Category: Sports

Rishabh Pant struggled to defend his decisions as a captain after KKR defeated LSG in a thrilling match that concluded with a Super Over.

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.”

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2026/need-a-break-rishabh-pant-admits-to-pressure-as-lsg-hit-rock-bottom-in-ipl-2026-11413288

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/how-delhi-police-got-injured-lungi-ngidi-to-hospital-in-just-11-minutes-article-154168765

 

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

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’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.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) triumphed over Gujarat Titans (GT) , led by Virat Kohli’s exceptional 81 runs,. Kohli managed to create two massive feats.

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.

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.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2026/ipl-2026-we-needed-to-take-wickets-says-gt-skipper-gill-after-five-wicket-defeat-vs-rcb-11405710

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.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/quote-of-the-day-by-sachin-tendulkar-on-his-53rd-birthday-i-am-not-god-of-cricket-i-make-mistakes-god-doesnt

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.

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.

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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 😂

https://t.co/Vj21Oe7vZK

— ValenceCricket (@CricketValence) April 23, 2026

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.

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.”

 

Source: https://nypost.com/2026/04/23/sports/knicks-lose-another-heartbreaker-to-hawks-to-fall-into-nba-playoffs-hole/

The reported move comes after President Donald Trump and Italy PM Giorgia Meloni had a falling out over POTUS’ attacks on Pope Leo XIV.

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.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trump-envoy-wants-fifa-to-replace-iran-with-italy-in-upcoming-world-cup-report-101776909892338.html

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.

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.

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Chaos in the middle 😬

But all safe for Rajasthan Royals in the end. 😅#TATAIPL 2026 | #LSGvRR | LIVE NOW 👉🏻 https://t.co/PNPfcFt2z9 pic.twitter.com/Z6zNO3LZJ6

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 22, 2026

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.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/video-lsg-skipper-rishabh-pant-dives-upside-down-in-a-failed-run-out-attempt-during-rr-clash-in-lucknow

 

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.

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After Axar patel’s injury Krunal pandya ran towards him to give him support

A great gesture from Krunal Pandya💖 pic.twitter.com/5kdieruiFf

— ` (@McgMadMan) April 18, 2026

Axar struggles with cramps, retires hurt

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.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/heartwarming-scenes-krunal-pandya-rushes-to-axar-patels-aid-helps-rival-captain-off-the-field-after-injury-video

 

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 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”.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/paralympic-committee-terminates-coach-naval-singh-after-sumit-antil-alleges-mental-harassment-and-verbal-abuse

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.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/moeen-ali-reveals-real-reason-behind-quitting-ipl-to-play-in-pakistan-super-league-11374319?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

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.

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On-point delivery, on-point DRS! 🎯#PathumNissanka had no answers to @BhuviOfficial’s inswinger & credit to #RCB for the timely review! 👏#TATAIPL | #IPLRivalryWeek 2026 ➡️ #RCBvDC | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/tCvyn0XFNx pic.twitter.com/dqE7oQNxee

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 18, 2026

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.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2026/out-hai-virat-kohli-disagrees-with-umpires-decision-in-rcb-vs-dc-ipl-match-a-drs-masterclass-follows-11377283

 

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.

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.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/novak-djokovic-pulls-out-of-madrid-open-due-to-injury-11371381

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.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/athletics/neeraj-chopra-sumit-antil-complain-against-javelin-coach-naval-singh-gets-drunk-abuses-11372225#pfrom=sports_morelisting_2026

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.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/lamelo-ball-punches-mascot-win-b6a6750f779e6ce3ec381cf9d747aa6f

Chase-master Virat Kohli was back to doing what he does best, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s charge with the bat

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.

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Anushka Sharma Disappointed when Virat Kohli dismiss at 49 runs pic.twitter.com/cyYgIUND3M

— Learn-Survive (@pandu291190) April 15, 2026

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Anushka Sharma started crying after Virat Kohli Missed his Slow Half Century pic.twitter.com/6g8PXGiq4a

— Anshul Rathaur (@anshul_rathaur_) April 15, 2026

 

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.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2026/anushka-sharma-reacts-as-virat-kohli-misses-66th-ipl-half-century-by-just-1-run-watch-11363183

 

With a running loss of ₹7.19 crore, LSG’s investment in Nicholas Pooran raises concerns about his future contributions this season.

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.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/719-crore-loss-in-5-matches-nicholas-poorans-rcb-flop-show-makes-lsgs-biggest-retention-bet-look-gloomy-101776280470763.html

CSK vs KKR, IPL 2026 Highlights: Noor Ahmed took three wickets as Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs in their IPL 2026 match.

Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Highlights, IPL 2026: Noor Ahmad took three wickets as Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs in their IPL 2026 match. This was CSK’s second win in a row, while KKR still have not won a single game in the competition. Ramandeep Singh scored 35 while Rovman Powell slammed 31, but it was too little, too late. Earlier, Sanju Samson slammed 48 while Dewald Brevis scored 41 as CSK posted 192/5 in 20 overs. Ayush Mhatre scored 38 as well, but good death bowling by the KKR pacers meant that CSK was not able to post a 200-plus total. Kartik Tyagi was the pick of the KKR bowlers with two wickets.