The Times of India

Fans' hopes for MS Dhoni's return to the Chennai Super Kings were dashed as the veteran missed their crucial match against Lucknow Super Giants. Despite travel arrangements being made, Dhoni opted out due to a lingering calf injury. His absence continues to be a major talking point for CSK, who are currently in playoff contention.

Mumbai Indians all-rounder Corbin Bosch acknowledged the significant impact of captain Hardik Pandya's absence on their disappointing IPL season. Bosch stated that the team has missed Pandya's leadership and on-field contributions, contributing to their struggles in crucial moments. The side has failed to deliver complete performances, with key moments consistently going against them.

Kolkata Knight Riders made a surprise switch, bringing in left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey for the injured Varun Chakravarthy in a crucial IPL 2026 match against RCB. Dubey, a domestic player for Vidarbha, gets his long-awaited IPL debut after previously being part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad without playing. This unexpected inclusion highlights KKR's strategic move under pressure.

Kolkata Knight Riders face a significant blow as star spinner Varun Chakaravarthy is ruled out of their IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru due to an injury sustained in the previous match. Uncapped pacer Saurabh Dubey makes his IPL debut as KKR navigates this crucial encounter without their key bowler, who has been instrumental in their recent resurgence.

Indian Super League (ISL) clubs face an uncertain future due to a deadlock with the AIFF over commercial rights. Clubs are pushing for a collaborative operational model, citing financial woes and a lack of clarity that threatens their continued participation and the league's ecosystem.

Hockey India clarified that legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh's tenure as junior men's coach concluded as per contract, denying claims of him being fired. The federation stated his position was advertised and a new coach selected on merit. An alternative development role was offered but declined. Hockey India emphasised its commitment to developing Indian coaches.

Punjab Kings are prioritizing on-field performance amidst social media scrutiny. Assistant bowling coach Trevor Gonsalves emphasized the team's focus on cricket, stating experienced players can handle external noise. The franchise has urged fans to verify information, as fake narratives spread rapidly. Despite recent losses and off-field chatter, the team remains in playoff contention.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has been honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan's second-highest civilian award, for his significant contributions to cricket and his extensive service to the national team. This prestigious recognition marks him as the fourth cricketer to receive this honour, celebrating his impactful white-ball career and global franchise presence.

Hockey legend PR Sreejesh expressed shock after his abrupt removal as junior men's coach, despite leading the team to five podium finishes in five tournaments, including a World Cup bronze. He revealed Hockey India's preference for foreign coaches, citing the senior team's chief coach's recommendation, questioning the development of Indian talent.

Rain in Raipur threatens the IPL 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders, potentially impacting playoff hopes. A washout would significantly boost RCB's qualification chances, keeping them second. For KKR, it's a damaging blow, pushing them to seventh and demanding wins in all remaining games after an earlier tied contest.

AB de Villiers lauded Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's white-ball prowess, but cautioned that his long-term success hinges on adapting to multi-format cricket. While Sooryavanshi's IPL and U19 numbers are exceptional, de Villiers stressed the need for exposure to ODIs and Tests to truly test his mettle and uncover new layers of his game.

Mohammad Siraj and Kagiso Rabada have become IPL 2026's most lethal new-ball pair, bowling the entire powerplay in five consecutive games. Their relentless 'Test-match length' bowling, consistently hitting good and back-of-length areas, ripped through SRH's top order, claiming 4 wickets within the first 6 overs. This bowling prowess has been the driving force behind Gujarat Titans' success this season.

Virat Kohli, IPL's leading run-scorer, faces Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. Despite a strong season, he seeks to break a rare duck streak. Kohli boasts an impressive record against KKR, but faces a significant challenge from Sunil Narine, who has historically contained him.

Indian Super League clubs, excluding East Bengal, have proposed a club-led model for future league operations and commercialisation. They aim to manage responsibilities, citing local market knowledge and cost-saving potential. This proposal comes ahead of a crucial meeting with the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey on May 22.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes spinner Varun Chakaravarthy's potential absence against RCB would be a significant boost for Bengaluru. Chakaravarthy's recent return to form has been crucial for KKR's winning streak, but an injury concern looms. Kaif highlighted Virat Kohli's comfort against faster spinners, suggesting his absence would benefit RCB.

Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh has responded to online criticism regarding his form and fitness, echoing co-owner Preity Zinta's stance against misinformation. Despite recent struggles, Singh remains a key scorer for PBKS, who are facing a crucial must-win match against Mumbai Indians after a four-game losing streak.

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya's intense training session fuels speculation amid his absence due to back spasms. While the team cites recovery, his vigorous workout raises questions about his availability. Pandya and stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav are currently away from the squad, impacting the team's forgettable season where they have already been eliminated from playoff race.

Gujarat Titans, after a slow start in IPL 2026, are on the cusp of playoff qualification with eight wins from twelve matches. Their resurgence is fueled by a dominant opening pair, the impactful inclusion of Jason Holder, and a lethal bowling attack that has stifled opposition batting.

IPL 2026: Did GT expose SRHs batting? Daniel Vettori gives honest verdict

IPL 2026: Sai Kishore on GTs winning formula under Ashish Nehra, Shubman Gill

The Premier League is shifting its India focus from youth tournaments to grassroots coach development, aiming for sustainable impact. The Next Gen Coach Programme in Goa, building on past initiatives, empowers local coaches to reach thousands of young players. This strategic move prioritizes scale and lasting influence over one-off sessions, fostering a deeper connection with Indian football.

Women Wrestlers At Meet Say Legend Dealt Unfair Hand, Others Swear By The Rules; Sakshi Says Phogats Return After Motherhood Should Have Been Celebrated

According to messages accessed by TOI, UWW president Nenad Lalovic informed the WFI that, as the national federation, it was well within its rights to seek explanations from Vinesh and take any action it deemed appropriate after reviewing her response to the show-cause notice issued last Saturday.

Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) successfully passed a crucial floor test, securing the support of several parties including a rebel AIADMK faction. This marks the first coalition government led by a new entrant, breaking the decades-long Dravidian political dominance. Vijay's victory solidifies his position as the state's first non-DMK, non-AIADMK chief minister since 1967.

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins faces a Rs 12 lakh fine. This penalty is for a slow over rate during their IPL 2026 match against Gujarat Titans. The team suffered a significant defeat. This marks the team's first such offense this season. Several other captains have also been fined for similar violations.

Tight Scheduling Puts Selectors In A Fix Ahead Of Next International Commitment Six Days After IPL

Former IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla questioned Sunrisers Hyderabad's aggressive batting approach after their crushing defeat to Gujarat Titans. Despite a chaseable target of 169, SRH collapsed spectacularly, losing wickets early while attempting big shots. Head coach Daniel Vettori defended the team's philosophy, calling it a rare off-day.

A Series Of Missteps Have Led To Shreyas Iyers Men Sliding Down The IPL Table

Madhav Tiwari starred in Delhi Capitals thrilling win over Punjab Kings with 2/40 and an unbeaten 18 off eight balls in Dharamsala. The 22-year-old allrounder, mentored by Amay Khurasiya, impressed with his pace and composure. Once focused mainly on batting, Tiwari now dreams of becoming Indias best allrounder after a breakthrough IPL performance.

Koneru Humpy said only Chinas Zhu Jiner currently has the potential to break the 2600 Elo barrier and enter the Open world top-100 among women players. Humpy stressed that women need regular participation in Open tournaments to improve significantly. She also defended withdrawing from the Candidates event over safety concerns and called Indias chess rise a Tamil Nadu boom.

Punjab Kings' IPL 2026 playoff hopes are in jeopardy after four straight losses, a stark contrast to their earlier unbeaten run. Amidst speculation about team environment issues, co-owner Preity Zinta has strongly refuted 'calculated misinformation' and urged responsible reporting. The team now faces a critical match against Mumbai Indians to halt their slide.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay faces his first floor test with a slim majority after his TVK party emerged as the single-largest party. Rebel AIADMK MLAs have pledged support, while a court order temporarily bars one TVK MLA from voting. A forgery row also complicates the situation ahead of the crucial assembly vote.

Shubman Gill went viral after Gujarat Titans beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 82 runs in IPL 2026. Gill posted Dil abhi bhi sache, aur ghar bhi kache on Instagram, referencing an old joke about SRHs poor record against GT. On the field, half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar helped Gujarat dominate Hyderabad in Ahmedabad.

MS Dhoni is reportedly traveling with the Chennai Super Kings squad to Lucknow for their IPL 2026 match against the Super Giants on May 15, despite being sidelined with injury. CSK, currently fifth in the standings, are on a strong comeback trail and aiming for a playoff berth, with Dhoni's potential return fueling anticipation.

Punjab Kings, after a strong start, face a playoff challenge with four consecutive losses. Needing at least two wins from their remaining three matches, they host Mumbai Indians. Opener Prabhsimran Singh urged fans for support, emphasizing the team's determination to qualify and win the trophy despite recent struggles.

Madras High Court has barred TVK MLA Srinivasa Sethupathi, who won by a single vote in Tirupattur, from participating in the upcoming floor test. The court cited the potential impact of his disputed vote on the state's constitutional governance. The MLA has appealed the order to the Supreme Court.

With 14 games left, Gujarat Titans are almost guaranteed a top-four finish with a 99.6% chance, while RCB also has a strong 88.1% probability. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings' playoff hopes are still alive but diminished. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals hold a slight edge for the top four, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals facing slim chances.

Hardik Pandya hinted at his recovery through an Instagram story showing him training at Mumbais Reliance facility after missing MIs last game with back spasms. However, the Mumbai Indians skipper did not travel with the initial squad to Dharamsala for the Punjab Kings clash. MI coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed Pandya remains under medical observation.

Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Shane Watson hopes Virat Kohli makes an early aggressive mistake against them in their crucial IPL 2026 clash. Despite Kohli's strong season, he's had back-to-back ducks, a rare dip KKR aims to exploit. Watson acknowledged Kohli's brilliance but expressed a wish for a rare misstep to gain an advantage.

Washington Sundar's astonishing, near-ground six was a highlight as Gujarat Titans defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 82 runs. Sundar's 50, alongside Sai Sudharsan's 61, propelled GT to 168. Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder then starred with the ball, bowling out SRH for just 86 to secure a dominant victory.

Bangladesh secured a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Dhaka. A late collapse saw Pakistan lose seven wickets in the final session. Nahid Rana's exceptional bowling performance was key to Bangladesh's win. This marks Pakistan's first-ever Test defeat in Bangladesh. The series continues with the second Test in Sylhet.

FIFA confirmed ongoing discussions for media rights in India for the 2026 World Cup, with no official broadcaster yet announced. The Delhi High Court has issued notices regarding the broadcast, as talks in other territories like China also remain unsettled. Fans await confirmation on television and digital platform coverage for the expanded tournament.

Gujarat Titans secured a commanding 82-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. This win propelled Gujarat Titans to the top of the Indian Premier League 2026 standings. Half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar set a strong total. Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder then dismantled the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting lineup. Gujarat Titans achieved their fifth consecutive win.

Gujarat Titans secured a dominant 82-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar built a crucial partnership to set a competitive total. The Gujarat bowling attack then dismantled Hyderabad's batting order. Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder were instrumental in restricting the opposition. This win propelled Gujarat Titans to the top of the IPL 2026 standings.

Kagiso Rabada's exceptional IPL 2026 bowling has reached historic heights, with his latest powerplay demolition of Sunrisers Hyderabad taking him to 16 wickets for the season. This feat places him alongside IPL legends for most powerplay wickets in a single edition. Rabada's fiery spell crippled SRH's chase, ensuring Gujarat Titans secured a crucial victory.