Opener Rohit Sharma smashed 159 in a power packed batting show to set up India's 107-run series-levelling win over West Indies in the second one-day international on Wednesday.
Sharma put on 227 runs with opening partner KL Rahul, who made 102, as India amassed 387 for five while batting first and went on to make the three-match series 1-1 in Visakhapatnam.
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed a hat-trick as the hosts bowled out the West Indies for 280 in 43.3 overs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope top-scored with 78 while Nicholas Pooran made 75.
Yadav returned figures of 3-52 with his left-arm wrist spin after becoming India's first bowler to claim two hat-tricks in international matches. Paceman Mohammed Shami also took three wickets.
Sharma though remained the hero with his seventh century of the year, taking him past skipper Virat Kohli as the top run-getter in 2019 with 1427 runs off 27 matches.
"What's been good is in the last three games, including the one at Wankhede (third Twenty20 against West Indies) and first two ODIs, we've batted well in the first half," said Kohli.
"It's always good to get 40-50 extra. Rohit and KL were outstanding, the opening partnership set it up."
Kohli, who had a rare flop as he fell for a first-ball duck, has scored 1292 runs in 25 ODI matches.
Shreyas Iyer also tore into the West Indies attack with a 32-ball 53 as he hit Roston Chase for 31 runs -- including four sixes and one four -- in the 47th over.
His partnerships including a 73-run fourth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who hit 39 off 16 deliveries.
Sharma, who was dropped on 70 when Shimron Hetmyer spilled a Chase shot, was slow out of the blocks but got into his stride after reaching 50 off 67 deliveries.
The attacking batsman soon overtook his partner, who had raised his fifty in 46 balls, and went on to complete his 28th ODI hundred amid loud cheers from a capacity crowd.
Rahul recorded his third ODI hundred with a boundary off Alzarri Joseph, but lost his wicket to the paceman four balls later when mistiming a shot to third man.
- Yadav strikes -
Nicknamed the Hitman, Sharma registered his eighth score of 150 plus before edging an incoming delivery from paceman Sheldon Cottrell to the wicketkeeper.
West Indies responded strongly with Hope, who was dropped on nought, and Evin Lewis putting on 61 runs for the first wicket.
Hope then put on 106 runs for the fourth wicket with Nicholas Pooran, who survived a reprieve on 22 with Deepak Chahar dropping a simple catch at long-on off Ravindra Jadeja, hitting 75 off 47 balls.
Shami broke the stand with the wicket of Pooran and struck on the very next ball to get skipper Kieron Pollard caught behind for a first-ball duck.
Yadav then got the prized wicket of Hope with Kohli taking a superb catch in the outfield and then sent back Jason Holder stumped for 11 and Alzarri Joseph caught at second slip for nought to celebrate the hat-trick.
Debutant Khary Pierre made 21 and Keemo Paul hit 46 before being bowled by Shami as India won convincingly after losing the by eight wickets.
"We deserve to go out with a bang, our heads and shoulders are still high," said Pollard. "We'll come back and fight hard in a couple of days."
BANGLADESH opened on Monday (30) the murder trial of student protester Abu Sayeed, whose killing last year escalated demonstrations nationwide that ultimately ousted then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sayeed died aged 23 in the northern city of Rangpur, the first student demonstrator killed in the police crackdown on protests.
Footage of his last moments on July 16, 2024 – standing with his arms outstretched before he was shot at close range – was shown repeatedly on Bangladeshi television after Hasina’s downfall.
Prosecutors at Bangladesh’s war crimes tribunal charged 30 people in connection with the killing.
Only four are in custody – two police officers, a university official and a student leader – with warrants issued for the remaining 26. Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August last year, according to the United Nations, when Hasina’s government ordered a crackdown in a failed bid to cling to power.
Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said the court had accepted the formal charges, marking the opening of the trial.
“We have stated that Sheikh Hasina ordered the then interior minister to use lethal weapons; the inspector general of police at the time carried out the instruction, and the forces on the ground, under senior police officers, executed the order,” Islam told journalists.
“Senior members of the university administration actively participated in quashing the protest.”
They include the former vicechancellor of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR), Hasibur Rashid.
The opening of the Sayeed murder trial comes a day before the first anniversary of students launching their protests.
Initially demanding reforms to a quota system for public sector jobs, the demonstrations widened to include more general grievances against Hasina’s government.
Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, is not listed in the Sayeed case and her separate trial in absentia opened in early June. Prosecutors have filed five charges against her that amount to crimes against humanity, which she denies according to her now-banned Awami League. (AFP)
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Sri Lanka's captain Charith Asalanka (L) poses with the trophy alongside his Bangladesh counterpart Mehidy Hasan Miraz on the eve of their first one-day international (ODI) cricket match in Colombo on July 1, 2025. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)
SRI LANKA are on a redemption trail in ODI cricket after a disastrous World Cup and will look to tighten the screws further when they host Bangladesh in a three-match series started on Wednesday (2).
After finishing ninth in the 2023 World Cup and missing out on a Champions Trophy berth, the islanders have staged a commendable turnaround, notching up series wins against heavyweights India and Australia.
That purple patch has propelled them to fourth in the ICC ODI rankings, but skipper Charith Asalanka insists they are not resting on their laurels.
"We are happy with our progress, but we're not reading too much into rankings just yet," Asalanka told reporters on the eve of the series opener at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
"Our goal is to break into the top three. There's still plenty of room for improvement, and this series is another step towards that."
The series comes amidst tweaks to playing conditions that captains are still coming to grips with — particularly the rule regarding the use of balls in the final stretch of an innings.
Previously, two new balls were used from either end throughout the 50 overs. Under the revised rule, the fielding side will continue to operate with two balls but must pick one to be used exclusively from the 35th over onwards.
"It's something new and we're all still figuring out how to navigate it," said Asalanka. "It changes the dynamic of the death overs — how we bowl, how batters finish. It's a learning curve for everyone."
Sri Lanka received a timely boost with all-rounder Milan Rathnayake declared fit after missing the second Test against Bangladesh due to a side strain. However, his inclusion will depend on the team's balance, with spin-bowling all-rounder Dunith Wellalage also in contention.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, arrive with a fresh look. All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has taken over the reins from Najmul Hossain Shanto and the side is clearly in a rebuilding phase with veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar either retired or out of favour.
"We'll definitely miss our seniors," said Mehidy. "They've served Bangladesh cricket for a long time, and their absence leaves a big gap. But this is a chance for the younger boys to put their hands up."
With the next World Cup two years away, the visitors see this series as a springboard to blood fresh talent.
"This is a good platform to test our bench strength," Mehidy added. "We've brought some exciting young players here and it's an opportunity for them to establish their spots."
While Sri Lanka sit comfortably at number four, Bangladesh — languishing in 10th — have plenty to play for. A series win would see them leapfrog West Indies into ninth place, keeping their hopes alive for automatic qualification to the next World Cup to be staged in Africa in 2027.
"Every game is important," Mehidy said. "We know what's at stake. A series win here will go a long way in our qualification push."
The second ODI will also take place in Colombo on Saturday (5), before the action shifts to the hill capital of Kandy for the final game at Pallekele on Tuesday (8).
The tour will conclude with a three-match T20I series.
(AFP)
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Sacha Baron Cohen’s Mephisto confronts Riri Williams in the Ironheart finale
• Mephisto, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, debuts in the final episode of Marvel’s Ironheart.
• The villain tempts Riri Williams with the resurrection of her deceased friend Natalie.
• Mephisto was long rumoured to appear in WandaVision, but Marvel kept his reveal for a surprise.
• Fans are speculating Mephisto could become a major supernatural threat across upcoming MCU phases.
After years of online fan theories and false alarms, Marvel Studios has officially introduced Mephisto into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and not in the way anyone expected. The demon-like villain makes his first on-screen appearance in the season finale of Ironheart, shifting the tone of the tech-focused series into something much darker and supernatural.
Sacha Baron Cohen debuts as Mephisto in Ironheart finaleGetty Images
A surprise debut for a long-awaited Marvel villain
Mephisto’s arrival in Ironheart comes after years of speculation dating back to WandaVision in 2021. Many fans believed the shape-shifting demon was pulling the strings in Westview, but those theories led nowhere. Instead, Marvel has chosen Riri Williams’ show to mark Mephisto’s real entry into the MCU in a move that adds an unexpected mystical layer to the young inventor’s story.
Played by Sacha Baron Cohen, Mephisto appears as a slick, enigmatic figure who offers Riri a Faustian bargain. In exchange for helping her defeat Parker Robbins (The Hood), he promises to bring her late friend Natalie back to life. However, Natalie’s disturbing appearance at the episode’s end, veins blackened and soul clearly altered, suggests the cost of this deal will be far greater than Riri expects.
Sacha Baron Cohen’s performance leaves a strong impression
Cohen's portrayal is already drawing praise for its unpredictability. Alternating between British and American accents and casually referencing deals with figures like Ringo Starr and business moguls, his Mephisto is both humorous and menacing. The character’s playful menace and layered charm fit neatly into the MCU’s evolving tone, one that’s gradually embracing darker, supernatural arcs.
By making deals rather than declaring war, Mephisto reflects the comic book version of the character created in 1968 by Stan Lee and John Buscema. In the comics, Mephisto thrives on deception and trade-offs, often appearing when a hero is at their weakest emotionally.
While Ironheart may seem like an odd choice for Mephisto’s debut, it cleverly bridges Marvel’s tech-heavy legacy with its supernatural future. The deal between Riri and Mephisto could have ripple effects across multiple franchises. For instance, Mephisto’s comic book ties to Spider-Man: One More Day and Ghost Rider make him a logical fit for future MCU instalments like Avengers: Doomsday or the rumoured Midnight Sons project.
Some fans even speculate that Mephisto could become a central antagonist across Phase 6 and beyond, perhaps rivalling the impact of Thanos or Doctor Doom.
The finale leaves Riri marked by the consequences of her deal, quite literally, as black markings begin to spread on her skin. With no official announcement of a second season yet, her arc may continue in larger team-ups or crossover events.
But one thing is clear: Mephisto is no longer a running gag or fan theory. He’s real, he’s dangerous, and he’s only just begun.
When Jasbinder Bilan first paused her teaching career to pursue a creative writing degree, she had no idea it would lead to a life-changing breakthrough. What began as a leap of faith became a journey filled with hope, rejection and ultimately triumph. Inspired by her beloved grandmother and her Indian roots, Bilan poured her soul into her debut manuscript Song of the Mountain. Though the publishing world was not immediately ready for her story, perseverance paid off when she won the 2016 Times Chicken House Prize, launching her celebrated writing career. Now, following the success of her Costa Award-winning Asha and the Spirit Bird, Bilan returns with a powerful new historical adventure, Naeli and the Secret Song. In this exclusive interview, she speaks about the emotional inspiration behind the book, her love for young readers and the importance of believing in your voice — no matter how long it takes to be heard.
What first connected you to writing? It was stories more than writing that were my first love. My grandmother, Majee, was the storyteller in our house and it was those bonding moments that sparked my love for creating my own stories. She told me lots of Indian folk tales at bedtime, but she also shared stories of our life in India on the farm near the foothills of the Himalaya. So, I grew up feeling connected to a place that I then filled with my imagination. As a little girl I loved drawing and writing, and always wanted to be a writer, but it took me a long time to make that dream come true.
What led you towards writing children’s books in particular? Although I did not become a published author straight away, I became an English teacher. I was surrounded by children’s literature and of course by young people, so it felt like a natural fit to want to write stories for this age group. At each stage of development there are challenges, and the wonderful thing about stories is that as an author you can really help young people navigate an increasingly complex and difficult world. In each of my stories I create empathy and show my readers how they can be a little braver in their own worlds.
Which of your books is closest to your heart? It has to be Asha and the Spirit Bird, because it is the book that made me a published author and the one inspired by my Majee, who I was very close to. It is also a celebration of my family roots.
Tell us about your new book. My latest book, Naeli and the Secret Song, is another historical adventure with a musical twist. It is set in both Hyderabad, India, and England towards the middle of the 19th century. It follows my main character Naeli as she bravely boards a ship bound for Southampton, in search of her English father. The story has many twists and turns as she explores gas-lit London, armed with her precious violin. With help from a newfound friend, Jack, she follows faint clues that take her as far as the wilds of Northumberland. It is the song her papa taught her that propels her on her quest, and the strange Uncle Daniel she needs to escape.
Naeli and the secret song
What inspired the story? As with many of my stories, the inspiration comes from a very real source. India and Britain have been connected for many hundreds of years, and these connections, as well as being economic, have also been personal. I came across a collection of letters written by a girl called Mary Wilson. She was the daughter of Sir Henry Russell, an officer in the Indian Army. Her mother was Indian. When Sir Henry moved back to England, he arranged for Mary to go too, but he hid his identity from her. Although he supported her financially, he did not want her to know he was her father. These letters show how desperate she was to know him.
What happened next? This gave me the idea for the story. I also wanted to shine a light on the love between the two nations. Hyderabad was a city full of music and literature, and culture is a great connector, so Naeli’s parents were brought together by their passion for music.
You always come up with really interesting titles. What inspired this one? I was looking for a way into this story and came up with the idea of a family mystery hidden by a secret song. There are also misunderstandings in the story, family jealousies and some dastardly goings-on.
Is there a key message you want to convey with this particular book? I wanted to show that the connections between India and Britain are long and strong. As well as the complexities of colonialism, this book explores the things that brought people together at the time. It also highlights the fact that Victorian Britain was a diverse place. I hope readers will see that period in history in a fresh light.
What, according to you, makes for a great children’s book? I would say having characters the reader can identify with and root for. It has to be a page-turner and have an adventure at its heart. I also think there should be a surprise that takes readers to a place they have not been before and makes them think.
What advice would you give parents selecting a book for their children? Try to let the child pick their own books rather than choosing for them. In this way they will develop their own tastes. Reading together is fantastic too. Parents also need to be role models – having family time when everyone reads is something to aim for.
What inspires you creatively? I get my inspiration from lots of different places. I like to have an open mind, walk in nature, visit places and let my mind wander. I find walking my dog is a great way to relax and I usually start thinking of a new story. I have so many ideas — my only problem is finding the time to write them all!
Why do you love being a writer? It was my childhood dream and I never thought someone like me could become a writer. I think of this and realise that if you want to do something, you just have to knock down the obstacles, not take no for an answer and keep going. It is my dream job and I love all the different aspects, especially meeting my readers. I have been lucky enough to have many ‘pinch me’ moments, such as being invited to Buckingham Palace and doing events for Queen Camilla.
Naeli and the Secret Song by Jasbinder Bilan (£7.99, Chicken House) is available now.
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Modi shakes hands with Trump before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE US could reach a trade deal with India that would help American companies compete more easily in the Indian market and reduce tariff rates, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. However, he cast doubt on a similar deal with Japan.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he believed India was ready to lower trade barriers, potentially paving the way for an agreement that would avoid the 26 per cent tariff rate he had announced on April 2 and paused until July 9.
“Right now, India doesn’t accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, if they do that, we’re going to have a deal for less, much less tariffs,” he said.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also indicated that a deal with India was close. “We are very close with India,” Bessent told Fox News, saying it could help lower tariffs on US imports and prevent a sharp rise in levies.
Indian officials extended their Washington visit through Monday to try to reach an agreement with the Trump administration and resolve remaining concerns, Indian government sources told Reuters.
A White House official familiar with the talks said the Trump administration was prioritising trade negotiations with countries including India over Japan in the lead-up to the July 9 deadline.
Tariff deadline nears
India is among several countries negotiating with the US to avoid a steep tariff increase when the current 90-day pause ends. Without an agreement, India’s reciprocal tariff rate could rise to 27 per cent from the existing 10 per cent.
Talks between the US and India have faced hurdles over differences on import duties for auto components, steel, and agricultural goods.
“We are in the middle — hopefully more than the middle — of a very intricate trade negotiation,” Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at an event in New York on Monday.
“Obviously, my hope would be that we bring it to a successful conclusion. I cannot guarantee it, because there’s another party to that discussion,” Jaishankar said. He added that there “will have to be give and take” and both sides needed to find common ground.
Exporters in India are cautiously hopeful that a deal could be reached before the deadline. Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, told AFP that exporters were “optimistic” about a possible bilateral agreement. He said it remained “quite a fluid situation” and added, “The feedback which I am getting suggests positive developments either way — and we are hopeful.”
Exporters express concern
Some of India’s major exports such as electronics, gems, jewellery, and shrimp could be impacted by higher tariffs. India recorded a trade surplus of $45.7 billion with the United States last year.
KN Raghavan, Secretary General of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, said the industry was seeing “some amount of anxiety” but also had “more reason for hope.” He said a solution “appears to be in the anvil,” without giving further details.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had also said last month that a pact could be expected in the “not too distant future.” Trump echoed that sentiment on Tuesday, calling it “a different kind of a deal.”
“It’s going to be a deal where we’re able to go in and compete,” Trump said. “Right now, India doesn’t accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, and if they do that, we’re going to have a deal for much less tariffs.”
Key sticking points
An Indian commerce ministry official told AFP that New Delhi was still pushing for relief from separate tariffs on steel and aluminium and greater access for exports such as textiles and footwear.
Disagreements also remain over US efforts to open up India’s agriculture sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Financial Express that she was eager for a deal. “I’d love to have an agreement, a big, good, beautiful one; why not?” she said in an interview published Monday.
However, she noted that “agriculture and dairy” were “very big red lines” for India.
Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative said in a recent note that a smaller agreement was more likely. He suggested India could cut tariffs on certain industrial goods and allow limited access for US agricultural produce in exchange for the US dropping the 26 per cent tariff.
Srivastava also warned that talks “may collapse” if Washington continues pressing India to open its core agriculture sectors or allow genetically modified products.
Raghavan said that if tariffs rise beyond 25 per cent, US buyers may turn to other sources. “Currently, exporters believe they can manage with a 10 per cent tariff, as it can be absorbed. But if it goes back up to 25 per cent to 30 per cent levels, we could see American buyers finding alternative sources,” he said.
Trump casts doubt on Japan deal
While optimism remains on the India front, Trump expressed scepticism about reaching a trade deal with Japan. Bessent told Fox News that different countries had different priorities in the talks.
Trump said he was unlikely to extend the July 9 deadline and would proceed by sending letters notifying countries of the tariff rates they would face.
“We’ve dealt with Japan. I’m not sure we’re going to make a deal. I doubt it,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.
He suggested Japan could face tariffs of 30 per cent or 35 per cent on imports — well above the 24 per cent rate announced on April 2, which was paused until July 9.
Trump criticised Japan for refusing to accept US-grown rice while exporting millions of cars to the US. “So what I’m going to do, is I’ll write them a letter saying we thank you very much, and we know you can’t do the kind of things that we need, and therefore you pay a 30 per cent, 35 per cent or whatever the numbers that we determine,” he said.
So far, only the UK has reached a limited trade deal with the Trump administration, agreeing to a 10 per cent tariff on many goods, including autos, in exchange for special access for aircraft engines and British beef.