The Times of India

Punjab Kings suffered a second straight IPL 2026 defeat after losing a thriller to Gujarat Titans. The big talking point was Yuzvendra Chahal bowling just one over. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif questioned the decision, saying Punjab should trust the IPLs highest wicket-taker more despite pitch conditions favoring pacers.

The clay-court tournament at Roland Garros is set to begin later this month in Paris. While organisers announced an increase of about 10% in total prize money to 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million), players said key issues remain unresolved. These include better representation, as well as concerns related to health and pensions.

It turned into a memorable evening for several Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) players before their IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) as cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and his son Arjun Tendulkar hosted the team for dinner. Photos from the dinner quickly went viral on social media. Mohsin Khan later shared pictures from the evening on Instagram.

During a Mumbai Indians training session, Rohit Sharma paused his practice to check on a ground staff member hit by a ball. He ensured the injured staffer received an ice pack and medicine, showcasing his compassionate nature. This incident occurred as MI faces playoff pressure with Rohit's return from injury uncertain.

Mark Wood recounted a bizarre IPL offer: a franchise owner proposed a private jet flight for a match despite Wood being seriously ill. The owner insisted on Wood playing, even suggesting a quick flight out and back. Wood, though tempted by the novelty, ultimately declined, prioritizing his health over the surreal proposition.

Arvid Lindblad interview: Playing cricket in Mumbai, Indian roots and the F1 journey

Chennai Super Kings face a significant blow as MS Dhoni misses their IPL 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday due to delay in injury recovery. He remains in Chennai for rehabilitation, raising concerns about his availability. This absence impacts CSK's playoff aspirations as they navigate a crucial phase of the tournament.

The ILT20 league is experiencing significant global growth, attracting nearly 400 million viewers and expanding its reach across the UK, US, Pakistan, and MENA regions, explained the competition's Head of Partnerships Ishan Chopra. Brands are increasingly engaging beyond mere visibility, integrating campaigns for measurable business outcomes. The league aims to deepen fan engagement and international partnerships for Season 5, building a sustainable premium sports property.

Babar Azam captained Peshawar Zalmi to their second PSL title, defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets. A light-hearted attempt to recreate Rohit Sharma's iconic walk during celebrations became a viral meme. All-rounder Aaron Hardie was the star, excelling with both bat and ball in the final.

Jacob Bethell is making the most of his IPL 2026 opportunity with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He is learning from Virat Kohli and other senior players. Bethell's role has increased due to Phil Salt's absence. He is adapting to the high tempo of the league. Bethell's development could be crucial for RCB's playoff push.

England opener Phil Salt has returned home for scans on a finger injury sustained during an IPL 2026 match, casting doubt on his immediate availability for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Salt, who had been in impressive form, is hopeful of a swift recovery and a return later this month as RCB push for the playoffs.

Gujarat Titans secured their third consecutive IPL victory, edging past Punjab Kings. Jason Holder emphasised the team's collective effort and belief that they haven't yet reached their peak performance. The pace attack, led by Rabada and Siraj, has been instrumental in their resurgence, setting a strong tone for the team's playoff push.

Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, both struggling at the bottom of the IPL 2026 table, face off at Wankhede Stadium. With playoff hopes fading, both teams are desperate for a win. Mumbai's campaign has been hampered by inconsistent performances and the uncertain availability of Rohit Sharma due to injury.

IPL 2026 enters a crucial 'Revenge Week' with tightly packed standings. Punjab Kings lead, but top four spots are fiercely contested. Key rematches, including Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians, promise high drama and could significantly impact the playoff race. Old scores are set to be settled.

Gujarat Titans secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, marking their third consecutive win and reigniting playoff hopes. Sai Sudharsan's steady fifty and Washington Sundar's crucial late hitting guided them home. Despite the wins, a negative Net Run Rate and tough upcoming fixtures mean Gujarat must secure at least two more victories to guarantee qualification.

IPL 2026 is witnessing a surge in disciplinary actions alongside thrilling cricket. Eight players and staff have faced penalties, from fines to demerit points, for offenses like audible obscenities, mobile phone use in the dugout, and aggressive send-offs. Captains are also being fined for slow over-rates, highlighting a growing concern over player conduct.

Shah Rukh Khan celebrated Sunil Narine's historic 200th IPL wicket, a milestone achieved exclusively for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Narine, the first player to reach this mark for a single franchise, also became the leading overseas bowler in the 200-wicket club. His exceptional consistency and crucial role in KKR's success were highlighted.

Babar Azam captained Peshawar Zalmi to the PSL 2026 title, defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets. Azam emphatically declared his commitment to playing all three formats, silencing T20 relevance debates. He was the tournament's leading scorer with 588 runs. Aaron Hardie shone in the final with a stellar all-round performance, securing the victory for Zalmi.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat revealed she is one of six women accusing former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. Her statement comes before her return to competition at a tournament held in Singh's stronghold, raising concerns about fairness and safety.

Baranica Elangovan of Tamil Nadu set a new national pole vault record of 4.23m at the Indian Indoor Open competition. She improved her previous mark by 0.01m, expressing satisfaction with her performance despite failing to clear 4.30m. Her coach is now focusing on upcoming national events and technical improvements for the Asian Games.

Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan has rewritten IPL history, surpassing Chris Gayle for the most runs after 50 matches with 2178 runs. He also recently became the fastest to 2000 runs in just 47 innings. Sudharsan's consistent performances, including a century and three fifties in his last four innings, highlight his remarkable rise.

Fresh from their ODI World Cup victory, India's women's cricket team is intensely focused on clinching the 2026 T20 World Cup in England. Batter Jemimah Rodrigues emphasized the team's heightened hunger for success, stating preparations began immediately after their last triumph.

Anshul Kamboj is emerging as Chennai Super Kings' standout bowler this season, leading their attack with 17 wickets in nine matches. He's particularly effective in death overs, becoming the first to claim 10 wickets in that phase. Coach Stephen Fleming credits Kamboj's dedication to mastering death bowling, highlighting his improved angles and execution.

Shivang Kumar made his name in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League as an opener. His exploits with the bat helped him become a marquee player for Bundelkhand Bulls, who picked him for Rs 13 lakh for the 2026 season. But within a year, he learnt the art of wrist-spin from his father, a former Bengal U-19 cricketer, and made instant impact. The IPL franchises noticed and multiple trials later, he was roped in by the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Gujarat Titans secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, successfully chasing down 164 with just one ball remaining. Washington Sundar's unbeaten 40 off 23 balls, including a match-winning six, guided the Titans to a crucial win in a tense finish. Despite the loss, Punjab Kings maintain a strong position on the points table.

Peshawar Zalmi secured their second PSL title, their first since 2017, by defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final. Captain Babar Azam finally lifted a trophy as leader, while Aaron Hardie starred with both bat and ball, scoring an unbeaten 56 and taking 4 wickets to guide Zalmi to victory.

Jasprit Bumrah is shouldering a heavy workload for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, struggling to deliver wickets while bowling defensively and attacking. Despite MI's dismal performance and Bumrah's fatigue, coach Mahela Jayawardene is reluctant to rest him, citing mathematical possibilities. This approach echoes past decisions that led to Bumrah's injury and significant absences for India.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill expressed satisfaction with his team's hard-fought four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, despite a challenging chase. Gill acknowledged the slow pitch made scoring difficult, highlighting Sai Sudharsan's anchoring innings and Washington Sundar's finishing prowess as crucial to securing two vital points and strengthening their playoff hopes.

Despite consecutive defeats, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer remains optimistic, highlighting the team's fighting spirit and resilience. He acknowledged execution as a key factor in their loss to Gujarat Titans but emphasized that the team is still in a strong position at the top of the table and will focus on basics to bounce back.

Gujarat Titans edged past Punjab Kings by four wickets in a thrilling IPL clash. Sai Sudharsan anchored the chase with 57, while Washington Sundar stayed unbeaten on 40 to seal victory in the final over. Earlier, debutant Suryansh Shedge scored a fighting 57 for Punjab after early damage caused by Mohammed Siraj, Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada.

Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad, ending their winning streak. Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings, tightening the mid-table battle. Punjab Kings lead the table. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Gujarat Titans are clustered with 12 points. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals are in the mid-table. Kolkata Knight Riders remain in contention.

Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2 to win the Madrid Open and become the first player to claim five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles. The world No. 1 dominated the final without facing a break point and credited his success to hard work, discipline, self-belief and strong support from his team.

Manchester United beat Liverpool FC 3-2 at Old Trafford to secure UEFA Champions League qualification. Goals from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko gave United an early lead before Liverpool equalised through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo. Kobbie Mainoo scored the late winner, boosting Michael Carricks chances of becoming permanent manager.

Gujarat Titans are leading IPL 2026 with their pacers. They are taking the most wickets using short balls. Their fast bowlers effectively used bounce and hard lengths against Punjab Kings. Mohammed Siraj, Jason Holder, and Kagiso Rabada dismantled the top order. Holder took four wickets for 24 runs. Gujarat Titans are winning matches and changing how pace dictates games.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was admitted to hospital on Sunday after feeling unwell ahead of the clubs Premier League clash against Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. The 84-year-old football legend, who still regularly attends Manchester United matches both home and away, had arrived at the stadium to watch one of English footballs fiercest rivalries when the health scare occurred.

Gujarat Titans handed a maiden IPL appearance to all-rounder Nishant Sindhu against Punjab Kings. Captain Shubman Gill confirmed the decision at the toss, emphasizing the team's momentum in chasing and the need to peak at the right time. Sindhu, a left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, previously impressed in junior cricket and the U-19 World Cup.

Lucknow Super Giants bowling coach Bharat Arun backed captain Rishabh Pant despite his poor IPL 2026 form, saying the record Rs 27 crore price tag is not affecting him mentally and that he is one innings away from regaining rhythm. Arun also praised Mohammed Shami and confirmed Mayank Yadav is fully fit again.

Varun Chakravarthy took 3 for 36 and Sunil Narine claimed 2 for 31 as SRH were bowled out for 165 in 19 overs. KKR chased the target with 10 balls remaining to register their third straight win.

Gujarat Titans opted to bowl first against Punjab Kings, aiming to leverage their recent chasing success and strong bowling. Skipper Shubman Gill highlighted the team's timely form and middle-order strength. Punjab's Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the pitch's dual nature, emphasizing focus despite a demanding schedule. Both sides made bowling changes for this crucial encounter.

Former Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev declined to comment on teenage IPL star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying experts like Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are better suited to judge him. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener has scored 404 runs in IPL 2026, including a 36-ball century, earning widespread praise and India call-up discussions.

Sunil Narine achieved a historic milestone, becoming the third bowler and first overseas player to claim 200 IPL wickets. His crucial spell, alongside Varun Chakravarthy's, spearheaded Kolkata Knight Riders' remarkable comeback against Sunrisers Hyderabad. After a blazing start by SRH, KKR's spinners triggered a dramatic collapse, restricting the opposition to 165.

Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma clarified his unprofessional comment about young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, explaining it stemmed from their close friendship. Sharma stressed that the 15-year-old is a typical teenager who enjoys simple pleasures. He urged against placing undue pressure on the youngster, advocating for him to enjoy his childhood while focusing on cricket.

Priyanka Chopra is renowned for her bold Met Gala looks, but reports say she will skip the 2026 edition due to shooting Varanasi in Antarctica. Fans may be disappointed, yet shes focused on SS Rajamoulis bigbudget Telugu film, expected to be one of Indias costliest productions to date.

OPaL has commenced online registration for its 2026 Apprentice recruitment drive. Aspiring candidates can apply for 80 Trade and Graduate Apprentice positions across various locations. The application window is open from April 24 to May 15, 2026. Selected candidates will undergo a one-year training program. Details on eligibility, stipend, and application procedures are available on the official website.

The Staff Selection Commission is opening applications for Stenographer Grade C and D posts. The last date to apply is May 15, 2026. This recruitment drive offers around 731 vacancies. Candidates need to complete One Time Registration on the new SSC portal. The selection process includes a Computer-Based Test. Apply online before the deadline.

A consortium led by Lakshmi Mittal, Aditya Mittal, and Adar Poonawala has acquired the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals and its sister entities for approximately $1.65 billion. The deal, expected to conclude in Q3 2026, will see the Mittal family hold a majority stake. This acquisition follows a previous attempt by a Kal Somani-led consortium that faced funding and regulatory hurdles.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's resurgence in form, marked by consecutive half-centuries, is making Chennai Super Kings a formidable opponent, according to Ravichandran Ashwin. Gaikwad's composed 67 against Mumbai Indians, following his unbeaten 74 against Gujarat Titans, was crucial in CSK's dominant eight-wicket victory. This win solidifies CSK's playoff contention and hinders MI's chances.

Seven years after the controversial 'Mankading' incident with Jos Buttler, Ravichandran Ashwin defends his actions, stating he did nothing wrong and played to win. He also reflected on his IPL career, expressing regret over not winning a title with Rajasthan Royals despite a fulfilling stint.