Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive 15-ball fifty powers RR to eight-wicket win over CSK | Cricket News – The Times of India
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive 15-ball fifty powers RR to eight-wicket win over CSK | Cricket News – The Times of India


Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive 15-ball fifty powers RR to eight-wicket win over CSK | Cricket News – The Times of India
Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi celebrates his fifty (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Rajasthan Royals announced their arrival in IPL 2026 with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings, powered by a breathtaking innings from teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Royals’ bowlers set the tone early, restricting CSK to a modest 127 on a pitch that had seen limited play due to rain. CSK’s batting struggled from the outset, with the home side failing to build any momentum. Royals captain Riyan Parag’s bowlers exploited the conditions perfectly, picking wickets at regular intervals to keep CSK under pressure. Ravindra Jadeja, returning to the Royals, struck twice in his opening over, signalling a successful comeback. Sooryavanshi, 15, displayed his rare talent in full flight, racing to a 15-ball fifty, including a spectacular six over point off New Zealand pacer Matt Henry and a couple of towering sixes off spinner Noor Ahmad. Dropped by Kartik Sharma in one punishing over, he made CSK pay immediately, turning the contest decisively in Rajasthan’s favour. His innings helped the Royals reach 74 in the powerplay, effectively sealing the game. Opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal (38* off 36) played a measured role, letting Sooryavanshi dominate, while Parag (14* off 11) joined later to finish the chase in 12.1 overs with ease. CSK’s marquee players struggled. Sanju Samson, fresh from India’s T20 World Cup triumph, was trapped by Nandre Burger trying to go over mid-wicket, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad fell attempting a lofted stroke off Jofra Archer. Jamie Overton provided some resistance with 43 off 36 but could not stem the collapse. The Royals’ pace attack, led by Nandre Burger and Archer, complemented Jadeja’s spin perfectly. Brijesh Sharma claimed the wicket of debutant Kartik Sharma, while Archer, Burger, and Jadeja finished with two wickets apiece. Both teams, who had swapped stars Jadeja and Samson ahead of the season, began their campaigns in contrasting fashion—Royals with a statement win, CSK with much to rethink after a difficult start.


When I was picked by RR, my goal was to play my game in the powerplay: Sooryavanshi
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When I was picked by RR, my goal was to play my game in the powerplay: Sooryavanshi


When I was picked by RR, my goal was to play my game in the powerplay: Sooryavanshi

Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays a shot during a practice session ahead of an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 T20 cricket match between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, at ACA Stadium, Barsapara, in Guwahati, Assam, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI

After a historic debut, the prodigious Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returns for his second IPL season with the Rajasthan Royals, aiming to dismantle bowlers and dominate the powerplay.

Turning out for RR last season, the 15-year-old played seven matches, scoring 252 runs, including a blistering 35-ball century and a strike rate exceeding 200, numbers that established him as the next big thing in Indian cricket.

He said that after dominating the powerplay, he aims to value his wicket and push the total towards 200, making it tough for opponents to chase.

“When I was picked, my only goal was to give the team a good start. I wanted to play my game in the Powerplay, and if I got a good start, I wanted to continue and play long without giving my wicket away,” Sooryavanshi told JioStar.

“I knew that if I played my shots, the scenario of the game would change, because chasing 200-plus runs would not be easy for any team. This season, the goal is to win the trophy for the team. My performances and the team’s performances will automatically get highlighted if we win the trophy, and that is the most important thing,” said the youngest IPL debutant, who also smashed 175 in the 2026 U-19 World Cup final earlier this year.

Sooryavanshi revealed that the two cricketers he admired most growing up were West Indies legend Brian Lara and India’s World Cup-winning great Yuvraj Singh— one renowned for crafting match-winning Test innings and the other for decimating opposition bowlers with fearless strokeplay.

“I saw both, Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh, finish matches single-handedly. If they were in, there was no chance for the opponent to come back into the game, and that was something I really liked about them. I made a lot of runs in domestic cricket for Bihar, in league games and probables,” he said.

Sooryavanshi’s childhood coach, Manish Ojha, said what stood out for him when he joined the academy was his fearless attacking intent and impeccable timing.

“In 2018, he came to the academy…it was clear he had potential and a real passion for cricket. He always liked to attack while batting and had beautiful timing. In every session, he would play 400-500 balls and wouldn’t stop unless I gave him a break.


Also Read | Vaibhav Suryavanshi aiming to win IPL trophy with Rajasthan Royals

“In 2022, during the open net sessions, he was given a 40-over slot to bat, 20 overs from new-ball bowlers and then spinners. I noticed he preferred to play only big, lofted shots,” said Ojha.

“I told him…if you go for a big shot on every ball and ignore singles or doubles, you increase your chances of getting out. But he would say, ‘Sir, if I can hit a six on that ball, why take a single?'”

Published – March 30, 2026 04:19 pm IST


RR vs CSK, IPL 2026: 5 players to watch in today’s match | Cricket News – The Times of India
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RR vs CSK, IPL 2026: 5 players to watch in today’s match | Cricket News – The Times of India


RR vs CSK, IPL 2026: 5 players to watch in today’s match | Cricket News – The Times of India
L-R: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma

An emotional subplot will headline Monday’s IPL clash as Sanju Samson faces Rajasthan Royals for the first time after leading them for over a decade. Now with Chennai Super Kings, Samson — RR’s former captain and all-time leading run-scorer — returns in top form following a stellar T20 World Cup campaign, where he struck three successive half-centuries.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!His move, part of a high-profile swap that saw Ravindra Jadeja rejoin Rajasthan, adds further intrigue. With MS Dhoni sidelined due to injury, Samson will share leadership duties with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top.CSK appear in transition, bolstered by emerging talents and a varied bowling attack. Meanwhile, Rajasthan begin a new era under Riyan Parag, with Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the batting alongside Shimron Hetmyer.While RR boast explosive batting options, concerns linger over their bowling consistency. Both sides, coming off underwhelming 2025 campaigns, will view this clash as a chance to reset and rebuild momentum.

Top 5 players to watch in RR vs CSK clash

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (15 years old)The Rajasthan Royals opener enters his second IPL season carrying significant expectations after a sensational debut year. At just 14, he scripted history by becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket, hammering 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. His century came off just 35 deliveries, making it the second-fastest in IPL history. Across seven matches, he piled up 252 runs at a staggering strike rate of 206.55, underlining his fearless approach at the top. Against Chennai Super Kings last season, he scored a brisk 57 off 33 balls, including four sixes and four fours. His explosive powerplay batting makes him a key figure for RR once again.Riyan Parag (24 years old)Riyan Parag begins his first full season as Rajasthan Royals captain following Sanju Samson’s exit, taking charge at his home ground. One of the youngest captains in IPL history, Parag has steadily grown into a central figure for the franchise since his debut in 2019. In IPL 2025, he led the side in eight matches and scored 393 runs, emerging as RR’s second-highest run-getter with a strike rate of 166.52. His breakthrough came in 2024 when he amassed 573 runs in 16 matches at an average of 52.09. Overall, Parag has 1566 runs from 84 games at a strike rate of 141.84. Against CSK, he has scored 122 runs in eight matches, with a highest score of 47.Sanju Samson (31 years old)Sanju Samson will be in the spotlight as he turns out in Chennai Super Kings colours for the first time after being the face of Rajasthan Royals for over a decade. Having played 11 seasons with RR, he remains their all-time leading run-scorer with over 4000 runs. Overall, Samson has accumulated 4704 runs in 177 IPL matches at an average of 30.94 and a strike rate of 139.04, including three centuries and 26 fifties. He comes into the season in excellent touch after a Player-of-the-Tournament performance in the T20 World Cup 2026. His first outing against RR adds emotional weight, making him one of the biggest attractions in this contest.Kartik Sharma (19 years old)Kartik Sharma is a young wicketkeeper-batter, known for his power-hitting abilities. He became the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL auction history when Chennai Super Kings signed him for Rs 14.2 crore. After being part of CSK’s wider squad in IPL 2025, he has now broken into the main squad for the 2026 season. If included in the playing XI, Sharma could make his debut, bringing with him the reputation of an aggressive young finisher.Ayush Mhatre (18 years old)Ayush Mhatre, another exciting young talent, enters his second IPL season after making a strong impression in 2025. He scored 240 runs in seven matches at an average of 34.28 and a remarkable strike rate of 188.97, including a high score of 94. Initially unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, Mhatre earned a mid-season call-up to Chennai Super Kings due to an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad and made an immediate impact. Against Rajasthan Royals, he struck 43 off 20 at a strike rate of 215, showcasing his aggressive batting style.


Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi being ‘not 14 anymore’ is a big deal | Cricket News – The Times of India
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Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi being ‘not 14 anymore’ is a big deal | Cricket News – The Times of India


Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi being ‘not 14 anymore’ is a big deal | Cricket News – The Times of India
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: ICC)

NEW DELHI: Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made headlines time and again – and for good reason. With his swashbuckling batting style, brute power, effortless six-hitting, and ability to dismantle bowling attacks, he has become a fan favourite in no time.The past year, in particular, has been remarkable for the youngster. And heading into IPL 2026, there is a significant change – he is no longer 14.

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Impact Player Rule: Game-changer or all-rounder killer?

Sooryavanshi turned 15 on Friday (March 27), celebrating his birthday just a day before the start of IPL 2026.Is he eligible to play for Team India (senior team)?Questions like – Is Sooryavanshi eligible to play for India’s senior team? Will he break into the side? When will he make his debut? – have been asked repeatedly.Now, with the youngster officially turning 15, he is eligible to feature in senior international cricket as per ICC’s player eligibility regulations (Article 4).According to INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REGULATIONS ARTICLE 4, ELIGIBILITY ON THE BASIS OF AGE 4.1 states, “ARTICLE 4 ELIGIBILITY ON THE BASIS OF AGE, “A Player will only be eligible to represent a National Cricket Federation in an International Match (including ICC Events and U19 Events) if he/she is aged 15 or over on the relevant squad submission date (in the case of ICC Events including U19 Events) or on the date of the first match of the series/tournament to the played (in the case of all other International Matches). “Following the introduction of these regulations in November 2020, the ICC made 15 the minimum age requirement for participation in international cricket (U19 level and above), keeping in mind the welfare and physical safety of minors, including during travel.Will an India call-up come soon for Sooryavanshi? That remains to be seen.The youngster grabbed global attention with his stellar performances in his debut IPL season in 2025.In just his second IPL match, he smashed a sensational 100 off 35 balls.His heroics in the U19 World Cup 2026, along with impressive outings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 and the Ranji Trophy 2025, were outstanding.Following his IPL success, Sooryavanshi was drafted into the India U19 setup, where he continued to shine.U19 World Cup 2026 (Player of the Tournament): Sooryavanshi led India to their sixth title, highlighted by a stunning 175 off 80 balls (including 15 sixes) in the final against England.Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: He became the youngest player to score a List A century at 14 years and 272 days. During a blistering 190 off 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh, he broke AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, reaching the milestone in just 59 balls.Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Named Bihar’s vice-captain at 14, he scored his maiden first-class fifty with a 67-ball 93 against Meghalaya, narrowly missing out on becoming the youngest Ranji centurion.Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26: He continued his white-ball dominance with an unbeaten 108 and a composed fifty (50 off 34 balls) against Maharashtra, showing improved maturity in pacing his innings.Rising Stars Asia Cup (Doha): Representing India A, he smashed a “whirlwind” 144 off 42 balls against the UAE.


‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not professional’: RCB star’s stunning remark goes viral | Cricket News – The Times of India
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‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not professional’: RCB star’s stunning remark goes viral | Cricket News – The Times of India


‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not professional’: RCB star’s stunning remark goes viral | Cricket News – The Times of India
Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (PTI Photo)

With the Indian Premier League 2026 set to begin in just six days, all eyes are once again on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals prodigy, who turns 15 this Friday, returns after a spectacular debut last year when he smashed a 35-ball century against Gujarat Giants, leaving fans and bowlers stunned. That innings made him the youngest centurion in IPL history and the fastest Indian to reach three figures, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s record.Sooryavanshi’s rise has been meteoric. During the IPL mega auction for the 2025 season, he secured a deal worth Rs 1.1 crore with Rajasthan Royals, making him the youngest player ever to be signed. Over the past year, he has dominated across continents, scoring centuries in Australia, South Africa, and England. His crowning moment came in the Under-19 World Cup final against England, where he scored a match-winning 175 off just 80 balls, including 15 fours and six sixes each. His 55-ball century is among the fastest in Under-19 World Cup history, helping India lift the trophy for a sixth time.But as IPL 2026 approaches, Sooryavanshi faces new challenges. Bowlers are believed to have studied his game and will look to expose weaknesses. His talent is unquestionable, and many see him as a potential trailblazer and future legend. Yet, not everyone is convinced about his professional approach.On AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel, Jitesh Sharma, who captained Sooryavanshi during India A’s Asia Cup campaign last year, praised the youngster’s skill but expressed doubts about his off-field habits. “Right now, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. I feel he can dominate world cricket. He has gear No. 6 and a very good set of skills,” Sharma said when asked which youngster he would invest in.De Villiers, who watched Sooryavanshi’s 175-run masterclass in the Under-19 World Cup final, was full of admiration. “He’s a great player. I watched him in the Under-19s. It’s not always easy when you get the taste of IPL and big cricket, and still show the same kind of standard. I was very impressed with the way he played in that World Cup. Very professional. He’s very mature for his age,” said the former South African captain.De Villiers added that Sooryavanshi stayed true to his game plan, replicating the approach he used in the IPL, without arrogance or trying to be someone else. “But he will get professional,” he said.Sharma, however, was more sceptical. “He’s not professional. I can tell you that. Everyone is trying to get him to be professional, but I don’t think he will ever get professional. He may be on the field, but off the field, he won’t. I’m trying my best. I ask him not to have ice-cream in the night,” he added.

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Big IPL 2026 warning for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: ‘All bowlers will be ready’ | Cricket News – The Times of India
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Big IPL 2026 warning for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: ‘All bowlers will be ready’ | Cricket News – The Times of India


Big IPL 2026 warning for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: ‘All bowlers will be ready’ | Cricket News – The Times of India
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, with the spotlight firmly on 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.Renowned for his aggressive strokeplay, Sooryavanshi has already piled up records across formats. He heads into IPL 2026 on the back of a stunning 175 in the Under-19 World Cup final, an innings that powered India to the title. He was the second-highest run-scorer with 439 runs in seven matches in the Under-19 World Cup, averaging 62.71 at a strike rate of 169.49, including a century and three fifties. He also smashed a record 30 sixes — the most in the tournament’s history.

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Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said the season will be an important learning phase for the young batter, especially with opposition teams closely studying his game.Speaking on JioStar’s IPL show, Pathan explained that after succeeding across formats, Sooryavanshi now faces a new challenge as rivals have taken note of both his strengths and potential weaknesses.“This season of the IPL for Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be a learning one. He played in the tournament last year, he has played domestic cricket and he is playing cricket in all formats everywhere.He played in the Under-19 World Cup, he has taken part in the Ranji Trophy with Bihar, and he has scored runs everywhere,” Pathan said.“In white-ball cricket and red-ball cricket, everyone is taking note of him. Bowlers are doing the same. Since he has played so much cricket since his IPL debut last year, other players are watching his videos and analysing his weaknesses,” he added.Pathan emphasised that the 14-year-old left-hander must continue evolving his game and addressing areas of improvement. He added that Sooryavanshi’s recent dominance across formats will keep his confidence high as he looks to make a statement.“He has slammed centuries with ease in all forms of cricket. When you do that consistently, not just in IPL but in domestic cricket, Under-19 cricket and emerging matches, your confidence keeps going higher,” Pathan said.“This IPL season, all bowlers will be ready with their strategies, and Vaibhav will be looking to prove a point. He can do that by slamming another hundred in the IPL. When he scores runs consistently this season, that is when we can say Vaibhav Suryavanshi has upgraded his game,” he concluded.

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TOISA to honour the best in Indian sport | More sports News – The Times of India
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TOISA to honour the best in Indian sport | More sports News – The Times of India


TOISA to honour the best in Indian sport | More sports News – The Times of India
TOAST OF A NATION: The women’s team’s ODI World Cup victory was the high point for Indian sport in 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)

Lucknow: The biggest names in Indian sport will once again gather under one roof as the much-anticipated Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) returns to Lucknow for the third consecutive time on Saturday, celebrating the inspiring journeys and achievements of the country’s finest athletes across multiple disciplines. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will grace the occasion as a guest and hand over the trophies honouring achievers and emerging stars who made the nation proud over the past year. The event will be attended by sporting legends like PT Usha, Leander Paes, Mithali Raj, Madan Lal, Sandeep Patil and Sardar Singh, and other top athletes, coaches, administrators and guests from across the country, making it one of the most prestigious sporting evenings of the year. This edition of TOISA will recognise athletes across more than 45 categories, honouring performances during the Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2025 evaluation period. The wide range of categories ensures that excellence across mainstream as well as emerging sports disciplines is duly acknowledged. Having begun in 2015, TOISA completes a decade, and a special section will honour the best players of the past 10 years. Besides, there will be a special segment on the best player of the year from UP. For the last decade, para players have shown their mettle on fields and courts, bringing several laurels to the nation. To felicitate their talent, TOISA has 13 categories dedicated to para sports. A distinguished jury comprising eminent Indian sporting personalities — Abhinav Bindra, the country’s first individual Olympic gold medallist; tennis legend and Olympic medallist Leander Paes; PR Sreejesh, a two-time Olympic medallist; Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist; Mithali Raj, one of the greatest names in women’s cricket with over 10,000 international runs; and Sharath Kamal, India’s most decorated table tennis player with 13 Commonwealth Games medals — will select the winners. The jury faces a tough task in choosing from a star-studded list of nominees, as the past year witnessed several landmark achievements. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra continued his remarkable run on the global stage with outstanding performances in the Diamond League, while shooter Samrat Rana clinched three medals, including two golds, at the World Shooting Championships held in Cairo, Egypt. Lakshya Sen has been one of India’s top performers in badminton for quite some time now. He recently contested the final of the All England Championships. The young shuttler is cruising towards etching his name among the game’s elite. Indian cricket also enjoyed a historic year. The India women’s national cricket team lifted their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title on home soil, while the India men’s team captured both the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup. Smriti Mandhana’s World Cup-winning feat and her own performance were exceptional this year. She played a pivotal role in India’s historic win, scoring 434 runs overall, the maximum by any player. The Indian vice-captain scored a blistering 109-run innings against New Zealand and an 80-run innings against Australia, along with a crucial 45 runs in the final against South Africa. Another peach of a performance came from Deepti Sharma. This Agra girl’s all-round performance bagged her the Player of the Tournament award as well. In another remarkable feat, the India women’s blind cricket team became the first-ever champions of the Women’s Blind Cricket T20 World Cup. Beyond cricket, the India men’s hockey team triumphed at the Asia Cup, securing qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup. Indian para-athletes also shone brightly at the World Para Athletics Championships, returning with a rich haul. Promising athletes like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in cricket, Divya Deshmukh in chess, and Tanvi Sharma in badminton emerged as stars of the future. Through these honours, TOISA continues its mission of celebrating India’s sporting heroes, whose grit, dedication and excellence inspire India.

TOISA NOMINATIONS

Here are the nominees shortlisted for various categories by the illustrious TOISA jury, which includes icons like Abhinav Bindra, Mithali Raj and Leander Paes… BADMINTON (MALE) Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kiran George, Chirag Shetty, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy BADMINTON (FEMALE) Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda, Tressa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand CRICKET (MALE) Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav CRICKET (FEMALE) Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma ATHLETICS (MALE) Neeraj Chopra, Animesh Kujur, Gulveer Singh, Sachin Yadav ATHLETICS (FEMALE) Parul Chaudhary, Rupal Chaudhary, Jyothi Yarraji, Pooja Singh EQUESTRIAN Ashish Limaye, Shruti Vora, Divyakriti Singh HOCKEY (MALE) Abhishek Nain, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas HOCKEY (FEMALE) Udita Duhan, Navneet Kaur, Mumtaz Khan, Rutuja Pisal SHOOTING (MALE) Samrat Rana, Ravinder Singh, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Anish, Varun Tomar, Rudrankksh Patil SHOOTING (FEMALE) Suruchi Inder Singh, Simranpreet Kaur, Esha Singh, Elavenil Valarivan, Sift Kaur Samra, Manu Bhaker CHESS (MALE) R Praggnanandhaa, Aravindh Chithambaram, P Iniyan, Nihal Sarin, Arjun Erigaisi CHESS (FEMALE) Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, Nandhidhaa PV ARCHERY (MALE) Dhiraj Bommadevara, Abhishek Verma, Atanu Das, Prathamesh Fuge, Rishabh Yadav ARCHERY (FEMALE) Ankita Bhakat, Jyothi Surekha, Deepika Kumari, Prithika Pradeep BILLIARDS/SNOOKER Pankaj Advani, Aditya Mehta, Brijesh Damani WEIGHTLIFTING (MALE) Rishikanta Singh, Muthupandi Raja, Dilbag Singh, Lovepreet Singh WEIGHTLIFTING (FEMALE) Mirabai Chanu, Mehak Sharma, Bindyarani Devi WRESTLING (MALE) Sunil Kumar, Nitesh, Aman Sehrawat, Sujeet Kalkal WRESTLING (FEMALE) Antim Panghal, Manisha, Nisha Dahiya SQUASH (MALE) Abhay Singh, Saurav Ghosal, Velavan Senthilkumar, Mahesh Mangaonkar SQUASH (FEMALE) Anahat Singh, Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal Karthik, Tanvi Khanna TABLE TENNIS (MALE) Manav Thakkar, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Harmeet Desai, Payas Jain TABLE TENNIS (FEMALE) Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Diya Chitale, Ayhika Mukherjee TENNIS (MALE) Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri, Sumit Nagal TENNIS (FEMALE) Ankita Raina, Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli FOOTBALL (MALE) Subhasish Bose, Sunil Chhetri, Vishal Kaith, Brison Fernandes, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu FOOTBALL (FEMALE) Soumya Guguloth, Grace Dangmei, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa KABADDI Sanju Devi, Pawan Sehrawat, Ritu Negi, Arjun Deshwal BOXING (MALE) Sachin Siwach, Hitesh Gulia, Pawan Bartwal, Ankush Panghal BOXING (FEMALE) Minakshi Hooda, Jaismine Lamboria, Nikhat Zareen, Pooja Rani SAILING Vishnu Saravanan, Zahaan Hemrajani, Abhimanyu Panwar, Ghashiayah A COACH OF THE YEAR Amol Majumdar (Cricket), Suresh Singh (Shooting), Ashok Kumar Rana (Shooting) PARA ARCHERY (MALE) Harvinder Singh, Vivek Chikara, Rakesh Kumar, Shyam Sunder Swami PARA ARCHERY (FEMALE) Sheetal Devi, Payal Nag, Jyoti Baliyan PARA ATHLETICS (MALE) Sumit Antil, Shailesh Kumar, Sandeep Kumar, Nishad Kumar PARA ATHLETICS (FEMALE) Simran Sharma, Preethi Pal, Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji PARA BADMINTON (MALE) Pramod Bhagat, Sukant Kadam, Krishna Nagar PARA BADMINTON (FEMALE) Mandeep Kaur, Manasi Joshi, Nithya Sre PARA CHESS Vaibhav Gautam, Samarth J Rao, Venkata Krishna Karthik K PARA JUDO Kapil Parmar, Avidha Sharma, Rahul Rajora, Kokila PARA SHOOTING (MALE) Bhat Amir Ahmad, Nihal Singh, Sandeep Kumar, Rudransh Khandelwal PARA SHOOTING (FEMALE) Mona Agarwal, Avani Lekhara, Rubi Kumari EMERGING SPORTSPERSON Tanvi Sharma (Badminton), Divya Deshmukh (Chess), Shree Charani (Cricket), Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Cricket) PARA SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR Sheetal Devi (Para Archery), Praveen Kumar (Para Athletics – High Jump), Preethi Pal (Para Athletics – Sprint), Sumit Antil (Para Athletics – Javelin) PARA COACH OF THE YEAR Dr. Satyapal Singh (Para Athletics), Subhash Rana (Para Shooting), Gaurav Khanna (Para Badminton), Sandhya Bharti (Para Taekwondo) TEAM OF THE YEAR India Women’s Cricket Team, India Men’s Cricket Team, India Men’s Hockey Team, India Men’s & Women’s Kabaddi Teams, India National Shooting Team, India Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind, India Squash Team, India Women’s Ice Hockey Team

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Hit for 1st-ball 6, Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ‘no sleep’ claim – Watch | Cricket News – The Times of India
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Hit for 1st-ball 6, Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ‘no sleep’ claim – Watch | Cricket News – The Times of India


Hit for 1st-ball 6, Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ‘no sleep’ claim – Watch | Cricket News – The Times of India
Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal in RR nets (Screengrabs)

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals have begun preparations for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on a lively note, with a light-hearted yet impressive moment from training going viral. 24-year-old opener Yashasvi Jaiswal grabbed the spotlight by smashing a huge six off Ravindra Jadeja on the very first ball he faced in practice. What made it even more surprising was that Jaiswal had earlier told the veteran spinner that he hadn’t slept well, making his powerful shot even more unexpected.

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During the session, Jaiswal looked completely at ease despite his lack of rest, confidently taking on Jadeja and sending the ball into the stands. The reaction from Jadeja added to the moment, as he couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed.“Abhi keh raha tha neend nahi hui raatko. Room mei practice karke aaya hai yeh (He was just saying he hadn’t slept well at night. But he’s come after practicing in the room),” said Jadeja.Watch:The clip quickly spread across social media, with fans praising Jaiswal’s fearless approach and natural attacking ability, which has already made him a key player for the franchise.

Royals eye strong comeback

Rajasthan Royals will be hoping such signs translate into performances on the field after a disappointing IPL 2025 season, where they finished near the bottom despite Jaiswal scoring 559 runs. The team has made several changes, including bringing in experienced all-rounder Jadeja, while also dealing with the absence of Sam Curran due to injury.There is also excitement around young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who impressed last season with his aggressive batting, including a record-breaking century. With a mix of youth and experience, Rajasthan Royals will be aiming to turn things around in IPL 2026, and moments like Jaiswal’s in practice offer early optimism for fans.

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‘Like replacing Virat Kohli’: Riyan Parag on Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals exit | Cricket News – The Times of India
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‘Like replacing Virat Kohli’: Riyan Parag on Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals exit | Cricket News – The Times of India


‘Like replacing Virat Kohli’: Riyan Parag on Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals exit | Cricket News – The Times of India
File pic: Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag (R) with Sanju Samson. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has addressed the biggest talking point ahead of IPL 2026 — the absence of long-time leader and star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson — with a striking comparison that underlines the scale of the void left behind.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Samson, the face of the franchise for over a decade, represented the Royals across 11 seasons before being traded to Chennai Super Kings, where he will now feature in yellow. In exchange, Rajasthan brought in England all-rounder Sam Curran and veteran Ravindra Jadeja, signalling a shift in team composition.

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Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag watches West Ham vs Man City in London

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Parag made it clear that replacing Samson is no straightforward task. “Sanju’s game is unique; he cannot be compared to anyone else. It is like asking, ‘Who is Virat Kohli’s replacement?’ — it simply isn’t possible,” he said. “However, every player plays to win, and everyone has different capabilities.”Parag also reflected on the team’s shortcomings last season, particularly in crunch moments. “We were losing matches in the final stages. Had we played with more freedom — or managed to hit a boundary at a crucial moment, or prevented the opposition from doing so — we would have progressed further. This time, we are addressing and rectifying those mistakes,” he added.New-look Royals bank on balance, all-round strengthThe RR skipper emphasised that the team has worked on building a balanced squad. “We have a good combination of spin and pace bowlers. In batting too, there is a proper mix of right- and left-handers. We have high expectations from Ravindra Jadeja; he is a magnificent all-rounder,” Parag said.On the question of venues and home advantage, Parag dismissed any added pressure. “Regardless of the venue, there’s always a mixed crowd. We tune out the noise and focus on our game. Our goal is to perform well, wherever we play.”Head coach Kumar Sangakkara echoed confidence in the squad’s depth and future prospects, especially young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. “He is very young but showing magnificent form. He is a vital part of the team, and we have a specific strategy for him,” Sangakkara said.

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‘He is riding his luck’: Robin Uthappa’s big comment on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of IPL 2026 | Cricket News – The Times of India
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‘He is riding his luck’: Robin Uthappa’s big comment on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of IPL 2026 | Cricket News – The Times of India


‘He is riding his luck’: Robin Uthappa’s big comment on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of IPL 2026 | Cricket News – The Times of India

Indian Premier League (IPL) is set for his blockbuster start from March 28, and fans are eagerly waiting for the thrilling performance of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who heads into his second IPL season after an impressive breakthrough campaign with Rajasthan Royals. While expectations around the young batter are high, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes the upcoming season could prove to be a learning phase for the youngster.

From fearless newcomer to studied opponent

Vaibhav made his debut last season and emerged as the fearless teenager who surprised opposition bowlers with his aggressive batting and quickly became a key part of the Rajasthan Royals lineup.However, things could be different this year as teams now have more information about his strengths and weaknesses. According to Uthappa, Sooryavanshi is entering a phase where opponents have started analysing his game and building strategies to counter him.“I have been keenly observing every game Vaibhav is playing over the last 12 months. He is phenomenal. But if you are going to watch him bat, I feel he is riding his luck a little bit. And when the standard gets a little bit higher, little tougher, and people now know where to bowl to him. The novelty has worn off. I think that right now, he is riding that luck a little bit, which is fine. I think this season will be educational for him and will serve him in the long run. He will still score runs, but I don’t think he will be all that he was last year,” Uthappa said on Star Sports.

Why Uthappa’s warning matters

Unlike last season, when he entered the tournament as a relatively unknown youngster with little pressure, Sooryavanshi now returns with greater expectations and increased scrutiny. Opposition teams have had time to analyze his batting approach, meaning the young opener will likely face more calculated bowling strategies this year.

All eyes on Sooryavanshi in IPL 2026

As the IPL gears up for another blockbuster season, the spotlight will once again be on the league’s emerging stars. For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, IPL 2026 represents an opportunity to prove that his debut season was not just about surprise and luck, but the beginning of a promising career.

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