India Suffer Massive Blow, Rishabh Pant Ruled Out Of India vs NZ Series

India have suffered a setback ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the three-match series due to a right-side strain injury. At India's optional practice session at the BCA B Ground, Pant looked organised in his batting stint, going for almost 50 minutes. But he experienced discomfort after being hit above the waist while facing a delivery from a throwdown specialist.

He immediately fell to his knees due to the immense pain, was quickly attended to by the support staff, and left the nets. "Scans and assessment by the team doctor showed that Rishabh copped a blow on the ribcage on the right side and a side strain has been detected, thus ruling him out of this ODI series against New Zealand," said sources familiar with the matter to IANS on Saturday.

Pant is now expected to rest for several days before reporting to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for further assessment and rehabilitation. He had come into the ODI series on the back of leading Delhi in the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) league stage in Bengaluru.

He made two half-centuries against Services and Railways, respectively, as Delhi entered the knockouts. This is the second time Pant has been laid low by injuries, after fracturing his right foot in the fourth Test against England at Manchester, before returning to action in the two-match Test series against South Africa at home in November last year.

Pant has been part of India's ODI set-up for the last two years but last played in the 50-over format during the tour of Sri Lanka in August 2024. Ahead of the ODIs against New Zealand, speculation was rife about Pant being axed, but the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee retained him in the squad.

With Pant now ruled out, the Indian team management will need to identify a replacement. Dhruv Jurel and T20 World Cup-bound Ishan Kishan are the likely options due to their strong showings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

India's ODI series against New Zealand will begin at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium (BCA) in Kotambi, Vadodara, with the venue set to host its first men's international game. The second ODI will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 14, while the third and final match will take place at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on January 18.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Bangladesh Cricket Chief Speaks On "Alternate Indian Venue" Amid Venue Row

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul on Friday said the board is yet to receive any response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its concerns over playing at venues in India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, reiterating that the BCB's position remains unchanged. Bangladesh has expressed reluctance to tour India for the tournament, scheduled to begin on February 7, and has sought to shift its matches to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.

The BCB's apprehensions followed the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on the instructions of the BCCI for unspecified reasons, amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

"We haven't yet received any reply from the ICC. We have sent all the attachments and proofs of our concern," Bulbul told media persons here.

The BCB chief said the board has clearly conveyed its position to the global governing body and stressed that moving matches to another Indian city would not address their concerns.

"Any alternate Indian venue, at the end of the day, is an Indian venue. You all know that no unilateral decision can be taken, and we have to abide by the government's diktat. We are standing where we had been a few days back."

The BCB chief said the board would wait for the ICC's response before taking any further call. "I can't comment on what we will do if we aren't allowed to play in Sri Lanka unless the ICC sends its response," he added.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play three of its group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Bulbul also said he was unaware of reports suggesting Hyderabad and Chennai as possible replacement venues.

"I haven't heard about Hyderabad and Chennai being replacement venues. We might come to know maybe on Monday or Tuesday."

Expressing confidence in the national side, Bulbul said Bangladesh has the pedigree to perform well, particularly in sub-continental conditions. "I believe Bangladesh is a big team in world cricket. We have played the quarterfinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup, we played the Champions Trophy semifinals, and in sub-continental conditions we have a good chance of doing well," he said.

Addressing the recent controversy involving former skipper Tamim Iqbal, Bulbul said a BCB director publicly calling the senior cricketer a "traitor" was an expression of personal opinion and that he had sought an explanation from the concerned official.

"It was the personal opinion of the director, and I have asked him to give clarification. Tamim has achieved so much, and he should have kept that in mind while putting his opinion in public," Bulbul said.

Reflecting on his tenure, Bulbul said the phase had been educative for the board.

"It's a learning experience for 25 board directors. It's a mix of ups and downs. But the country comes first," he added.

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NASA Spots Giant Antarctic Iceberg Turning Blue as It Nears Breakup

NASA scientists are closely tracking iceberg A-23A as vivid blue meltwater pools spread across its surface, signalling rapid decay. Once covering nearly 4,000 square kilometres, the Antarctic megaberg has shrunk to about 1,180 square kilometres and is fragmenting in warmer South Atlantic waters, offering valuable insight into how rising temperatures accelerate iceberg breakup and polar ice loss.

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Pune Flat Sees Rs 20 Lakh Jump In Weeks; Stunned Buyer Shares Experience

Remember Vasooli Bhai's iconic line from the Golmaal movie series, where he jokes about property prices rising "pal-pal", every passing second? That cinematic exaggeration has found a real-life parallel in Pune's Wakad area, where resident Kunal Gandhi recently shared his experience on social media platform X. Tracking the price of a newly launched 3BHK flat over just a month, Gandhi witnessed a steep and rapid surge, reflecting the dramatic pace and shifting dynamics of the city's real estate market.

According to Gandhi's post, when he first visited the project at launch about a month ago, the quoted price for a 3BHK unit was Rs 1.80 crore. On a return visit just 15 days later, the price had already risen to Rs 1.95 crore. Most recently, he was informed that the price had reached Rs 2 crore, with developers projecting it could increase further to around Rs 2.15 crore next month.

Gandhi wrote that the pace of growth raised the question of whether India's residential market is entering a bubble or simply responding to strong demand.

The post went viral and many social media users commented on it.

Went to see a 3BHK flat in Pune on launch a month ago.

Realtor quoted looks 1.80 CR.

Went there after 15 days again. This time, the price went to 1.95 CR.

I wanted to ask further questions yesterday. Quote is now 2 CR with projected to be 2.15 CR next month.

Either…

— Kunal Gandhi (@kunalvg) January 8, 2026

Gandhi noted that the rapid price surge raised questions about whether India's residential market is heading toward a bubble or merely reflecting strong demand. His post quickly went viral, sparking a wave of reactions from social media users.

One user, whose brother works in real estate, commented that the price rise is expected and not a bubble. Another user added that while demand is definitely high in cities like Pune, such rapid price increases don't entirely make sense and that the situation varies depending on the area. A third user pointed out that although demand has always existed, access to capital was a challenge. With globalization, more Indians are earning at global standards, but this can sometimes lead to overbuilding and potentially create a bubble.

Nevertheless, rapid price increases, such as those noted in Gandhi's experience, highlight the need for continued monitoring of supply, demand and pricing trends to ensure long-term stability in India's housing market.

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NASA’s Curiosity Rover Sends Stunning New Panorama From High on Mount Sharp on Mars

NASA’s Curiosity rover has shared a new panorama from high on Mount Sharp, created from images taken across two Martian days. The colour-tinted view highlights changing light conditions and ancient boxwork formations shaped by groundwater, offering fresh insight into Mars’ past and the rover’s ongoing exploration inside Gale Crater.

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Suryavanshi Surpasses Babar Azam For World Record Ahead Of U-19 World Cup

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made heads turn across the world with an exceptional display of power-hitting. Still three months short of his 15th birthday, Suryavanshi already has several world records to his name. Ahead of the U-19 World Cup, which starts in Zimbabwe on January 15 with a match between India and the USA, Suryavanshi's form bodes well for the team. In the recently concluded India vs South Africa U-19 ODI series, Suryavanshi slammed 127 off 74 balls in the third match. It was his third century in U-19/Youth ODIs.

Suryavanshi is the first player to score three centuries in Youth ODIs before turning 15. He broke the record held by Babar Azam, who had two tons in U-19 50-over international cricket at the age of 15 or below. In fact, they are the only two cricketers to have multiple centuries in Youth ODIs before turning 15.

In the third ODI held on Wednesday, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and his opening partner Aaron George both smashed centuries to propel the team to new heights in their bilateral assignment against the Proteas. Thanks to their 227-run stand for the first wicket, the duo stitched together a historic opening partnership, signaling India's intent ahead of next week's U-19 World Cup. In the process, Suryavanshi also became the youngest captain to score a hundred in Youth ODI history, adding another world record to his name.

The 227-run stand is the highest opening stand in Youth ODIs.

Cricket may not have seen a talent as prodigious as Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who will be one of the star attractions at the U-19 World Cup.

Announcing himself as a superstar with a century on debut for India U-19 while still only 13, Suryavanshi then went on to become the youngest player to sign an IPL contract before smashing a 35-ball century-the second fastest in the league's history.

A destructive batter, he scored 262 runs in the recent U-19 Asia Cup, averaging more than 50 with a strike rate of 182, breaking the record for the quickest Youth ODI century on his way to 171 from 95 balls against the UAE.

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Angammal OTT Release Date: Know When and Where to Watch This Tamil Drama Film Online

Angammal is a Tamil drama film that explores the themes of independence, rural societal norms, and modern civilization. Streaming soon, only on SunNXT.

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Naai Sekar Streaming Now on SunNXT: Know Everything About This Tamil Comedy Drama Film

Naai Sekar is a Tamil comedy-drama film that follows a soul swap between a human and a dog. The sequences are super chaotic and packed with entertainment.

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Maduro's Nike Tracksuit Sold Out Hours After His Handcuffed Pics Go Viral

Hours after the United States launched airstrikes on Caracas, images and videos of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro - blindfolded and handcuffed - in a grey Nike tracksuit being escorted by US agents spread across social media.

The Venezuelan leader and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured on allegations of drug trafficking and are now expected to face charges in New York, according to US authorities.

A picture, shared by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social, showed Maduro aboard a US military vessel en route to the United States. The image quickly took off online, and attention zeroed in on Maduro's clothing: a gray Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit with black detailing. The outfit sold out rapidly on Nike's US website in the hours following the release of the images.

Search interest for the term “Nike Tech” surged on Google, while TikTok and Instagram were filled with memes and commentary questioning the choice of clothing during such a high-stakes arrest.

Meme of the day. #Maduro #Venezuela #Nike pic.twitter.com/sVaQD70wWp

— Harry Berries (@MrHarryBerries) January 3, 2026

That Maduro Nike Tech Fleece is now a top seller.

The reviews ???? pic.twitter.com/KIUhbvlOv8

— Da Dad (@RogueLeaderLA) January 4, 2026

Son why is Maduro in Nike Tech???? ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/Kpna0VJEx6

— ???? (@ALANFROMNYC) January 3, 2026

Maduro got captured in a Nike Tech lol. pic.twitter.com/E1ndJem2r8

— Jack Mac (@JackMac) January 3, 2026

Nicolás Maduro drip Nike Tech pic.twitter.com/BMUwIRPtpe

— DEXANFETAMINA (@dexabot) January 3, 2026

The Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit is part of the brand's premium Tech Fleece line, a range known for its lightweight, double-layered fabric designed to retain warmth without bulk. It is made using recycled polyester and finished with contrast panelling and zip detailing. Typically sold as a zip-up hoodie and matching joggers, the set is priced at around $140-$160 (approx Rs 14,500) in the US and is advertised as athleisure wear.

The tracksuit appeared in subsequent videos showing Maduro walking under escort by US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents after arriving on American soil.

Following the capture of Maduro, Trump issued fresh warnings to Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, saying she could face consequences “bigger than Maduro” if she fails to cooperate with Washington. Trump said a second US strike on Venezuela remained an option, while insisting the US needed full access to Venezuela's oil and natural resources. Rodriguez, who succeeded Maduro, called for a “balanced and respectful” relationship with the United States.

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Rahul Khanna Reveals Why He Has Not Watched Brother Akshaye's Dhurandhar Yet

While Dhurandhar continues to draw packed houses and glowing reviews, one person surprisingly hasn't experienced the film on the big screen yet - Akshaye Khanna's brother, Rahul Khanna. The Aditya Dhar directorial has emerged as a major box office success, with critics and audiences singling out Akshaye's portrayal of Rehman Dakait as a standout performance. Yet, even amid all the acclaim, his brother is still waiting for the right moment to watch it.

Why Hasn't Rahul Khanna Watched Dhurandhar?

In a conversation with Mid-Day, Rahul Khanna revealed that he has not yet watched Dhurandhar, despite the overwhelming praise pouring in for his brother. He shared that he is holding off for a personal reason and prefers to see the film with Akshaye himself.

"I haven't seen the movie yet, I'm waiting for him (Akshaye Khanna) to show it to me. But anything he wears looks great, I'm sure he looks fantastic (smiles)."

Akshaye Khanna Opens Up About His Bond With Rahul 

Akshaye Khanna has previously spoken about the dynamics he shares with his brother. In an old interview with The Times of India, the actor explained that their relationship evolved naturally without any pressure from their parents.

"My relationship with my brother was independent of my parents. In that sense, it hasn't changed. But the immediate family for an individual is parents and siblings, and once that starts getting smaller, you hold to what is left even more," he said.

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar maintains box-office dominance despite an initial slowdown. On its fifth Saturday, it earned Rs 12.60 crore domestically, lifting the nett total to Rs 806.80 crore. Globally, it has surpassed Jawan and Pathaan, eyeing Rs 1,200 crore soon to challenge KGF: Chapter 2's Rs 1,215 crore and join elite earners like Dangal and Baahubali 2.

A sequel to Dhurandhar will hit the big screens on March 19, 2026.

ALSO READ: Dhurandhar Box Office Collection Day 30: Ranveer Singh's Film Crosses Rs 800 Crore Mark In India

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Mock House, CIA Source, Special Forces: The US Operation To Capture Maduro

At 4:21 on Saturday morning, US President Donald Trump sent a message on his Truth Social platform: the United States had carried out a daring mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

The action came as a surprise, but according to sources familiar with the matter, planning for one of the most complex US operations in recent memory had been in the works for some time and included detailed rehearsals.

Elite US troops, including the Army's Delta Force, created an exact replica of Maduro's safe house and practiced how they would enter the strongly fortified residence.

The CIA had a small team on the ground starting in August who were able to provide insight into Maduro's pattern of life that made grabbing him seamless, according to one source familiar with the matter.

Two other sources told Reuters the intelligence agency also had an asset close to Maduro who would monitor his movements and was poised to pinpoint his exact location as the operation unfolded.

With the pieces in place, Trump approved the operation four days ago, but military and intelligence planners suggested he wait for better weather and less cloud cover.

In the early hours of Saturday, the mission to capture Maduro started. Trump, surrounded by his advisers at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, watched a live stream of the operation.

How the hours-long operation unfolded is based on interviews with four sources familiar with the matter and details Trump himself has revealed.

"I've done some pretty good ones, but I've never seen anything like this," Trump said on Fox News just hours after the mission was completed.

'MASSIVE' OPERATION

The Pentagon has overseen a massive military buildup of forces in the Caribbean, sending an aircraft carrier, 11 warships and more than a dozen F-35 aircraft. In total, more than 15,000 troops have poured into the region for what US officials have long described as anti-drug operations.

According to one of the sources, Trump senior aide Stephen Miller, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe formed a core team working on the issue for months with regular - sometimes daily - meetings and phone calls. They often also met with the president.

Late on Friday night and into early Saturday, Trump and his advisers huddled as a number of US aircraft took off and carried out strikes against targets inside and close to Caracas, including air defence systems, according to a US military official.

Trump told Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends" the number of US aircraft involved was "massive".

"We had a fighter jet for every possible situation," Trump said.

Sources have told Reuters that in addition to fighter jets, the Pentagon had also quietly moved into the region refuelling air tankers, drones and aircraft specialising in electronic jamming.

US officials told Reuters that the airstrikes hit military targets. Images taken by Reuters at the La Carlota air base in Caracas showed charred military vehicles from a Venezuelan anti-aircraft unit.

With the strikes taking place, US Special Forces made their way into Caracas heavily armed, including with a blow torch in case they had to cut through steel doors at Maduro's location. Officials did not say how the troops entered the city, but video posted on social media by residents showed a convoy of helicopters flying over Caracas at a low altitude.

Once they reached Maduro's safe house the troops, along with FBI agents, made their way into the residence, which Trump described as a "very highly guarded... fortress."

"They just broke in, and they broke into places that were not really able to be broke into, you know, steel doors that were put there for just this reason," Trump said. "They got taken out in a matter of seconds."

MADURO IN CUSTODY

It is unclear how US forces were able to capture Maduro and his wife once they entered the house, but Trump said the Venezuelan leader had unsuccessfully tried to get to a safe room.

"He was trying to get into it, but he got bum rushed so fast that he didn't get into that," Trump said.

Some US forces were hit, Trump said, but none were killed.

As the operation unfolded, Rubio started to inform lawmakers that it was underway. The notifications only began after the operation started and not before, as is customary for key lawmakers who play an oversight role, officials told Reuters.

Little is yet known about Maduro's extraction from Caracas. Trump said that one helicopter was hit "pretty hard" but was able to make it back.

The Venezuelan leader was flown to the USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship, and will be transferred to New York to stand trial.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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