Cameron Young LIV Golf Agreement Shows Up In Bankruptcy Papers

Cameron Young came very close to joining LIV Golf back in 2022, and new court papers from the league's bankruptcy case in New Jersey finally show how serious those talks were. A contract list in the Chapter 11 filing includes a "Cameron Young LIV Golf Letter Agreement Dated July 24, 2022," which is marked as "rejected as of September 8, 2026," the exact day LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy. That July 2022 date was just one week after Young finished one shot behind Cameron Smith at the Open Championship at St Andrews. Even with a huge offer on the table, Young chose to stay with the PGA Tour.

Cameron Young, Rory McIlroy And Tiger Woods: How The 2022 LIV Golf Talks Played Out

In bankruptcy court, rejecting a contract simply lets a company walk away from an old deal. The court list does not say how much money LIV Golf offered Young, what the paper actually promised, or if he ever put pen to paper. Golf Digest reported that the court records show Young signed an intent to join the Saudi-backed league. Still, Young was honest at the 2022 Tour Championship that he was "very interested" in the offer before telling everyone his final choice:

"Frankly, I have decided to stay."

What changed his mind was a players-only meeting led by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods that brought bigger prize money and new changes to the PGA Tour. As Young explained back then:

"With some of those changes coming, that's what really helped me decide to stay and pursue those goals that I have for myself, like making the Presidents Cup team or Ryder Cup team and winning a major, when all of that is just uncertain if you go."

Cameron Young, Scottie Scheffler And Jon Rahm: PGA Tour Wins VS LIV Golf Money Troubles

Looking back now, staying put worked out great for Young. He made the 2022 Presidents Cup team and went 3-1-0 at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. He also picked up his first PGA Tour win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship, won THE PLAYERS Championship in 2026, and beat Scottie Scheffler by six shots at Doral, making about $33.3 million since 2023.

On the other side, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund stopped funding LIV Golf, leaving the league owing $7.5 million to Jon Rahm, $5.7 million to Bryson DeChambeau, and $4.8 million to Cameron Smith.

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RBI Guv Reaffirms Price Stability Is Key Objective While Supporting Growth

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra has reaffirmed the central bank's primary objective is maintaining price stability with inflation targeting while supporting long-term economic growth.

Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2026, Malhotra said India's strong macroeconomic fundamentals continue to support economic activity, with high-frequency indicators pointing to resilient growth across sectors.

“Inflation targeting remains a priority, along with growth,” Malhotra said, reiterating the RBI's commitment to maintaining price stability while supporting the economy.

ALSO READ: NDTV World Summit 2026 Day 2 Live Updates: Aim To Ensure No Disruption In Forex, Says RBI Governor

He pointed to indicators such as cement and steel sales, credit growth, tax collections and automobile sales as evidence that economic momentum remains intact. According to the RBI governor, growth is broad-based, with activity holding up across several segments of the economy.

Malhotra also said inflation remains within the RBI's tolerance band, although supply-side pressures, particularly from food and fuel, continue to pose challenges to the inflation outlook.

The governor referred to an average inflation projection of 5.1% for the current year, attributing the outlook to supply-side factors. The figure should be verified against the original interview before publication. 

On the rupee, Malhotra said the central bank is not targeting any particular exchange-rate level. Instead, its focus is on ensuring orderly conditions in the foreign exchange market, signalling that the RBI's approach is aimed at managing volatility rather than defending a specific currency value.

The governor acknowledged that while domestic demand dynamics remain central to India's monetary policy decisions, persistent external factors will also influence the economic outlook.

The comments come amid an evolving global economic environment, where geopolitical developments, commodity prices and external financial conditions can affect both inflation and growth in India.

ALSO READ: AI Law In The Works? Ashwini Vaishnaw Outlines Regulation Roadmap At NDTV World Summit 2026

Malhotra reiterated that the RBI remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving price stability, underlining its importance for the economy over the long term.

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Trade Setup For Oct 23: Nifty Finds Support At 22,600 As US Markets Trade Lower

The NSE Nifty 50 is expected to open mixed to red on Friday, Oct. 23, amid weakness in U.S. markets and a sharp rise in crude oil prices to a five-month high, while technical indicators suggest the benchmark index has key support near the 22,600 zone.

Indian equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty 50 ended over half a percent lower on Thursday, weighed down by broad-based selling, as persistently elevated crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions continued to dampen investor sentiment.

ALSO READ: IndiGo Q2 Results: Date, Time, Dividend News, Earnings Call Schedule And More

The BSE Sensex declined 460.30 points, or 0.62%, to close at 73,249.39, while the NSE Nifty 50 fell 123.70 points, or 0.54%, to end at 22,687.65. The Bank Nifty index settled at 54,925.70, down 51.20 points, or 0.09%.

Nifty ended the session by forming a doji candle with shadows on both sides, indicating indecision among market participants. The index also slipped below its 20-day simple moving average, positioned near the middle Bollinger Band at 22,760.

According to Om Mehra, Technical Research Analyst at SAMCO Securities, immediate support for Nifty is placed at 22,600, followed by 22,480. On the upside, 22,850 remains the immediate resistance level, followed by the psychological mark of 23,000.

"A move above today's high of 22,785 could signal a short-term trend reversal and open the door for a meaningful recovery, with 23,175 as the next resistance," said Nandish Shah, Deputy Vice President at HDFC Securities.

Shah identified 22,500 as the immediate support level for the benchmark index.

GIFT Nifty Futures were up 0.62% to 22,856.

Sudeep Shah, Head of Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities, said the 22,580-22,550 zone is likely to act as a crucial support area for Nifty.

"A decisive break below 22,550 could intensify selling pressure and drag the index towards the 22,400 mark in the near term," Shah said.

On the upside, the 22,820-22,850 zone is expected to act as an immediate hurdle. Any sustainable move above 22,850 would indicate strengthening momentum and could trigger a pullback rally towards the 23,000 level, he added.

Bank Nifty

Bank Nifty ended the session at 54,925.70, down 0.09%, after forming an indecisive candle with shadows on both sides following a gap-down opening. Although the index recovered from its intraday low of 54,459, it continues to trade below the middle Bollinger Band positioned near 55,150.

According to Om Mehra, immediate support for Bank Nifty is placed at 54,700, followed by 54,500. On the upside, 55,150 remains the immediate resistance level, followed by 55,500.

Sudeep Shah said the 54,400-54,300 zone is likely to act as an important support area for the banking index.

ALSO READ: Adani Total Gas Q2 Results: Net Profit Jumps 22% To Rs 173 Crore, Margin Expands

"A sustained breach below this zone may invite further selling pressure," Shah said.

On the upside, the 20-day exponential moving average zone of 55,300-55,400 is expected to act as a crucial hurdle for Bank Nifty, he added.

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Marco Jansen Creates History Against Australia With 85, Breaks 60-Year-Old Record

South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen produced a crucial innings against Australia on Day 3 of the second Test in Gqeberha, helping the hosts recover from a difficult position and setting a new record in the process.

Coming in to bat at No. 8 with South Africa struggling at 110/6, Jansen joined captain Temba Bavuma to turn the innings around with a crucial partnership.

Jansen scored 85 off 100 balls before being caught by Travis Head off Scott Boland's bowling. Although he fell 15 runs short of a century, his knock proved vital in South Africa's fightback against Australia.

ALSO READ: MS Dhoni Was Made India Captain At 26: Harbhajan Singh Reveals Why Seniors Had No Problem

The left-handed batter added 132 runs with Bavuma for the seventh wicket, helping South Africa recover after losing six wickets for 110 runs. The partnership also broke the previous record for a seventh-wicket stand at St George's Park, which had stood since 1896.

Marco Jansen Breaks South Africa's Record Against Australia

Jansen's 85 became the highest score by a South African batter at No. 8 in a home Test against Australia, surpassing Peter van der Merwe's previous record of 76, scored in Johannesburg in 1966.

Jansen also moved to second place on the list of South Africa's highest individual scores by a No. 8 batter in a Test innings against Australia. Brian McMillan holds the record with an unbeaten 87 at the Adelaide Oval in 1998, leaving Jansen just three runs short of the mark.

Despite missing out on a century, Jansen's contribution helped South Africa recover from a precarious position and put pressure back on the Australian bowling attack.

Temba Bavuma Breaks Rohit Sharma's Record

Bavuma also achieved a significant milestone during his innings. At 36 years and 154 days at the start of the match, he became the oldest captain to score a century in a World Test Championship (WTC) match against Australia.

He surpassed former India captain Rohit Sharma's record, set when Rohit scored a century against Australia in Nagpur in 2023 at the age of 35 years and 285 days.

Bavuma's century added to an impressive performance from the South African captain, who led the fightback alongside Jansen after the hosts lost early wickets.

Rohit, however, remains the oldest captain to score a century in a WTC match overall, having made 103 against England in Dharamsala in 2024 at the age of 36 years and 312 days.

South Africa Fight Back After Early Collapse

South Africa had ended the previous day's play at 97/5 and slipped further to 110/6 on the third morning. Bavuma and Jansen then steadied the innings, combining aggression with patience to rebuild the team's position.

By lunch, South Africa had reached 216/6, with Bavuma on 76 and Jansen on 72. Their partnership continued to grow, eventually reaching 132 runs before Jansen's dismissal.

ALSO READ: Rishabh Pant's World Cup Hopes Under Cloud; Ravi Shastri Reveals One Thing He Needs To Do

Bavuma went on to score 179, his career-best Test score, while Simon Harmer contributed 82 as South Africa declared at 425/9.

Australia ended the day at 3/1 in their second innings, with South Africa having mounted a strong response after their heavy defeat in the first Test.

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TheBurntPeanut Mocks Best VTuber Award Backlash With Jokes About His Avatar

TheBurntPeanut has replied to the criticism over his Best VTuber Award nomination at the Streamer Awards 2026, and he did it with a sarcastic announcement about changing his virtual avatar. On his October 18 livestream, the Twitch streamer joked he would get breast implants and a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), so his peanut model can fit what critics apparently wanted to see. He was talking about his nominations across multiple categories at the upcoming awards when this came up. No serious redesign was offered. Instead he made fun of posts he saw on X and asked why a VTuber should look same as everyone else.

TheBurntPeanut reveals he got br-st implants and a BBL to fit in better with the Best VTuber category "I checked Twitter..a lot of people do not like people that do not look like them, which I could have swore there's a word for that..but guys, I want unity..so announcing today..making a huge change..I will be getting a triple D b-ob implant as well as BBL..only then will I be accepted"

— yeet (@Awk20000) October 18, 2026

TheBurntPeanut Says Critics Want VTubers to Look Alike

He said he checked X for the last two days and kept seeing criticism connected to his Streamer Awards nomination. According to him, many people were upset simply because his look didn't match theirs.

“I got the overwhelming sense from all the posts that were related to The Streamer Awards and me that a lot of people do not like people that don't look like them,” he said.

Then he sarcastically pushed the idea further, saying the criticism shows a wider expectation that all VTubers should look alike. He even acted like he forgot the word for disliking people who look different, and just left the sentence hanging before moving on.

His point was blunt. “You can't look different. That is very bad, according to the posts I've seen on Twitter,” he said during the livestream.

TheBurntPeanut Reveals His Sarcastic Plan for a New Avatar

The redesign he promised wasn't serious at all. He joked about getting two triple-D breast implants and a BBL, and presented these changes like an attempt to make the critics of his nomination happy.

“So, in the spirit of good faith, I will do my best to look more in tune with what the vision is,” he said before delivering the punchline.

After that he thanked the viewers and said he only wanted to bring everyone together, calling his fake makeover a step toward “a better future.”

Joking about his looks isn't new for him. Back in May 2026, MrBeast offered $1 million for a face reveal, and he answered that he was not going to “mutilate himself.” 

This time he took a different route, because exaggerated cosmetic surgery became the punchline and not a real face reveal. Context matters here: the whole bit was satire told on stream, and nothing about the avatar itself got confirmed during the October 18 broadcast.

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Amanda Balionis on Dustin Johnson's Emotional Masters Interview

Amanda Balionis has interviewed some of golf's biggest stars, but her conversation with Dustin Johnson after his 2020 Masters win still means a lot to her. The CBS Sports reporter recently recalled how Johnson struggled to speak after winning his first green jacket. Instead of jumping in to fill the silence, Balionis let him take his time. Looking back on that moment, she explained why holding back her own words helped viewers see just how much the victory meant to him.

Amanda Balionis Recalls Dustin Johnson Breaking Down After Masters Win

Speaking to Claire Rogers on Skratch, Balionis remembered the unusual setting of the November 2020 Masters. The COVID-19 pandemic meant there were no spectators at Augusta National, making the win feel different from a typical Masters celebration.

“There's a lot. I mean, there are so many moments that I feel so honored and privileged to be a part of. But Dustin Johnson, I think it was just such a heavy time for everyone, right? We're in COVID, it's November, there are no patrons there,” Amanda Balionis told Claire Rogers during a Skratch interview.

After the green jacket ceremony, Balionis asked Johnson what the victory would have meant to his younger self. He struggled to hold back his emotions as he answered.

“I definitely wouldn't believe myself. It's a dream come true,” Johnson said.

His voice broke, and he wiped away tears before admitting, “It's hard to talk.”

Balionis chose not to interrupt him. She explained why that pause mattered to the interview.

“And I was doing this interview that had never been done before after the Green Jacket ceremony to ask the question that I think got to the core of who he really is and what he so deeply cared about, and then lay out and say nothing while he processed and let the emotions take him over. I think if I would've tried to insert myself in that moment of silence before he got emotional, I don't think he gets emotional. I don't think we ever get to see truly how much that meant to him.”

Dustin Johnson's 2020 Masters Win Left A Lasting Mark On Amanda Balionis

Johnson won the Masters on November 15, 2020, finishing at 20-under 268 to set a tournament scoring record. He finished five shots ahead of Cameron Smith and Sungjae Im, with his brother Austin serving as his caddie.

Balionis had been interviewing Johnson since 2011. She later told The Big Lead that a player's silence can sometimes say more than an answer.

“If he can gather his words, great, but if he can't, that silence and his reaction probably says more than words ever could,” she said.

Balionis joined CBS Sports' golf coverage in 2017. She said the Johnson interview became a moment she still thinks about when athletes show emotion during conversations.

“I'm happy it happened so early in my career with CBS because there's a lot of times now where I go back to that when I start to see a player start to get vulnerable. I remind myself of that moment often of just don't say anything, and it's okay. And it, it typically creates a much better moment than anything I would have to say anyway,” she added.

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WWE Star Roman Reigns Sets A Shocking Eight-Match Limit For His WWE Career

Roman Reigns is not interested in wrestling a packed schedule just to show up on WWE television more often. The OTC has made it clear that eight matches a year is his limit, and he wants those appearances to happen on the biggest occasions. Speaking with Sam Roberts, Reigns pushed back when the host suggested he was working around 10 or 11 matches annually. “Don't push it. 10? What the f*ck? 10? We're at 8 alright?” he said. Reigns also admitted he does not enjoy taking bumps, even if he made a career out of professional wrestling.

Roman Reigns wants quality over quantity in WWE

Reigns was pretty direct when Sam Roberts asked about his yearly match count. The WWE star corrected the number straight away, saying he wrestles maximum eight matches in a year, with some television appearances added around that schedule.

“Sprinkle some TV appearances around that. Amen. Amen. Quality over quantity every single day of the week,” Reigns said.

For him, working fewer matches is not about filling the calendar with appearances. He wants each one to matter, not wrestle on regular nights just for increasing his numbers. The comment also gives a clearer idea how selective he is about stepping into the ring. Smart move, if you really look at it.

Reigns has wrestled seven matches this year, according to the information shared about his schedule. So he is close to the limit he described, but he did not say in the interview that he will refuse every match beyond that number under all circumstances.

The point he kept coming back to was simple. Not every show needs him in a match. And when he does compete, he wants the occasion to justify the physical work that comes with it.

Reigns admits he hates taking bumps despite choosing wrestling

There is another reason Reigns is careful about his in-ring schedule, and he didn't try to dress it up. The Tribal Chief admitted that taking bumps is something he genuinely dislikes, even though falling down is part of the job he chose.

“I don't like to fall down at all and I some reason chose to do that for a living but that's a part of the deal,” Reigns explained.

Professional wrestling needs him to take physical punishment, but he wants those moments saved for important dates. Reigns specifically mentioned Saturdays and major Sundays, making it clear that a regular night doesn't always meet his requirements.

“Yeah man, it's got to be on a Saturday or a very important Sunday. It's got to check off one of my dates, you know what I mean?”

He also pointed to the physical demands that comes with competing at his level, saying there are “some requirements” attached to that kind of work.

Reigns did not say he is done wrestling or give a new schedule for the rest of the year. His message to Roberts was about keeping his match count limited and making those appearances count, instead of taking unnecessary bumps on ordinary nights. What he does next depends on him and him alone. Stay tuned for more updates.

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Jon Jones Demands One Major Change After Gable Steveson's UFC Nightmare

Jon Jones has backed Gable Steveson to recover from his stunning 12-second knockout defeat to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331. But stated that the Olympic wrestling gold medallist's camp must now “add a lot more sparring” to his preparation. Gable Steveson, a heavily hyped heavyweight contender, was stopped by a left hook just seconds into the fight in Los Angeles last month. He suffered his first loss in his professional MMA career. Jones, who has been mentoring Steveson, was in his corner on fight night. He stated that the 26-year-old is already back in training. He stressed that one defeat should not define a fighter.

Sean Sharaf stuns Gable Steveson with a shocking 12-second KO

Gable Steveson entered UFC 331 as a massive favourite. Oddmakers listed him at around -2,500, while Sean Sharaf was a double-digit underdog. But the fight ended almost as soon as it began. Sharaf met Steveson's initial attack with a right hand and then landed a clean left hook to the jaw. This left the former NCAA and Olympic champion unconscious.

​The finish, recorded at 12 seconds of the opening round, was the third-fastest knockout in UFC heavyweight history. It also handed Sharaf his first UFC victory after two previous Octagon losses, while abruptly halting the momentum Steveson had built since turning to MMA.

Steveson had made an eye-catching UFC debut at UFC 329 in July, stopping Elisha Ellison by first-round TKO. That win followed three first-round finishes earlier in his professional career, fuelling expectations that his elite wrestling background could translate quickly into heavyweight success.

Jon Jones refuses to give up on Steveson after the setback

Despite the scale of the setback, Jones made it clear that he has not lost faith in Steveson. In an interview with the Schmo, the former UFC heavyweight champion praised the American's character away from competition. Jones called him an “extraordinary” athlete, stressing that, “And as far as the athlete that Gable is, he's extraordinary. He's absolutely extraordinary. He deserves good things. He does all the right things.”

​“He's in the right headspace. He's right back to training,” Jones said, before identifying more live sparring as a key adjustment for the team. “I feel like, as a team, we need to add a lot more sparring, and we have the little things that we can work on as a team, but he's in great hands. He has great mentors and a great team around him.”

​Jones also drew a parallel with St-Pierre's 2007 loss to Matt Serra at UFC 69. The Canadian was stunned by a heavy underdog before rebuilding himself into one of the sport's greatest champions.

At present, Jones remains firmly in his corner. Whether more sparring, sharper fight IQ, and time can restore Steveson's trajectory will become clear in his next Octagon outing.

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Sensex Down 1,000 Points From Day's High, Nifty Below 22,400: 3 Reasons Behind The Fall

Indian equities fell on Monday, with the Nifty 50 slipping below 22,400 as persistent foreign selling, a broken technical support and nerves over the central bank's latest rupee measures weighed on sentiment.

The Nifty was trading at 22,369.60 in afternoon trade, down 150.85 points or 0.67 per cent from Friday's close of 22,520.45. The index opened higher at 22,593 and touched a high of 22,651 before turning lower, giving up about 280 points from that peak. The Sensex fell more than 1,000 points from its day's high of 72,884 in late-morning trade, with heavyweights and large-caps bearing the brunt of the selling. At 1:45 pm, it was trading 0.84% lower at 71,860.17.

Here are three reasons the market is down.

1. Crucial Support Level Breached

The first is technical. WealthMills Securities' director for equity strategy, Kranthi Bathini had said earlier on Monday that the market could not afford to give up 22,500. “The previous low can't be violated, and the markets need to maintain 22,500,” he told NDTV Profit. The index has since slipped through that level, and then below 22,400.

Bathini said this is part of a pattern. “Markets are volatile, and they have been breaking support levels every time,” he said. “In the last few weeks and months, the 24,000 support also got violated, and 23,000 also got violated.” The Nifty is now about 1,770 points, or roughly 7.3%, below its August 28 close of 24,142.45.

Foreign selling is the backdrop. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have sold a net Rs 3.04 lakh crore of Indian equities in 2026, per NSDL, nearly double the Rs 1.66 lakh crore pulled out in all of 2025. October's selling of Rs 44,166 crore has already topped September's Rs 35,861 crore, with FIIs selling Rs 12,944 crore on Thursday and Rs 3,569 crore on Friday. Domestic institutions bought Rs 10,703 crore and Rs 4,743 crore on those days, but that cushion has not stopped the index from giving up level after level.

Bathini said the exit is not unique to India. “Money has been exiting several emerging markets relentlessly,” he said, adding that India lacks the “wow factor” needed to attract hot money while global equities chase momentum.

2. Rupee Curbs Unsettle Traders

The second trigger is the Reserve Bank of India's latest push to stabilise the rupee. Over the weekend, the central bank opened a dollar window for public sector oil marketing companies, effective Monday, to take their dollar demand out of the spot market. Analysts estimate this shifts $11-12 billion of monthly demand to the RBI.

It also cut the limit for hedging without an underlying exposure from $100 million to $5 million, and asked dealers to hold 20 per cent of the rupee value of certain derivative contracts above $2 million with the RBI.

The rupee responded, gaining about 91 paise to 95.80 against the dollar in early trade from Friday's close of 96.71. Equities did not take the same comfort.

Markets are reading the curbs as a sign of stress. Nomura's Sonal Varma told NDTV Profit that the measures announced by the central bank signal its discomfort with further rupee depreciation. She cautioned that the interventions could slow the pace of the currency's decline without necessarily reversing the underlying trend.

Some traders also worry about how often policy is changing. “Such flip-flops impact the credibility and often lead to a larger reaction in asset prices, as compared to what would have been,” a trader with a primary dealership told Reuters.

The rupee matters for equities because a weaker currency eats into the dollar returns of foreign investors. The curbs also come after the RBI raised the repo rate by 25 basis points last week, while the US 10-year Treasury yield topped 5.3% to hit its highest level since 2002.

ALSO READ: Three Packages, One Year, Rupee Still 4% Weaker: Can RBI's Hedging Curbs Break The Pattern?

3. Volatility Index Jumps

The third signal is coming from the options market. India VIX, the market's fear gauge, rose 7.5 per cent on Monday, moving above the 15 mark. It had been as low as 11.79 on August 11.

The index tracks the volatility traders expect in the Nifty over the next 30 days, based on options prices. A rising VIX means investors are paying more for protection against sharp swings, which usually accompanies falling prices and points to short-term weakness.

The unease is not confined to large-caps. Bathini said headline-driven pressure has also made midcaps and smallcaps more volatile.

For the coming days, analysts are watching geopolitics, especially the Middle East, along with crude oil and the earnings season. Investors are also awaiting September inflation data, which could shape expectations on rates and the rupee.

ALSO READ: RBI Curbs May Support Rupee, But Oil Prices Remain A Risk: Nomura's Sonal Varma

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Ranabaali Producer Ravi Shankar Defends Vijay Deverakonda Amid Online Trolling

Vijay Deverakonda has often found himself at the receiving end of online criticism for his public appearances and professional choices. The actor will next be seen in Ranabaali alongside his wife Rashmika Mandanna. 

At the film's trailer launch, producer Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers made an appeal to trolls not to attack his film's lead. He called Vijay a good man and urged people to give him a fair chance instead of spreading negativity. 

“I have known Vijay for close to a decade now. He has an extraordinary character and is an extraordinary person. I like him a lot; he's a very nice person and quite soft," Ravi said. 

The producer claimed he has noticed several negative narratives against Vijay Deverakonda circulating on social media. "I am requesting all of you. He is such a good man. Why do you need to do this? See his effort instead. If you don't like a film, you're allowed to have an opinion," Ravi said. 

He added, "I've never seen him talk ill about anyone or care about any of this. He doesn't have a world beyond his role and cinema. Whatever negativity you have against him in your heart, please get rid of it.”

#Ranabaali Producer Ravi Shankar ADDRESSES THE NEGATIVITY AROUND #VijayDeverakonda…!! “VIJAY is one of the GOOD & SWEETEST ACTOR we've known in the past 10 years of travelling with him. There is unnecessary negativity, propaganda being created around him these days...” https://t.co/NyunILTcqv

— Rangasthalam (@RangasthalamIN) October 8, 2026

Ravi Shankar also expressed disappointment over social media users questioning the audience's interest in Ranabaali's story. “I recently saw a handle questioning who would watch a story about the struggles during British colonial rule. We haven't even released the trailer, but you've already started. Please, from this film, think positively about him and view the film in the same vein. You'll definitely feel like I'm right.” he said. 

Meanwhile, Vijay Deverakonda remained unfazed by the criticism and showed little interest in addressing it. Speaking to Keerthika Govindhasamy on her YouTube channel, the actor said, "A lot of the trolling across politicians and actors is manufactured. You can only have feelings for someone when you have met them or spent some time with them. When you haven't even met the person, how can you have such a strong opinion on their personality?”

“It comes from manufacturing when a section decides that we want to create an opinion about someone. In the era of social media, it's very easy to have 15 accounts. So, when someone manufactures that opinion, there's a machinery that works to set that narrative,” he added.

Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, Ranabaali features Vijay Deverakonda as a fierce and rebellious warrior fighting against British colonial oppression, while Rashmika plays his wife, Jayamma. The film releases in theatres on October 16.

Also Read | Ranabaali Trailer: Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna Take On British Empire In Period Action Drama

 

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'Unwarranted, Ignore Fact': India Slams JD Vance Over 'Indentured Servants' Remark On H1-B

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday criticised US Vice-President JD Vance's description of foreign workers as "indentured servants", calling the terminology "deeply offensive" and saying it ignores the contributions of Indian professionals to the American economy and innovation ecosystem. 

On Vance's comments on green card programme, the MEA said that Indian professionals in US are highly educated and skilled contributors to its economy, innovation adding that resorting to terminology carrying painful historical, colonial legacy deeply offensive.

Here's full statement from the MEA

It should be noted that PERM is distinct from the H-1B visa programme. The suspension of PERM applications does not, by itself, affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of H-1B visa holders and their dependents, though there could be some impact on the permanent-residency/Green Card process of eligible employees of the affected companies.

3. It should also be clear that talent mobility adds value to both economies. While it creates opportunities for Indians, it equally helps US companies with cutting-edge talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation, besides creating shareholder wealth in the US. This is therefore an area of tremendous mutual benefit for the two countries and our expectation is that all stakeholders in this process can appreciate this fact. The steps announced by the US do not advance the shared ambitions of both countries.

4. We have also seen some comments in this context by the US Vice President. We believe that such descriptions are unwarranted and ignore the fact that Indian professionals in the United States are highly educated and skilled contributors to its economy and innovation ecosystem. Indeed, the history of the United States itself has been shaped by generations of immigrants whose labour, enterprise and innovation have contributed to its growth and prosperity. Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive.

5. We continue to follow developments around this issue.

What Is PERM?

Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) is the electronic system and process managed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The US on Thursday suspended IT firms Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme, which allows companies to apply for green cards for H-1B visa workers.

The Trump administration is also suspending tech giant Microsoft from a programme to apply for green cards for workers who come to the US to live and work using an H-1B visa. Vice President JD Vance accuses the company of fraud.

Vance said, "If you do the math, for every worker that Microsoft laid off, they replaced that worker with one and a half foreign indentured servants." Vance spoke in a White House news conference announcing the decision.  The H-1B programme has long been a target of President Donald Trump's supporters who say the programme undercuts American workers and is rife with abuse.

ALSO READ | 'Not A Zero-Sum Game': Indian IT Bigwigs Defend US Job-Creation Record Amid PERM Action

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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.

ALSO READ: Drishyam: The Conclusion Box Office Collection Day 3: Ajay Devgn Starrer Continues Strong Run

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.

ALSO READ: From Himesh Reshammiya, Hariharan To Anu Malik: Check Bollywood Music Project 2026's Line-Up

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"Not About Pakistan, Only Gold": Dube's Emotional Take On Asian Games Triumph

Indian team scripted history with a golden double in cricket. Star all-rounder Shivam Dube described the men's Asian Games gold medal triumph as a deeply emotional and proud moment, saying that winning gold for the country and making the nation proud was an achievement beyond words. "Big achievement because India have won the gold. It's not about Pakistan, we wanted to bring glory. It was only about bringing gold for the country. My runs were just a contribution, I don't count my runs much. Everybody did well, Abhishek Sharma did something different, Jasprit Bumrah did well with the ball," Shivam Dube told NDTV.

Chasing a massive target of 212, Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz waged a lone battle with a blistering 96 off 51 balls, but India's bowling attack held firm.

Shivam Dube played a key role with the ball, claiming two wickets, while Washington Sundar and Axar Patel also picked up two each to restrict Pakistan's chase.

Earlier, Dube made his presence felt with the bat as well, smashing a quickfire 27 off just 14 balls to help India post a commanding 211/6 in 20 overs in the men's cricket final of the 2026 Asian Games in Nisshin on Saturday.

Abhishek Sharma set the platform with a blazing 61 off 28 balls, before Tilak Varma's unbeaten 51 off 22 balls and Dube's late cameo propelled India past the 200-run mark.

International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah heaped praise on the Indian men's T20 cricket team for winning the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 by beating Pakistan in the final at the Karogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday.

Shah also hailed the Olympic Council of Asia, the participating cricket nations and Japan cricket for organising the event. "Nagoya and Japan have written a proud new chapter in cricket's history. Congratulations to Team India on a campaign worthy of this moment, and heartfelt thanks to every competing nation, to the Olympic Council of Asia and organisers whose vision brought us here, and to the thousands of fans whose presence reminded us why cricket is so special anywhere in the world," Shah wrote on X.

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Indian Hockey Umpire Sent Back From Asiad After Sexual Harassment Complaint

In a major embarrassment for India, hockey umpire and technical official Gurinder Singh Sangha, has been sent back from the Asian Games in Japan owing to multiple complaints of alleged sexual misconduct by him during the mega-event. A well-placed Hockey India source told PTI that Sangha allegedly misbehaved with a female hockey official from Malaysia and a hotel staffer during his stay in Nagoya. "Yes, Sangha has been sent back home after a sexual harassment complaint was filed against him by a female official from Malaysia that is what we know. He has gone back two days ago," the HI official told PTI from Nagoya.

Asked whether HI would initiate any action against Sangha after the Games, the official said they will do whatever is needed after getting a detailed report from the Asian Hockey Federation.

"Definitely, we will take strict action against him if the AHF gives an adverse report. There is no question about it. He will not be spared if he is guilty," the official said.

The umpires and technical officials for hockey events at the Asian Games are appointed by the AHF.

It is not the first time that such a complaint has been filed against Sangha.

In 2025, during the Hockey India League in Ranchi, a female umpire had lodged a complaint against him. Subsequently, HI formed a three-member committee to investigate the allegations.

But the HI official said the committee didn't find any substantial proof against Sangha during the investigation.

"Yes we did form a committee and investigated that matter but the inquiry committee didn't find any substantial evidence," he said.

An Indian Olympic Association official said that the incident has nothing to do with the IOA and HI as it is the AHF which appoints officials.

"IOA and HI have got nothing to do with it, it's AHF who appoints umpires and technical officials in Asian Games," the IOA official said.

When contacted, AHF officials in Nagoya refused to comment.

The Sangha episode is the latest misconduct complaint surrounding Indian hockey as earlier this year, HI removed a member of the support staff with the national women's team after harassment allegations were lodged against him.

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

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Prasidh Ruled Out, BCCI Announces Replacement For Final ODI Against WI

Pacer Anshul Kamboj was on Thursday drafted in as a replacement for injured Prasidh Krishna for the third and final ODI against the West Indies to be played in Mullanpur on Saturday. A BCCI release attributed Prasidh's sidelining to a left hamstring injury. In the second ODI at Guwahati on Wednesday, Prasidh suffered a niggle and could bowl only five overs, returning figures of 1/45 as the West Indies posted a record 405/7. India chased down the target in 43.3 overs with eight wickets in hand to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Kamboj is currently playing for India A in a four-day match against Australia A in Puducherry.

Kamboj, who will join the India squad in Chandigarh, bowled 17.3 overs in the first innings, taking three wickets.

He bowled just two overs in the second innings before being parachuted into the squad in Chandigarh owing to Prasidh's injury.

Dhir for Sundar

The national selectors also decided to withdraw all-rounder Washington Sundar from India's T20I squad for the five-match series against the West Indies, beginning in Lucknow on October 6.

The decision was taken in view of the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand, and Sundar will now feature in a few Ranji Trophy matches for Tamil Nadu.

"The decision has been taken in view of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. With the Ranji Trophy season commencing on October 11, Washington will get an opportunity to play red-ball cricket for his state team and prepare for the Test series.

"Naman Dhir has been named as his replacement in the T20I squad," the board release stated.

India's updated ODI squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (VC, WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj.

India's updated T20I squad: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir.

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

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Hellebuyck, Nikishin, Dach And Wright In NHL Trade Talks

Connor Hellebuyck's trade situation remains unresolved as the Winnipeg Jets goaltender continues his holdout into the regular season. The 33-year-old requested a trade more than a month ago and remains suspended without pay after not reporting to training camp. While Winnipeg continues to look for a deal, the Carolina Hurricanes are still among the teams linked to the veteran goalie. Alexander Nikishin's trade situation is also being discussed, with several teams reportedly interested in the defenseman. Elsewhere, Kirby Dach has been linked to the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, while Edmonton has also looked into Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright.

Connor Hellebuyck Trade Situation Remains Unresolved

Hellebuyck revealed his trade request more than a month ago, but the Jets have yet to find a deal that works for both sides. Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff previously said the door remains open for Hellebuyck to return while the team continues looking for a trade.

The San Jose Sharks were reportedly among the teams that showed interest during the offseason. Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, who said the Sharks “kicked tires” on Hellebuyck.

Peng also discussed the reported asking price, which is believed to include a first-round pick, a top-six forward, preferably a center, and a goalie or prospect. He suggested Collin Graf and Yaroslav Askarov could be part of a possible package.

Friedman also noted that Winnipeg claimed goalie Clay Stevenson off waivers from the Washington Capitals. That move could affect the Jets' need for a goalie in a Hellebuyck trade.

Alexander Nikishin And Kirby Dach Also Linked To Trade Rumors

Friedman reported that the Hurricanes remain among the teams interested in Hellebuyck but pushed back on the idea that Alexander Nikishin could be part of Carolina's offer. He also raised the possibility of a three-team trade that could send Hellebuyck to Carolina while moving Nikishin to a team where he is willing to sign.

The St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators are among the teams reportedly interested in Nikishin. A potential deal with the New York Rangers came close in June before contract talks prevented it from being completed.

Sportsnet's Friedman reported that the Edmonton Oilers have interest in Kirby Dach. The Oilers are believed to like Dach because they need a right-shot center. Friedman also said Edmonton had looked closely at Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright, but Seattle's high asking price reportedly kept a trade from happening this summer.

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'Like 1983 World Cup': Gupta Hopes Brazil Match Sparks Football Revolution

Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup triumph against all odds opened the doors for cricket to become a phenomenon in India. Jay Gupta now hopes India's unprecedented footballing rendezvous with five-time world champions Brazil can spark a similar revolution for the sport. The Khalid Jamil-coached side will take on Brazil and Uruguay in back-to-back friendlies at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium on October 3 and 6 respectively, marking an unprecedented high for Indian football. "Just like, for example, before Mr. Kapil Dev brought the World Cup home and he started the revolution, we are looking to show our calibre and basically start one of our own here and build from that," Gupta told reporters on the sidelines of India's training session here.

"I've been working hard. I was really happy to get the call-back from coach Khalid (Jamil) and really happy to get all the trust from him.

"At this moment, I feel really lucky to be able to be part of this squad because we are knocking at the door of five-time World Cup champions, trying to show that we also have the calibre to be able to push for those accolades that they are holding, being five-time World Cup champions."

For East Bengal defender Gupta, the occasion is more than just another international fixture.

It is a chance to test himself against some of the world's best and, perhaps, help Indian football take a step towards a new beginning.

"Everyone in the team knows that it's an opportunity of a lifetime. Everybody is very excited to meet the players that they've always grown up watching and to be able to see where they stand competing with these players."

Gupta returns to the national setup with confidence after India held Panama to a 1-1 draw in Bengaluru.

Ryan Williams put India ahead in the 41st minute before Omar Valencia equalised for Panama in the 68th, but the result gave the Blue Tigers plenty of belief ahead of their biggest test yet.

"We're all very excited after the game we had against Panama. A lot of confidence in the group and we want to take it forward into this next one."

India's confidence has also been strengthened by a longer camp under Jamil, something Gupta believes has helped the group grow closer and absorb the coach's ideas.

"From the Panama match, I think it gave us a lot of confidence. We were able to successfully execute the coach's plans and gave us a lot of confidence even in training sessions.

"We had a longer camp this time so the group felt more closer together, and we just want to build on that because it's all about an upward trajectory and that's what we're looking forward to right now."

Brazil arrive in Kolkata on the back of a 4-2 win over Australia in Brisbane, with Vanderson, Raphinha, Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior finding the net.

With Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti relying on several of his established stars, Gupta knows India will have little margin for error.

"Our analyst team is always working towards getting us all the footage and keeping us updated with what's been happening recently," said Gupta.

"And obviously to be able to play them right after they're playing Australia, we need their recent analysis and they get it to us. We can watch it and analyse how we want to prepare."

For Gupta, there is no need for any additional motivation. The challenge itself is enough.

"I don't think any player on the team needs any extra motivation to prepare. We just want to start our training sessions here and get doing to what the coach wants us to do every training session and reach there and then it's going to be just playing for our dream."

Against Brazil, concentration will be as important as ambition.

"I think playing against Brazil, you need to be concentrated 1000 per cent on the pitch. So as long as each and every player shows that same level of concentration, we'll be learning a lot of things.

"The main concentration is being able to learn as much as we can and knowing how far we are to be able to compete against the world champions."

Gupta could find himself directly confronting two of Brazil's most dangerous attacking weapons in Vinicius and Raphinha, and he sees the game as an opportunity to measure his own development against elite opposition.

"As a defender, I've always been dreaming about trying to see how I would be able to compete against some of the best attacking players in the world."

"This opportunity is very good for a defender like me to be able to understand how I approach my 1v1s, how I'm able to understand how these kind of players take on the 1v1s and eventually try to beat the players."

"For me, it'll be one of the best learning curves and that's what I'm really looking forward to in this game, to be able to understand how to approach these situations and at the end of the day, improve and do it in my own life."

Gupta is also hoping India can give the home crowd something to celebrate, even if the first priority will be to execute Jamil's plans.

"We definitely would love to be able to score against Brazil, obviously. I think it's more about taking it minute by minute, to be able to understand the game in the first 15 and more importantly, to be able to execute what the coach wants, exactly how we tried to do in the last game.

"If we can get on the score sheet first, then that would be the best thing."

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

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Larry Ellison, Oracle's Co-CEOs Got Nearly $1 Billion In Stock Options: What Went Wrong?

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and co-CEOs Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia were awarded stock options worth a combined $988 million in fiscal 2026. But by the end of the year, all three packages were underwater, as Oracle's share price plunged from near-record levels.

Fortune citing Oracle's latest proxy statement reported that Ellison's options were valued at $117.8 million when granted in October 2025, with a strike price of $280 a share. Magouyrk and Sicilia received options valued at $621.7 million and $248.7 million, respectively, with an exercise price of $308.

Oracle shares closed at $137 on Friday, down 53% over the past 12 months. That means the stock needs to more than double from current levels for Magouyrk and Sicilia's options to have value at exercise.

ALSO READ: Ellison Pledges $9.2 Billion More In Oracle Shares For Loans

The awards came despite a strong operating year for Oracle. Cloud revenue rose 39% to $34 billion, while cloud infrastructure revenue jumped 77% to $18.1 billion. Overall revenue increased 17% to $67.4 billion. The company's remaining performance obligations also surged to $638 billion from $138 billion a year earlier.

The catch was Oracle's aggressive spending spree. Capital expenditure stood at $55.7 billion, while free cash flow turned negative at $23.7 billion. Oracle also raised $43 billion through senior notes and later sold $20 billion of stock at $141 a share.

Oracle said the options having no intrinsic value at fiscal year-end was evidence that the compensation structure was working as designed. The company's board said stock options are “strongly performance-based” because executives benefit only if the share price rises above the exercise price.

The company also said it did not take any special measures to compensate executives for the fall in option values.

Meanwhile, CFO Hilary Maxson chose a different route under Oracle's new Equity Choice Program, opting to put $10.4 million of her $26 million equity award into restricted stock units. Those shares were worth $7.7 million at Friday's close, down from $12.7 million at fiscal year-end.

ALSO READ: Oracle Cites 'Force Majeure' to Shield Itself On Controversial Data Center

Ellison and the two co-CEOs also received $4.9 million each in cash bonuses. Ellison's base salary rose from $1 to $950,000.

Oracle employees, meanwhile, saw median global compensation fall to $94,740 in fiscal 2026 from $98,899 a year earlier. The company has also undertaken layoffs.

Fortune reported that Oracle did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shareholders are due to vote on the company's pay plan on Nov. 18.

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