The Times of India

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, at just 15, has become the Indian batter with the most sixes in a single IPL season, surpassing Abhishek Sharma's record with 43 maximums. His explosive start against Delhi Capitals, hitting a six off the first ball, marked his fifth such instance this season. Sooryavanshi's remarkable six-hitting prowess is rewriting IPL history.

Despite Punjab Kings' sixth consecutive defeat, captain Shreyas Iyer remains philosophical, emphasizing belief and attitude over results. He acknowledged early batting damage as the turning point in their loss to RCB, stating the match was lost in the powerplay. Iyer expressed disappointment but praised middle-order resistance, looking forward with optimism.

On the field, RCB secured a playoff spot with a 23-run win over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a playoff spot with a dominant 23-run victory over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala. Virat Kohli's energetic performance, coupled with crucial knocks from Devdutt Padikkal and Venkatesh Iyer, propelled RCB to a commanding total. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's early wickets stifled Punjab's chase, highlighting RCB's championship mettle.

IPL 2026 has witnessed an unprecedented batting surge, with 53 scores exceeding 200, shattering previous records. This trend highlights a dramatic evolution in T20 cricket, where aggressive play from the outset and powerful hitting by all batsmen have redefined what constitutes a formidable total. Even scores above 220 are no longer a guaranteed victory, as chases are becoming increasingly common.

Punjab Kings endured another bowling collapse, conceding 222 to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, setting unwanted T20 records. The team now holds the record for most 200-plus totals conceded in men's T20 cricket history, and captain Shreyas Iyer also set a new captaincy record for such instances. This latest defeat further jeopardizes their playoff hopes.

Ambati Rayudu has sparked a major IPL debate by naming Sunil Narine the greatest player in the tournament's history. Rayudu highlighted Narine's consistent match-winning performances with both bat and ball across multiple title-winning campaigns for Kolkata Knight Riders. Even in IPL 2026, the veteran spinner continues to impress, recently earning Player of the Match in his 200th appearance.

The milestone came during Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are without captain Rajat Patidar for their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings, with Jitesh Sharma leading the side. Patidar is recovering well and is expected to return for the next match in Hyderabad. RCB currently sits atop the IPL 2026 points table.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be without captain Rajat Patidar for their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings. Jitesh Sharma will lead the side in Patidar's absence, who missed travel and practice due to an undisclosed reason. Patidar is expected to return for RCB's final league game.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for a senior India debut, potentially as early as next month on the Ireland tour. Shastri urged selectors to fast-track the Rajasthan Royals opener into the T20 setup, citing his impressive IPL form and fearless batting against experienced bowlers.

India's top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, finished as runners-up at the Thailand Open 2026 after a close 21-12, 25-23 loss to Indonesia's Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin. Despite a strong comeback in the second game, the Indian duo narrowly missed their first title of the season.

Babar Azam's resilient 68 guided Pakistan through a tough spot on Day 2 against Bangladesh, marking his return from injury. This crucial half-century propelled him past Ben Stokes in the ICC World Test Championship's most fifty-plus scores list, showcasing his consistent performance in the prestigious tournament.

Sourav Ganguly revealed he personally scouted MS Dhoni, travelling to Jamshedpur to witness his domestic prowess before his national selection. Ganguly emphasised fast-tracking exceptional talent, believing it crucial for player development. This philosophy, coupled with Saba Karim's initial praise for Dhoni's six-hitting ability, led to his swift integration into the Indian team, shaping a legendary career.

Parthiv Patel on Sai Sudharsan injury, Gujarat Titans playoffs chances and more

Finn Allen talks about his explosive knock and KKR comeback

Shreyas Iyer is set to captain Punjab Kings in his 100th IPL match, a significant milestone. He joins an elite group of captains with this achievement. Iyer boasts an impressive win percentage and has led three different franchises to IPL finals. This landmark game comes as PBKS battles to revive their playoff hopes after a string of defeats.

A social media post by Karim Janat mistakenly led fans to believe Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah had passed away due to an inaccurate Instagram translation. The post was actually a condolence message for the death of Rahmat Shah's mother, not the cricketer himself. The confusion was clarified, confirming Rahmat Shah is alive.

Shubman Gill etched his name in IPL history, becoming one of the few captains to achieve multiple 500-run seasons. Despite Gujarat Titans' loss, Gill's 85 against Kolkata Knight Riders secured his second such milestone. He joins legends like Tendulkar and Kohli in this elite club, showcasing consistent batting prowess while leading his team.

Nikhat Zareen has opted out of the senior World Cup in China, prioritizing her 51kg Olympic qualification goals over the 48kg category. This decision has led the BFI to schedule a selection trial for the 48kg spot between Nitu Ghanghas and Jyoti Gulia. Meanwhile, Sakshi Chaudhary impressed at recent trials, defeating strong contenders in the competitive 51kg division.

Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is drawing significant fan attention with his aggressive style and impressive strike rate of 236.55. He has amassed 440 runs and smashed 40 sixes in 11 IPL games. Coaches emphasize letting him enjoy his batting while acknowledging the challenges of evolving against future opposition.

Virat Kohli expressed his desire to not constantly prove his value to the Indian team, stating he will play if he adds value and the team believes in him. Ravichandran Ashwin supported Kohli, asserting the former captain has nothing left to prove after his extensive achievements.

Chennai Super Kings' IPL 2026 playoff hopes hinge on the Punjab Kings vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru match. An RCB victory would simplify CSK's path to qualification, allowing them to control their destiny by winning their remaining two games. A PBKS win, however, would intensify the pressure and potentially lead to a Net Run Rate battle.

The senior men's selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will meet on May 19 to pick India's squads for the one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan in June. Shubman Gill is expected to lead both teams, with workload management for premier pacers like Jasprit Bumrah a key focus. Uncertainty surrounds the wicketkeeper's slot in the white-ball setup.

Kris Srikkanth lauded Jasprit Bumrah's captaincy in Mumbai Indians' win over Punjab Kings. Bumrah's leadership inspired bowlers like Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar, who took crucial wickets. The team displayed a strong will to win, with Tilak Varma's explosive batting sealing the chase. Srikkanth highlighted Bumrah's encouraging presence as a key factor in the bowlers' confidence and performance.

With 10 games left, LSG and MI are out, while GT and RCB are nearing playoff qualification. SRH and RR have strong chances for the top four, with PBKS holding an even shot. CSK's playoff hopes have diminished, and KKR and DC face slim chances.

Punjab Kings bowler Arshdeep Singh struggled this IPL season. Physical issues and off-field distractions affected his performance. Team management believes they have found solutions. Singh is now feeling better physically. He needs to regain his form to help Punjab Kings. Leaders like Singh and Iyer must guide the team through this tough phase.

Chasing 248, Gujarat Titans finished on 218 for 4 after Kolkatas bowlers held their nerve in the death overs.

Shubman Gill attributed Gujarat Titans' 29-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders to poor fielding, stating the team didn't deserve to win after dropping multiple crucial catches. Despite a strong batting performance led by Gill's 85, GT fell short of KKR's 248, with dropped catches allowing KKR's batsmen to score heavily.

Sai Sudharsan etched his name in T20 history, becoming the fastest batter to 3000 runs in just 78 innings. Despite Gujarat Titans' loss, Sudharsan showcased his brilliance with an unbeaten 53 and extended his record of consecutive 50+ scores for the franchise to four. He currently leads IPL 2026 in runs.

Matheesha Pathirana's much-anticipated IPL 2026 debut for KKR ended prematurely due to an injury scare, just eight balls into his spell. Despite the concern, the Sri Lankan pacer completed his over before leaving the field. This happened as KKR's batters, led by Finn Allen's explosive 93, dominated Gujarat Titans, posting a massive 247/2.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi's stellar IPL 2026 season continues with an unbeaten 82, guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to a colossal 247/2 against Gujarat Titans. This marks his fifth 50-plus score, placing him among KKR's elite and in rare company league-wide for batsmen his age. His composure and acceleration were key in KKR's third-highest total ever.

Finn Allen's explosive batting continued as he smashed 10 sixes against Gujarat Titans, marking his second IPL innings with such a feat. The KKR opener narrowly missed a century with a blistering 93 off 35 balls, a new KKR record against GT. His aggressive play offers a significant boost to the defending champions' playoff hopes.

Sunil Narine achieved a significant milestone on Saturday, completing 200 Indian Premier League appearances. He is the first overseas player to reach this mark. Narine has been a key player for Kolkata Knight Riders since 2012. He is recognized for his exceptional bowling economy and has also become a powerful hitter.

Ravichandran Ashwin questions Punjab Kings' decision to split home matches across two venues in IPL 2026, suggesting the venue changes disrupted their rhythm and contributed to a five-match losing streak. He highlights that successful franchises maintain consistency with a single home ground, impacting team preparation and performance, especially when batting first at Dharamsala.

Former India batter Ambati Rayudu lamented Chennai Super Kings' lack of experienced heads on the field during their loss to Lucknow Super Giants. He highlighted young pacer Anshul Kamboj's struggles against Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, suggesting senior players could have offered crucial support. Rayudu defended Kamboj, attributing his tough outing to exceptional batting.

After four years full of challenges and hard work, it's time to move on, said Lewandowski.

Cricketer Virat Kohli finds constant camera monitoring during Indian Premier League practice sessions intrusive. He believes players need peace to prepare without every move being recorded and analyzed. Kohli feels this constant exposure impacts his ability to experiment freely. He calls for clearer boundaries regarding player consent and behind-the-scenes access. Kohli's concerns arise despite his strong performance this IPL season.

India's top seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty triumphed in a thrilling Thailand Open semifinal, overcoming Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin in a hard-fought three-game battle. The world No. 4 pair staged a remarkable comeback to secure their spot in the season's first final, carrying the nation's hopes after other Indian contenders were eliminated.

Virat Kohli revealed the immense emotional weight lifted after Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally clinched their maiden IPL title after 18 years. He stated that a victory earlier in his career wouldn't have felt as special, highlighting the profound joy derived from overcoming decades of pressure and heartbreak alongside franchise icons and the city of Bengaluru.