NEW DELHI: Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl first against Gujarat Titans in their Indian Premier League clash on Friday. The SRH side remains unchanged from their previous match.
“We will have a bowl. You never really know what you will get. Sometimes it is better to bat at night. We won our first game at CSK’s venue. Hopefully the trend continues here as well. If we win all our games, we still have a chance. We haven’t quite clicked as a team. Last couple of games, we have done better. Same team,” Cummins said at the toss.
Gujarat Titans made one change, bringing in Gerald Coetzee in place of Afghanistan allrounder Karim Janat.
“We would have bowled first as well. Looks like a good wicket. Last game here we played against Mumbai, we batted first as well. The season has been pretty good for us. Nothing changes for us. This is the time when good teams peak. We are not really looking at the NRR. We are looking to see each game as it is. We have one change. Gerald Coetzee comes in for Karim Janat,” said GT captain Shubman Gill.
Afghanistan allrounder Janat had a tough outing in Titans’ previous game against Rajasthan Royals, where young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi took him apart, smashing 30 runs in a single over with three sixes and three fours.

Janat bowled just that one over in the match, which GT lost by 8 wickets.

Impact Substitutes:
Gujarat Titans: Ishant Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat, Arshad Khan, Sherfane Rutherford
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhinav Manohar, Sachin Baby, Travis Head, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder
Playing XIs:
Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, R. Sai Kishore, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen (w), Aniket Verma, Kamindu Mendis, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Mohammed Shami

NEW DELHI: The qualifying mark for the men’s javelin throw at the World Athletics Championships is the same as the Olympics: 85.50 metres. At the halfway stage of the Asian Games 2022 final in Hangzhou, Kishore Jena had already crossed that mark with a mighty 86.77m throw
Not long after, he bettered that with a sensational 87.54m (a new personal best), placing himself in the gold medal position.
But then came Neeraj Chopra, launching the javelin to a staggering 88.88m to clinch the coveted gold.
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For Odisha-born Jena, it was a silver. Yet, not a single trace of disappointment was visible on his face.
As the crowd at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Park Main Stadium, famously known as the “Big Lotus”, looked on, Jena was seen jumping, hugging Neeraj in pure joy, clicking pictures, and taking selfies under a shared tricolour, moments that soon went viral across social media.
Back home, Jena received as much love as the Olympic champion.
His resolve now hardened, and he began training with a singular focus: to challenge Neeraj in Paris 2024.
But with the Olympics two months away, just as preparations picked up steam, trouble struck.
“Back in May, I was in Patiala. During a practice throw, I felt something in my left ankle,” Jena told TimesofIndia.com.
The pain was tremendous, not just physically, but mentally too, as his Olympic dream had just taken a hit.
The Paris 2024 Olympics arrived; Kishore Jena pressed on but couldn’t qualify for the final round.
“I thought if I go for surgery before the Olympics, I’ll lose too much time. But later, I was told surgery was the only permanent fix. Without it, proper recovery wasn’t possible,” said the 29-year-old.
On October 4, Jena underwent surgery.
“Now everything’s fine. The doctors said the ankle just needs time to adapt. There’s a 7–8 month gap in training, so it’s readjusting,” he smiled.
Last month, Jena made his competitive return at the Indian Open in Chennai.
Though his best effort of 75.99m wasn’t much to write home about, for someone who had struggled to walk just a few months ago, it was a personal victory.
At the Federation Cup in Kochi later in April, Jena threw 77.82m, missing the podium by just 0.02m. Sachin Yadav took gold with 83.86m, followed by Yashvir Singh (80.85m) and Sahil Silwal (77.84m).
Meanwhile, the athletics world was abuzz with the announcement of the Neeraj Chopra Classic (NC Classic), a prestigious ‘A’ category Continental Tour Gold event by World Athletics.
Indian stars like Sachin, Rohit Yadav, and Sahil were named in the lineup released on Tuesday, but Kishore Jena’s name was notably missing.
“I had been trying to get an entry into it for a while, but the throws just weren’t landing well, so it felt like maybe it wouldn’t happen this time. I was like, if it doesn’t happen this year, that’s okay. I thought I would try again next year,” Jena added.
Then came the call. Under the evening Mumbai sky on Wednesday, Jena’s phone rang. On the other end was double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra.
“Around 8:20 or 8:25, I got a call from Neeraj bhai. He said he had spoken to the management and that I should be playing. That’s how the conversation started,” he said.
This wasn’t their first conversation about it. Even earlier, messages from Neeraj had encouraged him to participate. But with the Diamond League’s Doha leg looming and a notable dip in performance, Jena wasn’t sure he could manage both.
Perhaps the Wednesday night call was the push he needed. On Thursday, Jena was officially added to the NC Classic lineup as its latest entrant.
“We had been keen to include Jena, but were waiting for the confirmation since he’s just returned from injury and is also preparing for the Diamond League,” a source close to the developments told TimesofIndia.com.
ALSO READ: ‘Seniors said we lack facilities, focus on govt job instead’: Making of India’s fastest man Gurindervir Singh | Exclusive
Before stepping into the high-profile NC Classic on May 24 at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium, Jena, however, has a bigger target: to breach the all-important 85.50m barrier at the upcoming Doha Diamond League on May 16.
“The goal is definitely to qualify for the World Championships through that,” concluded Jena, who will leave for Qatar on May 14.
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NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane has reaffirmed his unwavering determination to return to the Indian team, saying he still harbours the “desire and hunger” to represent the country again. The 36-year-old last featured in a Test match in 2023 and has been out of India’s white-ball plans for nearly a decade, but his focus remains clear.
“I would love to be back in the Indian set-up again. The desire, the hunger, the fire is still there. Fitness-wise, I am right up there. I just want to take one game at a time, thinking about this IPL right now, and then, let’s see what happens in the future,” Rahane said during Star Sports’ Press Room interaction on Friday.
“I am a guy who will never give up. (I) always try and give my best on the field; give more than 100 per cent. It’s always about that, focusing on controllable things. I have been playing domestic cricket as well and I am really enjoying my cricket at this moment,” he added.
Rahane’s most celebrated chapter in Indian colours came during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he led an injury-depleted side to a historic 2-1 Test series win. Despite that high, he soon found himself sidelined as younger talent emerged and took centre stage.

“Every day when I wake up, it’s always about what goals I want to achieve. For me, there is nothing higher than representing your country,” he reiterated.
“I want to represent my country. I want to wear those Indian colours again. During (the) off-season, I train for two-three sessions a day. I feel at this moment, for me, keeping myself really fit is really important, recovery is really important,” he said.
“(I am) focusing on my diet as well…the motivation to do well for India, it’s still there. I am enjoying my cricket, that is the important thing. I am still passionate. I still love the game.”
As the conversation shifted towards IPL 2025 and KKR’s campaign, Rahane expressed full support for out-of-form vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer, who has struggled for consistency. With the defending champions needing to win all four of their remaining games to stay in playoff contention, pressure is mounting.
Iyer, the franchise’s costliest buy at Rs 23.75 crore, has only managed scores of 60 and 45 of note this season. In the last four games, he has accumulated just 28 runs. But Rahane is backing his deputy to bounce back.

“Every player goes through that phase where he is trying his best but the performance is not coming. He is a quality player. We all know that he has done well for the franchisee in the past, (he has) won the matches for the team as well,” he said.
“It’s important from management (and) leadership group point of view (that) we back him. He has been working really hard. People generally only see about the results and the outcome. But the hard work which all the players are doing, that is really important.”
“From my point of view, we are completely backing Venkatesh Iyer. He is just one innings away. You can probably see one good innings from him in next four games,” he added.
Rahane also admitted that the team’s opening combinations haven’t clicked consistently.
“Sunil Narine has done well in the past for us. This year, we started with Quinny (Quinton de Kock). Quinny played a very good knock. But again, he couldn’t capitalise on that. He is trying hard. He is trying his best. But now, we have to look at the positives rather than what is not working for us,” he said.
“Obviously, the errors (have) happened and that can happen in this format. You want your players to play with freedom, play sometimes with high-risk cricket, so we are bound to make errors.”
“I don’t like to pinpoint on any players or any particular number. Everyone has to contribute…It’s not happening, yes. I accept that.”
Looking ahead, Rahane emphasized the importance of focusing one match at a time, especially with upcoming games against Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, both already eliminated from the playoff race.
“When teams are out, they have got nothing to lose and they come with a different mindset to play the game. For us, it’s important to go out there with the right mindset (and) right attitude on that particular day and give our best,” he said.

Pakistan’s former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari openly acknowledged the country’s troubled past in funding extremist groups, echoing recent admissions made by defence minister Khawaja Asif. In an interview with Sky News, Bhutto said, “I don’t think that it’s a secret that Pakistan has a past as far as extremist groups are concerned.”
His comments follow those of Khawaja Asif, who admitted during a televised interview that “we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades… and the West, including Britain.” Asif had called it “a mistake”, saying Pakistan paid a heavy price for aligning with the US during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the post-9/11 war on terror.
Bhutto echoed this historical reality, pointing to Pakistan’s active role in funding and supporting the Mujahideen during the first Afghan war. “We did that in coordination and collaboration with Western powers,” he said. “Pakistan went through wave after wave of extremism… we suffered.”
However, Bhutto insisted that the situation has changed in recent years. “It is not something that we partake in today. It is true that it is an unfortunate part of our history… but we also learned our lessons,” he said.
He credited internal reforms and military operations, especially after the assassination of his mother Benazir Bhutto, with reversing the state’s policy on extremist elements. “We saw terrorist attack every other day… Pakistan has taken serious action, successful action against these groups.”
During his interview Khwaja Asif had acknowledged, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades… and the west, including Britain…That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan’s track record was unimpeachable.”
These comments follow the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 dead. India responded with a raft of measures including cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and reducing diplomatic staff.
India has also barred all Pakistan-registered aircraft, including military planes, from its airspace from midnight of April 30–May 1 until May 23, 2025, as per a NOTAM issued Wednesday. The restriction covers all flight levels across Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata regions. Pakistan had earlier barred Indian aircraft from its airspace starting April 24 at 6 pm IST.
US VP condemns Pahalgam terror attack
US Vice President JD Vance addressed last month’s terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. Speaking on Fox News, he said, “Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict.”
Vance urged Pakistan to cooperate in locating the perpetrators: “To the extent that they’re responsible, [Pakistan] cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists… are hunted down and dealt with.” He also said, “I’m worried about any time you see a hot spot breaking out, especially between two nuclear powers.”

Stock market recommendations: According to Bajaj Broking Research, Eternal (Zomato) and KEI Industries are the top stock picks for today. Here’s its view on Nifty, Bank Nifty and the top stock picks for May 2, 2025:
Index View: NIFTY
Indian equity benchmarks during last week maintain a positive yet cautious bias, given the lingering geopolitical tensions and tariff related development. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that several top trading partners had made “very good” proposals to avoid US tariffs, with India likely to be among the first to finalize a deal which boosted sentiments.
Going ahead, Nifty is expected to extend consolidation in the range of 24,550-23,800. With 23,800 being the confluence of last week’s low and recent breakout area. While 24,550 is the 61.8% retracement of the entire decline (26,277-21,744).
We believe the current consolidation will help the index work off the overbought condition developed after the recent strong rally. Stock specific action will continue to remain in focus as we progress through the Q4 earnings season.
Overall structure remains positive, and we believe the current consolidation should be used as a buying opportunity in quality stocks for an up move towards the December 2024 high of 24,850 in the coming weeks.
Globally Investors will keep a close eye on the earnings from the “magnificent seven” megacaps, including Apple Inc, Microsoft Corporation, Amazon and Meta Platforms Inc, this week.
Investors braced for a busy week with a series of U.S. economic data releases, including the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge – the PCE price index, and the monthly U.S. jobs report. The U.S. will also report its first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data this week.
NIFTY BANK

Stock Recommendations:
Eternal (Zomato)
Buy in the range of Rs 228-233

The stock has generated a breakout above a falling channel containing last 3 months price action and is sustaining above the 50 days EMA signaling strength and reversal of the corrective trend.
The 14 periods RSI in the weekly chart is seen sustaining above its nine periods average thus validates positive bias in the stock. We expect the stock to head higher towards 255 levels in the medium term being the 138.2% external retracement of the last 3 months breather (242-195)
KEI Industries
Buy in the range of Rs 3000.00-3070.00

The share price of Kei Industries has generated a breakout above a falling channel containing last 4 months decline signaling reversal of the corrective trend and resumption of up move.
The weekly 14 periods RSI has generated a buy signal moving above its nine periods average. We expect the stock to head towards 3350 levels in the coming month being the 38.2% retracement of the entire breather (5039-2424)
Disclaimer: The opinions, analyses and recommendations expressed herein are those of brokerage and do not reflect the views of The Times of India. Always consult with a qualified investment advisor or financial planner before making any investment decisions.

Goldman Sachs has a ‘buy’ recommendation on Trent with the target price at Rs 6,970. Analysts said the company’s margins came in better than expected by them. They said while the weak gross margin possibly indicated higher than usual discounting during the end-of-the-season sales, operating costs were well below estimates, leading to an operating margin expansion.Some operating costs in the Jan-March quarter were unusually low. Also, the management mentioned that the full year profitability is more representative of the business.
Motilal Oswal Financial Services has put a ‘buy’ rating on Varun Beverages with a target price of Rs 665. Analysts believe the company maintained its volume growth trajectory in the domestic market and its expansion in international markets, with the integration in South Africa progressing well. Management is confident about its double-digit growth guidance on the back of industry tailwinds and expansion into new markets every year via the addition of visi-coolers (in domestic and international markets).
Elara Securities India has reiterated its ‘accumulate’ call on Ambuja Cements with the target price unchanged at Rs 616. Analysts believe the cement major is well-positioned to deliver healthy volume growth, led by better demand, ramp-up in acquired assets and completion of ongoing capacity expansions. Additionally, while the recent uptick in cement prices will support near-term margin, its continued focus on cost saving initiatives should help keep a check on margin in the medium term.Sub-par demand, weak cement price and a sharp rise in fuel price are key risks to the analysts call.
InCred Equities has maintained its ‘add’ recommendation on Aditya Birla Sunlife AMC with the target price at Rs 800 but removed it from its high-conviction stocks list. Analysts believe that the company is taking the right steps for improving market share. However, they see the competition is intensifying, along with volatile capital markets, which seem to be weighing down on equity fund market share movement and SIP inflow. Key downside risks are low traction in new funds and a higher employee attrition rate.
Emkay Global Financial Services has a ‘buy’ rating on Adani Green with a target price of Rs 1,500. Analysts said the company reported an uptick in operational capacity and improvement in Capacity Utilization Factor, leading to high growth in sale of power. Book realization was stable on a quarterly basis, while share of merchant cum infirm rose. The management highlighted that the rains impacted Khavda project work in FY25, thus slowing capacity addition to 3.3GW, though FY26 guidance is healthy at 5GW, with 1GW likely to be commissioned within a month.
Disclaimer: The opinions, analyses and recommendations expressed herein are those of brokerage and do not reflect the views of The Times of India. Always consult with a qualified investment advisor or financial planner before making any investment decisions.

From flight attendant to ex-cheerleader to luxury landlord, the Gen Z girlfriend of NFL legend Bill Belichick is quietly running a booming real estate business, and her tenants had no idea.
When Boston renters Andrew Nelson and Declan O’Brien started paying $4,700 a month for a sleek, four-bedroom Dorchester apartment, they had no idea their rent checks were going to Jordon Hudson—a 24-year-old former cheerleader who’s dating 73-year-old Patriots icon Bill Belichick, reported the New York Post.
“I was scrolling through X and saw our house in a headline,” Nelson told The Post. “I was like, what the hell?”

That house is just one property in Hudson’s fast-growing $8 million real estate portfolio. Records show she purchased the Dorchester townhouse in 2023 for $2.2 million, along with another nearby for $2.3 million, a $3 million Roxbury townhouse, and a $610,000 Cape Cod cottage now under renovation.
Hudson, who once worked as a flight attendant, reportedly met Belichick on a Boston-to-Florida flight in 2021, just 18 months before she began snapping up Boston homes filled with tenants largely around her age.
“She’s only three years older than me,” said 21-year-old Dominic Fantoni, who splits $9,100 in rent at one of her properties. “That’s insane. Holy crap.”

Hudson’s background reads like a plot twist: She’s the daughter of a Provincetown fisherman and a sex shop manager. A former pageant contestant and college philosophy student, she’s recently made headlines for her off-camera interjections during Belichick’s CBS interview, most notably halting a question about how they met.
“She seems controlling,” Fantoni said. “I love Belichick, but this whole thing is weird.”
Despite the shock, Hudson’s tenants admit the properties are in excellent shape and well-run, managed by Boston Property Advisors. “We’ve never seen her,” said Nelson. “We had no clue.”
With Belichick’s net worth estimated at $200 million, some wonder how much of Hudson’s real estate success stems from the relationship, but others say she’s simply making savvy moves.
“She’s smart,” said 37-year-old neighbor Tina Hudson. “With all the money he has, why not?”