Xavi "Rejected" by AIFF? India Pranked And Embarrassed Again First Sports With Rupha Ramani
Indian Football is once again in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. After putting out a corporate-style job ad for the men's team coach, the AIFF claimed it had rejected World Cup winner and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez. What followed was a full-blown PR disaster- AIFF's Director confirmed Xavi's interest, only for a later statement to reveal the email was fake, allegedly sent by a prankster student. Rupha Ramani breaks down the chaos, the embarrassing missteps by Indian football's governing body, and asks the big question—was this an honest mistake, or a desperate attempt to hype up a system running on empty?
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Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Akash Deep's send-off for Ben Duckett raises eyebrows: ‘Not sure if this is the right way…'
Akash Deep ended a rampaging opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley by dismissing the latter but it is what he did after that which became a talking point on Day 2 of the fifth Test between India and England. Deep punched the air after getting Duckett caught behind before putting his arm around the batter's shoulder and walking a few steps with him. They also seemed to briefly exchange a few words in those seconds before KL Rahul pulled Deep away. Umpire Ahsan Raza also had a word with Deep after that. It was the last ball of the over and Shardul Thakur could be seen having a chat with Deep while he was fielding at the boundary the next over. On-air commentators Mike Atherton and Dinesh Karthik both seemed to not really approve Deep's behaviour. 'Given Duckett a bit of a send off which is probably unneccessary but it is the wicket that India desperately wanted,' said Atherton. Dinesh Karthik lauded Duckett to remain calm and not make too many big gestures. 'Not sure if this is the right way to send off a batter especially after you've got him out. Not many batsmen would behave the way Ben Duckett,' he said. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting later said during his stint that he likes Duckett even more now for the way he handled the situation. 'I love the way Ben Duckett plays his cricket, I think I like him even more now!' said Ponting Karthik later opined that it was almost like the pair knew each other really well and were having a friendly chat. England batting coach Marcus Trescothick applauded Duckett on his way into the dressing room. Trescothick later seemed to be jokingly indicating that Duckett should've elbowed Akash Deep. The incident was only one of quite a few heated moments between the Indian and English players during the latter side's innings, something that has been throughout the five-Test series that the hosts lead 2-1. After the Duckett incident, Joe Root and Prasidh Krishna got into a lengthy battle. The pair could be seen saying visibly unfriendly things to each other as Root crossed Krishna while taking a run. There was also a long steely stare shared between the two in Krishna's next over after the pacer. The umpires ended up having a word with Krishna as well. Gill had said before the match that the relations between India and English players, many of whom have played in the IPL t0gether on multiple occassions, haven't been affected by the spice of the series. 'The relation is fantastic, but when you are on the field, you are trying to win a game at the end of the day, and both the teams have been very competitive and sometimes when you are competitive in the heat of the moment, you do or say things that you might not do [otherwise],' he said. 'But once the match is over, there is mutual respect between both teams.'
Mint
25 minutes ago
- Mint
Akash Deep friendly gesture to Ben Duckett didn't impress ex-cricketers; ‘Not sure if this is the right way to send off'
At a time when tempers flared between the players of both India and England in the ongoing Test series, Akash Deep chose the friendly way after dismissing Ben Duckett on the second day of the fifth and final game at The Oval on Friday. After dismissing India for 224 in the first innings, England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett went hammer and tongs against the opposition, racing to 100-plus before lunch. One of the highlights of the English innings was the battle between Akash Deep and Duckett as the England opener went brutal against the Indian pacer, including a reverse sweep six on the last ball of the fourth over. However, the Bengal seamer had the last laugh when Duckett tried the same in the 13th over. What caught the attention was Akash Deep's controlled aggression against Duckett. While India the pacer celebrated with a fist pump, Akash Deep put his arm around Duckett as the England opener made his way towards the pavilion. The duo also exchanged a conversation which looked more friendly as if they had known each other for years. However, Akash Deep's friendly gesture didn't go well with the former cricketers Dinesh Karthik and Michael Atherton. Speaking at the commentary box, Atherton felt Akash Deep's gesture was 'probably unnecessary'. 'He's given Duckett a bit of a send-off, which is probably unnecessary, but it's the wicket that India desperately wanted. "How many times did a bowler put his arm around after dismissing you, DK?,' asked Atherton, who represented England 169 times in international cricket. Karthik, on the other hand, was unsure if Akash Deep was correct in his act. 'I'm not sure if this is the right way to send off a batter, especially after you've got him out. Not many batsmen would behave the way Ben Duckett did, or rather did. It looked like they knew each other really well," added the former India wicketkeeper.
Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Luxury Curator Niti Gupta brings Global Designers to IMC Ladies Wing Women's Entrepreneurs Exhibition 2025
PNN New Delhi [India], August 1: Dubai-based luxury curator Niti Gupta's latest endeavour is to bring the best of emerging international talent to Indian shores. Her curation of multicultural designers for the International Lounge at WE2025, hosted by IMC's Ladies Wing, is much awaited. Niti, backed by over two decades of industry experience across geographies, made the perfect decision this year to expose international designers to India. As a founder of The AFRA World, an innovative showcase that spotlights emerging and established Indian & Global talent to audiences in the Middle East and across the world, she has been meticulously nurturing and helping designers across the globe to collaborate and connect. Niti perceives this lounge as an extension of the vision she began building with The AFRA World. "Our idea is to create a strong, collaborative space that not only welcomes international designers but also ensures that Indian designers are given the prominence they deserve. The IMC Ladies Wing collaboration this year gives this mission a more structured platform, especially since the organisation has always supported Indian entrepreneurs and women-led initiatives. My role as a curator is especially nuanced - this isn't just about hosting designers; it's about handpicking them for their potential and synergy with the Indian and global markets," she explains. Accordingly, her curation features seven emerging designers who, while not new, are on the rise globally. These include Victoria Su (Thailand), BNS (France), Flat White (Egypt), Taya (Croatia via Serbia Fashion Week), as well as FS Baby (Portugal), Baby Chick (Portugal) and Glam On You (Dubai) In addition to new faces and fresh aesthetics, Niti will also be introducing via Baby Chic, a new fashion category - ceremonial children's wear. Attendees can also expect chic silhouettes, vibrant summer colours and contemporary styling that is perfect for the modern Indian woman--pieces that are adaptable, wearable, and easy to blend with Indian aesthetics. From flowing summer-friendly fabrics to couture pieces, from resort wear to brunch looks, ceremonial children's wear to soft cottons, the selection will offer versatility across age groups. Showcases such as these are especially important for the fashion community, notes Niti: "Runways are only one part of the journey. The real impact lies in B2C engagement - connecting designers directly with customers. Through the AFRA World, we've championed designers in establishing these relationships globally. Especially in a market like India that has diverse opportunities, we hope the Indian designers find new opportunities for collaborations with the international designers that we are bringing. We also look forward to introducing India to the international designers as a resource, as a production base, as a connection to the contemporary Indian buyers, as a B2C retail base, as a collaborative opportunity and as a fresh new audience to their international brand. "The collection we are bringing to India is a very special one--it celebrates our signature blue-and-white floral prints in a variety of silhouettes, from crisp tailoring to voluminous pieces. For our Indian showcase, we have reimagined the saree with our iconic floral print, delicately draped and detailed. Light, breathable fabrics make this collection perfect for the summer season, while its rich botanical patterns and refined lines allow for effortless transitions into early autumn," shares Victoria Su. Glam On You shared that they are excited to share their selection of elegant, contemporary pieces that blend modern silhouettes with unique detailing with a vibrant, fashion-forward audience in India. "Our collection features flowing fabrics, bold accents, and effortless sophistication--perfect for both casual luxury and statement looks, which we can't wait to showcase on an international platform." Nature is also the inspiration for FS Baby's collection. "Our garments are crafted with sustainable fabric, and are known for their bright, cheerful and cosy design," the brand said. Elaborating on the significance of such cross-cultural showcases, Flat White shares in their statement: "I was drawn to the lounge because it celebrates diversity in design and gives a voice to emerging stories. I'm excited to introduce Flat White to a new cultural dialogue and to connect with creatives and clients who appreciate refined fashion with emotional depth. International showcases are essential bridges. They allow us to present our vision in a new light, receive real feedback, and build meaningful connections across borders." Taya is most excited about the opportunity to present Slavonian tradition and culture on a global stage -- not as folklore, but as a living, contemporary expression of identity. "The AFRA World, under the direction of Niti Gupta, values authenticity and supports design that tells a story. This is not just a fashion event, but a space where cultures meet through fabric, colour, and form. I also look forward to connecting with designers from around the world, to exchange ideas and creative energy," they say. Pointing to the growing prominence of the Indian market, the brand Baby Chick notes: "We believe India is a market that truly appreciates artisanal work, tradition, and exclusivity -- values that define our label. This event is a unique opportunity to present our brand to an audience that values fine details, handmade finishes, and the emotional story behind each piece." BNS adds, "After participating at The AFRA World in Dubai and a couple of other pop-ups, I noticed a genuine appreciation of our brand by Indian clientele. Entering an important market with a huge potential and learning more about their style preferences are highlights of such intimate showcases. The event also allows us to showcase our biggest USPs - our quality and fabric - in person, since these can best be differentiated when touched and seen. The connections built with clients give us a better understanding of their needs and desires, which, in turn, help us in the design process." The International Lounge will be hosted at the Women's Entrepreneurs Exhibition 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre, at BKC, on 10th & 11th August 2025 from 11:30 am to 7 pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with Niti and the select designers.
