KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty have shared the enchanting news of their daughter’s arrival, unveiling her name to the world for the very first time. The couple, celebrating Rahul’s birthday, introduced their baby girl named Evaarah, a name that encapsulates their joy and love.

Introducing Evaarah: A special moment for the new family

In a touching moment filled with pride and emotion, actor Athiya Shetty and cricketer KL Rahul shared the first picture of their little one. The heartfelt reveal quickly captured the affection of fans and followers, who flooded the couple with warm wishes and congratulations. Athiya, in her post, expressed her profound love, writing: “Our baby girl, our everything. 🪷 Evaarah/ इवारा ~ Gift of God.”

Earlier in March, Athiya had joyfully announced her pregnancy with a charming Instagram illustration of two swans accompanied by the message, “Blessed with a baby girl.”

The journey to parenthood

The couple exchanged vows in a private ceremony on January 23, 2023, at Suniel Shetty’s picturesque farmhouse in Khandala. A few months later, in November 2024, they marked another milestone in their lives with an adorable announcement about their impending parenthood, sharing a sweet post that read, “Our beautiful blessing is coming soon. 2025,” along with emojis of tiny feet.

Suniel Shetty’s heartfelt reflection as a grandfather

Suniel Shetty, Athiya’s father, expressed his joy as a newly minted grandfather in a heartfelt LinkedIn post. He articulated the paradox of life, emphasising how true contentment often lies in the simplest moments. He reflected on his journey, stating, “It’s funny how life works. You spend years chasing achievements, but real happiness stems from the simplest of things.”

He shared the indescribable joy of holding his granddaughter, acknowledging how those cherished moments eclipse all worldly pursuits. His reflections on family and legacy poignantly captured the essence of life’s most rewarding experiences.

Warm wishes from the celebrities’ circle

The joyous news has evoked an outpouring of affection from fellow celebrities and friends. Anushka Sharma, a close friend of Athiya, celebrated the occasion with a heart emoji on her post, while Sobhita Dhulipala remarked, “This is everything.” Samantha Ruth Prabhu also joined in, leaving a flurry of heart emojis to shower love on the precious new addition to the Shetty-Rahul family.

As KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty embark on this beautiful journey of parenthood, they are surrounded by love and support from their family, friends, and countless admirers.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed that Pomona, a vibrant Southern California city, will host the cricket tournaments during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This marks a historic moment as cricket returns to the Olympic stage after a 128-year hiatus, last appearing in 1900 at the Paris Games.

The cricket events, featuring six teams each in men’s and women’s competitions, will take place at the Pomona Fairgrounds, commonly known as Fairplex. Located 48 kilometres east of Los Angeles, the main Olympic hub, Fairplex is a sprawling venue renowned for hosting conventions, trade shows, educational initiatives, and motorsport events. However, it currently lacks a dedicated cricket pitch, prompting curiosity about how the facility will be adapted for the global sport.

ICC chairman Jay Shah hailed the venue selection as a pivotal step in cricket’s Olympic journey. “The announcement is a milestone in our preparations,” Shah said. “Cricket, already a global phenomenon, will leverage the dynamic T20 format at LA28 to engage new fans and transcend traditional boundaries.” The T20 format, known for its fast-paced, three-hour matches, is celebrated for driving cricket’s growth, making it ideal for the Olympic spotlight.

Cricket’s inclusion in the LA28 program was confirmed at the International Olympic Committee’s 141st Session in Mumbai in October 2023. It joins five other new sports—baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash—adding diversity to the Olympic lineup. The decision reflects cricket’s rising global appeal, particularly in regions like South Asia, Australia, and the Caribbean.

The T20 format has proven its versatility in multi-sport events, featuring in the Asian Games (2010, 2014, 2023) for both men’s and women’s teams and the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games for women’s cricket. These appearances have showcased cricket’s ability to captivate diverse audiences.

Pomona’s selection underscores its growing prominence as a cultural and sporting hub. With the Olympics as a platform, cricket aims to expand its footprint in the United States, where the sport is gaining traction through initiatives like Major League Cricket. The LA28 cricket events promise to blend athletic excellence with cultural celebration, setting the stage for a memorable Olympic chapter.

Delhi Capitals’ bowling coach, Munaf Patel, has been fined 25% of his match fee and received one demerit point for violating the IPL Code of Conduct during the intense match against Rajasthan Royals. This match, held on April 16, 2025, saw Delhi Capitals secure a dramatic victory in a Super Over after both teams finished with 188 runs.

According to an IPL announcement, Patel acknowledged his Level 1 offence under Article 2.20 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which addresses actions that go against the spirit of the game. The statement confirmed that Patel’s fine and demerit points were a result of this violation during the game played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.

While the specific details of his offence were not disclosed, it is believed that the penalty stemmed from his dispute with a match official when he was denied the opportunity to send a player onto the field to deliver a message.

Munaf Patel, who played a vital role in India’s triumph in the 2011 ODI World Cup under captain M.S. Dhoni, joined the Delhi Capitals coaching staff in November 2024, succeeding James Hopes.

Article 2.20 of the IPL Code of Conduct encompasses various behaviours that contradict the spirit of the sport but are not explicitly addressed in other sections. It may include, depending on the severity and context, various infractions such as using illegal equipment or failing to adhere to certain match conditions.

The IPL Code also notes that the context of the offence, including intent and circumstances, is taken into account in determining the severity of the conduct, ranging from minor infractions categorised as Level 1 offences to serious breaches classified as Level 4 offences.