mullanpur

Punjab Kings' IPL 2026 campaign is on the brink of elimination after a sixth consecutive defeat. Head coach Ricky Ponting's dejected demeanor went viral, highlighting the team's struggles. Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin pointed to structural issues, including the decision to split home games between mullanpur and Dharamshala, disrupting player rhythm and familiarity with conditions.

After debacles in home Tests against New Zealand and South Africa, India are set to move away from raging turners and return to traditional pitches with gradual wear and tear. Carefully selected venues and black/mixed soil surfaces are expected to shape India’s strategy. India will play Afghanistan in a one-off Test match from June 6.

Ravichandran Ashwin questions Punjab Kings' decision to split home matches across two venues in IPL 2026, suggesting the venue changes disrupted their rhythm and contributed to a five-match losing streak. He highlights that successful franchises maintain consistency with a single home ground, impacting team preparation and performance, especially when batting first at Dharamsala.

There is still no confirmation on the three T20 Internationals that were earlier expected to be part of the tour.

With the IPL 2026 league stage concluding, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have secured playoff berths. The race for the final spot intensifies as the knockout stages commence on May 26 in Dharamsala, culminating in the final on May 31 in Ahmedabad.

Priyansh Arya made IPL history by hitting Mitchell Starc for six off the first ball in Dharamsala, marking his third such feat. This places him second behind Yashasvi Jaiswal, who also hit Starc for an opening ball six earlier this season. The match saw Delhi Capitals opt to field after winning the toss.

Punjab Kings' IPL 2026 playoff hopes are in jeopardy after four straight losses, a stark contrast to their earlier unbeaten run. Amidst speculation about team environment issues, co-owner Preity Zinta has strongly refuted 'calculated misinformation' and urged responsible reporting. The team now faces a critical match against Mumbai Indians to halt their slide.

The BCCI will announce the IPL-2026 playoff venues within two days, according to secretary Devajit Saikia. While the exact locations remain undisclosed, the final is scheduled for May 31. Last year's playoffs were held in mullanpur and Ahmedabad, with Kolkata initially slated for the final.

The 2026 Indian Premier League final is scheduled for May 31 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, deviating from the tradition of hosting it at the reigning champions' home ground. Playoffs are slated for May 26, 27, and 29, with matches to be held in mullanpur and Dharamsala.

Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium has lost its hosting rights for the IPL 2026 playoffs, including the final, due to unspecified local association and authority requirements. While the final moves to Ahmedabad, the Eliminator and a Qualifier will be held in New Chandigarh, and another Qualifier in Dharamshala.

The BCCI medical team is clearing players for the Afghanistan Test, with a full-strength batting lineup expected. However, workload management will likely see changes in the bowling department, potentially giving opportunities to new faces. The No. 3 batting position remains a concern ahead of upcoming tours.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's batting prowess against Punjab Kings reached new heights with another 200-plus total, marking their eighth such score in this fixture. This achievement equals the IPL record for most 200-plus totals against a single opponent. The innings featured explosive hitting from key players and highlighted Hyderabad's sustained batting dominance in this matchup.

Jofra Archer endured a forgettable start to his IPL 2026 campaign, bowling an 11-ball over for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. Conceding 18 runs, Archer's struggles with line and rhythm saw him join an unwanted list of bowlers with the longest overs in IPL history. The dramatic over featured wides, a no-ball, and fielding lapses.

Yashasvi Jaiswal etched his name in IPL history by hitting a first-ball six off Mitchell Starc, marking his fourth such instance. This feat placed him atop the list for most first-ball sixes in IPL innings. However, his explosive start was cut short as Starc dismissed him on the third ball, and Rajasthan Royals faced early pressure.

Rajasthan Royals chased down 223 to beat Punjab Kings and hand them their first IPL 2026 defeat. Donovan Ferreira starred with an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls before jokingly telling Salman Khan, “Sorry bhai, aaj nahi,” referencing the actor’s old “Zinta’s team won kya?” post. Shubham Dubey and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also played key roles in the win.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been fined 25% of his match fee and received a demerit point for breaching IPL conduct rules. The incident, captured on live broadcast, involved Parag vaping in the dressing room during a match.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, fresh off a century against Sunrisers Hyderabad, arrived at the Rajasthan Royals team hotel. Despite his recent success, he displayed humility by gifting his welcome garland to a young fan. The team is preparing to face Punjab Kings in mullanpur.