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What’s Cooking in IPL 2026 and who will finish the dish?

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Ashok Namboodiri There is something cooking halfway through the IPL 2026. Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders have won all their last three matches, beating stalwarts like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad In fact, they are the only two teams to have won all their last three outings. If you analyse the first 23 matches of the 47 matches played so far, nearly 50% of the innings notched up scores of 200 or more. However, things seem to have calmed down quite a bit in the last 24 matches with that percentage dropping sharply to one third. If you compare this with the first 47 matches of the 2025 edition of the IPL, the results are even more startling. In the first 23 matches of 2025, the number of 200 or more scores is only one third. In the next 24 matches, that number drops to just one in five matches. Quite clearly, there is a “settling down” that happens as the league progresses. One hypothesis is that the 2026 edition saw an explosive start wi...
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Will he or will he not? The mystery and aura surrounding Dhoni’s IPL comeback

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  Dhoni. Images :X Will he or will he not? Likely or unlikely? The MSD mystery has been an integral part of the IPL so far. It is also a proof of his star power and every time there is an update on him, the story goes viral. As far as Chennai Super Kings are concerned, they are very clear. It is purely a Dhoni call. They have left it to him and while he is practicing is what we know, whether or not he will turn up and play is a mystery as complex as the Bengal election results. It is also very Dhoni. Much like Donald Trump has a stranglehold on global oil prices, Dhoni continues to control IPL fandom to an extent. Every time Trump says the war is close to over, the oil prices fall. Traders and analysts see hope and things start to look up. And then he says there is a very real chance of hostilities resuming and all hope gets blown up. The very same happens with Dhoni. Each time the host broadcaster or the franchise puts out a video of him training, fans get excited. So much so t...
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GT vs PBKS: “We had to be little calculative on the wicket” – Washington Sundar after match-winning knock

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GT vs PBKS (PC: BCCI) Washington Sundar produced a calm and composed performance under pressure as Gujarat Titans (GT) secured a thrilling last-over win against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2026 on May 3. Walking in at a tricky 94/3 after the dismissal of Nishant Sindhu in the 11.3 overs, Sundar found himself at the crease with GT needing 70 runs to win. The situation demanded composure, and the all-rounder responded with maturity and smart game awareness. Unlike his usual number four position, Sundar came in to bat at number five. Sundar first stitched together a crucial 30-run stand with Sai Sudharsan. From there, Sundar ensured he stayed till the end. He paced the innings perfectly as his calm presence proved vital in the closing stages as pressure mounted. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 40 off just 23 balls, striking at 173.91. Showing excellent finishing ability, he sealed the match in style with a six, guiding GT to their third consecutive win. Speaking after the match, ...
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GT vs PBKS, IPL 2026: Back-to-back defeats for Punjab as Holder, Sudharsan, and Washington shine in Ahmedabad

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GT vs PBKS (PC: BCCI) Back-to-back defeats for table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) as Gujarat Titans (GT) handed them their second loss of IPL 2026 on Sunday in Ahmedabad. After restricting the visitors to 163, courtesy of exceptional bowling from Jason Holder, GT chased down the target with one ball to spare and four wickets in hand, strengthening their playoff chances with a win in front of the home crowd. Suryansh Shedge saves PBKS from batting collapse It was a rare off-day for the PBKS top order as they lost three wickets in the powerplay. Things became even trickier when they were reduced to 47/5 in 8.4 overs. However, Suryansh Shedge showed why the franchise has backed him, smashing a counter-attacking 57 off 29 balls at a strike rate of 196.55. His 79-run partnership with Marcus Stoinis (40) helped PBKS recover and post a respectable total. A quick 20-run cameo from Marco Jansen also pushed them to 163/9. Jason Holder rattles PBKS with the ball With every match, Jason Holder...
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India’s quest for T20 World Cup glory – Three X-factors to watch out for

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    Images :X The fifteen-member squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup, which is set to take place across England and Wales in the months of June and July, was announced on the 3 rd of May. The ODI World Cup winners have set the benchmark very high; a tournament where they made an entire country believe. Walking in as champions of another format surely does give them the confidence, but also the pressure of added expectations from an entire country full of cricket lovers. The squad selection has sparked a few discussions and needless to say certain decisions are being praised while some others are being debated over. Regardless, Indian women walk in with their heads held high and with immense faith in a team that has more than enough firepower. Three key players to watch out for: Arundhati Reddy- As a pace-bowling all-rounder, she has immense importance in this format, especially on English soil. The pitches in England could offer some nip. The pacer also generates a fair...
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India need match-winners to step up to complete white-ball World Cup double in England

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  Image :X The Indian team for the forthcoming T20 World Cup has now been announced. The recent results in South Africa notwithstanding, the team does stand a realistic chance of doing well in the UK. What should also help is that India will be in the UK from the end of May and will be playing three games against England as part of the build-up. Add to it a couple of warm-up matches and the preparation should be perfect. When we note that India toured the UK at the same time last year and won both the T20 and ODI series, it does give us hope and adds to the optimism going into the tournament. A look at India’s group makes it evident that two out of the three teams – India, Australia and South Africa – should advance to the semi-finals. The schedule too works well for India. India play Pakistan in Birmingham on 14 June and have the Netherlands in Leeds on 17 June before facing South Africa in Manchester on 21 June. By then, they will be well into the competition and have had a ta...
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CSK vs MI: “Feels good to bat till the end” – Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad after match-winning knock

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Ruturaj Gaikwad (PC: CSK/Instagram) Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad led from the front with a match-winning 67-run knock to guide his side to a dominant eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in their second meeting of IPL 2026 in Chennai on 2 May. While chasing 160, Chennai lost their in-form opener, Sanju Samson (11), early. Gaikwad then took responsibility and scored a composed 67 off 48 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes, at a strike rate of 139.58. He stitched a crucial unbeaten 98-run stand with young batter Kartik Sharma (54*) to finish the game in 18.1 overs. During the post-match presentation, Player of the Match Gaikwad reflected on his team’s performance and mindset for the game. “We started well, then they got momentum,” he said. “We pulled it back after the powerplay and were chasing 20–30 runs fewer. It was about getting a good start and then one of the batters had to go deep.” He also spoke about the team combination and the role of y...
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