Following Shubman Gill’s masterclass in Manchester, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar stated that while India missed the presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, they didn’t miss their contributions. Gill’s 722-run tally in the series just 16 short of Joe Root’s record has kept India competitive despite the retirement of Kohli, Rohit, and R Ashwin. Manjrekar noted Rohit averaged just 10 in his last two series, and Kohli 30 over five years. England’s Jonathan Trott admitted his team couldn’t have coped similarly. With one Test left at The Oval, Gill stands poised to become India’s highest scorer in a single England tour. (PC: India Today & Mint)

The Lok Sabha will hold a 16-hour debate today on Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to initiate the discussion, with key speeches from Amit Shah, S. Jaishankar, and BJP MPs. The Opposition will be represented by Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Supriya Sule, Abhishek Banerjee, and others. The Rajya Sabha will debate the issue tomorrow. The Opposition is likely to raise questions about Donald Trump's claim of mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire. Prime Minister Modi's possible participation is unconfirmed. Opposition INDIA bloc leaders met at 10 am to finalise strategy. (PC: HT)

In response to rising complaints of harassment and detentions of Bengali migrant workers in other states, the West Bengal Police launched a WhatsApp helpline (9147727666) to provide assistance. Families can report issues with name and address details, enabling authorities to coordinate with local officials across states like Maharashtra and Haryana. However, the move sparked political friction. The BJP launched a rival helpline, alleging the state initiative was biased and politically motivated. The issue has become a flashpoint between Trinamool Congress and BJP, highlighting the deepening politicization of migrant welfare efforts.

At the Congress’s Bhagidari Byay Sammelan in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “all show, no substance,” saying, “Dum nahin hai.” He blamed the media for inflating Modi’s image and criticised the BJP government for sidelining SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities in bureaucracy and academia. Admitting regret, Gandhi said he failed to protect OBCs since 2004 but vowed to rectify this with a caste census. He also highlighted that reserved seats in central universities remain vacant. BJP’s Amit Malviya responded, calling Gandhi’s remarks hypocritical and accused him of divisive politics based on caste identity. (PC: India Today)

A day before the deadline for form submission, the Election Commission said 61.1 lakh names may be removed from Bihar's voter list. Of these, 21.6 lakh voters are dead, 31.5 lakh moved out of Bihar, 7 lakh are listed in more than one place, and 1 lakh are missing. The move comes ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls. The opposition says this will affect close contests. Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of unfair practices. The Commission called his claims false and said it followed proper rules. This revision could change results in many tightly fought seats. (PC: NDTV)

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned citing health reasons on July 21, is preparing to vacate the Vice President Enclave in Delhi, where he had been residing since April 2024. Sources told India Today that Dhankhar declined meeting requests from opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar and Sanjay Raut following his sudden resignation. Though entitled to a government Type VIII bungalow, Dhankhar’s move has stirred speculation beyond health concerns. The 74-year-old’s exit has triggered a political buzz, with probable successors including Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Delhi LG VK Saxena, and J&K LG Manoj Sinha being discussed for the vacant VP post. (PC: HT)

Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President of India on July 21, citing health concerns, following an unannounced visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan. His abrupt departure just before a stormy Rajya Sabha session triggered intense speculation. While Dhankhar attributed his exit to medical advice, reports suggest deeper tensions with the government. His move reportedly disrupted the Centre’s plan to initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma in the Lok Sabha, as Dhankhar accepted an Opposition-backed notice in the Rajya Sabha instead. The ruling alliance’s tepid response and swift acceptance of the resignation have fueled talk of political fallout behind the scenes. (PC: HT)

A high-stakes parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor is scheduled for July 29, with 16 hours allotted in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are expected to speak. The discussion follows Opposition uproar after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he “brokered a ceasefire” between India and Pakistan. Operation Sindoor, launched May 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, involved swift strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The government calls it a “Vijay Utsav,” highlighting India’s military prowess. Preparations are underway amid rising political tensions. (PC: India Today)

The Election Commission (EC) revealed that over 52 lakh electors in Bihar were found to be deceased, shifted, or enrolled at multiple places during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Of Bihar’s 7.89 crore voters, 18.66 lakh were deceased, 26.01 lakh had shifted, and 7.5 lakh were enrolled multiple times. Another 21.35 lakh electors remain unverified. The EC has deployed nearly 7 lakh officials and will allow public objections from August 1 to September 1. The draft rolls will be published on August 1. Political parties have been informed to ensure transparency in the process. (PC: HT)

Following Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation citing health reasons, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh has emerged as a leading contender for the post. Singh, a Janata Dal (United) MP, is seen as a trusted NDA ally and a non-controversial choice. The BJP-led NDA is expected to announce its nominee soon. The Constitution mandates a swift election to fill the vacancy. Dhankhar’s departure surprised many on Parliament’s monsoon session opening day. Other names under consideration reportedly include senior Union ministers or state governors. Dhankhar’s tenure was marked by frequent clashes with opposition MPs during heated parliamentary sessions. (PC: HT)