The Times of India

After a grueling two-year battle with injuries and doubts, Sumit Kundu has made a remarkable comeback to secure his spot in the Indian boxing contingent for the CWG and Asian Games. He triumphed in the men's 70kg division, overcoming a serious ACL and meniscus injury that had threatened his career.

Akash Singh made an immediate impact in his IPL 2026 debut for Lucknow Super Giants, taking two crucial wickets inside the powerplay. He celebrated by displaying a special paper message, which quickly went viral. The left-arm pacer dismissed CSK's Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, shifting momentum in LSG's favor.

IPL 2026 has shattered all previous records, attracting over 1.1 billion viewers across TV and digital platforms. The league's thrilling unpredictability has fueled unprecedented fan engagement, with digital platforms showing significant growth. Regional language viewership has surged by an impressive 42%, highlighting the tournament's expanding appeal beyond major metros.

Pacer Arshdeep Singh faces renewed criticism following a sharp social media retort to a fan questioning his Punjab Kings affiliation. This controversy follows an earlier uproar over alleged remarks about teammate Tilak Varma's skin tone. These incidents intensify scrutiny on the bowler's online conduct, with calls for stricter action growing louder.

In a video shared by Mumbai Indians on social media, a person asked Shardul about his performances against Punjab while playing for different franchises.

Ravichandran Ashwin defended Hardik Pandya, deeming it unfair to solely blame him for Mumbai Indians' poor IPL 2026 season. Ashwin highlighted Pandya's past success at Gujarat Titans and suggested the team as a whole failed to perform. He also expressed concern over Pandya's batting timing, hinting at potential physical issues for the 'once-in-a-generation' all-rounder.

David Beckham has achieved a historic milestone, becoming Britain's first billionaire sportsman. His family's fortune, boosted by his stake in Inter Miami CF and Victoria's fashion empire, now stands at an impressive 1.185 billion. This remarkable financial success cements his legacy far beyond his illustrious football career.

IPL 2026 has etched its name in history as every team now boasts a centurion, a first in the tournament's 19 years. From emerging talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to seasoned stars like Virat Kohli and Quinton de Kock, batters across all franchises have achieved the three-figure mark, showcasing a remarkable display of batting prowess throughout the season.

Pakistan face a double blow after their shocking Test defeat to Bangladesh. The ICC has fined the team 40% of their match fee and deducted eight crucial points from their World Test Championship standings due to a slow over-rate. This significant penalty pushes Pakistan down to eighth place, impacting their championship aspirations.

Chennai Super Kings face a critical IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants. A victory propels CSK towards the top four, boosting their playoff chances significantly. However, a loss would plunge them into a precarious situation, heavily reliant on other teams' results and potentially jeopardizing their season. This encounter is a definitive turning point for their qualification hopes.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri champions Sanju Samson for T20I captaincy, citing his stellar performances and leadership experience. Shastri believes Samson's recent match-winning displays, particularly in the T20 World Cup and IPL, make him a strong contender to lead India within the next few years, potentially before the 2028 World Cup.

Virat Kohli remains committed to representing India in ODIs, emphasizing mutual respect and value as key to his continued participation. He stated he will play as long as he can contribute meaningfully and feels valued by the team, not in a phase where he needs to prove himself.

T20 cricket has transformed significantly, demanding technique, innovation, and adaptability from batters, while bowlers employ new strategies to counter high scores. Despite the rise of young talent, experienced players like Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar continue to excel, proving age is no barrier in the evolving game. Kohli emphasizes T20's shift into a distinct, high-intensity format.

Virat Kohli revealed the profound emotional connection he shares with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, highlighting how the franchise elevated players like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle into Indian fan favorites.

Brad Haddin explains what went wrong for Punjab Kings, again!

Shardul Thakur gives a big update on Hardik Pandya

Mumbai Indians' captain Hardik Pandya is sidelined with a back spasm, missing three consecutive matches. All-rounder Shardul Thakur provided an update, suggesting Pandya could return for the May 20th match against Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite the team's elimination from IPL 2026, Pandya's absence and poor form have been significant factors in their disappointing season.

Punjab Kings bowler Arshdeep Singh faces backlash after a video surfaced showing him allegedly making a racially insensitive remark to Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma. Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan strongly condemned the comment, recalling his own experiences with skin tone-based mockery and demanding strict action against Arshdeep.

Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard has been fined and received a demerit point. This follows a breach of the IPL Code of Conduct. Pollard used audible obscenity during a match against Punjab Kings. He admitted to the offense. The incident occurred in the 19th over. This happened during the second innings of the game.

Former India hockey captain Jude Felix criticized Hockey India's decision to remove PR Sreejesh as coach after just 15 months, deeming it a wrong move. Felix suggested Sreejesh, a decorated player, could have been instrumental in developing a new generation of goalkeepers. He also questioned the reliance on foreign coaches and the lack of grassroots development in Indian hockey.

Virat Kohli showcased his enduring competitive spirit with a masterful unbeaten 105 off 60 balls, powering Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket victory. The chase master's composed yet ruthless innings, his ninth IPL century, highlighted his ability to perform under pressure and his unwavering love for batting.

Jasprit Bumrah captained Mumbai Indians for the first time in IPL 2026, leading them to a six-wicket victory against Punjab Kings. This leadership role came in the absence of regular captains Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav. Bumrah, who has captained India in Tests and T20Is, expressed his enjoyment of the experience and praised the team's execution.

Punjab Kings suffered a fifth straight IPL 2026 defeat, losing a thriller to Mumbai Indians by six wickets with one ball to spare. Co-owner Preity Zinta and coach Ricky Ponting were seen in a serious discussion post-match. This loss significantly impacts their playoff chances, now at 43.8%, with crucial upcoming games.

Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen faced a shocking defeat in boxing trials, missing out on CWG and Asian Games. She revealed the immense physical and mental strain caused by a chaotic two-week preparation, citing administrative tussles between BFI and SAI as a major factor. Despite the setback, Zareen plans to focus on rebuilding her fitness for the LA Olympics.

With playoffs in sight for some and out of reach for others, the IPL race intensifies. Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore are nearing qualification, while Sunrisers Hyderabad are strong contenders. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals hold even chances for the top four, as Punjab Kings' hopes dwindle. Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals face slim prospects.

Tilak Varma's brilliant unbeaten 75 guided Mumbai Indians to a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings. Chasing 200, Varma's calculated aggression, including a crucial 22-run 18th over, sealed the win with two balls to spare. This defeat significantly dents PBKS's playoff aspirations.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer expressed disappointment after their fifth consecutive IPL 2026 loss to Mumbai Indians in Dharamsala on Thursday, a defeat that significantly pressures their playoff hopes. Despite posting 200, Tilak Varma's unbeaten 75 steered MI to victory. Punjab Kings now face two must-win games to avoid elimination now.

Nahid Rana has been named ICC Men's Player of the Month for April 2026 following an exceptional performance that secured Bangladesh's ODI series victory against New Zealand. Rana's eight wickets in three matches, including a crucial five-wicket haul, earned him both Player of the Series and this prestigious monthly award.

Mumbai Indians secured a crucial six-wicket victory against Punjab Kings, keeping IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive for several teams. While RCB and GT lead the standings, KKR and PBKS face must-win scenarios. MI and LSG are officially out, but the race for the remaining playoff spots remains intensely competitive with just a few games left.

Ravichandran Ashwin has demanded an urgent rule change for DRS after a controversial final-ball lbw reversal in the IPL. Punjab Kings were denied a leg-bye when an on-field 'out' decision was overturned, with Ashwin arguing the incorrect call cost them a run and the rule needs immediate IPL adoption.

The wicket came in the 14th over when Shardul Thakur bowled a full delivery on the pads. Shedge tried to flick it towards short midwicket, but the ball went in the air. Raj Bawa moved quickly to his left and completed the catch with a dive, ending Shedges innings on 8 off 5 balls.

Hockey legend PR Sreejesh publicly challenged Hockey India's decision not to renew his junior coaching contract, questioning the federation's development program and its heavy reliance on foreign coaches. He expressed concern over the perceived demotion from chief coach to goalkeeper coach, sparking a high-profile dispute over opportunities for Indian coaching talent.

Jasprit Bumrah captained Mumbai Indians for the first time in his 157th IPL match, a moment he found surprising. Stepping in due to unavailability of regular captains, Bumrah embraced the new challenge. Despite MI's tough season, he expressed a desire to enjoy the remaining games and learn from the experience, aiming to 'ruffle a few teams'.

Jasprit Bumrah captained Mumbai Indians for the first time, marking a unique IPL record. MI became the first team to have three Indian captains in a single season: Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Bumrah. This leadership shift highlights an unusual season for the franchise, with Bumrah making his captaincy debut after 156 matches.

Jannik Sinner has reached the Italian Open semi-finals, defeating Andrey Rublev to set a new ATP Masters 1000 record with 32 consecutive wins. This dominant performance, despite challenging conditions, solidifies his status as the favorite for the Rome title and a strong contender for the French Open.

Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka lauded teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's inclusion in the India A squad for the Sri Lanka tri-series. The 15-year-old's rapid rise, marked by an U19 World Cup final century, earned praise. Ayush Badoni also features, with selectors focusing on grooming young talent for future international commitments.

Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen has been surprisingly defeated in national trials, missing selection for the 2026 Commonwealth and Asian Games. Competing in the 51kg category, Zareen lost to Sakshi Chaudhary, marking a significant upset in Indian boxing. This outcome follows recent inconsistencies and a shift to a trial-based selection system.