The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched their maiden Singapore Open title, ending a two-year wait for a trophy. The Indian duo staged a remarkable comeback, defeating Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri 18-21, 21-17, 21-16 in a thrilling final. This historic victory marks their first doubles title at the prestigious Singapore Open and their ninth World Tour crown.
Ruturaj Gaikwad returns to the India A squad for a Sri Lanka tri-series, replacing an injured Riyan Parag. Named vice-captain, Gaikwad aims to regain form after a subdued IPL 2026. This tour presents a vital opportunity for the opener to impress selectors and stake his claim for future national team call-ups.
Bhuvneshwar has played a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's run to the IPL 2026 final, taking 26 wickets in 15 matches. Ahead of Sunday's title clash against Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium, Tendulkar explained how the veteran seamer has adapted his approach this season.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old from Rajasthan Royals, is set to be a major attraction at the IPL 2026 final. He has had an exceptional season, leading in runs and sixes. Sooryavanshi is expected to win multiple awards. His performance has redefined T20 batting possibilities. The final will feature Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has advocated for significant IPL rule changes, including the removal of the Impact Player rule, which he believes heavily favors batters. Tendulkar also proposed a bowling powerplay and allowing one bowler to deliver five overs to restore game balance.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru eyes back-to-back IPL titles, banking on Josh Hazlewood's incredible T20 finals record. The Australian pacer boasts a perfect five-from-five record in title deciders, consistently delivering crucial wickets and performances under immense pressure. Despite a mixed IPL 2026 season, Hazlewood remains RCB's key weapon against Gujarat Titans.
In a nail-biting conclusion to IPL 2026, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru face off against the formidable Gujarat Titans, two teams that have dominated the season with their impressive performances. With top-order hitters ready to set the stage ablaze and fast bowlers eager to claim wickets, the final at Ahmedabad promises a spectacle.
Soft-spoken away from the spotlight and measured in his demeanour, Rajat Patidar never fit the image of a franchise-defining superstar. Yet the injury replacement who once went unsold at auction became the captain who delivered RCB's maiden IPL title. Now, after another evolution in his leadership and batting, Patidar stands one victory away from achieving what only Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have managed.
Despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru's dominant Qualifier 1 win, former star AB de Villiers expressed concern over Gujarat Titans' formidable bowling attack heading into the IPL 2026 final. Both teams are chasing their second IPL crown, with RCB aiming to defend their title and GT seeking to add to their 2022 victory.
Virat Kohli's exceptional record against Gujarat Titans, boasting 503 runs at 71.85, continues to be a focal point as Royal Challengers Bengaluru face GT in the IPL 2026 final. Having already surpassed 600 runs this season, Kohli aims to extend his dominance in this crucial encounter.
Bengaluru Police have issued a stern advisory for the IPL 2026 final, urging fans to celebrate responsibly. Public gatherings, unauthorised LED screens, live screenings outside venues, firecrackers, bike rallies, and public intoxication are prohibited. Authorities emphasise cooperation to ensure safety and prevent disorder.
Bengaluru Police have issued a stern advisory for the IPL 2026 final, urging fans to celebrate responsibly following last year's tragic stampede. Public gatherings, unauthorized LED screens, live screenings outside venues, firecrackers, bike rallies, and public intoxication are prohibited. Authorities emphasize cooperation to ensure safety and prevent disorder.
Cameron Green's batting struggles persist as he was dismissed for a duck in the opening ODI against Pakistan, following a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign for Kolkata Knight Riders. Bought for a record Rs 25.20 crore, the Australian all-rounder failed to justify the hefty price tag, with teenage debutant Arafat Minhas claiming his wicket.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans clash in the IPL 2026 final. Key individual battles, including Sai Sudharsan vs. Jacob Duffy and Shubman Gill vs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, are poised to significantly influence the outcome of this high-stakes championship match.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Gujarat Titans in a thrilling IPL 2026 final. Both teams boast in-form captains, Rajat Patidar and Shubman Gill, and formidable batting line-ups. The contest promises a compelling clash of consistent teams, with RCB aiming for a second consecutive title and GT seeking to leverage home advantage.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad. RCB aims for a second consecutive title with their aggressive batting. Gujarat Titans relies on their top-order batsmen for success. Both teams have a history of strong performances at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The final promises an exciting contest between contrasting styles.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set for their fifth IPL final, aiming to defend their maiden 2025 title against Gujarat Titans. Having endured heartbreak in 2009, 2011, and 2016 finals, RCB finally tasted glory last year. A win now would secure their second championship and make them only the third team to successfully defend the IPL crown.
At Norway Chess Round 5, D Gukesh bounced back from his loss to Magnus Carlsen by defeating R Praggnanandhaa in a tense classical game, climbing to third place. In the women's event, Divya Deshmukh scored her first classical win, beating Zhu Jiner to become sole leader. Meanwhile, Carlsen suffered a third classical defeat, losing to Wesley So.
At 36, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is still outrunning younger pacers. While generations of fast bowlers have come and gone since his IPL debut in 2011, the RCB veteran remains a constant. TOI traces the fitness transformation, meticulous preparation and daily discipline that have helped him stay relevant in cricket's most demanding format for more than a decade.
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have transformed Gujarat Titans into a batting powerhouse, combining consistency, class and record-breaking partnerships. With eight century stands and nearly 3,000 runs together, the opening pair has emerged as one of T20 cricket's greatest duos, giving GT a formidable edge ahead of the IPL final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Young batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has captivated cricket fans and legends alike, with Sachin Tendulkar calling him ruly special after his record-breaking IPL 2026 season. Sooryavanshi's phenomenal 776 runs and 72 sixes have sparked debate about an India call-up, though Tendulkar advises patience for Test cricket, emphasizing nurturing his natural talent and avoiding undue pressure.
Despite being out of India's T20I plans, Shubman Gill remains focused on improving his game and is open to a national recall. He last played a T20I in December 2025 and was subsequently left out of the T20 World Cup squad. Gill's strong IPL 2026 form, however, has reopened the conversation for his potential return to the shortest format.
Paris Saint-Germain clinched a historic second consecutive Champions League title, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Despite an early Arsenal lead, PSG fought back, with Dembl equalizing from the spot. Missed penalties from Eze and Gabriel ultimately cost Arsenal, handing PSG another European crown and cementing Luis Enrique's managerial legacy.
IPL 2026 Final: RCB, Gujarat Titans eye their second title | Spotlight on Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli
Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 journey, though ending in Qualifier 2, was defined by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's sensational performance. He amassed 776 runs, becoming the season's breakout star and face of the tournament. Despite a mid-season slump, RR showed resilience, with Sooryavanshi's heroics powering their playoff run, hinting at future title contention.
Rajat Patidar has brushed aside talk of India's T20 captaincy and selection, insisting his sole focus is on helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru win a second successive IPL title. On the eve of the final against Gujarat Titans, the RCB skipper highlighted the team's culture shift towards shared responsibility and a winning mindset.
Rajat Patidar press conference: On RCB's title push, IPL 2026 final and more
Shubman Gill press conference: On IPL final, Sai Sudharsan, GT mindset and more
While Nihal and his S8UL teammate Aravindh Chithambaram have both successfully qualified for the upcoming Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 Chess main event, Nihal stands alone as India's premier direct invitee for the country-based ENC tournament, where he will represent Team India Esports.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill hailed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as one of the best batters in the world in T20s. Sooryavanshi's phenomenal IPL 2026 season, amassing 776 runs with a strike rate of 237.30, has stunned cricket. Gill lauded the youngster's remarkable ability to dominate attacks and adapt under pressure, predicting a tough future for bowlers facing him.
Liverpool has parted ways with manager Arne Slot after a disappointing 2025-26 season, ending his two-year tenure just one year after leading the club to Premier League glory. Despite significant investment and high-profile signings, the team finished fifth, prompting the ownership to seek a new direction for the club's progression.
Gujarat Titans bowler Kagiso Rabada lauded Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old's IPL 2026 season was marked by fearless batting and sharp reflexes. Sooryavanshi scored 776 runs, leading the tournament charts. Rabada emphasized the youngster's maturity and attacking approach, stating age is irrelevant to his performance. Gujarat Titans secured a spot in the IPL 2026 final.
The defeat ended Vinesh's campaign after an eventful day in which she had first secured permission to compete in the 53kg category and then battled her way into the last four.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are set to clash in the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 final at Budapest's Pusks Arna. Arsenal seeks their first European title after a 22-year Premier League drought, while defending champions PSG aim to retain their trophy, a feat last achieved by Real Madrid.
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes India's 30-member men's cricket probables for the 2026 Asian Games. Notably absent are T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and skipper Shubman Gill due to a scheduling clash with the West Indies series. This forces a two-team strategy, with a younger core potentially emerging for future T20 tournaments.
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan's exceptional opening partnership of 167 runs against Rajasthan Royals has drawn praise from Irfan Pathan, who declared them the greatest IPL opening pair. Their consistent brilliance, with both batters surpassing 700 runs this season, has been the cornerstone of Gujarat Titans' success, effectively sealing their path to the final.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fearless 96 once again showcased the teenager's extraordinary talent, but it was Shubman Gill's sublime century that carried Gujarat Titans into the IPL final. While Sooryavanshi provided the thrills, Gill's masterclass in timing and placement sealed a record playoff chase and a date with RCB.
PSG carry the weight of champions, refusing to stop as they hope to retain the crown. Arsenal arrive with carpe diem in their hearts and history at their backs as they find themselves in the final of the Champions League for the first time since 2006. And if Arsenal get over the line, they would also become only the 25th club to ever win the European Cup or Champions League, having played 225 games in the competition - more than any other club to have never lifted the trophy.
Gujarat Titans secured their third IPL final appearance by defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. After a slow start, the team dominated the latter half of the season, driven by their formidable opening pair and a resurgent bowling attack. They now face RCB for their second IPL title.
Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 campaign ended in heartbreak after a Qualifier 2 loss to Gujarat Titans. Despite a brilliant 96 from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the team fell short. Sooryavanshi's stellar season, marked by maturity and exceptional batting against top bowlers, has earned him high praise and suggestions of an imminent India call-up.
Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 campaign ended with a Qualifier 2 loss to Gujarat Titans, despite a stellar 96 from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Ravichandran Ashwin lamented the batting unit's failure to support the young prodigy's heroic effort, highlighting his exceptional performance against top bowlers. Gujarat Titans comfortably chased the target.
Sai Sudharsan etched his name in IPL history with two consecutive hit-wicket dismissals in the 2026 playoffs. His bat slipped and hit the stumps in back-to-back matches, first for 14 against RCB and then for a quickfire 58 against RR. Despite the bizarre setbacks, Gujarat Titans secured wins in both encounters, with Sudharsan humorously vowing to improve his grip.

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