Padikkal Slams 50 As India A Set 363-Run Target For Aus A In Unofficial Test

Skipper Devdutt Padikkal struck a fifty and first-innings centurion Kumar Kushagra remained unbeaten on 46 as India A set Australia A an improbable target of 363 on day three of their opening four-day game on Thursday. India A were all out 199 in their second innings despite being 93 for one at one stage. Off-spinner Todd Murphy was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors taking four wickets including Sai Sudharsan's. The left-hander is eyeing a reserve opener's slot in the Indian team after being overtaken by Devdutt Padikkal for the number three spot.

Australia A were 55/2 at the close, needing 308 to win, and requiring to bat out an entire day to save the game.

Opener Sudharsan (39, 85b, 3x4), who scored a fifty in the first innings, and fellow-southpaw Padikkal (59, 88b, 7x4) put on 68 for the second wicket as India A built on a solid first-innings lead of 163.

Sudharsan fell lbw attempting to sweep Murphy just before lunch, the first of four victims for the impressive bespectacled off-spinner, who took three wickets in the first innings.

In-form Padikkal, who recorded his fourth 50-plus score in as many first-class matches, reached his fifty with successive fours off pacer Liam Scott.

The skipper was the fifth wicket to fall, lbw to Scott, as the hosts collapsed, losing their last six wickets for 48 runs.

Brief scores: India A 334 & 199 all out in 57.4 overs (Sai Sudharsan 39, Devdutt Padikkal 59, Kumar Kushagra 46 n.o., Brendan Doggett 2-21, Todd Murphy 4-48, Liam Scott 2-22) v Australia A 171 & 55/2 in 23 overs. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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SEBI Widens Playbook For FPIs In Exchange-Traded Commodity Derivatives

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has widened the investment avenues available to foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) in exchange-traded commodity derivatives, allowing them to participate in a broader set of non-agricultural contracts. The move, approved by the SEBI Board, is aimed at deepening liquidity and broadening participation in India's commodity derivatives market, while putting safeguards in place to ensure FPIs do not enter the physical delivery process.

Under the revised framework, FPIs will be permitted to participate in non-agricultural index derivatives, irrespective of whether the underlying contracts are cash-settled. They will also be allowed to trade in non-cash-settled non-agricultural commodity derivatives.

However, FPIs participating in non-cash-settled non-agricultural commodity derivatives will have to exit their positions before any delivery obligation arises. As a safeguard, FPIs will be required to square off their positions before the start of the Tender Period, which begins three days before the expiry of a contract.

FPIs will also not be permitted to increase their positions from the T-3 day onwards.

Agreement With Trading Member Mandatory

Before an FPI can be enabled to trade on an exchange, it will have to enter into an agreement with its trading member or trading-cum-clearing member (TM/TCM). The agreement will specify how the FPI's positions will be managed, including arrangements to square off positions before the delivery obligation arises.

ALSO READ: PMS Overhaul: SEBI Allows IPO Bets, Investments In Foreign Securities; Eases Compliance Norms

The framework also provides an alternative mechanism for handling any residual open positions held by an FPI before the start of the Tender Period. Such positions can be devolved to the TM/TCM at the closing price or the daily settlement price declared by the exchange on the day the positions are devolved.

SEBI said the transfer of an FPI's open position to the TM/TCM will be treated as a trade and will attract the applicable statutory levies.

The safeguards are designed to ensure that FPIs can participate in a wider range of commodity derivative contracts without becoming involved in the physical delivery of the underlying commodities. The decision is part of SEBI's broader efforts to deepen India's commodity derivatives market by widening institutional participation while maintaining controls around settlement and delivery risks.

For FPIs, the changes expand the scope of exchange-traded commodity derivatives available to them, particularly across non-agricultural contracts. For exchanges and market participants, greater participation by foreign investors could support liquidity and market depth. The requirement to exit positions before the Tender Period, along with the prohibition on increasing positions from T-3, provides a defined framework for preventing FPIs from carrying positions into the delivery stage.

The agreement between FPIs and their TM/TCMs will also establish clear arrangements for managing positions and devolving any residual exposure before delivery obligations arise.

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Influencer Anubhavi At NDTV Yuva 2026: From Ad Agency Job To Social Media Fame

Popular content creator Anubhavi Yadav will be attending NDTV Yuva 2026 on September 28. Ahead of the event, here's a look at her journey as a content creator and her rise on social media.

Anubhavi Yadav has built a strong fan base on Instagram and currently has 4,35,000 followers. She creates videos inspired by everyday people and situations. Her content largely focuses on comedy, with recurring characters based on familiar personalities, such as teachers at parent-teacher meetings and relatives at family gatherings.

Her comedy draws from everyday experiences and regional culture. Inspired by her Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) roots, she often uses local accents and creates funny single-character skits.

According to Instagram Creators's post, Anubhavi's Instagram following grew from around 20,000 to 3,50,000 in the span of a year, with her character-driven videos finding an audience among younger viewers. One of her trial Reels recorded 3.6 million views and brought her 2,000 new followers within three days.

According to Instagram Creators, Anubhavi said, "My highest-performing trial reel hit 3.6M views and 2,000 new followers in three days on its own. That's when I realised the power of experimentation and how important it is for me to stay consistent."

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Anubhavi Yadav On Juggling A Full-Time Job And Content Creation

Anubhavi also spoke about balancing her full-time job at an advertising agency with content creation. She said she would note down ideas whenever they came to her and shoot videos after work or during weekends.

She said, "Working full time at an ad agency meant that I'd jot down Reel ideas instantly. I'd shoot after work or batch 5-6 Reels over weekends in my kitchen for light. I had to do it alone, so the single-character approach emerged. The Red Flag Girl's strong performance validated this, inspiring a universe of personalities. And as my Reels gained traction, I decided to rebrand to speak to a wider and more diverse audience."

As her content evolved, Anubhavi began moving away from trends and focused on creating original characters inspired by real life. She said she initially experimented with dance Reels and Bollywood tropes but later found greater scope in developing characters rooted in everyday experiences.

This led to series such as 'girl next door' and 'aunty next door', which allowed her to incorporate more local and culturally specific elements into her content.

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Anubhavi said, "Initially, I jumped on trends such as dance Reels or Bollywood tropes, but I hit a ceiling. To push boundaries, I tapped into real life, developing 'girl next door' and 'aunty next door' series, leaning into more culturally specific, locally rooted storytelling. Going back to my hometown is a research trip to stay connected to how people speak, their dialects, and their humour. I wanted my content to feel real."

She also spoke about her decision not to alter her appearance or use filters to conform to conventional beauty standards, saying she wanted her characters to remain relatable rather than become caricatures.

Anubhavi added, "As a person of colour in a society where light skin colour is often considered more desirable, not altering my appearance to fit a certain standard was important. My characters needed to be grounded, not caricatured. So, I also chose not to use filters early on. This shift resonated deeply, proving that genuine storytelling is what drives my growth."

She has also collaborated with leading brands, including Amazon Prime Video and Cleartrip, on advertising and promotional campaigns.

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About NDTV Yuva 2026

NDTV Yuva is more than just a youth conclave - it is a vibrant platform where India's brightest minds, boldest voices, and most inspiring changemakers come together to engage, exchange, and empower. With a strong legacy of thought leadership and youth-centric dialogue, NDTV Yuva continues to evolve as a space that reflects the heartbeat of young India.

Building on the incredible success of its previous editions, the conclave promises to raise the bar - offering a dynamic mix of engaging conversations, live interactions, keynote addresses, and immersive storytelling. This edition will spotlight critical issues across a spectrum of domains - politics, entertainment, entrepreneurship, climate action, gender equality, sports, education, social justice, mental health, and the ever-evolving influence of digital and social media.

At the heart of NDTV Yuva lies a simple but powerful idea: youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the changemakers of today. 

Also Read: Sonal Chauhan At NDTV Yuva 2026: A Look At Her Journey From Pageants To Bollywood

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iPhone Duo First Impressions: The Real Star Isn't the Fold, It's the UI

Apple finally unwrapped the iPhone Duo after years of leaks and rumours that claimed the company has been working on a foldable. Early impressions from reviewers and YouTubers are surprisingly consistent: the hinge and the crease aren't the headline anymore. I got my hands on the iPhone Duo last week, and I used it for a bit to see whether what's turning heads is really the device's software. The good news is Apple didn't just shrink iOS to fit a fold. Why this feels fresh and exciting is that, for years, foldables running Android have seen UI that's stretched across two screens with some polishing, and brands calling it a day.

Apple seems to have actually gone to the drawing board to figure out how you're supposed to use a foldable device. On the iPhone Duo, the dock moves and multitasking behaves differently depending on how you're holding it. The best part is that even the animation when you open the Duo does real work, not just looks pretty and resizes. It's the kind of detail that's easy to miss in a spec sheet but impossible to ignore once you've used it for some time.

iPhone Duo: Hardware That Steps Out of the Way

This is Apple's first foldable; the hardware matters, even if it's not the main story. The iPhone Duo is packed to the brim and looks solid. The Duo closes into a compact, passport-shaped phone with a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR outer cover screen, and opens into a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display that almost reminds you of the iPad mini. Compared with other foldables on the market, the matte finish on the inner display adds finesse to the overall device, as it limits glare and fingerprint smudges.

Apple claims that when opened, it's the thinnest iPhone with the largest display ever

Apple has used the nano-texture matte finish from its MacBook and iPad Pro lineups. The crease is there if you look for it, but it's far less obvious than on a few foldables on the market.

The titanium frame feels solid in the hands, and the curved edges sit well in the palm. The hinge holds at odd angles without wobbling, which matters more than it sounds once you use it in tent mode for a clock or prop it up for texting on a table. Of course, all of this adds a bit of heft, which is good for a device priced this much. Then there's no telephoto lens, so it doesn't win any spec war. The hardware does its job quietly, and it is competent, occasionally excellent, and mostly just the stage for what's happening on screen. Under the hood, the phone packs an A20 Pro chip and comes with a vapour chamber.

iPhone Duo: Foldable-Only UI Is the Real Story

The first thing I noticed after picking up the iPhone Duo is the interface custom-designed for this foldable. Aesthetically and in button placement, the iPhone Duo puts the dock and main app controls on the right edge of the screen instead of the bottom, which sounds small until you realise it's designed around how you actually hold the phone open, one hand on each side. On the cover screen, it also quietly solves the asymmetry problem created by the phone's shape.

The Duo is compact and comfortable to hold and has essential controls moved to the side

For multitasking, the Duo seems built for jumping from one app to another. Like other foldables, you can drag an app out of the dock while another is already open, and it snaps into the other half of the screen automatically, just like the iPad. You can also pull an app back toward the centre, and it goes full-screen again. The entire flow feels natural, and you don't have to look for a button to pin the app to open it in full-screen mode.

Then there are the different tilt modes that genuinely don't exist on Android. You can bend the phone slightly, and it drops into a split mode on its own, useful for propping the phone on a table with video on one side and WhatsApp on the other, where you can continue your conversation. Once folded, it switches to a vertical standby layout with room for widgets like a bedside clock, photos, widgets, and more with StandBy.

It comes in Night Sky and Star White colours

The open-close animation on the Duo isn't just for show. It's built so the outer screen looks like a small window into the bigger one as it unfolds, with a soft blur effect that makes the whole transition feel like one continuous interface rather than two separate screens pretending to be one.

The iPhone Duo isn't flawless. The split-screen setup currently supports only full- or half-screen apps, with nothing in between, and if you fold the phone mid-use, it doesn't remember your multitasking layout. We may see more updates in the coming weeks before the phone goes on pre-order on October 16 and goes on sale from October 23.  

It sports two 48-megapixel main and ultra-wide rear cameras

Left-handed users might also have a genuine complaint, as every control is locked to the right edge. Hopefully, a future OTA update can fix this.

iPhone Duo: Initial Thoughts

The iPhone Duo feels like a refresh in the iPhone lineup that has been waiting for a foldable for years. The hardware, from the sturdy hinge to the nano-texture glass, sets a remarkably high baseline. But a week into hands-on testing, the takeaway isn't that Apple made a folding screen; it's that they built a software experience that finally justifies having one.

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"Green Methi Not Allowed": Student Charged Rs 20 Over School Tiffin

A row has broken out at a school in Maharashtra's Bhayandar after allegations that a student was charged for bringing fenugreek in their tiffin during the Jain festival of Paryushan, days after similar claims surfaced over onions, potatoes and other vegetables.

A student at Tapovan School in Bhayandar East reportedly brought a fenugreek (methi) dish from home in their tiffin. According to allegations, the school then wrote a note in the student's diary stating, "Fenugreek is a banned vegetable."

The student was reportedly not allowed to eat the food brought from home. Instead, they were given food from the school canteen and charged Rs 20 for it.

Read: Class 2 Student Collapses, Dies Moments After DJ Procession Crossed UP School

It is claimed that root vegetables (kandmool) and items such as fenugreek have been restricted at the school because of the large number of Jain students enrolled there, tying the move to dietary practices observed during Paryushan (an annual holy event in Jainism).

This is not the first such allegation against the school. Reports had previously emerged that students were being fined Rs 50 for bringing onions, potatoes, ginger, beetroot and carrots in their tiffins during the same festival.

A complaint over that fine was filed by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Acting on the complaint, Sulbha Vathare, Education Officer of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, issued a show-cause notice to the school on 17 September.

An explanation has been sought from Tapovan Vidyalaya regarding the matter, but the school has not yet made any official statement.

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India's Medal Tally At Asian Games 2026: Full List Of Medal Winners After Day 3

India's medal tally rose to seven at the end of the third day at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. The major successes of Day 3 came in cricket as the women's team beat Sri Lanka to deliver the first gold medal. Earlier on Day 2, Himanshu Dhillon clinched silver and Rudrankksh Patil secured bronze in the men's 10m air rifle individual event. India also won silver in the men's 10m air rifle team event, as Dhillon and Patil teamed up with 18-year-old Parth Mane. Mixed martial arts (MMA) star Suchika Taryal added the other medal of the day, settling for bronze after losing her women's Traditional -60kg semi-final.

So far, Indian shooters have won five out of the nation's seven medals.

Full list of India's medal-winners at Asian Games 2026 so far:

Shooting

Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod - women's 10m air rifle team event - Silver

Elavenil Valarivan - women's 10m air rifle individual event - Silver

Himanshu Dhillon - men's 10m air rifle individual event - Silver

Rudrankksh Patil - men's 10m air rifle individual event - Bronze

Himanshu Dhillon, Rudrankksh Patil and Parth Mane - men's 10m air rifle team event - Silver

MMA

Suchika Taryal - women's Traditional -60kg - Bronze

Cricket

Indian Women's Cricket Team - Gold

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Trade Setup For Sept 22: Nifty Bulls Eye 23,550 Breakout As Sub-$100 Oil Flips Sentiment

Indian equity markets could remain range-bound in Tuesday's session as the Nifty faces a crucial resistance zone around 23,520-23,550 amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty and elevated energy prices. This comes as GIFT Nifty rises 0.34% to 23,519.50 after Brent crude fell below $100.

According to Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities, the 23,520-23,550 zone is likely to act as an important resistance area for the Nifty in the near term. "A sustained move above 23,550 could extend the ongoing pullback rally towards the 23,700 mark in the short term," Shah said.

On the downside, the 23,330-23,300 zone is expected to provide crucial support. Shah said a breach below 23,300 could weaken the near-term structure and potentially result in the index resuming its corrective trend.

Market participants are also keeping a close watch on crude oil prices and geopolitical developments, which could influence the sustainability of the recent recovery in Indian equities.

ALSO READ: What Happens If US Imposes 100% Tariff On Russian Oil Buyers? IOCL, BPCL & HPCL Face Risk

"While Indian equities ended on a firmer note, persistent geopolitical uncertainty and still-elevated energy prices continue to warrant a cautious approach. The durability of the recent recovery is likely to depend on sustained stability in crude oil prices and greater clarity on the geopolitical front," said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.

Hariselvan Radhakrishnan, Founder and CEO of HST Wealth, said softer oil prices and contained volatility could provide room for the recovery to extend. He added that investors would focus on core-sector data, crude oil prices and global bond yields ahead of Tuesday's session to assess whether the recent rebound can gather further momentum.

Bank Nifty Outlook

Bank Nifty ended higher after opening on a flat note and remaining in consolidation for most of the session. The index gradually moved higher during the second half, approaching the 56,700 mark before closing near 56,470, according to Enrich Money's Ponmudi R.

For Tuesday's trade, immediate resistance for Bank Nifty is placed at 56,700-56,800. A sustained move above 57,000 could strengthen the near-term technical structure.

On the downside, immediate support is seen at 56,000-56,100. A failure to sustain this zone could extend weakness towards the next support level of 55,700-55,800, Ponmudi said.

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Asian Games: India Women Fight Back In Table Tennis To Secure Second Win

The Indian women's team scripted a fine comeback to script a 3-2 win over Singapore in their Group F match of the table tennis event at the Asian Games here on Sunday. India were staring at defeat after trailing 1-2 before Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade secured crucial wins to clinch the tie. Opening the proceedings, Ghorpade defeated Jian Zeng 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9. But Sreeja Akula suffered a narrow 8-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 6-11 loss to Loy Ming in the second match. Diya Chitale too went down 7-11, 4-11, 11-7, 5-11 against Tan Zhao to concede a 1-2 lead to Singapore. Returning for a must-win match against Zeng Jian, Sreeja shrugged off the earlier loss to register a 6-11 11-3, 11-7, 11-4 win to level the tie at 2-2. In the decider, Ghorpade beat Loy Ming 5-11, 11-8, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9 to notch up a memorable win for India.

Earlier, India's men's and women's teams began their campaigns with identical 3-0 wins over Indonesia in their respective Group F openers The women's team began on a winning note as Sreeja, Diya and Yashaswini swept their Indonesian opponents.

Sreeja beat Ni Maharani 3-1 in the opening rubber, recovering from an 8-11 second-game loss to win 11-3, 11-4, 11-4.

Diya then defeated Almaira Nebuchadnezzar 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-5) before Yashaswini sealed the tie with a 3-0 (12-10, 11-4, 11-4) win over Citra Rasmi.

The men followed with an equally dominant 3-0 victory, though they were pushed harder in the second rubber.

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran put India ahead with a 3-0 win over Muhammad Negara, prevailing 11-8, 11-7, 11-9.

Manav Thakkar then survived a five-game battle against Muhammad Junindra, winning 3-2. Manav took the first game 11-7, dropped the second 8-11, and regained the lead by winning the third 11-6.

Junindra forced a decider by taking the fourth 11-6, but Manav held his nerve to win the fifth 11-9.

Manush Shah completed the men's sweep with a 3-0 win over Affan Pratama, prevailing 11-9, 11-9, 12-10.

India's women are grouped alongside Indonesia, Pakistan and Singapore in Group F.

The men's team is clubbed with Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"UPI Payment Will Not Be Accepted": Traders Put Up Notices Over MDR

Traders in Ghaziabad have started putting up notices outside their shops saying “UPI Payment Will Not Be Accepted” in protest against the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15. The notices have appeared at shops as traders voice concerns over the proposed 0.4 per cent charge. They say that although the government has said the MDR will be charged to merchants, the additional cost could eventually affect customers.

Traders are advising customers to carry cash when making purchases from October 15, particularly for transactions above Rs 2,000.

They argue that merchants may not be willing to absorb the additional cost and could instead ask customers to pay in cash for larger purchases.

The proposed MDR has become a major point of discussion among traders and shopkeepers in Ghaziabad, with many opposing the move.

The traders' notices are effectively a warning to customers that UPI may not be accepted for certain higher-value purchases once the proposed charge comes into effect.

UPI Fee: What Changes From October 15?

Under the new framework, a 0.4 per cent MDR will apply to specified person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000.

The charge will be paid by the merchant, not the customer. It will be capped at Rs 300 for transactions of Rs 75,000 and above. UPI payments between individuals will remain free.

Most everyday UPI payments will also remain outside the new charge. Person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions up to Rs 2,000 account for more than 95 per cent of P2M transaction volume and will continue to attract zero MDR.

This means someone buying a Rs 1,500 item from a shop through UPI will not suddenly face a new UPI fee. The bigger change will be felt in higher-value merchant payments.

Centre Wants Merchants To Absorb The UPI Fee

The government's concern is simple. If merchants start adding a separate "UPI charge" to bills, customers could feel that UPI is no longer free. That could undermine one of the biggest advantages of digital payments.

The Centre has, therefore, started discussions with payment aggregators and other platforms to ensure the MDR is not passed on to consumers. Banks have also been advised to ensure that merchants do not transfer the cost.

The government has not, however, publicly detailed exactly how this daily monitoring will work.

Will UPI Users Return To Cash?

The government does not expect the new MDR to push people back towards cash. Officials estimate that only around 4 per cent of UPI transaction volume will be affected by the new levy. That is because the overwhelming majority of UPI payments are small-value transactions.

NPCI data shows that in August, 86 per cent of P2M UPI transactions were below Rs 500 and another 10 per cent were between Rs 501 and Rs 2,000. So the new MDR is primarily aimed at a relatively small portion of higher-value merchant transactions.

RuPay debit card payments will also remain free irrespective of the transaction amount, giving merchants and consumers another digital payment option.

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Cost Of Automation: Toyota Sees $6.4-Billion Annual Spend From 2028

Starting in 2028, Toyota Motor plans to invest roughly 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) per year into high-tech automation and robotics. The initiative is designed to counter Japan's shrinking, ageing labour pool while overhauling ageing manufacturing infrastructure throughout its supplier network.

Squeezed by factory obsolescence and hiring crunches, the auto industry is leaning heavily into robotics. Beyond lowering production overhead, market watchers note that this automation push could position automakers to commercialise their proprietary tech well outside traditional carmaking.

ALSO READ: Ford To Recall Over Two Lakh US Vehicles Over Fuel Tank Detachment Risk

The projected investment spans Toyota, its group affiliates, and primary suppliers. While Toyota stopped short of confirming a definite rollout or timeline, it informed investors that automating factories across these companies would require roughly 400,000 robots, as reported by CNBC.

This figure accounts for both new installations and replacements of existing machines, covering humanoid and non-humanoid robots alike.

In talks with investors earlier this month, the company outlined an investment push into factory automation, focusing on robotics, automated logistics, and next-generation human-robot workflows.

The proposed deal, pitched to investors earlier this month, earmarks capital for factory-floor automation, spanning industrial robotics, automated transit systems, and collaborative human-robot operations.

Toyota's pivot toward robotics could help investors look past the factory floor and recognise its long-term potential outside the automotive sector, according to a recent Bernstein note.

ALSO READ: Coal India Goes High-Tech: AI, 5G And Autonomous Machines To Transform Mining

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Chasing NFL Milestone, Aaron Rodgers' Steelers Chapter Takes A New Turn

Aaron Rodgers is entering a different kind of NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At 42, every week brings another question about how long his body can keep up with the position. Yet his opening game offered a clear answer to one part of that debate. Aaron Rodgers looked comfortable, handled a heavy passing workload and helped Pittsburgh start 2026 with a win over the Atlanta Falcons. With his final NFL season already confirmed, Rodgers has another target in sight. His chase up the career wins list could add more weight to an unusual farewell year.

Aaron Rodgers Reveals The Simple Change Behind His Strong Start At 42

Aaron Rodgers has made one simple change that could matter more as the season moves forward. He has learned that his training cannot be the same as it was earlier in his career.

Looking back at last season, Aaron Rodgers admitted that he hurt himself while squatting before Week 1. That setback affected his preparation. This time, he took a more careful approach to his workouts.

“I was a little smarter about my workouts leading up to this season,” Rodgers said. He also made it clear that he feels good moving around and expects that to continue.

That change was visible in Week 1. Rodgers completed 24 of 40 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown as Pittsburgh Steelers defeated Atlanta Falcons 20-13. He also showed enough movement in the pocket to give the offense another option when plays broke down.

#Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers says he “doesn't give a sh*t” about how many targets a player gets after a reporter told him Roman Wilson was tied for second on the team last week.

“Nobody in the locker room talks about their targets. That's all for you guys to talk about.” pic.twitter.com/Qvtbc0c4MP

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 16, 2026

When Rodgers was asked if throwing a pass would be managable he replied “For me, yeah. Totally. Totally sustainable.”

Aaron Rodgers Can Move Closer To Ben Roethlisberger And Drew Brees

The bigger story now goes beyond Rodgers' physical preparation. His final season also gives him a chance to move higher on the NFL's career wins list.

Rodgers entered Week 2 with 164 regular-season wins as a starting quarterback, putting him one behind Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger at 165. A victory over Cincinnati Bengals would bring Rodgers level with Roethlisberger.

Drew Brees sits at 172 wins which means Aaron Rodgers would need nine more win to move past him. Brett Favre and Peyton Manning are tied at 186 as Tom Brady remains far ahead with 251.

Rodgers has already confirmed that 2026 will be his final NFL season. That makes every win more significant not because he needs to prove what he has already achieved , because there is a clear end date to this chapter.

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Multi-Decade Runway To Full Stack Control: Inside Lenskart's Global Playbook

Eyewear unicorn Lenskart is doubling down on rapid volume expansion and end-to-end supply chain integration, confident that a massive structural penetration deficit in emerging markets offers a multi-decade growth runway. Speaking at the Jefferies India Forum 2026, the eyewear's Founder and Chief Executive Officer Peyush Bansal reiterated that the company's priority remains solving vision correction at scale rather than optimizing for short-term profitability.

According to Bansal, Lenskart's primary market opportunity extends well beyond the current eyewear consumers to an estimated 700 million to 800 million individuals who require corrective lenses but remain undiagnosed or underserved.

ALSO READ: Lenskart Q1 Results: Profit Soars Nearly 4x As Margins Expand; Revenue Up 43%

The Structural Penetration Gap

Eyewear adoption in India and Southeast Asia continues to lag developed nations. In US, roughly 88% of people requiring corrective lenses wear them, compared to 35% in India and 40% across several Southeast Asian nations. Rising screen time, lifestyle shifts, and heightened eye-health awareness are expected to expand the addressable market well beyond conventional projections.

Given India's stark shortage of optical retail infrastructure relative to other retail sectors, the management plans to open thousands of additional retail outlets domestically. The brand's pricing architecture ranges from $5 entry-level frames to $500 premium offerings, positioning it to capture demand across diverse income brackets, according to the brokerage.

ALSO READ: Lenskart Has 10,000-Store Headroom, Global Expansion In Sight; Nomura Initiates With 'Buy'

Moats Built on Full-Stack Control

Bansal attributed Lenskart's defensive moat to a vertically integrated, full-stack model paired with aggressive technology deployment. By controlling design, manufacturing, testing infrastructure, and omni-channel distribution, the company maintains pricing flexibility while preserving product gross margins of approximately 70%, according to the brokerage.

Global expansion into mature and organized markets like Singapore and Japan is serving as both a top-line driver and an operational sandbox. Insights gained overseas in retail design, premium trends, and vision-care models are being channeled back into India, reinforcing the core domestic operation through localized, market-tailored formats.

ALSO READ: Lenskart Block Deal: Alpha Wave Ventures Likely To Sell Rs 1,313-Crore Stake, Floor Price Fixed

Margin Expansion to Follow Scale

Addressing profitability, management emphasized that operating leverage will follow scale. While near-term investments prioritize rapid store expansion and brand footprint, Lenskart maintains a long-term EBITDA margin target of 25%. Incremental catalysts, such as emerging insurance-backed vision-care coverage, are also projected to bolster adoption rates over time.

Following the discussion, brokerage Jefferies maintained an upbeat stance on Lenskart Solutions Ltd, assigning a price target of Rs 680 based on a 50x September 2028 estimated pre-Ind AS EBITDA multiple. The global brokerage cited slower broader industry expansion and intensifying retail competition as primary downside risks to watch.

ALSO READ: Lenskart's Bull vs Bear Case Comes Down To One Question: Is Its Growth Worth The Valuation?

Lenskart Q1 Results

Lenskart Solutions Ltd.'s net profit saw a 270% leap or 4x jump in its net profit to Rs 222 crore, according to financial results data for the first quarter of fiscal 2026-27. The firm's profit for the previous year was at Rs 60 crore.  The company's revenue was up 43% to Rs 2,714 crore, compared to Rs 1,894 crore in the year-ago period. The Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) saw a 76% jump to Rs 588 crore, compared to Rs 335 crore in the year prior. The Ebitda margin expanded to 21.7% to 17.7%. The first quarter of fiscal 2026 saw a one-time loss of Rs 10.4 crore.

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Flipkart Big Billion Days 2026 Dates Are Out: Bank Discounts, Deals Teased

Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2026 will commence in the second week of October, the e-commerce giant announced on Wednesday. Apart from this, a dedicated microsite for the sale event is now live in the country, teasing the bank discounts, special deals, and offers that will be available to customers when the sale begins. Additionally, the company has confirmed that the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2026 will offer early access to Flipkart Plus, Flipkart Black, and Flipkart Credit Card members. The upcoming Flipkart sale event is expected to offer various electronics at relatively low prices from reputable global brands.

Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2026 to Begin on October 9

A dedicated microsite for the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2026 is now live in India, which confirms that the sale event will begin on October 9. However, the e-commerce giant will offer early access to Flipkart Plus, Flipkart Black, and Flipkart Credit Card members, allowing them to get their hands on the deals on October 8. On top of this, the company has confirmed that the sale event will offer an instant discount of up to 10 percent with Axis Bank and ICICI Bank cards.

Apart from this, customers will be able to save 10 percent with the Flipkart Axis Bank credit card. During the upcoming Flipkart Big Billion Days 2026 sale, Super Money by Flipkart will offer a cashback of 10 percent on the first transaction. However, buyers will also be able to make payments via UPI and other payment gateways.

The Flipkart Big Billion Days 2026 sale will also offer special deals and discounts to customers. The sale will feature multiple events, including “Price Crash”, “BBD Specials”, “Tick Tock Deals”, “Brand Hours”, “Double Discount”, and “Rush Hours. More details are expected to be revealed as the commencement date of the sale event draws close.

While the e-commerce giant has yet to reveal the deals, the Flipkart Big Billion Days 2026 sale is expected to offer a number of electronics in different categories, smartphones, PCs, laptops, true wireless stereo (TWS), washing machines, smart home appliances, refrigerators, and smartwatches, at relatively low prices. The sale event is expected to compete with Amazon's upcoming sale event.

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