Pioneer In Short
Mahesh Dixit named New IB chief
Senior IPS officer Mahesh Dixit has been appointed as the new Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). A 1993-batch officer of the Telangana (formerly Andhra Pradesh) cadre, Dixit is widely recognised as a counter-terrorism specialist with deep-rooted field experience in sensitive security operations. He previously headed the IB's Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Srinagar, holding jurisdiction over Jammu, Kashmir, and Leh. Prior to taking the helm as the IB Chief, he was serving as the Special Director within the IB's headquarters in New Delhi, where he had already assumed significant operational control. He replaces Tapan Kumar Deka, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, who served as the chief of IB until recently after two consecutive extensions.
Kotak Backs Gradual Sooryavanshi Rise
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Thursday said teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will get his opportunity "in due time", but stressed that it should not come at the expense of a performer in the side, ahead of the first T20I against Ireland. The 15-year-old, who could become the youngest player to represent India if selected, is in contention to feature in the playing XI for the two-match series. However, the team management led by captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir faces a selection dilemma after India's recent World Cup success has left multiple in-form batters competing for limited spots. Sooryavanshi could potentially replace Abhishek Sharma and open alongside Sanju Samson, but Kotak emphasised that established performers should not be dropped merely to accommodate a debut.
