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  • IPL2025: Two balls for the 2nd innings, lifting the saliva ban

    IPL2025: Two balls for the 2nd innings, lifting the saliva ban

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revoked the ban on the use of saliva and has introduced a new rule of a second ball for the second innings of a match. These are among the key decisions made by the BCCI and the Indian Premier League (IPL) management for the upcoming IPL season.

    The BCCI explained the new rules during the meeting of the captains and managers at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai on Thursday (March 20). A well-placed source, who has attended the meeting at the BCCI headquarters, confirmed the rules to Cricbuzz.

    The second ball will come into play after the 11th over of the second innings in an IPL match. The primary objective of this rule is to counter the impact of dew that often affects night-time matches.

    By introducing the second ball, the rule effectively nullifies any advantage that the captain winning the toss might have due to the dew factor, ensuring a more level-playing field in the matches.

    The decision to lift the ban on the use of saliva was more or less on the cards considering that a player of the calibre of Mohammed Shami had urged the authorities to do away with the rule.

    “We always keep requesting the authorities to allow us to use saliva so that swing and reverse comes into play during matches,” Shami had said after a Champions Trophy game in Dubai recently. His plea was endorsed by internationals like Vernon Philander and Tim Southee who too saw merit in Shami’s appeal.

    The ban on the use of saliva was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic when the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed restrictions to mitigate the spread of the virus. However, with the pandemic now behind us, there have been increasing calls to lift these restrictions, with Shami being one of the leading voices in world cricket seeking the change.

    As for the change of ball, the BCCI has left the decision to the discretion of the umpires. “It’s up to the umpires to determine whether the ball needs to be changed. They will decide based on the presence of dew,” a source explained. As a result, this rule will primarily apply to night games, and it is unlikely that a second ball will be used in afternoon matches. Cricbuzz

  • BCCI honors players, officials, and selectors with a Rs 58 crore award for Team India’s CT title

    BCCI honors players, officials, and selectors with a Rs 58 crore award for Team India’s CT title

    BCCI annouces cash reward: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a Rs 58 crore cash reward for Team India following their triumphant campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The prize recognizes the efforts of the players, coaching staff, support staff, and the Men’s Selection Committee in securing another ICC title for the country.

    Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India dominated the tournament with a series of commanding performances. The team started their campaign with a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh, followed by another six-wicket win against arch-rivals Pakistan. They then sealed a 44-run win against New Zealand before defeating Australia by four wickets in the semi-final. In the final, India held their nerve to overcome New Zealand, securing their second ICC trophy of the year.

    BCCI Lauds Team India’s Achievement
    BCCI President Roger Binny praised the team’s achievement, calling back-to-back ICC titles a “special feat” that highlights the strength of India’s cricketing ecosystem.

    BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized that the team’s dominance was a result of years of hard work and strategic execution, adding that India’s No.1 ranking in white-ball cricket was justified by this victory.

    Vice-President Rajeev Shukla hailed the composure and resilience displayed by the players under pressure, while Treasurer Prabhtej Bhatia reiterated the BCCI’s commitment to providing top resources and infrastructure to ensure India’s continued success on the global stage.

    Honorary Joint Secretary Rohan Gauns Dessai described the final against New Zealand as a thrilling contest that brought immense joy to fans across the country. He reaffirmed the BCCI’s commitment to strengthening the domestic and international cricket structure to maintain India’s supremacy in world cricket. Financial Express

  • After Chahal & Dhanashree’s divorce, Chahal’s alleged girlfriend sent a cryptic message

    After Chahal & Dhanashree’s divorce, Chahal’s alleged girlfriend sent a cryptic message

    Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma Divorce: Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his wife Dhanashree Verma are in the headlines regarding their divorce. Fans were shocked by the sudden news that the couple had decided to end their five-year marriage. The reasons behind the breakdown of their seemingly loving relationship remain unclear. A family court is scheduled to pronounce its decision on their divorce today, March 20th. Reports suggest that Dhanashree will receive ₹4.75 crore as alimony. Meanwhile, a post by Yuzvendra Chahal’s rumoured girlfriend, RJ Mahvash, is going viral. The post, which discusses greed and includes several photographs, has sparked considerable online discussion, particularly after Chahal himself quickly liked it.

    RJ Mahvash’s Cryptic Post
    Chahal and Dhanashree married in 2020 after dating for a considerable period. Amidst the divorce proceedings, RJ Mahvash shared a post stating, “Beyond lies, greed, and deceit…thank God, I still stand.” She also shared several of her own photographs. This cryptic post has led many to speculate that it is a veiled dig at Dhanashree, particularly given the substantial alimony she is reportedly receiving. Some users noted that Chahal liked Mahvash’s post within 10 seconds of its publication.

    It is noteworthy that Yuzvendra Chahal has been seen with RJ Mahvash on several occasions amidst his divorce from Dhanashree.
    However, RJ Mahvash has denied these reports. Some users online claim that RJ Mahvash is the actual reason behind the divorce, alleging that Chahal cheated on his wife. Social media comments include: “Wow, Yuzvendra bhai liked the post in 10 seconds!”, “Such a quick move-on!”, “Chahal bhai will now do wonders in the IPL!”, and “Dhanashree, you are the best, no matter who comes into Chahal’s life.” Pinkvilla

  • The Trump admin is sued by Radio Free Europe for cutting funds

    The Trump admin is sued by Radio Free Europe for cutting funds

    Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – the US-funded news outlet set up to reach people under Communism during the Cold War – said on Tuesday it sued the administration of President Donald Trump to block the termination of the media outlet’s federal grant.

    The US Agency for Global Media has terminated its grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which broadcasts to countries in Eastern Europe, including Russia and Ukraine, as well as to Radio Free Asia, which broadcasts to China and North Korea.

    The move was widely criticized over the weekend by advocates of press freedom and human rights.

    More than 1,300 Voice of America employees were also placed on leave on Saturday, after Trump ordered the gutting of the government-funded media outlet’s parent USAGM and six other federal agencies.

    “The complaint (on Tuesday) makes the case that denying RFE/RL the funds that Congress appropriated for it violates federal laws – including the U.S. Constitution, which vests Congress with exclusive power over federal spending,” the news outlet said in a statement.

    “This is not the time to cede terrain to the propaganda and censorship of America’s adversaries,” RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus said.

    The case was filed in US District Court for the District of Columbia.

    Trump’s administration touted its move as a cutback on federal bureaucracy. Trump ally Elon Musk, his point man for cutting federal jobs, called for RFE/RL to be shut down in a post on X last month. “It’s just radical left crazy people talking to themselves,” Musk posted.

    Since taking office in January, Trump has ordered cost-cutting in various federal agencies. Musk has overseen that drive.

    RadioFree Europe/Radio Liberty on its website says its mission is to provide “uncensored, trusted news to audiences in 23 countries where a free press is under threat.” Reuters

  • Disney+ has joined Barb’s sophisticated campaign hub

    Disney+ has joined Barb’s sophisticated campaign hub

    Barb, the UK’s TV measurement body, has added Disney+ to its Advanced Campaign Hub, expanding advertisers’ ability to plan and optimise campaigns across both linear and VOD services.

    This integration allows users to forecast unduplicated reach and frequency using Barb’s panel data and census-level impressions from participating streaming platforms.

    Disney+ joins Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and discovery+, which were added last year. Advertisers using the Hub can now incorporate Disney+ into their campaign planning, with Barb also providing daily updates on the number of UK households subscribed to the platform’s ad-supported tier.

    As a result, Barb said this addition meets a key demand from advertisers, enabling planning across the UK’s four largest pure-play VOD services.

    In a related development, Barb has appointed RSMB to develop a unified web-based interface for Advanced Campaign Hub and CFlight, its post-campaign evaluation tool. Set to launch in January 2026, this will provide clients with streamlined access to cross-platform audience data.

    Luca Vannini, Head of Campaign Audiences at Barb, said: “Our addition of Disney+ to Advanced Campaign Hub fulfills a core demand of our users, giving them the ability to plan their ad campaigns across all four of the largest pure-play VOD services in the UK, alongside broadcasters’ VOD services and linear channels.”

    Lucy Gregory, VP, Audience Measurement and Insights at The Walt Disney Company EMEA, added: “Joining Barb’s Advanced Campaign Hub enables us to offer advertisers and brands an enhanced ability to include Disney+ in campaign planning and optimisation. As the very first streamer to sign up to Barb, we know that transparent audience measurement that brings linear and VOD services together is of vital importance; not only for our partners but for the industry as a whole.” CSI Magazine

  • Starlink needs to comply with to the rules for an India license

    Starlink needs to comply with to the rules for an India license

    Starlink must meet all application guidelines to secure a license in India, the government remains company-agnostic and open to competition in the satellite broadband sector, Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia said.

    “The market is open for anyone who wants to come and operate in India, provided they fill up the pro forma, get the license, avail of the spectrum—which would be administratively assigned—and get into operation,” Scindia said.

    On Starlink’s pending applications since 2021, Scindia clarified, “That is between the company and the application process. They have to check off all the boxes, and the minute they do that, they will get their licence.”

    Reaffirming the government’s pro-competition stance, he added, “I’m company-agnostic and consumer-focused, and therefore, I need to give choice to my consumer. For instance, a consumer will decide whether he wants to go on broadband or mobile, and I have to provide that choice.”

    Scindia highlighted the growing role of satellite-based communications in India, particularly in disaster management and connecting underserved regions.

    “I see satcom’s role as very complementary in terms of providing connectivity. So is the case in India. We’ve got two licences that have already been given out to OneWeb and Jio-SES. And our market is open for anyone who wants to come and operate in India, provided they fill out the pro forma, get the licence, avail of spectrum, and get into operation.”

    Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to announce spectrum pricing soon. After that, the government will allocate spectrum based on TRAI’s recommendations, he said.

    Bharti Airtel and Jio Platforms recently announced partnerships with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet service to India, aiming to enhance connectivity in remote areas. However, Starlink is still awaiting regulatory approvals and spectrum allocation for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite operations.

    Moneycontrol reported on March 12 that SpaceX and Starlink are likely to secure faster approvals from India’s telecom department and IN-SPACe following their tie-ups with Jio and Airtel. This could also pave the way for Amazon’s Kuiper to gain similar regulatory clearances.

    SpaceX has already submitted the necessary details for Starlink’s Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license and agreed to key conditions, including setting up a ground station and a network control centre in India. Sources suggest the Department of Telecommunications and IN-SPACe may soon process Starlink’s application. CNBCTV18

  • Starlink may result in valuable spinoffs

    Starlink may result in valuable spinoffs

    While India has made remarkable progress in its overall digital journey, on closer examination, one notes a deep digital divide or gap between urban and rural India. And this has not improved since the last 4-5 years. Considerable challenges have been faced in rolling out terrestrial networks of fibre and towers to the remote and difficult-to-access areas. However, the announcement a few days back, of two major Indian telcos tying up with Elon Musk’s Starlink, has created a buzz.

    While this now only involves Starlink and two telcos, other satcom players and telcos are bound to take similar action, and soon we can hope to have a seamless, fully interconnected and intermeshed network of satellite players and telcos in India.

    Earlier, Indian telcos viewed satellite players as rivals and intruders and were antagonistic. However, after having struggled for decades to bridge the digital divide, they have apparently realised that no single technology can address this complex problem. Forging partnerships with satcom to complement their existing terrestrial networks, the telcos have adopted a collaborative approach to offer high-speed internet to areas where fibre and mobile networks are unviable. This is a golden example of ‘coopetition’ — that is, collaborating with a competitor to grow the market healthily.

    The collaboration between telcos and satcoms can work on multiple fronts, including: (i) backhaul support: telcos can use satcom links to provide backhaul for mobile towers in remote areas where fibre deployment is costly and impractical; (ii) direct-to-home connectivity: satcom can directly serve the rural households that are able to afford it and Gram Panchayat locations; and (iii) agriculture, schools, government services, healthcare centres and businesses: the partnership can enable the much needed net-connectivity for agriculture, telemedicine/healthcare, schools, businesses and digital governance initiatives in remote regions.

    By integrating satellite broadband into the broader internet ecosystem, the telcos and satcom players can provide uninterrupted nation-wide coverage.

    Regulatory support
    Much has happened through several government initiatives over the last 2-3 years to transform Indian satcom. The IN-SPACe programmes, spectrum clarity from Telecommunications Act 2023, satcom reforms from DoT, etc., have turbo-charged satcom sentiments. While these have facilitated the latest developments, a couple of important actions are still awaited.

    First, details of administrative pricing are most important and, needless to say, these should be kept at the lowest possible nominal levels since the objective is to connect the unconnected and enhance inclusive economic development of the nation.

    Second, there may be actions needed to include satellite broadband in all satcom licences. And, third, government support through subsidies or the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) programme is necessary to cover the cost for any dish or installation. After all, ₹50,000-60,000 crore was incurred through USoF programmes to connect the unconnected using terrestrial networks.

    Of the digitally unconnected/ underserved mass of approximately 700 million, the addressable market with some government subsidies would be at least 400 million people. Assuming an ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) of only ₹300 per month, the size of the market could be around ₹1.44 lakh crore. Consumers would, of course, be the primary beneficiaries from the net-connectivity achieved. The government would benefit from the inflow of corporate income taxes and GST from this market. Obviously, both satcom and telecom would share the new market. A clear win-win for all stakeholders.

    India’s latest initiative on creating a telco-satcom continuum could serve as a model for other developing nations facing similar connectivity challenges. By facilitating the latest initiative, India is demonstrating how innovation, collaboration and competition can come together to drive inclusive digital growth. The future of connectivity lies not in specialised segments but in synergy. Going forward, the interconnected mesh network should also include complementary PM WANI Public WiFi networks. The Hindu BusinessLine

  • Global shipments of VR headsets drop 12% year over year in 2024

    Global shipments of VR headsets drop 12% year over year in 2024

    Global virtual reality (VR) headset shipments fell 12% YoY in 2024, the market’s third consecutive year of declines, according to the latest update from Counterpoint’s Global XR (AR/VR) Headset Model Tracker. In Q4 2024, the shipments fell 5% YoY. Hardware limitations, lack of compelling VR content and usage scenarios, and decreased consumer engagement continued to impact the market. However, demand from the enterprise market, though relatively limited in size, remained more resilient, particularly in large-scale immersive Location-Based Entertainment (LBE), education, healthcare and military.

    Meta continued to dominate the global VR headset market in 2024 with a share of 77%. In Q4 2024, Meta’s market share rose to 84% primarily due to the launch of the more affordable Quest 3S headset. Sony’s PSVR2 shipment share surged to 9% in Q4 2024, fuelled by aggressive promotions and discounts during the Black Friday and Christmas sales. Apple’s Vision Pro shipments saw a steep 43% QoQ decline in Q4 2024, reflecting a slowdown after the initial market hype. In Q4, Apple expanded the Vision Pro’s availability to new markets, including South Korea, UAE and Taiwan, which helped partially offset the overall decline. The device’s enterprise sales also saw an uptick.

    Chinese OEMs Pico and DPVR also benefited from the growing enterprise market demand in 2024. For Pico, shipments to the enterprise segment surpassed those to the consumer segment, while DPVR saw over 30% YoY shipment growth in 2024, driven by its strong focus on enterprise customers.

    According to our projections, the global VR market’s growth will remain limited over the next two years. Despite the potential of spatial computing, significant challenges persist, including a lack of compelling content beyond entertainment, eye fatigue from prolonged use, and the ongoing trade-offs between performance, headset weight, battery life and heat dissipation. Until more substantial technological advancements are achieved, the global VR market’s growth is likely to face challenges.

    The global AR smart glasses market also faced challenges in 2024, experiencing an 8% YoY decline. Birdbath-based video-watching AR smart glasses remained the dominant category, growing 27% YoY in 2024. In contrast, waveguide-based information display glasses saw a sharp 67% YoY decline, primarily due to weak INMO product sales.

    However, we expect the global AR smart glasses market to rebound in 2025, achieving over 30% YoY growth through 2026, driven by the potential entry of major tech giants and the accelerating momentum of the ‘AR+AI’ trend. As generative AI technologies advance, an increasing number of companies are positioning AR smart glasses as a key platform for AI integration, driving further market expansion. Besides, Google’s introduction of Android XR OS, designed to support existing Android apps and seamlessly integrate with its suite of large AI models, is expected to unlock new use cases and further propel the growth of the AR smart glasses market. Counterpoint Research

  • ASCI reports that India is a testbed for cutting-edge AI advertising tactics

    ASCI reports that India is a testbed for cutting-edge AI advertising tactics

    With Indian consumers showing greater acceptance for AI-solutions, India can potentially serve as a testbed for advanced AI advertising strategies that could later be adapted for global market, a report released by the Advertising Standards Council of India’s Academy stated. The report also advocated for development of an industry-wide frameworks for the responsible use of AI in advertising where technology serves both businesses and consumers equitably.

    The report highlighted that business leaders have an optimistic outlook regarding AI integration in advertising as it has the potential to drive efficiency and personalisation. “A significant finding is the understanding that AI’s true strength lies in augmenting, not replacing, human creativity, enabling advertisers to craft compelling and nuanced narratives,” ASCI noted in a statement.

    Digital-native industries are seen embedding AI more seamlessly into their core operations compared to legacy sectors, which are finding creative ways to integrate AI through customer-centric applications.

    Greater acceptance and trust
    “Unlike many global markets, Indian consumers show greater acceptance and trust towards AI-powered solutions. This receptiveness places India in a unique position—potentially serving as a testbed for advanced AI advertising strategies that could later be adapted for global markets,” the report added. However, the report also noted that it is critical to ensure responsible adoption frameworks for deployment of AI in advertising.

    “AI-driven advertising should aim to be socially beneficial. In India, this means ensuring that advertising content does not promote harmful stereotypes, misinformation, or products that could negatively impact public health or social well-being. AI should be used to create ads that are relevant and useful to users, rather than be manipulative or deceptive,” it added.

    Manisha Kapoor, CEO & Secretary General, ASCI, said, “The advent of AI presents an unprecedented opportunity for the advertising industry in India to innovate and connect with consumers in more meaningful ways. However, this power must be wielded responsibly, with a focus on transparency, responsibility, and building lasting trust with consumers.” The Hindu BusinessLine

  • India will have 770 million 5G users by 2028

    India will have 770 million 5G users by 2028

    Average 5G data consumption in India has peaked to 40 GB per user per month and its total subscriber base is expected to grow by 2.65 times to around 770 million in the next three years, telecom gear firm Nokia said on Thursday.

    The mix of data consumption across 4G, 5G etc has increased by compounded annual growth rate of 19.5 per cent over five years to 27.5 GB in 2024, Nokia’s annual mobile broadband index (MBiT) report said.

    According to the report, there was a remarkable three-fold year-on-year surge in 5G data traffic across India in 2024.

    “Average 5G data consumption in India per user was recorded at 40 GB in December 2024. We expect the 5G user base to grow to around 770 million by 2028 from 290 million in 2024,” Nokia India, Head of Technology and Solutions (Mobile Networks), Sandeep Saxena said during the report launch.

    According to the report, the continued rise of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is driving increased data usage, with FWA users now consuming over 12 times more data than the average mobile data user, driven by new services in both residential and business settings.

    “The 5G device ecosystem in India continues to evolve rapidly, with the number of active 5G devices doubling year-on-year to reach 271 million in 2024. This trend is expected to accelerate, with nearly 90 per cent of smartphones to be replaced in 2025 are expected to be 5G-capable,” Saxena said. PTI