The Economic Times

India's Thomas Cup title defence ended in the semifinals with a bronze after a 0-3 loss to France. Lakshya Sen's absence was as a significant factor. HS Prannoy, Ayush Shetty and Kidambi Srikanth all lost their matches. France advanced to the final, becoming the second European nation to do so.

The proposed $1.63 billion buyout of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals has been delayed due to funding challenges, regulatory concerns and complexities within the investor consortium led by Kal Somani. The group, which includes global investors, is still working to secure capital and resolve due diligence issues, while questions raised by Board of Control for Cricket in India over past transactions have added to the uncertainty.

Carlos Alcaraz, the world's top tennis player, faces a significant setback due to a wrist injury, forcing him to withdraw from key tournaments including Roland Garros. This unexpected absence shifts the focus to his mental fortitude as he navigates recovery and the competitive landscape from the sidelines.

India's T20 World Cup squad, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, features a strong batting lineup and slow bowlers, aiming to improve on past performances. Despite recent struggles against South Africa, the team has gained valuable learnings. Key allrounders Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam are unavailable due to injuries, impacting bowling options.

Chennai Super Kings' disciplined bowling restricted Mumbai Indians to 159/7. Despite a strong start, MI lost momentum in the latter half, with Naman Dhir's 57 being a lone highlight. CSK bowlers, led by Anshul Kamboj's three wickets, effectively contained MI's scoring in the death overs.

CSK secured uncapped all-rounder Prashant Veer for 14.2 crore, a significant leap from his 30 lakh base price. Veer's impressive domestic T20 record, including left-arm spin and lower-order batting, positions him as a potential long-term successor to Ravindra Jadeja, highlighting franchises' willingness to invest in emerging talent.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed doubt over MS Dhoni's return for Chennai Super Kings' IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians. Ashwin believes Dhoni is unlikely to play, and also suggested Rohit Sharma might be sidelined due to injury. The article highlights the crucial must-win nature of this encounter for both struggling franchises.

India has included uncapped pacer Nandini Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia in its 15-member squad for the Womens T20 World Cup starting June 12 in England and Wales.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) has raised concerns about doping in India. Athletes are reportedly receiving advance notice of tests and avoiding controls. The ITA suggests India needs significant governance and structural reforms to be considered for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. Officials are working with Indian anti-doping bodies to address these issues.

Delhi Capitals bowler Kyle Jamieson has been penalized. He received a demerit point and a warning. This was for an aggressive send-off to Rajasthan Royals player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The incident occurred during an IPL match. Jamieson admitted to the offense. Delhi Capitals won the match by seven wickets.

Delhi Capitals achieved a significant seven-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. This victory ended their three-game losing streak. KL Rahul highlighted the importance of team wins over personal milestones. The team executed their game plan effectively, with strong performances from both batting and bowling units.

Despite facing criticism, Riyan Parag scored a brilliant 90 for Rajasthan Royals, but their efforts fell short in a loss to Delhi Capitals. Parag emphasized his focus on winning matches rather than silencing critics. Mitchell Starc made a successful return for Delhi, picking up three wickets.

Delhi Capitals ended their losing streak with a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. Chasing a massive 226, Delhi achieved their highest ever IPL chase. KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka provided a strong start. Riyan Parag scored 90 for Rajasthan. Delhi's win moves them up the table.

Josh Inglis has joined the Lucknow Super Giants squad and is available for selection. He was released by Punjab Kings for his wedding. South African batter Matthew Breetzke has left the tournament for personal reasons. Inglis has begun training with the team. Lucknow Super Giants face a challenging week with three matches.

Fast bowlers Akash Deep and Harshit Rana will miss upcoming series against Afghanistan and in the United Kingdom. Both players are still recovering from injuries. Their rehabilitation is progressing but match fitness is some time away. A return to competitive cricket is more likely around the Duleep Trophy in August.

RR vs DC Pitch Report: Delhi Capitals face inconsistency ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals. Mitchell Starc's return bolsters the bowling attack, but Delhi seeks a settled batting lineup. Rajasthan, meanwhile, boasts a strong middle order and the composure of young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, posing a significant challenge.

Rajasthan Royals, in strong form with six wins in nine matches, host Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Led by Riyan Parag, the Royals aim to continue their winning streak, while a struggling Delhi Capitals, captained by Axar Patel, will look to improve their seventh-place standing. The match will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar.

IPL 2026 RR vs DC Head-to-Head Records: Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals clash at Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Friday. Rajasthan Royals enter the match on a high after defeating Punjab Kings. Delhi Capitals face Rajasthan Royals following a significant loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The head-to-head record between the two teams is evenly split. Predicted playing XIs for both sides are provided.

KL Rahul is focused on winning IPL titles, not personal records. He aims to match MS Dhoni's five trophy wins. Rahul feels a special connection to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He praises the fearless approach of young Indian batters. Rahul finds stability as an opener but values batting at different positions for growth.

Gujarat Titans secured a four-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Gujarat Titans chose to field first. Royal Challengers Bengaluru were bowled out for 155. Gujarat Titans chased down the target with 25 balls remaining. Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler played key roles in the chase.

Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has opened the first High Performance Centre in Gwalior. This facility aims to develop young cricket talent from smaller cities. It offers professional coaching and sports science support. The initiative plans to expand nationwide. This creates a stronger pathway for aspiring cricketers. Admissions are now open for talented players.

The Jharkhand State Cricket Association has partnered with SJ Uplift for a seven-year term to develop the Jharkhand T20 Cricket League. SJ Uplift will manage all operational and commercial aspects, including franchise development, partnerships, and player frameworks, aiming to create a sustainable and well-organized cricket platform in the state.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood will confront Gujarat Titans' top-order batsmen Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. This encounter presents a significant opportunity for RCB to gain an early advantage. Gujarat Titans aim for their fifth win to strengthen their playoff prospects. Royal Challengers Bengaluru seek their seventh victory to solidify their position.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag faced a penalty for breaching IPL conduct. He was fined and received a demerit point for using a vape in the dressing room. The incident occurred during a match against Punjab Kings. Parag accepted the sanction. The BCCI is reviewing further actions to protect the league's image.

India is a major sports market, with cricket leading the way. The nation's sports economy is rapidly expanding. The focus now shifts to broadening this success beyond cricket. Developing new leagues, revenue models, and fan engagement strategies will be key. This diversification will create a more resilient and deeper sports ecosystem for India's future growth.

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a six-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians. Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen powered the chase with aggressive batting. Ryan Rickelton's unbeaten 123 was a record for Mumbai Indians. SRH achieved the fourth-highest successful run chase in IPL history. Mumbai Indians suffered their sixth defeat in eight matches.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly cast his vote in West Bengal elections. He commented on the ongoing IPL 2026 season. Ganguly stated it is hard to choose a clear favourite. Several teams are performing well. The tournament remains competitive and wide open.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was filmed vaping in the team dressing room during a live match broadcast. The incident occurred in the presence of teammates. Vaping is banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act. This raises concerns as the ingredients are unknown and unregulated. The BCCI has been contacted for comment.

Manchester City faces a demanding schedule. Three games in seven days will decide their domestic treble hopes. They play Crystal Palace, then Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Finally, they visit Bournemouth. This run is vital for their title race with Arsenal. City has already won the English League Cup.

Atletico Madrid faces Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals. The team aims for redemption after a recent cup final loss. Fans are urged to support the team in this crucial match. Atletico has a history of near misses in Europe. This game offers a chance for glory on the club's anniversary. The team's spirit and determination are key to success.

England has announced its 15-player squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Nat Sciver-Brunt will captain the team on home soil. The squad includes uncapped spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman and experienced players like Danni Wyatt-Hodge. Head coach Charlotte Edwards highlighted the tough selection process due to strong talent. The team is motivated to win the World Cup again.