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‘Switch off your phones and sleep’, Indian skipper tells team before Pakistan clash

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‘Switch off your phones and sleep’, Indian skipper tells team before Pakistan clash


India’s Suryakumar Yadav during the warm up before the match against United Arab Emirates at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 10, 2025. — Reuters 

India’s players need to block out the noise as they prepare to again face rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup amid controversy over their previous clash, skipper Suryakumar Yadav said on Saturday.

The eight-team tournament has been dominated by headlines about Pakistan and India’s first meetings on the pitch since the military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May this year.

India prevailed in the politically-charged Group A match last week but their players refused to shake hands with their Pakistan opponents after the match.

Suryakumar dedicated India’s seven-wicket victory to their armed forces, while several of his teammates took to social media to express similar thoughts.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called for match referee Andy Pycroft’s immediate removal for a code of conduct violation and considered withdrawing from the tournament before going ahead with UAE match after referee tendered apologies.

Naqvi, flanked by former chairmen Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi, told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium that Zimbabwe-based match referee Andy Pycroft had formally apologised to national captain Salman Ali Agha, the coach and the team manager, acknowledging the concerns raised by the side.

With the controversy likely to rumble on in the build-up to Sunday’s clash, Suryakumar offered some blunt advice for teammates struggling to cope with external pressure.

“Close your room, switch off your phone and sleep. I think that’s the best. It’s easy to say, but sometimes it is difficult,” he told reporters. “It’s on you, what you want to listen to, what you want to have in your mind.

“I have been very clear with all the boys. I think it’s very important if you want to do well in this tournament and going forward. We will have to shut a lot of noise from outside and take what is good for you.”

Despite India’s triumph in their previous encounter, Suryakumar insisted past results would count for nothing when the rivals meet again in the Super Four match.

“I feel our preparation has been really good leading into the tournament. We have also had three good games, so we are actually focusing on what we can do best,” he added.

“We want to follow all the good habits that we have been doing from the last two or three games. We take it one game at a time. It doesn’t give us an edge that we have played them once, and we had a good game. We have to start from scratch.”

When asked about the historic rivalry — which was much more intense in 2000s, he said, “At that time, I don’t know. I have never played. So I can’t say,” he laughed.

“If we talk about rivalry, I don’t know what kind of rivalry you are talking about. After going on the ground, I feel that the stadium is full. And when the stadium is full, I tell my team and everyone that it is time for entertainment. So many people have come to watch the match, so you have to entertain everyone. Let’s play some good brand of cricket. And according to me, we don’t think much,” he added.

Another question asked Suryakumar about the ‘other things’ India did against Pakistan, without explicitly mentioning the handshakes, and he simply said: ‘By other things, you mean we bowled well, isn’t it?’





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Chris Hemsworth’s Thor sets the tone serious for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

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Chris Hemsworth’s Thor sets the tone serious for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’


Chris Hemsworth on Thor in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Chris Hemsworth is signaling a major tonal shift for Thor as Marvel Studios prepares audiences for Avengers: Doomsday, and the message is clear from the very first moments of the newly released teaser. 

Gone is the jokey, over-the-top version of the God of Thunder seen in Thor: Love and Thunder

In its place stands a quieter, heavier, and more emotionally grounded hero, one shaped by loss, responsibility, and reflection.

The teaser, which centers entirely on Thor, opens with the Asgardian god in a rare moment of stillness. 

Speaking in a somber voice, he offers a prayer before battle, asking for strength not to conquer, but to return home and protect a child. 

“Father, all my life I’ve answered every call, to honor, duty, to war,” Thor says. 

“Now fate has given me something I never sought. A child, a life untouched by the storm.” The tone alone signals a clear creative reset for the character.

This darker, more mature direction stands in sharp contrast to Thor: Love and Thunder, the 2022 release that divided audiences with its heavy humour and exaggerated style. 

While the film earned $760 million worldwide, even Hemsworth later admitted it pushed things too far. 

In a past interview, he openly reflected on the criticism, saying the film became “too silly” and that he may have leaned too far into the comedy.

He also shared that some of the most honest feedback came from his own kids and their friends, who weren’t shy about pointing out what didn’t work.

Hemsworth has since acknowledged that the experience forced him to rethink the character. 

In a later interview, he admitted, “I got caught up in the improv and the wackiness, and I became a parody of myself. I didn’t stick the landing.”

Still, he made it clear he wasn’t done with Thor, only that the character needed a fresh approach.

That reflection appears to have shaped Avengers: Doomsday

The teaser presents a Thor driven less by spectacle and more by purpose, hinting at a story focused on legacy, responsibility, and emotional depth. 

Hemsworth previously said he would only return to the role if it felt “unpredictable” and meaningful, and this new version suggests Marvel is answering that call.

With Avengers: Doomsday set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, the early footage is already reassuring fans that the God of Thunder is entering a new era, one that embraces maturity, restraint, and a deeper emotional core.





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Gisele Bündchen reflects ‘as 2025 comes to an end’

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Gisele Bündchen reflects ‘as 2025 comes to an end’


Gisele Bündchen enters 2026 with heartfelt post 

Gisele Bündchen is closing out the year with gratitude and reflection as she opens up about life after welcoming her newest child. 

The supermodel, 45, shared an emotional message marking the end of 2025, offering a rare glimpse into her life as a mother once again and the personal growth she has experienced in recent months.

In a heartfelt social media post, Bündchen reflected on what she described as a deeply transformative year. 

“As 2025 comes to an end, my heart is full,” she wrote, alongside photos documenting her pregnancy and quiet moments with her baby boy. 

“This year brought deep lessons and profound growth. Becoming a mother again reshaped everything—my time, my priorities, my heart.” 

She added that the experience has been filled with “sacred moments” that changed her in ways words can hardly express.

The supermodel welcomed her son in February with husband Joaquim Valente. 

While the couple has chosen to keep their baby’s first name private, a source previously confirmed that his middle name is River, continuing a meaningful tradition in Bündchen’s family. 

She is also mom to daughter Vivian Lake, 12, and son Benjamin Rein, 15, whom she shares with ex-husband Tom Brady.

In her post, Bündchen expressed gratitude for the quieter rhythm of life motherhood has brought. 

“Thank you, 2025,” she wrote. “I step into this new year with gratitude, love, and trust for what’s next.”

She has previously spoken about how becoming a mother again reshaped her daily routine. 

In an earlier interview, Bündchen shared that once her baby began sleeping through the night, she felt a renewed sense of balance. 

“As any new mom knows, sleep changes everything,” she said, adding that being present with her children is what matters most.

As she enters a new chapter, Bündchen’s reflections highlight a year defined by growth, grounding, and deep appreciation for family.





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Miley Cyrus reveals inspiration behind ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ song

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Miley Cyrus reveals inspiration behind ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ song


Miley Cyrus on ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’

Miley Cyrus is opening up about the deeply personal inspiration behind her new song for Avatar: Fire and Ash, revealing how her own life experiences shaped the emotional core of the track.

The Grammy-winning singer, 33, wrote the song Dream as One for the third installment of James Cameron’s blockbuster franchise, and she says the message came directly from her own journey of loss, rebuilding, and resilience. 

Speaking about the project, Cyrus explained that the title of the film itself immediately resonated with her life story.

“In the title alone, Fire and Ash, I’ve had my own experience with rebuilding from the ground up,” she shared. 

Cyrus famously lost her Malibu home in the 2018 wildfires, an experience that deeply changed her perspective. That sense of starting over, she said, became the emotional foundation for the song.

The timing of the project also felt meaningful. 

Reflecting on the devastating wildfires that struck parts of Los Angeles in early 2025, Cyrus explained that the song naturally evolved into a message about unity and healing. 

“Lately we’ve all had this idea of being there for each other and stepping in when your people need it,” she said, adding that it’s about community, chosen family and finding strength together.

For Cyrus, that theme mirrors the heart of Avatar: Fire and Ash, which continues the story of Jake and Neytiri as they face new loss and challenges. 

She said the film’s message aligns closely with her own outlook on resilience. “The ability to rise again,” she noted, “is really what this story is about.”

Unlike her usual songwriting process, Cyrus worked differently this time.

She explained that she was able to see the film while it was still in progress, allowing her to shape the music around its emotional arc. 

“I got to feel like I was part of building it,” she said, adding that the experience helped her connect deeply with the story’s themes.

The singer also reflected on how her past has influenced her creativity, referencing the loss of her home as something that ultimately reshaped her outlook. 

She previously called that experience “the biggest blessing” of her life, saying it taught her that growth often comes from hardship.

With Avatar: Fire and Ash now in theaters, Cyrus says she’s proud to be part of a project that celebrates resilience, connection and hope, themes she believes resonate far beyond the screen.





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