This cordial interaction stood in sharp contrast to last month’s Asia Cup cricket tournament, where Indian and Pakistani players avoided any on-field gestures. During that event, the Indian cricket team led by Suryakumar Yadav skipped the customary handshake with their Pakistani counterparts following Operation Sindoor. They later dedicated their victory to the families affected by the Pahalgam terror attack.

India also declined to receive the Asia Cup trophy from PCB and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, who currently serves as Pakistan’s interior minister. Reflecting on the situation, Yadav had said, “Delhi is still far. We will see what happens when we play Pakistan next.”

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Sultan of Johor Cup was calm and competitive. The Pakistan Hockey Federation had reportedly instructed its players to stay focused on the game and avoid confrontation, ensuring a smooth and respectful contest.

The post India, Pakistan Play Out 3-3 Draw at Sultan of Johor Cup appeared first on India Podcast.

Chasing three runs in the Super Over, India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill secured victory with one delivery, as Sri Lanka could only manage two runs against Arshdeep Singh’s bowling. Earlier, Sri Lanka’s top order, led by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera, shared a 127-run partnership to chase India’s 203-run target.

India’s innings was powered by Abhishek Sharma’s 61 and Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 49. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel provided crucial late runs, helping the eight-time Asia Cup champions cross 200. Despite early wickets, the Indian batting unit recovered strongly to set a competitive total.

Sri Lanka’s resilient batting forced the tie despite wickets falling in the middle overs. Nissanka scored a brilliant century, but the team fell short in the Super Over. While the match was a dead rubber, Sri Lanka’s performance against the World No. 1 T20I side was encouraging ahead of the final.

Brief Scores: India 202/5 (Abhishek 61, Varma 49*; Asalanka 1-18) tie Sri Lanka 202 (Nissanka 107, Perera 58; Kuldeep 1-31). Super Over: India 3/0 beat Sri Lanka 2/2.

The post India Clinches Win in Asia Cup Super Over appeared first on India Podcast.

AICWA said it will not engage with Pakistani nationals in any sports or cultural events. The association warned that filmmakers or producers casting Pakistani talent risk a total ban from AICWA. No Pakistani actor, singer, or performer will receive approval to work in India.

The association recalled Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh’s film Sardaar Ji 3, claiming he collaborated with Pakistani artistes and remains banned until he publicly apologizes. AICWA also mentioned its earlier ban on Abir Gulaal, stressing that normalizing talent from countries supporting terrorism insults India’s armed forces.

Targeting the BCCI, AICWA accused the board of prioritizing money over national interest. The association criticized the ICC for allowing the match. It added that India belongs to its soldiers, not cricket boards, especially after the Pak-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people.

The post AICWA Condemns Pakistani Cricketer’s Controversial Gesture appeared first on India Podcast.

An official explained, “We immediately alerted the cyber-crime police, and our team managing the Deputy CM’s X handle retrieved the account.” It took about 30 to 45 minutes to restore full access. The quick response ensured hackers could not post additional content, and the account now operates securely.

The hackers live-streamed images of the two Islamic countries to attract attention on a day with heightened cricket viewership. Officials believe the attack aimed to create political or social impact. However, Shinde’s team intervened promptly, minimizing the potential fallout.

Authorities have advised public figures, politicians, and government officials to strengthen their social media security. Additionally, cyber-crime teams actively monitor high-profile accounts to prevent similar incidents. Shinde’s office confirmed they implemented two-factor authentication and advanced monitoring tools to secure the account further.

Public reactions on social media ranged from concern to criticism of the security lapses. Experts noted that cybersecurity awareness, combined with proactive monitoring, is crucial in today’s digital age. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of prominent accounts and demonstrated the importance of prompt action in containing social media hacks.

Now, Shinde’s X account functions securely. The rapid recovery reinforced confidence in cyber-crime protocols and quick-response measures. Moreover, authorities continue educating teams managing high-profile accounts on best practices to prevent future incidents.

The post Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde’s X account hacked appeared first on India Podcast.

India won the high-profile match against Pakistan by seven wickets on September 14. However, Thackeray argued that victory on the pitch could not hide the larger issue of credibility. “When we tell the world that Pakistan promotes terror, the obvious question arises: why do you still maintain sporting ties? If you are truly against them, then cut every link,” he told reporters.

The Asia Cup clash drew mixed reactions nationwide. While fans celebrated the win, political leaders and civil society groups questioned the moral stance of engaging Pakistan in sports while blaming them for terrorism. Thackeray’s remarks reflected growing anger among sections of the public who felt the government failed to match words with actions.

The Sena (UBT) chief also targeted the Eknath Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena for backing the BJP. He said their silence showed they cared only about clinging to power. “They love their chair, not the country,” he remarked.

Switching to state matters, Thackeray launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra’s financial management. He highlighted that the state’s debt burden has crossed ₹9 lakh crore and warned that lavish projects and new schemes serve contractors more than citizens. Experts have also cautioned that such high levels of debt could impact welfare spending, reduce investor confidence, and increase the long-term tax burden on citizens.

He further demanded urgent relief measures for farmers hit by heavy rains and floods. Thackeray argued that ignoring rural distress would harm both the economy and society. He urged the government to prioritize farmers’ welfare and redirect resources toward real needs.

By linking national security concerns with Maharashtra’s fiscal health, Thackeray positioned himself as a strong voice of opposition. His comments added fuel to the ongoing debate on patriotism, governance, and economic priorities in the state.

The post Uddhav Thackeray Slams BJP Over Cricket Match and Rising Maharashtra Debt appeared first on India Podcast.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also questioned the decision. “What is the need for the Prime Minister to organise a match with Pakistan? The whole country is saying that this match should not happen,” he asked on X, adding that the government seemed to be bowing under outside pressure.

Mr. Bharadwaj highlighted a controversial post allegedly shared by Pakistani cricketers. It depicted Pakistan Army Chief Asif Munir filling the hair parting of a woman painted in India’s tricolour — seen as a mocking reference to Operation Sindoor, India’s counterstrike after the Pahalgam terror attack. Calling it “a gross humiliation,” he warned that AAP workers would expose clubs and pubs screening the game.

Party workers later burnt an effigy symbolising Pakistani players. In another post, Mr. Bharadwaj condemned the BJP government for playing cricket with Pakistan despite repeated provocations.

As per the government’s new sports policy, India avoids bilateral contests with Pakistan but faces them in multilateral tournaments like the Asia Cup and ICC events.

The post AAP Protests India-Pakistan Cricket Match Amid Pahalgam Row appeared first on India Podcast.

Gill recently led India in a five-match Test series in England, before playing in the Champions Trophy and the IPL with Gujarat Titans. He later joined the T20I squad for the Asia Cup and will return to captain India in the upcoming West Indies Test series. Despite this heavy workload, Kotak dismissed concerns about overuse, stressing that bowlers—especially fast bowlers—remain the main focus of workload management.

Kotak explained that batsmen are resilient and rarely require structured workload monitoring. “For batsmen, it’s not that much of an issue unless they feel mentally drained,” he said. His comments gain significance amid growing speculation that the BCCI may groom Gill as India’s all-format captain, given his leadership roles across formats.

Speaking on Gill’s technique, Kotak praised his adaptability. He highlighted that modern cricketers switch seamlessly between red-ball and white-ball formats, adjusting their approach during practice sessions depending on the format demands.

The post Sitanshu Kotak on Gill’s Workload and Technique appeared first on India Podcast.