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Captaincy Quake at Rajasthan Royals? Sanju Samson’s Future Uncertain as Riyan Parag, Jaiswal Emerge as Skipper Contenders

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Captaincy Quake at Rajasthan Royals? Sanju Samson’s Future Uncertain as Riyan Parag, Jaiswal Emerge as Skipper Contenders

JAIPUR — As anticipation builds for the IPL mini-auction, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise is grappling with internal challenges, with reports suggesting that captain Sanju Samson may be looking to move on. Compounding the turmoil, RR’s head coach Rahul Dravid recently stepped down from his role.

Amid intense speculation, a new report from Moneycontrol claims that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise has denied all rumors of a potential player trade to bring Samson into their squad. The decision regarding Samson’s retention and future rests solely with Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale.

Retention Uncertainty and Captaincy Switch

Samson is currently under contract for two more years, giving the Royals the option to retain him. However, reports persist that the player himself has expressed a willingness to leave the franchise. The key question now is whether the team will choose to hold onto him, given the reported rift.

Even if retained, Samson’s position as captain appears unstable. Reports indicate that the management is seriously considering promoting young talent Riyan Parag as the new skipper. Parag led the team during the nine matches Samson missed last season due to a hand injury, during which the senior player was frequently utilized as an Impact Player.

The team is also reportedly looking at opener Yashasvi Jaiswal as another strong contender for the captaincy role.

Behind the Rift: Batting Position Disputes

The alleged fallout between Samson and the management intensified following the team’s disappointing ninth-place finish last season. A major point of contention stems from Samson losing his preferred batting position.

Last season, Rajasthan successfully paired Jaiswal with young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi at the top of the order. This successful change pushed Samson down the batting order, a shift that is widely reported to be the primary reason for the growing discord between the player and the team management.

CPI(M) Civil War: Pinarayi’s PM-SHRI Retreat Sparks Succession Crisis; Son-in-Law Riyas Under Fire

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CPI(M) Civil War: Pinarayi’s PM-SHRI Retreat Sparks Succession Crisis; Son-in-Law Riyas Under Fire

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has suffered a significant political setback, being forced to withdraw the state’s decision to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Central government’s PM-SHRI education scheme. The humiliation stemmed not just from the expected opposition from coalition partner CPI, but from a powerful and unexpected revolt led by a prominent faction within his own party, the CPI(M).

​Sources indicate that the CM’s plan to control the CPI’s protest was thwarted by a calculated move from within the CPI(M) itself, a challenge to his authority that Vijayan reportedly did not foresee.

​The Secretive Operation

​The controversy began with the secretive nature of the MoU signing. It is reported that Chief Minister Vijayan only discussed the decision with a very small, trusted circle: State Party Secretary M.V. Govindan, his son-in-law and Minister P.A. Muhammad Riyas, and Education Minister V. Sivankutty.

​The clandestine operation deliberately excluded key party figures, including the LDF Convener T.P. Ramakrishnan and all other cabinet ministers, with the exception of Riyas and Sivankutty. This decision to bypass established protocol and keep senior comrades in the dark became the catalyst for the internal rebellion.

​The Triple Threat Challenge

​The secrecy surrounding the PM-SHRI deal gave significant ammunition to the CPI’s protest, which quickly gained critical backing from a strong CPI(M) internal faction. The faction, reportedly supported by Party General Secretary M.A. Baby, presented a united front.

​This triumvirate of key ministers—P. Rajeev, K. N. Balagopal, and M.B. Rajesh—aligned themselves with Baby, creating an insurmountable pressure group against the CM’s decision. Faced with this united internal and external opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan was compelled to completely surrender and withdraw from the PM-SHRI scheme.

​Succession Battle and Riyas’ Future

​The defeat is widely interpreted within political circles as a direct warning to Chief Minister Vijayan against his perceived efforts to groom his son-in-law, P.A. Muhammad Riyas, for a potential future leadership role. The faction’s successful rebellion is seen as a decisive blow against Vijayan’s unparalleled dominance over the party.

​While the CPI may have claimed victory in the PM-SHRI dispute, the CM understands the real challenge came from the betrayal by a faction of his own comrades. The political future of Riyas, his close confidant, is now viewed as “not bright.” All eyes are now on how the veteran leader will choose to deal with this blatant challenge from his party rivals.

Scare Over: Shreyas Iyer ‘Out of Danger’ as Family Rushes to Sydney

South India Pulse
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Scare Over: Shreyas Iyer ‘Out of Danger’ as Family Rushes to Sydney

SYDNEY — A massive sigh of relief has swept through the Indian cricket fraternity after the family of star batsman Shreyas Iyer confirmed he is “out of danger” and on the road to recovery following a serious, rare injury sustained during the third One Day International (ODI) against Australia.

​Iyer’s sister, Shresta Iyer, shared a post on Instagram, confirming her location as Sydney, where the cricketer is undergoing treatment, assuring fans of his improving health. The move signals the family’s presence by his side during the crucial recovery phase.

​The Blunt Force Injury

​The 30-year-old middle-order batsman suffered a severe blunt injury to his abdomen on Saturday while attempting a difficult running catch to dismiss Alex Carey. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later confirmed the diagnosis: a laceration of his spleen coupled with a rib cage injury, which led to internal bleeding.

​He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Sydney where doctors promptly identified and arrested the bleeding. India’s Twenty20 captain, Suryakumar Yadav, described the injury as “rare,” adding a layer of concern to the incident.

​Significant Improvement Confirmed

​The latest medical update provided by the BCCI on Tuesday, October 28, has brought positive news. A repeat scan showed “significant improvement” in Iyer’s condition, and he has been officially declared stable.

​In his first public comments since the incident, Iyer took to social media, expressing gratitude to his supporters: “I’m currently in the recovery process and getting better every passing day. I’m deeply grateful for all the kind wishes and support I’ve received—it truly means a lot to me.”

​The BCCI Medical Team continues to closely monitor his progress in consultation with specialists both in Sydney and India, ensuring a complete and safe return to full fitness.

Nuclear Data Scare: Fake BARC Scientist Nabbed in Mumbai with Sensitive Documents

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Nuclear Data Scare: Fake BARC Scientist Nabbed in Mumbai with Sensitive Documents

MUMBAI — A significant national security scare unfolded in Mumbai last week after police arrested a man posing as a scientist from the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), recovering potentially sensitive nuclear data and more than a dozen maps from his possession.

​The suspect, identified as Akhtar Qutubuddin Hussaini, was apprehended in Versova. The Mumbai Police’s crucial development in the case focuses on examining the recovered documents to determine if they contain any confidential nuclear information.

​A Web of Fake Identities

​Hussaini operated under a complex web of aliases. Authorities seized multiple fake passports, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and forged BARC identification documents. His fake BARC IDs identified him variously as “Ali Raza Hussain” and “Alexander Palmer,” underscoring the depth of his deception.

​Investigators have discovered that Hussaini has a long history of identity manipulation. In 2004, he was deported from Dubai after making claims of being a “scientist possessing classified documents.” Even following his deportation, he managed to travel to international destinations, including Dubai and Tehran, using forged passports.

​International Link Suspected

​The gravity of the situation escalated as police traced several international calls made by Hussaini over the past few months. Sources indicate that authorities now suspect he was in contact with foreign networks that could be linked to the recovered nuclear data. Call records are being traced as part of a wider investigation into potential espionage.

​Further investigation has led to the arrest of Hussaini’s brother, Adil Hussaini, by Delhi Police, who is suspected of facilitating his brother’s access to forged documents. Two accomplices involved in providing fake passports and educational certificates, Munazzil Khan and Ilyas Khan, have also been identified, with Ilyas Khan currently declared wanted.

​Rajeev Chandrasekhar Slaps ₹100 Crore Defamation Notice on Reporter TV Over ‘Fake News’ BPL Land Deal

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​Rajeev Chandrasekhar Slaps ₹100 Crore Defamation Notice on Reporter TV Over ‘Fake News’ BPL Land Deal

Kochi: BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar has issued a ₹100 crore defamation notice to the Malayalam news channel Reporter TV for allegedly broadcasting continuous “fake news” related to a BPL land deal, a company with which he claims to have no association. The notice demands that the channel withdraw the false news and issue an unconditional apology within seven days.

​The legal notice, sent through the Mumbai-based law firm RHP Partners, has been served on nine individuals, including Reporter TV owner Anto Augustine, Consulting Editor Arun Kumar, Coordinating Editor Smrithi Paruthikad, News Coordinator Jimmi James, and Thiruvananthapuram Bureau Chief T.V. Prasad.

​Allegations are Baseless, Says Notice

​The notice highlights that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated. BPL Limited had previously clarified that Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is also a businessman, has no financial transactions or shareholding in the company. The notice asserts that the media outlet is resurrecting old allegations of irregularities in land allocation, which were dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2003.

​Chandrasekhar had earlier stated that these controversies were being manufactured to divert attention from a scam related to the proposed visit of the Argentinian football team and Lionel Messi to Kerala. He also remarked that some “criminals” have entered the media sector and that he would confront them.

‘Action Meets Beauty’: Antony Varghese and Keerthy Suresh Team Up for Pan-Indian Film Debut

South India Pulse
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‘Action Meets Beauty’: Antony Varghese and Keerthy Suresh Team Up for Pan-Indian Film Debut

Kochi ∙ In an exciting development for Malayalam cinema, popular action star Antony Varghese and National Award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh are set to share the screen for the first time in an upcoming pan-Indian film.

The untitled project will be directed by Rishi Sivakumar. The announcement was marked by the release of a project signing video shared with the intriguing tagline, “Action Meets Beauty.”

Given Antony Varghese’s reputation as a powerhouse in the action genre, industry insiders speculate that the new film will heavily emphasize high-octane action sequences. For Keerthy Suresh, who has been highly busy across the Tamil and Telugu film industries, this project marks her much-anticipated return to Malayalam cinema after a brief hiatus.

The film is being bankrolled by Monu Pazhedath, A.V. Anoop, Novel Vindhyan, and Simmy Rajeevan under the banners of First Page Productions, A.V.A. Productions, and Marga Entertainers.

Further details regarding the film’s cast and crew are expected to be announced soon. The project team includes Vivek Vinayaraj for digital marketing, Vaishakh C. Vadakkeveed and Jinu Anil Kumar as PROs, and Lakshmi Premkumar as the PR Consultant and Strategist.

Lukman Avaran’s ‘Athi Bheekara Kaamukan’ Trailer Promises Hilarious Campus Rom-Com, Set for November 14 Release

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Lukman Avaran’s ‘Athi Bheekara Kaamukan’ Trailer Promises Hilarious Campus Rom-Com, Set for November 14 Release

Kochi ∙ The fun-filled trailer for ‘Athi Bheekara Kaamukan’ (The Terrifying Lover), starring the versatile Lukman Avaran, has been released, signaling a wholesome romantic comedy that is set to hit theaters on November 14.

The trailer gives a glimpse into the life of Arjun, played by Lukman, a young man who joins college six years after completing Plus Two, and the hilarious romantic chaos that ensues. The film promises a blend of beautiful romance and amusing situational comedy, positioning it as a romantic-comedy-family entertainer.

Lukman, who has impressed audiences with his nuanced performances, steps into the role of Arjun, while Drishya Raghunath stars as the female lead, Anu. Veteran actress Manohari Joy plays a crucial mother character, adding emotional depth to the narrative. Other key cast members include Ashwin, Karthik, and Sohan Seenulal.

‘Premavathi…’ Song Becomes a Sensation

Adding to the pre-release buzz, the song ‘Premavathi…’ from the film has already become a social media sensation. The track, sung by the reigning sensation of film music, Sid Sriram, has captivated music lovers. Highlighting the film’s musical strength, the music rights have been acquired by Saregama for a record price, according to the makers.

The movie’s colorful first-look and release announcement posters had previously garnered significant attention on social media. Directed by C.C. Nithin and Gautam Thaniyal, the film is set for a multi-lingual release in five languages: Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. The film was shot in picturesque locations including Palakkad, Kodaikanal, and Nelliyampathi.

Produced by Deepti Gautam, Gautam Thaniyal, V. Mathiyalakan, and Sam George under the banners Pink Bison Studios and Etcetera Entertainments, the movie features a strong technical crew. Sujay Mohanraj has penned the screenplay, with Sreeram Chandrasekharan handling the cinematography and Ajish Anand as the editor. Music and BGM are composed by Bibin Ashok. Century Release will distribute the film.

MediaOne Cuts Ties With BARC, Alleges ‘Fraud and Deception’ in Rating System; Second Indian Channel to Exit

South India Pulse
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MediaOne Cuts Ties With BARC, Alleges ‘Fraud and Deception’ in Rating System; Second Indian Channel to Exit

Kozhikode ∙ MediaOne, a prominent Malayalam news channel, has announced its decision to sever ties with the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), the primary television rating agency in India. The channel stated that the decision was taken due to a complete loss of confidence after BARC failed to provide a credible explanation for significant discrepancies between the channel’s high viewership and its poor ratings performance.

MediaOne is the second Indian news channel, after NDTV, to officially withdraw from the BARC rating system.

The channel’s Editor, Pramod Raman, strongly criticized the rating mechanism, calling it “deception, fraud, violence, and immorality.” He alleged that the system secretly and mysteriously undermines the audience’s choice.

Key Issues Highlighted by MediaOne:

  1. Unscientific Methodology: MediaOne pointed out the extremely small sample size used for calculations. BARC meters are installed in fewer than 1,500 locations across the 86 lakh total television homes in the region. Furthermore, the deployment of these meters is allegedly unscientific and does not proportionally represent all regions or demographics in Kerala.
  2. Vulnerability to Manipulation: The channel alleged that the meters are susceptible to external control and manipulation, referencing the case against Arnab Goswami as an example.
  3. Digital Discrepancy: The BARC figures completely contradict the channel’s robust digital viewership. MediaOne consistently ranks high in YouTube live and non-live viewership among Malayalam channels, recording over 36.25 million total views in the previous week alone. Despite this massive digital engagement, its BARC ranking remains disproportionately low (around 10th position).
  4. Advertising Impact: Editor Pramod Raman noted that the approximately ₹4000 to ₹5000 crore business in Kerala is based on these flawed ratings, questioning who is ultimately being deceived.

MediaOne leadership stressed that their decade-long bond with the audience, built on ‘truth and goodness’ in journalism, is far more valuable than any agency’s rating chart. The channel confirmed that it had repeatedly raised concerns about the discrepancies to BARC through direct and email correspondence, but no constructive action was ever taken.

MediaOne will continue to operate with strong audience support until BARC can restore its authenticity and credibility.

Dhanalekshmi DL-24 Kerala Lottery Result Today: ₹1 Crore First Prize Announced

South India Pulse
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Dhanalekshmi DL-24 Kerala Lottery Result Today: ₹1 Crore First Prize Announced

Thiruvananthapuram, October 29, 2025 – The Directorate of Kerala State Lotteries announced the results for the Dhanalekshmi Lottery (DL-24) draw held today, making one ticket holder an instant millionaire.

The lucky draw was conducted at Gorky Bhavan, near Bakery Junction, in Thiruvananthapuram, at 3:00 PM IST. The bumper first prize of ₹1 Crore was won by a ticket sold in Kannur district.

Winners are advised to verify their ticket numbers against the results published in the Kerala Government Gazette and surrender the winning ticket within 30 days of the draw date.

Complete List of Winning Numbers

1st Prize (₹1,00,00,000)

DS 806613 (KANNUR)

Consolation Prize (₹5,000)

DN 806613, DO 806613, DP 806613, DR 806613, DT 806613, DU 806613, DV 806613, DW 806613, DX 806613, DY 806613, DZ 806613

2nd Prize (₹30,00,000)

DZ 425509 (THRISSUR)

3rd Prize (₹5,00,000)

DT 209564 (WAYANADU)

Winning Numbers for Last Four Digits

4th Prize (₹5,000)

2306, 2631, 2681, 2698, 3123, 3290, 3852, 4207, 4568, 4894, 5276, 6384, 7169, 7842, 8667, 8979, 9184, 9259, 9926

5th Prize (₹2,000)

0350, 0992, 1338, 6846, 7195, 7736

6th Prize (₹1,000)

1401, 1537, 1735, 1943, 2158, 2166, 2349, 2700, 3038, 3083, 3158, 3839, 4165, 5000, 5677, 5948, 6193, 6371, 7768, 8267, 8382, 8601, 8817, 9205, 9386

7th Prize (₹500)

0197, 0436, 0562, 0677, 0845, 0971, 1303, 1584, 1727, 1867, 2146, 2176, 2438, 2687, 2764, 2777, 2842, 2912, 3119, 3127, 3298, 3304, 3660, 3678, 3757, 4040, 4144, 4281, 4389, 4492, 4689, 4936, 4945, 4972, 5057, 5076, 5148, 5280, 5327, 5587, 5602, 5631, 5839, 6152, 6263, 6382, 6524, 6689, 6888, 6925, 6986, 7117, 7188, 7277, 7300, 7429, 7611, 8114, 8221, 8227, 8311, 8507, 8728, 8746, 8780, 8881, 9156, 9180, 9211, 9324, 9422, 9439, 9591, 9898

8th Prize (₹200)

0224, 0232, 0241, 0255, 0528, 0540, 0595, 0625, 0776, 1004, 1089, 1100, 1254, 1311, 1321, 1418, 1447, 1835, 1865, 1887, 1944, 2116, 2132, 2267, 2420, 2530, 2753, 2899, 3420, 3478, 3521, 3584, 3592, 3867, 3921, 3970, 4131, 4182, 4192, 4295, 4334, 4378, 4464, 4501, 4706, 4764, 4804, 4807, 4957, 5058, 5110, 5126, 5286, 5298, 5469, 5528, 5563, 5598, 5609, 5646, 5685, 5864, 5895, 5988, 6100, 6177, 6219, 6362, 6364, 6463, 6605, 6608, 6724, 6780, 6808, 6825, 6902, 6907, 6922, 6987, 7013, 7100, 7102, 7149, 7183, 7228, 7329, 7461, 7490, 7622, 7636, 7679, 7750, 7815, 7817, 7824, 7922, 7962, 8048, 8105, 8192, 8225, 8243, 8282, 8435, 8489, 8503, 8508, 8516, 8569, 8613, 8747, 8769, 8871, 9037, 9051, 9152, 9276, 9367, 9435, 9469, 9513, 9529, 9608, 9639, 9718, 9741, 9814, 9830, 9871, 9884

9th Prize (₹100)

0057, 0078, 0159, 0178, 0262, 0283, 0365, 0380, 0430, 0521, 0547, 0593, 0610, 0820, 0913, 0938, 0957, 0974, 1017, 1044, 1174, 1297, 1396, 1416, 1536, 1581, 1583, 1815, 1967, 1969, 2124, 2337, 2345, 2670, 2684, 2794, 2856, 2972, 3124, 3161, 3280, 3351, 3481, 3515, 3605, 3711, 3810, 3813, 3962, 4013, 4049, 4061, 4149, 4215, 4228, 4233, 4269, 4312, 4317, 4371, 4619, 4621, 4678, 4854, 4907, 5045, 5092, 5374, 5491, 5497, 5516, 5544, 5662, 5684, 5732, 5791, 5856, 6104, 6202, 6205, 6290, 6331, 6363, 6432, 6462, 6500, 6516, 6542, 6634, 6635, 6679, 6729, 6806, 6809, 6813, 6848, 6853, 6940, 6962, 7033, 7136, 7155, 7179, 7256, 7306, 7307, 7475, 7617, 7654, 7678, 7724, 7731, 7761, 7769, 7860, 7882, 7924, 8044, 8056, 8073, 8109, 8157, 8261, 8313, 8316, 8334, 8408, 8479, 8560, 8567, 8660, 8740, 8820, 8919, 8920, 8950, 9035, 9062, 9078, 9279, 9283, 9330, 9370, 9427, 9444, 9474, 9546, 9553, 9631, 9660, 9665, 9673, 9742, 9821, 9823, 9857, 9886, 9940, 9951

Rahul Gandhi Accuses Trump of ‘Insulting Modi’ Globally, Demands PM Respond to ‘Operation Sindoor’ Claims

South India Pulse
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Rahul Gandhi Accuses Trump of ‘Insulting Modi’ Globally, Demands PM Respond to ‘Operation Sindoor’ Claims

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a severe public attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing alleged remarks by President Donald Trump that suggest a humiliating dynamic between the two leaders on the global stage.

​In a sharply worded Facebook post, Mr. Gandhi claimed that Mr. Trump has been “insulting Modi in country after country,” naming South Korea as the most recent location where these comments were reportedly made.

​The post centered on two explosive allegations attributed by Mr. Gandhi to the American leader:

  1. ​Mr. Trump allegedly “repeated that he used trade to frighten Modi into stopping Operation Sindoor.” This claim suggests the Prime Minister yielded to foreign economic pressure to halt a potentially sensitive or strategic national operation, an assertion that could provoke significant controversy.
  2. ​Mr. Trump further claimed that “7 planes were shot down.” This statement appears to reference a widely disputed number related to military losses, likely stemming from the 2019 India-Pakistan air skirmishes, challenging the official government narrative.

​Mr. Gandhi used the public platform to directly challenge the Prime Minister’s silence on the matter, turning the foreign leader’s alleged remarks into a direct political confrontation.

​”Don’t be scared Modi ji, find the courage to respond,” Mr. Gandhi wrote, intensifying pressure on the central government to either confirm, deny, or address the context of Mr. Trump’s alleged public statements.

​The Congress leader’s move marks an aggressive attempt to utilize international commentary as ammunition for domestic political battles, questioning the Prime Minister’s handling of foreign policy and national security matters, particularly where India’s relationship with the US is concerned.

​There has been no immediate official response from the Prime Minister’s Office or the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding Mr. Gandhi’s allegations as of the time of this report. The claims are likely to spark a new round of political debate concerning India’s trade negotiations and military narratives.

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