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As the countdown to the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) gathers pace, excitement among fans has reached fever pitch. With fresh squads, new leadership dynamics, and tactical shake-ups, every franchise is under the microscope. Among them, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have emerged as one of the most talked-about teams heading into the new season.

The Orange Army has made bold moves both on and off the field, signaling a renewed intent to return to the top tier of the competition. After an inconsistent 2025 campaign, the franchise appears determined to strike the right balance between explosive batting and reliable bowling. Fans are particularly eager to see how SRH’s revamped lineup performs under pressure, especially given their reputation for aggressive cricket.

Ravichandran Ashwin Reveals His SRH XI

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now weighed in with his ideal playing XI for SRH in IPL 2026, offering a mix of experience, youth, and firepower across departments.

Ashwin’s chosen XI features a dynamic opening pair in Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, both known for their aggressive stroke play. The middle order includes Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Heinrich Klaasen, forming a solid core capable of accelerating at any stage of the innings.

The all-round strength is bolstered by players like Liam Livingstone, while lesser-known names such as Salil Arora and Harsh Dubey add depth and flexibility to the lineup. The bowling attack, meanwhile, features a mix of pace and variations with Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, and Shivang Kumar.

Ashwin also named Jaydev Unadkat as the Impact Substitute, providing an additional experienced option depending on match situations. His XI reflects a strategy built around aggressive batting complemented by a versatile, if slightly untested, bowling unit.

Ashwin’s SRH XI for IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Liam Livingstone, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, Shivang Kumar.

Impact Sub: Jaydev Unadkat.

Also READ: Meet David Payne: Veteran England left-armer stepping in as Jack Edwards’ replacement for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026

High Expectations from the Orange Army

Heading into IPL 2026, expectations are sky-high for SRH. The team is widely seen as one of the most explosive yet unpredictable sides in the tournament. After finishing sixth in the previous season, the franchise has undergone significant changes to address tactical shortcomings—particularly the lack of a dependable “Plan B” when conditions didn’t suit their attacking style.

A key storyline early in the season will be the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins due to a back injury. In his absence, Ishan Kishan is set to lead the side, while Abhishek will serve as vice-captain. This leadership shift adds another layer of intrigue to SRH’s campaign.

Despite these uncertainties, the team is expected to stick to its trademark “ruthless aggression” approach. Analysts believe SRH possess the firepower to challenge for a top-four finish, although their fortunes may ultimately hinge on the consistency of their bowling attack. If their bowlers can withstand pressure in crucial moments, SRH could well transform from a mid-table contender into a serious title threat this season.

Also READ: Faf du Plessis picks ideal batting number for KL Rahul in IPL 2026

The government, on Thursday, moved to reassure citizens that the country’s fuel supply situation remains fully stable. The ministry of petroleum and natural gas said India’s petroleum and LPG systems are secure and under firm control, with no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG anywhere in the country. It also warned against what it called a coordinated misinformation campaign intended to create unnecessary panic.This follows the Centre’s earlier clarification dismissing reports that LPG refill booking timelines had been changed. It said the claims were incorrect and misleading, and reaffirmed that the existing timelines “remain unchanged and continue to” operate under the current time limit.Here’s what the government said:

‘Oasis of energy security’: Fuel supply stable across India

The ministry reiterated India’s fuel security, saying that the country continues to function as an “oasis of energy security.” In a press release, the government pointed out that “India is the world’s 4th largest refiner and 5th largest exporter of petroleum products, supplying refined fuel to over 150 countries.”Commenting on petrol and diesel availability, the Centre assured that, being a net exporter, India’s petrol and diesel availability is “structurally assured.” It confirmed that all 1 lakh-plus retail fuel outlets across India are operating normally and dispensing petrol and diesel without interruption.The ministry said no outlet has been instructed to ration fuel. It also highlighted that, unlike several countries facing rationing, price shocks, odd-even vehicle restrictions and even station closures, with some declaring a “National Energy Emergency,” India has no requirement for such measures.According to the ministry, reports of shortages at select locations were driven by panic buying triggered by misinformation circulating on social media. It said that despite temporary surges in demand, fuel continued to be supplied to all customers, while oil company depots operated round-the-clock to strengthen distribution. Oil companies have also extended credit limits to petrol pumps to more than three days, up from one day earlier, to ensure smooth working capital flow and uninterrupted supply.

Crude tanks — already covered

Addressing concerns over global supply routes, the ministry stated that even with disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, India is currently receiving higher crude volumes from over 41 international suppliers than what previously came through the strait.It added that increased availability in global markets, particularly from the western hemisphere, has fully offset any disruption. All Indian refineries, it said, are operating at over 100% capacity utilisation.The ministry further stated that crude oil requirements for the next 60 days have already been secured, and there is no supply gap in the system. “Crude oil supplies for next 60 days have already been tied up by Indian Oil companies.”

LPG

Commenting on LPG supply, a major concern for consumers amid the Middle East crisis, the ministry said that there is no shortage anywhere in the country and production has been significantly ramped up following the LPG Control Order.Domestic refinery output has increased by 40 per cent, reaching 50 TMT per day, more than 60 per cent of the country’s total daily requirement of around 80 TMT. As a result, the net import requirement has been reduced to 30 TMT per day.It said 800 TMT of LPG cargoes have already been secured and are currently en route from countries including the United States, Russia and Australia. These supplies are arriving across 22 LPG import terminals, compared to 11 in 2014.The ministry said about one month of LPG supply is fully secured, with further procurement ongoing. Oil companies are currently distributing over 50 lakh cylinders daily. It noted that demand had briefly surged to 89 lakh cylinders due to panic buying but has since returned to normal levels. Commercial cylinder allocation has been increased to 50% in consultation with state governments to prevent hoarding and black marketing.

A PNG transition

The ministry once again highlighted the push for piped natural gas expansion, stating that it is part of a planned and ongoing transition towards cleaner, cheaper and safer household energy, being implemented in coordination with state governments. It further clarified that this expansion is not linked to any shortage situation and rejected claims that PNG is being pushed due to LPG scarcity. It said LPG supply remains fully secure.India produces 92 MMSCMD of natural gas domestically against a total requirement of 191 MMSCMD, making gas relatively less import-dependent than LPG.Till now, city gas distribution networks have expanded from 57 geographical areas in 2014 to more than 300 at present. Domestic PNG connections have grown from 25 lakh to over 1.5 crore.

Strategic reserves — A bigger picture

The ministry also dismissed claims circulating online that India has only six days of fuel stock, saying the country has a total reserve capacity of 74 days, with current stock cover at around 60 days.This includes crude stocks, product inventories and strategic storage in underground caverns. The ministry noted that this is the position even as the country is on the 27th day of the ongoing Middle East crisis.It said that almost two months of steady supply is already secured, with additional crude procurement for the next two months also tied up. It asserted that India remains fully secure for the coming months, and stressed that claims of depleted reserves are false. “Nearly two months of steady supply is available for every Indian citizen regardless of what happens globally. Next 2 months of crude procurement has also been secured. India is completely secure for next many months and the quantity in strategic cavern storage becomes secondary in such a supply situation.”

Government’s warning

Expressing serious concern, the ministry said misleading videos and social media posts are circulating that misuse images of queues, foreign rationing situations and fabricated claims about fuel emergencies in India.It also said certain posts have misinterpreted routine administrative orders such as the Natural Gas Control Order and LPG Control Order as emergency declarations, when they are standard supply management measures.The Ministry said these false narratives are being spread by miscreants and amplified by motivated elements, causing avoidable public anxiety. It urged citizens to depend only on official government communication for accurate information.It further warned that spreading misinformation on essential commodities is a punishable offence under law, and said strict action will be taken against those responsible for deliberately creating panic.

Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar and Shubman Gill (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced the complete schedule for Team India’s international home season for 2026-27, unveiling a packed calendar featuring 22 matches across 17 cities.The upcoming season promises a wide-ranging contest with four visiting teams — West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia — across formats, giving fans a chance to witness top-tier international cricket across the country.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!West Indies tour kicks off action-packed seasonThe home season begins with the West Indies tour starting September 27, 2026. The series includes three ODIs followed by five T20Is. The ODI matches will be held in Trivandrum, Guwahati and New Chandigarh, before the T20I leg moves to Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.Sri Lanka series in DecemberIndia will then host Sri Lanka in December 2026 for a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is. Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad will stage the ODIs, while Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune will host the T20Is, ensuring a wide geographical spread for fans.Zimbabwe ODIs in new yearAt the start of 2027, Zimbabwe will tour India for a three-match ODI series in January. The matches are scheduled to take place in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai, marking the first leg of the new year’s international action.Border-Gavaskar Trophy headline attractionThe season will culminate with the marquee Border-Gavaskar Trophy, featuring a five-match Test series against Australia. The series begins on January 21, 2027, in Nagpur, before moving to Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and Ahmedabad.With a mix of white-ball and red-ball cricket, marquee rivalries and matches spread across 17 venues, the BCCI’s announcement sets the stage for a blockbuster home season.

Complete India’s 2026-27 home fixtures