A recap of the action of the fifth week of IPL 2026.
Sanju Samson's technical weaknesses against express pace along with Rinku Singh's dip in form and fitness issues will be a concern for India
Captaon Suryakumar Yadav, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, the only member from the Test side, will be hoping for a strong outing so that India can apply some balm over the wounds from their recent home series defeat against New Zealand.
Though he hasn't made a big impact with the bat yet, Rinku Singh has good experience at Eden Gardens. He has played 25 IPL matches here, scored 540 runs in 23 innings, and has a strike rate of 157.4. Will the team management back him as a finisher in this must win game?
The Indian squad for the marquee event in June is set to be announced soon and Rishabh Pant is set to be drafted in as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter.
Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson said that even while it seemed his side was cruising to victory he was not certain they would get over the line given the unpredictable nature of the league.
With the India and South Africa T20I series levelled 1-1, focus shifts to Gill's form ahead of the third T20 on Sunday in Dharamsala.
Fraser-McGurk, Stubbs or Samson? Pick your best batters
Whether it is playing for India, Kerala or the Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson always enjoys huge support from fans all over the India.
Shreyas Iyer, aiming to make a comeback to India's Test squad, fell for a second successive duck in the ongoing tournament.
Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudharsan is focusing on versatility and adaptability for the upcoming IPL season, drawing lessons from his recent experiences with the Indian Test team and overcoming a rib-cage injury.
Indian team management will heave a sigh of relief with Tilak Varma ticking all the boxes on his return to competitive cricket after a lower abdominal surgery as the 'A' team, comprising mostly of IPL stars, comfortably defeated the United States of America by 38 runs in a high-scoring warm-up game in Navi Mumbai on Monday.
Sanju Samson's blistering century against South Africa marked a turning point in his international career, showcasing a level of maturity and aggression that has captivated cricket fans worldwide.
With the T20 World Cup less than two months away, India would want their captain Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his rhythm sooner rather than later.
For most IPL teams, the 2026 mini auction will be all about strategic buys and role-specific additions, while for a couple of others, it is going to be a captain-centric affair.
Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL 2026 campaign is faltering due to constant tactical changes, lack of role clarity, and underperforming stars, leaving them winless after five games.
According to Samaa TV, the Pakistan management claimed the TV umpire did not examine all available angles before announcing its decision. Pakistan's protest emphasised how the evidence was not "clear and conclusive" to justify ruling Fakhar out, and the umpire's call favoured the fielding side despite replays showing a margin of uncertainty.
Suryakumar Yadav discusses his successful partnership with head coach Gautam Gambhir, highlighting their shared understanding and mutual respect, which has led to significant success for the Indian T20 team.
Shubman Gill has been guilty of taking too much load on himself since his T20 comeback and the Indian team wants him to bat as freely as he does in the IPL, said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
A preview of the 2026 IPL season, highlighting the challenges faced by defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the redemption quests of legacy teams, the relevance of veteran players, and the emergence of future stars.
S Sreesanth is currently a co-owner of Kollam Aeries, a franchise team in the Kerala Cricket League.
These comments come after India recently announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead India in his first-ever ICC tournament as captain, with Axar Patel named as his deputy.
KKR, CSK to engage in bidding war in IPL mini-auction with big purse in hand
Sri Lankan batting great Kumar Sangakkara will return to Rajasthan Royals to lead the coaching staff after the exit of Rahul Dravid as head coach.
Sanju Samson breathed a sigh of relief as he struck his maiden One Day International century during the third ODI against South Africa at the Boland Park stadium in Paarl on Thursday.
Indian cricketer Rinku Singh's father passed away after battling stage-four cancer. Rinku had briefly returned home from the T20 World Cup to see his father.
Shubman Gill is the flavour of the season after his stupendous show in the recent Test series against England but he will face a contender in Axar Patel for vice-captaincy
Having finished as the second-highest run-getter in 2025 among top nations, Abhishek was touted to dominate the tournament but the law of averages seemed to be catching up with the World No. 1 T20 batter when he returned to the dugout with three ducks in as many matches.
When I was out, asked myself one question, 'Can I do it or not?', says Kishan
Suryakumar Yadav says his famous catch to dismiss David Miller in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final changed his life as India created history by defending the title in 2026.
Samson is the first player in the IPL to score a century in his first match as captain.
Team India got down to business with a high-energy practice session in Dubai on Wednesday.
Today, predictability has replaced volatility. When 200 becomes routine and chases follow a template, the element of surprise goes out the window and with it viewer engagement.
'Hearts are broken for sure. You've got to feel bad for Shubman Gill.'
After Sanju Samson was included in India's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka great and Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara believes the 29-year-old will succeed in the upcoming global showpiece if he wins the race to be first-choice wicket-keeper for Men in Blue at the prestigious event.
'He just has to do what he does best -- which is to destroy opposition bowling.'
The legendary B S Chandrasekhar and Brian Lara on Tuesday won the Lifetime Achievement awards.
Gill, who was vice-captain of the T20I side, was the most high-profile absentee when the national selectors named a 15-member squad for the global showpiece in India and Sri Lanka starting February 7.
The T20 WC champions will look to enter this phase with clarity of intent as they refine roles, streamline combinations and settle the XI that will carry the weight of expectations in front of home crowds.
Defending champions India had a full-fledged practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Friday as they put the finishing touches to their Asia Cup preparations.
