IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore's Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson returned to New Zealand on Tuesday after being stranded in India for over a month amid the nationwide lockdown to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The ex-New Zealand player and coach had arrived in India on March 5 for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League but was stuck in the country after the lockdown was imposed and all flights were suspended.

"What a wonderful sight after spending over a day on a bus to get to Mumbai airport. The staff on @FlyAirNZ were simply outstanding on our return to New Zealand," Hesson tweeted. He also thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the New Zealand Embassy in India, New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

"Special thanks to Down pointing backhand index @NZinIndia @MFATNZ @narendramodi @jacindaardern #repatriationflight #india #NZ" he added. To stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, India and New Zealand had announced lockdowns in their respective countries last month, alongside travel restrictions, forcing the 45-year-old to stay in Bengaluru.

While India remains in lockdown till May 3, New Zealand eased its stringent measures on Tuesday. The IPL, which was originally scheduled to get underway on March 29, has been suspended until further notice due to the pandemic.

The cornavirus outbreak, that originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has infected over 30 lakh people across the world while killing more than two lakh.
All sporting events, including the Tokyo Olympics, have either been cancelled or postponed.

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Rishab Shah

Rishab Shah of Cathedral and John Connon School (Fort) bagged gold in the Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA)-organised inter-school under-16 boys chess tournament at Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex, Sion yesterday.

Rishab, who won two bronze in the under-14 rapid and blitz formats in the Western Asia Youth Championships which concluded in Sri Lanka last week, finished with 8.5 points from 9 rounds. Sarvesh Kumar of Podar International School (Powai) and Vedant Panesar of Lady of Ratanbai and Sir Mathuradas Vissanji Academy (Andheri) won silver and bronze respectively.

Rishab, 14, wants to become a Grandmaster (the highest title a chess player can attain) and idolises India chess great Viswanathan Anand.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have hit 11 million followers on Instagram, but look likely to be overtaken by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are just behind them.

Meghan Markle skipped her friend Misha Nonoo's pop-up in NYC on Monday night despite being in the city to see friend Serena Williams play in the US Open over the weekend.

The Duchess of Cornwall has revealed that ketchup is the one condiment she can't live without.

The original owner, said to be a female beneficiary of a trust fund, is believed to have sold Chalet Helora to the Yorks in 2014 for 22m Swiss francs (£18m). They owe her £6.7m and she decided to go to court.

Novak Djokovic has won his fifth Wimbledon title after defeating Roger Federer in an epic five hour Wimbledon final decided by the first ever final set tie break.

Tennis fan Kate, 37, donned a stunning baby blue custom made gown as she attended Wimbledon's final day with husband Prince William, 37. The royal beamed as she watched the match.

Despite her wardrobe remaining impeccable and smile as dazzling as ever, the Duchess of Cambridge’s bruise-like under-eye circles and puffy eyebags are showing the strain.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2019 Christmas card featuring their children Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis has been shared online.

Johanna Konta met the Duchess of Cambridge at the practice courts before the match but was not aware that the tennis-loving royal was also in the stands.

RICHARD KAY Not even 20 months have passed since that magical day when they stood on the steps of St George's Chapel at Windsor and, with a kiss, enchanted a global audience of millions.

Camilla, 72, continued her busy week of engagements by hosting a reception this morning at Clarence House to mark the 15th anniversary of the SafeLives charity.

The Duchess of Cornwall, 72, looked elegant in a forest-green ensemble as she joined Prince Charles, 71, to welcome guests for the Queen's Anniversary Prizes at Buckingham Palace today.

The Duchess of Cornwall took to Twitter to send a message to victims of domestic abuse during coronavirus lockdown, saying she's aware that home is not a safe place for many people.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall completed the fortnight in isolation at the couple's Scottish residence of Birkhall, with each of them residing in different parts of the 305-year-old property.

Camilla, 72, who is in Scotland with Prince Charles, let slip her secret love of ballet in a video call to mark International Dance Day with Darcey Bussell, and Angela Rippon.

Prince Charles, 71, and Camilla, 72, have wished Captain Tom Moore a 'very happy 100th birthday' on the Clarence House Instagram page.

For two weeks Kate and William rented the exclusive £27,000-a-week Villa Antilles, which boasts a 60ft infinity pool and stunning sea views out to the neighbouring islands of Bequia and Saint Vincent.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, 37, are no strangers to a local pub and visit the Old Boot Inn in Bucklebury, near the Middletons, often. The former landlord was even invited to their wedding.

While Prince William attended the Tusk Conservation Awards solo, the Duchess of Cambridge had to make her apologies at the last minute and stay at home to look after their three children.

According to the New York Times, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have featured in nine of the 10 most popular Instagram posts, across both their own and William and Kate's Instagram accounts.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman revealed Harry and Meghan will instead spend the festive season with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland and their baby son, Archie, at a mystery location.

The Duchess of Cambridge (pictured this afternoon) has remained in London while Prince William faced his brother at the Norfolk estate with the Queen and Prince Charles.

This is not your average spaghetti western thou as women are the lead and men play a supporting role

Stanislav Bogdanovich, 26, a grandmaster, was his country's former quick chess champion and his death came soon after he had controversially played online for Russia against Ukraine.

It's come to light that Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, might have relatives that are even more well-known than her distinguished spouse. Here at other famous familial connections.

Last night's glittering NATO reception at Buckingham Palace saw the Duchess of Cambridge, 37, chatting in animated fashion to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Shohreh Bayat, 32, referee for the 2020 World Chess Championships in Shanghai and Vladivostock, fears returning to Iran after she was caught without a headscarf on.

The Cambridges will kick off a day of engagements in South Wales next week with a visit to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Lifeboat station to learn about the  24-hour rescue service.

Kate, 38, was in Mumbles, near Swansea, alongside her husband Prince William, 37, for a busy day of engagements which saw them visit the Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot and tour a lifeboat station.

Kate Middleton, 38, sported Beulah London's £95 pink and red Shibani scarf for her outing to South Wales with Prince William, 37, yesterday. It is once again available to buy online.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, selected a glitzy pair of daisy-shaped diamond earrings worth £17,300 as she arrived for her first official visit to the Republic of Ireland earlier today.

British facialist Sarah Chapman, from London, who set up her skincare brand Skinesis in 2008, shared a gushing Instagram post about her relationship with Meghan Markle, 38, online.

Hillary Clinton said that the treatment of Meghan Markle over the past three years has been 'heartbreaking and wrong', accusing some criticism of having a 'racial element'.

Kate Middleton, 38, proved she remains queen of the high street last night as she donned a pair of £5 Accessorize earrings for an evening reception in Dublin during her royal tour of Ireland.

From a red maple leaf hat in Canada, to her chic black evening dress that mirrored the flag of New Zealand, we look at how the Duchess proves she is a real fashion citizen of the world.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge delighted fans by sharing a snap of their romantic moment on top of an Irish clifftop that was first captured by a royal photographer from behind.

Kate Middleton, 38, last night dazzled in a pair of blue crystal and pearl earrings by British label Erdem. Earlier she wore diamond and ruby earrings that she received as a wedding present.

The Duchess of Cambridge was seen wearing a green shiny dress by hot label The Vampire's Wife during her visit to Ireland.

Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, have taken to Kensington Palace Instagram to share a handmade card Prince George made to celebrate Mother's Day.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk that a 'very considerable responsibility rests on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's shoulders at this difficult time.

Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, spoke to doctors and nurses at the Queen's Hospital Burton, Staffordshire, and the University Hospital Monklands in North Lanarkshire.

The Duchess of Cambridge was 'moved to tears' by the sacrifices of frontline workers, leading the royal couple to launc their mental health support service 'Our Frontline' last week. 

Richard Ward, who blow dries Kate Middleton's hair at his Chelsea salon and styled her locks for her evening wedding reception, told People the Duke and Duchess are a down-to-earth couple.

The project - spearheaded by Kate, 38, who is patron of the National Portrait Gallery and a keen amateur photographer - is called Hold Still, and aims to capture a snapshot of the UK in lockdown.

The Duchess of Cambridge has appeared on ITV's This Morning today to discuss her new project with the National Portrait Gallery, and gave a glimpse at how George and Charlotte are coping.

The Duke of Cambridge is expected to say it is in the 'best interests' of the UK for Pakistan to succeed as he and his wife begin their tour.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's trip to Pakistan saw local newspapers celebrate the way the royal couple have conducted their tour. William was described as a 'Prince Charming'.

Kate wore a black flora coat from Beulah London as she and William had a tour around the facility, where British servicemen help their Pakistani counterparts train the animals.