Josh Hazlewood

Cricket Australia has publicly backed its veteran pace trio for the 2027 ODI World Cup, prioritising experience despite fitness concerns. In stark contrast, Team India faces uncertainty regarding Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja's futures, hinting at a significant transition phase for the national team as the next World Cup looms.

The IPL 2026 playoffs begin with Qualifier 1 featuring defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Gujarat Titans. Both teams finished the league stage with identical records, setting up a clash of RCB's strong batting depth against GT's potent bowling attack. The Powerplay overs are expected to be crucial in deciding the outcome of this high-stakes encounter.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit an unwanted IPL record, conceding 50+ runs for the ninth time. Sunrisers Hyderabad's explosive batting, led by Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen, dismantled Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bowling attack on a flat pitch. SRH posted a massive 255/4, highlighting their batting prowess and exposing RCB's bowling weaknesses ahead of the playoffs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their explosive IPL 2026 run, smashing 255 for 4 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This marked their ninth 200-plus total this season, a new record. Powered by Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen's blistering knocks, SRH solidified their status as IPL's most destructive batting unit, owning six 250-plus scores in history.

Rasikh Salam Dar's fiery yorker dismantled Travis Head's stumps, igniting a passionate celebration from the young pacer and a pumped-up Virat Kohli. Head's aggressive 26 off 16 balls ended abruptly, giving RCB a crucial breakthrough. Defending champions RCB, already playoff-bound in IPL 2026, faced Sunrisers Hyderabad in a key clash.

Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues to impress in the IPL, leading the wicket-takers' chart despite his international career winding down. At 36, he's embraced his role, focusing on fitness and adapting his bowling. His expertise, particularly in the Powerplay and death overs, makes him a vital asset, even as he mentors younger players.

Dharamsala gears up for a classic IPL Qualifier 1 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans. Purists will admire the class of Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Sai Sudharsan, who have blended timing and aggression. The Titans' opening pair leads the run charts, while Kohli anchors RCB's batting, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.

Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Sakib Hussain called Virat Kohli’s wicket a dream moment after SRH’s 55-run win over RCB in IPL 2026, saying, “Maza toh aya”. The young Bihar bowler now has 15 wickets in 10 matches. SRH posted 255/4 through strong knocks from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. Despite the loss, RCB still finished top of the league table.

Virat Kohli and Travis Head were involved in a heated exchange during RCB’s chase against SRH in IPL 2026. Kohli later ignored Head’s handshake after the match, sparking attention. SRH posted 255/4 with strong knocks from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen, winning by 55 runs. Despite the defeat, RCB finished top of the league table after crossing the required score mark.

A heartwarming interaction between Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill before IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 has captivated fans. The duo shared a warm embrace and playful banter, with Kohli teasing Gill about his beard. This light-hearted moment precedes a crucial clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, highlighting the camaraderie between these batting stalwarts.

Rajat Patidar's explosive unbeaten 93 off 33 balls powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a commanding 254/5, the highest IPL playoff total ever. RCB then bowled out Gujarat Titans for 162, securing a dominant 92-run victory and their second consecutive IPL final appearance.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dominant victory over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, advancing to the final. Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Virat Kohli's electrifying on-field intensity and praised Krunal Pandya's crucial contribution. RCB's bowlers then stifled GT's chase, ensuring a comfortable win and a shot at defending their title.

Kagiso Rabada has set a new IPL record for the most wickets in the Powerplay in a single season, surpassing Mohammed Shami's previous record. This achievement came during Gujarat Titans' Qualifier 1 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The winner of this high-stakes encounter will advance directly to the IPL final.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's explosive batting secured a 55-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite the loss, RCB clinched the top spot in the league table, powered by stellar performances from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen. RCB's chase, though falling short of the target, successfully achieved their crucial goal of crossing 166 runs to secure a top-two playoff finish.

Gujarat Titans will bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1. The winner directly enters the final. Gujarat Titans made one change to their team. Royal Challengers Bengaluru also made changes for the knockout clash. Both teams aim for a strong performance to secure a spot in the final.

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL 2026 playoff clash. Both teams have already secured their playoff berths. Cummins expressed a desire to test strategies and enjoy the game before the serious business of the finals begins. Rajat Patidar returns to captain RCB.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru is at the forefront with an impressively balanced lineup, driven by the experience of its star players. Close behind, Gujarat Titans showcases a disciplined team, highlighting their steady openers and robust bowling prowess. Sunrisers Hyderabad, with their explosive batting setup and striking pace bowlers, promises to be a formidable contender.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 for a direct spot in the IPL 2026 final, which will be held in Ahmedabad. RCB captain Rajat Patidar acknowledged the challenging conditions for bowlers this season, with even 200-plus scores not guaranteeing safety. He emphasized the team's focus on execution and staying calm under pressure.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans face off in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala, with a direct final spot at stake. Both teams finished level on points and have identical 4-4 head-to-head records. RCB rely on batting depth, while GT bank on their top-order stars and bowling attack. Key battles include Bhuvneshwar Kumar against GT’s top three and Rashid Khan’s middle-over impact.