The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
Finn Allen's explosive batting continued as he smashed 10 sixes against Gujarat Titans, marking his second IPL innings with such a feat. The KKR opener narrowly missed a century with a blistering 93 off 35 balls, a new KKR record against GT. His aggressive play offers a significant boost to the defending champions' playoff hopes.
Sunil Narine achieved a significant milestone on Saturday, completing 200 Indian Premier League appearances. He is the first overseas player to reach this mark. Narine has been a key player for Kolkata Knight Riders since 2012. He is recognized for his exceptional bowling economy and has also become a powerful hitter.
Ravichandran Ashwin questions Punjab Kings' decision to split home matches across two venues in IPL 2026, suggesting the venue changes disrupted their rhythm and contributed to a five-match losing streak. He highlights that successful franchises maintain consistency with a single home ground, impacting team preparation and performance, especially when batting first at Dharamsala.
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu lamented Chennai Super Kings' lack of experienced heads on the field during their loss to Lucknow Super Giants. He highlighted young pacer Anshul Kamboj's struggles against Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, suggesting senior players could have offered crucial support. Rayudu defended Kamboj, attributing his tough outing to exceptional batting.
After four years full of challenges and hard work, it's time to move on, said Lewandowski.
Cricketer Virat Kohli finds constant camera monitoring during Indian Premier League practice sessions intrusive. He believes players need peace to prepare without every move being recorded and analyzed. Kohli feels this constant exposure impacts his ability to experiment freely. He calls for clearer boundaries regarding player consent and behind-the-scenes access. Kohli's concerns arise despite his strong performance this IPL season.
India's top seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty triumphed in a thrilling Thailand Open semifinal, overcoming Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin in a hard-fought three-game battle. The world No. 4 pair staged a remarkable comeback to secure their spot in the season's first final, carrying the nation's hopes after other Indian contenders were eliminated.
Virat Kohli revealed the immense emotional weight lifted after Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally clinched their maiden IPL title after 18 years. He stated that a victory earlier in his career wouldn't have felt as special, highlighting the profound joy derived from overcoming decades of pressure and heartbreak alongside franchise icons and the city of Bengaluru.
LSG pacer Akash Singh opens up on mindset, backing from coaches and making the most of opportunities
Michael Hussey reflects on CSK defeat and playoffs pressure
Pakistan's Hasan Ali suffered a head injury after a nasty blow while attempting a return catch on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh. He was taken off on a stretcher but thankfully returned to the field later. Earlier, Pakistan's seamers had a strong start, taking early wickets.
Mumbai Indians have endured a disappointing IPL 2026, failing to reach the playoffs after just four wins in 12 matches. Captain Hardik Pandya has faced criticism for his batting and leadership, but Ravichandran Ashwin defended him, stating it's unfair to solely blame the captain when the team has underperformed collectively.
The International Cricket Council has suspended funding to Cricket Canada for six months due to governance concerns, a significant financial blow as ICC distributions form nearly 63% of its revenue. This follows allegations of breaches in governance, financial oversight, and administrative functioning, alongside ongoing investigations into match integrity and former CEO controversies.
Chennai Super Kings face a critical juncture in IPL 2026 after a loss to Lucknow Super Giants. Batting coach Michael Hussey acknowledged no room for error, emphasizing the need to win remaining matches. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad stressed a simple approach: win every game to secure a playoff spot, urging the team to adapt and improve.
Kolkata Knight Riders seek to improve their home record at Eden Gardens after a mixed start to the season. Despite a recent defeat, they face a formidable Gujarat Titans, who are on a five-match winning streak and aiming for a playoff spot. KKR's bowling unit will be tested by GT's strong opening pair and a potent bowling attack.
Jharkhand government removed hockey coach Sudhir Golla from the Eklavya Hockey Training Centre in Ranchi due to absenteeism and harassment complaints from girl trainees. Hockey India also removed him from an U-18 boys' camp in Bhopal following the allegations. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about misconduct in Indian hockey's grassroots setups.
Akash Singh's IPL 2026 debut for Lucknow Super Giants was marked by a unique celebration involving a self-written paper chit after taking crucial wickets. While the gesture went viral, former CSK batter Ambati Rayudu criticized it as 'rubbish' and likened it to using cheat notes in an exam.
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant has been fined INR 12 lakh for a slow over-rate during their IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings. This disciplinary action was taken by the IPL Governing Council as LSG failed to complete their 20 overs within the stipulated time. It marks the team's first minimum over-rate offence of the season.
Ruturaj Gaikwad acknowledged Chennai Super Kings face a high-pressure situation in IPL 2026 after their loss to Lucknow Super Giants. The defeat places CSK sixth, necessitating wins in their remaining matches and a strong Net Run Rate for playoff qualification. Gaikwad emphasized a simple approach: win every game to stay in contention.
Shreyas Iyer's stellar IPL-2026 campaign, marked by consistent middle-order batting and composed chases, has positioned him for a potential return to the Indian T20I squad. Despite Punjab Kings' recent struggles, Iyer's individual performance, including five half-centuries, highlights his evolution as a reliable finisher and leader.
Prasidh Krishna Interview: On Shubman Gill captaincy, Rabada + Siraj, GT's turnaround and more
Despite a victory over Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant expressed dejection over the team's disappointing IPL 2026 season. LSG, already eliminated, secured a seven-wicket win powered by Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, but Pant highlighted frustrations with implementing the team's thought process effectively.
After a stuttering start to IPL 2026, Gujarat Titans have emerged as one of the tournaments most complete sides, with a relentless bowling attack led by Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna. Speaking to the Teamofindia.com, Prasidh opens up on GTs turnaround, the teams hard-length bowling philosophy, Shubman Gills calm leadership and his own evolution after last seasons Purple Cap-winning campaign.
With playoffs in sight, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore are strong contenders, boasting high qualification probabilities. Sunrisers Hyderabad also hold a solid chance. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have a decent shot, while Chennai Super Kings' prospects have dimmed. Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals face slim hopes.
Jasprit Bumrah's debut as Mumbai Indians captain showcased a composed and astute leadership, offering a potential long-term solution for the franchise. His calm demeanor and problem-solving approach stood out, providing a steadying influence for a team seeking balance. This leadership opportunity, long overdue, saw Bumrah confidently guide MI to a win, demonstrating his readiness for the role.
Jasprit Bumrah captained Mumbai Indians for the first time in IPL 2026, leading them to a win against Punjab Kings. Drawing a parallel to the film 'Nayak', Bumrah expressed his enjoyment of the role. This experience adds to his prior captaincy stints with the Indian national team in Tests and T20Is.
Lucknow Super Giants dented Chennai Super Kings' playoff hopes with a dominant seven-wicket victory. Akash Singh's stellar bowling performance restricted CSK to 187, a target LSG comfortably chased with 20 balls remaining. This loss pushed CSK to sixth in the IPL 2026 standings, while RCB lead the table.
Akash Singh's electrifying IPL 2026 debut saw him claim three crucial wickets for Lucknow Super Giants against Chennai Super Kings. His unique wicket celebration, involving a motivational note, highlighted his determined mindset. Singh emphasised the importance of mental dominance and aggressive play, stating his goal is to 'dominate' in the IPL, a reward for his season-long persistence and hard work.
Former India all-rounder Robin Singh has officially departed from the Mumbai Indians franchise after a 16-year association. Singh confirmed his exit from both the IPL team and MI Emirates, concluding a significant support-staff tenure. He was instrumental in the franchise's success, being part of all five IPL title wins and two Champions League T20 triumphs.
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.

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