Times of India

England opener Phil Salt has returned home for scans on a finger injury sustained during an IPL 2026 match, casting doubt on his immediate availability for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Salt, who had been in impressive form, is hopeful of a swift recovery and a return later this month as RCB push for the playoffs.

The BJP, which had won 77 seats and 38.15% vote share in 2021, is now showing a dramatic surge in counting trends. By noon, several live trackers had the BJP crossing or approaching the halfway mark, with leads in the 140–150 range and vote share estimates hovering around 46–48%, while the TMC trailed significantly behind.

In a closely watched West Bengal election, RG Kar rape victim’s mother and BJP candidate Ratna Debnath is currently leading in Panihati. She is campaigning on women's safety and her daughter's memory against TMC's Tirthankar Ghosh. Nationally, BJP leads on 121 seats, TMC on 71, with high voter turnout recorded.

Gujarat Titans secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, marking their third consecutive win and reigniting playoff hopes. Sai Sudharsan's steady fifty and Washington Sundar's crucial late hitting guided them home. Despite the wins, a negative Net Run Rate and tough upcoming fixtures mean Gujarat must secure at least two more victories to guarantee qualification.

And today, one of the starkest outliers in the early trends is the performance of Vijay’s TVK. But who is Vijay, who, if trends hold, could become the new Thalapathy of Tamil Nadu politics?

AWS CEO Matt Garman views the AI-driven 'SaaSpocalypse' as a major business opportunity, not a threat. He highlighted the rise of agentic AI reshaping work and announced new AI-powered tools like the Quick desktop app, aiming to revolutionize personal productivity. AWS is also deepening its OpenAI partnership, integrating advanced AI models into its cloud services to meet surging demand.

Analysts are bullish on Bajaj Finance, IIFL Finance, and Navin Fluorine, citing strong quarterly results and positive future outlooks. Federal Bank is seen as fairly valued, while Waaree Engineering's revenue beat expectations despite margin concerns. Investors are watching these key companies closely.

Shakib Al Hasan said he is ready to return to Bangladesh and face ongoing legal cases if assured “normal security” and protection from harassment. The former captain, absent from Bangladesh since May 2024, also revealed his bank account has been frozen during investigations. Shakib denied wrongdoing in multiple cases and said authorities have found no evidence against him so far.

Nepal has officially objected to India resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Lipulekh Pass, a territory it claims based on the 1816 Sugauli Treaty. India dismissed these claims as unjustified and historically unfounded, stating Lipulekh has been a long-standing yatra route. This dispute marks a potential test for bilateral ties as both nations prepare for diplomatic discussions.

Senior advocate Tushar Mehta's upcoming book criticizes some judges for exhibiting 'judicial bullying' due to excessive courtroom reverence. He argues that while judges face immense pressure, this cannot justify incivility, as the public expects high standards from an institution they cannot easily remove. Mehta highlights the power imbalance lawyers face when confronting arrogant judges.

Livelihoods are at stake as 27 lakh voters in Bengal are stripped of voting rights due to electoral roll deletions during SIR. Professionals, including a PSU officer, teacher, doctor, and insurance agent, have moved the Calcutta High Court, fearing their citizenship will be questioned, potentially leading to job termination and licence cancellation. Their appeals for urgent hearings were denied.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat revealed she is one of six accusers of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh. Her return to competition in his stronghold, Gonda, raises concerns about fairness and potential bias in officiating. Phogat, now a legislator, demands transparency, holding the government accountable for any incidents. The WFI president assures safety and denies bias.

The US is proceeding with a $488 million radar upgrade for Pakistan's F-16 fighter jets, a move expected to heighten Indian security concerns. This program, contracted to Northrop Grumman, will enhance Pakistan's air capabilities amidst regional tensions. India's own fighter squadron numbers are reportedly below the required strength for a two-front conflict, making this development particularly noteworthy.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi concluded a visit to Myanmar, reinforcing defence ties and navy-to-navy cooperation. Discussions focused on enhancing training exchanges and operational engagements, including the handover of Indian-assisted maritime security equipment. This collaboration underscores India's strategic importance of Myanmar under its 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

Assembly poll results in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry will offer a glimpse into the national political mood. The outcomes could significantly impact the opposition INDIA bloc, with key contests in Bengal and Tamil Nadu holding particular importance for regional giants DMK and TMC.

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Gujarat Titans edged past Punjab Kings by four wickets in a thrilling IPL clash. Sai Sudharsan anchored the chase with 57, while Washington Sundar stayed unbeaten on 40 to seal victory in the final over. Earlier, debutant Suryansh Shedge scored a fighting 57 for Punjab after early damage caused by Mohammed Siraj, Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada.