Sagittarius Horoscope Today for April 30, 2026: The cosmos bring a romantic auraSagittarius Horoscope Today: A nearly full Moon can make desire feel louder, so choose what still feels meaningful after the first rush. Published on: Apr 30, 2026 5:39 AM IST By Ishita Kotiya Share via Copy link
ICICI Bank on Wednesday said it has introduced biometric authentication for UPI transactions on its mobile banking app, iMobile, allowing customers to approve eligible payments using fingerprint or face recognition instead of entering a UPI PIN every time
FSSAI said pan masala and gutka sachets should be “free from plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, poly vinyl chloride and other plastic materials or any other synthetic polymers or laminates.” Ban On Plastic Sachets: To prohibit the use of plastic and multilayer packaging
The United Arab Emirates’ decision to withdraw from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will leave the oil cartel weakened at a crucial time. It also illustrates the ongoing tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s largest producer and de facto leader
US singer D4vd has been accused of purchasing tools online - including chainsaws - after prosecutors say he stabbed a teen girl to death. The allegations were released in an evidence filing, which details his alleged motive and steps prosecutors say he took to cover his tracks before 14-year-old
Love Horoscope Today for April 30, 2026: Today, love quietly shows you what's worth holding ontoLove Horoscope Today: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Apr 30, 2026 7:31 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries Love Energy: Emotional bonding Love horoscope
A landmark royal commission into antisemitism, called in the aftermath of the Bondi shooting, has recommended that gun reforms be prioritised and policing arrangements for Jewish holidays extended to other Jewish festivals. The commission - Australia's most powerful form of public inquiry - was
When power shifts at the top of some of the world's biggest companies, most people don't notice. If products perform, services work and store shelves are full, then who sits in the boardroom doesn't make headlines. But when it comes to Samsung
FIH Pro League losses indicate Indian hockey’s problems go beyond the scoreline
FIH Pro League losses indicate Indian hockey’s problems go beyond the scoreline
Four games, four losses, each worse than the previous one, at a venue that had been hitherto impenetrable, a fortress unconquered. Even by Indian hockey’s traditionally slow starting standards, this was a beginning to a crucial year that Craig Fulton and his boys would not have anticipated.
The Indian men’s hockey team played its first four – and only – home matches for 2026 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, a city that, once again, didn’t disappoint when it came to supporting the sport, turning out in full strength night after night, even for non-India matches, despite the disappointing results.
On field, however, it was a different story and the scoreline was only one part of it, perhaps the smallest one. For, what unfolded in the middle was nothing short of a horror show with and without the stick. “Home defeats always hurt more because there’s an expectation. We want to win. We did not go out tonight, or last night, or the game before that, or the game before that, not to win. That’s where the expectation and the frustration is real. (But) judge us on the big tournaments,” Fulton said after the 4-2 loss to Argentina on Sunday (February 15) night.
It was almost a desperate cry from the usually stoic and controlled South African to not judge him and his players in a hurry, to give them time. In his defence, the team has been in similar situations before and come out of it. The difference this time, however, is the limited time they have before the calls for action get louder than they already are. The World Cup — where India hasn’t made the semifinals since its lone triumph in 1975 — is in six months, the Asian Games with a ticket to LA28 at stake three weeks later. In between, there will only be the Pro League and possibly a four-nation competition, featuring New Zealand and Australia in Malaysia, to finalise the squads and combinations, address the concerns, work out the chinks and be in the right mental space.
“Judge us when everything is in sync. I do not want to be here, trust me, right where we are in terms of the results. But I do see the big picture. I see where we are now but I can see the pieces falling in place,” Fulton insisted. Belgium coach Shane McLeod insists that the world only sees 60 minutes of play; only the team knows what goes on on the inside for 23 hours, as it should be.
So it would be wise to leave the tactical, technical details to those who know best. But Fulton’s problems are augmented by the fact that the team has appeared a clueless gathering of switched-off automatons, unaware and unaffected by everything happening around even in those 60 minutes that the world gets to see. Everything has been in tatters – body, basics, mind, attitude. The first two should be easily fixed; the third hopefully with the arrival of Paddy Upton closer to the World Cup. The last needs urgent attention.
In the four matches, India has, barring a few moments, appeared completely out of place against both Belgium and Argentina with every department found lacking:
Defence: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh were all guilty of being too casual, too erratic and too inconsistent. As the senior pros in the side, they needed to step up but none of them did, their errors increasing exponentially and conceding goals and PCs a little too easily. Harmanpreet was the biggest let down, the captain clearly struggling with both form and fitness, lacking power in his drag-flicks and generally cutting a sorry figure on the field.
Midfield: The least experienced area and it showed. Even the likes of Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nilakanta Sharma, regular India team members for a few years now, were unable to stitch together four consecutive passes without a turnover. Even someone like Hardik Singh made mistakes but, if one had to choose, he was the only one who showed any fight and form. Especially in the last two games, Hardik was everywhere, trying to do the job of 10 all alone but lacked any support.
Attack: Less said the better. Abhishek refuses to let go of his penchant for reverse hits, flicks and solo showboating; Selvam Karthi gave away more possession than he held; Mandeep and Sukhjeet were barely visible. Shilanand Lakra and Aditya Lalage were the saving grace, though not by much.
Goalkeeping: In a battle of two equally ordinary players, Pawan came off slightly better by the barest of margins. But both him and Suraj Karkera are no match for the rest of the world and it is the one department that India desperately needs to decide on, ASAP. The search for a successor to PR Sreejesh is still on.
The team clearly is not at optimum fitness, or even good enough to last two back-to-back matches at less than 100% intensity. Whether it’s the body refusing to obey the mind or a general lack of preparation and planning, the team’s basics were abysmal – back passes into empty space or, worse, to the opposition, faltering in their trapping and mispasses galore, beginners’ errors in defence, inability to earn PCs even inside crowded circles and leaving wide open spaces for rivals to easily move in and out of while not creating any for themselves. What made it worse was the team’s determined, positive starts in every game, only to lose steam and their senses as the matches wore on. Clearly the mind space needs equal attention.
“Four losses is four losses but if you look behind those results, we’ve just come out of HIL, we’ve got a bigger squad, we’re trying to put together performances that we can be proud of. I think the effort was there... I know we’re not where we want to be but I know what they (the seniors) can do. There’s lots of things that I know we can do a lot better when we spend more time together,” Fulton reiterated.
He agreed there was pressure on the players but insisted it was good. “There’s selection, so that’s what we’re doing. So yeah, there’s pressure all the time. And it’s healthy, because it needs to drive a certain level of competition, otherwise what do we have? We’re doing the experiments now; after that, we don’t have time. There’s a selection camp in March which will give us the squad to play with Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia. Get that World Cup squad, Asian Games squad together, start to get our combinations ready for Pro League and go.”
His faith in his boys is commendable; for his and the team’s sake, hopefully they will reciprocate sooner than later.
Published - February 16, 2026 03:20 pm IST
Hockey
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Filmo Mein Dekha Tha Rcb’s ‘Ek tha…’ post on MS Dhoni sparks massive fan war after CSK humiliation Interview | Srishti Lakhera opens up on how Ek Tha Gaon took shape Ek Tha Tiger becomes only Indian film to be featured at International Spy Museum SC revises previous order India's Russian oil import rebound in Oct after dip in previous quarter Infinity Castle Movie Review - Does It Outshine Previous Arcs Previous Govts Destroyed Delhi Supreme Court says previous order prohibiting release of stray dogs ‘too harsh’ From FIFA World Cup to Commonwealth Games and Asian Games
At least seven persons died after a compound wall at the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Bengaluru collapsed during heavy rain on Wednesday evening, The Hindu reported. Seven others were injured in the incident, the newspaper quoted Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad as saying
1 hours ago
Just before dawn, small fishing boats sail into the creeks dotting Mumbai’s coastline. By mid-morning, the catch will be sorted, packed and delivered to the city’s many markets. Living along the coast of this Indian megacity, the Indigenous Koli fishing community has followed the same routine
1 hours ago
The U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran is accelerating Asia's shift to electrification, particularly electric vehicles and battery storage. This pivot is driven by the potential loss of oil and LNG supplies, with significant growth anticipated in two- and three-wheeler EVs and battery systems
1 hours ago
Google is bringing the power of AI to Google Photos app, allowing users to try out clothes right from their gallery app. The new feature by Google seems like an obvious inspiration from the Cher's virtual wardrobe from the movie ‘Clueless’, where the main character could mix and match outfits
1 hours ago
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) once again proved why it remains one of the most closely watched stocks during India’s earnings season. While heavyweights like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank have already announced their quarterly numbers
1 hours ago
Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a six-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians. Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen powered the chase with aggressive batting. Ryan Rickelton's unbeaten 123 was a record for Mumbai Indians. SRH achieved the fourth-highest successful run chase in IPL history
1 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Beat the heat for pennies: 7 best desert coolers that actually chill your room (2026 guide)These coolers are ideal for cooling large rooms
1 hours ago
In October 2025, Devlal Watti found himself in trouble because of his Whatsapp status. That month, the young sarpanch of Dompadar village, in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, changed his status on the app to a quote from Article 25 of the Indian Constitution
1 hours ago
Sugar-free products with sugar. ‘Real’ juices with artificial ingredients. Misleading food ads are fuelling a public health crisis in India. Help Scroll expose the systemic failure. Support our investigation.Sugar-free products with sugar. ‘Real’ juices with artificial ingredients
1 hours ago
NVIDIA has launched Nemotron-3 Nano Omni, a unified AI that combines sight, sound, and language in one system. The model marks a shift toward faster, more intuitive, and human-like AI capable of understanding real-world context in real time. In the ever-accelerating world of artificial intelligence
1 hours ago
Assam Exit Poll Results 2026: Exit polls predict a second consecutive term for Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP-led NDA in Assam, with a high voter turnout bolstering the ruling party’s prospects. Sarma’s strategy of combining governance delivery with identity politics appears to
1 hours ago
Why DeepSeek’s new model has been met with a shrugThe AI lab faces stiffening competition and a meddling state Published on: Apr 29, 2026 6:30 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link A little over a year ago a small Chinese artificial-intelligence lab shocked the world
1 hours ago
The Federal Reserve has held US interest rates steady after what was expected to be Jerome Powell's final meeting as chair. Hours after his successor Kevin Warsh won the backing of a key Senate committee to take up the role next month, Powell announced the Fed's rate would stay between 3.5% and 3
1 hours ago
Exit polls released on Wednesday suggest a significant shift in political landscapes. In West Bengal, the BJP is projected to win, while the Trinamool Congress may lose power. Kerala's Left front faces defeat, with the UDF expected to return. Assam's NDA appears set for a third term
1 hours ago
OAKLAND, Calif. — Elon Musk took the stand for the second day Wednesday in the landmark trial that pits the world's richest person against Sam Altman, a fellow OpenAI co-founder he accuses of betraying promises to keep the company as a nonprofit dedicated to humanity's benefit.OAKLAND, Calif
1 hours ago
Benchmark Brent crude rose more than 3% to $114.8 a barrel by 6 pm on Wednesday, as uncertainties continue about whether the United States and Iran will resume talks to end the conflict in West Asia. The price is at its highest level since June 2022, The Economic Times reported
1 hours ago
After goals galore in Tuesday's spectacular Champions League tie between Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich, the officials took centre stage in the second semi-final 24 hours later. Arsenal will return to Emirates Stadium next week with a creditable 1-1 draw from their first leg at Atletico Madrid
1 hours ago
Reeling under the pressure of rising international crude oil prices since the beginning of West Asia war, India’s top carriers have warned that they might be forced to shut down airline operations and cancel flights. Raising the alarm bells against the rising fuel cost
1 hours ago
New Delhi: In a major boost to ease of access and digital transformation, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has recorded its highest-ever claim settlements in the financial year 2025–26. According to official data, EPFO settled 8.31 crore claims during 2025–26
1 hours ago
AI Worries Have Returned to Wall Street. Now Come Earnings.A slide in artificial-intelligence stocks comes ahead of earnings from key tech giants. Published on: Apr 29, 2026 7:41 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link AI jitters are back on Wall Street. SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son, left
2 hours ago
Meta took the brunt of investor concerns on Wednesday over how the biggest US tech firms are spending massive sums on artificial intelligence (AI). Shares in the company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, dropped 7% in extended trading, after saying it would spend billions more on AI projects than
2 hours ago
Delhi rains: Strong winds and rain showers bring a pleasant change in Delhi’s weather. The maximum temperature, which was expected to hit 41°C today, is now likely to settle closer to 38°C following the showers. Delhi rains: Delhi woke up to a refreshing spell of rain and gusty winds on
2 hours ago
With temperatures rising and appliances working harder than ever, this is usually when older machines start showing their limits. Whether it’s an AC struggling to cool, a refrigerator losing efficiency, or a washing machine that’s past its prime, upgrading often feels expensive
2 hours ago
The Supreme Court significantly weakened a key Civil Rights-era law by striking down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana. This 6-3 ruling, authored by Justice Alito, found the district an unconstitutional gerrymander, potentially enabling more Republican-friendly redistricting
2 hours ago
Liverpool expect Mohamed Salah to return from injury before the end of the season after he was forced off against Crystal Palace on Saturday. There were concerns that the 33-year-old forward may have played his last game for the club when he went off in the second half with a suspected hamstring
2 hours ago
West Bengal witnessed its highest voter turnout since Independence. The second phase of polling was largely peaceful, with no reported deaths during the campaign or on voting day. This high participation sets a national precedent. While most areas saw smooth voting
2 hours ago
AI imagines Tom Cruise, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan as MI9 cast. See picsAn AI artist named Rishav Kumar posted pictures of an imaginary Mission Impossible 9 cast promoting the Indian Ambassador car. Take a look. Apr 30, 2026
2 hours ago
