In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Friday, Finn Allen completed the task by blasting a stunning undefeated century off just 47 deliveries, giving  the Kolkata Knight Riders‘ spin trio strangled the Delhi Capitals batsmen into submission, giving the three-time champions a commanding eight-wicket victory.

With ten sixes and five fours, Allen’s outstanding innings helped the three-time winners complete a chase of 143 with 35 balls remaining and secure their fourth straight victory of the year. Cameron Green, who scored 33 not out in 27 balls, provided excellent support for him as the pair shared an unbroken 116-run partnership over 64 balls.

In contrast to the combined figures of 3-76 in 12 overs for KKR’s spinners—Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, and Varun Chakaravarthy—which caused DC’s batting to collapse once more and finish at 142/8, Allen made sure that his team wouldn’t experience such misery by launching a ferocious attack on DC’s bowling attack, which made the target seem like an afterthought. KRR’s victory was a perfect team effort, as they were disciplined and merciless on the field, as well as explosive and dominating with the bat, earning them their fourth consecutive victory.

The KKR spinners’ slowdown was so effective that in overs 11–16, DC only managed to score 20 runs for the loss of two wickets. According to CricViz, this is the fewest runs scored in this specific period of any game in IPL 2026. Ashutosh Sharma’s late 28-ball 39 helped DC reach 140, but the batting problems persisted for the hosts, with Kartik Tyagi excelling in the back end to grab 2-25.

KKR chose to bowl first, but as the duo smashed eight boundaries in 4. 5 overs, Nissanka wasted little time in punishing anything loose with authority, while KL Rahul looked equally assured at the other end.

Finally, KKR made their first breakthrough when Rahul misjudged a slog off Tyagi and was caught by mid-on. Nissanka maintained to effortlessly hit boundaries with precision after DC finished power-play at 55/1, scoring his fifty in 29 deliveries. On the other hand, though, KKR kept scoring points. Nitish Rana, who formerly played for them, was trapped by a well-disguised short ball from Cameron Green and gloved to short fine leg.

Following Sameer Rizvi’s slog-sweep against Sunil Narine to deep mid-wicket, Nissanka was stumped on the very next ball after reaching his half century – Roy’s wide enticed him down the pitch, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi pulled the bails in a flash. After two more deliveries, Roy sent Tristan Stubbs through the gate to lower DC’s score to 89/5 in 10. 5 overs.

The middle-over squeeze was suffocating. Delhi’s 45 runs and four wickets lost between overs 7 and 14 were the fewest in any middle over this year. Due to the lack of room provided by Narine and Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel and Ashutosh found it extremely difficult to obtain boundaries.

Chakaravarthy’s last over turned out to be costly, just as it seemed like KKR was on track to win without question. Ashutosh plundered 16 runs from the 17th over after slicing two fours in a row after releasing him for a six into the sightscreen.

Even as Axar’s lean run continued by pulling to mid-wicket off Vaibhav Arora, Ashutosh’s counterattack at least gave DC’s total some semblance of respectability. But Tyagi answered with an excellent last over, taking Ashutosh and seeing Mitchell Starc get out in the space of only three runs to hold DC under 150.

From the very first ball, KKR got off to a strong start with Allen driving and whipping Mitchell Starc for boundaries. Although DC momentarily stopped KKR’s advance, Allen had other ideas. Angkrish Raghuvanshi attempted a sweep off Axar, but the ball rolled off his gloves to hit the stumps. Meanwhile, captain Ajinkya Rahane’s stay came to an end with a bizarre run-out at the non-striker’s end as Starc’s outstretched hand made contact with the ball before it rolled onto the stumps.

Once Green arrived to steady the innings, Allen simply refused to be contained. He executed a scoop off Starc over fine leg with such ease and command that he reached his fifty off 32 balls by cutting, sweeping, and thumping.

Kuldeep Yadav was sent out repeatedly during the middle overs, which were decisively dominated by KKR. Green hit a massive six over deep mid-wicket off the same bowler, and Allen pulled him over deep mid-wicket before smashing him right down the ground. Allen hit three straight sixes off the leg-spinner in the 13th over—two over long-off and one with a powerful pull through deep mid-wicket—before getting into the 90s with another massive maximum off Kuldeep, and Vipraj Nigam suffered the worst of the punishment.

Appropriately, Allen brought the chase to a conclusion by hitting Mukesh Kumar for six over mid-wicket, earning his first IPL century in grand fashion. Allen enjoyed himself as he effectively and thoroughly closed the door on DC, securing another commanding victory for KKR. DC’s spinners gave up 102 runs in nine overs for a single wicket.

Brief scores:
Delhi Capitals 142/8 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 50, Ashutosh Sharma 39; Kartik Tyagi 2-25, Anukul Roy 2-31)
Kolkata Knight Riders 147/2 in 14.2 overs (Finn Allen 100 not out, Cameron Green 33 not out; Axar Patel 1-27)

A new study asserts that India must not adopt a defensive mindset during this period since policy decisions, institutional decisions, and leadership decisions will determine the future of globalization, multilateralism, and geoeconomics.

In India Narrative, Nirupama Rao, a renowned Indian Foreign Service officer and former Indian Foreign Secretary, writes that “we have the capacity — economically, diplomatically, and intellectually — to influence that outcome. ”

“Not alone, of course, but as a crucial player,” she claims.

In her opinion, dialogues like the Asia Economic Dialogue are crucial because the “assumptions that underpinned global politics and economics for three decades after the end of the Cold War are shifting beneath our feet”.

Trade has become a strategic leverage, technology has become sovereign territory, finance has become an instrument of coercion, and supply chains have become battlefields, but geopolitics has entered the bloodstream of economics.

“For this reason, the topic at hand, Geoeconomics Beyond Globalization, is not rhetorical. Rao says, “It is diagnostic. ”

She discusses three main topics: the apparent instability of world economics and politics; whether multilateralism and globalization are actually declining or simply changing; and what this time signifies for India, “not as a passive observer, which we can never be, but as an active shaper of the emerging global order. ”

According to the study, the United States continues to hold the top position in terms of military and economic strength.

China has become a full-fledged economic and industrial superpower that is growing more and more self-assured and capable of projecting power and showing resilience.

The Global South is more vocal, middle powers have higher aspirations, and Russia is a military threat. The author stresses that this shift is intrinsically unstable.

She claims that economic policy is becoming more and more connected to strategic rivalry.

“Trade limitations, technology export controls, investment screening, sanctions—these tools, once thought to be primarily economic, are now instruments of geopolitical statecraft,” she notes.

The battle between the major powers is not simply over markets; it is also for dominance in technology, control over supply chains, and normative influence, she continues.

“Historically, India has considered multilateralism to be a practical necessity rather than an abstract concept. ” Developing countries gain voice and influence through rules-based collaboration. As a result, the report concludes that reform, not desertion, should be our guiding principle.

Currently, India is in a unique situation. It is a significant developing economy with worldwide ambitions; It continues to be trusted by developing nations.

“It retains strategic independence while taking part in Western-led projects. It boasts a developing diplomatic impact, technological aptitude, and demographic vigor. Although India can influence the course of world turmoil, it cannot regulate it. It’s more than a middle power, in my opinion; it’s a vital nation. As a result, Rao emphasizes that there is both an opportunity and a responsibility in this scenario.

Despite the rapidly changing geopolitical environment, economists said on Friday that they don’t anticipate the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) monetary policy committee to be in any hurry to restrict policy.

Last month, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that Central Bank is keeping a close eye on the repercussions of the West Asia war and would not commit to a specific course for future policy rates.

He made it clear that the central bank was not in a hurry to change interest rates. He said that we are in a wait-and-see mode.

In contrast to a mild 2. 1% in FY26, India’s April inflation is predicted to increase to 3. 9% YoY from 3. 4% the previous month, approaching the center of the target range, according to Radhika Rao, Senior Economist and Executive Director at DBS Bank, India.

Food inflation is predicted to have increased from 3. 7% to 4. 5%, reversing last year’s sluggish trend, as a result of chosen perishable items like tomatoes, eggs, cereals, and edible oils, as well as sporadic rains in certain areas, which made the problem worse.

However, aided by a decline in precious metal prices, core inflation is predicted to be steady and moderate at 3. 4%. “Transport inflation due to ATF prices and services in the restaurant and hospitality industry should also capture indications of an updrift (commercial cooking gas price adjustments),” said Rao.

As pump fuel prices remain constant, the overall effect of rising world oil prices has not yet trickled down to retail inflation. El Nino trends and their influence on monsoon strength will also be monitored by markets.

The economist said that the impact of rising commodity prices and a weak rupee on imported costs is likely to be more evident in the WPI index, which had already surpassed retail inflation in March and is predicted to continue the upward trend in April as well.

With a neutral approach, the RBI maintained the repo rate at 5. 25% during its April meeting. Assocham had applauded the measured action taken to improve the macroeconomic environment’s stability, noting that it supports growth momentum and maintains price stability.

As the RBI has also identified El Nino as a risk to inflation and predicted GDP growth of 6. 9% and inflation of 4. 6%, Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist at the Bank of Baroda, noted a lower possibility of additional rate reductions.

Mitchell Marsh and captain Rishabh Pant each contributed an explosive half-century before the bowlers of Lucknow Super Giants maintained their composure to help the team withstand a late onslaught from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and win a thrilling nine-run victory in a rain-shortened 19-over-a-side IPL match on Thursday at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Asked to bat first, LSG amassed a formidable 209/3, thanks to a scorching century from Marsh and some excellent strikes from Pant and Nicholas Pooran, before limiting RCB to 203/6 despite a valiant counterattack from Rajat Patidar, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd.

After a challenging streak, the LSG camp had cause to grin again thanks to the victory, as their bowlers kept their composure in the final overs to defend the updated DLS score of 213.

The chase for RCB got off to a bad start when Mohammed Shami bowled Jacob Bethell out in the first over, and Prince Yadav then delivered a gem to knock Virat Kohli out for a two-ball duck, bringing the visitors down to 9/2.

With a quick partnership, Devdutt Padikkal and captain Rajat Patidar stabilized the innings. Padikkal’s 34 from 25 balls was a blend of refinement and aggressiveness, while Patidar executed a measured attack to maintain RCB in the game, particularly against spin.

Patidar, with a flurry of boundaries and massive sixes, took on Digvesh Singh Rathi and Mayank Yadav, reaching a 29-ball fifty in spectacular fashion. As RCB reached the 100-run threshold in the 10th over, the pair gained momentum throughout the middle overs. But Prince Yadav and Shahbaz Ahmed responded powerfully for LSG. Prior to dismissing Jitesh Sharma cheaply in the same over, Prince took out Padikkal with a return catch. In a game full of three fours and six sixes, Shahbaz then pulled off the important turning point by getting Patidar caught at long-off for a thrilling 61 off 31 balls.

As the equation grew more complicated, Tim David launched a ferocious counterattack. After striking back-to-back sixes against Mayank Yadav, the Australian hit another massive blow against Shahbaz to bring RCB back into the game. Shahbaz’s beautiful catch at backward point caught him off guard after his 40 off only 17 deliveries momentarily shifted the course of the game.

Romario Shepherd and Krunal Pandya hit boundaries and sixes against Shami and Prince Yadav, keeping RCB in the game until the very last over. Digvesh Singh Rathi, however, maintained his composure in the face of a boundary and a wide in the final over, as LSG secured a thrilling nine-run victory despite requiring 28 runs.

After being given the opportunity to bat first, LSG put on one of their greatest batting performances of the year. With a strong knock at the top, Pant rediscovered his touch, while Mitchell Marsh gave them early momentum with an aggressive performance.

With daring stroke play that dismantled pace and spin, the pair controlled the Power-play and kept up the scoring pace throughout the middle overs. Pant was able to accelerate brilliantly, find boundaries at will, and rotate strike effectively because of Marsh’s clean hitting, which laid the groundwork.

With a brief cameo, Nicholas Pooran then put the finishing touch, making sure LSG exceeded the 200-run threshold in the shortened game. On a pitch that favored batting, the RCB bowlers had trouble maintaining control, with just a few interruptions in LSG’s relentless onslaught.

Despite Patidar and David’s threat of a stunning chase, LSG’s bowlers made crucial breakthroughs at crucial times, and Digvesh Rathi successfully defended 20 in the last over, earning the home team a vital win.

Brief scores:
Lucknow Super Giants 209/3 in 19 overs (Mitchell Marsh 111, Nicholas Pooran 38, Rishabh Pant 32; Krunal Pandya 1-31)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 203/6 in 19 overs (Rajat Patidar 61, Tim David 40; Prince Yadav 3-33, Shahbaz Ahmed 2-33)

According to an official statement released on Wednesday, India’s steel industry maintained its growth trajectory in April, with a 5. 8% rise in crude steel output to 14. 09 million tonnes, up from 13. 31 million tonnes in the same month of the previous year.

This increase was supported by sustained buoyancy across infrastructure and manufacturing, which kept domestic demand strong.

The robust demand in the nation also helped to increase domestic steel prices throughout the month in all major product categories.

The output of pig iron fell by 6% year over year to 0. 69 million tons in April, while the production of hot metal increased by 5. 4% year over year. The output of finished steel increased 3. 4% year over year to 13. 05 million tonnes. The finished steel consumption in April 2026 was 12. 99 million tons, up 8. 1% year-over-year due to the robust performance of the infrastructure and manufacturing end-use sectors.

In terms of trade, India was a small net importer during the month, with imports of 0. 68 million tons and exports of 0. 47 million tons. In April 2026, imports of 0. 52 million tons and exports of 0. 38 million tons were recorded, representing increases of 30. 8% and 24. 9%, respectively, over April 2025.

As of the fiscal year 2025–26, India’s overall steel capacity was around 220 MTPA, putting it on track to meet the National Steel Policy goal of 300 MTPA by 2030. Tata Steel just opened the first of its kind Rs 3,200 crore scrap-based EAF green steel factory (0. 75 MTPA) in Punjab at Ludhiana, while other important players such SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, JSPL, and AMNS continued to invest in increasing their capacity.

The price of TMT/Rebar increased by roughly 2. 6% month over month, and it also showed a 3% increase year over year, which was the first positive reading after several months of weakness. The statement highlighted that flat steel prices rose more sharply, with a month-on-month increase of 6. 3% for HR Coil and 7. 3% for GP Sheet, indicating an increase in demand.

As the nodal agency for measuring, reporting, verifying, and certifying green steel, NISST maintained its position under the Ministry of Steel’s ‘Green Steel‘ program. As of March 31, 2026, NISST had granted green steel certifications to 90 manufacturers throughout 15 states, covering a range of products such as TMT Bars, HR/CR Coils, Wire Rods, and Pipes. The majority of the certified products received the highest 5-star rating, indicating that secondary and mid-sized steel producers had embraced the program.

The cost of raw materials in April 2026 reflected a varied but generally steady trend. Reflecting increased demand from the steel industry, prices for iron ore produced domestically increased significantly, with NMDC lump and fine prices increasing by 10–11% month over month.

The worldwide ocean transportation of iron ore remained mostly unchanged. For integrated BF-BOF manufacturers going into Q1 FY 2026–27, higher input costs were sustained as international coking coal prices increased marginally month-on-month. According to the statement, the electric route steelmakers benefited from the comparatively stable prices of scrap globally.

Ongoing infrastructure investment and increasing manufacturing output put the Indian steel sector in a strong position to maintain its growth rate. The industry’s top priorities for the coming year will continue to be managing raw material price fluctuations, energy security, and changes in international commerce, the release said.

According to HSBC India Services PMI data released on Wednesday, India’s service sector activity increased in April due to strong domestic demand and increased business activity, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reaching a five-month high of 58. 8.

The HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index, which is seasonally adjusted, increased from 57. 5 in March to 58. 8 in April, representing the fastest rate of growth since November.

According to survey respondents, new business inflows increased at the quickest rate in five months, driven by competitive pricing, e-commerce activities, and high demand for logistics and relocation services.

Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC, stated that demand is shifting from foreign markets to Indian consumers in the midst of the Middle East conflict, as evidenced by increased activity and new orders despite a decline in new export orders.

The rate of input price inflation decreased somewhat from March when it came to expenses.

Output price inflation remained somewhat modest, even with increasing cost constraints, suggesting that some companies absorbed higher expenses rather than passing them on to customers.

Nonetheless, service providers maintained a positive outlook for the upcoming year, fueled by hopes for higher demand, promotional efforts, and increased client queries, even if sentiment was somewhat dampened by worries about geopolitical unrest and rising expenses.

In the meanwhile, recruitment increased throughout the industry, with businesses hiring entry-level employees and temporary employees to keep up with growing demand. The recruitment increase also helped firms somewhat decrease the amount of outstanding business they had during the month.

On a larger scale, India’s private sector activity picked up steam in April as well, with the HSBC Composite PMI Output Index increasing from 57 in March to 58. 2.

Notably, India’s manufacturing PMI rose to 54. 7 in April, up from 53. 9 in March, as output, new orders (including exports), and employment all saw modest growth.

In the 49th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, which took place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, on Wednesday, the Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated the Punjab Kings by a margin of 33 runs thanks to a superb all-around effort.

Their powerful hitting, followed by regulated bowling, played a key role, while PBKS’ bad fielding cost them dearly in this high-scoring game. Punjab was plagued by missed catches from Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan. By taking advantage of crucial half-centuries, the couple contributed to SRH’s dominant score, which ultimately allowed them to dominate the match.

SRH once more demonstrated their aggressive approach at the beginning of the game by batting first. With a fast start, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma established the tempo and maintained their dominance throughout the Power-play. They started out strong, pushing SRH ahead and putting pressure on the PBKS bowlers. The momentum barely shifted, even after the loss of a quick wicket.

The actual harm was done in the middle overs when PBKS allowed the match to get away from them. Taking advantage of several lifelines—such as missed catches and a missed stumping—Ishan Kishan made the most of his chances. He maintained a high scoring pace by skillfully changing gears, scoring a quick 55. Additionally, Heinrich Klaasen had an early break. He helped SRH reach the 200-run barrier with ease by making Punjab pay for it with a well-written half-century.

Their contributions, coupled with a late surge, propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a massive score, giving the Punjab Kings a difficult target to chase. The game was ultimately swung in SRH’s favor by the fielding errors, particularly the missed opportunities from two well-set hitters.

The Punjab Kings, in turn, had trouble maintaining the consistent momentum necessary for such a difficult pursuit. The innings lacked the consistency to threaten the massive score of SRH, despite some flashes of brilliance.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad had a fantastic start with the ball, completely dominating the chase by tearing through the top order of the Punjab Kings in the first six overs.

The damage was quick and severe; in the first seven balls, both openers, Priyansh Arya (1 off 3) and Prabhsimran Singh (3 off 4), were dismissed, representing their lowest total output in their 26 innings together. Nitish Kumar Reddy immediately removed Prabhsimran, and Pat Cummins established the tone with astute leadership, fooling Arya with a short ball after pushing mid-on back.

Shreyas Iyer then fell victim to a well-executed hard-length delivery to mid-off, at which point Eshan Malinga increased the pressure. Even with the scoring rate, PBKS were already on the back foot, needing 179 runs from 84 balls at 57/3 during the powerplay.

Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly tried to stabilize the innings in the midst of the initial collapse by putting up an unbroken, counter-attacking 33-run partnership, with each player scoring 22 runs. Connolly hit boundaries off Malinga to keep the score moving as Stoinis went on the attack, blasting Sakib Hussain for 19 in an over.

PBKS was able to somewhat recover because to their collaboration, but the chase was still difficult given that three important wickets had fallen, giving SRH the upper hand.

Cooper Connolly stood out with a consistent knock, hitting a well-made half-century off 34 pitches. Despite the rising necessary rate, he demonstrated maturity by attempting to anchor the innings and maintain PBKS in the contest.

But the target remained out of reach. The challenge appeared almost insurmountable at one point, when they needed 106 runs in 31 balls. The SRH bowlers kept control, varying their lengths effectively and making use of the slower pitch. More wickets in rapid succession reduced Punjab’s expectations and prevented any late surge.

With a 33-run victory, Sunrisers Hyderabad moved to the top of the standings thanks to Connolly’s persistence, which was one of the few highlights in a difficult pursuit. Connolly ended with an undefeated 107 as he raised his first T20 hundred.

Brief scores:
Sunrisers Hyderabad 235/4 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 69, Ishan Kishan 55; Yuzvendra Chahal 1-32)
Punjab Kings 202/7 in 20 overs (Cooper Connolly 107 not out, Marcus Stoinis 28; Pat Cummins 2-34, Shivang Kumar 2-45)

According to a research, companies are falling behind as employees use artificial intelligence to broaden the scope of their jobs, resulting in a growing divide between AI-enabled capabilities and organizational systems.

According to a study by Microsoft, a major US tech business, 58% of users indicated that they are now generating work with AI that they couldn’t have a year ago. This percentage increased to 80% of survey participants who were Frontier Professionals.

Additionally, it stated that in Microsoft 365 Copilot, 49% of discussions include cognitive activity, information analysis, problem-solving, evaluation, and creative thought.

According to the paper, AI is increasing individual potential, but institutional variables dictate whether that potential may be transformed into impact.

The report also emphasized that human agency is the new competitive advantage, with quality control of AI output (50%) and critical thinking (46%) ranking first among the skills that workers believe are most important.

The idea was that AI would rob us of our ability to think critically. However, new research indicates that as AI assumes more execution, employees are getting more control over decision-making, creativity, and results. The report stated that the majority of businesses are not structured to benefit from it.

The tech firm warned of a “transformation paradox” in which 65% of AI users are afraid of falling behind if they don’t embrace AI quickly, while 45% say that it’s safer to continue with their present goals rather than change their work.

In addition, culture, managerial support, and talent practices accounted for around 67% of the impact of AI, which is more than twice as much as the impact of individual variables like attitude and behavior.

Whether or not people have the skills is the critical question; rather, it is whether the company has developed the culture, management strategies, and talent systems necessary to encourage and promote innovation, the report said.

In another move in India’s efforts to bolster its local chip production sector, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved two additional semiconductor initiatives on Tuesday under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

With a total investment of about Rs 3,936 crore, the projects are anticipated to employ around 2,230 qualified workers in Gujarat.

The permissions cover a semiconductor packaging plant and the nation’s first commercial Mini/Micro-LED display facility using gallium nitride (GaN) technology.

One of the main initiatives will be created by Crystal Matrix Limited in Dholera, Gujarat. The facility will concentrate on compound semiconductor production and assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP), with a particular focus on creating Mini/Micro-LED display modules. In addition to epitaxy on six-inch wafers, it will also provide GaN foundry services.

The facility is anticipated to manufacture 24,000 sets of RGB wafers as well as 72,000 square meters of display panels each year. These items are likely to be used in a variety of devices, such as televisions, commercial displays, smartphones, automotive displays, and upcoming technologies like smartwatches and extended reality (XR) devices.

The second project, which will establish an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Surat, has been approved for Suchi Semicon Private Limited. The intended manufacturing capacity of this facility is over 1,033 million discrete semiconductors annually.

The chips are anticipated to serve important sectors like power electronics, analog integrated circuits, and industrial systems, as well as major industries like the automobile, industrial automation, and consumer electronics industries.

The overall number of projects approved under the India Semiconductor Mission has now reached 12 thanks to these two additions, with a total investment of about Rs 1. 64 lakh crore.

According to the government, these projects will complement India’s increasing prowess in chip design and greatly improve the nation’s semiconductor industry.

The government emphasized that India’s semiconductor momentum is also being fueled by the robust design infrastructure support given to 315 academic institutions and 104 businesses.

Many previously approved projects are currently in various phases of completion, with two units having already started commercial deliveries and two more anticipated to start operating soon.