The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
Vikram Solanki on Shubman Gill-Sai Sudharsan masterclass, another IPL final
Kumar Sangakkara lashes out at Sam Curran, talks about RR season and more
The IPL 2026 Orange and Purple Cap races are set for a thrilling conclusion. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leads the Orange Cap race, but Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are close behind. Kagiso Rabada has taken the lead in the Purple Cap standings. The final match will decide the tournament's top performers.
French Open 2026 witnessed two huge upsets as Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner crashed out of the tournament. Teenager Joao Fonseca stunned Djokovic in a five-set thriller after coming back from two sets down. Earlier, World No. 1 Sinner collapsed physically in extreme Paris heat and lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo, ending his 30-match winning streak and opening up the mens draw.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill spoke about Sai Sudharsan's unusual back-to-back hit-wicket dismissals. Despite this, Gill and Sudharsan's record partnership powered Gujarat Titans to a massive win. Gill's century and Sudharsan's quickfire fifty secured their place in the IPL 2026 final. The team's strong understanding was a key factor in their success.
Riyan Parag praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 exit, saying the 15-year-old doesn't slog and instead calculates and plays his shots. Sooryavanshi smashed 96 off 47 balls, but Gujarat Titans chased down 215 comfortably thanks to Shubman Gills 104 and Sai Sudharsans 58. Gujarat reached their third IPL final and will face RCB in Ahmedabad.
Gujarat Titans reached their third IPL final after defeating Rajasthan Royals. Shubman Gill scored a magnificent century to guide Gujarat in their chase. Rajasthan had posted a strong total thanks to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's brilliant knock. Gujarat's opening partnership was key to their success. They will now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.
Sai Sudharsan suffered another bizarre hit-wicket dismissal during Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals. Batting on 58, his bat slipped and hit the stumps while playing a shot off Brijesh Sharma. It was his second straight hit-wicket dismissal and third overall in IPL history, equalling Andre Russell and Shoaib Maliks mens T20 record.
Sai Sudharsan achieved a remarkable feat in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, joining Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle by scoring 700+ runs for the second consecutive season. He also equaled David Warner's nine 50-plus scores in a single IPL edition. Sudharsan and Shubman Gill's monumental opening stand set new IPL playoff partnership records.
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan created T20 history during Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals by becoming the first mens pair to register 11 century partnerships. The duo achieved the feat in just 48 innings, surpassing legendary combinations like Chris Gayle-Virat Kohli and Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan while chasing 215 in Mullanpur.
Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred with a blistering 96, guiding his team to 214/6 against Gujarat Titans. Rashid Khan faced a tough outing, conceding 45 runs in two overs, including a 27-run final over assault by Donovan Ferreira. This marked a rare difficult night for the Afghan spinner in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat's participation in Asian Games trials is confirmed by courts, but her weight category remains a dispute. While Phogat desires to compete in 53kg, the WFI insists on 50kg, citing her Iconic Athlete status linked to her previous 50kg Olympic campaign. The final decision on her category is pending.
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 96 off 47 balls in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans, narrowly missing a century for the second consecutive knockout game. The 15-year-old equalled Glenn Maxwell's record for most dismissals in the 90s in a season and became the fastest to 1000 runs by balls faced.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 96 off 47 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, but surprisingly recorded the slowest fifty of his IPL career. The teenage star reached his half-century in 28 balls, slower than his previous record of 27 balls. His explosive knock helped RR post 214/6 in the knockout clash.
Rafael Nadal revealed he played through extreme pain and serious health issues during his career, including the rare Muller-Weiss syndrome, knee injuries and complications from painkillers. The 22-time Grand Slam champion admitted he often feared each season could be his last. Tennis became a race against time, Nadal said, adding that passion for the sport outweighed the suffering.
Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shattered records in Qualifier 2, becoming the fastest to 1000 IPL runs, surpassing Andre Russell. Despite early wickets and a teammate's injury, the teenager's explosive 96 off 47 balls, featuring eight fours and seven sixes, propelled RR's innings and added to his historic IPL 2026 campaign.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has achieved a historic IPL milestone. The Rajasthan Royals teenager is the first uncapped player to score 700 runs in a single season. He also set a T20 record for most powerplay runs in a tournament. Sooryavanshi's incredible form continues to break records. His season now stands as the highest-scoring IPL campaign by an uncapped player.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen sparked debate during IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 after criticising wide-ball referrals in cricket. Referring wides in cricket needs to stop, Pietersen posted on X while watching Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals. His remark divided fans, with some saying reviews slow down T20 games, while others defended technology for ensuring accurate decisions in high-pressure matches.
India's Singapore Open campaign saw mixed fortunes as PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen exited in the quarterfinals. However, the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the semifinals with a comeback victory, keeping India's hopes alive.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made IPL history. He is the first player in T20 cricket to score 500 runs in the powerplay during a single tournament. This happened in IPL 2026. He achieved this milestone in a crucial qualifier match. Rajasthan Royals relied on him after early wickets. Sooryavanshi has been a standout performer all season.
D Gukesh enjoyed a funny birthday moment during Norway Chess 2026 celebrations as players sang for his 20th birthday before a sailing event in Oslo. Laughter erupted after Wesley So jokingly asked Javokhir Sindarov, Gukeshs future World Championship challenger, to sing a song. Earlier, Magnus Carlsen defeated Gukesh in Round 4, while Bibisara Assaubayeva continued leading the womens standings.
Confusion reigned at the toss for the Rajasthan Royals vs. Gujarat Titans match, necessitating a re-flip. Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag's initial call was deemed unclear, leading to a second toss which he again won, opting to bat. Gujarat's Shubman Gill also admitted a preference for batting first on the used pitch, anticipating it would slow down.
Following another disappointing IPL season, Mumbai Indians fans overwhelmingly favour pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to take over captaincy for IPL 2027. A poll revealed over 44% support for Bumrah, who has been a key player for the franchise. Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma also received significant votes, while Suryakumar Yadav was least preferred.
Teenage high jumper Pooja Singh made history at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships, clinching gold with a 1.93m leap. This stunning performance not only made her the first Indian woman to win this title but also shattered the 14-year-old senior National Record. Her achievement also meets the qualification standard for the Commonwealth Games 2026.
Rishabh Pant has stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain after two disappointing IPL seasons. Bought for a record Rs 27 crore, Pant's tenure saw LSG finish bottom in IPL 2026, extending their playoff drought. His individual form also struggled to justify the hefty price tag, impacting his national team prospects.
Magnus Carlsens birthday message to D Gukesh went viral during Norway Chess 2026. You're not a teenager anymore, time to grow up, Carlsen joked as Gukesh turned 20. Several chess stars, including Ju Wenjun and Koneru Humpy, also wished him. Later, Carlsen defeated Gukesh in a closely fought classical game, improving his position in the tournament standings.
Rishabh Pant has stepped down as captain of the Lucknow Super Giants, a decision accepted immediately by the franchise. Pant himself initiated the request to be relieved of his leadership duties. The franchise expressed gratitude for his contributions and is now focused on rebuilding. This comes after Pant's record-breaking Rs 27 crore move to LSG.
Sarfaraz Khan lauded young Vaibhav Sooryvanshi's skill and mindset, recalling his impressive Ranji Trophy debut. Sarfaraz also reflected on his own IPL comeback, emphasizing his dedication to improving his white-ball game and fitness after a two-year absence. He stressed the importance of continuous growth and simple cricket principles.
The Odisha Gymnastics Association is facing scrutiny for allegedly using deceased former president Samir Deys name on official documents and invoices linked to the 2026 National Gymnastics Championships. A complaint questioned funding approvals worth crores despite Deys death in 2024. The association blamed outdated letterheads, while the complaint also raised concerns over dual funding, transparency and the lack of elections for nearly 20 years.
Rain threatens the Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals Qualifier 2. If a washout occurs, the IPL has a contingency plan involving extra time, reduced overs, or a Super Over. Should no play be possible, the team higher in the league standings, Gujarat Titans, will advance to the final.
The anticipation builds for IPL 2026's Qualifier 2, where Gujarat Titans face off against Rajasthan Royals, but one player has everyone buzzing the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. His explosive capabilities during powerplays have shaken up the competition this season. Can GT's ace bowlers, Rabada and Siraj, rein in this young dynamo and prevent him from orchestrating another unforgettable knockout spectacle?
Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is IPL 2026's breakout star, leading the Orange Cap race. Despite narrowly missing centuries twice, his focus remains on team victory, a lesson learned from his father. His selfless approach, prioritizing team success over personal milestones, has earned widespread admiration throughout the tournament.
The BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit has banned smart sunglasses for players and officials in the IPL with immediate effect due to their advanced communication features. Players must now deposit these devices, along with phones and smartwatches, before entering the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) on match days. Violations will lead to disciplinary action and potential penalties.
In the latest development from Cape Canaveral, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket erupted in flames during a hotfire test, but thankfully, there were no casualties. This explosion coincides with the escalating Russia-Ukraine tensions, featuring Ukrainian drone strikes within Russian borders and a Russian drone reportedly damaging an apartment complex in Romania. On the diplomatic front, the U.S.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record-breaking IPL 2026, where he amassed 680 runs and hit 65 sixes, has propelled him into contention for the Indian national team. Comparisons to cricketing legends like Gayle and Tendulkar abound, with former coach Tom Moody even drawing parallels to Don Bradman.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is electrifying IPL 2026, shattering records and drawing comparisons to cricket legends. He's already surpassed Chris Gayle's sixes record and is being likened to Sachin Tendulkar for his composure. Former Australian coach Tom Moody even invoked Don Bradman, highlighting Sooryavanshi's unprecedented dominance in T20 cricket at such a young age.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 97 off 29 balls in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, after seeking blessings from Sunil Gavaskar, propelled Rajasthan Royals to victory. Gavaskar lauded the young talent, suggesting he's ready for T20 Internationals, while Aakash Chopra believes his India debut can wait.
Following a dismal IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians face intense captaincy speculation. Fans overwhelmingly favor pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to lead in 2027, with Rohit Sharma also a strong contender. Bumrah's successful interim captaincy stint and the team's continued title drought fuel the debate for a leadership revival.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has electrified IPL 2026, rewriting record books for Rajasthan Royals. The young opener's explosive batting, including a record 65 sixes and 680 runs at a 242.85 strike rate, has earned him the Orange Cap and admiration from legends like Justin Langer.
Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become IPL 2026s biggest crowd-puller
IPL governing council chairman Arun Dhumal said the leagues media rights growth is unmatched in global sport, highlighting its massive return on investment in just 18 years. He credited fan engagement, close contests and the IPLs talent pipeline for Indias cricketing dominance and growing commercial value
World Champion D Gukesh suffered a 42-move classical defeat against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen on the eve of his 20th birthday in Round 4 of Norway Chess 2026. Meanwhile, Divya Deshmukh's brilliant unbeaten streak came to an end after losing her Armageddon tiebreak to Ukraine's Anna Muzychuk. R Praggnanandhaa won his game, while Koneru Humpy's tough run continues.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 97 off 29 balls, including a record-breaking 12 sixes, propelled Rajasthan Royals to a crucial IPL win. His remarkable performance and maturity have drawn comparisons to legends, with experts valuing him at Rs 30 crore. Sooryavanshi leads the tournament in runs and strike rate.
While the cricket world marvelled at Vaibhav Sooryavanshis breathtaking 29-ball 97 in the IPL Eliminator, people in his village of Tajpur watched it like just another day. From smashing bowlers twice his age as a teenager to rapidly making adjustments within weeks, the 15-year-olds rise has stunned even seasoned cricketers but not the clan that saw him take his early steps in Bihar.
Dinesh Karthik, now an RCB mentor, reflects on the team's championship defense, highlighting Rajat Patidar's calm leadership and Devdutt Padikkal's evolving game. He shares insights on coaching international stars, adapting to their independence, and the crucial mindset for finishers. Karthik emphasises that team combinations, not just individual selection, define value.

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