Bata India, India’s most trusted footwear brand, has unveiled a refreshed chapter of its ‘Make Your Way’ campaign, with actor Sanjana Sanghi coming on board as its new face. The campaign continues to spotlight the Victoria Ballerina range, placing the classic ballerina silhouette centre stage as a symbol of everyday comfort and modern femininity. Bata’s association with the silhouette is longstanding. Bata India holds the trademark for “Ballerinas” being the brand that created the category, which is now one of the most loved segments in women’s wear. Sanjana’s grounded, self-made journey and purposeful voice mirror the values the collection stands for, confidence, authenticity and contemporary femininity, reinforcing Bata’s vision of creating footwear that supports young women shaping their own paths, on their own terms.

Bata India onboards Sanjana Sanghi to launch its new victoria ballerina collection

Ballerinas have long been central to Bata’s design heritage. Inspired by Europe’s classic dance lineage, the silhouette was originally created for balance, movement and long hours on the feet, principles that align seamlessly with Bata’s own legacy of comfort-first craftsmanship. Engineered through multiple mould iterations, the Ballerinas deliver elevated arch support, a soft cushioned sole and a breathable foot-hugging upper. Ballerinas have brought comfort into everyday wear.

At the heart of the campaign is the Victoria Ballerina collection, created for women who move seamlessly between work, college, leisure and daily routines. The range features lightweight silhouettes in soft pastels and warm neutrals, blending Bata’s comfort-first approach with clean, feminine design for all-day wearability.

Watch the full film here:  www.instagram.com/p/DUPglYxEt2J/

Commenting on the launch, Badri Beriwal, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, Bata India, said, “With Everyday Comfort and the Victoria Ballerina, we are reaffirming what Bata stands for today, footwear that complements modern lifestyles. Our focus is on delivering products that are thoughtfully designed, stylish, and truly comfortable for everyday wear.”

“For me, Comfort and confidence are two sides of the same coin,” says Sanjana Sanghi. “I want shoes that let me move through my day without thinking about them. The Victoria Ballerinas fit naturally into my everyday life, whether I’m working, travelling, or just stepping out.”

 Entering 2026 on a strong momentum, the ballerina silhouette will anchor the portfolio, reaching consumers across diverse style preferences in India—from modern to conservative. The narrative will be amplified through a diversified, integrated marketing ecosystem spanning digital, social, influencer-led content, in-store visibility, PR, and traditional media to ensure scale, relevance, and cultural resonance.

The brand is leveraging digital channels such as Spotify, JioCinema, and NoBroker, supported by high-visibility OOH placements throughout the country. ‘Make Your Way’ reflects Bata India’s renewed focus on design-led, stylish footwear for young consumers, while staying rooted in the brand’s long-standing promise of trust and comfort.

The Victoria Ballerina collection price starts from Rs. 899 and is available across Bata retail stores, the Bata app, and leading e-commerce platforms. The ‘Make Your Way’ campaign is live across digital platforms, social media and retail touchpoints, reinforcing Bata India’s commitment to elevating everyday footwear through design and comfort.

About Bata India

For close to a century, Bata India has been a symbol of trust and quality for the Indian consumers, serving 250,000 customers every day in 2023. Throughout this journey, Bata has continuously evolved to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its customers to become the largest footwear retailer and manufacturer in the country. Its expansive retail network consists of 1900+ stores (Company Owned and Franchise). Augmented by thousands of Multi Brand Outlets and a robust omni-channel presence across D2C and marketplaces, Bata India sells close to 50 million pairs annually.

Bata India, India’s most trusted footwear brand, is on a mission to make global trends and premium fashion accessible to all consumers through its extensive retail network. It is redefining the intersection of fashion and comfort through its various brands – Bata Red Label for in trend global styles, Bata Comfit for technology enabled comfort in daily wear, athleisure brand Power for fitness sneakers and apparel, NorthStar for sneakers inspired by global youth trends, fashionable range of clogs and slip-ons under Floatz, kids brand Bubblegummers that has won the trust of parents while inspiring fun, and Hush Puppies the global brand that epitomises comfort and elegance to name a few.

To explore the world of Bata, please visit www.bata.com/in.

The all-electric VinFast VF 7 SUV has been honoured with the “EV SUV of the Year – Editor’s Choice” award at the BBC TopGear India Awards 2026, one of the most influential automotive media properties in India. It recognises the VF 7 as a model that delivers strong overall value in its segment, offering a balance of pricing, features, design, and performance, while reinforcing VinFast’s focus on developing products that are tailored to the needs and preferences of Indian customers.

Mr. Tapan Ghosh (center), CEO of VinFast India, received the award from Mr. Cyrus Dhabhar, Managing Editor at Exhibit Group & BBC TopGear India

The BBC TopGear India Awards is a prestigious annual awards program organized by BBC TopGear India magazine, one of India’s leading automotive publications and globally-recognized platform that celebrate best vehicles, innovations, and automotive excellence from the preceding year. Considered industry benchmarks, this award influences consumer perception and reinforces brand credibility for the models and manufacturers recognised.

This year, the VinFast VF 7 impressed the jury with its market-focused approach to product development for India, where consumers increasingly prioritise long-term value, running costs and safety. The VF 7 was recognised as a model that meets these expectations effectively, while still standing out with high standards of design, technology, features, and performance.

The VF 7, positioned in the premium C-SUV segment, stands out with a striking exterior and breakthrough design based on the “Asymmetric Aerospace” philosophy. It offers a combination of premium design, modern technology, robust safety features, and performance. The VF 7 recently received a 5-star BNCAP safety rating, further reinforcing VinFast’s commitment to making safety one of the core pillars of its brand in India. With its distinctive presence and strong value proposition, the VF 7 is poised to make a clear mark in India’s rapidly growing electric vehicle landscape.

The award at the BBC TopGear India Awards 2026 represents an important milestone for the VF 7 and adds to VinFast’s growing list of achievements as the brand expands across international markets. It also reflects VinFast’s consistent strategy of making premium electric vehicles more accessible to a wider range of customers.

Mr. Tapan Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer of VinFast India, stated, “We are excited to win the ‘EV SUV of the year’ Award at BBC TopGear India Awards 2026 as it is an incredible milestone for VinFast. This is clear proof that we are on the right track with our strategy of delivering accessible, value-driven premium electric vehicles that combine distinctive design, exhilarating performance, and top-tier safety. It inspires us to keep raising the bar as we bring modern, safe, and sustainable mobility solutions to Indian customers.”

Mr. Ramesh Somani, Founder, Chief Editor at Exhibit Group & BBC TopGear India, said, “On the eve of the 6th Edition of the BBC TopGear India Awards, we celebrate the machines and the minds shaping the future of mobility in India. From performance to innovation and sustainability, this year’s winners have raised the bar higher than ever. The VF 7 represents the kind of thoughtful, no-compromise electric SUV that buyers are looking for today, which is why it earns our EV SUV of the Year – Editors’ Choice.” 

With a well-defined investment strategy, VinFast is gradually building a comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem in India that integrates manufacturing, financial solutions, charging infrastructure, and after-sales services to ensure a seamless electric vehicle ownership experience for customers. Guided by a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, and with products such as the VF 7, VinFast continues to advance its mission to accelerate the transition to green mobility in one of the world’s most dynamic automotive markets.

About VinFast
VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast’s product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, and e-buses. 

VinFast is currently embarking on its next growth phase through rapid expansion of its distribution and dealership network globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities with a focus on key markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Learn more at: vinfastauto.in

The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup is less than a fortnight away, and the build-up to the T20 extravaganza is heating up as most of the teams are already playing or are set to play in bilateral T20I series to perfect their preparations for the tenth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup.

Top 5 Favourites to Win the Player of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup

The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup would mark a new leaf in the history of the tournament, as this will be the first edition which would not be marked by the presence of former Indian skipper Rohit Sharma or former Bangladesh skipper Shakib al Hasan.

Veterans like David Warner and Virat Kohli have played some memorable performances in the recent editions of the marquee tournament, but will not appear in the 2026 edition. This year could mark the rise of new legends in T20Is with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Aiden Markram, Harry Brook, and Mitchell Marsh vying to win their first ICC tournament as the skipper of their respective nations.

While batters have majorly ruled the roost in terms of winning the Player of the Tournament accolade at the previous T20 World Cups, the last edition witnessed Jasprit Bumrah bagging the individual accolade after a thoroughly impressive performance, helping India end their 17-year wait for the ICC T20 World Cup trophy.

Let’s have a look at the top four favorites to win the Player of the Tournament award at the 2026 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup:

#5 Marco Jansen (South Africa)

Marco Jansen will have to contribute as a genuine all-rounder in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup

Marco Jansen has emerged as one of the best all-rounders in T20 cricket over the last couple of years, as his power-hitting abilities have consistently improved, and the lanky all-rounder now stands as the firm favorite to play at No.7 or No.8 for the Proteas.

Placed alongside New Zealand and Afghanistan in Group D, South Africa would have an unenviable task of being at their best from the word ‘go’, which could prove to be tough, as showcased in their 3-1 loss to India in a recent bilateral series in similar conditions.

Jansen showcased his power-hitting in the dead rubber of the series, smashing two boundaries and three maximums in 12 deliveries and also bowled a brilliant spell of 2/25 in four overs in the only match Markram’s men won in the tournament.

#4 Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
The Australian skipper has proven to be a powerhouse for Lucknow Supergiants, and despite the fact that Supergiants struggled in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League season, Marsh ended up in the Top 5 of the Orange Cap race with 627 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 163.71.

After winning the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, Australia has suffered two consecutive disappointing campaigns in the tournament, and both campaigns hurt the Kangaroos in different ways. While the loss in the 2022 edition at home would have arguably hurt them the most, the fact that they were eliminated by dark horses Afghanistan from the last edition would have stung even more for the fans down under.

A product of Western Australian cricket, Marsh is one of the three Australian batters to feature in the Top 11 of the ICC T20I Men’s Batter rankings, alongside Travis Head and Tim David. The opening batter is well-versed with pitches in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Chennai, which could benefit the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup champions in the Super Eight stage.

#3 Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)
Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi would be a key figure in the middle-order for Afghanistan alongside Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan. Over the years, Nabi has proven his mettle by finishing several matches for the Afghan Atalans and has a career strike rate of 136.59, which further improves to 165.5 when we narrow his T20I record to matches played in India.

Along with his power-packed variety of batting shots, the 41-year old is a wily spinner who can spin webs around the opposition teams, especially on spin-friendly pitches in Chennai and Colombo. 

Afghanistan will open their group stage campaign and end it at the M.A.Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and their tournament opener against New Zealand could prove to be crucial for their 2026 ICC T20 World Cup chances.

Nabi would be expected to support the spin trio of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, skipper Rashid, and Noor Ahmad while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Omarzai take care of the seam bowling duties. Afghanistan have a strong chance of making it to the semi-finals yet again if they play their cards right with Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli in top form at the top of the order.

#2 Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
Pathum Nissanka has been the shining light for Sri Lanka’s flailing batting order in the last couple of years. While the youngster started his career with timid strike rates in T20Is, Nissanka’s consistency and improvement in the last couple of years have been rewarded by a bidding war between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders at the 2026 IPL mini-auctionw which ended with the Capitals shelling out INR 4 Crores to sign the Lankan batter.

Over the last couple of years, the 27-year old has bulked up, gained more power, and opened his shot selection to more options, thus improving his strike rate to 138.53 in 2024 and 149.16 in 2025, which included a century against India in the 2025 Asia Cup. The opening batter stuck to his guns in a chase of 203 runs, scoring 107 runs off 58 balls, smashing 7 fours and 6 maximums, helping Sri Lanka take the dead rubber encounter to a Super Over battle.

The 2014 T20 World Cup champions endured a tough time in the last few editions, even failing to get out of the group stage in the 2024 edition of the tournament, finishing in third place behind Bangladesh. The Lankan Lions would be relying on the brilliance of Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga in home conditions, which would provide some much-needed familiarity to the players.

#1 Hardik Pandya (India)
The defending champions are packed with a plethora of match winners, with Hardik Pandya the most proven all-round option and the senior-most player of the team in terms of appearances for the national team.

The Mumbai Indians skipper would be playing under the leadership of his franchise colleague Suryakumar Yadav, which could prove to be a blessing in disguise, as Pandya would be freed of the captaincy responsibilities and can fully focus on opening the bowling for the Men in Blue alongside Arshdeep Singh or providing the finishing touches with the willow in his hand.

Amidst a patchy injury record, the No.4-ranked all-rounder in the ICC T20I rankings has been completely focused on perfecting his preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, as the 32-year old sat out of the ODI series against New Zealand.

Since the start of 2024, Pandya has taken a wicket in almost every three overs in T20Is, and his career batting strike rate of 143.65 is improving further as Pandya has recorded strike rates of 150+ in the previous two calendar years.

Contributed By– Mohak Arora, Parimatch Sports analytics expert

Bangalore Watch Company™ (BWC), an Indian luxury watch brand known for its contemporary collections inspired by India’s modern stories, announces the opening of its flagship boutique in Bangalore’s prestigious Lavelle Road.

Bangalore Watch Company’s first flagship boutique, a space to experience our watches and stories

The new 1,800 sq. ft. space marks an important milestone in BWC’s journey. Designed as an experience center rather than a conventional retail store, the boutique showcases the brand’s complete range of collections and features a dedicated customer lounge, a space for hosting masterclasses, and watch community events.

On display from the brand’s archives are rare pieces of Meteorites, a watch made of material recovered from a fighter-plane, and the first Indian-made watch that went to Space.

“Over time, we’ve built a strong community of watch owners across 30 countries. Many of them are frequent flyers who often make a stop at our studio in South Bangalore,” said Mercy Amalraj, Co-founder of the brand. “While that space has been perfect for one-on-one interactions, the new boutique is designed to be open, engaging, and a perfect setting for showcasing our watches and technical capabilities. Located in central Bangalore, it allows us to host more people, events, and conversations — creating a space that truly reflects the community that has grown with us.”

The boutique is situated in one of Bangalore’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, home to some of the city’s finest cafés, design houses, and prestigious retail stores. Its central location makes it easily accessible to visitors, positioning BWC at the crossroads of the city’s lifestyle, design, and watch communities.

“This boutique represents the next chapter for us,” said Nirupesh Joshi, Co-founder of Bangalore Watch Company. “From the beginning, our goal has been to create an Indian luxury watch brand that connects deeply with people through meaningful stories. With this space, we want to offer our community a place where those stories can be experienced, not just seen.”

“We’ve always believed that ownership goes beyond the product,” added Mercy. “The boutique allows us to meet our customers in person, host them for intimate gatherings, and create experiences that bring together watch lovers from across the country.”

“BWC has always been more than a watch company from Bangalore to me… As one of their first customers, it has been an absolute pleasure to witness their evolution — from their nascency online, to their cozy studio, and now to their flagship boutique in the heart of the city. This moment felt like a shared milestone for both the brand and its community of loyal owners, and I couldn’t be more proud,” said Mr. Vinay Somashekhar, customer since 2019.

BWC envisions the boutique as more than just a place to discover watches — it aims to become an anchor for the growing watch community in Bangalore, and eventually, one of the top experiences for visitors to the city from around the world.

About Bangalore Watch Company™
Founded in 2018, Bangalore Watch Company™ creates high-quality mechanical watches that tell stories of a 21st-century India. Drawing inspiration from Aviation, Cricket, Space, and the Great Outdoors, each collection captures modern Indian narratives that go far beyond stereotypes.

With several firsts to its name including watches made from recovered fighter planes and aircraft carrier materials, India’s first watch qualified for Spaceflight, and a proprietary Cerasteel™ material that is a fusion of Steel and Ceramic, the brand blends storytelling with technical innovation and contemporary design. Recognised by leading global publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, and Hodinkee for its originality and craftsmanship, Bangalore Watch Company™ stands at the forefront of modern Indian watchmaking.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Nirupesh Joshi and Mercy Amalraj who left their tech careers overseas to pursue a passion for modern Indian storytelling, the brand has built a quiet but enthusiastic following with customers in over 30 countries.

The ADAS Show 2026, India’s leading platform for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Vehicle technologies, will be held on February 12, 2026, at the ADAS Test City – Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune, with global ADAS leader Mobileye participating as a key partner alongside HERE Technologies. The event will convene senior leaders from OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, global technology companies, regulators and mobility innovators to demonstrate and validate next-generation automotive safety technologies in real-world conditions.
 

Elie Luskin, Vice President for India and China at Mobileye
 

The ADAS Test City at ARAI represents India’s first dedicated track designed exclusively for ADAS testing and validation, enabling structured evaluation of safety technologies tailored to the country’s diverse and complex road environment. The facility is expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating ADAS adoption and strengthening road safety outcomes across vehicle segments. The 2026 edition of The ADAS Show features Mobileye and HERE Technologies as key partners, reinforcing the event’s stature as a globally relevant forum for intelligent mobility.
 

Elie Luskin, Vice President for India and China at Mobileye, commented on the significance of the launch, stating, “The successful launch of India’s first dedicated ADAS testing track by ARAI marks a major milestone, underscoring the market’s commitment to scaling ADAS adoption and improving road safety.”
 

At the event, Luskin will deliver a keynote address outlining Mobileye’s global technology roadmap and its relevance to India’s mobility ecosystem. Additionally, Dhairyashil Gaekwad, Director – Business Development & Strategy, India at Mobileye, will participate in a panel discussion examining ADAS adoption across different vehicle segments in the Indian market.
 

HERE Technologies will present its latest mapping and localisation innovations through live demonstrations at the ADAS Test City. Attendees will experience HERE’s real-time localisation and high-definition mapping capabilities during on-track ADAS demonstrations, including HERE HD Live Map, HERE ISA Map, C-V2X and cloud-based localisation solutions.
 

Commenting on the collaboration, Abhijit Sengupta – Senior Director & Head of Business, India & Southeast Asia, HERE Technologies stated, “We’re honoured to partner with ARAI on this transformative initiative. The ADAS Test City is a cornerstone in India’s path toward intelligent mobility and HERE’s high-definition maps and localisation technologies are key enablers of safe, reliable and context-aware driving experiences. Together with ARAI, we aim to empower automakers, tier-1s and developers to localise, test and scale ADAS capabilities that truly reflect India’s diverse road ecosystem.”
 

The ADAS Show has emerged as India’s most prestigious and widely covered platform for ADAS and autonomous vehicle technologies. Recognised as the largest gathering of OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, technology companies and regulators in the future mobility space, it remains the only event in India to offer live, real-world testing on a track purpose-built for ADAS validation.

About The ADAS Show
The ADAS Show is India’s premier platform dedicated to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and autonomous vehicle technologies. The event brings together the automotive ecosystem to enable knowledge exchange, live technology demonstrations, and real-world testing. With strong participation from OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, technology leaders, and regulators, The ADAS Show plays a critical role in shaping the future of automotive safety and intelligent mobility in India.