Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has backed Rohit Sharma to have one of the best Indian Premier League seasons when the tournament begins on Saturday, March 28.

Rohit’s best IPL season came in 2013, when he scored 538 runs in 19 matches, helping Mumbai Indians win their first title. This is the only season in which he has crossed the 500-run mark.

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Steyn said the former MI captain will combine focus and aggression with control in this IPL and show his best cricket in India’s growing winning culture. He also praised Rohit for changing his physique.

Since stepping away from Test cricket in 2025, the 38-year-old Rohit has focused a lot on fitnessHis eyes are set on the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“Guns blazing. I think he will be focused and aggressive, but in a controlled manner. It won’t be reckless slogging, it will be cultured, adapt to the conditions. We are likely to see the best performance from Rohit Sharma this season,” Steyn told broadcasters on Friday.

“You can see it in their bodies, and there is this feeling in the air – cricket in India is always in the air, but now there is a winning culture that Indian cricket is starting to adopt. The world is seeing it, and India is two steps ahead of everyone else,” Steyn said.

‘This is Rohit’s era’

For India, Rohit is the only active cricketer in ODIs, having already retired from Tests and T20Is. Steyn said that Rohit can use the IPL to showcase his skills and remind everyone that he is one of the best.

“Rohit is not as consistent a player across all three formats as he used to be, so he is using the IPL as a perfect platform to showcase his skills and remind everyone that he is still at the top.

Steyn said, “This is his period, two months to show India that he remains among the best players along with Virat and other experienced players. Opening at the Wankhede with Quinton de Kock and possibly (Ryan) Rickleton as well, Rohit is ready to explode. It is going to be exciting.”

Mumbai Indians are set to begin their IPL campaign against three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, March 29.

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Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli (Image Credit: BCCI/IPL)

Bengaluru: Until June 3, 2025, Royal Challengers Bangalore bore the tag of underachievers – a team that had spent the last 17 seasons chasing an elusive trophy. On a humid night in Ahmedabad, that story finally changed. Based less on individual stardom and more on collective performance, RCB shed their long-standing burden and got the monkey off their back.When they return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday evening, they do so with a quest to defend their title, a reputation to defend and a reassessment of expectations. Against fellow southpaws Sunrisers Hyderabad, RCB began their campaign as defending champions – a feat only Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have managed to achieve successful title defence.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said Delhi Capitals should go with Prithvi Shaw at the top of the order but should give him clarity in the role. After a year away from the IPL, Shaw is back in Delhi, where he re-established himself, found form in the domestic circuit and was eventually bought at his base price.

Shaw scored 537 runs in seven matches in his debut season for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy. And then took this form to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The 25-year-old scored 183 runs in seven matches with a strike rate above 160.

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Delhi looks for stability at the top KL Rahul is in one place as an opening batsman. When it comes to the second one, it is still three major contenders in the field after the return of Ben Duckett. Pathum Nissanka, Abhishek Porel and Shaw are in a triangular fight for the second position.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan said that a replacement for Porel could be explored, but Shaw should be trusted in the role.

“They have the option of Abhishek Porel, who has done really well whenever he has got the chance. He has contributed with quick 20s and 30s so far. But I think he should go with Prithvi Shaw and give him clarity about his role,” Pathan said.

‘Shaw will have a point to prove’

Pathan said that Shaw will come to prove himself in IPL 2026 after not being sold in the auction last year.

“He got him at a very good price. He moved from Mumbai to Maharashtra in domestic cricket. He was the highest run-scorer for Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Yes, he did not score in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but he looks in good form. I think those hungry players who were not sold last year, they always come with something to prove. Prithvi Shaw will come with a point to prove,” Pathan said.

Shaw has scored 1892 runs in 79 matches for DC during his IPL career since his debut in 2018.

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Prithvi Shaw of Delhi Capitals (Image Credit: Delhi Capitals/IPL)

New Delhi: Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan He has gained weight as he favors a bold opening combination for Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2026 Prithvi Shaw To partner with the ever-reliable KL Rahul At the top.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan praised Rahul as a reliable match-winner and described him as the “safest bank” in the league. Ignoring the criticism over his strike rate, Pathan said, “KL Rahul is the safest banker to score 500 runs in every season. He will always score runs and is capable of giving good starts consistently. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in this league.” “It’s just that we sometimes talk about his strike rate, but as long as you win matches, you don’t need to pay much attention to that,” he said.

Iran has banned its national and club sports teams from traveling to countries it considers hostile until further notice, citing concerns over athlete safety, Iranian media reported on Thursday. The Sports Ministry has issued this instruction amidst increasing tension on the sports activities of the country.

The ministry said the presence of Iranian teams in countries that are hostile and unable to guarantee the safety of athletes and team members is prohibited. This step has a direct impact Iran’s participation in international competitionsWhich also includes the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

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The Iranian Football Federation and clubs have been instructed to inform the Asian Football Confederation to facilitate the transfer of match venues. The ministry referenced Tractor FC’s recent match against the UAE team in Saudi Arabia, but did not specify which venues or countries were considered hostile.

Iran has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, the team’s participation is in jeopardy due to travel restrictions and ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially with the US and Israel.

Earlier this month, East US President Donald Trump made this comment on Iran’s national team While they are welcome to compete in the United States, concerns remain about their safety. This has added uncertainty to Iran’s World Cup plans.

In response, the Iranian Football Federation is discussing with FIFA about moving Iran’s World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, federation president Mehdi Taj said last week. The aim of these talks is to secure Iran’s continued participation in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Iranian team is training in Türkiye ahead of friendly international matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica this week. These matches are part of the team’s preparation for the World Cup.

The travel ban and venue relocation discussions underline the challenges Iran faces in securing its place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid complex international relations and security concerns.

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