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  Elena Rybakina claimed her maiden Australian Open title and the second Grand Slam crown of her career, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling women’s singles final. The Kazakh star prevailed 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 in a pulsating contest that lasted 2 hours and 18 minutes, marking her first major triumph in Melbourne and her first Grand Slam victory in nearly three and a half years. The decisive moment came in the third set, when Rybakina found herself trailing 0–3. Showing remarkable composure and mental resilience, she responded with a stunning run of five consecutive games with breathtaking returns , completely turning the momentum in her favour. From that point on, she barely allowed Sabalenka a foothold in the match, sealing the title with a display of fearless and controlled tennis. Although Sabalenka looked slightly subdued in the closing stages, she had been superb in the 2nd set . The Belarusian actually led Rybakina in key serving statistics, registering more aces, ...

  The Asvakranta Temple (also spelled Ashwaklanta Temple) is a historic Vaishnavite shrine located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in North Guwahati, Assam. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Ashwakranta Vishnu, the temple is one of the most ancient and sacred Vishnu temples in Northeast India. The temple is especially renowned for its association with Lord Krishna’s visit to Assam and its serene riverside setting, making it both a spiritual and scenic destination. History (In Detail) Mythological Origins According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna visited this place while journeying to defeat the demon Narakasura, the king of Pragjyotishapura (ancient Assam). It is believed that Krishna’s horse (Ashwa) rested here and showed signs of exhaustion (Kranta), giving the temple its name: Ashwa (horse) + Kranta (tired) = Asvakranta. Historical Development The temple finds mention in ancient texts like the Kalika Purana and Yogini Tantra, which describe it as a sacr...

  Gujarat Giants registered a crucial win over Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League, defeating them by 11 runs in a high-scoring encounter. Batting first, Gujarat posted a competitive 167 for 4, riding on strong performances from their middle order. In reply, Mumbai fell short at 156 for 7, despite a valiant knock from captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Gujarat had an early setback when opener Beth Mooney was dismissed for just 5. The innings was steadied by Sophie Devine and Anushka Sharma. Devine scored 25 off 21 balls, while Anushka contributed a handy 33 from 31 deliveries. The real momentum, however, came through a crucial 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Ashley Gardner and Georgia Wareham. Gardner smashed 46 off 28 balls, including seven fours and a six, while Wareham remained unbeaten on 44 off 26 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. Bharti Fulmali stayed not out on 5 as Gujarat finished on 167 for 4. For Mumbai, Amelia Kerr was the most successful bo...

  Novak Djokovic stormed into the final of the Australian Open after defeating Jannik Sinner in a gripping five-set semifinal. The Serbian legend won the match 3–6, 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 and will now face top seed Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final. This is Djokovic’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final since Wimbledon 2024. Those who thought they had predicted the result after the second game of the match were in for a surprise. Few expected the 38-year-old Djokovic to endure a battle lasting more than four hours. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was broken in his very first service game, raising fresh questions about whether he could still compete with the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz. When Sinner took the opening set 6–3, Djokovic’s critics felt their doubts were justified. Djokovic’s relationship with tennis crowds has always been complicated, and once again he responded to some mid-match taunts from the stands. But on court, he made the 14-years-younger Sinner work hard, forcing h...

  Carlos Alcaraz has finally crossed the last remaining Grand Slam hurdle in his career by reaching his maiden Australian Open final. After failing to go beyond the quarterfinals in his previous four attempts, the Spaniard will compete for the title for the first time on Sunday. Although Alcaraz has already won the other three Grand Slams twice each, he had never even reached the semifinals in Melbourne before this year. On Friday, he had to dig deep in a marathon encounter, lasting five hours and 27 minutes, to defeat third seed Alexander Zverev of Germany 6–4, 7–6 (7–5), 6–7 (3–7), 6–7 (4–7), 7–5. Alcaraz made his Australian Open debut in 2021, losing in the second round. He exited in the third round in 2022, did not play in 2023, and was knocked out in the quarterfinals over the last two years. This season, however, he finally managed to go all the way to the final. It was evident from his movement that Alcaraz was struggling with an injury. After winning the first two sets, he ...

  Hugh Joseph Tayfield, popularly known as “Huge” Tayfield, was one of South Africa’s greatest cricketers and is widely regarded as among the finest off-spin bowlers in the history of Test cricket. At a time when fast bowling dominated world cricket, Tayfield proved that high-quality spin bowling could be equally lethal. Through discipline, stamina and remarkable consistency, he built a reputation as a bowler who could break the strongest batting line-ups by sheer persistence and control. Date of Birth and Early Life Hugh Tayfield was born on 15 July 1929 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He grew up in an era when cricket was deeply rooted in traditional values, and he developed his game through strong domestic performances before earning selection for the national side. He passed away on 24 February 1994 at the age of 65. Style of Play – Bowling Tayfield was a classical right-arm off-spin bowler whose greatest strength was accuracy rather than extravagant turn. He relied on subtle va...

  After losing two matches in a row, Royal Challengers Bangalore bounced back in style to secure a place in the Women’s Premier League final. In their final group match, RCB defeated UP Warriorz convincingly, with Smriti Mandhana leading from the front. Batting first, UP Warriorz were restricted to 143 for 8 in 20 overs. In reply, Bangalore chased down the target in just 13.1 overs, winning by eight wickets. Both Grace Harris and Mandhana scored half-centuries, playing key roles in the victory. Having won their first five matches, RCB needed just one more win from their last three games to qualify for the final. However, defeats in the previous two matches had delayed their progress. On Thursday, they finally returned to winning ways, with Grace Harris emerging as the standout performer with both bat and ball. She took two wickets and then smashed 75 runs in the chase. UP started well with the bat. With Phoebe Litchfield ruled out due to injury, captain Meg Lanning opened alongside...

  Pakistan registered their first T20 victory over Australia since 2018, ending a long losing streak with a convincing 22-run win in Lahore on Thursday. One match between the two sides was washed out in 2019, but in the seven games played since then, Pakistan had lost all seven. Despite ongoing uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming World Cup, this victory marked an important start to their preparations for the global tournament. Spinners dominated the opening match on the slow Lahore surface, claiming 10 of the 16 wickets to fall. Two dismissals came via run-outs, while only four wickets were taken by fast bowlers. Notably, none of Pakistan’s pacers picked up a wicket, as all their breakthroughs came through spin. Batting first, Pakistan posted 168 for 8 in their 20 overs. Opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a first-ball duck, but fellow opener Saim Ayub provided early momentum with a brisk 40 off 22 balls, the highest strike rate among Pakistan’s batters....

  Three years ago, Aryna Sabalenka captured her maiden Grand Slam title by defeating Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final. This Saturday, the two heavyweights of women’s tennis will meet once again on the biggest stage in Melbourne, with Sabalenka seeking to extend her dominance and Rybakina eager for revenge. The world No. 1 from Belarus will take on the fifth-seeded Kazakh in what promises to be a thrilling, high-intensity title showdown. Sabalenka arrives in the final in imperious form, having won her last 13 Grand Slam matches with remarkable authority. Not only has she been winning consistently, she has been overwhelming opponents with sheer power and precision. On Thursday at Rod Laver Arena, few anticipated such a one-sided semi-final as she brushed aside Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in straight sets, 6–2, 6–3. Given Svitolina’s impressive quarter-final win over Poland’s Iga Świątek, many had expected a far sterner test. Instead, Sabalenka once again demonstrated that wh...

Everything seemed to be going in India’s favour ahead of the fourth T20I. While there were no major concerns, some questions still lingered around Sanju Samson. Naturally, the wicketkeeper-batter was under the spotlight in Visakhapatnam. But once again, Sanju failed as an opener. He was not alone though. A careless performance from the top order left Team India struggling, and despite Shubman Dube’s lone fight, India could not recover. New Zealand defeated India by 50 runs in the fourth T20I. After winning the toss for the fourth consecutive time, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav opted to field first. However, New Zealand made full use of the conditions. Their batters put the Indian bowlers under pressure and posted a strong total of 215 for 7 in 20 overs. It all started with a blazing 100 runs opening partnership in just 8 overs by Davon Conway(44) & Tim Seifert (62) as both executed scintillating shots . It was a fiece onslaught on the Indian bowling . After Conway departed , Ravi...

  Iga Swiatek’s dream of completing a career Grand Slam remained unfulfilled as she crashed out of the Australian Open quarterfinals on Wednesday. The second seed was outplayed by fifth seed Elena Rybakina, whose power-packed tennis proved too much for the Polish star in Melbourne. Swiatek, already a three-time Grand Slam champion at just 24, went down 7-5, 6-1 to the former Wimbledon winner. The Australian Open was the only major missing from her collection. After she conquered grass at Wimbledon last year—traditionally her weakest surface—there was widespread belief that she could create history in Melbourne. Instead, she missed the chance to become only the sixth woman to win all four Grand Slam titles. Before the tournament, Swiatek had openly spoken about how special a career Grand Slam would be for her. However, her performances in the first four rounds never quite suggested that she was on course to achieve the rare feat this year. Her serve struggled throughout the quarterf...

  Gujarat Giants pulled off a dramatic three-run victory over Delhi Capitals in a nail-biting Women’s Premier League clash, sealing the match on the very last ball. All-rounder Sophie Devine emerged as the hero for Gujarat, picking up two crucial wickets in the final over to script a memorable win. Despite a valiant late assault from Niki Prasad, Delhi fell agonisingly short. Batting first, Gujarat Giants posted a competitive total of 174 for 9. Their innings got off to a shaky start as opener Sophie Devine was dismissed early for 13. However, Beth Mooney and Anushka Sharma steadied the innings with a vital partnership. Mooney played a fluent knock of 58 off 46 balls, hitting seven boundaries, while Anushka, batting at No. 3, struck an impressive 39 off just 25 deliveries, laced with eight fours. Lower down the order, Tanusha Kanwar provided a late boost with a brisk cameo, scoring 21 off 11 balls with three fours and a six. For Delhi Capitals, spinner Sri Charani was the standout ...

  Third seed Coco Gauff’s dream of winning her third Grand Slam title came to an end on Tuesday as she suffered a straight-sets defeat against Ukraine’s 12th seed Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. The American star was comprehensively beaten 1–6, 2–6 at the Rod Laver Arena. While Gauff bowed out, Svitolina booked her place in the semi-finals for the first time in Melbourne, continuing her impressive comeback to top-level tennis. At 31, the Ukrainian is now chasing her maiden Grand Slam title. Gauff struggled badly with her serve throughout the match, committing five double faults in the opening set alone. Svitolina broke her serve four times in that set, taking full advantage of the American’s errors and sealing it quickly. Despite changing her racquet several times, Gauff failed to find rhythm, and Svitolina broke again early in the second set to go 3–0 up. From there, Gauff never recovered and eventually walked off the court visibly disappointed. Svito...

  Daniel Luca Vettori was born on 27 January 1979 in Auckland, New Zealand. Widely regarded as one of the greatest spin-bowling all-rounders of the modern era, Vettori became the face of New Zealand cricket for over a decade. Renowned for his intelligence, consistency, and leadership, he was not just a bowler or a batsman — he was a complete cricketing thinker. Style of Play Bowling Vettori was a left-arm orthodox spin bowler, relying more on: Accuracy and control Subtle variations in pace and flight Tactical bowling to specific field settings He was not a big turner of the ball like Shane Warne or Muttiah Muralitharan, but his greatest strength was discipline. He built pressure through long, miserly spells and forced batsmen into mistakes. Batting Originally a tail-ender, Vettori evolved into a genuine all-rounder, especially in Test cricket. Left-handed batsman Solid defensive technique Known for gritty rearguard innings under pressure Fielding An outstanding slip and close-in fi...

  Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri was born on 26 January 1962 in Corral de Bustos, Córdoba, Argentina. He is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most dominant defenders in Argentine football history, known for his aggression, leadership, and aerial power. Style of Play Ruggeri was a commanding centre-back whose game was built on: Physical strength and fearlessness Exceptional aerial ability Tactical intelligence and leadership Relentless man-marking He played with passion and intensity, earning the nickname “El Cabezón” (The Big-Headed One), due to both his aerial dominance and strong personality. Career Highlights in Detail FIFA World Cup Winner: 1986 (Mexico) Part of the legendary Argentina side led by Diego Maradona Played a key defensive role throughout the tournament He also represented Argentina in: 1990 World Cup (Finalist – Runner-up) 1994 World Cup Copa América Titles Ruggeri won two Copa América titles: 1991 – Champions 1993 – Champions He was the defensive leader in both to...

  Sciver-Brunt’s Historic Century Powers Mumbai Indians to Thrilling 15-Run Win Over RCB in WPL 2026 A sensational all-round performance led by Nat Sciver-Brunt’s historic century and a clinical bowling display helped Mumbai Indians defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs in the 16th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. This was Mumbai’s third win in seven matches, and the victory lifted them to second place on the points table. Batting first, Mumbai Indians posted an imposing total of 199 for 4 in their 20 overs, riding on a magnificent unbeaten century from Nat Sciver-Brunt. In response, RCB fell just short, managing 184 for 9 despite a valiant late effort. Chasing a daunting target of 200, RCB’s top order collapsed dramatically. The team lost five wickets for just 35 runs, with none of the top four batters, including captain Smriti Mandhana, reaching double figures. The early collapse put RCB firmly on the back foot. Shabnim Ismail bowled fast getting 2 wickets ...

  Novak Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after receiving a walkover, while second seed Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton and Lorenzo Musetti registered convincing wins in the men’s singles. In the women’s draw, second seed Iga Swiatek progressed to the last eight along with Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula. India’s Yuki Bhambri exited in the third round of the men’s doubles. The 38-year-old Djokovic got some extra rest ahead of the quarterfinals as his fourth-round opponent, 16th seed Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic, withdrew due to injury. As a result, Djokovic moved into the last eight without playing. Sinner, meanwhile, secured a comfortable victory in the pre-quarterfinals, defeating fellow Italian and 22nd seed Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). However, the match saw a brief controversy when Sinner was asked by the chair umpire to remove a “Whoop” tracker worn under his wristband, a device used to monitor physical metrics. After s...

  The Billeswar Temple (also spelled Billeshwar Temple) is an ancient and revered Shaivite shrine located in Nagaon district, Assam, near the town of Jagiroad. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Billeswar Mahadev, the temple stands as one of the oldest surviving Hindu temples in Assam and a significant symbol of the region’s spiritual and cultural heritage. The temple is especially famous for its unique architectural style, ancient stone inscriptions, and its close association with the early kingdoms of Assam. History (In Detail) Origins and Early History Billeswar Temple is believed to have been constructed during the 9th–10th century CE under the Pala dynasty of Kamarupa, one of the most powerful Hindu dynasties in ancient Assam. Archaeological evidence, including stone inscriptions and sculptural remains, suggest that the temple was originally a major Shaivite centre during the early medieval period. Pala Dynasty Influence The Pala rulers of Assam were strong patrons of...

  In a near-perfect dress rehearsal ahead of the T20 World Cup, defending champions India passed the test with flying colours. Suryakumar Yadav’s men clinched the five-match series against New Zealand with two games still to be played, delivering dominant performances in every encounter. With the World Cup set to begin on home soil in a fortnight, Indian cricket fans have every reason to be optimistic about another title run. India’s fortune smiled in Guwahati as captain Suryakumar won the toss and opted to field first. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi returned to the side, and the team management’s decision paid rich dividends. The duo dismantled the Kiwi batting line-up, sharing five wickets between them while conceding just 35 runs in eight overs. Despite a disciplined bowling display, New Zealand somehow managed to crawl past the 150 mark. However, the modest target was never going to trouble India’s explosive batting unit, which chased it down with ease to seal the series. New ...

  The top seeds booked their places in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open with convincing performances in both men’s and women’s singles. In the men’s draw, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and third seed Alexander Zverev advanced comfortably with straight-set victories. However, former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev suffered a shock exit in the fourth round. Alcaraz had an entertaining outing against American Tommy Paul, winning 7–6 (8–6), 6–4, 7–5 to move into the last eight. During the match, the young Spaniard received multiple marriage proposals from the crowd, drawing laughter from both Alcaraz and the spectators. Despite the unusual interruptions, he remained focused and sealed the match in straight sets. With this win, Alcaraz also created history by becoming the first player to reach 14 Grand Slam quarterfinals before the age of 23. In doing so, he broke the 47-year-old joint record previously held by Björn Borg and Boris Becker, who had reached the last eight 13 times each b...

  Watches usually tell us time. But sometimes, they also tell a story. That is exactly what a newly created luxury timepiece for Anant Ambani is doing. With an astronomical price tag and a design that carries a message of wildlife conservation, the bespoke watch has become a talking point across social media. The timepiece, named Opera Bantara Green Camo, has been created by the luxury brand Jacob & Co exclusively for him. Mukesh and Nita Ambani’s youngest son, Anant, is known to own an impressive collection of high-end watches. This time, however, a luxury brand decided to create a unique model inspired by one of its most loyal global clients. The American brand crafted this one-of-a-kind watch, priced at $1.5 million — approximately ₹12.5 crore in Indian currency. The design and philosophy of the watch revolve around the theme of nature and wildlife conservation. Bantara, spread across nearly 3,000 acres, is home to around 2,000 animals belonging to 43 different species. Rare...

  The Kamakhya Temple is one of the most sacred and powerful Shakti Peethas in India, located on the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, overlooking the Brahmaputra River. Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, a form of Shakti (Divine Mother), the temple is a unique shrine where the Goddess is worshipped without an idol, in the form of a natural stone yoni (womb). Kamakhya is the most important centre of Tantric worship in the world and is regarded as the spiritual capital of Shaktism. History (In Detail) Mythological Origin The temple’s origin is linked to the legend of Sati and Shiva. When Sati immolated herself at Daksha’s yajna, Shiva carried her body across the universe in grief. To calm him, Vishnu cut Sati’s body into 51 pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra. It is believed that Sati’s womb (Yoni) fell at Nilachal Hill, making Kamakhya one of the most powerful Shakti Peethas. Ancient History Kamakhya finds mention in ancient texts like: Kalika Purana Yogini Tantra Tantric Agamas The regio...

    Montego Bay, often called “MoBay”, is Jamaica’s second-largest city and the country’s most popular tourist destination. Located on the northwestern coast, it is famous for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, luxury resorts, and vibrant nightlife. Montego Bay is considered the gateway to Jamaica’s tourism industry and is home to many of the island’s all-inclusive resorts. Unlike Kingston, which is more cultural and urban, Montego Bay is primarily a leisure and beach-oriented city, ideal for honeymooners, families, cruise travelers, and beach lovers. Best Spots to Visit in Detail 1. Doctor’s Cave Beach One of the most famous beaches in Jamaica. Crystal-clear waters and soft white sand. Excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Facilities include showers, lockers, and bars. 2. Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue) The main entertainment and shopping street. Restaurants, bars, clubs, and souvenir shops. Lively nightlife and street food. 3. Rose Hall Great House A restored 18th-cent...

  Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Smriti Mandhana, suffered their first defeat in the Women’s Premier League as they went down by seven wickets against Jemimah Rodrigues’ Delhi Capitals. Batting first, Bengaluru managed to score only 109 runs, while Delhi chased down the target comfortably with 111 for 3 in 15.4 overs. After winning the toss, Jemimah opted to field. On the 22-yard pitch in Vadodara, Bengaluru failed to make the most of the opportunity to bat first. Apart from captain Mandhana, none of the batters could stand up to Delhi’s bowling attack. Wickets fell at regular intervals. Opener Grace Harris was dismissed for 9, followed by Georgia Voll (11), Gautami Naik (3), Richa Ghosh (5), Nadine de Klerk (5) and Arundhati Reddy (2). Mandhana fought a lone battle, holding one end together. She scored 38 runs off 34 balls, hitting six fours and one six. Radha Yadav provided some support with an 18-run knock off 17 balls, but it was not enough to lift the total. Delhi’s bowle...