Cricket

'These Are The Games Where Your Leaders Need To Stand Up: Finch Hails Shreyas' Maiden IPL Ton

Lucknow Super Giants: Aaron Finch lavished praise on Shreyas Iyer after the Punjab Kings captain produced a match-winning century against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on the penultimate day of the league stage to keep his sides playoff hopes alive in the IPL 2026. Iyer struck an unbeaten 101 off just 51 deliveries on Saturday, guiding Punjab to a seven-wicket victory while ending the teams six-match losing streak. Walking in after Punjab lost two wickets inside the opening three overs, the right-hander rebuilt the chase alongside Prabhsimran Singh before accelerating spectacularly to complete his maiden IPL century. Reflecting on the innings, Finch said Iyers knock stood out because of its simplicity, timing and authority under pressure. It was a wonderful innings. He started by playing classic cricket shots. He doesnt move around the crease a huge amount, he hits the ball where it should go, which is generally the art of batting, Finch told JioStar. Finch was particularly impressed by the manner in which Iyer dominated spin bowling during the chase, as he said, We know how destructive he is against spin, and he just took it to a new level in this game. The crack off the bat from some of the shots he hit was exceptional. The former Australia captain added that the hundred carried added significance given the context of Punjabs campaign, with the franchise entering the contest needing a win to stay alive in the playoff race. Very happy for him to get his first IPL hundred. Its never easy batting in the middle order, but he was a class above the rest, he said. Punjab had found themselves in early trouble after losing Priyansh Arya for a golden duck and Cooper Connolly soon after, slipping to 22/2 inside three overs while chasing 197. Iyer, however, absorbed the pressure immediately and transformed the chase with controlled aggression. Finch felt the innings reflected both Iyers leadership qualities and his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations. You could see what it meant to him to get his side into a position to make a run at the playoffs. These are the games you want to be a part of. These are the games where your leaders need to stand up, and thats exactly what Shreyas did in this game, Finch stated. Finch felt the innings reflected both Iyers leadership qualities and his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Iyer eventually sealed the win in style, launching a slower delivery from Mohsin Khan over cow corner for six to bring up his century and cap off one of the defining knocks of Punjabs season. Article Source: IANS

'It'd Been Almost A Month Since We Last Won A Game': Chahal Expresses Relief After PBKS Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Lucknow Super Giants: Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal admitted relief was the overriding emotion after his side snapped a six-match losing streak with a crucial seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants to stay alive in the IPL 2026 playoff race. Powered by skipper Shreyas Iyers unbeaten 101 off 51 balls and a 140-run partnership with Prabhsimran Singh, Punjab chased down 197 in just 18 overs at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday to climb to fourth on the table. The result ended a difficult stretch for Punjab, who had won six of their opening seven games before suffering six consecutive defeats that pushed their campaign to the brink. Reflecting on finally returning to winning ways after nearly a month, Chahal said the biggest challenge during the slump was maintaining belief within the group. When you win six of your first seven matches and then go on to lose the next six, after a point, theres nothing left to say. How you keep the team together and the environment close-knit becomes key. So, there were never any negative thoughts. Even during practice, the focus was on ourselves and how we could get those two points because it had been almost a month since we last won a game. So, this win feels special, Chahal said on JioHotstar after the game. Punjabs playoff hopes, however, still depend on other results. They now need the Mumbai Indians to beat Rajasthan Royals on Sunday to remain in contention, while Kolkata Knight Riders can still overtake them on net run-rate with a massive win over Delhi Capitals. Chahal, though, joked about temporarily switching allegiances for Sundays clash at the Wankhede Stadium. We will be in Lucknow only. Hopefully, RR lose tomorrow and Rohit Sharma scores 200 directly, its been a long time, he said. The leg-spinner then turned serious while analysing the playoff permutations and Mumbais chances against Rajasthan. But on a serious note, I think our chances depend more on the day game because KKR might have to chase down a total in 11-12 overs, which can be a bit difficult. Its Wankhede, a small ground, so if they get Vaibhav out cheaply, I think Mumbai Indians chances of winning will be high, the spinner stated. Chahal also offered an insight into the growing difficulties faced by bowlers in modern T20 cricket, pointing to flatter pitches, aggressive batting approaches and the Impact Player rule as factors that have shifted the balance heavily in favour of batters. Earlier, you used to get a little bit of turn and assistance from the wickets, but in the last two years, I dont think the wickets have offered much help. Maybe apart from Hyderabad, where I got it to grip a bit because it was slow and the boundaries were big. But apart from that, every ground seems to be flat, he mentioned. According to Chahal, the rise in scoring rates has fundamentally changed the way bowlers approach games as he said, Earlier, teams were okay with a 50-run powerplay, but these days, 65-70 has become the norm. That means when I come on to bowl, Im often bowling to a set batter already on 40 or 50, and then theres an extra batter to counter because of the Impact Player rule. So, as a bowler, you are under immense pressure. Even when a team is six or seven wickets down, you know there are still batters to come. So, it is challenging. Earlier, you used to get a little bit of turn and assistance from the wickets, but in the last two years, I dont think the wickets have offered much help. Maybe apart from Hyderabad, where I got it to grip a bit because it was slow and the boundaries were big. But apart from that, every ground seems to be flat, he mentioned. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But I still feel that if you have skill, you can bowl well. Because of these high scores, if a bowler goes for 40 in four overs, its not considered bad these days, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

I Want India To Be The Powerhouse Of World Cricket, And It Is Right Up There: Rohit Sharma

U19 World Cup: Nearly 20 years into his international career, former India skipper Rohit Sharma believes Indian cricket is moving in the right direction, both in terms of results and mindset and stated that he wants India to be the best in world cricket and its ight up there. For Rohit, Indias recent success across formats and age-group tournaments is a sign of the growing strength of the countrys cricketing structure. I want India to be the powerhouse of world cricketthat is the bottom line as I want India to be the best and cricket is right up there. What we have done in the last three years has been superb to watch. From the 2024 World Cup, Womens World Cup, U19 World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy and another T20 World Cup. I hope we continue our winning streak, Rohit said while speaking at Mumbai Indians ESA Day event. Rohit also pointed to the dramatic transformation in the sport over the years, particularly in the shorter formats, where batting approaches and scoring patterns have changed significantly since his debut. When we started 130-140 was a good score but currently it is difficult. Now, any score one gets does not seem to be very convincing. That is the story which tells you how the game has gone about through the years, he said. According to the former MI captain, the fearlessness shown by modern-day cricketers has pushed the sport to greater heights. People have become more fearless, open minded on how they should go about doing things, which is a good sign for the sport, game and league. The players are not afraid to take a step forward rather than being conservative. In the coming years too, that is how it will keep going, it will reach greater heights, he expressed. While discussing the next generation of cricketers, Rohit stressed the importance of allowing youngsters to enjoy the game without burdening them with expectations too early in life. It depends from age to age. I know there are kids ranging from six years to 18 years. You do not want to put too much pressure on the kid so early on in their life. They should just be enjoying the sport, watching and playing with their friends. That is how it all started for me. The situation will tell you what is important at this point of time. Enjoy the sport that you want to play. No one can force you to do something, the ODI opener said. Reflecting on his own journey, the opener admitted that the challenges and setbacks he encountered throughout his career were among his biggest learning experiences. From my debut till now, there have been so many instances where I got to learn if I have to come up from here then what needs to be done. In sport, there is no smooth ride, along with upwards, there is also a downhill which teaches you many things, he stated. The 39-year-old also opened up about how captaincy shaped his outlook, saying that leadership forced him to think beyond his own performances and prioritise the team's collective success. From my debut till now, there have been so many instances where I got to learn if I have to come up from here then what needs to be done. In sport, there is no smooth ride, along with upwards, there is also a downhill which teaches you many things, he stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rohit said the sport has influenced how he approaches life and relationships off the field as well. Even in my personal life, it has taught me about investing, buying, selling and dealing with the person who is sitting in front of me. All of the above comes through because of the sport I play, he noted. Article Source: IANS

What happened between Virat Kohli and Travis Head that led to frosty post-match scenes; Travis Head's cryptic post

Virat Kohli and Travis Head were involved in a heated exchange during the IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kohli, who scored just 15 runs, exchanged words with Head on the field before being dismissed.

'Versatile' Josh Inglis a rare bright spot in LSG's hour of darkness

There's a smartness to his cricket, Mark Boucher says after Josh Inglis smashes 266 runs in five innings in IPL 2026 at a strike rate of 186.01

IPL 2026: 'Results Reflect That Pant Has Found Captaincy Challenging,' Says Moody

Lucknow Super Giants: Lucknow Super Giants Director of Cricket Tom Moody acknowledged that captain Rishabh Pant finds the leadership role challenging, which has contributed to the teams poor performances and indicated that the management may consider bringing a change in leadership before the next season. LSG wrapped up their IPL 2026 campaign at their home ground Ekana Cricket Stadium, on Saturday with yet another heavy defeat, a result that kept Punjab Kings alive in the race for a Playoffs berth. It marked LSG's 10th loss of the season, condemning Pant and his side to a last-place finish on the points table and intensifying questions over the skippers future with the franchise. Since the start of last season, Pant has led Lucknow in 28 games, suffering defeat in 18 of them, while the team has missed out on Playoffs qualification in consecutive editions. The disappointing results have mirrored Pants struggles with the bat as well, with the wicketkeeper-batter managing just 312 runs this year at an average of 28.36. From a captaincy point of view, you know, hes found it challenging, obviously, and the results reflect that. And you do have to wonder whether that is a pressure that is reflected with his performance with the bat. I know that this season has been a difficult season for us, but we will reflect on it, well take time, well reflect on it. Well consider all things, Moody said at the press conference after LSGs loss to PBKS. But certainly we havent lived up to the expectation or the standard that we expect of ourselves. And certainly when it comes to the leadership of the franchise, its certainly something that well be taking some very serious consideration to, you know, what it looks like in the future. Like every department, when you do reflect on a season, we will be making some considered decisions, but it certainly looks like that were needing to consider a reset, he added. From a captaincy point of view, you know, hes found it challenging, obviously, and the results reflect that. And you do have to wonder whether that is a pressure that is reflected with his performance with the bat. I know that this season has been a difficult season for us, but we will reflect on it, well take time, well reflect on it. Well consider all things, Moody said at the press conference after LSGs loss to PBKS. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think were all responsible [for the disappointing season], Moody said. I dont think its a time to point the finger at any individual. I think we all take accountability, and nows not the time to be apportioning blame in any particular department. We all need time to reflect on it in a calm manner, but theres certain things that we do need to address, and will be addressed, he said. Article Source: IANS

Big Bash League Faces Uncertain Future as Franchise Privatisation Plans Stall

As Twenty20 cricket competitions explode around the world, Australia's Big Bash League is struggling to chart a vision for the future, after plans to privatise its franchises stalled. Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg is adamant that outside investment is necessary to shore up the game's financial future and keep pace with a boom in other well-funded leagues played in a similar time slot. They include the UAE's ILT20, South Africa's SA20, and New Zealand's privately-backed NZ20 scheduled to start in December 2027, all bidding for the best local and overseas players. If those salary caps (of other leagues) are significantly higher than ours over the coming years, and players can earn more in those areas, then players will follow those. That's a real risk to us, Greenberg told local media. I want to make sure that for Australian cricket, our ambition is to have a league that runs at the key part of the year for us, which is the December-January window, and it's the best T20 league in the world at that moment in time. To do that, we have to have a significant amount of money in our salary caps to attract not only the best players from overseas, but to retain and attract our own best players. He added: The concept of bringing private capital to cricket is inevitable at some point. While not a direct competitor as it runs in a different window, the benchmark Indian Premier League has seen massive success thanks to wealthy benefactors, with England's The Hundred also on a roll after an influx of private capital. But it is a thorny issue in Australia with an initial proposal to sell stakes in each of BBL's eight teams stalling last month amid concerns about a loss of control for the game's local custodians. While the Victorian, Western Australian and Tasmanian cricket associations voiced support and South Australia said it was open to the idea, New South Wales and Queensland rejected the move. Queensland Cricket, which controls the Brisbane Heat, said it was worried about player payments skyrocketing to unsustainable levels, and that private owners may not be as invested in the grassroots game. Cricket NSW, which operates the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, was similarly concerned that it could be detrimental to how the sport is governed and how local players are produced. - 'Sugar hit' - There are also fears about an Indian takeover, with the most likely buyers seen as the rich IPL team owners who have invested in other short-form competitions around the globe. Former Australian captain Greg Chappell is in the No camp, arguing that the BBL belongs to the states and communities that have built it into a successful and well-attended product. While acknowledging the commercial realities, he said selling it off was not the answer. The moment you introduce private ownership at scale, you introduce a set of priorities that may not always align with the long-term health of the game, he wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald. Private investors, however well-intentioned, answer to shareholders, not to Australian cricket. Andrew Jones, a former head of strategy atCricket Australiawho was instrumental in the launch of the BBL, is similarly unconvinced. A one-off sale is a sugar hit, not a solution, he said in The Australian newspaper, arguing that revenues can be better grown through sponsorships, wagering, ticketing and more focus on commercialising the women's game. Despite scepticism, Greenberg remains confident and is now eyeing a hybrid ownership model. This would allow the BBL franchises keen to sell stakes to do so while allowing those against to maintain complete ownership. If we end up not going together at the same time, can we still extract the same level of revenue, and can we extract the same level of value? he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think we can, but I've got to do the work to satisfy a recommendation that would ultimately go to the members and our board.

Arshdeep 'doesn't have the same juice as a few months back,' says Rayudu

He needs to back his skill set as well, Mark Boucher says after Arshdeep Singh conceded runs at 17.33 in Punjab Kings' win over Lucknow Super Giants

IPL 2026 Orange and Purple Cap race: Sooryavanshi, Archer, Tyagi could shoot up

Here's how things stand on the Orange and Purple Cap tables at IPL 2026 with only two games left in the league stage, both to be played on double-header Sunday

Matt Taylor the mastermind as Gloucestershire sneak past Glamorgan

Gutsy tail-end effort makes the difference in close-fought local rivalry

KKR vs DC Match 70, IPL 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

KKR vs DC Match 70, Cricket Tips : Three teams are in a race to make it to the playoff race. Kolkata Knight Riders are one of those. After a poor start, they have bounced back very well and have managed to win six out of seven matches. Now, they will be in action in their last group game. KKR will lock horns with Delhi Capitals on Sunday. This contest will be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata at 7:30 PM IST. DC have been eliminated, and they will try to end KKR's party also. But KKR have been in good form, and they will fancy their chances going into this home game. KKR vs DC: Match Details Date : May 24, 2026 (Sunday Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : Eden Gardens, Kolkata KKR vs DC: Live Streaming Details The live action of the KKR vs DC clash will be available on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also watch the live stream on the Jio Hotstar app or website. KKR vs DC Head-to-Head in IPL Total Matches : 3 KKR : 20 DC : 15 No - Result : 01 KKR vs DC: Ground Pitch Report Eden Gardens is another good wicket to bat on. It offers good bounce and carry, which helps the batters play their shots on the up. The toss will be important because the chasing team has a very good record at this venue. KKR vs DC Possible XIs KKR : Finn Allen (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Saurabh Dubey DC : Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (w), Riyan Parag (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Brijesh Sharma, Sandeep Sharma KKR vs DC Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Finn Allen and KL Rahul play in contrasting styles, but both are a key part of their teams. Probable Best Bowler Mitchell Starc has been accurate since his return and will have a big role in this game. For KKR, Sunil Narine has started contributing and is bowling well in the middle overs. Today Match Prediction : KKR have been the better side of two, and they are in good form. Hence, we predict Kolkata Knight Riders will beat Delhi Capitals on Sunday. KKR vs DC Match 70, IPL 2026, Today 2026 Match, KKR vs DC 2026 Prediction, KKR vs DC Predicted XIs, Injury Update for KKR vs DC 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.

MI vs RR Match 69, IPL 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

MI vs RR Match 69, Cricket Tips : Punjab Kings have made a strong statement with a win over LSG. Now, Rajasthan Royals have a chance to surpass them and qualify for the playoffs. RR will face Mumbai Indians on Sunday at Wankhede Stadium, starting at 7:30 PM IST. If RR win this game, they will have a total of 16 points, which is required to qualify for the playoffs. If they lose, they will be eliminated. Meanwhile, MI have nothing to lose, and they are already out of the tournament. But Hardik Pandya and his team will hope that they can end the season on a winning note. MI vs RR: Match Details Date : May 24, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 3:30 PM IST Venue : Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai MI vs RR: Live Streaming Detail Indian fans can watch the MI vs RR clash on Star Sports Network on TV. Fans can also watch the game on the Jio Hotstar streaming platform. MI vs RR Head-to-Head in IPL Total Matches : 32 MI : 16 RR : 15 No - Result : 01 MI vs RR: Ground Pitch Report The wicket at Wankhede Stadium is good for batting. In the IPL, it is a six-hitting venue. The surface is flat, and these batters will like their time on the crease. MI vs RR Possible XIs MI : Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Hardik Pandya (c), Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Raghu Sharma RR : Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (w), Riyan Parag (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Brijesh Sharma, Sandeep Sharma MI vs RR Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Ryan Rickelton and Vaibhav Suryavanshi are two batters to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Jofra Archer is bowling firey spells and is taking wickets with the new ball. For MI, Corbin Bosch has bowled smartly and mixed up well at different stages. Today Match Prediction : MI are not at their best and are struggling with their form. Hence, we predict Rajasthan Royals to win this game. MI vs RR Match 69, IPL 2026, Today 2026 Match, MI vs RR 2026 Prediction, MI vs RR Predicted XIs, Injury Update for MI vs RR 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.

Iyer: 'I was in a great mind space. I knew what I wanted'

PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting calls Iyer a very mature player now, a very mature leader, for his century

IPL 2026: Its My First Hundred And Came At The Right Time When The Team Needed It, Says Iyer

Lucknow Super Giants: Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer said his maiden IPL hundred came at the right time when the team needed it, as his unbeaten 101 guided the side to a sevenwicket win over Lucknow Super Giants and kept their IPL 2026 playoffs hopes alive after six successive defeats. Im ecstatic to be honest. Its my first hundred and came at the right time when the team needed it. We won eventually after six consecutive losses. Its a great positive and just hoping to support MI tomorrow, Iyer said after being named Player of the Match. The win has lifted PBKS to fourth on the points table, and their fate now hinges on the Rajasthan Royals clash with the Mumbai Indians. If RR win, Punjab are out; if MI prevail, Kolkata Knight Riders could still overtake PBKS on net run rate with a big win over the now eliminated Delhi Capitals. If all works well in their favour, PBKS will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator clash in New Chandigarh on Wednesday. On his batting approach, Iyer, who became the third PBKS captain to hit a century after KL Rahul and Adam Gilchrist, said, It's a surreal feeling when you finish off the game and score a century. All the batsmen dream of that. Today was one of the days when I felt super. I was in a great mindspace. I knew what I wanted, knew how the wicket was playing. Kinda reading the situation and how the wicket was playing helped me to score my runs, and the partnership was crucial. That creates the momentum in the game, and just to win it from there, I'm elated. On sharing a 140-run stand with Prabhsimran Singh, who made 69, Iyer said, I know if I give myself some time in the middle and time the ball as much as possible rather than getting on top of the ball and trying to score off a good ball. I feel it's necessary for me to stay out there as much as possible because then the runs keep coming. Prabh - the way he took on the bowlers, it takes two to tango. He seriously showed us what he's capable of. He was temperamentally active, and the communication we had in the middle was sensational. On how PBKS regrouped ahead of this clash to break a losing streak, Iyer said, We didn't say anything, just kept it simple. Rather than having meetings, putting more pressure on the boys. You kinda get lost in the previous losses when you discuss a lot. It's important that you let them be. Free flow of mind is required in crucial matches. You don't want to make them overthink in pressure situations. Today I literally told Ricky, 'let's not do any team meetings. Let's just head to the ground and do our rituals, which we've been doing consistently, and we could see the result. Iyer then praised his bowlers for pulling the game back. Elated by their performance. Even though we went 16 off the first over. Just to get the game back towards us, Azmat bowled brilliantly. The first over, which he bowled, got a wicket and saved those crucial runs. Its all about momentum in this situation, and just to get the game back, especially Yuzi, the way he came back and restricted runs. He got the crucial wicket of Rishabh Pant. Kudos to him; he leaked a lot of runs in the last game, but he showed his character. Coach Ricky Ponting lauded his captains maturity. We've done it the hard way, let's put it that way. We've done what we needed to do today. Sloppy in the field again, gave them 20 more runs than they should've got. Pretty clinical chase, especially being in trouble early. The captain he's done that all season. That's his first IPL century tonight. We'll celebrate that, and then we'll sit around and wait for those results tomorrow. There's a reason I spent as much money at the auction as I did a couple of years ago. He's a ripping guy, a very mature player now, and a very mature leader. More often than not, he keeps his emotions in check on the field. The respect he has from his players is second to none. The moment he stands in front of the group and speaks, not a single eye ball leaves a single word he says. Delighted to work with him. Really happy with the season he's had. Great to see him back in the Indian one-day team. I really think there's a bigger, brighter future for him in the Indian T20 team as well. The level of cricket we played in the first half was a level I've never seen before. And then we just made some crucial errors at different times in the last six games. Speaking about Prabhsimran, Ponting said, A terrific player. It's probably only been the last couple of years that he has realised how good he is. He and Priyansh have been outstanding for us the last couple of seasons. Seeing him play a mature innings tonight in a good run chase will do him a world of good. We'll try to get the boys together and watch it (the RR-MI game). I really think there's a bigger, brighter future for him in the Indian T20 team as well. The level of cricket we played in the first half was a level I've never seen before. And then we just made some crucial errors at different times in the last six games. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But at the same time, you know batting gets easier in the second innings at Ekana. Sometimes, ideas without accountability are the hardest thing to do. As a team, we want to look at the positives Definitely a lot of positives. Its been a long season, we promise to come back stronger next year. Article Source: IANS

Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL ton keeps Punjab Kings in the hunt for playoff spot

The PBKS skipper helped break their six-match losing streak, as they sealed a chase of 200 against a depleted Lucknow Super Giants to breach the top four on the points table again

IPL 2026: Iyers Unbeaten 101 Helps PBKS Keep Playoffs Hopes Alive, Beat LSG By Seven Wickets (ld)

BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium: Captain Shreyas Iyer struck his maiden IPL century to guide Punjab Kings to a sevenwicket win over Lucknow Super Giants and break their six-game losing streak to keep their playoff hopes alive in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. In response to LSGs 196/6, Punjab hunted down the target in 18 overs, with Iyer unbeaten on 101 off 51 balls, studded with 11 fours and five sixes coming at a strike-rate of 198.04. Apart from wowing the crowd with his sublime timing, strong pick-up of deliveries and bottom-handed shots, Iyer also shared a crucial 140-run stand with Prabhsimran Singh, who hit 69 off 39 balls. The win has lifted PBKS to fourth on the points table, and their fate now hinges on the Rajasthan Royals clash with the Mumbai Indians. If RR win, Punjab are out; if MI prevail, Kolkata Knight Riders could still overtake PBKS on net run rate with a big win over the now eliminated Delhi Capitals. If all works well in their favour, PBKS will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator clash in New Chandigarh on Wednesday. The chase began dramatically as Priyansh Arya fell first ball to Mohammed Shami, caught on the pull for a golden duck. Cooper Connolly counterattacked with four boundaries in the second over, before being castled by Mohammed Shami and leaving PBKS at 22/2 in 2.2 overs. Iyer joined Prabhsimran and the pair steadied the innings. Iyer struck successive fours off Mohsin Khan and Shami, while Prabhsimran found his rhythm with inventive strokes and used the bowlers pace to his advantage. The partnership blossomed after Power-play as Prabhsimran dropped on 20 by Pant off Arjun Tendulkar, and got his fifty in 28 balls. Iyer, meanwhile, cut and drove with authority to get his fifty in 33 balls. The boundaries flowed freely before Arjun trapped Prabhsimran lbw for 69. But Iyer pressed on, smashing three sixes in one Shami over to all but seal the contest. Fittingly, Iyer launched a slower ball from Mohsin over cow corner to complete his maiden IPL hundred and clinch an important victory for PBKS. For Iyer, the century was a moment of relief and joy - helmet off, arms aloft, as he was embraced by teammates over ending a six-game losing streak and PBKS playoffs hopes still very much alive. Even as PBKS rejoiced in the glow of a much-needed victory in a must-win clash, LSGs tenth defeat of the season also confirmed that they will finish at the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table. Previously, riding on Josh Ingliss fluent 72 off 44 balls and Abdul Samads unbeaten 37 off 20 deliveries, LSG posted 196/6, though it looked like they finished well short of a par score. Inglis didn't see much of the strike in the first few overs, as he lost partners from the other end. But he slowly came into his own to add 49 runs for the third wicket and shared a 65-run partnership with Rishabh Pant. Inglis came into his own during the middle overs to hit nine fours and two sixes in all in his knock, coming at a strike-rate of 163.64. At 147/4 in 15 overs, LSG were primed for a big finish, but losing Inglis was huge for them, though Samad did show some fight with a late cameo. For PBKS, Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen were the standout bowlers with two scalps each. The innings began briskly for LSG, though they suffered early setbacks. Arshin Kulkarni and Nicholas Pooran fell cheaply, leaving the hosts two down inside the Power-play. Inglis did not see much of the strike initially, but once it had settled, he counterattacked with authority. Badoni joined Inglis and the pair steadied the innings before the former was stumped off Chahal for 43. Inglis then found another partner in Pant, and together they pushed the score past 100. With Inglis striking cleanly through the middle overs, LSG looked assured for a big total, though they lost Pant for 26. But Inglis dismissal checked their momentum, leaving Samad to shoulder the responsibility in the death overs after Mukul Choudhary fell cheaply. Samad rose to the occasion with crisp strokes through point and midwicket to take LSG past the 190-mark, which was inadequate to stop Iyer and PBKS from getting a clinical win. Badoni joined Inglis and the pair steadied the innings before the former was stumped off Chahal for 43. Inglis then found another partner in Pant, and together they pushed the score past 100. With Inglis striking cleanly through the middle overs, LSG looked assured for a big total, though they lost Pant for 26. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lucknow Super Giants 196/6 in 20 overs (Josh Inglis 72, Ayush Badoni 43; Yuzvendra Chahal 2-25, Marco Jansen 2-33) lost to Punjab Kings 200/3 in 18 overs (Shreyas Iyer 101 not out, Prabhsimran Singh 69; Mohammed Shami 2-45, Arjun Tendulkar 1-36) by seven wickets Article Source: IANS

Tribe shows his mettle as England Lions battle back

Opener digs in for unbeaten 88 after Ackerman stars with 173 for South Africa A

KKR continue to believe with elimination possible before their game

KKR take on DC, at home on Sunday, with playoff qualification on the line - though they will be knocked out before they play if RR beat MI

IPL 2026: Iyers Unbeaten 101 Helps PBKS Keep Playoff Hopes Alive, Beat LSG By Seven Wickets

BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium: Shreyas Iyer struck his maiden IPL century to guide Punjab Kings to a sevenwicket win over Lucknow Super Giants and break their six-game losing streak to keep their IPL 2026 playoffs hopes alive here at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday. In response to LSGs 196/6, Punjab hunted down the target in 18 overs, with Iyer unbeaten on 101 off 51 balls, studded with 11 fours and five sixes coming at a strike-rate of 198.04. Apart from wowing the crowd with his sublime timing, strong pick-up of deliveries and bottom-handed shots, Iyer also shared a crucial 140-run stand with Prabhsimran Singh, who hit 69 off 39 balls. The win has lifted PBKS to fourth on the points table, and their fate now hinges on the Rajasthan Royals clash with the Mumbai Indians. If RR win, Punjab are out; if MI prevail, Kolkata Knight Riders could still overtake PBKS on net run rate with a big win over the now eliminated Delhi Capitals. If all works well in their favour, PBKS will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator clash in New Chandigarh on Wednesday. The chase began dramatically as Priyansh Arya fell first ball to Mohammed Shami, caught on the pull for a golden duck. Cooper Connolly counterattacked with four boundaries in the second over, before being castled by Mohammed Shami and leaving PBKS at 22/2 in 2.2 overs. Iyer joined Prabhsimran and the pair steadied the innings. Iyer struck successive fours off Mohsin Khan and Shami, while Prabhsimran found his rhythm with inventive strokes and used the bowlers pace to his advantage. The partnership blossomed after Power-play as Prabhsimran dropped on 20 by Pant off Arjun Tendulkar, and got his fifty in 28 balls. Iyer, meanwhile, cut and drove with authority to get his fifty in 33 balls. The boundaries flowed freely before Arjun trapped Prabhsimran lbw for 69. But Iyer pressed on, smashing three sixes in one Shami over to all but seal the contest. Fittingly, Iyer launched a slower ball from Mohsin over cow corner to complete his maiden IPL hundred and clinch an important victory for PBKS. For Iyer, the century was a moment of relief and joy - helmet off, arms aloft, as he was embraced by teammates over ending a six-game losing streak and PBKS playoffs hopes still very much alive. Even as PBKS rejoiced in the glow of a much-needed victory in a must-win clash, LSGs tenth defeat of the season also confirmed that they will finish at the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table. Iyer, meanwhile, cut and drove with authority to get his fifty in 33 balls. The boundaries flowed freely before Arjun trapped Prabhsimran lbw for 69. But Iyer pressed on, smashing three sixes in one Shami over to all but seal the contest. Fittingly, Iyer launched a slower ball from Mohsin over cow corner to complete his maiden IPL hundred and clinch an important victory for PBKS. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lucknow Super Giants 196/6 in 20 overs (Josh Inglis 72, Ayush Badoni 43; Yuzvendra Chahal 2-25, Marco Jansen 2-33) lost to Punjab Kings 200/3 in 18 overs (Shreyas Iyer 101 not out, Prabhsimran Singh 69; Mohammed Shami 2-45, Arjun Tendulkar 1-36) by seven wickets Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Bumrah Did Not Get Enough Recovery Time After WC, Rohit Too Struggled With Injury, Says MJ Ahead Of Royals Clash

Indian Premier League: At the start of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Mumbai Indians banked on seasoned players Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah to carry them towards their sixth title -- especially the India pacer, who had played a key role in the country's triumph in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year. But that did not happen. Rohit Sharma, the most successful batter and captain in the IPL, was expected to provide MI with great starts and started off his campaign with a fifty in their opening match. But as the five-time title winners get ready for their final league match against the Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Rohit Sharma and Bumrah have had inconsistent campaigns, contributing to the team's failure. On Saturday, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene spoke about what has been happening with both veteran players. He said both have struggled with niggles and injuries, which have hampered their performances. Rohit missed a number of matches due to injury concerns and has amassed just 283 runs in 8 matches. The former MI skipper was diagnosed with a hamstring injury, which hampered his progress. There have also been instances when the legend has been relegated to the bench and used as an impact sub. Jayawardene said the playing XI is decided by taking various factors into consideration and what will work for the team on that given day. He added that Rohit Sharma understands that principle and accepts it. To be honest, I don't think about the Indian team or what their requirements are when I am assembling a team for the Mumbai Indians. I set it up, and Rohit understands that he is a team player. He understands what is required for the Mumbai Indians, and we go about it. Yes, he had a hamstring injury. We gave him the time that he needed to recover, and then he came back. We were cautious even with his batting, the way he was running, because he had to adapt slowly, gradually coming back into it, said Jayawardene. About Bumrah, Jayawardene said the pacer did not get enough time to recover after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in February -March this year. Bumrah has managed just four wickets in 13 matches for the Mumbai Indians. To be honest, I don't think about the Indian team or what their requirements are when I am assembling a team for the Mumbai Indians. I set it up, and Rohit understands that he is a team player. He understands what is required for the Mumbai Indians, and we go about it. Yes, he had a hamstring injury. We gave him the time that he needed to recover, and then he came back. We were cautious even with his batting, the way he was running, because he had to adapt slowly, gradually coming back into it, said Jayawardene. Also Read: Live Cricket Score About Bumrah's reduced pace in the early stages of the campaign, Jayawardene said that it was because Bumrah was going through a gradual build-up. Article Source: IANS

Born Into Cricket, Calm Under Pressure, 17-year-old Kerala Girl Steps Into Umpire's Coat

Trichur District Cricket Association EC: When 17-year-old Namrata Vinoth walks into the Athreya Cricket Ground in Kerala's Thrissur on Sunday morning, it will not just be another local cricket match. For the teenager with cricket running deep through her veins, it will mark the beginning of a brand new journey, as a cricket umpire. Namrata will officiate in her 'debut' match between the Trichur District Cricket Association EC Committee/Selectors and the Palakkad District Association EC Committee/Selectors, after clearing the written examination in umpiring. For most teenagers, such a moment could be nerve-racking. But Namrata appears remarkably unruffled. What's the big deal? she asks with a laugh. I know being tense only complicates things. I prefer to stay cool and calm so I can perform better. My mother's feelings are understandable. Her mother, however, admits she is far from calm. Yes, I'm a bit tense because I know what happens in a cricket match, says Niketha with a smile. Perhaps Namrata is too young to fully realise what a real match situation can be like. One thing that makes me happy is that she isn't nervous. Niketha knows the pressures of cricket better than most. A former Kerala women's cricketer, she later rose to become Chairperson of the Kerala Women's Selection Committee and also led the South Zone selection panel. The cricketing pedigree in the family does not end there. Namrata's aunt, Vilasini Nair, her father's sister, also played for Kerala and now serves as a Southern Railway coach-cum-player, besides being a member of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association selection committee. Yet, despite the formidable cricketing lineage surrounding her, Namrata carries none of the weight of expectation. Friends describe her as cheerful and carefree, someone equally at ease on stage as on the cricket field. Yet, despite the formidable cricketing lineage surrounding her, Namrata carries none of the weight of expectation. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But this time, the applause will give way to appeals, close calls and raised voices and right in the middle of it all will stand a composed teenager quietly beginning her own chapter in Kerala cricket. Article Source: IANS

Biryukov clinches maiden Challenger singles title

IPL 2026: Slower Balls Did Help Now And Then, But Its All In All A Good Wicket, Says Jansen

BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium: Punjab Kings leftarm seam-bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen described Lucknow Super Giants total of 196/6 as competitive, while noting that while slower balls had some effect, the surface overall at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium remained good for batting. Slower balls did help now and then, but its all in all a good wicket. Yeah, it felt like the oddball would hold a bit, but the older the ball got, it felt like a decent wicket to bat on. You had to be creative in terms of your changeups and stuff like that. Luckily, its a big field, so as a bowler, you have a lot to play with, Jansen said to broadcasters after the first innings ended. Jansen, who picked 2-33, admitted he was relieved to finally get back among the wickets. I am just happy to take a wicket after a long time. Nice feeling to contribute with the ball again for the team. Happy I put in a decent performance, he remarked. Asked about advice for the batting unit chasing 197, Jansen quipped, I think I should ask them for advice. No, I think the guys up top know what they have to do; they know what they do best. So let them just go out and have a good crack at it. Jansen, who picked 2-33, admitted he was relieved to finally get back among the wickets. I am just happy to take a wicket after a long time. Nice feeling to contribute with the ball again for the team. Happy I put in a decent performance, he remarked. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But they have been winless in their last six outings and need to win over LSG while hoping for other results to go in their favour to enter the last four stage and set up an Eliminator clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on Wednesday. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Josh Inglis Top-scores With 72 As LSG Post 196/6 Against PBKS

BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium: Riding on Josh Ingliss fluent 72 off 44 balls and Abdul Samads unbeaten 37 off 20 deliveries, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) posted 196/6 against Punjab Kings in their final league clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. Inglis didn't see much of the strike in the first few overs, as he lost partners from the other end. But he slowly came into his own to add 49 runs for the third wicket and shared a 65-run partnership with Rishabh Pant. Inglis came into his own during the middle overs to hit nine fours and two sixes in all in his knock, coming at a strike-rate of 163.64. At 147/4 in 15 overs, LSG were primed for a big finish, but losing Inglis was huge for them. Though Samad did show some fight with a late cameo, LSG will reckon they ended at least 10-15 runs short of a par score on a good batting pitch. For PBKS, Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen were the standout bowlers with two scalps each, as the side needs to win this game and then hope RR lose to MI to enter the playoffs. The innings began briskly for LSG, though they suffered early setbacks. Arshin Kulkarni and Nicholas Pooran fell cheaply, leaving the hosts two down inside the Power-play. Inglis did not see much of the strike initially, but once it had settled, he counterattacked with authority. Badoni joined Inglis and the pair steadied the innings before the former was stumped off Chahal for 43. Inglis then found another partner in Pant, and together they pushed the score past 100. With Inglis striking cleanly through the middle overs, LSG looked assured for a big total, though they lost Pant for 26. But Inglis dismissal checked their momentum, leaving Samad to shoulder the responsibility in the death overs after Mukul Choudhary fell cheaply. Samad rose to the occasion with crisp strokes through point and midwicket to take LSG past the 190-mark. The question now is whether it will be enough for LSG to defend against PBKS, who must win to stay in playoff contention. LSG, already out of the race for the playoffs, will look to their bowlers to defend the total. But Inglis dismissal checked their momentum, leaving Samad to shoulder the responsibility in the death overs after Mukul Choudhary fell cheaply. Samad rose to the occasion with crisp strokes through point and midwicket to take LSG past the 190-mark. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lucknow Super Giants 196/6 in 20 overs (Josh Inglis 72, Ayush Badoni 43; Yuzvendra Chahal 2-25, Marco Jansen 2-33) against Punjab Kings Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians Rope In Lomror And Ahir As Replacements For De Kock And Bawa

DY Patil T20 Cup: Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have signed Mahipal Lomror and Ruchit Ahir as replacements for Quinton de Kock and Raj Angad Bawa, who were previously ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season due to various injuries. Wicketkeeper-batter de Kock sustained a tendon injury in his left wrist before MIs game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29, while seam-bowling all-rounder Bawa suffered a ligament tear in his right thumb against Punjab Kings on May 14. Both players featured in only three matches for MI this season. Lomror, a lefthanded batting allrounder from Rajasthan, has played 40 IPL matches and previously represented Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He was also a part of the Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans squads but did not get a game. He now joins MI for Rs 50 lakh. Wicketkeeper-batter de Kock sustained a tendon injury in his left wrist before MIs game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29, while seam-bowling all-rounder Bawa suffered a ligament tear in his right thumb against Punjab Kings on May 14. Both players featured in only three matches for MI this season. Also Read: Live Cricket Score MI are currently at ninth spot on the points table with eight points from 12 games and have already been eliminated from the playoffs race. They will look to sign off on a high in front of their home crowd when they face the Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday afternoon. A tenth defeat, though, would leave MI at the ignominy of finishing at the bottom spot of the IPL 2026 table. Article Source: IANS

Atmosphere In Team Positive, But Inconsistency Has Hurt Delhi Capitals, Says Ian Bell

Kolkata Knight Riders: Delhi Capitals assistant coach Ian Bell said the mood in the camp remains upbeat despite the highstakes clash against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 to be played at the Eden Gardens on Sunday evening. At the same time, Bell admitted that consistency has been the missing link in their campaign. DC, currently at eighth spot with 12 points, must not only get a big win over KKR, but also rely on favorable outcomes from other remaining matches. Weve had a couple of down days, and the guys have trained really well yesterday. The spirits are good. Obviously, we know theres a big game tonight and a big game before us tomorrow. Were doing everything we can at the moment, training and preparation, just to win our next game. I think thats the important thing. Weve got to turn up here in the right attitude to get a win tomorrow. But the atmosphere around the group is brilliant. Certainly through the playing group, theres some really good characters that have stuck together through some highs and lows, so its in a positive way, said Bell in the pre-match press conference. On facing KKR, who are in the midst of a resurgence in the second half of the season, Bell said, Another class team, isnt it? Obviously, were on the wrong end of a bad result at home against KKR. We know, and Ive worked with the likes of Finn Allen, and we know the qualities they have with Narine. All the way through their team is world-class players, so we know we have to turn up tomorrow and put in a really good performance, probably one of our best performances of the season so far. Bell further admitted that inconsistency has hurt DC and felt it's an area they can look to improve upon in the 2027 season. I think most teams will say that, the teams that arent in the top four are down to consistency. I think weve proven this season that we can score 265 and then follow that up by being bowled out for 70. We couldnt defend 265 as well with the ball. So there have been times when weve been brilliant, and then there have been times when we havent been good enough. We know in the IPL, when you have your opportunities against these teams, you have to take them, and I think thats probably where we have to be honest and say we havent taken those key moments. We lost the game against GT off the last ball and, as I said, the game against Punjab, where we scored 265 and didnt defend it. You turn those into wins, and suddenly, if we win tomorrow, were on 18 points and looking at the top two. So the margins are so small in IPL, and thats why, as a coach and as a player, you want to be in this league because youre in the highest pressure against the best players in the world, with the biggest fan base and the best stadiums. We lost the game against GT off the last ball and, as I said, the game against Punjab, where we scored 265 and didnt defend it. You turn those into wins, and suddenly, if we win tomorrow, were on 18 points and looking at the top two. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think at times weve been a bit guilty of not seeing the game through. As I said, two different results with fine margins, and were suddenly guaranteed top four. But you have to be ruthless in those opportunities, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Try To Keep Things Quite Simple, Focus On Controlling The Controllables, Says Nayar

Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar said his approach ahead of their crucial clash against Delhi Capitals is to keep things quite simple and focus on controlling the controllables, stressing that preparation and consistency matter more than worrying about outcome at this stage in IPL 2026. After a disastrous start to the season in which KKR lost six of their first seven matches, the three-time winners scripted a remarkable turnaround by winning six of their next seven games. The equation now is straightforward but steep: - KKR must DC and hope that both Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals lose their respective fixtures to sneak into the playoffs. I try to keep things quite simple and focus on controlling the controllables. Often, when you come to this stage of the tournament, you think about the fact that if things are meant to be, they will happen. The important thing for us is that we have a game tomorrow, and the preparation we need to play a game of cricket. Whenever you are representing a franchise, whenever you are playing in the IPL, that preparation remains the same. The consequences are out of our control. What we can control is walking out tomorrow and playing the best cricket we can. So, more than nervousness, I think the focus is on preparation and playing good cricket tomorrow, said Nayar in the pre-match press conference. Asked whether he would be following PBKS and RR matches and what sparked KKRs turnaround, Nayar said consistency in messaging and trust in players had been the key to reviving their campaign. To answer your first question, I try to watch every game in the IPL. You want to watch all teams and understand what they are doing because, as they say, it becomes part of your routine during these two months. As for the turnaround, I would put it down to consistency. I often talk about adversity, and when you are in difficult situations, the one thing a leadership group can do is remain consistent with the players. The messaging did not change much. The trust in the players did not change. The way we looked at our players did not change. When everything around you starts to feel like it is crumbling, you have to stay strong and stick to your core values as a team and as individuals. Sometimes, it takes time for people to understand their roles and what the team is trying to achieve. We talk about momentum being key in team sport, and once that momentum starts to build, belief starts to grow too. I think the hardest thing in the IPL is to remain consistent as an individual amid all the noise around you. As a group, we have tried to do exactly that, he elaborated. Speaking about the challenge that DC brings, Nayar stated, Any opponent in the IPL is a strong opponent. All teams are beautifully balanced. They have the best players in the world, the best Indian players, and young cricketers eager to make a name for themselves. We talk about momentum being key in team sport, and once that momentum starts to build, belief starts to grow too. I think the hardest thing in the IPL is to remain consistent as an individual amid all the noise around you. As a group, we have tried to do exactly that, he elaborated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As I said, our approach has remained very consistent, and we want to continue with that. We assess the opposition and try to understand them, but eventually, on the day, the team that plays better cricket usually wins. That is what we are trying to do. At the same time, respecting the opposition and the talent they possess is something we will always do and have always done, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Sooryavanshi's stunning 93 takes RR closer to IPL playoffs

After a slow start, Sooryavanshi brought out the fireworks to practically make a mockery of a chase of 221

IPL 2026: RCBs Bethell Ruled Out Due To Finger Injury, To Return Home For Further Assessment

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengalurus batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 after sustaining an injury to his left ring finger during the match against Punjab Kings and will now return home for further assessment. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the development in an official statement, saying that they will also assess the extent of injury picked up by Bethell and whether he will be fit in time to play Englands first Test against New Zealand, to be played on June 4 at Lords. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has agreed with Royal Challengers Bangalore that top-order batter Jacob Bethell will return to the UK after sustaining a left ring finger injury while playing in the Indian Premier League. He will be fully assessed and monitored by the England Mens medical team on his return to determine his availability for selection for the Rothesay first Test against New Zealand at Lords, starting on Thursday 4 June, it further said. Bethell, who had partnered Virat Kohli at the top of the order in recent weeks in Phil Salts absence, had struggled for runs amassing only 96 runs in seven games. He also sat out of RCBs last league stage match against Sunrisers Hyderabad due to the same injury, as Venkatesh Iyer opened the batting in his absence. He will be fully assessed and monitored by the England Mens medical team on his return to determine his availability for selection for the Rothesay first Test against New Zealand at Lords, starting on Thursday 4 June, it further said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Defending champions RCB have qualified for the playoffs and will take on Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 26. The winner will directly seal their slot in the final set to happen on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Toughest Characters Overcome Pain And Adversity, Says Nayar On Chakaravarthy

Indian Premier League: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar lauded wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthys commitment to playing for the franchise despite being hit with injuries, adding that the toughest characters in the game always find a way to overcome pain and adversity. Chakravarthy picked up a hairline fracture in his foot after being struck by a ball during the clash against the Delhi Capitals and has been playing with discomfort. But with him bowling in obvious discomfort, a debate broke out over his continued participation and questioned whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had done enough to protect him from being overplayed in the ten-team tournament. I do not think my words will do justice to it. For him to go through injury, endure a difficult start to the season, and then come back into form is a testament to how strong he is as a character. He has already broken quite a few bones during this tournament, specifically two fingers, and now his toe. I always say the toughest characters learn to overcome pain and adversity, and that is exactly what Varun is. He is someone who is highly motivated and feels very deeply for the franchise, too. He has been an integral part of the team, and I think he understands that. He is very emotional when it comes to this team and everyone associated with it. That is the thought process behind his wanting to continue rather than forcing himself to do so. Sometimes players are not keen to push through, but he has been very keen because of the love he has for the city and the franchise, said Nayar in the pre-match press conference. On Angkrish Raghuvanshi being ruled out due to a concussion and finger fracture, Nayar admitted the void was difficult to fill when they take on the Delhi Capitals at the Eden Gardens on Sunday evening, with a slight hope to enter the playoffs. From the start of the season, setbacks are something we have become used to. It has been that kind of season, with some unfortunate injuries. He has been such an integral part of the side, not only with the bat but also as a wicketkeeper behind the stumps. We have not spoken much about it because that is how good he has been, but it is a difficult spot to fill. You cannot simply replace someone like that. However, we have players like Manish Pandey, who stepped up and did his job at number three. Similarly, this becomes an opportunity for someone else to step up. It is an opportunity for one of our young wicketkeepers to come in and do something special. I feel this tournament is all about opportunities, he added. Nayar also praised young pacer Saurabh Dubeys maturity in playing his first IPL season, especially after bowling a memorable spell against the Mumbai Indians. I think Saurabh has been tremendous. When he first came into our set-up, he was not originally part of the squad. I saw him bowl in the D.Y. Patil tournament, and he had a very good competition. He has not played a lot of domestic cricket this season, so when we decided to take a chance on him, all the coaches felt he was bowling really well. I think every player has a time and place for when he enters the tournament. Sometimes, for someone who has not played much domestic cricket or experienced the IPL extensively, it helps to observe enough before stepping into the competition. I have always believed destiny plays a huge role in such situations. Nayar also praised young pacer Saurabh Dubeys maturity in playing his first IPL season, especially after bowling a memorable spell against the Mumbai Indians. I think Saurabh has been tremendous. When he first came into our set-up, he was not originally part of the squad. I saw him bowl in the D.Y. Patil tournament, and he had a very good competition. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, I think the timing was perfect, as it often is when things are meant to happen. Saurabh has been tremendous for us. He has shown a lot of maturity and bowled some very critical overs during the tournament. He should be very proud of what he has done, and everyone in the franchise is extremely proud of him as well, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

India's Blind Cricket Body Charts Bold Future At 16th AGM; Announces Bharat Blind Cricket League 2026

The Bhrat Blind Cricket League: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) held its 16th Annual General Meeting, bringing together state cricket associations from across the country in a landmark gathering that celebrated a historic World Cup triumph and unveiled the most ambitious chapter yet in Indian blind cricket the Bharat Blind Cricket League (BBCL) 2026. The headline moment of the AGM was the unveiling of the Bharat Blind Cricket League (BBCL) a mega competitive league slated for 2026 that promises to do for blind cricket what the IPL did for the mainstream game. Designed to dramatically expand the sport's reach, the BBCL aims to create a high-profile national platform, elevate player visibility, attract broader audiences, and unlock new sponsorship and media opportunities for athletes with visual impairment. The proposal was passed with unanimous support from all attending state members. The AGM was graced by Rahul Gupta, IAS, District Collector of Hingoli, who announced that Ganga Kadam, vice-captain of the Indian Women's Blind Cricket Team, has been appointed Brand Ambassador for Hingoli Yellow Gold. Maharashtra's turmeric capital now has a World Cup hero as its face. An appointment letter was formally presented to her at the AGM, to a resounding reception from all members present. Dr. Mahantesh Ghativalappa Kivadasannavar, Chairman, Cricket Association for the Blind in India, expressed, At CABI, we have always believed that blindness is not a barrier to excellence, and our players prove it every single day. The Bhrat Blind Cricket League 2026 is our next leap forward a platform that will inspire millions and cement India's place as the global home of blind cricket. The AGM was graced by Rahul Gupta, IAS, District Collector of Hingoli, who announced that Ganga Kadam, vice-captain of the Indian Women's Blind Cricket Team, has been appointed Brand Ambassador for Hingoli Yellow Gold. Maharashtra's turmeric capital now has a World Cup hero as its face. An appointment letter was formally presented to her at the AGM, to a resounding reception from all members present. Also Read: Live Cricket Score State association representatives presented updates on domestic tournaments, talent identification drives, and coaching camps painting a picture of a sport growing rapidly at the grassroots. Performance data from the prestigious Nagesh Trophy further underscored the rising quality and scale of domestic blind cricket competition across India. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: RR Rope In Emanjot Chahal As Replacement For Injured Ravi Singh

TATA Indian Premier League: Winner of the inaugural edition, Rajasthan Royals (RR), have signed Punjab leftarm spinner Emanjot Chahal as a replacement for wicketkeeperbatter Ravi Singh, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to a hamstring injury. It is understood that Ravi sustained the injury while fielding in RRs clash against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 17. Rajasthan Royals (RR) have signed Emanjot Chahal as a replacement for wicketkeeperbatter Ravi Singh, who has been ruled out of the remainder of TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to a hamstring injury, the IPL said in a statement on Saturday. Emanjot, the 21-year-old allrounder from Patiala, has represented Punjab in domestic cricket. He boasts of a top score of 83 in firstclass cricket and has taken 11 wickets in three matches with his leftarm spin and will now join RR for a fee of INR 30 lakh. RR, meanwhile, will face fivetime champions Mumbai Indians in their final league stage match at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with their playoff hopes hanging by a slim thread. A win will secure them a place in the Eliminator clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad as the fourthplaced team in the points table. Emanjot, the 21-year-old allrounder from Patiala, has represented Punjab in domestic cricket. He boasts of a top score of 83 in firstclass cricket and has taken 11 wickets in three matches with his leftarm spin and will now join RR for a fee of INR 30 lakh. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With KKRs fixture scheduled after their own, RR, currently at fourth spot on the points table with 14 points, will look to avoid permutations and beat MI to hold on to their current position. Earlier in the season, RR defeated MI by 27 runs in a raincurtailed clash in Guwahati, with Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting an unbeaten 77. Article Source: IANS

RR replace injured Ravi Singh with Emanjot Chahal

Ravi Singh played just one game this IPL and is out with a hamstring injury

KKR need a win against DC and a lot of luck to sneak into playoffs

KKR likely to pick rookie Tejasvi Dahiya as their keeper in place of Raghuvanshi who has been ruled out

PBKS bowl in must-win match, Arjun Tendulkar debuts for LSG

Marco Jansen and Vijaykumar Vyshak slot in for Punjab Kings, who need to win this game to stay alive in the competition

It's simple for RR: win and seal the last playoffs spot

A loss would mean RR will have to hope KKR and PBKS lose their last league-stage games

IPL 2026: Jansen, Vyshak Return As PBKS Elect To Bowl Against LSG, No Marsh, Tendulkar Included

BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium: Marco Jansen and Vyshak Vijaykumar have come in for Punjab Kings as captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants in a must-win Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. PBKS come into Saturdays clash after being winless in their last six outings, but still have a mathematical chance of making the playoffs if they beat LSG. They would also need to finish above Kolkata Knight Riders on net run rate (NRR), and hope Rajasthan Royals lose to Mumbai Indians on Sunday afternoon. PBKS had beaten LSG by 54 runs in the previous meeting between the two teams this season in New Chandigarh. After winning the toss, Iyer said, It is suddenly exciting (on being in a do-or-die situation). It's like a do-or-die game for us. I would rather do. So looking forward to the challenge. Never been in this situation before, as in the league table. But the boys are super excited. They're eagerly waiting to see how it turns out at the end of the day. LSG skipper Rishabh Pant said left-arm pace bowling all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar is making his debut for LSG, while Arshin Kulkarni also comes into the team, along with Mohammed Shami, especially with Mitchell Marsh not available. We would have bowled first as well. This wicket is good for cricket regardless of bowling or batting. This is one of the better batting wickets; it could be a high-scoring match. It's been a tough season, but at the same time, there has been a lot of learning, both for the team and personally. Id say sorry to the fans; they have come from all over UP. It's been tough going for us, but we'll give our 100 percent today. Playing XIs: Lucknow Super Giants: Josh Inglis, Arshin Kulkarni, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (wk), Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Arjun Tendulkar, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, and Mohsin Khan Impact substitutes: Shahbaz Ahmed, Digvesh Rathi, M Siddharth, Himmat Singh, and Akash Singh Lucknow Super Giants: Josh Inglis, Arshin Kulkarni, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (wk), Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Arjun Tendulkar, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, and Mohsin Khan Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact substitutes: Harpreet Brar, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, and Pravin Dubey Article Source: IANS

New Zealand bat first at sunny Canterbury

Tahuhu and Patel in for Mair and Bates as visitors seek to square series

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Lays Foundation Stone For 2nd Largest Cricket Stadium In Bengaluru

Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that the state government has taken a major step towards the overall development of Bengaluru by initiating the construction of an international-standard cricket stadium at Suryanagar near the city, which he added would boost sports, tourism, employment generation and economic growth. Speaking after inaugurating and laying foundation stones for multiple housing and infrastructure projects organised jointly by the Housing Department and the Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) at Suryagram, the Chief Minister added that the project reflects the state government's long-term development vision. Referring to the stadium in Gujarat with a seating capacity of around 90,000, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka's proposed stadium would become the second-largest in the country. He added that the stadium would help accelerate tourism growth, improve the local economy of surrounding villages, and create employment opportunities. The Chief Minister said the stadium would be constructed entirely using KHB funds without any financial assistance from the state government. He cited estimates suggesting that KHB could generate nearly Rs 20,000 crore through the sale of its vacant residential sites. The event included the foundation stone laying ceremony for the international cricket stadium, launch of the Chief Minister's Namma Mane housing scheme, foundation stone laying for the Suryashine and Surya Divine residential complexes, and symbolic distribution of housing sites to landowners who had provided land for the housing project. Siddaramaiah added that the Housing Department and KHB, which had so far focused mainly on housing construction, have now ventured into building an 80,000-seat international stadium, calling it a significant milestone in the state's development plans. He praised KHB Chairman and MLA Shivalingegowda and Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan for their efforts in taking up the project. Every individual dreams of having a roof over their head. With land prices rising sharply, KHB is providing affordable housing sites for poor and middle-class families, the Chief Minister said. Siddaramaiah also announced that administrative approval has been granted for the construction of key connecting roads in Jigani hobli to support the area's development, and officials have been instructed to begin the work soon. He said that the Housing Department has already distributed more than three lakh houses and residential sites across Karnataka during the current phase. Siddaramaiah also announced that administrative approval has been granted for the construction of key connecting roads in Jigani hobli to support the area's development, and officials have been instructed to begin the work soon. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, KHB Chairman Shivalingegowda, Anekal MLA Shivanna, senior legislators T.B. Jayachandra and Krishnappa, former MP D.K. Suresh, Slum Development Board Chairman and MLA Abbayya, MLC Ramoji Gowda, and Guarantee Implementation Committee Chairman H.M. Revanna were among those present at the event. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Rajasthan Play For Playoff Spot, Mumbai For Pride In Wankhede Decider

Indian Premier League: Before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, neither the Mumbai Indians nor the Rajasthan Royals would have imagined that their last match of the preliminary round at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday would turn out to be so crucial not only for them but for the entire league. Both teams have everything to play for -- RR for the playoff spot, MI for their pride, and to avoid finishing at the bottom of the pile. The outcome of the match will decide the fourth spot in the playoffs -- if Rajasthan Royals, who are on 14 points, win the match, they will move to 16 and beyond the reach of Punjab Kings, who are on 13 and at maximum move to 15 points at most by winning their last league match against Lucknow Super Giants. Winning the match will also help five-time champions Mumbai Indians avoid the wooden spoon as they are currently tied with Lucknow Super Giants on eight points and have a better Net Run Rate. So, the last day of league action in the IPL 2026 will start with a make-or-break afternoon for Rajasthan Royals, who will be getting into it with their fortunes in their hands, with the two teams engaging in the final day game of the season. The winner of the inaugural edition of IPL has had an up-and-down season so far and are coming into Sunday's encounter after ending a three-match losing streak with a win over bottom-placed LSG. They had started their campaign with four wins, but then lost their way, posting indifferent results due to inconsistent performances. Rajasthans campaign has been powered by explosive starts at the top provided by the explosive Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have been in sensational form, piling up exactly 589 runs in just 293 balls at a strike rate exceeding 200. Sooryavanshi has already scored a century and blasted a 38-ball 93 in their previous match against LSG. Dhruv Jurel struck an unbeaten 53 in that match while Jaiswal led them in the absence of regular skipper Ryan Parag. Rajasthan Royals' fearless approach with the bat has consistently set the tone for their campaign, while Jofra Archer has spearheaded the bowling attack with 18 wickets, striking when it matters most. Sandeep Sharma and Dasun Shanaka will be crucial on Sunday as they will be with Yash Raj Punja coming into the game after claiming 2-38 against LSG. In contrast, the Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, have endured a season to forget. They made history by winning their season opener for the first time in 14 years, but things went downhill soon after as they lost matches in clusters. Their batting has lacked rhythm and consistency, though they have registered the most centuries by a team this season with three individual hundreds. The biggest contributing factor to their dismal campaign was the poor form of talismanic pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who had gone wicketless in his first five matches of the season. Though they have found performers like Ashwani Kumar, Raj Angad Bawa, and Raghu Sharma, they have failed to produce consistently good performances, making this campaign a tough one to digest. But MI now have one final chance to salvage some pride and end their season on a winning note while avoiding finishing at the bottom of the table. They will have to keep the rampaging Rajasthan Royals batters in check and then produce one more noteworthy performance with the bat, something that will help them leave the Wankhede on Sunday night with hope for the next season. With Wankhede set to host the final day game of the league stage and emotions running high, everything is in play, pride for one, qualification for the other. Will Rajasthan seize the moment, or will Mumbai script one last twist and play the perfect spoiler? Squads: With Wankhede set to host the final day game of the league stage and emotions running high, everything is in play, pride for one, qualification for the other. Will Rajasthan seize the moment, or will Mumbai script one last twist and play the perfect spoiler? Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajasthan Royals: Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, Donovan Ferreira, Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sandeep Sharma, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao Perala, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen, and Kwena Maphaka. Article Source: IANS

650+ Overseas Players Register For LPL 2026 As Draft Preparations Gather Pace

Sinhalese Sports Club Ground: The sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League has generated massive international interest, with more than 650 overseas cricketers registering for the tournament ahead of the player draft scheduled for June 1. More than 650 overseas players have registered for the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026. Players from all ICC Full Member nations, as well as several Associate Member countries, are among those registered for the tournament, Sri Lanka cricket said in a statement on Saturday. Among the Full Member nations, Pakistan recorded the highest number of registrations with 102 players, followed by the West Indies with 75 and South Africa with 66. Bangladesh contributed 48 registrations, while New Zealand had 41 players sign up for the draft pool. There were also 24 registrations from Australia, 15 from England and 12 players from India. Among Associate nations, the highest number of registrations came from the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Ireland. Overall, players from 21 cricketing nations have entered the registration process. Tournament officials, however, confirmed that only 310 players will be shortlisted for the final draft following the screening process. The player draft for LPL 2026 will take place on June 1, with the tournament scheduled to run from July 17 to August 8. Meanwhile, SLC already announced the opening fixture of the tournament, with defending champions Jaffna Kings set to face runners-up Galle Marvels in the season opener at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on July 17. Tournament officials, however, confirmed that only 310 players will be shortlisted for the final draft following the screening process. The player draft for LPL 2026 will take place on June 1, with the tournament scheduled to run from July 17 to August 8. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Five franchises will compete in a double round-robin format before the top four teams progress to the playoffs, culminating in the final on August 8. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: When And Where To Watch KKR Vs DC, Know All Details

Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals will enter Sundays IPL 2026 league-stage finale at Eden Gardens knowing their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. While both teams are still mathematically alive in the race for the final knockout berth, qualification scenarios remain heavily dependent on results elsewhere. The key equation centres around Punjab Kings clash against the already-eliminated Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday. A Punjab victory would officially end Delhis campaign and leave KKR requiring a massive win over DC to overcome Punjabs superior net run-rate. Even a narrow PBKS victory would mean Kolkata need a huge margin of victory to stay in contention. Both teams will also hope for Mumbai Indians to defeat Rajasthan Royals in the first game on Sunday, the penultimate match of the league stage, with RR capable of sealing qualification by reaching 16 points. Delhis inconsistent campaign has largely revolved around the performances of KL Rahul, who has scored 533 runs at a strike rate above 171. The return of David Miller has strengthened the middle order, but underwhelming bowling displays from Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav have hurt DC throughout the season. KKR, meanwhile, have staged a strong comeback after an injury-hit start disrupted their bowling unit. Six wins in their last seven matches have revived Kolkatas hopes and restored momentum heading into the final league fixture. When: Sunday, May 24, 7:30 IST Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata Where to watch: The KKR vs DC match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The KKR vs DC match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel (captain), KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, David Miller, Pathum Nissanka, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Nitish Rana, T. Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Ashutosh Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Lungi Ngidi, Vipraj Nigam, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Auqib Nabi Dar, Mitchell Starc, Kyle Jamieson, and Rehan Ahmed Article Source: IANS

Babar Azam Returns as Pakistan Announce New-Look ODI Squad for Australia Series

Star batter Babar Azam is back in Pakistan's 16-man squad to face world champions Australia in the three-match ODI series starting next week, selectors said Friday. Azam missed the away series in Bangladesh with a fitness issue in March, but scored 588 runs in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) earlier this month to stage a comeback. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to captain the side, with Salman Ali Agha named vice-captain. The squad sees the return of Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan -- also missing from the Bangladesh tour. Left-arm spinner Sufyan Moqim stages a comeback in the ODI squad after finishing as the highest wicket taker in the PSL 2026 with 22. Fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal, spinning allrounder Arafat Minhas and wicketkeeper batter Rohail Nazir are selected in the ODI squad for the first time. Experienced openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub will miss the series with injuries, while senior wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan is dropped. The Australian team will arrive in Islamabad on May 23 and play the matches in Rawalpindi (May 30) and Lahore (June 2 and 4). The series will give both teams a chance to build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Pakistan's Test team returned home after suffering a shock 2-0 defeat in Bangladesh on Wednesday. PakistanODI squad: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghori, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim

Made It Easier Since I Wasn't Playing: Rachin Ravindra Says IPL Stint Offered More Than Just T20 Lessons

As New Zealand: As New Zealand prepare for a landmark first-ever mens Test against Ireland later this month, Rachin Ravindra believes a brief return home after leaving the IPL early has helped him mentally and physically reset ahead of a demanding red-ball tour. New Zealand departed for Ireland on Saturday for the one-off four-day Test from May 27-30 before beginning a three-match Test series against England. Ravindra left the Kolkata Knight Riders camp before the conclusion of IPL 2026 after finding limited opportunities in the playing XI. However, the left-hander said KKR were supportive of his decision to head back early and prepare for national duty. I mean KKR were very welcoming and understanding of the situation. Obviously, the way it was going, I wasn't playing. The decision was spoken to the CEO and the coach about potentially coming home for a refresh and obviously not knowing I'd be home until... Well, I wouldn't be home until late August because of what's to come, Ravindra was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. So, really awesome from them to be able to say, go home, refresh, do a bit of training and what you need before joining the boys in Ireland. Because there was always going to be a little bit of an overlap. It made it easier since I wasn't playing. It's a great little refresh. We spend so much time away from home and even four or five days at home, which I've had, is fantastic, he added. Despite spending most of the IPL season on the sidelines, Ravindra insisted he does not feel short of match preparation ahead of the UK tour. I haven't played a game in a little while, and sort of obviously running the drinks in the IPL and getting opportunities to train and talk to guys has been great. But to be honest, I don't really feel too out of match practice. I think it was a very, very hectic schedule beforehand, he said. The left-handed all-rounder used the short break at home to work on his red-ball preparation before linking up with the New Zealand squad. But yeah, I think part of the reason being able to come home for five days or so and do a little bit of training and prepare for what's to come because we know Test cricket is super important, especially a series in Ireland and England. So I just wanted to give myself the best chance. I was down in Christchurch for a day and had a couple of training sessions down there. I had some nice grass facilities, he added. Ravindra also highlighted how his IPL experience provided valuable learning opportunities beyond the T20 format itself, particularly through conversations with experienced international cricketers and coaches. There's benefits to playing cricket and training. There's also massive benefits being in the IPL too. I mean, you get to talk to someone like Ajinkya Rahane, who's a lovely man who's played so much cricket overseas, scored a hundred at Lord's and played so much cricket against England and Australia away, the Kiwi batter stated. The coach (Abhishek Nayar0 used to be the assistant batting coach for India. You got Shane Watson, who is our batting coach, who has played England a lot, coached a lot of guys who have played England. So it's sort of, it's more than just the T20 as well. Being able to sit down and talk to Virat (Kohli) about batting or talking to KL Rahul - all these guys who've done well and had success over periods of time, he noted. New Zealand head into the tour with a pace-heavy squad featuring the returning Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and Ben Sears alongside the towering Will O'Rourke. Ravindra expressed excitement over the depth in New Zealands fast-bowling resources. I think we had a few injuries last summer and super excited to have those boys back. Obviously, Matt Henry, who missed the last couple of Tests, Blair Tickner, who is bowling so well, and the big man Will O'Rourke. Nathan Smith coming back, Ben Sears is fit, we've got a serious pace battery, which I'm excited to face at the nets, Ravindra said. He reserved special praise for O'Rourkes recent performances, saying, I remember Will O'Rourke the way he was bowling in his last Test series in Zimbabwe actually and the way he was bowling against England at home was fantastic. So, looking forward to see him on the park again. Truly exciting times for New Zealand cricket and we've got so much depth. With no specialist spinner named in the squad, Ravindra also indicated he is ready to contribute with his left-arm spin if required. Always interested with my bowling. Sometimes, it tends to take a back seat, but definitely trying to do a little more of that. Had some opportunities at the T20 World Cup, which was cool. On some occasional sporting wickets, it was nice to get some overs in, but Test cricket is a different beast. With the different ball, have to be a bit more consistent. I'll work on that with GP when I can, he said. With no specialist spinner named in the squad, Ravindra also indicated he is ready to contribute with his left-arm spin if required. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I mean, Ireland (are) obviously a Test-playing nation. They have quality cricketers and I'm not too sure what the pitch conditions will be like, but obviously it's a great lead-in to the England Test series, but you can't necessarily take any team lightly as you've seen in world events of late, the middle-order batter concluded. Article Source: IANS

Hesson Begins Pakistans World Cup Rebuild, Backs Youth Ahead Of Australia ODI Series

Cricket World Cup: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has outlined the teams long-term vision for the ODI format, with the newly-appointed head coach insisting the teams focus is firmly fixed on building a deeper and more balanced squad ahead of the next ICC Mens Cricket World Cup. As Pakistan prepare for their upcoming home ODI series against Australia national cricket team, Hesson made it clear that the selection strategy over the coming months will revolve around expanding the player pool rather than relying solely on established names. Look, I think with one-day cricket with the World Cup in mind, in a year and a half, you know, we have to widen the group. So rather than the same players always being selected, the ODI squad is a work in progress. And there's a number of areas we need to develop. And we need to make sure come the World Cup in a year and a half that we've actually got the best squad, Hesson said on the PCB Podcast Pakistans preparations have already begun through an intensive white-ball training camp organised by Hesson and his support staff, designed to evaluate both emerging players and senior members of the setup. The last two weeks have been a good chance for us to identify some of that new talent, challenge them against some of the existing stuff, or existing players, and work out where the gaps are, you know, because some of these young guys are promising, but, you know, still got a lot of work to do, said the the Pakistan head coach. The upcoming Australia series is expected to serve as an important testing ground for several young players included in Pakistans 16-member ODI squad, particularly with a few first-choice batters unavailable. With the likes of Fakir Zaman and Saim Ayub, Usman Khan all sort of being out, it gives some opportunities for us to look at some younger ones, particularly in the batting side, the former RCB coach opined. Hesson also expects Australia to arrive highly motivated after Pakistans dominant 3-0 T20I series win over them earlier this year as he said, They'll be exposed to an Australian side who'll be hurting from their performance over here last time. Despite Australias setback in the shorter format, Hesson believes ODI cricket remains one of their strongest areas. Their squad looks strong and they'll be coming over here. ODI cricket is probably one of their stronger formats at the moment. That group is certainly probably better than their T20 at the moment, Hesson mentioned. While excitement surrounds the inclusion of several young players, Hesson urged supporters to remain patient as the next generation adjusts to international cricket. I guess there needs to be a little bit of patience with some of these younger players because, sure, it would be great if they come in straight away and perform, but reality in international cricket is not everybody can do that, he said. While excitement surrounds the inclusion of several young players, Hesson urged supporters to remain patient as the next generation adjusts to international cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sometimes it takes a little bit of time to feel that you're confident enough to perform, he added. Article Source: IANS

Finishing Games Consistently Is A Rare Skill: Mukul Choudhary Reveals Virat Kohlis Advice After KKR Heroics

Lucknow Super Giants: Mukul Choudhary has revealed an inspiring conversation with Virat Kohli during the ongoing IPL 2026 season, in which the former India captain advised the young Lucknow Super Giants batter to focus on mastering the art of finishing matches rather than simply hitting sixes. Mukul, who has impressed this season with his fearless batting and calmness under pressure, caught attention after his match-winning performance against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he finished a tense chase with aggressive strokeplay. Recalling his interaction with Kohli, the youngster said the batting great had closely followed his innings against KKR and offered valuable advice about handling pressure situations in T20 cricket. He also revealed how the RCB stalwart stressed that power-hitting alone is no longer enough in modern-day cricket, with many young players capable of clearing boundaries consistently. When I spoke to him, he told me that he had watched our match against KKR and seen how I finished the game. He said that hitting sixes is not a big deal anymore. Every young batter in this generation can clear the ropes. But what really matters is learning how to finish matches, Mukul told JioStar. According to Mukul, Kohli explained that the true challenge for a batter begins when a chase becomes difficult and pressure starts building during crucial moments. Anyone can hit a six when there's no pressure. But in chases of 170 or 180, when wickets are falling at the other end and the required rate is climbing, that is when the real test begins, he said. According to Mukul, Kohli explained that the true challenge for a batter begins when a chase becomes difficult and pressure starts building during crucial moments. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Mukul admitted the conversation left a lasting impact on him as he said, He told me to focus on that, not just on hitting big shots. That advice really stuck with me. Article Source: IANS

'A great little refresh' - Ravindra on leaving IPL early and spending time in NZ before UK tour

Despite spending the IPL on the bench, Ravindra is confident about hitting the ground running in the UK

IPL 2026: Two Steps Away From What We Have Manifested From Day One, Says Krunal Pandya

Defending Champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Despite a 55-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their final league fixture, Defending Champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) concluded the league stage at the top of the points table with 18 points and a superior net run rate, ending the league phase strongly ahead of the playoffs. The match also saw captain Rajat Patidar register his fourth half-century of the season, while Virat Kohli extended his record for the most 50-plus partnerships in mens T20 cricket with 211 stands. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also continued to lead the Purple Cap standings with 24 wickets this season. Reflecting on the team's achievement of finishing at the top of the table, Krunal Pandya said, It's not just today's game, but it's actually the effort we have put in for the last two and a half months. Obviously the result didn't go our way, but this was our first goal and to achieve that after 14 games is a pretty satisfying feeling. Now we are two steps away from what we all have manifested from day one of the start of the season. Krunal also put in a valuable all-round contribution against SRH, scoring 41 off 31 balls and picking up the crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen at an important stage of the innings. They had the experience of bowling on this ground and executed their slower balls really well. Getting Klaasen's wicket was crucial and I am happy with the way I was able to contribute. But at the end of the day, what matters is that golden trophy. That is the goal. RCB Head Coach Andy Flower praised the team's consistency throughout a highly competitive league campaign. To finish top of the league at the end of the group stage is a great effort. There are 10 very good teams in this competition and we've seen how competitive every side has been. Even teams lower down the table have shown how dangerous they can be when they play with freedom. Venkatesh Iyer provided RCB with an aggressive start at the top of the order, smashing 44 runs off just 19 deliveries and setting the tone early in the chase. In a big tournament, to be top of the table shows what we've achieved as a team. There is constant pressure in a tournament like the IPL and you've got to enjoy the small victories as well. This is one achievement that the entire team is going to cherish and it gives us confidence heading into the playoffs. Devdutt Padikkal emphasized the importance of carrying the team's momentum into the knockout stages. In a big tournament, to be top of the table shows what we've achieved as a team. There is constant pressure in a tournament like the IPL and you've got to enjoy the small victories as well. This is one achievement that the entire team is going to cherish and it gives us confidence heading into the playoffs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score RCB will now shift focus to the playoffs as they prepare to face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 in Dharamshala on Tuesday with a place in the final at stake. Article Source: IANS

PBKS Have Had Enough Opportunities To Seal A Playoff Spot, But Failed To Take Them: Sehwag

Lucknow Super Giants: Former India opener Virender Sehwag believes Punjab Kings (PBKS) are under immense pressure heading into their crucial IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), insisting the team cannot afford another slip-up in the race for the playoffs. Punjab, who started the season strongly before suffering a dramatic slump in form, now face a must-win scenario to keep their qualification hopes alive. Punjab Kings cannot afford to lose this game against Lucknow. There will not be a second chance. They have had enough opportunities to seal a playoff spot, but failed to take them, Sehwag told JioStar. Sehwag pointed to Punjabs inconsistency with both bat and ball as the major reason behind their recent struggles. Their batting has let them down in crucial moments, and their bowling has lacked discipline. Sometimes the law of averages catches up when you win too many games, but Punjab have been on the wrong side of it lately, he added. The former opener also felt conditions in Dharamshala worked against Punjab, but suggested the shift to Lucknow could offer the side a fresh start, as he said, Dharamshala did not suit them at all the conditions were tricky, and they struggled to adapt. Maybe the conditions in Lucknow will be better for them. Despite LSG being out of contention, Sehwag warned that their fearless approach could make them even more dangerous against a pressure-heavy Punjab side. But Lucknow are a dangerous side. Their batting lineup is packed with match-winners, and they have nothing to lose. That freedom can make them even more unpredictable. They will play without pressure, while Punjab will carry all the weight of qualification, Sehwag mentioned. Calling the contest a battle of temperament as much as skill, Sehwag added, It will be a test of nerves as much as skill. If Punjab want to stay alive, they need to bring their A game in all departments. Sehwag also identified Mitchell Marsh as the biggest threat to Punjabs bowling attack, especially in the powerplay. Mitchell Marsh will be a big challenge for Punjab's bowling attack. Even in the last two seasons, when Punjab made the final, their bowling was never their strongest suit, he said. He further highlighted Punjabs lack of a dependable middle-overs wicket-taker. They have lacked a reliable wicket-taker in the middle overs, and that weakness has been exposed time and again. They will struggle against Marsh, especially in the powerplay where he is most dangerous. Marsh has been in tremendous form at the top of the order for LSG and has posed as a threat for the opposition team, despite LSGs struggles. Explaining Marshs impact, Sehwag said, His ability to pick length early and clear the boundaries with ease makes him a handful on any surface. However, Sehwag remains hopeful that Punjab can recover in time to keep their playoff hopes alive. The only thing that could help Punjab is leaving Dharamshala. A change of venue and fresh conditions might give them a boost. Sometimes a new ground brings a change in mindset, he said. However, Sehwag remains hopeful that Punjab can recover in time to keep their playoff hopes alive. Also Read: Live Cricket Score They began the season with back-to-back wins, showing their hard work and intent. But six straight losses have hurt their morale and brought their campaign to the brink. Still, this Punjab side has strong players who have fought back before. Article Source: IANS

SRH's Batting Dominance At Home Is Their Biggest Strength: Sehwag

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Former India opener Virender Sehwag hailed Sunrisers Hyderabads explosive batting approach at home after their commanding 55-run win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a high-scoring IPL 2026 clash in Hyderabad on Friday night. SRH piled up a massive 255/4 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, powered by blistering knocks from Ishan Kishan (79 off 46), Abhishek Sharma (56 off 22) and Heinrich Klaasen (51 off 24). In reply, RCB were restricted to 200/4 despite fighting contributions from Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya and Venkatesh Iyer. Analysing SRHs dominance at home, Sehwag said their ability to post daunting first-innings totals has become their biggest weapon and pointed out that SRH raised the bar even further against RCB by posting 255, leaving the visitors under scoreboard pressure from the outset. SRH's batting dominance at home is their biggest strength. When they win the toss and bat first, they are at their best. They have consistently put up 230 to 240 runs on the board. That kind of total puts immediate pressure on the chasing team. Against RCB, they went even higher, posting 255. That made the chase extremely tough from the very first over. RCB came out with the intent to go after the target, but everyone knew that if the powerplay didn't go their way, the match would be in SRH's control, Sehwag told JioStar RCB began aggressively through Venkatesh Iyers quickfire 44 off 19 balls, but the wickets of Iyer, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal after the powerplay tilted the contest firmly in Hyderabads favour. And that is exactly what happened. Once RCB lost wickets after the end of the powerplay, the required rate kept climbing, and the game slipped away. On flat tracks, setting a massive total and then letting the scoreboard pressure do the rest has become SRH's signature move at home, he added. Sehwag also weighed in on Venkatesh Iyers impressive form and the selection dilemma it has created for RCB ahead of their upcoming matches, saying, Venkatesh Iyer is at his best when batting in the top order. He played his best knocks for KKR in that position. For RCB, he hasn't had many chances at his preferred spot. The former opener referenced Iyers recent performances, including a match-winning 73 against the Punjab Kings and his attacking start against SRH But when Rajat Patidar was injured, he came in at number four against Punjab and played a match-winning 73. Then against SRH, he opened the innings and played a quickfire 44, giving RCB the start they needed in a 256-run chase, he stated. With Phil Salt nearing full fitness, Sehwag believes RCB now face a positive selection headache but made it clear who he would leave out. But when Rajat Patidar was injured, he came in at number four against Punjab and played a match-winning 73. Then against SRH, he opened the innings and played a quickfire 44, giving RCB the start they needed in a 256-run chase, he stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Backing Iyers aggressive intent at the top, Sehwag added, Iyer's intent against Hyderabad was spot on. When chasing 256, you need that kind of positive start, and he delivered. I wouldn't drop Iyer from the opening slot. Instead, I would replace Jitesh Sharma with Phil Salt. Jitesh is not in great form, and RCB have taken bold decisions before. If Salt has to come back, Jitesh should make way. Article Source: IANS

French Open 2026: Players accuse Grand Slams of ignoring concerns as tensions rise in Paris

Players demand fairer revenue sharing, citing lack of dialogue and broader structural issues; top players warn against fragmentation, urge unity among governing bodies and tournaments

IPL 2026: 'At No. 3 He Is Playing A Very Vital Role For SRH', Says Irfan Pathan On Kishan

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: After wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan powered Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to a convincing 55-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a run-fest IPL 2026 match in Hyderabad on Friday, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised the keeper-batter for developing into a more complete batter. Kishan slammed a stunning 79 off 46 deliveries at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, guiding SRH to a massive 255/4 before restricting RCB to 200/4. Speaking on JioHotstar, Pathan said Kishan's responsible batting at No. 3 has become one of the strengths of SRH this season. The improvement that Ishan Kishan has shown throughout the season and the way he has taken responsibility on different surfaces and in different match situations... Now at No. 3 he is playing a very vital role for Sunrisers Hyderabad and looked like a much complete batter said Pathan. Pathan pointed out Kishan's progress against spin bowling, an area where he earlier struggled: He has been phenomenal against spin, especially on the off-side, and the minute you add that with his strength through the on-side, it's extremely difficult to contain him and at one point in the innings, he looked in complete control. SRH's innings was built on explosive hitting right from the start, as Abhishek Sharma smashed 56 off just 22 deliveries in the Powerplay and Travis Head contributed with a 16-ball 26. While Kishan held the innings together in the middle overs, Heinrich Klaasen took over to blast a rapid-fire 51 off just 24 deliveries to further accelerate the scoring. Pathan singled out Klaasen's innings for his ability to identify Josh Hazlewood's vulnerability and attack him aggressively: What stood out in Heinrich Klaasen's innings was his awareness to the situation of the game and he identified a bowler in Josh Hazlewood that was feeling the pressure and Josh hasn't been at his best in the last couple of games, so Heinrich Klaasen jumped at it. The former India bowler believes Klaasen's ability to capitalize on Hazlewood's mistakes was a clear sign of his current form: There were certain deliveries which were below Josh Hazlewood's standards and in particular those full tosses and half volleys which he dispatched away very well but you still needed a batter in sublime form to hit those shots. The match also witnessed a heated exchange between Virat Kohli and Travis Head during RCB's chase and Pathan believes such incidents are natural during intense contests: Virat Kohli loves playing cricket with that aggressive Australian way of being intense, with banter, with competitiveness and with emotion out there on the field and at that time, he was challenging Travis Head to come out and bowl few balls for not staying as a substituted fielder. The former India bowler believes Klaasen's ability to capitalize on Hazlewood's mistakes was a clear sign of his current form: There were certain deliveries which were below Josh Hazlewood's standards and in particular those full tosses and half volleys which he dispatched away very well but you still needed a batter in sublime form to hit those shots. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Despite their loss, RCB finished at the top of the league standings on net run rate while SRH's comprehensive victory boosted their morale going into the playoffs. Article Source: IANS

Ishan Kishan Is A Superstar In His Own Right Now; Captaincy Has Improved His Clarity: Rayudu

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Former India batter Ambati Rayudu praised Ishan Kishans growth and improved maturity after the wicketkeeper-batter guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a crucial win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their recently concluded IPL 2026 game with a match-winning 79-run knock. Kishan, who won the Player of the Match award, anchored SRHs chase with a composed yet aggressive innings, continuing his strong season for Hyderabad in a campaign built around fearless batting and Rayudu opined that captaining Jharkhan in domestic cricket gave him clarity and helped him transform into a better batter. Speaking after the game, Rayudu reflected on Kishans journey from the highly competitive environment at the Mumbai Indians. For someone like him (Kishan), growing up in a franchise like Mumbai, he wants to be a superstar - he is a superstar in his own right now - but back then to compete against all the stars around him would have been very, very tough, Rayudu told ESPNCricinfo. Rayudu also highlighted the mental challenges young cricketers face while handling pressure and expectations in franchise cricket. Those guys know when to switch on in terms of their game, when to come back. But a lot of these young boys don't know how to switch off or switch on. That's a big challenge and I'm sure he has learnt and he has learnt it the hard way, he said. The former Chennai Super Kings batter credited Kishans improved decision-making and discipline for his recent consistency. Those guys know when to switch on in terms of their game, when to come back. But a lot of these young boys don't know how to switch off or switch on. That's a big challenge and I'm sure he has learnt and he has learnt it the hard way, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He further added that Kishans captaincy stint with the Jharkhand cricket team has played a major role in shaping his batting approach, saying, I think his captaincy for Jharkhand made him realise a lot of things about his own game as well. Sometimes when you get captaincy, people transform into better batsmen and he is one of them who has massively improved in terms of clarity. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: Harmanpreet Kaur And Co. Jet Off To England From Mumbai

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport: The Indian womens team was spotted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) as they jetted off to the United Kingdom for their tour of England, followed by the ICC Womens T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) starting June 12. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squads earlier this month, on May 2, via a press conference at their headquarters here. The press meet was addressed by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, chief selector Amita Sharma and secretary Devajit Saikia. Before addressing the media, the women's selection committee held a meeting to finalise the squad, where Harmanpreet and head coach Amol Muzumdar were also present. The Women in Blue will play three T20Is against England from May 28 to June 2, which will serve as a preparatory series for both teams ahead of the marquee event. Once all the teams assemble in the UK, theyll begin their preparations for the 12-team T20 World Cup by playing the warm-up fixtures, starting June 6. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co are placed in a tough Group B alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. India will play two warm-up games. Theyll face the West Indies at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, before taking on hosts England at the County Ground in Derby. The reigning ODI champions will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 14. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co are placed in a tough Group B alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Bharti Fulmali, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandni Sharma and Radha Yadav Article Source: IANS

Being no longer with MI has helped Kishan grow, says Rayudu

To compete against all the stars around him would have been very, very tough, Rayudu says

Kohli refuses to shake hands with Head after SRH vs RCB game

Virat Kohli and Travis Head had exchanged words earlier during the game, in which SRH beat RCB by 55 runs

IPL 2026: '255 Was A Huge Score, It Was Very High,' Says RCB Skipper Patidar

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: After a devastating 55-run defeat in a run fest at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar conceded his team were no match for the top order fire of SRH. The big target set by SRH, was still quite big, he said following the loss of what had seemed an unassailable target. The top five (SRH) batters batted brilliantly, they dominated us, Patidar said after the match. The top priority was to be on the front foot, but 255 was a huge score, it was very high. Batting first on winning the toss, SRH, once again, produced a batting master class to reach a mammoth 255/4 in 20 overs. They were on their way thanks to a phenomenal 56-run inning of only 22 balls from Abhishek Sharma, as well as Travis Head's 16-ball-26, while the anchored provided by Ishan Kishan's scintillating 79 of 46 deliveries, supported by Heinrich Klaasen's fast-paced 51 of 24 balls taking them to over 250, and then, a quick 12-ball-29 from Nitish Kumar Reddy took them to over 255. The top five (SRH) batters batted brilliantly, they dominated us, Patidar said after the match. The top priority was to be on the front foot, but 255 was a huge score, it was very high. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajat Patidar believed that once the SRH bowlers started varying their paces, the wicket did become challenging. Not really, the slow bouncer was gripping. They executed the bouncers and yorkers quite well, the skipper replied when asked if the surface has died down a little. Hyderabad is a good batting wicket but the moment you start delivering the slow bouncer, it becomes tough for a batter. Eshan Malinga was the star of the bowling for SRH with two for 33, with Sakib Hussain and Head providing a wicket each as they secured the dominant win in their closing matches. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: 'They've Been Fantastic,' Says Cummins On Sakib And Malinga

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Pat Cummins praised Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain after Sunrisers Hyderabad won decisively by 55 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The SRH captain said he had learned a lot from how the young bowlers performed throughout IPL 2026. Malinga and Sakib played vital roles in SRHs bowling on Friday night. During the powerplay, they combined for three overs and took one wicket each, disrupting RCBs early momentum after Venkatesh Iyer gave the visitors a strong start. They used a variety of slower deliveries and finished with combined figures of 8-0-64-3, helping to defend SRHs total of 255 for 4. They've been fantastic, Cummins said after the match. I've actually learned a lot from those guys. The way Eshan's bowled all season, especially in that powerplay, makes him the form bowler of the competition. He's been mixing up his slower balls and different deliveries, and of course, Sakib's been great too. Its a captains dream. Malinga is now SRHs leading wicket-taker this season, with 19 wickets in 14 matches. Debutant Sakib has also impressed, taking 15 wickets in just 10 games. Their steady performances have been key to SRHs surge into the playoffs. The win left SRH tied on 18 points with Gujarat Titans and RCB, but their net run rate kept them from finishing in the top two. SRH needed to limit RCB to below 166 to move ahead, but Cummins recognized that the conditions in Hyderabad made that target tough. Malinga is now SRHs leading wicket-taker this season, with 19 wickets in 14 matches. Debutant Sakib has also impressed, taking 15 wickets in just 10 games. Their steady performances have been key to SRHs surge into the playoffs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score RCB will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on May 26. Meanwhile, SRH will play the Eliminator on May 27 against one of Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, or Kolkata Knight Riders, who are still in the running for the final playoff spot. Article Source: IANS

Klaasen jumps to No. 3 in Orange Cap race, Kishan No. 5

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Roy, Curran lead Surrey surge as Lancashire fall flat

Majid takes three as visitors are limited to 154 in reply to 213 for 6

Billings blazes a trail as Kent make winning start

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IPL 2026: Fireworks In Hyderabad As Sunrisers Flex Playoff Muscle, Hand RCB A sweet Defeat (Ld)

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: If this were a playoff trailer, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) delivered a blockbuster with fire, fury, and fearless intent in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Friday. On a night illuminated by sixes at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, SRH didnt just beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 55 runs they sent a chilling reminder to the rest of the IPL 2006 top guns that their most dangerous version may finally have arrived. The scorecard read 255/4. The atmosphere felt even bigger. Everywhere RCB looked, the ball was disappearing into the stands. Boundaries arrived in clusters, bowls vanished into the night, and Hyderabads batting lineup played with the kind of freedom that can shake a tournament. For RCB, strangely enough, the defeat carried little damage. They still secured a top-two finish and closed the league stage at the top of the table. But while the visitors could afford to look ahead to the playoffs, SRH seized the moment to make a statement of their own. And what a statement it was. Abhishek Sharma lit the fuse almost instantly. There was no caution, no feeling-out period just pure aggression. His breathtaking 56 off 22 balls, packed with towering sixes and audacious strokeplay, set the tone for the carnage that followed. Beside him, Travis Head added another burst of chaos with a rapid cameo before the innings found its heartbeat in Ishan Kishan. Kishans 79 off 46 deliveries was more than just an innings of power. It was controlled destruction. He pierced gaps effortlessly, manipulated the field with ease, and punished anything remotely loose. Just when RCB seemed desperate for the innings to slow down, Heinrich Klaasen walked in and ensured the nightmare continued. Klaasens brutal 51 off 24 balls felt like the final act of a perfectly scripted assault. By the time Nitish Kumar Reddy added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 29 off 12 deliveries, Hyderabad had transformed the stadium into a launchpad. RCBs bowlers had no answers. Every frontline option leaked runs at more than 12 an over. Length balls disappeared. Yorkers missed. Even good deliveries were punished. Only Rasikh Salam escaped with a semblance of control, picking up two wickets amid the wreckage. And yet, for a fleeting moment, the chase threatened to produce another twist. RCB opener Venkatesh Iyer exploded out of the blocks with a blistering 44 off 19 balls, injecting belief into what looked like an impossible pursuit. The tempo briefly shifted. The crowd stirred again. But crickets momentum can disappear as quickly as it arrives. The dismissals of Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal in quick succession drained the chase of its edge, and Hyderabad tightened their grip. Captain Rajat Patidar fought with composure during his fluent 56, while Krunal Pandya remained unbeaten on 41. But the asking rate climbed relentlessly, and SRH never allowed the game to drift back toward uncertainty. Young pacer Eshan Malinga stood out with figures of 2/33, while Sakib Hussain impressed with his calm execution under pressure. Even Travis Head found himself among the wickets as Hyderabad completed a commanding victory. The result may not derail RCBs campaign. They now head to Dharamsala for Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans with momentum from an excellent league stage still intact. But beyond the points table and playoff permutations, Friday night belonged to Hyderabads warning shot. The result may not derail RCBs campaign. They now head to Dharamsala for Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans with momentum from an excellent league stage still intact. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Heading into the Eliminator, one thing suddenly feels clear: Hyderabad are no longer just dangerous. They are terrifying at exactly the right time. Article Source: IANS

SRH win big but RCB, GT seal top two spots

Fifties from Kishan, Klaasen and Abhishek propelled SRH to a massive score, but RCB ensured their net run-rate stayed good enough to take them to Qualifier 1

Macleod, Griffith storm to victory for Essex

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BCA Welcomes Vision For Bihar IPL Team, Says State Cricket Entering New Era

Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal: The Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) has welcomed the positive views expressed by Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal regarding the possibility of Bihar having its own Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in the future. BCA officials said that such encouraging thoughts from a globally renowned industrialist and someone deeply connected to Bihar are highly motivating for the states cricket ecosystem, players, and millions of cricket fans. The Bihar Cricket Association also welcomes remarks made by the Chief Minister of Bihar, Samrat Choudhary, regarding the development of cricket in the state and providing better opportunities to players. Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal recently highlighted Bihars growing cricketing strength and expressed optimism about the states potential to have an IPL team in the coming years. Referring to the emergence of talented cricketers from Bihar and the increasing popularity of the sport in the state, he emphasised that Bihar possesses immense cricketing passion and talent, which could eventually pave the way for an IPL franchise representing the state. Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) President Harsh Vardhan said that continuous work has been done over the last 56 years to improve cricket infrastructure in Bihar. He said that the efforts are now reflecting in the performances of Bihar players at national platforms, including the Indian Premier League. The BCA president also thanked the Bihar Government for its cooperation and support towards the development of cricket in the state. BCA Secretary Ziaul Arfeen said that currently, three players from Bihar are associated with IPL franchises. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is with Rajasthan Royals, Saqib Hussain is part of Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Mohammad Izhar is associated with Mumbai Indians. He added that these players are performing consistently and contributing significantly to their respective teams. Apart from them, several cricketers from Bihar are also working with IPL franchises as net bowlers. The BCA Secretary further appreciated the contributions of former BCA President Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, current Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, members of the state cabinet, and senior administrative officials in the development of Bihar cricket. He said that if Bihar cricket receives support from industrialists like Anil Agarwal, it would further accelerate the overall development of cricket infrastructure in the state. Bihar has always been known for producing talented cricketers. With the continuous development of infrastructure and proper guidance, Bihar cricket is steadily earning a new identity on the national stage. The BCA Secretary further appreciated the contributions of former BCA President Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, current Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, members of the state cabinet, and senior administrative officials in the development of Bihar cricket. He said that if Bihar cricket receives support from industrialists like Anil Agarwal, it would further accelerate the overall development of cricket infrastructure in the state. Also Read: Live Cricket Score BCA expressed confidence that with continued support from the Bihar Government and leading industrialists like Mr. Anil Agarwal, young cricketers from the state will receive better facilities, exposure, and opportunities in the coming years. The association reiterated its commitment to the growth of cricket and the development of players in Bihar. Article Source: IANS

Knott makes her mark as Blaze seal opening-round win

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IPL 2026: SRH Unleash Batting Mayhem: Ishan Kishan, Klaasen Fire Hyderabad To Massive 255/4 Against RCB

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) turned the Uppal Stadium into a six-hitting arena on Friday evening, piling up a mammoth 255/4 against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 67 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Powered by blistering knocks from Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen, SRH unleashed yet another batting masterclass that left the RCB bowlers gasping for answers. Batting first, SRH came out with clear intent attack from ball one. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma wasted no time in taking the fight to the opposition, hammering 45 runs in just four overs. Head looked dangerous during his quickfire 26 off 16 balls before Rasikh Salam finally provided RCB their first breakthrough. But Abhishek was in no mood to slow down. The left-hander produced a breathtaking 56 off just 22 deliveries, smashing four boundaries and five towering sixes at a staggering strike rate of over 254. His fearless assault ensured SRH raced along at over 11 runs an over in the powerplay. Suyash Sharma eventually ended the carnage in the ninth over with SRH already cruising at 97. Then came the Ishan Kishan show. The wicketkeeper-batter blended elegance with brute force in a superb 79 off 46 balls, peppering the boundary ropes with eight fours and three sixes. At the other end, Klaasen continued his reputation as one of the leagues most destructive finishers. The South African star bludgeoned 51 off just 24 balls, launching five massive sixes as the duo tore through RCBs bowling attack in the middle overs. Their counterattack sucked the life out of the visitors before Krunal Pandya finally removed Klaasen in the 17th over. However, there was no respite for RCB. Nitish Kumar Reddy added the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 29 off only 12 balls, helping SRH smash 66 runs in the final five overs and surge past the intimidating 250-run mark. It was a night to forget for RCBs bowlers, with every single bowler conceding at more than 12 runs per over. Rasikh Salam emerged as the least expensive with figures of 2/52, while Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya picked up a wicket apiece. Experienced pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood were taken apart, leaking 51 and 55 runs respectively. Chasing a colossal 256 on a batting paradise in Hyderabad, RCB now face one of the steepest tests of their IPL 2026 campaign. It was a night to forget for RCBs bowlers, with every single bowler conceding at more than 12 runs per over. Rasikh Salam emerged as the least expensive with figures of 2/52, while Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya picked up a wicket apiece. Experienced pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood were taken apart, leaking 51 and 55 runs respectively. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sunrisers Hyderabad 255/4 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 79, Abhishek Sharma 56, Heinrich Klaasen 51; Rasikh Salam 2-53) v Royal Challengers Bengaluru Article Source: IANS

Smith outdoes Jones as Surrey surge past Lancashire

Hefty chase ignites champions in six-wicket win

Maha, Haryana, UP, Mumbai Reach Semis Of National Physical Disability Cricket Championship

Elite National Physical Disability Cricket: Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Mumbai secured their places in the semifinals as the end of the league stage matches of the ongoing 5th Elite National Physical Disability Cricket Championship concluded successfully on Friday, setting the stage for some exciting clashes in the last-four stages. Players from across the country displayed remarkable determination, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, making the championship highly competitive and inspiring. Maharashtra and Haryana advanced from Group A with impressive performances, while Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai qualified from Group B after the completion of the league phase. The semifinal matches will be played on Saturday at the Sports Garden Ground in Bengaluru. In the first semifinal, Mumbai will take on Maharashtra, while Haryana will face Uttar Pradesh in the second semifinal. Both matches are expected to witness intense competition as teams battle for a place in the grand finale. The championship is being hosted by the Karnataka State Divyang Cricket Association, an affiliated state association of the Physically Challenged Cricket Association of India (PCCAI). PCCAI is also a founder member of DCCI. DCCI Secretary Ravi Chauhan said that this years championship has brought forward several talented new players, including several promising Under-19 cricketers. He stated that the performances of these young players have been highly impressive and encouraging for the future of disability cricket in India. He further informed that the association is planning to organise an Under-19 National Championship in the near future to provide young divyang cricketers with better opportunities and a stronger platform to showcase their talent at the national level. Speaking about the future vision of disability cricket, Chauhan said that the organisation is committed not only to conducting tournaments but also to empowering divyang players economically and socially. Plans are being made to organise bigger national and international tournaments in the coming years so that players can receive greater recognition, improved facilities, and stronger financial support. He also mentioned that the association will formally approach BCCI through an official communication seeking enhanced support for disability cricket in India. The proposal will focus on providing better opportunities, infrastructure, and financial assistance for physically challenged cricketers, helping the sport reach new heights across the country. Speaking about the future vision of disability cricket, Chauhan said that the organisation is committed not only to conducting tournaments but also to empowering divyang players economically and socially. Plans are being made to organise bigger national and international tournaments in the coming years so that players can receive greater recognition, improved facilities, and stronger financial support. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The championship has created tremendous excitement among players, officials, and cricket enthusiasts. Organisers have appealed to sports lovers to come in large numbers and support the players during the semifinal and final matches at the Sports Garden, Bengaluru. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: We Only Have Ourselves To Blame For This Situation, Says Ponting Ahead Of PBKS Mustwin Clash

BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium: Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting admitted his side has only itself to blame for its current predicament in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, as they prepare for a must-win clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), to be played at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. After winning their first six completed games, PBKS slumped to six consecutive defeats and now need to beat LSG while relying on other results to stay in contention for clinching the last remaining spot in the playoffs. We were exceptional for our first seven or six games. Then we had that washout against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and I think from that moment on, we've just been a little bit off, and as I said, they're small things. They're one or two balls, or they're an over here and there that quite conceivably, we could have won another three or four games, but we've only got ourselves to blame for that. We're in the situation that we're in as a result of not playing at our best over the last few weeks, but we've also got a very good idea of what our best cricket looks like and what it is and what we have to do to win tomorrow, and that's all we can focus on, said Ponting in the pre-match press conference. He also warned that LSG, who are already eliminated from the competition, could be dangerous with nothing to lose. I think teams in situations like this can be very dangerous. Lucknow is going into tomorrow. Apart from probably personal pride and pride for the franchise's performance, they've really got nothing else to lose. But we understand that, and that's the way that I want my boys to play as well. I want us to be fearless, and I want us to be daring. I want us to take the game on and not be worried about the negative things that might happen, he added. Despite the losing streak, Ponting said the dressing room remains calm, with the side fully understanding the do-or-die situation. Theres a really good, positive vibe around the group; its been really relaxed. Weve got quite an experienced group of players, so they know how to go about getting themselves prepared for big games, and I guess theres no hiding from the fact that its now or never for us as a team in this tournament. So Im really excited about tomorrow. Im excited about what this group is capable of, and I think we all saw in the first seven games of the season just how good this team can play. It's really important we focus on the positive things and what you can do as an individual player to make an impact on the game there and then. These games in the IPL are decided by very, very fine margins. You've only got to be off by a couple of balls here and there, or one of your batsmen might take a bad option, or a freakish piece of fielding to change the momentum. So we're aware of that, but we just need to know that we need to play our best game tomorrow. So Im really excited about tomorrow. Im excited about what this group is capable of, and I think we all saw in the first seven games of the season just how good this team can play. It's really important we focus on the positive things and what you can do as an individual player to make an impact on the game there and then. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He leaves no stone unturned as far as his preparation is concerned. Alongside him, Shreyas's leadership around the group has been exceptional. Hes a very mature leader now who understands how to get the best out of his players. Every time that he speaks, every one of our players looks up and listens. Article Source: IANS

PBKS meet LSG with playoffs hopes hanging by a thread

While a win may not be enough for PBKS to make the playoffs, a loss to LSG will end their campaign

Raghuvanshi ruled out of IPL 2026 after suffering concussion and finger fracture

KKR wicketkeeper-batter collided with Varun Chakravarthy while playing MI, and was subbed out as a result

IPL 2026: Raghuvanshi Ruled Out Of KKRs Campaign Due To Concussion And Finger Fracture

TATA Indian Premier League: Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have confirmed that wicketkeeperbatter Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been ruled out of the remainder of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign after sustaining a concussion and a fracture to a finger on his left hand during their win over Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 20. Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been ruled out of the 2026 TATA Indian Premier League after sustaining a concussion and a fracture to a finger on his left hand while attempting a catch during the Kolkata Knight Riders match against the Mumbai Indians on Wednesday, 20 May. We wish him a speedy and complete recovery, the franchise said in a statement on Friday. Raghuvanshi injured himself while diving full-length and colliding with Varun Chakaravarthy to give Tilak Varma a reprieve in the 11th over of the MI innings. He initially continued to keep wickets but left the field for treatment in the 14th over. Tejasvi Singh Dahiya came on as a concussion substitute and kept wickets for the remainder of the innings, and later scored 11 off 12 balls in KKRs successful chase, with assistant coach Shane Watson later saying that Raghuvanshi ended up having some neck pain, a bit of dizziness and a headache. It is to be noted that Raghuvanshi had suffered a scary neck and head injury while attempting a catch during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match for Mumbai against Uttarakhand at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur and was stretchered off the field. Later, he was discharged as scans at the hospital showed no serious injuries. Tejasvi Singh Dahiya came on as a concussion substitute and kept wickets for the remainder of the innings, and later scored 11 off 12 balls in KKRs successful chase, with assistant coach Shane Watson later saying that Raghuvanshi ended up having some neck pain, a bit of dizziness and a headache. Also Read: Live Cricket Score KKR have bounced back from a poor start to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Mathematically, KKR can still reach 15 points if they win their last league match against DC, but their qualification will also hinge on Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings dropping points in their respective final league games. KKR have made the playoffs eight times in 18 seasons, a record bettered only by MI and Chennai Super Kings. Article Source: IANS

Ponting: 'We only have ourselves to blame for where we are'

PBKS' head coach is wary of a dangerous LSG side who have nothing to lose

SRH bat, Bethell out as Patidar returns for RCB

Depending on their total, SRH will need to win by 83-89 runs to replace RCB in the top two

IPL 2026: SRH Elect To Bat First As RCB Bring Back Patidar For Injured Bethell

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) won the toss and elected to bat first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a clash of two in-form sides in Match 67 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday. RCB captain Rajat Patidar returned to the playing XI as the lone change, replacing Jacob Bethell, who has picked up a finger injury. SRH go into the match unchanged from their last outing. SRH captain Pat Cummins said they still have a long shot at finishing in the top two, and putting on a big score would help them have a go at that. RCB are currently on 18 points from nine wins in 13 matches, while Sunrisers Hyderabad have 16 points from the same number of matches. A win for SRH will open up an opportunity to move up to the second spot based on Net Run Rate (NRR) I think it's a long shot finishing top two, but we just want to give it a crack. Want the boys to enjoy tonight, Cummins said at the toss. Their decision to bat first seems justified as the pitch looks bereft of grass, and it looks consistent and even. The pitch is likely to bounce and carry, making it possible for the batters to hit through the line. Playing XIs: Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, R Smaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (capt), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain Impact substitutes: Aniket Verma, Praful Hinge, Liam Livingstone, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, R Smaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (capt), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact substitutes: Tim David, Kanishk Chouhan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox. Article Source: IANS

Vijay Shankar retires from Indian domestic cricket and the IPL

The move will enable the 35-year-old allrounder to play in overseas franchise leagues

All-rounder Vijay Shankar Announces Retirement From All Forms Of Indian Cricket

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Allrounder Vijay Shankar on Friday announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, bringing the curtains down on a career that saw him represent India in both whiteball formats and feature in the 2019 Mens ODI World Cup. Shankar, a mainstay for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, played 12 ODIs and nine T20Is for India, amassing 324 runs in all and picking nine scalps. He was surprisingly preferred ahead of Ambati Rayudu in the main squad and played three matches before a toe injury ended his tournament early, with Mayank Agarwal replacing him. In his retirement note, Shankar said he now aims to pursue new opportunities and play more cricket. A HEARTFELT THANK YOU. Cricket is my life. I started playing when I was 10, and 25 years later, I am grateful and blessed to have played at every level and to the highest level. Representing our country will always be one of my proudest and happiest moments. I have decided to retire from playing domestic cricket and IPL to pursue new opportunities and play more cricket. Thank you will not suffice for letting me do what I love. Eternally grateful. Thankful to BCCI and the Indian Cricket Team - many learnings, countless memories, and various inspirations! Representing the country will be my highest badge of honour. Bowling the last over at India's 500th ODI at Nagpur and my First ball, first wicket at the 2019 World Cup are moments I will hold onto forever! wrote Shankar on his social media accounts on Friday. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shankar played 78 games and turned out for Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Titans, including in their title-winning run in 2022. In domestic cricket, Shankar captained Tamil Nadu to the Vijay Hazare, Deodhar, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy titles before playing for Tripura in the last season. My IPL Teams GT, SRH, CSK, and DC - special thank you! The experience and lessons from all around have made me what I am today! TNCA under 13,15,17,19,22,25 and finally, senior men's team - I've spent most of my life here. Thank you to everyone for every step of the way. Captained and won trophies with this very special side. Numerous hurdles and challenges shaped me into a better cricketer. Thanks to the Tripura Team for letting me carry on the dream for a little while longer. My teams at the TNPL - CSG, IDTT, and SS. Loved playing this special tournament with all the TN talents. My most prestigious - TN league teams - Indian Bank, ICF, India Cements, and now, Take Solutions - This is where it all began and has kept going for years. Grateful to have had the opportunity to play here, he added. Captained and won trophies with this very special side. Numerous hurdles and challenges shaped me into a better cricketer. Thanks to the Tripura Team for letting me carry on the dream for a little while longer. My teams at the TNPL - CSG, IDTT, and SS. Loved playing this special tournament with all the TN talents. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lastly, my family and friends' words won't do justice, but thanks to them for sticking with me through literally thick and thin. I have faced unreal hate and negativity. Let me take this opportunity to let you know that I chose to ignore and move forward. If I can do that, anyone can! Think positively and work hard. Cricket has taught me life. Cricket is my life. Grateful and blessed, Your 3D cricketer, Vijay Shankar. Article Source: IANS

LSG vs PBKS Match 68, IPL 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Predictio

LSG vs PBKS Match 68 , Cricket Tips :Lucknow Super Giants will be in action for the last time in the IPL 2026. It has been a disappointing season for them, and they will be aiming to end it on a high. LSG will lock horns with Punjab Kings on Saturday at Ekana Stadium, starting at 7:30 PM IST. LSG are currently at the bottom of the table, and a win here will give them a chance to finish the table in ninth place. But this match is very important for Shreyas Iyer and co. They need two points from this game, which will help retain their ground for the playoffs. But their qualification depends on some other results also. PBKS can best win this game and wait for the other matches to get over. LSG vs PBKS: Match Details Date : May 23, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : Ekana Stadium, Lucknow LSG vs PBKS Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live action of the LSG vs PBKS game on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can also watch the game through the Jio Hotstar app or website. LSG vs PBKS Head-to-Head in IPL Total Matches : 07 LSG : 03 PBKS : 04 No - Result : 00 LSG vs PBKS: Ground Pitch Report The wicket at Ekana Stadium is slow, and bowlers will have some assistance from the wicket. Batters can play their shots when the ball is hard, but as the game goes, it might stick more. That is where it will be important to score runs in the power play. LSG vs PBKS Possible XIs LSG : Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Akash Maharaj Singh, Prince Yadav PBKS : Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal LSG vs PBKS Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Mitchell Marsh has been superb for LSG, and he can score quickly in the powerplay. Priyansh Arya is a guy who can destroy any bowling unit and will be dangerous for LSG. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh and Mohsin Khan are two bowlers who will be the ones to watch out for in this game. Today Match Prediction : PBKS have lost six games on the trot, but they have been better than LSG this season. Hence, we predict Lucknow Super Giants to win this game. LSG vs PBKS Match 68, IPL 2026, Today 2026 Match, LSG vs PBKS 2026 Prediction, LSG vs PBKS Predicted XIs, Injury Update for LSG 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.

Ireland Name Balbirnie-led Squad For Test Against NZ, Stirling, Little Out With Injuries

World Test Championship: Cricket Ireland has announced a squad led by Andrew Balbirnie to take the field when they host New Zealand for a one-off Test match at Stormont, Belfast, from May 27 to 30. Balbirnie is all set to lead the side for the 10th time in the longer format. Ireland have also confirmed the absence of Paul Stirling, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little, Gavin Hoey, and Jordan Neill, who are all ruled out due to injury. Hoey is sidelined due to a side strain, while Stirling is nursing a calf injury. McCarthy is ruled out until 2027 following an ACL tear, while Neill is recovering from a shoulder muscle injury, and Campher is yet to resume bowling. Four players Jake Egan, Tom Mayes, Liam McCarthy, and Reuben Wilson are in line to make their Test debuts if selected in the playing eleven. This will be Irelands 13th Test overall and their first against New Zealand. Ireland have won three Tests to date, including its first Test at Stormont in 2024 against Zimbabwe. Balbirnie is the only player to feature in all 12 Irish Tests so far, but he will be leading a severely depleted squad against the Blackcaps, who won the 2021 World Test Championship. After the Test against New Zealand, Ireland will host reigning Mens T20 World Cup winners India for two T20Is in Stormont, Belfast, on June 26 and 28. It is followed by them hosting Afghanistan for five ODIs from August 5-14 in Bready and Stormont, Belfast. After this, Ireland will first travel to Nepal for a whiteball series under a fiveyear strategic partnership, before heading to the UAE for a warmweather training camp and a whiteball series against the hosts, with Irish players also set to feature in the ILT20 as part of a fiveyear agreement with the Emirates Cricket Board. After the Test against New Zealand, Ireland will host reigning Mens T20 World Cup winners India for two T20Is in Stormont, Belfast, on June 26 and 28. It is followed by them hosting Afghanistan for five ODIs from August 5-14 in Bready and Stormont, Belfast. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, Stephen Doheny, Jake Egan, Matthew Humphreys, Tom Mayes, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Reuben Wilson, Craig Young Article Source: IANS