The Times of India

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is under scrutiny after visuals emerged of him using a vape-like device in the dressing room during an IPL match. A women's group has demanded an inquiry, citing the ban on e-cigarettes in India and the potential negative influence on young viewers.

Mumbai Indians' IPL 2026 playoff hopes are in dire straits after a six-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite a stellar 123* from Ryan Rickelton, MI's bowling woes persist, leaving them with a daunting task of winning nearly all remaining matches. Their poor net run rate further complicates qualification, demanding dominant victories. With 2 wins in 8 games (4 points) and a NRR of -0.784, they are far from the pack.

Young Salil Arora's audacious 10-ball 30, featuring a stunning no-look six off Jasprit Bumrah, stole the show in a high-scoring IPL 2026 match. Despite a star-studded Sunrisers Hyderabad lineup, Arora's fearless finishing, including an unbeaten 30, sealed a dominant chase, repaying the franchise's faith in his potential. Despite modest returns initially, SRH continued to back Arora in the lower order. That faith was repaid last night.

Mumbai Indians suffered a crushing defeat despite a formidable 243/5, as Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully chased the target. Skipper Hardik Pandya acknowledged bowling struggles, with Jasprit Bumrah and others proving expensive. The loss leaves MI ninth in the standings, while SRH climbs to third. Pandya expressed commitment to finding solutions and apologized to loyal fans for the team's performance.

Shubham Dubey, a 31-year-old cricketer, seized his long-awaited opportunity with a match-winning unbeaten 31 off 12 balls. His explosive innings, coupled with Donovan Ferreira's support, secured a stunning six-wicket victory for Rajasthan Royals against Punjab Kings. Dubey's journey from humble beginnings to IPL success highlights his remarkable resilience and power-hitting prowess.

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan is thrilled by bowlers' resurgence in IPL-2026, citing low scores and defended totals. He lauded Bhuvneshwar Kumar's consistent RCB performance as a strong national comeback bid. Zaheer urged patience for Jasprit Bumrah's current form, believing he can recover. He also expressed excitement for promising young talents Mohsin Khan and Prince Yadav, highlighting their potential.

The Mumbai Indians left fans scratching their heads by employing Shardul Thakur as an Impact Sub while he never got the chance to bowl a single ball. This curious tactic came after a dismal display against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where Thakur's experience could have potentially turned the tides. On a day when every MI bowler went at an economy of over 10, it was baffling to see the bowler with over 100 IPL wickets not getting a bowl.

Gujarat Titans face Royal Challengers Bengaluru again, seeking solutions to their middle-order struggles and bowling inconsistencies. Despite a strong top order, GT's campaign shows imbalance, while RCB arrives with momentum and a flexible batting lineup. The Titans' bowling after the Powerplay remains a key concern.

Despite health struggles, former India cricketer Vinod Kambli was seen at Wankhede Stadium after the MI vs SRH IPL match, receiving well wishes from fans. The match itself saw Sunrisers Hyderabad secure a six-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians, powered by aggressive half-centuries from Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen.

Eshan Malinga has surged to the top of the IPL 2026 Purple Cap standings with 15 wickets after a crucial performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His disciplined bowling, including the vital wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, helped him overtake a close pack of bowlers. The race for the leading wicket-taker remains fiercely competitive as the league stage unfolds.

In a surprising turn of events, Rajasthan Royals have hit another snag as their captain Riyan Parag was caught on camera indulging in vaping within the confines of the dressing room during a recent IPL fixture. BCCI officials are understood to be examining the footage. Insiders say the matter is likely to be dealt with under the IPL code of conduct. There is no defined punishment in the IPL code of conduct. The BCCI will be seeking legal opinion, a source said.

Steve Smith's frustration boiled over in the PSL after a heated send-off, with a viral video capturing him slamming his bat in the dressing room. His early dismissal for 13 runs came after a dropped catch, and his team, Multan Sultans, ultimately lost to Hyderabad Kingsmen by eight wickets in a crucial Eliminator match.

Stuart Broad lauded Rajasthan Royals for their foresight in signing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a teenage prodigy who has set IPL 2026 ablaze. Initially questioned, the move has paid dividends as Sooryavanshi leads the run charts with explosive batting. Broad believes the young star's value will skyrocket if he enters the auction, highlighting the Royals' astute scouting.

Abhishek Sharma has regained the Orange Cap with a swift 45, surpassing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sharma now boasts 425 runs, with teammate Heinrich Klaasen climbing to second. Sooryavanshi drops to third, while KL Rahul and Virat Kohli round out the top five in a dynamic run-scoring race.

Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a six-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians, successfully chasing a massive 244 with eight balls to spare. Their explosive batting overshadowed Ryan Rickelton's record-breaking unbeaten 123, which had propelled Mumbai to their highest total batting first. SRH's remarkable chase, the fourth-highest in IPL history, saw them reach 249/4.

Sunrisers Hyderabad achieved a remarkable six-wicket win against Mumbai Indians. They successfully chased a record 244 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. This victory marks their fifth consecutive win in IPL 2026. Sunrisers Hyderabad now move to third place in the points table. Mumbai Indians face their sixth loss this season.

Mumbai Indians posted a huge 243/5 thanks to Ryan Rickelton's 123. Chasing this target, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head formed a record opening partnership. Their 129-run stand put Sunrisers Hyderabad in a strong position. This partnership now equals the record for most century stands for the opening wicket in IPL history.

South African opener Ryan Rickelton rewrote Mumbai Indians' record books with a blistering 123 not out off 55 balls, the fastest IPL century for the franchise in just 44 deliveries. His exceptional knock powered MI to a massive 243/5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede, marking a historic individual performance.

India concluded their Thomas Cup Finals group stage with a narrow 2-3 defeat against China, despite already securing a quarterfinal spot. Lakshya Sen and the top doubles pair lost their matches, putting India down 0-2. However, Ayush Shetty and H.S. Prannoy secured wins in their respective matches, showcasing the team's fighting spirit ahead of the knockout stages.

Mumbai Indians players wore black armbands in their IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad to mourn the loss of a support staff member's daughter. Skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and chose to bat, while Rohit Sharma remains sidelined due to recovery. SRH captain Pat Cummins anticipated a challenging pitch.

Quinton de Kock has been ruled out of Mumbai Indians' match against Sunrisers Hyderabad due to a wrist injury sustained in practice. Ryan Rickelton will replace him at the top of the order. Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium.

Mumbai Indians face further setbacks as Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock are unavailable for their IPL clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Skipper Hardik Pandya confirmed Rohit needs more time to recover, while de Kock suffered a wrist injury. Despite these disruptions, Pandya expressed confidence in his team's preparation and opted to bat first.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is dominating IPL 2026, leading the Orange Cap race with 400 runs. His fearless approach against top international bowlers like Hazlewood and Cummins, including hitting boundaries from the first ball, signals a new era of confidence in Indian cricket, as noted by Irfan Pathan.

FIFA has approved over $100 million in additional funding for teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, raising minimum guaranteed payments to $12.5 million and basic prize money to $10 million per team. This decision addresses rising costs in North America and increased financial strain on federations, ensuring better support for pre-tournament preparation and delegation expenses.

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has labelled the nation's absence from the 2026 T20 World Cup a lunder and a significant setback for cricket-loving Bangladesh. He expressed hope for his own future in the game and praised India's strong talent pipeline, while advocating for a team-first approach for Bangladesh's cricket.

Rajasthan Royals player Riyan Parag was reportedly seen vaping in the dressing room during a match, sparking debate and drawing a stern warning from former umpire Anil Chaudhary. The incident highlights concerns over player conduct and potential violations of India's ban on e-cigarettes, despite no specific cricket rule against vaping.

IPL 2026 has seen controversial umpiring decisions, including Angkrish Raghuvanshi's obstructing the field dismissal and Kartik Tyagi's bowling in the final over. Former umpire Anil Chaudhary believes Raghuvanshi's dismissal was not deliberate and Tyagi should have been removed from the attack, though he remains satisfied with the overall umpiring standard.

Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi humorously dismissed 'AI chip' allegations after a record-breaking IPL 2026 performance. He cheekily attributed his success to divine intervention. Sooryavanshi also became the fastest to 400 runs this season, showcasing his extraordinary talent and fearless batting.

With less than two months to go for the FIFA World Cup, India, China, and several Asian countries still lack an official broadcaster. High rights costs, inconvenient match timings, and cricket's dominance have deterred buyers in India. This poses challenges for FIFAs outreach in the region, though a last-minute deal remains possible.

Rajasthan Royals secured a thrilling six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, powered by a sensational opening partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Jaiswal lauded Sooryavanshi's aggressive batting, emphasizing their clear intent to chase the massive total. Despite a mid-innings wobble, the team's strong environment and belief ultimately led them to a memorable win.

Shapoor Zadran is battling a rare life-threatening immune disorder, HLH, in a New Delhi hospital. His family has urgently appealed for A-positive blood donors through an emotional message shared by brother Ghamai Zadran. Former teammates including Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have rallied around the ex-Afghanistan pacer during his critical health battle.

In this exclusive interview, Vincent Keymer reflected on his rise from winning the Grenke Open at 13 to claiming the Grenke Freestyle 2026 title in Karlsruhe. Germanys No. 1 spoke about freestyle chess relying more on intuition, handling the intimidation factor of Magnus Carlsen, and balancing school with chess while growing up in a family of musicians. Keymer also praised coach Pter Lk and discussed the challenges young chess players face in Germany compared to countries like India.

Kumar Sangakkara on RRs win over Punjab Kings

James Hopes reacts after PBKS loss, calls it a reality check

Shammi Silva resigned as president of Sri Lanka Cricket along with the boards entire executive committee, the organisation confirmed on Wednesday. Silva had led SLC since 2019, overseeing Asia Cup successes but also disappointing World Cup campaigns and declining rankings for the mens team. The reason for the mass resignations has not been officially disclosed.

At just fifteen, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is setting the IPL 2026 alight with his breathtaking batting skills, reminiscent of legends like Sachin Tendulkar. His audacious style against elite bowlers, boasting strike rates often soaring past 200, challenges every cricketing norm. In Sooryavanshis case, he has aced that test like no other. Almost like using the cheat codes in EA Sports Cricket 07.

Babar Azam's spectacular century propelled Peshawar Zalmi to the PSL final, defeating Islamabad United. His unbeaten 103 powered Zalmi to 221, a total too daunting for United. This remarkable innings marked Babar's fourth PSL century, equalling a record, and his ninth T20 hundred as captain, a new global benchmark.

Rajasthan Royals chased down 223 to beat Punjab Kings and hand them their first IPL 2026 defeat. Donovan Ferreira starred with an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls before jokingly telling Salman Khan, Sorry bhai, aaj nahi, referencing the actors old Zintas team won kya? post. Shubham Dubey and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also played key roles in the win.

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed surprise over Yashasvi Jaiswal's absence from India's T20I squad discussions. Jaiswal's consistent IPL performances, including a recent 51 against Punjab Kings, have not translated into national team consideration. Chopra also lauded teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for his aggressive 43 off 16 balls, which set up Rajasthan Royals' chase.

Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg, the highest-scoring match ever at this stage. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele scored twice each for PSG, while Harry Kane scored for Bayern, who fought back late to keep the tie alive before next weeks return leg in Munich.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is in hot water after visuals of him vaping in the dressing room during an IPL 2026 match went viral. This incident raises serious concerns as vaping is banned in India. It adds to a string of player conduct controversies in the league. The league faces renewed scrutiny over player behavior and rule enforcement.

Having Been Spoon-Fed T20 Belters, They Have Been Unable To Adapt When Needed Most. Should Indian Cricket Be Worried About Success Away From Home?

At just 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become one of the IPLs biggest attractions with his fearless batting and powerful strokeplay. Former India pacer Mohit Sharma compared the youngsters nationwide popularity and aura to MS Dhoni, saying he has seen only two players command such admiration. Ex-India cricketer Murali Karthik also hailed Sooryavanshi as a genuine prodigy, comparing his rise and fame to that of Sachin Tendulkar.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer lamented bowling execution after their first IPL 2026 loss. Despite a strong 224, the team couldn't contain Rajasthan Royals' late surge, particularly from Ferreira and Dubey. Iyer acknowledged the challenge for bowlers in modern T20s but stressed execution is key. He remains optimistic, calling it a learning experience.

Rohit Sharma's availability for Mumbai Indians' crucial match against Sunrisers Hyderabad remains uncertain due to a hamstring injury. Despite batting in the nets, the team management is hesitant to risk him unless fully fit. MI's batting struggles, particularly in the Powerplay, have been amplified by his absence, while SRH boasts a formidable batting lineup and an improving bowling attack.

Punjab Kings suffered their first IPL 2026 defeat as Rajasthan Royals successfully chased 223. Captain Shreyas Iyer's slow 30 off 27 balls drew criticism, with debate arising over a potential 'retire out' to boost scoring. Despite Marcus Stoinis's rapid 62*, the total proved insufficient as Royals clinched a thrilling victory.

Myles Davis made cricket history by taking six wickets in six balls for Penkridge Cricket Club against Pelsall Cricket Club in the South Staffordshire County League. Davis finished with figures of 7-16 and described the achievement as surreal and amazing, with the rare double hat-trick believed to be only the seventh such feat worldwide.

Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker celebrated 10 years in shooting with an emotional Instagram post reflecting on her journey, setbacks and achievements. Bhaker recalled overcoming disappointments, including Asian Games near-misses, and revisited her 2018 Commonwealth Games gold. Her post came amid online debate after she was asked about teenage cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at an NRAI event.

Delhi Capitals experienced a dramatic IPL 2026 swing, scoring 264/2 then being bowled out for 75. Young spinner Rehan Ahmed's viral quip perfectly captured this extreme inconsistency. The team's recent three-match losing streak highlights significant challenges in maintaining performance levels at a critical tournament juncture.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi achieved a historic feat, becoming the fastest to 400 runs in an IPL season, needing just 167 balls. His explosive 43 off 16 deliveries set the stage for Rajasthan Royals' record chase of 223 against Punjab Kings. This remarkable performance cements his status as a rising star.