The Twenty20 format can be used to groom young talent and prepare them for one-dayers and Tests while not distracting players from winning games, stand-in India skipper Rohit Sharma said Wednesday.
Sharma, who is captaining the side in the second T20 against Bangladesh in Rajkot on Thursday with Virat Kolhi rested for the series, is leading a young Indian side with several veterans rested.
The hosts need to win to keep the three-match series alive after going down in the opening game by seven wickets.
"We want to try a lot of players to make them ready for the other formats," Sharma told a press conference.
"Because this is the format where these individuals can come out and express themselves so that they are ready for ODI and Test cricket."
Sharma has been one of India's brightest stars in limited-overs cricket, but also proved his mettle in the Test format after making a successful debut as opener in during his team's 3-0 sweep of South Africa.
Nicknamed "hitman" for his attacking style of play, Sharma -- who made his Test debut in 2013, six years after his first ODI match -- scored 529 runs with two centuries and a double ton in the three matches.
"We have seen a lot of players who have emerged from this format," Sharma said, adding players would learn valuable lessons even in defeat.
"But having said that, winning games is the first priority," he said.
Paceman Khaleel Ahmed and allrounder Shivam Dube -- who made his debut in Delhi on Sunday -- are just some of the players being trialled by the team's management with an eye on the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.
Sharma, 32, said the hosts could adopt a "different" approach with the bat and ball in the second match if they get a good pitch.
FORMER Conservative minister Lord Tariq Ahmad praised Asian property developers for building not just brick-and-mortar homes, but also “communities and futures”, while paying tribute to generations of migrants who built the UK’s economy.
Lord Ahmad most recently served as minister for south Asia, the United Nations and the Commonwealth from September 2022 until July 2024 and previously held roles in Tory governments.
He is now a non-executive director at the Asian Media Group, publishers of Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat news weeklies.
At the Eastern Eye Property Awards last Thursday (25), Lord Ahmad said “property ownership very much is within the British Asian DNA”.
“Property ownership is part of what defines Asian communities now,” the peer said.
The senior Tory politician recalled growing up in Glasgow, with Asian shopkeepers and pharmacists settled within the wider Scottish community.
Reflecting on his father’s journey as a migrant in Glasgow in the 1950s, Ahmad said, “He came with three pieces of advice – learn the language, understand the language fully, be a productive citizen of the country which is now your home, and also understand the culture. And the third thing was – give back to the community.”
He pointed to the resilience the generation who arrived in the UK during the 1950s and 1960s, often facing discrimination, but who responded with determination and a commitment to give back to their adopted home.
Though his father faced racism, he immersed himself in English literature, embraced local culture, and invested in property. This, Lord Ahmad said, became part of the wider story of how migrants helped build lives and communities through ownership of homes, shops, and small businesses.
“It’s important when you look at society, we look at the different contributions. Not only do our British Asian pharmacists dispense prescriptions, keep job, but they also dispense wisdom,” Ahmad said.
He added, “British Asian developers have contributed to building communities. They have built futures.”
He described them as a symbol of aspiration and perseverance who helped transform neighbourhoods, created jobs and were known for their business acumen.
Highlighting the role of shopkeepers as the “backbone of British life,” Ahmad said corner shops became the seed for larger enterprises such as Bestway, among others.
Pharmacies, too, played a crucial role not only in dispensing medicines but also in providing advice and support to families. These professions, combined with investment in housing and hotels, showed how property ownership has long been tied to social mobility and economic growth within British Asian communities, he added.
Lord Ahmad also underlined the value of hospitality and entrepreneurship, pointing out that Asian hoteliers and developers had become a vital part of the country’s economic fabric, driving growth and opportunities.
“From small acorns, great oak trees grow,” he said, noting how modest ventures had expanded into national and international businesses.
He also expressed concern over divisions in society today and said bigotry and racial slurs had resurfaced in public life. It was the responsibility of leaders to confront division, he said, and he added that patriotism should not be confused with narrow nationalism.
“Our true strength comes from the rich tapestry of our diversity, and British Asian success is intrinsic to that,” he said.
Lord Ahmad described British Asians as “dreamers, doers, and dealmakers” whose efforts had helped Britain prosper.
Migration, he argued, had made the country stronger and more dynamic.
“Britain today is much stronger, much warmer, and much spicier, because of all of you,” he said at the event.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Compere Nihal Arthanayake hosts a masterclass with Tony Matharu (right) at the Eastern Eye Property Awards last Thursday (25).
A TOP London hotelier has said integrity forms the foundation of his work, stressing the importance of strong moral principles in guiding business decisions.
At the Eastern Eye Property Awards last Thursday (25), Tony Matharu revealed that success comes from staying true to values, taking calculated risks, and seeing opportunities where others see obstacles.
He also spoke about the importance of London to the country’s economy and the difference between first- and secondgeneration entrepreneurs.
Matharu, founder and chairman of Integrity International Group, won the top honour at the annual awards ceremony in London last week.
The British Asian entrepreneur, whose firm acquired some of London’s iconic buildings, said during a masterclass, “If you are true to yourself and true to others, you don’t compromise. You hold on to your moral philosophy. That is integrity.
“You can be flexible in different aspects of your life, but your moral principles should remain steadfast.
“Your values should stay with you – they are your guiding light. It’s not easy to attain, but it is essential. That is why calling my company Integrity International carries great responsibility.
“If everyone in your group, employees, associates, suppliers, understands that, you create a better world.”
Reflecting on his upbringing, Matharu said, “Your domestic environment, school, university, work — all shape your thinking as you age. The early years are critical, and a mother plays a significant part in that.
“My mother instilled values that stick with me to this day. We were like many Asian families. I was born in the UK, but my parents came from Kenya. My father was an engineer and hoped we would choose professions like medicine, law, and accountancy. My mother was more entrepreneurial. We didn’t have a family business, so I guess that inspired me to start one.”
Asked what values are needed both to recognise the potential and to have the courage to commit to ambitious projects, Matharu said, “First and second‑generation immigrants often have a different set of priorities. Typically, particularly for first‑generation immigrants, they are not surrounded by a protective support network from the local population.
“If they are going to succeed, they have to do it themselves. They live and die by their performance and how others view their work, and their achievements are self‑made. This, I believe, gives them resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles and challenges that perhaps third‑ and fourth‑generation immigrants or indigenous populations do not experience.
“It also becomes part of their outlook to look for opportunities. That process requires courage, sacrifice, investment and a willingness to back yourself to bring an idea to fruition.
“Not everybody takes such risks. They have been prepared to fail, sometimes have failed, but got up and tried again. That, I believe, is the essence of these kinds of property acquisitions.”
The businessman added, “You need courage and a feasible plan. You must assess whether there is value to be obtained through investment, secure the right planning permissions, overcome challenges, and seize the opportunity. But above all, you must be prepared to invest time, effort, travel, and money to achieve success.”
Matharu said he “owes a lot to London” as he started and grew his business in the city.
He said, “I think younger people today might have a different view. Particularly after Covid, there is a lot of anxiety about where the world is heading and whether the capital city is fulfilling its potential.
“Yet, London still has the foundation of something exceptional, much like a heritage building that holds all the greatest qualities you might want. It offers culture, heritage, the arts, education, strong systems, and the rule of law, along with opportunities for personal growth.
“Many Londoners in this room would have taken advantage of these opportunities, but it is becoming increasingly difficult. Political choices have, in effect, treated London as though it should be diminished or ignored. That is no longer part of the public discourse, and I think this is dangerous. London and the southeast are the only two areas in the country that contribute more to the Treasury than they receive.
“In purely economic terms, London is the beating heart of the British economy.” He added, “Beyond economics, London’s diversity and the opportunities it offers for visitors and workers alike are unmatched in any city I have been to. It remains a place where obstacles to progression can be removed, allowing people to thrive. Long live London — we must retain it, enhance it, improve it, and restore its vitality. This is the purpose behind the Central London Alliance.
Matharu recalled how the CLA was created to fill a gap.
“In the post‑Covid lockdown world, no one was speaking up for London. In response, I set up this community interest company. Initially, I thought we would need just 50 supporters to join forces to promote London and encourage people to return to workplaces, theatres, green spaces, and cultural life.
“Six years later, the alliance has grown to over 20,000 members, and it continues to connect people and businesses. We now host events such as the London Sports Festival and fashion shows in iconic locations, driving footfall and global attention to London’s heritage.”
Matharu also shared his views on the balance between instinct and data.
The experienced entrepreneur said, “When it comes to decision‑making, I am a strong believer in instinct. It does not come from nowhere - it comes from years of observing, listening and learning. You might not be able to immediately explain why something feels right, but experience tells you when an opportunity has value.”
He cited examples from sport and business where instinct guided success, stressing its continuing importance even in a world which is not embracing artificial intelligence (AI).
Matharu expressed caution about AI, stressing that “intelligence left on its own can be dangerous” and arguing for moral constraints on its use.
He recalled a Cambridge University initiative combining mathematics, theology and computing to explore the ethics of AI, suggesting that moral frameworks should guide its development. Matharu also stressed the need for “integrity and honesty” in political decision‑making. He argued that economic growth should underpin public spending across the country, not just London.
“The good of the country comes from good economic conditions,” he said.
“We need to ensure policies encourage investment, growth and jobs, not disincentivise them.”
Matharu pointed to recent measures affecting the property sector, particularly the removal of business property tax relief, as damaging to long‑term investment.
“This tax disincentivises growth,” he said. “Many family businesses face a heavy tax burden on succession, forcing them to sell or close. That harms employment and reduces investment.” He warned that such measures erode confidence and could undermine the property market and wider economy.
Matharu also reflected on what keeps him awake at night. “It’s the obstacles that stand in the way of long‑term investment and legacy,” he said. “If policies undermine that, it questions the worth of years of hard work and risks. We must encourage those who create value, rather than penalise them.”
Keep ReadingShow less
Marble Hall decorated for Diwali at Kedleston Hall
The month-long Diwali celebrations at Kedleston Hall, the National Trust property near Derby, began on Friday (3). Running until November 2, the 18th-century mansion will welcome visitors from all backgrounds to enjoy the events, a statement said.
The Diwali display, now in its third year, has been shaped with the help of local communities and draws inspiration from Kedleston’s historical connections to South Asia.
As part of the celebrations, visitors will be greeted by hundreds of marigold garlands, sari fabrics and glowing diyas (clay oil lamps) placed throughout the Hall’s historic rooms.
Rangoli light projections will brighten floors and walls with traditional Indian patterns, while historic lamps from the Museum collection are given a festive makeover. Families can also enjoy oversized traditional board games, and a short film about the making of the marigold decorations will be shown in the Billiard Room, the statement added.
A highlight of this year’s programme is Helios, a seven-metre illuminated sculpture of the sun by artist Luke Jerram. The artwork will be suspended in the Hall’s Saloon from October 17 to November 2. Combining light, sound and solar imagery, it complements Diwali’s themes of brightness and renewal. The installation will be available to view daily, with special evening openings on October 29 and 30. Pre-booking is required.
Helios by artist Luke Jerram
Jennie Lloyd, general manager at Kedleston Hall, said: “Lighting up Kedleston Hall for Diwali has become a cherished tradition. We’ve worked closely with local communities to evolve our celebrations, ensuring they reflect both authenticity and creativity. This year, we’re thrilled to offer something truly special in the Saloon with Helios by Luke Jerram.”
Live performances will also be held as part of the celebrations, with Surtal Arts staging a Diwali dance beneath Helios on October 22, followed by a musical finale on November 2 from Soulful Sangeet, the tabla and flute duo.
The event is free to National Trust members, with standard admission for non-members. Kedleston Hall will be open daily during the festival from 11am to 4pm, except for a short closure between October 13 and 16.
Keep ReadingShow less
Cillian Murphy joins as executive producer for the highly anticipated BBC One revival
Two new series confirmed, set in post-war 1950s Birmingham.
Story shifts focus to a new generation of the Shelby family.
Filming will happen at Digbeth Loc. Studios in the city.
Cillian Murphy is on board as an executive producer.
The show will air on BBC One and iPlayer, then Netflix globally.
Guess the Peaky Blinders saga got a proper, extended run. Just when you thought the Shelbys were done, the BBC has gone and confirmed two brand new series. But this time, they are shaking things up, jumping forward in time to follow a completely new generation of the family. Imagine the same surname, but a whole new set of faces causing trouble in a city desperately trying to rebuild itself.
Cillian Murphy joins as executive producer for the highly anticipated BBC One revival Instagram/peakyblindersofficial
What is the deal with this new storyline?
They are leaving the flapper dresses and the Great Depression behind. We are landing right in the middle of 1953. Birmingham's landscape is just a collection of cranes and concrete skeletons, still shattered from the Blitz. And you know what all that rebuilding means, right? Contracts. Money. Power. A massive, brutal scrap for control of the city's future. It is actually a genius move. The setting is a character in itself: all cranes, concrete, and chaos. The Shelbys, of course, are right in the middle of it. Their surname might be different, but their methods probably are not.
Steven Knight remains the driving force, writing and creating this new iteration. That is a relief for fans worried it might continue without its original voice. The production is a joint effort between Kudos, known for SAS Rogue Heroes, and Garrison Drama, the team behind the original six series. Here is a juicy bit: Cillian Murphy has signed on as an executive producer. Will his character Tommy's shadow loom large over the new kids? Will we even get a cameo? They are not saying. But filming in Digbeth again means they are keeping it real, sticking to the city that made the show.
The 66-year-old, best known for creating Peaky Blinders and A Thousand Blows Getty Images
When can we expect the new Peaky Blinders?
A specific release date has not been announced. What we know is that each of the two new series will consist of six hour-long episodes. The plan is for it to run on BBC One and iPlayer here in the UK first. After that, it will pop up on Netflix for the rest of the world to binge. This new show is actually coming after that Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man, which is set in the war. Think of that movie as the bridge. So there is a whole lot of Shelby drama coming down the pipeline. Guess we better get ready.
INDIA and China will resume direct flights between designated cities this month after a suspension of more than five years, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.
There have been no direct flights between the two countries since 2020, even though China remains India’s largest bilateral trade partner.
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, said it would start daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26. It also plans to launch a route connecting New Delhi with Guangzhou.
Prime minister Narendra Modi visited China a month ago for the first time in seven years to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
During the visit, he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that India and China were development partners, not rivals, and discussed steps to strengthen trade ties amid global tariff uncertainty.
Modi also conveyed India’s commitment to improving ties and raised concerns over the trade deficit with China, which stands at nearly $99.2 billion.
He underlined the need to maintain peace and stability along the disputed border, where a clash in 2020 led to a five-year military standoff.