The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has raised concerns about the Indian team's dressing room atmosphere under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Wassan suggests that not all players are comfortable with Gambhir's intense and uncompromising style. He hinted that some cricketers feel sidelined despite the team's recent successes. This comes amid significant changes in the Indian squad, including retirements and captaincy shifts.
RCB, meanwhile, missed the chance to move to the top of the table.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's playoff advantage diminished after a loss to Lucknow Super Giants, placing them level with Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans. LSG's significant victory, their first in six games and ending an eight-match home losing streak, was powered by Mitchell Marsh's 111. Sunrisers Hyderabad maintain their lead at the top of the IPL 2026 points table.
Pandya had missed MI's last game against LSG due to a back spasm on Monday. His niggle is said to be a minor one and he was advised rest for the game against LSG.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced an early collapse against Lucknow Super Giants, with star batter Virat Kohli departing for a two-ball duck. Young pacer Prince Yadav delivered a stunning nip-backer to dismiss Kohli after Mohammed Shami struck early. This double blow put RCB under immense pressure while chasing a challenging 210, set up by Mitchell Marsh's explosive 111.
Lucknow Super Giants batter Nicholas Pooran and Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya shared a brief on-field moment during a crucial IPL 2026 match. The interaction occurred after Pandya bowled a surprise bouncer to Pooran. Both players have a shared history at LSG. The match saw a high score from Mitchell Marsh.
Marsh reached the milestone in 49 balls, making it the fastest century by an LSG batter in IPL history. He went past Rishabh Pants 54-ball hundred against RCB at the same venue in IPL 2025.
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant acknowledged that a lack of role clarity and frequent batting order changes have severely impacted their IPL 2026 campaign. Ahead of a crucial match against RCB, Pant emphasized the need for more consistency and strategic planning for future seasons. LSG faces elimination if they lose, while RCB aims to top the table.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar made history by becoming the first fast bowler to play 200 IPL matches, a feat he achieved with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This milestone follows his earlier achievement of 200 IPL wickets. Kumar expressed pride in his accomplishment, highlighting the satisfaction of reaching this mark with a successful franchise.
Thirty-five years ago, the 1990-91 Ranji Trophy final between Mumbai and Haryana delivered an unforgettable thriller. Haryana, led by Kapil Dev, clinched their maiden title by a mere two runs in a dramatic finish at the Wankhede Stadium. The match featured stellar performances and a nail-biting conclusion, cementing its place as a classic in Indian domestic cricket history.
Placed ninth on the table with just six points after 10 matches, the Mumbai Indians only have an outside chance of making it to the playoffs.
Former India cricketer Salil Ankola is undergoing treatment for severe depression near Pune. Ankola, who debuted in the iconic 1989 Karachi Test alongside Sachin Tendulkar, had a career interrupted by injuries and a tumor. After transitioning to acting, he returned to cricket administration before facing emotional struggles following his mother's death.
Just because you have lost in the elections, dont think that you have been punished. I will lodge a defamation case, and if needed, will go to the Supreme Court. I will fight till the end, he wrote on Facebook stories, as quoted by Sportstar.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's IPL 2026 campaign is on hold due to a knee injury, with his return uncertain after a setback during training. Despite his absence, fan support remains immense, but concerns about his future and potential retirement are growing. Michael Clarke has defended Dhoni, highlighting his unparalleled influence on CSK and the sport, urging against premature retirement discussions.
A viral clip from Punjab Kings travel vlog sparked controversy after Yuzvendra Chahal appeared to vape during a flight to Hyderabad. However, eagle-eyed fans later claimed the spinner may have been holding a spray device and merely mimicking the act. The moment, which was removed from the original vlog, has now fuelled speculation that Chahal was playfully referencing the recent Riyan Parag vaping controversy.
Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has accused new head coach Gautam Gambhir of being a ully with an my way or the highway approach, stemming from his Delhi cricket days. While Gambhir has achieved white-ball success, India's Test form has declined, raising questions about his confrontational coaching style's suitability.
Virat Kohli and the cricket fraternity mourned the untimely demise of former Punjab cricketer Amanpreet Singh Gill, who passed away at 36. Gill, an ex-India U-19 pacer, represented Punjab and was part of the inaugural IPL season with Kings XI Punjab. Tributes poured in from former teammates and the Punjab Cricket Association.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to reach a major IPL milestone today. He will become the first fast bowler to play 200 matches. This adds to his impressive IPL career. He is also currently leading the Purple Cap standings. Virat Kohli praised Bhuvneshwar's longevity and intelligence. He called him one of the top three IPL pacers.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Virat Kohli's elite fitness culture sets a benchmark that Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav may have fallen short of. Manjrekar suggested that a decline in physical conditioning, particularly after 30, has made things harder for Rohit and Suryakumar, impacting their performance, especially in T20 cricket.
James Franklin explains SRHs bowling strategy after win over Punjab Kings
Australian cricketers will complete their Indian Premier League duties before joining the national squad for the upcoming ODI series in Pakistan. Despite the series overlapping with IPL playoffs, players like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh will fulfill their franchise commitments. Cricket Australia is expected to adjust selections to accommodate these crucial IPL matches.
Sairaj Bahutule reacts to another Punjab Kings defeat, dropped catches and more
Former Australian cricketer David Warner will accept responsibility for a eckless and foolish drink-driving offence. His lawyer stated Warner deeply regrets the incident, acknowledging he made a poor decision to drive after consuming three glasses of wine. The 39-year-old star expects to face consequences like any other citizen.
Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood lauded Bhuvneshwar Kumar ahead of his 200th IPL appearance. Kohli highlighted Bhuvneshwar's longevity, intelligence, and consistency as one of the IPL's greatest pacers. Hazlewood praised his exceptional swing bowling, tactical awareness, and ability to read match conditions, calling it a remarkable achievement.
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is reportedly set for a significant contract extension. Cricket Australia is offering a deal that could see him earn nearly AUD 4 million annually until 2029. This move aims to secure top stars amidst the growing allure of global franchise leagues.
India's women's recurve team achieved a monumental victory, defeating 10-time Olympic champions South Korea 5-1 to reach the Archery World Cup Stage 2 final. Deepika Kumari and her teammates displayed exceptional composure, securing a medal and setting up a gold medal match against China. The men's team, however, faced an early exit.
Cheteshwar Pujara expressed surprise at Rishabh Pant's modest IPL record, attributing it to mindset and clarity issues rather than technique. Pujara suggested Pant needs to develop his off-side game and questioned if captaincy burdens are impacting his T20 performances. He believes focusing solely on his batting could significantly boost Pant's success.
Ishan Kishan's explosive 55 off 32 balls, aided by three dropped catches from Punjab Kings, propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a commanding 33-run victory. Kishan's cheeky Catch me, if you can Instagram post after the match highlighted Punjab's costly fielding errors, which proved decisive in SRH's massive 235/4 total.
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth suggests Jacob Bethell should bat in the middle order for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, advocating for Devdutt Padikkal to open alongside Virat Kohli. Srikkanth believes this change will address RCB's lack of an explosive top-order presence and bolster their middle order, which has struggled against quality bowling.
Eighteen-year-old Shahnavaz Khan shattered the junior national long jump record with an 8.23m leap, surpassing Murali Sreeshankar's mark. His coach highlights a significant mental transformation alongside physical development. Khan aims to qualify for the Asian Games and has the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as his ultimate goal, driven by intense dedication.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has commenced its assessment tests for upcoming international events, including the CWG and Asian Games, despite objections from SAI. The BFI insists on the inclusion of head coaches in the selection panel, deeming it crucial for informed, performance-based decisions. Athletes are undergoing rigorous strength and conditioning tests to gauge their readiness for the competition.
Punjab Kings' strong start is faltering with three consecutive losses, raising concerns about their playoff security. Sloppy fielding and a top-order batting collapse against Sunrisers Hyderabad highlighted recent struggles. While mathematically still in a good position, the team needs to quickly address these issues to avoid entering the playoffs with a losing momentum. Punjab remain in control of qualification mathematically. But unless they quickly clean up the details, they risk entering the
Lucknow Super Giants are struggling at the bottom of the IPL table, facing a six-match losing streak and needing to salvage pride. In contrast, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are performing strongly, sitting second with a consistent blend of batting and bowling. The match is expected to be a tactical battle on a slow Lucknow pitch.
Paris Saint-Germain secured their second consecutive Champions League final appearance with a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich, winning 6-5 on aggregate. Ousmane Dembl opened the scoring early, and despite Bayern's pressure and a late Harry Kane equalizer, PSG's defensive resilience saw them through to face Arsenal in Budapest.
With BCCI getting strict on keeping franchises away from pitch preparation, the endeavour is to produce uniform flat pitches conducive to high scores across venues.
Punjab Kings suffered a costly fielding collapse against Sunrisers Hyderabad, dropping three catches and missing a stumping. These errors allowed Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen to score heavily, setting up a formidable total. Ravichandran Ashwin attributed the sloppiness to tricky outfield conditions and unexpected bounce at the Hyderabad stadium, impacting the team's performance.
Former India and Mumbai fast bowler Salil Ankola is undergoing treatment for severe depression at a rehab centre near Pune. His wife, Ria Ankola, confirmed he was admitted after struggling to cope with his mother's passing in October 2024. The family is optimistic about his recovery, highlighting his fighter spirit and the support he has received from the cricket fraternity.
Shashank Singh's fielding struggles continued as Punjab Kings suffered a 33-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Singh dropped a crucial catch of Heinrich Klaasen, who went on to score 69, significantly impacting the match. This latest lapse adds to a growing concern for PBKS, with Singh having dropped five catches in his last three games.
Young Australian Cooper Connolly achieved IPL history with a stunning unbeaten 107 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, becoming the youngest overseas batter to score a century. Despite his remarkable knock, Punjab Kings fell short by 33 runs. Connolly's century, his first in the IPL, showcased a brilliant lone-hand effort in a high-scoring chase.
Sunrisers Hyderabad surged to the IPL 2026 summit with a commanding win, now boasting 14 points and a healthy net run rate. Their batting and bowling units are peaking, with recent dominant victories showcasing renewed balance. One more win should secure their playoff spot, with two victories potentially eyeing a top-two finish. SRH no longer look like a side trying to survive the playoff race. Right now, they look like one building toward a genuine title challenge.
Abhishek Sharma's explosive 35 off 13 balls, including four sixes, propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a strong start against Punjab Kings. His quickfire cameo saw him reach a personal milestone of 300 T20 sixes in India. Despite fielding lapses, SRH posted a formidable 235/4, with significant contributions from Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan.
Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a historic 33-run victory over Punjab Kings in Hyderabad, marking their ninth consecutive win against PBKS at the venue. Heinrich Klaasen's 69 and Ishan Kishan's 55 powered SRH to 235/4. Despite Cooper Connolly's maiden IPL century (107*), PBKS fell short, allowing SRH to top the IPL 2026 table.
Former England captain Alastair Cook defended his advice to Jacob Bethell regarding IPL opportunities, emphasizing the need for game time over just learning from top players. Cook acknowledged Bethell has since played more, but reiterated that public criticism of the IPL is unlikely due to financial incentives and career implications, suggesting both viewpoints can be valid.
Pakistan Cricket Board is under financial strain. It is seeking billions in unpaid dues from various entities. This includes Pakistan Super League franchises and broadcast partners. Some franchises have cleared their dues but are awaiting their revenue share. A major rights holder owes a significant amount. This situation is impacting the board's financial records and operations.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is electrifying the IPL 2026 with his explosive batting, amassing 404 runs and a remarkable 37 sixes. Experts like Michael Vaughan are hailing him as potentially the world's best six-hitter, drawing comparisons to Chris Gayle. His rapid ascent has sparked discussions about his value and future international prospects, with Vaughan predicting an imminent India call-up.
Yuzvendra Chahal endured a frustrating night as Punjab Kings dropped multiple catches off his bowling during the loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH batters Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan capitalised on the missed chances to help post 235 runs. Chahal now has six dropped catches off his bowling this IPL season, the most for any bowler in IPL 2026.
Sunrisers Hyderabad ascended to the IPL 2026 summit after a commanding victory over Punjab Kings. Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan's explosive batting, aided by dropped catches, propelled SRH to 235/4. Despite Cooper Connolly's brilliant unbeaten century, PBKS faltered, managing 202/7. Captain Shreyas Iyer lamented costly fielding errors as the decisive factor in their third consecutive loss.
Heinrich Klaasen has seized the Orange Cap lead with a stellar 69, propelling Sunrisers Hyderabad to the top. His consistent performance, averaging over 54, is remarkable given his batting position. Abhishek Sharma follows closely, showcasing explosive batting at the top. KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Sanju Samson also feature prominently in the run-scoring charts, highlighting a competitive season.

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