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IPL 2026: BCCI Warns Captains, Enforces Stricter Catching Guidelines

The 2026 edition of Indian Premier League is set to begin on March 28. Ahead of the tournament, Board of Control for Cricket in India held a meeting with captains of all participating teams and issued detailed directives regarding match conduct. From banning practice sessions on match days to restricting family members from traveling with squads, BCCI made one point clear: a catch will be considered valid only when the fielder demonstrates complete control over both the ball and their own body. Celebration should come only after full control has been established. BCCI Tightens Catching Rules for IPL 2026 In previous seasons, players have often celebrated immediately upon catching the ball, sometimes before fully regaining balance, leading to disputes and controversies. For IPL 2026, BCCI is putting an end to this. According to the rules, a fielder must have complete control over the ball once it has settled in their hands, with their body and balance entirely stable. Any instability or improper ground contact during the catch could result in the catch being disallowed. The directive is clear: secure the catch first, celebrate later. Clause 33.3 of the Playing Conditions defines the catching process as starting when the ball first touches the fielder’s body and ending only when the fielder has full control over both the ball and their own movements. Although this is an existing rule, BCCI stressed its importance during the March 25 meeting. Officials showed several video clips, including examples from the recently concluded T20 World Cup, where catches were invalidated due to lack of control. Former Indian pacer Javagal Srinath and Elite Panel umpire Nitin Menon led a 90-minute session on this issue. Impact Player Rule to Stay The 'Impact Player' rule continues to spark debate. While some teams view it as a strategic advantage, others argue it challenges traditional cricket roles. Despite criticism, BCCI and IPL officials confirmed the rule will remain in place through at least the 2027 season. Axar Patel Voices Concern Axar Patel, captain of Delhi Capitals, criticized the rule, saying it disadvantages all-rounders. He explained that teams now prefer specialist players, whereas previously all-rounders were valued for contributing in both batting and bowling.

Faf Du Plessis Backs ‘Villain’ Gautam Gambhir, Credits Him For KKR’s Success

Mumbai: Gautam Gambhir's fierce competitiveness might have often made him the “villain in the story”, but that trait of him strengthened the teams such as Kolkata Knight Riders that he was part of in the past, reckoned former South African captain Faf du Plessis. Two of KKR’s title wins in the Indian Premier League have come under the captaincy of Gambhir, who has now coached the Indian team to triumph in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and this year’s T20 World Cup. “My perspective of Gambhir is obviously very different from the guys who play with him. He’s always the villain in the story when it comes to playing against him, but you respect that,” Du Plessis told JioHotstar. “… and that’s the key thing with Gautam Gambhir, he’s so competitive. He does not worry for one second about being liked by anyone. His job as a leader is to set high standards and have accountability within the dressing room." Du Plessis said Gambhir sets high standards and accountability in any dressing room -- a motivating factor for the opposition captain as well. “From the outside, as a fellow leader playing against him, you want to beat him because of the way he carries himself as the opposition, but you respect the fact that he sets such high standards,” he said. “That’s what good leaders do, and he’s created that since the day he started playing. If you look at his record, you have to take your hat off and say, from a leadership perspective, KKR with him was a stronger team,” the South African remarked. Du Plessis, who led Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said the leadership role was not restricted to skipper alone in franchise cricket. "People always think of the captain when they look at leadership within an organisation or team. Yes, the captain plays a role, but for me, it runs down from the top. It's your owners, coach, and the leadership group within the team,” Du Plessis said. “When you look at successful teams like MI, CSK, and KKR, there’s a Gautam with a Shreyas Iyer, or a (MS) Dhoni with a (Stephen) Fleming. Even last year with RCB, you had really strong leadership at the top with Andy Flower and Mo Bobat but with a very inexperienced captain (Rajat Patidar), for whom it was the first time captaining in the IPL,” he said. The 41-year-old stressed the need for a good captain-coach relation for the team's success. “If you have a strong captain, then a lot falls on him because he drives the team. But if you don’t have a strong captain, that’s when a strong coach steps in and I suppose that’s where Gambhir was so effective,” Du Plessis added.  (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

‘Iran Begging For Deal’: Trump Slams NATO, Escalates War Rhetoric Amid Stalled Talks

US President Donald Trump sharply criticised NATO allies and intensified his rhetoric against Iran, claiming that Tehran is “begging” for a deal even as diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict remain uncertain. In a post, Trump said, “NATO NATIONS HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP WITH THE LUNATIC NATION, NOW MILITARILY DECIMATED, OF IRAN. THE U.S.A. NEEDS NOTHING FROM NATO, BUT ‘NEVER FORGET’ THIS VERY IMPORTANT POINT IN TIME!” He also dismissed Iran’s public stance on negotiations, alleging a gap between its private and public positions. “The Iranian negotiators are very different and ‘strange.’ They are ‘begging’ us to make a deal, which they should be doing since they have been militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback, and yet they publicly state that they are only ‘looking at our proposal.’ WRONG!!!” he said. “They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won't be pretty,” Trump added. Conflicting Signals Over Ceasefire Talks Trump’s remarks come amid mixed signals from Washington and Tehran on efforts to end the war. The US President has repeatedly said an agreement is close, even after Iran rejected a 15-point ceasefire proposal put forward by Washington. According to officials familiar with the proposal, the US plan includes sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear programme, limits on missile capabilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. Iran Lays Down Its Own Conditions Iran has outlined its own terms through state television, calling for a halt to the targeting of its officials, guarantees against future conflict, reparations for war damage and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The response underscores the gap between both sides, even as backchannel efforts continue. Heavy Toll As Conflict Continues The conflict has resulted in significant casualties across the region. More than 1,500 people have been killed in Iran and nearly 1,100 in Lebanon, while dozens have died in Israel and elsewhere. Thirteen US military personnel have also been killed, and millions have been displaced in Iran and Lebanon. Fighting Persists Despite Diplomatic Push Missile strikes and air raids continue across the region, keeping tensions elevated even as diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire remain inconclusive.

Jeddah hospital creates history, robots take over paediatric surgery for Hirschsprung’s disease

Saudi Arabian doctors successfully performed a complex robotic surgery on a two-year-old child with Hirschsprung’s disease. The advanced robotic system provided enhanced precision and control, crucial for navigating the delicate anatomy of a young patient during the Soave pull-through procedure. This case demonstrates the growing role of technology in paediatric surgery for improved outcomes.

Jacob Bethell Recalls T20 WC Semi-Final Knock vs India: 'Heard A Few RCB Chants'

Bengaluru: England’s young batter Jacob Bethell has expressed admiration for the passionate fan base of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), revealing that he could hear chants for the team even during a tense moment in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal against India at the Wankhede Stadium. Bethell, who represents RCB, said the chants stood out during a quiet phase in the stadium when England were pushing hard in the chase. “I definitely heard a few RCB chants when the whole of the Wankhede was silent, which, I found remarkable, I guess that just shows the support,” he said in a video shared by the franchise on X. The 22-year-old produced a sensational innings in the semifinal, smashing 105 off just 48 deliveries and bringing England close to victory. However, despite his efforts, England fell short by seven runs. Reflecting on the knock, Bethell said that while he loved the innings, the result left him with mixed emotions. “I wouldn’t say my life changed, you know, I saw a few edits floating around and you know, the fans over here have been getting very, you know, creative with their digital work,” he said. “That innings was, it was a great innings, and I enjoyed every minute of it, you know, it was still a bit bittersweet, you know, not getting over the line. I’m sure you guys were pretty happy that I didn’t manage to get it over the line,” he added. His England teammate and fellow RCB player Phil Salt also praised Bethell’s performance despite the defeat. “Although we came out on the wrong side of that, I was really pleased for Beth, the way that he carried himself and the way that he played. You guys call him style boy for a reason,” he said. Bethell is expected to play a key role for RCB in IPL 2026, with the franchise set to begin its campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

Setback For RCB's Nuwan Thushara As SLC Denies NOC For IPL 2026: Report

Nuwan Thushara IPL 2026 NOC Denied: Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara, part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad, is facing uncertainty over his participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) after, according to a report by Newswire, Sri Lanka Cricket declined to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The decision follows the board’s newly introduced fitness regulations, which have become mandatory for players aiming to compete in overseas franchise leagues. The issue highlights the strict enforcement of the new policy, which could significantly impact player availability in global leagues going forward. New Fitness Policy Impacts IPL Availability Sri Lanka Cricket has reportedly rolled out stricter fitness benchmarks recently that players must meet before being cleared for tournaments such as the IPL and PSL. Thushara’s eligibility hinged entirely on clearing these physical performance assessments. However, reports suggest that the fast bowler failed to meet the required standards. As a result, the board has withheld his NOC, effectively ruling him out from IPL 2026, unless there is a late turnaround. The development comes as a setback not just for Thushara but also for RCB, who had secured his services for Rs 1.6 crore. The franchise had invested in the right-arm seamer as part of their plans for the season, but his absence now creates a gap in their pace attack. For Thushara, missing out on the IPL represents a significant career setback, especially considering the league’s global visibility and competitive platform. Tough Phase Continues For Thushara This latest development adds to what has already been a challenging period for the Sri Lankan bowler. He was earlier left out of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Thushara is reportedly not currently dealing with any injury concerns, making the fitness test failure even more significant. In contrast, several of his compatriots have successfully cleared the new fitness requirements and received approval to participate in the IPL. Players such as Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis have all passed the tests and are set to feature in the tournament.

'Don't ask about Pakistan cricket': Irritated Afridi shushes media - Watch

Shaheen Shah Afridi drew attention at a PSL 2026 event by avoiding questions on Pakistan’s poor international form, asking reporters to focus only on the league. In a viral moment, he said, “Don’t ask about Pakistan… ask questions on PSL only.” The incident comes amid criticism after Pakistan’s early T20 World Cup exit, while Lahore Qalandars prepare to start their title defence.

US Court To Hear Maduro Case Again In High-Profile Narco-Terror Trial

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is set to return to a New York courtroom on Thursday, as he moves to have a drug trafficking indictment against him dismissed. The hearing will mark the first time Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appear in court since their January arraignment, where he protested his abduction by United States military forces and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, remain in custody at a detention centre in Brooklyn and have not requested bail. Judge Alvin Hellerstein has yet to fix a trial date, though it could be addressed during the upcoming hearing. Legal Challenge Over Defence Funding Maduro’s lawyer has argued that Washington is violating his constitutional rights by blocking Venezuelan government funds from being used to cover legal expenses. The case is expected to centre in part on this issue, as the defence seeks dismissal of the indictment. Political Standing Back Home Despite his detention, Maduro continues to command some support in Venezuela, with murals and billboards in Caracas calling for his return. However, he has been increasingly sidelined within the government led by acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who has removed key allies, including his defence minister and attorney general, and reshaped state institutions. Serious Charges And Potential Penalties US prosecutors have accused Maduro and several associates of “narco-terrorism” and conspiring to traffic cocaine into the United States, charges that could carry maximum penalties of life imprisonment. The statute used in the case was introduced 20 years ago to target drug traffickers linked to activities the US considers terrorism. Alleged Links To Colombian Rebels Maduro is also accused of leading a conspiracy in which officials facilitated cocaine shipments through Venezuela in collaboration with traffickers, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which Washington designated a terrorist organisation from 1997 to 2021. He and other indicted officials have denied all allegations, describing the charges as part of an imperialist plot against Venezuela.

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