The Times of India

Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly's explosive 182-run partnership powered Punjab Kings to a 54-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants. Arya smashed 93 off 37 balls, while Connolly hit 87 off 45, setting a massive target. Captain Shreyas Iyer lauded their exceptional intent and composure, highlighting the team's environment that allows young batters to express themselves freely.

Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly delivered a stunning 182-run partnership off 80 balls, propelling Punjab Kings to a formidable 254/7. Their elegant yet brutal hitting, characterized by precise timing rather than brute force, dismantled the Lucknow Super Giants' bowling attack. This exceptional display set the stage for a dominant 54-run victory.

This is the third 150-plus stand for Punjab Kings in the tournament. The highest remains the 206-run partnership between Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2011. It is followed by the 183-run stand between KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal against Rajasthan Royals in 2020.

The result was set up by South Africas bowlers, who dismissed India for 147. The chase was then completed in 17.1 overs, with the hosts reaching 148 for two.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured their first IPL 2026 victory with a thrilling four-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals, thanks to Rinku Singh's unbeaten 53. Singh admitted a dropped catch early in his innings proved to be the turning point, allowing him to guide KKR through a nervy chase to the finish line.

Kolkata Knight Riders ended their six-match winless streak in IPL 2026, securing a four-wicket victory against Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. Rinku Singh's unbeaten 53 guided KKR to the target with two balls to spare, a much-needed win after repeated collapses. The win lifts them off the bottom of the table.

Punjab Kings made no changes to their side.

Opening the bowling for Rajasthan Royals, Archer bowled KKR opener Tim Seifert for a golden duck with the first delivery of KKRs innings. With this, Archer now has five wickets on the first ball of an IPL innings, matching Shamis record.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag's batting struggles persisted in IPL 2026, as he managed only 12 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders. Across six matches, Parag has scored a mere 61 runs, highlighting a worrying dip in form. His dismissal contributed to a middle-order collapse, leaving Royals with a below-par total.

The exchange follows Modis earlier remarks where he said The Hundred would not survive beyond three years. Pietersen disagreed with that view and said the competition would continue, possibly in a T20 format.

Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani faces a two-year PSL ban for withdrawing from a deal, but his agency vehemently denies any wrongdoing. They assert no formal contract was signed, making the ban unjustified. While the league cites a breach of commitment, the agency calls the penalty excessive and urges its withdrawal, highlighting an administrative error amidst Muzarabani's IPL success.

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Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, noting his evolution into a trusted leader. Iyer's ability to foster a 'brotherhood' within the Punjab Kings, coupled with his exceptional batting form, has propelled the team to the top of the IPL 2026 table. His consistent performances and hunger for improvement are making him a formidable force.

Heinrich Klaasen proved his worth for Sunrisers Hyderabad with a crucial innings. He addressed concerns about his scoring pace, stating that adapting to match situations is more important than strike rate. Klaasen's mature approach helped SRH post a competitive total. The team secured a close victory against Chennai Super Kings. This win highlights the impact of Klaasen's contributions.

Chennai Super Kings are struggling in IPL 2026, currently seventh with a 2-4 record. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad's form is a major concern, with just 82 runs in six matches. Former India spinner R Ashwin believes Gaikwad missed a prime opportunity to regain form against Sunrisers Hyderabad, suggesting he's under immense pressure.

Rishabh Pant has been declared fit for Lucknow Super Giants' IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings, easing injury concerns after a blow to his elbow. Medical scans confirmed a bruise, not a fracture, and Pant has resumed training. His return is a significant boost for LSG, though he faces pressure to improve his batting form.

Kolkata Knight Riders have received a significant boost with the arrival of Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana, who has cleared fitness tests. Despite his presence, the team management might be cautious about his immediate inclusion. KKR, struggling with six winless matches and tactical questions, faces a strong Rajasthan Royals side.

A Sunrisers Hyderabad fan's alleged 'black magic' ritual involving a lemon coincided with Shivam Dube's dismissal, sparking debate online. SRH secured a 10-run victory over Chennai Super Kings, with captain Ishan Kishan praising his young bowlers' execution despite feeling his team was short on runs. SRH next faces Delhi Capitals.

Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara urged batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to embrace both success and failure, emphasizing the importance of enjoying his game. Sangakkara's advice came after the 15-year-old experienced his first failure of the season, getting out on the first ball. The coach stressed that freedom and enjoyment are paramount for the young cricketer.

Chennai Super Kings face a significant injury blow as young batter Ayush Mhatre suffered a hamstring tear during their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mhatre was seen limping badly after pulling up midway through a run, and batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed the injury looks eally bad and could be a ig loss for the team.

Kolkata Knight Riders are struggling at the halfway stage of the IPL with no wins, facing a daunting task to turn their season around. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane's leadership and confusing batting order decisions, particularly for Cameron Green, have drawn criticism. They now face a Rajasthan Royals side looking to rebound after a recent loss.

Chennai Super Kings climbed to seventh in the IPL points table despite a narrow 10-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. The defeat, by a small margin, significantly improved CSK's net run rate, allowing them to overtake Lucknow Super Giants. SRH successfully defended 194, with strong bowling performances limiting CSK's chase.

Shreyas Iyer, a seasoned IPL captain, is making a strong case for a return to the Indian T20I squad. Reunited with coach Ricky Ponting at Punjab Kings, Iyer's consistent form and leadership potential are drawing attention. He's seen as a strong contender to replace Suryakumar Yadav, with selectors weighing his immediate impact and future captaincy prospects.

David Miller's finishing prowess secured a dramatic last-over victory for Delhi Capitals against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Chasing 176, DC were guided by Tristan Stubbs' 60 and Miller's quickfire 22*, who sealed the win with crucial sixes. The win ended RCB's home winning streak.

Vaishali Rameshbabus journey to the Womens Candidates title wasnt easy. After a poor run in Chennai shattered her confidence, she even considered skipping the Grand Swiss. A crucial two-hour call with Karthikeyan Murali changed her mind. A mental reset helped her win the event, regain form, and now she prepares to face world champion Ju Wenjun.

Delhi Capitals, led by KL Rahul, secured a thrilling six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite an early collapse, Rahul anchored the chase with a fifty, supported by Tristan Stubbs and David Miller's explosive finish. The win halted RCB's home winning streak, with bowlers finding assistance on a tricky M. Chinnaswamy pitch.

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a thrilling 10-run victory over Chennai Super Kings, propelling them into the top four of the IPL 2026 standings. Strong death bowling and crucial half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen were key to the win. Despite a strong chase from CSK, SRH's bowlers held their nerve to clinch the crucial points.

Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged his recent poor form after his team's PSL defeat, admitting he doesn't deserve his Pakistan place based on current performance. He emphasised self-criticism and accountability, stating he's not afraid of tough questions or retirement if his performance doesn't improve, but remains determined to fight through the slump.

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a thrilling 10-run victory over Chennai Super Kings, thanks to exceptional death bowling from Eshan Malinga and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Abhishek Sharma's explosive fifty set a strong foundation for SRH's 194/9. This win propels Hyderabad to fourth in the standings, while CSK slips to seventh after a challenging chase.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif praised Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his superb 3/26 spell that reduced Delhi Capitals to 18/3 while defending 176. Kaif also hinted at a possible India comeback. However, DC recovered through fifties from KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs, with David Miller finishing the chase after RCB posted 175/8.

Rajasthan Royals' coach Kumar Sangakkara urges patience for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite his explosive IPL start and recent setback. Sangakkara highlights Sooryavanshi's dedication and game sense, emphasizing that failures are part of cricket. He also praises Dhruv Jurel's impactful batting at number three and expresses confidence in captain Riyan Parag's form, even if runs aren't reflecting it yet.

Chennai Super Kings lost by 10 runs to Sunrisers Hyderabad after a middle-overs slowdown derailed their chase. Ruturaj Gaikwad said restricting SRH to 194 felt good but scoring just four runs after 10 overs proved costly. Despite strong starts, CSK lost momentum. He praised the bowlers, especially Anshul Kamboj, for consistent performances and clarity in execution.

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a tense 10-run victory over Chennai Super Kings, with Eshan Malinga and Shivang Kumar's exceptional death-overs bowling proving decisive. Despite a strong chase from CSK, SRH's bowlers consistently took wickets, restricting them to 184 for 8. Earlier, Abhishek Sharma's explosive 59 and Heinrich Klaasen's 59 guided SRH to 194 for 9.

Punjab Kings lead IPL 2026 with 9 points, while RCB and Rajasthan Royals trail closely. Sunrisers Hyderabad climbed to fourth after beating Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs. Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen powered SRH to 194/9, while Eshan Malinga starred with the ball. CSKs chase faltered despite a strong start, leaving them seventh in the standings.

Abhishek Sharma smashed the fastest fifty in Sunrisers Hyderabad history, reaching the mark in just 15 balls against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. He scored 59 off 22 balls, setting the tone early. In fine form this season, Abhishek continues to provide explosive starts and has already crossed 100 sixes for the franchise.

After losing three wickets in the powerplay, DC recovered through Rahul (57 off 34 balls), Stubbs (60 not out off 47 balls) and Axar Patel (26 retired hurt). Rahul steadied the innings after an early collapse and targeted Josh Hazlewood, hitting him for two sixes and three fours. He reached his fifty in 30 balls before falling to Krunal Pandya, caught by Virat Kohli at long-on.

Australias Tim David became the second-fastest to 1,000 IPL runs, reaching the mark in 560 balls during RCBs clash against Delhi Capitals. Despite his milestone, RCB posted 175/8 and lost by six wickets. KL Rahul (57) and Tristan Stubbs (60*) led DCs chase, while David Miller finished with late sixes to seal the win.

After two early losses, Gujarat Titans bounced back with three straight wins to reach fourth in IPL 2026. Coach Ashish Nehras leadership has been key, earning praise from Harbhajan Singh for his energy and team bonding. Shubman Gills 86 and Kagiso Rabadas 3/29 sealed their latest win. Despite modest NRR, GT aim to continue momentum against Mumbai Indians.

Tim David's refusal of a single proved costly as Royal Challengers Bengaluru faltered in their chase against Delhi Capitals. David's dismissal for 26 off 17 balls, after turning down a run, marked a significant shift in momentum. Earlier, a disciplined bowling effort from Delhi restricted RCB to 175 for 8, despite a strong start from Phil Salt.

Pakistan have named a 16-man squad for the Bangladesh Tests, led by Shan Masood, with Sarfaraz Ahmed as head coach. Sitting fifth in the WTC, they aim to improve against eighth-placed Bangladesh. Four uncapped players are included, alongside senior stars. A Karachi camp precedes the May 8 start, with matches in Dhaka and Sylhet.

Ravichandran Ashwin sees Sanju Samson as a future captain for Chennai Super Kings. Ashwin believes Samson should forge his own path, not follow past leaders. The transition in CSK leadership has been ongoing. Samson has shown strong form recently. He will be a key player in upcoming matches.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are making a powerful statement off the field by wearing their signature green jerseys, crafted from recycled materials, against Delhi Capitals. RCB, the world's only carbon-neutral T20 franchise, continues its commitment to sustainability, aiming for carbon positivity.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer emphasizes a present-focused approach, aiming to win the IPL 2026 trophy by taking one game at a time. The team, currently unbeaten in four matches, prioritizes self-improvement over external pressure. Following last season's final loss, PBKS displayed a dominant performance against Mumbai Indians, chasing down 195 with Prabhsimran Singh and Iyer leading the charge.

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