Ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25), former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has expressed his disappointment over the non-inclusion of star batter Shubman Gill in the playing XI. Despite his shaky form, Gill has been a consistent performer for team India and his exclusion raises several eyebrows. Shastri believes that a player averaging over 40 in the year 2024 should not be warming the bench and questions how Gill can be out of the XI.
As the clock struck midnight across time zones, people around the world welcomed the arrival of 2025 with dazzling fireworks and celebrations. From Auckland's Sky Tower in New Zealand to Australia's iconic Sydney Opera House, thousands of citizens gathered to witness the stunning displays. In India, over 140 crore people joined in the jubilations, bidding farewell to 2024 and welcoming the new year with fireworks. Visuals from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major cities captured the joy and excitement of the moment.
India ended their 2024 calendar year with a mix of successes and failures, highlighted by a T20 World Cup win and a disappointing ODI series loss. Looking ahead to 2025, India will have a packed schedule, starting with a final Test against Australia and then moving on to a limited-overs series against England. They will also prepare for the Champions Trophy, a five-match Test series against England, and a home series against South Africa. In total, India will play 18 T20Is, 9 Tests, and 12 ODIs in bilateral assignments outside of ICC and ACC tournaments.
As the nation celebrates the new year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a powerful video highlighting the collective efforts and transformative outcomes of 2024 in building a progressive India. The video inspires citizens to continue working hard and strive for a Viksit Bharat, as the nation looks ahead to a bright and successful 2025.
In a press conference, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley praised young cricketer Sam Konstas for his impressive performance in the Prime Minister's XI game against India. Konstas, who was added to the Australian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showcased his talent and confidence as he opened for Australia and played an entertaining knock. The 19-year-old has been a key player in Australia's recent victories, including their U19 World Cup win in 2024 and the warm-up game against India where he scored a classy 107 off just 97 balls. The selectors, as well as the Australian fans, are delighted with Konstas' inclusion in the team.
The Hockey India League finally kicked off with a mixed bag of on and off-field events. The opening ceremony was cancelled due to the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh, but that didn't stop Delhi SG Pipers from securing a 2-2 draw against Team Gonasika and ultimately taking the bonus point in a shootouts. It was definitely a grand start for the tournament despite the initial setback.
In 2024, India will observe Sushasan Diwas or Good Governance Day, which celebrates the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This day aims to raise awareness about government accountability and administration while promoting good governance practices among Indian civil servants. As a poet-politician, Vajpayee's contributions during his tenure saw the implementation of initiatives like Kisan Credit Card, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. This year, the theme for the celebrations is "India's Path to a Viksit Bharat: Empowering Citizens through Good Governance and Digitalisation," highlighting the importance of active participation from both the public and government for a better India.
As we say goodbye to 2024, Amazon Music India is taking us on a nostalgic journey with "Best of 2024". Featuring top artists such as Sachin-Jigar, Shilpa Rao, and Sabrina Carpenter, this collection showcases the songs, playlists, and podcasts that dominated the Indian music scene in 2024. From soulful Indian indie tracks to international pop sensations, "Best of 2024" has something for every music lover. And with popular tracks like Tauba Tauba and Nadaaniyan, get ready to relive the best of 2024 all over again.
After a successful career spanning over a decade, Indian spin-bowling maestro Ravichandran Ashwin surprised the cricket world by announcing his retirement from international cricket during the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024. Accompanied by India captain Rohit Sharma, Ashwin made the shocking announcement after the third Test between India and Australia ended in a draw. The 38-year-old, who holds the record for being the fastest bowler to get 300 Test wickets, will now focus on showcasing his skills at the club-level.
The State Bank of India has released the much-awaited SBI Clerk Notification 2025, offering 14,191 vacancies for Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) positions. Interested candidates can submit their online applications on the official website from 17th December 2024 to 7th January 2025. This recruitment is for clerical cadre positions and details regarding the vacancy, important dates, and eligibility can be found in the detailed notification. Aspiring candidates must not miss this opportunity to secure a stable and rewarding career in the banking sector.