The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
Rohit Sharma's participation in Mumbai Indians' IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad is uncertain. A final decision will be made at the toss. Sharma has been recovering from a hamstring injury. Suryakumar Yadav is preparing intensely for the game. Players from both teams were seen interacting during training sessions. Mumbai Indians await a potential boost for this key home contest.
Punjab Kings players donned black armbands against Rajasthan Royals, honouring teammate Azmatullah Omarzai's late mother. Captain Shreyas Iyer conveyed heartfelt condolences, emphasising team solidarity. Punjab posted a formidable 222/4, showcasing resilience and unity in a high-scoring IPL 2026 encounter.
A young Virat Kohli fan's heartbreaking reaction to a missed autograph opportunity outside the RCB hotel has gone viral during IPL 2026. The boy's tearful outburst after being unable to meet his idol highlights the immense fan adoration for the star India batter, who is also enjoying a record-breaking season.
Shashank Singh was notably absent from the Punjab Kings' lineup for their crucial encounter against the Rajasthan Royals. This match, the 40th of the season, features two top-four teams. Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Punjab Kings bolstered their bowling with the formidable Lockie Ferguson for their IPL 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan won the toss and chose to bowl, aiming to exploit early conditions. Unbeaten Punjab seek to extend their winning streak, while fourth-placed Rajasthan eye a climb up the table with a strong performance.
Sri Lanka Cricket's entire executive committee has resigned following government pressure, paving the way for a new leadership. This move comes amid ongoing concerns about corruption and administrative mismanagement, and follows a past ICC suspension for political interference. The team's recent poor performance has further fueled calls for reform and stability.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, fresh off a century against Sunrisers Hyderabad, arrived at the Rajasthan Royals team hotel. Despite his recent success, he displayed humility by gifting his welcome garland to a young fan. The team is preparing to face Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer revealed that relentless criticism about his short-ball struggles fueled a dramatic batting transformation in IPL 2026. He admitted that doubts triggered a shift in mindset and preparation, leading him to aggressively attack short deliveries. This improved control against pace has been crucial to Punjab's unbeaten streak, including a record-breaking chase.
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn lauded Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood for their exceptional powerplay spell against Delhi Capitals, which saw them take 6 wickets for 13 runs. Steyn also highlighted Kagiso Rabada and Jofra Archer for instilling 'genuine fear' in batters with their consistent hard lengths, despite the high-scoring IPL season.
Virat Kohli's T20 batting transformation this IPL season is attributed to a key realisation: he's no longer indispensable. Sanjay Manjrekar notes Kohli now bats quicker, trusting teammates and abandoning the anchor role. This shift, boosting his strike rate significantly, has unlocked RCB's potential, proving modern T20 demands aggression over individual longevity.
Virat Kohli achieved 9,000 IPL runs during a match against Delhi Capitals, finishing with consecutive sixes. Former pacer Mitchell McClenaghan believes Kohli will undoubtedly reach the 10,000-run milestone, citing his remarkable consistency, hunger, and adaptability. McClenaghan highlighted Kohli's evolution throughout his IPL career, calling him the greatest batter the league has ever seen.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a network of indoor cricket academies across six northeastern states, including Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. These state-of-the-art facilities, supported by the BCCI, aim to provide uninterrupted training, especially during the monsoon season, fostering grassroots development and nurturing local talent in the region's growing sports ecosystem.
England has announced their squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with Nat Sciver-Brunt captaining the team for the home tournament. The expanded 12-team competition, running from June 12 to July 5, sees the hosts aiming for global glory with a blend of experience and new talent, including uncapped spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman.
Munaf Patel questions appointment of Morne Morkel, Sitanshu Kotak
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, and Prabhsimran Singh have all been in brilliant form this season, and the contest is being viewed as a battle between two opening pairs.
Vinesh Phogat claimed she couldnt register for a tournament, but WFI chief Sanjay Singh denied it, saying her registration was complete and accused her of creating unnecessary controversy. The event runs May 1012. Vinesh, eyeing a comeback after her Olympic setback and disqualification, now faces fresh tension ahead of her return.
South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi shared a viral clip of a youngster with a slingy action, jokingly comparing him to Lasith Malinga and Matheesha Pathirana. The post amused fans widely. Meanwhile, Pathirana has joined Kolkata Knight Riders after injury recovery, though he may not play immediately as the team assesses his fitness.
Virat Kohli inaugurates his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma's new academy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru crushed Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, highlighted by Suyash Sharmas historic spell of 20 dot balls, equalling the IPL record. DC collapsed to 75 after a 13/6 powerplay. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood starred with the ball, while RCB chased 76 in just 6.3 overs, sealing a dominant nine-wicket victory.
Vinesh Phogat has accused the Wrestling Federation of India of deliberately blocking her comeback by not allowing her to register for the National Open Ranking tournament, crucial for Asian Games selection. She said the portal closed early and officials didnt respond. WFI denied the claims, saying no one is being stopped. Vinesh fears missing the event could hurt her chances of returning to top-level competition.
PV Sindhu let a strong lead slip as India lost 0-5 to China and exited the Uber Cup. Sindhus defeat after leading in the decider set the tone, while Indias doubles and singles players failed to convert chances. Despite some fight from youngsters, China dominated. India will now shift focus to the Thomas Cup, where the mens team has reached the quarterfinals.
Manchester United beat Brentford 2-1 to strengthen their Champions League push. Midfielder Casemiro and forward Benjamin Sesko scored early, while Mathias Jensen netted late for Brentford. United remain third and need just two more points to qualify. Under Michael Carrick, theyve regained form, with a key clash against Liverpool next.
Sunil Gavaskar criticised long IPL match durations, blaming frequent on-field entry of reserve players and staff for delays. Despite BCCI penalties, games often exceed four hours. He called such scenes unnecessary and urged stricter limits on field access. Gavaskar also stressed discipline, citing Richie Benaud, and suggested reducing batter readiness time and enforcing penalties to speed up play.
Hasan said he feels extra motivation while playing against India and wants to attack their bowlers. He also said he dislikes every bowler in the Indian team.
At an NRAI event in Delhi, Manu Bhaker was asked about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, sparking online criticism for shifting focus from her Olympic achievements. Bhaker emphasized mentorship, saying age doesnt limit talent. Social media, including Joy Bhattacharjya, called the question unfair and cricket-centric. Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi continues to shine, becoming the youngest to 1,000 T20 runs and emerging as a promising future star for India.
Virat Kohli became the first batter to cross 9,000 IPL runs, further cementing his legacy of consistency and dominance. Irfan Pathan said the milestone is just a stepping stone for Kohli. At Arun Jaitley Stadium, Kohli played an unbeaten, match-winning knock. With eight centuries, strong form, and Orange Cap contention, he remains central to RCBs success this season and their strong playoff push.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dominant nine-wicket win against Delhi Capitals. They chased down a target of 76 in just 6.3 overs. This victory marks the second-highest margin in IPL history by balls remaining. Pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood set up the demolition. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten to seal the clinical chase.
Sabastian Sawe shattered the two-hour marathon barrier twice at the London Marathon, clocking an astonishing 1:59:30. This historic achievement, alongside other sub-two-hour performances, was influenced by advancements in super shoes, ideal weather conditions, and exceptional pacing. The author, inspired by these feats, is motivated to push their own limits.
However, the Delhi skipper did not agree that there was too much swing on offer, even after Bhuvneshwars inswinger bowled debutant Sahil Parakh. I wasn't surprised, they are world class bowlers, they swing it every ground, but if our openers or top order had played them out then the result might have been different.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's exceptional 3-wicket haul for 5 runs propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a dominant victory over Delhi Capitals. This stellar performance saw him claim the IPL 2026 Purple Cap with 14 wickets. The match was largely decided by a devastating powerplay spell from Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood, which reduced DC to 13 for 6.
Capitals were going at a rate of nearly a-run-a-wicket before they finished the Powerplay at 13/6. Call it the worst batting performance in the Powerplay or the best spell of fast bowling in a Powerplay, those six overs served as a staunch reminder of how cricket can be a great leveller.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their dominant IPL 2026 campaign, securing a commanding nine-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals. This win propelled RCB to 12 points, consolidating their second position and narrowing the gap with league leaders Punjab Kings. The emphatic performance also significantly boosted RCB's Net Run Rate, now the best in the tournament.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar achieved a significant IPL milestone, taking his 20th three-wicket haul to join Jasprit Bumrah as the only pacers with 20 or more such performances. This came during a devastating powerplay spell where he, along with Josh Hazlewood, ripped through the Delhi Capitals' batting lineup, leaving them stunned at 8 for 6.
South Africa secured a dominant 4-1 series victory over India in their Women's T20I series, clinching the final match by 23 runs. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt was the star, remaining unbeaten on 92, while disciplined bowling restricted India's chase. The win highlights South Africa's strength and India's ongoing batting inconsistencies.
Delhi Capitals endured a historic batting collapse, mirroring a 2011 ignominy on April 27th. Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacers ruthlessly reduced DC to a staggering 8 for 6 within four overs, marking the lowest powerplay score in a full IPL match. This dramatic implosion saw six wickets fall inside the first six overs, a feat previously achieved by Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
Mumbai Indians' IPL 2026 campaign has been hit by the injury of all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury. South African Keshav Maharaj has been signed as his replacement. MI, currently ninth in the standings, hopes Maharaj's experience will help revive their struggling season.
It became the lowest powerplay score in a full IPL match.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacers delivered a ruthless performance, dismantling Delhi Capitals' batting line-up to a record-breaking 8 for 6 on Monday. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood took multiple wickets early, leaving DC shell-shocked and setting a new IPL low for the sixth wicket. RCB's bowlers exploited movement and pressure to perfection.
Eighteen-year-old Sahil Parakh makes his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals, opening alongside KL Rahul against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday. The left-handed batter, who also bowls leg-spin, impressed for India Under-19 and was acquired by DC for Rs 30 lakh. Skipper Axar Patel confirmed Parakh replaces Pathum Nissanka at the top.

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