Manu Bhaker, a double bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics 2024, has found herself at the center of a significant controversy following her exclusion from the Khel Ratna awardees list. She said there might be a lapse, possibly on her part during the nomination filing, which is currently being rectified.

The 22-year-old on Tuesday acknowledged that there may have been an oversight in her nomination process for this year’s National Sports Awards.

Bhaker took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her perspective, a day after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports stepped in to address the growing controversy. “Regarding the issue of my nomination for the esteemed Khel Ratna award, I want to clarify that as an athlete, my primary focus is to compete and excel for my country,” she wrote on X.

“While awards and recognition inspire me, they are not my ultimate goal. I believe there has been a lapse, possibly on my part during the nomination filing, which is currently being rectified,” she added.

In her statement, she continued, “Regardless of the award, I will remain driven to secure more medals for my country. I kindly request that everyone refrain from speculating on this matter.”

The controversy erupted when reports indicated that Bhaker, who made history as the first Indian athlete to win two medals at the Paris Olympics, was missing from the provisional list of Khel Ratna award nominees. Her remarkable achievements in July—earning bronze medals in both the 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events—solidified her status as a national icon.

According to reports, there were complications in the nomination process. Athletes must apply for the award through their respective federations, but Bhaker’s name was absent from the official submissions received by the ministry.

A ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated, “The list that has been circulated is not final. Manu Bhaker’s name is still under consideration, and the selection committee will review it in their upcoming meeting.”

The selection committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge V. Ramasubramanian, also includes prominent athletes such as hockey star Rani Rampal and boxer-turned-BJP politician Vijender Singh.

This incident has sparked a wider debate regarding the treatment of non-cricketing athletes in India. The sports ministry’s defense surrounding the ‘provisional list’ has done little to mitigate the criticism, further raising concerns about the nomination processes employed by federations like the NRAI.

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.

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.