Ishan had to bat immediately after opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed on the first ball. He scored an impressive 91 runs in just 44 balls, hitting eight boundaries and six sixes. JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar highlighted Kishan’s confident footwork and composure against RR pacer Jofra Archer. He noted that Kishan targeted Archer for 10 runs in the first over and played each ball with precision.

Bangar described Kishan’s aggressive approach as a “pure display of class,” emphasizing how he quickly settled into scoring mode. This allowed SRH to reach a score that RR found impossible to chase.

SRH’s total was boosted by contributions from Heinrich Klaasen (40 runs) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (28 runs). In the RR innings, debutant Praful took four wickets, reducing RR to 9/5 in the first over. Despite efforts from Donovan Ferreira (69 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (45 runs), RR fell short and were bowled out for 159, with Sakib Hussain taking four wickets.

Dhoni has missed all four of CSK’s games so far this season because of his injury. He stayed back in Chennai for rehabilitation while the team played away matches. Although his recovery is complete, he hasn’t regained full fitness yet and didn’t practice wicketkeeping during training.

CSK’s head coach, Stephen Fleming, mentioned that Dhoni remains deeply involved with the team even when not on the field. Despite his absence, the team has struggled, losing three out of four matches so far. Their only win came against Delhi Capitals in their last game.

Currently, CSK is ninth in the IPL standings with just two points from four games. This follows a poor showing in the previous seasons where they failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2024 and 2025.

Dhoni, who has led CSK to five IPL titles, has had injury issues recently. After winning the title in 2023, he underwent knee surgery and dealt with a muscle spasm during IPL 2024.

With 278 IPL matches under his belt since 2008, Dhoni has scored 5,439 runs at an average of 38.30 and a strike rate of 137.45, including 24 half-centuries.

Competing against nearly 16 states from across the country, the Tamil Nadu team secured the prestigious Overall Champion Title in the Grand Prix 2026 and was also recognized as the Best Grand Prix Kettlebell Team.

The team achieved an impressive medal tally of 21 Gold, 13 Silver, and 5 Bronze medals, showcasing exceptional dominance and consistency across categories.

A total of 26 athletes represented Tamil Nadu, demonstrating strong depth and competitive excellence. The team was guided by experienced coaches Vignesh Hariharan and Vilasini Warrier from Chennai, along with Vandhana Raj (Madurai) and Gowtham (Coimbatore), who also competed as athletes while mentoring the team.

One of the major highlights of the championship was the participation of 8 sub-junior athletes under the age of 10, who delivered remarkable performances and secured multiple medals, reflecting the growing grassroots development of the sport in the state.

The team’s success was strongly supported by the leadership of the Tamil Kettlebell Sport Association (TKSA), under the guidance of President Mr. Leela Ram, Vice President Mr. Guru Siddhart, and Joint Secretary Mr. Sabarish Swaminathan.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Tamil Nadu kettlebell sport, reinforcing its position as one of the leading states in the country and highlighting the effectiveness of structured training and athlete development programs.

Two debutants, SRH’s Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, played crucial roles with impressive performances. Hinge, aged 24, took four wickets for 34 runs in four overs, while 21-year-old Hussain claimed four wickets for 24 runs in the same number of overs.

Parag emphasized that he focuses on learning from each game rather than obsessing over wins or losses. He aims to identify both strengths and areas for improvement in every match. Despite today’s clinical performance not being up to standard, Parag remains determined to avoid repeating mistakes moving forward.

Though RR still leads the IPL 2026 points table, their loss snapped their unbeaten streak, leaving Punjab Kings as the only undefeated team so far.

SRH set a challenging target of 216/6, powered by skipper Ishan’s century (91 in 44 balls) and strong cameos from Heinrich Klaasen (40 in 26 balls) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (28 in 13 balls). In RR’s chase, debutant Hinge struck early, reducing them to 9/5 in the first over. Despite efforts from Donovan Ferreira (69 in 44 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (45 in 32 balls), RR fell short, scoring 159 and being bundled out with Sakib Hussain taking four wickets.

According to The Indian Express, Vaibhav is among players shortlisted by selectors. A BCCI source confirmed that he could be picked for the Ireland tour and possibly the Zimbabwe tour in July.

Vaibhav gained fame during IPL 2025 with Rajasthan Royals, scoring 252 runs at a strike rate of 206.55. This season, the 15-year-old has already scored 200 runs at an incredible strike rate of 263.15 in five matches, including two fifties.

If selected for the Ireland series, Vaibhav would become India’s youngest debutant. Sachin Tendulkar holds the current record for men, debuting at 16 years old. Shafali Verma is the youngest overall, making her debut at 15 years and 7 months.

Earlier this year, Vaibhav was a standout in the Under-19 World Cup, scoring 439 runs as India’s top scorer. He hit an impressive 175 in the final against England to help India win by 100 runs.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has praised Vaibhav’s performances and believes he deserves a place in India’s team. Dhumal called him a rare talent and urged his inclusion as the youngest debutant.

Reasons for CSK’s Edge:

1. Sanju Samson’s Form: Samson is in top shape, scoring an impressive 115 runs recently. His ability to score big makes him a key player.

2. Home Ground Advantage: Teams batting first at Chepauk have won 56% of matches. The pitch favors spin bowlers as the game progresses, benefiting CSK’s strong spin attack.

3. Momentum from Recent Win: CSK secured their first victory in IPL 2026, breaking a losing streak. KKR, on the other hand, has struggled with four straight losses and one washout, showing they’re not performing well under pressure.

4. Bowling Strength: CSK’s spin bowlers, Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein, are strong. Khaleel Ahmed also adds early threat, making their attack superior to KKR’s weaker pace bowlers.

5. Historical Dominance: In past meetings, CSK has won more matches against KKR (20-11). Chepauk is a tough venue for visiting teams, and CSK’s home advantage makes them stronger.

6. KKR’s Struggles: KKR lacks a clear plan to win games this season. The loss of Andre Russell has hurt their power-hitting ability, leaving Sunil Narine as their main hope.

Conclusion:
With strong batting first at Chepauk, superior bowling, and momentum from their recent win, CSK is predicted to beat KKR in this match.

As part of the mandate, JSW Sports will lead the league’s commercialisation, marketing strategy, end-to-end league operations, and broadcast production, with a focus on delivering a seamless, high-quality league experience across all stakeholder and fan touchpoints.

This integrated mandate positions JSW Sports at the forefront of shaping the league’s strategic and operational roadmap over the next three years.

The official announcement of JSW Sports’ partnership with Bengal Pro T20 League took place at a glittering Season 3 launch ceremony in presence of CAB President Mr Sourav Ganguly, CAB Secretary Mr Bablu Kolay, CAB Vice President Mr Nitish Ranjan Dutta, CAB Joint Secretary Mr Madan Mohan Ghosh and CAB Treasurer Mr Sanjay Das.

This partnership marks a significant step in the evolution of the Bengal Pro T20 League, which continues to grow as a key domestic platform across both men’s and women’s cricket. The upcoming edition will also see the addition of a ninth franchise, Novus Purulia Royals, further expanding the league’s footprint. The expansion reflects the league’s increasing competitiveness and rising interest from regional markets and investors.

The newest member of the league along with the other eight franchisees Sobisco Smashers Malda, Murshidabad Kings&Kueens, Adamas Howrah Warriors, Servotec Siliguri Strikers, Shrachi Rarh Tigers, Rashmi Medinipur Wizards and Harbour Diamonds promises to make the T20 extravaganza even more exciting in the third season.

The league continues to benefit from the presence and engagement of key stakeholders and leading Indian cricketers, including Jhulan Goswami, Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rinku Singh, who were present for the Season 3 launch event, reflecting the league’s growing stature within the Indian cricket ecosystem. Their association adds significant credibility and visibility, strengthening the league’s connect with fans across the country.

Speaking on the development, Divyanshu Singh, CEO, JSW Sports, said: “Bengal has a rich cricketing legacy and one of the most passionate fan bases in the country. We are excited to partner with the Cricket Association of Bengal to help shape the next phase of growth for the Bengal Pro T20 League. Our focus will be on building a commercially robust, operationally efficient, and fan-first league that delivers long-term value for all stakeholders – players, franchises,

partners, and fans. Having engaged with stakeholders on-ground, we see strong momentum and appetite to build a differentiated league experience that resonates both locally and nationally. We believe this league has the potential to emerge as one of the most compelling domestic T20 platforms in India.”

Bablu Kolay, Hony Secretary-The Cricket Association of Bengal said: “We are delighted to partner with JSW Sports for the Bengal Pro T20 League. Their expertise across commercialisation, marketing, and league operations will play a key role in scaling the league further. We look forward to working closely with them to enhance the overall quality, visibility, and impact of the competition. This collaboration aligns with our vision to strengthen Bengal’s cricketing ecosystem and create more opportunities for emerging talent across the state.”

JSW Sports will work closely with the Cricket Association of Bengal to strengthen the league’s overall ecosystem, drive innovation across broadcast and fan engagement, and unlock new commercial opportunities, further cementing the Bengal Pro T20 League’s position as a premier domestic T20 competition. The partnership will also focus on building sustainable pathways for talent development and deeper fan engagement across formats.

Patidar spoke about the team’s strong batting form. “It feels like we’re scoring over 200 every game,” he said. “This gives me confidence as a captain and shows we have a lot of talent in the team.” His quick 17-ball fifty was also a record for the fastest fifty by a captain in the tournament.

When asked about his batting approach, Patidar explained, “I don’t overthink my game. I focus on reacting to each ball and staying clear about what I want to do. I also try to read the game from the dugout.”

Krunal Pandya, who took 1 wicket for 26 runs, praised the batting unit. He said every win has to be earned and highlighted how everyone contributed, especially Salt’s counter-attack in the power play.

Patidar was full of praise for his captaincy partner, saying, “Rajat has been batting consistently and clearly across all four innings. His leadership at the top has been unbelievable.”

The skipper also credited the support staff, led by DK, for helping the team achieve such strong batting performances. He added that despite setting a high score of 200, there was still pressure due to dew on the pitch.

Patidar pointed out Rasik’s bowling as the turning point in the game. “His slower balls and yorkers really changed things,” he said.

Despite having experienced players like Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma, who won the T20 World Cup, Mumbai has not been able to perform well. Pandya admitted they need to find new ways to improve both their batting and bowling.

The team’s biggest issue is during the powerplay, where they struggle to score early runs or take wickets. Bumrah, one of their best bowlers, hasn’t been supported well by the rest of the attack. Opponents have been able to target weaker bowlers after facing Bumrah.

Pandya also mentioned that the team needs to focus on batting better in the top order and finding a way to score quickly. He suggested trying new players in different positions, like moving Naman Dhir up the order or including England all-rounder Will Jacks instead of Mitchell Santner.

Mumbai will play Punjab Kings next, while Royal Challengers Bangalore faces Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday.

Pandya last played for India during a tour of Sri Lanka in July 2021, but hasn’t appeared internationally since then. He remains dedicated to improving his game and helping his teams win matches.

Reflecting on his international career, Pandya has played 5 ODIs and 19 T20s for India, scoring 254 runs and taking 17 wickets. In IPL, he has been a key player for Mumbai Indians, contributing significantly to their success in the league.

Pandya was first bought by Mumbai Indians in 2016 for ₹2 crore and became an important part of their team, especially in the lower middle order alongside Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard. He has since moved to other teams like Lucknow Super Giants and, more recently, played a crucial role in his side’s first IPL victory in 2025.

His journey in IPL includes scoring 1757 runs and taking 98 wickets, making him a valuable asset for any team he plays for. Pandya continues to strive for excellence, hoping to represent India at the highest level once again.