Chennai Super Kings head into IPL 2026 with a young squad, new signings like Sanju Samson and a focus on rebuilding as Mahendra Singh Dhoni's era nears its final chapter.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes MS Dhoni should retire if he's relegated to an 'Impact Player' role for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), suggesting it's time for the veteran to consider hanging up his boots.
Ruturaj Gaikwad set to lead Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026
Debutant Praful Hinge scripts IPL history with three wickets in the first over as Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Rajasthan Royals by 57 runs; Ishan Kishan stars with a blazing 91.
The ban on Gaikwad was revoked last Friday after a letter from the ministry of civil aviation "advised" it to do so.
Sources said Air India has written to the Delhi police on why there is delay in taking action against the MP.
Gaikwad's stellar performance played an important role in guiding CSK to victory
Rajat Patidar's aggressive innings helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru reach a total of 201 for 8 against Rajasthan Royals in their IPL match, after a shaky start.
David Miller's outstanding fielding effort earned Gujarat Titans an early wicket.
Twelve newly-elected councillors in the Ambernath Municipal Council, suspended by the Congress for joining a post-poll front led by the BJP, have formally joined the saffron party. The Congress criticized the BJP, highlighting the hypocrisy of welcoming defectors despite the Chief Minister's disapproval of the alliance.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to introduce a revised central contract system, under which the Grade A+ category will be discontinued.
Having joined the franchise in 2019, Gaikwad has established himself in the team but leading the side will be a massive challenge.
"Unless he tenders an unconditional apology to AI employees, and undertakes in writing to abide by the Chicago and Tokyo Conventions & Rules of the Air and follow all cabin safety and public behaviour norms, we must not let him on board," says the letter.
Asserting that it was a small conflict, Gaikwad said the staff member of the airline is mad and around eight such cases of indulging in a brawl have been registered against him.
Star batter Shubman Gill endured his second successive unproductive outing as Punjab faltered against Saurashtra spinners, going down by 194 runs on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match, in Rajkot, on Friday.
While the first India vs New Zealand ODI will be played at Vadodara, the second match will get underway at Rajkot. The teams will face off for the final ODI of the series at Indore.
Virat Kohli's second successive hundred was not enough as South Africa, aided by Aiden Markram's ton, chased down a target of 359 to clinch a four-wicket win and level their one-day international (ODI) series 1-1 in Raipur on Wednesday.
K L Rahul takes over the captaincy after regular skipper Shubman Gill missed the series because of a neck injury.
The Indian selectors will be announcing the team for the three-match ODI series against the Black Caps, starting January 11 in Vadodara and there have been speculations about whether Pant can hold on to his place in the squad.
The retirement of Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja from the shortest format following the T20 World Cup triumph has opened the doors for the upcoming players and Gaikwad is one such talented batter who has the potential to seal the No. 3 spot.
Ravindra Jadeja, who has played a pivotal role in CSK's three IPL title triumphs, was retained ahead of the 2025 season for a hefty Rs 18 crore.
'One who was aggressive in the Powerplay, and the other after the Powerplay when wickets were falling he turned into an adamant batter, who batted sensibly and was not ready to give away his wicket.'
The standout performers with the bat on Wednesday...
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai on Monday.
The ability to remain one step ahead of the bowlers has allowed Ruturaj Gaikwad to flourish in IPL 2024, reckons CSK batting coach Michael Hussey.
Former Chennai Super Kings batter Suresh Raina believes the five-time IPL champions should look at buying the in-form Sarfaraz Khan at the auction on Tuesday.
The party also sought to justify its protest in the Lok Sabha.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni told Ruturaj Gaikwad to be prepared for Chennai Super Kings captaincy back in 2022
Spending more than US$3 million (Rs 28.40 crore) and nearly 60 percent of their purse on players, who can proverbially be termed as wet behind the ears, does display a change in mindset.
'It will not happen that Dhoni is off the field and leaves someone like Sanju Samson to keep wickets.'
'What he has done is that he said, 'I don't want to give the job to Ruturaj halfway through the tournament. Be in the hot seat from the outside, I am watching from the back, if he needs some help I'm there to help him out.'
From CSK: Jadeja, Gaikwad, Mitchell shone. From PBKS: Prabhsimran and Shashank.
Rishabh Pant was ruled out for nearly three months after he fractured his foot during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July.
Virat Kohli has two hundreds and a fifty in his last three innings, while Rohit Sharma has a hundred and two fifties in his last four outings.
Seniors Rohit Sharma,Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin received exemptions for the Duleep Trophy, starting in Bengaluru on September 5.
Tushar Deshpande's breathtaking bowling display in the Powerplay was the difference for Chennai Super Kings in their 78-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad acknowledged that the pacer brought the momentum, which was missing this season, back in the side.
Expect some fireworks for the highly-versatile Cameron Green along with Quinton de Kock, Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi.
A record-extending 52nd ODI century by Virat Kohli and a rapid 57 from Rohit Sharma paved the way for India's victory in the series-opener in Ranchi.
Sarfaraz might have to try batting at No.3 for Mumbai to remain in scheme of things
The Shiv Sena on Thursday said that airline companies were behaving like "goons" by letting terrorists take flights but imposing restrictions on the common man
