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English cricket faces a Dukes ball shortage this season due to Gulf shipping delays from the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Stocks are down by half, forcing rationing. Rising freight costs and disrupted routes threaten deliveries. Manufacturers and the ECB are working urgently to ensure enough balls for domestic and international matches.
Ishan Kishan will captain Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026, replacing Pat Cummins for initial matches. Kishan has led Jharkhand in 29 T20 games, winning 24, including 10 of 11 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26. As captain, he has scored 1,078 runs, including four centuries, showcasing strong leadership and batting skills.
Chennai Super Kings’ Australian pacer Nathan Ellis will miss IPL 2026 due to a hamstring injury. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed Ellis won’t recover in time, leaving a gap in the death overs. With Matheesha Pathirana gone to Kolkata Knight Riders, the five-time champions are searching for a replacement ahead of the season.
Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy announced that lands bought before 2020 through sada bainama will soon be regularised. The move, announced during Ugadi celebrations, will benefit farmers who struggled to register such lands. The government also highlighted loan waivers, Rythu Bharosa funds, and initiatives to promote agriculture as a profitable profession.
The BJP announced its second list of 111 candidates for the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. Former Union Minister Nisith Pramanik will contest from Mathabhanga. Actor-politician Roopa Ganguly will contest Sonarpur Dakshin, while Rekha Patra will fight from Hingalganj. Other candidates include Kaushik Roy, Noman Rai, Ashim Kumar, Subrata, and Arjun Singh.
Telangana will soon launch the Civil Registration System portal to register birth and death certificates online. Applicants can submit forms, upload documents, and receive certificates within 3–5 days by paying ₹30. The portal prevents fake certificates and ensures easy access for school admission, passports, insurance, property, and govt benefits.
The Chhattisgarh govt has introduced a bill to stop forced religious conversions through threats, bribery, or marriage. It imposes strict penalties: up to 20 years in prison for converting vulnerable groups and life sentences for “mass conversions” (two or more people). Reconversion to an ancestral faith is exempt. Cases will be fast-tracked in special courts.
Team India Head Coach Gambhir has filed a lawsuit in Delhi High Court against social media accounts, e-commerce sites, and tech platforms for using his face, voice, and name without permission. He seeks protection against deepfakes, AI impersonation, and unauthorized merchandise, demanding damages of ₹2.5 crore, content removal, and a permanent injunction.
Sensex fell 2,497 points and Nifty dropped 776 points as oil prices surged above $115 and HDFC Bank faced turmoil. Investors lost ₹14 lakh crore in a broad sell-off across banking, IT, auto, and finance sectors. Rising Middle East tensions, crude shocks, and weak global cues fueled volatility, which may continue in the near term.
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag said Sanju Samson’s departure to Chennai Super Kings leaves a gap that can’t be replaced, like Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli in India. RR struggled last season, losing close matches. Parag thanked the franchise for faith in him, and head coach Kumar Sangakkara praised his leadership and experience.
