India captain Suryakumar Yadav hinted at Abhishek Sharma's return for Sunday's T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan after the young opener missed the Namibia match due to illness. The 23-year-old left-hander was hospitalized with a stomach infection, losing nearly two kilos, but has since recovered. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha expressed hope Abhishek would play, wanting to face India's strongest XI. When told about Agha's comments, Suryakumar cheekily responded: "If Pakistan want Abhishek Sharma to play, he will play." The aggressive opener, currently the top-ranked T20I batter, would likely replace Sanju Samson, bringing crucial spin-hitting capability to Colombo's spin-friendly conditions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed India assured Washington it would stop purchasing additional Russian oil amid fresh US sanctions on Moscow's energy sector. However, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to strategic autonomy at the Munich Security Conference, stating India would maintain independent decision-making on energy purchases. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed such assurances, noting only US officials made such claims. India currently imports 35% of crude oil from Russia, significantly increased since Ukraine war began. Trump previously claimed India agreed to halt Russian oil purchases as part of a broader trade deal, while increasing US crude imports to 10% of India's total requirements.

Nine months after suspending the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack, Jammu and Kashmir will resume construction on the stalled Wular barrage to regulate Jhelum River water storage. Since India no longer considers itself bound by the 1960 agreement, construction will restart in coordination with the Centre, completing a project dormant for four decades. Work stopped in 2012 after Pakistan-backed terrorists targeted the site. The barrage would ensure year-round Jhelum navigation and restore fishermen's livelihoods around Wular Lake, which has shrunk dramatically. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed two major water projects will proceed: the Wular barrage and an Akhnoor lift water supply scheme from Chenab River for Jammu city. (PC: NDTV)

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav cautioned against Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq ahead of Sunday's T20 World Cup clash, calling him "out of syllabus." Tariq has taken 11 wickets in four T20Is at an average of 7.90, but his unique sidearm action has sparked controversy over its legality, with chucking accusations. Suryakumar revealed Indian batters have been practicing against similar bowling actions and styles. Despite medical testing clearing Tariq's action as resulting from a natural anatomical condition, scrutiny continues. India defeated USA by 29 runs and Namibia by 93 runs in their opening fixtures, while Pakistan beat Netherlands by three wickets and USA by 32 runs. (PC: NDTV)

A 22-year-old Indian postgraduate student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah from Karnataka, has gone missing in California, prompting search efforts by local authorities, UC Berkeley, and the Indian consulate. He was last seen Tuesday in the 1700 block of Dwight Way in Berkeley. His backpack containing passport and laptop was discovered on a doorstep in the Park Hills neighborhood, raising serious safety concerns. The Indian consulate in San Francisco confirmed contact with his family and local authorities to locate him. Sreenivasaiah is approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 73 kilograms, with short black hair and brown eyes. Berkeley police have urged anyone with information to contact law enforcement immediately. (PC: LinkedIn)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic landing on Northeast's first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on a national highway in Assam's Dibrugarh district Saturday. His Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft touched down on the 4.2-kilometer specially constructed stretch on Moran Bypass, built at Rs 100 crore. The dual-use infrastructure can handle fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes maximum take-off weight. Following the landing, Modi witnessed a 20-minute aerial display featuring fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters. He later traveled to Guwahati to inaugurate the Rs 3,000-crore Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu bridge over Brahmaputra river, connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati.

Senior BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed hope India will extradite former PM Sheikh Hasina, insisting it won't damage Delhi-Dhaka relations. Hasina has been in New Delhi since August 2024 after a mass uprising forced her resignation. In November 2025, a special tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia for crimes against humanity during the 2024 crackdown. Fakhrul stated extradition would follow due legal process and international rules, noting Bangladesh has formally requested her repatriation. His comments followed BNP's landslide victory in recent parliamentary elections, the first since the 2024 uprising. The Awami League was barred from contesting after interim government suspended party activities. (PC: X)

Two Canadian tourists experienced an unforgettable seven-hour sleeper class train journey in India after accidentally booking third-class tickets. Kim Greenwood and her companion found their cabin filled with curious local children who transformed the space into a community gathering. Instead of getting rest, they bonded with families who shared homemade food and snacks bought at stations. Greenwood praised the cooperation and family-like relationships among strangers, calling it inspiring. Despite zero sleep, she declared she "wouldn't change a thing" about the experience. The viral Instagram video garnered over 615,000 views, with users praising the Canadians' positive attitude and celebrating India's unique train culture where passengers become one big family.

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee strongly rebutted Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's accusation of "twisting facts" regarding GST burdens. Banerjee asserted the government overlooks everyday tax expenses facing ordinary families, despite claims of zero tax on essential services. Sitharaman had rejected allegations that West Bengal wasn't mentioned in the Union Budget, calling it "deliberate misinformation." She countered Banerjee's claim about GST on funeral services, stating no such tax exists and suggesting West Bengal's "syndicate" charges "cut money on death." Banerjee expressed hope that the Finance Minister would "listen carefully to the people of Bengal," highlighting the disconnect between government claims and citizens' real-life financial struggles under current taxation policies.

Congress leader Pawan Khera challenged PM Modi to visit violence-hit Manipur while he's in neighboring Assam, even booking a Guwahati-Imphal flight ticket for him. Khera urged Modi not to abandon Manipur, which has been experiencing unrest since 2023, with fresh violence erupting recently. On February 6, protests against new Deputy Chief Ministers turned violent in Churachandpur. On February 10, armed men set fire to abandoned houses in Ukhrul district following alleged assault of a Tangkhul Naga community member, prompting internet suspension for five days. At least 21 houses were burned, and hundreds of villagers from Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities fled their homes seeking shelter in safer locations.