Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty ended nearly 2 per cent higher on Wednesday, starting the new financial year on a firm footing as global markets rallied on hopes of a potential de-escalation in the ongoing West Asia conflict.The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 1,186.77 points or 1.65 per cent to settle at 73,134.32. During intra-day trade, it surged 2,017.03 points or 2.80 per cent to 73,964.58.The broader NSE Nifty rose 348 points or 1.56 per cent to close at 22,679.40. A decline in crude oil prices also supported investor sentiment.

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“Indian equity markets opened the new financial year on a positive note, with stocks soaring on fresh optimism surrounding a potential de-escalation of the Middle East conflict and easing of energy supply disruptions,” said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.He added that US President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting the US could withdraw from Iran “whether we have a deal or not” within the next two to three weeks provided the trigger for a broad rally in global risk assets.“Indian equity markets opened FY27 on a strong note, driven by improving risk appetite following US President Donald Trump’s remarks hinting at a potential resolution to the West Asia conflict,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited.In the US, markets ended significantly higher on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq Composite surging 3.83 per cent, the S&P 500 rising 2.91 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 2.49 per cent.Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined 0.22 per cent to USD 103.7 per barrel.Stock markets were closed on Tuesday on account of Shri Mahavir Jayanti.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 11,163.06 crore on Monday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought shares worth Rs 14,894.72 crore, according to exchange data.

Former South Africa fast-bowling great Dale Steyn has raised serious concerns over Shubman Gill’s captaincy after Gujarat Titans’ (GT) narrow defeat to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2026. Steyn specifically pointed out the delayed introduction of Prasidh Krishna as a key tactical error that may have cost GT the game.

Late bowling change raises eyebrows

Defending a modest total of 162 in Mullanpur on March 31, Gujarat Titans found themselves on the back foot early as PBKS batters kept the chase under control. Despite having last season’s Purple Cap winner in their ranks, GT chose to hold back Prasidh until the 13th over — a move that left many surprised, including Steyn.

By the time Prasidh was brought into the attack, Punjab needed just 53 runs, with plenty of wickets in hand. The decision appeared even more questionable given the match situation, where GT desperately needed breakthroughs in the middle overs.

Once introduced, Prasidh made an immediate impact. The tall pacer picked up three crucial wickets in his first two overs, suddenly swinging momentum in GT’s favour and igniting hopes of a dramatic turnaround.

However, the late surge proved insufficient. Punjab Kings managed to hold their nerve and chase down the target with five balls to spare, despite losing seven wickets in the process. The game ultimately highlighted how timing and tactical awareness can define T20 outcomes.

Also WATCH: Xavier Bartlett plucks a screamer to remove steady Jos Buttler in PBKS vs GT game

Dale Steyn questions Shubman Gill’s tactics in the clash against PBKS

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Steyn suggested that Gujarat Titans are still trying to find the right balance early in the tournament. According to him, the team combination may have contributed to the mismanagement of bowling resources.

“They got their wickets with him in the end, but they left it too late. You are always figuring your team in the first two games. So they found themselves with one batter short and one bowler too many. When that’s the case, somebody gets under-bowled or bowled too late, like Prasidh here. When he picks up three wickets in his first two overs, you start to wish you used him earlier. Siraj also bowled only two overs, which tells you they’ve too many options and are spoilt for choice,” said Steyn

Steyn emphasized the psychological challenge for bowlers like Prasidh when introduced late in high-pressure situations. He explained that bowlers need time to settle into the rhythm of the game rather than being asked to deliver instant breakthroughs.

“You want to get a feel of the game, if you are Prasidh. It’s so difficult to sit on the bench and then suddenly be tasked with making something happen. So for him to be able to do that and pick up a bunch of wickets was impressive. But you want to be able to be in the game earlier, get an over under the belt, and be a little bit sweaty. Feel the game and the energy of the game to get the best out of players. To wait so long also puts pressure on the player,” added Steyn.

Also READ: Fans go wild as Cooper Connolly holds his nerve to steer PBKS past GT in IPL 2026 thriller

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Will Arjun Tendulkar find a place in LSG’s playing XI against Delhi Capitals today?

Arjun Tendulkar’s move from Mumbai Indians to Lucknow Super Giants might have been a straight forward swap deal in the IPL trade window ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction, but it sure did grab the attention of the fans despite the trade window witnessing some seismic shifts like the Sanju Samson trade to from RR to CSK. And with LSG set to open their campaign against Delhi Capitals today at the Ekana International Stadium, the buzz is whether the allrounder finds a place in the LSG playing XI. LSG, who finished a lowly 7th in IPL 2025, would be aiming for a winning start with a squad led by Rishabh Pant. And unlike the previous year, where LSG struggled with injuries, this time around they have a fully fit squad with key additions like Mohammad Shami and Anrich Nortje, while the return of Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan from injuries bolsters their pace bowling riches.

Will Arjun Tendulkar Play Today?

And with that the question arises, will Arjun Tendulkar be able to find a place in the playing XI. Primarily a bowler, Tendulkar will face stiff competition from the likes of India international Avesh Khan, Mayank and Mohsin for a spot in the final XI with Shami expected to spearhead the attack. There are also a host of young fast bowlers in Prince Yadav, Akash Singh, Naman Tiwari and fast bowling allrounder Arshin Kulkarni who are vying for a place as well. Although the Mumbai Indians signed Tendulkar in IPL 2021, an injury ruled him out of the season before he was rebought by the franchise ahead of the 2022 season. And after being on the bench for the 2022 season, he eventually made his IPL debut in 2023 against Kolkata Knight Riders and went on to feature in five matches for MI, taking three wickets. Always in the shadows of his legendary father, Tendulkar’s every performance is scrutinised and linked, often tad unfairly, with Sachin, but Arjun has earned his stripes in domestic cricket over the years, taking 27 wickets in 24 T20s at a strike rate of 17.1 and an average of 25.07. He has also scored 119 runs at a strike rate of 123.95 in the format. After representing Mumbai early on, Arjun shifted his allegiance to Goa and boasts a List A wicket tally of 25 and 47 in first-class cricket, to go with two fifties and a hundred in FC. Earlier, ahead of LSG’s season opener, Tendulkar in a podcast revealed how he copes with the criticism directed at him. In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Arjun was asked: “How do you keep yourself so calm and cool?” Arjun replied: “I have 5 dogs in Goa & I spend time playing with them”. Shubhankar asked: “Do you have friends who are cricketers?” Arjun said: “I don’t really have cricketer friends, most of my friends don’t play cricket”. Shubhankar asked: “Are you scared for criticism?”. Arjun: said: No. I don’t.”

While the notion that we might be approaching Earth’s maximum, or its breaking point, has previously been associated with environmentalism, there is now a growing amount of scientific research to support this notion. With our population exceeding eight billion, we are finding it increasingly difficult to deny the pressure we are placing on our environment. However, the problem is not as simple as “too many people,” and it has a great deal to do with how we use our resources, how we dispose of our waste, and how we interact with our environment. Scientists who study our planet and its health are concerned that we are, in fact, destabilising our environment and posing a question to ourselves: are we approaching Earth’s breaking point?

Planetary boundaries: Understanding Earth’s limits

To get an understanding of the extent of the problem, the concept of planetary boundaries has been created, which refers to the environment in which human beings can safely operate. The boundaries include climate change, biodiversity loss, freshwater use, and land system change, among others. Crossing these boundaries increases the chances of irreversible damage to the environment.According to the researchers from the Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the boundaries can be referred to as the “safe operating space for humanity,” which indicates that once these boundaries are crossed, the Earth will no longer be able to function in a stable and predictable manner.Recent research indicates that human beings have crossed several boundaries, including those concerning biodiversity loss and climate change. This indicates that human beings are no longer affecting the environment but are actually changing it.

Population growth and resource demand

The global population crisis has been regarded as the major cause of environmental stress. With more human beings, there will be a greater demand for food, water, energy, and land use. The increasing human population will result in more urbanisation, agricultural production, and energy consumption, thereby causing environmental stress.However, environmental scientists now tend to be more careful in explaining that human population growth, per se, does not tell the entire story. According to a major study at the University of Leeds, no country today succeeds in meeting human needs without surpassing sustainable limits.As researcher Daniel O’Neill explains:“Almost everything we do, from having dinner to surfing the Internet, uses resources in some way.”This approach shifts the debate away from human population growth and towards consumption. In many countries, particularly in more affluent countries, human consumption patterns now use many more resources than what is sustainable.

Are we nearing Earth’s breaking point

The term “breaking point” may sound somewhat dramatic, but it is in fact an expression of genuine scientific worry. A study published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal on the safe and just planetary boundaries reveals the following: “The degradation of the environment is becoming more rapid due to overuse of resources and unequal consumption patterns. While some people are consuming far more than the planet can sustainably support, others are unable to access the minimum they need.” The scientists involved in the study explain: “The safe operating space for humanity is decreasing, which means the margin of error is becoming smaller year by year.”

The actual challenge: Rethinking how we live

The question, however, is not how many people inhabit the Earth, but how they choose to inhabit it. Overconsumption, inefficient use of resources, and neglect of the environment are among the main reasons for the current problems. To solve these problems, we do not just need new technologies; we also need a new mindset.According to experts, the sustainable future will bring about a reduction in our resource-consuming lifestyle, clean and renewable energy, and equitable use and distribution of resources. The idea is not just to exist, but to exist in a manner that will enable us to flourish.As research continues to prove, our planet is not yet beyond repair, but it is definitely under stress, and our actions will determine whether we can heal our planet or take a step closer to its limits.

Reserve Bank of India (File photo)

With the beginning of the new financial year, India’s digital payments landscape is poised for a major security overhaul as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rolls out stricter authentication norms from April 1.The move comes in response to rising transaction volumes and increasing fraud risks. RBI aims to strengthen the country’s payment ecosystem with more robust and adaptive safeguards.

What is changing in digital payments?

Under the updated rules, all digital transactions will now require two-factor authentication (2FA). This means that every transaction must incorporate at least one dynamic element such as a one-time password, biometric verification (fingerprint, face ID, etc.) or device-based authentication, according to ET. Previously, OTPs alone were sufficient, but experts have raised concerns over vulnerabilities to phishing and SIM-swap attacks.According to Sanjay Tripathy, CEO and Co-Founder of cross-border payments platform BRISKPE, “The RBI by mandating risk-based checks has formalised a framework that encourages a variety of authentication mechanisms beyond just SMS-based OTPs. The requirement for an Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA) in cross-border card-not-present transactions is a critical step to increase trust and reduce risks, benefiting both businesses and customers.” The RBI’s new framework signals a shift from rigid rule-based compliance to principle-driven regulation, promoting innovation while establishing a strong baseline for payment security.

Other banking and financial changes from April 1, 2026

Several banking and financial rules are set to change from April 1 affecting credit card users, FASTag holders, RuPay debit cardholders, PAN applicants and bank customers. SBI Card, for instance, has revised the redemption structure for its Cashback SBI Card, allowing statement credit redemption only in multiples of 4,000 reward points.The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has increased the annual FASTag pass fee from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,075 for the financial year 2026–27.RuPay Platinum debit card holders will no longer be able to access airport lounges, both domestic and international, as well as train lounges, following a circular issued by the National Payments Corporation of India. PAN card applications will also face stricter requirements: from April 1 applicants will need to submit additional documents beyond Aadhaar and the name on the PAN will now exactly match the Aadhaar card, making it crucial for citizens to ensure their Aadhaar details are correct.HDFC Bank has announced several updates affecting lending rates, fixed deposit interest rates, ATM withdrawals and locker charges, while other banks including Punjab National Bank and Bandhan Bank are revising ATM withdrawal limits, fees and related rules.New income tax frameworkFrom April 1, the Income-tax Act, 1961, will be repealed and replaced by the New Income-tax Act, 2025. Certain transitional provisions have been included to ensure pending proceedings under the old Act continue without disruption, allowing for a smooth transition.

Why these changes matter

The RBI’s 2FA mandate is a significant step towards enhancing digital payment security, reducing fraud and aligning India with global best practices.The changes to PAN rules and the tax framework aim to streamline compliance while making citizens more accountable for accurate documentation. Meanwhile, banking changes, including modifications to credit card redemption, FASTag fees, and ATM access, will directly impact how customers manage their daily transactions. Collectively, these measures mark a substantial shift in India’s financial and digital payment ecosystem, laying the groundwork for a safer, more regulated and technologically aligned financial system.