Odd trophy Sir — Sporting icons usually return from global tournaments carrying medals, trophies, match balls or lifelong regrets. But conventional has never been Erling Haaland's style. The Norwegian striker grabbed headlines not only for his seven goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but also for his eccentricities. From his flowing hair tied with scrunchies that matched his jerseys to his fondness for Snapchat filters and his nonchalant demeanour on the field, Haaland has cultivated an image that is as unconventional as his game. His latest flourish came after Norway's quarter-final exit when he returned home carrying a taxidermied raccoon clutching a bottle of whiskey — purchased at a Texas store — instantly making every other souvenir seem unimaginative. ADVERTISEMENT Tirthankar Mitra, Mumbai Too hasty Sir — The wider use of ethanol would certainly reduce dependence on fossil fuels ('Uneasy switch', Jul 14). But India's transition to ethanol-blended petrol has been rushed. Although the government has denied that E20 fuel damages engines, reduced mileage and technical issues in older vehicles remain serious concerns that cannot be brushed aside. Consumers are key stakeholders in this policy shift. Oil marketing companies should continue to offer lower ethanol blends as well as pure petrol. Above all, the government must place complete and credible data in the public domain so that consumers can make informed choices. Bal Govind, Noida Sir — The move to E20 petrol makes sense for a country that imports most of its crude oil. Reducing dependence on foreign oil and lowering emissions are worthwhile objectives. However, the Government of India has rushed the transition without considering consumers' interests. Older vehicles, for instance, are not designed for E20 and may suffer from lower fuel efficiency and damage. Consumers are neither given choices nor price compensation for lower fuel efficiency of E20. Brazil adopted a more balanced approach by allowing consumers to choose and making ethanol-blended fuel cheaper. India, by contrast, charges the same price for a fuel that delivers fewer kilometres per litre. A policy of this scale cannot be shaped around the convenience of oil companies. Lower ethanol blends should remain available for older vehicles and E20 should be priced fairly. K. Chidanand Kumar, Bengaluru Sir — The debate over E20 petrol has brought the Union government's intentions under greater scrutiny. Several studies and experts have pointed to the reduced fuel efficiency of E20. Consumers spend substantial amounts to purchase vehicles. When those vehicles deliver poorer mileage because of ethanol-blended fuel, who should bear responsibility? The government has been forcing the adoption of ethanol-blended petrol, arguing that it would reduce India's fuel imports. If that is indeed the case, petrol prices should reflect those savings. A.G. Rajmohan, Andhra Pradesh Sir — For an economy exposed to volatile global oil markets, exploring alternative fuels makes economic and strategic sense. The E20 policy is a step in that direction. However, most vehicles currently on Indian roads are not fully compatible with E20 fuel, and moving to higher ethanol blends would require engine modifications. Long-term benefits must be matched by a realistic implementation strategy that addresses consumers' concerns. Khokan Das, Calcutta Unfair demand Sir — How dare Suella Braverman, the former home secretary of Britain, suggest that Britain's former colonies compensate it for infrastructure built during colonial rule ('Empire's lady', Jul 12)? Braverman was cruel enough to ask India to compensate Britain for all the humiliation, torture, and slavery that it was subjected to for two centuries. Britain did not come to India as a conqueror but as a trading power. It secured permission from the emperor, Jahangir, to establish factories in India before gradually expanding its political control here and extracting immense wealth. The colonial administration also presided over repeated famines. Millions of Indians perished because of exploitative policies. Railways, ports and other infrastructure were built to serve Britain's commercial and military interests, not India's development. It is Britain that owes an apology — and compensation — rather than the other way around. Manoharan Muthuswamy, Chennai Sir — According to Suella Braverman, Britain deserves gratitude — and even compensation — for the infrastructure it built during the raj. Her remarks come at a time when Jamaica is preparing to press Britain for reparations over slavery. The colonial infrastructure was designed primarily to strengthen imperial control. The economic gains flowed to the colonial power. Braverman must apologise for her comment. Jang Bahadur Singh, Jamshedpur Elusive stability Sir — Team India's recent white-ball defeats in Belfast and Nottingham reflects a descent into administrative vanity. The current team management appears to have divided Indian cricket into two worlds — one reserved for major tournaments and another treated as a testing ground for experimentation during bilateral series. Constant changes in leadership and the rapid rotation of players are presented as long-term planning. But excessive experimentation can erode stability. A young cricketer cannot be expected to play fearless cricket if one poor performance could cost him his place in the team. The management must strike a balance between long-term vision and the demands of the present. A stable core leadership is essential. Sumit Kumar Vats, Samastipur, Bihar