<h2>Undercover!</h2>
Currently enjoying a massive resurgence in fame as the elusive Jameel Jamali in the Dhurandhar franchise, Rakesh Bedi was spotted in Andheri on Monday putting up a firm hand against the lenses. Clearly, even off-duty, a master operative knows exactly how to evade civilian surveillance
<h2>A Tale Of Two Eras</h2>
The most wonderful stories are often uncovered quite by chance, and that is exactly how we came by this terrific tale. At Lord&rsquo;s on Sunday, this newspaper&rsquo;s UK-based photographer Bipin Patel trained his lens on Ravi Shastri and a well-dressed gentleman sporting a prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) tie in the Member&rsquo;s Stand. With no idea who the man in question was, Bipin brought the mystery to our resident cricket nut &mdash; and who better to ferret out the details?
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Virendra-Nath_e.jpg" alt="Virendra Nath and Ravi Shastri. PIC/BIPIN PATEL" width="1280" height="720" /> Virendra Nath and Ravi Shastri. PIC/BIPIN PATEL
After texting Ravi in London, we got our answer: it was 79-year-old Virendra Nath, who, it turns out, is a walking treasure trove of Indian cricket history. During the legendary 1983 World Cup final, Nath watched the game alongside his late friend, the great MAK Pataudi. When Kapil Dev took that iconic catch to dismiss Viv Richards, &lsquo;Tiger&rsquo; prophetically declared, &ldquo;The match will change.&rdquo; Amazingly, old photographs confirm Nath was the only Indian standing on the balcony, applauding right behind Kapil as he hoisted the trophy!
Having spent 60 years in the UK before relocating to Kolkata, Nath thoroughly enjoyed Sunday&rsquo;s run-fest at Lord&rsquo;s, and the sublime batting of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, this veteran super-fan pulls absolutely no punches regarding today&rsquo;s squad: he insists Gautam Gambhir should no longer be India&rsquo;s coach. Among his grievances? The man is forever surly and simply refuses to smile! &lsquo;Gambhir&rsquo; indeed.
<h2>Metlife&rsquo;s Mega Mixer</h2>
The FIFA World Cup final on Sunday wasn&rsquo;t just a historic football showdown between Spain and Argentina &mdash; it was the ultimate global mixer! The energy at New Jersey&rsquo;s MetLife Stadium was absolutely electric, and the VIP guest list proved football truly brings everyone together.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Praful-Prajay-Patel_e.jpg" alt="Praful and Prajay Patel" width="1280" height="720" /> Praful and Prajay Patel
Flying the Indian flag in the celebrity stands were politician Praful Patel, who arrived with son Prajay, superstar Mohanlal and actor Sanjay Kapoor (both have watched a couple of games each), Rohan Gavaskar, filmmaker Vignesh Sivan, and Aadar Jain, who made a bold statement as the lone supporter sporting a Spain jersey in a box full of passionate Argentina fans.
Beyond the Indian contingent, Hollywood and music royalty were out in full force. Rihanna and Beyonc&eacute; held court in the VIP boxes, while Pharrell Williams, Javier Bardem, Matt Damon, and even Richard Gere added to the glamour. Miles away, the football fever was equally undeniable.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Sanjay-Kapoor_e.jpg" alt="Sanjay Kapoor" width="1280" height="720" /> Sanjay Kapoor
Sanjay Dutt enjoyed the match at home in Mumbai with his wife and kids, while Siddhant Chaturvedi caught all the action from London. Spain may have ultimately taken home the trophy, but with a crowd this spectacular, the real winner was the VIP box!
<h2>Electric Avenue</h2>
Between performances by BTS, Shakira, Madonna, Robbie Williams, and half a dozen other global stars, we were delighted to spot Indian representation at the FIFA World Cup closing ceremony on Sunday &mdash; though not quite in the same vein as Nora Fatehi&rsquo;s opening appearance in June.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Nicole-Scherzinger_e.jpg" alt="Nicole Scherzinger" width="1280" height="720" /> Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger, the American singer, actress, and former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman, took to the stage in a striking electric blue gown featuring a sheer corseted bodice and hand-pleated wave drapery by none other than Gaurav Gupta.
What a milestone month for the Indian designer &mdash; following his mesmerising Mumbai show on Friday, this international stamp of approval from Scherzinger on Sunday further cements his global influence.
<h2>Where Kirtan Meets Curry</h2>
London&rsquo;s ever-evolving dining scene is packed with concepts competing for attention, but Anushka Sharma seems to have found a sanctuary that sits perfectly at the intersection of her interests: bold Indian flavours served with a side of spirituality. The actor stopped by OmNom in Islington Square last week, for a meal that left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Anushka-aSharma_e.jpg" alt="Anushka Sharma" width="1280" height="720" />Anushka Sharma
For founder Vijay Jetani, it wasn&rsquo;t Anushka&rsquo;s sheer star power that stood out the most &mdash; it was her genuine warmth. He describes her as gracious, humble, and effortlessly down-to-earth, carrying the kind of presence that instantly makes a room feel lighter. By her side was acclaimed kirtan singer Krishna Das, whose soulful chants have moved audiences worldwide for decades.
The visit was a beautiful reminder that even in one of the world&rsquo;s busiest cities, there is something deeply restorative about gathering over soulful food and meaningful conversation. And while Jetani was delighted to welcome the duo, he ended the evening with one lingering wish still on the table: that one day, Virat Kohli might also walk through OmNom&rsquo;s doors. Until then, the restaurant will keep serving up inner peace &mdash; leaving glorious cover drives to the imagination.

Among his grievances? The man is forever surly and simply refuses to smile! ‘Gambhir' indeed

Sonali`s Society: Rakesh Bedi undercover, and Ravi Shastri`s friendly encounter at Lord`s

Sonali's Society: Raghav Juyal's filmy vibes, and Bhumi Pednekar's birthday celebrations

Among his grievances? The man is forever surly and simply refuses to smile! ‘Gambhir’ indeed

Sonali's Society: Rakesh Bedi undercover, and Ravi Shastri's friendly encounter

Undercover!

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