Chennai, April 7. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time champions, have reached an all-time low in their performance in IPL 2026.

After suffering three consecutive defeats in the initial matches of the season, concerns among the team management and fans have increased. Instead of young players, the most questions are being raised about captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was retained for 18 crores. Gaikwad has not only failed to score runs with the bat but also lacks the sharpness in his captaincy and strategies that CSK is known for.

The three consecutive losses have already made the path to the playoffs difficult for the team. Looking at the current season's statistics, Gaikwad's bat appears completely silent, having scored only 41 runs at an average of 13.66 in three matches, with a highest score of just 28 runs. Such a start as an opening batsman and captain is putting the team under pressure.

It is noteworthy that Gaikwad was also out for half the season in IPL 2025 due to injury, and his average then was only 24.40. His ongoing struggle for two consecutive seasons is proving to be the biggest obstacle to Chennai's victories, preventing the team from getting a strong start. After losses to Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings have slipped significantly in the points table.

Every match has now become a 'do or die' situation for the team. Instead of blaming middle-order players like Prashant Veer or Karthik Sharma for the losses, experts believe that senior players need to take responsibility.

The biggest challenge for CSK now is to re-strategize and enter the field mentally strong. All eyes are now on the upcoming match against Delhi Capitals, where captain Gaikwad will need to step up and lead the team.

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Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has announced that he will no longer be involved in commentary and will instead focus on coaching and his business. He explained that while commentary is a good platform to discuss the game, he prefers to stay away from it due to comments made by some individuals about his personal life during commentary sessions.

Yuvraj stated that now that he is retired, he wants to express that some people have targeted him personally rather than discussing his cricket. He mentioned that discussing cricket is understandable as it is part of the game, but making comments about personal life is inappropriate. Yuvraj added that he is currently engaged in coaching and working with young players to help them grow.

He is mentoring young players from Punjab, such as Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh, and has also provided tips to Sanju Samson during tough times. Yuvraj shared that he advised Sanju Samson to technically improve his footwork.

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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured the top position in the points table by defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 43 runs in the 11th match of IPL 2026 at their home ground. This victory marked Bengaluru's second consecutive win of the season, while Chennai faced its third straight loss.

Following this win, Bengaluru now has 4 points from 2 matches with a net run rate of +2.501. They had previously won against Hyderabad by 6 wickets. Currently, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings also have 4 points each, having played 2 matches, but their standings differ based on net run rate.

Chennai Super Kings are at the bottom of the table with a net run rate of -2.517, the worst among all teams. They need to secure as many wins as possible in their remaining 11 matches to improve their net run rate. In the match against RCB, Tim David scored an unbeaten 70 and Devdutt Padikkal contributed 50 runs, leading Bengaluru to a massive total of 250 runs for 3 wickets.

Captain Rajat Patidar scored 48 runs off 19 balls, while Phil Salt added 46 runs off 30 balls. Chennai's batting faltered in response, and despite Sarfaraz Khan's 50 runs, the team was bowled out for 207 runs in 19.4 overs.

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Hardik Pandya, the star all-rounder of the Indian team, has already begun preparations for the 2027 One Day World Cup. Reports indicate that Pandya has made it clear to the selectors and team management that he wants to be part of the 2027 World Cup.

With this goal in mind, he has been focusing on his bowling for the past few months. The main condition set by the team management and selectors is that Pandya must be fully fit to bowl a complete 10 overs in One Day cricket when needed. Although he will not be required to bowl a full spell in every match, he should be able to take on this responsibility when the team needs him.

This is why Pandya is paying special attention to his fitness and workload management. His progress in this direction was evident during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he bowled a full 10 overs against Chandigarh, taking three wickets. This performance clearly indicated that he is preparing himself to bowl long spells.

Previously, he was not included in the One Day series against New Zealand for the same reason, as he was not deemed fully fit to bowl 10 overs. The 2027 World Cup will be held in South Africa, where the pitches are considered favorable for fast bowlers. In this context, the role of a seam-bowling all-rounder like Hardik Pandya could be crucial for the team.

However, the selectors remain cautious about his fitness, as he has previously been sidelined for extended periods due to injuries. The selectors are also keeping an eye on Nitish Kumar Reddy as a backup for Pandya, as he has been working on his bowling in domestic cricket and trying to increase his workload. Looking at Pandya's past record, during the 2018 tour of South Africa, he bowled 44 overs in 6 One Day matches, taking 4 wickets with an economy rate of 4.90.

However, he did not make a significant impact with the bat. Overall, Hardik Pandya's focus is clear; he aims to play a key role for Team India in the 2027 World Cup through fitness, consistency, and all-round performance.

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Mumbai Indians (MI) scored 162/6 against Delhi Capitals (DC) despite a poor start. Rohit Sharma believes it is a good score considering the slow nature of the pitch.

In this innings, besides captain Suryakumar Yadav (51 runs), Rohit scored 35 runs. During a conversation with broadcasters about the DRS moment with Kuldeep Yadav, where Rohit avoided being out, the former MI captain mentioned that he knows Kuldeep well and that he likes to take DRS. Rohit was trying to test his luck at that moment but got out in the next over.

He wanted to bat as long as possible but couldn't, although he enjoyed some fun with teammates on the field. Rohit noted that Kuldeep takes DRS as soon as he sees a 50-50 chance, and he was just trying his luck. He felt that the pitch was quite slow and emphasized the need to stay at the crease, spend some time, and then try to play some shots, as it was not easy.

He expressed hope that they could put pressure on the opposition in the first six overs and try to take some early wickets to see how the game unfolds. Rohit observed that it seemed challenging to play shots in the first innings and mentioned having bowlers who could take advantage of the situation. He believed that if they managed to apply pressure in the first six overs, they would gain significant control over the game, allowing their spinners and seamers to play their roles.

Rohit felt that playing 'through the line' shots would not be effective on this slow pitch, noting that it was a two-paced pitch, even with the new ball, and playing straight shots consistently was not easy. He emphasized the importance of understanding where to hit the ball and expressed confidence in their bowlers' ability to exploit these conditions.

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Sneh Rana, a star player of the Indian women's cricket team, has set a unique example of humanity in sports by helping emerging athlete Sonia from Uttarakhand. Sonia gained attention last year by winning a medal at the 38th National Games while wearing torn shoes.

During a practice session in Dehradun, Sneh invited Sonia and presented her with essential athletic gear and materials. Sneh not only promised financial assistance but also assured Sonia of guidance as a mentor for her future. Overwhelmed by Sneh's support, Sonia, who competes in the 10,000 meters, described it as 'divine help' for her career.

Sonia's story is incredibly inspiring and filled with struggles. Hailing from Mangalore, she lost her mother at the age of eight, and her father works as a laborer to support five siblings. Despite the hardships, Sonia's spirit has never wavered.

Recently, she won a bronze medal for India in the 10,000 meters category at the Asian Championship held in Japan. Sonia shared that she lacked good resources and proper guidance, but her outstanding performance in the national cross country event propelled her to the international stage, where she made the country proud despite limited resources. Sneh learned about Sonia's struggles through media reports and her manager.

Coming from a humble background herself and being part of a World Cup-winning team, Sneh expressed her understanding of an athlete's pain. She honored Sonia during the inauguration of new practice turf in Sinola and appealed to other capable individuals in society to support talented athletes.

Sonia emotionally stated that no prominent player had ever extended a hand to her before. Sneh Rana's support will not only replace Sonia's torn shoes with new spikes but also give new wings to her Olympic dreams.

Punjab Kings achieved their second consecutive victory in the Indian Premier League by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets with eight balls to spare. Captain Shreyas Iyer scored 50 runs, while Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya contributed 43 and 39 runs, respectively, in the seventh match of IPL 2026.

With this win, Punjab Kings topped the points table with four points. Chasing a target of 210 runs, the opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh provided a solid start, adding 61 runs for the first wicket. In the fifth over, Matt Henry dismissed Priyansh Arya, giving Chennai their first breakthrough.

Priyansh Arya scored 39 runs, hitting three fours and four sixes. Prabhsimran Singh was run out in the ninth over after scoring 43 runs off 34 balls, which included six fours and one six. In the 12th over, Anshul Kamboj took the wicket of Cooper Connolly, who scored 36 runs off 22 balls with six fours.

In the 17th over, Anshul Kamboj dismissed Shreyas Iyer, marking Punjab's fourth wicket. Shreyas Iyer scored 50 runs off 29 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes. In the next over, Matt Henry took the wicket of Nehal Badhera for 10 runs, putting Punjab Kings in a spot of bother.

Punjab Kings successfully chased down the target, scoring 210 runs for the loss of five wickets in 18.4 overs. Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis remained not out at 14 and 9 runs, respectively. This marks Chennai Super Kings' sixth loss at home, placing them at the bottom of the points table.

Matt Henry and Anshul Kamboj took two wickets each for Chennai. Earlier, Ayush Mhatre and Shivam Dube's impressive innings helped Chennai Super Kings set a score of 209 runs for five wickets against Punjab Kings. Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Chennai Super Kings had a shaky start, losing Sanju Samson for seven runs in the second over to Javier Bartlett. Ayush Mhatre then stabilized the innings alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, adding 96 runs for the second wicket. In the 12th over, Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad, breaking the partnership.

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 28 runs off 22 balls with two fours. In the next over, Vijaykumar Vaishak took the wicket of Ayush Mhatre, who scored 73 runs off 43 balls, hitting five sixes and six fours. Kartik Sharma was dismissed for one run as the fourth wicket.

Sarfaraz Khan scored 32 runs off 12 balls, hitting six fours and one six before being dismissed by Vijaykumar Vaishak. Chennai Super Kings set a massive score of 209 runs for five wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Shivam Dube remained not out at 45 runs off 27 balls, hitting five fours and one six.

Prashant Veer remained not out at six runs. For Punjab Kings, Vijaykumar Vaishak took two wickets, while Javier Bartlett, Marco Jansen, and Yuzvendra Chahal took one wicket each.

New Delhi, April 3 — Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has made bold predictions regarding the IPL 2026 playoffs. He named four teams that he believes could secure playoff spots based on the current season's performance.

As of now, six matches have been played, with each team having played one match. According to Pietersen, the Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are likely to reach the playoffs, although he noted that injuries to players could alter these predictions. Pietersen shared his insights on his social media account 'X', stating that based on the first round of IPL matches this season and the current standings, MI, DC, RR, and PBKS are the four teams that could make the playoffs.

However, he acknowledged that changes could occur due to injuries or other factors. Pietersen did not include the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in his list, expressing concerns about RCB's middle overs, spinners, and the fitness of Josh Hazlewood this season. RCB started the tournament with a victory, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets in their opening match.

Pietersen also believes that no target is safe this season, as he has seen RCB and MI chase down scores of over 200 with ease. He emphasized that the toss has become crucial, noting that this season's most unusual aspect is that batters are uncertain about what constitutes a safe score in the first innings.

According to the 45-year-old, five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK), three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will need to make extraordinary efforts and significant changes to remain in the title race. After six matches, Rajasthan Royals currently lead the IPL 2026 points table with a net run rate of 4.171, followed by RCB in second place.

Kolkata, April 3 — Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane has uplifted his players' spirits following a 65-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens in IPL 2026. KKR was all out for 161 runs while chasing a target of 227 runs set by SRH, marking the team's second consecutive loss this season.

Despite the setbacks at the start of the tournament, Rahane stressed the need for positivity in the dressing room. He conveyed that losing two matches in a row does not mean they are out of the tournament. Rahane appreciated the bowlers' efforts in the last 10 overs.

In a video shared on KKR's social media account, he mentioned that this loss is not the end of the world, highlighting several positive aspects from the match, especially the team's strong comeback after the 10-over mark. He noted that they bowled excellently in the final 10 overs and emphasized that what matters most is their mindset in the dressing room. Rahane urged players to have faith in themselves, stating that any player can be a match-winner for the team.

He reassured them that every player present has the potential to win matches from any situation. The focus should always be on their capability to secure victories for the team, and he expressed complete trust in each player. He also praised the aggressive approach shown by the batsmen from the start while chasing a big score against Sunrisers Hyderabad, acknowledging that the team cannot win every match.

Rahane reflected on the lessons learned from the game, emphasizing the intention to win from the first ball and expressing hope for future victories. He stated that while the world may have its opinions, it is essential to maintain a positive outlook.

KKR has had a rocky start in IPL 2026, facing defeats in their first two matches, which is only the second time in IPL history that the team has lost both opening games. Under Rahane's captaincy, KKR will face Lucknow Super Giants in their next match on April 9.

New Delhi, April 3 — Yuvraj Singh, the former Indian all-rounder and World Cup winner, stated that cricketers should begin playing golf at a young age to cope with the stress of their main profession. After retiring from cricket, Yuvraj has taken up golf as a hobby and has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the second Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL).

As per agency report, during the unveiling of the 10 franchises of the IGPL, he expressed that cricketers should play both cricket and golf. He mentioned that he should have started playing golf earlier, as it could have benefited him in cricket, adding that golf truly helps relieve stress. The schedule for the IGPL is yet to be finalized. He noted that many foreign cricketers, especially from Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa, have been playing golf since childhood.

Yuvraj acknowledged that golf is often seen as an exclusive sport, but he believes it should be accessible to everyone through public golf courses. He emphasized the importance of introducing golf in schools, stating that every child should try every sport. Yuvraj recognized cricket as the most popular sport in India but insisted that golf is also an exciting game worth trying.

As a player who has represented India, he wants to contribute to other sports as well. He believes that the IGPL will make the sport exciting and raise awareness, encouraging more children to adopt it, watch it on TV, and be inspired to play. This will bring financial support to the sport and help secure children's futures, which he considers a responsibility.

This year's IGPL will feature 10 franchises and 15 tournaments throughout the year, including five international tournaments in Mauritius, Congo, South Africa, and Morocco. The IGPL has partnered with LIV Golf and has been integrated with the professional tour. The event was also attended by former tennis star and co-owner of the Kolkata franchise, Leander Paes, along with IGPL CEO Uttam Singh Mundi.

Surat, April 1 — The KSPL-5 All Community Cricket Tournament (Vikram Cup) concluded with great enthusiasm. Organized by the Shri Krishna Group, this tournament saw teams from various communities participating to promote messages of brotherhood and unity.

In the final match, Ravana Tiger delivered an impressive performance, defeating Majisa Warrior by 5 wickets to secure the Vikram Cup. The players exhibited excellent sportsmanship during the match, which greatly excited the audience.

The chief guest of the final match was Anupam Singh Gehlot, the Commissioner of Police in Surat. He initiated the match by conducting the toss and playing an over himself, which further boosted the enthusiasm of the players and organizers.

The closing ceremony was attended by M.K. Rana, Jaipal Singh Somasi, and Ramavatar (Vikram) from the organizing committee. The winning team, Ravana Tiger, was honored with a trophy by the guests. This tournament not only served as a medium to enhance enthusiasm for sports but also succeeded in conveying a message of unity and harmony in society.

New Delhi, April 1 — Eden Gardens and Wankhede Stadium will not host matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, yet former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed satisfaction with this decision. Ganguly stated that while he wishes to see more Test matches at Eden Gardens, he is also pleased that traditional format matches are being played at other centers across the country.

As per agency report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the schedule for the 2026-27 domestic season. Under this schedule, the matches against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will not take place at traditional centers like Kolkata and Mumbai. Instead, these matches will be held from January 21 to February 25 in Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi, and Ahmedabad.

Ganguly mentioned that it is always nice to see big Test matches at Eden Gardens. As an administrator and former player, he wishes for more matches to be held there. However, he noted that they recently hosted a Test against South Africa, followed by T20 World Cup matches and currently IPL matches are also being played.

He further stated that while everyone wants more matches at Eden, it is important to understand that other grounds should also get opportunities. There are many grounds in the country with better facilities that should also host international matches.

Guwahati has recently emerged as a Test center, having hosted its first Test in November 2025, and is set to host its second Test within a year. Additionally, a Test match was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad last October. On the other hand, the last Test at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium was held in November 2024. According to the schedule, ODI matches will be played in Kolkata and Mumbai against Zimbabwe in early 2027, while a match against Sri Lanka is proposed in Delhi this December.

Ganguly emphasized that there are now good grounds and facilities available across the country. He cited cities like Chennai, Guwahati, and Ranchi as examples where it is nice to see Test matches being played. He believes it is essential to conduct matches at different grounds to spread cricket to every corner of the country, thereby expanding the reach of the sport.