The Economic Times

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde sustained a head injury after an on-field altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni. The club has opened disciplinary proceedings against both players. Valverde downplayed the incident, stating no punches were thrown and he accidentally hit a table.

Finn Allen's sensational unbeaten century powered Kolkata Knight Riders to their fourth consecutive victory, defeating Delhi Capitals by eight wickets. Chasing 143, Allen anchored the innings with a blistering 100 off 47 balls, guiding Kolkata to an easy win. This dominant performance marked his maiden IPL century and solidified Kolkata's strong campaign.

India has achieved a historic qualification for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup quarter-finals for the first time, securing a dominant 4-0 victory against Lebanon. This marks their first knockout stage appearance in the tournament and their first win and goals since 2005. They will now face hosts China in the quarter-finals.

Lionel Messi's football journey started at Abanderado Grandoli in Rosario. His grandmother insisted he play, and his talent quickly shone. He was compared to Maradona. From humble beginnings, Messi rose to global fame. His childhood club cherishes his legacy. Young players at Grandoli are inspired by his success. Argentina anticipates his potential final World Cup appearance.

IPL 2026: Krunal Pandya shared insights on defending IPL champions' pressure. He highlighted embracing challenges and maintaining simplicity. Modern IPL batting forces bowlers to innovate. Pandya explained his strategic use of bouncers. Lucknow Super Giants defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by nine runs. Mitchell Marsh's century was key. RCB fell short in a high-scoring chase.

NBA legend Vlade Divac visited New Delhi to promote basketball. He interacted with over 100 children at an event. Divac expressed surprise at the children's skills. He believes India has potential to produce NBA players.

Cricket stars are in contention for the ICC Player of the Month awards. Nahid Rana of Bangladesh, Jatinder Singh from Oman, and Ajay Kumar of UAE are nominated for the men's award. South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, Sri Lanka's Imesha Dulani, and Brazil's Laura Cardoso are shortlisted for the women's award.

IPL: As the Gujarat Titans gear up to face the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, both teams find themselves on equal footing with six victories each out of ten games played. The Titans are riding high on a three-match winning streak, showcasing their solid batting prowess.

Prince Yadav of Lucknow Super Giants took the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli with a brilliant delivery. This performance helped his team secure a win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Yadav expressed happiness over the team's victory, emphasizing its importance over individual achievements. He is having a strong season, learning from senior players. Rajat Patidar acknowledged Yadav's impactful spell.

The BCCI has issued a stern eight-page directive to all 10 IPL franchises. This follows serious protocol breaches observed during the ongoing season. The directive emphasizes strict adherence to new Standard Operating Procedures. Concerns include unauthorized visitors in player rooms and owners interacting with players during matches. Vaping and prohibited substances are also banned across all tournament venues.

Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League journey showcases a new era of collective strength. Luis Enrique's team thrives on structure and sacrifice. Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are emerging as key figures. Their recent victory against Bayern Munich highlights their elite status. PSG is now aiming to retain their Champions League title.

FIFA faces challenges selling 2026 World Cup media rights in India, with expected valuations significantly lower than initial projections. Industry experts advise recalibrating expectations to the subdued local market, as broadcasters are cautious after aggressive cricket spending and a weak advertising environment.

TATA IPL 2026 has set a new record, reaching over 1.06 billion screens. Connected TV viewership saw a significant jump. Linear television remains a major platform for viewers. The tournament is broadcast in multiple languages. New advertisers have joined this season. Expert analysis is also a key feature.

IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders face a must-win IPL clash. Delhi, in seventh, needs all remaining games for playoffs. Eighth-placed KKR also requires a perfect run. Delhi opts for a batting-friendly pitch to counter KKR's spin threat. Both teams' top orders have struggled, making this encounter pivotal for their playoff hopes.

The IPL finals venue has moved from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated commercial viability is the likely reason. He clarified that distributing tickets to MLAs is not the cause for the shift. No security or arrangement complaints were reported in Bengaluru. Ahmedabad's larger stadium capacity is seen as a factor.

India's sports ministry has confirmed that bilateral sporting events with Pakistan remain suspended. However, athletes from both nations can compete in international tournaments, including those hosted in India. This decision aligns with India's broader diplomatic policy.

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a commanding 41-run victory over Punjab Kings. Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan's strong batting performances set a high target. Punjab Kings struggled in their chase, with Cooper Connolly's century being a lone highlight. This win propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to the top of the IPL standings. Punjab Kings faced their third consecutive defeat.

Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium will not host the IPL 2026 final or playoff matches. The BCCI shifted these games to Ahmedabad. The Karnataka State Cricket Association expressed disappointment. They had prepared the stadium after renovations. International matches are still scheduled for Bengaluru later this year.

The BCCI has officially shifted the location of the IPL 2026 finals to Ahmedabad, moving away from Bengaluru. This change stems from challenges related to local administrative requirements and the recent clamoring for ticket privileges by lawmakers. According to Karnataka's Deputy CM, the size of the stadium could have played a role in this strategic relocation.

IPL 2026 SRH vs PBKS Pitch Report: Expect a run-fest as Sunrisers Hyderabad host Punjab Kings on a batting paradise at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Both teams boast explosive Powerplay and middle-overs batting, with short boundaries promising a high-scoring affair. While SRH aim to bounce back, PBKS's bowling faces scrutiny on this flat track, where dew might favour the chasing side.

IPL 2026 SRH vs PBKS Live Stream: Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings are set to clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Wednesday in a crucial IPL 2026 encounter. Both teams are vying for playoff berths, with SRH third and PBKS leading the standings despite recent losses. The match begins at 7:30 PM IST.

SRH vs PBKS Head-to-Head Records: Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings are set for a high-scoring IPL 2026 clash in Hyderabad, with a flat pitch and short boundaries favoring aggressive batting. Both teams boast potent Powerplay and middle-overs offenses, making a run-fest likely. Punjab's bowling faces scrutiny after recent losses, while Hyderabad aims to rebound on their home turf.

IPL 2026 Playoff Scenarios: The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the schedule for the Indian Premier League playoffs. The final match will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Other playoff matches will take place in Dharamshala and New Chandigarh. The race for the top four spots is currently intense as the league stage nears its end.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru seek to recover their batting form against Lucknow Super Giants. RCB, currently second, faces a struggling LSG side. RCB's batting faltered in their last match. LSG has lost five of their last six games. This encounter promises an exciting contest as both teams vie for crucial points.

Delhi Capitals coach Hemang Badani is backing spinner Kuldeep Yadav to find his best form. The team's playoff hopes are slim after a loss to Chennai Super Kings. Kuldeep's performance has been below par this season. Badani believes Kuldeep can turn his form around. The team needs to win all remaining matches to qualify for the playoffs.

CSK, MI IPL 2026 Playoff Qualification Scenarios: The IPL 2026 league stage is intensifying as only a few matches remain before the playoffs. Punjab Kings lead, but a tight race for the remaining top-four spots is underway with RCB, SRH, RR, and GT all on 12 points. Every win and net run rate will be crucial for teams aiming to secure a playoff berth.

Top tennis players are demanding more prize money at the French Open. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have stated players might boycott the tournament if their demands are not met. This comes as prize money increases at Roland Garros still lag behind other Grand Slams. Players feel they deserve a larger share of tournament revenue. Negotiations are ongoing.

Chennai Super Kings kept their playoff hopes alive with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals. Sanju Samson's unbeaten 87 powered the chase, supported by Kartik Sharma's 31 not out, as CSK successfully hunted down 156 with 15 balls to spare. Earlier, disciplined bowling restricted DC to 155/7.

DC vs CSK Live Streaming : Delhi Capitals face Chennai Super Kings in a crucial IPL clash, aiming to overcome a campaign of inconsistency. After a mixed home record, Delhi's recent road win against Rajasthan Royals offers a confidence boost. Both teams, level on points, seek to build momentum in the league's closing stages.

DC vs CSK Pitch Report Delhi Capitals are fighting for a playoff spot despite an inconsistent IPL season, currently sitting seventh. After a record-breaking batting performance followed by a collapse, they secured a crucial win by chasing 226. Team changes, including the impact of Pathum Nissanka and Mitchell Starc, have aided their recent turnaround.

DC vs CSK Head-to-Head Records: Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings face a crucial IPL 2026 clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium, with both teams needing a win to boost their playoff chances. Delhi, on a high after a recent victory, faces a strong historical record from Chennai, who have also performed well in New Delhi.

K.L. Rahul expressed pride in breaking the perception of being a Test specialist, highlighting his growth in white-ball cricket. He acknowledged that not everything goes his way but remains focused on giving his best and enjoying the journey. Fatherhood has brought him immense joy and a new perspective, positively impacting his approach to the game.

Punjab Kings face pressure to arrest a two-match losing streak against a confident Sunrisers Hyderabad. Punjab's top-order falters, exposing bowling frailties, while SRH aims to rebound after a loss, relying on strong batting performances from Head and Klaasen.

A rival bidder has publicly questioned the Rajasthan Royals ownership sale process. The US-based entrepreneur Kal Somani and his partners expressed deep disappointment after being excluded. They claim their consortium was the lead bid for six months. The sale saw a Mittal family-led group acquire a controlling stake for around $1.65 billion.

Mumbai Indians opener Ryan Rickelton shared insights on batting with Rohit Sharma. Rickelton and Rohit formed a strong partnership, guiding Mumbai Indians to a crucial win. Rickelton also spoke about the competition with Quinton de Kock. He mentioned not knowing about Hardik Pandya's injury status. The team heads to Raipur next.

Bharat Taxi will be the official mobility partner for Delhi Capitals in the 2026 IPL season. The ride-hailing firm will manage on-ground and digital campaigns. Dedicated travel support will be provided for fans attending matches in Delhi NCR. This partnership aims to enhance the fan experience and ensure timely stadium access.

A consortium led by the Mittal family and including Adar Poonawalla will acquire Rajasthan Royals for $1.65 billion. The Mittal family will hold a majority stake. This deal follows a previous failed sale. The transaction includes overseas franchises. Approvals are pending, with closure expected in the third quarter of 2026. New investors will join the board.

Arsenal rediscovered their attacking verve as they blew away Fulham with a first-half masterclass, with fit-again Bukayo Saka on song and summer signing Viktor Gyokeres delivering arguably his best performance for the Gunners.

Jannik Sinner has won the Madrid Open. He defeated Alexander Zverev in the final. This marks his fifth consecutive Masters 1000 tournament victory. Sinner's winning streak continues. Marta Kostyuk won the women's final. She beat Mirra Andreeva. This is a significant achievement for Sinner in the tennis world.

GT vs PBKS Head-to-Head: Punjab Kings seek to rebound from their first IPL 2026 loss against Gujarat Titans. Gujarat Titans aim to extend their winning streak. Potential team changes are discussed for both sides. The head-to-head record favors Punjab Kings slightly. Predicted playing XIs and full squads are also provided for this upcoming match.

The Mittal family, in partnership with Adar Poonawalla, is set to acquire a controlling stake in Rajasthan Royals. This significant deal values the franchise at around $1.65 billion. The acquisition includes the team's global footprint. Existing investors will retain a small stake. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals continue to hold the top three spots, while teams in the second half of the table will be eager to turn the tide. With key rematches lined up and plenty of unfinished business from earlier encounters, all of it sets the stage for a blockbuster next phase of the tournament.

Counting for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election begins on May 4, 2026. Results will be declared across 77 centres. The election saw a historic voter turnout of 92.93 per cent. Ten constituencies are being closely watched, including Bhabanipur, Nandigram, and Diamond Harbour. Key leaders are contesting in these seats.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has issued a stern warning to the Indian government regarding her safety at the upcoming National Open Ranking Tournament. She expressed apprehension about potential biased officiating at the Gonda venue, which she believes is influenced by former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Phogat seeks a fair competition environment for her comeback event.

Formula One is set to embrace V8 engines by 2031, with a potential shift to 2030. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed the move, aiming for simpler, louder engines. This change follows current V6 hybrid units. The sport seeks less complexity and improved sound. Manufacturers' approval could bring the V8s forward.

The Samrudhi SM-53 lottery results have now been released, offering participants a chance to win prizes ranging from a 1 crore jackpot to smaller amounts. Ticket holders can check their numbers for the draw, which features multiple prize tiers. The Kerala State Lotteries Department ensures transparency in the announcement and claiming process.

SRH vs KKR Pitch Report: Sunrisers Hyderabad are on a five-match winning streak. They face Kolkata Knight Riders at home. Hyderabad's batting is in strong form with key players scoring heavily. The pitch is expected to favour batsmen. Hyderabad's bowling has also been consistent. Kolkata Knight Riders are looking to improve their performance after recent wins.