Page 22 - Cricket News

IPL 2026: CSK vs PBKS playing 11, live toss and match time, streaming

Punjab Kings come into this contest high on confidence after a solid win over Gujarat Titans in their first game.

IPL 2026 Today's Match: CSK vs PBKS playing 11, batters vs bowlers match-up

PBKS have dominated CSK in recent seasons, winning six of their last seven encounters. Find captaincy stats, playing 11 probables and key match-ups that define the clash here

DC vs MI preview: Rahul, Rohit & SKY headline Saturday double-header clash

DC vs MI preview: KL Rahul faces MI pacers while Rohit, Suryakumar lead Mumbai in Saturday double-header clash. Key battles, pitch and team strategy explained.

IPL 2026: Mitchell Santner joins MI squad ahead of IPL against DC

New Zealand T20I skipper Mitchell Santner on Thursday joined the Mumbai Indians squad here ahead of their Indian Premier League match against Delhi Capitals. The five-time winners Mumbai Indians will take on the Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Santner and England all-rounder Will Jacks were the only two players left to join Mumbai Indians, who had convincingly won their season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders last Sunday in Mumbai. The two overseas players, who had featured prominently for their respective teams in last month's T20 World Cup, had asked for an extended period before joining the MI squad. MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene had confirmed giving these two players extended time off for personal reasons. "With the guys who are joining (late are) obviously Mitch (Mitchell Santner) and Jacksy (Will Jacks). Both (had) asked for a slightly extended time for personal reasons and we were quite happy to go with that. But they will join the team pr

Rahane blames agenda, jealousy for strike-rate criticism after losses

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane has hit back at criticism around his strike rate, suggesting that there is a "certain agenda" and an element of "jealousy" behind the chatter. Questions on his strike rate came up after KKR slumped to a 65-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Thursday. Chasing a steep 227, the home side never had any impactful partnership despite a promising start and folded for 161 in 16 overs to remain winless so far this season. The loss placed the focus on Rahane's own performance and strike rate. The KKR skipper, who managed 8 off 10 balls on Thursday, was uncharacteristically sharp as he reacted to the criticism. "My strike rate, I think I have one of the best strike rates so far from 2020. People who are talking about me, probably not watching the game or they have certain agenda against me. They don't like me playing," he said without mentioning anyone in specific in the post-match media interaction. "They don't like to watch me play. The amou

IPL 2026: Nitish Reddy credits 'special person' for bowling transformation

Sunrisers Hyderabad's India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has credited a "special person" for helping him rediscover his rhythm with the ball after a difficult, injury-hit phase but chose to keep the identity under wraps for now. The 22-year-old all format player, who has been seen as a potential successor to India's premier pace-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya, has had his progress stalled by recurring fitness issues over the past year. Multiple setbacks including a neck spasm, a left quadriceps injury in 2025 meant he missed crucial game time in the build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Shivam Dube eventually got the nod as the second seam-bowling all-rounder. Reddy admitted that injuries had held him back from improving his bowling. "It's always been a point that I wanted to work on my bowling, but it's just the injuries which I have gone through last year, I was not pretty sure that I didn't get the time to work on myself," Reddy said after being adjudged ...

When I was down, Dinesh Karthik told me to take a break: Jitesh Sharma

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vice-captain Jitesh Sharma thanked former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik for helping him during an emotionally difficult phase where he took some time off from the game after his father's demise. Jitesh said Karthik encouraged him to step away briefly and recover emotionally after his father passed away in February this year. "DK anna asked me to take a break, put the bat away for a while and spend time with my family and friends. That helped me reset," Jitesh said in a RCB podcast. Jitesh had spoken extensively to PTI last month about how priorities changed in his life briefly after his father's passing and that he was able to spend the last few days by his bed-side. Jitesh had played a massive role in RCB's maiden IPL triumph last year during which Karthik had also contributed as a batting coach and mentor. "A lot of the credit for my growth goes to DK 'anna'. He helped me understand my game better, use my strengths properly and improve mentally,"

IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma fined 25 per cent for dissent at umpire decision

Sunrisers Hyderabad vice-captain Abhishek Sharma has been fined 25 per cent of his match fees and has also accumulated one demerit point for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his team's IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders here. He admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.3 and accepted the match referee's sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the match referee's decision is final and binding. He scored 48 runs off 21 deliveries to get SRH to a flier in the powerplay. SRH registered their first win of IPL 2026, with a thumping 65-run win, with Abhishek played his part with the bat, hitting four fours and as many sixes. But he was sanctioned for showing dissent on TV umpire Nitin Menon decision after Varun Chakaravarthy took a diving catch off Blessing Muzarabani the ninth over but there seemed to be no conclusive evidence that the catch was taken cleanly. But Menon deemed the catch to be legal which the batter disagreed and expressed his ...

KKR vs SRH HIGHLIGHTS, IPL 2026: SRH beat hosts KKR by 65 runs to get first points on table

SRH get their first points on the table as KKR's struggle to chase down big totals remains a concern.

IPL 2026 Today's Match: KKR vs SRH playing 11, batters vs bowlers match-ups

Both teams come into the contest after similar defeats in their last game, where strong batting performances were overshadowed by ineffective bowling

IPL 2026: KKR vs SRH playing 11, live toss and match time, streaming

Both teams will be looking for their first win of the season as SRH lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening fixture, while KKR were beaten by Mumbai Indians (MI)

IPL 2026 stats: KKR vs SRH pitch report, Eden Gardens Stadium highest score

Eden Gardens Stadium key stats: Avg 1st inns 182, 200+ twice, 165 lowest defended, 196 chased. Pace leads wickets. KKR win % 57 overall, 33 in 2025; SRH struggle here with 27 win %.

Batting at number four gave me confidence: Rizvi after winning knock vs LSG

Young Delhi Capitals batter Sameer Rizvi grabbed the the opportunity to bat at number four with both hands and said his only focus now is to maintain the consistency going forward in the IPL. Rizvi gave ample display of his talent, coming in as an 'Impact Player' to help Delhi Capitals get past Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets after a shaky start here on Wednesday. Chasing 142, DC were reduced to 26 for 4 within first five overs but Rizvi (70 not out off 47 balls), coming in for T Natarajan, conjured an unbroken 119-run stand for the fifth wicket with the seasoned Tristan Stubbs (39 not out off 32 balls) to chase down the target in just 17.1 overs. Rizvi showed exemplary maturity during his knock and hit five fours and four sixes on a tricky track. "Coaches told me before that you will play at No.4 position and we will back you. You just play your natural, positive game," said the 22-year-old Uttar Pradesh cricketer. "Whenever I play for UP or in UPT20 league, I bat at no.4 an

Mumbai metropolitan region to get massive 1 lakh seat cricket stadium soon

Mumbai cricket chief Ajinkya Naik has met officials of the the state government to expedite the development of a one lakh capacity stadium in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Naik recently met officials from City And Industrial Development Corporation Of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO) to discuss the mega project that has been proposed for a while. "This initiative marks a defining moment for Maharashtra's sporting ecosystem. A 1 lakh capacity stadium in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will not only elevate Mumbai cricket but also firmly position Maharashtra on the global sporting map. "This world-class infrastructure will create unparalleled opportunities for player development, provide critical exposure to emerging talent, and strengthen the cricketing ecosystem across all levels," said Naik in a statement.

SA batter Rassie Van der Dussen announces retirement from int'l cricket

Left out of this year's centrally-contracted list, South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen on Thursday announced his international retirement without specifying any reasons but said he will remain available for his domestic side Lions. The 37-year-old from Johannesburg, who hasn't turned up in national colours since March last year, payed 18 Tests, 71 ODIs and 57 T20 Internationals after making his debut in 2018 as a 29-year-old. "It is with a proud heart and a profound sense of gratitude that I announce my retirement from international cricket," van der Dussen said in a statement on 'X'. "To wear the Proteas jersey is a feat that demands a level of resilience and dedication that both tests, and rewards you in the most incredible way. To have played for my country has been the greatest honour of my life. "While my time in a Proteas shirt has come to an end, my journey is not over. I will continue to play for my beloved Lions, and I am committed to giving back to this beautiful ga

IPL 2026: Sri Lanka's Thushara seeks court intervention to play for RCB

Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara on Thursday sought a court order to secure his playing rights in the ongoing IPL after the country's cricket board refused to grant him a No Objection Certificate due to "failed fitness tests". The 31-year-old, who is contracted to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, filed a case in the Colombo District Court, seeking an order directing Sri Lanka Cricket to issue the NOC. The case has been fixed for hearing on April 9. According to local media reports, the player with 30 T20 international appearances for his country since 2022, has pleaded that his contract with the SLC ended on March 31 and he had no desire to seek an extension. He said he had told the SLC about his wish to end his international career. Therefore, denial of NOC citing failed fitness tests should be set aside by the court. SLC had made fitness tests mandatory to be picked for the national team. However, Thushara said his fitness levels were never found wanting and he had been allowe

IPL 2026: Kevin Pietersen doubtful over Rishabh Pant's opener role for LSG

Kevin Pietersen has questioned Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant's credentials as a top-order batter, saying that featuring in the top three would be going "a little too far ahead" for the India wicketkeeper-batter. Pant was run out at the non-striker's end for 7 (9 balls) when the ball brushed the bowler Mukesh Kumar's fingers and broke the wickets, as LSG were shot out for 141 in 18.4 overs in their IPL season-opener, against Delhi Capitals. After LSG lost the contest by six wickets, Pant said he plans to bat in the top order this season, a move which Pietersen says will not let him enjoy his cricket as much. "I think it's a 50-50 call, but we'll see. But (you'll) definitely see me in the top order," he told the broadcaster. Pietersen is not in favour of Pant opening the innings. "When you look at the strength and depth of LSG's batting, is Rishabh Pant really an opening batter? I think he might have gone a little too far ahead of where he was in the line-up compared to

LSG vs DC HIGHLIGHTS, IPL 2026: Sameer Rizvi-Stubbs century stand gives DC opening win at Ekana

On a night where bowler's had the upper hand, it was Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs who stood apart, putting up a 119*-run stand to chase down the modest total of 142 on the night.

IPL 2026 live streaming: Where to watch LSG vs DC cricket match live?

JioHotstar in India will stream the IPL 2026 match between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals through their app and website

IPL 2026 sets new viewership record with 515 million opening weekend reach

The opening matches generated a staggering 32.6 billion minutes of watch-time, marking a 26% increase compared to the previous season's first two games.