The Times of India

PSG carry the weight of champions, refusing to stop as they hope to retain the crown. Arsenal arrive with carpe diem in their hearts and history at their backs as they find themselves in the final of the Champions League for the first time since 2006. And if Arsenal get over the line, they would also become only the 25th club to ever win the European Cup or Champions League, having played 225 games in the competition - more than any other club to have never lifted the trophy.

Gujarat Titans secured their third IPL final appearance by defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. After a slow start, the team dominated the latter half of the season, driven by their formidable opening pair and a resurgent bowling attack. They now face RCB for their second IPL title.

Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 campaign ended in heartbreak after a Qualifier 2 loss to Gujarat Titans. Despite a brilliant 96 from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the team fell short. Sooryavanshi's stellar season, marked by maturity and exceptional batting against top bowlers, has earned him high praise and suggestions of an imminent India call-up.

Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 campaign ended with a Qualifier 2 loss to Gujarat Titans, despite a stellar 96 from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Ravichandran Ashwin lamented the batting unit's failure to support the young prodigy's heroic effort, highlighting his exceptional performance against top bowlers. Gujarat Titans comfortably chased the target.

Sai Sudharsan etched his name in IPL history with two consecutive hit-wicket dismissals in the 2026 playoffs. His bat slipped and hit the stumps in back-to-back matches, first for 14 against RCB and then for a quickfire 58 against RR. Despite the bizarre setbacks, Gujarat Titans secured wins in both encounters, with Sudharsan humorously vowing to improve his grip.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are on the cusp of defending their IPL title after a dominant IPL 2026 campaign. Under captain Rajat Patidar, RCB finished top of the league and stormed into the final with a crushing win in Qualifier 1. They now face Gujarat Titans, looking like strong favourites to secure back-to-back championships.

LSG had made Rishabh Pant captain after bidding Rs 27 crore for him, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. On the other hand, MI stirred a controversy when they brought Hardik Pandya back to their fold from Gujarat Titans and named him captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, then Indias captain across all three formats.

IPL 2026 sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is garnering international acclaim for his bold batting. WWE superstar Drew McIntyre has now lauded the 15-year-old prodigy, even training in a Rajasthan Royals jersey as a tribute. McIntyre's admiration highlights Sooryavanshi's growing global impact beyond cricket.

Kumar Sangakkara questioned Sam Curran's absence from Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 playoff campaign, revealing the franchise had been informed of a season-ending injury. The RR director expressed disappointment after seeing Curran feature for Surrey and backed stricter enforcement of player contractual commitments.

Shubman Gill's spectacular century powered Gujarat Titans to a record-breaking chase in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, securing their spot in the final. He was celebrated with his family after the thrilling 7-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals. The Titans now head to Ahmedabad to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a highly anticipated title clash.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL 2026 dream ended in tears despite his stellar 96, as Gujarat Titans advanced to the final. The young Rajasthan Royals star, who amassed 776 runs this season, was visibly heartbroken after his team's elimination. Captain Riyan Parag lauded his exceptional talent and maturity, predicting a bright future for the prodigious cricketer.

RCB's Director of Cricket Mo Bobat believes the franchise's new identity matches with Rajat Patidar's. Built on fearless intent and collective contributions, RCB's second consecutive title push is strengthened by the experience of Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. They will face Gujarat Titans in the final on Sunday.

Mumbai Indians faced a dismal IPL 2026, plagued by persistent dressing room unrest and damaging leaks of sensitive information. This internal turmoil, escalating since Hardik Pandya's captaincy, has frustrated franchise figures and insiders alike. Management is now prioritising an immediate crackdown on these breaches to restore the team's former glory.

Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan experienced a rare hit-wicket dismissal twice in consecutive IPL matches. This unusual event occurred during Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals. Despite this setback, Gujarat Titans secured a seven-wicket victory. Skipper Shubman Gill expressed surprise at the repeated dismissal. Gujarat Titans will now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.

IPL auctions are often won on perception in December, but the real story usually emerges months later. While franchises splashed massive sums on Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana and Liam Livingstone, the smartest buys of IPL 2026 quietly came from the Rs 7-9 crore bracket. Jason Holder topped the charts by a distance, Josh Inglis maximised limited opportunities, and Ravi Bishnoi delivered steady returns. Meanwhile, several marquee signings struggled with injuries, poor form and role mismatches

Kumar Sangakkara believes 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for international cricket after a remarkable IPL campaign. The Rajasthan Royals opener amassed 776 runs in 16 innings at a blistering strike rate of 237.30, including one century and five fifties. The teenager could have had back-to-back centuries in the playoffs, but fell short on 97 and 96, respectively.

Vikram Solanki on Shubman Gill-Sai Sudharsan masterclass, another IPL final

Kumar Sangakkara lashes out at Sam Curran, talks about RR season and more

The IPL 2026 Orange and Purple Cap races are set for a thrilling conclusion. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leads the Orange Cap race, but Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are close behind. Kagiso Rabada has taken the lead in the Purple Cap standings. The final match will decide the tournament's top performers.

French Open 2026 witnessed two huge upsets as Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner crashed out of the tournament. Teenager Joao Fonseca stunned Djokovic in a five-set thriller after coming back from two sets down. Earlier, World No. 1 Sinner collapsed physically in extreme Paris heat and lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo, ending his 30-match winning streak and opening up the mens draw.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill spoke about Sai Sudharsan's unusual back-to-back hit-wicket dismissals. Despite this, Gill and Sudharsan's record partnership powered Gujarat Titans to a massive win. Gill's century and Sudharsan's quickfire fifty secured their place in the IPL 2026 final. The team's strong understanding was a key factor in their success.

Riyan Parag praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 exit, saying the 15-year-old doesn't slog and instead calculates and plays his shots. Sooryavanshi smashed 96 off 47 balls, but Gujarat Titans chased down 215 comfortably thanks to Shubman Gills 104 and Sai Sudharsans 58. Gujarat reached their third IPL final and will face RCB in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat Titans reached their third IPL final after defeating Rajasthan Royals. Shubman Gill scored a magnificent century to guide Gujarat in their chase. Rajasthan had posted a strong total thanks to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's brilliant knock. Gujarat's opening partnership was key to their success. They will now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.

Sai Sudharsan suffered another bizarre hit-wicket dismissal during Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals. Batting on 58, his bat slipped and hit the stumps while playing a shot off Brijesh Sharma. It was his second straight hit-wicket dismissal and third overall in IPL history, equalling Andre Russell and Shoaib Maliks mens T20 record.

Sai Sudharsan achieved a remarkable feat in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, joining Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle by scoring 700+ runs for the second consecutive season. He also equaled David Warner's nine 50-plus scores in a single IPL edition. Sudharsan and Shubman Gill's monumental opening stand set new IPL playoff partnership records.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan created T20 history during Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals by becoming the first mens pair to register 11 century partnerships. The duo achieved the feat in just 48 innings, surpassing legendary combinations like Chris Gayle-Virat Kohli and Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan while chasing 215 in Mullanpur.

Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred with a blistering 96, guiding his team to 214/6 against Gujarat Titans. Rashid Khan faced a tough outing, conceding 45 runs in two overs, including a 27-run final over assault by Donovan Ferreira. This marked a rare difficult night for the Afghan spinner in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat's participation in Asian Games trials is confirmed by courts, but her weight category remains a dispute. While Phogat desires to compete in 53kg, the WFI insists on 50kg, citing her Iconic Athlete status linked to her previous 50kg Olympic campaign. The final decision on her category is pending.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 96 off 47 balls in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans, narrowly missing a century for the second consecutive knockout game. The 15-year-old equalled Glenn Maxwell's record for most dismissals in the 90s in a season and became the fastest to 1000 runs by balls faced.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 96 off 47 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, but surprisingly recorded the slowest fifty of his IPL career. The teenage star reached his half-century in 28 balls, slower than his previous record of 27 balls. His explosive knock helped RR post 214/6 in the knockout clash.

Rafael Nadal revealed he played through extreme pain and serious health issues during his career, including the rare Muller-Weiss syndrome, knee injuries and complications from painkillers. The 22-time Grand Slam champion admitted he often feared each season could be his last. Tennis became a race against time, Nadal said, adding that passion for the sport outweighed the suffering.

Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shattered records in Qualifier 2, becoming the fastest to 1000 IPL runs, surpassing Andre Russell. Despite early wickets and a teammate's injury, the teenager's explosive 96 off 47 balls, featuring eight fours and seven sixes, propelled RR's innings and added to his historic IPL 2026 campaign.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has achieved a historic IPL milestone. The Rajasthan Royals teenager is the first uncapped player to score 700 runs in a single season. He also set a T20 record for most powerplay runs in a tournament. Sooryavanshi's incredible form continues to break records. His season now stands as the highest-scoring IPL campaign by an uncapped player.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen sparked debate during IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 after criticising wide-ball referrals in cricket. Referring wides in cricket needs to stop, Pietersen posted on X while watching Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals. His remark divided fans, with some saying reviews slow down T20 games, while others defended technology for ensuring accurate decisions in high-pressure matches.

India's Singapore Open campaign saw mixed fortunes as PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen exited in the quarterfinals. However, the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the semifinals with a comeback victory, keeping India's hopes alive.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made IPL history. He is the first player in T20 cricket to score 500 runs in the powerplay during a single tournament. This happened in IPL 2026. He achieved this milestone in a crucial qualifier match. Rajasthan Royals relied on him after early wickets. Sooryavanshi has been a standout performer all season.

D Gukesh enjoyed a funny birthday moment during Norway Chess 2026 celebrations as players sang for his 20th birthday before a sailing event in Oslo. Laughter erupted after Wesley So jokingly asked Javokhir Sindarov, Gukeshs future World Championship challenger, to sing a song. Earlier, Magnus Carlsen defeated Gukesh in Round 4, while Bibisara Assaubayeva continued leading the womens standings.

Confusion reigned at the toss for the Rajasthan Royals vs. Gujarat Titans match, necessitating a re-flip. Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag's initial call was deemed unclear, leading to a second toss which he again won, opting to bat. Gujarat's Shubman Gill also admitted a preference for batting first on the used pitch, anticipating it would slow down.

Following another disappointing IPL season, Mumbai Indians fans overwhelmingly favour pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to take over captaincy for IPL 2027. A poll revealed over 44% support for Bumrah, who has been a key player for the franchise. Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma also received significant votes, while Suryakumar Yadav was least preferred.

Teenage high jumper Pooja Singh made history at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships, clinching gold with a 1.93m leap. This stunning performance not only made her the first Indian woman to win this title but also shattered the 14-year-old senior National Record. Her achievement also meets the qualification standard for the Commonwealth Games 2026.

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain after two disappointing IPL seasons. Bought for a record Rs 27 crore, Pant's tenure saw LSG finish bottom in IPL 2026, extending their playoff drought. His individual form also struggled to justify the hefty price tag, impacting his national team prospects.

Magnus Carlsens birthday message to D Gukesh went viral during Norway Chess 2026. You're not a teenager anymore, time to grow up, Carlsen joked as Gukesh turned 20. Several chess stars, including Ju Wenjun and Koneru Humpy, also wished him. Later, Carlsen defeated Gukesh in a closely fought classical game, improving his position in the tournament standings.

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as captain of the Lucknow Super Giants, a decision accepted immediately by the franchise. Pant himself initiated the request to be relieved of his leadership duties. The franchise expressed gratitude for his contributions and is now focused on rebuilding. This comes after Pant's record-breaking Rs 27 crore move to LSG.

Sarfaraz Khan lauded young Vaibhav Sooryvanshi's skill and mindset, recalling his impressive Ranji Trophy debut. Sarfaraz also reflected on his own IPL comeback, emphasizing his dedication to improving his white-ball game and fitness after a two-year absence. He stressed the importance of continuous growth and simple cricket principles.

The Odisha Gymnastics Association is facing scrutiny for allegedly using deceased former president Samir Deys name on official documents and invoices linked to the 2026 National Gymnastics Championships. A complaint questioned funding approvals worth crores despite Deys death in 2024. The association blamed outdated letterheads, while the complaint also raised concerns over dual funding, transparency and the lack of elections for nearly 20 years.

Rain threatens the Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals Qualifier 2. If a washout occurs, the IPL has a contingency plan involving extra time, reduced overs, or a Super Over. Should no play be possible, the team higher in the league standings, Gujarat Titans, will advance to the final.

The anticipation builds for IPL 2026's Qualifier 2, where Gujarat Titans face off against Rajasthan Royals, but one player has everyone buzzing the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. His explosive capabilities during powerplays have shaken up the competition this season. Can GT's ace bowlers, Rabada and Siraj, rein in this young dynamo and prevent him from orchestrating another unforgettable knockout spectacle?

Greenstone Lobo predicts IPL 2026 winner

Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is IPL 2026's breakout star, leading the Orange Cap race. Despite narrowly missing centuries twice, his focus remains on team victory, a lesson learned from his father. His selfless approach, prioritizing team success over personal milestones, has earned widespread admiration throughout the tournament.