Sports
Champions Trophy: ‘Exceptional’ Chakaravarthy has consistently won matches in last 1.5 years, says Kumble

Dubai, March 3: Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble has hailed an exceptional Varun Chakaravarthy for picking 5-42 in India’s 44-run win over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy, saying the wrist-spinner has won matches for the teams he played for in last 1.5 years and that his recent performance is very encouraging for the Rohit Sharma led-side.
At the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, Chakaravarthy returned figures of 5-42, the combined best bowling figures in the ongoing tournament, in just his second ODI game to bamboozle New Zealand and ensure India end as Group A toppers.
Chakaravarthy had been a late addition to India’s squad for the Champions Trophy, as he came in for left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, leaving people wondering if the side was carrying too much spinners for Dubai’s slow pitches. But on Sunday, Chakaravarthy and India proved that late decision to be fruitful.
“I think Varun has been exceptional in the last 1-1.5 years, consistently winning matches for whichever team he has played for, whether it’s Tamil Nadu or KKR or for India in T20Is. Now, getting an opportunity (in ODIs), because obviously India had already qualified.”
“But going by the pitch and the conditions perhaps for the semi-final and hopefully for India, the final, this certainly augurs well,” said Kumble to ESPNcricinfo on Monday.
The Chennai-based Chakaravarthy first castled Will Young, and came back in the end of the middle overs to dismiss Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell in consecutive overs. He then removed Mitchell Santner, and dismissed Matt Henry on the very next ball to complete his incredible five-wicket haul.
Chakaravarthy may get a chance to shine again for India when they will face Australia in the first Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday. Kumble further believes Australia will find it difficult if India continue to play four spinners in the all-important semi-final clash
“If this is the kind of pitch India will continue to play on in Dubai, then this four-pronged spin attack would be really a challenge for any team. Australia would find it extremely difficult to maneuver these four spinners,” he concluded.
Sports
IPL 2025 suspended indefinitely, BCCI cites national interest

New Delhi, May 9: Amid the escalating military conflict between India and Pakistan, the BCCI has decided to suspend the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season indefinitely in an emergency meeting on Friday, sources told Media.
After Thursday’s IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was called off after 10.1 overs of play at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala following the air and drone strikes from Pakistan which resulted in blackouts in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, all of which are in close proximity to Dharamshala, the future of the tournament looked uncertain and BCCI convened emergency meeting to decide the way forward.
“IPL to be suspended, BCCI will issue detailed information anytime soon, the BCCI sources told Media on Friday. “Yes, the meeting just got over. After discussing with all the concerned authorities, this decision was made. Further details will be shared by the BCCI, ” it added.
“BCCI wants to stand with the nation at this time and thus suspends IPL 2025 with immediate effect. It’s indefinite at the moment (on a window to resume IPL 2025 in future). It will only happen if there will be time later in the year. But for now nothing,” said IPL sources to Media.
Following the abandonment of the Dharamshala match, several Australian players involved in the league reportedly expressed anxiety over their safety.
A special train has been arranged to evacuate both Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals players and support staff members, match officials, commentators, broadcast crew members and other key personnel associated with IPL 2025 to get them to a safe place.
After India launched precision strikes targeting nine high-value terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok), in response to the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Pakistan attempted to engage in number of military targets in Northern and Western India on May 7-8.
India on Thursday morning targeted the Air Defence Radars and systems at several locations in Pakistan, during which the one at Lahore has been neutralised.
Later, Pakistan launched aerial attacks on Jammu as well as several military stations near the western border, but those were successfully foiled by India’s air defence systems.
National
High alert sounded in Rajasthan border districts, leaves of govt employees cancelled

Jaipur, May 8: A high alert has been issued in districts near the Rajasthan border following India’s airstrikes on nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. As a precautionary measure, all flight operations at Kishangarh and Jodhpur airports have been suspended until May 10.
Rajasthan shares a 1,037-km border with Pakistan, which has been sealed with the Border Security Force personnel maintaining high vigilance. The Indian Air Force is also on high alert.
All government and private schools, along with anganwadi centres in the border districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar have been declared closed until further notice.
The government employees in these areas have had their leaves cancelled and were instructed to remain at their headquarters.
The state authorities have called for heightened surveillance on social media platforms and reinforced security at sensitive locations.
Hospitals have been directed to maintain an adequate blood supply and life-saving medicines, while fire services remain on high alert to handle any emergencies.
The Home Department has instructed all District Collectors, especially those in border districts — Ganganagar, Bikaner, Phalodi, Jaisalmer, and Barmer — to maintain close coordination with the army and central agencies.
Key instructions issued include ensuring hospitals are equipped with life-saving medicines and sufficient blood supplies, identifying and preparing safe zones with backup power (generators) for emergencies, acting swiftly against any provocative content or misinformation on social media, monitoring food supplies, discouraging hoarding, and ensuring availability of essentials.
Fuel pumps have been asked to stock adequate quantities of petrol and diesel.
Directions to prepare evacuation plans for border villages in case of escalations and compiling a list of vulnerable locations, and strengthening security at these sites have also been issued.
In Jodhpur, District Collector Gaurav Agrawal announced late at night holidays for all government, private schools, colleges, anganwadi and coaching institutes. Also, exams to be held on May 8th have been postponed.
Barmer District Collector Tina Dabi has announced holidays for all government and private schools, anganwadis, and madrassas from May 8 in response to any emergency situation.
In Jaisalmer, District Collector Pratap Singh Nathawat has issued closure orders for all educational institutions. Additionally, a 4-hour blackout was imposed in Jaisalmer from 12 midnight to 4 a.m. on Thursday to enhance operational security.
Sri Ganganagar and Bikaner District Collectors Dr. Manju (Sri Ganganagar) and Namrata Vrishni (Bikaner) have announced school closures until further notice, citing heightened tensions along the border.
These precautionary steps have been taken as India prepares for potential retaliation from Pakistan following Operation Sindoor.
Maharashtra
Uddhav Thackeray Camp Mocks Mahayuti Infighting, Says Maharashtra Govt Suffering From Leadership Crisis

Mumbai: Shiv Sena(UBT) on Monday claimed that all is not well in the Mahayuti government as, despite a roaring majority, the alliance partners — BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP — are involved in proxy war and all the top leaders want to become the Chief Minister.
The editorial attacked the May 3 meeting held by the state government to mark the completion of 65 years of the formation of Maharashtra state, where all former CMs were invited, but none from the opposition camp attended. Former CM Eknath Shinde also stayed away and sent a representative.
The Thackeray camp in the party mouthpiece Saamana editorial said that everyone in the grand alliance is testing each other. Ajit Pawar has launched a drive to bring in discipline in the finance department, while the Chief Minister has curbed the dominance of the contractors, which has made former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde uneasy, and his party ministers are feeling the pinch.
“Shiv Sena Minister Sanjay Shirsat called Ajit Pawar ‘Shakuni’ (cunning and manipulative villain) after the funds of the Social Justice department held by him were diverted to Ladki Bahin Yojana. As a result, the minister’s bungalow, car and two peons were left in the social justice department. The war in the state government has reached such a point that the concerned minister angrily demanded the closure of the social justice department. Now, the latest is that the former Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, skipped the felicitation of former chief ministers organised by NCP on May 3 to mark the completion of 65 years of the formation of Maharashtra state,” the Saamana editorial said.
“The question is that those who call Ajit Pawar ‘Shakuni’ today will not hesitate to call Fadnavis ‘Duryodhana’ (Villain in the Mahabharata story; the eldest and greatest of the Kauravas) tomorrow. Prakash Ambedkar (the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi founder) says, the moment of ‘swallowing’ is approaching. “It’s just a matter of watching who will swallow whom (in the Mahayuti),” said the editorial.
Prakash Ambedkar has warned that ‘Shinde-Pawar should be careful. “You never know when the python will swallow you. Ambedkar likened Fadnavis to a python, but those who sacrificed 56 male buffaloes at the Kamakhya Devi temple will not hesitate to attack the python’s head,” claimed the editorial, indicating that former CM Eknath Shinde will not leave his chase for the CM’s post.
“The Maharashtra government has a majority, but is the government stable? The government is not stable and the government’s mental health is not good, as can be seen from the daily developments,” taunted the Thackeray camp.
“Devendra Fadnavis is currently the Chief Minister. At the same time, Ajit Pawar also wants to become the Chief Minister, and he has openly said so. Ajit Pawar has become the Deputy Chief Minister six times, which is a record, but he has not become the Chief Minister with such a strong hold yet. If he stays with the BJP, his desire to become the Chief Minister will never be fulfilled. Why would Amit Shah make a rival’s nephew the Chief Minister? This is a simple question,” said the editorial.
“For many years, I have also wanted to become the Chief Minister, but that combination has not come together anywhere,’ Ajit Pawar admitted again on Saturday. Even though Ajit Pawar said this, Fadnavis is not scared. The felicitation of former chief ministers was organised last week by the Amit Shah-led NCP, though Ajit Pawar looks after the party work in Maharashtra,” claimed the Thackeray camp in a stinging swipe.
“Ajit Pawar took the initiative to felicitate the former Chief Ministers of Maharashtra. Sharad Pawar, Sushilkumar Shinde, Prithviraj Chavan and Uddhav Thackeray did not turn up at the ‘felicitation ceremony’ for former Chief Ministers, but the ever-vivid former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also boycotted the felicitation ceremony and sent his representative to the event. Shinde avoided attending the felicitation ceremony as a former Chief Minister. Because his mind is not ready to accept that he is no longer the state Chief Minister,” said the editorial.
“Even after the Assembly elections, his (Eknath Shinde) party chief, Amit Shah, had told him that he would be the Chief Minister, but Fadnavis snatched away the crown. Since then, this gentleman (Eknath Shinde) has been walking around with a knot in his beard while hinting that he will become the CM again,” said the editorial in a dig at Eknath Shinde and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“In fact, if Shinde is not ready to call himself ‘former’, then he should always call himself ‘future’ Chief Minister. Overall, there is confusion in the current government of Maharashtra. Maharashtra is suffering from this confusion. Two former Chief Ministers were present at the felicitation ceremony organised by Ajit Pawar’s group. One of them, Narayan Rane, was the Chief Minister in the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government. Later, he changed many parties, but did not become the Chief Minister. This means that the Shiv Sena chief has turned many stones into gods. ”If it were not for the Shiv Sena, the police would have conducted our encounter. We survived because of the Shiv Sena,” Rane has admitted in the past,” said the editorial.
“The other former Chief Minister who was present was Ashok Chavan, who lost his Chief Ministership in the Adarsh scam of the Defence Department. Now he has joined the BJP. Such a (former) Chief Minister was felicitated by the Ajit Pawar group. It is not clear whether Fadnavis was felicitated as ‘former’ or ‘present’, but the ‘recent’ former Chief Minister did not come, which made Ajit Pawar’s ceremony dull,” said the Thackeray camp in its sarcastic comments.
“They say that the meetings between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar have increased, but Sharad Pawar did not attend Ajit Pawar’s political ‘Gaurav’ programme (felicitation ceremony). It would have been better if all the former Chief Ministers had come to the glorious Maharashtra festival, Fadnavis said. Let alone all the other former Chief Ministers, tell us why even the recent former Chief Minister in the government did not come,” said the editorial.
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