Vijay Hazare

Ramakrishna Ghosh made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians, a significant moment after his base price acquisition. Ghosh, a promising all-rounder from Maharashtra, impressed with a seven-wicket haul in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and demonstrated his batting prowess with a rapid half-century. His inclusion aims to bolster CSK's campaign with his disciplined bowling and lower-order hitting.

Punjab's Raghu Sharma made his IPL debut as an Impact Player for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings on May 2. The 33-year-old leg-spinner, a product of persistent domestic efforts, finally earned his maiden cap after a long journey. Sharma's inclusion highlighted MI's strategic moves amidst a challenging season, as they sought to bounce back from a previous heavy defeat.

Gujarat Titans handed a maiden IPL appearance to all-rounder Nishant Sindhu against Punjab Kings. Captain Shubman Gill confirmed the decision at the toss, emphasizing the team's momentum in chasing and the need to peak at the right time. Sindhu, a left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, previously impressed in junior cricket and the U-19 World Cup.

At a time when Indian cricket is scaling new heights on the global stage, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, shares insights into the system driving this sustained success. In a conversation with Fazal Khan, Shukla speaks about the depth of India’s talent pool, the role of structured domestic platforms, and the impact of leagues like the IPL.

Shivang Kumar made his name in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League as an opener. His exploits with the bat helped him become a marquee player for Bundelkhand Bulls, who picked him for Rs 13 lakh for the 2026 season. But within a year, he learnt the art of wrist-spin from his father, a former Bengal U-19 cricketer, and made instant impact. The IPL franchises noticed and multiple trials later, he was roped in by the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Chennai Super Kings face a setback as Ayush Mhatre is out of IPL 2026 due to a hamstring injury. This adds to their existing injury concerns. The team is now looking for replacements to maintain their momentum. Several players like Deepak Hooda, Swastik Chikara, Atharva Taide, Manan Vohra, and Yash Dhull are being considered to fill the void.

Shivang Kumar’s IPL journey is shaped by bold choices and setbacks. Converted into a left-arm wrist spinner by his father, he quit cricket briefly before returning inspired by MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. Strong domestic performances, including a five-wicket haul, earned him an SRH contract. Like Usman Tariq, Dhoni’s story played a key role in his comeback.

CD Gopinath, the last surviving member of India's historic 1952 Test win against England, passed away at 96. A natural batsman and shrewd captain, Gopinath also contributed significantly to Tamil Nadu cricket, leading them to their first Ranji Trophy title. Beyond cricket, he was an avid hunter and a skilled tennis player.

India's cricket board is rebuilding its Test team. A new plan focuses on young players for the future. A four-day competition will feature 64 players under 25. This aims to create a strong pipeline of red-ball cricketers. Coaches and selectors will prioritize Test development. Emerging and India A teams will tour Sri Lanka for four-day games.

From a quiet heads-up before the season to taking on the challenge head-on, Sameer Rizvi has shown early signs that he could seize his moment in his third IPL year.

Hardik Pandya is actively working to prove his fitness for bowling 10 overs in ODIs, aiming to be a key player for the 2027 World Cup. Despite initial concerns from the BCCI, he has demonstrated his readiness in domestic matches and is undergoing rigorous training to assure selectors of his bowling capabilities.

Mohsin Khan, 27, whose career has been marred by injuries, made his return to competitive cricket after a gap of 455 days. Since bursting onto the scene in IPL 2022, Mohsin has survived a career-threatening shoulder injury, a groin injury, and then a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). On Wednesday, he showed a glimpse of his best in his opening spell against Delhi Capitals, which read 3-1-6-1.

Uttar Pradesh's Sameer Rizvi showcased remarkable composure, steering Delhi Capitals to a crucial victory against Lucknow SuperGiants. Walking in at a precarious 21/2, Rizvi's mature knock, supported by a solid understanding of the Ekana pitch, rebuilt the innings and secured a memorable win. This performance underscores his growing importance for the Capitals.

Devdutt Padikkal is transforming into a T20 force, showcasing an aggressive shift in his batting after a blistering 61. He credits mental reset and technical fine-tuning with RCB's think tank for his evolution. Padikkal remains focused on his role in the explosive RCB lineup and the ultimate goal of representing India.

Kartik was dismissed for 18 runs off 15 balls.

Young batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, now 15, is eligible for senior international cricket. His phenomenal performances, including a century in his IPL debut and Player of the Tournament in the U19 World Cup, have captivated fans. He's already shattered List A records, showcasing immense talent and maturity.

Virat Kohli showcased imperious form upon his return to T20 cricket, scoring an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket win. He attributed his smooth transition to recent ODI success and dedicated fitness work, emphasizing the importance of breaks for staying fresh and motivated.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been on a record-breaking/setting spree over the last year or so and, as he prepares for his second IPL season, expectations are sky-high from the 15-year-old boy wonder. So ,what can we expect from Sooryavanshi in his second season? A lot - plus these five iconic IPL records, which were once thought unbeatable, could very well fall to the 15-year-old teenager.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, turning 15 today, is now eligible for senior international cricket after a sensational IPL debut. His record-breaking performances, including a 35-ball century and U19 World Cup heroics, have positioned him as a top prospect. Selectors are watching closely as he could soon represent India's senior men's team.

India's fast bowler Mayank Yadav has declared himself fully fit for IPL 2026 after recovering from a back injury that required surgery. He spent 8-9 months in rehabilitation at the NCA, focusing on physical and mental recovery. Yadav expressed gratitude to LSG and owner Sanjiv Goenka for their unwavering support during his challenging journey.

Mumbai Indians shattered their opening match losing streak, chasing down KKR's 220 with a six-wicket victory. Rickelton and Rohit Sharma's explosive 148-run stand powered the chase. Despite KKR's strong batting performance, including fifties from Rahane and Raghuvanshi, MI's bowlers, led by Shardul Thakur, managed to restrict them. This win marks a significant start for MI in IPL 2026.

Prithvi Shaw opens up on his year-long reset after missing IPL 2025, calling it a much-needed mental break. The Delhi Capitals opener reflects on inconsistent form, handling criticism, and lessons from setbacks, including his Mumbai exit. Back with a clearer mindset, Shaw emphasises quality practice, staying at present, and his unwavering ambition to return to the Indian team.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar advocates for Harpreet Brar's inclusion in every Punjab Kings match this season, citing his effectiveness against all batters and ability to provide crucial powerplay overs. Bangar also expressed confidence in the opening partnership of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, though he noted Arya's recent domestic form could be a factor.

Despite clear long-term ambitions from coaching and selection staff, uncertainty looms over the ODI futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While both superstars are performing well, the Indian cricket board needs to initiate direct dialogue regarding their inclusion in the 2027 World Cup plans. This lack of clarity, in the current scenario, hurts the dressing room more than it helps promote competitiveness.

A new generation of players is putting Bihar back on India’s cricket map, even as the state struggles to build a system that can nurture them at home.

Hardik Pandya's redemption arc culminated in India's T20 World Cup 2026 victory after overcoming intense fan backlash. He refocused on high-intent batting and technical aspects with his childhood coach, leading to stellar performances and a renewed determination to win.

Delhi will be hosting the knockout matches of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) director Sanjay Bhardwaj confirmed on Friday.

Cricket stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are reportedly set to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, playing a few matches each. Kohli's Delhi will be based in Bengaluru, while Sharma's Mumbai will compete in Jaipur. Both players have a history with the domestic tournament, with Kohli last featuring in 2010 and Sharma in 2018.

Saurashtra and Vidarbha, teams known for their consistent domestic performance and strong team culture, are set to clash in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final. Both sides have showcased exceptional talent and tactical acumen, with key players like Aman Mokhade and Harvik Desai leading their respective batting lineups.

KL Rahul's timely return to Karnataka for the Ranji Trophy has significantly boosted the team's confidence and performance. His leadership, extensive experience, and willingness to mentor younger players have been crucial. Rahul's consistent batting, including centuries in past finals, provides a strong foundation as Karnataka head into the championship match.