In a stellar display of batting, Harleen Deol achieved her maiden century in the second ODI between India Women and West Indies Women at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. India’s solid performance led to a commanding total of 358/5 in 50 overs, with Harleen’s 100 and Jemimah Rodrigues’ steady half-century laying the foundation. This performance comes as a testament to Harleen’s journey of resilience and determination, marking her rise from a promising young cricketer to a dependable force in the Indian team.

India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat first after winning the toss, and the team didn’t disappoint. Harleen, who has been a vital presence in the middle order, played a controlled yet attacking innings, stitching crucial partnerships and showcasing her range of strokes. Jemimah Rodrigues provided excellent support with a well-timed half-century, further cementing India’s dominance in the game.

The journey behind the century

Harleen’s journey to the Indian team hasn’t been without its share of challenges. Born in Chandigarh and raised in Himachal Pradesh, she found her love for cricket at a young age but faced the typical societal pressures of pursuing a sport not as mainstream for women in India. Her father, a doctor, and mother, a homemaker, always supported her ambitions, despite the odds.

She gained attention early in her career for her aggressive batting style and agile fielding. In domestic cricket, Harleen became a standout player for Himachal Pradesh, and her fielding abilities earned her a place in the Indian squad. Her boundary catch during a T20I match against England in 2021 became iconic, showcasing her athleticism and determination.

Rising above setbacks

Harleen’s entry into the national team was not without challenges. Competing with seasoned players and constantly adapting to international standards tested her resilience. However, she has continually worked on her batting technique and all-round skills, ensuring she became a regular feature in India’s setup.

Today, her maiden century is not just a personal milestone but a symbol of her relentless hard work. It reflects her transformation from being known for a single moment of brilliance on the boundary to being recognized as a complete player who can anchor innings under pressure.

A bright future for India’s star

As Harleen walked off the field with her bat raised, the applause from her teammates and the crowd echoed the pride in her achievement. Her journey is an inspiration for countless young cricketers dreaming of wearing the Indian jersey.

With her current form and growing confidence, Harleen Deol is poised to be a key player for India as the team builds towards future tournaments, including the home ODI World Cup next year.

In an unfortunate incident, a 3-year-old girl has been trapped in a 700-feet borewell in Rajasthan’s Kiratpur village for more than 20 hours. A rescue operation is currently underway to save her life.

Reportedly, officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration, are involved in the rescue operation.

Speaking to the media, Sub Division Magistrate (SDM) Brajesh Choudhary stated that significant progress has been made in the operation and NDRF has been trying to pull the toddler out of the borewell.

He said that the teams of NDRF, SDRF, and administration have been trying to carry out the rescue operations. He added that they have placed a ring below the girl so they are hoping they can rescue her soon. He also affirmed that there has been no deterioration in the girl’s medical conditions.

As per SDRF Sub-Inspector Ravi Kumar, the rescue teams are facing significant challenges due to the compact soil surrounding the borewell. He explained that they are trying to reach the girl but because there is a lot of soil around her they have not been able to rescue her right now. He noted that the soil around her is set due to the moisture but they are trying to dig in the moisture. He said that as of now, they are not sure how much time it will take but they are trying their best.

Reports stated that the authorities have been at the spot since the incident was first reported, ensuring that the girl is rescued and handed over to her family safely.

Additionally, specialised equipment and techniques have been deployed to carefully dig and secure the area around the borewell while ensuring that the child is not harmed in any way.

In order to ensure her safe return, medical personnel are also present to monitor the child’s condition, while local authorities have cordoned off the area to maintain safety and minimise disruptions.

The Hindi-dubbed version of Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun, has achieved an unprecedented milestone by crossing the Rs 700 crore mark at the Indian box office from its Hindi-language shows alone. Directed by Sukumar, the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise has so far amassed Rs 704.25 crore in Hindi, setting a new record for Indian cinema.

The makers celebrated the achievement on social media, writing:
“Pushpa Raj introduces the 700 CRORE CLUB to HINDI CINEMA 💥💥 The FIRST EVER FILM to collect 700 CRORES in HINDI ✨ #Pushpa2TheRule collects massive 704.25 CRORES NETT in Hindi ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥,” in a post shared on X.

This milestone places Pushpa 2 in elite company, surpassing the previous records set by Hindi-dubbed and original Hindi films. A.R. Murugadoss’ Ghajini (2008) introduced the Rs 100 crore club, while Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots (2010) and PK (2014) raised the bar with Rs 200 crore and Rs 300 crore collections, respectively. S.S. Rajamouli’s Baahubali 2: The Conclusion broke further records, entering the Rs 400-crore and Rs 500-crore clubs. Earlier this year, Stree 2 became the first Hindi film to surpass Rs 600 crore domestically.

Box office performance

Pushpa 2 began its theatrical run with a staggering Rs 725.8 crore nett across all languages during its opening week. In its second week, it added Rs 264.8 crore, maintaining strong momentum. The third weekend saw collections of Rs 14.3 crore on Friday, Rs 24.75 crore on Saturday, and a massive Rs 33.25 crore on Sunday. With an additional Rs 13 crore on Monday, the domestic tally now stands at an astonishing Rs 1,075.6 crore nett.

The Hindi version alone contributed Rs 704.25 crore, while the Telugu version added Rs 309.7 crore. Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam versions brought in Rs 54.3 crore, Rs 7.4 crore, and Rs 14.05 crore, respectively.

The plot and cast

Picking up where Pushpa: The Rise left off, the sequel follows Pushpa Raj, played by Allu Arjun, as he expands his red sandalwood smuggling empire. The film also features Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, and Rao Ramesh in pivotal roles.

With its extraordinary box office success, Pushpa 2: The Rule has not only cemented its place in Indian cinematic history but has also set new benchmarks for future films to aspire to.