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Tennis legends Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils bid adieu to the French Open, marking the emotional end of their illustrious careers on the Paris clay. Monfils' thrilling five-set battle and Wawrinka's champion's farewell captivated fans, celebrating over two decades of unforgettable performances and remarkable achievements on the court.
A viral airport video of Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag and teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi amused fans after Parag joked, we're not flim stars! and Vaibhav reacted with an awkward stare. The clip surfaced after RR reached the IPL 2026 playoffs. Coach Kumar Sangakkara backed Parags leadership despite criticism, while Vaibhav said he aims to break Chris Gayles T20 record and score 200.
From being released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru to returning as a mid-season replacement and eventually leading the franchise to its maiden IPL title, Rajat Patidar's journey has been one of persistence and patience. Built on calmness rather than flamboyance, the 32-year-old has grown into a composed leader who now stands two wins away from joining an elite list of IPL captains with back-to-back titles.
Mumbai Indians endured their longest title drought, finishing ninth in IPL 2026 despite a star-studded squad. A relentless injury crisis, Jasprit Bumrah's dip in form, and poor powerplay/death bowling contributed to their disastrous campaign. Hardik Pandya's captaincy also faced heavy scrutiny as the team struggled to find stability and lost their Wankhede fortress.
Nepal has never had a UFC fighter. Rabindra Dhant is now closer than anyone before him. Ahead of his Road to UFC quarterfinal in Galaxy Arena of Macau, the 27-year-old reflects on hardship, missed opportunities, and the mindset that has kept him grounded through the biggest moment of his career.
Amid the Virat KohliShubman Gill spotlight and Dharamsalas batting-friendly conditions, IPL Qualifier 1 could be decided not by the big hitters but by the bowlers. With both Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru boasting disciplined and in-form attacks featuring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan, the battle for early breakthroughs and composure in key overs may determine who books a direct ticket to the final.
IPL Qualifier 1: Virat Kohli vs Shubman Gill set to hold key
Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath picked his IPL 2026 league-stage best XII, leaving out Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. He chose Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shubman Gill as openers, with Sai Sudharsan, Heinrich Klaasen, and Rajat Patidar in the batting lineup. His bowling-heavy squad included Krunal Pandya, Sunil Narine, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jofra Archer, and Kagiso Rabada.
India enjoyed a decent opening day at Norway Chess as 20-year-old debutante Divya Deshmukh held World Champion Ju Wenjun to a classical draw before defeating her in the Armageddon tiebreak. Joining her in the winner's circle were D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa, who also won their respective Armageddon matches, while Magnus Carlsen suffered a shock defeat.
Shresta Iyer, sister of cricketer Shreyas Iyer, responded to online trolling after Punjab Kings missed the IPL 2026 playoffs. An old celebratory banter reel resurfaced, leading to abuse targeting her, her workplace, colleagues, and family. Shresta said the video was harmless fun, not hate, and urged trolls to stop harassing people connected to her personally and professionally.
Despite batting at a high strike rate, Rahul has the lowest false shot percentage this season at 12.1
DC ended sixth in the table with seven wins and seven defeats, extending their playoff drought to five straight seasons. It was also the second consecutive season in which the combination of head coach Hemang Badani and captain Axar Patel failed to guide the franchise into the top four.
GT skipper Shubman Gill looks in pristine touch ahead of playoffs
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 for a direct spot in the IPL 2026 final, which will be held in Ahmedabad. RCB captain Rajat Patidar acknowledged the challenging conditions for bowlers this season, with even 200-plus scores not guaranteeing safety. He emphasized the team's focus on execution and staying calm under pressure.
Virat Kohli in full flow ahead of Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala
Salt had missed the latter part of the league stage because of injury after featuring in the first six matches of the season. Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, Patidar said the England batter remains under observation.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1. Both teams, finishing with equal points, boast strong batting and bowling units. GT assistant coach Vijay Dahiya highlighted the importance of bowlers and key players like Kohli, Gill, and Sudharsan in this high-stakes encounter.
Despite a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign where Jasprit Bumrah took only four wickets, former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn backed the Indian speedster to return strongly next year and potentially win the Purple Cap. Steyn highlighted Bumrah's crucial role in India's recent T20 World Cup triumph, emphasizing his human side after a tough IPL season.
India's young tennis talents, Manas Dhamne and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, are honing their skills in Europe. Sixteen-year-old Revathi, now embracing clay courts, is preparing for the Junior French Open. Her coach emphasised on building confidence and a strong junior ranking for a future transition to the pro tour.
Hours after becoming joint national record holders, both athletes were seen travelling in an e-rickshaw with their poles and equipment loaded alongside them after leaving Birsa Munda Stadium.
Bombay Sport Exchange: 'Sometimes best PR is silence' - Industry veteran on crisis playbook
Gurindervir Singh has etched his name in Indian athletics history, becoming the nation's fastest ever in the men's 100m with a stunning 10.09-second run. This remarkable feat, which also shattered the national record, earned him praise from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The sprinter's performance also secured his spot for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant used a curse word in a post-match interview. This led to criticism. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar defended Pant. He suggested broadcasters should give losing captains more time to recover. This would prevent such incidents. Pant's team had a poor IPL 2026 season. He also struggled with his batting performance.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar voiced strong reservations about the IPL's Impact Player rule, fearing it hinders the holistic development of young cricketers like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He argued the rule creates one-dimensional players, limiting their exposure and preventing a full assessment of their all-round abilities. Manjrekar stressed that cricket should test players across disciplines for sustainable success.
Yash Dayal said he is still part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru despite missing IPL 2026, insisting the decision was not his own. Dayal revealed he remains in touch with the franchise management and DK bhaiya. The pacer has been absent amid personal and legal controversies, but RCB have retained him under contract during their ongoing playoff campaign.
A heartwarming interaction between Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill before IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 has captivated fans. The duo shared a warm embrace and playful banter, with Kohli teasing Gill about his beard. This light-hearted moment precedes a crucial clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, highlighting the camaraderie between these batting stalwarts.
D Gukesh admitted criticism over his recent poor form is fair, saying, They have the right to say what they feel and I have the right to do my best. Since winning the world title against Ding Liren in 2024, Gukesh has struggled for consistency, drawing criticism from legends like Magnus Carlsen and Anatoly Karpov.
Dropped from Indias 2026 T20 World Cup squad, Shubman Gill returned to his home in Mohali determined to reinvent his T20 game. Through relentless training, minute adjustments and hours with a middler bat, Gill developed greater range, control and power, laying the foundation for his most complete and commanding IPL season yet.
As Norway Chess moves to Oslo for its 2026 edition, all eyes are on the Indian contingent. From World Champion D Gukesh seeking urgent form before his title defence to Koneru Humpy making a highly anticipated return to the board, we break down the biggest storylines dominating the 12-day double round-robin tournament.
IPL 2026: Hemang Badani admits DC could have done things better
A bizarre mix-up has seen fans troll American rapper Travis Scott, mistaking him for cricketer Travis Head due to their shared first name. This online chaos follows an on-field spat between Head and Virat Kohli during an IPL match. The abuse has extended to Head's wife and family, highlighting the dark side of fan culture and the need for empathy.
Lucknow Super Giants finished bottom of the IPL 2026 table after another disappointing season marked by inconsistency, middle-order collapses and poor bowling. Injuries and the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga hurt team balance badly. Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran underperformed, while Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh were among the few positives for LSG.
Rishabh Pant's emotional thank you to fans after Lucknow Super Giants' disastrous IPL 2026 campaign has gone viral amid leadership change speculation. The team's bottom-place finish and Pant's struggles with captaincy and batting have intensified scrutiny, with the franchise reportedly considering major decisions.
David Warner claimed Sunrisers Hyderabad still has him blocked on Instagram, replying to a fan, They would never unblock me. The exchange revived memories of Warners bitter exit from SRH in 2021 after being removed as captain and dropped from the team. Despite the fallout, Warner remains one of SRHs greatest players, leading them to the 2016 IPL title.
Cricket Australia has publicly backed its veteran pace trio for the 2027 ODI World Cup, prioritising experience despite fitness concerns. In stark contrast, Team India faces uncertainty regarding Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja's futures, hinting at a significant transition phase for the national team as the next World Cup looms.
On Sunday, the Gujarat Titans trained with full intensity ahead of their Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala. Captain Shubman Gill and pacer Kagiso Rabada were notable absentees from the three-hour training session.
Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings missed the IPL playoffs for the third consecutive season after a disappointing 2026 campaign. Injuries, an underperforming overseas contingent, and a lack of consistent rhythm plagued the team this year. Despite individual bright spots, CSK face a significant tactical reset to regain their championship form.
Vinod Kambli was spotted at Wankhede Stadium during Mumbai Indians final IPL 2026 match, with videos showing him struggling to walk and being supported by two people. Despite appearing frail, Kambli looked cheerful, easing concerns over his health. His appearance also backed wife Andrea Hewitts recent claim that the former India batter was fine despite ongoing health issues.
Lionel Messi worried fans ahead of the FIFA World Cup after appearing to injure his left hamstring during Inter Miamis 6-4 MLS win over Philadelphia Union. Messi left in the 73rd minute after providing two assists. Luis Surez scored a hat-trick as Miami moved second in the Eastern Conference, though Messis fitness remains uncertain before Argentinas World Cup opener.
Jasprit Bumrah endured a disappointing IPL 2026 season, finishing with just four wickets in 13 matches for Mumbai Indians. Rested for MIs final game, Bumrah ended with a bowling average of 102.50, the worst in T20 history for bowlers with 40-plus overs in a tournament. Coach Mahela Jayawardene blamed fitness issues and a lingering niggle.
Australian cricketer Travis Head and wife Jessica faced online abuse from some Indian fans after Heads on-field spat and alleged handshake snub involving Virat Kohli during an IPL 2026 match. Jessica said friends and family were also targeted. The incident followed SRHs win over RCB and reignited concerns about toxic social media behaviour in cricket.
Former Karnataka Ranji cricketer SL Akshay died of a suspected heart attack while playing a local division match in Bengaluru on Sunday. The 39-year-old fast bowler complained of chest pain during fielding and was declared dead at a nearby hospital. Akshay had represented Karnataka in Ranji Trophy and KPL. Former players and KSCA paid tribute, remembering his contributions as both cricketer and coach.
Rohit Sharma's IPL 2026 ended on a low note, equaling the record for most ducks with his 19th against Rajasthan Royals. Despite this unwanted statistic, he had a decent individual season with 283 runs in nine games. However, his inconsistent availability contributed to Mumbai Indians' struggles, finishing ninth. Rajasthan Royals secured a playoff spot thanks to Jofra Archer's impactful performance.
Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara strongly backed captain Riyan Parag, praising his leadership despite criticism and a vaping controversy. Sangakkara highlighted Parag's respect among teammates and his potential for growth as a player and person. He also clarified Jofra Archer's IPL participation was a joint decision with the ECB, focusing on managing his bowling workload.
Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name in T20 history, becoming the highest-scoring teenager in a single tournament with 583 runs in IPL 2026, surpassing Devdutt Padikkal's record. Despite a rare off-day against Mumbai Indians, the young sensation's stellar season, marked by an incredible strike rate and a century, has propelled RR to the playoffs.
Kieron Pollard on MIs disappointing IPL 2026 campaign & Hardiks leadership
Kumar Sangakkara on Jofra Archer, Riyan Parags leadership & RRs fighting win