Tag: IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag could face disciplinary action from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after he was seen vaping in the dressing room during his team’s win over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Images of Parag, 24, using an e‑cigarette during Tuesday’s match in Chandigarh were broadcast live on television and quickly went viral on social media.

E‑cigarettes are banned in India under a 2019 law that prohibits their manufacture, import, sale and storage, regardless of nicotine content.

Violations can attract fines of up to 500,000 rupees ($6,000) and jail terms. Personal possession and vaping in public is also banned.

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Riyan Parag scored 29 runs as Rajasthan handed table‑toppers Punjab their first defeat of the season, successfully chasing down 222.

The captain has struggled with the bat this season, scoring just 117 runs in nine matches at an average of 14.62.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could fine Parag for breaching IPL rules and setting a poor example.

Rajasthan, winners of the inaugural IPL in 2008 under late Australian great Shane Warne, recently had their team manager, Ravinder Singh Bhinder, fined 100,000 rupees for using a mobile phone in the dugout during a match.

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Controversy erupted after Rajasthan Royals (RR) manager Romi Bhinder was caught using a mobile phone in the team dugout during an IPL 2026 clash.

Bhinder has been in numerous roles with RR since 2008 and is also the guardian of the teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The video of Bhinder using a mobile phone soon went viral on social media during the clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sitting next to him in the team’s dugout.

Despite the footage, Romi Bhinder is not yet charged with a breach of the IPL code of conduct.

Following the incident, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has launched a probe and will review the video before reaching any conclusion.

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“We need to thoroughly examine where exactly the event happened and whether the phone was used. We will conduct an internal examination before reaching a logical conclusion,” he said.

“Yes, Bhinder has indeed breached the protocol of the players’ and match officials’ area (PMOA) as cell phones are banned in the dugout during a match,” Cricinfo cited a BCCI official.

“It could be inadvertent, but there has to be some action since it amounts to a breach.” Whether it will be warning or match ban will depend on match referee and ACU [anti-corruption unit] report. Based on that, the IPL governing council can take a call,” he added.

According to PMOA protocol, the team manager is permitted to use a mobile phone in the dressing room but NOT in the dugout.”

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Pace bowler Nuwan Thushara has issued an apology to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and expressed his willingness to withdraw legal proceedings following a dispute over the denial of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

In a formal email addressed to SLC Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva, with copies sent to board president Shammi Silva and another senior official, the fast bowler clarified that his actions were never intended to escalate the matter into a legal confrontation.

“My sole intention throughout this process has been to seek fairness and justice, as I genuinely feel that I have been treated unfairly in this matter,” Thushara wrote.

He further emphasised that his initial steps were motivated by a desire to have his concerns heard, rather than to create conflict or damage the reputation of the board.

“The steps I initially considered were driven by a desire to have my concerns heard and addressed appropriately, rather than to create conflict or bring disrepute to the organization,” he added.

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Nuwan Thushara also expressed regret over any inconvenience caused to the board and its officials during the ongoing dispute.

“I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience, misunderstanding, or distress that my actions may have caused to Sri Lanka Cricket and its officials,” he stated.

In the same communication, the pacer indicated that he remains open to an amicable resolution and is prepared to withdraw legal action altogether.

“With this in mind, I would like to express my willingness to withdraw any legal action and instead seek an amicable resolution to this matter. I remain hopeful that we can move forward in a positive and constructive manner,” he said.

The right-arm fast bowler had earlier approached the Colombo District Court, seeking an order compelling SLC to issue him an NOC for franchise opportunities abroad, including the IPL.

However, the request was rejected by SLC because he had not met the board’s newly introduced fitness requirements, which led to the escalation of the dispute.

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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have suffered a major setback in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out due to injury.

The development was confirmed by LSG’s director of cricket, Tom Moody, who revealed that the franchise is already in the process of finalising a replacement, expected to be announced within the next 24 to 48 hours.

“We are preparing for the fact that he isn’t going to be able to join us,” Moody said while speaking during LSG’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Kolkata. “We are looking at replacements, and that should be announced soon.”

Hasaranga has been out of action since suffering a left hamstring tear during Sri Lanka’s opening game of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

His situation was further complicated after reports suggested he had not completed the mandatory fitness assessments required by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for IPL participation.

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LSG had secured Hasaranga’s services for INR 2 crore, but the leg-spinner has been unable to link up with the squad due to his ongoing rehabilitation.

He previously featured for the Rajasthan Royals and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in his IPL career.

South African spinner George Linde is currently understood to be the leading candidate to replace Wanindu Hasaranga.

Despite yet to make his IPL debut, Linde brings extensive T20 experience, having played across multiple franchise leagues, including SA20, The Hundred, Major League Cricket, and the Pakistan Super League.

The left-arm spinner has picked up 218 wickets in 250 T20 matches at an economy rate of 7.42, though his recent international form has been modest, managing just one wicket in four outings against New Zealand.

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Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has responded with humour to the viral chatter labelling him as an “overseas player” for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

The light-hearted debate gained traction among fans due to Kohli’s increased time spent in London with his family in recent years, leading to jokes that RCB are effectively fielding an extra overseas player.

Despite scaling down his international commitments, having stepped away from Tests and T20Is and now featuring only in ODIs, the former India captain continues to remain a central figure for his franchise.

Addressing the speculation in a video shared by RCB, Kohli was quizzed by content creator Danish Sait, known for his popular ‘Mr. Nags’ persona.

The host referenced fan claims about RCB playing with “five overseas players,” prompting a witty response from Kohli.

“I don’t know why you’re asking me. Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player,” Virat Kohli said with a laugh, before playfully turning the question back, “Am I an overseas player?”

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The 37-year-old began the ongoing IPL season in commanding fashion, scoring an unbeaten 69 to guide RCB to victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening fixture as defending champions.

Reflecting on last season’s long-awaited title triumph, Kohli admitted the victory brought a sense of relief after years of near misses with the franchise he has represented since the league’s inception.

“That night, I really felt what it means. Everything became light,” he said, describing the emotional weight lifted after finally securing the title.

He also offered insight into his mindset around success and failure, emphasising the importance of perseverance.

“Victory is the accumulation of hard work, all the sacrifices you’ve made, to be committed to the sport. It all comes together as a form of assurance, a reward, to know that you haven’t wasted your time,” Kohli added.

“A lot of people learn from losses, but a lot of people can get very disheartened as well. So when you win after a lot of hard work, it makes you feel a sense of justice for the work that you put in, and also gives you motivation to work harder.”

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Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that all-rounder Cameron Green will not bowl for the time being in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to a managed lower-back injury, with his franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), fully informed of the situation.

The 26-year-old, who became the most expensive overseas signing in IPL history after being picked by KKR for INR 25.2 crore, is currently undergoing a phased recovery plan. According to a Cricket Australia spokesperson, Green has been advised to temporarily refrain from bowling as part of his rehabilitation.

“Cameron has a lower-back injury, which is being managed, but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period,” the board said. “He is rebuilding his bowling loads in India and is expected to return to bowling in around 10 to 12 days.”

The clarification comes shortly after KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane deflected questions regarding Green’s absence with the ball during their recent six-wicket defeat to the Mumbai Indians, suggesting the matter be directed to Cricket Australia (CA).

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Despite the setback, Rahane remained optimistic about Green’s eventual return as a full all-rounder, highlighting the balance he could bring to the side.

“Once Green starts to bowl, the combination will look different,” Rahane said. “Right now, we have to assess the balance, particularly with the bowling options. Hopefully, he resumes soon so we can finalise the right combination.”

For the unversed, Cameron Green has not bowled competitively since the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this month. His workload has been carefully managed following a prolonged injury history, including a stress fracture that ruled him out of bowling for over a year between September 2024 and October 2025.

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Legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni is likely to miss the first two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with a calf strain, his team Chennai Super Kings said on Saturday.

Dhoni, 44, led Chennai to five Indian Premier League titles and has only played in the T20 tournament since his international retirement in 2020.

“M.S. Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026,” Chennai said in a statement.

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhoni, a two-time World Cup-winning captain for India, has defied age to be in CSK’s yellow, batting at number seven under skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.

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Dhoni played all 14 matches last year, scoring 196 runs, but Chennai finished bottom of the 10-team table.

Notably, the 19th edition of the IPL has begun today, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) playing against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The tournament final is scheduled to be played on May 31.

Chennai, who last won the IPL in 2023, will play their opening match on Monday against Rajasthan Royals.  The franchise will then face the Punjab Kings, RCB, and Delhi Capitals in the first fortnight of the season.

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Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has confirmed he will not be registering for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, bringing an end, at least temporarily, to a remarkable chapter of his T20 career.

Taking to Instagram, Maxwell described the decision as a “big call” and reflected on the impact the IPL has had on him both as a cricketer and as a person.

“After many unforgettable seasons in the IPL, I’ve decided not to put my name in the auction this year. It’s a big call, and one I make with a lot of gratitude for everything this league has given me,” the 37-year-old wrote.

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Maxwell, who has been one of the most sought-after overseas players in the IPL for over a decade, expressed his appreciation for the franchises he has represented, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and Punjab Kings, as well as the fans whose “passion is unmatched.”

“The memories, the challenges, and the energy of India will stay with me forever. Thank you for all your support over the years. Hopefully, see you soon,” he added.

Over 141 IPL matches, Maxwell amassed 2,819 runs at a strike rate of over 155, while also contributing with his off-spin.

 

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His IPL journey included standout performances for Punjab Kings and RCB, though he also had stints with Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils.

He lifted the IPL trophy once, as a fringe player for MI in 2013.

It’s worth noting that Glenn Maxwell joins a growing list of high-profile players to opt out of the IPL 2026 auction, following Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali, who opted to feature in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season.

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