IPL 2025: Kohli nearly throws water bottle after Digvesh Rathi’s ‘mankad’ attempt on Jitesh Sharma
Bengaluru: A dramatic moment unfolded during the high-octane IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), as rising LSG leg-spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi attempted a controversial 'Mankad' dismissal on stand-in RCB skipper Jitesh Sharma. The attempt triggered an emotional outburst from senior RCB pro Virat Kohli, who was caught on camera nearly throwing a water bottle in the dressing room in visible frustration.
The incident occurred in the 17th over of RCB's innings when Rathi, mid-delivery, paused and turned toward the stumps at the non-striker's end in an attempt to run Jitesh out. Although eventually Jitesh was declared not out by the third umpire, the move did not sit well with Kohli, who was watching from the dugout.
Interestingly, Rathi had nearly dismissed Jitesh earlier in the same over when the batter reverse swept the ball straight to Ayush Badoni at point. Rathi began celebrating, but the joy was short-lived as the umpire signaled a rare backfoot no-ball, rendering the delivery invalid. This turn of events seemed to rattle Rathi, who ended the night wicketless despite a promising season overall.
Jitesh Sharma responded to the drama in style, playing a captain’s knock of 85 off just 33 balls, peppered with 8 boundaries and 6 sixes, at an incredible strike rate of 257.58. Partnering with Mayank Agarwal (41 off 23), Jitesh stitched a 107-run stand for the fifth wicket, helping RCB chase down a daunting 228-run target with eight balls remaining.
Earlier, Rishabh Pant lit up the evening with a masterful 118 off 61 deliveries for LSG, guiding his team to 227/3. The knock included innovative strokeplay and a celebration flip that captured fans' attention, but his efforts were ultimately in vain as RCB stormed to victory and secured a place in Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings.
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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
