Vedanta Group chairman Anil Agarwal announced the sudden death of his son, Agnivesh Agarwal, describing it as the darkest day of his life. Agnivesh, 49, died following a cardiac arrest in New York, where he was undergoing treatment after a skiing accident.

In an emotional message shared on social media, Agarwal said his son had been recovering well at Mount Sinai Hospital and that the family believed the worst phase was over. “But fate had other plans, and a sudden cardiac arrest snatched our son away from us,” he wrote.

A journey from Patna to corporate leadership

Recalling his son’s life, Agarwal said Agnivesh was born in Patna on June 3, 1976, and grew up in a middle-class family. He studied at Mayo College in Ajmer and later went on to establish Fujeirah Gold.

Over the years, Agnivesh rose to become a prominent business leader, serving as chairman of Hindustan Zinc and leading key responsibilities within the Vedanta group. He was also the chairperson of Vedanta subsidiary Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd.

Despite his professional achievements, Agarwal said his son remained grounded and compassionate. “He was simple, warm, and deeply human,” he noted, adding that to him, Agnivesh was not just a son but also a close friend.

Renewing a promise to society

Agarwal said his son strongly believed in building a self-reliant India and often spoke about the country’s potential. Remembering those conversations, he reaffirmed a shared commitment to give back to society.

“I had promised Agni that more than 75% of what we earn would be given back to society. Today, I renew that promise and resolve to live an even simpler life,” he said.

In his concluding message, Agarwal said he would try to carry forward his son’s values and ideals, adding that Agnivesh would continue to live on through the lives he touched.

Condolences from Prime Minister Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences on the untimely passing of Agnivesh Agarwal. In a message posted on X, he said the loss was deeply shocking and saddening, and offered prayers for strength and courage to the Agarwal family.

Anil Agarwal has two children — his late son Agnivesh and his daughter Priya Agarwal, who serves on the board of Vedanta Ltd. and is the chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate its T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka and warned the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of possible consequences if the national team refuses to travel, sources have confirmed.

The decision was conveyed during a virtual meeting held on Tuesday, where the ICC informed the BCB that the request could not be accepted, citing security-related assessments already in place for the tournament.

ICC warns of forfeiture if Bangladesh does not travel

According to sources, the ICC made it clear that Bangladesh is obligated to play its scheduled matches in India as part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Failure to comply, the BCB was told, could lead to Bangladesh forfeiting points in the tournament.

No official communication has yet been issued by the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), or the BCB following the meeting.

World Cup schedule across India and Sri Lanka

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Bangladesh has been placed in Group C and is scheduled to begin its campaign in Kolkata with matches against the West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14.

The team is then set to travel to Mumbai for its final group-stage match against Nepal on February 17.

Row linked to Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL release

The controversy traces back to the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders. The decision followed a directive from the BCCI, which cited the prevailing political situation between India and Bangladesh.

It has been reported that the IPL Governing Council did not hold a formal meeting on the issue and that the instruction was conveyed from the highest level within the BCCI administration.

In response, the BCB banned the telecast of the IPL in Bangladesh this season and subsequently approached the ICC seeking a change in venue for its World Cup matches.

BCB emergency meeting and travel refusal

Following the developments, the BCB convened an emergency meeting of its board of directors to review the situation. In an official release, the board expressed serious concern over the circumstances surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in matches scheduled to be played in India.

The BCB stated that, based on an assessment of the prevailing situation and advice from the Bangladesh government, it had resolved that the national team would not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions.

Despite the BCB’s stance, the ICC has now reaffirmed that Bangladesh must adhere to the existing tournament schedule.

Mahindra has officially launched the facelifted XUV700 in India under a new name — XUV 7XO — with prices starting at Rs 13.66 lakh (ex-showroom). The updated SUV brings noticeable changes in design, technology, and features, strengthening Mahindra’s presence in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment.

The XUV 7XO will rival models such as the Tata Safari and MG Hector. Test drives will begin from January 8, while deliveries of top-end variants are scheduled to start from January 14. Entry-level variants will be delivered from April 2025.

Engine and powertrain options

The Mahindra XUV 7XO continues with the same engine lineup seen on the outgoing XUV700. Buyers can opt for a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 200 hp and 380 Nm of torque, or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine delivering up to 185 hp and 450 Nm. These engines have been retained to offer a familiar balance of performance and drivability.

Exterior design updates

Design updates on the XUV 7XO draw inspiration from Mahindra’s newer electric vehicle concepts. The SUV gets revised LED daytime running lights, projector headlamps, and a refreshed grille featuring vertical chrome accents. At the rear, a connected full-width LED light bar with inverted L-shaped elements gives the SUV a more contemporary appearance.

Additional updates include new dual-tone alloy wheels, redesigned bumpers, and new colour options, collectively giving the XUV 7XO a sharper and more modern road presence.

Interior, features and technology

Inside, the Mahindra XUV 7XO introduces significant upgrades in technology and comfort. The SUV features a coast-to-coast triple 10.25-inch HD screen setup, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, DPO support, the AdrenoX infotainment system, and Alexa integration offering over 60 connected functions.

Luxury features include a leatherette interior package, Skyroof, cruise control, a powered driver seat with memory, and push-button start. Safety and wellness features include six airbags, a 540-degree camera, blind spot monitoring, air purifier, DVR, and smart locking technology. The SUV also gets R18 diamond-cut alloy wheels, bi-LED headlamps with DRLs, roof rails, rear spoiler, and telescopic steering.

Notably, the XUV 7XO integrates Alexa and ChatGPT, enhancing the in-car digital experience.

Variants and pricing

The Mahindra XUV 7XO range starts at Rs 13.66 lakh (ex-showroom). The AX7L diesel-manual variant is priced at an introductory Rs 22.47 lakh (ex-showroom) for the first 40,000 buyers, while the AX7 diesel-manual is priced at Rs 18.95 lakh (ex-showroom).