The Economic Times

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.

Antoine Griezmann faces his former club Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals. He aims to win a major trophy with Atletico Madrid before his move to MLS. Griezmann seeks a fitting end to his time at Atletico. Julian Alvarez, another Atletico player linked with Barcelona, is also set to feature. Atletico has the potential to cause an upset against Barcelona.

Despite a rain-shortened 11-over match, 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi impressed for Rajasthan Royals, smashing a six off Jasprit Bumrah's first ball and scoring 39 off 14 deliveries. Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya opted to bowl first, citing better clarity for chasing in rain-affected games, as his team seeks to improve after an early loss.

Indian shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli secured a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup. They achieved this by winning the 10m air pistol mixed team competition. Their performance set a new world record. The duo's score was 487.7. This victory also marks a junior world record for the pair. China and Hungary secured silver and bronze medals respectively.

IPL 2026 RR vs MI Weather Forecast update: Rajasthan Royals, riding a two-match winning streak, are set to face a formidable Mumbai Indians side at Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The Royals' strong batting and bowling performances have fueled their confidence, while Mumbai expects the return of Hardik Pandya. The pitch is anticipated to favor bowlers early on, with potential for rain impacting the game.

IPL 2026 RR vs MI head-to-head stats: Mumbai Indians seek a return to winning ways against in-form Rajasthan Royals, hoping for skipper Hardik Pandya's comeback after a recent illness-induced absence. Rajasthan's strong batting and bowling lineup, featuring key performers like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravi Bishnoi, pose a significant challenge for MI.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Henrich Klaasen remains positive about the team's trajectory. He noted that enhancing their batting performance is crucial for success and indicated that fielding could use some fine-tuning. Satisfied with his own form at number four, Klaasen acknowledged Pat Cummins absence but was quick to commend Ishan Kishan's leadership skills.

The IPL spectacle heats up as Delhi Capitals take on Gujarat Titans this Wednesday evening. With the Capitals looking to capitalize on their winning momentum, the pressure mounts on the Titans, who are grappling with form issues in both their batting and bowling departments.

The Champions League quarter-finals are set to deliver thrilling encounters. Liverpool faces a resurgent PSG, while football giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich clash. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid meet again in a fierce Spanish rivalry. Arsenal takes on Sporting Lisbon. These matches promise intense competition as teams vie for European glory.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru mentor Dinesh Karthik lauded Devdutt Padikkal's batting and leadership qualities. Meanwhile, former India captain Anil Kumble voiced concerns over Chennai Super Kings' batting lineup. Padikkal's performance in the IPL has drawn praise. CSK faces early season challenges with key batters yet to fire. The article highlights individual performances and team concerns.

IPL 2026 KKR vs PBKS Pitch Report: Struggling Kolkata Knight Riders face an in-form Punjab Kings today, a stark contrast to their previous season's performance. Punjab, led by Shreyas Iyer, has started strong with two wins, while KKR finished eighth last year. The match is expected to be high-scoring at Eden Gardens, known for its batting-friendly pitch.

Delhi Capitals bowler Kyle Jamieson has voiced his disapproval of the IPL's Impact Player rule. He believes it reduces the skill element in cricket. Jamieson highlighted that this rule is not present in international cricket or other major leagues. He also discussed his return from injury and his current form.

IPL 2026: Former India spinner R Ashwin has revealed his IPL retirement was due to a difficult period with Chennai Super Kings. He found the experience mentally disturbing and painful. Ashwin decided to quit to save the franchise the dilemma of his retention. He felt his departure also freed up purse space for CSK to acquire new talent.

The International Cricket Council announced the Women's Player of the Month nominees for March. Melie Kerr, Beth Mooney, and Ayabonga Khaka are in contention. Kerr showcased exceptional all-round skills in ODIs and T20Is. Mooney anchored Australia's batting with strong performances. Khaka led South Africa's bowling attack with key wickets.

IPL 2026 KKR vs PBKS head-to-head stats: Kolkata Knight Riders face a crucial IPL 2026 encounter against a confident Punjab Kings after losing their opening two matches. The Knights, seeking their first win, host the Kings at Eden Gardens on April 6th. Punjab Kings enter the match on a high after defeating Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings.

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming expressed confidence in Sanju Samson's ability to connect with the team. He acknowledged Samson's current form but highlighted his desperation to perform. Fleming also spoke about the need for patience with young players like Ayush Mhatre. The team faced a tough loss due to Tim David's powerful hitting and bowling execution issues.

Chennai Super Kings faces a tough challenge after three straight defeats in the IPL. Team management must focus on lifting the spirits of a disheartened dressing room. Experts suggest supporting young players and fostering a positive atmosphere. This difficult phase is seen as an opportunity for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad to grow as a leader.

Mumbai Indians face Rajasthan Royals today. Skipper Hardik Pandya's fitness is key for Mumbai after a recent loss. Rajasthan Royals are in good form with their openers performing well. The match is crucial for Mumbai to bounce back. Rajasthan seeks to continue their winning momentum. The contest promises an exciting encounter.

Devdutt Padikkal credits his improved white ball game to hard work and self-belief. He consciously changed his batting approach with RCB's guidance. Padikkal believes T20 batting is evolving, with bowlers set to adapt. He praised Tim David's power-hitting, attributing it to consistent practice and clarity. RCB's team strategy focuses on aggression with prudence, ensuring wickets in hand.

A shocking 2-1 loss at St. Mary's stadium left Arsenal with just the Premier League and Champions League as trophy targets. A knee injury to Gabriel Magalhaes, which forced off the Brazil center back in the second half, added more misery for Arteta, who suggested there were players who took the field against Southampton despite having fitness problems of their own.

Pace bowler Mohammed Shami delivered a stellar performance for Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL victory. He highlighted the importance of domestic cricket and fitness for his match readiness. Shami's economical bowling, including crucial wickets, secured the win. He emphasized adapting to pitch conditions and using slower deliveries effectively.

Lucknow Super Giants secured a five-wicket victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rishabh Pant played a captain's knock with an unbeaten 68. Mohammed Shami's early bowling spell proved effective. Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy provided resistance for Hyderabad. Pant's responsible batting guided Lucknow to the target in the final over.

Sanjiv Goenka, owner of Lucknow Super Giants, celebrated his team's dominant bowling performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad by offering prayers. LSG's bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami, ripped through SRH's top order, restricting them to 156/9. Goenka's animated reaction to the dismissals quickly went viral online.

Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma faced a tough time with the bat. He was dismissed for a duck against Lucknow Super Giants. This marked his sixth duck in T20s this year. He now shares an Indian record for most ducks in a calendar year. Abhishek has struggled for consistency in IPL 2026.

SRH vs LSG, Hyderabad Weather: Sunrisers Hyderabad will aim for a home win against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday. SRH had a mixed start, winning one and losing one. Lucknow Super Giants are still searching for their first win of the season. The pitch at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is expected to favor fast bowlers early, but batting conditions will improve. High scores are anticipated.

Bhuvneshwar played a crucial supporting role in RCB's title-winning campaign last season. While Josh Hazlewood grabbed the headlines, Bhuvneshwar quietly delivered with 17 wickets in 14 matches. Notably, his impact in the death overs stood out, where he picked up seven wickets, including a decisive spell in the final against the Punjab Kings.

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.