'Met Virat but couldn't speak, felt nervous': Pooja Vastrakar recalls star-struck moment

Vaishnavi Iyer | June 9, 2026 5:28 PM

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) Even as one of India's most experienced all-rounders and a regular presence in the national setup, Pooja Vastrakar isn't immune to feeling starstruck. The Indian woman cricketer, currently captaining Chambal Ghariyals in the Women's MPL T20, recalled a chance meeting with Virat Kohli in South Africa and admitted that nerves got the better of her, preventing her from striking up a conversation with one of Indian cricket's biggest icons.

India cushioning itself with trade deals amid global shock: HSBC's Pranjul Bhandari

IANS | June 9, 2026 5:23 PM

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) As the world economies begin to diversify in the challenging environment as part of their China+1 strategy, India, which has seen an average GDP growth between six and six-and-a-half per cent in the last 12 years, is cushioning itself by signing several trade deals with advanced economies, HSBC's Chief India Economist Pranjul Bhandari said on Tuesday.

India enters new space era as startups power deep tech push: Report

IANS | June 9, 2026 5:14 PM

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) India’s space sector is witnessing a significant transformation as startups increasingly emerge as key players in deep tech innovation, marking a shift from a traditionally state-led model to a more collaborative state–private ecosystem, according to a report.