Cricket

Harmanpreet Kaur Sits Out Of The First T20I Against England

T20 World Cup: In the series before the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup, India women decided to go into the opening match of the white-ball series against England without regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI informed via social media post that Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested for the first T20I against England and that Smriti Mandhana will be leading the side. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested for the first T20I against England Women in Chelmsford. Smriti Mandhana is leading the side in her absence, said the post on X, formerly Twitter. I think she'll be ready for the second match, said Mandhana at the toss as India handed a debut to Nandani Sharma, who finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker at the recent Women's Premier League (WPL). England also went into the match without regular skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, nursing her troublesome calf. Charlie Dean was leading the side. England Women won the toss and elected to bowl first as they handed a debut to Tilly Corteen-Coleman. England also went into the match without regular skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, nursing her troublesome calf. Charlie Dean was leading the side. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With India riding on a wave of confidence, Harman conceded that a fairytale ending to the upcoming tournament will be a dream come true for her. It will be a dream come true for any cricketer who made their debut in England and then winning the World Cup in England, I think I can't ask anything else for myself and from God, she said in the pre-match press conference in Chelmsford on Wednesday. Article Source: IANS

England bowl and hand debut to Corteen-Coleman; Harmanpreet rested

Mandhana was leading India while England brought Bell back into the XI

IPL 2026: When And Where To Watch GT Vs RR Qualifier 2, Know All Details

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals will meet in the all-important Qualifier 2 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Friday, with the winner taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final. Both sides know they have to do their best to secure a place in the final by winning the winner-takes-all clash. Gujarat Titans lost to defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) while Rajasthan Royals made it by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1. GT will be looking for ways to stop Rajasthan's opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had shamed a 28-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and will be a big threat to the 2022 winners. RR had dramatically made the playoffs after beating the Mumbai Indians in their final league phase match at the Wankhede. Both franchises are in pursuit of their second IPL silverware. While the RR, winner of the inaugural edition in 2008, are aiming to make it to the final, GT are determined to reclaim the championship glory they first achieved during their debut season in 2022. When: Friday, May 29, 7:30 PM IST Where: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh Where to watch: The GT vs RR match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The GT vs RR match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. 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

Munisar replaces Brathwaite as West Indies name T20 World Cup squad

The same squad will face Ireland and Pakistan in a tri-nation T20I series, which got underway on June 28

Fraser and Carter fifties, Gordon three-for help Scotland ease past Netherlands

Scotland restricted Netherlands to 141, before chasing the target down with nine wickets to spare

IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans Seek Final Berth Against Red-hot Rajasthan Royals In Do-or-die Clash (preview)

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: Gujarat Titans know they must be at their absolute best to stop a Rajasthan Royals side playing some of the most explosive cricket of the season, when the two sides meet in a do-or-die Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Friday. The stakes could not be higher. A win will help the Gujarat Titans book their place in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where they will again take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday. But a loss would mean that a campaign that promised much would come to an abrupt end. GT arrive in New Chandigarh with something to prove -- their Qualifier 1 game against RCB in Dharamshala ended in a heavy 92-run defeat, their worst performance of the season at the worst possible time. Rahul Tewatia's gutsy fifty offered a rare positive in an otherwise lopsided contest, where their menacing new-ball pair of Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj could not contain a rampant RCB batting lineup. GT will need their opening pair of captain Shubman Gill and B. Sai Sudharsan, and number three Jos Buttler to fire on Friday, and hope for their bowling line-up to stop a rampaging Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from making big runs. RR, meanwhile, have won three on the trot and arrive in Qualifier 2 brimming with confidence after saying goodbye to Sunrisers Hyderabad. The catalyst has been 15-year-old Sooryavanshi, who is fast becoming the tournament's defining story. His 97 off just 29 balls against SRH in the Eliminator was breathtaking and astonishing in equal measure. He now wears the Orange Cap with 680 runs at a staggering strike rate of 243 and also broke Chris Gayle's record for the most sixes in a single IPL season by taking his tally to 65 maximums. The pairing of Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal has combined for 747 runs at a strike rate of 206 making them the most productive partnership of IPL 2026, ahead of Gill-Sudharsan. Dhruv Jurel has enjoyed a career-best season with 508 runs at a strike rate of 155, while skipper Riyan Parag has provided calm leadership throughout. With the ball, Jofra Archer has been RR's most potent weapon - 24 wickets at a strike rate of 14, including 14 in the powerplay. The England pacer's battle against the GT top order will also be one of the most anticipated duels of the evening. Ravindra Jadeja adds match-winning balance with both bat and ball and brings invaluable playoffs experience to the RR dressing room. GT hold a commanding 7-3 head-to-head record over RR and famously beat them in both the 2022 Qualifier 1 and the final. But this season, the scores are level - GT won by 77 runs in Jaipur, while RR had a six-run victory in Ahmedabad. The venue, however, leans firmly in RR's favour they have won all four matches in New Chandigarh this season, while GT have managed just one win from three outings here. Come Friday, and both sides will be chasing their third IPL final appearance. For GT, it is about rediscovering their best in the biggest moment, while for RR, it is about sustaining a momentum that feels, right now, unstoppable. Squads The venue, however, leans firmly in RR's favour they have won all four matches in New Chandigarh this season, while GT have managed just one win from three outings here. Come Friday, and both sides will be chasing their third IPL final appearance. For GT, it is about rediscovering their best in the biggest moment, while for RR, it is about sustaining a momentum that feels, right now, unstoppable. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajasthan Royals: Riyan Parag (captain), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Donovan Ferreira, Emanjot Chahal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Aman Rao, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Yudhvir Singh, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Sushant Mishra, Kuldeep Sen, Adam Milne, Brijesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Vignesh Puthur, and Yash Raj Punja Article Source: IANS

Frances Kouame, 17, youngest man into Grand Slam third round since Nadal

Kouame is the youngest man to reach the last 32 of a major since Nadal at Wimbledon in 2003

GT vs RR Match Qualifier 2, IPL 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

GT vs RR Qualifier 2, Cricket Tips :After humiliating Sunrisers Hyderabad in Eliminator, Riyan Parag and his men will move to a bigger challenge. They will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on Friday. This contest will be held at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, at 7:30 PM IST. This game will determine the second finalist of the IPL 2026. Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a logic-defying knock under pressure and slammed 97 off 29 balls, with 12 maximums. He took the game away from SRH in the first few overs. Can he produce another great knock to take RR to the final? GT had a tough game against RCB, and they will be looking to address the issues and plan against the 15-year-old. This is a must-win game, where the losing team will be knocked out. GT vs RR: Match Details Date : May 29, 2026 (Friday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh GT vs RR: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live action of the GT vs RR clash on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can switch to the Jio Hotstar app or website to watch the live stream of the game. GT vs RR Head-to-Head in IPL Total Matches : 10 GT : 07 RR : 03 No - Result : 00 GT vs RR: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in New Chandigarh is excellent for the batters. This is a high-scoring venue, where 220 or more has been scored in the last four matches. Two of those have been chased as well. For the team that bats first, it is important to score big, because defending a total with small boundaries can be tough. GT vs RR Possible XIs GT : Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna RR : Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma GT vs RR Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi has produced a one-man show and will be the one to watch out for. For GT, captain Shubman Gill is someone who can play at a higher rate and play a long knock. Probable Best Bowler Jofra Archer is breathing fire and bowling thunderbolts with seven wickets in the very first over. For GT, Kagiso Rabada has the joint-most wickets, and he will be the key for his team. Today Match Prediction : It is important for GT to bowl well, because RR can post a big total with in-form Suryavanshi. RR have the momentum, and we predict them to win Qualifier 2. GT vs RR Qualifier 2, IPL 2026, Today 2026 Match, GT vs RR 2026 Prediction, GT vs RR Predicted XIs, Injury Update for GT 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.

Jannik Sinner loses to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in French Open second round

Sinners 30-match winning run came to an abrupt halt as the world number one succumbed to sweltering conditions

IPL 2026: GT Confident Of Bowling Plans Against Sooryavanshi, Says Parthiv Patel

Indian Premier League: Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel said the team is confident of its bowling attack and its plans are in place to counter teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, to be played at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on Friday. Young Sooryavanshis match-up against GTs new ball pair of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada will be one of the biggest subplots in deciding who will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the title clash, to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. I am not a broadcaster right now, and I am not there on the pre-show of Star Sports. So I can't tell you what plans I have made. But it feels really good about the way he is batting. Hopefully, we will try to get him out early in the game. As all the teams are planning, we have seen the videos. Hopefully, we will be able to execute our plans. But what it is, we will be able to tell you when we are on the ground. In the beginning, I had said that the way he has been batting is very good. Even last time, I said that we should not be talking about his age. I think that is something that we need to put an end to. He has been a phenomenal talent, just the way he has been playing, and it's great to see. From the opposition's point of view, we hope that he doesn't get big runs tomorrow, Patel said at the prematch press conference. Asked about GTs bowling line-ups ability to bounce back after being hit all over the park by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru batters in Qualifier 1, Patel said, We are quite confident about our bowling lineup. You have named all of them. All of them are renowned bowlers in international cricket. That has been our strength also, picking up wickets early in the powerplay, and that is something which we will try to do tomorrow as well. He also said GT, the IPL 2022 winners, have moved on from its crushing Qualifier 1 defeat in Dharamshala. There is nothing to bring from the last match, and that is better. That was not a good match for us. The only thing I can say is the way Tewatia spent time in the middle. Obviously, there were a lot of questions about middle order before the big game, but (Rahul) Tewatia spent a lot of time in the middle. So, that is something very positive. Otherwise, in the playoff games, whether it is Rajasthan or us, you have to leave that game behind and try to look forward. On leading run-getter B Sai Sudarshans strike rate, Patel said, No, I don't think there is any kind of temptation to tell Sai Sudarshan to go with a higher strike rate. He has been very effective. He has been scoring at a fair strike rate, also. It is not that he is scoring under 100. If someone is scoring at 300, it doesn't mean that everyone has to strike at 300. But he has been very effective. He has given us results. So there is no talk about telling Sai Sudarshan that you need to go higher than 170 strike rate or 200. Patel also dismissed criticism of GTs style of play from IPL critics. We were sitting pretty at number 2 in the points table. I know other teams can think whatever they want to think. Six teams have not qualified. I know the references which we heard about - I know Tom Moody had said about GT as a set pattern team. It is not that he is scoring under 100. If someone is scoring at 300, it doesn't mean that everyone has to strike at 300. But he has been very effective. He has given us results. So there is no talk about telling Sai Sudarshan that you need to go higher than 170 strike rate or 200. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We were just doing okay, but we still stuck to our process. We trust in our ability, and we know what we can do, and that is something which we will try to do tomorrow as well. We feel that we are a very good unit, and if we go out there and execute our plans, I think we can win that game, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Defending Champions MSC Maratha Royals Unveil New Jersey Ahead Of T20 Mumbai League 2026

Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals: Will the T20 Mumbai League 2026 unearth someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi? Does MSC Maratha Royals have someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi? Will your young players play aggressively like Sooryavanshi? These were some of the questions put to Siddhesh Lad and Amit Dani, captain and coach respectively of the Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals, the defending champions of the T20 Mumbai League 2026, as they unveiled the jersey in Mumbai on Thursday, along with the owners of the franchise. With Rajasthan Royals storming into the playoffs of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi is the flavour of the season for his sensational power-hitting that has left everyone mesmerised. On Wednesday, Sooryavanshi hammered 94 off 28 balls, scoring 600-plus runs at a strike rate of 230, hitting as many sixes as Chris Gayle. Everyone wants more of his ilk playing in every franchise league in the country. Lad said the T20 game has evolved over the last couple of years, with aggressive play at the top becoming the norm, leading to teams regularly posting scores of 250-plus. He said that if the weather does not intervene, the T20 Mumbai League may also see teams posting scores of 200-250. Last season, we had monsoon setting early, and the wickets were a bit damp. Still, teams managed to score around 190. I expect in the first half of the MPL 2026, we may have teams going past 200, said Lad. Coach Amit Dani said Mumbai has produced many great batters and, in recent times, has seen players like Ayush Mhatre, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Prithvi Shaw, all very aggressive players. Their biggest asset this season would be pacer Tushar Deshpande, who is expected to be their top attraction. Tushar Deshpande will be available for the entire season. Besides being the main bowler for the team, he will be an inspiration for the young bowlers in the team as they can learn from him, said Amit Dani, the player who has played for the Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals. Both Lad and Dani said the Maratha Royals have retained 10 players from the title-winning side and added some new faces to the squad, assembling a strong side. Maratha Royals have been in camp since May 4, prepared well for the upcoming season, and played some practice matches. The jersey unveiling was held at a special launch event in Mumbai, attended by Team owners Kapil Baheti and Alisha Baheti, along with Mayank Khandwala and Raj Khandwala, MSC Maratha Royals CEO Parag More, besides captain Lad, and coach Dani. MSC Maratha Royals new jersey is themed around The Royal Roar and blends traditional regional ferocity with contemporary sports aesthetics. The jersey includes metallic gold claw marks reflecting aggression and attacking gameplay; subtle tiger-stripe textures integrated into the fabric to reinforce the predatory theme; a phantom tiger graphic subtly embedded to add depth and edge as an intense hidden detail; a striking heritage orange upper body representing energy, passion, and Maharashtras valor; midnight navy sleeves and lower body indicating composure, resilience and strength and liquid gold accent detailing injects a sense of royalty and championship ambitions. As defending champions, Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals campaign this season draws from Mumbais raw street energy, hip-hop, and familiarity with Bollywood. Anchored by the tagline Bhag Bhag Bhag, Aya Sher, it celebrates the citys confidence and fearless self-expression, while signalling the powerful return of the champions to the league stage. The tiger remains a symbol of the teams ferocity and dominance, mirroring the relentless spirit of Mumbai itself. Speaking at the unveiling, Kapil Baheti & Alisha Baheti, Owners, MSC Maratha Royals, said: As defending champions, we wanted this jersey and campaign to stand for more than just cricket. It reflects the fearless attitude of our team and the spirit of Mumbai. This is not just a design refresh, but a clear statement of intent to play bold, fearless cricket this season. The Royal Roar is designed to connect strongly with our fans and capture the energy we bring to the field. Mayank Khandwala & Raj Khandwala, Owners, MSC Maratha Royals, added: Defending a title brings a different level of challenge, and thats what drives us. What weve built at MSC Maratha Royals goes beyond winning; it's a strong culture and identity rooted in Mumbai. With The Royal Roar, were promising our fans a team that returns more focused, more determined, and ready to prove that last season was just the beginning. Speaking at the unveiling, Kapil Baheti & Alisha Baheti, Owners, MSC Maratha Royals, said: As defending champions, we wanted this jersey and campaign to stand for more than just cricket. It reflects the fearless attitude of our team and the spirit of Mumbai. This is not just a design refresh, but a clear statement of intent to play bold, fearless cricket this season. The Royal Roar is designed to connect strongly with our fans and capture the energy we bring to the field. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the league's return, MSC Maratha Royals continue to position themselves not only as one of Mumbais strongest cricketing franchises but also as a modern sports brand deeply rooted in the citys energy, ambition, and voice. Article Source: IANS

'Six Machine' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, Stakes India Claim With New Stunning Knock

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's latest extraordinary innings was hailed by cricket greats on Thursday, as calls grow for the 15-year-old phenomenon to be propelled straight into the senior India team. The teenage opener hit 12 sixes, including three in a row off Australia captain Pat Cummins, before he was out for 97 off 29 balls for Rajasthan Royals in Wednesday's playoff win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Yeah, he played pretty well, said a shell-shocked Cummins, who was launched into the stands four times in all by the left-hander. The margins are so small. You miss your yorker by a little bit and he doesn't tend to miss them. So, yeah, fair play. Sooryavanshi hit seven boundaries in a row to reach 97 off 28 balls. But he was caught in the deep attempting another that would have broken Chris Gayle's record of 30 balls for the fastest IPL century. On the way he smashed the West Indian's 12-year-old record of 59 sixes in a single edition of the IPL. He has cleared the ropes 65 times and is in possession of the Orange Cap for the most runs in the IPL season, with 680 at an average of 45.33. Past master Gayle called Sooryavanshi the IPL's new six machine. What a phenomenal player Vaibhav is. Great entertainment young man! he posted on social media. Sooryavanshi was crestfallen when he was out. But he has a chance for more fireworks against Gujarat Titans in the final playoff match on Friday. The holders Royal Challengers Bengaluru await the winners in Sunday's final. Calls for Sooryavanshi to be fast-tracked into India's team have accelerated since he slammed a 17-ball 52 to start his IPL season. He is the best T20 opener in the World... India have to pick him, former England captain Michael Vaughan said on X on Wednesday. India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar lauded Sooryavanshi's technique calling the innings simply spectacular. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's bat swing has been exceptional, he posted. What stands out even more is the way he effortlessly clears his front foot to make room for deliveries targeting his pads. This gives him the freedom to play his natural game. Comparison with Tendulkar, who made his full international debut aged 16, have been inevitable. But former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik warned against heaping expectation on young shoulders. What Vaibhav is doing is very special, but what I don't want the people to do is tag him as the next Sachin because he is just 15 years old, Karthik said on the Quest Talk podcats. I think what Sachin did was extraordinary. Vaibhav's challenges will be completely different. Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag said he didn't need to offer much advice to the fearless youngster. That's the thing we don't have any conversations, Parag said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He likes batting. Just leave him alone, let him go and have fun.

French Open 2026: Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste withdraw from women's doubles

Williams, who turns 46 next month, was a singles wild-card entry at the Australian Open. She lost in the first round and became the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open singles main draw.

Maiden India Call-up another Opportunity To Fulfill My Dream, Says Harsh Dubey

Maiden India: Young left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey said his selection for the upcoming one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan felt like a dream come true and described his maiden call-up to the national team as another opportunity to move closer to fulfilling his dream of playing for India. I only see it as an opportunity like another opportunity has been created for me to go one step further in fulfilling my dream. It's a dream of every Indian cricketer to represent his country and do well for his country. Actually, I didn't understand for the first five minutes that my name had been selected because I felt like I was still dreaming. So it took some time for it to sink in, Dubey told IANS after arriving in Nagpur, a day after his IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad campaign ended with a 47-run loss to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator in New Chandigarh. Dubey, who shot into the limelight by being the leading wicket-taker in Vidarbha winning the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy, describes himself as a genuine allrounder and says he wont change much in preparations for the series against Afghanistan. I always say that I love my batting the most. So I will say I am an allrounder, a hundred percent, and there is no question in that. I will not do anything different in terms of preparation. I will do what I have been doing and not do anything different. It's important to have faith in yourself. On learning from overseas cricketers in the IPL, Dubey said, Yes, definitely. A lot of international players, Australian players, English players you learn a lot of things by playing with them. Like how you can be as a person off the field and on the field. So I definitely learned this thing. I don't think there is a difference between a senior and junior player (in the IPL). I think it's important to do your best on the day, as thats what matters the most whether you are a senior or a junior player. Dubey credited his parents, Surendra and Jyoti, for their sacrifices, including leaving their jobs in the CSIF and a private school, respectively. All coaches have helped me to where I am now. If I take the name of one coach, I think it will be unfair to the other coaches. But I will give the most importance to my parents. I don't think there is a difference between a senior and junior player (in the IPL). I think it's important to do your best on the day, as thats what matters the most whether you are a senior or a junior player. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Offering advice to youngsters, Dubey signed off by saying, I would like to say that you should work hard. If you are playing cricket or doing something else in life, don't cheat and give your 100 percent in everything. I would also like to say that IPL is not the only thing. I would like them to focus on the red ball format and not just become an IPL player. Article Source: IANS

Osaka moves into French Open third round

Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka will next take on American teenager Iva Jovic as both players attempt to reach the last 16 at Roland Garros for the first time.

Excited To Test Ourselves Against Worlds Best, Says Pakistan Skipper Sana Ahead Of T20 WC

T20 World Cup: Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said her team is looking forward to testing itself against the worlds best players in the upcoming ICC Womens T20 World Cup in England, set to take place from June 12 to July 5. Pakistan is in Group 1 of the tournament alongside India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Australia, and the Netherlands. The Fatima Sana-led side will also take part in two warm-up fixtures against Sri Lanka and Scotland. It is an exciting time for the Pakistan womens cricket team, and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England is another chance for us to showcase our skills on the global stage. The best thing about major tournaments is being able to test yourself against the best players and teams in the world while carrying your countrys badge on your chest. World Cups bring pressure, emotion, and memories together. Those are the moments that every cricketer dreams of being part of, and Im looking forward to taking to the field with my teammates. It was an honour to lead the team at the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, and Im thrilled to once again be able to captain the side at this tournament, Sana wrote in her column for the ICC on Thursday. Highlighting the balance in the squad, with Pakistan having both talented youngsters and experienced players, Sana said, What is great about this team is the balance between young girls and experienced players. We have matchwinners in different departments and players who can step up in pressure situations. We have players like Muneeba Ali, Sadia (Iqbal), and Nashra (Sandhu) who have consistently performed and have valuable experience of playing in major tournaments, she added. On preparations for the mega event, with Pakistan beating Zimbabwe at home and then set to take part in a tri-series featuring Ireland and West Indies in Dublin, Sana, who hit the fastest half-century in women's T20I cricket in just 15 balls. said, Preparation has been very productive so far. The players understand the responsibility of representing Pakistan at a major tournament, so the focus and intensity in training have been really good. As well as skills, we have also worked a lot on mindset, which is very important in big games. We have grown a lot in terms of confidence, clarity, and game awareness. The team now understands better how to manage key moments in matches and how to respond under pressure. Experiences from major tournaments always help shape a group, and I believe this team is becoming more mature with every series and tournament we play. Sana also said global tournaments provide opportunities for cultural and personal growth for cricketers worldwide. Seeing different cultures and seeing different approaches to the game are two of the nicest things about playing in global tournaments. Learning from experienced players and conversations with them helps you grow as a player, a leader, and a person. As well as skills, we have also worked a lot on mindset, which is very important in big games. We have grown a lot in terms of confidence, clarity, and game awareness. The team now understands better how to manage key moments in matches and how to respond under pressure. Experiences from major tournaments always help shape a group, and I believe this team is becoming more mature with every series and tournament we play. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This tournament is a strong statement for womens cricket. The investment in the womens game has been great. It gives players more belief, more opportunities, and shows young girls that womens cricket is being valued at the highest level. This will help push the game forward in the right direction, she concluded. Article Source: IANS

'I Can Play Cricket With Smile Again': Ecclestone Eyes T20 WC Redemption After 'tough' Phase

T20 World Cup: A decade after making her England debut as a teenage prodigy, England all-rounder Sophie Ecclestone is preparing for another World Cup campaign with a renewed sense of perspective and a far greater understanding of life away from cricket. Ecclestone, 27, despite having 10 years of international cricket experience, has been a key figure in Englands bowling. She quickly rose after debuting at 17, becoming Englands top wicket-taker in Womens T20s in 2024, surpassing Katherine Sciver-Brunt. Success was steady until Englands poor Ashes in Australia this year, which was a turning point for her, both professionally and personally. The defeat led to intense scrutiny, and Ecclestone privately dealt with personal issues beyond cricket. It was such a tough period - there was a time where I didn't leave my house for five days. It wasn't just cricket, it was life generally, and when that isn't great, cricket takes a turn for the worse. I wasn't enjoying the environment and I just wanted to run away. But I'm back. Things are so different now - I can play cricket with a smile on my face again, Ecclestone told BBC Sport. Ecclestone revealed that seeking professional support became crucial in her mental recovery after a tough period. She never imagined turning to a psychiatrist but now sees it as vital. She credited former England coach Jon Lewis and current coach Charlotte Edwards for helping her through her career challenges. As a senior squad member, Ecclestone believes these experiences have also changed how she mentors young players new to international cricket. International cricket is so hard these days, you're under so much more scrutiny than we've ever been before, especially compared to when I made my debut at 17. So for those girls coming in, it will be a bit of a rollercoaster so it's important for them to know they've got people around to talk to and tell them it's OK and that everyone has bad days and you don't always have to be perfect. We've got to move on now [from the Ashes]. We've all put that behind us, and there's no better way to put things right than a World Cup at home. I've got every faith in this side to do that, the spin-bowling all-rounder stated. Ecclestone was controversial during the Ashes after refusing an interview from her former teammate Alex Hartley, who was covering the series for Australias Channel 7. Hartley had questioned Englands fitness after their exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, sparking debate on conditioning and professionalism. When Edwards became coach, fitness was a top focus, which she called a non-negotiable standard. Ecclestone felt the criticism of the teams work ethic was exaggerated and failed to reflect the effort players put in behind the scenes. (Those conversations) are quite annoying, because people outside the group don't see what happens in training, they don't see how hard the girls work. I feel like people are very quick to judge. I don't ever feel like we were unfit, I think that was unfair. But we did feel like we could have made some moves in that area, and we have done. As a group, we are ridiculously fit now. If anyone did want to judge that I would love for them to come into our environment for the day because it's crazy how hard people work, Ecclestone said. England heads into the home T20 World Cup amid expectation and pressure. Since their 2017 triumph, they haven't won a global trophy and have often fallen short in ICC events, including last year's ODI World Cup semi-final against South Africa. Despite setbacks and scrutiny, Ecclestone credited the squad's bond as key to her renewed enjoyment of the game. (Those conversations) are quite annoying, because people outside the group don't see what happens in training, they don't see how hard the girls work. I feel like people are very quick to judge. I don't ever feel like we were unfit, I think that was unfair. But we did feel like we could have made some moves in that area, and we have done. As a group, we are ridiculously fit now. If anyone did want to judge that I would love for them to come into our environment for the day because it's crazy how hard people work, Ecclestone said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As England prepare to open their campaign against Sri Lanka, Ecclestone enters the tournament not only as one of the worlds premier spinners but also as a player who has emerged from one of the most testing periods of her career with a fresh perspective and renewed motivation. Article Source: IANS

Bhopal Leopards Reveal Squad Ahead Of MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026

MPL T20 Scindia Cup: Defending champions Bhopal Leopards have announced their squad for the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup. The side features exciting talents like Aniket Verma and Arshad Khan. Leopards will start the campaign against Indore Pink Panthers on June 4 in the evening match at Holkar Stadium. The new season of the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup is all set to begin on June 3, with Gwalior Cheetahs taking on Ujjain Falcons in the opening match of the mens tournament. The match will be played at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. MPL 2026 will be the biggest edition of the tournament so far, featuring an expanded format with 10 mens teams and five womens franchises. The mens tournament has expanded further with the addition of three new franchises Malwa Stallions, Ujjain Falcons, and Royal Nimar Eagles. They will join defending champions Bhopal Leopards along with Bundelkhand Bulls, Chambal Ghariyals, Gwalior Cheetahs, Indore Pink Panthers, Jabalpur Royal Lions, and Rewa Jaguars. The womens competition has also grown with the inclusion of Gwalior Shernis and Royal Nimar Eagles. They will compete alongside Bhopal Wolves, Bundelkhand Bulls, and Chambal Ghariyals in the five-team tournament. Abhishek Mohan Gupta from the Bhopal Leopards, which is owned by HMG Sports, expressed confidence in the side ahead of the tournament and said, The squad has been built with a strong balance of experienced and talented young players. We are very excited about the upcoming season and are confident that the team will play an aggressive and positive brand of cricket. MPL has become a fantastic platform for players to showcase their abilities, and we are looking forward to a successful campaign this year. The womens competition has also grown with the inclusion of Gwalior Shernis and Royal Nimar Eagles. They will compete alongside Bhopal Wolves, Bundelkhand Bulls, and Chambal Ghariyals in the five-team tournament. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Priyanshu Shukla is approved as a Match to Match replacement for Mohd. Arshad Khan. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: SRHs Style Of Play Is A Brand To Admire But Comes At A Cost, Says Moody

Indian Premier League: Former Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Tom Moody said the teams battingheavy approach and their overall style of playing is a brand to admire. Still, it comes at a cost, adding that the franchise must invest more in its bowling unit to achieve balance. Moodys comments come after SRH suffered a 47-run loss to Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Eliminator clash. The side entered the playoffs as the third-best side on the points table. SRH relied heavily on their batters Heinrich Klaasen (624 runs), Ishan Kishan (602 runs), Abhishek Sharma (563 runs), and Travis Head (410 runs) to get big runs. With the ball, Eshan Malinga (20 wickets) and Sakib Hussain (15 wickets) were the standout performers, while Praful Hinge and Shivang Kumar showed lots of promise. But Moody pointed to the lack of marquee names in the bowling line-up, aside from Pat Cummins, who was bought for INR 20.50 crore in 2024. It is a brand to admire, but it comes at a cost. They're yet to lift the trophy with this brand. Yes, they're giving themselves a window of opportunity. But the cost is also the fact that you need to invest in that brand. And that investment is lost when it comes to the bowling side. So you're pouring a lot of money into the way you play as a batting unit. You're left short of the finances to be able to build a strong bowling unit to be able to support that. It is a brand to admire, but it comes at a cost. They're yet to lift the trophy with this brand. Yes, they're giving themselves a window of opportunity. But the cost is also the fact that you need to invest in that brand. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Former India batter Ambati Rayudu also echoed Moodys concerns. They can be brilliant like this. They're very, very good on the eye. They're very exciting (prospects). But still, to win an IPL, you need to be smart as well as be powerful. I think that can only improve if you get that kind of personnel, and also get the balance and be able to play in different conditions. That's one area where they need to improve. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: The Biggest Positive For Archer This Season Is His Fitness, Says Irfan Pathan

After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Former India left-arm fast bowler Irfan Pathan said the biggest positive for Jofra Archer this season has been his fitness, noting the Rajasthan Royals pacers ability to play consistently and deliver hostile spells without breaking down has been instrumental in the sides run to Qualifier 2 in IPL 2026. After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit a stunning 97, Archer then delivered a fiery newball spell by claiming three wickets to derail Sunrisers Hyderabads chase. Archers hostile lengths and accuracy ensured SRH were bowled out for 196, sealing RRs passage to Qualifier 2, where they will meet Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh on Friday. So far Archer has 24 wickets from 15 games in IPL 2026 and is the third leading wicket-taker in the competition. The biggest positive for Jofra Archer this season is his fitness. He has played almost every match without breaking down, which has been his main issue in the past. This year, his pace is back up, and his line has been excellent. His over to Ishan Kishan went for a few runs, but he kept bowling hard lengths close to the stumps. Eventually, he got his wicket. He also hit the stumps consistently, especially against Travis Head. Archer targeted Head and delivered a magical ball to dismiss him, perfect line. On the New Chandigarh pitch, most of his deliveries were back of a length. He didn't try to bowl too full - he was in good rhythm, and that is why he picked up three crucial wickets. If those early wickets hadn't fallen, Sunrisers Hyderabad would have gotten much closer. Without Jofra Archer's early breakthroughs, the match could have been very different, said Pathan on Star Sports. Though GT suffered a 92-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1, former India opener Aakash Chopra said the Shubman Gill-led sides bowling approach could unsettle RR. Gujarat Titans should have a clear plan heading into the second qualifier: bat first and put 200plus runs on the board. They may not have the most glamorous or starstudded lineup, but they are a very disciplined unit. He didn't try to bowl too full - he was in good rhythm, and that is why he picked up three crucial wickets. If those early wickets hadn't fallen, Sunrisers Hyderabad would have gotten much closer. Without Jofra Archer's early breakthroughs, the match could have been very different, said Pathan on Star Sports. Also Read: Live Cricket Score That kind of discipline can be very hard to break. So, there is a real possibility that this Rajasthan Royals juggernaut can be stopped by GT. If any team can do it, it's one that doesn't get overwhelmed by big names and sticks to the basics, he added. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Sooryavanshi Is Special, But His India Debut Can Wait, Says Chopra

New Delhi: Former India batter Aakash Chopra hailed Rajasthan Royals teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a special talent after his blistering knock in the Eliminator helped the side beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs. But at the same time Chopra added that his India debut can wait given he is only 15. Sooryavanshi smashed a breathtaking 97 off just 29 balls, laced with 12 sixes, as he tore into SRH bowling line-up and helped RR post a massive 243/8. Sooryavanshi, who now holds the Orange Cap with 680 runs in this season, narrowly missed out on the record of fastest hundred in the IPL, but left the opposition bowlers shell shocked with his fearless strokeplay. We are still two years away from the next World Cup. There is plenty of time. Yes, picking Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India based on his IPL form is an exciting thought. You can't ignore it because the IPL is India's top T20 tournament. He is breaking records left and right. You have to take him seriously. He is special, no doubt. But you don't make changes just for the sake of it. It's simple. For someone to be dropped, they need to fail. If someone is already a topper in the team, why would you replace them just because someone else scored big runs? Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are those toppers right now. You don't replace them. If you do, then in two or three years when Vaibhav has a lean patch, the same thing will happen. The next young batter will be pushed in. So, the selectors, Ajit Agarkar, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, will face pressure. But they must do what is best for Indian cricket. They will make the right call. His India debut doesn't have to happen tomorrow. It can wait. He is only 15. There is no rush, said Chopra on Star Sports. Sooryavanshis stunning blitz also saw him surpass Chris Gayles 12yearold record of 59 sixes in a single IPL season. With 65 sixes already, Sooryavanshis face-off against the Gujarat Titans bowlers will be a mouth-watering contest when the Qualifier 2 clash takes place in New Chandigarh on Friday. Bowlers usually have a plan against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Pat Cummins started with yorkers, which Vaibhav couldn't score off initially. But once he got his eye in, nothing worked. The SRH bowlers looked helpless. It felt like they were hit by a tsunami. And when a batter like Vaibhav is in that kind of form, there is very little you can do except watch. SRH have an experienced bowling attack. Pat Cummins and Eshan Malinga are world-class bowlers. One of them is a World Cup winner. Cummins tried his best but was left with no answers. Forget Sooryavanshis age for a moment, just look at the quality. This was one of the best counter-attacking innings by an opener in a long time. Against a good bowling attack, he played with complete control. The bowlers had plans, but those plans failed completely. That is the mark of a special player, added Chopra. He also explained what makes Sooryavanshi such a destructive opener. It all starts with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's backlift. That generates immense power. He has a very solid base at the crease. He mostly likes to hit down the ground or on the leg side, where he can use his bottom hand effectively. But a couple of shots showed his growing maturity, like when he went over covers off a slower ball from Sakib - he held his pose for a moment, paused, and then unleashed. He is reminding us that if you grow up on a T20only diet, this is the kind of batter you can become. Fearlessness is in his DNA. We are astonished by what he has achieved. He also explained what makes Sooryavanshi such a destructive opener. It all starts with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's backlift. That generates immense power. He has a very solid base at the crease. He mostly likes to hit down the ground or on the leg side, where he can use his bottom hand effectively. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sooryavanshi has focused only on T20s. This is what he always wanted to be. He has hit 65 sixes this season. He might reach 70 in the next game. Next season, or the one after, who knows? He could even hit 100 sixes in a single IPL season, concluded Chopra. Article Source: IANS

French Open 2026: Djokovic pushed in 4-set win amid heat wave; second seed Rybakina beaten in second round

Djokovic improved to 14-0 in his career against Frenchmen at Roland Garros and reached the third round in Paris for a 21st straight year

Four Indians Named In Womens T20 WC Match Officials

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta: Janani N, Vrinda Rathi and Gayathri Venugopalan have been named in the umpires panel for the 2026 ICC Womens T20 World Cup, while GS Lakshmi has been included as one of the four match referees for the mega event starting on June 12 in Birmingham. The upcoming tournament marks the third consecutive edition of the Womens T20 World Cup featuring an allfemale panel of match officials 14 umpires and four match referees overseeing 33 games in the 12-team competition. Apart from Gayathri, Candace La Borde, Kerrin Klaaste and Shathira Jakir Jesy will make their ICC Womens T20 World Cup umpiring debut. The increasing depth of high-performing female match officials in international cricket is a powerful marker of the sports progress, with the consistently high standards demonstrated in bilateral series and previous ICC womens events underpinning these well-earned selections for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC said in a statement on Friday. Nine members from the 2024 edition return for the 2026 edition, with Australias Claire Polosak set to stand in her sixth T20 World Cup, having officiated in 22 matches - the most by any umpire. Jacquline Williams and Kim Cotton, with 19 matches each, will reach the milestone of five T20 World Cups. Apart from Lakshmi, Shandr Fritz and Michell Pereira return, with Trudy Anderson of New Zealand joining in. This panel of match officials for the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 reflects the ICCs commitment to expanding the scope of representation to all facets of the sport. The ICC takes into consideration a comprehensive, holistic, and evidence-based account while assessing its sports officials and their decision-making performance. We are delighted to see the progress made by these officials and the elevated standards of officiating they demonstrated during ICC CWC 2025. As we prepare to deliver what will be the biggest womens sporting event in the world, this selection will serve to elevate the meaning associated with the athletic spectacle, said ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta. ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 Panel of Match Officials:- We are delighted to see the progress made by these officials and the elevated standards of officiating they demonstrated during ICC CWC 2025. As we prepare to deliver what will be the biggest womens sporting event in the world, this selection will serve to elevate the meaning associated with the athletic spectacle, said ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Match Referees:Trudy Anderson,Shandr Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michell Pereira Article Source: IANS

Just Have To Be Adaptable: Harris Ready To Embrace Flexible Role For Australia At T20 WC

T20 World Cup: Australian all-rounder Grace Harris says adaptability could be the key to her World Cup campaign as she prepares for another shot at global success with her national side in the upcoming ICC Womens T20 World Cup in England and Wales. Named in Australias 15-player squad for the tournament, Harris enters the competition with strong recent form behind her but without a guaranteed place in the starting XI. The experienced batter believes the balance of Australias lineup may require her to take on a different responsibility than the one she has often filled throughout her international career. Australias top order appears largely settled, with Beth Mooney and rising star Georgia Voll expected to open the batting, while Phoebe Litchfield is likely to round off the top order. That could leave Harris competing for a middle-order spot where finishing ability and flexibility become increasingly valuable. I think it'll be down the order. Volley (Voll) is a very good opener and she's also the future so you've got to invest there and pull the trigger at some stage. Our group is also ageing, so it's probably the smart move. And also, you're kind of splitting hairs between the top four as openers, Harris told ICC. The 32-year-old acknowledged the challenge of breaking into one of the strongest squads in womens cricket but said she remains focused on contributing in whatever role the team management requires. Personally, I just kind of see myself, it feels good to get selected, but clearly just I'm not quite good enough to maintain a spot yet within the XI. But I reckon it's probably down the order or in the middle to lower-order and then just have to be adaptable, she added. One factor working in Harris favour is her familiarity with English conditions. Across previous international appearances in England, the right-hander has maintained an impressive strike rate above 145 in T20Is, while her recent domestic stint in the country further strengthened her credentials ahead of the World Cup. Last season, Harris enjoyed a productive run with Surrey in the T20 Blast, hammering 338 runs at a strike rate of 156. She then carried that momentum into London Spirits campaign in The Hundred, where she scored 214 runs at a strike rate of 174. The Australian believes those experiences helped simplify her game and improve her understanding of English conditions, away from the intensity surrounding major international tournaments. Yeah, I don't mind England. The conditions (in England) are just probably a little bit lower and there's probably a bit more swing early for new ball bowlers. But outside of that, (I am) not too uncomfortable with the wickets over there. Sometimes when you get into an Australian set up or an Ashes or a World Cup there and there's kind of a lot going on that you can probably just overthink at times or try and analyse well too many scenarios, she mentioned The Australian believes those experiences helped simplify her game and improve her understanding of English conditions, away from the intensity surrounding major international tournaments. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Six-time champions Australia head into the tournament once again among the favourites, armed with a blend of established stars and emerging talent. For Harris, the challenge now is less about securing a fixed position and more about proving she can deliver impact in whichever role the team needs most on the road to another World Cup campaign. Article Source: IANS

CWG 2030 preparations: Sports Ministry to engage IT Consultants in NSFs

The IT Consultants would be required to assist NSFs in the smooth onboarding, operationalisation and coordination of digital systems under the NSDE framework

ENG-W vs IND-W 1st T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

ENG-W vs IND-W 1st T20I , Cricket Tips :India Women are gearing up for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 next month. The mega event will be held in England from June 12 onward. But before that, the Women in Blue will face England Women in three T20Is and one Test. The action starts with the first T20I on Thursday. This contest will begin at 11 PM IST at County Ground. England are without captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and star batter Danny Wyatt Hodge. Charlie Dean has been given the captaincy role for the team. For India, they have a pretty squad, and they will be keen to get used to these conditions and start well. ENG-W vs IND-W: Match Details Date : May 28, 2026 (Thursday) Time : 11:00 PM IST Venue : County Ground, Chelmsford ENG-W vs IND-W: Live Streaming Details In India, the live action will be televised on the Sony Sports Networks. Fans can also watch the game through the Sony LIV and FanCode app or website. ENG-W vs IND-W: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 35 England Women : 24 India Women : 11 Drawn: 00 ENG-W vs IND-W: Ground Pitch Report County Ground offers bowling-friendly conditions. It has grass covering, which will produce seam and swing for the fast bowlers. The batting conditions are expected to get better with the time. As a result, teams are expected to bat second in this game. ENG-W vs IND-W: Possible XIs England Women : Amy Jones (wk), Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Heather Knight, Maia Bouchier, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean (C), Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith India Women : Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud ENG-W vs IND-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Shafali Verma has been brilliant in this format in the last year or so. She is a destructive batter who can take the game away. Amy Jones has been consistent with the bat, and she is in good form. Probable Best Bowler Renuka Thakur will get good help from the wicket, and she will be the one to watch out for. Lauren Bell has been exceptional with the new ball and will be a big threat. Today Match Prediction : India Women have an inexperienced bowling unit for these conditions. England Women have a home conditions on their side and we predict them to win the first game. ENG-W vs IND-W Match 1st T20I, Today Match ENG-W vs IND-W, ENG-W vs IND-W Prediction, SA-W vs IND-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for ENG-W vs IND-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction 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.

Lalit Modi Hails Sooryavanshi As RR's 'best Buy' In IPL History

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: Former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi heaped praise on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him the best buy of tournament history by Rajasthan Royals. RR signed the teenage prodigy for Rs 1.1 crores during the IPL 2025 mega auction as he became the youngest IPL player at just 13. In his debut IPL season, Sooryavanshi became the youngest centurion in men's T20 cricket, smashing 101 off 38 deliveries against Gujarat Titans. After his historic debut, RR retained him ahead of the 2026 mini auction. Best buy of any player in history @Vaibhavsooryava by @rajasthanroyals, Modi posted on X. On Wednesday, Sooryavanshi unleashed carnage during his breathtaking 29-ball 97 that helped Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs in the IPL 2026 Eliminator on Wednesday. His Player of the Match performance at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh saw him climb to the top of the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race, having amassed 680 runs in 15 matches for the Royals this season. During his sensational batting show against SRH, Sooryavanshi broke the record for most runs by an uncapped player in an IPL season, surpassing the previous record held by fellow RR batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had scored 626 runs in IPL 2023. He has now made 680 runs this season. In the process, the 15-year-old batting prodigy has now hit the most sixes in an IPL season, having cleared the ropes 65 times this season, breaking West Indies great Chris Gayles record at the start of his knock and taking just 15 balls to go past the record. His 65 maximums are also the most sixes ever hit by a player in a T20 tournament or series. Moreover, he is now level with Gayles record of four IPL innings with 10+ sixes. The first instance when Sooryavanshi smashed more than 10 sixes in a knock came during his maiden IPL ton against GT last when he hit 11 maximums. In the process, the 15-year-old batting prodigy has now hit the most sixes in an IPL season, having cleared the ropes 65 times this season, breaking West Indies great Chris Gayles record at the start of his knock and taking just 15 balls to go past the record. His 65 maximums are also the most sixes ever hit by a player in a T20 tournament or series. Also Read: Live Cricket Score After his 97-run knock on Wednesday, the youngster climbed to the top of the orange cap list with 680 runs, 28 clear of second-placed B Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans (GT). Article Source: IANS

Sooryavanshi Has Shown Throughout IPL 2026 That Pressure Simply Doesnt Affect Him: Kumble

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Former India captain Anil Kumble praised teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, opining that the most striking aspect of his season has been his complete freedom from pressure, even in the biggest moments, after the Rajasthan Royals opener delivered a stunning match-winning performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. The 15-year-old blasted 97 off just 29 balls as RR posted a massive total before sealing a 47-run victory at New Chandigarh to advance to Fridays Qualifier 2, where theyll face Gujarat Titans in what will be a repeat of the IPL 2022 final. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has shown throughout the season that pressure simply doesnt seem to affect him, and this innings was another example of that. In just 29 balls, he completely changed the direction of the game and put Sunrisers Hyderabad under immense pressure right from the start, Kumble told JioStar. Sooryavanshis innings dismantled Hyderabads bowling plans almost immediately. Despite captain Pat Cummins and his attack attempting different lengths and field adjustments, Rajasthan stormed through the Power-play and never allowed SRH to regain control. Kumble pointed out how quickly the young batter forced Hyderabad to abandon their original plans. Pat Cummins and the bowlers came in with plans, but within the first couple of overs those plans were already disrupted because they simply didnt know where to bowl to him. To play an innings of this magnitude in a knockout game at the age of 15 is extraordinary, he said. The former India spinner also credited Sooryavanshis consistency across the season as a major reason behind RRs run to Qualifier 2. One of the biggest reasons Rajasthan Royals are now in Qualifier 2 is because of the impact he has had throughout the tournament, and holding the Orange Cap at this stage only highlights how remarkable his season has been, the former spinner stated. Sooryavanshis knock once again underlined his extraordinary campaign, with the teenager already being regarded as one of the breakout stars of IPL 2026. His innings against Hyderabad included a 16-ball fifty that equalled Suresh Rainas record for the fastest half-century in an IPL playoff match. Looking ahead to Qualifier 2 against GT, Kumble believes Rajasthans current momentum and confidence make them a dangerous side. Gujarat Titans had actually controlled large phases of Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru before things slipped away in the latter half of the game. A few dropped catches, extras, and the sudden collapse after Sai Sudharsans dismissal put them under immense pressure, he stated. Kumble added that Gujarats approach against Sooryavanshi could ultimately decide the contest as he said, But heading into Qualifier 2, a lot could depend on how they handle Vaibhav Sooryavanshi because Rajasthan Royals confidence is extremely high at the moment. They are coming into this game after three consecutive wins against quality sides like Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians at Wankhede, and now Sunrisers Hyderabad. Gujarat Titans had actually controlled large phases of Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru before things slipped away in the latter half of the game. A few dropped catches, extras, and the sudden collapse after Sai Sudharsans dismissal put them under immense pressure, he stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With a 15-year-old currently holding the Orange Cap, Rajasthan Royals will firmly believe they belong here, while Gujarat Titans will need to produce their very best performance to stop their momentum, the 55-year-old said. Article Source: IANS

Venkatesh Iyer Headlines Indore Pink Panthers Squad For MPL T20 2026

The Madhya Pradesh League: Indore Pink Panthers have announced their squad for the next edition of the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Cup. The team also includes all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, whose exceptional batting form in the IPL 2026 season will boost the Panthers batting strength and power. Director Sandeep Jain of Indore Pink Panthers, owned by Moira Group, expressed his support for the squad and stated, We have assembled a squad that strikes the right balance between experienced players and exciting young talent. There is a lot of energy and confidence in the group, and we are looking forward to playing a positive brand of cricket this season. The MPL has emerged as a major platform for players to showcase their abilities. The tournament has also played an important role in discovering new talent from across Madhya Pradesh. Indore Pink Panthers will face Bhopal Leopards in the evening match at Holkar Stadium on June 4 to kick off the tournament. The Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Cup's new season starts on June 3, with the Gwalior Cheetahs competing against the Ujjain Falcons in the first mens match. This game will also be held at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. MPL 2026 will be the largest edition to date, featuring 10 mens teams and five womens franchises. The men's tournament has expanded with three new teams: Malwa Stallions, Ujjain Falcons, and Royal Nimar Eagles, joining defending champions Bhopal Leopards. The lineup also includes Bundelkhand Bulls, Chambal Ghariyals, Gwalior Cheetahs, Indore Pink Panthers, Jabalpur Royal Lions, and Rewa Jaguars. MPL 2026 will be the largest edition to date, featuring 10 mens teams and five womens franchises. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Indore Pink Panthers Squad: Venkatesh Iyer, Aayaam Verma, Akash Rajawat, Anvesh Chawla, Atharv Joshi, Karan Tahliyani, Lucky Mishra, Mehfooz Patel, Roshan Kewat, Saransh Bhargava, Saransh Surana, Shivam Shukla, Shubham Rathore, Siddharth Patidar, Sidhant Agravwal, Vishnu Bhardwaj Article Source: IANS

Defending A Title Changes Your Mindset: Jitesh Opens Up On NECO Master Blasters Approach Ahead Of VPL T20

The NECO Master Blaster: Ahead of the new Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) season, NECO Master Blaster captain Jitesh Sharma, the reigning T20 champions, expressed his views on the challenges of defending a title, the mindset needed for ongoing success, and his hopes for the players this season. Having led the franchise to victory last season, Jitesh believes that defending a championship presents a entirely different mental challenge than pursuing one. Defending the title gives extra unnecessary load and unnecessary attention towards winning the cup. I think chasing something always gives you a thought of what next move we should plan. It changes your mindset, said Jitesh. When you go for a win or chase a trophy, you always plan to win the game. But defending a title, gives you a thought that I dont want to lose. I dont want to lose this trophy. If you think about how to win, it makes a huge difference in your mindset, he added. The wicketkeeper-batter emphasized that maintaining consistency and discipline is crucial for the team to replicate last seasons success. I think doing the same boring thing again and again, Jitesh remarked while explaining the process behind sustained success. As captain, Jitesh delivered a powerful message to his teammates before Season 2, emphasising the significance of freedom, fearlessness, and trust in the team dynamic. Be natural, be fearless. Irrespective of performance, I will back you and I trust that whatever decision you will take on the ground, it will be on behalf of the team, and I will respect it. And if you fail, still you will have my back. If you get success, still you will have my slap, he said. The NECO Master Blaster captain also stated that his priority isn't just about winning. Instead, he emphasizes helping players grow both as cricketers and as individuals throughout the tournament. I will give a very simple answer. I just want players to improve by 2%, 3% in this league. Thats it. I am not expecting too much from them. I just want that in the last league, in the last matches, as a person, as a cricketer, they are getting 10% improved now, he said. Rather than thinking about performance, they should be more skillful, more mentally strong, more physically strong. And you can say they are more courageous to take more risk in this league. Thats what I am expecting, Jitesh added. I will give a very simple answer. I just want players to improve by 2%, 3% in this league. Thats it. I am not expecting too much from them. I just want that in the last league, in the last matches, as a person, as a cricketer, they are getting 10% improved now, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Squad: Jitesh Sharma, Adhyayan Daga, Aryan Meshram, Shanmesh Deshmukh, Ananmay Jayaswal, Vedant Dighade, Vaibhav Chandekar, Abhishek Gupta, Shantanu Rajput, Dipesh Parwani, Harsh Dubey, Avinash Jadhav, Arya Durugkar, Gaurav Dhoble, Gaurav Farde, Kush Khandelwal. Article Source: IANS

He Doesn't Want Give A Damn About Any Bowler: Jurel Reveals Sorryavanshi's Mantra Behind Explosive Batting

New Chandigarh: Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel expanded on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's mindset, saying the teenage batting sensation's mantra is he doesn't give a damn about the bowler. Powered by Sooryavanshis explosive knock of 97 off 29 balls, including five fours and 12 sixes at a staggering strike rate of 334.48 and backed by early strikes from Jofra Archer, RR clinched a huge 47-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator in New Chandigarh on Wednesday. Sooryavanshi tore into the SRH bowling attack, sending the ball to all corners of the ground to give the Royals a blistering start. He needed just three deliveries to clear the ropes for the first time, taking on SRh skipper Pat Cummins in the opening over and never easing off from there. The 15-year-old looked unstoppable, dispatching the likes of Cummins, Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain for sixes with remarkable ease. The best thing about Vaibhav that I have noticed is that he doesn't plan anything. Because he practises a lot and he always backs himself. That's what he does every time he goes out and plays. The best thing about him is that he backs himself. He doesn't even have a shadow of doubt that 'I am not able to do it' Jurel said in post match presser. Sooryavanshi's seventh maximum in the fourth over took him past Chris Gayles record of 59 sixes - the most by any batter in a single IPL season - while his eighth maximum helped him race to a 16-ball half-century, which is the joint-fastest fifty in IPL playoffs. He hammered five more sixes after reaching his fifty and looked set to threaten another Chris Gayle landmark - the fastest IPL century, off just 30 balls. The best thing about Vaibhav that I have noticed is that he doesn't plan anything. Because he practises a lot and he always backs himself. That's what he does every time he goes out and plays. The best thing about him is that he backs himself. He doesn't even have a shadow of doubt that 'I am not able to do it' Jurel said in post match presser. Also Read: Live Cricket Score When we go to an academy, we're told, 'Don't watch the bowler, watch the ball'. As 17-year-olds, we always watch the bowler, (and think) he's a big name. But really, he just watches the ball. That's all. His mantra is 'I don't want give a damn about any bowler' he added. Article Source: IANS

24/7 digital 'superfans' rewriting sports marketing rules; 96% cricket viewers on YouTube: Google

This year, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged as the top-searched IPL team across India this season, closely followed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI)

Sooryavanshi's Level Of Game Awareness Is Remarkable At 15: AB De Villiers

Former South Africa: Former South Africa batter and IPL great AB de Villiers heaped praise on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, stating that the openers game awareness at the age of just 15 is 'remarkable' after the Rajasthan Royals batter produced a breathtaking innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. The 15-year-old smashed a stunning 97 off just 29 balls to power Rajasthan Royals to a commanding total before they sealed a 47-run victory to enter Qualifier 2. Reacting to the knock, de Villiers said what impressed him most was not just the shot-making but the maturity and calmness Sooryavanshi displayed in a high-pressure knockout game. What stood out most about Vaibhav Sooryavanshis innings was his composure and clarity under pressure at just 15 years of age. Pat Cummins and Sunrisers Hyderabad kept trying different plans, constantly changing the field and mixing their lengths to disrupt his rhythm, but he stayed completely locked into his own bubble throughout the innings. That level of game awareness in a knockout match is remarkable for someone so young, de Villiers told JioStar. Sooryavanshis innings completely disrupted SRH's bowling plans. Despite skipper Cummins opening with defensive fields and yorker-heavy tactics, the teenager countered every move with fearless strokeplay as RR raced to 125 in just eight overs. De Villiers highlighted how the youngster appeared ready for every tactical adjustment SRH attempted during the innings. Whether they bowled short or tried to surprise him with fuller deliveries, he seemed prepared for every plan and was in control against all of them. Scoring 97 off just 29 balls in an Eliminator, while dominating all parts of the ground, was an extraordinary display of fearless batting and showed why he is already being spoken about alongside some of the most explosive players the IPL has seen, he added. De Villiers was also impressed by the youngsters understanding of preparation and mental routines before matches, saying that aspect of his game reflects unusual maturity for a player of his age. Whats most impressive about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the clarity he already has around his preparation and routines at just 15 years of age. Hearing him talk about visualising match-ups, studying bowlers, and mentally preparing before games shows a level of maturity that is very rare at that age, the RCB Hall of Famer said. The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru star even compared Sooryavanshis approach to legendary Australian opener Matthew Hayden, known for his strong visualisation routines during his playing days. It actually reminded me a little of Matthew Hayden, who used to spend time visualising on the pitch before batting. Over the course of his career, many of those routines will evolve, but the important thing is that Vaibhav is already building his own habits and processes instead of trying to copy others, the Proteas great stated. According to de Villiers, individuality could prove crucial in shaping Sooryavanshis long-term success at the highest level. It actually reminded me a little of Matthew Hayden, who used to spend time visualising on the pitch before batting. Over the course of his career, many of those routines will evolve, but the important thing is that Vaibhav is already building his own habits and processes instead of trying to copy others, the Proteas great stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score RR will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on Friday at the same venue in New Chandigarh. Article Source: IANS

IRE Vs NZ Only Test: Ravindra And Blundell Turn Tide For New Zealand Against Ireland

Hundreds from Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell helped New Zealand recover from a collapse against Ireland to reach 361-5 on the opening day of a one-off Test. New Zealand, sent in to bat in Belfast on Wednesday, were in trouble at 86-4, with Ireland paceman Mark Adair taking three wickets and Test debutant Liam McCarthy dismissing key batsman Kane Williamson. But a mammoth fifth-wicket stand of 217 between Ravindra (121) and Blundell (142 not out) revived New Zealand's innings in a match that also serves as a warm-up fixture for their opening Test against England at Lord's next week. Adair struck with just his second delivery, removing Tom Latham when the captain played no shot to an inswinger. Devon Conway was then caught by a diving McCarthy at midwicket, with Adair also having Daryl Mitchell caught behind. McCarthy had a maiden Test wicket to remember when Williamson, struggling for timing during a 70-ball 36, was lbw. But an Ireland side featuring three debutant fast bowlers could not press home their advantage and there was a self-inflicted wound when captain Andrew Balbirnie dropped Ravindra in the slips. Left-hander Ravindra completed his fifth Test century in 175 balls faced. Blundell was slightly quicker, his hundred coming in 173 balls, including 15 fours and a six. Ravindra holed out to off-spinner Harry Tector but Blundell, in the first Test between the two countries, was unbeaten at stumps. Batting with Tom, one of my best mates, it was cool to get it done out there, said Ravindra. To have us four down for 80-odd made our lives quite difficult so me and Tommy's focus was on building a partnership. McCarthy, meanwhile, was proud of the start to his Test career. There's not many better wickets to get than Kane Williamson for your first one, he said. New Zealand suffered a setback before play began at Stormont after fast bowler Matt Henry was ruled out with a minor strain in his left hamstring. He has now headed to London alongside fellow pacemen Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke. The trio will look to prove their fitness ahead of the first of a three-Test series against England at Lord's starting a week on Thursday. Brief score At Stormont, Belfast (first day of four): New Zealand 361-5 (T Blundell 142 no, R Ravindra 121; M Adair 3-66) v Ireland Also Read: Live Cricket Score Toss: Ireland

West Indies To Host SL, NZ And Pakistan As CWI Unveil Home Season Schedule

ICC World Test Championship: Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled the full schedule for the 2026 mens home season, featuring international series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan. The highlight of the home season consists of a pair of two-match Test series with Sri Lanka and Pakistan that form part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. The season officially bowls off in Jamaica with a white-ball series against Sri Lanka from June 314, featuring three ODIs and as many T20Is. The teams will then travel to Antigua for a two-match Test series scheduled for June 2529 and July 37. Attention will then shift to a five-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Guyana hosting the opening three matches on July 11, 13 and 16, before the series concludes in Barbados with the final two encounters on July 19 and 21. As part of the finalised schedule, Barbados has been added as a host venue for the One-Day International series against New Zealand, with the final two matches now set to be played there, CWI said in a release. The final leg of the home season will take place in Trinidad & Tobago, where the Men in Maroon will face Pakistan in a two-match Test series from July 2529 and August 26. The series will also mark a historic milestone for the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, which is set to host its first-ever international Test match. The West Indies currently sit in ninth place on the World Test Championship standings, having played eight matches so far this cycle. Sri Lanka series schedule: First ODI June 3, Sabina Park, Jamaica Second ODI June 6, Sabina Park, Jamaica Third ODI June 8, Sabina Park, Jamaica First T20I June 11, Sabina Park, Jamaica Second T20I June 13, Sabina Park, Jamaica Third T20I June 14, Sabina Park, Jamaica First Test June 25-29, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua & Barbuda Second Test July 3-7, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua & Barbuda New Zealand series schedule: First ODI July 11, Guyana National Stadium, Guyana Second ODI July 13, Guyana National Stadium, Guyana Third ODI July 16, Guyana National Stadium, Guyana Fourth ODI July 19, Kensington Oval, Barbados Fifth ODI July 21, Kensington Oval, Barbados Pakistan series schedule: Fifth ODI July 21, Kensington Oval, Barbados Also Read: Live Cricket Score Second Test August 2-6, Queens Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago Article Source: IANS

'A brand to admire but it comes at a cost' - Moody wants SRH to invest in bowlers

You're pouring a lot of money into the way you play as a batting unit, [but] you're left short with the finances to be able to build a strong bowling unit, Tom Moody says about SRH

West Indies to host Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan in 2026 home season

West Indies will play Test matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the home season

'She's Going To Push Me To Do Even Better': New Mum Danni Wyatt-Hodge Aims For Glory Ahead Of India Challenge

Ask Danni Wyatt: Ask Danni Wyatt-Hodge on how she's doing and she'll tell you about being on cloud nine after her life changed overnight. Her daughter Daisy, born on May 20, is just over a week old, and Danni along with her partner Georgie, have been on baby feeding duties after every three hours. At times, Daisy likes being held in the lap, something which Danni loves doing. Amidst the joy of welcoming Daisy, Danni has found time to do some practice ahead of rejoining England for the final two T20Is against India, which serves as the final dress rehearsal before the ICC Women's T20 World Cup takes centrestage. On paper, the timing looks punishing, but Danni has no complaints. It's just been really nice being at home with her and Georgie, my wife and all our family around as well helping, which is a game changer. We're really lucky that we've got the help and I've still been managing to get out and do some training as well. But I've had a lot of cricket over the last four months or so. We've been very busy; I've been trying to get in everything I can so that I'm ready for what's coming up now. It's been nice to have this little period at home with the family and just on cloud nine still, it's pretty incredible, a beaming Danni said in an exclusive conversation with IANS, facilitated by Sony Sports Network. For Danni, jumping into a life of juggling between being an elite sportsperson and a new working mother, theres inspiration in the form of England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt. Watching Nat juggle between playing the Womens Big Bash League in Australia and looking after her son Theo with her partner, ex-England pacer Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Danni had a ringside view of how seamlessly a balance could be struck. Oh, it's massive. I've spent a lot of time around Nat, Katherine and Theo and basically lived with them for those two months and I've seen how amazing they are with Theo. They are incredible mothers to Theo and he's very lucky to have them. Me and Georgie said at that time, this will be us soon and it'll be so special to travel around the world with our daughter and just create memories together. That's what life's all about, isn't it? She's going to push me to do even better out there in the middle and we have exciting times ahead, she added. Cricket may be fickle, but Danni insists the mind is steady - sustained by routines and subtle mindset shifts, like not overthinking, that keep her form intact. The proof is already in her rich vein of form before going on parental leave Danni amassed 432 runs at an average of 48, which propelled Hobart Hurricanes to clinching the WBBL title, the first of her playing career. That momentum from Australia continued - two match-winning knocks for Team Heyhoe-Flint during an intra-squad training camp in South Africa in March was followed by 378 runs in five games of the One-Day Cup for Surrey - a blistering 124 against Warwickshire was followed by 119 against Hampshire and 96 against Durham. It's helped with what's going on outside of cricket with my wife being pregnant for the last nine months and now Daisy is finally here and all your energy goes into that. Then the cricket's just a bit on the side that you don't really think too much about, which is that's when people play their best cricket - when you're not overthinking everything and just stay calm and trust everything - trust your ability, instincts and just relax, stay calm and back yourself. It sounds quite simple, but a lot of people struggle to get in that mindset. But if you can get into that mindset, then you're going to give yourself the best chance to go out there to succeed and play some good cricket. So, for me, it's just having that balance of life and cricket, making sure that I'm enjoying life outside of cricket and that's what it's all about - creating memories, isn't it? With your friends, family and then the cricket looks after itself - as soon as you cross that line, you're on it and giving it your all, added Danni. Before the World Cup takes centrestage, England have to overcome the Indian challenge after drawing the ODI series against New Zealand, while winning the T20I series. When India toured in England in 2025, they won both T20I and ODI series and Danni, who shared the dressing room with a lot of Indian players during the WPL, harbours no illusions about the scale of the contest awaiting the hosts at home. It's really important because it's always a massive challenge playing against India and something that we always really look forward to. We know how quality a side India are. They've got some quality seam bowlers, some of the best spinners and batters in the world, and their batting line-up is quite deep and has big depth - Richa Ghosh comes in at number six or seven, and we know what she can do. So, it's going to be a real big test for us. But the girls are really looking in great nick at the minute. We've played some quality cricket over the last few months. We've been to South Africa, played against each other and we feel very prepared ahead of what's going to come. This series will be a massive challenge ahead of the World Cup and it's going to be really important that we win these games and take the momentum into the World Cup. But, it's T20 cricket - it just takes one or two players to have a good game and they are won or either lost. So, we've just got to live in the moment, prepare as well as we can do for each game, stay calm, try and play our best cricket and enjoy it ultimately, she elaborated. The returns of Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson, both sidelined from last years series against India, along with Heather Knight back in the batting line-up, have given England a significant boost. There are a few changes, but there's been so much cricket between then and now. We had a few players out with injury last summer unfortunately. Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson are really big players for us and it's really good to see them back out on the park. They offer us quality batting and bowling and both are quality fielders. So, both of those players are great additions to our squad. I've played a lot of cricket with Freya Kemp. I don't know if she's going to be, but I'm still saying it now, she's going to be the best player that England have ever produced. She's incredible and hits the ball so hard, like its the hardest I've ever seen a female hit the ball. So it's great to have those girls back and I feel like we've got all bases covered, which is really nice to have that, isn't it? Especially for me, opening the batting, knowing that I've got players like Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Amy Jones coming in at the end, giving it a whack and it gives us license to go out and play our natural T20 game, added Danni. England's preparation has been methodical after WBBL stints, they featured in an intra-squad series in South Africa, where Danni's Heyhoe-Flint side lost the series to Team Brittin 3-2. Since then, all have been playing domestic cricket, with preparation camps running steadily, though Nat is still recovering from a calf injury. Danni insists that Englands preparation for a big few months of cricket at home has been exceptional. Our preparation has been outstanding and the girls are looking red hot and they all can't wait to get out there. The girls are just coming off playing against New Zealand, but we want to keep that momentum going and keep getting better and better each game so that when we go out there, and play our first (World Cup) game against Sri Lanka, we all know our roles well, and are confident in going to be able to perform as well as we can. Ultimately just enjoy it, inspire and entertain the crowd that are out there watching us. Hopefully we get some big crowds in - that'd be really good and I can't wait to get out there with everyone again, she added. The girls are just coming off playing against New Zealand, but we want to keep that momentum going and keep getting better and better each game so that when we go out there, and play our first (World Cup) game against Sri Lanka, we all know our roles well, and are confident in going to be able to perform as well as we can. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Watch India Women's Tour of England 2026 starting from May 28th 2026, from 11:00 PM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony LIV. Article Source: IANS

Ryana MacDonald-Gay six-for seals Surrey win in low-scoring thriller

Quick returns best figures in women's domestic T20 cricket in third game back from injury, against Durham

Andersson hits fifty, takes six wickets as Derbyshire romp home

Leicestershire blown away after opting to chase as Donald, Andersson and Jewell hit their straps

Cummins: 'You don't feel like you have too many options against Sooryavanshi'

Sooryavanshi smoked a 29-ball 97 to knock SRH out in the IPL 2026 Eliminator

Sooryavanshi's 97 off 29 knocks SRH out

Jofra Archer's three early wickets seal Rajasthan Royals' progress into Qualifier 2 to face Gujarat Titans

IPL 2026: Sooryavnshi, Archer Power RR To Qualifier 2 With 47-run Victory Over SRH

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: Teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered one of the best innings in Indian Premier League (IPL) knockout history before Jofra Archer tore through the top order as Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs in the Eliminator of IPL 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. With this win, the Rajasthan Royals advanced to Qualifier 2, where they will meet the Gujarat Titans. Sooryavanshi scored an incredible 97 off just 28 balls, leading RR to a total of 243 for 8. This score proved much too high for SRH, even though they launched a brave counterattack in their chase. The 15-year-old hit a 16-ball fifty, tying Suresh Rainas record for the fastest half-century in an IPL playoff. He also surpassed Chris Gayle for the most sixes in a T20 tournament. He missed out on Gayles record for the fastest IPL century by three runs when he top-edged Praful Hinge to deep third while on 97, but he had thoroughly disrupted SRHs bowling strategy. Pat Cummins started with defensive field placements and heavy yorkers, but Sooryavanshi's assault turned the Power-play into total chaos. RR raced to 63 without losing a wicket in four overs and reached 125 for 1 in just eight. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal struggled to 29 off 29 balls in what became one of the oddest supporting roles in T20 cricket. The momentum hardly slowed after Sooryavanshi's dismissal. Dhruv Jurel slammed a 20-ball fifty, dismantling Cummins with scoops, pulls, and straight hits as RR surged to 192 for 3 in 13.5 overs. Riyan Parag contributed 26, while late efforts from Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja pushed RR past 240, despite a disciplined finish from Nitish Kumar Reddy. In pursuit of 244, SRH started in disarray. Archer struck on the second ball of the innings with a brutal short delivery, forcing Abhishek Sharma (0) to glove the ball to the keeper. However, SRH did not give up easily. Ishan Kishan unleashed 33 off 11 while Travis Head joined the early assault, helping SRH reach 51 for 1 in 2.4 overs in a thrilling exchange. Archer, however, changed the game entirely. Kishan (33) edged a catch to cover while attempting another aggressive shot, and soon after, Nandre Burger dismissed Ravichandran Smaran (1) with a hard-length delivery. Archer then bowled Head (17) with a 150kph delivery that hit the top of off stump. SRH fell to 57 for 4 in 4.4 overs, with Archer once again making a significant impact at a crucial stage of the tournament. Heinrich Klaasen (18) briefly raised hopes with an impressive six off legspinner Yash Raj Punja, but RR successfully reviewed his lbw after he missed a reverse sweep. SRH kept attacking with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Impact Player Salil Arora, whose 50-run partnership came off just 19 balls, but RR continued to take wickets. Jadeja dismissed Reddy for 38 off 20 by restricting his movement, while Pat Cummins (1) fell while trying to clear long-on, with Archer making a fine catch at the boundary. Arora continued his fightback and added 24 runs with Shivang Kumar, who then added 24 further with Eshan Malinga, but the fall of wickets continued for SRH as RR cruised to victory by 47 runs. Jofra Archer finished with the surreal figures of 4-0-58-3, expensive on paper, especially after even Shivang Kumar took him on in a 16-run 17th over - but the numbers barely captured his impact on the Eliminator. Archer struck with the second ball of the chase to remove Abhishek Sharma, then returned to dismiss the dangerous Ishan Kishan and blasted through Travis Head with a 150kph thunderbolt. Those three wickets at the top of the order ultimately tilted the match decisively in the Rajasthan Royals favour. Jadeja, Burger, and Sushant took two wickets each. Arora continued his fightback and added 24 runs with Shivang Kumar, who then added 24 further with Eshan Malinga, but the fall of wickets continued for SRH as RR cruised to victory by 47 runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajasthan Royals 243/8 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 97, Dhruv Jurel 50; Praful Hinge 3-54, Shivang Kumar 1-19) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 196 all out in 19.2 overs (Ishan Kishan 38, Nitish Kumar Reddy 35; Jofra Archer 3-58, Ravindra Jadeja 3-21) by 47 runs. Article Source: IANS

Winning ODI World Cup Will Give Us A Lot Of Confidence, Says Harmanpreet Kaur Ahead Of T20 WC

Winning ODI World Cup: The reigning ICC Womens Cricket World Cup winners, India, have set themselves a new target -- to add another global crown to their kitty by winning their maiden ICC Womens T20 World Cup title in the event, which will be held in England and Wales from June 12. Having claimed their maiden T20 World Cup title at home last year, India will be making their final preparations for the mega event by locking horns with England in a three-match T20I series to familiarise themselves with the conditions on offer. The Indian players will be taking the field in England on a high following their success over the hosts in the previous white-ball series. For skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, however, England is an all-too familiar landscape. It was here that she made her India debut at the ICC Womens T20 World Cup in 2009. With India riding on a wave of confidence, Harman conceded that a fairytale ending to the upcoming tournament will be a dream come true for her. It will be a dream come true for any cricketer who made their debut in England and then winning the World Cup in England, I think I can't ask anything else for myself and from God, she said in the pre-match press conference in Chelmsford on Wednesday. And now it's only about just keeping myself in the positive frame and just keep doing the right things again and again, because consistency is something that always gives you results. And it's only about going there and expressing ourselves and enjoying each and every moment on the field. Kaur is the only member of the Indian squad who has featured in all the Womens T20 World Cup editions to date. Ahead of her 10th outing, however, she has added another feather to her cap, becoming the first Indian captain to lift a Womens Cricket World Cup trophy. It is from that euphoric win that Kaur and her team are deriving inspiration ahead of whats expected to be one of the most competitive editions of the tournament. I think winning the World Cup gave us a lot of confidence, and I think that confidence will carry over to this T20 World Cup. When you win, you know what things you have done really well to win that World Cup. We know how to perform under pressure. So I think those things will give us confidence playing this T20 World Cup, she said. Slotted in Group 1 alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands, Indias march to the tournament begins with their bilateral series against England on May 28. I think winning the World Cup gave us a lot of confidence, and I think that confidence will carry over to this T20 World Cup. When you win, you know what things you have done really well to win that World Cup. We know how to perform under pressure. So I think those things will give us confidence playing this T20 World Cup, she said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Their opening match of the T20 World Cup will see India go up against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston. Article Source: IANS

Kelly blazes trail for Blaze after Ballinger snares Bears

Warwickshire tripped up after fast start as visitors make it three wins from three

Harmanpreet: India looking for 'clarity' on best XI ahead of T20 World Cup

Hole left by absent allrounders could mean opportunities for Radha Yadav and Bharti Fulmani

IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshis Opening Blitz Guides RR To 243/8 Vs SRH In Eliminator

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered one of the most incredible innings in the history of the knockout stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he scored 97 runs off 28 balls, leaving Sunrisers Hyderabad stunned and leading Rajasthan Royals to 243/8 in 20 overs in the Eliminator of the IPL 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. The 15-year-old set records with a remarkable display of hitting. He reached his fifty in just 16 balls, matching the fastest in an IPL playoff, alongside Suresh Rainas effort in 2014. Sooryavanshi also broke Chris Gayle's record for the most sixes in a T20 tournament. Just three runs shy of the fastest IPL hundred, he fell for 97 off 28 balls after completely dismantling SRHs bowling strategy and turning the powerplay into chaos. Pat Cummins used an unusual defensive strategy, placing deep square leg and deep midwicket for Sooryavanshi. He bowled almost exclusively full and straight to limit Sooryavanshis scoring opportunities. The plan almost worked for three balls until one well-placed delivery sailed over mid-off for six. Rajasthan Royals were nine without loss after the first over, and things quickly worsened from there. Eshan Malinga, chosen over Praful Hinge as the new bowler, faced a similar outcome. Sooryavanshi hooked a surprise short ball over backward square leg, and Rajasthan raced to 20 for 0 in two overs. Cummins stuck to his yorker-heavy tactic, but the margin for error was slim. Two full deliveries were hit for four and six before Sooryavanshi uppercut a short ball and flat-batted a slower delivery straight down the ground. By the fourth over, he had scored 36 off 10 balls, with RR at an astonishing 63 without loss. The onslaught continued against Sakib Hussain, who was hit over extra cover, long-off, and behind square in an over that saw Sooryavanshi surpass Gayles six-hitting record. At the other end, Yashasvi Jaiswal had one of the strangest supporting roles in T20 history. He crawled to 19 off 16 while watching his teenage partner dominate every possible delivery. Sooryavanshi seemed on track to break Gayles 30-ball IPL century record when he targeted Hinge, but after reaching 97 off 28, he top-edged an attempted uppercut to deep third. The innings ended with RR at 125 for 1 in eight overs, leaving the crowd in disbelief at what they had just seen. Play steadied briefly as Shivang Kumar allowed only four runs in the next over. Jaiswal eventually fell for a run-a-ball 29 while trying to clear long-off. However, RR kept their momentum going. Dhruv Jurel seamlessly carried on with a fierce attack of his own. He first slog-swept Shivang for six, then took on Cummins in the 12th over with a scoop over short fine leg, a pulled six, and a drilled boundary past long-off from a half-volley. RR surged to 168 for 2 in 12 overs, with Jurel reaching 32 off 13. Jurel quickly reached his sixth fifty of the season in just 20 balls, uppercutting Hinge over deep third for a remarkable boundary before falling on the next ball while trying another pull. By then, RR had raced to 192 for 3 in 13.5 overs. The innings began to stall slightly as wickets fell in clusters. Riyan Parag (26) was dismissed, and five balls later, Dasun Shanaka (5) misjudged a shot off Malinga to long-on. But even at 220 for 5 after 17 overs, RR still had Ravindra Jadeja and Jofra Archer ready, along with Shubham Dubey available as the Impact Player. Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja scored 20 runs in just 12 balls towards the end. Their partnership was often risky, with chaotic running between the wickets. It ended in the 19th over when Ferreira was run out trying to take a second run that wasnt there. Five balls later, Jofra Archer was out after Abhishek Sharma made a great catch at the long-on boundary. Nitish Kumar Reddy finished strongly for Sunrisers Hyderabad, giving away just five runs in the 19th over with a series of precise wide yorkers and lines. Another tight final over limited Rajasthan Royals to 243 for 8, despite the earlier onslaught in the innings. Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja scored 20 runs in just 12 balls towards the end. Their partnership was often risky, with chaotic running between the wickets. It ended in the 19th over when Ferreira was run out trying to take a second run that wasnt there. Five balls later, Jofra Archer was out after Abhishek Sharma made a great catch at the long-on boundary. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajasthan Royals 243/8 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 97, Dhruv Jurel 50; Praful Hinge 3-54, Shivang Kumar 1-19) against Sunrisers Hyderabad Article Source: IANS

1st Women's T20I: Focus On Bowling Unit As India Begin Key World Cup Rehearsal Against England (Preview)

T20 World Cup: : India will begin their final preparation phase for next months Womens T20 World Cup when Harmanpreet Kaurs side takes on England in the opening match of a three-game T20I series at the County Ground in Chelmsford on Thursday. With the World Cup set to begin on June 12, the series carries massive importance for India, which is still searching for the right balance in its lower middle-order and bowling attack despite showing promising signs over the last few months. Indias road to the World Cup has produced mixed results so far. The team started strongly with a dominant 5-0 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka at home before scripting history in Australia by clinching a 2-1 series victory Indias first bilateral T20I series win there in 10 years. Australia's triumph raised hopes of a strong World Cup campaign as Indias batters played with greater intent while the bowling unit delivered under pressure in unfamiliar conditions. However, the momentum faded during the tour of South Africa, where India suffered a disappointing 1-4 defeat. The batting lacked consistency in key moments, the lower middle-order struggled to finish innings, and the bowling attack failed to maintain control during crunch phases. The England series now gives the team management one final opportunity to settle combinations before India opens its World Cup campaign against Pakistan on June 14. Indias top-order and middle-order largely appear settled, with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet, and Richa Ghosh expected to form the core batting group. The bigger focus will be on identifying the ideal finishers and finalising the bowling combination. One of the major talking points ahead of the series is the inclusion of young pacer Nandini Sharma, who earned a maiden call-up after impressing with her pace and control in domestic cricket and the Womens Premier League. Whether India hands her an immediate debut remains uncertain. The management could view the England series as the perfect platform to test a fresh option before the World Cup, especially after the pace attack struggled in South Africa. At the same time, there is also a possibility that India may prefer to rely on experienced players in a high-profile series and keep the youngster on the sidelines for now. Indias pace responsibilities are likely to be shared by Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, and Kranti Goud, with English conditions expected to offer movement for seamers. The visitors will need a far more disciplined performance from the fast bowlers after inconsistent outings in recent matches. There is encouraging news on the spin front with Radha Yadav returning to the squad after missing the South Africa tour. The left-arm spinner comes into the series in excellent form after leading strongly in domestic tournaments and India A matches recently, adding both confidence and experience to the bowling unit. Alongside Radha, Indias spin department also includes Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, and Shreyanka Patil, giving the side multiple options depending on conditions. Another player attracting attention is Bharti Fulmali, who is still new to the international setup but remains an exciting prospect because of her power-hitting ability. While selecting an inexperienced finisher so close to a World Cup carries some risk, her aggressive batting could provide India with the finishing firepower it has often lacked in pressure situations. India will also take confidence from last years successful tour of England, when it secured its first-ever bilateral womens T20I series win on English soil with a 3-2 triumph. With the World Cup just weeks away, Thursdays opening clash could play a major role in shaping Indias final plans for the global tournament. When: Thursday, May 28, 11:00 PM Where: County Ground, Chelmsford Where to Watch: IND W vs ENG W 1st T20 will be live-streamed on the SonyLIV app and across Sony Sports channels on TV. Squads: Where to Watch: IND W vs ENG W 1st T20 will be live-streamed on the SonyLIV app and across Sony Sports channels on TV. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong. Article Source: IANS

SRH bowl in IPL 2026 Eliminator against RR

The winner of the Eliminator will play Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 for a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB in IPL finals: Virat Kohli runs to hug Anushka Sharma; actor spotted chanting, wearing tulsi mala

RCB secured a dominant 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans on Tuesday to qualify for the IPL 2026 final for the second consecutive season. Following the win, star batter Virat Kohli celebrated emotionally by rushing to the VIP stands to hug his wife, Anushka Sharma.

Supreme Court GST ruling may pressure margins, survival of gaming firms: Experts

The ruling validates the 28 per cent GST on the full face value of bets now increased to 40 per cent from September 2025 and recognises stake-based online gaming as betting and gambling

Erratic Swiatek reaches French Open round three

Swiatek will next face either former champion Jelena Ostapenko or fellow Pole Magda Linette for a place in the last 16

ED Raids 17 Locations In Parimatch Betting Probe, Seizes Cash And Freezes Rs 3.8 Crore

Mumbai Zonal Office: The Directorate of Enforcement's (ED) Mumbai Zonal Office conducted searches at 17 locations across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, Daman and Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in connection with an ongoing probe into the Cyprus-based illegal online betting platform Parimatch. During the raids, the agency seized movable assets worth around Rs 1.56 crore, including cash amounting to nearly Rs 1.2 crore. The ED also froze approximately Rs 3.8 crore lying in various bank accounts. Several incriminating documents and digital devices were recovered during the search operations. The ED initiated the investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Cyber Police Station, Mumbai, against Parimatch.com for allegedly duping users through online betting operations. According to investigators, the platform lured investors with promises of high returns and is suspected to have generated more than Rs 3,000 crore in a year. The investigation has revealed that Parimatch and its associates allegedly operated through a complex network of mule accounts, payment intermediaries, and financial inclusion channels to collect, layer and transfer user funds. Officials said that in several instances, user withdrawals were processed without any direct outward payment from accounts controlled by the platform. Instead, deposits made by other users were routed directly into the withdrawing users bank accounts or UPI IDs in multiple tranches to conceal the money trail and avoid direct payment linkage. Investigators further found that user deposits and withdrawals were routed through multiple current accounts opened in the names of software, fintech, and technology-related entities, many of which were engaged in legitimate business activities. These accounts were allegedly used to collect user deposits and route payouts under the guise of vendor payments, business transactions and payment gateway services. The ED also uncovered the alleged misuse of Banking Correspondent (BC) networks, mobile money transfer agents, Grahak Seva Kendras, Cash Management Services (CMS), local kirana stores, and retail outlets for processing payouts and movement of funds linked to the platform. According to the probe, user funds were routed through retailers and Grahak Seva Kendras operating under BC networks. The funds were first transferred to retailers, who then passed them to BC agents. The BCs subsequently recharged retailer wallets, which were later used to make payouts to Parimatch users, thereby masking the actual source and trail of funds. The investigation further revealed that certain agents allegedly diverted cash received through CMS channels and adjusted it against RTGS transfers sourced from deposits made by Parimatch users. The cash was then allegedly transferred outside India through hawala channels. The ED said Parimatch aggressively promoted its betting platform through surrogate advertisements under the names Parimatch Sports and Parimatch News. Unlike several other betting platforms, Parimatch allegedly adopted a hyperlocal marketing strategy by sponsoring teams in local cricket leagues across more than 15 states, apart from hockey and football tournaments. The investigation further revealed that certain agents allegedly diverted cash received through CMS channels and adjusted it against RTGS transfers sourced from deposits made by Parimatch users. The cash was then allegedly transferred outside India through hawala channels. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The ED said it has so far frozen assets worth Rs 112 crore in the case. Further investigation is underway. Article Source: IANS

Alice Tector replaces injured Laura Delany in Ireland's T20 World Cup squad

Tector will also be part of Ireland's home tri-series against West Indies and Pakistan which starts on Thursday

Womens T20 WC: Injury Rules Laura Delany Out As Ireland Add Teenager Alice Tector

T20 World Cup: Ireland have suffered a setback ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup as experienced all-rounder Laura Delany has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury, with 18-year-old Alice Tector drafted into the squad as Delanys replacement for both the World Cup and the upcoming tri-series involving the West Indies and Pakistan. Tector, who made her international debut in 2024, comes from a well-known cricketing family and is the younger sister of Ireland internationals Harry Tector and Tim Tector. Cricket Irelands Director of High Performance, Graeme West, expressed disappointment over Delanys absence while backing Tector to seize the opportunity. We are all devastated for Laura shes one of the toughest competitors that has ever played for Ireland Women, and we wish her well with her recovery. Alice herself has had to deal with injuries over the last 12 months, but has shown a great temperament since returning to play in 2026, West said. Delanys withdrawal leaves a significant void in Irelands setup, given her experience and leadership qualities, but it also opens the door for one of the countrys brightest young prospects. Despite having only five international appearances so far, Tector is now set for the biggest assignment of her young career. Ireland will begin their preparations by hosting a tri-series in Clontarf featuring West Indies and Pakistan before travelling for the World Cup, which runs from June 12 to July 5. Delanys withdrawal leaves a significant void in Irelands setup, given her experience and leadership qualities, but it also opens the door for one of the countrys brightest young prospects. Despite having only five international appearances so far, Tector is now set for the biggest assignment of her young career. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ireland, ranked ninth in the ICC womens T20I standings, have been placed in a challenging Group 2 alongside hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Scotland. Group 1 comprises Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Bangladesh, with the top two teams from each pool progressing to the semi-finals. Article Source: IANS

'SRH Have More Match-winners Than RR,' Says Kumble Ahead Of Eliminator

PCA New International Stadium: Former India captain Anil Kumble believes Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) hold a clear edge over Rajasthan Royals in Wednesdays IPL 2026 Eliminator, saying Hyderabad possesses greater depth and more match-winners across departments. Analysing the knockout clash at the PCA New International Stadium in Chandigarh, Kumble said SRHs balanced squad makes them favourites against a Rajasthan side heavily dependent on a handful of players. If you compare the two teams man for man, SRH have more match-winners. Rajasthan, on the other hand, relies heavily on a few individuals Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Jofra Archer, Kumble told Jio Hotstar. The former India coach added that Rajasthans fortunes could largely depend on whether their key players deliver in the pressure game. If those three don't fire, their batting and bowling both look thin. That could be the difference in a knockout game, he added. Kumble also pointed to the league-stage clash between the two sides earlier this season as a major turning point in SRHs campaign. He highlighted the impact made by young pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, who made their IPL debuts in that match. The game that Sunrisers Hyderabad would remember dearly is the one against Rajasthan Royals of the league phase, where Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain made their IPL debuts. That was a turning point for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season, Kumble noted. Before that game, they had a different playing combination. After bringing in those young bowlers, they found a winning formula. Hinge and Hussain tore through RR's top order in that game, he added. Kumble further suggested SRH could once again look towards Hinge for the Eliminator and hinted that the youngster may replace Harshal Patel in the playing XI. Before that game, they had a different playing combination. After bringing in those young bowlers, they found a winning formula. Hinge and Hussain tore through RR's top order in that game, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The winner of the Eliminator will stay alive in the IPL playoffs race, while the losing side will exit the tournament. Article Source: IANS

SC upholds retrospective 28% GST levy on online gaming companies

The apex court said online gaming platforms are suppliers liable for GST and upheld the constitutional validity of the levy

RCB Made A Statement In The Knockout Game: Anil Kumble After Qualifier 1 Win

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium: Former India captain Anil Kumble praised Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for producing a statement performance after the defending champions crushed Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to enter their second consecutive IPL final on Tuesday. RCB delivered a complete all-round performance at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, posting a record-breaking 254/5 before bowling Gujarat Titans out for 162 in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026. Kumble said scoring such a massive total in a playoff match highlighted the confidence and character within the RCB camp. After losing the toss, RCB put their best foot forward by posting a mammoth 254 on the board. Scoring that many runs is difficult in any game, but to do it in a playoff shows real character. The pitch was good for batting, but the batters still had to go out and execute, and they did that brilliantly, Kumble told Jio Hotstar. RCB captain Rajat Patidar led the charge with an unbeaten 93 off just 39 balls, while Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal also made important contributions at the top. Kumble felt the momentum had completely shifted in RCBs favour once the bowlers prevented Gujarat Titans from settling early in the chase. When RCB came out to bowl, they didnt allow GTs openers to settle. They bowled disciplined lines, kept pressure from both ends, and got the early breakthrough through Sai Sudharsans unfortunate dismissal. That wicket opened the door, and after that the bowlers completely controlled the game, Kumble explained. Jacob Duffy starred with three wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, and Krunal Pandya picked up two wickets each as Gujarat collapsed to 51/5 inside the powerplay. Kumble described the performance as one of RCB's most complete displays this season. It was a clinical performance from start to finish. Batting, bowling, and fielding, everything clicked for RCB on the night. They didnt just win the game; they made a statement. That is exactly the kind of performance you need in a knockout match, He said. The former India spinner also reserved special praise for captain Rajat Patidar, saying big-match performances like this help leaders earn the trust and respect of the dressing room. A player earns the respect of his teammates when he performs in a big game, and Rajat Patidar has done exactly that, Kumble said. This first qualifier was massive because winning it gives you direct entry into the final, along with a few extra days to recover mentally and physically. That is a huge advantage, he added. Kumble further pointed out that RCBs success has come from collective contributions rather than dependence on a few star players. What stands out about RCB is that different players step up in different games. Every match, somebody new becomes the Man of the Match. Thats exactly what happened when they won the title last season, he said. Kumble further pointed out that RCBs success has come from collective contributions rather than dependence on a few star players. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, with this win, RCB have qualified for the IPL 2026 Final to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: GT Becomes Predictable On Flat Pitches, Says Tom Moody After Qualifier 1 Defeat To RCB

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium: Former Australia cricketer and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) global director of cricket Tom Moody believes the Gujarat Titans bowling attack becomes predictable on flat batting surfaces, a weakness that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru exploited perfectly during their dominant win in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. RCB stormed into their second consecutive IPL final after posting a record-breaking 254/5 and then bowling Gujarat Titans out for 162 to secure a commanding 92-run victory at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday. Speaking after the match, Moody said Gujarats bowling attack thrives when conditions offer movement but struggles badly on surfaces where there is little assistance for fast bowlers. Their predictability is hurting them when the conditions are not to their liking, Moody said during ESPNcricinfos TimeOut show. He compared the Gujarat Titans bowling struggles to the Sunrisers Hyderabads batting problems on difficult pitches, saying both teams rely heavily on specific conditions to succeed. Its a bit like Sunrisers Hyderabad. When the surface starts doing a little bit, their batting line-up struggles. Gujarat are almost the bowling version of that, Moody explained. According to Moody, Gujarats pace attack, featuring Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, becomes dangerous when there is seam movement or swing available, but on flat surfaces, they lack enough variation to trouble aggressive batting units. When theres movement in the pitch, Siraj and Rabada become extremely difficult to face because they hit those hard lengths and create problems both inside and outside the bat, he said. But on a very flat surface like this one, they become vulnerable because they dont have extreme change-ups, slower balls, or deception as their main strength, Moody added. RCBs batters attacked Gujarats bowling from the very beginning. Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal gave the innings early momentum before captain Rajat Patidar completely took the game away with a sensational unbeaten 93 off just 39 balls. Moody pointed out that Gujarat lacked bowlers with unpredictable, slower deliveries or variations that could force batters into mistakes on batting-friendly wickets. They dont really have those slower-ball specialists or bowlers with deceptive pace changes who can consistently create doubt in the batters mind on flat wickets, Moody said. Thats why on surfaces where the ball is not doing much, teams can line them up more comfortably, he added/ Moody pointed out that Gujarat lacked bowlers with unpredictable, slower deliveries or variations that could force batters into mistakes on batting-friendly wickets. They dont really have those slower-ball specialists or bowlers with deceptive pace changes who can consistently create doubt in the batters mind on flat wickets, Moody said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The defeat means the Gujarat Titans will now have to regroup quickly ahead of their next knockout clash, while RCB head into the IPL 2026 final carrying strong momentum. Article Source: IANS

World Cup contenders England and India hope to get their combinations right

England will want time in the middle for the new opening pair of Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey, while India will want a repeat of the historic first T20I series win in England last year

IPL 2026: Rayudu Questions GT's Strategy After Loss Against RCB

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium: Former India batter Ambati Rayudu believes the Gujarat Titans (GT) failed to play to their strength and made a mistake opting to bowl first after winning the toss in their crushing 92-run defeat against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Tuesday. RCB stormed into their second consecutive IPL final after posting a record-breaking 254/5 before bowling Gujarat Titans out for 162 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. Speaking on ESPNcricinfos TimeOut show after the match, Rayudu said the Gujarat Titans should have focused more on using their strongest weapon, their bowling attack, rather than trying to chase a massive target under playoff pressure. For the record, both matches played earlier in the season at Dharamshala had been won by teams batting second, but Rayudu felt GT still would have benefited more from batting first if they had won the toss. I actually told a friend yesterday that the Gujarat Titans best chance would be to lose the toss. Because when you are a team with certain limitations, you have to stay within those limits. You should not try to overdo things just because its a playoff game, Rayudu said. Rayudu explained that Gujarats bowling unit has been the teams biggest strength throughout the tournament and felt they should have trusted that strength more. They should have tried to put runs on the board and then allowed their bowlers to defend it because their bowling attack has been in tremendous form, he said. Even if they scored 180, 190, or 200, they would still have given themselves a much better chance, he added. The former Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians batter also recalled advice he received from former Australia captain Ricky Ponting during his time at the Mumbai Indians. I always remember Ricky Ponting telling us, Under pressure, win the toss and bat. The Australians often believe in putting runs on the board first in big matches, Rayudu said. RCBs aggressive batting approach completely overwhelmed the Gujarat Titans. Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal gave RCB a fast start before captain Rajat Patidar smashed an unbeaten 93 off just 39 balls to take the total beyond 250. I always remember Ricky Ponting telling us, Under pressure, win the toss and bat. The Australians often believe in putting runs on the board first in big matches, Rayudu said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gujarat Titans will now look to recover quickly ahead of their next knockout fixture, while defending champions RCB head into the IPL 2026 final with strong momentum behind them. Article Source: IANS

Bangladesh Players Climb ICC Test Rankings After 2-0 Sweep Against Pakistan

Cricket World Cup League: Bangladesh players made significant progress in the latest ICC Mens Test Player Rankings after their impressive 2-0 series victory over Pakistan in home series, which was also part of the World Test Championship. Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim was one of the biggest gainers after scoring a series-best 259 runs in four innings. The experienced right-hander climbed 10 places to joint 16th in the ICC Test batting rankings. Fellow Bangladesh batter Litton Das also enjoyed a strong rise, moving up 14 spots to 24th after collecting 239 runs during the series. Bangladesh bowlers also benefited from the series win. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam climbed two places to 11th in the ICC Test bowling rankings and also achieved a new career-best rating. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz moved up two spots to 25th, while fast bowler Nahid Rana jumped 10 places to 54th. Taijul also gained three spots in the ICC Test all-rounder rankings to move to 29th. Despite the series defeat, Pakistan received some positive news as pacer Khurram Shahzad returned to the ICC Test bowling rankings in 49th position following his comeback appearance in the second Test in Sylhet. There were also notable changes in the ODI rankings after the completion of the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series featuring Nepal, the United States and Scotland Nepal, who won three matches during the tri-series, saw wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh rise five spots to joint 81st in the ODI batting rankings, while all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee moved up eight places to joint 91st. Nepal bowlers Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi also registered gains, climbing to 32nd and joint 47th, respectively, in the ODI bowling rankings. Nepal, who won three matches during the tri-series, saw wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh rise five spots to joint 81st in the ODI batting rankings, while all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee moved up eight places to joint 91st. Also Read: Live Cricket Score USA spinner Nosthush Kenjige climbed 10 spots to 49th in the ODI bowling rankings, while teammate Milind Kumar gained four places to reach joint 18th in the ODI all-rounder rankings. Article Source: IANS

'Wicked' Cast To Light Up Womens T20 WC Opener At Edgbaston

T20 World Cup LOC Tournament: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that a full cast of Wicked will perform live ahead of Englands opening ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 match against Sri Lanka on June 12. For the first time in global sports history, Wicked stars Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen will lead the company as Elphaba and Glinda. They will perform iconic songs from one of the most successful musicals worldwide in front of a packed audience and millions watching globally before the first ball is bowled. The collaboration forms part of the ICCs ambition to elevate the ICC Womens T20 World Cup beyond sport, creating culturally resonant moments that blend elite competition with world-class entertainment and position the tournament among the biggest global live-event experiences, ICC said in a release. Marking Wickeds 20th anniversary in Londons West End, the performance will transform Edgbaston into a one-night-only collision of live theatre and elite sport, bringing together the drama and spectacle of two global stages for the opening night of the biggest-ever Womens T20 World Cup, it added. The tournament is already on the yellow brick road to history and has set a new benchmark as the highest-selling edition, with more than 150,000 tickets sold with three weeks to go. Our core belief is that the ICCs marquee global events should serve as platforms for content, community, culture and commerce with the athletic spectacle as the core product, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said. Partnering with the globally celebrated production of Wicked for the opening ceremony of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 reflects our ambition to take the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 beyond its existing position of a premier sporting event into expanded realms of culture and entertainment. The association with Wicked also helps attract an audience which is increasingly seeking novel, enriching, big-event experiences. The Womens T20 World Cup has grown into one of the most watched and followed womens sporting events globally, and with this opening ceremony, we are demonstrating that the ICC is committed to delivering novel, world-class experiences both in the stadium and across engagement platforms to billions of fans. A spokesperson for Wicked said, For 20 years Wicked has brought audiences together through unforgettable live performance, so to open the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 in front of a global sporting audience is incredibly exciting for us. There is a real sense of drama, emotion and anticipation shared between theatre and live sport, and this performance is a chance to bring those worlds together in a truly unique way on one of the biggest stages possible. A spokesperson for Wicked said, For 20 years Wicked has brought audiences together through unforgettable live performance, so to open the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 in front of a global sporting audience is incredibly exciting for us. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bringing the magic of Wicked and its hugely talented cast to Edgbaston will create an epic night of spectacle, emotion,and atmosphere. It will also set the tone for the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026, opening 24 days of competition showcasing the very best in global cricket, with dramatic showdowns, unlimited excitement and gravity defying moments of unparalleled sporting skill. We cant wait to get things started! Article Source: IANS

Pakistan Players Unhappy Over Removal Of Long-time Physio Cliff Deacon: Report

Exercise Medicine Javed Mughal: Several Pakistan players, particularly the fast bowlers, are reportedly unhappy with the removal of long-serving physio Cliff Deacon and have urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its decision. Deacon was omitted from Pakistans support staff for the upcoming ODI series against Australia national cricket team, with the PCB instead appointing Iftikhar Ahmed as team physio. The move has reportedly left several players frustrated, given Deacons long-standing association with the national side, according to a report by Telecom Asia. The 45-year-old South African had been working with Pakistan since 2017 and was considered a highly respected figure within the dressing room, particularly among the pace bowlers who frequently dealt with workload and fitness concerns during packed international schedules. While the PCB has not officially explained the reason behind Deacons exit, sources quoted in the report claimed that newly-appointed Director of Sports and Exercise Medicine Javed Mughal was dissatisfied with the teams recurring injury issues and held Deacon responsible. Deacon was ordered to leave by Mughal, and after the second Test there was a farewell at the ground for Deacon who sobbed during the formal ceremony and hugged most of the players, a source was quoted as saying in the report. However, players reportedly disagreed with the assessment and defended Deacons role within the team setup, arguing that responsibilities related to long-term rehabilitation did not fall under the physios direct control. Deacon's work was great and effective but people in the Board do not understand that it is not the job of a physio to oversee rehab of unfit players, he can only manage niggles which he had been doing. Rehabs are done at the academy with all the facilities, a player reportedly said. The same source further praised Deacons understanding of player fitness and injury management. Deacon was good at understanding fitness issues as he could tell from afar what fitness issues a player is having if he sees him. His work was very good and sacking him will not serve the players and the team. The development is expected to further intensify concerns over instability within Pakistans backroom structure, particularly regarding the treatment of foreign support staff and coaches in recent years. The PCB has seen several overseas appointments end abruptly, including former bowling coaches Shaun Tait and Morne Morkel, as well as batting consultant Andrew Puttick. High-profile coaching appointments such as Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten also ended prematurely in 2024, only months after they had signed contracts with the board. The development is expected to further intensify concerns over instability within Pakistans backroom structure, particularly regarding the treatment of foreign support staff and coaches in recent years. Also Read: Live Cricket Score According to the report, Deacon, much like Puttick before him, could soon join the Afghanistan national cricket team setup. Article Source: IANS

In Big Games Teams Take The Back Foot Under But We Played Like Champions': DK

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium: Royal Challengers Bengaluru mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik praised the teams strong body language and said his side played like champions after RCB produced a dominant all-round display to defeat the Gujarat Titans by 92 runs and reach their second consecutive IPL final on Tuesday. Speaking inside the dressing room after the emphatic Qualifier 1 victory at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Karthik praised the teams fearless approach and attacking mindset throughout the contest. RCB posted a record-breaking 254/5, the highest total in IPL playoff history, before bowling Gujarat Titans out for 162 to secure a comfortable win. This was a clinical effort, a professional effort, Karthik told the players after the match. A one-versus-two playoff game is always a big game, but we played like champions, and I think we can make it happen that day, he added, referring to the upcoming IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad. Karthik highlighted the aggressive intent shown by the RCB batting line-up from the beginning of the innings, saying the team never allowed the Gujarat Titans to settle into the game. The intent from the boys right from the start was outstanding. It started with Venky, Virat, and Dev. As a collective, we maintained the tempo throughout, he said. In big games, sometimes teams take the back foot under pressure. But we made sure we kept pushing forward, he added. RCB captain Rajat Patidar led the charge with a breathtaking unbeaten 93 off just 39 balls, and Karthik singled him out for special praise during his dressing-room speech. Rajats innings was incredible. He led from the front in a pressure game and completely took the bowlers apart, Karthik said. The former India wicketkeeper also credited Virat Kohli for setting the tone before the match with his emphasis on body language and intensity. Virat spoke before the game about making sure our body language stayed strong, and I think it was as good as it has been in the last several weeks. We had the attitude to get them out, and honestly, we almost sealed the game in the power play itself. RCB reduced the Gujarat Titans to 51/5 inside six overs during the chase and never allowed them to recover despite Rahul Tewatias fighting 68. Virat spoke before the game about making sure our body language stayed strong, and I think it was as good as it has been in the last several weeks. We had the attitude to get them out, and honestly, we almost sealed the game in the power play itself. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We have another big game in four days time, but first lets enjoy this moment. When we reach Ahmedabad, well focus again, he said. Article Source: IANS

Eagle Thane Strikers Appoint Dhawal Kulkarni As Head Coach For T20 Mumbai League 2026

The Eagle Thane Strikers: Former India pacer Dhawal Kulkarni has been appointed as the head coach of Eagle Thane Strikers for the upcoming edition of the T20 Mumbai League 2026. The franchise made the announcement on Wednesday as they prepare for the new season, scheduled to be held from June 1 to 13 in Mumbai. A experienced campaigner in domestic and international cricket, Kulkarni is expected to bring valuable knowledge and leadership to the side. The Eagle Thane Strikers had reached the semifinals in the previous edition and will now aim to go a step further under his guidance. The team also features experienced India all-rounder Shardul Thakur, along with several promising young players. Speaking after taking over as head coach, Kulkarni said he was enjoying his time with the squad and was pleased with the atmosphere within the team. Experience has been great so far, and I am enjoying the time here. Everyone is excited and determined to give their best for the team. We have tried to create an atmosphere where the players can take ownership and play a fearless brand of cricket, said Kulkarni. Sharing his plans for the upcoming campaign, the former India bowler added, Our strategy would be to focus on the preparation and keep things simple. We want to take one game at a time and stay in the present. Earlier, Eagle Thane Strikers batter Sairaj Patil had said that the teams main target this season is to win the title after narrowly missing out on a place in the final last year. Sharing his plans for the upcoming campaign, the former India bowler added, Our strategy would be to focus on the preparation and keep things simple. We want to take one game at a time and stay in the present. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Eagle Thane Strikers squad for the season includes Aditya Vinod Giri, Amartya Raje, Anuj Vinod Giri, Atharav Ankolekar, Ayaan Mohit Jain, Eknath Dinesh Kerkar, Kartik Mithilesh Mishra, Manan Bhat, Onkar Tukaram Tarmale, Rohan Rajendra Ghag, Sairaj Patil, Shardul Thakur, Shashikant Eknath Kadam, Shashwat Yogesh Jagtap Article Source: IANS

Patidar Has Worked Incredibly Hard With Karthik And Flower: Bobat

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium: Royal Challengers Bengaluru director of cricket Mo Bobat credited Rajat Patidars hard work with batting coach Dinesh Karthik and head coach Andy Flower after the RCB captain produced a stunning unbeaten 93 to help the defending champions reach their second consecutive IPL final. Patidars explosive knock powered RCB to a record-breaking 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 before the bowlers completed a dominant 92-run victory at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday. Hes worked incredibly hard on his game with both DK (Dinesh Karthik) and Andy Flower, Bobat said in the post-match press conference. One thing about Rajat is that he middles the ball a lot. Whether its pace or spin, front foot or back foot, the ball often hits the middle of his bat. Thats usually a very good sign. He has really strong basics and a fearless intent. Over the last couple of years, weve tried hard to make that the identity of our team, he added. Bobat praised Patidars growth as a batter over the last two seasons and revealed how much effort the captain has put into improving every aspect of his game. Hes certainly batting brilliantly right now and has done so throughout the competition. That was a really special knock today, and Im sure hell be very pleased to have stood up in such a big qualifier. Any team whose captain is playing well gets greater confidence from that, he said. Bobat said Patidars aggressive approach and fearless intent have become an important part of RCBs batting identity this season. Were becoming accustomed to seeing these sorts of knocks from him now. He played some outrageous shots, but it was also the aggressive intent that stood out. Thats leading by example, he said. Bobat was especially impressed with Patidars ability to manage the innings smartly under pressure. After RCB lost quick wickets in the middle overs, the captain briefly rebuilt the innings before launching another brutal attack in the death overs. One of the things hes done really well this year is picking his moments. Today was similar. After a strong start from the top order, we lost a couple of wickets, and he recognised that it was time for a mini rebuild before accelerating again, Bobat said. Bobat was especially impressed with Patidars ability to manage the innings smartly under pressure. After RCB lost quick wickets in the middle overs, the captain briefly rebuilt the innings before launching another brutal attack in the death overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Captain Patidar has been in explosive form for the RCB in IPL 2026, amassing 486 runs in 14 innings at an average of 44.18 and a massive strike rate of 196.76. Article Source: IANS

Failing To Qualify For ODI WC Hit Us Hard, Dont Want To Go Through That Feeling In T20 WC: Hayley Matthews

Missing ODI WC: Ten years after the West Indies marked one of the most memorable nights in womens cricket history, captain Hayley Matthews acknowledged that failing to qualify for the 2025 Womens ODI World Cup 'hit them hard', stating the team wants to avoid experiencing such a setback again as the current squad possesses both the quality and confidence to deliver another outstanding Women's T20 World Cup performance. As the Caribbean side prepares for the upcoming tournament in England, Matthews says the disappointment of recent setbacks has helped shape a more resilient and determined group. The West Indies endured a difficult stretch in ICC competitions over the past two years. They narrowly missed a place in the final of the 2024 Womens T20 World Cup after a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to New Zealand, before suffering the bigger blow of failing to qualify for the 2025 Womens Cricket World Cup. Failing to qualify for the ICC Womens Cricket World Cup last year hit us hard. Everyone who was there certainly felt it, and we dont want to go through a feeling like that again, Matthews wrote in her ICC column. Now we are back at a competition we reached the semi-finals in two years ago, and we have belief. We have matured from the experience of missing out and while we still retain the sting of that recent disappointment, it is matched by the excitement of attending an international showcase and the glow of a decade-old triumph, she said. The all-rounder, who was part of the West Indies side that stunned Australia in the unforgettable 2016 final at Eden Gardens, feels the present squad possesses greater depth and versatility than the title-winning unit from a decade ago. I definitely think that when you look at our team and how players have grown, like Chinelle Henry and some of the other youngsters that we have within the group that are able to make an impact in certain points of the game, I definitely feel that we have a stronger team than we did then. It's about us showing up, having our plans in order and being really prepared. Once we do that, we have a good chance of progressing well, she added. Matthews also reflected on the rapidly evolving nature of T20 cricket, admitting she has worked consciously on expanding her batting range to keep pace with the demands of the modern game. We are always looking for ways to adapt and keep up with the improving standards around the world. Being able to adapt a lot quicker is something that I've been trying to work on recently, as well as adding more shots to my game that hopefully I have enough confidence to bring out when the World Cup comes around, she wrote. Preparation for the tournament will include a tri-series in Ireland involving Pakistan and Ireland, as well as a training camp in England. Matthews believes the exposure to local conditions could prove crucial during the World Cup. As a squad, we feel we are familiar with English conditions. The crowds are always really good in those competitions, which leads to a great atmosphere, and we are looking forward to more of the same this summer. In the lead-up to the World Cup, we have a training camp in England, while we are also travelling to Ireland to play in similar conditions in a tri-series, also including Pakistan, she mentioned. Despite entering the tournament outside the list of favourites, Matthews believes that could work in the West Indies favour, much like it did in 2016. As a squad, we feel we are familiar with English conditions. The crowds are always really good in those competitions, which leads to a great atmosphere, and we are looking forward to more of the same this summer. In the lead-up to the World Cup, we have a training camp in England, while we are also travelling to Ireland to play in similar conditions in a tri-series, also including Pakistan, she mentioned. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The West Indies begin their campaign on June 13 against defending champions New Zealand in Southampton. Article Source: IANS

Former Shooter, Olympian And Veteran Sports Administrator Randhir Singh Passes Away At 79

Asian Games Asian Games Coordination: Former Indian shooter and Olympian, one of the countrys most influential sports administrators Randhir Singh passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79. A five-time Olympian, Arjuna Awardee and veteran sports administrator, Randhir Singh, played a pivotal role in shaping the Olympic movement in India and across Asia. He became the first Indian to be elected as OCA president for a four-year term till 2028, but in January this year he stepped aside from his role due to health concerns, and Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani was elected as the new president. Born on October 18, 1946, in Patiala, Randhir Singh came from a distinguished sporting lineage. His uncle, Yadavindra Singh, represented India in Test cricket, while his father, Raja Bhalindra Singh, served as a member of the International Olympic Committee from 1947 to 1992. After studying at Yadavindra Public School in Patiala and graduating in history from St. Stephen's College, Randhir Singh pursued multiple sports including golf, swimming, squash and cricket. However, it was shooting, particularly trap and skeet, where he established himself on the international stage. He represented India at five Olympic Games, 1968 Mexico Olympics, 1972 Munich Olympics, 1976 Montreal Olympics, 1980 Moscow Olympics and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, after also serving as a reserve shooter at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Among his notable achievements as an athlete was winning the individual gold medal in trap shooting at the 1978 Asian Games, becoming the first Indian shooter to win a gold medal at the continental event. He later added an individual bronze and a team silver medal at the 1982 Asian Games. In 1979, Randhir Singh was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award, and also with the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award for a historic sporting career. His foray into sports administration began during his sporting career when he was appointed as the honorary secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association in 1987, a position he held till 2012. He also became a member of the governing board of Sports Authority of India in 1987 and held the role till 2010. He also held the position of the vice-chairman of the organising committee of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. Randhir Singh was appointed as the Secretary-General of OCA in 1991 and held the position till 2015, before taking on the role of Life Vice-President, which he held till 2021, after which he was appointed as the Acting President of the body. In 1998, Randhir Singh was named as the Founder Secretary General of Afro-Asian Games Council and held the position till 2007. he became a member of the ANOC Executive Council in 2002. Between 2003 and 2005, he was elected as the IOC representative on the WADA Board and then became a member of WADAs Finance and Administration Committee in 2005. He also held the Chair for the 2019 Asian Games Asian Games Coordination Committee. Randhir Singh was appointed as the Secretary-General of OCA in 1991 and held the position till 2015, before taking on the role of Life Vice-President, which he held till 2021, after which he was appointed as the Acting President of the body. In 1998, Randhir Singh was named as the Founder Secretary General of Afro-Asian Games Council and held the position till 2007. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For his invaluable services, Randhir Singh was awarded the OCA Award of Merit in 2005, the Merit Award from ANOC in 2006, the Olympic Order, Silver in 2014, and the Honorary Doctorate, Literature in Sports Science from Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Government of India. Article Source: IANS

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'Instead Of Being Conservative, We'll Try To Be More Aggressive': Cummins On Handling Playoffs Pressure

New International Cricket Stadium: Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins shared his thoughts on handling the pressure of the playoffs and needing to win three games to reclaim the title, stating that the team, instead of being more conservative, will try to be even more aggressive. SRH, who remain the only team to win the trophy coming from the Eliminator in the playoffs during their title run in 2016, will lock horns with Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator on Wednesday evening at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. I think you want to keep a lot of things similar to what got you into the finals. But theres also a bit more pressure, a few more nerves, so you want to acknowledge that. I always like to think, How are you going to look back on that game with no regrets? So, thats always kind of my mentality going into a final. Instead of being more conservative, try and be even more aggressive. We have got to win three in a row to win it. Weve won more than that throughout the season. We won five in a row at one stage, so its possible. These are teams that we know quite well. So, yeah, its not going to be easy, but I feel like we can do it, Cummins told JioStar. Its always a balance of, as a bowler, understanding what you do well and how youre going to bowl to your strengths. But when there are probably one or two players in every lineup who can take the game away from the opposition, you do spend a little bit longer working on a Plan B or Plan C. So, yeah, well plan for him. Even though he got a hundred against us last time, I thought there were times when we actually bowled quite well to him and kept him quiet. At other times, he got away from us. So, well learn from that, he added. While SRH have completed a league double over RR season, Cummins gave his take on whether beating RR twice in league phase would hold any relevance heading into the Eliminator. Youre obviously starting from scratch again, but you do take learnings from previous games. Weve played them twice. Weve had a good look at a lot of their players. A lot of our guys can look back at those games where theyve had success and lean on that heading into the finals. So, its always nice coming up against a team that youve had some success against, said Cummins. Speaking on taking learnings from the previous fixture for bowling plans to Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has been RRs top run-scorer in IPL 2026 so far, accumulating 583 runs in 14 matches at an average of 41.64 and a strike rate of 232.27. Youre obviously starting from scratch again, but you do take learnings from previous games. Weve played them twice. Weve had a good look at a lot of their players. A lot of our guys can look back at those games where theyve had success and lean on that heading into the finals. So, its always nice coming up against a team that youve had some success against, said Cummins. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, yeah, well plan for him. Even though he got a hundred against us last time, I thought there were times when we actually bowled quite well to him and kept him quiet. At other times, he got away from us. So, we'll learn from that, the SRH skipper stated. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: It Was A Good Toss To Lose, Knew It Wouldnt Be Easy For GT To Win, Says Bhuvneshwar

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium: Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar credited Royal Challengers Bengalurus tactical clarity and bowling discipline, stating that he and his teammates believed that it was a good toss to lose, as the defending champions stormed into their second successive IPL final with a crushing 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at Dharamshala. RCB piled up a record playoff total of 254/5, powered by captain Rajat Patidars unbeaten 93 off 39 balls, before bowling Gujarat out for 162 to seal a dominant win on Tuesday. Interestingly, Bhuvneshwar revealed that several RCB players actually viewed losing the toss as an advantage on what appeared to be a batting-friendly surface at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. Generally, if you lose the toss on a ground like this, the morale can be down because it's a good batting wicket, the ball travels and the dew is a factor here. But after the toss, there were four to five players, including me, who thought it was a good toss to lose because on a flat wicket like this, if you put up a big score, the opposition will have to bat really well to chase it down. And with the way we have been bowling and executing, we knew it wouldn't be easy for them, Bhuvneshwar told JioStar. That confidence quickly translated onto the field. RCBs bowlers dismantled Gujarats chase with relentless accuracy after the batting unit had already seized control of the contest. Bhuvneshwar himself removed Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill cheaply before later ending Rahul Tewatias resistance with a slower ball. The experienced pacer also shed light on one of RCBs major bowling strategies this season, the extensive use of scramble seam deliveries. According to Bhuvneshwar, the approach has been a carefully calculated response to modern batting conditions rather than a random variation. We've used the scramble seam a lot, looking at the wickets and conditions, and it's not just me, Josh Hazlewood, Duffy, all of them have done it. When GT bowled, we saw that there wasn't much swing there. A lot of planning goes into it, when to use it, it's not random, and it depends on how the wicket is behaving. When there's a bit of seam or swing in the first six, I try to extract that and try something that will be difficult for batters to hit. So, it's about being proactive, like batters are these days. If it's a slow wicket, where the ball might stop on the surface, I may use the knuckle ball sometimes, but mostly it's the scramble seam, considering the wicket and conditions, the pacer added. RCBs bowling attack once again justified that planning against Gujarat, with Jacob Duffy leading the charge with three wickets, while Bhuvneshwar, Rasikh Salam and Krunal Pandya chipped in with two wickets each. Bhuvneshwar also reserved special praise for captain Patidar, highlighting the calm leadership style that has helped RCB thrive this season despite the presence of several senior players in the dressing room. Rajat is a very simple human being off the field as well. When you become a captain, I can understand, it was his first season and there were many senior players in the dressing room, so he didn't interfere much. But he is so mature, he knows when to say something, where to give suggestions and when to let the bowlers do their thing. Bhuvneshwar also reserved special praise for captain Patidar, highlighting the calm leadership style that has helped RCB thrive this season despite the presence of several senior players in the dressing room. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With both bat and ball clicking at the perfect time, RCB now head into the IPL 2026 final carrying momentum and belief as they chase back-to-back titles. Article Source: IANS

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GT either have the game under complete control or they lose it, Ambati Rayudu says after RCB crush GT in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1

IPL 2026: A Trophy For The Lost! Why This RCB Final Means More Than Cricket

Indian Premier League: RCB RCB On most nights, the chants begin long before the first ball is bowled. Red jerseys flood the streets, flags rise above packed stands, and somewhere in the middle of all that noise stands one man who has carried the dreams of Bengaluru for nearly two decades Virat Kohli. But this Indian Premier League (IPL) season feels different. This is not just another campaign for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Not just another shot at silverware. Not just another Virat Kohli masterclass. This season carries memory, pain, and emotion. A year after finally ending their long wait for an IPL title, RCB are back in the final stronger, calmer, and playing with the confidence of champions. They topped the league stage before crushing the Gujarat Titans (GT) in a dominant playoff performance, sealing their place in the IPL 2026 final. And leading the charge, almost poetically, is Kohli. At 37, when many expected him to slow down, Kohli has instead produced one of the most stirring seasons of his IPL career 600 runs in 15 matches, including a century and four half-centuries. But beyond the numbers lies something deeperintensity, purpose, and emotion. Every run seems personal. Every celebration feels heavier. Because everyone connected with RCB remembers what followed the joy of 2025. When the franchise lifted its maiden IPL trophy last year, Bengaluru erupted in celebration. Fans poured into the streets and gathered outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium to welcome their heroes home. For millions, it was the fulfilment of a dream they had waited 18 long years to witness. But amid the celebrations came unimaginable tragedy. A stampede outside the stadium turned a historic night into one of grief. Fans who had come only to celebrate their beloved team never returned home. The city that had danced in joy suddenly fell silent in mourning. The scars of that night have not faded. And perhaps that is why this RCB campaign feels less like a title defence and more like an emotional Inside the dressing room, there is talk of cricket. Outside it, there is something far deeper. There is remembrance. There is responsibility. There is a desire to honour the fans who made RCB what it is. For years, RCB was mocked as a franchise built purely on emotion a team that entertained brilliantly but somehow failed to cross the final hurdle. Runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016 became painful reminders of opportunities lost. Seasons came and went, but the trophy cabinet remained empty. Yet the fans stopped supporting them. Not after defeats. Not after memes. Not after heartbreak. And neither did Kohli. Since 2008, he has remained loyal to one franchise in an era where loyalty in franchise cricket has become increasingly rare. Through criticism, tears, and relentless pressure, he carried the weight of expectations season after season. That is why the 2025 title meant so much. It was not merely a trophy. It was validation for Kohli, for the fans, and for everyone who continued to believe despite years of disappointment. Now, IPL 2026 offers something even bigger. A chance to heal. A chance to remember. A chance to give the city another moment of joy this time with reflection, gratitude, and tribute. Kohlis bond with fans has always gone far beyond statistics. Across India and around the world, he inspires fierce devotion. For many supporters, watching Kohli bat for RCB feels deeply personal almost generational. Fathers who once watched him as a young captain now watch him with their children. And perhaps that is why this final matters so much. If RCB lift the trophy again, it will not merely confirm their rise as champions. It will become a tribute to the supporters who stood by them for years and to those fans whose love for the team became their final celebration. And perhaps that is why this final matters so much. Also Read: Live Cricket Score And this year, RCB are playing for their people. Article Source: IANS

Bhuvneshwar stays ahead of Rabada in IPL 2026 Purple Cap race

Virat Kohli scored a 25-ball 43 in RCB's 92-run win over GT in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 to move up to fourth place on the Orange Cap table

Mo Bobat: RCB 'walk towards pressure situations rather than away from them'

Everybody who had a chance to impact the game and put pressure on the opposition was able to do that, RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat says after crushing GT in Qualifier 1

Z to launch Unite8 Sports channels, confirms talks with FIFA for broadcasting rights

Z listed four dedicated sports channels: Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD in Hindi and Unite8 Sports 2, Unite8 Sports 2 HD which will offer the best of action across football, kabaddi, cricket, badminton, wrestling, among others

IPL 2026: 'We Showed The Right Attacking Mindset': Patidar After RCB Crush GT To Reach Final

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar praised his teams aggressive intent and fearless approach after their massive 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Tuesday, which helped the defending champions secure a second consecutive appearance in the final. Patidar led from the front with a sensational unbeaten 93 off just 39 balls as RCB posted a record-breaking 254/5 before bowling Gujarat Titans out for 162 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. The RCB skipper said the team entered the game with a positive mindset and showed strong intent from the beginning against the Gujarat bowling attack. It was a super game for us. The way especially the batsmen dominated, and everyone was striking with intent, I think that was really good for us, Patidar said after the match. It was not about having one clear plan against the bowlers, but we were ready for the challenge. You have to show some body language that we are coming for you. That attitude was there in every batsman, he added. RCB batters attacked from the very start, with Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal providing quick runs before Patidar and Krunal Pandya took complete control in the middle overs. Patidar revealed that the team discussion before the game focused heavily on maintaining attacking intent on the big stage. We had a chat in the meeting that we needed good body language and an attacking mindset. It was Qualifier 1, a big stage, and the way we dominated the game was superb, he said. Talking about his own batting approach, the RCB captain said he prefers to assess the conditions first before shifting gears and putting pressure back on the bowlers. My batting approach is usually the same. I like to take around 8-10 balls at the start to understand how the wicket is behaving and what the ball is doing. After that, I get a clear idea about how to go ahead, Patidar explained. I always like to put the bowler under pressure, and I dont worry too much about the wicket, he added. Patidar also praised RCBs bowlers for executing their plans perfectly while defending the massive total. Gujarat Titans lost five wickets inside the power play and never recovered in the chase. To be honest, the wicket was not that easy for hitting long sixes consistently because there was good bounce. The bowlers executed their plans really well and bowled more on the stumps, which helped us, he said. Patidar also praised RCBs bowlers for executing their plans perfectly while defending the massive total. Gujarat Titans lost five wickets inside the power play and never recovered in the chase. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It will be important to recover well now and then go for the final, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Gill admits GT's ground fielding 'not up to mark'

Gujarat Titans dropped three chances and missed a run-out chance in the first innings, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru raced away to a record 254 for 5

IPL 2026: One Of Those Games We Would Like To Forget, Says Gill After GT Lose To RCB

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium: Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill admitted that poor fielding and mistakes under pressure proved costly as his side suffered a crushing 92-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday. The loss ended Gujarats hopes of reaching the final directly, while defending champions RCB booked their place in a second consecutive IPL final after bowling out GT for 162 in reply to a massive 254/5. Gill said Gujarat were still in the game till the middle overs but failed to handle pressure situations properly. I think we were going pretty well up until the 12th or 13th over. I dont think our fielding was at par. We dropped a couple of catches, and our ground fielding was also not up to the mark, Gill said after the match. RCB captain Rajat Patidar made Gujarat pay heavily for those missed chances, smashing an unbeaten 93 off just 39 balls. Gujarat also leaked runs through misfields and no-balls during the middle overs as RCB registered the highest total in IPL playoff history. Reflecting on the defeat, Gill described it as a match the team would prefer to move on from quickly. This is one of those games that we would like to forget and start over in Mohali, he said. Despite the disappointing result, the Gujarat captain insisted the team regularly works on fielding during practice and team meetings. Its definitely something that we address in team meetings and practice sessions. The intensity was there, but in pressure situations, we were not up to the mark, Gill added. Chasing a daunting target of 255 on a batting-friendly Dharamshala pitch, Gujarat lost wickets at regular intervals. Gill himself was dismissed for just two runs by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, while Jos Buttlers quick 29 was the only early resistance before Rahul Tewatia fought a lone battle with 68 off 43 balls. Gill, however, believed the target could still have been chased if GT had managed a strong start in the power play. Its all about getting a good start. On a ground like this, where the ball travels, and the outfield is quick, if we had a good power play, any target could have been chaseable with the way the wicket was playing, he explained. Chasing a daunting target of 255 on a batting-friendly Dharamshala pitch, Gujarat lost wickets at regular intervals. Gill himself was dismissed for just two runs by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, while Jos Buttlers quick 29 was the only early resistance before Rahul Tewatia fought a lone battle with 68 off 43 balls. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gujarat Titans will now look to regroup quickly ahead of their next knockout clash in Mohali as they continue their fight for a place in the IPL 2026 final. Article Source: IANS

Patidar leads the way as RCB storm into second straight final

After amassing 254, the RCB quicks ran riot, taking out half of GT's side in the powerplay and eventually bowling them out for 162

Dattani and spinners take Hampshire to first Blast win

Naomi Dattani top-scored with the bat before taking two wickets as Essex fell 23 short

Ireland host rare home Test as New Zealand seek red-ball rhythm

This will be the first ever Test between the two countries, who have both had little red-ball practice lately

Franklin all praise for 'strong, fast and athletic' Nitish Kumar Reddy

The SRH pace-bowling coach spoke about Reddy's improvements with the ball as well as his power-hitting after a middling IPL 2025

IPL 2026: Patidars Unbeaten 93 Powers RCB To Record 254/5 Against GT In Qualifier 1

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium: Captain Rajat Patidar produced a sensational unbeaten knock of 93 while Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya chipped in with quickfire 43s as Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed to a record-breaking 254/5 in 20 overs against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday. Asked to bat first after losing the toss, RCB came out with aggressive intent right from the opening over. Venkatesh Iyer gave the innings a flying start by taking on former RCB pacer Mohammed Siraj. The left-hander smashed three boundaries in the opening over and continued his attacking approach against Kagiso Rabada, hammering a six before falling on the very next delivery. Trying to pull a short ball, Iyer miscued his shot, and Shubman Gill completed a superb catch. The openers entertaining cameo ended at 19 off just seven deliveries, an innings studded with three fours and a six. Despite the early wicket, RCBs momentum never slowed down. Devdutt Padikkal joined Virat Kohli in the middle, and the pair launched a fierce counterattack against the Gujarat bowlers. Kohli looked in sublime touch as he drove Siraj for boundaries, while Padikkal targeted Rabada with three successive fours in one over. Kohli then took complete control in the final over of the Power-play, smashing Rabada for two boundaries and a six to propel RCB to 76/1, their highest Power-play total of the season. Just when RCB appeared set for an even bigger assault, the Gujarat Titans made a breakthrough via Jason Holder. Kohli, attempting another attacking stroke, saw the ball take the edge and crash into the stumps. The former RCB captain departed for a fluent 43 off 25 balls, narrowly missing out on a half-century. His innings featured five fours and a six. Holder struck again in the same over to bring Gujarat back briefly into the contest. Padikkal edged an outswinger behind after a brisk 30 off 19 deliveries that included five boundaries. From 91/1, RCB suddenly slipped to 102/3. However, skipper Rajat Patidar ensured the innings stayed firmly on course. Promoted up the order, Krunal Pandya joined his captain, and the duo rebuilt the innings smartly before shifting gears dramatically in the middle overs. Krunal began the acceleration by smashing a six off Prasidh Krishna, while Patidar initially took time to settle before exploding into action. The RCB captain also enjoyed a slice of luck when Gujarat fielders dropped him twice in the same over during the 13th over. Those missed chances proved extremely costly for the Gujarat Titans. The pressure visibly affected the fielding side as Kulwant Khejroliya bowled two no-balls in the following over, while Nishant Sandhu committed a costly misfield. RCB capitalised fully on the errors and collected 28 runs from the 15th over to regain complete control of the innings. The carnage continued in the next over as even Rashid Khan, usually one of the most economical bowlers in T20 cricket, was taken apart for 21 runs. RCB raced towards the 200-run mark with remarkable ease as Patidar began unleashing a range of powerful strokes all around the ground. Gujarat eventually ended the threatening stand when Rabada dismissed Krunal with a well-disguised slower delivery. Krunal played an impactful innings of 43 from 28 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes during his stay. At the other end, Patidar reached his half-century in stunning fashion, bringing it up in only 21 balls with back-to-back sixes off Rabada in the 17th over. Tim David, returning to the playing XI, failed to provide the late flourish RCB expected as he was bowled by Prasidh Krishna for just four runs. But Patidar ensured there was no slowdown in scoring. The RCB captain dominated the death overs with fearless hitting, dispatching the Gujarat bowlers to every part of the stadium. Patidar remained unbeaten on 93 off just 39 balls, smashing five fours and nine towering sixes in a breathtaking captains knock. Jitesh Sharma also played a useful cameo of 15 as RCB crossed the 250-run mark, registering the highest total ever recorded in IPL playoff history. For the Gujarat Titans, Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada picked up two wickets each, but their bowlers struggled badly under relentless pressure from the RCB batting line-up. Jitesh Sharma also played a useful cameo of 15 as RCB crossed the 250-run mark, registering the highest total ever recorded in IPL playoff history. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Royal Challengers Bengaluru 254/5 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 93*, Virat Kohli 43, Krunal Pandya 43; Jason Holder 2-39, Kagiso Rabada 2-54) against Gujarat Titans Article Source: IANS

Explosive top orders in focus as RR face bogey team SRH

SRH have beaten RR twice already this season, and are on a six-game win streak against them, but RR are unbeaten in New Chandigarh

Rashid and Zadran rested for one-off Test against India

They will return for the three-match ODI series against India, which takes place from June 13 to 20

IPL 2026: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Has Been on Fire This Season, Says RCB Pacer Hazlewood

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Josh Hazlewood showered praise on his new-ball partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar ahead of Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the HPCA stadium, calling the veteran seamer one of the biggest reasons behind RCBs strong bowling performances this season. Speaking before the crucial clash, Hazlewood highlighted the advantage of bowling alongside Bhuvneshwar, whose ability to strike early has consistently put opposition teams under pressure. It's pretty handy. You're bowling the second over at probably number three and four batters sometimes. So you don't even need to do your homework on the opener sometimes, Hazlewood told the broadcasters ahead of the match. The Australian quick also praised Bhuvneshwars remarkable consistency this season, especially his control with the new ball. Bhuvi has been in fantastic form. I still think he's leading the wickets, maybe, and his economy is unbelievable. So he's been on fire, he added. Bhuvneshwar is having an outstanding IPL 2026 campaign, leading the race for the Purple Cap as the tournament's top wicket-taker with 24 wickets in 14 matches. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he has become the cornerstone of their bowling attack, proving age is just a number with an average of 16.38 and a good economy of 7.70. Hazlewood also stressed the importance of creating pressure against the Gujarat Titans top-heavy batting line-up, which has relied heavily on its leading batters throughout the season. Obviously, they rely pretty heavily on the top three. They've done most of their work at the top of the order throughout the whole tournament, Hazlewood said. They're class players. If you bowl poorly, they hurt you big time. But if you can string a couple of dots together, create pressure and get a couple of early wickets, that's key, he added. Hazlewood also stressed the importance of creating pressure against the Gujarat Titans top-heavy batting line-up, which has relied heavily on its leading batters throughout the season. Obviously, they rely pretty heavily on the top three. They've done most of their work at the top of the order throughout the whole tournament, Hazlewood said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Training, as you know, in these tournaments, you can train when you can, really. There's so much travel and recovery after games. There's a game every couple of days, so it is tough to train sometimes, especially as a quick, he said. It's probably been more the messaging and just getting the boys together from time to time and talking about what's to come, he added. Article Source: IANS

'The Balls Coming Out Great, Says Rabada On Strong IPL 2026 Performance

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Gujarat Titans (GT) pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada expressed confidence in his form and rhythm ahead of Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, saying the ball has been coming out great as he prepares for the final phase of IPL 2026. Speaking before the high-pressure clash, Rabada said he is happy with the way he has bowled so far in the tournament and hopes to carry that momentum into the playoffs. The ball's coming out great. I think that's pretty evident. So I'm happy with the way that things have gone thus far, Rabada told broadcasters ahead of the clash. Now I'm into the final push. So hopefully it just keeps happening my way, he added. The South African fast bowler has been one of the Gujarat Titans key performers this season, using both pace and variations effectively in crucial phases of the innings. He has taken 24 wickets in 14 matches. Rabada explained that while there is planning involved behind the scenes, his use of slower deliveries and change-ups often depends on instinct during the game. I think it's just in the moment. It's instinctual in the moment. You do plan a bit, but it's just about seeing what's happening and then adapting, he said. The experienced pacer also described the upcoming battle between GT and RCB as an evenly matched contest featuring two strong bowling attacks and explosive opening partnerships. Both attacks are really good. And the opening stands are really good too. They've been doing well on both teams, Rabada said. Its just about performing your strength to the best of your ability. They're going to do the same thing. So that's what it is. It's fire versus fire, he added. Both attacks are really good. And the opening stands are really good too. They've been doing well on both teams, Rabada said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score My parents came over, so it was nice for them to see Dharamshala. What a beautiful place to play cricket, he said. Article Source: IANS