A clinical bowling display from Mohammed Shami followed by a composed half-century from Rishabh Pant guided Lucknow Super Giants to their first win of IPL 2026, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets in Hyderabad. After opting to field first, Pant’s decision paid immediate dividends as Shami delivered a masterclass in the powerplay. The veteran pacer returned exceptional figures of 2 for 9, removing Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head cheaply to put SRH under early pressure. SRH’s troubles deepened when Ishan Kishan and Liam Livingstone fell in quick succession, leaving them reeling at 26 for 4 inside eight overs. However, a remarkable recovery followed as Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy stitched together a 116-run partnership — the highest fifth-wicket stand in SRH’s history. Both batters notched up half-centuries, with Klaasen reaching his fifty in 33 balls and Reddy in 30, shifting momentum in SRH’s favour. At 123 for 4 after 16 overs, SRH looked set for a formidable total. However, LSG’s bowlers staged a strong comeback in the death overs. Avesh Khan and his teammates triggered a collapse, picking up crucial wickets and restricting SRH to 156 for 9. Klaasen and Reddy were both dismissed in quick succession, halting the scoring surge as SRH managed only 33 runs in the final four overs. In response, Aiden Markram provided LSG with a solid start, scoring a fluent 45 off 27 balls. He set the tone early despite a sluggish pitch that made strokeplay difficult. Wickets, however, fell at regular intervals, keeping the chase tense. Pant, who struggled for fluency initially, held one end together. With 43 runs required off the last five overs, the match hung in the balance. The equation came down to nine runs needed off the final over bowled by Jaydev Unadkat. Pant rose to the occasion, smashing two boundaries off the first two balls to level the scores. After two dot deliveries, he sealed the victory in style, lofting the ball over mid-off. Pant’s unbeaten half-century anchored the chase and ensured LSG crossed the finish line with five wickets in hand. Earlier, Shami’s disciplined spell had laid the foundation for the win, while key contributions from Markram and Pant completed a much-needed victory for LSG in the tournament.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won his first toss in three matches and elected to bowl against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026. After suffering back-to-back defeats, CSK made a key change to their playing XI, bringing back England allrounder Jamie Overton. The move increased their overseas player count to three, having fielded only two in their previous outing against Punjab Kings. Gaikwad also provided an update on veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni, stating that he is recovering well from a calf injury. However, CSK continued to miss the services of Dewald Brevis, who is sidelined with a side strain. Despite the reshuffle, there was still no place in the XI for West Indies allrounder Akeal Hosein. Left-arm spinning allrounder Prashant Veer retained his spot, even though he did not bowl in the previous match. CSK also left out their high-profile ₹14.2 crore signing Kartik Sharma from the starting XI, placing him on the Impact Substitute bench alongside Australian allrounder Matt Short. One of the two is expected to bolster the batting lineup during the chase. Meanwhile, RCB stuck with the same combination that secured victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening match of the season at this venue. Captain Rajat Patidar opted for continuity, with wristspinner Suyash Sharma likely to be introduced as an Impact Substitute when they take the field. The RCB lineup features prominent names including Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, while CSK’s batting order includes Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Sarfaraz Khan. With CSK aiming to bounce back from consecutive losses and RCB looking to maintain their winning momentum, the contest promises to be a crucial early-season clash in IPL 2026.

In a dramatic turn of events, three directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) resigned within hours of each other following a lengthy board meeting in Dhaka on Saturday, deepening the ongoing crisis within the. The resignations came in quick succession, with Faiazur Rahman informing the board shortly after the meeting concluded. Soon after, Shanian Taneem and Mehrab Alam Chowdhury also stepped down. Their departures bring the total number of board directors who have resigned in less than six months since the last BCB elections to six. The wave of exits began earlier this year when Ishtiaque Sadeque resigned in January citing personal reasons. In March, Amzad Hossain stepped down shortly after being removed as media committee chairman. Most recently, Yasir Mohammed Faysal, a government-nominated director, resigned just days before Saturday’s developments. Details of what transpired during the board meeting remain unclear. The session was chaired by BCB president Aminul Islam, while vice-president Faruque Ahmed joined virtually due to illness. Following the meeting, newly appointed media committee chairman Mohammad Mokhsedul Kamal stated that the board had not discussed the resignations formally. “We haven't discussed this at the board. Those who resigned cited personal reasons for their decision,” Kamal told reporters. “Faiazur attended the meeting with us. We only heard about his resignation afterward through the news.” Faiazur had recently voiced concerns over the BCB’s handling of domestic leagues, particularly criticizing the lack of initiative in properly organizing Dhaka’s cricket competitions. The sudden cluster of resignations has raised serious concerns, especially given that elected BCB directors typically serve full terms. The situation is further complicated by ongoing government scrutiny of the board. A committee is currently investigating the BCB elections held in October last year, with its report expected to be submitted to the sports ministry soon. Additionally, Sports Minister Aminul Haque has called for further inquiries, including one into Bangladesh’s absence from the recent T20 World Cup and allegations of political favoritism within the board. With six directors stepping down in rapid succession and multiple investigations underway, the BCB faces increasing uncertainty about its governance and future direction.

Gujarat Titans (GT) batting coach Matthew Hayden has called for improved discipline from his bowlers after the team slumped to a second consecutive defeat in IPL 2026, this time against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). GT’s six-run loss at home was shaped by small but decisive margins, including a noticeable difference in extras. GT conceded nine wides compared to RR’s three — a gap Hayden acknowledged as significant, though not solely responsible for the result. “It just shows the margins in these games are so small,” Hayden said in the post-match press conference. “The discipline around wides and consistently bowling the best ball is something we need to improve.” Star Bowlers Off Rhythm GT’s premier bowlers struggled to maintain accuracy. Kagiso Rabada returned figures of 2 for 42, while Rashid Khan finished with 1 for 39. Mohammed Siraj endured an off day, conceding 48 runs for just one wicket. Hayden noted that while Rabada and Rashid were not at their sharpest, their performances were not as poor as the figures suggested. Siraj, however, struggled with his line and length. “He was a little bit too short and too wide,” Hayden said. “That’s just a great bowler having an off day.” Batting Concerns Persist GT’s struggles were not limited to bowling. Their batting has also lacked firepower, particularly in six-hitting. Against RR, GT struck 24 fours but only seven sixes, compared to RR’s 12 maximums. A similar pattern emerged in their previous match against Punjab Kings. Hayden pointed out that while GT have rotated strike effectively, their inability to match opponents in big hitting has hurt them in crucial moments. Middle-Order Collapse Costs GT Chasing a challenging target of 210, GT appeared in control at 103 for 1 after 10 overs. However, a dramatic collapse followed, triggered largely by Ravi Bishnoi’s spell. GT slipped from 107 for 1 to 161 for 7 within four overs. A key moment came when Washington Sundar attempted an aggressive shot against Bishnoi and was dismissed. Hayden suggested the decision-making at that stage could have been more measured. “There wasn’t a lot that went wrong in the first 12 overs,” Hayden said. “But those moments — whether to attack or consolidate — become crucial.” Costly Mistakes in the Field GT were also hurt by a run-out involving Shahrukh Khan, with Rashid Khan at the other end. Hayden highlighted the sharp fielding of Ravindra Jadeja as a decisive factor in that play. “Those two wickets straightaway could have been the difference,” he said, reiterating how fine the margins were in a six-run game. Looking Ahead GT will aim to regroup quickly as they prepare to face the in-form Delhi Capitals, who have won both their matches so far, in Delhi on Wednesday. With back-to-back defeats placing them alongside Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings in an unwanted early-season record, Hayden emphasized the need for sharper execution in both bowling and batting. “In T20 cricket, especially when chasing big totals, those small decisions and moments make all the difference,” he said.

In a dramatic turnaround during Rajasthan Royals’ clash against Gujarat Titans, Ravi Bishnoi delivered a match-defining spell that highlighted his resurgence after a difficult IPL 2025 season. Chasing a daunting target of 211, Gujarat Titans appeared firmly in control in the 11th over, with B Sai Sudharsan well set at the crease and several power-hitters waiting in the wings. However, the game shifted dramatically when Bishnoi struck, claiming three wickets in just six deliveries across two overs. His scalps included Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, and Washington Sundar, derailing Gujarat’s chase. Bishnoi finished with impressive figures of 4 for 41, earning the Player-of-the-Match award and guiding Rajasthan Royals to a narrow six-run victory. Reflecting on his performance, Bishnoi credited his comeback to focused improvements across all aspects of his game. “Last season was difficult, but I stuck to my processes. My main issue was my length—whenever I missed it, I was punished. I worked hard in domestic cricket to correct that,” he said after the match. The leg-spinner, who was once a standout performer for Lucknow Super Giants, endured his worst IPL season in 2025, managing just nine wickets in 11 matches at a high average and economy rate. Following that slump, he was released ahead of the 2026 auction and later picked up by Rajasthan Royals for INR 7.20 crore. His tactical awareness was evident during the match, particularly against left-handed batters. Bishnoi revealed that he deliberately targeted the longer boundary side by bowling googlies from middle and leg stump lines. “The idea was to make them hit against the bigger boundary. It worked well, and we had planned it with the team and Dhruv Jurel,” he explained. Among his four wickets, Bishnoi highlighted the dismissal of Rahul Tewatia as the most crucial. Known for his finishing abilities, Tewatia’s wicket in the 15th over came at a pivotal moment, preventing Gujarat from regaining momentum. While Bishnoi’s spell turned the game, it was Tushar Deshpande who sealed the victory in the final over, conceding just four runs with a series of pinpoint yorkers. The performance marks a significant comeback for Bishnoi, who appears to have rediscovered his rhythm and confidence, reinforcing his reputation as one of the IPL’s most promising spin bowlers.

Rajasthan Royals held their nerve to secure a dramatic six-run victory over Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring IPL encounter, successfully defending 210 despite a late scare from Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan. Jaiswal, Jurel Power Royals to 210 Opting to bat first in a format that often favors chasing, Rajasthan Royals rode on impressive half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (55) and Dhruv Jurel (75) to post a formidable 210 for 6. Jaiswal set the tone early with aggressive strokeplay, reaching his fifty in just 32 balls. He showcased fearless intent, taking on both pace and length deliveries with confidence. Jurel complemented him brilliantly, playing innovative and powerful shots, including audacious hits against Rashid Khan. Despite some resistance from Gujarat’s bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada, Rajasthan capitalized on the batting-friendly conditions to maintain a strong scoring rate throughout. Sudharsan Anchors Titans’ Chase In response, Gujarat Titans looked on track for much of the chase, thanks to a composed 73 from Sai Sudharsan. Balancing caution with aggression, he kept the required rate in check and built crucial partnerships. However, the match turned dramatically in the middle overs when Ravi Bishnoi struck twice in quick succession, removing key left-handers and triggering a collapse. Titans slipped from a strong 127 for 2 to losing six wickets in a span of just 27 balls. Late Fightback Falls Short With the equation down to 30 off the final three overs, Rabada launched a stunning counterattack, striking clean boundaries and bringing the target within reach. Alongside Rashid Khan, he reduced the equation to 15 off 12 balls, briefly swinging momentum back in Gujarat’s favor. Archer, Deshpande Seal the Win Rajasthan’s bowlers held their composure under pressure. Jofra Archer executed a precise plan, using short balls to restrict Rabada and yorkers to keep Rashid quiet. In the final over, Tushar Deshpande delivered under immense pressure, consistently hitting pinpoint yorkers. With 10 runs needed, he conceded no boundaries, and Archer completed a crucial catch to dismiss Rashid and seal the win. Key Takeaways Rajasthan Royals successfully defended a big total on a batting-friendly pitch Jaiswal and Jurel laid the foundation with attacking fifties Bishnoi’s spell turned the game decisively in the middle overs Rabada’s late hitting nearly pulled off a remarkable chase Archer and Deshpande showed exceptional death bowling to close out the match The match stood out as a thrilling contest between bat and ball, with Rajasthan Royals ultimately prevailing through disciplined execution in the closing stages.

New Zealand women's cricket team all-rounder Maddy Green produced a career-defining performance to lead her side to a crucial ODI series victory over South Africa women's cricket team in Wellington, expressing confidence that the win will provide strong momentum heading into the upcoming global tournament. Green struck an unbeaten 141—her highest score in international cricket—as New Zealand recovered from a disastrous start to post a commanding total and seal the series 2-1. Reflecting on her innings, she described it as “probably my best” at the international level. Early Collapse, Strong Recovery New Zealand were in deep trouble early after losing Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer inside the first three overs, forcing Green to the crease sooner than expected. The situation worsened when captain Amelia Kerr departed cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 3 for 3. Green, however, steadied the innings alongside Brooke Halliday. The pair stitched together a remarkable 211-run partnership, guiding New Zealand to safety and beyond. Halliday played a crucial supporting role with a patient 98 before falling in the 40th over, narrowly missing out on a century. Late Surge Powers Big Total Having weathered the early storm, New Zealand capitalized in the final phase of the innings. Green highlighted the team’s strategy of treating the last 20 overs like a T20 contest, which paid off handsomely as they added 185 runs during that period to surge past the 300-run mark. Green praised Halliday’s composure under pressure, noting that their plan was to survive the difficult early conditions and then accelerate once set. Crucial Win Against Strong Opposition The victory holds significant importance in the ICC Women's Championship standings, strengthening New Zealand’s position at the top of the table and boosting their chances of qualification for the next World Cup. Green acknowledged the quality of the opposition, pointing out South Africa’s consistent performances in recent ICC events, including multiple final appearances. She described the back-to-back series wins over such a strong side as a major achievement for the team. Confidence Ahead of T20 World Cup Looking ahead, Green believes the team’s recent performances will instill “heaps of confidence” as they prepare for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup later this year. She also credited Kerr’s leadership, noting that the newly appointed full-time captain has transitioned seamlessly into the role after taking over earlier this year from Sophie Devine. Despite a rare failure with the bat in the final match, Kerr’s overall contributions throughout the series and the season have been instrumental. With momentum building and strong performances across the squad, New Zealand now look well-positioned as they shift focus to their upcoming tour of England and the global tournament beyond.

Delhi Capitals continued their strong run in the Indian Premier League with a composed six-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians, thanks to a match-winning knock from Sameer Rizvi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Rizvi delivered a sensational innings of 90 off 51 balls, earning his second consecutive Player-of-the-Match award this season—his third in a row dating back to the previous edition. His performance ensured Delhi comfortably chased down a target of 163 with 11 balls to spare. Bowlers Set the Platform Earlier, Delhi’s bowlers put in a disciplined effort to restrict Mumbai to 162 for 6 on a slow surface. Leading the scoring for Mumbai was stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav, who made 51 off 36 balls. However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled to accelerate, especially in the absence of Hardik Pandya. Mukesh Kumar turned the game early with a double strike, removing Ryan Rickelton and Tilak Varma in the same over. Axar Patel also played a crucial role, dismissing Rohit Sharma, who had made a steady 35. Despite some late resistance, Mumbai managed only 38 runs in the final overs, leaving them short of a competitive total. Early Wobbles in the Chase Delhi’s chase got off to a shaky start with quick dismissals of KL Rahul and Nitish Rana, reducing them to 7 for 2. However, Pathum Nissanka counterattacked brilliantly, scoring 44 off 30 balls to stabilize the innings. His aggressive approach ensured Delhi stayed in the hunt during the powerplay. Rizvi Takes Over Once set, Rizvi shifted gears dramatically. A single over from Corbin Bosch yielded 20 runs as Rizvi unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes, completely changing the momentum of the match. He brought up his half-century in just 31 balls and continued to dominate the bowlers, finding support from David Miller, who played a secondary role in their partnership. By the 15th over, the outcome was virtually decided. While Delhi cruised toward victory, the only question remaining was whether Rizvi would reach a well-deserved century. He fell short, dismissed for 90 while attempting a big hit. Comfortable Finish Delhi Capitals wrapped up the chase with ease, securing a convincing win and further strengthening their campaign. Rizvi’s remarkable consistency and composure under pressure have quickly made him one of the standout performers of the season.

Pat Cummins, the designated captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has temporarily left the IPL 2026 camp to return to Australia for a scheduled scan on his injured back. The assessment will be conducted under the supervision of Cricket Australia (CA), with expectations that Cummins could rejoin the squad around April 17, subject to medical clearance. Cummins has been sidelined from competitive cricket since July last year, apart from a lone appearance in the third Ashes series Test in December. His ongoing recovery has been closely managed, and this latest scan is understood to be part of a planned rehabilitation process rather than a fresh concern. Ahead of IPL 2026, Cummins had already indicated he would likely miss the initial phase of the tournament, aiming instead to return for the latter half and potential playoffs. He had resumed bowling in training sessions and was gradually increasing his workload, bowling every third day as part of a structured recovery program. In his absence, SRH appointed Ishan Kishan as stand-in captain, a role he will continue to hold until Cummins is fit to return. The team has also relied on overseas pacers Eshan Malinga and David Payne to lead the bowling attack. SRH, who began their campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28, are set to face Lucknow Super Giants in their third match of the season in Hyderabad on Sunday. Cummins had also missed out on the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year due to a minor setback in his recovery, but remains optimistic about returning to full fitness soon.

South Africa head coach Mandla Mashimbyi has called for introspection and improvement after his side’s disappointing white-ball tour of New Zealand, where they lost both the T20I and ODI series. Coming off a runners-up finish at the recent World Cup, South Africa had high expectations but fell short. They were beaten 4-1 in the T20I series and lost the ODI series 2-1, including a heavy 66-run defeat in the decider at Wellington. Reflecting on the final ODI, Mashimbyi highlighted key moments where the game slipped away. Despite reducing New Zealand to 3 for 3 early on, South Africa failed to maintain pressure, allowing a match-defining 211-run partnership between Maddy Green (141*) and Brooke Halliday (98). “I think after we had them three down, we just let the pressure off a little bit,” Mashimbyi said. “We didn’t squeeze them enough in the next few overs, which allowed them to settle. Later, we could have done better to minimise boundaries in the final overs. Those were the big moments.” South Africa also struggled with the bat throughout the tour. Captain Laura Wolvaardt was among the more consistent performers, registering scores of 16, 69, and 69, but the team failed to produce a single century across the series. Mashimbyi expressed concern over the lack of substantial partnerships. “We normally pride ourselves on scoring hundreds, but this time we didn’t get any. Without strong partnerships, big scores become difficult,” he said. In contrast, New Zealand’s batting stood out, with Green’s unbeaten 141 and Amelia Kerr’s 179 not out in the second ODI proving decisive. Despite the setbacks, Mashimbyi found positives in the performances of young bowlers Ayanda Hlubi and Tumi Sekhukhune, who impressed with the new ball. However, he noted that the team struggled to sustain pressure after the initial breakthroughs. With the ICC Women's T20 World Cup scheduled for June-July in England, South Africa faces a crucial period of preparation. Having finished as runners-up in the last two editions, expectations remain high. “Our worry is identifying where we need to tweak and where the gaps are,” Mashimbyi said. “Losing a series doesn’t make us a bad team, but we must learn from it. Often it’s small lapses in concentration or awareness that cost us.” South Africa will next host India in a five-match T20I series in mid-April, offering them a chance to regroup and address their shortcomings ahead of the global tournament.