The Times of India

Urvil Patel's explosive 65 off 23 balls, including a 13-ball fifty, powered Chennai Super Kings to a memorable victory. Simple instructions from coaches and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, focusing on a stable base and hitting, were key to his record-equalling power-hitting display. Patel's fearless approach shattered records and set a new benchmark for batting at Chepauk.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru opted to bowl against Mumbai Indians, seeking to improve their playoff standing after recent losses. The return of Phil Salt offers a significant boost for RCB. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians, struggling in ninth, face potential elimination. MI skipper Suryakumar Yadav expressed confidence in batting first, aiming to put pressure on the chasing side.

Urvil Patel delivered an explosive IPL start against LSG, becoming the first to hit six sixes in his first eight balls and reaching a 13-ball fifty. His 65 off 23 balls also secured the highest strike rate for a CSK batter facing at least 20 balls, showcasing his game-changing ability.

Urvil Patel etched his name in IPL history by smashing a 13-ball half-century for Chennai Super Kings against Lucknow Super Giants. This explosive innings equalled Yashasvi Jaiswal's record for the fastest fifty in the tournament. Patel, a 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Gujarat, has a proven track record of rapid scoring in domestic cricket.

Urvil Patel unleashed an explosive batting display, smashing 25 runs off Avesh Khan in the fifth over and another 25 off Digvesh Rathi in the sixth. He became the first batter in IPL history to hit six sixes in his first eight balls, racing to 41. Patel then achieved a breathtaking half-century in just 13 balls, equalling the IPL record.

Real Madrid faces a monumental challenge in Sunday's Clasico against Barcelona, missing star forward Kylian Mbapp due to a hamstring injury. With Barcelona needing just a draw to secure the La Liga title, Madrid's hopes are further dimmed by internal training ground disputes and mounting pressure on manager lvaro Arbeloa. The club is reportedly considering a return for Jos Mourinho.

Matthew Hayden praised young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 36 off 16 balls but stressed the need for longer innings when chasing big totals. He highlighted Gujarat Titans' consistent top-order batting, balancing aggression with longevity, as key to their success. Shubman Gill's 84 led Gujarat to a commanding 229/6, ultimately securing a 77-run victory.

In the first five matches, RCB batters from No. 4 to No. 8 averaged 39.30 and scored at a strike rate of 190.77, both the best among all teams. They scored two fifties while hitting 23 fours and 33 sixes. But in the next five matches, the numbers dropped sharply. The average fell to 21, the worst among all teams in that period, while the strike rate dropped to 148.58.

Jos Buttler gifted his bat to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans. Sooryavanshi impressed with a quickfire 36, and Buttler previously lauded him as the best batter he'd seen at that age. Despite RR's loss, the gesture highlighted the growing respect for the young prodigy.

In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, NBA legend DeMarcus Cousins reflected on redefining the role of big men in basketball. Cousins discussed overcoming serious injuries, learning the harsh business side of the NBA, and drawing inspiration from Kobe Bryant. He also urged young Indian players to believe in themselves, saying confidence comes from the work that you put in.

Ravichandran Ashwin has lauded Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him a ox-office player with the potential to represent India in all three formats. Despite RR's loss, Sooryavanshi impressed with his fearless batting, scoring 440 runs at a strike rate of 236.56 this IPL season.

Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi went viral after posting This ones for you, maa on Mothers Day ahead of the IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans. The 15-year-old then created history by becoming the fastest and youngest player to hit 100 T20 sixes. RR also promoted their Pink Promise campaign, supporting women-led rural development and solar electrification projects across Rajasthan.

Indias womens recurve archery team won a dramatic gold medal at the Archery World Cup in Shanghai after defeating hosts China 5-4 in a shoot-off. Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and teenager Kumkum Mohod held their nerve after a tense final ended 4-4. India had earlier stunned South Korea in the semifinals, securing their first womens recurve World Cup gold since 2021.

Matthew Hayden explains GTs success formula, Rashids comeback & bowling firepower

Shane Bond on RRs struggles, bowling crisis & IPLs batting revolution

Rashid Khan achieved a significant IPL milestone, entering the top 10 wicket-takers with figures of 4/33 against Rajasthan Royals. His stellar performance, earning him Player of the Match, saw him surpass Lasith Malinga on the all-time list. Gujarat Titans secured an emphatic 77-run victory.

Cricket Australia faces internal unrest following the failed BBL privatisation, impacting national contracts and player satisfaction. Senior players are reportedly hesitant to sign due to financial terms and a desire for overseas league flexibility, with concerns over pay disparity and lucrative international offers shifting priorities.

Frenkie de Jong says Barcelona are focused on sealing the La Liga title against Real Madrid in a historic Clasico at Camp Nou. Barca need only a draw to clinch the crown and enter the match in strong form, unlike struggling Madrid. De Jong praised Barcelonas midfield depth, backed Lamine Yamals development, and called teamworknot individuals like Kylian Mbappethe key to victory.

Virat Kohli is on the cusp of another IPL record, needing just 28 runs against Mumbai Indians to become the first batter to score 1,000 IPL runs against them. This achievement would mark the fifth team he has surpassed this milestone against in his illustrious IPL career.

Hardik Pandya has excelled for India in crunch T20 situations since 2024 but struggled to replicate that impact for Mumbai Indians. His bowling economy and batting strike rate dip sharply for MI, especially in death overs. Questions resurfaced after MIs record 103-run loss to CSK, where Hardik avoided bowling late despite having overs left, highlighting his contrasting performances for franchise and country.

Gujarat Titans crushed Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs after posting 229/4, powered by Shubman Gills 84 and Sai Sudharsans 55. Rashid Khan starred with 4/33 as Rajasthan collapsed for 152 despite a quickfire 36 from teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill later mocked Rajasthan online, posting: Pink city, blue result. Khamma Ghani.

Saurabh Mishra said the charges against Vinesh Phogat involve complex legal issues. He argued negligence limits sanctions in the whereabouts case, questioned whether she formally retired under WADA rules, cited possible institutional fault in dual-weight trials, and said further punishment after the CAS ruling may violate double jeopardy principles. He stressed her right to a fair hearing.

Gujarat Titans surged to second place with a dominant 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, significantly boosting their playoff chances to 72.52%. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan starred with the bat, while Rashid Khan impressed with the ball. Despite the loss, Rajasthan Royals maintain a higher overall playoff probability due to their easier remaining schedule.

Rajasthan Royals have equalled an IPL record by conceding seven totals of over 200 runs in a single season. This worrying bowling trend follows a strong start to IPL 2026. Gujarat Titans posted 229/4 against them in Jaipur. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan starred for GT. This puts immense pressure on Rajasthan's batting.

Shubman Gill, leading Gujarat Titans to a commanding win, expressed satisfaction with their dominant performance while still seeking a 'perfect match'. Despite a strong batting display and a comfortable victory, Gill highlighted areas for improvement, emphasizing aggressive bowling and crucial partnerships. He also confirmed a minor ankle scare during the innings, as the team continues its winning streak.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's first IPL captaincy ended in a crushing 77-run defeat for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. Despite a strong start from GT's Gill and Sudharsan, RR's bowling attack struggled, and their batting lineup was subsequently bundled out for 152. Jaiswal defended star pacer Jofra Archer, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of cricket.

Gujarat Titans secured a commanding 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, propelled by Shubman Gill's explosive 84 and Rashid Khan's match-winning 4/33 spell. Titans posted a season-high 229/4, with Gill and Sai Sudharsan building a formidable opening stand. Royals faltered chasing the target, collapsing under Rashid's brilliance and succumbing to 152 all out.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive batting has instilled fear in IPL 2026 bowlers, as evidenced by Mohammed Siraj's relieved celebration after dismissing him. Sooryavanshi's fearless aggression, including hitting Siraj for a six and then attacking Rabada, put Gujarat Titans under pressure. Siraj's tactical bouncer eventually ended the teenager's impactful innings.

Mumbai Indians will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru without star allrounder Hardik Pandya, who is still being evaluated by the medical team for a back spasm. Suryakumar Yadav will continue to captain the side in Pandya's absence for the crucial IPL 2026 encounter in Raipur.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest cricketer globally to hit 100 T20 sixes before turning 20. He achieved this feat during an IPL 2026 match against Gujarat Titans, needing just 514 balls, significantly faster than Kieron Pollard's previous record. This milestone highlights Sooryavanshi's fearless power-hitting and rapid rise in the sport.

Jofra Archer endured a disastrous opening over against Gujarat Titans, conceding 18 runs in an 11-ball spell marked by wides and a no-ball. Visibly frustrated, the pacer's struggles prompted Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara to intervene. The chaotic over saw Gujarat Titans openers capitalize on Archer's wayward bowling.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill shared a heartwarming moment with his father before a sensational 84 off 44 balls. His explosive innings, alongside Sai Sudharsan's 55, powered GT to a massive 229/4 against Rajasthan Royals. Washington Sundar also contributed a crucial unbeaten 37.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans achieved a significant IPL milestone, registering their ninth century opening partnership. This feat equals the record held by Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, placing them second for most century stands by any pair. The duo also matched the record for most opening wicket century stands with six.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan achieved a significant milestone for Gujarat Titans, registering their sixth century partnership for the opening wicket in IPL 2026. This remarkable feat against Rajasthan Royals matches the IPL record held by legendary opening pairs from Sunrisers Hyderabad. The duo's dominant performance once again provided a strong foundation for their team.

Jofra Archer endured a forgettable start to his IPL 2026 campaign, bowling an 11-ball over for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. Conceding 18 runs, Archer's struggles with line and rhythm saw him join an unwanted list of bowlers with the longest overs in IPL history. The dramatic over featured wides, a no-ball, and fielding lapses.

Donovan Ferreira credits his IPL success this season to years of waiting for opportunities. Having finally secured regular game time with Rajasthan Royals, the South African batter is relishing his role as a finisher. His fearless hitting in the death overs has been crucial, fueled by a strong desire to prove himself after limited chances in previous seasons.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is captaining Rajasthan Royals for the first time in IPL 2026 against Gujarat Titans due to Riyan Parag's hamstring injury. Jaiswal won the toss and opted to bowl first, confirming Parag's expected quick return. Gujarat Titans also would have preferred to bowl, with Shubman Gill emphasizing the team's confidence in close wins.

Rajasthan Royals will don special pink jerseys for their IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans, highlighting their 'Pink Promise Match' initiative. This event supports women-led development in Rajasthan, with solar electrification for six homes for every six hit. The unique jersey design, by 19-year-old Samiksha Rameshwar Mundada, symbolizes empowerment and community change.

Young allrounder Suryansh Shedge cherishes praise from Rohit Sharma after his explosive batting in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He also shares valuable insights from heart-to-heart conversations with PBKS coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer, focusing on preparation and staying present. Shedge is also receiving guidance from Jatin Paranjape on embracing the current moment.

Pakistan cricketer Irfan Khan Niazi was recently pulled over by traffic police for not wearing a seat belt. The officer, a fan, engaged in a friendly chat about cricket and the PSL before letting him go with a warning. Irfan, a national player, was urged to prioritize safety and encourage others to follow traffic rules.

Yuzvendra Chahal faces controversy after a video surfaced allegedly showing him vaping on a team flight. Former spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan criticized the lenient penalties for such violations, especially after a similar incident involving Riyan Parag. The BCCI recently reiterated its strict ban on vapes and e-cigarettes across all IPL venues and facilities.

During the Pakistan vs. Bangladesh Test match in Dhaka, broadcasters mistakenly displayed India's scorecard instead of Pakistan's Playing XI. This significant error, which occurred after Pakistan won the toss and chose to field, quickly went viral online, sparking widespread reactions and memes among fans. The broadcasters have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

Star wrestler Vinesh Phogat faces a significant setback as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) bars her from upcoming events until May 2026. Issued a lengthy show cause notice, she's accused of multiple disciplinary and anti-doping violations, including whereabouts failures and alleged rule breaches during selection trials. This effectively delays her international return.

Gujarat Titans' Ashok Sharma has become IPL 2026's breakout star, consistently bowling over 150 kph and even recording the tournament's fastest delivery at 154.2 kph. Inspired by legends like Brett Lee and Dale Steyn, the 23-year-old credits coach Ashish Nehra for honing his discipline and match awareness, focusing on Test-match lengths first.

Abhijeet Gupta has alleged that his Rs 5.5 lakh winners prize from the Odisha GM Open, held in January 2026 with a Rs 45 lakh prize pool, remains unpaid. The Arjuna Awardee criticised organisers and the All India Chess Federation for a lack of accountability, saying repeated emails went unanswered. Gupta urged authorities to protect the dignity and trust of Indian chess players.