The Times of India

Parthiv Patel on fearless cricket: why 160 can still win in T20s

The FIFA World Cup 2026 field is now complete with 48 teams confirmed after final qualifiers and playoffs. Co-hosts USA, Mexico, and Canada will stage the expanded tournament, featuring 12 groups of four teams. This edition marks a historic expansion, showcasing unprecedented global diversity in football's biggest spectacle.

Mike Hussey admits CSK were outplayed after batting collapse

Riyan Parag gets honest: handling criticism, captaincy calls & rain chaos

Rishabh Pant played peacemaker between Nitish Rana and Digvesh Rathi, resolving their on-field spat during the Delhi Premier League. The LSG captain's intervention helped the two cricketers patch things up ahead of the IPL 2026 clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals. Both teams are looking to improve after missing the playoffs in the previous season.

Over the past decade, the Sports Authority of India has recorded 33 sexual harassment complaints, with 25 targeting coaches. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya revealed in Lok Sabha that six coaches were suspended and two had contracts terminated following inquiries. While the ministry doesn't track federation complaints, SAI's Internal Complaints Committees handle athlete grievances.

IPL 2026: Ajinkya Rahane backs KKRs young pace attack after loss

Iraq secured the final FIFA World Cup 2026 spot by defeating Bolivia 2-1 in a playoff, marking their first appearance since 1986 despite significant off-field challenges. Meanwhile, Italy suffered another heartbreaking qualification failure, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 on penalties, meaning they will miss a third consecutive World Cup.

Indias Rs 1,350 crore sports celebrity endorsement market is undergoing a dramatic transformation as elite athletes like Shreyas Iyer, Neeraj Chopra, Hardik Pandya, and Ishan Kishan break away from traditional agencies to assert control over their own brands and careers. By seeing themselves as businesses, these athletes are forming in-house offices and management firms, resulting in endorsement deals that are often up to three times more lucrative than before.

Cricket Australia has surprisingly dropped star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell from their 2026-27 contracted players list, prioritizing Test specialists for a demanding schedule. Youngster Sam Konstas and paceman Jhye Richardson also missed out, with veteran Jake Weatherald earning a contract. This move signals a strong focus on the longest format of the game.

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer faced a Rs 12 lakh fine for a slow over-rate in their IPL 2026 opener against Gujarat Titans. Despite the disciplinary action, the team secured a thrilling three-wicket victory, thanks to a stellar 72-run debut from Cooper Connolly, who steered them home in a tense chase.

Australian spinner Adam Zampa revealed the 2023 ODI World Cup victory against hosts India as his career's finest moment. He described the unique feeling of silencing a massive Ahmedabad crowd after clinching the record sixth title, a win he felt Australia wasn't heavily favored for. This triumph continues India's wait for a third ODI World Cup since 2011.

Rishabh Pant leads Lucknow Super Giants against his former team, Delhi Capitals, in a highly anticipated clash. Pant, aiming to prove himself after a modest last season, faces a strong DC bowling attack. The Ekana pitch is expected to offer good bounce for pacers.

Rishabh Pant leads Lucknow Super Giants against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 opener. LSG boast a strengthened squad with new pace additions and a settled batting lineup. Delhi aim for consistency, relying on their strong spin attack. The match is set for a hot evening in Lucknow with clear skies.

Adam Zampa was named Player of the Match for his stellar 2/11 spell in Karachi Kings' PSL victory. He explained his decision to choose the PSL over the IPL, citing a lack of IPL interest and the perceived value of his skill set relative to the tournament's commitment. Zampa is enjoying his time in the PSL.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued his sensational IPL form, smashing a 15-ball half-century against Chennai Super Kings. This remarkable feat, achieved after eating a sweet, set up Rajasthan Royals' dominant win. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lauded the young talent but urged patience for his senior India debut.

An unusual incident saw Rahul Tewatia's bat fail an official gauge test during an IPL 2026 match, forcing a change before he could bat. Despite this brief pause, Gujarat Titans posted 162, but Punjab Kings ultimately chased down the target. Captain Shubman Gill felt their batting was slightly below par, though he praised Prasidh Krishna's bowling effort.

Punjab Kings secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans, thanks to an unbeaten 72 from Cooper Connolly. While Connolly's stellar performance clinched the win, captain Shreyas Iyer's sister, Shresta, stole the spotlight with a viral bhangra celebration post-match. Iyer also provided an update on his wrist injury.

Arjun Tendulkar, son of Sachin Tendulkar, will play for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026 after being picked at his base price. He revealed his calm demeanor stems from playing with his five dogs in Goa. Tendulkar previously played two seasons with Mumbai Indians, taking three wickets and scoring 13 runs in five matches.

R Praggnanandhaa suffered his first defeat at the Candidates after an uncharacteristic opening choice against Javokhir Sindarov. In the women's section, Divya Deshmukh secured a miraculous draw against Aleksandra Goryachkina following a late blunder. Fabiano Caruana and Sindarov lead the open section.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer sustained a wrist injury during their IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans but appeared in good spirits post-match. Debutant Cooper Connolly's maiden half-century guided Punjab to a three-wicket victory in their opening game.

I could have got Prasidh on earlier, but we were in the game until the end, there will always be ifs and buts. But he came at the right time, took wickets and kept us in the game until the 17th and 18th over, Gill said after the match.

Debutant Cooper Connolly starred with a match-winning unbeaten 72, guiding Punjab Kings to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans. Chasing 163, Connolly's composed knock, supported by Prabhsimran Singh's aggressive start, ensured PBKS crossed the finish line with five balls to spare. Vijaykumar Vyshak's three wickets earlier restricted GT.

Videos of the incident later circulated on social media, showing the staff struggling to manage the covers in the rain and wind. At one point, two members fell while trying to stop the covers from being lifted.

Iran will be at the World Cup... That's why we're here. We're delighted because they're a very, very strong team, I'm very happy, Infantino said at half-time during Irans friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey.

Ahead of their IPL 2026 clash, Yuzvendra Chahal and Jos Buttler shared a light-hearted banter, recalling their Rajasthan Royals days. Chahal playfully claimed a past batting feat, to which Buttler humorously retorted about his bowling prowess. The match also features captains Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, with the pitch expected to favor pacers early on.

As per the directive, centrally contracted players must take approval from the PCBs media department before posting on social media.

Chennai Super Kings' enduring IPL success stems from consistent ownership and player retention. Stephen Fleming's long tenure as coach has fostered a winning culture. A unique tradition sees the franchise double BCCI prize money for players, showcasing their commitment to welfare. This approach has built a stable, experienced team.

Langford, 76, was found unconscious in his hotel room in south Mumbai on Monday morning and was taken to Bombay Hospital, where he was declared dead. Police said no suspicious findings were reported in the postmortem, and a case of unnatural death has been registered.

Match Referee Roshan Mahanama conducted the disciplinary hearing and made the determination after reviewing all evidence, the statement added.

Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has stated retirement is not on his mind, emphasising he will only step away when he feels bored, not due to age, selection, or injuries. Despite being out of the national setup for over a year, Shami remains focused on his performance and enjoying the game, aiming to deliver for his new team, Lucknow Super Giants.

Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings clash in Mullanpur, with captains Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer seeking their first IPL 2026 points. Gill aims to reclaim his T20 dominance after missing the World Cup, while Iyer looks to lead Punjab to glory after a runner-up finish. Key players like Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh are also highlighted.

A 76-year-old British broadcast engineer, Jan William Langford, working for the IPL 2026 in Mumbai, was found dead in his hotel room. Hotel staff discovered him unconscious and he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Police have registered a case of accidental death after a postmortem revealed no suspicious findings.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 17-ball 52 in IPL 2026 has reignited calls for his India debut. Former England captain Michael Vaughan urged selectors to include the young talent on the upcoming white-ball tour of England, emphasizing the need for him to experience the national team environment.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL heroics have sparked calls for his fast-tracking into India's T20 squad, with former cricketers like Mohammad Kaif and Piyush Chawla backing his readiness. However, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin urges caution, emphasising the need to manage expectations for the 15-year-old prodigy, despite acknowledging his immense talent.

KKR Depart from Mumbai after losing to Mumbai Indians

Ravindra Jadeja shared an emotional moment with Khaleel Ahmed after Rajasthan Royals' win over Chennai Super Kings, kissing the CSK logo on his jersey. Jadeja reflected on his difficult but mature transition from CSK, expressing happiness to be back with Rajasthan, his first IPL franchise, where he won the inaugural title.

Cameron Green's all-round potential is under scrutiny as Australia's coach Andrew McDonald emphasizes balancing IPL and national team expectations. Despite a back niggle, Green's fitness won't hinder his consideration for all formats, with selectors eyeing him for the vacant No. 5 Test position.

Fakhar Zaman faces a Level 3 ball-tampering charge in the PSL after an incident during Lahore Qalandars' match against Karachi Kings. This controversy echoes a similar episode during the T20 World Cup against the USA, where Zaman's actions also raised suspicions. Both incidents occurred under pressure, with no proven offense yet.

Rajasthan Royals began their IPL 2026 season with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings. Ravindra Jadeja, playing against his former team, discussed his new celebration and emotional transition. He also spoke about his bowling strategy on a tricky pitch. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's batting secured the win for Rajasthan Royals. The team's next match is against Gujarat Titans.

Ravindra Jadeja impressed on his Rajasthan Royals return, taking two crucial wickets against his former team Chennai Super Kings. He humorously revealed he hadn't spoken to MS Dhoni, who apparently keeps his phone off. Jadeja enjoyed the turning wicket, executing his plans effectively to help RR secure an emphatic victory.

Ravindra Jadeja showed visible emotions playing against Chennai Super Kings for Rajasthan Royals. He was seen in tears during the match. Jadeja, a former CSK player, returned to Rajasthan Royals. He took two crucial wickets against his old team. Rajasthan Royals successfully chased down the target.

IPL's T20 cricket has become a batter's paradise, with 200 not even a par total. Coaches Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden acknowledge the Impact Player rule has amplified batting power, shrinking bowlers' margin for error. They suggest old-fashioned, precise bowling variations like wide yorkers and slower offcutters are key to survival.

Pakistan cricketer Naseem Shah narrowly avoided a two-year ban for a controversial social media post, with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi reportedly intervening to impose a PKR 20 million fine instead. The pacer had criticized Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's presence at a PSL game.

Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, both overlooked by national selectors, displayed intense focus in pre-IPL nets. Gill honed his timing and power-hitting, while Iyer unleashed ferocious shots, signaling their intent to prove a point in the upcoming IPL clash between Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings.

Cameron Green, IPL's most expensive overseas player at Rs 25.20 crore, faces controversy after not bowling for KKR. Cricket Australia clarified he has a lower back injury, a fact KKR was aware of. This situation has drawn criticism, with experts questioning the value received for an all-rounder who is only batting.

The FIDE Candidates 2026 saw a day of draws in Cyprus, with all games ending in a tie. Indian talents Divya Deshmukh and Vaishali Rameshbabu played a thrilling game, featuring a brilliant queen sacrifice by Vaishali. In the Open section, R Praggnanandhaa drew against Wei Yi, while Hikaru Nakamura salvaged a draw from a difficult position.

Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, leading Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings respectively, aim to make a statement in a high-stakes IPL clash. Both captains, often overlooked internationally, seek redemption and recognition, with Gill's evolving strike rate and Iyer's proven leadership at the forefront. The match is expected to be a high-scoring affair on a batting-friendly pitch.

Hardik Pandya's girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, protected cricketer's son Agastya from intrusive photographers after a Mumbai Indians match. She shielded the child from camera flashes, visibly annoyed by the crowd's behavior. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians secured a thrilling six-wicket victory against Kolkata Knight Riders, marking their first season-opening win since 2012.