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PTI

AHMEDABAD, May 20: Eyeing a top-two finish to ensure a shot at Qualifier 1, Gujarat Titans will have their tails up when they face a flagging Chennai Super Kings side seeking to regain lost ground after a rather disappointing campaign, in their IPL match here on Thursday.

A top-two placement at the end of the league stage grants the teams two opportunities to reach the final.

Currently placed second with 16 points, the Titans are in a three-way battle alongside table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru (18 points) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (16 points), and victory against CSK will vastly improve their chances of a top-two finish in the group phase.

A victory over CSK by a heavy margin could even push GT past RCB’s (+1.065) net run rate, depending on other fixtures. And if SRH too win their final league stage game against RCB, the battle for the second spot will come down to net run rate.

In this scenario, GT hold slight edge with their NNR (+0.400) being better than Sunrisers’ +0.350.

On the other hand, with their playoff hopes inching closer to getting extinguished after a narrow loss to SRH, the five-time former champions Chennai Super Kings will seek to salvage pride in what could be their final outing in this edition.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s men have been pushed to the brink of elimination and require a victory along with other results to go their way to stay in contention for the last playoffs berth.

Going into the contest on the traditionally batting friendly strip at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Titans’ captain Shubman Gill is in excellent form, and so is his opening partner Sai Sudharsan. For the opening pair, negotiating early swing and controlling the powerplay will be crucial against the CSK bowling attack.

The middle overs will likely feature a fascinating tactical battle, with GT’s star spinner Rashid Khan testing a seasoned CSK solid line-up.

Gill, Jos Buttler, and Sudharsan will continue to anchor Gujarat’s batting. However, because GT’s middle order lacks consistency, Chennai would attempt to squeeze them early via left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who has previously dismissed Gill twice in T20s.

Sanju Samson stands out as CSK’s best option to tackle the spin of Rashid and Co. in the middle overs. Samson’s ability to counter the Afghanistan star’s wrist spin is likely going to to dictate whether CSK can put up a competitive total or chase down a target if batting second.

Historically, the rivalry is evenly poised at the moment with a head-to-head record of 4-4. However, the Titans have dominated of late, having thrashed Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets earlier in the season at Chepauk.

The man doing the bulk of the damage for GT in their previous face-off is Kagiso Rabada, who destroyed CSK’s top order with a three-wicket haul, and it is imperative from the visitors’ point of view that Gaikwad and Samson survive his opening spell to protect a vulnerable middle order.

While injuries to multiple key players didn’t help their cause this season, CSK’s bowling has also lacked penetration and consistency, even as GT’s attack often looking like a well-oiled machine.

PTI

JAIPUR, May 20: Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag has slammed TV commentators and experts for making personal attacks on him during the ongoing IPL, urging them to respect the players and stick to talking about cricket.

Following RR’s victory over Lucknow Super Giants here on Tuesday, Parag, who did not take the field for the game due to a hamstring issue, expressed his frustration with the heavy scrutiny around his off-field issues, including being caught vaping in the dressing room earlier this season.

“As far as IPL is concerned, there are a lot of things happening outside this year. I feel the whole country loves cricket a lot. We, as players, try to give our best whenever we can,” Parag said.

“We perform according to the expectations of the crowd. So, I feel, we should all love cricket and look at it in the same way. Players are working very hard. It is very easy to say, if a team gets all out for 75 or 80 runs, that they do not know how to play or have the mindset to play.

“But before that game, there is a 3-4 days’ prepara- tion (time period) to ensure how we can score 200-250. But sometimes it doesn’t happen. We are humans too and we make mistakes too. So, I feel, as much as it is happening outside, espe- cially the commentators, their voices are reaching out to the people, I would request them to love cricket. Talk about cricket,” the 24-year- old said.

“The sport, which is the country’s most important sport, and in which we are the best, I feel, (should be treated) with a little respect. We should only talk about cricket. We should not talk about anything else,” he said. (PTI)

(PTI)

KOLKATA, May 20: A multi-team battle for the Indian Super League title is set for a dramatic finale with five sides – including traditional heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC – mathematically remaining in contention heading into the last round matches across various venues on Thursday.

With the shortened single-leg season producing one of the closest title races in recent years, all eyes will be on simultaneous fixtures involving Punjab FC, Mumbai City FC, East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

East Bengal are currently in pole position to win the title. Sitting atop the table with a superior goal difference and in control of their own destiny, they have the best chance to lift their first domestic league title in 22 years.

East Bengal, who will play Inter Kashi at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, last won the top-tier domestic league title during the 2003-04 season of the then National Football League under the guidance of late Subhash Bhowmick. They then successfully defended the crown to secure their third overall NFL title.

Defending champions Mohun Bagan, who are right behind East Bengal on goal difference, need to win their final game against Sporting Club Delhi at the famous Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, while hoping their biggest rivals drop points.

As far as Mumbai City FC and Punjab FC are concerned, both teams remain in mathematical contention, but they need both the Kolkata giants to lose their final games in order to win the championship while emerging triumphant in their face-off.

Bengaluru FC sit at the third place in the standings with 23 points from 13 matches after completing their campaign, but their fate is no longer in their hands.

In contrast, Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC, both on 22 points with one game remaining, are better placed to snatch the title away from Bengaluru, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan when they clash in a potentially decisive contest in New Delhi.

A victory for either side would take them to 25 points and guarantee the title. Even a draw could keep the title race alive depending on results elsewhere and head-to-head permutations.

The compressed ISL format this season, introduced after administrative uncertainty delayed the tournament, has intensified the competition with every point carrying massive significance.

Punjab FC enter the final round with momentum after edging Odisha FC 3-2 in a high-scoring contest, while Mumbai City FC have quietly built momentum through the latter half of the campaign.

Bengaluru FC, despite finishing strongly with back-to-back wins, face an anxious wait after dropping crucial points through draws earlier in the season.

For Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, the equation is comparatively straight-forward — win remaining matches and hope results elsewhere swing in their favour. The Kolkata rivals have shown defensive solidity throughout the campaign and could yet turn the title race into a dramatic photo finish.

Elsewhere, FC Goa, currently on 20 points, still retain an outside mathematical chance, though they would require a highly unlikely combination of results and goal-difference swings.

The final day is also expected to shape playoff seedings, with several mid-table teams battling for placements in the pecking order.

With the title race separated by the thinnest of margins, Thursday’s matches promise one of the most grip-ping finishes in ISL history.

Seven ISL clubs get Premier 1 licence

Seven Indian Super League clubs, including East Bengal, were granted the AIFF Club Licensing Premier 1 licence with sanctions for the 2026-27 season, while applications of several top-flight sides, including Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Kerala Blasters FC, were rejected.

The decisions were taken by the Club Licensing Committee-First Instance Body (CLC-FIB) of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) during its meeting on May 17.

The clubs granted licences with sanctions are NorthEast United FC, East Bengal FC, Jamshedpur FC, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa and Punjab FC.

The applications of Sporting Club Delhi, Odisha FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, and Inter Kashi were rejected.

“The clubs whose applications have been rejected have the right to either appeal the decision or request an exemp-tion to participate in the national club competition, as per applicable licensing regulations,” an AIFF release said.

The AIFF’s club licensing system is an annual process wherein clubs acquire the necessary license to partake in AFC and National club competitions for each season.

These licenses are categorised into ‘Premier 1’ for Indian Super League clubs and ‘Premier 2’ for Indian Foot-ball League clubs.

(PTI)

KOLKATA, May 20: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced the implementation of a mechanism under which infiltrators detained by state police would be handed over directly to the BSF for deportation, while unveiling what he described as part of a broader “detect, delete and deport” framework.

The announcement, made at a press conference attended by senior BSF officials shortly after Adhikari returned from north Bengal, signalled a sharper policy turn on infiltration and border management — long among the BJP’s most potent political themes in Bengal, at the centre of the new government’s agenda.

Adhikari said those communities covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would remain outside the ambit of the new mechanism, while others identified as infiltrators would face action with immediate effect.

“A letter was sent by the Centre to the state on May 14 last year regarding the direct handover of infiltrators to the BSF, but the previous government failed to implement this important provision. We have now enforced it,” the chief minister said at the state secretariat Nabanna.

He alleged that the previous Trinamool Congress government had opposed the CAA and also failed to operationalise the mechanism proposed by the Centre.

“On one hand, the previous government opposed the CAA, and on the other, it did not use this important provision. Today we are implementing it,” Adhikari said.

Seeking to draw a distinction between refugee protection and illegal immigration, the chief minister referred to provisions under the CAA. “Under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the communities covered by it have been named, and those who came (to India) till December 31, 2024, are protected, and police cannot detain them,” he said.

The communities covered under the citizenship law include Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled alleged religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan before the prescribed cut-off date.

The CM said those not covered under the law would be treated as infiltrators.

“Those who are not covered under the Act are completely illegal infiltrators. State police will detain them and hand them over to the BSF,” Adhikari said.

“The BSF will speak to the BGB and take necessary steps to deport them. This law is being implemented starting today,” he said.

Adhikari described the framework as “detect, delete and deport”, while explaining the mechanism.

The chief minister said instructions had already been communicated to the state’s top administrative and police officials.

“We have informed the DGP and the home secretary that this law will be implemented in all police stations in border areas for the sake of West Bengal and the country’s security,” he said.

Officials said the mechanism would be implemented across police stations located in border districts, with coordination between state police and the BSF expected to form the backbone of the process.

For the BJP government in Bengal, the announcement appeared to be more than an administrative directive. Border management and infiltration have long occupied a central place in the party’s Bengal politics. On Wednesday, those themes moved from campaign rhetoric to policy execution.

Twisha Sharma death case

(Agencies)

BHOPAL, May 20: A local court on Wednesday directed that the body of Noida woman Twisha Sharma, who was found hanging at her marital home here last week following alleged harassment for dowry, be preserved, but rejected her family’s plea for a second autopsy.

Judicial Magistrate First Class Anudita Gupta said a letter be issued to police directing them to immediately obtain information regarding “low-temperture preservation facility” in Madhya Pradesh, and submit a report to the court without delay.

Earlier in the day, the city police urged the woman’s family to take custody of her body as it could begin decomposing.

Twisha Sharma (33), daughter-in-law of a retired judge, was found hanging at her marital home here. On Tuesday, the court had called for the case diary before deciding on her parents’ application that her body be preserved and a second postmortem examination be conducted outside the state.

In their plea, Twisha’s family pointed out flaws in the investigation and pointed out, among other things, that the FIR was registered three days after she was found dead.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of reports regarding the suspicious death of Sharma. It sought a detailed action taken report (ATR) from the Madhya Pradesh government within seven days.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar wrote to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, directing them to ensure an immediate, fair and time-bound probe into the matter.

NEW DELHI, May 20: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a high-level meeting with central security and intelligence agencies on Wednesday to review preparations for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination.

He directed strict action against fake Telegram channels spreading misinformation related to the medical-entrance exam. The minister stressed the need for heightened vigilance and foolproof security arrangements to ensure the safe, secure and fair conduct of the upcoming NEET-UG.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Education and the director general of the NTA were also present at the meeting, where preparations were reviewed in detail to identify vulnerabilities in advance and ensure timely preventive and corrective measures. (PTI)

(IANS) NEW DELHI, May 20: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre and all states on a PIL raising concerns over the sale of alcohol in inconspicuous packaging such as tetra packs, PET bottles, plastic sachets and other portable containers. During the hearing, the CJI Kant-led Bench orally remarked, “This is very deceptive”. The plea seeks formulation of uniform and harmonised guidelines across states to regulate the packaging of liquor, contending that divergent definitions under various State Excise Acts allow alcohol to be sold in “flasks”, “pots”, “wrappers” and other similar receptacles. According to the petition, alcohol is increasingly being sold in portable and inconspicuous packaging such as tetra packs, plastic sachets and small PET bottles, which can be easily concealed and carried in public places.

(Agencies)

NEW DELHI, May 20: Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng has alleged that her Facebook and Instagram accounts were suspended shortly after she questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Norway.

Lyng, a reporter for the Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen, stated on X that she has been unable to access both platforms and expressed hope for their swift restoration. Describing the suspension as a “small price to pay for press freedom,” she noted that she had never encountered such an issue previously.

The controversy follows a viral press interaction in Oslo, where Lyng questioned Modi on media access and press freedom during a joint appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Since the exchange, Lyng has reportedly faced significant online harassment, including accusations of being a political agent—claims she has dismissed.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has not yet commented on the suspension of the journalist’s accounts.

NEW DELHI, May 20:

(PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a PIL challenging the Centre’s decision to conduct caste-based Census, saying the issue falls under the policy domain. The top court said the government must know the number of persons belonging to backward castes to frame welfare measures. The top court did not agree to the submissions of PIL petitioner Sudhakar Gummula that plenty of information and figures were available with the government on caste details. “These are all policy matters, whether the Census should be caste-based or not. What is wrong with it? The government must know as to how many people are in the backward class, what kind of welfare measures are to be taken for them. It is within the policy domain,” the CJI said while dismissing the PIL.

PTI

SILIGURI, May 20: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said that an AIIMS, an IIT and an IIM will be set up in the northern part of the state, while ordering steps for qualitative development of the lives of tea garden workers in the region.

The BJP’s election manifesto for West Bengal promised the establishment of an AIIMS, an IIT and an IIM in North Bengal.

Briefing reporters on Adhikari’s first administrative meeting here in north Bengal, BJP’s Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said that the CM also stressed the need for improving healthcare infra-structure in the region.

He said that Adhikari, who took oath as the chief minister of the first BJP government in West Bengal on May 9, assured the people that an AIIMS would be set up to ensure proper healthcare in north Bengal.

“Apart from the AIIMS, an IIT, an IIM and a cancer hospital will be set up in north Bengal,” Bista said.

These institutes will come up in different districts of the region.

“The CM has also directed that no objection certificates (NOC) for various development projects be issued by the authori-ties without delay,” the MP said.

Bista said that Adhikari has also asked for special initiatives for development work in the border areas near Bangladesh and Nepal.

He said that with more than five lakh directly employed people and 20 lakh indirect beneficiaries of the tea gardens dotting the northern districts of the state, the chief minister stressed the bet-terment of the condition of tea garden workers.

“The CM asked the Tea Board chairman and other officials to study the Assam tea garden worker welfare model and asked them to come up with pointers on what would be the issues involved in implementing the same here,” Bista said.

New labour law will be implemented in the tea gardens in the future, and betterment of the workers’ lives in line with that in Assam will be ensured, the BJP said.

“The CM has ordered implementation of the Centre’s Chai Srameek Yojana, which was blocked by the previous TMC government for the last three years,” he said, adding that Rs 350 crore worth of benefits are pending to Bengal’s tea garden workers under the scheme. (PTI)