Why Ishan Kishan Has Been Selected For T20 World Cup 2026 - Explained

Almost two years after slipping out of the national picture, Ishan Kishan has forced his way back into India's T20 squad the only way that matters - runs. The Jharkhand left-hander lit up the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, finished as the tournament's highest scorer and sealed his return with a breathtaking hundred in the final. In a season where consistency trumped reputation, Kishan's bat did the talking. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter topped the run charts in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 571 runs and capped the campaign with a match-winning century in the final, leading Jharkhand to their maiden title.

Kishan's return comes after his last India appearance against Australia in a T20I at Guwahati in 2023. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the decision was driven purely by form. "He bats at the top in white-ball cricket and has been in good form. He has played for India before. At the moment, there are players like Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel ahead of him, but we felt having a wicketkeeper who can open gives us more solidity,"

The statement performance came in the final, where Kishan smashed a blistering 101 off just 49 balls, setting up a historic title win for Jharkhand. It underlined a sharp turnaround for a player whose career had stalled after stepping away from the game in 2023, citing mental fatigue following extended periods on the bench.

Reflecting on his selection, Kishan told ANI, "It feels good to be picked in the squad. I'm very, very happy," admitting it wasn't something he was expecting.

December has been a defining month in Kishan's journey. In 2022, he scripted history with a double century in ODIs at Chattogram. A year later came the break from cricket. In 2024, a renewed focus on process and performance marked his return to form. Now, in 2025, the domestic grind has brought him back into the national reckoning.

Kishan will join the team as the second wicketkeeper, with Sanju Samson the preferred choice behind the stumps, as India prepare for their T20 title defence. Opportunities may be limited initially, but with momentum on his side and competition ever-present, Kishan has once again put himself in the conversation - a reminder that in Indian cricket, form remains the strongest currency.

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Sunny Shares Ikkis Wrap-Up Clip, Dharmendra Urges India And Pakistan To Watch

The late actor Dharmendra, who will be posthumously seen in the upcoming film Ikkis, once said that he wishes that people of both India and Pakistan watches the film.

On Saturday, the late actor's elder son Sunny Deol took to his Instagram, and shared a BTS video from Ikkis. In the video, Dharmendra said, “I'm extremely happy to be in the Mandav films. The team, the captain, Shriram ji. It was done in a very nice way”.

He further mentioned, “I think India and Pakistan both should see the film. I'm a bit happily sad today, the last day of shooting. I love you all, if I made any mistake, please forgive me”.

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Sunny wrote in the caption, “A smile that lit up the darkness. Generosity without limits. Love for my papa is deeply rooted in our hearts. He has blessed us with his final film, Ikkis. Let's celebrate him in movie halls this New Year”.

Ikkis is directed by Sriram Raghavan, and is based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, one of India's youngest Param Vir Chakra awardees, who was martyred during the 1971 Indo-Pak war at the age of 21.

The title directly refers to Khetarpal's age at the time of his death. The lead role is played by Agastya Nanda, marking a significant departure from conventional debut choices, as the film prioritises realism over spectacle. Veteran actor Dharmendra appears in a key role, adding generational weight to the narrative.

The film focuses on military discipline, battlefield decision-making, and personal courage rather than melodrama. Staying true to historical accounts, the film aims to portray the human cost of war while honouring a real-life hero whose bravery continues to hold national significance.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Heartwarming Video Of Child Dancing In School Assembly Prayer Goes Viral

A heartwarming moment from a school assembly is winning hearts on social media. A video showing pure joy and devotion has gone viral, reminding viewers of the innocence of childhood.

The clip features a little boy dressed in his winter school uniform. With his eyes closed and hands folded, he is seen dancing gently in his place. Completely absorbed in the moment, his happy and calm expressions have touched viewers emotionally.
The child's genuine devotion and innocence make this video special. He's unaware of anyone watching; he's simply lost in the music of the prayer, completely absorbed in it. He's seen gently swaying and enjoying the music, as if the prayer is flowing naturally within him.

Watch Video Here:

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Social Media Reaction

The video is receiving widespread praise on social media. Social media users are calling the video joyful.

One user commented, "Innocent and most joyous phase of our life."

Another user noted, "He is literally enjoying the prayer."

"That's why childhood is very special," added a third user. 

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Mrs. Deshpande Now Streaming Online: A Powerful Drama Exploring Identity, Marriage and Strength

Mrs. Deshpande stands out as a thoughtful drama series that blends emotional depth with social relevance. With its strong female protagonist and mature storytelling, the show has attracted attention for its realistic portrayal of everyday struggles and quiet empowerment, making it a notable addition to contemporary Indian OTT content.Mrs Deshpande is a series of psychological crime thrillers, which is based on the women's struggles and their recognition as independent women. The plot tells about the copy cat murderer of Mrs Deshpande wherein the crimes are going on with the same modus operandi as she has.

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Indian Armed Forces Are NDTV Indian Of The Year 2025

Following a phenomenal display of valour, coordination and pinpoint precision during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces have been named NDTV's Indian Of The Year for 2025. 

In May, the Armed Forces struck terror bases in at least nine locations in Pakistan - including the headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur - as part of the Operation, which was a response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed.

Pakistan responded by attempting to attack Indian military installations and civilian locations by launching drones and missiles on three successive days, but was thwarted by India's air defence systems. The Indian Armed Forces, in turn, first took out some of Pakistan's air defence systems, including in Lahore, and then struck key military bases like the all-important Nur Khan airbase, also known as the Chaklala airbase.

Pakistan then sought a ceasefire and India agreed to a pause in hostilities. 

As NDTV presented the armed forces with the honour, on stage were Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Vir Chakra Awardees Colonel Koshank Lamba, Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht, Naib Subedar Satish Kumar, Group Captain Manish Arora, Group Captain Kunal Kalra and Wing Commander Joy Chandra, and Nao Sena Medal gallantry awardee Commander Saurabh Kumar.

Air Marshal Dixit said the jointness of the services really took off after the Chief of Defence Staff was appointed. "In the last three to four years, we have worked very hard to achieve this jointness, and the result is in front of you. Jointness is not a slogan, it involves a lot of planning, taking action together and taking responsibility together. Communication, control of the escalation ladder... we have now learnt to do all of these things together. We have seen a small example, and we will see many more in the years to come," he said.

The Chief of Integrated Defence Staff said India's self-reliance was also on display during Operation Sindoor in terms of air defence systems and missiles. 

Calm Before The Storm

Asked about his most memorable moments from the Operation, Colonel Koshank Lamba said he remembered the time just before it was launched.

"There was an eerie calm, which was a calm just before the storm we were about to unleash. In that moment, when I spoke to my men. I was thinking I would probably find fear or confusion or apprehension, but I saw a lot of 'josh', a lot of confidence, and I saw a fire. That was the fire we unleashed," he said. 

Naib Subedar Satish Kumar said he faced his biggest challenge during Operation Sindoor when his mortar position was fired upon by two enemy mortar positions.

"Engaging two targets from one mortar position is very difficult, but I had four mortars, which I used to target both - two on each... Then I fired illumination and smoke rounds on three posts, which caused a fire across a 300-400-metre area and 30-35 mine blasts," he recounted.

'Begging For Mercy'

Group Captain Manish Arora said he was struck by how young men and women in his unit were raring to go. "That day, the room was slightly different. There was a calmness and stillness to them. When we looked each other in the eyes, we knew we were the answer to the tears of the 26 families who lost their loved ones (in the Pahalgam attack)... After four days of intense conflict, the enemy was on all fours, begging for mercy. It was a perfect display of professionalism and willpower," he said.

Group Captain Kunal Kalra said his proudest moment during Operation Sindoor was when his weapons left his aircraft and he saw them zoning in on the targets. "These weapons were carrying the nation's hope and prayers."

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The Roofman Now Streaming Online: Everything You Need to Know

With its unique style of barging into the houses, cutting the roofs and then beginning a heist. Roofman is a nickname given to the person who does so. The series is based on real footage, people and journalists. It has been directed Derek Cianfrance. Now out on OTT, Lionsgate Play!

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3,746 Challaned, 61,000 PUCs Issued On Day 1 Of 'No PUC, No Fuel' In Delhi

Delhi's 'No PUC, No Fuel' directive came into force across the national capital on Thursday amid claims of strict enforcement. Thousands of challans were issued, border checks intensified, and surprise inspections were carried out by the Environment Minister. But on the ground, enforcement appeared uneven, and the city's air quality only deteriorated through the day.

The overall AQI stood at 356 around 7 am and worsened to 397 by 9 pm, inching closer to the 'severe' category despite a full day of restrictions and checks.

Certificates Issued, But Pollution Persists

Official data shows over 61,000 Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCCs) were issued between December 17 and 18 - 29,938 on Wednesday and another 31,974 by Thursday evening. During the same 24-hour window, 3,746 vehicles were challaned for not carrying a valid PUCC.

At Delhi's entry points, joint teams of the Traffic Police and Transport Department checked around 5,000 vehicles, turning back 568 non-compliant vehicles and diverting 217 non-destined trucks via the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways.

Despite these measures, there was no corresponding improvement in air quality through the day.

No Enforcement At Several Petrol Pumps

An NDTV ground reality check found that enforcement of the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule was missing at several petrol pumps on day one.

At the Delhi Gate petrol pump, NDTV found the government notification prominently displayed across fuel dispensing aisles, clearly informing motorists that a valid Pollution Under Control certificate was mandatory for refuelling. However, no transport or enforcement officials were present at the pump at the time of NDTV's visit.

Petrol pump staff said officials had made only a brief appearance earlier in the day.

"Two DTC officials came in the morning, clicked some photos, and left. After that, we don't know where they are," a pump employee told NDTV.

The staff was also clear that they are not responsible for enforcing the rule.

"We are just informing customers about the rule. We are not the enforcing authority. These are our customers. If we try to enforce it, there will be arguments or fights, and we don't want that," the employee said.

'Even 80% Implementation Is Success' 

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who conducted surprise inspections at select petrol pumps, acknowledged that the rule may not be implemented uniformly everywhere on day one.

Speaking to NDTV, Sirsa said, "Even if 80% is implemented, it will be successful."

He also said he was receiving regular, real-time updates from the Transport Department on the status of enforcement at petrol pumps across the capital, indicating that the government was closely tracking compliance as the rule rolled out.

'This Is Not About Challans'  

Sirsa urged petrol pump staff to remain calm while informing commuters about the requirement.

"You are the first interface of this campaign on the ground... politely explain that this rule is for their own health and for the health of our children," he told them.

Addressing commuters, the minister added, "This is not about challans; this is about clean air. Every valid PUCC issued today is a small victory in our war against pollution."

Impact Of Dust, Waste Action Unclear

Civic agencies also reported action on other pollution fronts over the past 24 hours, including mechanised sweeping of 2,300 km of roads, deployment of mobile anti-smog guns across 5,524 km, closure of 132 illegal dumping points, and processing of over 38,000 metric tonnes of legacy waste.

Even so, Delhi's AQI climbed steadily through the day, raising questions about how quickly such measures can translate into relief during peak winter pollution.

Sirsa said the steps were unavoidable, adding, "The Delhi Government has had to adopt tough but necessary steps so that pollution levels can be visibly reduced." He also flagged that several private offices are yet to comply with the 50% work-from-home advisory under GRAP-IV, warning that non-compliance could invite action.

As Delhi heads into another polluted night, the first full day of the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule once again underlined a familiar gap—strong enforcement claims, partial implementation on the ground, and air quality that continues to worsen.

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Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Nears Earth on Dec. 19, Offering Rare Insights Into Cosmic Visitors

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth on Dec. 19. Observing the comet provides scientists a rare opportunity to study dust and gases from its icy nucleus and learn more about material forming around other stars, expanding understanding of interstellar objects while posing no threat to our planet.

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Flipperachi Reveals What Life After Akshaye Khanna Made FA9LA Viral Is Like

Bahraini rapper Flipperachi, whose track FA9LA has taken the internet by storm, has opened up about how dramatically life has changed since Akshaye Khanna grooved to the beats of his song in Dhurandhar.

What began as a standalone hip-hop release has now transformed into a global phenomenon.

Speaking to NDTV's Aditya Raj Kaul, Flipperachi reflected on how the film played a crucial role in catapulting FA9LA into the mainstream.

"The movie came in, picked it up, and I mean, the rest is history," he said.

The rapper admitted that the scale of the song's success caught him completely off guard, particularly in India, where the track has dominated reels, memes, and music charts.

"I honestly didn't expect it to blow up like this," Flipperachi shared. "People don't really understand what I'm saying lyrically, but the beat is powerful, and that is crazy. It connected with them. It really got to them."

FA9LA, also known as Faasla, blends Arabic hip-hop with Indian tabla percussion - a fusion that Flipperachi now realises was key to its widespread appeal. Still, he insists he never imagined the song would resonate so deeply with Indian listeners.

"To have this kind of impact - I wouldn't have believed in a thousand years that it would blow up in India," he said. "Yes, it has Indian flavour in it, but I didn't know it would rise to this level."

Beyond India, the rapper pointed out that Dhurandhar's global success has helped the track travel far beyond language barriers.

"The film has done incredibly well globally, not just in India," he noted. "It's a Hindi-language film, but people all across the world are watching it. It's right at the top of the charts."

Social media has played a massive role in sustaining the song's popularity, with thousands of reels and memes continuing to surface weeks after the film's release.

"There have been so many reels and memes coming in," Flipperachi said. "I've been reposting as many as I can, but my DMs are blowing up. I honestly can't keep up."

From a viral beat to a cultural moment, FA9LA's journey reflects the growing power of cross-cultural collaborations in cinema and music. 

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar hit the big screens on December 5 and shattered several box office records. Apart from Akshaye Khanna and Ranveer Singh, the movie features Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and several others in prominent roles.

ALSO READ: "Big Fan Of Akshaye Khanna And Ranveer Singh, Want To See Dhurandhar": Rapper Flipperachi On Film Ban In Middle East

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Theeyavar Kulai Nadunga Now Streaming Online: Where to Watch This Dark Psychology Thriller

Theeyavar Kulai Nadunga has gained attention as a thought-provoking Tamil crime drama that blends suspense with social insight. Despite mixed critical responses, the film has resonated with audiences for its strong performances, psychological undertones, and engaging mystery. Streaming on SunNXT, it appeals to viewers who enjoy dark investigative thrillers with layered characters and moral complexity.

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Wednesday Season 3 Set for July 2027 on Netflix: Jenna Ortega Returns as the Iconic Addams Heir

Wednesday Season 3 is among the most anticipated upcoming OTT releases, with fans eagerly awaiting updates on filming schedules, cast reunions, and plot developments. The series has remained consistently in the spotlight due to its unique gothic style, strong performances, and engaging storytelling.

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