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‘Sundar fitting in the role of what Ashwin did with Jadeja’, says childhood coach M. Senthilnathan

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New Delhi, Oct 1: As India prepares for their first home Test series since Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement in December 2024, when they take on the West Indies in the first of two games in Ahmedabad on Thursday, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Washington Sundar can keep going to fill the void left by a legend who defined Indian spin bowling across 106 Tests, especially in a home domination era.

Washington, fresh off a fruitful two-game stint with Hampshire in county championship, had a full-fledged bowling session in Ahmedabad, which has all but confirmed that he will be in the playing eleven (barring any last-minute surprise). After his stunning all-round performances on the Test tour of England, Washington is primed to take charge in this new post-Ashwin era.

“Yes, it’s good for him and the country as well. He’s been in the scheme of things for more than four or five years now, but he was always behind the legend Ashwin as an off-spin all-rounder. So now he’s got his chances and sort of proved himself, which is good for the country and for himself.

“He’s perfectly fitting in the role of what Ashwin did for so long with Jadeja. See, normally the replacements doesn’t come all that easily. But he has been in the scheme of things for four-five years. So, it came out brilliantly. It looks very strong when Washington and Jadeja are there in the team,” said M Senthilnathan, who first identified Washington’s prodigious talent as a 13-year-old at the MRF Academy in Chennai, to media.

At The Oval, while Mohammed Siraj delivered that devastating yorker that shattered Gus Atkinson’s off-stump and England’s dreams of winning the series, it was Washington who had set up the moment. His priceless 53 off 46 balls in the second innings gave India just enough runs to defend against England’s aggressive Bazball approach.

That innings showcased his cricket intelligence. When the last man Prasidh Krishna joined him, Washington was on 17 off 27 balls, and played with restraint. But then he exploded in stunning fashion to get his fifty quickly, including hitting four mighty sixes. He read the game situation very well, understood what was needed, and delivered for India.

But it was in the previous game at Old Trafford where he truly announced himself. Battling for 206 balls alongside Jadeja, Washington crafted an unbeaten 101 that saved India from the jaws of defeat after a refusal to shake hands and accept Ben Stokes’ call for an early draw.

To understand why Washington is ready for this moment of being India’s next lead off-spinner, one has to understand what he’s overcome. Following India’s iconic win over Australia at the Gabba in 2021, where he hit a crucial fifty, Washington was out of picture for more Tests than what he was selected for.

Going into this year’s England series, he had played just nine Tests. The reasons were understandable – India had Ashwin, a legend occupying the off-spin bowling slot. But Washington was never just a spinner who could bat a bit. His talent demanded more, but a pattern of recurring injuries – whether to finger, hamstring or shoulder – also set him back.

Through it all, Senthilnathan kept counselling him that his time of being in the Test team would come. When Washington finally was on the plane to England for the Test tour, Senthilnathan prepped him well, including of avoiding being injured. “It used to be so sad. He had to come, be with us and he was with NCA and then whenever he was here, I kept saying to him, ‘your time will come. So be ready for that and these are the things which is not in your hands. Whatever is in your hands you can do, but some things are not in your hands you can’t do. So be patient’.

“When again he hurt his finger and came back, again a very difficult period mindset wise and I had to tell him, ‘Washi, again I’m telling you, don’t worry about it. You hang in there, work hard, don’t leave it in your domestic cricket games. Keep performing and then you will get your chance. So whatever happens, injury is not in your hands’.

“Not playing or those things around injuries and you’re not playing at all and sitting, those kind of things lead to a lot of stress in the mind. That boy took it well and then probably this time when he went, all I had to tell him was the preparation, how his mind has to be and I did caution him, ‘Washi, England has always got you. So just be aware and do exactly what needs to be done to be fit’,” he elaborated.

What sets Washington apart isn’t just his all-round ability—it’s how he’s built his game to succeed at the highest level. The work done under Senthilnathan’s watch in Chennai has helped him fine-tune his technique – which was evident in his free-flowing strokes in Manchester and The Oval.

“Every single aspect, as I have seen him, has improved. He looks confident and the most important thing is his aggression doesn’t come from his mouth or his actions. He shows it from his mind. At the end of the day, he doesn’t give his wicket away easily.

“So those are the things you got to prove it to the other team rather than fighting with them on the field. They are doing it because they want to disturb your concentration. So I don’t think he was in any way disturbed because probably it made him stronger. He has it inside his mind so that he keeps himself very focused.”

It’s a quality Washington has demonstrated throughout his career. At the Gabba in 2021, his 62 in the first innings surprised many who didn’t know he could bat so well. But those who’d watched him closely weren’t surprised. Even when he was brought out of the blue for the Pune Test against New Zealand last year, he picked a seven-fer on return.

“He’s a very strong headed boy. Like he won’t show it via body language that I’m going to do this. He will keep it inside and show with a bat or ball. So, I think that’s another great quality of him because sometimes they do all this to disturb him in the situation. This game and a lot of it depends on your confidence.”

Being the sole off-spinner in India’s playing eleven brings challenges which Ashwin made look routine. At home, pitches will be favorable, but picking wickets and maintaining pressure on opposition batting lineups, series after series, is an art mastered through experience.

Against the West Indies’ depleted batting lineup, Washington will be assessed on stricter parameters. Can he ask relentless questions of batters that Ashwin did over his remarkable career? Can he tighten the screws when needed, extract maximum advantage from helpful conditions, and still deliver when the pitch offers less?

The Ahmedabad pitch, with some dampness two days before play and overcast skies typical of the city lately, might not offer the typical turning track. But that’s precisely the kind of challenge that will define Washington’s journey in becoming India’s next premier off-spinner – the ability to adapt, and contribute even when conditions aren’t ideal.

As India begins its series against the West Indies and steps into a new chapter at home without Ashwin, all eyes turn to Sundar – now not a fringe player waiting in the wings, but as the one poised to lead India’s spin attack into the future, ready to shine just as his predecessor from Chennai once did.

“There is nothing like you should relax. I mean, you should be focusing more and more. The success is the history now. Next match comes, you got to think as if it’s the first game he’s playing for the country. Every game and every innings should be like that if you want to be successful,” concluded Senthilnathan, who will be Tamil Nadu’s head coach in the upcoming domestic season.

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National News

Mumbai Real Estate News: Sri Lotus Developers’ Ultra-Luxury Projects Secure ₹130 Crore Bookings In Launch Week

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9 hours ago

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October 1, 2025

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Mumbai, October 01: Sri Lotus Developers & Realty Limited has announced a strong start to the quarter, with its newly launched ultra-luxury residential projects The Arcadian in Juhu and Amalfi in Versova securing a combined ₹130 crore in bookings within the first week of launch.

The Arcadian in Juhu, with an estimated Gross Development Value (GDV) of ₹700 crore, contributed ₹92 crore to the initial bookings.

Amalfi in Versova, inspired by a contemporary Mediterranean lifestyle, achieved ₹38 crore in bookings during its launch week. With a GDV of ₹300 crore, the project offers a distinctive living experience blending design, location, and lifestyle amenities.

Commenting on the response, Anand K. Pandit, Chairman & Managing Director of Sri Lotus Developers & Realty Limited, said:
“We are delighted with the overwhelming response. Achieving ₹130 crore in bookings within a week is a testament to the strength of Mumbai’s ultra-luxury housing market and the trust that homebuyers place in our brand. Our projects are thoughtfully crafted spaces that bring together design, community, and luxury.”

Building on this momentum, the company is preparing to launch its next development, Project Varun in Bandra, in Q3 FY26. Pandit added:

“With the upcoming launch, we are set to carry forward the strong momentum of FY25 into FY26, which we expect to be a defining year marked by significant growth in both pre-sales and revenues.”

Incorporated in 2015 (formerly AKP Holdings Limited), Sri Lotus Developers & Realty Ltd. is a Mumbai-based real estate developer specializing in luxury and ultra-luxury residential as well as premium commercial projects, with a strong focus on redevelopment in Mumbai’s western suburbs.

The company has completed four projects aggregating over 4.2 lakh sq. ft. of carpet area, with five ongoing and eleven upcoming developments covering ~25.5 lakh sq. ft. of carpet area and ~18.7 lakh sq. ft. of saleable area.

Currently, Sri Lotus Developers has a strong presence in Juhu and Andheri West, with expansion plans into South Mumbai, Central Mumbai, Bandra, and Versova.

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Crime

Mumbai Fraud: 49-Year-Old Businessman Duped Of ₹3.10 Crore In Flat Deal At Lower Parel; Builder Booked For Cheating

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10 hours ago

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October 1, 2025

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Mumbai: A Mumbai-based businessman has accused a city builder of duping him of over Rs 3.10 crore in an allegedly fraudulent flat sale at the Ison Heights project in Lower Parel, after waiting nearly a decade for possession. Following the complaint, the N. M. Joshi Marg Police have registered a case of cheating against Ishwarlal Lakhada of Hatadiya Builders Pvt. Ltd.

According to the FIR, the complainant, Champat Suthar, 49, who runs a glass business and resides in Chinchpokli (East), was looking to buy a new flat in 2014. Through a mutual business contact, he was introduced to real estate agent Champalal Jain, who showed him an under-construction project called Ison Heights, being developed by Hatadiya Builders Pvt. Ltd. on N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel.

Jain assured Suthar that 14 floors of the building had already been completed and possession would be given within the next 18 months. Impressed with the property during a site visit, Suthar agreed to proceed with the purchase and was introduced to builder Ishwarlal Lakhada, a resident of Aditya Building, Sikka Nagar, V. P. Road, Mumbai.

A deal was finalized for Flat No. 702 on the 7th floor at a total cost of Rs 2.46 crore — Rs 2.36 crore for the flat and Rs 10 lakh for a parking slot. Between April 16, 2014 and August 18, 2016, Suthar claims to have paid Rs 1.12 crore via cheques and another Rs 1.30 crore in cash, totaling Rs 2.42 crore.

However, according to the complaint, Lakhada started avoiding the flat agreement process after receiving the payments.

In 2017 and 2018, the construction of the project came to a standstill. Work resumed in January 2019, prompting Suthar to once again follow up with the builder, who then allegedly demanded additional payments. Suthar transferred an additional Rs 67.82 lakh via cheques to Hatadiya Builders account.

By April 8, 2024, the total amount paid by Suthar had reached Rs 3.10 crore. Lakhada had reportedly promised to hand over the flat by September 2024, but failed to do so. After multiple follow-ups yielded no response, Suthar sent a legal notice on March 8, 2025, demanding possession within 15 days. With no reply from the builder, Suthar approached the N. M. Joshi Marg Police.

Based on the complaint, police have booked Ishwarlal Lakhada under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code. Further investigation is underway.

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National News

Is MahaYuti govt waiting for all farmers to join party before announcing crop loan waiver: Uddhav Thackeray

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10 hours ago

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October 1, 2025

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Mumbai, Oct 1: Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday demanded that the Maharashtra government immediately provide Rs 50,000 per hectare compensation to farmers and a special scheme on the lines of Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana should be introduced to rebuild the houses damaged in rural areas due to heavy rains and floods in Marathwada and rest of the state. “So, is the BJP-led government waiting for all the farmers to join the Bharatiya Janata Party to waive off these loans?” he taunted.

He slammed the Maharashtra government for not announcing crop loan waiver despite repeated demands by farmers and the Opposition parties.

“If the government is taking a guarantee of hundreds of thousands of crores of sugar tycoons after they join the BJP, meaning if they default on their loans, the government will pay that money, meaning the general public will pay.

“Maharashtra is facing a crisis of heavy rains. I have also requested the government with folded hands that we can all come together and find a way out of this crisis without bringing politics into it. But the government does not seem to be ready for that. The Chief Minister is busy with publicity. One Deputy Chief Minister is busy distributing aid packets with his own photos printed on them. Another Deputy Chief Minister is not visible. When any issue comes up, this other Deputy Chief Minister is never seen, the people are left in the lurch,” claimed Thackeray without naming CM Devendra Fadnavis and his two deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.

He further expressed displeasure over banks serving notices to farmers for the recovery of debt, saying that it will further hit growers badly.

“Farmers cannot get loans without mortgaging something. The government never guarantees their loans. Today, the situation is such that their crops along with the land have been destroyed and they are dying under the burden of debt. There are reports of farmers committing suicide every day,” Uddhav Thackeray remarked.

Thackeray also read out the letter written by Devendra Fadnavis in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition to him on October 16, 2020 during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government’s tenure, demanding the declaration of a wet drought. He also demanded that the MahaYuti government should now declare wet drought.

“Call it a wet drought or a drought of your imagination, whatever you call it, the farmers are in trouble today. The farmers should be immediately provided with assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare. A new rural scheme like the PMAY must be announced soon,” Uddhav Thackeray demanded.

“Instead of using the word “wet drought”, I (as Chief Minister) used the word “disaster-hit”. How can you deny the crisis because there is no mention of wet drought. Can you deny the damage caused because the term “wet drought” is not in the government manual. Do words sometimes change according to the status of people? Let’s not play with useless words. The central team has not yet come to the state. Everything is being done ruthlessly by conducting inspections and panchnamas,” Uddhav Thackeray pointed out.

Thackeray said that the government should not make paper horses dance during the present crisis. “Schools in flood-affected areas should be opened immediately, there is a problem of spread of diseases. The Prime Minister is providing free food grains to 80 crore people of the country, but the one who grows all this has been devastated. In many places, farmlands have been washed away, roads have been washed away, the government should pay immediate attention. The government is not working,” Uddhav Thackeray claimed.

Thackeray also criticised the Maharashtra government for its decision to cut Rs 5 per tonne from sugarcane farmers and Rs 10 per tonne for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund making it a total of Rs 15 per tonne.

“You have given amnesty to sugar tycoons, we are demanding crop loan waiver for the poor farmers. The time has come for the farmers to mortgage their land and ‘mangalsutras’. Currently, the farmers are burdened with debt due to the loss of crops and they have been further burdened with the cut of Rs 15 per tonne,” he said.

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