The Economic Times

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi achieved a historic feat at the IPL 2026 awards. The 15-year-old won MVP, Emerging Player, Super Striker, Orange Cap, and Super Sixes. He scored 776 runs with a strike rate of 237.30. Royal Challengers Bangalore also won the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans.

Virat Kohli expressed relief at not needing to carry RCB's batting alone, highlighting the team's multiple match-winners after their maiden IPL title win. He praised the squad's balance, strength, and composure, noting a significant shift in pressure compared to previous seasons. A crucial win against Mumbai Indians reignited their belief, leading to a dominant run.

Phil Salt and Venkatesh Iyer have achieved an unprecedented feat in the IPL. They have won three consecutive titles. Their journey began with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024. They then moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They secured titles in 2025 and 2026. This remarkable streak highlights their impact on championship-winning teams. They are now considered IPL's lucky charms.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their second IPL title in a row. They defeated Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Virat Kohli played a key role with a half-century. Captain Rajat Patidar led the team to victory. This win solidifies RCB's status as a champion team. Gujarat Titans struggled with their batting. RCB's bowlers maintained pressure throughout the match.

Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated IPL 2026, clinching the Orange Cap with 776 runs and a record-breaking 36-ball century. Gujarat Titans' Kagiso Rabada secured the Purple Cap with 29 wickets. Sai Sudharsan impressed with 8 fifties, while KL Rahul hit the highest individual score of 152. Mohsin Khan delivered a stellar 5/23.

The collapse of GT's top three of skipper Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler led to their fall, and it was a fifty from Washington Sundar which took GT to 155/8 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

World Cup champions Argentina have landed in Kansas City for their title defense preparations. The team arrived Sunday for their opening match against Algeria on June 16. Lionel Messi leads the squad, which includes 17 players from their previous triumph. Argentina is the first of four national teams to make Kansas City their World Cup base.

Kagiso Rabada secured his second IPL Purple Cap in 2026, taking 29 wickets to lead Gujarat Titans to the final. He narrowly edged out Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished with 28 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This marks another dominant season for the South African pacer.

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured the Singapore Open title. This victory marks their first BWF World Tour crown since 2024. The win held deep personal significance for Satwik, finding comfort in a new family addition. Coach Tan Kim Her's tactical advice proved crucial in overcoming their Indonesian opponents.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest Orange Cap winner in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old scored 776 runs, including a record 72 sixes. He also became the fastest Indian to reach 1,000 IPL runs. Despite his team not reaching the final, Sooryavanshi was a major talking point. His explosive batting nearly broke another record for the fastest century.

Sachin Tendulkar praises Bhuvneshwar Kumar's bowling in the Indian Premier League. Tendulkar notes Kumar's strategy of bowling straight lines with a wobbly seam. This approach has confused batsmen throughout the season. Kumar is currently second in the highest wicket-taker's list. His accuracy and ability to deceive batsmen have been key to his success.

During the trials, the 53 kg division attracted a lot of eyeballs and emerged as the biggest highlight of the day as Meenakshi defeated Vinesh 6-4 in the semifinals in the biggest upset of the day, but later Antim Panghal edged past Meenakshi 3-2 in the final.

Elina Svitolina advanced to the French Open quarter-finals after defeating Belinda Bencic. Svitolina will now face Marta Kostyuk in an all-Ukrainian match. This victory marks a significant step for Svitolina in her pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title. The match saw Svitolina overcome a slow start to dominate her opponent in the later sets.

Ruturaj Gaikwad joins the India A squad for the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka. He steps in for Riyan Parag, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. The series features India A, Sri Lanka A, and Afghanistan A. Parag's rehabilitation will be managed by the BCCI. The tournament commences on June 9.

Romanian tennis player Sorana Cirstea has reached her first French Open quarter-final in 17 years. The 36-year-old veteran defeated China's Wang Xinyu to advance. This marks her third Grand Slam quarter-final appearance. Cirstea expressed her passion for the sport and her joy in playing at this level. She is enjoying a strong period in her career.

Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League win celebrations turned violent. Clashes with police and a fatal road accident occurred. Over 780 people were arrested nationwide. Many security forces and participants sustained injuries. This year's arrests saw a significant increase compared to last year's victory celebrations. A young man died in a motorcycle accident on the Paris ring road.

IPL 2026 delivered a harsh reality for cricket's biggest stars. Captains faltered, match-winners lost their touch, and franchise cornerstones appeared ordinary. From Rishabh Pant's record price tag to Suryakumar Yadav's lost magic, the season highlighted significant dips in performance. Hardik Pandya's captaincy faced chaos, while Jasprit Bumrah's decline shocked many. Even Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni experienced diminished impact.

Iga Swiatek's French Open title defense ended unexpectedly on Sunday. The former champion lost to Ukrainian 15th seed Marta Kostyuk. Swiatek's bid for a fifth title concluded in the tournament. Kostyuk secured a significant victory, advancing to the next round. This marks a surprising upset in the ongoing Roland Garros event.

IPL 2026 final: Virat Kohli heads into the IPL final against Gujarat Titans as one of the tournament's top performers this season, but an unusual statistic continues to follow him. Despite his remarkable consistency, the RCB star has not scored a fifty in an IPL playoff match since the 2016 final.

Ravichandran Ashwin sees Royal Challengers Bengaluru as favourites for the IPL 2026 final. He believes their aggressive style will be key against Gujarat Titans. Despite Gujarat's home advantage, Ashwin feels RCB have a more complete team. He advises RCB to maintain their attacking approach throughout the match. Both, RCB and Gujarat Titans are aiming for their second IPL title.

A key IPL match features Rajat Patidar and Shubman Gill. Both cricketers are performing well this season. Their performances could influence future Indian T20I selections. Patidar has had a strong season with significant runs. Gill is also a top scorer and captain. This encounter highlights their contrasting career paths and potential impact on Indian cricket.

Gujarat Titans openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are on the verge of a historic IPL record. They need just 54 runs to surpass the previous best opening partnership. This duo has been instrumental for Gujarat Titans this season. Their consistent performance at the top of the order has been a key factor in the team's success.

Gujarat Titans face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL final. All eyes are on Jos Buttler to deliver with his big-match experience. Buttler has a strong record against RCB. He has also performed well this season for GT. His past T20 final performances are modest. This match is a key opportunity for him to shine.

Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh reignites his Norway Chess campaign with a win over R Praggnanandhaa. Magnus Carlsen's struggles continue as he loses to Wesley So. In the women's section, Divya Deshmukh takes the lead after defeating Zhu Jiner. The tournament sees shifts in standings after these exciting classical encounters.

Complete IPL winners list from 2008 to 2026: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face 2022 winners Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final. RCB, who topped the league, aim to retain their title after a dominant Qualifier 1 win. GT, under Shubman Gill, seek revenge and their second IPL crown at home.

The Indian women's hockey team secured a strong 3-1 victory against Korea in the U18 Asia Cup. Goals from Nousheen Naz, Shruti Kumari, and Kiran Ekka propelled India to their second consecutive win. India now leads Pool A with six points. The team aims to continue its unbeaten streak in the upcoming match against Singapore.

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.