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In what was a one-sided IPL match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru outclassed Delhi Capitals with an overall brilliant show winning the game by nine wickets. RCB’s pace brigade tore through the Delhi batting order and then their batters knocked off the paltry target in just 6.3 overs, bringing an end to the match after less than three hours of play. The commanding win also put Bengaluru’s Net Run Rate in a stronger position and kept them well in the hunt for the top of the points table. Delhi Capitals had one of the greatest batting meltdowns in IPL after they were asked to bat first. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood exploited the swing and bounce on an awkward pitch leaving India languishing in the opening overs. Bowling at its best: IPL debutant Sahil Parakh lasted just two balls before he was jettisoned, falling to a beautiful inswinger from Bhuvneshwar. Things rapidly worsened as KL Rahul mis-timed a pull shot off Hazlewood, also only to roll the first ball from debutant Sameer Rizvi (a golden duck) thereafter. The patter of wickets continued as Tristan Stubbs was caught behind and then Axar Patel also fell prey to the unyielding pressure exerted by RCB’s fast bowlers. The next victim of Hazlewood’s tried-and-true method was Nitish Rana, who sent Delhi to the no-mans-land score of 8 for 6. Even the RCB fielders seemed shocked at the collapse happening right in front of them. In the midst of this turmoil, Abhishek Porel fought back and looked to put things back on track with David Miller. They saved Delhi from what could have been a new lowest total in IPL history. Miller scored 1, while Porel was the only batter to cross the 20-run mark with a score of 30 from 33 balls. In response, Delhi folded for a paltry 75 all out, Hazlewood taking sensational figures of 4/12 and Bhuvneshwar 3/5. Defending a small target, Bengaluru started with aggression straight away. Jacob Bethell(null) hit some big shots and then fell for 20 but Devdutt Padikkal(null) was on the rampage unbeaten 34. Then he went on to end the match in style with two back-to-back sixes. With the innings, Kohli also became the first batter in IPL history to make 9000 runs – another feat for his illustrious career. They completed the chase by scoring 77 for 1 with remaining balls of 81 off RCB’s wins, winning a stake in tournament games.

In an era when momentum leaves its mark on the early phase of IPL 2026, a battle between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) is set as an intriguing story of dualities. While PBKS are the only unbeaten team this season so far, MI have struggled towards the bottom of the table, fighting to find rhythm both with bat and ball. Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, PBKS has been impressive with bat in hand and have one of the best (run) rates in the tournament. Their aggressive response to pace bowling has made them a different side. PBKS have shown no signs of slowing down even after the fall of wickets with a balls-per-six ratio that is amongst the best this season. That aggressive mindset can be extremely effective on this track at Wankhede Stadium where the grandstand sees preferred pace-friendly conditions for stroke play. In contrast, MI’s campaign has been erratic. They opened with a win before suffering three straight losses, which highlighted cracks in their lineup. The likes of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have also failed to fire entirely together in the batting unit. MI may need to rework their opening combination as well, as Rohit is doubtful with a hamstring issue. Bringing in an experienced opener like Quinton de Kock would bring stability but will require restructuring their overseas combination. MI’s bowling unit is also going through some hiccups. Their trump card, Jasprit Bumrah, has not yet made a big impact this season. PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh has had trouble with economy but he is still a threat, particularly during death overs. Another worry for MI is the form of Tilak Varma, who has found it tough against spin so far, averaging less than 10. His ability to anchor and accelerate the innings will help MI if they are to compete with PBKS’s high-scoring batting order. The Wankhede has been a batting haven in particular this season, with all the games producing 220-plus totals. Racing heat wave conditions and potential evening dew, chasing will once again likely be the favourite option. As MI try and break PBKS’s unbeaten run, the big question remains: can they match the firepower as well as consistency of a side that has not looked weak at all thus far? This one is not just points for MI, it is also about confidence and making themselves relevant in the tournament. Read also : Yashasvi Jaiswal IPL Price 2026 | Dhoni IPL 2026 Price | Rinku Singh IPL 2026 Price

Mumbai Indians badly need points here after succumbing to a humiliating loss against Rajasthan Royals, as they are set to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 at Wankhede Stadium. After conceding big defeats at Guwahati, both the teams will be looking to turnaround their season early and gather confidence. Mumbai Indians have had a stop start recording one win from the three games so far. Their troubles have been particularly evident in the bowling department, where they have taken just ten wickets to date. The attack has appeared to depend too heavily on Jasprit Bumrah, while the other bowlers have struggled for consistent support. Bats of experienced names like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav add firepower to the batting lineup, but this squad has lacked the fresh aggressive edge we’ve come to expect from IPL franchises. The opposition would be bottom-placed RCB who are coming off a defeat but seem to have more continuity at the moment as compared to SRH. They had already secured victories in their two preceding matches, and even in a losing cause crossed the 200 mark against Rajasthan. Virat Kohli being at the top and Josh Hazlewood coming back is a huge positive. But their bowlers need to pull up their socks after the last performance where they got thrashed. One of the mini battles to look forward to will be that between MI pacer Trent Boult and RCB’s aggressive finisher Tim David. Boult has been jerky in his rhythms so far this season, at least on both pace and accuracy. On the other hand, in the last two seasons David has been brilliant during death overs and with a staggering strike rate he can also change the game on his own. His previous experience with Mumbai makes this contest even more interesting. Mumbai Indians have a 21-14 lead overall against RCB, but their last few face-offs have been tight. Another subplot to keep an eye on is the battle between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who will be facing each other for the 35th time in IPL history and their head-to-head numbers are still remarkably close. Wankhede pitch also tends to help chasing sides and dew could come into play in the second innings. The toss could be crucial in a high-scoring encounter. This match is bound to be gritty and entertaining with both sides looking for ways to bounce back in the tournament. Read also : Dhruv Jurel’s All-round Performance Fuels Rajasthan Royals’ Last 4 Push in IPL 2026 | CSK vs DC IPL 2026 | LSG vs KKR 2026

There is a Dhruv Jurel doing the rounds in Indian Premier League 2026 and he’s turning out to be quite a key player for Rajasthan Royals in their dominant run this season. Jurel, after being promoted to the No. 3 slot in international cricket, has displayed maturity and composure along with versatility — traits that have earned him rave reviews from former cricketers as well as analysts. Jurel played a match-winning knock of 81 not out off just 43 balls in RR’s recent victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, anchoring a challenging chase of 202. Jurel, who had walked in early after the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, steadied the ship and formed a crucial partnership with the in-form Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. As Sooryavanshi unleashed some aggressive strokeplay, it was Jurel’s presence of mind that kept the innings intact. Former India batter Ambati Rayudu sang his praises, describing Jurel as a “complete batsman” and imploring the cricketing public to pay more attention. “He has displayed class in terms of ability and temperament. He has grown a lot, now he seems like a very mature player,” said Rayudu, adding that Jurel had the talent to play all three formats for India. Former Australia captain Aaron Finch echoed similar views to praise Jurel’s all-round ability. “I think the technique, temperament and also ability to read situations against both pace and spin means he’s a complete player,” Finch said. He also spoke of how Jurel’s measured approach allowed his partner to bat freely, keeping the scoreboard clicking throughout the innings. And yet, Jurel is still keeping it real. After the match, he downplayed batting position and underlined his team-first approach. “It’s just a number for me batting-wise. Even if I have to bat at eight or nine, I’m going to take it and be happy. “I’m always focused on finishing games,” he said. Clearly, the shift to No. 3 has worked for him. As a result, with 176 runs in four matches at the position, Jurel has turned into a steadying presence in RR’s batting order. His versatility — to hold early and accelerate late — adds more dimension to a lineup already filled with explosive talent in Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal. Jurel also noted the challenge of batting with a top-order batter. “When Vaibhav is hitting the ball out of them, it looks so easy, but it’s not. There’s pressure as well — you want to equal their contributions,” he confessed. His powerplay, during which he belted out an aggressive 24 runs in an over (at the time not his), underlined this intent to seize on momentum. Rajasthan Royals are on a roll with four back-to-back victories. Jurel’s consistency at the top order may well be crucial as they gear up for upcoming away fixtures. Slowly but surely he is emerging from the shadows and positioning himself as one of the most reliable young batters in the tournament. Read also : Key Battles as Chennai Look for Comeback with Samson & Gaikwad | Rishabh Pant Wins Toss, Kolkata Brings in Sunil Narine | Injury-Hit KKR Look to Get Back on Winning Track vs LSG As Rain Looms

Chennai Super Kings will be looking to press reset on their IPL 2026 campaign after a slow start with both Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad the focus. The opening pair has been unable to deliver respectable starts, with partnerships of 14, 14 and 9 in their first three appearances putting pressure on the middle order and revealing the team’s lack of depth early in contests. CSK’s strategy, it goes without saying, relies on a robust opening pair. Should Samson and Gaikwad find a rhythm, it could unleash the full batting arsenal, with power-hitters such as Shivam Dube and the return of Dewald Brevis from injury likely. Their success at the top would also relieve pressure on young players lower down the order, and provide some cushion for a bowling unit that has yet to find peak consistency. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals arrived into the match on the back of a narrow loss against Gujarat Titans that brought decision-making under pressure into focus. David Miller’s refusal to take a single in the dying moments proved costly, emphasising how fine the margins in T20 cricket are. CSK are also likely to be bolstered with Brevis reaching full fitness, while MS Dhoni continues to be ruled out after suffering a calf injury. The flip side is that Delhi Capitals also had their own selection headaches to contend with, where inconsistency at No. 3 has marred their progress in the tournament so far as well. Cameo And Among Sequences Of Performers Up Until Now, Sarfaraz Khan Has Been A Big Spark For CSK As He Claimed Depth In Everyone Into The Proposition Carried Your Retaining Surprise, Despite Hauritz Reaching More To End Batsmen On934. The spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will be crucial for DC in controlling the game, especially in Chennai’s difficult conditions. KL Rahul has a phenomenal record against CSK but comes in with good form in the clash. With hot and humid conditions in Chennai expected, the game could well become a batting-heavy contest with top-order batters’ roles becoming even more decisive. Read also : Rishabh Pant Wins Toss, Kolkata Brings in Sunil Narine | Jos Buttler Backs Experience to Regain Form for Gujarat Titans | SRH retain Livingstone and Harshal, LSG opt to chase in Hyderabad

In a vital IPL 2026 encounter at Eden Gardens, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant called it right at toss and opted to bowl first against hosts Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who have perfect conditions near them in the form of overcast conditions. Weather continued to be a talking point: the last match at the venue was abandoned because of rain, and light showers earlier in the day again raised concerns. But conditions had improved just in time for the toss, although a slightly damp outfield was mentioned. After defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad, LSG kept their winning combination intact and entered the match without any changes. KKR have made one significant change, bringing back Sunil Narine, who sat out the last match due to sickness. His availability bolsters KKR’s bowling and all-round strength. Though KKR missed their main bowler Varun Chakravarthy still recovering from a hand injury, captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed. KKR had plenty of firepower at the top, with fearless hitters like Finn Allen, Cameron Green and Rovman Powell in their ranks, looking to post a sizable total. Rahane also mentioned that if cleared to bowl, Green’s contribution in the department could add more balance to the team. It allowed youngsters such as Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh to lend some depth in the batting order. On the flip side, LSG’s bowling line-up seemed sufficiently intimidating, featuring seasoned pacers like Mohammed Shami and Avesh Khan spearheading the attack. That they chose to bowl first suggests faith in chasing under potentially difficult conditions. Both teams also had strong Impact Player options waiting on the bench. KKR might hold off on including Vaibhav Arora instead fielding another bowler, and LSG had backups in Ayush Badoni and Matthew Breetzke to come in at that point and consolidate the innings as their chase deepened. With conditions of a bowler’s paradise first-up and big hitters in both camps, the match was billed as an exciting battle of KKR explosiveness against LSG controlled bowling. Read also : Injury-Hit KKR Look to Get Back on Winning Track vs LSG As Rain Looms | Jos Buttler Backs Experience to Regain Form for Gujarat Titans | KKR Elects to Bat First Against Varun & Narine, Hands Big Changes

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be desperate to get their IPL 2026 campaign started when they face off against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Eden Gardens on Thursday. KKR, still in search of their first win after three games, comes up against a strong LSG side, compounded with the threat of rain playing its hand as there is an orange weather alert over Kolkata. The face-off forms an interesting battle between LSG’s economical bowling attack and KKR’s explosive but shaky batting order. This season, LSG have been the best bowling side in the powerplay phase with seven wickets taken in the first six overs over two matches coupled with a brilliant economy of 4.58. They’re dangerous early, which is critical in keeping an opponent on its toes. KKR’s batting, on the other hand, has been explosive but temperamental. They are intent, as evidenced by their powerplay run rate of 11.29 — the second best this season — but having lost six wickets in that phase shows their vulnerability. This assertive approach, although consistent at times in the shorter formats, has usually left their middle order vulnerable. KKR is already struggling with a depleted bowling lineup. Varun Chakravarthy, carrying an injured finger, is still not guaranteed a spot after injuries have taken a toll on other top players. While Sunil Narine is expected back after missing the last game with illness, the team’s bowling resources continue to be stretched. In their previous match, against Punjab Kings and which was washed out, KKR were already struggling with the bat at 25 for 2 before rain came. LSG, on the contrary have had a brilliant season thus far after their opening loss to Delhi Capitals. They bounced back with a comprehensive win against Sunrisers Hyderabad as their bowlers led the charge. The young pacer Prince Yadav has been a revelation, taking the most wickets of any bowler even before the end of his second match. Vertical bowling & yorker execution make him a great addition to LSG’s pace attack. Mohammed Shami has also been outstanding, especially in the powerplay. Shami has provided early breakthroughs consistently, with an economy rate of a mere 4.62 and all four of his wickets coming in the powerplays. Back on home turf in Kolkata, he will wish to provide another rocking display. It will all depend on the batting unit led by team captain Ajinkya Rahane for KKR. Rahane interestingly has a superb record against the pacer in IPL, having hit 94 runs without being dismissed by Shami. Players like Rinku Singh and Cameron Green will also need to do the heavy lifting from KKR’s perspective if they are to set or chase down a worthwhile target. LSG, on the other hand, have settled with their combination and may not ponder any changes. Now at No 3, where he was recently promoted to provide stability to the lineup, is captain Rishabh Pant, who played a match-winning half-century in the last game of these two teams. The surface at Eden Gardens is likely to be a batting-friendly one, as we’ve seen in the last few games. But that could turn on the weather conditions. There’s rain in the forecast around sunset, and the two teams already have had practice sessions disrupted by adverse conditions. With KKR hurtling through an intervention of injuries and inconsistency, and LSG buoyed with bowling strength and confidence, Thursday’s clash will make for a mouthwatering contest, if only the weather permits a full game. Read also : Jos Buttler Backs Experience to Regain Form for Gujarat Titans | KKR Elects to Bat First Against Varun & Narine, Hands Big Changes | SRH retain Livingstone and Harshal, LSG opt to chase in Hyderabad

Jos Buttler, the star England batter is optimistic that he will get his hands back on form with Gujarat Titans during the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season after a slow start to the year. Buttler has endured a rough trot in 2026 by his own lofty standards. He averages only 15.27 in 11 T20 Internationals for the England cricket team albeit with a strike rate lower than 125. His IPL campaign too started on a low with scores of 38 off 33 balls against Punjab Kings and 26 off 14 balls against Rajasthan Royals. But the seasoned wicketkeeper-batter is not perturbed and backs his preparation and mindset to set things right. Buttler said that he took a little time off after the T20 World Cup and feels mentally refreshed to go back on the field at this early stage of his career while speaking in the podcast For the Love of Cricket which he co-hosted with former England pacer Stuart Broad. “I feel good actually. It was good to get away, put the bat down for a little while and come back concentrating on my setup,” Buttler said. “I’m just backing my game and experience, staying cool at the crease, and letting things happen naturally.” Buttler stressed the need to live in the moment and not over-analyze previous outings. He acknowledged that players can at times develop mental barriers against certain bowlers or venues, but he is trying to consciously fight such thoughts. “Every day you start at zero. I’m just looking forward and not thinking about the past,” he said. Encouragingly for Gujarat, Buttler’s teammate B Sai Sudharsan feels he is teetering on the edge of a big innings and is “closer than anyone else” to firing in top form. Possibly also, Buttler has been helped by the guidance he is receiving from GT’s batting coach Matthew Hayden as he brings vast experience and a simple line of thought to his team. With Gujarat Titans still eyeing their first win of the season, Buttler’s return could be key. Next up for the team is Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium, where Buttler will be expected to play an important role at No. 3, with captain Shubman Gill in addition to Sai Sudharsan. Read also : KKR Elects to Bat First Against Varun & Narine, Hands Big Changes | SRH retain Livingstone and Harshal, LSG opt to chase in Hyderabad | Ravi Bishnoi’s 4/41 Helps Rajasthan Royals Defeat Gujarat Titans

During the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had to put on a rather different playing XI when they battled Punjab Kings (PBKS) at home. Finally, not having two of their primary mystery spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy is an unusual event for the franchise that they last faced about in 2019. Captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed at the toss that Chakravarthy was ruled out owing to a hand injury sustained during an attempt at catching in the previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad while Narine missed also due to illness. This double whammy meant that KKR was left with a rather depleted spin arsenal, as Anukul Roy became the only specialist spinner in the starting XI alongside the fact there are no extra spin options even within Impact Player subs. Despite rain interruptions in the days leading up to the match that forced both teams to cancel their training sessions, Rahane elected to bat first, explaining that it has been a slightly dry pitch which may aid run accumulation. Statistics from the season, though, appear to indicate a challenging road ahead — teams batting first have won only three of 11 matches so far. They gave a debut in the franchise to Navdeep Saini – his first match since 2023 IPL, sending Rovman Powell out to open for the first time this season Among the additions mentioned include key players like Rinku Singh and Cameron Green, both of whom will play a vital role in anchoring the innings. PBKS, who were captained by Shreyas Iyer, made no alterations to their side. Having elected to bowl first, Iyer will depend on a well-balanced squad that holds experienced names including in the form of Marcus Stoinis and Yuzvendra Chahal. Priyansh Arya (Will be utilized as an Impact player during the chase). With KKR missing their spine of options in the spin department and PBKS entering on a consistent run, the match promises to be an absorbing contest as synergy between team balance and adaptability could prove crucial. Read also : SRH retain Livingstone and Harshal, LSG opt to chase in Hyderabad | Ravi Bishnoi’s 4/41 Helps Rajasthan Royals Defeat Gujarat Titans | Dhruv Jurel Rocks as Rajasthan Royals Defeat Gujarat Titans