IPL franchise valuations are projected to surge by 2032, driven by rising investor interest, expanding sports portfolios, and growing consumer spending on sport
Defending champions RCB still hold the top spot in the points table with 16 points in 12 matches and a healthy net run rate of +1.053
Mumbai Indians' batting coach Kieron Pollard has been fined 15 percent of his applicable match fee for breaching the IPL's code of conduct by using abusive language for the fourth umpire. The incident took place during MI's match against Punjab Kings here on Thursday night, in which the former emerged winners by six wickets in a last-ball thriller in the hill town. "Kieron Pollard, Batting Coach, Mumbai Indians has been fined 15% of his applicable match fee and accumulated one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL's Code of Conduct for Players and Team officials," the IPL said in a press release issued on Friday morning. "Pollard was found to have breached article 2.3 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which relates to 'use of an audible obscenity during a match'. "The incident occurred in the 19th over of the second innings when Pollard used abusive language towards the fourth umpire," it said in the release. Pollard admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed b
Mumbai Indians all-rounder Shardul Thakur clarified that skipper Hardik Pandya's absence in the last three matches was due to injury, adding that he could return for their next game against Kolkata Knight Riders while dismissing speculation over the star's future with the franchise. Pandya did not travel to Dharamsala for MI's six-wicket win over Punjab Kings, where Jasprit Bumrah became the team's third captain this season after Suryakumar Yadav also missed the game following the birth of his child. "Hardik is injured, so he couldn't travel for a couple of games," Thakur said at the post-match media interaction on Thursday. Down with back spasm, Pandya first missed MI's home game against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4 and then sat out the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur despite travelling with the squad. "He went to Raipur (for the RCB match on May 10), but couldn't play. He is training in Mumbai now and I expect him to be back in Kolkata and play (at Eden Garde
PBKS currently occupy the fourth spot on the points table with six victories from 12 matches.
The teams finishing in the top two positions receive a significant advantage in the playoffs, as they compete in Qualifier 1, where the winner secures a direct place in the final.
Speaking after the toss at the HPCA Stadium, Bumrah reveals that Suryakumar has decided not to travel with the squad and had informed the management before the game.
The Shreyas Iyer-led side enjoyed a sensational start to the campaign, remaining unbeaten in their opening seven matches, but their momentum has dipped significantly in recent weeks.
JioHotstar in India will stream the IPL 2026 match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians on its app and website.
Mumbai Indians have already been knocked out of the playoff race following their defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their previous outing.
Suryakumar Yadav will continue leading the side in Hardik Pandya's absence but has struggled for form.
The top two sides earn a major advantage by playing in Qualifier 1, with the winner progressing directly to the final. The losing team gets another opportunity through Qualifier 2.
RCB, with the win over MI in Raipur, have jumped to the top of the points table
The IPL confirmed that Flower violated Article 2.3 of the Code of Conduct, which relates to the use of an audible obscenity during a match
MI and LSG failed to improve their standings on the points table and are still stuck in ninth and tenth spots, respectively
While RCB are eyeing the top spot in the standings, both MI and LSG are battling to keep their playoff hopes alive.
IPL 2026 HIGHLIGHTS: Mumbai Indians (MI) are now the second team, after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), to be knocked out of the IPL 2026 playoff race
JioHotstar in India will stream the IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians on its app and website.
RCB, after winning four of their first games, have lost three matches in their last five outings and have found themselves stuck in a congested mid-table battle with 12 points to their name
Hardik Pandya-led MI will be looking to avoid early elimination from the IPL 2026 playoff race when they take the field against defending champions RCB today