Mayank Agarwal solves mystery of 2019 photo with ‘mysterious’ hand on Rishab Pant’s shoulder
The curiosity and long-standing mystery surrounding a 2019 photograph featuring several prominent Indian cricketers, has finally been solved after four years. The photograph, which included MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Agarwal, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya, had garnered considerable attention on social media due to an intriguing detail.
Posted on Hardik Pandya's social media account with the caption "Boys' day out," the image captured the five cricketers in a jovial moment. However, what piqued the curiosity of fans was the presence of an unidentified hand resting on Rishabh Pant's shoulders.
The photograph, shared on July 4, 2019 just two days before India's victory over Bangladesh in Birmingham and shortly after a win against Sri Lanka in Leeds, quickly became a viral sensation. Internet users embarked on a quest to decipher the mystery behind the elusive hand, prompting numerous speculations.
While Dhoni's hands were clearly visible, and Bumrah's left hand rested on MS Dhoni's shoulders, the identity of the hand on Pant's shoulders remained elusive.
Finally, after years of speculation and countless debates, Mayank Agarwal himself put an end to the suspense. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Agarwal confirmed that it was his hand on Rishabh Pant's shoulder. He humorously wrote, "After years of extensive research, debates, and countless conspiracy theories, let the nation finally know: It is MY hand on @RishabhPant17's shoulder. PS: Any and all other claims are misleading and not true."
‼️‼️After years of extensive research, debates, and countless conspiracy theories, let the nation finally know : it is MY hand on @RishabhPant17 shoulder ‼️‼️
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) September 28, 2023
Ps : any and all other claims are misleading and not true 😎 pic.twitter.com/nmOy9Ka0pH
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
