Rajasthan Royals reserved Rs 10 crore specifically for 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The franchise assembled a group of 6-foot-tall pacers bowling at 157 kph to test the youngster’s skills in the nets. The move shows RR’s serious intent to nurture the young talent. Suryavanshi impressed during trials, and the high-quality bowling attack was arranged to prepare him for the rigours of professional cricket. The story highlights RR’s focus on long-term talent development.

The venues for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2026-27 series between India and Australia have been announced as Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The BCCI confirmed the two iconic venues will host the Test matches. Kolkata will host the first Test, while Mumbai will host the second. The series is expected to be a high-profile contest, with both teams aiming to claim the trophy. The announcement has generated excitement among cricket fans across the country.

Shane Warne’s family is set to earn approximately Rs 450–460 crore from the sale of Rajasthan Royals to a US-based consortium. Warne had negotiated a 0.75% ownership stake for every season he played with the franchise. He played four seasons (2008–2011), accumulating a 3% stake. The Royals were sold for USD 1.63 billion (approximately INR 15,290 crore). Warne’s family can sell the stake after the 2026 IPL edition, subject to BCCI approval. The deal highlights Warne’s foresight in his 2008 contract.

Sourav Ganguly has finally addressed the long-standing debate on who is India’s greatest Test captain — himself or MS Dhoni. In a recent interview, Ganguly gave a diplomatic yet clear answer, praising Dhoni’s leadership in white-ball cricket while highlighting his own contributions in reviving Test cricket in India. Ganguly said both had different eras and challenges, but he gave Dhoni the edge in certain aspects. The comment has sparked fresh discussion among cricket fans.

England opener Ben Duckett has withdrawn from his IPL 2026 contract with Rajasthan Royals. The decision comes amid England’s busy international schedule and personal reasons. Duckett was set to play for Rajasthan Royals but has now pulled out, triggering a breach of contract clause. The IPL Governing Council and Rajasthan Royals are expected to impose strict punishment, which may include a ban or heavy fine. This is the latest in a series of player withdrawals affecting the 2026 season.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been sold to an Aditya Birla Group-led consortium for a record ₹14,000 crore, making it the most expensive IPL franchise ever. The deal values RCB at approximately ₹10,000 crore base plus additional considerations. The new owners include UltraTech Cement and other Birla entities. This is the highest valuation for any IPL team to date, surpassing previous records. The sale marks a major shift for the franchise, which has never won the IPL title despite strong fan support.

Australian opener David Warner expressed irritation during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 captains' press conference involving Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. Warner said, “We’ve got school kids here,” apparently frustrated with the length or tone of the event. The comment was made in a light-hearted but pointed manner. The incident has gone viral, with fans reacting to Warner’s candid remark.

R Ashwin warned that Rajasthan Royals face a major disadvantage in IPL 2026 due to their home ground Sawai Mansingh Stadium’s poor pitch conditions. Ashwin, who has played for RR, said the pitches are slow and unpredictable, making it difficult for both batters and bowlers. He called the situation “just not fair” for the franchise and suggested the BCCI and IPL governing council should intervene to improve pitch quality. The comment has sparked discussion on home advantage and pitch standards in the league.

Shahid Afridi revealed that Pakistan players were shivering with fear before the 2011 World Cup semi-final against India at Mohali. He said the team felt immense pressure due to the high-stakes rivalry and home advantage for India. Afridi shared that the dressing room atmosphere was tense, but the players eventually relaxed and played freely. India won the match by 29 runs, ending Pakistan’s campaign. The story highlights the intense psychological pressure of Indo-Pak World Cup clashes.

India, favorites under Suryakumar Yadav, faces underrated New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on March 8. Hosts seek to overcome ODI World Cup 2023 ghosts. Predicted XIs include Samson, Bumrah for India; Allen, Santner for NZ. Pitch offers runs but dew may influence toss; hot weather expected. The match starts at 7 pm IST, televised on Star Sports, streamed on JioHotstar.