The Times of India

Chennai Super Kings are struggling in IPL 2026, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad facing criticism for both team results and personal form. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar places blame on CSK's decision-makers, citing the mishandling of MS Dhoni's role and a culture of sycophancy that clouds judgment. He argues for prioritizing players in their prime over established stars.

Mumbai Indians achieved a significant victory against Gujarat Titans. Skipper Hardik Pandya highlighted Jasprit Bumrah's impactful new ball spell and Tilak Varma's exceptional batting as crucial. Young players also delivered strong performances. This win is seen as a potential turning point for the team's season, especially after facing challenges in Ahmedabad.

Tilak Varma's spectacular maiden IPL century, an unbeaten 101 off 45 balls, showcased immense patience and clutch execution. After a cautious start, he unleashed a blistering assault, guiding Mumbai Indians to a commanding total. His innings, crucial for the team's campaign, highlighted a blend of strategic batting and fearless strokeplay under pressure, ultimately leading to a significant victory.

In the second innings, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Ashwani Kumar removed GTs heavyweight top three inside the powerplay, after which the batting line-up did not recover.

Tilak Varma delivered a stunning counterattack for Mumbai Indians, smashing an unbeaten 101 off 45 balls against Gujarat Titans. After a slow start, he unleashed a brutal assault, scoring 82 runs in his last 23 deliveries. This remarkable century, achieved at No. 5, silenced recent form concerns and marked a powerful resurgence.

Mumbai Indians have debuted 21-year-old Danish Malewar, a Nagpur-born all-rounder, against Gujarat Titans. Malewar, who impressed in Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy win with 783 runs and shone in the T20 league, joins MI at his base price. This move signals Mumbai's search for fresh talent amidst a struggling IPL 2026 campaign.

Gujarat Titans' Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to field against Mumbai Indians, citing potential dew. Mumbai, under pressure after four losses, sees Rohit Sharma absent and introduces two debutants, Krish Bhagat and Danish Malewar. Gujarat, with a steadier campaign, aims to build momentum against a struggling Mumbai side.

Ravichandran Ashwin has criticized Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag. Ashwin questioned Parag's decisions during the IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders. He highlighted a moment where Ravindra Jadeja was not utilized against left-handers. Ashwin believes this showed poor captaincy. The former spinner stressed the importance of trusting bowlers. Rajasthan Royals lost the match despite strong bowling performances.

The ongoing ISL season has seen significant imbalances, with bottom-placed Mohammedan Sporting playing far fewer home games than rivals such as East Bengal. Many other clubs have also been displaced from their home venues. With relegation now in effect, these inequalities could have serious consequences for affected clubs, raising questions about fairness despite no formal force majeure ruling.

Ghabraiye, aap Mullanpur mein hain, said Arshdeep Singh in a reel posted on his Instagram account after the match in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.

Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen congratulating Punjab Kings' Priyansh Arya after a dominant PBKS victory. Meanwhile, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant engaged in a chat with PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta. Punjab Kings secured their fifth win in six matches, while LSG suffered a third consecutive defeat, highlighting their struggles this season.

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer lauded Rajasthan Royals' teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a spectacular talent and one for the future after his explosive IPL 2026 campaign. Iyer emphasized the importance of self-belief and playing fearlessly in T20 cricket, a philosophy he sees reflected in Sooryavanshi's game and his own openers.

Mumbai Indians, struggling at the bottom of IPL 2026, face a resurgent Gujarat Titans. MI seeks to revive their season against GT's strong bowling attack, led by Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan. Key player battles, including Shubman Gill vs. Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma vs. Kagiso Rabada, will be crucial.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood defended Babar Azam, deeming it unfair to single him out for strike-rate issues in T20 cricket, arguing Pakistan lacks ultra-aggressive batters in the format. Mahmood emphasised that Babar sets the platform for others, and realistic expectations are needed, as the country doesn't possess consistently high-strike-rate players.

Babar Azam finally reached a century in the Pakistan Super League 2026. He scored an unbeaten 100 off 52 balls for Peshawar Zalmi against Quetta Gladiators. This century ended a long wait for the star batter. He also became the fastest to 12,000 T20 runs. Peshawar Zalmi won the match by 118 runs.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma visited Vrindavan for a spiritual retreat, attending an Ekantik Vartalaap with Premanand Ji Maharaj. This marks their third visit in five months, highlighting their growing inclination towards faith. The couple was seen quietly listening to the guru's discourse among devotees.

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Punjab Kings maintain their unbeaten IPL 2026 streak, driven by a strong dressing-room culture and a focus on collective improvement. All-rounder Cooper Connolly highlighted the team's collaborative approach and captain Shreyas Iyer's leadership in fostering a positive environment. Their dominant performances, including a significant partnership, underscore their status as a formidable contender.

A viral video of a Sunrisers Hyderabad fan performing a lemon ritual during an IPL match coincided with Shivam Dube's dismissal, sparking 'black magic' accusations. An unverified letter claiming CSK complained to the IPL has also circulated. Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi alleged similar past incidents involving team owners.

Magnus Carlsen has declared Javokhir Sindarov the favourite to win the upcoming World Chess Championship against D Gukesh, citing Sindarov's well-rounded game. Sindarov's dominant Candidates Tournament performance, where he remained unbeaten, has impressed chess legends. Despite this, Gukesh's renowned mental resilience and ability to defend difficult positions remain significant factors in this historic, generational duel.

Aronyak Ghosh achieved his long-awaited Grandmaster title after a remarkable performance at the 23rd BCC Open 2026 in Bangkok. The 22-year-old's journey, marked by his father's dedication and the family's financial sacrifices, culminated in securing his third GM norm. This achievement signifies the success of years of commitment to the game, with chess now being Aronyak's primary focus.

Punjab Kings secured a dominant 54-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants, powered by Priyansh Arya's 93 and Cooper Connolly's 87, setting a season-high 254. Despite fielding lapses that frustrated coach Ricky Ponting, the team's strong batting performance propelled them to the top of the IPL table. Captain Shreyas Iyer later diffused tension with Shashank Singh, who dropped crucial catches.

The IPL 2026 season intensifies with nine crucial matches scheduled from April 20-26, as teams battle for playoff berths. Unbeaten Punjab Kings lead the standings, while Gujarat Titans are on a winning streak. This week's fixtures include key clashes like GT vs MI and SRH vs DC, promising significant shifts in the points table.

Ashok Sharma story: Inside the village and house which shaped India's new pace sensation

Mumbai Indians face a crucial IPL 2026 encounter against a surging Gujarat Titans, desperately seeking to end a four-match losing streak. Mumbai's batting and bowling have faltered, while Gujarat rides a three-game winning wave. The Ahmedabad pitch, favoring first-innings scores, and extreme heat could influence tactical decisions for this high-stakes clash.

A local politician, reportedly upset over not being invited to a cricket tournament's final, drove a tractor onto the pitch in Dharangaon, India, and vandalized it. The shocking incident, captured on video, rendered the field unplayable, forcing the match to be called off. While police intervened, organisers opted not to file a formal complaint.

Mumbai Indians received a positive update on Rohit Sharma's fitness ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans on Monday. Coach Paras Mhambrey confirmed Rohit is fit and batting in the nets, though a final decision on his participation is pending. His return could be crucial for MI's struggling campaign.

Manchester City surged ahead in the Premier League title race, defeating Arsenal 2-1 thanks to Erling Haaland's decisive goal. This victory significantly dents Arsenal's championship hopes, while City now holds a commanding position. Elsewhere, Liverpool secured a dramatic derby win, Aston Villa triumphed in a thriller, and Nottingham Forest boosted survival chances with a strong performance.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a crucial victory, ending a six-match winless streak and keeping their tournament hopes alive. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy, returning to form with a three-wicket haul, highlighted the immense significance of the win, attributing his success to a more spinner-friendly pitch.

Mumbai Indians face a crucial must-win match against Gujarat Titans, having won only one of their first five games. MI's bowling attack has struggled for penetration, while their batting has shown inconsistency, particularly in finishing innings. Gujarat Titans possess a strong bowling unit and will be looking to capitalize on MI's early-season struggles.

The Pakistan Cricket Board acknowledged no formal contract was sent to Blessing Muzarabani for the PSL but defended his two-year ban, citing a verbal agreement. Muzarabani's agent refuted this, stating a contract is needed for an NOC, and called the ban excessive. The dispute arose after Muzarabani opted for the IPL over the PSL.

Ashok Sharma is being touted as the next big thing from India's fast bowling stable. But in his village, Rampura, on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, around 35 km from Rajasthan's capital Jaipur, his family speaks about his biggest dream -- the blue jersey. Ashok Sharma has picked up six wickets in five matches this season so far for Gujarat Titans.

Priyansh Arya smashed a blistering 93 off 37 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. His innings powered Punjab Kings to a massive 254/7. Punjab Kings successfully defended the total, restricting LSG to 200/5. Arya's performance earned him Player of the Match. This win keeps Punjab Kings at the top of the table.

Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is continuing his fiery form in IPL 2026, becoming Rajasthan Royals' highest run-getter with 246 runs in 6 matches at a strike rate of 236.54. The 15-year-old aims to contribute to the senior Indian team after fulfilling his father's dream of playing in the World Cup.

Punjab Kings secured a dominant 54-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants, propelling them to the top of the table. Captain Shreyas Iyer revealed a light-hearted six-hitting contest in the dressing room fueled the team's batting prowess, with Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly smashing centuries to post a season-high 254/7.

Punjab Kings' Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly etched their names in IPL history with a blistering 182-run partnership off just 80 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. Their explosive display, featuring 16 sixes, now ranks second only to the legendary Kohli-de Villiers stand for scoring rate in IPL history. This remarkable feat highlights Punjab's emerging talent.

Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly's explosive 182-run partnership powered Punjab Kings to a 54-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants. Arya smashed 93 off 37 balls, while Connolly hit 87 off 45, setting a massive target. Captain Shreyas Iyer lauded their exceptional intent and composure, highlighting the team's environment that allows young batters to express themselves freely.

Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly delivered a stunning 182-run partnership off 80 balls, propelling Punjab Kings to a formidable 254/7. Their elegant yet brutal hitting, characterized by precise timing rather than brute force, dismantled the Lucknow Super Giants' bowling attack. This exceptional display set the stage for a dominant 54-run victory.

This is the third 150-plus stand for Punjab Kings in the tournament. The highest remains the 206-run partnership between Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2011. It is followed by the 183-run stand between KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal against Rajasthan Royals in 2020.

The result was set up by South Africas bowlers, who dismissed India for 147. The chase was then completed in 17.1 overs, with the hosts reaching 148 for two.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured their first IPL 2026 victory with a thrilling four-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals, thanks to Rinku Singh's unbeaten 53. Singh admitted a dropped catch early in his innings proved to be the turning point, allowing him to guide KKR through a nervy chase to the finish line.

Kolkata Knight Riders ended their six-match winless streak in IPL 2026, securing a four-wicket victory against Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. Rinku Singh's unbeaten 53 guided KKR to the target with two balls to spare, a much-needed win after repeated collapses. The win lifts them off the bottom of the table.

Punjab Kings made no changes to their side.

Opening the bowling for Rajasthan Royals, Archer bowled KKR opener Tim Seifert for a golden duck with the first delivery of KKRs innings. With this, Archer now has five wickets on the first ball of an IPL innings, matching Shamis record.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag's batting struggles persisted in IPL 2026, as he managed only 12 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders. Across six matches, Parag has scored a mere 61 runs, highlighting a worrying dip in form. His dismissal contributed to a middle-order collapse, leaving Royals with a below-par total.