News for 'Defending India'

Aman Raj Leads IGPL Season Opener After Injury Struggles

Aman Raj Leads IGPL Season Opener After Injury Struggles

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Aman Raj, after battling injuries, takes a commanding lead at the IGPL season-opener in Chandigarh, with Gaganjeet Bhullar trailing behind.

'Nehru did vote chori', Shah defends SIR; Oppn walks out

'Nehru did vote chori', Shah defends SIR; Oppn walks out

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to debate with him on his three press conferences in which the Congress leader alleged 'vote chori' by the Bharatiya Janata Party in collusion with the Election Commission.

'90-0 vs 3-40': Santner reveals what went wrong

'90-0 vs 3-40': Santner reveals what went wrong

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged India's dominance in the World Cup final, citing their explosive start and the difficulty of chasing a large total in Indian conditions. He admitted New Zealand were underdogs and needed everything to go their way, but India's batting performance proved too strong.

11 Indians charged with visa fraud for faking robberies in US

11 Indians charged with visa fraud for faking robberies in US

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

Eleven Indian nationals residing illegally in the US have been charged with visa fraud for allegedly conspiring to stage armed robberies of convenience stores to fraudulently claim victim status on immigration applications.

T20 World Cup: 'I was surprised': Gavaskar on Abhishek's change

T20 World Cup: 'I was surprised': Gavaskar on Abhishek's change

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Sunil Gavaskar praises Abhishek Sharma's half-century against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup, highlighting his improved composure and learning from previous setbacks.

Banerjee Slams BJP, Alleges Plot to Snatch Voting Rights

Banerjee Slams BJP, Alleges Plot to Snatch Voting Rights

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of attempting to suppress voting rights and polarise the electorate ahead of the assembly elections.

T20 World Cup: Kotak hints at batting order changes for Zimbabwe clash

T20 World Cup: Kotak hints at batting order changes for Zimbabwe clash

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addresses concerns about Abhishek Sharma's form and hints at possible changes in the batting order for the crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Zimbabwe.

Iran yet to elect successor to Khamenei as process still underway

Iran yet to elect successor to Khamenei as process still underway

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

A senior Iranian official has stated that Iran has not yet elected a successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, following his assassination. The process to elect a new leader is underway, with several candidates being considered.

'Nitish May Have Been Moved Aside, But Nitishism Is Not Over'

'Nitish May Have Been Moved Aside, But Nitishism Is Not Over'

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

'Nitish Kumar may be marginalised as an office-holder, but that is not the same thing as the disappearance of Nitish Kumar's politics.'

Aiyar versus Tharoor: Congress's men of letters in war of letters

Aiyar versus Tharoor: Congress's men of letters in war of letters

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

A public exchange of open letters between Congress leaders Mani Shankar Aiyar and Shashi Tharoor reveals a significant rift over foreign policy, particularly concerning Israel and the Sabarimala temple issue.

Iran's Consul-General: 'We Hold The Upper Hand'

Iran's Consul-General: 'We Hold The Upper Hand'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

'Despite the large number of missiles and drones we have already launched, we still possess reserves and missile cities whose doors have not yet been opened,' says Iran's Consul-General Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh.

A War Of Attrition Is The Last Thing Trump Expected

A War Of Attrition Is The Last Thing Trump Expected

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

As days turn into weeks and America loses more planes, as the destruction of trillions of dollars worth military assets piles up, and dead bodies of soldiers return in ever greater numbers in coffins, Trump will have to answer some very difficult questions to save his presidency, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

India vs NZ T20s: 'There was pressure on me': Rinku Singh

India vs NZ T20s: 'There was pressure on me': Rinku Singh

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Rinku Singh made a roaring return with a match-tilting 44 not out off 20 balls against New Zealand in Nagpur on Wednesday

Mahieka helped me rediscover excitement for the game: Hardik Pandya

Mahieka helped me rediscover excitement for the game: Hardik Pandya

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya paid tribute to girlfriend Mahieka Sharma for helping him rediscover his love for the game, a shift that saw him putting in the long hours in the net.

Sindhu stunned by Linh at India Open

Sindhu stunned by Linh at India Open

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Earlier, former world No.1 Srikanth had to dig deep to outlast fellow Indian Tharun Mannepalli 15-21, 21-6, 21-19.

Explained: Why Bangladesh wants WC games out of India

Explained: Why Bangladesh wants WC games out of India

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam on Monday said that "we do not feel secure" in sending the national team to India for the T20 World Cup considering the current circumstances.

Donald Trump rooting for US cricket team

Donald Trump rooting for US cricket team

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

US President Donald Trump wished Team USA luck as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup began in India and Sri Lanka, expressing confidence in the American side.

5th T20I PIX: Kishan, Arshdeep power India to massive win over New Zealand

5th T20I PIX: Kishan, Arshdeep power India to massive win over New Zealand

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Ishan Kishan's thrill-a-second maiden T20I hundred compensated for Sanju Samson's familiar failure, and the knock in conjunction with Arshdeep Singh's fifer scripted India's 46-run romp over New Zealand in the fifth and final match in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.

T20 World Cup: 'Switched off phone, social media and listened to myself': Sanju Samson

T20 World Cup: 'Switched off phone, social media and listened to myself': Sanju Samson

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Sanju Samson reveals how he overcame a lean patch by shutting out negativity and focusing on self-belief, culminating in a match-winning performance against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup.

T20 World Cup Final: 5 Match Ups To Watch Out For

T20 World Cup Final: 5 Match Ups To Watch Out For

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

A preview of the key player battles that could determine the outcome of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final between India and New Zealand, highlighting individual matchups and their potential impact on the game.

Abhishek Banerjee Dares Amit Shah to Resign Amidst 'Clean Politics' Debate

Abhishek Banerjee Dares Amit Shah to Resign Amidst 'Clean Politics' Debate

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resign, citing hypocrisy in Shah's call for 'clean politics' given his past arrest. Banerjee also criticised the Election Commission and defended his party's record.

Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya key for India in T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma

Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya key for India in T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Former captain Rohit Sharma highlighted Arshdeep Singh's effectiveness with the new ball and in the death overs.

Rinku cannot be batting at 8: Ashwin slams team selection

Rinku cannot be batting at 8: Ashwin slams team selection

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

Ravichandran Ashwin criticises India's team combination and batting order after their 76-run defeat to South Africa in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, questioning Rinku Singh's No.8 slot and Axar Patel's omission.

T20 World Cup: 'When Varun Was Attacked, He Had No Answer'

T20 World Cup: 'When Varun Was Attacked, He Had No Answer'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

'Apart from Bumrah, nothing much stood out in the bowling, except for the new spell bowled by Arshdeep.'

'One more innings': Sanju Samson eyes match-winning knock in T20 World Cup final

'One more innings': Sanju Samson eyes match-winning knock in T20 World Cup final

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Sanju Samson said he wants play another match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday, aiming to secure a record third title for India.

T20 WC Semi-Final: Unbeaten South Africa Take On Giant-Killers New Zealand

T20 WC Semi-Final: Unbeaten South Africa Take On Giant-Killers New Zealand

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Unbeaten South Africa take on a dangerous New Zealand side in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Eden Gardens, with the Proteas wary of complacency in the knockout stage.

India Open: Lakshya watlzes into second round

India Open: Lakshya watlzes into second round

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

India's top men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, seeded third, also progressed without taking the court after receiving a walkover from USA's Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith.

Panel probing Justice Varma cash row reconstituted; gets extension

Panel probing Justice Varma cash row reconstituted; gets extension

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has reconstituted a three-member committee to investigate the potential removal of Justice Yashwant Varma following the recovery of cash from his residence. The committee has been granted a three-month extension.

'If You Want Me To Attend Rave Parties, Do Drugs...'

'If You Want Me To Attend Rave Parties, Do Drugs...'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

'...I am not part of it. If you want to boycott me because of this, and there have been obvious instances where people didn't want to review my films because I am not important.'

'Support him, not blame him': Coach defends Arshad Nadeem

'Support him, not blame him': Coach defends Arshad Nadeem

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

The state-run PSB asked Iqbal to give an explanation for Nadeem's performance and also a run down on his training schedules, money spent on him.

I've learnt from watching greats like Kohli, Rohit: Sanju Samson

I've learnt from watching greats like Kohli, Rohit: Sanju Samson

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

'I've seen around 100 games and I've seen how the greatest people have finished the games and how do they change their game according to the game.'

Shirtless protest at AI Summit: Another Youth Cong worker held, total arrests 5

Shirtless protest at AI Summit: Another Youth Cong worker held, total arrests 5

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

Delhi Police made a fifth arrest in the AI Impact Summit shirtless protest case, as investigations continue into the political demonstration against the government and the India-US trade deal.

Why Ganguly feels India are favourites to win T20 WC

Why Ganguly feels India are favourites to win T20 WC

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

India has a strong spin attack, my favourite team in T20 WC: Ganguly

Pannun murder plot: Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty, faces 40-yr jail

Pannun murder plot: Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty, faces 40-yr jail

Rediff.com14 Feb 2026

Gupta, 54, pleaded guilty to charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in connection with his efforts to murder Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York.

T20 World Cup: Abhishek's form, confidence in focus vs England at Wankhede

T20 World Cup: Abhishek's form, confidence in focus vs England at Wankhede

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Having finished as the second-highest run-getter in 2025 among top nations, Abhishek was touted to dominate the tournament but the law of averages seemed to be catching up with the World No. 1 T20 batter when he returned to the dugout with three ducks in as many matches.

Saudi Pledges To Defend Pakistan Against Attack, India Says...

Saudi Pledges To Defend Pakistan Against Attack, India Says...

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a 'Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement', pledging that any aggression against either nation would be treated as an attack on both.

Oppn MPs demand Hardeep Puri's resignation over Epstein links

Oppn MPs demand Hardeep Puri's resignation over Epstein links

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Friday after opposition members raised slogans demanding the resignation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and protesting against the India-US interim trade agreement.

SC reserves verdict on plea against Bihar electoral roll revision

SC reserves verdict on plea against Bihar electoral roll revision

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a petition challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, following arguments from various lawyers and the Election Commission of India.

Actor Mammootty under cyber attack after spat with Kerala CPM leader

Actor Mammootty under cyber attack after spat with Kerala CPM leader

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

Senior CPI(M) leaders address online attacks against Malayalam actor Mammootty after his visit to a Wayanad township for landslide survivors, following reports of his displeasure with a local party leader's presence.

Shai Hope Takes Blame For West Indies' T20 World Cup Ouster

Shai Hope Takes Blame For West Indies' T20 World Cup Ouster

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

West Indies captain Shai Hope took responsibility for his slow batting in their T20 World Cup match against India, which led to their elimination from the mega-event.