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IPL 2026: Rahane Stays Calm Amid KKR Scrutiny, Reflects on Growth and Eden Gardens Magic

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Ajinkya Rahane_KKR (PC: BCCI/IPL) Ajinkya Rahane has been in the news over the past few days. With Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) not performing well, it is only natural that the captain would come under scrutiny. Questions have been asked, and rightly so. Yet Rahane appeared calm and relaxed when he attended the Bengal Pro T20 launch in Kolkata, speaking at length about KKR, the fans, and Eden Gardens. When I asked him how he tries to evolve with the demands of the format, he shared an interesting story. “For a period, I was given the role of anchor by the teams I was part of, and I focused on performing that role to perfection,” he said. “Then, a few years ago, I realised that the game was changing and that I had to add two or more new shots to my armoury. I can tell you I practised for over a year on these shots and mastered them. I got hit multiple times in the ribcage, but that’s what the sport is all about. You need to put in the hard yards and keep growing. The day you stop doi...
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IPL 2026: Ashwin overlooks Kohli, Rohit to name top Orange Cap contender

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Jaiswal celebrating his second fifty of the season. (PC: BCCI) Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has projected Yashasvi Jaiswal as the frontrunner to win the Orange Cap in the ongoing IPL 2026. Jaiswal is the current Orange Cap holder. So far in the tournament, the southpaw has scored 170 runs at an average of 170 and a strike rate of 163.46. His tally includes two fifties. Ashwin’s remarks came after Jaiswal blasted an unbeaten 77 off 32 balls to power RR to a 27-run win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in a rain-affected 11-over clash at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday. “Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong contender to win the Orange Cap with a good strike rate this time,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. Ashwin also put Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Shubman Gill in the race for the Orange Cap, saying the right-handed top-order batter falls into the same bracket. However, he placed Jaiswal ahead, as Gill missed the game against Rajasthan R...
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Hunger Still Burns: Shami’s Passion for the Game Remains Unshaken by India Snubs

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  Mohammed Shami alongside Rinku Singh, Ajinkya Rahane at an event in the city. Image: Revsportz Mohammed Shami looked fit and hungry as I called on him to come and join the chat show with Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh and Jhulan Goswami. In the city to play for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – another game that runs the risk of a washout with the weather in the city – Shami will have favourable conditions at Eden Gardens as he runs in to bowl. Fresh from his efforts against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the out-of-favour India star seems to have made peace with himself. When I asked him what keeps him going, and how it is that he has played every single match in domestic cricket and is now turning up in the IPL with such passion, his answer was deep and philosophical. “I haven’t forgotten my roots,” he said to a round of applause. “I come from a village, made my mark, and the only thing I knew was to work hard. I continue to do so, and I have to...
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MI collapse as RR continue perfect start in IPL 2026

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Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavansh against MI (PC- BCCI/IPL) Rajasthan Royals (RR) posted a commanding total of 150/3 in just 11 overs, setting a difficult target for Mumbai Indians (MI) in a rain-shortened encounter in Guwahati on April 8, 2026. In response, MI struggled to keep up with the required rate and finished at 123/9 in their 11 overs, falling 27 runs short of the target. Rain played a big role in this clash. The toss was delayed and finally took place at 9:55 pm IST. The start time was revised to 10:10 pm IST, and after a thorough inspection of the ground, the match was reduced to 11 overs per side, with the first 3.2 overs declared as the powerplay. In gloomy conditions, MI skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and did not hesitate to bowl first. RR openers dominate as Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi unleash carnage RR openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi put on a show for the fans in Guwahati. Jaiswal got going in style with a boundary past mid-wicket off th...
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DC vs GT: DC Bowling Coach likens Starc to Bumrah and gives update on his availability

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Starc is yet to join the DC squad. (PC: BCCI) Delhi Capitals (DC) bowling coach Munaf Patel compared Mitchell Starc with Jasprit Bumrah while underlining how valuable the former is to the team. Starc has not yet joined the squad and has missed both of DC’s matches in the ongoing IPL 2026. Having won two matches out of two, DC have got off to a great start in the tournament. Certainly, they have not missed one of their best bowlers in Starc, and Munaf reiterated the same point. “Right now we have won two matches, so we are not feeling Starc’s absence. But in the coming matches, if they don’t perform, then it depends,” Munaf said at the presser before the DC vs GT match. Munaf hailed Starc as one of the best bowlers in the world and noted the skill set he brings to the table. “He is one of the best bowlers in the world. Right now, everyone is saying we aren’t missing him because we are winning. But he is our top bowler, and I think there isn’t anyone better than Starc in the IPL....
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IPL 2026: Are KKR fans losing hope?

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Eden Gardens Kolkata. Image: Debasis Sen Debasis Sen at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Rohit, a resident of Ballygunge was miffed at the decision of Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Ajinkya Rahane for opting to bat against Punjab Kings, with forecast of showers during the later stages of the match. The teenager was with his friends to watch the game at the Eden Gardens on Monday night. But as soon as the rain started to come down heavily, they decided to leave the stadium with frustration on their faces. It was the general mood of the fans last night who turned up to cheer for the home team. “It is baffling to see him (Ajinkya Rahane) deciding to bat first after winning the toss. Any captain would prefer chasing with a forecast of showers,” said Rohit as he came out of the Club House. Rahane’s call to bat first after winning the toss became the talking point, and rightly so. With rain threat looming, many questioned whether KKR would have been capable of posting a strong total had the game ...
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IPL 2026 – The Leadership Identity Divide That Is Defining the Table

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IPL 2026_Teams’ captains (PC: IPL) At this stage of IPL 2026, the table is still fluid but the patterns are not. Some teams know exactly who they are and who is driving them. Others are still searching for both. If there is one lens that explains the early architecture of this season, it is that leadership versus identity are no longer independent variables. You don’t win consistently by having one without the other. Let’s start with the teams that have cracked both. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings are operating in the top-right quadrant high leadership, high identity. RCB, after years of being a collection of stars, now look like a system. The Tim David innings wasn’t just power-hitting; it was a manifestation of role clarity. The acceleration in the middle order is reflective of their game plan. At the helm are Rajat Patidar, Mo Bobat, Dinesh Kartik and Andy Flower.  Punjab Kings, too, are beginning to show signs of a team that understands its own script rather t...
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