The Economic Times

Punjab Kings began their IPL campaign with a strong six-wicket victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing a formidable 220, openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh provided a solid foundation. Captain Shreyas Iyer then steered the team to victory with an unbeaten 69. PBKS bowlers, despite an initial onslaught, managed to pull back the game.

India is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. A nationwide campaign will engage students and youth leaders. Iconic athletes will be featured to build excitement. The event aims to foster a sporting culture and support future Olympic aspirations. India last hosted the Games in 2010 in Delhi. This edition promises a grand spectacle with multiple sports.

Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard is not worried about bowler Jasprit Bumrah's wicketless streak. Pollard also mentioned a flexible approach for batter Tilak Varma. The team aims to end a two-match losing streak against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Pollard dismissed concerns about Will Jacks's arrival. He praised veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Punjab Kings secured a six-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL encounter. Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Shreyas Iyer scored fifties to guide PBKS to the target. Abhishek Sharma's rapid 74 was not enough for SRH. PBKS chased down 219 with seven balls remaining.

Ravindra Jadeja reached a significant T20 milestone, securing 4,000 runs and 200 wickets. This achievement places him among elite Indian all-rounders. The match saw Rajasthan Royals defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel played crucial roles in the Royals' successful chase. Rajasthan Royals continue their winning streak in the tournament.

IPL 2026: Some of the most celebrated teams are set to lock horns in iconic contests that could define the tone for a blockbuster second half of the season.

Indian racing prodigy Atiqa Mir has achieved a significant milestone. She is now the highest-ranked female in her category in the FIA International Kart Ranking. Atiqa is placed seventh overall in the International OK-NJ class. This achievement marks a proud moment for India. Her father, Asif Mir, expressed his happiness and emphasized the need for continued hard work.

Punjab Kings, riding a strong IPL 2026 run, are favored against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mullanpur. PBKS boasts two wins and a washed-out match, sitting second. Their balanced squad, with key contributions from Bartlett, Prabhsimran, and Connolly, has adapted well. SRH, conversely, struggles for consistency, with their top order and bowling yet to fire.

IPL 2026 PBKS vs SRH Pitch Report: Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad are set for a high-scoring IPL 2026 clash in Mullanpur. The pitch promises a batting paradise with consistent bounce and a quick outfield, making 200+ totals achievable. Expect warm, sunny weather with no rain interruptions, and the toss might play a role in this afternoon encounter.

LeBron James has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to record 12,000 career assists. This remarkable feat occurred during a recent game against the Phoenix Suns. James' assist came from a defensive rebound and a long pass. He joins an elite group of players with this achievement.

Ayush Shetty achieved a career-defining victory against world number four Jonatan Christie. The Indian shuttler secured a spot in the Badminton Asia Championships semifinals. Shetty displayed strong retrieving and powerful smashes throughout the match. He will now face top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the next round. This win marks a significant achievement for the young Indian player.

R. Vaishali is now the sole leader in the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament. She secured this position with a draw. In the Men's Candidates, Javokhir Sindarov continues his strong performance. He defeated R Praggnanandhaa. Sindarov is now likely to challenge for the world championship title. Divya Deshmukh faced a defeat in her match.

The Premier League resumes this weekend with high-stakes matches. Arsenal aims to extend their lead at the top. Liverpool faces Fulham in a critical game for Champions League qualification. Roberto De Zerbi debuts for Tottenham, who are fighting relegation. Key fixtures include Arsenal versus Bournemouth and Chelsea against Manchester City.

Mukul Choudhary's IPL success highlights his father's sacrifices. Dalip Choudhary sold their house and faced jail to fund his son's cricket. Mukul's dedication led to a match-winning performance. He promised to repay loans. His journey showcases belief and resilience. This is a story of a father's gamble and a son's fulfillment.

Lucknow Super Giants have signed George Linde. He replaces Wanindu Hasaranga who is out due to injury. Linde is a South African all-rounder. He brings experience in T20 cricket. This is Linde's first IPL season. He joins the franchise at his base price.

IPL 2026 RR vs RCB Pitch Report of Barsapara Stadium: Unbeaten Royal Challengers Bengaluru face table-toppers Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. Rajasthan, led by Riyan Parag, are on a three-match winning streak. The ACA Stadium is a high-scoring venue, though recent matches have seen varied conditions. Rain is forecast earlier in the day, but a full contest is expected.

IPL 2026 RR vs RCB head-to-head stats: Rajasthan Royals, fueled by explosive starts from Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi, aim to continue their winning streak against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. RCB boasts a strong batting lineup led by Virat Kohli and a revamped bowling attack featuring Duffy and Pandya, setting the stage for a high-intensity IPL clash.

A high-level delegation from Commonwealth Sport visited India to review preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Amdavad. The team inspected venues and infrastructure across Gujarat. Discussions focused on progress, governance, and delivery plans. Both Commonwealth Sport and the Commonwealth Games Association (India) expressed confidence in India's ability to host a landmark event.

IPL 2026: Mukul Choudhary delivered a stunning 25-ball half-century in his third IPL appearance, guiding Lucknow Super Giants to a remarkable victory against Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite his team's struggles, Choudhary's explosive hitting in the final overs secured a memorable win, drawing praise from Sunil Gavaskar as a 'fearless prodigy'.

Cameron Green made his bowling comeback for Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday. However, his return did not end the team's winless streak in the Indian Premier League. Lucknow Super Giants secured victory on the final ball. Kolkata Knight Riders remain without a win after four matches. Batter Rovman Powell expressed optimism about the team's prospects.

The Lucknow Super Giants are set to regroup after losing Wanindu Hasaranga to an unfortunate hamstring injury, forcing his withdrawal from IPL 2026. The franchise is on the lookout for a replacement, and George Linde seems to be in the mix.

Punjab Kings will back themselves against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. Punjab Kings have started the season well, showing winning form. Sunrisers Hyderabad have faltered due to top-order collapses. The match is scheduled for Saturday. Teams have announced their squads. The match starts at 3:30pm IST.

As the tension builds, Chennai Super Kings are on the hunt for their first win against Delhi Capitals. With both eyes on the prize, Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad are under the microscope for their performances. The teams batting and bowling units need fine-tuning, especially with the anticipated return of Dewald Brevis on the horizon.

Ayush Badoni etched his name in the IPL record books, becoming the third LSG batter to surpass 1000 runs during their thrilling victory against KKR. He achieved this milestone with a crucial 54 off 34 balls, contributing to LSG's successful chase of 182. Badoni also became the second Indian to reach this landmark for the franchise.

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool two-nil in the Champions League first leg. Coach Arne Slot acknowledged his team was outplayed but remains hopeful for the return match. Liverpool faces Fulham next before the second leg against PSG. The team's recent form has been challenging, with only one win in six games.

Atletico Madrid took a strong lead in their Champions League quarter-final. They defeated Barcelona 2-0 at the Camp Nou. Goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth sealed the win. Barcelona played with 10 men after Pau Cubarsi was sent off. Atletico's defense and counter-attacks proved effective. This gives them a significant advantage for the second leg.

UC3, the joint venture between UEFA and European Football Clubs, said on Thursday it had entered exclusive negotiations with Nike to become the official match ball provider for all UEFA men's club competitions from 2027 to 2031.

India's oldest living Test cricketer, C.D. Gopinath, has passed away at 96. A member of India's first Test-winning team, Gopinath was a stylish batsman who also served as a selector and manager. His passing marks the end of a significant era in Indian cricket history, connecting past glories with the present.

Gujarat Titans secured a thrilling victory over Delhi Capitals in a last-over IPL encounter. Rashid Khan delivered a match-winning spell, earning him Player of the Match. KL Rahul's impressive innings kept Delhi Capitals in contention. This win marks Gujarat Titans' first of the season. Delhi Capitals will now face Chennai Super Kings.

Punjab Kings player Cooper Connolly is proving T20 cricket success can come from timing and tempo. He believes in his strengths, not just power. Connolly aims to pressure spinners to bring back pacers, where he performs best. His approach delivered on IPL debut with an unbeaten 72. He adapts his game while trusting his established methods.

IPL 2026 KKR vs LSG head-to-head stats: Kolkata Knight Riders face Lucknow Super Giants seeking their first win. KKR's batting and bowling have struggled. Mohammed Shami poses a threat. Lucknow Super Giants are confident with strong bowling and batting from Rishabh Pant. KKR's opening pair and key bowlers are under pressure. Weather could impact the match.

IPL 2026 KKR vs LSG Pitch Report of Eden Gardens: Kolkata Knight Riders aim for their first win against Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens on April 9, with rain a significant concern. KKR, boosted by Sunil Narine's expected return and Cameron Green's bowling clearance, face an LSG side seeking consistency from Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran.

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan feels his rhythm is back after surgery. He struggled last season but delivered a match-winning performance against Delhi Capitals. Khan focused on fitness and core strength post-surgery. He believes his existing variations are sufficient. Khan also indicated that playing Test cricket may be difficult going forward.

Sunil Gavaskar defended David Miller's decision to refuse a single in the IPL thriller against Gujarat Titans, stating his intent to finish the game couldn't be faulted. Gavaskar, however, noted that game awareness, like Ravi Shastri's in the 1986 tied Test, could have led to a different outcome.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has been fined 12 lakh rupees. This is for maintaining a slow over-rate during their match against Delhi Capitals. Gujarat Titans won this match by one run. The IPL has issued a statement regarding the fine. This was the team's first offence this season. Gujarat Titans will play Lucknow Super Giants next.

Augusta National presents a formidable challenge this Masters week, testing golfers with its unforgiving nature. Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Cameron Young are among the favorites in a wide-open field. Experience, patience, and creativity are key to conquering the course, where specific holes like 12, 13, and 15 prove pivotal in separating contenders from pretenders.

IPL 2026 Latest Points Table Standing: Gujarat Titans secured their maiden IPL 2026 victory, narrowly defeating the previously unbeaten Delhi Capitals by one run. Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler's fifties powered GT to 210, a total KL Rahul's valiant 92 almost chased down. Rashid Khan's crucial bowling performance ultimately sealed the win for Gujarat Titans.

A Commonwealth Sport delegation is in Gujarat to review preparations for the 2030 Games. The team met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who reaffirmed the state's commitment. Site inspections of proposed venues are planned. Gujarat will send a delegation to the 2026 Games in Glasgow for insights.

The Doha Diamond League athletics event is postponed. It will now take place on June 19. Organizers cited safety concerns due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf. The meeting will move to Khalifa International Stadium. This venue is temperature-regulated. Other sporting events in Qatar have also faced disruptions.

Delhi Capitals meet Gujarat Titans today in the Indian Premier League match in Delhi today. Delhi is in form with two wins, while Gujarat seeks its first victory. Amid rains in the past few days, weather forecasts suggest no rain during the match. The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium may assist fast bowlers early.

IPL 2026 DC vs GT head-to-head stats: Delhi Capitals, riding a two-match winning streak, face a struggling Gujarat Titans seeking their first points in IPL 2026. Delhi's middle order and disciplined bowling have been key, while Gujarat hopes for Shubman Gill's return to spark their campaign. This clash pits contrasting forms against each other at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Rajasthan Royals secured a 27-run victory against Mumbai Indians. Yashasvi Jaiswal praised his young opening partner Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his fearless batting against Jasprit Bumrah. Sooryavanshi's quickfire 39 set the tone for Rajasthan Royals' innings. Jaiswal then anchored the score with an unbeaten 77. This win propelled Rajasthan Royals to the top of the table.

As the IPL heats up, Kolkata Knight Riders are on the hunt for their first victory, facing off against the fierce Lucknow Super Giants. Watch out for Mohammed Shami, whose exceptional bowling could pose major challenges for KKR. Additionally, fans might witness some shake-ups in KKR's squad.

Rajasthan Royals secured a commanding victory over Mumbai Indians. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi impressed with aggressive batting against Jasprit Bumrah. Mumbai Indians' top order faltered, leading to their defeat. Rajasthan Royals displayed strong bowling and batting, outperforming Mumbai Indians in all aspects of the game. This marks Rajasthan Royals' third consecutive win.

Rajasthan Royals secured a commanding 27-run victory over Mumbai Indians. The IPL match, shortened to 11 overs per side due to rain, saw Rajasthan Royals post 150 for three. Their bowlers then restricted Mumbai Indians to 123 for nine. Yashasvi Jaiswal starred with an unbeaten 77, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 39.