The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
Lucknow Super Giants secured a crucial win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka showed respect by waiting to meet Virat Kohli. He patiently waited with his grandson, not interrupting Kohli's conversation. Later, Kohli warmly interacted with them and signed an autograph for the young fan. This moment went viral online.
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Finn Allen's maiden IPL century, a blistering 100 off 47 balls, powered Kolkata Knight Riders to victory against Delhi Capitals. His unbeaten knock, featuring 10 sixes, saw him join KKR's elite century-makers. Allen emphasized responsible batting after early wickets, acknowledging the challenging pitch and Axar Patel's bowling.
Lucknow Super Giants secured their maiden home win in IPL 2026 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but the match was marred by the discovery of fake AI-generated tickets. Police apprehended four individuals from Chhattisgarh for using AI tools and graphic software to create and sell counterfeit tickets outside the Ekana Stadium.
Javokhir Sindarov defeated D Gukesh in their first-ever blitz clash at the Grand Chess Tour in Warsaw, avenging his earlier rapid loss to the World Champion. Gukeshs rare fist-pump celebration after that previous win had gone viral. With one win each, their growing rivalry now heads into a decisive final reverse-blitz showdown before this years World Championship clash.
Finn Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls to help Kolkata Knight Riders beat Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in IPL 2026. The knock made Allen the first New Zealand batter to score three T20 centuries in a calendar year. KKRs bowlers, led by Sunil Narine and Anukul Roy, earlier restricted DC to 142/8.
Krunal Pandya reflects on his 11-season IPL journey, crediting adaptability, fitness and constant reinvention for his longevity and success with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The left-arm spinner discusses refining his bowling for bounce and deception, embracing challenges, and staying driven by an ambition to return to Indias national team. Gratitude, resilience and evolution remain central to his career and mindset.
Delhi Capitals' playoff hopes are in dire straits after an eight-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders. A batting collapse against KKR's spinners, coupled with a poor Net Run Rate, has pushed DC to eighth place. They now need to win all three remaining matches to have any chance of qualification, facing a must-win scenario in every upcoming fixture. Unless Delhi suddenly produce their most complete cricket of the season over the final three matches, IPL 2026 is rapidly heading towards an early fi
Finn Allen's career-defining maiden IPL century powered Kolkata Knight Riders to a dominant eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals. Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls, reflecting on a mindset shift towards adaptability and responsibility after early season struggles. Time out of the XI helped reset his perspective, leading to this explosive turnaround.
Allens unbeaten 100 off 47 balls helped Kolkata Knight Riders register their fourth straight win in IPL 2026 on Friday. KKR chased down 143 in 14.2 overs to win by eight wickets.
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Ajinkya Rahane lauded Kolkata Knight Riders' complete performance after their dominant win over Delhi Capitals. He highlighted Finn Allen's match-winning century and the bowlers' consistent discipline, particularly the spin trio, for setting up the victory. Rahane also credited the support staff and the team's focus on the present moment for their success.
Kolkata Knight Riders secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, fueled by a stellar spin attack and Finn Allen's explosive maiden IPL century. This fourth consecutive win keeps KKR's playoff aspirations burning bright, while Delhi faces mounting pressure. Allen's unbeaten 100 off 47 balls guided KKR to a swift chase after restricting Delhi to 142.
Kolkata Knight Riders secured a vital win against Delhi Capitals. This victory keeps their IPL 2026 playoff aspirations alive. The IPL 2026 points table shows a close contest with many teams vying for playoff spots. Sunrisers Hyderabad leads the standings. Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are also in strong positions.
The club said no sporting punishment would be given to the two players and added that the fine thereby concludes the internal procedures started after the incident.
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel's batting woes deepened in IPL 2026, marking a new low with the second-worst captain's average in the league's history. His struggles, coupled with a dismal strike-rate, highlight a significant concern for the team amidst a challenging season. KKR's spinners effectively stifled Delhi's batting lineup, leading to a batting collapse.
Cricket star Rohit Sharma is venturing into television. A teaser for his new show has been released. Details about the show's format and title will be announced soon. Sharma is currently playing in IPL 2026. He has a distinguished career in international cricket across all formats. His popularity extends beyond the field.
DC openers KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka managed only two sixes in the first six overs, both of them coming from Nissanka. Rahul did not hit a six during his innings as DC scored 55 runs in the powerplay.
KL Rahul etched his name in IPL history, becoming the first player to surpass 1000 runs for three different franchises. He achieved this remarkable feat for Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and now Delhi Capitals. Rahul also set a new record for the quickest 1000 runs for Delhi, reaching the milestone in just 23 innings.
Lucknow Super Giants posted a massive 209 for 3 in 19 overs. Nicholas Pooran contributed a brisk 38 off 23 balls. A tense on-field moment provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 32 off just 10 deliveries. Krunal Pandya dismissed Arshin Kulkarni to break the opening partnership. Royal Challengers Bangalore faced a daunting revised chase in the rain-affected encounter.
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar is concerned about the game's increasing tilt towards batters, especially in T20s. He highlights shorter boundaries, fielding restrictions, and powerful bats as key issues. Gavaskar specifically advocates for a more lenient wide bouncer rule, arguing bowlers are unfairly penalized. He urges the ICC Cricket Committee to consider measures to restore balance for the bowling fraternity.
Ravichandran Ashwin recounted a memorable moment from his early career when his exuberant celebration after dismissing MS Dhoni in the Challenger Trophy visibly irked the former captain. Ashwin explained his dream of taking Dhoni's wicket, which he believed would open doors for him at CSK. This pivotal moment indeed paved the way for his eventual success with the franchise.
Indian tennis star Shrivalli opens up on injuries & comeback journey
Virat Kohli's IPL 2026 campaign hit a rare snag as Lucknow Super Giants pacer Prince Yadav dismissed him for a two-ball duck. This marked Kohli's first IPL duck in 1110 days, a stunning event given his legendary status. The delivery itself was hailed as 'ball of the tournament', leaving fans and experts in awe of the rare dismissal.
Former India spinner Sairaj Bahutule is poised to become the Indian men's team's spin-bowling coach for the next two years. With extensive experience, including with the Punjab Kings and at the NCA, Bahutule's appointment aims to bolster India's spin attack. His tenure is expected to commence with the Afghanistan series in June. The Team India coaching setup currently includes batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel, fielding coach T Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doesc
Ahmedabad will host the IPL-2026 final on May 31 due to a crucial International Cricket Council meeting scheduled there. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia cited the ICC meeting, Ahmedabad's superior stadium capacity for revenue generation, and favorable weather conditions as key factors in the decision, dismissing political allegations.
Rajat Patidar reflects on RCBs defeat, praises Devdutt Padikkal
Cricket legend AB de Villiers has drawn a striking parallel between England's Jacob Bethell and India's 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, predicting both left-handers will become future superstars. While Sooryavanshi is dazzling in IPL 2026 with Rajasthan Royals, Bethell, now with RCB, is showing immense potential. De Villiers believes their natural talent, coupled with experience, will make them unstoppable.
Prince Yadav on dismissing Virat Kohli, LSG mindset and big moment
Former India captain MS Dhoni has been revealed as the highest individual taxpayer from Jharkhand and Bihar combined for the 2025-26 financial year. The Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax confirmed Dhoni's top position, though the exact tax amount remains undisclosed. This achievement highlights Dhoni's significant financial contribution to the region.
Prince Yadav delivered a sensational spell for Lucknow Super Giants against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, dismissing Virat Kohli with a all of the tournament contender. His impressive 3/33 performance secured a crucial DLS victory, with former India batter Ambati Rayudu praising his all-format potential.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik feels Delhi Capitals' IPL campaign was derailed by a one-run loss to Gujarat Titans, leaving them mentally scarred. Despite a decent squad, DC has struggled since that defeat, experiencing extreme results. Now seventh, they face a resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders, who are in winning form.
Rishabh Pants unbeaten 32 helped Lucknow Super Giants beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by nine runs in Lucknow, but questions over his T20 form continue to grow. Once seen as one of Indias brightest white-ball stars, Pant has struggled for consistency in recent IPL seasons despite becoming the leagues most expensive player at Rs 27 crore. His falling returns in T20 cricket, changing role at LSG and growing competition for India spots have added to the pressure, with Irfan Pathan also admitting t
The BCCI has issued a stern warning to IPL franchises regarding 'targeted compromise and honey-trapping,' enhancing security and access protocols. Stricter rules now govern hotel room access, unauthorised departures, and accreditation display. Franchise owners face new restrictions on interacting with players during matches, and vaping is strictly prohibited, with severe penalties for violations.
Pakistan introduces new talent for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais receive their maiden Test caps. This move comes as Babar Azam is sidelined with a knee injury. The team aims to rebuild with a younger batting core. Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to field first.
Sanjiv Goenka's jubilant reaction went viral as Lucknow Super Giants secured a crucial win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Mitchell Marsh's explosive 111 powered LSG to 209/3, a total RCB fell nine runs short of despite a spirited chase. The victory ended LSG's home losing streak and complicated RCB's playoff aspirations.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has reportedly met WADA's six-month notice requirement for returning athletes, according to sources. Despite this, her comeback is facing scrutiny over registration issues and a whereabouts failure. Her eligibility for upcoming events, including the Asian Games, remains uncertain due to these controversies and selection policies.
Magnus Carlsen clinched the TePe Sigeman & Co. chess title in Malmo after a dramatic classical win against Yagiz Kaan and two decisive blitz victories over Arjun Erigaisi. Carlsen's resilience in the classical phase, forcing complex endgames, proved pivotal. Erigaisi fought valiantly, securing a draw in the classical finale and winning one blitz tiebreak before Carlsen ultimately triumphed.
Virat Kohli shared a warm moment with young LSG pacer Prince Yadav after being dismissed by a brilliant nip-backer. Yadav revealed Kohli himself had advised him to stick to that length after a previous match. Despite the dismissal, Kohli appeared relaxed and appreciative of the youngster's performance.
Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders clash featuring three top Indian T20 spinners. Varun Chakravarthy is finding form after injury. Kuldeep Yadav struggles this IPL season. Axar Patel leads Delhi in wickets but faces captaincy scrutiny. The match highlights the spinners' recent journeys.
A crucial clash awaits Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders tonight, with playoff hopes hanging in the balance. Capitals, struggling at home and with batting collapses, face a resurgent Knight Riders side buoyed by recent victories. Delhi desperately needs a win to stay in contention, while KKR aims to capitalize on their momentum.
Rishabh Pant's sharp tactical advice proved pivotal in Lucknow Super Giants' narrow nine-run DLS victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Caught on camera instructing spinner Shahbaz Ahmed, Pant's guidance led to the crucial dismissal of the dangerous Tim David. This breakthrough shifted momentum, ultimately helping LSG end their losing streak and revive playoff aspirations.
Jitesh Sharma's IPL 2026 struggles continue, drawing criticism from Ambati Rayudu for technical flaws, especially against short balls. After a stellar 2025, his form has plummeted, with low scores and a struggling strike rate. Rayudu highlighted his inability to adapt, a concern given the rapid pace of IPL matches and limited practice time.
Indian selectors are set to remove Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I captain when the squads for the Ireland and England series are picked. Due to his batting struggles, the selectors have run out of patience with the 35-year-old. Shreyas Iyer is a strong contender to take over the leadership role as the team looks for a fresh start ahead of a packed T20I calendar.
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