Ajit Agarkar Factor Behind Bhuvneshwar's Absence From Team India: Report

Veteran India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Tuesday returned to the national side nearly four years after his last appearance, for the upcoming five-match T20I series in New Zealand later this month. The 36-year-old Meerut-born Bhuvneshwar played a stellar role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's back-to-back IPL title triumphs, claiming 17 wickets last season while tormenting some of the best batters in the business with swing and seam movement during the powerplay. However, Bhuvneshwar's comeback did not happen during Ajit Agarkar's tenure, as the former chairman of selectors was not inclined to look back at experienced players despite their performances.

It is understood that Central Zone selector Rudra Pratap Singh never found much support when it came to the inclusion of Bhuvneshwar, but once Agarkar was gone, it was not very difficult to convince Pragyan Ojha and the other selectors about the value of the experienced seamer, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

With his experience, he can also guide the likes of Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, both of whom are being viewed as potential contenders for the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia.

Apart from his 21 Tests and 121 ODIs, Bhuvneshwar has played 87 T20Is and taken 90 wickets.

The squad announced by the BCCI, the first after the exit of former chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and with Pragyan Ojha serving as interim chairman, also features Varun Chakravarthy, who returns after an injury ruled him out of the Asian Games.

Most of the T20I squad currently featuring in the West Indies series picked itself, but Bhuvneshwar's comeback will also inspire Mohammed Shami.

India will play five T20Is from October 22 to November 1 in New Zealand. The first match of the series will be played in Christchurch on October 22, followed by the second at the same venue on October 24.

The third T20I, on October 27, will be played in Wellington, while the fourth and fifth matches will be held on October 30 and November 1 in Auckland and Hamilton respectively.

India will also play a five-match ODI series and a two-Test series after the T20I leg.

India's T20I squad: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma (vc), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Why Hellebuyck, Hughes, Tkachuk And Larkin Are Leaving Canadian Teams

Connor Hellebuyck's trade request has reopened an old question in the NHL: why are some American stars looking away from Canadian teams? The issue has gained attention after a series of moves and trade requests involving players on both sides of the border. Family connections, taxes, money and the chance to compete for a Stanley Cup have all entered the discussion. The reasons are not the same in every case. For others, including Hellebuyck, the next stop could still be in Canada right now.

Quinn Hughes' Move Came Before More American Stars Asked Out

Quinn Hughes left the Vancouver Canucks for the Minnesota Wild in December after making it clear he would not re-sign. Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford later told Yahoo Sports.

“Some people think Quinn left here because the team wasn't any good. He was leaving anyway,” Rutherford said. “He wanted to go back to the US, and he went.”

A few months later, Brady Tkachuk asked Ottawa for a trade. Senators owner Michael Andlauer told The Athletic that family played a major role in the decision, saying Tkachuk ultimately wanted to play with his brother Matthew in Florida. 

Dylan Larkin's situation has another clear line. TSN reported that the Detroit Red Wings captain will not consider a Canadian team. Montreal had been interested in Larkin, but that option is not being considered. 

Family and Winning Have Shaped Recent NHL Moves

Connor Hellebuyck's situation brings a different set of details. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender revealed that he had requested a trade several months earlier. He had signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract in 2023 and said then that he was ready to be a Jet for life.

The Jets missed the playoffs last season, and Hellebuyck criticized the team's performance. He has said he wants to win a Stanley Cup while still in his prime.

His Olympic experience also became part of the story. Hellebuyck made 41 saves in the United States' gold-medal win over Canada. Donald Trump later awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hellebuyck said the attention surrounding that and the White House visit led to threats and online abuse aimed at his family.

Hellebuyck's Trade Request Raises a Bigger Question for Canada

The Jets suspended Hellebuyck without pay after he failed to report to training camp. Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported that he is willing to waive his full no-movement clause for several teams. 

The Jets were close to trading him to Buffalo in June, according to The Athletic, but the deal fell apart before the first round of the 2026 draft. Carolina, Utah and San Jose have also been linked to him.

The Guardian also reported that Hellebuyck would accept Edmonton or Montreal. He further noted family ties and tax rates as factors that can affect players' choices. 

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Janhvi Kapoor Breaks Silence On AI-Altered Chuttamalle Video, Calls It 'Deeply Violating'

Janhvi Kapoor has spoken out about the misuse of technology and the growing concerns around digitally altered content involving women.

Kapoor has addressed an AI-altered video featuring her from the Devara: Part 1 song Chuttamalle. The actor described the unauthorised use of digitally manipulated content as a serious violation and highlighted the need to respect consent and personal boundaries.

In her statement, Janhvi said, "The criminal misuse of technology to objectify women and circulate fictionalised content without consent is deeply violating, bordering on sexual assault." She added that such incidents are not limited to her and pointed to the wider challenges women face in dealing with unwanted attention and violations of their boundaries.

The actor further stressed that consent remains valid regardless of a person's previous choices or appearance. She said that a woman's clothing, past decisions or earlier consent should never be interpreted as permission to cross her boundaries.

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Janhvi said the problem extends beyond the altered videos involving her and reflects wider concerns about women's safety, privacy and dignity. She also thanked her Devara co-star Jr NTR for publicly condemning the incident.

She expressed gratitude to Chiranjeevi, Vijay and Khushbu Sundar for supporting her and speaking against the misuse of AI. Janhvi also called for a change in the mindset that places the responsibility of safety only on women, saying society must address the behaviour of those who violate others' boundaries.

Chiranjeevi Calls For Action

Chiranjeevi has also reacted to the incident and called for a coordinated response from the Telugu film industry. The actor said he plans to raise the matter with the Telugu Film Chamber, Producers' Council and other industry associations.

He wrote on X, "I am deeply disturbed by the use of AI to create degrading and morphed videos of a woman. Such acts are cruel, shameful and completely unacceptable. I strongly condemn them." He also said the issue could affect anyone and urged people not to remain silent.

I am deeply disturbed by the use of AI to create degrading and morphed videos of a woman. Such acts are cruel, shameful and completely unacceptable. I strongly condemn them. This is not an issue concerning just one individual or one film. Today, it has happened to someone else. Tomorrow, it could happen to you, me or anyone we know. We cannot remain silent simply because it has not affected us personally. Every one of us has a responsibility to stand against this abuse. Those who create such content and those who deliberately spread or amplify it must be held accountable under the law. This cannot be dismissed as a joke or treated as entertainment. I will take this matter up with the Telugu Film Chamber, the Producers' Council and our affiliated industry bodies, and recommend the formation of a dedicated committee and support cell. Working closely with Cyber Crime authorities, this team should support those affected, coordinate efforts to remove such content and pursue legal action against those responsible. The entire Telugu film fraternity must come together for this effort. Our associations, artists, technicians, audiences and fans all have a role to play. I also urge the Central and State Governments to take strong and effective measures against the misuse of AI for such abuse. Please do not watch, download, share or circulate these videos, even with the intention of condemning them. Report them to the respective platforms and Cyber Crime authorities instead. Protecting human dignity is our collective responsibility. Let us stand together, speak up and act. #UniteAgainstDigitalAbuse @revanth_anumula @ncbn @AmitShah @AshwiniVaishnaw @GoI_MeitY

— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) October 3, 2026

Chiranjeevi proposed setting up a dedicated committee and support cell to assist victims, coordinate with cybercrime authorities, facilitate the removal of such material and pursue legal action against those responsible. He also urged people not to view, download or circulate such videos, even while condemning them, and instead report them to platforms and cybercrime authorities.

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