Injury prone India opener KL Rahul today (3) termed captain Virat Kohli's backing as a massive "confidence booster" during the tough times he has endured in his short international career.
Rahul returned to action in the second Test after missing the series opener due to viral fever. He made instant impact, scoring a solid 57 before being run out following a mix up with day one centurion Cheteshwar Pujara.
After the day's play, Rahul said that the knowledge that his place in the playing eleven is secure as Kohli had put it in the pre-match interaction helps him during his repeated recovery phases.
"It makes a massive difference. It gives me so much confidence, not just now but even after the surgery the support staff, the coaches, the boys were constantly messaging me and saying whenever you are ready, get ready sooner, the team misses you and small things like that make a lot of difference," said Rahul.
"That kept me motivated, that woke me up each morning to go to physiotherapy and do my boring rehab. It gives you confidence that team is backing you, team trusts you, waiting for you to come back into the team and that makes a big difference and I come back with lot more confidence.
"I can walk into the team with ease in my head, there is no pressure me losing my position which is great and which the captain and coaches have always given me that support which has played a big role in my small career so far," the opener said further.
Rahul is no stranger to injuries or illness, and he has been in/out of the Indian team in his short 18-Test career.
In fact, hardly a season has gone past since his debut in 2014 when he has not been out of the team nursing some or the other injury. It has obviously made a serious impact on a young and promising player.
When asked to compare the wait due to injuries with the time before he made his Test debut, he replied, "I think this is a lot more difficult because in physical injuries, you want to do a lot of things.
"We as sportsmen, we're not used to just sitting at home and being at home all day. We want to go out, we want to play sport, we want to be in the gym, want to train, we want to hit balls, and when you're not physically able to do that, it's really tough. It starts playing on the mind a lot more.
"I have kind of gotten used to this. More than playing for a long time, I have been in and out of the team because of injuries. It s never easy to come back.
"It takes you a couple of games to get back into your groove as an opening batsman, understand where your off-stump is, to understand what pace you have to play at, how many shots are too many shots, how slow is too much slow - there are a lot of things, a lot of doubts in your mind if you keep going out and coming back in. But I have enjoyed the challenge," said Rahul.
"People might say there is certain part where I can control my body and I can take care of my body but sometimes it just happens. No matter how well I have taken care of my body, I have been injured a few times which is very unfortunate and which is very disappointing. But each time I have come back, I have come back stronger and I have come back hungrier."
Rahul was immaculate in his innings on day one at the SSC and was well placed to break his drought of hundreds, when he was entangled in a mix-up with Pujara who went on to score 128 not out.
The opener said that he is not yet at a desperate stage to convert these missed chances into hundreds, although he is left ruing too many such moments.
"I wasn't upset with him. Run outs happen, it could have happened with anybody. It could have been him who got run out and it could have been my mistake. I wasn't disappointed about that. I was disappointed because I have been away from the game so long and I didn't want to get out at all.
"I wanted to be in the middle, play as many balls as I could, as many days as I could if I could bat. I was disappointed about that. I was looking good and just after lunch, a crucial time as a batsman, you can capitalise and get a lot of runs during that session.
"So I was disappointed that I got out at that time, he said.
Rahul has scored four hundreds and seven fifties so far and he admits that he should have converted more starts.
"I've never chased numbers, firstly. My job as an opening batsman is to give the team a good start, lay a solid foundation and I think I've done that so far.
"Disappointing that I have not been able to convert that, but I think that will keep me hungrier. Each time I go back to bat, I will want to get more and more runs. I am not cautious about numbers right now, but maybe if this keeps going it might start playing on my mind.
"But nothing changes, you feel a lot more confident, you're seeing the ball a lot better, so you want to maybe play a little bit more positively. All the answers to the questions I will only find when I'm in the middle and when I get a hundred. That's when I'll know what the right process is and how I need to go about my innings, he said.
When asked about the SSC pitch that turned out to be drier and completely different from the 2015 Test pitch here, Rahul said, It's completely different from the one we played on the last time around. When we saw the wicket a couple of days ago, we did expect the wicket to be the same as last time, but today we turned up and the wicket was different.
"It was on the slower side and I think it will take turn as the days go. The more the footmarks, the more turn and purchase Ashwin and Jadeja can get.
KEY iPhone manufacturer Foxconn is investing £1.12 billion to increase its focus on India, as Apple continues shifting production away from China amid geopolitical and tariff-related concerns.
The Taiwanese company said its Singapore-based subsidiary had acquired 12.7 bn shares in its India unit, resulting in an injection of about £1.12 bn.
The Indian arm, called Yuzhan Technology India, manufactures smartphone components in Tamil Nadu, according to local media reports.
No other details were shared in the filing made by Foxconn with the Taiwan stock exchange on Monday.
India has been working to position itself as an alternative manufacturing destination to China.
Efforts by New Delhi to offer subsidies worth billions have helped boost local electronics manufacturing.
Foxconn’s latest move comes weeks after Apple CEO Tim Cook said he expected most iPhones sold in the United States to have “India as their country of origin”.
Experts say the gradual move from China to India helps Apple reduce risks linked to tariffs and geopolitical tensions, including those stemming from former US president Donald Trump’s trade policy.
Apple’s growing focus on India also drew criticism from Trump, who said last week he told Cook: “We’re not interested in you building in India... we want you to build here.”
Foxconn is also expanding its manufacturing operations more broadly in India.
Last week, the Indian government approved Foxconn’s proposal to build a semiconductor facility in northern India in partnership with the HCL Group.
According to a government press release, the HCL-Foxconn joint venture will invest about £324 million in the plant.
The facility will manufacture display driver chips used in smartphones, laptops, cars and other devices.
The press release said the plant is planned to handle 20,000 wafers – thin slices of semiconductor material – each month, with a designed output capacity of 36 million units per month.
India has offered financial support to companies setting up chip manufacturing facilities in the country to build a reliable supply chain and address national security concerns.
Looking for a fun, energetic, and inclusive way to stay fit in London? Bollywood Fitness Classes with Mevy are taking Highams Park by storm this May, offering women of all ages and fitness levels the chance to dance their way to health and happiness. Taking place at All Saints Church on Church Avenue, these sessions blend the colour, rhythm, and excitement of Bollywood music with high-energy dance workouts designed to boost both your physical and mental wellbeing. Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned dancer, these classes are the perfect midweek pick-me-up for any woman looking to move, groove, and glow.
Bollywood Fitness is a unique fusion of traditional Indian dance styles, contemporary moves, and cardio-based fitness routines. Led by the passionate and charismatic instructor Mevy, these classes are designed to get your heart pumping, lift your mood, and help you stay active in a way that feels more like a celebration than a chore.
Each class lasts around 60 minutes and features a full-body workout set to a playlist of iconic Bollywood tracks, from timeless hits to the latest chart-toppers. Expect upbeat choreography, friendly vibes, and an environment where every woman feels confident and supported—no matter her fitness level or dance background.
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Aishwarya Rai and daughter Aaradhya land in France ahead of the Cannes 2025 red carpet event
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has once again touched down in France for the Cannes Film Festival, and this time, as always, her daughter Aaradhya is by her side. The duo was seen arriving at Nice Airport, where they were warmly received. A video of their arrival, now circulating widely online, captures Aishwarya chatting warmly with a greeter who hands a gift to Aaradhya before they head off.
Clad in a navy blue trench coat, Aishwarya kept it simple yet elegant. Aaradhya wore an all-black outfit and seemed at ease, exchanging smiles and laughter during the brief encounter at the airport. Despite recent speculation about whether Aishwarya would attend Cannes this year, especially after a video of her dancing with husband Abhishek Bachchan at a wedding in Mumbai, her airport appearance has laid all doubts to rest.
Fans quickly jumped into action online, sharing excitement over her return to Cannes. Comments ranged from “She is back!” to eager anticipation over her upcoming looks. However, not all responses were glowing, with some commenting on her choice of hairstyle.
Aishwarya is expected to walk the Cannes red carpet on 21 and 22 May, marking her 22nd year at the prestigious event. Her first appearance was in 2002 for the premiere of Devdas, where she made headlines arriving in a traditional gold saree, accompanied by Shah Rukh Khan and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
As for Aaradhya, her presence at Cannes is no surprise. Aishwarya has often said that her daughter enjoys the experience, not just for the glamour but for the atmosphere and the people she’s grown familiar with over the years. She once shared that Aaradhya understands the significance of the festival and appreciates the world of cinema.
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This year’s Cannes also sees other Indian names on the guest list, including Payal Kapadia on the competition jury, and stars like Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa promoting their film Homebound. Meanwhile, the restored version of Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri brings legends like Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal back to the spotlight.
With Aishwarya back on the red carpet, the countdown to her Cannes look has officially begun.
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Washington often imposes such visa restrictions without naming the individuals involved.
THE US State Department on Monday said it was imposing visa restrictions on owners and staff of travel agencies in India who it says knowingly facilitate illegal migration to the United States.
An unspecified number of individuals associated with these travel agencies are being subjected to visa bans under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The action is based on information collected by the US mission in India, according to department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Washington often imposes such visa restrictions without naming the individuals involved.
"We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks," Bruce said. She did not provide details on how the travel agents had facilitated illegal migration.
The action is part of a broader effort under president Donald Trump's administration to curb migration to the United States and deport undocumented immigrants already in the country.
The US embassy in New Delhi has also issued repeated warnings on its social media platforms, advising Indian nationals visiting the United States not to overstay their authorised period of stay. It warned that overstaying could lead to deportation and a permanent ban from entering the country.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Taylor Swift’s voice echoes through The Handmaid’s Tale in a surprise Reputation (Taylor’s Version) debut
Taylor Swift’s long-awaited Reputation (Taylor’s Version) finally made its presence known, but not through a press release or streaming platform. Instead, it emerged through the eerie silence of Gilead. The re-recorded version of “Look What You Made Me Do” debuted unexpectedly in the opening scene of the latest episode of The Handmaid’s Tale, catching fans and viewers completely off guard.
The episode begins with Elisabeth Moss’s character, June Osborne, orchestrating a quiet but fierce act of resistance against the regime. As handmaids march through a war-torn street, Swift’s voice cuts through the chaos. The updated track underscores the rebellion, syncing perfectly with the tension and defiance unfolding on screen.
The original 2017 version of the song was a turning point in Swift’s career, born out of public backlash and a media storm. Its reappearance now, in a show about fighting back against oppression, feels deeply personal. Swift’s battle to reclaim her music mirrors the episode’s themes: reclaiming agency, rewriting narratives, and refusing to be silenced.
Moss, also an executive producer of the show, shared how this moment had been years in the making. She revealed she had always wanted to feature a Taylor Swift track but waited for the right moment. “This was it,” she said. “The song, the scene, the story, it all just clicked.” Moss also attended Swift’s Eras Tour last year with castmate Bradley Whitford, making her admiration for the singer no secret.
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For Swifties, this is the clearest sign that Reputation (Taylor’s Version) is on the horizon. While fans have spotted hints in everything from merch updates to symbolic fashion choices, this full-length debut feels like the real beginning of the next chapter.
It also marks the latest move in Swift’s ongoing mission to re-record her early albums and reclaim ownership after the rights to her original masters were sold without her consent. So far, she’s re-released Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and *1989*, with Reputation and her debut album left.
Swift’s music has popped up in recent shows and documentaries, but this moment in The Handmaid’s Tale is her strongest re-entry into the Reputation era. It's less of a promo, more of a declaration. The gloves are off.