India face a grudge match against Pakistan in the upcoming game, with memories of the 2017 Champions Trophy final still vivid. The conditions in Dubai are favorable for India, who have a strong spin lineup, while Pakistan's pace attack is less formidable without Mohammed Amir. India's form and conditions make Pakistan the clear underdogs.
Related news
In Ujjain, a 30-year-old woman worker, Rajni Khatri, tragically died after her dupatta became entangled in a potato-peeling machine at the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple's food area. She had recently joined the outsourced firm operating the area. Fellow employees rushed her to the hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries.
Travis Head's dominant 140 in the second Test against India leveled the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Former cricketers analyzing Head's performance advised India to exploit his perceived weakness against short-pitched bowling, especially early in his innings, at the upcoming Gabba Test. They suggested targeting his leg side and tempting him with deliveries outside off-stump to induce catches behind the wicket.
Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary criticized current head coach Gautam Gambhir, asserting he is not suitable for the role due to the Indian team's recent poor performances. Tiwary suggested experienced coaches like VVS Laxman or Sairaj Bahutule would have been better choices, and questioned Gambhir's track record, attributing KKR's success to domestic coach Chandrakant Pandit.
To celebrate April Fools' Day 2025, Minecraft introduced a 'mob animator' feature allowing players to combine different mobs for unique results. Available for 24 hours on Minecraft's website, this limited-time Easter egg includes items like TNT, cobblestone, and various mobs for experimental combinations and amusing effects.
SpaceX launched another Starship rocket from Texas, but contact was lost minutes into the flight, causing it to spiral out of control. The mission aimed to deploy four mock satellites but failed as engines shut down prematurely. SpaceX recovered the first-stage booster, though the spacecraft ultimately lost stability and did not complete its mission.
India's total forest and tree cover reached 827,357 sq km, about 25% of the geographical area, showing a slight increase. While forest cover grew marginally, moderately dense forests declined. Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh saw the biggest gains, while Madhya Pradesh experienced the largest decrease.
India's economic growth is expected to improve in the latter half of FY25, driven by festive activity, rural demand, and agricultural growth. The RBI report highlights potential moderation in food prices, government capital expenditure challenges, and broader economic trends affecting GDP and inflation projections.
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai protested against the DMK government, accusing it of failing to protect Anna University students and leaking a victim's personal details. Criticizing the lack of CCTV surveillance and misuse of the Nirbhaya fund, Annamalai demanded action against the police involved and announced a 48-day fast to highlight women's safety issues.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar advises Jasprit Bumrah to prioritise shorter cricket formats over Tests. Akhtar believes this will help Bumrah manage his injury-prone body better and prolong his career, given the physical demands of Tests. While acknowledging Bumrah's Test potential, Akhtar suggests focusing on white-ball cricket where his skills are best suited.
Banks in India will be closed on specific holidays in January 2025, which vary by region. Customers can use digital banking during these closures. Notable holidays include New Year's Day, Sri Guru Gobind Singh's Birthday, and Makar Sankranti.