All eyes are on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as Rajasthan Royals face Gujarat Titans. Aakash Chopra predicts bowlers will target the young star with short balls and wide lines. Rajasthan, with a winning start, is unlikely to change their lineup. Gujarat's top order must perform, while questions linger over their middle order and bowling options.
Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, face Riyan Parag's Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad. After a loss, GT aims to rebound, while RR seeks to continue their winning start. Key players like Gill, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prasidh Krishna, Jofra Archer, and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to make an impact in this exciting encounter.
Young batters Ayush Mhatre and Priyansh Arya are redefining T20 batting with their fearless approach, impressing legends Sunil Gavaskar and Cheteshwar Pujara. Arya's explosive 39 off 11 balls set the tone for Punjab Kings' chase, while Mhatre's composed 73 laid the foundation for Chennai Super Kings. Their focus on the present exemplifies the new generation's mindset.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh credits Gautam Gambhir's unwavering belief and clear methods for India's T20 World Cup victory. Gambhir's sharp cricketing mind and courage under pressure, even amidst criticism, were pivotal. His aggressive blueprint instilled confidence, leading to a triumphant campaign where sticking to the process ultimately paid off.
Young batter Ayush Mhatre described a "dream day" meeting his idol Rohit Sharma, who invited him to his residence for a two-hour conversation. This personal interaction, initiated by Mhatre after a previous offer of guidance from Sharma, provided significant inspiration. The meeting remains a defining milestone for Mhatre, fueling his cricketing journey.
South Africa's reliable white-ball batsman, Rassie van der Dussen, has announced his retirement from international cricket at 35. He expressed deep gratitude for representing the Proteas, highlighting his significant contributions, particularly in ODIs where he averaged over 50. Van der Dussen will continue playing domestic cricket and mentoring young players.
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has accused the Argentina national football team of betrayal, alleging they took a substantial payment of Rs 250 crore but failed to honor a commitment to visit the state. The minister expressed deep disappointment, stating that extensive planning and sponsorship efforts were made for the potential visit, which was expected to include Lionel Messi.
Cricket Australia has surprisingly dropped star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell from their 2026-27 contracted players list, prioritizing Test specialists for a demanding schedule. Youngster Sam Konstas and paceman Jhye Richardson also missed out, with veteran Jake Weatherald earning a contract. This move signals a strong focus on the longest format of the game.
Cameron Green's all-round potential is under scrutiny as Australia's coach Andrew McDonald emphasizes balancing IPL and national team expectations. Despite a back niggle, Green's fitness won't hinder his consideration for all formats, with selectors eyeing him for the vacant No. 5 Test position.
Ravindra Jadeja impressed on his Rajasthan Royals return, taking two crucial wickets against his former team Chennai Super Kings. He humorously revealed he hadn't spoken to MS Dhoni, who apparently keeps his phone off. Jadeja enjoyed the turning wicket, executing his plans effectively to help RR secure an emphatic victory.
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane dismissed criticism after his 67 against Mumbai Indians, stating he's focused on personal growth, not proving critics wrong. Despite cramps and Jasprit Bumrah's impactful bowling, Rahane expressed happiness with his white-ball improvement. He also backed struggling spinner Varun Chakravarthy, urging patience for the inexperienced bowling attack.
Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi and player Sikandar Raza are accused of breaching hotel security protocols by hosting four guests in Raza's room until 1:25 a.m., despite repeated denials from security. Raza claims it was his request to meet family and friends, stating he and Afridi were unaware of updated SOPs.
Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2026 opener at Wankhede. MI aim to end their title drought, while KKR seek a comeback. Key players include Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Mitchell Santner for MI, alongside Sunil Narine and Blessing Muzarabani for KKR, who could play decisive roles in this high-stakes clash.
England all-rounder Sam Curran has revealed his withdrawal from IPL 2026 was due to a groin injury that had been worsening. He admitted the issue, carried through the T20 World Cup, required a "tough decision" after scans confirmed significant damage. Curran is now focused on rehabilitation in England, with his return timeline uncertain.
Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori described his team's bowling effort in their IPL 2026 opener as "one of our poorer performances" after a six-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite posting 201/9, SRH struggled to contain RCB's batting, with Vettori citing missed lengths and a lack of discipline as key issues.
IPL 2026 commences with a thrilling encounter between defending champions RCB and 2016 winners SRH. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, face challenges with key pacers missing, while SRH will be without Pat Cummins. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is set for a high-scoring affair with clear skies predicted.
Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam faced online trolling after dropping a catch during an advertisement shoot ahead of the PSL 2026. The tournament will be played behind closed doors due to geopolitical tensions, a move Azam acknowledged will be missed by players and fans alike.
A cricket fan was initially denied entry to the Sheffield Shield final for wearing a "Free Imran Khan" T-shirt, but Cricket Australia later reversed the decision. Authorities clarified that support for the jailed former Pakistan captain is considered a humanitarian issue, not a political one, allowing fans with similar messages entry.
Former RCB owner Vijay Mallya expressed his emotions following the franchise's record sale, stating it remains in his DNA. He recalled his initial INR 450 crore investment in 2008, which has now grown to an astounding INR 16,600 crore. Mallya highlighted his decision to pick a young Virat Kohli as a significant memory, thanking fans for their unwavering support.
PSL 2026 kicks off March 26 with Lahore Qalandars facing Hyderabad Kingsmen, but without spectators due to regional issues and rising costs. The tournament will be broadcast-first, held in Lahore and Karachi. Despite the challenges, eight teams and international stars promise exciting cricket, with the opening match at 7:30 PM IST.
Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, 35, showcased lethal yorkers in Lucknow Super Giants' nets, impressing coach Justin Langer. Bowling coach Bharat Arun expressed excitement about working with Shami again, highlighting his significant contribution to India's past overseas Test victories. LSG's pace attack, a blend of experience and emerging talent, faces the challenge of managing workloads post-injury.
Speculation surrounds MS Dhoni's role and future with Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026. With fitness concerns and a younger squad, former cricketer Aakash Chopra suggests it might be time for the veteran to retire, paving the way for Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead. Dhoni's impact as a player versus a mentor is debated.
Sunrisers Hyderabad has signed England pacer David Payne as an injury replacement for Jack Edwards for Rs 1.5 crore. Payne, a left-arm fast-medium bowler with extensive T20 experience and 304 wickets, joins SRH ahead of their IPL 2026 opener. He previously played one ODI for England and excelled in various T20 leagues.
Delhi Capitals have heavily revamped their squad for IPL 2026, spending nearly their entire purse to acquire new talent. With a blend of retained experienced players and new signings like Pathum Nissanka and David Miller, DC aims to overcome past underachievements and challenge for their maiden title.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill desires his fast bowlers to exhibit the same intensity and aggression as former India pacer Ashish Nehra. Gill wants his pace attack to be fierce, drawing inspiration from Nehra's passionate on-field demeanor. This comes as the team aims to rectify mistakes from last season and contend for the IPL 2026 title.
Suresh Raina, affectionately known as 'Mr. IPL', was inducted into the Chennai Super Kings Hall of Fame, celebrating his significant contributions to the franchise's four title wins. Fans cheered as he received the honour, with MS Dhoni's wife adding a personal touch by calling him 'Gracia ke papa'. Raina's remarkable IPL career includes 5,528 runs in 205 matches.
Anna Muzychuk will play in the Cyprus Candidates Tournament. Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy withdrew citing safety concerns. The tournament will decide challengers for world championship titles. Humpy's withdrawal is a setback for India. Other Indians participating include R Praggnanandhaa, R Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh. FIDE confirmed Muzychuk's inclusion.
Prithvi Shaw makes an emotional return to Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026 after being released and going unsold in the auction. He secured a Rs 75 lakh deal with his former franchise during the accelerated phase. Shaw expressed his joy at being back home, reflecting on his strong bond with the team and the stadium.
Rishabh Pant faces immense pressure heading into IPL 2026 after a disappointing 2025 season with Lucknow Super Giants. Bought for a record Rs 27 crore, Pant's batting form was underwhelming, and LSG failed to reach the playoffs. Former captain Faf du Plessis believes Pant's captaincy and batting performance are under the spotlight.
Aakash Chopra questions Cricket Australia's decision to rest a fit Mitchell Starc for early IPL 2026 matches, citing workload management ahead of a Test series. He also expresses concern over Lockie Ferguson's potential absence for seven games to spend time with family, suggesting franchises may need to re-evaluate player commitments.
Sanju Samson's humility shone as he joined MS Dhoni at a CSK event, declining to sign a bat until Dhoni encouraged him. Fresh off a T20 World Cup win, Samson expressed excitement about learning from Dhoni and playing for CSK, anticipating an emotional opening match against his former team, Rajasthan Royals.
Cheteshwar Pujara believes Shubman Gill's T20 World Cup snub will fuel a stellar IPL 2026, urging him to boost his strike rate. Pujara hails Gujarat Titans' formidable top order, featuring Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler, as key to their title aspirations. He also highlights the team's all-round depth and potent pace attack.
Uttar Pradesh is transforming into a sports powerhouse with a comprehensive plan focusing on world-class infrastructure, education, and grassroots development. The upcoming Major Dhyan Chand State Sports University in Meerut is central to this vision, alongside a growing network of sports colleges and private academies.
Uttar Pradesh is bolstering its sports sector with an ambitious incentive structure, offering substantial monetary rewards for medal winners at international and national events. The state is also prioritising job security for athletes, with over 500 securing government positions, fostering a robust sporting ecosystem.
The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) returns for its eighth edition, set to honour India's top athletes on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow. This edition's nominations highlight exceptional performances from January 1 to December 31, 2025, with a strong representation from Uttar Pradesh athletes across various disciplines.
The Times of India Sports Awards returns for its eighth edition, honouring India's sporting excellence in 2025. Lucknow will host the ceremony on March 21, 2026. This year highlights significant achievements in para sports, with Uttar Pradesh athletes Preethi Pal, Vivek Chikara, Vaibhav Gautam, and Praveen Kumar, along with coaches Gaurav Khanna and Dr. Satyapal Singh among the TOISA 2025 nominees.
Rajasthan Royals face challenges ahead of IPL 2026. Former India batter Aakash Chopra points to a young batting lineup lacking international experience. Key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel are still developing. Spin bowling also presents concerns with recent form issues for Ravi Bishnoi and Ravindra Jadeja. The team's strategy may impact Shimron Hetmyer's effectiveness.
Olympic medallist PV Sindhu shared her journey of resilience with students, emphasising that success is built on overcoming numerous losses. She highlighted that consistent hard work and unwavering belief are crucial, whether in sports or academics. Sindhu also stressed the vital role of strong support systems from family and coaches in achieving long-term goals.
Afghanistan's cricket stars, including Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan, have expressed outrage and grief following a devastating airstrike in Kabul that reportedly killed hundreds. The attack, which targeted a hospital, has intensified tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban administration. Cricketers are calling for accountability and justice for the victims.
Despite concerns over Koneru Humpy potentially withdrawing from the Cyprus Candidates tournament due to regional tensions, India's rising chess stars Divya Deshmukh, R Vaishali, and R Praggnanandhaa are confirmed to participate. Their teams are actively planning travel and preparations, signaling their commitment to the prestigious event as the gateway to the World Championship.
Suryakumar Yadav revealed the T20 World Cup selection of Ishan Kishan over Jitesh Sharma was a gut call, believing Kishan was the "X-factor." Kishan justified this faith with strong performances, helping India win the tournament. The captain also highlighted Sanju Samson's impactful inclusion at the top order, which shifted the team's momentum.
India's T20 talent pool is so deep, Suryakumar Yadav believes multiple international-quality teams could be formed, thanks to robust domestic cricket and the IPL. He highlighted the current generation as India's strongest T20 group. Under his captaincy, Team India boasts an impressive win rate, a testament to the team's collective mindset and his strong rapport with coach Gautam Gambhir.
Ahmed Shehzad, a former Pakistan cricketer, has strongly criticized the team's leadership following their ODI series defeat to Bangladesh. He expressed concerns about the declining standards in Pakistan cricket. Shehzad questioned the management's decisions and their handling of player availability. The team's recent performance has drawn significant criticism.
Lucknow gears up for the Times of India Sports Awards on March 21, 2026, celebrating India's sporting triumphs of 2025. The event will honour athletes across numerous categories, including para sports, recognizing achievements from major international tournaments. A distinguished jury will select winners, highlighting both established stars and emerging talents who made the nation proud.
Kolkata Knight Riders unveiled their IPL 2026 jersey, themed 'Lines of Legacy,' celebrating their championship history. CEO Venky Mysore highlighted the design's connection to pivotal moments. The 'Kya Line Hai?' campaign, featuring local creators, aims to engage fans in the team's ongoing story.
India's recent T20 World Cup triumphs highlight the IPL's transformative impact. Once criticized for player fatigue, the league now cultivates fearless, aggressive cricketers. This "IPL generation" thrives under pressure, consistently posting high scores, a stark contrast to earlier eras. The league has become India's biggest asset in white-ball cricket, bridging domestic and international gaps.