The Times of India

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host IPL 2026 matches, but only after approval from a government-appointed expert committee. The committee will inspect the stadium on March 13, 2026, to assess its preparedness. The BCCI announced the first phase of the tournament, running from March 28 to April 12, with 20 matches across 10 venues.

IPL 2026 kicks off March 28 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in a Bengaluru opener. The BCCI announced the first 20 days of the schedule, featuring 20 matches across 10 venues. Full schedule awaits state election dates.

The Asian Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad have been postponed from April 110 to May 1217, 2026 due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The Asian Weightlifting Federation said the change was made to ensure safe travel and participation for all teams, as airspace disruptions in parts of the Middle East and Gulf region have affected international flights.

A Barcelona fan accidentally travelled nearly 600 km to Exeter instead of Newcastle after searching St James Park on his phone while trying to watch Barcelonas Champions League match. He ended up watching Exeter City lose 1-0 to Lincoln instead. A club official said, One of our volunteers turned up expecting to see FC Barcelona. Staff gave him a ticket anyway.

Former chief selector Sandeep Patil has refuted claims by Yograj Singh that MS Dhoni was responsible for Yuvraj Singh's ouster from the Indian team. Patil stated on record that Dhoni never requested Yuvraj's exclusion and fully trusted the selection committee's decisions. He acknowledged a father's emotions but emphasised the blame was misplaced.

Bangladesh crushed Pakistan by eight wickets in the first ODI to take a 1-0 series lead. Pakistan collapsed to 114 after a strong start, with Nahid Rana taking five wickets and Mehidy Hasan Miraz three. In reply, Tanzid Hasan Tamim smashed 67 not out, helping Bangladesh chase the target comfortably in 15.1 overs. Pakistans bowlers struggled to create pressure.

After Indias third T20 World Cup win under Suryakumar Yadav, former opener Aakash Chopra said Shubman Gill is unlikely to return to the T20I side or become captain. Despite leading India in Tests and ODIs, Gills poor T20I form saw him miss the World Cup. Chopra advised him to focus on longer formats, while Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan excelled.

Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 30.4 overs in the first ODI against Bangladesh after starting well with a 41-run opening stand. A sudden middle-order collapse saw wickets tumble quickly. Sahibzada Farhan (27) and Faheem Ashraf (37) were the only notable contributors. Nahid Rana starred with 5/24, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz took 3/29, leaving Bangladesh a modest chase.

The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 will be held on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow, honouring Indias top sporting performances from 2025 across 45+ categories, with winners chosen by legends like Abhinav Bindra and Mithali Raj. Tennis nominees include Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri, Sumit Nagal, Ankita Raina, Vaishnavi Adkar, and Sahaja Yamalapalli, recognised for standout achievements during the season.

The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) returns for its eighth edition, set to honor India's top athletes on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow. Recognizing achievements from January 1 to December 31, 2025, the event will celebrate over 45 sports categories, highlighting a year of remarkable Indian sporting success.

Sanju Samson, India's leading run-scorer in the T20 World Cup, expressed profound gratitude for realizing a long-held dream. Despite initial doubts after a tough series, Samson delivered crucial performances, earning Player of the Tournament. He emphasized fan prayers as more significant than personal accolades, highlighting the unexpected yet fulfilling nature of his success.

Gautam Gambhir reflects on Indias World Cup win and backing Sanju Samson in the tournament

After Indias 2026 T20 World Cup win, Shivam Dube couldnt find flights from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, so he travelled by train with his wife and a friend in 3rd AC. To avoid being recognised, he wore a cap and mask and boarded early morning. A ticket checker almost exposed him, but his wife quickly dismissed the suspicion, and the journey stayed smooth.

Abhishek Sharma maintains his No.1 T20I batting ranking despite a below-par T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, thanks to a match-winning 52 in the final. Ishan Kishan rose to second after a stellar tournament, while Rashid Khan reclaimed the top bowling spot.

After leading India to the 2026 T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav has set his sights on an Olympic gold in 2028 and a hat-trick of titles. Yet, despite an outstanding captaincy record, questions remain over his form, fitness and longevity. As India look ahead to the Olympics and the next World Cup, it may be time to start building the future under a new leader.

Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that veteran MS Dhoni is expected to participate in all matches of the upcoming IPL season.

Gautam Gambhir finally addressed his serious dugout expressions, explaining the immense pressure of representing India in major tournaments leaves little room for smiles, even after victory. Responding to MS Dhoni's playful message, Gambhir highlighted the high stakes and expectations, noting that in India, losing is often seen as unacceptable, despite being a part of sports.

Amritsar erupts as Abhishek Sharmas family celebrates Indias T20 World Cup triumph

The white-ball series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, originally set for March in the UAE, has been postponed due to escalating Middle East tensions impacting travel and logistics. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed the series is now pushed to late 2026, with the UAE remaining the preferred venue.

Virat Kohli has ignited fan excitement by sharing a practice video for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The former RCB captain showcased intense net sessions, honing his batting skills. His prolific IPL record, including 8,661 runs, underscores his consistent performance. Fans eagerly await his return after RCB's maiden title win in 2025, where Kohli was instrumental.

Hardik Pandya's redemption arc culminated in India's T20 World Cup 2026 victory after overcoming intense fan backlash. He refocused on high-intent batting and technical aspects with his childhood coach, leading to stellar performances and a renewed determination to win.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly refuted claims of 'tailored' pitches favouring the home team, asserting India's strength makes such tactics unnecessary. He highlighted the team's consistent high scores globally, attributing them to player prowess and the T20 format's batting-friendly nature, not manipulated conditions. Gambhir also noted ICC oversight of pitches in global tournaments.

The ICC has addressed travel disruptions for teams after the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing a major Gulf region crisis impacting international air travel. Delays are due to airspace closures and flight cancellations, with the safety of players and families remaining the top priority as arrangements are made for their return.

Twenty-five years ago, a struggling Indian cricket team, reeling from scandal, hosted Steve Waugh's formidable Australians. Against all odds, a remarkable turnaround at Eden Gardens, spearheaded by captain Sourav Ganguly and a young Harbhajan Singh, ignited a new era for Indian cricket, forever changing its destiny and inspiring a nation.

Recounting a historic Test, Harbhajan Singh details his pivotal role in India's victory against Australia. He describes dismissing key batsmen like Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, and Adam Gilchrist, leading to his career-defining hat-trick. The spinner highlights VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid's monumental partnership and his own crucial wickets, including the controversial dismissal of Glenn McGrath, ultimately changing his life forever.

Lakshya Sen once again fell short in the All England Open final, losing to Lin Chun-yi. This marks India's continued 25-year wait for a men's singles champion at the prestigious event. Despite reaching multiple finals, experts believe Sen's consistent presence at this level is a significant achievement, highlighting his strong mental and physical game.

Ishan Kishan, once dropped from central contracts, has made a remarkable comeback, playing a key role in India's T20 World Cup victory. Despite a personal tragedy just before the final, he delivered a stellar performance, showcasing his resilience and dedication. His journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers from Bihar and beyond.

India's T20 triumph in 2024 validates Gambhir and Agarkar's tough selection calls, prioritizing team ethos over individual stardom. With the 2028 LA Olympics and T20 World Cup on the horizon, the duo faces the challenge of maintaining this philosophy, especially as they shift focus to the upcoming ODI World Cup. Their commitment to principles will be tested.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir identified Sanju Samson's 97 against West Indies as the turning point in their 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup victory. Gambhir emphasised Samson's calm under pressure boosted team belief, contributing to their third title win on home soil. He also highlighted the team's fearless, impact-driven approach and adaptability as key to their success.

Travel disruptions after the T20 World Cup left teams like West Indies stranded in India due to West Asia airspace closures linked to the IsraelIran conflict. With ICC charter flights delayed, Cricket West Indies arranged commercial flights to send players and staff home. Zimbabwe also faced similar issues and will return to Harare via Addis Ababa.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticised Mohammad Amir's harsh remarks about Indian opener Abhishek Sharma. Ali defended Sharma, highlighting his match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand after a difficult start. He expressed a desire for players of Sharma's caliber in Pakistan's team.

Harbhajan Singh has slammed Kirti Azad for politicizing the Indian cricket team's trophy visit to a temple post their T20 World Cup victory. Harbhajan defended the gesture, suggesting Azad, a former cricketer, is prioritizing politics over sportsmanship. He also expressed a desire for a larger reward for the triumphant team.

India exited the AFC Womens Asian Cup after a 1-3 defeat to Chinese Taipei in their final group match. Despite creating several chances, India failed to convert them. Manisha Kalyan scored Indias only goal. Defensive errors and missed opportunities proved costly as India finished their campaign without a point despite an attacking performance.

After their T20 World Cup 2026 exit, West Indies and South Africa remained stranded in Kolkata for over a week, drawing criticism from Michael Vaughan, who questioned why England flew home within 36 hours of elimination. Officials said the delay was due to Middle East airspace restrictions affecting routes to the Caribbean and South Africa, forcing cancellations and charter flight complications.

After Indias T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, the BCCI announced a Rs 131 crore reward for the team and support staff. Each of the 15 players is expected to receive Rs 6 crore, with the rest shared among staff. India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the final, becoming the first team to retain the title and win the tournament three times.

Suryakumar Yadav, fresh off captaining India to the T20 World Cup title, expressed his elation and reflected on the team's winning streak. He aims to build on this momentum, targeting Olympic gold in 2028 and further ICC trophies, while acknowledging the honor of being compared to legendary captains like Dhoni and Rohit.

Indias Lakshya Sen finished runner-up at the 2026 All England Open, losing the final to Taiwans Lin Chun-Yi. Fatigue from a gruelling 97-minute semi-final and a foot blister affected his performance. Despite disappointment, Sen reflected positively on the week, highlighting his improved belief and expectations compared to 2022 after defeating several top-ranked opponents.

India pacer Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15% of his match fee and received one demerit point for aggressively throwing the ball at Daryl Mitchell during the T20 World Cup final. This action breached ICC Code of Conduct Article 2.9, relating to inappropriate or dangerous ball throwing. Arshdeep accepted the sanction, marking his first offense within a 24-month period.

Suryakumar Yadav receives grand homecoming after Indias T20 World Cup win

India slipped to 25th in the 2026 Gender Equality in Chess Index (GECI), highlighting gender imbalance in the sport. Despite strong performances by elite women players, female participation in youth championships remains low, and many girls drop out early. Experts say social pressures, financial hurdles and lack of structured support limit opportunities, stressing the need for better grassroots development and long-term systems to promote womens chess.

Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15% of his match fee and received one demerit point for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. The incident occurred during the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand when he aggressively threw the ball, hitting batter Daryl Mitchell. Arshdeep accepted the sanction, avoiding a formal hearing.

Ishan Kishan responds to Kirti Azad's criticism | T20 World Cup

India's T20 World Cup 2026 victory sees Rinku Singh return home, sharing a lighthearted airport moment with fiance Priya Saroj. Despite a personal struggle following his father's passing and a challenging tournament performance, Rinku's dedication to fulfilling his father's dream resonated deeply. Sanju Samson's impactful contributions proved crucial for India's triumph.

Indias 2026 T20 World Cup win sparked controversy after Kirti Azad criticised the team for taking the trophy to a Hindu temple. Ishan Kishan brushed off questions about the remark, urging reporters to focus on the victory. Kishan also reflected on his comeback journey, while India sealed the title with a dominant win over New Zealand.

The BCCI will host its annual awards ceremony, NAMAN, in New Delhi on March 15 to felicitate multiple Indian teams for their ICC trophy wins over the past year. Players, coaches, and support staff from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, senior women's team, U19 boys, and U19 girls' victorious squads will be honoured.

Ravichandran Ashwin shared his thoughts on Sanju Samson's T20 World Cup 2026 performances. Ashwin stated Samson narrowly missed three centuries, scoring 97 not out against West Indies, 89 against England, and 89 against New Zealand. He highlighted Samson's intent to play aggressively, even at the cost of personal records. Samson's batting was crucial for India's title win.

Indian batter Rinku Singh dedicated the T20 World Cup triumph to his late father, Khanchand Singh, who passed away during the tournament. Rinku expressed profound grief, sharing how his father's dream of seeing him as a world champion was fulfilled, but lamented his absence. He spoke of his father's teachings on duty and the immense void left behind.

Stranded in Doha for ten days due to regional tensions disrupting flights, the Indian men's basketball team is finally returning home. The Qatar Basketball Federation provided crucial support, and the Indian Embassy facilitated their journey back. The team traveled by road to Saudi Arabia before flying home in two groups, ensuring their safe return was the federation's top priority.