The BJP on Tuesday seized the moment by sharing a viral clip of the viral girl from the CSK vs RR match, using it to mock the Congress-led Karnataka government. The jibe comes in response to the state’s recent decision to increase prices for Nandini milk, BMTC bus fares, and Namma Metro tickets, sparking widespread criticism.

Sharing the viral clip on X (formerly Twitter), the Karnataka BJP captioned, “That too, right after hikes in BMTC, Metro, and Milk prices!”

During the Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals match, a female fan’s reaction to Dhoni’s departure captured attention online. Her expression, as Hetmyer caught a ball that Dhoni had hit, quickly became popular meme material across the internet.

Bengaluru residents are grappling with a wave of price hikes that have swept across essential services over the past year, from public transportation to household staples. The escalating costs of metro fares, bus tickets, milk, and electricity are placing a growing burden on daily commuters, families, and small businesses alike.

One of the steepest increases has come from the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), which rolled out a fare revision in February. The maximum fare for a metro ride jumped from ₹60 to ₹90, while the minimum balance required on smart cards doubled from ₹50 to ₹90. This adjustment translates to a 50-90% fare hike, a significant blow for the thousands of daily passengers who depend on the Namma Metro as an affordable lifeline. For a city known for its traffic woes, the metro’s rising costs are forcing many to rethink their budgets.

The pain at the ticket counter doesn’t stop with the metro. In January, the Karnataka government greenlit a 15% fare increase for state-run transport corporations, directly impacting the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). As a result, bus commuters—many of whom rely on BMTC services to navigate the city—are facing higher prices. An ordinary daily pass now costs ₹80, up from ₹70, while a weekly pass has risen from ₹300 to ₹350. Monthly pass holders, including students and regular travelers, are shelling out ₹1,200, compared to ₹1,050 previously. The fare surge is yet another hurdle for those already stretched thin by rising living costs.

For households, the sting of inflation is also evident at the breakfast table. The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has raised the price of its popular Nandini milk by ₹4 per litre, effective April 1. This marks the third hike in less than a year, following increases of ₹3 per litre in July 2023 and ₹2 per litre in June 2024. A litre of Nandini toned milk, which retailed for ₹40 last year, now carries a ₹46 price tag. While KMF insists its rates remain competitive with brands like Amul and Heritage, the steady upward trend has left consumers frustrated and budgets tighter than ever.

Adding to the financial squeeze, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has approved higher fixed charges for electricity consumers over the next three years. The new rates, set to appear in bills starting May, will impact households and businesses across the state. However, there’s a silver lining for some: beneficiaries of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which provides free electricity, will be shielded from these increases. For everyone else, the rising cost of power is yet another expense to juggle.

India’s cricket star Virat Kohli has made his intentions clear for the future: he aims to bring the next ODI World Cup to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in 2027. Following India’s victory in the Champions Trophy in Dubai under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, discussions about Kohli’s future have been rampant. However, he has reassured his supporters that he has no plans to retire anytime soon, emphasizing his desire to secure another ICC title before ending his career.

Recently, at an event in Mumbai, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter was asked about his potential “next big step.” Kohli responded, “The next big step. I don’t know, but maybe try to win the next World Cup,” which elicited applause and cheers from the audience.

Kohli excelled as the leading run-scorer in the 2023 ODI World Cup, although his efforts fell short as India lost to Australia in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India’s last ODI World Cup victory came in 2011 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Since then, the team has faced disappointments, losing in the semi-finals of the 2015 and 2019 tournaments and, most recently, in the 2023 final.

The former India captain retired from T20 Internationals after winning the T20 World Cup last year, and speculation about his cricketing future has been heightened, particularly following a less-than-stellar tour of Australia, where he aggregated just 190 runs in nine innings. Nevertheless, Kohli showcased his talents in the Champions Trophy, scoring a century against Pakistan and a crucial 84 runs against Australia in the semi-final.

Reflecting on his disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Kohli expressed his frustration at a recent event. He noted, “If you ask me the intensity of how disappointed I’ve been… the most recent Australia tour would be the one that’s most fresh, which makes it feel the most intense. But I can’t look at it that way. I might not have another Australia tour in four years’ time, so I have to make peace with whatever has happened.”

As for his current form, Kohli has made a strong start in the 18th edition of IPL 2025, having scored 90 runs in two matches, including a half-century against the defending champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Released just two days ago, on March 30, Sikandar is now showing in theatres across India and internationally. The action drama, featuring Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna, has received mixed-to-average responses domestically. However, it has successfully crossed the Rs 100 crore milestone at the global box office.

Directed by renowned Tamil filmmaker AR Murugadoss, Sikandar grossed Rs 92 crore within the first two days of its release worldwide. On the third day, the film has managed to exceed the significant Rs 100 crore threshold, marking an important milestone despite its lukewarm reception.

Despite crossing the Rs 100 crore mark, the overall performance of Sikandar has been lackluster, attributed largely to unfavorable reviews from audiences and critics alike. The initial response suggests that while it has reached this financial benchmark, the film’s future prospects remain uncertain.

At the trailer launch event for Sikandar, Salman Khan expressed his gratitude to fans for their continued support, which has historically helped his films reach the Rs 100 crore mark regardless of their quality.

The crucial question remains whether Sikandar can achieve the Rs 200 crore milestone worldwide throughout its theatrical run. The film’s ability to sustain its performance in the first week will significantly influence this outcome.

For context, Bajrangi Bhaijaan holds the title of Salman Khan’s highest-grossing film, with an impressive lifetime gross of Rs 867 crore internationally.

Sikandar is currently screening in cinemas near you. Have you secured your tickets for this Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna film yet? Share your thoughts in the comment section, and keep an eye on Pinkvilla for further updates.