India Suffer Massive Blow, Rishabh Pant Ruled Out Of India vs NZ Series

India have suffered a setback ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the three-match series due to a right-side strain injury. At India's optional practice session at the BCA B Ground, Pant looked organised in his batting stint, going for almost 50 minutes. But he experienced discomfort after being hit above the waist while facing a delivery from a throwdown specialist.

He immediately fell to his knees due to the immense pain, was quickly attended to by the support staff, and left the nets. "Scans and assessment by the team doctor showed that Rishabh copped a blow on the ribcage on the right side and a side strain has been detected, thus ruling him out of this ODI series against New Zealand," said sources familiar with the matter to IANS on Saturday.

Pant is now expected to rest for several days before reporting to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for further assessment and rehabilitation. He had come into the ODI series on the back of leading Delhi in the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) league stage in Bengaluru.

He made two half-centuries against Services and Railways, respectively, as Delhi entered the knockouts. This is the second time Pant has been laid low by injuries, after fracturing his right foot in the fourth Test against England at Manchester, before returning to action in the two-match Test series against South Africa at home in November last year.

Pant has been part of India's ODI set-up for the last two years but last played in the 50-over format during the tour of Sri Lanka in August 2024. Ahead of the ODIs against New Zealand, speculation was rife about Pant being axed, but the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee retained him in the squad.

With Pant now ruled out, the Indian team management will need to identify a replacement. Dhruv Jurel and T20 World Cup-bound Ishan Kishan are the likely options due to their strong showings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

India's ODI series against New Zealand will begin at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium (BCA) in Kotambi, Vadodara, with the venue set to host its first men's international game. The second ODI will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 14, while the third and final match will take place at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on January 18.

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

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Bangladesh Cricket Chief Speaks On "Alternate Indian Venue" Amid Venue Row

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul on Friday said the board is yet to receive any response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its concerns over playing at venues in India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, reiterating that the BCB's position remains unchanged. Bangladesh has expressed reluctance to tour India for the tournament, scheduled to begin on February 7, and has sought to shift its matches to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.

The BCB's apprehensions followed the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on the instructions of the BCCI for unspecified reasons, amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

"We haven't yet received any reply from the ICC. We have sent all the attachments and proofs of our concern," Bulbul told media persons here.

The BCB chief said the board has clearly conveyed its position to the global governing body and stressed that moving matches to another Indian city would not address their concerns.

"Any alternate Indian venue, at the end of the day, is an Indian venue. You all know that no unilateral decision can be taken, and we have to abide by the government's diktat. We are standing where we had been a few days back."

The BCB chief said the board would wait for the ICC's response before taking any further call. "I can't comment on what we will do if we aren't allowed to play in Sri Lanka unless the ICC sends its response," he added.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play three of its group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Bulbul also said he was unaware of reports suggesting Hyderabad and Chennai as possible replacement venues.

"I haven't heard about Hyderabad and Chennai being replacement venues. We might come to know maybe on Monday or Tuesday."

Expressing confidence in the national side, Bulbul said Bangladesh has the pedigree to perform well, particularly in sub-continental conditions. "I believe Bangladesh is a big team in world cricket. We have played the quarterfinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup, we played the Champions Trophy semifinals, and in sub-continental conditions we have a good chance of doing well," he said.

Addressing the recent controversy involving former skipper Tamim Iqbal, Bulbul said a BCB director publicly calling the senior cricketer a "traitor" was an expression of personal opinion and that he had sought an explanation from the concerned official.

"It was the personal opinion of the director, and I have asked him to give clarification. Tamim has achieved so much, and he should have kept that in mind while putting his opinion in public," Bulbul said.

Reflecting on his tenure, Bulbul said the phase had been educative for the board.

"It's a learning experience for 25 board directors. It's a mix of ups and downs. But the country comes first," he added.

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Journey Cut Short By Politics, Students Say Goodbye To J&K Medical College

Barely three months into the medical college, MBBS students at Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College in Jammu and Kashmir are bidding an emotional goodbye to the college. As the college lost its recognition after polarisation over admission of Muslim students, 50 aspiring doctors are finding themselves at a crossroads.

Heartbroken, students say the decision to close the college is reckless as they feel like a chapter of their lives has been suddenly torn out.

"It's beyond our comprehension. A notice is suddenly issued that your college is closing. The facilities in the college are above and beyond. How can they say that college is closed because it lacks facilities? We have been in distress and don't know what to do," said Aleena, an MBBS student.

Maanit, a student from Udhampur in Jammu, was happy to get admission in the college close to his home. But this happiness was short-lived. Miffed over the sudden closure, he says the revocation of the recognition of the college was reckless. He is now hoping for a good college to pursue his MBBS. degree.

"It's a reckless decision, a very bad decision. Now, since the decision has been taken, we must get a good college. We may not get facilities like this college place; nevertheless, we should be allotted a college," said Maanit.

Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence - a state-of-the-art hospital, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016. In September last year, the National Medical Commission granted a letter of permission to start the MBBS course in the college.

On Tuesday, when NMC withdrew the Letter of Permission after citing deficiencies in the college, students say they got a shock of their lives. But outside, there were celebrations in Jammu. BJP and right-wing groups, who had launched an agitation against the admission of 42 Muslim students, termed the closure of the college a victory. They even distributed sweets and played loud music to celebrate. 

Sunil Shama, senior BJP leader and leader of the Opposition in J&K Assembly, has termed revoking recognition of Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College as historical.

"The withdrawal Letter of Permission to Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College Excellence by National Medical Commission is a historic decision," said Sharma

But inside college, students say it's only science, not religion, that defines their collective identity. Ashiya, a student from Srinagar, says she may never find a better college after the closure of Vaishno Devi Medical College.

"Wherever we will go, we will not find such facilities, such teachers. Also, it's our memories of college and camaraderie. We will not get any such thing anywhere else. Our families are worried. We never felt in college what was happening outside. So long we don't get admission in other colleges, I don't think any of us can be at ease," said Ashiya.

Students say closure of college has shuttered their dreams, even as the government has assured them a seamless relocation to other colleges; the revocation of recognition of the Mata Vaishno Devi college is a chilling reminder of how politics and polarisation can impact education.

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Pune Flat Sees Rs 20 Lakh Jump In Weeks; Stunned Buyer Shares Experience

Remember Vasooli Bhai's iconic line from the Golmaal movie series, where he jokes about property prices rising "pal-pal", every passing second? That cinematic exaggeration has found a real-life parallel in Pune's Wakad area, where resident Kunal Gandhi recently shared his experience on social media platform X. Tracking the price of a newly launched 3BHK flat over just a month, Gandhi witnessed a steep and rapid surge, reflecting the dramatic pace and shifting dynamics of the city's real estate market.

According to Gandhi's post, when he first visited the project at launch about a month ago, the quoted price for a 3BHK unit was Rs 1.80 crore. On a return visit just 15 days later, the price had already risen to Rs 1.95 crore. Most recently, he was informed that the price had reached Rs 2 crore, with developers projecting it could increase further to around Rs 2.15 crore next month.

Gandhi wrote that the pace of growth raised the question of whether India's residential market is entering a bubble or simply responding to strong demand.

The post went viral and many social media users commented on it.

Went to see a 3BHK flat in Pune on launch a month ago.

Realtor quoted looks 1.80 CR.

Went there after 15 days again. This time, the price went to 1.95 CR.

I wanted to ask further questions yesterday. Quote is now 2 CR with projected to be 2.15 CR next month.

Either…

— Kunal Gandhi (@kunalvg) January 8, 2026

Gandhi noted that the rapid price surge raised questions about whether India's residential market is heading toward a bubble or merely reflecting strong demand. His post quickly went viral, sparking a wave of reactions from social media users.

One user, whose brother works in real estate, commented that the price rise is expected and not a bubble. Another user added that while demand is definitely high in cities like Pune, such rapid price increases don't entirely make sense and that the situation varies depending on the area. A third user pointed out that although demand has always existed, access to capital was a challenge. With globalization, more Indians are earning at global standards, but this can sometimes lead to overbuilding and potentially create a bubble.

Nevertheless, rapid price increases, such as those noted in Gandhi's experience, highlight the need for continued monitoring of supply, demand and pricing trends to ensure long-term stability in India's housing market.

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'We Will Defend Greenland': Denmark Warns US Of 'Devastating' NATO War

Denmark would have to defend itself in the event of an American attack on Greenland, said Denmark Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Defence Committee Rasmus Jarlov. He acknowledged that although the Danish army would not be able to stop the US, an attack is not acceptable.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Jarlov said, "We also want to make clear that it's not acceptable to attack us militarily, and it would lead to the absurd situation and disastrous situation of a war between two NATO countries, which would be completely devastating and very, very stupid and unnecessary."

Jarlov said that there is no threat, hostility or justification for Trump to attack Greenland since the US already has access to Greenland, and the two nations have a defence agreement that allows them access to do mining. "There's absolutely no need for this, and we hope we can get it back on track and that it doesn't escalate," he explained.

#NDTVExclusive | "We Will Defend Greenland": Denmark MP Rasmus Jarlov (@RasmusJarlov) Warns US Of 'Devastating' NATO War@vishnundtv pic.twitter.com/MHWs84cQM8

— NDTV (@ndtv) January 9, 2026

Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, only to be told it was not for sale. After returning to office following his victory in the 2024 US Presidential Election, Trump revived his offer from his first term to purchase Greenland, which was again turned down.

Jarlov said that Greenland is not for sale and that it is not a matter of price for the nation. "We can't sell 57,000 Danish citizens to become Americans. They have made that extremely clear." 

Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an armed US attack to take Greenland could spell the end for the 76-year-old Western military alliance. 

"Certainly a military attack would be the end of NATO, because then Denmark would have to invoke the Article 5 of NATO, which is the oath that countries have to come and protect us. Then the Americans and all other countries would be obliged to come and help Denmark protect Denmark against the United States. Of course, the Americans would veto that, and then NATO would be dead," he said.

On Tuesday (local time), the White House said it was considering "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating during a briefing that the use of military force was not off the table.

Leavitt said President Trump had made it clear that "acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States" and was vital to deterring adversaries in the Arctic region.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that he plans to meet Danish and Greenlandic officials next week. He also clarified that Trump wants to buy the island and not use military force, Wall Street Journal reported. Meanwhile, Denmark has welcomed the meeting with the US officials as "dialogue that is needed". 

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Alia Bhatt Reviews Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar, Calls It "Movie Magic"

Just like the entire film industry praising the smashing success of Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar, Alia Bhatt has now reviewed the film. Earlier today, her production house, Eternal Sunshine, shared a note on social media.

It read, "It's the voice of today's India. It's the choice of today's India. It's based on a chapter in history. And now it's the number one chapter in India's cinema history."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eternal Sunshine Productions (@eternalsunshineproduction)

Alia Bhatt re-shared it on her Instagram Stories and wrote, "Movie magic."

Instagram/Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh have previously worked together in Gully Boy and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

About Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar has now earned Rs 835.15 crore domestically, solidifying its position as the highest-earning Hindi film of all time. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy thriller has been a massive hit since its release on December 5, 2025. The film has outperformed other big-budget movies like Pushpa 2: The Rule, Jawan and Dangal.

On day 34, Dhurandhar minted Rs 4.75 crore at the box office, taking its total domestic haul to Rs 835.15 crore. The film has already eclipsed the domestic box office collections of SS Rajamouli's RRR, which stood at Rs 782.2 crore.

Meanwhile, other big-ticket films like Sukumar's Pushpa 2 and Rajamouli's Baahubali 2 have collected Rs 1234.1 crore and Rs 1030.42 crore, respectively-setting a high bar for Dhurandhar to aim for in terms of overall rankings.

Dhurandhar also features Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan and Arjun Rampal in key roles. The film's sequel will release in theatres on March 19, 2026, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

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"Celebrate With Fireworks": Omar Abdullah's Attack After Medical College Shuts

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has criticised the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti's celebration over the National Medical Commission's decision to revoke recognition of the Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College. The Commission had withdrawn the permission to the Medical College citing non-compliance with minimum standards.

The controversy over this medical college started when the selection list revealed 42 Muslims and only seven Hindu students for its 50 seats. Right-wing organisations objected, arguing that the college, funded by Mata Vaishno Devi devotees, should prioritise Hindus.

"The Sangharsh Samiti is celebrating the closure of the medical college. People in other countries fight to establish medical colleges, but here they are fighting to shut one down. If you are happy about ruining children's futures, then celebrate with fireworks," Abdullah said while interacting with reporters in Samba.

Abdullah added, "You got the college shut down in the name of religion. I had told the media that we don't need this college. Now, we will ensure that our children are accommodated in government colleges near their residences. I have spoken to the Health Minister to make arrangements for them."

"This time, out of 50 seats, 40 have gone to Kashmir. After one or two years, these 50 seats would have become 400 seats. Out of those 400 seats, possibly 200 or 250 children would have been from Jammu. Tomorrow, those children will not get medical college seats because you got the entire college shut down in the name of religion," Abdullah said.

He said the children who will not get medical college seats in future because of the closure of this medical college. One should remember these "Sangharsh Samiti people forever," he said.

Mehbooba Mufti's Peoples Democratic Party has also criticised the cancellation of MBBS admissions at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College.

PDP leader and MLA Waheed Para said, “It is unfortunate that the BJP government, which is in power in the Centre and also in UT indirectly, should believe in division, especially institutional division, and disallow meritorious students on religious lines because they are Muslims". 

"If the registration was cancelled because of this, then it sends a very negative message in J&K and the whole of India against the minorities. It is a very unfortunate move, and it validates that the politics of division cannot have a future in the state,” he was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India.

Earlier this morning at Geeta Bhawan,  Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti - a conglomerate of 60 social and right-wing organisations, celebrated the National Medical Commission's decision to revoke recognition of the Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College.

Supporters danced to beating drums and distributed sweets, hailing it as "Sanatan ki Jeet" (Victory of Sanatan).

The demand for closure of the college had sparked tension between the BJP and Omar Abdullah's ruling National Conference. Abdullah held the opinion that one cannot ignore merit and look at things with communal glasses.

The Sangharsh Samiti had demanded that the college close, and the Medical Commission's decision has been seen as a victory for the group. Many view it as a win-win situation, with the college's closure ending the controversy. Selected students will be transferred to other recognised medical colleges in J&K.

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