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!

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 concern stems from Bangladesh’s international commitments during the IPL window. In April, Bangladesh are scheduled to play a limited-overs series against New Zealand, featuring both ODIs and T20Is. While Mustafizur is no longer a regular in the ODI setup, he remains a key figure in Bangladesh’s T20 squad. If he is selected, KKR may have to release him for a few matches midway through the IPL.

The IPL 2026 season will run from March 26 to May 31. The Bangladesh–New Zealand T20 series is likely to take place between April 16 and April 23. If Mustafizur is called up during this period, securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board could become complicated, potentially disrupting KKR’s plans.

Notably, this is the highest-ever auction price paid for a Bangladeshi cricketer in IPL history. Mustafizur is also set to be the only Bangladeshi player in IPL 2026, as Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, and Tanzim Hasan Shakib went unsold at the auction.

This will be the first time Mustafizur wears the KKR jersey. To secure his services, KKR had to outbid Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings—both teams he has represented in the past. His proven IPL track record is what makes him such a valuable asset for the Knight Riders.

Mustafizur made a sensational IPL debut in 2016, winning the Emerging Player of the Year award in his very first season. So far, he has taken 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches. Across all T20 cricket, he has played 308 matches and claimed 387 wickets.

In the end, the big question remains: if national duty pulls him away midway, will KKR’s ₹9.20 crore gamble be put at risk? Or will Mustafizur silence all speculation and set the IPL on fire in Kolkata colors throughout the season? Only time will tell.

নিলামের ৭০ শতাংশ বেতন কমল নাইটদের এই প্রাক্তন ক্রিকেটারের

Last season, Iyer struggled to live up to expectations. Playing 11 matches for KKR, he scored just 142 runs, with minimal impact in both batting and bowling. The hefty price tag appeared to weigh him down, resulting in a disappointing 2025 campaign.

However, in 2024, Iyer had been a key player in KKR’s title-winning season, scoring 370 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 159. That performance laid the foundation for him to press the “reset” button for the new season.

During the auction, KKR did not completely let go of Iyer. A bidding battle with RCB went up to ₹6.8 crore. But after spending ₹25.2 crore on Cameron Green, Kolkata were unwilling to push further. Finally, RCB snapped him up for ₹7 crore. With a new team, a defined role, and less financial pressure, this move could work in Iyer’s favour.

The IPL 2026 auction also delivered a shock for South African veteran David Miller, whose value dropped from ₹7.5 crore last season to just ₹2 crore with Delhi Capitals.

There were also some bargain deals at base price: England’s Ben Duckett was signed for ₹2 crore, Wanindu Hasaranga also for ₹2 crore, while Mumbai Indians brought back Quinton de Kock for just ₹1 crore.

Interestingly, several big names including Liam Livingstone, Rachin Ravindra, Jamie Smith, Prithvi Shaw, and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold in the first round, but teams later included them strategically according to squad requirements.

Overall, the IPL 2026 auction reaffirmed that form and team roles outweigh price tags. Venkatesh Iyer’s journey to RCB is not just a transfer—it’s an opportunity to prove himself all over again.