Akshar Patel warned the other teams. “Let’s make Kotla our fort,” he said on the eve of Delhi Capitals’ first IPL 2026 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The Capitals followed suit by comfortably defeating Mumbai Indians at home last week. Now, they face a struggling Gujarat Titans team who are hoping to complete a hat-trick of wins in the opening season.

Having won just one out of five at the Kotla last season, Delhi will aim to continue their strong start as they play all seven home matches in the capital this year.

However, the threat of rain is looming their way, as North India continues to feel the impact of western disturbances. Shubman Gill’s return The Titans are hamstrung by neck muscle spasms, but Delhi – who appear to be a well-oiled machine – will start as favorites against a Gujarat team that looks strong on paper but is being hampered by the poor form of several of their key players.

Delhi Capitals will take on Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, April 8 at 7:30 PM IST. JioHotstar will broadcast the match live in India, while Star Sports will telecast it on television.

Ringside View: DC vs GT

On the eve of the game in Delhi, evening rain gave both teams a chance to overcome their shortcomings. In the Gujarat Titans camp, all the attention was on their weak middle-order. Washington Sundar, who was tasked with strengthening the unit, conducted a 40-minute workout. Tested by the likes of Prasidh Krishna, Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore, the young all-rounder gradually found his rhythm. After taking his time to settle down, Sundar began to strike the ball with pace, sending balls into the stands – something the Titans will be hoping he can repeat in Wednesday’s match.

Next came their captain Shubman Gill, who missed the game against Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad – where their middle order collapsed after a strong start in an unsuccessful chase of 211.

Gill entered the net session with ease, arriving minutes after his opening partner Sai Sudarshan confirmed that the captain would be fit to play. Once he got his timing right, Gill sent a few balls tumbling into the stands. As is typical of India’s ODI and Test captain, there was nothing extraordinary – just precise timing and brilliant strokeplay, which put the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Gurnoor Brar under pressure.

Rahul Tewatia, who has been looking out of form, also spent time in the nets as Gujarat look desperate to stabilize their middle order.

On the other side of the main strip, KL Rahul was the focal point. Following the routine, wicketkeeper-batsman Pathum went in with Nissanka, but it was Rahul who dominated the session, clearly eager to make a significant contribution after two consecutive failures (0 and 1). While the Sri Lankan openers looked in great form, Rahul looked sharp, although at times he struggled with the pace of Auqib Nabi.

Nitish Rana, brought in as a dependable presence at No. 3, also spent time in the middle, taking throwdowns near the boundary in a specially curated session.

Team News: DC vs GT

Delhi Capitals are unlikely to make any changes to their winning combination. Mitchell Starc is still in Australia And with the early season momentum firmly in their favour, they are expected to build on the work they have done so far.

Bowling coach Munaf Patel echoed this sentiment, while also indicating that Sameer Rizvi will remain an impact player despite consistent match-winning performances with the bat. He did not rule out the possibility of including an additional bowling option in Ashutosh Sharma or Nabi if the situation demanded, highlighting the team’s flexibility.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans are set to make a straightforward change, with Gill returning in place of youngster Kumar Kushagra. They may also consider bringing in Jason Holder in place of Kagiso Rabada to strengthen the lower middle order, which is lacking confidence at the moment.

They will also be keen to see Rashid Khan regain his rhythm with the ball after a slow start to the season. Express Their pace attack, featuring Ashok Sharma, has the potential to trouble Delhi’s inconsistent top order.

Delhi pitch and weather conditions

The pitch used for the game against Mumbai Indians last Saturday afternoon was helping the bowlers. On the eve of this match, there was a light green color on the surface, which suggests that the bowlers may once again get some help.

That said, Delhi continues to be one of the high-scoring venues, especially in the evening matches.

While it rained overnight in the capital, the forecast is more favorable during match hours. It may rain once or twice in the afternoon, but full play is expected on Wednesday.

Estimated Playing XI and Impact Subs

Delhi Capitals: KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (captain), Vipraj Nigam, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.

Impact Sub: Sameer Rizvi

Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ashok Sharma, Mohammed Siraj.

Effect Sub: Prasad Krishna

See the press: what they said

Sai Sudarshan on GT’s poor middle order: “If one of the top three batsmen plays for a long time, it is always a good thing for the team. We believe in our middle order. This is the team that played last year and we qualified. So it is just two games and I and the entire team are confident that our middle order will win the game.”

On Mitchell Starc’s absence, DC bowling coach Munaf Patel said, “We have won two matches, so his absence has not been felt so far. But if the results are not in our favor then questions will be raised. Starc is one of the best bowlers in the world. In the IPL, only a player like Jasprit Bumrah can be compared to him. He brings pace, swing and experience. We are keeping a close eye on his fitness as he is very important for us.” Are.”

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tune in

Hardik Pandya and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (PTI/ANI photo)

New Delhi: Mumbai Indians captain hardik pandya He was surprised by teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi after getting help from the youngster’s explosive innings Rajasthan Royals Won by 27 runs in the rain-affected IPL 2026 match on Tuesday.In a match in Guwahati that was reduced to 11 overs per team, Suryavanshi played a breathtaking inning of 39 runs off just 14 balls. Yashasvi JaiswalHis unbeaten 77 took Rajasthan to 150/3 – a total that proved well beyond Mumbai’s reach as they were restricted to 123/9.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!While the result pushed MI to seventh in the standings, Pandya decided to highlight the fearless batting of the 15-year-old opener, who has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in the league.“It’s fascinating to see a 17 or 16-year-old boy play the way he does,” Pandya said after the game. “At the same time, we discussed him a lot in our preparation. Still, the way he bats – the kind of fearlessness he has, the kind of shots he plays – it’s amazing to watch. I wish him all the best for the future.”Suryavanshi wasted no time in impressing the leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah With bold strokeplay, including several sixes, which stunned the opposition and changed the momentum decisively in RR’s favour. Pandya admitted that the opening pair of Jaiswal and Suryavanshi effectively “knocked Mumbai out of the game” in the powerplay itself.Despite brilliant batting, Pandya attributed his team’s bowling to the main reason behind the defeat. “We didn’t execute the balls we should have and played well,” he said. “In a short game like this, the bowlers need to take more responsibility. As a bowling group, we were not at all good.”Also read: Yashasvi Jaiswal hits 100 sixes, joins Royals’ elite power-hittersHe said the outcome could have been different with better discipline. “T20 cricket is about bowling the right two balls. If we had executed on those, we would have been in the game. I wouldn’t put it on the batting – it was definitely on the bowling unit.”Looking to the future, Pandya remained optimistic despite Mumbai’s inconsistent start to the season. “Just learn from the mistakes. Tomorrow will be morning, the sun will rise,” he said, referring to their upcoming match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. “We need to prepare well and come back stronger.”

Jos Buttler has struggled in 2026, especially in T20 Internationals. His T20 World Cup 2026 performance was not good and he scored only 87 runs in eight innings. Overall, he has scored 168 runs in 11 T20Is this year at an average of 15.27 and a strike rate of less than 125.

Despite this, Butler aims to make a comeback in IPL With Gujarat Titans, relying on his experience and skills. He had a strong first season with GT as he scored 538 runs in 14 matches. This season, he has started with scores of 38 runs in 33 balls against Punjab Kings and 26 runs in 14 balls against Rajasthan Royals.

Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast with Stuart Broad, Buttler said after the break T20 World Cup was beneficial. He is focusing on his technique and preparation to ensure that he is in good position at the time of ball release.

“I’m feeling really good. Feeling good after the break.” [T20] World Cup, just put the bat down and have some space. Basically, just focusing on myself and my set-up and making sure I’m in a good position when the ball is released – which I do,” Butler said.

He said that he wants to convert a good start into a match-winning innings. “And then just trusting my game, trusting my experience and trying to let it happen. I’m in a good position, like with a few starts. You always want to step up and make a match-winning contribution, but it’s good to feel calm in the middle and in a good place. Hopefully that can continue,” he said.

‘No mental block’

Butler stressed the importance of focusing on the present rather than past performance. He is careful to avoid mental blocks related to specific bowlers or venues.

“Every day you start from scratch and that’s what I’m looking forward to,” Butler explained. “Just looking forward, not thinking about the past, looking forward to the games, and just trying to measure up and not read too much into past successes or past failures.

“Sometimes you can – and I’ve certainly done this sometimes – create a kind of mental block against a certain bowler or a certain position, and say ‘This doesn’t work for me, on this ground.’ Or ‘Why can’t I score runs on any ground’ or that kind of mentality. I’m really trying to stay away from that,” he said.

Gujarat Titans have lost their first two matches and will try to recover from this when they face Delhi Capitals on April 8.

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Rajasthan Royals Maintained its dominance by defeating Indian Premier League 2026 Mumbai Indians India lost by 27 runs in a rain-interrupted 11-over-a-side match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.were leading the charge Yashasvi JaiswalWho played a brilliant inning of 77 unbeaten runs in 32 balls with the help of 10 fours and four sixes. He shared a explosive opening partnership of 80 runs with teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who scored 39 runs in just 14 balls. The pair laid the foundation for Rajasthan’s mammoth score of 150/3, which ultimately proved too heavy for Mumbai.The match, which was delayed by more than two and a half hours due to rain, became one-sided soon after the Royals’ innings. Chasing the target, Mumbai Indians soon faltered and were reduced to 46/5 inside five overs, losing key batsmen Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya in single figures. Despite some late resistance, they finished at 123/9, suffering their second consecutive defeat.Chasing 151 runs, Mumbai’s troubles started in the very first over when Richelton missed a rising ball from Joffra Archer after hitting a six and was caught by Dhruv Jurel. Suryakumar Yadav briefly showed intent by hitting a six, but fell victim to Nandre Berger soon after, taking Mumbai’s score to 20/2.Sandeep Sharma then dealt a crucial blow by dismissing Rohit Sharma LBW – the sixth time he has dismissed the Mumbai skipper in the IPL – as the five-time champions slipped further. Ravi Bishnoi tightened the screws by dismissing both Hardik Pandya and Tilak Verma in quick succession, ending Mumbai’s hopes.Earlier, Rajasthan Royals got off to a great start with Jaiswal hitting 22 runs in the first over of Deepak Chahar. After this, Suryavanshi performed fearlessly and hit two sixes on Jasprit Bumrah. Jaiswal continued the attack and hit two consecutive sixes off Trent Boult, taking Rajasthan to 50 in just 16 balls.Suryavanshi’s explosive innings ended when Shardul Thakur had him caught near the boundary line, while AM ​​Ghazanfar dismissed Jurel and captain Riyan Parag. However, Jaiswal remained unbeaten till the end, ensuring Rajasthan Royals posted a match-winning total and moved to the top of the table with three consecutive wins.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed strong support for Mohammed Shami’s return to the Indian national cricket team. Speaking in Kolkata ahead of Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9, Ganguly cited Shami’s recent performances as clear justification for his inclusion.

Ganguly made these comments during the inauguration of the third season of Bengal Pro T20 League on Tuesday. He praised Shami’s bowling and fitness despite his absence from the national team. The former BCCI president stressed that Shami’s role should be as Jasprit Bumrah’s new-ball partner – nothing else.

“He should be bowling at the other end to Bumrah, not anywhere else. He is that good. We all saw that spell the other night against Sunrisers Hyderabad – four overs, nine runs against the two best T20 players, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. That was phenomenal,” Ganguly said. Shami’s recent IPL performance in which he took 2 wickets for 9 runs And earned player of the match honors in Lucknow Super Giants’ win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Ganguly also highlighted Shami’s impact in domestic cricket, especially in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal. He pointed to the 35-year-old’s hunger and consistency, noting his commitment to performing day in and day out despite being overlooked by the selectors.

“He had a very good Ranji Trophy season for Bengal. I still remember that semi-final – even though Bengal lost, he took eight wickets. He was instrumental in taking the team here,” he said.

‘Shami’s seam treat is worth watching’

Addressing the physical demands placed on fast bowlers, Ganguly welcomed Shami’s continued participation in the Ranji Trophy. “I am very happy that he wants to continue playing in the Ranji Trophy. It is tough for a fast bowler, but there is nothing better than watching Mohammed Shami play with the new ball,” he said.

“He looks fit and sharp. After bowling consistently for several months, you naturally get into peak condition – no amount of training matches that. I wish him all the best and would love to see him back in India colours,” Ganguly said.

Like millions of Indian cricket fans, Ganguly also admires Shami’s straight seam – a hallmark of his bowling that still stands out today.

Shami was one of the leading wicket-takers in this season’s Ranji Trophy with 37 wickets at an average of 16.72. Despite these performances, he has been sidelined by the Ajit Agarkar-led national selectors, and has yet to regain his place in the international team.

Ganguly highlighted the ongoing debate over selection policies and player management in Indian cricket, saying, “I still believe he should play for India. Hopefully his time comes again because he is so good. When the ball comes out with a straight seam, it is a sight to behold.”

The reason for Shami’s exclusion is not due to lack of performance. In the 2025–26 domestic season, he performed brilliantly for Bengal and took 67 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. his recent IPL Lucknow Super Giants’ form has been equally impressive; Most notably, he delivered a match-winning spell of 2 for 9 against SRH on April 5 – which included 18 dot balls.

In response to their continued omissions, Shami has been unusually vocal. He has strongly rejected any talk of retirement and has said that he would only retire when he felt bored or lacked motivation. Hinting at the deep disappointment, he suggested that lack of PR could be influencing selection decisions, with young pacers being given preference despite their proven technical ability.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has consistently said that the door is not closed. However, his comments indicate an emphasis on “match fitness” as a selection criteria – something Shami believes he has already demonstrated through his performances.

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Gujarat Titans batsman Sai Sudarshan on Tuesday confirmed that the team captain and his opening partner Shubman Gill will play the IPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday.“Shubman is doing well. He will play tomorrow,” Sai Sudarshan confirmed Shubman Gill’s participation in yesterday’s (Wednesday) match against Delhi Capitals, after the GT skipper missed the last game due to muscle cramps.Gill did not play in the last match and his shoulder and neck were bandaged. The GT captain has been battling neck spasms since the 2025-26 domestic Test season. Sudarshan said that Gill has recovered and is fit to return. He will probably replace Kumar Kushagra at the top of the order. GT may also consider bringing in Jason Holder in the middle-order.Delhi Capitals will be looking for runs from their top-order led by KL Rahul as they aim to continue their results against Gujarat Titans.Delhi Capitals have performed well with the ball in their first two matches, with 22-year-old Sameer Rizvi having scored the most runs so far.In comparison, Gujarat Titans have faced problems with both batting and bowling. The team has relied on its top order, and the middle order has not made use of the starts. Despite a good start from Sudarshan, GT could not chase 205 runs against Rajasthan Royals.The middle order of Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia will need to perform more.In bowling, Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada have given runs, while Prasidh Krishna has not been able to perform consistently.Rashid Khan has made a good start and 23 year old fast bowler Ashok Sharma has also made an impact.The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is usually conducive to batting, but in the afternoon match last week, Mumbai Indians scored 162 runs. It remains to be seen how the pitch behaves in the evening match.

Former Harry Maguire has signed a new one-year contract with Manchester United, with the option to extend for a further year. The 33-year-old central defender’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season.

Maguire joined United from Leicester City in 2019 for £80 million, which was a world-record fee for a defender at the time. Since then, he has made 266 appearances and played a role in the club’s League Cup victory in 2022–23, followed by FA Cup success the following season.

Maguire said, “Representing Manchester United is the highest honour. It’s a responsibility that makes me and my family proud every day.” “I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue playing in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.”

Maguire’s tenure at Old Trafford has not been without turmoil. Appointed captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just five months after his arrival, he remained a regular despite criticism during the tenures of both Solskjaer and his successor, Ralf Rangnick.

In April 2022, Cheshire Police searched Maguire’s home After the bomb threat. His status at the club subsequently declined under Eric ten Hag, who stripped him of the captaincy in July 2023. Although a transfer to West Ham United was agreed soon afterwards, Maguire chose to remain at United.

Under Ruben Amorim, opportunities were limited, but the defender has since experienced a resurgence under interim manager Michael Carrick, starting all ten matches since Carrick’s appointment in mid-January.

Maguire said, “You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting team. The determination throughout the club to fight for major trophies is clear to everyone, and I am confident that together our best moments lie ahead of us.”

Director of Football Jason Wilcox said: “Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.”

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Plans are underway to significantly upgrade the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with the Karnataka State Cricket Association taking steps towards a long-term renovation aimed at increasing the capacity and overall fan experience. This step has been taken promptly by the KSCA officials under the leadership of Chairman Venkatesh Prasadmeet Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will discuss an ambitious expansion plan. The proposal seeks to increase the seating capacity of the stadium, which is currently around 34,000, by an additional 20,000 seats. Taking the first formal step, KSCA has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI), inviting proposals for a comprehensive overhaul. The project will include architectural and structural redesign, improved spectator facilities, improved crowd movement systems as well as advanced parking and traffic management solutions. Although no specific timeframe has been stated yet, Prasad acknowledged the scale and complexity of the project. “We have not set any timeline to complete the renovation as it is a long process,” Prasad told Deccan Herald. “We will have to invite bids and hold several meetings to get various approvals. This will take a lot of time. But we are committed to transforming the stadium hopefully during my tenure.” Prasad also clarified that the idea has been in the works for years and is not a sudden initiative. “It’s not like I just came into office and wanted to make changes right away,” he stressed. “I have been thinking about this for the last 10 years. Even when I was doing my MBA in International Sports Management, I kept coming back to the same thing – the spectators. They are our biggest stakeholders, yet they have very little to do with it. The game is due to them, and the least we can do is provide the best possible match experience in the stadium.“ Highlighting the need for modernisation, he pointed out that the site, originally built in the 1970s, must now evolve with the rapid growth of the city. “The stadium, of course, is quite old. With due respect to those who built it, it needs to evolve. It was built in the 1970s with a view to perhaps the next 50 years. But Bengaluru has evolved beyond anyone’s imagination, so everything should evolve accordingly.” He also referenced the upgrades made at other iconic Indian venues such as the Wankhede Stadium, Eden Gardens and M. A.Chidambaram Stadium, insisting that now is the time for Chinnaswamy to undergo a similar transformation. “So many of the facilities in the stadium seem temporary and inadequate at the moment. Commentator boxes, spectator facilities… they all need change and that’s the only constant,” he said. With Bengaluru developing into a major cricket hub, the proposed improvements could be a significant step towards aligning one of India’s most iconic venues with modern standards.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Tim David produced one of the standout moments of IPL 2026 when he hit a massive 106-metre six against Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, April 5.

The brutal blow, which landed on the stadium roof before flying off the field, was a stunning late strike that completely demolished an already strong RCB innings. David made his biggest attack in the 19th over of Jamie Overton, in which he gave away 30 runs.

IPL 2026, RCB vs CSK: Achievement: | highlight

On the final ball of the over, Overton hit a short one from around the wicket and David turned to pull it to mid-on. A breathtaking late cameo helped RCB reach 250 for three as the ball landed on the roof of the stadium before leaving the ground.

But what happened to the ball after it left the stadium?

The fans standing outside Chinnaswamy saw the ball coming out of the ground. When it finally fell on the road outside the stadium, one of them collected it and carried it away.

Tim David’s attack shook CSK

David remained unbeaten after playing a sensational inning of 70 runs in just 25 balls, in which he hit three fours and eight sixes at a tremendous strike rate of 280. It was an innings that came at just the right time for RCB, who were in a good position but not yet out of sight, before the Australians took complete control in the death overs.

When David came in after Devdutt Padikkal’s half-century, RCB’s score was 151/3 in 14.1 overs. From there he joined captain Rajat Patidar, who remained unbeaten on 48. Both took CSK apart in the final stages. Their unbroken partnership totaled 99 runs off just 35 balls, a partnership that strengthened RCB from strength to strength.

In reply, CSK fought hard but could never recover from the damage suffered in the final overs of RCB’s innings. They were all out for 207 in 19.4 overs, giving RCB a resounding 43-run win. David was named player of the match for an innings that was equal parts devastating and brilliant.

Having won both their matches so far, RCB will look to continue their winning streak against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, April 10.

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Chennai Super Kings’ Noor Ahmed, left, chatting with wicketkeeper Sanju Samson (PTI photo)

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan Has expressed concern over Noor Ahmed’s form and called it the biggest issue Chennai Super Kings After losing by 43 runs to Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2026.Noor, who was one of CSK’s standout performers last season, has struggled to make an impact this year. The left-arm spinner did not get any wickets in three matches, giving away more than 100 runs in almost 10 overs, including an expensive outing against RCB where he was dismissed. Rajat Patidar And tim david.“He (Noor) is CSK’s biggest problem at the moment. He has bowled almost 10 overs this season and given away more than 100 runs. He doesn’t have a single wicket. I believe if he corrects the angle of his run-up, the alignment will improve, and his arm, which is falling to one side, will also straighten,” Pathan said.Pathan also expressed his disappointment matt henryHaving said that, the experienced fast bowler has not lived up to the expectations so far. Henry conceded 36 runs without taking any wickets in three overs against RCB and looked ineffective throughout the campaign.“I am very disappointed with his bowling because he has brought a lot of experience. His performances have been good and the economy is also good, but he has not been able to perform like that in this league. An experienced bowler does not bowl half volleys. Anshul Kamboj was out. Virat Kohli Seeing him coming out with the bouncer. Even after seeing Virat get out, Matt Henry bowled a full ball,” he further said.The former all-rounder also pointed out tactical errors in CSK’s approach towards Tim David, whose unbeaten 70 off 25 balls took RCB to a challenging score of 250/3.“Tim David usually stands outside the leg stump. So, bowling on the off stump is giving him width. If the bowler is thinking that he will not give room by bowling on the off stump, he is actually giving him room. You have to bowl on middle stump and leg stump; otherwise, he will hit you. You can block him initially, which Chennai did not do, and they took full advantage of it,” he commented.CSK’s struggles have now extended to three consecutive defeats at the start of the season. They will be aiming to bounce back when they take on Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on April 11.