The common theme in those defeats was how the seemingly powerful batting and bowling units of KKR and RR failed to fire.
As Farhan reached his fifty, lofting Axar Patel for a massive six over mid-wicket, he pulled off a gun-firing celebration with his bat, adding another layer of intrigue to an already electric rivalry.
It was an optional net session ahead of the Pakistan clash but Shubman Gill's obsession with practice meant he couldn't resist hitting the nets even when most teammates preferred recovery.
Hardik Pandya marked his return to the Indian team from a two-month injury layoff with a match-winning half-century.
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.
Form and familiarity favour India in T20 World Cup
Axar Patel's tactical brilliance and key strikes, including Usman Khan and Babar Azam, proved decisive in India's win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
'My goal initially was to play for the team (KKR) regularly and contribute to the wins. Hopefully, I will be able to perform for the Indian team. I want to thank selectors for having faith in me.'
Kolkata Knight Riders batter Quinton de Kock says having former Chennai Super Kings players Ajinkya Rahane and Moeen Ali in their ranks gave them key insights into the Chepauk conditions, which prompted the decision to field an extra spinner, a move that proved crucial in their eight-wicket win in the IPL match in Chennai on Friday.
A shortened game will be like a sprint where the risk element will be high. Who will win when emotion meets execution remains to be seen. K R Nayar reports from Colombo.
England's captain, Harry Brook, emphasises the importance of unity, belief, and composure under pressure as the team prepares for their T20 World Cup semifinal clash against India.
'It would have been 2-2 coming to the Wankhede (Stadium for final T20I). It would have been way more on the game. But it didn't happen.'
India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, addresses the team's inconsistent performance leading up to the T20 World Cup semifinal against England, emphasising the importance of winning the next two games. He also discusses England's strengths and the potential impact of weather conditions on the match.
The Kolkata Knight Riders spinner is likely to miss out on a potential India debut for the second time for not performing up to mark in a fitness test, Cricbuzz reported.
The national selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, in all likelihood, will select identical squads for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand and the marquee ICC T20 World Cup, a BCCI source said on Friday.
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming rued the the lost opportunity to pick their former net bowler Varun Chakravarthy at the IPL auctions.
Riyan Parag's 2023 tweet predicting he would hit '4 sixes in an over' resurfaced, sparking a viral frenzy online.
Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Moeen Ali said he dominated Rajasthan Royals batters by thinking like one.
Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh moved up to the sixth and 10th spot respectively in the latest ICC T20 rankings released on Wednesday.
India begin their Super 8 journey against South Africa at the Narendra Modi stadium in a thrilling clash where a single mistake could change the course of the semifinals.
Kolkata Knight Riders' new head coach, Abhishek Nayar, emphasises the importance of finding the right team combinations as their biggest challenge ahead of IPL 2026, despite a revamped squad with new players.
IMAGES from the second T20I in Gqeberha played between India and South Africa on Sunday
IPL 2026 Week 6 featured Rohit Sharma's explosive return, Urvil Patel's record-equalling fifty, Finn Allen's maiden IPL ton and Rashid Khan's brilliant comeback spell.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will depend heavily on his spin troika as India gear up for yet another demolition act of Pakistan in what promises to be an intense and tense Super 4 face-off of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday.
India will be keen to get the job done against Bangladesh and seal their place in Sunday's final before considering resting their players.
Although fielding coach T Dilip said Patel looked "fine" after the match, the short turnaround between games poses a challenge for the all-rounder's recovery.
Images from the fifth T20 International between India and South Africa, in Ahmedabad, on Friday.
West Indies captain Shai Hope took responsibility for his slow batting in their T20 World Cup match against India, which led to their elimination from the mega-event.
Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan face a key test as India take on New Zealand in the second T20I at Raipur, eyeing World Cup momentum.
In the chase, India lost Shubman Gill for a golden duck, while Marco Jansen got rid of Abhishek Sharma and India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, before Baartman broke the 35-run stand between Axar Patel and Varma.
The unexpected 10-day break has left both the RCB and the KKR with different goals to achieve and common challenges to hurdle over.
Abhishek Sharma's scintillating 75 was beautifully complemented by Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as India comfortably hammered Bangladesh by 41 runs to enter the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Wednesday.
This was India's third victory in a row against Pakistan and their 11th victory overall against the arch-rivals in 14 T20 matches.
Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakravarthy is still not fit for intense training after his recovery from COVID-19 as he is still experiencing 'weakness and dizziness'.
If Punjab goes for a flat deck, there is no guarantee that the bowling unit can defend anything in the 220 range, especially when KKR have the likes of Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, and Venkatesh Iyer in their ranks.
IMAGES from the 1st T20I played between India and England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Bumrah, DreRus or Varun Chakravarthy: Who bowled the best spell?
KKR spinner Chakravarthy, who bagged two wickets, gestured to CSK's Dewald Brewis to leave the field after dismissing him for 52 in the IPL match in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Head coach Gambhir, captain Gill, men's squad send best wishes to Harmanpreet-led side for Women's World Cup final
Gill may miss ODI series due to unhealed neck injury; Rahul, Pant in line for ODI captaincy
