Matheesha Pathirana (AFP Photo) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that its players will only be allowed to participate in IPL 2026 after successfully completing mandatory physical performance tests. The board confirmed that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will be issued strictly based on players meeting the required fitness standards.“Only those who successfully meet the required…
Ronaldo set to miss pre FIFA world cup friendlies (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File) Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Portugal’s squad for the upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies against Mexico and the United States. The 41-year-old forward has not featured for his club Al-Nassr since the end of February, but Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez…
Yash Dayal of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have started preparations for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. While some top Indian stars, led by Virat Kohli, have been in attendance, bowler Yash Dayal remains a notable absentee. He wasn’t…
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been dealt a significant setback ahead of IPL 2026, with key pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Harshit Rana struggling with injuries.Head coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed during the team’s pre-season press conference that Pathirana will miss the early phase of the tournament due to a calf strain and is expected to return…
R Praggnanandhaa (PTI Photo) French Grandmaster (GM) Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has ranked India’s R Praggnanandhaa in the third tier (B tier) for the upcoming Candidates tournament, calling it a bit of a “hot take”.While he made it clear that all eight players have a chance to win, he based his ranking mainly on current form rather…
Earlier, Andre Russell announced his retirement from the IPL ahead of the 2026 auction after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders, ending a 12-season playing career with the franchise. Addressing his absence in the finishing role, KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar backed Indian players to step up and fill the void left by the West…
Matheesha Pathirana (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) Matheesha Pathirana is set to miss the opening phase of IPL 2026, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar confirming in pre-season press conference held on friday that the pacer is likely to be available only from mid-April. Pathirana, who was ruled out of the 2026 T20 World…
Virat Kohli (BCCI/IPL Photo) NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Kohli’s transition to playing fewer formats might impact his T20 rhythm, especially after breaks.“This time, things will be a little different for Kohli. For the first time, he will play the IPL having completely retired from Test cricket. He is playing only one…
Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal in RR nets (Screengrabs) NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals have begun preparations for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on a lively note, with a light-hearted yet impressive moment from training going viral. 24-year-old opener Yashasvi Jaiswal grabbed the spotlight by smashing a huge six off Ravindra Jadeja on the very…
India finished the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup without a win, bowing out in the group stage. (Image: AIFF) New Delhi: India’s campaign at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asia Cup in Australia ended in disappointment, with heavy defeats – such as 0-11 vs Japan – exposing the gulf with Asia’s elite. Yet, beneath the scorelines…