Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday praised the United States cricket team for their performance against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup, saying the side played “fabulously” despite losing the match.

Goyal made the remarks while responding to light-hearted comments by US Ambassador Sergio Gor at a reception hosted by the diplomat. Both were present at the India-USA T20 World Cup match played on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, the minister acknowledged the rapid progress made by the US cricket team in recent years. He also joked that trade policy might have changed the match’s outcome.

“The US may not have won the match, but for a country which has not known cricket and has started playing only a few years ago, the performance was fabulous,” Goyal said.

Referring to Ambassador Gor’s comments, he added humorously that if the US had made reciprocal tariffs zero, “you would possibly have won the match”.

India seal first win of the tournament

India registered their first victory of the tournament with a 29-run win over the USA. After being asked to bat first, India posted 161 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.

Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, hitting 10 fours and four sixes. Ishan Kishan contributed 20 off 16 deliveries, while Tilak Varma added 25 off 16 balls.

For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk returned figures of 4 for 29, while Harmeet Singh picked up two wickets for 26 runs.

USA fall short in chase

Chasing 162, the USA were restricted to 132 for eight, falling short by 29 runs.

Milind Kumar scored 34 off 34 balls, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37 off 31) and Shubham Ranjane (37 off 22) provided resistance in the middle order.

India’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Mohammed Siraj taking three wickets for 29 runs. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh chipped in with two wickets each.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar was admitted to a private hospital in Pune on Monday after experiencing cough and difficulty in breathing. The 85-year-old leader was brought from his residence in Baramati to the medical facility in the afternoon.

Doctors conducted a CT scan after his arrival, which revealed a chest infection. According to the hospital’s chief cardiologist and managing trustee, Pawar is currently undergoing medical evaluation, and doctors are considering keeping him under observation for at least a day.

A team of specialists is monitoring his condition, and further treatment decisions will be taken based on the test results and clinical assessment.

Sharad Pawar was accompanied to the hospital by his daughter and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule and her husband, Sadanand Sule. After reaching the hospital, Pawar stepped out of the vehicle on his own before being taken inside in a wheelchair.

Party sources said Pawar, an oral cancer survivor, has been suffering from a throat infection along with persistent cough and chest congestion.

Several schools across Delhi received bomb threat emails on Monday morning, prompting immediate security action by authorities. According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), the first distress call was received at around 8:33 am, following which fire tenders and bomb disposal teams were rushed to the affected locations.

At least nine schools across different parts of the city reported receiving similar threat messages. Security checks were carried out as a precautionary measure, and students and staff were kept under close supervision.

The schools that received the bomb threats include Loreto Convent School in Delhi Cantonment, Cambridge School in Srinivaspuri, Venkateshwar School in Rohini, CM School in Rohini, Bal Bharati School in Rohini, Cambridge School in New Friends Colony, The Indian School in Sadiq Nagar, and DTA School in the INA area.

Threatening emails contain provocative messages

The emails reportedly carried disturbing and provocative content, claiming that “Delhi will become Khalistan” and referring to “Punjab as Khalistan” while invoking the memory of Afzal Guru. The messages also alleged that a blast would take place inside Parliament on February 13 at 1:11 pm.

Authorities treated the threats seriously and initiated standard operating procedures to ensure safety. More schools were reported to be receiving similar emails as the day progressed.

Further details are awaited as investigations continue.