A British broadcast engineer working on the Indian Premier League was found dead in his hotel room in Mumbai. The deceased, 76-year-old Ian William Langford, was staying at the Trident Hotel while covering matches. Hotel staff found him lying on the floor after he did not respond to calls. A doctor declared him dead at the scene. Police have registered a case of “unnatural death” and started an investigation. Officials said there were no signs of foul play so far. The body has been sent for examination. Langford was part of the broadcast team for IPL matches. (PC: India Today)

Mumbai Indians beat Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets to end a 14-year wait for a winning start in the Indian Premier League. Rohit Sharma scored 78 off 38 and went past Virat Kohli for a key record. Ryan Rickelton added 81 off 43 as MI chased 221 in 19.1 overs. Earlier, Ajinkya Rahane hit a half-century for KKR. Debutant Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored 51 off 29. KKR finished at 220 for four after batting first. The match was played at Wankhede Stadium. (PC; X)

Rohit Sharma scored a quick 78 runs to lead Mumbai Indians in a big chase against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. He broke Virat Kohli’s record for most runs against a single team in IPL history. Rohit and Ryan Rickelton added 148 runs for the first wicket, putting MI in control of the 221-run target. Earlier, KKR scored 220 for four, with Ajinkya Rahane making 67 and Angkrish Raghuvanshi hitting 51. Shardul Thakur took three wickets for MI. Rohit had dropped Raghuvanshi earlier, which helped KKR reach a strong total. The match remained high scoring and intense.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh sparked controversy after hitting back at criticism of his Hindi commentary in the Indian Premier League 2026. Some fans questioned the quality and analysis of the Hindi panel, prompting Harbhajan to respond strongly on social media platform X. His sarcastic and sharp replies led to a heated online exchange, drawing mixed reactions. While critics called his response unprofessional, supporters defended him against online trolling. The incident highlights the growing scrutiny commentators face and the increasing influence of social media on sports broadcasting discourse. (PC:X)

Rohit Sharma has been tipped to shine in IPL 2026 opener against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede. Former selector Kris Srikkanth said Rohit enjoys this match-up.   “KKR used to be like halwa for Rohit Sharma. He is going to smash their bowling,” Srikkanth said.   Rohit has scored 1,083 runs against KKR, including a century and six fifties. However, Sunil Narine remains a key threat. He has dismissed Rohit 10 times and kept his strike rate low.   The contest could hinge on this key battle. (PC: X/MumbaiIndians)

Virat Kohli impressed in the IPL 2026 opener with an unbeaten 69 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased 202 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He shared a 101-run stand with Devdutt Padikkal to guide the chase. A straight six off Eshan Malinga drew praise from Kevin Pietersen. “No one sells what Virat Kohli has,” he said. Earlier, Ishan Kishan scored 80 to help his side post 201. Kohli’s calm batting ensured a comfortable win with overs to spare. (PC: HT)

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their IPL 2026 campaign with a convincing six‑wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After bowling first, RCB restricted SRH to a competitive 201/9, thanks to a strong middle‑order showing from Ishan Kishan (80) and contributions from Aniket Verma. In reply, RCB’s chase was powered by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten fifty and a rapid knock from Devdutt Padikkal; both helped guide the team home in emphatic fashion. Debutant bowler Jacob Duffy starred with 3/22, playing a key role in RCB’s early season success. (PC: PTI)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will miss the opening first two weeks of the Indian Premier League 2026 after suffering a calf strain, Chennai Super Kings confirmed in a statement. The 44‑year‑old veteran wicketkeeper‑batter is currently in rehabilitation and will likely miss CSK’s early matches, including their season opener against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. With Dhoni sidelined, Chennai are expected to reshuffle their lineup, with Sanju Samson taking on greater responsibility in batting and wicketkeeping roles. His absence is a major setback for CSK, given his experience and leadership influence on the team. (PC: The Hindu)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) paid emotional tribute to 11 fans who died in the tragic stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium last year during their title celebrations as the team hosted their IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Before the match, a one‑minute silence was observed, and players from both teams wore black armbands and special jerseys with the number 11. Additionally, 11 seats at the stadium will remain empty throughout the season as a lasting mark of respect for the lost supporters, highlighting RCB’s commitment to honouring their fans’ memory. (PC: India Today)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will wear black armbands during their IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad as a tribute to 11 fans who died in a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2025. The tragic incident occurred during celebrations of RCB’s maiden IPL title win, raising serious concerns over crowd management. As part of the tribute, players will also wear jerseys bearing the number 11, while 11 seats in the stadium will remain permanently unoccupied. The emotional gesture marks the team’s return to their home ground after months of safety reviews and upgrades. (PC: X)