India Women, led by Smriti Mandhana, kicked off their three-match ODI series against Ireland Women on Friday at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. Riding on their recent dominance against the West Indies, India aimed to maintain their winning streak, while Ireland looked to make a mark with their young and dynamic squad.

Ireland’s batting highlights

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Ireland Women put up a competitive total of 238/7 in 50 overs. Captain Gaby Lewis led from the front, scoring a remarkable 92 runs, anchoring Ireland’s innings with skill and determination. The Indian bowlers, particularly Priya Mishra, made significant breakthroughs, with Mishra picking up two key wickets.

India’s recent momentum

India entered the series high on confidence following their clean sweep of the West Indies in the ODI series (3-0) and a 2-1 victory in the T20 series. Skipper Smriti Mandhana has been in stellar form, emerging as the top scorer in both formats. Her consistency with the bat, including two half-centuries in the ODI series and three successive fifties in the T20s, has been a key factor in India’s success.

Key players to watch

For Ireland, all-rounder Orla Prendergast has been a player to watch, bringing her experience from the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Her skills with both bat and ball make her a critical player in Ireland’s lineup.

India’s lineup boasts a mix of experience and youth, with players like Harleen Deol and Jemimah Rodrigues providing stability in the middle order, while Deepti Sharma continues to be a reliable all-rounder.

Squads

India Women Playing XI:
Smriti Mandhana (c), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Tejal Hasabnis, Richa Ghosh (w), Deepti Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Titas Sadhu

Ireland Women Playing XI:
Sarah Forbes, Gaby Lewis (c), Una Raymond-Hoey, Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany, Leah Paul, Coulter Reilly (w), Arlene Kelly, Georgina Dempsey, Freya Sargent, Aimee Maguire

India mourns the loss of legendary playback singer P Jayachandran, who passed away on Thursday evening in Kerala. Revered for his exceptional voice and heartfelt renditions, Jayachandran’s death has drawn tributes from prominent leaders and admirers across the nation.

PM Modi’s heartfelt tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the veteran singer. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the Prime Minister wrote,
“Shri P. Jayachandran Ji was blessed with a legendary voice that conveyed a wide range of emotions. His soulful renditions across various languages will continue to touch hearts for generations to come. Pained by his passing. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief.”

Kerala leaders remember a cultural icon

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also shared his condolences, calling Jayachandran an irreplaceable cultural icon. “P. Jayachandran’s passing marks the loss of a musical maestro whose voice transcended boundaries, infusing music with unparalleled warmth and emotion. More than just a playback singer, he was a symbol of artistic excellence,” he stated.

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar added, “Heartfelt condolences on the sad passing of Sri P. Jayachandran, noted singer. His endearing voice that charmed audiences for six decades will go on to soothe people’s hearts. May his soul attain Mukti.”

A legacy of music and emotion

P Jayachandran, celebrated for his contributions to Indian music, passed away at 7:55 pm while undergoing treatment. Reports indicate that he had been unwell for some time and collapsed at his home before being rushed to the hospital.

His mortal remains will be brought to his residence in Poomkunnam, Thrissur, on Friday, where they will be laid at the Sahitya Academy Hall for the public to pay their respects. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 3 pm at his ancestral home in Chendamangalam.

Jayachandran’s six-decade-long career, marked by his soulful renditions in multiple languages, has left an indelible mark on the Indian music industry. Fans and music lovers remember him as a voice that could evoke profound emotions and bridge cultural divides.

Shankar’s debut Telugu film, Game Changer, featuring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani in the lead roles, is set to premiere in theaters on January 10. In light of stricter regulations following the tragic stampede at Sandhya Theatre during a benefit show for Pushpa 2, the Telangana government has denied permission for a 1 am screening. However, ticket price increases and additional shows have been authorized.

In contrast, the Andhra Pradesh government has approved benefit shows for Game Changer, with the first show commencing at 1 am. A member of Ram Charan’s team shared the Telangana government’s order on X (formerly Twitter). The government has eased certain restrictions in exchange for the screening of advertisements aimed at raising awareness about cybercrime, narcotics, and drugs, but denied permission for the early morning shows.

For the opening day, six shows have been authorized, along with an additional five shows allowed over the subsequent nine days, ending January 19. A 4 am show is approved for the opening, and ticket prices will be increased by ₹150 for multiplexes and ₹100 for single screens, including GST. For the following days, ticket prices will rise by ₹100 in multiplexes and ₹50 in single screens. Bookings in the state began after this government order was issued.

Following the December 4 stampede incident that resulted in a woman’s death and her son sustaining critical injuries, Minister for Roads and Buildings and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkata Reddy declared in the Assembly on December 21, 2024, that benefit shows would only be permitted for films addressing social issues or patriotism. The Minister emphasized that film stars should adhere to regulations and refrain from roadshows when police deny permission, stating that the government is focused on supporting the film industry through various incentives.

In addition to Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, Game Changer features Anjali, Samuthirakani, SJ Suryah, and Srikanth in significant roles. The film has a production budget exceeding ₹400 crore, with ₹75 crore allocated for song sequences composed by Thaman S. The story, penned by Karthik Subbaraj, will be released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. Production commenced in 2021 and concluded in 2024.

Ram Charan’s previous film, RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli, was a major success, while Shankar’s last film, Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan, Siddharth, and Rakul Preet Singh, did not achieve notable success. Expectations for Game Changer are significantly high.