The Economic Times

Champions League: A scrappy period of extra time could not separate the sides but PSG held their nerve in the shootout to become the second club in the Champions League era to win the trophy in successive seasons.

Goldman Sachs economists predict Spain will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing historical trends and a statistical model. Their analysis, based on Elo ratings and scoring talent, gives Spain a 26% chance. France is second at 19%, with Argentina at 14%. The model forecasts an all-European semifinal and a Spain-Argentina final.

Top player Jannik Sinner faced a shocking defeat at the French Open. This follows a history of physical struggles in major matches. Heat and cramps have repeatedly affected Sinner during crucial tournaments. He has experienced similar issues in Rome, Australia, Shanghai, Cincinnati, and Wimbledon. These incidents raise questions about his endurance in demanding conditions.

Royal Challengers Bangalore, powered by a revamped backroom and strong leadership, have reached the IPL final for the second consecutive year. They face the Gujarat Titans, a team that defied expectations with its orthodox approach and strong opening partnership. Both teams have overcome challenges to reach this decisive match.

Although she faced setback at the Asian Games selection trials, Vinesh Phogat has embraced this moment as a triumph of resilience. She has been vocal about her experiences with discrimination from wrestling officials, using her platform to stand up to the people in power.

IPL 2026 Purple Cap Holder: Kagiso Rabada has surged to the top of the IPL 2026 Purple Cap standings with 28 wickets after a stellar performance. Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains a close contender in second place, with Jofra Archer holding third. The race for the highest wicket-taker is still open heading into the final match.

IPL 2026 Closing Ceremony RCB vs GT: Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans clash in the IPL 2026 final on May 31 in Ahmedabad. While the BCCI hasn't confirmed a formal closing ceremony, unverified reports suggest dancers and singer Kailash Kher might perform. Mid-innings entertainment, similar to Qualifier 1's laser show and fireworks, is expected.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill feels no pressure ahead of the IPL final. He believes home conditions offer an advantage. Gill highlighted the team's focus on results over aggressive starts in batting. He also discussed the disciplined bowling approach and effective use of bouncers. Mental strength will be key for victory.

The Gujarat Titans have reached their third IPL final in five years after a dominant win over the Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. After a difficult start to the 2026 seasonwinning only three of their first seven matchesthe Titans staged a remarkable comeback, winning five consecutive games after a key defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leads the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race with 776 runs, but Gujarat Titans' Shubman Gill (722 runs) and Sai Sudharsan (710 runs) are in hot pursuit. Both will have a final chance to surpass Sooryavanshi in the upcoming IPL 2026 final.

IPL 2026 winner prize money: Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans are set to clash in the IPL 2026 final, with the winner securing their second championship and a 20 crore prize. The runner-up will receive 13 crore, while teams finishing third and fourth also get substantial rewards from a total prize pool exceeding 46.5 crore.

IPL 2026 showcased remarkable individual efforts. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered explosive knocks. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scored centuries. Abhishek Sharma and Ryan Rickelton also impressed with their batting. Bowlers like Varun Chakravarthy, Jason Holder, and Noor Ahmad made significant contributions. Rasikh Salam also had a notable performance. These displays defined the tournament's excitement.

Liverpool has parted ways with manager Arne Slot. Slot led the team to a Premier League title in his first season. However, the second season saw a significant drop in performance. The team finished fifth, failing to secure Champions League qualification. This decision comes after a record transfer spend. The club is now searching for a new manager.

India's cricket board has named a 30-player longlist for the Asian Games. Key players like Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill are absent. This is due to a clash with the West Indies white-ball series. Two separate T20 teams will be selected. Jasprit Bumrah and Ruturaj Gaikwad are also on the list. Captaincy options include Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are back in the IPL 2026 final, aiming to defend their title and build a dynasty. Under captain Rajat Patidar and coach Andy Flower, the team showcased remarkable control with a balanced squad, excelling in both batting and bowling throughout the season. Their dominant Qualifier 1 victory solidified their status as a formidable contender.

Vinesh Phogat began her Asian Games selection trials with a dominant win. The Wrestling Federation of India reversed its decision, allowing Vinesh to compete in the 53kg category. This followed a controversy and a High Court directive. Antim Panghal also made a swift winning start. The trials determine representation at the Asian Games.

Fifteen-year-old Nousheen Naz was the star as India began their U-18 women's Asia Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Malaysia. Naz netted both goals for India, one from a penalty corner in the 19th minute and another in the 28th, securing a crucial win. Malaysia pulled one back in the second half, but India's defense held firm.

The International Cricket Council has appointed Ros Rivaz as its new Independent Director. She brings extensive international leadership and governance experience. Rivaz currently chairs Anglian Water and UK Companies House. Her appointment strengthens board oversight and ensures diverse perspectives. ICC Chairman Jay Shah welcomed her strategic insight. Rivaz expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the game's growth and long-term development.

Kagiso Rabada highlighted Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's impressive performance due to his quick hands and early length picking. Anil Kumble described Shubman Gill's century as a chanceless, classic innings. Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals, the two most consistent teams, reached the final. Rabada also discussed his bowling partnership with Mohammed Siraj.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans clash in the IPL final. RCB, with their aggressive batting and potent bowling, are favored to win. Gujarat Titans rely on their top-order batsmen to score heavily. The match promises an exciting contest between two distinct playing styles. RCB aims to secure their second consecutive title.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL performance signals readiness for India. Coach Kumar Sangakkara believes the young player is prepared for international challenges. Sooryavanshi's mature batting and fearless approach have impressed. India's next T20 series in Ireland is a likely debut opportunity. Royals plan to support his development between seasons.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat's entry in the women's 53kg category for the Asian Games selection trials has been accepted by the WFI, following a Supreme Court decision. This clears the Olympian to compete after a disqualification at the Paris Olympics and a maternity break, despite earlier eligibility concerns.

In an electrifying Champions League final, Paris Saint-Germain takes on Arsenal. PSG's forward line is relentless, racking up goals with flair and finesse. Meanwhile, Arsenal stands firm with a resolute defence and killer set-piece tactics, crafting an intriguing battle of contrasting styles.

Shubman Gill smashed a classy 104 off 53 balls as Gujarat Titans beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets to enter their third IPL final in five seasons. Chasing 215, Gill and Sai Sudharsan (58 off 32) stitched a match-winning 167-run opening stand to seal victory in 18.4 overs.

Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Suryavanshi has achieved two IPL records. He is the fastest to 1,000 runs, needing only 440 balls. Suryavanshi also holds the record for most boundaries in a single season with 133. His aggressive batting style has made him a standout performer in IPL 2026. This marks a significant achievement for the young player and his team.

Hardik Pandya is reportedly leaving Mumbai Indians. He informed the franchise mid-season of his decision. This follows a difficult IPL 2026 campaign for the team. Pandya cited mental stress and exhaustion. His IPL journey has been marked by dramatic twists and turns. This marks another significant chapter in his career.

IPL 2026 historic records: IPL 2026 witnessed an explosive batting season, breaking numerous records. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set a new six-hitting record, surpassing Chris Gayle. The season saw the highest number of 200-plus totals and successful run chases. Powerplay scoring reached new heights, and every team had a centurion. This edition redefined T20 batting limits.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant has stepped down from his leadership role. The franchise has accepted his request with immediate effect. Director of Cricket Tom Moody confirmed Pant approached the management to be relieved of his duties. The team expressed gratitude for his contributions. Focus now shifts to rebuilding and restructuring for future success.

MI captain IPL 2027: Mumbai Indians might see a new captain for IPL 2027. Hardik Pandya is reportedly leaving the franchise. Rohit Sharma is a short-term option. Tilak Varma is seen as a future leader. Suryakumar Yadav also has leadership experience. Jasprit Bumrah is another contender. The franchise faces a key decision on its next captain.

India's PV Sindhu exited the Singapore Open quarterfinals after a loss to Korea's An Se Young. However, the men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured a semifinal spot. They won a tough match against Malaysian opponents. The Indian duo will now face top seeds from Korea. Sindhu's defeat continues her winless streak against An Se Young.

IPL 2026 Purple Cap standings updated after RCB: The IPL 2026 Purple Cap race is heating up with two matches left. Bhuvneshwar Kumar of RCB and Kagiso Rabada of Gujarat Titans are level on 26 wickets. The final two playoff games will decide the season's top bowler. Bowlers have dominated this season, with pacers and spinners playing key roles.

IPL 2026 Orange Cap race Holder: The IPL 2026 Orange Cap race is heating up with only a few matches remaining. Vaibhav Suryavanshi leads the charts, but Virat Kohli remains a strong contender. Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill are also in the running. Kohli needs a significant performance in the final to secure the award.

The excitement of IPL 2026 revolves around the rise of Indias promising cricketers. With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leading the charge, his dynamic play is electrifying audiences. Prince Yadavs ability to steer the team through challenging moments provides crucial stability, while Kartik Sharmas role in anchoring the innings cannot be overstated.

Under-fire Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is reportedly set to quit the franchise after a disastrous IPL season, having conveyed his decision to the management mid-season. Mentally stressed and exhausted, Pandya's patience reportedly ran out due to team dynamics and fan criticism over the past three years.

The Supreme Court has recently approved wrestler Vinesh Phogat's participation in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials, overturning a challenge posed by the Wrestling Federation of India against a Delhi High Court's ruling.

GT vs RR Qualifier 2 Playing 11: Rajasthan Royals, buoyed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 97, face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 for a spot in the IPL 2026 final against RCB. Gujarat seeks redemption after a heavy playoff loss. The winner advances to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the summit clash on May 29 in New Chandigarh.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is impressing Anil Kumble with his IPL performance. The 15-year-old has smashed a record 65 sixes this season. He leads the tournament in runs and holds the Orange Cap. Kumble notes Sooryavanshi's consistent hitting has put pressure on his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal. Sooryavanshi's rise is making waves in the T20 circuit.

India batter Yastika Bhatia returned to cricket with a match-winning half-century against England. She overcame a career-threatening ACL injury and months of rehabilitation. Bhatia scored 54 runs off 40 balls, contributing to India's victory. She highlighted the difficulty of rebuilding from scratch after the surgery. Her performance marked a strong comeback for the Indian team.

The BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit has banned smart sunglasses for players and officials in the ongoing IPL. These devices possess advanced communication features like live streaming and video calls. Possession and use within the Players and Match Officials Area are now strictly prohibited. Players must deposit these gadgets along with phones and smartwatches before entering the PMOA.

Mumbai Indians are reportedly planning another captaincy switch. Hardik Pandya is expected to be replaced after a poor IPL 2026 season. The team finished ninth, failing to reach the playoffs. Discussions are underway regarding Pandya's future. Fans favor Jasprit Bumrah as the next captain. Rohit Sharma also received significant support in a fan poll.

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed the 26-player squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Captain Lionel Messi will lead the team in his sixth World Cup appearance. The defending champions will play warm-up matches against Honduras and Iceland. Argentina is in Group J and begins its campaign against Algeria. The squad announcement is a key step in their preparations.

ChatGPT Not Working today? ChatGPT faced significant disruptions on Friday with thousands of users in India and globally reporting errors and slow performance. The popular AI chatbot refused to respond to queries, causing frustration for students and professionals. While OpenAI's status page indicated operational status, intermittent issues are common.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket experienced a significant explosion during a hotfire test in Florida, marking its most serious failure to date. The incident occurred ahead of a planned launch carrying Amazon Kuiper satellites. The cause is under investigation by Blue Origin and the US Space Force, potentially impacting future launches and NASA's Artemis program.

Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin faced a setback. A hot-fire test of its New Glenn rocket ended with an explosion. Visuals showed the rocket erupting in a fireball. All personnel are safe. Blue Origin has invested heavily in developing the New Glenn rocket. This rocket is designed to rival SpaceX's offerings.

Lionel Messi, at 39, is set to play in his sixth World Cup as he leads Argentina, the reigning champions, in North America. Messi continues to be a key player for his country, recently winning the Copa America and topping South American World Cup qualifiers. He is also nearing 200 international caps. Argentina boasts a strong squad with emerging talents.

Film actor-producer Anushka Sharma has acquired a minor stake in Agilitas Sports, joining husband and cricketer Virat Kohli as an investor in the sportswear firm founded by former Puma India executives.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's coach, Manish Ojha, hailed the Rajasthan Royals (RR) young batting sensation for his explosive and entertaining batting displays in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), saying the youngster's latest knock against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) was a truly exceptional innings rarely witnessed in the tournament's history.