The Times of India

Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name in T20 history, becoming the highest-scoring teenager in a single tournament with 583 runs in IPL 2026, surpassing Devdutt Padikkal's record. Despite a rare off-day against Mumbai Indians, the young sensation's stellar season, marked by an incredible strike rate and a century, has propelled RR to the playoffs.

Kieron Pollard on MIs disappointing IPL 2026 campaign & Hardiks leadership

Kumar Sangakkara on Jofra Archer, Riyan Parags leadership & RRs fighting win

Delhi Capitals concluded their IPL 2026 campaign with a dominant 40-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. KL Rahul's blistering 60 set the tone for Delhi's imposing 203, while Kuldeep Yadav's crucial three-wicket haul dismantled KKR's chase. Despite a strong start from Ajinkya Rahane, KKR faltered, finishing their season with a loss.

A thrilling National Senior Athletics Federation Competition saw Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar shatter the pole vault national record, both clearing 5.45m. Murali Sreeshankar and Sarvesh Anil Kushare also secured gold in long jump and high jump respectively, meeting Commonwealth Games standards. Tejas Shirse dominated hurdles, while Ravina triumphed in the 10,000m race walk.

Jofra Archer's explosive all-round performance, including 3 for 17 and a quickfire 32, powered Rajasthan Royals to a crucial 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians. Archer revealed that a directive from the coaching staff to focus on high pace, rather than slower balls, was key to his bowling transformation this season.

Mumbai Indians concluded their disappointing IPL 2026 campaign with a loss to Rajasthan Royals, finishing ninth. Batting coach Kieron Pollard acknowledged that skipper Hardik Pandya's leadership did not unfold as hoped, but emphasized the season's failure was a collective one. The franchise will now assess the reasons for their downfall before making future decisions.

Riyan Parag led Rajasthan Royals to the IPL 2026 playoffs with a win over Mumbai Indians, despite admitting areas for improvement. He explained tactical batting decisions and praised Jofra Archer and Ravindra Jadeja, highlighting his instinct-driven leadership. Parag also lauded uncapped bowlers and revealed his own mental toughness despite physical struggles.

Rajasthan Royals secured their IPL 2026 playoff spot with a crucial 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians. Jofra Archer starred with a blistering 32 off 15 balls and a vital 3-wicket spell, earning him Player of the Match. Young spinner Yash Raj Punja also impressed with two wickets.

Suryakumar Yadav crossed 4000 runs for Mumbai Indians, joining Rohit Sharma in an elite club. However, this personal milestone arrived amidst a challenging IPL 2026 season. Despite a fighting 60 against Rajasthan Royals, his overall performance was below par, contributing to MI's disappointing ninth-place finish. The team struggled with batting collapses throughout the campaign.

Lionel Messi has reportedly joined the billionaire club. He is now only the second footballer to achieve this milestone. His wealth has grown through salaries, bonuses, endorsements, and investments. Messi's impact in the US is significant, with a street named after him. He will lead Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A dramatic final over saw Ravindra Jadeja turn the tables on former CSK teammate Shardul Thakur. After Thakur thought he had Jadeja caught, a no-ball overturned the dismissal. Jadeja then unleashed two boundaries on the free-hit and subsequent ball, adding a playful taunt that delighted fans and spiced up the tense IPL clash.

Mumbai Indians tried a new tactic in their final league match. They used three overs of spin in the Powerplay against Rajasthan Royals. This unusual strategy was also seen against Lucknow Super Giants earlier in IPL 2026. It is a rare move for the team in their IPL history. Mumbai Indians have had a mixed season in IPL 2026.

Kolkata Knight Riders have brought in Luvnith Sisodia as a replacement for injured Matheesha Pathirana. The team faces significant injury concerns with key players managing ailments. KKR's final league match against Delhi Capitals is crucial for their playoff hopes. Results from other matches will determine their qualification path. The team's fate hangs in the balance.

Deepak Chahar provided Mumbai Indians with a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early in their IPL 2026 clash at Wankhede. Sooryavanshi's dismissal, caught by Naman Dheer, sent the crowd into a frenzy. Mumbai Indians opted to bowl first in this must-win encounter for Rajasthan Royals.

Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for Mumbai Indians' final league match against Rajasthan Royals, a decision confirmed as workload management. While MI are already eliminated, RR, led by Riyan Parag, need a win to secure a playoff spot. The match features several changes for both sides, but Bumrah's absence is the key talking point.

George Russell clinched pole for the Canadian Grand Prix, just after winning the Sprint race. His Mercedes teammate, championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli, starts second. McLaren and Ferrari are pushing hard, while Red Bull faces challenges. An intense intra-team rivalry between Russell and Antonelli adds further drama to the highly anticipated race.

The Delhi high courts order came after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had declared Vinesh ineligible for domestic events till June 26. Babita, herself a former wrestler, said the courts decision was correct.

Iran's 2026 FIFA World Cup training camp will move from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, due to logistical and visa concerns. This strategic shift allows for easier travel to their US-based group stage matches, with flights to Los Angeles taking under an hour. The decision comes amidst political sensitivities surrounding Iran's participation in the tournament.

Tom Moody on LSGs disappointing IPL 2026 campaign

Harry Kane scored a hat trick as Bayern Munich defeated VfB Stuttgart 3-0 in the German Cup final to complete a domestic double. The match also saw fan protests and fireworks against the German Football Association. Kane finished the season with an incredible 61 goals across all competitions.

Brad Haddin on Shreyas Iyers leadership, PBKS comeback & playoffs Push

Jofra Archer is reportedly unfazed by criticism in England over missing the first Test against New Zealand due to IPL commitments with Rajasthan Royals. Assistant coach Trevor Penny said Archer remains relaxed despite comments from former captains Michael Atherton and Michael Vaughan. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell has left the IPL after suffering a finger injury.

Rohit Sharma expressed his ambition for India to become the undisputed powerhouse of world cricket, citing recent successes across formats and age groups as evidence of strong progress. He also noted the game's evolution, particularly in white-ball cricket, with a more fearless and aggressive batting approach now setting new standards.

Yash Raj Punja has emerged as a surprise star for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, taking six wickets in five matches. The Abu Dhabi-born leg-spinner overcame a difficult start in cricket before switching from pace bowling to spin. Guided by coaches and inspired by legends like Anil Kumble and Yuzvendra Chahal, Punjas discipline, accuracy and work ethic have now sparked calls for a fast-track India debut.

Lucknow Super Giants are poised for a significant shake-up after a dismal IPL 2026 season. Global director Tom Moody acknowledged the team's failure to meet expectations, citing leadership challenges and hinting at major changes. Rishabh Pant's captaincy and batting form have come under scrutiny, with the franchise considering a complete reset to regain its competitive edge.

After skipping the Gymnastics National Championships held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar earlier this month due to injury, Pranati Nayak came back strong to win silver in the vault event at the FIG World Challenge Cup 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Saturday.

All Ancy Sojan wanted coming into the long jump event at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition was to be cautious and avoid foul jumps. She not only did that but also bettered her personal best and the meet record, leaping 6.75m to win gold at Birsa Munda Stadium, Morabadi, here on Friday.

Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL century, an unbeaten 101, powered Punjab Kings to a crucial seven-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants. This stellar knock, featuring a 140-run partnership, kept PBKS's playoff hopes alive and marked a historic achievement for Iyer as a captain. The victory ended a six-match losing streak for Punjab.

Arjun Tendulkar impressed on his IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants with figures of 4-0-36-1 against Punjab Kings, including the wicket of Prabhsimran Singh. Proud father Sachin Tendulkar shared a rare emotional message, praising Arjuns patience, hard work, and attitude after waiting all season for an opportunity in IPL 2026.

Actor Ram Charan went viral after mistakenly mentioning football while praising Jasprit Bumrah at Peddis music launch in Bhopal. He later apologised, calling it a genuine human error. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene revealed Bumrah battled an injury during IPL 2026 but said the pacer has regained rhythm and confidence in recent matches.

IPL 2026's league stage culminates in a thrilling finale with one playoff spot undecided. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans lead, while Sunrisers Hyderabad secure third. Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Punjab Kings vie for the final berth. Super Sunday's matches will determine which two dreams end and one advances.

Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL century powered Punjab Kings to a crucial seven-wicket victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Head coach Ricky Ponting lauded Iyer's leadership and temperament, highlighting his significant investment in the player. The win, ending a six-match losing streak, now sees PBKS await other results to determine their playoff fate.

Punjab Kings ended a six-match losing streak with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants. Captain Shreyas Iyer smashed an unbeaten century, supported by Prabhsimran Singh's quickfire 69. This win propels Punjab to fourth place, but their playoff qualification still depends on other match outcomes. Lucknow had earlier posted 196/6 thanks to Josh Inglis and Ayush Badoni.

Punjab Kings reignited their IPL 2026 playoff aspirations with a vital victory, ending a six-match losing streak. Captain Shreyas Iyer's maiden century propelled PBKS to fourth place. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured the top spot despite a loss, joined in the playoffs by Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The race for the final playoff berth intensifies.

Indian athletics achieved historic milestones at the National Senior Federation Competition. Gurindervir Singh set a new men's 100m national record. Vishal TK became the first Indian to finish the 400m race in under 45 seconds. Tejaswin Shankar also made history by exceeding 8000 points in decathlon. These performances mark significant achievements for Indian athletes.

Arjun Tendulkar made his IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants against Punjab Kings, bowling his first over immediately after the Powerplay and impressing with his line and length. He also remained unbeaten on five runs as LSG posted 196/6. Josh Inglis and Ayush Badoni were key contributors with the bat for LSG.

Mumbai Indians have signed Mahipal Lomror and Ruchit Ahir as injury replacements. Quinton de Kock and Raj Angad Bawa are out due to injuries. Lomror is an experienced all-rounder while Ahir is a wicketkeeper-batter. The team aims to finish the season positively despite playoff elimination. They face Rajasthan Royals next.

Arshdeep Singh endured a costly spell, conceding 52 runs in three overs, setting an unwanted PBKS record. Lucknow Super Giants posted 196, driven by Josh Inglis's aggressive 72 and Ayush Badoni's quickfire 43. Despite early setbacks, LSG's strong batting performance, including contributions from Rishabh Pant and Abdul Samad, secured a competitive total.

Jacob Bethell's IPL 2026 campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been cut short due to a finger injury, raising concerns for England's upcoming Test series against New Zealand. The young batter, who impressed in the Ashes, will return home for assessment, leaving his availability for the Lord's Test uncertain. England's medical team will monitor his recovery.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant apologized to fans for a disappointing IPL 2026 season, as his team, already out of playoff contention, faced Punjab Kings. Pant acknowledged the tough campaign, promising a 100% effort in their final league match. Punjab Kings, needing a win to stay alive, opted to bowl first.

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene assures Rohit Sharma is 100% fit despite injury concerns, clarifying his 'Impact Player' role was for team strategy. He also addressed Jasprit Bumrah's initial struggles, attributing them to a World Cup niggle and fatigue, but confirmed Bumrah's strong comeback. Hardik Pandya's tough season was also acknowledged.

Punjab Kings won the toss and chose to bowl against Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial IPL 2026 match. Punjab needs a win to stay in contention for the playoffs. Lucknow aims to finish the season strongly. Both teams have made changes to their lineups. The match is vital for Punjab's playoff aspirations.

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene revealed Jasprit Bumrah battled a niggle from the T20 World Cup into IPL 2026, impacting his performance. Despite a slow start, Bumrah regained pace and sharpness in later games, though the team's campaign ended early. Jayawardene emphasized Bumrah's strong work ethic and recovery.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant have recalled their players from the Indian national team. This decision comes ahead of the Unity Cup, scheduled from May 26-30. A club insider cited concerns over matches falling outside the FIFA international window amid worries about potential player injuries and associated costs.

Delhi High Court has permitted star wrestler Vinesh Phogat to compete in Asian Games trials, criticizing the Wrestling Federation of India's rigid policy that penalizes athletes returning from maternity leave. The court emphasized fairness, allowing Phogat's participation and ordering transparent, supervised selection proceedings to uphold the sport's integrity and justice.

Rajasthan's 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, an Impact Player, faces scrutiny from former India players for not fielding. Assistant coach Trevor Penny defends the decision, citing Sooryavanshi's fielding skills and the strategy to keep him fresh for his explosive batting, which has impressed many.

Cricket's playing conditions may see significant shifts. The ICC is exploring a switch to pink balls in Tests during rain-affected matches under lights, requiring mutual consent. Head coaches could join players on the field during ODI drinks breaks. T20 innings breaks might shorten, and umpires may gain HawkEye access for bowling action checks. These proposals await ICC Board approval.