Cricket

'Yogasana Enhanced Flexibility Level Of Cricketers At MPCA': Aarti Pal, Indias First-ever Arjuna Awardee Yogasana Athlete

Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association: When Aarti Pal began working with cricketers at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), she was not trying to turn them into Yogasana athletes. Instead, she wanted to understand how yoga could help improve performance in a sport that demands explosive movement, technical precision, and mental resilience. What she discovered only reinforced a belief she has carried throughout her journey as an athlete, researcher, and educator: yoga belongs far beyond the confines of wellness centres and meditation halls. The inaugural World Yogasana Championship is set to be hosted at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad from June 4 to 8. The historic event features over 500 elite athletes from more than 60 countries, showcasing Yogasana as a globally recognised competitive sport. For Aarti, India's first Yogasana athlete to receive the Arjuna Award, yoga is not simply a practice. It is a science, a sporting discipline, and, increasingly, a performance tool that can benefit athletes across every sport. Actually, I feel that yoga should become an essential part of every sport. Every sport requires certain fundamental skills that can be developed effectively through the practice of Yogasana and other yogic disciplines, Aarti told IANS in an exclusive conversation. Her conviction stems not only from years of academic research but also from hands-on work with athletes. While working with the cricketers of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), when Amay Khurasiya was serving as the chief coach, we had the opportunity to work closely with the players. Although there is already considerable research available on the subject, our own observations also highlighted several significant benefits of yoga for athletes, she said. One of the clearest improvements, according to Aarti, came in flexibility, a physical attribute often associated with yoga, but equally important in elite sport. One of the most noticeable improvements was in flexibility. Flexibility is a key component in Yogasana, but it is equally important in almost every sport. Through regular Yogasana practice, we observed a marked enhancement in the flexibility levels of the cricketers. She believes the benefits extend much further than mobility and movement. Another important area was injury prevention. For any athlete, staying injury-free is crucial for maintaining performance and consistency. While injury rehabilitation is undoubtedly important after an athlete gets injured, it is always better to focus on prevention whenever possible. Drawing on a principle familiar to both medicine and sport, Aarti added, As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. In this regard, Yogasana and other yoga practices proved to be highly beneficial in reducing the risk of injuries and improving overall physical preparedness. Yet the area she believes is most undervalued is the mental side of the game. Beyond the physical benefits, emotional stability and mental focus are equally important for sporting success. Every athlete faces pressure, expectations, and challenging situations during competition. Practices such as Pranayama and meditation help athletes remain emotionally balanced, mentally focused, and calm under pressure. These practices also contribute significantly to building mental resilience, which is often the difference between success and failure at the highest level of sport, she stated. For Aarti, these lessons from cricket reinforce a larger point. For these reasons, I believe yoga should not be limited to cricket alone. It can become an essential component of training across all sports. Integrating yoga into an athlete's routine can enhance physical fitness, improve mental well-being, and ultimately contribute to better sporting performance. In my view, yoga offers a holistic approach to athlete development and has the potential to positively impact performance in every sporting discipline, she mentioned. That holistic approach is central to Aartis own philosophy. A PhD holder in Yoga Science and former Assistant Professor of Yoga Science at the University of Patanjali, she approaches Yogasana through an interdisciplinary lens that combines sport, science, and lifestyle. As a doctorate in Yoga Science, I have not just studied Asanas. When we study Yoga Science, it involves many different subjects and follows an interdisciplinary approach. Along with Asanas, I have studied the complete philosophy of yoga, as well as its physiological and psychological dimensions. Yoga is a comprehensive science that encompasses a wide range of disciplines, she stated. Her academic background has shaped the way she coaches athletes. Beyond physical training, sports science, sports psychology, and nutrition all play a crucial role in an athlete's performance. These elements are deeply connected to Yogasana as well. When I coach athletes, I do not only train them in Asanas. I also guide them in Pranayama, meditation, dietary habits, and overall lifestyle management. For Aarti, excellence in sport begins with discipline away from competition. Success in any sport, including Yogasana, requires discipline. And discipline is not merely about sitting quietly in a classroom or following instructions. True discipline is reflected in the way you live your life. It is about what time you wake up, what time you sleep, what you eat, how much you eat, and how consistently you follow healthy habits. All these factors are extremely important, Aarti said. While her work with cricketers highlights yoga's sporting applications, Aarti also sees Yogasana itself undergoing a transformation. Once viewed primarily as a wellness practice, it is now attracting a younger generation eager to pursue it competitively. Yogasana, as a part of yoga, is not a new thing. Rather, I would say that it comes from our ancient science and ancient art, which is known as yoga. If we talk about yoga, it is actually a complete tree, and Yogasana is one of its branches. She believes formal recognition has played a major role in changing perceptions. After Yogasana received a formal structure and recognition from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Ayush in 2020, it was recognised as a priority sport. Since then, Yogasana has covered a remarkable journey. Our Prime Minister, through International Yoga Day in 2015, gave yoga recognition as a global subject. But if we look at the audience of yoga, it is often limited to people who are either suffering from diseases or senior citizens. Yogasana, however, is something that has become a point of attraction for youngsters and youth. The historic Arjuna Award recognition, she says, has accelerated that shift. This nomination has once again increased the attraction of youngsters towards the sport. As competitive Yogasana evolves, Aarti believes aspiring athletes must embrace a new mindset. Actually, most people look at yoga primarily as a practice for wellness. So, first of all, I would like to clarify that Yogasana is a part of yoga, and in Yogasana sport, we have adopted Yogasana in a competitive sporting format. Therefore, it is important to understand that when we practise Yogasana as a sport, we need to follow a structured curriculum and a different approach to training, she added. As competitive Yogasana evolves, Aarti believes aspiring athletes must embrace a new mindset. Actually, most people look at yoga primarily as a practice for wellness. So, first of all, I would like to clarify that Yogasana is a part of yoga, and in Yogasana sport, we have adopted Yogasana in a competitive sporting format. Also Read: Live Cricket Score That mindset, she believes, will help Yogasana continue to expand its footprint, not only as a competitive sport but also as a tool capable of shaping stronger, healthier, and more resilient athletes across disciplines. And if her experience with cricketers is any indication, the sport's impact may already be extending well beyond the yoga mat. Article Source: IANS

Tennis player Andreeva rips through Cirstea for return to Roland Garros semi-finals

Cirstea steadied herself early in the second set and recovered a break at 3-3, but the 36-year-old could not halt the Andreeva juggernaut

Ex-India Allrounder Vijay Shankar Set For LPL Debut, Avishka Fernando Emerges As The No. 1 Draft Pick

ICC Cricket World Cup: India all-rounder Vijay Shankar is set to become the lone Indian player in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 after being signed by Kandy Royals, while Sri Lanka international Avishka Fernando emerged as the No. 1 overall pick in the Season 6 Draft as franchises completed their squads for the sixth edition of the tournament. The sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League will feature SC Jaffna Kings, Kandy Royals, Colombo Kaps, Dambulla Sixers and Galle Gallants competing in a double round-robin format followed by the playoffs. The tournament will begin on July 17, 2026, and conclude with the final on August 8, 2026. The draft saw all five franchises strengthen their squads with a mix of established international stars, emerging overseas talent and leading Sri Lankan cricketers, setting the stage for one of the most competitive seasons in the league's history. Holding the first overall selection in the LPL 2026 Draft, defending champions SC Jaffna Kings opened proceedings by selecting Sri Lanka international Avishka Fernando as the No. 1 pick. The Kings further strengthened their squad with the additions of experienced all-rounder David Wiese, Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran and Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who join marquee signings Dunit Wellalage and Bhanuka Rajapaksa as the franchise looks to defend its title and extend its successful run in the competition. One of the biggest talking points for Indian cricket fans will be the participation of Vijay Shankar, who represented India at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. The experienced all-rounder joins a formidable Kandy Royals squad featuring Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga and Angelo Mathews. The Royals further bolstered their line-up through the draft with the additions of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Daniel Sams, Kusal Perera and Nuwan Thushara. Elsewhere, Colombo Kaps bolstered their line-up with the international recruit Mujeeb Ur Rahman to complement icon players Jimmy Neesham and Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. Dambulla Sixers added proven match-winners Maheesh Theekshana and Fazalhaq Farooqi to their ranks alongside marquee signings Dinesh Chandimal and Dushmantha Chameera. Galle Gallants strengthened their squad with Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka and South African batter Rassie van der Dussen, who join marquee signings Dasun Shanaka and Eshan Malinga ahead of the new season. The player draft generated significant international interest, with more than 650 overseas cricketers from 21 countries registering for selection, underlining the growing global appeal of the Lanka Premier League and its emergence as one of the region's leading T20 competitions. Galle Gallants strengthened their squad with Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka and South African batter Rassie van der Dussen, who join marquee signings Dasun Shanaka and Eshan Malinga ahead of the new season. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Anil Mohan Sankhdhar, founder and CEO of IPG Group, the official rights holder of the LPL, said, The response to this year's player draft has been outstanding and highlights the growing reputation of the Lanka Premier League among players around the world. Article Source: IANS

Sairaj Bahutule joins India team as spin-bowling coach ahead of Afghanistan Test

He was recently with PBKS in IPL 2026 in a similar capacity

Robinson, Atkinson, And Tongue Must Drive England's New-era Pace Attack, Says Steven Finn

With Ollie Robinson: Former England pacer Steven Finn believes that the focus on England's batting changes has overshadowed the bowlers, who will be under scrutiny as the English team takes on New Zealand at Lord's on Thursday to begin the home summer season. In a column for the BBC, Finn expressed that England is undergoing a period of rebuilding following their Ashes failures and that the nation will need to develop a new identity as a pace bowling side, due to the retirement of a few established bowlers. With several established stars leaving and a number of players coming in, England is heading into a transitional period following their Ashes downfall, and questions are being raised over their pace bowling capability ahead of a crucial summer, Finn stated. Comparing the situation to the devastating 5-0 Ashes defeat suffered by England in Australia in 2013/14, Finn noted that the Ashes loss had caused a shake-up of England's side. After losing 5-0 in Australia in 2013/14, I, as well as the rest of that team that went down to Mitchell Johnson and co, was sent home with our tails between our legs, Finn said. It was the end of the road for that team as we knew it; a huge shift was required. Although a complete overhaul isn't likely, Finn revealed that Zak Crawley's absence from the Test side has been the biggest consequence of England's poor Ashes performance. ak Crawley is the most high-profile casualty, Finn observed. He has obviously got the skills to be a successful international player, but I don't know whether he might have to come in at No. 3 or No. 4 to make the best use of the raw materials and potential that is obvious in his game. Questioning the choice to select a 15-man squad with eight fast bowling options for the first Test, Finn commented that a squad size like this may be an indication of a lack of direction. It has not been confirmed with me which conversations have taken place, so I do not have insight into what England may be thinking, but selecting eight fast bowlers is indicative of something else happening in the background, Finn wrote. When discussing England's ideal pace bowling attack, Finn suggested a blend of an attack leader, a supporting fast bowler, and an X-factor wicket-taker alongside captain Ben Stokes. With Ollie Robinson recalled to the England side, Finn believes he has been chosen to be the leader of the pack. He's been recalled to lead the pack, and with good reason, Finn explained. The skills to do the job have always been obvious anyone who averages 22.92 with the ball in Test cricket has the technique to be very effective, but more so, the discipline and application to be selected for that role. A key factor to being selected as attack leader is the ability to affect what is happening around you, as the player the rest of the attack are looking towards for inspiration when the pressure is applied to both you and them with the ball in hand and the state of your body language, he stated. Although Robinson has been out with injury and has played just one Test in more than a year, Finn believes he is ready for his latest chance. He needs to show restraint when dealing with the opposition batsmen and not get dragged into it more than is necessary, and he needs to be able to be on the field for five days. If Robinson can execute those two things, I believe he is the leading candidate in England to be the attack leader and put his imprint on this English bowling unit, Finn concluded. For the supporting fast bowler role, Finn has chosen Gus Atkinson to complement Robinson, and his control, pace, and height are perfect qualities to have in the side. The Surrey man is more reserved in nature, Finn wrote. He's an assassin rather than a warrior; the way he uses his height, controls his pace, and length has made him a very strong option. For the X-factor, Finn backed Josh Tongue, whose hostile bowling earned him a spot in the Ashes side. Josh Tongue certainly stood himself up as a nailed-on starter in the Ashes Tests he played in, Finn stated. His hostility and the speed he picked up while being able to trouble any opposition batsmen. His ability to hit an awkward length from an angle behind the perpendicular has created a lot of doubt from opposition batsmen and has made it particularly challenging for them, Finn concluded. Expressing surprise at Tongue being left out of the first Ashes Test in Perth, Finn believes this opportunity would put him on track to become a regular in England's top Test XI. Although both Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer were excluded from England's squad, Finn insists Archer remains England's best fast bowler when fit. With both Brydon Carse and Archer absent from the squad, England's pace attack looks weaker for them now. Archer can certainly return to fill either position or any gap that arises with his ability to swing the ball and bowl pace, Finn stated. Although both Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer were excluded from England's squad, Finn insists Archer remains England's best fast bowler when fit. Also Read: Live Cricket Score While chasing results post-Ashes, England will be aiming for the new engine room of their pace bowling to make sure they maintain standards and achieve their objectives, he added. Article Source: IANS

SLC Announces Central Contracts For 2026-27 Season, 46 Players Included

The Sri Lanka Cricket: The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced national player contracts for 46 cricketers for the 2026-27 season, with a mix of established internationals and emerging talent earning places in the latest list. The contracts will run from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and cover players selected across multiple categories, including A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and Central Contracts. According to SLC, the categorisation has been determined based on a combination of performance, consistency, fitness levels, future potential and the strategic requirements of Sri Lanka's national teams across formats. Leading players such as Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana were among the prominent names to receive contracts, alongside several experienced campaigners and emerging prospects. The latest contracts also feature seven new inclusions. Wicketkeeper-batter Kamil Mishara, batter Lasith Croospulle, spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, seamer Isitha Wijesundara, all-rounder Wanuja Sahan, left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera and all-rounder Tharindu Ratnayake have all earned national contracts for the first time. SLC said the contracts are designed to provide players with the support structure and resources required to perform at the highest level while contributing to the long-term development of Sri Lankan cricket. The board added that awarding contracts reflects its continued commitment to recognising performances, investing in emerging talent and maintaining a strong pool of players capable of representing the country across international formats. The latest contracts also feature seven new inclusions. Wicketkeeper-batter Kamil Mishara, batter Lasith Croospulle, spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, seamer Isitha Wijesundara, all-rounder Wanuja Sahan, left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera and all-rounder Tharindu Ratnayake have all earned national contracts for the first time. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sri Lanka Cricket congratulates all contracted players and extends a special welcome to those receiving national contracts for the first time. The awarding of these contracts reflects SLCs continued commitment to rewarding performance, nurturing emerging talent, and maintaining a strong pool of players capable of representing Sri Lanka across international formats of the game. Sri Lanka Cricket looks forward to the players continuing to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and excellence as they strive to bring success to the nation during the forthcoming international season, the board said in a statement on Tuesday. Article Source: IANS

Sayali Satghare Shines As Mumbai Falcons Clinch Historic First Win In Inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League

Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburb: India star Sayali Satghare led SOBO Mumbai Falcons from the front with a decisive three-wicket spell as her side began their campaign with a convincing 16-run victory over Thane Sky Risers in the tournaments opening match of the inaugural T20 Mumbai Womens League here at the Wankhede Stadium. Chasing a challenging 174, opener Mansi Patil (46) kept the chase alive for Thane Sky Risers despite losing partners at regular intervals. Mahek Pokar (23 retired hurt) and Saima Thakor (29) made promising starts but failed to build on them as the Falcons attack, marshalled brilliantly by Satghare, kept the pressure firmly on the opposition. In the closing stages, wicketkeeper Khushi Bhatia produced a spirited 28 off just 16 balls, striking the ball cleanly to keep Thanes hopes alive. However, her dismissal in the penultimate over all but extinguished the Sky Risers chances and tilted the match decisively in the Falcons favour. Earlier, Thane Sky Risers failed to capitalise on a dream start from skipper Saima Thakor, who created history by striking off the very first ball of the tournament and then claimed another wicket in the same over. Coupled with nine dropped catches, the lapses allowed SOBO Mumbai Falcons to recover through a late onslaught from Hurley Gala (45 not out), supported by important knocks from Riya Chaudhari (43), Simran Shaikh (30) and Sarika Koli (26), as they posted a competitive 173/6 in 20 overs. The opening day of the mens tournament, on Monday, witnessed a nail-biting thriller between Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburb and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals, with the Siddhesh Lad-led Royals having the last laugh after the contest was decided in a Super Over. After both teams finished on an identical 165 at the end of their respective 20 overs, the match went into a Super Over, where the defending champions Royals posted 16/1 before restricting the Sarfaraz Khan-led Tigers to 11/1 to seal a hard-fought victory. The opening day of the mens tournament, on Monday, witnessed a nail-biting thriller between Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburb and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals, with the Siddhesh Lad-led Royals having the last laugh after the contest was decided in a Super Over. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: SOBO Mumbai Falcons 173/6 (Hurley Gala 45 not out, Riya Chaudhari 43, Simran Shaikh 30; Soumya Singh 3-17) beat Thane Sky Risers 157/8 (Mansi Patil 46, Saima Thakor 29, Khushi Bhatia 28; Sayali Satghare 3-35) by 16 runs. Article Source: IANS

Ranji Star Auqib Nabi Joins India Camp as Net Bowler for Afghanistan Test

Jammu & Kashmir fast-bowler Auqib Nabi has been called up to join India squad a net bowler for the one-off Test against Afghanistan,to be played in New Chandigarh from June 610. Nabi, one of the standout performers of the Ranji Trophy season, where he led Jammu and Kashmir to victory by picking 60 scalps, was widely tipped to get a maiden Test callup. Despite his remarkable consistency, the selectors opted for lanky Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar as the backup fast bowling option to join Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna in the squad. IANS has learnt that the right-arm pacer has been called up as net bowler to help India prepare for their one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. While addressing Nabi's omission during the squad announcement, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said, There is always a chat around domestic performances. You do not necessarily pick a lot of seamers when you pick a Test team in India. And he was close. But at this point, we have gone with the three that we have picked. Besides Brar, leftarm spinner Manav Suthar, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey were also handed maiden callups to Indias squad for the oneoff Test. With Shubman Gill leading the side and KL Rahul replacing Rishabh Pant as the vicecaptain. Brar, Suthar, and Dubey have been India A regulars after being standout performers in domestic cricket. Besides Brar, leftarm spinner Manav Suthar, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey were also handed maiden callups to Indias squad for the oneoff Test. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This will only be the second Test between the two sides, after India won the first one, played in 2018 by an innings and 262 runs. The Test will not be a part of the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Article Source: IANS

Linsey Smith Crowned New No. 1 Bowler Ahead Of Womens T20 WC

T20I Bowling Rankings: Englands left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who was fighting for a regular place in her sides T20I setup less than two years ago, has now climbed to the summit of the ICC Womens T20I Bowling Rankings for the first time in her career on the eve of the Womens T20 World Cup. The 31-year-old England spinner moved ahead of Pakistans Sadia Iqbal to become the worlds top-ranked T20I bowler following a string of impressive performances against New Zealand and India. Smiths rise comes after a standout Player of the Series display against the White Ferns and another influential outing in Englands recent victory over India in Bristol. The achievement caps a remarkable journey for Smith, who made her international debut in 2018 before spending several years on the fringes of the national side. Having re-established herself as a regular member of Englands T20I squad only late last year, she now enters the World Cup as the highest-ranked bowler in the format. Englands strong run has also been reflected elsewhere in the bowling charts. Fast bowler Lauren Bell climbed one place to third, while stand-in captain Charlie Dean gained two spots to move into fifth position. Indias emerging spinner Shree Charani was among the biggest movers in the latest update. Her three-wicket performance against England helped her leap seven places to fourth, underlining the increasingly competitive nature of the rankings. With only 39 rating points separating the top 10 bowlers, the race for supremacy remains wide open heading into the World Cup. In the batting rankings, Australia opener Georgia Voll retained her position at the top, though several players outside the top 10 made significant gains. Indias Jemimah Rodrigues rose four places to share the 11th spot after a productive run with the bat, while Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast surged 10 positions to joint 16th. Prendergast's rise follows her match-winning unbeaten 71 against the West Indies in Dublin, an innings that also helped propel Ireland to a historic victory. The Irish star enjoyed further success in the all-rounders' rankings, moving up one place to sixth. In the batting rankings, Australia opener Georgia Voll retained her position at the top, though several players outside the top 10 made significant gains. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the Womens T20 World Cup set to begin on June 12, the latest rankings offer an indication of the form players are carrying into the tournament and suggest the battle for individual honours could be just as compelling as the race for the trophy itself. Article Source: IANS

Diaz Shines As Colombia Beats Costa Rica In International Friendly

FIFA World Cup: Colombia continued its preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a convincing 3-1 victory over Costa Rica in an international friendly at El Campin Stadium on Tuesday. Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz was the star of the evening, scoring one goal and providing an assist as Colombia produced an impressive performance in front of their home fans ahead of the tournament, which begins on June 11. Defender Davinson Sanchez gave Colombia an early advantage when he rose highest to head home from a Diaz corner kick. The hosts maintained control and doubled their lead soon after through Diaz, who combined well with Jorge Carrascal before calmly finishing from close range following a defensive mistake by the visitors, according to Xinhua. Costa Rica responded positively and reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute. Andrey Soto found the net with a header after being set up by Josimar Alcocer, giving the visitors hope of a comeback before halftime. However, Colombia remained the better side for most of the contest and sealed the result 10 minutes from full-time. Sporting Lisbon striker Luis Suarez latched onto a long pass from veteran playmaker James Rodriguez before firing a powerful shot into the far corner to make it 3-1. This was a good test, even though we didnt have the full group with us until yesterday, Lorenzo said after the match. We have a lot of things to improve, but as the days go by, by spending time together and getting all of the players physically up to speed, I am confident that we will be in very good shape for the World Cup, he added. Colombia will play its final warm-up match against Jordan in San Diego on June 7 before beginning its World Cup campaign. We have a lot of things to improve, but as the days go by, by spending time together and getting all of the players physically up to speed, I am confident that we will be in very good shape for the World Cup, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, Costa Rica is not playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The men's national team was eliminated during the CONCACAF qualifying stages after finishing behind Honduras and Haiti. Article Source: IANS

Auqib Nabi, Prince Yadav among seven net bowlers for Afghanistan Test

Among others are Gurjapneet Singh, Shivang Kumar, Saransh Jain and Zeeshan Ansari

'I Wanted To Score 700 Runs; It Was Written In My Phone Notes': Sooryavanshi After Winning Orange Cap

While Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajasthan Royals batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi revealed that scoring 700 runs in IPL 2026 was a personal target he had written down in his notes before the tournament, after the teenage prodigy swept the major individual honours following a record-breaking campaign. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained the IPL title with a five-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans in Sundays final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi emerged as the undisputed star of the season, collecting five awards at the post-match presentation ceremony. The youngster finished as the tournaments leading run-scorer with 776 runs to claim the Orange Cap and was also named the Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player of the Season. He further won the Super Striker award with a remarkable strike rate of 237.31 and the Super Sixes award after smashing a record 72 sixes during the season. Speaking in a video released by the IPL on X, Sooryavanshi disclosed that his extraordinary season was the fulfilment of a goal he had set for himself months earlier. Actually, in my phone notes, I mentioned that I wanted to score 700 runs in the IPL. I still have it in my phone. After every match, I was mentioning the score below and the team I was playing against. That was my personal goal, and I achieved it, he said. The teenager admitted that winning the Orange Cap was something he once only dreamed about while watching IPL matches on television. It feels good when I watch matches on TV. I used to see that a player got an Orange Cap. Even I used to think that at least I should touch it and see how it is. But God has done all this for me. He has given me a lot of blessings, and I am very grateful for this. It is a proud moment for me personally and for my family, Sooryavanshi said. Despite his remarkable achievements, the young batter remained focused on improving further and helping Rajasthan Royals challenge for the title next season. This year we made a very good comeback. Hopefully, next year we will play the final and win it. Personally, I am very happy that I achieved a lot and learned a lot. I will try to carry this forward next year, he added. Sooryavanshi also hailed the IPL as the ideal platform for young cricketers and domestic players to showcase their talent on the biggest stage. This year we made a very good comeback. Hopefully, next year we will play the final and win it. Personally, I am very happy that I achieved a lot and learned a lot. I will try to carry this forward next year, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Looking beyond the IPL, the teenager outlined his long-term ambitions. I want to play in the IPL for as long as possible. I want to represent India for a long time. I want to achieve a lot for myself and my family. Whether it is domestic cricket, IPL or India, I want to contribute to every team that I play for, he said. Article Source: IANS

Cricket Canada Responds To ICC Membership Suspension, Calls The Decision 'unexpected'

International Cricket Council: After an immediate suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Cricket Canada issued a response calling the ICC's decision unexpected but confirmed that it will comply fully with international directives, pivoting toward restructuring its internal governance and financial administration. The ICC suspended Cricket Canada's membership with immediate effect during its board meeting in Ahmedabad on Monday, citing serious breaches of its membership obligations. But Canadian national representative teams will continue to be eligible to participate in ICC events during the period of suspension. The suspension was unexpected, as the Jurist Led Committee has already commenced its work and is scheduled to deliver interim recommendations within two weeks. Nevertheless, Cricket Canada respects the ICCs decision and is fully committed to meeting all compliance requirements. The Board has directed the Committee to accelerate its investigative and reform mandate to ensure that governance, financial oversight, and reporting systems are strengthened without delay, Cricket Canada said in a statement. In its statement, it gave clarity on the actions taken to address the concerns raised, saying since receiving the ICCs notice, Cricket Canada has undertaken immediate, comprehensive, and structured corrective measures to remedy the governance, financial oversight, and administrative deficiencies identified in the ICCs correspondence. Cricket Canadas board has approved and submitted to the ICC a detailed Corrective & Preventative Action Plan (CAPA), which includes: A full Root Cause Analysis of governance and financial control failures; Corrective actions (090 days) targeting governance, financial controls, reporting accuracy, and executive structure; Preventative actions (90180 days) to ensure long term institutional stability, and; A clear timeline for full remediation aligned with ICC compliance expectations. According to its official statement, the organisation has already established an independent Jurist-Led Committee tasked with driving an investigative and decision-making overhaul. A key component of the CAPA is the establishment of an independent jurist-led committee with full investigative and decision making authority. This committee is chaired by Dasha Peregoudova, an eminent Canadian lawyer, former national team athlete, and respected governance advisor. The Committee has unrestricted access to all financial records, authority to interview personnel, and the mandate to deliver interim recommendations within 14 days, a full investigative report within 45 days, and a comprehensive remediation plan, it said in a statement. According to its official statement, the organisation has already established an independent Jurist-Led Committee tasked with driving an investigative and decision-making overhaul. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Cricket Canada clarified that the core issue does not lie with its current leadership, the board noted, The irregularities identified by the ICC stem from actions and systemic weaknesses under previous Boards and management. The newly elected Board and current management team are fully committed to rectifying these issues and are implementing comprehensive governance, financial control, and administrative reforms at the earliest possible opportunity. Article Source: IANS

We Didnt React How We Should Under Pressure, Admits Deitz On WIs Loss To Ireland

T20 World Cup: West Indies women's head coach Shane Deitz believes his side received a timely reminder of the challenges that await at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup after Ireland produced a spirited performance to secure a historic victory in Dublin. Ireland registered their first-ever T20I win over the West Indies, with all-rounder Orla Prendergast emerging as the standout performer. The 22-year-old followed up a disciplined bowling display with a match-winning 71 off just 46 balls, guiding the hosts to a memorable triumph and the top of the tri-series standings. Deitz admitted Prendergast's counterattacking innings proved decisive as the West Indies struggled to wrest back momentum once it began slipping away. Prendergast came out and played a real good innings. She put the pressure on us and at times we probably didn't react how we should react under pressure and that's what's going to be the big thing in this World Cup is how we react under pressure against really good players. The Irish all-rounder's innings came at a crucial stage of the chase and showcased the composure that has made her one of Ireland's most important players ahead of the World Cup. Her ability to absorb pressure and accelerate when required left the visitors searching for answers. While disappointed with the result, Deitz viewed the defeat as a valuable learning opportunity, particularly with the global tournament in England and Wales less than two weeks away. The team must find a way to adjust to the different playing conditions a bit more quickly. The main thing learning from this is what we usually do in the Caribbean on Caribbean wickets and other parts of the world, what options we go to with the ball or shots we go to the bat might not work over here. The West Indies have one remaining tri-series fixture and two World Cup warm-up matches to fine-tune their preparations, and Deitz believes those games will be vital in helping the squad adapt to unfamiliar conditions. It's good to go through that now and really get accustomed to these conditions so, when we're under pressure, come the World Cup, we know what the best options to take are at each situation. For the coach, the key takeaway is ensuring that mistakes made in preparation matches are not repeated once the tournament begins. It's good to go through that now and really get accustomed to these conditions so, when we're under pressure, come the World Cup, we know what the best options to take are at each situation. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the World Cup fast approaching, Deitz will be hoping the lessons from Prendergast's match-winning display and Ireland's historic victory help sharpen a West Indies side aiming to make a deep run in the tournament. Article Source: IANS

French Open 2026: Marathon man Arnaldi makes it three Italian men in quarterfinals, even without Sinner

World No. 104 Arnaldi defeated Frances Tiafoe in a five-set match that lasted five hours and 26 minutes

Prendergast ensures Ireland's narrow one-run win over West Indies

Ireland move atop the tri-nation series points table after winning via the DLS method in Dublin

Hesson debunks pitches 'myth', says there will be 'variety' at ODI World Cup

Pakistan ODI coach took to social media to defend his side's home pitches against Australia amid criticism that they are not going to help World Cup preparations for southern Africa

LPL introduces impact subs for 2026 season

The tournament also has also created a rule that each team will have to field an under-23 player in their XIs

Wyatt-Hodge expects 'fireworks' from Dunkley as World Cup pressure mounts

Back in the cricket bubble, Danni Wyatt-Hodge backs fellow opener ahead of India series decider

3rd WT20I: Rodrigues Hails Charani And Nandni Ahead Of Series Decider Against England

T20 World Cup: India batter Jemimah Rodrigues praised her young teammates N Sree Charani and Nandni Sharma for their impact and work ethics paying off very well in the ongoing T20I series against England. The series is currently locked at 1-1 and the winner of Tuesdays clash in Taunton will clinch the trophy ahead of the upcoming Womens T20 World Cup. In Indias 28-run defeat in Bristol, Charani stood out to pick a three-for, while Nandni, whos playing her debut international series, has been impactful with her pace and variations, though she and Arundhati Reddy were taken for cleaners in the last two overs by a rampaging Freya Kemp. I think first I'll talk about Charani. I think Charani loves England. The last time she was here, she was the player of the series. But the thing I love about her is, like, being so young, she's just taken up that responsibility as the leftarm spinner in the team and she knows how important her four overs are. The thing I also love about her, she's very hardworking. She'll come and she says, Sir, two overs. It ends up to 24 overs every practice session because she's never satisfied. So I think what I love that about her, she wants to keep getting better, Rodrigues said in a press conference on Monday. On Nandni, Jemimah was effusive in her praise of the Chandigarh-based pacer. About Nandni, I think she speaks for herself. I don't have to talk too much about her. But I love the person she is and the fact that she is bindaas. But at the same time, she's very good at what she does. Whether it's slower balls, whether it's a back of the hand, length ball, a bouncer, I think as a captain, she is the kind of bowler you want in your team because whatever you ask, she always delivers. So that's how good, even under pressure, she is. So a lot of times, you want to, you can have good skill, but it's how you deliver under pressure and she is that one who can deliver under pressure. I'm very happy that she's here and all credit goes to her because of the way she's worked hard. The kind of WPL she's had, I think hats off to her. Jemimah also spoke about her own versatility with the bat, as Yastika Bhatia slotted at three has meant that she has to bat at five. I just read one stat somewhere that I have a 50 as an opener, number three, four, and five. So I think I'm comfortable at all positions. At the end, it is important for me to have clarity. When I have clarity about a certain role, I know I can go out there and deliver. So whatever the team requires, like you said, now is the time where we have few more games to experiment what's the best combination that's working for the team. So I think, because Yasty was not with us also lately because of her injury this is the only game time that she's also getting. So for us to have her here is a great advantage. We saw what she did in the first game, and the way she's batted. To come out after injury and do such a thing, it takes a lot of character and I think she has that character. So I'm very happy with the way she's going and very happy with the fact that we are still willing to add like can we add a little more in batting? Can we do something better? And that's the kind of mindset we have and that's the mindset we are going towards. She also explained a technical tweak in her batting to counter slow batting conditions. It was not change of technique for the World Cup, it had happened a while back. But especially on pitches which are a little faster, I was being fraction second slower because of the short pitch balls. So I kind of got into a prepositioned, like I take the stance and then get into a prepositioned place. Whereas, like, if I explain it to you, it's like, so usually when you bat, you take the bat up and then you come down. So now I'm already up and that fraction of a second, I get time to then judge and then it gave me a lot more power, even in my front foot drives, and even more time on the back foot. So I think that's the only technique change. On conditions in Taunton, Jemimah said, We just arrived, so I didn't see the pitch, but I have played here before in the Kia Super League. I had got good runs also here, so good memories from here. But what I know about this pitch and the conditions is that it is a very good pitch to bat on. Fast outfield and pitch ensures the ball comes on nicely on the bat. So now I'm already up and that fraction of a second, I get time to then judge and then it gave me a lot more power, even in my front foot drives, and even more time on the back foot. So I think that's the only technique change. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But I think because of the heatwave that has been going on for quite some time now, compared to how people used to talk about English pitches, it has now gotten a little bit closer to how it is in India. But I still feel it is a lot more faster than how it is in India. Article Source: IANS

RCB's Tim David suspended for opening game of IPL 2027

David threw an ice bag aggressively in the direction of the umpire after a wicket, and picked up his third sanction of the season

SLC relieved at ICC's mild response to Transformation Committee

The ICC had come down heavily on previous instances of government interference in SLC matters, but there have been no sanctions this time

IPL 2026: 'Never Doubted We'd Win It' - Bobat And Flower Reveal Blueprint Behind Historic Title Triumph

With Royal Challengers Bengaluru: With Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning their second successive IPL title with a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans, the back-to-back wins are not the product of fortune, but of deliberate design, meticulous auction strategy and a dressing room culture being rock-solid in nature. For years, RCB were always regarded as a franchise that had a lot of stars, but were hugely imbalanced batting always got the big money, with bowling being their perennial weak link. But after Andy Flower and Mo Bobat took over as head coach and Director of Cricket respectively, RCB began to have a strong, well-balanced unit which is evident in their back-to-back IPL wins delighting franchise T20 cricket's most passionate fan base. I suppose when Andy and I first joined the franchise and we obviously had a first year that was a season of two halves and pretty challenging. Then we had the benefit of a mega auction and a bit of a reset, having learned some really strong lessons in the year before. The opportunity also to introduce Rajat as a new captain, which felt like a blank slate for us. At that point, I probably looked at this cycle and having come through a really good auction, we were very ambitious and optimistic about what we could do with this squad. I never came here or felt like we wouldn't achieve the elusive first trophy. I know that many teams had tried and many management teams and players had tried over lots of years to try and win that first trophy. I never really doubted that we would do that. I suppose I always had it in my mind that once we won that first one, we needed to not settle for that as being what we've come here to do or what we're all getting together to do, because like any sports team, you want to have almost like a bit of an infinite goal that you're just always striving towards achieving something that constantly inspires your fans, said Bobat in the virtual press conference organised by RCB on Monday. On strategy, Bobat was equally emphatic, revealing that a top-two finish in the group stage was always the north star. So, how has it been different? Well, last year through the season, as we built our confidence, it felt like something we had to achieve and get done and almost tick off that first milestone, whereas this year has felt quite different. From the moment we finished last season, we've tried to push people to be ambitious about going again. There's been probably a deeper confidence amongst the player group this year and probably us as well as a management group around what the players are capable of, which obviously comes from success. Across both seasons, I've probably been personally quite keen and fixed on trying to achieve top two, because I think the 14 game group stage is quite a gruelling campaign. If you can put yourself in a position to finish top two, I think everybody knows historically what that means for your chances. So I guess part of my role is setting that bigger picture ambition and having something on the horizon that everyone's working towards. Andy is excellent at getting people to focus on what's coming in front of us and the game and the game ahead because it's certainly one of the things that I think he did brilliantly, he added. Among the critical changes that RCB have made to the make-up of the squad over the last two auctions is going in search of proven, experienced players rather than taking a punt at unknowns. It meant they had a compact squad at their disposal. I don't know whether you can win a competition at the auction. I think you can probably lose one at the auction. It's quite hard to undo things that you then either regret or don't like about your team structure, or even personnel, once you've got through your first mega auction, and then you're only dealing with mini auctions in the subsequent years. So I would probably say, in my still fairly limited experience, that I'm not sure you win a competition at the auction, but you can certainly lose one there. Then it gets quite difficult in the mini auction years. You're right it's funny - when we finished our mega auction, I think we were ranked second bottom for the quality of the squad by quite a lot of broadcasters and a lot of experts, and many people had us to finish last. That was certainly nothing that affected our thought process or psychology. We were clear on what we were trying to build as a squad in terms of team structure. We were quite clear on the attributes and characteristics that we wanted from players. That's a combination of skill and character. Both of those things are really important and we got pretty much everything we wanted and more at the auction. So we came out of that auction very happy, like most teams tend to do after an auction, but pretty confident that we could do the things that we wanted to do. It's obvious when anyone looks at our squad that we've massively valued experience across key roles. Andy mentioned some of the names earlier, and having the likes of Virat and Rajat as retentions was a really good start, he recalled. The franchise's emphasis on battle-hardened experience was a conscious and calculated call. But then adding players of the calibre of Phil Salt, Tim David, Bhuvi, Hazlewood, Krunal - these are battle-hardened men, and that's quite important, I think, in a competition as demanding as the IPL - the games come thick and fast. You've got to be able to move on from defeats quite quickly, and you need guys that are really calm under pressure. I once heard a phrase used about another elite sportsman that always stuck with me, that some of the best sportsmen, the pressure moments, find them, if that makes sense. We've got quite a few players where the pressure moments gravitate towards them. They seem to be in the middle when these things are happening. Yesterday, our bowling was a great example of that. Bhuvi and Hazlewood started brilliantly, Krunal doing his thing. Great contributions from others, of course. Both Duffy and Rasikh were obviously excellent. The pressure always finds Virat. He finds a way to be in the thick of things when the game's on the line. That's what champion players do. We valued all of those things when we put our squad together. Before we played our first game or bowled our first ball, we were confident that we had a squad that could be competitive. As we described, the confidence builds through the season and a huge amount goes into auction prep. You've probably seen some of our auction videos and seen some of the detail that we go into. As I said, I don't think you win the competition at the auction, but it can make a really big difference. Once you've got that squad together, you've still got to get the togetherness going. You've still got to get them to deliver on their roles and create an environment where they can really go and showcase their strengths. Obviously, a lot of that goes down to the changing room environment that Rajat and Andy have built and created. Flower also threw light on RCB's coaching and scouting infrastructure - specifically on their Indian coaches - Dinesh Karthik (batting coach and mentor), Omkar Salvi (bowling coach), and Malolan Rangarajan (the spin bowling coach and talent identification head, apart from being WPL head coach), whose contributions he described as indispensable to the title success. Well, a couple of things there. Firstly, Mo has set up a scouting system here at RCB that is still in its growth, in its initial phases of growth really. We had the scouts with us at the game last night. They were watching with their families. They came to the after party here at the hotel and it was great to see them all there and that is an important part of what we do in preparation. It is really important to get the best people in the room and we have got a really nice group of scouts. When I say nice, they are guys we trust their cricket opinions. We trust that they are doing their due diligence and they are good guys to have in the system. So Malolan has been with RCB for a number of years and has also been instrumental in setting up that scouting system with Mo. So we trust that and we are going to build on that. The Indian coaches that we have got on our books have been absolutely crucial to the success that we have had so far. Omkar Salvi is one of the nicest men I have ever met and he has been great for us for a couple of seasons. He is an experienced head coach, a very good observer and gives me his very clear opinions when I ask for them. I think he is a bowling coach that the bowlers like working with and trust. So those are all amazing qualities for us to have amongst our coaching staff. Malolan plays a more general role. He does specifically coach the spinners and I know that KP and Suyash trust him completely. But he also plays a wider role not only on the scouting but certainly in our auction prep. Also he is a smart guy and he knows the game. He has also head coached before and having his brain for us to access is really important to our decision making processes. DK is a different kettle of fish altogether - full of energy, ideas and he is a great energy to have around. I think he is a bowling coach that the bowlers like working with and trust. So those are all amazing qualities for us to have amongst our coaching staff. Malolan plays a more general role. He does specifically coach the spinners and I know that KP and Suyash trust him completely. But he also plays a wider role not only on the scouting but certainly in our auction prep. Also Read: Live Cricket Score His energy for the batting group has been unquenchable and I have enjoyed watching him work with our batting group. I know that he has earned the trust of even guys like Virat. So he has done an amazing job for us and to have those three Indian coaches on our books, I think we are very fortunate in that regard and without their influence, I am sure we would not be sitting quite in the same position that we are this morning, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

3rd T20I: India, England Chase Series Glory And Momentum Ahead Of Womens T20 WC In High-stakes Encounter (Preview)

T20 World Cup: With the three-match T20I series deadlocked at 1-1, Tuesday's blockbuster finale at the County Ground in Taunton is much more than a standard bilateral decider. For both India and England, this clash serves as the ultimate dress rehearsal and a vital psychological shot in the arm just weeks before the Womens T20 World Cup kicks off later this month. While India took first blood with an authoritative 38-run win in Chelmsford, Englands resilient 26-run fightback in Bristol exposed the vulnerabilities of both camps. As the teams head to Taunton, tactical refinement and middle-order execution will decide who lifts the silverware. India's top order has shown immense promise. Yastika Bhatia has been the standout batter of the tour with a classy half-century and a fluent 33 in Bristol. Combined with Jemimah Rodrigues' early-series form and flashes of brilliance from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, the platform is consistently being laid. However, the final five overs have turned into an unmitigated disaster area. In the opening match, India crawled to the finish line, scoring just 40 runs between overs 16 and 20. The second game saw an even steeper collapse; cruising at 70/1 in pursuit of 169, India lost their bearings in the death overs, imploding to 28/5 in the final stretch. India desperately needs their dependable finish-tank to step up. All eyes will be on Richa Ghosh, who has yet to fire in English conditions. Given India's lack of alternative designated six-hitters, the onus falls heavily on skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to bat deep and anchor the back end. If India is to regularly post or chase winning totals in the 190200 range, Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma must successfully navigate the middle-order speedbumps. Englands primary concern heading into Tuesday is the distinct lack of conversion at the top of the order. While the veteran opening pair and the top four have regularly found their timing, they have repeatedly failed to construct the long, match-defining innings required on modern T20 tracks. Across both encounters, England's seasoned batters have looked fluid, gotten their eye in, but thrown away promising starts precisely when they needed to shift into fifth gear. Aside from Amy Jones vital, stabilising 67, the established core has lacked a sustained anchor. This inability to build deep partnerships has repeatedly broken Englands mid-innings momentum, forcing the lower-middle order into high-pressure recovery missions rather than allowing them to exploit a platform. The silver lining for England has been the explosive injection of youth, epitomised by the sensational Freya Kemp. Her blistering 13-ball 39* in the second game single-handedly masked the top-order stagnation and propelled England to a winning total. Combined with Lauren Bells lethal opening spells, England's younger crop is currently carrying the team's tactical X-factor. However, relying on a teenage phenom to bail out a world-class batting lineup from the number 6 or 7 spot is an unsustainable strategy with a World Cup on the horizon. Heading into Taunton, a venue famed for true bounce and tiny boundaries, the England camp will be drilling into their senior core the necessity of anchoring the innings, ensuring that Kemps destructive power is utilised to maximise a massive total rather than merely saving face. When: Tuesday, June 2, 11:00 PM Where: County Ground, Taunton Where to Watch: The third T20I between England and India will be live-streamed on the SonyLIV app and will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network. Squads: Where to Watch: The third T20I between England and India will be live-streamed on the SonyLIV app and will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean (c), Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong. Article Source: IANS

Differences Between 2025 And 2026 Campaigns Is Deeper Confidence Within RCB Set-up, Says Flower

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower said the biggest difference between the 2025 and 2026 title winning campaigns was the deeper level of confidence within the squad this year, while acknowledging the lessons of 2024 season also immensely shaped their pursuits of being a trophy winning team. Having won their first IPL title in 2025 and break an 18-year drought in process, RCB joined the likes of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as the third team in the IPL to win the tournament successively. If the 2025 win had tons of emotions around, the 2026 triumph was the sign of a confident unit completing the job of defending the title in clinical fashion. There are definite differences between 2025 and 2026 campaigns. But I would also mention the 2024 season, because that was instrumental in setting our determination to do things a little bit differently. The very tough first half of 2024 gave us real clarity about certain strategic things that we wanted to employ, and it gave us the courage through almost through desperation to take those measures. Then we've had 2025 where we were walking into the unknown a little. As RCB had never won the title before, so there was a lot of tension and uncertainty around getting into playoffs and then obviously lifting the trophy. This year has felt a little bit different. I think there's a deeper level of confidence in our squad. Our squad contains a number of very experienced and very successful cricketers, and having the likes of Virat and Bhuvi and Hazelwood and KP in that squad makes it a lot easier for us, the coaching and management team. So that deeper level of confidence after lifting last year's trophy certainly made this year feel slightly different. Didn't make it any easier, but certainly going into playoffs, there was a deeper level of confidence, I think, in the squad, which you may have seen in some of the performances. So they felt very different, but both very satisfying from a professional point and personal point of view, Flower said in a virtual press conference on Monday. Asked on how hes been influential in keeping the RCB culture going for three seasons, including spending more time with the players who didnt get much game time in the high-pressure tournament, Flower explained, There are always challenges and a long list of them you've got a big squad of players to look after. You've got obviously a variety of different people to gather together and get them heading in one direction. You've got young and old, experienced and inexperienced, different nationalities. So, from a professional point of view, it's a really fascinating challenge to get a group of such different characters together and make them cohesive around the task of taking on these other excellent franchises. So, Mo (Bobat, RCB Director of Cricket) and I both really like those challenges. The cultural part around the players that didn't play or didn't play much is a really important part of I'm reticent to say only the success of a cricket squad or a franchise, but more about the feeling that is generated within that group. It's really important to look after people and I've learned those lessons over the years, particularly as a young head coach, how important that is. Those players that aren't playing all the time, they still need to feel valued and also feel as if they're progressing themselves. I think one of the biggest drivers in the human condition is to feel as if you're making progress in the world. We want everyone that's sitting out and not getting the opportunity to showcase what they can do in match situations. We want them also to feel as if they are developing themselves. So, we put as much energy as possible into looking after those players as well. It's not easy because you do have to prioritize those 12 players that are taking the field every few days. But it was lovely to see some young players like Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chouhan come from India under19s. I watched them during the Under19 World Cup where I was commentating. It was lovely to see them go about their business, work at improving themselves. They were listening and watching people like Virat go about their business and you can learn lessons in that sort of environment if you're open to progress and they were, he said. Flower also gave the example of India batting all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer of a player who didnt get game time initially, but made his chances count whenever the combination changed. With a finger injury keeping Phil Salt out, Iyer seamlessly fitted into opening the batting alongside Virat Kohli and hit 209 runs in seven games, including giving a fast start in the final. But the best example, I think, of people sitting out and making sure that they were ready to contribute to the overall cause was Venkatesh Iyer. He sat out after all his experiences, winning IPLs and playing for India. He had to sit out and be really patient and make sure that he was ready to contribute when he got the chance. He never knew when or if that chance was going to come. When it did come, each time he made contributions. It was such a wonderful example of a mature young man being humble enough to take the bad news on the chin that he wasn't going to get initial opportunities, but to make sure that he was competitive and ready when he got the chance and that's what he did. He was a big contributing factor to us closing out this tournament. So you rightly focus on a really important part of the franchise cricket world, that sort of environment that we operate in for 10 or 11 weeks of the year and we work hard at trying to get that as right as you can. You can't be perfect, but you do your best to get it as right as you can, he added. Flower further said the confidence gained from last years breakthrough title was visible in the squads composure this season. Well, I'm glad that it's observable. Sometimes when you're actually in the dressing room or in the dugout or in the training area, you're getting a very closeup view of stuff. But it's nice to see, it's nice to hear that even from an external viewpoint, you're seeing that level of confidence. I alluded to it a little earlier - there was a little more jeopardy and uncertainty around last year's title chase and after winning the trophy last year, and then after playing some outstanding cricket through the group phase this year, our confidence levels have increased. It's also fair to say that you didn't observe many nerves. There would have been a lot of nervous people in our dressing room, in our dugout. I was certainly one of them, but that deeper level of confidence that comes from testing yourselves against good opposition or in challenging circumstances, and proving to yourself or proving to yourselves as a group that you are not only able to handle whatever's thrown at you. But you're able to thrive in that highpressure environment and that produces real confidence. You saw and you would have observed some of that. The other thing about our group feeling confident is we've got some characters in our dressing room that inspire that level of calmness and confidence. We've spoken at length about Virat already today, but bowlers like Hazelwood, Bhuvi and KP, those guys are calm under pressure. The pressure in the IPL is similar to the pressure that you would experience in the playoff stages of World Cups or in Big Ashes matches. Having people there that have been there and done it before, come through in adversity before, those are deeper, stronger levels of confidence than you might have in other individuals that hadn't had those experiences before. But you're able to thrive in that highpressure environment and that produces real confidence. You saw and you would have observed some of that. The other thing about our group feeling confident is we've got some characters in our dressing room that inspire that level of calmness and confidence. We've spoken at length about Virat already today, but bowlers like Hazelwood, Bhuvi and KP, those guys are calm under pressure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Hazelwood's the same, and we've seen what KP's done. KP's level of confidence, you could easily just attribute it to, he's had five IPL wins in 11 seasons. How amazing is that for different teams? So I think that's what you're observing, and we'd like to build on that for the next season as well, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

ICC Moves Women's Champions Trophy 2027 To Feb, Approves Emerging Nations Trophy And T20 World Cup Qualification Pathway

The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday made a major change to the schedule of the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027. The tournament will now take place from February 14 to 28, 2027, instead of June-July. This decision is part of several measures to strengthen women's cricket worldwide. The Board also approved a new Women's Emerging Nations Trophy and set the qualification pathway for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2028. The Women's Champions Trophy will debut in February, providing a new window in the international calendar. This change is expected to help with scheduling and ensure better conditions for the tournament. In another important development, the ICC confirmed it will launch the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, featuring ten teams to give greater international exposure to developing nations. The tournament will have five Full Member countries and five Associate Member teams, chosen based on rankings and past T20 World Cup qualifications. This initiative aims to widen competition in women's cricket and support emerging nations. ICC Chairman, Mr Jay Shah, said, Our discussions in Ahmedabad have reinforced the ICCs commitment to governance, administration, and the growth of cricket globally. From womens cricket and emerging nations to the management of franchise competitions, todays discussions and decisions aim to ensure that cricket remains fair, competitive, and exciting for fans worldwide. In another important development, the ICC confirmed it will launch the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, featuring ten teams to give greater international exposure to developing nations. The tournament will have five Full Member countries and five Associate Member teams, chosen based on rankings and past T20 World Cup qualifications. This initiative aims to widen competition in women's cricket and support emerging nations. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The 2028 edition will include 12 teams. Ten teams will qualify automatically, including the top eight from the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, the host nation if it is not already qualified, and the next highest-ranked teams in the ICC Women's T20I rankings as of July 6, 2026. The last two spots will be filled through a 10-team Global Qualifier, supported by regional qualifying tournaments. Plans for regional qualification spots are expected to be finalized in the ICC's July meetings. Article Source: IANS

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Sweeps IPL Awards -- But Is Too Young To Drive Prize

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi swept the end-of-season IPL awards and in doing so won an SUV -- but the 15-year-old cricket prodigy will have to wait three years to drive it.The Indian batting sensation plundered 776 runs at an average of 48.50 and a punishing strike-rate of 237.30 in 16 matches. On Sunday he was named most valuable player, despite his team Rajasthan Royals narrowly failing to reach the final, and he also scooped the Orange Cap for leading the batting charts. He was also named emerging player of the season, among other prizes. The boy wonder was gifted a car, a TATA Sierra SUV, which at top price comes in at 2.1 million rupees ($22,000). His total prize money was over $57,000. However, he won't be able to get behind the wheel in the near future because the minimum driving age in India is 18. It feels good, but I'm feeling a little pressure because I'm here for an interview, Sooryavanshi said on winning the awards. But yes, it's a proud moment, it feels great, and I'll try to do even better next season. Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second straight title after they beat Gujarat Titans in the final in Ahmedabad. Player of the match Kohli was seen speaking to Sooryavanshi during the presentation ceremony well past midnight. Sooryavanshi struck 97 and 96 in his final two innings of this edition of the IPL, adding to the growing clamour for him to earn a maiden call-up to the senior national team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score According to Indian media, Sooryavanshi has been included in a 30-member of probables for the Asian Games in September-October in Japan.

Virat Kohli Dubbed 'Heartbeat' Of IPL Champions In Coach Flower Tribute

Virat Kohli was hailed as the heartbeat of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru dressing room after his unbeaten 75 secured a second straight IPL championship. The 37-year-old Kohli was there at the end as Bengaluru chased 156 to beat Gujarat Titans by five wickets in Sunday's final in Ahmedabad. Dubbed the chase master, Kohli finished with a six and a total of 675 runs in the T20 tournament. Virat, I know you get a lot of attention and quite rightly, head coach Andy Flower said in a Royal Challengers Bengaluru video tribute released Monday. But I don't want to downplay that, because you are a heartbeat in this dressing room. Kohli got the team off to a flying start in a 62-run opening stand with Venkatesh Iyer and later anchored the chase. He hammered Gujarat pace bowler Kagiso Rabada for two fours and a six to set the tone for his team's domination at the 130,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium, which was packed with Kohli fans. He relishes these situations, he looks forward to these situations where he can show how good a player he is, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Today. What kind of a temperament he has, the winning mindset that he has. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said: Virat doesn't need any trophies. He is a trophy himself. Bengaluru and Kohli have been on a roll in the T20 tournament since winning their first IPL crown at the 18th attempt last year. Bengaluru finished top of the 10-team table after the league stage and hammered Gujarat in the first play-off for a direct entry into the final. A majority of the 90,000 crowd seemed to be wearing Kohli's number 18 shirt, with chants of Kohli, Kohli filling the air. I always say we don't have seven home games, we probably have 14, Kohli said after being named player of the match. Everywhere we go, we have fans cheering the team and really getting behind us. I mean, GT are probably the home side, but you see 90 percent of the guys are RCB fans. Their support is priceless. The team will not stage any public homecoming with the trophy on Monday. A victory parade for their inaugural title win a year ago resulted in a stampede and crush outside Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people. Obviously, you feel bad -- you lost your fans after winning the game, Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar said after this year's win. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Not just fans, they are the family members. I always want to dedicate this trophy to them. I don't have words to express that feeling.

Women's Champions Trophy 2027 moved from June to February

ICC will also pilot a new version of the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy which will feature five Full Members and five Associate Members

IPL 2026: Were Very Lucky To Have Kohli In The RCB Dressing Room, Says Andy Flower

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower said the franchise is very lucky to have veteran batter Virat Kohli in the dressing room, hailing the former skippers hunger and drive as genuinely inspiring after RCB defended their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 crown with a fivewicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Kohli smashed a majestic 42-ball 75 not out, laced with nine fours and three sixes, as RCB completed a chase of 156 to retain the title they won at the same venue in 2025. Kohli also reached his fifty in 25 balls the fastest hes reached the half-century mark in his history of playing the IPL. You asked about Virats hunger and how that affects him. When I was in the dressing room last night after the game, I mentioned it actually. His hunger and drive its genuinely inspiring. Even for older blokes like me, seeing someone as hungry and driven, as disciplined and as ambitious as he still is, its wonderful to witness. And were very lucky to have him in the dressing room. He sets certain standards, like standards of intensity in the field, for instance, that means that anyone falling below those is going to stand out like a sore thumb. So we dont need coaches driving intensity on standards in the field, for instance, because hes living it and doing it. And everyone else has to raise their games to get anywhere near it, Flower said in a virtual press conference on Monday. The former Zimbabwe captain, who coached England to the 2010 Mens T20 World Cup title win, added, He works hard at his game, but you can see that he loves it as well. He loves batting. He loves hitting a ball. He loves the feeling of the ball meeting the middle of the bat. I would imagine the craft and mastery that he feels when hes got a bat in his hands. Again, those standards are easy for people in our training sessions to see, and certainly it just helps everyone head in the right direction. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar also acknowledged Kohlis influence on his own leadership journey after being appointed the sides captain ahead of winning their first title in the 2025 season. Regarding Virat bhai, as I said in many press conferences and interviews, his presence makes a lot of difference. For me, it's great learning. Whenever Im around him on the field and off the field, I always notice him. I dont speak much, but I always notice him. But whenever I have some kind of doubts regarding the leadership role or taking any decision, I always go to Virat bhai. For me, its a great opportunity to learn from the best and the greats of cricket. So, their ideas, inputs, and experience are definitely helping me a lot to grow in my new leadership role, he said. Under Patidars captaincy, RCB have now won backtoback IPL titles and have shed their longstanding reputation as perennial underachievers. The Indore-based batter himself had a standout campaign, scoring 501 runs at a strike rate of 192.69, including a matchwinning 93 not out in Qualifier 1. It's not like I had to go in and target the bowlers from ball number one. No one in the team was doing that. It's important to back your instincts. We did a lot of hard work before the tournament with DK (Dinesh Karthik, batting coach-cum-mentor), Flower, and Mo Bobat (Director of Cricket) were also there. There was more clarity about my role. I was pretty clear that if I'm batting in the middle overs, I can maximise and I can take a risk. I like taking risks, so if I am playing in the middle overs phase, I like to maximise every bowler. If I feel I have to go after the attack on my second delivery, I back myself and go with full clarity, he added. Patidar also drew praise from Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer, who labelled him the most stylish performer of the season. Responding to the compliment, Patidar said, I have spent a lot of time with Shreyas. In my first season in Ranji, we played Mumbai, and at that time, he scored a lot of runs. There was more clarity about my role. I was pretty clear that if I'm batting in the middle overs, I can maximise and I can take a risk. I like taking risks, so if I am playing in the middle overs phase, I like to maximise every bowler. If I feel I have to go after the attack on my second delivery, I back myself and go with full clarity, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Patidar also mentioned Rajasthan Royals 15yearold opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who won the Orange Cap with 776 runs, as the standout performer of the season. Its pretty clear, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Hes so young, and the way hes dominated this tournament. He just didnt play; he dominated every top bowler. So the way he played his shots, hes amazing. Whenever I saw him on TV, it was just superb. I wish him luck. Article Source: IANS

PAK vs AUS 2nd ODI Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

PAK vs AUS 2nd ODI , Cricket Tips :Pakistan carried on spin-dominant plans in the first ODI against Australia and recorded a comprehensive win by five wickets. Debutant Arafat Minhas was the star. He picked up a five-wicket haul on his debut and scored an unbeaten 18 off 17 balls, with a winning six. With a 1-0 lead, Pakistan will face Australia in the second ODI on Tuesday. This game will begin at 5 PM IST at Gaddafi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pakistan will be keen to win the series. Australia have to find a strong plan to bat in slow conditions. If not, they will lose consecutive series against Pakistan. PAK vs AUS: Match Details Date : June 02, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 5:00 PM IST Venue : Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore PAK vs AUS: Live Streaming Details The only option to watch the live action of the PAK vs AUS 2nd ODI is through the FanCode streaming platform. PAK vs AUS: Head-to-Head in ODI Total Matches : 113 Pakistan : 37 Australia : 71 No-result : 04 Tied : 01 PAK vs AUS: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Lahore is expected to be slow and spin-friendly. Just like the first game, we might see a slow track for the second match. The batters will struggle for timing because of the uneven bounce here. Hence, batting second can be a wise decision. PAK vs AUS: Possible XIs Pakistan : Maaz Sadaqat, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed Australia : Matt Short, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis (c & wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Cam Green, Oliver Peake, Matt Renshaw, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Kuhnemann PAK vs AUS: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Babar Azam is in excellent form and will be a key batter for Pakistan. For Australia, Matt Short adjusted well in the first game and will have a big role in this game. Probable Best Bowler Abrar Ahmed is still the most dangerous bowler, and he can turn the ball on any surface. For Australia, Matthew Kuhnemann will be a tough bowler to face for the opposition. Today Match Prediction : Pakistan have experience and a good combination for this wicket. Hence, we predict them to win the second ODI. PAK vs AUS Match 2nd ODI, Today Match PAK vs AUS, PAK vs AUS Prediction, PAK vs AUS Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Pakistan vs Australia 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.

ICC approves red-to-pink ball change to reduce bad-light impact in Test cricket

Both teams will have to agree to changing the ball from red to pink in case of bad light during a Test match

Womens T20 WC: We Believe We Can Win Any Game We Go Into, Says Bangladesh Skipper Nigar Sultana

T20 World Cup: Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty is embracing the challenge of competing in one of the toughest groups at the ICC Womens T20 World Cup, insisting her side has the belief and confidence to produce its best-ever performance at the global event. Bangladesh, appearing in their seventh Women's T20 World Cup, have never progressed beyond the group stage. This year, they have been drawn alongside powerhouses India, Australia, South Africa, and Pakistan, making their route to the knockout rounds particularly demanding. Nigar is fully aware of the task that awaits her team, yet the Bangladesh skipper believes her side has developed the mindset needed to challenge more established opponents. We have been drawn into a really tough group, with teams that have regularly made finals and semi-finals. But we believe that we can win any game we go into, and we are hoping to have our best-ever tournament, she wrote in her column for ICC. Although Bangladesh's recent results haven't always been favourable, Nigarhighlighted some promising individual performances that have increased confidence heading into the World Cup. Shorna Akter and Sharmin Akhter batted well in the most recent series against Sri Lanka, while Sultana Khatun produced career-best figures in the final match, which we lost narrowly, Nigar said. Bangladesh is currently taking part in a tri-series in Scotland with the hosts and the Netherlands. These matches provide important preparation for the upcoming tournament in England. Nigarbelieves the games are helping the team adjust to new conditions. We are now into a tri-series against Scotland and the Netherlands in Edinburgh, which will also help us adjust to the conditions, she said. The adjustment period could prove crucial, given that Bangladesh have never played in England before. This World Cup will be the first time we have ever played in England, so it will take some time to get used to things, but we are excited to see what we can do, she added. One of Bangladesh's key fixtures will come against World Cup debutants, the Netherlands. Nigar feels her side can draw confidence from previous encounters between the two teams. Well also face the Netherlands, who are making their debut, and we can take confidence from beating them in the (ICC Women's T20 World Cup) Qualifier. It was really important for us to win every game of that tournament, just as much as earning our place in the World Cup, Nigar noted. Beyond results, the captain is particularly encouraged by the development of the next generation of players within the squad, as she said, What pleases me the most is seeing the growth in our younger players and how they have become confident, and the team spirit we are building. Nigar pointed to Bangladesh's breakthrough victory over Scotland at the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup as evidence of the team's progress, saying, The growth in the team was really clear in 2024 when we got our first win at a T20 World Cup for 10 years. Beating Scotland was such an important moment in our teams history, and we are ready to build on that as we prepare for this years campaign. Beyond results, the captain is particularly encouraged by the development of the next generation of players within the squad, as she said, What pleases me the most is seeing the growth in our younger players and how they have become confident, and the team spirit we are building. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It is my sixth World Cup, and I still have happy memories of playing my first tournament back in 2016 at just 18 years old. I did not think then that I would be captaining the side for the third time at a T20 World Cup, she mentioned. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: RCB To Not Come To Bengaluru As Bobat, Patidar Hail Use Of Data And Analytics In Title Win

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengalurus players and support staff will disperse to their respective homes and holiday time from Ahmedabad rather than return to Bengaluru immediately to celebrate their second successive Indian Premier League (IPL) crown. Well, firstly, I don't think any of us are going to Bangalore, unfortunately. I'm traveling back to the UK tomorrow. Rajat, I'm sure, will be heading home to his family and I think Andy's got a holiday planned. So we'll have to wait a little bit longer before we can get back amongst our fans and to enjoy some of their excitement and happiness, which is always nice to experience, Mo Bobat, RCBs Director of Cricket, told IANS in a virtual press conference on Monday. With the afterglow of the championship win still high, Bobat and skipper Rajat Patidar stated that the franchises balanced approach to data and analytics, especially roping in Freddie Wilde as their lead analyst, has been a key factor in them transforming as a title-winning unit since 2025. For the longest time, RCB were the IPLs biggest underachievers a star-studded unit who would always fall short of winning the trophy when it mattered the most. But since 2025, that narrative has undergone a dramatic shift by becoming only the third IPL side to win back-to-back IPL titles. The turnaround has not come not from one marquee signing or a dramatic tactical overhaul. Instead, it has been shaped by a measured, data and evidencebased approach for constructing the squad and preparing for matches. Under Bobat, Wilde, head coach Andy Flower and batting coach-cum-mentor Dinesh Karthik, data and analytics have now become central to how RCB operate and compete as a unit, which in turn has helped them shed the nearly men tag associated with them. In terms of the sort of data related questions, both Andy and I are very similar in our views in that we don't overly focus on data. Data is obviously quite a hot topic in elite sport at the minute. We don't focus too much on that. But what I do think we share in common is a desire to have evidencebased decision making and therefore, by definition, if you want evidence to support your decisions or to inform your decisions, then you're going to pay attention to the data that's available to you. So we really value and we recognize the importance of our judgment as decision makers. We make important decisions about players' careers, about their dreams, about their livelihoods. So, we both think it's our responsibility to do that with an element of rigour. If you're going to do that, then you will pay attention to evidence, information, data, expert opinion, whatever you want to call it. Philosophically, we both believe in that information being a combination of the more objective kind of numbers that can tell you a story, but also what some of our expert eyes and ears see and hear and what they can tell us as well, because it's all information that helps us make those evidencebased decisions. So very balanced view in our sort of in our ways of working and I'd like to think that Rajats experiences that as captain and that we will share insights with him that might be data informed, as well as some of our own gut feel and intuition. A part of the reason why we engaged DK in the role that we engaged him in is that he has a very active tactical mind and we can learn from his many experiences as a person as well, elaborated Bobat. Wilde is the lead analyst of current ILT20 holders Desert Vipers and The Hundred franchise London Spirit, after being with the England mens team. He also came into limelight after authoring a chapter in the Cricket 2.0: Inside the T20 Revolution book titled Why CSK win and why RCB lose. Cut to now, and Wilde has played a key role in turning around RCBs fortunes. So a real mix there and you referenced Freddie and it's important to recognize the quality of his work. We've worked with Freddie for a few years now. He's an outstanding analyst and the things that stand him out, I think, would be he is able to kind of manoeuvre between thinking like an analyst and also thinking and operating a bit like a coach and that's quite nice territory. As someone who can do that, that also means we can trust him in his communication with players and groups in a way that you might not always give sort of analyst responsibilities. He's also quite practically minded. He realizes that the numbers won't always tell the full story. So he appreciates that there is subjectivity and context that binds a lot of the analytics that we'll do. But in short, his contributions have been huge, particularly if you think about things like the importance of building a squad and auction planning, which we invest a lot of preparation and time into. Then we have quite a rigorous planning and review process as we go through the season and Freddie leads a lot of that work alongside Andy. So, obviously, I can't speak much more glowingly about Freddie's work. He's been excellent and a real value add for the franchise, helps players, support staff, coaches on a number of levels. But the headline would be that we're kind of we're very balanced in our view the human and the machine are probably both key parts of our process, explained Bobat. Flower, who added another IPL title to his growing cabinet of winning franchise T20 league trophies as the head coach, gave a little hint about how being data reliant sparked Patidars turnaround in being a ferocious pace hitter in this season. I'm not going to answer anything, but I really want to hear Rajat's answer about the use of data. As per statistics from Cricket-21, Patidar has emerged as one of the most destructive batters against pace in IPL 2026, with his numbers showing a remarkable jump from last season. In 2025, Patidar managed 190 runs in 13 innings against pacers at an average of 23.8 and a strike rate of 143, hitting just six sixes and recording a boundary percentage of 58.9, while his boundary per ball (BPB) ratio stood at 5.3. But in 2026, the turnaround has been emphatic this year. Across the same number of innings, Patidar has piled up 377 runs against pacers at an average of 62.8 and a strike rate of 189. He has cleared the ropes 28 times, with his BPB improving to 3.6 and boundary percentage soaring to 73.2. Patidar credited Wildes expertise for helping him sharpen his batting against pacers, apart from retaining his strengths of bashing spinners. To be honest, it was beautifully explained by Mo regarding Freddie and I can say from my personal experience as well. Four or five times in the IPL, I called Freddie and he said, Freddie, I need some videos of the bowlers, especially spinners who are like Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, where you have to pick their balls from the hand. But in 2026, the turnaround has been emphatic this year. Across the same number of innings, Patidar has piled up 377 runs against pacers at an average of 62.8 and a strike rate of 189. He has cleared the ropes 28 times, with his BPB improving to 3.6 and boundary percentage soaring to 73.2. Patidar credited Wildes expertise for helping him sharpen his batting against pacers, apart from retaining his strengths of bashing spinners. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So I think Freddie helped me a lot in this and that's why I give credit to Freddie. So people always used to say to me that Rajat is a spin basher. But to be honest, I always like to play fast bowling. But if I talk about spin and picking up the bowlers from their hands, the credit goes to Freddie because he helped me a lot, concluded Patidar. Article Source: IANS

ICC Board Approves Trailing Use Of Pink Balls In Tests To Tackle Bad Light, Legside Wides; Consultation With Head Coach During Drinks Break

The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council has approved trialling the use of a pink ball in all Test matches so that play may not be affected by bad light, and it can continue under lights while also researching lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light. The meeting also approved match officials to use Hawk-Eye data while deciding on illegal bowling actions. In the ICC Board meetings held in Ahmedabad on Sunday, the ICC also decided to allow the head-coach or a designated representative to consult the teams during scheduled drinks intervals, mandate 15-minute intervals in T20I matches, and require batters to be ready at the resumption of play. In a statement released on Monday, the ICC said the decisions are aimed at enhancing global competition structures and fostering innovation in the game. The ICC Board has approved several recommendations from the Chief Executives Committee, including trialling the use of a pink ball in Test Matches, with prior agreement from both teams, to maximise play in case of anticipated bad light. The recommendation to undertake research on lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light, with ICC co-funding R&D projects alongside Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). It has also accepted the Chief Executives Committee's suggestion for enabling match officials to access Hawk-Eye data when considering reporting an illegal bowling action. The ICC Board also approved updates to the Playing Conditions to allow head coaches or their designees to consult with teams during scheduled drinks intervals. It has also made it mandatory to have 15-minute intervals in T20I matches and requires batters to be ready at the resumption of play. The recommendation to undertake research on lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light, with ICC co-funding R&D projects alongside Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). It has also accepted the Chief Executives Committee's suggestion for enabling match officials to access Hawk-Eye data when considering reporting an illegal bowling action. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Updates to the Classification of Official Cricket, confirming that teams in the CWC Challenge League remain eligible to play other List A limited overs matches during each Challenge League tournament cycle, were also approved. Article Source: IANS

ENG-W vs IND-W 3rd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

ENG-W vs IND-W 3rd T20I , Cricket Tips :India Women won the first T20I, and England Women won the second. The series is leveled at 1-1, and the final game will decide which way the series is heading. The third and final T20I is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. Freya Kemp produced a brilliant all-round display. She took 2/15 and scored an unbeaten 39 off 13 balls. For India, there were starts, but none of the batters played a long innings. It was disappointing, because India were looking good to chase it down. But they lost their last seven wickets for just 33 runs. Can India Women bounce back after a disappointing defeat? ENG-W vs IND-W: Match Details Date : June 02, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 11:00 PM IST Venue : The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton ENG-W vs IND-W: Live Streaming Details The live action of the third T20I will be available on the Sony Sports networks. Fans can also watch the live stream through the Sony LIV app or website. ENG-W vs IND-W: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 37 England Women : 25 India Women : 12 Drawn: 00 ENG-W vs IND-W: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Taunton is likely to be in favor of the fast bowling. There might be grass, which will produce swing and movement early on. The batting conditions are expected to get better with the time. Both teams will look to bat first, because chasing can be tough here. ENG-W vs IND-W: Possible XIs England Women : Sophia Dunkley, Danny Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Amy Jones (wk), Freya Kemp, Linsey Smith, Danielle Gibson, Charlotte Dean (c), Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell India Women : Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shreyanka Patil, Arundhati Reddy, Nandni Sharma, Shree Charani ENG-W vs IND-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Smriti Mandhana got a good start but couldn't play a long innings. But she has shown good form and will be key. For England, Amy Jones is still the premier batter, who is in good form. Probable Best Bowler Shree Charani has been superb and has the most wickets in this series for India. For England, Lauren Bell is the game-changer at the top. Today Match Prediction : India Women have struggled in death overs. If they bat second, it will be tough for them. England Women are coming off a win, and we predict them to win the final game also. ENG-W vs IND-W Match 3rd T20I, Today Match ENG-W vs IND-W, ENG-W vs IND-W Prediction, SA-W vs IND-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for ENG-W vs IND-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Zee Entertainment bags FIFA world cup broadcasting rights in India from 2026 to 2034

The eight-year deal includes the FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2030, the FIFA Womens World Cup 2027, youth tournaments, futsal competitions and documentary content across television and ZEE5.

IPL 2026: Back-to-back Champions After Years Of Heartbreak, Says Sindhu In Congratulatory Post For RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Indian badminton star PV Sindhu joined the celebrations following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's successful IPL title defence, sharing a heartfelt and humorous message that paid tribute to the franchise's long-awaited rise and its passionate fanbase. Sindhu, who has been based in Bengaluru in recent years, began her Instagram post with a light-hearted observation linking her move to the city with RCB's recent success. RCB fans, I am not saying I am the lucky charm. But I moved to Bangalore and suddenly you have won the trophy every year since. Do the maths. Huge congratulations to the incredible RCB team, the players, the staff, the ownership and the fans, Sindhu wrote in an Instagram post. The two-time Olympic medallist acknowledged the emotional journey that supporters have endured over the years before finally witnessing sustained success and also reserved special praise for entrepreneur Ananya Birla and her family, who became part of the franchise's ownership group before RCB's recent run of success. This franchise has carried so much emotion, madness, heartbreak, belief and love over the years, and to see it become back-to-back champions is truly special. A big congratulations to my dear friend @ananyabirla and her wonderful family as well. To become owners and immediately win a championship is some serious main character energy. What a start, she added. The badminton star admitted there was one scenario she would have loved to witness in this year's tournament, a final between her hometown franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad and RCB. This franchise has carried so much emotion, madness, heartbreak, belief and love over the years, and to see it become back-to-back champions is truly special. A big congratulations to my dear friend @ananyabirla and her wonderful family as well. To become owners and immediately win a championship is some serious main character energy. What a start, she added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score On the badminton front, Sindhu's campaign at the recent Singapore Open ended in the quarter-finals, where she lost to world No. 1 An Se-young. The Indian shuttler had looked in strong touch earlier in the tournament, recording straight-games victories over Putri Kusuma Wardani and Riko Gunji before running into the top-seeded South Korean. Article Source: IANS

French Open 2026: Vallejo fined 65,000 over sexist umpire remarks

Adolfo Daniel Vallejo was fined half his French Open prize money for saying his match should not have been umpired by a woman

Women's T20 WC: 'Molineux Is A Game Changer,' Says McGrath On Captain's Successful Injury Return

T20 World Cup: Australia's narrow defeat to South Africa in an unofficial Women's T20 World Cup warm-up fixture may have denied them a winning start to their preparations, but the return of captain Sophie Molineux provided a significant positive ahead of the global showpiece, and for vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, the performance was a timely reminder of the value the skipper brings to the Australian side. Playing her first match since February after recovering from a back injury, Molineux wasted little time making an impact. The left-arm spinner struck with her very first delivery, dismissing Sune Luus, before removing Dane van Niekerk two balls later, finishing with figures of 2/17 from three overs. First of all, it's nice to have her bowling. Not bowling in (Australia's recent white-ball series in) the West Indies, it was awesome to see her with ball in hand as she takes wickets for fun, McGrath said after the game. The Australian vice-captain also highlighted the often-underappreciated work Molineux does for the team by taking on difficult overs across different stages of an innings and believes versatility makes her one of the most influential bowlers in the squad, particularly in pressure situations. She's a game changer and she can bowl in any phase. She proved that again today. I think she took a wicket with her first ball. She gets all the tough overs and doesn't really get the credit she deserves. She always puts her hand up and always seems to get the job done, she said. Despite Molineux's encouraging return, Australia fell seven runs short while chasing South Africa's 163/7. The Proteas recovered strongly after early setbacks thanks to an 88-run stand between Marizanne Kapp and youngster Kayla Reyneke, before Shabnim Ismail's fiery spell of 4/39 helped close out the contest. McGrath felt the game provided exactly the sort of competitive challenge Australia was seeking before the World Cup. It was a pretty high-quality game and it was really close. It came down to the last over and some individual brilliance from both teams. She pinpointed the Kapp-Reyneke partnership as the turning point of the match after Australia had initially gained the upper hand. I thought the partnership between Kapp and Reyneke, we were on top and that swung the momentum back to them and sort of proved to be the difference in the end. They batted really well, the all-rounder stated. While disappointed with the result, McGrath believes there were enough positives for Australia to build on before the tournament begins on June 12. I thought the partnership between Kapp and Reyneke, we were on top and that swung the momentum back to them and sort of proved to be the difference in the end. They batted really well, the all-rounder stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With two more matches against South Africa still to come at Arundel Castle, Australia will have further opportunities to fine-tune their preparations and, perhaps most importantly, continue building momentum around the return of their captain before the World Cup kicks off on June 12. Article Source: IANS

Individual Performances Bring Happiness, But Winning Trophies Has Always Been My Biggest Motivation: Krunal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru left-arm spin bowling allrounder Krunal Pandya said winning trophies remains his biggest motivation in playing cricket after clinching his fifth IPL crown, as the side defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets to defend their title at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Pandya, who made 226 runs with the bat and picked 14 scalps in this season, previously tasted IPL winning success with the Mumbai Indians before joining RCB, who have become the third team to win back-to-back titles. Winning trophies has always been my biggest motivation in cricket because theres no feeling quite like lifting a championship. Individual performances and match wins bring happiness, but winning a tournament is something truly special. Throughout my career, Ive always visualised and manifested success at the team level, and Ive been fortunate enough to be part of sides that have achieved that. To win a fifth IPL trophy in eleven years is incredibly satisfying, and Im grateful for the journey and the opportunities that have come my way, said Pandya on JioHotstar. Senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had a brilliant season by picking 28 wickets, said he was pleased with the development of younger bowlers like Rasikh Salam in the side. In the final, Rasikh stood out with his line, length and variations to pick 3-27 and be the standout bowler for RCB. As a senior player, you naturally enjoy that responsibility more when you're contributing well yourself because confidence allows you to help others more effectively. When it comes to young bowlers like Rasikh, senior players can guide and support them, but a lot of the credit has to go to the players themselves. Senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had a brilliant season by picking 28 wickets, said he was pleased with the development of younger bowlers like Rasikh Salam in the side. In the final, Rasikh stood out with his line, length and variations to pick 3-27 and be the standout bowler for RCB. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Yash Dayal did an excellent job last season, and this year Rasikh stepped up and embraced that responsibility as well. Their growth has been a huge positive for the team, he added. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: Felt Like A Family Again, Says Ismail On Reversing Retirement And Returning To Proteas Setup

T20 World Cup: Pace spearhead Shabnim Ismail marked her return to South African colours with a match-winning performance and an emotional homecoming as the Proteas women defeated Australia by seven runs in an unofficial T20 warm-up fixture ahead of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup. The veteran fast bowler, who recently reversed her international retirement in a bid to help South Africa challenge for a maiden world title, claimed 4/39 to play a decisive role in defending 163 at Arundel Castle. Her victims included Australian power-hitters Ash Gardner and Grace Harris as South Africa successfully closed out a tense contest. While the result provided an encouraging boost ahead of the tournament, Ismail revealed that her comeback began with a mixture of excitement and nerves. Well, to be honest, I was really excited in the first over. Then I bowled a no-ball or two. Then I was thinking, oh, here we go again. And it's so funny because every time in the nets, the coach is like, Shabz, no-ball. I was like, coach, don't stress about it. But now I know, Ismail said after the match. The 36-year-old said that being back alongside her teammates ultimately made the decision to return worthwhile. He told me, Shabz, you need to work. And I was like, coach, I'll do that, definitely. It was really nice getting over the rope today with the girls. I really felt happy, and I'm happy I actually made the choice to come back and play with them. I felt like a family again, and I'm happy we got the winning result today, she added. South Africa's victory was built on contributions with both bat and ball. After choosing to bat, the Proteas recovered through a crucial stand between Marizanne Kapp and young all-rounder Kayla Reyneke, whose partnership helped lift the side to a competitive total. Reflecting on that effort, the pacer underlined the value of experience and composure in the middle order. Oh, it's crucial. I mean, like with Kapi's experience, it's nice to have that. I think they worked really nice together. And obviously for them to get that partnership took us to the winning total, Ismail stated. With Australia needing 24 runs from the final three overs, South Africa's bowlers held their nerve against one of the strongest batting line-ups in world cricket. Ismail credited the entire attack for sticking to its plans and seizing key moments. The way the bowling unit came out, we were confident enough to know that we were going to defend the score. And I mean, Australia's a world-class team. They've got world-class players in their team. And for us to obviously get the wickets at crucial stages in the game really took the momentum forward for us. And hopefully for the next few training games as well, we can continue the momentum, she mentioned. With Australia needing 24 runs from the final three overs, South Africa's bowlers held their nerve against one of the strongest batting line-ups in world cricket. Ismail credited the entire attack for sticking to its plans and seizing key moments. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We knew it was only a training match, but we wanted to finish on a high as well. And I think that gave the girls the confidence of still going out there, still doing what we need to do, but also finishing off with a positive result as well, she noted. Article Source: IANS

The Way Patidar Leads Is Similar To Dhoni And Rohit: Saba Karim

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengalurus backtoback IPL title wins have drawn high praise from former India cricketers, with Saba Karim equating skipper Rajat Patidars leadership to that of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. At the Narendra Modi Stadium, RCB lifted their second consecutive IPL title after beating Gujarat Titans by five wickets. The win also made RCB the third side after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings to secure consecutive IPL title victories. Patidar is only the third captain to win back-to-back IPL titles after MS Dhoni (2010 and 2011 seasons) and Rohit Sharma (2019 and 2020 seasons). One of the biggest reasons behind RCB winning a second consecutive title has been the clarity around individual roles within the team, and Rajat Patidar deserves a lot of credit for that. If you look at his journey, he came in as a replacement player and eventually became the captain. For someone without international experience, earning respect in a dressing room filled with world-class players, including Virat Kohli, is not easy. Rajat earned that respect through consistent performances. Once he established himself, he became instrumental in shaping this side. He has played a major role in building a strong bowling unit. I also see a lot of clarity in his captaincy. When we talk about captains who have led teams to consecutive titles, names like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma come up, and I can see similarities in the way Rajat Patidar leads this team, said Karim on Star Sports. Sanjay Bangar, who also served as RCBs head coach before being succeeded by Andy Flower, felt the sides longawaited breakthrough had come at the right time after years of being so close yet so far. RCB always looked capable of making this kind of impact, but they had to wait a long time for it. They were consistently reaching the playoffs and finals, but once they tasted success and found a group of players who complemented each other well, things started to fall into place. What stands out about this RCB side is the experience it possesses. Most of the players have played international cricket, so in many ways it resembles an international team in terms of its make-up. That experience and temperament become invaluable in pressure situations. Success breeds confidence, and RCB have now multiplied that success. Who knows, this could be the start of a decade where they go on to win a few more titles, he added. Reflecting on runners-up GTs campaign, Anil Kumble said their middle order failed to back up the top three in crunch situations, something which occurred in the final. Gujarat Titans bounced back strongly after losing their first two matches, with their top order consistently providing excellent starts. Their bowling attack was also experienced and capable of handling pressure situations. That experience and temperament become invaluable in pressure situations. Success breeds confidence, and RCB have now multiplied that success. Who knows, this could be the start of a decade where they go on to win a few more titles, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Unfortunately for Gujarat Titans, the middle order could not recover from those early setbacks. That is an area they will certainly look to strengthen heading into next season, he added. Article Source: IANS

French Open 2026: Teen titan Fonseca topples Ruud to make quarterfinals

The 19-year-old had earlier fought from two sets down to knock out Novak Djokovic in the third round and emerge as a genuine contender in a topsy-turvy tournament

Jabalpur Royal Lions Name Squad For MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026

MPL T20 Scindia Cup: Jabalpur Royal Lions have revealed their squad for the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026. The team features seasoned players like Punit Datey, as well as key figures such as Ajay Rohera and Mihir Hirwani, enhancing the team's strength and versatility. The new season of the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup is scheduled to begin on June 3, with the Gwalior Cheetahs competing against the Ujjain Falcons in the opening match of the mens tournament. This game will take place at Holkar Stadium in Indore. Jabalpur Royal Lions will begin their campaign against Indore Pink Panthers on the evening of June 6 at Holkar Stadium. Aayush Lalwani of Jabalpur Royal Lions put his weight behind the squad and said, We will have a fearless approach this season as we have built a squad with a great mix of experienced players and talented youngsters who are eager to prove themselves. The energy within the group has been very positive from the start, and the players are excited to play fearless and competitive cricket this season. The MPL has become a wonderful platform for cricketers to showcase their potential, grow in confidence and create opportunities for themselves at a bigger level. MPL 2026 will be the largest edition yet, featuring an expanded format with 10 mens teams and five womens franchises. Three new teams join the mens competition: Malwa Stallions, Ujjain Falcons, and Royal Nimar Eagles, alongside defending champions Bhopal Leopards, and existing teams including Bundelkhand Bulls, Chambal Ghariyals, Gwalior Cheetahs, Indore Pink Panthers, Jabalpur Royal Lions, and Rewa Jaguars. MPL 2026 will be the largest edition yet, featuring an expanded format with 10 mens teams and five womens franchises. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jabalpur Royal Lions Squad: Aayam Sardana, Abhishek Bhandari, Ajay Rohera, Akarsh Singh Parihar, Akshat Dwivedi, Akshay Sharma, Arpit Gaud, Mihir Hirwani, Nayan Raj Mewada, Pankaj Patel, Prince Wadhwani, Punit Datey, Rahul Batham, Ritik Tada, Ritwik Diwan, Sanjog Nijjar, Vedant Awasthi. Article Source: IANS

Kohli Knows How To Pace A Chase Right Through The Innings And Finish It Off: De Villiers

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting stalwart AB de Villiers hailed Virat Kohlis matchwinning knock of 75 not out in the IPL 2026 final, saying the talismanic batter knows how to pace a chase right through the innings and finish it off, as the side clinched their second successive title with a fivewicket win over Gujarat Titans. At the Narendra Modi Stadium, Kohli smashed a majestic 42-ball 75 not out, laced with nine fours and three sixes, as RCB completed a chase of 156 to retain the title they won at the same venue in 2025. In a final, if you take him out of that chasing batting order, then everything looks a bit different. With Rashid Khan firing from one end, and some of the other GT bowlers also doing really well, he just brings that calmness. He knows how to pace a chase right through the innings and finish it off. And it's very fitting that he was there right at the end, scoring the winning runs. GT were a bit naughty in feeding him into his strengths. A lot of deliveries were on the legs in his first 20-30 runs. If you give one of the best players of all time a start like that, he's always going to punish you. Once he started flowing, it was just plain sailing, one-way traffic. To be there at the end and call those final moments was absolutely phenomenal, said de Villiers on JioHotstar. He knows how to pace a chase right through the innings and finish it off. And it's very fitting that he was there right at the end, scoring the winning runs. GT were a bit naughty in feeding him into his strengths. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This year, when I saw Virat before the start of the game, there was quiet confidence. Weve been here before, we know how it works and what the formula is. And what a remarkable achievement, backtoback champions. I couldnt be prouder, he added. Article Source: IANS

He Likes To Be A Star, Not A Superstar: DK Hails RCB Skipper Patidar's 'calming Influence'

After Royal Challengers Bengaluru: After Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their second successive IPL title with a fivewicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik praised skipper Rajat Patidars calmness, saying that bowlers tend to thrive when they have a captain like him leading the side. Patidar-led RCB finished at the top of the ten-team points table in the league stage and successfully defended their title by chasing down 156. Before Virat Kohlis unbeaten 75 took them over the line, seamers Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Salam Dar were precise in their execution of plans to rattle GT and keep them to 155/8. Rajat has been a huge calming influence in a dressing room that is high-octane and high testosterone. He keeps things very calm, and that's so important. The bowlers thrive when you have a calm captain; it definitely helps under pressure. I think he likes to be a star, not a superstar. There are plenty of guys in that team who are big names and get the job done in high-pressure situations. The only time Rajat is aggressive is when he's batting. Other than that, he brings a very calm atmosphere and is happy for a lot of the senior players to go front and centre, which I believe is a very important trait in a leader. He just sits back, allows things to get done, and does exactly what needs to be done in that moment, said Karthik on JioHotstar. Karthik was also in praise of the responsibility shown by senior players like Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar and Kohli in making RCB only the third team after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings to defend their IPL title. We have a lot of skill in the room. We're a very well-rounded team, both batting and bowling. We've tried to make sure most of the boxes are ticked in terms of the power we have and the skill we possess with the ball. It was great to see someone like Bhuvi bring his experience to the fore from game one right through to the end, he was always there for us. Hazlewood started in a certain way but finished strongly for us. Virat, under pressure and in a big chase, stood up yet again. That's why he's called the King. You can see youngsters playing a lot of different shots, but it was him who brought solidity to the chase. GT wanted one wicket. They knew that if they got Virat at any point, the game would be different for them. He withstood that pressure, and that tells you everything you need to know about him, he elaborated. Karthik signed off by underlining the importance of squad depth and quality backups for RCB to thrive as a winning unit. Ideally, I might not want another mega auction, but there's a lot of planning that goes into it. It's one thing to have a good starting XII, but you always know that in a tournament like this, there could be an injury, a player arriving late, or someone dealing with family issues, and you need to be prepared for all of that. You can see youngsters playing a lot of different shots, but it was him who brought solidity to the chase. GT wanted one wicket. They knew that if they got Virat at any point, the game would be different for them. He withstood that pressure, and that tells you everything you need to know about him, he elaborated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rasikh Salam didn't get a game for us last year, but this year, the way he has come in under pressure, constantly bowling tough overs and standing up to the challenge, has been impressive. He's got that character, and it emanates from the way we practise and the clarity Mo and Andy have given to a lot of the players. Article Source: IANS

Solanki 'would have liked to have gone one step further' but still 'immensely proud' of GT

He said sending Nishant Sindhu at No. 3 wasn't a predetermined move, and was taken by head coach Ashish Nehra

Get Addicted To This Feeling...: Mo Bobat's Rallying Cry After RCB's Back-to-back IPL Title Triumphs

Indian Premier League: After their monumental triumph in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, delivered a stirring dressing-room speech, urging his players to become addicted to the feeling of winning trophies. RCB successfully defended their title at the Narendra Modi Stadium, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) to become only the third team in IPL history to win back-to-back championships. In an address to the victorious squad, Bobat stated that this historic achievement is just the beginning of a dominant era for the franchise. With the title win, RCB became only the third franchise after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to retain the IPL title, cementing their place among the competition's most successful sides. I'm going to ask you to do something. I'm going to ask you to really, really make sure we get addicted to this feeling, because this is a start. Not many teams have won back-to-back IPLs. It's happened twice before. So get addicted to the feeling, because it's that feeling that drives the hunger to go again next year, Bobat said in a video shared by RCB on their social media. It's that addiction to winning and winning that trophy and sharing these moments that drives us on, he added. I'm going to ask you to do something. I'm going to ask you to really, really make sure we get addicted to this feeling, because this is a start. Not many teams have won back-to-back IPLs. It's happened twice before. So get addicted to the feeling, because it's that feeling that drives the hunger to go again next year, Bobat said in a video shared by RCB on their social media. Also Read: Live Cricket Score RCB's response could not have begun in more emphatic fashion. Virat Kohli (75 not out) and Venkatesh Iyer (32) tore into the chase, bringing up the team fifty in just 3.3 overs the fastest fifty by a side in an IPL final. The opening partnership immediately seized control of the contest and placed GT under immense pressure and reached 161/5 with 12 balls to spare to wrap up the win. Article Source: IANS

Gautam Gambhir Enjoys 'match Without Coaching The Player' As Daughter Aazeen Plays Tennis

Delhi Lawn Tennis Association: India head coach Gautam Gambhir enjoyed time off with his family and watched his elder daughter Aazeen play tennis, saying he felt good watching a match without the stress and pressure of coaching. India's head coach Gautam Gambhir spent quality time with his family and watched his elder daughter, Aazeen, play tennis as he mentioned he felt relaxed and enjoyed the match without the stress and pressure of coaching. Gambhir shared a video on Facebook of him tying his daughters shoelaces and then sitting on the sidelines of the court at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA), watching his daughter play tennis. In the video's caption, Gambhir wrote, Its good to see a match without coaching the player! After the T20 World Cup 2026 concluded on March 8, Gambhir had ample time off as Indian players joined their respective franchises for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the cash-rich event now concluded and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifting a second consecutive title on Sunday, the players will now shift their focus to national duty as Team India begin their preparations to take on Afghanistan in a one-off four-day Test, starting June 6. Gambhir too will join the squad as the Shubman Gill-led side heads to New Chandigarh for the red-ball game. The two sides will then face off in three ODIs, starting June 13, as both teams begin their preparations for the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup, slated to take place next year. Notably, the tournament will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. After the T20 World Cup 2026 concluded on March 8, Gambhir had ample time off as Indian players joined their respective franchises for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the cash-rich event now concluded and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifting a second consecutive title on Sunday, the players will now shift their focus to national duty as Team India begin their preparations to take on Afghanistan in a one-off four-day Test, starting June 6. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the series, with India continuing to focus on his workload management after a busy few months of cricket. Senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who recently reiterated their commitment to playing in the Cricket World Cup 2027, have been picked for the ODI series, although Rohit and Hardik Pandya's participation will depend on fitness clearance from the BCCI. Article Source: IANS

IPL Final Shift Row: Shivakumar Says Karnataka Won't Lose Major Matches In Future

Karnataka State Cricket Association: Chief Minister-designate and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Monday alleged that influence from Gujarat led to the shifting of the IPL final from Karnataka to Ahmedabad, depriving fans in the state of hosting the marquee match. Speaking to reporters at his residence in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the IPL final should have been held in Karnataka and that the state government had granted the necessary permissions. But those from Gujarat used their influence and snatched away the match from us by shifting it to Ahmedabad, he alleged. Shivakumar said efforts would be made to ensure that Karnataka does not lose out on hosting such major sporting events in the future. We are making preparations so that such matches are not taken away from Karnataka in the future. It may take some time, but we are committed to strengthening our position, he said. Describing the development as an injustice to both the state's cricket infrastructure and its youth, Shivakumar said many young cricket enthusiasts were disappointed at not being able to watch the final at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. It is an injustice to the stadium we have here and also to the youngsters. The cricket final was supposed to be played here, but they did not allow it and shifted it to Ahmedabad. Naturally, many young fans are disappointed that they could not witness the final in Bengaluru, he said. Congratulating the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team on their successful campaign, Shivakumar said the franchise had brought pride to Karnataka. The RCB team, which is identified as Karnataka's team, has played exceptionally well. On behalf of the people of Karnataka and RCB supporters across the state, I congratulate the players and wish them continued success. They should be proud of their achievement, he said. Referring to past differences, Shivakumar added that Karnataka had moved forward and was focused on a new beginning. Whatever happened in the past, we have forgotten and moved towards a new beginning. This is a success story. All the players performed very well, and I congratulate the entire RCB team, he said. Expressing confidence about the future, Shivakumar said Karnataka would continue to play a major role in Indian cricket. The future is again with Karnataka, he added. The IPL 2026 final was originally scheduled to be held at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the defending champions, were expected to host the title clash under IPL convention. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later shifted the final to Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. Expressing confidence about the future, Shivakumar said Karnataka would continue to play a major role in Indian cricket. The future is again with Karnataka, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The issue turned into a row as the decision came immediately after the Karnataka government mandated the KSCA to provide complementary tickets to legislators. Reports stated that the demand included around 900 tickets for MLAs and MLCs, along with additional allocations for government commitments. Article Source: IANS

Pakistan chase series win, Australia try to combat spin

The series continues at the batter-friendly Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore with the home side 1-0 up

Gujarat Titans players stranded as team bus catches fire after IPL 2026 final defeat

Gujarat Titans players and support staff escaped unharmed after their team bus suffered a short circuit and filled with smoke while returning to the hotel following the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad. The squad was forced to evacuate and remained stranded on the roadside for nearly an hour before a replacement bus arrived.

Kohli has 'let himself go and he's having fun,' says Moody

He has a middle order [at RCB] that he can rely on, Varun Aaron says about Kohli's changed approach to T20 batting

The Level Of Competitiveness Made IPL 2026 Even More Exciting & Entertaining: Saikia

Indian Premier League: New Delhi, June 1 IANS) Following the conclusion of a highly competitive Indian Premier League (IPL) season, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia lauded champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) while noting razor-thin margins between the teams kept the tournament unpredictable until the very end, making it one of the most entertaining seasons. Powered by Virat Kohlis fastest halfcentury in the IPL, RCB sealed backtoback IPL title triumphs by completing a clinical chase of 156 and beating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in front of their passionate fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. With the title win, RCB became only the third franchise after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to retain the IPL title, cementing their place among the competition's most successful sides. Congratulations to the champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and to all the participating teams for making this season highly entertaining and competitive, Saikia told IANS. Indian cricket continues to grow, with several young talents emerging through the tournament. The season was conducted smoothly, and the fans thoroughly enjoyed it, he added. RCB, who entered the tournament as defending champions, managed to secure back-to-back titles. However, the road to the playoffs was a closely fought battle among all franchises, a factor the BCCI top official believes is the biggest takeaway for Indian cricket. Every team was equally competitive, and until the playoffs, it was difficult to predict the eventual winner. That level of competitiveness made this season even more exciting and entertaining, Saikia concluded. RCB, who entered the tournament as defending champions, managed to secure back-to-back titles. However, the road to the playoffs was a closely fought battle among all franchises, a factor the BCCI top official believes is the biggest takeaway for Indian cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Supported by Venkatesh Iyers brisk 32, Kohlis masterly innings ensured the defending champions never lost grip of the chase and finished the job with authority to claim successive IPL crowns. Article Source: IANS

'They Will Be Favourites For Coming Years': Kohli's Childhood Coach Rajkumar Sharma On RCB's Dominant Title Defense

After Royal Challengers Bengaluru: After Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended their IPL title, batting talisman Virat Kohlis childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma lauded the franchises professional blueprint, and the team played like champions throughout the season and added another golden chapter to their history by lifting their second successive title. RCB defeated 2022 winners Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium to successfully defend their crown. Chasing 156, RCB reached 161/5 with 12 balls to spare, becoming only the third franchise after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to retain the IPL title. Yeah, it was a good achievement, but since the beginning itself they (RCB) were playing like champions, and they showed it on the ground that they are defending champions. They came with a very professional approach this year, and that is why they won the match easily and the trophy as well, Sharma told IANS on Monday. With their second IPL trophy, RCB came level with multiple-title winners, cementing their place among the competition's most successful sides. Following the win, talismanic batter Virat Kohli had remarked that he didn't feel the same pressure as last year, which his childhood coach finds entirely natural given the historic context of their maiden title. Well, it is something natural, Sharma said, reacting to Kohli's statement. They won it last year after a wait of 17 years. So, everybody was so excited. But since they have won last time... they celebrated, but I mean, waiting for something for years and then you win it, that's why the excitement (and pressure) was more (the first time). With their second IPL trophy, RCB came level with multiple-title winners, cementing their place among the competition's most successful sides. Following the win, talismanic batter Virat Kohli had remarked that he didn't feel the same pressure as last year, which his childhood coach finds entirely natural given the historic context of their maiden title. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Obviously, they should look [at a third title] the way they are playing. They are doing very well, they are playing like a champion team and everybody is doing their part. So, I think they would be favourites for the coming years, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Patidar on RCB's encore: 'We didn't just play but we dominated'

Patidar praised the RCB coaching staff, spoke about aiming for a three-peat and dedicated the title win to the fans who died in last year's stampede

RCB wins IPL 2026: Virat Kohli gives flying kiss to Anushka Sharma, holds her hand, lifts trophy with team

'Ee Saala Nu Cup Namdu': Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrated another historic night as captain Rajat Patidar lifted the IPL 2026 trophy after guiding the franchise to a second consecutive title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

'Exceptional' Rasikh and 'unbelievable package' Krunal - RCB's champion support acts

Both Rasikh Salam and Krunal Pandya made significant contributions throughout the season as RCB lifted their second successive IPL trophy

French Open 2026: Sabalenka, Osaka clash in blockbuster encounter

World number one Sabalenka will likely face a stern test in her bid to win a maiden Roland Garros crown after suffering an agonising loss to Coco Gauff in last years final

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reflects on record-breaking IPL 2026 season after winning MVP award

The Orange Cap winner averaged 48.50 and struck at a remarkable 237.30, smashing one century, five fifties and a record 72 sixes, surpassing the previous mark held by Chris Gayle

Virat Kohlis unbeaten 75 powers RCB to second straight IPL title

Earlier, RCBs disciplined bowling attack, led by Rasikh Salam Dar, restricted Gujarat Titans to 155/8 despite an unbeaten fifty from Washington Sundar

IPL 2026: Young Players Are Pushing To Change Your Game And Up The Ante, Says Kohli

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli believes the relentless rise of fearless young cricketers is forcing even the most accomplished veterans to evolve, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star admitting that modern T20 cricket demands constant reinvention. Fresh from guiding RCB to a second successive IPL title, Kohli reflected on how emerging talents have pushed him to adapt his approach, alter his mindset and continue finding new ways to stay ahead in a format that is changing faster than ever. Reflecting on the emotions of the final, where he remained unbeaten and hit the winning runs, Kohli admitted the occasion felt like something straight out of his dreams. Well, its the stuff that you dream of. Ive thought of this moment many times, that, you know, once when we win the IPL, I should be standing there hitting the winning runs and tonight it was possible. So yeah, just a dream day for us, Kohli said during the post-match press conference. Kohli said the confidence within the dressing room before the final was evident, with the team entering the contest relaxed and convinced about its strengths. And as I mentioned straight after the game as well, we just felt really relaxed coming to the game today and really confident about how we wanted to go about our game and what kind of team we have. And that gives you confidence to just, you know, see any kind of situation through, he said. The RCB star also explained why he looked so comfortable during the chase. But yeah, in a chase, I felt really comfortable out there knowing exactly what to do. The final also saw Kohli register the fastest half-century of his IPL career in his 19th season. He credited the changing demands of T20 cricket and the emergence of younger players for pushing him to adapt. However, for him, the challenge of staying relevant remains a source of motivation. Well, not really. I mean, such is the demand of the sport today. I mean, you have these, you know, super young players pushing you all the time and really asking you to change your game and up the ante. And its an exciting situation because it gives you something to improve on, something to work towards. And yeah, I just take a lot of pride in getting better and just trying to figure out areas where I can improve, he noted. He revealed that the adjustment was more mental than technical as he said, So yeah, it was just a case of the demands of todays modern game where you need to get those 20, 30 extra runs. And I had to kind of change my mindset, not my game so much to hit the shots I hit, but more often and take the bowlers on, probably the best bowlers in the opposition. That was always my target. So very happy I was able to contribute towards the team cause. Having won the title in 2025, RCB entered this season with a clear objective to finish at the top of the table and focus solely on their own cricket. Absolutely. I mean, the first target was to finish top of the table. We achieved that. And then after that, it was just about you know, a lot of people asked us, who do you prefer in the finals? And we said, it doesnt matter for us. We dont care what jersey is in front of us. We are playing great cricket. We want to focus on RCB and not the other teams, he said. Kohli stressed that the squad maintained respect for every opponent while trusting its own abilities. And were going to be respectful of all the other teams. We dont poke any other team, you know. Were very happy to carry on playing professional cricket. We have a lot of mature players in the group, a lot of experienced guys, and the experience always shines through in difficult situations. He then underlined the importance of senior players delivering when the stakes are highest. You can have all the excitement and slam-bang in the world, but come the big situations, you need the big boys to step up. And thats exactly what we did. One of the themes of RCB's title-winning campaign was the number of players who contributed at different stages. Kohli said that depth gave him tremendous confidence throughout the season. Absolutely. I mean, even tonight, I know its a chase and they probably look to get me out early, but I was very confident that even if I get out early, we have a champion team thats going to finish the job, you know, three or four overs to go. So when you have that kind of confidence, you can go out there and really take the bowlers on. He credited the management and players for building a squad capable of sustaining success. And I think thats credit to the management, the way they stacked up the squad, the talent of the players, the belief that the players have shown. And we stand here champions back-to-back, which is a special feat. Kohli also revealed that the ambition of winning consecutive titles was discussed immediately after last year's triumph. Thats exactly what Mo Bobat said when we won last year, that its not the end of the road. Were going to look to go back-to-back. And thats exactly what we ended up achieving. So were really proud of us as a team. Discussing his opening partnership with Venkatesh Iyer, Kohli said the plan was straightforward from the outset. Yeah, I mean, simple chat to Venky in the change room. And I just told him one thing, we need to kill the game in the power play. And he said, yeah, lets go. So it was total clarity. The pair's aggressive intent ensured RCB remained ahead of the chase from the very beginning. There was no doubt at any stage when both of us were going. We just wanted to strike. We just wanted to take the bowlers on because we knew in a big game, if you lose a couple of wickets, things can get tricky. Kohli also explained the small targets they set during the innings. So never let the run rate go up to seven and a half, eight. And then we had small targets in mind. You know, when you get the score under those targets, then you can really go and play free cricket. So, yeah, credit to Venkatesh as well. He stepped in and did a beautiful job up top. And his intent was probably the difference maker for us in the last three or four games. Finally, Kohli paid tribute to RCB's supporters, who once again turned a neutral venue into what felt like a home game. He pointed to the overwhelming support in Ahmedabad as another example of the bond between the franchise and its followers. I mean, I always say we dont have seven home games. We probably have 14 because everywhere we go, we have fans cheering the team and, you know, really getting behind us. I mean, GT is probably the home side, but you see 90 percent of the guys are RCB fans. So thats what weve earned over the years and we just continue to make them proud and try to put our best foot forward, he mentioned. Finally, Kohli paid tribute to RCB's supporters, who once again turned a neutral venue into what felt like a home game. He pointed to the overwhelming support in Ahmedabad as another example of the bond between the franchise and its followers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score And yeah, their support is priceless and really happy that they can celebrate us lifting the trophy tonight and witness that. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Someone Stepped Up When Needed,' Says Hazlewood After Back-to-back Titles

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Josh Hazlewood believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru's successful IPL title defence was built on composure, squad depth and a team-first culture, as the Australian fast bowler celebrated his third IPL victory following RCB's win over Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final. Having helped Bengaluru become only the third franchise in league history to retain the title, Hazlewood said this year's triumph felt different from the breakthrough success of 2025. Thats right up there. I think obviously a little bit more relaxed within the group this year. We sort of got the monkey off the back last year in terms of a long wait for that first win, the pacer said after the win. According to the Australian quick, the defending champions never appeared rattled throughout the campaign and consistently found match-winners in crucial moments. But I think the group just felt calm and composed throughout the whole tournament, really. Someone stepped up when they needed to be. I think we had, again, like 10 Man of the Match awards. So amazing depth in the squad. Anyone who came in did a great job and the bowling group is pretty special, he added. Hazlewood reserved special praise for fellow pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose consistency with the new ball helped shape RCB's title-winning season. The veteran Indian seamer finished as the tournament's second-highest wicket-taker with 28 scalps. I cant remember a game where he went for over 35 runs. In this day and age, its unbelievable. Hazlewood said Bhuvneshwar's ability to strike early regularly eased the burden on the rest of the attack. He got wickets up front in nearly every game we played and just took the heat off, I think, the rest of us. We could relax and, you know, we were bowling at numbers four and five in the powerplay. So its pretty nice, the Aussie quick said. The 35-year-old also highlighted the role of the franchise's management and support staff in building a winning environment. Yeah, I think the franchise has been put together beautifully. You know, not just the players, but I think the support staff as well. Again, its a nice, relaxed atmosphere to play your best, to try and play your best cricket in and perform, the pace ace stated. For Hazlewood, the strongest quality within the squad is the bond shared by the group. Yeah, I think the franchise has been put together beautifully. You know, not just the players, but I think the support staff as well. Again, its a nice, relaxed atmosphere to play your best, to try and play your best cricket in and perform, the pace ace stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score And when asked whether RCB can chase a third consecutive title in 2027, a feat that no team has ever achieved in the tournaments history, Hazlewood's answer was brief and confident. Yeah, I cant see why not. Yeah, absolutely, he opined. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Grateful To Have Won 5 Trophies In 11 Years, Pretty Special For Me, Says Krunal After RCBs Title Win

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya described the franchise's successful IPL title defence as a reward for years of patience and planning, while also celebrating his own milestone of winning a fifth IPL trophy. Having played a key role in RCB's rise over the past two seasons, Krunal admitted that each championship occupies a special place in his career and that comparing them is nearly impossible. Every IPL trophy is special. Theres no doubt about it. Its like having kids, right? You cant pick. Similar with IPL trophies because everything is so hard-earned, Krunal said after the win. The experienced all-rounder reflected on his personal achievement after lifting the IPL trophy for the fifth time in 11 seasons, as he said, Im so glad and grateful that in 11 years, to have five trophies, its pretty special for me. While players received much of the attention during RCB's title-winning run, Krunal was quick to acknowledge the work done behind the scenes. He credited the franchise's management and coaching staff for assembling a squad capable of winning consecutive championships. I mean, obviously, a lot of credit goes to the support staff, right? Mo Bobat, Andy Flower, Dinesh Karthik, Malolan, Omi (Omkar Salvi). I mean, the way they prepared before the auction also last year and the way they set the team, right? The balance of it, Krunal stated. According to Krunal, Bengaluru's success was built long before the first ball of the season was bowled. So, again, I mean, sometimes half of the battle is won in the auction. I guess they did a pretty good job. And then eventually, it was on us to go out and deliver. And yeah, I mean, glad that we were able to, you know, have a hold on the trophy back-to-back, the all-rounder added. For the 35-year-old, however, the achievement extends beyond the dressing room. Krunal said the back-to-back triumphs carry special significance for a fanbase that waited 18 seasons to witness the franchise's first title. Yeah, definitely. Again, all those 18 years of waiting and then winning two back-to-back trophies. This is for the RCB fans. Wherever we have gone, they have supported us, he said. For the 35-year-old, however, the achievement extends beyond the dressing room. Krunal said the back-to-back triumphs carry special significance for a fanbase that waited 18 seasons to witness the franchise's first title. Also Read: Live Cricket Score And obviously for Virat, its been pretty special. Right after 18 and 19 seasons, having two back-to-back trophies. So yeah, its amazing, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Patidar Praises RCB's Faith After Back-to-back IPL Titles As Kohli Leads Ahmedabad Victory

Ee Sala Cup Namdu: Rajat Patidar struggled to find the right words after he led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second consecutive IPL title on Sunday. He said the achievement felt surreal and was something he had never imagined when he joined the franchise. It feels superb. When we came here, there were many memories from last year. I dont have words to express how I feel, but its very good, Patidar said after RCB secured a solid five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The RCB captain praised the team's careful planning and the consistency of the bowling attack throughout the season. It was clear planning. When we win the toss, it was easy to chase. The way Bhuvi, Hazlewood, Rasikh, KP Suyash, and Shepherd bowled was impressive throughout the tournament, he said. Patidars team delivered another strong performance to defend their title, becoming only the third team, alongside Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, to successfully retain the IPL trophy. Chasing 156 runs, RCB relied on Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, marking his fastest IPL fifty, as the defending champions confidently pursued the target. The victory held special meaning for Patidar, who reflected on his unexpected rise to captaincy. I never dreamed of becoming the captain of RCB and lifting the trophy. I think it was meant to be. I am grateful for that, he said. RCB started the season with the confidence gained from their first title in 2025, and Patidar believed that experience made a difference. We were slightly more confident than last year. Everywhere felt like a home ground for us with the fans supporting us, he said, acknowledging the traveling support for the franchise across various venues. Patidar also shared how his preparation before the tournament played a crucial role in his success. The pre-tournament prep was very good for me. I focused on discovering which shots work for me. I received a lot of useful input from DK, he said, crediting mentor Dinesh Karthik for his guidance throughout the campaign. While Kohli once again shone on the big stage, Patidar highlighted the veteran's contribution beyond just runs. He (Virat Kohli) is always there for the team, he said. Earlier, Gujarat Titans were limited to 155/8 despite Washington Sundar's fighting half-century. RCB's bowlers, led by Rasikh Salam Dar's three wickets and disciplined performances from Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, kept the Titans from gaining momentum. While Kohli once again shone on the big stage, Patidar highlighted the veteran's contribution beyond just runs. He (Virat Kohli) is always there for the team, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As celebrations erupted in Ahmedabad, Patidar had a final message for the supporters who have stood by the team through the years: This one is for you again, RCB fans. Ee Sala Cup Namdu. Article Source: IANS

Lintott, Finch mastermind Kent thrashing of Surrey

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RCB's 2nd IPL Victory Sparks Celebrations In Karnataka, Leaders Extend Congratulations

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah: Celebrations erupted across Karnataka following the victory of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final against the Gujarat Titans. Fans and supporters of the RCB team marked the occasion by bursting fireworks, cheering enthusiastically, and congratulating one another. In Bengaluru, the celebrations knew no bounds despite tight security arrangements and close police monitoring. Thousands of jubilant fans took to the streets to celebrate RCB's historic triumph, creating a festive atmosphere across the city. CM-designate D.K. Shivakumar, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, former CM Siddaramaiah and others have conveyed congratulations to the team Bengaluru. Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday congratulated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on winning the IPL 2026 title, hailing the franchise's second consecutive championship triumph as a testament to consistency, character and an unrelenting will to win. In a statement, Kumaraswamy said the Red and Gold reign supreme once again, and praised RCB for further cementing its place in the hearts of cricket lovers across the country with another memorable campaign. He said the title was built on a series of commanding performances and moments of brilliance under pressure, reflecting the team's determination and resilience throughout the tournament. Kumaraswamy reserved special praise for star batter Virat Kohli, noting that he once again led from the front with the bat, scoring more than 650 runs during the season and inspiring the team at every stage of the competition. He also lauded veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his outstanding bowling performances, stating that his haul of 28 wickets provided crucial breakthroughs whenever the team needed them most. Kumaraswamy commended Captain Rajat Patidar for leading the side with composure, courage and conviction, while also making valuable contributions with the bat. He further singled out all-rounder Krunal Pandya for special praise, describing him as the ultimate clutch performer whose impactful displays with both bat and ball repeatedly turned matches in RCBs favour at critical moments. Congratulating the players, coaching staff, support personnel and millions of loyal fans, Shivakumar said RCBs achievement was about more than just winning another trophy. The Red and Gold have not merely won a trophy; they have built a legacy, he said. Karnataka Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar congratulated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on winning their second consecutive IPL title, describing the triumph as another proud moment for Bengaluru and its cricket fans. In a statement, Shivakumar said, Tonight, Bengaluru rises again as champions, celebrating RCB's historic achievement of securing back-to-back IPL championships. He said the team had created history through grit, composure and the spirit of true champions, once again bringing pride to Bengaluru with its remarkable performance throughout the tournament. This time too, the cup is ours, he said, echoing the celebrations of millions of RCB supporters across Karnataka and the country. Shivakumar congratulated the players, coaching staff, support personnel and the franchise's vast fan base, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout the campaign. He noted that the title triumph marked a golden chapter in RCB's history and added to the franchise's growing legacy in Indian cricket. Calling it a memorable achievement for Bengaluru, Shivakumar said RCB's success would be cherished by cricket lovers for years to come. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for winning the IPL title for the second consecutive year, praising the team's fighting spirit and collective performance throughout the tournament. In a statement, Siddaramaiah said that RCB once again emerged as IPL champions and noted that the team's aggressive and determined brand of cricket had left rival sides with little answer throughout the competition. Congratulating the franchise on its back-to-back title triumph, he said the performances of Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Virat Kohli in the final would remain etched in the memories of cricket fans for a long time. He described the victory as the result of a united and determined team effort and said the triumph had created a festive atmosphere in the homes of RCB supporters across Karnataka and beyond. Congratulating the franchise on its back-to-back title triumph, he said the performances of Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Virat Kohli in the final would remain etched in the memories of cricket fans for a long time. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This time too, the cup is ours, he said, joining millions of RCB fans in celebrating the team's latest IPL success. Article Source: IANS

Sooryavanshi wins Orange Cap, MVP and Emerging Player awards in IPL 2026

The 15-year-old batter was the first to win both the MVP and Emerging Player awards in the same season

IPL 2026: Seamers Brilliance, Kohlis Unbeaten 75 Helps RCB Defend Their Title (2nd Ld)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Riding on Virat Kohlis unbeaten 75 and a disciplined display from their seamers, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their IPL crown with a fivewicket win over Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final at a packed Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Washington Sundars fighting unbeaten 37-ball fifty took GT to 155/8, though Rasikh Salam Dars 3-27 and early strikes from Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept them in check on a mixed soil pitch. In reply, Kohli registered his fastest halfcentury in the league off 25 balls and anchored the chase of 156 with trademark authority by remaining unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls laced with nine fours and three sixes, also his highest score in the IPL playoffs. It also continued a remarkable streak - RCB have not lost a game since 2025 whenever Kohli has scored a fifty, as he ensured the side joined Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as the only teams to successfully defend their IPL title, while extending the streak of Qualifier 1 winners lifting the trophy to nine seasons. The win completed with two overs to spare also means Josh Hazlewood remains unbeaten in white-ball finals while Krunal Pandya has emerged victorious in every IPL final he's played in. GT, champions in 2022 at the same venue, were undone by disciplined RCB bowling and the scheduling grind of playing their third game at a third venue in six days, having reached Ahmedabad only on Saturday night due to inclement weather. Kohlis landmark knock then turned the final into a onesided affair, thus reaffirming his reputation as the man for the big occasion. With this clinical triumph in Ahmedabad, RCB have not only defended their crown but also cemented their place among the leagues most successful franchises, apart from having the rare honour of holding both WPL and IPL titles at the same time. RCBs chase began with Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer tearing into GTs newball attack. Kohli unfurled a flurry of wristy flicks (one of which went for a jaw-dropping six) and pulls against Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, and race to 28 off just 10 balls in just four overs, while Iyer smashed 32 off 16 deliveries despite battling a right knee niggle. The pair brought up RCBs fifty inside 21 balls - the fastest in an IPL final - and ensured the asking rate was never a concern from the get go. Iyer eventually lobbed a pull to mid-on off Siraj and Rabada, who had conceded 37 in his first two overs, eventually dismissed Devdutt Padikkal cheaply when he sliced to third man. By then, the damage had already been done by RCB. Rajat Patidar joined Kohli and kept the tempo high by pulling Siraj for six, before swivelling off Jason Holder for four. Kohli, meanwhile, continued to keep going despite GT trying some mind games through Sai Sudharsans chatter. But GT struck right after first time-out when Patidar holed out to long-on off Rashid Khan, who trapped Krunal Pandya plumb lbw in the same over. With Tim David joining the boundary hitting act, Kohli got his fifty in 25 balls after pulling Arshad Khan though short mid-wicket for a boundary, despite struggling with cramps in his right leg. Though David gave a feather edge behind off Arshad Khan after GT got the decision in their favour via review, Kohli and Jitesh Sharma hit exquisite fours to take RCB closer. Kohli then survived a caught out decision on 63 as replays showed the ball touched the ground while Gill was trying to take the diving catch at mid-on. Fittingly, Kohli finished off the chase by pulling Arshad in the gap between mid-on and mid-wicket before smacking him over long-on for six to spark jubilant celebrations in the RCB camp and their loyal fans after clinching the IPL title once again. Previously, amidst the collapse triggered by RCBs seamers executing their plans with precision, Sundar stood tall for GT. He survived an early scare when a catch taken by Jordan Cox was ruled grounded, and went on to anchor the innings with a composed fifty. After being pushed into batting first by RCB, GT endured a shaky start as Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar exploited bounce and movement off the pitch. Gill was dismissed for 10 - slicing a shortarm pull to Patidar, while Sudharsan followed soon after topedging a bouncer to Jitesh for 12. Nishant Sindhu and Jos Buttler tried to steady the innings, but with no coming boundary after the powerplay, the former holed out to longon for 20. Buttler, frustrated by dot balls, advanced to attack off Krunal but was undone by a wide yorker and sharp stumping from Jitesh. Previously, amidst the collapse triggered by RCBs seamers executing their plans with precision, Sundar stood tall for GT. He survived an early scare when a catch taken by Jordan Cox was ruled grounded, and went on to anchor the innings with a composed fifty. After being pushed into batting first by RCB, GT endured a shaky start as Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar exploited bounce and movement off the pitch. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 155/8 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 50 not out, Nishant Sindhu 20; Rasikh Salam Dar 3-27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-29) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 161/5 in 18 overs (Virat Kohli 75 not out, Venkatesh Iyer 32; Rashid Khan 2-25) by five wickets Article Source: IANS

Kohli, bowlers lead RCB to second straight IPL title

Kohli chose this final to hit his fastest IPL fifty and his highest playoff score, leading a five-wicket win with two overs to spare

Kohli: 'It was a clinical performance'

How the RCB players reacted after they beat GT in the final to defend their title

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Essex bowlers share wickets around with only Matt Montgomery's fifty to show for Derbyshire

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Wood, Vince lead the way as Hampshire overwhelm Middlesex

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Unchanged RCB bowl; GT bring in Arshad Khan

GT did have Kishore in the list of possible Impact Players, which means they still had the option of bringing in the extra spinner

Scrivens and Macleod keep Essex rolling

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Ruturaj Gaikwad replaces Riyan Parag for India A's tri-series in Sri Lanka

Parag has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury that he carried through the later stages of the IPL

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Gaikwad Replaces Injured Parag In India A Squad For 50-over Tri-series In Sri Lanka

Lucknow Super Giants: Right-handed opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been drafted into the India A squad for the upcoming 50-over triseries in Sri Lanka, starting on June 9. Gaikwad replaces Riyan Parag, who has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. The Mens Selection Committee has added Ruturaj Gaikwad to the India A squad for the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka. He replaces vice-captain Riyan Parag, who has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. Riyan's rehabilitation will be managed by the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), said the BCCI in its statement on Sunday. Parag, who was named as the vice-captain of India A side for the tri-series, picked up the hamstring injury while captaining Rajasthan Royals in the later part of IPL 2026, leading to him missing their games against Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans. He looked restricted in his movement when playing in the final few games for RR, who bowed out of the competition after losing to GT by seven wickets in Qualifier 2 in New Chandigarh on Friday. With RRs campaign over in IPL 2026, Parag will now undergo rehab at the CoE in Bengaluru, a place where he spent some time earlier this year to recover from a shoulder niggle. Gaikwad, meanwhile, didnt have a memorable time while leading Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026. While the side finished at eighth spot on the points table, Gaikwad wasnt at his sparkling best amassing 337 runs in 14 games at an average of 28.08 and strike-rate of 123.44. Gaikwad, who has represented India in both whiteball formats and was last seen in international action during the 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa last year, joins captain Tilak Varma and fast bowler Anshul Kamboj as the only members of the India A squad with senior mens team caps. Gaikwad, meanwhile, didnt have a memorable time while leading Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026. While the side finished at eighth spot on the points table, Gaikwad wasnt at his sparkling best amassing 337 runs in 14 games at an average of 28.08 and strike-rate of 123.44. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Updated India A squad for tri-series: Tilak Varma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Kumar Kushagra (wk), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan, and Anukul Roy. Article Source: IANS

Thailand, Malaysia And China Qualify For Asian Games Womens Cricket

Asian Full Members: Thailand, Malaysia and China have secured qualification for the womens cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games after emerging as the top three teams in the qualifying event staged in the city between May 26 and 31. The trio will join the already-qualified teams at the continental showpiece, which is scheduled to be held across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya in Japan during September and October next year. Thailand enjoyed a flawless campaign in the preliminary stage, topping Group A with victories over both Malaysia and Hong Kong. Despite losing to Thailand earlier in the tournament, Malaysia bounced back strongly, overcoming Hong Kong to advance to the knockout rounds. In the semi-finals, Thailand produced a dominant display against China, bundling them out for just 53 before cruising to an emphatic 83-run win. Malaysia also booked their place in the final after edging past Nepal by two wickets in a tense chase of 127, reaching the target with eight deliveries to spare. China claimed the final qualification spot by defeating Nepal in a rain-shortened third-place playoff. The match was decided under the DLS method, with China securing a five-wicket victory. The final saw Thailand underline their superiority once again. After restricting Malaysia to only 54 runs, Thailand comfortably chased down the target with nine wickets intact. Womens cricket at the 2026 Asian Games will feature eight teams. Alongside hosts Japan, automatic qualification has been awarded to the four Asian Full Members India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Thailand, Malaysia and China complete the field. The final saw Thailand underline their superiority once again. After restricting Malaysia to only 54 runs, Thailand comfortably chased down the target with nine wickets intact. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The qualification process for the mens competition is still underway. Apart from Japan, the five Full Members from the region - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - qualified directly, while four teams will join them from the qualifiers, being contested by Nepal, China, Malaysia, Qatar, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Oman and Singapore. Article Source: IANS

Santner added to New Zealand Test squad to face England

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Tymal Mills takes three but Sussex flounder in chase of 214 to go bottom of South Group

Jharkhand T20 League Auction: Robin Minz, Virat Singh Amongt Top Buys; Santhal Strikers Grab Ishan Kishan

Jharkhand State Cricket Association: The six franchises of the Jharkhand T20 League, Ranchi Titans, Jamshedpur Steelers, Chota Nagpur Royals, Koylanchal Super Kings, Dhanbad Diamonds and Santhal Strikers battled it out on the bidding table to finalise their rosters, blending established international stars with the state's most promising emerging talent. The picks of the auction for the inaugural season of the were Robin Minz (Koylanchal Super Kings), Virat Singh (Chota Nagpur Royals), Md Kounain Quraishi (Jamshedpur Steelers), Sushant Mishra (Dhanbad Diamonds), Ishan Kishan (Santhal Strikers) and Shikhar Mohan (Ranchi Titans) with franchises spending their Rs 50 lakh purse cap aggressively to build their squads ahead of the league. Under the aegis of Jharkhand State Cricket Association, the Jharkhand T20 League will be conducted from June 10. This is an exciting new chapter in Jharkhands cricketing journey. The league is a landmark initiative by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) to further promote and develop the game at a professional level within our region, said Ajay Nath Shah Deo, President, Jharkhand State Cricket Association. Jharkhand T20 League will provide a robust platform for young and emerging cricketers to showcase their skills alongside experienced players. The league will bring high-quality, competitive T20 cricket to fans across the nation, said Sanjay Pandey, vice president, JSCA This is an exciting new chapter in Jharkhands cricketing journey. The league is a landmark initiative by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) to further promote and develop the game at a professional level within our region, said Ajay Nath Shah Deo, President, Jharkhand State Cricket Association. Also Read: Live Cricket Score JSCA's main objective is the development of cricket in all formats and this is a right step forward in that direction. Its all set to be an exciting two weeks of competitive action, said Shahbaz Nadeem, Joint Secretary, JSCA. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Havans, Special Poojas And Merchandise Frenzy Peak In Karnataka, Gujarat Ahead Of High-octane RCB-GT Final

Ee Sala Mattomme Namde: The stage is set at the Narendra Modi Stadium for the ultimate clash of the IPL 2026 final! On one side, we have the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), riding a massive wave of emotion, havans, and prayers as they eye a historic back-to-back title defense. On the other side, the home favourites Gujarat Titans (GT), led by Shubman Gill, are back in front of their home crowd looking to reclaim the crown. From special poojas in Hubballi to havans in Vijayanagar, millions of hearts are beating to just one rhythm: Ee Sala Mattomme Namde. But to touch the sky again, RCB must conquer the GT Fortress in Ahmedabad. At the Ahmedabad airport, a sea of cricket enthusiasts arriving from various parts of the country were seen flocking to official merchandise stalls. Fans purchased jerseys, caps, and flags of their favourite teams ahead of the highly anticipated title clash, transforming the terminal into a vibrant hub of cricket lovers. BJP MP from Hamirpur and former cabinet minister Anurag Thakur said, The biggest cricket league in the world is reaching its climax today with the IPL final at the Narendra Modi Stadiumthe largest stadium in the world. We are set to see a tough competition between two teams that have performed brilliantly and consistently throughout the entire tournament. May the best team win, that's all I can say! One thing is for certain: the stadium is so packed that theres absolutely no room to move. The enthusiasm and excitement here are unreal. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, the anticipation has transcended sports and turned into deep-rooted devotion. In Hubballi, the Karnataka Drivers Union organised a special pooja, praying fervently for an RCB victory. Speaking to reporters, Union President Shekharayya Mathapati expressed supreme confidence in the team's capabilities, stating that the drivers' community stands solidly behind Bengaluru as they chase a historic second IPL title. Cricket in our country has a big fan following. That's why we have come to Narendra Modi Stadium to enjoy the IPL match with my family. And being in Gujarat, I can't say that RCB will win, Nitesh Rane, Minister of Fisheries & Ports development Govt. of Maharashtra, told reporters. The wave of spiritual backing was mirrored in Vijayanagar, where passionate RCB loyalists performed a solemn temple pooja and a traditional 'havan' to seek divine blessings for the team's success. However, the celebrations in Vijayanagar also carried a poignant note of remembrance. Alongside their prayers for victory, the Vijaynagar Cricket Association paid tribute to the 11 cricket lovers who tragically lost their lives in a stampede near Bengalurus M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL 2025 celebrations. The members of the association urged every RCB fans to celebrate responsibly, emphasising that while the passion for the game remains unmatched, the safety of fellow enthusiasts must come first. However, the celebrations in Vijayanagar also carried a poignant note of remembrance. Alongside their prayers for victory, the Vijaynagar Cricket Association paid tribute to the 11 cricket lovers who tragically lost their lives in a stampede near Bengalurus M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL 2025 celebrations. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With emotions running high from Ahmedabad to the heartlands of Karnataka, the 2026 final is shaping up to be more than just a cricket match. Article Source: IANS

Thailand, Malaysia and China qualify for Asian Games women's competition

The three teams join the four Full Members from the region - Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - and hosts Japan at the main event