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Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar expressed his surprise at the retirements of batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Test cricket, stating that he had thought the duo might call it a day after the upcoming England tour, scheduled to start from June 20. Both Rohit and Kohli retired from Test cricket earlier this month while continuing their careers in ODIs. Their departure left a huge void in the Indian Test team ahead of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle beginning with the all-important England tour.

Both have outstanding and great cricketers, and their contribution to Indian cricket is huge. I was surprised because there is an England tour of five Test matches. I thought after the England tour, they might call it a day, but they preferred it before the England tour. Then I think it’s their call,” Vengsarkar told IANS.

Kohli bid adieu to his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an impressive average of 46.85 with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, while Rohit drew curtains on his red-ball career with 4301 runs in 67 matches, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, at an average of 40.57.

In June 2024, Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from T20Is after India beat South Africa to win the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.

“Both are experienced players, and they have done so well in England on every tour, so it’s a big loss. Then, if you see that other players have done well for the India A team, in first-class cricket in India, they will get an opportunity to play and establish themselves in the Indian team,” he added.

Rohit’s retirement means that a new skipper will be in place for the Indian team when they tour England for a five-match Test series starting on June 20.

Asked about who will fill the void left in the Indian Test cricket set-up with Rohit and Kohli’s departure, Vengasarkar said, “It is difficult to say who will replace them because it is up to (Ajit Agarkar) and Co. as they are selectors. They are observing FC matches (Irani Cup, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy), and I think it’s all up to them (selectors).”

Vengasarkar then showered praises on Shreyas Iyer for his current form. Iyer had a successful outing with the bat at the Champions Trophy 2025 in March, scoring 243 runs in five games at an average of 48.60. He carried his fine form into the IPL 2025, where he led his side (Punjab Kings) from the front as PBKS reached the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

In the process, Iyer became the first captain to lead three different franchises into the IPL playoffs (Delhi Capitals in 2020 and Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024). Iyer’s runs tally in the IPL 2025 currently stands at 435, including two half-centuries.

“He is a good player, there is no question about it and he’s done very well over the years, he is an experienced player,” said the veteran on being asked if Iyer’s current form can help him fill the void left created after Kohli’s retirement from the T20I and Test formats.

The IndiGo plane that encountered a violent hailstorm and severe turbulence en route from Delhi to Srinagar – leading to a terrifying 8,500-feet-per-minute descent, when the normal is no more than 3,000 – had been advised by the Air Force that Pakistan airspace was off limits.

The advisory came after the pilots of 6E-2142 made emergency contact with the IAF’s Northern Command, asking for permission for a flight path deviation to avoid the storm and turbulence.

This would have taken the plane briefly into Pak airspace, which has been shut to all air traffic since May 11 and amid military tension over the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

In a statement issued Friday evening, the Air Force said the NOTAM, or Notice to Airmen, issued by Pak’s civil aviation authority “was in vogue up to midnight on May 23” and that it specified that Pakistani airspace was “not available to Indian-registered aircraft and aircraft operated/owned/leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights”.The IndiGo plane that encountered a violent hailstorm and severe turbulence en route from Delhi to Srinagar – leading to a terrifying 8,500-feet-per-minute descent, when the normal is no more than 3,000 – had been advised by the Air Force that Pakistan airspace was off limits.

The advisory came after the pilots of 6E-2142 made emergency contact with the IAF’s Northern Command, asking for permission for a flight path deviation to avoid the storm and turbulence.

This would have taken the plane briefly into Pak airspace, which has been shut to all air traffic since May 11 and amid military tension over the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

In a statement issued Friday evening, the Air Force said the NOTAM, or Notice to Airmen, issued by Pak’s civil aviation authority “was in vogue up to midnight on May 23” and that it specified that Pakistani airspace was “not available to Indian-registered aircraft and aircraft operated/owned/leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights”.

Expressing strong support for India after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, Germany has said that the country has every right to defend itself against terrorism.

Addressing a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, “We were all appalled by the brutal terrorist attack on India on April 22. We condemn this attack on civilians in the strongest terms. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all victims and their families.”

“After military attacks on both sides… and India, of course, has every right to defend itself against terrorism… the fact that a truce is in place is something we appreciate very much,” he added. 

Underlining another key point from the Indian perspective, following offers of mediation from the US and President Donald Trump, the minister continued, “What is important now is that this truce remains stable, that dialogue can happen to find bilateral solutions.”

The fact that India will deal with Pakistan only bilaterally has been stressed by India repeatedly since Mr Trump offered to mediate on the Kashmir issue. The Centre has said that any talks with Pakistan will be bilateral and will be restricted to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 

A US judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students, a move that ratcheted up White House efforts to conform practices in academia to President Donald Trump’s policies.

In a complaint filed in Boston federal court filed earlier on Friday, Harvard called the revocation a “blatant violation” of the US Constitution and other federal laws, and had an “immediate and devastating effect” on the university and more than 7,000 visa holders.

“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission,” Harvard said.

“Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the 389-year-old school added.

US District Judge Allison Burroughs, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, issued the temporary restraining order freezing the policy.

Trump’s pressure on Harvard is part of the Republican’s broader campaign to compel universities, law firms, news media, courts and other institutions that value independence from partisan politics to align with his agenda.

The campaign has included efforts to deport foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests but committed no crimes, retaliate against law firms that employ lawyers who have challenged Trump, and a suggestion by Trump to impeach a judge for an immigration ruling the president didn’t like.

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar faced severe turbulence due to a hailstorm. The pilot sought permission to use Pakistani airspace to avoid it, but the request was denied. The plane landed safely, with no injuries reported.

Aviation watchdog DGCA on Friday said the crew of IndiGo flight from the national capital to Srinagar on Wednesday had sought permission to enter the Pakistan airspace to avoid turbulence but the request was rejected.

In a detailed statement about the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said there was no injury to any passengers who were on the flight and that the aircraft’s “nose radome” was damaged.

The incident of the aircraft encountering turbulence is being probed by the DGCA.

On Wednesday, IndiGo’s A321 neo aircraft operating flight 6E 2142 encountered hailstorm and severe turbulence near Pathankot.

“As per crew statement, they requested Northern control (IAF) for deviation towards left (International Border) due to weather on the route, however, it was not approved.

“Later crew contacted Lahore to enter into their airspace to avoid the weather but the same was refused too,” DGCA said.

According to the regulator, the crew initially attempted to return back but as they were close to the thunder storm cloud, they decided to penetrate the weather.

“Subsequently, they encountered hailstorm and severe turbulence. Crew chose to continue at the same heading to exit the weather by the shortest route towards Srinagar,” the statement said.

On Thursday, PTI reported that the Lahore ATC had rejected the flight pilot’s request to use the Pakistan airspace to avoid turbulence. 

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