Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji expressed surprise at Rajasthan Royals' decision to name Riyan Parag captain for IPL 2026. He called the move a gamble, noting the presence of more seasoned players. Balaji believes Riyan's leadership will be a learning opportunity under coach Kumar Sangakkara. He also stressed the importance of consistency for young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.from Sports News: Cricket Live Scores, Latest Sports News, Football, NBA, NFL, WWE, NHL, MLB News & More https://ift.tt/ELwmi5r
Rajasthan Royals' performance coach Siddhartha Lahiri lauded 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's exceptional talent, calling him a "freak" with immense potential who lives and breathes cricket. Lahiri also acknowledged the significant impact of Sanju Samson's departure, noting his absence will be felt despite the mutual decision to part ways. The Royals' scouting system was credited for discovering such promising young players.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru returned to M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for IPL 2026 training, with Virat Kohli in focus as he impressed in nets. Some key players were absent, while rain cut practice short. The team faces Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, and their fan-favourite ‘Unbox’ event has been cancelled due to scheduling constraints.
The 11th edition of the PSL will bring together domestic and international players, with preparations underway as per schedule.
Sam Billings revealed that former CSK captain MS Dhoni maintained a relaxed team atmosphere, even employing a “Shisha man” in his hotel room. While Billings praised Dhoni’s calm and inclusive nature, the revelation sparked debate. Former cricketer Manoj Tiwary earlier hinted such bonding sessions may have influenced team selection dynamics.
India's men's and women's hockey teams have learned their group-stage opponents for the FIH Hockey World Cup, with both sides drawn in Pool D. The men will face Pakistan, England, and Wales, while the women will compete against China, England, and South Africa. Both teams will play their matches in the Netherlands.
Young prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 14, is navigating the pressures of IPL stardom, focusing on his game amidst rising popularity. His career highlight remains a match-defining 175 off 80 balls in the 2026 U-19 World Cup final, a performance that secured India's sixth title and is cherished above his IPL century.
James Foster, previously with KKR, has been appointed fielding coach of Chennai Super Kings ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026. The former England national cricket team wicketkeeper joins the coaching staff led by Stephen Fleming alongside Michael Hussey and Eric Simmons. Foster brings international and franchise coaching experience, including a recent International League T20 title with Desert Vipers.
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised concerns for Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2026, citing an over-reliance on their top-order batsmen. He specifically highlighted Jos Buttler's recent "pedestrian" form, noting that if both openers don't consistently perform, it could significantly impact the team's performance, despite their playoff run last season.
India's star all-rounder Shivam Dube charmed fans with a playful interaction with paparazzi outside his Mumbai home. Captured on video, Dube, fresh off a T20 World Cup victory, humorously asked a photographer to delete footage. His significant contributions to India's 2026 triumph, including 235 runs at a 169.06 strike rate, have cemented his status as a key player.
India's T20 World Cup champions visited a Mumbai temple, continuing celebrations despite a debate sparked by Kirti Azad's remarks questioning religious inclusivity. Azad argued the victory belonged to all Indians, not a specific faith. Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir defended the team's actions, emphasizing the magnitude of their achievement.
Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2026 journey ended prematurely, missing semifinals on net run rate despite a final win. Selector Aaqib Javed admitted the situation is serious but not catastrophic, emphasizing the team's capability. He pledged a review of the campaign to learn from mistakes and shape the future of Pakistan cricket.