Indian women's team fast bowler Jhulan Goswami on Tuesday (8) revealed that she was so upset with her performance in the first two matches of the Women's World Cup, that she asked the coach Tushar Arothe to "drop" her.
However, Arothe not only backed the pace bowler from Bengal but also got full support from captain Mithali Raj, and eventually Jhulan turned out to be instrumental in India's runners-up finish at Lord's last month.
"I was very disappointed of my show in the early stage of the World Cup," Jhulan said after being felicitated by chief minister Mamata Banerjee at Cricket Association of Bengal's annual awards ceremony at the Netaji Indoor Stadium.
"After the match against the West Indies, I told my coach Tushar, 'I'm not bowling properly and you can drop me next time.' But he said 'no, I want you to be there and lead the bowling attack'," the speedster added.
Jhulan said the coach's inspiring words worked wonders for her as she worked over time with Mithali and went on to produce a gem of a delivery to castle Australia skipper Meg Lanning for a duck during India's splendid 36-run win to oust the defending champions in the semi-final.
"Australia match was important for us. They are the best team in the world. Lanning is one of the best cricketers and very strong square of the wicket. I wanted to make sure to bowl in right areas.
"I told Mithali that I would bowl to her like I would to Lanning and she would give me feedbacks. Luckily everything went in our way," the 34-year-old said.
Jhulan was wicketless in first two matches - 0/39 against England and 0/37 against the West Indies - but claimed 10 wickets in remaining seven matches.
In the summit clash, Jhulan's tidy spell of 10-3-23-3 had helped India restrict England to a modest 228/7 but the visitors fell short by nine runs in the end to lose out on the trophy.
Just before the World Cup, Jhulan got past Australian Cathryn Fitzpatrick to become the highest wicket-taker in women's One-Day Internationals and the fast bowler thanked CAB for the unrelenting support.
"Their (CAB's) contribution is massive."
Jhulan said that initially she was apprehensive of the facilities when she shifted base to Kolkata from Mumbai in 2005-06 but CAB supported her in every possible way.
"The first question that came to my mind was whether I would get the same kind of opportunities here. Preparation was always very important for me. Result won't come without preparation. Most of the time we had the opportunity to practice alongside the men cricketers in Mumbai".
"I could bowl at the likes of Sameer Dighe, Praveen Amre when they played for Air India at one point of time. But now I've no hesitation in saying that I'm thankful to CAB for the way they have supported women's cricket for last 10 years and created a platform".
"I am indebted to them and hope many more players come up in future. For last 10 years whenever I requested, the officials always provided me with practice facilities. I'm thankful to CAB officials and curator," Jhulan said as she was handed a cheque of Rs. 10 lakh and a plaque by the chief minister and CAB president Sourav Ganguly.
The chief minister also felicitated the Bengal Under-19 team who became the all India champions after winning the Cooch Behar Trophy earlier this year. Bengal had defeated Delhi to win the title after 19 years.
CAB also honoured veteran coach Palash Nandy with 'Kartick Bose Lifetime Achievement Award' and a cheque of Rs.2 lakhs. Nandy was the coach of the Ranji triumphant 1989-90 side when Ganguly made his domestic debut.
Raj Kundra questioned in India for five hours over alleged £5.6m (₹60 crore) fraud
He claimed money was paid as fees to Bollywood stars Bipasha Basu and Neha Dhupia
Investigators traced nearly £2.3m (₹25 crore) in direct transfers to actresses and Balaji Entertainment
Shilpa Shetty also under scrutiny as financial probe widens
Businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, has been questioned for nearly five hours by financial crime investigators in India in connection with an alleged £5.6 million (₹60 crore) fraud. During interrogation, Kundra reportedly said part of the disputed money was paid as professional fees to Bollywood actresses Bipasha Basu and Neha Dhupia. Authorities are now examining whether these transactions were legitimate or part of a larger scheme.
Raj Kundra names Bipasha Basu and Neha Dhupia in £5.6m Bollywood fraud probe Getty Images
Why has Raj Kundra been questioned?
The case began after Indian businessman Deepak Kothari, director of Lotus Capital Financial Services Ltd, filed a complaint alleging he had been cheated out of £5.6m (₹60 crore) between 2015 and 2023. Following this, police in Mumbai registered a case against Kundra, Shetty, and another associate in August this year.
Kundra appeared before investigators this week and was extensively questioned. Officials described him as evasive on several points, leading them to plan further rounds of questioning. He was also asked to provide video material from a project called Best Deal, which he claimed had already been submitted to another police department.
Raj Kundra grilled over £5.6m fraud, links Bipasha Basu and Neha Dhupia to paymentsGetty Images
What did Kundra say about the money trail?
According to officials, Kundra admitted that some of the disputed funds were paid as fees to Bipasha Basu and Neha Dhupia. He also confirmed transactions linked to Shilpa Shetty and the production company Balaji Entertainment.
Investigators have tracked nearly £2.3m (₹25 crore) in direct transfers to these accounts. They are now assessing whether these were legitimate professional payments or part of a fraudulent operation. Officials also noted suspicious fund movements during India’s 2016 demonetisation, when the country’s financial system was under severe strain.
Bollywood fraud case: Raj Kundra under scrutiny as Bipasha Basu and Neha Dhupia payments emergeGetty Images
What role do the actresses play in the probe?
Financial records show that accounts connected to Shilpa Shetty, Bipasha Basu, and Neha Dhupia received transfers from the company under investigation. Kundra insists these were legitimate payments for work, but investigators said his answers were incomplete.
Neither Bipasha Basu nor Neha Dhupia have commented publicly on the case. Authorities have not alleged wrongdoing on their part, but their names remain part of the money trail being examined.
Raj Kundra tells police £5.6m fraud funds went to Bipasha Basu and Neha DhupiaGetty Images
What happens next in the investigation?
Indian financial crime authorities have said the investigation is ongoing and that more individuals may be summoned in the coming days. They are also expected to re-examine video material linked to Kundra’s company to determine whether it was used as a front to move money.
In an official statement, Mumbai Police said: “Investigations are going on against actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra in an alleged fraud case of £5.6m (₹60 crore). A summon was issued to Raj Kundra, and he appeared before police for questioning.”
With financial records under fresh scrutiny, the case has become one of the most high-profile fraud investigations involving Bollywood figures in recent years.
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The PCB had complained to the ICC, alleging that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss in Sunday’s Asia Cup match.
THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Pakistan’s request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup. The decision came after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) blamed the Zimbabwean official for the “no handshake” incident during their game against India and reportedly threatened to pull out of the tournament.
The PCB had complained to the ICC, alleging that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss in Sunday’s Asia Cup match.
"Late last night, ICC had sent a reply to PCB stating that Pycroft won’t be removed and their plea has been rejected," an ICC source told PTI.
Pycroft, 69, is set to officiate Pakistan’s final group stage game against the UAE on Wednesday.
Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema also lodged a complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), claiming Pycroft had insisted that team sheets not be exchanged between the two captains on Sunday, as is normally done.
After India’s seven-wicket win, Suryakumar and his team did not shake hands with the Pakistan players. The Indian players said it was a mark of respect for the Pahalgam terror attack victims and their families.
Pycroft is among the senior-most referees in the ICC Elite Panel, having officiated in 695 international matches across formats in men’s and women’s cricket.
It has emerged that the situation arose after PCB’s Director of Cricket Operations, Usman Walha, did not inform his captain about the tournament rules and regulations.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the ACC, was reportedly angry at the handling of the issue and ordered Walha’s removal on Monday.
According to PTI sources, Walha was responsible for briefing Salman about the “No Handshake” policy but failed to do so, leaving the captain unaware.
"Walha should have released a statement at the toss itself when the two captains didn’t shake hands. Naqvi apparently was furious as he handled it poorly," a PCB source told PTI.
The PCB had wanted Pycroft removed from the whole tournament, but the ICC, headed by India’s Jay Shah, rejected the request.
Reports suggest the PCB is exploring options for Pycroft not to officiate in their games. One proposal is to replace him with Richie Richardson for the UAE match, though it remains uncertain if that will be accepted.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The discovery coincides with Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations
Research for the World Curry Festival uncovered evidence of a curry house in Bradford in 1942.
Cafe Nasim, later called The Bengal Restaurant, is thought to be the city’s first.
The discovery coincides with Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations.
Festival events will include theatre, lectures, and a street food market.
Historic discovery in Bradford’s food heritage
Bradford’s claim as the curry capital of Britain has gained new historical depth. Organisers of the World Curry Festival have uncovered evidence that the city’s first curry house opened in 1942.
Documents revealed that Cafe Nasim, later renamed The Bengal Restaurant, once stood on the site of the current Kashmir Restaurant on Morley Street. Researcher David Pendleton identified an advert for the cafe in the Yorkshire Observer dated December 1942, describing it as “Bradford’s First Indian Restaurant”.
Festival organisers confirm findings
Festival founder Zulfi Karim said the discovery ended long-standing debate over which was Bradford’s first curry house. For years, different establishments had laid claim to the title, including restaurants from the 1950s and the Sweet Centre in 1964.
“This was during the Second World War, so it’s hard to imagine what ingredients they had access to with rationing,” Mr Karim said. “Even the current owner of Kashmir Restaurant thought it only went back to the 1950s.”
Bangladeshi roots of curry in Britain
Mr Karim highlighted the role of Bangladeshi immigrants in establishing Britain’s curry houses, noting that many early arrivals to the UK were former Navy workers. “That’s 80 years plus now since we’ve had a curry house in Bradford and that’s a huge story,” he added.
World Curry Festival 2025
The festival, first launched in Leeds in 2008, is being held in Bradford this year as part of the City of Culture 2025 celebrations. Running from 15–29 September, it will feature a mix of food, culture and performance.
Highlights include:
Theatre of Curry: A staged reading of Balti Kings (1999) by Sudha Bhuchar and Shaheen Khan, with curry served during the interval.
Supper club experiences.
Talks by Dr Amir Khan on nutrition and preserving authentic recipes.
Preserving the future of curry
Mr Karim stressed the importance of supporting the industry, which faces challenges due to a shortage of new talent.
“We need to keep it local, keep it authentic, and encourage people to enjoy it but also learn to cook at home,” he said.
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Robert Redford dies at 89 leaving behind a Hollywood and Sundance legacy
Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director, dies at age 89 in Utah
Starred in classics including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men
Founded the Sundance Institute, transforming the landscape of independent cinema
Advocated for environmental causes and used his fame to highlight pressing global issues
Robert Redford dies at 89, leaving behind a legacy that bridged blockbuster Hollywood hits and groundbreaking independent cinema. Best known for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men, Redford was not only a matinée idol but also an Academy Award-winning director and the driving force behind the Sundance Film Festival, which changed the trajectory of global filmmaking.
Robert Redford dies at 89 leaving behind a Hollywood and Sundance legacy Getty Images
What happened to Robert Redford?
Redford’s publicist Cindi Berger confirmed that the actor-director died on 16 September 2025 at his home in Sundance, Utah. “Robert Redford died in the mountains of Utah, the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” she said in a statement. His family has requested privacy.
The actor had gradually stepped away from Hollywood in recent years, with his final acting role in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, where he reprised his Marvel character Alexander Pierce. His last leading part came a year earlier in The Old Man & the Gun, a performance many considered a fitting farewell to his on-screen career.
Robert Redford became a household name in the late 1960s after starring alongside Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). The film not only established him as a charismatic leading man but also inspired the name of his later Sundance Film Festival.
In the 1970s, he was Hollywood’s top box office draw, starring in films such as The Sting, The Way We Were, Three Days of the Condor and All the President’s Men. The latter, based on the Watergate investigation, cemented his reputation for balancing star power with politically charged storytelling.
His career took a new turn in 1980 when he directed Ordinary People, a family drama that earned him an Academy Award for Best Director.
Robert Redford dies at 89 remembered for Butch Cassidy and SundanceGetty Images
What is Robert Redford’s legacy with Sundance?
In 1981, Redford established the Sundance Institute in Utah, aiming to nurture new voices in cinema. What began as a modest filmmaker’s lab grew into the internationally renowned Sundance Film Festival, the premier platform for independent cinema in the United States.
Through Sundance, Redford helped launch the careers of directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh and Ava DuVernay. The festival became synonymous with bold, offbeat storytelling and gave independent filmmakers access to mainstream audiences.
Robert Redford dies at 89 as Sundance pioneer and Oscar winnerGetty Images
How did Robert Redford impact politics and the environment?
Beyond cinema, Redford was a committed activist. He was vocal on environmental issues from the 1970s onwards, helping to halt the construction of a Utah power plant and speaking at global climate forums. In 2015, he addressed the United Nations, urging urgent action on climate change.
His political work extended to his films, with projects like The Candidate and Lions for Lambs reflecting his engagement with social and civic debates. Former US President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, praising both his artistry and activism.
U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Redford Getty Images
How is Hollywood remembering Robert Redford?
Tributes have poured in from across the film industry. Meryl Streep described him as “one of the lions of cinema,” while Ron Howard hailed him as “an artistic game-changer.” Jamie Lee Curtis called him a symbol of “family, art, transformation, advocacy, creation and legacy.”
Robert Redford dies at 89 as Hollywood pays tribute to a cinema giantGetty Images
Redford is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, his daughters Shauna and Amy, and seven grandchildren. His passing marks the end of an era, but his work, from Hollywood classics to independent cinema breakthroughs, continues to inspire audiences and filmmakers worldwide.
Dr Sudhir Ruparelia emphasised Uganda’s growing real estate, agriculture and tourism sectors.
Lord Dolar Popat called for closer Commonwealth ties between Africa, the UK and India.
Uganda’s ministers outlined regional integration, investment climate and agricultural transformation.
Spiritual leader Sant Trilochan Darshan Das Ji urged ethical entrepreneurship rooted in integrity.
The 15th edition of the UK–Africa Business Summit took place on Friday, 12 September at The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, bringing together senior government leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and diaspora stakeholders to strengthen trade and investment ties between the UK and African nations.
One of the most anticipated interventions came from Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, Uganda’s richest businessman with an estimated fortune of $1.6 billion. Speaking of his family’s deep commitment to Uganda, Ruparelia said: “We’ve created thousands of jobs, benefiting millions of Ugandans. The real estate sector remains vibrant and agriculture presents countless opportunities. Hospitality and tourism are thriving – let’s seize the moment.”
Lord Dolar Popat, Member of the House of Lords and former UK Prime Minister’s Envoy to Africa, addressed Africa’s pivotal role amid shifting global trade realities. He urged closer Commonwealth ties, emphasising collaboration between Africa, the UK and India to strengthen trade resilience.
The summit also hosted influential voices from government and diplomacy:
Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga, Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, set out East Africa’s integration agenda, focusing on accelerating AfCFTA adoption, removing non-tariff barriers and coordinating infrastructure to position the region as a competitive investment market.
Uganda featured prominently throughout the summit. Col Edith Nakalema highlighted the enabling investment climate under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, particularly through technology-driven efficiency in SHIPU’s operations to safeguard investors against cyber fraud.
UK–Africa business summit 2025
Dr Hillary Musoke Kisanja, Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness and Value-Addition Development, unveiled Uganda’s roadmap to transform agriculture into a high-value, climate-resilient driver of growth.
HE Nimisha Madhvani, Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK, joined other diplomats in a flagship session on trade, resilience and diplomacy, where participants examined how Africa can redefine its partnerships with the UK in an era of shifting alliances.
The Ugandan delegation also included Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development; Gen David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs; Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu, Permanent Secretary of the Internal Affairs Ministry; and Maj Gen Apollo Kasiita-Gowa, Director of Citizenship and Immigration Control.
UK–Africa business summit 2025
Faith and ethical entrepreneurship
Spiritual leader Sant Trilochan Darshan Das Ji, head of Das Dharam-Sachkhand Nanak Dham, graced the summit as Honorary Chief Guest. He urged delegates to embrace ethical entrepreneurship and align economic ambition with values of integrity and social good.
Spiritual leader Sant Trilochan Darshan Das Ji, head of Das Dharam-Sachkhand Nanak Dham, graced the summit as Honorary Chief Guest
A platform for resilience
Summit founder and chairman Willy Mutenza acknowledged the challenges posed by renewed US tariffs and shifting geopolitical alignments, but stressed Africa’s resilience, pointing to expanding markets, a youthful population and growing infrastructure as long-term opportunities for investors.
Prof Augustus Nuwagaba, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda, reinforced this vision with a presentation on Uganda’s sustained economic growth trajectory.
UK–Africa business summit 2025
Innovation and Africa’s future
The summit concluded with a high-level panel on digital trade, e-mobility, AI and climate-resilient investment. Industry leaders highlighted Africa’s emerging innovation-led growth model, from Kenya’s fintech ecosystems to Uganda’s science-based industrial strategy. The session underscored the importance of digital sovereignty, blended finance and ESG-aligned investment to unlock inclusive economic growth.