playoff journey

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield admitted to "honestly sucking" during the team's playoff exit in the Eastern Conference Final. Despite a strong regular season, Caufield took personal responsibility for his underperformance in the postseason. He expressed a desire to improve and contribute more effectively in high-pressure situations moving forward.

Mitch Marner’s postgame comments after the Vegas Golden Knights advanced to the Stanley Cup Final have drawn criticism from Toronto Maple Leafs fans. The former Maple Leafs winger cited “dark moments” during his tenure in Toronto, reopening conversations about playoff shortcomings, fan expectations and his legacy. Marner’s impressive postseason with Vegas has only added fuel to the NHL talk of his controversial comments.

Rajat Patidar unleashed a destructive 93 off 33 balls, including nine sixes, to power Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a massive 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. Dropped twice in the 14th over, Patidar turned anger into a breathtaking knock, leading RCB's late surge and ensuring a historic playoff batting performance.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured a playoff spot in IPL 2026, driven by Virat Kohli's stellar performance. Despite his overall brilliance, Kohli's knockout stage record presents a potential concern for RCB as they aim for back-to-back titles, facing Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the IPL 2026 Orange Cap winner, revealed his father's profound influence, drawing inspiration from tales of Sunil Gavaskar. His father would recount how Gavaskar fearlessly faced fast bowlers without a helmet, motivating a young Vaibhav during challenging practice sessions against bouncers. These stories fueled his journey to becoming a record-shattering teenage sensation.

Gujarat Titans narrowly missed the IPL 2026 title, falling to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a home final. Despite a shaky start, the consistent Titans reached their third final in five seasons, showcasing strong performances from Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler. Their bowling attack, led by Rabada and Siraj, also impressed throughout the campaign.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has transformed from underachievers to a formidable franchise, culminating in their maiden IPL title. This success, following the women's WPL victory, reclaims the 'Ee sala cup namde' slogan. A strategic shift under Andy Flower and Mo Bobat, focusing on balance over star power, built a winning culture and squad, with Virat Kohli remaining a pivotal figure.

Kumar Sangakkara questioned Sam Curran's absence from Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 playoff campaign, revealing the franchise had been informed of a season-ending injury. The RR director expressed disappointment after seeing Curran feature for Surrey and backed stricter enforcement of player contractual commitments.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL 2026 dream ended in tears despite his stellar 96, as Gujarat Titans advanced to the final. The young Rajasthan Royals star, who amassed 776 runs this season, was visibly heartbroken after his team's elimination. Captain Riyan Parag lauded his exceptional talent and maturity, predicting a bright future for the prodigious cricketer.

Gujarat Titans secured their third IPL final appearance by defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. After a slow start, the team dominated the latter half of the season, driven by their formidable opening pair and a resurgent bowling attack. They now face RCB for their second IPL title.

Sunrisers Hyderabad elected to bowl first against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. RR skipper Riyan Parag revealed he's not fully fit but stressed the team's win-or-go-home mentality. SRH captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in his team's recent form, aiming for simple bowling. Both teams have had mirroring seasons, with SRH holding a 2-0 advantage over RR this year.

Following a dismal IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians face intense captaincy speculation. Fans overwhelmingly favor pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to lead in 2027, with Rohit Sharma also a strong contender. Bumrah's successful interim captaincy stint and the team's continued title drought fuel the debate for a leadership revival.

Soft-spoken away from the spotlight and measured in his demeanour, Rajat Patidar never fit the image of a franchise-defining superstar. Yet the injury replacement who once went unsold at auction became the captain who delivered RCB's maiden IPL title. Now, after another evolution in his leadership and batting, Patidar stands one victory away from achieving what only Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have managed.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their name in history by winning their second consecutive IPL title in 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans. Virat Kohli's stellar performance earned him Player of the Match in the final, while teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated with multiple individual awards, marking an explosive and record-laden season.

RCB completed a remarkable transformation by winning back-to-back IPL titles, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final after years of heartbreak. Rajat Patidar's side dominated the season with 11 wins, powered by a balanced squad rather than relying solely on Virat Kohli. Kohli led the batting with 675 runs, while Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David and Krunal Pandya provided strong support.

Riyan Parag led Rajasthan Royals to the IPL 2026 playoffs with a win over Mumbai Indians, despite admitting areas for improvement. He explained tactical batting decisions and praised Jofra Archer and Ravindra Jadeja, highlighting his instinct-driven leadership. Parag also lauded uncapped bowlers and revealed his own mental toughness despite physical struggles.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a crucial win against Mumbai Indians, but their victory was overshadowed by a worrying injury to star batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Colliding with a teammate while attempting a catch, Raghuvanshi suffered neck pain, dizziness, and headaches, forcing him out of the match. The franchise is concerned about the impact on their playoff push.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid’s long-term girlfriend is Canadian interior designer Lauren Kyle. Their love story started with a blind date in 2015 and blossomed into marriage in 2024. Their love story, engagement and Muskoka wedding remain the talk of the world, a perfect example of balancing elite success in the NHL with a stable, private personal life together.

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara strongly backed captain Riyan Parag, praising his leadership despite criticism and a vaping controversy. Sangakkara highlighted Parag's respect among teammates and his potential for growth as a player and person. He also clarified Jofra Archer's IPL participation was a joint decision with the ECB, focusing on managing his bowling workload.

Fresh off back-to-back IPL titles, Krunal Pandya reflects on his journey, emphasizing resilience and reinvention. He discusses his evolution as a bowler in the high-scoring T20 era, the influence of his late father, and his unwavering hunger for success. Pandya also shares insights on his son's unique cricket critiques and his hopes for an India recall.