In the second day of the IPL mega auction, Punjab Kings grabbed South African pacer Marco Jansen for a whopping Rs seven crore, along with all-rounder Krunal Pandya for Rs 5.75 crore and batsman Nitish Rana for Rs 4.20 crore. Other notable players like Ajinkya Rahane, Kane Williamson, Prithvi Shaw and Shardul Thakur did not receive any bids, highlighting the importance of strategic purchases in the competitive world of IPL auctions.
Ahead of the Assembly elections, BJP leader Vinod Tawde faced opposition from Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) activists who claimed he was distributing money at a hotel in Virar, Palghar. The BVA legislator Kshitij Thakur led the protesters and demanded Tawde's arrest, insisting he stay confined to the hotel until the polls concluded. The incident adds fuel to the already intense political atmosphere in Maharashtra.
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur hosted a samosa party with BJP workers, in what many saw as a playful jab at the ongoing controversy surrounding current Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The issue emerged after reports of missing samosas at a function attended by Sukhu at the CID headquarters, leading to speculation about an investigation. However, the CID Director General clarified that it was not a formal inquiry but merely an internal discussion. This has resulted in a war of words between the Congress government and the BJP, with the opposition accusing the government of having misplaced priorities.
As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prepares to announce the team for the upcoming Australia series, all eyes are on veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. With his impressive record against Australia in the last two tours, Pujara's experience could prove crucial for India's success. Meanwhile, selectors must also decide whether to give younger players a chance or stick with Pujara's proven abilities. Despite not featuring for India since the World Test Championship final, Pujara has continued to score runs, with his most recent appearance in the Ranji Trophy showcasing his skill and determination. With India facing challenges in the fast bowling department, the inclusion of players like Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal is also being considered. Mohammed Shami, who is crucial for India's bowling attack, might not be able to fully recover in time for the first matches of the series.
Mumbai will welcome back experienced players Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur for their upcoming Irani Cup match against the Rest of India. With Ajinkya Rahane leading the squad, the Mumbai team will aim to continue their success in the five-day first-class fixture. Thakur's all-round abilities and Iyer's comeback will be a boost for the team, who are eager to make a mark in the tournament. Despite a mediocre performance in the Duleep Trophy, Iyer will be hoping to make a strong case for a spot in the Indian team.
The Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy has been announced, with Ruturaj Gaikwad named as the captain. The team will face off against Mumbai, the 2023/24 Ranji champions, from October 1st to 5th. Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal, currently with Team India, will join the ROI squad but their participation is subject to them not being selected for the second Test against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur, Shreyas Iyer, and Ajinkya Rahane will feature for Mumbai, while Sarfaraz Khan was released from the Indian squad for the Test, with the MCA selection committee set to pick their squad for the game on Tuesday.
The Ambani family's soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Radhika Merchant, made heads turn with her stunning fashion choice at a recent event. She wore a cut-out dress worth Rs 98,000 and paired it with a Hermes Kelly bag worth Rs 70 lakhs. Meanwhile, actress Mrunal Thakur faced backlash for wearing a bikini, Kartik Aaryan extended help to expecting mothers, and Rhea Chakraborty was reportedly looking for work in Hyderabad after lack of opportunities in Bollywood. Hanuman Jayanti wishes and blessings also poured in from the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Kangana Ranaut, and more.
In a strategic move, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed Keshav Mahto Kamlesh as the new Jharkhand Congress Chief, replacing Rajesh Thakur, ahead of the upcoming assembly election. This move is seen as an effort to garner support from the OBC, ST, and SC communities, who hold a significant population in the state. The decision has caused a stir in the political corridors of Jharkhand, with speculations of its potential impact on the election.
After much anticipation, Prabhas' upcoming film 'Fauji' has been officially announced with a grand launch ceremony in Hyderabad. The film, reportedly set in the pre-independence era, features Prabhas as a soldier in the British Army and is being produced on a record budget by Mythri Movie Makers. The film will also feature music by Vishal Chandrasekhar and is expected to release by the end of next year. In the meantime, Prabhas has two other exciting projects lined up for the next few years.
BJP MP Sambit Patra launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following a controversy over remarks made by Anurag Thakur in a recent parliamentary session. Patra questioned why Gandhi was the only one to react negatively to Thakur`s comments, which were made without direct reference to any individual. Patra suggested that Gandhi`s reaction indicated arrogance and questioned why caste-related queries in various sectors, including media and the military, are acceptable but face resistance when directed towards politicians. This statement follows a heated debate where the Opposition demanded an apology from Thakur for his remarks, highlighting ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and Congress parties.