Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma

What began as a trial during the closing games of the Australia tour now looks more like a direction. Jitesh Sharma’s selection ahead of Sanju Samson in the first T20I against South Africa offered a clear view of how the team management is shaping its plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup.The choice is hard to contest. With Shubman Gill back in the T20 setup, Samson has been pushed out of the top order and, since then, has found it tough to break into the playing XI. In that context, the think tank appears to have opted for a lower-order option who is used to finishing games rather than a top-order batter adjusting to a different role.

Jitesh, who sees finishing as his main job, is now in line to start at the World Cup unless his form dips drastically in the remaining series against South Africa and New Zealand. At this point, the wicketkeeping slot seems a straight contest between Jitesh and Samson, leaving little room for alternatives.Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta backed the call, saying, “It is the right call. If Sanju is not in top three and if the keeper is batting in the middle order you rather play a specialist, a lower order batter than a top order batter. It is not easy batting for two balls or four balls.”“Jitesh is a specialist in that regard,” Dasgupta was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.Looking ahead, Dasgupta added, “Nine games to go (before World Cup), I don’t see too many changes ahead of the T20 World Cup,” underlining the sense of stability in the current setup.Arsh or Kul: Only one deep can playThe team selection in Cuttack also highlighted another trade-off. If India want batting depth till No. 8, it becomes difficult to fit both Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav in the XI.During the Asia Cup in the UAE, Arshdeep, despite being India’s leading wicket-taker in the format, spent much of the time on the bench. He played three games in Australia and made his presence felt again against South Africa, drawing an edge with an outswinger. His skill to bowl at the death is undoubtedly a key asset for the Indian team in T20 cricket.His inclusion, though, came at the cost of Kuldeep, who had picked up wickets in the ODI series even with heavy dew.Dasgupta acknowledged the dilemma. “It is unfortunate (picking between Arshdeep and Kuldeep). The way Arshdeep is bowling (you have to pick him). He is the highest wicket-taker for you in the format,” he told PTI.“You would want to have both ideally but you can’t (with batting needed till 8),” he said.Broadly, the team looks settled heading into the World Cup, but there are areas to watch. Runs have not flowed from captain Suryakumar Yadav, and vice-captain Gill has also had a lean phase.On the senior batters, he added, “(on SKY and Gill) I would not say a concern but ideally you would want to see them get runs. Once you start thinking about runs, the chances are you won’t bat freely.“With Surya, it is not one series, we have not seen the best of him since he took over captaincy (last year).”

England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook may be barred from featuring in the IPL 2026 auction, but the 25-year-old is set to earn one of the biggest paydays of his franchise career after agreeing to a lucrative contract with Sunrisers Leeds – formerly Northern Superchargers – in The Hundred.

Sunrisers Leeds set to pay a whopping amount to Harry Brook

According to ESPNcricinfo, Brook has signed a deal worth around £470,000 (approx. ₹5.26 crore) ahead of the 2026 edition, making him one of the highest-paid players in the tournament’s new franchise era. Brook has been part of the Leeds-based side since 2021 and took over as captain in 2024, becoming their most prolific run-scorer in the competition.

Brook’s new deal comes in the first major signing window since the Sun Group, owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC), acquired a 100% stake in the franchise earlier this year. The group paid £100 million (₹1,092 crore approx.), prompting the ECB to rename Northern Superchargers as Sunrisers Leeds, expanding the brand’s global footprint.

The ECB’s decision in 2024 to allow private ownership and foreign investment triggered a structural overhaul of The Hundred, including the introduction of an IPL-style player auction from 2026. However, teams are allowed a round of direct signings before the auction – and Sunrisers Leeds moved swiftly to secure Brook as a marquee player for their long-term plans.

With the first Hundred Auction scheduled for March 2026, Brook’s signing gives Sunrisers Leeds a stable anchor as they prepare their squad for a fully market-driven system similar to the IPL.

Also READ: England pacer Mark Wood ruled out of the remaining Ashes 2025-26 vs Australia; replacement announced

Brook’s IPL fallout: From ₹6.25 crore contract to two-year ban

Brook’s handsome Sunrisers Leeds deal stands in contrast to his immediate IPL future, which has been halted due to a BCCI-imposed ban until 2028.

The England batter last played in the IPL in 2024 and was signed for ₹6.25 crore by Delhi Capitals (DC). However, he withdrew from the IPL 2025 season without citing injury or medical grounds – an action that angered multiple franchises.

Several teams wrote to the BCCI demanding stricter regulations after repeated pullouts by overseas stars threw squad planning into disarray. In response, the board introduced a new rule:

Any player who pulls out of the IPL after being bought – without a legitimate injury or health reason – or skips the mega auction deliberately – will face a suspension of 2 years before entering the auction pool.

As a result, Brook cannot register for the IPL in 2026 or 2027, ruling him out until the 2028 auction.

Also READ: 5 players Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) can target in the IPL 2026 auction

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday repeated his claim that Union home minister Amit Shah appeared ‘nervous’ and used ‘foul language’ during his Lok Sabha speech the previous day.Also Read | SIR row debate in Lok Sabha: Rahul Gandhi interrupts Amit Shah with ‘open challenge’; gets ‘I will decide’ reply “He (Shah) used foul language. His hands were trembling. Mentally, he is under pressure, and it was seen in Parliament. Whatever I had asked, he gave no replies and provided no proof. I challenged him openly to discuss over my press conferences, but nothing happened. Everyone now understands the reality,” Gandhi told reporters.During his Lok Sabha speech on electoral reforms, Shah clashed with Gandhi over the Congress leader’s repeated claims of vote chori’ (theft)” by the Election Commission and the ruling BJP.The Lok Sabha leader of opposition, who has held three press conferences on the issue, challenged the home minister to a debate based on those briefings. In response, Shah remarked that the “House will not function according to his (Gandhi’s) wishes.”The heated exchange erupted when Gandhi interjected during Shah’s address in the Lok Sabha on electoral reforms. Criticising the opposition over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the senior BJP leader argued that he had responses to all their accusations, including those raised in Gandhi’s three press conferences.“In his press conference, the LoP claimed the voter list is flawed and needs correction. That is exactly what SIR is — a process to clean up the rolls. Yet he opposes it. Your defeat is certain; the voter list has nothing to do with it. Double standards won’t work in a democracy. When you win, the EC is great; when you lose, the EC is biased. I have answers to all these allegations — those three press conferences included,” Shah remarked.Gandhi then interrupted and challenged him to a debate. “Yesterday, I asked why Election Commissioners were given full immunity. We want to understand the reasoning behind it. He (Amit Shah) mentioned Haryana, but there are many other examples — including 19 lakh fake voters. Let’s debate my press conferences. Amit Shah ji, I challenge you to a debate on all three,” the Rae Bareli MP asserted.Shah responded that Gandhi could not dictate the order of his speech and should remain patient. “You cannot run Parliament through obstinacy. I will decide the order of my address. The House won’t function like this. He should be patient. I will respond to every point,” he countered.Opposition MPs walked out of the Lok Sabha during Shah’s reply to the discussion on electoral reforms.

KALYAN: The Kalyan Gayan Samaj, established in 1926 with the aim of promoting classical music, is celebrating its centenary year, and to mark the milestone, the organisation has arranged the Devgandharva Festival from December 12 to 14 at Atre Rangmandir in Kalyan. The festival will feature performances by stalwarts such as Pt. Venkatesh Kumar, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pt. Rakesh Chaurasia, and Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande.In the past 100 years, the Samaj has emerged as one of the most respected institutions in the Indian classical music fraternity. Its consistent work has strengthened Kalyan’s cultural identity. More than 1,000 programs have been organised so far, showcasing over 1,700 artists, while nearly 12,000 students have been trained through the Dinkar Sangeet Vidyalaya.The year 2025–26 is particularly special, bringing a “triple blessing” for the organisation. Alongside its centenary celebrations, the Dinkar Sangeet Vidyalaya enters its Sahasra-Chandradarshani (1,000 full moons) year, and the Devgandharva Festival steps into its silver jubilee edition.The Samaj’s platform has hosted almost all renowned classical musicians over the decades, while young artists continue to be encouraged through the “Unnat” series. The institution has also celebrated its five-year, silver, golden, and diamond jubilees with grand events.Retired Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte is heading the Centenary Committee. This year’s festival will also feature Talayatra, a rhythm concept by Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, along with the theatrical presentation Yayati Devyani by local artists.Currently, around 450 students are learning vocal, tabla, harmonium, flute, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and fine arts. The Samaj is also planning a new Art Complex in Khadakpada and a modern recording studio, while continuing its mission through lectures, demonstrations, and music competitions.

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/education/upsc-invites-applications-for-nda-and-naval-academy-2026-with-394-vacancies-9790204” on this server.

Reference #18.bff856b8.1765437242.32cd0c41

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.bff856b8.1765437242.32cd0c41

L-R: India cricketers Deepti Sharma, Smriti Mandhana, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to take up a long-awaited revision of domestic match fees for women cricketers during the Apex Council meeting scheduled for December 22. The meeting, which will be held virtually, comes in the wake of India’s triumphant ODI World Cup campaign and growing calls for stronger financial support for women competing in domestic tournaments.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!While pay parity exists at the international level, significant gaps remain in the domestic structure. With the women’s game gaining momentum, the BCCI is now poised to address the issue formally, with the proposal listed as a key agenda item.

Another major point of discussion will be the annual central contracts for the men’s team. Much attention will be on the grading of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom stepped away from Tests and T20Is over the past year and now play only ODI cricket. Their revised workload may prompt adjustments to their contract categories.In contrast, all-format players such as India captain Shubman Gill, vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja, and lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah are expected to feature in the A+ bracket, reflecting their central roles across formats.

The BCCI will also evaluate a proposal to revise match fees for umpires and match referees, a long-pending demand within the domestic circuit. An update on the board’s digital properties, which includes streaming rights, website upgrades, and fan-engagement platforms, is also slated for discussion.This will be the first Apex Council AGM since the recent administrative changes within the BCCI. Mithun Manhas took over as president in September, while Raghuram Bhatt assumed charge as treasurer. Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia were appointed secretary and joint secretary, respectively, and Saurashtra Cricket Association chief Jaydev Shah joined as councillor.Apex Council Agenda (Key Items):

Manickam Tagore counters Amit Shah’s “vote chori” claim, says Gandhi chose Nehru in 1946

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Thursday hit back at Union home minister Amit Shah’s remark that Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first prime minister through ‘vote-chori.’ Tagore listed five points to argue that Nehru assumed the post fairly and legitimately.“What really happened in 1946 — Patel, Nehru & the ‘vote chori’ myth. Shah claims that in 1946 “PCCs chose Patel, Nehru got two votes, and someone stole the election. Here’s the historical truth based on INC records, letters & historians — not WhatsApp University,” he posted on X.

According to the Congress MP, the first ‘fact’ is that in 1946 the Congress was electing its national president, and whoever was chosen for that role would automatically head the interim government — a position equivalent to that of a prime minister.He added that the second ‘fact’ is that while Patel received nominations from 12 of the Congress’s 15 provincial committees, Nehru did not receive a single nomination.The third ‘fact’, as per Tagore, is that no election was held between the two and, therefore, the ‘vote-chori’ claim is ‘pure fiction.’His fourth ‘fact’ stated that after the nominations were in, Mahatma Gandhi — who supported Nehru — asked Patel to withdraw from the race. Out of respect for Gandhi, Patel stepped aside, leaving Nehru as the sole remaining candidate.The fifth and final ‘fact’ is that with Patel withdrawing himself, the Congress Working Committee endorsed Nehru as the party president, making him the head of the interim government.“Those shouting ‘vote chori’ are rewriting history for politics. History is clear: it was Gandhi’s intervention, not Nehru’s ‘two votes’, that decided the leadership. Let facts speak louder than propaganda. India’s freedom struggle deserves honesty — not manufactured stories,” Tagore said.Amit Shah’s Lok Sabha speechShah’s comments came during his reply to the Lok Sabha debate on electoral reforms on Wednesday, where he responded to concerns raised by opposition members, including leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi — Nehru’s great-grandson. The home minister cited three instances of what he described as ‘vote theft,’ beginning with the 1946 Congress leadership decision.“I want to tell you about three incidents of ‘vote-chori’,” Shah said. “First, after independence, when the country’s prime minister was to be chosen… Sardar Patel received 28 votes, while Jawaharlal Nehru got only two. Yet Nehru became the prime minister.”He went on to cite the case of former prime minister Indira Gandhi — Nehru’s daughter — who won from Rae Bareli before her election was challenged in the Allahabad high court by Raj Narain. “The high court ruled that Indira Gandhi’s election had violated the rules and declared it invalid. That too was vote theft. They then brought a bill in Parliament stating that no case could be filed against the prime minister,” Shah stated.He also referred to a Delhi court case in which it was alleged that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi — Rahul Gandhi’s mother — had “become a voter before becoming an Indian citizen.”

A fan displays tickets of Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour India 2025’ in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)

Lionel Messi will touch down in Hyderabad on Saturday for the city’s most high-profile sporting event of the year — and for fans, the chance of a lifetime comes with a staggering price tag. As per reports, organisers of The GOAT India Tour have announced that a photograph with the Argentine icon will cost Rs 9.95 lakh plus GST, with only 100 exclusive slots available, as per . The premium meet-and-greet will be hosted at the iconic Falaknuma Palace, and bookings are live on the District app.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Messi is scheduled to land in Hyderabad at 4 PM before heading to Uppal Stadium for a grand three-hour programme starting at 7 PM. Joining him will be World Cup–winning teammate Rodrigo De Paul and long-time strike partner Luis Suárez, adding more star power to the evening.

The stadium event will kick off with a 20-minute exhibition match between Singareni RR-9 and Aparna Messi All Stars. Fifteen children — including ten talented youngsters without access to formal training — will get a chance to participate, with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy set to join the final five minutes.A major highlight will be a football clinic led by Messi, who serves as a UNICEF ambassador. Children will receive hands-on guidance from Messi, De Paul and Suárez, who will also participate in a special penalty shootout segment. The event will conclude with a felicitation ceremony for Messi by the Chief Minister.According to Parvathi Reddy, advisor to The GOAT Tour Hyderabad, all ticket categories for the stadium programme are available through the District app. She confirmed that no cricketers have been invited and that the evening will also include a musical concert. Messi is expected to stay at the stadium for about an hour and will spend the night in Hyderabad before departing for Mumbai on Sunday.Reddy emphasised that the Hyderabad leg will revolve around the football clinic aimed at inspiring young players. “Messi, Rodrigo and Luis Suárez will train children and give them tips. The clinic is the core of this event,” she said.Messi’s India tour covers four major cities — Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi — offering fans across the country a rare chance to see one of football’s greatest icons up close.