T20 World Cup final: New Zealand aim to 'silence' Ahmedabad crowd but wary of Jasprit Bumrah New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner expressed confidence in his team’s ability to challenge India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, despite acknowledging the daunting task ahead. The Black Caps will face the defending champions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where over 100,000 fans are expected to gather for the high-stakes clash. Santner emphasized the importance of silencing the home crowd, a goal he linked to breaking India’s momentum and securing their first white-ball World Cup title. New Zealand reached the final in 2021 but fell to Australia, and Santner admitted the team is not the favorite in this year’s edition. “It’s going to be obviously a challenge where everyone knows we’re probably not the favorites,” he said. However, he hinted at a determination to “break a few hearts” to lift the trophy. Santner also referenced India’s recent victory over England in the semi-final, where Jasprit Bumrah played a pivotal role, and acknowledged the need to prepare specifically for the Indian fast bowler. Bumrah’s performance in the tournament has been standout, particularly during the semi-final against England, where his bowling was described as “hard to hit.” Santner noted that Bumrah’s ability to change the game’s momentum makes him a key threat, but he stressed that New Zealand cannot focus solely on the left-arm pacer. “Not just him, everyone has stepped up (for India) at different times,” Santner said, highlighting the depth of India’s squad. The New Zealand skipper emphasized the importance of adapting to the challenges posed by the Indian team, which has shown resilience and consistency throughout the tournament.#india #new_zealand #jasprit_bumrah #narendra_modi_stadium #mitchell_santner
T20 World Cup 2025/26, IND vs NZ Final Match Preview - Triumph and disaster: India, New Zealand and a trophy for one India could become the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title; New Zealand are on the hunt for their first World Cup. Published: Mar 7, 2026, 1:22 PM (12 hrs ago) The toss will play a decisive role in the final at Ahmedabad. India, a team often described as the GOAT in T20 cricket, have dominated the tournament, winning seven matches for every one lost since the start of the previous World Cup. Their success has been bolstered by strategic changes, including the pivot from Shubman Gill to Ishan Kishan and later the return of Sanju Samson, which have seamlessly integrated into their lineup. However, the team’s reputation as the GOAT remains unproven without a final victory. India’s dominance has been further enhanced by the inclusion of players like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Varun Chakravarthy, who have added depth and intent to the squad. Despite their strength, the team faces pressure to deliver a title defense, as the format of T20 cricket—characterized by its unpredictability—makes it difficult to establish a direct link between performance and outcomes. India’s journey has included rituals such as temple visits and avoiding training during a lunar eclipse, reflecting their obsession with control in a format where variables are numerous. New Zealand, on the other hand, have embraced their underdog status, thriving on the challenge of overcoming expectations. Their approach is marked by a balance between individual freedom and collective success. Players like Daryl Mitchell, who has scored at a rate of 10.18 per over against Jasprit Bumrah, are critical to their strategy.#india #new_zealand #jasprit_bumrah #ahmedabad #t20_world_cup_2025_26
Silver rate today: White metal jumps ₹8,600 on MCX on escalating US-Iran war, weak dollar Silver prices rose on Friday, March 6, as investors remained cautious about the potential economic impact of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. A decline in the US dollar also contributed to the upward movement in precious metals, making dollar-denominated bullion more affordable for buyers using other currencies. On the MCX exchange, silver prices surged by 2.6%, or ₹8,600, to ₹2,68,991 per kilogram, while gold prices increased by 1%, or ₹1,577, to ₹1,61,250 per 10 gram. In international markets, spot silver rose 0.1% to $82.26 per ounce, while spot gold remained largely unchanged at $5,076.09 per ounce. US gold futures for April delivery also climbed 0.1% to $5,084.50. Other precious metals also saw gains, with platinum rising 0.1% to $2,124.05 per ounce and palladium advancing 1.1% to $1,639.78 per ounce. The rising tensions in the Middle East continued to escalate, with Iran reportedly launching multiple attacks against Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The intensifying conflict has raised concerns about broader economic and energy market disruptions. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Admiral Brad Cooper, who oversees US forces in the region, stated that the United States has enough munitions to sustain its military campaign for an extended period. The US-Israeli offensive against Iran, which began on Saturday, has reportedly targeted multiple locations across the country, prompting retaliatory actions from Iran. The conflict has also disrupted global energy markets, leading to a surge in oil and energy prices. The war has disrupted supply routes and shipping activity, while several major Middle Eastern producers have reportedly reduced production due to the uncertainty.#us #iran #middle_east #pete_hegseth #brad_cooper
Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD range-bound as RSI holds near 50 and MACD flattens Silver (XAG/USD) has edged higher on Friday, trading near $84.27, as the US Dollar and Treasury yields eased following softer-than-expected Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data. The rebound came after the metal dipped to a daily low near $80.17, but it remains on track for its first weekly decline in three weeks. The price action reflects a balance between supportive factors and lingering bearish momentum. The ongoing US-Iran conflict has contributed to elevated geopolitical risk, bolstering safe-haven demand and limiting deeper losses for Silver. However, rising oil prices driven by supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz are fueling inflation concerns, which have dampened expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. This dynamic tends to weigh on non-yielding assets like Silver, as lower interest rates typically support its price. From a technical perspective, Silver is consolidating near the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) after retreating from the upper Bollinger Band. On the daily chart, the price is stabilizing around the middle Bollinger Band at $83, which also serves as a key support level. Momentum indicators suggest a lack of strong directional movement, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering near 50, indicating balanced momentum. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator is flattening near the zero line, signaling fading bearish momentum, though the MACD line remains slightly below the signal line. Short-term support appears to lie around the lower Bollinger Band at $72, with the February swing low near $64.08 as a deeper downside risk if the price breaks below the middle Bollinger Band. On the upside, a clear break above the upper Bollinger Band near $93.#oil_prices #us_iran_conflict #us_dollar #treasury_yields #nonfarm_payrolls
How Army trailblazers inspired generations of women officers Two women, Lt Col Randhawa (retd) and Major Jhingan (retd), shattered military barriers. Randhawa became India's first war widow officer after her husband's sacrifice, while Jhingan was Lady Cadet 001, paving the way for women in the armed forces. Their journeys inspire countless others to serve the nation. #Army #Major_Jhingan #Army_trailblazers #Col_Randhawa #retd #shattered_military #military_barriers #trailblazers_inspired #inspired_generations #Lady_Cadet
Uttar Pradesh: 2.4 crore names dropped in poll rolls since SIR announced Uttar Pradesh's voter count is approaching 13 crore. A voter roll revision exercise is nearing completion. Notices were issued and hearings held for millions of voters. Many names were removed due to migration or other reasons. Thousands of applications for corrections and updates were also processed. The final electoral roll will be published soon. #Pradesh #SIR #crore #Uttar_Pradesh #Uttar #SIR_announced #announced_Uttar #Pradesh_voter #poll_rolls #voter_count
UBS Advises Clients to Sell Downside Protection in Gold and Silver Amid Geopolitical Volatility Gold and silver remain supported despite heightened geopolitical tensions, with UBS recommending investors sell downside protection in both metals as the bank anticipes limited risk of prices falling below key levels in the near term. The bank’s strategy focuses on capitalizing on elevated market volatility, which has created opportunities in the options market. The recommendation comes amid a turbulent environment for precious metals, driven by the escalation of the U.S./Israel-Iran conflict, which has unsettled global markets and pushed investors toward safe-haven assets. UBS reiterated a bullish outlook for gold, citing macroeconomic factors such as expectations of lower interest rates, a weaker dollar, and continued demand from central banks. The bank targets a price of USD 6,200 per ounce over the coming months. Rather than positioning for a decline, UBS prefers strategies that benefit from prices remaining above certain thresholds. The bank suggests selling downside protection for gold below USD 4,700 per ounce over the next month, reflecting confidence that the metal is unlikely to fall below that level. Selling downside protection typically involves put options, allowing investors to collect premium income while betting prices will stay above a specific threshold. A similar outlook applies to silver, with UBS noting that fundamental drivers for higher prices remain intact. The bank highlights factors such as lower nominal and real interest rates, global debt concerns, USD debasement considerations, and expectations of robust economic growth in 2026. Volatility in silver markets has surged, with option volatility reaching around 70%, creating attractive conditions for options-based strategies.#silver #gold #ubs #us_israel_iran_conflict #options_market
God of War Sons of Sparta review: This series' metroidvania prequel is serviceable, but shines like a red orb on PlayStation Portal God of War Sons of Sparta represents a significant departure for the iconic action series, one that can sometimes feel unimpressive on a big screen. But the game's layered metroidvania structure, deep combat, and excellent prequel story and characters all come into satisfying focus when played on the PlayStation Portal. #big_screen #PlayStation_Portal #War_Sons #Sparta_review #Sparta_represents #Portal_God #action_series #red_orb #significant_departure #iconic_action
Resident Evil Requiem delivered on the multiple-protagonist promise I've always wanted from Silent Hill The fear of blood tends to create fear for the flesh. #Silent_Hill #Evil_Requiem #Resident_Evil #Requiem_delivered #multiple-protagonist_promise #create_fear
'Census-style' 45-day assessment signals early learning turnaround in Haryana schools Haryana's government schools have achieved a remarkable turnaround in foundational learning, with high-performing schools surging from 7% to 53% in just three months. A statewide diagnostic assessment and targeted 45-day remediation drive, focusing on literacy and numeracy, significantly boosted student competencies across nearly 8,600 primary schools. #Haryana #Haryana_government #remarkable_turnaround #signals_early #learning_turnaround #early_learning #foundational_learning #Haryana_schools #schools_Haryana #Census-style
Top legal experts split on social media ban for kids Legal experts question the effectiveness of state-level bans on social media for children, citing central government jurisdiction over IT and telecommunications. While appreciating the intent to protect young minds, they advocate for education on constructive usage and pan-India legislation rather than fragmented state laws. #social_media #media_ban #central_government #legal_experts #Top_legal #kids_Legal #citing_central #experts_split #experts_question #government_jurisdiction
