The Economic Times

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar economic engine, contributing significantly to India's economy and redefining the business of sport, according to a recent report by Kotak Mutual Fund. The report noted that the IPL ecosystem is currently valued at around USD 18 billion as of FY25, placing it among the world's leading sporting leagues. Remarkably, a tournament spanning just two months now generates economic value comparable to India's entire sports industry,

Ravi Bishnoi showcased a match-winning performance for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. He transformed a past weakness into a strength, claiming crucial wickets. His efforts set up Rajasthan's victory in a tense chase. Rajasthan Royals lead the IPL standings after this win.

Rajasthan Royals clinched a thrilling six-run win against Gujarat Titans. A strategic bowling change in the death overs proved decisive. Tushar Deshpande defended a low total in the final over. Ravi Bishnoi's four wickets earlier set up the victory. This win propels Rajasthan Royals to the top of the IPL 2026 table. Gujarat Titans face their second consecutive loss.

Rory McIlroy achieved a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters. He now returns to Augusta National to defend his title. McIlroy has a deep understanding of the course. Despite recent mixed form, his past experiences at Augusta are crucial. He carries the weight of expectation as a champion. The Masters will test his greatness once more.

Rajasthan Royals secured a six-run victory over Gujarat Titans in an Indian Premier League encounter. Rajasthan Royals posted 210 for six, with Dhruv Jurel scoring 75 and Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing 55. Gujarat Titans chased 211 but fell short, reaching 204 for eight. Sai Sudharsan scored 73 for Gujarat Titans. Ravi Bishnoi took four wickets for Rajasthan Royals.

The upcoming FIFA World Cup faces major hurdles. Many popular teams will not participate. Ticket prices have surged dramatically, making attendance unaffordable for many fans. Concerns are also raised about human rights and immigration risks for attendees. Despite these issues, the tournament is expected to generate record-breaking revenues.

Indian boxer Vishvanath Suresh has achieved a significant victory at the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar. He defeated Kazakhstan's reigning world champion and World No. 1, Sanzhar Tashkenbay, in the men's 50kg class. This win propels Suresh into the semifinals. Earlier, he secured a unanimous decision against Bekzat Ergeshov of Kyrgyzstan. Suresh is a rapidly emerging talent in Indian boxing.

Manchester City dominated Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Erling Haaland scored a brilliant hat-trick. The team secured a commanding 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium. This win propels Manchester City into the last four of the prestigious tournament. Other quarter-final matches are scheduled for later.

Delhi Capitals secured a six-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in their opening home match of the 2026 IPL season. Impact substitute Sameer Rizvi starred with a brilliant 90. Delhi's bowlers restricted Mumbai to 162 for six. Rizvi's aggressive batting guided Delhi to the target with 11 balls remaining. This win marks a strong start for Delhi at home.

Gujarat Titans will be without Shubman Gill for their next IPL match due to a muscle spasm. Rashid Khan confirmed Gill's absence and expressed anticipation for Kumar Kushagra's debut. The team aims to deliver their best performance after a close opening game defeat.

A costly run-out involving Nitish Rana disrupted Delhi Capitals' chase after a promising start. Jasprit Bumrah's sharp fielding and direct hit sent Rana back to the pavilion, shifting momentum to Mumbai Indians. Despite this setback, Delhi aimed to build on a competitive target set by Mumbai, who were powered by Suryakumar Yadav's fifty.

Gujarat Titans will play Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Gujarat Titans seek their first win after a close loss. Rajasthan Royals are confident after a strong victory. Historically, Gujarat Titans have a good record against Rajasthan Royals. The last encounter was won by Rajasthan Royals.

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel chose to bowl first against Mumbai Indians. Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians as Hardik Pandya is unwell. Mumbai Indians made several changes to their lineup. Delhi Capitals are fielding an unchanged team for this IPL match.

GT vs RR Playing 11, Head to Head: Gujarat Titans face Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad after mixed starts. GT lost narrowly, while RR secured a dominant win. The match analysis suggests Ahmedabad's pitch may favour GT's bowling, but RR's pace attack poses an early threat. Both teams boast strong middle orders, making crucial runs and quick scoring vital for victory.

Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, both victorious in their opening IPL 2026 matches, are set for a high-intensity clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. DC secured a gritty six-wicket win against LSG, while MI chased down a formidable 200+ score against KKR, marking their first opening win since 2012. The head-to-head record slightly favors Mumbai Indians.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer faces a Rs 24 lakh fine. His team maintained a slow over-rate during the IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings. This is the team's second offense this season. The rest of the playing XI also received penalties. Despite the fine, Punjab Kings secured a convincing five-wicket victory chasing 210 runs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are confident ahead of their match against Chennai Super Kings. RCB boasts a strong batting order and has significantly improved its bowling attack. In contrast, CSK faces challenges with its bowling options and a slow start from Sanju Samson. The match promises an exciting contest as RCB aims for another win.

Speaking to reporters after CSK's second match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Chennai on Friday, Fleming said that while multiple options were discussed, he could not clearly recall the exact dynamics behind the final decisions, emphasising that the team had thoroughly evaluated all possibilities at the time.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar points to Chennai Super Kings' bowling as a major worry for the season. He suggests the team might need to score over 225 runs consistently to compensate. Gavaskar also praises young Ayush Mhatre's batting potential and Rohit Sharma's improved fitness and form. Cheteshwar Pujara commends Priyansh Arya's aggressive batting for Punjab Kings.

Lucknow Super Giants aim for their first IPL win against Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH enters their home game with strong batting momentum. LSG's batting lineup faces scrutiny after a collapse in their opener. Tactical changes are being debated for LSG's batting order. SRH's batting depth presents a challenge for LSG. The match starts at 3.30pm.

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming states the traditional finisher role is outdated in T20 cricket. He notes teams now play aggressively from the start. Fleming is confident in his team's batting depth despite recent struggles. He also highlighted the Impact Player rule's influence on the game, favoring batting. The team is focused on adapting to the evolving game.

Bangladesh Cricket Board has reached out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India seeking new avenues for cricket collaboration. This comes as the Indian national team is set to visit Bangladesh in September. Bangladesh's women's team will also travel to India. The move signals improving relations between the two nations.

Punjab Kings continued their strong IPL 2026 start with a five-wicket win against Chennai Super Kings. Chennai posted 209/5, powered by Ayush Mhatre's 73 and Shivam Dube's unbeaten 45. Punjab chased the target effectively, with Priyansh Arya's rapid 39 and Shreyas Iyer's composed 50 guiding them to victory. This marks Chennai's second loss, while Punjab remains undefeated.

Indian Premier League CSK vs PBKS: Chennai Super Kings lost to Punjab Kings by five wickets. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad cited bowling as the reason for the defeat. Despite scoring 209, Chennai's bowlers could not restrict Punjab. Punjab chased the target with ease. Shreyas Iyer praised his team's batting start. The win boosts Punjab's confidence.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot lauded Mohamed Salah's significant contributions. He hopes Salah secures two more trophies before his departure. The team faces Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is out with a long-term injury. Striker Alexander Isak has rejoined training after a broken leg. Slot believes Liverpool can compete with Manchester City.

Punjab Kings secured a five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings. Skipper Shreyas Iyer led the charge with a half-century. Ayush Mhatre's 73 was the top score for Chennai Super Kings, who posted 209 for five. Punjab Kings chased down the target in 18.4 overs, marking their second consecutive win.

CSK vs PBKS, Chennai Weather: Chennai Super Kings aim for a strong comeback in their first home game of IPL 2026 against Punjab Kings after a disappointing opening loss. Punjab Kings, last season's finalists, enter with momentum and a balanced squad, looking to continue their winning start under Shreyas Iyer.

CSK vs PBKS Playing 11, Head to Head: Chennai Super Kings host Punjab Kings in their IPL 2026 home opener on April 3. After a tough start, CSK aims to bounce back against a strong PBKS side that has already secured a win. This evenly matched rivalry, with 16 wins each, promises an exciting contest at Chepauk.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded cricketer Sanju Samson's performance in the T20 World Cup. Modi noted Samson's focus and intensity peaked during crucial knockout matches. Samson's batting prowess was instrumental in India's victorious campaign. He amassed significant runs, setting new records for an Indian player in a single T20 World Cup edition. Samson's contributions were key to India's triumph.

Gujarat Titans are set to host their first IPL 2026 home game in Ahmedabad. The franchise plans an immersive fan experience with expansive fan zones. These zones will feature interactive activities, live entertainment, and cultural elements. In-stadium entertainment will include a dedicated stage and audio-visual spectacles. Fans can expect real-time jersey customisation and merchandise.

Fakhar Zaman's appeal against his two-match ban for ball-tampering has been rejected. A Pakistan Super League technical committee upheld the ban. Zaman will miss two crucial matches for Lahore Qalandars. The ban stems from an incident during a match where the ball's condition was allegedly altered. This decision impacts the team's upcoming games.

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has criticized Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane. Pathan believes Rahane made a mistake by bowling Varun Chakravarthy during the powerplay against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chakravarthy conceded heavily in that over. Pathan highlighted the captain's role in supporting bowlers. KKR has faced two defeats in their initial matches.

Delhi Capitals host Mumbai Indians in their first home IPL 2026 match. Delhi's top order needs stability against Mumbai's confident batting. Mumbai enters the game after a record chase. Delhi's bowling unit showed promise. Jasprit Bumrah leads the Mumbai attack. The match starts at 3:30 PM IST.

Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy attributes his bowling comeback to a secret mentor. He delivered a match-winning performance against Kolkata Knight Riders. Reddy's all-round display included crucial runs and wickets. He highlighted adapting to the pitch and using his slower ball effectively. The team's bowling attack is proving effective despite perceptions.

The SRH bowling unit was under scrutiny after their first Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Chasing a formidable target of 202, RCB reached the finish line with 26 balls to spare, fueled by vintage brilliance from Virat Kohli and a destructive knock from Devdutt Padikkal.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma faced a penalty. He was fined 25 percent of his match fees and received one demerit point. This action followed a breach of the IPL Code of Conduct during the match against Kolkata Knight Riders. Sharma admitted to the offense. He expressed dissent over a TV umpire's decision regarding a catch.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane, following KKR's second loss in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, defended his performance by emphasizing that his strike rate has been among the best since 2023, dismissed critics as people who aren't properly watching matches, and suggested that the negativity toward him may stem from bias or even jealousy over his success.

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a commanding 65-run win against Kolkata Knight Riders. Heinrich Klaasen's composed 52 guided SRH to 226/8. KKR struggled to chase the target, collapsing for 161. Despite a strong start from Finn Allen, KKR's batting lineup faltered. Jaydev Unadkat and Blessing Muzarabani were key bowlers for SRH.

Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta shared a special video with Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly. Connolly chanted 'Jai Bajrangbali' on Hanuman Jayanti. This followed his thrilling IPL debut win for Punjab Kings against Gujarat Titans. Connolly expressed his excitement about following his idol Shaun Marsh. He also spoke about learning from coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer.

Sri Lankan cricketer Nuwan Thushara has taken Sri Lanka Cricket to court. He is seeking a no-objection certificate for the Indian Premier League. Thushara argues his central contract ended, making the fitness requirement unreasonable. The court will hear the case next week. This legal battle could delay his IPL participation.

Mohammed Shami has made waves in his IPL debut with the Lucknow Super Giants, leaving Cheteshwar Pujara thoroughly impressed. Pujara perceives this performance as a promising sign of Shami's resurgence in form. Key moments include Shami's early scalp of KL Rahul and his formidable presence in the powerplay.

Kevin Pietersen has raised concerns over Rishabh Pant's effectiveness in the top order, encouraging the young batsman to channel his energy into savoring the game instead of trying to climb the batting hierarchy prematurely.

Young batter Sameer Rizvi seized his chance at number four for Delhi Capitals. He played a match-winning unbeaten 70 against Lucknow Super Giants. Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs built a crucial partnership. Rizvi emphasized his focus on consistency in upcoming IPL matches. He credited his home ground advantage for his performance.

Spanish football star Lamine Yamal has strongly condemned anti-Muslim chants by fans during a friendly match. The Spanish government and football federation also denounced the behaviour. Police are investigating the incident. This event has cast a shadow on Spain's sporting image, with similar racist incidents occurring previously.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup field is now complete. Iraq and Bosnia and Herzegovina secured the final berths. Italy has been eliminated from qualifying for a third straight World Cup. The tournament begins June 11 and will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Italians will once again be forced to watch a World Cup from the sidelines after another play-off disaster highlighted just how far one of the great footballing nations has fallen. Italy, whose European title defence ended at the last 16 in 2024 with a footballing lesson by Switzerland, for context, the iPhone was introduced to the market one year later.