The Times of India

Prince Yadav, an LSG pacer, honed his skills playing tennis-ball cricket in his village. He still plays the game, crediting it for his arm speed and yorkers. Despite a past age-fudging ban, he is now a rising uncapped Indian fast bowler. He learns from seasoned players like Mohammed Shami and Zaheer Khan.

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, hosting the 2026 Laureus Awards, expressed deep admiration for Indian fans and revealed Virat Kohli inspired his interest in cricket. Djokovic hopes to visit India soon for an event, potentially with Kohli, to celebrate sports and spread positive vibes.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, aiming for a third consecutive win, will leverage their home advantage against Delhi Capitals. While SRH's bowling unit showed promise, their batting, particularly openers Sharma and Head, needs consistency. Delhi Capitals, after a mixed start, are back on track, with Miller playing a crucial role in their recent victory.

Tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka clinched top honours at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 in Madrid, being named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year. Alcaraz's Grand Slam victories and Sabalenka's dominant WTA season earned them the prestigious accolades, celebrated at an event recognizing global sporting excellence and its positive impact.

Tilak Varma delivered a historic IPL century, smashing 101 off 45 balls to lead Mumbai Indians to a dominant 99-run victory. His explosive innings, featuring a remarkable turnaround in scoring rate, saw him outscore the entire Gujarat Titans lineup. Varma's maiden century also marked a personal milestone, earning him his first Player-of-the-Match award.

Struggling Lucknow Super Giants are set to welcome Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis for their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign, potentially joining for the crucial May 4 clash against Mumbai Indians. Inglis, who missed the initial phase due to wedding commitments, offers a significant firepower boost to the struggling LSG batting lineup.

Team India's management is considering resting key players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah for the one-off Afghanistan Test (June 610) due to a packed schedule following IPL 2026. With no WTC points at stake and little turnaround time, workload management is the priority. Fringe players like Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar, Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey could earn maiden call-ups instead.

Khanna police have frozen over Rs 42 lakh in bank accounts linked to an IPL betting racket, a major breakthrough following the arrest of four individuals. Investigations reveal an international kingpin in Dubai and a money laundering trail. This crackdown, employing a stringent new law, signals a tougher stance against organised illegal betting.

Canadian cricket faces serious allegations of match-fixing, selection pressure, and threats, with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang reportedly at the center. National team captain Dilpreet Bajwa is under scrutiny for potential links to the gang and a match-fixing incident during the T20 World Cup. The CBC investigation reveals a pattern of intimidation aimed at influencing cricket administration and player selection.

Cricket's soul shines beyond numbers, as seen after RR's loss to KKR. Young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's dejection was met with a comforting gesture from KKR's Dishant Yagnik, a former RR colleague. This act of empathy transcended the fierce competition, highlighting enduring relationships. Sooryavanshi's impressive batting form continues to be a bright spot for RR, despite the team's recent defeat.

Chennai Super Kings are struggling in IPL 2026, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad facing criticism for both team results and personal form. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar places blame on CSK's decision-makers, citing the mishandling of MS Dhoni's role and a culture of sycophancy that clouds judgment. He argues for prioritizing players in their prime over established stars.

Mumbai Indians achieved a significant victory against Gujarat Titans. Skipper Hardik Pandya highlighted Jasprit Bumrah's impactful new ball spell and Tilak Varma's exceptional batting as crucial. Young players also delivered strong performances. This win is seen as a potential turning point for the team's season, especially after facing challenges in Ahmedabad.

Tilak Varma's spectacular maiden IPL century, an unbeaten 101 off 45 balls, showcased immense patience and clutch execution. After a cautious start, he unleashed a blistering assault, guiding Mumbai Indians to a commanding total. His innings, crucial for the team's campaign, highlighted a blend of strategic batting and fearless strokeplay under pressure, ultimately leading to a significant victory.

In the second innings, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Ashwani Kumar removed GTs heavyweight top three inside the powerplay, after which the batting line-up did not recover.

Tilak Varma delivered a stunning counterattack for Mumbai Indians, smashing an unbeaten 101 off 45 balls against Gujarat Titans. After a slow start, he unleashed a brutal assault, scoring 82 runs in his last 23 deliveries. This remarkable century, achieved at No. 5, silenced recent form concerns and marked a powerful resurgence.

Mumbai Indians have debuted 21-year-old Danish Malewar, a Nagpur-born all-rounder, against Gujarat Titans. Malewar, who impressed in Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy win with 783 runs and shone in the T20 league, joins MI at his base price. This move signals Mumbai's search for fresh talent amidst a struggling IPL 2026 campaign.

Gujarat Titans' Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to field against Mumbai Indians, citing potential dew. Mumbai, under pressure after four losses, sees Rohit Sharma absent and introduces two debutants, Krish Bhagat and Danish Malewar. Gujarat, with a steadier campaign, aims to build momentum against a struggling Mumbai side.

Ravichandran Ashwin has criticized Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag. Ashwin questioned Parag's decisions during the IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders. He highlighted a moment where Ravindra Jadeja was not utilized against left-handers. Ashwin believes this showed poor captaincy. The former spinner stressed the importance of trusting bowlers. Rajasthan Royals lost the match despite strong bowling performances.

The ongoing ISL season has seen significant imbalances, with bottom-placed Mohammedan Sporting playing far fewer home games than rivals such as East Bengal. Many other clubs have also been displaced from their home venues. With relegation now in effect, these inequalities could have serious consequences for affected clubs, raising questions about fairness despite no formal force majeure ruling.

Ghabraiye, aap Mullanpur mein hain, said Arshdeep Singh in a reel posted on his Instagram account after the match in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.

Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen congratulating Punjab Kings' Priyansh Arya after a dominant PBKS victory. Meanwhile, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant engaged in a chat with PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta. Punjab Kings secured their fifth win in six matches, while LSG suffered a third consecutive defeat, highlighting their struggles this season.

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer lauded Rajasthan Royals' teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a spectacular talent and one for the future after his explosive IPL 2026 campaign. Iyer emphasized the importance of self-belief and playing fearlessly in T20 cricket, a philosophy he sees reflected in Sooryavanshi's game and his own openers.

Mumbai Indians, struggling at the bottom of IPL 2026, face a resurgent Gujarat Titans. MI seeks to revive their season against GT's strong bowling attack, led by Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan. Key player battles, including Shubman Gill vs. Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma vs. Kagiso Rabada, will be crucial.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood defended Babar Azam, deeming it unfair to single him out for strike-rate issues in T20 cricket, arguing Pakistan lacks ultra-aggressive batters in the format. Mahmood emphasised that Babar sets the platform for others, and realistic expectations are needed, as the country doesn't possess consistently high-strike-rate players.

Babar Azam finally reached a century in the Pakistan Super League 2026. He scored an unbeaten 100 off 52 balls for Peshawar Zalmi against Quetta Gladiators. This century ended a long wait for the star batter. He also became the fastest to 12,000 T20 runs. Peshawar Zalmi won the match by 118 runs.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma visited Vrindavan for a spiritual retreat, attending an Ekantik Vartalaap with Premanand Ji Maharaj. This marks their third visit in five months, highlighting their growing inclination towards faith. The couple was seen quietly listening to the guru's discourse among devotees.

IPL 2026: RR assistant coach Vikram Rathour speaks after loss to KKR

IPL 2026: Its the nature of the game - Varun Chakaravarthy on pitch, pressure & KKR win

IPL 2026: LSGs Prince Yadav backs their plan despite loss to PBKS

Punjab Kings maintain their unbeaten IPL 2026 streak, driven by a strong dressing-room culture and a focus on collective improvement. All-rounder Cooper Connolly highlighted the team's collaborative approach and captain Shreyas Iyer's leadership in fostering a positive environment. Their dominant performances, including a significant partnership, underscore their status as a formidable contender.

A viral video of a Sunrisers Hyderabad fan performing a lemon ritual during an IPL match coincided with Shivam Dube's dismissal, sparking 'black magic' accusations. An unverified letter claiming CSK complained to the IPL has also circulated. Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi alleged similar past incidents involving team owners.

Magnus Carlsen has declared Javokhir Sindarov the favourite to win the upcoming World Chess Championship against D Gukesh, citing Sindarov's well-rounded game. Sindarov's dominant Candidates Tournament performance, where he remained unbeaten, has impressed chess legends. Despite this, Gukesh's renowned mental resilience and ability to defend difficult positions remain significant factors in this historic, generational duel.

Aronyak Ghosh achieved his long-awaited Grandmaster title after a remarkable performance at the 23rd BCC Open 2026 in Bangkok. The 22-year-old's journey, marked by his father's dedication and the family's financial sacrifices, culminated in securing his third GM norm. This achievement signifies the success of years of commitment to the game, with chess now being Aronyak's primary focus.

Punjab Kings secured a dominant 54-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants, powered by Priyansh Arya's 93 and Cooper Connolly's 87, setting a season-high 254. Despite fielding lapses that frustrated coach Ricky Ponting, the team's strong batting performance propelled them to the top of the IPL table. Captain Shreyas Iyer later diffused tension with Shashank Singh, who dropped crucial catches.

The IPL 2026 season intensifies with nine crucial matches scheduled from April 20-26, as teams battle for playoff berths. Unbeaten Punjab Kings lead the standings, while Gujarat Titans are on a winning streak. This week's fixtures include key clashes like GT vs MI and SRH vs DC, promising significant shifts in the points table.

Ashok Sharma story: Inside the village and house which shaped India's new pace sensation

Mumbai Indians face a crucial IPL 2026 encounter against a surging Gujarat Titans, desperately seeking to end a four-match losing streak. Mumbai's batting and bowling have faltered, while Gujarat rides a three-game winning wave. The Ahmedabad pitch, favoring first-innings scores, and extreme heat could influence tactical decisions for this high-stakes clash.

A local politician, reportedly upset over not being invited to a cricket tournament's final, drove a tractor onto the pitch in Dharangaon, India, and vandalized it. The shocking incident, captured on video, rendered the field unplayable, forcing the match to be called off. While police intervened, organisers opted not to file a formal complaint.

Mumbai Indians received a positive update on Rohit Sharma's fitness ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans on Monday. Coach Paras Mhambrey confirmed Rohit is fit and batting in the nets, though a final decision on his participation is pending. His return could be crucial for MI's struggling campaign.

Manchester City surged ahead in the Premier League title race, defeating Arsenal 2-1 thanks to Erling Haaland's decisive goal. This victory significantly dents Arsenal's championship hopes, while City now holds a commanding position. Elsewhere, Liverpool secured a dramatic derby win, Aston Villa triumphed in a thriller, and Nottingham Forest boosted survival chances with a strong performance.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a crucial victory, ending a six-match winless streak and keeping their tournament hopes alive. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy, returning to form with a three-wicket haul, highlighted the immense significance of the win, attributing his success to a more spinner-friendly pitch.

Mumbai Indians face a crucial must-win match against Gujarat Titans, having won only one of their first five games. MI's bowling attack has struggled for penetration, while their batting has shown inconsistency, particularly in finishing innings. Gujarat Titans possess a strong bowling unit and will be looking to capitalize on MI's early-season struggles.

The Pakistan Cricket Board acknowledged no formal contract was sent to Blessing Muzarabani for the PSL but defended his two-year ban, citing a verbal agreement. Muzarabani's agent refuted this, stating a contract is needed for an NOC, and called the ban excessive. The dispute arose after Muzarabani opted for the IPL over the PSL.

Ashok Sharma is being touted as the next big thing from India's fast bowling stable. But in his village, Rampura, on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, around 35 km from Rajasthan's capital Jaipur, his family speaks about his biggest dream -- the blue jersey. Ashok Sharma has picked up six wickets in five matches this season so far for Gujarat Titans.

Priyansh Arya smashed a blistering 93 off 37 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. His innings powered Punjab Kings to a massive 254/7. Punjab Kings successfully defended the total, restricting LSG to 200/5. Arya's performance earned him Player of the Match. This win keeps Punjab Kings at the top of the table.

Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is continuing his fiery form in IPL 2026, becoming Rajasthan Royals' highest run-getter with 246 runs in 6 matches at a strike rate of 236.54. The 15-year-old aims to contribute to the senior Indian team after fulfilling his father's dream of playing in the World Cup.

Punjab Kings secured a dominant 54-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants, propelling them to the top of the table. Captain Shreyas Iyer revealed a light-hearted six-hitting contest in the dressing room fueled the team's batting prowess, with Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly smashing centuries to post a season-high 254/7.