In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Rajasthan Royals defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six wickets in Match 16 at the Baraspara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, thanks to a strong start from batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who smashed 78 runs off 26 balls, and a consistent 81 runs off 43 balls from wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.

Sooryavanshi began the Rajasthan Royals’ chase with a strong attack on the bowling, easily breaking down RCB’s bowling with aggressive strokes. He began his innings against Bhuvneshwar Kumar with a powerful drive that nearly yorked him for four, and he finished it with a high stroke over cover-point.

As he targeted Hazlewood, he didn’t let up, instead slamming consecutive boundaries that demonstrated his intention to go after anything within his strike zone. Sooryavanshi maintained his ability to score even as RCB varied its lengths, displaying remarkable talent in his hitting.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) provided some aid at the other end of the wicket before edging a cross-seam delivery, but it had little impact on RR’s momentum. Sooryavanshi matched his previous record by quickly scoring an amazing fifty in just 15 balls.

He arrived there with consecutive sixes: one was a strong hit over long-on, while the other was a top-edge pull that cleared the boundary. RCB was left scratching their heads by his capacity to control both quick and bouncing deliveries.

Dhruv Jurel joined in, effortlessly smashing boundaries and maintaining the pressure, as the onslaught went on. Abhinandan Singh’s overs proved especially expensive for RR, who set a new Power-play record of 97/1, their greatest performance in IPL history.

They carried this momentum into the middle overs, reaching 100 in just 6. 2 overs, which was the quickest in their IPL history.

After scoring a useful 78 off 26 balls, the young left-handed batter handed it straight to Virat Kohli at deep mid-wicket as Krunl Pandya finished Sooryavanshi’s stint with a pace-up delivery. On the very next ball, Shimron Hetmyer gave Hazlewood an easy catch at short third man after Sooryavanshi.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) got off to a thrilling start when Jofra Archer caught Phil Salt off guard with a hard bouncer on the very first delivery. In a 17-ball blitz, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal struck back with a quick 45-run stand, but Rajasthan responded with force.

Ravi Bishnoi turned the game around by taking two quick wickets, bowling Kohli and dismissing Krunal Pandya, while Archer took out Padikkal. Shimron Hetmyer’s excellent fielding made things worse for RCB. Shortly after, Jitesh Sharma also departed, leaving RCB in a difficult position at 76/5 after 8. 4 overs.

Romario Shepherd hit a quick 22 in a short counterattack before being taken out by Ravindra Jadeja. The tide turned when debutant Venkatesh Iyer teamed up with Rajat Patidar. After a cautious start, Patidar scored a quick half-century with many sixes.

But in the end, Sandeep Sharma beat him. In their 20-over allotment, a late push by Iyer (29 off 15) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar helped RCB score a respectable total of 201/8.

In the middle overs, RCB staged a brief recovery. They put the Rajasthan Royals under pressure by delivering a series of accurate deliveries that included wickets and dot balls, which helped to slow down their momentum.

By stopping boundaries and lowering the required run rate to around seven runs per over, Krunal Pandya did a good job of leading the charge. Before Ravindra Jadeja broke the drought with a fortunate inside edge to fine leg, he even brought an end to a boundary drought that lasted 24 balls.

But throughout the slowdown, Dhruv Jurel maintained composure. In 25 deliveries, he scored his half-century after setting the chase with a well-timed knock. Despite RCB’s tenacious comeback, RR maintained on course thanks to Jurel’s strong performance and wickets in hand.

Rajasthan Royals pursued 202 with two overs to spare, and Jurel ended undefeated with a fantastic 81 off 43 deliveries—his best score in T20s.

Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja maintained the innings steady with a cool 68-run partnership off 50 balls, even though there was a small blip in the middle overs, guaranteeing that there were no last-minute scares as RR secured a convincing victory.

Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 201/8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 63, Virat Kohli 32; Ravi Bishnoi 2-32, Jofra Archer 2-33)
Rajasthan Royals 202/4 in 18 overs (Dhruv Jurel 81, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 78; Krunal Pandya 2-40, Josh Hazlewood 2-44)

With the four-person crew of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen safely splashing down after a historic ten-day trip around the Moon on the Orion spacecraft, NASA’s Artemis II mission has come to a successful conclusion, marking a significant step toward humanity’s return to deep space exploration.

“Welcome home Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy! ” NASA tweeted on X. At 8:07 p. m. ET (0007 UTC April 11), the Artemis II astronauts landed, completing their groundbreaking 10-day journey around the Moon.

In an earlier piece, the agency emphasized the spacecraft’s descent, saying, “Orion’s main parachute has deployed. ” The spacecraft will slow down from roughly 300 mph to 20 mph in preparation for splashdown, thanks to a mechanism of 11 chutes.

The crew was getting closer to Earth after a trip of over 690,000 miles, according to NASA, before they arrived.

The mission has gained worldwide recognition because it is the first time in more than 50 years that mankind has resumed deep space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Highlighting its importance in paving the way for future lunar missions, NASA characterized the trip as one that transported astronauts farther than anyone had ever traveled before.

The crew covered 248,655 miles from Earth during the voyage, establishing a new distance record, and ultimately arrived to around 252,756 miles at the furthest point.

With this, a new standard for human space travel is established, exceeding the prior record established during the Apollo 13 mission.

The purpose of the expedition, according to officials, was to thoroughly evaluate the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket in a deep-space setting with astronauts on board. A crucial phase in the process of confirming the systems that will enable future operations targeted at bringing people back to the Moon was the lunar flyby.

According to Dr. Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator of NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, the accomplishment demonstrates the agency’s dedication to breaking barriers. Hansen stated from orbit that this historic moment marks the legacy of earlier space explorers and the beginning of a new age of discovery.

Many consider Artemis II to be a significant advancement in NASA’s long-term aim of creating a continuous human presence on the Moon, paving the way for future, more ambitious missions.

On Thursday, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Railways, Several steps were taken to improve the safety and convenience of rail travel, including installing composite sleepers at bridge approaches, points, and crossings.

In addition, the ministry stated that inspection vehicles would be equipped with an AI-enabled track monitoring system that makes use of a unique AI-enabled gadget.

The new composite sleepers will be lighter, have a higher load capacity, and provide better cushioning than the current heavy iron and concrete sleepers. The statement stated that laying and fixing composite sleepers is simpler.

Depending on the particular circumstances of where these sleepers will be utilized, they may be planned and installed. Using them will enhance the passenger experience, particularly when traveling through points & crossings and bridges.

These composite sleepers are made of mixed materials and have superior durability compared to iron and concrete. They may support loads of up to 700 kg per square centimeter. The Railways anticipates that the mover will lower the cost of maintaining its current sleepers.

To evaluate the condition of the tracks with the help of AI, inspection vehicles will be equipped with ground penetration radar equipment. Additionally, the ministry chose to implement Magnetic Particle Testing in order to detect minor flaws in welded joints and enhance the quality of railway track welding.

The statement emphasized that the Indian Railways family continues to be committed to offering passengers safe and pleasant journey and that the judgments demonstrate Indian Railways’ awareness of public safety.

In order to maintain low prices, the Indian Railways is focusing on inexpensive travel by increasing the number of non-AC general and sleeper cars and offering an average discount of around 45% each passenger, according to an official release from March.

According to the announcement, railways offers a passenger subsidy of around Rs 60,000 crore every year, plus a further Rs 3,000 crore subsidy for suburban areas like Mumbai.

According to an official statement released on Thursday, home LPG cylinder deliveries are still unaffected, with over 51. 5 lakh cylinders delivered on April 8 despite supply interruptions caused by the West Asia crisis.

Approximately 98% of LPG bookings are made online, and distributorships have not reported any dry-outs. To prevent diversion at the distributor level, the percentage of shipments using the Delivery Authentication Code method has increased to roughly 92%.

In addition to the daily average of 77,000 in February of this year, more than 1. 06 million 5 kg LPG cylinders, used mostly by migrant workers, were also sold nationwide.

Approximately a million 5 kg LPG cylinders have been sold since March 23. According to the statement, the state-owned oil businesses have increased surprise inspections, given out over 1,870 show-cause notices, punished 189 LPG distribution outlets, and put 53 distribution outlets on hold.

To arrange the commercial distribution of LPG, a three-member committee of Executive Directors from Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited is working with industry organizations and state governments.

The public sector oil companies have strengthened surprise inspections and issued over 1,870 show-cause notices, imposed penalties on 189 LPG distributorships, and suspended 53 distributorships, the statement said.​

A three-member committee of Executive Directors from Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited is coordinating with State authorities and industry bodies to plan commercial LPG distribution.

According to the announcement, the total amount of commercial LPG sold since March 14 was 99,796 metric tons, with about 6,711 metric tons sold on Wednesday (equivalent to more than 350,000 19 kg cylinders).

Over 18,000 users of piped natural gas have given up their LPG connections via the MYPNGD. in website. Additionally, governments have been urged to support the establishment of new PNG connections for residential and business customers.

Every refinery has a sufficient supply of crude oil and is currently operating at full capacity. The nation is also preserving enough gasoline and diesel supplies. According to the announcement, domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased in order to meet domestic demand.

All refineries are operating at high capacity and have adequate crude inventories.The country is also maintaining sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel.Domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased to support domestic consumption, the statement said.​

The government is working hard to ensure the availability of gasoline, diesel, and LPG, and the public is urged not to buy fuel out of fear or schedule LPG reservations that are not necessary. The statement also urged citizens to use digital methods for scheduling LPG cylinders and avoid going to LPG distributors unless absolutely necessary. The Government has also stated that the increase in the commercial LPG limit to 70% of the pre-March 2026 bulk consumption level will be extended to industrial units in the pharmaceutical, food, polymer, agriculture, packaging, paint, uranium, heavy water, steel, seed, metal, ceramic, foundry, forging, glass, and aerosol industries.

The Government has also announced that the increase in the commercial LPG limit to 70 per cent of the pre-March 2026 bulk consumption level will be extended to industrial units in the pharma, food, polymer, agriculture, packaging, paint, uranium, heavy water, steel, seed, metal, ceramic, foundry, forging, glass, and aerosol sectors.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 encounter at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, Mukul Choudhary defied all expectations to stay undefeated with 54 runs off just 27 balls as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) successfully pursued the target of 182 runs on the last delivery of the game, securing a three-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) scored 181/4 in 20 overs, thanks to earlier key hits by captain Ajinkya Rahane and rookie batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi, as well as a late push from Rovman Powell.

LSG started well by chasing a tough total on a slow pitch, with Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh scoring runs at a rate of more than 10 runs per over. In only four overs, the duo raised the squad’s score to 41.

However, Vaibhav Arora led a KKR recovery in the fifth over, taking the wickets of Markram for 22 and Marsh for 15 in the same over.

Despite attempting to steady the innings alongside Ayush Badoni, Captain Rishabh Pant had trouble finding his rhythm and was out for 10 by Cameron Green. Abdul Samad was dismissed for a low score, while Nicholas Pooran also failed to make an impact, scoring 13 runs before being dismissed in the 12th over.

Badoni, who had wickets falling at the other end, kept the innings together and hit seven fours and two sixes in a well-made 54 off 34 deliveries. But shortly after reaching his half-century, he was let go.

Mukul took over the hunt after Badoni left. He maintained LSG in the game by playing aggressively and hitting several sixes. On the last ball of the game, Mukul maintained his composure and hit two sixes before finishing the game-winning run, as LSG needed 14 runs in the last over. In only 26 pitches, he reached his fifty and remained undefeated with 54.

Earlier, after being given the opportunity to bat first, the Kolkata Knight Riders got off to a steady but cautious start, with Mohammed Shami allowing only six runs in the first over. Finn Allen’s dismissal for nine, caught off Prince Yadav, marked the initial breakthrough.

Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi put up a composed partnership to rebuild the innings after the setback. They began cautiously before picking up speed toward the conclusion of the power play, bringing the score to 52/1 in six overs. At the midway point, KKR was at 98/1 thanks to the pair’s continued skillful rotation of the strike and punishment of poor deliveries.

Rahane was bowled out for a quick 41 by Digvesh Rathi in the 11th over, bringing an end to their 84-run partnership. Manimaran Siddharth then replaced Raghuvanshi for 45, bringing KKR within a whisker of having a solid foundation.

In the middle overs, boundaries dried up and Rinku Singh was dismissed cheaply, leading to a slowdown. But in the final overs, Rovman Powell breathed new life into the innings with his aggressive stroke play, scoring an undefeated 39 runs. Additionally, Cameron Green contributed an undefeated 32 as KKR concluded with a score of 181/4.

Prince Yadav, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi, and Manimaran Siddharth each took one wicket for the Lucknow Super Giants.

Brief scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 181/4 in 20 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 45, Ajinkya Rahane 41, Rovman Powell 39; Digvesh Rathi 1-25, Manimaran Siddharth 1-34)
Lucknow Super Giants 182/7 in 20 overs (Mukul Chaudhary 54*, Ayush Badoni 54; Anukul Roy 3-32, Vaibhav Arora 2-38) by 3 wickets.

Everyone in the Arun Jaitley Stadium will remember the exciting conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, when the Gujarat Titans defeated the Delhi Capitals by a single run.

The impossible was almost accomplished by David Miller, but Kuldeep Yadav’s run-out on the last delivery resulted in one of the finest IPL finishes ever, with GT winning their first game of IPL 2026.

Miller had been amazing. He retired hurt on 12 with a hurt left hand after approaching the crease with Delhi still a fair ways from the goal. When he returned, his bat produced a stream of boundaries. Miller ultimately reached 41 not out from 20 balls, but despite his efforts, the Delhi Capitals were still defeated, finishing with a score of 209/8.

The crucial point occurred when two runs were required off two balls: Miller opted to take a single off the penultimate ball, betting on ending it himself rather than relying on Kuldeep to solve the equation. With nerves of steel, Prasidh prevented him from achieving the winning finish by delivering a short, slower ball, and Jos Buttler’s quick throw resulted in Kuldeep being run out, leaving Miller and DC heartbroken.

With a smooth 92 off 52 deliveries, which included 11 fours and four sixes, KL Rahul had given Delhi cause to have faith. However, Rashid Khan had caused the majority of the harm with the ball, enabling GT to remain in the game, and ultimately won the match in a spectacular manner.

Pathum Nissanka blasted three fours off Mohammed Siraj in the first over, giving DC’s chase of 211 a good start. Nissanka has been defined by the measured grace with which he timed all of his drives and loft down the ground. KL Rahul began by flicking a pickup over wide mid-on against Kagiso Rabada for four runs, then he effortlessly cleared mid-off against Siraj and then effortlessly smashed the South African pacer over long leg for six. Rahul was starting to resemble himself. Nissanka dominated the final over of the powerplay, despite Rashid Khan’s introduction providing some control.

Nissanka hit Ashok Sharma for three fours and a six, including a magnificent inside-out drive over cover off the slower ball and a flat, commanding maximum over mid-off, as 23 runs were scored for DC to finish the powerplay at 63/0.

Rahul completely changed the game against his Karnataka teammate Prasidh Krishna by hitting one maximum over long-off after another nonchalant loft over the bowler’s head, even though Krishna had Nissanka holing out to mid-off for 41.

Rahul was able to score a stunning fifty off 29 balls with the help of a cut behind point and a pull that hit past square leg on both sides. However, Rashid was compelled to watch him execute two attacks in the tenth over. Nitish Rana was given lbw trying a reverse-sweep off Rashid’s googly, but the review saved him.

However, Rana’s respite was brief since he was bowled out to long-off. Additionally, Sameer Rizvi, who was in good form, was castled for a golden duck by Rashid’s googly, giving the leg-spinner his 1000th wicket in all formats. However, Rahul continued by hitting Washington Sundar for a six and Krishna over extra cover for a four.

Rashid struck again when he had Axar Patel slicing his googly to extra cover, who ran back to finish an outstanding catch, after David Miller retired hurt because he hurt his left hand while diving to complete a run in the 12th over. Rahul, however, continued to score runs for DC, driving through the line to get a four off Rabada and turning Ashok’s slower ball for another boundary.

In a 16-run 16th over, luck started to favor DC. Shubman Gill’s overthrow gave them four more runs, and Sai Sudharsan was unable to stop Rahul at long-on, giving him another boundary. However, Tristan Stubbs was run out by Sudharsan’s direct hit at mid-on, and Rahul hit Siraj over mid-on before getting caught behind to a wide ball to miss his century by eight runs.

Miller, who was making a comeback, smashed Siraj for two sixes through extra cover and over wide long-on after needing 36 runs from 12 balls. When Miller hit the no-look six and sent the ball over long-on for six, the audience genuinely came to life, while Vipraj Nigam ramped Siraj over the keeper’s head for four.

Nigam hit Prasidh over long-off for four after a 23-run 19th over and a penalty against GT for a sluggish over rate in the last over, then he holed out on the following delivery. Miller, however, smashed Prasidh over long-off for six runs before turning down a single on the fifth delivery.

Kuldeep was bowled out by a last-ball underarm throw by Buttler, with two runs required. The check for a wide had left GT on the edge, but they continued with their celebrations on getting off the mark in points tally once the run-out was confirmed.

Brief scores:
Gujarat Titans 210/4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 70, Washington Sundar 55, Jos Buttler 52; Mukesh Kumar 2-55, Lungi Ngidi 1-24)
Delhi Capitals 209/8 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 92, David Miller 41 not out; Rashid Khan 3-17, Prasidh Krishna 2-52)

The Indian government announced a new LPG allocation formula on Wednesday in an effort to support important industries like pharmaceuticals, food processing, and agriculture in the face of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The revised policy, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, will guarantee the bulk delivery of LPG to a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, polymers, agriculture, packaging, paints, steel, ceramics, glass, and aerosols.

These industries are seen as vital to the nation’s economic stability and supply chains.

According to the new formula, industries will be able to receive up to 70% of their LPG consumption levels as measured before March 2026.

Nevertheless, the whole industry’s total allotment has been limited to 0. 2 thousand metric tonnes per day.

The government has made it clear that factories where natural gas cannot be substituted for LPG will be given precedence.

To guarantee continuous production, these devices will be supplied with LPG in these situations.

Additionally, industries are obligated to register with oil marketing firms and submit applications for piped natural gas (PNG) connections through city gas distribution companies.

But in devices where LPG is a necessary and irreplaceable component of the production process, this restriction has been relaxed.

Seventy percent of packaged non-domestic LPG has also been distributed to states by the Centre.

Those states that implement reforms related to the adoption of PNG will receive an additional 10% allocation.

States have been instructed by the government to take three essential actions: disseminate the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order 2026 throughout all agencies, make prompt use of the LPG allocation benefits associated with the reform, and provide timely notification of regulations pertaining to compressed biogas.

The ministry had previously announced a significant increase in demand for smaller LPG tanks. Over 7. 8 lakh 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders have been sold nationwide since March 23.

In February, daily sales averaged about 77,000 cylinders, but one day this week, sales surpassed 1. 06 lakh cylinders.

According to the World Bank, India’s economy is forecast to increase 7. 6% in FY2025/26 before slowing to 6. 6% the next year, supporting South Asia even as regional growth declines to 6. 3% in 2026.

With its growth driven by robust local demand, trade reforms, and new agreements, such as a free trade agreement with the European Union, India continues to be the major driver of regional growth, according to the most recent South Asia Economic Update. Due to global energy disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty, the World Bank projects that South Asia’s overall growth will slow from 7% in 2025, but rebound to 6. 9% in 2027.

The World Bank’s report emphasized New Delhi’s key role in maintaining regional momentum by stating that this outperformance “is entirely due to India. ” India’s growth rate increased due to strong consumer spending and robust services exports, despite the challenges that global trade volatility presented to the country’s goods exports.

According to the research, domestic demand has remained robust due to policy changes and rising consumer trust. ​

India’s growth accelerated on the back of robust consumption and resilient services exports, even as goods exports faced headwinds from global trade volatility.The report said domestic demand has remained strong, supported by policy reforms and improving consumer confidence.​

But there are growing external threats to the perspective. India is vulnerable to increasing oil costs caused by the Middle East conflict because of the area’s dependence on imported energy.

Increased energy prices might put upward pressure on inflation, restrict financial conditions, and have an impact on household expenditures. “South Asia’s growth prospects remain strong despite a difficult global environment,” stated Johannes Zutt, World Bank Vice President for South Asia. “To maintain growth, create jobs, and enhance resilience to shocks, countries must implement important policy reforms. ”

The report highlighted that the region’s overall performance will be heavily influenced by India’s economic trajectory. The growth of South Asia, with the exception of India, is predicted to be more in line with other developing markets. ​

The report underscored that India’s economic trajectory will largely determine the region’s overall performance.Excluding India, South Asia’s growth is projected to remain closer to other emerging markets.Industrial policy, which is widely used in South Asia and is becoming more prevalent in India, has produced varied outcomes.

The study stated that import-restricting regulations were linked to substantial decreases in imports, whereas export-promoting initiatives were not correlated with noticeable gains in exports. India has concentrated its industrial strategy on industries with high wages and high productivity, notably manufacturing.

Nevertheless, despite getting less political attention, the services industry—particularly IT and business process outsourcing—continues to be a major engine for job creation. Even though artificial intelligence may provide prospects in higher-value segments, the World Bank cautioned that it may also jeopardize India’s services exports, a major advantage.

India has focused its industrial policy on high-wage and high-productivity sectors, particularly manufacturing.Yet, the services sector—especially IT and business process outsourcing—continues to drive job creation, despite receiving less policy attention.​

The World Bank warned that artificial intelligence could disrupt services exports, a key strength for India, even as it opens opportunities in higher-value segments.​

Targeted interventions can still foster growth, according to World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia, Franziska Ohnsorge. “Well-calibrated industrial policies could address specific market failures, such as skill development, industrial parks, and improved export standards, while broad-based reforms remain the priority,” she stated.

According to the report, maintaining India’s growth will depend on ongoing reforms to enhance the business climate, reduce trade obstacles, and improve infrastructure. The World Bank says that India’s robust domestic demand, service exports, and trade reforms have helped counterbalance global uncertainties and maintain a higher rate of growth than the majority of developing nations.

India’s performance was a major factor in the 7% growth of South Asia in 2025. In the absence of recent disruptions in world energy markets, growth would probably have remained at similar levels in the near future.

According to the World Bank, India’s strong domestic demand, services exports, and trade reforms have helped offset global uncertainties and keep growth above that of most emerging economies.​

South Asia grew 7 per cent in 2025, largely driven by India’s performance.Without recent disruptions in global energy markets, growth would likely have remained at similar levels in the near term.India’s policy direction will continue to be decisive, according to the Bank, not just in maintaining its own growth trajectory but also in influencing the overall economic landscape of South Asia.

The Bank said India’s policy direction will remain decisive—not only for sustaining its own growth trajectory but for shaping the broader economic outlook across South Asia.

The relationship between India and the United States, which has grown over the last few years, is undergoing a significant transformation under US President Donald Trump‘s second term in office as his administration pursues a more isolationist America First policy.

As a result, the recent rapprochement between India and the EU is seen as essential to bolstering stability in the international order, according to an article.

With India playing a key role in the Indo-Pacific strategy, the Trump administration has made a radical departure from the previous US policy, which sought to contain China.

An essay released on the Robert Schuman Foundation website said that the recent reconciliation between India and the EU is seen as essential to fostering stability in the global order in this climate of geopolitical instability and fragmentation.

With the US President hosting the Pakistani Prime Minister at the White House in July 2025, an event that the Indian Prime Minister saw as a blatant provocation, the US-India relationship has also experienced considerable tension during the last several months.

According to Karine de Vergeron’s article, India had already gained the impression a few months prior that it could not always rely on Washington’s support and, as a result, had to concentrate on its own short- and medium-term strategic interests since the United States had sought to potentially play a mediating role between India and Pakistan.

The same is true for geopolitical and commercial concerns. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in late August 2025 marks India’s seven-year return to the organization and, according to the statement, is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempt to respond to the tariffs newly imposed by the US President that year, as well as to India’s approximately $100 billion trade deficit with China in 2025, with a commercial response.

India is consequently now looking for greater cooperation with so-called “middle powers” in order to protect its relationship with the United States. The paper noted that it is reaffirming its pragmatic and case-by-case decision-making strategy, which it has long used in its relationship, particularly with the European Union, by pursuing a multi-aligned geopolitical strategy rather than the more conventional non-alignment policy.

Japan is at the top of the list of India’s most significant strategic middle powers. In reality, Indian officials thought that Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Tokyo at the end of August 2025—the day before the SCO Summit meeting in Tianjin—was far more significant.

From Delhi, Europe is regarded as the world’s greatest concentration of middle powers, which is equally important. According to the piece, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Canada come after.

The EU is seen as India’s most dependable economic and technological partner, as the FTA’s last negotiations were completed and announced at the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27.

In addition, the agreement is anticipated to more than treble the EU’s goods exports to India by 2032, with tariffs eliminated or lowered to more than 90% of their value, while excluding a number of politically sensitive agricultural commodities on both sides.

The report stated that the trade deal is the biggest that either India or the EU has ever struck, given the size of the rapidly expanding Indian market and that of the EU, and that it will facilitate trade between about a quarter of the world’s population and a quarter of the world’s GDP.

Nevertheless, the article simultaneously observed that despite ongoing trade and strategic disputes between India and the U. S. , the Quad has remained a crucial element of Indo-American relations, as their interests in evaluating the risks posed by China in the Indo-Pacific continue to align.

In a rain-shortened 11-over-a-side Match 13 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday, Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians by 27 runs as Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a half-century and scored 80 runs for the first wicket with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at breakneck speed.

With six points, the Rajasthan Royals are now in first place thanks to their third straight victory.

Following Yashasvi Jaiswal’s outstanding undefeated 77 off 32 deliveries, which featured 10 boundaries and 4 sixes, to help Rajasthan Royals reach a massive 150/3, the bowlers seized control and restricted Mumbai Indians to 46/5 in the fifth over, dismissing Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya for single-digit scores in the match, which was delayed by two and a half hours due to rain. Rajasthan’s bowlers performed well, varying their deliveries, and Mi fell to their second straight loss as a result of the top-order collapse.

The Mumbai Indians gave in to scoreboard pressure as they were chasing a huge target of 151. Ryan Rickelton (8), who smashed a six on the previous delivery, was caught out by the South African opener in the short third area off the last ball of the first over, when he miscued Jofra Archer a mile high and keeper Dhruv Jurel pouched him.

As Mumbai fell to 20/2, Suryakumar Yadav (6) struck six of the second ball he faced against Nandre Burger and then succumbed to a legal delivery, hitting straight down the throat of Jofra Archer at deep backward square leg.

Mumbai Indians were driven deeper into the abyss when Sandeep Sharma trapped Rohit Sharma on the crease for a plumb lbw choice, which DRS upheld, bringing the five-time champions down to 22/3 in the third over. In IPL, Sandeep beat Rohit for the sixth time.

As the Mumbai Indians required 126 from 46 balls, Tilak Varma hit Tushar Deshpande for a four, and skipper Hardik Pandya followed suit, adding 11 runs in the fourth over.

After Pandya (9) hit Ravi Bishnoi for a four, MI was 41/4 when he slapped the following ball directly to Jaiswal at long-on. MI fell to 46/5 when Tilak Varma was dismissed for 14 runs off 10 deliveries after hitting Shimron Hetmyer directly in the hands at deep mid-wicket.

With 14 runs coming from the sixth over, Naman Dhir hit Sandeep Sharma for a six and a four through cow corner, leaving the Mumbai Indians with 91 to score in the remaining 30 balls. Sherfane Rutherford smashed Bishnoi for boundaries off consecutive deliveries and a pair of massive sixes off Deshpande before cutting hard to short-third, where Sandeep Sharma made an incredible catch just inches off the ground, diving forward. Mumbai’s battle came to an end with a score of 123/9 in 11 overs, falling to their second straight loss.

Rajasthan Royals were invited to bat first, and Yashasvi Jaiswal got off to a lightning start by smashing four boundaries and a six in the first over, scoring 22 runs off Deepak Chahar’s first over. Deepak Chahar attempted to get the ball to swing by throwing a couple of loose balls.

The highly awaited match between Jasprit Bumrah and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi went to the adolescent, as he hit the seasoned pacer for two sixes—one over mid-on and the other over deep square leg—while the Rajasthan Royals scored 14 runs in the second over.

Trent Boult was greeted by Jaiswal with sixes from his first two pitches, as the bowler went down outside off on the second delivery and strayed onto the pads on the first. Sooryavanshi smashed a huge one shortly after that, selecting a shorter pitch off his pads and hitting it into the stands over deep backward square leg as RR raced to fifty in just sixteen balls.

In the fourth over, Hardik Pandya, who had missed the previous game, returned to the XI and bowled well, allowing just four runs. However, the onslaught on the bowlers persisted as Sooryavanshi hammered out Shardul Thakur’s first delivery. After hitting four off the second ball and another six off the fifth, he followed the six.

But Thakur timed his jump perfectly and had Sooryavanshi caught by Tilak Varma a few feet before the boundary line, giving him the last laugh. Sooryavanshi struck 39 off 14 balls, including one four and five sixes.

After just three balls, Dhruv Jurel (2) was caught lbw by Ghazanfar with a ball that skidded and rapped the batter on the back pad, bringing RR to 84/2.

Jaiswal kept up his momentum in fourth gear, displaying amazing power-hitting as he raced to his half-century off 23 balls with a four off a short and wide delivery from Pandya. With a six off the first ball of the ninth over, delivered by Ghazanfar, he marked the occasion.

Skipper Riyan Parag hit a six off of Pandya and Ghazanfar before being caught out by Tilak Varma close to the long-on boundary, going back to the dugout after a 10-ball 20 that included one four and two sixes.

The left-handed opener remained undefeated with 77 runs after the 10th over, when he hit Bumrah for a six. With 2-21 in two overs, Ghazanfar was the best MI bowler.

Brief scores:
Rajasthan Royals 150/3 in 11 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 77 not out, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 39; Am Ghazandar 2-21)
Mumbai Indians 123/9 in 11 overs (Naman Dhir 25, Sherfane Rutherford 25; Nandre Burger 2-21, Sandeep Sharma 2-26, Ravi Bishnoi 2-25)