The Economic Times

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.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL performance signals readiness for India. Coach Kumar Sangakkara believes the young player is prepared for international challenges. Sooryavanshi's mature batting and fearless approach have impressed. India's next T20 series in Ireland is a likely debut opportunity. Royals plan to support his development between seasons.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat's entry in the women's 53kg category for the Asian Games selection trials has been accepted by the WFI, following a Supreme Court decision. This clears the Olympian to compete after a disqualification at the Paris Olympics and a maternity break, despite earlier eligibility concerns.

In an electrifying Champions League final, Paris Saint-Germain takes on Arsenal. PSG's forward line is relentless, racking up goals with flair and finesse. Meanwhile, Arsenal stands firm with a resolute defence and killer set-piece tactics, crafting an intriguing battle of contrasting styles.

Shubman Gill smashed a classy 104 off 53 balls as Gujarat Titans beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets to enter their third IPL final in five seasons. Chasing 215, Gill and Sai Sudharsan (58 off 32) stitched a match-winning 167-run opening stand to seal victory in 18.4 overs.

Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Suryavanshi has achieved two IPL records. He is the fastest to 1,000 runs, needing only 440 balls. Suryavanshi also holds the record for most boundaries in a single season with 133. His aggressive batting style has made him a standout performer in IPL 2026. This marks a significant achievement for the young player and his team.

Hardik Pandya is reportedly leaving Mumbai Indians. He informed the franchise mid-season of his decision. This follows a difficult IPL 2026 campaign for the team. Pandya cited mental stress and exhaustion. His IPL journey has been marked by dramatic twists and turns. This marks another significant chapter in his career.

IPL 2026 historic records: IPL 2026 witnessed an explosive batting season, breaking numerous records. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set a new six-hitting record, surpassing Chris Gayle. The season saw the highest number of 200-plus totals and successful run chases. Powerplay scoring reached new heights, and every team had a centurion. This edition redefined T20 batting limits.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant has stepped down from his leadership role. The franchise has accepted his request with immediate effect. Director of Cricket Tom Moody confirmed Pant approached the management to be relieved of his duties. The team expressed gratitude for his contributions. Focus now shifts to rebuilding and restructuring for future success.

MI captain IPL 2027: Mumbai Indians might see a new captain for IPL 2027. Hardik Pandya is reportedly leaving the franchise. Rohit Sharma is a short-term option. Tilak Varma is seen as a future leader. Suryakumar Yadav also has leadership experience. Jasprit Bumrah is another contender. The franchise faces a key decision on its next captain.

India's PV Sindhu exited the Singapore Open quarterfinals after a loss to Korea's An Se Young. However, the men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured a semifinal spot. They won a tough match against Malaysian opponents. The Indian duo will now face top seeds from Korea. Sindhu's defeat continues her winless streak against An Se Young.

IPL 2026 Purple Cap standings updated after RCB: The IPL 2026 Purple Cap race is heating up with two matches left. Bhuvneshwar Kumar of RCB and Kagiso Rabada of Gujarat Titans are level on 26 wickets. The final two playoff games will decide the season's top bowler. Bowlers have dominated this season, with pacers and spinners playing key roles.

IPL 2026 Orange Cap race Holder: The IPL 2026 Orange Cap race is heating up with only a few matches remaining. Vaibhav Suryavanshi leads the charts, but Virat Kohli remains a strong contender. Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill are also in the running. Kohli needs a significant performance in the final to secure the award.

The excitement of IPL 2026 revolves around the rise of Indias promising cricketers. With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leading the charge, his dynamic play is electrifying audiences. Prince Yadavs ability to steer the team through challenging moments provides crucial stability, while Kartik Sharmas role in anchoring the innings cannot be overstated.

Under-fire Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is reportedly set to quit the franchise after a disastrous IPL season, having conveyed his decision to the management mid-season. Mentally stressed and exhausted, Pandya's patience reportedly ran out due to team dynamics and fan criticism over the past three years.

The Supreme Court has recently approved wrestler Vinesh Phogat's participation in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials, overturning a challenge posed by the Wrestling Federation of India against a Delhi High Court's ruling.

GT vs RR Qualifier 2 Playing 11: Rajasthan Royals, buoyed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 97, face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 for a spot in the IPL 2026 final against RCB. Gujarat seeks redemption after a heavy playoff loss. The winner advances to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the summit clash on May 29 in New Chandigarh.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is impressing Anil Kumble with his IPL performance. The 15-year-old has smashed a record 65 sixes this season. He leads the tournament in runs and holds the Orange Cap. Kumble notes Sooryavanshi's consistent hitting has put pressure on his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal. Sooryavanshi's rise is making waves in the T20 circuit.

India batter Yastika Bhatia returned to cricket with a match-winning half-century against England. She overcame a career-threatening ACL injury and months of rehabilitation. Bhatia scored 54 runs off 40 balls, contributing to India's victory. She highlighted the difficulty of rebuilding from scratch after the surgery. Her performance marked a strong comeback for the Indian team.

The BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit has banned smart sunglasses for players and officials in the ongoing IPL. These devices possess advanced communication features like live streaming and video calls. Possession and use within the Players and Match Officials Area are now strictly prohibited. Players must deposit these gadgets along with phones and smartwatches before entering the PMOA.

Mumbai Indians are reportedly planning another captaincy switch. Hardik Pandya is expected to be replaced after a poor IPL 2026 season. The team finished ninth, failing to reach the playoffs. Discussions are underway regarding Pandya's future. Fans favor Jasprit Bumrah as the next captain. Rohit Sharma also received significant support in a fan poll.

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed the 26-player squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Captain Lionel Messi will lead the team in his sixth World Cup appearance. The defending champions will play warm-up matches against Honduras and Iceland. Argentina is in Group J and begins its campaign against Algeria. The squad announcement is a key step in their preparations.

ChatGPT Not Working today? ChatGPT faced significant disruptions on Friday with thousands of users in India and globally reporting errors and slow performance. The popular AI chatbot refused to respond to queries, causing frustration for students and professionals. While OpenAI's status page indicated operational status, intermittent issues are common.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket experienced a significant explosion during a hotfire test in Florida, marking its most serious failure to date. The incident occurred ahead of a planned launch carrying Amazon Kuiper satellites. The cause is under investigation by Blue Origin and the US Space Force, potentially impacting future launches and NASA's Artemis program.

Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin faced a setback. A hot-fire test of its New Glenn rocket ended with an explosion. Visuals showed the rocket erupting in a fireball. All personnel are safe. Blue Origin has invested heavily in developing the New Glenn rocket. This rocket is designed to rival SpaceX's offerings.

Lionel Messi, at 39, is set to play in his sixth World Cup as he leads Argentina, the reigning champions, in North America. Messi continues to be a key player for his country, recently winning the Copa America and topping South American World Cup qualifiers. He is also nearing 200 international caps. Argentina boasts a strong squad with emerging talents.

Film actor-producer Anushka Sharma has acquired a minor stake in Agilitas Sports, joining husband and cricketer Virat Kohli as an investor in the sportswear firm founded by former Puma India executives.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's coach, Manish Ojha, hailed the Rajasthan Royals (RR) young batting sensation for his explosive and entertaining batting displays in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), saying the youngster's latest knock against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) was a truly exceptional innings rarely witnessed in the tournament's history.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has lauded 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a God's gift and urged his immediate inclusion in India's upcoming white-ball tour of England. Gavaskar was impressed by Sooryavanshi's fearless 97 off 29 balls in the IPL, advocating for his T20 International readiness despite his young age.

The United States, Mexico, and Canada have come together to establish unified travel restrictions due to rising concerns over Ebola. Targeted towards individuals arriving from specific high-risk areas in Africa, these measures are designed to ensure the safety of citizens and international visitors during the upcoming World Cup festivities.

Europe is battling a severe heatwave. Italy has issued a red alert for Rome and other cities. Portugal recorded its hottest May day ever. Britain and France also saw record temperatures. Several deaths have been reported. Tourists are struggling with the heat. Scientists link these extreme events to climate change.

French Open favorite Jannik Sinner has been knocked out in the second round. Sinner lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in a gruelling match. He struggled significantly with the high temperatures on court. Sinner was on a long winning streak before this unexpected defeat. This loss ends his bid for a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros this year.

Thomas Aquinas, a medieval philosopher, believed true friendship was paramount. His quote, 'There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship,' resonates today. Genuine connections built on trust and loyalty offer support through life's challenges. In a world of distractions, these bonds provide emotional richness and purpose, proving more valuable than material success or status.

Neymar will miss Brazil's upcoming friendlies and their World Cup opener. Scans revealed a grade-two calf injury. The forward faces two to three weeks on the sidelines. This means he will be out for the match against Panama and Egypt. He is also unlikely to play in Brazil's World Cup debut against Morocco.

Updated IPL 2026 Orange Cap: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leads the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race with 680 runs, showcasing explosive batting and consistency. Established stars like Sai Sudharsan, Heinrich Klaasen, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli remain strong contenders as the tournament enters its decisive playoff phase. The competition is exceptionally tight, with every run crucial in this closely fought battle.

Scotland's football coach Steve Clarke has signed a new contract. This deal will keep him in charge until the 2030 World Cup. Clarke led Scotland to their first World Cup in 28 years. He is already Scotland's most successful coach. This new contract could make him the longest-serving coach.

The IPL 2026 Purple Cap race is heating up as the league stage nears its end. Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Gujarat Titans' Kagiso Rabada are tied at the top with 26 wickets each. Jofra Archer and Anshul Kamboj are also strong contenders, with playoff performances set to decide the ultimate winner.

Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen have reached the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open. Sindhu secured a dominant win, while Sen advanced due to his opponent's retirement. The men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also progressed. HS Prannoy's campaign ended after a late collapse in his match.

Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy faced protests outside a police station in West Bengal. Demonstrators shouted slogans and hurled eggs at his vehicle. Roy alleged BJP involvement, calling the protest politically motivated. The BJP denied involvement, stating locals were expressing anger over alleged corruption during TMC rule. Police intervened to manage the situation.

Supporters across Karnataka protested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's decision to resign. Emotional scenes unfolded outside his official residence as crowds urged him to stay. In Shivamogga, protests included tyre burning. A silent protest was also held in Yadgir. Law Minister H K Patil confirmed Siddaramaiah informed ministers of his decision and that Deputy CM D K Shivakumar will be his successor following party instructions.

A Chinese shopping mall hosted a unique competition where over 2,000 participants raced to eat a bowl of rice soup in a mock classroom setting, avoiding 'teachers'. The event, inspired by nostalgic school memories, saw participants of all ages vying for a golden rice prize. Social media buzzed with amusement at the creative challenge.

Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers has lauded teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his sensational knock in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), calling his composure and game awareness emarkable for a 15-year-old.

The Wrestling Federation of India is gearing up for a legal showdown, having approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Delhi High Court verdict. This ruling paves the way for Vinesh Phogat, returning from maternity leave, to compete in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026. The previous decision highlighted issues with the Federation's policies as being exclusionary.

The Sports Ministry will deploy IT Consultants to National Sports Federations. This initiative aims to enhance digital systems for better coordination. The plan supports India's preparation for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. It also aligns with long-term Olympic ambitions. The consultants will assist federations with digital operations and data management.

PV Sindhu reached the Singapore Open quarterfinals with a swift win. The Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also progressed after a tough match. The mixed doubles duo Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto secured their quarterfinal spot. Indian players continue their strong performance in the tournament.