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Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
Sunrisers Hyderabad's batting prowess against Punjab Kings reached new heights with another 200-plus total, marking their eighth such score in this fixture. This achievement equals the IPL record for most 200-plus totals against a single opponent. The innings featured explosive hitting from key players and highlighted Hyderabad's sustained batting dominance in this matchup.
World champion D Gukesh showed rare emotion after defeating future title challenger Javokhir Sindarov at the Grand Chess Tour in Poland. Playing with the black pieces, Gukesh outplayed the Uzbek grandmaster in 52 moves and celebrated with a fist pump after the win. The victory was seen as a strong statement ahead of their World Championship clash later this year.
Punjab Kings poor fielding left Yuzvendra Chahal frustrated during their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad as dropped catches denied him crucial wickets. Shashank Singh dropped Heinrich Klaasen, while Lockie Ferguson spilled Ishan Kishan, both off Chahals bowling. PBKS have now dropped six catches off Chahal this season, the most for any bowler in IPL 2026, hurting Punjab badly on a batting-friendly Hyderabad pitch.
Ravichandran Ashwin playfully addressed fan speculation about a rift with Rohit Sharma after missing the LSG vs MI IPL 2026 clash. He clarified his absence was due to prior commentary commitments and travel, not any personal issue. Ashwin lauded Rohit's spectacular 84-run innings, despite the match's limited impact on both teams' playoff hopes.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is making waves in IPL 2026. His incredible batting skills have drawn attention. A social activist has raised concerns about child exploitation. He plans legal action against Rajasthan Royals. The activist believes the young player is a victim of child labor. Sooryavanshi's performances have been historic. He is the youngest T20 centurion.
Punjab Kings won the toss and chose to field against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a crucial IPL 2026 encounter. Both teams, aiming to recover from recent losses, boast explosive batting lineups. PBKS, currently leading the table, and SRH, close behind, are vying for playoff advantage in this high-stakes clash. Shreyas Iyer confirmed one change, bringing in Shashank Singh.
Prince Yadavs rise from playing tennis-ball cricket in Delhis Dariyapur Khurd to becoming an exciting IPL fast bowler reflects determination and resilience. Inspired by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the LSG pacer dreams of winning the 2027 World Cup alongside them. Despite setbacks, including a two-year ban, Prince rebuilt his career with guidance from mentors like Mohammed Shami and Zaheer Khan.
Sanju Samson played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 87 runs. He led Chennai Super Kings to a comfortable eight-wicket victory against Delhi Capitals. Samson's composed innings, supported by Kartik Sharma, chased down the target with ease. This crucial win keeps CSK in contention for the IPL 2026 playoffs. Experts praised Samson's form and leadership.
Rishabh Pant gifted Yuvraj Singh a golf club and heartfelt note to thank him for mentoring him ahead of IPL 2026 after a difficult phase in his career. Sharing the gesture online, Yuvraj jokingly teased Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and other mentees, saying, Sharam karo... Rishabh Pant se kuch seekho. Meanwhile, Pant continues to struggle for form in IPL 2026.
Sports Ministry has reaffirmed its policy of a blanket ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, with no Indian teams participating in Pakistan and vice-versa. However, exemptions remain for multi-nation events like the Olympics and Asian Games. The ministry also aims to simplify visa processes to position India as a preferred international sports hosting destination.
Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has lost the rights to host the IPL 2026 final to Ahmedabad, much to the Karnataka Cricket Association's disappointment. Despite claiming full preparedness and a strong operational record, the KSCA was informed of the shift due to unspecified 'operational and logistical considerations' by the BCCI, sparking debate.
Alastair Cook reignited his debate with Kevin Pietersen over Jacob Bethell's IPL stint. Cook believes the young batter needs game time in county cricket over sitting on the bench in India. Pietersen countered, asserting Cook lacks understanding of the IPL's developmental benefits. Cook reiterated his stance, emphasizing playing matches over observation, despite the IPL's financial allure.
Millions in Asia, including India, China, and Thailand, face uncertainty over watching the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to delayed broadcast rights. Unfavorable late-night match timings and high costs are stalling deals, potentially impacting viewership. Experts, however, believe agreements will be reached, ensuring widespread access to the global football spectacle.
The IPL 2026 final has been moved from Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium to Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium due to operational and logistical issues with the local association. This marks Ahmedabad's fourth final in five seasons. Previously, Ahmedabad hosted in 2022 and 2025, with scheduling and weather concerns influencing those decisions as well.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to return for their crucial IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings, according to head coach Daniel Vettori. Reddy's availability is seen as vital for SRH's balance, bolstering both their batting and bowling ahead of the high-stakes encounter as the playoff race tightens.
Sanjay Manjrekar urges Sanju Samson to emulate Virat Kohli's fitness dedication for sustained success. Despite Samson's stellar IPL 2026 season with two centuries and over 400 runs for CSK, Manjrekar believes the 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter can enhance his physical conditioning. He highlighted Kohli's longevity, attributing it to prioritizing fitness to complement his skills and prevent physical limitations.
Hemang Badani admits perform or perish as DC face must-win situation
IPL 2026's playoff race is heating up, with home advantage proving crucial. Top teams like Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are leveraging their home grounds to secure vital points. Meanwhile, teams in the bottom half are struggling significantly at home, making their playoff aspirations increasingly difficult as the league stage concludes.
The 2026 Indian Premier League final is scheduled for May 31 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, deviating from the tradition of hosting it at the reigning champions' home ground. Playoffs are slated for May 26, 27, and 29, with matches to be held in Mullanpur and Dharamsala.
Sanju Samson has silenced early critics with a stellar IPL 2026 campaign for Chennai Super Kings, earning praise from Aaron Finch. After a rocky start, the star batter has delivered crucial performances, including match-winning innings and crossing 5,000 IPL runs, proving his superstar status for CSK.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat received a formal warning from the International Testing Agency for a missed doping test in December 2025. This marks her first whereabouts failure within a year. Despite her explanation citing legislative duties and personal commitments, the ITA deemed it insufficient. The warning won't impact her upcoming Gonda tournament return.
Manipur judoka Inunganbi Takhellambam, overcoming arduous journeys and early setbacks, achieved a historic bronze at the Asian Judo Championships. This marks a significant milestone after years of dedication, with her sights now set on the Commonwealth and Asian Games. Her journey highlights resilience and the pursuit of excellence in Indian sports.
Ryan Rickelton has emerged as Mumbai Indians' standout performer in IPL 2026, leading the team in runs with an impressive strike rate. His explosive batting, including multiple century partnerships with Rohit Sharma, has been crucial to MI's successful chases. Rickelton credits his chemistry with Sharma and the Wankhede pitch for his dream run.
Sanju Samson's unbeaten 87 against Delhi Capitals propelled him into an elite club with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. His stellar performance, including two 100-plus partnerships against DC this season, secured a crucial win for Chennai Super Kings, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Sanju Samson's unbeaten 87 steered Chennai Super Kings to a crucial victory over Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. Prioritising the team's win over a personal century, Samson displayed remarkable composure and calculated aggression. His mature approach earned praise from cricket legends, highlighting his significant impact on CSK's playoff aspirations this season.
Ruturaj Gaikwad lauded Sanju Samson's match-winning 87* against Delhi Capitals, calling him the team's backbone. Samson's unbeaten knock, alongside Kartik Sharma's support, secured an eight-wicket win for CSK, keeping their playoff hopes alive. This victory propelled CSK to fifth place in the IPL 2026 standings.
Delhi Capitals' head coach Hemang Badani faced scrutiny after their loss to Chennai Super Kings, attributing the defeat to a top-order collapse and a tricky Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch. Badani highlighted the team's lack of control over pitch preparation, noting the inconsistent nature of their home ground.
Sanju Samson's stellar form propelled Chennai Super Kings to a crucial eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals. His unbeaten 87 anchored the chase, marking his second century partnership against DC this season. This win keeps CSK's playoff hopes alive, while DC edges closer to elimination.
Delhi Capitals' IPL 2026 playoff hopes are fading fast after a string of losses, exposing critical issues in their batting, tactical confusion, and pressure handling. With only four games left and a negative net run rate, they face a daunting task to reach the required points. Their upcoming fixtures against strong opponents further complicate their precarious position.
Arsenal have reached the Champions League final after a 20-year wait, defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium thanks to Bukayo Saka's first-half goal. This 2-1 aggregate victory propels Mikel Arteta's side, who are also leading the Premier League, towards a potential historic season and their first European crown.
DC opener KL Rahul has regained the IPL 2026 Orange Cap after scoring 12 runs against CSK. He now leads with 445 runs, narrowly ahead of Abhishek Sharma. Sanju Samson's unbeaten 87 propelled him to fifth place. The top five batsmen are separated by just 43 runs, promising an exciting race.
Chennai Super Kings dominated the Delhi Capitals on and off the field in IPL 2026 on Tuesday. Delhis batting faltered again, despite late resistance from Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi. Poor home form and inconsistent pitches have left DCs playoff hopes slim.
Jasprit Bumrahs trademark slower ball has struggled in IPL 2026, conceding 74 runs from 46 deliveries without taking a wicket. Bumrah has managed only three wickets in 10 matches, with critics like Sunil Gavaskar pointing to declining pace, inconsistent lengths and overuse of variations. Gavaskar believes Bumrah is overcomplicating his bowling but expects him to regain form soon.
Chennai Super Kings reignited their IPL 2026 playoff hopes with a dominant win over Delhi Capitals. Sanju Samson's unbeaten 87 steered them to a comfortable chase after disciplined bowling. Now sixth, CSK need at least two wins from their remaining four games, including crucial ties against Lucknow Super Giants, to secure a top-four spot amidst a tight race.
Delhi Capitalss home struggles continued as they managed only 155/7 against Chennai Super Kings, who chased the target comfortably thanks to Sanju Samsons unbeaten 87. CSKs disciplined bowling, led by Akeal Hosein, exposed DCs batting issues again. Poor performances from KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav pushed Delhi closer to elimination.
In a letter dated May 4, 2026, the ITA said the missed test has been recorded after reviewing her explanation submitted on January 19, 2026.
In a big boost for DC bowling, South African pacer Lungi Ngidi came back into the side after missing few matches due to head injury that he had suffered during a home match against Punjab Kings on April 25.
Ravichandran Ashwin shared a humorous story about Yuzvendra Chahal wanting to open the batting during their time at Rajasthan Royals. Ashwin said Chahal claimed he had scored a century in his Under-19 days and often asked to bat higher up the order. Ashwin jokingly questioned Chahals ability to hit boundaries against pacers like Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj.
His performances have led to discussions about whether he could be selected for the India team after the IPL, and Manjrekar said he has done enough to be considered.
World No. 1 and five-time world Magnus Carlsen suffered his first classical chess defeat in nearly a year after losing to Jorden van Foreest at the TePe Sigeman & Co Tournament 2026 in Malmo. Carlsen had remained unbeaten since his loss to D Gukesh in 2025. Arjun Erigaisi stayed unbeaten after drawing with Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the team on Monday. Babar Azam was named captain after leading Peshawar Zalmi to the title and performing well with the bat.
Harbhajan Singh said Rohit Sharmas earlier return from injury could have improved Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 campaign. Rohits match-winning knock against Lucknow Super Giants highlighted his importance to the side. Harbhajan felt MI lost crucial matches during Rohits absence but believes the team still has an outside chance of reaching the playoffs.
India retained the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I rankings with 275 points after winning a record third T20 World Cup title. England remained second and Australia third. Bangladesh climbed to eighth while Sri Lanka slipped to ninth. The USA rose to 13th place. ICC also reduced ranked teams from 102 to 98 after four nations failed eligibility criteria.
Delhi Capitals bowler Lungi Ngidi is fit for the IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings. Bowling coach Munaf Patel confirmed Ngidi's availability. Delhi Capitals need to win this crucial game to stay in playoff contention. Early wickets are vital against Chennai Super Kings. The team is likely to maintain selection continuity.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru bid an emotional farewell to former head physio Evan Speechly after his 18-year association with the franchise. Virat Kohli and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat led tributes, highlighting Speechly's professionalism, kindness, and dedication. Speechly expressed his gratitude, calling RCB family and feeling fortunate for his long tenure.
The International League T20 (ILT20) has advanced its Season 5 schedule to November-December 2026, aiming for a cleaner global T20 window. This strategic shift, building on Season 4's success, promises improved player availability and commercial metrics. The league also emphasised its regional identity and commitment to developing Associate nation players.
Sunil Gavaskar believes a resurgent Rohit Sharma's form could significantly impact the IPL 2026 playoff race. Sharma's explosive 84 against LSG showcased a renewed focus on batting deeper and leaving a bigger impact, potentially derailing multiple teams' qualification hopes. Gavaskar also noted Jasprit Bumrah's struggles, advising a return to basics.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India debut: The calls are getting louder