The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya's intense training session fuels speculation amid his absence due to back spasms. While the team cites recovery, his vigorous workout raises questions about his availability. Pandya and stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav are currently away from the squad, impacting the team's forgettable season where they have already been eliminated from playoff race.
Gujarat Titans, after a slow start in IPL 2026, are on the cusp of playoff qualification with eight wins from twelve matches. Their resurgence is fueled by a dominant opening pair, the impactful inclusion of Jason Holder, and a lethal bowling attack that has stifled opposition batting.
IPL 2026: Did GT expose SRHs batting? Daniel Vettori gives honest verdict
IPL 2026: Sai Kishore on GTs winning formula under Ashish Nehra, Shubman Gill
The Premier League is shifting its India focus from youth tournaments to grassroots coach development, aiming for sustainable impact. The Next Gen Coach Programme in Goa, building on past initiatives, empowers local coaches to reach thousands of young players. This strategic move prioritizes scale and lasting influence over one-off sessions, fostering a deeper connection with Indian football.
Women Wrestlers At Meet Say Legend Dealt Unfair Hand, Others Swear By The Rules; Sakshi Says Phogats Return After Motherhood Should Have Been Celebrated
According to messages accessed by TOI, UWW president Nenad Lalovic informed the WFI that, as the national federation, it was well within its rights to seek explanations from Vinesh and take any action it deemed appropriate after reviewing her response to the show-cause notice issued last Saturday.
Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) successfully passed a crucial floor test, securing the support of several parties including a rebel AIADMK faction. This marks the first coalition government led by a new entrant, breaking the decades-long Dravidian political dominance. Vijay's victory solidifies his position as the state's first non-DMK, non-AIADMK chief minister since 1967.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins faces a Rs 12 lakh fine. This penalty is for a slow over rate during their IPL 2026 match against Gujarat Titans. The team suffered a significant defeat. This marks the team's first such offense this season. Several other captains have also been fined for similar violations.
Tight Scheduling Puts Selectors In A Fix Ahead Of Next International Commitment Six Days After IPL
Former IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla questioned Sunrisers Hyderabad's aggressive batting approach after their crushing defeat to Gujarat Titans. Despite a chaseable target of 169, SRH collapsed spectacularly, losing wickets early while attempting big shots. Head coach Daniel Vettori defended the team's philosophy, calling it a rare off-day.
A Series Of Missteps Have Led To Shreyas Iyers Men Sliding Down The IPL Table
Madhav Tiwari starred in Delhi Capitals thrilling win over Punjab Kings with 2/40 and an unbeaten 18 off eight balls in Dharamsala. The 22-year-old allrounder, mentored by Amay Khurasiya, impressed with his pace and composure. Once focused mainly on batting, Tiwari now dreams of becoming Indias best allrounder after a breakthrough IPL performance.
Koneru Humpy said only Chinas Zhu Jiner currently has the potential to break the 2600 Elo barrier and enter the Open world top-100 among women players. Humpy stressed that women need regular participation in Open tournaments to improve significantly. She also defended withdrawing from the Candidates event over safety concerns and called Indias chess rise a Tamil Nadu boom.
Punjab Kings' IPL 2026 playoff hopes are in jeopardy after four straight losses, a stark contrast to their earlier unbeaten run. Amidst speculation about team environment issues, co-owner Preity Zinta has strongly refuted 'calculated misinformation' and urged responsible reporting. The team now faces a critical match against Mumbai Indians to halt their slide.
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay faces his first floor test with a slim majority after his TVK party emerged as the single-largest party. Rebel AIADMK MLAs have pledged support, while a court order temporarily bars one TVK MLA from voting. A forgery row also complicates the situation ahead of the crucial assembly vote.
Shubman Gill went viral after Gujarat Titans beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 82 runs in IPL 2026. Gill posted Dil abhi bhi sache, aur ghar bhi kache on Instagram, referencing an old joke about SRHs poor record against GT. On the field, half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar helped Gujarat dominate Hyderabad in Ahmedabad.
MS Dhoni is reportedly traveling with the Chennai Super Kings squad to Lucknow for their IPL 2026 match against the Super Giants on May 15, despite being sidelined with injury. CSK, currently fifth in the standings, are on a strong comeback trail and aiming for a playoff berth, with Dhoni's potential return fueling anticipation.
Punjab Kings, after a strong start, face a playoff challenge with four consecutive losses. Needing at least two wins from their remaining three matches, they host Mumbai Indians. Opener Prabhsimran Singh urged fans for support, emphasizing the team's determination to qualify and win the trophy despite recent struggles.
Madras High Court has barred TVK MLA Srinivasa Sethupathi, who won by a single vote in Tirupattur, from participating in the upcoming floor test. The court cited the potential impact of his disputed vote on the state's constitutional governance. The MLA has appealed the order to the Supreme Court.
With 14 games left, Gujarat Titans are almost guaranteed a top-four finish with a 99.6% chance, while RCB also has a strong 88.1% probability. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings' playoff hopes are still alive but diminished. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals hold a slight edge for the top four, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals facing slim chances.
Hardik Pandya hinted at his recovery through an Instagram story showing him training at Mumbais Reliance facility after missing MIs last game with back spasms. However, the Mumbai Indians skipper did not travel with the initial squad to Dharamsala for the Punjab Kings clash. MI coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed Pandya remains under medical observation.
Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Shane Watson hopes Virat Kohli makes an early aggressive mistake against them in their crucial IPL 2026 clash. Despite Kohli's strong season, he's had back-to-back ducks, a rare dip KKR aims to exploit. Watson acknowledged Kohli's brilliance but expressed a wish for a rare misstep to gain an advantage.
Washington Sundar's astonishing, near-ground six was a highlight as Gujarat Titans defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 82 runs. Sundar's 50, alongside Sai Sudharsan's 61, propelled GT to 168. Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder then starred with the ball, bowling out SRH for just 86 to secure a dominant victory.
Bangladesh secured a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Dhaka. A late collapse saw Pakistan lose seven wickets in the final session. Nahid Rana's exceptional bowling performance was key to Bangladesh's win. This marks Pakistan's first-ever Test defeat in Bangladesh. The series continues with the second Test in Sylhet.
FIFA confirmed ongoing discussions for media rights in India for the 2026 World Cup, with no official broadcaster yet announced. The Delhi High Court has issued notices regarding the broadcast, as talks in other territories like China also remain unsettled. Fans await confirmation on television and digital platform coverage for the expanded tournament.
Gujarat Titans secured a commanding 82-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. This win propelled Gujarat Titans to the top of the Indian Premier League 2026 standings. Half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar set a strong total. Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder then dismantled the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting lineup. Gujarat Titans achieved their fifth consecutive win.
Gujarat Titans secured a dominant 82-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar built a crucial partnership to set a competitive total. The Gujarat bowling attack then dismantled Hyderabad's batting order. Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder were instrumental in restricting the opposition. This win propelled Gujarat Titans to the top of the IPL 2026 standings.
Kagiso Rabada's exceptional IPL 2026 bowling has reached historic heights, with his latest powerplay demolition of Sunrisers Hyderabad taking him to 16 wickets for the season. This feat places him alongside IPL legends for most powerplay wickets in a single edition. Rabada's fiery spell crippled SRH's chase, ensuring Gujarat Titans secured a crucial victory.
Chennai Super Kings are reportedly set to sign Karnataka's Macneil Hadley Noronha as an injury replacement for Ramakrishna Ghosh for the remainder of IPL 2026. Noronha, who had a stellar C.K. Nayudu Trophy campaign, impressed during trials with multiple franchises. This move comes as CSK faces a season heavily disrupted by injuries to key players.
A 900-year-old sculpture in Tamil Nadu's Airavatesvara Temple presents a unique optical illusion. It features a bull and an elephant sharing a single head. Your first perception reveals personality insights. Seeing the bull suggests assertiveness, while the elephant indicates wisdom and loyalty. This ancient art offers a fascinating glimpse into individual perspectives.
FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal displayed a Palestinian flag during the team's La Liga title parade. The young player's gesture drew global attention amid the ongoing conflict. Manager Hansi Flick acknowledged Yamal's maturity in making his own decisions. The club celebrated its domestic triumph with thousands of fans. Yamal is seen as a rising football star.
Kolkata Knight Riders face a must-win IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with star spinner Varun Chakravarthy's fitness a major concern. Assistant coach Shane Watson expressed optimism about the team's recent form and potential playoff push, highlighting Angkrish Raghuvanshi's impressive skill development.
Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to field as Sunrisers Hyderabad faced Gujarat Titans. The Titans sported a special lavender jersey to support cancer awareness. Both teams, with identical points, retained their playing XIs for the crucial IPL 2026 encounter. Captains Cummins and Gill expressed confidence in their strategies.
Pakistan faced severe online backlash after a crushing 104-run defeat to Bangladesh, marking their third consecutive Test loss to the hosts. Despite a late fightback led by debutant Abdullah Fazal, Bangladesh's Nahid Rana's exceptional bowling secured a historic home victory. The loss also saw Pakistan drop two places in the World Test Championship standings.
Mohammad Kaif criticized Axar Patel for publicly singling out teammate Kuldeep Yadav during Delhi Capitals' challenging IPL 2026 season. Kaif emphasized that experienced captains avoid public criticism, especially of proven performers like Kuldeep, advocating for team-focused accountability instead. Despite this, Axar played a crucial captain's knock in a recent win.
IBL's eight foundation cities announced alongside NBA legends
India's javelin sensation Neeraj Chopra will miss the Rome Diamond League due to ongoing rehabilitation for a back injury. His absence opens the door for fellow Indian Sachin Yadav, who impressed at the World Championships, to make his Diamond League debut. Chopra aims for full fitness for the Asian Games, having recently parted ways with coach Jan Zelezny.
Former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh stated that Vinesh Phogat's participation in wrestling trials is under the current WFI administration's purview. He defended his tenure, asserting the WFI never barred athletes without valid reasons. Phogat was declared ineligible by the WFI until 2026 due to ongoing disciplinary proceedings, a decision she disputes, citing international clearance.
Tamil Nadu's trust vote for CM-designate Vijay is overshadowed by a potential AIADMK rupture. Senior rebels are questioning party chief Palaniswami's leadership, accusing him of seeking an understanding with the rival DMK. This internal strife could signal the AIADMK's terminal decline as its MLAs consider shifting loyalty.
Bangladesh secured a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test, taking a 1-0 series lead. Nahid Rana's exceptional bowling spell dismantled Pakistan's chase after a promising start by debutant Abdullah Fazal. This historic win marks Bangladesh's first home Test triumph against Pakistan, signaling a significant shift in red-ball cricket.
In a Zimbabwe domestic cricket match, Scorpions Cricket Club achieved an astonishing 822/4, powered by centuries from Winfed Mutende (203 off 75 balls) and Takunda Madembo (302). Methane Lions collapsed to 28/7, resulting in a record 794-run victory for Scorpions. This score dwarfs previous high totals in List A cricket.
The India Basketball League (IBL) is launching with a unique approach, focusing on building passionate, engaged communities rather than competing directly with cricket. Drawing lessons from Australia, where Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger has origins, the league emphasises entertainment, inclusivity, and local-player development

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