Cricket

IPL 2026: Kohli Blows Flying Kiss To Wife Anushka After Emphatic RCB Victory

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: After guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to emphatic six wickets win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opener, Virat Kohli expressed love towards his wife Anushka Sharma with a flying kiss. Kohli turned to the stands and blew a kiss to Anushka Sharma, who was accompanied by RCB women's team players including captain Smriti Mandhana. The crowd responded with cheers, adding a personal touch to an already unforgettable night. Earlier in the match, put into bat first on a two-paced pitch, SRH rode on captain Ishan Kishans sparkling 80 off 38 balls and a late blitz from Aniket Verma (43 off 18 balls) to post 201/9. Kishans fluent strokeplay, laced with eight fours and five sixes, and Anikets fearless cameo lifted the visitors past the 200-mark despite Jacob Duffys impressive debut spell of 3-22 and Romario Shepherds 3-54. In reply, RCBs top order made light work of the seemingly daunting chase. Devdutt Padikkal set the tone with a rollicking 61 off 26 balls, studded with seven fours and four sixes, while Virat Kohli, returning to playing T20 cricket after ten months, enthralled the home crowd with an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls, laced with five fours and five sixes. Earlier in the match, put into bat first on a two-paced pitch, SRH rode on captain Ishan Kishans sparkling 80 off 38 balls and a late blitz from Aniket Verma (43 off 18 balls) to post 201/9. Kishans fluent strokeplay, laced with eight fours and five sixes, and Anikets fearless cameo lifted the visitors past the 200-mark despite Jacob Duffys impressive debut spell of 3-22 and Romario Shepherds 3-54. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Kohli then took charge, producing trademark strokes a lofted push over the bowlers head, a whip over square leg, and a flat-batted drive through cover to underline his class and bring up his 64th IPL fifty, as SRHs bowling attack struggled to contain the flow of runs. Article Source: IANS

Mahela Jayawardene not worried by MI's long wait for sixth IPL title

Head coach expects experienced India players to slot back into their MI roles seamlessly

IPL 2026: The Way Boys Played And Everybody Chipped In Was A Positive Sign, Says Patidar

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar hailed the collective effort in his sides season-opening win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, adding that everyone chipping in to get their campaign off to a flying start was a positive sign for the rest of the season. At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB chased down SRHs 201 with 26 balls to spare, beginning their title defence in emphatic fashion. The way boys played and everybody chipped in was a positive sign. First of all, it was the season opener for us, and the way everybody chipped in and did it for the team, I think that was a very positive sign for us. The way Duffy played his first match and the way he bowled, I think that was really impressive. The way he took the wickets of Head and Abhishek, I think that was the turning point for us, said Patidar at the conclusion of the game. Asked about RCBs aggressive batting approach in the chase, thanks to fifties from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, Patidar said, Not a policy, but we were assessing the wicket. The wicket was good to bat on. The way Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal played their innings, I think that laid a solid base for the other batsmen. So well just keep continuing to do that. I think there are no words for him (Kohli). Every time he goes in, especially when the team is chasing, he delivers as the number one batter. The way he played and stayed till the end was outstanding. Asked about his reaction to Phil Salt taking one-handed catch to dismiss Ishan Kishan, Patidar stated, It was a terrific catch by Phil Salt. Even I was surprised! But as you know, hes a very good fielder. Ive seen him take many catches in the air, so that was a brilliant effort. Duffy, who starred with the ball via figures of 3-22, was named Player of the Match on his IPL debut. It was awesome. Ive heard a lot of great things about Bangalore and RCB, and this was a hell of a way to start the campaign. I thought it was a pretty well-rounded team performance. I just tried to keep things fairly simple. The plan was to use the new ball, especially since it does a bit here in Bangalore. It can get tricky later on. I was lucky to pick up a few wickets early and then the skipper just kept giving me the ball. As a bonus, I got to walk off after finishing my spell, a good day overall. Asked about his bowling plans, Duffy said, We spoke a lot about lengths and what works on this surface. Josh had a really good season here last year, so it was about building on what he did well and trying to replicate that in my own way. Speaking about his learnings from the T20 World Cup, Duffy said, I guess I had a basic template coming into that tournament. There were a couple of tough moments, definitely a few long showers thinking things through! But this is a different kind of wicket. I havent seen this kind of bounce in the last couple of months. Its not the easiest place for bowlers, so Im just learning on the go. No, that was the captains call (on bowling his fourth over). He just told me to go, and I was more than happy to take it on. Like I said, when the ball is new and hard here, thats probably the best time to bowl. I was fortunate to bowl in those phases and the other guys handled the tougher overs later. Kishan reflected on SRHs batting effort, adding that losing early wickets hurt them a lot, with five of their batters dismissed while playing the pull shot. I think definitely the wicket played well after the first 3-4 overs. We lost a few early wickets, and we have to take care of that maybe next time because, looking at the wicket in the second innings, it was pretty much easier to bat on and the ball was coming on quite well. So well have to be a little smart with the shot selection next time. But, we did well after losing track, which gives a lot of confidence to us. He also credited Kohli for keeping SRHs bowlers at bay in the chase. Especially you have to give some credit to the batters as well, the way they batted, especially Virat bhai while chasing. Its very important to get his wicket as soon as possible. Otherwise, if he keeps on going, its hard to stop him. We lost a few early wickets, and we have to take care of that maybe next time because, looking at the wicket in the second innings, it was pretty much easier to bat on and the ball was coming on quite well. So well have to be a little smart with the shot selection next time. But, we did well after losing track, which gives a lot of confidence to us. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I actually enjoyed it a lot, enjoyed every moment of it. Its IPL, so sometimes nerves are there. But well get better with this as a team. What else can I say about the captaincy? If we win the games coming ahead, it will be much easier for us going ahead in the tournament. Article Source: IANS

Virat Kohli: Whenever I come back to play, it's 120%

The RCB batter began his IPL 2026 season with a half-century in a commanding win against SRH

Turner, Philippe help Multan Sultans chase 172 with ease

Qamar also impressed with a three-for against Islamabad

RCB begin title defence with statement win

Duffy set up the drubbing with the ball before Padikkal, Kohli fifties took RCB home

IPL 2026: Kohli, Padikkal Fifties Help RCB Begin Title Defence With Six-wicket Win Over SRH

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) launched their title defence in style with a commanding six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2026 opening game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Chasing 202, RCB made light work of the target, galloping home in just 15.4 overs, thanks to fluent half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. Kohli, playing a T20 game after ten months, remained unbeaten on 69 off 38 balls, laced with five fours and as many sixes to smash his 64th IPL fifty and leave the Chinnaswamy crowd enthralled. Padikkal, meanwhile, was elegant in his timing and wristy stroke-play to hit a rollicking 61 off 26 balls, studded with seven fours and four sixes, and set the tone for the chase to be wrapped up with 26 balls to spare. At the halfway stage, SRHs 201/9 looked competitive, but the manner in which Kohli and Padikkal, along with captain Rajat Patidars 12-ball 31 dismantled a toothless bowling attack suggested even 250 would not have sufficed on the night. Veteran left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat struck in his very first over to give Sunrisers Hyderabad an early breakthrough, as he dismissed Phil Salt with a length ball that stopped on the batter and popped up to mid-of, who dodged a collision with his fellow fielder. In the same over, Padikkal got going by flicking over deep square leg for six, while Kohli got off the mark with a slice over mid-off. Padikkal, however, continued his flying start by racing to 28 off 10 balls. He welcomed David Payne to the IPL with a six over cover-point, before whipping him for a four and six, as RCB reached 51 runs in just four overs. Kohli soon joined the assault, manufacturing pace against Unadkats cutter and flat-batting him through cover, after having whipped him for six. With Padikkal collecting two more boundaries, RCB dominated the powerplay, as they amassed 73 runs for the loss of Salt. Kohli then produced a trademark stroke against Eshan Malinga, lofting a length ball straight over the bowlers head to bring the Chinnaswamy crowd to its feet. He was reprieved on 28 when Heinrich Klaasen misjudged a chance at long-on. Padikkal continued his charge, racing to a 21-ball half-century his fastest in the IPL before falling for 61 holing out to long-off against Dubey. Kohli, meanwhile, showcased his wrist power with a whip over square leg off Harshal Patel and launching Dubey down the ground for another maximum. Rajat Patidar joined the boundary-hitting party with a crisp four through backward point and a six over long-on off Patel and Dubey. With Malinga missing his lengths, Patidar easily thumped him for a four and two sixes, as 22 runs came off the 12th over. Padikkal continued his charge, racing to a 21-ball half-century his fastest in the IPL before falling for 61 holing out to long-off against Dubey. Kohli, meanwhile, showcased his wrist power with a whip over square leg off Harshal Patel and launching Dubey down the ground for another maximum. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 201/9 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 80, Aniket Verma 43; Jacob Duffy 3-22, Romario Shepherd 3-54) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 203/4 in 15.4 overs (Virat Kohli 69 not out, Devdutt Padikkal 61; David Payne 2-35, Jaydev Unadkat 1-29) by six wickets Article Source: IANS

MI vs KKR Match 2, IPL 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

MI vs KKR Match 2, Cricket Tips :The five-time champion, Mumbai Indians, finished third last season. They are in search of their sixth title and will face three-time champion Kolkata Knight Riders in their first game. This contest will begin at 7:30 PM IST on Sunday at Wankhede Stadium. KKR don't have a good record against MI. In fact, their record at Wankhede Stadium is also not good. But this is a new season, and they have some good players like Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Rachin Ravindra, who are carrying good form from international cricket. But MI have a fortress at Wankhede Stadium, and the squad they have is probably the best, covering all the bases. MI vs KKR: Match Details Date: March 29, 2026 (Sunday) Time: 7:30 PM IST Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai MI vs KKR Live Streaming Details The live telecast of the MI vs KKR game will be available on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can also watch the game on the Jio Hotstar app or website with a nominal fee. MI vs KKR Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 35 MI : 24 KKR : 11 No-Result : 00 MI vs KKR: Ground Pitch Report Wankhede Stadium is a happy hunting venue for the batters. It is a flat wicket here, which works in favor of the batters. This is a high-scoring venue, where a couple of 250+ scorers were scored in the T20 World Cup 2026. The boundaries are also short, and the outfield is very fast. Hence, this is an excellent venue for a chase. MI vs KKR Possible XIs MI : Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Sherfane Rutherford, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya , Mitch Santner, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah KKR : Finn Allen, Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cam Green, Ajinkya Rahane , Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Umran Malik, Blessing Muzarabani, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy MI vs KKR: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Quinton de Kock has been in good form at the international level, and he will be the key here. For KKR, Finn Allen is a very destructive batter at the top, and he is the one to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Jasprit Bumrah is probably the best bowler in the world, and his four overs will be crucial. For KKR, Sunil Narine will be effective here with his experience and variations. Today Match Prediction : KKR are slightly weaker with their bowling unit. MI have all the bases covered. Hence, we predict Mumbai Indians to win the second game of the IPL 2026. MI vs KKR Match 2, IPL 2026, Today MI vs KKR Match, MI vs KKR Prediction, MI vs KKR Predicted XIs, Injury Update for MI vs KKR 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.

Ben Stokes out of action until May due to broken cheekbone

England Test captain had been expected to play first round of County Championship for Durham

Anushka Sharma's candid hair flip as she cheers for Virat Kohli; cricketers Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues in RCB jersey as they attend first match

Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma and Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana were among the high-profile attendees at the opening match of the Indian Premier League 2026, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

IPL 2026: KKR Keeping Fingers Crossed Over Pathirana Joining Sooner Than Later, Says Watson

Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are awaiting clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for pacer Matheesha Pathirana to join the squad, with assistant coach Shane Watson saying the franchise was hopeful of him arriving sooner rather than later. Pathirana was signed for an astonishing Rs 18 crore at the auction in Abu Dhabi last year and has been recovering from a left calf injury which cut short his time in the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup. With SLC yet to give Pathirana a clearance, it means he will miss KKRs opening game against Mumbai Indians, to be played at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. With Pathirana, obviously its a waiting game at the moment. We are being guided by Sri Lanka Cricket and we are just doing everything we can to get him over here as soon as possible. We have got the exact same interests as Sri Lankan cricket as well. We want Pathirana to be here, we want him to be fit. We certainly would never push him any earlier than he needs to. The last thing that we want is him playing the first game trying to come back too early and breaking as well. He was one of our number one priorities in the auction. We know when he is at his best, the incredible skill that he has got and the difference that he provides for the batters. We have got our fingers crossed hopefully sooner rather than later, Watson said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday. He also spoke about the plenty of quality T20 players Indian cricket has produced via IPL. It's amazing for Indian cricket to see the amount of amazing cricketers that are coming through. But it's not great for the rest of the world to see, knowing India can put out, just say T20 cricket alone, a second, third... eleventh team and still challenge the best T20 teams in the world and probably win, added Watson. He also hinted at KKR top-order batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi being seen as a wicketkeeping option, considering only the New Zealand duo of Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are the specialist glovesmen. He also spoke about the plenty of quality T20 players Indian cricket has produced via IPL. It's amazing for Indian cricket to see the amount of amazing cricketers that are coming through. But it's not great for the rest of the world to see, knowing India can put out, just say T20 cricket alone, a second, third... eleventh team and still challenge the best T20 teams in the world and probably win, added Watson. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He's certainly skilled, and we have seen him in the practice matches as well. His skill is certainly up to speed in dealing with what the IPL bowlers and KKR bowlers are going to throw at him. It means that we've got a number of options that we can go to, depending on the makeup of our team, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Kishan and Aniket lift SRH to 201 against RCB

Phil Salt put in an electric shift in the field to restrict SRH from scoring more. His sharp catches sent Kishan and Klaasen packing

Watson: From IPL's prespective, it's shame there's so much cricket on

The KKR assistant coach also says that he is not a big fan of the Impact Player rule

IPL 2026: Kishans 80, Anikets 43 Powers Sunrisers Hyderabad To 201/9 Against RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Sunrisers Hyderabad rode on captain Ishan Kishans fluent 80 off 38 balls and a blazing late flourish from Aniket Verma (43 off just 18 balls) to post 201/9 in their 20 overs against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 opening game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Asked to bat first on a two-paced pitch, SRH lost three wickets in power-play, but then a solid 97-run stand off 53 balls between an in-form Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen (31) steadied them. After that, SRH lost wickets in a cluster again, but thanks to Anikets sparkling cameo showcasing his six-hitting prowess, the side went past 200-mark. For RCB, Jacob Duffy shined on IPL debut by executing his back of the length balls well to pick 3-22, while Romario Shepherd grabbed 3-54. Put in to bat, SRH endured a jittery start. The innings began with drama right from the word go as Duffy removed Abhishek Sharma when a top-edge on pull was caught by Jitesh Sharma. Duffy came back to have Travis Head pull straight to deep square leg and had Nitish Kumar Reddy out in the same fashion to give RCB the upper hand. Kishan then took charge, blending watchful defence with calculated aggression. He rebuilt the innings with crisp strokeplay, finding gaps and punishing loose deliveries from Abhinandan Singh and Suyash Sharma. His fifty came off just 32 balls, as he cleared boundary ropes with ease in his knock laced with eight fours and five sixes. But RCB bowlers continued to chip away, as Klaasen was caught by Phil Salt awkwardly taking a catch close to the boundary rope, though many felt he had touched the boundary rope. After Suyash took out Salil Arora, Kishans dismissal for a sparkling 80 became a turning point, as Salt made a full stretch dive to his right to take a one-handed screamer off Abhinandans bowling. His fifty came off just 32 balls, as he cleared boundary ropes with ease in his knock laced with eight fours and five sixes. But RCB bowlers continued to chip away, as Klaasen was caught by Phil Salt awkwardly taking a catch close to the boundary rope, though many felt he had touched the boundary rope. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 201/9 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 80, Aniket Verma 43; Jacob Duffy 3-22, Romario Shepherd 3-54) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru Article Source: IANS

Bracewell, Samad cameos propel Zalmi to 215 chase against Pindiz

Yasir Khan scored 83 for Pindiz, and added 125 with Mohammad Rizwan, but it went in vain

IPL 2026: Minutes Silence Held In Memory Of Stampede Victims At Chinnaswamy Stadium

The Karnataka State Cricket Association: Players, officials and fans observed a minutes silence at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday ahead of the IPL 2026 season opener between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, in memory of eleven supporters who died in a stampede during RCBs title celebrations last year. Both teams took the field wearing black armbands as a mark of respect, while RCB also warmed up in jerseys bearing the number 11. In a symbolic gesture, 11 seats inside the stadium have been permanently reserved at the stadium to honour those who lost their lives. A moment of silence to honour the 11 Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans who tragically lost their lives on June 4 last year. As a mark of respect, players from both teams are wearing black armbands tonight. Our thoughts remain with their families and loved ones, wrote the IPL on their X account on Saturday. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) also unveiled a memorial plaque made in memory of the eleven fans and installed at the entrance of the venue, as top-flight cricket returned to the ground for the first time since May 2025. A moment of silence to honour the 11 Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans who tragically lost their lives on June 4 last year. As a mark of respect, players from both teams are wearing black armbands tonight. Our thoughts remain with their families and loved ones, wrote the IPL on their X account on Saturday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Those changes and safety review also meant that Bengaluru missed out on being a host for 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup, and the state's KSCA Maharaja Trophy, domestic games and 2026 Mens T20 World Cup. Extensive changes have since been made by Venkatesh Prasad-led KSCA in terms of crowd management and stadium infrastructure. Article Source: IANS

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

Indian Premier League: Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will start their campaign in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against the three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. MI head into the 2026 season with a clear goal- to lift their sixth title in the tournament. The side will once again be captained by Hardik Pandya, who is leading the team for the third consecutive year and will be eager to deliver a successful campaign this time around. MI made a strong comeback in the last season and secured its spot in the playoffs. Their campaign ended after the team lost to the Punjab Kings in the Qualifiers two. The five-time champions have not won a single trophy after 2020 and they would like to end their quest in the upcoming season. With a strong core that includes Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Trent Boult, Mumbai looks like a well-balanced and dangerous team on paper. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders have also put together a strong squad after making the most of their big budget at the mini-auction. The team will continue under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, who will rely on a powerful lineup featuring players like Cameron Green, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Finn Allen. Notably, this will be the first season in more than ten years that KKR will play without Andre Russell in their squad. KKR had a disastrous season last year, where the team was able to win only five matches out of 14 they played in the group stage. The team finished in 8th position despite coming as the defending champions. When: March 29, 7:30 PM IST Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Where to watch on TV: Fans can watch MI vs KKR match live on Star Sports channels. Where to watch on mobile and laptop: Fans can watch the live streaming on the JioHotstar website and mobile app. It will be available in many regional languages. Squads: Where to watch on mobile and laptop: Fans can watch the live streaming on the JioHotstar website and mobile app. It will be available in many regional languages. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Umran Malik, Varun Chakaravarthy, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Kartik Tyagi, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Tejasvi Dahiya, Sarthak Ranjan, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep, Prashant Solanki, Daksh Kamra Article Source: IANS

RCB vs SRH: IPL debuts for Duffy, Salil Arora and Abhinandan Singh

Uncapped Abhinandan got a debut for RCB, while SRH gave Salil Arora a go

New Zealand to tour Bangladesh in April for ODIs and T20Is

Several New Zealand players are expected to miss the tour due to their commitments in the IPL and PSL

IPL 2026: Take It One Ball At A Time, Settle In, And See Where It Goes, Says SRHs Head

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) left-handed opener Travis Head said he was focused on settling in and taking it one ball at a time as the IPL 2026 season gets underway when they take on defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. SRH are appearing in the IPL opening game for the second time after 2017, which also came against the same opponent. The 2016 winners will be keen to put up a better performance after finishing at sixth place in the 2025 IPL. No pressure (when reminded of his hundred at this venue in 2024). Its nice to have good memories. Great to be starting the season here, it comes with expectations and excitement. Good to be back. It feels like that sometimes, but it depends on the wicket, conditions, and form. Its a new season take it one ball at a time, settle in, and see where it goes, said Head to broadcasters ahead of the match. No pressure (when reminded of his hundred at this venue in 2024). Its nice to have good memories. Great to be starting the season here, it comes with expectations and excitement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Head further said the squad felt settled under the leadership group of Ishan Kishan, Pat Cummins and head coach Daniel Vettori. A bit of both - Ishan is a great leader and knows the teams style. Dan and Pat have been around too, so it feels like a settled squad. Everyones excited and in form - ready to go. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Fans Return To M. Chinnaswamy With Excitement, Praising Improved Arrangements

The Indian Premier League: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium saw fans return with excitement and relief, praising improved arrangements while soaking in the electric atmosphere. Supporters from across the globe, including India, Ireland, and the United States, gathered to cheer, hopeful of a great start to the season and confident of a smooth, enjoyable matchday experience. Saturdays game also marks the return of competitive cricket to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time since May 17, 2025, especially after a stampede during RCBs title-winning celebrations on June 4 that claimed 11 lives. A young Bengaluru cricket fan sharing his feelings said, Better start, condolences to the family, but some precautions have been taken. It seems from last year that the management has implemented certain measures, and the arrangements are proper. Earlier, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) handed debuts to pacers Abhinandan Singh and Jacob Duffy as captain Rajat Patidar elected to bowl first. Another fan said, I feel so excited because this is my second time. Last time, due to rain, it was canceled, so I cried a lot. Its always been an energetic atmosphere here at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, so we are excited. The government has made good arrangements after the tragic incident last year. Thanks to the police of Karnataka and the Bengaluru police. We are having no problem entering the stadium and the arrangements are quite good. We are here to support RCB here and we will win today. Extensive changes have since been carried out at the stadium, while RCB players will take the field wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives last season and sported number 11 jerseys during their practice session ahead of the clash. Another fan said, I feel so excited because this is my second time. Last time, due to rain, it was canceled, so I cried a lot. Its always been an energetic atmosphere here at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, so we are excited. The government has made good arrangements after the tragic incident last year. Thanks to the police of Karnataka and the Bengaluru police. We are having no problem entering the stadium and the arrangements are quite good. We are here to support RCB here and we will win today. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Another fan from Los Angeles said, Very excited, big game two big teams hope we have a good match.O am a big supported of Chennai Super Kings, hope they have a good season but rest all the teams are super strong, so I hope for a great games. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Abhinandan, Duffy Handed Tournament Debut As RCB Elect To Bowl First Against SRH

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have handed debuts to pacers Abhinandan Singh and Jacob Duffy as captain Rajat Patidar elected to bowl first against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2026 opening clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Saturdays game also marks the return of competitive cricket to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time since May 17, 2025, especially after a stampede during RCBs title winning celebrations on June 4 that claimed 11 lives. Extensive changes have since been carried out at the stadium, while RCB players will take the field wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives last season and sported number 11 jerseys during their practice session ahead of the clash. Amidst loud cheers from the RCB-supporting crowd, Patidar said, It is a season opener, so let's see how the wicket behaves. There are a lot of positives from last season. We are not defending anything, we will win in IPL 2026 as well. There are a lot of good players in the side and the backup players are great as well. All players are fit and the medical staff is looking after the players. Thank you so much (to the fans) for supporting us. We will try and win this again, he said. SRH, the 2016 winners, will be led by Ishan Kishan, the franchises second-youngest skipper after Kane Williamson, as regular captain Pat Cummins continues to recover from a lumbar stress injury in the back. Kishan, captaining in the IPL for the first time, also said Punjab batter Salil Arora will be debuting in the competition. Feeling good, and we wanted to field first as well. We want to back our instincts. You don't have to start something new just because it is the IPL. We just want to execute our plans. Obviously Pat is one of the best bowlers, but everyone looks in good touch and I feel we will be on the winning side. Salil is there (in the playing eleven), and just want him to keep things simple and trust his instincts, he said. Playing XIs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, and Suyash Sharma Impact Substitutes: Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam, Kanishk Chouhan, and Venkatesh Iyer Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, and Suyash Sharma Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact Substitutes: Shivang Kumar, Liam Livingstone, David Payne, Smaran Ravichandran, and Sakib Hussain Article Source: IANS

Ashwin To Become First Indian To Play In MLC After Signing With San Francisco Unicorns

Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium: Ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to become the first Indian playing to feature in Major League Cricket (MLC) after signing with the San Francisco Unicorns for the 2026 season. Ashwin was a member of the Indian team winning the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. In all, he picked 765 international wickets from 287 matches across all three formats and remains the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test crickets history. The MLC has proven over recent seasons that it can put on a show, bringing in world-class players and offering significant exposure to US domestic cricket talent, and the opportunity to be a part of it with the San Francisco Unicorns was an opportunity I couldnt pass up. Taking on the mantle as the first Indian-capped player to compete in Major League Cricket is a major responsibility that I fully embrace. My absolute focus is to help this franchise win games and push for its first Championship, while also putting on a spectacular brand of cricket for the Bay Area fans, said Ashwin in a statement. Ashwin is also one of the top five wicket-takers in IPL history, having represented his home franchise, the Chennai Super Kings, as well as Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and the Delhi Capitals. He was supposed to play for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL), before a knee injury ruled him out of the competition. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome a player of Ashwins stature to the Unicorns. When you talk about match-winners and cricketing intelligence, his name is at the top of the list around the world. Bringing in the first Indian-capped player is a massive moment for our franchise and MLC as a whole, but first and foremost, hes joining to help us win games. His experience in high-pressure situations and his skill variations will be invaluable on the pitch and in the nets, and I cant wait to get into camp and start working with him, said head coach Cameron White. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome a player of Ashwins stature to the Unicorns. When you talk about match-winners and cricketing intelligence, his name is at the top of the list around the world. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The franchise previously retained captain Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Finn Allen and Haris Rauf from its overseas players roster. The domestic retentions include Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Hassan Khan, Brody Couch, Juanoy Drysdale and Hammad Azam. Article Source: IANS

R Ashwin joins San Francisco Unicorns for MLC 2026

This will be Ashwin's first T20 franchise stint outside IPL after he opted out of his BBL deal with Sydney Thunder because of a knee injury

'Amazing To See His Growth As A Leader': Jayawardene Praises Hardik Ahead Of IPL 2026 Opener

Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene praised captain Hardik Pandya for his development in leadership skills ahead of the team's opening match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to be played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The first time I met Hardik was in 2017. Young, raw talent with a lot of energy, and that is something I have admired in Hardik. Even today, with that energy to play the game, he is something special. He is quite passionate about the game of cricket and talks a lot about it. I have been with MI for eight years, and it is amazing to see his growth when it comes to leadership, maturity on the field, and how he has evolved, probably one of the best all-rounders in white-ball cricket, Jayawardene said in a statement released on the Mumbai Indians website. He further also opined on Hardik doing things differently that sets him apart from the rest, When he started out, we had to pull him back a little because he was like a power house on the movewith the bat, ball, and on the field. The younger Hardiks work ethic was brilliant back then. Reflecting on the challenges Pandya faced due to injuries and workload during his ten-year-long career, Mahela said, The injuries that he later had took a toll on his body, as he was also playing test cricket. A lot of workload management had to happen. Now he understands this, and we have a structured way of handling his workload. Managing a player once they get to that important stage in their career is important. His skill work and work ethic are brilliant even todaythe training bit, working on his fitness during the season and off it too. It is good to see how he has evolved as a person and player, he added. Looking ahead to the season opener, Mahela spoke about the challenge of selecting the ideal playing XI and the importance of squad depth. It is a healthy headache to have so many good options. We play different oppositions, conditionsOnce we play in Mumbai, then we have 2 back-to-back away matches. We will need those options; squad depth is something that is very important for various reasons. It could be for injuries or different conditions that is something that we always constantly think about. Looking ahead to the season opener, Mahela spoke about the challenge of selecting the ideal playing XI and the importance of squad depth. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Mumbai Indians, under the leadership of Hardik, made a strong comeback in the last season and secured their spot in the playoffs. Their campaign ended after the team lost to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Qualifiers two. The five-time champions have not won a single trophy since 2020, and they would like to end their quest in the upcoming season. Article Source: IANS

Mitchell Starc recovering from a shoulder and elbow injury

Australia and DC quick says he didn't know extent of the injury during the home summer

IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians Hope For A Bright Start Against KKR As They Chase Sixth Title (Preview)

Sri Lankan Matheesha Pathirana: Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will launch their campaign in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with a clash against three-time winner Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, hoping to add another title to their tally. Mumbai Indians, who jointly hold the record with Chennai Super Kings as the most successful team of IPL, won their fifth title five years back in 2020 and have struggled to impose themselves and reach the final since then. They underwent a period of transition before recovering some ground and making it to the Playoffs in IPL 2025 after finishing fourth at the end of the first stage. However, they went down to the Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2, thus ending another season without the title. For the 2026 season, the Reliance Industries-owned franchise has maintained its core by retaining skipper Hardik Pandya, former captain Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. They further strengthened their squad by bringing back New Zealand pacer Trent Boult and Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur. Quinton de Kock also returns after playing for them from 2019 to 2021, and the 33-year-old is likely to partner Rohit Sharma as an opener. The middle-order will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who enjoyed a record-breaking season in 2025, scoring 717 runs and winning the Player of the Tournament award, with Ryan Rickleton, Tilak Varma, and Sherfane Rutherford, along with skipper Pandya, providing support. Since last year, Surya has led India to a title in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and will be hoping to replicate his success for his franchise. Though Boult's return bolsters the bowling attack, Bumrah's unavailability for the first two weeks and the lack of support to spinner Mitchell Santner will be areas of concern for the Mumbai giants. A couple of other players, including Allah Ghafanzar, are also not available and may impact their start. While the Mumbai Indians managed to retain their core, the Kolkata Knight Riders had gone for a total overhaul following their eighth-place finish in the previous edition. The three-time champions released 10 players, including key all-rounders like Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer. They picked the New Zealand trio of Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Rachin Ravindra to join top-order star Sunil Narine, while adding Australian Cameron Green and Sri Lankan Matheesha Pathirana to join the middle and late-order mix that includes Rinku Singh, now named vice-captain, Rovman Powell, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Varun Chakaravarthy and Narine remain their main spin bowlers, while Ravindra can also tweak the ball if necessary. Their bowling attack, which had lost a bit of balance after they were forced to give up Mustafizur Rahman, has been bolstered with Zimbabwe's T20 World Cup star Blessing Muzarabani coming in as a replacement, though Harshit Rana's injury remains another headache for the team management. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane's poor form with the bat remains an area of concern and may turn out to be another weakness in the side. They also look a bit short on leadership options in case Rahane is not available for some reason. While the Mumbai Indians will be banking on home conditions at the Wankhede Stadium, where the pitch provides early assistance, and dew plays some role late in the night, the head-to-head series also favours the five-time champions. In 35 matches played between these two sides, the Mumbai Indians have won 24, while KKR emerged the winner in 11. In recent times, KKR has had the edge, winning four of their last six encounters. In the 2025 season, Mumbai emerged on top with a commanding eight-wicket win. But MI are known to be slow starters, and that will give KKR a bit of hope for their opening match of the season. Squads: Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ryan Rickleton, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Naman Dhir, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Allah Ghafanzar, Ashwani Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Raghu Sharma, Raj Angad Bawa, Sherfane Rutherford, Mayank Markande, Shardul Thakur, Quinton de Kock, Mohammad Izhar, Danish Malewar, Atharva Ankolekar, Mayank Rawat. Squads: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Matheesha Pathirana, Kartik Tyagi, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Tejasvi Dahiya, Sarthak Ranjan, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep, Prashant Solanki, Daksh Kamra Article Source: IANS

'Will Continue To Do What I Can To Be Available': Starc Vows DC Return Amid IPL Absence Criticism

New Delhi: Amid growing speculation and criticism over his late arrival for IPL 2026, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has spoken out to clarify his circumstances and counter the false reports circulating in the media. Starc, who is contracted to play for Delhi Capitals, has been sidelined with an injury to his shoulder and elbow, an issue he only fully understood after the Australian summer. His absence from the teams early matches had fuelled rumours and harsh judgments from fans and the media alike, some of whom questioned his commitment and whether he was prioritising the IPL. In a candid yet straightforward statement, Starc expressed frustration with the narratives being spread about his fitness and availability. Despite the opinions and views of certain individuals with their platforms in and through the Indian media, Im currently rehabbing and managing an injury in my shoulder and elbow of which I didnt know the extent of during the Australian summer. These individuals have made some strong statements around involvement in the IPL and provided heavily misinformed opinions of players, preached them as facts, and claim to know my body better than me. With that said I do acknowledge this injury setback and timing is disruptive to the Delhi team and I apologise for that and to the fans for not being available for the early part of this season. I remain committed to join DC, are in continual communication updating the team and will continue to do what I can to be available for DC asap, Starc wrote in a statement he put out on his Instagram story. On Friday, a fan criticised Starc in a social media post about his unavailability and was met with a response from Alyssa Healy, Starc's wife and a former Australian player. In the post, Starc was photographed standing with Healy and other athletes on a golf course. With that said I do acknowledge this injury setback and timing is disruptive to the Delhi team and I apologise for that and to the fans for not being available for the early part of this season. I remain committed to join DC, are in continual communication updating the team and will continue to do what I can to be available for DC asap, Starc wrote in a statement he put out on his Instagram story. Also Read: Live Cricket Score To this, Healy replied, Probably cause he's injured mate...if he can't bowl how's he supposed to play?! If he was fully fit he'd be there. Article Source: IANS

IPL The Biggest Influence On My Cricketing Career, Conversations From It Served Me Well In England: Buttler

Indian Premier League: Gujarat Titans wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler said the Indian Premier League (IPL), whose 19th edition starts from Saturday, has had the biggest influence on his cricketing career, adding that conversations he has had during his time in the tournament have served him well while representing England in all three formats. Buttler has played 121 matches and scored 4,120 runs at an average of 40, a strike rate of 149.38, including hitting seven hundreds and 24 fifties. He enjoyed a prolific IPL 2025 by amassing 538 runs in 13 innings at an imposing average of 59.8 and a strike rate of 163, as he, Shubman Gill, and B Sai Sudharsan made for a formidable top-order in the competition. Absolutely as I said, I think the IPL has been the biggest influence on my cricket career. Some of the lessons that I've learned during IPL seasons, (then) some of the interactions I've had, and some of the people I've had the pleasure of getting to meet and work with as coaches and players. Its just in the IPL -- some of the conversations that I've taken from the IPL have served me well in playing for England in both Test cricket and T20 cricket, then 50-over cricket - so it's had a huge impact. Like Kevin (Pietersen) was saying in his interview (on Buttlers podcast), the opportunity to be a friend of Raoul Dravid and work on that technique about playing spin creates some great opportunities that would otherwise be very limited. Even for instance, I've been here for three or four days and getting to talk to Matthew Hayden about batting -- I wouldn't get that opportunity probably otherwise. So it's really had the same impact for me as for KP, Buttler told IANS in a virtual roundtable chat on Saturday. GT, the 2022 IPL champions, will open their campaign against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh on March 31. Buttlers ability to consolidate and press the accelerator makes him one of the most dangerous batters in the shortest format. But Buttler heads into IPL 2026 after a lean T20 World Cup, where he managed only 87 runs in eight innings. Asked whether this IPL carries extra significance following a below-par T20 World Cup campaign, Buttler insisted his approach to the tournament remains unchanged regardless of past showings. It's no more important or less important than any other IPL I've played. No matter what's gone on before, I always turn up to the IPL -- looking forward to the season, wanting to contribute to the team, and wanting to play well. So whether I've been scoring lots of runs coming into the IPL, it's the same challenge. Like, can you prepare well? Can you get in a good headspace to go out there and give yourself the best chance to perform? And whether I've been struggling for runs, it's the same challenge. So you have the energy to keep trying, keep putting yourself out there, keep preparing well, and trying to get back into the runs, as you would say. So it's the same challenge whether you've been, like I said, in a form or out of form. I turn up to the IPL every year excited, looking forward to the tournament, and really wanting to just play well for the team. So I'll just look at the scoreboard and try and do what's required on the day, he elaborated. On whether he had been able to pinpoint what went wrong for him in the T20 World Cup, Buttler stated there was no single answer to it, adding that leaning on a small, trusted circle of advisors, along with enjoying some time away from the game, has helped him to return to IPL cricket with a clear head. There's probably a small circle of people that you turn to try and ask for their advice or their opinion on what they're seeing. Ultimately, I tried hard and put a lot of effort into that World Cup, and for a multitude of reasons, probably, it just didn't quite work out. Actually, having the capacity and discipline to just say, that's okay. I tried hard to play a game that has elements of things that I can't control, and everyone else is trying to do well as well. So it just didn't quite work out. Being a 35-year-old player, I've had 15 years of times where I've had good form, bad form, had tournaments that went really well or didn't go to plan. So I think you're always trying to reflect and do self-analysis. But pinpointing one thing, there's actually, if there was that one secret, then I think we'd all know it, and we'd all score runs every time. But I don't think that exists. So it's just, I've had a bit of space from the game, which I've really enjoyed and sort of reflected on, whether I've scored runs or not, the challenge is the same thing for me - go to practice with energy and optimism, prepare well, and then go to the game, start on nought, and take it from there, he explained. Being a 35-year-old player, I've had 15 years of times where I've had good form, bad form, had tournaments that went really well or didn't go to plan. So I think you're always trying to reflect and do self-analysis. But pinpointing one thing, there's actually, if there was that one secret, then I think we'd all know it, and we'd all score runs every time. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He obviously played with Rajasthan last year, but I played against him in a practice game. He's obviously got pace, accuracy, and a fantastic slower ball. He's got a big heart, which I think you need as a fast bowler. So he's got all the attributes to be an exciting fast bowler. Article Source: IANS

Ben Stokes Return To Cricket Delayed Further After Cheekbone Injury Surgery

New Zealand Test: England captain Ben Stokes has confirmed that his return to competitive cricket has been delayed until May due to complications from a cheekbone injury. The 34-year-old all-rounder, who was hit by a ball during a training session with Durhams academy players in early February, underwent surgery a week later to repair the fractured cheekbone. Stokes had originally intended to return during Durhams County Championship opening game against Kent this Friday. However, the club is still waiting for final medical approval from specialists. Durham's head coach, Ryan Campbell, suggested that Stokes probably won't play until the matches against Worcestershire on May 8 and then against Kent at Beckenham on May 15. If Stokes is unable to return before then, those games could represent his only red-ball action before England's first Test of the summer against New Zealand, which begins on June 4. Campbell described the injury as a close call. [The incident] could have been horrific. So, so much worse than what you think. A couple of centimetres, a different way it hits him in the eye, and it could have been different. The ball was hit so hard. We are just lucky he got away with it, he was quoted by the BBC. Stokes has not played since England's disappointing Ashes campaign, during which he was hindered by an adductor injury that he sustained in the penultimate Test in Sydney. Despite the series loss, Stokes remains Englands captain, and both coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key have retained their positions. Reflecting on his leadership, Stokes described the last few months as the hardest period of his tenure, but voiced confidence in the current coaching regime, backing them to steer the team forward. He has been training so hard to be ready. He has a lot to prove. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know the Ashes didn't go so well, and he is a proud man who wants England to be the best team in the world. He, as a professional, is working at getting it right and ready to go, he added. Reflecting on his leadership, Stokes described the last few months as the hardest period of his tenure, but voiced confidence in the current coaching regime, backing them to steer the team forward. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Stokes has not participated in 50-over cricket since England's 2023 World Cup campaign in India and has not featured in the One-Day Cup for Durham since 2014. Following the conclusion of the New Zealand Test series in late June, England will take on Pakistan in a three-match Test series starting on August 19. Article Source: IANS

Pakistan Pacer Naseem Shah Faces PCB Action Over Controversial Comments On CM Maryam: Report

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz: Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah is under scrutiny from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after a controversial social media post, since deleted, appeared to criticise Punjab (province of Pakistan) Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The post, which originated from Naseems official X account, quote-tweeted a PCB media update from the PSL opener between Quetta Gladiators and Hyderabad Kingsmen in Lahore. It read, Why is she treated like the Queen at Lords? a remark widely interpreted as a jab at Maryams high-profile arrival at Gaddafi Stadium, where she was escorted by a large security convoy and later seen interacting with players from both teams. The tweet was removed shortly after, and a follow-up message claimed the account had been hacked. However, the explanation reportedly failed to convince PCB officials, according to The Daily Star. Within 24 hours, the board issued a show-cause notice to the pacer, accusing him of breaching the terms of his central contract and violating the organisations media policy. The alleged violation is believed to fall under a clause that prohibits players from publicly criticising board officials, sponsors, or related entities. Despite the ongoing disciplinary proceedings, Naseem remains available for selection and is expected to feature in his sides next fixture. The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of an unusually subdued PSL season, which commenced on March 26 under strict conditions. Following consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and franchise stakeholders, the PCB opted to limit the tournament to just two venues, Lahore and Karachi, while barring spectators. Several cities, including Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, were dropped from the schedule as part of efforts to conserve fuel amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the Gulf conflict. Earlier, a Pakistan-based militant group, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, had issued a warning to foreign players, urging them to withdraw from the tournament. In a strongly worded statement, the group said, The current internal security and political landscape of the country is volatile and precarious. In a climate where military operations and civil unrest dominate significant portions of the territory, the safety of international athletes cannot be guaranteed. The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of an unusually subdued PSL season, which commenced on March 26 under strict conditions. Following consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and franchise stakeholders, the PCB opted to limit the tournament to just two venues, Lahore and Karachi, while barring spectators. Several cities, including Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, were dropped from the schedule as part of efforts to conserve fuel amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the Gulf conflict. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Despite these warnings and the tense security climate, the PSL has proceeded as scheduled, with several overseas players like David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne continuing to participate. Article Source: IANS

O'Neill stars with bat and ball as Victoria take control amid sub drama

O'Neill made 64 not out as Victoria posted 261 before South Australia slumped to 94 for 5 in their second innings with a lead of just 31

IPL 2026: Malinga To Replace Cummins As Aakash Chopra Picks SRH Playing XI Against RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has picked his strongest playing XI for the 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of their opening clash against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. Sunrisers Hyderabad have been dealt a major blow ahead of IPL 2026 as their captain Pat Cummins is set to miss the opening matches. India's T20 World Cup 2026 champion Ishan Kishan will lead the side in his absence. SRH have many options to replace Cummins in the playing XI, which include all-rounder Brydon Carse, David Payne, and Eshan Malinga. Aakash Chopra has gone with the Sri Lankan pacer as he feels that the team's bowling is weak and will need a death over specialist bowler. Aakash also urged the SRH management to slot Nitish Kumar Reddy not below number 5. The second big question they have is what should be done with Nitish Kumar Reddy. They haven't understood thus far at which number he should be made to bat. I feel they should make him bat at No. 5, but he is sometimes moved to No. 6 and brought in at No. 4 sometimes. They could never find a place for him, he said in a video on X. Chopra has kept the top four batters unchanged, with Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head set to open and Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen slotted at number three and four. He has gone with Liam Livingston at number 6 to provide a better finish, along with Sahil Arora, who is in great form at number 7. Cricketer-turned-commentator has gone with three Indian pace bowling options, which include Harshal Patel, Shivam Mavi, and Jaydev Unadkat, along with Malinga. Spinners Zeeshan Ansari and Shivang Kumar are his impact player options. Cricketer-turned-commentator has gone with three Indian pace bowling options, which include Harshal Patel, Shivam Mavi, and Jaydev Unadkat, along with Malinga. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact player: Zeeshan Ansari/Shivang Kumar Article Source: IANS

Looking Forward To Playing Our Best Cricket: Wolvaardt Hopeful Of Doing Well In ODIs After 1-4 T20I Loss To NZ

ODI World Cup: South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt remains optimistic, aiming to e a lot better in the upcoming three-match ODI series after her sides 1-4 loss to Amelia Kerr-led New Zealand in the T20I series. The three ODIs have significant importance for the teams qualification for the 2029 ODI World Cup. Ahead of the first ODI in Christchurch on Sunday, Wolvaardt expressed confidence in their preparations. Weve had some good reflections and a couple of good meetings. Obviously, we want to be a lot better in this ODI series. Its a format weve been pretty good in, or pretty consistent in, over the last couple of months, so its about thinking back to what worked for us, especially in that World Cup and what we did well, she said. Despite the T20I setback, Wolvaardt remains focused on their strength in the 50-over format. We probably didnt execute as well as we would have liked in the T20Is, but I think the plans that we have in place for the ODIs are pretty solid. So hopefully we can put up better performances, she added. South Africa have proven themselves as one of the top teams in the ODI circuit, reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and the final of the 2025 edition, where they narrowly lost to India. Their position in the ICC Womens Championship standings remains strong, sitting third behind New Zealand and Sri Lanka after a 2-1 series win over Pakistan earlier this year. Wolvaardt emphasised the significance of every match in the context of the Championship, noting, The points are super important. Obviously, those points are for the championship. We want to get into a position early where we can qualify and not have to scramble at the end of the cycle, so every game is super important. It just gives that little bit of something extra to play for, makes it a pretty high-stakes game, so were looking forward to playing our best cricket, and hopefully it brings out the best in the players. The squad, featuring key performers from their win over Pakistan, such as Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, and Nonkululeko Mlaba, is ready for the challenge against a New Zealand side in excellent form. The Kiwis, who failed to advance past the World Cup group stages last year, have since dominated Zimbabwe in both T20I and ODI formats and triumphed over South Africa in the T20I series. Wolvaardt emphasised the significance of every match in the context of the Championship, noting, The points are super important. Obviously, those points are for the championship. We want to get into a position early where we can qualify and not have to scramble at the end of the cycle, so every game is super important. It just gives that little bit of something extra to play for, makes it a pretty high-stakes game, so were looking forward to playing our best cricket, and hopefully it brings out the best in the players. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Theyre obviously a very good side. You can see that they have clear plans for all of us and are very well prepared, Wolvaardt acknowledged. But I think in this series were definitely looking to be a bit more proactive, be a bit braver, make certain moves earlier and hopefully put them under a bit more pressure. Article Source: IANS

Andhra Pradesh Crowned Winners Of 7th IDCA Women T-10 National Cricket Championship

The Indian Deaf Cricket Association: The 7th IDCA Women T-10 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026 wrapped up, with Andhra Pradesh Womens Team crowned as champions and Delhi Womens Team finishing as runners-up. In the final played on Friday, Andhra Pradesh Womens Team, batting first, scored 73/4 in 10 overs. Delhi Womens team put up a strong fight but fell short by five runs, ending their innings at 68/4 in 10 overs. The Championship trophy was later awarded by former Indian cricketer Gursharan Singh, who attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest. He was accompanied by Santosh Kumar Rai, Special Commissioner of Trade & Tax; Ompal, a Ranji player; Dev Dutt, Head Coach of the Indian Deaf Team Mens team and Certified BCCI Coach; Susheel Gupta, Coach of the Indian Deaf Team Mens team and in-charge of Bharat Nagar Cricket Ground; and Chander Prakash Kirodiwal, SSE / SP / SSB, DRM, all of whom served as guests of honour. Talking about the successful completion of the Championship, which was hosted by the Haryana Deaf Cricket Association, Sumit Jain, President, IDCA, said, Over the past five days, we have witnessed exceptional talent, determination, and true sportsmanship displayed by our incredible deaf athletes, and it was truly a commendable performance we saw here today by both the Andhra Pradesh and Delhi Teams, who gave it their all. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Chief Guest and former Indian Cricketer, Gursharan Singh ji, for giving us his valuable time and being present here for this event. I would also like to thank Dhiraj Kumar, President, HDCA, for being such a wonderful host for this event. Your presence here at this event will help us motivate more players, especially women players, to take up cricket as a career. I would also like to extend a special thanks to Cyrus Poonawalla for his blessings and encouragement; the IDCA Womens seventh T10 National Cricket Championship for the Deaf has been a grand success only because of his continued support and commitment to promoting inclusive sports, he added. Talking about the successful completion of the Championship, which was hosted by the Haryana Deaf Cricket Association, Sumit Jain, President, IDCA, said, Over the past five days, we have witnessed exceptional talent, determination, and true sportsmanship displayed by our incredible deaf athletes, and it was truly a commendable performance we saw here today by both the Andhra Pradesh and Delhi Teams, who gave it their all. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Chief Guest and former Indian Cricketer, Gursharan Singh ji, for giving us his valuable time and being present here for this event. Also Read: Live Cricket Score D. Kanthamma from Andhra Pradesh was the standout player in the tournament, earning multiple accolades. She was named Woman of the Match in the final, as well as the Best Batswoman of the Series. Additionally, she was crowned Player of the Series for her consistent performances. Priya Dixit from Uttar Pradesh was recognised as the Best Bowler of the Series for her exceptional bowling efforts. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Ashwin Picks CSK's Playing XI After MS Dhoni's Injury

Chennai Super Kings: Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has picked his strongest playing XI with Impact Player options for the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after their stalwart MS Dhoni was subsequently ruled out for the first two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, which will commence on Saturday. MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026, the franchise said in a statement. Ashwin has gone with Sanju Samson as the wicketkeeper, and he will also open the innings with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. The former CSK player has put three attacking batters in the next three spots, which include Urvil Patel at No. 3, batter Dewald Brevis at number four, followed by Indias T20 World Cup 2026 all-rounder Shivam Dube at number five. Ashwin has given two options for the number six position. His first choice is Sarfaraz Khan, while the other is India's U19 World Cup champion captain Ayush Mhatre. Former Indian spinner has ignored Prashant Veer and has selected Kartik Sharma for the number 7 spot. In the bowling department, he has selected Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad as the main spinners, with Hosein also capable of contributing with the bat at number eight. For the pace attack, Jaffer has gone with Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed. Ashwin has provided four options for the Impact Player, which include Anshul Kamboj, Shreyas Gopal, Ramakrishna Ghosh, and Rahul Chahar. CSK head into the new season after a disappointing 2025 campaign, where they finished at the bottom of the table, the worst result in the franchises history. Known for their consistency and strong performances over the years, the teams poor showing came as a surprise to fans. Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 at Baraspara Stadium in Guwahati. Ashwin's CSK playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 at Baraspara Stadium in Guwahati. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact Player: Anshul Kamboj/Shreyas Gopal/Ramakrishna Ghosh/Rahul Chahar. Article Source: IANS

Bangladesh Lifts Ban On Broadcast Of IPL Matches Imposed After Mustafizur Row

Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan: Bangladesh has cleared the way for the telecast of the Indian Premier League, with the newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan confirming there are no restrictions on broadcasting the tournament in the country. In a significant policy shift, Swapan said the government does not intend to mix politics with sports and will instead evaluate the matter from a commercial perspective. He noted that broadcasters willing to air the IPL can approach the authorities, and their applications would be considered positively. The clarification comes in the backdrop of an earlier ban imposed by the previous interim administration, which had halted IPL telecasts in Bangladesh. The move had created uncertainty among broadcasters and cable operators ahead of the tournament. No one applied to us to telecast the IPL. We don't want to mix politics with sport. We will look at it from a commercial perspective, and if any channel applies to telecast the IPL, we will consider it positively, Swapan was quoted as saying by Deutsche Welle. Swapan also indicated that international sports networks, including Star Sports, are free to broadcast the IPL in Bangladesh if they choose to. He emphasised that the government would neither impose restrictions nor compel any broadcaster, underlining a more open approach to sports broadcasting rights. We will not bar anyone from telecasting it. If Star Sports wants to telecast it, they can. If any of our channels want to telecast it, we will take it positively, but we will not force anything, he added. Earlier, Aminul Haque, the State Minister for Youth and Sports, had suggested that the authorities would revisit the issue and hold discussions with relevant stakeholders following the earlier ban. The latest remarks from the Information Minister now confirm that the government has effectively moved away from that restrictive stance. Meanwhile, the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh has also backed the development, stating that there are no directives in place to prevent the telecast of IPL matches. Its office secretary, Rezaul Karim Lablu, said cable operators would not block any broadcast feed in the absence of official instructions. Lablu further pointed out that the directives issued under the previous administration led by Muhammad Yunus are no longer relevant, making it clear that operators are free to carry IPL broadcasts unless fresh orders are issued. Meanwhile, the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh has also backed the development, stating that there are no directives in place to prevent the telecast of IPL matches. Its office secretary, Rezaul Karim Lablu, said cable operators would not block any broadcast feed in the absence of official instructions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The ban was imposed by the interim regime after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to end Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman's contract for IPL 2026, after some elements following the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh. Article Source: IANS

'The points are super important' - Wolvaardt hopes for ODI high after T20I low in New Zealand

The plans that we have in place for the ODIs are pretty solid, so hopefully we can put up better performances, Laura Wolvaardt says ahead of the three-match New Zealand-South Africa series

Novak Djokovic pulls out of the Monte Carlo Masters

Djokovics Instagram post didnt specify the 38-year-old Djokovics reason for pulling out, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion hasnt played since losing in three sets to Jack Draper in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open two weeks ago

The who's who of injured and unavailable players for IPL 2026

KKR are the worst hit so far with injuries to Akash Deep, Harshit Rana and Pathirana

Dhoni 'likely to miss first two weeks' of IPL 2026 because of calf strain

MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation, CSK say in a statement on the opening day of IPL 2026

IPL 2026: Dhoni To Miss First Two Weeks Of Season Due To Calf Strain

Chennai Super Kings: Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni has sustained a calf strain and has been subsequently ruled out for the first two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the franchise said in a statement. The 19th edition of the tournament is set to begin on Saturday, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the curtain-raiser at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. CSK are set to play their campaign opener on Monday against the inaugural champions, Rajasthan Royals. However, Dhoni, who has led the franchise to five titles, the joint-most in the league across all seasons, will miss the first few matches and sit out for the first two weeks. MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026, the franchise said in a statement on Saturday. Earlier in the day, the franchise shared a video of the teams practice match, a match-like simulation, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where Dhoni batted and Samson kept the wickets. The 44-year-old unleashed some terrific shots, sending the ball over the boundary line on multiple occasions. MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026, the franchise said in a statement on Saturday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score While the English all-rounder has been ruled out of IPL 2026 owing to an injury, it will be interesting to see Samson and Jadeja going up against their former franchises on Monday, when RR take on CSK at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. Article Source: IANS

Taylor hits unbeaten century but Australia convincing winners

Phoebe Litchfield top-scored with 77 and Georgia Wareham had an impressive all-round game

Ben Duckett Eager To Show Hunger For England Success After Ashes Flop

Ben Duckett is determined to show just how important playing for England is to him following a woeful Ashes campaign. England have insisted they are ready to adapt under coach Brendon McCullum, who remains in charge despite a 4-1 series loss in Australia marred by poor preparation and off-field incidents that led to questions about the team's professionalism. Opening batsman Duckett, who averaged 20.2 in Australia with a top score of just 42, was also filmed seemingly drunk during a controversial mid-series break in Noosa. I wasn't proud of how things went in Australia, Duckett said on Friday. Hopefully, moving forward, we'll just see over time how much playing for England means for us. Duckett has pulled the plug on a six-figure IPL deal to play for title-holders Nottinghamshire in the County Championship, prioritising his England place ahead of home Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan. This is not why I've done it but pulling out of the IPL, turning down a good chunk of money and missing the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the world to be here playing for Notts is a step in the right direction to show how much playing cricket for England means to me personally, he said. I genuinely don't know whether I'll be in the England team for the first Test (against New Zealand at Lord's on June 4), but I'll do everything I can over the next four or five weeks to be in the best shape of my life. Australia's Travis Head -- who scored over 600 runs in the Ashes series including three hundreds -- labelled the reaction to 31-year-old left-hander's Duckett's conduct in Noosa a bit stiff. If we were winning it probably wouldn't have been news and nobody would have cared, said Duckett. If it had been Travis Head in that video, people are probably loving it. We were struggling as a side and I was struggling as a player so I shouldn't have put myself in a position like that. That goes for any human being, let alone a professional sportsman, insisted Duckett. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think it's no secret that we can definitely tighten up on some areas... and to be honest, I'm all for it.

England Quick Josh Tongue Backs Troy Cooley To Make Him A Better Bowler

Josh Tongue is looking forward to becoming the latest England paceman to benefit from the guidance of veteran fast-bowling coach Troy Cooley. Tongue was a rare shining light for England during a recent 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia where he was omitted for the first two Tests but took 18 wickets in the last three. The 28-year-old quick is optimistic of improving his game still further under Cooley, the fast-bowling coach of England's 2005 Ashes-winning team. Cooley has also worked with the current Australia team's celebrated trio of fast bowlers, as well as India's Jasprit Bumrah and in January the 60-year-old Australian rejoined England's coaching staff. He's coached the likes of (Mitchell) Starc, (Josh) Hazlewood, (Pat) Cummins and he was part of India as well, Tongue said on Friday. I had a little chat with him on the phone the other day, I feel like we're going to get on really well and he's going to help me get even better than where I am now. Following an England and Wales Cricket Board review into the Ashes debacle, England head coach Brendon McCullum has kept his job despite the former New Zealand captain facing widespread calls to be sacked from his post. Tongue, however, was pleased to see McCullum keep his job, saying: I've got a lot of good things to say about Baz. England were well-beaten in the Ashes but Tongue has now taken 23 wickets in four Tests against Australia at an impressive average of 22.3 apiece. Tongue was also named player of the match in England's lone success at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, where he took 5-45 in the first innings and seven wickets in the match in total. I've always wanted to go away on an Ashes (tour) Down Under and to be there for the Boxing Day Test and the New Year's Test in Sydney as well, it's what dreams are really made of, he said. Doing well at the MCG was the icing on the cake. I want to bring those moments more. I want to try and make an impact when I play games for England and try and put us in good positions to win games of cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England begin their home Test season with the first of a three-match series against New Zealand at Lord's starting on June 4.

Virat Kohli at Peak of His Powers as RCB Begin IPL Title Defence, Says Andy Flower

Virat Kohli is hungry and at the peak of his powers, with his IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to start their title defence, coach Andy Flower said Friday. The 37-year-old and Bengaluru face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League season opener on Saturday. They ended their long wait for a maiden IPL title last season at the 18th attempt. Former captain Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20 internationals, now represents India in just the 50-over format. Virat is in a really good space mentally, Flower told reporters. He's very comfortable with himself but still incredibly hungry, and watching him strike the ball in training, he looks at the peak of his powers. RCB return to their home M. Chinnaswamy Stadium with mixed emotions after 11 fans died celebrating the team's title triumph outside the venue last year. Players will wear black armbands and 11 seats will be left vacant permanently. It was very satisfying professionally for everyone, of course, but a really emotional time for all sorts of reasons at the end of last season, Flower told reporters. It's another time, so it's time to move on from that. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The stampede took place a day after RCB won the final against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad and returned to a homecoming trophy parade.

Naseem pulled up by PCB over Maryam Nawaz tweet

PCB stated that Naseem's tweet violated the terms of his central contract as well as media policy and regulations

IPL 2026: Were Looking Forward To The Challenge, Says Coach Flower As RCB Gear Up For Title Defence

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are all set to play the season opener of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. Ahead of the fixture, head coach Andy Flower said the team is approaching the new campaign with a fresh outlook despite entering the tournament as the defending champions. Of course, we are the holders from last year, but this is a brand new year, and were all looking forward to the challenge. One of the truths in life is that change is always there. We are a different group now; the players are a year older, and our opponents have evolved in certain ways. Conditions might also be different, so the challenge of this IPL will be completely different to the last one, and were excited about that, Flower said. Reflecting on the teams experiences at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Flower noted that the side has taken valuable lessons from previous outings at the venue. We lost our first three matches at Chinnaswamy last year, and we learned from those experiences. Conditions might be slightly different this time as well, so well have to assess that. But at your home venue, you should have a better understanding of the nuances of the conditions than your opposition. Weve been practising here and talking a lot about those aspects, so Id like to think well be slightly ahead of the opposition on our own surface, he said. Flower also spoke about the leadership group within the squad, praising captain Rajat Patidar and his deputy Jitesh Sharma. Its pretty amazing that in Rajats first year of captaincy, he led RCB to the trophy. Hes a very likeable man, and hes well respected in the dressing room. He stays nice and calm, which the bowlers really appreciate. Jitesh is a very good deputy as well. Hes energetic, tactically aware and sees a lot of the game from behind the stumps, so having those two working together around the square is valuable for the team, he added. Reflecting on the form of Virat Kohli, Flower expressed confidence in the senior batters mindset and preparation heading into the season. Virat is in a really good space mentally. Hes very comfortable with himself but still incredibly hungry, and watching him strike the ball in training, he looks at the peak of his powers, Flower said. Its pretty amazing that in Rajats first year of captaincy, he led RCB to the trophy. Hes a very likeable man, and hes well respected in the dressing room. He stays nice and calm, which the bowlers really appreciate. Jitesh is a very good deputy as well. Hes energetic, tactically aware and sees a lot of the game from behind the stumps, so having those two working together around the square is valuable for the team, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Flower also provided an update on Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood arrived yesterday, and hes looking fit. Its great to have him back around the dressing room and involved in our meetings again. He wont be ready for tomorrow because hes just arrived, but well monitor his fitness closely, and were looking forward to him making his entrance into the IPL soon, he said. Article Source: IANS

Moeen, Hasan Ali star in Kings' come-from-behind win

Shamyl shone with a 21-ball fifty but got little support from the batters below

Glamorgan sign Fazalhaq Farooqi for T20 Blast

Becomes first Afghan to play for county, having already featured for Notts and Manchester Originals

IPL 2026: Bowling Remains A Concern For SRH Despite Ultra-aggressive Batting Unit (SWOT)

Indian Premier League: As the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaches, Sunrisers Hyderabad face the same dilemma that has plagued them for a long time an intimidating batting lineup that has been boosted by new players, backed by a weak bowling unit. They still have doubts about whether they will be able to cope with the fragility of their bowling. Strengths: There is little doubt that SRH have one of the most destructive batting lineups in the entire tournament. The opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma can rip through any bowling attack during the powerplays, whilst they also have very scary middle-order batters like Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Ishan Kishan, all of whom are capable of maintaining a high strike rate but still accumulating volume runs. In addition to the destructive players mentioned above, the addition of Liam Livingstone and players such as Jack Edwards and Salil Arora now gives SRH another level of power hitters and provides them with the potential to dominate any high-scoring game they play. Weaknesses: SRHs biggest concern is their bowling unit, especially after Mohammed Shami left. The pace attack, led by Pat Cummins, includes players like Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Shivam Mavi, and Brydon Carse. This group does not have the consistent wicket-taking ability of top teams. The spin department looks even more fragile, with relatively inexperienced players like Harsh Dubey, Zeeshan Ansari, and Kamindu Mendis. On slower surfaces, this could become a serious problem. Opportunities: Sunrisers Hyderabad have an opportunity to fully embrace their ultra-aggressive batting style. Theyll be able to utilise their depth and firepower, both in batting, to put up large totals or chase down large totals time after time. If their bowlers can perform in a disciplined manner while sticking to their roles, the Sunrisers will likely be able to out-bat the majority of their opponents by sheer batting power. The change to the squad also gives the SRH players more energy and opportunity to step up and be the main players to win games for SRH, as players like Liam Livingstone. Threats: The Sunrisers greatest threats are themselves through their approach to the game. An overly aggressive attitude, especially without situational awareness, can lead to collapses; this shot the Sunrisers in the foot last season. Their weak bowling unit can also become an issue if they are in close games late, particularly against teams that are well-rounded and balanced. If the batting unit has a brief instance of failure, the Sunrisers will not be capable of defending their totals or controlling the game, regardless of their batting firepower. Threats: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Abhishek Sharma, Amit Kumar, Aniket Verma, Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga, Harshal Patel, Harsh Dubey, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan, Jack Edwards, Jaydev Unadkat, Kamindu Mendis, Krains Fuletra, Liam Livingstone, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Onkar Tarmale, Pat Cummins (C), Praful Hinge, Sakib Hussain, Salil Arora, Shivam Mavi, Shivang Kumar, Smaran Ravichandran, Travis Head, Zeeshan Ansari. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Five-time Champion Mumbai Indians Eye Title With Renewed Focus (SWOT)

Indian Premier League: Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will look for dominance as they enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with their core squad and some new faces. Several key players, including former captain Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, are leading a settled squad and hope that experience will help them find their way back to having a winning formula through stability and some smart additions. Strengths: The MI's main advantage is that they have well-defined roles on a well-established core. They have an impressive and deep batting line-up, with Rohit being supported by either Ryan Rickelton or Quinton de Kock, who is also returning. The MI's middle-order comprising Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya are all premium players who will give the MI a mixture of consistency and explosive ability. In bowling, they have one of the best fast bowling units in the competition, led by Jasprit Bumrah with Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar as significant contributors. In addition, they have seamers like Shardul Thakur adding to the overall depth in that area. Also, MI have many all-rounders -- such as Mitchell Santner, Will Jacks, and Naman Dhir -- giving them the ability to play tactically in different conditions. Weaknesses: MI have structural issues in a few key areas despite their strength. The team has no proven 'keeper option from India and therefore will have to rely upon foreign talent (i.e., Rickelton and de Kock). This may result in limiting how flexible the MI will be when finalising the various combinations needed throughout the tournament. MI's spin bowling is also a relative weakness. Santner is the only proven spin option, but is also the only proven spinner on the MI roster. Outside of Santner, MI can look to Mayank Markande, Atharva Ankolekar, and Mayank Rawat as depth spinners, but all have limited impact at the IPL level. Injuries are another possible weakness for MI. Historically, MI has experienced problems with injured players such as Bumrah, Chahar, and Hardik; with the added factor of having limited depth on the roster due to the limited auction budget, MI may not have reliable options for replacing these players if they do or do not play as a result of injuries. Finally, MI's lower-middle order is extremely reliant on Hardik and Naman Dhir for finishing. If their form decreases during IPL 2026, there will be some vulnerability in this segment of the MI batting order. Opportunities: IPL 2026 will be MI's best chance to end its title drought that dates back to 2020. MI will once again have the opportunity to return to the top of the IPL pyramid. The MI roster provides an incredible amount of flexibility that will allow MI to make minor adjustments at each venue because multiple all-rounders, along with various other bowling options, give MI the ability to modify their batting and bowling combinations according to facility conditions. The return of de Kock to MI's top order will bring familiarity to the MI batting order and help provide additional opportunities for younger Indian players to develop in a championship environment. Threats: Over-reliance on senior players could be a problem. Rohit, de Kock, Boult, and Santner are all nearing the end of their careers, and if any of them struggle with their form, it could impact the team's performance. Teams that rely heavily on spin may take advantage of MI on slower pitches, especially if MIs spin bowlers do not perform well. Moreover, teams with stronger benches may manage player workloads and injuries better throughout the long season. Another disappointing season could also heighten pressure on leadership and strategy, which might hurt confidence during key moments. Threats: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Hardik Pandya (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ryan Rickleton, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Naman Dhir, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Allah Ghafanzar, Ashwani Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Raghu Sharma, Raj Angad Bawa, Sherfane Rutherford, Mayank Markande, Shardul Thakur, Quinton de Kock, Mohammad Izhar, Danish Malewar, Atharva Ankolekar, Mayank Rawat. Article Source: IANS

RCB, SRH and Chinnaswamy come together for IPL's opening night

This is the first time top-flight cricket is returning to the venue since May last year

IPL 2026: Defending Champions RCB Will Look For Consistency (SWOT)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) return to IPL 2026 with a point to prove. At the centre of it all is Virat Kohli. After finally ending their title drought last season, RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, now faces the challenge of maintaining success under new conditions and higher expectations. Strengths: RCBs biggest advantage is continuity. Keeping the core of their title-winning squad ensures strong team chemistry and clear roles. Their batting lineup is one of the most powerful in the league. With Kohli anchoring the innings and explosive players like Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David supporting him, RCB has both stability and firepower. The addition of Venkatesh Iyer further boosts the Indian core, providing flexibility across the batting order and an extra bowling option. In the pace department, the experienced pair of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar offers control and wicket-taking skills at different stages. All-rounders like Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd enhance the team balance. Weaknesses: RCB will have a lot of experience in their fast bowling unit; all the fast bowlers have fitness issues that must be addressed. All of them have past instances of injuries or lack of regular matches, so Hazlewood will need to get back into playing quickly. The backup bowling options for the team, Jacob Duffy and Mangesh Yadav, do not have extensive IPL experience, so if the team sustains injuries at any positions, RCB could be challenged in terms of depth. The chance of RCBs spin bowling group being an unknown factor this season is still very much a question to be determined. While Suyash Sharma has shown to be inconsistent, he demonstrated great potential last season and now needs to become a steadier performer as part of the RCB group. The other options outside Sharma are either minor supporting bowlers or part-time spinners, and they could struggle versus slower pitch conditions. Opportunities: RCB might benefit by having the ability to play at several new venues outside of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which generally favour the batters. The new venues of Raipur and Mumbai will provide several ways for both pace bowlers to assist in making RCB more successful in their pace bowling attack. For Venkatesh Iyer, this is an opportunity for him to cement his position within the team, while achieving the type of consistency that comes only from working in a stable environment. Younger players such as Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, and Suyash Sharma will all have the opportunity for their stature to rise within a championship-type team and to make a solid contribution to the team. Threats: Historically, defending a title in the IPL is difficult, as other teams will place added pressure and use specific plans against the title defender. Performance from veterans like Kohli and Hazlewood will play a big part in RCB's chances of winning, as any drop-off in their games could affect RCB's ability to keep their winning streak going through the tournament. Threats: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy, Satwik Deswal, Jordan Cox, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan, Vicky Ostwal. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Players' Switch From PSL To IPL Reinforced The Top League's Better Product And Platform

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi: Though they are organised in neighbouring countries and in the same time frame, the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are worlds apart when it comes to their potential, revenues, popularity, and influence. But they were both dragged onto the same page in the last few days, with a couple of players switching their royalties from PSL teams to IPL franchises, preferring the bigger platform that is allowing late replacement players because some of their already contracted personnel have withdrawn from the upcoming 19th edition because of various reasons, including injuries. Blessing Muzarabani of Zimbabwe, Dasun Shanaka of Sri Lanka, Spencer Johnson of Australia, and Gudakesh Motie of the West Indies are the players who have all rescinded their PSL contracts and joined IPL instead, much to the annoyance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Muzarabani, who has represented Zimbabwe in 89 T20Is, had joined three-time PSL champions Islamabad United for 11 million PKR as a replacement for West Indies star Shamar Joseph. But just before the start of the PSL on March 26, Muzarbani joined the three-time IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, who was released from the squad following the instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Soon after, Rajasthan Royals announced that they had signed Sri Lankan all-rounder and T20I captain Dasun Shanaka as a replacement for Sam Curran for the IPL 2026 season after an injury ruled the English all-rounder out of the tournament. Shanaka went unsold at last years IPL auction in Abu Dhabi and was later picked up by Lahore Qalandars in the upcoming season of the PSL for PKR 75 lakh. With the signing, Shanaka became the second player, after Zimbabwes Blessing Muzarabani, to leave PSL and join IPL this year. A few days after that, five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) roped in Australian pacer Spenser Johnson as a replacement for Nathan Ellis, who has been ruled out of the whole tournament due to a hamstring injury. Johnson had signed for the Quetta Gladiators for the PSL 2026 season, but pulled out just before the tournament, citing personal reasons for leaving PSL. South Africa's seam-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch was the first player to make a switch from PSL to IPL, leaving Peshawar Zalmi to sign with Mumbai Indians, prompting the PSL to impose a one-year ban on him. With three players pulling out ahead of PSL 2026 and joining the IPL, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was livid and has threatened legal action against the players. However, he seems to be forgetting one thing: nobody can stop anyone from exploring better prospects, and it is a fact that IPL presents the players with greener pastures. It is a no-brainer that cricketers all around the world want to play franchise cricket, and as IPL is tops of the tops, everyone wants to be associated with it. The IPL franchises, too, want the best players in the world in their ranks and are ready to spend mega bucks to recruit top talent that they can utilise in their teams in other leagues in case they can't use them in IPL. PSL can't compare with it on any parameters. With the cash-rich IPL offering hefty sums, highly competitive cricket, instant recognition, and an opportunity for a better lifestyle, players want to be associated with it -- this forces them to switch sides when the opportunity comes. Also, PSL is the only league that clashes with the IPL because it is deliberately held in the same time frame, thus allowing the players the option to move from the weaker platform to the stronger one. The PCB knows that they have an inferior product, but still wants to compete against IPL for semantics and to satisfy the domestic sensibilities for losing face. With the cash-rich IPL offering hefty sums, highly competitive cricket, instant recognition, and an opportunity for a better lifestyle, players want to be associated with it -- this forces them to switch sides when the opportunity comes. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But with the PCB looking hell-bent on pursuing legal action against the players instead of improving and producing a better product, they may face another setback and lose more face. Article Source: IANS

Aakash Chopra backs Kohli for IPL season over Dhoni and Rohit; Karnataka MLAs get two IPL 2026 tickets

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has confirmed that every MLA and MP will receive two tickets each for the IPL 2026 opener at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, resolving complaints over VIP ticket allocation. The match between RCB and SRH marks the start of the new season.

IPL 2026: Fresh Off 2025 Season, PBKS Look To Continue Rich Form With Core Indian Squad (SWOT)

Indian Premier League: Fresh off a runners-up finish in the 2025 edition, Punjab Kings head into Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with renewed belief and a strong Indian core. Under Shreyas Iyer's leadership, PBKS has a talented squad filled with versatile players. However, questions about balance and consistency could affect their title challenge. Strengths: Punjab Kings biggest strength is their depth and flexibility, especially among their all-rounders. With players like Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Marco Jansen, PBKS can extend their batting lineup to No. 8 without weakening their bowling. Their pace attack is also impressive. The left-arm duo of Arshdeep Singh and Jansen provides variety, control, and the ability to take wickets at different stages in the game. Additionally, PBKS has a solid Indian core that includes Iyer, Arshdeep, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Prabhsimran Singh. This gives them stability and continuity in various conditions. Weaknesses: One major concern is the absence of a proven, high-scoring Indian opener. This situation could place extra pressure on Iyer at the top of the order. While Lockie Ferguson brings speed, his inconsistency can be a liability in high-scoring matches. There are also worries about the fitness and workload of veteran players. Stoinis and Chahal still make a significant impact, but maintaining peak performance over a long IPL season might be difficult. Opportunities: PBKS has an exciting group of young players who could change their season. Players like Priyansh Arya have the potential to bring aggression in the Powerplay. Emerging talents such as Musheer Khan and Suryansh Shedge could develop into match-winning factors. If these players perform well, PBKS could evolve from a solid team into a truly dominant force. Threats: Punjabs success could depend heavily on a few key individuals. Relying too much on Iyer for runs and Arshdeep for breakthroughs may make them vulnerable. A dip in form from either player could disrupt their momentum. Moreover, even with several options, PBKS has not yet settled on their best XI. This uncertainty could affect consistency and role clarity during critical moments in the season. Threats: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyala Avinash, Harnoor Pannu, Suryansh Shedge, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Lockie Ferguson, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Vishal Nishad, Praveen Dubey. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: PBKS Young Guns Are Fearless, Confident, Arent Into Overthinking, Says Shashank Singh

In Punjab Kings: Punjab Kings batter Shashank Singh says the fearlessness and confidence shown by the franchise's youngsters is their most striking aspect going into IPL 2026, adding that their ability to stay free of overthinking sets them apart from more experienced players, including himself. In Punjab Kings having a runners-up finish in 2025, their uncapped batters shining bright made for a very compelling story. They collectively scored 1,519 runs - the most by uncapped players of any single team in an IPL season. Left-handed opener Priyansh Arya announced himself on the biggest stage by making 475 runs at a strike rate of 179 and was one of only two uncapped centurions of the tournament. When you're talking about the youngsters, the best attribute is that they're fearless. Talking about my team Punjab, everyone is fearless Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer (Khan) and Harnoor (Singh Pannu). So whoever is coming in a young lot, they are very fearless. I mean, they don't think too much because I realise that we overthink at times - even I sometimes also overthink on things. But these people don't think much at all and that is the best part. The more calm these people can be or the less they think - I mean, no one is calm here - but the less they think, the better they are. So these people don't think too much, Shashank told IANS in the JioStar Press Room ahead of IPL 2026. Prabhsimran Singh smashed 549 runs at a strike rate of 160, while Nehal Wadhera played a full IPL season and made 369 runs in 15 innings. After captain Shreyas Iyer, PBKSs next-best run-getters were Arya, Prabhsimran, Wadhera and Shashank himself. The Arya-Prabhsimran opening pair, who later played for India A, amassed 532 runs together in IPL 2025 and will be expected to make big runs in the upcoming season. Yet the question heading into the new season is a familiar one: can the youngsters replicate their great returns from last year? Shashank, for one, has no doubt about it, though he added that the fearless prodigies of PBKS will mature with time. For example, Priyansh and Suryansh are batting in nets - if four shots don't get hit and they are beaten, I would start thinking that my shoulder didn't come forward, my foot didn't reach to the ball and what happened? But these people don't think anything - even if they hit five or six balls, it goes well as this is a game of confidence, at least at the IPL level. It's more about confidence - that is how confident you are. So the best part of these people is that they are very confident and very fearless. Obviously, someone like Priyansh or Suryansh or all these people are really at a different level in terms of talent. For example, you and I see them batting every day so I feel that they have so much talent so these people should play. Sometimes I feel that there is a little bit of a lack of maturity part and that too takes time. I think and feel that I am a mature cricketer. Sometimes I feel that they might mature as soon as possible, which is good for them. But the best part of these people is that they are very confident and fearless and don't think anything and arent over-thinkers. So it feels really good to chill with them, he elaborated. On the question of unfinished business from last season - PBKS fell six runs short of winning IPL 2025 - Shashank was emphatic that they will go all the way to the trophy this year. I know that on May 31st, we will be playing at the Chinnaswamy and lifting the cup. Its not just a feeling, I know this will happen. It's self belief and team belief. Everyone is on the same page. There is confidence in everyone. We will take it match by match because the ultimate aim is to get a trophy. If we keep thinking we reached the final last year, there will be a lot of pressure on us. So our immediate aim is to prepare for our first game against GT, then against CSK and KKR. To play the final and win is the ultimate goal. But we have to focus on every match, rectify our mistakes and that will be easier. We are very motivated and excited as we are the same group. We are better prepared than last year, he said. For Shashank personally, IPL 2026 is about reclaiming lost ground after a shoulder injury and finger fracture kept him away from a large part of domestic cricket season for his state Chhattisgarh. It is more of a mental game than a skill game during the IPL. The past year didnt go well for me as I had a spate of injuries and I couldnt play competitive cricket much. My biggest goal is to make an impact for the team. For Shashank personally, IPL 2026 is about reclaiming lost ground after a shoulder injury and finger fracture kept him away from a large part of domestic cricket season for his state Chhattisgarh. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Catch Punjab Kings' season opener against Gujarat Titans at 7:30 PM, March 31, LIVE and Exclusive on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Wasim Jaffer Picks CSK Playing XI, Slots MS Dhoni At Number 6

Chennai Super Kings: Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer has picked the strongest playing XI for the five time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is set to begin on March 28. CSK head into the new season after a disappointing 2025 campaign, where they finished at the bottom of the table, the worst result in the franchises history. Known for their consistency and strong performances over the years, the teams poor showing came as a surprise to fans. Since then, the franchise has made several big changes during the auction and transfer window to rebuild the squad. Among the key changes, CSK released experienced players like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, while bringing in Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals through a trade. The team also invested in young talent, including players like Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. Jaffer believes Samson should open the innings alongside India U19 captain Ayush Mhatre, giving the team an aggressive start. He has suggested that captain Ruturaj Gaikwad should bat at number three to stabilise the innings and provide balance in the top order. In the middle order, Jaffer has placed young South African batter Dewald Brevis at number four, followed by Indias T20 World Cup 2026 all-rounder Shivam Dube at number five. Veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni has been slotted at number six. Dhoni had a relatively quiet season last year, scoring 196 runs while mostly batting at number seven or eight, but his experience remains crucial for the side. According to Jaffer, only one of Kartik Sharma or Prashant Veer will feature in the playing XI, taking up the number seven spot. In the bowling department, he has selected Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad as the main spinners, with Hosein also capable of contributing with the bat at number eight. For the pace attack, Jaffer has gone with Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed, while Anshul Kamboj has been named as the impact player. Wasim Jaffers CSK XI: Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni, Kartik Sharma/Prashant Veer, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed Wasim Jaffers CSK XI: Also Read: Live Cricket Score CSK will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 at Baraspara Stadium in Guwahati. Article Source: IANS

All Indian Captains Make IPL 2026 Quite Significant From A Leadership Perspective, Says Paranjape

BCCI Cricket Advisory Committee: For the first time, all ten IPL franchises will be led by Indian captains in the upcoming season starting on Saturday, and Jatin Paranjape, the former cricketer and national selector, feels that fact makes the tournament worth watching from a leadership perspective. This IPL feels quite significant from a leadership point of view. For the first time in a while, you have all teams being led by Indian captains, Ruturaj Gaikwad at CSK, Axar Patel at Delhi Capitals, Shubman Gill at Gujarat Titans, Ajinkya Rahane at KKR, Rishabh Pant at Lucknow, Hardik Pandya at Mumbai Indians, Shreyas Iyer at Punjab Kings, Riyan Parag at Rajasthan Royals, Rajat Patidar at RCB, and Ishan Kishan at Sunrisers Hyderabad. What makes it interesting is that each of them is at a very different stage in their career, but for all of them, this is a pivotal phase. Some are new to the role, while others have a bit more experience, but all of them will have to handle responsibility over a long tournament, Paranjape told IANS on Friday, on the eve of the tournament opener between RCB and SRH, to be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This IPL feels quite significant from a leadership point of view. For the first time in a while, you have all teams being led by Indian captains, Ruturaj Gaikwad at CSK, Axar Patel at Delhi Capitals, Shubman Gill at Gujarat Titans, Ajinkya Rahane at KKR, Rishabh Pant at Lucknow, Hardik Pandya at Mumbai Indians, Shreyas Iyer at Punjab Kings, Riyan Parag at Rajasthan Royals, Rajat Patidar at RCB, and Ishan Kishan at Sunrisers Hyderabad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The IPL has always been a platform for players, but this season its just as much about leadership. How these captains manage pressure, handle expectations, and bring their teams together over two months will be closely watched. In many ways, this is where you start seeing the next set of leaders for Indian cricket take shape, he added. Article Source: IANS

Hardik Pandya fulfills promise, gifts Rs 10,000 to every Wankhede Stadium ground staff

Hardik Pandya showed his appreciation for the Wankhede Stadium ground staff by giving each member a cheque of Rs 10,000, fulfilling a promise he had made before the T20 World Cup. The ground staff had supported him during his training sessions, helping him maintain peak fitness ahead of the tournamen

IPL 2026: Positivity From DC Coaches Gave Belief For Being Selected, Says Auqib Nabi

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Delhi Capitals pacer Auqib Nabi said encouraging words from the franchises coaching staff during pre-auction trials, particularly from head coach Hemang Badani, gave him the self-belief that an IPL call-up was within reach if he kept performing in domestic cricket. Nabi, who was picked for Rs 8.4 crore by DC in last years auction in Abu Dhabi after years of going unsold and having net bowling stints instead, had a sensational time in the 2025/25 domestic season - picking 60 wickets to make Jammu & Kashmir win their maiden Ranji Trophy title and taking four wickets in four balls for North Zone in a Duleep Trophy game in Bengaluru. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Nabi showed that apart from swing, he can fire yorkers, including wide ones, to pick 15 wickets in seven games at an economy rate of 7.41. He also chipped in with a cameo 32 off 21 balls against Madhya Pradesh, showing that he can contribute with the bat whenever needed. I think when I gave the trials for Delhi Capitals, I spoke to all the coaches. There was a very positive response from everyone about me and that now they are watching me. My season was also very good and when I came back after playing in Duleep Trophy, I went for the trials for Delhi Capitals. That was also a positive that I did well and my trials were also very good here for DC. Then they said, especially Hemang sir, that we are watching you and don't go anywhere for trials. I spoke to Venu sir and Munaf sir, who also gave a positive response. I had it in my mind that if my time in Mushtaq Ali goes well, then I can get a chance this time to play, said Nabi, while replying to a question from IANS in a virtual roundtable chat on Friday. DC will open their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on April 1. Despite making his name primarily in red-ball cricket, Nabi said he has no intention of overhauling his game for the shortest format, insisting that his ability to swing the ball will remain his primary weapon to execute in IPL 2026. My strength is to swing the ball from both sides. I will keep my focus on that, whether it is a red ball or a white ball game. My focus will always be on swinging the ball from a high point and getting wickets with the new ball. My focus will always be on keeping things as simple as possible and it's better because I will not step away from my strengths, which is to swing the ball from that high point and get early breakthroughs. So I will keep my focus on that, he added. My strength is to swing the ball from both sides. I will keep my focus on that, whether it is a red ball or a white ball game. My focus will always be on swinging the ball from a high point and getting wickets with the new ball. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Nabi signed off by talking about his approach to handle the weight of expectations and the pressure of a hefty price tag. I am not thinking about the outside noise. I am just trying to stick to my basics, and I will be doing that in the IPL also. I am not putting the extra pressure by thinking about outside things. So, I will be focusing on my strengths, and I will keep it as simple as I did in domestic games - here as well, in the IPL. Article Source: IANS

Thushara fails fitness test, denied NOC to join RCB in IPL 2026

Matheesha Pathirana (KKR) and Wanindu Hasaranga (LSG) are yet to take their fitness tests

IPL 2026: Sai Sudharsan Credits GT Culture For Success, Eyes Bigger Role This Season

Vijay Hazare Trophy: Gujarat Titans opener B Sai Sudharsan, who finished as the leading run-scorer of 2025 IPL, says stepping into a new identity and embracing responsibility was his biggest takeaway from a breakout campaign, adding that the franchises culture has also played a huge hand in his success in the ten-team competition. In IPL 2025, left-handed Sudharsan amassed 759 runs at an average of 54.2 and strike-rate of 156.17, which marked his best-ever season in four years of playing in the tournament. Cut to now, and Sudharsan is gearing up for the upcoming season after playing six Tests for India and recovering from a right seventh rib fracture injury sustained during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. I feel the biggest learning from that is just getting into a new identity and taking that responsibility. I feel that is the biggest learning I have taken from that season. Yes, it is with the efforts and hard work of what we have prepared for the last year - that was the result of all of that. But again, if we have to make our team win or give our best for the team, there's still a lot of work to be done and it will be done very well this year, Sudharsan told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Friday, ahead of GT starting their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh on March 31. When pressed on a specific moment that marked a turning point in his wonderful time with the bat last year, Sudharsan pointed to his unbeaten 108 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he and Shubman Gill, who was not out on 93, chased down 200 without losing any wicket. As GT or at the top, me and Shubman, we were always looking at taking the game deep, playing the game deep and winning the games for the team. The biggest threshold was I think the DC game (in New Delhi) where we both finished the game by not even losing one wicket. So, that was the biggest threshold for us and it made us believe in ourselves more. I think that was the biggest turning point. Sudharsan also spoke warmly about what he has absorbed from batting alongside Gill over the past four seasons. It's actually a very good question. I have learnt a lot from Shubman to be honest. These four years, I have had quite a lot of partnerships and conversations as well of how we can improve and how we can look into the situations. I think I have worked on those things and I am looking forward for more of that. On the environment at GT, which is widely regarded for being relaxed and nurturing young talent, Sudharsan stated the freedom to express himself has been the single most important factor in his development. I think that has shaped my career for now because as a young kid coming into the team, there will be a lot of doubts, questions or things going in your mind. I think the environment here has helped me to express myself rather than resist myself to not do this or not do that. Rather, it was more about, oh, I like doing this and I would love to do this year. There was space and platform for that. From a mental point of view, I think it gave me so much freedom to express myself. Because of that, I was able to have conversations and be more natural and that, I think, has evolved over time. Sudharsan, known for mixing elegant and unorthodox strokeplay and ability to clear the ropes with immaculate ease, said the foundation of his much-improved power-hitting skills lay in getting the basics right. I think I focus a lot on basics a lot of very simple stuff which can be replicated against each and every ball. So, my biggest pointers like that is to time or to hold my position more, which eventually helps me both in white ball and red ball cricket, and especially in white ball games, where I can generate more power when I'm batting. He further explained that sharper decision-making, rather than a wholesale overhaul of his game, has brought him in line with the ever-evolving demands of the shortest format. Actually, I don't think so much that sport has evolved or so much that. But probably, I can answer it this way - yes, the sport has evolved for sure. But I think my decision-making has improved and I feel the options which I am looking to score off bowlers have improved because I am not specifically focused on working on my power hitting game. Rather than that, I am trying to refine my timing better so that it can catch up with the game and the requirements for what it (a situation) needs when inside the field. He further explained that sharper decision-making, rather than a wholesale overhaul of his game, has brought him in line with the ever-evolving demands of the shortest format. Actually, I don't think so much that sport has evolved or so much that. But probably, I can answer it this way - yes, the sport has evolved for sure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We have not had a lot of conversations yet, but there were a few conversations where it was very interesting and I would love to use that. Obviously, as you said, he is one of the legends of Australia - so I would love to also pick his mind for the Tests as well. Article Source: IANS

PSL Turns Into A Colour Chaos: Akmal Says, 'Kits Dyed At Dupatta Gali...', Fans Upset With Poor-quality Broadcast

Pakistan Super League: As the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL) opening match between the Lahore Qalandars and the Hyderabad Kingsmen unfolded at Gaddafi Stadium, all eyes briefly shifted from the players to the ball itself, which mysteriously began to take on a pink hue. It appeared when fielders were polishing the ball against their clothing to preserve its shine, it led to an unusual complication: the maroon pigment from the Hyderabad Kingsmens jerseys began transferring onto the white ball, turning it into pink. The clips from the incident quickly made social media light up with jokes, memes, and playful theories, as former cricketer Kamran Akmal poked fun at the bizarre sight, saying it looked like the kits had been dyed at some local dupatta colouring shop. I genuinely thought Hyderabad Kingsmen got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane back home, the kind where they recolour white clothes for bargain rates, Kamran Akmal on a YouTube channel. A fan said, Did they get knock-off kits instead of authentic ones? International league or gully-level experiment? A user said, Spent all the money on buying the team i think. A fan even raised serious concerns and said that the dye could cause skin cancer after making contact with players' skin. Think about the players skin. Gonna contract skin cancer and getting treated with the PSL money. Another user wrote, Very tough competition between third class quality of bowling and kit. Following the Lahore Qalandars' victory, the Hyderabad Kingsmen took to X to offer a witty acknowledgement of the day's mishap. The franchise congratulated their opponents on winning what they jokingly dubbed the first pink-ball game in PSL. Congratulations to the opposition on winning their first pink-ball game, the franchise's official account posted. Not only that, but after 4K video resolution was promoted, many viewers expressed dissatisfaction over the broadcast's poor quality, citing shaky cameras and fuzzy footage. Additionally, a lot of people complained about the audio and video being out of sync. Congratulations to the opposition on winning their first pink-ball game, the franchise's official account posted. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Camera work is very ordinary. Stream should be bit brighter, very dull colour, a fan wrote on X. Article Source: IANS

SLC To Hold EGM In April With New Playing Conditions For Domestic Competition As Key Agenda: Report

SLC Secretary Bandula Dissanayake: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on April 6, with a set of resolutions set to be tabled before members for approval, said a report. According to SLC Secretary Bandula Dissanayake, a few tweaks to the constitution will be up for discussion at the EGM. The headline item on the agenda will be the introduction of new playing conditions for SLC-conducted domestic tournaments. At present, promotion and relegation in the top two domestic competitions are decided purely on performances in the three-day format. But SLC is now looking to level the playing field, aiming to give all three formats equal relevance. We want to make white-ball cricket more competitive, Dissanayake told Telecom Asia Sport. What we have seen is teams loading up for the three-day competition and then taking their foot off the pedal when the one-day tournament comes around. By June, several players head to England for league cricket, which leaves the white-ball competitions short-changed. This is part of a long-term blueprint to ensure we are producing players who can hold their own in white-ball cricket, he added. Under the proposed system, performances across all three formats will count towards promotion and relegation, rather than just the red-ball game. However, the longer format will still carry the most weight (51 per cent), while the one-day competition will account for 25 per cent and T20s for 24 per cent. In white-ball tournaments, where knockout stages come into play, quarter-finalists and semi-finalists will earn equal points a move aimed at rewarding consistency and reducing format bias. At the business end, the side finishing with the lowest tally will be relegated. In the event of a tie on points, three-day performances will serve as the tie-breaker, underlining the continued importance of the traditional format. In white-ball tournaments, where knockout stages come into play, quarter-finalists and semi-finalists will earn equal points a move aimed at rewarding consistency and reducing format bias. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Even traditional heavyweights like SSC, boasting a squad full of Sri Lanka internationals, found themselves relegated last season. However, they bounced back immediately to regain their First-Class status. Article Source: IANS

McSweeney's 52 keeps SA afloat in knife-edge Shield final

Will Sutherland took 4 for 54 to bowl SA out for 198 before Victoria were 110 for 4 in replay with Nathan McAndrew taking two key wickets

'The Safest Bank In Every Season': Pathan Praises KL Rahul's Consistency Ahead Of IPL 2026

Former Lucknow Super Giants: Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has lauded wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul for his consistency in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and termed him as the safest bank for any franchise. Rahul has proved to be the most consistent performer in the tournament's history. He has crossed the 500-run mark in 7 of the last eight IPL seasons. Rahul, who scored 539 runs for Delhi Capitals, is set to open the innings for the team in the upcoming season. KL Rahul is the safest bank to score 500 runs every season. He will always score runs and is capable of giving good starts consistently. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in this league. It's just that we sometimes talk about his strike rate, but as long as you win the match, you don't need to focus much on that, Pathan said on his YouTube channel. Rahul boasts a great record in the tournament. He has scored 5,222 runs in 145 matches. He also holds the record of the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL. Rahul scored an unbeaten 132 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) while playing for Punjab Kings in IPL 2020. Former Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain has hammered five centuries and 40 half-centuries in the IPL. Pathan has also backed Prithvi Shaw, who is making a comeback in the Capitals, to open the innings with Rahul. Rahul boasts a great record in the tournament. He has scored 5,222 runs in 145 matches. He also holds the record of the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL. Rahul scored an unbeaten 132 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) while playing for Punjab Kings in IPL 2020. Former Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain has hammered five centuries and 40 half-centuries in the IPL. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals will open their campaign against LSG on April 1 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Article Source: IANS

Nicola Carey Aims For Womens T20 WC Spot After Return To Australian Set-up

T20 World Cup: Australias seam-bowling all-rounder Nicola Carey is aiming to seal a place in the squad for the 2026 ICC Womens T20 World Cup, to be played in England from June 12 to July 5, after making a return to the national side on the ongoing tour of West Indies. Nicola played key roles in Australias triumphs at the 2020 T20 World Cup and 2022 ODI World Cup, before turning down a Cricket Australia (CA) contract due to lack of game time. Three years after that, Nicola was recalled during the recent home series against India and was retained for the tour to the Caribbean. I obviously haven't been here for a while, but coming back in, there's a lot of familiar faces, which is always nice. When youre out of it, you sit back and think, I dont know how they do it, not being at home that often. But when youre in it, you just do it. Its quite fun being around the group, Nicola was quoted as saying by ICC on Friday. With the T20 World Cup looming, Nicola admitted playing in the tournament is a major motivational factor for her. Its a massive tournament. Everyone here would want to be a part of that. Thats the carrot dangling at the end of this. Everyones trying to put their best foot forward. Im sure well find out soon, she said. Australia won the T20I series 3-0 and now turn their attention to the ODIs against the West Indies, their final assignment before the T20 World Cup takes place. The absence of Annabel Sutherland, rested to manage her workload, has opened opportunities for others, including Nicola. Belsey is massive for this team and when you take her out, that sort of leaves a couple of gaps, both batting and bowling. Theres that many all-rounders floating around, so I guess thats opportunities for different people to step up. It's been nice to sort of try different things and open the bowling. You haven't done a lot of that even back home, so it's been cool to experience different things within this team, said Nicola. Belsey is massive for this team and when you take her out, that sort of leaves a couple of gaps, both batting and bowling. Theres that many all-rounders floating around, so I guess thats opportunities for different people to step up. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Theres a fair bit we can take out of that. We had a lot of discussion around how we wanted to go about it. I think we saw that come to fruition, which was really pleasing to see, she concluded. Article Source: IANS

'Focus Will Be On Virat': Aakash Chopra Backs Kohli For Stellar IPL Season Over Dhoni And Rohit

Aakash Chopra: Former India opener Aakash Chopra has backed Virat Kohli to be the standout performer in IPL 2026 ahead of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, citing the right-handed batters fitness and consistency as decisive factors. Kohli played a pivotal role in RCB's title-winning campaign last year, scoring 657 runs at a strike rate of 144.71 and an average of 54.75, including eight fifties. The focus will be on Virat Kohli again because the guy is so fit. Yes, there are gaps between series and he felt the pinch of those gaps in Australia, but once he started scoring runs, he found a way to be super consistent for months. So, the kind of fitness that he has achieved over a period of time makes him the best suited, also because he is an opener. So, he has more time to work himself into form. The same is true for Rohit Sharma as well, but between the two of them, I still feel Virat Kohli has it a little easier just because of himself. That is the price he has to pay for the kind of fitness and legacy he has built, said Chopra on JioStar. He also explained why Dhoni may find it tough to hit the ground running in IPL 2026. It is a little difficult for Dhoni as well because he is on the wrong side of 40. For him, to not play anything for 10 months, turn up for the IPL and switch on, and also play at a number where he gets only 10-12 balls, is the toughest thing to do. Then there are also 20 overs of keeping, so his job is perhaps the toughest. Chopra further noted that Rohit is expected to continue his aggressive approach at the top of the order and set the tone for other Mumbai Indians batters to get going. When you are part of the batting order that the Mumbai Indians have, it is mandatory to set the tone for Rohit Sharma. Rohit does want to bat a certain way. He has already made his opinion very public. He also explained why Dhoni may find it tough to hit the ground running in IPL 2026. It is a little difficult for Dhoni as well because he is on the wrong side of 40. For him, to not play anything for 10 months, turn up for the IPL and switch on, and also play at a number where he gets only 10-12 balls, is the toughest thing to do. Then there are also 20 overs of keeping, so his job is perhaps the toughest. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, yes, Rohit would be expected to bat the same way, see the ball, hit the ball, that is what I am thinking for the entire Mumbai Indians setup, unless the pitch is asking you to play a slightly different brand of cricket, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Samson Is One Player Dhoni Would Want To Pass The Baton To, Says Pathan

Chennai Super Kings: Former India left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan believes Sanju Samson could be the natural successor to MS Dhonis role at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), adding that the wicketkeeper-batter is someone fans could identify and connect with. Dhoni has led CSK to five IPL titles, but has increasingly batted lower down the order in recent seasons. Samson, meanwhile, is coming off after being Player of the Tournament in India winning the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup. This will be Samsons first season with CSK after leaving Rajasthan Royals. It looks like this will be MS Dhonis last season. The signs are there because, if you look at the Chennai setup, they have brought in a wicketkeeper-batsman who can play for the next few years. You can build your team around him and he can be the face of the franchise, that is Sanju Samson. He has also upgraded himself in terms of form in international cricket. He has just won a World Cup and has been batting fantastically well. That is one player MS Dhoni would want to pass the baton to, someone who has the caliber to do all that and whom even the fans can identify and connect with. With Sanjus arrival, I feel Dhoni can now say that maybe it is time for him to pass on that baton. But should this have happened earlier? Because I feel that a player like MS Dhoni cannot be just a two-over player. You do not build your legacy like that. So yes, I think the time is right, said Pathan on JioStar. He also noted that Dhonis role as a finisher has diminished with age, adding that he should take greater responsibility with the bat in this season for at least last four to five overs. When CSK won their last trophy in Ahmedabad, there were already talks that he was coming too low down the order, even before those discussions gained momentum. With Sanjus arrival, I feel Dhoni can now say that maybe it is time for him to pass on that baton. But should this have happened earlier? Because I feel that a player like MS Dhoni cannot be just a two-over player. You do not build your legacy like that. So yes, I think the time is right, said Pathan on JioStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We had not seen that from MS Dhoni before. That is happening more frequently now. So, if you are playing, you have to take more responsibility for your side and bat for at least four or five overs. It will be beneficial for the team, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Labuschagne Baffled As Jersey Dye Turns White Ball Pink In PSL Opener

Pakistan Super League: Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne was left baffled as the 2026 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) opening match between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium saw the white ball gradually turned pink. The issue appeared to come from the routine cricketing practice of fielders polishing the ball against their clothing to preserve its shine. During the match, however, this standard procedure led to an unusual complication: the maroon pigment from the Hyderabad Kingsmens jerseys began transferring onto the white ball, turning it into pink. Labuschagne, representing Hyderabad Kingsmen, Labuschagne lodged a formal complaint with the umpire after observing that the maroon dye from his own teams kit was bleeding onto the white leather, causing the ball to transition from pink to a distinct shade of red as the innings progressed. Speaking after the match, Labuschagne said he had never seen anything like it before in professional cricket. I did say to the umpires after the second over, 'What's going on? The ball is red.' It must be from the clothes or something like that. I haven't seen anything like this before, Labuschagne told reporters at the post-match press conference. I've seen occasions where something on a bat comes onto the ball, or when it hits the pad and takes a bit of paint off. But I've never seen this happen with clothing. I'm sure they'll sort it out in the next few games, he added. Following the Lahore Qalandars' victory, the Hyderabad Kingsmen took to X to offer a witty acknowledgement of the day's mishap. The franchise congratulated their opponents on winning what they jokingly dubbed the first pink-ball game in PSL. Congratulations to the opposition on winning their first pink-ball game, the franchise's official account posted. The incident quickly caught the attention of fans on social media, with Hyderabad Kingsmen facing criticism as clips and images of the discoloured ball went viral, causing major embarrassment for the PSL. Congratulations to the opposition on winning their first pink-ball game, the franchise's official account posted. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Another user wrote, Thank you Hyderabad for giving us the first ever pink ball T20 match in the history of cricket. A fan said, Change your kit ASAP, and spare yourself from further humiliation. Article Source: IANS

Parents Sacrificed All For 15-Year-Old India Prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Vaibhav Suryavanshi's parents told AFP how they made a practice pitch in their village in India's poorest state to spark the teenage cricket prodigy's stunning rise -- and now his younger brother hones his skills on it. Suryavanshi was the talk of world cricket after making history in the Indian Premier League last year aged just 14 in a dazzling debut season. The supremely talented left-handed batsman, who turned 15 on Friday, belted a six on the first ball he faced for Rajasthan Royals. Days later the school boy smacked a 35-ball century, the second fastest in the T20 competition's history after Chris Gayle (30 balls). He is fearless, Manish Ojha, one of Suryavanshi's first coaches, told AFP ahead of the new IPL season starting on Saturday. That is his nature. Suryavanshi's stunning introduction to elite cricket was no flash in the pan. He then hammered 175 off just 80 balls -- an innings laced with a staggering 30 boundaries -- in February, helping India thump England by 100 runs in the Under-19 ODI World Cup final in Harare. He was named player of the match and player of the tournament, having finished with 439 runs in seven innings at an average of 62.71. The teenager's rise has been swift since first picking up a bat when he was barely five. He made his domestic debut aged 12 for his home state of Bihar in the Ranji Trophy in January 2024, then was selected for India's under-19 squad against a touring Australia team. He promptly hit a 58-ball century, the second-fastest ton in youth Tests after England's Moeen Ali in 2005. Ojha praised Suryavanshi's ability to replicate what he learned in the nets, including the one his parents had put together, in the heat of competition. What makes him special is the ability to execute plans on match days, said Ojha. - 'Cricket is his life' - Suryavanshi's blistering march to teenage superstardom from India's poorest state has involved significant sacrifice from his middle-class parents. For years his father accompanied him every other day from their home in the village of Motipur to Ojha's cricket academy in Bihar's capital city, Patna, a one-way journey of roughly two-and-a-half hours. My small business failed because of my full-time focus on training Vaibhav, Sanjeev Suryavanshi told AFP outside the family's two-storey house. For his mother it involved getting up before everyone. It was not easy to wake up at 3:00 am to cook for him so that he could take homemade food with him, said Aarti Singh. The sacrifices paid off when a 13-year-old Suryavanshi in 2024 became the youngest-ever player to be sold in an IPL auction. Rajasthan Royals snapped him up for $130,500 -- more than a hundred times the average per capita annual income in Bihar. Born on March 27, 2011, Suryavanshi is the first IPL cricketer born after the tournament's inception in 2008. In a Rajasthan Royals media interaction earlier this month, Suryavanshi cheekily said he hoped to score two-three thousand runs in this year's tournament, before playing down personal goals. The idea is to follow the process and help the team win, said Suryavanshi, whose media duties are limited by the team to protect him. Back home in Motipur, father Sanjeev said the family is now eagerly waiting for Suryavanshi to don senior India colours. He has been playing extraordinary cricket so far, a proud Sanjeev said, as he watched his youngest son Ashirwad, 11, practise on the same modest pitch he had built near their home. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Cricket is Vaibhav's life, dream and faith.

When Legends Rode the Rails: Untold Stories of Indian Crickets Humble Journeys

There was a time in Indian cricket when fame did not come with comfortwhen even the biggest names traveled like ordinary passengers, often unnoticed, and sometimes, deliberately so. This is one such fascinating story from that erawhen not just one player, but an entire team tried to hide its identity during a train journey. This story is of the days when BCCI (and simultaneously most of State Cricket Associations) were not so rich and for BCCI tournaments, teams often used to travel by train (there were no luxury trains) that too sometimes in un-reserved compartments. During 1979-80 seasons Mumbai team travelled to Jamshedpur to play Bihar in Ranji Trophy quarter final, by train. At one of the stations in the mid-night around 3 AM, the train stopped. A crowd came in the coach and started removing blankets, shouting kidhar hai, kidhar hai. They had the information that cricketers are travelling. Dilip Vengasarkar (on one of the top births), got annoyed with the sleep disturbed and removal of the blanket. This started arguments and now the crowd started demanding his apology. They declared that the train shall not move until Dilip apologises. Captain Sunil Gavaskar sensed the worsening situation and politely asked the crowd to come out of the train and talk. They agreed. Believe it that Sunil Gavaskar alone was sitting with the crowd on the platform and talking friendly with them. This worked, and the crowd was happy that they talked to Sunil Gavaskar. The train moved only after all this. Another related incident is also very interesting. This Mumbai team had a new youngster named Ravi Shastri. Most of the Mumbai regulars had even not seen him before that. Like all others, he was also asked to assemble at the platform but he was nowhere at the fixed time. Gavaskar didnt know how to contact him or to find him out. The train started without Ravi on board. players were occupying their respective berths, it was found that someone had occupied Ravi Shastris berth and was sleeping there. He was none other than Ravi Shastri himself. He had come early and without spending time in finding out his seniors, went to sleep on his berth. Seniors then woke him up and one by one introduced themselves. There are various stories of train travel in the un-reserved compartments or with few available berths but none beats the plight of Bishan Singh Bedi. He was Indias top spinner at that time and once after a match in Nagpur, he was to play a Duleep Trophy match at Chandigarh after a gap of one day. Also Read: Live Cricket Score On the travel day, he found that there was no train reservation for him to travel back to Delhi and then to proceed to Chandigarh. With no time in hand, he jumped in the moving train and spent the whole night in the baggage rack. From Old Delhi Railway Station he went to ISBT at Kashmere Gate and took a bus to Chandigarh. This incident also reflects the player's dedication to play domestic cricket matches.

Hyderabad Kingsmen's maroon kit forces ball change in PSL opener

The ball was smeared with the colour from the Kingsmen's kit and was changed after 15 overs into their chase against Lahore Qalandars

All-round Qalandars take down Kingsmen with ease in PSL opener

Defending champions flaunt their muscle with bat and ball to demolish tournament debutants on opening night

CWI blocks Seales' Hampshire move in bid to manage workload

Seales, along with Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, will have their workload carefully monitored

IPL 2026: Star-studded Top Order, Pacers' Long-term Fitness A Worry For Pant-led LSG

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) enter their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season with a grand makeover a logo change, jersey colours and design refurbished, and support staff having fresh faces in Bharat Arun, Carl Crowe, and Tom Moody. Having reached the playoffs in each of their first two years before back-to-back seventh-place finishes, LSG responded with an aggressive off-season strategy -- trading in Mohammad Shami, acquiring Anrich Nortje at auction, and reinforcing an overseas batting core, apart from their injury-hit Indian pacers now fully fit to fire. IANS explores whether those moves are enough for Rishabh Pant-led LSG to reverse a slide that has grown increasingly difficult to explain through a SWOT analysis:- Strength: The most compelling strength of LSG is at the top of the batting order. The troika of Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran gives the franchise a top-three combination that is, by any measure, among the most formidable in the league. All three batters went past the 400-run mark in IPL 2025, and against any bowling attack and on any surface, they have the class and elegance to construct and accelerate an innings from the first ball. If Pooran is placed at four for Pant to be accommodated at three, still expect him to bring adequate fireworks with the bat. The pace bowling stocks, which were a source of genuine anxiety in 2025, have been reinforced substantially. Shami is among the most accomplished powerplay and death-over operators the format has seen, and his vast experience of reading conditions and adjusting plans mid-innings is a tactical resource that most franchises cannot match. Alongside him, Nortje brings raw pace and the capacity to make the ball do things. At the back end of the innings, LSG carry proven finishing ability in the domestic ranks via Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad, who come into the competition on the back of great form. Weakness: While the top three of Markram, Marsh, and Pooran had a merry run, the Indian middle order from positions four to seven was a serious liability for LSG in 2025. Though the players in that position are coming in form, in a league where the middle overs are increasingly decisive, that is an area opponents will be quick to identify and ruthlessly exploit. The franchise's relationship with their home ground is also complicated. At the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, LSG have won only 9 of 21 matches on their own turf, and the 2025 campaign was even bleaker, with just 2 wins from 7 home fixtures. With LSG not having a fortress that every franchise aspires to build, it is very much a weak link for them if they dont get the balance right. Opportunity: Captain Pant is the most expensive player in IPL history, and he would be keen to bounce back in 2026 after having a forgettable 2025. The wicketkeeper-batter, whose dynamism and instinct at the crease once made him one of the most feared middle-order players in T20 cricket, averaged just 13.7 at a strike rate of 105 in 2025. Add to it, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson have left him behind in the race of being the top-choice keeper-batters in the Indian set-up. How Pant, who also had a training session under Yuvraj Singh in Mumbai, responds in 2026 will shape not only the confidence of those batting around him, but also his T20 career. Mukul Choudhary enters the season with extraordinary momentum from the domestic circuit, having struck at 199 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His form offers LSG a domestic option capable of injecting momentum into the innings. If Mayank Yadav is fit and firing for the entire season, after making a successful return to action for India A in T20 World Cup warm-up games, it would transform LSG's bowling attack from strong on paper to genuinely fearsome. Mukul Choudhary enters the season with extraordinary momentum from the domestic circuit, having struck at 199 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His form offers LSG a domestic option capable of injecting momentum into the innings. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The probability that all five complete a full and uninterrupted IPL campaign is uncertain, and the absence of any of them simultaneously would leave the bowling attack weak. With Nortje, Marsh, Markram, and Pooran all demanding inclusion on their individual merits, the decision of where Wanindu Hasaranga (if fit) is slotted will become a huge problem for LSG. Article Source: IANS

Happy That Cricket Is Happening In Mumbai, Will Work For Betterment, Says MCA President Naik

MCA President Ajinkya Naik: Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) President Ajinkya Naik said it was content to host matches in the city despite Wankhede Stadium not being allocated an IndiaAustralia Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in 2027. The BCCI had earlier announced that Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi, and Ahmedabad will host the five Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2027. It meant that Mumbais wait to host an India-Australia Test after 2004 continues. All matches are important -- whether it is a Ranji Trophy game, an international game, an IPL game, or a club game, all matches are the same for us. We are happy that cricket is happening in Mumbai. So we will work for the betterment of the game, and that's it. So whatever our parent association gives us, we make sure that we follow whatever the SOPs are there and we implement that. Whatever they instruct us, we make sure that we implement it, Naik told reporters on the sidelines of a felicitation event of MCA at the Khar Gymkhana on Thursday. Mumbai will get to host the third India-Zimbabwe mens ODI on January 9, 2027, and asked specifically about not getting a marquee Test, Naik said decisions like that are outside his remit. I can speak on MCA. Whatever decision we have to take as the Apex Council, we make sure we do it in MCA. Related to BCCI, you have to ask the BCCI office where an Apex Council member is. I can't answer that. Mumbai will get to host the third India-Zimbabwe mens ODI on January 9, 2027, and asked specifically about not getting a marquee Test, Naik said decisions like that are outside his remit. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Whatever I did was just because of all the members present here at the club, including the secretary. Success is not of one person; it is always teamwork, and all here present are the main contributors to the success of MCA, Dilip sir, and Diana madam. They all started the journey a few years back, and now all the youngsters are playing for Mumbai. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: GT Wants To Be A Team That Consistently Scores Big Runs, Says Captain Gill

Indian Premier League: Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill said his sides focus in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season will be on consistently posting big totals, as the 2022 champions look to clinch another title when the ten-team competition begins on March 28. At the end of the day, you have to score more runs than the other team. Whether its by four runs or 150200 runs, the goal is to win. We are not chasing the glory of scoring 300350 in a single match. We want to be a team that consistently scores big runs and achieves the par target for that wicket. We want to win matches in different conditions. We dont want to be a team that performs only on good wickets, said Gill in a pre-season press conference on Thursday. GT will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against last years runners-up, Punjab Kings, in Mullanpur on March 31. Head coach Ashish Nehra backed his captains approach. Like the captain just mentioned, we want to be a team that can win in any condition, in any situation, home or away, he said. Since their debut in 2022, GT have reached the playoffs in three out of four seasons, winning the title in their inaugural campaign and being runners-up in 2023. Nehra also defended the criticism towards GTs middle order due to over-reliance on the top three of Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler to get big runs. First things first, as a coach, I dont feel the middle order was collapsing. Yes, the top three scored heavily and often batted through 17-18 overs, which is one of the main reasons the team was in such a strong position after 13-14 games. Since their debut in 2022, GT have reached the playoffs in three out of four seasons, winning the title in their inaugural campaign and being runners-up in 2023. Nehra also defended the criticism towards GTs middle order due to over-reliance on the top three of Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler to get big runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Whether it was Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, or Sherfane Rutherford, they did their job, and thats why we were where we were. Its always easy to talk about finishers, but its not simple when someone walks in at the 18th over needing 35 off two, especially if Jasprit Bumrah or Jofra Archer is bowling, concluded Nehra. Article Source: IANS

Harbhajan Singh Conducts A Specialist Camp For Emerging Off-spinners At BCCI CoE

Emerging Off Spinners: Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has conducted a specialist camp for emerging off-spinners at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), where the aim was to sharpen skills and share tactical insights with young players. IANS had reported on March 2 that Harbhajan would conduct a camp for off-spinners at the CoE after former India left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan led a fast-bowling camp for India A and U19 pacers earlier this month. One of India's greatest spinners, Harbhajan Singh, worked with the off spinners from the High Performance monitoring group and the Emerging Off Spinners at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). From technical knowledge to tactical planning, the sessions were enriching for the participants who gained perspectives from the legend himself on various aspects that were covered through simulating scenarios and conditions, wrote the BCCI on their X account on Thursday. Amongst the spinners who got mentorship in the camp from Harbhajan from March 23 to 26 were Mumbais off-spin bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian and his team-mate, off-spinner Himanshu Singh. Enjoyed spending time with our future players. Love it, wrote Harbhajan on his Instagram account. From technical knowledge to tactical planning, the sessions were enriching for the participants who gained perspectives from the legend himself on various aspects that were covered through simulating scenarios and conditions, wrote the BCCI on their X account on Thursday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In an illustrious international career which began in 1998, Harbhajan was a member of the Indian team winning the 2007 Mens T20 World Cup and 2011 Mens ODI World Cup. One of the most memorable moments in his international career was picking 32 wickets in three Tests, including a hat-trick against Australia in March 2001, which came in a historic triumph, and is one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket. Article Source: IANS

Karnataka MLAs Raise IPL Ticket Issue In Assembly, Speaker Urges Government To Intervene

Karnataka State Cricket Association: The issue of tickets for Karnataka MLAs for IPL matches at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was raised in the Assembly on Thursday, with Speaker U.T. Khader urging the government to take up the matter with the authorities concerned. Khader said that MLAs are currently being issued only one ordinary ticket, reportedly due to concerns that legislators often pass on their tickets to others, leading to overcrowding and management issues in the VIP gallery. He pointed out that this arrangement was causing inconvenience and embarrassment to MLAs. When an MLA goes to watch a match, the staff may not recognise them and may not treat them with due respect. As a result, many MLAs are reluctant to attend matches, he said. The Speaker suggested that the authorities be called for discussions and a clear policy be put in place. He recommended that at least four tickets be issued to each MLA and that proper arrangements be made to ensure they are treated with respect. His remarks were welcomed by legislators, who thumped their desks in support. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka alleged that the authorities would not comply easily and suggested that the government use its regulatory powers. He questioned the granting of CL-7 liquor licences at the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium during matches and the operation of bars at the venue. Tighten the screws, and they will fall in line, he remarked. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded that he would look into the issue. Several MLAs noted that the IPL matches are scheduled to begin from March 28 and demanded that at least five tickets be provided to each legislator along with proper recognition at the venue. Khader clarified that MLAs should not approach him for tickets and instead take up the matter with the Deputy Chief Minister. Some legislators also demanded the creation of a dedicated gallery for MLAs and ministers at the stadium to ensure proper seating and protocol. Ashoka maintained that MLAs would continue to approach the Speaker on the issue. Responding to the concerns, Shivakumar said he would speak to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President. There is nothing wrong with MLAs asking for tickets to watch IPL matches in Bengaluru. I will convey that this is the direction of the Speaker and a submission from the Leader of the Opposition, he said, assuring that the matter would be addressed. IPL matches in Bengaluru begin from March 28, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The demand by MLAs has triggered a discussion on social media in the state. Responding to the concerns, Shivakumar said he would speak to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President. There is nothing wrong with MLAs asking for tickets to watch IPL matches in Bengaluru. I will convey that this is the direction of the Speaker and a submission from the Leader of the Opposition, he said, assuring that the matter would be addressed. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The memorial has been constructed near the stadium premises to honour the victims of the incident that occurred during celebrations following RCBs IPL title win. Article Source: IANS

Ali Orr, Conor McKerr earn Scotland A call-ups for tour of Jersey

Orr came through as a young player at Sussex, while McKerr has been playing county cricket as a local for a decade

Crawley confronts the consequences of another winter of failed promise

England opener is vulnerable after limited impact in Ashes, and needs runs at Kent to make his case

Shubman Gill: 'Don't think I have anything to prove this season'

The Gujarat Titans skipper also said the Impact Player rules is 'taking the skill out of the game'

Rahul Chahar returns to Surrey for eight-game County Championship stint

The India legspinner bagged a ten-wicket haul on debut for the county in the previous season

IPL 2026: A Chance for Rishabh Pant to Shed the Unlucky Tag

For Lucknow Super Giants, the IPL 2026 is the season for redemption under Rishabh Pant. The costliest IPL franchise is yet to see any significant success in the IPL: lost in the Play-Offs in the first two seasons and then finished in the seventh position in the last two seasons. Naturally, in the new season, the focus is primarily on current captain Pant for his leadership as well as batting. He ended the last season with 118* off 61 balls against Gujarat Titans, but before that had scored only 151 runs in 13 matches. This was not the performance the franchisee expected from their Rs.27 crore signee. He has to justify the tag of being the IPLs most expensive player. The IPL 2026 season is being viewed as a make-or-break season for him with the hope of doing much better than the 269 runs he scored in 14 innings last season. He also has a chance to set the record straight as a captain. So far, he has captained two different teams in more than 50 matches but without any IPL title, with an overall captaincy record: 57 matches (30 wins + 27 losses). With Delhi Capitals (20212024), he earned the tag of a never-say-die captain and led them in 43 matches, and then LSG spent a record-breaking Rs. 27 crore at the auction to appoint him captain for the 2025 season, following their disappointment with KL Rahul, but the story remained unchanged. He may not end up as lucky as Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni as far as winning an IPL title is concerned, but he can come out of the list of the captains who led in 50+ IPL matches, without winning the title. Virat Kohli (143 matches with 68 wins, 71 losses, 3 ties and 1 no result) is leading the pack as he couldnt convert his fine batting form into an IPL title as captain (from 2013 to 2021, and again for a few matches in 2023). His is a unique case as he captained only one franchise, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and remains the only captain to have led a team in 100+ matches without ever winning a title. Virat is still playing but not captaining the side. Similarly, Sanju Samson (67 matches with 33 wins, 33 losses and 1 no result) also doesnt have the chance to add an IPL title to his record as captain. He led Rajasthan Royals from 2021 to 2025, scored a hundred in his very first match as captain (first IPL captain to record the feat) and, like Virat, amassed a lot of runs but failed to win a title. He has now moved from the Royals. On the unlucky quotient, KL Rahul is next as he has captained in 64 matches (32 wins, 32 losses) but without winning the IPL title. Among those who have captained more than one team, he is the most unfortunate. Before the 2022 season, the Lucknow Super Giants acquired him for Rs.17 crore as a long-term captaincy prospect, but after 37 matches, they lost faith in him. It appears that they overlooked that he had not won the title for Kings XI Punjab also in the 27 matches before that. He is now not captaining his new side and his record in this capacity stands frozen at this point. Rishabh Pants story bears striking similarities with him. Virender Sehwag was a big name at the start of the IPL. As an iconic player, he was the first captain of the Delhi Daredevils (from 2008 to 2012), took the team to semi-finals in two consecutive seasons (2008 and 2009) and, in 2009, was at the top of the league table but despite captaining them for 52 matches, failed to secure a title. He also led the Punjab team for just a single match. He remains one of the few captains who, despite leading a single franchise for over 50 matches, never managed to win a title. Overall IPL captaincy record 53 matches (29 wins, 24 losses). Surprisingly, none of the Icons of the IPL met with success as captain and, like Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar also failed to taste the success. He led Mumbai Indians in 51 matches (30 wins, 21 losses), starting from the very first season of the IPL but remained empty-handed. He also holds the distinction of having captained a single team in 50 matches without winning a title. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Similarly, Royal Challengers Bangalore started with Rahul Dravid (14 matches) and then he was captain of the Rajasthan Royals between 2012 and 2013, taking over from Shane Warne in 34 matches but was unable to deliver a title.

India to Host Australia for Five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2027; Full 2026/27 Home Schedule Announced

India will host Australia in a high-profile five-Test series starting January next year to end the 2026/27 home season, the country's cricket board announced on Thursday. The season will culminate with the prestigious and much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, featuring a five-match Test series against Australia, beginning on January 21, 2027, in Nagpur, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said. The contest will then move to Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and Ahmedabad, the board said. India suffered a 2-0 Test whitewash against South Africa at home last year and are placed sixth in the World Test Championship table led by Australia. India's home season will begin with a white-ball series including three one-day matches and five T20 internationals against the West Indies starting September 27. The cricketing powerhouse will host Sri Lanka in December 2026 for a white-ball series including three ODI and three T20I matches. Zimbabwe will be in India for three 50-over matches in January. India home fixtures 2026/27: West Indies in India: September 27: 1st ODI, Thiruvananthapuram September 30: 2nd ODI, Guwahati October 3: 3rd ODI, New Chandigarh October 6: 1st T20I, Lucknow October 9: 2nd T20I, Ranchi October 11: 3rd T20I, Indore October 14: 4th T20I, Hyderabad October 17: 5th T20I, Bengaluru Sri Lanka in India: December 13: 1st ODI, New Delhi December 16: 2nd ODI, Bengaluru December 19:3rd ODI, Ahmedabad December 22: 1st T20I, Rajkot December 24: 2nd T20I, Cuttack December 27:3rd T20I, Pune Zimbabwe in India: January 3: 1st ODI, Kolkata January 6: 2nd ODI, Hyderabad January 9:3rd ODI, Mumbai Australia in India: January 21-25: 1st Test, Nagpur January 29-February 2: 2nd Test, Chennai February 11-15: 3rd Test, Guwahati February 19-23: 4th Test, Ranchi Also Read: Live Cricket Score February 27-March 3: 5th Test, Ahmedabad

IPL 2026: I Don't Have Anything To Prove In This Season, Particularly, Says Shubman Gill

Indian Premier League: Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill said he feels no pressure to prove himself in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, adding that his focus is on making his team win another title this year rather than chasing personal milestones. Gill, Indias captain in Tests and ODIs, was left out of the T20I team to make room for Sanju Samson in the top order. It proved to be a move that paid off really well as India claimed a record third Mens T20 World Cup title at the Narendra Modi Stadium earlier this month. Not at all. I think, if you look at the past three or four seasons, I have the most runs in IPL. So, I don't think I have anything to prove, in this season particularly. The four years that I've played for this team, I think we have done decently well as a team, and I think I've done decently well as a batsman. So, I don't think I need to prove my worth to anyone. I think I need to do what I've been doing for the past four years. As a team, we need to be consistent, which I think we have been. If we continue doing that, sooner or later, I think we will win that trophy once more, said Gill, who became GTs captain in IPL 2024, in a pre-season press conference on Thursday. The right-handed batter also voiced his opinion against the Impact Player rule, saying that it is making the game one-dimensional. Gills words come just a day after he attended the IPL captains and managers meeting in Mumbai, where it was announced that the Impact Player rule will remain till the 2027 season. Personally, for me, I don't think there should be an Impact Player rule. I think cricket in general is an 11-player game, and on the wickets and grounds that we play, adding an extra batter takes the skill out of the game. There is a certain skill in the game that you need to have, and when you know when you have a certain number of batters and if a couple of your batters get out, there is a certain amount of skill that you need to have to still get the scoreboard moving and get your team to a good score. I think with that one extra player, it's making the game more one-dimensional, and it's taking a little bit of the skill out of the game. Chasing 180 or 160 on a challenging wicket is, for me personally, way more exciting than chasing 220 on a flat wicket. So, I mean, it's gonna be there till 2027 -- it's something that we also spoke about in the captain's meeting yesterday. I understand it makes the game a bit more entertaining, but let's see if it's up to them and what the BCCI is going to take a decision on this. But personally, I don't like it that much, he elaborated. Gill signed off by reiterating that personal goals are never a priority for him in terms of targets in the immediate future, whether hes turning out for GT or India. Honestly, I am not the one to look too much into personal goals, whatever team I am playing for, whether it be for my country or for Gujarat. So, I mean, it's gonna be there till 2027 -- it's something that we also spoke about in the captain's meeting yesterday. I understand it makes the game a bit more entertaining, but let's see if it's up to them and what the BCCI is going to take a decision on this. But personally, I don't like it that much, he elaborated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score If you are playing a series, you are looking to beat the other teams in the series, so those are the goals that I look forward to, and I don't really have my personal goals. Like right now, its obvious to win the IPL. Once that ends, obviously, we are going to have some other tournaments within the team. So my personal goals would change into that, and that's how I like to look at my goals. Article Source: IANS

Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar To Rejoin Surrey For Final Eight County Championship Games

County Championship Division One: India leg-spinner Rahul Chahar will return to Surrey for their final eight matches in the upcoming County Championship season, the club said on Thursday. Chahar, 26, made a stunning debut for Surrey last year, claiming 10 wickets in a victory over Hampshire, including second-innings figures of 8/51. They are also the best figures by a debutant bowler in the clubs history, breaking William Mudies 166-year-old record of figures of 7/61 in 1859. Chahar has represented India seven times in white-ball cricket and will be available from June 7 when Surrey face Hampshire at The Oval, after his commitments with five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026 are over. Im so excited to be coming back to Surrey this season. I really enjoyed my short spell in 2025 and jumped at the opportunity to come back this season when I spoke to Alec Stewart. Surrey is a successful club, and I want to help the team achieve its goals in 2026, said Chahar in a statement. Chahar has taken 101 wickets in 27 first-class matches and was part of the Mumbai Indians IPL-winning squads in 2019 and 2020. He previously played for Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL before being acquired by CSK at last years auction in Abu Dhabi. Im so excited to be coming back to Surrey this season. I really enjoyed my short spell in 2025 and jumped at the opportunity to come back this season when I spoke to Alec Stewart. Surrey is a successful club, and I want to help the team achieve its goals in 2026, said Chahar in a statement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Surrey won the County Championship Division One title from 2022 to 2024, and finished as runners-up last season behind champions Nottinghamshire. They will open their 2026 campaign against Warwickshire in Birmingham on April 3. Article Source: IANS