With Too Many Odds Against Him Can Shubman Gill Keep The Series Alive?

A skirmish between India and England, that’s been fascinating so far, is set to resume at Manchester from July 23. England will strive for a 3-1 lead and a series win before the teams travel to London for the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy at The Oval. While England — given an impetus to its attack by the return of fast bowler Jofra Archer — will take the field with its tail up, India will have to do the catching up with no leeway for mistakes in the three departments of the game. The first three Tests have delivered contests that the purists of the sport would have taken delight at; so remarkable have they been. And yet it is India, shepherded by the young captain in Shubman Gill, that appears to be on the precipice before the first ball is sent down at Manchester. Gill has to get his No 3 in Karun Nair to be more productive and tell Yashasvi Jaiswal not to throw away his wicket. Then he has to find a bowling group that has the wherewithal to take 20 wickets. Jasprit Bumrah appears to be a case of “fait accompli” and lead the attack, a perforce situation for India dictated by England’s 2-1 lead in the series and an 8-day gap between the Lord’s and Manchester Tests. Mohammed Siraj, who flared up in the third Test will be his Dukes-ball partner. Seamer Anshul Kamboj has been added as a cover for the injured Arshdeep Singh. Gill has to choose from Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Kamboj as first change. Gill has plenty in his plate — including Rishab Pant’s finger injury — to ponder at in order to keep the series alive. (By G Viswanath)

Business Booms For Poll Strategists As TN Parties Hire Them In A Big Way

With assembly elections early next year in Tamil Nadu, major political parties in the state including the DMK and AIADMK, have begun to enlist the services of consultancy firms to devise political strategies and campaign plans for their leaders. DMK, the ruling party, has roped in the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and Showtime Consultancy, owned by Robbin Sharma, through its in-house firm, Populus Empowerment Network (PEN), which successfully handled its 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The DMK as a political party has faith in political strategist ever since the I-PAC, then led by ace political strategist Prashant Kishor, was credited with the party’s comeback in 2021. This time round the DMK has roped in Robbin who worked for the TDP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) in the 2024 Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively. TN is likely to face a four-cornered contest among DMK, AIADMK, TVK, and NTK. AIADMK, the principal opposition party has signed on Sravanth D and Hari H of the Hyderabad-based Pramanya Strategy Consulting. The firm had worked for Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena in the 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Actor-politician Vijay has been working with John Arokiasamy, a political strategist who had previously worked for Congress and PMK, for his Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). His party colleague, Aadhav Arjuna, also owns a political consultancy firm, Voice of Commons. Current DMK President M K Stalin was the first political leader in TN to hire a political strategist, Sunil Kanugolu, in 2014. Though his strategy failed in the 2016 polls, leading to the AIADMK’s successive government, it succeeded in 2019. It is said both Dravidian parties kept political strategists away when they were led by the charismatic M Karunanidhi (DMK) and J Jayalalithaa (AIADMK), but things changed dramatically after their deaths in 2018 and 2016 respectively. (By Lakshmi Iyer)

Plant Making Iconic Ambassador Cars Leased Out To Titagarh Rail To Produce Coaches

The Kolkata-based Hindustan Motors Ltd plant which once rolled out the iconic Ambassador cars has been leased out by the West Bengal government to Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd to manufacture rail coaches. The 40 acres of its long-defunct land has been leased out for 99 years. The Rs 126-crore deal will see the plant produce Vande Bharat and Metro train coaches. Hindustan Motors, part of CK Birla Group, began operations in 1957, producing both the Landmaster and Ambassador cars. The latter becoming a symbol of Indian roads for decades. The plant, which ceased operations in 2014 after a “suspension of work” notice post-Lok Sabha elections, struggled for survival amid growing competition and dwindling production; from 700-750 cars per month to 250-300. Even though the then Left Front government supported by making it mandatory, the use of Ambassador cars as taxis it failed to revive the plant. Titagarh Rail Systems, already operating a wagon unit nearby, has bagged major contracts to manufacture Vande Bharat and Metro coaches. And this plant’s strategic location — just 3 km from Delhi Road and close to rail lines — makes it an ideal expansion site. During the company’s 25th anniversary three years ago, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had hinted at land allocation, which has now received official cabinet approval. However, concerns persist over legal and compensation issues for former workers. The Supreme Court recently upheld a Calcutta High Court verdict allowing the state to reclaim 395 acres from Hindustan Motors for public use, including this project. This development brings a ray of hope to Hooghly, a district that has witnessed major industrial exits over the years—from Tata’s Nano in Singur in 2008 to Hind Motors shutdown in 2014 and Dunlop’s closure in Sahaganj. (By Tanya Bagchi)

Jaya Bachchan Ko Paparazzi Pe Gussa Kyon Aata Hain?

She seems to hate the media — journalists and paparazzi. And the 77-year old actress-politician Jaya Bachchan makes no bones about it. At every event the paps get a taste of her snide remarks or sarcasm. Recently, at an event she was waiting for her car along with her daughter Shweta. When the car arrived, she sarcastically turned around asked the waiting media, “Chalo, aap log be saath mein, aajayeaa.” A seasoned film journalist say she got the first glimpse of the veteran actress reacting negatively towards media way back in 2013 at Subhash Ghai’s birthday bash at a Andheri pub when a photographer addressed Aishwarya Rai as Aishwarya. Even before the Bachchan bahu could react an angry Jaya Bachchan asked, “Kya Aishwarya Aishwarya bula rahe ho, tumhare class mein padhti thi kya? ‘‘. The ‘Gudi’ actress historically loved by all seems to have surprised media by her rude behaviour. Again, at a public event when an elderly female fan patted her, she immediately shrugged her hands off. One may have noticed she seems to avoid media in general. At the premiere of her grandson Agastya Nanda’s The Archies she even refused to pose for the media and had to be persuaded by the family to do it. At the prayer meeting of Rono Mukherjee, uncle of Kajol and Rani, she muttered something in Bengali at the paps covering the event. Most paps are wondering why she hates their tribe. By her own admission in her granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda’s podcast she said “I despise the people who interfere in your personal life and fill their stomachs by selling those products. I hate it …” (By Our Entertainment Editor)

Kerala Govt Kicks Off Football Super League At College Level, Volley Ball Next

At a time when there is a big question mark on the future of football in India and Indian Super League (ISL), Kerala government is laying the ground for a Sports League for colleges in the state. Modelled on the lines of popular collegiate sports leagues in the U.S., specific league competitions will be held for football and volleyball to start with. The first season of College Sports League-Kerala (CSL – K), organised by the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs and Sports Kerala Foundation will start from July 18, 2025 at Calicut University. “It has come to our notice that students tend to move away from sports after passing out from school,” according to Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman. Through CSL-K, Kerala aims to develop a competitive and interesting sports environment in colleges, he said. “We have constituted specific sports councils in almost all colleges, which will take charge of conducting the league in their campuses, he added. The inaugural season’s events will kick off with football league from July 18 to 26, featuring 60 teams from all UGC approved colleges in the state. From next year, the organisers plan to expand the league into a three-tier event. The preliminary screening will involve 168 district-level leagues from 14 districts. This will be followed by 48 matches in zonal level league featuring district champs and wild card entries. Finally, there will be a state-level league with knockout rounds leading to the grand finale to crown the champion College. The volleyball league will take place on the MG University campus next month. The project is being implemented with a seed capital of Rs 60 lakh. The league is expected to be self-sufficient financially in the coming years with sponsors like Decathlon and local banks. Students will be encouraged to participate via incentives like stipends, performance bonuses and scholarships. ( By Our National Editor)

Will Tesla’s Entry Reset India’s High-End Luxury Car Market?

The big news is Elon Musk’s Tesla, the global electric vehicle (EV) giant, is smelling serious business opportunities in India. Tesla finally made a symbolic official entry into India on July 15 with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurating the showroom located in BKC, Mumbai. On display was Tesla’s imported luxury premium Model Y from its China factory. Sources say, this will act as a foundation when Tesla decides to bring in low cost models for the Indian market at a later stage. For now, Tesla has priced its SUV’s around Rs 60 lakh. Other models will be rolled out over the next 12 months. Does this development mean serious competition for players marquee brands like BMW, Mercedes, VinFast and BYD? Sources say, “For Tesla it’s early days. What is known as of now is the economy model will be introduced once they get good hang of the market.” Apart from Mumbai, Tesla’s second showroom will be opened in New Delhi by end-July. The reasons why Tesla is focusing on its EV luxury segment through its Mumbai and Delhi show rooms now is to rev up demand for China made SUVs, assess business opportunity to justify India’s own production base eventually. For now, Tesla’s job is to focus on India’s demand and build brand awareness. (By Sangram Mohanty)

‘Thalaivan Thalaivii’: Will Two Bankable Stars Set The Screen On Fire?

Vijay Sethupathi, one of the most bankable stars of Tamil cinema is an institution of hits by himself. What happens when this powerhouse loves, clashes, and lives through a stormy marriage with Nithya Menen, an equally bankable leading lady, is the theme of Thalaivan Thalaivii to hit the screens on July 25. There is a small snag here…after a run of hits, especially last year’s Maharaja, Sethupathi stumbled in Ace this year. Maybe the makers wanted insurance for the new release …and they swung it, majorly. Thalaivan Thalaivii is the usual story…Vijay Sethupathi, a parrotta master is drawn towards a Masters holder, Nithya Menen. But director Pandiraj, known for hits like Pasanga, Kadaikutty Singam makes even ordinary, everyday stories extraordinary with his sensitive and layered treatment. Sethupathi and Nithya get married …Is this union a ho hum boredom filled marriage which loses its sheen after the first flush of love and lust fade? Does it turn into a battlefield? The lead pair has a full posse of talented support in Yogi Babu, Myna Nandhini, Saravanan and others who are not to be sneezed at as foils. They bring strong synergy to the script. Santosh Narayanan’s music has heightened the film’s intensity. Already songs Pottala Muttai and Aakash Veeran are social media hits. Every marriage has its quota of love, fights, separation, reconciliation. Has Pandiraj made these spouse dynamics powerful? (By Padma Ramnath)

Saiyaara Wins On Time-Tested Formula Of Romance And Melody  

Music has always been a cornerstone of Bollywood, shaping the success of films and the careers of newcomers. This is vividly illustrated in the recent release ‘Saiyaara’, featuring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, directed by the renowned Mohit Suri and produced by Akshaye Vidwani under the Yash Raj Films banner. The film has generated significant buzz, thanks in large part to its captivating soundtrack, which has resonated with audiences and critics alike. With an impressive collection of approximately Rs 45 crore in first two days, it’s clear that the combination of fresh talent and compelling music has struck a chord with viewers. Historically, Bollywood has a rich legacy of launching new stars through films that feature memorable love stories and unforgettable music. Classics like ‘Bobby’ ‘Betab’, ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ and ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ exemplify how the right blend of romance and melody can catapult newcomers into stardom. In Saiyaara, the soundtrack, consisting of seven tracks composed by a talented lineup including Mithoon, Sachet-Parampara and Tanishk Bagchi, serves as a powerful marketing tool, drawing in viewers and creating a lasting impression. In today’s competitive cinematic landscape, a strong musical score can be a game changer. The enchanting melodies and heartfelt lyrics elevate the film’s emotional depth, making the love stories more poignant and relatable. Mohit Suri’s understanding of music, showcased in hits like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain Returns shines through in this film, creating an experience that feels like attending a concert. Saiyaara exemplifies how a well-crafted musical experience can pave the way for success, ensuring that both the film and its stars are celebrated long after the credits roll. (By Girish Wankhede)

Eknath ShindeHindustan MotorsIndian cricketJaya BachchanKeralaMohammed SirajShubman GillTamil NaduTesla