Joe Root's run out by opposing captain Virat Kohli sparked an England collapse against India on the opening day of the first Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday (1) and may have set the tone for the series after the tourists' skipper gave him a colourful and controversial send-off.
At stumps, England were 285 for nine in what is their 1,000th Test.
However, the action may yet be overshadowed by suggestions Kohli swore at Root and mocked the home skipper's 'mic drop' celebration in a one-day clash between the two sides last month.
England had been well-placed at 216 for three, with Root seemingly on course to score a first Test century since his 136 against the West Indies during last year's day/night clash at Edgbaston.
But his 11th Test fifty without a hundred since that innings ended in frustrating fashion after a run out involving Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow.
Wicket-keeper Bairstow played the ball to midwicket for a single and then set off for what always looked a tight second, with Root comfortably run out by Kohli's agile direct hit on the turn to end a 156-ball innings including nine fours.
It was also the finish of a fourth-wicket stand worth 104.
However, Kohli rubbed salt into the wound by blowing kisses in the direction of Root and putting his finger to his lips.
He also did the 'mic drop' gesture in imitation of Root's celebration of his one-day series-clinching hundred against India at the batsman's Headingley home ground and the words Kohli appeared to utter in the batsman's direction could attract the attention of match referee Jeff Crowe, the former New Zealand captain.
- Celebrate how you want to -
England's Keaton Jennings tried to defuse any potential bad feeling by saying: "Everybody is entitled to celebrate how they want to.
"He (Kohli) celebrated, and that's cool," the opening batsman added.
As has often been the case, a needless dismissal was also the spark for a collapse, with England losing three wickets for eight runs in 25 balls as they squandered a promising position.
One way Bairstow could have atoned for his part in denying Root a 14th Test century was to have gone to three figures himself.
But a brisk innings of 70 in 88 balls, featuring nine fours, was terminated when Bairstow played on to paceman Umesh Yadav as he tried to cut a ball that was too close to him.
Jos Buttler was then lbw for a second-ball duck to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took four wickets for 60 runs in 25 overs, as he played across the line.
And when Ben Stokes (21) chipped a gentle return catch to Ashwin, England were 243 for seven.
England would have been all out a ball before the close if diving wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik had not dropped Sam Curran (24 not out) off Mohammed Shami when an edged chance was heading straight to Shikhar Dhawan at first slip.
Nevertheless, it was England who had the most regrets come the close after Root won the toss on a typically good Edgbaston pitch.
Ashwin, brought on as soon as the seventh over by Kohli, struck with his 11th delivery when he bowled Alastair Cook (13), England's all-time leading Test run-scorer, with an excellent ball that pitched on middle and hit the top of off stump.
Just prior to Cook's dismissal, fellow left-handed opener Jennings was dropped on nine off Ishant Sharma when Ajinkya Rahane, diving across from fourth slip, failed to hold a tough chance.
At lunch, England were 83 for one.
Shami was eventually rewarded for his persistent accuracy when Jennings played on for 42. He then had Dawid Malan lbw for eight.
After taking two for 64 in 19 overs, Shami was pleased by the way India's seamers had bowled with Ashwin and he insisted they had not been hampered by the absence of a second specialist slow bowler.
"Overall, the fast bowlers bowled well too, and we combined well with him," said Shami.
"Ashwin bowled well, while runs were stopped from the other end to create pressure and the wickets came in the end."
Crystal of Atlan players have a fresh batch of codes to redeem this May, offering valuable in-game rewards for those who act quickly. The redemption process is simple but requires progressing through the early stages of the game.
To start redeeming codes, players must first download Crystal of Atlan and play through the tutorial until reaching the in-game village. While most cutscenes can be skipped, completing the necessary fights is essential to unlock access to the full menu system.
Once in the village, players should look for a small, two-tone diamond icon on the right side of the screen. Tapping this opens the main menu. From there, tap the gear icon at the bottom to access the Settings. Under the "Other" tab on the left, a "Go Redeem" button appears at the top—this is where players can enter codes.
Users can either type in a valid code or use the “Paste” button to ensure accuracy. Upon successful redemption, a notification will confirm the rewards have been sent.
Active Crystal of Atlan codes – May 2025
COAcreator2 – 150,000 Gold and 3 Matlz’s Special Injection (NEW)
COATEAMUP528 – 10 Hunting Permits (NEW)
These codes are currently active and available for all players. However, they may expire soon, so it’s advisable to redeem them as early as possible.
Expired or region-restricted codes
The following codes have either expired or may only be redeemable on servers outside Europe and North America:
COAJP527
COAJP123
COAwin1
COA1500
COAJP888
COAwin2
COA100v
COA200v
COA300v
Players on EU/NA servers may find these codes invalid, even if entered correctly.
Where to find redeemed rewards
After redeeming a code, rewards will not appear instantly in the inventory. Instead, players must return to the main screen and select the two-tone diamond icon once again. This time, click on the Mail icon to access the in-game inbox.
Each successfully redeemed code sends an in-game mail with the rewards attached. Players can claim items individually or use the "Claim All" function to collect all available rewards at once.
How to discover new codes
Although there is no fixed schedule for the release of new Crystal of Atlan codes, they typically appear during major updates, livestreams, or promotional events. Following the game on social media platforms, such as Twitter or Facebook, and subscribing to the official Discord server, increases the chances of discovering codes early.
The Discord community frequently shares new codes as soon as they’re available. Alternatively, checking trusted websites daily can help ensure players don’t miss out on limited-time offers.
For those who enjoy Crystal of Atlan and are looking to explore similar experiences, there are several free MMORPGs and PC RPGs worth trying.
As codes often expire within days, staying updated and redeeming them promptly is the best way to maximise in-game rewards.
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'Basically everybody agrees bigger is better. That's not true for everything in life, but it is true for pension funds. We are just putting some wind into the sails of that existing process,' pensions minister Torsten Bell said. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE UK government on Thursday said it wants many pension schemes to merge into "megafunds" with at least 25 billion pounds of assets by 2030 as part of efforts to channel more investment into the economy.
It also confirmed plans for a "backstop" power to potentially force investment firms to meet specific allocation targets for illiquid assets, such as domestic infrastructure projects.
The government said it does not expect to use this power, but some investment firms have criticised the move, saying it could lead to worse outcomes for pension savers.
The planned reforms will require pension schemes used by around 20 million Britons to merge if they are not already large enough. The aim is to follow the Australian and Canadian models, which have fewer, larger funds that can invest at scale.
"Basically everybody agrees bigger is better. That's not true for everything in life, but it is true for pension funds. We are just putting some wind into the sails of that existing process," pensions minister Torsten Bell told reporters.
The government has been pursuing a range of policies to boost domestic investment, including an agreement with 17 investment firms to invest 50 billion pounds of additional cash in UK businesses and infrastructure.
The targets could become mandatory if the government exercises its new powers.
"The government says it will create a 'sword of Damocles' power in legislation.... This essentially puts a gun to schemes' heads and will create those mandatory targets in all-but-name," said Tom Selby, director of public policy at investment platform AJ Bell.
Pensions minister Bell said the government was not directing specific investment strategies and that the proposals reflected a consensus within the pensions industry.
The Financial Conduct Authority said separately on Thursday it planned to request data from firms early next year on their asset allocations as part of the government's pension investment review.
The new changes will apply to multi-employer defined contribution schemes and local government pension schemes, the government said.
Penalties will be applied to pension funds that do not meet the 25 billion-pound assets threshold by 2030, such as losing access to auto-enrolment contributions that would be diverted into larger schemes, a government official told Reuters.
Schemes worth over 10 billion pounds that are unable to reach the minimum size by 2030 will be allowed to continue as long as they show a clear plan by 2035, the government added.
Some firms are concerned the plan could reduce competition.
"Supporting UK growth is a worthwhile goal, but fiduciary duty must remain at the heart of any reform," said Martin Willis, partner at consultancy Barnett Waddingham.
Local government pension schemes will also be given investment targets and told to combine assets that are currently split across more than 86 authorities into just six pools.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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The Beijing and Washington ties had already crashed since the trade war through Trump's tariffs
US President Donald Trump’s administration has announced it will “aggressively” revoke the visas of Chinese students studying in the United States.
"Those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields" will also be included in the revocation process, stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Tensions between Beijing and Washington had already deteriorated following the trade war sparked by Trump’s tariffs.
Estimates suggest that approximately 280,000 Chinese students were studying in the US last year. It remains unclear how many of them will be affected by this move.
China has strongly opposed the action and urged the US to pursue more constructive international relations.
Rubio also indicated that the increased scrutiny would apply to future visa applicants from China and Hong Kong. He has instructed US embassies worldwide to halt student visa appointments as the State Department plans to expand social media vetting for these applicants.
Although Chinese nationals previously formed the majority of international students at American universities, that trend is now shifting.
Data from the US State Department shows a decline in the number of Chinese students enrolling in American universities, largely due to deteriorating US-China relations during the pandemic era.
Currently, a significant number of foreign students are being deported, while others have had their visas revoked by the administration. Many of these actions are being challenged in court.
The US government has also frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for universities. President Trump has criticised prestigious institutions such as Harvard for being overly liberal and for what he perceives as a failure to address antisemitism on campus.
Although Beijing has condemned the US in general terms, it has not issued a specific response to this visa crackdown.
Foreign students are vital to the financial health of many US universities, as they typically pay higher tuition fees.
According to the US Department of Commerce, Indian and Chinese students accounted for 54% of the international student population and contributed up to $50 billion to the US economy in 2023.
Some students have expressed regret over choosing US universities for their education.
YEH DOSTI: Celebrating 50 Years of Sholay is a spectacular live music and dance production that honours one of the most iconic Bollywood films ever made. As the legendary movie Sholay reaches its golden jubilee, this unique show offers fans across the UK an opportunity to relive the magic, music, and memorable characters that have stood the test of time for five decades. More than just a performance, YEH DOSTI is a vibrant celebration of Indian cinema’s cultural heritage, capturing the essence of friendship, bravery, and justice that made Sholay a classic in the hearts of millions.
This captivating tribute will be staged at two venues: The Woodville in Gravesend on Friday, May 30, and Sutton Coldfield Town Hall in Birmingham on Saturday, May 31. The show brings together the best of live music, energetic dance, and theatrical storytelling, weaving the timeless narrative of Sholay into a dazzling live experience. Fans will be treated to the iconic soundtrack featuring unforgettable hits like “Yeh Dosti,” “Holi Ke Din,” and “Mehbooba Mehbooba,” all performed live with a rich blend of traditional instruments and modern musical arrangements.
Sholay, directed by Ramesh Sippy and released in 1975, is widely regarded as a landmark film that redefined Indian cinema with its engaging storyline, memorable dialogues, and complex characters. The movie’s themes of friendship, sacrifice, and justice continue to resonate deeply, which makes this 50th-anniversary celebration even more significant. The live show captures these elements through exquisite choreography and vibrant costumes, transporting audiences back to the dusty landscapes of the fictional village of Ramgarh.
Beyond entertainment, YEH DOSTI offers an immersive cultural experience. It highlights Bollywood’s influence on global cinema and celebrates the lasting bond between the film and its fans. Whether you grew up watching Sholay on the big screen or are discovering its charm for the first time, this show promises to be a heartfelt tribute filled with emotion, energy, and nostalgia.
Tickets for the May 30 and 31 performances are available now, with further tour dates to be announced soon. For more details and to secure your place at this unforgettable celebration, visit www.luventertainment.co.uk.
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Amitabh Bachchan invests £3.7 million in his fourth Ayodhya property
Amitabh Bachchan has made yet another high-value move in Ayodhya’s fast-growing property market. The veteran actor has reportedly bought a 25,000-square-foot plot for £3.7 million (₹40 crore), marking his fourth land purchase in the temple city within a year.
The newly purchased land is located near The Sarayu, an upscale real estate project where Bachchan had previously invested £1.4 million (₹14.5 crore). This recent deal adds to a string of property investments he has made in the area since the development of the Ram Temple began drawing national attention and infrastructure projects to Ayodhya.
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This is not just about business. A large 54,000-square-foot plot registered under the Harivansh Rai Bachchan Trust, named after his late father, is also part of his Ayodhya holdings. There are reports that a memorial is being planned on that site to honour the poet, offering a personal touch to what appears to be a wider strategic expansion.
Bachchan’s interest in Ayodhya real estate began last year, when he bought a 5,372-square-foot plot for £440,000 (₹4.54 crore) just before the Ram Temple’s inauguration. Since then, his name has become increasingly tied to the city’s transformation into a high-profile spiritual and tourism hub.
Amitabh Bachchan strengthens his ties to the temple town with another high-value dealGetty Images
In addition to Ayodhya, he has been active in Mumbai’s property circuit. He recently sold a duplex flat in Andheri for £8 million (₹83 crore), a property he had purchased for £3 million (₹31 crore) in 2021, nearly tripling his investment. In 2023, he and his son Abhishek also jointly purchased 10 apartments, valued at £2.4 million (₹25 crore).
Just days before the Ayodhya purchase, Bachchan had also invested £1.9 million (₹20 crore) in a real estate firm run by Bollywood producer Anand Pandit, putting £960,000 (₹10 crore) into two separate projects. These back-to-back deals suggest a deliberate diversification of assets, with Ayodhya becoming a central piece in that plan.
With multiple real estate deals this year Amitabh Bachchan’s property empire keeps expandingGetty Images
According to Jaya Bachchan’s election affidavit from last year, the Bachchan family’s total assets stood at £152 million (₹1,578 crore), with £70.5 million (₹729.77 crore) in immovable assets alone. With Amitabh’s continued property acquisitions, those figures are almost certainly higher now.
Whether it is personal legacy or calculated investing or both, Amitabh Bachchan’s real estate footprint is growing fast, and Ayodhya is clearly central to his long-term vision.
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