Harshit Rana’s excitement about playing for India might be cut short. The young fast bowler is likely to miss the first match of the Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh this Thursday, and possibly the whole tournament.
Harshit got his ODI cap during a recent series with England, where he took 3 wickets on his first game. But now, it seems he won’t be in the starting team for the Champions Trophy. India has three important matches in the group stage against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand—teams that could give them a tough fight.
In the last tournament, the T20 World Cup 2021, India lost early games to Pakistan and New Zealand, putting them in a tough spot. To avoid that again, they want their best team to play.
The other fast bowler, Arshdeep Singh, might not have many ODI games (only 9), but he has been impressive in T20 cricket, becoming the top wicket-taker for India. Reports say he’s currently seen as being better than Harshit.
Harshit became popular as an up-and-coming player, and India’s coach Gautam Gambhir believes in him. But even though Harshit did okay in his matches against England, he may have to wait for his turn because Arshdeep’s experience is noted and valued. With Jasprit Bumrah not playing, India needs to make the best choices to win their second ICC title in two years.
Author: Rasmita Jena
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Harshit Rana Likely to Miss Champions Trophy: Arshdeep Singh Steps Up
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Supreme Court Delays Hearing on Places of Worship Law to April 2024
On Monday, the Supreme Court decided to postpone discussions about a law that protects places of worship until the first week of April. A group of judges, including Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, said a larger group of three judges would hear the case.
Earlier that day, the court was unhappy with the increase of new cases related to this law, called the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This law ensures that the religious character of a site remains the same as it was on August 15, 1947. The Chief Justice expressed concern that they might not have enough time to address all the new cases being brought up, mentioning that they might set a later date in March.
In December, the court had paused several lawsuits from Hindu groups wanting to assess the original religious character of certain mosques like the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and others. These petitions were supposed to be heard on February 17, but new petitions continue to be filed. For example, leaders from different political parties, like AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress’s Iqra Choudhary, have requested that this law be enforced fairly to keep peace and harmony among various communities.
Choudhary highlighted that many legal actions against mosques are starting to create tensions. Meanwhile, the court had already agreed to look into a separate case brought by Owaisi, asking for similar protection.
On the other side, a Hindu organization, the Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti, wants to participate in these cases to ensure the law stays valid. Currently, around six main petitions, including one from lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, are challenging parts of the 1991 law, arguing that it limits people’s rights to seek legal action over places of worship.
The law aims to keep the current religious status of worship sites like they were in 1947, not affecting the well-known Ayodhya dispute over the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid. Muslim groups like the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind wish for strict enforcement of this law to maintain peace. They argue some petitioners are trying to exploit the law and file claims about mosques that are currently protected.
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Pakistan Aims for Glory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2023!
The ICC Champions Trophy is coming back after being away for eight years! Last time, Pakistan won the tournament for the first time ever by defeating India in the final at The Oval. Since then, things have changed for Pakistan. The only players still on the team are Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam.
Fakhar, who returned to the team last October after some issues with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is playing really well. He will be important for the team, especially since Saim Ayub, an in-form opener, got injured and will not be playing. This has raised questions about whether Babar will open the batting for the Champions Trophy.
In the middle order, Pakistan will rely on captain Mohammad Rizwan, who recently scored 122 runs against South Africa. He will be joined by another strong player, Salman Ali Agha. Together, they made a record partnership in that same match. The team needs to decide how to speed up the run-making during crucial moments.
Pakistan’s biggest worry, however, is their bowling. The fast bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi, only took 10 wickets during the recent tri-series at home, which is lower than expected. They also lack a good spinner, with Abrar Ahmed being their only option besides part-timers Khushdil Shah and Salman.
Here’s how Pakistan has performed lately: since the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they didn’t reach the semifinals, they have won 8 out of 12 matches. They recently beat Australia 2-1 and swept South Africa 2-0, which shows their potential. But they lost 2 out of 3 matches in the tri-series against New Zealand, showing they need to be more consistent.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Group Matches:
– vs New Zealand, February 19, Karachi
– vs India, February 23, Dubai
– vs Bangladesh, February 27, RawalpindiPakistan’s Best XI:
1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar Azam
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
5. Salman Ali Agha
6. Tayyab Tahir
7. Khushdil Shah
8. Shaheen Afridi
9. Naseem Shah
10. Haris Rauf
11. Abrar AhmedPakistan’s Full Squad:
– Mohammad Rizwan (c)
– Babar Azam
– Fakhar Zaman
– Kamran Ghulam
– Saud Shakeel
– Tayyab Tahir
– Faheem Ashraf
– Khushdil Shah
– Salman Ali Agha
– Usman Khan
– Abrar Ahmed
– Haris Rauf
– Mohammad Hasnain
– Naseem Shah
– Shaheen Shah Afridi -
Dilip Kumar Shares Key Insights on Employee Wellness and Work Culture
Venture capitalist Dilip Kumar recently shared his thoughts on employee wellness on social media. He pointed out that many companies make wellness too complicated, which often leads them to miss the mark. According to his post, 64% of employees in India feel stressed and burned out at work. He emphasized that wellness isn’t just about yoga classes, fun office activities, or step challenges.
Kumar explained that the real issue isn’t just working long hours; it’s also about strict work cultures. He noted that being stuck in a rigid 9-to-6 job, sitting in endless meetings, dealing with long commutes, and worrying about family are what truly cause stress. He said that no amount of meditation or exercise can fix these problems.
Kumar, who runs Rainmatter (the investment fund of Zerodha), believes companies should allow workers to have flexible schedules. This means letting employees take breaks to exercise, sleep when they need, or care for their families without feeling guilty. He insisted that the healthiest workers aren’t those who follow wellness programs; they are the ones who can create their own lives.
His views come at a time when many people are talking about work-life balance. In contrast, some well-known figures, like Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and Larsen & Toubro Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan, have faced criticism for promoting long work hours.
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Kuhnemann Misses Shield Match for Bowling Action Tests: What’s Next?
Matthew Kuhnemann, a left-arm spin bowler from Australia, will not play in Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia. This decision comes after officials reported that he might have an illegal bowling action. Kuhnemann recently took 16 wickets in a test series where Australia won 2-0 against Sri Lanka.
Originally, Kuhnemann was supposed to play on Tuesday in Adelaide, but on Monday, the team said he would sit out due to an old thumb injury on his bowling hand. He had surgery last month after breaking his thumb while playing for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League in January. Even with this injury, Kuhnemann played two tests against Sri Lanka in Galle.
By missing the Shield match, Kuhnemann will have his bowling action tested soon. Experts from the International Cricket Council (ICC) are expected to examine him at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.
This news has sparked discussion across Australia, especially since Kuhnemann had a clean record in more than 100 professional matches since 2017, including five tests and four one-day internationals.
Steve Smith, who led Australia in the series against Sri Lanka while captain Pat Cummins was injured, said he believed Kuhnemann would be cleared of any issues. Tasmania captain Jordan Silk expressed his support for Kuhnemann, saying many were shocked by the news but that the team would support him and look forward to having him back soon.
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Ajinkya Rahane Reveals Disappointment Over Team Selection Snub
Ajinkya Rahane, a veteran Indian cricketer, has spoken out about being left out of the 2023/25 World Test Championship cycle. Even after performing well in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023, Rahane was not picked for the team. The 36-year-old has not played for India for two years since the current chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, decided to go with younger players.
Rahane did make a comeback to the Indian Test team after a great performance in the IPL with the Chennai Super Kings, where he scored 89 and 46 runs. This helped him secure a place in the Indian team for the West Indies tour, where he was named vice-captain. However, after that, he was again overlooked in favor of new talent.
Talking to the Indian Express, Rahane admitted he was disappointed when he was dropped again. He felt that after his good form, he should have been selected for the series against South Africa. He said, “When I was dropped before, I scored runs and got picked for the WTC final, but then I was dropped again. I can only control my game.”
He also mentioned that he tried to reach out to Agarkar but didn’t get a chance to talk. “I didn’t want to chase them, but I hoped for clearer communication. I was surprised to be left out after the WTC final,” he shared.
Despite the setbacks, Rahane is determined to keep playing for India. He is currently competing in the Ranji Trophy, where he hopes to show his skills over the next two matches and make a strong case for his return to the national team. “I still have the passion to play for India. My goal is to make a comeback,” he concluded.
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Chess960 Excitement: Keymer Shines, Gukesh Struggles at Grand Slam
Chess960, also called Fischer Random Chess, was created by famous player Bobby Fischer in 1996. This exciting chess variant mixes up the starting position of pieces, making the game more fun and less about memorizing opening strategies.
At the recent Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Germany, Vincent Keymer surprised everyone by defeating big names like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, claiming first place at Weissenhaus, a beautiful location. This event was part of the Chess960 format, and it got fans buzzing with excitement.
Unfortunately, for Indian fans, D Gukesh had a tough time and finished in eighth place without winning any games. Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion, played impressively before this Grand Slam event.
D Gukesh’s coach, Grzegorz Gajewski, shared his thoughts with ChessBase India, saying many top players struggled at Weissenhaus because Chess960 is very different from regular chess.
Famous chess player Judit Polgar also agreed, explaining, “It’s completely different because you have to think in a new way. You can’t rely on your usual strategies.” She mentioned how players like Gukesh tried new pawn strategies, which made the games exciting and tricky.
Gukesh will participate in the next Grand Slam event in Paris this April, joined by fellow Indian players Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa, forming a strong team!
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Radhika Gupta’s Smart Tips for Safe Investing During Market Volatility
Radhika Gupta, the CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, has important advice for investors during this shaky time in the market. She says, “Don’t just go along with what others say—make smart choices!” If you’re looking for safe options, consider hybrid or debt mutual funds instead of riskier stocks.
Lately, many people have stopped their regular investments called SIPs because they’re worried about the market. Some think that switching to index funds is safer, but Gupta wants to clear up this misunderstanding. She explains that moving from a small-cap mutual fund to a small-cap index fund doesn’t lower your risk. Both types invest in small companies, which can be very volatile.
Gupta pointed out that the main difference is that actively managed funds have managers who can make them perform better—or worse—than the index. “Index funds are not less risky; they carry the same risks as active funds for small-cap investments,” she said.
Earlier, Gupta reminded everyone that tough times don’t last forever, but smart investors do! Just like in previous crises, we can weather the storm by staying committed to our investment plan. She believes that investing is a long-term journey and encourages everyone to keep going with their SIPs, so they can see their money grow over time.
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Veterans Call for Action: Help Free Commander Tiwari from Qatar Prison
Two of the seven Indian naval veterans were sentenced to death in Qatar under unclear charges, but they got freed after spending 17 months in captivity. They returned to New Delhi on February 11, 2024, thanks to hard work and negotiation. Now, they are asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to help bring back their friend, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, who is still stuck in Qatar.
This appeal is timely as Al-Thani is visiting India for two days. The veterans who returned include Captains Navtej Gill and Saurabh Vasisht, Commanders Sanjeev Gupta, Amit Nagpal, BK Verma, Sugunakar Pakala, and sailor Ragesh. Commander Tiwari is still in Qatar, and the other veterans want him back home.
Gupta and Pakala said, “It has been one year since our release, but Tiwari is still there because of a travel ban. With the Amir of Qatar visiting India, we ask both leaders for a quick resolution to this problem. We hope he can return home soon, especially to see his old mother.”
In December 2023, Qatar’s Court of Appeal changed the death sentences for the eight men to prison terms of 3 to 25 years. These veterans were working for Al Dahra Global Technologies, which trained and supported Qatar’s military. They had been held since August 2022 without clear reasons. All of them had impressive careers in the Indian Navy.
For example, Captain Gill won the President’s gold medal for excellence and later taught at a renowned military college in India. Tiwari also earned a prestigious award five years ago, becoming the first member of the Indian Armed Forces to receive it for Non-Resident Indians.
Gupta, who spent 531 days in prison, shared that those months were terrible. “The first six months were the worst. At times, I felt like I might die there,” he shared last February. During his time in jail, he read 42 books and practiced meditation and yoga for four hours daily.
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Shark Tank India Season 4 Soars on SonyLIV: Viewer Numbers Surge!
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has revealed that streaming Season 4 of Shark Tank India only on their platform, SonyLIV, has brought in a lot more viewers and interaction. This latest season started on January 6 and has shown impressive results, with Connected TV (CTV) viewers up by 40% and user engagement by 22%, compared to the last season aired on Sony Entertainment Television (SET).
CTV is becoming a major way for people to watch shows, with a report predicting that by the end of this year, India will have over 65 million homes using CTV. SonyLIV also shared that overall engagement has risen by 27%, and the show has nearly doubled its user base in 42 smaller cities.
Danish Khan, the Business Head of Sony LIV & Studio Next, said that this season’s switch to SonyLIV has exceeded all their goals in reach and impact. But it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the brave and diverse entrepreneurs showcasing amazing ideas that change the way we think about business. This shift opens new doors for young people, encouraging them to turn their ambitions into real actions.
The fourth season has gained major sponsors like Acko, PokerBaazi, and Swiggy Instamart, along with Adani and Jaguar. Other partners include Rayzon Solar, ICICI Direct, Lenskart, and Sofy. SPNI has been producing this popular global business show since 2021, when they got the rights to adapt it for India. Shark Tank, which started in Japan, has become the world’s favorite business reality show and is helping India shine as a major spot for startups.