Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar (ANI photo)

Sunil Gavaskar have vigorously defended IPL and this bcci Amid renewed criticism from former players and commentators over the growing influence of franchise cricket on the international calendar.The debate intensified during and after the 2026 IPL season, particularly in England, where concerns were raised about players prioritizing franchise commitments over national duty. Most of the discussion focused on jofra archerwho stayed with me Rajasthan Royals for the IPL playoffs and missed England’s opening test against New Zealand as a result.jacob bethel There was another player caught in the middle of the debate at the beginning of the season. After limited opportunities in IPL, former England captain alistair cook It was suggested that the young player would be better off returning to county cricket in preparation for the upcoming red-ball campaign. Former cricketer Simon Doull and Michael Atherton Archer’s decision to remain in the IPL rather than join the England Test team was also questioned, rekindling the broader conversation around franchise leagues and Test cricket.Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar objected to what he sees as constant criticism indian cricket And BCCI from foreign voices. The former India captain argued that many of those who criticize the IPL ultimately benefit from the commercial power generated by Indian cricket and its huge fan base.“It is natural to criticize Indian cricket and the BCCI,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day. “But when it comes to revenue, they still have to come to the BCCI because it is Indian cricket and Indian fans that fill their coffers more than their traditional rivalries.”Gavaskar also pointed to the financial rewards that foreign cricket boards get from IPL contracts involving their players. In his view, critics often overlook those benefits by complaining about players being unavailable for international duty during tournaments.“Complaining about the IPL and their players not being available for their country is another favorite pastime. However, not a word is said about the 10% their board gets from each player’s fee for their country,” he said.The great batsman also highlighted that he believes the IPL is a unique contribution to world cricket, adding that foreign boards get a share of players’ earnings from the tournament.“This adds up to over a million pounds every year. Does The Hundred give any percentage to the board of its foreign players playing in its tournament? No sir. Does the BBL or any other country’s T20 league give any percentage to the board of its foreign players. No sir again. Only IPL does. Yet the whining about BCCI and Indian cricket continues. Wake up and smell the coffee, friends. Indian cricket is here to stay, no matter how you try to drag it down.”Gavaskar’s comments come at a time when there is a huge debate going on over the relationship between franchise cricket and the international game. While concerns remain over player workload and availability, the former India captain made it clear that he believes the IPL’s contribution to global cricket is often overlooked by its critics.

Divyanka Tripathi and her husband Vivek Dahiya, who were recently blessed with twins, are thoroughly enjoying the phase of becoming parents. Divyanka recently shared adorable details about the contrasting personalities of her newborn twin sons. He also told that despite being born together, brothers and sisters are completely different from each other.The actress, who keeps sharing updates about her life through her YouTube vlogs, recently gave fans a glimpse of her life as a new mother. Divyanka spoke about how her twin sons have very different personalities and how they surprise her with their unique qualities every day.Talking about her twins, Divyanka said, “My darling babies look so good when they sleep. It seems nothing happened at night. There are a lot of false alarms. I am still understanding him, what is his nature, what is his mood. I want their sleeping, eating and drinking timelines to match. Dono are very different.” (My dear children look so cute while sleeping. It seems as if nothing happened during the night. There are a lot of false alarms. I am still getting to know his nature and mood. I want them to have the same sleeping, eating and feeding schedule. These two are very different. )He also expressed surprise at how different they were, saying, “How can it be that two new people come into your house and are so different from birth?” (How is it possible that two new people have come to your house and are so different from each other since birth?)After this, Divyanka described the personality of both the children and called the elder one T1 and the younger one T2.“Our T2 is an attention magnet. He gets attention automatically. And our T1 is just like an elder brother. T1 is like Shri Ram.” (Our T2 is an attention magnet. He automatically attracts everyone’s attention. And our T1 is just like a big brother. T1 is like Shri Ram.)Elaborating further, she said, “He just takes the feed and rests. He will feed on time and won’t even disturb me.” (He just takes his food and relaxes. He eats on time and doesn’t bother me at all.)Divyanka further said about her younger son, “And this is our T2 brother. After some time, he starts mischief. He needs feed and falls asleep as soon as he takes the feed.” (And this is our T2 brother. He starts being naughty after some time. He wants his food and often falls asleep while eating.)Let us tell you, Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya recently welcomed twin sons in the month of May. After 10 years of marriage, the couple became parents of twins. Divyanka announced her pregnancy by launching her YouTube channel and she has been sharing pictures from her motherhood journey with fans through social media and vlogs.

Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) Actress Sonakshi Sinha has shared a heart-touching video with her husband Zaheer Iqbal.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha has shared a heart-touching video with her husband. zaheer iqbal.Along with the clip, the ‘Akira’ actress referenced Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic dialogue, “Pyaar dosti hai”, highlighting the bond of friendship and love that defines their relationship. Taking to Instagram, Sonakshi posted a video in which she and Zaheer are seen enjoying every moment of their holiday. The clip shows the couple having fun together and enjoying the ride to the fullest.For the caption, the ‘Dabangg’ actress wrote, “A wise man once said…love is friendship.”Yesterday, Sonakshi Sinha released a playful video in which she was seen sitting by the pool before Zaheer playfully pushes her into the water. While sharing this funny video, he wrote, “Nowhere is safe.”To note, “Pyaar Dosti Hai” is a memorable dialogue spoken by Shah Rukh Khan’s character Rahul Khanna in the 1998 hit “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”. This line beautifully captures the essence of love inherent in friendship and has become iconic for an entire generation.Earlier this month, Sonakshi celebrated her 38th birthday in the UK with Zaheer Iqbal and close friends. Sharing glimpses of the celebration on social media, she thanked fans and wrote, “Thank you all for all the love on my birthday, I enjoyed it in real time and it was the best!!! 02.06.2026.”Zaheer Iqbal also celebrated Sonakshi’s birthday with a social media post. She shared a collection of photos and videos from the ceremony, capturing memorable moments from the special day. The glimpses showed the actress celebrating with Zaheer and his close friends.He captioned the post, “I love you my birthday girl.”Let us tell you that Sonakshi Sinha tied the knot with Zaheer Iqbal on June 23, 2024. The couple opted for an intimate registered wedding ceremony at Sonakshi’s Mumbai home, which was attended by only close friends and family.

Defiant cheers and national pride eclipsed a crushed sporting dream at Aden Abdul Osman International Airport on Wednesday. Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the star Somali soccer referee who was blocked from entering the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was given a warm welcome.

Hundreds of local fans, top football board officials and senior government representatives crowded the tarmac and terminal. In a spectacular display of national solidarity, the crowd waved banners and chanted Ayrton’s name, turning what could have been a somber homecoming into a celebration of a national icon.

Speaking to the crowd after the rousing welcome, he said, “God willing, I promise you that I will attend next time too.”

“I want the Somali people to take comfort in this and be reassured.”

A dream broken in miami

The euphoric atmosphere in Mogadishu was a sharp contrast to the ordeal Artan had endured a few days earlier. Considered one of Africa’s leading match officials, Artan was named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referee of the Year in 2025. His appointment for the 2026 World Cup was historic, marking the first time that a Somali national had been selected to officiate in football’s global showpiece.

However, upon arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul over the weekend, Artan was turned away by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Despite holding a valid tournament visa and a diplomatic passport provided by his own government, Ayrton was subjected to a grueling 11-hour interrogation. Border agents interrogated him extensively on Somali politics and local terrorist groups Before detaining him and putting him on a return flight to Türkiye.

The Trump administration later defended the tough stance, citing strict immigration and vetting policies, including a blanket travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia. An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that “derogatory information, including associations with suspected members of terrorist organizations” made Arton ineligible. “President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country, full stop,” the official said.

global uproar

The decision flashed immediately Fury in the global football community And a diplomatic standoff. The Somali government began late unsuccessful talks with Washington and FIFA to reverse the ban. Somalia’s Prime Minister strongly condemned the denial, while the Sports Ministry issued a poignant statement: “His international achievements are a source of honor and pride for the Somali people.”

The Somali Football Federation (SFF) expressed deep sadness, stressing that Artan’s selection was a milestone earned through “years of dedication, professionalism and integrity”. The SFF said it had received no formal explanation for the refusal.

FIFA quickly distanced itself from the political fallout and confirmed Arton had been removed from the tournament roster as all 52 refereeing pairs must train at a central hub in Miami.

A spokesperson said, “FIFA is not involved in the host country’s immigration processes.”

For the people of Somalia, the US government’s security narrative means nothing. When government officials took Artan from Mogadishu, the message from the streets was clear: He may have been rejected by the world, but at home, he remains a champion.

– ends

Scenes from Ahon Guptu’s drag drama ‘Item’ (Photo Credits: Nayanthara Majumdar)

Pune: For six days this June, Shriram Lagoo Rang-Akaash will become a space for quirky storytelling, performance and dialogue as Satrang Mahotsav 2026 will bring together theatre-makers, dancers, drag artists and writers from across India.Running from 16 to 21 June, the festival presents a packed program of plays, workshops, panel discussions and performances exploring queer lives and experiences.Productions range from traditional Lavani and contemporary dance to drag, devised theatre, and experimental performances, reflecting the breadth of artistic practices within India’s LGBT community.According to festival director Deepa Dharmadhikari, every playwright, director and choreographer participating in the festival identifies as queer, representing a wide spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations.Dharmadhikari said, “The festival has been created without institutional or corporate sponsorship. We are crowdfunding through the community because we wanted it to be a festival that is for, by and with the gay community.”The schedule includes “Romeo Ranjha”, “Jisman Ton Paar”, “Where’s SSS?” Such production is included. , “Colorful Lavani”, with workshops, drag performances and Lavani traditions.The play “Dirty Laundry 2.0,” directed and co-written by Gurleen Arora, was created in response to an art exhibit featuring queer artists, and has now been reimagined for the stage with a new cast that includes transgender and non-binary artists.Arora said, “We wanted to examine what home means to gay people and how they navigate relationships within domestic spaces. The play asks how much the gay experience has changed over the last 100 years, and how much remains surprisingly familiar. While today’s gay communities have greater visibility and access to resources, there can also be a deep sense of isolation.”“Item”, directed by Ahon Guptu, blends theatre, drag, dance, music and audience interaction. This production traces the journey of a drag artist as she reflects on identity, belonging and self-discovery.Guptu said, “The show moves between different moments of a person’s life. Each performance ended with a conversation with the audience because asking questions and creating a safe space for dialogue is central to the project.”

Police caught the accused

Hyderabad: A real estate businessman shot dead his second wife at their house in Malkajgiri in the early hours of Wednesday. The accused was arrested three months ago with an illegal gun when he was preparing to murder the victim.Accused D Arun Kumar, 48, a real estate businessman from Maruti Nagar in Malkajgiri, has two children from his first wife. Since his first wife was ill for a long time, Arun separated from her and married her sister Nishita Rani alias Nisha Rani five years ago.However, tension arises between Arun and Rani as she doubts his loyalty.After repeated disputes, Rani started living separately. Dissatisfied with Rani’s conduct, Arun decided to kill her and, using his contacts, obtained a country-made firearm from Munger in Bihar in March.While he was plotting to kill Rani with the illegal firearm, Charminar Task Force police, in coordination with Amberpet police, arrested Arun along with his associates, Mohammad Abbu, 26, a paan shop owner from Yapral and Mir Muzammil Ali Khan, 23, a student from Yakutpura, on March 9, 2026, at Ali Cafe X Roads in Amberpet.Police seized a country-made pistol, six live cartridges and a two-wheeler from their possession. Amberpet Inspector T Kiran Kumar said, “We have produced the accused in the court and they have been sent to judicial custody. Arun spent more than 40 days in remand.”Police have not yet filed a chargesheet in the case as the alleged arms suppliers have still not been arrested.Meanwhile, late on Tuesday night, Arun contacted Rani and asked her to come to his house to talk about family issues. Police said that during the meeting, Arun opened fire on Rani in the early hours of Wednesday and she died on the spot.Police suspect that Arun was with another accused at the time of the murder. After the incident, both the accused fled from the spot. Malkajgiri police launched a search operation to nab them. Rani’s body was sent for post-mortem and a case of murder was registered.

AI image is used for representational purpose only

MUMBAI: A wave of large-scale redevelopment is gathering momentum on Bandra’s waterfront, with industry estimates suggesting that more than 140 acres of land could be transformed into a premium residential and mixed-use district over the next decade.According to a report prepared by Lighthouse Luxury and CRE Matrix, the proposed waterfront corridor, dubbed “Bandra Bay” by developers and consultants, is expected to have a phased redevelopment of approximately 8 million square feet of real estate, with an estimated development potential of over ₹1 lakh crore.The emerging micro-market is being driven by redevelopment projects, proximity to the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and a series of infrastructure projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Industry estimates indicate that BKC could add approximately 7 million sq ft of Grade A office space over the next five years, potentially driving demand for premium housing in the surrounding areas.The region is also expected to benefit from major connectivity projects including the coastal road network, metro expansion, Atal Setu, Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor and airport-related transport infrastructure. Better connectivity between Bandra, BKC, South Mumbai and other business districts is seen as a key factor supporting redevelopment activity.Among the biggest projects planned in the area is the redevelopment of Nargis Dutt Nagar, which is being carried out by Godrej Properties in partnership with ORA Group and RC Group. The project is estimated to have a revenue potential of approximately ₹10,000 crore and will be developed in phases.Urban planners and real estate consultants say large-scale redevelopment presents a rare opportunity to create modern residential communities in a city where developable land remains scarce. However, they caution that the long-term success of the emerging district will depend on timely implementation of redevelopment plans, delivery of supporting infrastructure and sustained demand in the housing market.Market observers say strong demand remains in established luxury locations such as Carter Road and other seaside areas, but future growth in Mumbai’s premium housing segment may come from urban districts led by rapid redevelopment.The report’s authors drew parallels with waterfront developments such as Marina Bay in Singapore and Dubai Marina in Dubai, arguing that investment in infrastructure and mixed-use planning could reshape underutilized urban land over time.Speaking at the launch of the report, Sumesh Mishra, Founder, Lighthouse Proptech, said the waterfront corridor is attracting increasing interest from developers, investors and home buyers due to its location and redevelopment potential.Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar had earlier described the Bandra-BKC catchment area as an area capable of developing into a modern urban district, integrating infrastructure, culture and economic activity.MHADA vice-chairman and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal said the redevelopment under the cluster development framework was aimed at improving roads, open spaces and connectivity while supporting planned urban growth. “Planned under the cluster development framework, Bandra Bay is more than a real estate initiative. It is a blueprint for urban renewal integrating wide roads, open spaces and future-ready connectivity,” he said.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam with Shaheen Shah Afridi (PTI photo)

Pakistan has handed over Sahebzada Farhan With captaincy for men’s cricket competition in 2026 asian gamesWhich will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan during September and October. The selectors have selected a young and largely experimental 15-man squad, which includes several uncapped players.Farhan, who has represented Pakistan in 46 T20 Internationals, will lead the national team in white-ball cricket for the first time. Abdul Samad Has been appointed vice-captain for the tournament. The team has four players who have not yet made their T20I debut for Pakistan: Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood. Meanwhile, Usman Khan has been chosen as the main wicketkeeper of the team.Pakistan squad for Asian Games 2026: Sahibzada Farhan (Captain), Abdul Samad (Vice-Captain), Abrar AhmedAhmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Mokim and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper).While Farhan has been a regular presence in Pakistan’s T20 setup, he has not captained the national team in the limited overs format before. Samad, on the other hand, has featured in five T20 Internationals but has not played in the format for Pakistan since March last year. His most recent international appearance came in the ODI series against Australia.This team bears little resemblance to the one fielded by Pakistan in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Several established stars have been left out, including regular white-ball captain Salman Ali Aga Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi And Shadab Khan.A large portion of the selected players are currently involved in Pakistan’s preparations at the National Cricket Academy. Fourteen members of the Asian Games squad are also part of the NCA white-ball camp, which is scheduled to begin on June 15 in Lahore.The men’s cricket tournament at the Asian Games will begin on September 24 and the medal matches will be played on October 3.