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Iyer, Kohli centuries and Shami’s seven-for waltz India into World Cup final

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Mohammed Shami finished with 7 for 57 (Cricinfo)

New Zealand had no business giving India the nervous moments they did in a defence of 397 but India eventually made mockery of the supposed knockout pressure as they waltzed into the final, now one step from possibly the most dominant World Cup campaign. The average victory margin for them now is 175 runs, 6.4 wickets and 69.4 balls remaining.

In doing so, Virat Kohli went to a mindboggling 50th ODI hundred in front of his wife, in front of the man he went past, Sachin Tendulkar, and at a ground where the torch was metaphorically passed 12 years ago when he carried Tendulkar on his shoulders. Sheryas Iyer scored a second straight century, at 67 balls, the third-fastest by an Indian in a World Cup, all three in this edition.

One of those three centuries belongs to the selfless Rohit Sharma, who again set India up with yet another blazing start of 47 off 29, the ninth time this year that he has got out in 40s, 80s or 90s, the joint-highest number for a calendar year.

It is no surprise that India scored the highest total in a World Cup knockout match, which was always going to be plenty at a ground that has shown the most variance in bowling friendliness from afternoon to evening this tournament. As expected, it went from no swing or seam in the afternoon to appreciable movement in the air and off the surface, followed by surprising prodigious turn and no dew, but Daryl Mitchell scored a scarcely believable 134 off 119 only for Mohammed Shami to thwart them with 7 for 57.

Brief scores:
India
397/4 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 47, Virat Kohli 117, Shreyas Iyer 105, Shubman Gill 80*, K L Rahul 39*; Tim Southee 3-100) beat  New Zealand 327 in 48.5 overs (Kane Williamson 69, Daryl Mitchell 134, Glenn Phillips 41; Mohammed Shami 7-57)

(Cricinfo)



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Do not be misled by Fake news created using the PM’s name, photographs, and video footage – Prime Minister’s Media Division

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It has been revealed that fake news created using the name, photographs, and video footage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya along with the unauthorized use of official logos of various media institutions and news websites are being circulated on social media platforms.

Certain groups have published videos edited to appear as though the Prime Minister is expressing particular views, as well as fake social media posts featuring her photographs. Through such misleading content, false information has been circulated regarding various business and employment opportunities, as well as the country’s economy and tax policies.

These false stories have been created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern technological tools. As the Prime Minister’s Media Division, we kindly urge the public not to be deceived by such misinformation and to remain vigilant regarding these matters.

Legal action will be taken against all individuals who create and distribute such false news through social media in a manner that harms the Government and the reputation of the Prime Minister.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Israeli strike in Gaza City kills new head of Hamas’s military wing

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The attack hit a residential building in one of Gaza City's busiest market areas on Tuesday [BBC]

The commander of Hamas’s military wing, Mohammed Odeh, has been killed in a strike in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday – days after his predecessor died in a similar attack.

At least three Palestinians were killed and dozens more were injured in the attack, which hit a residential building in one of Gaza City’s busiest market areas, local medics and witnesses said.

Israel’s military and Shin Bet security service and said buildings that served as a hideout for Odeh were targeted after his movements were tracked for several months.

Hamas has yet to issue an official statement, but a local Hamas source and relatives said Odeh and his wife were killed along with their adult son.

Despite the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreed in October, violence in Gaza has continued on a near-daily basis.

Reuters A block of flats damaged by an air strike pictured at night
A Hamas source and relatives said Mohammed Odeh was killed along with his wife and son [BBC]

Tuesday’s strike hit the upper three floors of the al-Kayali building in the centre of Gaza City, where streets were busy with shoppers ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene of the strikes but struggled to reach the upper floors because of the scale of the damage and congestion in the area.

Witnesses said at least five missiles struck the building almost simultaneously from different directions.

One resident said he heard the sound of a helicopter hovering overhead before the attack.

Footage from the scene showed ambulances and civil defence crews searching through the damaged building as crowds gathered nearby.

A statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet said: “As part of the joint operation by the IDF and Shin Bet to eliminate the terrorist Mohammed Odeh, several buildings in the heart of Gaza City that served as a hideout for him were attacked, after months of intelligence surveillance in order to track his movements and the movements of his assistants in the organisation.”

They added that they had also struck “a nearby apartment belonging to a Hamas terrorist who raided on October 7 and was part of Odeh’s circle of assistants”, referring to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.

A local Hamas source later told the BBC on Tuesday that Odeh and his wife had been killed.

Their family said Odeh’s son died of his wounds in hospital on Wednesday morning and a funeral was held after noon prayers at a mosque in Gaza City.

Reuters Mourners carry bodies identified by mourners as Hamas's military wing commander Mohammed Odeh, his wife, and their son, during a funeral in Gaza City, northern Gaza (27 May 2026)
A funeral was held for Odeh at a mosque in Gaza City on Wednesday [BBC]

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Tuesday that Odeh was “one of the architects of the October 7 massacre”.

“Odeh was responsible for the murder, abduction, and wounding of many Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers,” it continued.

Odeh’s predecessor as commander of the group’s armed wing, Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, was killed in another Israeli strike earlier in May.

That attack also targeted a residential building and killed at least three people, according to eyewitnesses and a local source.

Israel has conducted regular strikes across Gaza since a ceasefire began on 10 October.

Hamas has repeatedly accused Israel of breaching the terms of the ceasefire and attacking civilians. The Palestinian territory’s Hamas-run health ministry has reported the killing of more than 900 people in Israeli strikes during the ceasefire.

Israel’s government maintains it has the licence to target Hamas members and has in turn accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire agreement by failing to disarm.

The latter phases of  a US led peace plan for Gaza have yet to come into force, with progress stalling since the US and Israel started a war with Iran in February.

The US announced the start of the second phase of the plan in January, with governance of Gaza assumed by a transitional, technocratic administration alongside the demilitarisation and reconstruction of the territory.

However, talks on disarmament remain deadlocked, while Hamas has since reactivated its police force and appears to be reasserting its authority.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israel was committed to preventing Hamas from governing Gaza “either civilly or militarily”.

He also said that what he called the “plan for voluntary emigration from Gaza” would be implemented “at the proper time and in the proper manner”.

In his statement, Netanyahu said Israel would “continue to pursue anyone who took part in the October 7 massacre”, adding: “Sooner or later, Israel will reach them all.”

About 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas-led attack and 251 others were taken hostage.

Israel responded by launching a massive military campaign in Gaza, which reduced much of the Palestinian territory to ruins and left many of its 2.1 million residents displaced.

Israeli forces have killed more than 72,800 people in Gaza, according to its health ministry, whose figures the UN considers reliable.

The latest Israeli attack on Gaza comes after 31 people were killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon, where Netanyahu has vowed to step up military action against the armed group Hezbollah. Israel’s military said its attacks targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters.

[BBC]

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Explosive top orders in focus as Rajasthan Royals face bogey team Sunrisers Hyderabad

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Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL 2026 was going nowhere four games into the season. They had won just one game, their bowling looked clueless, their batting over-dependent on the top order and their regular captain was still recovering from an injury. Then they met Rajasthan Royals and a season turnaround ensued. They defeated RR by 57 runs and began their journey of five straight wins which lifted them from the lower half of the points table to playoff contention.

RR’s season began with four straight wins, with everything falling into place. Then came a dip, which began with that defeat against SRH and ultimately reached a stage where RR had to overcome two near must-win games to reach the playoffs. One might argue that having played two high-pressure games, RR are better placed coming into the eliminator as opposed to SRH, who haven’t really faced any knockout anxiety. But SRH have been the more consistent of the two teams and will bank on in-form players to get the job done in New Chandigarh.

The eliminator might end up being about the battle of the top order. The last time Vaibhav Sooriyavanshi faced SRH, he crashed a 37 ball 103 in Jaipur, despite which RR ended on the losing side. RR are the fastest scoring team in the powerplay so far this season, going at 11.5 an over. In second place are SRH, who are going at 11.02 in this phase. While Travishek as an opening duo hasn’t ticked consistently, Abhishek Sharma (563 runs), Ishan Kishan (569 runs) and Heinrich Klaasen (606 runs) are all enjoying remarkable seasons. If Abhishek and Kishan can score 37 and 31 runs respectively in the eliminator, this would be the first time that three batters from the same team would have crossed the 600-mark in a season.

SRH have defeated RR both times so far this season: by 57 runs in Hyderabad, where they defended 216 and by five wickets in Jaipur, where they chased 229 with nine balls to spare. SRH are currently on a six-match winning streak against RR and a win in the eliminator will make it their best-ever streak against an opponent in the IPL. RR are unbeaten in New Chandigarh – three wins out of three. Who makes it to Qualifier 2?

RR captain Riyan Parag has been down with a hamstring injury, while Ravindra Jadeja is also struggling with an injury. Parag, who had missed an earlier group game, suggested that he wasn’t even supposed to play RR’s final match against Mumbai Indians but would “of course” play the eliminator. Jadeja, meanwhile, came in as an Impact Player, batting at No. 9 and bowled two wicketless overs for 24, with Kumar Sangakkara later stating that Jadeja has “been nursing an injury.” Both players are, however, expected to play the SRH game.

Rajasthan Royals (probable): Yashasvi Jaiswal,  Vaibhav Sooryavanshi,  Dhruv Jurel (wk),  Riyan Parag (capt), Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Ravindra Jadeja,  Dasun Shanaka,  Jofra Archer,  Nandre Burger, Yash Raj Punja,  Brijesh Sharma

There are no injury concerns on the SRH front. Harshal Patel played the last game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and there could be a toss-up between him and Praful Hinge for the final spot.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (probable): Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk),  Heinrich Klaasen,  Salil Arora, R Smaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy,  Pat Cummins (capt),  Shivang Kumar,  Eshan Malinga,  Sakib Hussain,  Harshal Patel/ Praful Hinge

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