The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
Indian boxing faces administrative chaos as the Sports Authority of India (SAI) halts selection trials for upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games. A dispute over transparency in evaluation criteria, selection committees, and coach appointments has stalled preparations. Boxers who excelled in the unrecognised COAS Cup are now seeking legal recourse for a fair chance.
Urvil Patel smashed a sensational 65 off just 23 balls, including a record 13-ball half-century, stunning the crowd. Teammate Jamie Overton described it as typical Urvil, highlighting his fearless approach. Patel credited skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for the freedom to play his natural game, a knock that overshadowed Josh Inglis' brilliant innings.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar starred in RCBs thrilling two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians, taking four wickets and smashing a crucial six in the final over his first IPL six since 2016. Krunal Pandyas gritty 73 also proved vital. Bhuvi later credited discipline, not motivation, for his success. The dramatic victory lifted RCB to the top of the IPL 2026 points table.
Punjab Kings, seeking to revive their season, face Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala's picturesque HPCA Stadium. Punjab's recent slide has exposed cracks, while Delhi appears drained, struggling with batting uncertainty and fielding. Both teams need a strong performance to salvage their campaigns.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru became IPL 2026s strongest playoff favourites after their last-ball win over Mumbai Indians, reaching a 94.82% qualification probability and 63.41% chance of a top-two finish. SRH, GT and PBKS also remain strong contenders, while CSK revived their campaign. Rajasthan Royals and KKR still have hope, but Delhi Capitals face slim chances. Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are officially out of playoff contention.
Barcelona won their 29th La Liga title after defeating Real Madrid 2-0 in the Clasico at Camp Nou. Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres scored early to secure back-to-back league titles for Hansi Flicks side. Frenkie de Jong called the victory extra special against Madrid at home. Meanwhile, Real Madrid finished the season without a major trophy and now face uncertainty ahead of summer changes.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Mumbai Indians by two wickets in a last-ball IPL 2026 thriller in Raipur. Krunal Pandya starred with a gritty 73 despite severe cramps, rescuing RCB from 39/3 with key partnerships. Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished the chase with a crucial six. After the match, an emotional Krunal praised former MI teammate Kieron Pollard, calling him his big brother.
Urvil Patels explosive 65 off 23 balls against Lucknow Super Giants announced the arrival of CSKs newest six-hitting sensation. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed six sixes within his first eight balls, rewrote IPL records. Backed by advice, and even a specially weighted bat from MS Dhoni, Urvils power-hitting philosophy is shaped by a gruelling routine of 200 practice sixes a day.
Virat Kohli watched Urvil Patel's explosive innings for Chennai Super Kings. Patel hit the joint-fastest IPL fifty in just 13 balls. He smashed six sixes in his first eight balls, a new IPL record. Patel scored 65 off 23 balls. Chennai Super Kings won the match by five wickets. Lucknow Super Giants had earlier scored 203/8.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dramatic two-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians on the final ball, eliminating MI from IPL 2026. Krunal Pandya's resilient 73 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's match-winning six off the last delivery propelled RCB to a thrilling chase of 167.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru snatched a dramatic victory from Mumbai Indians on the final ball in Raipur. Krunal Pandya's valiant 73 was ended by a spectacular catch, but RCB still needed 18 from 12. Despite Jasprit Bumrah's tight penultimate over, Raj Bawa couldn't defend the target, leading to a thrilling last-ball win for Bengaluru.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a stellar 4/23 spell against Mumbai Indians, propelling Royal Challengers Bengaluru to victory. His performance, including the wickets of Rickelton, Rohit, Suryakumar, and Tilak Varma, secured him the IPL 2026 Purple Cap with 21 wickets. This marks his sixth three-wicket haul this season, highlighting his consistent impact for RCB.
Virat Kohli's IPL 2026 campaign hit a new low with a golden duck against Mumbai Indians, his second consecutive failure. Deepak Chahar claimed the crucial wicket, adding to Kohli's struggles against MI. Earlier, Mumbai Indians posted 166/7 despite a poor start, thanks to Tilak Varma's fifty and Naman Dhir's contribution.
Urvil Patel's explosive 65 off 23 balls, including a 13-ball fifty, powered Chennai Super Kings to a memorable victory. Simple instructions from coaches and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, focusing on a stable base and hitting, were key to his record-equalling power-hitting display. Patel's fearless approach shattered records and set a new benchmark for batting at Chepauk.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru opted to bowl against Mumbai Indians, seeking to improve their playoff standing after recent losses. The return of Phil Salt offers a significant boost for RCB. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians, struggling in ninth, face potential elimination. MI skipper Suryakumar Yadav expressed confidence in batting first, aiming to put pressure on the chasing side.
Urvil Patel delivered an explosive IPL start against LSG, becoming the first to hit six sixes in his first eight balls and reaching a 13-ball fifty. His 65 off 23 balls also secured the highest strike rate for a CSK batter facing at least 20 balls, showcasing his game-changing ability.
Urvil Patel etched his name in IPL history by smashing a 13-ball half-century for Chennai Super Kings against Lucknow Super Giants. This explosive innings equalled Yashasvi Jaiswal's record for the fastest fifty in the tournament. Patel, a 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Gujarat, has a proven track record of rapid scoring in domestic cricket.
Urvil Patel unleashed an explosive batting display, smashing 25 runs off Avesh Khan in the fifth over and another 25 off Digvesh Rathi in the sixth. He became the first batter in IPL history to hit six sixes in his first eight balls, racing to 41. Patel then achieved a breathtaking half-century in just 13 balls, equalling the IPL record.
Real Madrid faces a monumental challenge in Sunday's Clasico against Barcelona, missing star forward Kylian Mbapp due to a hamstring injury. With Barcelona needing just a draw to secure the La Liga title, Madrid's hopes are further dimmed by internal training ground disputes and mounting pressure on manager lvaro Arbeloa. The club is reportedly considering a return for Jos Mourinho.
Matthew Hayden praised young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 36 off 16 balls but stressed the need for longer innings when chasing big totals. He highlighted Gujarat Titans' consistent top-order batting, balancing aggression with longevity, as key to their success. Shubman Gill's 84 led Gujarat to a commanding 229/6, ultimately securing a 77-run victory.
In the first five matches, RCB batters from No. 4 to No. 8 averaged 39.30 and scored at a strike rate of 190.77, both the best among all teams. They scored two fifties while hitting 23 fours and 33 sixes. But in the next five matches, the numbers dropped sharply. The average fell to 21, the worst among all teams in that period, while the strike rate dropped to 148.58.
Jos Buttler gifted his bat to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans. Sooryavanshi impressed with a quickfire 36, and Buttler previously lauded him as the best batter he'd seen at that age. Despite RR's loss, the gesture highlighted the growing respect for the young prodigy.
In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, NBA legend DeMarcus Cousins reflected on redefining the role of big men in basketball. Cousins discussed overcoming serious injuries, learning the harsh business side of the NBA, and drawing inspiration from Kobe Bryant. He also urged young Indian players to believe in themselves, saying confidence comes from the work that you put in.
Ravichandran Ashwin has lauded Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him a ox-office player with the potential to represent India in all three formats. Despite RR's loss, Sooryavanshi impressed with his fearless batting, scoring 440 runs at a strike rate of 236.56 this IPL season.
Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi went viral after posting This ones for you, maa on Mothers Day ahead of the IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans. The 15-year-old then created history by becoming the fastest and youngest player to hit 100 T20 sixes. RR also promoted their Pink Promise campaign, supporting women-led rural development and solar electrification projects across Rajasthan.
Indias womens recurve archery team won a dramatic gold medal at the Archery World Cup in Shanghai after defeating hosts China 5-4 in a shoot-off. Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and teenager Kumkum Mohod held their nerve after a tense final ended 4-4. India had earlier stunned South Korea in the semifinals, securing their first womens recurve World Cup gold since 2021.
Matthew Hayden explains GTs success formula, Rashids comeback & bowling firepower
Shane Bond on RRs struggles, bowling crisis & IPLs batting revolution
Rashid Khan achieved a significant IPL milestone, entering the top 10 wicket-takers with figures of 4/33 against Rajasthan Royals. His stellar performance, earning him Player of the Match, saw him surpass Lasith Malinga on the all-time list. Gujarat Titans secured an emphatic 77-run victory.
Cricket Australia faces internal unrest following the failed BBL privatisation, impacting national contracts and player satisfaction. Senior players are reportedly hesitant to sign due to financial terms and a desire for overseas league flexibility, with concerns over pay disparity and lucrative international offers shifting priorities.
Frenkie de Jong says Barcelona are focused on sealing the La Liga title against Real Madrid in a historic Clasico at Camp Nou. Barca need only a draw to clinch the crown and enter the match in strong form, unlike struggling Madrid. De Jong praised Barcelonas midfield depth, backed Lamine Yamals development, and called teamworknot individuals like Kylian Mbappethe key to victory.
Virat Kohli is on the cusp of another IPL record, needing just 28 runs against Mumbai Indians to become the first batter to score 1,000 IPL runs against them. This achievement would mark the fifth team he has surpassed this milestone against in his illustrious IPL career.
Hardik Pandya has excelled for India in crunch T20 situations since 2024 but struggled to replicate that impact for Mumbai Indians. His bowling economy and batting strike rate dip sharply for MI, especially in death overs. Questions resurfaced after MIs record 103-run loss to CSK, where Hardik avoided bowling late despite having overs left, highlighting his contrasting performances for franchise and country.
Gujarat Titans crushed Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs after posting 229/4, powered by Shubman Gills 84 and Sai Sudharsans 55. Rashid Khan starred with 4/33 as Rajasthan collapsed for 152 despite a quickfire 36 from teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill later mocked Rajasthan online, posting: Pink city, blue result. Khamma Ghani.
Saurabh Mishra said the charges against Vinesh Phogat involve complex legal issues. He argued negligence limits sanctions in the whereabouts case, questioned whether she formally retired under WADA rules, cited possible institutional fault in dual-weight trials, and said further punishment after the CAS ruling may violate double jeopardy principles. He stressed her right to a fair hearing.
Gujarat Titans surged to second place with a dominant 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, significantly boosting their playoff chances to 72.52%. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan starred with the bat, while Rashid Khan impressed with the ball. Despite the loss, Rajasthan Royals maintain a higher overall playoff probability due to their easier remaining schedule.
Rajasthan Royals have equalled an IPL record by conceding seven totals of over 200 runs in a single season. This worrying bowling trend follows a strong start to IPL 2026. Gujarat Titans posted 229/4 against them in Jaipur. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan starred for GT. This puts immense pressure on Rajasthan's batting.
Shubman Gill, leading Gujarat Titans to a commanding win, expressed satisfaction with their dominant performance while still seeking a 'perfect match'. Despite a strong batting display and a comfortable victory, Gill highlighted areas for improvement, emphasizing aggressive bowling and crucial partnerships. He also confirmed a minor ankle scare during the innings, as the team continues its winning streak.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's first IPL captaincy ended in a crushing 77-run defeat for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. Despite a strong start from GT's Gill and Sudharsan, RR's bowling attack struggled, and their batting lineup was subsequently bundled out for 152. Jaiswal defended star pacer Jofra Archer, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of cricket.
Gujarat Titans secured a commanding 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, propelled by Shubman Gill's explosive 84 and Rashid Khan's match-winning 4/33 spell. Titans posted a season-high 229/4, with Gill and Sai Sudharsan building a formidable opening stand. Royals faltered chasing the target, collapsing under Rashid's brilliance and succumbing to 152 all out.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive batting has instilled fear in IPL 2026 bowlers, as evidenced by Mohammed Siraj's relieved celebration after dismissing him. Sooryavanshi's fearless aggression, including hitting Siraj for a six and then attacking Rabada, put Gujarat Titans under pressure. Siraj's tactical bouncer eventually ended the teenager's impactful innings.
Mumbai Indians will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru without star allrounder Hardik Pandya, who is still being evaluated by the medical team for a back spasm. Suryakumar Yadav will continue to captain the side in Pandya's absence for the crucial IPL 2026 encounter in Raipur.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest cricketer globally to hit 100 T20 sixes before turning 20. He achieved this feat during an IPL 2026 match against Gujarat Titans, needing just 514 balls, significantly faster than Kieron Pollard's previous record. This milestone highlights Sooryavanshi's fearless power-hitting and rapid rise in the sport.
Jofra Archer endured a disastrous opening over against Gujarat Titans, conceding 18 runs in an 11-ball spell marked by wides and a no-ball. Visibly frustrated, the pacer's struggles prompted Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara to intervene. The chaotic over saw Gujarat Titans openers capitalize on Archer's wayward bowling.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill shared a heartwarming moment with his father before a sensational 84 off 44 balls. His explosive innings, alongside Sai Sudharsan's 55, powered GT to a massive 229/4 against Rajasthan Royals. Washington Sundar also contributed a crucial unbeaten 37.

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