Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mahela Jayawardene, in his recent speech, declared that Rohit Sharma, who was used mostly as an impact player last season, might be seen a bit more on the field this time around.

India’s most veteran T20I batter, Rohit Sharma, no longer plays in that blue jersey with the tricolor on it; however, he still represents his IPL franchise, the Mumbai Indians. Rohit was one of MI’s highest run-getters last season and helped them advance to the second Qualifier.

However, Rohit was mainly seen as an Impact player in the last season. The Mumbai Indians bought Rohit in the batting innings to open alongside Ryan Rickelton. The Indian veteran was seen mainly off the ground, as Hardik Pandya has been captaining the side for the last two seasons.

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I want to keep him on the field as much as I can- Mahela Jayawardene said of Rohit Sharma’s role in 2026

MI fans did not take Hardik Pandya’s appointment as the captain of the side, replacing Rohit Sharma, in a very good manner. The Wankhede crowd booed their own team’s skipper on several occasions after Hardik moved back to MI in 2024.

However, Pandya kept his cool and showed some stunning resilience as a cricketer and led MI to the Qualifiers in his second season as captain. This marked the Mumbai Indians’ first-ever playoff qualification after 2020.

Rohit Sharma Will be seen on the field and not as an impact player. pic.twitter.com/LLAFD9SMyQ

— MI Fans Army™ (@MIFansArmy) March 17, 2026

In a chat show with MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene, he was asked if Rohit Sharma, the former MI skipper, would be seen in the playing XI this time around rather than being brought in only as an Impact player.

The head coach jokingly remarked, “But he is still playing.”

He then continued, “I think definitely, the way we managed him last season, he had a few fitness concerns as well, and we needed to manage that. The thing is, he is still making a huge impact on the team, whether he is on the field or not. But this year, definitely, I want to keep him on the field as much as I can.”

Most of our guys are all-rounders, and the captains need that option – Mahela Jayawardene

The MI head coach also pointed out that most of their players are cricketers who play as all-rounders and have a role to play with the ball as well. The captain needed his options during that innings, and it was Rohit Sharma who volunteered to be used as an Impact player under such circumstances.

“But we are rotating that impact player based on the fact that the other players need to be on the field all the time. Because if you look at that, most of our players are all-rounders who do bowl, and the captain needs those options on the field, something that I have to look at and discuss.

“Now Tilak is bowling as well, so he put his hand up, and I cannot take him out. Now, the two guys who are not bowling are Rohit and Surya. Are you okay with Surya missing out on the XI and coming in as an Impact player?” The coach turned the tide towards the fans.

However, he assured that he would look to do the best, and the rest is to see what actually happens in the season.

MI’s possible Playing 12 for IPL 2026

The Mumbai Indians probably have the finest pack of Indian superstars of any other team in the IPL. They have Rohit Sharma leading the pack, alongside skipper Hardik Pandya. The Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, the ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and the youngster Tilak Varma are all in the same squad.

However, now they have too many overseas stars who clash in their roles. They have two of South Africa’s in-form wicket-keeper batters in Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. They also picked Sherfane Rutherford, another in-form batter from the West Indies to strengthen their lower-order batting.

ALSO READ: Former CSK batter hints at end of Rishabh Pant’s white-ball career

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, narrowly survived a deadly airstrike that targeted his family and the top leaders of the Islamic Republic’s leadership. According to an audio obtained by The Telegraph, Mojtaba Khamenei was targeted in the same attack that killed his father and Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and other members of the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

Mojtaba had stepped outside for a walk in the garden of his father’s compound just minutes before Israeli Blue Sparrow ballistic missiles struck his residence on February 28. Due to his brief absence from the building, Mojtaba’s life was spared, leaving him with only a minor leg injury.

The audio was recorded during an address by Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol for Ali Khamenei’s office, to senior clerics and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders on March 12.Click here for live war updates It provides the first detailed account of what happened inside the supreme leader’s compound during the strike. Hosseini revealed that Mojtaba’s wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel and their son Bagher were killed in the strike. The body of Mohammad Shirazi, chief of Khamenei’s military bureau, was “blown to pieces,” according to Hosseini. According to him, the strike was aimed at wiping out the entire Khamenei family. Mojtaba lived in the same compound as his father, which also housed a religious hall where Ali Khamenei delivered speeches and the residences of other children. Hosseini explained that the missiles struck multiple locations simultaneously, with some aimed directly at the supreme leader’s quarters.“God’s will was that Mojtaba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return. He was outside and was heading upstairs when they struck the building with a missile. His wife, Ms Haddad, was martyred instantly,” Hosseini was heard saying in the audio. His brother Mostafa Khamenei and his wife were nearby in another residence when it too was struck; dust and rubble partially shielded them, leaving them unharmed.Apart from Ali Khamenei, the strike also killed senior officials including Mohammad Pakpour, IRGC chief and Iran’s defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh who were gathered for a meeting inside the compound. Hosseini said that the attack on Mohammad Shirazi was intended to disrupt succession planning, as Shirazi was a crucial link between Iran’s military command and the supreme leader. “The enemy knew that, while hitting the supreme leader, hit him too because they knew he would replace those who had been killed, and when new [commanders] were introduced, they could get a chance to [influence] the rioters and infiltrators and do something. He was blown to pieces – they could find nothing from him, and at the end they found a few kilos of flesh and identified it as his body, ” Hosseini said.The missiles also hit Mojtaba’s upper-floor residence, Misbah’s home and the residence of Mostafa and his wife.The audio comes amid speculation over Mojtaba Khamenei’s injuries and capacity to lead. Earlier, several media reports claimed that Mojtaba is said to be in a coma after being critically wounded in an air strike.An Iranian official told The Telegraph that military commanders had no information about his current condition. “Mojtaba was selected, but it is against the will of the supreme leader and maybe against his own will too. We still have not heard anything from him.” Mojtaba first came to public attention at 17 when he disappeared for a week in March 1985 while serving on the front line of the Iraq-Iran war.IRGC commanders initially regarded him as inexperienced, though he survived the conflict.None of Ali Khamenei’s other children have appeared publicly since the strikes and Mojtaba’s only communication came through a written message read on state television.

Former RCB skipper Faf du Plessis, who would not be part of IPL 2026, went on to pick the four overseas players for RCB’s playing XI in 2026. He sidelined the likes of English youngster Jacob Bethell, who was seen in some sublime touch during the T20 World Cup earlier this month.

RCB will not have much dilemma on their overseas spots. Except for the selection of the opening pair, where they will have to pick between last season’s star Phil Salt and in-form batter Jacob Bethell. Salt has lacked form severely for England in the ICC T20 World Cup.

Faf du Plessis picks Phil Salt over England’s WC hero Jacob Bethell

Former South African batter Faf du Plessis advised RCB to stick to their overseas combination of English opener Phil Salt, Romario Shepherd, Tim David, and Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood. They were all part of the playing XI in the previous season in 2024.

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“I will go with Salt because of the combination they had last year with Virat and Salt. Salt’s that explosive 50 runs off 20 balls, trying to get as many as he can. So, I would think they would go with him.”

“Bethell, what he did the other night was an incredible knock in that World Cup semifinal. I would have Salt, Hazlewood, David, and Shepherd as the overseas options in the playing XI,” du Plessis told ESPN Cricinfo.

However, he ignored the likes of Jacob Bethell, the English batting all-rounder who was the leading run-scorer for England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He also sidelined the bowling options like Nuwan Thushara and Jacob Duffy.

Former RCB captain backs Josh Hazlewood to return for IPL 2026

Though the former RCB skipper noted that Josh Hazlewood will be a crucial part of the RCB playing XI, he also considered his fitness to be a huge concern for RCB. According to recent reports, his availability is already under uncertainty, as he is currently recovering from multiple setbacks.

“I don’t think Hazlewood will play every game for them. He was being talked about for the World Cup at one stage. So, you would imagine six months later, his body will be in a much better place,” said du Plessis, noting that he will not play all games for RCB.

“When he was there, even when I was playing, we would have effective bowling attacks, and when you take him out, he leaves such a massive hole because he gets you wickets in the powerplay, he comes back, and he is excellent in the death. I think a lot of the team’s success goes hand in hand with Hazlewood’s availability,” Faf du Plessis added.

Faf credited Krunal Pandya for RCB’s maiden IPL triumph

South African batting legend Faf du Plessis, who led RCB during three seasons from IPL 2022 onwards, bemoaned not having an ideal finger spinner during his stint with the franchise. He credited the RCB management for having picked the all-rounder spinner, Krunal Pandya.

“For a long time, Chinnaswamy has been a very difficult home ground. In all the years that I was there, you couldn’t try to plan for what you think are home conditions. It’s so different all the time, and it is so batting friendly.

“The only difference that I have picked up is that you need a quality finger spinner, which I wish we had in our time. I remember us trying to trade a left-arm spinner; there are only about three or four in the IPL that are tested and proven,” du Plessis added.

RCB, however, had Yuzvendra Chahal, the most successful spinner in the IPL over several seasons, yet they could not manage to win the title. RCB, on the other hand, will kickstart their campaign against SRH on the 28th of March in IPL 2026.

ALSO READ: “Had a few minor fitness concerns”: MI head coach drops major update on Rohit Sharma’s participation in IPL 2026

Iran security chief Larinjani killed, president Pezeshkian condoles (File photos)

Iran on Tuesday confirmed the death of its national security chief Ali Larijani, hours after Israel took responsibility of killing him in an airstrike. Iran president also condoled the death while vowing to take revenge.“The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of God’s righteous servant, Martyr Dr. Ali Larijani,” said Iran’s Supreme National Security Council in a statement, as quoted by AFP.“After a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution, he ultimately attained his long-held aspiration, answered the divine call, and honourably achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service,” it added.Iran president also mourned Larijani’s death, while vowing to take “avenge” his “blood”. In a statement of condolence, Pezeshkian described Larijani’s absence as “bitter and upsetting.” Pezeshkian praised Larijani’s many decades of service to Iran’s government and said the country would “continue the path of defiance and resistance”, as quoted by NYT.Meanwhile, in a televised address, Benjamin Netanyahu described Ali Larijani as “the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, which is the gang of gangsters that actually runs Iran”. The Israeli prime minister added that the Iranian people could eventually overthrow their leadership, but cautioned: “will not happen all at once, it will not happen easily. But if we persist in this — we will give them a chance to take their fate into their own hands.”This came hours after Israel claimed the death of Larijani in an airstrike. Israel said it had killed another senior Iranian military figure on Tuesday, targeting Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij. “Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force, were “eliminated last night,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had said. Funerals for Ali Larijani and Soleimani are set to be held on Wednesday morning in central Tehran, according to reports by Fars and Tasnim news agencies, quoted by AFP. The Israeli military also said it struck Basij positions around Tehran after earlier announcing it had killed the group’s top commander.

Suryakumar Yadav, right, holds the T20 World Cup trophy as he celebrates with his wife Devisha (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed how a simple yet “brutally honest” question from his wife Devisha in 2018 became the turning point of his career, pushing him to chase his long-held dream of playing for the country.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Suryakumar said the conversation came at a time when his career was stable but lacked direction. “We got married in 2016 when I was still playing for KKR. Everything was going very smooth. I was playing well, enjoying it,” he said, recalling the moment during a podcast with PTI. “But in 2018, she asked me — ‘A lot of players from your age group are playing for India, what do you have in mind?’ I said, ‘Mujhe bhi India khelna hai.’ Then she asked, ‘Kaise kheloge?’”

That question, he admits, forced him to introspect. “It wasn’t an argument, it was a discussion about how to take one extra step forward. If I want to play for India and win games, how do I do it?” he said, describing it as a defining moment.What followed was a series of disciplined lifestyle changes. “We had to cut down on a lot of things — diet, friend circles, weekends. We treated it like a Monday-to-Friday job,” Suryakumar explained. The results were immediate. A prolific IPL 2018 season, followed by consistent performances in 2019 and 2020, eventually led to his India debut in 2021.Suryakumar credited Devisha as a constant pillar of support who shaped his mindset off the field. “She has been a big influence behind the scenes, telling me honest things. Sometimes it was brutal, but it helped. If I am where I am today, those conversations have gone a long way,” he said.Importantly, her guidance extended beyond cricket. “She didn’t give cricketing advice but helped me with life — how to approach situations and carry myself,” he added. She also ensured he remained grounded. “At home, you are not Suryakumar Yadav. Leave cricket outside. Stay humble — even small things like keeping your plate in the sink matter.”

One Day, Two Prayers: What Happens If Eid ul Fitr Falls on Friday in 2026? UAE Fatwa Council Clears the Biggest Prayer Confusion

As Muslims across the UAE and beyond await the crescent moon sighting that will mark the end of Ramadan, a unique and widely asked question is what happens if Eid ul Fitr 2026 falls on a Friday? With astronomical predictions suggesting that Eid in 2026 could fall on Friday, March 20, the overlap between Eid prayers and Jummah (Friday) prayers has sparked widespread curiosity and confusion.Now, the UAE Fatwa Council has stepped in to offer clear guidance, putting to rest debates that resurface almost every few years.

The big question: One prayer or two in the UAE on Eid ul Fitr 2026?

When Eid coincides with Friday, many wonder whether performing the Eid prayer is enough or if the Friday congregational prayer (Jummah) must still be observed. According to the UAE’s highest religious authority, the answer is clear. Both Eid prayer and Friday prayer must be performed, separately and at their designated times.This means:

The ruling reinforces that each prayer holds its own significance in Islamic practice and cannot replace the other. The confusion is not new. In fact, Islamic scholars have debated this scenario for centuries. Some interpretations in different parts of the Muslim world suggest that those who attend Eid prayer may be exempt from Friday prayer, particularly in smaller communities. However, the UAE Fatwa Council has aligned itself with the majority scholarly opinion, which emphasises maintaining both acts of worship. By doing so, the council prioritises consistency in religious observance, collective worship in mosques and adherence to widely accepted scholarly consensus.

How Eid ul Fitr 2026 will likely unfold this Friday

If Eid does fall on a Friday in 2026, the day will follow a structured religious schedule –

Morning: Eid prayer

Midday: Friday (Jummah) prayer

Both prayers will be conducted independently, with separate sermons and timings.

Why both Eid ul Fitr 2026 and Friday (Jummah) prayers matter in the UAE?

The UAE Fatwa Council’s ruling highlights an important principle that Eid and Jummah serve different spiritual purposes. Eid prayer marks celebration, gratitude and communal joy after Ramadan while Friday prayer is a weekly obligation with its own religious significance.Merging or skipping one in favour of the other would dilute their distinct roles in Islamic life. Religious scholars in the UAE stress that maintaining both prayers reflects commitment to faith, respect for established religious practice and unity in communal worship In a country like the UAE, where mosques are highly organised and attendance is structured, this dual observance is both practical and encouraged. Interestingly, rulings on this issue can vary globally.In some regions:

However, in the UAE, the guidance is unambiguous. You have to attend both prayers at the mosque. This reflects the country’s broader approach of adopting clear, standardised religious rulings to avoid confusion among its diverse population.

Why is the question of one prayer or two in the UAE, on Eid ul Fitr, trending in 2026

This topic has surged in popularity for several reasons. Eid ul Fitr is likely falling on a Friday. Astronomical forecasts point to a strong possibility of Eid aligning with Friday this year, reigniting the debate. From WhatsApp forwards to TikTok debates, conflicting information has been circulating widely, prompting many to seek official clarification. Ramadan 2026 has seen heightened engagement with religious guidance, from zakat rules to prayer timings, making such questions more visible. Statements from authorities like the UAE Fatwa Council tend to go viral quickly, especially when they address commonly misunderstood practices.Eid Al Fitr is one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar, marking the end of a month of fasting, prayer and reflection. In 2026, UAE residents are also expected to enjoy a four-day holiday, depending on moon sighting outcomes, adding to the anticipation. Mosques across the country are preparing for large Eid congregations, organised prayer schedules and increased attendance for Friday prayers. The possibility of both prayers falling on the same day only amplifies the scale of preparations.If Eid falls on a Friday in the UAE, here’s what you need to remember:

The overlap of Eid and Friday prayers may seem complex but the guidance is simple. According to the UAE Fatwa Council, both prayers remain obligatory and must be performed separately.