Category: Top News

A consortium of investors, including US asset management giant Blackstone, on Tuesday announced the takeover of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one of the founding clubs of the Indian Premier League (IPL), for nearly $1.8 billion.

The announcement comes just days before the start of the lucrative T20 tournament on Saturday.

The franchise, which won the IPL for the first time last year, was sold by United Spirits Limited, the Indian unit of British alcoholic beverage giant Diageo, for 166.6 billion rupees ($1.77 billion).

In a statement, the acquiring consortium said it was “proud to become custodians of RCB.”

The group includes Bolt Ventures, run by leading sports investor David Blitzer, Indian media conglomerate The Times of India Group, along with Blackstone and Indian corporate giant Aditya Birla Group.

RCB’s “championship-winning culture” and its connection to the southern city of Bengaluru and “one of the most passionate fanbases in world sport make this an extraordinary opportunity.”

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“We are committed to taking RCB to new heights, on the pitch and beyond.”

Praveen Someshwar, chief executive at United Spirits Limited, said the deal was a milestone “as we sharpen focus on our core beverage alcohol business to unlock its true potential with sustained growth.”

The sale announcement came hours after RCB announced it will keep 11 seats at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium empty in memory of the fans crushed to death in title celebrations last year.

Eleven supporters, aged between 14 and 29, died in a stampede outside the stadium in June a day after RCB won the final against Punjab Kings and returned to a homecoming trophy parade.

Earlier this year, RCB’s women’s team won their second Women’s Premier League title.

READ: Griezmann to leave Atletico for Orlando at end of season

Antoine Griezmann will leave Atletico Madrid for Major League Soccer (MLS) side Orlando City at the end of the season, the two clubs announced on Tuesday.

Atletico’s all-time record goalscorer has agreed a two-year deal with Orlando and will become the latest veteran star to move to North America.

“The forward travelled to Orlando, with the club’s permission, during the two days of rest granted to the first team, to finalise his contract with the Florida side,” Atletico said in a statement.

The 35-year-old Griezmann will be hoping to sign off in style and cap his 10th season as an Atletico player with a second major trophy at the Rojiblancos, after the 2018 Europa League.

“Let’s leave the future in the future for now: because I’m not leaving yet,” he said in an Instagram post.

“I have months left with this shirt, months to give my all in this stadium and away, to lift that Copa del Rey and to dream of going as far as possible in the Champions League.”

Atletico will face La Liga rivals Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals next month and take on Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final on April 18 in Seville.

Griezmann, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, retired from international football in 2024 after scoring 44 goals in 137 caps for Les Bleus.

He has netted 211 times for Atletico, surpassing the previous record of 173 set by Luis Aragones.

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Antoine Griezmann joined Atletico Madrid in 2014 from Real Sociedad and has made 488 appearances for the club, who he left for Barcelona in 2019 before returning two years later, initially on loan.

Griezmann has scored 13 goals in 43 appearances for Diego Simeone’s Atletico this season.

The MLS will add Griezmann to the ranks of well-known players to have made the switch from Europe in recent seasons, including his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

“He is one of the most gifted, accomplished and influential players of his generation, and his decision to choose Orlando City reflects the mission and culture of our club,” said Orlando City owner Mark Wilf.

“Our focus is on consistently building a championship-calibre roster every year, and adding a world-class player like Antoine reinforces that commitment and our belief in what the club can achieve.”

Orlando, who have played in MLS since 2015, have never won the MLS Cup and have lost four of their first five games of the 2026 season.

Atletico sit fourth in La Liga this term, but are comfortably placed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, with a 13-point lead over fifth-placed Real Betis.

Griezmann will make his move to Orlando in July.

READ: Miami Open: Jannik Sinner edges Alex Michelsen to reach quarter-finals

Jannik Sinner powered into the Miami Open quarter-finals on Tuesday, defeating unseeded American Alex Michelsen in straight sets to stay on course for the “Sunshine Double”.

Italian second seed Sinner, who is bidding to follow up his triumph at Indian Wells with victory in Miami, bided his time before completing a 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) win in 1hr 41min.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who will face 19th seed Frances Tiafoe in the last eight, was made to work hard by the 40th-ranked Michelsen.

After a cagey opening, Sinner began to put pressure on Michelsen’s serve in the ninth game of the first set, carving out three break points.

Michelsen rode out that storm, but Sinner finally broke through in the 11th game before serving out for the first set.

Michelsen hit back in the second set, breaking Sinner for a 4-2 lead before holding to go 5-2 up.

Michelsen appeared to struggle with the bright late afternoon sunlight on the Hard Rock Stadium’s main court, and Sinner came roaring back to force a tiebreak.

Sinner sealed the win with a thumping serve that Michelsen could only return wide.

“I feel like I served very well in important moments and that helped me out, especially in the tough moments,” said Sinner, who unfurled 15 aces to Michelsen’s three.

“But today was not easy, I played a night match yesterday and today in the daytime, so the conditions were very different.”

Home hope Tiafoe advanced to his quarter-final date with Sinner after battling past France’s Terence Atmane 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.

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Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce, ranked 151st in the world, upset American 32nd seed Sebastian Korda to score a 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 victory.

The win marked another impressive victory for the 20-year-old Landaluce, who eliminated Russian 14th seed Karen Khachanov.

Korda, who had beaten world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the previous round, had a match point late in the second set, but Landaluce survived to set up a quarter-final against Czech 21st seed Jiri Lehecka.

Landaluce, who had failed to register a single win at tour level in 2026 before arriving in Miami, dedicated his latest success to his late grandmother.

“She would have been 101 last week, and she passed away a few months ago. I wanted to give her the victory,” Landaluce said.

Lehecka booked his place in the quarter-finals by ousting sixth seed Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2 in 2hr 25min.

“I just felt that in the third set, if I wanted to beat a guy like Taylor, I just needed to go for it and be aggressive,” Lehecka said.

American 22nd seed Tommy Paul set up a quarter-final against France’s Arthur Fils after cruising past Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry 6-1, 6-3.

Fils beat Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4.

Argentina’s 18th-seeded Francisco Cerundolo followed up his upset of Daniil Medvedev on Monday with a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 defeat of French 31st seed Ugo Humbert.

Cerundolo will face Alexander Zverev in the last eight after the German third seed defeated France’s Quentin Halys 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1).

READ: Ben Duckett exits IPL 2026 to save England career

Ben Duckett has decided to pull out of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 to save his England career.

He announced the decision in an exclusive interview with ‘The Telegraph’.

“Growing up as a kid, I dreamt of playing cricket for England, and that was it,” said Ben Duckett.

Duckett has already informed the Delhi Capitals of his decision, which will cost him £200,000 and could result in a three-year ban.

“It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming,” he lamented.

The left-hander acknowledged the franchise for giving him the oppurtunity and picking him amongst the best players around the globe.

“I felt it was going to be a great opportunity when I put myself in the auction, and for a franchise like Delhi to pick me up was amazing. I was buzzing. It’s the best competition in the world with the best players, and it would have been an amazing experience,” Duckett explained.

The 31-year-old is also uncertain about his future in the league, with a potential ban looming.

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“I don’t know if I’m potentially saying goodbye to the IPL, having never played in it. With the age I am now [31], it might be tough for me, but I hope one day I’m able to represent Delhi. But I’ve thought a lot about this, and know it’s the right decision for my career,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Duckett had a below-par Ashes campaign. The opener only managed 221 runs at an average of 20 in five matches.

He also came into the spotlight ahead of the fourth Ashes Test after an alleged viral video surfaced in which he lost his way home during England’s Noosa break.

Ben Duckett’s poor form led to his axing from the Playing XI during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he spent most of his time on the bench.

Notably, he could become the second England player, after Harry Brook, to face an IPL ban.

READ: Saud clarifies comments on Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel has clarified remarks he made about Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf during a recent podcast.

A few weeks earlier, Saud appeared on a podcast in which he was asked which of three bowlers — Khurram Shehzad, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf—he would play, retire, or bench if he were the national selector.

“I will play Khurram, retire Shaheen, and bench Rauf,” Pakistan Test vice-captain had replied.

The remarks soon gained traction, with people sharing different opinions about the duo.

Ahead of PSL 11’s start, Saud said his comments were made in a light-hearted manner and were not intended seriously.

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“The podcast was done in a funny way, but it was presented as something serious,” he said.

Saud has played alongside both pacers. The two have recently been in the spotlight following inconsistent performances: Rauf was dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while Shaheen had a below-par campaign.

Saud has played alongside Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. Both pacers have been in the spotlight following inconsistent performances. Rauf was dropped from the Pakistan squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while Shaheen had an underwhelming campaign.

This will be the second year in a row that Saud will lead the Quetta Gladiators side.

Last season, Quetta Gladiators were outplayed in the final by Lahore Qalandars, thanks to Sikandar Raza’s heroics.

The PSL 11 will begin on March 26 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.  Quetta Gladiators will open their campaign against Karachi Kings on March 27 at the same venue.

READ: Five uncapped Pakistan players to watch out for in PSL 11

The historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 is set to begin on March 26, with several uncapped players to keep an eye on who may turn out to be game changers. 

5. Farhan Yousaf

Farhan Yousaf, who captained Pakistan in the U19 World Cup, remained unpicked in the PSL 11 auction. He finished with 132 runs in five matches at an average of 66.

But later, Peshawar Zalmi roped him in through a direct signing.

He managed 143 runs in the National T20 Cup from four matches at a strike rate of 143 with a highest score of 61*.

4. Shahzaib Khan

Remember the name, Shahzaib Khan? The left-hander came to the limelight during the Pakistan U19 World Cup campaign in 2024, where he emerged as the tournament’s top scorer for the national team.

However, since then, he has been scoring runs freely in Pakistan domestic cricket, awaiting a call to the national side.

Picked by RawalPINDIZ for a base price of PKR 60 lacs, Shahzaib Khan was in good form during the recently concluded National T20 Cup. He amassed 160 runs in five matches at an average of 40 at a strike rate of 158, including two half-centuries.

3. Abdullah Fazal

The 23-year-old Abdullah Fazal is another player to look out for in the tournament. His elegant stroke play caught the eye of RawalPINDIZ at the auction, and he was bought for PKR 67.5 lakh in the auction.

The left-handed batter has been consistent in domestic cricket, particularly in the National T20 Cups, amassing 420 runs in eight matches, with a strike rate of 160. The left-hander has already earned the player of the match award in the team’s important outings.

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In the recently concluded National T20 Cup, he played a blinder, scoring 88 from 41 balls in the semi-final against Sialkot.

Earlier, he also played a crucial knock in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final, scoring 88 and 114, which helped Karachi Blues lift the trophy.

2. Saqib Khan

Hailing from Karachi, fast bowling all-rounder Saqib Khan has dedicated many years to cricket. He was bought by Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 60 lakh in the auction.

His perseverance finally paid off in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26, where he finished as the second-highest wicket taker. Saqib took 47 wickets in nine matches for Karachi Blues, averaging 20.59, thereby playing a pivotal role in the team’s title glory.

Although he is 30, his seam and new ball bowling could trouble batters. Besides his bowling, Saqib could also come in handy with the bat, lower down the order.

1. Sameer Minhas

Sameer Minhas is tipped as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket. The right-hander was a hot pick in the PSL 11 auction and was eventually bought by Islamabad United for PKR 1.9 crore.

Sameer has already showcased his potential in the recently concluded ICC Men’s U19 World Cup, emerging as Pakistan’s leading run scorer.

He scored 197 runs in five games at an impressive strike rate of 105. Before heading to the U19 World Cup, Sameer blasted a record-breaking innings in the Asia Cup final against India.

The 19-year-old took only 42 balls to slam a ton, breaking India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record (52 balls) of the fastest youth hundred. Sameer Minhas blistering 172 from 113 took Pakistan to an imposing 347-run total against arch-rivals.

The total was enough to seal a memorable 191-run victory for the Green Shirts.

READ: PSL 11 squads locked in as trade window closes

LAHORE: Emerging top-order batter Sameer Minhas has asserted that he is ready to play at any number for Islamabad United during the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

The 19-year-old, regarded as one of the most exciting young prospects in the country, was picked by Islamabad United for PKR 1.9 crore at the PSL’s first-ever players’ auction.

He was the standout performer in the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025, playing a central role in Pakistan’s historic run to their maiden title.

During his brilliant campaign, he scored two centuries, including a 113-ball 172 against India in the final.

Earlier this year, he further underlined his credentials by scoring a 42-ball century in the U19 tri-series final against Zimbabwe, setting a new record for the fastest hundred in youth ODIs.

Now gearing up for his maiden PSL stint, Minhas believes the league offers a vital platform to break into the national side.

“PSL provides a great opportunity. If you perform here, you can make your way into the national team,” he said while speaking to the media in Lahore.

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“You get to play alongside domestic and foreign players, and you learn a lot from them. I am looking forward to learning from players like Devon Conway and Mark Chapman.”

Despite the expectations that come with his recent performances, Minhas insisted he feels no added pressure and remains focused on playing his natural game.

“There is no extra pressure on me; Allah has given me a lot of respect, and I will continue to play my natural game the way I always play,” he said.

Sameer Minhas also praised Islamabad United’s management for fostering a supportive environment for young players, reiterating his willingness to adapt to the team’s needs.

“Islamabad United is a very good franchise. They know I usually bat in the top order, and if I get that opportunity, I’ll do well there. But wherever the team needs me, I will give my 100 percent,” he said.

Islamabad United squad for PSL 11

Shadab Khan (c), Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Max Bryant, Mark Chapman, Nisar Ahmed, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameen Gul, Sameer Minhas, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Dipendra Singh Airee, Mohammad Faiq and Mohammad Salman Mirza.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi rope in Brian Bennett for PSL 11

Tiger Woods will make a tentative return to competitive action when he plays Tuesday in the TGL golf league, weeks after the 15-time major champion said that the Masters in April was not “off the table”.

The 50-year-old underwent disc replacement surgery in October, the latest in a series of operations and injuries that have kept the American great sidelined from top-level competition since the 2024 British Open.

Woods will play for Jupiter Links in the finals of the TGL, said the indoor simulator league, which combines technology with players from the PGA Tour.

Woods has won five Masters titles, the most recent an epic 2019 victory that ended his 11-year major championship drought.

However, he suffered severe leg injuries in a 2021 car crash.

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The 2026 Masters at Augusta National are on April 9-12.

Speaking last month, he refused to rule out playing at the Masters, stating that he had progressed from chipping and putting practice to hitting full shots.

“I keep working on it, trying to get stronger, trying to get more endurance in this body and trying to get it at a level at which I can play at the highest level again,” he said.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi rope in Brian Bennett for PSL 11

Peshawar Zalmi have signed Zimbabwe emerging batter Brian Bennett for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

Zalmi owner Afridi confirmed the news on his social media handle.

“We welcome Brian John Bennett from Zimbabwe to the Zalmi family,” Afridi wrote.

With this, Bennett will join Sikandar Raza as the only other player from Zimbabwe to play in PSL 11.

The signing comes on the back of Bennett’s impressive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where he emerged as the sixth-highest run getter.

The right-hander notched up 292 runs in six matches at a stellar average of 146, including three half-centuries.

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He batted at a strike rate of 134, with a highest score of 97, unbeaten, against India in the Super Eights. Overall, the 22-year-old has played 58 T20Is, scoring 1888 runs, including a century and 12 half-centuries.

Notably, his PSL debut will mark his first appearance in an overseas league.

For the unversed, PSL 11 will begin on March 26 behind closed doors across two venues, Karachi and Lahore.

The upcoming edition is to be a landmark one, featuring eight teams for the first time, including debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen and RawalPindiz.

The tournament will comprise 44 matches spread across a 39-day window.

Updated Peshawar Zalmi squad for PSL 11:

Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Brian Bennett, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, James Vince, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mirza Tahir Baig, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf and Shoriful Islam.

READ: Multan Sultans appoint Shan Masood as vice-captain for PSL 11

MADRID: France forward Kylian Mbappe has confirmed he is fully fit following a knee injury and is determined to feature in all of Real Madrid’s remaining matches as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup.

The 27-year-old missed four La Liga games this season due to a lingering knee issue from last year but returned to action on Sunday, coming off the bench in the 64th minute to help Madrid secure a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.

“I have made a 100% recovery,” Mbappe said.

“I prepared for the last two World Cups in the best way possible, which is to play, score goals, win titles, and fight until the last minute for my club, and this year I am going to do the same to arrive in top form.”

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Earlier in March, Real Madrid confirmed that Mbappe had re-aggravated the injury sustained in December, and the club opted for a conservative approach to his treatment.

His return against Atletico signalled a positive step in his run-up to the World Cup.

Mbappe is included in France’s squad for a pair of friendlies in the United States at the end of March, facing Brazil on March 26 and Colombia on March 29, as the nation gears up for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S. from June 11 to July 19.

Madrid’s victory over Atletico keeps the club four points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona, while attention also turns to an upcoming Champions League quarterfinal clash against Bayern Munich.

READ: Multan Sultans appoint Shan Masood as vice-captain for PSL 11