare to face Delhi Capitals on April 4. His role in the team continues to be a subject of discussion. In their season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders, he was deployed as an Impact Player, sparking curiosity about how the team management plans to utilize him moving forward.

Fans are eagerly waiting to see whether he returns to the starting XI or continues in a tactical role. He enters IPL 2026 on the back of a phenomenal 2025 season, where he amassed over 700 runs at an exceptional average of 65.18. His ability to play shots all around the ground has earned him the reputation of a “360-degree batter,” making him one of the most feared players in the T20 format.

Also WATCH: IPL 2026 – Virat Kohli tackle a hilarious quiz about his RCB records

NEW DELHI: The budget session of the Parliament will reconvene from April 16 to likely pass bills to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 seats.Government is looking to introduce at least two bills—including constitutional amendments—in the current session of Parliament to roll out reservation for women of one-third seats in the next Lok Sabha poll and assembly elections to be held after it.The move promises to change the country’s political landscape and put an authoritative stamp on PM Modi’s much-touted agenda of women’s empowerment as the campaign for four state assemblies gathers pace. If the government has its way, then the number of seats in Lok Sabha will rise by 50% to 816 from the existing 543, with the 273-seat increase set aside for women, ensuring that the existing political dynamics and incumbent parliamentarians, overwhelmingly male, are not cut loose as a reshaped order takes hold. The majority mark will, accordingly, move to 409.According to news agency PTI, the two houses will reconvene for either two or three days to take up the proposed legislation.While speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said that the House will meet again soon to consider a key legislation.“We have certain bills and important issues, and we have shared this with the opposition also. We are going to have a very important bill in the next two-three weeks,” Rijiju said.The strength of Lok Sabha will increase for the first time in over five decades. The strength of Rajya Sabha and legislative councils in states will not be affected. At least two bills, one on delimitation and another for an amendment in the Constitution, which needs two-thirds support in both Houses, will be brought.Although the governing NDA does not have the strength to secure the passage of the bill on its own, the government seems keen to push for its passage during the budget session concluding on April 4. Failing that, it is open to the idea of convening a short session specifically for women’s quota.Home minister Amit Shah is leading the effort to get support for the two bills and held two meetings on Monday, one with regional parties from the non-NDA bloc, including opposition parties and those unaligned to either formation (NDA or INDIA blocs), and another with BJP’s allies.

The labour codes aim to simplify and consolidate India’s complex labour law framework.

India’s new labour codes have introduced a structured distinction between the terms “employee” and “worker”. While all workers are employees, not all employees are workers. This distinction is more than just terminology – it determines the applicability of several statutory benefits and protections.The labour codes aim to simplify and consolidate India’s complex labour law framework. In doing so, they retain the principle that certain categories of roles – particularly those involving operational, manual or clerical work – may require specific safeguards. As a result, the concept of a “worker” remains central to how the codes are applied.This distinction is not limited to factories or industrial units. In today’s economy, many roles in offices, warehouses, retail outlets, and service centres may fall within the scope of “worker” depending on the nature of duties performed.Understanding the definition of “worker”The labour codes define a “worker” as someone employed to perform manual, skilled, unskilled, technical, operational, clerical or supervisory work. However, individuals in managerial or administrative roles are excluded. Supervisory employees may also be excluded if their wages exceed a specified threshold.The key factor is the nature of work performed—not the job title, salary level or workplace setting. This means that two employees in the same organisation, with similar designations, may be treated differently under the codes depending on their actual responsibilities. In contrast, the term “employee” is broader and includes all individuals engaged for hire or reward, regardless of their role. This allows the codes to apply specific provisions to workers while maintaining flexibility for other categories of employees.

Key provisions applicable to workersThe labour codes provide a range of benefits and protections that apply specifically to workers. These include provisions on leave encashment, overtime, grievance redressal, retrenchment compensation, and standing orders. Below is a closer look at each of these areas.Leave encashment for workersUnder the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSHWC Code), leave encashment provisions apply only to workers. The Code provides that workers are entitled to one day of earned leave for every 20 days of work in a calendar year, subject to a minimum number of days worked.At the end of the calendar year, workers may carry forward up to 30 days of earned leave. Any leave balance exceeding this limit must be encashed. Additionally, workers may request encashment of up to 30 days of leave at the end of the year, even if the carry-forward limit is not exceeded.All leave encashment is to be calculated based on the definition of “wages” under the labour codes, which includes basic pay, dearness allowance and retaining allowance, but excludes specific components such as house rent allowance, overtime allowance, statutory bonus, etc.Example: Where these provisions apply, a worker with 42 days of earned leave at year-end would have 12 days mandatorily encashed. The worker may also request encashment of the remaining 30 days.Overtime for workersThe OSHWC Code also provides for overtime pay for workers. Overtime is payable at twice the rate of wages and is applicable when a worker works beyond the prescribed limits.As per the draft Central Rules under the OSHWC Code, overtime becomes payable after 48 hours of work in a week. The maximum permissible overtime is 144 hours per quarter. Importantly, a worker’s consent is required before they can be asked to work overtime.Example: If an employee works 54 hours in a week, and the provisions apply, the 6 hours beyond 48 would be considered overtime and paid at twice the wages rate, subject to the worker’s consent and the quarterly cap.The 48-hour weekly threshold and 144-hour quarterly cap are based on draft rules and may be subject to change upon final notification.Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC)The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 mandates that every industrial establishment employing 20 or more workers must set up a Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) to address individual grievances.The GRC must have equal representation from the employer and workers, with a maximum of 10 members. There must be adequate representation of women workers, proportionate to their share in the workforce. The committee is required to resolve grievances within 30 days of receiving an application.If a worker is dissatisfied with the GRC’s decision or if the grievance is not resolved within the stipulated time, the worker may escalate the matter to a conciliation officer or, subsequently, to an industrial tribunal.Example: Where this framework applies, a worker raising a concern about shift allocation or leave records would submit a grievance to the GRC. The committee would then follow a defined process and timeline to resolve the issue.Retrenchment and Worker Re-skilling FundThe Industrial Relations Code also outlines specific provisions for retrenchment. A worker with at least one year of continuous service is entitled to one month’s notice (or wages in lieu) and retrenchment compensation equivalent to 15 days’ average pay for each completed year of service.In addition, employers are required to contribute an amount equal to 15 days’ wages per retrenched worker to the Worker Re-skilling Fund. This fund is intended to support retrenched workers by crediting the amount to their accounts within 45 days of retrenchment.Example: Where these provisions apply, an organisation planning a workforce reduction would need to ensure that notice, compensation and re-skilling contributions are processed in accordance with the Code’s requirements.Standing OrdersThe standing orders framework under the Industrial Relations Code applies to industrial establishments employing 300 or more workers. Employers in such establishments are required to prepare and certify standing orders that define service conditions such as classification of workers, working hours, leave, misconduct, and disciplinary procedures.Employers may adopt the model standing orders issued by the Central Government or prepare their own, subject to consultation with trade unions or negotiating councils and certification by the appropriate authority.Where standing orders apply, organisations would document service conditions in a standardised format, ensuring consistency in how policies are applied across the workforce.

Rulings on worker definition – A summaryIndian courts have consistently emphasised that the classification of a worker depends on the actual duties performed, not merely on job titles or salary levels. Factors such as the degree of supervision, decision-making authority, and the nature of responsibilities are considered when determining whether an individual qualifies as a worker.These principles continue to guide the interpretation of the worker definition under the labour codes, especially in cases where roles may not fall neatly into one category.Finally,The labour codes provide a structured framework for distinguishing between employees and workers, with specific rights and protections linked to worker status. This distinction is relevant across sectors and applies equally to traditional industrial settings and modern workplaces.For organisations, the framework offers clarity on how different provisions apply to different categories of roles, supporting consistent and transparent workforce practices. For individuals, it enhances awareness of how statutory provisions relate to the nature of work performed.Overall, the labour codes aim to balance protection, flexibility and clarity—supporting both employee welfare and organisational efficiency in a unified legal framework.(Puneet Gupta is Partner, People Advisory Services Tax at EY India)

The TOI correspondent from Washington: The prime-time address was intended to reassure an anxious nation and steady jittery markets; instead, U.S President Donald Trump on Wednesday underscored the deep contradictions at the heart of his war in Iran, declaring that American objectives were “nearing completion” even as he threatened an intensification of military action.The speech, delivered from the White House on Wednesday night, marked Trump’s most comprehensive attempt yet to define the trajectory of a conflict that has escalated rapidly over the past month. Yet rather than offering clarity, it raised fresh questions about U.S. strategy, the risk of further escalation, and the durability of Washington’s alliances and partnerships.Trump struck a hubristic and triumphant tone, bragging about the greatness of the U.S military and asserting that American might has crippled Iran’s military capabilities, including its navy, air force, and missile systems. He suggested that the campaign could conclude within “two to three weeks,” framing the operation as a decisive success. In the same breath, he also warned that he was ready to hit Iran “extremely hard” in the coming weeks and expand strikes to critical infrastructure if Tehran failed to comply with U.S demands.The dual message—mission accomplished alongside threats of escalation—captured what analysts described as the central paradox of Trump’s Iran policy. While signaling closure, the president left open multiple pathways to a broader war, including continued aerial bombardment, the possibility of additional targets, and even a ground invasion. Notably absent in the speech was a clear exit strategy. Trump did not specify what political or military conditions would constitute a definitive end to hostilities, nor did he clarify how the U.S would secure long-term objectives such as curbing Iran’s nuclear program, which he acknowledged remains intact in part, and which some experts have suggested is a strawman bogey propped by Israel. Compounding concerns are reports that Washington is exploring plans to secure or seize Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, a move fraught with logistical and geopolitical risks. Such an operation would likely require either cooperation from Iranian authorities—currently unlikely—or a sustained military presence deep inside Iranian territory, raising the specter of a prolonged occupation. Experts warn that any attempt to physically control nuclear material in an active war zone could trigger retaliation, environmental hazards, and broader regional destabilization.Trump’s address also veered sharply into criticism of U.S. allies, particularly NATO members, whom he accused of failing to shoulder their share of the burden in confronting Iran. He reiterated calls for other nations, especially those reliant on Middle Eastern oil, to take responsibility for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane that has been disrupted by the conflict. In a leaked remarks at a private Easter lunch earlier in the day, he taunted South Korea, Japan, and China for not helping keep Hormuz open, but conspicuously excluded India from the list of countries he wanted to intercede.The remarks reflect a widening transatlantic rift. European allies have largely refrained from direct military involvement, favoring diplomatic solutions and maritime security roles. Trump’s increasingly hostile rhetoric toward NATO, including suggestions that the alliance is no longer essential, has deepened concerns about U.S. reliability as a security partner.If Trump’s speech was aimed in part at calming financial markets—a longstanding preoccupation of the president—it appeared to have the opposite effect. Within minutes of the address, U.S. stock futures turned sharply negative and oil prices surged amid fears of prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts said the speech failed to provide the clarity investors had hoped for. Instead, it reinforced concerns about a drawn-out conflict with unpredictable economic consequences, including inflationary pressures driven by energy prices.The market reaction was particularly striking given Trump’s frequent invocation of stock performance as a barometer of his administration’s success. During the speech, he pointed to earlier market highs, but the immediate downturn underscored the fragility of investor confidence.At home, the address drew a mixed but increasingly critical response. Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans faulted Trump for failing to articulate clear objectives or a coherent strategy. Public opinion has also turned skeptical. Polls show a majority of Americans oppose the war and want it concluded quickly, with many expressing concern that the administration has not adequately explained its goals.

The government has asked oil refineries to divert part of the feedstock used for cooking gas (LPG) towards petrochemical units, as industries grapple with acute raw material shortages triggered by supply disruptions amid the West Asia conflict, according to PTI.The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on April 1 directed refiners to allocate a portion of propylene to the petrochemical sector, which has been hit after earlier curbs prioritised LPG output.