playoff journey

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield admitted to "honestly sucking" during the team's playoff exit in the Eastern Conference Final. Despite a strong regular season, Caufield took personal responsibility for his underperformance in the postseason. He expressed a desire to improve and contribute more effectively in high-pressure situations moving forward.

Rajat Patidar unleashed a destructive 93 off 33 balls, including nine sixes, to power Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a massive 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. Dropped twice in the 14th over, Patidar turned anger into a breathtaking knock, leading RCB's late surge and ensuring a historic playoff batting performance.

Mitch Marner’s postgame comments after the Vegas Golden Knights advanced to the Stanley Cup Final have drawn criticism from Toronto Maple Leafs fans. The former Maple Leafs winger cited “dark moments” during his tenure in Toronto, reopening conversations about playoff shortcomings, fan expectations and his legacy. Marner’s impressive postseason with Vegas has only added fuel to the NHL talk of his controversial comments.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured a playoff spot in IPL 2026, driven by Virat Kohli's stellar performance. Despite his overall brilliance, Kohli's knockout stage record presents a potential concern for RCB as they aim for back-to-back titles, facing Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the IPL 2026 Orange Cap winner, revealed his father's profound influence, drawing inspiration from tales of Sunil Gavaskar. His father would recount how Gavaskar fearlessly faced fast bowlers without a helmet, motivating a young Vaibhav during challenging practice sessions against bouncers. These stories fueled his journey to becoming a record-shattering teenage sensation.

Gujarat Titans narrowly missed the IPL 2026 title, falling to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a home final. Despite a shaky start, the consistent Titans reached their third final in five seasons, showcasing strong performances from Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler. Their bowling attack, led by Rabada and Siraj, also impressed throughout the campaign.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has transformed from underachievers to a formidable franchise, culminating in their maiden IPL title. This success, following the women's WPL victory, reclaims the 'Ee sala cup namde' slogan. A strategic shift under Andy Flower and Mo Bobat, focusing on balance over star power, built a winning culture and squad, with Virat Kohli remaining a pivotal figure.

Kumar Sangakkara questioned Sam Curran's absence from Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 playoff campaign, revealing the franchise had been informed of a season-ending injury. The RR director expressed disappointment after seeing Curran feature for Surrey and backed stricter enforcement of player contractual commitments.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL 2026 dream ended in tears despite his stellar 96, as Gujarat Titans advanced to the final. The young Rajasthan Royals star, who amassed 776 runs this season, was visibly heartbroken after his team's elimination. Captain Riyan Parag lauded his exceptional talent and maturity, predicting a bright future for the prodigious cricketer.

Sunrisers Hyderabad elected to bowl first against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. RR skipper Riyan Parag revealed he's not fully fit but stressed the team's win-or-go-home mentality. SRH captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in his team's recent form, aiming for simple bowling. Both teams have had mirroring seasons, with SRH holding a 2-0 advantage over RR this year.

Gujarat Titans secured their third IPL final appearance by defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. After a slow start, the team dominated the latter half of the season, driven by their formidable opening pair and a resurgent bowling attack. They now face RCB for their second IPL title.

Following a dismal IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians face intense captaincy speculation. Fans overwhelmingly favor pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to lead in 2027, with Rohit Sharma also a strong contender. Bumrah's successful interim captaincy stint and the team's continued title drought fuel the debate for a leadership revival.

Soft-spoken away from the spotlight and measured in his demeanour, Rajat Patidar never fit the image of a franchise-defining superstar. Yet the injury replacement who once went unsold at auction became the captain who delivered RCB's maiden IPL title. Now, after another evolution in his leadership and batting, Patidar stands one victory away from achieving what only Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have managed.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their name in history by winning their second consecutive IPL title in 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans. Virat Kohli's stellar performance earned him Player of the Match in the final, while teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated with multiple individual awards, marking an explosive and record-laden season.

Riyan Parag led Rajasthan Royals to the IPL 2026 playoffs with a win over Mumbai Indians, despite admitting areas for improvement. He explained tactical batting decisions and praised Jofra Archer and Ravindra Jadeja, highlighting his instinct-driven leadership. Parag also lauded uncapped bowlers and revealed his own mental toughness despite physical struggles.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a crucial win against Mumbai Indians, but their victory was overshadowed by a worrying injury to star batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Colliding with a teammate while attempting a catch, Raghuvanshi suffered neck pain, dizziness, and headaches, forcing him out of the match. The franchise is concerned about the impact on their playoff push.

RCB completed a remarkable transformation by winning back-to-back IPL titles, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final after years of heartbreak. Rajat Patidar's side dominated the season with 11 wins, powered by a balanced squad rather than relying solely on Virat Kohli. Kohli led the batting with 675 runs, while Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David and Krunal Pandya provided strong support.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid’s long-term girlfriend is Canadian interior designer Lauren Kyle. Their love story started with a blind date in 2015 and blossomed into marriage in 2024. Their love story, engagement and Muskoka wedding remain the talk of the world, a perfect example of balancing elite success in the NHL with a stable, private personal life together.

Kolkata Knight Riders' assistant coach Shane Watson lauded spinner Varun Chakravarthy's immense bravery and dedication, revealing he's been playing through significant pain due to a reported hairline fracture. Despite discomfort, Chakravarthy's commitment has been crucial in KKR's playoff push, with Watson highlighting his continued effective bowling and desire to contribute to the team's success.

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara strongly backed captain Riyan Parag, praising his leadership despite criticism and a vaping controversy. Sangakkara highlighted Parag's respect among teammates and his potential for growth as a player and person. He also clarified Jofra Archer's IPL participation was a joint decision with the ECB, focusing on managing his bowling workload.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's streak of playing in every IPL season for Chennai Super Kings ended in IPL 2026 due to a thumb injury. He missed the final league match against Gujarat Titans, marking his first absence from a game for the franchise he captained to five titles. His return hinges on CSK's playoff qualification.

Breanna Stewart moved past Becky Hammon for fifth place on the New York Liberty’s all-time scoring list during Thursday’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. Stewart scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but the Liberty struggled throughout an 87-70 defeat at Barclays Center. Golden State’s aggressive defense, strong three-point shooting, and balanced scoring overwhelmed New York, which also continued playing without injured guard Sabrina Ionescu.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 93 off 38 balls stunned Lucknow Super Giants, leading Rajasthan Royals to a dominant seven-wicket victory. Even rival owner Sanjiv Goenka applauded the young prodigy's breathtaking innings, which effectively sealed the match and moved Rajasthan closer to the playoffs. Sooryavanshi's remarkable knock, featuring rapid scoring bursts, showcased a maturity beyond his years.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away, several of football's biggest stars will be watching from afar. Injuries, managerial decisions and failed qualification campaigns have sidelined a host of elite names, including Robert Lewandowski, Rodrygo, Sandro Tonali and Paulo Dybala. Their absences serve as a reminder of the fine margins that define the world's biggest sporting stage.

Shreyas Iyer is set to captain Punjab Kings in his 100th IPL match, a significant milestone. He joins an elite group of captains with this achievement. Iyer boasts an impressive win percentage and has led three different franchises to IPL finals. This landmark game comes as PBKS battles to revive their playoff hopes after a string of defeats.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's breathtaking 93 off 38 balls powered Rajasthan Royals to a crucial IPL 2026 win. Coach Justin Langer lauded the 15-year-old's fearless batting, noting its impact on elite bowlers. Sooryavanshi also became the first Indian to hit 50 sixes in a season, showcasing immense potential for the future.

Sunil Narine achieved a significant milestone on Saturday, completing 200 Indian Premier League appearances. He is the first overseas player to reach this mark. Narine has been a key player for Kolkata Knight Riders since 2012. He is recognized for his exceptional bowling economy and has also become a powerful hitter.

Virat Kohli has etched his name in IPL history on Wednesday, becoming the most-capped player with his 279th appearance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This significant milestone places him ahead of legends like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Kohli's enduring presence underscores his pivotal role in the league's evolution since its inception.

The milestone came during Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

Christian Norgaard has announced his retirement from international football after Denmark failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 32-year-old Arsenal midfielder confirmed the news through a heartfelt message on Instagram, bringing an end to his international journey with 41 appearances for his country. Norgaard said the decision was emotional because representing Denmark had always been one of the proudest parts of his career.