Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience makes his return to the T20I squad a straightforward selection call, while describing India’s tour of New Zealand as a crucial examination of the team’s direction across formats.

“There is no substitute for experience. It’s not bought or sold in the market, so when you have experience with that kind of quality, it’s a no-brainer,” Shastri said of Bhuvneshwar, who has returned to the Indian T20I set-up after a four-year hiatus.

The 36-year-old’s recall follows impressive performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, where he played a key role in the franchise’s consecutive title triumphs. “With the kind of form he showed in the IPL and the years he’s been around India, he’ll be ideal for New Zealand conditions, or for that matter, any conditions,” Shastri said.

RCB’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar during the IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals (DC), at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR

India will play five T20Is and five ODIs alongside two Tests during the tour. While the longest format carries significant weight in the World Test Championship race, Shastri cautioned against viewing the other legs in isolation.

“The Test series is important. The emphasis now will be on the one-day game as well as T20. The whole tour of New Zealand is an important tour,” he said. “The full one and a half month is going to be critical because it will tell you where Indian cricket is going in the future. Conditions in New Zealand might be a little similar to what you might encounter in South Africa.”

Shastri also identified the tour as a significant challenge for ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill, despite the batter’s familiarity with New Zealand conditions.

Shubman Gill of India bats during Day Four of the 4th Rothesay Test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford on July 26, 2025 in Manchester, England.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

“He is in prime form. He has always done well in New Zealand right from a young age. But for a young captain travelling there overseas, it will be a challenge,” he said.

On Rohit Sharma’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Shastri advocated continuity rather than reinvention.

“He doesn’t have to change for anybody in the world. He has been getting runs. There’s very little he has to change, and if there’s anything to be changed, he will know it better than anybody else,” he said.

(Watch India’s tour of New Zealand live and exclusive on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV from October 22.)

Cricket met chess on Sunday night. Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who has played for India in both short formats, took on the World No. 4 Javokhir Sindarov in a game of chess.

After the match against the Uzbek, played at RCB Bar & Cafe, Venkatesh said: “I got the opportunity to play with the world’s No. 4 chess player. I managed to survive five minutes without losing.”

Sindarov, who will challenge India’s D. Gukesh for the World championship this year, is in the city for the Global Chess League, in which he is playing for Fyers American Gambits. He was joined by his teammates Daniil Dubov, Nihal Sarin, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, and MarcAndria Maurizzi.

Venkatesh also spoke of Bengaluru’s passion for multiple sports. “I’ve been to a lot of cities in the country, but the love for sports here is just amazing, and it goes well beyond cricket,” he said.

“Whether it is football, athletics, chess, pickleball or paddle, people here take their sport seriously, both in playing and supporting it.”

There was also an exchange of shirts between RCB and American Gambits.

In a serious breach of anti-corruption regulations, a player in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League has come under the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit scanner.

He was found to be in possession of a mobile phone in the restricted Players and Match Officials Area during his team’s match.

Players are prohibited from using any communication devices and have to deposit their gadgets with the team manager before entering the PMOAs.

Only the team manager is permitted to carry a mobile in the PMOA, and should use it only for cricket operations.

The incident occurred at the NPR College ground in Natham, Dindigul, earlier this week, where the TNPL has been happening since August 4.

The Anti-Corruption Unit has made a formal communication to the TNCA regarding the incident.

“Yes, we have received a letter about this incident. We have instructed the concerned team owners not to consider him for selection until the enquiry is over. We are investigating the matter and will take appropriate action,” said TNCA secretary U. Bhagawandas Rao in a statement.

Earlier this year in the IPL, Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh and given a warning for using a phone in the dugout during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Managers are allowed to use mobiles only in the dressing room and not in the dugouts.

As the hunt for Chennai Super Kings’ new head coach is underway, there is a lot of speculation about who will take over from Stephen Fleming. Former CSK player Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan reckons that it would be ideal to promote someone from within the set-up, saying that Michael Hussey could be the right man for the job.

“The big question for the management is: do they want someone similar to Fleming or do they want to go in a new direction? Someone like Brendon McCullum who is more flamboyant and will embrace a high-risk approach,” said Vidyut. “More importantly, the new coach has to align with MS Dhoni’s thought process.”

Vidyut felt that in Hussey, CSK has a coach who is well-respected and understands the IPL ecosystem. “Hussey can be the head coach, but they can get some fresh support staff. He will understand what the team needs and is somebody who has evolved very well with the times. He has been in the system for a long time.”

The former TN opener, who has also been a scout for Super Kings, opined that the franchise could do well with having a Director of Cricket who works through the year. “CSK needs someone like Mo Bobat (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)… someone responsible for identifying the right talent and getting the best squad in the auction because the auction dynamics are very different to coaching,” he added. “In recent years, the other teams have been braver in all aspects, and CSK needs to be more dynamic in its approach.”

All praise

Talking about Fleming’s legacy, Vidyut heaped praise on the New Zealander.

“I remember the first year when he was just a player; after I got out pulling Glenn McGrath, he threw down 60 to 70 balls before the reverse fixture in Delhi to help me improve my pull shot on the front foot. That showed how much he was ready to help. Even when he became a coach, he ensured that he backed the players and did so not just by words but by action. Fleming and Dhoni ensured the team atmosphere was always good,” said Vidyut.

Derided for not matching potential with performance in the past, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emphatically put those old ghosts to rest. Having won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title last year, RCB did one better this year, and retained the championship. A commanding display over Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday ensured that RCB joined the likes of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians, teams that have won the title for two consecutive years. Ever since the league’s inception in 2008, the Bengaluru squad tended to flourish in spurts and then fade away. Three finals were made too prior to 2025, and in all those summit clashes, RCB choked. Last year, however, a turnaround was effected but as Rajat Patidar’s men exulted, the moment turned tragic with 11 fans losing their lives in a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In the latest edition, RCB maintained remarkable consistency and while Patidar marshalled his resources, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood chipped in. Fittingly, Patidar dedicated the triumph to the 11 fans who passed away. Meanwhile, Titans led by Shubman Gill, ran into a stronger outfit in the final and could not cash in on the advantage of playing at their home ground.

Having commenced on March 28, the IPL with 10 teams and 74 matches, had a bloated air and at times viewer interest dipped. The cricket, though, was from the top-drawer of T20 cricket as batters muscled sixes. The leading star was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who belied his 15 summers. The Rajasthan Royals’ player is one for the future and there is talk of the selectors fast-tracking him into the national squad. Just as Sachin Tendulkar made his international debut at 16, Sooryavanshi too seems set to join that space of young talent pursuing higher glory. For now, a spot in T20I beckons even as the youngster is keen to play Tests too. Just as RCB, Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals made it to the play-offs, legacy units such as CSK, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders fell by the wayside. A churn is on the cards and Rishabh Pant has already relinquished his captaincy with the Lucknow Super Giants. India, the reigning T20 champion, has enough talent as was evident through the IPL. The club against country debate too stirred up as England speedster Jofra Archer’s IPL contract overlapped with the one that he has with The England and Wales Cricket Board. The IPL is a massive sporting brand but it should not cannibalise traditional cricket.

Andy Flower’s reign as Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach did not begin well. The team lost seven of its first eight matches in IPL 2024 before making a turnaround to enter the playoffs. 

The tough phase gave Flower useful insight into what ails RCB. Over the course of the next two years, Flower and his staff have used these learnings to mould RCB into a formidable presence.

“The very tough first half of 2024 gave us real clarity about certain strategic things that we wanted to employ. It gave us the courage, almost through desperation, to take those measures. Then we had 2025, where we were walking into the unknown, as RCB had never won the title before. There was a lot of tension and uncertainty around getting into the playoffs,” Flower said in a virtual media interaction on Monday (June 1, 2026). 

This year’s triumphant campaign, in contrast, was marked by quiet confidence, Flower stated. “This year, there was a deeper level of confidence. Going into the playoffs, this reflected in some of our performances,” Flower said. 

The 58-year-old was all praise for Virat Kohli, who has set a high bar for his teammates to follow. “Virat’s hunger and drive are genuinely inspiring. He sets certain standards, like intensity in the field. Anyone falling below is going to stand out like a sore thumb. Everyone has to raise their game to get anywhere near it,” he said.

“The same goes for his batting mastery. He works hard at his game, but you can see that he loves batting. He loves hitting the ball. He loves the feeling of the ball meeting the middle of the bat. Again, those standards are easy for people in our training sessions to see,” Flower said. 

The evidence from the three IPL matches played in Dharamsala this season suggests that it has evolved into a high-scoring venue where fast bowlers still remain relevant, a combination that could shape Tuesday’s (May 26, 2026) Qualifier 1 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.

The numbers tell the story clearly. Across the three completed matches at the HPCA Stadium this season, every first-innings total has either touched or crossed 200.

So while Dharamsala continues to offer seam movement and bounce, the old perception of it being a purely bowler-friendly venue no longer fully applies. The true carry has created conditions where batters can dominate once they survive the opening overs.

What remains unique, however, is how the ball behaves early in the innings.

At roughly 1,450 metres above sea level, Dharamsala remains one of the few Indian grounds where fast bowlers consistently get conventional swing alongside steep carry. The cooler, thin mountain air helps seamers hit hard lengths effectively, especially with the new ball.

But unlike venues where assistance for pacers translates into low totals, Dharamsala’s quick outfield and even bounce allows batters to recover rapidly after the initial movement. That pattern has repeated itself in all three matches this season: wickets and play-and-miss chances in the powerplay followed by heavy scoring once the ball softened.

The tactical battle in Qualifier 1 may therefore depend on which side maximises the first six overs with the ball.

On current evidence, RCB appear to hold a slight edge in those conditions.

Their pace attack, led by Bhuvneswar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, is built more around control, swing and hard-length execution. These are attributes that have historically worked in Dharamsala. Bowlers capable of moving the ball under lights and varying pace intelligently at the death have enjoyed success here even in high-scoring games.

Against Punjab Kings, RCB could defend 222 because their seamers kept striking during the chase.

GT’s attack, meanwhile, arguably possesses greater raw pace, which the extra carry in Dharamsala could amplify. But one factor that may reduce their usual advantage is the limited role of spin at this venue. Rashid Khan is usually effective but this pitch will test him.

Statistical trends from recent matchesin Dharamshala show pacers accounting for the overwhelming majority of wickets, with teams rarely turning extensively to spin in decisive phases.

Another significant trend is toss dominance.

Chasing sides have won two of the three matches this season, largely because batting becomes easier once the ball loses shine and dew settles in. That could make bowling first the preferred option again on Tuesday night.

Overall, Qualifier 1 is unlikely to be a traditional “bowler’s match” despite Dharamsala’s reputation. The surface now rewards aggressive batting far more than before, but it still offers enough early movement to keep fast bowlers central to the contest.

In that regard, RCB’s more rounded seam attack may give them a marginal advantage over GT in exploiting the venue’s most decisive phase: the powerplay.

Quietly steering clear of the turbulence and distractions surrounding the league, defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first side to secure a playoff berth.

Despite the team’s impressive run, RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat dismissed suggestions that the franchise had somehow “cracked the code” of the tournament, sticking to the ‘taking-it-one-day-at-a-time’ cliche.

The Englishman, however, lavished praise on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returns to the venue he called home for 11 seasons.

“He knows this surface and ground well, so we’ve been picking his brains a little bit over the last few days just to understand things.

“And as always, he’s trying to help everyone around him. He has a calming influence on the whole team. We get huge value out of him,” he said.

Bobat also felt that Bhuvneshwar has unlocked another gear this season.

“Everybody knows his skills, he swings the ball both ways, he’s got incredible control and accuracy. I think he’s gone up a level this year even compared to last year. He’s a very calm and composed figure at the death, a bit like Josh Hazelwood and Rasikh Salam Dar have been.”

Sunrisers Hyderabad may have turned a corner with its bowling, but Bobat reiterated that they remain stronger with the willow.

“They’ve got a reputation, and rightly so, as a dangerous batting unit. I really enjoy the way they go about their batting, it kind of aligns with how I like teams to play, so it’s always fun watching them play. They’ve got some high-calibre players”.

Nearly two months ago, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad kicked off this IPL season carrying expectation and different kinds of pressure. RCB arrived as the defending champion while SRH sought to turn promise into authority.

The sides meet again on Friday (May 22, 2026) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, this time in the business end of the tournament. Royal Challengers, moving with ruthless efficiency, are close to sealing top spot, with Sunrisers hoping to break into the top two.

SRH will challenge the visitor with a vastly different bowling attack from their previous meeting, when Jaydev Unadkat and Harshal Patel led the unit in captain Pat Cummins’ absence. Eshan Malinga has emerged as Sunrisers’ talisman with 17 wickets, while Sakib Hussain (14) and Praful Hinge (11) have offered strong support.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Devdutt Padikkal during a practice session ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 T20 cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, in Hyderabad.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Since returning to action, Cummins has added pace and intensity to the bowling pack, taking eight wickets in six appearances. This will be SRH’s first line of attack against a team that hardly appears to be vulnerable.

RCB, too, boasts a formidable bowling unit led by former SRH medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has claimed 24 wickets in 13 matches. He has been ably backed by Josh Hazlewood (12), Rasikh Salam (12), and Krunal Pandya (10).

With the bat, Virat Kohli has led the charge with 542 runs in 13 matches. Devdutt Padikkal (412) and skipper Rajat Patidar (337) have also played key roles, with Tim David and Romario Shepherd providing firepower down the order.

For SRH, the openers’ contributions remain crucial, but Heinrich Klaasen has been the standout batter with 555 runs in 13 games. Abhishek Sharma (507) and Ishan Kishan (490) have been influential, while Travis Head (367), despite having a quieter season, remains capable of turning a match on its head.

If the first fixture set the tone for IPL 2026, this clash could deliver the perfect crescendo before the playoffs.