National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday won the by-poll to Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, defeating People's Democratic Party’s (PDP) Nazim Ahmad Khan by over 10,000 votes.

The by-election to Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held on April 9. Here is the timeline of the astute leader's political career:

1980: Abdullah joins politics. He was elected to the Lok Sabha unopposed from Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency in the general election.

1981: A year later, he was appointed as the President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference party.

1982: He was elected to the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly and appointed as the Minister of Health. A day after he became the health minister, Abdullah became the anointed heir to the Chief Ministerial throne after the death of his father Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, who was then serving as the state CM.

1983: Abdullah became the chief minister and was appointed as the member of J-K Legislative Assembly.

1983-87: He served as the chief minister with interruptions by the President’s rule imposed in the state due to the state’s political instability.

1987-90: He was sworn in as the J-K Chief Minister for the fourth time.

1996: He was elected as the chief minister for the fifth time.

2002: In 2002, Abdullah was elected as the member of Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir for a term of six years. The same year, his son Omar Abdullah was picked for leading the National Conference party. The party suffered a loss in the polls by an INC-PDP alliance led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

2009: Abullah then continued to focus more on his political career in the Centre. He was re-elected to Rajya Sabha in 2009, however, he resigned in May after he won the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Abdullah, then, joined the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as the cabinet minister of New and Renewable Energy.

2014: His only electoral defeat came in the 2014 Lok Sabha election in the hands of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Tariq Hameed Karra.

2017: He won the by-poll to Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency defeating PDP’s Nazim Ahmad Khan.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan taught his signature Lungi dance step to American filmmaker Brett Ratner, who expressed a desire to direct the actor in a sequel of Rush Hour in India here.

The two shared the stage at the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFILM), which paid a tribute to Shah Rukh in its 60th year.

"One day I want to make a Rush Hour sequel in India with SRK in it," said Ratner, known for directing the Rush Hour series and X-Men: The Last Stand, and for producing the Oscar winning movie The Revenant.

Both the stars — suited and booted — seemed to have immense fun during their conversation at the Castro Theatre here on Friday evening. 

Before their tete-a-tete, Ratner posted on Instagram a photograph of himself with Shah Rukh.

"With the King of Bollywood – SRK – Getting ready for our conversation at SFFILM," he captioned it.

Later, he posted a video wherein Shah Rukh teaches him how to groove to Lungi dance — the catchy number from his blockbuster movie "Chennai Express". Since the music wasn't available, the charmer that Shah Rukh is, he took the mic and sportingly sang the song as well as taught Ratner some of the steps.

Ratner followed the steps well, and hugged Shah Rukh, who has spent a quarter of a century in Indian showbiz and is one of Bollywood's most known faces across the globe.

"With King Khan doing the Lungi dance during the SFFILM. Inspiring, humble, a great dancer, and smells great too," Ratner captioned the video.

Shah Rukh used the term "awesome" for Ratner, who even gifted him a doll modelled on himself.

"Thanx Brett Ratner for a great evening at the SFFILM, your doll is awesome like you," he tweeted with an image where he is seen holding up the doll.

The Bollywood badshah also thanked the festival officials for the tribute.

"You made me feel special and all who came to attend. Love you and hugs," he tweeted.

Shah Rukh's My Name is Khan was also screened as part of the line-up of movies at the festival, which is even paying a tribute to John Ridley, Gordon Gund, Ethan Hawke and James Ivory.

After a prolonged legal battle and a court verdict in its favour, the Odisha government is set to renew the concession agreements (CAs) as well as expedite the land acquisition process for 10 minor ports along its coast.

"As the Orissa High Court has disposed of the case pertaining to the non-major port projects, we have initiated the process of renewal of the concession agreements," Commerce Minister Ramesh Majhi said.

He also said the land acquisition process is in full swing for several port projects.

The Odisha government had proposed to set up 13 minor ports along its 480-km-long coastline. Of these, only two — Dhamra and Gopalpur — are functional, one has been abandoned due to environmental concerns and no substantial development has taken place at 10 other locations due to several legal and other hurdles.

A public suit was filed in the court in 2011 challenging the state government's port policy. It termed signing of MoUs with private industrial houses without going for the transparency method of international bidding was illegal.

Environment activist Biswajit Mohanty, who had filed the suit, said the route adopted would deprive the government of huge revenue. However, the case was disposed of as the petitioner did not turn up for the hearing, an official said.

"We are in the process of renewing the agreements for the Subarnarekha and Astarang port projects. We will sign an agreement with Aditya Birla Group, which has proposed to set up a port at Chudamani," the minister added.

He said a discussion at the official level with the proponents of these projects has already been held.

The state government proposed five ports in Balasore's Bichitrapur, the Subarnarekha's confluence, Bahabalpur and Inchudi.

This apart, there were proposals for constructing ports at Chudamani and Dhamra in Bhadrak district and at Palur, Gopalpur and the Bahuda's confluence in Ganjam district, at Astarang and Baliharchandi in Puri district and at Jatadhar in Jagatsinghpur district.

Some of the chosen sites fell through as the proponents, including Posco India, walked out while the one at Barunei Muhan was shelved because of its potentially damaging ecological impact.

Meanwhile, the decision of the state government to expedite land acquisition has benefited Tata Steel, which has executed a definitive agreement with Chennai-based Creative Port Development (CPDPL) and their promoters for the proposed development of Subarnarekha Port.

It will acquire majority equity stake in CPDPL, and the port development is envisaged through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Subarnarekha Port (SPPL).

Technology addiction has become so widespread that children as young as 13 are now being treated for excessive use of smartphones and video games at a facility in the US, media reported.

The reSTART Life Centre near Seattle is the only treatment unit of its kind in the western world and helps youngsters with addiction to digital technology, including video games, Sky News reported on Friday.

The treatment facility for adolescents between ages 13 and 18 is named Serenity Mountain. 

"In a world filled with endless virtual influences impinging on personal and family connection, we are thrilled to have settled on a location rich in chill, and long on calm," reSTART said in a statement.

"When you start handing these devices to young children and they're distracted by the movement, the colour and sound coming from this device, that is mesmerising enough that it will override all those natural instincts that children actually have for movement and exploration and social interaction," the centre's founder Dr Hilarie Cash was quoted as saying by Sky News.

The treatment is offered in different phases.

"Our Intensive assessment phase is designed for a comprehensive evaluation of individual and family functioning and typically runs about 8-12 weeks," reSTART said.

During this time, a specialised team of skilled clinicians works with individuals and their families to better understand the complex nature of digital media use, the inherent developmental challenges being faced, and the underlying medical and mental health conditions which complicate a desire to change.

For those requiring longer term care, an extended care programme provides year-round support, with a typical stay lasting nine to 12 months. 

Smartphone addiction has emerged as a major problem with devastating consequences in recent times. 

A new study published in the Information Systems Journal found that people who use smartphones in excess may experience personal, social and workplace problems.

National Conference chief and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday took an unassailable lead of 10,557 votes to beat People's Democratic Party (PDP) rival Nazir Ahmad Khan.

Abdullah was leading by 9,633 votes over his rival after the 17th round of counting. Abdullah polled 35539 against Nazir’s 24931.

The counting of votes began at 8 am. The bypoll to Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held on 9 April. A re-poll was ordered for 13 April at 38 polling stations in Budgam district after eight civilians were killed in a clash that erupted between protesters and security forces.

Nine candidates were in the fray, but the main battle was between Farooq and Nazir Ahmad Khan.

Farooq had lost the seat to PDP's Tariq Hameed Karra in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Born on 21 October 1937 in Soura, Abdullah served as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir on several times since 1982. He was the Union minister for New and Renewable Energy between 2009 and 2014.

He was also elected to the Lok Sabha unopposed from Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency in 1980 general elections.

Candidates waiting to get their SBI PO admit card 2017 for State Bank of India probationary officers' preliminary examination can now download admit card from the official website www.sbi.co.in

As per the latest updates, SBI PO admit card/hall ticket 2017 for preliminary examination has been released on the website and candidates trying to download the admit card have to enter the official website and fill the blank space with the required information including roll number, date of birth and other required information in the blank space.

SBI preliminary examination is an important examination conducted for the recruitment of probationary officers across the country.
In 2017, SBI preliminary examination will take place on April 29, 30 and May 6 and 7 across the examination centers and authorities are planning to recruit 2,313 probationary officers.

Candidates are advise to take a print out of the admit card and carry it along at the time of examination.

If close sources are to believed then SBI PO preliminary exam results 2017 will be declared online on May 17, 2017. 

Reliance Jio may not be in a position to offer complementary benefits for another three months, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said.

“Reliance Jio cannot offer complementary benefits for another three months as the latest offer violates regulations,” the Trai stated recently.

Mukesh Ambani-backed Jio has jolted the telecom sector completely since its launch in September 2016. In only 170 days, Jio’s subscriber base crossed 100-million mark.

"Jio was launched on 5 September 2016. In only 170 days we have crossed the 100 million customer mark. This achievement is of India and Indians," Ambani said in February.

Meanwhile, in a latest statement, Jio said that nearly 72 million subscribers have converted themselves to paid users by March 31.

Although Trai has forced Jio to end ‘Summer Surprise’ offer after Vodafone’s complaint but now the company has come up with new price-war offer of Rs.309 which will give Jio Prime subscribers 84 GB data for nearly three months (84 days).

Jio Prime subscribers will get 84GB for 84 days on the first recharge of Rs.309, while those who recharge of Rs.509 will get 168GB for 84 days, according to Jio’s website.

Other major telecom players, such as Airtel and Vodafone, have also slumped data and call charges to retain their customers.

Airtel’s Rs.345 plan offers 28GB 3G/4G data with a validity of 28 days. In addition to data, customers will get unlimited local and STD calls also in this offer.

Besides, Vodafone has announced unlimited calls across all networks in the country at Rs.344-349 plans. The plans come with a weekly limit of 300 minutes and 1,200 minutes.

Jio has launched a price war in the telecom industry which is good for the customers but may leave few players alive. British telecom major Vodafone’s plan to merge with India’s Idea Cellular and create a new telecom giant to counter Jio is a latest example of telecom companies’ ongoing tough time.

According to Ambani, “Ninety nine per cent of the country's population will be covered by the Jio network by the end of 2017”.

The statement is a threat for other players who were minting money in the fast-growing Indian market. In Q3FY17, Airtel reported a massive 65.5 per cent dip in third quarter profit, which was far lower than analysts' estimates. Other companies have also seen a decline in their profits after Jio’s launch.

The 72 million subscribers, who have been stolen by Jio from other players, will now contribute to Jio’s earnings. Jio’s latest offers are still below the market price which has been set by other telecom players.

Meanwhile, the latest Jio offers indicate that the company will continue to hurt other players to achieve Ambani’s dream of covering 99 per cent population with Jio network.

The trailer of Sachin Tendulkar’s much-awaited biographical film Sachin: A Billion Dreams is making big waves.

Sachin recently unveiled the trailer and celebs are all praise and anticipation for it.

The soon-to-be-released film traces the journey of Sachin Tendulkar, his brilliant 24-year international career and represented the hopes and aspirations of millions of people across the country.

Various celebrities took to social media pouring in their reactions.

Ranveer Singh shares: Whatta playa! Whatta trailer! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gTeE6pa4Kg … @sachin_rt Proud of You, Rava! @ravi0404 #SachinABillionDreams

Atul Kasbekar shares: A peek into the life of The #Master The #Legend The #ProudIndian I've seen it, an absolute must watch

Farhan Akhtar shares: It's amazing how @sachin_rt has touched all our lives in some way. can't wait to see this. #SachinTrailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gTeE6pa4Kg …

Riteish Deshmukh shares: Sachin.. Sachin.. simply incredible… Am one of the Billion dreams. Can't wait. @sachin_rt

Sonam Kapoor shares: Epic!!! @sachin_rt !!

Abhishek Bachchan shares: Book the date! #SachinTrailer God is coming to a cinema near you!! @sachin_rt

Director James Erskine, Producer Ravi Bhagchandka and Shrikant Bhasi and Sachin Tendulkar were present at the launch of the trailer and gave the audience a sneak-peak into the movie.

Produced by Ravi Bhagchandka and Shrikant Bhasi, helmed by James Erskine, Sachin: A Billion Dreams is all set to release on 26 May 2017.

Prabhas, who is busy promoting his upcoming movie Baahubali The Conclusion, is all ready to set up an archery range in his house.

The actor not just learned sword fighting for Baahubali but also took lessons for archery. He has grown interest towards archery and he likes to watch the matches.

A team of professional players had trained Prabhas for the movie.

Prabhas learned archery for quite some time, as it was required for both the parts of Baahubali.

With practice sessions, his interest in the sport grew and now he keenly follows it.

The south cinema star goes to Youtube to watch archery matches and if time permits he also watches live tournaments.

Prabhas shares "I was introduced to archery because of Baahubali. A professional team was training me for it. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and eventually have taken a liking to the sport even after shoot is over."

Directed by SS Rajamouli, the movie features Prabhas and Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah Bhatia, Anushka Shetty and Satyaraj.

The film is slated to release on 28 April 2017.

A day after Punjab’s tourism, art and culture minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said he intends to introduce a compulsory subject on culture in schools and colleges, a Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) lawyer on Saturday sought stern action from Sidhu against vulgarity in Punjabi songs.

In an open letter addressed to Punjab minister, HC advocate and Right to Information activist, HC Arora has welcomed Sidhu’s step to invite prominent personalities for discussion on framing of cultural policy by the Punjab government.

The advocate has suggested Sidhu to ensure concrete steps for preventing ‘vulgarity’ in Punjabi songs. He sought such preventive steps to be included in the policy.

Further, Arora has sought some provisions for financial aid to Punjabi authors, writers, lyricists and singers of old age. He mentioned that such artists who are in need of such financial aid, particularly for medical treatment, should also be incorporated in the policy.

Sidhu has invited famous Punjabi Singer Gurdas Maan, poet Surjit Patar and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and comedian, Gurpreet Singh Waraich among other prominent Punjabi artists on Sunday to chalk out modalities over Punjab’s new culture policy.

“I want the young Punjabi generation to be connected with our heritage, glorious history and culture as they appear to be moving away from our rich past, culture and folk,” the cricketer-turned-politician said on Friday.

He said the youth should be aware of Sarbans Dani Guru Gobind Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Master Tara Singh, martyr Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai. They should know who was Madan Lal Dhingra and what was the Kuka movement about.

“They should be aware of our culture and folk,” Sidhu said while pointing out that the youth should be prevented from “going astray,” Sidhu said while pointing out that the youth should be prevented from “going astray”.

The law enforcement agencies on Saturday foiled a major terror bid planned for Easter in Lahore city of Pakistan, a statement said.

Security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in which one militant was killed and a woman arrested, The News International cited the Inter-Services Public Relations statement as saying.

Four soldiers sustained injuries during the operation, it said.

Suicide jackets and explosive material were recovered from the terrorists.

Easter, which always falls on Sunday, is the day when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Last year on Easter, 72 persons were killed in a suicide blast in Lahore's Gulshan-e-Iqbal park.

Racing against time for GST rollout, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) chief Vanaja N Sarna has sanctioned Rs.1 crore to each of 23 zones to conduct an outreach programme about the new tax regime.

Sarna asked officials of each zone to carry out the outreach at the local level to explain the new structure as also its benefits, registration and compliance.

“To implement this, zonal chief commissioners have now been requested to utilise an amount of Rs.1 crore out of the funds under the 'OE General' head for this purpose,” she wrote in her weekly newsletter.

The funds, she said, should be used for extensive outreach for educating taxpayers on legal and procedural aspects and the compliance expected under GST.

“At this point, I urge you to take this opportunity to project our department as the prime facilitator for taxpayers in their migration to GST. This is the time to make our presence felt. Efforts made in the direction of taxpayers' education and facilitation in coming months will hold us in good stead with various stakeholders,” she wrote.

The President has given his assent to four supporting legislations, putting the July 1 rollout of the new regimeon track.

GST will subsume central levies like excise and Customs and state ones like VAT into a national unified sales tax.

She said the work on fitment of all goods and services into five tax slabs of 5, 12, 18 an 28 per cent is in progress.

“At this stage, it is of paramount importance that we have an effective outreach to all the stakeholders to inform them of the salient features and benefits of GST,” she said.

In the previous newsletter, she had stated that as part of the outreach programme, 24 print advertisements had been taken out in almost 200 different newspapers and outdoor GST campaign in major cities being undertaken using mediums like hoardings, rail train panels, bus queue shelters, bridge panels and billboards.

Special GST awareness campaign has been displayed through 12 Air India aircraft and TV advertisements, and radio jingles are being run on major channels.

Also, a YouTube channel named 'GST_India' has been created featuring major interviews and parliamentary discussions.

“I urge all of you to carry out outreach programmes at the local level so that we cover the entire length and breadth of the country. At this crucial stage, it is important that all stakeholders are suitably informed of the salient features and benefits of GST,” she wrote.

Stating that migration of existing central excise and service tax assessees to the GST-Network (GSTN) is an area of concern at this stage, she urged all chief commissioners to fast-track the process.

West Bengal on Saturday ushered in "Poila Baisakh" or the Bengali New Year with traditional fervour.

Devout Bengalis visited the Kalighat and Dakshineshwar temples and offered flowers and traditional sweets (sandesh) to the goddess.

Dressed in new clothes, the hallmark of the new year festivities in this part of the country, revellers, cutting across religious barriers, celebrated the day with family and friends. People greeted each other by saying "shubho naba barsho" (happy new year).

It is a time when many family members fly back to Bengal from across the world to be with their near and dear ones.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her greetings as she visited the Kalighat temple and distributed sweets.

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir, whose team is set to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens in the afternoon, also extended new year wishes to the fans.

"A very happy Bengali new year to all of you. Hopefully @KKRiders can present you with a win today as new year's gift," Gambhir tweeted.

With the day also marking the start of a new financial year, shopkeepers and businessmen observed the "haal khata" ceremony — closing their old account books and opening new ones.

The Bangabda or the Bengali calendar was promulgated in 1584 A.D. by Mughal emperor Akbar. 

Initially known as the "Tarikh-e-Elahi", the purpose of the calendar was to glorify Akbar's ascent to the throne along with facilitating revenue collection.

Cashing in on the fervour, eateries across the city and the state have laid out lavish spreads of authentic Bengali cuisine, including mochar chop (plantain flower cutlet), kumro phul bhaaja (pumpkin flower fritters), daab chingri (jumbo prawn in tender coconut) and a variety of lip-smacking traditional desserts like mishti doi (sweet yoghurt).

Sugar-free sandesh flew off the shelves at iconic confectioners such as Balaram Mullick and KC Das, the latter claimant to being the inventors of rasogolla.

Smiling traders welcomed customers with sweets and new Bengali calendars, as people went on a shopping spree.

 Ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) candidate Dilli Ram Thapa on Saturday defeated BJP's Suresh Khanal Sharma to win the Upper Burtuk assembly by-poll, garnering over 8,000 votes.

According to the Election Commission, Thapa secured 8,406 votes to claim the Upper Burtuk seat while nearest rival, Sharma, could only garner 374 votes out of the total 9,427 polled on April 12.

The Congress' Sumitra Rai got just 98 votes — two less than the NOTA, or none of the above.

Five independent candidates got a cumulative 449 votes.

The by-poll was necessitated following the disqualification of sitting MLA Prem Singh Tamang, accused of misappropriation of funds during his tenure as the state Animal Husbandry department Minister in 1996-97.

Tamang, a former SDF leader, is founder of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, the largest opposition in the 32-member state assembly. 

Eight engineering students, including two girls, from Belgaum in Karnataka drowned in the sea off Malvan, Sindhudurg, here on Saturday afternoon, police said.

Another three students were rescued by local fisherfolk. One of the students is in serious condition and undergoing treatment at Malvan hospital, said Sindhudurg Police Control official Ravindra Ghirkar.

The victims were part of a 50-strong group of picknickers from a private engineering college who arrived here early on Saturday in a private bus from Belgaum and had gone to the picturesque Wayri Beach.

Shortly after reaching here, the students, allegedly ignoring warnings by locals of strong currents, ventured into the sea and were soon washed away into deep waters.

Fisherfolk managed to rescue three of them. They later retrieved the bodies of the other eight, including the two girls.

Top police and district officials have arrived at the scene of the tragedy from Sindhudurg, around 35 km away.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is in the capital to shoot a cameo for R. Balki's Padman, starring Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor.

Akshay, Sonam and Balki have been shooting here for the film on a real life man who made sanitary pads accessible to women of his village, but Big B joined them on Saturday.

In a late night blog post on Friday, the veteran actor wrote: "I work tomorrow… A shoot for R. Balki for the film he does with Akshay Kumar. A special appearance for a few minutes."

Amitabh and Balki have worked together in films like Cheeni Kum, Paa, Shamitabh and he also featured in cameos for the director's other projects English Vinglish and Ki & Ka.

Talking about the director, Amitabh wrote: "Balki does carry his sincerity at every step of his creativity, and must have my presence in some form or another, and so here I am."

The 74-year-old actor has been busy with projects — including advertisements — of late.

He sported a heavily bearded look for an ad, and many on social media conjectured it may be his get up for "Thugs of Hindostan". But he had later denied it.

"It be for an advertisement that I worked on yesterday with the affable Imtiaz Ali, director of repute, for one of the products that I endorse," he posted, even sharing some photographs of two completely different looks that he has sported.

Turning a bit philosophical, Big B said: "And so goes the day and our life… Disguising our shapes and sizes… Hiding the real from the unreal… Never allowing the insides to reveal the outside… No matter what the confessions, the honest blurt outs, the compelling circumstances… there shall always be that inner that no one shall ever discover. And long may that last."

When English Premier League leaders Chelsea travel to Manchester United, they can expect a rough ride as the Red Devils bid to slow their title-charge on Sunday.

While the sides may be miles apart in the English Premier League rankings, the sides have some top class individuals, which made the task of selecting combined XI (Formation for the sake of the article is a 4-4-2) a very hard one indeed.

Goalkeeeper: David de Gea
Okay, so United’s super Spaniard may not have had a sensational season under Jose Mourinho, but it is a sign of an improving team that your goalkeeper does not have to make outstanding saves in each game. While Thibaut Courtois is an excellent custodian, de Gea is still the league’s best goalkeeper and would walk into any side in the world.

Left Back: Marcos Alonso
One of the Premier League signings of the season, Chelsea’s Spanish full-back has been something of a revelation. Inviting crosses, thumping headers and sumptuous free-kicks, he can do it all from an offensive standpoint. Not to say that he isn't defensively sound, but his offensive traits have been far more prominent all season. United haven't had a regular starter at left-back, with Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian flitting in and out of the line up this year.

Centre Back: Gary Cahill
The first of Chelsea’s defensive rocks this season, Gary Cahill has seriously upped his game under Antonio Conte. The former Bolton man beats off his international teammate Chris Smalling for this spot without much fuss, considering the United defender has been injured often this season. Cahill may be on the wrong side of 30, but it is a fact that in Conte’s 3-4-3, he hasn't done much wrong. He’s got four goals already, which just proves that he is a serious threat from set-pieces as well.

Centre Back: David Luis
People mocked Chelsea’s decision to splash the cash on their former defender David Luis in August, but here we are, in April and the Brazilian has forced his detractors to eat their words. Yes, he is still prone to the occasional error and probably would not be the first defender that you want in your XI, but on the basis of this season it is hard to argue against Luiz’s inclusion. United defender Eric Bailly has been impressive, agreed, but Luiz deserves the nod here.

Right Back: Antonio Valencia
Probably the toughest pick of the XI, as both Cesar Azpilcueta and Antonio Valencia have had fine seasons. The Ecuadorian currently is the league’s best right-back, which is unfortunate for the super-consistent Azpilcueta, who hasn't done much wrong this season. Valencia has improved his crossing abilities and is a genuine threat on the overlap and while Chelsea's Spaniard is hard to beat one-on-one as well, the United man holds the overall edge here.

Left Midfield: Eden Hazard
A strong contender for PFA player of the year, Hazard has shone this year after undergoing a massive dip under Mourinho in the 2015-16 season. His mazy dribbling, deft finishes and cool penalties make him a delight to watch and with none of United’s players in this position having a consistent season, Hazard strolls into this XI.

Centre Midfield: N’Golo Kante
Every team needs that energiser bunny in the middle of the park and Kante is the workhorse most of Europe wants. The Frenchman has been so good in his debut season with the Blues that it wouldn't surprise many if he beat Hazard to the PFA award this year. United’s big-bucks signing Paul Pogba may well outshine him in the coming decade, but for the moment, the diminutive Kante towers over the flashy Red Devils midfielder.

Centre Midfield: Ander Herrera
A player in similar vein to Kante, the ever-industrious Herrera’s technical abilities are often overlooked. His passing is quite accurate and while he hasn't score this season, he can hit some stunners when he wants to. Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas have impressed in patches this season and hence, Herrera is an easy choice to partner Kante in this XI. In fact, even if the duo had been consistent, they would still have lost out to the Red Devils midfielder, such has been Herrera's sparkling form in the middle of the pitch this season.

Right Midfield: Pedro
Another player who has undergone a stunning transformation under Antonio Conte, jet-heeled Pedro has been superb for the Blues this season. Seven goals and seven assists are a remarkable return for a player whose Premier League career had been written off by most last year. His inclusion is helped by the fact that his strongest competitor from United, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, has undergone a difficult start to his Premier League career.

Centre Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
With both forwards tied on 17 goals for the season, they just had to play together. United’s buy of the season, the veteran forward has literally proven thousands of critics wrong with his barnstorming displays. Not the most mobile of forwards, the Swede’s sheer presence in the box coupled with his supreme self-confidence make him the ultimate target-man. As a bonus, his post-match interviews are a delight!

Centre Forward: Diego Costa
Chelsea’s snarling hitman, Diego Costa, has come good this season after a seriously underwhelming 2015-16 season. Always fighting for the ball, Costa is a controversial but highly-effective modern-day striker. He can run behind defences, hold up the ball well and has a keen eye for goal. It may well be his last season in the Premier League, so enjoy while you can.

Final Score: Manchester United 4, Chelsea 7