Test Captaincy Race Over? Report Reveals Big Meetings Before Rohit Retirement

India's hunt for the next Test captain seems to be over, with multiple reports suggesting that Shubman Gill is set to succeed Rohit Sharma in the longest format. Gill, who is already India's vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is, seems to be beating the favourite Jasprit Bumrah to the role, leaving many unimpressed. While Bumrah was India's vice-captain in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, leading the first Test in Rohit Sharma's absence, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee reportedly prefers Shubman Gill because of the pacer's poor injury record.

Gill's impressive show as a leader in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign has also impressed many, instilling confidence in the decision-makers to give the baton to the top-order batter.

As per a report in the Times of India, Gill held a lengthy discussion with Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir at the latter's residence when the Gujarat Titans had arrived in the national capital for a match against Delhi Capitals.

The two reportedly spoke for four to five hours, with Test captaincy, understandably, being the biggest point of discussion. When GT took on the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on May 6, Agarkar is said to have also had a discussion with Gill.

As per the report, the selection committee is convinced to give long-term captaincy responsibility to Gill, having been impressed by his development as a leader.

"He has shown impressive leadership qualities in the way he has led GT, who are currently topping the table this season," the paper quoted a source as saying.

The timing of these discussions paints an interesting picture. It is to be noted that Rohit Sharma quit as India's Test captain on May 7, well after the first discussion between Gambhir and Gill took place in Delhi. The DC vs GT match took place in the Capital on April 19, well before even the rumours of a Test captaincy change started to float.

As for Gambhir, his next assignment is the India A tour of England, where the senior team's head coach is keen to observe the gen-next of cricketers who are knocking on the national side's doors.

"He wants to observe a few India A players who will be in action against the England Lions," an official had said.

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"Pakistan Incorrigible, Lying Is Part Of Its Ethos": Ex-Army Chief NC Vij

The role of the Director General of Military Operations is in focus after the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan was declared following a call between officers holding the rank in both countries. 

The position, which also involves planning and overseeing military operations, was equally important - if not more so - when India and Pakistan fought the Kargil war in 1999. The man occupying the post at the time was Nirmal Chander Vij, who went on to become the Army chief in 2005 and was instrumental in the decision to construct a 740-km fence along the Line of Control. 

In an exclusive interview with NDTV on Friday, General Vij (retired) said that, after Operation Sindoor - during which India struck terror bases in Pakistan, including the headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed - Islamabad has been sent a clear message that its nuclear bluff will not work anymore and that India will go to any extent to make sure its national integrity is safeguarded.

General Vij also said his experience has taught him that Pakistan is incorrigible and lying is part of its ethos.

State-Sponsored Terror

Asked about the recent hostilities, the former Army chief, who has written a new book, 'Alone In The Ring - Decision-Making In Critical Times', said, "In many ways, I think this book has turned out to be prophetic. Because I have written that our western neighbours are so incorrigible and so untrustworthy that you really cannot say anything about them for sure. And despite all the efforts by India to maintain peace, they have been indulging in terrorism promoted by the state."

General Vij recalled his interactions with General Tauqir Zia, who was the Pakistani DGMO during the Kargil war, and said that's when the country's propensity for lying and obfuscating became very apparent to him. 

"You could make out that telling lies is a part of their very ethos and ecosystem... Once, I told him, after point 5140 was captured (during the Kargil war), that we have found lots of maps which were duly marked, all he could say in reply was 'ahmaq', which means 'fool' or 'stupid'. That's the problem with them... they will not speak the truth," he said. 

'India Will Stay Alert'

The former Army chief said that despite the understanding being reached with Pakistan, India will maintain a state of alertness for "quite some time", until it's clear what line the other side will adopt. This, he said, was also important since PM Narendra Modi has made it clear that any act of terror originating in Pakistan will be seen as an act of war. 

On Operation Sindoor, which was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed, General Vij said some very important messages had been sent out to Pakistan. 

"All along, we have been worried about nuclear responses. Our anti-terror operations were restricted to an extent. Even during the Kargil war, we didn't cross the Line of Control... Now, the PM has said your nuclear bluff is off... We will not take it as a serious thing. We have upgraded our response, attacked nine targets and gone into (Pakistan's) Punjab, which we have never done earlier. So, now they know that we will go to any extent to make sure that our national integrity is taken care of and safeguarded," he emphasised.

The former Army chief said the fact that all three forces - Army, Air Force and Navy - were involved was also a key part of the messaging. 

"They have been told that we won't hesitate to go to any extent to make sure that they are put into great difficulty. As it is, the country is, economically, totally broke and they are taking loans to pay off their debts. So, they have to learn some place, sometime. The problem in Pakistan is... when Kargil happened, the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said, he didn't even know... so we don't know who to believe," he said. 

War An Option?

Asked how things have changed between Kargil and now and whether war is an option, the former Army chief said he thinks India could have "gone to any extent" if the Pakistani DGMO had not called and approached his Indian counterpart last week. 

"If you ask a soldier, I don't think war is an option, even though it is our job to fight and we will perhaps be itching to fight at times. But war never solves much. Ultimately, you have got to get to the negotiating table. But to bring the other man to his senses - as Napoleon said, if you put a gun to the other's head, his rationale gets improved and he becomes far more sensible to talk to. So war is an option to bring the other man to a reasonable level of understanding and to get (him) talking more sense," he explained. 

General Vij also pointed out that predicting anything about Pakistan is very difficult because it is unclear whether it is the government controlling the Army or vice versa. 

"We are a far stronger country and we have shown the world that we are very reasonable. The first briefing, which was given by the foreign secretary and the two lady officers - who did a very good job - it was made clear that it was proportionate. We had gone after the terrorist targets and we had nothing against Pakistan as a country and did not want to escalate. But they escalated... And, in any case, for Pakistan to remain together, I think Kashmir has been a weapon to unite the country. So, it is very difficult to understand their mechanics of functioning," he said. 

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"Can't Stop Us": Row Over Rahul Gandhi's Visit To Bihar Hostel, Case Filed

Congress's Rahul Gandhi landed in controversy today after he went to meet students in Bihar at a hostel in Darbhanga, disregarding police barriers. The state government said he was not granted permission for a meeting at the hostel and a couple of cases were filed against him. Mr Gandhi, though, said he has 30-32 such cases against him and he regards them as "medals".

The police had allegedly stopped Mr Gandhi's car from going to the event, but he walked to the hostel and addressed the students there as the Congress launched its "Shiksha Nyay Samvad" programme. 
With assembly elections in the state due at the end of this year, the Congress has alleged that the government's move was politically motivated.  

"I came here to meet and talk to students who belong to marginalised communities but government officials are not allowing us to go inside," Mr Gandhi told reporters outside the Ambedkar Hostel.

"I only have three questions -- we want the government to put money in education, break down the wall of 50 per cent education, and introduce reservation in private schools as well. We want to peacefully go inside. They don't want us to meet you all so your requirements can be met. But they won't be able to stop us," he added. 

Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary alleged that Mr Gandhi had  "resorted to hooliganism" even though he was given an alternate venue for that meeting. 

"It is painful that where the Leader of Opposition was not allowed to go, his party leaders had booked the town hall, but still he (Rahul Gandhi) forcibly conducted the programme by resorting to hooliganism and using force," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

"It is very unfortunate that the country's Leader of Opposition is speaking in such a way, has resorted to hooliganism like this... We only go to the hostel for the Bihar government's scheme. No one is allowed to go there for any political meeting,"  he said, demanding that Mr Gandhi apologise to the people of Bihar.

Regarding the police cases filed against Mr Gandhi, the Darbhanga district administration, in a statement, said: "The first FIR has been registered based on a complaint filed at Laheriasarai police station by the District Welfare Officer (holding magisterial powers). It states that no permission was granted for the programme at Ambedkar Hostel, yet it was conducted in violation of prohibitory orders." The second case was filed against dozens of unidentified people for flouting the prohibitory orders.

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Women Help Wash Miss World Contestants' Feet In Telangana, Video Sparks Row

Washing and wiping the feet of Miss World 2025 contestants by women from Telangana before their entry into a temple has triggered outrage with the opposition BRS and BJP terming it an insult to the self-respect of Telangana.

The feet of contestants from 109 countries were washed and wiped by women volunteers before their entry into the ancient Ramappa temple in the Mulugu district on Wednesday.

The visit of contestants to the temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was part of the ongoing beauty pageant.

National Insult ❗️

Red carpet for foreigners.
Red face for Indian women.

The Telangana government made Indian women wash the feet of Miss World contestants and then wipe them with towels.
Is this women empowerment or royal servitude?”

తెలంగాణ మహిళలు అంటే ఇంత చులకనా❓

తెలంగాణ… pic.twitter.com/nqfGUl7YaO

— YSR (@ysathishreddy) May 14, 2025

The video of this went viral on social media, drawing the ire of many. Some called this act 'colonial' and 'racist'.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy termed it a humiliating act that reeks of a colonial-era mindset.

"In a shocking display of servility, the Telangana Congress government made local women wash and wipe the feet of Miss World contestants, a humiliating act that reeks of a colonial-era mindset. Further, this was done within the sanctity of the Ramappa Temple and in an area in close proximity to the place where the divine Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma are revered," said Kishan Reddy, who is also the state BJP president.

"Congress party's century-old legacy of making Indians kneel before foreigners to appease their high command is evident. Revanth Reddy, in his desperate bid to impress Delhi bosses, has trampled on the dignity and self-respect of Indian women," he said in his post on 'X'.

"The Congress national leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should tender an unconditional apology to Telangana women for blasphemy and for surrendering the dignity, culture and self-respect of our NariShakti," Kishan Reddy added.

Main opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has slammed the Congress government saying it shattered Telangana's self-respect. BRS leaders appealed to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to intervene.

BRS leaders alleged that local Dalit, tribal, and economically disadvantaged women were forced to wash and wipe the feet of foreign beauty pageant participants.

In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, former ministers and public representatives from the BRS urged her to intervene immediately to restore the dignity of the state's women and address the mounting public discontent.

The BRS leaders, including former ministers Sabitha Indra Reddy, Satyavati Rathod, Sunita Laxma Reddy, and MLA Kova Laxmi, demanded an apology from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

The BRS leaders expressed profound anguish over what they termed a "disgraceful and humiliating act", accusing the Congress government of insulting Telangana's women and tarnishing the state's cultural heritage.

They called on Sonia Gandhi to ensure the Chief Minister issues an unconditional public apology to Telangana's women and takes corrective measures to prevent further erosion of the state's pride.

The letter warns that such actions, if unaddressed, risk alienating Telangana's four crore people and could spark a fierce backlash from the state's women against the Congress party.

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

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"DRDO's Performance In Op Sindoor Was Stellar": Scientist In NITI Aayog

Operation Sindoor was a true showcase of India's indigenous competencies developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) deep capabilities, said Dr V.K. Saraswat, a missile scientist, who is a member (S&T) of NITI Aayog. All efforts to demolish DRDO should be buried once and for all, he asserted.

The morale at DRDO, which is home to 5,000 scientists, was hit since two high-powered committees tried to restructure it at a mega level. In 2016, a government-mandated committee headed by Dr P Rama Rao, former secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, was constituted to conduct a comprehensive review of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It led to the creation of seven technology domain-based clusters headed by separate Directors General. It only added to more bureaucracy, said Dr Saraswat. 

Subsequently, in 2023, another nine-member committee was set up to "reform" the DRDO, headed by Dr K Vijay Raghavan, a basic science researcher by training and former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. The report was never made public, but experts said it had suggested dismembering the DRDO and hiving off its units to other ministries. "It was a futile exercise", asserts Dr Saraswat.

Successful test-firing of Quick Reaction Surface To Air Missile (QRSAM)
Photo Credit: drdo.gov.in

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Dr Saraswat said, "Operation Sindoor has demonstrated the capacity and capability of DRDO to build the modern weapon systems in the strategic, air defence, air surveillance system and integrated command and control system sectors for air defence of the country. The success of missiles like Akash, BrahMos, hitting the Pakistani targets in pinpoint accuracy, engaging the Chinese aircraft, demonstrates that DRDO has the capability and capacity to build such a system."

Dr Saraswat, a well-known missile scientist, added, "DRDO has the capacity and capability. And all the talk, which normally people keep saying that DRDO is not performing, has been completely denied and debunked today by the performance of what its weapon system has done."

There was a time when the DRDO acronym was expanded as "Defenceless Research and Dud Organisation" by some critics.

Dr Saraswat said, "I think it's time that all the criticism of the DRDO, which has been going on for so many decades, should be put to rest today because DRDO has demonstrated its capability in all fields of military technology. This was an Atmanirbhar war fought by India with the indigenous weapon systems and technologies developed by DRDO."

"I think people who have been carrying this message through different reports, which have been done, the first report was done by Prof. P Ramarao when I was the secretary of DRDO and the latest report, which has been done by Prof. K VijayRaghavan, former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, completely shows that their thinking, their process of looking at how DRDO should perform, is completely out of tune."

"DRDO has a very robust system of managing research and development along with industry, academia and within the 39 laboratories of the country. We have a very cohesive method of doing things. We have no regimentation. We have a democratic process of doing research and development, and we are in a position to do all that with the Indian industry," Dr Saraswat said.

"You see the example of Akash. When we realised that Akash had to be manufactured in large numbers to meet future requirements, we went to two production agencies, Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd. A large number of subsystems of Akash were coming from the private sector," he added.

"I think Operation Sindoor and many past events have demonstrated that DRDO scientists can design, develop, and manufacture state-of-the-art weapon systems, whether they are ground-based, missiles, aircraft or electronic warfare systems. There is no segment of weaponry which is not handled by DRDO. Such a wide spectrum, I don't think anywhere it is available."

"DRDO is the only organisation which covers every aspect of it, with the support of the armed forces to fight battles at sea, in high altitudes and cold climates. I don't think that there is an organisation equal to DRDO in the country which can provide that kind of a canvas," he said. "Since I am part of the DRDO, and will remain always, we feel that scientists of DRDO should feel very-very proud that they have done a great service to the nation by working relentlessly together in a harmonious manner for the last 50-60 years and brought our country to this level of excellence," Dr Saraswat further said.

After a period of flagging spirits, Dr Saraswat added that after Operation Sindoor, the "josh" is back, and it is also high at the premier defence research organisation. He added that if India has to become a developed country, it has to protect itself through atmanirbhar defence systems

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"China-Made Air Defence System In Pakistan Jammed By Air Force," Says India

In a big reveal, the Government of India on Wednesday, said that the Indian Air Force had successfully jammed Chinese air defence systems that Pakistan had installed all along its border and Line of Control with India. In another significant revelation, India said it carried out its mission in under 23 minutes, showing India's defence superiority over the terror-sponsoring nation.

A statement released by the government gave a closer look at the operational details of Operation Sindoor - India's response to the Pakistan-linked terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians, all tourists, were killed in a religiously-motivated attack.

'INDIAN ASSETS SAFE'

Amid a deluge of misinformation and false claims emanating out of Pakistan, India's statement asserted the fact that "All strikes were executed without loss of Indian assets, underscoring the effectiveness of our surveillance, planning, and delivery systems. The use of modern indigenous technology, from long-range drones to guided munitions, made these strikes highly effective and politically calibrated."

"India's offensive strikes targeted key Pakistani airbases - Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan with surgical precision. Loitering munitions were used to devastating effect, each finding and destroying high-value targets, including enemy radar and missile systems," it highlighted.

Loitering munitions are also known as "suicide drones" or "kamikaze drones". These weapon systems hover over or circle a designated target area, searching for a suitable targets before attacking.

'JAMMING CHINA-MADE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM'

Explaining how India's drone and missiles were so successful during the operation and also mentioning why Pakistan's air defence systems failed miserably in detecting them, the statement revealed that the Indian Air Force had managed to bypass their security system and jam the China-made defence equipment.

Once these systems were down, India managed to carry out its mission within 23 minutes, showcasing the technical edge New Delhi has in the region. "Indian Air Force bypassed and jammed Pakistan's Chinese-supplied air defence systems, completing the mission in just 23 minutes, demonstrating India's technological edge," the statement read.

Meanwhile, the 100 per cent 'Made in India' air defence system used by the Indian armed forces performed exceptionally, the statement mentioned. "Operation Sindoor produced concrete evidence of hostile technologies neutralized by Indian systems," it said, mentioning how Chinese-made PL-15 missiles, Turkish-made UAVs called 'Yiha' or 'Yeehaw', as well as long-range rockets, quadcopters, and commercial drones sent by Pakistan were all intercepted and destroyed by the Indian air defence systems.

To back this by evidence, India has showcased parts and pieces recovered and identified forensically from the wreckage of these projectiles. "This shows that despite Pakistan's attempts to exploit advanced foreign-supplied weaponry, India's indigenous air defence and electronic warfare networks remained superior," the statement read.

ISRO'S ROLE IN OPERATION SINDOOR

Indian Space Agency ISRO also played a crucial role, the statement noted. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan had mentioned on May 11 that "at least 10 satellites are working round-the-clock solely for the strategic purpose of ensuring the safety and security of the citizens of the country."

Reiterating that India's response to Pakistan-linked terrorism was "deliberate, precise, and strategic", the statement made special mention of the fact that India managed the entire mission "without crossing the Line of Control or international border".

INDIA-MADE WEAPONS' STELLAR PERFORMANCE

Giving more details about Operation Sindoor and India-made defence equipment, the statement said, "Beyond tactical brilliance, what stood out was the seamless integration of indigenous hi-tech systems into national defence. Whether in drone warfare, layered air defence, or electronic warfare, Operation Sindoor marks a milestone in India's journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations."

Detailing the equipment used by India, the statement said, "Battle-proven AD (Air Defence) systems like the Pechora, OSA-AK and LLAD guns (Low-level Air Defence guns) were used. In addition to that, indigenous systems such as the Akash demonstrated stellar performances."

In conclusion, the statement asserted that "Operation Sindoor is not just a story of tactical success. It is a validation of India's defence indigenisation policies. From air defence systems to drones, from counter-UAS capabilities to net-centric warfare platforms, indigenous technology has delivered when it mattered most", adding that India has successfully "asserted its role as a hi-tech military power in the 21st century".
 

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Amazon India, Flipkart Get Notices Over Sale Of Pak Flags, Merchandise

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to several e-commerce companies, including Amazon India and Flipkart, over the sale of Pakistani flags and related merchandise, Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday.

In its notices, also issued to Ubuy India, Etsy, The Flag Company, and The Flag Corporation, the regulatory body said the sale of Pakistani flags and merchandise would not be tolerated. It further directed the firms to remove such items from their platforms, Mr Pralhad said. 

There was no immediate comment from Amazon India, Flipkart or the remaining e-commerce firms on the matter. Click here for India Pakistan News Live Updates

In a post on X, the Union Minister said: "The CCPA has issued notices to @amazonIN, @Flipkart, @UbuyIndia, @Etsy, The Flag Company and The Flag Corporation over the sale of Pakistani flags and related merchandise. Such insensitivity will not be tolerated. E-commerce platforms are hereby directed to immediately remove all such content and adhere to National laws." 

The CCPA has issued notices to @amazonIN, @Flipkart, @UbuyIndia, @Etsy, The Flag Company and The Flag Corporation over the sale of Pakistani flags and related merchandise. Such insensitivity will not be tolerated.
E-commerce platforms are hereby directed to immediately remove all… pic.twitter.com/03Q4FOxwCX

— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) May 14, 2025

On the intervening night of May 7 and 8, India launched Operation Sindoor to target terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, in response to the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22. The operation escalated bilateral tensions as it led to strikes and counter-strikes between the two nations. On Saturday, India and Pakistan reached an agreement to stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea, with effect from 5pm. Pakistan, however, violated the agreement within hours of it coming into effect. 

On May 9, the CCPA issued notices to Amazon, Flipkart and 11 other digital marketplaces over the illegal sale and listing of walkie-talkie on their platforms.

An Amazon spokesperson, however, said the platform is engaging closely with various stakeholders to ensure compliance of laws and regulations. 

Besides Amazon and Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, TradeIndia, Facebook, Indiamart, VardaanMart, Jiomart, Krishnamart, Chimiya, Talk Pro Walie Talkie and MaskMan toys were issued notices by the government watchdog.

The crackdown focused on the sale of walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA), constituting a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Mr Joshi earlier said the sale of non-compliant wireless devices not only breaches statutory obligations but may also pose significant risks to national security operations. These violations contravene multiple legal frameworks, including the Consumer Protection Act, Indian Telegraph Act, and Wireless Telegraphy Act, he said.

The minister said the CCPA will issue formal guidelines under Section 18(2)(l) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, aimed at strengthening compliance and consumer safeguards in digital marketplaces. Sellers have been directed to adhere strictly to all applicable regulatory standards to uphold consumer rights and prevent unlawful trade practices, he added.
 

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