The Times of India

Anshul Kamboj went viral after fans spotted a security guard resembling the Chennai Super Kings pacer during Vijays oath-taking ceremony as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. CSK later shared a video of Kamboj reacting to and meeting his lookalike. Even Ravichandran Ashwin joined the fun online as CSK stayed alive in the IPL playoff race.

Sunil Gavaskar lauded Virat Kohli's spectacular century, proving the enduring class of experienced players. Kohli's masterclass in chasing, his ninth IPL hundred, and becoming the fastest to 14,000 T20 runs silenced doubters. His innings highlighted his unparalleled ability to construct a chase, a feat few can match, reaffirming his legendary status.

Abhishek Nayar explains KKRs defeat, dropped catches and dressing room mindset

Devdutt Padikkal opens up on Virat Kohli partnership after RCB win

Mumbai Indians face Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, with captain Hardik Pandya highly unlikely to play due to back spasms. Suryakumar Yadav's availability is also uncertain as he remains in Mumbai after the birth of his child. Despite being eliminated, MI can impact Punjab's playoff hopes.

Faustino Oro, a 12-year-old Argentine chess prodigy known as the Messi of Chess, has become the second-youngest Grandmaster in history. TimesofIndia.com follows his journey from learning chess during the COVID lockdown in Buenos Aires to moving to Barcelona and competing globally. Despite tougher FIDE rules, Oros talent, discipline, and love for the game helped him succeed.

A looming rain threat in Dharamshala could significantly impact Punjab Kings' playoff aspirations as they face Mumbai Indians. A washout would grant both teams a point, potentially hindering PBKS's chances of securing a top-two finish and relying on split points rather than outright wins.

Rafael Nadal has denied rumours linking him to the presidency of Real Madrid following reports he could replace Florentino Perez after the clubs trophyless season. Nadal called the reports not true, while Perez insisted he would not resign despite criticism from fans after Madrid lost La Liga to Barcelona and exited the Champions League early.

Virat Kohli's spectacular unbeaten 105 against Kolkata Knight Riders propelled him from 10th to 3rd in the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race. This century guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a crucial victory and the top of the points table, re-establishing Kohli as a leading run-scorer.

Ankita Deokule, a US-born shooter of Indian origin, has been selected for the USA squad for the Munich World Cup starting May 24, where she will compete in the womens 25m sports pistol event. Her father, former Maharashtra shooter Amol Deokule, said it fulfilled his dream of competing globally. Ankita, inspired by Manu Bhaker, began shooting seriously after the pandemic.

Mohammed Siraj has become a formidable force for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, forming a potent new-ball attack with Kagiso Rabada. His disciplined, Test-like bowling has revitalized his career after a stint with RCB, with former captain Kris Srikkanth praising his transformation into a 'deadly bowler' for GT.

Jacob Bethell accidentally dropped his gold chain while getting dismissed during Royal Challengers Bengalurus IPL 2026 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur. Devdutt Padikkal later picked it up and returned it to him. The match, however, belonged to Virat Kohli, whose unbeaten 105 guided RCB to a six-wicket win and the top of the points table.

Virat Kohli delivered a masterful performance, smashing his ninth IPL century to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a successful chase of 193 against Kolkata Knight Riders. This historic innings saw Kohli become the fastest player to 14,000 T20 runs and the first Indian with 10 T20 centuries, solidifying his legacy as a supreme chaser.

Virat Kohli made a strong comeback with his ninth IPL century. He guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Kohli scored an unbeaten 106 off 60 balls. This win strengthened RCB's position in the IPL 2026 points table. Krunal Pandya had predicted Kohli's return to form.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru moved top of the IPL 2026 table after beating Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets in Raipur. Manish Pandey stole attention with a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Tim David, leaving players shocked. However, Virat Kohli dominated the match with an unbeaten 105, becoming the fastest batter to reach 14,000 T20 runs and guiding RCB home comfortably.

Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 105 to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. Chasing 193 in Raipur, RCB won with five balls left as Kohli bounced back from two successive ducks. He called pressure a privilege after the match, while captain Rajat Patidar praised the teams collective effort as RCB moved top of the table.

With 13 league-stage games remaining, GT and RCB are almost assured of playoff spots, while SRH and PBKS remain well placed. CSK and RR have slightly better-than-even chances of making the top four, but KKR and DC are nearly out. Among 8,192 possible result combinations, GT and RCB also hold the strongest chances of finishing in the top two.

Virat Kohli etched his name in T20 history, becoming the fastest to 14,000 runs in just 409 innings. He celebrated this milestone with a match-winning unbeaten 105, his ninth IPL century, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a crucial victory. This stellar performance silenced recent critics and reaffirmed his status as a T20 legend.

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada lauded 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fearless batting, calling him a rare talent with power and natural flair. Sooryavanshi has impressed by taking on elite bowlers. Rabada, enjoying a strong IPL season himself, emphasized his focus on outsmarting every batter, regardless of their reputation, highlighting Sooryavanshi as an 'X-factor' player.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru reclaimed the top spot in the IPL 2026 points table with a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders. Virat Kohli's unbeaten 105 guided RCB to their eighth victory, propelling them to 16 points and a superior net run rate. The defeat leaves KKR in eighth place, struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Kohli reached his fifty off 32 balls and shared a key 92-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, who made 39 off 27 balls with seven fours. Kohli later brought up his century with a single off Arora, registering his ninth IPL hundred, the most by any batter in the tournaments history.

Chennai Super Kings face another blow as all-rounder Jamie Overton returns to the UK for a thigh injury assessment. The England international was a key performer with 14 wickets and 136 runs. This latest setback adds to CSK's growing injury list, impacting their playoff aspirations despite their resilience. The team continues to battle an ongoing crisis.

Virat Kohli achieved a significant IPL milestone, becoming the first player with 12 seasons of 400+ runs and the most capped player with 279 appearances. He silenced critics with a crucial half-century against KKR, continuing his strong record against them. KKR posted 192/4, driven by Angkrish Raghuvanshi's career-best 71 and Rinku Singh's unbeaten 49.

Afghanistan's cricket stars Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi visited former teammate Shapoor Zadran in a Greater Noida hospital. Zadran is battling a rare, life-threatening immune disorder. Nabi shared a heartfelt update, expressing his pain at seeing the once-feared bowler hospitalized and praying for his swift recovery and return to loved ones.

Virat Kohli's first run against KKR sparked an animated celebration, a moment of immense relief after two consecutive ducks. This emotional display resonated widely, overshadowing his milestone of becoming the most-capped IPL player ever. Kohli's single, a significant personal victory, captured the attention of fans and social media alike, highlighting his passion on the field.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has equalled Yuzvendra Chahal's record for the most wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL history, claiming his 33rd scalp. The veteran seamer achieved this milestone with a crucial powerplay wicket, continuing his impressive form for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite KKR posting a strong total, Bhuvneshwar's achievement marked a significant personal milestone in the tournament.

Virat Kohli has etched his name in IPL history on Wednesday, becoming the most-capped player with his 279th appearance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This significant milestone places him ahead of legends like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Kohli's enduring presence underscores his pivotal role in the league's evolution since its inception.

Former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has been appointed as the fielding coach for the senior men's Test team for the upcoming series against New Zealand. ECB Director of Cricket Rob Key praised Taylor's expertise, calling her one of the best in the business. This short-term role comes as regular fielding coach Carl Hopkinson is unavailable due to IPL commitments.

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.

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.

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