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Dutee Chand Urges SC To Pass Law In Favour Of Same-Sex Marriage In An Exclusive Interview With MensXP

The LGBTQ community made a huge leap in their journey towards social recognition and equality in India and got an influential mascot in sprinter and Olympian, Dutee Chand, when she decided to come out and disclose being in a same-sex relationship with a girl from her hometown of Chaka Gopalpur in Odisha.  In an interview with The Indian Express, the national record holder in 100-m sprint said, "I have found someone who is my soulmate. I believe everyone should have the freedom to be with whoever they decide they want to be with. I have always supported the rights of those who want to be in a same-sex relationship. It is an individual person's choice.” This made Chand the first and only Indian athlete to reveal her homosexuality and gathered attention from all over the world including the famous American talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres:  She's the 100m record holder and the first openly gay sportsperson in India. I guess she knows a thing or two about being first. I'm so proud of her. https://t.co/auoyWY8yvk — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 21, 2019 We caught up with the fearless athlete and spoke about her decision to come out and become a beacon of hope for the rest of the members, especially of the sports fraternity, who are also involved in same-sex relationships but have not mustered enough courage to speak openly about it.  'Initially I was terrified of how people would react to my sexuality but now that it is out in the open, I find myself to be in a really happy place. The fact that big celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres have showed her support for my cause means a lot to me." © Reuters "Ever since I shared my struggle, all my friends and relatives, other than my eldest sister and parents, have been good to me. They said: “Dutee, this is your personal life and you have every right to live it however you want to. We will not interfere with it.” "Ours is a democratic State and people have the authority to live their life however they want to and with whoever they want to." "Times are also changing. Back in the day, rituals suggested that women were not allowed to marry a second time. They were supposed to spend the rest of their lives all alone, as widows had their husbands expired. Now, not only can women marry multiple times but they can do so without being judged, not by the people who matter, at least." "Whenever something new happens, it is always criticised at first." "As far as my career is concerned, I have shown my worth as an athlete time and again. I have passed all their tests and excelled in doing so. I have full faith in the Sports Authority of India and the Athletics Federation of India and know that my sexual preference will have no impact on my relationship with them." © Reuters "I liked her for a really long time and even she liked me but we did nothing about it until the Supreme Court passed Article 377. As soon as the judgement was passed, I went to the girl's parents and asked them if they were open to such a relationship. They said that she was their only daughter and they are willing to do whatever it is that keeps her happy." "It was only after her parents' blessings that I told the world about our relationship." "Just like the Supreme Court decrimilarised same-sex relationships last year, I urge the judicial system to allow same-sex marriage, it would be great for people like us." "I believe in the ritual of marriage and ever since I was a little girl, I have always dreamt of getting married to someone that I love dearly and spend the rest of my life with them. If in the future, the Supreme Court does make same-sex marriage legal, I would forever be thankful to them." 
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Ajay Devgn Takes A Hilarious Swing At Tabu With A Throwback Picture & We Wonder How She Will React

Ajay Devgn and Tabu have been thick of friends ever since they were in college. They share a great camaraderie and if you are lucky to see the two of them together, you would surely agree with our statement. They were recently promoting their new movie 'De De Pyaar De' and the two didn't leave a single chance to pull each other's leg.  Recently, Ajay took to Instagram to share a throwback picture of himself with Tabu, and it was the caption that stole the spotlight. In the picture, you can see Ajay dozing off and Tabu looking at the piece of the paper that he has.  We wonder why did Ajay doze off?  Just like us, Ajay too is clueless about it and his caption made the picture look more hilarious than it already is. Ajay wrote, "Still haven't figured if the reason to fall asleep was the puzzle or Tabu."  This throwback photo is from the sets of 'Vijaypath', which was Ajay Devgn and Tabu's first film together. We wonder how Tabu will react to this throwback photo and most importantly, the caption. In an interview with Mumbai Mirror, Tabu had said that if there is anyone she can count on, it's Ajay and that he is like a child and yet so protective.  Further sharing that the atmosphere on the sets is stress-free when Ajay is around, Tabu added that they share a unique relationship and harbour unconditional affection for each other. Check out the Instagram post here: View this post on Instagram Still haven't figured if the reason to fall asleep was the puzzle or Tabu ð¤ A post shared by Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) on May 21, 2019 at 4:40am PDT Talking about their recent release, 'De De Pyaar De', the movie is doing average business at the box office and has received a mixed response from the critics.  But, the audience is loving the humour in the drama flick and the positive word of mouth is helping the movie mint money at the ticket windows. Also, Ajay and Tabu's crackling chemistry has been appreciated by movie buffs.
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OnePlus' New OxygenOS Features Are Ticking All The Millennial Must-Have Boxes

Over the last couple of years, OnePlus has managed to retain its growth and has been on a steady high, thanks to fast innovation and budget-friendly offerings for millennials. Among a number of things they did right, one of them was listening to the feedback and feature requests from their loyal OnePlus user community. Through various events, forums and Reddit sessions, the Shenzhen-based smartphone company first initiated a conversation on their existing operating system and worked towards the new OxygenOS. In a first, they have developed region-specific features on their OS. And considering that India is a big market for them, there are a number of India-specific features that were rolled out after their local R&D process in Hyderabad. These features aim to tick-off all the millennial must-haves in our smartphone. Below are a few best highlights of the India-specific and global features that users can experience with their new OxygenOS: Work-Life Balance   OnePlus Today our smartphones are more than just a phone. They turn into a laptop complete with our emails and excel spreadsheets as and when required. They are our entertainment zone, complete with music players, gaming apps and video streaming apps.  With such a diverse usage, it's important to categorise our apps and maintain a work-life balance that helps us switch off after that 9-5 job. And considering that's what the Indian users demanded, it says a lot about our struggle with maintaining a separate work life and personal life.  Thanks to the new work-life balance feature in OxygenOS, we can segregate our app notifications to 'work' and 'life' mode with a simple switch. All we need to do is activate the work mode from 9 to 5 pm and switch back to the 'life' mode for the much-needed daily detox. Cricket Scores with ESPNCricinfo   OnePlus We are a country obsessed with cricket, so it doesn't come as a shocker that most users wanted an easy-to-access cricket score box on their OnePlus shelf. The ESPNcricinfo is a go-to digital destination for all things cricket. With the World Cup around the corner, this new feature will help us access the scores of live and past matches along with the match schedules, all through a tap on our OnePlus shelf.  Fnatic Mode   OnePlus Next on the list was the ultimate gaming mode – a feature that ensures immersive and professional gaming experience. Fnatic is one of the most successful e-sport team in the world and now they've tied up with OnePlus, allowing users to enhance network and background performance for a better gaming experience. Zen Mode   OnePlus Smartphone addiction is a serious issue. Whether we are on a date, family dinner or hanging out with friends, we often tend to scroll through our smartphones out of sheer habit. To help us deal with this budding addiction, the OxygenOS features a Zen mode that helps you take a 20-minute break from your smartphone. It locks all your apps, letting you only make calls or take pictures.   And this is just the highlight; their other India-specific features include Caller Identification, Smart SMS app and OnePlus roaming that ensures you don't have to switch SIM cards while travelling abroad. Other global features that will roll out in the OnePlus 7 series include Screen Recorder that lets you record even if your phone's locked, plus there's a Screenshot editor and a Quick Reply for IM.  Are you excited for the new Oneplus OxygenOS update?
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The First Reactions To Leonardo DiCaprio & Brad Pitt's 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Are Here

If you put three people like Quentin Tarantino, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt together, you know you're going to get a damn good movie that will make everyone excited. And that was exactly the case since the time 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' was announced, and the first look of the upcoming movie was out. View this post on Instagram First look. #OnceUponATimeInHollywood A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Jun 27, 2018 at 6:00am PDT I remember how everyone went crazy over this picture a few months ago, and then the trailers just built up the anticipation even more.   Quentin Tarantino's ninth film was recently screened at the Cannes Film Festival and has left all the lucky people who watched it, quite impressed. Some are even putting it up there with the classic 'Pulp Fiction'. ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD: Tarantino wasn't joking when he said this was the closest to PULP FICTION that he has come. He juggles a mosaic of characters and story-lines in this one, eventually stringing them together for a relentlessly playful and touching finale. #Cannes2019 — Jordan Ruimy @ Cannes (@mrRuimy) May 21, 2019 Who would've thunk? #OnceUponATimeInHollywood turns out to be Tarantino's most tender film. Who'd have thunk. #cannes2019 — Magdalena Miedl reicht's. (@mmiedl) May 21, 2019 Then, that's a good thing. I'm thinking #OnceUponATimeinHollywood is going to divide critics. Heck, I'm divided, and I'm just one critic. But I think the side of me that enjoyed it is going to win out. #Cannes2019 — Chris Knight (@ChrisKnightfilm) May 21, 2019 Sounds great. #OnceUponATimeInHollywood is a beautiful, brash rumination on the grime and beauty of Hollywood. It is a dirty, sensually realized feat, with many, many shots of dirty, sensualized feet.#QuentinTarantino #Cannes2019 — Jason Gorber - at #Cannes2019 (@filmfest_ca) May 21, 2019 It'll be interesting to watch. DiCaprio is pretty great, but Pitt is amazing. Not sure about the 'message' - if there is one - and definitely not the most quotable Tarantino. — Steven Tuffin (@Waanzinema) May 21, 2019 That sucks. It's a lot to get into but Tarantino has made his most specific, realistic and gentle film in #OnceUponATimeInHollywood. Really liked it, though there's a lot to get into with regard to its lack of female characters, Robbie has a surprisingly small role. #Cannes2019 — Andy Hazel (@AndyRickie) May 21, 2019 He looks so good here! #OnceUponATimeInHollywood: Quentin Tarantino wants to tell us a story about Hollywood life at the time of the Manson Family slayings of '69, and man, does he ever, going from awestruck to WTF. Brad Pitt the standout, his coolest role yet.  #Cannes2019 pic.twitter.com/WgJywDPW9i — Peter Howell (@peterhowellfilm) May 21, 2019 Can't wait to watch, tbh. I laughed. I gasped. I wondered: What would Roman Polanski think? I begrudgingly agreed not to tweet out spoilers. Tarantino delivers an ode to Hollywood's lost innocence, while cheekily suggesting it never had any to begin with. #OnceUponATimeinHollywood #Cannes2019 pic.twitter.com/DBgriD2Ihb — Chris Knight (@ChrisKnightfilm) May 21, 2019 Brad Pitt is getting a lot of love. ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD is more languorous and luminous than anything Tarantino has done before. Radiant w/ affection for Los Angeles and the movies. Ambles and drags but pleasantly so. Pitt & DiCaprio are fabulous, Pitt especially. I could watch them drive around LA a lot. — Jake Coyle (@jakecoyleAP) May 21, 2019 And, so is Leo. #OnceUponATimeInHollywood is an odd one for Tarantino, but in a very good way. A pure love letter to cinema and the 1960s, with a career-best DiCaprio performance. #Cannes2019 — Max Borg (@IMDBorg) May 21, 2019
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Ayodhya's Sita Ram Temple Hosts Iftar Feast Proving Humanity Is The Biggest Religion After All

Our society may be divided into many cultures and people who follow different religions, but the common thread lies in the belief that humanity is the biggest religion.   The holy month of Ramzan is going on right now and setting a beautiful example of communal harmony, the Shri Sita Ram temple in Ayodhya hosted an Iftar feast proving that the world is a better place when we have love in our heart.  Also, this is not the first time this happened, and the priest of the temple explained that they plan on continuing this tradition in the future as well. Ayodhya's Shri Sita Ram temple hosts Iftar

Read @ANI story | https://t.co/YYx8PpDVvk pic.twitter.com/xryYtXxuti — ANI Digital (@ani_digital) May 21, 2019 The picture went viral on social media for all the right reasons and left everyone in awe of this brotherhood. This is Hinduism.There is no boundary and no restrictions for anyone. https://t.co/voE48RmXB8 — Pankaj Pujari (@pankajpujari) May 21, 2019 This kind of cultural harmony brings colorful rainbow in our country, maybe this symbolise something for haters of unity. ð®ð³ðð https://t.co/Bxh7F6g8E4 — Ankur Lodhi Rajput (@AnkurLodhiRajp3) May 21, 2019 This is indiaaa ð®ð³â¤ https://t.co/nI12Xhlx5p — Mahi 彡 (@ImShanTanu29) May 21, 2019 Ayodhya has been a site of major political differences for a very long time, but the people there are proving that nothing can come in the way of love and peace. 
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3 Solid Reasons Why Both Drogon & Ghost Deserve The 'Goodest Boi' Award Of Westeros

'Game of Thrones' is finally over, and no one is happy with Season 8 (what else is new?). However, now that it's over, we thought that it's finally time to hand out a very important award - the award for 'The Goodest Boi Of Westeros'.  There were many contenders in Season one, but by the end of Season eight, we saw a lot of eliminations. After a lot of deliberation, we have decided that it should go to our top two finalists - Drogon and Ghost.  Even though Ghost was leading with major sympathy votes post Jon's unceremonious 'petless' goodbye to him, Drogon caught up in the final episode, and how.  Here are 4 reasons why Drogon and Ghost both deserve the coveted award: 1. They are the only two animals to have fought multiple battles valiantly and survived. Ghost fought in the battle of Castle Black, and then against the Night King's army. He lost an ear, but that did not defeat his spirit. Drogon fought the Lannister army during the loot, the White Walker army beyond the wall, as well as the final battle against the Night King's army. He also was injured multiple times, but did not give up. (c) HBO (c) HBO 2. They always had their parents' back. Ghost always came to Jon's rescue whenever he needed him, and continued doing it till the end. Drogon did the same for Dany. Even though he deserted her to go away for a short adventure for some time, he was right there when his mother needed help inside the fighting pit. Both of them always shadowed their mom and dad, and never gave up, even in the face of grave danger. (c) HBO (c) HBO 3. Both are just very intelligent bois who did their best and refused to let go of their parents, even after their death. Ghost refused to leave Jon's corpse post his death and made sure he sat right next to him till he was revived by Melisandre. Drogon tried reviving his dead mother with his snout, before taking her with him as he flew away from King's Landing.  When Jon abandoned Ghost without petting him, one could see the sadness in his blood-red eyes, as he stood far away with his head drooping. Drogon, on the other hand, clearly was a perceptive creature who did not harm Jon, despite knowing he killed his mother. Instead, he burned down the Iron Throne as a final goodbye to his dead mother. (c) HBO (c) HBO All we can say is, both of them deserve this, and so much more. You boys are the best, and we shall always love you.
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The Heartbreaking Twist Towards The End of 'GOT' Is Actually A Prophecy That Jon Has Fulfilled

Sadly, most theories and prophecies didn't work in 'Game of Thrones', as we saw a rather clustered final season, with a lot of loose ends, that did not even make sense. Even so, towards the bittersweet end, the fog finally settled and things played out as and how they had to.  But truly, if 'Game of Thrones' has taught us anything, it's how prophecies don't always come true even though they've been predicted by a reliable source. For instance, the infamous Valonqar prophecy, where Cersei was told by a fortune teller that her younger brother would eventually strangle her to death, didn't see the light of day. Although, all the other predictions Maggy the Frog had made, came true eventually. Cersei lost all her children but she died with Jaime when the Red Keep structure collapsed on them. (c)HBO Just like the Valonqar prophecy, the show emphasised a lot on the 'Prince That Was Promised' as well.  The prophecy entailed a reincarnated form of the folklore warrior Azor Ahai, who ended the long night and brought light into the world, again. Azor Ahai killed the White Walkers in the past, by forging a sword by the name of 'Lightbringer' and brought in an era of peace and tranquillity.  In a conversation with Ser Davos, Melisandre once stated: “There will come a day after a long summer when the stars bleed and the cold breath of darkness falls heavy on the world, In this dread hour, a warrior shall draw from the fire a burning sword. And that sword shall be Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes, and he who clasps it shall be Azor Ahai come again, and the darkness shall flee before him.” (c)HBO So, in all practicality, she was predicting Azor Ahai or the return of the 'Prince That Was Promised', to end the long night again. At first, we all concluded that Arya Stark could be the warrior reborn, as she was the one who killed the Night King in episode 3 of Season 8 but as the Season progressed, we saw the possibilities of that not being true.  (c)HBO The final twist towards the end of the show reveals that perhaps Jon Snow actually fulfilled the Azor Ahai prophecy and could clearly be the 'Prince That Was Promised.' Let's go back many years, shall we?  According to legend, when Azor Ahai became a warrior, he needed to forge a hero's sword to end the darkness. A sword that would burn bright, while being used on the enemy. He spent 30 days and 30 nights to create his 'Lightbringer'. But when he tempered his sword in water, it broke. He didn't give up that easy and started making it from scratch, again. This could metaphorically be seen as Jon gathering an army to defeat the Night King. Even though Arya killed the Night King, Jon assembled the resources to defeat him and his army. Coming back to Azor Ahai, the second time he tried to create the Lightbringer, he took fifty days and fifty nights to make the sword. To forge it properly, this time he tempered it by capturing a lion and driving the blade through his heart, but alas, the steel shattered again. (c)HBO Again, this could have a metaphorical angle as the lion here can refer to Cersei, the ruling queen, whose house sigil is indeed a lion. Even though Jon didn't kill Cersei, he did defeat her army and fought till the very end, till there were no Lannisters aka lions left in Kingslanding, except, of course, Tyrion. Again, getting back to Azor Ahai's third attempt to forge his sword, it wasn't too disappointing this time. He knew what he had to do to create the perfect blade. He worked straight for 100 days and 100 nights and finished it. This time though, he called his wife Nissa Nissa and asked her to bear her bosom. He drove the blade right through her heart, where the steel combined with her heart and her soul to create the ultimate sword the 'Lightbringer', the Red Sword of heroes, finally. The sword was as warm and lit as Nissa Nissa's heart. (c)HBO Now, going back and connecting the dots, Jon did something similar, for the greater good of the realm, to drive any evil away. He stabbed Dany right through her heart and protected the world from any darkness and fire, bringing in the light, so that the kingdoms could be ruled peacefully. Azor Ahai's prophecy also reads the following: “Once Azor Ahai fought a monster,  when he thrust his sword through the belly of the beast its blood began to boil. Smoke and steam poured from its mouth, its eyes melted and dribbled down its cheeks and its body burst into flame.” (c)HBO In this case, after Jon kills Dany, the monster refers to the Iron Throne, which Drogon, Dany's dragon burnt down to ashes, as it was a monster of sorts that drove Dany towards the depth of madness and didn't bring her back. So, all in all, you can see that Jon's personality is somehow very synonymous to who Azor Ahai actually was, as Jon too made the ultimate sacrifice. Even though he was the rightful heir to the throne, he gave that up to let Dany rule the world. But when he saw grave injustice and her act of violence towards the end, he ended her life, someone he deeply loved, to protect the realm and making a world a better place to live in. (c)HBO It might not be everything that was prophesied, but there are similarities that do match up to what Azor Ahai did years ago and Jon selflessly, almost did the same.  Well, we'll only know more once George RR Martin finishes his last two books, shedding some more 'light' on this prophecy.
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8 Crazy World Cup Records Every Cricket Fan Needs To Know Ahead Of The 2019 ICC World Cup

Over the years, the world of cricket has enthralled fans with numerous competitions. From day-night Tests to the advent of T20 cricket, the sport continues to thrive with its continuous evolution to cater to the ever-increasing fan-following. But, amongst the multiple events that cricket has to offer, nothing comes close to the fanfare or popularity of the ICC World Cup. One of the highly-anticipated sporting events in the world, the quadrennial cricket event garners public interest and captures the imagination of enthusiasts like no other. Four years after the first-ever ODI match was played, the organisers blessed the cricket fans with the maiden World Cup that was held in England in 1975. Since then, there has been no turning back for this mega event. And, this year's tourney promises to be no different. © Reuters Slated to begin from 30th May, the twelfth edition of the ICC spectacle promises to be an exciting affair with the participating nations vying for cricket's biggest honour. The mother of all tournaments (as one might call it), this year's World Cup will witness 10 teams competing in a single group. Each team will play with the other nine sides once, and the top four at the end of the group stage will progress to the semifinals. With the World Cup just 10 days away, cricket fans have already begun pledging their allegiances to their favourite teams. From casual banter in the office to heated dinners at home, the World Cup is undoubtedly the hottest topic at the moment. But, as we count down the days for this year's ICC spectacle, here's a look at some crazy records that stand tall at the World Cup: Most Individual Runs  © Reuters No player has scored more runs at the Cricket World Cup than Sachin Tendulkar; or even come close for that matter. He scored 2,278 runs at the tournament – more than 500 more than his nearest rival – at an average of 56.95. His highest score at the World Cup came against Namibia in 2003 when he hit 152, but it was his runs in the 2011 World Cup which inspired India to glory. India will be hoping the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli can emulate the Little Master in England & Wales this year. Most Wickets  © Reuters Glenn McGrath lifted the coveted trophy three times and took more wickets than anyone else in the history of the tournament; it's fair to say that the Aussie great had a huge impact at the ICC World Cup. Between his debut at the tournament in 1996 and his final appearance in 2007, McGrath claimed 71 wickets in 39 games. He may have been nearing the end of his career, but his most prolific World Cup came in 2007 where he took 26 wickets - a tournament-best tally for most wickets at a single edition of the World Cup. Most Sixes  © Reuters There is no surprise to see the record for the most sixes slammed at a World Cup being shared by swashbuckling AB de Villiers and marauding Chris Gayle. Gayle hit 26 of these sixes in the last World Cup in 2015, most of which were scored in his record-breaking innings against Zimbabwe. With AB de Villiers announcing his retirement in 2018, it has provided Gayle with the opportunity to go past his South African counterpart in this year's World Cup. Most Wickets In Consecutive Balls  © Reuters Lasith Malinga could very well be playing his last World Cup this year, but, when he retires, the Sri Lankan great would surely be proud of his legacy at the mega event. Amongst his numerous records in international cricket, Malinga's devastating spell against South Africa at the 2007 World Cup remains one of our fondest memories of the right-arm seamer. One of the all-time classic World Cup matches, the clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa saw Malinga running through the Proteas batting order. Cruising to victory, the Proteas were just four runs away from beating the Lankans when Malinga set a new World Cup record with 4 wickets in 4 balls. While South Africa managed to hold their nerve and won the match, Malinga's fiery spell undoubtedly won hearts across the globe. Fastest Double Hundred  © Reuters West Indies opener Chris Gayle hit the fastest double century in World Cup history in their victory over Zimbabwe in 2015. Gayle went on to hit a total of 16 sixes in 147 balls before he was out for 215 off the last delivery of his side's innings. The stand of 372 with Marlon Samuels was also a record partnership for any ODI wicket. West Indies amassed 372-2 from their 50 overs, and went on to beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs (D/L). Highest Team Score  © Reuters At the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Australia produced a stunning performance to thrash Afghanistan in a record-breaking game. Glenn Maxwell smashed 88 from 45 balls to propel Australia to 417/6 - the highest team score at a World Cup. Other records tumbled, as Australia then went on to bowl Afghanistan out for just 142 in reply. The margin of victory was 275 runs – the highest ever recorded at a World Cup. Highest Successful Run-Chase  © Reuters Another classic World Cup encounter came to the fore when England locked horns with minnows Ireland at the 2011 World Cup. Kevin O'Brien hit the fastest century in Cricket World Cup history as Ireland pulled off an astonishing victory over England in Bangalore. His 113 off 63 balls helped Ireland recover from 111-5 to overhaul the target of 328 runs with five balls to spare, making this the highest successful run-chase ever at a World Cup. Most Title Wins  © Reuters Last, but surely not the least. Australia doesn't have a challenger when it comes to their rich history at the World Cup. In the 11 World Cups held so far, they have won the tournament on 5 occasions – including three consecutive wins between 1999-2007. They also hold the World Cup record for most match wins (62) and the highest win percentage of 75 per cent. Despite the recent controversy surrounding the reigning champions, they will go into this year's tournament with confidence in the knowledge that history is on their side.
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Gurgaon Man Posts PUBG-Inspired Ad For A Flatmate & No True PUBG Fan Can Ignore The Offer

The PUBG craze made its way into this world one fine day, and our world ceased to exist as we knew it. All it took was one game, and we were left ensnared by the completely mind-blowing game that it is. However, recently, one Gurgaon dude took his PUBG fancy to new levels by scripting a PUBG-inspired advertisement looking for a potential flatmate in a posh Gurgaon locality.  True, we look at numerous factors before deciding to move into a few flat, more so if it's a flat where you will be living with four or five other strangers. (c) Facebook Not only did the facilities and the offer catch people's attention with this ad, but people were also thoroughly impressed with how the guy had incorporated elements of PUBG into the advertisement, making it an instant hit with the players. Posted on a FB group called 'Flat and Flatmates', the dude listed out a number of crucial details for a potential flatmate calling their home the 'Battleground' and stating that there are no restrictions (such as muting the audio) for anyone looking to move-in. (c) PUBG People, especially gamers and fans, have responded positively to the creative ad. People have even gone on to call it one of the best ads on the group. What an innovative way of exploring the PUBG fever. We'd sure want to check out the place. What about you?
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Abhay Deol On Nepotism: 'If You Want To Criticize Bollywood, Look At Your Own Family First'

He is unfiltered, unapologetic, never shies away from putting forth his opinions and steers clear of the privilege that the 'Deol' tag offers him, particularly in his career. We are talking about none other than Abhay Deol here, the man who took his sweet time to carve a niche for himself in the industry, solely on his acting prowess.  While most actors were busy ensuring their box office scores kept soaring, we had Abhay on the other side, churning out meaningful stories with his power-packed performances. He is surely among the rare breed of sorted actors we have in the industry right now. Be it 'Dev D' or 'Aisha' or 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara', Abhay has never failed to impress us with his brilliance in his craft.  If you have been missing watching him on the big screen, we have some good news for you. Abhay is coming back with his Netflix series 'Chopsticks' and a film titled 'Jungle Cry'. If you go by the trailers, you would have gotten an idea by now that something great is in store for you.  Before you see him on the big screen and on your laptop screens, MensXP got you the unfiltered version of Abhay Deol, as we got a chance to interact with him and talk about some rather controversial issues.  When we asked him if he has come to terms with the idea of his persona in the industry, which is known for being someone with rather strong opinions, Abhay said, "not sure what there is to come to terms with. Isn't that a good thing? As long as you don't force your opinions on others and are open to new ideas, there's no problem." If you have seen any of Abhay's films, you would know that he is known more for his choices of offbeat cinema. As a movie buff, I wanted to know what does he see in a script before giving a final nod to it. "Relatability, originality, context. I'm attracted to stories and characters that I can relate to, I look for originality even if it is a genre that has been done many times, and context, by which I mean where is it placed, how does it relate to that place, what is it saying about that place and why."  Abhay started way too early when we talk about content-based cinema. Now, Bollywood is completely changing and content has now become the king.  We have unconventional heroes like Rajkummar Rao, Vicky Kaushal and Ayushmann Khurrana taking the lead. The actor is proud of the change in the industry and said, "I think it's great! Technology has played a disruptive role all across the world and I was waiting for it to happen in our industry. When I was making non-conformist films, they got a release because coincidently the multiplex boom was happening. That came to an end, as there could only be a finite number of cinema halls we could have. With the digital era, that space is now limitless! The change in audience tastes has also happened because the generation that is going to the cinemas now was too young to be consumers when I was pushing hard for change. They've grown up exposed to world cinema/shows from a very young age and that explains their rejection of the old guard of Bollywood lately, and their embrace of more relatable actors, characters, and stories."  View this post on Instagram Basking in the light of the #wintersun. A post shared by Abhay Deol (@abhaydeol) on Dec 4, 2018 at 1:47am PST Abhay shocked everyone when he took on the who's who of Bollywood and slammed them for promoting racism through their fairness cream endorsements.  Talking about endorsements, it has become a clear shot formula for actors to be in the scene, even if they don't really stand by the product. I asked Abhay if he thinks that the concept of celebs endorsing such products blindly, should completely disappear from the scene. "Yes, I think celebs should not endorse brands that go against their principles. For example, if celebs who endorse fairness creams actually believe that fairer is better than darker, then that's fine. The thing is if they actually believed that, then they should find themselves to be inferior to fairer people as they themselves are dark in real life. And no matter how fair you are, as an Indian, you will always be dark in the context of the world. Then there are brands that pollute not just the body but also the environment, like all colas. On one level, all products are destructive to a degree, some more than others and I tend to side with the ones that cause the least damage because, after all, endorsements have become integral to an actor's career. Even the media plays its part, as endorsements are (often) their only source of revenue. We need to call out all players, not just the celebs to be 'fair'." Abhay said loud and clear.  Abhay has always been very transparent in his approach to everything that he strongly believes in. Has it ever happened that he was rejected because of his transparency? Turns out, "many times." Well, that's how it works for people who are very blunt and transparent.  So, what's next for him, "My next release is 'Chopsticks' which is the first Netflix Original film out of India. It goes live on its platform on the 31st of May," said Abhay. Are you excited for this one?  View this post on Instagram A stolen car sends a frantic Nirma to an Artist to take on a goat-loving gangster. Chopsticks premieres on 31 May, only on Netflix. @mipalkarofficial I LOVE your expression in this one ð! @netflix_in @viniyardfilms A post shared by Abhay Deol (@abhaydeol) on May 14, 2019 at 9:35pm PDT If you think Abhay's journey has been a bed of roses because of the Deol tag, then you are wrong. His journey has been turbulent and he has had his own set of struggles. But what's more important is that he actually learnt from the things that held him from growing even more.  "Everyone goes through struggles, successes, and failures. It's part of life and I'm glad I've got to experience both, the highs and the lows. You cannot appreciate the highs unless you have gone through the lows. As I said, everyone goes through highs and lows but not everyone learns to appreciate both, as many people do not like the lows. This is why there's a whole industry selling you a pill for your 'depression' or 'sadness'. I am aware that I've to lead a privileged existence and I am grateful for it. I've done exactly what I've wanted to, lived my life authentically and there are not many people who can say that."  View this post on Instagram From the multi-talented @sinbadphgura This was taken at home, with only the natural source of light and no hair and make up. Come to think of it, that's how he always shoots with me! A post shared by Abhay Deol (@abhaydeol) on Jun 15, 2018 at 7:08am PDT The Deol tag eventually got me asking him about Nepotism that became a huge deal a while back. For the uninitiated, Nepotism is 'the practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs'. I asked him if he relates to the word and does he think having relatives in the industry helps the person grow, or does one have to constantly prove their caliber? To which Abhay had a rather strong response, "It's both a privilege and a curse. If you look at the current crop of actors, 99% of them are from a film family, the 1% left over are proteges of those with influence. It's unfair to point to Bollywood alone and call out its nepotism. Don't you see it in politics and big business as well? Most people would not like to hear this, but nepotism is part of Indian culture. Where do you think cast, 'Jati' comes from? The son is born into a community and carries forward the work of his father while the women get married and become housewives. Most of the country still operates under this Brahmanical system, the very thing both Gautam Buddha and Mahavira rebelled against. So, if you want to criticize Bollywood for its nepotism, look at your own family and ask the question, 'am I willing to marry outside my cast?' or 'am I running my father's business?' or 'will I let my maid or driver sit at the dinner table with me and eat with me?' Because all of these questions, believe it or not, are linked to our unique brand of Nepotism."  View this post on Instagram All natural look, by the ethereal @aetheria_ #thephotographerisfarprettierthanthemodel. A post shared by Abhay Deol (@abhaydeol) on Aug 10, 2018 at 11:32pm PDT Well, that's quite an honest and a strong take on Nepotism. Why only blame Bollywood if it starts from your own home? 
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Drogon's Reaction To Dany's Tragic Fate & How He Spared Jon Is Why We Respect The Mighty Dragon

This article contains heavy spoilers. Proceed with caution Even though a lot of us felt the 'Game of Thrones' finale didn't deliver apt justice to what we actually expected, it was definitely more closely-knit than most episodes in the final season. Mostly because it was the last episode and the writers tried their best to tie up as many loose ends as possible!  Daenerys' death at the hands of her lover-cum-nephew Jon Snow, although tragic, was already set in motion since the entire Azhor Ahai prophecy was talked about by the Red Woman aka Melissandre, earlier in the show. 'The Prince That Was Promised' did show up in the end and kill the love of his life, but more about that later. © HBO For now, let's focus on the Mother of Dragons' only surviving son Drogon, who saw his dead mother and made it visibly obvious that he was mighty upset.  After a conversation with Tyrion, who spoke against Dany being a fit queen, Jon went to find her. While entering the castle, Drogon stood in front of him, making sure no one else goes inside, being protective about his mother. When Jon got to Dany, she was standing near the throne, and we all knew what was going to happen.  The only time Jon would kiss his aunt was when he'd wish her a final goodbye. And he did. He kissed her and plunged a knife into her heart. Surely enough, Drogon got a sense of what was going on and saw his mother's lifeless body lying on the floor. © HBO Interestingly enough, when he (Drogon) found out his mother was dead, he didn't turn towards Jon and roast him on the spot. Instead, he turned towards the Iron Throne, the cause of everything, and melted it down with his fiery wrath.  Drogon did that because he always knew of Dany's obsession for acquiring the throne. And he also knew that her obsession got the better of her, when she burnt down thousands of men, women and children in order to sit on it. So, for Drogon, Jon was never her murderer but the Throne, which is why he let Jon live.  Having said that, Jon also happens to be a Targaryen and Drogon definitely recognised that, especially in Season 7, when he let Jon touch him and season 8, when Rhaegal let Jon ride him. Only a true Targaryen can probably tame a dragon and hence, a dragon would never burn down a Targaryen, with the simple rule of blood and fire. © HBO Now, coming to the matter of where Drogon took Dany's body and flew away. Remember in the later part of the episode, when the first of its kind Small Council Meeting takes place? Bran asks about the whereabouts of Drogon and it's revealed that he was last seen flying East from King's Landing. Well, the only probable place East of King's Landing is Valyria and that's probably where he's taken Dany too.  Valyria is an old Targaryen dynasty, which was home to all the Targaryens and their dragons. Also, when Drogon went missing in Season 5, he was spotted by Tyrion and Jorah, when they were passing through Valyria. Of course, Drogon knew where home was and he took Dany there in all probability to lay her body. © HBO Also, in the Season one finale, before Dany acquires her many titles, she originally referred to herself as "Daenerys Stormborn, of the House Targaryen, of the blood of Old Valyria."  She specifically names Old Valyria knowing that's where her family and her ancestors are from and that's her real home, which gave her end, when Drogon flies her away, probably back to Valyria, an absolute poetic justice!
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Air Hostess Giving Iftar Food To Fasting Passenger Who Just Asked For Water Is The Real India

If I was asked to explain the phrase, "actions speak louder than words", I would probably give the example of the heartwarming gesture of Manjula, an air hostess with Air India Alliance, towards Rifat Jawaid, a passenger in her flight.  © flickr Rifat, a journalist by profession, was travelling from Gorakhpur to Delhi and was observing his Ramzan fast. The Iftar time was nearing while he was on-board. Since he was starving and fasting, he walked up to the cabin crew and asked for a bottle of water. We all know how small the water bottles on a flight are, and since he was starving and thirsty given that he had consumed nothing all through the day, he asked for another bottle saying, "can I please have one more bottle since I am fasting?" On my way back to Delhi in @airindiain Alliance from Gorakhpur: Iftar time was nearing so I walked up to cabin crew member Manjula, asked for some water. She gave me a small bottle. I asked, “can I pls have 1 more bottle since I'm fasting?”
Manjula replied, “why did you... pic.twitter.com/QaMoAR5CqC — Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) May 18, 2019 The air hostess immediately replied, "Why did you leave your seat? You please return to your seat." A few minutes later, she returned with a tray full of Iftar food and said, "please don't hesitate to ask for more."  Rifat mentioned in his tweets that although the food was more than sufficient for him, what was more satisfying was her heartwarming gesture.  ..leave your seat?You pls return to your seat.” Minutes later she arrived with two sandwiches and said, “please don't hesitate to ask for more.”
Of course I didn't need more. They were more than adequate for me. What was the most satisfying was Manjula's heartwarming gesture. pic.twitter.com/DeXhvMnxwJ — Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) May 18, 2019 Manjula didn't move mountains, she didn't do something unimaginable, some might even say that she did her job. But, what she did is truly commendable and her kind gesture touched Rifat's heart and that of all those who read his post on Twitter.  India Ka Soul Yahi Hai :) Hum Sab Ek Hai Bas Kuch Log Humko Baantke Rakhna Chahte but India Lives On Bcoz We Are One Dil Se !!! — Mohammed Azeem Uddin (@princeeazeem) May 19, 2019 May Allah keep this sprit intact in my India. — M Perwez Ahmad (@MPerwezAhmad2) May 18, 2019 That's has nothing to do with airline that was has to do with Indian culture which is still in our blood very much worrying some time with the idea of new India ð®ð³ GOD protect this nation from new India evil ð¦¹‍âï¸ — kmuazer (@shahidmuaz55) May 19, 2019 Air India has always been like that. It's staffed by common folks who have a immense sense of warmth and hospitality. Most important they have always been the airline with empathy. Way to go @airindian — Tandav (@pushkarbhat) May 19, 2019 There are plenty of good people still exist in the world — Apolitical_Mango (ð¯ % Followð) (@somebodys_meh) May 18, 2019 this is real indiaï¸ð®ð³ — osama ahmed (@i_m_osama) May 18, 2019 This is India, I know! What we see now everywhere is fabricated ! God bless India! — Sriram Krishnaswamy (@cheeku75) May 19, 2019
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Kapil Sharma Named Most-Viewed Indian Comedian & These 4 Reasons Prove Why He Totally Deserves It

It has been over a decade since Kapil Sharma first set foot in our living rooms with the 'Great Indian Laughter Challenge'. All of a sudden, Kapil began changing how we viewed entertainment, one set at a time. The show might have given India its comedy king, but it was what Kapil did with his talent and popularity that deserves appreciation. After participating and winning multiple comedy shows, Kapil brought 'The Kapil Sharma Show' into existence in 2013. © Twitter People lapped up the content Kapil had to offer and kept coming back for more. The comedy star never failed to strike a chord with his audience and tickle their funny bones, and that earned him an insane fan following throughout the country. Recently, Sony channel took to their Twitter account to announce that Kapil Sharma has been named as one of the most viewed stand-up comedians in India, by World Book of Records London. He was also given this recognition for actively promoting animal rights in India, and fans cannot stop congratulating the man for it. It's a proud moment for all of us. We congratulate the King Of Comedy @kapilsharma for being recognised as one of the most viewed stand-up comedians in India and abroad and promoting animal rights by World Book Of Records. #TheKapilSharmaShow @001danishkhan @KapilSharmaK9 pic.twitter.com/shElmVvqih — Sony TV (@SonyTV) May 17, 2019 After a rough patch in his personal and professional life, that lasted over two years, Kapil Sharma finally made a comeback at the end of 2018 with 'The Kapil Sharma Show' on Sony.  The show has been topping all the TRP charts on the channel and the reasons are pretty obvious: 1. India Loves Its Celebs & Masala Celebrity Insights © Twitter Apart from the kind of humour Kapil adds to the show, what makes this show all the more popular and interesting week after week, is the influx of big names from the entertainment industry. We Indians take our celebs very seriously and love anything and everything to do with them. And the good news is, Kapil brings out the best and worst scoop on celebs on his show, and people love that! 2. Senseless Humour © Twitter We say 'senseless' because that is what it is. No one is required to pick their brain cells to laugh at Kapil's jokes. Though it's true that most of the jokes ride on stereotypes and sexism has been a running trope on the show, guess what? When it comes to entertainment, people don't really give a shit. 3. The Concept Remains Golden © Twitter What caught people's attention and love in the very first go was the show's fresh mix of sketch comedy and celebrity talk show format, which then became India's own take on American late-night shows. To this day, it remains Kapil's biggest USP that he manages to pull it all off so well. 4. People Get (Un)Really-Real © Twitter However, the best reason why people have come to love the show and, in turn, Kapil, is because how (un)really-real people get on the show and yet, amidst all the fun and laughter, we end up enjoying that hour of entertainment at the end of a busy day.
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How Emilia Clarke Lost It When She Read The 'GOT' Script About Daenerys Becoming The Mad Queen

There were a lot of things that went south in the final few episodes of HBO's hit television show, 'Game of Thrones'. Unfinished subplots, loopholes in storytelling and some of the most anticlimactic endings for major characters of the show such as the Night King, Lord Varys and yes, the Mother of Dragons herself. Daenerys Targaryen's descent into insecurity and madness, following the loss of her closest friend Missandei and the constant threat of being overthrown by Jon Snow aka Aegon Targaryen, the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, even though not depicted in the right manner, did seem inevitable. So, when the writers of the show, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss gave Emilia Clarke, the actress who played the role of Khaleesi, the script about her character's eventual fate, she took her sweet time to make peace with it. via GIPHY In an interview with The New Yorker, Clarke opens up about Daenerys' journey to King's Landing in Season 8 of the show in detail. Here is an excerpt: “I read these scripts coming on to two years ago now. When I did, I took a very long walk around London in a daze, not quite knowing how to digest the news. Now, finally, people are going, 'Oh, now we understand why this season hit you hard.' I had no idea what to expect for this last season. I hoped for some juicy things to get into, as I always do for each season, but I didn't see this coming." "And, I must admit, I was sitting tentatively on that chair thinking, How long is this going to last? Everyone was saying, “Isn't she great? She's our saviour, Mhysa.” It's been beautiful and amazing, but I've been looking over my shoulder the entire time while everyone else gets a more human—for want of a better word—storyline. They do good things. They do bad things. They do silly things. They do brilliant things. They fall in love. They break hearts. Daenerys has quite consistently had this road to salvation, and she's been sitting atop a very safe mountain.” via GIPHY Talking about how eventful the last two seasons had been for Dany, Clarke gives an insight into what the Targaryen was thinking about:  “Every time I was faced with Daenerys having to do something pretty cold, like a mass killing, it was always with this thought that she's headed toward her destiny. She's gone too far to turn back now. So then, she finally falls in love with someone who is her age, someone appropriate, who seems to love her back, who seems to be a good guy. The fact that she's his aunt is just kind of by the by! And then, it seems almost too good to be true. Even when she finally gets to relax for the first time, she's thinking, "My God, I can have it all. I can have my love. I can have my career. I can have the prospect of a family. I can have it all... But no! I fucking can't.” via GIPHY This is where Dany's insecurities had taken over. Watching a best friend get beheaded like that could certainly reduce anyone to that horrific state of mind.  “She encounters the dark side of that. She's not wanted. She's not loved completely there. And so she gives herself to Jon [Snow] entirely, and she gives him many, many choices, many options to see clearly with open eyes. And she's asking him, 'If you wanted to be with me, then let me fulfill this... I know I can be a good leader, so let's do this together. Let's do it.' And he doesn't. And that disappointment is the final thing that breaks her as a human being, because, my God, all she's known is pain, sacrifice, and abuse. All she's known is people turning on her, people betraying her, and she's completely alone. And so, with all of that, I think that it brings us to the moment where she's on top of the dragon and making that choice.” via GIPHY Having read the script more than 18 months since the final episode aired, the task of keeping quiet about the ending was not an easy one. And when it got really frustrating, almost two months ago, she unintentionally gave away the secret to her real-life best friend, Lola, who did not watch the show. “My best girlfriend, Lola, doesn't watch the show. It's not her cup of tea. But she's been around me enough listening to snippets of conversations with everyone, from the driver to a friend at work. And she came up to me about two and a half months ago and said, 'She goes bad, doesn't she?' And it all came pouring of me: 'Oh, my God! I've been wanting to tell someone for so long!' And she was, like, 'I knew it! I knew it!' Even though the way things ended for the infamous Mad Queen, being stabbed in the heart by someone she truly loved, we hope to remember her, not for burning innocent citizens of the royal capital to a crisp but for her emotional journey first as the Khaleesi, to the Mother of Dragons to the liberator of the unsullied. That's Queen Daenerys Targaryen for you, that's the true “Protector of the Realm”. via GIPHY
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5 Batsmen Who'll Be Seen Fighting For Top Batting Honours At The ICC World Cup 2019

Arguably one of the biggest sporting events in the world, the 12th edition of the ICC World Cup is set to enthrall cricket enthusiasts when it kickstarts from 30th May, pitting the likes of hosts England and exciting South Africa against each other. Over a span of 45 days and across 48 scintillating contests, the ICC mega event is expected to bring the best of the participating nations in what promises to be an exciting affair. But, the World Cup isn't just about winning the coveted trophy. In fact, cricket's biggest tournament has a history of bringing exciting contests, fiery duels and individual brilliances to the fore. And, this year promises to be no different. From the top wicket-takers to leading run-scorers, the upcoming ICC tournament has had the cricket fans wondering who'd claim the top honours in individual performances. While we will discuss the wicket-taking heroes in another article, let's discuss the probables for the batting honours this year. © Reuters When it comes to scoring most runs in the World Cups, no one comes close to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar who scored 2,278 runs across six tournaments he played. Though Tendulkar's record will take some doing, but the current batting geniuses of the game will surely be eager to make a mark at the biggest stage. Going purely by numbers, here's a look at five batsmen who might be seen ruling the charts in the list of leading run-getters at the World Cup this year. Virat Kohli © Reuters Undeniably one of best batsmen in the world right now, Virat Kohli will be the key to India's charge at this year's World Cup. The Indian captain needs no introduction to batting and the fact that, at the age of 30, he has already slammed 41 ODI hundreds - only behind Tendulkar's tally of 49 tons, shows how special and consistent this lad is. But, that's not all. Kohli is going into the World Cup with a formidable form and, for someone who takes a special liking to big events, he is surely expected to reign supreme in England and Wales. To back that claim with numbers, Kohli has scored 4,306 runs at an average of 78.29 - most by any batsmen in ODIs since the World Cup in 2015. While it's really hard to predict whether he'll actually emerge as the leading run-scorer at the upcoming event, the numbers surely tip him as one of the favourites. And, given his artistry with the willow, we might end up seeing a Kohli special this year. Rohit Sharma © Reuters One of the most devastating openers in limited-overs cricket, Rohit Sharma, having begun his career as a middle-order batsman, found his true calling at the top of the order. A preferred opener by the Indian team management, Rohit has made the opening spot his own on the back of spectacular performances in white-ball cricket. His malleable wrists and knack to find the gaps have all added to his batting masterclass which continues to evolve over the years. Just like his skipper Kohli, Rohit will also be one of the vital cogs in India's dreams of lifting their third World Cup trophy this year. Since the 2015 edition of the World Cup, Rohit has amassed 3,790 ODI runs at an average of 61.12 - only behind Kohli in the elite list. His last stint in England saw him smashing an unbeaten 137 in the first ODI in Nottingham - something that should bolster his confidence going into the World Cup. The right-handed batsman is coming off a title-winning season with Mumbai Indians who lifted a record fourth IPL trophy this season. While there is no doubt over Rohit's abilities, the Indian opener will need convert his starts into big figures if he intends to challenge other batsmen for the top batting honours at the World Cup. Joe Root © Reuters For someone who was tipped as a future England captain at the age of 23, Joe Root has not only lived up to the billing, but has also successfully managed to rally his troops in the build-up to the World Cup at home. Rated amongst the top batsmen in the world, Root, on his day, is more than capable of running away with the game. At this year's World Cup, Root will surely be a key player, providing the much-needed stability to their batting line-up. If playing at home doesn't strengthen his case, the fact that Root has slammed 3,498 runs at an average of 58.30 in ODIs (since the 2015 World Cup) further makes a probable candidate for the top batting honours in the upcoming event. The right-handed batsman will be seen leading England's charge at the ICC spectacle, but while his leadership skills will be put to test, Root's batting might cannot be questioned. Eoin Morgan © Reuters One of the batting mainstays for England over the years, Eoin Morgan will once again be seen stabilising the innings for his side while plying his trade in the middle-order. The left-handed batsman has all the experience he needs to make this event his own and playing in familiar conditions further helps his cause. Predictions apart, according to the numbers, believe it or not, Morgan is placed fourth in the list of leading run-scorers in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup. The left-hander has scored 3,039 runs at an average of 46.75 - something that surely makes him one of the probables for the top batting honours at the World Cup this year. For those who need more than just numbers to believe his batting might, Morgan, recently, broke a roof tile with a huge six during the fifth ODI between England against Pakistan at Headingley. How's that for intent? Quinton de Kock © Reuters A sweet timer of the ball who thrives on his fearless striking abilities, Quinton de Kock has established himself as South Africa's preferred opening batsman over the years. The left-handed batsman, who grew up as a baseball player, can take on any opposition bowling attack and give them a run for their money with his brutal hitting. De Kock goes into this year's World Cup with 2,971 runs at an average of 50.33 in ODIs. There's no surprise to see him at the fifth spot in the list of top run-getters in the 50-over format since the 2015 edition of the World Cup. To put things in perspective, De Kock has amassed 353 runs, including three fifties and a hundred, in his last five ODI innings. Given the conditions, De Kock is likely to cherish the challenge and tear into the opposition bowling attack. His success with the willow will be key to South Africa's hopes of getting rid of the 'chokers' tag and clinch their maiden World Cup title this year.
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ICC World Cup 2019: Can South Africa Finally Get Rid Of The 'Chokers' Tag This Year?

Ever since making their ICC World Cup debut in 1992, South Africa have struggled to justify their talent. The perennial underachievers of cricket, the Proteas have reached the semifinals on four occasions but just couldn't hold their nerve to go all the way. But, as their hunt for an elusive maiden title goes on, the current crop of players and the new-look South African squad offer great promise going into this year's World Cup.

Led by Faf du Plessis, South Africa's 15-man squad is a healthy composition of youth and experience. The availability of Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla gives the Proteas three solid opening options. While De Kock is a sure-shot pick for the opening slot, Markram and Amla will possibly have to compete for the other spot at the top.

Just like their opening options, South Africa have plenty to choose from for their pace attack. There's Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi who will surely come in handy in the English conditions. They will find adequate assistance from Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo who seem to be making the most of their opportunities lately. Reuters While the surfaces in England and Wales aren't expected to favour spin bowling, but, if need be, South Africa will be more than happy to call upon veteran Imran Tahir who is coming off a spectacular run in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). More importantly, since the master leg-spinner has announced his retirement after the ICC World Cup, Tahir will be eager to make an impression in his ODI swansong.

On the other hand, Tabraiz Shamsi has also been roped in to provide the Proteas a second spin option. The left-arm wrist spinner has been around the circuit for a while now, but the exploits of Tahir has kept him at bay. Going into the mega event, Shamsi can also use it as an opportunity to prove his credentials as a potential long-term replacement for the departing Tahir. Reuters In the batting department, South Africa's top-heavy line-up is followed by a pretty decent, but yet to be tested, middle-order which is comprised of Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller and JP Duminy, with the latter's knowledge and adaptability putting his side in good stead. For those unfavourable times, the Proteas also have the cushion of Andile Phehlukwayo and Chris Morris to accelerate the innings in key moments of the game.

All in all, the Du Plessis-led brigade has plenty of options in almost all the departments, but, at the cricket's biggest stage, South Africa will need to find their winning combination, not to mention click as a unit, if they intend to get rid of the 'chokers' tag. Can they really do it? We'll see when they open their campaign against England on 30th May at the Kennington Oval in London.

Squad: Faf du Plessis(c), Quinton de Kock(wk), David Miller, JP Duminy, Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi.  
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If You're A 'Black Mirror' Fan, Here Are 7 Episodes That Need To Be Watched Before The New Season

The popular and intensely mind-boggling Netflix show 'Black Mirror' returns with its much-anticipated fifth season on June 5th, 2019, which is about less than a month away.  Although we can't wait to watch what unfolds this season, we still remember the episodes that played with the very fabric of our minds, making us believe the future is rather experimentative, dark and intensely bleak! Technology would have skipped a million beats in the next few years and it's all being projected through this incredible semi-fictional show. © Netflix 'Black Mirror', for me has changed how I'd like to look at technology, the future, privacy and the world in a completely new way and as I look forward to the brand new season, I can't help but reminisce over some crazy episodes from the past seasons that actually made me go what the f***!! © Netflix So, I am going to lay out some of my favourite episodes from 'Black Mirror' and if you haven't seen them or have and don't remember, it's time to watch them again, obviously before June 5th. (1) White Bear © Netflix This episode literally blew my mind. It's literal because I couldn't really get over how unusual and twisted punishing someone for a crime can be, in the near future and, of course, while you're on that subject you can't help but think of implementing this form of punishment for all the rapists out there. Come on, I am sure you've had that debate after watching this episode! Or do you have no idea of what I am talking about? Watch the episode! Watch the trailer here (2) The Waldo Moment © Netflix I believe politics is a farce to keep people busy from contemplating absolute anarchy, and this episode of 'Black Mirror' is an absolute juxtaposition of political trends from across the globe. The episode revolves around a bawdy cartoon bear, who's standing up for elections against a permanently enraged political candidate. Oh, the mighty satires this episode delves into. It's absolutely fantastic! Watch the trailer here (3) Black Museum © Netflix This episode certainly made me cringe in all my elemental glory! I mean, it was gory, with a technological wonder attached to it. A young woman visits an isolated museum, which collects memorabilia from different techno-crimes in the past and happens to meet the proprietor who gets into unique details about the whys and hows of three intense crimes that took place in the past. Little does he know the girl has her own ulterior motives. This story definitely sent shivers down my spine. Watch the trailer here (4) Hated In The Nation © Netflix This is the final episode of the third season and it should actually be re-named 'eventuality'. There are homicide robotic bees, an internet serial killer on the run, who is programming these bees to attack people and, of course, a detective who outruns him, towards the end. Why are the bees robotic? You gotta see it to know it. Watch the trailer here (5) Nosedive © Netflix Nosedive is actually and basically the world we live in, but in the future. What I mean is, it's a story about how we see ourselves vs. how we'd do anything and everything for acceptance and validation. Everything depends on the ratings you get as a human being, which is actually picking up in some parts of the world currently, which means the future is almost here. I've put this episode in my top favourites because it's a hard-hitting reality which we will have to face sometime soon. Watch the trailer here (6) The Nation Anthem © Netflix The absolute dark side to life and technology, the first ever episode of 'Black Mirror' depicted absolute gutsy feels, as Charlie Brooker put a daring proposition of the Prime Minister having sex with a pig to free a fictional princess in captivity. The alarming thing about this episode is people's rapidly changing opinion through social outfits aka technology used in social references and something unthinkable entering the realms of acceptance. Watch the trailer here (7) White Christmas © Netflix This episode was a Christmas special for 2014 and it should've been titled 'Dark Christmas' rather! Two men find each other for company at a remote outpost and tell each other three intense tales, without letting out any secrets, until you figure there's a mega-twist towards the end. This one's a special one and you must watch it. Watch the trailer here While I have only put 7 of my favourite episodes, there are a few more worth a mention for sure. But I'll leave it up to you to decide what you feel should top the list. Subjectivity FTW! For now, I am banking on the 3 episodes in season 5 and can't wait to see what Charlie Brooker has in store for us next.
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5 Actors Who Have Appeared In MCU Movies As Well As 'Black Mirror' Episodes

Actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe appearing in 'Black Mirror' is a bigger crossover than 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Avengers: Endgame'. (Sorry, had to do it) First of all, 'Black Mirror' Season five is officially less than a month away, yay! We've been waiting for such a long time and honestly, 'Bandersnatch' was just not enough.  Here's the teaser for the fifth season which will premiere on Netflix on June 5th. The first thing you notice is obviously Falcon aka Sam Wilson from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, with him joining the cast of 'Black Mirror' and appearing in one of the episodes this season, we had enough actors who've appeared in MCU who have also been a part of the Black Mirror cast (or Black Mirror Cinematic Universe?) to come up with a list. Here we go: 1. Anthony Mackie © Marvel Falcon, or should I say, Captain America, is going to be the lead in one of the three new stories coming with the fifth season of 'Black Mirror'. Anthony Mackie being a part of the cast, is also reviving the whole 'Marvel vs DC' conversation since Yahya Abdul-Mateen II from 'Aquaman' is also a part of the show. I'm excited to see what kind of existential crisis his episode has in store for us. 2. Hayley Atwell Agent Carter needs no introduction and actually, even Hayley Atwell as well. Playing the lead in 'Be Right Back', she made the already emotional premise of the episode come to life beautifully. This specific episode is one of the highest rated episodes in the series and I'm guessing a lot of credit goes to Hayley for sure. 3. Daniel Kaluuya Before appearing in Oscar-nominated movies, Daniel Kaluuya was the lead of the second ever episode of 'Black Mirror' - '15 Million Merits'. The 'Black Mirror' episode was somewhat okay but he gave one of the most memorable scenes in 'Black Panther'. 4. Letitia Wright Another 'Black Panther' and 'Black Mirror' star, Letitia Wright appeared in the episode 'Black Museum'. Pretending to be a tourist with a few hours to kill while her car gets charged, she goes to the museum with one aim - avenging her late father. Along with the main plot, that episode has so many other stories, and that's why it's easily one of the best episodes of the series. 5. Benedict Wong I actually found out today that Wong from 'Doctor Strange' (and 'Infinity War' and 'Endgame') has also appeared in 'Black Mirror'. He played a police detective in one of the most brutal episodes of the series ever - 'Hated In The Nation'. Bonus - Miley Cyrus I was planning on including this as a joke since the God of Thunder is her brother in law, but surprisingly, she did voice one line in a scene in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2'. Well, that was a surprise.
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8 Celebrity-Approved Beard Styles That'll Get Anyone Tonnes Of DMs On Instagram Instantly

Getting the right beard for your face can be tricky business. There are tonnes of beard styles to choose from and there's the question of what suits your face and what doesn't. The good part about a well-groomed beard is that if angled well, it can easily hide your face fat.  Here are celebrity-approved beard styles that you should look out for this season that have worked well for celebrities and by extension, will work for you: 1. Zac Efron  © Instagram For the promotion of his movie based on the life of serial killer Ted Bundy, 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile',  Zac Efron dyed his hair and sported a beard that worked so well for his face. We love the disjointed moustache and beard, which despite being separate, complement each other so well.  2. Shahid Kapoor © Instagram Beard days for Shahid Kapoor are back. After roughly spending quite some time without it, Shahid Kapoor has grown a wild one for his movie 'Kabir Singh' and also sports a subtler version for its promotions.  3. Siddhant Chaturvedi © Instagram MC Sher's charm in 'Gully Boy' partly came from Siddhant Chaturvedi's beard. This is a minimal effort beard that doesn't take that long to grow. Consistency is key so be patient if you want to grow a beard like him.  4. Ranveer Singh © Instagram Post 'Gully Boy', Ranveer Singh depends on two signatures. A single moustache on an otherwise clean-shaven face or a medium-grown beard with a slightly shaped moustache. We think this is a great beard style if you want to stand out in a room full of bearded men.  5. Jake Gyllenhaal  © Instagram We're excited for his Marvel debut with the upcoming 'Spiderman' movie but in the meantime, we can admire him for his thickly grown beard which definitely works well for his face structure.  6. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau © Instagram We love Jaime Lannister in 'GoT' but outside of it, the man does know a thing or two about grooming a fine salt and pepper beard. 7. Jim Sarbh © Instagram We love Jim Sarbh's beard that has a raw aesthetic to it. There's something about natural beards that are rather attractive and Jim Sarbh is a prime example in that category.  8. Hrithik Roshan © Instagram Hrithik Roshan just posted a selfie with a freshly grown beard. This beard is perfect for the hot months when maintaining a full beard is practically impossible.
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ICC World Cup 2019: Schedule, Stadiums, Teams & Players Of Cricket's Biggest Spectacle On Earth

Following a heavy dosage of Twenty20 (T20) action in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), the cricketing action now moves on to the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in arguably the biggest spectacle - ICC World Cup - the sport has seen. Slated to begin from 30th May, the 12th edition of the ICC spectacle promises to be an exciting affair with the participating nations vying for cricket's biggest honour. One of the highly-anticipated sporting events in the world, the quadrennial cricket event garners public interest and captures the imagination of enthusiasts like no other. Four years after the first-ever ODI match was played, the organisers blessed the cricket fans with the maiden World Cup that was held in England in 1975. Comprised of eight teams - Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies (the six Test nations at the time), the first World Cup was won by the Windies who got the better of the Aussies in the final at Lord's. It was for the very first time the fans got a taste of exciting competition in cricket. And, since then, there has been no turning back for this massive event. © Reuters Unlike the 2015 tournament where 14 teams were seen participating via two groups, this year will witness only 10 teams who'll compete in a single group. As per this year's format, each team will be seen playing with the other nine sides once, and the top four at the end of the group stage will progress to the semifinals. Having dominated the tournament with a record five title wins, Australia will be eager to defend their crown when they begin their campaign this year. However, they'll have to fend off strong title contenders including the likes of India, hosts England and New Zealand. After 10 warm-up games, the coveted tournament will kickstart with England taking on South Africa at Kennington Oval in London. A total of 45 games will be played before the tournament ascertains its semifinalists, who'll square off in a bid to secure their berth for the all-important final on 14th July. Schedule Date Match Venue Time 30-May England vs South Africa Kennington Oval, London 3:00 PM 31-May Windies vs Pakistan Trent Bridge, Nottingham 3:00 PM 1-Jun New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Sophia Gardens, Cardiff 3:00 PM 1-Jun Afghanistan vs Australia County Ground, Bristol 6:00 PM 2-Jun South Africa vs Bangladesh Kennington Oval, London 3:00 PM 3-Jun England vs Pakistan Trent Bridge, Nottingham 3:00 PM 4-Jun Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Sophia Gardens, Cardiff 3:00 PM 5-Jun South Africa vs India The Rose Bowl, Southampton 3:00 PM 5-Jun Bangladesh vs New Zealand Kennington Oval, London 6:00 PM 6-Jun Australia vs Windies Trent Bridge, Nottingham 3:00 PM 7-Jun Pakistan vs Sri Lanka County Ground, Bristol 3:00 PM 8-Jun England vs Bangladesh Sophia Gardens, Cardiff 3:00 PM 8-Jun Afghanistan vs New Zealand The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton 6:00 PM 9-Jun India vs Australia Kennington Oval, London 3:00 PM 10-Jun South Africa vs Windies The Rose Bowl, Southampton 3:00 PM 11-Jun Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka County Ground, Bristol 3:00 PM 12-Jun Australia vs Pakistan The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton 3:00 PM 13-Jun India vs New Zealand Trent Bridge, Nottingham 3:00 PM 14-Jun England vs Windies The Rose Bowl, Southampton 3:00 PM 15-Jun Sri Lanka vs Australia Kennington Oval, London 3:00 PM 15-Jun South Africa vs Afghanistan Sophia Gardens, Cardiff 6:00 PM 16-Jun India vs Pakistan Old Trafford, Manchester 3:00 PM 17-Jun Windies vs Bangladesh The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton 3:00 PM 18-Jun England vs Afghanistan Old Trafford, Manchester 3:00 PM 19-Jun New Zealand vs South Africa Edgbaston, Birmingham 3:00 PM 20-Jun Australia vs Bangladesh Trent Bridge, Nottingham 3:00 PM 21-Jun England vs Sri Lanka Headingley, Leeds 3:00 PM 22-Jun India vs Afghanistan The Rose Bowl, Southampton 3:00 PM 22-Jun Windies vs New Zealand Old Trafford, Manchester 6:00 PM 23-Jun Pakistan vs South Africa Lord's, London 3:00 PM 24-Jun Bangladesh vs Afghanistan The Rose Bowl, Southampton 3:00 PM 25-Jun England vs Australia Lord's, London 3:00 PM 26-Jun New Zealand vs Pakistan Edgbaston, Birmingham 3:00 PM 27-Jun Windies vs India Old Trafford, Manchester 3:00 PM 28-Jun Sri Lanka vs South Africa Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street 3:00 PM 29-Jun Pakistan vs Afghanistan Headingley, Leeds 3:00 PM 29-Jun New Zealand vs Australia Lord's, London 6:00 PM 30-Jun England vs India Edgbaston, Birmingham 3:00 PM 1-Jul Sri Lanka vs Windies Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street 3:00 PM 2-Jul Bangladesh vs India Edgbaston, Birmingham 3:00 PM 3-Jul England vs New Zealand Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street 3:00 PM 4-Jul Afghanistan vs Windies Headingley, Leeds 3:00 PM 5-Jul Pakistan vs Bangladesh Lord's, London 3:00 PM 6-Jul Sri Lanka vs India Headingley, Leeds 3:00 PM 6-Jul Australia vs South Africa Old Trafford, Manchester 6:00 PM 9-Jul TBC vs TBC, 1st Semi-Final (1 v 4) Old Trafford, Manchester 3:00 PM 11-Jul TBC vs TBC, 2nd Semi-Final (2 v 3) Edgbaston, Birmingham 3:00 PM 14-Jul TBC vs TBC, Final Lord's, London 3:00 PM Participating Teams Afghanistan © Twitter/@ACBofficials For a team that, earlier this March, recorded their first Test victory in only their second game, Afghanistan seems to be making the most of the opportunities on the field. The young Test-playing nation is full of surprises and, on their day, they are more than capable of beating any team in the world. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) did turn a few heads when they sacked long-standing captain Asghar Afghan in April. The decision led to the appointment of three specialist captains across formats. Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan and Rahmat Shah will be seen in the leadership roles for ODIs, T20Is and Tests respectively. It'll be interesting to see how Naib fares as Afghanistan's captain when they start their World Cup campaign against Australia at the County Ground, Bristol on 1st June. Squad: Gulbadin Naib(c), Mohammad Shahzad(wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan and Mujeeb ur Rahman. Australia © Twitter/@CricketAus They might have been leading the list of most title wins in the ICC World Cup, but the Aussies know it fairly well that their campaign in England & Wales is surely going to be an uphill battle. The defending champions lack confidence especially after the infamous 2018 ball-tampering saw two of their biggest stars getting suspended for a year. Since that episode, Australia have been trying to rediscover that winning mentality that successfully aided their predecessors over the years. The return of David Warner and Steve Smith following their suspensions is a major boost to the Aussies, but their absence from international cricket for a year could see them struggle early in the tournament. On the other hand, the bowling department could turn out to be an area of concern for Australia, especially in the absence of Josh Hazlewood. They'll kickstart their World Cup campaign against tricky Afghanistan at the County Ground, Bristol on 1st June. Squad: Aaron Finch(c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey(wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner and Adam Zampa. Bangladesh © Twitter/@BCBtigers Ever since making their World Cup debut in 1999, Bangladesh have been a familiar face at the ICC spectacle. But, their best finish came in the last edition where they surprised everyone by reaching the quarterfinals stage. They won three games including the famous triumph over England in the group stage, but found their nemesis in India in the quarterfinals. Going into the tournament, Bangladesh looks like a balanced side. Mashrafe Mortaza has proved his worth as a potent leader in the past and Shakib Al Hasan has enough experience in international cricket to be his deputy. Mushfiqur Rahim is another experienced campaigner who's not only great behind the stumps, but his presence will also bolster his side's batting line-up. They'll need the senior players to step up when they face South Africa in their opening clash at the Kennington Oval, London on 2nd June. Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Mithun (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Abu Jayed. England © Twitter/@ECB_cricket The mighty Englishmen might have given us the sport that we've come to know as cricket, but the cricketing giants are yet to taste success at the ICC World Cup. In the decorated history of the tournament, England have bottled away three chances to lift the coveted trophy. They lost the 1979 final to West Indies before enduring successive heartbreaks in 1987 and 1992 to Australia and Pakistan respectively. But, the upcoming edition could be their chance to redemption, especially when they have the luxury to play at home, in familiar conditions. Led by the experienced Eoin Morgan, the hosts pack a punch with a team that is comprised of potential match-winners. Though they'll have to fend off threats from the likes of India and Australia, the Englishmen might just prove a tad too difficult for the opposition to handle in the tournament. The 'Three Lions' will be seen in action when they lock horns with South Africa in the tournament opener at the Kennington Oval, London on 30th May. Squad: Eoin Morgan(c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow(wk), Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood. India © Twitter/@BCCI The two-time World Cup champions are undoubtedly one of the biggest contenders to lift the coveted trophy this year. The team has enjoyed a brilliant run over the past year with favourable results in both home and overseas series. Led by the pragmatic Virat Kohli, Team India had a problem of plenty in the build-up to the ICC spectacle. The selectors had a tough time figuring out the 15-man squad, best suited for the English conditions to deliver the goods. After careful deliberation, the omission of in-form Rishabh Pant did spark some backlash which later saw him getting included in the list of stand-bys. From batting to bowling, the Indian team looks pretty solid on paper with a couple of all-rounders also in the fray. But, the long-standing No. 4 conundrum is still a chink in their armour. All the questions might get answered when they launch their title charge on 5th June against South Africa at the Rose Bowl, Southampton. Squad: Virat Kohli(c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni(wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, Dinesh Karthik (wk), KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. New Zealand © Twitter/@BLACKCAPS Despite participating in the tournament since its advent in 1975, New Zealand are yet to lift the coveted trophy. The Kiwis came mighty close to clinching the World Cup title in 2015, but a seven-wicket loss at the hands of Australia left them heartbroken. Despite their previous failings, Kane Williamson-led New Zealand are still one of the top contenders for the World Cup title this year. The team is full of proven stars who are more than capable of turning the tide in New Zealand's favour. The likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult will spearhead their pace attack, while Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi will add teeth to the spin department. The Kiwis have also included three all-rounders - Colin de Grandhomme, Colin Munro and Jimmy Neesham - who will play their part in the tournament. Williamson's men will begin their campaign when they take on Sri Lanka at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 1st June. Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee and Ross Taylor. Pakistan © Twitter/@TheRealPCB The 1992 World Cup champions, Pakistan, continue to remain an unpredictable brigade which is more than capable of crashing someone's party on their day. The ultimate underdogs at the ICC spectacle, Pakistan might have a fairly inexperienced squad going into the World Cup, but a mercurial side of their calibre still promises to go the distance. The youthful pace duo of Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Afridi, who can clock 90mph at will, is expected to be a vital cog in Pakistan's impressive pace battery. But, the notable omission of Mohammad Amir, who has been sidelined due to suspected chickenpox, remains a big blow. The likes of skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez will surely come in handy when it comes to guiding the youngsters in the side with their vast experience. Beginning their campaign on 31st May against West Indies in Nottingham, Pakistan will be eager to build on their spectacular 2017 ICC Champions Trophy win with a similar performance in England and Wales. Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed(c/wk), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Junaid Khan and Mohammad Hasnain. South Africa © Twitter/@OfficialCSA Ever since making their ICC World Cup debut in 1992, South Africa have struggled to justify their talent. The perennial underachievers of cricket, the Proteas have reached the semifinals on four occasions but just couldn't hold their nerve to go all the way. But, as their hunt for an elusive maiden title goes on, the current crop of players and the new-look South African squad offer great promise going into this year's World Cup. Led by Faf du Plessis, the Proteas boast of three solid opening options in Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla. Similarly, in the bowling department, the availability of Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi provide them with great options. But, it's going to be a problem of plenty for the Proteas and, right from facing England in the opening encounter on 30th May, they'll need to find their winning combination if they intend to get rid of the 'chokers' tag. Squad: Faf du Plessis(c), Quinton de Kock(wk), David Miller, JP Duminy, Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi. Sri Lanka © Twitter/@OfficialSLC For a team that upstaged the mighty Australians in the final to win the 1996 World Cup, Sri Lanka has, sadly, failed to follow it up at the major ICC events. The Lankan brigade came mighty close to securing their second World title in 2011, only to suffer a brutal heartbreak at the hands of Team India in the final. With their decorated cricketers calling time on their respective careers, the Lankans have struggled for experience, with the young guns doing their best to settle in quickly. Going into this year's tournament, Sri Lanka will rely on the experience of their veteran stars Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Lasith Malinga and Thisara Perera to spearhead their challenge. They'll kickstart their campaign against New Zealand on 1st June at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Squad: Dimith Karunaratne(c), Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera(wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis(wk), Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal. West Indies © Twitter/@windiescricket Having won two successive World Cups in 1975 and 1979, West Indies almost came close to securing their third, only to lose the final to India in 1983. Since that fateful day, the Windies have managed to enter the playoff stage only on three occasions - a semifinal entry in 1996 and a last-eight place in 2011 and 2015. Needless to mention, their ODI record, over the last five years, has been abysmal by any standards. But, despite all that, no team in the tournament would like to take them for granted, especially when West Indies boast of proven match-winners. Led by Jason Holder, the Windies are going into the World Cup, full of firepower. The likes of Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer and Carlos Brathwaite are more than capable of single-handedly running away with the game. But, opening their campaign against Pakistan on 31st May, the Windies will need to find a way to click as a unit if they intend to go the distance this year. Squad: Jason Holder(c), Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope(wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Fabien Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach and Ashley Nurse.
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Auto Driver Takes Abandoned Pregnant Woman To Hospital, Uses All His Money To Try & Save Her Baby

In a society where people don't want to 'meddle' or interfere in others' affairs, even if that 'affair' means someone dying on the road, can we imagine people going out of their way to help someone who is a complete stranger? Can we imagine someone coming forward to actually help instead of clicking pictures and recording videos? Ask yourself guys, How often have you gone beyond your way to help a stranger? But, Babu Muddrappa is different and probably that's the reason he deserves all our respect. © BCCL Babu Muddrappa, just like any other day, was driving his auto in Bengaluru. On April 15, while looking for passengers, his life changed in a way even he didn't expect. Babu saw a pregnant woman lying on the road, screaming in pain.  Although there were a lot of people standing around the woman, nobody came forward to help. So without thinking twice, Muddrappa rushed the pregnant woman to a nearby hospital, but due to lack of facilities she was referred to CV Raman Hospital.  Since the woman could barely speak and refused to give details about her family, Babu admitted her with whatever money he had at the moment.  © Pexels Thanks to Babu's selflessness, the woman reached the hospital in time and gave birth to a baby girl. However, what happened next broke our heart, but also raised our respect for Babu. The baby was facing trouble breathing and the mother had abandoned the baby and fled the hospital.  Babu wrapped the baby in a cloth and drove his auto as fast as he could, to take her to another hospital in Shivajinagar for better treatment.  He used all his savings to admit the baby and took care of her like his own child, while praying to God for her health. From getting milk for the baby every day, taking care of all the hospital bills to going to police stations in search of the missing mother, Babu did everything he could in his capacity.    © Pexels However, after a few days, the baby's condition deteriorated and she passed away. He told The Logical Indian, "My heart broke. I decided to bury the baby myself, along with some police officers. In those few days, I had developed love and fondness for the baby." He further said, "I do not know if the woman who fled will ever be found, or what will follow. While I feel sad every time I think of the little girl who died, I am also aware that I did everything in my power to help both the mother and the child." People like Babu Muddrappa make this world a better place to live in.
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'Black Mirror' Season 5 Trailer Just Dropped & Miley Cyrus' Intense Avatar Has Us Shook

'Black Mirror' is all set to return with its fifth season, and the trailer just dropped. Just like every other season, this one looks super intense as well, however, what has captured our attention is the cast.  American pop star Miley Cyrus plays one of the main roles, and we'll hopefully be finally able to gauge her full potential as an actor this time, post her Disney Channel stint as 'Hannah Montana' and a number of other movies that she has appeared in. © Netflix Among other notable names, Anthony Mackie, famous as 'Falcon' from MCU, will also be playing one of the protagonists this season. © Netflix As usual, the stories revolve around the impending doom the future holds, thanks to the technological advancements we have been abusing.  Miley Cyrus's story seems to be particularly intense, where she is a performer. However, there is also a similar looking doll, that might lead to a crazy twist. © Netflix © Netflix © Netflix There are 3 new stories in this season, and the cast includes Anthony Mackie, Miley Cyrus, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Topher Grace, Damson Idris, Andrew Scott, Nicole Beharie, Pom Klementieff, Angourie Rice, Madison Davenport and Ludi Lin.  Directed by Charlie Brooker (of course), it will premiere on Wednesday, June 5th, exclusively on Netflix. We can't wait! Watch the trailer here.
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Dear Trolls, Your Comments Which Are Powerful Enough To Kill, Prove Nothing But Your Cowardice

When social media became a 'thing', it was hailed as one of the biggest discoveries of modern times. People could re-trace their long-lost friendships, virtually reconnect with family separated by distance and 'keep-in-touch with friends and acquaintances by putting a personal piece of their life out there for the world to see, comment and sometimes, gain sadistic pleasure out of, at the expense of each other's pain and humiliation. © Getty Images Take for instance the recent disturbing incident in Kuala Lumpur, wherein a 16-old-year girl suffering from depression, jumped to her death after 67% of her Instagram followers voted for her to choose death over life, in a poll she held on her account. She had posted the poll with the headline, “Really Important, Help Me Choose D/L” where D reportedly stands for death and L for life. © Getty Images Can we please take a moment and acknowledge what has just happened here? A bunch of careless, sadistic individuals who felt all powerful when asked for an opinion pushed a young girl to her own death. We should cry bloody murder against all those who had the gall to participate in the poll, instead of actually reaching out to her and talking her out of it, or at least informing people who could have helped her out. People simply could not give two fucks about a person contemplating life and death, so please help me understand that if this isn't messed up, what is? © Getty Images People have become so insensitive on social media, that they never bother to step back and consider how their callous remarks can potentially destroy someone's life, their self-esteem and their very will to live. It's not a brand new development that this has been happening for a while now. So many people come under the bus because a bunch of people think they are entitled to an opinion (mostly unsolicited) which is best and unquestionable. © Getty Images These trolls, who are mostly faceless with fake usernames, sit in their dingy rooms and push a few buttons day in and day out to say things that gratify their personal sense of being, and bring down their target, one cruel word at a time. How long before we do something about how social media is quickly taking over our lives, to the point that we have come to associate our very existence and happiness to the number of likes or hate comments we receive from an unknown audience online? © Getty Images Sure, the 16-year-old was also at fault to have trusted her “followers” with something so precious as her life, but we must come forward debunk the belief that “our followers are Gods”. No, they are not. They are just individuals who simply come online to take a peek into our life and happiness. Some simply live off it as they are bereft of any joy in their own daily existence.  Now, the Malaysian government is considering charging the participants in the girl's poll with the charge of “abetment to suicide”, and I feel they absolutely deserve it. People must be held accountable for their actions under all circumstances, and going virtual should not allow anyone to get away with all the painful things they say and do online. They are equally responsible as those doing and saying the same hurtful things in the real world.  © Getty Images I am looking at all of you out there who love to dole out rape and death threats casually, sadistically cheer for online lynching and provoke online hate at random stangers simply because you don't “like” what someone is saying, doing, eating or wearing. Better look back and have some remorse about all the lives you have possibly destroyed in the time you've spent online as a hateful troll.
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