IPL 2026 came to a close with Royal Challengers Bengaluru completing a remarkable comeback from perennial underachievers to a genuine powerhouse, beating Gujarat Titans in the final to secure a second consecutive title. After waiting 17 seasons for their maiden trophy in 2025, RCB have now won back-to-back silverwares and joined the elite company of Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. As the dust settles on another eventful season, attention has already moved to the future, with debates around the Impact Player rule, India selection headaches involving Shubman Gill and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, injury setbacks, and emerging stars pushing for bigger opportunities.
RCB script history!
RCB have officially entered the IPL’s elite club after becoming just the third team to win back-to-back titles, following CSK and MI. More importantly, they are no longer a franchise defined only by stars like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle or AB de Villiers. Under Andy Flower, Mo Bobat and Dinesh Karthik, RCB have built one of the league’s most balanced squads. Smart recruitment, strong leadership from Rajat Patidar and Kohli’s continued influence have transformed the team. In the IPL 2026 final, RCB comfortably beat Gujarat Titans, with Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Venkatesh Iyer and Kohli playing key roles in securing a second straight trophy. Read more here.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to make India comeback?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has turned back the clock in IPL 2026 and made a strong case for an India comeback. The RCB pacer finished the season with 28 wickets in 16 matches, the most by an Indian fast bowler in a single IPL edition, while maintaining an impressive average of 17.89. His performances across the powerplay, middle overs and death overs were key to RCB’s title-winning campaign. Although India’s selectors are focused on younger players, Bhuvneshwar’s superb IPL 2026 could leave selectors with more than one simple option. With series against Ireland and England coming up, the veteran may yet earn one final opportunity in India’s T20I setup. Read more here.
Gaikwad replaces Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag has been ruled out of India A’s upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka due to the hamstring injury that also troubled him during IPL 2026. The Rajasthan Royals skipper was initially named vice-captain of the squad but will now undergo rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Ruturaj Gaikwad has been drafted in as his replacement. The tri-series, featuring India A, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A, begins on June 9. One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has enjoyed a record-breaking IPL season. Priyansh Arya, Ayush Badoni, Vipraj Nigam and Kumar Kushagra are among the other notable names in the squad. Read more here.
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Shubman Gill reacts to….
Shubman Gill has once again put himself in the T20I conversation after a superb IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 732 runs in 16 innings and leading the Gujarat Titans to the final. Ahead of the title clash, Gill said he would be happy to return to India’s T20I side if selected and remains focused on improving across all formats. Gill’s previous T20I stint did not go as planned. After replacing Sanju Samson at the top of the order in late 2025, he managed just 291 runs in 15 matches without a single fifty and was dropped from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. With Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi all impressing, competition for opening spots remains intense. Read more here.
Sachin Tendulkar gives BCCI suggestions
Ahead of the IPL 2026 final, Sachin Tendulkar called for several rule changes to restore balance between bat and ball in T20 cricket. Speaking at the ESPNcricinfo Awards, the former India captain criticised the Impact Player rule, arguing that adding an extra batter further tilts the game in favour of batters when bowlers are already under pressure. Tendulkar also proposed introducing a bowling powerplay, where captains could choose two overs with an extra fielder outside the circle after the initial four-over batting powerplay. He further suggested allowing one bowler to deliver five overs in an innings, giving teams a greater chance to utilise their best bowler. Read more here.
Mitchell Santner update
New Zealand have received a timely boost ahead of their Test series against England, with Mitchell Santner recovering from a shoulder injury earlier than expected. Santner had been ruled out after suffering a grade-three shoulder injury while playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 and was expected to miss at least the first Test at Lord’s. However, the all-rounder has now joined the squad and replaces Dean Foxcroft, who made 98 on Test debut against Ireland. Santner’s return strengthens New Zealand’s spin options for the three-match series. Meanwhile, pacers Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke, who missed the Ireland Test, are also available after recovering or being rested. Read more here.
Cricket
India squad for Sri Lanka Tests to be picked this week: Bumrah, Jadeja to return, Washington Sundar doubtful
