Former India batter Ambati Rayudu has heaped praise on Dhruv Jurel, calling the young wicketkeeper-batter a player with “extraordinary potential” after his composed unbeaten half-century guided Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling chase against Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur. Jurel played a crucial role in Rajasthan Royals’ successful pursuit of 221, remaining unbeaten on 53 off 38 balls in a high-pressure encounter. His innings helped RR keep their playoff hopes alive and further highlighted his growing influence in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season. The 24-year-old is enjoying his most productive IPL campaign so far, having scored 420 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 150.00, including five half-centuries. Only teammate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has scored more runs for Rajasthan Royals this season. “I think he has at least four or five levels to unlock in his batting,” Rayudu said. “He is one guy I feel who has extraordinary potential. He is so clean, so neat. He has such a good technique.” Rayudu praised Jurel’s composure and all-round batting ability, particularly his comfort against pace bowling and his game awareness under pressure. “His temperament is top-class. His play against pace, he is so comfortable. There are so many good things — he steps out, he plays spin well, reads length well, runs brilliantly between the wickets. I think he is a complete package that just needs to be properly unlocked and trained,” he added. Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim also lauded Jurel’s ability to control a chase but pointed out areas where the batter could improve, especially when setting a target. Karim highlighted the contrast in Jurel’s performances while batting first and second this season. While Jurel has struck at 157.37 in successful chases, his strike rate drops to 144.30 when batting first. “When he bats second, it seems he is in complete control of the situation,” Karim said. “He has the match awareness, the ability to take the game deep and finish matches, which is a special quality.” However, Karim believes Jurel can become even more dangerous if he shows greater attacking intent earlier in his innings while batting first. “His strike rate in the first ten balls is slightly on the lower side when batting first. That’s when I want him to free himself, back his talent and play the big shots early. That will boost both his confidence and strike rate,” Karim explained. With consistent performances and growing praise from former cricketers, Jurel’s rise has emerged as one of the bright stories of Rajasthan Royals’ campaign this season.

The race for the Orange Cap in the Indian Premier League 2026 took another dramatic turn on a thrilling night in Jaipur as Mitchell Marsh and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced stunning knocks during the clash between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants. Marsh continued his remarkable late-season surge with a blistering 96 off 57 balls for Lucknow Super Giants. The Australian allrounder, who was outside the top run-scorers just a week ago, has now smashed scores of 111, 90, and 96 in three of his last four innings. His latest effort lifted LSG to an imposing total of 220 for 5 and briefly pushed him to the top of the Orange Cap standings with 563 runs. However, Marsh’s stay at the summit was short-lived thanks to a breathtaking innings from teenage sensation Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals batter hammered 93 off just 38 deliveries in a must-win encounter for his side, propelling RR to a crucial victory that kept their playoff hopes alive. Unlike some of his earlier explosive starts this season, Sooryavanshi began cautiously. He reached 25 from 16 balls after eight overs and initially struggled against Mohsin Khan. But once settled, the youngster unleashed a flurry of boundaries and sixes across the ground. He brought up his half-century in 23 balls before accelerating further, smashing ten sixes in total. The assault included multiple maximums against Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, and Digvesh Rathi. His innings finally ended when Mohsin deceived him with a slower delivery. The knock took Sooryavanshi to the top of the Orange Cap leaderboard with 579 runs for the season, overtaking Marsh’s 563. Heinrich Klaasen of Sunrisers Hyderabad sits third with 555 runs, closely followed by B Sai Sudharsan on 554 and Shubman Gill on 552 for Gujarat Titans. Archer Moves Up Purple Cap Standings In the Purple Cap race, Rajasthan Royals pacer Jofra Archer made gains after dismissing Ayush Badoni during the first innings. Archer now has 18 wickets this season, moving into fourth place on the wicket-takers’ chart. Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler Prince Yadav, meanwhile, endured a third consecutive wicketless outing and remains on 16 wickets for the campaign. At the top of the Purple Cap standings, Bhuvneshwar Kumar of Royal Challengers Bengaluru continues to lead with 24 wickets. Kagiso Rabada of Gujarat Titans follows with 21 wickets, while Anshul Kamboj of Chennai Super Kings occupies third place with 20 wickets.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand women's cricket team and India women's cricket team as she continues her recovery from a calf injury. Sciver-Brunt sustained what the England and Wales Cricket Board described as a “minor left calf tear” while representing The Blaze last month. The allrounder had already missed England’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand, and fresh scans have now confirmed that she requires an extended rehabilitation period. As a result, she will take no part in the six T20Is that serve as a major part of England’s preparation for the upcoming home T20 World Cup. England have also been dealt another setback with opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge unavailable for the New Zealand T20Is as she awaits the birth of her first child. In response, selectors have drafted Maia Bouchier and Charis Pavely into the squad as cover. Vice-captain Charlie Dean will continue to lead the side after captaining during the ODI series against New Zealand. Bouchier impressed during the ODI series after initially joining the squad as cover for Sciver-Brunt. She top-scored with 59 in England’s victory in Durham and retained her place for the rain-affected second ODI in Northampton. However, she later made way for Jodi Grewcock in Cardiff, where New Zealand secured a DLS-method win to level the series 1-1. Meanwhile, Pavely has earned recognition for her outstanding domestic form in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. The young batter has scored two centuries and three half-centuries in her first eight matches of the season. She had previously been called up as cover for Alice Capsey during the ODI series but did not feature. England’s preparations have been disrupted further by injuries to several key players. Fast bowler Mahika Gaur has been ruled out of the ODI series with a foot fracture, while Em Arlott missed out due to concussion. Pace bowler Issy Wong, who suffered a hamstring injury during the ODI warm-up, has recovered and is available for selection for the opening T20I in Derby. Sciver-Brunt’s latest setback adds to a difficult recent period with injuries. Last summer, she refrained from bowling entirely while managing a long-term Achilles problem, though she returned as an allrounder in time for the ODI World Cup in October. There was, however, some positive news for England with opener Sophia Dunkley returning after missing the ODI series due to a knee issue. Speaking ahead of the T20Is in Derby, Dunkley expressed confidence that Sciver-Brunt would recover in time for the World Cup. “Nat just needs a little bit of extra time to be in the best place possible to be ready and raring to go for the World Cup and we’re absolutely confident that she’ll be leading us out for that,” Dunkley said. She also praised Dean’s leadership during Sciver-Brunt’s absence. “She’s grown so much throughout her time in the England team to becoming a really great leader, connecting really well with the group and tactically really good as well,” Dunkley added. “It’s a great opportunity for her to get some games under her belt as captain.” With Wyatt-Hodge unavailable, England are expected to experiment with new opening combinations during the New Zealand series, potentially pairing Dunkley with Bouchier at the top of the order.

Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for India’s upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan national cricket team, while KL Rahul has replaced Rishabh Pant as vice-captain in the 15-member squad led by Shubman Gill. The match marks India’s return to Test cricket following their 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa last November. Alongside Bumrah, senior all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, as well as fast bowler Akash Deep, have also been omitted from the Test squad. India have instead introduced fresh faces, handing maiden Test call-ups to left-arm spinning all-rounder Manav Suthar and fast bowler Gurnoor Brar. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey has also been included in the squad. In the ODI setup, pacer Prince Yadav, Brar and Dubey earned their maiden call-ups for the three-match series against Afghanistan. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and all-rounder Hardik Pandya returned to the ODI side after missing the previous assignment. Several players from India’s ODI squad that lost 2-1 to New Zealand earlier this year have been left out, including Pant, Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Ayush Badoni, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj. The Afghanistan series begins with the one-off Test at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium from June 6 to 10. The teams will then play three ODIs in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai on June 14, 17 and 20 respectively. India and Afghanistan have previously met in only one Test match, played in Bengaluru in 2018, where India secured a dominant innings-and-262-run victory inside two days. India Test Squad vs Afghanistan Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel. India ODI Squad vs Afghanistan Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.

Mumbai Indians have suffered a double injury setback with batter Quinton de Kock and allrounder Raj Bawa ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026. The franchise confirmed on Tuesday that de Kock sustained a tendon injury in his left wrist ahead of MI’s clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29, while Bawa suffered a ligament tear in his right thumb during the match against Punjab Kings last week. In an official statement, Mumbai Indians said both players would continue rehabilitation at home under the supervision of the team’s medical staff. “Both Quinton and Raj Bawa will continue their rehab in their respective homes, with support and guidance from the Mumbai Indians medical team to help them return to play as soon as possible,” the franchise said. The team added that replacements for the injured duo would be announced according to IPL regulations. De Kock featured in only three matches this season for MI. After making an impressive start with an unbeaten 112 in his opening appearance, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter managed scores of 13 and 7 in his following innings. His last outing came against Chennai Super Kings on April 23. Bawa also played three games during the campaign. The young allrounder scored 16 runs in his only innings with the bat and picked up two wickets at an average of 25 before his injury setback. Mumbai Indians’ disappointing season has already ended their hopes of reaching the playoffs. The five-time champions are currently ninth on the IPL 2026 points table with eight points from 12 matches. MI will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Wednesday as they look to finish a difficult campaign on a positive note.

Sunrisers Hyderabad may have entered IPL 2026 with the spotlight firmly on the explosive opening pair of “Travishek” — Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma — but it is the emerging middle-order duo of Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen that has quietly become the backbone of the team’s playoff push. The pair once again delivered under pressure on Monday night, guiding SRH to a crucial win over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk and securing a place in the IPL playoffs. On a slow and challenging surface, Kishan scored a composed 70 off 47 balls while Klaasen smashed 47 from 26 deliveries in a match-defining partnership of 75 runs from just 41 balls. Their consistency this season has transformed SRH into one of the tournament’s most balanced batting units. Klaasen currently leads the Orange Cap race with 555 runs, while Kishan has accumulated 490 runs and sits among the top scorers of the season. Abhishek Sharma has also crossed 500 runs, though Head’s campaign has been comparatively modest with 367 runs so far. While Head and Abhishek continue to provide explosive starts at the top, Kishan and Klaasen have excelled in stabilising innings and accelerating through the middle overs. The duo has added 434 runs in seven partnerships at an average of 62 and a run rate close to 11 per over — remarkable numbers considering most of their batting comes outside the powerplay. Monday’s innings highlighted their adaptability. SRH lost Head early for just six runs before Abhishek departed in the eighth over after struggling on the sluggish pitch. Kishan then anchored the chase with maturity and control, batting from the third over until the 19th and falling just six runs short of the target. SRH assistant coach James Franklin described Kishan’s knock as one of his finest in the tournament. “So far in this year’s IPL, that was probably his best innings,” Franklin said after the match. “Batters had to craft their innings differently on this surface, and I thought Ishan assessed the conditions brilliantly and played with great maturity.” Franklin also praised Klaasen’s impact throughout the campaign, calling his performances among the best middle-order displays of the season. “It’s one of the best middle-order batting performances you’ll see through an IPL season,” he said. “He reads situations well, maintains the tempo and has had a huge influence on games for us.” Former India batter Ambati Rayudu was particularly impressed by Kishan’s evolution as a batter and leader. “He has stood up on a lot of difficult wickets this season,” Rayudu said during a post-match discussion. “That shows his versatility. He can attack bowlers but also adapt when conditions are tough. He’s an amazing asset to have in any team.” Rayudu also highlighted Kishan’s composure during the chase and his leadership qualities when standing in for captain Pat Cummins earlier in the season. Former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan, who previously played alongside Kishan at Mumbai Indians, said the wicketkeeper-batter’s growth has been evident. “He was just a kid when he played with us,” McClenaghan said. “But the way he’s matured as a person, leader and batter has been sensational.” Despite the growing attention on Kishan and Klaasen, SRH’s batting strength remains rooted in a collective approach. Alongside Head and Abhishek, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has also played an important supporting role throughout the season. “Those four at the moment — it’s a pleasure for us to have them in our team,” Franklin said. “The way they’re assessing games and putting pressure back on opposition bowling attacks has been outstanding.” With SRH becoming only the second side to qualify for the playoffs, their formidable batting depth has made them one of the most dangerous teams remaining in IPL 2026.

Former Australian and Queensland wicketkeeper John Maclean has died at the age of 80 following a lengthy illness, prompting tributes from across the cricketing community for his contributions as a player, leader and administrator. Maclean represented Australia in four Test matches and two One-Day Internationals during the 1978–79 Ashes series at home. His opportunity at international level came during a turbulent period in Australian cricket when several leading players, including first-choice wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, were unavailable due to their involvement in World Series Cricket. Born in Queensland, Maclean made his first-class debut for Queensland Cricket in 1968 and immediately established himself as one of the country’s most promising wicketkeepers. In his debut Sheffield Shield season, he broke the Queensland record for most dismissals in a season, surpassing the mark previously held by former Australian wicketkeeper Wally Grout. He also scored a career-best 156 runs during the same campaign. His early performances earned him selection for an Australian development tour of New Zealand in 1969–70 alongside future cricket greats Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee. However, Maclean’s pathway to the national side was blocked by Marsh, who was preferred for the opening Test of the 1970–71 Ashes series. Maclean would have to wait nearly eight years for another chance to represent Australia, eventually making his international appearances during what proved to be the final season of his first-class career. At domestic level, Maclean was a central figure in Queensland’s strong Sheffield Shield teams throughout the 1970s. The side finished runners-up four times in five seasons between 1973–74 and 1977–78. He captained Queensland in 30 of his 86 Shield matches before stepping aside in a move designed to help attract Chappell from South Australia. By the end of his career, Maclean had amassed 385 first-class dismissals — including 354 catches and 31 stumpings. His 314 dismissals for Queensland remain among the highest in the state’s history and rank 11th overall in Sheffield Shield history. Maclean’s influence on cricket extended well beyond his playing days. He was awarded an MBE in the 1980 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to cricket and later served as vice-president of Queensland Cricket in 1990–91 before becoming president from 1992 to 1994. He also represented players on the Australian Cricket Board and was awarded life membership by Queensland Cricket in 1998. Current Queensland Cricket chair Kirsten Pike paid tribute to Maclean’s lasting impact on the game. “As a player, he led from the front and the tributes from past teammates and the wider community since his passing have emphasised his ‘team first’ leadership as well as his generous nature,” Pike said. “He flew the flag for Queensland in all he did, as a player and then as a coach, businessman and administrator.” Queensland Cricket extended condolences to Maclean’s family and friends as the Australian cricket community mourns the loss of one of the state’s most respected figures.

Sunrisers Hyderabad booked their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings, a result that also confirmed playoff qualification for Gujarat Titans. Meanwhile, CSK’s hopes now hang by a thread after ending their home leg with another painful loss. Chasing 181, SRH reached the target with composure thanks to a gritty unbeaten 70 from Ishan Kishan and a blistering 47 off 26 balls from Heinrich Klaasen. Earlier, CSK posted 180 for 7, powered by Dewald Brevis’s aggressive 44 and useful contributions from the middle order. The evening also saw fans welcome MS Dhoni to the stadium for the first time this season, though the CSK legend remained unavailable due to a calf injury. Gaikwad’s Slow Start Hurts CSK Much of the spotlight fell once again on CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, whose cautious approach at the top failed to provide momentum. Gaikwad crawled to 15 off 21 deliveries and managed just 9 runs from his first 11 balls during the powerplay. At a time when most IPL openers attack aggressively inside the first six overs, Gaikwad’s old-school method of settling in before accelerating appeared out of sync with modern T20 demands. By the time CSK reached 100, his contribution was the lowest by an opener this season in such a situation. Cummins Leads from the Front SRH captain Pat Cummins once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most reliable T20 leaders. On a surface that offered little assistance to fast bowlers, Cummins delivered figures of 3 for 28, using slower balls cleverly to disrupt CSK’s rhythm. He dismissed key batters including Sanju Samson, Kartik Sharma, and Gaikwad. His performance also marked a major personal milestone — 200 wickets in T20 cricket. Young pacer Sakib Hussain complemented his captain brilliantly, varying his pace effectively to finish with 2 for 34. Brevis Finally Delivers Much was expected from Brevis this season, but the young South African had struggled for consistency and strike rate coming into the match. Against SRH, however, he finally produced the kind of innings CSK desperately needed. Brevis attacked the spinners confidently and punished the short ball with authority, smashing 44 off 27 deliveries. His assault in the middle overs, especially against Nitish Kumar Reddy, briefly shifted momentum toward CSK. Between 17.5 overs, Brevis, Samson, and Kartik Sharma combined for 103 runs from just 59 balls, keeping CSK competitive despite a sluggish start. Bowlers Keep SRH in Check Early CSK’s seamers fought hard in the chase. Spencer Johnson and Mukesh Choudhary generated impressive pace and managed to contain SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma in the powerplay. The pressure built steadily before CSK spinner Akeal Hosein removed Abhishek Sharma, briefly reviving home hopes. Klaasen Turns the Match If Kishan anchored the chase, Klaasen destroyed CSK’s resistance. The South African batter counterattacked brilliantly against spin, particularly targeting Noor Ahmad with fearless strokeplay. Klaasen survived two close chances early in his innings but responded immediately with boundaries, never allowing CSK to regain control. His 47 came at a strike rate above 180, a remarkable effort on a sluggish surface where timing was difficult. The impact of his innings was evident from the animated send-offs and reactions from CSK players once he was finally dismissed. Kishan Anchors the Chase While Klaasen provided the fireworks, Kishan delivered the stability. His unbeaten 70 was not the most fluent knock of his career, but it proved invaluable under pressure. Kishan rotated strike smartly, punished loose deliveries, and ensured SRH never lost control of the chase. His measured innings reflected maturity and determination — qualities SRH needed at a crucial stage of the tournament. With this victory, SRH march confidently into the playoffs, while CSK now face the grim possibility of an early exit from IPL 2026.

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) is set to return after a two-year hiatus, with the 2026 edition officially scheduled to begin on July 17. The opening match will feature a rematch of the 2024 final between defending champions Jaffna and runners-up Galle. The tournament opener will be played under lights at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, a venue that recently hosted its first-ever T20 International during the 2026 T20 World Cup. The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM local time and will be preceded by an official opening ceremony. The tournament will run from July 17 to August 8, with August 9 reserved as a backup day for the final. Earlier, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had announced July 10 as the starting date, but the schedule has now been revised. The SSC will host five matches between July 17 and 19 before the competition moves to Dambulla and Kandy. The tournament will then conclude in Colombo at the R. Premadasa Stadium, which will host the knockout matches and the final. Five teams representing Jaffna, Colombo, Kandy, Galle, and Dambulla will participate in the tournament. While the franchises are confirmed, SLC is yet to announce the official team names and ownership details. Player registrations for the league opened on May 8 and will close on May 20. Franchises will be allowed to complete direct signings until May 22. Unlike the previous two editions, which featured auctions, the 2026 season will revert to a player draft system scheduled for June 1. The return of the draft also means no player retentions will be permitted, paving the way for major squad reshuffles across all five teams. Each franchise must have a minimum squad size of 18 players, with the option to include up to two additional local players, allowing squads to expand to a maximum of 20 members. In a move aimed at promoting local talent, SLC has made it mandatory for each squad to include two Emerging Under-23 Sri Lankan players, with at least one required to feature in the playing XI. Teams must also field four overseas players in every match. The player registration process briefly sparked debate after an earlier version of the guidelines reportedly required Icon and Star category players to have at least 250,000 social media followers. Following criticism online, SLC removed the clause from the final regulations. The league has also placed strong emphasis on media and fan engagement. According to tournament guidelines, players who fail to meet media obligations could face penalties ranging from 5% to 50% of their match fees.

Despite keeping their playoff hopes alive with a victory over Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, Delhi Capitals remain deeply frustrated with the playing conditions at their home ground, the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Head coach Hemang Badani admitted after the match that the team has effectively begun treating its home venue like an away ground due to the unpredictability of the pitches. “We’ve stopped discussing the surface,” Badani said during the post-match press conference. “As far as we are concerned, we look at this venue as an away venue.” DC’s Home Record Raises Concerns Delhi Capitals have endured a difficult campaign at home during the Indian Premier League 2026, managing just two wins in seven matches at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. In contrast, they have won four of their six away fixtures. Badani pointed to the sharp contrast in performances to underline the team’s discomfort on home surfaces. “If you divide the season into home and away performances, we’ve done significantly better away from home,” he said. “Including last season, we’ve now played 12 games here and won only three, one of which came in a Super Over.” The inconsistency of the pitches has left the coaching staff unable to properly plan team combinations or strategies. “It hasn’t been conducive to our style of play,” Badani explained. “Many times, we haven’t been able to understand what the surface is going to do.” Different Pitch, Different Challenge According to Badani, the three different pitches used in Delhi this season have behaved unpredictably, making preparation extremely difficult for the side. “We’ve been bowled out for 60, we’ve been bowled out for 150, and we’ve also scored 260 here,” he said. “We don’t know how Pitch No. 4, 5 or 6 will behave because each surface has played differently every single time.” He added that teams generally assess grass cover, surface texture and colour to estimate scoring patterns and choose combinations accordingly, but DC have struggled to establish any reliable expectations in Delhi. “When you know the par score is around 180 or 200, you can build your side around that. But here, we simply don’t know what we’re going to get,” he said. Reverse Swing Changed Sunday’s Match Even in Sunday’s victory, Badani said the pitch behaved differently as the game progressed. Rajasthan Royals had reached 160 for 2 after 14 overs before collapsing late in the innings as the older ball began reversing and gripping the surface. “The same thing happened during our chase,” Badani noted. “The ball started reversing and holding slightly in the pitch, which made batting harder as it got older.” As a result, DC adjusted their approach by attacking early before taking the chase deep to avoid unnecessary risks. Debate Over Home Advantage Rekindled Badani was also asked whether IPL franchises should be given greater control over home pitches to ensure a genuine home advantage. The DC coach suggested that if such a policy were implemented, it should apply consistently across all teams. However, his primary concern remained the lack of predictability rather than the nature of the pitches themselves. “If there has to be a consistent decision for all teams, then yes,” he said. “But at the very least, teams should know what to expect. Here, we simply don’t know what the surface will do.” With the playoff race intensifying, Delhi Capitals will hope to overcome their home struggles and maintain momentum heading into the final phase of the tournament.