Pink ball trial in day Tests, time-wasting penalties among major ICC Playing Conditions tweaks

IANS | October 1, 2026 4:55 PM

Dubai, Oct 1 (IANS) To maintain the pace of play and modernise match regulations, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday announced a series of key updates to its Playing Conditions across formats, among which penalties for men’s batters wasting time and a trial allowing pink balls to be used in daytime Test matches are the standout changes.

Gill becoming a bowlers’ captain is the most impressive thing, says Gautam Gambhir

IANS | October 1, 2026 4:54 PM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) India head coach Gautam Gambhir believes the most impressive aspect of Shubman Gill’s rapid evolution as the side’s ODI skipper is how he has transformed into a bowlers' captain, while revealing that he has earned immense respect in the dressing room.

How China is ignoring international law on Intellectual Property Rights

IANS | October 1, 2026 4:50 PM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) China is increasingly promoting its domestic intellectual property rights (IPR) but, at the same time, sidelining international law as its own companies infringe on patent rights of other countries, according to a new report.

Bhumi Pednekar misses home while ‘living her best life’ in New York

IANS | October 1, 2026 4:47 PM

Mumbai, Oct 1 (IANS) Actress Bhumi Pednekar is currently enjoying her time in New York. She took to Instagram to give a glimpse of her memorable getaway through a series of pictures.

Asian Games: Nitesh Siwach claims silver in men’s 97kg Greco Roman

IANS | October 1, 2026 4:46 PM

Nagoya, Oct 1 (IANS) Nitesh Siwach came within one bout of ending India’s 64-year wait for a Greco-Roman wrestling gold at the Asian Games, but had to settle for silver after Japan’s Yuri Nakazato won the men’s 97 kg final at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center on Thursday. With the achievement, Nitesh became only the second Indian Greco-Roman wrestler in history to reach an Asian Games final, 64 years after Maruti Mane, who won the silver medal in the same weight category at the 1962 Asian Games.

Swachh Bharat Mission: Indian cities deploy AI, EVs and digital platforms to modernise sanitation

IANS | October 1, 2026 4:42 PM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) Indian cities are deploying artificial intelligence (AI), digital platforms and electric vehicles to modernise sanitation services, an official factsheet said on Thursday, ahead of the 12th anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission.

Asian Games: Fire should be in your heart, says captain Harmanpreet ahead of men’s hockey final

IANS | October 1, 2026 4:40 PM

Kakamigahara (Japan), Oct 1 (IANS) India captain Harmanpreet Singh called for composure without losing intensity after his side survived a dramatic Pakistan fightback to win 4-3 in the Asian Games 2026 men’s hockey semifinal on Thursday, saying the team must eliminate the errors that allowed their opponents back into the contest before Friday’s gold-medal clash.

Abhay Jodhpurkar reveals he recorded his National Award-winning song ‘Navasachi Gauri Maz’ in 2 sessions

Akshay Acharya | October 1, 2026 4:38 PM

Mumbai, Oct 1 (IANS) Playback singer Abhay Jodhpurkar, who was recently honoured with the National Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his Marathi song ‘Navasachi Gauri Mazi’ from ‘Gharat Ganpati’, has shared that he recorded the song in 2 sessions.

Centre launches National PNG Drive 3.0 to boost natural gas in India's energy mix

IANS | October 1, 2026 4:33 PM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched the National PNG Drive 3.0 on Thursday with the aim of accelerating adoption of piped natural gas (PNG) to strengthen India's vision of increasing the share of natural gas in the primary energy mix from around 6 per cent today, supporting cleaner, reliable and affordable energy.

One year of TEPA: India-EFTA trade pact opens new opportunities for Indian exporters, says Piyush Goyal

IANS | October 1, 2026 4:29 PM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) has opened new opportunities for Indian businesses and exporters, as the pact completed one year since coming into force.