Cricket

Gaikwad: 'Samson is the backbone of CSK's batting'

Samson was comfortable in his trigger movements, trusted his hands and made a match-winning 87* against DC

IPL 2026: The Biggest Change Is You're Seeing More Of Me, But I'm Always Calm, Says Samson

Chennai Super Kings: Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson underlined his growing stature in Chennai Super Kings lineup with a matchwinning 87 not out, leading them to an eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. After leading CSK to a crucial win, Samson said his calm approach and sticking to basics have been key to him making runs in the yellow jersey this season. They're calling me Chetta, but I like Sanju more. You try to see what works well, stick to the basics, and trust your hands to do the rest. I just stuck to the process, and it's working out well. I've been doing it for the last 3-5 years, it's a tactical bit as well, I move around a bit according to the bowlers. I'm always like this. The biggest change is you're seeing more of me, but I'm always calm, Samson said after being named Player of the Match. Samsons innings meant CSK never looked in trouble and chased down 156 with 15 balls to spare. He also shared an unbroken 114-run stand with youngster Kartik Sharma. Samson explained how he assessed conditions and backed his middleover game. Looking at what we were chasing and how the wicket was behaving, even if we were 30 or 35 for 1 in the batting PP, looking at the shots I can play in the middle overs and against the spinners, I was confident about scoring runs. On missing the century, Samson, who previously hit an unbeaten hundred against DC in this season at Chepauk, said, Hundreds are always special. There was a desire, but I had to be a bit too selfish to get it. My partner was playing well and winning the game gave me more confidence and happiness. A few more matches to come, let's see if it comes around. Looking at what we were chasing and how the wicket was behaving, even if we were 30 or 35 for 1 in the batting PP, looking at the shots I can play in the middle overs and against the spinners, I was confident about scoring runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I knew it was not a big score, and we could take our time, which we did. (Sanju) bhaiya said that it was a slow wicket and told me to do what comes to me, which I did. There was no such target. Just play in a good range and hit the ball. Play the ball, that's all, he said. Article Source: IANS

SRH vs PBKS Match 49, IPL 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

SRH vs PBKS Match 49, Cricket Tips :A high-octane clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. These two teams will step on the field at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad at 7:30 PM IST. PBKS are at the top with 13 points, and SRH are third with 12 points. Both sides have a good chance of reaching very close to a place in the playoffs. Two points here can help them decrease that gap. PBKS have suffered defeats in the last two matches, while SRH lost to KKR in the last game. These are two best batting sides, and that will make this game worth watching. SRH vs PBKS: Match Details Date : May 6, 2026 (Wednesday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad SRH vs PBKS Live Streaming Details Fans can watch the live action of the SRH vs PBKS game on the Star Sports Networks. The live stream of the game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. SRH vs PBKS Head-to-Head in IPL Total Matches : 25 SRH : 17 PBKS : 08 No - Result : 00 SRH vs PBKS: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Hyderabad is flat and will be good for batting. This is a high-scoring venue, and there is a chance of another 200+ game on Wednesday. Spinners will not get much help from the wicket, while fast bowlers will get early movement with the new ball. SRH vs PBKS Possible XIs SRH : Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan (wk), Salil Arora, Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins (c), Smaran Ravichandran, Shivang Kumar, Harshal Patel, Eshan Malinga PBKS : Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Nehal Wadhera, Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal SRH vs PBKS Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh have been in great form for their respective teams. They have scored most runs for their teams. Probable Best Bowler Eshan Malinga has delivered several match-winning spells and he is bowling well. For PBKS, Yuzi Chahal has controled in the middle overs and his experience will be the key. Today Match Prediction : SRH and PBKS have been on same level. But PBKS have more experienced bowling unit. Hence, we predict Punjab Kings to win this game. SRH vs PBKS Match 49, IPL 2026, Today 2026 Match, SRH vs PBKS 2026 Prediction, SRH vs PBKS Predicted XIs, Injury Update for SRH vs PBKS Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The predictions or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

IPL 2026: Gaikwad Hails Samson As CSKs backbone, Credits Bowlers For Turnaround

Chennai Super Kings: Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said the teams revival in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been built on the quiet efficiency of its bowlers, while describing wicketkeeper- batter Sanju Samson as the backbone of the batting unit after his matchwinning unbeaten 87 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. Samsons knock ensured that CSK chased down 156 with 15 balls remaining and are at ten points, which is just two points away from the crowded top five in the points table. I think even initially, after the 2nd and 3rd game, Flem and myself were positive, we were closer to what we were last year. Sanju had come along, and the bowling was doing well. We then got a couple of wins, and everyone started to gel together, Gaikwad said after the match ended at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. On Samsons knock, where timing and power made for a fantastic combination, Gaikwad was effusive in his praise. On the batting side, more than grateful to have Sanju after the tournament he had in the WC, he's our backbone. But it's the bowlers who do the job. Akeal and Jamie come and silently do the job. Anshul is someone who does his job silently. He had a bad game today, but they've all come well together, he added. Sanju had come along, and the bowling was doing well. We then got a couple of wins, and everyone started to gel together, Gaikwad said after the match ended at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gaikwad signed off by praising Kartik Sharma for hitting an impressive 41. I think the skillset was already there; there was no such development, just that he needed some momentum. We were also chasing big targets, and he didn't get time. Last match, he got some time, he can play an all-around game and hit the pockets well. Article Source: IANS

Samson, Kartik, spinners set up CSK's clinical win

Delhi Capitals could only put up 155 for 7, which proved too little as the surface got better to bat on in the second innings

Ambati Rayudu Takes Over As Head Of Cricket Operations For HCA

Hyderabad Cricket Association: Former India batter Ambati Rayudu has been appointed as Head of Cricket Operations for the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), pledging to fight corruption, the allegations of which have plagued the association for many years, as he took charge on Tuesday. I am very happy to announce that I have been appointed as the Head of cricketing operations for HCA by Justice P Naveen Rao(SMC), M Jeevan Reddy (Secretary HCA), and the apex council. It is a great opportunity to clean up a few things, but I am more excited to see the immense cricketing talent in Hyderabad and Telangana flourish and produce more players to represent the country, Rayudu said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The former Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings batter, who also made a vow to address matters of deep concern in HCA, has identified the elimination of corruption as an immediate priority. A player contract system, like what the Mumbai Cricket Association recently announced, is in the pipeline. We will modernise and professionalise our cricketing operations, which will be automated to avoid human interference, Rayudu said in comments to local media organisations on Tuesday. Rayudu also said he has plans to establish a centre of excellence inspired by the one in Bengaluru. Rayudu, who started his domestic career in Hyderabad, representing in age-group tournaments before coming into the limelight at the U-19 World Cup, said he would like to focus on cricket in the state and leave politics to others. He also said that the players are the priority and it was his job to focus on the welfare of the players. Rayudu, who started his domestic career in Hyderabad, representing in age-group tournaments before coming into the limelight at the U-19 World Cup, said he would like to focus on cricket in the state and leave politics to others. Also Read: Live Cricket Score His appointment as Head of Cricket Operations is being seen as an attempt by the present HCA governing body to improve the standard of the game in the state. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Sticky Wicket Made Hard Lengths Effective, Confident CSK Can Chase 156, Says Gurjapneet

Chennai Super Kings: Chennai Super Kings left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh said the sticky and slow nature of the Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch made hard lengths effective for the fast bowlers, as the five-time champions restricted Delhi Capitals to 155/7 in their IPL 2026 clash on Tuesday. Of course. The wicket was a bit sticky at the start with the new ball, especially till the middle overs; it was a bit difficult to play from the hard length. So, we are just trying to keep on the same length, Gurjapneet said to broadcasters at innings break. The leftarm quick, who returned with figures of 1-29 in four overs, explained that variations were less important once the surface began to grip. But when we realised the wicket is like, if you're keeping on the same length, it's difficult to hit from the length. So, we're just trying to stick to the length, he added. DCs innings was marked by another toporder failure, with KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka dismissed inside the Powerplay. Nitish Rana, Axar Patel, and Karun Nair also fell cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 69/5. The leftarm quick, who returned with figures of 1-29 in four overs, explained that variations were less important once the surface began to grip. But when we realised the wicket is like, if you're keeping on the same length, it's difficult to hit from the length. So, we're just trying to stick to the length, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I thought we're going to stop them under 140-145, or something around it. But still, we are okay. We are ready to chase that, he said. Wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers for CSK with two wickets, while Akeal Hosein and Mukesh Choudhary had a scalp each too. Despite pacer Anshul Kamboj being a bit expensive at the death overs, CSKs disciplined effort ensured DC could not push beyond 155. Article Source: IANS

Warwickshire Sign Pakistan Mystery Spinner Usman Tariq For T20 Blast

Warwickshire County Cricket Club: Usman Tariqs rapid rise in T20 cricket has earned him a new opportunity on the English circuit, with the 28-year-old spinner signing for Warwickshire County Cricket Club for the upcoming Vitality T20 Blast. Tariq will be available to the entire Blast campaign before seamlessly transitioning into The Hundred, where he will feature for Birmingham Phoenix, with both campaigns being played at Edgbaston. The move is Tariqs first taste of county cricket and reflects the increasing demand for his unique skill set. He has gone from making his senior T20 debut to becoming a regular in Pakistans T20I side within two years. In only nine internationals, he has picked up 18 wickets at an impressive average of 11.16 and economy of 6.66, demonstrating his versatility with a variety of offbreaks, googlies, and flicked legbreaks with a unique pause before the release, which has troubled batters across leagues. His performances in the Pakistan Super League have already opened doors globally, with appearances in the CPL, ILT20, and Abu Dhabi T10. Warwickshires performance director, James Thomas, highlighted both Tariqs quality and the broader vision behind the signing. Usman is exactly the type of high-impact player we want to bring into Warwickshire, so we're delighted to get this deal completed, he said. His skill set and tactical awareness make him a genuine threat in modern white-ball cricket, but it's his hunger to compete and continually improve that really stands out. Thomas also pointed to the strategic alignment between the county and its Hundred franchise. What makes this signing particularly exciting is the alignment between Warwickshire and Birmingham Phoenix. Bringing Usman into the Bears for the Vitality Blast, before transitioning into the Hundred with the Phoenix, reflects the strength of our integrated model across club and franchise. Warwickshires performance director, James Thomas, highlighted both Tariqs quality and the broader vision behind the signing. Usman is exactly the type of high-impact player we want to bring into Warwickshire, so we're delighted to get this deal completed, he said. His skill set and tactical awareness make him a genuine threat in modern white-ball cricket, but it's his hunger to compete and continually improve that really stands out. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For Tariq, the move is as much about embracing a new challenge as it is about connecting with fans. I am very excited to bring more fun and energy to the Bears. I can't wait to get involved with the squad, and it's a great feeling to be part of this team. I hope to see as many people as possible at Edgbaston this summer, he said. Article Source: IANS

Need to 'limit the powerplay' - Vettori, Haddin brace for Travishek vs Prabh-Arya

In their respective recent losses, both teams' opening pairs failed to have their usual impact

Chennai Super Kings bowlers restrict Delhi Capitals to 155/7 despite Stubbs-Rizvi fightback

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowlers made full use of a sticky Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch to restrict Delhi Capitals (DC) to 155/7, despite late resistance from Tristan Stubbs (38) and impact substitute Sameer Rizvi (40 not out) in Match 48 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday.. Opting to bat first on a two-paced pitch, DC slipped into trouble as CSKs spinners got the ball to turn and grip while the pacers hit hard lengths. Reeling at 69/5, Stubbs held one end to hit a 31-ball 38 while Rizvi counterattacked with sweeps and pulls to hit an unbeaten 40 off 24 balls. The pair added 65 runs off 47 balls for the sixth wicket to lift DC to a fighting total. For CSK, Noor Ahmad claimed two wickets, while Akeal Hosein, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, and Mukesh Choudhary chipped in with a scalp each. Only Anshul Kamboj proved expensive with 0-49 in four overs as Stubbs and Rizvi made good use of the crease to play their shots well. DCs innings began with promise but soon became a familiar tale of collapse and recovery. Pathum Nissanka swept Akeal Hoseins first ball for four, before chopping past backward point for another boundary. Though Hosein found some turn and even made a loud lbw appeal in the first over, KL Rahul found the fence with a creamy extra cover drive, fetching him four, before cutting Hosein for another boundary. But Mukesh Choudharys change of pace undid Nissanka, as he pulled to mid-on sans any footwork. The power-play was patchy for DC as a change of ends did the trick for Hosein he got one to grip and beat an advancing Rahul in flight, as he sliced to cover, and DC ended power-play at 37/2. Karun Nair briefly counter-attacked, but swept straight to short fine leg off Noor. One brought two for CSK as Rana swept to backward square leg off the wrist-spinner. Axar Patels lean run continued when he mistimed a backfoot drive to cover. At 69/5 in 11 overs, DC were staring at another subpar total till Stubbs and Rizvi came into the picture. Dropped early on by Noor off Gurjapneet, he seized the reprieve by pulling and lofting the pacer for a brace of sixes. He then hammered a cut off Noor for four, even as impact player Rizvi immediately found rhythm a premeditated pull off Mukesh went for six, followed by using the pace of Kamboj to unleash inventive sweeps. Just as the partnership brought about DCs revival, Stubbs pulled too high off Jamie Overton and gave a catch to deep backward square leg. With Kamboj not nailing his lengths, Ashutosh Sharma took two sixes off him, including a one-handed swipe, before being run out. Rizvi ensured DC went past 150 with a beautiful lofted drive going over long-off, as 58 runs came off the last five overs. Dropped early on by Noor off Gurjapneet, he seized the reprieve by pulling and lofting the pacer for a brace of sixes. He then hammered a cut off Noor for four, even as impact player Rizvi immediately found rhythm a premeditated pull off Mukesh went for six, followed by using the pace of Kamboj to unleash inventive sweeps. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals 155/7 in 20 overs (Sameer Rizvi 40 not out, Tristan Stubbs 38; Noor Ahmad 2-22, Jamie Overton 1-5) against Chennai Super Kings Article Source: IANS

Warwickshire sign Usman Tariq for T20 Blast

Pakistan mystery spinner will turn out for Warwickshire ahead of Hundred stint with Birmingham Phoenix

IPL 2026: 'Were Striving For That Perfect Game,' Says Haddin, Confident As PBKS Eye Return To Winning Ways

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Punjab Kings (PBKS) are focused on returning to winning ways as they face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite two narrow losses recently, the Kings remain at the top of the table with 13 points and are focused on playing their best cricket as the season enters its final weeks. Speaking ahead of the match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Assistant Coach Brad Haddin said the team is taking a lot of confidence from how the middle order has stepped up. He pointed to the recent performance of Suryansh Shedge, who hit a fearless 57 off 29 balls against the Gujarat Titans, as a big positive for the squad's depth. The partnership of Marcus Stoinis and Suryansh, we thought, was really good in the circumstances of the game under pressure. Suryansh waswow. Not so much the score, but the manner in which he got the runs under pressure. He got through the difficult time when he was ten off ten balls and then accelerated. We know how explosive our top order is, but now our middle order is starting to get some time together and get some form, Haddin said. Haddin also reaffirmed the teams total confidence in strike bowler Arshdeep Singh, labelling him a world-class professional. He noted that the nature of the current tournament makes it difficult for bowlers, but the team is looking at the long-term goal. Arshdeep is world-class. You know, in this tournament, there's going to be bad days with how explosive the batting has been right through. Numbers say that there have been some phenomenal chases, and Arshdeep understands the flow of tournament play. We're happy with where he's at. You want your best players performing in the important games at the back end of the tournament, and he is a key part of that for us, Haddin remarked. The teams identity this season has been built on a o-fear approach, led by openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya. Haddin credited this mindset for the team's success so far and believes the squad is close to putting together a complete, dominant performance. Arshdeep is world-class. You know, in this tournament, there's going to be bad days with how explosive the batting has been right through. Numbers say that there have been some phenomenal chases, and Arshdeep understands the flow of tournament play. We're happy with where he's at. You want your best players performing in the important games at the back end of the tournament, and he is a key part of that for us, Haddin remarked. Also Read: Live Cricket Score To secure a victory on Wednesday, Haddin said the tactical plan against Hyderabad's high-scoring openers is clear: Get early wickets. Dont let [Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma] bat too long. Article Source: IANS

Scotland Announce Balanced 15-man Squad For Tour Of Nepal

ICC Cricket World Cup League: Scotland have announced an exciting and balanced squad for their upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tour of Nepal, where they will face both the hosts and the United States in a crucial phase of the competition. Scotland will be keen to keep their great form in the standings going, with valuable points up for grabs and qualification stakes rising. The squad has some exciting young talent along with experienced campaigners. Ollie Jones, who starred at the ICC Mens U19 World Cup earlier this year, gets a call-up, while Michael English continues his rapid rise after a memorable debut in 2024, where he struck 107 off 122 against Namibia and was named Player of the Match. They add depth and fresh energy to a side already stuffed with proven performers. Captain Richie Berrington will lead the unit once more, having notched 738 runs in the present cycle. He will be backed up by one of Scotlands most consistent performers, George Munsey, who is the sides leading run-scorer with 1049 runs to his name. Brandon McMullen has already taken 35 wickets in the competition and provides all-round strength. The side is boosted by the return of left-arm seamer Bradley Currie, who has taken 32 wickets in CWCL2. Currie was ill for the Namibia tour, which Scotland still won 2-1, but his return is a real boost to the bowling attack. But they are without regulars Chris McBride and Mackenzie Jones, who are absent for this leg. Head coach Owen Dawkins emphasised the importance of the tour, both in terms of competition and experience. Its exciting to have the opportunity to travel to Nepal and play this series against two very strong sides, he said. The country is hugely passionate about cricket, and the crowds are always very vocal and fun to play in front of. Reflecting on recent encounters, Dawkins added, Were very familiar with our hosts after playing them in Dundee last summer and then facing them at the recent ICC T20 World Cup, which was a fantastic game that we didnt quite come out on the right side of. He also acknowledged the challenge posed by both opponents: They are extremely talented, as are the USA team who sit top of the CWCL2 standings, so we know well have to play to our best to beat both sides. This marks Scotlands first visit to Nepal since February 2023, when they lifted the trophy at the end of the previous CWCL2 series. Currently placed second in the standings with 34 points, Scotland will play four matches in Kirtipur, facing each opponent twice as they aim to strengthen their push for qualification to next years ICC Mens Cricket World Cup global qualifier. Squad: Richie Berrington (C), Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Jasper Davidson, Oliver Davidson, Michael English, Owen Gould, Jack Jarvis, Ollie Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt Fixtures (all at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur): 12 May Scotland vs Nepal 14 May Scotland vs USA 12 May Scotland vs Nepal Also Read: Live Cricket Score 20 May Scotland vs USA Article Source: IANS

SRH, PBKS jostle for top spot on IPL points table

Two teams with delectable batting line-ups and promising bowling units lock horns in Hyderabad

IPL 2026: Carrying Confidence From A Successful Chase Against RR Into Our Home Ground Is Great, Says Stubbs

Chennai Super Kings: Delhi Capitals batter Tristan Stubbs said the team is eager to carry forward the momentum from their record chase of 226 against Rajasthan Royals into their home fixture against Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. The seventh-placed DC need a win to get to ten points and boost their prospects in the race to the playoffs. I think the confidence has been there. We've had a couple shaky ones again before we scored 260, so the confidence wasn't there. But it is nice to get a win. It seems like it's a common score, but it is still a really big score and a really good chase. So to bring that into today, to our home ground is great, Stubbs said in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters. On his role as an overseas finisher, Stubbs said, I think a lot of the boys are just trying to hit the ball to the stands and back. But we come here, it's sort of from the World Cup to now, you haven't been able to predict what the wicket's going to do. Batting in the middle there, I don't think my role changes much. Ashutosh is batting beautifully. So, it really gives you that confidence that he's still in the shed to come. Axar's still behind him. So it's a lot of batting, so it gives you confidence. Stubbs, who struck 60 against CSK earlier in the season, said past performances count for little. I don't think so. You get out there, new wicket. That was a really nice pitch that day, a bit of bounce. So, we don't know what we're going to get here. But a new wicket, you start on nought, and it's a fresh game. So yeah, we're excited. A bit of weather around, so you never know. But it's been a big game for both teams. The top-order batter Nitish Rana, meanwhile, spoke of the familiarity of playing at his home venue. Actually, when you enter this atmosphere, Ive been coming into this ground since childhood. So I wouldnt say that I dont feel nervous. You do feel nervous before every game. But yes, there is definitely a sense of comfort because at home a person feels more comfortable, and this is my home, he said. Stubbs, who struck 60 against CSK earlier in the season, said past performances count for little. I don't think so. You get out there, new wicket. That was a really nice pitch that day, a bit of bounce. So, we don't know what we're going to get here. But a new wicket, you start on nought, and it's a fresh game. So yeah, we're excited. A bit of weather around, so you never know. But it's been a big game for both teams. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Asked about a possible psychological edge against CSK, Rana remarked, I think we should focus on controlling our own game what we can control rather than what the points table is saying, or how many wins or losses each team has in the tournament. Todays game is important, yes, but if we focus on all three departments and perform well in all three, then the result will definitely be in our favour. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: CSK Are Pretty Close To Getting Its Best Playing Eleven, Says Fleming

Chennai Super Kings: Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming on Tuesday said the franchise is pretty close to settling on its best playing eleven despite injuries to key players, while backing batter Dewald Brevis to make an impact in the latter stages of the tournament. Sixth-placed CSK arrive into Tuesdays clash and a win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium will take them to eight points. I think so. We've been hampered a little bit by injuries to some key players, but it has been a process. We sort of, well it's been well documented, restarted this year. So the process of just giving a bit of evidence around players has taken a bit of time, but, yeah, we think we're pretty close, Fleming said to broadcasters in a pre-game chat. On Brevis, who has amassed only 64 runs in six innings, Fleming said, Well, there's still time. Often it's a little bit of opportunity. So it's been a little bit spasmodic for him. He missed the first three games, so he's working his way back into the tournament. Didn't get an opportunity, which was good for us in the last game. But he's doing everything right. So it's a lot of the work behind the scenes. How are the players training? How's their mental state? And he's very positive. So we've still got time and hopefully the back end of the tournament, he owns it. Fleming also praised the bowling unit, which did draw criticism in the initial stages of the competition. It's a little bit of confidence. We certainly put a lot of work into it. It was talked about being quite weak, but we knew we had players in certain roles that were in great form. They had also done some work since last year. We introduced a little bit of a different, or some different options for the death. Kamboj has really flushed with that. So that's been great. We've introduced some players who have done well. Jamie Overton's pace has been key. And the spinners have been very good. Noor Ahmad has come into some form. So there's a really nice balance to that attack. Fleming also praised the bowling unit, which did draw criticism in the initial stages of the competition. It's a little bit of confidence. We certainly put a lot of work into it. It was talked about being quite weak, but we knew we had players in certain roles that were in great form. They had also done some work since last year. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But if you have two, three, four players that are playing well, then usually you're going to compete pretty well. You're going to be around that, sort of the orange cap or purple cap, whichever one it is. You're going to get a bit of a rotation going where you can look after a guy who might lose form for two or three games or miss out for two or three games and others will pick that up. So that's what you're sort of looking for as a coach. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Ngidi Comes In As DC Elect To Bat Against CSK, Akeal, Gurjapneet Included

Chennai Super Kings: A fit-again Lungi Ngidi has returned for Delhi Capitals as captain Axar Patel won the toss and elected to bat first against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in match 48 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. A win for either of the two teams will brighten their chances of staying alive in the race for the playoffs. After winning the toss, Axar said, Ngidi, who was declared hundred percent fit by bowling coach Munaf Patel on the eve of the clash after recovering from an unfortunate head injury against the Punjab Kings last month, and completed a seven-day mandatory stand-down period, replaces fellow pacer Kyle Jamieson in the playing eleven. I think the surface looks good, and we feel its a very good pitch. Maybe in the second innings it might slow down a bit, so Id like to give that advantage to our bowlers. The way the tournament is going, its a very important match. But at the same time, its more important to focus on how youre playing. You cant think too much about points - if you do, you put extra pressure on yourself. Thats what weve been discussing as a team; we just want to play good cricket, and the points will take care of themselves. Weve lost some close matches, but if you look at the season overall, Im happy with the wins and performances. Thats what happens sometimes, but if we talk about cricket, Im very happy with the boys batting and bowling. In fielding, if we had done better, we could have been in a stronger position, he said. CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who got a roaring reception from the crowd dressed majorly in a yellow jersey, said he wanted to bowl first anyway and wasnt worried about losing the toss. With pace-bowling all-rounder Ramakrishna Ghosh ruled out of the competition due to a right foot fracture, CSK had to rejig their combination - left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Akeal Hosein and left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh have come into the playing eleven. The pitch looks a bit dry, so I dont think it will change much. So batting or bowling first wont make much difference. There have been some positive signs in the last 23 matches. Even though we havent won every game, there are some good positives. Since the first three matches of the tournament, weve improved a lot in all departments. Our bowling has been doing really well, and the batting is slowly coming together. We just want to carry that momentum into the last phase of the tournament. Were really happy coming into this game, especially after the last one. But this is a new game, so we want to start fresh and start well. Its also great to see youngsters getting opportunities and stepping up. Its a good sign for the franchise - they are repaying the faith shown by the management, he said. Tuesdays clash will be played on pitch number four, and the boundaries are 66 metres square on one side, while 60 metres is the boundary on the other side, and the 73 metres boundary stands straight down the ground. In the pitch report, Ian Bishop and Eoin Morgan noted that showers in the past 24 hours have cooled the conditions, but the surface remains rockhard and conducive for batting. Playing XIs: Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh Impact substitutes: Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Matt Short, Akash Madhwal, and Sarfaraz Khan Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact substitutes: Vipraj Nigam, Sameer Rizvi, Abishek Porel, Auqib Nabi Dar, and David Miller Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Mental Fatigue, A Big Reason In Bumrah's Struggle This Season, Says Shastri

Indian Premier League: Former India captain and coach, Ravi Shastri, has raised serious concerns over the country's top pacer Jasprit Bumrahs dip in form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, attributing it as much to mental fatigue as physical strain, while urging the Mumbai Indians to manage their premier pacer carefully ahead of a packed international calendar. Bumrah has entered this IPL off the back of a heavy workload with the Indian team over the last 12 months. His struggles are not just physical. Mental fatigue is a big reason. Mumbai Indians need to look after him. Over the next two years, there is a packed schedule, multiple Test series, and the 50-over World Cup are coming up. So, his fitness and workload will have to be managed very carefully, Shastri said on JioHotstar. Bumrahs numbers this season show the concern. One of the most dependable bowlers in world cricket, he has gone through his most difficult IPL season with just three wickets in 10 matches. He has been one of MIs most economical options and has been tight. He has held onto quite a lot of balls but just hasnt taken the wickets. A worrying period saw him go five games without a single breakthrough, a rare barren spell for a bowler of his class. Bumrah has entered this IPL off the back of a heavy workload with the Indian team over the last 12 months. His struggles are not just physical. Mental fatigue is a big reason. Mumbai Indians need to look after him. Over the next two years, there is a packed schedule, multiple Test series, and the 50-over World Cup are coming up. So, his fitness and workload will have to be managed very carefully, Shastri said on JioHotstar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shastris emphasis on mental fatigue sheds light on a broader issue facing modern cricketers. With Indias relentless schedule across formats, Bumrah has been at the centre of the teams plans in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Article Source: IANS

'We Start The Dance': Simons Urges Bowlers To Seize Control Amid Changing T20 Dynamics

Chennai Super Kings: As T20 cricket continues to tilt heavily in favour of batters, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach Eric Simons has called for a mindset shift among bowlers, urging them to reclaim control by dictating terms rather than reacting to the opposition. Simons stressed that bowlers must view themselves as the initiators in the contest, capable of forcing batters into uncomfortable situations. As a bowler, Ive got the ball in my hand. I must make the batsman play in a certain way. We start the dance, if you like, as bowlers. Theyve got to react to what we do, he said in a video released by IPL on X. Highlighting the importance of controlling the narrative of each delivery, Simons added that bowlers should aim to influence how and where batters score. If we keep control of that, we are the masters of the destiny of that delivery. From that perspective, you make him score in a certain way, make him bat in a certain way, and then we control it, he explained. With IPL matches frequently witnessing totals in excess of 200, Simons acknowledged the growing dominance of batters but believes bowlers can still turn the tide through smarter planning. Instead of reacting to batters strengths, he emphasised a proactive approach. Weve tried to look at batting and say, how do we make a batsman play rather than watch what he does and react. Where are his vulnerable areas? Can we make him score to our protection? he noted. Simons also underlined the importance of preparation and clarity before stepping onto the field. You need to go into the middle with absolute clarity around your tactics and field placements. You cant go out there uncertain and try to make decisions on the fly, he said. If we agree as a team to bowl to a certain field and tactic, and a batsman hits a really good ball for six, we must understand its still the right tactic. Our job is to execute the plan, not take full responsibility for the outcome, He added. He further called for bowlers to adopt the same fearless mindset that modern-day batters display. If we agree as a team to bowl to a certain field and tactic, and a batsman hits a really good ball for six, we must understand its still the right tactic. Our job is to execute the plan, not take full responsibility for the outcome, He added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, CSK are placed at sixth position with eight points in nine matches. They will next clash with the Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. Article Source: IANS

Australia Extend Lead At Top Of ICC Women's T20I Team Rankings Ahead Of T20 WC

T20I Team Rankings: Australia has strengthened its hold at the summit of the ICC Womens T20I Team Rankings following the latest annual update, extending its advantage and reaffirming its status as the team to beat ahead of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026. The updated rankings, which assign full weightage (100 per cent) to matches played since May 2025 and 50 per cent to results from the preceding two years, see Australia remain at No. 1 with 287 rating points. They now enjoy a 12-point lead over the second-placed England women's cricket team, while India remains firmly in third position with 264 points. The top 16 teams in the rankings remain unchanged, underlining the consistency among the leading sides in womens T20I cricket. Reigning T20 World Cup champions New Zealand occupy fourth place with 253 points, while South Africa round off the top five with 243 points. The mid-table remains tightly contested, with the West Indies (238) and Sri Lanka (237) placed sixth and seventh respectively, separated by just a single point. Pakistan holds on to eighth position with 216 points, while Ireland (200) and Bangladesh (199) complete the top 10, once again divided by the narrowest of margins. Among the notable movers, the United States has climbed two places to 20th after reaching a rating of 98, continuing its steady rise in international cricket. Germany also enjoyed a significant boost, gaining 10 rating points to move up six places and break into the top 30 at 29th. A total of 78 teams feature in the latest rankings, all having played at least eight T20Is over the past three years. Cambodia has dropped out of the list and will need to play additional matches to regain its ranking status, while Peru is no longer ranked after a prolonged absence from international fixtures. Among the notable movers, the United States has climbed two places to 20th after reaching a rating of 98, continuing its steady rise in international cricket. Germany also enjoyed a significant boost, gaining 10 rating points to move up six places and break into the top 30 at 29th. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Alongside host England, the qualified teams include Australia, Bangladesh, India, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Ireland, and Scotland, setting the stage for a highly competitive global event. Article Source: IANS

BBL privatisation explainer: CA set to make next move after NSW, Queensland dig in

What is being tested to be sold, why have some states said no to the proposal, and more

IPL 2026: 'There's A Lack Of Consistency,' Says Shastri On LSG's Six-match Losing Streak

Lucknow Super Giants: Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri feels that the lack of consistency and poor backing between batting and bowling units have played a key role in Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) poor performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Lucknow Super Giants slumped to their sixth consecutive defeat after going down by six wickets to the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, despite posting a formidable 228/5. Mumbai chased down the target in 18.4 overs, riding on a commanding 143-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83). Analysing LSGs campaign, Shastri highlighted the teams inability to deliver collectively with both bat and ball. He also believes that back-to-back losses can dent the confidence of any side The problem with LSG is that when their bowling unit performs, the batters fail to back it up, and when the batters score runs, the bowlers go for plenty. Theres no consistency. Six losses in a row can really dent a sides confidence, and even in games where you are in a comfortable position, there are thoughts like, Will we win, wont we? Shastri told Jio Hotstar. He further pointed out how LSG failed to capitalise on strong starts, especially in batting-friendly conditions. You are 100 for one in 7 overs, and in the next 13 overs, you score less than 130, which means you have faltered. And you wont get better batting conditions than this, he added. Shastri stressed that the team management needs to reassess their approach, particularly in crunch phases of the game, as they look for an outside chance at the playoffs. So, theyll have to sit down and think about what went wrong in the last three overs while batting, and how they can tighten up their bowling, he said Shastri stressed that the team management needs to reassess their approach, particularly in crunch phases of the game, as they look for an outside chance at the playoffs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The bowlers have to adjust their lines and lengths according to the conditions. The Lucknow wicket tends to assist fast bowlers, but when you go to Bengaluru or Mumbai and get good batting wickets, thats where the real test lies, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: When And Where To Watch SRH Vs PBKS, Know All Details

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will clash with table toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 49th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Wednesday. Sunrisers Hyderabad turned their fortunes after a poor start and maintained a five-match winning streak before losing to the three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 7 wickets in their last encounter played at the same venue. They are currently placed at No. 3 on the points table with six wins and four losses from 10 games. Meanwhile, the 2025 runner ups won six out of their first seven matches, with one getting washed out due to rain. However, their unbeaten streak ended against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 28. They lost another match against the Gujarat Titans on Sunday. Despite back-to-back losses, PBKS are currently placed at the top with 13 points in nine matches. PBKS and SRH clashed against each other earlier in the tournament. The Sunrisers were beaten significantly by six wickets in Mullanpur. When: Wednesday, May 6, 7:30 PM IST Where: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Where to watch: The SRH vs PBKS match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The SRH vs PBKS match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sunrisers Hyderabad: Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Smaran Ravichandran, Abhishek Sharma, Harsh Dubey, Kamindu Mendis, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (c), Eshan Malinga, Jaydev Unadkat, Harshal Patel, Salil Arora, Praful Hinge, Liam Livingstone, Shivam Mavi, Jack Edwards, Brydon Carse, Sakib Hussain, Zeeshan Ansari, Aniket Verma, Amit Kumar, Krains Fuletra Article Source: IANS

Bhuvneshwar Showed That Swing Bowling Is Still Very Relevant, Even In White-ball Formats: Vaas

Former Sri Lanka: Former Sri Lanka cricketer Chaminda Vaas credited India bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the best illustration of swing bowling in modern cricket and heaped praise on him for his skill with new ball, which continues to test even the most aggressive batters. Bhuvneshwar showed that swing bowling is still very relevant, even in white-ball formats: Vaas New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) Former Sri Lanka cricketer Chaminda Vaas credited India bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the best illustration of swing bowling in modern cricket and heaped praise on him for his skill with new ball, which continues to test even the most aggressive batters. Reflecting on Indias swing specialist, Vaas stated, Bhuvneshwar showed that swing bowling is still very relevant, even in white-ball formats. With the new ball, he could move it both ways and trouble top-order batsmen. Its about control and knowing your strengths, Vaas told Olympics.com. He added, People often say swing bowlers need good conditions, but great bowlers find a way. They adjust their lengths, angles, and how they use the crease. Vaas emphasised that swing bowling is one of crickets purest arts, focusing less on speed and more on intelligence, discipline, and deception. Few represented that better than Wasim Akram, whom Vaas describes as the complete fast bowler. He had everythingpace, control, and the ability to swing the ball both ways. But what really made him special was how late the ball would move. Batsmen had very little time to adjust, Vaas said. He further noted Akrams adaptability: He could take wickets with the new ball, and then come back later to do the same with reverse swing. Not many bowlers in the history of the game have had that kind of impact in all phases. With Akram, Waqar Younis created a formidable pair that changed fast bowling with reverse swing. Waqar was different, Vaas explained. He was quicker through the air and very dangerous with reverse swing. His yorkers were deadly. When he got the old ball reversing, it was tough for any batsman in the world. Vaas remarked, Reverse swing changed how bowlers approached the game. Earlier, once the ball got old, it became easier for batsmen. But with reverse swing, bowlers always had a chance. Among modern greats, Vaas gave special praise to James Anderson, calling him a skilled craftsman. In English conditions, especially, he is almost unplayable. The way he controls the seam position and gets that late movement is beautiful to watch for any fast bowler, he said. Longevity also distinguishes Anderson: To do it year after year, in different situations, and still be effective is not easy. Swing bowling requires rhythm and fitness, and he has maintained both for a very long time. Vaas also mentioned Dale Steyn as a unique threatsomeone who combined speed with swing. Steyn was more of an attacking bowler. He could swing the ball at high pace, which is always dangerous. When you mix speed with movement, the margin for error for the batsman becomes very small. Among modern greats, Vaas gave special praise to James Anderson, calling him a skilled craftsman. In English conditions, especially, he is almost unplayable. The way he controls the seam position and gets that late movement is beautiful to watch for any fast bowler, he said. Longevity also distinguishes Anderson: To do it year after year, in different situations, and still be effective is not easy. Swing bowling requires rhythm and fitness, and he has maintained both for a very long time. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Even in an age focused on power-hitting and flat pitches, Vaas believes swing will always have its place. No matter how much the game changes, if the ball is swinging, the bowler is always in control. You can have power hitters and fast scoring rates, but one good spell of swing bowling can change the match completely. Article Source: IANS

MI Would've Been Alive Had Rohit Healed A Little Earlier: Harbhajan

Lucknow Super Giants: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Mumbai Indians campaign in IPL 2026 might have unfolded very differently had Rohit Sharma returned from injury earlier, pointing to the veteran batters match-winning impact in the recent victory over Lucknow Super Giants. Rohit marked his comeback in style at the Wankhede Stadium, producing a commanding knock that laid the platform for a successful chase, underlining his value to a struggling side. Harbhajan stressed that Rohits presence in the middle, rather than on the sidelines, makes a decisive difference. Its important to be in the middle. You can do only so much sitting in the dugout. But you can make a difference by being in the middle, and Rohit Sharma did exactly that. You needed that foundation to chase down that many runs, and he didnt just lay the foundation, but built a couple of floors on it as well, leaving very little for the rest to do, Harbhajan told JioStar. The former off-spinner felt Rohits innings not only anchored the chase but also ensured that the rest of the batting unit had minimal pressure in closing out the game. It would have been even better if he had got his hundred, but for the time he was there, he played exceptionally well, he added. Mumbai Indians have endured an inconsistent season, with injuries and misfiring key players affecting their campaign. Harbhajan reflected on how Rohits absence during a crucial phase may have cost the team valuable points. I wish his injury had healed a little earlier; who knows, they might have won a game or two during that losing streak and would have still been alive in the competition, he noted. Despite their precarious position on the points table, Harbhajan believes the five-time champions still have an outside chance of staying in contention if results go their way. I wish his injury had healed a little earlier; who knows, they might have won a game or two during that losing streak and would have still been alive in the competition, he noted. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With momentum finally on their side, MI will now look to build on Rohits return as they attempt to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Article Source: IANS

Athapaththu Among Big Movers, Enters Top Three In T20I All-rounders Rankings

T20I Player Rankings: Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu has been richly rewarded for her outstanding recent performances, making notable gains in the latest ICC Womens T20I Player Rankings. Athapaththu was named Player of the Series in Sri Lankas dominant 3-0 clean sweep over Bangladesh, delivering an all-round performance that underlined her importance to the side. The experienced campaigner scored 115 runs across three innings and also picked up four wickets, showcasing her versatility ahead of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup, which is set to begin on June 12. Her efforts have resulted in a rise of three places to 41st in the T20I bowlers rankings. Additionally, she has climbed two spots in the all-rounders list to secure the third position overall. In doing so, Athapaththu has moved ahead of Indias Deepti Sharma and Australias Ash Gardner. Only New Zealand captain Melie Kerr and West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews remain ahead of her in the all-rounders standings. Sri Lankas success in the series has also been reflected in the rankings of several other players. Harshita Samarawickrama climbed five places to joint 20th in the T20I batting rankings, while Imesha Dulani made a significant leap of 23 spots to reach 49th. On the bowling charts, Kavisha Dilhari advanced two places to 17th, and Malki Madara moved up 11 positions to 44th, joining Athapaththu among the teams notable risers. Despite suffering a series defeat, Bangladesh saw several players register encouraging gains. Sharmin Akhter Supta improved by 10 places to 37th among T20I batters, while Dilara Akter and Shorna Akter rose to 55th and joint 62nd respectively. In the bowling rankings, Sultana Khatun registered one of the biggest jumps, climbing 48 places to 38th. Meanwhile, the latest ODI rankings also witnessed movement following Pakistans emphatic start to their three-match series against Zimbabwe in Karachi. Pakistan secured a comprehensive 168-run victory to take a 1-0 lead, and their players benefited in the updated standings. Despite suffering a series defeat, Bangladesh saw several players register encouraging gains. Sharmin Akhter Supta improved by 10 places to 37th among T20I batters, while Dilara Akter and Shorna Akter rose to 55th and joint 62nd respectively. In the bowling rankings, Sultana Khatun registered one of the biggest jumps, climbing 48 places to 38th. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Among bowlers, Nashra Sandhu inched up one place to 11th, while captain Fatima Sana rose two spots to equal 26th. Sana also made progress in the ODI all-rounders rankings, climbing two places to 15th, capping off a positive update for Pakistans contingent. Article Source: IANS

Royals sale controversy: outcome doesn't 'reflect a level-playing field', says Somani-led group

Somani-led consortium calls it surprising and disappointing that Royals went to the Mittal-led consortium after the deal appeared to have been sealed

'Do You Want To Take A Break?': Veda Urges Honest Chat With Bumrah Amid Lean Run

Indian Premier League: Former India cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy has called for an honest conversation between the Mumbai Indians think tank and pacer Jasprit Bumrah following his underwhelming run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Bumrahs struggle continued in the Mumbai Indians clash against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium, where he returned with figures of 0/45, marking the seventh instance this season when he has gone wicketless. We are in that space that the management, or coach, or even captain - Surya is pretty close to him, he is the vice-captain of the squad - and Rohit is around, they can probably honestly sit and have a chat. Ask him: Are you feeling 100% from within?Do you want to take a break for a game or so? So that he comes back fresh. That is something you can probably ask him and expect him to answer you honestly, Veda said on ESPNcricinfo. Despite Bumrahs off day, the Mumbai Indians registered a six-wicket win, successfully chasing down 229 runs in 18.4 overs, riding on a 143-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83). Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar echoed similar concerns, suggesting that the team management may need to take a call depending on their priorities for the remainder of the tournament. Despite Bumrahs off day, the Mumbai Indians registered a six-wicket win, successfully chasing down 229 runs in 18.4 overs, riding on a 143-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83). Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bumrah has taken only three wickets in ten matches so far in the IPL 2026. His economy is also above usual as the pacer is giving away more than 8 runs per over. Article Source: IANS

Kal Somani led investor consortium flags concerns over Rajasthan Royals bidding process

Throughout the process, we were the strongest group at every stage, competing against some of the most prominent investors across the sports investing landscape, the statement said

'Maturity Matters More Than Skills At This Level': Raghu Sharma On Maiden IPL Wicket After 15-year Grind

Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians (MI) bowler Raghu Sharma termed his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) wicket a dream-come-true moment, opening up on his long and emotional journey to the big stage after his sides six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium. Raghu finished with figures of 4-0-36-1 in a high-scoring encounter where the Mumbai Indians chased down a daunting 229-run target in 18.4 overs, powered by Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83), to register a crucial win and keep their slim playoff hopes alive. For Raghu, however, the night was about a personal milestone as he finally broke through with his first IPL wicket after years of perseverance. Its a dream come true for me that I got a maiden IPL wicket. First of all, I just want to thank my spiritual Gurudev, Shri Shyam Das, and my mother and father for supporting me. I have just come onto this platform, he said in a video released by IPL on X. I was there that if Ill take the wicket, Ill definitely put that out. Just thanks Mumbai Indians because its been a painful 15 years for me, he added. Raghu also credited the franchise for backing him through his journey, which began far away from professional cricketing pathways. Im very grateful to this franchise that they have supported me, believed in me, and backed me. Now Im just giving them that confidence that yes, I can also do that for them as well, he said. Reflecting on his unconventional path, Raghu shared that he started cricket late and had to overcome several challenges, including fitness concerns and family doubts. I started at 21. All age-group cricket was already finished for me, but I was determined. I was around 102 kgs, not that fit, but I worked hard. When I saw Dhoni sir hit that six (in 2011), it gave me the belief that I can also do this, he revealed. My father said you cant do it because you are not fit enough, cricket is not for you. But I stayed focused and kept working hard, he added. Raghu came in as a replacement for Vignesh Puthur in IPL 2025, but didn't get a chance to play a game in that season. He made his debut on Saturday against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) but returned wicketless. My father said you cant do it because you are not fit enough, cricket is not for you. But I stayed focused and kept working hard, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With his maiden wicket now behind him, Raghu will look to build on the breakthrough and contribute further as the Mumbai Indians aim to turn their season around. Article Source: IANS

Bumrah Should Go Back To Basics, Stick To What Works Best For Him: Gavaskar

Lucknow Super Giants: Former India veteran Sunil Gavaskar believes Jasprit Bumrah needs to simplify his approach to rediscover his rhythm, following another underwhelming outing in the Mumbai Indians six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026. Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the finest T20 bowlers, has endured a rare dip in form this season, struggling to make an impact even as MI chase momentum in the closing stages of the league. Gavaskar pointed out that the issue is not a lack of effort but an attempt to do too much with the ball. Bumrah is giving his best, but he seems to be trying too many extra things. He took a wicket after the strategic timeout, but it was a no-ball. Then he bowled a few more no-balls. He is creating wicket-taking chances, but luck is not on his side, he told JioStar. Highlighting technical aspects of his bowling, Gavaskar added, His pace has also dropped. His go-to slower ball length has become fuller. The line that used to target the stumps is now drifting to leg stump. He is not known for bowling many no-balls, but this season he has already bowled six or seven. According to Gavaskar, Bumrahs experimentation has disrupted his natural rhythm, making him less effective in key phases. He is overdoing things, and that's hurting him. He should go back to his basics and stick to what works best for him. Trying new things is affecting his rhythm and luck isn't helping either, he said. Despite the struggles, the former India captain backed Bumrah to bounce back quickly once he regains confidence, saying, It will take just one or two games. Once he starts picking up wickets, he will be back on track. But Bumrah needs to keep it simple and stop overcomplicating his bowling. Meanwhile, Gavaskar also reflected on LSGs inability to defend a strong total despite a powerful batting display as he said, 228 is a big total, no doubt about it. LSG's batting, which has struggled all season, finally clicked against MI. They were at 155 after 11 overs and looked on track for 250-plus, but Mumbai's bowlers pulled things back. Despite the struggles, the former India captain backed Bumrah to bounce back quickly once he regains confidence, saying, It will take just one or two games. Once he starts picking up wickets, he will be back on track. But Bumrah needs to keep it simple and stop overcomplicating his bowling. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With LSGs playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Gavaskar urged stability in their approach going forward, mentioning, LSG's playoff hopes are fading, but they can still finish the season strongly. To do that, they must stop changing their lineup every game. Article Source: IANS

Rohit puts on a 'full display' on return, but is it too late to salvage MI's season?

In Rohit Sharma's absence, MI struggled to find the right overseas-Indian balance, ended up weakening their batting order, and slipped to near the bottom on the points table

'A Strong Mind And Big Heart': Jayawardene Lauds Raghu's Journey From Net Bowler To Maiden IPL Wicket

Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians (MI) coach Mahela Jayawardene lavished praise on 33-year-old spinner Raghu Sharma after he picked up his maiden wicket in the Indian Premier League (IPL), highlighting the bowlers journey from being a net bowler last season to making a mark on the big stage. Raghus breakthrough came during the Mumbai Indians six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium, where the hosts chased down a daunting 229-run target in 18.4 overs. The victory was powered by a 143-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83), helping MI register their highest-ever successful chase at the venue. Jayawardene revealed that Raghus rise has been built on relentless hard work and determination, recalling how the youngster pushed himself even during a training stint in Sri Lanka. You guys remember he was a net bowler last year, worked really hard, got into the squad, never stopped working hard. He came to Sri Lanka; some people dont know he came for a 10-day camp. He wasnt bowling well, so he worked even harder in Colombo in that hot sun, Jayawardene said in a video released by the Mumbai Indians on X. In a match dominated by big scores with LSG posting 228/5 after Nicholas Poorans explosive 63 off 21 balls, Raghu made his moment count by claiming his maiden IPL wicket of Akshat Raghuvanshi, providing a key breakthrough in the middle overs. Raghu delivered a composed spell against the Super Giants, returning figures of 4-0-36-1. The former Sri Lanka captain added that Raghu had made a promise to return stronger this season, something he has now begun to deliver on. And he promised one thing, he said, Ill be ready for this year. So a lot of hard work, well deserved to be here, a strong mind and a big heart, well done, he added. The former Sri Lanka captain added that Raghu had made a promise to return stronger this season, something he has now begun to deliver on. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Raghu came in as a replacement for Vignesh Puthur in IPL 2025, but didn't get a chance to play a game in that season. He made his debut on Saturday against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) but returned wicketless. Article Source: IANS

We Never Withdrew Bid: Kal Somani-led Consortium Claims Sidelining From Rajasthan Royals Sale

Kal Somani: A couple of days after the Mittal family and Adar Poonawalla acquired the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, the US-based Kal Somani consortium claimed they were sidelined from the race and insisted they never withdrew their bid. In March, Kal Somani reportedly agreed to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Rajasthan Royals for a record USD 1.63 billion and the deal was expected to close after the 2026 IPL season. But on Sunday, Lakshmi N. Mittal and Aditya Mittal announced that a definitive agreement had been reached to acquire the Rajasthan Royals, in partnership with Adar Poonawalla, from Manoj Badale and his consortium. The four investors of the consortiumKal Somani, Rob and Jordan Walton, and Michael Hampissued a joint statement saying, We are deeply disappointed not to be part of the Rajasthan Royals ownership group, following a long six-month process in which we were the lead bid from start to finish. The statement further read: Our consortium worked tirelessly to assemble a distinguished group of investors with ownership experience across the NFL, MLB, EPL, La Liga, and TGL. Included in the group were select global superstars from the top tiers of professional sports. We were all motivated by the opportunity to help take the IPL to new international heights. Throughout the process, we were the strongest group at every stage, competing against some of the most prominent investors across the sports investing landscape. Reports suggested the Somani-led consortium, which previously had a successful bid to acquire RR, ran into funding issues to complete the purchase and their deal fell through. Reacting to these reports, the consortium said, Contrary to stories that have been planted in the press, our group was and has always been fully funded, prepared to close with certainty, and never withdrew our bid. We had executed documentation in place and were told that the franchises board meeting on Saturday was held to approve our consortium. In the end, this was never the case. We approached this process with the highest standards of honesty, integrity, professionalism and in good faith, but unfortunately, that wasnt enough. We do not believe the outcome ultimately reflected a level playing field, and it is difficult to reconcile the strength of our bid and preparedness to close with the final decision. While we respect competitive outcomes, we also believe that processes of this significance should be conducted with transparency, consistency, integrity, and in good faith. While this outcome is both surprising and disappointing, we view this experience as part of a broader journey. We remain proud of the partners with whom we work, the speed at which we are able to execute, and the shared vision that unites us. Our belief in the global growth of sport remains as strong as ever. We look forward to channeling that energy into future opportunities where we can deploy our capital, expertise, and long-term commitment, the statement concluded. We do not believe the outcome ultimately reflected a level playing field, and it is difficult to reconcile the strength of our bid and preparedness to close with the final decision. While we respect competitive outcomes, we also believe that processes of this significance should be conducted with transparency, consistency, integrity, and in good faith. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Badale will continue to support Rajasthan Royals, acting as a bridge between the past and the present, and bringing his deep knowledge and experience of cricket to the franchise. Article Source: IANS

If Rohit Continues This Form, MI Will Hurt Playoff Hopes Of Many Teams: Gavaskar

Lucknow Super Giants: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes a resurgent Rohit Sharma could play a decisive role in shaping the remainder of IPL 2026, stating that the Mumbai Indians have the potential to disrupt several teams playoff ambitions if their senior batter continues his current form. Rohit returned to action in style after an injury layoff, smashing 84 off 44 balls to guide Mumbai to a six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in a record chase of 229 at the Wankhede Stadium. His 143-run opening partnership with Ryan Rickelton laid the foundation for only MIs third win of the season. Gavaskar, who has closely observed Rohits evolution over the past year, pointed out a clear shift in focus since the batter stepped away from leadership roles. With MI still hanging by a thread in the playoff race, the veteran feels Rohits form could make them a dangerous opponent in the closing stages. I have been watching Rohit Sharma closely over the last year. Ever since he was removed as captain in white-ball cricket and the IPL, he has focused more on his batting. He scored runs in the ODI series against Australia, did well in the home series, and now he is doing the same in the IPL. If he continues this form, Mumbai Indians will hurt the playoff hopes of many teams in the remaining matches, Gavaskar told JioStar. While Rohit has often been known for providing brisk starts rather than big scores, Gavaskar stressed that his impact at the top has always been significant. In the IPL, he usually scores 400 to 500 runs a season, but his knocks are often impactful. He may not have many 80-plus innings, but his 40 to 50-run starts give his team early momentum, he said. However, the veteran batting legend believes Rohit is now aiming for greater influence by batting deeper into the innings, as he said, The change in his game is clear: he now wants to bat deeper and leave a bigger impact. Gavaskar also highlighted the range and authority in Rohits strokeplay during the knock against LSG, where he combined control with aggression, stating, In this 84-run knock, we saw all the typical Rohit Sharma shots. The pull shot was on display. Short balls disappeared into the stands. Full deliveries were driven through the cover region. He also lofted long off with ease. However, the veteran batting legend believes Rohit is now aiming for greater influence by batting deeper into the innings, as he said, The change in his game is clear: he now wants to bat deeper and leave a bigger impact. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Against left-arm spinner M Siddharth, he played down the ground, hitting against the turn. We saw a focused Rohit Sharma against LSG, Gavaskar noted. Article Source: IANS

'Fatherhood Helped My Cricket Over The Last Year': KL Rahul

KL Rahul: KL Rahul has credited fatherhood for bringing a renewed sense of calmness and perspective to both his life and cricket, saying the experience has helped him rediscover joy in his game. One of Delhi Capitals' most consistent performers this season, Rahul spoke about how becoming a father has transformed his outlook, both on and off the field. Fatherhood has been the most beautiful thing for me. I always felt I had calmness and happiness in my life, but I was so wrong. You dont truly know happiness, peace or joy until you hold your baby, Rahul told JioStar. Calling it the most special phase of his life, the right-hander admitted that balancing professional commitments with family time has not been easy as he said, This is the most beautiful phase of my life, and Im enjoying every bit of it. Its hard leaving her behind. I thought it would get easier as she grows up, but I was wrong; its only getting harder now that shes running and trying to talk. Rahul revealed that while his daughter has travelled with him for a few games, the demands of the schedule often make it difficult to spend as much time together as he would like. Calling it the most special phase of his life, the right-hander admitted that balancing professional commitments with family time has not been easy as he said, This is the most beautiful phase of my life, and Im enjoying every bit of it. Its hard leaving her behind. I thought it would get easier as she grows up, but I was wrong; its only getting harder now that shes running and trying to talk. Also Read: Live Cricket Score However, he added that those moments of reunion have become even more meaningful and have helped him cope with the pressures of professional cricket, noting, When I see her smile, when she gives me a hug and a kiss, everything is forgotten, all my injuries, pain and worries. That has helped my cricket as well over the last year. I dont overthink the game anymore, which has made it exciting again. When Im out there for those 4-5 hours, Im completely switched on, and I just go out, enjoy the game and try to do my best, he mentioned. Article Source: IANS

'He Knows His Game Incredibly Well': Rickelton Praises Rohit After Match-winning Knock

Lucknow Super Giants: Mumbai Indians batter Ryan Rickelton has heaped praise on his opening partner Rohit Sharma, commending his game knowledge after the duo forged a match-winning 143-run partnership against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Rohit, who had missed a few games due to a hamstring injury, made a strong comeback against LSG as he played a brilliant knock of 84 runs. His innings included six fours and seven sixes. Rickelton, who was standing at the other end, was impressed with the way the former captain returned to the game. He's obviously had a bit of time off, so, you know, as a player, you know if you have time off to find your groove as quickly as he did. It's obviously something very impressive. He knows this game incredibly well, and seeing him roll back the years with a lot of those shots over extra cover and his pickups is really nice to stand at the other end, Rickelton said in a video released by IPL on X. The South African wicketkeeper also commented on their partnership, saying that he loves batting with Rohit and that they complement each other well. I think we complement each other quite nicely; we dovetail quite well. Yeah, I always enjoy batting with him, and hopefully we can have many more fruitful returns. You know, he's chasing a big score, you kind of have to get going, but I think the beauty of it is that you can work your game around, he said. Sometimes I go aerial; he goes on the ground through his, you know, his natural flair through extra cover and the ability to hit the offside. It's classy, watching him bat. I really enjoy, you know, spending time out there in the middle. The first six at the Wankhede, when the wicket has been generally quite good this year, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. So yeah, really happy with our returns, and hopefully, like I said, we can keep that momentum going, he added. I think we complement each other quite nicely; we dovetail quite well. Yeah, I always enjoy batting with him, and hopefully we can have many more fruitful returns. You know, he's chasing a big score, you kind of have to get going, but I think the beauty of it is that you can work your game around, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In reply, the Mumbai Indians capitalised on half-centuries by Rohit and Rickelton and chased the target in 18.4 overs with eight balls to spare. Article Source: IANS

From World Cup Highs To IPL Woes: Mumbai Indians Slide Exposes Cracks In Star Core

From World Cup: Not too long ago, the Mumbai Indians were the benchmark every franchise aspired to match, a side that defined consistency, built dynasties and turned big moments into routine triumphs. Five titles in eight years had cemented their status as the undisputed heavyweights of the Indian Premier League. But in IPL 2026, that aura has faded into uncertainty. A campaign that promised revival has instead exposed deeper cracks in leadership, team balance, and most notably, in the form of the very players who not long ago stood at the summit of world cricket. Just weeks after lifting the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya have found themselves at the centre of a season that has unravelled alarmingly for the five-time champions. At the heart of Mumbais struggles lies a familiar yet unresolved question what changed? The answer traces back to a pivotal shift in leadership. The decision to move on from Rohit Sharma as captain and reinstall Hardik Pandya at the helm was meant to usher in a new era. Instead, it disrupted a structure that had long thrived on stability and clarity. Rohits tenure was defined by calm authority and tactical assurance, qualities that had become synonymous with Mumbais identity. The transition, however, has been anything but seamless. Pandyas return was expected to bring dynamism and all-round impact. But this season, he has struggled to influence games either with the bat or the ball, while also grappling with the demands of leadership. His inability to close out matches or provide breakthroughs in crucial phases has compounded Mumbais problems, leaving the side without a clear on-field driver. If leadership has been one fault line, form has been another. Suryakumar Yadav, Indias T20I captain and once the most feared batter in the format, has shown glimpses of fluency but has repeatedly failed to convert starts into match-defining innings. The intent remains, the range of strokeplay intact, but the outcomes have not followed, a reflection of a season where fine margins have consistently gone against Mumbai. Similarly, Jasprit Bumrahs campaign has mirrored the teams collective dip. Long regarded as the gold standard of T20 bowling, Bumrah has struggled to assert his usual control. In a season dominated by high-scoring contests, his lack of wickets and inability to dictate phases has exposed a broader issue: a bowling unit that has failed to function as a cohesive force. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene stressed that the issues are collective rather than individual, citing a lack of consistency across departments. That inconsistency has defined Mumbais season. The batting order, despite its firepower, has oscillated between promise and collapse. On some nights, the top order has faltered early, leaving the middle order to rebuild under pressure. On others, strong starts have not translated into match-winning totals. Even when the side has managed to post or chase big scores, defensive frailties have undone the effort. Their bowling, once a pillar of their success, has lacked penetration and control. Opponents have repeatedly capitalised in key phases, while Mumbai have struggled to find reliable wicket-taking options. Amid this churn, one storyline has stood in contrast. Rohit Sharma, now featuring only in the ODI format for India after stepping away from T20Is and Tests, has quietly continued to meet expectations despite limited game time and injury setbacks. Having missed several matches this season due to an injury, the former captain returned with a statement performance, a fluent 44-ball 84 while chasing a daunting 229, reminding everyone of the class that underpinned Mumbais most successful era. His comeback knock, stitched alongside Ryan Rickelton, briefly revived belief and offered a glimpse of stability at the top, something Mumbai have sorely lacked. Even in a campaign dominated by inconsistency, Rohits ability to deliver under pressure has stood out. Yet, those moments have been exceptions. Team construction has also played its part in the decline. In attempting to rebuild their bowling after earlier shortcomings, Mumbai compromised on batting depth, a trade-off that has not yielded the desired balance. The absence of consistent domestic breakthroughs, once a hallmark of their scouting system, has further widened the gap between reputation and performance. Even the familiar comforts have disappeared. The Wankhede Stadium, once a fortress, has offered little respite this season. Heavy defeats and high-scoring contests have turned home advantage into yet another uncertainty, symbolising the broader erosion of Mumbais dominance. For now, the Mumbai Indians remain in a precarious position, their playoff hopes hanging by a thread and their identity under scrutiny. More than results, however, IPL 2026 has become a test of transition. For a franchise built on certainty, the challenge now lies in rediscovering rhythm, from a captain seeking authority, a batting mainstay searching for sustained impact, and a bowling spearhead striving to regain control. The echoes of World Cup glory still linger around Mumbais Indian core. But in the unforgiving churn of the IPL, past success offers little protection. For a franchise built on certainty, the challenge now lies in rediscovering rhythm, from a captain seeking authority, a batting mainstay searching for sustained impact, and a bowling spearhead striving to regain control. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With playoff hopes hanging on a thin thread, MI will look to carry the winning momentum in the remaining games as they face defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru after a four-day gap, on May 10. Article Source: IANS

'You're One Of The OGs': Kohli Leads RCBs Emotional Farewell To Long-serving Physio Speechly

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru paid a heartfelt tribute to their long-serving head physio Evan Speechly, bringing the curtains down on an 18-year association that spanned from 2008 to 2025 and marked the end of a significant chapter in the franchises journey. A familiar and respected presence behind the scenes, Speechly returned to Bengaluru for a special farewell organised by the team, where players and support staff gathered to acknowledge his immense contribution over nearly two decades. Leading the tributes, the teams veteran, Virat Kohli, reflected on his long-standing association with Speechly and the personal bond they had built over the years. Ive probably spent the most amount of time with you in the RCB setup. Youre one of the OGs. Apart from your hard work and professionalism, the thing that will always stand out is your kindness, care, and integrity. Thats something Ill always carry with me. To say that youll always be a part of this family, you always have been, and you always will be. Well remember you fondly forever, the former RCB skipper said. RCBs Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, emphasised the significance of Speechlys role within the setup, noting that the farewell was a fitting gesture to honour his legacy. Evan has been our lead physio for a huge amount of time. We wanted to bring him back to recognise his contribution, spend some time with him, and celebrate everything hes done for RCB, he said. Clearly moved by the occasion, Speechly spoke about his deep emotional connect with the franchise and its people. Evan has been our lead physio for a huge amount of time. We wanted to bring him back to recognise his contribution, spend some time with him, and celebrate everything hes done for RCB, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Throughout his tenure, Speechly worked closely with multiple generations of players, earning trust and respect within the dressing room. As RCB move forward, the farewell served as a reminder of the vital role played by those behind the scenes in shaping the teams culture and continuity. Article Source: IANS

'I Was Branded A Test Player 10 Years Ago': KL Rahul On His Evolution In T20 Cricket

KL Rahul: KL Rahul has opened up on his transformation from being labelled a red-ball specialist to becoming a key figure in white-ball cricket, saying the journey to redefine himself in T20s is one he takes immense pride in. Rahul, who has been a consistent performer for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, admitted that early in his career, he was not seen as a natural fit for the shortest format. 10 years ago, I would have given anything to be part of a T20 team. I was never rated as a T20 player or even considered a good white-ball player; I was branded a Test player, Rahul told JioStars Superstars. So, to break out of that mould, develop my white-ball game and come this far is something Im really proud of, he added. Reflecting on the journey, Rahul acknowledged that it has not been without setbacks, noting phases when performances did not meet expectations, as he said, Along the way, Ive made mistakes and there are things I could have done better. But, what Im proud of is that Ive given my absolute best every time Ive played and prepared as well as I could to give myself the best chance to succeed. Thats sport; things wont always go your way. You have to take it in your stride and enjoy the journey. Ive always tried to stay balanced, whether I win or lose, he stated. Reflecting on the journey, Rahul acknowledged that it has not been without setbacks, noting phases when performances did not meet expectations, as he said, Along the way, Ive made mistakes and there are things I could have done better. But, what Im proud of is that Ive given my absolute best every time Ive played and prepared as well as I could to give myself the best chance to succeed. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Whenever I feel low about what I havent achieved, I remind myself of what I have, and it gives me perspective. I still have some time left. So, Ill keep trying my best and see how many trophies I can win, Rahul noted. Article Source: IANS

Its Better To Have A Point Than A Nil: Gaurdiola On Man City's Draw With Everton

Man City: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said hos team will keep fighting for the Premier League despite losing control of the title race after a 3-3 draw with Everton. City are now five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand and the Gunners will be crowned champions if they win their final three games. Its better to have a point than no point. It would be better to win the game than have the point. Many things happened. We know the difficulty of the opponent, they are incredibly aggressive, Guardiola was quoted by Manchester City website. Man City led at half-time through Jeremy Doku but then had a hugely damaging 13-minute spell in which they conceded three times to fall 3-1 behind, Thierno Barry scoring twice from the bench either side of a Jake OBrien goal. Guardiola's side managed a late comeback, with Erling Haaland scoring immediately after kick-off in the 83rd minute, and Doku then curling in his second goal of the match deep into stoppage time. We were there in the first half and exceptional, then in the second half they make a step up. We played with good process but maybe not the intention we had in the first half. We gave away the first goal then from the corner they are so good, David Moyes always is with set-pieces. It was open to transition and we had chances. We had momentum and two goals, the third was outstanding. We take a point. It was in our hands before this game but now its not. Prepare for Brentford. We will continue and see what happens, he added. After a strong first half, Guardiola felt that his side lost momentum but praised the never-say-die attitude of the players. We had momentum and two goals, the third was outstanding. We take a point. It was in our hands before this game but now its not. Prepare for Brentford. We will continue and see what happens, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score You make some decisions a little rushed which is normal because of the emotions but at the same time without that emotion you cannot come back. If you give up, you cannot do what we have done, said Guardiola. Article Source: IANS

My Focus Is On Maximising The Powerplay, Thats The Demand Of T20 Cricket: KL

Chennai Super Kings: Delhi Capitals' wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul stated that maximising the first six overs has become central to success in the T20 format, as he continues to anchor his team's campaign in IPL 2026 with consistent performances at the top of the order. Among the sides most reliable performers this season, Rahul has provided stability in the powerplay, a phase he believes has become decisive in modern T20 contests. T20 cricket has evolved over the last two or three years, especially in the IPL. You can see patterns in how teams are winning, and recently, teams that win the powerplay often go on to win the game, Rahul told JioStar. A few years ago, games were usually decided between the 14th and 20th overs. The powerplay was always important, but now it carries even more weight. The right-hander revealed that the team management had defined his role clearly before the season, encouraging him to adopt a more aggressive mindset at the top. For me, personally, its something Ive had to adapt to for the team. This season, the messaging from the team management was very clear. They spoke to me before the IPL and wanted me to bat at the top of the order and play with freedom, he said. With teams now targeting totals in excess of 60 in the first six overs, Rahul stressed the importance of intent, even if it does not always translate into success. You wont always succeed, but the idea is right. My focus is on maximising the powerplay, because thats the demand of the team and of T20 cricket right now, he said. Rahul has also developed a promising opening partnership with Pathum Nissanka, with the duo focusing on setting the tone early in the innings. Its been fun. There isnt a lot of talk in the middle. Weve had one or two good partnerships, getting off to a flying start. Thats what the team wants, around 60 in the powerplay. Even a 25-30 run contribution in the first few overs sets the tone for the innings, Rahul said. He added that most of their planning happens away from the field, with a focus on preparing for different match situations. Its been fun. There isnt a lot of talk in the middle. Weve had one or two good partnerships, getting off to a flying start. Thats what the team wants, around 60 in the powerplay. Even a 25-30 run contribution in the first few overs sets the tone for the innings, Rahul said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals will face five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in their upcoming home fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. Article Source: IANS

Bhuvneshwar Kumar pushes for India comeback after strong IPL 2026 form

IPL 2026 has entered a crucial phase and one of the significant news is that RCBs Bhuvneshwar Kumar (36) has regained the Purple Cap as the tournaments leading wicket-taker, while claiming 3/28 against GT on April 30, 2026, taking his tally to 17 wickets from nine matches. CSKs Anshul Kamboj has joined him at 17 wickets, but Bhuvneshwar still leads the race for this seasons Purple Cap. Bhuvneshwar has come out as one of the RCB's most reliable and match winning bowlers this season, with his experience and control. The BCCI selectors have not considered him since playing his last international match in Nov. 2022, but he is forcing for another opportunity. This IPL season, particularly, has seen him achieving one after another personal milestone, but his priority is now shifted to contributing to the teams campaign, Of course, I want to achieve something, but now its more of a team. Im not young anymore. Of course, when youre young, you want to win those awards, and it comes when you do well. *Bravo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel are the only players to have won the Purple Cap multiple times (2). *Bravo secured both his caps with CSK in 2013 and 2015, while Harshal, after his 2021 triumph with RCB, added a second in 2024 with PBKS. *Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only bowler to win the award in consecutive seasons, achieving the feat with Sunrises Hyderabad in 2016 and 2017. Will he become the first to record the feat 3 times? * Only three players in IPL, Sohail Tanvir (2008, Rajasthan Royals), RP Singh (2009, Deccan Chargers) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2016, Sunrises Hyderabad) have recorded the double: They won the Purple Cap and their team won the IPL title in the same season. Bhuvneshwar could become the first bowler to record this feat twice, if RCB also goes on to create history. Let us see what significant, he has achieved: Most successful fast bowler in IPL: 215 wickets. He is also the most prolific bowler in the IPL Powerplay and is all set to be the first to claim 100 wickets in the Powerplay. A part of the collapse: Delhi Capitals collapsed to 13 for 6 in the Powerplay against RCB as batters meekly surrendered to the stunning opening spell from Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, which is the lowest-ever Powerplay score in the IPL. Record 200th appearance: Bhuvneshwar Kumar is all set to play his 200th IPL match on May 7, against LSG and will be the first pacer to record the feat. First bowler to have bowled in each of his 200 IPL matches: Bhuvneshwar is on the verge of this special feat. When he bowls in the 200th match, he will become the first bowler to bowl in each of his 200 matches. Amit Mishra (bowled in each of his 162 matches), Jasprit Bumrah (154), Rashid Khan (146) and Mohammad Shami (127) are far behind. Record 325th T20 appearance: He made his record-making appearance against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 30 and recorded figures of 3/28 during his sides four-wicket loss. This, however, helped him to achieve a significant career milestone as he became the first Indian pacer and only the second Indian overall to reach 350 wickets in T20 cricket. His figures : 352 wickets at an average of 24.51, including five 4s and five 5s, with best figures of 5/4. Most wickets by Indian bowlers in Mens T20s 391 - Yuzvendra Chal 352 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar 348 - Jasprit Bumrah 327 - Piyush Chawla 317 - Ravichandran Ashwin Bhuvneshwar has played T20 cricket for 6 different teams so far and the wicket share representing each is as under: Sunrisers Hyderabad 158 wickets India 90 wickets Uttar Pradesh 44 wickets Royal Challengers Bengaluru 33 wickets Pune Warriors India 24 wickets India A 3 wickets For someone who has won 2 Purple caps in consecutive seasons and is on the way to achieve his third Purple cap, is one of the 2 bowlers to have 200+ wickets in the IPL, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the most under-rated IPL veteran. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Note: All records correct as of May 3, 2026.

Does Bumrah need a break? 'Sit and have a chat with him,' our experts say

Jasprit Bumrah conceded 31 in his two powerplay overs against LSG, bowled wides and no-balls, and didn't pick up a wicket to continue his poor run in IPL 2026

Rickelton surges past nine batters on IPL 2026 Orange Cap table

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In an up-and-down IPL 2026 season for Mumbai Indians, Ryan Rickelton has stood out as their most consistent run-scorer, making Wankhede his backyard in the process

DC vs CSK Match 48, IPL 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

DC vs CSK Match 48, Cricket Tips :The five-time champion, Chennai Super Kings, have been inconsistent in the IPL 2026. They have only managed to win four games out of nine played so far. CSK will now move to their next game, which is against Delhi Capitals. On Tuesday. This contest will begin at 7:30 PM IST at Arun Jaitley Stadium. CSK are coming off their biggest win margin against Mumbai Indians in the previous game. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has shown good form, but Sanju Samson has looked tentative in recent matches. Meanwhile, DC had a big win over Rajasthan Royals, where they chased down their highest IPL target of 226 runs. They will also welcome Lungi Ngidi, who is coming after injury. DC vs CSK: Match Details Date : May 5, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi DC vs CSK Live Streaming Details The live action of the DC vs CSK contest will be available on the Star Sports networks. Fans can also watch the game on the Jio Hotstar app or website. DC vs CSK Head-to-Head in IPL Total Matches : 32 DC : 12 CSK : 20 No - Result : 00 DC vs CSK: Ground Pitch Report Arun Jaitley Stadium offers a flat deck, which is good for the batters. The pace and bounce in the wicket are good, and batters can play their shots freely. The wicket tends to get better with the time and dew in the second innings, making it good for the batters. Hence, batting second can be a good choice here. DC vs CSK Possible XIs DC : Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan CSK : Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary DC vs CSK Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter KL Rahul is the second-highest scorer in the IPL 2026 and will be a big wicket for the opposition. For CSK, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has now scored consecutive half-centuries and has shown good form. Probable Best Bowler Anshul Kamboj has the joint-most wickets this season, and he is bowling very well at different stages. For DC, Mitchell Starc had a great return with three wickets, and he looked in business. Today Match Prediction : Both teams are on the same page and have performed pretty similarly. But because DC have a strong bowling unit, we predict them to beat CSK on Tuesday. DC vs CSK Match 48, IPL 2026, Today 2026 Match, DC vs CSK 2026 Prediction, DC vs CSK Predicted XIs, Injury Update for DC vs CSK Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The predictions or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

IPL 2026: Bowlers Showed Character To Pull Things Back From 90/1, Says SKY After MI Win

Indian Premier League: Leading the side in the absence of Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav gave credit to his bowlers for pulling things back and helping them romp to a six-wicket victory with eight balls to spare in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2006 on Monday. Having blazed to 90/1 at the end of the sixth over, Lucknow Super Giants were threatening to reach a 250-plus score in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday. But the Mumbai Indians did not panic, and with a double-strike by Corbin Bosch in his second over to remove Nicholas Pooran (63 off 21) and Mitchell Marsh (44), they fought back to restrict them to 228/5, which they chased easily with former captain Rohit Sharma smashing 84 off 44 balls and Ryan Rickelton hammering 83 off 32. They shared a 143-run partnership for the opening wicket -- their third century partnership this season, laying the foundation for an easy win. Surya said being at 90/1 in six overs did not set panic in the camp, as they have been in such situations in earlier matches this season. He gave credit to his bowlers for pulling things back. To be very frank, it was nothing new to be honest (90/1 at the end of power-play) (Overs) 7-10 is the best time to pull the game off. The way all the bowlers responded showed a lot of character, said Surya in the post-match presentation. He said he did not have to give much input to turn things around, as everyone had their own plans. To be very frank, it was nothing new to be honest (90/1 at the end of power-play) (Overs) 7-10 is the best time to pull the game off. The way all the bowlers responded showed a lot of character, said Surya in the post-match presentation. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He also gave credit to the start provided by Rohit and Rickelton. Want to have a good start when chasing 220-225. They were always in control. In the end, the way Naman Dhir and everyone batted, it was nice, said Surya as the Mumbai Indians romped to their third win in 10 matches this season. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Left Answerless, Pant Seeks Some Luck For LSG In Remaining Matches

Lucknow Super Giants: Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant had no answers about how his side lost the plot despite making a blazing start (90/1 in six overs) and went down to the Mumbai Indians in Match 47 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday. Pant admitted that they fell around 10-15 runs short, considering the way they started, and in the end could only seek some luck for his team and better efforts by his boys in the remaining matches. The way we started, we should have definitely gotten more runs. They bowled well, used to these conditions. Definitely, we were short 10-15 runs, 220-230 wickets for shot, Pant told the broadcasters in the post-match presentation on Monday. Put into bat, Nicholas Pooran blazed to a 16-ball half-century as he smashed 63 runs off 21 balls, and Mitchell Marsh blasted 44 off 25 as they took LSG to 90/1 at the end of Power-play. But both set batters fell in one eventful over, bowled by Corbin Bosch, and though LSG survived a middle-order collapse to post a challenging 228/5, it did not prove enough in the end. Mumbai Indians capitalised on brilliant batting by half-centuries by Rohit and Rickelton and reached 229/4 in 18.4 overs to win with eight balls to spare. Pant said he would not blame his bowlers for not defending 228 on this wicket. We had an edge over them. On a wicket like this, you can't blame bowlers; they've been doing a great job, said the wicketkeeper-batter. Mumbai Indians capitalised on brilliant batting by half-centuries by Rohit and Rickelton and reached 229/4 in 18.4 overs to win with eight balls to spare. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We need some good luck, man...It'll take more effort from us, for sure, said Pant as he maintained a positive attitude despite the heartbreaking defeat. Article Source: IANS

Rohit and Rickelton power MI to crucial win over rock-bottom LSG

LSG slumped to their sixth straight loss despite Nicholas Pooran's astonishing 21-ball 63

IPL 2026: Vintage Rohit, Smashing Rickelton Guide MI To Six-wicket Win Over LSG (Ld)

Impact Substitute Manimaran Siddharth: Rohit Sharma made a grand return to action after recovering from an injury, smashing a half-century and adding 143 runs with Ryan Rickelton as the Mumbai Indians defeated Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets in Match 47 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. As part of a brilliant duopoly, Rohit top-scored with 84, and Rickelton, who struck some powerful shots, added 83 runs as the Mumbai Indians scripted the highest run-chase at the Wankhede as the five-time champions secured their third win in 10 matches. They move to six points but remain rooted at the second-last spot in the points table, hanging on to their slim chances. Put into bat, Nicholas Pooran blazed to a 16-ball half-century as he smashed 63 runs off 21 balls, and Mitchell Marsh blasted 44 off 25 as LSG survived a middle-order collapse to post a challenging 228/5 in what is a must-win match for both sides. In reply, the Mumbai Indians capitalised on brilliant batting by half-centuries by Rohit and Rickelton and reached 229/4 in 18.4 overs to win with eight balls to spare. LSG slumped to their sixth defeat on the trot and remain at the bottom of the table with four points. Chasing 229, MI made a cautious start as Rohit and Rickelton took them to fifty in 30 balls. Rohit, who came into the side to loud cheers after recovering from a hamstring injury, hammered 21 runs in the sixth over, smashing Avesh Khan's attempted Yorkers for two fours and two sixes in successive balls. He had a close shave when the ball fell just short of the fielder on the last delivery of Power-play as Mumbai reached 71 for no loss. The Hitman smashed Prince Yadav for a couple of sixes in the sixth over and, with Rickelton, who struck two sixes and a four, hammered 23 runs off Impact Substitute Manimaran Siddharth. Rohit raced to his fifty off 27 balls, studded with three fours and five sixes after Rickelton raised his half-century a couple of deliveries before off 22 balls (4x4, 4x6) as they took Mumbai past the 100-run mark. Rohit and Rickelton raised 143 runs for the opening partnership as the South African smashed a four and six off Mohsin Khan off successive balls and followed that up with a six in the 11th over before he fell for 83. Mohsin Khan had the last laugh by getting caught by Josh Inglis at cover. Rohit, who had scored a majestic century at the same venue a few weeks back, added 34 runs for the second wicket with Tilak Varma before he departed, missing out on a well-deserved century. He blasted 84 off 44 balls (6x4, 7x6) before he fell, trying to force the pace against Manimaran Siddharth, but only managing to offer an easy catch to Mohammed Shami in the deep. It was a superb innings by the six-time IPL winner as he played some exquisite shots, pulling, flicking, lofting, and driving for boundaries as the crowd roared in appreciation. Mumbai remained on course for their third victory of the season as they reached 187/2 at the end of the 15th over. But Varma departed for 11 off 13 balls, splicing it straight to Aiden Markam off Siddharth. Naman Dhir was dropped at cover by Inglis off Siddharth in the 16th over. Dhir struck back-to-back fours off Prince Yadav in the 17th over as Mumbai went past 200 and then smashed Mohammed Shami for a superb six. Suryakumar Yadav dispatched a short and wide one from Shami to the boundary with a late cut but fell on the next ball, whipping one straight to Nicholas Pooran for 12 off 7 balls. Dhir remained unbeaten on 23 off 12 balls, and Will Jacks scored 10 off four, including the six to seal a morale-boosting victory. Earlier, asked to bat first by Suryakumar Yadav, who was leading the Mumbai Indians in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who was out with back spasms, LSG's recovery from 29/1, after losing Josh Inglis (13) early, started in the fourth over when Marsh struck Jasprit Bumrah for one six and two fours, including one off a no-ball. Pooran got going in the next over, smashing back-to-back sixes and a four as they scored 20 runs off Will Jacks. The sixth over went for 19 runs as Pooran smashed Ghazanfar for two sixes and a four as LSG reached 90/1 in the Power-play. Pooran and Marsh hammered 94 runs in five overs starting from the fourth, as the West Indian dasher blazed to his half-century off 16 balls, smashing one four and seven sixes. Things turned for the Mumbai Indians in the eventful 9th over when Corbin Bosch struck two crucial blows, after conceding 16 runs in his first over. Bosch first snapped up the rampaging Pooran for 63 (21 balls, 1x4, 8x6), trying to pull a short ball, and then sent back Marsh for a 25-ball 44 (25 balls, 4x4, 3x6). LSG's troubles continued as skipper Pant edged back to Rickelton off Will Jacks for a 10-ball 15 (1x4, 1x6) and Akshat Raghuwanshi was caught by leggie Raghu Sharma off his own bowling for a 7-ball 11. Lucknow Super Giants, who were cruising at 123/1 at the end of the eighth over, slumped to 160/5 in the 13th over. Bumrah had Himmat Singh caught behind off a no-ball, and MI followed up with a couple of quiet overs. However, Aiden Markram, who lost his top-order slot to Pooran, held the innings together with Himmat Singh, who was put down by Suryakumar Yadav. They broke the shackles with the former smashing Ghazanfar for a four in the first ball of the 16th over before Himmat stepped down to wallop him for a six and followed it up with a four off the next delivery. Markram and Himmat took LSG past the 200-run mark as they raised fifty of their partnership in 32 balls. They stayed together till the end, with Himmat Singh hitting some brave shots on his way to 40 not out (31 balls, 2x4, 2x6) and Markram staying unbeaten on 31 off 25 (1x4, 1x6), and raised 68 runs for the unfinished sixth wicket partnership as LSG posted a challenging total. Bumrah had Himmat Singh caught behind off a no-ball, and MI followed up with a couple of quiet overs. However, Aiden Markram, who lost his top-order slot to Pooran, held the innings together with Himmat Singh, who was put down by Suryakumar Yadav. They broke the shackles with the former smashing Ghazanfar for a four in the first ball of the 16th over before Himmat stepped down to wallop him for a six and followed it up with a four off the next delivery. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lucknow Super Giants 228/5 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 63, Mitchell Marsh 44, Himmat Singh 40 not out, Aiden Markram 31 not out; Corbin Bosch 2-20, Raghu Sharma 1-36) lost to Mumbai Indians229/4 in 18.4 overs (Rohit Sharma 84, Ryan Rickelton 83, Naman Dhir 23 not out; Manimaran Siddharth 2-47) by six wickets Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Rohit, Rickelton Guide Mumbai Indians To Six-wicket Win Over LSG

Impact Substitute Manimaran Siddharth: Rohit Sharma made a grand return to action after recovering from an injury, smashing a half-century and adding 143 runs with Ryan Rickelton as the Mumbai Indians defeated Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets in Match 47 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. As part of a brilliant duopoly, Rohit Sharma top-scored with 84, and Rickelton added 83 runs as the Mumbai Indians scripted the highest run-chase at the Wankhede as the five-time champions secured their third win in 10 matches. Nicholas Pooran blazed to a 16-ball half-century as he smashed 63 runs off 21 balls, and Marsh blasted 44 off 25 as LSG survived a middle-order collapse to post a challenging total of 228/5 in what is a must-win match for both sides, who are scraping the bottom of the points table with four points each from two wins. In reply, the Mumbai Indians capitalised on brilliant batting by Rohit Sharma and Rickelton and reached 229/4 in 18.4 overs to win with eight balls to spare. LSG slumped to their sixth defeat on the trot and remain at the bottom with four points. Mumbai Indians made a cautious start in their chase of 229 as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton took them to fifty in 30 balls. Rohit, who came into the side to loud cheers after recovering from a hamstring injury, hammered 21 runs in the sixth over, smashing Avesh Khan's attempted Yorkers for two fours and two sixes in successive balls. He had a close shave when the ball fell just short of the fielder on the last delivery of Power-play as Mumbai reached 71 for no loss. The Hitman smashed Prince Yadav for a couple of sixes in the sixth over and, with Rickelton, who struck two sixes and a four, hammered 23 runs off Impact Substitute Manimaran Siddharth. Rohit raced to his fifty off 27 balls, studded with three fours and five sixes after Rickelton raised his half-century a couple of deliveries before off 22 balls (4x4, 4x6) as they took Mumbai past the 100-run mark. Rohit and Rickelton raised 143 runs for the opening partnership as the South African smashed a four and six off Mohsin Khan off successive balls and followed that up with a six in the 11th over before he fell for 83. Mohsin Khan had the last laugh by getting caught by Josh Inglis at cover. Rohit, who had scored a majestic century at the same venue a few weeks back, added 34 runs for the second wicket with Tilak Varma before he departed, missing out on a well-deserved century. He blasted 84 off 44 balls (6x4, 7x6) before he fell, trying to force the pace against Manimaran Siddharth, but only managing to offer an easy catch to Mohammed Shami in the deep. It was a superb innings by the six-time IPL winner as he played some exquisite shots, pulling, flicking, lofting, and driving for boundaries as the crowd roared in appreciation. Mumbai remained on course for their third victory of the season as they reached 187/2 at the end of the 15th over. But Varma departed for 11 off 13 balls, splicing it straight to Aiden Markam off Siddharth. Naman Dhir was dropped at cover by Inglis off Siddharth in the 16th over. Dhir struck back-to-back fours off Prince Yadav in the 17th over as Mumbai went past 200 and then smashed Mohammed Shami for a superb six. Suryakumar Yadav dispatched a short and wide one from Shami to the boundary with a late cut but fell on the next ball, whipping one straight to Nicholas Pooran for 12 off 7 balls. Dhir remained unbeaten on 23 off 12 balls, and Will Jacks scored 10 off four, including the six to seal a morale-boosting victory. Dhir struck back-to-back fours off Prince Yadav in the 17th over as Mumbai went past 200 and then smashed Mohammed Shami for a superb six. Suryakumar Yadav dispatched a short and wide one from Shami to the boundary with a late cut but fell on the next ball, whipping one straight to Nicholas Pooran for 12 off 7 balls. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lucknow Super Giants 228/5 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 63, Mitchell Marsh 44, Himmat Singh 40 not out, Aiden Markram 31 not out; Corbin Bosch 2-20, Raghu Sharma 1-36) lost to Mumbai Indians 229/4 in 18.4 overs (Rohit Sharma 84, Ryan Rickelton 83, Naman Dhir 23 not out; Manimaran Siddharth 2-47) by six wickets. Article Source: IANS

Robinson reveals McCullum encouragement as he eyes Test recall

Sussex captain in good space mentally and physically, says contact from England has spurred him on

Max Holden digs in as Middlesex scrabble to safety

Durham go top of Division Two despite not being able to drive home 137-run lead

IPL 2026: Pooran Hits Blazing Fifty As LSG Scamper To 228/5 Against MI

Lucknow Super Giants: Nicholas Pooran blazed to a 16-ball half-century and shared a 94-run partnership with opener Mitchell Marsh (44) as Lucknow Super Giants managed to score 228/5 against Mumbai Indians in Match 47 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Pooran smashed 63 runs off 21 balls, and Marsh blasted 44 off 25 as LSG survived a middle-order collapse to post a challenging total in what is a must-win match for both sides, who are scraping the bottom of the points table with four points each from two wins. Asked to bat first by Suryakumar Yadav, who was leading the Mumbai Indians in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who was out with back spasms, LSG made a brisk start but lost debutant Josh Inglis for a five-ball 13 with the score reading 29, offering a catch to Yadav off spinner AM Ghazanfar. But Mitchell Marsh, who handed Inglis his debut cap, along with Nicholas Pooran, restored to the No.3 spot, rescued LSG with a 94-run partnership in double quick time. It all started in the fourth over when Marsh struck Jasprit Bumrah for one six and two fours, including one off a no-ball. Pooran got going in the next over, smashing back-to-back sixes and a four as they scored 20 runs off him. The sixth over went for 19 runs as Pooran smashed Ghazanfar for two sixes and a four as LSG reached 90/1 in the Power-play. Pooran and Marsh hammered 94 runs in five overs starting from the fourth, as the West Indian dasher blazed to his half-century off 16 balls, smashing one four and seven sixes. Things turned for the Mumbai Indians in the 9th over when Corbin Bosch struck two crucial blows in his second over of the spell. He first snapped up the rampaging Pooran for 63 (21 balls, 1x4, 8x6) and then sent back Marsh for a 25-ball 44 (25 balls, 4x4, 3x6). It was an eventful over as Bosch got Pooran with a short one that climbed a bit more than what the batter expected and took the glove to keeper Ryan Rickelton. Two balls later, Rishabh Pant survived a huge appeal for caught-behind as the TV umpire ruled in his favour, as the ball dropped just short of the keeper. But two balls later, there was no such luck for Marsh as the Aussie hit flat and straight to Naman Dhir at deep midwicket off another short one by Bosch. LSG lost both set batters in that one over, and things became quiet for the next couple of overs. LSG's troubles continued as skipper Pant edged back to Rickelton off Will Jacks for a 10-ball 15 (1x4, 1x6) and Akshat Raghuwanshi was caught by leggie Raghu Sharma off his own bowling for a 7-ball 11. Lucknow Super Giants, who were cruising at 123/1 at the end of the eighth over, slumped to 160/5 in the 13th over. Bumrah had Himmat Singh caught behind off a no-ball, and MI followed up with a couple of quiet overs. However, Aiden Markram, who lost his top-order slot to Pooran, held the innings together with Himmat Singh, who was put down by Suryakumar Yadav. They broke the shackles with the former smashing Ghazanfar for a four in the first ball of the 16th over before Himmat stepped down to wallop him for a six and followed it up with a four off the next delivery. Markram and Himmat took LSG past the 200-run mark as they raised fifty of their partnership in 32 balls. They stayed together till the end, with Himmat Singh hitting some brave shots on his way to 40 not out (31 balls, 2x4, 2x6) and Markram staying unbeaten on 31 off 25 (1x4, 1x6), as they raised 68 runs for the unfinished sixth wicket partnership to help LSG post a challenging total. Bumrah had Himmat Singh caught behind off a no-ball, and MI followed up with a couple of quiet overs. However, Aiden Markram, who lost his top-order slot to Pooran, held the innings together with Himmat Singh, who was put down by Suryakumar Yadav. They broke the shackles with the former smashing Ghazanfar for a four in the first ball of the 16th over before Himmat stepped down to wallop him for a six and followed it up with a four off the next delivery. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lucknow Super Giants 228/5 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 63, Mitchell Marsh 44, Himmat Singh 40 not out, Aiden Markram 31 not out; Corbin Bosch 2-20, Raghu Sharma 1-36) against Mumbai Indians. Article Source: IANS

Root and Bess share eight as Yorkshire complete come-from-behind win

Somerset crumble in fourth-innings chase of 260 to relinquish top spot in Division One

Gordon, Elwiss stun Surrey as The Blaze surge clear

Surrey lose third in a row after batting malfunctions again

Public Servants Shine As GST & Customs Amateur Team Defeat Mumbai Heroes In 'Fit India Hit India' Friendly Cricket Match

Pandurang Chate Regional Director Sports: The Sports Authority of India and the Fit India Movement successfully hosted the Fit India Hit India Friendly Cricket Match at the Air India Ground, Vakola, bringing together public servants, film personalities, fitness enthusiasts, and sports lovers for an evening dedicated to promoting fitness, active living, and community participation. The friendly encounter featured the GST & Customs Amateur Team taking on the Mumbai Heroes team in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Mumbai. Organised under the Government of Indias Fit India Movement initiative, the match aimed to encourage physical and mental well-being through sports and active lifestyles. The event was graced by Prachi Saroop, Principal Chief Commissioner (CGST), Mumbai, as the Chief Guest, while BB Gupta, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone, attended as the Guest of Honour. Pankaj Singh, Commissioner CGST, said, Initiatives like Fit India Hit India play a crucial role in encouraging a culture of fitness and well-being among citizens. It is inspiring to see public servants and artists come together on one platform to promote healthy living through sport. The Mumbai Heroes squad featured several prominent personalities including Suniel Shetty, Sohail Khan, Sharad Kelkar, Shabir Ahluwalia and Freddy Daruwala, along with actors, singers, and fitness influencers who came together to spread awareness about the importance of physical and mental health. Other prominent personalities present included Sudesh Bhosale, Gulshan Grover, Karsan Ghavri (former Indian cricketer and former MLA), Vishwas Nagre Patil (IPS officer), Krishna Hegde (former MLA), and Nadim Memon (MCA Curator). Winning the toss and electing to bat first, GST & Customs Amateur Team posted a competitive total of 170/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Akhilesh Kumar anchored the innings with a brilliant 57 off 55 balls, including seven boundaries and one six. He was well supported by Parag Khanapurkar, who played an explosive knock of 45 runs off just 21 balls, smashing five fours and two sixes. Amit Dhaiya contributed 22 runs, while Aishwarya Surve remained unbeaten on 21. For Mumbai Heroes, Freddy Daruwala emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 2/21 in his four overs, while Sharad Kelkar and Rohit Kharb chipped in with a wicket each. Chasing 171, Mumbai Heroes suffered an early setback with Sohail Khan dismissed for 1 in the opening over. Captain Suniel Shetty also departed early after scoring 6 runs with one boundary. Navdeep Tomar attempted to steady the innings with a composed 42 off 41 deliveries, but regular wickets hampered the chase. Sharad Kelkar scored 12 runs, while Shabir Ahluwalia added 17. Raja Bherwani and Rohit Kharb chipped in with 15 runs each, but Mumbai Heroes eventually finished at 131/9 in their 20 overs, handing GST & Customs Amateur Team a convincing 39-run victory. Ajit Dan starred with the ball for GST & Customs Amateur Team, claiming three wickets and earning the Man of the Match award. Pandurang Chate Regional Director Sports authortiy of India also impressed with three wickets and was adjudged Best Bowler of the match. Akhilesh Kumar was awarded Best Batsman for his match-winning half-century Sharad Kelkar scored 12 runs, while Shabir Ahluwalia added 17. Raja Bherwani and Rohit Kharb chipped in with 15 runs each, but Mumbai Heroes eventually finished at 131/9 in their 20 overs, handing GST & Customs Amateur Team a convincing 39-run victory. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Fit India Hit India Friendly Cricket Match once again highlighted the unifying power of sport and reinforced the message of fitness, teamwork, and healthy living through an engaging evening of cricket and entertainment. Article Source: IANS

Matt Milnes six-for inspires Kent to first win in over a year

Derbyshire blown away in fourth innings to relieve some of the pressure building at Canterbury

Ngidi '100% fit' as DC and CSK look to get back into playoffs race

A win for either of them would put them just two points away from second place

Hardik out with back spasms, but Rohit returns for MI against LSG

Lucknow Super Giants made several changes too, and gave Josh Inglis a debut

IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya Unwell, Rohit Comes In For MI As Surya Elects To Bowl V LSG

Lucknow Super Giants: With skipper Hardik Pandya sitting out because of back spasm, the Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants in Match 47 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India's T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav is leading the Mumbai Indians in the absence of Pandya and said they have made a couple of changes in the playing XI from the side that lost to CSK in Chennai on Saturday. With Pandya out, the Mumbai Indians brought in Corbin Bosch in place of Trent Boult, while Rohit Sharma is back in the mix after an injury break and made it to the Impact Bench. Lucknow Super Giants also made some changes in their Playing XI, handing a debut to Josh Inglis while Mukul Choudhary made way for Akshat Raghuwanshi. Surya said the pitch looks good for bowling first. (Pitch) looks good. A little humid tonight. Hardik's not well tonight, so I'm going to step into his shoes. Corbin Bosch comes in for Trent Boult. And our very own Rohit Sharma is back, said SKY at the toss. MI is not known to be in such positions. At the end of the day, it's just a game, put your chin up and play the game for the reason you play it. Can't say it makes us dangerous, but we can put our best foot forward. Show character, enjoy the game, he added. LSG captain Rishabh Pant said they will try to make the most of their week-long break and recover ground. The only promise from this break is to bring happiness back. Clearing your mindset when you're free. We have three changes: Josh Inglis goes in. Mukul goes out, and Raghuvanshi comes in. Bowling, we'll decide later. Both MI and LSG come into this match struggling for form and with a series of defeats behind them -- MI have lost four out of their last five matches while LSG have suffered heartbreak in their last five games. Playing XIs: Lucknow Super Giants: Mitch Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (c, wk), Akshat Raghuvanshi, Himmat Singh, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav Impact substitutes: Siddharth M, Digvesh Rathi, Mayank Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad Lucknow Super Giants: Mitch Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (c, wk), Akshat Raghuvanshi, Himmat Singh, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact substitutes: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: We Play Every Match To Win, But Relaxed Mode Is Over, Says Munaf Patel

Chennai Super Kings: Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel stressed that while every game is played with the intent to win, the side has moved past its relaxed mode and is now firmly focused on maintaining the winning momentum if they are to enter the IPL 2026 playoffs. Both DC and Chennai Super Kings, their opponents in Tuesdays clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, are at eight points. But DC are at seventh spot due to their net run rate being in negative. With both teams in a similar situation, it will be a crucial game for DC to prove that their campaign revival is for real after chasing down 226 against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. You don't have any other option but to win the match. Obviously, we play every match to win, but now the relaxed mode is over. If you want to qualify, you have to win all the matches. We have won and we have forgotten that. If we keep remembering that, we will lose again. It is better that we forget that and move forward with the momentum of the winning match, said Munaf in the pre-match press conference. DC need a string of consistent performances to climb further in the points table, but their campaign has been hampered by just one victory at home this season. With the tournament entering its business end and surfaces expected to get slower, Munaf expressed full confidence in his premier spin twins, Kuldeep Yadav and skipper Axar Patel, to exploit the conditions. Our job is to motivate them. We tell them about their mistakes and make them improve. Once you are on the ground, my and Hemangs say is over as once you are on the field, the players have to do it all. You can motivate them as much as you want. But until they are motivated, or they can't bowl on their strength, or deliver as per the batters weakness, you can't do anything. Confidence always comes from winning. I always believe that you can't give confidence by losing. You are talking about slow wickets - the spinners who play in the T20 World Cup, Kuldeep and Axar, they are there anyway. There is no question that they won't play because we have one of the best spin bowling units. We don't have a reason to complain about slow wickets. If the wickets are slow, it is better for us because we have top spinners and it will benefit us. At the same time, Munaf also suggested that the pitches, which have seen batters power their way to make 200-plus scores, may not be as sluggish as many expect. If it slows down, it's very good for us. I said earlier that our spinners are one of the best in the tournament. But I feel that the wickets won't be as slow as we think and they used to be before because you get time. If you get 5 days and go somewhere else to play, its fine. If you get a 4-day break, then 4-5 days is enough to make a wicket unless and until the weather changes - if it rains, the wicket is covered, then it can slow down. Otherwise, I don't think that the wickets will be as slow as we think they will be. They won't be that slow I mean, they can be 20 percent, but not 50 percent. It can be absolutely because the wickets are not as slow as we think they will be. But it's not happening as you see, we just played a match in Rajasthan and we chased 226. So I believe that there will be 200 runs made in games by batters. On the tactical front, Munaf dismissed the notion of bowlers blindly imitating successful trends like Krunal Pandya bowling bouncers or slinging deliveries at will or CSK pacer Anshul Kamboj getting immense success by bowling from round the wicket, especially in death overs. They won't be that slow I mean, they can be 20 percent, but not 50 percent. It can be absolutely because the wickets are not as slow as we think they will be. But it's not happening as you see, we just played a match in Rajasthan and we chased 226. So I believe that there will be 200 runs made in games by batters. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For example, you can add a slower ball, you can add a knuckle ball, you can add a bouncer. You can add them. But it's not like you have to go out of the box and do the same thing that if one is successful, everyone will be successful. It's not like that and this is what I think. Article Source: IANS

BCB Initiates Election Process, Dissolves Regional Committees In Key Overhaul

The Bangladesh Cricket Board: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has outlined a series of important administrative decisions after the third meeting of its Ad-hoc Committee, held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on Monday. This meeting signalled key structural changes and the start of its electoral process. In a significant move that impacts regional cricket governance, the Board confirmed it will dissolve several committees immediately. The Board has decided to dissolve, with immediate effect, the previously constituted Ad-hoc Committees of the Regional Cricket Associations of Chattogram, Sylhet, and Barishal, BCB said in a statement. This decision is expected to enable a new administrative setup in these regions, ensuring better alignment with the Boards long-term governance plans. The BCB also took formal steps toward holding its next election, marking the start of an important transition phase. The Board has decided to initiate the process for the next BCB Election. As a first step, a notice will shortly be issued inviting the nomination of Councillors from all categories in accordance with Article 12.7 of the BCB Constitution. This move shows the Boards intention to follow constitutional rules while ensuring representation from all relevant groups in Bangladesh cricket. To further support the election process, the Board approved the creation of an Election Commission to oversee the upcoming election. The Board has approved the formation of a three-member Election Commission to conduct the next BCB Election. The Election Commission will include one representative from either the Ministry of Youth & Sports or the National Sports Council (NSC), and two members nominated by the BCB. The BCB also took formal steps toward holding its next election, marking the start of an important transition phase. The Board has decided to initiate the process for the next BCB Election. As a first step, a notice will shortly be issued inviting the nomination of Councillors from all categories in accordance with Article 12.7 of the BCB Constitution. This move shows the Boards intention to follow constitutional rules while ensuring representation from all relevant groups in Bangladesh cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With these decisions, the BCB has begun a plan to restructure its administrative framework while ensuring a smooth and open transition ahead of its upcoming elections. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Lungi Is 100 Percent Fit After Completing Mandatory Concussion Stand-down Period, Says Munaf

Max Super Speciality Hospital: Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel confirmed that fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has cleared the mandatory concussion standdown period and is 100 percent fit to return to action ahead of the sides crucial clash against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday evening. Ngidi suffered an unfortunate head injury while fielding in the third over of DCs afternoon game against Punjab Kings on April 25 and was rushed to BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, Pusa Road, in an ambulance via a green corridor created by Delhi Police. Under ICC regulations, a mandatory sevenday standdown applies to players diagnosed with concussion. Even though IPL 2026 Playing Conditions did not spell it out explicitly, Ngidi had to serve that rest period after being discharged from the hospital on the same evening, with scans revealing no major concerns. All bowlers are fit and Lungi is 100 percent fit because he didn't play two games because of the six-day criteria. But he's a hundred percent fit now, said Munaf in the pre-match press conference on Monday. Though Kyle Jamieson did very well to dismiss Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Jaipur, where DC won by six wickets, he did go for runs. DC would want for Ngidi to partner with left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc as he has been prolific with his repertoire of slower balls, especially in the death overs. Starc marked his return to DC with the prized wicket of the inform Yashasvi Jaiswal and his inclusion has proved to be a timely boost, especially with the side eyeing a spot in the playoffs. The left-arm pacer will be eyeing to take out Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson to set the tone up front while remaining a potent threat in the death overs. Since his IPL comeback in 2025, Starc has taken 17 wickets in 11 innings at an economy of 10.2, including a best of 5-35. Against CSK, he has six wickets from seven games at an economy rate of 7.2. More importantly, DC's results since IPL 2025 are significantly better when Starc clicks he has 14 wickets in wins for them at nine runs per over, compared to just three scalps in losses at an economy rate of 12.5. Absolutely - if a wicket-taker comes in powerplay, your whole plan changes. If a wicket-taker comes in the first six overs, the whole scenario changes. As you can see, scores of 230 and 240 are being chased down because one is unable to pick wickets in power-play. But when your main bowler returns and gets you two wickets in powerplay, it makes a lot of difference. So, bowling in partnerships was somewhere missing for us and now it has been added. Obviously, you get that belief as you have a world-class bowler. You can call him the captain of the bowling unit. He is the main bowler in the fast bowlers. Everyone gets confidence from him, added Munaf. He also admitted that poor returns of Indian pacers Mukesh Kumar and Auqib Nabi meant DC had to revert to going heavy with overseas presence in their bowling attack. Both of our Indian bowlers, Auqib and Mukesh, are new ball bowlers. So, our plan was that we will use both of them because if you use Indian bowlers, you can add foreign players batting. So, that was the plan. But if you don't succeed in the plan, you have to go to plan B. So, we didn't succeed in the plan that we used Indian bowlers and somehow we made a mistake in that. That also meant that David Miller missed out on the clash against RR, while Pathum Nissanka only got his spot back due to an injury to teenaged opener Sahil Parakh. It is difficult to fit in the eleven because there are only four overseas players. There is a reason for that - Sahil was injured and we wanted Pathum to get a chance. We wanted an additional bowler too. So, we played Pathum and we had to play two foreign fast bowlers and you can't let Starc out and Lungi couldn't play at that time. Our plan was that either Pathum or Miller will play. We didn't have another opener because he was injured and so, we went with Pathum. That also meant that David Miller missed out on the clash against RR, while Pathum Nissanka only got his spot back due to an injury to teenaged opener Sahil Parakh. It is difficult to fit in the eleven because there are only four overseas players. There is a reason for that - Sahil was injured and we wanted Pathum to get a chance. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Openers are making 100-150 runs and you are asking us to play Prithvi Shaw. From where should make him play? If the opening partnership is going for 100-250 runs, who should we replace with? We had to change it because Sahil got injured and Pathum has now made 62 runs in last game. So, I don't think we should change it and we won't change it because Sahil is injured. Article Source: IANS

Patterson-White five-for puts seal on Nottinghamshire win

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IPL 2026: Kambojs Success Boils Down To His Professionalism, The Way That He Trains, Says Simons

Pacer Anshul Kamboj: Pacer Anshul Kambojs rise to being the joint leading wicket-taker in IPL 2026 has drawn praise from Chennai Super Kings bowling consultant Eric Simons, who credited the youngsters professionalism and training habits as the bedrock of his success in the competition. With 17 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 7.54, Kamboj has stepped up to be the leader of the CSK bowling attack in both power-play and back-end overs. In CSKs resurgent win over Mumbai Indians, Kamboj picked 3-32 against Mumbai Indians on Saturday. We have spoken a lot as a bowling unit around the chaos of batting at the moment. What do we focus on? One of the things we decided to go away from was an over-emphasis on lots of different tactics and to make sure that the bowlers walked onto the ground with absolute clarity in their mind as to what they wanted to do - number one and then safety to do that. We will bowl a really good delivery against the six. It is still a good delivery and it might still be the right ball to bowl next and that has been one of the things we have done. Anshul went away and the Anshul you see today was not there this season - it started last year. The things we worked on, he went into the domestic season and worked on different angles and approaches to the crease to be more accurate with his yorkers in particular. We have introduced round the wicket which is no secret now. There are a lot of nuances to what we are doing around the wicket that make him particularly effective. He has picked up wickets and been able to restrict the run rate as well. But I think what it really boils down to is his professionalism, the way that he trains, said Simons in the pre-match press conference on Monday. Ten of those 17 scalps of Kamboj have come in overs 17-20 at an economy rate of 8.6, something which has been critical for CSK after losing pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis to injuries. Its no secret that Kamboj relishes bowling from round the wicket angle in the death overs and his battle against DC finishers Tristan Stubbs, David Miller and Ashutosh Sharma will be an interesting sub-plot for Tuesdays clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. If you stood next to me and watched the way that he trains, the way that he understands what he is going to do, the simplicity I spoke about and the clarity. I think in the modern game a bowler needs to be clear about what he wants to do and he is very clear about his tactics and he is very clear about what his field setting is. So there is no grey area for him. He knows what he is going to do and I think we are striving to do that with all the bowlers. They have that clarity and that allows them to practice with a great sense of deliberate practice. He knows exactly what he wants to do in a particular day and what he wants to do in a match. It is more about him making batsmen do things than worrying about what batsmen do and react to them. We want them reacting to us as bowlers rather than us reacting to them as batsmen and he is doing that particularly well, elaborated Simons. Discussing the tournament's current standing, where CSK sit at sixth place, Simons believes CSK is finding its identity at the right time when the race to playoffs is still wide open. Some teams have started slowly. I think we have got some momentum. Teams need an identity and sometimes teams get an identity really quickly. Sometimes it comes down to one person scoring runs or one person taking wickets and a team gets some momentum in this tournament. It comes quick and fast, these matches. I don't think we have a sense of our identity now. We always knew the way we wanted to play but the parts have fallen together. I think that is an important aspect of the IPL, reacting to those tough matches. The clarity I spoke about for the bowlers is also there for the batting and the way we play. There has become a bit of a gap between the top four and the rest. We still have our destiny in our own hands and we do know that we can beat any team in the league. If we keep playing to our potential, there is no reason why we can't be on the top of the table. When we play well, we look really unbeatable, he added. Simons further threw light on the strategic complexity introduced by the Impact Player rule in determining the best playing eleven in the IPL. In the old days when you used to play with 11 cricketers, you had to find the most structure. That impact player can be used in different ways. It is about getting the balance right all the time. There are times when it is horses for courses in different situations and trying to make sure you cover all the bases. Understandably, look at a team selection from the outside and just see what happens. A lot of conversation takes place around who is going to play, what are the options. Simons further threw light on the strategic complexity introduced by the Impact Player rule in determining the best playing eleven in the IPL. In the old days when you used to play with 11 cricketers, you had to find the most structure. That impact player can be used in different ways. It is about getting the balance right all the time. Also Read: Live Cricket Score If something happens and some change is going to be made, that is communicated clearly. The most important thing is that players walk onto the field clear of what is going to happen and who is going to play should things change along the way. That has certainly been the complexity that impact players added, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: MS Dhoni steadily Improving But Hasnt Travelled To New Delhi, Says Eric Simons

Chennai Super Kings: Veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni is steadily recovering from a calf injury, but Chennai Super Kings bowling consultant Eric Simons confirmed that he has not travelled with the squad to New Delhi for their upcoming IPL 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals, to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. An update on MS Dhoni is way above my pay grade. He is not with us but steadily improving. He will be ready when he is ready and he knows when he is ready to play. No, he hasnt travelled with the team, Simons said in the pre-match press conference. Dhoni hasnt featured in a single game this season, with his last IPL appearance coming against Gujarat Titans on May 25 in the 2025 edition. Five-time champions CSK, meanwhile, sit at sixth place on the points table with four wins from nine games. The equation is straightforward for CSK - they need at least four more victories from their remaining fixtures to stay in the hunt for the playoffs. A positive thing for CSK has been that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was among the runs in the past two games via unbeaten knocks of 74 and 67 respectively. Describing Gaikwad as a surgeon in this world of chaos batting, Simons noted that the right-handed opener has found his rhythm again. We have been clear about the leadership group and hes clearly the leader of the team. It was just again a case of when he gets his runs. He has had some tough innings in the sense that we have been in trouble. The wickets have been tough and he has battled through them. I think that is the hallmark of a really quality batsman that he doesn't score runs on good wickets. For me I have always called him a surgeon in this world of chaos batting. He is the kind of guy that gets 50 runs in 22 balls and you haven't noticed him. We are starting to see that part of him again. The leadership has always been there. He has always been the captain. It is good that he is now scoring runs but there was never a doubt that he was going to, elaborated Simons. While the likes of Sanju Samson, Urvil Patel and Kartik Sharma have come to the run-making party, Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis are yet to hit substantial knocks. Dube has offered glimpses of his hitting power, but has been patchy in consistency while making 150 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 140. Brevis, meanwhile, is yet to find rhythm in IPL 2026 - managing only 64 runs across four knocks, averaging 16 with a strike rate of 121 after missing initial few matches due to a side strain. Nothing is really ailing them. In this tournament, we have seen top players struggle for a bit before playing a breakout innings. While the likes of Sanju Samson, Urvil Patel and Kartik Sharma have come to the run-making party, Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis are yet to hit substantial knocks. Dube has offered glimpses of his hitting power, but has been patchy in consistency while making 150 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 140. Also Read: Live Cricket Score They play in a tough period of the game and you can go out there and try and accelerate the run rates and get out and before you know it two or three innings have gone by. They are both very, very experienced cricketers and very good cricketers with great records. It is just a case of when they come right, added Simons. Article Source: IANS

Lakshmi Mittal, Adar Poonawalla Seal $1.65 Billion Rajasthan Royals IPL Deal

Indian steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal and family, alongside vaccine billionaire Adar Poonawalla, have struck a $1.65 billion deal for Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals, a joint statement said on Sunday. The IPL is the world's richest cricket tournament and mixes sport and show business in a glitzy format. It is broadcast around the world and features top international stars, with some teams fronted by Bollywood superstars. The Mittal family will own about 75 percent of the franchise following completion, with Poonawalla holding around 18 percent, the statement said. The remainder will stay with approved existing investors, including seller Manoj Badale. As well as the IPL team, Rajasthan Royals also owns Paarl Royals in South Africa and Barbados Royals in the Caribbean. The transaction consideration is approximately $1.65 billion and represents the enterprise value of Rajasthan Royals' men's franchise, Paarl Royals and Barbados Royals, the statement said. Rajasthan have not won a trophy since 2008, when late Australian great Shane Warne led them to the inaugural title. I love cricket and my family is from Rajasthan, so there is no IPL team that I would rather be part of than the Rajasthan Royals, Mittal said in a statement. Poonawalla said he looked forward to supporting the franchise's long-term growth. Rajasthan Royals is a premier IPL franchise with a strong legacy, he said. Badale, who has been involved with the Royals since their inception, will remain a shareholder and join the board alongside the new investors. We are delighted to welcome the Mittal Family and Adar Poonawalla as the new owners of the Rajasthan Royals, he said. Their passion for cricket, their connection to Rajasthan and India, and their long-term ambition for the franchise make them ideal custodians. The announcement comes after a group of investors, including US asset management giant Blackstone, bought reigning IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.77 billion in March. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The IPL is a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India and was estimated in 2020 to generate more than $11 billion a year for the Indian economy.

Bangladesh Skipper Nigar Sultana Reprimanded For Breaching ICC Code Of Conduct

The International Cricket Council: Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third womens T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Saturday. The International Cricket Council (ICC) stated that the Bangladesh skipper was found to have breached Article 2.2, which relates to the abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match. The incident took place during the Bangladesh innings when Nigar, visibly frustrated after being dismissed, threw her bat onto the ground before leaving the field. In addition to the formal reprimand, one demerit point has been added to Nigars disciplinary record. This marks her first offence within a 24-month period. Nigar admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing, said the ICC in its statement on Monday. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Eloise Sheridan and Shathira Jakir Jesy, along with third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Champa Chakma. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a players match fee, along with one or two demerit points. This marks her first offence within a 24-month period. Nigar admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing, said the ICC in its statement on Monday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Coming to the match, Sri Lanka completed a clinical 3-0 series sweep of Bangladesh after clinching a rain-shortened third T20I by three runs. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu spearheaded the victory with a stellar all-round performance - top-scoring with 41 runs before returning to claim 2-15. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Watching Virat, You Understand The Art Of Chasing, Says Bethell On Learning Curve At RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengalurus young all-rounder Jacob Bethell says observing seasoned campaigners like Virat Kohli has helped him grasp the nuances of chasing in T20 cricket, as the Englishman continues to grow into his role in the IPL. Now in his second season with the franchise, the 23-year-old reflected on his journey from Barbados to one of the biggest stages in world cricket. I grew up in Barbados, always with a bat and ball. Around 1012, I started taking it seriously. I moved to England for school, progressed to Warwickshire, and signed my first contract in 2021. A stress fracture set me back, but I came back strong, earned an England call-up, and then arrived in Bengaluru, Bethell said, outlining his path to the IPL. Adjusting to the attention that comes with playing in India has been a unique experience for the youngster. The limelight is a funny thing, life is still the same, but when people want to watch you play, its a privilege. I dont know how many people in India would be calling me Starboy. Its pretty incredible, he added. Bethell admitted that stepping into the IPL required a shift in mindset, particularly given the pace and intensity of the competition. When I got to RCB, I was curious about the experience. Watching Virat, Rajat, and speaking to DK, I realised the game shifts here. Its played at a high tempo; you have to be aggressive and brave, he noted. Elaborating on Kohlis influence, Bethell highlighted the importance of composure in run chases. Watching Virat chase, you understand the art of batting, how to control a chase and stay not out. Its about shifting gears based on the situation, he observed, pointing to the value of adaptability in high-pressure scenarios. He also spoke about the deep-rooted cricket culture in India, which he believes contributes to players development. People here love talking about cricket. Its more hands-on, with more information shared. The passion and volume of cricket at a young age is incredible, Bethell said. Working alongside experienced coaches has further sharpened his game awareness. Andy observes and speaks only when needed; you listen when he does. DK is excellent at spotting things and identifying scoring areas quickly, he remarked, referring to head coach Andy Flower and mentor Dinesh Karthik. Looking ahead, Bethell emphasised his desire to keep improving in the tournament. I wanted to be better than last year. Whether you play a few games or many, its about hunger. This is the marquee tournament, if you dont improve here, when will you? he said. He also recalled the intensity of playing in front of RCBs passionate fanbase. Walking out with Virat, hearing the crowd, it was loud. You have to stay completely switched on, he added. Backing the youngster, head coach Andy Flower praised Bethells temperament and potential. My first sight of Bethell was in the Under-19 World Cup, a very talented batsman with real flair. We targeted him straight away. Hes got a mature cricketing brain and wont be cowed or bullied by anyone, which is a trait you see in top players, Flower said. He also recalled the intensity of playing in front of RCBs passionate fanbase. Walking out with Virat, hearing the crowd, it was loud. You have to stay completely switched on, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As Bethell continues to adapt and evolve, his exposure to high-level cricket and mentorship within the RCB setup appears to be shaping him into a confident and versatile performer. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: RCB Opener Phil Salt Returns To England For Scans After Finger Injury

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Phil Salt has flown back to England for scans on his injured finger which has sidelined him for the sides last three IPL 2026 matches. In Salts absence, RCB have got his England compatriot Jacob Bethell to partner with Virat Kohli at the top of the order. Salt, 29, damaged a finger on his left hand while diving to save a boundary during RCB's defeat to Delhi Capitals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18. As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, Salt, who holds a central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), returned home at the request of the national team's management to undergo further assessment. Both player and franchise remain hopeful that the finger will heal soon enough for Salt to return to India this month, with RCB aiming to defend the title that they won for the first time last season. RCB would be eligible to sign a replacement for Salt under IPL regulations in the event that the injury is deemed season-ending, but they are expected to give him every opportunity to recover, further said the report. Salt had provided a significant spark at the top of the order for RCB by amassing 202 runs across six innings at an impressive strike rate of 168.33 before the finger injury forced him out of the lineup. RCB would be eligible to sign a replacement for Salt under IPL regulations in the event that the injury is deemed season-ending, but they are expected to give him every opportunity to recover, further said the report. Also Read: Live Cricket Score RCB are on a six-day break and are scheduled to face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their next match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday. Article Source: IANS

If We Take The Positives, We Can Achieve A Good Result Against Oman, Says Nepals Airee Ahead Of CWC League 2 Clash

Cricket World Cup League: Nepal vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee has called for a positive and attacking approach as his team prepares for a key ICC Mens Cricket World Cup League 2 encounter against Oman, expressing confidence that recent improvements can help them bounce back. Nepal head into Tuesdays contest with mixed form in the ongoing tri-series at home. While they have registered two wins over the UAE, their campaign has been dented by an earlier underwhelming performance against Oman, leaving them eager to respond strongly. Acknowledging the teams fluctuating displays, Airee underlined the importance of building on recent progress. We couldnt play well in the first two matches (of the tri-series). Now the partnerships are getting better. If we can play by taking that positively, we can achieve a good result against Oman, he was quoted by the ICC. The all-rounder also reflected on his own performances amid the teams struggles with consistency in batting. Other players are not scoring runs. Perhaps because I am a bit more focused (on my own performance), I am doing well. Earlier, I wasnt scoring runs either, he noted, pointing to a shift in his mindset. Nepal currently find themselves placed seventh in the League 2 standings, with their hopes of direct qualification for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier hinging on a top-four finish by the end of the cycle. With only seven wins so far, every remaining fixture carries added significance. Captain Rohit Paudel echoed the sentiment, backing his side to respond under pressure. It is our nature to play under pressure. Therefore, we are hopeful that we will secure a win, he said, expressing belief in the teams ability to deliver in crunch situations. Nepal currently find themselves placed seventh in the League 2 standings, with their hopes of direct qualification for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier hinging on a top-four finish by the end of the cycle. With only seven wins so far, every remaining fixture carries added significance. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With qualification ambitions still alive, Nepal will be aiming to combine resilience with a proactive approach as they look to turn their campaign around in the crucial clash against Oman. Article Source: IANS

'If Clearing The Ground Is Your Strength, Half The Battle Is Won, Says Rayudu On Shedges Breakout Knock

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Former India batter Ambati Rayudu believes young Punjab Kings all-rounder Suryansh Shedges fearless strokeplay and confidence in clearing the boundary mark him out as a promising finisher, following his explosive knock for his side against Gujarat Titans in their recently concluded IPL 2026 clash. Shedge, who came into the tournament with a strong reputation after his breakthrough showing for Mumbai in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, had largely been on the sidelines before this game. Featuring in only his second outing of the season, he seized the opportunity with a counter-attacking 57 off 29 balls that briefly revived Punjabs innings. Just his confidence in terms of playing those big shots. If you remember, he has won a final. He played a match-winning knock for his team in the Mushtaq Ali final. From then on, being picked in the IPL, being in the IPL and also playing an innings like that, Rayudu told ESPNcricinfo. Walking in at No. 6 with his side struggling at 36/4 in the seventh over, Shedge found himself under immediate pressure. The situation worsened when captain Shreyas Iyer fell soon after, leaving Punjab reeling at 47/5. However, the youngster responded with composure and intent, stitching together a 79-run partnership with Marcus Stoinis that shifted momentum. Rayudu acknowledged that while the innings had its share of assistance from loose bowling, Shedges approach stood out. He was helped by Suthar definitely in that over - there were a lot of loose balls. But, yeah, he hung in there. He looked like someone who could clear the ground easily. As an Indian player coming into the IPL, if that is your strength, then half the battle is already won. After that, it's just game awareness that you need to get in, he added. Rayudu acknowledged that while the innings had its share of assistance from loose bowling, Shedges approach stood out. Also Read: Live Cricket Score However, his promising knock ended at a crucial juncture. Attempting to force the pace against Kagiso Rabada in the 16th over, Shedge edged behind, leaving Punjab short of a stronger finish. They eventually posted 163/9, a total that proved slightly below par despite their late surge. Article Source: IANS

Rayudu: SRH 'thought they can get away with no planning' against KKR

Sometimes you just need that type of performance to reset and go again in terms of that momentum, Katey Martin says after SRH's loss to KKR

Babar Reaffirms His Desire To Continue Playing In All Three Formats For Pakistan

T20 World Cup: Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has shut down talk of whether he would continue to play all formats and reaffirmed his desire to continue playing in all three formats, saying a players job is to play, not to decide which format to skip. Babar has been a mainstay for Pakistan across formats for the majority of his career, but in recent times the 31-year-old has struggled to make runs on a consistent basis, and the right-hander failed to make much of an impression during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year. But a title-winning run as captain with Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has revived Babar, who scored two centuries across 11 matches to finish as the leading run-scorer at the tournament with a record-equalling 588 runs in 11 matches. My focus is on all three formats. Its not for the player to decide (which format to skip); a players job is to play. In my opinion, every player should play every form of cricket. You shouldnt focus only on the white ball or T20s. Red-ball cricket gives you immense experience. It teaches you how to build an innings and gives you patience, said Babar in a post-match presser following the PSL 2026 title run. When you play four-day cricket or any domestic circuit, you gain the experience of scoring long runs. You should play all three formats because each one helps the other. Red ball helps you in T20s and ODIs. When you play Test matches, the patience and mindset you developthe art of playing a long inningsbenefit you significantly in white-ball cricket, he added. Babar will likely get an immediate chance to continue his rich vein of form when Pakistan take on Bangladesh away from home in a two-match Test series that commences on Friday. The last time Babar scored a century in Test cricket was back in December 2022. His recent record against the white-ball prior to the PSL is not much better with his sole half-century this calendar year coming at T20I level against Australia at the start of February and just prior to the T20 World Cup. Babar will likely get an immediate chance to continue his rich vein of form when Pakistan take on Bangladesh away from home in a two-match Test series that commences on Friday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I discussed the areas of improvement with the coaches who are close to me and worked on them. Life is like a rollercoaster, and things never stay the same. You learn from your good and bad experiences. That is how life goes, he added. Article Source: IANS

'I wouldn't say I was waiting, I was preparing' - Shedge grabs his chance

As an Indian player coming into the IPL, if six-hitting is your strength, then half the battle is already won, Ambati Rayudu says

Varun slows it down to keep his, and KKR's, comeback on track

Varun Chakravarthy is now using the crease very well and also the angles well and also his pace, says Ambati Rayudu

Salt returns home for scans after being sidelined with injured finger

RCB are expecting Phil Salt to rejoin them for some part of IPL 2026, with Jacob Bethell likely to get an extended run in the meantime

Radha's T20 WC Selection A Result Of Massive Improvements With Bat And Ball: Tanuja Kanwar

Inter Zonal Multi Day Trophy: Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Tanuja Kanwar has termed Radha Yadavs inclusion in the 2026 Womens T20 World Cup squad as a big comeback, and attributed her selection for the mega event to a massive improvement with both bat and ball. Radha last featured in a T20I during Indias tour of England in 2025, where she picked six wickets as the visitors won both white-ball series. She later found a place in the 2025 Womens ODI World Cup winning squad. After that, a crowded pool of leftarm spinners meant Radha wasnt included for T20I series against Sri Lanka, Australia and South Africa. But she had a strong time in RCB winning the WPL for the second time - scoring 114 runs in 9 matches, including a knock of 66, though she picked only two wickets. In captaining India A to the Womens Asia Cup Rising Stars title in Bangkok, Radha made 75 runs with the bat, and picked 10 wickets at five runs per over. In West Zone becoming runners-up in the Senior Womens Inter Zonal Multi Day Trophy, Radha made 224 runs in four innings, with a highest score of 108 and took 12 wickets with the ball to be at second place in both batting and bowling charts. Injuries to seam-bowling all-rounders Amanjot Kaur (back) and Kashvee Gautam (right knee) along with her strong all-round returns ensured Radha was back in squads for the T20 World Cup and preceding three-game series against England. I think it was very good. She was selected for the T20 World Cup. I think it was a big comeback as the way she improved her bowling and batting, it was a massive improvement. I also think her captaincy was very good (in the Rising Stars Womens Asia Cup). I think she handled the hard situations very well and was really good at it, Tanuja saidexclusively to IANS on the sidelines of the 'Fancatchstic Chapter 2' event. The focus for Tanuja now shifts to preparing for the India A tour of England, comprising three 50-over games and as many T20 matches, to be played from June 20 to July 4. Northampton and Chelmsford are venues for T20 games to be played from June 20-25. Hove and Taunton will be host to one-day matches set to be held from June 28 to July 4. With the BCCI increasing the frequency of shadow tours, Tanuja, whos played two ODIs and four T20Is for India, noted that the A team set-up has become a vital factor in players being prepared to face rigours of international cricket. If we talk about a year or two ago, India A womens team did not have that many matches. Now India A is having matches consistently. I think it is a very big thing as in India A matches, we get to play with the big players and face other huge players. There is a level of maturity players get while playing in India A set-up and then become totally prepared to play for the Indian team. So I think it is a very big thing that India A is having matches. I think I am feeling very good. It is the first time we will be playing in England. It is I think the first time India A womens team is going to England. I am feeling very good in thinking about the conditions there, as we have never played in such conditions before. Yes, it will be a little challenging, but we will prepare for it, she elaborated. Reflecting on India A winning the Rising Stars Womens Asia Cup earlier this year in Bangkok, Tanuja explained the mental toughness the side showed after suffering a surprise defeat to the UAE in their opening game. I think it was a very good feeling. We were the champions in the Emerging Asia Cup before. But when we lost the first match, we were a little disappointed that we were a very good team and we lost a game. But we were told that in cricket, this is no issue - one day you lose to a team. But how we have to come back is very important. So I think we applied the same thing in terms of how we have to come back and that's why we got the trophy, she said. The transition from the batter-friendly tracks of the Womens Premier League (WPL) to the sluggish surfaces of Bangkok tested the squad's adaptability. For Tanuja, who picked nine wickets in the competition, the key lay in recalibrating her lengths. I think the pitches were very slow, so we had to manage that. We went to WPL where the pitches were very good. So it took us some time to see and adapt to the conditions. But later we applied ourselves to the conditions correctly. So it was a very big thing. The transition from the batter-friendly tracks of the Womens Premier League (WPL) to the sluggish surfaces of Bangkok tested the squad's adaptability. For Tanuja, who picked nine wickets in the competition, the key lay in recalibrating her lengths. Also Read: Live Cricket Score While the India A schedule in England is packed, the lure of watching the one-off Test at Lords, to be played from July 10-13, is something Tanuja aims to fulfill. I think the most exciting thing about England is that everyone wants to play at Lord's. Though we dont have any matches there, we do have a dream of playing at Lord's. Yes, if we get a chance, we will definitely go to watch the Test match at Lord's, she concluded. Article Source: IANS

'Life is like a rollercoaster', but Babar proves he's still got it

I have a firm belief that you get what is destined for you, Babar Azam says after playing a big role in Peshawar Zalmi's PSL 2026 triumph

Rabada rises to No. 3 on Purple Cap table; Abhishek takes back Orange Cap

It was a bad day for many of the top run-getters in IPL 2026, with the two games on Sunday producing low-scoring contests

'Took the wind out of our sails' - Gillespie proud but disappointed after Kingsmen lose final

Coach bemoans collapse of 4 for 2 with the bat but was proud of the early fight with the ball in the PSL final

Dhamne ends runner up in Shymkent

Manas Dhamne put up a spirited fight before losing 6-7(8), 4-6 in a contest that lasted over two hours and hinged on fine margins

Benjamin ton helps keep Kent on track against Derbyshire

Stand of 184 with Joey Evison rescues Kent from trouble before they strike in run chase

All-round Aaron Hardie stars as Peshawar Zalmi sweep to PSL title

Australian takes four wickets and follows up with unbeaten half-century to help see off Kingsmen

IPL 2026: Siraj, Rabada Setting The Tone Makes My Job Easier, Says Holder After Match-winning 4-24

Gujarat Titans: Gujarat Titans all-rounder Jason Holder credited Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada for consistently setting the tone with the new ball, saying their early impact has made his role in the middle overs more defined following his Player of the Match performance against Punjab Kings in IPL 2026 on Sunday. Praising the pace duos influence, Holder said, They were excellent. They set the tone for us all season. Credit to both Siraj and KG. Their efforts have been outstanding. Holder explained how those early breakthroughs shape the rest of the innings and highlighted their ability to strike at key moments despite occasional expensive spells. Even though sometimes they may go for runs, they come back and take wickets which is crucial in the powerplay. Makes my job easier in the middle after the tone has been set, but having said that I still need to come and execute, he said, stressing that responsibility still lies in maintaining control and delivering under pressure. Outlining Gujarats bowling approach, Holder emphasised discipline and pressure-building over wicket-hunting. The main thing is to keep the pressure on.. if you're not getting wickets, keep the pressure on and bowl your best deliveries, stem the flow of runs and ensure you make it difficult for them to score, he noted. He also underlined the importance of preparation and clarity within the squad, adding, Have talked a lot in the dressing room about what we wanted to do, how we want to adjust in certain situations and the boys have been doing an excellent job. On the personal front, Holder spoke about his recent focus on the shortest format and how it has shaped his game as he said, Fair to say that (focussing a lot on T20 cricket in the last year), last year and a half I have only played T20 cricket, haven't played Test cricket, I would still love to play Tests and haven't closed that chapter yet, he said. He further added, Just been able to focus on T20 which has helped my game a lot. Have been able to be a lot more specific with my training and preparation. Just ensuring that I'm ready for each and every scenario. Despite his strong showing, Holder admitted there were areas he wanted to improve on. Just executing when called upon, little disappointed that I could not finish the last two games. Still in a good frame of mind. That's important for me. Just keeping a fresh mind, staying positive, understanding my role and just trying to execute when called upon, he said. On the personal front, Holder spoke about his recent focus on the shortest format and how it has shaped his game as he said, Fair to say that (focussing a lot on T20 cricket in the last year), last year and a half I have only played T20 cricket, haven't played Test cricket, I would still love to play Tests and haven't closed that chapter yet, he said. He further added, Just been able to focus on T20 which has helped my game a lot. Have been able to be a lot more specific with my training and preparation. Just ensuring that I'm ready for each and every scenario. Also Read: Live Cricket Score L Article Source: IANS

Seven-star Sanderson routs Worcestershire by an innings

Seamer devastates opposition with six wickets in 29 balls en route to three-day win

IPL 2026: Fell Short In Terms Of Execution But Were Still On Top Of The Table, Says Iyer After PBKS Loss To GT

Punjab Kings: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer admitted his side fell short while executing the plans despite a spirited fight, but stressed that remaining on top of the points table despite back-to-back losses offered perspective after their narrow four-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 on Sunday. Iyer lauded his teams fighting spirit, highlighting the challenging nature of the surface and the effort to recover from an early collapse. Reflecting on the total of 163/9, Iyer said, I personally feel it was a great score on a wicket where the ball was doing a bit at the start, especially the new ball. He credited Gujarats bowlers for exploiting the conditions effectively, adding, Their bowlers made the best use of the surface - the way they were hitting the lengths and the deck. It was right at the stumps and not giving us much options to open our arms and score runs. Punjab were reduced to 35/3 in the powerplay and slipped further to 47/5, but a counter-attacking partnership between Suryansh Shedge and Marcus Stoinis revived the innings. Iyer underlined the significance of that recovery, saying, We lost four wickets I assume in the powerplay. To get to 160 from there was a phenomenal effort. On the bowling front, the PBKS captain admitted that his side could not replicate Gujarats execution with the new ball. With the new ball I thought we would be able to hit our line and length and get early wickets. But that didn't work out, he said. Despite the defeat, Iyer remained encouraged by the teams persistence, noting, But the way we fought till the end, kudos to the efforts. The attitude and approach was excellent. He also pointed out where the bowlers fell short tactically, stating, We missed out on hitting the hard lengths. Elaborating on the difficulty of strokeplay on the surface, Iyer explained, Hitting over midwicket or pull shot wasn't easy on this wicket because there was variable bounce. Wasn't an apt wicket to bat on. He further acknowledged execution lapses as a key factor in the loss as he said, In terms of execution, we fell a bit short. Looking ahead, Iyer struck an optimistic note, emphasising the positives and the teams standing in the tournament. We're still on top of the table, which is what matters. We'll take positives from this game, he said. He also viewed such conditions as a learning opportunity for the bowling unit, adding, It's a great challenge going forward in the IPL (playing on such pitches) because it tends to bring up the attitude of the bowlers as well. It can level up their confidence. Looking ahead, Iyer struck an optimistic note, emphasising the positives and the teams standing in the tournament. We're still on top of the table, which is what matters. We'll take positives from this game, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He signed off with a note on preparation and belief, stating, Have been working very hard in training. If the character is high and attitude is right, you'll get results eventually. Just got to stick to our basics and routines and not think too much ahead. Article Source: IANS

Crane haunts Hampshire as Glamorgan eye first win

Timm van der Gugten also plays part as 15 wickets do down on horror day for home side