India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir faced tough questions after India lost the second Test against South Africa by 408 runs in Guwahati, completing a 0–2 series loss. This is his second home series whitewash, after a 0–3 defeat to New Zealand. When asked if he is still the right man for the job, Gambhir said, “It’s up to the BCCI to decide. Indian cricket is important, I am not important.” He highlighted past successes, including the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup wins, and said the young team is learning and improving under his guidance. (PC: X)

Prema Wangjom Thongdok, from Arunachal Pradesh and living in the UK, was held for 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong airport while transiting from London to Japan. Chinese officials claimed her Indian passport was “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. She said officers mocked her, told her “Arunachal is not part of India,” and suggested she apply for a Chinese passport. Thongdok said she had “no access to food, couldn’t use Google” and was denied boarding despite a valid visa. She contacted the Indian consulate, who helped her leave via Thailand. India lodged a strong protest, calling it humiliating and a challenge to its sovereignty. (PC: HT)

Smriti Mandhana’s father, Srinivas Mandhana, has been discharged from the hospital after a heart attack and is now stable. The star cricketer and her fiancé, Palash Muchhal, postponed their wedding due to the medical emergency. Neither family has shared a new date for the ceremony, leaving fans confused. Smriti deleted all pre-wedding posts from her social media, and some teammates did the same. Meanwhile, Palash was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai due to stress from travel and events. Updates on his recovery are awaited. The couple and families continue to remain silent on the revised wedding plans. (PC: NDTV)

South Africa completed a 2-0 Test series whitewash over India after a commanding 408-run win in Guwahati. Simon Harmer took six wickets, dismantling India’s batting line-up. Captain Temba Bavuma led South Africa to their first series victory in India in 25 years, joining Hansie Cronje in history. Marco Jansen’s spectacular catch sealed India’s collapse at 140 in the second Test. Coach Shukri Conrad praised the team’s effort and discipline. South Africa’s spinners and seamers excelled in challenging conditions, and the team continued its strong run across South Asia, following wins in Bangladesh and Pakistan earlier this year. (PC: India Today)

Ukraine says it has reached a “common understanding” with the US on a new peace plan to end the war with Russia. The plan is based on a 28-point proposal that both sides discussed during talks in Geneva. US President Donald Trump said the plan has been “fine-tuned” and will now be presented to Russia. His envoy Steve Witkoff will meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week. President Zelensky said he is ready to meet Trump soon to resolve “sensitive points”. Russia says it has not received the new draft yet. Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine as talks move forward. (PC: BBC)

Cyclone Senyar formed over the Strait of Malacca on Wednesday after a deep depression intensified, the IMD said. The storm is moving west at 10 kmph and is expected to make landfall on the Indonesia coast this afternoon. Winds may reach 70 to 90 kmph. A second weather system over the southwest Bay of Bengal has also strengthened and may turn into a depression soon. Both systems are bringing heavy rain to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Parts of Tamil Nadu are flooded after earlier rains, and schools were closed on Tuesday for safety. (PC: X)

Former US Representative and economist Dr Dave Brat has claimed large-scale fraud in the H-1B visa system. He said on a podcast that Chennai alone received 220,000 H-1B visas, far above the annual US cap of 85,000. Brat argued the system has been taken over by “industrial-scale fraud” and warned that this hurts American workers. His remarks revived older claims by former US diplomat Mahvash Siddiqui, who said most H-1B applications she saw in India involved fake or forged documents. The issue comes as the Trump administration increases scrutiny, even as Trump says skilled workers are still needed. (PC: India Today)

Comedian Kunal Kamra has triggered a fresh row after posting a photo wearing a T-shirt that allegedly mocked the RSS. BJP leaders called the post insulting and warned of possible police action. Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said police would act against “objectionable” online posts. Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat said the BJP must respond strongly, recalling that Kamra has earlier mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. In March, Kamra faced backlash for comments against Shinde during a show. After the latest dispute, Kamra said the photo was not taken at a comedy club. (PC: X)

Record floods have hit southern Thailand, killing at least 18 people and cutting off many towns. Hat Yai saw its heaviest rain in 300 years, with 335 mm falling in one day. Homes and cars are underwater, and thousands are trapped on rooftops waiting for help. More than 2 million people are affected, but only 13,000 have reached shelters. The Thai military has sent ships, helicopters, and trucks to rescue people. A navy carrier may be used as a floating hospital. Floods have also hit Vietnam and Malaysia, where thousands more have been forced from their homes. (PC: BBC)

A 16-year-old national-level basketball player named Hardik tragically died in Rohtak, Haryana, after a heavy iron hoop pole collapsed on him while he was practising alone in the Lakhan Majra playground. CCTV footage shows him jumping toward the hoop just before the unstable pole buckled and came crashing down. He was rushed to PGI Rohtak by nearby players but succumbed to his injuries. The incident has renewed serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of sports infrastructure in Haryana.