The Times of India

Krunal Pandya was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's back-to-back IPL title wins in 2025 and 2026. He delivered crucial performances throughout the season, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. Captain Rajat Patidar acknowledged his vital role in the team's historic success.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans. Amidst the celebrations, Phil Salt and Suyash Sharma achieved a rare IPL title hat-trick, winning three consecutive trophies with Kolkata Knight Riders and then RCB. They join Karn Sharma as the only players to achieve this remarkable feat.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka showcased a dominant performance, defeating former champion Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 to reach the French Open quarter-finals. Sabalenka's powerful serving and precision were key, and she delighted the crowd with a memorable Michael Jackson moonwalk celebration after her victory.

Round 7 of Norway Chess saw Indian stars bounce back after a difficult previous round. R Praggnanandhaa defeated Alireza Firouzja in a commanding classical game, while Divya Deshmukh beat Koneru Humpy in an Armageddon tie-break to remain second in the womens standings. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen and D Gukesh won their Armageddon games but remained at the bottom of the open-section leaderboard.

An official announcement is awaited, but the matches are slated to be played on Sept 13, 16 and 19. Afghanistan are touring India for a one-off Test and three ODIs starting from June 6.

Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated IPL 2026, earning the Most Valuable Player award with a record 72 sixes and 776 runs. The explosive opener, known for his fearless approach, expressed his ambition to excel in Test cricket, a sentiment echoed by former chief selector MSK Prasad who urged his immediate inclusion in the Indian squad.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final. England captain Harry Kane congratulated Virat Kohli and RCB on their historic back-to-back championship wins. Skipper Rajat Patidar also joined an elite list of captains to achieve this feat, crediting Kohli for his support.

In the last two IPL seasons, Bhuvi has taken a combined 45 wickets, including 28 wickets this season. It is his best IPL performance, going close to his IPL 2016 (23 wickets) and IPL 2017 (26 wickets) tallies. In the last two seasons, no one has been as lethal as Bhuvi with Prasidh Krishna (41 wickets) coming closest. Among the bowlers who've bowled at least 100 overs, his economy (8.55) is only marginally behind Noor Ahmed (8.27). This season he finished just one short of eventual Purple Cap wi

Rasikh Salam Dar's rise from a two-year ban and career-threatening injury to becoming a key figure in RCB's title-winning campaign is a story of resilience and belief. Guided by family, shaped by hardship, and driven by an unwavering dream, the Kashmiri pacer has earned redemption.

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy ended a 742-day wait for a BWF World Tour title by winning the Singapore Open, their third Super 750 crown. The Indian duo overcame injuries, ranking setbacks and near misses to reclaim momentum. Rejecting claims of inconsistency, Chirag said injuries disrupted rhythm, not performance. Backed by coaches Mathias Boe and Tan Kim Her, the pair now target bigger success ahead.

Serena Williams will return to competitive tennis for the first time since the 2022 US Open after accepting a wild card for the women's doubles event at Queen's Club. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, 44, is expected to partner Victoria Mboko. Williams fuelled excitement with a social media teaser, while her comeback follows her re-entry into tennis' anti-doping programme last year.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles praised RCB's IPL 2026 title win as a symbol of the strong India-Australia partnership. Highlighting the contributions of Virat Kohli, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, Marles said their combined success reflected growing cooperation between the two nations. He also noted Kohli's popularity in Australia and described meeting Kapil Dev as a special fan moment.

RCB completed a remarkable transformation by winning back-to-back IPL titles, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final after years of heartbreak. Rajat Patidar's side dominated the season with 11 wins, powered by a balanced squad rather than relying solely on Virat Kohli. Kohli led the batting with 675 runs, while Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David and Krunal Pandya provided strong support.

The ICC Board resolved to suspend Cricket Canada from ICC membership with immediate effect due to serious breaches of its membership obligations, the ICC said in a statement.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took responsibility for Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 defeat, admitting they were 10-12 runs short against Gujarat Titans. The 15-year-old felt he should have kept more of the strike on a difficult pitch instead of exposing new batters. Despite the heartbreak, Sooryavanshi enjoyed a sensational season, finishing as IPL 2026's highest run-scorer with 776 runs.

French Open organisers fined Paraguayan player Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 65,000 euros after he said his second-round match should have been umpired by a man. Vallejo criticised Brazilian official Ana Carvalho following his loss to Moise Kouame, claiming she struggled to control the crowd. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo called the remarks unacceptable, while Vallejo insisted his comments were about crowd management, not officiating ability.

Virat Kohli starred with an unbeaten 75 as RCB beat Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL final, securing another title. The veteran finished the season with 675 runs and was hailed by coach Andy Flower as the teams heartbeat. While fans celebrated Kohlis heroics, RCB skipped a public homecoming, with captain Rajat Patidar dedicating the trophy to supporters lost in last years tragedy.

Football fans in India can rejoice as Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has secured broadcast rights for the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups, along with the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup and other FIFA events until 2034.

Gujarat Titans narrowly missed the IPL 2026 title, falling to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a home final. Despite a shaky start, the consistent Titans reached their third final in five seasons, showcasing strong performances from Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler. Their bowling attack, led by Rabada and Siraj, also impressed throughout the campaign.

RCB's back-to-back IPL titles were built on more than performances on the field. From Andy Flower and Mo Bobat to Dinesh Karthik, Malolan Rangarajan and Omkar Salvi, a formidable backroom team laid the foundations for the franchise's sustained success.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the IPL 2026 Orange Cap winner, revealed his father's profound influence, drawing inspiration from tales of Sunil Gavaskar. His father would recount how Gavaskar fearlessly faced fast bowlers without a helmet, motivating a young Vaibhav during challenging practice sessions against bouncers. These stories fueled his journey to becoming a record-shattering teenage sensation.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's journey from perennial underachievers to champions is complete. With back-to-back IPL titles and two WPL crowns in three seasons, RCB have evolved from a star-driven franchise into a system-driven team. Their journey from one of the teams making up the numbers mirrors the transformation - and success - of Manchester City in England.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second IPL title by defeating Gujarat Titans. Star batter Virat Kohli expressed his joy and pride in the team's historic achievement. He highlighted the collective effort and the squad's depth throughout the season. Kohli also spoke about adapting his game and the confidence the team gained.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their second consecutive IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final. Virat Kohli, aged 37, starred with an unbeaten 75, earning Player of the Match and becoming the second-oldest recipient. This victory also saw Kohli surpass Rohit Sharma for the most Player of the Match awards by an Indian player.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their name in history by winning their second consecutive IPL title in 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans. Virat Kohli's stellar performance earned him Player of the Match in the final, while teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated with multiple individual awards, marking an explosive and record-laden season.

How Rajat Patidar's RCB outclassed GT to win back-to-back titles

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final. Captain Rajat Patidar became the third skipper to achieve back-to-back titles, joining Dhoni and Sharma. Patidar highlighted the team's dominant performance and praised Virat Kohli's invaluable influence.

Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second consecutive IPL title, sealing the victory with a signature six. Post-match, Kohli shared a heartwarming moment with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who dominated the awards ceremony with multiple accolades after a record-breaking season.

Round 6 of Norway Chess brought a dramatic reversal for India as D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, and Divya Deshmukh all suffered costly classical defeats in the reverse fixtures. Vincent Keymer outplayed Gukesh, Wesley So overcame Praggnanandhaa in a superior endgame, and Womens World Champion Ju Wenjun defeated Divya. Magnus Carlsen returned to winning ways against Alireza Firouzja, while Koneru Humpy lost her Armageddon tie-break, capping a difficult day for India.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets. Virat Kohli, instrumental in the win with an unbeaten 75, celebrated joyfully with wife Anushka Sharma, wearing a special we did it twice T-shirt. Kohli highlighted the team's depth and confidence in their successful title defense.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the final. The season also saw Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominate individual awards, including the Orange Cap and MVP, after a record-breaking batting performance.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive IPL title by defeating Gujarat Titans. Star batter Virat Kohli and all-rounder Krunal Pandya celebrated the historic win with dhols. Kohli's unbeaten 75 guided RCB to a clinical chase. This victory makes RCB the third franchise to defend their IPL crown. Kohli was named Player of the Match for his exceptional performance.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured their second consecutive IPL title. Captain Rajat Patidar expressed his disbelief and joy after the team's victory over Gujarat Titans. The bowlers set up the win by restricting GT to 155. Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75 anchored the chase. Patidar credited the team's bowlers and the support of senior players for the success.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name in IPL history, becoming the first player to clinch five major individual awards in the 2026 season. Despite Rajasthan Royals missing the final, Sooryavanshi dominated, leading in runs with 776 and smashing a record 72 sixes. His stellar performance earned him the Orange Cap, MVP, Emerging Player, Super Striker, and Super Sixes awards.

Kohli, Ruthless Bowling Attack Power RCB To Consecutive IPL Crowns

A disappointing IPL final defeat was followed by a tense off-field scare for Gujarat Titans as a short circuit in the team bus left players stranded for nearly an hour. The incident capped a gruelling week of travel, weather disruptions and high-pressure knockout matches. GT lost the final by five wickets against RCB at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

Vikram Solanki opens up on Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 campaign

Rajat Patidar press conference: On RCB title, Virat Kohli and more

Chasemaster Virat Kohli fulfilled a long-held dream by hitting the winning six to secure Royal Challengers Bengaluru's second IPL title. His unbeaten 75, featuring his fastest IPL fifty, guided RCB to a five-wicket victory. Kohli emphasised the team's strength and the fans' unwavering support as key to their championship success.

Every major RCB win in IPL 2026 featured a different hero. Sometimes it was Kohli. Sometimes Patidar. Sometimes Padikkal. Sometimes David. Sometimes Krunal. Sometimes Bhuvneshwar. Sometimes it was the bowlers operating as a collective unit. That was the defining characteristic of this championship side. The first IPL trophy ended one of the league's longest waits. The second confirmed something even more important. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are no longer a franchise chasing history. They may w

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite Rajasthan Royals not reaching the IPL 2026 final, emerged as a standout performer. He clinched the Orange Cap with a record-breaking 776 runs at a staggering strike rate, alongside the MVP and Emerging Player awards. His humble admission of nervousness during the presentation charmed audiences, highlighting the young talent's remarkable season.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured the IPL 2026 title and a 20 crore prize. Gujarat Titans finished as runners-up, earning 13 crore. Rajasthan Royals received 7 crore for their third-place finish. Sunrisers Hyderabad took home 6.5 crore. The total prize pool for the four playoff teams was over 46.5 crore, concluding a successful season.

Virat Kohli's masterful unbeaten 75 guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final. Kohli struck the winning six, securing RCB's second IPL title and igniting jubilant celebrations. His rapid half-century and calm anchoring of the chase proved decisive in the dramatic finale.

Kagiso Rabada secured the Purple Cap in IPL 2026, taking 29 wickets. Gujarat Titans fell in the final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This marks Rabada's second Purple Cap. Bhuvneshwar Kumar of RCB was close behind with 28 wickets. Jofra Archer and Rashid Khan also featured in the top wicket-takers list. Anshul Kamboj emerged as a breakout performer.

Virat Kohli received a crucial lifeline in the IPL 2026 final. A diving catch by Shubman Gill was overturned after review. Kohli then played a match-winning unbeaten 75. Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down the target with 12 balls remaining. This victory secured their second consecutive IPL title. RCB bowlers had earlier restricted Gujarat Titans.

RCB's pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam Dar exploited hard lengths to perfection, sharing seven wickets and dismantling the Gujarat Titans' batting line-up before restricting them to 155 for 8. For GT, Washington Sundar's 50 not out was the top score.