The Times of India

Star pacer Mitchell Starc has joined the Delhi Capitals camp after recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries sustained during the Ashes and BBL. While he won't play against Punjab Kings on April 25, Starc is slated to debut on May 1 against Rajasthan Royals, bolstering the team for the remainder of IPL 2026.

It was a balmy Friday in Mumbai, and the CK Nayudu Hall at the Brabourne Stadium got warmer with emotion as members of the Legends Club congregated to celebrate Sachin Tendulkars 53rd birthday.

In the past few years, since embracing the demands of captaincy, Iyer has not only shown how able a leader he can be, but also as a batter who has dominated seasons while balancing the dual roles of anchor and aggressor.

At a time when Indian cricket is scaling new heights on the global stage, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, shares insights into the system driving this sustained success. In a conversation with Fazal Khan, Shukla speaks about the depth of Indias talent pool, the role of structured domestic platforms, and the impact of leagues like the IPL.

Former cricketer Tanmay Srivastava will debut as an on-field umpire in IPL 2026 during Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals on April 28, marking a full-circle moment after playing for Punjab in 2008. The first from Uttar Pradesh in this role, he previously served as a fourth umpire. A former U-19 World Cup winner, he transitioned from playing and coaching to officiating, now set to oversee multiple matches this season.

Punjab Kings are on a six-match unbeaten streak five wins and a no result in the ongoing IPL. Two more wins would equal their best-ever run from 13 years ago. Their next opponents, Delhi Capitals, are on the opposite end of the momentum scale.

Mohammad Kaif praised Virat Kohli for crossing 300 IPL sixes, saying, Kohli isn't a natural six-hitter but he worked on his game highlighting his adaptability. Kohli (81) and Devdutt Padikkal (55) then led RCBs chase of 206. Kohli said, His innings was the difference as their partnership sealed victory over GT.

In an IPL 2026 match, Suyash Sharma dismissed Shubman Gill (32) and mocked him by copying his bow down celebration, thrilling the Chinnaswamy crowd. Sai Sudharsan smashed a century, helping Gujarat Titans post 205 after a strong opening stand. However, Virat Kohli (81) and Devdutt Padikkal (55) stitched a quick partnership, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a five-wicket win in 18.5 overs.

Mumbai were outplayed as Sanju Samson scored an unbeaten 101 off 54 balls, hitting 10 fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 187.04. Samson reached his century on the last ball of the innings with a six as CSK finished on 207/6 in 20 overs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a crucial victory over Gujarat Titans, chasing down 206 with an 18.5-over finish. Virat Kohli's explosive 81, coupled with Devdutt Padikkal's 55, proved decisive after GT faltered in the death overs, failing to capitalize on a strong start. A dropped catch early on proved costly for the Titans.

Chasing 206, RCB got an early setback when Jacob Bethell was dismissed quickly. After that, Kohli and Devdutt took control and added 115 runs for the second wicket, putting the home side in a strong position.

Virat Kohli has achieved another IPL milestone, surpassing 300 sixes in the league. He now joins the elite club of Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma, becoming the third player to reach this mark. Kohli's remarkable consistency continues to etch his name in IPL history, further solidifying his legendary status.

Gujarat Titans suffered a crucial defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru after dropping Virat Kohli on duck. Kohli capitalized on the reprieve, smashing 81 off 44 balls and becoming the first player to hit 800 IPL fours. His record-breaking innings propelled him further up the all-time run-scorers list.

The world No. 2 shared the update on X on Friday, saying he and his team decided it was best to avoid rushing his comeback after the injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open earlier this month.

Virat Kohli has etched his name further in IPL history, becoming the first player to hit 800 fours during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's match against Gujarat Titans. The star batter achieved this milestone, adding to his impressive record of 8,915 runs in 274 matches. This achievement solidifies his status as one of the league's greatest batters.

With Sudharsans hundred, RCB became the team to concede the most individual centuries in IPL history.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan forged a remarkable 128-run opening partnership for Gujarat Titans against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sudharsan shone with a brilliant century, his 100 off 58 balls powering the team's strong start. Gill played a crucial supporting role, allowing Sudharsan to dominate the scoring. This stand marks a significant achievement for the Titans.

A net bowler suffered a serious injury during a practice session at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium, just before the IPL clash between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. Footage shows medical staff attending to the player, who was then taken to the hospital by ambulance.

The GT opener reached the milestone in just 47 innings, going past Chris Gayle, who had taken 48 innings to get to 2,000 IPL runs.

Rajasthan Royals aim to extend their winning streak against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur. The previous encounter saw SRH secure a dominant 57-run victory. Both teams are in strong form, with RR currently second and SRH fourth in the IPL 2026 standings.

How Sawan Barwal Broke Indias Longest-Standing Record and Still Wanted More

In a big blow to RCB, their opener Phil Salt was not available for the match due to injury and Jacob Bethell came into the side in his place.

Kohli, the highest run-scorer in IPL history with 8,908 runs, needs 92 more to reach the 9,000-run mark. He has played 273 matches so far, scoring eight centuries and 65 fifties.

Cricketer Harbhajan Singh has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, concluding his association with the Aam Aadmi Party. The former World Cup winner, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by AAP in 2022, now shifts his political allegiance.

Pakistan batter Khushdil Shah, after a match-winning 44 not out in the PSL, voiced his frustration over his exclusion from the national team. He highlighted his consistent domestic performances, including significant runs at lower middle-order positions, questioning the selectors' decisions. Shah expressed feeling overlooked despite his contributions.

Pandit, who was KKRs head coach when the franchise released Iyer, reflected on the move after the batters strong run with Punjab Kings. Since joining Punjab for Rs 26.75 crore, Iyer led the team to the IPL 2025 final, and PBKS have also remained unbeaten in their first six matches of the IPL 2026 season.

India beat Canada 3-1 in their Thomas Cup opener after recovering from Lakshya Sens loss to Victor Lai. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty levelled the tie, before Ayush Shetty and the pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun sealed victory. Kidambi Srikanth was set for a dead rubber, while the womens team next face Denmark.

Praful Hinge impressed on his Indian Premier League 2026 debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad, dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early with a planned bouncer after a tactical tweak from coaches. He went on to take multiple wickets but stayed grounded, focusing on training. Hinge credited team support and inspiration from Pat Cummins, with guidance from Glenn McGrath and Varun Aaron shaping his growth.

Khushdil Shah starred with a stunning unbeaten 44 off 14 balls as Karachi Kings chased 200 to beat Lahore Qalandars. Anchored by David Warners 63, the chase looked tough until Khushdil smashed Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf late. His fearless finish highlighted T20s unpredictability and proved impact matters more than reputation.

Anshul Kamboj reclaims the Purple Cap with 14 wickets after CSK's dominant win over Mumbai Indians. Sanju Samson's second century propels him to third in the Orange Cap race, trailing Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen. Upcoming matches offer opportunities for other top performers to ascend the leaderboards.

Ravichandran Ashwin criticised Hardik Pandya for giving rookie Krish Bhagat the death overs in Indian Premier League 2026 against Chennai Super Kings, where he conceded 31 runs. Ashwin felt Pandya should have taken responsibility, citing his experience. He also highlighted the pressure of replacing Rohit Sharma. Despite Pandyas poor form, coach Mahela Jayawardene backed him ahead of the next game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans seek a rebound after recent defeats in IPL 2026. RCB, third in the standings, hosts GT, who are seventh, in a crucial encounter. Key player battles, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli vs. Kagiso Rabada, are set to influence the outcome.

Sara Tendulkar and sister-in-law Saaniya Chandhok drew attention at a Mumbai event, showcasing their growing public presence and close bond. While Sara is already well-known, Saaniya is easing into the spotlight. Meanwhile, Arjun Tendulkar, now with Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2026, shared that Saaniya has been quietly supportive as he balances cricket, personal life, and expectations.

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Rajat Patidar, an explosive batter and steady captain for RCB, faces Shubman Gill, whose Gujarat Titans are wobbling despite his individual run-scoring. Patidar's fearless batting has been a season highlight, while Gill's inconsistent form mirrors his team's struggles. Both captains lead teams on the back of losses, setting up a crucial clash.

12-year-old Aarav Sarbalia is gaining recognition as a rising chess talent. Alongside his on-board progress, his structured social media content has attracted prominent followers, including Judit Polgar and D Gukesh's coach, Vishnu Prasanna. Supported by his family and guided by top coaching, Aarav is building momentum toward his long-term goal of achieving the Grandmaster (GM) title.

Marco Jansen's cricket journey, from rugby to a consistent performer for South Africa and Punjab Kings, is remarkable. Inspired by Josh Hazlewood's metronomic bowling, Jansen has embraced his unique strengths, focusing on hard lengths. He's adapted his game, particularly for bowling with the older ball, proving effective even without new-ball swing.

Arjun Tendulkar shared a funny birthday wish for Sachin Tendulkar, saying, Happy Birthday, I am not going to eat this because I don't eat sugar very often. I will see you soon. As Sachin turned 53, fans celebrated his legendary career, highlighted by 34,357 international runs, most centuries, and a lasting legacy as one of crickets greatest icons.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Praful Hinge, a 24-year-old pacer, became an instant star with a remarkable debut, taking a wicket on his second ball and two more in his opening over. Despite the whirlwind success, Hinge remains grounded, focusing on training and crediting senior players, coach, and captain for their support.

Nausheen Naz, a 15-year-old hockey prodigy, trains for the Under-18 Asia Cup. Hailing from Seoni, she overcame poverty and used a broken stick to hone her skills. The MP Hockey Academy provided her with training and equipment. Naz is now India's exciting women's hockey forward prospect. Her journey highlights talent emerging from humble beginnings.

Bangladesh have prioritised player fitness after the ODI series against New Zealand, ruling Mustafizur Rahman out of PSL 2026 due to injury and sending him for scans and rehab. Nahid Rana has also been held back to prepare for the Pakistan Tests. With key pacers rested, Bangladesh named a fresh T20I squad for the New Zealand series, handing debut call-ups to Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and including Ripon Mondal to test new talent.

Rafael Nadal returned for a special exhibition on a temporary court at Santiago Bernabeu, teaming with Thibaut Courtois against Jannik Sinner and Jude Bellingham. It was very special to enjoy this unique court at the Bernabeu, Nadal said. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Rafael Jdar impressed at the Madrid Open, celebrating his win with Bellinghams gesture. I didn't know that he was going to be here, it meant a lot to me, he said after meeting the football star.

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad dedicated their 103-run victory over Mumbai Indians to teammate Mukesh Choudhary, who played despite his mother's recent passing. Gaikwad praised Choudhary's courage, while Sanju Samson's unbeaten 101 powered CSK to 207/6. Spinners Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad then restricted MI to 104, securing a dominant win.

Chennai Super Kings fans are still waiting for MS Dhonis return in IPL 2026 as he continues to recover from a calf injury. Despite training regularly, he has missed nearly a month. Batting coach Michael Hussey dismissed rumours of Dhoni playing only as an impact sub, saying he will keep wickets. I'm pretty sure he'll be behind the stumps, Hussey said, adding Dhoni is progressing well but will return only when fully fit.

A pre-match mascot scuffle at the Pakistan Super League's Karachi Kings vs. Lahore Qalandars clash provided hilarious entertainment, with commentator Ramiz Raja's witty narration stealing the show. Later, Khushdil Shah's explosive 44 off 14 balls, including 37 in the last 10 deliveries, powered Karachi to a thrilling five-wicket victory chasing 200, keeping their tournament hopes alive.

Islamabad United coach Luke Ronchi lost his temper during a PSL 2026 press conference after his teams six-wicket defeat to RawalPindiz. Interrupted mid-answer, he snapped, He can ask me a question, I don't give a s**t. RawalPindiz secured their first win after eight losses, while Islamabad United remain in playoff contention with two matches left.

Mumbai Indians faced controversy in their IPL 2026 loss to Chennai Super Kings after using Shardul Thakur as a concussion substitute for Mitchell Santner. Coach Mahela Jayawardene defended the decision, citing a head injury, though Santner later wore a shoulder sling. The debate overshadowed MI's continued struggles on the field.

A heated on-field exchange between MI's Tilak Varma and CSK's Jamie Overton, with Suryakumar Yadav intervening, marked the IPL clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Despite the mid-game drama, the players reconciled post-match. However, CSK dominated the game, securing a commanding 103-run victory powered by Sanju Samson's century.