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Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Post Rohit's Sudden Test Retirement, BCCI's Assurance: "Will Continue..."

Following Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's retirement from the Test format, ex-players and teams all rushed to social media to thank the 38-year-old for his 12 year tenure with the national team. Among the first wishers was the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the governing body which helped Rohit grow to new heights in his career. “Mumbai cha Raja (The king of Mumbai) hangs up his Test whites. From pulling fast bowlers into the stands to leading with calm authority — Rohit Sharma's Test journey was worth every watch, every roar, every rise," posted the MCA.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said it was 'proud of the Hitman'

"Thank you, Captain. End of an era in whites! @ImRo45 bids adieu to Test cricket. He will continue to lead India in ODIs. We are proud of you, Hitman," posted BCCI.

India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant claimed Rohit's impact will echo in the Indian team's dressing room for years to follow.

“Your presence and impact will echo in that dressing room forever. Much love, @rohitsharma45 bhai,” posted Pant on Instagram.

Dhruv Jurel, who was handed his Test debut under Rohit in the 2024 Test series vs England also wished the right-handed batter a happy retirement.

"Always my first skipper, Happy Retirement Rohit Bhaiya," posted Jurel.

Rohit ends his Test career with 4,301 runs coming from 67 Tests at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties. He was appointed captain in 2022 after Virat Kohli resigned from the role. He went on to lead India in 24 Tests, winning 12 and losing nine games. He also oversaw India's 2023 WTC final loss against Australia.

"Congratulations @ImRo45 on your test career. The 2021 test series in England will be remembered for your heroics. Go well in your next phase," posted Irfan Pathan.

"End of an era! @ImRo45, your grit, grace, and leadership in Test cricket will always remain a big part of India's cricket journey. Thank you for the memories, Captain! #RohitSharma," posted Parthiv Patel.

"Congratulations on a legendary Test career, @ImRo45. You've made India proud. All the best for your ODI journey. God bless you," posted Amit Mishra.

Rohit Sharma's IPL franchise, the Mumbai Indians also took the time to congratulate their most successful captain.

“Cap 280, Jersey 45, Bowing out from Test cricket. It was a privilege watching you in India whites, Ro!,” posted MI.



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Tuesday, May 6, 2025

MS Dhoni Skips Practice Again. CSK Coach Says "He Knows Where He Is..."

Crowd favourite MS Dhoni skipped practice for the second consecutive day as fans thronging the Eden Gardens on Tuesday faced disappointment again. However, his ardent supporters took solace from Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Eric Simons' confirmation about the talisman's participation in Wednesday's Indian Premier League match against Kolkata Knight Riders, a must-win outing for the home team. Simons said the 43-year-old Dhoni is "fine" and "will play" the game, which could be his last competitive outing at the hallowed venue. "Yes, he's expected to play tomorrow," said Simons, explaining that Dhoni knows exactly how to manage his preparation.

"With regards to MS, he knows his situation very well. He knows where he is. In terms of his preparations, he always works very hard at the beginning of a tournament and then allows himself to taper off because he gets himself in a space where he's ready.

"So no issues, he just knows when he is prepared and when he's not." Dhoni returned to captaincy duties after skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined with an injury, and Simons said the transition has been seamless.

"You see MS Dhoni as the cricketer, we always see MS Dhoni as the man who is a remarkable individual. His influence on the team, his ability to nurture Rutu, to nurture young cricketers is what's legendary about him," Simons said.

Even when not officially leading, Dhoni's mere presence makes a lot of difference, Simons said.

"His influence is always there. Sure, he now makes the final decisions on movements of fields but his influence -- whether he was captain or not -- was always there without imposing. He doesn't impose himself on anybody.

"He was always an influence, so it was a very smooth transition because of the closeness of his relation with Rutu." Simons also acknowledged the manner in which Dhoni handled the change in leadership.

"From selection conversations to tactics on the field to taking over from someone like him, what made it easier is the way that MS handles those moments.

"He's a remarkable man from that perspective, and it's been pretty smooth for him to step into the role again. Rutu is still around, still part of the conversations," Simons said.

The five-time champions were the first team to be eliminated this season but despite that, Simons insisted the side remains fully committed and engaged.

"Absolutely not going through the motions. There's been some really good work done, discussions around individuals and for us as a team. Obviously, we're a franchise that has a rich history of winning and doing particularly well.

"It's obviously not a great place to be in, but it's been a very rewarding place for us to look at it from a different perspective and from a growth of individuals. It's still been a very rewarding period for us."



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"Never Say Never": Trump To Carney's Canada Will "Never Be For Sale" Remark

US President Donald Trump began his first talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday and vowed to bring up "tough points" that are dividing the two countries since Trump imposed tariffs.

Their meeting started with smiles and a handshake despite Trump's desire to make Canada the 51st U.S. state, a prospect that has chilled bilateral relations. The subject quickly came up as they took questions from reporters.

"We're not going to be discussing that unless somebody wants to discuss it," Trump said. "It would really be a wonderful marriage."

Carney put down the idea firmly.

"It's not for sale, it won't be for sale-ever," he told Trump in the Oval Office.

"Never say never, never say never," Trump said.

Trump, whose tariff policy has rattled world markets, said he and Carney would discuss "tough points," an allusion to the president's belief that the United States can do without Canadian products.

"Regardless of anything, we're going to be friends with Canada," he said.

Carney's Liberal Party won the April 28 election on promises to tackle Trump and create a new bilateral economic and security relationship with the United States.

Shortly before Carney arrived, Trump posted a message on social media.

"I very much want to work with him, but cannot understand one simple TRUTH - Why is America subsidizing Canada by $200 Billion Dollars a year, in addition to giving them FREE Military Protection, and many other things? We don't need their Cars, we don't need their Energy, we don't need their Lumber, we don't need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain. They, on the other hand, need EVERYTHING from us!"

Trump appeared to be referring to the trade deficit the U.S. has with Canada due mostly to American imports of Canadian oil, although Canada's merchandise trade surplus was C$102.3 billion ($74.25 billion) in 2024.

Carney, a 60-year-old ex-central banker with no previous political experience, was elected Liberal leader in March to replace Justin Trudeau, who had a poor relationship with Trump. 

Canada is the US' second-largest individual trading partner after Mexico, and the largest export market for U.S. goods. More than $760 billion in goods flowed between the two countries last year.

Ahead of the meeting, the U.S. Commerce Department reported on Tuesday that Canada's goods trade surplus with the U.S. narrowed to a five-month low in March, the month when Trump's hefty tariffs on imported steel and aluminium took effect. Canadian exports to the U.S. plunged by $3.7 billion, the second-largest drop on record.

Canadian data showed the drop in U.S. exports was almost compensated by an increase to the rest of the world, as Canadian companies sought new markets.

In March, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports and then slapped another 25% tariff on cars and parts that did not comply with a North American free trade agreement.

On Sunday, Trump said he would put a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the U.S., without giving details, in a potential blow to Canada's film industry.

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



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Avneet Kaur In The Stands For MI vs GT IPL Match. Internet Goes Overboard

Avneet Kaur, actor and social media influencer, was in the stands of the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday for the IPL 2025 match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. While several celebrities and actors often come to watch IPL matches, the internet could not help but notice Avneet's presence in the match after recent events. On a photo by Avneet Kaur on her instagram handle, there was a 'like' from Virat Kohli's handle. It led to a social media meltdown. 

Kohli then broke his silence on the ongoing rumours, as he put up a story on his Instagram. The story reads, "I'd like to clarify that while clearing my feed, it appears the algorithm may have mistakenly registered an interaction. There was absolutely no intent behind it. I request that no unnecessary assumptions be made. Thank you for your understanding."

After Avneet Kaur was captured by the cameramen in the GT vs MI match, internet couldn;t stop reacting. 

After Kohli claimed that an Instagram algorithm mistake resulted in an interaction being recorded from his account, the social media chatter slowed down a little, before singer Rahul Vaidya stepped in. Vaidya shared a few stories on Instragram, mocking Virat's clarification about the interaction with a post regarding Avneet Kaur.

"Main kehna chahta hoon ki aaj ke baad aisa ho sakta hai ki algorithm bohot saare photos like karde jo maine nahi kare. So, jo bhi ladki ho (I want to say that going forward, the algorithm might like many photos which I didn't do. So, the girls), please don't do PR around it because it is not my mistake. It is Instagram's mistake, okay?"

Rahul further went on to claim that Kohli has blocked him on Instagram over the post, though that could also be an 'Instagram glitch', just as the RCB star had suggested himself.

"So guys, Virat Kohli has blocked me, as you all know. I think that too is an Instagram glitch, Virat Kohli didn't block me. Instagram k algorithm ne bola hoga Virat Kohli ko ki, 'Ek kaam kar, main tere behalf pe Rahul Vaidya ko block kardeti hoon'. Hain na (Instagram's algorithm told Virat Kohli, 'I'll block Rahul Vaidya on your behalf') Right?" He signed off.

  



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Monday, May 5, 2025

India Lodges Protest With Canada Over "Unacceptable Imagery" At Parade

India on Monday lodged a strong protest with Canada over the "threatening language" and "unacceptable imagery" targeting Indian leadership at a parade held in Toronto.

The floats at the parade on Sunday reportedly featured pro-Khalistan propaganda and imagery attacking the Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India lodged a protest with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi over the parade, official sources said.

"We conveyed our concerns in the strongest terms to the Canadian High Commission regarding the parade held in Toronto, where unacceptable imagery and threatening language were used against our leadership and Indian citizens residing in Canada," said one of the sources.

The Indian side again called on Canadian authorities to act against "anti-India elements" who are spreading hatred and advocating extremism and a separatist agenda, the sources said.

"We once again call on the Canadian authorities to act against anti-India elements who spread hatred and advocate extremism and separatist agenda," the source said.

The latest episode of strain in ties between the two countries came days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's victory in the general election.

Carney, an economist and political newcomer, led the Liberal Party to its remarkable victory in the elections held under the shadow of US President Donald Trump's tariff clash.

His victory was seen as an opportunity to repair India-Canada ties that came under severe strain during Justin Trudeau's prime ministership.

The ties between India and Canada witnessed a major downturn following Trudeau's allegations in September 2023 of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. New Delhi strongly rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd".

The relations nosedived further in the second half of last year after Ottawa linked several Indian diplomats including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma to the murder of Nijjar.

In October last, India withdrew Verma and five other diplomats. India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.

In the last few months, the security officials of India and Canada resumed contacts and both sides were looking at the possibility of appointing new high commissioners.

The exit of Trudeau was seen as an opportunity to improve bilateral ties.

India had accused Trudeau's government of allowing pro-Khalistani elements to operate from Canadian soil.

After Trudeau's exit, New Delhi said it hoped to rebuild ties with Canada based on "mutual trust and sensitivity".

"The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the licence that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements in that country," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in March.

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



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UN Security Council Begins Closed-Door Talks Meeting On India-Pak Tensions

 The UN Security Council commenced closed-door consultations here on the situation between India and Pakistan, hours after Secretary General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours being "at their highest in years".

Pakistan, currently a non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation Security Council, had requested for "closed consultations" on the situation.

Greece, president of the Council for the month of May, scheduled the meeting for May 5 in the afternoon.

The closed-door meeting will not take place in the UNSC Chamber where Council members sit at the powerful horse-shoe table but in a consultations room next to the chamber.

Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Khaled Mohamed Khiari of Tunisia will brief the Council on behalf of both departments (DPPA and DPO).

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad could brief reporters after the meeting.

Just hours before the closed consultations, Guterres voiced concern over tensions between India and Pakistan being at "their highest in years", saying "it pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point".

Guterres made remarks to the press from the UNSC stake-out Monday morning amid rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali citizen.

Guterres said he understands the "raw feelings" following the "awful terror attack" in Pahalgam and reiterated his strong condemnation of that attack, extending his condolences to the families of the victims.

"Targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means," he said.

Guterres stressed that it is essential – especially at this critical hour—to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.

"Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink. That has been my message in my ongoing outreach with both countries. Make no mistake: A military solution is no solution," the UN chief said.

He reiterated that he offers his good offices to both governments in the service of peace. "The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace." Apart from the five veto-wielding permanent members—China, France, Russia, UK and the US—the 10 non-permanent members in the Council are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia.

India's former Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin told PTI that no "consequential outcome" can be expected from "a discussion where a party to the conflict seeks to shape perceptions by using its membership of the Council. India will parry such Pakistani efforts".

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



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"Designed To Operate Against...": India Tests Advanced Underwater Naval Mine

India successfully conducted validation trials of an indigenously designed and developed multi-influence ground mine (MIGM) and an advanced underwater naval mine designed to operate against modern stealth ships and submarines.

The Defence Research of Development Organisation (DRDO), India's premier defence research agency and the Indian Navy conducted the "combat firing" of the mine. The system is developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories.

The DRDO shared a video of the test in which an underwater explosion took place with reduced explosives. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated DRDO and the Navy for successfully undertaking the test. Mr Singh said, "The system would further enhance the undersea warfare capabilities of the Indian Navy."

Bharat Dynamics Limited, a production partner of the system, said, "An MIGM is equipped with multiple sensors for recording influences like Acoustic, Magnetic, Pressure, UEP/ELFE signatures as generated by Marine vessels." Visakhapatnam and Apollo Microsystems Limited are also partners in the production. 

Underwater mines have been central to naval warfare for several centuries. During World War II, the British, Americans, Japanese and Germans used to lay mines on sea routes. According to an estimate, over half a million naval mines of several types were laid in the sea during the war.

The validation trials of MIGM come at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are high following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which terrorists linked to Pakistan killed 26 civilians. 

Last month, a guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy destroyed a sea-skimming target in a "precision cooperative engagement". The test was done two days after the Pahalgam attack.

The navy, in a statement, said the homegrown guided missile destroyer INS Surat "successfully carried out a precision cooperative engagement of a sea-skimming target, marking another milestone in strengthening our defence capabilities."

'Trident Of Naval Power'

Last week, the Navy shared a picture featuring a surface ship, a submarine and a helicopter and captioned it "Trident of Naval Power".

The picture, posted on X, shows the destroyer INS Kolkata, the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and a Scorpene-class submarine.

A week before that, the Navy shared videos of warships conducting multiple anti-ship firings in the Arabian Sea.

Multiple visuals of BrahMos anti-ship and anti-surface cruise missiles being fired from warships in the middle of the sea were shared by the Navy on X.

These warships included Kolkata-class destroyers, Nilgiri and Krivak-class frigates.



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Rs 1.5 Crore Overseas Star To Debut For CSK In El Clasico vs Mumbai Indians

Spencer Johnson is poised to take centre stage for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their critical bottom-of-the-table match against Mumbai Indi...