The Economic Times

Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans have secured replacements for injured players ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. Navdeep Saini joins KKR for Harshit Rana, while Kulwant Khejroliya is now with GT for Prithviraj Yarra. These moves aim to maintain squad balance and strengthen bowling attacks for the upcoming tournament.

As IPL 2026 approaches, the Mumbai Indians are poised for a title challenge with a squad brimming with match-winners. Key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are expected to lead the charge, while Rohit Sharma's experience and the emergence of Naman Dhir and Will Jacks offer dynamic threats. Their collective form will be crucial for Mumbai's championship aspirations.

IPL 2026 Tickets: The IPL 2026 season kicks off on March 28th, with tickets for popular franchises like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings expected to sell out rapidly. Fans can purchase tickets through various platforms including BookMyShow, District by Zomato, and official team websites, with prices varying by team and seating category.

Rajasthan Royals IPL Stats: Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural IPL champions in 2008, have consistently been a competitive force. After a runner-up finish in 2022 and a third-place in 2024, the team faced a challenging 2025 season, ending in ninth place. For IPL 2026, Riyan Parag will captain the side, with significant squad changes and new additions.

IPL 2026: Australian players Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly have arrived in Mohali. They join the Punjab Kings squad for the upcoming 2026 Indian Premier League season. Preparations are in their final stages. The team is preparing for their opening match. This match is against Gujarat Giants on March 31. Their arrival boosts the team's lineup.

Mumbai Indians enters the 2026 IPL season with over 30 brand partnerships. Sponsorship revenue has grown 20 percent year-on-year. The franchise added ten new partners, including Malaysia Airlines. This expansion highlights Mumbai Indians' growing appeal across aviation, technology, and lifestyle sectors. The team is also focusing on direct-to-consumer initiatives and fan engagement platforms.

Faf du Plessis believes Rishabh Pant should bat at number three for Lucknow Super Giants. He feels this position will maximize Pant's impact. Du Plessis also advised Pant to temper his aggressive style. The aim is to achieve greater consistency in his performances throughout the upcoming IPL season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad achieved a record-breaking 287/3 in the 2024 IPL. This total shattered previous benchmarks for T20 cricket. Batters Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen displayed relentless aggression. The innings demonstrated a significant evolution in T20 batting strategies. Teams are now reassessing scoring potential and pushing boundaries.

KL Rahul has joined Delhi Capitals for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season. He marked his arrival at the Arun Jaitley Stadium with his signature 'Kantara' celebration. Rahul had a strong IPL 2025 season, scoring 539 runs. He is now aiming to reach 6,000 IPL runs, a milestone achieved by only a few players.

Four European teams will secure their 2026 World Cup spots this week. Sixteen nations are vying for these final four places. Italy faces Northern Ireland in Path A. Ukraine meets Sweden in Path B. Kosovo plays Slovakia in Path C. The Republic of Ireland takes on the Czech Republic in Path D.

Nandini, the dairy brand of Karnataka Milk Federation, will be the Official Dairy Partner for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 IPL season. This partnership unites two prominent Karnataka-based brands. The collaboration aims to connect with passionate RCB fans. Nandini's widespread presence across the state makes this association significant.

IPL 2026 begins March 28. Several franchises face player absences due to injuries and personal commitments. Key players like Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, and Sam Curran are ruled out. Others like Pat Cummins and Matheesha Pathirana await fitness clearances. Teams must rely on bench strength and adapt strategies early. Player returns and team adjustments will define the season's trajectory.

Royal Challengers Bangalore has been acquired for a staggering $1.8 billion by a consortium including Aditya Birla Group and The Times of India Group. This deal, alongside Rajasthan Royals' $1.6 billion valuation, highlights the booming T20 cricket franchise market. Global investors are increasingly drawn to the IPL's immense fan engagement and growing media rights value.

Chennai Super Kings have signed Australian pacer Spencer Johnson. He replaces injured teammate Nathan Ellis for the 2026 Indian Premier League season. Johnson joins for 1.5 crore. He brings international experience, having played for Australia. Johnson has prior IPL experience with Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders. CSK aims to strengthen their pace attack with this signing.

Kolkata Knight Riders' auction strategies reveal a shift in focus. Venkatesh Iyer's journey from high price to release and back shows changing valuations. Ajinkya Rahane emerged as a consistent performer and captain. The franchise now prioritizes proven reliability over potential for IPL 2026. This recalibration shapes KKR's future plans.

Punjab Kings' IPL season success depends on key players. Shreyas Iyer leads with batting and captaincy. Arshdeep Singh provides crucial pace bowling. Yuzvendra Chahal offers spin expertise. Marcus Stoinis brings all-round balance. Marco Jansen adds bowling variety and batting depth. This core group forms the team's foundation for a strong tournament run.

Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer sees a happier Rishabh Pant ready for IPL 2026. Langer believes Pant's best cricket comes with a smile. The team aims for a stronger performance this season. LSG has strengthened its squad through the auction. Experienced players like Mohammed Shami will guide younger bowlers.

Delhi Capitals (DC), a long-standing IPL team, has a history of strong squads but no title. They reached semi-finals early on, faced a slump, and then rebranded. A resurgence saw them reach their first final in 2020. Despite recent playoff appearances, championship success remains elusive for the franchise.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru faces challenges for IPL 2026. Fast bowler Yash Dayal will not join the squad due to a personal situation. Pacer Josh Hazlewood will also miss initial matches recovering from injuries. The franchise is supporting Dayal and in contact with Cricket Australia regarding Hazlewood's fitness. Both players were key to RCB's title win.

A US-led consortium has secured the Rajasthan Royals IPL franchise. Entrepreneur Kal Somani heads the group that bid $1.63 billion. This marks a significant ownership change for the popular team. Prominent US investors, including members of the Walton and Hamp families, are backing the deal. The acquisition highlights the growing value of IPL teams.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will honor fans lost in a tragic stampede. Players will wear jersey number 11 during practice sessions. The franchise will also dedicate 11 permanent seats at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. These gestures mark remembrance for the fans.

Indian cricketers Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur have climbed in the latest ICC Women's T20I rankings. Mandhana holds her second spot while Kaur moves to fourteenth. Shafali Verma remains sixth. Deepti Sharma is now third in bowling and third among all-rounders. Other international players also saw significant movements in the rankings.

The Indian Premier League showcases incredible T20 batting performances. Chris Gayle's 175 remains a towering record. The 2025 season saw Abhishek Sharma reach third place with 141. Virat Kohli dominates career runs. The 2025 season set new benchmarks for high scores and team totals. IPL batting continues to evolve.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad have made player changes for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Saurabh Dubey replaces Akash Deep for KKR. David Payne steps in for Jack Edwards at SRH. These replacements are due to player injuries. The tournament is set to begin soon.

England skipper Ben Stokes calls the Ashes loss the hardest period of his captaincy. He vows to bring happiness and pride to fans in the upcoming Test summer. Stokes, McCullum, and Key will continue their roles. England faces New Zealand in June. Stokes aims to learn from mistakes and deliver strong performances for supporters.

Chennai Super Kings begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals. The team has undergone a major squad overhaul. Sanju Samson joins CSK in a trade. Ruturaj Gaikwad continues as captain. Noor Ahmad leads the spin attack. Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre are key young players. Nathan Ellis faces a hamstring injury.

Former India cricketer Akash Chopra has sparked debate over MS Dhonis future in the Indian Premier League, saying the veteran should consider retirement if used only as an Impact Player for Chennai Super Kings. Chopra said this could be Dhonis final season, citing fitness concerns and the presence of a successor, while stressing that a limited role signals it may be time to hang up his boots.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill said he wants his fast bowlers to stay aggressive like head coach Ashish Nehra, recalling the former pacers intense on-field style. Speaking at a team event in Ahmedabad, Gill stressed the need for fierce bowling as GT prepares for the IPL season, adding the team aims to correct last years mistakes despite a strong campaign.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the Indian women's squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the team, with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy. The series begins on April 17 in Durban. This selection marks a significant opportunity for players like Anushka Sharma who earned her maiden national call-up.

The Abu Dhabi IPL 2026 mini-auction shattered records. Cameron Green became the most expensive foreign player ever. Uncapped teenagers Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer fetched huge sums. Teams invested heavily, filling 77 slots. Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings emerged as dominant forces. The auction showcased franchise ambition and a new era for domestic talent.

CSK in IPL: Chennai Super Kings aim for a strong IPL 2026 comeback after a disappointing 2025 season. The team has traded Ravindra Jadeja for Sanju Samson and invested in new talent. Ruturaj Gaikwad leads the squad. MS Dhoni remains a player. The franchise seeks to reclaim its winning form. Their campaign begins March 28.

In a bold move to revolutionize the cricketing landscape, New Zealand Cricket is set to launch its new domestic T20 league, the NZ20. The NZC Board has declared it their top choice, motivated by the desire to elevate commercial prospects and enhance its position worldwide. Active negotiations are underway to iron out commercial agreements and governance structures.

KKR 2026 players list: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for the IPL 2026 season is marked by significant late-window personnel shifts and a high-profile leadership overhaul. Following the retirement of Andre Russell and the BCCI-mandated release of Mustafizur Rahman, the franchise has integrated record-signing Cameron Green (25.20 crore) and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana.

Cricketer Axar Patel voiced his dislike for the IPL Impact Player rule. He believes it negatively impacts the growth of all-rounders. Patel also commented on the Indian T20 team's success. He stated that comparisons to the greatest teams of all time are not relevant.

The anticipation is building for the Delhi Capitals as they await Cricket Australia's No Objection Certificate for their ace bowler Mitchell Starc. With the IPL season kicking off on April 1, the team is eager to have Starc on board. Coach Hemang Badani has confirmed that discussions about Starc's fitness are ongoing with Cricket Australia.

Indian medium pacer Arundhati Reddy and Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan received ICC Player of the Month awards for February. Reddy excelled in a T20I series in Australia, taking crucial wickets. Farhan impressed in the men's T20 World Cup, setting new batting records. Their performances highlight significant achievements in recent cricket events.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have transformed into an explosive batting unit, showcasing record scores and a new brand of T20 cricket. While their aggressive batting has been a highlight, the team must address bowling inconsistencies to sustain success and challenge for the IPL 2026 title.

Cricket is becoming a global sport, with India as its main market. Associate nations showed fearless play in the T20 World Cup. Women's cricket is also growing rapidly, especially after India's World Cup win. All three formats of cricket, Test, ODI, and T20, offer unique experiences and contribute to the sport's appeal.

In an exciting move to bring the thrill of IPL to every corner of India, the BCCI has revealed the schedule for the 2026 season's Fan Parks. Kicking off on March 28, fans in 15 cities throughout 11 states can immerse themselves in the IPL atmosphere over three weekends.

LeBron James has achieved another NBA milestone, now holding the record for most regular-season games played. He has surpassed numerous other records throughout his career. James has accomplished many of his initial goals, including NBA championships. He continues to set new benchmarks, widening the gap with other players on various statistical lists.

Indian chess star Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament. She cited personal safety and well-being as the reasons for her decision. Humpy stated she does not feel fully secure despite assurances. This is a difficult but necessary choice for the Grandmaster. Her withdrawal impacts the upcoming tournament.

Chennai Super Kings honored Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden by inducting them into the franchise's first-ever Hall of Fame. The announcement occurred at the Roar'26 fan event. Raina, known as 'Chinna Thala', was a key player for CSK from 2008 to 2021, contributing to four IPL titles.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant will bat at number three this IPL season. This is a critical season for Pant, who was bought for a record Rs 27 crore. A strong performance is needed for him to regain his place in India's T20 squad. The team management and Pant agree on his batting position.

Amidst the horrors of war, a young girl named Maram found solace and a new identity through cricket in a Lebanese refugee camp. The Alsama Project, co-founded by Mohammad Kheir, uses cricket and education to empower over 950 children, bridging gaps and offering hope. This initiative transforms lives, providing a pathway to a brighter future for displaced youth.

Real Madrid faces a crucial La Liga test against Atletico Madrid, trailing Barcelona by four points with ten rounds left. A win is vital for Real to stay in contention, especially if Barcelona falters. Both Madrid clubs are buoyed by Champions League progression, with Real seeking revenge for an earlier league defeat to Atletico.

World Number One Aryna Sabalenka clashed with Dubai Tournament Director Salah Tahlak over player welfare and the demanding tennis calendar. Sabalenka criticized Tahlak's call for harsher penalties on withdrawals, highlighting the relentless grind and lack of player protection. This dispute underscores the ongoing tension between player well-being and the sport's packed schedule.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz began his Miami Open campaign with a victory over 19-year-old Joao Fonseca. Alcaraz secured a 6-4, 6-4 win, showcasing his experience and class against Fonseca's ferocity. He highlighted his strong performance in crucial moments and effective serving as key to his success.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have begun their title defense preparations with a motivational address from Virat Kohli. Kohli urged his team to stay focused and give their all during training, emphasizing the increased challenge ahead.

Cricket Ireland eyes a new tournament, the Euro Nations Cup. This T20 competition for men and women could launch by 2027. European teams like England and Ireland are expected to participate. Discussions are ongoing with stakeholders. Cricket Ireland also announced its 2026 home fixtures, including matches against India and New Zealand.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has set a new record for the highest break in professional snooker history, achieving an astonishing 153 at the World Open in China. This remarkable feat surpasses the previous record of 148 and further solidifies O'Sullivan's status as a legendary figure in the sport.