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)

The Indian Premier League 2026 season begins on March 28 and runs till May 31. Ten teams will play across 13 venues. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru start against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru.   Top players like Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and MS Dhoni will be in focus. Kohli needs 339 runs to reach 9000 IPL runs. He is also close to 300 sixes. Bhuvneshwar needs two wickets for 200.   Teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will aim for another title. Others like Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals are still chasing their first win. (PC: India Today)

MS Dhoni will miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026 for Chennai Super Kings due to a calf injury, the franchise confirmed. He is currently in rehab and is unlikely to play the opening matches. CSK said in a statement, “MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain.” The team did not give a clear return date. CSK begin their season against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. Dhoni is expected to miss at least four matches. Sanju Samson is likely to take over wicketkeeping duties during this period. (PC: X)

Iran’s national football team paid tribute to children killed in the bombing of a primary school in Minab by holding schoolbags during the national anthem before a match. Players stood in line with colourful backpacks, symbolising the innocence of the victims and transforming the pre-match ceremony into a moment of national mourning. Iranian state-linked media said the gesture honoured those killed in a US-Israeli strike, an incident that has become a powerful symbol of the conflict’s human toll. The tribute gained widespread attention online, with many calling it deeply poignant. It reflects broader public mourning in Iran as civilian casualties continue to rise amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

On his 15th birthday, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi enters his sophomore IPL season carrying enormous expectations. Rajasthan Royals' director of cricket Zubin Bharucha revealed he had reserved ₹10 crore for Sooryavanshi after witnessing him at trials ultimately signing him for just ₹1.1 crore. Bharucha compared his instant impact to first-ball moments from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson. Most strikingly, Sooryavanshi hit a sidearm delivery clocked at 157 kph clean over the sightscreen for six. Fresh off an 80-ball 175 in the U-19 World Cup final, earning Player of the Tournament, Sooryavanshi now faces a tougher challenge as IPL bowlers armed with data specifically designed to dismiss him. (PC: HT)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a sweeping policy banning transgender women and certain athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD) from competing in female events at the Olympics, starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The decision, led by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, is based on scientific findings that male puberty provides lasting physical advantages, even after transition. Athletes must undergo a one-time SRY gene test to confirm eligibility. The rule applies only to elite competitions, not grassroots sports, and aims to prioritise fairness and safety while maintaining dignity and support for affected athletes. (PC: Reuters)

A controversy erupted in Karnataka after a Congress MLA demanded at least five Indian Premier League tickets for every legislator, claiming MLAs are “VIPs” who should not stand in queues. Raising the issue in the Assembly, he accused the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) of disrespecting lawmakers and alleged ticket black marketing. Several MLAs supported the demand, seeking premium seating and special access. The Assembly Speaker intervened, urging the government to address the issue and ensure ticket availability, triggering public debate over entitlement and misuse of privilege. (PC: News 18)

Vijay Mallya said his early investment in Royal Challengers Bengaluru proved successful after the franchise was valued at Rs 16,500 crore. He had bought the team for Rs 450 crore in 2008.   Reacting on X, Mallya said many had mocked his decision. “Most people laughed at me,” he wrote, calling the investment his “madness.”   He said it was “immensely gratifying” to see the value grow nearly 37 times.   The team has now been sold to a group led by Aditya Birla Group.   Mallya also recalled picking Virat Kohli, calling him one of the best in the world. (PC: India Today)

The sale of Rajasthan Royals for around $1.63 billion (₹15,000+ crore) has resulted in a massive financial gain for Shane Warne’s family. During the inaugural Indian Premier League season in 2008, Warne negotiated a special clause granting him a 0.75% ownership stake for each season he played. Having played four seasons, he accumulated a 3% stake. With the franchise’s soaring valuation, this stake is now worth approximately ₹450–460 crore. The payout, subject to approvals, highlights Warne’s foresight in securing long-term financial benefits beyond his playing career. (PC: HT)

Netherlands pacer Paul van Meekeren said a small share of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Rs 16,660 crore sale could help Dutch cricket grow. After the franchise was sold to a multi-industry consortium, he posted that “0.5%” of the amount could help close the gap with top teams. “If only they could give 0.5%… we could close the gap to full members,” he wrote on X. The Netherlands recently competed in the T20 World Cup 2026 and showed strong performances despite an early exit. Players from associate nations have asked for more matches against top sides. RCB’s sale came after former owners United Spirits reviewed its stake. (PC: India Today)