Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke believes that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would not need Josh Hazlewood to play throughout the tournament. Hazlewood, who had picked up an injury ahead of the Ashes, has been ruled out since then and is most likely to miss the first half of IPL 2026 for RCB.

One injury after the other, and Josh Hazlewood has not been able to recover despite his determination to play in all three formats of the game, unlike teammate Mitchell Starc, who has given up on T20Is to focus on his Test career. Hazlewood is still under rehab, and his return remains a major uncertainty.

However, what remains the biggest concern for the reigning champions ahead of the IPL 2026 season is whether the Australian speedster will be able to make a comeback throughout the season. He was their champion bowler in the previous edition and finished with 22 scalps across 12 games for the defending champions.

Your daily dose of cricket!

I don’t think he needs to be fit for the entire tournament-Michael Clarke

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has opined that RCB pacer Josh Hazlewood, whose availability has been a growing concern, does not need to be available for them throughout the tournament. RCB kicks off their campaign on the 28th of March against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home ground, the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Clarke interestingly opined that it would be okay even if Hazlewood gets fit and returns for the latter half of RCB’s campaign; that is when the main business is to be done, by which he meant the qualifying stage and the knockouts.

“Josh Hazlewood is a big one, though. I reckon it sounds like he’s not over in India. I reckoned that could be defining. If he’s fit for that tournament. I don’t think he needs to be fit for the entire tournament.

“Probably the backend; if they can get him up and going and bowling as well as he can, I reckon he’s a match-winner. For RCB, I think they’ll be super confident in what they have achieved. I think Josh is a big player for them,” he said on the ‘Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.’

Australian cricketer declares RCB as the most consistent unit in the IPL

Another Australian cricketer, Peter Hatzoglou, has emphasized the importance of consistency within a unit. He identified the defending champions as one of the franchises showing some remarkable consistency not only from their players but also from the coaches and other staff.

“Consistency and having a consistent core account for a lot. Not only players and coaches but also staff around the group count for so much in setting up the squad for success,” he noted.

He then continued praising Josh Hazlewood in the RCB den and his contributions behind RCB’s maiden IPL triumph. He looked impressed by the unified consistency throughout the RCB management.

“RCB, Josh Hazlewood has been a champion there, and they’ve got that consistency throughout the whole organisation, which sets you up for success,” he said. (via the aforementioned source)

Who can be Josh Hazlewood’s replacement in RCB’s Playing XI?

Josh Hazlewood is surely not arriving to play the first half of the tournament, and being the defending champions, the Royal Challengers Bangalore side cannot compromise with their start. Hazlewood has to be replaced by some player, and who RCB would pick for the role remains a huge question.

Royal Challengers will have the likes of Nuwan Thushara, who played a handful of games previously in the IPL, and will also have debutant pacer Jacob Duffy. Duffy is much of a Hazlewood-like bowler who often offers a lot of bounce on tracks and some movement with the new ball.

However, they will also get the chance to start with Jacob Bethell in the playing XI, but under such circumstances, they will have to keep faith in their Indian bowling attack, which will be headed by the likes of experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya.

ALSO READ: Fakhar Zaman slammed for ‘unprofessional’ behaviour while taking fitness test

On the 25th anniversary of India’s greatest-ever Test victory against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001, Revsportz took us on a majestic revival of the joyous memory. Indian cricket’s modern heights are a reflection of the years of determination and grit of their cricketers.

Today, India are the World Champions in ICC tournaments, but at one time this team was not even considered a major opponent among the game’s giants. However, over the years, Indian players have played their hearts out, demonstrating their authority in the sport.

25 years back, India did win one of their most historic Test matches against one of the World’s best Test teams during those times. They defeated the mighty Aussies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and some of the Indian players played their most memorable Test innings in that game.

Your daily dose of cricket!

“Kya dressing-room tha, kya zamana tha,” Boria Majumdar made Harbhajan Singh reminisce about the golden era

Revsports had organized Trailblazers 4.0 at ITC Sonar with former Indian cricketers Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, players who were part of a different generation of cricket for India. They were part of the time phase when India were rebuilding their squad.

At the start of the event, as the guests passed over a standing ovation to the cricketers, Boria Majumdar, the show host and the Editor-in-Chief of RevSportz, whispered this in Harbhajan Singh’s ears: “Kya dressing-room tha, kya zamana tha (what a dressing room it was, what a time it was).”

The Turbunator replied instantly, saying that “I thought about saying this during the session.” Boria Majumdar captivated the audience once again with his subtle yet charming oration, as he showed them revisiting those moments from 2001, while praising the then Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly.

Former Indian stars revisited the 2001 Eden Gardens glory down memory lane

As the session slowly turned into a stunning adda between the fans and the players, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Venkatesh Prasad contributed immensely to it. Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian skipper, joined online during that match.

Majumdar recalled one of VVS Laxman’s most admired Test innings in that match at the Eden Gardens and against an opposition that the world feared, but VVS considered the best to bat against. Rahul Dravid also supported the Indian no. 3. During the middle phase, the two contributed to a mammoth partnership in the game.

Not only the batters but also the bowlers did a remarkable job. Not only did they pull out anything special with the ball, but they also saved Sourav Ganguly from being stripped of captaincy, which helped Team India, as he was the core character behind the rebuilding of India’s core that won them matches later in the future.

After having lost the opening Test at Wankhede against Australia, a defeat in this match would surely imply the end of Ganguly’s captaincy streak, and India would lose one of their most futuristic figures in international cricket.

Who is India’s greatest ever Captain?

India’s greatest ever captain, this has been the never-ending debate, and the stats make it further difficult for the Indian fans to pick one out of the number of memorable skippers who have served Indian cricket.

However, Boria Majumdar points out that though the numbers favour MS Dhoni in white-ball cricket, it was Sourav Ganguly who was clearly responsible for reshaping India’s future in the sport as he showed faith in several youngsters like Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra, Virender Sehwag and later MS Dhoni himself.

Majumdar also points out that the best captain is loved by his dressing-room mates and the way they rate him. As a sample of this, he quoted the former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who claimed, “He (Ganguly) is the best captain I played under.”

ALSO READ: “They can go for a left-hand-right-hand”: Ex-CSK batter drops key advice for RCB ahead of IPL 2026

KKR made some massive investments in the IPL 2026 mini-auction but none of them seemed very wise from a cricketing point of view, as they invested a huge lot of money on talented yet out-of-form and injury-prone cricketers.

The Kolkata Knight Riders under new head coach Abhishek Nayar clearly looked to rebuild a new squad, as they released the majority of their big names as well, which included the franchise veteran Andre Russell. However, the players they picked in return didn’t seem the wisest of choices.

KKR made some wise picks in the form of the New Zealand trio, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra. However, there was a huge gamble on players like Cameron Green and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who did not seem a trustworthy call.

Your daily dose of cricket!

Australian legend sends massive warning to KKR on Cameron Green’s poor form ahead of IPL 2026

Former Australian legend Greg Chappell recently raised concerns about Cameron Green’s form ahead of the IPL 2026 season. To the legendary cricketer, the Australian all-rounder who once looked like a promising athletic all-rounder has now been stuck on the crease.

Chappell’s comments on the Australian all-rounder have come before he joins KKR as their marquee player for the upcoming season.

“I saw a very athletic young batsman with a beautiful setup and able to move in any direction, and now I see a batsman who is stuck at the crease, who cannot move, cannot use his athleticism, and cannot use his reach to score runs,” he said.

However, the former Australian skipper highlighted that his batting has been affected by his bowling workload, and he can still be one of the generation’s finest all-rounders if he manages his skill set well and is put under some quality advice.

“Bowling has impacted his batting. He can still be one of the great all-rounders of the game because he has the talent, but it depends on whether he has the decision-making and the mental skills to go with it, and whether he’s getting the best advice on where he is going,” Chappell added.

Cameron Green’s numbers have been disappointing in 2025

Cameron Green’s numbers have surely been disappointing over the last year in International cricket. The 26-year-old struggled during Australia’s World Cup campaign in the subcontinent, where he managed to score 24 runs with two single-digit scores in three games and picked up just one wicket.

On the other hand, before the start of the World Cup, he was Australia’s highest run getter in the series against Pakistan, where the World cricket giants were left humiliated by the hosts. In that series, he managed to score 93 runs at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 124.

Cameron Green’s last half-century since returning to the Test format came against the West Indies in July 2025, and his last international hundred came in August 2025 against South Africa. In the home Ashes series, he managed to score a mere 171 runs across eight innings at an awful average of 24.42.

Cameron Green’s IPL Stats

Having made his debut in 2023, the 26-year-old Australian all-rounder has played the IPL twice in 2023 and 2024, for the two renowned franchises, the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Green had the best debut season, as he amassed 452 runs first up with a maiden IPL century, averaging nearly 50, and also picked up 6 wickets with the ball. However, his next season with the Royal Challengers did not go as planned, as he managed to put on 255 runs across 13 appearances and picked 10 wickets with the ball.

Speaking of great advice, which Chappell mentioned to shape Green’s career as an all-rounder, he would rightly get it in the KKR camp. He will be practicing under the guidance of one of Australia’s greatest ever white-ball all-rounders, Shane Watson.

ALSO READ: 2012 IPL hero Manvinder Bisla joins KKR in a new role

Former IPL Champion player from the Kolkata Knight Riders camp, Manvinder Bisla, has now taken up a new role for the Knights ahead of the 2026 IPL season. The KKR wicketkeeper was formerly part of Gautam Gambhir‘s IPL-winning team in 2012.

Kolkata Knight Riders have largely revamped their coaching unit. Dwayne Bravo, the IPL legend, will continue to serve as their mentor. However, Abhishek Nayar has replaced Chandrakant Pandit as the head coach, and his role will be key for KKR.

Kolkata Knight Riders finished their previous campaign on a low note after they managed to win only 5 of their 14 games. To no one did it seem the same team that won the IPL 2024 under skipper Shreyas Iyer and mentor Gautam Gambhir. However, this time they will have to aim to turn the tide.

Your daily dose of cricket!

Former IPL champions Manvinder Bisla re-associated with KKR ahead of the 2026 season

KKR’s head coach, Abhishek Nayar, gave a light introduction of the coaching staff before the start of the IPL 2026 season, as the team gathered to begin the preparations for the IPL. In doing so, he introduced former KKR star Manvinder Bisla as one of the scouting members for the team.

“We have got Bisla and Biju (George), who are our heads of scouting. Our scouting team is here to help us in the phase of building up,” said the KKR head coach.

Bisla is a known name with the Kolkata Knight Riders, as he was part of the squad that won the first-ever IPL title for the Kolkata Knight Riders, only the fourth franchise to have won it back then in 2012.

The Head Coach welcomes our 🆕, starry staff additions 💜🤩 pic.twitter.com/mbVU4LDdpO

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 18, 2026

Head coach Abhishek Nayar gives Shane Watson a warm welcome at KKR

The KKR head coach, who had formerly been part of the KKR unit as an assistant coach and later joined the Indian team for a brief stint, is now back as the Head coach of the unit and seems blessed to have former CSK and RR all-rounder Shane Watson as his assistant coach for the season.

“Just a very formal welcome from me. A few new entrants. I think I should start by introducing them. Everyone knows Shane Watson as a player, but I have known him as someone who has played under him as a player, and I’m really, really happy, ‘Watto,’ to have you with us.

“I think you have been a terrific addition, even in this small period that I’ve interacted with you. Tap into his experience; you know you will learn a lot. We’ve had a lot of good coaches, but I’m pretty sure that Shane Watson is going to add a lot of value to us.

“So, Watto, welcome to the KKR family,” Abhishek Nayar said in his welcoming speech.

KKR to start their IPL 2026 campaign against the Mumbai Indians

Kolkata Knight Riders will be aiming to make a promising start, and the season begins on the KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane‘s home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, against the five-time champions Mumbai Indians.

KKR will be up against the mighty MI side, comprising the World Cup-winning all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, oogling fire after the terrific World Cup showdown.

ALSO READ: “He needs to be fit”: Michael Clarke downplays Josh Hazlewood’s importance for RCB

The Mumbai Indians (MI) are one of the most successful sides in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) history. The five-time champions failed to qualify for the final and were eliminated in Qualifier 2. After two disappointing seasons, MI will look to bounce back this season and win its sixth IPL trophy.

They are set to play their first game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Hardik Pandya-led side will start with a win against the three-time champions. However, ahead of the IPL, they have a headache picking their four overseas players in the playing XI.

It’s like having two Russells- Faf du Plessis

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis has dropped his comments on two of the overseas players that the Mumbai Indians could play. Faf discussed the importance of having Will Jacks and Sherfane Rutherford and compared this combination with Andre Russell.

Your daily dose of cricket!

“If you followed Rutherford’s last year, he is as hot as it can get in terms of T20 cricket. He is in every competition that is being played, he is smoking the ball. Then you have got Jacks, who has revived himself, now that he’s adding in finishing with power and his off-spin.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqE9PTTThdk

“So, that is a massive luxury that they have in terms of two really strong roles. It’s like having two Russells in your team, almost at the moment. Their team is looking unbelievable.” Faf du Plessis said on ESPN Cricinfo.

Will Jacks was exceptional for England

Jack’s had a phenomenal ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with England scoring 233 runs and picking up 9 wickets with an average of 13.33 and an economy of 9.75. He came in to bat during the death overs and was given the finisher’s role for the side, and did the job very well.

He will be seen playing for the Mumbai Indians and will be handy up the order or in the lower middle order as well. He played in as a floater last season, most of the time batting at No.3 for the five-time winners.

Can the Mumbai Indians win their sixth title?

Sherfane Rutherford was traded from the Gujarat Titans (GT) ahead of the IPL mini-auction. The West Indies all-rounder also had a good T20 World Cup with the bat. Last season with GT, he scored 291 runs with a strike rate of over 157 and had a massive impact in the middle order.

Mumbai Indians, over the years, have been one of the strongest sides on paper. In the 2024 season, the newly appointed Hardik Pandya failed to lead the side to the playoffs and finished at the bottom of the table. In the following season, despite a slow start, they picked up pace and qualified.

Mumbai Indians have the likes of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. They might not be playing them both in the squad, with one playing in the XI, given a strong middle order, and they need an overseas fast bowler, who will be Trent Boult.

Also Read: ‘Ask groundsman to make spin-friendly pitches’: Faf du Plessis assists Abhishek Nayar’s KKR before IPL 2026

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Anil Kumble reflected on Virat Kohli‘s overwhelming importance in the RCB side and called him out as one of the central reasons behind RCB’s immense stardom. He has also hinted at a possible transformation in Virat Kohli’s batting approach in 2026.

After having picked up his prime from his golden years, Virat Kohli has been in some touch in the ODI format, while he has retired internationally from Tests and T20Is. He continues to play in the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and will soon be seen in RCB colours.

The Indian batting maestro amassed 657 runs in 15 innings in the last season for the defending champions. He was their best batter in the format and also amassed the third-highest runs in the IPL. He was their most consistent performer in RCB’s maiden IPL triumph.

Your daily dose of cricket!

“Yes, RCB’s identity is still built around him.” – Anil Kumble

Former RCB skipper Anil Kumble, who has led the Challengers formerly in the IPL, went on to reflect on Virat Kohli’s deep-rooted bond with the franchise he has been playing for for around 18 years. He also pointed out the loyalty of the fans in Bengaluru.

“Yes, RCB’s identity is still built around him. If you look back at RCB over the last 10-12 years, it has always been about someone like Virat Kohli. Once he took over the captaincy in 2013, it has been about his presence with the franchise,” he said.

“Of course, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle received a similar kind of support. I was fascinated when AB walked in to play his 100th Test match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium; you could see the kind of reception he received even while representing South Africa.

Anil Kumble hints at Virat Kohli’s ABD-like transformation in IPL 2026

“That shows the kind of love people of Bengaluru have for RCB and for Virat. Like we speak about MS (Dhoni) and CSK, Virat and RCB will always be synonymous, and I don’t think that will change. That legacy will remain,” Kumble said on Star Sports’ IPL Today Live.

The legendary Indian spinner spoke about the mentality of legendary cricketers, and he stressed that they always tend to evolve and do more for their betterment. He hinted that Kohli could manifest new strokes this season

Virat Kohli eyes massive IPL milestone in 2026

As one of the league’s biggest draws, his comeback in the IPL always adds up to some immense buzz. Virat managed to score 8661 runs in 267 IPL matches and is the highest run-scorer in the history of the competition.

He is on the brink of being the first ever cricketer to have scored 9000 runs in the history of the IPL. He could be the first-ever player in the history of any franchise tournament to amass 9000 runs in a single tournament.

Also, the veteran cricketer has 13543 runs and could be the fifth cricketer to have amassed 14000+ runs in T20 cricket after the end of this year’s IPL. Kohli has been consistently scoring over 500+ runs, and this would be his set target in the upcoming season as well.

ALSO READ: “He needs to be fit”: Michael Clarke downplays Josh Hazlewood’s importance for RCB

Former Pakistani cricketer Tanveer Ahmed blasted experienced Pakistani cricketer Fakhar Zaman for not managing his injury concerns well. His lack of fitness has been a major issue for Pakistan in ICC tournaments.

Fakhar Zaman is now among the most experienced cricketers in the Pakistan National side; however, he does not get the amount of gametime a senior pro like him should. One of the reasons might be the Pakistan management not using him wisely, but his frequent injuries are also a major concern.

Unlike Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman has been in great form in the competition. His impact was clearly seen in Pakistan’s final appearance in the series, when he finally opened the innings alongside Sahibzada Farhan and gave Pakistan a 150+ opening stand.

Your daily dose of cricket!

Fakhar Zaman defied Aaqib Javed’s claims with a spectacular fielding effort

After Pakistan’s poor campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 ended, PCB Chief Selector Aaqib Javed claimed that the selection committee was not informed that the two veterans, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, were injured before the T20 World Cup.

However, the reverse trolling started from Zaman’s fans, who trolled Javed after the southpaw was seen taking a brilliant catch during the National T20 Cup semi-final between Abbottabad Region and Lahore Region Whites.

The video of the stunning fielding effort from the Pakistani cricketer went viral on social media, and many claimed that the cricketer didn’t seem to be injured, even once, and the selectors seemed to accuse him wrongly.

Fakhar admitted injury concerns amid National T20 Cup participation

However, while responding to one of the tweets that claimed he was injured, Fakhar had responded, saying that he was injured enough not to fit into the 50-over setup, as a result of which he was dropped from the Bangladesh squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh.

He also went on to admit that he participated in the National T20 Cup only after he cleared all his fitness Tests on the 15th of March, before featuring in the semi-final. He would next be seen in the PSL season after clearing all fitness tests.

“I was not 100% fit to play 50-over games. In that case, Aqib Javed was right. I’m playing these games after clearing the fitness tests on 15th,” Fakhar wrote on X.

Tanveer slams Pakistani opener for lack of fitness awareness

Former Pakistani cricketer Tanveer Ahmed, who has emerged as a major critic of Pakistani cricketers due to their poor performance in the ICC tournaments as well as bilaterals over the course of the last few years, has now turned to slam the Pakistani opener.

He said, “Fakhar Zaman has been playing professional cricket for many years. I don’t understand what kind of professional player gets unfit on all occasions. I seriously don’t get it; when will he work on his fitness in order to improve it?”

Tanveer Ahmed questions Fakhar Zaman’s fitness, pointing out the opener often struggles to stay fully fit despite years in professional cricket

What’s your thoughts on it?#TOKSports #FakharZaman #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/Ri2QZucSbw

— TOK Sports (@TOKSports021) March 18, 2026

ALSO READ: Did Krunal Pandya take a dig at Virat Kohli? RCB star’s “individual performance” remarks go viral

Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has opened up about the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) loss against his former side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in the 2025 edition. The spinner identified the reason for their loss in the final against RCB.

Yuzi Chahal stated that things would have been different if South Africa pacer Marco Jansen was in the team in the final. The Proteas pacer had to return to South Africa and was unavailable due to the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia.

In the final, we missed Jansen- Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal discussed the IPL 2025 final on AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel ahead of RCB’s opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). PBKS qualified for the final after more than a decade; however, their search for a maiden IPL title continues.

Your daily dose of cricket!

Yuzvendra Chahal said, “In the final, we missed Jansen as he was not there. If he was there, we would have definitely won the championship. The way he bowled throughout the tournament was brilliant, and batting too, he was capable of hitting two to three sixes in the end. We are even more confident now because of the way he is bowling. It’s not going to be easy for the opposition openers.”

Chahal also opened up about his poor performance in the IPL after he returned from the rib injury. He said, “I was a bit disappointed with myself. After the KKR game, I had a rib fracture, and later, my knuckle got fractured. So in the semifinal and final, I wasn’t able to bowl my proper leg-spin. This year, I want to take care of my body first.”

I’ve stopped drinking alcohol- Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal also stated that he is eager to enhance his quality as a senior player and his level of fitness. He claims that one of the more significant benefits he has been seeing in his body after staying away from alcohol.

“I’ve stopped drinking alcohol, and it’s been more than six months. I am now 35, so I want to be more active and give my 150% for my team. As a senior player, I want people in the IPL to learn something from me.”

Yuzvendra Chahal to give PBKS their first title

Yuzvendra Chahal is the most successful bowler in IPL history, with 221 wickets in 172 matches since 2013. He is also leading the chart with the number of wickets taken in the competition. He has been recognised for courage and attacking bowling ability even in smaller grounds like M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he has played the most matches of his IPL career.

The IPL is set to begin from March 28, with RCB taking on SRH in the opening day at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. All the teams have joined their respective camps for the training sessions ahead of the tournament.

The IPL committee and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced the first 20 matches of the toughest T20 league in the world due to the Assembly Election.

Also Read: “That is a massive luxury”: EX-RCB captain highlights Mumbai Indians’ biggest strength ahead of IPL 2026

The cricketing world often celebrates boundary-clearing sixes and clinical hat-tricks, but a quiet moment of traditional respect has captured the internet’s heart. Following his intimate wedding to childhood sweetheart Vanshika Chadha in the serene hills of Mussoorie, Indian spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav hosted a lavish wedding reception at The Centrum in Lucknow. While the guest list read like a “who’s who” of Indian sports and politics, the highlight of the evening was a viral video showcasing the deep-rooted cultural values shared within the Indian locker room.

Kuldeep Yadav’s gesture wins hearts as he touches Ravindra Jadeja and wife’s feet

As veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and his wife, Rivaba, stepped onto the stage to congratulate the newlyweds, Kuldeep performed a gesture that transcended sport. In a display of Sanskaar, the 30-year-old left-arm chinaman bowler touched the feet of the veteran couple to seek their blessings. This gesture of humility toward a senior teammate, despite both being active international stars resonated deeply with fans, highlighting a brotherhood that exists beyond the competitive pressure of the 22 yards.

The couple made a grand entrance at the venue in a classic vintage Rolls-Royce, setting a sophisticated tone for the evening. Kuldeep looked dapper in a sharp black suit, while Vanshika complemented him in an elegant cream-coloured saree. The atmosphere, enriched by the soft strains of classical music, provided a perfect backdrop for a celebration that balanced modern stardom with timeless tradition.

Here’s the video:

Kuldeep Yadav touched the feet of Rivaba and Ravindra Jadeja.

The way Rivaba blessed Kuldeep was heartwarming 🤌❤️ pic.twitter.com/FGwsl6nH1r

— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy) March 18, 2026

Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin slams fan agendas, questions hero worship culture in Indian cricket

Political heavyweights and cricket icons unite to celebrate Kuldeep’s wedding

The reception was far more than a sporting gathering; it served as a rare intersection of Indian cricket and high-level governance. The presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav underscored Kuldeep’s status as one of the state’s most beloved sporting icons. Despite their political differences, the leaders joined a host of dignitaries, including BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and State Minister A. K. Sharma, to wish the couple well.

The cricketing fraternity was out in full force to support their teammate. India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir made a notable appearance, alongside current stars like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Former opening batter Shikhar Dhawan, known for his infectious energy, took to Instagram to share his joy, posting: “Congratulations to the beautiful couple @kuldeep_18 & Vanshika. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness.”

Kuldeep, who has been a vital asset for India across all formats boasting an impressive tally of wickets in 17 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 54 T20Is, now begins a new innings off the field. This celebration in Lucknow served as a fitting tribute to a player who has remained grounded despite his meteoric rise, proving that even in the fast-paced world of international cricket, respect for one’s seniors and roots remains the ultimate spin.

Also READ: Suryakumar Yadav reveals about how he was approached for India’s T20I captaincy role

As the countdown to IPL 2026 begins, the excitement surrounding the Delhi Capitals (DC) have reached a fever pitch. Following a busy auction where the franchise made strategic moves to fix their middle-order woes, former India cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Cheteshwar Pujara have weighed in with their predicted playing XIs. While both experts agree that the inclusion of KL Rahul provides a massive boost, they remain divided on the ideal opening partner and the structure of the bowling attack.

DC are set to kick off their campaign against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium on Wednesday, April 1. After a rollercoaster 2025 season where they narrowly missed the playoffs, the pressure is on captain Axar Patel to lead a revamped side to their maiden title.

Cheteshwar Pujara banks on an all-Indian opening duo and David Miller’s finisher role

Pujara’s vision for DC revolves around stability at the top and explosive power in the middle. He has advocated for an all-Indian opening pair consisting of Rahul and the retained youngster Abishek Porel. Interestingly, Pujara has slotted the versatile Tristan Stubbs at No. 3 , a position the South African hasn’t traditionally occupied in the IPL but one that could allow him to dictate the tempo of the game.

The highlight of Pujara’s XI is the confidence he has shown in David Miller. DC secured the veteran South African for a bargain price of ₹2 crore during the December auction. Miller, who struggled with LSG in 2025, is seen by Pujara as the X-factor who can resolve Delhi’s historical middle-order collapses.

“He will be a very important player for them. He can change the game at any time. If 70-80 runs are needed off 30 deliveries, Miller can do that on Delhi’s home ground,” Pujara noted during his analysis on Star Sports.

Pujara’s predicted DC XI: KL Rahul, Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar/T Natarajan.

Also READ: IPL 2026: KL Rahul set for clear role as Delhi Capitals look for stability

Mohammad Kaif favours international firepower with Pathum Nissanka

Mohammad Kaif, a former DC assistant coach, took a different tactical route. He believes the franchise should capitalize on the red-hot form of Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka, who was bought for ₹4 crore. Kaif envisions a formidable opening partnership between Nissanka and Rahul, which would force the Indian domestic talents further down the order.

Kaif’s lineup also finds room for the hard-hitting Sameer Rizvi at No. 4, prioritizing youth and aggressive intent. Unlike Pujara, Kaif opted to leave out Ashutosh Sharma to maintain a balance of left-handers in the lower-middle order with Miller and Axar Patel. In the bowling department, Kaif expects T Natarajan and Mitchell Starc to lead the pace battery alongside Mukesh Kumar, creating a lethal death-bowling combination.

Kaif’s predicted DC XI: KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar.

With a well-rounded squad and the strategic trade-in of Nitish Rana, the Delhi Capitals appear to have the most balanced roster they have fielded in years. Whether they stick to Pujara’s local stability or Kaif’s international flair, the quest for the 2026 trophy starts under the lights in Lucknow.

Also READ: Delhi Capitals rope in England legend as assistant coach ahead of IPL 2026