Dhauladhar mountain range will form its backdrop. The stakes couldn’t be bigger. When Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans square off at the HPCA Stadium on Tuesday evening, the prize on offer is as simple as it is lucrative: a direct route to the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad on May 31.

The loser moves on to Qualifier 2 in New Chandigarh on May 29 for another piece of the cherry, but no one entered the knockouts wanting a longer journey.

Both sides finished the league stage level on 18 points from 14 matches, separated only by net run rate – RCB’s 0.783 versus GT’s 0.695 – which secured them a Qualifier 1 berth. Two great teams, no different on paper, but arrived at these mountains in very different states of mind.

Defending Champs vs. Surging Machine

The defending champions effectively topped the table by winning nine of their 14 games. Throughout the season, they have looked like the team to beat brilliantly with the bat, ball and in the field. Under the quietly assured captaincy of Rajat Patidar, RCB have played with a composure that this franchise has not had for a long time.

They know what it feels like to lift the trophy in Ahmedabad – last year at the Narendra Modi Stadium, they ended an 18-year wait by turning the slogan of “E Saala Cup Namde” into reality by defeating Punjab Kings in the final. It is every RCB player’s dream to return to the same ground to defend the title.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans are heading into this knockout clash with strong momentum after defeating Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs in their last league game. Ahmedabad also has its own attraction for GT. He was born on the same ground where he won his inaugural title in 2022 and the Narendra Modi Stadium remains his spiritual fortress. Getting straight there is the aim as they have been dominant on home soil this season.

RCB vs GT: Head to Head

They have a head-to-head record of 4-4, and will play their first game at GT Dharamshala. Lack of familiarity with the venue could matter – RCB have already played here this season and know what the HPCA conditions demand.

Virat Kohli’s average of 76.66 in matches against GT is the highest against anyone IPL Team. The numbers between these sides vary from season to season – GT defeated RCB in Chinnaswamy in 2025, RCB won both 2024 encounters – making it impossible to identify a dominant side. It is clear that competitions are always interesting.

Despite a brilliant century from Sai Sudarshan in their first encounter this season, Rajat Patidar’s side emerged victorious by five wickets, leaving the Titans’ score at 205/3, with Kohli leading the charge for RCB with a brilliant 81 off 44 balls. Shubman Gill’s team bundled out the defending champions for 155 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. One win each in 2026 and everything is on par in the most important match of the season. Excellent.

Kohli vs Gill: King vs Prince

The theme of this entire match is a duel between two of India’s best batsmen. Gill is the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2026 with 616 runs in just 13 matches and six fifties at a strike-rate of 161.6. Kohli has scored 557 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 163.8, which includes one century and four fifties. They come not just as rivals, but as symbols of their respective franchises’ ambitions – the veteran looking for another title, the young captain trying to create his own legacy.

Their weapons are different. Kohli anchors and accelerates, plays with the full face of the bat and bowls anything full and straight. As the season has matured, Gill has become a more aggressive proposition and is enjoying the real bounce of such surfaces. Gill likes true bouncy pitches where he can play his back-foot game. They will absolutely love the mountains of Dharamshala.

A tale of two seam heavyweights

Rather than an isolated individual battle, this qualifier is a clash of two beautifully constructed, multidimensional speed operations uniquely suited to the high-altitude life of Dharamshala.

For RCB, the fundamentals depend on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who tops the Purple Cap standings with 24 wickets, swinging the ball both ways in the powerplay. He is brilliantly linked with the high-release control of Josh Hazlewood (12 wickets) and the brilliant emergence of Rasikh Salaam Dar (14 wickets), who has consistently maintained his enthusiasm with dynamic variations under pressure in the death overs.

The GT counters with an incredibly deep, four-pronged rushing attack that hunts in constant transitions. Kagiso Rabada equaled Bhuvi with 24 wickets, bringing the old rivalry to the fore. He formed a partnership with Mohammad Siraj (17 wickets). Who enters the knockout in explosive rhythm. Supporting them is the hit-the-deck height of Prasidh Krishna (14 wickets) and the experienced tactical execution of Jason Holder (13 wickets).

The individual match-ups within this wide-seam battle are delicious: Rabada has dismissed Kohli five times in 16 T20 innings, while Bhuvneshwar has traditionally dominated Gill, bowling him out at a modest strike rate of 106.7 while holding him to an average of just 16. Those match-ups can define entire games.

Classical vs Bludgeoning Batting Battle

There is a fascinating philosophical dichotomy between the batting line-ups. GT has built on classical technique – their top three of Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler are in supreme form. Sudarshan, in particular, has been the most consistent batsman of the tournament: 638 runs at an average of 45.6. He times the ball rather than hitting it, finding the gaps with wrist beauty, letting the pace of the pitch do the work.

RCB responded with tremendous force. Kohli on top, then the carnage that followed – Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jitesh Sharma. Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar have been the engines of the middle-order, who take no time to warm up and perform well. Devdutt has already played a explosive innings against Punjab Kings in Dharamshala.

This is a batting order designed to clear the ropes after being navigated in the powerplay. RCB has crossed the 200-run mark consecutively this season. If their top order survives the early pace attack, there is real firepower to punish any loose ends in the second half.

Will speed dominate in Dharamshala?

The venue almost demands it. The HPCA Stadium is known to help fast bowlers with extra bounce and movement, especially during the initial overs. The cool mountain air and high altitude conditions often allow fast bowlers to gain swing, making it difficult to bat initially. Nearly three-quarters of all wickets taken at the HPCA Stadium this season have been by seam bowlers – the highest for any venue. Both bowling attacks are built for exactly such conditions, which suggests that the team that navigates the powerplay with the bat will find itself in a position of real strength.

The dew factor after sunset generally makes chasing in Dharamshala easier, meaning the toss can take unusual weight. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first, as dew will help the batsmen in the second innings.

RCB vs GT: Team News

The spotlight in the RCB camp is completely dominated by the top-order structure. England’s explosive opening batsman Phil Salt—who scored 202 runs in just six matches earlier this season—Fully fit and available after missing the latter part of the league Stage with finger injury.

This presents Virat Kohli as well as the management with a huge tactical conundrum. Venkatesh Iyer has been excellent as an emergency opening batsman, scoring 158 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 177.52. Bringing Salt straight back gives RCB the threat of a maximum powerplay on the Dharamsala deck, and in the absence of Jacob Bethel, the English wicketkeeper could bring back the firepower at the top.

Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, are a good team, who would prefer the pace of Prasidh Krishna over an extra spinner in Dharamshala.

RCB vs GT: Dharamshala season

The HPCA Stadium has traditionally been one of the most batsman-friendly venues in the IPL. The high-altitude setting of the venue allows the ball to travel faster through the air, making clean hitting especially beneficial for power batsmen. Batsmen who enjoy playing on realistic surfaces are expected to flourish, while fast outfields and short square boundaries could contribute to another high-scoring contest. However, fast bowlers able to swing the ball early may enjoy success before conditions become easier later in the innings. Historically, the average first innings score at this venue in the IPL has been around 187.

The temperature is likely to be around 23 degrees Celsius at the start of the match and is likely to drop gradually as the night progresses. Humidity levels are expected to remain around 35%, making for relatively pleasant playing conditions. Winds of around 4 km/hr may help the fast bowlers swing a bit, especially with the new ball. Rain is not expected to be a factor.

RCB vs GT: Predicted XI

Royal Challengers Bangalore Probable XI: Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salaam Dar, Josh Hazlewood.

effect sub: Suyyash Sharma/Jacob Duffy

Gujarat Titans Probable XI: Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj.

Effect Sub: Prasidh Krishna

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In today’s fast-paced T20 cricket, batsmen are happy scoring runs by any means. While clean drives and big sixes are the most enjoyable shots for batsmen, the aggressive nature of the format often forces players to hit false shots. Nevertheless, some batsmen have managed to combine aggressive cricket with remarkable control.KL Rahul He has been one such batsman for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. The opening batsman scored 593 runs in 14 matches at an average of 45.61 and a career-best strike rate of 174.41. His season included a century, a record unbeaten 152 against Punjab Kings – the first 150-plus score by an Indian in IPL history – and five fifties.Rahul has also hit 31 sixes this season, which is the second most by a DC batsman after Rishabh Pant, who hit 37 sixes in the 2018 season.According to Cricviz quoting news agency ANI, despite batting at a high strike rate, Rahul has the lowest foul shot percentage this season at 12.1. This means that about 88 percent of his shots connected properly.His closest players are Dhruv Jurel Rajasthan Royals and Heinrich Klaasen of Sunrisers Hyderabad, both have a foul shot percentage of 12.6.Jurel scored 458 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of over 149, including five fifties, while Klaasen scored 606 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of over 159 with six fifties.Rajasthan Royals batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi has also shown impressive control despite his aggressive style. The 15-year-old has scored 583 runs in 14 matches at an average of 41.64 and a strike rate of over 232, which includes one century, three fifties and 53 sixes. His false shot percentage is 17.8, which is at par with Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore.On the other hand, some batsmen have posted strong numbers despite making more mistakes. This season, Cooper Connolly of Punjab Kings has the highest false shot percentage of 25.6. So far, he has scored 491 runs in 13 innings at an average of 44.63 and strike rate of 163.12, which includes one century and two fifties.Gujarat Titans’ orange cap holder Sai Sudarshan has a false shot percentage of 18.1. He has scored 638 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 157.92 with one century and seven fifties, and has managed to make the most of his scoring opportunities despite a high error rate.

Rajasthan Royals’ win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede on May 24 ended Punjab Kings’ IPL campaign, but it also reignited online trolling directed at Shreyas Iyer’s sister Shrestha over a viral “bunter” reel involving PBKS and Kolkata Knight Riders.

After this the clip surfaced again PBKS misses playoff spot by just one pointDue to which fresh abuse started on social media. This incident has once again highlighted how quickly online humor in sports can turn into targeted harassment, especially when the results go against a team or individual.

Responding to the backlash, Shrestha addressed the issue in a two-part Instagram video, clarifying The intention behind the original reel and the condemnation of abuse Directed at him and his family.

He said, “You people exaggerated the video I had made earlier, whereas the purpose of the reel was just a fun joke.” “I was not trolling anyone, I had no bad intentions behind the joke. I was not spreading hatred against anyone. I respect every cricketer because my brother is a cricketer.”

They also spoke about the scale of online and offline harassment, including abuse at their workplace and against colleagues.

“I feel sorry for you guys,” he added. “You have been calling my workplace, abusing me, my colleagues, my students and my family. Harassing them and calling at random times.”

Shrestha further said that although she is ready to face personal criticism, targeting her professional circle and family crosses a line. “If you want to hate me, please continue to do so, but stop harassing people associated with me. I am not here to tell you what is right or wrong. I will celebrate my brother – whether he wins or loses, I will always celebrate him.”

toxic fans in india

The episode has once again raised concerns over the toxic side of cricket fans in India, where players and their families often become targets of online abuse after high-stakes matches or controversial moments. Similar incidents in the past have seen family members of international cricketers dragged into online controversies, leading to widespread discussion about digital harassment and accountability on social media platforms.

In one such example, India batsman Virat Kohli was also part of an online storm recently Heated argument on the field with Australian opener Travis HeadAfter which a section of social media used abusive language. Message towards the players and even their families—Once again the dark side of fan culture in modern cricket was highlighted.

The resurgence of old reels following Punjab Kings’ minor missteps has further heightened tensions between the fan bases, with online narratives quickly shifting from light-hearted banter to personal attacks. While teams and players regularly engage in social media content IPL Season after season, the results often highlight how delicate the line is between entertainment and growth in the digital sphere.

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New Delhi: Captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Rajat Patidar the opening batsman said Phil Salt He is fit ahead of the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 clash against Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala on Tuesday, but said the team management has not yet decided whether he will be part of the playing eleven or not.Salt missed the latter half of the league stage due to injury after appearing in the first six matches of the season. Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, Patidar said that the England batsman is under observation. “Salt is fit, he is under observation. But we have not decided on our playing XI yet. We will look at the wicket and then decide.”RCB topped the points table with 18 points from 14 matches, with GT getting the edge on net run rate after both teams finished level on points. The winner of Qualifier 1 will directly advance to the IPL final, while the losing team will have another chance through Qualifier 2 against the winner of the eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on Friday.Patidar said that RCB is directly focused on qualifying for the finals.“Win and go to the final. That’s what we’ve talked about since day one. Topping the table was something we demonstrated. If we win this match, we’ll be relaxed,” he said.Despite being on top in the points table, Patidar described the match against GT as a draw.“On any given day, the team that performs better under pressure will win. We just need to keep our composure.”RCB will face Gujarat’s bowling attack which has been one of the most consistent this season. However, Patidar backed his own bowlers to mount a strong response after a forgettable outing against SRH in the last league game.Bhuvneshwar Kumar His performance in that match was costly, but Patidar said the experienced fast bowler remains vital to RCB’s plans.“He is an experienced bowler. The last game didn’t go the way we wanted but bowling is our strength and the way we bowled in the powerplay, I think it will be very important (against GT). So we are looking for early wickets and that is what we have done so far. Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasik are doing the same. So we hope to continue the same process.”

Spain finally announced their 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday and while the Euro 2024 champions remain one of the favorites for the tournament, the biggest talking point became the complete absence of Real Madrid players from Luis de la Fuente’s squad.

The Spain head coach, who guided La Roja to UEFA Euro 2024 glory before finishing runners-up in the UEFA Nations League 2025, has selected a Barcelona-dominated squad for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

And fans were left stunned when Real Madrid stars Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia were left out of the final squad despite strong expectations of their inclusion.

Even former captain Alvaro Morata, who led Spain to Euro 2024 triumph, failed to make a place.

Barcelona, ​​meanwhile, had the most representation in the squad, with names like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarci, Eric García, Ferran Torres and goalkeeper Joan García.

No Real Madrid player in Spain team

The absence of Real Madrid representation immediately became the biggest talking point surrounding the announcement of Spain’s World Cup squad.

Fans were particularly hopeful that Dean Huijsen would be included after his rapid rise over the previous year, while Fran García and Álvaro Carreras were also seen as realistic options given Spain’s deep concerns in defensive areas.

Instead, Luis de la Fuente opted for continuity around the core group that helped Spain dominate possession-based football during their recent international success.

Spain’s defensive unit will now be led by the likes of Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubbarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Pedro Porro, while the midfield will once again revolve around Pedri, Martin Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz and Gavi.

In attack, Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Borja Iglesias top the options along with teenage sensation Lamin Yamal.

However, Barcelona’s teenage superstar is expected to miss Spain’s opening World Cup match against Cape Verde due to injury concerns.

Spain will also be without midfielder Fermin Lopez as he underwent surgery after suffering a fractured foot last week.

Spain enters the World Cup as title contenders

Spain are heading into the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the strongest favorites after a resurgence under Luis de la Fuente over the past two years.

After winning UEFA Euro 2024 with an exciting young core combined with experienced midfield control, Spain produced another strong performance in the UEFA Nations League before finishing runners-up earlier this year.

The team announcement also came relatively late compared to many other World Cup nations, making Real Madrid’s omission even more discussed among online supporters.

Spain has been drawn in Group H along with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

La Roja began their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on 14 June after playing warm-up friendlies against Iraq and Peru at the beginning of the month.

spain fifa world cup 2026 squad

Goalkeeper:

Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia

defenders: :

Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pau Cubersi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Pabil, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro

midfielder: :

Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Gavi, Rodrigo, Alex Baena, Mikel Merino

Ahead: :

Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Jeremy Pino, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Victor Munoz, Lamin Yamal

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Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill during IPL 2026. (AP Photo)

New Delhi: Less than two months before the 2026 T20 World Cup, Shubman Gill Was dropped from the Indian team. Promoted as vice-captain for the Asia Cup, the right-handed batsman failed to deliver returns, leaving the think tank to take a tough decision. Gill, set to lead India across all formats, found himself at a delicate crossroads last December. A batsman who had re-established himself during a dream summer in England, replacing Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain, and closing in on Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I captaincy, was suddenly left out of the World Cup squad.Gill took the plunge, fulfilled his business commitments and gathered his team in Mohali. During the cold of winter, with side-armers and reliable net bowlers, he worked relentlessly on his white-ball game. Gill, known to rely heavily on volume in training, spent hours analyzing videos of his T20 outings and realized that he needed to unlock more range and power from deep cover to mid-wicket in the traditional V.Determined to change things, Gill accepted the challenge. The middler bat became his best friend, and he spent hours with it to find the right spot without losing its shape. Earlier he often seemed eager to hit the ball very hard. Even during the last IPL season – when he scored 650 runs in 15 innings at a strike-rate of 155.88 – he lacked the desired control in the traditional Vs. At times, the face of the bat would close slightly while hitting long-off and long-on, causing him to suffer a loss of height and distance.Problem identified, challenge accepted.The plan was simple. Each batting session involves hundreds of balls being bowled from a middle bat – a thinner version of a regular bat that improves control – and this routine has continued during this IPL season. Gill is regularly seen warming up with Midler before each range-hitting session. The incidents of the bat rotating in his hands or his face getting closed due to impact have reduced significantly. He is now holding his position more often and looking for a more cordial relationship.There’s a strong ping from his bat whenever he goes straight, and his superior control has made him a delight as a cameraperson this IPL season. This has been his best season in terms of strike-rate and six-hitting, yet he has never looked to compromise the strong foundation of his batting. There are hardly any ramps, scoops or paddles – just textbook batting with extensive range.

File photo of Shubman Gill in the nets. (screenshot/x)

Against the spinners, he has used different sweeps effectively, but without any premeditation, which has helped him retain his elegance and grace. And the numbers don’t lie. In IPL 2026, in 13 matches, he has scored 616 runs at a strike rate of 161.68, his highest in the tournament.Like his approach towards life, Gill keeps his batting simple as well.The hours spent with his team in Mohali not only helped him re-develop his T20 game but also gave him a chance to settle down after a turbulent few months. Away from the limelight, home-cooked meals behind the nets brought back simpler times – while preparing him for better days ahead.

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has backed Sunrisers Hyderabad to win the Indian Premier League title this year. Speaking after the team’s final league-stage match of the season, Axar said SRH’s explosive top order makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the competition and warned that they will be difficult to stop if their batsmen fire in the playoffs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad confirmed their playoff qualification With a resounding 55-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore In their final league stage game. Playing against the table-toppers at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, SRH produced one of their most complete performances of the season and finished third in the standings.

SRH will now face Rajasthan Royals in the eliminator on May 27 at the Mullanpur Stadium, New Chandigarh.

“I think SRH are a strong team. When their top three score runs, they look like a strong unit,” Axar Patel told the broadcaster after Delhi Capitals’ match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

A season of learning for Akshar Patel

Delhi Capitals finished IPL 2026 finished sixth with 14 points from 14 matches. The team suffered a major slump midway through the tournament and failed to recover in time to remain in the playoff race.

Although Delhi ended the season on a positive note by winning their last three matches, it was not enough to make the top four, extending their playoff drought to five consecutive years.

Reflecting on the campaign, Akshar admitted that Delhi failed to take advantage of key moments during the tournament.

Axar said, “You have to accept your mistakes and then you realize what else you can do. A match here or there is fine. We have played good cricket, but if we had grabbed the key moments in one or two games, things would have been different.”

Delhi particularly struggled in the middle stages of the tournament, losing consecutive games against Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. His fielding lapses and inability to make stops at crucial moments repeatedly cost him valuable points.

A defining moment of their season came against Gujarat Titans, when DC failed to chase down a modest target David Miller refused to give strike to Kuldeep Yadav in the last over. Of the match.

Those moments gradually weakened Delhi’s confidence and the team eventually bowed out before their final league game.

“I have learned a lot about myself. It is a high-pressure tournament and you have to take care of everyone. You need to be in good mental condition because if you are not, you get frustrated and take wrong decisions. I try to stay calm. Even when I get frustrated, I try to calm myself down and then keep others calm as well,” Akshar concluded.

RCB, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals qualified for the playoffs this season. While RCB will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, SRH will face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator. The winner of the Eliminator will face the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2, and the winner of that clash will advance to the final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

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Knoll fans, rejoice! The two-time champion faces a tough challenge from 22-year-old local hope Giovanni Mapetschi Pericard in the opening round of the men’s singles competition at the 2026 French Open on Sunday, May 24. The 39-year-old looked happy and comfortable at the end of a grueling two-hour and 51-minute encounter on Court Philippe Chatrier in Paris.

The win came hours after seventh-seeded Taylor Fritz Compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy dropped In the opening round of Roland Garros.

There were continuing concerns about a serious shoulder injury, derailing her preparations for the clay-court Grand Slams; However, Djokovic brushed aside those fears. She celebrated with a light-hearted, energetic on-court dance after weathering Maphetshi Pericard’s storm in four sets, recovering from a set down to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 in the opening round.

The Paris crowd erupted in joy as the post-match celebration turned into a heartfelt family celebration, with Djokovic’s children joining him on the historic Chatrier clay.

Djokovic had played only one match on clay before arriving in Paris, a surprise second-round loss to Dino Prizmich at the Rome Masters in the first week of May. Despite this lack of match practice, he was determined to capture a record-breaking 25th major title. Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the tournament may have further boosted his ambitions, but many pundits were still curious to see how his body would fare, especially after shoulder problems following his run to the Australian Open final in January.

Much to the delight of his global fan base, Djokovic looked completely comfortable in terms of his physical fitness, with no visible signs of shoulder trouble. However, there was an undeniable layer of competitive rust that had to be removed before the match could really settle in.

great service giovanni

The 22-year-old Giovanni, united by a partisan home crowd, was unwilling to make life easy for the champion. In the opening set, the giant server was in sensational form, winning 91 percent of his first serves compared to Djokovic’s 80 percent.

The Frenchman’s blazing serve made all the difference early on. The young contender was firing shots at an average speed of 215 km/h, which was 28 km/h faster than Djokovic’s own average.

As a result, Djokovic was unable to muster a single break point in the opening set, while Empetshi Pericard converted a solitary, crucial opportunity to win the opener 7–5.

There was no immediate disappointment from the youngster as he held serve and returned with immense authority to put the pressure on Djokovic. The Serb fought hard to get break points, but whenever danger loomed, Mpetshi Pericard responded with a ferocious first serve to get out of trouble.

The Frenchman mixed up his targets beautifully, firing the ball wide at some points and low off the ‘t’ at others to keep Djokovic guessing.

Finally, the veteran superstar found his rhythm. He converted a crucial break point in the twilight of the second set, and successfully escaped the tie-break lottery to level the match.

After winning such a hard-fought set, Mpetshi Pericard looked somewhat disappointed in the third set. Sensing his opponent’s sudden drop in temperament and intensity, Djokovic immediately improved his game. The Frenchman lost almost 20 km/h of speed on his first serve, allowing Djokovic to create break points at will and he won the third set 6–1.

Djokovic started the fourth set with an immediate break and it looked as if the match would be one-sided from that moment on. However, Mpetshi Pericard showed great courage to make an immediate comeback and hold her next serve to put the pressure back on the champion. The youngster did everything in his power to stay within touching distance, but Djokovic completely found his range, and overcame the difficult moments with trademark composure to win 6–4 and wrap up the match.

Speaking on court after the bout, Djokovic heaped praise on the world number 83, paying particular tribute to his tremendous serves and the remarkable control with which he executes them.

Djokovic addressed the Paris crowd in French, saying, “I played against Giovanni for the first time this evening. I’m sure it would feel different if I played him five or ten times, but his serve is really very good. It’s difficult to read that kind of serve and it’s probably the first or second time in my career I’ve had to face that kind of delivery. He’s made life incredibly difficult for me.”

Why peppy dance?

When Djokovic was questioned about the little dance he did to celebrate the win in front of his watching family, he reflected on his career mentality.

“To be honest, throughout my career, I have always focused a lot on dedication. I bring full commitment to my tennis, but I also want to experience enjoyment. I want the enjoyment of playing with patience and experiencing these great matches.

“I’m always looking for that beautiful feeling, that alive feeling on the court. It’s a great opportunity to play here at Roland Garros and I’m very grateful for it.

“But when you’re in the heat of a tournament on a big court, it’s hard to do everything. Sometimes I smile to escape the heavy emotions and take the pressure off. Playing against a French player in Paris is always a tough challenge, so instead, I try to dance.”

Djokovic will now face world No. 74 Valentin Royer, another French player, in the second round. After receiving two days off, the Serb will return to the practice court to prepare for his first meeting with Royer, who advanced after defeating Bolivian qualifier Hugo Dellien in straight sets.

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Delhi Capitals’ Kuldeep Yadav and teammates celebrating (ANI photo)

Delhi Capitals started their IPL 2026 campaign with an impressive 40-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a nail-biting encounter. KL Rahul And -Kuldeep Yadav Acted on Sunday. With the defeat of Rajasthan Royals Mumbai Indians Having sealed the final playoff berth earlier in the day, both KKR and Punjab Kings were officially eliminated before the match even began. Delhi Capitals were already eliminated after PBKS’s win over Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday, leaving only pride and the final standings to play for at the Eden Gardens. Batting first after the KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane Deciding to bowl, Delhi Capitals scored 203 for 5 at the top thanks to an explosive half-century from Rahul. The DC openers looked in complete control from the start and attacked both pace and spin with ease. Rahul hit five fours and four sixes during his innings of 60 runs in 30 balls and registered his sixth half-century of this season. he specifically targeted Sunil NarineDancing on the track again and again to clear the ropes. In one over, Rahul hit a skyscraper six off Narine over long-on and followed it up with another four over the spinner’s head. After this, Rahul changed his stance further against Karthik Tyagi and completed his half-century in 25 balls by scoring 20 runs by hitting one four and a straight six in one over. At that point, Delhi looked set for a total of over 220. However, KKR managed to regain some control through Anukul Roy, who dismissed Rahul towards the end of the game. Sahil Parakh also scored 24 runs before Axar Patel scored 39 runs, while Varun Chakravarthy returned with 1 for 35 despite continuing to play with a hairline fracture in his left toe. KKR got off to a positive start in their chase, with Rahane taking charge of the side in what could possibly be his final appearance for the franchise. The veteran batsman produced one of his best innings of the season, scoring 63 runs in just 39 balls with the help of four fours and four sixes. Rahane attacked aggressively, hitting Auqib Nabi with consecutive sixes and then repeated the same against Axar Patel, completing a quick half-century in 31 balls. But just when KKR seemed to be gaining momentum, Kuldeep Yadav completely changed the game. Returning to the playing eleven after being dropped and taking no wickets in his last three matches, the left-arm wrist spinner troubled his former team by taking 3 wickets for 29 runs. Kuldeep first dismissed Cameron Green cheaply before creating the decisive moment of the match. Sensing Rahane moving forward, he bowled a bounced ball outside leg stump which fell sharply. Rahane tried to bowl it straight, but only managed to get it past David Miller. On the very next ball, Kuldeep put KKR in complete trouble by dismissing Rinku Singh for zero. He almost completed a hat-trick after Tejaswi Dahiya bowled the next ball, but Abhishek Porel missed the chance behind the stumps. From there, KKR collapsed rapidly and were bowled out for 163 in 18.4 overs, suffering their seventh defeat of the season. Mitchell Starc He impressed against his former franchise with figures of 2 for 26, while Lungi Ngidi dominated the field with figures of 3 for 27. The result helped Delhi Capitals finish sixth on the points table with seven wins and seven losses, above KKR, who finished seventh after another disappointing campaign under Rahane.