The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has arrived with a fervour unlike any other season. Following a historic international cycle, the league returns to its roots of high-octane drama, tactical masterclasses, and the perennial quest for the prestigious trophy. As the schedule unfolds, one of the most anticipated opening clashes features the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on the Rajasthan Royals (RR). While the rivalry is legendary, the narrative this year has shifted toward a massive personnel change: Sanju Samson donning the yellow jersey.

Irfan Pathan’s tactical breakdown about how Sanju Samson’s role against RR could give CSK the edge

Former Indian all-rounder and veteran analyst Irfan Pathan believes Samson’s transition to CSK provides the Super Kings with an unprecedented psychological and tactical edge. Speaking on JioStar’s ‘TATA IPL: Schedule Announcement’ show, Pathan highlighted that Samson’s value extends far beyond his batting prowess.

“Sanju Samson’s presence will make a lot of difference for CSK because no one knows Rajasthan Royals better than him,” Pathan noted. He emphasized that Samson offers inside information regarding RR’s core philosophy—how they structure their Powerplay, their mid-innings rotation, and the specific mindsets of their bowling unit.

Because many of the current RR youngsters developed under Samson’s captaincy, Pathan argues that CSK now possesses the blueprint to dismantle them. Furthermore, the first game’s location in Guwahati plays into Samson’s hands. Having led the Royals in numerous games at their secondary home ground, his familiarity with the local conditions and wind factors provides CSK with a local captain’s perspective in a neutral-ish territory.

“All the youngsters in Rajasthan Royals have played with and under Sanju, so he will be a huge advantage for CSK, not just in terms of the form he will carry from the T20 World Cup, but the experience of playing in Guwahati will also come in handy for him in the first game. I am very excited to see how CSK are going to fare this season because they have brought in some very exciting young players,” he added.

Also WATCH: Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar fulfil 14 km Girivalam vow in Tiruvannamalai following T20 World Cup 2026 victory

From World Cup hero to CSK’s middle-order powerhouse

The hype surrounding Samson isn’t just based on his leadership history; it is fueled by his status as the most dangerous T20 batter in the world right now. Samson enters IPL 2026 fresh off a legendary performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where he was crowned Player of the Tournament.

Samson’s statistics from the World Cup are staggering, reflecting a player at the absolute peak of his powers:

• Total Runs: 321 runs in just five innings.
• Average: A phenomenal 80.25.
• Strike Rate: A blistering 199.37.

The 31-year-old was the architect of India’s third world title, delivering three consecutive half-centuries in the quarter-final, semi-final, and the final against New Zealand. This momentum is exactly what CSK has lacked in previous transition phases. By integrating a player who can dismantle both spin and pace with a near-200 strike rate, CSK has effectively weaponized their middle order.

As the yellow army prepares for the Rajasthan challenge, they do so with the confidence that their new recruit knows the opposition’s secrets and possesses the form to exploit them. For the fans, the sight of Samson leading the charge against his former stable is set to be the defining image of the IPL 2026 opening week.

Also READ: Anil Kumble names 2 greatest teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL)

Iranian state media on Thursday said the wife of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is alive, dismissing earlier reports claiming she had died in February 28 attack by the United States and Israel.News agency Reuters reported the clarification quoting Iranian media that came hours after first statement by Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

In his first public statement, Mojtaba Khamenei addressed the ongoing war and acknowledged the death of his father.Mojtaba Khamenei said he had personally seen his father’s body after the strike that killed him. “I had the honor of seeing his body after his martyrdom,” he said, describing his father as “a mountain of steadfastness.”The Iranian leader also confirmed that several members of his family were killed in the airstrike, including his wife, one of his sisters, his niece and the husband of another sister.His remarks were among the most direct confirmations from the Iranian leadership regarding the casualties from the attack that killed Ali Khamenei, a central figure in Iran’s political and religious establishment for decades.The developments come as tensions remain high following the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, with both sides exchanging warnings and military strikes across the region.‘Gone in 60 seconds’Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 in a rapid strike in Tehran that was the culmination of months of intelligence tracking and years of covert surveillance, according to multiple media reports.At around 9.40 am local time on Saturday, long-range missiles struck a leadership compound in the Iranian capital. The near-simultaneous strikes, carried out within roughly a minute, reportedly killed Khamenei along with several senior figures in Iran’s political and security establishment.Reports citing US and Israeli officials said the operation relied on extensive intelligence gathering involving the Central Intelligence Agency and Israeli intelligence networks.According to reports, US intelligence had tracked Khamenei’s movements for months, building a detailed “pattern-of-life” profile to understand where he stayed and how he relocated during crises. The breakthrough came when intelligence sources learned of a meeting of senior Iranian officials scheduled at a leadership compound in central Tehran, which Khamenei was expected to attend.Originally planned as a night operation, the strike timing was shifted to the morning once officials confirmed the Iranian leader would be present above ground.Israeli fighter jets reportedly took off around 6 am Israel time, carrying long-range munitions toward Tehran. The missiles then hit multiple locations in the compound almost simultaneously, catching the leadership group off guard.

Yuvraj Singh and Rishabh Pant (X-LSG)

Mumbai: Before launching into IPL-2026, India’s ‘keeper-bat Rishabh Pant went through a few training sessions under the watchful eyes of India’s 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai last week. Pant, who leads the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, is working to regain form and revive his white-ball career after enduring an ordinary IPL last year, scoring 269 runs in 14 matches, with a highest score of 118 not out and a strike rate of 133.16.It marked his lowest return in the competition since his debut season in 2016. With their captain in poor form, LSG finished seventh in the standings.

“Rishabh is very focused on reviving his white-ball career, which is why he sought Yuvraj‘s help ahead of IPL-2026. He underwent a few training sessions for three to four days with Yuvraj at CCI in Mumbai before leaving for LSG’s camp in Chennai,” a source tracking developments told TOI.In a video which gained significant traction on social media of their training session, the keeper-batter can be seen facing deliveries while the superstar left-hander closely watches from the umpire’s position.Pant endured a poor season with LSG in IPL 2025Notably, the training was arguably arranged after a challenging campaign in the previous edition of the cash-rich league. Last year, Pant managed only 269 runs across the tournament. A late century helped improve the numbers, but the overall campaign remained underwhelming for a player known for his explosive batting.Pant was not a part of India’s recent T20 World Cup-winning team and is the second-choice ‘keeper-batsman in ODIs after KL Rahul.Yuvraj has been mentoring and training several young players in recent years, with India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, India’s T20 opener Abhishek Sharma and Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh having found success after enjoying his guidance. Yuvraj had even trained India’s T20 World Cup hero Sanju Samson in the past. He has been mentoring Pant over the last few years.A feared batter in the red-ball format, Pant will be hoping that Yuvraj’s guidance can help him turn around his fortunes ahead of the next IPL season. Perhaps he can seek inspiration from fellow ‘keeper-batters Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, who both made splendid comebacks to star in India’s T20 World Cup triumph recently.

Amid the rising oil prices as the Iran conflict continues to escalate, the Trump administration is considering the idea of suspending a key maritime law that requires American ships be used to transport between US ports.“In the interest of national defense, the White House is considering waiving the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to US ports,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, as quoted by Bloomberg, but clarifying that, “This action has not been finalised.”

The proposal comes as Donald Trump weighs several measures to address the sharp surge in crude oil and gasoline prices following the ongoing conflict with Iran.In the latest on oil prices, crude jumped sharply on Thursday after Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei pledged “revenge” following strikes by the United States and Israel, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that the strategic Strait of Hormuz would remain closed.At around 1450 GMT, international benchmark Brent crude rose 9.46 per cent to $100.68 per barrel, after briefly crossing the $100 level earlier in the trading session.On Wednesday, the administration said it would release 172 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help ease supply pressures. The move is part of a broader coordinated effort in which multiple countries plan to release around 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves under International Energy Agency (IEA).Also read: ‘We make lot of money’ – Trump on rising oil prices amid US-Iran war

What is the Jones Act

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (Jones Act), commonly known as the Jones Act, is a US federal law that regulates domestic shipping and maritime commerce. It requires that vessels transporting goods between US ports be built, owned and registered in the United States, and operated by crews who are US citizens or permanent residents.The law was introduced to protect and maintain a strong US maritime industry and shipping fleet. In the current situation, the White House is considering temporarily waiving the Jones Act to help address surging oil and fuel prices. A suspension would allow foreign-flagged ships to transport oil between US ports, potentially increasing supply flexibility and easing fuel shortages.The government, in the past, has temporarily waived US shipping requirementsto address fuel shortages following major storms, but such a step is often politically sensitive. The Jones Act is strongly supported by some of the country’s largest shipbuilders and vessel operators, along with their allies in Congress. On Thursday, a White House official said the Trump administration can ensure that the move would not affect the US shipbuilding industry.The US last granted a waiver under the Act in October 2022, allowing a tanker to transport supplies to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona.The Biden administration had also temporarily approved an exemption for Valero Energy following a cyberattack on a major fuel pipeline along the US East Coast in 2021.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday played down the energy crisis in the country triggered by the ongoing conflict between thejoint forces of United States and Israel with Iran. While addressing the NXT Summit, the Prime Minister indirectly targeted those who are “trying to create panic” and claimed that, by doing so, they are exposing themselves in front of the public.“We will have to make collective efforts, keeping the national interest supreme and fulfilling our duties. Nowadays, there is a lot of discussion about LPG. There are some people who are trying to create panic. They want to push their own agenda,” PM Modi said. “At this time, I do not wish to make political comments on them. But I will certainly say that by doing so, they are not only exposing themselves in front of the public but also causing great harm to the country,” he added.The Prime Minister said that the government has prioritised self-reliance in the energy sector to ensure that the country doesn’t have to rely solely on foreign sources for energy.“To ensure we don’t have to rely solely on foreign sources for energy, emphasis was placed on self-reliance in the energy sector. Until 2014, there were only 14 crore LPG connections in the country. Today, there are more than double that—33 crore household LPG connections. In 2014, there were only 4 LNG terminals in the country,” PM Modi said.“Today, their number has also doubled. Today, no country is untouched by the impact of this global crisis that has arrived. In lesser or greater measure, everyone is a victim of this crisis. India too is leaving no stone unturned to deal with this crisis,” he added.The Prime Minister also said the government is making every possible effort to ensure that the burden of situations arising from war does not fall on the citizens of India.“The Government of India has always made every possible effort to ensure that the burden of situations arising from war does not fall on the citizens of India,” he said.“This time too, we will make every possible effort to ensure that the war has the least possible impact on the lives of the country’s farmers and the citizens of the country,” he added.Fears of LPG shortage began spreading across the country as the escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupts global energy supply chains.The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following Iranian retaliation against US–Israel strikes has triggered panic buying, long queues at LPG agencies and petrol pumps, and forced restaurants and small businesses to switch to alternative cooking methods.With certain measures helping raise domestic LPG production by 28 per cent and some alternative sources being tapped overseas, the government has decided to allow some sale of commercial LPG to meet a fifth of the demand, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Oil Ministry, said.“The state governments will have to identify the beneficiaries,” she said.As panic buying escalates, the government has extended the LPG refill ordering window for rural users to 45 days, up from 25 days set last week for all users, which itself had replaced the previous 21-day limit. The move aims to manage demand and ensure equitable distribution amid the ongoing energy supply disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis, she said.The increase in the monthly quota of kerosene released to states is the first in more than a decade and temporarily reverses the government’s stated objective of phasing out the fuel, which, besides being heavily subsidised, was also used for adulteration in petrol.

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains mention of death.Malayalam actor Hari Murali, who began his career as a child artist in films and television, has passed away. He was 27 years old. Reports from Manorama Online says that the young actor was found dead at his residence in Annoor, Payyannur.Reports also say that his body was later shifted to a private hospital in Payyannur and further details surrounding the circumstances of his death have not yet been publicly confirmed.

Son of veteran theatre artist

Hari Murali came from a family with a strong background in theatre and cinema as he was the son of theatre and film actor K. U. Murali, popularly known as Payyannur Murali.See More: ‘Why did you do this?’ Actor Seema G. Nair mourns Hari Murali’s demise with an emotional tribute

Actor Ganapathi’s relative

His father has been active in the theatre field for nearly three decades. Hari’s mother is Prasanna, and he is survived by his brother Sreemurali. ‘Manjummel Boys’ actor Ganapathi is reportedly a relative of Hari Murali.Additionally, actor Babu Annoor—who portrayed the father of Fahadh Faasil in the film ‘Oru Indian Pranayakatha’—is the brother of Hari’s father.

Hari Murali first entered the world of acting through television serials. Director A. M. Naseer reportedly gave him a small role in a serial when he was just four and a half years old.Hari’s first movie appearance was in Dileep’s ‘Rasikan’ which received good reviews from the audiences even though it flopped.After his debut in Rasikan, Hari Murali went on to appear in several popular Malayalam movies such as Annan Thambi, directed by Anwar Rasheed, as well as Madampi, Don, Pattanathil Bhootham and Ulakham Chuttum Valiban.In total, he appeared in around 10 to 15 films during his childhood years.After spending several years in front of the camera, Hari gradually stepped away from acting to focus on his education.Hari completed a BSc in Visual Effects and Animation from Bengaluru and after finishing his studies, he began working in Ernakulam as a graphic designer.His last outing as an actor was ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’.

NEW DELHI: Public concern over a possible shortage of LPG and other fuels is mounting, but the Centre assures that there is no reason to panic. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to disruptions in oil supply amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war. The government said that the citizens should avoid panic booking and conserve fuel during these uncertain times.Sujata Sharma, joint secretary at the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, during a press briefing said, “There is a manifold increase in the bookings because of the panic. We urge the citizens to avoid panic booking and all efforts have to be made to conserve the fuel wherever possible during this period of global uncertainty.” Sharma also said that the retail network across the country is functioning smoothly, with nearly 100,000 fuel outlets operating without any dry-outs. She added that around 25,000 LPG distributors are supplying roughly 50 lakh cylinders daily, ensuring uninterrupted household access.Commercial LPG supplies are being prioritised for hospitals and educational institutions, with a three-member committee of executive directors from oil marketing companies overseeing allocations to prevent hoarding or black marketing.Sharma also added that India’s refineries are working at maximum capacity to boost LPG output.“Yesterday I told you 25%. Now it is 28% of our domestic production. So that is the increase,” she said, referring to the government’s March 9 order under the Essential Commodities Act directing refineries to maximise LPG production.She noted that India, the world’s fourth-largest refiner, processes nearly 55 million barrels of oil per day, providing a significant buffer against global shocks.Despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a vital shipping lane for global energy transport — Sharma said the government’s intervention has ensured continued imports through alternate routes.“So today is the 13th day of the war, and the Hormuz for the commercial shipping is closed. This is very important in the context that we do take lot of import from the Strait of Hormuz. Although after the intervention of the government, as on today, more than 70% of our import is coming through routes other than the Strait of Hormuz,” she said.To ease pressure on LPG and natural gas channels, the government has also stepped up supplies of alternative fuels.Kerosene allocations to states are being raised, and coal distribution for small and medium consumers is being scaled up. The Environment Ministry has advised state pollution boards to temporarily allow restaurants and hotels to use biomass, RDF pellets, kerosene or coal for a month.Daily coordination between oil marketing companies and state governments continues to ensure a steady supply, monitor demand patterns and enforce regulations. District-level committees have been tasked with preventing diversion, hoarding and misuse of fuel stocks.

The anticipation surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) continues to grow as the 2026 season approaches, with fans eagerly waiting for another thrilling edition of the world’s most popular T20 franchise tournament. The new season is scheduled to begin on March 28, bringing together top international stars and emerging Indian talents in what promises to be a fiercely competitive campaign.

Every IPL season carries enormous expectations, not just for teams but also for star players who shoulder leadership responsibilities. With franchises assembling powerful squads and fine-tuning their strategies, discussions around team combinations and batting orders have already started gaining momentum. Former India batter Suresh Raina recently shared his thoughts on how the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) should structure their batting lineup, particularly regarding the role of their captain Rishabh Pant.

Suresh Raina picks the batting order for Rishabh Pant in LSG lineup

During a discussion on Star Sports, Raina suggested that Lucknow should consider promoting Pant up the batting order to maximize his impact. According to the former Chennai Super Kings star, Pant could be more effective batting at No. 3 rather than lower down the order.

Raina explained that LSG’s middle order might struggle if early wickets fall, especially in high-scoring chases. To avoid a collapse and maintain momentum, he proposed a slightly reshuffled batting order.

“If four batters get out, there is a sort of commotion down the order. Abdul Samad has come after winning the Ranji Trophy, but when you chase 210 or 220, I feel they will have to tweak a little there. Get Rishabh Pant at No. 3 and play Nicholas Pooran at No. 4. Abdul Samad is at No. 5, and you will have to fit Ayush Badoni in between. You have a left-arm spinner in Shahbaz Ahmed, who also bats very well,” Raina said.

Raina further highlighted that Pant and Nicholas Pooran would have a crucial role if the openers fail to provide a solid start. He also expressed confidence that the LSG captain could adopt a more aggressive approach this season.

“They don’t have a heavy-hitter from No. 5 to No. 8. I feel that even if two players get out from the top, Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran have a very important role. He will have to justify his captaincy this time. I feel Rishabh will do slightly differently this season and will be more fearless this year,” Raina added.

Also READ: Faf du Plessis picks a player who will be ‘under most pressure’ in IPL 2026

Star-studded side ready for the big challenge

LSG enter IPL 2026 with a powerful squad and renewed ambitions after a disappointing campaign last season. The franchise finished seventh in IPL 2025 and missed out on the playoffs, prompting them to reshape their squad for the upcoming tournament.

Pant will lead the side as captain after being retained for ₹27 crore, making him one of the most valuable players in the league. The team is also supported by strategic advisor Kane Williamson, whose experience is expected to help shape the team’s tactical approach.

LSG’s biggest strength lies in its pace attack, which could arguably be one of the fastest bowling units in IPL history. The lineup features the exciting pace of Mayank Yadav along with international stars Anrich Nortje and Mohammed Shami.

Their batting unit is equally formidable, boasting big hitters like Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh alongside Pooran. Meanwhile, Wanindu Hasaranga adds quality spin and valuable lower-order batting.

Despite the star power, questions remain about the injury history of some key fast bowlers and the lack of experienced finishers in the lower middle order. Lucknow will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1, hoping their high-risk, high-reward strategy can finally deliver their maiden IPL title.

Also READ: IPL 2026: BCCI announces schedule for the first phase; RCB to take on SRH in the opening contest

Kavya Maran, co-owner and head of SunRisers Leeds (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed was bought by SunRisers Leeds for £190,000 at the Hundred Player Auction 2026 on Thursday, putting an end to speculation that teams linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL) might avoid signing Pakistani players. The franchise, co-owned by Kavya Maran, competed strongly in the bidding and beat Trent Rockets to secure the mystery spinner.Earlier in the auction, Usman Tariq became the first Pakistani player to be picked when Birmingham Phoenix signed him for £140,000.

However, several other Pakistan stars did not find buyers. Fast bowler Haris Rauf and all-rounders Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub remained unsold at the time of writing.Meanwhile, Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi had already withdrawn from the auction before bidding began. The ECB confirmed that Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine, AM Ghazanfar, and Peter Siddle also pulled out. The likely reason was scheduling clashes with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and other international commitments.Afridi’s withdrawal still left 13 Pakistani players available in the men’s auction pool. The situation had drawn attention after speculation that franchises with IPL links might avoid picking Pakistani players.Responding to the debate, the ECB and the eight franchises issued a joint clarification, saying selections would be based on “performance, availability, and the needs of each team.”Pakistan also had a disappointing outcome in the women’s auction held a day earlier. None of the Pakistani women players were selected. Muneeba Ali, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, and captain Fatima Sana had all entered the auction with a base price of £15,000, but they did not receive any bids.