The Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcast team is set to dazzle both on and off the field, with a formidable line-up of presenters and commentators. From seasoned anchors to fresh new faces, the list promises engaging analysis and vibrant studio coverage throughout the tournament.

Star-studded lineup of presenters for IPL 2026

With the 19th edition of the IPL set to kick off on March 28, the official broadcaster has assembled an eclectic roster of presenters to guide viewers through the two‑month cricketing carnival. The list blends experienced sports anchors with popular digital content creators, ensuring a dynamic mix of expert analysis and relatable fan engagement.

Among the prominent names, Mayanti Langer returns as one of the faces of IPL coverage, bringing her vast experience of hosting high‑profile cricket events. Joining her is former Tamil Nadu cricketer Abhinav Mukund, who has carved a niche as a sharp analyst in the studio. Tanay Tiwari, known for his articulate Hindi commentary, will add depth to the vernacular coverage, while Anant Tyagi features both as a presenter and commentator, offering versatility across formats.

The lineup also includes a strong contingent of female presenters. Bhavana Balakrishnan, Swedha Singh Bahal, Sahiba Bali and Nidhi Dugar will be part of the broadcast team, each bringing their unique style.

Sahiba Bali, a popular digital creator, is expected to connect with younger audiences through behind-the-scenes content and fan interactions.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Squads – Complete list of Indian and overseas players in all 10 teams

Behind the scenes voices

The broadcasters have also recalled fresh talent to keep the coverage vibrant. Sameena Anwar, Suren Sundaram, Navneeth Krishna, and Nashpreet Singh Kaur round out the presenter group, adding regional flavor and youthful energy. Many of these names have risen through digital cricket platforms and are now making their mark on mainstream television.

Beyond traditional pre-match and post-match shows, the presenters will also be featured in innovative digital segments, including interactive fan polls, dugout conversations and exclusive team access. The emphasis is on making the broadcast experience more immersive, catering to both die-hard cricket enthusiasts and casual viewers.

As the tournament unfolds over 74 matches across 18 venues, these presenters will be the voice of the IPL, breaking down key moments, interviewing stars, and keeping millions of viewers connected to the action. Their energy and insight will be as crucial as the performances on the field in making IPL 2026 a memorable season.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Schedule, Broadcast and Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, Australia, USA, UK & other countries

MUMBAI: Rumours of fuel shortage and a change in dealer payment rules led to long queues at petrol pumps across MMR on Friday.Motorists crowded outlets in Mumbai, Kalyan, Badlapur, Thane, Koparkhairne, Vashi and Belapur, pushing up sales by over 40%, especially at smaller stations in the city with limited storage. Some pumps faced partial dryouts, while a few were close to shutting until fresh stocks arrived. Oil company officials and petrol dealers clarified that refinery operations and fuel dispatches remained normal across Maharashtra, including MMR. They said tankers continue to deliver supplies to pumps since early morning and there is no statewide shortage of petrol or diesel. The disruption, they said, was linked to a new advance payment system.

Till March 16, dealers could lift fuel on short-term credit and make payment a day or two later. That cushion has now gone. Dealers must first deposit the full amount and only then can they place an order for delivery. For larger pumps with stronger cash flow and reserve storage, the shift is manageable. For smaller dealers, especially during sudden spikes in demand, it has become difficult. Bank holidays compound the problem. Dealers said that if payments are not deposited before bank closures, some pumps may not be able to place fresh orders in time. With bank holidays on Saturday and Sunday and more closures lined up next week for Mahavir Jayanti as well as the annual bank closing, some outlets could face temporary dry spells next week if they miss the payment window. Similar pressure may arise around Good Friday. Sources said that a few pump owners in Mumbai have managed to get fuel on credit from an oil marketing company during the holiday period, although this privilege was not extended to all pump owners across MMR. A typical pump procures around 12,000 litres of petrol and 8,000 litres of diesel. Bigger stations often maintain a 50% buffer, allowing them to keep selling while waiting for the next tanker. Smaller pumps usually have less storage and less financial flexibility. So, their stocks get exhausted faster if sales surge unexpectedly. Another factor is diesel demand from heavy goods vehicles. Some trucks that are unable to refuel on highways enter Mumbai to top up, adding to the load on city pumps. Dealers’ associations have urged citizens not to panic. They said affected pumps are likely to receive supplies within six to 24 hours or at most in two days. Chetan Modi, Petrol Dealers’ Association president, said, “Fuel is available, supply lines are working, and the queues are largely the result of panic buying colliding with advance payment and bank closure constraints.” In Thane, apart from one petrol pump in Kapurbawdi, where a long queue was seen (which is a regular occurrence at that location), petrol pumps within the city did not witness any unusual rush. The owner of BabuBhai Petrol Pump in Thane appealed to motorists not to form unnecessary queues or stock excess fuel. Citizens were also requested not to carry bottles or containers for extra fuel. A motorist at the spot said he did not want to take any chance in the face of uncertainty. (With inputs from Nishikant Karlikar)

MUMBAI: The Sessions Court rejected the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to accused Falgun Yogendra Shroff in Rs 30 crores imported furniture scam.The case pertains to August last year when the DRI arrested businessman Shroff for allegedly importing high-end Italian luxury furniture by grossly undervaluing goods and evading customs duties.The DRI had moved the Session court challenging the earlier bail order dated August 2, 2025, passed by the ACJM, Esplanade Court, Mumbai.The DRI argued that the bail order was illegal, perverse, and failed to consider the seriousness of the offence. According to the agency, the case involved a significant economic offence requiring deep and continuous investigation. It was contended that custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary in light of new developments during the investigation.The prosecution further alleged that the accused had not cooperated fully, claiming he withheld crucial documents such as original invoices and login credentials linked to the alleged undervaluation scheme. The agency submitted that the accused had breached bail conditions and that his custody was necessary to confront him with evidence and identify other members of the syndicate.The defence lawyer Sujay Kantawala for Shroff strongly opposed the plea, terming it false and misconceived. It was argued that there were no supervening circumstances warranting cancellation of bail. The accused maintained that he had complied with all bail conditions and had cooperated with the investigation.The defence highlighted that the accused had appeared before investigating officers whenever summoned, submitted relevant documents, and even provided login credentials of multiple email accounts. It was also pointed out that the trial court had permitted him to travel abroad on multiple occasions after hearing both sides, and he had returned to India in compliance with court orders. His passport was eventually returned permanently, indicating no flight risk.Additionally, the defence submitted that the accused had deposited Rs. 5 crore with the government treasury as a mark of bona fides and had not attempted to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. After hearing both sides and examining the record, the court reiterated the settled legal position that cancellation of bail is distinct from rejection of bail and requires “cogent and overwhelming circumstances.”Relying on Supreme Court rulings including Daulat Ram vs State of Haryana and Dipak Yadav vs State of Uttar Pradesh, the court noted that bail once granted should not be cancelled in a routine manner unless there is clear evidence of misuse of liberty. The court found no material to show that the accused had violated any bail conditions, attempted to abscond, or interfered with the investigation. On the contrary, the record indicated that he had cooperated with the investigating agency and complied with court directions.The judge also observed that if the prosecution was aggrieved by the original bail order, it should have challenged it before the appropriate appellate forum instead of seeking cancellation at a later stage. The delay in filing the application was also noted. Holding that no supervening circumstances were made out and that the accused had not misused the liberty granted to him, the Sessions Court dismissed the DRI’s application.The court, however, clarified that the investigating agency is at liberty to approach the trial court for appropriate relief, including custodial interrogation, in accordance with law.

R Praggnanandhaa, Divya Deshmukh, and R Vaishali (Image credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: Two years ago, when Dommaraju Gukesh stormed the Candidates in Toronto, the chess world called it a miracle. By the time he dismantled Ding Liren in Singapore to become the youngest-ever World Champion, that “miracle” had become something else entirely, more like a seismic shift.Yet, as the marathon to find his next challenger begins this Saturday in Cyprus, a curious silence hangs over the Indian camp.

Despite Gukesh’s own recent admission that he would not mind an all-Indian matchup against R Praggnanandhaa for the title, the pre-tournament buzz indicates that Indians are not the leading favourites in both open and women’s categories.The American wall: Why Nakamura and Caruana leadThe primary reason for the tempered expectations lies in the sheer mathematical dominance of the American duo, World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura and World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana.In an era of teenage phenoms, the veterans have recalibrated. Nakamura, at 38, remains a freak of nature, maintaining a 2800-plus rating while balancing a full-time streaming career.

“One cannot rule out Nakamura’s best chances,” veteran Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay told TimesofIndia.com. “He is the only player keeping above 2800 all these years. Nakamura is a serious contender mainly because of his cleverness in specific opening preparations against specific players.”Caruana, 33, presents a different kind of hurdle with his “unbeatable” factor.“He is very solid,” Thipsay noted. “He doesn’t necessarily wish to win in the opening itself, but he’s always on solid ground. It’s possible Caruana ends up unbeaten in the event. The only problem he faces is being able to score heavily enough.”The Pragg puzzleWhile the world has been waiting for Praggnanandhaa to take the final leap, recent months have represented a period of consolidation rather than conquest. After a blistering run in the first half of 2025, the Chennai prodigy found the air slightly thinner at the very top during the latter half of the year. And his start to 2026 hasn’t carried much positivity either.“Praggnanandhaa had very good years, but recently, he has not been really good,” Thipsay observed. To win the Candidates, Pragg must revert to his roots as a cold-blooded attacker.

“He must concentrate on getting the initiative with the white pieces. His strength is mainly attack against the enemy king… he’s good at tactics and combinations,” the veteran GM added.The challenge for the 20-year-old Indian is tactical bravery. In a field that includes Wei Yi and the unpredictable Javokhir Sindarov, who Thipsay warns “may cause upsets but has a habit of making simple mistakes”, Praggnanandhaa cannot afford to play for safe draws if he wants to set up that dream all-Indian World Championship match.The Women’s field: Divya Deshmukh’s edgeIf the Open section feels like a climb, the Women’s Candidates offers a brighter silver lining. With the withdrawal of the legendary Koneru Humpy due to safety concerns in West Asia, the spotlight has shifted entirely to the 20-year-old World Cup winner, Divya Deshmukh, and 24-year-old Vaishali Rameshbabu, winner of the 2025 Women’s Grand Swiss.Despite being rated lower than top seed Zhu Jiner, Divya carries a psychological edge that most female players lack, as she regularly hunts in the Open (dominated by men) circuit.

“The wisdom Divya shows in playing men’s events has made her very strong against the best defence,” Thipsay remarked. “When you’re playing a strong field, you should be able to tackle good defence. In the past, no Indian except Humpy had ever beaten Chinese players in a match, but 2025 was different. Divya and Humpy defeated four Chinese players among themselves.”Thipsay believes the title is a straight shootout: “I would say the top position is expecting to go to either Zhu Jiner or Divya. Vaishali has an outside chance, but probably only for second or third,” he added.As the clocks start on Saturday, the narrative is clear. The “Gukesh effect” has made the world wary of Indian prodigies, but it has also forced the old guard to sharpen their steel.For Nakamura and Caruana, this is likely their final realistic shot at a World Championship match before the door is bolted shut by the next generation.For India, the task is to prove that Gukesh wasn’t a standalone miracle, but the first of many.Whether Praggnanandhaa can find his attacking initiative or Divya can dismantle the Chinese wall, the next three weeks in Cyprus will decide if the World Championship remains an internal Indian affair or a global tug-of-war.