The uncapped wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, Kartik Sharma, has become one of the most talked-about domestic talents heading into the IPL 2026 auction on December 16th.

The 19-year-old, known for his explosive power-hitting, has successfully completed trials for numerous top franchises, capitalizing on his strong performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and recent First-Class centuries. Ahead of the auction, Sharma openly discussed the intense trial process, revealing which high-profile teams showed interest and offering insight into his interactions with coaches and mentors. Most notably, he did not hesitate to declare his long-time favorite franchise, while also sharing an encouraging exchange with one of the league’s biggest names.

Kartik Sharma’s extensive IPL franchise trial experience

The interest surrounding Kartik Sharma, who has set his base price at a modest ₹30 lakh, has been intense, leading to him being invited for trials by over half the franchises in the league. This flurry of invitations underscores the high demand for young, dual-skilled domestic talent, especially wicketkeeper-batters, in the IPL.

Kartik appeared in an interview for Game Changer YT Channel where he confirmed that he spent considerable time demonstrating his skills to both the coaching staff and recruitment teams of several major franchises, indicating a serious level of interest from teams looking to secure uncapped players with high potential. Kartik provided a full list of the teams that invited him, stating:

“I’ve attended trials for six to seven franchises so far. Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Chennai, RCB, RR, Delhi. My practice matches in Chennai have gone well. Mahi Bhaiya didn’t come. But the other staff were there and said that they had enjoyed my batting.”

This extensive list, including auction heavyweights like CSK, MI, and the defending champions RCB, showcases the level of attention he has garnered. His recent strong domestic form, including scoring 133 runs at a strike rate of 160.24 in the SMAT and smashing two First-Class centuries (120 vs Delhi and 139 vs Mumbai), has cemented his status as a key target in the uncapped set of players (Set 8).

Also READ: Cameron Green reveals the real reason behind being listed as a ‘batter’ in IPL 2026 auction

Kartik’s favourite IPL Team ahead of 2026 mini-auction

In a major revelation, Kartik disclosed his favorite team, which is particularly relevant given the upcoming auction. The young star openly expressed his deep admiration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the franchise that secured their maiden title in 2025. This preference could subtly influence the bidding dynamic, should RCB enter the fray to acquire him. Furthermore, Kartik shared a valuable mentorship experience he gained during the trial process, receiving direct advice from the veteran wicketkeeper-batter and RCB mentor, Dinesh Karthik. This interaction highlighted the specific aspects of his game that franchises are keen to develop.

Kartik was open about his franchise loyalty and the encouraging advice he received:

“My favorite franchise is RCB & I got a message from DK Sir… DK bhaiya spoke to me during the trials. He said that I’ve been batting well and advised me to focus more on keeping.”

🚨 | 📢 | 🔔
When Asked About Which Team He Would Like To Play Kartik Said There Is Nothing Like That, I Just Want To Play IPL.
When Asked About His Fav Team In IPL He Supports He Said RCB.
VC: Game Changer YT Channel (@manoj_dimri)#IPL2026 #IPLAuction #IPL #RCB #Cricket https://t.co/SKmGW27gLF pic.twitter.com/7eIynbQDc1

— surendeRR singh 💗 (@Surende26790545) December 13, 2025

The advice to focus on keeping is highly strategic, as his primary role in the IPL will be to provide a reliable wicketkeeping option alongside his proven batting talent. Kartik’s success against major domestic teams, coupled with the explicit interest from teams like RCB and the positive feedback from CSK staff, strongly suggests that his name, listed with a base price of ₹30 lakh, will quickly become one of the most aggressively bid-upon in the uncapped category of the IPL 2026 auction.

Also READ: GOAT India tour 2025: When Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni picked between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

THANE: A series of thefts inside an express train triggered chaos at Badlapur railway station on Central Railway late Saturday, after angry passengers stopped the Jodhpur Express by pulling the emergency chain. Alleging repeated thefts, the presence of unauthorised travellers in reserved coaches and the railway administration’s failure to act promptly, passengers resorted to halting the train, leading to widespread disruption of rail services.The incident occurred while the Jodhpur Express was travelling from Surat towards Pune. According to passengers, several ticketless and unauthorised travellers had entered reserved coaches, blocking access to toilets and creating a sense of insecurity. During the journey, multiple incidents of theft of luggage and cash were reported. Passengers claimed they had caught one thief at Surat station and handed him over to the authorities, but alleged that thefts continued even after that.Despite repeatedly approaching the railway police, ticket inspectors and contacting the railway helpline, the passengers said no effective action was taken. Frustrated by the alleged inaction, some passengers pulled the emergency chain, forcing the train to halt at Badlapur station. As the express train stopped, local trains running behind it were also delayed, sparking anger among local commuters waiting for local train. Several local train passengers had to wait for long periods, while some were forced to walk to Badlapur station. This led to a tense situation, with express and local train passengers coming face to face and exchanging heated arguments on the platform. While discussions were underway between passengers and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, the express train, which had been halted for some time, suddenly resumed its journey towards Karjat. Many passengers who had alighted to lodge complaints were left stranded on the platform. In some cases, elderly passengers and small children were still inside the train, triggering panic and further outrage among those left behind.In anger, a few passengers even stepped onto the railway tracks. However, RPF personnel quickly intervened and brought them back to the platform, as a Khopoli local train was approaching. To resolve the situation, the railway authorities arranged for the stranded passengers to board a Khopoli local train and escorted them to Karjat, where they were reunited with the Jodhpur Express. The incident led to heavy crowding at Badlapur railway station and disrupted Central Railway services for a considerable period. Late-night commuters and office-goers returning home faced significant inconvenience.When asked over issues, Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Swapnil Nila said that thefts of passengers’ belongings and cash had occurred between Surat and Valsad stations. He confirmed that passengers were demanding the return of their stolen property and had earlier created a disturbance at Valsad before stopping the train at Badlapur. He added that due to the incident, seven trains were delayed. According to him, the RPF ensured that passengers who were left behind were safely escorted and accommodated back on the express train.

NEW DELHI: In a boost to India’s rotary wing combat capabilities, the Army is set to get delivery of three remaining Apache AH-64 attack helicopters from US, while the Navy will commission its second squadron of MH-60R Seahawk submarine-hunting choppers this week.The induction of these much-delayed American helicopters will plug existing operational gaps but the real punch will come when the Army and IAF begin getting 156 indigenous ‘Prachand’ light combat helicopters from 2028 onwards.Armed forces want over 1,000 new helicopters of different types in next 10-15 years to make up for major deficiencies and replace obsolete Cheetah and Chetak fleets.They include 484 light-utility helicopters in 3.5-tonne class and 419 Indian multi-role helicopters in 10-15 tonne class, but there have been delays in these projects being executed by HAL.The three Apache gunships, dubbed “tanks in the air” since they are armed with Stinger air-to-air missiles, Hellfire Longbow air-to-ground missiles, guns and rockets, will touchdown in India in a couple of days, defence officials told TOI.India had ordered six heavy-duty Apaches for the Army in a Rs 5,691 crore deal with US in February 2020, under which the first three were delivered in July after a huge delay due to supply chain problems faced by Boeing. These six Apaches will add to the 22 such choppers inducted by IAF in 2019-2020 under a Rs 13,952 crore deal with US in Sept 2015. The Army Apaches will be deployed at Jodhpur, where a squadron was raised in March last year to cater for the western front with Pakistan.Navy will commission its second squadron of Seahawks, armed with Hellfire missiles, MK-54 torpedoes and precision-kill rockets as well as advanced sensors, at INS Hansa in Goa on Dec 17.The US has so far delivered 15 of the 24 Seahawks, which are manufactured by Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin, under a Rs 15,157 crore contract in February 2020. Incidentally, the defence ministry last month inked another Rs 7,955 crore contract with the US for follow-on support and spares for the multi-mission helicopters.While quite expensive, the Seahawks are crucial because the 140-warship Navy is currently grappling with just a handful of old Sea King and Kamov-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopters at a time when the presence of Chinese submarines is only going to further increase in the Indian Ocean Region.

Mumbai Indians’ Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, in Hyderabad. (PTI Photo)

The five-time champions and one of the league’s most ruthless teams, the Mumbai Indians (MI) have almost all their boxes ticked on paper heading into the IPL Auction 2026 on December 16 in Abu DhabiMumbai Indians, tied with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the most successful IPL team, were eliminated in Qualifier 2 last season (2025) by Punjab Kings (PBKS), thanks to a batting masterclass by Shreyas Iyer.

Mumbai Indians came late to the party last season, as they so often do, after losing four of their first five games partly due to not having Jasprit Bumrah at the start of the season. Once Bumrah came back, MI took off and won six games on the trot and qualified for the playoffs.MI had a win percentage of 56.2 in the 2025 season, much better than the 28.6 they had in the previous one (2024), when they finished last in the points table.Before the auction, MI released Arjun Tendulkar (traded to LSG), Bevon Jacobs, Karn Sharma, Lizaad Williams, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Reece Topley, Krishnan Shrijith, Satyanarayana Raju, and Vignesh Puthur.However, they have got Shardul Thakur (traded in from LSG), Sherfane Rutherford (traded in from GT), and Mayank Markande (traded in from KKR), to add depth in an already formidable squad. Ahead of the IPL Auction, here’s a look at the strong points of MI, areas they need to work on, and what to expect from them in Abu Dhabi.

Strength to strength

If anyone just writes the names of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks, among others, and tells that they all play for the same team in T20s, then perhaps there’s no need to write anything else about the strong points of that team. The names and their numbers tell the story on their own.In Jasprit Bumrah, MI have arguably the world’s best T20 bowler; he has 183 wickets at an economy of 7.24 in IPL. In the 2025 season, Bumrah (18) and Boult (22) had among them 40 wickets and conceded runs at just 6.68 and 8.97, respectively. Continuing their trend of unearthing domestic talent, MI introduced left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar last year, he took 11 wickets in 7 matches last season, and along with Deepak Chahar, Bumrah, and Boult, he played a key role in MI’s success with the ball.

With 717 runs at a strike rate of 167.92 and a ridiculous average of 65.18, Suryakumar Yadav had a dream season in 2025 and was the top scorer for MI.In Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma, MI have an opening pair that may not be the most destructive, but surely one that can demolish any bowling lineup. Rohit, 418 runs at a strike rate of 149.29, and Rickelton, 388 runs at a strike rate of 150.97, were the second and third among the top scorers for MI last season.And in their captain Hardik Pandya, MI have the best T20 fast-bowling all-rounder. In the 2025 season, he scored 224 runs at a strike rate of 163.50 and was the third-highest wicket-taker for MI with 14 wickets. But perhaps most important for MI was his return as a finisher. Pandya scored only 58 runs in 44 balls at a below-par strike rate of 131.8 between overs 15-20 in the 2024 season. On the other hand, in 2025, the all-rounder scored 182 runs in 109 balls at a strike rate of 167.0Naman Dhir was also a key player in providing MI with good finishes in the 2025 season. He hit 201 runs at 187.9 in the overs between 15-20 last season.Santner and Karn Sharma’s spin provided control to MI in the middle overs last season. In 13 matches, Santner took 10 wickets and gave away runs at only 7.92 runs per over. Karn played only 5 matches and was economical at 8.53 while also taking 7 wickets.While MI released Puthur and Karn before the auction, they have traded in leg-spinner Mayank Markande from KKR. Markande earlier played for MI in the 2018,’19, and 2022 seasons. MI will also have the services of Afghan off-spinner Allah Ghazanfar. MI bought him last season, but he was replaced by Mujeeb ur Rahman after being ruled out for the whole season due to injury.

Areas to work on

Not necessarily a weakness, but MI might be slightly concerned about Tilak Varma’s strike rate. Among the top 5 run getters for MI last season, Tilak had the slowest scoring rate of 138.31. He hit 343 runs off 248 balls in 13 innings. To put things in perspective, he scored at a strike rate of 164.1 and 149.6 in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, respectively.Will Jacks also had a below-par strike rate of 135.47 last season. However, as a possible backup for him, MI traded in Sherfane Rutherford from GT, who struck at 157.29 last season.

Do MI need to go to an auction at all?

While MI have almost all its boxes ticked, there are some holes, though very small, to fill.With only Rs 2.75 crore in their purse and 5 remaining slots, one of them overseas, MI may want to have an Indian middle-order batter as a backup option in the auction. Someone like Sarfaraz Khan might be on their list, but expect their scout team to again unearth someone from the domestic circuit whose name many may not have heard before.What MI would also like to have are some more Indian spin-bowling options. In Raghu Sharma and Mayank Markande, MI have two Indian leg-spinners, they might go for one or two Indian finger spin options at the auction.However, whether MI get the desired players or not, the auction is unlikely to decide their upcoming season. Hardik Pandya’s side looks formidable enough to take on any team to end their title drought and win the IPL silverware for a record sixth time.

New Delhi: In an important ruling, Supreme Court has said that a person employed on compassionate grounds to alleviate family difficulties because of death of a parent in harness cannot seek appointment to higher posts merely because they have the requisite qualifications for the same.A bench of Justices Rajesh Bindal and Manmohan on Friday reversed a Madras HC judgment directing Tami Nadu govt to promote two persons initially appointed as sweepers on compassionate grounds, due to death of their fathers, as Junior Assistants as they had the requisite qualifications for that post at the time of their appointment in 2007 and 2012. Both had approached the HC in 2015.The bench said employment is provided on compassionate grounds to the eligible kin of an employee who dies in harness to enable the family of the deceased to tide over difficult times. “Such appointment which is arising out of exceptional circumstances cannot be used as a ladder to climb up in seniority by claiming a higher post merely on the basis that he/she is eligible for such post,” it said. Justice Bindal said once the dependent of a deceased employee is offered employment on a compassionate basis, their right stands exercised. “Thereafter, no question arises for seeking appointment to a higher post. Otherwise, it would be a case of ‘endless compassion’,” he said.The bench said compassionate appointment is a relief against financial hardship caused by the sudden and unforeseen loss of the earning member of a family, and employment to the kin of the deceased is provided under such circumstances to ensure that the family members do not face impoverishment.SC: Recruitment for other posts governed by rules applicable for all The SC said recruitment for other posts are governed by rules and regulations which apply to all eligible candidates. Thus, it would be impermissible to allow a person who has entered employment through compassionate grounds to bypass the process of recruitment and get promoted to a higher post, it said.“An applicant for the post on a compassionate basis may be eligible for any higher post, but that does not mean he has the right to be appointed on that post. This depends on the rules and the policy applicable and also the number of vacancies to be offered in that category. In fact, this is not an additional source of recruitment, rather an exception to the general rule of providing equal opportunities to all for recruitment in government jobs,” SC said.

Arjun Rampal, who is currently riding high on the success of his latest theatrical release Dhurandhar, just made his relationship milestone official. The actor, who plays Major Iqbal in the film released on December 5 and is set to cross the Rs 300 crore mark at the box office, appears to have confirmed his engagement to longtime partner, fashion designer Gabriella Demetriades.

Engagement revealed on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast

On Saturday, December 13, Rhea Chakraborty shared a video on social media featuring a trailer of her podcast Chapter 2, with Arjun and Gabriella appearing together to talk about their love story, marriage, and family.

In the clip, Gabriella candidly says, “We’re not married now, but who knows?” — prompting Rampal to make a revelation that instantly caught attention. “We are engaged! We just broke it on your show,” he said, confirming their engagement.During the conversation, Gabriella reflected on how parenthood reshaped her understanding of love. “Your love comes with conditions, it’s like if a person behaves this way, then get my approval or love. But when you have a child, you can’t do that, right?” she said.The couple, who have been together since 2019, are parents to two sons, Arik and Ariv.

‘I went after her because she was hot’

Rampal also spoke about a deeply personal loss — the passing of his mother, Gwen Rampal, in 2018. Opening up about grief, he said, “Support when you lose your parents, nobody can prepare you for. So, I always say losing a parent is liking losing a limb.”Adding a lighter moment to the conversation, Gabriella revealed that she hadn’t approached Arjun because of his looks and hoped he hadn’t done the same. Rampal’s candid reply drew laughs.“No, no. I went after her because she was hot, then I realised there is a little more to it than just the hotness,” he said. Arjun Rampal was previously married to model Mehr Jesia, with whom he shares two daughters, Myra and Mahikaa. The former couple continue to co-parent their children.

Mumbai: At an animal welfare rally organised in Ghatkopar (East) on Sunday, against the Nov 7 Supreme Court order on the stray dogs issue, activists declared that they may soon form an Animal Lovers Party (ALP) if animal cruelty cases do not stop.Activist Roshan Pathak of Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Foundation, which organised the rally, said: “Animal cruelty and harassment of animal lovers have been going on for a long time, and every time we ask for assistance from political parties or the govt, no assistance is provided because these parties and govt officials are only interested in maintaining their assembly seats and power. Therefore, candidates who are animal lovers should run in the next election in every city and state, so that our voices are heard in the corridors of power.“Pathak added that the online campaign under the header #NoDogsNoVotes will also continue in order to raise awareness about the latest legal developments, such as the apex court ordering the relocation of stray dogs into shelters, and to tell netas of all parties that animal lovers will not vote for them if the dogs are jailed in shelters.Activist Poonam Samtani from Worli said that they are hoping for a positive change in the next court hearing on December 18, so that the local community animals do not suffer. “The feeders are afraid that BMC will indiscriminately pick up their local dogs from the streets, college campuses, and bus stands, and put them in shelters. However, there are not that many shelters to put away all the city dogs in. Hence, it will be illegal to relocate the stray dogs, just because some haters call up the civic body to ‘remove’ dogs from their areas,” said another PAL activist from their legal team.Bandra-based social worker and animal activist, Shiraz Ahmad, brought smiles to the faces of the over 400 rally participants, as he came along with his adopted stray dog, Laila, who earlier went missing from a mall precinct for over 100 days. Ahmad, who meticulously followed the missing dog case and also lodged an FIR against a few mall workers to finally find Laila, said: “India is known for its ‘karuna’ (compassion). During auspicious occasions, Indians look around for a dog to feed. Hence, any legal order to confine dogs to shelters is cruel and impractical. We oppose it.”When asked if ALP candidates can win in the local elections, Pathak said: “It does not matter if animal lovers lose their first election. It will still send a message to the govt that over 15,000 to 20,000 people have voted for ALP. This will force the govt to take animal feeders seriously.”