Read Bengali: IPL 2026: আইপিএলে দাপট আরসিবির, ঘরের মাঠে ১৮ রানে হার মুম্বাই

Batting first after being asked to set a total, RCB posted a massive 240/4 in 20 overs. The innings was powered by explosive knocks from Phil Salt (78 off 36 balls), Virat Kohli (50), and skipper Rajat Patidar, who blasted 53 off just 20 deliveries. Tim David provided the perfect finishing touch with an unbeaten 34 as RCB crossed the 240-mark.

In reply, MI started with intent but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav got decent starts, while Hardik Pandya chipped in with a quick 40. However, the real fight came from Sherfane Rutherford, who remained unbeaten on 71 and kept the chase alive till the very end.

Despite a late flourish, the asking rate kept climbing, and RCB’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs. MI finished at 222/5, falling 18 runs short in what turned out to be a record-breaking high-scoring encounter (total aggregate 462 runs).

This victory highlighted RCB’s strong batting depth and composure under pressure. For MI, it’s another disappointing result as they continue to search for consistency in the season.

Read Bengali: IPL: দিল্লির বিরুদ্ধে মরসুমের প্রথম জয় চেন্নাইয়ের, ফর্মে ফিরলেন সঞ্জু স্যামসন

Opting to bat first, CSK got off to a slow start with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad struggling for timing (15 off 18). But Samson took charge, maintaining an aggressive tempo throughout and finding the perfect partner in young Ayush Mhatre, who chipped in with a fluent 59. The duo added 113 runs for the second wicket. In the end, Shivam Dube came in as a finisher (20 off 10) after Mhatre was retired out, helping push the total past 210.

In reply, Delhi Capitals began brightly with Pathum Nissanka racing to 41 off 24, but CSK’s pace attack soon took control. Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Khaleel Ahmed, and debutant Gurjapneet Singh each picked up key top-order wickets. Gurjapneet made an instant impact, dismissing DC captain Axar Patel with his very first ball in IPL.

The middle overs belonged to Jamie Overton, whose fiery spell of 4/18 choked the life out of DC’s chase. Tristan Stubbs fought hard with a valiant 60 off 38, and a brief partnership with Ashutosh Sharma kept hopes alive, but once Noor Ahmad broke that stand, the innings crumbled. Overton had the final say in a heated 19th over, dismissing a frustrated Stubbs.

Kamboj (3/35) wrapped up the tail efficiently as DC were bowled out for 189 in the final over.

It was a much-needed boost for the five-time champions, who had endured a slow start to the season. Samson’s explosive knock, combined with smart bowling variations on a tricky Chepauk surface, proved decisive.

Read Bengali: PBKS vs SRH: পাঞ্জাবের আক্রমণে জলে গেল হায়দ্রাবাদের পরিশ্রম

Chasing a stiff target of 220, PBKS got off to a flying start with Priyansh Arya (57 off 20) and Prabhsimran Singh (51 off 25) blasting a sensational 99-run opening stand. The duo tore into the SRH attack during the powerplay, reaching 93 without loss and setting the perfect platform.

Abhishek Sharma had earlier lit up the game with a brutal 74 off 28 balls (including eight sixes), adding 120 runs with Travis Head (38 off 23) in just 8.1 overs to power SRH to 219/6. However, Shashank Singh’s double strike in one over shifted the momentum, and Xavier Bartlett kept things tight at the death with a brilliant final over.

In the chase, Priyansh raced to a 16-ball fifty with some clean hitting, while Prabhsimran danced down the track to smack big sixes. Though Shivang Kumar picked three wickets to raise SRH’s hopes, Shreyas Iyer stayed calm and finished the job in style with seven balls to spare.

The win was built on smart captaincy too — Shreyas cleverly used Shashank Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal to break the explosive SRH opening stand when the pacers were being hammered.

A complete team performance, led from the front by their skipper!

The young Rajasthan Royals sensation was absolutely unstoppable, smashing a breathtaking 78 off just 26 balls to help his team chase down 203 with ease and secure a six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. His fiery innings, packed with eight fours and seven sixes, not only powered RR to a comfortable win but also earned him the coveted Orange Cap for the tournament.

Read Bengali : আইপিএলের বিস্ময় বালক বৈভব সূর্যবংশী

Virat Kohli, who witnessed the youngster’s carnage up close, made sure to show some love after the match. Sooryavanshi approached Kohli for an autograph, and the RCB star happily signed his Rajasthan Royals cap with a personal message: “Dear Vaibhav, well done.”

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag also had nothing but praise for the teenager, describing him as a bundle of joy that everyone in the team adores.

“Everyone loves him. Everyone loves having him around,” Parag said during the post-match presentation. “He’s a fun-loving kid who enjoys eating out and doing all the typical 15-16-year-old stuff. As long as he keeps batting like this, we make sure he gets whatever he wants!”

With 200 runs in just four matches, including this match-winning 78, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has announced himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the IPL.

It’s not a blockbuster tournament game, but a single preparation match will see the senior Indian squad led by Suryakumar Yadav in action. The match is scheduled for February 4 in Mumbai, where India will face South Africa. Notably, these two teams also clashed in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, making this a rematch fans are eagerly anticipating.

Alongside the senior team, attention will also be on India ‘A’, which features young talents like Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya. India ‘A’ will play warm-up matches against the USA and Namibia. Meanwhile, Scotland has been allocated two warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia. England and Australia, on the other hand, will not play separate preparation games.

The Men in Blue are currently in red-hot form. In the last three years, India has lost only one T20 match, and since then, victories have flowed steadily. In their most recent series against New Zealand, India remained undefeated, with Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah showcasing dominating performances. This form will be crucial for India to carry into the World Cup.

In total, 15 warm-up matches will be played before the T20 World Cup. These matches will serve as a form check for senior players and provide valuable experience for emerging talent.

Cricket fans are eagerly waiting to see how India performs in these preparation matches, especially the senior team’s showdown against South Africa. Maintaining their current momentum in the warm-ups will position India as one of the top contenders for lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

বিশ্বকাপের আগেই কোহলিকে টপকে ‘বিরাট’ নজির গড়লেন এই নাইট তারকা

In the match, Rinku scored 44 not out in the first game and 39 in the fourth match. While he couldn’t make a big score with the bat and India were bowled out for 165, his fielding contributions stood out significantly for the team.

Among his four catches, notable ones included Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, and Zakary Fooks. Rinku displayed spectacular fielding with high-flying catches, long-off dives, and jumping catches.

This record is limited to home matches. Pakistan’s Syed Ayub had taken the same number of catches in Auckland in 2024. Additionally, Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Ajinkya Rahane had taken four catches in a T20I against England in 2014, but that was on foreign soil.

Although Rinku shone in the field, India lost the fourth match by 50 runs due to the lack of big batting contributions. Nevertheless, his fielding performance will be remembered by cricket fans as a remarkable moment. Rinku Singh is proving that he is not just a batsman, but his fielding on home soil is also making a new mark in Indian cricket history.

হঠাৎ অবসরের সিদ্ধান্ত! বিশ্বকাপের আগে এই তারকাকে নিয়ে চিন্তায় ভক্তরা

Rahul also added, “There’s no need to force yourself if your body can’t keep up. But I still have a lot to give to cricket. So, it’s not the time to say I should retire yet.”

This news has left Indian cricket fans a little anxious, especially with the 2027 World Cup approaching. There’s caution about the possibility of him retiring suddenly.

Rahul’s career stats:

Test: 67 matches, 4,053 runs

ODI: 94 matches, 3,360 runs, average 50.9

T20I: 72 matches, 2,265 runs

At just 33 years old, cricket experts believe retirement at this age is somewhat unnecessary. He still has plenty to contribute on the field. However, the player himself has made it clear, “I am not a superstar, so I will retire quietly. I want to enjoy life outside cricket and spend time with my family.”

বিশ্বকাপ জয়ের পর WPL ওপেনিংয়ে বাড়তি চমক, ফ্রিতে কোথায় দেখবেন অনুষ্ঠান?

The new season of WPL kicks off on Friday, January 9, with a blockbuster opening match between two powerhouses — Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, even before the on-field action begins, all eyes will be on the dazzling opening ceremony. Several Bollywood and entertainment industry stars are set to light up the stage.

Honey Singh and Jacqueline to Set the Stage on Fire

The biggest attraction of this year’s opening ceremony is popular rapper and music sensation Yo Yo Honey Singh. Known for his high-energy tracks, Honey Singh is expected to electrify the crowd with his performance at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai, ahead of the first match.

When the beat drops, history begins.

Yo Yo Honey Singh takes centre stage at the TATA WPL 2026 Pre Match Entertainment – setting the tone for an electrifying season!

DY Patil Stadium | 9th January#TATAWPL | #MIvRCB | #KhelEmotionKa | @asliyoyo pic.twitter.com/9eAh6wX69H

— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) January 7, 2026

Joining him on stage will be Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez, who will add glamour and energy with her dance performance. The event will also feature Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Universe 2021. According to the BCCI, the star-studded ceremony is designed to celebrate women’s courage, confidence, and achievements in sports.

When and Where to Watch Live?

Date: Friday, January 9

Time: 6:45 PM IST

Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai

For fans who cannot be at the stadium, the opening ceremony and matches will be available live:

TV: Star Sports Network

Online Streaming: JioHotstar app and website

Also Available On: JioCinema app and website

With a perfect blend of cricket and entertainment, the WPL 2026 opening ceremony promises to be a grand celebration. After a colorful and star-filled evening off the field, fans across the country eagerly await the thrilling battles that will unfold on it.

মুস্তাফিজুর ইস্যুতে বলিউড বাদশাকে বিরাট সতর্কবার্তা এই রাজনৈতিক দলের

In recent times, allegations of persecution of minorities in Bangladesh have triggered anger among sections of the Indian public. Against this backdrop, some political leaders have demanded that Bangladeshi cricketers should not be allowed to play in the IPL. As a result, KKR and its owner Shah Rukh Khan have been directly dragged into the controversy.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, speaking to news agency ANI, effectively issued a “warning” to Shah Rukh Khan. He stated that in the current situation, anyone associated with Bangladeshi citizens could become a target of public anger. He said,
“When the entire country is angry over the Bangladesh issue, if Shah Rukh Khan has a Bangladeshi player in his team, he could become a major target. We request, for his own good and in the interest of India, that the player be dropped from the team.”

Taking an even tougher stance, Shiv Sena spokesperson Anand Dubey called for a complete ban. Speaking to ANI, he said,
“Pakistani and Bangladeshi players should not be allowed to play in the IPL on Indian soil. If Mustafizur is not dropped from KKR despite so much controversy, it will prove that Shah Rukh Khan does not understand the importance of public sentiment in the country.”

However, a section of the cricketing community believes that the IPL is a sporting competition where player selection should be based on performance and skill, not political tensions. Mustafizur Rahman is well known in international cricket for his deceptive cutters and effectiveness in death overs, which is precisely why KKR invested such a large amount in him, according to cricket analysts.

As of now, neither KKR management nor Shah Rukh Khan has issued any official response. The question remains—will cricket be able to withstand political pressure, or will off-field controversies decide Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL future?

The 39-year-old confirmed his decision in a forthright press conference on Friday, flanked by his family, after informing teammates earlier in the day. With Australia holding an unassailable 3–1 lead in the series, Khawaja said Sydney was the fitting place to step away — the same venue where he made his Test debut in 2011, also against England.

Khawaja’s future had been a persistent talking point throughout the Ashes, particularly after back spasms disrupted his early involvement in the series. Media scrutiny intensified around his preparation, including criticism of his participation in a golf event shortly before the injury.

In an emotional address, Khawaja said the criticism went beyond cricket and reflected racial stereotypes he has faced throughout his life.

“I’ve always felt a little bit different, even to now,” Khawaja said. “I’m a coloured cricketer. I’ve felt different in the way I’ve been treated and the way things have happened. When I talk about issues outside cricket, I know it leaves me exposed.”

He added that the reaction to his injury was particularly hurtful. “When others get injured, people feel sorry for them. When I got injured, my credibility was questioned. It became personal – about my commitment and who I am. Those are stereotypes I’ve grown up with, and I thought we’d moved past that.”

Born in Pakistan, Khawaja became the first Muslim cricketer to represent Australia and carved out a unique place in the national side. His career was far from straightforward, featuring early selection setbacks before a successful reinvention as a Test opener and senior leader. He played a key role in Australia’s World Test Championship triumph in 2023 and has been a respected voice in the dressing room.

During the current Ashes series, Khawaja returned to the XI after Steve Smith was sidelined, scoring 82 in Melbourne to secure his place amid ongoing debate about his longevity. He scored 614 runs in 2025, including a career-defining 232 against Sri Lanka earlier this year.

Khawaja will retire having played 87 Tests, 40 ODIs and nine T20Is, scoring 8,001 international runs. He said he hopes his journey helps pave the way for future generations.

“I want the journey for the next Usman Khawaja to be different,” he said. His final appearance will come next week at the SCG, where Australia will farewell one of its most distinctive and influential modern cricketers.

A hometown Test match for Usman Khawaja’s last ride as an international cricketer

More https://t.co/Zvf9gZLhYW pic.twitter.com/Pfpqfu8ogO

— ICC (@ICC) January 2, 2026