The Times of India

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.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans achieved a significant IPL milestone, registering their ninth century opening partnership. This feat equals the record held by Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, placing them second for most century stands by any pair. The duo also matched the record for most opening wicket century stands with six.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan achieved a significant milestone for Gujarat Titans, registering their sixth century partnership for the opening wicket in IPL 2026. This remarkable feat against Rajasthan Royals matches the IPL record held by legendary opening pairs from Sunrisers Hyderabad. The duo's dominant performance once again provided a strong foundation for their team.

Jofra Archer endured a forgettable start to his IPL 2026 campaign, bowling an 11-ball over for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. Conceding 18 runs, Archer's struggles with line and rhythm saw him join an unwanted list of bowlers with the longest overs in IPL history. The dramatic over featured wides, a no-ball, and fielding lapses.

Donovan Ferreira credits his IPL success this season to years of waiting for opportunities. Having finally secured regular game time with Rajasthan Royals, the South African batter is relishing his role as a finisher. His fearless hitting in the death overs has been crucial, fueled by a strong desire to prove himself after limited chances in previous seasons.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is captaining Rajasthan Royals for the first time in IPL 2026 against Gujarat Titans due to Riyan Parag's hamstring injury. Jaiswal won the toss and opted to bowl first, confirming Parag's expected quick return. Gujarat Titans also would have preferred to bowl, with Shubman Gill emphasizing the team's confidence in close wins.

Rajasthan Royals will don special pink jerseys for their IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans, highlighting their 'Pink Promise Match' initiative. This event supports women-led development in Rajasthan, with solar electrification for six homes for every six hit. The unique jersey design, by 19-year-old Samiksha Rameshwar Mundada, symbolizes empowerment and community change.

Young allrounder Suryansh Shedge cherishes praise from Rohit Sharma after his explosive batting in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He also shares valuable insights from heart-to-heart conversations with PBKS coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer, focusing on preparation and staying present. Shedge is also receiving guidance from Jatin Paranjape on embracing the current moment.

Pakistan cricketer Irfan Khan Niazi was recently pulled over by traffic police for not wearing a seat belt. The officer, a fan, engaged in a friendly chat about cricket and the PSL before letting him go with a warning. Irfan, a national player, was urged to prioritize safety and encourage others to follow traffic rules.

Yuzvendra Chahal faces controversy after a video surfaced allegedly showing him vaping on a team flight. Former spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan criticized the lenient penalties for such violations, especially after a similar incident involving Riyan Parag. The BCCI recently reiterated its strict ban on vapes and e-cigarettes across all IPL venues and facilities.

During the Pakistan vs. Bangladesh Test match in Dhaka, broadcasters mistakenly displayed India's scorecard instead of Pakistan's Playing XI. This significant error, which occurred after Pakistan won the toss and chose to field, quickly went viral online, sparking widespread reactions and memes among fans. The broadcasters have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

Star wrestler Vinesh Phogat faces a significant setback as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) bars her from upcoming events until May 2026. Issued a lengthy show cause notice, she's accused of multiple disciplinary and anti-doping violations, including whereabouts failures and alleged rule breaches during selection trials. This effectively delays her international return.

Gujarat Titans' Ashok Sharma has become IPL 2026's breakout star, consistently bowling over 150 kph and even recording the tournament's fastest delivery at 154.2 kph. Inspired by legends like Brett Lee and Dale Steyn, the 23-year-old credits coach Ashish Nehra for honing his discipline and match awareness, focusing on Test-match lengths first.

Abhijeet Gupta has alleged that his Rs 5.5 lakh winners prize from the Odisha GM Open, held in January 2026 with a Rs 45 lakh prize pool, remains unpaid. The Arjuna Awardee criticised organisers and the All India Chess Federation for a lack of accountability, saying repeated emails went unanswered. Gupta urged authorities to protect the dignity and trust of Indian chess players.

Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his IPL 2026 playoff predictions. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are nearly confirmed for the playoffs. Chennai Super Kings must win all their remaining matches to have a chance. Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, and Punjab Kings will compete for the other spots. Net run rate is crucial for Chennai's qualification hopes.

Krunal Pandya dismissed rumours of tension with Nicholas Pooran after a viral IPL 2026 video showed Pooran grabbing him by the collar during a chat. Krunal later posted, No lafda, only love, while Pooran replied, Only love here. The exchange followed an on-field spat during the Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru clash.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shafali Verma received notices from Indias anti-doping agency NADA after missing scheduled dope tests, leading to their first whereabouts failure. The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed the development and said it would ensure stricter compliance, especially with cricket returning to the Olympics in 2028.

David Miller expressed frustration at being benched for Delhi Capitals' recent IPL 2026 matches, acknowledging the team's focus on overseas player combinations. Despite missing out, the veteran batter remains committed to supporting the squad and staying prepared for any future opportunities.

Cameron Green backs KKRs playoff push, praises team culture & Finn Allen

Venugopal Rao admits DC failed after another defeat

Rohit Sharma went viral after an awkward selfie moment with a female fan outside the Mumbai Indians bus. As the fan realised her phone had switched off, Rohit jokingly replied, Toh abhi kya karu mai phir? The clip sparked laughs online. Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh praised Rohits recent impact and said his earlier return from injury could have changed Mumbais IPL season.

Cameron Green is fully fit and ready to bowl his complete quota of overs for Kolkata Knight Riders, bolstering their strong comeback in IPL 2026. He expressed no pressure from his hefty price tag, highlighting the team's balanced bowling attack and support from management. KKR secured their fourth consecutive win, moving up the standings.

Rajasthan Royals players struggled with catches under the new LED floodlights at Sawai Mansingh Stadium during their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Coach Kumar Sangakkara said the brighter lights improved visibility but created glare issues for fielders. Ground authorities have since adjusted the lighting direction to help players adapt better.

Lucknow Super Giants secured a crucial win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka showed respect by waiting to meet Virat Kohli. He patiently waited with his grandson, not interrupting Kohli's conversation. Later, Kohli warmly interacted with them and signed an autograph for the young fan. This moment went viral online.

Commentators Reprimanded, Players & Families Warned As BCCI, Franchises Begin Crackdown On Social-Media Practices That Invite Potential Anti-Corruption Breaches

Neeraj Chopra is nearing a comeback after a 232-day break focused on rehabilitation from groin, ankle and back injuries. The Olympic champion has been rebuilding fitness and refining technique ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Potential return events include meets in Poland, Finland and Czechia, while his main target remains defending his Asian Games title later this year.

Finn Allen's maiden IPL century, a blistering 100 off 47 balls, powered Kolkata Knight Riders to victory against Delhi Capitals. His unbeaten knock, featuring 10 sixes, saw him join KKR's elite century-makers. Allen emphasized responsible batting after early wickets, acknowledging the challenging pitch and Axar Patel's bowling.

Lucknow Super Giants secured their maiden home win in IPL 2026 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but the match was marred by the discovery of fake AI-generated tickets. Police apprehended four individuals from Chhattisgarh for using AI tools and graphic software to create and sell counterfeit tickets outside the Ekana Stadium.

Javokhir Sindarov defeated D Gukesh in their first-ever blitz clash at the Grand Chess Tour in Warsaw, avenging his earlier rapid loss to the World Champion. Gukeshs rare fist-pump celebration after that previous win had gone viral. With one win each, their growing rivalry now heads into a decisive final reverse-blitz showdown before this years World Championship clash.

Finn Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls to help Kolkata Knight Riders beat Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in IPL 2026. The knock made Allen the first New Zealand batter to score three T20 centuries in a calendar year. KKRs bowlers, led by Sunil Narine and Anukul Roy, earlier restricted DC to 142/8.

Krunal Pandya reflects on his 11-season IPL journey, crediting adaptability, fitness and constant reinvention for his longevity and success with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The left-arm spinner discusses refining his bowling for bounce and deception, embracing challenges, and staying driven by an ambition to return to Indias national team. Gratitude, resilience and evolution remain central to his career and mindset.

Delhi Capitals' playoff hopes are in dire straits after an eight-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders. A batting collapse against KKR's spinners, coupled with a poor Net Run Rate, has pushed DC to eighth place. They now need to win all three remaining matches to have any chance of qualification, facing a must-win scenario in every upcoming fixture. Unless Delhi suddenly produce their most complete cricket of the season over the final three matches, IPL 2026 is rapidly heading towards an early fi

Finn Allen's career-defining maiden IPL century powered Kolkata Knight Riders to a dominant eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals. Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls, reflecting on a mindset shift towards adaptability and responsibility after early season struggles. Time out of the XI helped reset his perspective, leading to this explosive turnaround.

Allens unbeaten 100 off 47 balls helped Kolkata Knight Riders register their fourth straight win in IPL 2026 on Friday. KKR chased down 143 in 14.2 overs to win by eight wickets.

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Ajinkya Rahane lauded Kolkata Knight Riders' complete performance after their dominant win over Delhi Capitals. He highlighted Finn Allen's match-winning century and the bowlers' consistent discipline, particularly the spin trio, for setting up the victory. Rahane also credited the support staff and the team's focus on the present moment for their success.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, fueled by a stellar spin attack and Finn Allen's explosive maiden IPL century. This fourth consecutive win keeps KKR's playoff aspirations burning bright, while Delhi faces mounting pressure. Allen's unbeaten 100 off 47 balls guided KKR to a swift chase after restricting Delhi to 142.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a vital win against Delhi Capitals. This victory keeps their IPL 2026 playoff aspirations alive. The IPL 2026 points table shows a close contest with many teams vying for playoff spots. Sunrisers Hyderabad leads the standings. Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are also in strong positions.

The club said no sporting punishment would be given to the two players and added that the fine thereby concludes the internal procedures started after the incident.

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel's batting woes deepened in IPL 2026, marking a new low with the second-worst captain's average in the league's history. His struggles, coupled with a dismal strike-rate, highlight a significant concern for the team amidst a challenging season. KKR's spinners effectively stifled Delhi's batting lineup, leading to a batting collapse.

Cricket star Rohit Sharma is venturing into television. A teaser for his new show has been released. Details about the show's format and title will be announced soon. Sharma is currently playing in IPL 2026. He has a distinguished career in international cricket across all formats. His popularity extends beyond the field.