Page 127 - Latest Updates on IPL 2026

Fit-again Rishabh Pant appointed Delhi Capitals captain for IPL 2024

Rishabh Pant was on Tuesday appointed as the captain of Delhi Capitals for the upcoming edition of the IPL, marking a wonderful chapter in his miraculous comeback saga. The keeper-batter missed cricketing action for 14 months after suffering a horrific car accident in December 2022. "We are delighted to welcome Rishabh back as our captain. Grit and fearlessness have always dictated his brand of cricket, and not surprisingly, even his road to recovery. "I can't wait to see him walk our team out once again as we look forward to a new season with renewed passion, vigour and enthusiasm," said DC chairman and co-owner Parth Jindal in a media release. The left-hander has been a part of the Capitals pre-season preparatory camp in Visakhapatnam, ahead of their first IPL 2024 match against Punjab Kings in Chandigarh on March 23. The IPL begins on March 22. Earlier, Pant was given clearance by the BCCI to play as a wicketkeeper batter in this year's IPL. "After undergoing an extensive 14-

It's a dream of mine to know how it feels like winning IPL trophy: Kohli

Star batter Virat Kohli on Tuesday hoped to emulate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru women's WPL winning feat and add the IPL trophy to the team's cabinet in the upcoming edition of the league, starting from March 22. The Royal Challengers defeated Delhi Capitals on Sunday to clinch the Women's Premier League in the second edition itself, but their male counterparts have been waiting for the title-winning moment for the last 16 years. "It was absolutely amazing. When they won it (WPL), we were watching. Hopefully, we can double it up with the trophies and that will be something truly special," said Kohli during the RCB Unbox event here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Kohli, who will start his 17th season with the RCB in IPL 2024, said he would bank on his skillsets and experience to translate the dream of winning the IPL trophy into reality this year. "That's a dream of mine to know what it feels like winning an IPL trophy. I will be here, be a part of the team that wins the trophy fo

Watch Starc puts on a spirited show in KKR's warmup match ahead of IPL 2024

Returning to "IPL circus" after almost a decade, Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc bowled with the new ball, and took some hits from Rinku Singh at the death during Kolkata Knight Riders' second warm-up match at Eden Gardens here on Tuesday. The Aussie, who last played in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 and 2015, was bought by KKR ahead of IPL 2018 but an injury had ruled him out of that season. The Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise broke the all-time auction record this year to buy him at a price tag of Rs 24.75-crore to bolster their pace attack that had lacked sting in the recent past. "It's always a bit of a circus when it is the best T20 league in the world. It's definitely a new challenge. Yeah, it's going to be exciting. So, yeah I look forward to it," Starc told cricket.com.au. "I guess my memories are a few and far between of back in 2014 and 2015 with RCB but yeah, really excited to get stuck in. Obviously, a new group of players. A bunch of guys I ...

Suryakumar Yadav certain to miss Mumbai Indians' season opener in IPL 2024

Star batter Suryakumar Yadav is certain to miss Mumbai Indians' IPL opener against Gujarat Titans on March 24 as he is yet to get fitness clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The world No 1 T20 batter Suryakumar has been stationed at the NCA in Bengaluru for his recovery and rehabilitation following a surgery for sports hernia. Suryakumar, who has been out of action since December, had a fitness test at the NCA on Tuesday but PTI understands that the 33-year-old needs "further assessment". His participation in the subsequent matches for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 27, Rajasthan Royals on April 1 and Delhi Capitals on April 7 would be determined at a later stage. Suryakumar on Tuesday posted a cryptic message on his Instagram page conveying a heartbreak'. Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, are occupied with closed-door practice games here at the Wankhede Stadium.

Bumrah needs off-season: McGrath makes big remark on Indian pacer's action

Jasprit Bumrah needs an 'off-season' since his bowling action with an extensive effort' could result in ace India pacer suffering further injuries, warned legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath here on Tuesday. Bumrah spent a lengthy period on the sidelines for undergoing a surgery for stress fracture on his back in March 2023, while being already out of action since September 2022. In between, he also missed the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia as well as the IPL 2023. The right-arm pacer, who returned to action a little earlier than anticipated to lead India in their three-match T20I tour of Ireland last August, hit the stride immediately and went on to claim 20 wickets in the 50-over World Cup. McGrath said owing to his action and workload, Bumrah needs time off from the game given the amount of effort that goes into his bowling. "The last two strides that he takes, he just powers into the crease. Thus, his momentum increases, and that's where he gets the pace, McGrath said dur

IPL 2024: Shubman to Russell - list of all MVPs in Indian Premier League

The IPL governing body follows a points system to select the most valuable player (MVP) in an entire season. However, the number of runs scored holds no value in the selection of the MVP.

IPL 2024: Top five Chennai Super Kings uncapped players to look out for

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have always nurtured uncapped players into stars. After Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2021 and Mathisha Pathirana in 2023, who will emerge in IPL 2024?

Sidhu to Broad: Full list of English and Hindi commentators for IPL 2024

Star Sports, the official TV broadcaster of IPL 2024 has revealed a star-studded commentary panel, which includes many legendary cricketers.

IPL 2024 Opening Ceremony: Sonu-Rahman to perform at the mega event

IPL 2024 Opening Ceremony will take place at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on March 22, 2024. Sonu-Rahman to perform patriotic songs, while Akshay-Tiger will promote their upcoming movie

SKY to Coetzee: Full list of unavailable players, replacements in IPL 2024

The start of the Mumbai Indians' campaign is expected to be marred by the injuries of some key players. Surya, Coetzee, Madhusanka are not fully fit ahead of Indian Premier League 2024

IPL 2024: Navjot Singh Sidhu returns to commentary box after 10 years

Set to be back in the commentary box after a decade with the upcoming IPL, flamboyant former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu says the glitzy league would help decide the T20 World Cup squad of not just India but also other countries. After a decade-long stint in the unforgiving world of politics, Sidhu and his 'Sidhuisms' will be back on air starting with the IPL, which precedes the T20 World Cup in June. "The IPL will set the tone for the World Cup. There is no other cricket happening. The eyes of the world are on IPL. This is where you can snatch a berth for the T20 World Cup, not only Indians, even the foreign players," Sidhu told PTI in an interview facilitated by the IPL's official TV broadcaster 'Star Sports'. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have not played a lot of T20 cricket since the 2022 edition, are expected to be on the flight to USA and Caribbean for the ICC showpiece. Do the veteran batters still add value to the T20 squad? "They will be needed there. These are

IPL 2024 Opening Ceremony: Akshay Kumar, AR Rehman likely to perform

IPL 2024 Opening Ceremony: The inaugural event will be held at MA Chidambaram International Cricket Stadium, Chennai. Akshay Kumar, AR Rehman and others are expected to perform at the event

IPL 2024: '...Hand on my shoulders' - Hardik Pandya on Rohit's role in MI

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya on Monday said his predecessor Rohit Sharma will continue to be a guiding force for him during the IPL despite the unexpected change of leadership that the franchise announced ahead of the upcoming season. Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans in the past two seasons, is back at Mumbai Indians as captain for the 2024 edition. Having led Mumbai Indians to five titles, Rohit was surprisingly replaced by Pandya going into the 2024 edition. "It will not be any different, he will always be there to help me. This team, what it has achieved, it has achieved under him and I just have to carry forward that. He is going to have his hand on my shoulders," said Pandya in a media interaction here. "We respect fans but we focus on the sport and what is required. I focus on the controllables, fans have every right and I respect their opinion," he replied when asked about the fans' outrage at Rohit's removal. The star all-rounder will be making his comeback to top-lev

IPL 2024: Mumbai Indians waiting for update on Suryakumar Yadav's fitness

Hardik Pandya's bid to hasten his comeback towards the business end of last year's ODI World Cup game actually aggravated his ankle injury and in the process delayed his possible return by five months. Pandya had twisted his ankle trying to stop the ball on his follow-through during India's fourth World Cup game against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19. Initially, he had eyed a comeback during home T20Is versus Afghanistan but after a prolonged rehabilitation, his comeback vehicle turns out to be upcoming IPL -- a cash-rich league that catapulted the colourful Baroda all-rounder into instant stardom around a decade back. "My injury was a freak one. It had nothing to do with my past injuries or my fitness. I tried to stop the ball and twisted my ankle. When I got injured, my injury from day one clearly showed that I would be out of the World Cup," Pandya said during a media interaction organised by Mumbai Indians here on Monday. Pandya was itching to make a comeback by semi-finals b

IPL 2024 - KKR would be at better place by the time I leave: Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir's captaincy had once helped Kolkata Knight Riders carve its own niche with two IPL titles in the last decade and now the self-confessed "tough to handle" guy has once again vowed to bring back smiles in faces of their passionate but somewhat angry fans in days to come. Turning fortunes of a beleaguered outfit is nothing new for Gambhir, who had taken KKR's charge during the fourth season of IPL in 2011 after the Shah Rukh co-owned team failed to reach the knock-out in first three years. In first year, the team reached knock-outs and then between 2012, 13 and 14, it won two titles. With KKR's seventh place finishes in the last two seasons, Gambhir's presence is expected to inject fresh vigour and discipline into the squad. It will be interesting to see what kind of bond Gambhir forges with another strong-willed personality in the coaching staff - Chandrakant Pandit. "Firstly, I want to say one thing -- I'm a very tough guy to handle," the former India opener asserted a

Difficult to get back his fluency in IPL 2024: Gavaskar on Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant will find it "very difficult" to be at his fluent best at the beginning of the IPL but Sunil Gavaskar expects that his knees will react better once he starts batting more and more in match situations. Having survived a horrific car crash in December, 2022, Pant will make a comeback to competitive cricket after more than 14 months as Delhi Capitals captain after an extensive rehabilitation programme. "It'll be very difficult. But the good thing is he (Pant) has played some cricket. So he has got some practice. To get fluency in batting is a little tough," Gavaskar told 'Star Sports'. He then explained his point of view. "When you talk of a knee injury, the pivoting that takes place. Wicket-keeping is difficult as well, but even in batting, the knee is quite important. So, maybe, in the beginning, we won't see the real Rishabh Pant that we are used to," the maestro said. Pant's presence and his chatty nature also adds to the entertainment quotient, Gavaskar admitted. "

IPL 2024: Virat Kohli joins Royal Challengers Bangalore training camp

Superstar Virat Kohli on Monday made his first appearance in the training session of his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the IPL beginning March 22. Kohli, who was out of the country for the birth of his second child, arrived in India on Sunday. The former India and RCB captain was seen taking rounds of the Chinnaswamy Stadium as part of his warm-up. Skipper Faf du Plessis also attended the session. RCB, who have never won the IPL, begin their campaign against reigning champions Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Friday. Kohli's performance in the lucrative T20 league will be closely tracked as the event precedes the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean. The 35-year-old played his first T20 since the 2022 World Cup back in January against Afghanistan. Skipper Rohit Sharma also made a comeback in that series and is expected to lead India in the T20 World Cup beginning June 1. Kohli also missed the five-match home Test series against England due to his family ...

IPL 2024 - It's unbelievable batting with Virat: RCB skipper Du Plessis

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis says Virat Kohli's infectious energy, which easily rubs off on everyone, is the secret of the brilliant on-field and an equally fulfilling off-field equation he shares with the Indian superstar. Du Plessis, who took over the team's captaincy after Kohli decided to step down at the end of the 2021 season, said batting with the prolific right-hander is an "unbelievable experience". "It's unbelievable batting with him. He is one of the favourite guys I like to bat with. He brings out so much energy in me, like sometimes, I feel I am fist bumping my glove though his hand because he gets so passionate being out there in the middl," Du Plessis told 'Star Sports'. "It's really infectious the way he gives that energy,... how this guy is always on and how does he manage it...on the field while catching balls, we both are very competitive and make sure we get those good catches for the team," the stylish right-hander said. He might not be th

WPL 2024 DC vs RCB final: Delhi metro timing extended till 12:15 AM today

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has extended its timing for train operations in view of the Women's Premier League (WPL) cricket tournament's final on Sunday. "To facilitate smooth movement of spectators after the conclusion of the Women's Premier League Final tonight at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Metro service from the adjacent Delhi Gate station (on Violet Line) shall be available till 12.15 am," the DMRC posted on X. It said that keeping in mind the safe commute of fans after the WPL final, the Delhi Capitals and the DMRC have come together to ensure that fans going back home after the WPL final can take the metro as late as 12.15 am. WPL 2024 final is set to be played between the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.

Resorted to extreme measures: Hardik Pandya explains freak World Cup injury

Pandya injured his ankle during India's fourth World Cup game against Bangladesh while bowling his first over of that match and didn't play any further part in India's campaign