In a high-stakes World Cup 2023 Final. Australia's captait Pat Cummins elected to bowl after winning the toss. India faced setbacks as Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer fell in quick succession. Despite Shubman Gill's early exit, Rohit and Virat Kohli showcased aggressive batting against Australia. Rohit's explosive 47 came to an end with a spectacular catch by Travis Head off Glenn Maxwell. As India stands at 1116/3 After 20 overs, the spotlight is on Kohli to anchor the innings. The Narendra Modi Stadium's pitch is anticipated to slow down, adding strategic complexity. Stay tuned for a gripping contest in the quest for Cricket World Cup glory. 

Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. India squad remains the same as the semis against New Zealand: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami. Australia also playing with the same squad as their semis: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head, David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood. Pat Cummins said: "Looks like a dry wicket. Dew is a factor. It gets better to bat on. Tough start to the tournament, haven't really put a foot wrong ever since. It's all set up perfectly. We've played these guys a lot. Same team as the semi-final."

In a glittering ceremony in San Salvador on Saturday, Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios was crowned Miss Universe 2023. The 72nd edition of the prestigious global pageant saw women from over 90 countries compete for the coveted crown. The 23-year-old Palacios made history as the first Nicaraguan to ever win the Miss Universe title. India's representative Shweta Sharda, who won Miss Diva Universe 2023 in August, reached the semifinals but could not secure the ultimate prize. Sheynnis Palacios was crowned by last year's winner USA's R'Bonney Gabriel. The last Indian to win Miss Universe was Harnaaz Sandhu in 2021.

Despite conflicting reports, the White House stated on Saturday night that no deal has been confirmed for a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Earlier, The Washington Post suggested a Qatari-brokered agreement, proposing a five-day truce in exchange for hostages. A spokesperson emphasized continuous efforts to secure a resolution. Israel, adamant on dismantling Hamas after the October 7 attacks, is preparing to escalate its offensive. In Gaza, authorities raised the death toll to 12,300, including 5,000 children. As air strikes target militants and civilian casualties are reported, international mediation persists in the seventh week of the conflict.

Hours before the India vs Australia finale, fans blocked roads shouting slogans, wheedling hawkers, and honking while "finding it hard to sleep" in anticipation. Some Indian fans said the mood felt like "a big Indian festival" with some "celebratory" crowds even performing 'havan' and 'puja' praying for India's victory. Fans acquired pricey tickets, with many reportedly paying 10-20 times higher. "All these expenses wouldn't pinch if India performs well and wins," said one supporter. Crowds wearing India jerseys filled flights to the venue. Outside the stadium, the festive atmosphere already thrilled fans. One said "it feels so good" and the pre-match buzz was "so much better" than the game itself. The World Cup fever peaked as zealous fans descended on Ahmedabad, praying for an India win while reveling in the electric pre-final euphoria. PM Modi will be joined at the game by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

As India readies for the Cricket World Cup final against Australia, Rohit Sharma emphasizes composure amidst the "biggest moment." India's unbeaten streak sets the stage, with Virat Kohli's stellar performance and Mohammed Shami's exceptional bowling. Australia, resilient after initial setbacks, targets a sixth World Cup title. Captains Rohit and Pat Cummins discuss handling the overwhelming crowd. Cummins embraces the challenge, aiming to silence the partisan home audience. Experts weigh in on potential areas for Australia's advantage. However, Rohit sharma stressed on the need to stay focused on their roles amidst the pressure and noise. Rohit wants his players to avoid getting overwhelmed by the high-stakes environment. With India chasing their first global trophy since 2011, The Indian skipper aims to keep the mood "nice and relaxed" before the biggest match of their lives.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag predicts nerves for Australia as unbeaten India gears up for the Cricket World Cup 2023 final. With a 10-game winning streak, India's dominance, including a clean sweep in the league phase, poses a formidable challenge. Sehwag suggests Australia might be uneasy facing India in the final, emphasizing India's advantageous position. He bluntly states, "This Australian team must be a bit scared to face India in the final." Despite speculation about the pitch's impact, Sehwag believes it won't heavily influence the game's outcome. As the cricketing world awaits the showdown at Narendra Modi Stadium, anticipation builds for a fiercely contested World Cup final.

India has sent a second shipment of aid to Palestine, as announced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The aid, totaling 32 tonnes, was transported via the Indian Air Force C17 aircraft to El-Arish Airport in Egypt. This follows India's initial aid delivery, including medical and disaster relief, sent on October 22. The El-Arish Airport, situated near the Rafah crossing on Egypt's border with Gaza, serves as a crucial point for humanitarian assistance. Despite challenges in operationalizing Rafah due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, India continues its commitment to providing vital support to the people of Palestine.

In the lead-up to the ICC Cricket World Cup final against Australia, speculation brews over India's playing XI. Despite an unchanged winning combination, the mystery surrounding Ravichandran Ashwin's possible inclusion adds intrigue. The Ahmedabad pitch, favoring spin, and Australia's left-handed top order create a compelling case for Ashwin. However, the dilemma of who to drop, possibly Mohammed Siraj, lingers. Rohit Sharma, tight-lipped on the final XI, acknowledges a pool of 12 to 13 players vying for selection. He stated, "We haven’t decided on it. We will assess the pitch and will see it again tomorrow. Our 12-13 are decided. But we will come and see what is our strength. We will decide tomorrow," adding to the anticipation as the cricketing world awaits the decision.

In an overnight assault, Russian drones targeted Ukraine's infrastructure, resulting in power outages in over 400 towns. President Zelenskiy commended the air force for downing 29 Iranian-made Shahed drones. Despite the energy ministry ensuring adequate electricity, 1,550 consumers were affected. Zelenskiy acknowledged the crucial role of accuracy in defense but warned of heightened Russian strikes as winter approaches. Last winter saw extensive damage, leaving millions without essential services. An oil refinery in Odesa and infrastructure in Chernihiv were hit, with one civilian wounded. The nation braces for potential winter attacks on energy infrastructure. [ Representative image ]