Defending champions RCB look balanced on paper, but rust, injuries and expectations could shape their IPL campaign.STRENGTH: RCB retained their core before the mini-auction and plugged key gaps, giving them a strong balance on paper. Virat Kohli and Phil Salt power the top order, while a solid group of finishers adds depth. The bowling attack…
File Pic: RCB beat PBKS by six runs in the 2025 IPL final (PTI Photo) BENGALURU: It took Royal Challengers Bengaluru 18 long seasons and three failed attempts in the title contest to finally lay their hands on the elusive IPL trophy. On June 3 last year, they edged out Punjab Kings by six runs…
Saurabh Dubey (Image credit: SRH) NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders have signed Vidarbha’s Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for Akash Deep for IPL 2026, according to a report by Cricbuzz. Akash Deep has been ruled out of the tournament after failing to recover from a lower-back stress injury in time.While Dubey has been brought in…
Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc (Agency Image) Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticised several overseas players for opting out of the early phase of Indian Premier League 2026, accusing them of taking the league’s hospitality for granted and urging franchises to adopt a stricter stance.A number of high-profile absentees are set to miss the…
Hardik Pandya with teammate Suryakumar Yadav (PTI Photo) Mumbai Indians will once again head into the Indian Premier League 2026 season as one of the strongest contenders on paper, boasting a star-studded lineup featuring Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma. Despite their formidable squad, the five-time champions have not lifted…
India’s Abhishek Sharma (ANI Photo) Abhishek Sharma entered the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as the No.1-ranked batter, expected to dominate with his aggressive strokeplay after a breakthrough 2025 season. However, the tournament turned into an early struggle for the 25-year-old, who began with three consecutive ducks and added a few more low scores, leading…
India’s Koneru Humpy (PTI Photo) Top Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has announced her decision to withdraw from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, citing personal safety and well-being as her primary concern. The tournament, which begins on March 28 at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus, is the only pathway to the…
Former cricketer Suresh Raina (PTI Photo) Chennai Super Kings on Sunday unveiled a major milestone in their history by inducting Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden into the franchise’s inaugural Hall of Fame. The honour was announced during their fan engagement event “Roar’26” held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Raina, one of the most iconic…
Delhi Capitals (ANI Photo) Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings will once again begin their quest for a maiden Indian Premier League title when the 2026 season kicks off on March 28. Both franchises, despite nearly two decades in the competition, are yet to lift the trophy. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who has represented both…
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo/Armando Franca) Portugal national football team head coach Roberto Martinez has brushed aside claims that Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing the landmark of 1,000 career goals, insisting that the veteran forward remains driven by team success rather than individual milestones.Ronaldo, who has already netted over 950 goals across his career and continues…