Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, has declared his sudden retirement from Test cricket, effective immediately, but he will still play in One-Day Internationals. Due to Rohit’s decision, the Indian team will have a new captain when they begin their five-match Test series trip of England on June 20.

While Rohit stated that he would continue to play ODIs, he announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket. Rohit amassed 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57 in 67 Test matches, including 12 hundreds and a career-high 212.

In a Wednesday night Instagram story, Rohit displayed his Test cap number 280 and added, “Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. Wearing white to represent my country has been an amazing honor. I appreciate all of your love and support throughout the years. I’ll keep playing for India in the One-Day International format”.

India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia 3-1, and Rohit had a difficult time. In addition to dropping himself for the last Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, he only averaged 6.20 in five innings. Prior to it, Rohit averaged a dismal 15.16 during India’s 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand.

After making his Test debut against the West Indies in Kolkata in 2013, Rohit finished his career with 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57 from 67 Test matches, including 12 hundreds and 18 fifties. In 24 Test matches, Rohit captained India, winning 12 and losing 9.

After India defeated South Africa by seven runs to win the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, Rohit declared his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals in June of that year. As the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee looks to add some fresh blood to the team, Shubman Gill is the front-runner to be the next Test skipper after Rohit announced his retirement from the format.

Given that Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to be available for all five Test matches in England, Gill, 25, who was the vice-captain in white-ball forms, is well-positioned to become India’s next Test captain. The Gujarat Titans (GT), who are leading the IPL 2025 points standings, are led by him at the moment.

In addition to congratulating Rohit Sharma on his incredible 11-year Test cricket career, BCCI President Roger Binny said that he leaves a legacy of selflessness and discipline that would encourage future generations to play the lengthier format.

Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, congratulated Rohit on having a great Test career. “Thank you @ImRo45 for your bold leadership in Test cricket, and the entertainment you provided to fans of the longest format over your career. Wishing you all the best for future innings on and off the field!” he wrote on ‘X’.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir too praised Rohit for his exploits in Tests. “A master, a leader & a gem! #RohitSharma,” he said on ‘X’.

Yuvraj Singh, the former India all-rounder, wrote on ‘X’, “Test cricket asks a lot of you – grit, patience, and character. Brotherman, you gave it everything and yet made it look effortless. From a quiet fighter to a leader at the top, your journey in whites has been special. Proud of you, go well @ImRo45.”

India conducted ‘Operation Sindoor‘ in response to the terror incident in Pahalgam, hitting nine high-value targets deep into Pakistani territory. The operation focused on facilities connected to terrorist organizations that carried out the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which claimed the lives of 25 Indians and one Nepali.

According to sources, the Prime Minister kept in close contact with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior military commanders during the operation.

The nine strikes comprised camps and logistical facilities used by terrorist organizations that operate out of Pakistan and the PoK, according to official authorities.

The spokesperson for the Indian Army emphasized the specifics of the strike, stating, “Our actions have been focused and precise. We have only targeted terrorist camps from where attacks against India have been planned and executed.”

The Army went on to explain that the operation was non-escalatory in both intent and execution, with the only goal of destroying the infrastructure supporting terrorism while avoiding harm to Pakistan’s civic, military, and economic institutions. “Justice is served. Jai Hind,” the spokesperson added.

The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam incident, which Indian intelligence agencies had previously linked to Pakistani organizations. India had promised a forceful retaliation in response, combining military readiness with diplomatic pressure. One of India’s most important cross-border operations since the 2019 Balakot airstrikes is Operation Sindoor.

Throughout the night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top officials kept a careful eye on the operation’s development. According to sources, the prime minister kept in close contact with military leaders and national security advisors to make sure the operation went according to plan. The importance of the mission and the government’s resolve to combat terrorism were demonstrated by the PM’s active participation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the Indian military on Wednesday for executing “Operation Sindoor,” claiming it was India’s retaliation for the horrific Pahalgam terror incident that killed 26 defenseless villagers on April 22. Additionally, he reiterated India’s resolve to eradicate terrorism at its source.

Taking to X, HM Shah posted, “Proud of our armed forces. Operation Sindoor is Bharat’s response to the brutal killing of our innocent brothers in Pahalgam. The Modi government is resolved to give a befitting response to any attack on India and its people. Bharat remains firmly committed to eradicating terrorism from its roots.”

Kangana posted a video of the army successfully targeting the targets on her Instagram stories section, she wrote: “Unhone kaha tha Modi ko bata dena. Aur Modi ne inko bata diya #operationsindoor (they said, ‘tell Modi.’ Modi has now told them’).”

She wrote, “I hope the military is safe and successful.” “Jo hamaari rakhsha karte hain ishwar unki rakhsha kare (may God protect those who protect us). Wishing our forces safety and success #operationsindoor.”

Aarti, a mother of twins who saw the April 22 shooting death of her 68-year-old father Ramachandran by a terrorist in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, expressed her joy at Operation Sindoor.

“Even though our loss can never be compensated, we are happy about what has happened when India hit back at Pakistan.India has hit back at the correct time, and it was the moment we all waited. It’s good that the common man has not been affected in this attack,” said Aarti after hearing the news.

Shubham Dwivedi’s wife, Ashanya Dwivedi, reacted on the military response. “I would like to sincerely thank everyone who is connected to this operation, especially our personnel in the armed forces and especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally looked after the operation,” she said.

“The name ‘Operation Sindoor’ clearly shows they stand with us, those who lost their husbands. Whatever the Prime Minister said, he proved. Wherever terrorism exists, it will be eliminated.”

Fighting through her grief, she added, “Terrorists killed our husbands to make us vulnerable, but we will fight. PM Modi took revenge as he said, these terrorists will be ended.”

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reportedly called out Pakistan and posed pointed questions about the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, at its closed session amid growing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad,

The members criticized Islamabad and questioned whether Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was involved in the 26-person Pahalgam attack.

Reports indicated that the meeting failed terribly, despite Pakistan’s assertion that it mostly served and accomplished the UNSC’s goals.

Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, called the conference and asserted that his nation had nothing to do with the terror incident.

The UNSC members called for communication and restraint to resolve the concerns, despite the fact that the session was a closed meeting with no official recordings.

“The Security Council is always helpful in such efforts” to de-escalate, UNSC President Evangelos Sekeris told reporters following the meeting on Monday. The Council is in charge of that. The conference was beneficial and productive. The meeting’s activities are confidential and lack official documentation because it was a closed session.

Everyone wants de-escalation, according to Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Khaled Khiari, who briefed the meeting. “We hope for de-escalation,” stated Anna Evstigneeva, Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative, who was present at the meeting.

The situation is reaching a “boiling point,” according to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who urged the two nations to “step back from the brink.”

“It is also essential — especially at this critical hour — to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control,” he stated.

“I understand the raw feelings following the awful terror attack,” he remarked, condemning “strongly” the terrorist massacre that killed 26 people in Pahalgam last month.

Notably, the terrorist incident, which claimed the lives of 25 Indians and one Nepalese national, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a branch of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Despite the global concerns, the Indian economy is still growing at a rapid rate, according to Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran.

Speaking at a gathering at Ashoka University, Nageswaran stated, “In spite of the difficult international climate, India’s economy is doing well. The ultimate FY25 number won’t be known until May, but based on current data, we appear to be making good progress.

Priority areas for the nation, according to the Chief Economic Advisor, are energy affordability and the creation of jobs during the energy transition due to the growth of manufacturing and small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, he said, the nation’s workforce’s education, skill development, and artificial intelligence would propel growth.

As the nation progresses, he emphasized the necessity to pursue inclusive growth while preserving macroeconomic stability, which includes controlling inflation. In his speech, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery emphasized India’s long-term goal of becoming a high-income, developed nation by 2047.

“I think it’s an amazing accomplishment that India has maintained a steady yearly growth rate of 6.5% for the past thirty years. It demonstrates India’s institutional maturity as well as its institutional agility,” he remarked.

According to Bery, the unrest throughout the world may present India with chances. He emphasized how India might use its demographic dividend, technological advancements, and changing geopolitics to boost its economy. According to an IMF assessment published last month, India’s economy is still expanding at the quickest rate in the world and is the only nation predicted to grow by more than 6% over the next two years.

“Our April 2025 World Economic Outlook projects significantly weaker global growth at 2.8% for 2025 with growth downgrades for 127 countries making up 86% of world GDP,” stated Gita Gopinath, chief economist at the IMF.

Nonetheless, the outlook report predicted that the Indian economy will expand by 6.2% in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026, more than two percentage points faster than the second-ranked China’s economic growth projection of 4.2% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026.

According to an IMF report, the US, which started the global tariff crisis, is predicted to see its GDP growth slow to 1.8% this year and then drop even further to 1.7% in 2026.

India’s steadfast determination to take tough action against terrorism and its supporters was reiterated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

Following the horrifying terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), which claimed the lives of over 26 innocent civilians, tensions between India and Pakistan increased, prompting his comments.

“We are firmly united in our stance against terrorism,” Prime Minister Modi said at a joint news conference with Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, the president of Angola. I conveyed my appreciation to President Lourenco and the Angolan populace for their condolences for the victims of the Pahalgam terror tragedy.

“We’re determined to act decisively and firmly against terrorists and their supporters. “We express our gratitude to Angola for its assistance in our counterterrorism efforts,” the Prime Minister continued.

Four heavily armed terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a branch of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, carried out the heinous attack.

It was established that two of the attackers were citizens of Pakistan. One of the bloodiest terror attacks in recent memory occurred when terrorists emerged from the thick woodlands that surrounded the location and opened fire on a party of visitors.

The Indian government promptly called a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on April 23 in reaction to the terror assault on April 22, which was presided over by Prime Minister Modi. Following the tragedy, Pakistan was the target of several important decisions.

India ordered the Attari border to be closed and declared the Indus Waters Treaty to be suspended.

In addition, it deteriorated diplomatic relations by ordering a further decrease in High Commission staff, thereby sending several diplomats back to Islamabad, revoked all visas granted to Pakistani nationals, and launched a broad crackdown on Pakistani YouTube channels and X accounts.

PM Modi had said that India would do everything in its power to secure justice in a harsh statement sent out after the CCS meeting.

“We will track down, apprehend, and punish all terrorists and those who support them. He emphasized the nation’s tough approach to combating terrorism by saying, “We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth.”

India’s response signifies a no-compromise approach on national security and terror threats coming from across the border, marking a significant escalation in its counter-terror strategy.

In 1991, plans to build a deep-sea port at Vizhinjam were first conceived. The project has been attempted several times over the years, but it has encountered a number of obstacles, such as security issues, bidding-related legal battles, and a lack of investor enthusiasm.

Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) and the Kerala government inked a deal in August 2015 to build the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This was a major step toward achieving the region’s long-held goal of having a top-tier port.

After unsuccessful attempts in 1995, 2004, 2008, and 2010, the state government recognized the project’s independent financial feasibility in 2014 and structured it with significant state financial support and viability gap funding (VGF) assistance from the federal government.

In 2015, Adani Ports was chosen as the only bidder and given the project. With a 20-year extension clause, the agreement gave Adani a 40-year concession to construct, run, and transfer the port. However, there were many difficulties in carrying out the Vizhinjam Port project.

Delays resulted from Cyclone Ockhi in 2017, which seriously damaged the construction, especially the breakwater. The lack of necessary building supplies, particularly limestone, further impeded development. agitations brought forth by concerns about livelihood loss and coastal erosion.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport, which opened for trial operations in July 2024 and welcomed its first mothership, the San Fernando, is a monument to India’s marine aspirations as of May 2025. The MSC Claude Girarde and MSC Turkiye, two of the largest ships to ever visit an Indian port and among the world’s ultra-large container ships, were welcomed there in September 2024 and April 2025.

Over 280 vessels and 6 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) have passed through the port since it opened for business. The port has an 18-meter natural deep draft near shore that eliminates the need for expensive dredging. Vizhinjam’s natural depth allows it to accommodate even the largest next-generation container ships, which need drafts of 20 meters or more.

It has AI-powered vessel traffic management systems and the tallest ship-to-shore cranes in India. Vizhinjam, which is only ten nautical miles from the international east-west shipping route, has the potential to develop into a crucial transshipment hub that would lessen India’s need on ports like Dubai, Singapore, and Colombo.

The port is anticipated to boost India’s export competitiveness by drastically reducing logistics costs for Indian industries by 30–40%. The port is expected to play a significant part in India’s marine infrastructure, with plans to upgrade its capacity to 5 million TEUs by 2028 using the newest technology.

“Today, at Vizhinjam, history, destiny, and possibility came together as a 30-year-old dream of Kerala became India’s gateway to the world.We are proud to have built India’s first deep-sea automated port. A future global transshipment hub. This is a triumph of vision, resilience, and partnership.” Gautam Adani said in a post on X. Additionally, He said that “together, we sail towards a stronger, bolder India.”

The Adani Group has already contributed more than Rs 4,500 crore to the Vizhinjam International Seaport project, working closely with both the state and federal governments.

Vizhinjam, India’s first automated port, is establishing new standards for port operations and administration. In the next stages of the project, the Adani Group is anticipated to invest a further Rs 20,000 crore, generating over 5,000 employment and propelling the local economy to previously unheard-of levels of prosperity.

In light of the severe summer, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated on Thursday that her administration has ordered companies to provide construction workers with a three-hour “heat break” between noon and 3 p.m., ensuring the safety and well-being of laborers.

Speaking to workers on Labour Day, Chief Minister Gupta stated that the BJP governments in Delhi and the Center are dedicated to defending the rights and interests of workers, offering to conduct health checks on all employees and their families at the building site.

She cited labor-friendly policies implemented by the Delhi administration and stated, “Our government has taken special measures for women in the workforce by planning to build 500 creches where they will be able to leave their children for day care and the kids will remain safe and healthy.”

At a Workers’ Felicitation Ceremony event in Karol Bagh, which was organized by the Department of Labour to honor workers who are essential to the city’s development, she stated, “We are also installing 3,000 water coolers in public spaces and near construction sites so that workers can fight the heat effectively.”

She emphasized that the Delhi government had also increased the minimum salaries for workers prior to Labour Day. According to her, the government is making efforts to guarantee that laborers’ children have access to quality healthcare and educational opportunities.

“The contribution of our laborer brothers and sisters in the development of India is paramount and the best,” CM Gupta added on social networking site X. Your commitment gives India’s development chariot impetus and creates new avenues for growth and advancement. Come, let us all make a commitment to upholding the rights, respect, and concerns of our employees going forward.

After seven years, the city is celebrating Labour Day, according to Labour Minister Kapil Mishra.He asserted, “The previous government had the money, but it didn’t plan any event to honor workers on Labor Day.“

According to data issued by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the country’s daily Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions increased from 590 million in March to 596 million in April.

April saw transactions of Rs 24 lakh crore, down from Rs 24.8 lakh crore the month before. For the twelfth straight month, payments over Rs 20 lakh crore have been recorded. Even though volumes increased by 50.7% annually in April 2024, the growth rate stayed steady at 34.5%. Transaction values increased by 21.9% compared to the same period last year.

FASTag payments, which are utilized for parking and toll collection, also had higher daily transaction volumes (12.75 million) than the previous month (12.2 million), which is indicative of the nation’s expanding economic activity.

FASTag transactions increased by a healthy 17% from the previous month’s 12% increase. From Rs 219 crore in March, the total value of these trades increased to Rs 227 crore.

In addition, daily volumes for IMPS, another payment method run by NPCI, which also runs UPI, increased to 14.98 million from 14.89 million in March.

To improve user experience and cut down on delays, the NPCI has tightened response times for UPI transactions. The NPCI instructed banks and payment applications to adopt faster processing criteria for all UPI services starting on June 16 of this year in a circular dated April 26.

The measure attempts to reduce reversals, transaction verification, and payment processing delays. All participating entities have received advice from NPCI to make sure that these accelerated timescales don’t result in more technical declines or service interruptions.

According to the NPCI circular, the updated response time for request pay and response pay (debit and credit) would be 15 seconds rather than the previous 30 seconds.

The current response time for transaction reversal is 30 seconds; this will be lowered to 10 seconds.

The response time will now be 10 seconds rather than 15 seconds in case someone wishes to verify the address.

According to a recent survey released on Tuesday, over half of Indian corporate executives are already utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to accomplish environmentally conscious results, placing India far ahead of the worldwide and Asia-Pacific norms.

In contrast to just 39% worldwide, 52% of Indian CEOs claim they are actively utilizing AI to promote sustainable practices, according to the survey. According to a survey by US software company Autodesk, this indicates a significant shift in mentality as Indian businesses increasingly see sustainability as a key component of their business strategy rather than just a compliance need.

Businesses in India are likewise hopeful about AI’s future. Compared to the global average of 69%, nearly 79% of leaders think AI would have a positive impact on their industries.

They are conscious of the potential disruption that AI may cause, though. Approximately 61% of Indian executives agree that AI has the potential to revolutionize their sectors, particularly for highly technologically sophisticated businesses.

According to Alok Sharma, Director AEC at Autodesk India and SAARC, Indian companies are utilizing AI with a specific goal in mind: incorporating it into their sustainability plans to transform obstacles into opportunities.

He continued, “By doing this, they are not only complying with regulations but also establishing competitive advantages that boost revenue and draw in talent.”

Additionally, according to the report, 86% of Indian corporate executives think that implementing sustainability efforts might increase their yearly income by more than 5%.

Eighty-four percent of digitally mature businesses claim that these initiatives are assisting them in attracting and keeping top people.

Seventy-nine percent of Indian corporate executives intend to raise their AI expenditures, the report states. “AI is the cornerstone of future growth and innovation—it’s not just a fad,” Sharma stated.

“However, businesses must invest in the right skills to fully realize AI’s potential and foster trust in the technology if India is to remain ahead.” he mentioned.

Rajasthan Royals defeated Gujarat Titans by eight wickets in Indian Premier League 2025 on Monday at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Thanks to Vaibhav Suryavanshi‘s historic century and Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s undefeated 70. The home team triumphed with 25 balls remaining after scoring 212/2 in 15.5 overs and significantly increasing their net-run-rate.

With his 101–runs in 35 balls innings, which included 7 boundaries and 11 huge sixes, Suryavanshi broke the record for the youngest centurion in tournament history, surpassing Manish Pandey (19y 253d), Rishabh Pant (20y 218 d), and Devdutt Padikkal (20y 289 d) at the age of 14 years and 32 days. In addition to being the fastest century by an Indian, overtaking Yusuf Pathan’s record of 37 deliveries, it is the second fastest century in the tournament, only surpassed by Chris Gayle, who achieved it in 30 deliveries.

Given Shubman Gill’s outstanding 84-run innings and Jos Buttler’s half-century, which perfectly complemented Sai Sudharsan’s 39-run rapid start in the first innings to build up a total of 209/4, it appeared Gujarat was winning the match.

Suryavanshi started the chase for 210 against GT with a six off Mohammed Siraj in the opening over. When Jaiswal skied a short ball that was going toward point, the Royals’ situation might have been drastically different. Jos Buttler was unable to grasp onto the ball when he asked for it, continuing his terrible run at wicketkeeping. In response, Jaiswal hit a six on the over’s last ball.

When he smacked veteran Ishant Sharma for 28 runs in the fourth over with three sixes, two fours, and a couple extras, Suryavanshi was prepared to attack and attempted to skin the leather off the ball. He went on the attack, hitting Washington Sundar for two sixes before hitting a four to reach the 50-run mark.

Then, in the tenth over, Suryavanshi hammered GT rookie Karim Janat for three fours and three sixes, imposing his dominance on him with 30 runs in a single over.

The audience were in awe of Suryavanshi’s innings, but Jaiswal silently soared to a half-century off of 31 balls. In RR history, the pair’s 166-run partnership was the greatest for any wicket.

Prasidh Krishna’s connection with a yorker that crashed directly into the stumps ended Suryavanshi’s performance. Despite scoring a century, Suryavanshi sobbed as he left the field, demonstrating his newfound enthusiasm for the game and his desire to see his team through to the end.

Rashid Khan, who was captaining the team in place of Gill, who did not come out to play for the second innings, dismissed Nitish Rana (4) for LBW on just his second delivery, casting doubt on the RR supporters.

As GT reached 209/4 in 20 overs, the dangerous top order of Jos Buttler (50*), Sai Sudharsan (39), and Shubman Gill (84) maintained their outstanding form. Maheesh Theekshana was the primary bowler selected by the Rajasthan Royals, taking two significant wickets.

After reclaiming the orange cap, Sudharsan was getting close to his sixth fifty of the season when Theekshana eventually got his man in the eleventh over. The left-hander attempted to clear the long on boundary with a fuller delivery, but he was unable to gain the necessary elevation and hit it directly to Parag.

Now that Buttler was at the crease, Gill brilliantly accelerated the innings. He began by punishing Sandeep Sharma’s full-toss for six. He then used a flick and a pull shot to hit Yudhvir for two sixes over deep square leg. Theekshana ended Gill’s hopes of reaching his sixth IPL century when he was dismissed similarly to Sudharsan after the captain found Parag while attempting to knock a low full toss for six.

Jofra Archer was removed by Sandeep Sharma in the penultimate over after Buttler and Washington Sundar (13) each took sixes off him in the 18th over. Rahul Tewatia, Archer’s only scalp of the evening, was taken out by LBW. Gujarat reached 209/4 in 20 overs as Buttler hit a double off the last delivery to register his fourth half-century of the season in 26 deliveries.

Brief Score:

Gujarat Titans 209/4 in 20 overs ( Shubman Gill 84, Jos Buttler 50 not out; Maheesh Theekshana 2-35, Sandeep Sharma 1-33) lost to Rajasthan Royals 212/2 in 15.5 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 101, Yashasvi Jaiswal 70 not out; Rashid Khan 1-24, Prasidh Krishna 1-47) by 8 wickets