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IND vs PAK, ICC World Cup 2023: Rajkot Man Arrested For Threatening To Blow Up Narendra Modi Stadium On Oct 14

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The Ahmedabad crime branch has arrested a history sheeter for allegedly sending an email threatening a blast at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on October 14, when it is scheduled to host the World Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Karan Mavi, was arrested from Rajkot, according to a crime branch release.

The mail written in Hindi was sent to BCCI. It stated that there would be an explosion in the Narendra Modi Stadium, located in Motera area, on 14-10-2023, and that ‘everyone will shudder’.

Background and charges against accused

Mavi, a native of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh, was arrested under sections 505 (1) B (public mischief by an act intended to cause fear or alarm among the public), and 506 (2) which is related to criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code, the crime branch said.

He was earlier arrested in a rape case dated 2018 and on charges of human trafficking and criminal intimidation which was registered at Dhamnod police station in Dhar, as per the release.

The massive stadium is one of the main venues of the ongoing cricket World Cup.

Strict vigil ahead of high-profile clash

The crime branch also said it was keeping a close eye on social media platforms in view of emails or posts being issued by anonymous persons threatening to blow up the stadium or holding protests there.

On September 29, the Gujarat Police registered an FIR against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), for threatening to turn the Cricket World Cup into a “world terror cup.”

The cybercrime branch of the Ahmedabad police had said that people from across the country have received Pannun’s threat via a pre-recorded voice message sent from a foreign number.

Security beefed up in Ahmedabad

The Ahmedabad police earlier said extra security arrangements have been made for the India-Pakistan match as the face-off between the traditional rivals on the cricket field is expected to draw a huge crowd.

More than 11,000 personnel of various agencies including Gujarat Police, NSG, RAF, and home guards among others will be deployed in Ahmedabad and at the stadium on October 14, a senior official said on October 9.

The stadium has hosted the opening match of the tournament between England and New Zealand. Matches will be played between England vs Australia and South Africa vs Afghanistan before the final game on November 19.

National News

Lucknow Super Giants appoint Kane Williamson as strategic advisor for IPL 2026

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New Delhi, Oct 16: Veteran New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson has been appointed as the new strategic advisor of IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Williamson will take on the role following the departure of India’s fast bowling legend Zaheer Khan, who was the franchise’s mentor for IPL 2025.

Interestingly, Williamson had been a part of the Durban’s Super Giants, the sister franchise of LSG, in this year’s SA20. “Kane has been a part of the Super Giants family and it’s an absolute delight to welcome him in his new role as Strategic Advisor for @LucknowIPL.”

“His leadership, strategic insight, deep understanding of the game, and ability to inspire players make him an invaluable addition to the team,” wrote Goenka, the chairman of RPSG Group, on his ‘X’ account on Thursday.

Williamson is currently on a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and his most recent appearance for the Blackcaps came in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where the side finished runners-up to India.

In 79 IPL matches, while turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans, Williamson made 2128 runs at an average of 35.46 and a strike rate of 125.61, including being the leading run-getter in the 2018 season.

The franchise had previously hired former India bowling coach Bharat Arun as their bowling coach. Sources in the franchise have also told IANS on Thursday that Carl Crowe has been added to LSG’s support staff as the spin bowling coach.

Crowe was previously in the same role with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and worked on making Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy a lethal spin bowling pair for the three-time IPL winners.

“It was confirmed some time back that Crowe will also join Arun in LSG now, and an official statement will come soon. With Justin Langer also being retained as the head coach following talks going on back and forth, the franchise will soon kickstart its preparations for IPL 2026 auction,” further said sources.

LSG, under the leadership of India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, ended their IPL 2025 campaign at seventh place – matching their finish from the previous season of the competition. The back-to-back mid-table results mark a dip from their impressive third-place finishes in the IPL 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively.

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National News

Maharashtra Govt Seeks List Of Vacant Land To Build Sports Facilities For Children & Youth

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra sports department has sought a list of vacant land from the Waqf Board and its own department to develop sports facilities for children and youth across Mumbai.

The initiative aims to ensure better access to sports infrastructure, training opportunities, and to promote greater participation in sports at the community level. Speaking to the FPJ, sports, youth and minority development minister Manikrao Kokate said he has already directed officials to identify all vacant plots under their jurisdiction where such facilities can be established.

“I will receive the complete list within a month, and work will begin immediately,” Kokate said. The minister made the statement after being asked about the inaccessibility of several sports complexes and clubs in Mumbai, so that children not from affluent backgrounds are able to participate. Kokate also shared that to further boost sports activities among youth, his department recently held a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

During the meeting, Pawar instructed officials to create modern and upgraded sports facilities across the state and to draft a new sports policy after a detailed study of various aspects of sports development. “The aim is to raise the standard of sports culture in Maharashtra and give a new direction to the sector,” Pawar said. Officials have also studied sports infrastructure models from other Indian states and countries, exploring options to utilise Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding for sports development.

The government recently announced plans to provide dedicated, safe, and fully equipped changing rooms for women players at all sports complexes, gymkhanas, stadiums, and local playgrounds across Maharashtra. The new facilities will include toilets, health amenities, CCTV surveillance, and female security staff to ensure safety, hygiene, and dignity for women athletes. The minister also revealed plans to introduce water sports activities at Powai Lake, modelled on facilities in Dubai. “Padel-based water karting will soon be available at Powai Lake,” he announced.

The government is also drafting a new state youth policy aimed at the welfare and empowerment of the state’s youth. “We are seeking ideas and recommendations from young people to ensure that the new policy truly reflects their needs, challenges, and aspirations,” he said. Meanwhile, under the Government of India’s initiative marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, the state has launched the ‘Sardar@150 Unity March’.

District administrations, along with the Sports Department, MY Bharat, NSS, and NCC, will organise district-level marches of 8-10km. The programme will also include essay and debate competitions, discussions on Sardar Patel’s life, street plays, antidrug pledges, yoga and health camps, cleanliness drives, and cultural performances across Maharashtra.

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National News

WTC Points Table: Where Does Team India Stand After Registering Series Win Over West Indies?

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Shubman Gill registered his first series win as skipper after India won the second Test in Delhi by 7 wickets against West Indies on Tuesday, October 14 and inflicting whitewash in the two-match Test series. The latest results sees India keeping hold of their third spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.

Currently Australia lead the standings with a perfect Points Percentage (PCT) of 100, having won all three of their matches so far. Sri Lanka is second with a PCT of 66.67 from two matches, and India remains in third place after boosting their PCT to 61.9 with their fourth win in seven games. India’s unbeaten run against the West Indies now stretches to 27 consecutive Test matches.

England’s immediate focus will shift to arguably their most challenging fixture in the cycle, the Ashes series starting next month. Meanwhile, Pakistan and South Africa are currently in action at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the outcome expected by tomorrow (October 15) potentially influencing the table’s lower half.

According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, 12 points are awarded to a team for a win. A team gets six points for a tie and four points for a drawn game. All the teams are ranked according to the percentage of points won. Points are deducted for slow over rates. The top two teams will play the final in 2027.

Post the West Indies series, the Indian team will host South Africa for two Tests next month. Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens will host the first Test from November 14 to 18 while the second game will be played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati from November 22 to 26. The team then returns to the longest format against Afghanistan in a one-off Test match in June next year.

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