Do the IPL team owners have influence in team selection? This is one subject that has been often discussed with no concrete proof. The IPL owners, who pump in hundreds of crores each year, are known to be a passionate lot. Many are seen in the stadium supporting their teams. But do they cross the line and ‘have a say’ in team selection too? Sunrisers Hyderabad star Liam Livingstone thinks so. He gave his own example in IPL 2026. The England spin-allrounder played only two matches, scoring 1 and 14. Livingstone said that a player was preferred because the owners loved him. He added that SRH played three overseas players in the XI but did not try him on a consistent basis.
“I think there are like three ways of the IPL. You are locked in and everything kind of set out for you. There’s like a fringe: you may or may not play. And your thoughts are, ‘If I play, this is how it’s going to go.’ And like me, this year, when I went there we got a lad (Salil Arora) in the auction that Mumbai Indians really wanted. We had more money, so we ended up getting him. The owners loved him. So he was locked in to play for us. When we didn’t have Cummins, we were playing only three overseas (players). So I asked Dan (Vettori), why we are playing only three overseas?” Livingstone said in a podcast.
“He was like, ‘the owners love this lad. When Cummins comes back in we are not going to change our thing’. Which is great. I knew that I was not going to play unless somebody got injured. So then it’s a completely different mindset when you know, you are not going to play.’
“What expertise do these owners have?” asked cricket expert David Lloyd.
“A lot of money,” replied Alastair Cook, also part of the podcast.
From being out of India’s T20I team to be named the new captain, Shreyas Iyer’s world is officially set to undergo a big change on Saturday, sources have told NDTV. He will replace Suryakumar Yadav as the skipper of India’s senior men’s team in T20Is. The decision was taken in a BCCI Apex Council meeting on Thursday. Sources added Iyer will attend the BCCI selection meeting on Saturday, where squads for the Ireland and England tours, along with the Asian Games, will be picked.
Shreyas Iyer, who last played an international T20I match against Australia in Bengaluru in December 2023, will make his comeback to the national team on the back of a strong run for Punjab Kings in the recently concluded IPL 2026, where he made 498 runs.
Team India’s next T20I assignment will come on their tour to Ireland, where they will feature in two T20Is before heading to England for five T20Is and three ODIs. The first T20I against Ireland will be played on June 26, and the second is scheduled for June 28.
Earlier, a report by news agency ANI, quoting sources, claimed BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the selection committee have reached a consensus on appointing Tilak Varma as vice-captain.
Suryakumar led the Indian team to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 title. India retained their title successfully and became the first team to defend the T20 World Cup trophy. However, Suryakumar had an average campaign with the bat, as he scored 242 runs in nine matches. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season as well, he managed just 270 runs for the Mumbai Indians (MI), which had a major part in MI’s ninth-place finish in the points table.
The ex-RCB star said that Virat Konli prefers a quieter life away from the constant public attention.
Virat Kohli has preferred spending time with his family without the limelight. (PTI)
England all-rounder Liam Livingstone recently opened up about his experience of sharing a dressing room with Virat Kohli during his stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025. Livingstone was part of the RCB squad that ended the franchise’s long wait for an IPL title, helping the team lift the trophy for the first time. A year later, he moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad, while RCB successfully defended their crown to become back-to-back champions.
Kohli has long been known for his aggressive approach on the field, thriving in pressure situations and bringing unmatched energy to every contest. His passion and competitiveness have been central to his success over the years. In recent years, the batting great has placed a greater emphasis on family life and personal well-being. He and his family have spent considerable time in London, away from the constant attention that follows him in India. Kohli has also embraced a more spiritual lifestyle, often visiting temples and speaking about the role faith and inner peace have played in his life and career.
Having spent a season alongside Kohli at RCB, Liam Livingstone offered a glimpse into the former India captain’s personality away from the spotlight. The England all-rounder said there is a stark contrast between Kohli’s fierce, ultra-competitive presence on the field and his calm, family-oriented nature off it.
“On the field, he’s ultra-competitive. As soon as he steps over that line, he’s a different person. But, away from cricket, he is a really nice, chill guy, loves spending time with his family. Very chilled out guy,” Livingstone said on the Stick to Cricket Podcast.
Livingstone also spoke about the challenges that come with Kohli’s immense popularity in India, saying the former captain prefers a quieter life away from the constant public attention.
“Almost like he doesn’t want that life, he lives in India. He doesn’t really want the eyes on him all the time. He is a genuinely nice guy,” he added.
“When he gets out onto the pitch, he is the most competitive player I have seen,” he added.
Virat Kohli levels up his game in IPL 2026
Meanwhile, Kohli finished the IPL season as the fourth-highest run-scorer overall and RCB’s leading run-getter, amassing 675 runs from 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84. His tally included a century and five half-centuries, with an unbeaten 105 being his highest score. The impressive strike rate underlined the added attacking dimension in his batting, allowing him to maintain his consistency while providing RCB with greater momentum at the top of the order.
Livingstone also credited RCB’s coaching group for helping Kohli evolve his batting approach in recent seasons. He revealed that head coach Andy Flower and team director Mo Bobat encouraged the former India captain to play with greater intent, particularly during the powerplay, a change that has added a new dimension to his already formidable game.
Suryakumar Yadav is likely to no longer be the T20I captain of the Indian cricket team, sources told NDTV. Three months after the star batter led India to the T20 World Cup 2026 title, Yadav is set to be axed from the captaincy role. His place in the team will also be discussed, the sources added. The decision comes days before the squads for India’s Ireland and England tours (both later this month) are to be announced. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking for a new T20 captain, with the focus being the 2028 T20 World Cup. Yadav’s sacking is a step towards building a team for the future.
Yadav’s form has been below par in recent times and it affected the BCCI’s decision. Overall, Yadav has played 113 T20Is, scoring 3272 runs at an average of 36.35 and a strike rate of 162.94. However, in the recent past, his numbers have dwindled. From January 1, 2025 till March 2026, he scored 702 runs in 35 matches at an average of 26. From January 1, 2024 till December 31, 2024, he played 18 T20Is, scoring 429 runs at an average of 26.81.
SKY’s Dwindling Numbers
With his average hovering around 26, the veteran batter’s form raises some tough questions. In fact, in the recently concluded IPL 2026, Yadav tallied 270 runs in 13 innings, averaging just 20.76. Yadav, who was made the T20 captain in 2024, saw a sharp drop in numbers since he got the top job.
Since becoming the India T20I captain in July 2024, Yadav has an average of 25.88 with six half-centuries and four ducks. It’s a sharp drop from his pre-captaincy numbers. Before he got the captaincy, his average was 43.60, with four centuries and 20 half-centuries.
Performance As Captain
Under Yadav, India won the 2025 Asia Cup as well as the 2026 T20 World Cup. He was also part of the sides which won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup.
Yadav has always been considered a super-strong batter, plying his trade in the No. 3 and No. 4 spots. Known for playing unorthodox shots, Yadav’s prowess lies in the fact that he can accelerate like none other even when the team is in trouble.
A video of Royal Challengers Bengaluru star batter Tim David has been going viral on social media. In the video, the authenticity of which could not be verified, David can be seen smoking a cigar-like object on the field. Several social media users claimed the video was taken after RCB’s IPL 2026 final win over Gujarat Titans on Sunday. Another section of social media said that the video is AI-generated and had been tampered with.
What added twists to the tale was a photo post by David’s RCB teammate Phil Salt. In the photo, posted two days ago, Salt and David can be seen sitting in the dressing room with David holding a cigar-like object. David or RCB are yet to comment on the viral video.
An IPL player smoking on the field is a highly unique incident, though earlier in the season Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was videographed vaping inside the dressing room.
Meanwhile, David was on Monday suspended for one match next season apart from being handed a fine of 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the IPL’s Code of Conduct during the final against Gujarat Titans here.
The 30-year-old David collected two demerit points for his offence and has now accumulated five demerit points, which amounts to a suspension of one game, the IPL said in a statement.
It is the third instance of the Australian cricketer breaching the IPL’s Code of Conduct this season, with the tournament coming to an end on Sunday after RCB won their second title on the trot, beating GT by five wickets in the final.
“Tim David, Batter, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee and has also accumulated two Demerit Points for breaching Level 1 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials,” the IPL said.
“David was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which relates to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Team Official, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during a Match.” David admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Javagal Srinath, after he was found guilty of throwing an ice bag “aggressively” in the direction of on-field umpire Nitin Menon.
India are set to take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test and a series of three ODI matches. While the red-ball game is scheduled to begin on June 6, the one-dayers are set to start on June 13. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced the squads for the two formats. In ODIs, two players — Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma — have been kept in the squad, but their participation in the games will be subject to fitness clearance, informed the Board.
Hardik is set to reach the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and is expected to spend a week there before joining his India teammates for the ODI series against Afghanistan, reported Times of India. It further said that the BCCI instructed both Hardik and Rohit to report to the CoE, but there is no update on the India opener.
Auqib, Zeeshan among 7 picked to bowl in India nets ahead of Afghan Test
Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi Dar, whose non-selection in the Indian Test squad invited widespread criticism, has been summoned by the team management along with six others to bowl in the nets ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan starting June 6.
Besides Auqib, wiry UP leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, has also been asked to bowl in the nets as the Afghanistan team is expected to have a few wrist spinners.
“Yes Auqib Nabi has been asked to join the India nets. It is not just Auqib but there are six others, who have also been called to join the India nets. Due to extreme weather conditions, the two premier fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna can’t go flat out in the nets after a gruelling three games in seven days with travel. The batters would need adequate practice,” a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI.
Auqib, who got 60 wickets to become highest wicket-taker while guiding Jammu and Kashmir to Ranji Trophy triumph, was pipped by gangly Punjab paceman Gurnoor Brar in the Indian team.
The J&K medium pacer’s omission had caused a furore with former India skipper and ex-chairman of selection committee Dilip Vengsarkar questioning the sanctity of Ranji Trophy if performances in the tournament weren’t rewarded.
R Praggnanandhaa made headlines in Round 8 of Norway Chess 2026 by defeating World No.1 Magnus Carlsen, marking his second victory against the Norwegian in the tournament.
R Praggnanandhaa defeated Magnus Carlsen for the second time in Norway Chess 2026. (Screengrab)
R Praggnanandhaa created history in Round 8 of the Norway Chess 2026 in Oslo. He defeated World No.1 Magnus Carlsen, securing his second consecutive win in the same tournament against the Norwegian chess legend. He had earlier beaten him in Round 4. Previously too, the 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster had defeated Carlsen in the 2024 edition of Norway Chess. This makes Praggnanandhaa the first Indian, and among a very select few in the world, to defeat Magnus Carlsen thrice.
Playing with the black pieces, Praggnanandhaa entered the Round 8 matchup aiming to replicate the success he found against Carlsen in Round 4. The game evolved into an intense battle of nerves and wits. However, even under pressure, Praggnanandhaa successfully kept the five-time World Champion under the pump.
As the clock ticked down, Magnus Carlsen found himself in severe time trouble and struggled to find accurate defensive moves. The pressure ultimately forced a crucial blunder from the Norwegian, leading to a forced mate and securing Praggnanandhaa’s victory. With this win, Praggnanandhaa remained on third place with 12 points and remains firmly in contention for the Norway Chess 2026 title. He currently sits closely behind tournament leader Wesley So (14 points) and France’s Alireza Firouzja (13 points).
Despite the monumental nature of beating Magnus Carlsen twice in the same event, R Praggnanandhaa remained focussed on the broader tournament implications.
“It’s more important for the tournament that I get this win than thinking that it’s Magnus,” Praggnanandhaa noted after the match in the press conference.
“Of course, it’s great to do it against Magnus, but I think winning any game at this stage of the tournament is good,” he added.
D Gukesh Stumbles Against Alireza Firouzja
While R Praggnanandhaa soared, it was a difficult round 8 for World Champion D Gukesh.
Facing Alireza Firouzja in his classical game, Gukesh was unable to find his footing and ultimately suffered his third defeat of the tournament.
The loss drops Gukesh further down the standings, capping off a challenging run of form in Norway, while the victory allowed Firouzja to leapfrog into second place and maintain pressure on Wesley So.
Divya Deshmukh Falls Behind, Koneru Humpy Wins
In the Women’s event at Norway Chess 2026, the Indian contingent experienced a mixed bag of results in Round 8.
Divya Deshmukh, who was placed second in the tournament standings, faced a critical classical match against the tournament leader, Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva.
The BCCI Secretary also praised teenage sensation 15-year-old teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his exceptional performances throughout the season.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia congratulated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their consecutive IPL titles following their five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2026 final in Ahmedabad. The BCCI Secretary also praised teenage sensation 15-year-old teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his exceptional performances throughout the season. The 15-year-old Bihar-born batter had an extraordinary tournament for Rajasthan Royals, finishing as the highest run-scorer with 776 runs at an exceptional strike rate of 237.30. At just 15 years and 65 days old, Sooryavanshi also set a new IPL record as the youngest Orange Cap winner.
The previous record was held by Gujarat Titans opener Sudharsan, who won it at 23 years and 231 days in 2025, while Shubman Gill had set the record in 2023 at 23 years and 263 days.
Speaking to reporters, Saikia said, “It was a wonderful season… I hope all the fans have a lovely time during this IPL, and congratulations to RCB for winning the tournament consecutively twice. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a wonderful player coming up, and he has a bright future. BCCI will do everything to get him to the highest level of cricket.”
Additionally, on the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup later this month, the BCCI Secretary said, “That is the most challenging thing coming up in the coming days. They (Women in Blue) are already doing well… and I hope they will repeat the same performance they did last year by winning the ODI title.”
BJP MP Anurag Thakur also congratulated the Rajat Patidar-led Bengaluru for winning the grand finale against the Titans on Sunday night.
Speaking to reporters, Thakur said, “I congratulate RCB for winning the IPL for the second consecutive time. The match was happening in Ahmedabad, but many RCB fans had come to watch the match. This was a great victory in cricket… IPL is the biggest league of cricket. This is a very big achievement of BCCI.”
Coming to the IPL 2026 final, Put to bat first by RCB, GT scored just 155/8 in 20 overs, with Washington Sundar (50* in 37 balls, with five fours) and Nishant Sindhu (20 in 18 balls, with three fours) being the only ones to cross the 20-run mark. Rasikh Dar Salam (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29) and Josh Hazlewood (2/37) took wickets regularly.
Round 7 of Norway Chess 2026 was crucial for Indian players, showcasing significant performances in both Open and Women’s events. R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, and Divya Deshmukh all achieved significan wins.
Divya Deshmukh, R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh secured massive wins in Round 7 of Norway Chess 2026. (Credits: FIDE/SAI/Instagram)
Round 7 of Norway Chess 2026 proved to be a pivotal day for the Indian contingent, as three of the biggest stars kept themselves in the hunt for the title after some gruelling action in Oslo. R Praggnanandhaa breathed fresh life into his title hopes with a monumental classical victory, while World Champion D Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh showcased immense composure to secure vital sudden-death triumphs. These wins have have had significant impact on the standings, with the the tournament now reaching its business end.
R Praggnanandhaa Secures Massive Win
R Praggnanandhaa delivered the standout performance of Round 7 by defeating Alireza Firouzja in the classical round itself. Navigating a prolonged and complex struggle, Praggnanandhaa eventually outplayed Firouzja with confidence as he secured the full three points.
The victory was a massive boost to his campaign as it catapulted his score to 9 points. He has now elevated himself from the bottom of the table to third place, and is right back in the hunt for the title.
D Gukesh Topples Standings Leader In Sudden Death
World Champion D Gukesh had a successful outing against the current Norway Chess leader, Wesley So. Their tense classical encounter ended in a hard-fought draw. In the sudden death Armageddon game, the Indian grandmaster stepped up and had the last laugh. He claimed the victory with a brave queenside pawn grab, successfully taking the extra tie-break points off the American star.
Despite this resilient win against the frontrunner, Gukesh currently sits in last place with 8 points
Divya Deshmukh Wins All-Indian Clash
The Women’s tournament featured an exciting all-Indian matchup between Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh. The two compatriots fought to a tense draw in their classical game, sending the match to an Armageddon decider. Playing with the black pieces, Divya found her footing and triumphed in the tiebreaker, while Humpy was forced to settle for a single point from the classical draw.
Lalit Modi, the creator of the IPL, has made an outrageous prediction about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — with a warning attached.
Lalit Modi has his say on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his IPL 2026 performance
The cricketing world cannot stop talking about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
A tally of 776 runs in IPL 2026, a staggering strike rate of 237.3 and 72 sixes would be extraordinary for any batter. Add the fact that he is only 15 years old and achieved those numbers against seasoned international bowlers, and the feat begins to feel almost beyond comprehension. And while Sooryavanshi has already vowed to return even stronger next season, Lalit Modi, the creator of the IPL, has made an outrageous prediction about the wonderkid — with a warning attached.
Just over a week ago, in a conversation with Kevin Pietersen on The Switch, Sooryavanshi revealed that he has set his sights on one of T20 cricket’s greatest batting milestones.
“I want to score 200 in T20,” he said.
When the former England captain reminded him that Chris Gayle’s 175 remains the highest score in the format, Sooryavanshi doubled down. “I want to break his record and score 200.”
At one stage during the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chandigarh last week, it genuinely seemed as though the cricketing world might witness the first double century in men’s T20 cricket. Sooryavanshi smashed 97 runs off just 28 balls and stood on the verge of surpassing Gayle’s record for the fastest century in IPL history, which came off 30 deliveries. But the Rajasthan Royals opener fell on the very next ball.
Reflecting on Sooryavanshi’s ambition to score a T20 double century, Lalit Modi told *Wisden* that he was eagerly awaiting that moment before making a bold prediction — and issuing a warning.
“I am looking forward to that day. Sooryavanshi, you will make 200. I promise you. Don’t let money get into your head. You will become the number one superstar on the planet, bigger than any Hollywood or Bollywood star. Don’t let anybody tell you anything. Play with your heart. You will beat my good friend Chris Gayle, whose bat I have on my wall downstairs,”* he said.
Runs, records and sixes aside, the biggest takeaway from Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 campaign was his maturity.
Whether it was dealing with the constant noise surrounding a potential India debut or adapting to pressure situations, the teenager repeatedly displayed a level of composure rarely seen in players his age.
His 96 off 47 balls against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 perhaps summed it up best. The innings showed he is far more than a six-hitter, revealing an ability to absorb pressure, assess situations and adjust his approach according to the demands of the game.
A 70-foot statue of legendary footballer Lionel Messi, which was installed along VIP Road in Kolkata’s Lake Town area, was removed after residents raised concerns over its stability
A 70-foot statue of legendary footballer Lionel Messi, which was installed along VIP Road in Kolkata’s Lake Town area, was removed after residents raised concerns over its stability, saying the structure was swaying in strong winds on Monday. The 70-foot statue of Messi was built last December ahead of the FIFA World Cup-winning superstar’s ‘GOAT Tour’ to India. It features Messi holding the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy and was constructed by fans as a tribute to the football icon.
Messi visited the country last year across four stops – West Bengal, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi – along with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, his Inter Miami teammates. However, there were complaints from local residents to the Public Works Department (PWD) as the statue looked unstable in the wind, and an inspection was carried out. It was established that its structural integrity was compromised and that it must be taken down before any potential mishap.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | Lionel Messi statue at VIP road in Lake Town removed after locals complained that the statue was swaying due to the wind. pic.twitter.com/Jyhj0Qya4u
West Bengal MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee said, as quoted by ESPN, “The statue of the Argentine football legend was found to be unsafe.”
“We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind,” Mukherjee added. The monument was built over a span of 27 days. Authorities are currently looking for alternate locations for the statue for its reassembly.
Meanwhile, a week ago, Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour to India, filed a complaint against the former Sports Minister of West Bengal, Arup Biswas, accusing him of misconduct, including claims that tickets to Messi’s Kolkata event were misused and that the organiser faced pressure over issuing access cards.
Messi’s Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour had earlier descended into chaos, as fans who had purchased high-priced tickets at Salt Lake Stadium reportedly began throwing bottles and attempting to break gates between stands after the Argentine football legend left the venue early.
From the moment RCB came into existence, its journey became intertwined with Virat Kohli – sometimes in joy, sometimes in despair. But for the last two seasons, it has been ecstasy.
Virat Kohli is Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Royal Challengers Bengaluru is Virat Kohli. There can be no two ways about it. RCB is the only IPL franchise that Kohli has played for. From the moment RCB came into existence, its journey became intertwined with Kohli – sometimes in joy, sometimes in despair. But for the last two seasons, it has been ecstasy. After an 18-year wait, RCB and Kohli tasted IPL title success for the first time in 2025. On Sunday, RCB experienced that champions’ feeling again, and Virat Kohli played the lead role against the Gujarat Titans in the final.
Kohli, battling cramps and the pressure of a chase, rose to the occasion like he has done so many times in Indian cricket. He stayed unbeaten on 75* after scoring his fastest-ever IPL half-century in just 25 balls and ensured that RCB chased down the 156-run target in only 18 overs.
‘You Cannot Be Casual Around Virat Kohli’
Venkatesh Iyer got the chance to witness the magic of Virat Kohli up close this whole season – first in the RCB camp, and then as Kohli’s fellow opener in the last few matches, including the final. In an exclusive interview with NDTV’s Consulting Editor Boria Majumdar, Iyer gave a personal account of what makes Kohli special.
“He does not want to see his team down. That kind of lifts the entire team. If you are sharing the field with Virat, you cannot keep your shoulders down. You cannot just stroll or jog to your positions. You cannot do that because this guy, after achieving so much and being regarded as one of the legends of the game, still shows so much intensity and hunger. Who are you to take it lightly and be casual?” Iyer said.
Kohli’s Presence ‘Gives Confidence To The Team’
In the final against GT, while chasing the 156-run target, RCB raced to 62/0 in 4.2 overs with Kohli and Iyer (32 off 16 balls) in full flow. Then came the blip. From 62/0, they slipped to 63/2 in 5.1 overs. But Kohli’s focus remained intact.
“It’s the belief in the skill that he has. Obviously, that comes from years and years of working hard and understanding the game. Whatever situation we want to be in, that person has already seen and understood it,” Iyer said.
“We were calm throughout, even after losing a couple of quick wickets, because we knew Virat was there. His presence itself gives confidence to the team. That’s what he has earned over the years – to show what presence is, what aura is. If he is on the field, there is already a mental battle the opposition has to play.”
‘There Is A Method To Everything He Does’
“It’s a method. It’s not something that just comes naturally to him or to Indian cricket. There is a method to his practice. There is a method to the way he approaches the game – high energy all the time.”
Iyer, who has played for Kolkata Knight Riders and was once among the costliest players in IPL history, said Kohli’s tactical nuances are something worth learning from. He added that while they do not speak much while batting, he still learns a lot from Kohli.
Four-time former champion Iga Swiatek was eliminated from theFrench Open fourth round on Sunday as the Polish third seed went down 7-5, 6-1 to Ukrainian 15th seed Marta Kostyuk
Marta Kostyuk reached the quarterfinals at the French Open for the first time on Sunday by taking out four-time champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 and ruining her birthday. Kostyuk, who is undefeated on clay this season, had lost their three previous matches and never taken a set against the former top-ranked player, who turned 25 on Sunday. She defended extremely well, chasing Swiatek’s shots all over the court, and also produced some stunning groundstroke winners while her rival was also undone by her own mistakes.
An intense baseline battle unfolded from the outset and Swiatek earned the first break when she overwhelmed Kostyuk after a long rally with a backhand winner. Kostyuk broke back immediately, though, only to drop her serve again and hand Swiatek a 5-4 lead.
The Polish player showed signs of nerves as she double-faulted, shanked a forehand wide and then missed a volley at the net, allowing Kostyuk to level at 5-5. Swiatek hit two more double faults in the 12th game and the 15th-seeded Ukrainian player sealed the set with a backhand passing shot.
Swiatek then briefly left the court. Meanwhile, Kostyuk kept herself warm by stretching and hopping beside her chair, then received some applause as she did a few dance moves to the music playing in the stadium.
Following a first week marked by a suffocating heatwave, relief finally arrived in Paris on Sunday, with temperatures dropping to 21 degrees C (70 F) around midday.
When play resumed, Swiatek broke, but yet another double fault coupled with more unforced errors brought her opponent back at 1-1. Kostyuk then won the last five games.
It has been learned that the team members, who are all safe and unhurt despite smoke spreading inside the bus, waited on the road for a short while before another bus was arranged to take them to the hotel.
Following a disappointing defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final, the Gujarat Titans escaped a major scare when their team bus suffered a short circuit. It was reported that the electrical fault caused smoke to fill the vehicle; however, no one was harmed as all players and staff were successfully evacuated. The incident occurred on Sunday night while the team was returning to their hotel from the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Although everyone remained safe, the disruption left the players stranded for about an hour, compounding a miserable night for the franchise, who had earlier lost the IPL final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by five wickets.
It was also a continuation of their tough travel itinerary as GT had to travel from Dharamsala to Mullanpur on May 27 to play the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals on May 29.
However, their scheduled departure to Ahmedabad on May 30 was inordinately delayed because of inclement weather in Mullanpur. GT reached their home base late on Saturday evening.
Was fatigue a reason for the Titans’ meek surrender to RCB in the IPL final? “I don’t want to take away from the fact that RCB have won by simply stating that we’ve had this number of games in these short days and we’re fatigued and that’s not really what we’re about,” said Vikram Solanki, GT’s Director of Cricket, in the post-match press conference.
It has been pre-decided that the BCCI will need to select two separate T20 teams as India’s home white-ball series against the West Indies overlaps partly with the quadrennial extravaganza.
India’s current T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav, along with Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, are the two prominent names missing, while teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been inducted into the 30-strong longlist of men’s probables that the BCCI has submitted to the IOA for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4. It has been pre-decided that the BCCI will need to select two separate T20 teams as India’s home white-ball series against the West Indies overlaps partly with the quadrennial extravaganza.
The West Indies series comprises eight white-ball games — three ODIs and five T20Is — between September 27 to October 17. Since Gill is expected to lead the team in ODIs, he hasn’t been picked for the Asian Games.
While some players are common in both ODIs and T20Is, men’s cricket event at the Asian Games will take place between September 24 to October 3, forcing the selectors to create a bigger pool to pick two teams.
It is understood that Suryakumar is no longer in the larger scheme of things as far as 2028 Olympic Games and the next T20 World Cup is concerned, and his name not featuring in the Asian Games longlist is a no-brainer.
The captaincy candidates in that Asian Games list would be Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma.
The list of bowlers has Jasprit Bumrah’s name in it although ODIs could be his priority at that point in time taking the 2027 World Cup into account.
Harshit Rana is expected to be fit by then and has been kept in the long-list along with Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh.
Among spinners, the frontline slow bowlers Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Harsh Dubey have made it to the list, but only two of the four are expected to be picked. The other two will play the Windies series.
Surprisingly, the only prominent non-performer to make the list is gold medal-winning skipper from the Hangzhou edition — Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Barcelona confirmed the signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United on Friday, for a fee that could rise to 80 million euros ($93 million). Gordon will sign for “the next five seasons, until June 30, 2031,” Barcelona said in a brief statement. The 25-year-old left winger netted 17 goals for Newcastle this season, 10 of those in the Champions League, and was the club’s top scorer. “As a kid, to play for Barcelona is the biggest dream possible, it’s the biggest club on the planet,” Gordon told reporters.
“I know it comes with a lot of responsibility, but like I said, I’m ready for this kind of challenge, ready for that responsibility.
“I know everybody, the players in the past who’ve worn the shirt, it holds a lot of weight, but I’m ready. I’m excited for the challenge.”
Gordon, part of England’s World Cup squad, bolsters a Barcelona attack losing Polish veteran striker Robert Lewandowski at the end of his contract, and possibly Marcus Rashford after his loan spell from Manchester United.
La Liga champions Barcelona still hope to strengthen further in the coming weeks, with Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez linked with a switch to Catalonia, while the club have not ruled out a new move to keep Rashford.
After three years of reduced expenditure and with their partially rebuilt Camp Nou stadium reopened, Barca have more economic breathing room within La Liga’s strict financial fair play rules than previously.
Lewandowski’s departure and the end of Rashford’s loan give Barca margin to spend, while other players including Roony Bardghji, Ansu Fati and Marc-Andre ter Stegen may also leave.
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s 2026 World Cup bid, while others believe his presence will prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing.
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s 2026 World Cup bid, while others believe his presence will prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing. The debate around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rages on, as it did at Euro 2024 and four years ago in Qatar — yet Ronaldo endures, ready to play in a record sixth World Cup. The 41-year-old remains a global superstar despite swapping the European elite for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, and is the leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 strikes.
With 25 of those coming in 30 games under Martinez, the coach insists that Ronaldo is being selected on merit rather than because of his status.
The Spanish coach himself also faced scrutiny after Portugal’s Euro 2024 quarter-final exit, with his detractors believing that such a strong squad was capable of winning.
Martinez started Ronaldo in all five games they played but the striker failed to find the net in Germany.
This season, Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes set a new record for Premier League assists, and the Paris Saint-Germain contingent –- including Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes -– are among the best in their positions in the world.
When he was appointed in 2023, Martinez had the choice of whether to make a clean break from Ronaldo or maintain him as the team’s captain and talisman, opting for the latter.
In response to the naysayers, Martinez can point to the team’s successful 2025 Nations League triumph as proof that he is right to lean on Ronaldo.
The Portugal icon struck against Spain in the final to win his third international trophy, after Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League.
“I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal,” said Ronaldo after the game. “It’s tears. It’s mission accomplished, and pure joy.”
The striker is closing in on 1,000 career goals for club and country, currently just 17 short.
Ronaldo is the team’s captain and leader, feared by opponents and with international experience gained over more than two decades — his Portugal debut was in 2003.
Martinez has highlighted the “inspiring mindset” of the veteran forward, who operates now as a centre-forward rather than the flying winger of his youth.
Ronaldo’s team-mates still believe the striker is delivering for Portugal.
PSG midfielder Vitinha told FIFA that it was “fantastic” to play with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward.
“He’s one of the greatest players in history,” said Vitinha.
“I’m very proud to share the dressing room with him, learn from him and witness his professionalism every day.
“I hope we can win the World Cup with him and for him as well.”
‘Can’t worry’ about Ronaldo
In Portugal, where Ronaldo is a revered icon, it is rarely advisable to argue against him.
“Cristiano inside the box continues to be a very high-level player,” Fernandes told Canal 11, a television channel run by the Portuguese football federation, in December.
“I know what people think, that it’s clear we play better without Ronaldo, that the players are freer and more fluid,” Fernandes continued.
“If that happens, it’s partly our fault. We can’t worry if Cristiano is on the pitch, because Cristiano can give us things.”
Portugal’s pressing suffers with Ronaldo and the team appears more cohesive without him. When Ronaldo starts, sometimes it seems as if the team works largely to service him.
The forward even came in for rare criticism in his protective homeland after he was sent off against Ireland for an elbow in qualifying, although FIFA let him off the hook by suspending two matches of his ban, meaning he is clear to play from the start of the World Cup.
Portugal begin their campaign in Group K against DR Congo on June 17, before facing Uzbekistan on June 23 and Colombia on June 28.
Norway Chess 2026: R Praggnanandhaa secured a vital half-point against Vincent Keymer, elevating him to second place. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen handed D Gukesh a crushing loss.
R Praggnanandhaa climbed to second place in the Norway Chess 2026 standings. (@NorwayChess/X)
R Praggnanandhaa continued his strong run at the Norway Chess tournament in Oslo. After defeating Magnus Carlsen in a monumental win in Round 3, he secured a crucial bonus half-point in Round 4 against Vincent Keymer to climb to second place in the overall standings. With the top-placed Alireza Firouzja losing his first game of the tournament, Praggnanandhaa has closed the gap with him with this win.
Following a 46-move stalemate in their Classical encounter, the Indian Grandmaster defeated Keymer in their Armageddon face-off while playing with the black pieces. This victory boosts Praggnanandhaa’s tally to 6 points, placing him squarely behind the tournament leader.
Magnus Carlsen Avenges Loss Against D Gukesh
While R Praggnanandhaa advanced, his compatriot and reigning world champion D Gukesh suffered a setback. Playing with the white pieces, Gukesh fell to world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in 42 moves, marking his first Classical defeat of the ongoing tournament. Carlsen thus bounced back after a crushing defeat in Round 3 against Praggnanandhaa.
The highly anticipated clash began with a Queen’s Gambit Opening. The evaluation bar gradually tilted in Carlsen’s favour during the middlegame, but the Norwegian did not gain a decisive advantage until Gukesh found himself in severe time trouble. With less than a minute remaining on his clock compared to Carlsen’s eight, Gukesh ultimately succumbed to the pressure and resigned.
The result provided much-needed redemption for Carlsen, who avenged his loss to the young Indian Grandmaster at the same event in 2025 in a 62-move defeat that famously led to Carlsen angrily banging his fist on the table. Carlsen, chasing a record-extending eighth Norway Chess title, desperately needed this win after a difficult start to his title defense that included defeats to Praggnanandhaa and Alireza Firouzja.
For Gukesh, who previously pulled off grueling 100-plus move draws against Keymer and Wesley So, the defeat comes just ahead of his 20th birthday on the tournament’s first rest day. D Gukesh now drops to the bottom of the six-man standings with 3.5 points
Lionel Messi will captain Argentina at the World Cup, national coach Lionel Scaloni announced Thursday as he unveiled his 26-man squad. Messi, 38, had not previously confirmed he would play in what will be a record-breaking sixth tournament for the Argentine superstar. But it had been widely assumed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would again lead Argentina, four years after lifting the trophy in Qatar. As well as confirming Messi’s presence, Thursday’s announcement notably excluded Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono from the Argentina squad.
18-year-old Mastantuono is considered one of the brightest prospects in Argentine football.
The largest ever World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off June 11.
Argentina’s first match will be five days later against Algeria in Kansas City.
Messi has been at the heart of an injury scare in recent days, with his club side Inter Miami this week saying medical tests diagnosed him with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.
The Major League Soccer club had provided no clear timetable for Messi’s return after his abrupt exit from Miami’s 6-4 victory over Philadelphia in the 73rd minute on Sunday.
But Scaloni had played down the seriousness of the injury this week.
Romero returns
Center-back Cristian Romero, who suffered a knee injury last month and has not played since, was also named in the squad.
The Tottenham Hotspur captain was ruled out for the remainder of the Premier League season after he was shoved into his own goalkeeper by Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.
Argentina’s roster retains 17 of the 26 players who won the title in Qatar.
Young players who received call-ups include 21-year-olds Nicolas Paz and Valentin Barco.
Palmeiras forward Jose Manuel Lopez, who only made his international debut last year, also features.
Other notable absentees include Emiliano Buendia — currently in excellent form at Aston Villa — and Roma star Paulo Dybala.
The South American giants will journey to the United States for pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9.
Argentina’s World Cup group also contains Austria and Jordan.
Along with Messi, Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are also expected to appear in their sixth World Cups this summer.
Hardik Pandya is looking to leave Mumbai Indians after relationship breakdown with the management, sources have told NDTV. The next MI captain would be picked by Rohit Sharma’s ‘blessings’.
An unprecedented crisis has emerged at Mumbai Indians, with Hardik Pandya set to be sacked as the team’s captain. In fact, sources close to the developments told NDTV that the all-rounder is even looking to leave the franchise over a relationship breakdown with the management. MI, who only secured 4 wins in 14 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign, look to have decided to move on from Hardik, the man they appointed as skipper ahead of the 2024 season. But, who is going to take over the reigns from him?
Sources close to the development have told NDTV that Mumbai Indians’ next captain would be the one who will have Rohit Sharma’s blessings. The management have learned their lesson from the poor decision of replacing Rohit with Hardik in 2023. The bosses are keen to avoid a similar situation with their next captaincy pick. Hence, Rohit, the biggest name in the Mumbai Indians team, is set to play an instrumental role in picking the next skipper.
But, it is already confirmed that there will be no U-turn for Rohit when it comes to the Mumbai Indians captaincy.
“The next Mumbai Indians captain will be the one who has the blessings of Rohit Sharma. Mumbai realise the mistake they have made. But it will not be Rohit himself,” the source, one of the top coaches and former India player, told when asked about Hardik’s future.
Hardik Unlikely To Stay At Mumbai Indians
Though it has been reported that the MI management isn’t 100 percent clear about their plans with Hardik, the source said that the 32-year-old will seek an exit from the franchise, hinting that he doesn’t have a good relationship with the management,
“Hardik will seek a transfer. It is not just about captaincy but about personal realities as well. Can you work for a company when you don’t have a good relation with the management?” he added.
When asked if Mumbai Indians should’ve poached Ashish Nehra, the Gujarat Titans coach, from the franchise when they got Hardik in a trade deal, the source said that getting players or coaches directly form another franchise isn’t as easy as it looks.
West Indies legend Chris Gayle was in awe of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the youngster’s 29-ball-97 for Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2026 Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
West Indies cricket icon Chris Gayle hailed India and Rajasthan Royals (RR) 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his sensational 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) eliminator, which saw the teenager overtake the ‘Universe Boss’ for most sixes in a single IPL edition. Sooryavanshi saved his best for the knockouts, brutalising an intelligent, in-form SRH bowling line-up with a marvellous 97 in 29 balls, with five fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate of over 334. He went past Gayle’s 59 IPL 2012 sixes and sits on 65 sixes this season, the most-ever in a T20 tournament. Posting on Instagram, Gayle said, “Outstanding @Vaibhav_Sooryavanshi09, a new six machine @iplt20”.
He also cheered up Sooryavanshi on missing out on what could have been the fastest IPL hundred in 29 balls, another record which Gayle holds. He said that while Sooryavanshi was “unlucky”, he will “get there eventually.”
In this season, Sooryavanshi has smashed 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85, including a century and four fifties, with a best score of 103. He has smashed 55 fours and 65 sixes in 280 balls faced. His balls per boundary shot ratio is 2.3, and balls per six ratio is 4.3. This season, Sooryavanshi has scored 88.9 per cent of his runs through fours and sixes, as compared to Andre Russell’s 85.5 per cent of 510 runs through boundaries in the 2019 IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as per CricViz.
Sooryavanshi has also levelled with Gayle for most instances of hitting 10-plus sixes in an IPL innings, a total of four times. Three of these occasions have come this season, making him the first batter to hit 10-plus sixes in three IPL innings in a season.
The 15-year-old’s take down of cricket legends one by one continues as he also surpassed Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya’s tally of seven powerplay sixes during the IPL 2008 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with eight sixes in the powerplay at Mullanpur.
Sooryavanshi is the batter with the most runs coming in the powerplay during an IPL season, with 490 runs, overtaking Australian legend David Warner, who scored 467 runs for SRH in the 2016 edition.
This is also his fifth fifty-plus score in the power play in IPL, with only Warner (six such scores) ahead of him.
He has also joined Suresh Raina (87 against Punjab Kings in 2014) and Adam Gilchrist (74 against Delhi Daredevils in 2009) for fifty-plus scores made during powerplay in an IPL knockout/playoff match.
This is Sooryavanshi’s fifth fifty in less than 20 balls, with only Abhishek Sharma (six) above him.
The 15-year-old’s 16-ball half-century tied with Raina’s 16-ball fifty (against PBKS in 2014) for the joint-fastest fifty in an IPL knockout/playoff match.
Twelve sixes smashed by him are also the most in an innings by a batter in IPL knockouts/playoffs, outdoing Shubman Gill’s 10 sixes against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023. Sooryavanshi has the most sixes in an IPL inning by an Indian as well.
Ninety-seven runs by Sooryavanshi is the second-highest individual score for RR in an IPL knockouts/Playoffs game, behind 106* runs by Jos Buttler against RCB in the qualifier 2 of IPL 2022.
This is the most runs an uncapped batter has scored in an IPL season, overtaking his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal’s tally of 625 runs in the 2023 season. Also, he is the youngest to complete 600 runs in an IPL season.
Before the left-handed sensation arrived on the scene, no other batter in T20 history had smashed 600 runs in a T20 tournament while also striking at 200-plus.
RCB skipper Rajat Patidar led from the front and smashed a brilliant 93 runs off just 33 balls with 5 fours and 9 sixes to help his team post the highest-ever playoff total in IPL history.
RCB Storm Into IPL 2026 Final After Crushing GT By 92 Runs In Qualifier 1 At Dharamshala | X
Royal Challengers Bengaluru stunned Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday. RCB cruised into the IPL 2026 final after beating GT by 92 runs. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar led from the front and smashed a brilliant 93 runs off just 33 balls with 5 fours and 9 sixes to help his team post the highest-ever playoff total in IPL history.
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 26, 2026
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill won the toss and invited RCB to bat first. Batting first, RCB posted a massive target of 255 runs against GT. The target proved to be unreachable for the Gujarat Titans and the team fell for 162 runs and was not even able to bat for the full 20 overs.
Gujarat Titans will now face the winner of the Eliminator which will be held between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday (May 27). The winner of the Eliminator will face GT in the Qualifier 2 and the winner of the Qualifier 2 will clash with the RCB in the IPL 2026 finals.
Innings Break!
Rajat Patidar and Co. hammer 254/5 in #Qualifier1 😳
The fans are demanding strict action against the people responsible for the incident. There was a laser light show organised during the innings break at the stadium when the incident occurred. The light showed the map of India in an IPL trophy.
Netizens REACT As Distorted India Map Appears During Light Show In RCB Vs GT Qualifier 1 | X
The internet users were in shock as a distorted map of India appeared during the light show which was held in the mid-innings break during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Qualifier 1 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday. The internet users are slamming the IPL for their negligence.
The fans are demanding strict action against the people responsible for the incident. There was a laser light show organised during the innings break at the stadium when the incident occurred. The light showed the map of India in an IPL trophy. However, the map appeared to be distorted and this could have happened due to a technical error.
𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 like we’ve never seen before 🤩
🎥 A soulful musical performance followed by a captivating laser show in Dharamshala 🎶👏
However, the internet users are demanding that the BCCI must take action in connection with the matter. The image showed that the outline of India in the image appears to be incorrect because it does not properly show the northeastern states connected to the mainland through the Siliguri Corridor (“Chicken’s Neck”).
A distorted map of India is being shown LIVE during the broadcast. This is not a small “graphics mistake” it’s a serious issue involving India’s territorial integrity.
The shape on the right side looked distorted and incomplete which made the map appear geographically inaccurate. Jammu & Kashmir and some border areas also seem either missing or not clearly represented in the outline. So, the issue was that the India map shown inside the trophy was not a correct or complete representation of India’s actual map.
Pride in India also means representing every part of it correctly. The map displayed seems inaccurate and misses parts of the North-East. Hoping this gets acknowledged and corrected respectfully. 🇮🇳 #IPL#BCCI#INDIA#cricket
An internet user said, “What the hell is wrong with @IPL? A distorted map of India is being shown LIVE during the broadcast. This is not a small “graphics mistake” it’s a serious issue involving India’s territorial integrity. How did this get approved by @BCCI and the production team?”
Farmer’s son Gurindervir Singh had a displayed a message on his back while running the 100m sprint at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi on Saturday afternoon. The 25-year-old plastered on his shirt, “Task is 10.10, not finished yet. Wait I am still standing.” Moments later came an incredible run. Gurindervir from Punjab clocked 10.09 seconds in the 100m, reclaiming the national record. On Friday, Gurindervir Singh clocked 10.17 seconds in his heats at the Federation Cup 2026 to set a new national record. But barely five minutes later, Animesh Kujur ran 10.15 seconds to create a new 100m national record and also seal qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Kujur, who is known as the “Usain Bolt” of India, was one of the star runners at the event. But Gurindervir Singh eclipsed his record, clocking 10.09, achieving a Commonwealth Games 2026 qualification.
With that he also allowed Indians to dream big.
Earlier too, Gurindervir had entered the record books at the 2025 Indian Grand Prix after clocking 10.20 seconds in the 100m.
In an extraordinary two-day spell in Ranchi, the men’s 100m national record was broken three times.
The 25-five-year-old hails from Patiala in Punjab and currently trains under coach James Hillier. But his early coach Sarabjit Singh has also played a major role in shaping his career, and Gurindervir still regularly trains with him.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV, coach Sarabjit Singh said, “For quite some time, he had been telling me that his timings were looking very good. He had even written a target of under 10.10 seconds behind his chest number. And he achieved it. He also wrote that this is only the beginning for Gurindervir, not the end.”
Gurindervir ‘s father is a farmer, and the sprinter began his racing journey by running through fields in his village. From his school days itself, athletics came naturally to him.
Inter Miami has provided an update on Lionel Messi’s fitness following his departure from a match against Philadelphia Union due to hamstring discomfort. While fans were initially alarmed, the club confirmed that no significant damage was found, although they did not specify a return timeline.
Huge Relief For Argentina! Lionel Messi Escapes Serious Injury Ahead Of FIFA World CupPhoto: AP
Inter Miami provided a crucial update on Lionel Messi’s fitness. Messi gave fans a mini heart attack after he walked off the field during Inter Miami’s MLS clash against Philadelphia Union, clutching his hamstring after taking a free kick. With the World Cup around the corner, the news of Messi’s potential injury created havoc among fans. However, Inter Miami has now provided comforting news, saying that no major damage has been detected. But the club did not provide a timeline for Messi’s return.
Messi is expected to lead Argentina in what many believe could be his last World Cup, and fans will be hoping that the stalwart enters the World Cup in peak fitness. In the build-up to the gala event, Argentina is set to play friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9 before opening the tournament against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium.
“Inter Miami CF’s captain had to leave the field yesterday, Sunday, May 24, during the match against Philadelphia Union, due to physical discomfort. After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring,” Inter Miami released in a statement.
“The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress,” it further added. Earlier, Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos had also played down fitness concerns for Messi and said he left the play due to fatigue.
Rajasthan Royals had the last laugh over Punjab Kings as the 2008 champions clinched their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs on Sunday. Royals’ secured the final spot, knocking out Punjab Kings in the process. After the win was secured, the franchise quoted an old PBKS tweet, simply responding ‘Panga Na Lo’ in a now viral post.
Rajasthan Royals had the last laugh over Punjab Kings as the 2008 champions clinched their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs on Sunday. Royals’ secured the final spot, knocking out Punjab Kings in the process. After the win was secured, the franchise quoted an old PBKS tweet, simply responding ‘Panga Na Lo’ in a now viral post.
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 24, 2026
Soon after confirming their playoff spot, Rajasthan picked up an old Punjab Kings tweet that had read, “Sorry bhai, aaj nahi!” — a post PBKS had used earlier in the season to troll RR after the Royals lost to Delhi Capitals on May 1.
This time, Rajasthan flipped the script.
RR replied to the old tweet with the famous viral meme featuring Arjun Kapoor standing stranded outside a door while the rest of the guests walk into a party. The meme was used to mock Punjab’s elimination, effectively portraying PBKS as the team left outside while Rajasthan entered the IPL playoffs.
The post instantly went viral across social media, with fans praising Rajasthan for the perfectly timed clap back.
Earlier in the season, after defeating Punjab in a league-stage clash, Rajasthan had mocked the Shreyas Iyer-led side by quoting Salman Khan’s famous viral 2014 post on X, formerly Twitter, where the Bollywood superstar had jokingly asked: “Zinta’s team won kya?”
Novak Djokovic created history at the 2026 French Open after taking the field in his first round match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The 39-year-old broke a long-standing record of Roger Federer.
Novak Djokovic created history in Paris Photo : AP
Novak Djokovic created history and broke Roger Federer’s incredible world record after taking the field in his first-round match at the 2026 French Open against local player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Sunday (May 24) at the Court Philippe-Chatrier. The 24-time Grand Slam winner is playing a major tournament for a record 82nd time in his career while appearing at the French Open for the 22nd time, which is now as many as any player in history
The Serbian is aiming to end a two-and-a-half-year drought and win an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title. The 39-year-old is aiming to win the title in Paris for the fourth time in his career after 2016, 2021, and 2023. Djokovic has not won any major title since the 2023 US Open.
Novak Djokovic Creates History
Djokovic has now set the record for the most main draw appearances in a Grand Slam during the men’s singles category. The veteran star has broken a record that 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer and Spain’s Feliciano Lopez
Most Main Draw Entries In Men’s Singles Grand Slams (First Round Appearances)
Player
Grand Slams Played
Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
82
Roger Federer (Switzerland)
81
Feliciano Lopez (Spain)
81
Richard Gasquet (France)
75
Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland)
t75
This incredible feat means that the Seriban has now appeared most times in the Round of 128, Round of 64, Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, and Finals of Grand Slams among male singles players. Essentially, no male player has played any round of a major event more times than him.
Novak Djokovic’s Incredible French Open Feat
Meanwhile, Djokovic now has the joint-most appearances at Roland Garros. Only French star Richard Gasquet made as many appearances at the year’s second major, which was also his home Grand Slam. He went past three players in the elite list and climbed to the joint-top spot.
Gurindervir Singh clocked a historic 10.09s to become the first Indian man under 10.10 seconds in the 100m, capping a journey shaped by setbacks and resilience.
The ‘Fastest Man In India’ Gurindervir Singh (X)
It was glory at last for Gurindervir Singh last night, who clocked a historic 10.09s to become the first Indian man under 10.10 seconds in the 100m.
To put it simply, Gurindervir is now the fastest man in India.
But it wasn’t a title that came without its fair share of obstacles and struggles. In fact, his victory merely capped a journey shaped by setbacks and resilience.
The Night He Became India’s Fastest Man
For years, Indian sprinters have chased the sub-10.10s barrier. In Ranchi last night, Gurindervir finally broke through.
The 24-year-old from Punjab clocked 10.09 seconds in the men’s 100m final at the Federation Cup 2026, becoming the first Indian man to dip below 10.10 seconds. In the process, he rewrote the national record and secured qualification for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
But it didn’t happen out of the blue. The sprinter had, in fact, warmed up to it through the qualification rounds.
Earlier in the day, Gurindervir had clocked 10.17 seconds in the semifinals to briefly set a national record. Minutes later, Animesh Kujur bettered it with 10.15 seconds. But Gurindervir returned for the final and reclaimed the mark emphatically with his 10.09-second sprint.
Inspired By Bolt, Shaped In Punjab
Gurindervir’s interest in sprinting started after watching Usain Bolt dominate the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Back home in Patial village near Jalandhar, he spent his early years running in local meets before moving to Jalandhar to train under coach Sarabjit Singh at the Punjab Institute of Sports.
The switch changed everything — structured training introduced him to sprint mechanics, race strategy, and elite-level preparation, and coaches quickly helped him develop his now-explosive starts.
Junior Success And Steady Rise
His first major breakthrough came at the 2018 Federation Cup National Junior Athletics Championships in Coimbatore. Competing in the under-20 category, Gurindervir clocked 10.47 seconds to set a new national junior record, breaking Augustine Yeshudas’ long-standing mark of 10.57 seconds.
The performance earned him spots at international events, including the Asian Junior Championships and the World U20 Championships.
Transitioning into senior athletics brought tougher competition, but Gurindervir continued progressing. At the 2021 National Inter-State Championships in Patiala, he clocked 10.27 seconds to break the meet record.
Health Setbacks And His Comeback
Just as his career was gaining momentum, Gurindervir ran into serious health issues. Digestive complications caused weight loss and disrupted his training. For nearly two years, he focused on rebuilding fitness and strength while trying different treatments and diet plans.
His comeback arrived in March 2025 at the Indian Grand Prix in Bengaluru, where he clocked 10.20 seconds to set a new national record.
Travis Head and Virat Kohli were involved in a heated verbal exchange during the SRH-RCB game, although it remains unclear what sparked the altercation.
Virat Kohli had refused to shake hands with Travis Head after RCB-SRH game
Australian cricketer Travis Head and his wife have been subjected to online abuse after the Sunrisers Hyderabad batter was involved in a spat with Virat Kohli during their recent IPL 2026 face-off. The incident took place last Saturday during SRH’s 55-run win against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
Head and Kohli were involved in a heated verbal exchange during Kohli’s innings of 15 off 11 balls, although it remains unclear what sparked the altercation. Later, Kohli refused to shake hands with Head after the game. The Australian batter did stretch out his hand, but Kohli, after greeting Pat Cummins and Abhishek Sharma, walked past him without acknowledging the gesture.
Following the incident, sections of social media targeted Head and his wife with abusive messages, many of them directed at their wedding photo from three years ago. While some dragged their family into the hate messages, others openly threatened Head and his loved ones.
Speaking to Australian media outlet The Advertiser, Head’s wife, Jessica, issued a statement saying: “It feels like a repeat of the abuse that happened after the World Cup. I woke up to my socials blasting… we are fine but they are attacking my friends and family.”
This is not the first time Jessica has been targeted online by Indian fans. Following the 2023 World Cup final and the World Test Championship final the same year — both won by Australia — she and her family reportedly received horrific messages, including threats of rape and kidnapping. A similar incident occurred after Australia beat India in the 2024 Boxing Day Test.
“I think across all sports at the moment there’s an important conversation around mental health, perspective and the way we speak to one another. Passion will always be part of sport, but so is remembering there are real people and families behind the game. Hopefully this encourages more kindness and support for one another,” Jessica added.
Will Suryakumar Yadav continue as India captain? According to a report in PTI, quoting a senior BCCI source, Suryakumar Yadav’s future as India’s T20 captain could primarily be decided by head coach Gautam Gambhir
Will Suryakumar Yadav continue as India captain? According to a report in PTI, quoting a senior BCCI source, Suryakumar Yadav’s future as India’s T20I captain could primarily be decided by head coach Gautam Gambhir, as the national selection committee is not entirely convinced that he can make it to the team purely as a batter. “Initially, the selectors thought that the IPL would help Suryakumar regain form like the last edition when he crossed 700 runs. But strangely, there hasn’t been any technical course correction in his game. Even the rookiest of pacers are just bowling straight hard lengths, and he has no answer. Selectors don’t see him playing the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. It is as simple as that,” a senior BCCI source told PTI.
Meanwhile, the corridors of power in Indian cricket are already buzzing with names of possible successors.
Shreyas Iyer remains a powerful contender, armed with tactical sharpness and a strong personality. But whether he and Gambhir can seamlessly coexist remains a question.
Those within the system haven’t forgotten Iyer’s quiet disappointment when Kolkata Knight Riders’ 2024 IPL triumph was widely projected as Gambhir’s victory as mentor. Then there is Shubman Gill, whose stocks have soared yet again after another prolific IPL season, leading Gujarat Titans with authority.
Gill, in fact, was originally viewed by Agarkar and company as the long-term all-format leader before a dip in form ahead of the T20 World Cup derailed those plans.
If Suryakumar exits, Gill’s reintegration into the T20 side is a possibility, although it comes with its own set of complexities.
The think tank could comfortably envision Gill at the top, with Sanju Samson at No. 3 and Ishan Kishan slotting in at four.
However, the rapid rise of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is believed to be on the fast track with an eye on the 2028 Olympics, adds another fascinating dimension to the succession puzzle.
And finally, there is Tilak Varma, a name quietly gathering momentum in influential circles.
“Don’t rule out Tilak if Surya is sacked. There’s a reason that Tilak has been made captain for the tri-nation A series where selectors would get to see his leadership skills,” the source added.
For now, Indian cricket once again stands at a crossroads where form, future planning and power dynamics are intersecting.
On May 18, a single-judge bench of the court had refused to give Phogat an immediate relief on the issue of her participation in the selection trials.
File Photo: Vinesh Phogat Photo Credit: PTI
In a big relief for wrestler Vinesh Phogat, Delhi High Court has allowed her to participate in the upcoming trials for the Asian Games. Selection trials will be held on May 30-31.
Court in its ruling said that Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) selection policy is exclusionary for the lack of discretion to consider an “iconic” player like her, reports PTI. The celebrated wrestler is returning to the mat after a maternity break.
The order came from the bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. Order states that the selection trials have to be video-recorded by the WFI and should be held in presence of an independent observer from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), each.
The order was passed on May 22 and it has been uploaded on its website on Saturday. “The appellant shall be permitted to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games, 2026, which are scheduled for 30.05.2026 and 31.05.2026,” the court said in its order.
“The policy and the circular are clearly exclusionary in nature as it does not give any discretion to Respondent No.1 (WFI) to consider iconic players like the appellant in view of the sabbatical taken on account of her maternity leave,” it stated.
With respect to the show-cause notice, the court observed that grounds “appear to be pre-mediated and reopening the closed issues” and that “it is necessary that the appellant is permitted to participate in the selection trials in the interest of the sport and justice”.
Actor Ram Charan apologised to Jasprit Bumrah after mistakenly mixing up the cricketer’s name during the ‘Peddi’ music launch event in Bhopal. The awkward moment went viral on social media, prompting the actor to clarify that it was a “genuine human error.” Fans appreciated Ram Charan for quickly acknowledging the mistake and publicly issuing an apology.
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Actor Ram Charan issued a public apology to Indian cricket star Jasprit Bumrah after an on-stage slip-up during the grand music launch event of his upcoming film Peddi in Bhopal. The incident quickly went viral on social media, prompting the actor to clarify that the mistake was completely unintentional.
During a light-hearted interaction at the event, Ram Charan was asked to describe several Indian cricketers in a few words. While speaking about Bumrah, the actor accidentally mixed up the cricketer’s name, leading to an awkward moment that immediately caught the attention of fans online. Videos of the interaction spread rapidly across social media platforms, with many users debating the incident.
WTF, what did Ram Charan just say? He was describing Jasprit Bumrah and said he’s a big fan because Bumrah is taking football so far ahead. Bro, Bumrah plays cricket not football.😭🙏 And then he called Bhopal Bihar 😭😂
Soon after the clip began trending, Ram Charan took to social media to apologise to the star pacer. In his message, the actor admitted that he is “genuinely forgetful with names sometimes” and described the incident as a “genuine human error.” He also directly apologised to Bumrah for the mix-up, a gesture that was appreciated by many fans.
Uff… I’m genuinely so forgetful with names sometimes.
Apologies to @Jaspritbumrah93 Ji for the mix-up – it was a genuine human error in the middle of all the excitement and the crowd 🙏🏼
I truly respect you and I am a huge fan of your game. You make every Indian feel proud when…
The event itself was a star-studded affair featuring music maestro A. R. Rahman, actress Janhvi Kapoor, and the team behind Peddi. While the celebration was meant to promote the upcoming film, the unexpected moment involving Bumrah became one of the most talked-about highlights from the evening.
Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr defeated Damac FC 4-1 to seal the league title on the final matchday of the season. The victory helped Al Nassr finish two points ahead of rivals Al Hilal SFC and claim their 11th Saudi league crown.
Cristiano Ronaldo Shares Heartfelt Note For Al Nassr Fans After Winning First Saudi Pro League Title | X
Cristiano Ronaldo shared an emotional social media post for Al Nassr FC fans after helping the club to win the Saudi Pro League for the first time since his arrival in 2023. Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr defeated Damac FC 4-1 to seal the league title on the final matchday of the season. The victory helped Al Nassr finish two points ahead of rivals Al Hilal SFC and claim their 11th Saudi league crown.
After the win, Cristiano Ronaldo took to his official social media post and said, “Nassrawis… what a season. From day one, we knew what we wanted and what it would take to get there. We worked, fought and gave everything in every training and every game. It wasn’t an easy road, but we did it together. Thank you for believing in us and standing by our side every step of the way.”
Nassrawis… what a season. From day one, we knew what we wanted and what it would take to get there. We worked, fought and gave everything in every training and every game. It wasn’t an easy road, but we did it together. Thank you for believing in us and standing by our side… pic.twitter.com/V4McZQuado
Al Nassr entered the final league game under pressure after missing a chance to secure the title earlier following a late draw against Al Hilal. The team also suffered disappointment in the AFC Champions League Two final. HYowever, Jorge Jesus’ side bounced back strongly against Damac.
Former Liverpool FC winger Sadio Mane opened the scoring before Kingsley Coman added another goal. Ronaldo then netted twice to complete the win and take his league tally to 28 goals for the season.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has penned a heartfelt note for his son Arjun Tendulkar after the latter made his first appearance in IPL 2026. Arjun was benched throughout the season but was handed his LSG debut in their final game of the season. The left-arm pacer delivered a fine spell of bowling, with Sachin praising his perseverance and patience.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has penned a heartfelt note for his son Arjun Tendulkar after the latter made his first appearance in IPL 2026. Arjun was benched throughout the season but was handed his LSG debut in their final game of the season. The left-arm pacer delivered a fine spell of bowling, with Sachin praising his perseverance and patience.
Well done, Arjun. ❤️
Proud of the way you’ve carried yourself through this season, always believing in your ability, staying patient, working hard quietly, and remaining positive despite having to wait for your opportunity till the very last match.
Cricket tests patience as much… pic.twitter.com/3RdiGkXbfT
“Well done, Arjun. Proud of the way you’ve carried yourself through this season, always believing in your ability, staying patient, working hard quietly, and remaining positive despite having to wait for your opportunity till the very last match.
Cricket tests patience as much as skill, and you handled both beautifully today. Keep your feet on the ground, and continue being in love with the game like you always have. Love you always,” Sachin wrote on X.
Arjun shines on LSG debut
Lucknow Super Giants have handed a much awaited debut to Arjun Tendulkar in their final game of their IPL 2026 season. He had a short stint with the bat, scoring a run a ball five as LSG posted a competitive 196/6.
Ricky Ponting has added his voice to the ongoing debate around Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s future in international cricket
Where do you think Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma will go after retirement? (Star Sports India)
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are again at the centre of talk around India’s ODI setup for the 2027 World Cup. Both of them have made it clear in the past that they would like to be part of one more World Cup cycle, but there is still no clarity on whether the team management and BCCI are fully on the same page about it.
Kohli was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad under MS Dhoni, while Rohit is still without that trophy despite being part of several campaigns since then. Both have now stepped away from Test cricket and are only active in the white-ball format, which makes their game time heavily dependent on ODIs and the IPL.
Ricky Ponting has added his voice to the ongoing debate around Kohli and Rohit’s future in international cricket, backing the experienced duo to keep pushing for a spot in India’s 2027 World Cup plans.
“I can see them pushing ahead and trying to get there. One thing I’ve always said about champion players is you never say no. You never write them off,” Ponting, the head coach of Punjab Kings in the IPL, told PTI.
Ponting doubled down on his belief that the Indian duo still have plenty to offer at the highest level, pointing to their performances and mindset in the ongoing IPL as clear evidence that age has not dimmed their competitive edge.
“Virat’s been a good example of that again through this IPL. He’s not playing as much international cricket as he once was, but that determination and want to win is still there. Rohit Sharma has turned up at this IPL in better physical condition than I’ve seen him probably in about 10 or 12 years. “So the passion is still there for those guys to push on and make themselves the best players they can be. So like I said, you never say never,” added the Australian icon.
Cristiano Ronaldo led Al Nassr to a 4-1 victory against Damac FC, securing the Saudi Pro League title and ending his lengthy wait for a major trophy with the team.
‘Yalla Nassr’: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Breaks Title Curse, Emotional Reaction Goes Viral After Al Nassr Win Photo : AP
Cristiano Ronaldo ended his long wait for a major title with Al Nassr and scored twice to lead his team to the Saudi Pro League title, defeating Damac FC 4-1 in the final. This was a major achievement for Al Nassr as it was the team’s first league title since 2019. Ronaldo scored twice in the second half and gave his team a decisive lead. Al Nassr was in control of the match from the start and was leading 2-0, courtesy of goals from Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman. However, a penalty from Morlaye Sylla allowed Damac back into the contest. Ronaldo then showed vintage play with his trademark free kick to extend Al Nassr’s lead, and later added another late strike from close range to seal the game. The veteran was visibly emotional after he was substituted at the end, and received a standing ovation from the fans as Al Nassr celebrated the historic win.
Following the win, Ronaldo took to social media and posted a video with the caption, “It means so much to us.” It also included the words “Yalla Nassr,” which, when translated from Arabic, means “Come on, Al Nassr!”
The win ended Ronaldo’s long wait for a major trophy. Recently, when Al Nassr suffered a 1-0 defeat to Gamba Osaka, Ronaldo looked visibly emotional. Since joining Al Nassr, he missed a staggering 14 official trophies, including three Saudi Pro League titles, four King’s Cups, four Saudi Super Cups and three continental competitions. He made the final five times, in the Arab Club Cup, the King’s Cup, two Saudi Super Cups and the AFC Champions League Two final, but ended up on the losing side.
East Bengal ended a 22-year wait as they lifted the Indian Super League (ISL) title for the first time. The club was crowned as the champions of India for the fourth time in history.
East Bengal were crowned champions of India after 22 years |Courtesy – @EastBengal_FC on X
East Bengal (EB) ended a 22-year wait after lifting the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) after a dramatic final day in which five teams were still in the hunt to lift the trophy. The Kolkata giants defeated Inter Kashi 2-1 after going a goal down in a tense clash at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday (May 21). After Alfred Planas gave Kashi a lead in the 14th minute, which meant they went into halftime with a 1-0 lead, Youssef Ezzejjari equalised in the 49th minute, while Mohammed Rashid scored the winner in the 72nd minute for the Red and Gold Brigade.
East Bengal won the title on goal difference (GD) after finishing level on points with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan (MB). Both teams had 26 points after 14 games with an identical tally of seven wins, five draws, and one defeat in the season. However, EB had a GD of 19 while the defending champions only had a GD of 11.
MB won their final game of the season against SD Delhi 2-1 in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 scoreline. They scored the equaliser in the 89th minute while clinching the win in the 8th minute of stoppage time. Mumbai City FC finished third after beating Punjab FC 2-0 in Delhi. Bengaluru FC finished fourth, while Punjab were fifth. Jamshedpur finished 6th after playing a 0-0 draw against Odisha FC.
East Bengal Ends 22-Year Wait
This is only the fourth instance of East Bengal winning the top division league after winning in 2000-01, 2002-03, and 2003-04. This marks the first instance of them lifting the prize in the ISL era (which started in 2014). They never won the competition in the I League era.
Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings were given a hefty penalty by the IPL Governing Council after their last game of the 2026 season against the Gujarat Titans.
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ended their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign on a disappointing note. Taking on the Gujarat Titans on Thursday, CSK were undone by a clinical Shubman Gill-led side, suffering an 89-run defeat that also saw them crash out of the play-offs race. After the game, the IPL Governing Council announced a heavy punishment for the entire CSK team. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was handed a Rs 24 lakh fine for failing to maintain the required over-rate. However, since it was his second offence, the entire team-including the Impact Player-was reprimanded.
Tasked with chasing down a target of 230 runs, CSK began on a disastrous note, losing wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson for a golden duck. Shivam Dube’s 17-ball 47 was the only promising knock the team managed to produce against GT. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough to prevent an 89-run defeat and elimination from the tournament.
In an official release, the IPL stated that while Gaikwad was fined Rs 24 lakh, the remaining team members were penalised Rs 6 lakh each.
The IPL release read: “Ruturaj Gaikwad, Captain, Chennai Super Kings, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match 66 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Indian fans have already begun special preparations for FIFA World Cup 2026. However, a major concern remains unresolved – which broadcaster will telecast the matches in India on television?
After the IPL, Indian sports fans gear up to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026. Fans have already begun special preparations for the mega event, which starts on June 12 (IST). However, a major concern remains unresolved – which broadcaster will telecast the matches in India on television? So far, no broadcaster has been finalised for the FIFA World Cup in the cricket-crazy nation. This uncertainty persists even though the tournament begins in just three weeks, and millions of Indians traditionally follow the event closely.
Prasar Bharati also distances itself
According to the latest reports, Prasar Bharati has told the Delhi High Court that securing the FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights in India is not its responsibility. This stance has further increased anxiety among Indian football fans ahead of the world’s biggest football event.
With only about three weeks left before the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on June 12 (IST), Indian football fans still do not know where they will be able to watch the tournament. Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has, in effect, officially stepped away from the broadcasting race. It informed the Delhi High Court that it is not responsible for acquiring the rights to broadcast the FIFA World Cup in India. As a result, both traditional football lovers and Gen Z audiences remain uncertain about how they will follow the tournament.
Once the IPL ends, Indian sports fans will continue getting their cricket dose through the India vs Afghanistan series. But at the same time, Indian fans – like football lovers across the world – will also immerse themselves in World Cup fever.
India’s FIFA ranking beyond 135
Football in India obviously does not enjoy the same popularity as cricket. India’s FIFA rankings stand at 136 in men’s football and 69 in women’s football, and the country has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup. Yet, every World Cup season brings around a month and a half of football frenzy across the nation.
Not only in Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Kolkata, and Punjab, but across the entire country, the excitement surrounding football becomes clearly visible.
48 teams and more than 100 matches
This FIFA World Cup will be unique in several ways. For the first time, the world’s biggest football tournament will be hosted across 16 cities in three countries – Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament, running from June 12 (IST) to July 20 (IST), will also feature 48 teams for the first time instead of the earlier 32.
For decades, Indian football fans have enjoyed watching FIFA World Cup matches on television. But surprisingly, FIFA has still not been able to finalize a broadcaster for India this time.
This situation is even more surprising considering that during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, around 745 million viewers across platforms watched the tournament in India. Only China had a larger football audience. In fact, India consistently ranks among the top 10 countries globally in television viewership for the FIFA World Cup, with nearly 84 million TV viewers.
Last time, JioCinema reportedly spent around $60 million for digital streaming rights of the FIFA World Cup in India. FIFA had expected to earn nearly $100 million (around INR 965 crore) from the Indian market. However, football streaming revenues in India are not very high. Even the English Premier League, despite being popular among Gen Z viewers, reportedly earns less than INR 1,500 crore in the country.
Rishabh Pant delivered a blunt and straightforward assessment after his side’s seven-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Tuesday.
Rishabh Pant insisted that his side remains ‘a f***ing good team’ despite slipping to another loss.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant delivered a blunt and straightforward assessment after his side’s seven-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Tuesday, insisting that his side remains ‘a f***ing good team’ despite slipping to another high-scoring loss in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. LSG, though eliminated from the play-offs race, posted a formidable 220/5 in 20 overs on a batting-friendly surface, but Rajasthan Royals overhauled the total in just 19.1 overs, as Donovan Ferreira’s late strike sealed the chase at 225/3.
Despite the defeat, Pant remained firm in his belief in the squad’s quality and character, stressing that results do not define their internal confidence.
“We are proud as a team regardless of what our situation is right now. The kind of team we have, we know we can win this. Regardless of anything, we are confident enough as a team and as individuals. It hasn’t gone our way, and everyone knows that, but that doesn’t take away the fact that we are a f***ing good team,” the LSG skipper said after the loss.
While acknowledging the opposition’s quality of execution, Pant felt his side missed out on a slightly higher total after a strong start.
“I think there are a few ways to look at it. In the middle overs and then in the last over, the way Archer bowled, I think it was really good. But we could have actually scored five or ten runs more on this kind of wicket when you get that kind of start, and we just couldn’t capitalise in the last over,” Pant said.
On the broader challenge of defending totals on such surfaces, Pant highlighted the limited margin for error and the importance of simplicity in execution under pressure.
“It’s definitely a difficult one for sure because you always want to back your bowlers, but sometimes it’s hard. On a wicket like this, there is less margin for the bowlers, and having too many suggestions doesn’t work out. Sometimes you have to keep a simple plan, keep focusing on one ball at a time, and just try to execute the plan,” he added.
Pant also pointed to the value of experience in crunch situations, noting how difficult it is to replace seasoned performers in high-pressure phases of the game.
“Experience is something you’re always going to miss, regardless of whether things go good or bad, because experience can’t be earned overnight. It takes years for people to gain that experience, and definitely in pressure situations, that is one thing which keeps you ahead for sure,” he said.
[1/5] Soccer Football – Premier League – Arsenal fan celebrations – London, Britain – May 19, 2026 Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium as Arsenal win the Premier League Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers Purchase Licensing RightsArsenal ended their 22-year wait to win the Premier League title on Tuesday when they were confirmed as champions following second-placed Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Leaders for almost the entire season, Mikel Arteta’s side are now four points clear with one game remaining and Sunday’s clash at Crystal Palace will now be a coronation.
Arsenal had beaten Burnley 1-0 on Monday, meaning City had to win on the south coast to extend the race to the final day.
But City trailed to Eli Junior Kroupi’s first-half goal and Erling Haaland’s stoppage time reply was too late for the visitors, who are reportedly set to say goodbye to manager Pep Guardiola at the end of the season after a glittering decade.
Arsenal had been dubbed the nearly men under Arteta after finishing runners-up in the previous three seasons.
But they have finally got over the line, delivering the club’s 14th English title, behind only Manchester United and Liverpool who share the record with 20.
It is Arsenal’s first title since 2003-04 when Arsene Wenger’s side went through the season unbeaten and their first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup in Arteta’s first season after taking over from Unai Emery.
A memorable campaign could get even better for Arsenal as they face Paris St Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30, bidding to win the trophy for the first time. Do that and Arteta’s team will go down as one of the greatest in the club’s 140-year history. CELEBRATIONS IN NORTH LONDON
Arsenal’s triumph sparked huge celebrations in North London and even at 10 Downing Street where Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a keen Gunners fan, posted on X: “22 long years for Arsenal. But finally we’re back where we belong.”
Arteta, at 44 the youngest Arsenal manager to win the English top-flight title, said the previous day that he would be Bournemouth’s “biggest fan” for a couple of hours on Tuesday.
Fittingly the title was delivered with the help of close friend Andoni Iraola whose Bournemouth side held City.
Arteta’s sentiments would have been echoed by Arsenal fans watching the game in pubs and bars before descending en masse to the Emirates Stadium for a party that was set to go on late into the night.
Former Indian cricket team batter Sanjay Manjrekar said that he is exhausted talking about MS Dhoni’s IPL future and added that in his opinion, Chennai Super Kings have completely mishandled the situation.
Former Indian cricket team batter Sanjay Manjrekar said that he is exhausted talking about MS Dhoni’s IPL future, adding that in his opinion, Chennai Super Kings have completely mishandled the situation. Dhoni has not played a single game for the five-time champions this season after suffering a calf strain, leading to intense speculation over whether he will announce his IPL retirement this year. Although Dhoni trained on multiple occasions with the team, he did not take part in any matches, and Manjrekar stated that he has lost all interest in the constant chatter around the cricketer.
“To be very honest, I’ve exhausted myself so much talking about another icon. I’ve got nothing left to say about Dhoni. And if you want a very short and brutally honest answer, it doesn’t matter. Whether he plays, whether he doesn’t play, and all that, yeah, CSK have handled that situation very differently and something that I’ve lost interest in,” he told Sportstar.
“I mean, what he’s done for India is something that I’ll take to bed every time. He is one of my favourite captains and one of the all-time greats. Just love Dhoni for what he did. The current version is obviously a shadow of himself, and this CSK just handled that Dhoni phenomenon very poorly, resulting in the whole team just messing up. So, whether Dhoni plays one last game or not, it’s something for his fans and everyone to enjoy, but I just take the Dhoni I saw at the India level and at CSK as well. Even this team that we see, the CSK team, if Dhoni in his prime was leading this team, this team would have been in the playoffs.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that CSK have learned a harsh lesson while managing the Dhoni saga, adding that the franchise needs to move away from the ’emotional’ urge to fit him into the playing XI.
May 17, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Aaron Rai poses with the trophy after winning the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Purchase Licensing Rights
Down the road from the city that produced one of Hollywood’s ultimate underdog stories, Aaron Rai wrote an equally inspiring script at the PGA Championship on Sunday, delivering the knockout punch to become the first Englishman to win the Wanamaker Trophy since 1919.
Rai came into the week a little-known long shot to win but emerged from a packed leaderboard on one of golf’s biggest stages and was the last man standing at Aronimink Golf Club just outside Philadelphia.
“To be standing here is definitely outside of my wildest imagination,” said Rai, the first player in PGA Championship history to lower his score in each round.
Rai pulled away from the chasing pack with four back-nine birdies, including a 68-footer at the par-three 17th that delivered the knockout blow, en route to a five-under-par 65 that left him at nine under on the week and three shots clear of Jon Rahm (68) and Alex Smalley (70).
When Rai’s final putt dropped there were still two pairings on the course, and while his name was already being engraved on the Wanamaker Trophy he did not break into the type of final-hole celebration typical of a newly-crowned major champion.
With the win, the Wolverhampton-born Rai becomes the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes in 1919.
RAI DRAINS MAMMOTH BIRDIE PUTT
The day began with a tournament-record 22 players within four shots of the lead entering the final round and for much of the day a playoff seemed inevitable.
But Rai, who went out in the third-to-last pairing and two shots behind overnight leader Smalley, had other ideas and kickstarted his day at the par-five ninth with a 40-foot eagle putt.
Two holes later, Rai moved into a share of the lead with Matti Schmid after stuffing his approach shot to four feet for birdie. He had the outright lead shortly after when Schmid, playing in the final pairing, bogeyed the 10th.
Rai, with a slew of players breathing down his neck, then stepped on the gas and became the first player to reach seven under on the week with a sensational up-and-down from a greenside bunker at par-four 13th for a birdie and two-shot lead.
After Schmid got back to within one of Rai, the Englishman countered with a birdie at the par-five 16th to put one hand on the Wanamaker Trophy and sealed the biggest win of his career with his mammoth putt at 17.
“Definitely wasn’t trying to hole that putt,” said Rai. “The shadow of the pin gave a really nice line for probably the last 10 feet. So that definitely helped with the visual of the putts. … amazing to see that one go in.”
THOMAS MAKES EARLY MOVE
The triumph by Rai, which comes a month after Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy retained his Masters title, marks the first time in the era of the four current major championships that the season’s first two majors have been won by Europeans.
LIV Golf’s Rahm (68) could not manage more than one birdie over the back nine while Smalley (70), who started the day with a two-shot lead, eagled the 16th to earn his career-best finish at a major.
“I played really good golf. That’s the only way to look at it,” said Rahm. “Just wish I’d have done better with the speed of the greens.”
Twice champion Justin Thomas, who teed off nearly four hours before the final pairing, started the day six shots off the lead but carded a five-under-par 65 that earned him a three-way share of fourth place with Ludvig Aberg (69) and Schmid (69).
Sourav Ganguly revealed that during his captaincy tenure, he was often approached by the selectors, who would ask him to drop Rahul Dravid from the ODI team due to his poor strike rate.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has recalled an unheard-of tale involving teammate Rahul Dravid from their playing days. Speaking on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Ganguly revealed that during his captaincy tenure, he was often approached by the selectors, who would ask him to drop Dravid from the ODI team due to his poor strike rate. He also shed light on the steps he took to ensure Dravid’s ODI career didn’t come to a premature end, labeling him as one of his most versatile players.
“Rahul Dravid… people used to come to me and say his strike rate isn’t good. Selectors used to say to look for someone else in ODIs, ‘marna padta hai’ (you have to be able to hit). But I didn’t drop him. Because ‘chhod diya toh khatam ho jayega’ (if I let him go, he would be finished). So I used to go to him separately and tell him, ‘Jam, thoda khelna hai’ (Jam, you have to play a bit). And he was such a great player, he adapted. Played at number 5 for India, kept wickets,” said Ganguly.
Ganguly further revealed that India needed a wicketkeeper at that time who could bat, and shared how he convinced Dravid to keep wickets, allowing them to play Mohammad Kaif as an extra batter.
“We just didn’t have a keeper who could bat. Sri Lanka had Sangakkara, South Africa had Boucher, Australia had Gilchrist. ‘Sab batting karte the’ (They all used to bat). But our batting would end at number 6. So we made him the keeper. Then we played Kaif at number 7, which deepened our batting,” he added.
He also recalled that India did not have a proper all-rounder. As a result, he decided to bowl himself, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Yuvraj Singh.
Venezuela Fury was seen kissing Noah Price during their wedding celebration. Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com
Tyson Fury’s eldest daughter got hitched on Saturday.
The heavyweight boxing champion watched his 16-year-old daughter, Venezuela, get married to amateur boxer Noah Price at the Royal Chapel of St. John on the Isle of Man, where the age of consent is 16 with parental approval.
Venezuela was seen in a white gown with a 50-foot train, and paired the look with white Crocs, telling The Scottish Sun that she planned to wear them.
She was joined by both of her parents, her younger sisters, Valencia and Athena, along with 18 bridesmaids, with The Daily Mail reporting that British singer Peter Andre performed at the wedding.
Although the church where the nuptials were held was closed off to the public during the ceremony, according to Metro U.K., a camera crew captured the event, which is expected to air on the family’s Netflix show “At Home with the Furys.”
Venezuela posted a TikTok video the morning of the ceremony, where she was seen in hair curlers while doing a voice-over from “Friends.”
Chennai Super Kings’ hopes of reaching the IPL 2026 playoffs suffered a major setback on Saturday night following a disappointing loss to Lucknow Super Giants.
Chennai Super Kings’ hopes of reaching the IPL 2026 playoffs suffered a major setback on Saturday night following a disappointing loss to Lucknow Super Giants. Batting first, CSK posted a competitive 187/5 in 20 overs, with Kartik Sharma top-scoring with 71. However, the target proved insufficient as LSG completed the chase with ease. Mitchell Marsh led the charge with a blistering 90 off 38 balls, helping his side cross the finish line in just 16.4 overs. Nicholas Pooran remained unbeaten on 32 off 17 balls as LSG secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory.
Among CSK’s bowlers, it was a forgettable outing for pacer Anshul Kamboj, who conceded 63 runs in just 2.4 overs. In the final over, he was smashed for four consecutive sixes by Pooran, sealing the match in emphatic fashion. Earlier in the innings, Marsh had also taken Kamboj to the cleaners, particularly in the fifth over.
Former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth criticised Kamboj’s approach, stating that his downfall began after bowling a short delivery to Marsh, which was dispatched for a six.
“What did he bowl first ball? A short-of-a-length delivery. Against Australians, if you bowl short, they’ll punish you badly. Marsh smashed that first ball over covers for six. Remember that shot? After that, Kamboj kept bowling short, trying to get bounce, and Marsh pulled him over square leg for another six,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“From the third ball onwards, if you watch the slow-motion replay carefully, you can notice it in Kamboj’s run-up itself. He got scared after those first two sixes. The fear crept in immediately, and from there he kept bowling shorter and shorter,” he added.
While Kamboj struggled, Mukul Choudhary and Spencer Johnson offered some resistance. Choudhary returned with figures of 1/24 in three overs, while Johnson picked up a wicket and conceded 39 runs in his four overs.
After months of speculation, Arianna Roberson and Cooper Flagg officially confirmed their relationship, sending fans into a frenzy online. The basketball stars’ romance had been rumored for months before the pair finally made it public.
Fans have been just as curious about the people closest to NBA star Cooper Flagg off the court as they’ve been about his meteoric rise toward NBA superstardom. This included Arianna Roberson as well. Flagg usually steals the headlines with his star power and franchise player potential, but Arianna has become a hot topic for fans wanting to know more about the woman associated with one of the basketball’s brightest young stars.
The couple’s relationship has quickly caught the public’s eye, from social media chatter to more public outings. As r Flagg’s fame continues to explode, the interest in Roberson and their story together only got bigger.
Cooper Flagg and Arianna Roberson went public with their relationship on social media
Cooper Flagg and “Duke” star Arianna Roberson have officially confirmed their relationship, ending months of rumors, social media chatter, and increasing attention from basketball fans online. The Dallas Mavericks rookie just finished a breakout NBA season and won Rookie of the Year over teammate Kon Knueppel.
Now, fans are starting to pay just as much attention to his life outside of basketball after Arianna Roberson publicly confirmed their relationship online. The Duke basketball stars had been quietly fueling dating rumors for months, but their recent social media posts finally gave fans the confirmation they were waiting for.
Since then, their relationship has quickly become one of the biggest talking points around young basketball stars. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils’ 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman center Roberson hard-launched her relationship with Mavericks star Cooper Flagg, who played for Duke before being drafted No. 1 overall in 2025.
The two posted a TikTok of themselves hanging out on a vacation, holding hands and waving in different poses. Then they posted an Instagram Story of the two sharing a kiss.
Arianna Roberson built her own basketball legacy before dating Cooper Flagg
Before the relationship, Arianna Roberson was already a household name in basketball. The San Antonio native was a McDonald’s All-American at Clark High School and was a five-star prospect coming into Duke. She also helped Team USA win gold medals at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup and 2024 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup.
She comes from a basketball family and is the younger sister of former NBA player Andre Roberson. A top-20 recruit out of Clark High School in San Antonio, she came to the Blue Devils and missed her first year with an injury. She averaged nearly 18 minutes per game last year and averaged 8.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
A video of Arshdeep Singh and Tilak Varma has gone viral, with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) pacer coming under intense criticism from a section of social media users. In the viral video, Arshdeep can be heard calling Tilak with the phrase “Oi, andhere” (roughly translates to “Hey, darkness”). The incident took place before PBKS’ IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday. Several users on the internet called out Arshdeep’s language, pointing out the racial connotations attached to the slang.
Arshdeep, who is often seen sharing vlogs, reels, and other content on his social media accounts, wasn’t spared by fans on the internet. While it has to be noted that Tilak and Arshdeep share a camardrie that goes beyong the cricket field, fans weren’t impressed.
Honestly, this is ridiculous. Arshdeep singh is clearly mocking Tilak Varma in this video.
One day this kind of behaviour on social media is going to put him in a really tough spot. Yuzi Chahal is the perfect example of how quickly things can backfire. pic.twitter.com/FxB4EADF4E
A blistering half-century by Tilak Varma and an attacking knock from Ryan Rickelton powered the Mumbai Indians (MI) to a six-wicket win over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash in Dharamsala on Thursday.
The defeat marked Punjab Kings’ fifth straight loss, leaving them stranded on 13 points, with Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals closing in on them in the playoff race.
Varma anchored the chase with composure, forging a crucial stand with Will Jacks. He struck a scintillating 75 off 33 balls, while Jacks provided explosive support with 25 off just 10 deliveries.
Chasing 201, Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton opened the innings for the Mumbai Indians, while Arshdeep Singh set the tone with a disciplined opening over, conceding just two runs.
Rickelton broke the shackles in the second over, launching a massive six off Azmatullah Omarzai to kickstart the chase. The left-hander continued the assault in the next over, taking on Marco Jansen and plundering 15 runs.
He continued his aggressive approach in the following over, smashing Xavier Bartlett for 12 runs, while Rohit Sharma struggled to find his timing at the other end.
Rohit Sharma finally found the middle of the bat in the final over of the powerplay, launching Xavier Bartlett for a massive six. However, in the following over, Omarzai struck straight away, removing the dangerous Rickelton for 48 off 23 runs, bringing Naman Dhir to the crease.
Dhir’s stay at the crease was short-lived as Marco Jansen got the better of the right-hander for 9, bringing Tilak Varma to the crease. In the following, Yuzvendra Chahal cleaned up struggling Rohit Sharma for 25 off 26, and Sherfane Rutherford joined Varma at the crease.
After 10 overs, the Mumbai Indians reached 89/3, with Tilak Varma and Sherfane Rutherford steadying the innings. Varma and Rutherford smashed Chahal in his final over, slamming him for 20 runs.
Chennai Super Kings veteran player MS Dhoni has reportedly not travelled with the team to Lucknow for their IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants. The contest is set to take place at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday. The 44-year-old Dhoni suffered a calf strain ahead of the season. While he has recovered from the injury, the wicketkeeper-batter remains out of action for his team. In Dhoni’s absence, Sanju Samson, the player CSK traded from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026, has been keeping the wickets.
Dhoni has opted not to travel to Lucknow with the CSK squad, Cricbuzz reported. He already had his ticket booked with the team but opted to skip the outing. If Dhoni misses the match against LSG, his fans would have to continue their wait to get a glimpse of their favourite player on the ground.
While Dhoni remains out of the CSK playing XI, he continues to give his valuable inputs to help the team grow.
CSK youngster Urvil Patel recently slammed the joint-fastest IPL fifty in 13 balls. He credited a crucial conversation with Dhoni for helping him produce his stunning record-equalling half-century against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.
The explosive right-hander lit up the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday with a breathtaking 65 off just 23 deliveries, smashing eight sixes and matching the fastest fifty in IPL history.
Urvil also became the first batter in the tournament’s history to hit six sixes within the first eight balls of an innings as CSK stormed to a massive powerplay total during their chase.
After struggling to convert starts in his previous outings, Urvil revealed that a dressing-room interaction with Dhoni, who has been sidelined with a calf injury since the start of the season, helped him regain clarity and confidence in his game.
“When I spoke to Mahi bhai when I got out early in a couple of matches, we were sitting together in the dressing room and I asked him, ‘I’m getting out early, what should I do to convert the good start?’ He said just one thing, ‘I don’t have any doubt in your skill. Whatever doubt is there is in your mind, so just stay clear and try to hit the right ball at the right place,'” Urvil said in a video shared by the IPL.
Sarma was recently sworn in again as the Chief Minister of Assam, shared the pic on his official social media account and expressed his delight after receiving the special gift. The jersey carried Messi’s signature along with the iconic number 10 on the back ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Receives Signed Lionel Messi Argentina Jersey | X | AI
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma surprised the social media users after sharing a picture holding a signed jersey of football legend Lionel Messi on Wednesday. Sarma was recently sworn in again as the Chief Minister of Assam, shared the pic on his official social media account and expressed his delight after receiving the special gift. The jersey carried Messi’s signature along with the iconic number 10 on the back ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Didn’t expect to receive this one 😄
A signed Lionel Messi jersey!
This one’s definitely going straight to the favourites… Nandil and Sukanya would be ecstatic. pic.twitter.com/zsRTqXJw31
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 13, 2026
Himanta Sarma shared the post on social media and said, “Didn’t expect to receive this one A signed Lionel Messi jersey! This one’s definitely going straight to the favourites… Nandil and Sukanya would be ecstatic.”
He said that he did not expect to receive the signed jersey and said it would now become one of his favourite collectibles. He als said that his children Nandil and Sukanya would be extremely excited to see the gift.
The football fans reacted to the viral social media post of the Assam CM as it is a rare Messi memorabilia. The Argentina jersey is considered as a prized possession among the football lovers, especially after Messi’s recent visit to the country.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to introduce stricter disciplinary and access-control measures in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to introduce stricter disciplinary and access-control measures in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) following a series of incidents that have raised concerns within the board over security and anti-corruption protocol violations. “We are forced to issue guidelines in this season of IPL. We saw many incidents which makes the board uncomfortable. We are in talks with IPL franchises to ensure no untoward incidents happen again. There has been lots of indiscipline in this IPL,” a BCCI source told ANI on Tuesday.
The fresh development comes days after BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed that the board was framing new regulations to control player access and restrict unauthorised interactions in hotels, team buses and other designated secure areas during the tournament.
Speaking in Lucknow last week, Shukla said the measures were aimed at ensuring transparency and strengthening the integrity framework around the league.
“The access that the players have will be controlled; unauthorised people will not be allowed to meet the players, neither in hotels nor on buses, to ensure the transparency of the IPL,” he had said.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had also expressed concern over what he termed “anomalies and irregularities” involving players, franchise officials and outsiders during the tournament.
According to Saikia, the board observed several instances of unauthorised individuals accompanying team members, entering team hotels and even accessing players’ and officials’ rooms, actions deemed to be in direct violation of the IPL’s anti-corruption protocols.
He further noted that certain franchise owners and officials were seen interacting with players in restricted zones where such meetings are prohibited under tournament regulations.
Former Indian cricket team batter Sanjay Manjrekar urged Mumbai Indians to sack Hardik Pandya as their skipper and appoint Jasprit Bumrah in his place.
Former Indian cricket team batter Sanjay Manjrekar urged Mumbai Indians to sack Hardik Pandya as their skipper and appoint Jasprit Bumrah in his place. MI were eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoffs race following a last-ball loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The five-time champions have won just three matches in this year’s competition so far, and Hardik’s captaincy has been brutally criticised by both fans as well as experts. In a conversation with Sportstar, Manjrekar said that the franchise needs to rethink their leadership and give star pacer Bumrah the chance to lead the side.
“I’d like to see Bumrah captain India, because I don’t think anyone sees the game as well as he does. What he does with his bowling is not just about the action, it’s also about anticipation, reading the batter, reading the situation and understanding pitches. I’m just a little disappointed that he doesn’t seem interested in being captain in England. He didn’t captain when Shubman Gill was made captain. But hopefully, at least in the Indian Premier League, he should get that shot,” he said.
Manjrekar went on to suggest that MI should have signed Ashish Nehra as well when they completed a sensational trade move for Hardik. Hardik and Nehra formed a successful partnership as they guided Gujarat Titans to the IPL title.
“You actually caught what I was hinting at, because I think they might have to look beyond Hardik Pandya. Yeah, because that move certainly hasn’t worked. It’s not fair to Hardik as well. It’s like a package deal. You know, if Hardik was going to come to Mumbai, then they should have got Ashish Nehra as well with him. But Ashish won’t be with him.”
Ravichandran Ashwin will lead a team that will be owned by Rahul Dravid later this year. The new competition is set to start this year. Dravid will take over a new rule.
RAhul Dravid will own the team while R Ashwin is reportedly set to lead them |Courtesy – BCCI
Batter, wicketkeeper, captain, coach, and now owner. Rahul Dravid is set to add to his various feathers and wear a new cap in the cricketing world. The former Indian cricket team skipper and head coach has been named as the co-owner of Dublin’s franchise ahead of the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which is scheduled to take place later this year.
The franchise has been named the Dublin Guardians, and Dravid will work with Ravichandran Ashwin once again. The veteran Indian cricketer will lead the franchise in the first season of the league as per BBC Sports.
For those unversed, Ashwin retired from international cricket in December 2024 and the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. However, he revealed he wants to continue playing the sport in an overseas T20 league. He was set to play the Big Bash League (BBL) last summer but missed out due to a knee injury. The 39-year-old will also play the Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2026 for the San Francisco Unicorns.
Rahul Dravid Reacts
Dravid opened up on his decision to buy the team and claimed he was the larger vision behind the tournament that attracted him to make the investment.
“What attracted me to ETPL was the larger vision behind it, the opportunity to help grow cricket in Europe by strengthening grassroots development and creating pathways for emerging talent across Ireland and Europe. Dublin already has a passionate cricketing community and enormous potential for growth. Nurturing the next generation has always been important to me, and I believe ETPL can play a meaningful role in that journey,” said Dravid in a statement issued by the league.
The league itself is co-owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan alongside Rules Sport Tech, a private Indian company.
In the IPL 2026 season, Mumbai Indians didn’t get the best out of their senior India players like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah while Tilak Varma only performed in patches.
Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene attended what was probably the most difficult press conference of the season, as the five-time champions were officially eliminated from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoffs race on Sunday. MI did well to post a challenging total of 166/7 on a tricky wicket, but RCB were able to chase down the target on the final ball of the match. As the result confirmed Mumbai’s exit from the tournament, Jaywardene had to face some tough questions, including the ‘politics’ of benching some of the struggling senior stars. When asked during the press conference about what went wrong for the franchise this season, Jayawardene struggled to sum it all up.
“The season is disappointing. We’ve had our opportunities, but we were not good enough. We were not consistent enough with the ball or the bat, and that showed in the margins. We were probably two or three wins away from being in the same group of contenders to get into the playoffs, but we didn’t get those wins, and today was another classic example where we fell short,” the Sri Lankan legend said.
“It’s difficult for me to sum up a season right now; I have to give it some thought and figure out exactly what happened. But yeah, we were not good enough with our skills and execution this season,” he added.
It isn’t like the Mumbai Indians to shuffle their squad every other game, but this campaign saw constant chopping and changing. However, Jayawardene explained that most changes were forced.
“I don’t think it was chopping and changing. What probably you guys didn’t know is that we had a lot of injuries and a lot of niggles-guys getting injured or being unavailable. So, those were mostly forced changes. Tactically, we would have changed very few during the season. I would have loved to have our main core guys consistently out there. But there are no excuses. I think we had a quality squad. It’s just that we had to put our hands up and say that we were not good enough overall. We just need to continue to play good cricket. The message to the boys is to continue to do that,” he said.
The Debate Over Benching ‘Core’ Indian Players
While skipper Hardik Pandya’s absence from the game was labelled as a ‘back spasm’ issue, several players were backed by the management despite a poor run of form. One of those players is Suryakumar Yadav, the team’s designated vice-captain, who scored only 195 runs in 11 matches this campaign.
When Jayawardene was asked if benching some of the out-of-form senior players had become a ‘political decision’, he ruled it out. The former Sri Lanka captain said that he saw how hard the core group was trying and gave them his full trust and confidence.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is rewriting the record books every single day. Already the fastest Indian with the fastest ton in the IPL, Sooryavanshi is also the only batter to score two IPL tons in less than 40 balls (35-ball vs Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025, 36-ball ton vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026). On Saturday, Sooryavanshi broke another world record. With a first-ball six against Mohammed Siraj, Sooryavanshi shattered the world record for fastest to 100 T20 sixes. The 15-year-old reached the ‘century’ of sixes in just 514 balls. He is also the youngest player to reach the mark.
Sooryavanshi scored 36 in 16 balls. His innings included three sixes and three fours. All his three sixes came in the powerplay. Sooryavanshi now holds the record for most sixes in the powerplay in an IPL season.
Most sixes in powerplay (1-6 overs) in an IPL season
30* – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2026)
29 – Abhishek Sharma (2024)
27* – Abhishek Sharma (2026)
22 – Sanath Jayasuriya (2008)
22 – Travis Head (2024)
22 – Yashasvi Jaiswal (2025)
Fifties from captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, along with a late flourish from Washington Sundar, guided Gujarat Titans (GT) to 229/4 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their Indian Premier League match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday. Put in to bat by RR’s stand-in captain Yashasvi Jaiswal–stepping in for the injured Riyan Parag–the Titans were propelled to a 200+ total by fifties from captain Gill (84 off 44 balls), Sudharsan (55 off 36 balls) and a late cameo of 37* off 20 balls from Sundar.
Gujarat Titans capped off their innings in style, with Sundar and Rahul Tewatia smashing 21 runs in the final over bowled by Tushar Deshpande, who was struck for three sixes.
The Gujarat Titans openers, Gill and Sudharsan, started with a clear intent to exploit the powerplay overs, helped by an 18-run over bowled by RR’s Jofra Archer, who conceded nine extras in the opening over.
Despite leading India to the T20 World Cup 2026 title, Suryakumar Yadav is set to be axed as captain of the T20I side. BCCI sources have affirmed to NDTV that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, are looking at Shreyas Iyer to take over as India’s new T20I captain, having been impressed by his captaincy of Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2026. The BCCI is also looking to introduce young talent to India’s T20I side, as it sets of for a tour of Ireland and England after the IPL.
Earlier, according to a report by the Times of India, the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has “run out of patience” regarding Suryakumar’s lack of form with the bat.
Shreyas is the frontrunner to become the new captain unless there is a late change in the decision. On the other hand, there is a massive question mark on whether Suryakumar even makes the squad as a batter, given his poor form of late.
Despite India’s excellent record in T20Is, Suryakumar Yadav has struggled for runs in recent months, and his miseries have been compounded by an IPL 2026 season where he has managed just 195 runs in 10 games for Mumbai Indians (MI).
The report also stated that well-placed BCCI and Team India sources revealed that Suryakumar has been suffering from a wrist issue for a while, playing even with pain and discomfort.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer led Punjab Kings (PBKS) to six wins from their first seven games, also slamming 333 runs in nine innings.
Prince Yadav bowled a brilliant delivery which stunned Virat Kohli and beat his defence completely and crushed his stumps sending them flying. The ball moved sharply and crashed into the stumps which left the commentators and the fans surprised.
‘Prince Gets The King’: Prince Yadav Stuns Virat Kohli With Dream Delivery For Duck In LSG Vs RCB Clash | VIDEO | X
Royal Challengers Bengaluru star batter Virat kohli had a forgettable outing in the crucial clash against Lucknow Super Giants after being dismissed for a duck by LSG young pacer Prince Yadav at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday. The pacer clean bowled Virat for a duck in his first over.
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 😮 \|/
🎥 An absolute peach of a delivery from the young fast bowler to rattle the stumps 💥
Prince Yadav bowled a brilliant delivery which stunned Virat Kohli and beat his defence completely and crushed his stumps sending them flying. The ball moved sharply and crashed into the stumps which left the commentators and the fans surprised. Trouble mounted for RCB in the clash as Virat Kohli got dismissed in the chase.
Kohli looked amazed and disappointed at the same time after the dismissal as took the long walk back without scoring a single run. The wicket immediately went viral on social media and the fans started calling it one of the best balls of the IPL 2026 season.
Written in the stars and celebrated right up there with them ✨
Prince Yadav living out an emotional & fairytale moment 🥹
The commentator also shouted “Prince gets the King” after the dramatic dismissal of one of the best batsmen in the tournament. Many internet users also said that Prince Yadav has dismissed one of the biggest names in world cricket.
Chasing a massive target of 213 runs in the rain-hit encounter, RCB have lost early wickets as they lost Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell early in the innings. Bethell was dismissed for on 4 runs in the first over by Mohammed Shami.
The BCCI has established clear protocols regarding unauthorised access to IPL team hotels. In a seven-page guideline, Board Secretary Devajit Saikia has laid down the process to be followed.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Devajit Saikia, has issued a formal communication to all 10 IPL franchises, warning of potential ‘honey-trap’ concerns during the 2026 season. The board has adopted a stricter stance to prevent serious allegations, including sexual misconduct, against players or officials participating in the T20 league. In a statement issued to the franchises, the BCCI declared that surprise checks will be conducted in players’ hotel rooms, and any breaches will be dealt with severely.
In the statement, Saikia told the franchises: “The BCCI draws the attention of all franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be discounted. IPL franchise management must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times,” Saikia stated in a seven-page guideline issued on Thursday.
A task force has been established, comprising members from the BCCI and the IPL Operations team. This team will be responsible for conducting hotel room checks. Any case of unauthorised access will be met with strong disciplinary action, with potential punishments already outlined.
“The BCCI / IPL Operations Team may conduct periodic checks to assess adherence to the directives set forth in this advisory. Team managers are required to maintain records of all approved guest visits and hotel movements,” the statement continued.
“Any breach of the aforementioned directives must be self-reported to the IPL Operations Team or the relevant IPL Venue Team at the earliest opportunity. The BCCI trusts that all IPL franchises will treat this advisory with the seriousness it warrants and take all necessary steps to uphold the integrity and reputation of the Indian Premier League.”
According to the directive, Saikia noted that outsiders will not be allowed into IPL team members’ rooms without the prior knowledge and approval of the team manager, regardless of their relationship with the player or official.
BCCI Ready To Suspend Players If Protocols Breached
Furthermore, all players and support staff members have been asked to inform and obtain clearance from the Security Liaison Officer (SLO) and/or Team Integrity Officer (TIO) before departing from the team hotel at any hour. Any planned movement outside the hotel, whether for personal, recreational, or other purposes, must also be communicated to the Team Manager and the SLO.
Saikia wrote in the guidelines: “The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council wish to make unequivocally clear that any breach of the directives set out in this advisory shall be treated as a serious disciplinary matter. Non-compliance shall expose the relevant IPL franchise and the individual concerned to proceedings under the applicable provisions of the IPL Regulations, the BCCI Rules & Regulations, and other applicable statutes, as the circumstances may warrant.”
Without prejudice to the foregoing, Saikia added that consequences may be imposed at the sole discretion of the BCCI / IPL Governing Council. These penalties could include show-cause notices, financial penalties, suspension, or disqualification.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, was evacuated from the stadium in 25 minutes due to crowd trouble and vandalism in Kolkata
Sports organiser Satadru Dutta has finally broken his silence over the chaos that took place during the first leg of Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour to India at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Argentina captain Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, was evacuated from the stadium in 25 minutes due to crowd trouble and vandalism. Dutta, the organiser of the entire tour, was arrested at the airport while he was leaving for the Hyderabad leg.
The then Bengal sports minister, Aroop Biswas, had also come under the scanner after a capacity crowd was denied even a clear view of Messi as politicians and local administrators mobbed the icon.
Satadru, who spent 39 days in custody, has finally decided to open up about the fiasco following Biswas’ defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections and the ouster of the Trinamool Congress government.
Satadru has threatened a lawsuit against Biswas, who lost his Tollygunge seat to Papiya Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Just because you have lost in the elections, don’t think that you have been punished. I will lodge a defamation case, and if needed, will go to the Supreme Court. I will fight till the end,” he posted on Facebook stories.
“Repeatedly, I told him not to click pictures here. But, he, using his power, went on to click photos. He will have to pay for this. He (Biswas) is having a laugh while his own people infiltrate. No one heard my cry of anguish. Police also stood still,” he added.
Manoj Tiwary, former India cricketer and outgoing Trinamool Congress MLA, on Tuesday made some explosive allegations against the Mamata Banerjee-led political party
Lionel Messi with Trinamool Congress’ Aroop Biswas; (right) Manoj Tiwary
Manoj Tiwary, former India cricketer and outgoing Trinamool Congress MLA, on Tuesday made some explosive allegations against the Mamata Banerjee-led political party. In an interview with news agency PTI, Tiwary said the “TMC chapter is over” for him, alleging that the party denied him a ticket from Howrah’s Shibpur constituency for refusing to pay Rs 5 crore. On Wednesday, Tiwary uploaded another video on his social media accounts detailing what he went through during his time as Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs in West Bengal.
“In this video, I want to explain how my work has been hindered over the past five years. I want to share this. Aroop Biswas (TMC leader and former minister) prevented me from working. I come from the sports world and wanted to do a lot for sports. In the sports department, I had nothing to do except have tea and biscuits. They made sure I could not work,” Tiwary said.
“I wanted to work for many talented youngsters in athletics, football, and other sports. I wanted to build good infrastructure. They just wanted to use me and ensure I could not work. Through my connections, I had made plans and facilitated world-famous athlete Yohan Blake to build a Centre of Excellence in West Bengal. But Aroop Biswas rejected the proposal. Only Rs 5 crore was needed to bring him. In fact, a Rs 700 crore sports budget was thrown away. I was dejected.”
#WATCH | Former West Bengal Sports Minister Manoj Tiwary says, “In this video, I want to explain how my work has been hindered over the past five years. I want to share this. Arup Biswas (TMC leader and former minister) prevented me from working. I come from the sports world and… pic.twitter.com/isM4CMyRe1
#WATCH | Former West Bengal Sports Minister Manoj Tiwary says, “In this video, I want to explain how my work has been hindered over the past five years. I want to share this. Arup Biswas (TMC leader and former minister) prevented me from working. I come from the sports world and… pic.twitter.com/isM4CMyRe1
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026
Tiwary added that Aroop Biswas, who resigned as West Bengal sports minister after the Lionel Messi fiasco – wherein the football great had to leave Yuva Bharati Krirangan early following a security threat – was insecure of him.
“I wasn’t invited to any events. I was even on the field during the Durand Cup, but I wasn’t invited because Aroop Biswas couldn’t tolerate my image. I wasn’t present at Messi’s event because of the repeated insults. I felt something serious was about to happen. You must have seen that all the sports lovers in the state were embarrassed by Aroop Biswas. Everybody remembers the Messi event. Messi left the event within 5-10 minutes just because of Aroop Biswas,” Manoj Tiwary said.
American YouTuber Darren Watkins Jr., also known as IShowSpeed or Speed, has gone viral once again after his visit to the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua. Speed, who boasts a following of almost 55 million, has been drawing massive crowds during his Caribbean tour. In a viral video, Speed can be seen playing cricket with West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph at the stadium in North Sound, Antigua. In the video, Speed is standing behind the non-striker’s end, watching Joseph bowl one outside the off stump.
Wearing an Antigua and Barbuda jersey, Speed then decides to have a go at fast bowling – or rather, throwing.
After successfully throwing the ball at the stumps with an illegal action, Speed made a loud appeal to Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli.
“I might be the greatest. Virat Kohli, call me… ICC call me, Mumbai cricket team call me,” Speed can be heard shouting in the video.
“Virat Kohli, bruh, you might need to call me.”
🚨| WATCH: Speed hits a wicket while playing cricket, then starts saying he needs to get signed to a cricket team 🏏
Speed is often seen at several sporting events, the most recent being WrestleMania. He is also an avid follower of cricket. He came to India during the 2023 World Cup and was seen wearing the Indian jersey.
In the same video, the YouTuber is seen playing a cricket match in which one of his friends plays a poor shot. “That’s Babar Azam stuff,” IShowSpeed says. He then plays a good shot and adds, “Shoutout to my homie Virat Kohli, baby.”
Speed had expressed his disappointment after Kohli retired from Test cricket last year.
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is set to make a long-awaited return to the mat, but her comeback has been overshadowed by controversies. On Sunday, she expressed serious concerns over athlete safety and competitive integrity at an upcoming wrestling ranking tournament in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, which is Brijbhushan Sharan Singh’s stronghold. The 2018 Asian gold medallist said,”I don’t want any privilege or special treatment. I only want that results should reflect the hard work of athletes on the mat. Which referee officiates which match, how points are awarded, who sits as mat chairman-everything could be controlled,” she said, suggesting undue influence from individuals close to Singh. She further claimed that both the government and the sports ministry have failed to intervene, effectively allowing such conditions to persist.
In a big revelation, Vinesh said,”I am one of the six victims of sexual harassment who filed case against Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)”, referencing the case currently under judicial scrutiny.
The 31-year-old highlighted the psychological strain of competing in what she described as a hostile environment.
“For a woman athlete, it is very difficult to compete in such a situation. We already carry the pressure of expectations-from our teams and from the country.”
She added that the mental burden could impact her ability to perform at her best, raising broader concerns about athlete welfare in Indian wrestling.
Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay Singh told NDTV, “I take responsibility for Vinesh’s security. It must also be noted that 1,200 athletes are participating there, and 1,199 of them have no complaint. Only she has raised an issue. Thirdly, no referee linked to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will take any decision in the matches there. All referees will be from the Wrestling Federation of India, so her doubts and suspicions are baseless.”
Since her last competitive outing, Phogat has also stepped into politics. She won the assembly elections from Julana in Haryana on a Indian National Congress ticket in October 2024, adding another dimension to her public life.
Lakshmi N. Mittal and his son Aditya Mittal, along with Adar Poonawalla, acquired a majority stake in IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals for USD 1.65 billion (approximately Rs 15,600 crore) after the Kal Somani-led consortium pulled out of the race.
Renowned industrialist Lakshmi N. Mittal and his son Aditya Mittal, along with Adar Poonawalla, acquired a majority stake in IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals for USD 1.65 billion (approximately Rs 15,600 crore) after the Kal Somani-led consortium pulled out of the race. However, the sale may run into legal trouble, according to a report by Cricbuzz. The report claims that the Kal Somani-led consortium is gearing up for a legal battle. “We have had calls this morning with legal and PR in the USA. We are deciding on our PR. A legal letter will be sent today,” said a source close to Somani. The source also stated that a letter will be sent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the deal. The consortium is considering whether to go public with the controversy. “We will discuss it with our group if we are going to go public on the matter since litigation will be involved,” the source added.
“We had queries such as whether the BCCI dues were paid. We wanted to know the status of legal cases. There were hundreds of such questions. From our end, we have been ready to close for 10 days. There was a deliberate delay and then side dealings.”
“Lakshmi N. Mittal and Aditya Mittal today announce that a definitive agreement has been reached to acquire the Rajasthan Royals, in partnership with Adar Poonawalla, from Manoj Badale and consortium,” a press release issued by Mittal family stated.
As per the release, the Mittal family will own approximately 75 per cent of Rajasthan Royals, with Adar Poonawalla holding around 18 per cent.
The remaining approximately 7 per cent will be held by approved existing investors, including Manoj Badale.
The restructured Rajasthan Royals board will comprise Lakshmi N. Mittal, Aditya Mittal, Vanisha Mittal-Bhatia, Adar Poonawalla and Badale.
“Badale will continue to support Rajasthan Royals, acting as a bridge between the past and the present, and bringing his deep knowledge and experience of cricket to the franchise,” the release stated.
In addition to the IPL team, Rajasthan Royals also owns Paarl Royals in South Africa and Barbados Royals in the Caribbean.
Lakshmi N. Mittal, who was born in Sadulpur in North of Rajasthan, said, “I love cricket and my family is from Rajasthan, so there is no IPL team that I would rather be part of than the Rajasthan Royals.” Mittal’s son Aditya said: “The Royals is well known for developing new talent – that resonates deeply with me, and we are determined that legacy will continue, harnessing the best of talent in the world for future success.
The viral video shows the elderly fan on the other side of the phone with band aid on his face after a towering six from Priyansh Arya hit him on the face while he was spectating the PBKS vs RR clash in Mullanpur on Tuesday.
Priyansh Arya, Preity Zinta Video Call Elderly Fan Hit By Six | X
In a warm gesture, Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta and opener Priyansh Arya had a video call with the elderly fan injured during the PBKS vs Rajasthan Royals match. They also invited him to the upcoming match of the Punjab Kings at the Dharamsala. The video of their interaction with the fan has gone viral on social media.
The viral video shows the elderly fan on the other side of the phone with band aid on his face after a towering six from Priyansh Arya hit him on the face while he was spectating the PBKS vs RR clash in Mullanpur on Tuesday.
The fan was bleeding profusely after the ball hit him straight on his face. The other fans present in the stands rushed towards him to help him. The fans helped him clean the blood running down the stream. There are reports that old fan was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. His condition is now stable and has reportedly been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment.
Priyansh and Preity Zinta talked to the fan identified as Krishanchand and inquired him about his health and the injury he sustained during the match. Priyansh Arya said that he was tense after watching the video in which he was seen bleeding profusely.
Mumbai Indians, a team that possesses some of the finest players in the world, superstars coming into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign, yet are among the bottom sides in the points table. Mumbai’s latest defeat in the campaign came against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday, triggering a debate on social media, with fans wondering why the franchise isn’t able to get the best out of their top players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, etc. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene addressed these concerns in the press conference after the match.
While Bumrah only has three wickets to his name in nine matches this campaign for MI, Suryakumar has scored at an average of 20, and Tilak aggregates roughly 24 runs a game. Despite having the trio at their disposal, Mumbai have had a forgettable campaign so far, which has them all but out of the playoff hopes already.
Jayawardene, however, is refusing to pin blame on the team’s top players, saying it is only a matter of time before someone like Suryakumar returns to top form with a couple of confidence-boosting knocks.
“I don’t think his output is down; if he gets a few scores together I think he’ll find that rhythm. He played really well today for that period, really took on the bowlers in that phase. I think another couple of overs he could have been off for a really good score. Sometimes when things are not going your way it doesn’t fall in place; I think it was a pretty good shot went straight to the fielder. He’s definitely up for it, I think he’s in a good space, it just that hasn’t worked like the amount of times he’s got caught on the boundary this season with some of those shots. It’s just a matter of time but I think he himself is disappointed but just have to keep on working harder,” he said.
On Tilak Varma, Jayawardene said that the batter is still learning how to go about approaching his game in the T20 format. There do remain concerns over the way he handles different situations, but the Sri Lankan legend feels that will only happen with experience.
“Tilak Varma is also still learning and playing different roles that he’s been asked to play. T20 cricket is not that easy, I think the more he plays different situations he’ll understand what he needs to do… handling situations, being bit more proactive in thinking what we need to do in those situations is something he’ll find,” asserted Jayawardene.
Bowling has been one of MI’s biggest problems this season, and Bumrah’s wicket-less outings haven’t helped. But, for Jayawardene, the team’s lack of wickets as a unit is the core of the problem, not Bumrah.
Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Tilak Varma suffered a hit on the wrist against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), leading to his expensive fitness watch falling off.
An unfortunate incident happened to Tilak Varma during the IPL 2026 encounter between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday. MI’s star batter attempted a scoop shot against CSK all-rounder Jamie Overton, but failed to execute it properly. Instead, Tilak ended up scooping the ball towards his hand, and his wrist watch came off and crashed onto the ground after the impact. The 23-year-old signalled to the MI dugout for some treatment after the hit, and fortunately for him, he was also able to continue wearing his watch.
Further replays confirmed the watch to be a WHOOP fitness tracking band, which costs around Rs 28,000. Luckily for Tilak, the watch did not break despite the impact with the ball and the fall to the ground.
The incident took place on the final ball of the 12th over of MI’s innings.
Tilak Verma Whoop Bend broke by Jamie Overtone bowl 🤯
Tilak was unable to carry on and play a big knock. He got out just two balls after the incident, managing to make only 5 runs.
CSK vs MI, IPL 2026: As it happened
Chennai Super Kings produced a clinical all-round performance to outclass Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in their IPL 2026 clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and youngster Kartik Sharma struck unbeaten half-centuries to seal a comfortable chase in CSK’s favour after Anshul Kamboj and Noor Ahmad had restricted MI to 159/7.
A target of 160 wasn’t a massive one for CSK, and Gaikwad hit 67 not out off 48 balls, laced with five fours and two sixes, his second successive fifty. Kartik, meanwhile, registered his maiden IPL half-century in an unbeaten 40-ball vigil, hitting four boundaries and three sixes, as CSK wrapped up the chase with 11 balls remaining.
RCB are facing backlash on social media after their birthday post for Anushka Sharma went viral. The franchise shared a ‘Virushka’-themed post featuring her with Virat Kohli, prompting fans to accuse the team of making it more about Kohli than the actress herself. Netizens quickly called out the perceived bias, trolling the post online.
RCB are facing backlash for their birthday post for Anushka Sharma | Image Credits: X/RCBtweets
RCB are facing backlash on social media after their birthday post for Anushka Sharma went viral. The franchise shared a ‘Virushka’-themed post featuring her with Virat Kohli, prompting fans to accuse the team of making it more about Kohli than the actress herself. Netizens quickly called out the perceived bias, trolling the post online.
“Here’s wishing the wonderful, strong, and extremely talented Anushka Sharma on her birthday – the person who stands like a rock behind our King Kohli,” RCB wrote in a post on X, sharing some photos of the power couple.
Here’s wishing the wonderful, strong, and extremely talented Anushka Sharma on her birthday – the person who stands like a rock behind our King Kohli. ❤️🎂🥳
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 1, 2026
RCB’s birthday wish divides opinion
While several fans joined in wishing Anushka Sharma, the franchise’s post also triggered a sharp backlash. Critics pointed out that her association with RCB exists primarily through Virat Kohli, making it unusual for a team to put out a dedicated birthday message for a player’s spouse.
Many also took issue with the tone of the post, arguing it reduced Anushka to being merely Kohli’s support system. Netizens stressed that she has built a substantial career of her own as an actor and producer, and felt the portrayal came across as dismissive and condescending toward her individual achievements.
Here’s wishing the wonderful, strong, and extremely talented Anushka Sharma on her birthday – the person who stands like a rock behind our King Kohli. ❤️🎂🥳
Here’s wishing the wonderful, strong, and extremely talented Anushka Sharma on her birthday – the person who stands like a rock behind our King Kohli. ❤️🎂🥳
Here’s wishing the wonderful, strong, and extremely talented Anushka Sharma on her birthday – the person who stands like a rock behind our King Kohli. ❤️🎂🥳
Charles Leclerc topped the times for Ferrari ahead of Red Bull’s revitalised four-time champion Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in Friday’s sole practice session.
Charles Leclerc topped the times for Ferrari ahead of Red Bull’s revitalised four-time champion Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in Friday’s sole practice session at the Miami Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver clocked a best time in one minute and 29.310 seconds to outpace his Dutch rival by 0.164 seconds and finish four-tenths clear of Piastri as championship leaders Mercedes were pushed aside. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth in the second Ferrari ahead of Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, the youngest leader of the title race in F1 history, with George Russell sixth in the second Mercedes.
World champion Lando Norris was seventh in the second McLaren ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull and Carlos Sainz of Williams as the teams with most upgrades appeared to gain from their improvements.
Mercedes, with no significant changes to the cars that had won the first three races before the cancellations of events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, were unable to exert their usual authority.
After a five-week hiatus due to the conflict in the Middle East, Sainz was the first man out ahead of the two Ferraris, all of them seeking early feedback on their extensive upgrades on a warm morning in the Sunshine State.
Engine rules issues
It had emerged overnight that F1’s engine rules for 2027 were expected to be decided within two weeks and ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, introducing speculation about a move away from 50/50 to a 60/40 split between engine and electrical power.
This was an issue sure to provoke more discussion and perhaps decide the futures of some drivers, including four-time champion Max Verstappen and two-time champion Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen has criticised the new hybrid era cars for producing artificial racing and said he was considering ending his F1 career.
Alonso, at 44, had also said he was ready to decide on his future with struggling Aston Martin.
Hamilton said he welcomed the recent dialogue between drivers and ruling bodies, but wanted to see the drivers offered a permanent voice when future rule changes are discussed.
“The drivers all work together,” he said. “We meet and talk, but we don’t have a seat at the table, which I think needs to change.”
On track, Norris soon showed McLaren’s speed to take control while Russell complained his car’s turbo sounded like a steam train and Gasly reported a curious smell from his Alpine.
After 46 minutes, Leclerc grabbed the initiative in 1:29.885 ahead of Antonelli with Hamilton, also in a Ferrari, going third.
It appeared that the heavily revised Ferrari, sporting 11 new parts, was responding well to the team’s investment –- the most of any team, ahead of McLaren, while Aston Martin had none and Haas just one.
After an hour of the only practice session, extended to allow more time for preparation with the new cars at a sprint race weekend, both Verstappen and Hadjar were complaining of gearbox problems.
For the first time in a while, the Rajasthan Royals lost both of their opening batters early. First, it was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was dismissed by the returning Mitchell Starc, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was bowled by an excellent delivery from Kyle Jamieson. However, the Kiwi pacer surprisingly went on to give a send-off to Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old, leaving many fans on social media furious. Rajasthan Royals coach Vikram Rathour, however, feels the send-off was merely a compliment for Sooryavanshi. Rathour, who attended the post-match press conference, did not mind Jamieson’s extravagant celebration.
In fact, Rathour said that the DC pacer was understandably excited to get Sooryavanshi, one of the top-scoring batters this season, out early. Giving a rather unexpected reply, the coach said that the reaction should be seen as appreciation for the teenager and not aggression.
“Getting out can be anyone’s turning point, but not everyone can make runs every time, and we shouldn’t have any expectations from Vaibhav that he will score every time. He is playing well. Wherever he is getting a chance and a start, he is converting those starts.
“A good ball fell in the beginning, so he can also get out. He had a bit of a cramp, I think, but he is fine. So, obviously, he [Jamieson] was excited, and that is a compliment for Vaibhav that people are finding that he is so happy after getting him out. So, that is a compliment for Vaibhav. The strategy will remain the same,” Rathour said in the post-match press conference on Friday.
Rathour Fumes at Misfiring Bowling Unit ‘Again’
RR had put a decent total of 225 runs on the board, thanks to superlative performances from skipper Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Donovan Ferreira. Yet, the team failed to defend the score, losing the game with five balls to spare. For Rathour, there was no other reason behind the defeat than the fact that his bowling unit misfired ‘again’.
“The reason behind it is that I think the bowling couldn’t execute their plans again today. I thought 226 was enough on the surface; we should have been able to defend that. I think with the bowling, once you’re defending a total like that, it’s important to have a good powerplay. Again, today, I thought we gave away lots of runs and didn’t pick up any wickets, so that sets you back, and then later, we really couldn’t execute our plans. We need to learn from that as a bowling unit, and we need to work hard on that as we have more matches to play here,” he said.
When asked about the positives from the game, the former Team India batting coach said that the middle order’s performance was a big positive, as the team’s big scores had mostly been based on Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal’s performances until now.
“The positive was that we were getting good starts and both openers were doing well for us in every match. So, today was the first time that both of them got out early. As a team, I think it was important to see how we come out of that situation and how we play. The way Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel batted at that time, the way they partnered, and the way Donovan finished it was really good to see,” he said.
“I think this kind of innings gives a lot of confidence to the team that we are not dependent on one or two players. So, the day it’s our turn, or whoever is playing well, they can win the game for us and put up a good score. So, it was really positive,” he added.
World number one Jannik Sinner downed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 on Friday to reach the Madrid Open final, where he will face Alexander Zverev. The second seed dispatched promising Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5 later on. Sinner won his 22nd straight match to book a place in Sunday’s final, where he will aim to win a record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title. With his chief rival Carlos Alcaraz out injured, Sinner is firm favourite to triumph at the Caja Magica and add to recent titles at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo.
“I played at a very high level, but I focus on always raising my level a little,” Sinner told Movistar.
“Especially when the tournament gets serious… You have to raise your level if you want to keep going.”
The Italian admitted he was feeling a little tired after playing so many matches of late.
“Obviously there’s a bit of fatigue,” said Sinner.
“Mentally I feel good but there is some physical tiredness. My body isn’t completely fresh but that’s normal and I think it’s a very positive thing for me because it means I’m playing a lot of matches.
“Of course, on Sunday we’ll try to do even better but whatever happens, I’ve reached another final in a very important tournament.”
Beating Sinner right now seems a near-impossible feat and the four-time Grand Slam winner started superbly against Barcelona Open winner Fils, who has impressed since returning from injury in February.
The Italian broke in the third game when Fils went long to lead 2-1.
Sinner broke again in the fifth game with Fils, ranked 25th in the world, unable to cope with his sheer power.
The Frenchman has not yet reached a Masters 1000 final and with Sinner in sumptuous form it quickly became clear he would have to wait a little longer.
Sinner wrapped up the first set on his serve after Fils found some fighting spirit to prevent a third break.
The second set was far closer, with Fils rising in confidence and belief.
The 21-year-old saved two break points for a 3-2 lead, and put pressure on Sinner’s next serve, although the Italian produced two aces to hold.
Sinner broke with a down-the-line backhand winner to end an excellent rally for a 5-4 lead and served it out to triumph.
Blockx resistance
World number three Zverev, in strong form, claimed the first set against Blockx comfortably but struggled to break the Belgian in the second, before eventually finding a way through.
“I’m very happy of course to be in a final,” said Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Madrid in 2018 and 2021.
“There were a lot of tough matches, a lot of tough battles… and I’m looking forward to playing Jannik again.
“Tennis is very very easy for him right now, the way he is playing. Maybe on Sunday I will make it a bit more difficult for him.
“He’s the best player in the world for sure and I’m just trying to give him a tough battle.”
The 29-year-old broke in the first and fifth games to surge into a 5-1 lead against his unseeded opponent.
Underdog Blockx, ranked 69th in the world, resisted strong pressure on his next service game, saving three set points to hold.
However the dominant Zverev made no mistake with his fourth chance to wrap up the fourth stanza, laying down an ace.
Blockx survived two break points in the first game of the second set and another in the third as Zverev worked him hard.
Jensi Kanabar, 14, becomes youngest Indian female to reach a pro singles quarter-final at ITF W15 New Delhi, breaking Sania Mirza’s record.
Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza (Instagram)
Jensi Kanabar made history at just 14 years and five months, becoming the youngest Indian female player to reach the quarter-finals of a professional singles event.
In doing so, she surpassed a long-standing record set by Sania Mirza over two decades ago.
Youngest Indian To Qualify For Women’s Singles Quarters
Competing in only her second ITF event, Kanabar showed remarkable composure to defeat Sandeepti Singh Rao 6-3, 7-5 in the Round of 16 at the ITF W15 New Delhi tournament. The teenager displayed great resilience in the second set, saving four set points before closing out the match and securing her place in the last eight. She had opened her campaign with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win over Jaya Kapoor, carrying that momentum into the next round with fearless shot-making and maturity beyond her years.
Her achievement puts her at the top of a notable list of young Indian players who have reached professional quarter-finals at an early age, ahead of names such as Sania Mirza, Ankita Bhambri and Tara Iyer.
Kanabar’s rise has been rapid. Earlier this year, she became the first Indian girl to win the Australian Open Under-14 title, defeating Musemma Cilek 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the final after mounting an impressive comeback. Her campaign in the Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy was equally dominant, as she topped her group with a perfect record and progressed through the knockout stages with confident performances, including a win over Aoi Yoshida in the semi-finals.
Mumbai Indians’ (MI) IPL 2026 playoff hopes hang by a thread after six defeats in eight games, with the five-time champions failing to defend a score of 243 in their previous game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). MI captain Hardik Pandya’s captaincy has come under intense scrutiny in this period, with the star all-rounder also not firing with bat or ball. However, former West Indies fast bowler and reputed commentator Ian Bishop stated that the responsibility of MI’s struggles should not be taken by Hardik alone, but also by the other big names in the dugout.
“Their (MI’s) lack of success cannot be ascribed to one person. Hardik confessed his form needed to be better. Tactically, maybe he could operate a little differently. He will need his big players to perform well,” Ian Bishop, in response to a question by NDTV.
“As a captain, you can have all the plans but if your players aren’t performing, you’re in trouble. Like (Kieron) Pollard or Mahela (Jayawardene) have said, everyone is involved. I don’t think one person should take the blame,” added Bishop, ESPNcricinfo expert, in an interaction surrounding IPL 2026 ‘Revenge Week’.
The form of MI’s stalwarts has been particularly concerning. Suryakumar Yadav has made just 162 runs in eight games, at an average of 20. On the other hand, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is arguably enduring his toughest IPL season, having taken only two wickets in eight matches.
Bishop also suggested that, in an ideal world, he would’ve liked the likes of Bumrah and Suryakumar to get a longer break after winning the T20 World Cup 2026.
Riyan Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings on Tuesday night.
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has courted controversy after TV cameras caught him “vaping” in the dressing room during his team’s Indian Premier League game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence. Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings on Tuesday night.
The act caught on camera triggered immediate reaction on social media. Parag made a 16-ball 29 in his team’s successful chase of 223.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
“A lot of players consume e-cigarettes but they don’t do it in the dressing room. It is too risky and careless to be doing that with so many cameras around. With Parag caught vaping so openly, the BCCI might be forced to act,” said a well placed IPL source.
No Rajasthan Royals team official was available for a comment.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
Dressing room privacy raised at IPL Captains Meeting
Another IPL source told PTI the issue of players’ privacy in the dressing room was raised at the Captains Meeting in Mumbai ahead of IPL 2026. Some of the captains had raised an objection to cameras panning to the dressing room during the live broadcast.
“It was not specifically related to the use of e-cigarettes in the dressing room. It was broadly around their players’ privacy. There are times when players are not fully dressed in the dressing room or may want to avoid cameras.
“They were told that is up to the broadcaster and not the BCCI to decide over cameras showing the feed from the dressing room. After this incident, it perhaps may be reviewed.
“Having said that, it was careless from Parag and it is difficult to defend something like this. An elite athlete caught smoking like this is not setting a good example for the public,” said the source.
As per the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019, “no person shall, directly or indirectly, (i) produce or manufacture or import or export or transport or sell or distribute electronic cigarettes, whether as a complete product or any part thereof; and(ii) advertise electronic cigarettes or take part in any advertisement that directly or indirectly promotes the use of electronic cigarettes.
“…no person, being the owner or occupier or having the control or use of any place shall, knowingly permit it to be used for storage of any stock of electronic cigarettes.” As per John Hopkins Medicine, vaping is injurious to health thought it may not be as harmful as smoking a cigarette.
Jannik Sinner ended the inspired run of teen home favourite Rafael Jodar with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/0) victory at the Madrid Open on Wednesday to complete his set of semi-finals reached at all nine Masters 1000 tournaments.
Jannik Sinner ended the inspired run of teen home favourite Rafael Jodar with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/0) victory at the Madrid Open on Wednesday to complete his set of semi-finals reached at all nine Masters 1000 tournaments. The 19-year-old Jodar has taken the tour by storm this clay season, winning a maiden ATP title in Marrakesh, and making the semi-finals in Barcelona and the quarter-finals in Madrid before he was stopped by the world number one at the Caja Magica.
This time last year, Jodar was playing college tennis for the University of Virginia and was ranked 687 in the world. He will crack the top 35 when the new rankings are released on Monday.
Sinner was seriously tested before he extended his current winning streak to 21 consecutive matches.
“He pushed me to the limit,” said Sinner, who later warned about putting too much pressure on Jodar.
“At the end of the day, the player has to make the step forward, and then we see. But what he’s doing, it’s incredible. I wish him only the best.
“But in the same time, don’t push him too much. Because sometimes it’s getting into your head and it’s very tough to get out.
“He’s a very, very good kid, he has a great family behind him. The father seems very, very humble. He has a small bubble, which is great for him. I think he’s going to make some incredible results in the future.”
The world number one will next face recent Barcelona champion Arthur Fils in Friday’s semi-final after the Frenchman skipped past Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4 to improve to 9-0 on clay this season.
The first-set scoreline may have read 6-2 but it was far from a routine affair for Sinner, who found himself facing a young opponent who could match his firepower, particularly on the forehand wing.
The Italian was tested in multiple service games, including a marathon one at 2-2, and had to save a pair of break points before he took a one-set lead in 44 minutes.
Leaning on the rowdy home support that included several Real Madrid stars, past and present, Jodar skirted danger at the start of the second set and put pressure on the Sinner serve.
But despite his best efforts, Jodar couldn’t convert any of the five break points he created as Sinner forced a tiebreak, and won the last 11 points of the match to advance to his first Madrid semi-final.
Kostyuk on a roll
In WTA action, Marta Kostyuk posted her 10th consecutive victory, on the back of her title run in Rouen, 7-6, 6-0 (7/1) over 13th seed Linda Noskova to punch her ticket to a semi-final meeting with lucky loser Anastasia Potapova.
The Ukrainian 26th seed created 23 break point opportunities on Noskova’s serve, and broke the Czech seven times en route to her second 1000-level semi-final and first in Madrid.
Potapova reached the first WTA 1000 semi-final of her career with a hard-fought 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 performance against former world number one Karolina Pliskova.
The world number 56 knocked out Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko in the previous two rounds and is making the most of her lucky loser opportunity, which gave her a spot in the main draw after she lost in the second round of qualifying eight days ago to Sinja Kraus.
Having recently switched allegiance from Russia to Austria, Potapova is the first player representing Austria to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final, and the first lucky loser to make it this far at a tournament of this level.
Kostyuk, along with her compatriots, does not shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players ever since the war in Ukraine started four years ago.
Asked if Potapova changing her nationality to Austrian will change her stance when they square off on Thursday, Kostyuk said: “The only person that I shake hands with is Daria Kasatkina, because she didn’t just change her passport, she also openly said that she doesn’t support the war and all of that stuff.
The Ranking Series will take place in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, from May 10-12 and will mark her return since her retirement U-turn last year.
Vinesh Phogat will return to the mat at the National Open Ranking Series in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, next month.
Decorated wrestler Vinesh Phogat breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) confirmed that the two-time World Championships medallist was already cleared to compete in next month’s National Ranking Series.
WFI president Sanjay Singh clarified that the body had never objected to Vinesh’s participation in the domestic tournament and contradicted reports of blocking her application for the event. The Ranking Series will take place in Gonda, UP, from May 10-12 and will mark her return since her retirement U-turn last year.
“We never blocked her request for any participation,” the WFI chief told DH.
. “Vinesh and some other applications were cleared last night (Monday) after we learned some of the wrestlers struggled to submit their forms. She could have approached us first if she had any trouble. All this was needless.”
Vinesh, meanwhile, took to social media to claim that her registration was cleared on Tuesday morning after she couldn’t complete it Monday night, after she found the link had been closed.
“My registration to participate in the upcoming ranking tournament was done this morning. I could not complete the registration yesterday as the link was closed. Thank you for the support from everyone. I am looking forward to competing in my first competition after 20 months,” tweeted Vinesh.
Sanjay, however, shared a copy of the wrestlers’ accepted application with DH where the time stamp showed acceptance on Monday night.
As reported earlier, the 2018 Asian Games Champion is unlikely to compete in this year’s Asiad in Japan as WFI’s selection policy mandated participation in last December’s National Championships in a circular earlier this year.
Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday handed Punjab Kings their first defeat of IPL 2026, chasing down a target of 223 in Mullanpur. RR found a new hero in Donovan Ferreira, with the South African hammering an unbeaten 52 off just 26 balls to seal the win with four balls to spare. Promoted up the order in the absence of Shimron Hetmyer, Ferreira made the most of the opportunity, taking PBKS pacers Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson to the cleaners in the death overs to turn the tide in the chase.
After the match, RR posted a video of Ferreira ‘apologising’ to Bollywood actor Salman Khan after his match-winning knock against PBKS.
Reacting to Salman’s 12-year-old post about PBKS, which is co-owned by Preity Zinta, Ferreira can be seen saying, “Sorry bhai, aaj nahi (Sorry brother, not today!)”
The original 2014 post, shared during the team’s Qualifier 1 clash, famously featured Salman asking, “Zinta’s team won kya?” While Zinta’s team lost that game to eventual champions KKR, Salman’s old tweet often resurfaces whenever PBKS plays.
Chasing a target of 223, RR needed 71 off the last six overs when Ferreira smashed his way to an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls in company of an unheralded Shubham Dubey (31 not out off 12 balls) to clinch the victory with four balls to spare.
Riyan Parag came into the spotlight after videos showing him vaping inside the Rajasthan Royals dressing room went viral during their match against Punjab Kings in the IPL 2026 in New Chandigarh.
Riyan Parag came into the spotlight after videos showing him vaping inside the Rajasthan Royals dressing room went viral during their match against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 in New Chandigarh on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the 16th over of the second innings when a broadcast camera briefly captured Parag with what looked like a vape. The footage quickly went viral, leading to many fans expressing concern and calling for action. This moment gained even more attention as it came right after Parag got out, having scored 29 runs off 16 balls, failing to capitalise at a key moment in the chase. Since then, the video has circulated widely on social media, raising questions about possible disciplinary measures.
Riyan parag smoking vape in dressing room .. is this legal @IPL pic.twitter.com/91yqwH105e
— Prxtham.Edits18 (@Prxtham_Edits18) April 28, 2026
Although there is no clear public rule against vaping, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strict guidelines for player behaviour within stadiums. The use of tobacco or related products in dressing rooms or dugouts is generally banned under health and safety protocols, putting Parag at risk of punishment.
Mann did anyone of you noticed this? Parag was caught vaping during the match between RR and PBKS pic.twitter.com/MXuEipsD0O
— U’ (@toxifyxe) April 28, 2026
This controversy arises when the 24-year-old is already facing challenges, leading the Rajasthan Royals in the 2026 season after Sanju Samson moved to the Chennai Super Kings. Parag has struggled with his batting consistency, scoring only 81 runs in seven innings before this match, which has drawn criticism from fans and former players.
Despite the off-field distraction, Rajasthan Royals successfully chased down 222 with six wickets in hand, defeating Punjab Kings and handing them their first loss of the season.
It was a question about a young achiever to another young achiever. Manu Bhaker, the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal, was asked about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
It was a question about a young achiever to another young achiever. Manu Bhaker, the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal, was on Monday asked about 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. However, it has generated a strong response from social media. Speaking on the sidelines of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) 75th anniversary celebrations in Delhi, Manu spoke about Sooryavanshi. “I would say that if the mentorship is good, the company around him is good, and the people around are good, then age is just a number. And there is no age for talent. Great things happen at 60, they happen at six. So if the people around him mentor him well and guide him properly, then I am sure he will be the next big star,” the 24-year-old shooter was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. First, she won a bronze in the 10m pistol event and then another in 10m pistol mixed team, becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympic Games.
Reacting to the question directed at Manu, former KKR team director, Joy Bhattacharjya wrote on X: “Folks, she is an Olympic medallist. To ask her what she thinks of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unfair to her achievements and her sport. Cricket anyway is the ruling passion of the country; your sports editors do not need another celebrity quote to spin a headline on Sooryavanshi. Optionally, next time ask Vaibhav Sooryavanshi about Manu Bhaker and see the looks you get.”
Folks, she is an Olympic medallist. To ask her what she thinks of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unfair on her achievements and her sports. Cricket anyway is the ruling passion of the country, your sports editors do not need another celebrity quote to spin a headline on Sooryavanshi.… https://t.co/Ha4RsO1rf8
Sooryavanshi continues to make headlines in the world of cricket, becoming the youngest player to reach 1,000 T20 runs and the first uncapped player to hit two centuries in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which he achieved recently against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Be it domestic cricket, starring for India U19 by winning the World Cup and ending as the Player of the Tournament, or producing dazzling performances in the world’s biggest cricket league, the 15-year-old appears to be on a fast-track during his brief career so far.
In the ongoing IPL season, Sooryavanshi has scored 357 runs in eight innings at an average of 44.62 and a strike rate of over 234, including one century and two fifties, with a best score of 103.
At the U19 World Cup earlier this year, Sooryavanshi finished as the second-highest run-getter with 439 runs in seven matches at an average of 62.71 and a strike rate of 169.49. He registered one century and three fifties, with a best score of 175. He smashed a record-breaking 30 sixes in the competition, surpassing South Africa’s Dewald Brevis’ tally of 18 sixes in the 2022 edition. In fact, he now holds the record for the most sixes in U19 World Cup history.
Just two wins in eight matches see the Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants hit the bottom of the 10-team Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 points table. LSG’s latest defeat came on Sunday against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in what turned out to be a low-scoring affair. It was Kolkata’s Rinku Singh whose emphatic 83-run knock off 51 balls helped the team post 155/7 on the board. Despite possessing a formidable batting order, Lucknow lost the game in a Super Over. Speaking after the morale-wrenching defeat, LSG captain Pant admitted that his team “needs a break”.
It was the same old story for the Super Giants, with the batting unit failing to fire in tandem again. The match saw LSG shuffling their opening combination once more, reinstating Aiden Markram as opener with Mitchell Marsh, while Ayush Badoni was sent to the No. 5 spot. The shuffle didn’t help the team’s cause, and Pant had no hesitation in admitting to the “pressure” that is piling on him and the team.
“See, I think we definitely need a break. I think we’re gonna refresh; there is always pressure, and it’s gonna be a pressure game always, but at the same time, we have to look for answers inside, not outside. And just keep it simple, man. Just take accountability, each and every guy. Like, it can’t be about one or two guys. It has to be about the whole unit, and a lot of people will take accountability for that for sure,” Pant said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
On Nicholas Pooran In Super Over
The match entered a Super Over as Mohammed Shami slammed a last-ball six for LSG, giving the team an unexpected lifeline to fetch two points. However, skipper Pant made an unexpected call by sending the out-of-form Nicholas Pooran to face Sunil Narine in the Super Over. The result was LSG scoring only one run before Narine picked up two wickets to end the over.
“We had a discussion as a group, and the name that came up was Nicky P. He might not be going through the best form of his life, but at the same time, you’ve gotta trust your player in a hard situation like this. They’re gonna come off nicely. So, no excuses there. Just looking at the positives, there might not be enough positives right now, but I think after the break, there will be enough for sure.”
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi broke a series of records after making 103 runs in 37 balls for RR against SRH. The 15-year-old hit the second century of his IPL career and hit a century in T20 cricket for the fourth time.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shattered the records books once again |Courtesy – BCCI/IPL
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created history with another record-breaking knock in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The 15-year-old made the second century of his career in the world’s richest cricket league with a knock of 103 runs in just 37 balls in a knock that included five boundaries and 12 sixes.
Sooryavanshi reached his century in just 36 balls as he gave the Royals a solid platform for a big score. The 15-year-old started the innings with four sixes in the first over from Praful Hinge. This marked the first instance of a player scoring four maximums in the first over of an innings in the IPL’s history. The previous best instance in the opening over was by Naman Ojha against Bradd Hodge in 2009.
Interestingly, Hinge had dismissed the Royals opener for a golden duck in the reverse fixture in Hyderabad, but the teen prodigy managed to get his revenge. Later, he smashed Pat Cummins for the first ball he faced from the legendary pacer and found himself batting at 30 of only six balls at one stage.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Creates History
Sooryavanshi’s 36-ball century now means that he has the second and third fastest centuries in the IPL’s history and the two quickest ones by an Indian player. Last year, he had hit a 35-ball ton against the Gujarat Titans in Jaipur. No other player in the IPL’s history has even two centuries in fewer than 46 balls. Chris Gayle is the closest with his record 30-ball century as well as two 46-ball tons.
Fastest IPL Centuries
Player
Balls
Team
Opponent
Venue
Year
Chris Gayle
30
RCB
PWI
Bengaluru
2013
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
35
RR
GT
Jaipur
2025
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
36
RR
SRH
Jaipur
2026
Yusuf Pathan
37
RR
MI
Mumbai (Brabourne)
2010
Heinrich Klaasen
37
SRH
KKR
Delhi
2025
Sooryavanshi also has a 32-ball century in T20 cricket, which came against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while playing for India-A in the 2025 Emerging Asia Cup in Doha. The 15-year-old is only the second player to have three tons within 36 balls in T20 cricket alongside Urvil Patel. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star has a century in 28, 31, and 26 balls for Gujarat in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) over the years. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma has two centuries within 36 balls (28 and 32) and another one in 37 balls.
The Indian star also completed his half-century in 15 balls earlier. This is the third instance of him reaching the milestone so early after scoring half-centuries in the same amount of balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) earlier this season. Sooryavanshi is the first player with three wickets within 15 balls in IPL history. Jake Fraser-McGurk is the only other player to achieve the rare feat multiple times.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Breaks Teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal’s IPL Feat, Sets New World Record
Sooryavanshi is the youngest player to score two IPL centuries and broke his teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal’s record. Meanwhile, he now has four T20 centuries and now holds the world record for that too. The teenager has left behind Tilak Varma. No player at Sooryavanshi’s age had even one century in T20 cricket.
Youngest To Two IPL Centuries
Player
Age
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
15 Years, 29 days
Yashasvi Jaiswal
22 years, 116 days
Sai Sudharsan
23 years, 215 days
Youngest To Four T20 Centuries
Player
Age
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
15 years, 29 days
Tilak Varma
22 years, 15 days
Abhishek Sharma
23 years, 49 days
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Six-Hitting Heroics
Sooryavanshi’s tally of 12 sixes in today’s innings is the most by an Indian player in an IPL match in history. He previously shared the record (11 sixes for RR vs GT in IPL 2025 at Jaipur) with Murli Vijay (11 sixes for CSK vs DC in IPL 2012 at Chennai).
Most Sixes In An IPL Innings
Player
Sixes
Team
Opponent
Venue
Year
Chris Gayle
17
RCB
PWI
Bengaluru
2013
Brendon McCullum
13
KKR
RCB
Bengaluru
2008
Chris Gayle
13
RCB
DD
Delhi
2012
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
12
RR
SRH
Jaipur
2026
Chris Gayle
12
RCB
KXIP
Bengaluru
2015
Ab de Villiers
12
RCB
GL
Bengaluru
2016
The teenager is only the third player. after Chris Gayle (5 times) and Abhishek Sharma (2 times) to hit more than 10 sixes in multiple IPL innings.
Lungi Ngidi suffered a serious injury during the DC-PBKS clash while attempting to take a catch. An ambulance was called into the ground as the player was placed on a stretcher.
Lungi Ngidi suffered a serious injury during the DC VS PBKS clash | courtesy – screengrab
The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi saw some scary scenes as Lungi Ngidi suffered a serious injury during the third over of the second innings of the match. An ambulance had to be called to the ground as the severity of the situation emerged. The match saw a long break of 14 minutes.
Ngidi’s situation looked serious just after the incident happened, as he was unable to move and had to be immediately placed on a stretcher. While the South African pacer was conscious, there was no movement as the team doctor continued the protocol. However, the pleasant news was that he was talking to the medical staff. The match was stopped for a long period. DC head coach Hemang Badani suggested that the player be fitted with a neck brace. An oxygen mask was also given to the player.
Later, the player was carried into the ambulance and taken away from the stadium to a hospital for further checkups. A report by ANI has revealed he was taken to the Max Hospital in Karol Bagh, which is around 7.4 kms away from the stadium.
Meanwhile, Viraj Nigam came on as a concussion substitute instead of Ngidi. While it appeared Sri Lankan pacer Dushmanta Chameera would come, and he was even warming up, it was the uncapped Indian all-rounder who ultimately came on.
Update On Lungi Ngidi From Hospital
“Ngidi is stable and is due to be discharged shortly from the hospital,” a statement by the Capitals said.
Meanwhile, a report by Espncricinfo revealed that Ngidi’s CT scans have come back normal and there is no spinal injury.
How Did The Incident Happen?
The incident took place on the third ball of the third over of PBKS’ innings. On a delivery by DC skipper Axar Patel, Priyansh Arya attempted a big shot down the ground. Lungi Ngidi was fielding at mid-off and attempted to run backwards to take a catch. While he made a heroic attempt, it was not enough to get the wicket. As he dived for the ball, he tumbled and landed badly on his head, which caused the injury.
DC-PBKS Match Updates
Talking about the match, DC posted a massive total of 264 on the board, which is their highest in the history of an IPL match. KL Rahul was the star of the show with a record-breaking knock as he became the first Indian to hit a 150 in the league’s history. He made a 67-ball 152 and joined Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum in the elite list. Rahul and Nitish Rana put up a massive partnership of 220 runs, which is the second-highest in the league’s history. Rana made 91 runs in just 44 balls.
Lungi Ngidi, a pacer for Delhi Capitals, is recovering after sustaining a head injury during an IPL match against Punjab Kings. The incident occurred while he attempted to catch a ball, resulting in him hitting his head on the ground.
Lungi Ngidi was taken off the field in an ambulance after he got injured during the DC vs PBKS IPL 2026 match (Credit: AP)
Delhi Capitals pacer Lungi Ngidi is currently stable and was said to be discharged shortly from a nearby hospital after he hurt himself during DC’s IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, on Saturday. The South African brutally hit his head on the ground while trying to make a catch, and he was taken off the field in an ambulance. For a medical evaluation, he was sent to BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital. The 30-year-old right-arm bowler is stable at the moment, according to the IPL, despite complaining of headache and neck pain earlier.
“Lungi Ngidi of Delhi Capitals hit his head on the ground while attempting to take a catch during his team’s match against Punjab Kings. He was shifted to the hospital in an ambulance as he complained of a headache and neck pain,” IPL said on X.
“Ngidi is stable and is due to be discharged shortly from the hospital. Vipraj Nigam is on the field as a concussion substitute,” it added.
According to a report, Ngidi’s CT scan results were likewise normal, and a neurosurgeon was assessing him.
“If all parameters remain normal, he is likely to be discharged soon,” the source told PTI.
On the third delivery of the second over, Ngidi attempted to bag a mishit from Punjab opener Priyansh Arya off Axar Patel, but he misread the ball’s travel path and it passed his outstretched right hand as he was in the air. The Proteas player was severely hurt as he landed on his back and his head struck the surface of Arun Jaitley Stadium.
While the on-field medical personnel hurried to Ngidi with a stretcher, he covered his head right away in an attempt to recover from the fall. As DC head coach Hemang Badani, Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting, and other Proteas players Tristan Stubbs and David Miller arrived to see how he was doing, Ngidi was spotted responding to the support personnel.
How Delhi Police Helped Lungi Ngidi To Reach Hospital In Just 11 Minutes?
However, before being wheeled to the hospital, he had to be stretchered into the ambulance that was waiting for him. Delhi Traffic Police established a green corridor to make it easier for him to travel quickly from Arun Jaitley Stadium during heavy traffic while he was being transported to the hospital.
Delhi Traffic Police said that quick cooperation was started after they learned of the medical problem during the high-voltage game. Officials discovered that the player needed an immediate transfer to the hospital after notifying the match organisers.
According to police officials, ACP Traffic (Central District) Sanjay Singh oversaw the construction of a green corridor in coordination with the Police Control Room to guarantee the ambulance’s unhindered passage, as stated in the PTI report.
They said that the ambulance cut through peak-hour traffic and arrived at the hospital in 11 minutes thanks to the coordinated efforts of traffic personnel.
KL Rahul broke a slew of IPL records in a tremendous batting display at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. Rahul became the first Indian to score in excess of 150 in IPL history with his unbeaten152 against the Punjab Kings. Athiya Shetty, who was watching the game, quickly took to Instagram to laud her husband’s record breaking efforts.
KL Rahul broke a slew of IPL records in a tremendous batting display at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. Rahul became the first Indian to score in excess of 150 in IPL history with his unbeaten152 against the Punjab Kings. Athiya Shetty, who was watching the game, quickly took to Instagram to laud her husband’s record breaking efforts.
Athiya posted multiple stories on Instagram, clearly in awe. When KL smashed a century, she simply summed up her reaction, writing ‘ufff’ with a picture of her watching KL’s celebration on TV. After the innings finished, Athiya added another story, captioning it ‘just insane’. Her reactions to Rahul’s heroics then went viral on social media.
Highest individual scores in the IPL
175* – Chris Gayle (RCB) vs PWI, Bengaluru, 2013
158* – Brendon McCullum (KKR) vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2008
On Sachin Tendulkar’s 53rd birthday, his leadership skills as a captain are being revisited, countering the common belief that he was an ordinary captain.
Sachin Tendulkar: The Captain India Never Understood. (MCA/X) Photo : TN Sports Desk
Sachin Tendulkar’s exploits with the bat don’t need a retelling, nor his trademark straight drive or the paddle sweep that he made his own during the course of his 24-year international career. On his 53rd birthday, we decided to revisit another version of the Little Master that got lost in the lazy narratives set by a section of the media, and perhaps, some former cricketers. As a captain, he was a clear communicator, the leader his own dressing room swore by, but the outside world never quite grasped. That long-held myth was dismantled by his former Mumbai teammate Jatin Paranjpe in the simplest terms.
While speaking exclusively to Sports Now, Paranjpe, who had also played for India, stated that Tendulkar never quite got credit for the kind of captain he was and pointed out that he has been unfairly regarded as an ordinary captain, adding that Mumbai cricketers who have played under him would know his credentials as a captain and what an astute cricket brain he had.
What Made Tendulkar A Special Captain
“I have already said this, that he never has got the credit he deserves as a captain. Because he was a damn good captain. And he was a player’s captain. I played under him for 10 years for Mumbai. He was a player’s captain, completely. And he is very unfairly regarded as not being such a good captain. All the guys who played for Mumbai know how good a captain he was,” he said.
“Every player, he spoke to differently. As for how he perceived the player, he spoke to the player in that way. So, really good captain. But I think he was unlucky that he could not come up with the results when he captained India,” he added.
The numbers, however, betrayed him. Leading India during a transitional phase with a weaker bowling attack and brutal overseas schedules, Tendulkar’s captaincy never got the results that shape public memory. And in cricket, perception often hardens into a verdict.
“I think those were the times when our bowling was not as strong as it is today. And I think some tough tours also at that time. Overseas tours. So, I think he was just a little bit unlucky with the calendar as well. But I mean, my view will not change that he was a damn good captain,” he stated.
Paranjpe, Amre Pick Tendulkar’s Best Knock
Talking about his favourite Tendulkar knock, Paranjpe recalled the innings he played against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semi-final in 2000 that helped Mumbai win by 8 wickets. He was unbeaten in both innings, scoring 233 in the first innings and 13 in the second.
“233 vs Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semi-final. This was in 2000,” he was quick to remind.
If Paranjpe picked Tendulkar’s 233 in the Ranji Trophy semi-final as his best knock, his longtime Mumbai and India teammate Pravin Amre went back in time to pick his century on debut against Delhi in the Irani Cup as the best he had seen him play under trying circumstances when he was barely 15. Although it came at a losing cause, it earned him his India selection.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) triumphed over Gujarat Titans (GT) , led by Virat Kohli’s exceptional 81 runs,. Kohli managed to create two massive feats.
Virat Kohli has become the first player in history to create two historic feats. Photo : AP
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) by 5 wickets in the 34th match of the IPL 2026 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. While GT smashed 205, RCB chased it down quite comfortably in the end. THe key architecht with the bat for RCB was their star man Virat Kohli. The superstar batter registered his highest score yet in the IPL 2026, when he smashed 81. During this brilliant innings, Kohli went on to become the first player ever to achieve two fantastic feats.
Virat Kohli slammed 81 runs from 44 balls in an innings studded with 8 fours and 4 massive sixes. Kohli now has 303 sixes in his IPL career. He has played all 19 seasons in the IPL for RCB, and hence became the first player in history to slam 300 sixes for one franchise in the IPL.
Overall, Virat Kohli became the third batter after Chris Gayle (357) and Rohit Sharma (309) to hit 300 sixes in the history of the IPL.
Virat Kohli Becomes First Player To Score 10,000 T20 Runs In A Country
Virat Kohli has also scored 10,000 runs in India in all T20s, for both club, country and his domestic team i.e Delhi. He becomes the first batter in history to slam 10,000 runs in the shortest format of the game in a single country.
Here are the batters with the most runs in a single country in T20s:
Virat Kohli- 10,000 (India)
Rohit Sharma- 8563 (India)
Shikhar Dhawan- 7626 (India)
James Vince- 7492 (England)
Sanju Samson- 7254 (India)
RCB Defeat GT By 5 Wickets
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets as they raced to their fifth win of the IPL 2026, and climbed to the second spot of the points table.
The GT openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill got off to a slowish start. However, they soon picked up some serious momentum. For the first wicket, the duo put on 128 runs, thus registering their 8th 100+ run stand in the IPL. Shubman Gill got out for 32, but Sudharsan continued the onslaught. He went on to slam his third century in the IPL, thus becoming the second GT batter after Shubman Gill to score a century.
However, after the wicket of Sudharsan for 100 runs, the run rate slowed down for GT, as the RCB bowlers got a massive grip on the batters, and boundaries dried up. However, the GT debutant Jason Holder played a blinder at the end, scoring 23 from 10 runs, that powered GT to 205.
RCB got off to a shaky start, as they lost their first wicket with 24 runs on the board in the form of Jacob Bethell. After that, it was RCB all the way, as Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal got all guns blazing. The duo put on 117 for the second wicket. Padikkal went on to score 55 before getting out. However, it was Virat Kohli who shone the brightest as he smashed 81 runs.
Shubman Gill did not shy away from pinpointing where the game slipped for the Gujarat Titans after their five-wicket defeat against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Shubman Gill did not shy away from pinpointing where the game slipped for the Gujarat Titans after their five-wicket defeat against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 34th match of the Indian Premier League (2026) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. “Definitely. From the 16th to the 19th, those three overs, we couldn’t get any boundaries. Those overs were crucial for us. At the end of the Powerplay, we were in a good situation. We needed to take wickets,” he said. “I mean, when a batsman gets dropped on nought, it’s always tough on the fielder. But it’s about how you come back in the game. We had our moments. But we weren’t able to hit the right lengths consistently, which was important. But they batted very well in the middle overs.”
The dropped chance he referred to allowed Virat Kohli to flourish, and the veteran made GT pay with a commanding 81 off 44 balls.
Alongside him, Devdutt Padikkal produced a stunning 55 off 27, dismantling the attack through the middle overs. Their partnership ensured RCB stayed ahead of the asking rate, even as GT’s bowlers searched for control. Gill admitted there was some assistance in the pitch, particularly from Krunal Pandya’s bowling: “When we were batting, the balls that Krunal bowled, it was gripping a bit. I thought if we could get a few wickets, we would come back in the game.”
Earlier, the Gujarat Titans had posted a formidable 205/3, powered by a superb century from Sai Sudharsan, who struck 100 off 58 balls and became the fastest to 2000 IPL runs. Contributions from Gill and Jos Buttler added heft, but the total ultimately proved insufficient.
Despite a brief wobble when Rashid Khan and Manav Suthar removed Jitesh Sharma and Rajat Patidar in quick succession, Krunal’s late flourish sealed the outcome. His unbeaten 23 off 12 balls, including a decisive 18th over assault, shut the door on GT.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar celebrates his 53rd birthday on April 24, 2026. Fondly known as the “Master Blaster,” Tendulkar is not just remembered for his unmatched records on the field, but also for his humility, discipline, and words of wisdom that continue to inspire millions.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar celebrates his 53rd birthday on April 24, 2026. Fondly known as the “Master Blaster,” Tendulkar is not just remembered for his unmatched records on the field, but also for his humility, discipline, and words of wisdom that continue to inspire millions.
Over the years, his quotes have reflected powerful lessons on success, failure, and the importance of staying grounded despite achieving greatness. On his special day, here’s a look at some of his most meaningful thoughts.
“I am not the God of cricket. I make mistakes, God doesn’t.”
Despite being hailed as the ‘God of Cricket’ by fans, Tendulkar humbly reminds everyone that he is human. The quote reflects his grounded nature and highlights the importance of accepting imperfections and learning from them.
“Don’t stop chasing your dreams, because dreams do come true.”
A reminder to stay persistent and believe in your aspirations, no matter how distant they may seem.
“Chase your dreams, but make sure you don’t find shortcuts.”
Success achieved through hard work and honesty is far more valuable than quick wins.
“When there are stones thrown at you, you convert them into milestones.”
Challenges and criticism can be turned into opportunities for growth.
“If you remain humble, people will give you love and respect even after you have finished with the game.”
True legacy is built not just on achievements, but on character and humility.
The Hardik Pandya duplicate was sitting in the stands at Wankhede Stadium and enjoying the match. He was caught on camera and his pics went viral on social media.
IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya Lookalike Spotted In Wankhede Stands During MI Vs CSK Match | X
The cricketing fans were amazed to find a Hardik Pandya lookalike spectating the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on Thursday. The Hardik Pandya duplicate was sitting in the stands at Wankhede Stadium and enjoying the match. He was caught on camera and his pics went viral on social media.
A lookalike of Hardik Pandya showed up in the stadium to watch the match. When the cameraman spotted him and put him on screen, even Hardik couldn’t stop laughing and gave a thumbs-up 😂
The person had striking resemblance to Hardik and was seen in the stands in Mumbai’s Wankhede. The duplicate had his hair highlighted similarly the way Hardik had done just before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He also has a tattoo on his neck of a peace logo. He was watching the match while donning a Mumbai Indians jersey and supporting the team with full enthusiasm.
However, Hardik Pandya has been receiving hate on social media as Rohit Sharma is not a part of the playing XI and other players like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah are not performing to their potential. They are claiming that the person sitting in the stands should replace Hardik Pandya as he will perform a captain’s duty better then Hardik.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looses the ball to Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) during the fourth quarter on April 23, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Jalen Brunson had the ball in his hands with a chance to win.
Captain Clutch came up empty.
Trailing by one point in the final seconds, Brunson turned the ball over as the Knicks’ comeback fell short in a 109-108 loss to the Hawks in Game 3 Thursday night at State Farm Arena. The Knicks now trail the series 2-1.
Brunson threw his hands up in exasperation as his pass trickled away from Josh Hart and Hawks-colored confetti fell from the rafters. After trailing by 11 with 8:06 left in the game, the Knicks had a chance to flip the script and pull off their own late-game stunner after collapsing in Game 2.
But in the biggest moment, they didn’t even get a shot off. It took a while to get Brunson the ball — and when he finally got it, the Hawks doubled him in the corner with Onyeka Okongwu and Jonathan Kuminga. Brunson’s pass bounced past Hart, and that was that.
And it was CJ McCollum, the biggest Knicks villain this series, yet again who twisted the knife into the Knicks’ hearts. After going quiet in the second half, he drilled the go-ahead bucket with 12.7 seconds left. It has been McCollum, not Brunson, who has owned this series.
“This should sting,” coach Mike Brown said after the game. “Because we gave ourselves a chance, knowing that we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting.
“We need to feel it and get ready to be locked in for the next game, which we will be.”
OG Anunoby hit a 3-pointer with 3:50 left to cut the Knicks’ deficit to just two points. He soon after hit another 3-pointer to cut the deficit to one point. Miles McBride — on the floor in place of the benched Mikal Bridges — hit a 3-pointer to tie the game with 1:41 left.
Brunson’s and-1 gave the Knicks a 3-point lead with 52.6 seconds left. He then had a chance to ice the game on the next and penultimate possession, but air-balled after the offense broke down with 16.4 seconds left. Then came McCollum’s dagger. Then came Brunson’s game-ending turnover.
“I wish I had a better answer for you,” Brunson said when asked to explain the last two possessions. “I got nothing right now.
In truth, it wasn’t just Brunson who came up empty. The Knicks as a whole came up empty.
They shot just 43.0 percent from the field and a paltry 28.6 percent from 3-point range. They committed 18 turnovers. In the first half, they were unable to slow down the Hawks defensively.
Brunson finished with 26 points, but he was overburdened, missed all five of his 3-pointers and had three turnovers. He was also torched by McCollum again, forcing the Knicks to switch their coverage. McCollum had 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field in the first half. It was Hart, who switched onto McCollum in the second half, who managed to slow him down.
Until the final moments, at least.
“It hurts more that we put ourselves in position to win but we just didn’t close the show,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “I think that’s why everyone is emotional. It’s tough, but we’ve got to keep our heads up. It’s OK to be disappointed. That means we care. We’ve got to get the next one.”
In Bridges’ growing list of lowlights, this was right at the top. He went scoreless, having missed all three shots he took, and committed four turnovers. He was a game-worst minus-26.
And he was benched twice — in the second quarter and the fourth quarter.
Hart, other than his good defense, had nine rebounds and six assists. But he had just two points and was 1-for-9 from the field.
Towns and Anunoby were the only starters with steady offensive production. McBride hit five threes off the bench.
“Right now,” Hart said, “there’s no room to feel sorry for ourselves.”
The reported move comes after President Donald Trump and Italy PM Giorgia Meloni had a falling out over POTUS’ attacks on Pope Leo XIV.
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is seen in this photo. (REUTERS)
Italy might still have a chance to play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. A Donald Trump envoy wants the global football body to swap out Iran, a qualifying nation, with Italy – which missed out on qualifying for the third time in a row.
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli told Financial Times.
The reported move comes after President Donald Trump and Italy PM Giorgia Meloni had a falling out over POTUS’ attacks on Pope Leo XIV, as per the publication.
Italy’s ouster this time had come at the hands of Bosnia and Herzegovina as the Azzurri lost 4-1 in penalty shootouts in the qualifying playoff final.
What are the rules of replacing a team in the World Cup?
If Iran were to withdraw, then Article 6.2 of FIFA’s regulations states that they would be replaced ‘with a nominated alternate, often the direct runner-up from the relevant qualifying playoff or highest-ranked non-qualified team from that confederation’.
Thus, it would be likely for Iran to be replaced by the United Arab Emirates, who reached the Asian play-off stage where they lost. However, FIFA can also use its ‘sole discretion’ in this regard. Speculation about Italy making its way back to this competition reportedly stemmed from ex-Manchester United reserve boss Rene Meulensteen, currently assistant manager of Iraq.
He had told talkSPORT “Through the AFC, we are the highest-ranked team. So we would then take Iran’s place. And then UAE might step in to replace us to play the winner of Suriname and Bolivia.” The manager had added “But there’s also rumors that if FIFA makes the final decision, they might push the highest-ranked FIFA team to replace Iran, which is Italy.”
In a failed run out attempt, Rishabh Pant out himself on the line and jumped upside down to grab the ball during the run out attempt. The video of his superb fielding skills has gone viral on social media.
LSG Skipper Rishabh Pant Dives Upside Down In A Failed Run Out Attempt During RR Clash In Lucknow | X
Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant on Wednesday dived upside down showing his athleticism in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. In a failed run out attempt, Rishabh Pant out himself on the line and jumped upside down to grab the ball during the run out attempt. The video of his superb fielding skills has gone viral on social media.
The incident occurred when Rajasthan Royal’s were batting and a confusion took place between the batters while running the second run. As the throw came from the deep, Pant had to adjust quickly. He stretched forward to collect the throw in an awkward position, flipping his body upside down as he tried to break the stumps. He almost lost his balance and both his legs were in the air as he reached for the ball.
Despite his magnificent effort, the run out chance was lost as Pant could not control himself and broke the stump before even collecting the ball. He passed the ball to another fielder who pulled a stump out after collecting the ball. However, the decision was given not out as the batter managed to reach inside the crease safely on time.
Krunal Pandya earned himself points for being a top sportsman during the RCB vs DC clash in Bengaluru. With Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel cramping and struggling to walk, Pandya rushed to his aide, helping him walk off the field in a pivotal moment in the game. Krunal shunned aside his rivalry to help the opposition captain, earning plaudits for his actions.
Krunal Pandya earned himself points for being a top sportsman during the RCB vs DC clash in Bengaluru. With Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel cramping and struggling to walk, Pandya rushed to his aide, helping him walk off the field in a pivotal moment in the game. Krunal shunned aside his rivalry to help the opposition captain, earning plaudits for his actions.
After Axar patel’s injury Krunal pandya ran towards him to give him support
Axar Patel walked into bat at no.6 and injected some much needed momentum in the chase for the Delhi Capitals. However, after a brief stay in the middle, the DC captain struggled with cramps.
Batting on 25, he was treated twice, before deciding to walk off the field retired hurt. Patel couldn’t walk himself and needed support from Ashutosh Sharma, with Krunal Pandya also rushing to help the all-rounder off the field at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The Paralympic Committee of India has terminated coach Naval Singh after Paralympic champion Sumit Antil accused him of mental harassment and verbal abuse. PCI said complaints were reviewed in an emergency meeting before action was taken, while the case also raised questions over Singh’s formal coaching status.
Paralympic Committee Terminates Coach Naval Singh After Sumit Antil Alleges Mental Harassment And Verbal Abuse | Photo: Twitter
Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has terminated the services of coach Naval Singh with immediate effect after Paralympic gold-medallist Sumit Antil accused the Dronacharya awardee of mental harassment and verbal abuse in a complaint to the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
In a letter dated Friday but not addressed to any particular individual, PCI president Devendra Jhajharia said Naval has been removed from all Paralympic Committee activities.
“On receiving complaints from Paralympic medallist Mr. Sumit Antil and several others
regarding alleged misconduct, inappropriate behaviour, and harassment by coach Mr. Naval Singh, the matter was carefully reviewed. The complaints were duly examined, and the athletes were given a fair opportunity to present their concerns,” the letter said.
“Because the allegations were serious and there was initial evidence of misconduct, the
Paralympic Committee of India held an emergency meeting… After reviewing the oral hearings and written complaints, and considering the seriousness of the concerns and the need to protect athletes’ interests and maintain proper standards, the Committee found that the alleged conduct did not meet expected standards.
“Therefore, the Committee unanimously decided to terminate the services of coach Naval Singh with immediate effect and remove him from all Paralympic Committee activities,” Jhajharia wrote in the letter.
Strangely, some PCI officials said that Naval Singh has not been a para athletics coach since 2025 and he has been associated only with able-bodied javelin thrower Sachin Yadav who had finished fourth at the World Championships in Tokyo last year.
“Since 2025, Naval Singh is not designated as the coach of Para Athletics by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). This, we have clarified to the ministry,” a PCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Antil, gold-medallist at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics, also alleged that Naval is “probably mentally unstable” and attempting to disturb top athletes like him and Neeraj Chopra.
“He (Naval Singh) mentally harassed us and abused our, as in mine and Neeraj’s, families. He seems mentally unstable,” Antil had told PTI
One of India’s strongest gold medal hopes in the F64 category (leg amputated) at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, Antil said, “He (Naval) would deliberately share recordings of his abusive rants with our (team) managers, so that they reach us.”
The three-time world champion from 2023 to 2025, added that he sent his complaint to SAI and it was endorsed by Neeraj Chopra and fellow para-javelin throwers Navdeep Singh and Sandeep Chaudhary.
SAI had acknowledged receiving the complaint but stated that Naval is not its employee and had been engaged by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to train “another leading athlete as part of National Coaching Camp”.
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali explained his preference for PSL’s Karachi Kings, highlighting more playing time and a shorter schedule as key reasons for skipping IPL.
The schedule clash between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) leaves overseas cricketers with one T20 tournament to choose from. More often than not, overseas cricketers who fail to attract interest from India go on to play in Pakistan. There are a few exceptions, though, with certain players opting to register for the PSL, giving its Indian counterpart a miss. Such was the case with former England all-rounder Moeen Ali.
The 38-year-old, who played for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last year, registered his name for PSL but gave the IPL a miss. While there has been a lot of speculation around Moeen’s reasons, he has finally broken silence and explained why the PSL took precedence for him over the IPL.
“There are a few reasons. I’m 38 now, and I still want to play, do well, and extend my career as much as possible. Karachi was a big factor in my decision to come here. It’s a shorter competition, which works better for my family and me,” Moeen said on ARY Podcast.
In the IPL 2025 season, Moeen was bought by KKR for a fee of Rs 2 crore. He played a total of 6 matches for the franchise last year but made just 5 runs. According to the former England all-rounder, the lack of opportunities and the tournament’s length pushed him to give the IPL a miss this time.
“Last year in the IPL, I played only half the games and barely got to bat, just twice. At this stage, I want to be out there; I want to bat. I feel like I’m playing good cricket towards the back end of my career, and I just want to keep going,” he added.
Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru could not register a win at their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, in an IPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday
Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru could not register a win at their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, in an IPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday. RCB scored 175/8 in 20 overs while batting first. In reply, DC chased down the target in 19.5 overs. During the IPL clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli scored 19 off 13 balls, hitting three fours at a strike rate of over 146. While the score was modest, his attacking intent was clearly visible. Kohli has developed a more aggressive approach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the years, marked by a significant rise in his attacking-shot percentage from 2021 to the current season.
Apart from his aggressive batting strategy, Kohli has remained sharp in the field. During the RCB vs DC match, he insisted on a DRS review off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s bowling after the umpire had adjudged opener Pathum Nissanka not out. Kohli could be heard insisting, “Out hai.” The review proved him right, with the decision overturned.
Since 2021, there has been a steady shift towards a more aggressive batting approach from Kohli in the IPL. In 2021, his attacking-shot percentage stood at 40.6 per cent, which rose to 50.3 per cent in 2022. The numbers jumped further in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons, registering 62.5 per cent, 64.3 per cent and 68 per cent respectively. In IPL 2026, his attacking-shot percentage has crossed into the 70s, standing at 72.8 per cent.
In six innings so far this season, Kohli has scored 247 runs at an average of 49.40 and a strike rate of 157.32, including two fifties, with a highest score of 69*. He is currently the second-highest run-scorer of the season.
Former three-time winner Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Madrid Open beginning next week as he needs more time to recover from a shoulder injury. The former world number one and 24-time Grand Slam winner has not played since losing to Briton Jack Draper in the Indian Wells fourth round just over a month ago. “Madrid, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete this year,” the Serbian 38-year-old posted on Instagram on Friday. “I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon. Hasta pronto!” The current world number four lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final at the beginning of February before hinting that retirement may be just around the corner.
He pulled out of the Doha Open later that month due to fatigue.
He reached the fourth round in Indian Wells but then pulled out of Masters 1000 events in Miami and Monte Carlo due to his shoulder injury.
Sumit Antil is among the country’s top javelin throwers who have alleged harassment and use of abusive language by javelin coach Naval Singh and have complained to the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Two-time Paralympic Games medallist Sumit Antil is among the country’s top javelin throwers who have alleged harassment and use of abusive language by javelin coach Naval Singh and have complained to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), a news report claimed on Friday. Antil claimed he has received support from Tokyo Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. According to the report, the country’s top athletes have made a written complaint to SAI, alleging mental harassment and repetitive use of abusive language by javelin coach Naval Singh, who trains Sachin Yadav. The written complaint was submitted to SAI on April 10, after the matter was raised with officials from SAI and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), The Bridge said in a report on Friday.
“I have always been a clean athlete, and I don’t want to be part of any controversy. I tried to explain to him (coach Naval Singh) multiple times, but this is not the first time. It has gone beyond my patience level,” the report quoted Sumit Antil as saying.
“He gets drunk and sends random recordings abusing us and dragging our families into it. He tends to behave this way when competitions approach,” he added.
The report claimed that the emails written by the elite athletes to SAI included audio recordings in which Singh is allegedly heard verbally abusing Neeraj, Sumit, Navdeep, and Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem.
Antil was the first to raise the issue with SAI. He said he approached SAI Deputy Director Arunlal and the CEO of TOPS (Nash Johal) about the coach’s behaviour. Antil claimed that the SAI officials sat the two parties down for a compromise but the Paralympic Games gold medallist rejected the approach.
Antil, who initiated the complaint, said that he had experienced many incidents of verbal abuse, humiliation, and mental harassment by the said coach and eventually decided to take action.
“The language used has been extremely degrading, not only towards athletes but also towards our families, including deeply disrespectful remarks about our mothers and even about esteemed athletes like Neeraj Chopra, Navdeep Singh, and Sandeep Chaudhary,” he added.
The report said Antil claims to have the backing of two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra. “I stand in full agreement with my fellow athletes and strongly demand strict action in this matter,” Chopra wrote in his email.
LaMelo Ball apologized for his role in the injury to Bam Adebayo in Tuesday night’s play-in tournament game but added that he was disoriented after getting hit in the head.
LaMelo Ball was so excited after delivering a knockout blow to the Miami Heat in Tuesday night’s electric 127-126 play-in tournament win that he carried it over to his victory celebration, delivering two right-hand jabs to the oversized head of Hugo, the Charlotte Hornets’ mascot.
In a wild sequence, Ball avenged two critical mistakes just seconds earlier by scoring on a driving right-handed layup with 4.7 seconds left, and Charlotte prevailed after Miles Bridges blocked Davion Mitchell’s layup attempt on the other of the court as time expired. That set off a wild celebration on the court involving players, coaches and fans as the team earned its first home postseason win in a decade.
Ball celebrated at midcourt, flexing after the winning layup. Local television station WBTV caught video of the hyped point guard delivering two seemingly playful blows at Hugo before embracing teammate Coby White in a bear hug. Hugo simply walked away.
Ball was the center of attention all night, and it remained uncertain if he could face disciplinary action from the league ahead of Charlotte’s next play-in game on Friday night after it appeared he took a swipe at the leg of Bam Adebayo early in the second quarter, causing the Heat center to fall on his back.
Ball was not called for a foul and play continued. Adebayo did not return because of a lower back injury, playing just 11 minutes.
Afterward, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said Ball should have been ejected.
Ball apologized after the game and said he was disoriented on the play after getting hit in the head seconds before on a drive to the basket.
The ninth-seeded Hornets play on the road against the loser of Wednesday’s night game between Orlando and Philadelphia as they look to snap a 10-year playoff drought.
“We drew up a good play, I feel like. Just orchestrated it and it worked,” Ball said of the winning shot.
Chase-master Virat Kohli was back to doing what he does best, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s charge with the bat. The target set by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was low – 147 – and Kohli was at his best right from the start. In 34 balls, he scored 49 with the help of six fours and one six. Kohli looked set for his 66th IPL half-century, but while batting on 49, the former RCB captain was caught by Nicholas Pooran off Avesh Khan. Kohli went for the aerial route and was caught at long-on. Actor and Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma was present at the stadium and appeared disappointed to see him depart.
Talking about the match, pacer Rasikh Salam Dar (4/24) returned with a four-wicket haul as Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a clinical performance to notch up a five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in an IPL match on Wednesday.
Sent in to bat, LSG never found momentum, with Mitchell Marsh (40 off 32) and Ayush Badoni (38 off 24) being the only notable contributors as they were bowled out for 146 – their lowest total of the season.
Apart from Rasikh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/27) and Krunal Pandya (2/38) also chipped in, while Josh Hazlewood picked up one wicket.
In reply, opener Virat Kohli (49) set up the chase, while skipper Rajat Patidar (27) and Jitesh Sharma (23) also contributed with quick runs as RCB overhauled the target, reaching 149 for 5 in 15.1 overs.
Prince Yadav (3/32) and Avesh Khan (2/23) shared the wickets for LSG.
With a running loss of ₹7.19 crore, LSG’s investment in Nicholas Pooran raises concerns about his future contributions this season.
Nicholas Pooran getting bowled in the RCB vs LSG match in IPL 2026. (PTI)
Lucknow Super Giants’ defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday did more than expose another batting failure. It deepened the financial discomfort around one of the franchise’s biggest calls ahead of IPL 2026. Nicholas Pooran, retained for ₹21 crore as one of LSG’s most dangerous T20 weapons, lasted just seven balls for 1 in a collapse that left the side with 146 on the board. RCB chased that down in 15.1 overs, and the innings added fresh weight to a season ledger that is now beginning to look ugly.
Pooran’s dismissal, dragging Josh Hazlewood back onto his stumps, would have been disappointing in any setting. But for LSG, this was the kind of night when they needed far more from a player carrying elite-retention value. This was not a flat Chinnaswamy run-fest where one failure could disappear into the blur. The surface was slower, the quicks got enough grip, and the innings needed control in the middle. Pooran gave LSG none of it. In the monetary-impact model, that innings returned a match worth of ₹0, turning the night into another full-cost, zero-return outing.
Nicholas Pooran’s retention is becoming an expensive problem
That is where the broader balance sheet begins to bite. Through five matches this season, Nicholas Pooran has returned a total match worth of just ₹31.13 lakh in our model. Against that, there is a cost exposure of ₹7.50 crore, leaving LSG with a running deficit of ₹7.19 crore. For a ₹21 crore retention, that is not just underperformance. It is the kind of gap that starts becoming a season theme.
The shape of those returns makes it worse. Pooran has delivered value in only two of his five appearances. One match brought in ₹20.04 lakh. Another returned ₹11.09 lakh. The other three have produced ₹0. Wednesday’s innings against RCB falls into that growing zero column, which means the problem is no longer one bad outing or one freak failure. It is a pattern beginning to build.
That is what gives this angle real force. IPL conversations around expensive players often stay vague for too long. A player is labelled out of form, rusty, misfiring, or under pressure. But once the season price is viewed through the lens of match-by-match returns, the discussion sharpens. In Pooran’s case, the numbers say LSG are paying premium money and getting almost nothing back so far.
Why the RCB match made the loss look harsher
The context of the innings matters. LSG were not blown away by unplayable batting conditions, but they were certainly on a surface that demanded better decision-making and better execution than a standard Chinnaswamy night. RCB’s seamers made that count, and Hazlewood’s discipline exposed Pooran quickly. This is precisely where premium stars are expected to matter. Franchises do not spend ₹21 crore on middle-order batters just for easy chases or flat decks. They spend it for awkward nights, rescue jobs and match-turning interventions.
That is why Pooran’s 1 off 7 feels larger than the scoreline itself. LSG needed a stabiliser with bite. They needed someone who could either withstand pressure or hit back. Instead, they got an innings that hurt them twice, first in the match and then in the balance sheet. In this model, Pooran’s per-match cost sits at ₹1.5 crore. So every zero-return game lands with full force. After three such games in five, the red ink starts to look less like an early-season wobble and more like a major concern.
The bigger issue for LSG is not that Pooran has had one poor game. It is that he was retained as one of the engines of the side, and right now, he is not even close to justifying that billing. That does not mean his season is beyond repair. Few players in the league can swing a campaign in two weeks the way Pooran can. His value was built on proven destruction, not inflated hype. But that is exactly why the current numbers are so uncomfortable. A proven match-winner is not merely having a quiet start. He is generating one of the sharpest investment gaps in the tournament.
A premium player with nearly no return
That contrast is the core of the story. Pooran’s price tag belongs to the elite bracket. His returns so far do not. Through five matches, LSG have effectively carried a ₹7.19 crore running loss on one of their biggest bets. That is a brutal place to be this early in the season, especially when the side is still trying to settle its batting order and protect its middle overs.
For now, the arithmetic is simple and harsh. Five matches. Total value returned: ₹31.13 lakh. Total cost exposure: ₹7.5 crore. Running loss: ₹7.19 crore. Unless Pooran produces a sharp correction soon, LSG’s ₹21 crore retention will stop looking like a bold show of faith and start looking like one of the costliest drags of IPL 2026.
How the worth is calculated
This balance sheet is based on a match-worth model. The purpose is to estimate how much value a player returns in a match and compare that with what that appearance effectively costs the team.
The starting point is the player’s full-season price. Pooran’s ₹21 crore retention is converted into ₹2100 lakh. That figure is then spread across an expected appearance denominator, which produces a notional per-match cost. In this case, Pooran’s rolling match cost comes to ₹150 lakh.
From there, the model evaluates what the player did in the game. Batting contribution forms a key part of that, but bowling and fielding are also included wherever applicable (for batters). There are a few controlled adjustments too, such as manual rating, captaincy effect and synergy effect when relevant. These elements come together to create a normalised impact score for the match.
