Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings begin IPL 2026 with revamped squads after finishing at the bottom last season. RR have handed captaincy to Riyan Parag, while CSK are led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, who returns after an injury-hit 2025 campaign. Sanju Samson, now part of CSK, is set to open alongside Gaikwad, with MS Dhoni likely to miss the first two weeks due to a calf injury.

The biggest storyline is Ravindra Jadeja’s move to RR. His presence brings balance to a side that struggled with team combination last season. With Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, and Adam Milne in the pace unit and Ravi Bishnoi supporting Jadeja, RR look far more settled.

CSK, however, face bowling concerns after Nathan Ellis’ withdrawal. Matt Henry and Noor Ahmad will be key, but questions remain over death bowling options. The No.3 spot is also undecided, with Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, and Sarfaraz Khan in contention.

With rain forecast in Guwahati and a fresh pitch in play, both teams will look to adapt quickly. Samson’s role at the top and Jadeja’s impact in the middle overs could define the contest.

NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Monday resigned from the Bihar legislative council days after securing a place in Rajya Sabha, marking an end of era in the state politics. The move has triggered fresh speculation over an impending change of guard in the state’s top post.Now all eyes will be on who takes over Nitish’s reign as Bihar chief minister as both JD(U) and BJP may push for the upper hand in the alliance equation.The announcement, however, may not come immediately going by the remarks from within the JD(U), where leaders have repeatedly invoked a constitutional provision allowing a chief minister to continue for up to six months without being a member of the legislature. The six-month rule Close aides of the 75-year-old Nitish Kumar, along with senior ministers like Shravan Kumar, have made cryptic references to the constitutional window, keeping political circles abuzz, according to news agency PTI. While no official plan has been announced, the repeated emphasis on the provision has added to speculation that a leadership shift is being calibrated.Sources in the NDA, however, suggest Nitish is unlikely to remain in office for the entire six-month period. There is also talk that he could move to the Rajya Sabha early next month, a step that may smoothen the transition.Timing linked to ‘Kharmaas’Insiders indicate that any change in leadership may only take place after ‘Kharmaas’, the inauspicious period in the Hindu calendar that ends on April 14. The timing, they say, could be a key factor in determining when the baton is passed.BJP eyes top post after long waitThe developments have energised the BJP, which sees a real opportunity to install its own chief minister in Bihar for the first time despite being part of the ruling coalition for nearly two decades. With JD(U) only marginally ahead in numbers, the BJP is believed to be weighing its options carefully.Among the frontrunners is deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, who holds the home portfolio. A Koeri leader and a potential successor to Kurmi face Nitish Kumar, as Samrat could help maintain the crucial Kurmi-Koeri caste equation in Bihar. His elevation may enable the BJP to consolidate support among a significant OBC group and counter perceptions of being an upper-caste-centric party.However, some within the BJP point to his relatively recent entry into the party in 2017, after stints in RJD and JD(U), as a factor that may affect his acceptability within certain sections of the organisation.Another key contender is Union minister of state for home Nityanand Rai, a former state BJP president who is seen as having strong backing from the central leadership.Delhi likely to take final callParty sources speaking to PTI indicate that while the BJP legislative party will formally elect the leader, the decision is likely to be made by the central leadership. They point to precedents such as Rajasthan, where leadership choices were finalised in Delhi before being announced in the state.Amid the speculation, JD(U) leaders maintain that the party will seek a fair share in the new cabinet if a leadership change takes place. There is also buzz that Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, who recently joined active politics, could be considered for a key role, possibly as deputy chief minister.

SSC CPO Result 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially declared the SSC CPO 2025 Paper-I result for recruitment of Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Candidates who appeared for the exam held from December 9 to 12, 2025 can now check their qualifying status for the next stage—Physical Endurance Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST).The result has been prepared using normalized marks, and candidates with NCC certificates have been provisionally awarded bonus marks, subject to verification during document checking.Minimum Qualifying MarksAs per SSC guidelines:• Unreserved (UR): 30% (60 marks)• OBC / EWS: 25% (50 marks)• SC / ST / Others: 20% (40 marks)SSC CPO Cut-off 2026: Female Candidates (List-I)

Note: 87 (SC), 26 (ST), 955 (OBC), and 600 (EWS) candidates meeting the UR cut-off are included in their respective categories.SSC CPO Cut-off 2026: Male Candidates (List-II)

Note: 1608 (SC), 744 (ST), 74 (ESM), 9925 (OBC), and 5456 (EWS) candidates qualifying at UR cut-off are counted under their respective categories.SSC CPO Cut-off 2026: Male Departmental (Delhi Police Only – List-III)This category is specifically for Delhi Police departmental candidates, unlike the above two lists which include both Delhi Police and CAPFs.

Important ClarificationList-I (Female) and List-II (Male) include candidates for both Delhi Police and CAPFs.List-III (Male Departmental) is only for Delhi Police serving personnel.What’s Next? PET/PST RoundCandidates shortlisted in Paper-I will now appear for:• Physical Endurance Test (PET)• Physical Standard Test (PST)These will be conducted by the CAPFs, and schedules will be released soon on the official SSC website.Other Key Updates• 12 candidates’ results have been withheld due to administrative reasons.• Final answer keys and individual marks will be uploaded shortly.• Candidates are advised to regularly check ssc.gov.in for PET/PST admit cards and updates.

India’s industrial production grew 5.2 per cent in February, driven largely by an improvement in manufacturing output, according to official data released on Monday.Factory output, measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), had expanded 2.7 per cent in February 2025, as per the official statement.Data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) also showed that industrial growth for January 2026 has been revised upward to 5.1 per cent from the earlier provisional estimate of 4.8 per cent.The manufacturing sector, which forms the bulk of the index, recorded a growth of 6 per cent in February 2026, compared with 2.8 per cent in the year-ago period, supporting the overall expansion.Mining output growth improved marginally to 3.1 per cent from 1.6 per cent a year earlier, while power generation rose 2.3 per cent against a 3.6 per cent increase in February 2025.According to the official data, the IIP index stood at 159.0 in February 2026 compared to 151.1 in the corresponding month last year.Within manufacturing, 14 out of 23 industry groups recorded positive growth. Key contributors included “manufacture of basic metals” (13.2 per cent), “manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers” (14.9 per cent), and “manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.” (10.2 per cent).In use-based classification, infrastructure and construction goods, intermediate goods and capital goods emerged as the top contributors to growth. Capital goods output rose 12.5 per cent, while infrastructure/construction goods grew 11.2 per cent and intermediate goods by 7.7 per cent.Consumer durables output expanded 7.3 per cent, whereas consumer non-durables contracted 0.6 per cent during the month.During the April-February period of FY26, industrial production growth remained flat at 4.1 per cent compared to the same period last year.

US President Donald Trump’s remarks about potentially seizing Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal have sharpened focus on the strategic and commercial stakes tied to one of the country’s most critical energy export hubs.Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, serves as Iran’s primary offshore oil export terminal and handles the bulk of its crude shipments to global markets. Any disruption to operations at the facility would have immediate implications for global oil flows, particularly at a time when energy markets are already under strain due to ongoing conflict in the region and heightened risks to maritime trade routes.In an interview with Financial Times published early Monday, Trump had said, “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t,” adding, “We have a lot of options.” The comments came alongside indications of continued US and Israeli military activity in the region, even as diplomatic channels showed early signs of movement.The geopolitical tensions have already translated into volatility in energy markets. Iran’s control over export infrastructure, combined with its influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint through which a significant share of global oil passes, has raised concerns among traders about potential supply disruptions. Brent crude prices have surged sharply in recent weeks, reflecting fears of a broader supply shock.Kharg Island’s significance lies in its export capacity and as a logistical anchor for Iran’s oil sector. Any escalation affecting the terminal could constrain exports, tighten global supply, and further elevate prices. At the same time, the feasibility of physically securing or controlling the island remains uncertain given its proximity to the Iranian mainland and its exposure to counterstrikes.Trump also suggested that a longer-term presence would be required if such an operation were pursued, saying it “would mean we had to be there for a while.” Analysts note that beyond military considerations, sustaining operations at a strategic asset like Kharg Island would involve securing shipping lanes, protecting infrastructure, and ensuring uninterrupted loading of crude tankers, all of which are critical to maintaining oil market stability.Roughly 15 miles off Iran’s coast, Kharg Island accounts for about 90 per cent of the country’s crude oil exports, making it a critical node in its energy infrastructure. The island’s deep waters enable large oil tankers to dock, allowing uninterrupted shipment of crude, much of which is bound for China. It also hosts freshwater resources that support thousands of residents and key facilities.Given its central role, any direct strike on Kharg Island could significantly disrupt Iran’s oil exports and tighten global supply. However, analysts note that any attempt to invade and hold the island would expose US forces to heightened risk, placing them closer to Iranian defences compared to the current aerial campaign.

US officials have also considered a blockade of the island as a potential pressure tactic to push Iran toward negotiations, signalling that Kharg could become a focal point in both military strategy and energy geopolitics.

NEW DELHI: The BJP’s Delhi unit on Sunday intensified its attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing its leaders of misogyny and demanding an apology from senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj over remarks allegedly made about girls, as the political row escalated on social media ahead of upcoming elections.In a post on X, the BJP’s Delhi account said, “Five days have passed… But Saurabh Bharadwaj ji, you haven’t yet apologised for the vile statement you made about Delhi’s daughters?” It added, “Making such shameful remarks against little girls and shamelessly sticking to them shows just how vile and low the AAP’s mindset is.”BJP’s Delhi account had earlier, in a lengthy post on X, accused AAP leader and the party of having a “misogynistic approach” while claiming that the BJP government is working day and night to empower women. The remarks come in response to a statement attributed to Bharadwaj, as the BJP said, “Unemployed leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said yesterday, the government will give bicycles to those girls, and we will have them campaign for Akhilesh ji in UP. We will hand them brooms.”Citing AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj’s words, it said, “This vile statement from Saurabh Bharadwaj shows that every leader of yours is misogynistic.” The post also targeted AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, saying, “Kejriwal had Swati Maliwal beaten up in the CM’s residence while he was CM. When he himself was in Tihar on corruption charges, he did make Atishi CM out of compulsion, but didn’t let her sit on Kejriwal’s chair; it remained vacant.”It further added, “We’ve seen before how your other leaders, be it Somnath Bharti who abused and behaved indecently with a TV anchor on live TV, or other AAP leaders – the bigger they are, the more misogynistic they are.”The party contrasted its position with that of AAP, saying, “On one side, the BJP government is working to educate daughters, to give them wings, to encourage them, while on the other side, leaders like your Saurabh Bharadwaj are mocking them. Have some shame!”

The IPL 2026 clash between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhede Stadium had everything fans could ask for—big runs, electric atmosphere, and unforgettable moments. While Mumbai Indians thrilled supporters with a record-breaking chase on the field, it was a touching off-field incident in the stands that truly captured hearts across social media.

Amid the roaring crowd and high-octane action, a simple yet emotional gesture turned into a viral sensation, reminding everyone that cricket is as much about human connections as it is about competition.

A proposal to remember… with an unexpected twist

In a video that quickly went viral, a young man decided to turn the thrilling cricket match into a life-changing moment by proposing to his girlfriend right there in the stands. As the cameras rolled and nearby fans began to notice, he went down on one knee, holding out a ring and asking the big question.

However, what followed added an unexpected twist to the romantic moment. As he bent down, he briefly lost his balance, and the ring slipped out of the box, disappearing beneath the rows of seats. For a few tense seconds, panic set in as the man scrambled to locate the ring, clearly worried that his special moment might be slipping away.

But in a beautiful display of camaraderie, fellow spectators quickly stepped in to help. Fans around him joined the search, scanning the area under the chairs until someone finally spotted the ring and handed it back. The relief on his face said it all.

Determined not to let the mishap overshadow the moment, the man gathered himself and proposed again—this time with a steady hand. He carefully placed the ring on his girlfriend’s finger, and she responded with a joyful smile, clearly overwhelmed by the gesture. The couple then shared a warm hug as the surrounding crowd erupted in applause, turning the stands into a celebration of love and spontaneity. It was a scene that perfectly captured the spirit of IPL—where strangers become part of unforgettable moments.

Here’s the video:

Shei Prothom Bhalobashar feeling 💜 pic.twitter.com/AtiWuB863m

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 30, 2026

Also READ: MI Coach Mahela Jayawardene explains why Suryakumar Yadav played as impact player in IPL 2026 clash against KKR

Mumbai Indians script history with long-awaited opening win

While the proposal created a buzz in the stands, Mumbai Indians ensured fans had plenty to celebrate on the field as well. The five-time champions pulled off a sensational chase, successfully hunting down a daunting 221-run target against Kolkata Knight Riders.

This remarkable effort not only marked Mumbai’s highest successful run chase in IPL history—surpassing their previous best of 219—but also set a new benchmark at the Wankhede Stadium.

More significantly, the win ended a long-standing trend for the franchise. Mumbai Indians had not won their opening match of an IPL season since 2012, making this victory their first opening-game triumph in 14 years—a gap of 5,107 days. It was only the fifth time in the tournament’s history that Mumbai managed to start their campaign with a win, with all previous instances coming between 2009 and 2012.

Also WATCH: Shardul Thakur’s slower ball masterclass dismisses Finn Allen in MI vs KKR IPL 2026 clash

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been on a record-breaking/setting spree over the last year or so and, as he prepares for his second IPL season, expectations are sky-high from the 15-year-old boy wonder. While the jury is still out on whether he can overcome the second-season blues – with teams better prepared to tackle his savagery with the bat – Sooryavanshi is not one to back down or get bogged down. He showed glimpses last season that he can hang with the best in the IPL, scoring 252 runs in seven matches, including a century and a fifty, at a strike rate of 206.56. So, what can we expect from Sooryavanshi in his first full season? A lot – plus these five iconic IPL records, which were once thought unbeatable, could very well fall to the 15-year-old teenager.

Highest individual score – 175 (Chris Gayle)*

The highest individual score in the IPL belongs to the iconic Chris Gayle, when he unleashed a literal hailstorm – or ‘Gaylestorm’, if you want to put it that way – at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, against a hapless Pune Warriors bowling attack with a sensational 175 not out off just 66 deliveries in the 2013 edition. Clobbering 13 fours and 17 sixes, it was a tour de force innings that has not been seen since, and many believe this is one record that could stand the test of time.But with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashing all kinds of records left, right and centre, is that Gayle record finally in danger? It could very well be. Sooryavanshi has a penchant for going really, really big when he gets in. Sample this:His highest score in Youth T20s is 144 off just 42 balls – and he got out in the 15th over. His highest score in Youth ODIs is 175 off 80 balls in the final of the 2026 Under-19 World Cup – and he got out in the 26th over. His next-best 171 came in the Under-19 Asia Cup off just 95 balls, and once again he got out in the 33rd over. And he smashed 190 off 84 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, getting out in the 27th over. Need any proof that this breakout beast can bring down Chris Gayle’s unrivalled record of the highest individual score in the IPL?

Most sixes in an innings – 17 (Chris Gayle)

Again, the record belongs to Gayle, courtesy the aforementioned innings. Seventeen sixes in a team’s T20 innings itself is an insane feat, but to clobber that all alone is once again beyond comparison. Then again, records are meant to be broken, and if there is someone who can eclipse the Great Gayle, it is the savage Sooryavanshi.Back to the samples: Sooryavanshi hit 15 sixes during his 144-run knock in the Youth T20 game, and again 15 in the Under-19 World Cup final, and 15 more in that innings of 190 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It should be a fair bet, then, that Sooryavanshi can go three better this IPL.

Most sixes in an edition – 59 (Chris Gayle)

And if we are betting on Sooryavanshi to break the record for most sixes in an innings, let’s take it one notch further and extend that to the most sixes in an IPL season as well. The record, not surprisingly, is held by Gayle, who smoked 59 sixes in the 2012 edition. Andre Russell managed 52 for KKR in the 2019 edition. Only two players have managed to hit more than 50 sixes in a single edition, with Gayle managing it twice (51 in the 2013 season).In his inaugural season, Sooryavanshi clobbered 24 sixes in seven games. So, if he gets a full season of 14 matches, it would be modest to expect him to hit 50 sixes if he gets going.

Highest strike rate in a season – 234.34 (Jake Fraser-McGurk)

Now, this will be a tricky record to break down and would need some kind of a parameter. Taking into consideration that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays all 14 games or close to it, and manages to face at least 10 balls each game, we put the marker at a minimum of 100 balls in a season to determine the best strike rate.Going by this, Jake Fraser-McGurk’s whirlwind 2024 season tops the list, with a strike rate of 234.34 in nine matches having faced 141 deliveries in total. And why do we think Sooryavanshi can eclipse this? Well, last season Sooryavanshi came close. He finished with a strike rate of 206.55 in the seven matches he played facing 122 deliveries. So if he has a windfall season this time around, Sooryavanshi has a real possibility to top the charts when it comes to strike rates as well – but the rider here is the considerable number of balls faced.

Six sixes in an over

And finally, a record we have seen set in first-class cricket, List A and T20s – barring the IPL: six sixes in an over. The best in the IPL is five sixes in an over, witnessed five times. Gayle was the first to do it in 2012, hitting Rahul Sharma of Pune Warriors for five sixes. Rahul Tewatia entered IPL folklore by clobbering West Indies international Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in 2020, and Ravindra Jadeja repeated the feat in 2021 against RCB’s Harshal Patel – with a four as well – equalling the most runs scored in an over.Rinku Singh then produced the most thrilling finish ever in IPL history, hitting Yash Dayal for five sixes in the final over to win the match for KKR, and in 2025, Riyan Parag smoked five sixes off KKR’s Moeen Ali. Will Sooryavanshi – not just add his name to this list – but complete the set with six sixes in an over – the first ever in the IPL?

Just one in three Indian schoolchildren has adequate stamina, with only 34% meeting aerobic fitness benchmarks — the weakest among all indicators — according to a report evaluating over 1.4 lakh children across 333 schools in 112 cities. The findings highlight poor cardiovascular endurance, weak muscle strength, and disparities across school types, even as overall fitness levels recover steadily after the Covid-19 slump. The report presents a mixed picture: while flexibility and core strength show relatively strong outcomes, the overall fitness profile remains uneven.Aerobic capacity is the most alarming weakness, with just 34% meeting healthy standards. This reflects low cardiovascular fitness and limited ability to sustain physical activity. “The main reason children are underperforming in aerobic abilities is rising obesity, which is becoming more common every day,” said bariatric surgeon Dr Sanjay Borude.

Beyond endurance, upper and lower body strength remain consistently poor across age groups and regions. Lower body strength is a particular concern, indicating issues with balance, mobility, and overall conditioning.Dr Aashish Contractor, director of rehabilitation and sports medicine at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, linked these trends to environmental and behavioural factors. “During childhood, the capacity for physical activity is the highest, but one of the biggest barriers today is the lack of open spaces and access to sporting facilities,” he said. “At both a family and institutional level, physical exercise cannot be treated as an afterthought -it must be an integral part of a child’s daily routine.”In contrast, flexibility (70%) and core strength (87%) show better outcomes, suggesting some aspects of fitness are being maintained. The findings are part of the 14th Annual Health Survey released by Sportz Village. Public school students outperform private school students in five of seven fitness parameters. The gap is most visible in endurance metrics like aerobic and anaerobic capacity, suggesting higher daily physical activity among public school children. This may be linked to more opportunities for free play and movement.However, lower body strength remains weak across both systems, indicating structural gaps. Diet may also play a role. “Another reason for lack of strength is inadequate protein intake. Diets, especially vegetarian ones, may not always provide the necessary protein required for muscle development,” Dr Borude said. Gender differences are also evident. Boys perform better in aerobic capacity and lower body strength, indicating stronger endurance. Girls show healthier BMI levels and better flexibility, suggesting better body composition and joint mobility. Despite these differences, poor aerobic fitness is common across both groups.Regionally, western India performs best across most indicators, ahead of the North, East, and South.However, no region reports a majority of children meeting endurance benchmarks, underscoring the nationwide scale of the problem. The report tracks a sharp pandemic-related decline in fitness. Levels dropped from 70.5% in 2020 to 56.2% in 2022 due to school closures, reduced activity, and increased screen time. Recovery has since been strong, with levels rising to around 85% by 2025 after schools reopened. “Since the pandemic, I have observed in my patients that they have become more conscious of their health and have a better understanding of how to preserve it,” Dr Borude said.Children with more than 80 physical education sessions annually perform better across all parameters. “From a preventive healthcare perspective, structured physical education and sports are critical,” said Dr Ranjani Harish, senior scientist at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation.“Regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health, controls body weight, enhances insulin sensitivity, strengthens bones and supports mental well-being.”She added that these benefits reduce long-term risks of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and obesity. “Schools play a central role in shaping lifelong health behaviours. Children who are physically active early in life are far more likely to remain active as adults,” she said.Emphasising urgent lifestyle changes, Dr Contractor recommends a “steep reduction in ultra-processed foods and controlled and regulated screen time.”

India’s economic outlook continues to be supported by strong domestic demand and improving high-frequency indicators, even as rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East add a fresh layer of global uncertainty and raise the risk of stagflation, Morgan Stanley said in its recent report.The report said that “domestic demand remains resilient; however, headwinds are emerging as ongoing geopolitical tensions create a stagflationary risk,” adding that while macroeconomic stability indicators are currently favourable, “prolonged disruption poses downside risks to growth and could worsen macro stability.”Meanwhile, on domestic front, high-frequency indicators point to broad-based economic strength. The report highlighted an improvement in auto sales across segments, alongside rising credit growth, signalling sustained consumption and lending activity.It further pointed to resilient GST collections, reflecting steady economic activity. The manufacturing PMI has improved, while the services PMI has edged down, indicating some moderation in the services sector.Alongside, labour market conditions are improving in CY2025 and CYTD26, with a gradual rise in employee expenses among BSE-500 companies, indicating strengthening employment trends.Corporate performance has remained steady, with revenues holding up in the December 2025 quarter. The report also said that nominal growth is expected to improve in FY2027E.Financial flows continue to support economic activity. Monthly SIP flows remain upbeat, indicating sustained retail investor participation, while fund flows to the commercial sector remain healthy, pointing to adequate credit availability for businesses.On the policy side, the Reserve Bank of India has taken proactive steps to manage liquidity. The report noted that the RBI has conducted proactive liquidity management, with the policy rate currently at 5.25%, and interbank liquidity remaining in surplus, ensuring adequate system liquidity.However, the report also cautioned that India is still exposed to external risks, particularly due to developments in the Middle East. It noted that the country is vulnerable to volatility in global commodity prices, especially energy. At the same time, the region also remains crucial for India’s external sector, with exports to the region accounting for around 15% of total exports, while it contributes 38% of India’s remittances.