Cricket

Overton returns as win-less CSK bowl vs unchanged RCB

Gaikwad opted to bowl on a fresh Bengaluru pitch and said that MS Dhoni, who is nursing a calf injury, is recovering well

Shami sets LSG's victory up before Pant fifty takes them past SRH

Fifties from Klaasen and Nitish took SRH from 26 for 4 to 156, but Pant carried LSG home

IPL 2026: Pants Unbeaten 68 Holds Nerve In Final-over Drama As LSG Edge Past SRH In Thriller

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant struck the winning boundary with one ball to spare as his side survived a tense final-over scare to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets in a gripping Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday. Chasing 157, Lucknow looked comfortably placed for much of the innings before Hyderabads bowlers produced a spirited late fightback to drag the contest down to the wire. Pant eventually finished it in style, driving Jaydev Unadkat over mid-off for four in the penultimate ball of the match to seal Lucknows first win of the season. Earlier, Hyderabad had recovered from a disastrous start to post 156/9 thanks to a remarkable counterattacking stand between Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy. After being put in to bat, the Sunrisers were rocked early by the Lucknow pacers. Mohammed Shami removed Abhishek Sharma for a duck before sending back Travis Head soon after, while Prince Yadav dismissed Ishan Kishan as Hyderabad slumped to 11/3. Wickets continued to tumble, and when Liam Livingstone fell cheaply, the hosts were in deep trouble at 35/4 at the halfway stage. Klaasen and Nitish then staged a stunning rescue, rebuilding cautiously before launching a counterattack. Nitish took on the bowlers with a flurry of sixes while Klaasen found the gaps with authority, the pair stitching together a remarkable 116-run stand for the fifth wicket. Klaasen struck 62 off 41 balls while Nitish hammered 56 off just 33 deliveries to revive Hyderabads innings. Lucknow, however, clawed back at the death with Avesh Khan and company striking in quick succession to prevent a bigger total. In reply, Lucknow began positively with Aiden Markram leading the early charge. The South African played some fluent strokes in the powerplay and raced to a brisk 45 before falling to young spinner Shivang Kumar. Pant then anchored the chase, rotating strike smartly while keeping the scoreboard ticking. Though not his most fluent innings, the left-hander held the innings together with a patient knock. Hyderabad sensed an opening when Shivang dismissed Markram, and later a sharp run-out accounted for Nicholas Pooran, briefly shifting the momentum. Harsh Dubey further tightened the screws by removing Ayush Badoni. Just when the match appeared to be slipping away from Lucknow, Abdul Samad provided a vital cameo with a couple of boundaries to ease the pressure. Yet Hyderabad refused to back down. Dubey struck again to dismiss Samad in the 18th over, and a superb penultimate over from Harshal Patel conceded just four runs, leaving Lucknow needing nine off the final over. Just when the match appeared to be slipping away from Lucknow, Abdul Samad provided a vital cameo with a couple of boundaries to ease the pressure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 156/9 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 62, Nitish Kumar Reddy 56; Mohammed Shami 2-9, Prince Yadav 2-34) lost to Lucknow Super Giants 160/5 in 19.5 overs (Rishabh Pant 68 not out, Aiden Markram 45; Harsh Dubey 2-18) by five wickets. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Both Teams Unchanged As CSK Elect To Bowl First Against RCB

Chennai Super Kings: Five-time winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have won the toss and elected to bowl first against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their IPL 2026 game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. RCB will be aiming to make it two out of two wins, while CSK will be keen to get off the mark in the points table. Both teams are fielding unchanged playing elevens for this marquee clash. Obviously, high scoring ground. Looks like a good pitch, there's going to be some runs. We'll look to restrict them as much as possible. MS is getting back slowly, sometimes it takes time, if he's ready to play, it'll be soon. The first game was disappointing, but our batting was much better in the second game. Everyone is feeling confident, said CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK have an overall 21-13 head-to-head record against RCB. But when it comes to the games at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, it's 6-5 in favour of RCB. We were looking to bowl first, but it looks like a hard pitch, so we're happy to bat. It's a fresh wicket. The boys played well in the last game and we're looking to continue here. The way everyone played in the last game was tremendous, everyone had clarity in their role and they are high in confidence, said RCB captain Rajat Patidar. In the pitch report, Ian Bishop and Faf du Plessis observed one square boundary is measuring 61 metres, while the other side stands at 68m and the straight boundary is 74m. They also opined the surface is good for batting and early wickets with the new ball could be decisive, though spinners may still have a role. Playing XIs: Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, and Khaleel Ahmed Impact Substitutes: Matthew Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Ramakrishna Ghosh, and Gurjapneet Singh Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, and Khaleel Ahmed Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact Substitutes: Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, and Venkatesh Iyer Article Source: IANS

Damage from Storm Dave causes indefinite delay to Durham's season opener

Play suspended and spectators told to stay away after heavy overnight winds batter North-East

IPL 2026: Klaasen, Reddy Lift SRH To 156/9 After Early Collapse Against LSG

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: A superb counterattacking partnership between Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy rescued Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) from a disastrous start and propelled them to 156/9 in 20 overs against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their Indian Premier League clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday. Put in to bat after Lucknow opted to field, Hyderabad endured a nightmare start as the visitors seamers tore through the top order. Mohammed Shami struck in the opening over, dismissing Abhishek Sharma for a duck with a clever slower delivery that induced an edge to short third. Shami soon added another key scalp when Travis Head miscued a slower ball to mid-off, leaving Hyderabad reeling early. The misery deepened when Prince Yadav produced a sharp inswinger to clean up Ishan Kishan, as the hosts slipped to 11/3 inside four overs. The pressure continued to mount with wickets falling at regular intervals. Liam Livingstone briefly tried to counterattack and struck a six down the ground, but his resistance ended when leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi induced a miscued paddle that was brilliantly caught by skipper Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. At 35/4 after 10 overs, Hyderabad were staring at one of their lowest first-half totals in IPL history. With the innings in tatters, Klaasen and Reddy joined forces to mount a remarkable recovery. The duo initially rebuilt cautiously before gradually shifting gears. Nitish began the counterattack with a series of powerful pulls and lofted drives, while Klaasen targeted the gaps with crisp strokeplay. The partnership gathered momentum after the halfway mark as boundaries began to flow freely. Klaasen smashed Avesh Khan for four consecutive boundaries in the 14th over to turn the tide, while Nitish punished the spinners with towering sixes over long-on and deep extra cover. The pair brought up a century stand that completely transformed the innings, with Klaasen raising his fifty off 33 balls and Nitish reaching his half-century soon after. Their 116-run partnership for the fifth wicket, the highest for Hyderabad at that stage in the IPL, lifted the hosts from 35/4 to a position of strength. However, Lucknow struck back decisively in the death overs. Manimaran Siddharth broke the crucial stand by having Nitish caught in the deep for a brilliant 56 off 33 balls, an innings studded with three fours and five sixes. Klaasen followed soon after when he attempted a reverse shot against Avesh Khan and edged it to Pant for a well-made 62 off 41 deliveries. Avesh then triggered a late collapse with two wickets in consecutive balls, while Prince Yadav cleaned up the tail with a pinpoint yorker. A run-out in the final over further dented Hyderabads hopes of finishing strongly. However, Lucknow struck back decisively in the death overs. Manimaran Siddharth broke the crucial stand by having Nitish caught in the deep for a brilliant 56 off 33 balls, an innings studded with three fours and five sixes. Klaasen followed soon after when he attempted a reverse shot against Avesh Khan and edged it to Pant for a well-made 62 off 41 deliveries. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 156/9 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 62, Nitish Kumar Reddy 56; Mohammed Shami 2-9, Prince Yadav 2-34) against Lucknow Super Giants. Article Source: IANS

Not Easy Being A Skipper, Riyan Deserves Credit For His Amazing Captaincy Against GT: Bangar

Narendra Modi Stadium: Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar heaped praise on Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag for his composure and decision-making in a tense finish against the Gujarat Titans on Saturday, highlighting how leadership played a defining role in their six-run win. In a match that went down to the final over at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Rajasthans decision to hand the ball to Tushar Deshpande proved decisive, with the pacer defending 11 runs under pressure. Bangar underlined that the foundation of the win lay in Parags captaincy during crunch moments. With multiple bowling choices available, the RR skipper's clarity stood out as he backed Deshpande for the final over, a decision that ultimately sealed the game. Riyan Parag deserves the credit for his amazing captaincy in this match against GT. It is not an easy job being a skipper, especially when you have tons of bowling options to choose from and you find yourself in a high-pressure situation. Riyan clearly trusted Tushar Deshpande to bowl the final over and when a captain chooses you to bowl an over that's a do-or-die one, then you have to do well. If you don't, your team will lose, Bangar told JioStar. Bangar stressed that beyond tactics, a captains role is also about instilling belief in players during high-stakes situations. It is important for the skipper to motivate the bowler when asking him to do such a tough job. You have to constantly tell them that you can do it, and Tushar Deshpande lived upto the expectations by soaking in all the pressure and bowled the best over of his cricket career, he said. Deshpande responded with an ice-cool over, conceding just four runs and dismissing Rashid Khan at a crucial juncture to swing the match decisively in Rajasthans favour. Bangar also highlighted the long-term impact of such trust between captain and bowler, saying, Once you get that kind of trust and faith from your skipper, it is a wonderful feeling. Every time Rajasthan finds themselves in a nail-biting situation, Riyan Parag will go towards Tushar Deshpande because he has done it once and can do it again. He summed up the moment as a perfect blend of leadership and execution, stating, So brilliant from the captain, great execution from the bowler. The celebration at the end tells us how hungry RR was for this win. Apart from the final over heroics, Bangar also reserved praise for leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who turned the game with a four-wicket haul to derail Gujarats chase. Bishnois control and discipline made it difficult for batters to settle, even without a wide range of variations. Explaining Bishnois effectiveness, Bangar pointed out his unique bowling approach. Apart from the final over heroics, Bangar also reserved praise for leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who turned the game with a four-wicket haul to derail Gujarats chase. Bishnois control and discipline made it difficult for batters to settle, even without a wide range of variations. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Despite not being a conventional leg-spinner, his impact was undeniable. He doesn't have a conventional leg spinner, but his figures of 4 for 41 proved his class, he noted. Article Source: IANS

Top Rifle And Pistol Shooters Arrive For Season-opening World Cup Leg In Granada

International Shooting Sport Federation: A 24-strong Indian contingent, across the 10 Olympic events on the roster, arrived here at the season-opening International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol leg. A star-studded field is set to fire the first competition shots on Tuesday at the Las Gabias Shooting Range. A total of 434 athletes from 51 National Olympic Committees have entered the fray. Finals run through the week, with day one slated to host the two mixed team deciders, concluding with the mens 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) and womens 10m air rifle finals on April 12, 2026. India will have three medal contenders in each of the individual events, besides 14 others who would be starting as RPO (ranking points only) shooters across events. The squad arrived early and have already had a feel of the ranges, with official pre-event training slated for Monday (Apr 06, 2026). Reigning Asian Games champion Palak will partner Mukesh Nelavalli in the 10m air pistol mixed team, the first event of the tournament alongside Sainyam and Ujjwal Malik. In the days second final, the air rifle mixed team, India will be represented by Sonam Uttam Maskar and Gajanan Shahdev Khandagale and Shruti and Arshdeep Singh, respectively. As per laid down selection policy, India has fielded shooters ranked between 4-6 in the domestic national rankings. The team remains strong contenders, however, with established names such as Akhil Sheoran, Anjum Moudgil and Mehuli Ghosh, world championship medalists all, leading the lines, along with the likes of World Cup final winner Simranpreet Kaur Brar, world record holder Rhythm Sangwan and last years Buenos Aires World Cup gold medallist Vijayveer Sidhu, providing further solidity. While some shooters have competed in continental competitions earlier in the year, for many, including those from powerhouses China, the Granada world cup will be the international season opener. No wonder, then, that they have entered the second largest 22-member squad, including three of their reigning Olympic champions. Besides China, other strong shooting nations that will have a sizeable presence in Granada, include Germany (20), Italy (16), France (14), USA (13) and Chinese Taipei (13), besides hosts Spain (18) and the upcoming Kazakhstan (15). Among reigning Olympic champions China have entered Sheng Lihao (mens 10m air rifle), Xie Yu (mens 10m air pistol) and Yukun Liu (mens 3P), while the Swiss Chiara Leone, the womens 3P champion, is all set to start her international 2026 season in Granada as well. Other top stars to be seen in live action include the likes of Swede Victor Lindgren (Paris silver and former world champion), the star French pistol trio of Jean Quiquampoix (Tokyo Olympic champion), Clement Bessaguet (reigning world champion) and Camille Jedrzejewski (Paris silver) and Norways Jeanette Hegg Duestad (reigning world champion). Further illuminating the Las Gabias ranges over the next week with their presence will the star Paris silver winning pair of Yusuf Dikec and Sevval Tarhan representing Turkiye and American Olympic silver medallists Sagen Maddalena (Paris) and Carolyn Mary Tucker (Tokyo). Other top stars to be seen in live action include the likes of Swede Victor Lindgren (Paris silver and former world champion), the star French pistol trio of Jean Quiquampoix (Tokyo Olympic champion), Clement Bessaguet (reigning world champion) and Camille Jedrzejewski (Paris silver) and Norways Jeanette Hegg Duestad (reigning world champion). Also Read: Live Cricket Score --IANS Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: 'Dont Want To Put A Ceiling On Anything,' Says Markram On Judging The Right Score In A Game

Lucknow Super Giants: Ahead of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) encounter against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday, all-rounder Aiden Markram opened up about the demands of franchise cricket and his team's preparations. Markram, who is an integral part of LSGs unit, shared his thoughts on the IPL's high level of competition and the responsibility for setting the right targets, stating that one must keep an open mind and not put a ceiling on anything. Reflecting on the nature of franchise cricket, Markram acknowledged that the format requires players to stay sharp and focused at all times. Yeah, it is slightly different. Look, having said that, I think we've played enough cricket now to kind of know what's expected of you and how things operate here, said Markram. However, he was quick to point out that the IPL remains one of the most challenging tournaments to be a part of. But it's a very high level of competition in this tournament, and you've got to be pretty switched on every game. Takes a lot out of you towards the back end, but each game is really exciting to be a part of, he added. One of the key aspects of LSGs strategy this season is assessing the right target, especially in a format where big scores are becoming increasingly common. Markram acknowledged the evolving nature of T20 cricket, where high scores are no longer just the result of flat pitches or good batting conditions. You want to keep a really open mind, especially nowadays. We see guys posting massive scores, and I don't think you want to put a ceiling on anything, Markram said, highlighting how modern-day cricket constantly pushes boundaries. According to him, the responsibility for setting the tone for a good total falls on the openers, who need to assess conditions and communicate effectively. So, assessing it upfront, obviously it's the job of us openers, and then to sort of communicate what we think is a good score, Markram explained. But nowadays, you think you can get to 180-190 on a tricky wicket and teams still get past 200 to chase. So, it can be tricky to sum it up, but ultimately, you look to take the game on, and hopefully you can get some good scores, he remarked. When asked about the difference between opening and batting at No. 3, Markram explained how the approach differs, but also noted his preference for batting in the top order. There is a slight difference, I feel. Naturally, opening, you kind of know exactly what to expect upfront, how they're going to attack you. At number three, some 3-4 overs into the innings, some things pan out, and maybe you don't get quite what you expected, Markram said. He also shared that he enjoys opening, as it gives him the chance to play a more central role in setting the tone for the innings. But I enjoy opening. I enjoy the top three, especially in this format of the game. I think it's nice to try to bat as much as you can out there in the middle, he added. As LSG look to bounce back in IPL 2026, Markram highlighted the importance of the batting unit taking responsibility, particularly given their bowling attack. He stressed that the batting line-up must take ownership to ensure the team can play to its strengths. You want to try to get all the bowlers in, especially in a competition where the batters sort of find it slightly easier. So, you want to try to get them all in, Markram said, outlining the need for a well-rounded team performance. As LSG look to bounce back in IPL 2026, Markram highlighted the importance of the batting unit taking responsibility, particularly given their bowling attack. He stressed that the batting line-up must take ownership to ensure the team can play to its strengths. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Markram made it clear that while the responsibility of putting runs on the board doesnt add extra pressure, the team needs to be mindful of the structure and understand the balance they must maintain. So, I don't think it puts extra pressure on us, but just being aware of it and understanding how the team is structured, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

SRH bring in Livingstone and Harshal against LSG

LSG chose to chase in an afternoon game in Hyderabad

Blue Warriors Beat Star XI To Win Victorious Endeavours Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament

Delhi Development Authority: Blue Warriors, led by Lalit Dayma, registered a commanding victory over Star XI in the final of the six-a-side tennis ball cricket tournament, sponsored by Victorious Endeavours, at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Siri Fort Stadium, to lift the title for the first time on Sunday. The two-day tournament, which featured ten teams, was played in an innovative format with six-over matches, where only boundaries, fours, and sixes were counted towards the total score, making it a high-intensity, power-hitting contest. In the final, Blue Warriors won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Mohit Meena and Tarun came out all guns blazing, putting the Star XI bowlers under immense pressure right from the start. Mohit Meena played a crucial supporting role, scoring a brisk 34 off 18 balls, which included five towering sixes and a four. He was dismissed in the fifth over while attempting another big shot. At the other end, Tarun delivered a sensational innings, remaining unbeaten on 56 off just 18 deliveries. His knock was studded with two fours and eight sixes. Riding on his explosive batting, the Blue Warriors posted a formidable total of 93/1 in their allotted six overs. Chasing a challenging target, Star XI began on a promising note, scoring 15 runs in the first over and looking well in the contest. However, the momentum shifted quickly in favour of Blue Warriors in the second over when they dismissed Gaurav Rahi for a five-ball duck. The breakthrough triggered a collapse as Blue Warriors tightened their grip on the match. Regular wickets in the middle overs halted Star XIs progress, and the pressure of the required run rate mounted steadily. Despite their initial start, Star XI could only manage 45/3 in six overs, falling well short of the target by 48 runs. The winning team was awarded a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh along with the trophy, capping off an impressive campaign in the tournament. The breakthrough triggered a collapse as Blue Warriors tightened their grip on the match. Regular wickets in the middle overs halted Star XIs progress, and the pressure of the required run rate mounted steadily. Despite their initial start, Star XI could only manage 45/3 in six overs, falling well short of the target by 48 runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He emphasised the importance of wearing helmets, highlighting that such simple precautions can save lives, and encouraged cricketers to use their platform to spread awareness. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: LSG Ask SRH To Bat First, Livingstone, Harshal Come In

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Lucknow Super Giants won the toss and elected to bowl against Sunrisers Hyderabad here at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the first match of Sundays double header. Both SRH and LSG are looking for early-season stability, albeit with different concerns. SRH have had mixed results so far, suffering a heavy loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) but bouncing back with a more assured win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). On the other hand, LSG come into this fixture following a disappointing loss to Delhi Capitals, where their batting structure and selection decisions were under scrutiny. The move to promote Rishabh Pant to the top order did not pay off, and the middle order struggled after early wickets, leaving them with just 141 on the board. With little margin for error, LSGs bowlers couldnt apply enough pressure. Heading into this game, LSG must decide whether to persist with their altered batting line-up or revert to a more stable approach to regain their balance and put up a stronger performance. Winning the toss, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant said, The wicket is good, let them bat first, and we will put them under pressure in the second innings. It's not a new challenge, but this is one team that can hurt us. Looks like a good wicket for sure, but there's something in it, the ball might stick after the first 6 overs. Just one change, Manimaran Siddarth is in, Nortje is out. Meanwhile, SRH captain Ishan Kishan said, Very happy, always good to be in front of the home crowd. Two changes - Livingstone and Harshal Patel come in. Harshal has always done well here, Livi will give us some off-spin. Decision-making is the most important, try well and execute your plans. It's important to get two points, but we need to be calm and take one match at a time. Playing XIs: LSG: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), M. Siddharth, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Avesh Khan, Mohammad Shami, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav Impact Substitutes: Ayush Badoni, Matthew Breetzke, Shahbaz Ahmed, Anrich Nortje, Himmat Singh. LSG: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), M. Siddharth, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Avesh Khan, Mohammad Shami, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact Substitutes: Eshan Malinga, Salil Arora, David Payne, Shivam Mavi and Zeeshan Ansari. Article Source: IANS

Fit India Sundays On Cycle Celebrates World Health Day; Over 800 Participants Take Part In Various Game Zones

Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming: The importance of staying fit holistically was upheld in the greatest of ways during the 68th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle here at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex. Besides the regular 5km cycling ride, over 800 participants took part in myriad fitness zones, specially laid out across the complex, two days prior to World Health Day. Multiple activity zones featured badminton, table tennis, cricket, tug of war, yoga, skipping challenges, and even nostalgic indoor games like carrom, ludo and snakes & ladders. A special yoga consultation booth, supported by Ministry of AYUSH under its Yoga 365 initiative, saw participants unwind through guided sessions and consultations, while a smart wall fitness challenge for neural activity and darts stations drew enthusiastic crowds across age groups. Fit India Sundays on Cycle is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Indian Rope Skipping Federation, Yogasana Bharat, Raahgiri Foundation, MY Bikes and MY Bharat. The cycling drive is conducted simultaneously across all States and Union Territories, including SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs) and Khelo India Centres (KICs). I came here just to cycle, but this feels like a full-fledged fitness festival. My kids are playing badminton and table tennis games while I joined yoga. There is an activity in store for everyone, said Ritu Sharma, a local Delhi resident. Another participant, Jasmeet Chandok, added, The energy here is unbelievable. From music to games to cycling, it feels like a World Health Day carnival. What stood out was the overwhelming participation from Indias healthcare community, with associations like the Indian Medical Association and Indian Red Cross Society joining hands as special partners. Supported by partners including ESIC Social Security, the event reflected a powerful convergence of healthcare and fitness, reinforcing the message that prevention and active living go hand in hand. Doctors and nurses, often seen on the frontlines of health, took centre stage as champions of preventive fitness, reinforcing the message that wellness begins with daily habits. The venue buzzed with high-energy Zumba sessions, yoga routines and rope skipping zones, while participants explored the wide array of recreational and fitness activities. The event also saw the presence and felicitation of several distinguished guests and fitness influencers, including former IPL cricketer Parvinder Awana, Powerlifting guru Mukesh Gehlot and Paralympian Pushpendra Singh, alongside leading medical professionals such as Dr. Shama Batra (President, East Delhi IMA), Dr. Ajay K. Gupta (President, Delhi IAP), Dr. Rajnesh Aaram (Joint Secretary, IMA HQ), Dr. Piyush Jain (Finance Secretary, IMA HQ), and Dr. Neelam Lekhi (President, DMA). Senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush were also present, underlining the governments focus on preventive healthcare and holistic well-being. Former Kings XI Punjab cricketer Parvinder Awana said, This should not be done only on Sundays. One should make it a daily habit. Powerlifting champion Mukesh Gehlot, who was also felicitated earlier in the morning, shared, This is a new experience after many years, and I truly enjoyed it. Paralympian & Asian Para Games Medallist Pushpendra Singh added, Our Honble Prime Ministers initiative, Sundays on Cycle, is one of the best things we can adopt in our lives to stay fit. Senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush were also present, underlining the governments focus on preventive healthcare and holistic well-being. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Adding a social message to the festivities, a street play by the Raahgiri Foundation highlighted the importance of active lifestyles and safer public spaces, drawing applause from the audience. Launched in December 2024 by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has grown into a powerful jan andolan, recording participation of over 28 lakh citizens across more than 2.63 lakh locations nationwide. Article Source: IANS

GT Will Rue Lost Opportunities When Playoff Race Heats Up: Steyn

After Gujarat Titans: After Gujarat Titans' narrow loss to Rajasthan Royals in a final-over thriller, former South African pacer Dale Steyn believes that when the playoffs race heats up, GT would look back at this game and regret missed opportunities. A dramatic final over from pacer Tushar Deshpande helped Rajasthan Royals clinch a thrilling six-run win over Gujarat Titans in a nail-biting encounter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. After opting to bat first, Rajasthan posted a competitive 210/6 in 20 overs, riding on fine half-centuries from Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Gujarats chase was spearheaded by a brilliant knock from Sai Sudharsan, but despite a late surge from Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, the hosts fell agonisingly short. This match between GT and RR is easily the best game of IPL 2026, Steyn remarked, drawing attention to the high stakes and intense drama that unfolded throughout the evening. He added that the Gujarat Titans, after a strong start, While Rajasthan came out on top, it wasnt for a lack of effort from Gujarat. The Titans, chasing a challenging 211, were well-placed at various stages, especially with Sai Sudharsans superb 73 and a late counter-attack from Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada. However, Steyn pointed out that Gujarats inability to capitalise on those moments was ultimately their downfall. In the latter half of the season, when the playoff spots will be decided, GT will look at this match and wonder how many opportunities they had to win it. But they did not capitalise and let the match slip away, Steyn said, underscoring the importance of seizing crucial moments in tight matches like these. RR are going to be really happy with this win. Their last victory against CSK, they did not have to work hard to secure it. But here against GT, the match went down to the final over and RR were forced to do everything they could to seal the win, Steyn explained, emphasising that the teams resolve had been tested to the maximum. This shift in mentality, according to Steyn, is crucial for Rajasthan as they move forward in the tournament. Last season, Rajasthan had a heartbreaker of an IPL season. They lost matches by small margins. They missed out on golden opportunities to seal the win. They could not convert the chances into victories. But this season, RR is looking like a different team. A side that is determined to try every trick up their sleeve to ensure they don't go empty-handed without sealing the win. However, the game-changing moment came in the final over, when Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag entrusted Tushar Deshpande with the responsibility of defending 11 runs. Steyn was full of admiration for the pacers composure and execution under extreme pressure. The final over bowled by Tushar Deshpande was exceptional. He executed his Yorkers perfectly under pressure, did not give any chances to a player like Rashid Khan to find the boundary and he ensured his team did not suffer any hiccups in the final over of a 200-plus run chase, Steyn said. Steyn went on to acknowledge that the performance would likely boost Deshpandes profile for a potential call-up to the senior Indian team and that the ability to handle pressure and execute plans perfectly in such moments is a rare quality in cricketers. The final over bowled by Tushar Deshpande was exceptional. He executed his Yorkers perfectly under pressure, did not give any chances to a player like Rashid Khan to find the boundary and he ensured his team did not suffer any hiccups in the final over of a 200-plus run chase, Steyn said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He added, Tushar bowled four inch-perfect Yorkers, then he changed his line and delivered the length ball and by doing that, he baited Rashid Khan into hitting a big shot on that delivery and he ended up getting caught on the boundary line. Wonderful display of game sense. Tushar Deshpande bowled in a fearless manner and this bowling performance will ensure that the Indian selectors don't take their eyes off him this IPL season. Article Source: IANS

'I will sit in my chair' - Aminul determined to continue as BCB president

The committee investigating allegations of malpractice in the board elections in October last year has submitted its report to the Bangladesh government

RCB Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar One Wicket Away From 200-wicket Milestone In IPL

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is on the verge of creating history when the defending champions take on Chennai Super Kings on Sunday here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The right-arm medium pacer, who has 199 wickets in 191 IPL matches, is set to become the second player to reach the 200-wicket milestone. Moreover, he will become the first fast bowler to achieve this feat. Only Yuzvendra Chahal has crossed the 200-wicket mark in the tournament, with 224 wickets in 176 matches. The leg-spinner, who went past Dwayne Bravo as the highest wicket-taker in IPL history in the 2023 season, got to the milestone in 2024 during his 153rd match. Bhuvneshwar was handed a contract by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009 but went two seasons without playing a game in the tournament. After another three unremarkable seasons with Pune Warriors, he was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 and quickly rose through the ranks to become the lynchpin of their powerplay and death bowling. He took upwards of 18 wickets in each of his first four seasons, won the purple cap two years in a row, in 2016 and 2017, and was instrumental in Sunrisers' only title win, in 2016. Though his performances tapered off in later seasons, he remained the franchise's all-time leading wicket-taker before he returned to RCB in the 2025. Bhuvneshwar was handed a contract by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009 but went two seasons without playing a game in the tournament. After another three unremarkable seasons with Pune Warriors, he was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 and quickly rose through the ranks to become the lynchpin of their powerplay and death bowling. Also Read: Live Cricket Score While Hazlewood is unavailable for the initial matches, Bhuvneshwar is RCB's leading bowler. In the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he only conceded 31 runs, despite the batters launching an aggressive assault. Article Source: IANS

Missing Gill Was A Big Setback For GT, But Sudharsan Did The Heavy Lifting: Ashwin

Narendra Modi Stadium: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin opened up on Sai Sudharsan's knock for Gujarat Titans in the absence of skipper Shubman Gill and said the way Sudharsan started his innings showed that he understands his strengths well. Sudharsan produced a batting masterclass of 73 off just 44 balls, but it wasnt enough as the Titans lost wickets at important stages to suffer a heartbreaking defeat in their first home game of the season at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday evening. Sai Sudharsan knew that Shubman wasn't playing today, so he had to do the heavy lifting himself. The way he started showed that he understands his strengths. He used pace well, guiding the ball towards third man, and then played some good cover drives on the front foot. He took on Jadeja immediately after he came into the attack, made use of the pace, and followed it up with a slog sweep, Ashwin said on JioStar. Gill missed the GT's game against RR owing to a muscle spasm, and Rashid Khan led the side in his absence. Ashiwn feels that when Gill returns, his opening combination with Sudharsan will be the key for GT to move forward. These are the strong areas for Sudharsan, which he relies on, and he got the results. He needs to play like this, carry the innings, but at a good tempo. And for the Gujarat Titans, missing Shubman Gill was a big setback. So obviously, when Shubman returns, this opening combination will be key for them going forward, yet again, he added. With the thrilling win against GT, RR won their second straight match. Having beaten Chennai Super Kings handily in their opener, the Royals currently top the standings with four points and a Net Run Rate of +2.233 - the best among all teams so far. Defending 210, Rajasthan were under pressure in the closing stages of Gujarats chase as stand-in skipper Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada threatened to pull off a stunning finish. With the match heading into the final two overs, skipper Riyan Parag said the plan was to attack the stumps with pace and keep the batters from freeing their arms. He revealed he had initially considered altering the bowling order at the death but eventually stuck with Archer for the penultimate over after a timely suggestion from Dhurv Jurel and handed a final over to Tushar Deshpande, who managed to defend 10 off the final over to seal a second straight victory. Former allrounder Irfan Pathan reckoned that the win and some key decisions at the end will give a lot of confidence to Riyan Parag as a captain. He revealed he had initially considered altering the bowling order at the death but eventually stuck with Archer for the penultimate over after a timely suggestion from Dhurv Jurel and handed a final over to Tushar Deshpande, who managed to defend 10 off the final over to seal a second straight victory. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jofra used his experience, used his pace, and didnt give any room to either Rabada or Rashid Khan, who were going strong. That over set it up nicely for Tushar Deshpande, because if GT had gotten 10 runs off it, the game would have been done then. It was a special over from Jofra. And credit to Tushar Deshpande, who held his nerve and bowled accurate yorkers, one after the other, to get his side home, Pathan concluded. Article Source: IANS

'Losing Quick Wickets, Bowlers Lacked Rhythm': Hayden Dissects GT's Narrow Loss To RR

Kolkata Knight Riders: Gujarat Titans batting coach Matthew Hayden believes a sudden flurry of wickets turned a certain victory into a heartbreaking loss against the Rajasthan Royals. Chasing a target of 211, GT were well-placed at many points. After ten overs, they were 103 for 1. But then Ravi Bishnoi changed the game as the hosts went from 107 for 1 in the 11th over to 161/7 in the 15th. In the final few overs, Rashid Khan (24), who stepped in to lead the side after skipper Shubman Gill missed the game due to a muscle spasm, and Kagiso Rabada (23) almost pulled off a run-chase with their cameos, however, it wasnt enough as GT fell short by just six runs. I think we lost four for ten in that period. The game was absolutely in the bag. Washi Sundar had a pretty big decision to make at that point around if youre going to attack someone like Bishnoi, who was on a roll, especially after the dismissal. That was maybe a choice that he can look at and will look at as well in terms of just trying to be a little bit more cohesive in our run chases, because it has to be said there wasnt a lot that went wrong in those first 12 overs. There was plenty of great stuff, Hayden said at the press conference after the game. The run out was something that, again, was a decision which Shahrukh and Rashid had to make at the time. I havent broken down that play because as a coach you tend to kind of look at the ball, but Ill be interested also to see the approach when we get back to vision of how that run was executed. It certainly looked from the sideline that Jaddu bumped the ball quite a long way away from him and to regather, as we know, hes so quick and hes so good at getting and releasing the ball, he added. But there's two wickets straightaway that would have been the difference. Again, we're talking about six runs. So those little things in T20 cricket, when you're chasing down a big total, which we were, they become vital in the decision-making process of a batting unit. Earlier, bowling first, Rabada picked up two wickets, while Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma, Prasidh Krishna andRashid chipped in with one scalp each to restrict the Rajasthan Royals to 210/6. Hayden, however, admitted that key bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Rabada and Rashid little bit off their rhythm. I felt like a lot of our bowlers were just a little bit off their rhythm and their line in particular. KG Rabada's figures, I think, were a bit more expensive than perhaps what he bowled today. I thought he was actually pretty good and same too with Rashid. Siraj had an off day, simple as that. When we reviewed his pitch map, he was a little bit too short, a little bit too wide, and that's just a great bowler just having an off day. Whereas I thought Rashid actually could have had a much better day. It could have been a couple more wickets in the wicket column and so too with KG Rabada as well. Hayden, however, admitted that key bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Rabada and Rashid little bit off their rhythm. I felt like a lot of our bowlers were just a little bit off their rhythm and their line in particular. KG Rabada's figures, I think, were a bit more expensive than perhaps what he bowled today. I thought he was actually pretty good and same too with Rashid. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The loss was GT's second game in a row this season, joining Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings to have that record. Article Source: IANS

'Exceptional talent' Jurel plays his part with bat, and with the thinking cap on

Not only did Dhruv Jurel play the innings of the match, he made crucial contributions in the field, his suggestions changing the course of the game and then winning it

Hayden expects GT bowlers to 'keep consistently bowling their best ball'

Gujarat Titans bowled nine wides and hit just seven sixes in their loss to Rajasthan Royals, both areas of concern for them at IPL 2026

Three BCB directors resign in one evening amid ongoing turmoil

Faiazur Rahman, Shanian Taneem and Mehrab Alam Chowdhury step down from their positions after marathon BCB meeting on Saturday

Bishnoi: Worked on 'perfecting my lengths' after difficult 2025

Bishnoi, who finished with 4 for 41 against GT and earned the Player-of-the-Match award, credited his turnaround to work on the physical, technical and mental aspects of his game

Mehidy, Litton to remain Bangladesh's ODI and T20I captains until next World Cups

Mohammad Rafique has been appointed spin-bowling consultant for one year

IPL 2026: Jurel Asked Me To Go With Jofra For 19th, Reveals Riyan Parag After Royals Thrilling Win

Indian Premier League: Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag revealed that wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel played a key role in a crucial tactical call late in the game, suggesting that Jofra Archer bowl the 19th over during their dramatic six-run win over Gujarat Titans in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Defending 210, Rajasthan were under pressure in the closing stages of Gujarats chase as stand-in skipper Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada threatened to pull off a stunning finish. With the match heading into the final two overs, Parag said the plan was to attack the stumps with pace and keep the batters from freeing their arms. It was just incredible. Took a chance - to go full and fast, and the boys delivered. I was so excited they executed the way they wanted, Riyan Parag said after the game. Parag revealed he had initially considered altering the bowling order at the death but eventually stuck with Archer for the penultimate over after a timely suggestion from Jurel, who had earlier starred with the bat with a crucial knock. I was actually going to switch the order, but credit to Jurel - he asked me to go with Jofra for the 19th, he said. Archers pace and accuracy ensured Rajasthan regained control of the contest, leaving the Titans needing 11 runs in the final over. Tushar Deshpande then held his nerve brilliantly, delivering a series of pinpoint yorkers to restrict Gujarat and seal a thrilling victory for the Royals. Parag revealed he had initially considered altering the bowling order at the death but eventually stuck with Archer for the penultimate over after a timely suggestion from Jurel, who had earlier starred with the bat with a crucial knock. I was actually going to switch the order, but credit to Jurel - he asked me to go with Jofra for the 19th, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jurel had earlier laid the foundation for Rajasthans imposing total with a superb innings in the middle order, helping his side post 210/6 before their bowlers held their nerve in a tense finish to clinch a memorable win. Article Source: IANS

SRH vs LSG Match 10, IPL 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

SRH vs LSG Match 10, Cricket Tips :The second double header of the IPL 2026 will have two interesting games scheduled on Sunday. The first game of the day will be played in Hyderabad. Sunrisers Hyderabad will lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium at 3:30 PM IST. These two sides have different starts to the new season. LSG have only played one game, which they lost to Delhi Capitals at home. They were outplayed in both departments and couldn't catch the small moments thrown at them. SRH started the season with a defeat, but they managed to bounce back well in the second game against KKR. They will be looking to replicate the success they had in the previous game. SRH vs LSG: Match Details Date: April 05, 2026 (Sunday) Time: 3:30 PM IST Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad SRH vs LSG Live Streaming Details The SRH vs LSG will be tuned live on the Star Sports Networks in India. Fans can also watch the game on the Jio Hotstar streaming platform. SRH vs LSG Head-to-Head in IPL Total Matches : 06 SRH : 02 LSG : 06 No-Result : 00 SRH vs LSG: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Hyderabad is a flat deck, where batters thrive. The pace and bounce here are consistent, and it is a high-scoring venue. It has the average first-inning score of 190, and the chasing sides have done well overall. There might be dew as well, which will make it challenging for the bowlers. SRH vs LSG Possible XIs SRH: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (c) (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora, Harsh Dubey, Eshan Malinga, Shivang Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat LSG : Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mohsin Khan, Mohammed Shami, Mukul Choudhary, Anrich Nortje, Prince Yadav. SRH vs LSG: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Ishan Kishan has been in top form, and being a captain, he is expected to produce a good knock here. For LSG, Mitchell Marsh has been in great form with the bat, and he can change the game's situation within the powerplay. Probable Best Bowler Eshan Malinga bowled smartly in the previous game and used his variations. That makes him a good bowler in T20s. For LSG, Mohsin Khan is a great addition because of his ability to swing the ball both ways. Today Match Prediction : Both teams have good squads, but SRH looked in better form in the previous game. They bowled and batted well. Hence, we predict SRH to win this game. SRH vs LSG Match 10, IPL 2026, Today SRH vs LSG Match, SRH vs LSG Prediction, SRH vs LSG Predicted XIs, Injury Update for SRH vs LSG 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.

Sameer Minhas 70 gives Islamabad United a rollicking win over Rawalpindiz

Rawalpindiz have now lost all three games while Rizwan suffered his 13th PSL defeat in 14 games as captain

Du Plooy, Cracknell, Roland-Jones keep Middlesex in command

Miles Hammond's unbeaten fifty props up Gloucestershire after hosts post 445-9 dec

IPL 2026: We Lost Momentum In Middle Overs, Says Rashid Khan After GT Fall Short Vs RR In Last-over Thriller

Indian Premier League: Gujarat Titans' stand-in captain Rashid Khan admitted his side lost crucial momentum during the middle overs of the chase as they went down by six runs to Rajasthan Royals in a high-scoring Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday. Chasing 211 after Rajasthan posted 210/6, Gujarat appeared well on course for much of the innings, especially with opener Sai Sudharsan anchoring the chase with a fluent knock. However, a cluster of wickets in the middle overs dented their progress before the Titans eventually finished at 204/8, falling short in the final over bowled by Tushar Deshpande. Reflecting on the defeat, Rashid, who led the side in the absence of regular skipper Shubman Gill, felt Gujarats bowlers had done well to limit Rajasthan despite a strong start from the visitors. We bowled really well, especially the way they have started to restrict them under like, 210. I think it was a great effort on this wicket by the bowlers. And then we started really well with the bat too. I felt we have given a great start with the openers. And then I felt in the 12th and 13th overs, we lost back-to-back wickets. That's something that really put us on the back foot. But I think, if they were there, it wasn't that hard to score, but I think in that period of time, we just lost the momentum of the game, he said after the game. The Afghan all-rounder said the surface at the venue was conducive for strokeplay and believed the chase was well within reach before the momentum shift. On the wicket like this, 9-10 per over, it's not that hard a job to be done. And I feel like we just, a little bit like you lose the momentum in that time and go harder and keep a little bit for a longer period of time. And the boundaries were coming. I think on this wicket, boundaries were coming easily. But I think we just lost a few early quick wickets in that period of time, which just didn't allow us to go on and keep the momentum till the end, he added. Despite the narrow loss, Rashid stressed that the team would regroup quickly as the tournament progresses. Everyone have their own game plan, and they know the condition and situation really well. And then just to make sure that you read the conditions and the requirements of the game. Everything is written on the board. I feel like that makes the job pretty much easier, but it's too early; it's still in the competition. We learn from our mistakes, what we do, and we keep getting better and come back stronger in the next game, he stated. The Titans needed 11 runs off the final over, but Deshpandes accurate yorkers kept the batters in check. Rashid revealed that the middle of the discussion was straightforward: find one boundary to swing the equation. Everyone have their own game plan, and they know the condition and situation really well. And then just to make sure that you read the conditions and the requirements of the game. Everything is written on the board. I feel like that makes the job pretty much easier, but it's too early; it's still in the competition. We learn from our mistakes, what we do, and we keep getting better and come back stronger in the next game, he stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rashid also provided an update on regular Gujarat captain Shubman Gill, who missed the game due to a muscle spasm, leading to Rashid captaining the side and youngster Kumar Kushagra making his debut as opener. He's good. Hopefully, he's gonna be all right for the next game. He just had a muscle spasm, so hopefully he's gonna be all right soon. Article Source: IANS

Bishnoi, Deshpande help Rajasthan Royals defend 210 in nervy finish

Half-centuries from Jurel and Jaiswal punished GT but Sudharsan's fifty and a late Rabada-Rashid partnership gave RR a scare

IPL 2026: Deshpandes Ice-cool Final Over, Bishnois 4-fer Seals 6-run Thriller For RR Against GT

Indian Premier League: A dramatic final over from pacer Tushar Deshpande helped Rajasthan Royals clinch a thrilling six-run win over Gujarat Titans in a nail-biting encounter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. After opting to bat first, Rajasthan posted a competitive 210/6 in 20 overs, riding on fine half-centuries from Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Gujarats chase was spearheaded by a brilliant knock from Sai Sudharsan, but despite a late surge from Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, the hosts fell agonisingly short. Rajasthan, who won the toss and elected to bat, began aggressively with Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi putting the Gujarat bowlers under pressure in the Power-play. The duo raced to 69/0 in six overs, with Jaiswal striking fluently through the off side. Rashid eventually broke the stand by removing Sooryavanshi for a brisk 31 off 18 balls. Jaiswal carried the momentum forward and brought up a well-paced half-century before falling for 55 off 36 deliveries to Rabada. Rajasthan briefly lost momentum with a couple of wickets, but Jurel ensured the innings retained its impetus. The wicketkeeper-batter paced his knock beautifully before launching an assault in the death overs, smashing 75 off 42 balls with five fours and as many sixes. Cameos from Shimron Hetmyer and the middle-order batters lifted Rajasthan past the 200-run mark. GT were without their regular captain, Shubman Gill, who missed the match due to a muscle spasm, as Kumar Kushagra made his debut and opened the innings alongside Sudharsan. Chasing 211, the pair provided a steady start, reaching 56 without loss in the powerplay. Sudharsan looked in sublime touch, striking cleanly against both pace and spin. Kushagra contributed a handy 18 off 14 balls before being caught at long-on off Riyan Parag, ending the opening stand. Sudharsan continued to dominate, reaching a fluent half-century and keeping Gujarat well in the chase. However, Rajasthan struck back through leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who turned the game with a superb four-wicket haul, registering his best figures in the tournament. Bishnoi removed the dangerous Sudharsan for a splendid 73 off 44 balls before also dismissing Glenn Phillips and Washington Sundar in quick succession. With wickets tumbling, Gujarat slipped from a comfortable position to 133/5, and the pressure mounted further when Jos Buttler fell to Nandre Burger. Just when Rajasthan appeared in full control, Rashid and Rabada produced a stunning counterattack. The duo, sharing a 43-run partnership, added quick runs with fearless hitting, including a towering six from Rabada and several clever boundaries from Rashid, bringing the equation down dramatically. Needing 11 runs in the final over, RR skipper Parag entrusted Deshpande with the responsibility. The pacer delivered under immense pressure, repeatedly nailing his yorkers and restricting the batters. The decisive moment came when Rashid attempted a big shot but was caught by Jofra Archer in the deep, leaving Gujarat with too much to do. Deshpande conceded just four runs in the final over to seal a thrilling victory for Rajasthan in what turned out to be the first nail-biter of the season. Needing 11 runs in the final over, RR skipper Parag entrusted Deshpande with the responsibility. The pacer delivered under immense pressure, repeatedly nailing his yorkers and restricting the batters. The decisive moment came when Rashid attempted a big shot but was caught by Jofra Archer in the deep, leaving Gujarat with too much to do. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajasthan Royals 210/6 in 20 overs (Dhruv Jurel 75, Yashasvi Jaiswal 55; Kagiso Rabada 2-42) beat Gujarat Titans 204/8 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 73, Jos Buttler 26; Ravi Bishnoi 4-41, Tushar Deshpande 1-24) by 6 runs. Article Source: IANS

Ingram back to the grind as Glamorgan show fight

Solid contributions from Kellaway, Cook, Crane and van der Gugten see hosts recover from 28 for 4

Critchley hits the season running again as Essex leave Hampshire reeling

Imposing 173 sets up hefty total for visitors before Sam Cook strikes with new ball

Robinson, Crocombe share the spoils as Sussex seize command

Five wickets each for fast bowlers put visitors on course for victory push after two days

Clarke, Haynes blunt Somerset after Pennington five-for

Unbroken stand puts champions on course despite three-wicket burst from Migael Pretorius

Andersson's double-hundred drives Derbyshire to daunting heights

Impressive knock from allrounder puts Worcestershire on back foot before Lategan resists

Evergreen Anderson takes five to leave Northants on the ropes

Seamer claims first-class wicket for 25th consecutive season to put visitors on top

Gujarat: 6 Held Over IPL Betting; 16 Phones, Rs 3.10 Lakh Seized

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch: The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested six individuals for allegedly running an online cricket betting operation from a flat near the Memnagar area, officials said on Saturday. The accused were placing bets on Friday nights Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings using multiple online cricket betting IDs. Acting on a tip-off, police raided an apartment in Anand Park Society at around 11 p.m., which had been rented specifically for gambling activities. Those arrested are Kapil alias Chirag Thakkar (24), Abhay Thakkar (30), Yashkumar Akhani (30), Meet Jaiswal (25), Kalpesh Thakkar (35), and Dhruv Thakkar (27), all originally from Banaskantha district. Officials said they were both placing bets and selling betting IDs to others. Authorities seized 16 mobile phones valued at Rs 2,60,000 and cash of Rs 50,110, with a total seizure worth Rs 3,10,110. Some suspects operated on a commission basis, while others placed bets directly on various platforms in real time. Police are also investigating additional individuals, who remain absconding and allegedly supplying betting IDs, including Ronak Thakkar from Patan and Deep Thakkar from Ahmedabad. Customers linked to the operation include Akash Lalwani of Ahmedabad, Kishan Thakkar of Gandhinagar, Jitu of Ahmedabad, and Zamak from Bhabhar. An offence has been registered under the Gambling Act, and the investigation is ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects and dismantle the network. Earlier, the city's Crime Branch had taken action in multiple cricketrelated offences linked to online ticketing. In one case in June last year, city police arrested four men in two separate incidents for illegally selling tickets to the IPL 2025 final match, which had been booked online and were being offered at inflated prices near the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera. Earlier, the city's Crime Branch had taken action in multiple cricketrelated offences linked to online ticketing. Also Read: Live Cricket Score --IANS Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Slow Pitch, Fast Hands Sameer Rizvi Makes A Tricky Chase Look Easy Once Again

Indian Premier League: Sameer Rizvi took ten deliveries to score his first boundary on Saturday, as Delhi Capitals made a pursuit of 163 against Mumbai Indians. By the time he was done, impact player Rizvi had made the result look inevitable in DCs favour for the second straight time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In front of a near-packed house at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Rizvi struck a swashbuckling 90 off 51 balls to power DC to a six-wicket victory over MI with 11 balls to spare. He reached his fifty in just 31 balls and hit seven sixes and as many boundaries on a pitch that had frustrated the game's biggest names in the afternoon and evening. In practice, hes always very positive. So, in the beginning, he would struggle a little bit. He used to say that if he got going early, he could play a long innings, and hes doing exactly that. Its great for the team and helps us win matches. Once he settles in, he doesnt hold back. He plays with positive intent, and were really happy to see that mindset. From the time he joined the camp, you could see his hunger to score runs and the mindset to do that, irrespective of what happened around him, and he is now doing that, said Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar in the post-match press conference. The match had set itself up for a tantalising finish. At the ten-over mark, DC stood at 73/3 - the precise score MI had reached at the same stage of their innings. The similarities were hard to ignore - two early wickets had fallen in each chase. A fifty partnership for the third wicket and a set opener departing in the tenth over in each innings. The game appeared finely balanced, but then Rizvi faced Corbin Bosch in the 11th over. He had been watchful to that point, strokeplay subdued, strike rate hovering below 100 as his more senior partner Pathum Nissanka did the early running. When Nissanka fell to Mitchell Santner, the game's pivot fell on young Rizvis shoulders, and he seized it with both hands. A wide delivery was dispatched over mid-off for four. The next ball, having committed to a pull shot before recognising it was not on, Rizvi adjusted in a flash and ramped it past the wicketkeeper to the third-man boundary. Then came two blows that broke Mumbai's back: a slashing six over deep point, another over long-on, as 20 runs came from the over. The target, from that moment, became a mere formality. The statistics from Rizvi's innings illuminate both the innings and the surface on which they were played. Against pacers, he made 63 runs off 33 balls at a strike rate of 190.9. Against spinners, 27 runs off 18 deliveries at a strike rate of 150. Seventy of his 90 runs came via boundaries. His seven sixes were three more than Mumbai's entire batting lineup managed across their innings on the same strip. He preferred the off side for his scoring - 52 runs there at a strike rate of 200 while 32 runs came through leg-side and the remaining six runs came downtown. If the ramp against Bosch left DC fans jaw-dropped, then his back-to-back sixes off Mayank Markande were a sight for sore eyes. The first maximum was pure hand speed; the second one was textbook style - quick feet, clean swing, the ball clearing long-on without drama. If Rizvi hadnt holed out to long-off for 90, he would have been the third Impact Player in IPL history to score a century. While DC basked in the joy of victory at home, it was a chastening evening for MI from the batting order to the bowling unit. Rizvi sports the number seven jersey for DC, a number synonymous with MS Dhoni, and MI pacer Deepak Chahar couldnt ignore it. I think he has the potential because when CSK bought him first in the auction, they bought him for 8 crores. So obviously, the potential was always there. Now, with the experience, he has become better. What I have seen in IPL is that confidence is the key to success because everybody who is selected in the IPL has the skill, right? So now, I think he has become confident. You can see, back-to-back, he scored runs. He's got better and better. So it's learning for everybody that skill doesn't matter. Confidence matters, and so whoever gets a chance, like a lot of youngsters, are playing this tournament. I think they should learn from him to get confident and keep winning matches, he said. I think he has the potential because when CSK bought him first in the auction, they bought him for 8 crores. So obviously, the potential was always there. Now, with the experience, he has become better. What I have seen in IPL is that confidence is the key to success because everybody who is selected in the IPL has the skill, right? Also Read: Live Cricket Score But now his last three innings read as: 58 not out, 70 not out, and 90. All unbeaten except the last, each bigger than the one before. He had announced himself to the IPL two seasons ago with a six off his first ball against Rashid Khan. But Saturday's innings against MI suggested the proper introduction of Rizvis high-quality batting skills is only now being made, and the long-term picture looks promising for both him and DC. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: T20 Cricket Is Evolving Every Year, Players Taking More Risk: Buttler

Narendra Modi Stadium: Ahead of the high-profile clash between the Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler shared his thoughts on the evolution of T20 cricket, noting that the new dynamics have seen young, up-and-coming players taking on more risks and it is crucial to assess the conditions and make plans accordingly. Set to take on his former side, the Rajasthan Royals, Buttler admitted there is a sense of familiarity, but his focus remains firmly on the contest ahead. I'm looking forward to it. It is great to see some familiar faces, but looking forward to the game, it should be a great night, he said. Addressing questions around his recent form, Buttler emphasised a grounded, process-driven approach rather than dwelling on outcomes. It's just the same as it is. Whether youre in form or out of form, you wake up and train hard, work hard, and trust in that. You know you have done these things before, but looking forward to the future and trusting that again, he explained. Now representing the Gujarat Titans, Buttler also spoke about playing in Ahmedabad, a venue where he has enjoyed considerable success. Yes, it's a boost, but again, like I said, whether you have been scoring runs or not, the past you can take confidence from very much about working out there, starting on good and playing the game in front of you, but it is always a good venue to play at. Usually, a pretty good wicket, it is going to be the same for both sides, so it's going to be a good game, he noted, while underlining the importance of staying present despite past performances. Addressing questions around his recent form, Buttler emphasised a grounded, process-driven approach rather than dwelling on outcomes. It's just the same as it is. Whether youre in form or out of form, you wake up and train hard, work hard, and trust in that. You know you have done these things before, but looking forward to the future and trusting that again, he explained. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As for what could prove decisive on the night, Buttler kept it simple and direct. As I said, working out the conditions and playing accordingly, it is all about the execution. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Natarajans Confidence Will Build Up, And He Is Poised To Perform Very Well, Says Mukesh

Indian Premier League: Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar said teammate T Natarajans confidence was steadily growing this season and backed him to deliver strongly in his role as a death bowler in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Natarajan picked up 1-24 in three overs and continued his good show in the competition after picking a three-fer against Lucknow Super Giants. He, Mukesh, and Lungi used their lengths and variations well to ensure MIs hopes of setting a formidable target evaporated, as only 38 runs came off the last four overs. Bonding is good with everyone. Natarajan is a death bowler, and he is known for death bowling. He does what he is told to do. So, he has worked on this. Last year, he was hampered a bit there as he was injured (in the shoulder), and we were not able to play him much. He got only one or two matches to play, and how much could he do. This year, it is a new season. He has been playing well this season from the start. So, his confidence will build up, and he is poised to perform very well, Mukesh said, while replying to a question from IANS in the post-match press conference. On the conditions, where the pitch was two-paced, Mukesh said, We played on the same wicket last year, and it was easier to score runs. But this time, it wasnt as such - we asked for a flat wicket, but it hasnt played that way, and its okay. The plan was to bowl first if we won the toss and restrict them to a lower total. That worked well - we kept them to around 160 and went on to win. He explained his attacking mindset, which came to the fore after he took out Ryan Rickelton and Tilak Varma in quick succession, and eventually finished with 2-26. My mindset is always to take wickets. If I start thinking about just saving runs, I end up bowling defensively. I prefer to stay on the attack. If I get wickets, thats great. Otherwise, it can get difficult to control runs. He credited role clarity and guidance from captain Axar Patel ahead of the season. Before the main season, we have practice matches. If you perform well there, the management and team start backing you. I had good practice games and also had regular conversations with Axar bhai during the off-season. He guided me on areas to improve, saying those would be important during the season. That backing from him and the team is now reflecting in my performances, he added. On putting in the hard yards at DC camp after a hamstring injury affected his domestic season, Mukesh said, After the injury, my focus was on getting fit as quickly as possible and being mentally strong. I worked on both aspects. Once I was fit, I prepared well, performed, and earned my chance to come back if the practice is from 5 pm, then you can come at 3 or 4 pm. So, it depends on the situation. On team support for every DC player, Mukesh said its for the whole season. This isnt just one or two matches; its a 14-match tournament. If the team doesnt back you, it becomes difficult. Here, everyone supports each other and encourages us to stick to our plans. That backing is very important. Mukesh added that his preparation has been more purposeful. Nothing drastically different. Im just being more purposeful and giving 100 percent in practice. From the beginning, I wanted to bowl in the powerplay and death overs, so Ive been focusing on that. If you bowl well in the powerplay and pick up a couple of wickets, it creates pressure on the batting side In the death overs, if you dont execute well, there can be a difference of 1020 runs, which can be crucial in a chase. So, both phases are equally important. Mukesh added that his preparation has been more purposeful. Nothing drastically different. Im just being more purposeful and giving 100 percent in practice. From the beginning, I wanted to bowl in the powerplay and death overs, so Ive been focusing on that. Also Read: Live Cricket Score On fielding, Mukesh said the appointment of John Mooney has brought in a good change. A lot has changed with the new fielding coach. Batting and bowling can have ups and downs, but fielding is one area where you must give 100% every time. Even saving a couple of runs or taking a key catch can make a big difference in the result. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Toss Was Crucial, MI Were 10-15 Runs Short With The Bat, Says Deepak Chahar

Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer Deepak Chahar admitted the toss played a decisive role after suffering a six-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2026, saying the side ended up 10-15 runs short with the bat on a slow black soil pitch which later became better to bat under lights at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Suryakumar Yadav captained MI in place of an unwell Hardik Pandya and top-scored with 51 off 36 balls. But barring him, most of the other MI struggled to play their shots as they posted 162/6. Chahar himself found help from the pitch in power-play and even took out KL Rahul, but Sameer Rizvis 90 took DC over the line with 11 balls to spare. I think the pitch was really slow and the toss was crucial. I think there was a bit of moisture there. They were slow to start, and you could feel the moisture. The toss was very crucial at that time, and thats why we were 10-15 runs short, Chahar said in the post-match press conference. He explained how conditions improved for batting in the second innings. The pitch got a bit better. When the pitch is dry, it's more difficult to bat in the second innings. When the pitch has moisture, it becomes better to bat in the second innings I think it had a bit of moisture, and when it was sunny, and there was a bit of rolling at innings break, it got better to bat on. On skipper Hardik Pandyas absence, Chahar said: I think he (Hardik Pandya) was sick. That's why he couldn't play. Probably and hopefully, he'll play in the next game (against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Tuesday). Chahar credited Sameer Rizvis knock for tilting the contest. Yes, we gave it a good shot because defending 160 in an afternoon game is really difficult. Rizvi played really well. If we had got him out early around the ten-over phase, the match would have been very interesting. He elaborated on the challenge of defending a modest total. In T20, the wicket-taking deliveries in any format are risk-taking deliveries But when you're defending 160, you can't bowl such a wicket-taking ball. Chahar credited Sameer Rizvis knock for tilting the contest. Yes, we gave it a good shot because defending 160 in an afternoon game is really difficult. Rizvi played really well. If we had got him out early around the ten-over phase, the match would have been very interesting. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Chahar maintained MI executed their strategies, but were undone by a few overs, where they conceded big runs. So we executed most of the plans. I think we played some good shots. When the score is 160, and if one or two big overs come in, the other team moves forward. Article Source: IANS

Questions aplenty for Pant and LSG against explosive Sunrisers

LSG are seeking their first win of the season after falling for 141 against PBKS, while SRH are coming off a high-scoring victory in Kolkata

IPL 2026: Jurel-Jaiswal Heroics Power RR To 210/6 Against GT

Indian Premier League: Half-centuries from wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal powered Rajasthan Royals to a commanding 210/6 in 20 overs against hosts Gujarat Titans in the ninth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. After winning the toss and opting to bat, Rajasthan made full use of the batting-friendly surface with a fluent start from their opening pair against the Titans, who were led by stand-in skipper Rashid Khan as regular captain Shubman Gill missed the match due to a muscle spasm. Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set the tone early, capitalising on wayward lines from the Gujarat pacers. Sooryavanshi got going with a couple of boundaries off Mohammed Siraj, while Jaiswal punished anything overpitched with crisp drives and pulls. The duo raced to 69 without loss in the powerplay, with Jaiswals aggressive strokeplay complemented by Sooryavanshis inventive hitting. The breakthrough finally came in the seventh over when Rashid induced a miscued pull from Sooryavanshi, who departed for a brisk 31 off 18 balls. Despite the wicket, Jaiswal continued to anchor the innings, bringing up a composed half-century off 32 balls with a stylish boundary through extra cover. However, the left-handers stay ended soon after when Kagiso Rabada struck with a sharp delivery that crashed into the stumps, dismissing him for 55 off 36 balls. Rajasthan briefly lost momentum with the quick wickets of Riyan Parag and later Donovan Ferreira, but Jurel ensured the scoring rate never dipped. The right-hander initially rotated the strike before launching a calculated assault in the final phase. He used the crease's depth well against spin and targeted the seamers with powerful bottom-hand shots, clearing the ropes with ease. Jurel brought up a fine fifty in the 17th over and continued to dominate the death overs, including a towering six off Prasidh Krishna. Late cameos also helped Rajasthan surge past the 200-run mark. Shimron Hetmyer chipped in with a quick 18 off eight balls before falling to a sharp catch by Siraj, while Ravindra Jadeja added useful runs in the closing overs. Jurel eventually fell in the final over to Siraj after a superb knock of 75 from 42 deliveries, which included five fours and as many sixes. For Gujarat, Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with 2/42, while Prasidh and Rashid claimed a wicket each. Siraj finished with 1/48 despite striking in the final over. Late cameos also helped Rajasthan surge past the 200-run mark. Shimron Hetmyer chipped in with a quick 18 off eight balls before falling to a sharp catch by Siraj, while Ravindra Jadeja added useful runs in the closing overs. Jurel eventually fell in the final over to Siraj after a superb knock of 75 from 42 deliveries, which included five fours and as many sixes. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rajasthan Royals 210/6 in 20 overs (Dhruv Jurel 75, Yashasvi Jaiswal 55; Kagiso Rabada 2-42, Ashok Sharma 1-37) against Gujarat Titans Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: 'Doesnt Matter Who Scores, As Long As The Team Wins,' Says Priyansh Arya After PBKS Beat CSK

Chennai Super Kings: Punjab Kings young star Priyansh Arya said that the main focus of both players is to win the match and not focus on individual records after his blistering knock of 39 runs helped the team register a dominant five-wicket win against Chennai Super Kings at M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. Coming to chase a big target of 210 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Punjab Kings openers Arya and Prabhsimran gave the team an excellent start as they scored 55 runs in just 4 overs, with Priyansh playing the attacking role while Prabhsimran supported the young star. Priyansh lauded Prabhsimran's consistency and said that his strike rotation keeps the pressure off. Prabh bhai is 'Mr. Consistent for me now because of how he performs in every match. I really enjoy batting with him as he keeps rotating the strike and doesn't let the pressure build. It doesn't matter who is doing the scoring; as long as the team benefits, that is all that matters, Priyansh said after the match. Meanwhile, his partner Prabhsimran revealed that they aim to give a good start to the team, and it doesn't matter if the runs come from which players bat. Our aim is never about scoring a 50 or a 100. The intent is always to give the team a start that makes the chase easier. Priyansh started brilliantly today, scoring nearly 40 in just 11 balls. I was struggling to find my rhythm early on, so the way he batted really helped the team and me, he said. Meanwhile, his partner Prabhsimran revealed that they aim to give a good start to the team, and it doesn't matter if the runs come from which players bat. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Prabhsimran and Priyansh are expected to play a big role when the 2025 runners-up, Punjab Kings, face three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 6 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: The Hard Work Is Paying Off Now, I Am Batting Well, Says Rizvi After DCs Win

Indian Premier League: Delhi Capitals batter Sameer Rizvi, named Player of the Match for his swashbuckling 90, taking the side to a six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in the indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, said his consistent effort to overcome weaknesses had begun to show results, adding that all of his hard work has started to pay off now. In the chase of 163, DC were at 73/3 at the halfway mark, before Rizvi got the game in his teams favour by hitting seven fours and as many sixes in his 51-ball 90 at a strike-rate of 176.47. He stitched stands of 66 and 78 with Pathum Nissanka (44) and David Miller (21 not out) as DC completed the chase with 11 balls to spare. Yes, I have worked very hard on myself because, since last year, there have been many changes. I worked on all my weaknesses, and I used to have some problems against fast bowlers, so I worked a lot on that throughout the year. The hard work is paying off now, I am batting well, Rizvi said at the conclusion of the game. Rizvis seven sixes are the joint-most hit by a DC batter against MI in IPL history, and the third-highest score by a batter from his side against the five-time champions. As an Impact Player, only Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan have ever scored more in a single IPL innings than Rizvi. I always try to play according to the situation. If the situation is changing, then I play accordingly in both innings. At the start, our situation required some time, so I took my time. Then, according to the situation, once I got settled at the wicket, I played my shots and tried to watch the ball till the very end, he added. Rizvi added that performing in the IPL boosts confidence and opens doors to bigger opportunities. Yes, this is a very important time for any player because if you score runs and bat well here, you gain confidence. You also get opportunities to move ahead, to play more, and to get chances on bigger platforms. So, it is a very good thing. Axar Patel, meanwhile, lauded Rizvi for getting the game yet again in DCs favour. Obviously, when planning happens - when you practice together and play cricket together - Ashu (Ashutosh Sharma) is also batting really well. But its about which player you need on a particular day. If that player delivers for you at that time, then its great. For me, its actually a good problem to have, that I have to choose. I think it shows how strong our bench strength is. Axar Patel, meanwhile, lauded Rizvi for getting the game yet again in DCs favour. Obviously, when planning happens - when you practice together and play cricket together - Ashu (Ashutosh Sharma) is also batting really well. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Reflecting on lessons from last season, where DC had one win out of five matches in New Delhi, Axar said, Basically, I feel taking it one game at a time is very important. When youre winning continuously, maintaining that momentum is crucial. Because whenever theres a break, and the momentum stops, making a comeback in a tournament like the IPL, which is a long tournament, becomes difficult. So you focus on one game, do well, and then move on without thinking too much about the past. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: MI Were 15-20 Runs Short From A Batting Point Of View, Admits Suryakumar Yadav

Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians (MI) stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav conceded his side were 15-20 runs short with the bat, which led to them losing to Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. On a slow pitch where shot-making was tough, Suryakumar top-scored with 51 as MI made 162/6. But DC chased down the target as the pitch got better to bat under lights, with Sameer Rizvi making a swashbuckling 90. I think it was a decent wicket. We expected it to be a little on the slower side, but still, from a batting point of view, we were a little short, 15-20 runs, but I don't want to take any credit away from their bowlers, and also they batted really well in the second innings, Suryakumar said after the game ended. On Rizvis second consecutive fifty of the competition, Suryakumar said, Absolutely, I mean, at 7 for 2, someone coming in like that and batting the way he batted, I think a lot of credit goes to him. He never let us come into the game. Suryakumar felt the pitch remained largely the same across both innings but credited the opposition for reading the conditions better. I think it was quite similar. It didn't change too much, but the way they batted, I think they batted very beautifully. They understood the conditions really well in the second innings and batted beautifully, he said. On Rizvis second consecutive fifty of the competition, Suryakumar said, Absolutely, I mean, at 7 for 2, someone coming in like that and batting the way he batted, I think a lot of credit goes to him. He never let us come into the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Despite the setback, the skipper remained optimistic, as MI now travel to Guwahati to take on the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday. There'll be days like this when you try, and it won't work, but we will go back to the drawing board, work hard, and come back in the next game, he said. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Hetmyer Eager To get Across The Line In Close And Tough Chases For RR

Indian Premier League: On the eve of Rajasthan Royals clash against Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer struck a positive and reflective tone, expressing confidence, excitement, and a clear sense of purpose heading into the new season. Winning the first game always helps, and everyone is in good spirits, Hetmyer said, highlighting the importance of early momentum in a long tournament. Looking ahead to another campaign with the Rajasthan Royals, the left-hander did not attempt to hide his enthusiasm. I am excited. Coming into the tournament, Ive been hitting a few balls as well for the last couple of months, so I'm really excited to get started, he remarked, indicating he feels well-prepared after time spent working on his game. A notable talking point this season is Hetmyers potential shift up the batting order. Reflecting on the adjustment to batting at No. 3, he acknowledged the tactical and mental changes required. Just a change of mindset. Batting at 3 makes a different challenge than batting at 5 or 6. Betting at 3 to ball just moves above a little bit, a lot more than it does at 5 or 6, just about doing the basics, keeping in your shape and staying in your shape for as long as possible as well, he explained. Hetmyer also addressed lessons from last season, particularly in tight chases where the Royals fell just short. His takeaway was simple yet emphatic. One, get across the line! That's the first one, he said, before elaborating on his personal approach. Number 2 is...Really to...For me personally I like to finish a game earlier than later, a little bit sooner rather than later so I just try as much as possible, once I get into that situation, I try to finish it as early as I possibly can and if not, if it's still gets down the last over, try to get as small amount as possible in the last one. The conversation also turned to the teams young talent, including rising prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Hetmyer emphasised a hands-off, supportive approach to mentoring emerging players. Number 2 is...Really to...For me personally I like to finish a game earlier than later, a little bit sooner rather than later so I just try as much as possible, once I get into that situation, I try to finish it as early as I possibly can and if not, if it's still gets down the last over, try to get as small amount as possible in the last one. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He added that the youngster has already been receiving plenty of guidance from within the group. I really haven't been able to say much to him because everyone has been chirping from last year to now. I'm just going to try my best to let him do his thing, and whenever even a little bit of knowledge is needed, I will just try my best to put it over to him, he said. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Sameer Rizvi's Swashbuckling 90 Seals DCs Clinical Six-wicket Win Over MI (ld)

Indian Premier League: For the second game running, Sameer Rizvi walked in and changed the complexion of a chase - this time by smashing a swashbuckling 90 off 51 balls to guide Delhi Capitals to a comfortable six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians and record their second straight win of IPL 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. On a black soil pitch which was slow and got better to bat on, stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with 51 as MI posted a competitive 162/2. It was the kind of innings where MI never quite found its stride - initially, Suryakumar and Rohit Sharma steadied proceedings with a 53-run stand. But just as the partnership threatened to build into something decisive, DC stopped them and picked wickets at regular intervals, as MI made only 38 runs in the last four overs. Mukesh Kumar was the standout bowler with 2-26. In the chase of 163, DC were at 73/3, before Rizvi got the game in his teams favour by hitting seven fours and as many sixes at a strike-rate of 176.47. He stitched stands of 66 and 78 with Pathum Nissanka (44) and David Miller (21 not out) as DC completed the chase with 11 balls to spare. Rizvis seven sixes are the joint-most hit by a DC batter against MI in IPL history, and the third-highest score by a batter from his side against the five-time champions. As an Impact Player, only Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan have ever scored more in a single IPL innings than Rizvi. MI will look back at their spin bowling with some concern - it was there that DC found their opening, and Rizvi fully cashed on it to give the side just their second win in their last seven games against the five-time champions. DCs pursuit began on a false note - Deepak Chahar's inswinger found the inside edge on KL Rahul's flick and was caught by Ryan Rickelton. Nitish Rana pushed Jasprit Bumrah to the leg side, but the hesitation and then committing to the single was a fatal indecision as he was run out by the pacer. Nissanka refused to let early tension get to him. He pulled Chahar to the fine-leg fence, flicking and reverse sweeping Mitchell Santner, before pulling, lofting, and bludgeoning Shardul Thakur for two fours and a six. Nissanka eventually top-edged a Santner delivery to short fine leg, which meant that Naman Dhir previously dropping his catch costed only three runs. Rizvi was slow to begin with, before lofting and cutting Santner for boundaries. He opened up in imperious fashion in the 11th over - slashing, ramping, cutting and lofting Corbin Bosch for 20 runs. The crowd were on its feet when Rizvi brought up his fifty off 31 balls with back-to-back sixes against impact player Mayank Markande. The assault from Rizvi meant MI were forced to bring back Bumrah for a breakthrough, which didnt yield the desired result. Chahar returned to stem the run-flow, but Rizvi whipped him over deep backward square leg for six, after cutting him for four. Thakur came under severe attack from Rizvi - a four flayed past backward point was followed by one drilled through mid-off. The highlight, though, was a muscular six over deep extra cover against the off-cutter. David Miller joined the boundary-hitting part by driving and flicking Bumrah for boundaries. Though Rizvi missed his century by just 10 runs after holing out to long-off against Bosch, the result was a foregone conclusion by then a win for DC to begin their home run on a high. Previously, Rickelton began by flicking Mukesh through midwicket and fine leg for fours, while fan favourite Rohit Sharma picked two boundaries off Lungi Ngidi. Mukesh corrected his opening-over mistakes by resorting to a tighter line and good length in his second. The reward was immediate - Rickelton chipped to mid-off, while Tilak Varma was undone by a cleverly disguised knuckle ball that looped back to the bowler for a simple caught-and-bowled dismissal. At 31/2, Suryakumar began by clipping Mukesh for four, before Rohit danced down the pitch to smash an authoritative cover drive off Ngidi. Post powerplay, the sixes arrived with conviction - Rohit launched Vipraj Nigam over long-on, while Suryakumar cleared backward square leg off Axar. But Rohit's vigil ended with him chipping a slower ball to cover off Axar, while Sherfane Rutherford holed out to deep midwicket off Nigam. But Suryakumar pressed on paddling, sweeping and lofting with immaculate ease to bring up a measured fifty off 35 balls. He found able company in Dhir, with them plundering 17 runs off Kuldeep Yadav in the 15th over being a particular highlight. Ngidi's skiddy pace-off delivery eventually trapped Suryakumar lbw, while Dhir pulled straight to deep midwicket off Natarajan. Two boundaries each from Santner and Bosch took MI past 160, but it was insufficient to deny DC another win thanks to another stunning show from Rizvi. But Suryakumar pressed on paddling, sweeping and lofting with immaculate ease to bring up a measured fifty off 35 balls. He found able company in Dhir, with them plundering 17 runs off Kuldeep Yadav in the 15th over being a particular highlight. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Mumbai Indians 162/6 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 51, Rohit Sharma 35; Mukesh Kumar 2-26, Axar Patel 1-22) lost to Delhi Capitals 164/4 in 18.1 overs (Sameer Rizvi 90, Pathum Nissanka 44; Deepak Chahar 1-20, Mitchell Santner 1-22) by six wickets Article Source: IANS

Rizvi aces another tricky chase as Delhi Capitals floor Mumbai Indians

DC bowlers restricted MI to 162 before Rizvi and Nissanka helped them recover from early wickets

No Gill for Titans as Royals choose to bat

Rashid Khan captains GT as Royals became the first team this season to opt to bat after winning the toss

IPL 2026: Rashid Leads GT In Gills Absence, Kushagra Earns Debut As RR Opt To Bat

Indian Premier League: Rashid Khan will be leading the Gujarat Titans in the absence of regular skipper Shubman Gill, who has been rested owing to a muscle spasm, as the Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bat in the ninth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. GT will be desperate to open their account this season after falling just short in their opening outing against the Punjab Kings. Despite putting up a respectable 162/6 with the bat, they were unable to defend it, as the bowlers failed to hold their nerves in the closing stages, allowing Punjab to chase down the target with five deliveries to spare. RR, meanwhile, come into the contest brimming with confidence following a commanding victory over Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati. Delivering a complete performance, they bundled out CSK for just 127 before wrapping up the chase with ease inside 13 overs. Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger led the charge with the ball, while young Vaibhav Suryavanshi caught the eye with an explosive fifty. Looking at past encounters, GT have generally enjoyed the upper hand in this rivalry, winning six of the eight matches played between the two teams. RR have managed two victories, including their most recent meeting in April 2025. Notably, the Titans also came out on top when the two sides first faced off in April 2022, making this an interesting contest to watch. Winning the toss, RR skipper Riyan Parag said, We are going to be batting first. We have to assess and adapt to different conditions. Hopefully, we will put up a good score around 210 and defend it later on. We want to be a team that can play in all conditions. I want it to be a team that is flexible. We don't want to play one brand of cricket. We don't want to be a team that only scores or bowls for 200 runs or 250 runs. I think, like I said, I want us to assess the pitch, play through all conditions that the IPL offers to us, and be good at it. So I think that's the message. Two changes. Tushar Deshpande comes in for Brijesh, and Shubham Dubey comes in for Bishnoi. Meanwhile, GTs stand-in captain Rashid Khan said, We wanted to bowl first as well. Fresh wicket and I feel like there will be some help for the bowlers initially, but we are quite happy with the toss so far. Gill has got a bit of a muscle spasm, hopefully he will be back soon. KK (Kumar Kushagra) is playing his first game and look forward to seeing him play. I think we played good cricket (in the last game). I feel that in the last game as well, it was a very close game, but there were some areas we need to improve our bowling, and also with the batting. And we spoke a lot about that in the meetings, and we just need to bring our A-game here and give our 100%. So I feel like we did really well in the last game as well, but we take the positive things from that and we keep improving our skills in our game. Playing XIs: Rajasthan Royals: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma Impact Substitutes: Ravi Singh, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Shubham Dubey, Brijesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi Rajasthan Royals: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma Also Read: Live Cricket Score Impact Substitutes: Shahrukh Khan, Jason Holder, Manav Suthar, Anuj Rawat, Jayant Yadav Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Sameer Rizvis Unbeaten 90 Helps DC Register A Six-wicket Win Over MI

Indian Premier League: For the second game running, Sameer Rizvi walked in and changed the complexion of a chase - this time by smashing an unbeaten 90 off 51 balls to guide Delhi Capitals to a comfortable six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians and record their second straight win of IPL 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. In the chase of 163, DC were struggling at 73/3, before Rizvi turned the game in his teams favour by hitting seven fours and as many sixes at a strike-rate of 176.47. He stitched stands of 66 and 78 with Pathum Nissanka (44) and David Miller (21 not out) as DC completed the chase with 11 balls to spare. Rizvis seven sixes are the most hit by a DC batter against MI in IPL history, and as an Impact Player, only Jos Buttler has ever scored more in a single IPL innings. Mumbai, who had posted 162/6 on a two-paced surface, will look back at their spin bowling with some concern - it was there that Delhi found their opening, and Rizvi fully cashed on it. DCs pursuit of 163 began on a false note - Deepak Chahar's inswinger found the inside edge on KL Rahul's flick and was caught by Ryan Rickelton. Nitish Rana pushed Jasprit Bumrah to the leg side, but the hesitation and then committing to the single was a fatal indecision as he was run out by the pacer. Pathum Nissanka refused to let early tension get to him. He pulled Chahar to the fine-leg fence, flicking and reverse sweeping Mitchell Santner, before pulling, lofting, and bludgeoning Shardul Thakur for two fours and a six. Nissanka eventually top-edged a Santner delivery to short fine leg, which meant that Naman Dhir's previously dropped catch cost only three runs. Rizvi, DCs impact player, was slow to begin with, before lofting and cutting Santner for boundaries. He opened up in imperious fashion in the 11th over - slashing, ramping, cutting and lofting Corbin Bosch for 20 runs. The crowd were on its feet when Rizvi brought up his fifty off 31 balls with back-to-back sixes against impact player Mayank Markande. The assault from Rizvi meant MI were forced to bring back Bumrah for a breakthrough, which didnt yield the desired result. Chahar returned to stem the run-flow, but Rizvi whipped him over deep backward square leg for six, after cutting him for four. Thakur came under attack from Rizvi - a four flayed past backward point was followed by one drilled through mid-off. The highlight, though, was a muscular six over deep extra cover against the off-cutter. David Miller joined the boundary-hitting part by driving and flicking Bumrah for boundaries. Though Rizvi missed his century by just 10 runs after holing out to long-off against Bosch, the result was a foregone conclusion by then a win for DC to begin their home run on a high. The assault from Rizvi meant MI were forced to bring back Bumrah for a breakthrough, which didnt yield the desired result. Chahar returned to stem the run-flow, but Rizvi whipped him over deep backward square leg for six, after cutting him for four. Thakur came under attack from Rizvi - a four flayed past backward point was followed by one drilled through mid-off. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Mumbai Indians 162/6 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 51, Rohit Sharma 35; Mukesh Kumar 2-26, Axar Patel 1-22) lost to Delhi Capitals 164/4 in 18.1 overs (Sameer Rizvi 90, Pathum Nissanka 44; Deepak Chahar 1-20, Mitchell Santner 1-22) by six wickets Article Source: IANS

CSK's bowlers face stern RCB test as rivalry momentum shifts

RCB have won their last three games against CSK, turning the tide in this rivalry

IPL 2026: When And Where To Watch RCB Vs CSK, Know All Details

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will aim to build on a strong start to their title defence when they face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the second game of Sundays Indian Premier League (IPL) double-header at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB began their campaign on a positive note with a convincing home win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Opting to field first, they kept the visitors in check at 201, with Jacob Duffy and Romario Shepherd playing key roles by picking up three wickets apiece. The chase was handled with authority, as Devdutt Padikkals explosive 61 off just 26 deliveries, along with an unbeaten 69 from Virat Kohli, guided Bengaluru to a six-wicket victory with plenty of overs remaining. In contrast, Chennai Super Kings are still searching for their first win of the season after back-to-back setbacks. They were initially outplayed by the Rajasthan Royals and then suffered another defeat at home against the Punjab Kings. Despite posting a formidable 209, CSK were unable to defend the total, as Punjab chased it down comfortably with contributions from Shreyas Iyer and Priyansh Arya, sealing the result with time to spare. With Bengaluru carrying early momentum and Chennai under pressure to respond, the encounter sets up as a crucial early-season test for both sides. When: Sunday, April 5, 7:30 PM IST Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Where to watch: The RCB vs CSK match will be broadcast by Star Sports Network, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The RCB vs CSK match will be broadcast by Star Sports Network, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Urvil Patel, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Akeal Hosein, Sarfaraz Khan, MS Dhoni, Dewald Brevis, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Chahar, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Aman Khan, Gurjapneet Singh, Zakary Foulkes, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Suryakumar Yadav Hits 51 As MI Post 162/6 Against DC On A Slow Pitch

Indian Premier League: Stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with 51 as the Mumbai Indians posted a competitive 162/6 in 20 overs on a slow black-soil pitch against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday. It was the kind of innings for MI that never quite found its stride Suryakumar and Rohit Sharma steadied proceedings with a 53-run stand. But just as it threatened to build into something decisive, DC intervened to pick wickets at regular intervals, with Mukesh Kumar being the standout bowler with 2-26. Suryakumar's measured 51 off 36 balls, laced with three fours and two sixes, was the spine of MIs innings and took them past the 160-mark, despite 38 runs coming from the final four overs. The crowd found its voice early on when Ryan Rickelton flicked Mukesh Kumar through midwicket and fine leg for fours, while fan favourite Rohit Sharma picked two boundaries off Lungi Ngidi through point and fine leg regions. Mukesh corrected mistakes made in the opening over by resorting to a tighter line and good length in his second over. The reward was immediate Rickelton chipped to mid-off, while Tilak Varma was undone by a cleverly disguised knuckle ball that looped back to the bowler for a simple caught-and-bowled dismissal. At 31/2, Suryakumar arrived in the middle and began by clipping Mukesh for four, before sweeping Vipraj Nigam for another boundary. Rohit, while trying to keep Ngidis slower boundaries at bay, was lucky to get inside edge running for four, before dancing down the pitch next ball to smash an authoritative cover drive. Post power play, the sixes arrived with great conviction - Rohit launched Nigam back over long-on, while Suryakumar cleared backward square leg off Axar. After Rohit survived an lbw appeal off Kuldeep Yadav, his vigil was brought to an end by Axar, as he chipped a slower ball to cover. Sherfane Rutherford fell cheaply - holing out to deep midwicket off Nigam. But Suryakumar pressed on paddling and lofting with immaculate ease to bring up a measured fifty in 35 balls with Naman Dhir providing able company. Together, they plundered 17 runs from Kuldeep in the 15th over, with Dhir's inside-out loft over extra cover a standout shot. DC, though, bounced back as Ngidi's skiddy pace-off delivery trapped Suryakumar lbw, while Dhir pulled straight to deep mid-wicket off T Natarajan. A brace of boundaries, each from Mitchell Santner and Corbin Bosch, took MI past the 160-run mark and set the stage for a fascinating second half. But Suryakumar pressed on paddling and lofting with immaculate ease to bring up a measured fifty in 35 balls with Naman Dhir providing able company. Together, they plundered 17 runs from Kuldeep in the 15th over, with Dhir's inside-out loft over extra cover a standout shot. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Mumbai Indians 162/6 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 51, Rohit Sharma 35; Mukesh Kumar 2-26, Axar Patel 1-22) against Delhi Capitals Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: When And Where To Watch SRH Vs LSG, Know All Details

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will return to familiar surroundings as they take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the opening fixture of the double-header on Sunday at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The home side heads into the contest with momentum on their side after registering their first victory of the season in emphatic fashion. They outplayed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 65 runs, becoming the first team this year to successfully defend a total thus far. A strong batting effort saw them pile up 226, powered by impactful knocks from Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head. Their bowlers then delivered a clinical performance to seal the win, dismissing KKR for 161 inside 16 overs. Jaydev Unadkat led the charge with a three-wicket haul, while Eshan Malinga and Nitish Kumar Reddy provided crucial support with two wickets apiece. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing start to their campaign. Playing at home, they struggled for fluency against the Delhi Capitals (DC) and were bowled out for a modest 141. The target proved insufficient as Delhi chased it down comfortably, thanks largely to Sameer Rizvis unbeaten 70, handing LSG a six-wicket defeat. With Hyderabad riding high on confidence and Lucknow searching for an early turnaround, Sundays clash promises an intriguing contest between two sides at contrasting stages of their season. When: Sunday, April 5, 3:30 PM IST Where: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Where to watch: The SRH vs LSG match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The SRH vs LSG match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran, Josh Inglis, Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Mohsin Khan, Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, Arjun Tendulkar, Naman Tiwari, Mitchell Marsh, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed and Arshin Kulkarni Article Source: IANS

BCB Holds Meeting To Discuss Future Ties And Bilateral Series With BCCI

The Bangladesh Cricket Board: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), led by president Aminul Islam Bulbul, held a meeting on Saturday to review cricketing ties with India, confirming that formal communication has been sent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding upcoming bilateral tours and future collaboration opportunities. Earlier, the BCB had written an email to the BCCI regarding the bilateral tours and series. As per the ICC Future Tour Programme, India is scheduled to play Bangladesh in a series. The Indian men's team is scheduled to tour Bangladesh in September 2026 for a six-match white-ball series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. Initially planned for August 2025, the tour was deferred due to scheduling and security issues. Following a proposal from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the final itinerary is now awaiting confirmation between the two boards. A few months back, the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release (the only) Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman (auctioned for $1 million) from its 2026 squad. The decision did not bode well with the Bangladesh government and public, and the BCB responded by seeking relocation of their team's matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns for its players. The Indian men's team is scheduled to tour Bangladesh in September 2026 for a six-match white-ball series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. Initially planned for August 2025, the tour was deferred due to scheduling and security issues. Following a proposal from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the final itinerary is now awaiting confirmation between the two boards. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The matter was eventually resolved with the BCB avoiding a hefty fine from ICC and getting the hosting rights of an ICC event in 2028. Bangladesh also decided to ban the broadcast of IPL matches in the country, though the ban was lifted recently. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Pat Cummins Flies Back Home For Final Scan On Injured Back: Report

ICC T20 World Cup: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins has left his side in the middle of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 and flown back to Australia for a final medical scan on his persistent back injury. The Australian pacer has not played a single match since the Ashes series at home against England. He also missed the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where Australia exited for the first time from the group stage. According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Cummins flew back to Australia right after SRHs thrilling win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Thursday, April 2, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This scan was already planned and will be done under the supervision of Cricket Australia (CA). Australia captain Cummins, who has already missed the opening two matches for the team, will be absent for two more matches as he is expected to join the group on April 17 after clearing the test. Ishan Kishan, who was appointed captain by SRH once it became clear that Cummins wouldn't be able to take the field in the initial stages of IPL 2026, will continue to lead the team. Under Kishan's leadership, the 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) lost the first match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28 by six wickets after a poor bowling display. Ishan Kishan, who was appointed captain by SRH once it became clear that Cummins wouldn't be able to take the field in the initial stages of IPL 2026, will continue to lead the team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score SRH will next face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the first home match of the IPL 2026 to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: It's Just About Trying To Manage Conditions, Maximize Powerplay To Its Best, Says Rickelton

Arun Jaitley Stadium: Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton said his focus at the top of the order is on managing threats and making the most of the powerplay in afternoon games. MI, the five-time champions, are taking on Delhi Capitals in their first afternoon game of IPL 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. I think sometimes that's the nice part about batting second is that the game kind of dictates it for you. India is always a different challenge, especially at night, the ball swings quite a lot, so you know those first 2-3 overs, you can get knocked over quite quickly if you don't have your wits about you. So it's trying to just manage the prime threats as an individual. Then when the time comes to transfer the pressure or you get a second sniff, you really just make sure that you drive that home. So today will be a different experience. Day game, expecting maybe a little bit less swing, maybe a little bit more turn. So it's just about trying to manage the conditions and maximize the powerplay to its best. Sometimes it's a bit easier to bat in the powerplay, sometimes a lot easier to bat outside of the powerplay. So just trying to manage both, said Rickelton in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters. On the fine line between intent and recklessness on batting in power-play, the left-handed batter, who hit 83 in the opening game against Kolkata Knight Riders, explained, I shouldn't be allowed to answer this. I'm a South African, so it's all recklessness, in all honesty. Not giving yourself a chance and being reckless in terms of just going out for a hoick within your first couple of balls. I would define it as a bit reckless. The conditions always dictate the way you should play. The game situation also guides you in how you should play. If you're going away from what those things are telling you, then maybe I think it's a bit reckless. Asked on how it has been to bat alongside Rohit Sharma, Rickelton said, The beauty of this side is that we have so many unbelievable batters, foreign and local batters, lined up behind us. So if Ro and I manage to win the powerplay, it's almost like a bit of a free hit. But it is almost ... we face some balls, we get the pace of the wicket, the gist of it, and you can try and maximize within the middle phase, especially when your matchups come on. You can do that without the fear of getting out. If you obviously can put some pressure on the bowlers and get away, that really takes the team to a great position. Asked on how it has been to bat alongside Rohit Sharma, Rickelton said, The beauty of this side is that we have so many unbelievable batters, foreign and local batters, lined up behind us. So if Ro and I manage to win the powerplay, it's almost like a bit of a free hit. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rickelton signed off by saying he used the break well to meet his fellow South African players in the IPL bandwagon. Just the usual stuff on tour. Preparing for the next game, trying to get the body right. Managed to catch up last night with Stubbo (Stubbs) and Dave (Miller) and have a bit of a dinner. So, it's just been the usual stuff on tour. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: 'Opening Partnership Set Up The Game,' Says Ponting After PBKS Win Over CSK

Chennai Super Kings: Head coach Ricky Ponting lauded Punjab Kings (PBKS) opening pair for setting up the chase and also praised the bowling unit after their win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 7th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. Ponting said the opening partnership played a key role in laying the foundation for the successful run chase of 210 runs in just 18.4 overs on a high-scoring pitch. Great game of cricket, the right team ended up coming out on top, it was an incredibly good run chase, one that I was pretty confident with at the halfway mark, but I think if we wind the clock back right at the start, I mean obviously a very good pitch, I'm really actually quite glad that the bowling group tried and probably exhausted almost every option, we tried everything, Ponting said in a dressing room video released by PBKS. He was particularly impressed with the aggressive intent shown by the openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, which allowed the team to stay ahead of the required rate from the onset as the team scored 55 runs in just four overs. Priyansh, that's as good a ball striking as I think I've ever seen. That opening partnership, I know Prabh, you were probably a little bit disappointed with yourself tonight, because you, well I just spoke to you then, you probably got a little bit caught up in what Priyansh was doing, but one thing you need to know mate, you just need to keep playing your way, playing your game. You've ended up with 43 off 34 anyway, in an incredibly good opening partnership, that partnership set up the game, he added. Ponting said the early momentum gave him full confidence in the batting group during the chase. He also lauded Cooper Connolly for excellent knock. Koop's (Cooper Connolly) outstanding again, just coming in and playing your way, the intent to that run chase, I mean I know when you're chasing 210, you've got to go out and you've got to throw caution to the wind, but after the first six overs I wasn't concerned at all, I just had that much confidence in this batting group and the way that we were going to go about it, Ponting said. He also highlighted the contribution of the bowlers in a high-scoring match, noting that the team managed to stay in the contest despite a flat pitch. Ponting praised Yuzvendra Chahal who gave away just 21 runs and took an important wicket. Koop's (Cooper Connolly) outstanding again, just coming in and playing your way, the intent to that run chase, I mean I know when you're chasing 210, you've got to go out and you've got to throw caution to the wind, but after the first six overs I wasn't concerned at all, I just had that much confidence in this batting group and the way that we were going to go about it, Ponting said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, after beating CSK, the 2025 runners ups, Punjab Kings will face three time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 6 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: If It's A Good Wicket And Scoring At A Great Rate, Then DC Will Match The Intensity, Says Miller

Arun Jaitley Stadium: Delhi Capitals (DC) experienced left-handed batter David Miller believes though batting intensity in the IPL must be dictated by conditions, his side are well-equipped to raise the tempo when the surface and scoreboard allow. DC will begin their home leg against five-time winners Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. I'm a little bit old school, but I definitely think that adapting to the game and looking to take the bowlers down early is what the guys are doing nowadays. I still think that if it's a good wicket and we're scoring at a great rate, then we will match the intensity. On the other hand, if the team is in trouble, like the other night, we saw Sameer (Rizvi) and Stubbs do a phenomenal job there. It took the pressure off the team and took the chase deep, so I think it really depends on the situation, said Miller in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters. He also emphasised on the need for players to understand their own strengths and stick to them amid the ultra-attacking nature of batting in T20 cricket. Each person has their strengths, and personally I know my areas of strength and weakness. It's about ensuring my position of strength and playing from there. I still think that if it's a good wicket and we're scoring at a great rate, then we will match the intensity. On the other hand, if the team is in trouble, like the other night, we saw Sameer (Rizvi) and Stubbs do a phenomenal job there. It took the pressure off the team and took the chase deep, so I think it really depends on the situation, said Miller in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Miller also talked about the importance of downtime in the IPL, when matches come at a hectic speed. I think so. I've been here for many years. It can get quite overwhelming and there's a lot of pressure, travel, expectations, and demands on each player, so downtime is definitely very important. Article Source: IANS

Unchanged DC bowl; MI make three changes with Hardik out

MI brought in Chahar, Bosch and Santner for Hardik, Boult and Ghazanfar

Cummins heads back home for final scan on injured back

He is expected to rejoin the SRH squad on April 17 if cleared by CA

Arguably No.1 Against Spin: Karim Hails Iyer After Match-winning Knock Vs CSK

Chennai Super Kings: Former India cricketer Saba Karim heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer following his impressive half-century for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 7 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. Iyer played a key knock of 50 off 29 balls, showcasing his ability to control the innings and accelerate when needed. His performance played an important role in Punjab Kings chasing a target of 210 runs in 18.4 overs, breaching Chennais stronghold for the second consecutive time. Karim feels that Iyer continues to be underrated despite his consistent performances. Today was one such example where he showed why he's so different from the other batters we've seen so far. Even in the T20 format, he looks so flawless; he has so much time. I think he's arguably the No. 1 batter against spin bowling, talking about white-ball cricket, including one-day and T20, Karim told ESPNCricinfo. And even against pace bowlers, since he has started to work on his square shots towards the on side, I think he has become a much better or a more rounded kind of a batter who's very difficult to contain, he added. Karim also highlighted the improvement in Iyers approach and technique, which has helped him become more effective across conditions and against different types of bowling. He gets into such strong positions before he faces a delivery. Look at his trigger movement: he goes back, so the weight of his body goes from one leg to the other, Karim said. Then the front leg opens up quite easily, and then he goes bang. So I think that is one area where he has worked very hard, he said. It also allows him to play the short delivery well. So he can go either on the front foot or transfer his weight a little bit, and smash it down the ground or over the square-leg or midwicket boundary, he added. He gets into such strong positions before he faces a delivery. Look at his trigger movement: he goes back, so the weight of his body goes from one leg to the other, Karim said. Then the front leg opens up quite easily, and then he goes bang. So I think that is one area where he has worked very hard, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, after beating CSK, the 2025 runners-up, Punjab Kings will face three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 6 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Article Source: IANS

Green expects NZ to go into T20 World Cup with 'heaps of confidence'

Hopefully these results at the back end of the summer will put us in a really good place, she said after NZ beat SA in ODI series

3rd WODI: Greens Unbeaten Ton, Mairs Five-for Seal Series Win For New Zealand

New Zealand: New Zealand women's cricket team registered a convincing 66-run win over South Africa in the final match of the three match ODI series played at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. Batting first after being put in, New Zealand posted a strong total of 306/7 in 50 overs, thanks to a superb unbeaten century from Maddy Green. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 240 in 46.1 overs. With this win, New Zealand secured the ODI series 2-1 after a strong all-round performance in the decider. New Zealand had a poor start, losing two early wickets with just three runs on the board. Green then steadied the innings and built a crucial partnership with Brooke Halliday. The pair added 211 runs for the fourth wicket, putting the hosts in a strong position. Green played a match-winning knock of 141 not out off 128 balls, hitting 15 boundaries. It was her highest score in ODIs and her third century in the format. Halliday narrowly missed out on a hundred, scoring 98 off 124 balls before getting out in the 40th over. Chasing 307, South Africa needed a solid partnership but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Rosemary Mair was the standout performer with the ball, taking five wickets for 50 runs to break the backbone of the chase. Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen added 77 runs for the second wicket to keep South Africa in the contest. Wolvaardt top-scored with 69, while Dercksen made 47. However, once the partnership was broken, South Africa suffered a collapse, losing six wickets for just 59 runs. Chloe Tryon tried to add some quick runs with a 29-run cameo, but it was not enough. Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen added 77 runs for the second wicket to keep South Africa in the contest. Wolvaardt top-scored with 69, while Dercksen made 47. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: New Zealand 306/7 in 50 overs (Maddy Green 141*, Brooke Halliday 98; Ayanda Hlubi 2-47, Tumi Sekhukhune 2-57) beat South Africa 240/10 in 46.1 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 69, Annerie Dercksen 47; Rosemary Mair 5-50, Amelia Kerr 2-37) by 66 runs. Article Source: IANS

SA coach Mashimbyi: 'Our worry is where we need to tweak, where are the gaps'

When you don't get partnerships, it's not going to get you hundreds, he said after ODI series defeat to NZ

IPL 2026: RCB Skipper Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma Visit Tirumala Temple Ahead Of CSK Clash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar, along with wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma, offered prayers at the sacred Tirumala temple on Saturday ahead of the team's next match against the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. Perched atop the Seshachalam Hills in Andhra Pradesh, the Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala is one of Hinduisms most revered shrines. Dedicated to Lord Venkateswara- an incarnation of Vishnu- the temple welcomes over 24 million pilgrims annually. Patidar and Jitesh had previously visited the spiritual place last year, ahead of the CSK clash in which RCB came victorious and went on to clinch the title for the first time in IPL history. Patidar, who recently became a father, looked in great touch in the opening match of the RCB played against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. The skipper came to bat at number 4 and played a dominating knock of 31 runs, which came off just 12 balls. His innings included two boundaries and three maximums. While Jitesh, who was dropped from India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad, failed to capitalise on the opportunity to finish the game, as he went out on a duck. Despite Jitesh getting out early, RCB chased down the mammoth 202-run target easily in just 15.4 overs with Virat Kohli remaining unbeaten at 69. The skipper came to bat at number 4 and played a dominating knock of 31 runs, which came off just 12 balls. His innings included two boundaries and three maximums. While Jitesh, who was dropped from India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad, failed to capitalise on the opportunity to finish the game, as he went out on a duck. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With this win, the defending champions are currently placed at number three in the IPL 2026 points table with a good net run rate of +2907. While the Punjab Kings are at the top with two wins in two matches, and the Rajasthan Royals are at second with one win and a +4.171 net run rate. Article Source: IANS

Why Are You Asking Me?: Kohli Responds To 'overseas Player' Tag With Humour

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli has reacted to social media chatter calling him an overseas player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, taking it in a light-hearted manner during a fun interaction with content creator Mr. Nags in a video shared by the franchise on Saturday. Even though Kohli now plays only ODIs for India after stepping away from Tests and T20Is, he continues to be widely discussed among fans. The star batter, who has been spending a lot of time in London with wife Anushka Sharma and their children, has seen his stay in England become a talking point online. Some fans even joked that RCB are playing with five overseas players because of this. The joke comes from IPL rules, which allow only four overseas players in a playing XI. Since Kohli is often in England, some fans jokingly refer to him as an extra overseas player. During the interaction, Danish Sait, in his Mr Nags avatar, said, People are saying RCB are playing five overseas players, I am not understanding what they are saying actually. Kohli burst into laughter at the comment. The former RCB captain replied, I don't know why are you asking me? Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas players. He then asked the host, Am I an overseas player? to which the reply was no. Last month, Kohli had also dismissed false reports claiming that he had asked for a chartered flight to travel between India and London during IPL 2026. The report suggested that he wanted to fly home whenever there was a gap of more than three days between matches. However, the former RCB skipper rubbished the report, sharing a screenshot of the now-deleted post on his Instagram story with a couple of 'laughing out loud' emotions. Last month, Kohli had also dismissed false reports claiming that he had asked for a chartered flight to travel between India and London during IPL 2026. The report suggested that he wanted to fly home whenever there was a gap of more than three days between matches. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Virat will be in action when RCB will take on five time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. Article Source: IANS

Green 141*, Mair five-for headline New Zealand's series-clinching win

South Africa go down by 66 runs to New Zealand in ODI series decider

Karim on Iyer: 'He looks so flawless, he has so much time'

Shreyas Iyer smashed 50 off 29 balls in successful chase of 210 against CSK to continue his rise in T20s since IPL 2024

IPL 2026: Gavaskar Praises Next Gen Arya And Mhatre For Fearless Batting Approach

Chennai Super Kings: Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and Cheteshwar Pujara heaped praise on young batters Ayush Mhatre and Priyansh Arya for fearless batting approach and not dwelling on the past. Priyansh Arya ignited the chase with an impressive start, setting the tone for Punjab Kings pursuit of 210 against Chennai Super Kings. Brought in as a substitute, Arya made his intentions clear. He attacked Khaleel Ahmed right from the beginning. A sharp, straight drive for four, followed by a powerful six over midwicket, marked his entrance. While Khaleel managed some movement against Prabhsimran Singh, he still gave away 14 runs in the first over. There was no break in the second over as Arya attacked Matt Henry, hitting 4, 6, and 4 to reach 25 off just six balls. By the time PBKS scored their fifty in an incredible 3.2 overs, Arya had already piled up 27 off eight balls, easily finding the boundary. This was a bold, modern T20 strategy. Seeing a target of over 200, he went all out in the power play to take control of the chase. His 39 off 11 at a strike rate of 355 may not have been a match-winning innings by itself, but it clearly represented the role of an aggressive opener today: deal maximum damage early and establish a platform. Priyansh Arya is picking the length very early. On that pitch, whenever the ball was slightly short, he didnt miss out and often hit it for six. We saw that against bowlers like Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed, he is not missing the fuller deliveries either, which means the margin for error for bowlers becomes very small. He is strong on the leg side but also comfortable on the off side, and that makes him a very difficult batter to bowl to, Cheteshwar Pujara told JioStar. There was no break in the second over as Arya attacked Matt Henry, hitting 4, 6, and 4 to reach 25 off just six balls. By the time PBKS scored their fifty in an incredible 3.2 overs, Arya had already piled up 27 off eight balls, easily finding the boundary. This was a bold, modern T20 strategy. Seeing a target of over 200, he went all out in the power play to take control of the chase. His 39 off 11 at a strike rate of 355 may not have been a match-winning innings by itself, but it clearly represented the role of an aggressive opener today: deal maximum damage early and establish a platform. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For CSK, Mhatre set up the target with sensation batting show, scoring 73 off 43 deliveries. On Mhatre's best-suited batting position and mindset of the fearless prodigies, Gavaskar said, I believe Number 3 is a good position for Ayush Mhatre. He has batted lower down the order in the Under-19 setup, but three could suit him well. He was dismissed first ball in the previous game but showed no signs of being affected by it. Thats the beauty of the 'Gen Next' mindset, they dont dwell too much on the past and focus on the present. Its a fantastic attitude. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: Two Innings Don't Define An Area Of Concern, CSK Head Coach Fleming Backs Samson

Chennai Super Kings: There may have been some doubts about Sanju Samson's start with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but head coach Stephen Fleming is sure that the star batter will soon get back into the swing of things. Samson's form has come under fire after he scored 6 and 7 in his first two games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. This is especially true after his high-profile move from the Rajasthan Royals and his recent success in India's T20 World Cup win. Fleming, on the other hand, dismissed the worries and supported the experienced batter's ability to bounce back strongly. He is not going to score every time. It's T20 cricket and he just nicked one today. But, he is in good form. He is training well. And when he gets going, he is often a match-winner. So, two innings don't define an area of concern, Fleming said after CSKs loss to Punjab Kings. Samson's first two dismissals, first to Nandre Burger in Guwahati and then to Xavier Bartlett at Chepauk, show that he had a rough start with only 13 runs in two innings. But there isn't much panic in the CSK camp because the team trusts his ability to turn things around after slow starts. Samson has gotten a lot of attention, but CSK's biggest worry is their bowling. Even though they scored a strong 209/5, they couldn't protect the total after Punjab Kings chased it down easily, thanks to Priyansh Arya's explosive start and Shreyas Iyer's calm half-century. Fleming said that the team could have done better with the ball, but when asked about their auction strategy, especially why they didn't spend a lot of money on experienced pacers, he was careful not to say too much. Im trying to think back to the auction process around all those names that you talked about were mentioned. I dont, I cant remember the dynamics. There was a large list of bowlers that we looked at and missed out on that might have been out of form at the time but are in form now. Trust me, we went over everything. I cant remember those dynamics, he said. CSKs squad overhaul has also raised questions about balance, particularly the lack of specialist finishers. But Fleming believes the modern T20 game has evolved beyond traditional roles. Im trying to think back to the auction process around all those names that you talked about were mentioned. I dont, I cant remember the dynamics. There was a large list of bowlers that we looked at and missed out on that might have been out of form at the time but are in form now. Trust me, we went over everything. I cant remember those dynamics, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Its just a more aggressive approach to get 240. So you actually have to have players all the way through that are going to be aggressive and thats certainly the team that weve got. Keep in mind weve got (Dewald) Brevis on the sideline and youve got one of the best finishers in the MS (Dhoni) and theres some power there but Brevis is in the middle. Im really content with the pace that we can go, Fleming added. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026: PBKS Captain Shreyas Iyer Fined For Slow Over-rate Vs CSK

Punjab Kings Captain Shreyas Iyer: Punjab Kings Captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during seventh match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. As this was his teams second offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPLs Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Iyer was fined INR 24 lakhs. The rest of the members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, will be fined either INR six lakhs or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser, IPL said in a statement. On Friday, PBKS once again proved why they are the masters of 200-plus chases in the IPL, pulling off the feat for the ninth time as Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer dismantled the Chennai Super Kings attack. Arya set the tone with a blistering start, racing to 33 off just 9 balls as PBKS brought up their fifty in no time, while Iyer anchored the chase with a calm yet commanding knock, accelerating from 4 off 5 to a 26-ball fifty. In contrast, CSK remain winless after two games, and the bigger concern will be being outplayed in conditions that should have favoured them. Despite posting a strong 209 for 5 on a surface suited to their batting strength, their bowling once again failed to hold up, exposing a key weakness early in the season. On Friday, PBKS once again proved why they are the masters of 200-plus chases in the IPL, pulling off the feat for the ninth time as Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer dismantled the Chennai Super Kings attack. Arya set the tone with a blistering start, racing to 33 off just 9 balls as PBKS brought up their fifty in no time, while Iyer anchored the chase with a calm yet commanding knock, accelerating from 4 off 5 to a 26-ball fifty. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There was no break in the second over as Arya attacked Matt Henry, hitting 4, 6, and 4 to reach 25 off just six balls. By the time PBKS scored their fifty in an incredible 3.2 overs, Arya had already piled up 27 off eight balls, easily finding the boundary. This was a bold, modern T20 strategy. Seeing a target of over 200, he went all out in the power play to take control of the chase. His 39 off 11 at a strike rate of 355 may not have been a match-winning innings by itself, but it clearly represented the role of an aggressive opener today: deal maximum damage early and establish a platform. Article Source: IANS

DC vs MI Playing 11, IPL 2026 Today Match: Mumbai, Delhi confident after opening wins

IPL 2026: 'Didn't Have Guts To Talk To Him In First Meeting' - RCB's Ostwal On The Kohli Effect

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Vicky Ostwal had a dream of sharing the dressing room with Virat Kohli. But when it actually happened during the practice sessions of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of IPL 2026, the left-arm spin bowling all-rounder froze. Neither on the pitch, nor with the ball in his hand. But in the dressing room - where the man he had watched and admired for his talismanic skills was suddenly just a few feet away from him. Ostwal, 23, is in his debut season with RCB after having spent three years with Delhi Capitals. He had heard all about RCB - the robust culture, good people in the set-up, and fans shouting Aar-cee-bee in chorus at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the first game (and soon against the Chennai Super Kings on Sunday night). Ostwal was ready for most of it, but was not quite ready for his meeting with Kohli. For me, just seeing him for the first time was surreal. I didn't have the guts to talk to him in the first meeting. But as we practiced together, I spoke to him a lot about my tactical bowling mindset and how I should be bowling in T20 games and what balls work against him and what he does to counter the bowlers very well. Also, what can a bowler do to counter the batter, said Ostwal, in an exclusive conversation with IANS, facilitated by JSW Sports. It did not stay that way for long. Practice has a way of breaking the ice between stalwarts and youngsters, and as Ostwal began bowling to Kohli in the nets, the conversations started. I have had some great chats with him regarding this mindset and tactic thing and he has been helping me a lot about that. Whenever I bowl to him, I just try and have a chat after my bowling is finished. Then he gives me insights of what went wrong with you and what you could have done better and what you did good as well. I had some good healthy chats with him and that helps me a lot, he added. The arrangement that usually followed was Ostwal would bowl to Kohli and the debrief would happen right after that. The central idea, Ostwal says, from Kohli is about being proactive rather than reactive and thinking one step ahead of what a batter would aim to do. In things like T20, when you are bowling against a good player, you always need to be one step ahead. So, I used to always ask him - how can you be ahead of the game always? He used to give me insights like, Just see how the batter is playing and what kind of shots he wants to play against you. So, you observe that and you don't bowl the ball that he wants you to bowl. You bowl something different, back yourself to bowl that ball and then you deliver it and you try to execute it on that given time. By doing that thing, you can be one step ahead. If you think that you don't know, then you stick to your basics. You back your strength; you back yourself that whatever you have done up till now is the best. That's why you are here - so, you do that and then the batsman will play his own shot. If you think that you have got your batter in a zone where you want him to be, then you back yourself and bowl the ball that he doesn't want to play much. So, that I think helps a lot, especially in a T20 game, when you have to be accurate every ball or you have to be proactive every ball. So, that is the kind of conversation we usually have, he elaborated. Kohli isn't the only senior pro reshaping Ostwal, who terms being a bowling all-rounder as his best version. Krunal Pandya, his senior left-arm spin bowling all-rounder and multiple IPL winner with a reputation for rising exactly when the pressure peaks, has become another figure Ostwal studies closely. He knows what it takes to win the IPL and what performances you need to put in to win the game and how can you be clutch in those moments and how can you perform in crunch situations? He is a player who shines under pressure and that's what a good player can do for your team or that's what a team looks for in you. That is the kind of thing I want to learn from him and how can he do these kind of things under pressure. In crunch situations, he always steps up and brings his A game. So, that is something I really admire about him and that's what I want to learn, he said. What Ostwal finds most fascinating about Krunal, though, is not the experience, but bringing the imagination in bowling either a yorker, bouncer or even a round-arm slinging ball. He is very creative about those things. Even last year, we have seen him bowling bouncers - that is not very regular. So, he is very creative and he knows that IPL is such a game that even if you get one ball of your quota of overs (is a dot ball), it's just like gold. So, he knows that something or the other way, he will do something to trick the batsman into his trap and he will get a wicket or he can get a dot ball. So, I think he is very creative and he is very smart in those kind of things, he said. Away from serious cricket conversations, Ostwal has found an unlikely off-field friend in Venkatesh Iyer. Despite him being a very senior guy to me, he is very friendly and very open. He likes to have fun around with me and we get along well. We also play table tennis or PS5 together sometimes. So, him being a senior, I was a little hesitant talking to him in the initial days. But when I got to know him more than how good of a guy he is, I got along with him much better and then we started to hang out more. Ostwal's path to RCB was built across years of domestic toil. Being the leading wicket-taker in India winning the U-19 Asia Cup and 2022 U-19 World Cup is something he terms as one of the biggest moments of my life. It opened the door for Ostwal to be in DC's setup. But the years between that high and now were not all smooth. There was a difficult period of uncertainty as he tried to establish himself at the senior level. His answer was to go bag wickets and make big runs in the U-23 circuit, with Ostwal recently earning the MA Chidambaram Award for being the leading wicket-taker in the CK Nayudu Trophy in 2024/25. The U-23 games had a big, big role in my life because after the U19 World Cup, I did struggle for a year or so to make my mark in the senior team. But last season when I played U-23, I had a complete motto of dominating and being the highest wicket-taker in India. I had thought about that since when I started playing the games. I was very grateful and happy that I could pick wickets and was the highest wicket-taker. Also, I scored 100s and 250s and that's what gave me this full run for the Maharashtra Ranji team this year. That form carried into the Ranji Trophy, where he picked up 23 wickets in seven games, supplemented by eight and seven scalps in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy respectively. Playing all three formats every game this year was a big thing for me and that's the kind of thing that as a player you want from your association to do. I was grateful this year that I got the opportunity to play all three formats and got a complete run in the whole season. Also, I don't think I did anything extraordinary. But yes, I did well for my team. I picked some fifers in the red ball and was very accurate in T20 and one-day, where I was very good and economical. In the red ball, I also picked some fifers and was in the top wicket takers for Maharashtra. So, all in all, it was a good season for me. The question hovering over Ostwal is when he gets to play an IPL game and he spoke how it is a matter of grabbing the chance at the right time. I have spoken about this too a lot and everybody says that everyone has his own destiny. You just keep working hard and one day or the other, you will get your chance and when you get it, you just try and grab it with both hands. So, I am not rushing into things. I am not being fuzzy about it, but I just want to work hard and I believe that my time will come and whenever it comes, I will grab it with both hands. For now, the focus is entirely on RCB - a franchise he describes being a part of as a genuine blessing and a dressing room that challenges him daily, on and off the field. He joined a side that won the trophy last year. Now Ostwal wants to be part of one that wins it again. With Kohli in his corner, breaking down his game ball by ball, he may just be in the right place at the right time. It's a big blessing for me that I am a part of such a good franchise and such a good team surrounded by great players and great coaches. For now, the focus is entirely on RCB - a franchise he describes being a part of as a genuine blessing and a dressing room that challenges him daily, on and off the field. He joined a side that won the trophy last year. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There are many aspects to work on yourself when you are around these great people. So, it always helps me and I always try to have some conversation with all of them and try to improve myself. Yes, 100 percent that (winning the trophy again) is the dream and motto. Article Source: IANS

'Everyone is going at a rate of knots'; CSK still in the noughts

After CSK's second successive loss in IPL 2026, Stephen Fleming looks back at the auction strategy, the players they have let go of, and where the team might be lagging behind

Shreyas: 'We want to impress each other, not others outside'

The PBKS captain top-scored with 50 as his team chased down 210 with eight balls to spare

IPL 2026: Thats The Way They Have Been Batting For Years Now, Says Shreyas Iyer On Record Ninth 200+ Chase

Indian Premier League: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer credited his sides explosive start and collective batting effort for chasing down a 200-plus total against Chennai Super Kings, highlighting the confidence within the group and a dressing-room mindset focused on internal standards rather than external expectations. PBKS once again proved why they are the masters of 200-plus chases in the IPL, pulling off the feat for the ninth time as Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer dismantled the Chennai Super Kings attack. Arya set the tone with a blistering start, racing to 33 off just 9 balls as PBKS brought up their fifty in no time, while Iyer anchored the chase with a calm yet commanding knock, accelerating from 4 off 5 to a 26-ball fifty. Obviously, there is a worry before getting onto the field. But the way we started today, I think it was an exceptional start. Priyansh and Prabh are doing the job at the start and setting the bench for us to go inside. I feel that the way they have been batting for years now stabilises the rhythm for us. I am glad that everyone is getting to bat in the first two games. It gives us confidence. Whenever we are stuck in a pressure situation, people know how to go about it. It is not planned. But we just decided inside the dressing room that we want to impress each other rather than anyone outside. A certain sort of clarity as well, said Iyer after the match. In contrast, CSK remain winless after two games, and the bigger concern will be being outplayed in conditions that should have favoured them. Despite posting a strong 209 for 5 on a surface suited to their batting strength, their bowling once again failed to hold up, exposing a key weakness early in the season. Priyansh Arya ignited the chase with an impressive start, setting the tone for Punjab Kings pursuit of 210 against Chennai Super Kings. Brought in as a substitute, Arya made his intentions clear. He attacked Khaleel Ahmed right from the beginning. A sharp, straight drive for four, followed by a powerful six over midwicket, marked his entrance. While Khaleel managed some movement against Prabhsimran Singh, he still gave away 14 runs in the first over. There was no break in the second over as Arya attacked Matt Henry, hitting 4, 6, and 4 to reach 25 off just six balls. By the time PBKS scored their fifty in an incredible 3.2 overs, Arya had already piled up 27 off eight balls, easily finding the boundary. This was a bold, modern T20 strategy. Seeing a target of over 200, he went all out in the power play to take control of the chase. His 39 off 11 at a strike rate of 355 may not have been a match-winning innings by itself, but it clearly represented the role of an aggressive opener today: deal maximum damage early and establish a platform. Priyansh Arya ignited the chase with an impressive start, setting the tone for Punjab Kings pursuit of 210 against Chennai Super Kings. Brought in as a substitute, Arya made his intentions clear. He attacked Khaleel Ahmed right from the beginning. A sharp, straight drive for four, followed by a powerful six over midwicket, marked his entrance. While Khaleel managed some movement against Prabhsimran Singh, he still gave away 14 runs in the first over. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Praising senior spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, Iyer said, I feel that we all know how good Dube is against spin. There were many domestic players who are good against spin. Yuzi, we know how impressive he has been over the years. He is one of the best bowlers in IPL. Whenever I am in doubt, I go to him. Article Source: IANS

Jack White rocks Glamorgan on long-awaited return to Division One

Ingram-Kellaway stand helps repel Yorkshire on rain-shortened season opener in Cardiff

Arya and Shreyas star as PBKS breach CSK's fortress again

Mhatre and Sarfaraz led CSK to 209 but that total didn't prove enough to test PBKS' chase masters

IPL 2026: Skipper Iyers Fifty, Aryas Opening Blitz Guide PBKS To Second Victory

Skipper Shreyas Iyer: Priyansh Aryas opening blitz of 39 off 11 balls and skipper Shreyas Iyers fifty propelled Punjab Kings to their second victory in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, beating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. Priyansh Arya ignited the chase with an impressive start, setting the tone for Punjab Kings pursuit of 210 against Chennai Super Kings. Brought in as a substitute, Arya made his intentions clear. He attacked Khaleel Ahmed right from the beginning. A sharp, straight drive for four, followed by a powerful six over midwicket, marked his entrance. While Khaleel managed some movement against Prabhsimran Singh, he still gave away 14 runs in the first over. There was no break in the second over as Arya attacked Matt Henry, hitting 4, 6, and 4 to reach 25 off just six balls. By the time PBKS scored their fifty in an incredible 3.2 overs, Arya had already piled up 27 off eight balls, easily finding the boundary. This was a bold, modern T20 strategy. Seeing a target of over 200, he went all out in the power play to take control of the chase. His 39 off 11 at a strike rate of 355 may not have been a match-winning innings by itself, but it clearly represented the role of an aggressive opener today: deal maximum damage early and establish a platform. At the other end, Prabhsimran kept the momentum going, but CSK tried to regain control with spin by bringing in Noor Ahmad and adding Rahul Chahar as an impact bowler. However, PBKS kept pushing, with Cooper Connolly showing intent against spin. However, a costly mistake on a low-risk second call cost PBKS their momentum at a crucial time, when Shreyas Iyer walked confidently to the crease with a chance to score runs. Noor Ahmad sprinted from midwicket to intercept the ball, while Sarfaraz Khan made an excellent backup play and threw an accurate ball to the non-strikers end to catch Prabhsimran (43) out after Connolly returned him. Conolly holed out off a full toss, which he couldnt quite hit past mid-off. That was a missed opportunity, and one hell regret on the long walk back. With 83 runs needed off 49 balls, PBKS still has Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera at the crease to steady the chase. CSK, on the other hand, has limited spin left. They have just one over from Noor Ahmad and two from Rahul Chahar. After that, it will be up to the pacers, who have given away runs all evening, to finish the job. Ayush Mhatre starred with a sensational 73 off 43 as late cameos from Sarfaraz Khan (32 off 12) and Shivam Dube (45* off 27) powered Chennai Super Kings to 209/5. CSKs innings had a shaky start, with Sanju Samson (7) falling early yet again, exposing his struggles against movement. Amid the early setbacks, Mhatre took charge, showing great intent and preparation, especially against short balls. Having worked on his pull shot, he confidently took on the pacers, racing to 59 off 32 balls inside nine overs, including four fours and five sixes. While Mhatre dominated, Ruturaj Gaikwad (28 off 22) struggled to accelerate, falling at a time when CSK needed momentum. Mhatre, however, continued to dictate terms even after the Power-play, cleverly countering the wide yorker strategy with smart placement and quick adjustments. His dismissal proved to be a turning point. At 123, Mhatre had scored 73 of those runs nearly 60% highlighting CSKs over-reliance on him as the rest of the batting managed just 38 off 32 balls, with 12 extras. Sarfaraz then injected late momentum with an inventive cameo, using ramps and deft touches to counter both pace and yorkers, striking at 266. Though Dube initially struggled, he finished strongly, anchoring the death overs with a composed unbeaten 45. CSKs 209/5 also marked their first 200-plus total at Chepauk since April 2024, signalling a return to their high-scoring best. Shreyas Iyer displayed unwavering poise throughout his innings by shifting gears from 4 off 5 to 50 off 26 flawlessly. He held the situation in check as the PBKS captain by choosing his shots carefully and keeping the chase on course. Yet just as everything seemed to be going PBKS' way and Iyer was batting fabulously, CSK responded with two wickets off consecutive deliveries by taking Iyer out and having Nehal Wadhera swing the momentum back their way. However, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis made sure there are no more hiccups as PBKS closed the match, winning it by five wickets. Shreyas Iyer displayed unwavering poise throughout his innings by shifting gears from 4 off 5 to 50 off 26 flawlessly. He held the situation in check as the PBKS captain by choosing his shots carefully and keeping the chase on course. Yet just as everything seemed to be going PBKS' way and Iyer was batting fabulously, CSK responded with two wickets off consecutive deliveries by taking Iyer out and having Nehal Wadhera swing the momentum back their way. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Chennai Super Kings 209/5 in 20 overs (Ayush Mhatre 73, Shivam Dube 45 not out; Vyshak Vijaykumar 2-38, Yuzvendra Chahal 1-21) lost to Punjab Kings 210/5 in 18.4 overs (Shreyas Iyer 50, Prabhsimran Singh 43, Priyansh Arya 39; Matt Henry 2-54, Anshul Kamboj 2-47) by five wickets. Article Source: IANS

Gay cruises to first century of season as Crawley fails again

Durham take the opening-day spoils before England opener falls cheaply

Bohannon, Wells set up Lancashire on hard-fought day

Harry Conway and Ben Sanderson strive to keep Northants in contest

Foakes, Lawes enter folklore as record stand rescues Surrey

Warwickshire lose grip after six early wickets in season opener at Edgbaston

Du Plooy 98* puts Middlesex on front foot

Skipper underpins solid batting effort with support from James Cracknell

Clark makes it count as Sussex fly out of the blocks

Early life proves costly for newly-promoted Leicestershire at Grace Road

Andersson on song again as Derbyshire rack them up

Allrounder's hundred, with fifties from Reece, Jewell and Came, sets seal on hosts' day

Abell, Rew script familiar tale of frustration for Nottinghamshire

Somerset's middle-order pairing to the rescue again on dank opening day

IPL 2026: If Cameron Green Is Not Going To Bowl, KKR Should Bring In Another Specialist Batter, Says Sunil Gavaskar

If Cameron Green: Cameron Green's unavailability to bowl for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) because of workload management imposed by Cricket Australia is blowing up into a big controversy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with many former India players commenting on this issue. After KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and former India opener Wasim Jaffer, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the issue, advising KKR to consider bringing in another specialist to make up for the imbalance in the squad. Green, who was signed for Rs 25.20 crore for his all-round capabilities, has yet to bowl in the tournament, including in the opening clash against the Mumbai Indians (MI), where his side conceded a hefty 221 runs, and their second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where they conceded 226 runs. His limited role has sparked debate over team balance and utilisation. Speaking on Star Sports Amul Cricket Live, JioStar experts Sunil Gavaskar discussed Greens role in the team and said they should consider recruiting a specialist to make up for the loss. KKR will need to think about their combination if Cameron Green is not going to bowl. If he isnt contributing with the ball, then they might have to consider bringing in another specialist batter. We know he has scored a hundred in the IPL and that he can bat well, but his form hasnt been great recently. Yes, he scored a hundred in a red-ball game in Australia not long ago, but this is where the team needs to look closely at the numbers. Green at No. 4 is fine, but the bigger concern seems to be the No. 5 and No. 6 positions, where they appear to be struggling a bit, said Gavaskar. Jaffer took to X to voice his opinion on the matter, stressing that franchises should have full control over how players are used once they are part of a privately run competition. Cam Green not bowling is unfair for KKR. Once youre playing in a private league, it shouldnt be your country that decides what you can and cannot do during that league. If thats the case, you might as well not play. Teams pay huge amounts to acquire players with certain skill sets, and not using one of the skill sets, not because of injury, but because of workload management, is unfair to the franchise, he wrote. Earlier, speaking after the Mumbai match, captain Ajinkya Rahane suggested that decisions regarding Greens bowling were influenced by Cricket Australia, indicating that the matter was not entirely in the teams hands. Cricket Australia later confirmed that Greens workload is being carefully managed due to a lower back concern, with the franchise reportedly informed about the restriction ahead of the tournament. Earlier, speaking after the Mumbai match, captain Ajinkya Rahane suggested that decisions regarding Greens bowling were influenced by Cricket Australia, indicating that the matter was not entirely in the teams hands. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Green's outing with the bat has also not been up to the mark in the ongoing season. He scored just 18 runs in KKR's first match against Mumbai and got run out at a crucial time against SRH after scoring only two runs. Due to his poor batting, KKR has lost both matches and currently sit in ninth position in the points table. Article Source: IANS