Sami Zayn Loses WWE Title Rematch To Cody Rhodes But Retains Championship

Sami Zayn is still the WWE Champion, because Cody Rhodes beat him only by disqualification in a dark match following Monday Night Raw. Rhodes got the rematch he was waiting for against the man who took the championship from him, but he couldn't leave with the gold. So Zayn's reign survives, and his announced champion-versus-champion match against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel on November 7 stays on the schedule. Rhodes had already lost the title to Zayn in June, and because of that history this rematch was more than just another title bout. Zayn now goes toward Crown Jewel still holding the belt.

Sami Zayn LOST the match to Cody Rhodes but he is still the WWE undisputed champion. ????@gael_306 #WWERaw https://t.co/o16bNDLc8B

— SuplexInsider (@SuplexInsider) October 20, 2026

Rhodes Gets His WWE Championship Rematch After Four Months

Rhodes was waiting around four months for another shot at the WWE Championship, ever since he lost it to Zayn at Night of Champions in June. Gunther was also part of that match, and Zayn won his first world title there, after his friendship with Rhodes broke down in the weeks before the event.

Zayn's title run didn't start smoothly. He lost the championship to CM Punk in his first defense, just days after winning it. The original plan was Zayn to defend against Rhodes, but Cody got attacked backstage and this changed the match.

Later, Zayn won the belt back from Punk on the September 11 episode of SmackDown in Mexico. Then he retained it against Kevin Owens a week later, which was one more successful defense before Rhodes finally got his rematch on Monday night.

A title doesn't change hands on disqualification, so the finish decided everything. Rhodes couldn't take the championship back, and Zayn stayed champion after their latest meeting.

Roman Reigns Remains Zayn's Crown Jewel Opponent

WWE has already announced Zayn vs. Reigns for Crown Jewel in a champion-versus-champion match on November 7. Both men also had a tense face-off during Raw, so the upcoming bout was getting some attention even before Zayn's match with Rhodes came into picture.

Rhodes had a chance to disturb those plans by winning the title back. But the disqualification result left Zayn with the championship going into his scheduled meeting with Reigns.

Rhodes missed another opportunity to regain the belt, while Reigns stays as Zayn's announced opponent for Crown Jewel. The championship is still in Zayn's hands, and the November 7 clash remains on WWE's schedule.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/5SiXyUl
via IFTTT

Comedian Neetu Bhardwaj Makes Shocking Claims Against Abhishek Upmanyu, Others

Neetu Bhardwaj has raised concerns about her safety. The stand-up comedian has accused fellow artists Abhishek Upmanyu, Urooj Ashfaq and others of allegedly stalking and harassing her and her family.

In an Instagram post, she has claimed that her phones were hacked and private information was shared without permission.

“Guys, I am being followed everywhere by the Mumbai comedy mafia of Upmanyu and Urooj and others. My family and I are really unsafe. All of our phones are hacked, all calls are being heard, all our personal and private information is stolen and is being circulated (sic)," she wrote on Instagram.

Neetu Bhardwaj Says She Is Being Followed 

Neetu also claimed that the alleged stalking was not limited to specific places or occasions. According to her, she has been followed even during routine outings, such as visiting a nearby grocery store or going for a walk in the park.

She also expressed concern about the safety of her family members and held the people named in her posts responsible for any harm that might come to them.

“Even if I go to a nearby grocery store or take a walk in the park, I am being followed. If anything happens to me or any of my family members, it's on these people (sic)," Neetu Bhardwaj wrote.

Take a look at her post below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Neetu Bhardwaj (@wisegirlneetu)

As of now, Abhishek Upmanyu and Urooj Ashfaq have not publicly commented on the allegations. 

ALSO READ: Ranbir Kapoor's India's Got Latent Appearance Sparks Buzz, Samay Raina Responds

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/ItK9eDF
via IFTTT

5 Matches, 1 Practice: Samson's Blunt Message To BCCI On India's Schedule

India wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson had a mixed T20I series against West Indies. The 5-match assignment saw Samson score 11, 82, 3, 56, and 16 runs. As the series concluded with the final match being washed out due to rain, Samson highlighted how difficult it was for him and others in the team to adapt to the conditions over the course of the series. While 5 matches were scheduled, the team only had one practice session. Samson and others in the team put their experience to use as they travelled to a different city for every single match and arrived on the field without getting any sort of practice done.

"To be very honest, with the way the schedule is structured these days, you don't get much time to practise or prepare," Samson told the broadcaster in Bengaluru, where the 5th and final match of the series against West Indies was washed out, sending the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) a blunt message about the cramped schedule.

"That's where your experience comes in. You try to stay in a good mental space and make the most of whatever time you get. We have just one day of batting practice," said Samson.

Sharing the approach towards overcoming this hurdle, Samson said that assessing the conditions by playing the first few deliveries with utmost caution is key to understanding what needs to be done on a particular pitch.

"We'll reach there on the 20th, practise on the 21st, and play the match on the 22nd. So, we'll try to carry forward the good things we've done here. It takes a little time to adjust to the conditions there, so we'll take two or three balls to assess them. We'll follow the things we've learned through experience and play while respecting the conditions," he said.

Samson would not fly to New Zealand with the rest of the members of the Indian team for another 5-match T20I series, which starts in 5 days' time. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/tCPksM1
via IFTTT

DA Hike Before Diwali? Here's How Much More Employees Could Get

Nearly 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners are awaiting the July 2026 Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) revision. A three-percentage-point increase, from 60% to 63%, is expected, but the Centre has not announced the rate or approval date.

With Diwali on November 8, employee organisations are pressing for the installment to be released before the festival.

The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers wrote to the Cabinet Secretary on October 14, calling for nationwide lunch-hour demonstrations on October 16. Its demands included immediate declaration of the DA and DR installment due from July 1, alongside festive bonuses.

The bonus announcements have since followed. Eligible central government employees will receive a 30-day ad-hoc bonus, capped at ₹6,908. More than 11.4 lakh railway employees will receive a separate 78-day productivity-linked bonus, with a maximum payout of ₹17,951.
DA, however, adds to monthly earnings rather than providing a one-time payment.

What A Three-Point Increase Would Mean

DA is calculated on basic pay. At 63%, an employee earning ₹18,000 in basic pay would receive ₹11,340 a month in DA, up from ₹10,800. That means an additional ₹540 monthly, or ₹6,480 over 12 months.

Those earning ₹25,500 in basic pay would get ₹765 more a month, totalling ₹9,180 annually. At ₹35,400 basic pay, the increase would be ₹1,062 monthly, or ₹12,744 a year.

For employees earning ₹44,900, the additional DA would be ₹1,347 a month and ₹16,164 annually. Those on ₹56,100 basic pay would receive ₹1,683 more each month, adding up to ₹20,196 over a year.

A revision effective from July 1 would also bring arrears. For an employee on ₹18,000 basic pay, a three-point increase would mean ₹1,620 for July through September alone. Pensioners would receive the corresponding DR increase on their basic pension.

The Centre normally revises DA twice annually, effective January 1 and July 1, using movements in the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers.
The pending installment is separate from the 8th Pay Commission's review. Constituted on November 3, 2025, the commission has 18 months to submit its report, placing its expected deadline around May 2027.

DA revisions can continue under the existing pay framework while the commission prepares its recommendations.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/xzhs5rA
via IFTTT

'Play Him Exceptionally Well': NZ Great Offers Shocking Tests Stat Of Bumrah

India's squads for the ODI and Test series against New Zealand were announced on Friday. Before those assignments, the two teams will face off in a five-match T20I series, beginning on October 22. For India, the most crucial leg of the tour will be the two-Test series as they continue their push for a place in the World Test Championship 2027 final. New Zealand have enjoyed a significant edge over India in recent Test encounters, winning six of their last eight matches against them.

Jasprit Bumrah has been included in India's Test squad after being rested for the ODI series. The star pacer, who has battled injury concerns in recent years, is expected to be a key weapon for India. However, former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee offered an interesting perspective on Bumrah's impact.

Southee pointed out that, somewhat surprisingly, Bumrah has never been part of an Indian team that has defeated New Zealand in a Test match. He added that the Kiwis are well aware of how to counter Bumrah's pace and skill.

"I think New Zealand have played Bumrah incredibly well in Test cricket. I don't think Bumrah has played in an Indian team that has beaten New Zealand. So, I think New Zealand play him exceptionally well in Tests," Southee said during a virtual interaction by Sony Sports Network.

So far, Bumrah has played five Tests against New Zealand and claimed nine wickets. India, however, ended up on the losing side in all five matches.

Southee also highlighted Mohammed Siraj as a crucial member of India's bowling attack, praising the pacer for the unique energy and intensity he brings to the field whenever he plays.

"I'm a big fan of Mohammed Siraj and the way he bowls. If he can get his length right in New Zealand, he could be a handful. The energy he brings, the way he runs in all day, the type of bowler he is, there's no reason why he can't have a lot of success in New Zealand conditions. There's a lot to like about him in particular," Southee said.

Following the five-match T20I series, India and New Zealand will meet in a five-match ODI series starting on November 4, before the two-Test series gets underway on November 19.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/JeAbKp4
via IFTTT

31-Test Veteran Emerges As Strong Contender For India Chief Selector's Job

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has applied for the vacant senior national selector's post, putting himself in contention for a position that fell vacant after the BCCI decided against renewing Ajit Agarkar's contract. "Yes, I have applied for the job," Jaffer confirmed to PTI. The 48-year-old Jaffer played 31 Tests for India, scoring close to 2,000 runs, including five centuries. His Test hundreds included a double century against the West Indies and a hundred in South Africa. He also scored a double century against Pakistan in Kolkata.

If selected by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, Jaffer would have the highest number of Test appearances among the candidates being considered for the chairman's position.

With 31 Tests, he has a better playing record in the longest format than Pragyan Ojha, who represented India in 24 Tests. Under the existing selection process, the member from the zone with the highest number of Test appearances is eligible to head the committee.

However, it is understood that there is strong support within the BCCI for retaining Ojha as chairman, which could influence the composition of the new selection panel.

In that scenario, former India spinner Ramesh Powar, who played two Tests, could also be in contention for a place on the committee, potentially from the West Zone.

The final composition of the selection panel will depend on the CAC's assessment of the applicants and the BCCI's preferences as it looks to fill the vacancy left by Ajit Agarkar.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/E2ladI3
via IFTTT

PM Modi's 15-Year-Olds Remark, Then An Epic Reaction From Sooryavanshi

India's teenage prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, was in attendance among the country's Asian Games 2026 stars at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Delhi Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated the contingent. Sooryavanshi was a part of the Indian men's cricket team that won the gold medal in Tokyo. During the ceremony, PM Modi gave a riveting speech that also captured how 15-year-olds are winning medals for the country at grand events such as the Asian Games. The remark drew a smile even on the face of Sooryavanshi.

PM Modi could not stop hailing the Indian athletes during the felicitation ceremony, including the cricketers, hockey teams, and boxers, whilst lauding the records that were broken in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the historic milestones that were achieved.

As PM Modi continued his speech, he made a special mention of the 15 and 17-year-olds who won medals for India at the Games. Although he did not mention Sooryavanshi by name, the mention did see the camera shift focus to the Indian cricketing prodigy.

"This time in the Asian Games, there were many players on Team India whose age was only 15 to 17 years. At such a young age, these players have enhanced the pride of the country with their spectacular performances. They have won the hearts of the countrymen. This shows that for success, age is not a restriction. In sports, it is the start made at a young age that becomes an added advantage," he said.

As PM Modi said this, Sooryavanshi had a big smile on his face.

"Therefore, it is our effort that in sports, the identification of talent should happen at a young age. For children between 5 and 15 years of age, we are especially focused on identifying sporting talent and its training. In the coming years, thousands of new players will get opportunities to advance through Khelo India and Emerging Khelo India," PM Modi added.

WATCH | "Reel Ke Chakkar Mein Thuk Jaoge": Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Epic Chat With Paps Viral

PM Modi also reserved special praise for the country's female contingent at the Asian Games. He said: "Friends, I would like to especially praise our daughters. Out of the 85 medals won by India, 38 medals were won by our women athletes, and 11 gold medals are included in them. These medals are not just a number. This is a picture of a new India."

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/7vYC0cO
via IFTTT