Rishabh Pant

India vs South Africa: KL Rahul, speaking to the press on the eve of the first ODI, welcomed the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, emphasising their importance in the dressing room. The stand-in captain also discussed the team combination, with the likes of Rishabh Pant and Ruturaj Gaikwad available. Rahul further acknowledged the fading ability of India’s Test batters to play spin.

A new study from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) indicates a national air quality crisis in India, with 60% of districts now breathing toxic air.

This special report covers the fallout from Team India's 2-0 Test series whitewash at home against South Africa, a historic defeat that marks the team's second consecutive home series whitewash in the last 12 months. The programme focuses on the response of head coach Gautam Gambhir, who, while accepting blame, has termed the loss a collective failure of the dressing room. India Today's Nikhil Narz analyses the situation, describing it as one of the lowest points in Indian cricket and questioning the coach's team selection and strategies. Gambhir stated, 'I have said it before as well that we win together, we lose together'. The discussion also highlights India's precarious position in the current World Test Championship cycle following the defeat.

ND vs SA 1st Test: India head coach Gautam Gambhir felt that the target of 124 against South Africa in the first Test was chasable. India lost the series opener by 30 runs after being bundled out for 93 on Day 3 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

This special report details the political controversy surrounding allegations of massive voter fraud in the 2024 Haryana assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi claimed 25 lakh fake votes were cast, accusing the BJP of orchestrating a 'theft' of the mandate. Congress spokesperson Mahima Singh stated the BJP, in partnership with the Election Commission of India (ECI), resorted to questionable means. Specific claims include a Brazilian model's photograph appearing on multiple voter IDs. The ECI and BJP have issued rebuttals, with ECI officials calling Gandhi's claims "unfounded" due to a lack of formal appeals. Transparency activist Anjali Bharadwaj questioned the ECI's transparency, demanding public access to Form 17C data and criticizing the policy of deleting CCTV footage after 45 days. The report also covers the first phase of the Bihar elections, Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York mayoral poll, and Starlink's entry into India with a deal in Maharashtra. Additionally, it highlights Prime Minister Modi felicitating the Harmanpreet Kaur-led women's cricket team for their World Cup victory and the growing influence of Indian-origin politicians like Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval in the US.

The big talking point of this episode of News Today is the political controversy surrounding allegations of massive voter fraud in the 2024 Haryana assembly elections.

This special report details a range of significant events, commencing with a political storm in South India. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and TVK Chief Vijay engaged in sharp exchanges, with Stalin supporting Rahul Gandhi’s 'vote theft' allegations and linking them to the controversial SIR exercise. Following the Karur tragedy, TVK Chief Vijay publicly blamed the DMK government. In Telangana, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's statement, "Congress hai toh Musalman hai...jab Congress nahiye AAP kuchh naiye," sparked a major controversy ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-poll, drawing opposition allegations against the Election Commission and impacting state and national politics. Internationally, Zoran Mamdani achieved a historic victory as New York City's first Muslim and South Asian-origin mayor. The bulletin also details the latest Swachh Survekshan 2025 rankings, where southern cities including Madurai, Chennai, and Bengaluru were listed among India's dirtiest. Further reports include a fatal UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring eleven, and cricketer Rishabh Pant's return to the Indian Test squad for the series against South Africa.

TVK chief Vijay made his first public appearance 38 days after the Karur stampede tragedy that claimed 41 lives.

This special report covers the BCCI's announcement of the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, highlighting the return of star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant as vice-captain. According to reports, 'when Rishabh Pant got injured during the England series, it was a big blow for Indian side because you know as far as Rishabh Pant's space in the team India is concerned, always you know everybody rates him very highly'. Pant, who suffered a foot fracture during the England tour in July, has proven his fitness by leading the India A side against South Africa A. The two-match Test series is scheduled to begin on November 14 in Kolkata, with Shubman Gill captaining the 15-member squad.

This special report covers the BCCI's announcement of the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, highlighting the return of star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant as vice-captain. According to reports, 'when Rishabh Pant got injured during the England series, it was a big blow for Indian side because you know as far as Rishabh Pant's space in the team India is concerned, always you know everybody rates him very highly'. Pant, who suffered a foot fracture during the England tour in July, has proven his fitness by leading the India A side against South Africa A. The two-match Test series is scheduled to begin on November 14 in Kolkata, with Shubman Gill captaining the 15-member squad.

This special report focuses on the much-awaited return of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to competitive cricket. 'It's been confirmed the wicketkeeper batter will be leading India A in two four-day matches against a visiting South Africa A side ahead of the much-anticipated test series between India and South Africa.' Sidelined since July this year due to a foot fracture sustained during the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, Pant is set to captain the India A squad. The two four-day matches will be played in Bengaluru, with the first starting on October 30. This series is seen as a crucial warm-up for Pant ahead of the senior team's Test series against South Africa. He has been undergoing rehabilitation in Bengaluru and has been in contact with the medical team.

IND vs WI: India wicketkeeper-batter and Ahmedabad Test century hero Dhruv Jurel emphasised that he considers getting a spot inj the India Test squad as a privilege in itself, and emphasised that he is not simply focused on getting a spot in the Playing XI.

The landmark free trade agreement is signed between the United Kingdom and India as part of the Prime Minister's visit to Great Britain. Prime Minister Modi hailed the agreement as historic.

Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant lead the way in India's practice session ahead of the fourth Test in Old Trafford, Manchester.

Former India batter Suresh Raina has described wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as the backbone of the Indian Test team. Pant has amassed 425 runs at an impressive average of 70.83 in the series so far, making him the second-highest run-scorer behind captain Shubman Gill. "Rishabh Pant is the backbone of the Indian Test team. The way he bats, the way he keeps on chirping from behind the stumps to disturb the opposition batters," Raina told India Today.

ENG vs IND, 2nd Test: In the pre-match press conference before the Lord's Test, Rishabh Pant said that he's looking forward to facing Jofra Archer, who's making his Test comeback after around four and a half years.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said Rishabh Pant's stroke-filled 134 was different from his typically aggressive knocks, as the wicketkeeper showed more restraint and control during his innings. Kotak also admitted that India could not capitalise on their strong position and fell short of the first-innings total they had targeted in the opening Test against England.

Rishabh Pant opened up on his relationship with new India Test captain Shubman Gill and said that he gels really well with the 25-year-old on and off the field. Pant will act as Gill's deputy as he begins his time as the new skipper of the Indian team in the longest format of the game.

The IPL 2025 auction shattered records, but did the top earners live up to their price tags?

India tour of England: Chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the press in Mumbai after announcing India's 18-man squad for the five-Test series, starting June 20. Shubman Gill was named India's new Test captain and Rishabh Pant was appointed his deputy.