India–South Africa T20I Abandoned in Lucknow Due to Dense Fog
The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium was abandoned without a ball being bowled on December 17 after thick fog and smog severely reduced visibility. Umpires carried out multiple inspections starting at 6:50 PM IST but were forced to call off the match at 9:25 PM local time.
The washout marked only the second instance in international cricket history where a match was abandoned without play, the previous being an ODI in Faisalabad in 1998. The absence of post-match media interaction from both teams has added to criticism, with questions being raised over winter scheduling and venue selection in pollution-prone regions of northern India.
ICICI Prudential AMC IPO Allotment Completed Ahead of Listing
The allotment for ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company’s ₹10,602 crore initial public offering was finalised on December 17, following overwhelming investor demand. The issue was subscribed over 39 times, led by strong participation from institutional investors.
The stock is scheduled to debut on the BSE and NSE on December 19 at an issue price of ₹2,165. Grey market trends indicate a premium of around 16–17 percent, pointing to a potentially strong listing. Successful bidders can check allotment status through the registrar KFin Technologies or exchange websites, with refunds and demat credits being processed today.
Conway, Latham Centuries Put New Zealand in Control Against West Indies
New Zealand seized early control of the third and final Test against West Indies as Devon Conway and captain Tom Latham struck commanding centuries on the opening day at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. Conway anchored the innings with a composed knock, while Latham capitalised on favorable conditions to keep the hosts on top.
The match, part of the ICC World Test Championship, carries significance as the series decider. Building on momentum from earlier in the tour, New Zealand ended the day firmly in control, with play set to resume today.
Nagaland State Lottery Announces December 18 Draw Results
The Nagaland State Lottery declared results for its December 18 draws, with the Dear Mahanadi morning draw awarding the ₹1 crore first prize to ticket number 68C 89948. Several second-prize winners received ₹9,000 each.
In the evening Dear Dream draw, the ₹1 crore jackpot was won by ticket number 86H 22471, alongside multiple lower-tier winners. Officials reiterated that all results are published through authorised channels to maintain transparency in the state-run lottery system.
Real Madrid Survive Scare to Advance in Copa del Rey
Real Madrid edged past fourth-division side Talavera de la Reina with a narrow 3–2 win in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 on December 17. Kylian Mbappé starred with a brace, while an own goal helped Madrid build a lead before a dramatic late comeback attempt by the hosts.
Talavera struck twice in stoppage time, briefly threatening an upset, but Madrid held firm to progress. Mbappé’s goals took his tally to 58 for the calendar year, underlining his decisive role as the Spanish champions avoided a shock exit.
OnePlus 15R Launches with Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and Massive Battery
OnePlus has officially unveiled the OnePlus 15R, becoming the first smartphone in North America to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor. The device sports a 6.8-inch 165Hz display and a standout 7,400mAh battery, positioning it as a power-focused flagship.
Priced at $699 for the base 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, the phone offers four years of operating system updates and a 50MP Sony camera capable of 4K slow-motion video. Pre-orders are now live, with retail availability starting January 8, 2026.
