Concern For India As Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash Looms: Abhishek Sharma Misses Training

India opener Abhishek Sharma skipped Thursday's training session as he continues to recover from a stomach upset, casting a small cloud over his availability even as the team stepped up preparations for the T20 World Cup game against Namibia. "Yeah, Washington joined the team yesterday, he'll train today. Abhi's still got a few issues with his tummy; we hope he'll be available for the game in a few days' time," assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said ahead of the match against Namibia on Thursday.

There was reassuring news on Jasprit Bumrah. The spearhead looked fully fit, initially taking a few easy strides to get a feel before changing his spikes and bowling at full tilt to skipper Suryakumar Yadav.

During one fiery spell, Bumrah beat Surya for pace and forced him to play on to his stumps - a reminder of just how sharp the premier quick can be at full fitness.

"He's been off for 10 days without bowling, but he's feeling a lot better and moving a lot better, so we'll see how training goes for them and get the team together on Friday," ten Doeschate added.

The two batters who appeared in complete control during the session were Suryakumar and Tilak Varma.

Varun Chakravarthy might be a problem for batters across the globe, but the manner in which the duo handled the mystery spinner was striking.

Surya effortlessly slog-swept him behind square, while Tilak launched a towering blow - a nearly 100-metre six that landed in the top tier, drawing appreciative looks from teammates.

All-rounder Washington Sundar, who rejoined the squad after his recent injury lay-off, looked a touch ginger during the initial fielding drills and did not bowl in the early part of the session.

He was seen engaged in a long discussion with head coach Gautam Gambhir near the boundary ropes before ambling across to the pacers' nets for another detailed conversation with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

Later in the session, Washington and Kuldeep Yadav took turns bowling to Tilak Varma - an encouraging sign as the team assesses his recovery from the side strain and rib injury.

With Abhishek on the mend, Washington gradually easing back into bowling and Bumrah roaring back to full rhythm, India's think-tank has a few selection calls to make before match day.

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Bank Officials Reach Indore Home To Take Possession, Owner Shoots Himself

A 51-year-old man allegedly died by suicide during bank foreclosure proceedings in Indore on Monday evening.

The man has been identified as Hemant Brahmvanshi, an employee of the Indore Public Cooperative Bank

According to preliminary information, a team from a government bank, acting on a court order, had arrived in Vijay Nagar to take possession of Hemant's mortgaged house.

As officials carried out paperwork on the first floor, Hemant allegedly retreated to a room around 5:30 pm and fatally shot himself with a licensed firearm. He was declared dead on the spot.

The incident immediately caused a stir in the area, with residents gathering outside the house as sirens wailed.

Police sources said the weapon used was licensed in the name of Hemant's father, S.D. Brahmvanshi.

Investigators revealed that Hemant had taken a loan of Rs 2.5 crore from the Bank of Maharashtra by mortgaging his house.

He had reportedly failed to pay installments for nearly a year and a half, following which the bank issued multiple notices and initiated foreclosure proceedings.

Confirming the details, Chandrashekhar Patel, Station House Officer of Vijay Nagar Police Station, said the matter is being investigated from all angles. "The deceased was under severe mental stress due to debt," adding that the body has been sent for post-mortem examination.

Police are examining bank records, court documents, and medical history to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the suicide.

Hemant is survived by his two sons, a daughter, and his mother.

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Pak Close To Making Boycott U-Turn, Naqvi To Consult PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan is set to backtrack from its stance of boycotting the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, according to NDTV sources. While Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi remained defiant despite the warning from the International Cricket Council (ICC), it has been learned that some board officials are reportedly open to the idea of playing the match. According to sources, ICC officials warned the PCB of the severe consequences of a boycott during a meeting with Naqvi at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister, is expected to consult Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the matter once again before a final decision is reached.

In addition to meeting with the ICC delegation to break the deadlock, Naqvi and other PCB officials held a dialogue with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam Bulbul regarding the ongoing impasse.

Earlier today, it was reported that Pakistan had softened their stance after the ICC informed them of the extent of damages they could face, both financially and otherwise.

This sudden change of tone comes after the ICC sought an explanation from Pakistan on how the force majeure clause can be invoked to justify the team's refusal to play the T20 World Cup match against India-especially after the PCB attempted to shift responsibility onto its government.

In recent days, it has emerged that even Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have written to the PCB to not go ahead with their boycott, given the financial loss at stake. In their letter, Sri Lanka also reminded Pakistan that they were one of the first major nations to tour Pakistan after the 2009 Lahore attacks.

The controversy began when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), backed by the country's interim government, refused to send its national team to India for its group-stage games, citing security concerns.

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T20 World Cup Points Table: India Take Huge Net Run-Rate Lead Over Pakistan

Suryakumar Yadav batting just like he does and Mohammed Siraj's incisive first spell headlined defending champions India's scratchy 29-run win against the United States of America despite a stunning top-order collapse in the opening encounter of the T20 World Cup on Saturday. A veteran of many-a-battle here at the Wankhede Stadium, Suryakumar's 49-ball unbeaten 84 was a blend of fine rescue act and a defiant counter-attack against a USA attack that proved to be more than mere pushovers. The Indian captain garnered all his experience of playing at his home ground, reaped rich dividends for being patient but more importantly, disciplined, as plucky USA had India on the mat at 77 for 6 at one stage in the first half.

But Suryakumar's late onslaught which had 10 fours and four sixes after being dropped on 15, took India as far as 161/9 after being precariously placed at 128/7 after 18 overs.

USA, in reply, finished at 132/8 in a meek response with the bat, especially in comparison to their first-innings show in which bowlers kept the high-flying Indians on a tight leash and held on to their catches.

Siraj, who joined the team late Friday evening, came in as a replacement for an indisposed Jasprit Bumrah and bowled a fuller Test match length to take two wickets in his first spell and ended with 3/29 in 4 overs. Once USA were 13 for 3 within fourth over, they didn't have a chance to surpass the middling total. USA's fight petered out with Siraj accounting for openers Andries Gous (6) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (2) and Arshdeep Singh (2/18) removing skipper Monank Patel for a duck.

From 13/3 in the fourth over, USA stitched multiple partnerships but never really got back on track of their chase. Milind Kumar (34), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) and Shubham Ranjane (37) played useful knocks which only reduced the margin of defeat.

None of them could really dominate and once Varun Chakravarthy (1/24) and Axar Patel (2/24) took charge of the post Powerplay overs giving only 48 runs and taking three wickets in those eight overs. Earlier, Suryakumar stood tall with a 49-ball innings, single-handedly driving India out of woods after a stunning collapse saw them reeling at 77 for six in the 13th over.

South Africa born Shadley van Schalkwyk returned with figures of 4-0-25-4 as India's famed batting line-up, barring Suryakumar, endured a horrendous outing with the bat and were in real trouble of being restricted for an under-par total.

The writing was perhaps on the wall when India failed to find a run on the first four balls of the innings with USA not giving any room for the Indian batters to free their arms.

While Ishan Kishan (20) smacked a six off the fifth ball to get rolling, the first blow to India came when Abhishek Sharma fell for a first-ball duck in the second over.

The world No. 1 Abhishek hit Ali Khan's delivery straight to Sanjay Krishnamurthi at deep cover, and for the first of the several times in the night the Wankhede Stadium fell silent.

The fielding set by US skipper Monank was top notch as he positioned fielders straighter than finer.

Tilak Varma (25) broke the shackles when he danced down to hit a straight off Saurabh Netravalkar (0/65) in the third over and went after van Schalkwyk for three fours in the next and it looked like India were finally up and running.

However, Ishan, having smacked Ali off his pads for a spectacular six, failed to make the most of a dropped catch and hit one straight to mid-on off van Schalkwyk on the first ball of the sixth over.

Van Schalkwyk couldn't believe his luck when Tilak failed to time a pull off a short ball off one that rose more than he expected, giving catching practice to USA captain Monank Patel.

Shivam Dube (0) is no stranger to the Wankhede wicket but the burly all-rounder was totally outfoxed by an innocuous slow bouncer failing to check his stroke.

Looking completely clueless, Dube was caught in an awkward approach during the time of connection with the ball flying to Netravalkar at short fine leg.

Rinku Singh (6 off 14 balls) couldn't control his first attacking stroke which went straight to long-on off Mohammad Mohsin (4-0-16-1). Hardik Pandya (5) fell to former Mumbai left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh (4-0-26-2) while trying to clear the sweeper cover, and Axar Patel (14) in his bid to get some late quick runs.

With the onus of getting India out of trouble once again solely on him, Suryakumar dug in deep to farm the strike and rarely missed connecting on the shots that have been his trademark.

Being the only Indian batter to have understood the nature of the wicket completely, Suryakumar opened up finally in the last two overs. He collected 34 runs off those, which included 21 in the last from Netravalkar.

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