Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally clinched their maiden IPL title last year, but celebrations were tragically marred by a stadium stampede. After a nine-month hiatus and significant stadium upgrades, cricket returns to Chinnaswamy. RCB, now defending champions, face challenges with key player absences but aim for a balanced season, balancing title defence with future planning. More

Kolkata Knight Riders have reportedly signed Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for the injured Akash Deep for IPL 2026. The Vidarbha left-arm pacer, who previously trained with KKR, is yet to make his IPL debut. Dubey impressed in the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, showcasing his bowling prowess. More

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin believes Arjun Tendulkar will face significant challenges securing a spot in the Lucknow Super Giants' playing XI due to the team's formidable pace attack. Ashwin also expressed doubt about LSG's playoff chances this season, predicting they will miss the top six. More

Hardik Pandya revealed his journey from a dedicated batter to a top white-ball all-rounder, crediting Mumbai Indians' sharp scouting and his own relentless hard work. He emphasised the importance of adapting and body management for aspiring cricketers. Pandya expressed his ambition to lead MI to a record sixth IPL title, inspiring the next generation with his fearless approach. More

Chennai Super Kings celebrated their legacy with a 'Roar' event, featuring past legends like Raina and Muralitharan in an exhibition match. Newcomer Sanju Samson impressed, sharing his excitement for the IPL season and his simple batting approach. The event also saw Raina and Hayden inducted into CSK's Hall of Fame. More

Abhishek Sharma faced early struggles in the T20 World Cup but bounced back to help India win. His friend Nehal Wadhera shared insights into Abhishek's talent and hard work. Wadhera also discussed his own IPL journey, learning from coaches like Ricky Ponting and playing under captains Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer. Punjab Kings aims for the title in IPL 2026. More

Mumbai Indians, despite a star-studded lineup, face a captaincy dilemma ahead of IPL 2026. Former selector Kris Srikkanth suggests Suryakumar Yadav, fresh from leading India to T20 World Cup glory, could take over from Hardik Pandya to revitalize the team's fortunes. Srikkanth highlighted the unusual situation of multiple World Cup-winning captains playing under Pandya. More

Defending champions RCB boast a balanced squad on paper, with a potent top order and experienced bowling attack. However, potential rustiness from key players returning from breaks and the pressure of defending their title pose significant challenges. Strategic utilisation of their young domestic talent and all-rounders could be crucial for success. More

Sunil Gavaskar has criticized overseas players for missing early IPL 2026 matches, citing a pattern of taking franchise hospitality for granted. He urged franchises to adopt stricter policies, warning that late unavailability disrupts team planning and hinders title aspirations. This stance reflects growing concerns within the cricketing fraternity regarding player commitment. More

Chennai Super Kings inducted Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden into their inaugural Hall of Fame at the "Roar’26" fan event. Raina, 'Chinna Thala', was instrumental in four title wins and remains CSK's leading run-scorer. Hayden contributed to the 2010 IPL victory and was the first CSK player to win the Orange Cap. More

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy revealed the severe online abuse he endured after testing positive for COVID-19 during the 2021 IPL, which led to the tournament's suspension. Fans directed hateful messages, including death wishes, towards him. Despite this traumatic experience, Chakravarthy has since become a key player for KKR and performed well in the recent T20 World Cup. More

Top Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament, prioritizing her personal safety and well-being. Citing security concerns despite assurances, Humpy's decision opens a spot for Anna Muzychuk. While India retains representation with R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, Humpy's withdrawal raises questions about potential FIDE penalties and impacts Indian chess. More

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka is reportedly set to join the Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026 as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran. This move follows a trend of players switching from the PSL to the IPL, highlighting the latter's prominence. Shanaka, who went unsold in the mini-auction, previously played for Gujarat Titans. More

Virat Kohli has debunked rumors about requesting chartered flights for travel between India and the UK during IPL 2026. The RCB icon dismissed the speculation with laughing emojis on Instagram. The IPL 2026 season begins March 28, with RCB defending their title. More

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Delhi Capitals' past struggles with talent identification, citing instances like letting go of AB de Villiers and Andre Russell, contributed to their title drought. In contrast, Punjab Kings' recent progress, marked by strong leadership, strategic auction buys like Shreyas Iyer, and improved squad depth, has propelled them towards success, reaching the IPL final. More