The Times of India

Kolkata Knight Riders face a formidable Punjab Kings, led by former KKR star Shreyas Iyer, in a crucial IPL clash. Struggling KKR, seeking to avoid a third consecutive loss, must overcome strategic missteps and inconsistent form against a confident Punjab side. Eden Gardens is expected to host a high-scoring encounter.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a strong victory against Chennai Super Kings. Virat Kohli showed great sportsmanship towards Sarfaraz Khan. Kohli applauded Sarfaraz's fighting knock. RCB posted a high score thanks to strong batting. CSK struggled to chase the target. RCB's bowlers performed well. The win marks a significant moment for RCB.

Punjab Kings, riding a two-match winning streak, enter Monday's clash against Kolkata Knight Riders as clear favourites. KKR, still seeking their first points, grapple with bowling woes and an unsettled batting order. Injuries and the bowling limitations of their star player further complicate matters for the home side facing a formidable Punjab attack.

Michael Vaughan has voiced concerns over Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka's public interactions with players post-match, warning it could destabilize the team. These visible discussions, particularly after a loss, fuel speculation and can create an unhealthy perception of internal discord. Vaughan stressed the need for clear leadership and consistent backing of player roles to maintain team balance.

Lucknow Super Giants secured a nail-biting five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, thanks to Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 68. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru dominated Chennai Super Kings with a massive 250/3, powered by Tim David's explosive 70, ultimately winning by 43 runs.

Mohammed Shami's clinical 2 for 9 spell, featuring 18 dot balls, powered Lucknow Super Giants to a five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Shami revealed his tactical shift to slower deliveries, inspired by last season's trends, was key to dismantling SRH's top order. The win was crucial for LSG to build momentum after a previous loss.

Ruturaj Gaikwad shouldered blame for Chennai Super Kings' heavy defeat, admitting his early dismissal hurt their chase. He highlighted missed opportunities, including a dropped catch of Virat Kohli, and a brutal finish from RCB's batters as key turning points. Despite a spirited fightback from his teammates, Gaikwad felt the game had already slipped away due to the poor start.

Chennai Super Kings achieved a new IPL record with their 37th score of 200 or more. This happened during their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite a significant loss, CSK's batting crossed the 200-run mark. RCB posted a massive 250, powered by strong batting performances. CSK's chase fell short, highlighting the high-scoring nature of modern IPL games.

The FIDE Candidates 2026 sees a dominant Javokhir Sindarov in the Open section, while the Women's category is a 'comedy or tragedy of errors'. Indian players Vaishali Rameshbabu and Divya Deshmukh experienced mixed fortunes in Round 7, with Vaishali winning through opponent blunders and Divya failing to convert a sure win. Praggnanandhaa drew his match.

Rain threatens to disrupt Kolkata Knight Riders' crucial IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens. With a strong possibility of showers and thunderstorms, a shortened game or even a washout looms, adding to KKR's early-season pressure. Officials face a narrow window to ensure a result, potentially leading to a high-octane, brief encounter.

Defending champions RCB extended their winning streak with a 43-run victory over CSK at Chinnaswamy Stadium. After a cautious start, Phil Salt (46) and Devdutt Padikkal (50) built momentum, while Tim David (70*) and Rajat Patidar (48*) unleashed a brutal assault to reach 250/3. CSKs chase faltered early despite Sarfaraz Khans 50, and they were bowled out for 207.

Batting in the lower middle order at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, David struck eight sixes during his innings. That effort is now the joint second-highest number of sixes hit by an RCB batter from No.5 or lower in an IPL match.

James Franklin post-match PC: SRH surprised by pitch, hails Nitish-Klaasen rescue act

Shami reveals what makes this LSG team special after big win

Lucknow won by five wickets, chasing 157 with one ball to spare. Captain Rishabh Pant guided the chase after Hyderabad had put up a fight.

Kohli was batting after RCB were put in. He got an early lifeline when Shivam Dube dropped a catch. Soon after, Kohli hit Henry for a six when the ball was pitched in his hitting range, swinging across the line to clear the boundary.

The late surge came from Tim David, captain Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal, who built on the base set earlier in the innings. Padikkal scored 50 off 29 balls, David made 70 off 25 balls, while Patidar remained unbeaten on 48 off 19 balls.

Playing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener went past Rohit Sharma to take his total against CSK to 1,174 runs. Kohli needed just two runs at the start of the match to break Rohits record of 1,161 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders, and reached the mark in the first over.

Mohammed Shami's exceptional opening spell choked Sunrisers Hyderabad, but a strong recovery led by Klaasen and Reddy set a competitive target. Rishabh Pant anchored Lucknow Super Giants' chase, guiding them to a thrilling five-wicket victory with a composed unbeaten half-century in the final over.

India BJK Cup team on loneliness on tour, street food, and social media abuse

MS Dhoni will miss CSKs IPL 2026 clash against RCB due to a calf strain, with the team struggling after two losses. While RCB enter confidently, CSK feel his absence. The franchise said hell miss two weeks, though coach Stephen Fleming stressed his strong off-field influence. Dhoni could return against KKR on April 14, or later fixtures if recovery takes longer.

Seven out of 25 directors have already stepped down, including four who resigned after Saturdays board meeting. The exits have increased uncertainty around the future of the current administration.

Abhishek has had a slow start to IPL 2026, scoring 55 runs in three innings, with 48 of those coming against Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous match.

At the Grenke Freestyle Open, Harika Dronavali offered a handshake while resigning, but Nodirbek Yakubboev responded with a respectful Namaste, both smiling. Meanwhile, Keymer and Niemann lead the event. Yakubboev earlier avoided shaking hands with Vaishali, later apologising with gifts. He clarified his actions were due to religious reasons, while expressing respect for her and Indian players.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and chose to bowl against Sunrisers Hyderabad. LSG made one change, bringing in Manimaran Siddharth for Anrich Nortje. SRH also introduced Liam Livingstone and Harshal Patel into their lineup, aiming for a crucial win after a mixed start to the season.

Rajasthan Royals secured a thrilling six-run victory over Gujarat Titans, thanks to Riyan Parag's bold bowling decisions at the death. Parag's trust in Tushar Deshpande for the final over, after Jofra Archer's crucial 19th, paid off, boosting his confidence as a leader. Archer's economical over set the stage for Deshpande to defend 10 runs, securing the win.

Former CSK batter Ambati Rayudu has lauded Riyan Parag's early captaincy for Rajasthan Royals, noting the immense respect he commands from teammates. Rayudu believes Parag is doing a fantastic job, fostering a positive environment. Aaron Finch added that the absence of an overshadowing senior figure has aided Parag's smooth transition into leading a team of young superstars.

Ravichandran Ashwin praised Sai Sudharsan's mature 73 against Rajasthan Royals, highlighting his game understanding and ability to handle pressure in Shubman Gill's absence. Ashwin believes the opening partnership of Gill and Sudharsan will be crucial for Gujarat Titans' future success. Rajasthan Royals secured a narrow victory, defending 210 thanks to crucial death bowling from Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande.

Bangladesh Cricket Board announces leadership continuity for ODIs and T20Is until 2027 and 2028 respectively, alongside appointing a new spin coach. However, administrative turmoil escalates with multiple director resignations, prompting speculation of a potential board dissolution. Meanwhile, the BCB seeks to mend strained relations with the BCCI following recent disputes.

Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is on the cusp of a historic 200 IPL wickets milestone, potentially becoming the first fast bowler to achieve this feat. Having evolved into a complete T20 bowler, he has been a crucial asset for RCB, especially in death overs. His consistent performances and recent resurgence highlight his enduring impact in the league.

Aakash Chopra lauded Ravi Bishnoi's match-winning 4/41 spell in Rajasthan Royals' narrow IPL 2026 victory over Gujarat Titans, deeming the leg-spinner undervalued at the auction. He also praised Tushar Deshpande's composed final over and Dhruv Jurel's stellar 75, while noting Gujarat's batting lacked construction.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, fresh off a win, face a struggling Chennai Super Kings in a southern derby. CSK's woes are compounded by the absence of MS Dhoni, who is sidelined for the first two weeks with a calf strain. Despite his physical absence, head coach Stephen Fleming insists Dhoni's influence on the team remains strong.

Hardik Pandya is set to return for Mumbai Indians (MI) clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) after missing the Delhi game due to a viral illness. The all-rounder travelled with the squad and is expected to resume training soon. MI, coming off their first defeat, will be keen to bounce back against an in-form RR side led by Riyan Parag.

Rajasthan Royals secured a thrilling six-run victory over Gujarat Titans, thanks to skipper Riyan Parag's astute captaincy. Parag's bold decision to hand Jofra Archer the crucial penultimate over, influenced by Dhruv Jurel, proved pivotal. Archer's disciplined bowling restricted Gujarat, allowing Tushar Deshpande to seal the win in the final over. Former stars lauded Parag's composure and leadership.

Young talents Priyansh Arya and Ayush Mhatre showcased impressive batting prowess in the IPL. Mhatre's 73 powered CSK's score, while Arya's explosive 39 off 11 balls set up Punjab Kings' chase. Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lauded their 'Gen Z' approach, highlighting Mhatre as a potential long-term asset for CSK.

The Southern Derby sees RCB, fresh off a dominant win, host a struggling CSK. RCB, rebuilt and title-winning, faces a transitional CSK that has faltered in recent seasons. With contrasting preparation times and a more settled RCB lineup, the match presents a significant challenge for the visitors.

Chennai Super Kings face a crucial Sunday clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru after a disappointing loss. Despite a strong batting performance, their bowling unit struggled significantly, leaking runs. CSK's batting, particularly Sanju Samson, needs to find form against a confident and balanced RCB side, whose bowling has shown marked improvement. A turnaround is essential for the home team.

Gujarat Titans' Ashok Sharma unleashed a blistering 154.2 kmph yorker, the fastest of IPL 2026, against Rajasthan Royals. While Sharma impressed, Shaun Tait's 2011 record of 157.71 kmph remains the IPL's ultimate pace benchmark. Other speedsters like Ferguson, Malik, and Yadav have also pushed the limits, showcasing the league's enduring love for raw pace.

India's cricket board is rebuilding its Test team. A new plan focuses on young players for the future. A four-day competition will feature 64 players under 25. This aims to create a strong pipeline of red-ball cricketers. Coaches and selectors will prioritize Test development. Emerging and India A teams will tour Sri Lanka for four-day games.

Javokhir Sindarov continues his dominant run in the FIDE Candidates Open section, widening his lead. In the Women's category, Indian players Vaishali Rameshbabu and Divya Deshmukh secured crucial wins, though their victories relied heavily on opponent errors. The Indian challenge in the Open section, led by Praggnanandhaa, lags significantly behind the leader.

Parag said he had a different plan initially but changed it after Jurels input. I was actually going to switch the order but credit to Jurel - he asked me to go with Jofra for the 19th. Wanted to go as fast as possible and as straight as possible, Parag said after the match.

Rohit Sharma scored 35 but made history by hitting his 51st six against Delhi Capitals, the most by an Indian against one IPL team, surpassing MS Dhoni. The milestone highlights his dominance despite a modest knock. He also neared 6000 runs for Mumbai Indians, while Chris Gayle still holds the overall record globally.

Rashid Khan said Shubman Gill is recovering well from a muscle spasm and could return soon after Gujarat Titans narrow loss to Rajasthan Royals. He admitted GT lost momentum with back-to-back wickets despite a strong start. Chasing 211, they fell short in the final over, with Rashid praising Tushar Deshpandes exceptional yorkers for sealing the game.

Rajasthan Royals edged Gujarat Titans by 6 runs in a last-ball thriller after posting 210/6. Tushar Deshpande held his nerve in the final over, sealing the win. Sai Sudharsans 73 kept Gujarat in the chase, but Ravi Bishnois four wickets proved crucial. Royals moved to the top of the table with a strong net run rate.

Manchester City thrashed Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final, powered by Erling Haalands hat-trick. Antoine Semenyo also scored, while Mohamed Salah missed a penalty. The defeat deepens Liverpools poor run and increases pressure on Arne Slot. City advance in strong form, while Liverpool must regroup quickly with their season and Champions League hopes under threat.

Ashok Sharma stole the show with a 154.2 kmph delivery, the fastest of IPL 2026, surpassing Anrich Nortje. The Gujarat Titans pacer impressed with consistent pace. Despite this, Rajasthan Royals posted 210/6, powered by Yashasvi Jaiswals fifty and Dhruv Jurels 75. Gujarat, missing Shubman Gill, faced a tough chase against a confident Rajasthan side.

Delhi Capitals batter Sameer Rizvi powered his team to a six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians. Rizvi scored a match-winning 90 off 51 balls. He attributed his success to intense self-improvement and adapting to match situations. This victory marks a significant moment for Rizvi and Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. Rizvi currently holds the Orange Cap.