Sports

rcb-decides-to-back-rape-accused-seamer-yash-dayal-as-ipl-season-kicks-off

Mon Mar 30 13:45:51 IST 2026

The Indian Premier League (IPL) defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have confirmed that they will throw their weight behind pacer Yash Dayal, who is facing two FIRs alleging sexual harassment and exploitation. One of the two FIRs was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. As far as the franchise is concerned, the circumstances constitute a “personal situation”, the higher-ups reportedly confirmed.

It was in November 2025 that RCB decided to retain their bowler.

“Just to confirm that Yash will not be joining up with the squad. As you know, he is going through a personal situation currently, and just to clarify, we have been very supportive of Yash to date, and that is reflected in the opportunity to either retain or release players,” RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, was quoted as saying during a media interaction.

Yash Dayal sexual exploitation charges

Barely a month after the high of winning the IPL, an FIR was registered against Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Yash Dayal for allegedly sexually exploiting a woman. The woman who filed the initial complaint alleged that she had been in a relationship with Dayal for the past five years. She was able to produce evidence, including screenshots of WhatsApp chats, video calls, and pictures, against the cricketer. She accused the 28-year-old of financial, mental, and physical exploitation under the guise of marriage.

FULL STORY | Will RCB’s Yash Dayal be banned from IPL? Pacer faces 10-year jail over sexual exploitation charges

The FIR was registered at Indirapuram police station on 6 July under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 69 (sexual intercourse by deceitful means, including a false promise of marriage), police sources said. It is a non-bailable offence that carries a potential sentence of 10 years' imprisonment. However, on 15 July, the Allahabad High Court ordered a stay on his arrest, while noting that a person involved in a relationship cannot be ‘fooled’ for five years.

Weeks after the first case was filed, the Jaipur police registered an FIR against Dayal, accusing him of sexually assaulting a minor in 2023. The complainant was 17 years old when the incident happened and alleged that she was raped in 2023 and 2025.

“She alleged that the cricketer had promised help and support in her career. He contacted her in April this year (2025) when he was in Jaipur for the IPL and called her to the hotel where he allegedly raped her again,” South First quoted a police source as saying.

Dayal has denied the allegations, with his counsel claiming that the complainants in both cases were in collusion and working an extortion racket, the report added.

who-is-aniket-verma-srh-batters-cameo-lifts-team-to-2019-against-rcb-in-ipl-2026-opener

Sat Mar 28 22:20:21 IST 2026

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

On a day when T20 superstars such as Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head failed to fire, Sunrisers Hyderabad found an unlikely hero in young Aniket Verma, in their IPL 2026 opener against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The 24-year-old lad from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, blasted 43 off 18 balls to take SRH to a promising 201/9 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The day belonged to wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who top scored with a 38-ball 80 (five sixes and eight fours) to power Hyderabad to a challenging score even as wickets kept falling around him. With Sharma (7), Head (11) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1) back in the hut in the powerplay, falling to pacer Jacob Duffy (3/22), SRH were in trouble.

But Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen (31 off 22 balls) steadied the ship with a 97-run partnership off 53 balls. But, after Klaasen fell to a controversial catch on the boundary, and Salil Arora departed for 9, the SRH were in danger of falling short of a competitive score.

But, Verma came out all guns blazing, stroking four sixes and three fours to take the visitors past 200.

Known for his power-hitting as a middle-order batter, Verma announced his arrival in the Madhya Pradesh League in 2024, turning up for Bhopal Leopards. He scored 273 runs in six matches at strike rate of just under 200. The highlight of his stint was a 41-ball 123 with 13 sixes.

In an under-23 one-day tournament later that year, he scored 184 runs in seven matches at an average of 45 and at a strike rate of over 150, including a whirlwind 75-ball 101 with eight sixes, for Madhya Pradesh against Karnataka.

He debuted in senior cricket with a match in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for MP against Hyderabad but was dismissed for a golden duck.

Interestingly, Verma had not played a single international match when he was picked by the SRH in the IPL 2025 mega auction for his base price of Rs 30 lakh. He made 235 runs that season at a strike rate of 166. He caught everyone's attention with a 41-ball 74 and a 13-ball 36.

He seems to have carried on from where he left off last season.

casemiro-can-manchester-united-still-trigger-the-cdms-one-year-contract-extension-clause-if-they-want

Sat Mar 28 15:34:31 IST 2026

Casemiro had announced that his time with Manchester United is coming to an end at the end of the season. However, the Brazilian CDM's return to an elite level since then has convinced a section of the fans that the experienced campaigner should not be let go. Casemiro has been performing consistently, which has reminded supporters of a clause in his contract that states that the club can extend his stay for another year if they wish to. As things stand, United should trigger this extension and let his replacement, whoever that may be, learn from the best, the fans think.

Meanwhile, a new report claimed that the ship has long since sailed. The former Real Madrid star and Manchester United's Casemiro had mutually agreed in January to waive the extension clause during talks to formally announce his Old Trafford departure, Manchester Evening News said in a report. It was Casemiro who wanted to make the news public, and United agreed as they were convinced that it was for the best not to extend his contract, the report said.

ALSO READ | Rashford out, Barcola in? Manchester United to sign left-back and midfielders this summer!

For the clause to be activated, there was a minimum number of games that the midfielder had to start. This was the pre-Carrick era, and nobody imagined Casemiro regaining his form to become a regular starter. The target is well within his reach, and there is no reason for the team not to start him for the remainder of the league games.

ALSO READ | AC Milan is Manchester United midfielder's next destination as former teammate awaits: Report

The Real Madrid legend is wanted by cash-rich non-European clubs, but the 34-year-old believes he still has what it takes to play at the most demanding level, a report said. The 34-year-old is reportedly earning £350,000 a week at the club, and triggering the extension clause would mean he will continue to earn the same for another season. The hefty salary is being highlighted as the primary reason for the club to bid farewell to the experienced campaigner.

isl-2026-kerala-blasters-sack-david-catala-appoint-ashley-westwood-as-head-coach

Fri Mar 27 20:35:00 IST 2026

The relegation-threatened Kerala Blasters FC on Friday appointed Ashley Westwood as the club’s head coach until the end of the ongoing ISL season, minutes after announcing the sacking of under-fire David Català.

Blasters FC confirmed that Català parted ways with the club by mutual agreement. Strength and Conditioning Coach Aleix Mora and Goalkeeping Coach Alex Ortiz Sánchez, too, exited along with the head coach.

Català joined the Blasters in March 2025 and led the side in the Indian Super League and two Super Cup campaigns.

Blasters are currently 13th on the 14-team table, with five losses in six matches.

Westwood was the head coach of Bengaluru FC, where he led the team to two I-League titles and a Federation Cup win. He has also previously worked with ATK and Punjab FC. Westwood's last assignment was with the Hong Kong national football team.

He will take charge of the team with immediate effect with preparations ongoing for the upcoming fixtures.

“We welcome Ashley to the club. He brings valuable experience and familiarity with Indian football. We look forward to his work with the squad over the remainder of the season," said KBFC CEO Abhik Chatterjee.

Reacting to his appointment, Westwood said: “Kerala Blasters is a club with immense support and expectation. I’m fully aware of the responsibility that comes with this role. I’m looking forward to working with the squad and staff and understanding the group in the coming days. My focus is on settling in and getting to work with the players."

Westwood has already reached Kochi and will link up with the squad when it returns from the break.

Kerala Blasters are set to take on Sporting Delhi on April 5 in Hyderabad.

manchester-united-want-sandro-tonali-as-a-summer-priority-and-captain-bruno-fernandes-is-excited

Fri Mar 27 14:32:04 IST 2026

Manchester United are willing to make an official bid for Newcastle United's Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali at the end of the season, a report claimed. While Tonali is not up in arms to leave St James' Park, he is not very thrilled about staying either, given the club's mediocre run, it added.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton's insistence on choosing local rivals Manchester City over United means Tonali has been promoted as the midfielder the club is most interested in signing, the report said.

Apart from the scouts and management higher-ups, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is also excited by the prospect of the former AC Milan midfielder being targeted, TEAMtalk said in a report. Fernandes loves the Italian for what he has achieved over the course of the ongoing campaign, the report said.

While United are clear front-runners, there are several others who are interested in the defensive midfielder. However, a return to his homeland is ruled out as things stand, as Serie A teams cannot afford his price tag. As per TEAMtalk, the overall asking price for Tonali could be around £100 million (€116 million, $132 million). United are reportedly prepared to raise this sum, but Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich may pounce, given the chance.

Meanwhile, another report claimed that while the Magpies would love to keep their player, the club had earlier promised Tonali that he would be allowed to leave this summer if the team failed to seal a Champions League spot. They are currently 12th in the Premier League, seven points off the top five, while a rejuvenated United look well on course for a top-four finish.

With Casemiro leaving, the 25-year-old could be the perfect replacement in the heart of the Old Trafford midfield. The profile fits the club's needs perfectly, and it has already been confirmed that United are looking to bring in at least two new signings to further strengthen their midfield ahead of next season.

not-fair-olympics-committee-bans-transgender-women-from-competing-in-female-category-events

Thu Mar 26 20:22:55 IST 2026

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday announced that it has banned transgender women and athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) from competing in female category events.

According to IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the new policy—which she claimed was backed by science—aims to uphold fairness and safety in women's sports.

“As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition," she said in a statement, noting that it would "not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category".

The IOC chief also pointed out that in some sports, such competition "would not be safe" either.

The new policy decision will apply from the 2028 Summer Olympics (LA28) to be held in Los Angeles.

The Olympics body has also confirmed that all athletes wanting to compete in the female category at the LA28 and future Olympics events would have to undergo a one-time SRY gene screening to prove their biological sex.

This is usually done via a non-instrusive cheek swab or saliva test.

The Sex-determining Region Y gene, often shortened to SRY, is a crucial gene used to help identify the male sex at a genetic level. The IOC stated that it considers the presence of the SRY gene to be fixed throughout life, and thus a reason for a "highly accurate" judgement that an athlete has experienced male sex development, which would rule that athlete out for women's sports in most cases.

"There must be clear education around the process and counselling available, alongside expert medical advice,” Coventry added.

This marks a major development in the issue of transgender and DSD athletes participating in women's sports, centred around identity, biological advantages and medical grey areas.

you-dont-talk-to-how-sunil-gavaskar-stood-up-for-sivaramakrishnan

Thu Mar 26 13:12:19 IST 2026

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan was legendary for making life difficult for the batters in the early 1980s with his leg-spinners, googlies and top spins. Years later, his retirement from the BCCI commentary panel, and his revelations about facing racism, is shaking up the cricketing world.

On March 20, Sivaramakrishnan, fondly known as Siva, announced his decision to end his broadcasting career in a series of tweets, and cited lack of opportunities to conduct toss and presentation ceremonies as reasons for the tough call.

"If I have not been used for TOSSES and PRESENTATION for 23 years and new comers come in do pitch report Tosses Presentation even when Shastri was coaching, what do you think could be the reason," he wrote on X.

Siva began his commentary career in 2000, and was known for openly expressing his views for more than two decades. He also served as a player representative on the ICC Cricket Committee.

Siva played nine Tests and 16 ODIs for India between 1983 and 1986. He went wicket-less in his debut Test match at 17, but he shot to fame with his match-winning 12-wicket haul against England in 1984. He was also one of the key architects of India's victorious 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship win in Australia under Sunil Gavaskar's captaincy.

Karupa... Kalia...: Sivaramakrishnan open up about racism he faced

When a player wants to keep himself away from the memories of his playing days, however few they have been, it speaks volumes about the trauma he must have faced on and off the field.

In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Siva said that he has no photographs or memoriablia from his playing days. From being mistaken for a ground staff by a senior India player at 14 (he was a net bowler) and being asked to clean his shoes to being called karupa and kalia (both meaning dark-skinned) at different points of his career, Siva endured it all.

As a 16-year-old India player, he was stopped by a gatekeeper of a Mumbai hotel where the team was staying ahead of the Pakistan tour, because the latter refused to believe Siva was an Indian team player because of how he looked!

But, a shocking instance of casual racism came from within the team, Siva revealed in the interview. On his 17th birthday, he was with the Indian team in Pakistan. Then Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar ordered a cake. When the team gathered to celebrate, a teammate said, “Hey Sunny, you ordered the right colour cake. Such a dark chocolate cake for a dark boy.” Siva cried after hearing this and cut the cake only later after Gavaskar pacified him.

Gavaskar was there by his side again during the tournament. The crowds were hostile, and the umpire, Shakur Rana, was not being too pleasant with Siva. The captain confronted the umpire at lunch break and told him, You don’t talk to any of my bowlers. If you have an issue, you come and talk to me.”

Sivaramakrishnan thrived under Gavaskar's captaincy. But a loss of form hastened his exit from the national team and also the Tamil Nadu team.

The BCCI is yet to officially issue any statement on Siva's retirement from the commentary panel or his allegations that he was avoided at tosses and presentation because he was not "presentable", but The Indian Express quoted a Board official as saying that the "BCCI has never and will never discriminate against any player, former player, commentator because of their skin colour".

asian-cup-qualifier-who-is-nepal-born-defender-abneet-bharti-set-to-represent-india

Wed Mar 25 18:04:27 IST 2026

It was homecoming of sorts as Nepal-born defender Abneet Bharti joined the Indian senior men's team camp in Kochi ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, the AIFF said on Wednesday, a day after Ryan Williams was named in the squad for the same fixture.

The 27-year-old had joined the Kochi-based ISL side, Kerala Blasters, in 2019, but did not make a senior team appearance. He left the next year.

India now have two foreign-based players in the camp for the first time – Bharti and 32-year-old winger Williams who got his Indian passport recently. The latter had missed the Bangladesh match as FIFA did not clear his name on time. The Bengaluru FC player is now set for his India debut against Hong Kong on March 31.

However Bharti is still awaiting FIFA clearance, without which he cannot make his debut. India are already out of contention for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

With the Blue Tigers looking to build the side with an eye for the future, they seem to be looking at Bharti to replace veteran Sandesh Jhingan in the centre-back position, alongside Anwar Ali, once he gets the clearance. He also plays as a right-back and defensive midfielder, as per reports.

Head coach Khalid Jamil is likely to assess him in the camp ahead of the Hong Kong match.

Born in Nepal, Bharti started as a goalkeeper during his school days in Nigeria before taking up a defender’s role after returning to India, where he played for BGS International School and Shastri FC. His performances earned him a call-up to the Delhi state youth team and to the India U-16 camp.

He moved to Singapore to train with Geylang International (2012–2013). In 2014, he moved to Spain and trained with the youth setup of La Liga club Real Valladolid. He also underwent training stints with German clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt, 1860 Munich, Anderlecht and Darmstadt 98.

Bharti turned professional with Poland's Podbeskidzie in 2015 and went on to play in Portugal for Sintrense between 2017 and 2019.

A potential move to Mexican club America was cut short due to a serious knee injury. He returned to India with Kerala Blasters, but the stint did not work out.

Since then, he has played in the Czech Republic and had loan spells in Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Argentina. In early 2025, he signed with the Bolivian Primera División outfit Academia del Balompié Boliviano - ABB (Bolivia).

can-manchester-united-replace-bruno-fernandes-with-a-euro100-million-barcelona-star

Wed Mar 25 14:47:25 IST 2026

Every time the transfer window opens, Fermin Lopez's name pops up. By the time it closes, the Spaniard has reiterated his faith in FC Barcelona and returned to scoring goals!

The upcoming transfer window seems to be no different. However, it is Manchester United that is being linked to the attacking midfielder of the Spanish champions. The latest reports claim that the Premier League side is willing to shell out around €100 million (£86.5 million) this summer for the 22-year-old's services.

It was in January that Lopez signed a contract extension with the Catalan side, which extended his stay in La Liga until 2031. If Hansi Flick approves his sale, the offer could provide some much-needed financial impetus for Barcelona. Lopez joined Barca's academy from Real Betis in 2016 and has earned five national caps so far.

Since his senior debut in August 2023, the right-footed star has played a total of 127 games for Barcelona. In his tally of 31 goals and 27 assists, 12 goals and 16 assists have come from his 39 games so far this season. This sublime form could have garnered United's interest, as an overhaul using young players is taking place at Old Trafford.

With club captain Bruno Fernandes' future remaining uncertain, it is not far-fetched to think that Fermin Lopez could be his successor at Old Trafford. Barcelona offered him a new contract to make clear their intention of making him an integral part of their squad for the upcoming decade. Thus, United's interest in Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, and Bruno Guimarães should not be doubted, as these players are more defence-oriented than the Spaniard.

To meet their monetary needs, the La Liga side is more likely to let go of Jules Koundé, Alejandro Balde, and Dani Olmo than Lopez, reports said. Lopez himself is not looking for a switch, TEAMtalk said, adding that United's chances depend on making an impressive offer to Barca.

who-bought-rcb-for-rs-16000-crore-inside-costliest-ipl-franchise-deal-as-bcci-nod-awaited

Tue Mar 24 22:38:20 IST 2026

Aditya Birla Group-led consortium has acquired the Royala Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise for a whopping Rs 16,732 crore.

The consortium includes Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (TOI), Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone's perpetual private equity strategy (BXPE).

As per the new structure, ABG director Aryaman Vikram Birla will become the chairman while TOI Group's Satyan Gajwani will take over as vice chairman. Bolt Ventures founder David Blitzer and BXPE CEO Viral Patel are also key members of the investor group.

The deal is subject to approvals and clearances from the BCCI, the Competition Commission of India and other regulators.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said his team looks forward to build "this extraordinary legacy"

"Over the past two decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket creating enormous value for India. RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport," he stated.

Gajwani, who is the chairman of Times Internet Ltd, said they look forward to backing RCB as they pitch on Saturday to defend their title.

"RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. As The Times of India Group, together with our partners, we will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase. We are committed to the people who built this championship-winning culture - the players, coaches, the leadership team, and the fans," he added.

This comes after US-based Kal Somani-led consortium acquired Rajasthan Royals for Rs 15,290 crore. It also comprises Rob Walton from the Walmart family.