The Economic Times

IPL 2026 MI vs PBKS Pitch Report of Wankhede Stadium: Mumbai Indians, struggling with three consecutive losses, face an unbeaten Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium. The hosts, currently ninth, desperately need a win to boost their campaign, especially with potential absence of Rohit Sharma. Punjab Kings, strong in chases, will be tested by a motivated Mumbai side.

RCB registered a dominant five-wicket win over LSG in their IPL clash in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Bowling first, RCB restricted LSG to 146, with Rasikh Salam Dar taking 4/24 and strong support from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya. In reply, Virat Kohli anchored the chase with 49 as RCB comfortably overhauled the target in 15.1 overs to seal the victory.

Rohit Sharma is likely to miss Mumbai Indians' IPL clash against Punjab Kings due to a hamstring injury sustained during their last match. He retired hurt after experiencing discomfort while batting. Meanwhile, England all-rounder Will Jacks is en route to join the squad but will miss Thursday's game.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant sustained a left elbow injury after a Josh Hazlewood delivery struck him during a recent IPL match. Despite initial discomfort and a medical break, Pant returned to bat but was dismissed shortly after. The full extent of his injury is yet to be determined, with further tests pending.

Washington Sundar embraces playing across all formats for India. He calls it a beautiful blessing. Fitness is key to his consistent opportunities. He has worked on his batting power. Sundar aims to contribute to wins. He enjoys his role with Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He hopes for future success.

After a rocky start, the Chennai Super Kings have rallied back to clinch two victories. Veteran off-spinner R Ashwin shares that this lift in the team's morale provides much-needed breathing room for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. He suggests that Gaikwad should focus on aggressive yet controlled shots directed down the ground early on.

Noor Ahmad delivered a match-winning spell (3/21) against Kolkata Knight Riders after a key nets discussion with MS Dhoni, with improved variations and better lengthsguided by Dhoni and inputs from Akeal Hoseinhelping Chennai Super Kings secure a 32-run win.

Chennai Super Kings secured their second consecutive Indian Premier League victory by defeating Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs. Noor Ahmad's exceptional bowling performance was key to the win. Chennai posted a strong total, and their bowlers successfully restricted Kolkata. This win propels Chennai up the standings, while Kolkata remains winless.

Bayern Munich's veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set for a key Champions League match against Real Madrid. This game could mark the end of his illustrious career. Neuer delivered a stellar performance in the first leg, making crucial saves. Bayern aims for a Champions League title, which would be a fitting farewell for their captain.

Chennai Super Kings secured their second consecutive Indian Premier League win. They defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs. Chennai Super Kings posted 192 runs. Kolkata Knight Riders were restricted to 160 runs. Noor Ahmad was exceptional with the ball for Chennai Super Kings. Rovman Powell and Ramandeep Singh showed fight for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kolkata Knight Riders players wore black armbands during their IPL match against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai to pay tribute to former India cricketer CD Gopinath, who passed away at the age of 96. Gopinath, the last surviving member of Indias 1952 Test victory over England, was remembered for his contributions to Indian cricket, having played eight Tests between 1951 and 1960.

Suryakumar Yadav faces performance pressure for future T20 tournaments. His batting consistency is key for the 2028 Olympics. Young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a strong prospect for an upcoming debut. Selectors are considering multiple tours for his potential entry into the Indian squad. His inclusion could impact other established players.

Indian opener Sanju Samson received the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for March. He played a key role in India's T20 World Cup victory. Samson's performance in crucial matches secured India's path to the semifinals and the title win. This marks his first ICC Player of the Month honor. New Zealand's Melie Kerr also won the women's award.

Former New Zealand cricketer Mitchell McClenaghan has proposed a strategic role for MS Dhoni in the IPL 2026 season. He suggests Dhoni could be an Impact Sub for Chennai Super Kings, particularly when the team is chasing targets. This approach would allow Dhoni to focus on aggressive batting without extensive running.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pace bowling coach Varun Aaron praised the two debutants, Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, and said their performance against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Monday was a dream come true for the team, after the bowlers handed SRH a 57-run win by taking four wickets each.

A dramatic finish saw McIlroy recover from a wayward tee shot on the 18th to secure victory with a bogey, joining legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as one of the few to successfully defend the Masters. The win, his sixth major, underscores his resilience and ability to triumph despite not being at his best.

The Assam Cricket Association has awarded Rs 25 lakh to its ground staff. This reward recognizes their exceptional work in preparing pitches for IPL matches. Despite heavy rain and thunderstorms, the team ensured the games proceeded smoothly. Their dedication helped maintain the venue's reputation. The curator and groundsmen's efforts were crucial for the successful conduct of the matches.

JSW Sports will manage the Bengal Pro T20 League for three years. This partnership will boost the league's commercial and operational aspects. The league is also expanding with a new franchise. This collaboration aims to enhance the competition's quality and visibility.

IPL 2026: Tim David of Royal Challengers Bengaluru received a fine and a demerit point for disobeying umpire instructions. This occurred during the match against Mumbai Indians. David delayed returning the ball twice. Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was also fined for a slow over-rate. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the match by 18 runs.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India's growing global presence in sports beyond cricket and hockey. Investments in infrastructure and programs like Khelo India are empowering athletes and promoting traditional sports, he said.

Sunrisers Hyderabad faces Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 Match 21. Hyderabad's team has had a mixed start. Rajasthan Royals are at the top of the table. The match will be played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The pitch is expected to favor pacers. The weather will be hot and humid.

India is pushing for a Formula 1 racing event in 2027, as confirmed by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The prestigious Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida is being eyed as the host venue.

The Mumbai Indians have been grappling with consistency in the IPL, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Faf du Plessis, the former South African captain, emphasises the need to lessen the team's dependency on ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Meanwhile, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out that improvements are essential in the powerplay phases for both batting and bowling.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Krunal Pandya emphasised that playing for India is his ultimate goal, while he is currently focused on delivering strong performances and contributing to team victories, trusting that opportunities will follow.

Manchester City secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This win significantly boosts City's Premier League title aspirations, bringing them closer to leaders Arsenal. The result also impacts Chelsea's Champions League qualification hopes. City now look forward to a crucial match against Arsenal next weekend.

Barcelona defeated Espanyol 4-1. Lamine Yamal was instrumental, providing assists and scoring a goal. This victory extended Barcelona's lead in La Liga. The team now focuses on their Champions League match. Ferran Torres ended a scoring drought with two goals. Espanyol coach felt the score was too high. Marcus Rashford also scored for Barcelona.

Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder faces scrutiny. TV cameras captured him using a mobile phone in the team dugout during an IPL match. The BCCI is investigating the incident. The board will examine video footage and gather evidence. This action follows a breach of protocol banning phones in the dugout. The outcome of the investigation is awaited.

Jannik Sinner has won the Monte Carlo Masters. He defeated Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. This victory secures Sinner's third ATP 1000 title this year. He also reclaims the world number one ranking. Sinner has won his last 17 matches. He is the first man since 2015 to win the first three ATP 1000 titles of the season.

Bowlers face a tough time in T20 cricket as powerplay run rates reach an all-time high of 10.47 runs per over this Indian Premier League season. This trend shows a steady increase over the years. In a recent match, Gujarat Titans' bowlers performed well against Lucknow Super Giants. The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Mumbai Indians next.

Shubman Gill achieved a significant IPL milestone. He became the youngest player to score 4,000 runs in the league. Gill broke Virat Kohli's previous record. This happened during the Gujarat Titans match against Lucknow Super Giants. Gill's performance helped his team secure a victory. The Gujarat Titans won the match by seven wickets.

IPL 2026 MI vs RCB Pitch Report: Mumbai Indians will play Royal Challengers Bengaluru tonight at Wankhede Stadium. This is Match 20 of the IPL. The game features a rivalry between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The pitch is expected to favor batters. Clear skies are predicted for the match. The game starts at 7:30 PM IST.

Rajasthan Royals, on a winning streak, face Sunrisers Hyderabad today. Royals have dominated with a strong batting lineup and improved bowling. Their opening pair is in top form. Sunrisers, however, have struggled for consistency. They rely on key players for quick starts. Bowling remains a concern for Sunrisers. They need a complete performance to challenge the Royals.

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad faces a Rs 12 lakh fine for a slow over-rate. This marks the team's first such offense this season. The match saw CSK secure their initial victory against Delhi Capitals. Sanju Samson's century and Jamie Overton's bowling performance were key. Delhi Capitals batter Nitish Rana also received a fine and demerit point for misconduct.

Chennai Super Kings secured their first win in IPL 2026 after three losses. Bowling coach Eric Simons acknowledged the team was tired of losing. Sanju Samson's century and Jamie Overton's bowling performance were key. The team showed strong self-belief and executed their plans effectively. This victory boosts morale and sets a positive tone for future matches.

Chennai Super Kings secured a victory over Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026. Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel cited fielding errors as a key factor in the loss. Chennai Super Kings posted a strong total, driven by Sanju Samson's century. Delhi Capitals struggled to maintain momentum during their chase, losing wickets at crucial junctures.

IPL 2026 News: Chennai Super Kings finally secured their first win of the season. They defeated Delhi Capitals at their home ground. Ruturaj Gaikwad spoke about the team's bowling strategy. Sanju Samson scored a century. Jamie Overton took four wickets. This victory ended a six-match losing streak at Chepauk. The team showed a complete performance.

Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals by 23 runs. Delhi Capitals Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao stated losing four wickets in four overs was the turning point. Delhi Capitals also missed fielding opportunities. Sanju Samson scored 115 runs for Chennai Super Kings. The team acknowledges a tough game and looks forward to future matches.

Sanju Samson found his form with a brilliant 115 not out. His innings powered Chennai to a 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals. This win marks Chennai's first of the season. Samson's performance eased pressure on the team. Ayush Mhatre also contributed significantly. Chennai posted 212-2, restricting Delhi to 189.

Rory McIlroy has taken a significant lead at the Masters Tournament. He delivered a stunning performance on Friday, carding a 65. This performance has put him in a commanding position. McIlroy's play has captivated the crowds at Augusta National. The tournament is far from over, but he has set a strong pace.

Punjab Kings began their IPL campaign with a strong six-wicket victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing a formidable 220, openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh provided a solid foundation. Captain Shreyas Iyer then steered the team to victory with an unbeaten 69. PBKS bowlers, despite an initial onslaught, managed to pull back the game.

Ravindra Jadeja reached a significant T20 milestone, securing 4,000 runs and 200 wickets. This achievement places him among elite Indian all-rounders. The match saw Rajasthan Royals defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel played crucial roles in the Royals' successful chase. Rajasthan Royals continue their winning streak in the tournament.

Punjab Kings, riding a strong IPL 2026 run, are favored against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mullanpur. PBKS boasts two wins and a washed-out match, sitting second. Their balanced squad, with key contributions from Bartlett, Prabhsimran, and Connolly, has adapted well. SRH, conversely, struggles for consistency, with their top order and bowling yet to fire.

IPL 2026 PBKS vs SRH Pitch Report: Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad are set for a high-scoring IPL 2026 clash in Mullanpur. The pitch promises a batting paradise with consistent bounce and a quick outfield, making 200+ totals achievable. Expect warm, sunny weather with no rain interruptions, and the toss might play a role in this afternoon encounter.

Ayush Shetty achieved a career-defining victory against world number four Jonatan Christie. The Indian shuttler secured a spot in the Badminton Asia Championships semifinals. Shetty displayed strong retrieving and powerful smashes throughout the match. He will now face top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the next round. This win marks a significant achievement for the young Indian player.

R. Vaishali is now the sole leader in the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament. She secured this position with a draw. In the Men's Candidates, Javokhir Sindarov continues his strong performance. He defeated R Praggnanandhaa. Sindarov is now likely to challenge for the world championship title. Divya Deshmukh faced a defeat in her match.

The Premier League resumes this weekend with high-stakes matches. Arsenal aims to extend their lead at the top. Liverpool faces Fulham in a critical game for Champions League qualification. Roberto De Zerbi debuts for Tottenham, who are fighting relegation. Key fixtures include Arsenal versus Bournemouth and Chelsea against Manchester City.

Mukul Choudhary's IPL success highlights his father's sacrifices. Dalip Choudhary sold their house and faced jail to fund his son's cricket. Mukul's dedication led to a match-winning performance. He promised to repay loans. His journey showcases belief and resilience. This is a story of a father's gamble and a son's fulfillment.