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Jaipur, April 30 (IANS) Rajasthan Royals will look to build on their recent momentum when they take on Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Friday in a crucial IPL 2026 encounter.

Rajasthan have enjoyed a solid campaign so far, registering six wins from nine matches to sit comfortably in fourth place on the points table. The side, led by Riyan Parag, heads into the contest on the back of a morale-boosting victory, having successfully chased down a daunting 223-run target to hand Punjab Kings their first defeat of the season.

While the Royals have found momentum at the right time, concerns remain over the form of skipper Parag, whose returns with the bat have been inconsistent. However, his brief but impactful contribution in the previous match could provide a timely boost as the team approaches the decisive phase of the tournament. The middle order’s resurgence in that game also offers encouragement for the hosts.

In contrast, the Delhi Capitals find themselves under pressure, having managed just three wins from eight matches. Placed seventh in the standings, the side led by Axar Patel is currently on a three-match losing streak and will be desperate to arrest the slide.

Their most recent outing was particularly disappointing, as they suffered a heavy defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Delhi were bundled out for a modest total before the opposition chased it down with ease, exposing frailties in both batting and bowling departments.

With the tournament entering a crucial phase, a loss in Jaipur could further dent Delhi’s playoff hopes, making this encounter a must-win for the visitors. Rajasthan, on the other hand, will aim to consolidate their position in the top four with another strong performance at home.

When: Friday, May 1, 7:30 PM IST

Where: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Where to watch: The RR vs DC match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game

Squads:

Rajasthan Royals: Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Riyan Parag (c), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, Sandeep Sharma, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao Perala, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen, Dasun Shanaka, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande, Vignesh Puthur, Brijesh Sharma

Delhi Capitals: Abishek Porel, KL Rahul, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Tripurana Vijay, David Miller, Auqib Nabi Dar, Pathum Nissanka, Lungi Ngidi, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Kyle Jamieson, T Natarajan, Madhav Tiwari, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 30 (IANS) Jonty Rhodes, the former South Africa fielding stalwart who is now the co-owner of the Rotterdam franchise in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), said the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has created a relentless batting environment that leaves bowlers under the pump and that only exceptional fielding can offer them any relief.

Rhodes’ comments come against the backdrop of a bruising IPL 2026 season for bowlers, where even ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, has been carted for huge runs and picked just two wickets in seven games. The imbalance between bat and ball has prompted growing debate about whether the tournament's playing conditions have swung too far in favour of batters, especially with the Impact Player rule in picture.

"I just think that the fact that the impact player rule, which has come in just means that there's an extra batter in your team and in 20 overs, if you play aggressively, you can still keep taking risks. So, yes, you can impact another bowler in, but we know that in T20 cricket, the surface is good. There's often not a lot of the bowlers, who don't often have the edge.

"So when you've got an extra batter in your lineup, no matter how many bowlers - you can have seven bowlers if you want. But when batters are coming at you from ball one and throughout that middle period, which used to be a bit of a building period, especially if you've lost two or three wickets, you then use the sort of overs eight to 12 or 14 as a rebuilding phase and then you launch for the last six in those death overs," Rhodes told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Thursday, facilitated by ETPL.

Rhodes, who built his reputation as perhaps the finest fielder the game has seen during his international career, where he played 52 Tests and 254 ODIs, and later was in coaching staff of Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, stated the burden on fielders to compensate for the bowlers being carted for runs had never been greater.

"But I think from a perspective of having that impact player, it means that the batters just keep coming at you ball after ball after ball. So, you don't necessarily see it outside the IPL without the impact player rule. But from the start, you really have to be on with your fielding because that one run could make a difference.

"You need to assist your bowlers and that spectacular catch or a brilliant run-out in the field, that really could be the difference between a team because taking wickets is difficult enough. If you can do something spectacular in the field and assist the bowlers, that often is the difference between winning and losing," he added.

Rhodes also noted that tournaments operating without the Impact Player rule, including the European T20 Premier League, will aim to present a more balanced contest, thanks to all-rounders regaining their value and batting depth naturally curtailed.

"I know about that, but a big focus on that will have to be the fielding because the bowlers have been let down a little bit in the field. Also, don't forget there's not going to be the impact player rule and then it brings in all-rounders (into the game).

"Plus there's one batter short, so it does even the contest slightly. But you're right - I mean, if the batters are dominating, there's going to have to be a big focus on the fielders backing up their bowlers," he concluded.

--IANS

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Burnley, April 30 (IANS) Scott Parker has left his position as head coach of Burnley Football Club by mutual consent, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

Mike Jackson, supported by the existing backroom staff, will take interim charge for the Clarets' remaining four Premier League fixtures, beginning with Friday's match away to Leeds United.

Parker's departure came eight days after Burnely's relegation from the Premier League. The club said that the process of appointing a new permanent head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season has already begun.

"Following confirmation of the Club's relegation from the Premier League last week, Parker and the Board held discussions and mutually agreed that his time at Turf Moor would conclude," Burnley said in a statement.

During his tenure at Turf Moor, Parker guided the Clarets to a record-breaking season in the 2024/25 campaign, securing Burnley promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, with a 33-match unbeaten run, keeping a remarkable 30 clean sheets.

Parker, who had replaced the departing Vincent Kompany before the 2024-25 season, shared a message in the wake of his departure from Burnley.

"It has been an immense privilege to lead this great club over the past two years. I have enjoyed every moment of our journey together, but feel that now is the right time for both parties to move in a different direction," he said.

"I reflect back with great pride on what we achieved during my time at the club, especially our unforgettable promotion season in 2024/25, and it was a true honour to lead this team into the Premier League.

"I would like to thank Alan and the ownership group for their support during my time at the club. My thanks also go to the fantastic and tireless staff behind the scenes and, most importantly, to the players, who have given me everything since the first day I arrived. Finally, thank you to the Burnley fans. I wish you all and this great club nothing but the very best for the future," Parker added.

Parker, who made 18 appearances for England., played for six Premier League sides in his career - Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham - before turning to management.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 30 (IANS) The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has issued a clarification on the ‘Obstructing the Field’ law following the controversial dismissal of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi during the team’s recent IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants.

The incident sparked widespread debate after Raghuvanshi was adjudged out by the third umpire while attempting to take a U-turn and return to the striker’s end. The batter had initially set off for a quick single before being sent back by his partner. As he turned and dived to make his ground, the throw from the field struck him, prompting an appeal that resulted in his dismissal under Law 37.

Clarifying the rule, the MCC reiterated that a batter can only be given out if there is a deliberate attempt to obstruct or distract the fielding side.

Law 37.1.1 says that "either batter is out Obstructing the Field if they ‘wilfully attempt to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action.’ That means that the obstruction must be deliberate, which can be hard to determine."

The governing body further referred to a long-standing interpretation of the law, as outlined in its official guidelines, that addresses situations in which a batter changes direction while running between the wickets.

According to the MCC, it states, "A batter who changes direction while running, particularly one who changes direction to run on the pitch, or takes any other route that would not be the quickest way to the other end, is making a wilful act.”

Applying this interpretation to the Raghuvanshi incident, the MCC explained that the batter’s movement across the pitch played a decisive role in the decision.

“Raghuvanshi clearly meets these criteria. When he sets off for his run, he is on the off side of the wicket. As the ball reaches the fielder he crosses to the middle of the pitch – which is not somewhere he should be running in any event – and then turns and runs back on the leg side, putting himself between the ball and the wicket. This is, by definition, a wilful act.

"Had he stayed off the pitch, remaining on the off side, the ball would not have hit him and even there would have been no question of an obstruction. If he had started running down the leg side, then turned and returned to his ground on that same side before being hit by the ball, that would also see him being Not out - he would have been in the way, but not wilfully. It is the wilful crossing of the pitch that caused his downfall,” the MCC said in a statement

The MCC also addressed arguments suggesting that the batter might have safely completed the run even without the throw hitting him, stating that such factors are not relevant under the law.

“There has been some suggestion that Raghuvanshi should not have been given out because he would have made his ground even if the throw had not hit him. However, this is not a consideration. Provided the obstruction is not to prevent a catch being taken, whether a dismissal was likely is not a criterion in Obstructing the field,” it added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 30 (IANS) Former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar praised Sunrisers Hyderabad youngster Salil Arora for his ability to make an immediate impact, while also pointing out the key areas where the Mumbai Indians need improvement following their defeat in the ongoing IPL 2026.

Arora, who played a brief but effective cameo of 30 off 10 in SRH’s record chase against MI at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, drew attention for his composure and clarity despite limited time at the crease. Chasing a daunting 244, Hyderabad’s batting unit fired collectively, with contributions coming across the order, including Arora’s finishing role.

Bangar highlighted the youngster’s temperament and ability to maximise a short stay, noting how modern players are trained to deliver immediate impact.

"He stays still, understands the plan, and watches the ball very closely. When he looks to attack, he commits fully to his shots. To execute those shots in a brief 7–8 ball innings is a special skill. It reflects the way players train today, preparing to make an impact in very few deliveries. That’s a standout quality in his batting," Bangar told JioStar.

While SRH impressed with their fearless approach, Bangar turned his focus to MI’s overall performance, identifying both positives and concerns in their campaign so far.

Despite posting a massive total, the Hardik Pandya-led side failed to defend it, exposing issues in their bowling attack. However, Bangar noted that there were encouraging signs in their batting, particularly at the top of the order.

“There are positives in the batting, especially with the energy at the top from players like Ryan Rickelton. Even if Rohit Sharma returns, the batting combination looks flexible. However, they still need contributions from Suryakumar Yadav, who hasn’t fired consistently. With Tilak Varma in good form, the batting is not a major concern. The bigger issue is bowling. Mumbai Indians’ success has always been built on strong bowling units. They showed signs of swing, which is a positive, but they need more support in that department to get back into the tournament,” Bangar stated.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 30 (IANS) Former India spinner Piyush Chawla credited Sunrisers Hyderabad batters for executing a near-perfect run chase against Mumbai Indians, highlighting that at no point their asking run rate spiralled out of control.

Chasing a daunting 244 at the Wankhede Stadium, SRH produced one of the most dominant batting performances of the season, with their top order setting the tone early and the middle order ensuring there were no stumbles along the way.

“You have to give full credit to the batters. We know that teams like Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad are capable of chasing such totals, and they showed that again. They came out with clear intent in the Powerplay and, importantly, didn’t lose a wicket. They even put pressure on Jasprit Bumrah early, taking nearly 30 runs off his first two overs. After that, the rest of the batters contributed well. At no stage did the required rate get out of control. In fact, it stayed below the asking rate for most of the innings. That was the real beauty of this chase,” Chawla told JioStar.

The foundation of the chase was laid by the openers, with Travis Head playing a key role through a brisk half-century that put Mumbai’s bowlers under immediate pressure.

Chawla also noted that a bit of fortune played its part in Head’s innings, helping him build momentum at a crucial stage.

“Sometimes you need a bit of luck when you’re not among the runs, and that’s exactly what happened with him. There was a faint edge that didn’t result in an appeal. Moments like these can change an innings. I’ve noticed that whenever he plays against India or against Mumbai Indians, he seems to bat with a different level of confidence,” he added.

--IANS

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Horsens, April 30 (IANS) Indian men’s team has been drawn to face Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinal of the BWF Thomas Cup Finals after the knockout draw was made here on Thursday.

The 2022 champions finished second in Group A and had already qualified for the quarter-finals following 4-1 and 5-0 wins against Canada and Australia, respectively, in their first two matches. But they suffered a 3-2 defeat against China in their last group game on Wednesday.

Chinese Taipei did an intimate dance with disaster before somehow scrambling through by the hardest route imaginable to take their place in the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup.

Needing to win the final Group C tie over hosts Denmark – who only needed to win one match – Chinese Taipei would have looked to their strength in second and third singles to see them through on Wednesday.

Defending champions China, who remained unbeaten to top Group A, will take on Malaysia. Group B toppers Japan will lock horns with France, who staged a stunning takedown of pre-tournament favourites and 14-time champions Indonesia. Meanwhile, host Denmark, who finished second in Group C, are slotted to face Thailand.

After Indonesia, China are the second most successful team with 11 titles. The Chinese, winners of five straight titles from 2004 to 2012, suffered a shock semifinal defeat in the 2014 edition to Japan, who went on to take their first-ever title beating Malaysia in an exciting final in New Delhi.

It was then Denmark’s turn to create history in 2016 as they became the first non-Asian country to win the Thomas Cup, which they did beating Indonesia in the final in Kunshan. The 2018 edition saw China once again storm to the title, beating Japan 3-1 in the final in Bangkok.

The 2020 edition was held in October 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Indonesia broke a 19-year drought, beating China 3-0 in the final.

The 2022 saw history being made in Bangkok, as India won their first major team title beating Indonesia 3-0 in the final. India thus became only the sixth country to win the Thomas Cup, and the third first-time winners in eight years. China, denied the title for a decade, roared back on home turf in Chengdu, beating Indonesia 3-1 in the final.

BWF Thomas and Uber Cup 2026 Knockouts Draw

China vs Malaysia

Thailand vs Denmark

France vs Japan

India vs Chinese Taipei

--IANS

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London, April 30 (IANS) Indian men staged a spirited comeback to edge past Slovakia 3–2 in a gripping Group 7 encounter at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships here. With the win, India climbed to the top of the Group 7 standings and strengthened their position ahead of their next tie against Guatemala.

The contest ebbed and flowed before India sealed victory through resilience and composure under pressure.

Slovakia drew first blood as Lubomir Pistej, ranked 149, used his experience to outmanoeuvre Manush Shah, ranked No. 51, in a five-game opener 11-8, 5-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6, handing his side an early lead.

India responded immediately through their highest-ranked paddler at 42, Manav Thakkar, who produced a composed and controlled display to defeat Jakub Zelinka in straight games 11-6, 11-8, 11-6, levelling the tie at 1-1.

However, Slovakia regained the upper hand in the third rubber, as defensive player Wang Yang delivered a clinical performance to overcome Harmeet Desai 16-14, 11-5, 11-9. Mixing sharp variations in pace with precise counter-attacking, Wang disrupted Harmeet’s rhythm and pushed Slovakia within touching distance of victory.

With their backs against the wall at 1-2, India mounted a decisive comeback. Manav once again rose to the occasion, emphatically overpowering Lubomir 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 to restore parity. The momentum firmly with India, left-hander Manush delivered under pressure in the deciding rubber, defeating Jakub 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, to seal a crucial 3-2 win.

Earlier, women paddlers rose to the occasion in a high-stakes Group 6 encounter, edging past Ukraine 3–2 in a pulsating tie that kept their qualification hopes firmly on track and, crucially, put them in pole position to top the group.

The men's and women's teams (against Rwanda) will play their final group matches, scheduled to begin at 10 (IST) tonight.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 30 (IANS) Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Riyan Parag has been fined 25 percent of his match fee and handed a demerit point after being caught using a vape inside the dressing room during the IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh.

A statement from the IPL on Thursday said Parag admitted to breaching Level 1 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which covers ‘conduct that brings the game into disrepute.’ The incident occurred during RR’s successful chase when cameras captured him vaping in the dressing room, leading to huge outrage on social media and in the IPL ecosystem.

“The incident occurred during the second innings when Riyan was seen using a vape inside the dressing room. Riyan admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by the Match Referee, Amit Sharma,” further said the statement from the IPL.

It is understood that after Parag’s visuals of using the vape were brought to the attention of the authorities, on-field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon reported the matter to match referee Sharma. The IPL’s code does not explicitly mention vaping but stresses maintaining decorum in dressing rooms and player areas.

The statement also said a process of taking a strict action on RR is also on the cards. “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is also exploring other options to initiate proceedings for stringent action against the erring team, its officials and player/s to ensure that the reputation of IPL remains intact,” it further said.

“Article 2.21 is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20.

“By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.

“When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered. Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)),” says the IPL Code of Conduct on breach of Article 2.21.

As per the Indian legislation, vaping or the use of e-cigarettes is illegal under The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019. The Act prohibits the production, sale, purchase, import, export and advertisement of e-cigarettes and vapes in India, and any violations lead to imprisonment and hefty fines.

Previously, RR team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs 1 Lakh and given a stern warning for using a mobile phone in the dugout during a clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Guwahati. RR will next face Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 30 (IANS) Mumbai Indians’ batting coach Kieron Pollard has thrown his support behind pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, urging critics to show patience despite the pacer’s modest returns in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season.

The remarks came after the Mumbai Indians suffered a heavy six-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, where even a daunting total of 243 proved insufficient. Bumrah, one of the side’s key bowlers, has managed just two wickets in eight matches so far, though he continues to maintain the best economy rate among MI bowlers.

Addressing questions around Bumrah’s form, Pollard defended the Indian pacer and highlighted the pressures faced by players performing under constant scrutiny. "We are unfortunate, you know, to always be in the public eye. So when we do bad, it's always being highlighted. But when normal people have jobs and they send the wrong email, they have the opportunity to edit the words and all these things. We don't have the opportunity. So it's fair and fine when you're not doing well, you accept certain things. And knowing the individual, I know he's going to bounce back with greater heights and take wickets,” Pollard said in the post-match press conference.

"And we are all, again, going to be singing 'Bumrah, Bumrah', not only for Mumbai Indians, but for India. So, again, let's cut him a little slack,” he stated.

Pollard also reflected on Mumbai’s overall campaign, admitting that inconsistency across departments has hurt their chances this season. With just two wins from eight matches, the five-time champions currently find themselves in the lower half of the table.

"It has not been as consistent as we would have hoped and, again, the results are showing. So it's something that you can't shy away from. You can sit and you can try to pinpoint every little aspect of it, but, again, collectively, I think we have not been good enough,” Pollard said.

Despite the setbacks, Pollard maintained that the team has not lost belief and remains determined to turn things around in the remainder of the tournament.

"Two teams play. You win some, you lose some. And we have been on the losing side. So yes, we have accepted that. We have not accepted defeat, but we have accepted that we have been on the losing side more often than not so far in this tournament. But overall, we have not accepted defeat in this tournament because we are not out of it. And we are still looking to go back and see what we can do to see how far we can get in the tournament."

With the league entering a crucial phase, Mumbai Indians will be hoping for a turnaround in form, with Pollard backing experienced players like Bumrah to lead the charge.

--IANS

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