Jofra Archer delivered a commanding performance for Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2025 clash against Punjab Kings, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs, which helped his team secure a convincing 50-run win. Archer was named Player of the Match for his clinical spell that dismantled Punjab’s middle order.

However, the post-match presentation took an awkward turn when former Indian cricketer Murali Kartik brought up Archer’s dual ties to Barbados and England, referencing a lighthearted exchange in the commentary box regarding his international allegiance. Archer, born in the West Indies but representing England in international cricket, responded diplomatically and refrained from engaging in the identity discussion.

The England pacer, who hails from Barbados, was put in a tight spot by presenter Murali Kartik, who relayed a cheeky conversation with Ian Bishop from the commentary box.

Murali Kartik: “Ian Bishop said, for everyone he (Archer) is a West Indian. I said, no, he’s been snapped up by England.”

Jofra Archer (smiling): “No comment.”

Kartik: “I expected that from you.”

The moment, though brief, quickly went viral across social media platforms, sparking renewed conversations about dual nationality and representation in modern cricket. While some fans continue to associate Archer with his Caribbean roots, his consistent performances for England have firmly established him as a key figure in their national setup.

Beyond the off-field chatter, Archer maintained his focus on cricket. He reflected on the effort it takes to perform consistently in the IPL and emphasized the importance of making the most of favorable conditions. His form has been a welcome boost for Rajasthan Royals, who moved up to seventh in the IPL 2025 points table with two wins from four matches.

Despite the identity question, Archer remained grounded. Speaking about his performance, he said he’s focused on training hard and staying consistent. “You enjoy the good ones and take the bad ones in your stride. Everyone is training just as hard as you,” he said after being named Player of the Match.

The encounter against Punjab Kings highlighted not only Archer’s bowling brilliance but also his composed handling of sensitive topics off the field — showing that he prefers to let his game do the talking.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent comments questioning the direction of India’s startup ecosystem have ignited a fiery debate. Speaking at Startup Mahakumbh, Goyal asked whether India should settle for building apps that deliver groceries and ice cream while countries like China push the envelope on semiconductors, EVs, and AI.

“Should we make ice cream (delivery apps) or make chips (semiconductors)? Do we just want to sell things?” Goyal questioned, critiquing what he called a focus on “dukaandari.”

While his remarks drew criticism from parts of the startup community, boAT co-founder Aman Gupta came out in support, calling it a motivational push rather than a dismissal. “Piyush Goyal ji isn’t against founders. His point was simple — we’ve come far, now let’s aim higher,” Gupta said.

Founders respond with fire and facts

The statement didn’t land well with all. Zepto co-founder Aadit Palicha defended consumer internet startups, citing job creation, tax contributions, and innovation. “If 1.5 lakh people earning livelihoods on Zepto isn’t Indian innovation, I don’t know what is,” he said in a detailed LinkedIn post.

Others like Ashneer Grover pointed out that even China’s tech evolution began with food delivery and scaled up. “Maybe it’s time politicians aspire for 10%+ GDP growth before chiding job creators,” he quipped.

Industry veterans call for support, not criticism

Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai stressed the need for government backing, not belittlement, reminding that policy hurdles like Angel Tax and regulatory blocks have long slowed down India’s deep-tech aspirations. Shaadi.com’s Anupam Mittal echoed the sentiment, saying that while deep-tech startups do exist, they lack capital and commercialization support.

Despite the heat, Goyal stood firm, accusing the Opposition of twisting his remarks, and reaffirmed confidence in Indian youth: “Young Indians are ready to capture the world.”

Amid chants, placards, and impassioned speeches during the largest day of protests since Donald Trump’s return to office, one figure in Washington, D.C. stood out — and it wasn’t a politician. It was Pikachu.

The beloved Pokémon mascot, now apparently moonlighting as a freedom fighter, was spotted bouncing through crowds at the National Mall, joining the wave of resistance against President Trump and his adviser Elon Musk. The appearance comes just days after a similar Pikachu protest scene unfolded in Turkey, where the yellow-costumed figure was seen dodging riot police amid political chaos.

Saturday’s rallies, branded under the “Hands Off!” campaign, spanned all 50 U.S. states, with more than 1,200 protests from Anchorage to Miami. Demonstrators came out in droves to denounce what they see as the Trump administration’s aggressive attempts to gut federal institutions, slash social programs, and muzzle civil liberties.

In Washington, activists took the stage, from Graylan Hagler, who warned, “They’ve woken up a sleeping giant,” to Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, who declared:

“They’re not just attacking policies. They’re attacking people.”

Protesters voiced anger over layoffs, immigration crackdowns, and the rollback of LGBTQ+ protections. Signs reading “Hands off our democracy” and “Hands off our Social Security” were spotted nationwide — though none quite outshone Pikachu, whose appearance went viral within hours.

Criticism wasn’t just aimed at Trump. Much of the fury centered on Elon Musk, who now leads the Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with overseeing sweeping cuts across government programs. Musk’s defenders say he’s saving taxpayers billions. Protesters say he’s turning public service into a pile of “404 errors.”

The White House responded dismissively, insisting Trump is committed to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid — and accused Democrats of threatening these programs by offering them to undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, speaking at another rally, said:

“I refuse to raise my kids in a country where intimidation replaces leadership and diversity is seen as a threat.”