Cricket

Kuldeep: 'Was expecting more, but I couldn't deliver this season'

The spinner finished with just ten wickets in the tournament but ended his season on a high with 3 for 29 against KKR

Kuldeep and Rahul help DC sign off with big win

RR's victory earlier in the day against Mumbai meant both PBKS and KKR were knocked out from the playoff race

Sangakkara: 'Seen very few players criticised like Parag'

The Rajasthan Royals head coach said Parag had the 'respect of all the players and the staff'

Tribe, Mayes notch centuries but South Africa A hone in on victory

Tribe and Mayes resurrected England with a 189-run stand but the tourists need just 92 on the final day

England hopeful James Rew stars in comfortable Somerset win

On notice after Jacob Bethell returned from the IPL with finger injury, Rew struck an classy 93

IPL 2026: Promotion In Batting Order Was A Surprise For Jofra Archer Too

Indian Premier League: Jofra Archer's all-round performance was the main reason for Rajasthan Royals beating Mumbai Indians in their must-win clash in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Archer, surprisingly sent to bat at No.7 because Rajasthan wanted to bring in Ravindra Jadeja as an Impact Substitute after using Shubham Dubey, brilliant a vital cameo, scoring 32 runs off 15 balls and helped RR recover from 119/5 to post a challenging total of 205/9. Archer was more telling with the ball, landing three crucial blows that derailed the Mumbai Indian's chase and consigned them to a 30-run defeat despite a fighting 60 by Suryakumar Yadav and his key partnerships with Will Jacks (33) and Hardik Pandya (34). Archer gave RR a dream start by sending back Rohit Sharma for a four-ball duck with a fastish delivery that moved away off the length and took an edge behind to keeper Dhruv Jurel in the first over. He then sent back Naman Dhir in his second over, bowling him all ends up. But his third wicket was more impactful as Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav were threatening to take the match away from RR. After SKY and Will Jacks had rescued MI from 48/3 with a 63-run partnership, Pandya hammered two sixes and three sixes as he smashed 34 off 15 balls. Archer foxed him with a shortish delivery outside off. Archer said he was advised by the team management not to take pace off his deliveries and let it rip after the first few matches this season. The result is that Archer is going through one of his best seasons in IPL 2026, emerging as the most successful bowler for RR, claiming 21 wickets in 14 matches, with Sunday's effort of 3-17 being his best figures. However, Archer said this was not his best season in IPL and said he planned to hit the good areas with every delivery, even though his efforts were not always rewarded. I don't think this is my best season. Every time I take the ball, I have to hit good areas. Not always rewarded, happy it came on an important day. If you get hit for a boundary off a good ball, it's okay, said Archer after he was named Player of the Match for his all-round efforts on Sunday. He said the coach told him not to take pace off after the first couple of games, even though that may mean edges will fly to the boundary on a few occasions. Coach's instructions: They said no more pace off after the first couple of games. There's more margin for error with pace on. You have to deal with edges from time to time, but it's safer more often, he added. He said the coach told him not to take pace off after the first couple of games, even though that may mean edges will fly to the boundary on a few occasions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I wasn't expecting to bat so early due to the impact sub. Main coach told me to put pads on, and I was surprised at first. I class myself as an all-rounder, but folks call me a bowler. Body good, touchwood, said the England international. Article Source: IANS

Willey, Harrison inspire 100-run thrashing of Worcestershire

Northamptonshire complete rout by dismissing Pears for 91 inside 15 overs after posting 191

IPL 2026: Tried To Execute Plans With New And Old Ball, Says KKR Pacer Dubey

Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey said his focus during their clash against Delhi Capitals was on sticking to the bowling plans laid out during practice and executing them in the game, whether it was with the new ball or in the death overs. Dubey was the standout bowler for KKR by picking 2-28 in his four overs, where he took out Abishek Porel and Axar Patel as DC made 203/5 in their 20 overs at the Eden Gardens on Sunday evening. Yes, whatever we had planned with the new ball and the old ball, and whatever planning was happening during practice, we were just trying to follow that and execute it. The way practice sessions are happening and the plans the coaches are giving us, most of the work is based around that. If its about swinging the new ball, then we practice specifically for swing bowling. At the death as well, we make plans keeping in mind the shorter side and the bigger side of the ground, and we plan accordingly and execute those plans during practice, said Dubey in a mid-innings chat with the broadcasters. Dubey, who has featured regularly of late for KKR this season after being signed as a replacement for injured pacer Akash Deep, further stressed on the importance of mental clarity for bowlers in a highscoring tournament. At the death as well, we make plans keeping in mind the shorter side and the bigger side of the ground, and we plan accordingly and execute those plans during practice, said Dubey in a mid-innings chat with the broadcasters. Also Read: Live Cricket Score They keep telling us about different situations, how to bowl, how to read the wicket and how to read the game. We are mostly practicing keeping those things in mind, he added. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: KL Rahul Top Scores With 30-ball 60 As DC Post 203/5 Against KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders: Delhi Capitals rode on KL Rahuls fluent 30-ball 60 and late fireworks from David Miller, who smashed a 19-ball 28, to post 203/5, their highest total at Eden Gardens, in their 20 overs against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. It was an innings from DC where everyone chipped in with cameos to take the side past 200-mark, with Rahul smashing clean boundaries at a strike-rate of 200 being the standout knock. DC will now look to defend the total and sign off from the competition on a high. For KKR, Saurabh Dubey was the standout bowler with 2-28 in his four overs. Inserted into batting first, Rahul and Abishek Porel gave DC a brisk start. Porel cracked successive boundaries off Anukul Roy in the opening over and added more fours off Kartik Tyagi, while Rahul lifted Cameron Green for a six and four in the third over. But Porel fell for 22 in the fourth over after edging Dubey behind to the keeper. Sahil Parakh joined Rahul and the pair kept the tempo high. The teenaged Parakh struck Narine for a six and four, while Rahul cleared him for a six slammed straight down the ground, before punching the wily off-spinner over his head for another boundary. Varun Chakaravarthy was taken for boundaries by Parakh, before giving a catch to Ajinkya Rahane off Narine and fell for 24. Rahul, however, raced to his fifth fifty of this season off 25 balls, before he and Axar Patel took two boundaries each off Tyagi and Roy. But Rahul fell to Roy in the 13th over by holing out to long-off. Axar and Miller then steadied the innings, adding crucial runs against spinners. Sahil Parakh joined Rahul and the pair kept the tempo high. The teenaged Parakh struck Narine for a six and four, while Rahul cleared him for a six slammed straight down the ground, before punching the wily off-spinner over his head for another boundary. Varun Chakaravarthy was taken for boundaries by Parakh, before giving a catch to Ajinkya Rahane off Narine and fell for 24. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Delhi Capitals 203/5 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 60, Axar Patel 39; Saurabh Dubey 2-28, Anukul Roy 1-23) against Kolkata Knight Riders Article Source: IANS

Hardik Pandya rues Mumbai Indians poor death bowling after playoff exit vs Rajasthan Royals

Conceding 73 runs in the last five overs cost Mumbai Indians the match, said skipper Hardik Pandya after the five-time champions fell short by 30 runs against Rajasthan Royals in Match 69 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Mumbai had claimed the prolific and aggressive Rajasthan openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi cheaply and had them on the ropes at 119/5. But Jofra Archer played a brilliant cameo, hitting three sixes in his 15-ball 32, and with help from Ravindra Jadeja (19* off 11) and Nandre Burger (10* off 3), helped Rajasthan Royals post a challenging 205/8 in 20 overs. Archer returned to claim 3-17 in four brilliant overs while Nandre Burger (2-43), Brijesh Sharma (2-26), Yash Raj Punja (2-44) claimed a brace each as Rajasthan Royals restricted MI to 195/9 and won the match by 30 runs despite a fighting 60 by Suryakumar Yadav and vital cotributions by Will Jacks (33) and Pandya (32) himself. Pandya said allowing RR to score heavily in the last five overs and losing early wickets hampered their chase as the five-time champions ended their campaign with eight points from 14 matches and ended in second last position in the 10-team points table. We gave away 10-15 too many. It was chaseable, but we lost too many early wickets. Wicket played similarly in both innings; you had to hold your shape and hit good cricketing shots to get value. Pandya said things would have been different if they had stopped one or two boundaries in the last five overs. (Bowling in) Last five overs are always difficult. If you can stop one/two boundaries, you can keep teams 12-15 runs short. Conceding 73 in the last five cost us too, said Pandya. The MI skipper said he is feeling fine despite the hectic schedule after the T20 World Cup and enjoyed his batting in this match. (Bowling in) Last five overs are always difficult. If you can stop one/two boundaries, you can keep teams 12-15 runs short. Conceding 73 in the last five cost us too, said Pandya. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It was a forgettable campaign for the Mumbai Indians overall as they failed to perform to their potential both with the bat and ball. Article Source: IANS

Jofra Archers all-round masterclass knocks out MI, sends Rajasthan Royals into IPL 2026 Playoffs

Jofra Archer produced a brilliant all-round effort when it mattered the most, claiming 3-17 after smashing a 15-ball 32 as Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians by 30 runs in a must-win match at the Wankhede Stadium and sealed a berth in the Playoffs of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Sunday. Archer's brilliant cameo helped Rajasthan Royals recover from a precarious 119/5 to post a challenging 205/8 on being asked to bat first. The 31-year-old England star of Caribbean origin bagged a wicket each in his first two overs and then came back to claim the crucial wicket of Hardik Pandya as the Mumbai Indians were restricted to 175/9 in 20 overs and fell short by 30 runs. With the ball sticking to the pitch that had gotten slower as the shadows lengthened, Rajasthan Royals came up with a brilliant effort with the ball, spearheaded by Archer. Suryakumar Yadav's superb effort of 60 off 42 balls went in vain as he, at one time, along with Will Jacks (33) and Hardik Pandya (34), put the Mumbai Indians in a position from where they could have won the match. But Archer struck a deadly blow when he had Pandya caught by Nandre Burger at long-on, as the MI chase derailed after they had recovered from a sorry-looking 48/3 in the sixth over. Archer finished with 3-17 while Burger, Brijesh Sharma, and Yash Raj Punja claimed two each; RR secured a more-boosting win. With this win, the Rajasthan Royals finished with 16 points from 14 matches (7 wins), clinching the fourth spot in the playoffs, setting up a meeting with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator in New Chandigarh on Wednesday. Mumbai's chase was derailed by Archer, who claimed Rohit Sharma, brought in as an Impact Substitute to replace Raghu Sharma, for a four-ball duck with MI yet to score. He struck again in the third over, re-arranging Naman Dhir's middle stump with a peach of a delivery that jagged in the air and swung out after pitching. From 13/2, Mumbai lost Ryan Rickelton (12) and Tilak Varma (3) in quick succession and were tottering at 38/4 in the sixth over. Suryakumar Yadav, the most successful batter for MI this season, and Will Jacks shared a 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket in 38 balls to put Mumbai back on track. Yash Raj Punj was hammered for 22 runs in the 12th over with Jacks (33 off 18 balls) hitting a six, followed by Hardik Pandya, who hammered sixes off successive legal deliveries. Punja claimed Jacks with a fullish leg-break, and despite the assault by Pandya, came back to claim Corbin Bosch for his second wicket of the day. Pandya got a life off the first delivery he faced when Riyan Parag grassed a difficult chance off Punja, continued to live a charmed life as he struck back-to-back boundaries off Dasun Shanaka, as he and Surya put the Mumbai Indians' chase back on the rails. MI had brought down the asking rate to 10 runs per over. But Archer returned for his fourth over and accounted for Hardik Pandya, who mis-played a pull on a shortish ball pitched wide, offering an easy catch to Nandre Burger. Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav added 48 runs for the sixth-wicket partnership. But hopes ended for the five-time champions when Suryakumar Yadav fell in the 18th over trying to hit a big one, caught and bowled by Burger. Earlier, asked to bat first, RR lost their prolific openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (27, 12b, 1x4, 3x6) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (4) cheaply, and when skipper Riyan Parag was out for 14 off 8 balls, the Royals were in trouble at 54/3 at the end of Power-play. Dhruv Jurel and Shanaka propelled RR to three figures before the Sri Lankan all-rounder, who struck three big sixes, ran himself out for 29 off 15 balls. Jurel departed soon after, bowled by a superb yorker by Bosch. He was the top scorer for RR with 38 off 26 balls (3x4, 2x6). Archer, who was promoted to No 7, led a fine rearguard effort by the Royals despite a double-wicket over by Shardul Thakur, smashing a 15-ball 32, studded with one four and three big sixes. Ravindra Jadeja. coming in an Impact Sub, struck a couple of boundaries in his 11-ball 19 while Nandre Burger blasted his first T20 six during his 3-ball 10 as RR went past the 200-run mark, which proved enough in the end, thanks to the brilliant effort by the RR bowling unit. Archer, who was promoted to No 7, led a fine rearguard effort by the Royals despite a double-wicket over by Shardul Thakur, smashing a 15-ball 32, studded with one four and three big sixes. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajasthan Royals 205/8 in 20 overs (Dhruv Jurel 38, Jofra Archer 32; Shardul Thakur 2-41, Deepak Chahar 2-43) beat Mumbai Indians 175/9 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 60, Hardik Pandya 34, Will Jack 33; Jofra Archer 3-17, Nandre Burger 2-43, Brijesh Sharma 2-26, Yash Raj Punja 2-44) by 30 runs Article Source: IANS

'I was not supposed to play today' - Riyan Parag not completely fit but will play Eliminator

The Rajasthan Royals captain said his team should have qualified much earlier for the IPL 2026 playoffs

All-round Archer helps RR secure last playoffs spot

Archer smashed 32 off 15 and took 3 for 17 to script a 30-run win that knocked out KKR and Punjab Kings

RR qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs; PBKS and KKR knocked out

Rajasthan Royals' victory against Mumbai Indians knocked out both Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders

IPL 2026: Archer's Brilliant All-round Show Seals Playoff Berth For Rajasthan Royals

Indian Premier League: A fine bowling effort by Jofra Archer (3-17) as Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians by 30 runs in a must-win match at the Wankhede Stadium and sealed a berth in the Playoffs of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Sunday. Archer, who played a brilliant cameo (32 off 15 balls) to lead a fine recovery and help Rajasthan Royals to 205/8 after being asked to bat first, struck a wicket each in his first two overs and then came back to claim the crucial wicket of Hardik Pandya and end Mumbai Indians' hopes of chasing the stiff target. Suryakumar Yadav anchored MI's chase with a brilliant 60 (42 balls) and, with help from Will Jacks (33) and Hardik Pandya (34), pulled MI back from a precarious 38/4. With Archer bagging three and Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, and Yash Raj Punj claiming a double each, RR restricted Mumbai Indians to 175/9 in 20 overs, sealing victory in a must-win match. With this win, the Rajasthan Royals moved to 16 points from seven wins in 14 matches and clinched the fourth spot in the playoffs, setting up a meeting with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator in New Chandigarh on Wednesday. With Punjab Kings moving to 15 points with a win at LSG last night, RR (14 points) went into this match with their back to the wall, but they fought back brilliantly to make a grand comeback and extended their stay in the tournament. Their win rendered the final league match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals inconsequential. With the ball sticking to the pitch that had gotten slower as the shadows lengthened, Mumbai's chase was derailed early by Archer, who sent back Rohit Sharma, brought in as an Impact Substitute to replace Raghu Sharma, getting out for a four-ball duck with MI yet to score. Archer struck again in the third over, rocking back Naman Dhir's middle stump with a peach of a delivery that jagged in the air and swung out after pitching. Mumbai were down to 13/2, and they slumped further into the swamp after losing Ryan Rickelton (12 off 7) and Tilak Varma (3) in quick succession and were crawling at 38/4 in the sixth over. Suryakumar Yadav, the most successful batter for MI this season, and Will Jacks shared a fifty-run partnership to rescue them with a 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket in 38 balls as MI batters hammered Yash Raj Punj for 22 runs in the 12th over. Will Jacks struck him for a six, but was out on the next delivery, skying a wide, fullish leg-break to short leg for keeper Dhruv Jurel to complete an easy catch. Jacks was out for a superb 33 off 18 balls, hitting three boundaries and two maximums as he and SKY took Mumbai past 100. Hardik Pandya got a life off the first delivery he faced when Riyan Parag grassed a difficult chance running back. He made the most of that by smashing Punj for two sixes interspersed by a wide ball as the over went for 22. Pandya continued to live a charmed life as he struck back-to-back boundaries off Dasun Shanaka and off the first ball bowled by Nandre Burger as he and Surya put the Mumbai Indians' chase back on the rails. But Jofra Archer returned for his fourth over and accounted for Hardik Pandya, who mis-played a pull on a shortish ball pitched wide, offering an easy catch to Nandre Burger. Mumbai Indians were down to 149/6. Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav added 48 runs for the sixth-wicket partnership. Mumbai were left needing 54 runs off 24 balls. But the five-time winner lost the plot as Corbin Bosch fell for 2 in a brilliant over bowled by Punj as he conceded five runs and claimed a wicket. Mumbai's hopes depended on Suryakumar Yadav, but he fell in the 18th over trying to hit a big one, caught and bowled by Burger, trying to pull but managing to hit with the toe-end of his bat. Suryakumar Yadav top-scored for Mumbai with 60 not out of 42 balls (3x4, 4x6). SKY's departure sealed Mumbai's fate, and they fell short by 30 runs. Mumbai's hopes depended on Suryakumar Yadav, but he fell in the 18th over trying to hit a big one, caught and bowled by Burger, trying to pull but managing to hit with the toe-end of his bat. Suryakumar Yadav top-scored for Mumbai with 60 not out of 42 balls (3x4, 4x6). Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajasthan Royals 205/8 in 20 overs (Dhruv Jurel 38, Jofra Archer 32; Shardul Thakur 2-41, Deepak Chahar 2-43) beat Mumbai Indians 175/9 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 60, Hardik Pandya 34, Will Jack 33; Jofra Archer 3-17, Nandre Burger 2-43, Brijesh Sharma 2-26, Yash Raj Punj 2-44) by 30 runs Article Source: IANS

Sam Curran settles Surrey nerves to secure London Derby win

England allrounder sees Surrey home to seventh successive win over Middlesex who threatened an upset

Unchanged KKR opt to bowl vs DC

With Angkrish Raghuvanshi out with a concussion and a finger injury, KKR continued with Tejasvi Dahiya

IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Breaks Teenage T20 Run-scoring Record

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made history on Sunday by becoming the teenager with the most runs in a T20 league as he continued his impressive breakthrough season in the Indian Premier League 2026. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter entered the match against Mumbai Indians needing only two runs to break the record. He reached this milestone in the second over of the innings, taking his second run off Will Jacks. This officially moved him past the previous record for most runs scored by a teenager in a T20 competition. Sooryavanshi has now scored 483 runs in 14 matches during IPL 2026. He has established himself as one of the standout young talents of the tournament. The left-handed batter from Bihar has consistently impressed this season with his fearless strokeplay and maturity against both pace and spin, despite being just 15. The previous record for teenage batters belonged to Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 580 runs at the age of 19 for the Karnataka cricket team during the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Padikkals total came in Indias top domestic T20 competition and was long regarded as one of the best teenage batting performances in the format. Tilak Varma also ranks high on the list, scoring 397 runs in 14 matches during his debut IPL season for Mumbai Indians in 2022 at age 19. The previous record for teenage batters belonged to Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 580 runs at the age of 19 for the Karnataka cricket team during the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Padikkals total came in Indias top domestic T20 competition and was long regarded as one of the best teenage batting performances in the format. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sooryavanshis latest achievement highlights his remarkable rise this season and strengthens his reputation as one of the brightest teenage talents in world cricket. Article Source: IANS

Understrength Surrey maintain 100% win record

Yorkshire left runs out there but fought back with Surrey eventually recovering from 89 for 6 to chase 134

IPL 2026: Unchanged KKR Elect To Bowl First Against DC, Kuldeep And Nabi Return

Kolkata Knight Riders: An unchanged Kolkata Knight Riders have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Delhi Capitals in the final league stage match of IPL 2026 at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. KKR need Mumbai Indians to beat Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing game at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, while also needing to beat DC by huge margin to clinch a last-minute entry into the playoffs. After winning the toss, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane said, Its pretty simple. We know the scenario depending on whats going to happen in the previous game, which is happening right now. But regardless of that, we dont know what the result will be. Also, the wicket looks really good. So yes, its very simple. Its still a game of cricket to be played, and the last six games have been fantastic for us. We still want to compete and win this game. As I said, we dont know whats going to happen, but whenever you play a game of cricket, you always look to win. Asked about his thoughts on KKRs campaign so far, Rahane said, Really proud of the unit, especially because its not easy to come back from the situation we were in. It takes courage, character, and attitude to bounce back as a team. IPL is a funny tournament with 2425 players and support staff, maintaining that atmosphere, intensity and carrying it forward every time is fantastic. So yes, Im really proud of each and every one. KKR face a steep net run rate challenge - if DC post 180, KKR will need to chase it down in just about 12 overs to stay alive in the playoffs race. Should DC set a target of 200, KKR will have to complete the chase between 12.1 and 12.4 overs to overtake Punjab Kings on NRR. DC skipper Axar Patel said Kuldeep Yadav and Auqib Nabi return to their playing eleven, adding that he would have looked to bowl first as well. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep will come in DCs bowling innings as the Impact Player, while Finn Allen is likely to come into KKRs chase. Obviously I would have bowled first because, the way this tournament has gone, weve done well while chasing. So yes, looking at that, we wouldve bowled first. But its not bad because the wicket looks good and even if we look ahead to next year, though thats still far away, if we bat first, our batsmen will get an opportunity to understand how to approach batting first as well. Asked on his reflections over DCs inconsistent campaign, Axar said, No, I dont think we should see it like a bad dream. Obviously, theres a lot of reflection and thought about what we couldve done better or changed. But honestly, I dont think we played bad cricket. Id say we were unfortunate at crucial moments, we dropped catches at key times. Cricket is like that, when opportunities come, if you dont grab them, you fall behind. Those opportunities were ours, and the mistakes were ours too. So I think we should learn from them and move forward. Sometimes when youre winning, even if you make small mistakes, they get ignored because you dont focus too much on them. But when those same small moments hurt you badly, then you realize that if we hadnt made those mistakes, we couldve been in a completely different position. But thats cricket, after every season, there are always regrets. What matters is whether you executed the plans your team made. If the answer is yes, then I think you should move on and look ahead, he said. Playing XIs: Delhi Capitals: Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wk), Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (captain), Ashutosh Sharma, Madhav Tiwari, Auqib Nabi, Mitchell Starc, and Lungi Ngidi Impact Substitutes: Tripurana Vijay, Sameer Rizvi, Vipraj Nigam, Nitish Rana and Kuldeep Yadav Delhi Capitals: Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wk), Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (captain), Ashutosh Sharma, Madhav Tiwari, Auqib Nabi, Mitchell Starc, and Lungi Ngidi Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact Substitutes: Finn Allen, Sarthak Ranjan, Vaibhav Arora, Ramandeep Singh and Rahul Tripathi Article Source: IANS

Learoyd, Luff make light work of depleted Warwickshire

Somerset notch their first win thanks to an unbeaten 60 from Anika Learoyd after Sophie Luff's brisk 58

Hollie Armitage, Katie Levick cap dominant Durham win

The former Yorkshire duo provided the vital runs and wickets as Hampshire fell well short of their 179 target

Rwandas Hamza Khan Blasts Second-highest Mens T20I Score With Unbeaten 164

T20 World Cup Africa Sub: Hamza Khan made history with one of the greatest innings in Mens T20 internationals. He scored an incredible unbeaten 164 off just 65 balls for Rwanda against Ivory Coast during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier in Gaborone on Sunday. This explosive innings featured nine fours and 15 massive sixes, with a remarkable strike rate of 252.30. It helped Rwanda post a massive 288/2 in 20 overs, marking the seventh-highest team total in Mens T20I history. Hamzas 15 sixes also tie for the fourth-most hit in a single T20I innings. His unbeaten 164 is now the second-highest individual score recorded in Mens T20 internationals, following Aaron Finchs famous 172 for Australia against Zimbabwe in 2018. In doing so, Hamza passed the previous second-highest score of 162 not out by Hazratullah Zazai for Afghanistan against Ireland in 2019. Hamza Khans brilliant unbeaten 164 against Ivory Coast has seen him move to second on the all-time list of highest individual scores in Mens T20 internationals. The Rwandan batter's effort is only bettered by Aaron Finch's iconic 172 for Australia national cricket team against Zimbabwe in 2018. Hamza broke the unbeaten 162 score of Hazratullah Zazai for Afghanistan national cricket team against Ireland in 2019, while Mohammad Ihsans 160 for Spain national cricket team against Croatia in 2025 and Finchs 156 against England in 2013 complete the top five list of highest Mens T20I scores. Hamza entered the tournament in great form, having scored an unbeaten 60 in Rwandas opening win over Cameroon a day earlier. However, against Ivory Coast, he took his game to another level, dominating the bowlers from the PowerPlay to the final over with clean, fearless hitting all around the field. Hamza Khans brilliant unbeaten 164 against Ivory Coast has seen him move to second on the all-time list of highest individual scores in Mens T20 internationals. The Rwandan batter's effort is only bettered by Aaron Finch's iconic 172 for Australia national cricket team against Zimbabwe in 2018. Hamza broke the unbeaten 162 score of Hazratullah Zazai for Afghanistan national cricket team against Ireland in 2019, while Mohammad Ihsans 160 for Spain national cricket team against Croatia in 2025 and Finchs 156 against England in 2013 complete the top five list of highest Mens T20I scores. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This crushing 271-run victory is now the third-largest win margin in Mens T20 internationals, marking a historic day for Rwanda cricket and firmly establishing Hamza Khan among the most explosive batters in the format. Article Source: IANS

We Are Here To Win MPL 2026': Ujjain Falcons Begin Preparations With Fresh Energy Ahead Of Debut Season

Madhya Pradesh League: New entrants Ujjain Falcons have begun preparations for their debut season in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 2026 as the squad assembled for its first training sessions this week. One of the three new franchises added to the league this season, Ujjain Falcons enter the tournament with fresh ambition, youthful energy and a strong desire to make an immediate impact in the competition. The squad, led by several exciting domestic talents along with rising IPL star Madhav Tiwari (who will join the squad in coming days), has started intensive practice sessions as players and support staff gear up for the much-anticipated campaign opener. Speaking about the teams preparations and vision, Ujjain Falcons promoter Vinayak Kalani expressed confidence in the squad and said the franchise is entering the tournament with a winning mindset. We are extremely excited to begin this journey with Ujjain Falcons in MPL 2026. This is a new franchise with new energy, fresh ideas and tremendous passion for cricket. The players have started practicing and there is great enthusiasm within the camp. We have assembled a balanced squad filled with talented youngsters and match-winners. Our goal is very clear, we are here to win MPL 2026 and make the people of Ujjain and Indore proud, said Vinayak Kalani. Fresh from an impressive season with Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, Madhav Tiwari remains one of the key players to watch for the Falcons this season. The talented fast-bowling all-rounder has earned praise for his fearless cricket and match-winning abilities The franchise believes its mix of emerging talent, experienced domestic performers and fearless approach can make Ujjain Falcons one of the most exciting teams in the tournament. The team will be coached by former Madhya Pradesh cricketer Sunil Dholpure, who brings valuable experience and understanding of the states cricketing ecosystem. Ujjain Falcons will begin their MPL T20 2026 campaign against Gwalior Cheetahs on June 3 at the iconic Holkar Stadium. The team will be coached by former Madhya Pradesh cricketer Sunil Dholpure, who brings valuable experience and understanding of the states cricketing ecosystem. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Madhav Tiwari, Aryan Pandey, Chanchal Rathore, Adheer Pratap Singh, Yash Dubey, Soham Patwardhan, Shubham Kushwah, Masoom Raza Kaif, Ojaswa Yadav, Gajendra Goswami, Aayush Mankar, Ankur Singh Chauhan, Rishi Miglani, Harshvardhan Hardia, Naveen Nagle, Vishesh Mudgal, Darshan Rathore Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals Post 205/8 In Must-win Clash Vs MI

Indian Premier League: Fine rearguard action by their lower-order batters helped Rajasthan Royals recover from losing their top-order cheaply and post 205/8 against the Mumbai Indians in a must-win match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Rajasthan, who need to win their last league match to secure a spot in the playoffs, reached a challenging total, though there was no defining knock in their innings that lurched from one wicket to another in hot and humid conditions. From 54/3 after the Power-play, the RR innings lost steam in the middle overs as they could manage only 46/1 in the overs between 7 and 11 and 48/2 in the next set of four from 12 to 16. However, their lower order smashed 73 runs in the last five overs to take them past 200. Deepak Chahar, who replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI, and Shardul Thakur claimed two wickets apiece for MI, while Will Jacks (1-12), AM Ghazanfar (1-45), and Corbin Bosch (1-33) bagged a wicket apiece in a fine bowling effort by MI Asked to bat first, RR got off to a brisk start with Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting Deepak Chahar for a six each in his first two overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi nearly struck the first six of the match, but Will Jacks dived across the rope and flicked it back for a single. Jaiswal (27 off 17), who survived a huge shout for lbw after the TV official went with 'umpire's call' on an MI review, played one shot too many and perished, mistiming an attempted big one against a well-pitched ball outside the off by Will Jacks and spooning it straight to point, where Corbin Bosch pouched it gleefully. Sooryavanshi (4) fell into inertia and suffered trying to emerge out of it, caught by Naman Dhir off Chahar. Rajasthan skipper Ryan Parag struck two fours and a six for an 8-ball 14, taking them past fifty, but perished on the last ball of Power-play, edging AM Ghazanfar to backward point, where Tilak Varma pulled off an easy catch, leaving the Royals tottering at 54/3. Dhruv Jurel and Dasun Shanaka performed a mini-rescue act, taking the winner of the inaugural IPL to 99 before the Sri Lankan all-rounder, who struck three big sixes, ran himself out for 29 off 15 balls. Rajasthan's woes continued as Jurel departed soon after, bowled by a superb yorker by Bosch, and RR slumped to 119/5 in the 13th over. Jurel struck three fours, two off successive deliveries from Ghazanfar, and two sixes for his 26-ball 38. Donovan Ferreira (16) hammered a six each off Raghu Sharma and Chahar, but was back in the dugout soon. Chahar had the last laugh, having him caught by Bosch off a short, slow, and wide delivery on the ball after being swung over for a six. Jofra Archer smashed two sixes and a four in his 15-ball 32 cameo, but RR were pushed to the brink by a double-wicket over by Shardul Thakur. Ravindra Jadeja. coming in an Impact Sub, struck a couple of boundaries in his 11-ball 19 while Nandre Burger blasted his first T20 six during his 3-ball 10 as RR went past the 200-run mark But in the end, that may not prove enough considering the Mumbai Indians' strong batting line-up, as conditions are expected to ease up in the second innings. Jofra Archer smashed two sixes and a four in his 15-ball 32 cameo, but RR were pushed to the brink by a double-wicket over by Shardul Thakur. Ravindra Jadeja. coming in an Impact Sub, struck a couple of boundaries in his 11-ball 19 while Nandre Burger blasted his first T20 six during his 3-ball 10 as RR went past the 200-run mark Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajasthan Royals 205/8 in 20 overs (Dhruv Jurel 38, Jofra Archer 32; Shardul Thakur 2-41, Deepak Chahar 2-43) against Mumbai Indians. Article Source: IANS

KKR sign Luvnith Sisodia as replacement for injured Pathirana

The wicketkeeper-batter was part of KKR's squad in 2025

DDCA Scraps Complimentary Pass Culture, Announces Equal Prize Money For Womens League

District Cricket Association: The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has approved a series of major administrative and structural reforms during its Apex Council meeting held on Sunday, with decisions ranging from abolishing the long-standing culture of complimentary passes to introducing equal prize money in womens cricket and upgrading infrastructure for players and fans. Among the headline decisions taken during the meeting was a proposal moved by DDCA president Rohan Jaitley that the Apex Council and their members shall not accept complimentary passes as a matter of practice. The proposal was accepted by the majority of members. Explaining the rationale behind the move, a DDCA official said the association was aiming to strengthen its financial position while ending a practice that had existed for years. One major decision that has been made is that DDCA will completely end the long-standing practice of accepting complimentary passes. In the IPL, (team) giving away passes does not cause a financial loss because it is a franchise event, but it can still result in a financial gain if those passes are sold (by association) instead Keeping that in mind, it has also been decided not to take complimentary passes even (from the franchise) during the IPL. And in our bilateral matches, if we do not accept passes, we can earn a profit of around 1 crore, especially if its a high-profile match. Therefore, keeping DDCAs financial health in mind, it has been decided to completely abolish the culture of accepting complimentary passes, the DDCA official told IANS Despite the change, DDCA clarified that members would continue to receive match access under a revised ticketing arrangement. Members of DDCA will receive two complimentary tickets each. The DDCA will no longer accept passes from the teams for catering authorities; instead, it will provide two tickets to every member in order to maximise fan engagement as much as possible. Regarding the regular passes that our members used to receive, it has been decided that for our bilateral matches, members will continue to get two passes each. Earlier, money used to get spent on obtaining other premium and better-category passes, or sometimes the franchise would not provide them. So now, an arrangement has been made to ensure that members receive two passes, the official stated. In a significant step towards gender parity, the Apex Council also approved equal prize money for mens and womens competitions conducted under the DDCA. The prize money of our women's league (Womens Delhi Premier League) has been made at par with the men's league. So, the prize money given for the womens league will now be the same as that given for the men's league, the official said. The association further resolved to conduct league matches in central parts of Delhi, wherever possible, to reduce travel burden on young cricketers. To support that plan, DDCA will actively participate in auctions to secure grounds on long-term leases, including venues such as Jamia Millia Islamia and Hamdard Jasola. The current situation is such that DDCAs grounds are very far from each other. So, now it has been decided that we will participate in active auctions to procure grounds, on a yearly or tri-yearly basis, which will be located in Central Delhi so that the children who have to travel do not have to commute much for long hours, the official mentioned. The Apex Council also proposed introducing a biometric entry system for members during matches to streamline access to the stadium. We have proposed a biometrics system to see whether it is possible, whether it is workable or not. For members, biometric entry should be provided during matches so they participate more. Okay. Whether it is workable or not at this moment, we dont know, but we will have to work it out, they said. Another major decision taken during the meeting concerned match officials, with the DDCA approving a 30 per cent increase in match fees for umpires and scorers from this season onwards, along with an annual increment plan. A very good decision which Mr. Rohan Jaitley himself has made, in that, our scorers and umpires, the remuneration they were getting per match has been increased by 30%. And his exact words were that They are umpires and scorers, they stand in a match in scorching heat, they are the foot soldiers of the association. Hence, 30% has been increased from this year, and 10% will be increased every year, the official stated. The Apex Council also approved a series of measures aimed at strengthening Delhis domestic cricket structure, improving player development pathways and upgrading facilities for both cricketers and spectators. One of the key decisions focused on expanding participation opportunities in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), with the association deciding to create a broader platform that allows a larger pool of players to showcase their talent. In another major structural reform, it was unanimously decided that all DDCA squads, across all age groups and formats, will now be restricted to 16 players. The Apex Council also stressed the need for timely appointments ahead of the domestic season. The formation of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), along with the appointment of selectors and coaches, will now be treated as a priority to enable longer-term monitoring and evaluation of player performances before selections are finalised. One of the key decisions focused on expanding participation opportunities in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), with the association deciding to create a broader platform that allows a larger pool of players to showcase their talent. In another major structural reform, it was unanimously decided that all DDCA squads, across all age groups and formats, will now be restricted to 16 players. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The council further approved renovation and modernisation plans for existing dressing rooms and corporate boxes at DDCA venues. Keeping spectator comfort in mind, DDCA also decided to install canopies and additional bleachers at venues to provide relief to fans attending matches during Delhis intense summer heat. Article Source: IANS

Uttar Pradesh Crowned Champions Of National Divyang T20 Cricket C'ship 2026

Karnataka State Divyang Cricket Association: Uttar Pradesh PD (UPDACA) emerged as the national champions after defeating defending champions Mumbai by 4 wickets in an exciting final encounter as the 5th Elite National Divyang T-20 Cricket Championship 2026 concluded on a grand note. The championship was organised under the aegis of the Karnataka State Divyang Cricket Association (KSDCA), which is the state body of the Physically Challenged Cricket Council of India (PCCAI). PCCAI is also a founder member association of DCCI. Batting first, Mumbai posted a competitive total of 171/7 in 20 overs. Ravindra Sante played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 71 runs, while Vikrant Keni contributed 54 runs. For Uttar Pradesh, Mo. Sadik delivered an impressive bowling performance, taking 2 wickets for 24 runs in his 4-over spell. Chasing a target of 172, Uttar Pradesh displayed fearless and aggressive batting. Captain Rahul Singh provided a flying start with a quickfire 31 runs off just 13 balls. Vintoo Yadav scored a crucial 35 runs, while Deependra Singh anchored the innings with an unbeaten 54 runs to guide Uttar Pradesh to victory at 173/6 in 18.5 overs. With this victory, Uttar Pradesh established itself as one of the strongest teams in national divyang cricket. The team showcased discipline, determination, and exceptional cricketing skills throughout the tournament. As a special initiative to encourage young talent, three players below the age of 15 years who participated in the championship were honoured with appreciation awards and awarded Rs 5,000 each. Out of the 12 participating teams, eight teams received encouragement awards of Rs 20,000 each. In addition, both semifinalist teams were awarded Rs 50,000 each. Runner-Up Team (Mumbai) got Rs 1,25,000 while champions Uttar Pradesh received a carsh reward of Rs 2,50,000 DCCI General Secretary Ravi Chauhan felicitated the players and extended his best wishes for their future. He appreciated the dedication and spirit of the divyang cricketers and said that such championships are playing a vital role in promoting inclusive sports in India. KSDCA president Hemachandra played a significant role in successfully organising the national championship. Under his leadership and with the efforts of the organising committee, the tournament was conducted smoothly and professionally. Players, officials, and spectators praised the excellent arrangements and hospitality throughout the event. Several players and teams were honoured during the closing ceremony for their outstanding performances throughout the championship: Man of the Match (Final): Vintoo Yadav (Uttar Pradesh) Rs 7,777/- Best Wicketkeeper: Deependra Singh (Uttar Pradesh) Rs 10,000/- Best Bowler: Ravindra Sante (Mumbai) Best Batsman: Deependra Singh (Uttar Pradesh) Rs 10,000/- Player of the Tournament: Vintoo Yadav (Uttar Pradesh) Rs 25,000/- Brief Scores: Mumbai 171/7 in 20 Overs (Ravindra Sante 71*, Vikrant Keni 54; Mo. Sadik 2 wickets) Brief Scores: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Result: Uttar Pradesh PD (UPDACA) won by 4 wickets. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: KKR Rope In Luvnith Sisodia As Replacement For Injured Matheesha Pathirana

Kolkata Knight Riders: Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have signed wicketkeeperbatter Luvnith Sisodia as a replacement for injured Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana for the remainder of IPL 2026. Sisodia, who represents Karnataka in domestic cricket, has previously featured for the franchise and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. The 25yearold has played 15 T20s, scoring 124 runs, and joins the franchise for Rs 30 lakh. The addition of Sisodia bolsters KKRs squad depth, especially with Angkrish Raghuvanshi ruled out due to concussion and finger fracture. Pathirana, bought for an astonishing Rs 18 crore at the auction, has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury after bowling just 1.2 overs on his KKR debut against Gujarat Titans on May 16, where he was introduced into the game as an Impact Player. He missed the sides win over Mumbai Indians on May 20 and will not recover in time for KKRs final league fixture against Delhi Capitals, to be played at the Eden Gardens on Sunday evening. Pathiranas IPL 2026 stint was delayed due to recurring fitness concerns. In the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup, Pathirana had to abandon his spell midway against Australia and subsequently missed the remainder of the tournament. For his IPL 2026 participation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) insisted on Pathirana going through a fitness clearance test on recovering from a calf injury before issuing a noobjection certificate (NOC). The approval came only after four matches of KKRs campaign happened, a phase in which the franchise had lost all their games. He missed the sides win over Mumbai Indians on May 20 and will not recover in time for KKRs final league fixture against Delhi Capitals, to be played at the Eden Gardens on Sunday evening. Pathiranas IPL 2026 stint was delayed due to recurring fitness concerns. In the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup, Pathirana had to abandon his spell midway against Australia and subsequently missed the remainder of the tournament. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The equation is straightforward but daunting for KKR they must not only defeat Delhi Capitals but also secure a victory by a heavy margin to surpass PBKS on NRR. KKRs record at Eden Gardens this season stands at three wins from five matches, including a 29run victory over GT after posting 247 and a successful chase of 148 against MI. Article Source: IANS

Ahmedabad Lead Indias CWG Day Celebrations As Fit India Sundays On Cycle Unite The Nation

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh: The 75th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle on Sunday witnessed massive participation across more than 8,000 locations nationwide, commemorating Commonwealth Games Day and building momentum toward the historic 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. Leading the national celebrations from the iconic Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment Mansukh Mandaviya, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi and Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana joined 5,000 cyclists, athletes, youth volunteers and fitness enthusiasts in a vibrant showcase of community participation and sporting spirit. The Ahmedabad edition, themed A New Icon for a Fitter India Pedalling to 2030, featured a grand 5-kilometre cycling rally alongside Yoga and Zumba demonstrations, turning the Sabarmati Riverfront into a celebration of fitness, culture and Indias sporting development. A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of a special Commonwealth Games-themed exhibition by Mandaviya, showcasing Indias sporting achievements, the growth of sports infrastructure under the Khelo India Mission and the countrys expanding sports ecosystem in the lead-up to the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030. The event also featured a wide range of engaging activities, including pickleball, box cricket, volleyball, tug of war and several interactive community games, creating a festival-like atmosphere for participants across all age groups. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana joined former Commonwealth Games medallists and Olympians including Gurjit Kaur, Rajani Etimarpu, Sonika Tandi, Anjum Moudgil, Ankur Mittal and Trupti Murgunde, inspiring young participants and reinforcing the growing culture of fitness and sports among Indias youth. The event also witnessed the presence of several distinguished dignitaries and sports leaders including Ajay Patel, Senior Vice President, Indian Olympic Association; Olympic shooter and CWG medallist Gagan Narang; Mayank Srivastava, Deputy Director General, Khelo India; and Olympian and Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla. A special cultural highlight of the event was a unique showcase blending the traditional spirit of Garba with the science of Yoga, presented by renowned artist Shri Anish Rangrej. Additionally, Pawan Kumar from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga engaged with participants through wellness consultations and guidance sessions, promoting holistic fitness and healthy living. As part of the larger build-up to the historic centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) will continue organising grand, interactive and community-driven initiatives across the country to deepen public participation and strengthen Indias sporting ecosystem. The nationwide celebrations aim to create greater awareness around the Commonwealth Games movement while inspiring youth to embrace fitness, sports and active lifestyles as Bharat prepares to host the CWG in 2030. Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment Mandaviya said, Today is a very special occasion as we celebrate both the 75th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle and Commonwealth Games Day. It makes me proud that Gujarat will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, and even happier to see thousands of people come together early in the morning for fitness and nation-building. A fit society can build a prosperous nation. If we truly want to fulfil Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi jis vision of Viksit Bharat, every citizen must prioritise fitness and healthy living. Cycling is not just exercise, it is a movement. It keeps us fit, reduces pollution and helps save fuel, while also aligning with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi jis appeal for reduced fuel consumption. By adopting cycling in our daily lives, even for short distances, we contribute towards a healthier and more sustainable India. Harsh Sanghvi, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister, said, Today, the entire city of Ahmedabad came alive for Fit India Sundays on Cycle, and I am extremely happy to see such an overwhelming response from the people of Gujarat. The fact that thousands of citizens stepped out early in the morning for fitness and sports reflects the growing awareness and enthusiasm around healthy living. A fit society can build a prosperous nation. If we truly want to fulfil Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi jis vision of Viksit Bharat, every citizen must prioritise fitness and healthy living. Cycling is not just exercise, it is a movement. It keeps us fit, reduces pollution and helps save fuel, while also aligning with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi jis appeal for reduced fuel consumption. By adopting cycling in our daily lives, even for short distances, we contribute towards a healthier and more sustainable India. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse led the celebrations in Guwahati, former wrestling star Babita Phogat participated in Dharamsala, while former Indian hockey player Saba Anjum one of the inspirations behind the iconic film Chak De! India joined the festivities in Mumbai, adding to the nationwide spirit of Sports Jan Bhagidari. Article Source: IANS

MI bowl and rest Bumrah; Parag, Burger back for RR

This is a must-win game for RR; if they win, they will reach the playoffs

IPL 2026: MI Opt To Bowl In Must-win Game For RR

Yash Raj Punja: Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bowl first in their last league match of the season, which is a must-win clash for their opponents, Rajasthan Royals, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. It is the only day game of the season at the Wankhede, which is being played in quite hot and humid conditions, making it a challenging affair for the players. MI rested seasoned pacer Jasprit Bumrah, bringing in Deepak Chahar into the playing XI. Rajasthan Royals made three changes with skipper Riyan Parag, Nandre Burger, and Ravindra Jadeja coming in. MI captain Hardik Pandya said the conditions were the reason he opted to bowl first. When we have played in the afternoon, it (the pitch) tends to get better in the afternoon, said Pandya at the toss. Looks like a good track. It's hard. Will mostly play like this. Once the sun goes down, it's slightly better. Just want to come out there and give our best shot. We have had a tough season, he added. With the Rajasthan Royals needing to win this match to secure the fourth spot in the playoffs, captain Parag said they will give their best in the must-win match as they trail the Punjab Kings by one point. Would have done the same thing. Could be the last game of the season. We'll play like it. All the prep and energy that went into the tournament... Hopefully, we maximise our opportunity and get ahead in the playoffs. Rather have this than depend on someone else, he said. Playing XIs: Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Atcher, Nandre Burger, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma Impact substitutes: Ravindra Jadeja, Sushant Mishra, Aman Rao Perala, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Atcher, Nandre Burger, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact substitutes: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Krish Bhagat, Trent Boult Article Source: IANS

Saba Karim Compares Shreyas Century To petrichor After PBKS Crucial Victory

Lucknow Super Giants: Saba Karim showered praise on Shreyas Iyer after the Punjab Kings captain produced a stunning unbeaten century to revive his sides playoff hopes in the IPL 2026, calling his maiden ton similar to 'petrichor'. Iyers unbeaten 101 off 51 balls led Punjab to a seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday, ending PBKS six-match losing streak and keeping their playoff hopes alive. Coming in when Punjab was struggling at 22/2 chasing 197, Iyer steadied the innings and then aggressively dismantled the bowling attack with a strategic approach. Karim described the innings as one that arrived at the perfect moment for Punjab and their supporters after weeks of frustration. I was trying to find the right word to describe this innings, and the one that came to mind was petrichor, the scent of raindrops on dry land. That is what this innings would have felt like for Punjab Kings and their fans, Karim told JioStar. According to Karim, the innings stood out not just for the strokeplay, but for the maturity and awareness Iyer showed throughout the chase. The captain had to step up at a crucial stage of the tournament, and he found the perfect platform to deliver. There was aggression but also control. There was intent, but at the same time, a clear understanding of the match situation, he said. Iyers century, the first of his IPL career, came in a high-pressure contest with Punjab needing victory to keep their campaign alive. Karim felt the context elevated the knock into one of the finest innings of the batters career. The manner in which he constructed the innings was extremely impressive. He has scored centuries before, but this could well be one of the finest knocks of his career because of the context and the quality of execution. It was an almost flawless innings from Shreyas Iyer, Karim stated. Punjabs playoff hopes, however, still hinge on other results, including Sundays crucial clash between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium. Rajasthan need a victory to knock Punjab out of contention, while Mumbai are aiming to strengthen their own position in the top four race. Previewing the contest, Karim said Rajasthan would take confidence from their recent performances heading into the high-pressure fixture. It is a massive game for Rajasthan Royals, but the way they played in the previous match should give them a lot of confidence heading into this encounter against Mumbai Indians, he mentioned. Previewing the contest, Karim said Rajasthan would take confidence from their recent performances heading into the high-pressure fixture. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Wankhede surface generally produces high-scoring games, and Rajasthan have plenty of firepower at the top of the order. Players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Donovan Ferreira are all looking in good touch. Rajasthan Royals will feel hopeful about their chances in such an important contest, Karim concluded. Article Source: IANS

Maharaj, Mendis, Munsey Among Glasgow Cosmic's Star-studded Lineup For Inaugural ETPL

European T20 Premier League: Glasgow Cosmic has unveiled a star-studded line-up for the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), bringing together some of the biggest names in international cricket alongside leading Scottish talent. The franchises roster features renowned players including Finn Allen, Liam Livingstone, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, Kamindu Mendis, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Gerhard Erasmus, Duan Jansen, Ali Khan, as well as Scotland captain Richie Berrington and Scottish cricket star George Munsey. The inclusion of Scotland captain Berrington and Munsey highlights the franchises commitment to Scottish cricket as it prepares to compete in the inaugural ETPL season. Owned by Vipul Agrawal (Chairman, Mugafi Group) and Tansha Batra, with Rashid Khan serving as CEO of Mugafi Group, the franchise enters the tournament with a strong blend of international experience and local representation. Beyond the field, Glasgow Cosmic aims to contribute to the growth of cricket in Scotland through community engagement, grassroots initiatives, and support for the development of local cricket infrastructure. Sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on November 27, last year, the six-team tournament represents a landmark collaboration among the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, a united effort to grow the game and elevate European cricket on the world stage. Beyond the field, Glasgow Cosmic aims to contribute to the growth of cricket in Scotland through community engagement, grassroots initiatives, and support for the development of local cricket infrastructure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The ETPL has drawn some of the most reputable names in global cricket and sports as franchise owners. The Amsterdam team is supported by Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh and hockey star Jamie Dwyer, with Mitchell Marsh serving as captain. Belfast is co-owned by Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, while Edinburgh is led by New Zealand internationals Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum, with Mitchell Santner as captain. Glasgow have Chris Gayle and Tansha Batra of the Mugafi Group at the helm. Article Source: IANS

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

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

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

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

Fit Citizens Essential For Viksit Bharat, Says Minister Mandaviya At Ahmedabad Event

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya: Thousands of young cyclists gathered at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre in Ahmedabad on Sunday for a large-scale cycling event organised to mark Commonwealth Games Day and the 75th edition of Fit India: Sundays on Cycle, with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stating that citizens fitness was essential to achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. The event began at 6 a.m. and saw participation from thousands of residents, particularly young people from Ahmedabad. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, actor and Fit India icon Ayushmann Khurrana, Olympic medallist Gagan Narang and Olympic Association representative Ajay Patel were among those present. Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya said the occasion was significant as it marked both Commonwealth Games Day and the 75th edition of the cycling initiative. Today is the 75th edition of Sunday on Cycle and also Commonwealth Day. It is a matter of pride for all of us that Gujarat is going to host the Commonwealth Games in the year 2030, he said. Linking the campaign to the Prime Ministers broader development vision, the minister said, It is essential for every citizen of the country to remain fit in order to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mandaviya outlined what he described as the three major benefits of cycling. Cycling is the worlds best exercise to keep the body fit, he said. He added that increased bicycle use could help address pollution and reduce fuel consumption for short-distance travel. Using bicycles for nearby places gives momentum to the Prime Ministers Save Oil Campaign, resulting in economic savings in the countrys fuel consumption, he said. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the turnout reflected growing public engagement with fitness initiatives. In a light-hearted remark, he said, A Gujarati person will stay awake the whole night for work, but waking up early in the morning for fitness is a major challenge for him. Referring to the large turnout, he added that the participation of Ahmedabads youth was truly commendable. Sanghavi said the Fit India initiative should not be viewed as a political or government-driven exercise. The Fit India movement is not a government or political programme, but a peoples movement aimed at bringing positive change in everyones lives, he said. Ayushmann Khurrana said sports beyond cricket also required encouragement and wider public support. Sanghavi said the Fit India initiative should not be viewed as a political or government-driven exercise. The Fit India movement is not a government or political programme, but a peoples movement aimed at bringing positive change in everyones lives, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Olympic shooter Gagan Narang also joined the cycling event alongside thousands of participants. Article Source: IANS

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

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

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

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

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

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

MJK Smith Dies at 92: The Gentleman Captain Who Earned Universal Respect

England's second-oldest Test cricketer (behind Micky Stewart) and former captain, Mike Smith, popularly known as MJK, aged 92, has died. He was England captain for 25 of his 50 Tests, although he won only five of them but also lost only three. He was always a popular captain and even opposition players loved and respected him. In the pre-helmet era, he never hesitated to field at short leg. He also achieved a feat now considered rare and was the last player to play both cricket and rugby union (one international against Wales in 1956) for England. Smith was a better batsman than what the record reveals about him, scoring 2,278 runs in Tests at an average of 31, with only three hundreds. It should be added that, four times, he was dismissed in the nineties (99,99,98 and 96).However, he finds mention in the Wisden Almanac for having scored more than 25,000 runs in first-class cricket with 69 hundreds, predominantly for Warwickshire, with an overall figure of 39,832 first-class runs in 637 matches, the 18th-highest total of all time. In 1959, MJK scored 3,245 first-class runs and at 26, was the youngest (left behind Ranjitsinhji) to record 3,000 plus runs in an English summer. In fact, he was the first player in a decade to cross 3,000. That summer, he also recorded his first Test hundred (against India at Old Trafford) and missed another as he was out for 98 at The Oval. Wisden named him one of their Five Cricketers of the Year. He was England captain on the 1963-64 tour of India (a series in which India managed to save all five Tests) and remained captain until the first Test of the 1966 home series against West Indies. In a nutshell, his captaincy was always judged as fair and unselfish. The mantle of Englands oldest living captain is now passed on to Tony Lewis. He retired in 1968 but made a comeback to play three Tests in the 1972 Ashes and was the top-scorer with 30 in the second innings at Lords, famous as Bob Massies Test. He later became a popular England team manager for Test tours and was awarded his OBE in 1976 for services to cricket. He also became an ICC match referee (officiating in four Tests and 17 ODI) with the distinction of ICCs first referee (in the Australia-India series of 1991-92) and was Warwickshire president from 1991 to 2003. This is considered as a golden era for the club, as they won seven major trophies, including back-to-back County Championship titles in 1994 and 1995. The 1964 tour to India for him as a captain, in the absence of Dexter, who had made himself unavailable, presented many challenges, particularly marred by injuries and illness. So, a drawn series was a triumph for Smith, who averaged 51 in the Tests and presided over a happy side. In 2019, Warwickshire unveiled the MJK Gates in his honour at Edgbaston during the first Test against Australia. He is often credited for bringing Brian Lara to Warwickshire. While on manager duty of the England team to the Caribbean in 1994, he got the chance to see the young talent of Brian Lara and immediately recommended him to Warwickshire and a few days after that, Lara overtook the highest individual score of 365 not out of Gary Sobers during the Antigua Test of the series. The club office forwarded Laras work permit to Smith. Even then, Lara almost missed going to England to play for Warwickshire as Smith had misplaced his work permit. Fortunately, he later found it rolled up in his pyjamas and Lara departed. In 1994, with Brian Lara on the club rolls, Warwickshire won three of the four competitions and lost in the final of the fourth. In the third Test against New Zealand at Headingley in 1958, an unusual event took place. The England innings was opened by Mike Smith, a rugby international, and Arthur Milton, a football international. In 2023, MJK Smith was especially invited to Edgbaston to celebrate his 90th birthday and watch his beloved Bears in Vitality Blast action (North Group finale against Durham). Smith, who captained Warwickshire a record 327 times, was a guest of honour and marked his milestone birthday with friends and family. Also Read: Live Cricket Score His legacy continued through his son, Neil (NMK), an off-spinning all-rounder, who also captained Warwickshire and played a few ODIs (including in a World Cup) for England. For MJK, the proud moment was when Neil captained Warwickshire, the first time a father and son both captained the county. Smiths daughter Carole married one of the great English middle-distance runners and Member of Parliament Sebastian Coe.

Big Bash League Faces Uncertain Future as Franchise Privatisation Plans Stall

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

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

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

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

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

Matt Taylor the mastermind as Gloucestershire sneak past Glamorgan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Head Coach Sarfaraz Blasts Pakistan Players After Test Series Defeat To Bangladesh

Telecom Asia Sport: Pakistan's abysmal 2-0 whitewash in Bangladesh has left head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed fuming with anger at his players in a team meeting after the Sylhet defeat, a news report has claimed. Pakistan suffered a second successive 2-0 clean sweep at the hands of Bangladesh, following their defeat at home by the same margin two years ago. After the 58-run defeat in the second Test, head coach Sarfaraz blasted the players for their individual game and scoring runs for themselves, and that happened before a full squad meeting with manager Naveed Cheema and other staff present, sources told Telecom Asia Sport on Saturday. Players should play for the team and not for themselves, Sarfaraz was quoted as saying to his players, especially to the batters. None of the Pakistan batters could score 200 runs in the four innings of the series, with young debutant Azan Awais the only one to score a century. It is noted that players were playing for themselves. It is good to give individual performance, but it should help the team and not the individual, the head coach told the players. The senior players have failed to take responsibility. Look at other teams and their progress while our team is going backwards, he said. Sarfaraz, sources told www.telecomasia.net, was not happy with skipper Shan Masood's passive captaincy and lack of decision-making on the field, especially his reluctance to take reviews when the decision could have gone in Pakistan's favour. Pakistan did not take a review of Mushfiaur Rahim and Litton Das gloving the ball. Das, out on 52, went on to score a brave 126, which helped Bangladesh recover from a precarious 116-6 to 278, adding a big 162 runs for the last four wickets. Sarfaraz, sources told www.telecomasia.net, was not happy with skipper Shan Masood's passive captaincy and lack of decision-making on the field, especially his reluctance to take reviews when the decision could have gone in Pakistan's favour. Also Read: Live Cricket Score However, Shan Masood is certain to be removed as captain after suffering 12 defeats in 16 Tests. Middle-order batter Agha Salman is tipped to be the favourite to become the next Test skipper. Article Source: IANS

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

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

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

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

Tribe shows his mettle as England Lions battle back

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

KKR continue to believe with elimination possible before their game

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

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

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

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

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

Biryukov clinches maiden Challenger singles title

IPL 2026: Great To See Rahul Become Vice-captain Again, Has Put In Real Shift Around T20 Strike Rate, Says Bell

Assistant Coach Ian Bell: Delhi Capitals assistant coach Ian Bell hailed KL Rahuls influence on and off the field, adding that he was delighted to see him become the vice-captain of the Indian Test team again and that his efforts to bring a real shift in his T20 strike-rate have paid off. Rahul is DCs leading run-getter with 533 runs in 13 games at an average of 44.42 and a strike-rate of 171.93. Recently, Rahul replaced Rishabh Pant as Indias vice-captain in Tests for the one-off game against Afghanistan, to be played in New Chandigarh on June 6. Firstly, its great to see him become vice-captain again for India. I think the hard work hes put in through this. I disagree with that comment. I think you look at his strike rates this year, hes put in a real shift. Youre absolutely right in saying that hes a massively important player for us and for India as well. Hes brilliant in the dressing room. Take away the batting, as a human being, the way he speaks to the younger players, the way he is, the way he holds himself, the way he trains is first class. I think his strike rates have gone through the roof, and hes guaranteed to get another 500-run season. Hes been awesome for us, on and off the field, absolutely fantastic, said Bell in the pre-match press conference. Bell also praised the depth of Indian talent in the DC set-up. Its been great to see the amount of young talent coming through and dominating the style of play. Certainly, the modern-day player now, especially the guys at the top of the order, the fearless brand of cricket they play. As a franchise, weve tried to give opportunities to young players as well. Obviously, were here to win, as every team is, but its great to see the amount of talent in India and whats coming through. I know for a fact a lot of other countries around the world are jealous of the quality and talent coming through in this country. The IPL is a great platform for young Indian players, and its an exciting future ahead, certainly in white-ball cricket. On Mitchell Starcs role within the squad, Bell explained that hes a great role model in the team, just like how Rahul is. No doubt when Mitchell Starc arrived, it certainly helped us just having somebody bowling at 140-plus. I think that does make any bowling attack slightly different, and that was a big impact for us. It would have been nice to have him from the first game, but the guys have trained hard and worked hard on their skills, whether its with the new ball or yorkers. Theyve been prepared, but we know its a ruthless tournament. If you get it wrong, you go. On Mitchell Starcs role within the squad, Bell explained that hes a great role model in the team, just like how Rahul is. No doubt when Mitchell Starc arrived, it certainly helped us just having somebody bowling at 140-plus. I think that does make any bowling attack slightly different, and that was a big impact for us. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The way he trains, I dont know if anyone watched him bowl last night, but he was at full tilt, running in, and it was a test for all our batters. As a coach, you want training to be a real challenge and played at a really high standard. I thought the way he trains is a great role model for all our young players to watch, as KL is, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bethell in doubt for Lord's Test as finger injury ends IPL stint

Batter has less than a fortnight to be ready for first Test of the summer after finger injury

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

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

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

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

RR replace injured Ravi Singh with Emanjot Chahal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Zealand bat first at sunny Canterbury

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

IPL 2026: Results Are Disappointing, But Vibe Remains Positive, Says LSGs Inglis Ahead PBKS Clash

Lucknow Super Giants: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) wicketkeeperbatter Josh Inglis has conceded the results in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 have been disappointing for the franchise, but maintained that the atmosphere in the camp remains upbeat, with the focus firmly on finishing the tournament strongly. LSG never had the momentum in their favour in IPL 2026 and were knocked out early from the race to the playoffs. The side needs a win in their final league game against the Punjab Kings in Lucknow to sign off on a high and get themselves out of being wooden spooners in the points table. Its been nice to contribute individually, but its a shame how the season has unfolded. Its certainly not how we wanted to finish, but on a personal level, Ive enjoyed the challenge. As I said, the results are disappointing, but the vibe remains positive. We have a fantastic group of people here. The emphasis right now is on finishing the tournament strongly; we are still playing to win every game, and there is still plenty to play for in terms of pride and momentum, Inglis said in a pre-match chat with the broadcasters. Reflecting on his role at the top of the order, where hes made 194 runs in four innings, Inglis explained the demands of batting in the format. It is fairly simple, really. When you're batting at the top of the order in this format, you dont have much time to build an innings in the traditional sense; you have to get on with it as quickly as possible. On preparations and adaptability, Inglis added, You do your homework before the game, looking at previous matches played on this specific wicket and studying the opposition, but you must adapt quickly. You dont have a long window to settle in, so you must identify your best scoring options immediately while maintaining a really positive mindset. Reflecting on his role at the top of the order, where hes made 194 runs in four innings, Inglis explained the demands of batting in the format. It is fairly simple, really. When you're batting at the top of the order in this format, you dont have much time to build an innings in the traditional sense; you have to get on with it as quickly as possible. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Having played with many of these guys last year, Ive spent a lot of time around them, and I know their skill sets well. Thats definitely a bonus heading into tonight, but it doesn't guarantee success. Hopefully, I can turn that knowledge into a big score. Article Source: IANS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theres More Mental Pressure But IPL Is Easier Than Domestic: Mukul Choudhary Opens Up On LSG Debut And Spotlight

Lucknow Super Giants: Mukul Choudhary has emerged as one of the exciting young finds for Lucknow Super Giants this IPL season, and the youngster has now opened up about adapting to the pressure and expectations that come with playing on crickets biggest franchise stage. After impressing in domestic cricket and earning opportunities in LSGs middle order, Mukul admitted that the mental challenge of performing in the IPL is far greater due to the scale of attention the tournament attracts. There is more mental pressure in the IPL because more people are watching you. In some ways, things are easier here because you know the opposition bowlers, their strengths, and their plans. You have video analysis and data to prepare. In domestic cricket, you don't have all that, Mukul told JioStar. The young batter explained that while preparation becomes more detailed in the IPL environment, the spotlight and expectations create a completely different challenge for newcomers. But the pressure comes from performing on a big stage in front of a huge audience, especially when you are new to the IPL. There is a little mental pressure. But if you stay calm and stick to your processes, it becomes manageable here too, he said. Mukul has impressed this season with his fearless approach in pressure situations, quickly earning praise for his composure despite limited IPL experience. Recalling his IPL debut against Delhi Capitals, Mukul revealed that he did not initially expect to feature in the playing XI. I had no idea I would play the first match. I wasn't fully prepared for it. When I was told I might get a chance, and then finally that I was in the playing XI, my reaction was simple: 'Yes, I am playing.', he recollected. The batter said constant preparation during training camps and internal practice games helped him stay mentally ready for the opportunity. Mentally, I was ready because I knew I had to do my job. You can't worry about when the opportunity will come. It can come at any time. So I kept preparing, Mukul added. The batter said constant preparation during training camps and internal practice games helped him stay mentally ready for the opportunity. Also Read: Live Cricket Score When I walked out for the real game, I didn't feel much difference. The only new things were the crowd, the cameras, and being on live television. That created a little pressure, but it was manageable. I was ready for it, he noted. Article Source: IANS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IPL 2026: The Game Is On Winning The Game To Top The League Table, Says RCB's Flower

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Andy Flower said the batters at Royal Challengers Bengaluru left it up to them whether they chose to chase the score or just defend their net run rate against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the high scoring loss on Friday which still saw RCB secure the top of the IPL 2026 league table. Although RCB went on to lose the contest by 55 runs on Friday evening whilst chasing down 255 for the win it was still 200/4 sufficient enough for the team to still be above Gujarat Titans and SRH on the table with a better net run rate securing them top of the league table and a direct shot at qualifier 1. We were in a position where we could have kept pushing to chase down 255 but ultimately we got the job done and topped the league. It is quite a difficult position to be put in, when you have got these conflicting things at play, he said. The game is on winning the game to top the league table. Flower further explained how he and his players carefully weighed up their qualification scenario during the innings break, We did discuss the various targets that could be achieved. So I think we needed 166 to confirm top two and 179 to confirm top of the table with clearly 255 to get for the win. I thought Venky [Iyer] batted exceptionally well to start us off and get us going, And we wanted the batsmen to get a feel for the surface out there and make that decision, for themselves about whether they felt they could chase down 255 or 180. The total amassed by Sunrisers of 255/4 came as a result of some exceptional innings from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen and the total of 200/4 for Royal Challengers, that still kept them above their rivals on the table came from a superb 44 from 19 balls for Venky Iyer and a half-century for captain Rajat Patidar. The praised for Venkatesh from Flower knew no bounds, especially given the limited opportunity he has had throughout this season, I have got a lot of respect for Venky, he explained. He has been waiting patiently for his opportunity and when it came, in either of the roles as an Impact Player where we have really needed some extra batsmen at the death because of a difficult start we have had to the innings or both games where we have now given him an opportunity in Dharamsala batting at number four and here opening the innings he has gone on to take them and that is why he deserves his opportunity. The coach spoke of the great attitude and professionalism that the seasoned pro has shown during the course of the season, I have a lot of respect for a man that has played a lot of IPL cricket and for India and was sitting on the side for three or four weeks and not being given a chance. He has been out in that dugout and there hasn't been a change in his disposition and every single practice session has been worked very, very hard at, his bowling, his fielding and his batting and it has just been exemplary to be brutally honest, Flower concluded. The later part of the evening also saw the surface slow down significantly making for harder work on the balls with good length and slow spin. It was exactly the surface that SRH expected though when opting to bat first with coach Daniel Vettori explaining, I think it was exactly how we anticipated and that's exactly why we batted first, Vettori said. I think it was like a Punjab wicket in the sense that you could score loads but like that Punjab game RCB had put dropped a lot of catches that allowed us to really overperform with the total as opposed to what it looked like. But you felt 200 to 220 should have been a very good total at that surface. The later part of the evening also saw the surface slow down significantly making for harder work on the balls with good length and slow spin. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Royal Challengers will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on May 26 while SRH play the fourth-placed team in the Eliminator on May 27. Article Source: IANS