The Times of India

Shikhar Dhawan champions young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, emphasizing performance over age. Dhawan lauded the teenager's fearless batting against top bowlers, a rarity at his age. Sooryavanshi's impressive IPL 2026 stats, including 400 runs at a 238.10 strike rate and 37 sixes, back Dhawan's praise. However, Dhawan acknowledges the challenge of breaking into India's strong top order.

Shubman Gill's aggressive 43 off 18 balls, aided by early luck, propelled Gujarat Titans to a four-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Gill's powerplay blitz set the tone, despite a middle-order wobble, with Rahul Tewatia providing crucial late runs. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar acknowledged Gill's decisive impact, while praising his team's bowling effort in stretching the chase.

Gujarat Titans secured a commanding six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, successfully chasing 156. Skipper Shubman Gill's aggressive 43 off 18 balls set the tone, with Jos Buttler and Rahul Tewatia providing crucial support. Earlier, RCB faltered after a strong start, collapsing to 155 due to excellent bowling from Arshad Khan and Jason Holder.

Gujarat Titans secured a four-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, avenging their earlier loss and strengthening their playoff contention. This win propelled GT to 10 points, narrowing the gap with the top teams, while RCB remained second despite the defeat. The league stage is intensifying as teams vie for playoff spots.

Virat Kohli's animated celebration after taking a sharp catch to dismiss Shubman Gill became a highlight of the RCB vs GT match. Kohli's intense reaction, including a ball-throw and a fired-up 'come on' to Gill, underscored the significance of ending the dangerous innings. He later smiled watching the replay, enjoying the moment.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar achieved a significant T20 milestone, becoming the second Indian bowler to take 350 wickets by dismissing Sai Sudharsan. He further claimed Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler, finishing with figures of 3 for 28 against GT. This performance propelled him to the top of the IPL 2026 Purple Cap standings.

Shubman Gill made history for Gujarat Titans. He became the first player to hit 100 sixes for the team. This happened during their IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Earlier, Gujarat Titans bowlers restricted Bengaluru to 155. Gill then led the charge with a rapid 35 off 10 balls. He smashed 24 runs in one over against Josh Hazlewood.

A spectacular diving catch by Jason Holder to dismiss Rajat Patidar sparked controversy, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru players and coach Andy Flower questioning the umpire's decision. Despite RCB's protests that the ball may have touched the ground, the umpires upheld the dismissal. This crucial wicket shifted momentum in the match, even as the debate over the catch's legitimacy continued.

Virat Kohli achieved a special milestone in IPL 2026, smashing five consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada in a single over. This rare feat places him alongside Chris Gayle and Shane Watson in Royal Challengers Bengaluru history. Despite Rabada striking back later, Kohli's explosive start set a strong tone for RCB.

Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a crucial IPL 2026 encounter. Both teams opted for unchanged playing XIs, with GT skipper Shubman Gill emphasising the importance of their home fixtures. RCB captain Rajat Patidar expressed confidence in his team's batting prowess despite being put in to bat.

Shikhar Dhawan believes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will adapt to reduced ODI frequency ahead of the 2027 World Cup due to their experience and professionalism. He noted that while less match exposure can disrupt rhythm, these seasoned players know how to manage it. Dhawan also highlighted that upcoming scheduling will provide sufficient ODI games for them to find form.

The Marylebone Cricket Club has defended the controversial 'obstructing the field' dismissal of KKR's Angkrish Raghuvanshi. They clarified that changing direction to run on the pitch, as Raghuvanshi did, constitutes a wilful act under the laws. The MCC emphasised that the batter's intent and actions, not whether they would have been out anyway, are key to such decisions.

Rohit Sharma celebrated his 39th birthday with heartfelt wishes from wife Ritika Sajdeh and a joyous Mumbai Indians dressing room. Tributes poured in from the cricket fraternity, acknowledging his stellar career and leadership. Sharma's legacy as a white-ball great and successful captain continues to grow, marked by significant ICC and IPL achievements.

Travis Head lauded opening partner Abhishek Sharma as one of the best spin-hitters he's ever seen after Sunrisers Hyderabad achieved a record chase against Mumbai Indians. The 'Travishek' duo's fearless approach laid the foundation for SRH's remarkable six-wicket victory, with Head highlighting their seamless understanding and Sharma's immense pressure on opposition bowlers.

Cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to amaze, with England cricketer Jos Buttler jokingly questioning if the 15-year-old prodigy is 'AI'. Sooryavanshi's witty 'God-gifted' reply to 'AI chip' theories has won hearts. Buttler lauded his fearless six-hitting against top bowlers, while Sooryavanshi rewrites IPL history, becoming the fastest to 400 runs.

Aakash Chopra expresses concern over Jacob Bethell's quiet start for RCB, noting his inability to convert starts despite opportunities. He also questions Romario Shepherd's unclear role and effectiveness. For Gujarat Titans, Chopra highlights their top-order dependency and struggles to score in the death overs, posing significant challenges for the upcoming match.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's historic IPL 2024 turnaround from 1-7 to playoffs is contrasted with Mumbai Indians' current IPL 2026 struggles. Languishing in ninth place with two wins from eight matches, the Hardik Pandya-led side faces an uphill battle.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been fined 25% of his match fee and received a demerit point for breaching IPL conduct rules. The incident, captured on live broadcast, involved Parag vaping in the dressing room during a match.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is under scrutiny after visuals emerged of him using a vape-like device in the dressing room during an IPL match. A women's group has demanded an inquiry, citing the ban on e-cigarettes in India and the potential negative influence on young viewers.

Mumbai Indians' IPL 2026 playoff hopes are in dire straits after a six-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite a stellar 123* from Ryan Rickelton, MI's bowling woes persist, leaving them with a daunting task of winning nearly all remaining matches. Their poor net run rate further complicates qualification, demanding dominant victories. With 2 wins in 8 games (4 points) and a NRR of -0.784, they are far from the pack.

Young Salil Arora's audacious 10-ball 30, featuring a stunning no-look six off Jasprit Bumrah, stole the show in a high-scoring IPL 2026 match. Despite a star-studded Sunrisers Hyderabad lineup, Arora's fearless finishing, including an unbeaten 30, sealed a dominant chase, repaying the franchise's faith in his potential. Despite modest returns initially, SRH continued to back Arora in the lower order. That faith was repaid last night.

Mumbai Indians suffered a crushing defeat despite a formidable 243/5, as Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully chased the target. Skipper Hardik Pandya acknowledged bowling struggles, with Jasprit Bumrah and others proving expensive. The loss leaves MI ninth in the standings, while SRH climbs to third. Pandya expressed commitment to finding solutions and apologized to loyal fans for the team's performance.

Shubham Dubey, a 31-year-old cricketer, seized his long-awaited opportunity with a match-winning unbeaten 31 off 12 balls. His explosive innings, coupled with Donovan Ferreira's support, secured a stunning six-wicket victory for Rajasthan Royals against Punjab Kings. Dubey's journey from humble beginnings to IPL success highlights his remarkable resilience and power-hitting prowess.

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan is thrilled by bowlers' resurgence in IPL-2026, citing low scores and defended totals. He lauded Bhuvneshwar Kumar's consistent RCB performance as a strong national comeback bid. Zaheer urged patience for Jasprit Bumrah's current form, believing he can recover. He also expressed excitement for promising young talents Mohsin Khan and Prince Yadav, highlighting their potential.

The Mumbai Indians left fans scratching their heads by employing Shardul Thakur as an Impact Sub while he never got the chance to bowl a single ball. This curious tactic came after a dismal display against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where Thakur's experience could have potentially turned the tides. On a day when every MI bowler went at an economy of over 10, it was baffling to see the bowler with over 100 IPL wickets not getting a bowl.

Gujarat Titans face Royal Challengers Bengaluru again, seeking solutions to their middle-order struggles and bowling inconsistencies. Despite a strong top order, GT's campaign shows imbalance, while RCB arrives with momentum and a flexible batting lineup. The Titans' bowling after the Powerplay remains a key concern.

Despite health struggles, former India cricketer Vinod Kambli was seen at Wankhede Stadium after the MI vs SRH IPL match, receiving well wishes from fans. The match itself saw Sunrisers Hyderabad secure a six-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians, powered by aggressive half-centuries from Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen.

Eshan Malinga has surged to the top of the IPL 2026 Purple Cap standings with 15 wickets after a crucial performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His disciplined bowling, including the vital wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, helped him overtake a close pack of bowlers. The race for the leading wicket-taker remains fiercely competitive as the league stage unfolds.

In a surprising turn of events, Rajasthan Royals have hit another snag as their captain Riyan Parag was caught on camera indulging in vaping within the confines of the dressing room during a recent IPL fixture. BCCI officials are understood to be examining the footage. Insiders say the matter is likely to be dealt with under the IPL code of conduct. There is no defined punishment in the IPL code of conduct. The BCCI will be seeking legal opinion, a source said.

Steve Smith's frustration boiled over in the PSL after a heated send-off, with a viral video capturing him slamming his bat in the dressing room. His early dismissal for 13 runs came after a dropped catch, and his team, Multan Sultans, ultimately lost to Hyderabad Kingsmen by eight wickets in a crucial Eliminator match.

Stuart Broad lauded Rajasthan Royals for their foresight in signing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a teenage prodigy who has set IPL 2026 ablaze. Initially questioned, the move has paid dividends as Sooryavanshi leads the run charts with explosive batting. Broad believes the young star's value will skyrocket if he enters the auction, highlighting the Royals' astute scouting.

Abhishek Sharma has regained the Orange Cap with a swift 45, surpassing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sharma now boasts 425 runs, with teammate Heinrich Klaasen climbing to second. Sooryavanshi drops to third, while KL Rahul and Virat Kohli round out the top five in a dynamic run-scoring race.

Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a six-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians, successfully chasing a massive 244 with eight balls to spare. Their explosive batting overshadowed Ryan Rickelton's record-breaking unbeaten 123, which had propelled Mumbai to their highest total batting first. SRH's remarkable chase, the fourth-highest in IPL history, saw them reach 249/4.

Sunrisers Hyderabad achieved a remarkable six-wicket win against Mumbai Indians. They successfully chased a record 244 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. This victory marks their fifth consecutive win in IPL 2026. Sunrisers Hyderabad now move to third place in the points table. Mumbai Indians face their sixth loss this season.

Mumbai Indians posted a huge 243/5 thanks to Ryan Rickelton's 123. Chasing this target, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head formed a record opening partnership. Their 129-run stand put Sunrisers Hyderabad in a strong position. This partnership now equals the record for most century stands for the opening wicket in IPL history.

South African opener Ryan Rickelton rewrote Mumbai Indians' record books with a blistering 123 not out off 55 balls, the fastest IPL century for the franchise in just 44 deliveries. His exceptional knock powered MI to a massive 243/5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede, marking a historic individual performance.

India concluded their Thomas Cup Finals group stage with a narrow 2-3 defeat against China, despite already securing a quarterfinal spot. Lakshya Sen and the top doubles pair lost their matches, putting India down 0-2. However, Ayush Shetty and H.S. Prannoy secured wins in their respective matches, showcasing the team's fighting spirit ahead of the knockout stages.

Mumbai Indians players wore black armbands in their IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad to mourn the loss of a support staff member's daughter. Skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and chose to bat, while Rohit Sharma remains sidelined due to recovery. SRH captain Pat Cummins anticipated a challenging pitch.

Quinton de Kock has been ruled out of Mumbai Indians' match against Sunrisers Hyderabad due to a wrist injury sustained in practice. Ryan Rickelton will replace him at the top of the order. Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium.

Mumbai Indians face further setbacks as Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock are unavailable for their IPL clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Skipper Hardik Pandya confirmed Rohit needs more time to recover, while de Kock suffered a wrist injury. Despite these disruptions, Pandya expressed confidence in his team's preparation and opted to bat first.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is dominating IPL 2026, leading the Orange Cap race with 400 runs. His fearless approach against top international bowlers like Hazlewood and Cummins, including hitting boundaries from the first ball, signals a new era of confidence in Indian cricket, as noted by Irfan Pathan.

FIFA has approved over $100 million in additional funding for teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, raising minimum guaranteed payments to $12.5 million and basic prize money to $10 million per team. This decision addresses rising costs in North America and increased financial strain on federations, ensuring better support for pre-tournament preparation and delegation expenses.

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has labelled the nation's absence from the 2026 T20 World Cup a lunder and a significant setback for cricket-loving Bangladesh. He expressed hope for his own future in the game and praised India's strong talent pipeline, while advocating for a team-first approach for Bangladesh's cricket.

Rajasthan Royals player Riyan Parag was reportedly seen vaping in the dressing room during a match, sparking debate and drawing a stern warning from former umpire Anil Chaudhary. The incident highlights concerns over player conduct and potential violations of India's ban on e-cigarettes, despite no specific cricket rule against vaping.

IPL 2026 has seen controversial umpiring decisions, including Angkrish Raghuvanshi's obstructing the field dismissal and Kartik Tyagi's bowling in the final over. Former umpire Anil Chaudhary believes Raghuvanshi's dismissal was not deliberate and Tyagi should have been removed from the attack, though he remains satisfied with the overall umpiring standard.

Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi humorously dismissed 'AI chip' allegations after a record-breaking IPL 2026 performance. He cheekily attributed his success to divine intervention. Sooryavanshi also became the fastest to 400 runs this season, showcasing his extraordinary talent and fearless batting.

With less than two months to go for the FIFA World Cup, India, China, and several Asian countries still lack an official broadcaster. High rights costs, inconvenient match timings, and cricket's dominance have deterred buyers in India. This poses challenges for FIFAs outreach in the region, though a last-minute deal remains possible.

Rajasthan Royals secured a thrilling six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, powered by a sensational opening partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Jaiswal lauded Sooryavanshi's aggressive batting, emphasizing their clear intent to chase the massive total. Despite a mid-innings wobble, the team's strong environment and belief ultimately led them to a memorable win.

Shapoor Zadran is battling a rare life-threatening immune disorder, HLH, in a New Delhi hospital. His family has urgently appealed for A-positive blood donors through an emotional message shared by brother Ghamai Zadran. Former teammates including Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have rallied around the ex-Afghanistan pacer during his critical health battle.