It is, however, a recurring issue for Iyer. Last season he was penalised twice for the same offence, first Rs 12 lakh and then Rs 24 lakh for a second breach during the same tournament.

On the field, though, Punjab had reason to celebrate. They chased down Gujarat's target of 163 with three wickets in hand to open their IPL 2026 account with two valuable points. Cooper Connolly was the standout performer, holding the innings together with an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls to be named Player of the Match.

Punjab's chase began with purpose. Prabhsimran Singh and Connolly added 77 for the second wicket to put the side in a commanding position at 110 for 2. At that stage, the match appeared won. However, Gujarat captain Shubman Gill made a tactical masterstroke, holding back Prasidh Krishna, who was introduced as the Impact Player, until the 13th over. The move paid off spectacularly. Prasidh dismantled Punjab's middle order, taking three wickets for just three runs off 10 deliveries. Punjab slid alarmingly from 110/2 to 118/6, losing four wickets in the space of 16 balls.

With the match hanging in the balance, Connolly, just 22 years old, displayed remarkable composure. He forged crucial partnerships with South Africa's Marco Jansen and fellow Australian Xavier Bartlett, carefully accumulating the runs Punjab needed. Bartlett, too, showed nerves of steel in a high-pressure situation and together the pair carried Punjab over the line.

Gujarat made a bright start, with Gill striking three boundaries in the second over off Bartlett. He and Sai Sudharsan, last season's most prolific opening partnership, had added 37 before Jansen struck, dismissing Sudharsan for 13. Gujarat maintained a brisk pace of nine runs an over through the Powerplay, but the contest shifted as the ball aged.

Yuzvendra Chahal, the IPL's all-time leading wicket-taker, proved pivotal in the middle overs. He removed Gill for 39 with a well-flighted delivery before also accounting for Jos Buttler, who had scratched his way to 38. Jansen, meanwhile, was relentlessly economical, conceding only 20 runs across his four overs. Despite a 11-ball extended final over from Arshdeep Singh, Gujarat managed only 34 runs in the last five overs.

Brief scores

Gujarat Titans 162 (20 overs) · Punjab Kings 163/7 (19.4 overs) · Punjab Kings won by 3 wickets

Match timings 

Both Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans held practice sessions at the stadium on Monday from 6 pm to 9 pm. Punjab will enjoy home advantage as Mullanpur serves as their primary venue this season.

Head-to-head record evenly balanced

The rivalry between the two teams has been closely contested. In their last six IPL meetings, both sides have won three matches each. Gujarat Titans’ highest total against Punjab stands at 232 runs, while Punjab Kings have recorded a top score of 243 runs in these encounters.

Gates to open early for fans

To ensure smooth entry, stadium gates will open at 3.30 pm. A total of 10 gates have been arranged for spectators. Gate No. 1 has been reserved for physically disabled visitors to ensure easy access.

Traffic Advisory Issued for Match Day

The local administration has released a detailed traffic advisory to manage the expected rush around the stadium.

Vehicles coming via South Marg will have two route options. One route directs commuters to take a left turn at the Mullanpur-Chandigarh barrier towards Baddi-Kurali Road, then proceed via Omaxe Ship Building and join PR-7 (Airport Road) before heading to Stadium Road.

The second option is to continue straight on Baddi-Kurali Road and take a left near Eco City-1 township, using PR-6 Road to reach the stadium.

Commuters from Baddi or Kurali can continue on PR-7 Road and take a right turn towards Stadium Road. Vehicles coming directly from Kurali can also access the stadium by turning right onto Stadium Road.

Visitors from PGI or Madhya Marg can take Baddi-Kurali Road and turn left onto PR-7 (Airport Road), followed by a left turn towards Stadium Road. Another option is to turn left at the Mullanpur-Chandigarh barrier towards Kurali, then take a left near Eco City-1 and reach the stadium via PR-6 Road.

Chennai Super Kings, in a statement, stated that currently, Dhoni is focusing on special exercises and rehabilitation in order to have speedy recovery from the injury. The team wished him a speedy recovery, saying — "Get well soon, Thala!"

CSK's opening matches without Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings will be beginning their IPL 2026 campaign on March 30 against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. MS Dhoni is likely to miss first four matches. This also includes games against Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals. New signing Sanju Samson is expected to take up wicketkeeping duties alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Big player changes this season

The IPL season this year has gone through a major squad reshuffling across teams. Sanju Samson, earlier with Rajasthan Royals, has joined Chennai Super Kings. Meanwhile, long-serving CSK all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has returned to his old team, Rajasthan Royals.

Is this Dhoni's last IPL season?

It is being said that IPL 2026 could be the final season of Dhoni's legendary career. However, there has been no official word on this. The 44-year-old cricketer has been facing knee problems for some time now.

At a recent fan event at Chepauk Stadium, MS Dhoni admitted to health issues saying ' fitness levels are no longer what they used to be...is on the way down".

Earlier this year, Bangladesh had banned screening of the IPL in the aftermath of pacer Mustafizur Rahman being relieved from the league. 

“No one applied to us to telecast the IPL. We don’t want to mix politics with sport. We will look at it from a commercial perspective, and if any channel applies to telecast the IPL, we will consider it positively,” Zahir Uddin Swapan said on Saturday.

“We will not bar anyone from telecasting it. If Star Sports wants to telecast it, they can. If any of our channels want to telecast it, we will take it positively, but we will not force anything,” he added.

The board had informally instructed the franchise to part ways with the left-arm pacer while reacting to incidents involving the killing of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

Relations between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Bangladesh Cricket Board reached a historic low after the incident, leading to Bangladesh withdrawing from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

However, in the past few days, ties have started to improve, with leaders from both countries exchanging friendly gestures and signals of goodwill.

The veteran wicketkeeper-batter is expected to sit out at least the first four matches of the season as he recovers. In his absence, the team is likely to rely on Sanju Samson or Urvil Patel to take over wicketkeeping duties.

Dhoni is set to miss the following matches:

March 30: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings

April 3: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings

April 5: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings

April 11: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals

His absence will be a major early test for CSK, especially in terms of leadership and finishing strength.

Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, has continued to feature only in the IPL. Last season, he played all 14 matches, scoring 196 runs at a strike rate of over 135, and even briefly returned as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to injury.

At 44, Dhoni remains one of the most influential figures in the league. If he returns later this season, he could become the oldest Indian to play in the IPL, highlighting both his longevity and importance to the team.

The deal was struck with United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of UK-based Diageo plc, for the complete takeover of RCB, covering both the men’s and women’s (WPL) teams. Following the purchase, Aryaman Birla is set to take over as the chairman of the franchise.

What did Aryaman Birla say?

“It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB. This partnership brings together a deep understanding of sports, media and consumer businesses."

Who is Aryaman Birla ?

Aryaman Birla, 28, is the son of Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. A former cricketer, he represented Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket and shared the dressing room with players like RCB captain Rajat Patidar and all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer.

A left-handed batter, Aryaman featured in nine first-class matches for Madhya Pradesh, scoring 414 runs, including a century against Bengal at Eden Gardens. He also appeared in four List-A games, scoring 36 runs.

He had entered the IPL 2018 mega auction and was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for ₹30 lakh but did not get a chance to play and was released before the 2020 season. Around that period, Aryaman stepped away from cricket, taking a sabbatical to deal with severe anxiety.

The decision had earlier sparked controversy when RCB retained Dayal in their pre-auction list, leading to criticism. His absence from the team’s training sessions ahead of the new season further fueled speculation about his exclusion. It has now been clarified that he will miss the season due to a “personal situation.”

Speaking to reporters, Bobat said on Tuesday: "So, just to confirm that Yash will not be joining up with the squad. As you know, he is going through a personal situation currently, and just to clarify, we've been very supportive of Yash to date and that's reflected in the fact that we retained him when we had the opportunity to either retain or release players.

"We wanted to retain him, and he remains under contract and will continue in the short term to remain under contract," Bobat told the media during a press conference. "We are communicating with him regularly. I spoke to him earlier today as well, but it has been decided that it is not in his best interest or the franchise's best interest for him to join up with us at this point."

Dayal has been named in two separate criminal cases involving serious allegations. The first FIR was registered in July 2025 at the Indirapuram Police Station in Ghaziabad, where a woman accused him of physical and emotional exploitation under the false promise of marriage during a five-year relationship.

Soon after, a second case was filed in Jaipur under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In this case, a minor alleged that Dayal sexually assaulted her multiple times since 2023, including an incident during the 2025 IPL season at a hotel, where he had reportedly promised to help her career.

In a statement issued by spokesperson Asad Mansoor, the group described the high-profile T20 league as a stark contrast to the suffering in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. It criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) efforts to showcase normalcy, calling the celebratory atmosphere of the PSL insensitive to those it claims are facing systemic oppression.

"We wish to convey a clear and urgent message to all participants of the PSL, especially the foreign players: The current internal security and political landscape of the country is volatile and precarious.

"In a climate where military operations and civil unrest dominate significant portions of the territory, the safety of international athletes cannot be guaranteed. Given these dire circumstances, we strongly advise you to prioritise your personal security and withdraw from the tournament immediately.

"The environment is currently unfit for any peaceful sporting activity."

Unlike earlier generic warnings, this statement is being viewed as a significant threat to the tournament’s international credibility. Notably, Australian cricketer Steve Smith was seen arriving in Pakistan on Monday to join the Multan Sultans and is set to make his PSL debut following a successful Big Bash League season.

Although the PCB has reiterated that top-level security arrangements remain firmly in place, the warning is likely to have a psychological impact on participating players.

The Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter, who was traded to CSK for Rs 18 crore ahead of IPL 2026, had remained silent on the matter until now, despite reports last year suggesting he had expressed a desire to leave midway through the 2025 season.

Breaking his silence on Monday, Samson said he does not let emotions interfere with his game and will have no hesitation in facing his former side when the two teams meet in the tournament opener on March 30 in Guwahati.

“This will be my first match against Rajasthan, but I don’t carry emotions onto the field. I felt my time with the franchise was over, and it was the right moment to move on. I will always focus on giving my best, irrespective of the opposition,” Samson said while speaking to reporters.

The 31-year-old had a memorable stint with the Royals, even leading them to the IPL 2022 final, where they finished runners-up to Gujarat Titans.

Now gearing up for a new chapter, Samson expressed excitement about joining CSK and the opportunity to work closely with legendary captain MS Dhoni. He revealed that he has already interacted with Dhoni and is keen to learn from his vast experience during the upcoming season.

“I’ve always had positive interactions with Dhoni bhai, both on and off the field. Spending an entire season with him will be a valuable learning experience. I’m really looking forward to observing him closely,” he added.

Samson also fondly recalled the support he received from Chennai fans during India’s T20 World Cup campaign, particularly during a crucial Super 8 clash, calling it a special moment in his career.

The couple had earlier announced their engagement on June 4, 2025, during a traditional function in Lucknow. Although the wedding was initially planned for November 2025, it was postponed to accommodate Kuldeep’s international cricket schedule.

The celebrations were lively and festive, with guests dancing to the beats of dhol, drums, and band music. India’s star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was also seen enjoying the moment, energetically dancing with friends and adding to the cheerful atmosphere. A video from the wedding has surfaced online, showing Kuldeep beaming with happiness as close friends from the cricketing fraternity joined in the celebrations. Fans who had been eagerly waiting for glimpses of the big day can now watch the joyful scenes from the ceremony.

Kuldeep and Vanshika share a long history together, having grown up as childhood friends in Kanpur. Their families lived only about three kilometres apart—Kuldeep in Lal Bungalow and Vanshika in Shyam Nagar. Vanshika, who works as an administrative professional with Life Insurance Corporation of India and has also pursued higher education in Melbourne, has been a constant source of support for Kuldeep since his ICC Under‑19 Cricket World Cup days.

Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India secured the title with a commanding victory over New Zealand national cricket team in the final played at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With the win, India became the first team in history to claim the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title three times.

The final turned out to be a one-sided contest as India produced a powerful batting display. The team piled up a massive 255 for 5, with each of the top three batters contributing half-centuries. Opener Sanju Samson played a crucial role in the innings, continuing his impressive form throughout the tournament. His consistent performances, including three consecutive scores above 80, helped him secure the Player of the Tournament award.

The victory carried additional emotional significance for the team and fans. The same venue had witnessed India’s heartbreaking loss to Australia national cricket team in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. This time, however, the result was very different as India celebrated a dominant win in front of a packed stadium.

The reward of Rs 131 crore is also higher than the Rs 125 crore prize given to the team after their previous T20 World Cup success in 2024 under former captain Rohit Sharma. The latest triumph is particularly special as India successfully defended the title, becoming the first side to retain the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

India’s dominance in global cricket currently extends beyond this single tournament. The country now holds five major ICC titles across different formats and age groups. These include the men’s T20 World Cup, the women’s World Cup, the Champions Trophy, and the Under-19 men’s and women’s T20 World Cups.

With the emphatic win, the India national cricket team became the first side to win three T20 World Cup titles, successfully defend the trophy, and lift it on home soil.

Dhoni, who led India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, took to Instagram to congratulate the team and also shared a light-hearted remark for head coach Gautam Gambhir.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by M S Dhoni (@mahi7781)

“History gets created at Ahmedabad, big congratulations to the team and support staff and to all the fans of Indian Cricket Team worldwide. Such a pleasure to see all of you play. Coach Sahab’s smile looks great on you, intensity with smile is a killer combo. Very well done, enjoy guys,” Dhoni wrote.

The former captain also reserved special praise for pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was named Player of the Match in the final for his match-winning performance.

In his typical witty style, Dhoni wrote, “Bumrah ke baare mein kuch na likhoon toh hi achha hai… Champion bowler,” highlighting the immense respect the fast bowler commands in Indian cricket.

India’s dominant performance in the final capped off a memorable tournament, with the team delivering a clinical display in front of a packed stadium in Ahmedabad, sparking celebrations among fans across the country.

The 27-year-old cricketer Ishan Kishan shared the heartbreaking news after India’s strong victory over New Zealand in the final on March 8. Speaking at the post-match press conference in Ahmedabad, Kishan said he decided to play the match in memory of her. He added that a conversation with teammate Hardik Pandya helped him calm his mind before the most important match of the tournament despite his personal loss.

“To be honest, before the game, I lost my cousin sister yesterday in a car accident. I played well for her. I spoke to Hardik bhai, he said to put the team ahead. I dedicate this win to her, and today is Women's Day, so it makes it all the more special,” Kishan said.

Kishan also spoke about how his thinking has changed over the past year. He said he now tries not to overthink things that are beyond his control and instead focuses only on performing well. The wicketkeeper-batter also shared a light moment with India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav from before the World Cup squad was announced.

Kishan recalled that when Suryakumar called him, he even took a screenshot because he thought it was about the World Cup selection. During the call, the captain jokingly asked if he would help India win the World Cup. Kishan replied by asking if the captain trusted him, and when Suryakumar said yes, Kishan promised he would deliver.

Kishan’s emotional night in the final was also the perfect end to a great tournament for the Jharkhand batter. He finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, scoring 317 runs in nine matches at an impressive strike rate of 193.29. With three half-centuries during the tournament, he proved himself to be one of India’s most dangerous batters.

With this victory, India became the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title, win the tournament three times, and lift the trophy on home soil.

After being asked to bat first, the team led by Suryakumar Yadav scored a massive 255/5 in 20 overs — the highest total ever in a T20 World Cup final. Sanju Samson top-scored with 89 runs. Abhishek Sharma played a brilliant innings, hitting the fastest half-century of the tournament in just 18 balls. Ishan Kishan added 54 runs off 25 balls, while Shivam Dube chipped in with a quick 26 from 8 balls.

India started slowly but then accelerated as Abhishek, Samson, and Ishan scored important fifties. Jimmy Neesham took three wickets in one over to briefly slow India down when it looked like they might reach 280. However, India finished strongly and set a very challenging target for New Zealand.

While defending the total, Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets and Axar Patel picked up three, helping bowl New Zealand out for 159 in 19 overs and sealing a comfortable win for India.

India reached the final after suffering only one setback in the tournament — a defeat to the South Africa national cricket team in the Super 8 stage. That loss forced the team to fight hard to stay in contention, including a crucial match against the West Indies cricket team. However, since that defeat, Suryakumar Yadav’s side has shown dominant form heading into the title clash.

Their semi-final against the England national cricket team was a thrilling contest. India posted a massive 253 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and eventually secured victory by just seven runs.

Meanwhile, New Zealand arrive in the final with strong momentum after a commanding performance in the semi-final. They defeated South Africa — the only unbeaten team in the tournament at that point — by nine wickets. The victory was powered by a record-breaking unbeaten century from Finn Allen, who reached the milestone in just 33 balls, delivering a stunning performance that crushed the Proteas’ hopes.

Squad: 

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav

New Zealand: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

The final, scheduled for March 8, 2026, will see India take on New Zealand at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match holds special significance as it is being played at the world’s largest cricket stadium, which has a seating capacity of around 132,000 spectators.

As India prepares for the title clash, the players’ visit to the temple reflects the team’s tradition of seeking spiritual blessings before important matches, expressing hope for a successful performance in the final.

Earlier, ahead of the semi-final against England national cricket team, Gambhir had visited the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai along with his family. Apart from the head coach, players Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma and Axar Patel were also seen at the temple.

Meanwhile, cricket fans across the country have also turned to faith, offering special prayers and performing rituals for the Indian team’s victory in the World Cup final.

Sanju Samson's all-round brilliance earns him the Player of the Match award, a fitting recognition for his crucial role in India's narrow victory.

Batting first, India scored a huge total of 253/7 in 20 overs after England captain Harry Brook chose to field. Sanju Samson played a brilliant innings, scoring 89 runs off just 42 balls, with valuable contributions from other batters helping India reach a big score.

In reply, England fought hard in the chase, mainly due to an outstanding 105 off 48 balls from 22-year-old Jacob Bethell. The match stayed tense until the final overs. However, strong bowling at the death by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, along with brilliant fielding from Axar Patel, helped India secure the victory.

Axar Patel turned out to be the unsung hero of the match. He took two important catches, including a stunning 24-metre running catch, picked up a wicket, and also prevented a six before combining with Shivam Dube to run out Will Jacks at a crucial moment.

India will now face New Zealand national cricket team in the final on Sunday.

Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India finished second in Group 1, while Harry Brook and his team topped Group 2. Since India have not played their best cricket in the tournament so far, England will look to take advantage and put them under pressure.

India’s campaign has mostly depended on standout performances from individual players rather than a strong team effort. However, the decision to include Sanju Samson in the batting line-up has helped the team. The wicketkeeper-batter proved his value by scoring an unbeaten 97 in the virtual quarter-final against the West Indies cricket team.

At the same time, the team will expect better performances from key batters Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, who all failed to make an impact in the match against West Indies.

Squads:

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.

The two-time Olympic medallist was en route to the United Kingdom to participate in the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships when her journey was interrupted. Dubai International Airport, where she had a scheduled transit halt, witnessed flight suspensions amid security concerns triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Sharing an update with her followers on X (formerly Twitter), PV Sindhu confirmed that she has now returned to Bengaluru safely. She described the past few days as challenging and filled with uncertainty but expressed relief at being back home.

The ace shuttler also thanked the Dubai authorities and airport officials for their support and assistance during the unexpected delay. She acknowledged the coordinated efforts that ensured her safe return to India.

She was preparing to compete at the All England Open, one of badminton’s most celebrated tournaments, before the travel situation forced a change in plans.

PV Sindhu, along with her team, including Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, has been stuck in Dubai since Saturday. Reports indicate that they narrowly escaped an explosion near their accommodation and were relocated to a secure location as tensions escalated. The Indian shuttler was scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round, but the continued closure of Dubai airspace has forced her to withdraw from the Super 1000 event.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is closely monitoring the situation, offering support to delegations facing delays and evaluating contingency plans for players affected by the travel disruptions. While Sindhu’s participation is uncertain, some international shuttlers have managed to reach Birmingham through alternate routes via Singapore and Africa.

India’s top men’s singles players, Lakshya Sen and rising star Ayush Shetty, have arrived without issues. Lakshya, who earlier finished as runner-up at the event, will face world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China, while Ayush will take on Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in his opening match. In women’s singles, Malvika Bansod opens against Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yufei, and Unnati Hooda, who rerouted via Africa due to a flight cancellation, faces Thailand’s eighth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong.

India’s doubles contingent will see Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty take on Malaysia’s Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai in men’s doubles, while women’s pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand face Japan’s Sayaka Hirota and Ayako Sakuramoto. In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto meet Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron and Cheng Su Yin, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde challenge fifth seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue of France.

Historically, only Prakash Padukone (1980) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) have won the All England title for India, with Saina Nehwal (2015) and Lakshya (2022) coming close in recent years.