NAVI MUMBAI, November 3, 2025 – The Indian Women’s Cricket team has made history by not only lifting their maiden Women’s World Cup trophy but also securing the largest prize purse ever awarded in the sport. Following their emphatic 52-run victory over South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium, Team India is set to pocket a staggering USD 4.48 million (approximately ₹39.78 crore).
​The record-breaking sum is a testament to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) commitment to elevating women’s cricket, marking a 239 per cent increase from the prize money awarded to the previous winners in 2022. The total tournament pool swelled to USD 13.88 million (about ₹123 crore), a 297 per cent jump from the last edition.
​The victory, achieved in front of a jubilant crowd, signifies a monumental shift for the financial landscape of the women’s game. Adding to the celebrations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering an unprecedented move to match the prize and bonuses received by the men’s team for their T20 World Cup 2024 triumph—a figure that stood at ₹125 crore.
​Runners-up South Africa also received a substantial payout of USD 2.24 million (₹19.88 crore), while the ICC’s commitment extends to all participants, with losing semi-finalists and group-stage wins also securing significant earnings. This landmark financial recognition underscores the massive growth and global appeal of the Women’s World Cup.
Navi Mumbai: The decades-long wait for India’s first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title culminated in an overwhelming display of emotion as captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana broke down in tears following their historic triumph over South Africa.
​The final wicket that sealed the 52-run victory came right at the stroke of midnight at the DY Patil Stadium. It was a fitting finale moment, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur jogging backwards at extra cover to safely pouch the catch that dismissed South African big-hitter Nadine de Klerk, concluding the match and etching India’s name in cricket history.
​In the immediate aftermath, the cameras captured the heart-stopping moment that encapsulated years of struggle, near-misses, and ultimate glory: a tearful Harmanpreet embracing her deputy Smriti Mandhana. Both players, the pillars of the team’s batting lineup and its emotional core, were overcome by the magnitude of the achievement. The shared tears spoke volumes of the sacrifices and the weight of a billion expectations finally lifted.
​For Harmanpreet, the victory was particularly poignant, having been part of the squad that suffered a heartbreaking loss in the 2017 final. This win, secured in front of a massive home crowd, was the ultimate redemption and the realization of a dream she had carried for over eight years.
​The title, achieved by defeating South Africa in the final after posting 298/7, is not just a sporting success but a deeply significant social moment. As commentators noted, this team, led by its ‘firebrand skipper,’ has instantly transformed into a beacon of hope, inspiring every young girl in India to pick up a bat or ball, knowing the sky is now the limit.
Navi Mumbai: At the stroke of the midnight hour, India’s long wait for an elusive World Cup crown finally ended. The Women in Blue clinched their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title in a historic and emotional victory, outclassing South Africa by 52 runs in a gripping final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night.
​In front of a roaring home crowd of 45,000, the Indian team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, delivered a comprehensive performance to secure the game-changing triumph for women’s cricket in the country.
​Asked to bat first after a rain-delayed start, India posted a challenging total of 298 for six. The foundation was laid by a blistering 87 (78b) from opener Shafali Verma, who was recalled for the knockouts after an injury and went on to record the highest-ever individual score by an Indian opener in any World Cup final. Her 104-run opening stand with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (45) set a formidable platform.
​The innings received crucial late impetus from the Player of the Series, Deepti Sharma, who struck a composed 58 (58b), alongside a power-packed 34 off 24 balls from Richa Ghosh.
​Chasing 299, South Africa showed grit, largely propelled by a magnificent century (101 off 98 balls) from their captain Laura Wolvaardt. However, the Proteas crumbled under relentless pressure from the Indian bowling attack and the weight of the chase.
​The turning point arrived courtesy of the all-round hero, Deepti Sharma, who shone with the ball, registering a stunning five-for (5 for 39 in 9.3 overs). The game was effectively sealed when Deepti removed Wolvaardt in the 42nd over, triggering a South African collapse. Earlier, Shafali Verma contributed with two vital strikes, breaking the initial momentum. The fairytale conclusion saw captain Harmanpreet Kaur take the final catch off Deepti’s bowling, sending the stadium and a billion fans into raptures as India secured their biggest-ever victory in women’s cricket.
​DY Patil Stadium, November 2, 2025 — Indian opener Smriti Mandhana has etched her name in the history books, becoming the highest run-getter for India Women in a single edition of the ICC ODI World Cup. The prolific left-hander achieved the remarkable feat during the final against South Africa, where her crucial innings helped set a strong foundation for the team.
​Mandhana, who scored a powerful 45 runs off 58 balls in the high-stakes final, took her total run tally for the tournament to a staggering 434 runs across nine innings, at a superb average of 54.25.
​In doing so, she surpassed the long-standing record of 409 runs, set by former captain Mithali Raj in the 2017 World Cup. Mandhana’s consistent performance throughout the campaign, which included a century, highlighted her dominance at the top of the order and earned her the historic record.
​The 2025 World Cup final saw Mandhana combine with Shafali Verma for a brilliant 104-run opening partnership, giving India the perfect launchpad.
​Despite the monumental achievement, Mandhana narrowly missed another significant career milestone. The batter fell just short of reaching 1,000 career runs in Women’s ODI World Cups, a feat that would have made her only the third Indian woman, after Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur, to enter that elite club.
​While the focus remains on the final outcome of the championship match, Mandhana’s individual brilliance in the 2025 edition will be celebrated as a new benchmark for Indian batting in global tournaments.
CHENNAI, India — Tamil cinema stalwart Ajith Kumar has opened up about a disturbing 2005 incident, offering a rare glimpse into the unpredictable and often volatile nature of celebrity fan interactions. In a recent interview, the actor, known for his massive and devoted fan following, detailed a harrowing moment when a young admirer resorted to self-harm during a public gathering.
​Recalling the event, which took place 17 years ago, Ajith shared how a crowd had gathered outside his hotel during an outdoor shoot, eager for a glimpse or a handshake. The actor had agreed to meet the fans briefly to help the hotel management control the surge.
​The situation quickly escalated into a commotion. Ajith revealed that amidst the throngs of people reaching out to shake his hand, a security guard intercepted an 18 or 19-year-old boy. The young man, overcome with emotion, was caught with a broken blade in his hand, having already used it to slash his own palm.
​Describing the fan’s state, Ajith stated, “That guy was not in his senses. We didn’t know if he was drunk or what. He was in hysteria.”
​The superstar used the deeply unsettling memory to discuss the inherent dangers that come with immense popularity. He noted that even simple gestures like shaking hands can sometimes lead to unforeseen injuries for the actor himself, saying he has often realized he was bleeding only after getting into his car, due to the aggressive stretching and pulling from the crowd.
​Ajith’s candid recollection sheds light on the intense emotional investment of certain fans and serves as a cautionary tale about the need for better crowd management and fan safety during celebrity appearances.
​The actor was last seen in the films Vidaamuyarchi and Good Bad Ugly and is currently dedicating time to his passion for racing cars.
HOBART: India registered a commanding five-wicket victory over Australia in the third T20 International at the Ninja Oval in Hobart on Sunday, successfully chasing down a challenging target of 187 runs to level the five-match series 1-1.
​The victory was spearheaded by a brilliant all-round performance from Washington Sundar and a spectacular opening spell from pacer Arshdeep Singh.
​Chasing 187, India’s batsmen maintained a healthy run rate despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Contributions came from Abhishek Sharma (25 off 16 balls), captain Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 11 balls), and Tilak Varma (29 off 26 balls). However, it was Sundar’s stunning unbeaten knock of 49 runs off just 23 balls that sealed the deal, with India crossing the finish line with nine balls to spare. Debutant Jitesh Sharma (22* off 12 balls) provided crucial support at the end.
​Earlier, Australia, batting first, posted a competitive total of 186 for six, primarily powered by a magnificent innings from Tim David (74 off 38 balls), who was well-supported by Marcus Stoinis (64 off 39 balls).
​However, Australia’s momentum was initially stalled by the Player of the Match, Arshdeep Singh, who made an immediate impact upon his return to the side, claiming the early wickets of dangerous batsmen Travis Head and Josh Inglis. His disciplined bowling ensured Australia’s blistering start did not run away with the game.
​This victory marks the first-ever T20I loss for Australia at the venue and sets up an intriguing remainder of the series. The fourth T20 is scheduled for November 6 in Gold Coast.
Thiruvananthapuram, November 2, 2025: Passengers planning to travel on the Thiruvananthapuram North (TVCN, Kochuveli) – Korba Superfast Express tomorrow, November 3rd, are advised to note a significant change in the train’s departure time.
Train No. 22648, which was originally scheduled to leave Thiruvananthapuram North (Kochuveli) at 06:15 hrs (6:15 AM), has been officially rescheduled to depart two hours later.
The new departure time for the train on November 3, 2025, will be 08:15 hrs (8:15 AM).
Railway officials confirmed that the decision to reschedule was necessitated by the late running of the pairing train, which is currently delayed by two hours. This cascading effect has impacted the start time of the Superfast Express service from Thiruvananthapuram.
All concerned passengers are urged to adjust their travel plans accordingly and check the latest status before heading to the station.
Thiruvananthapuram, November 2, 2025: The Directorate of Kerala State Lotteries announced the results for the highly anticipated Samrudhi Lottery (SM-27th Draw) this afternoon, with one lucky ticket holder from Vaikkom striking gold with the first prize of ₹1 Crore.
The winning ticket number, MF 135239, drawn at Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, secured the maximum prize money, instantly making the ticket holder a crorepathi (millionaire). The second and third prizes were also awarded to winners in Ernakulam and Kozhikkode, respectively.
Lottery officials have advised all winners to verify the results published in the Kerala Government Gazette and surrender their winning tickets within 90 days of the draw date.
Prize Winners
Prize
Amount
Winning Ticket Number
Sold At
1st Prize
₹1,00,00,000
MF 135239
VAIKKOM
2nd Prize
₹25,00,000
MG 196272
ERNAKULAM
3rd Prize
₹5,00,000
ME 825183
KOZHIKKODE
Consolation Prize Winners (₹5,000)
The following tickets, bearing the same number as the first prize winner but differing in series, have won the consolation prize: MA 135239, MB 135239, MC 135239, MD 135239, ME 135239, MG 135239, MH 135239, MJ 135239, MK 135239, ML 135239, MM 135239
​BEGUSARAI, BIHAR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today met with members of the fishing community in Begusarai, Bihar, underscoring their critical role in the state’s economy and promising to champion their rights and respect.
​In a Facebook post following the interaction, Mr. Gandhi expressed his admiration for the community’s resilience despite serious challenges. “It was great to meet the fishermen community there with VIP party president Mukesh Sahni ji at Begusarai, Bihar today,” he wrote.
​Mr. Gandhi acknowledged the contrast between the community’s interesting work and the severity of their daily struggles. “As interesting as their work is, their problems and struggles related to it are as serious. But, their deep understanding of hard work, passion and business under every situation is inspiring,” he added.
​Accompanying him was Mukesh Sahni, the president of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and a prominent leader often referred to as the ‘Son of Mallah’ (fisherman community).
​Highlighting the economic significance of the community, Mr. Gandhi stated, “Bihar’s rivers, canals, ponds and fishermen living in them are an important part of the state’s economy.” He concluded his message with a firm commitment: “Standing with him every step of the way for his rights and respect.” The meeting serves to draw political attention to the issues facing fisherfolk in the state.
Kochi – Get ready for a nostalgic trip back to the scenic hills of Ooty with a high-tech makeover! The beloved 1997 Malayalam family entertainer, ‘Summer in Bethlehem,’ is set to be re-released in theaters, fully remastered in stunning 4K resolution with Dolby Atmos sound.
The film, which remains highly popular on television channels and among audiences, is being brought back to the big screen with enhanced technical brilliance. Producer Siyad Kokker of Kokkers Films confirmed that the enduring appeal of the movie among audiences was the key motivation behind remastering the film in 4K Atmos.
A Timeless Blend of Talent and Charm
Directed by veteran Sibi Malayil and featuring a witty, imaginative screenplay by Ranjith, ‘Summer in Bethlehem’ is celebrated for its perfect blend of humor, romance, suspense, and drama.
Star-Studded Cast: The film features a formidable ensemble cast of popular frontline actors, including Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, Manju Warrier, and Kalabhavan Mani, alongside a crucial extended cameo by Superstar Mohanlal. The supporting cast includes Janardhanan, Sukumari, and Rasika.
Melodious Masterpiece: The movie is equally famous for its chart-topping, melodious songs composed by Vidyasagar, with lyrics penned by Gireesh Puthenchery.
Visual Treat: The film captured the breathtaking natural beauty of Ooty, which will now be seen in full, vibrant colors thanks to the 4K restoration.
Remastering Details and Release
The remastering project was helmed by Hi-Studios, following their successful 4K restoration of classics like Devadoothan and Chotta Mumbai. The team behind the 4K Atmos version includes:
Atmos Mix: Hari Narayanan
Colorist: Shan Ashif
Creative Visionary Head: Bonnie Assanar
Project Management: Jibin Joy Vazhappilly
The re-release is a collaboration between Kokkers Films, Anjana Talkies, and Everyday Films. The original technical crew included Sanjeev Shankar (Cinematography), Boban (Art Direction), and S. B. Satheesan (Costumes).
The producer and collaborators are aiming to present this memorable cinematic experience, which has gifted audiences countless unforgettable moments, with a modern technical edge for a new generation of moviegoers.
