Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten half-century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off their Indian Premier League title defence with an emphatic six-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Playing his first match since January, Kohli anchored the chase with a composed 69 not out off 38 balls, guiding Bengaluru to 203-4 in just 15.4 overs in pursuit of a daunting 202-run target.

He was well supported by Devdutt Padikkal, who blasted 61 from 26 deliveries, and captain Rajat Patidar, who added a quickfire 31 off 12 balls. England’s Phil Salt contributed just eight runs but made a significant impact in the field with a stunning one-handed diving catch.

Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a competitive 201-9, powered by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 80 off 38 balls. However, his dismissal in the 16th over—courtesy of Salt’s brilliance on the boundary—halted their momentum on a batting-friendly surface.

New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy impressed on debut for Bengaluru, returning figures of 3-22, while England left-armer David Payne claimed 2-35 in his first IPL outing for Hyderabad.

Bengaluru’s chase set a new benchmark as the fastest successful pursuit of a 200-plus total in IPL history. Kohli also extended his record for the most 50-plus scores in successful run chases in the tournament.

In other IPL developments, several England players are featuring in this year’s competition. Jos Buttler returns to Gujarat Titans alongside Tom Banton and Luke Wood, while Jofra Archer is back with Rajasthan Royals. Will Jacks joins Mumbai Indians, and Liam Livingstone and Brydon Carse are part of the Sunrisers squad.

The IPL continues today, Sunday March 29, with a blockbuster clash as Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders in what promises to be an early-season test for both sides.

Five-time champions Mumbai will look to assert dominance at home, with key players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the charge, while Kolkata will rely on their explosive lineup featuring Andre Russell to make a strong statement.

With both teams aiming to build early momentum in IPL 2026, fans can expect a high-intensity contest packed with big hitting and crucial breakthroughs.

Fans in Afghanistan can catch all the IPL 2026 action live, as Ariana Radio and Television Network holds exclusive broadcast rights across the country.

Viewers can tune in daily to Ariana Television for live coverage, and follow Ariana Television and Ariana News across social media platforms for the latest updates and highlights.

The injury list ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to grow, with fresh setbacks for Raphinha and Phil Foden adding to mounting concerns for national teams.

England midfielder Foden picked up an injury during a recent friendly against Uruguay following a heavy challenge from Ronald Araujo. The Manchester City star was visibly in pain and had to be substituted, with Cole Palmer coming on in his place. The setback comes at a crucial stage for Foden, who had been looking to regain top form for both club and country.

Meanwhile, Brazil winger Raphinha has been ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained during his side’s 2-1 defeat to France. Medical scans confirmed the extent of the issue, with the FC Barcelona forward expected to be sidelined until May. His absence means he will miss key fixtures, including Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash against Atletico Madrid.

Their injuries add to an already extensive list of high-profile players struggling with fitness ahead of the global showpiece. Among those dealing with concerns are Cristiano Ronaldo, Rodrygo, Bruno Guimaraes, Eder Militao, Matthijs de Ligt, Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, Fabian Ruiz, James Maddison, Jack Grealish, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, and Alphonso Davies.

With several key players facing uncertain recoveries, the growing injury crisis is emerging as a major concern for teams preparing for the World Cup, potentially impacting squad selections and tournament dynamics.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, expanding to 48 teams from the previous 32.

It will be jointly hosted by three countries—United States, Canada, and Mexico—marking the first time the World Cup is shared by three nations.

The expanded format will see teams divided into 12 groups, increasing the total number of matches and giving more nations the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026, with the final set to be played on July 19, 2026.

Matches will be held across multiple cities in the three host nations, showcasing some of the world’s most iconic stadiums. As the premier competition organised by FIFA, the World Cup brings together the top national teams from around the globe, drawing billions of viewers and remaining one of the most anticipated sporting events worldwide.

The final pathway to the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be decided later this month, as six nations battle it out for the last two spots at football’s biggest tournament.

Bolivia, DR Congo, Jamaica, Iraq, New Caledonia and Suriname will compete in the Play-Off Tournament, which kicks off on 26 March. Matches will be staged in Mexico, with semi-finals followed by decisive finals on 31 March.

Only two teams will progress to the global finals in North America this June and July, raising the stakes for all involved. For New Caledonia and Suriname, qualification would mark their first-ever appearance at a World Cup.

Pathway 1

At Guadalajara Stadium, New Caledonia face Jamaica in the opening semi-final, with the winner advancing to meet DR Congo in the final. The victorious side will book a place in Group K alongside Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan.

New Caledonia are chasing history after finishing runners-up in Oceania qualifying, while Jamaica’s “Reggae Boyz” are aiming to return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Awaiting them are DR Congo, who are targeting their first appearance since 1974 after an impressive qualifying campaign that included victories over continental heavyweights.

Pathway 2

In Monterrey, Bolivia will take on Suriname in the other semi-final, with Iraq waiting in the final. The winner will advance to Group I, where France, Norway and Senegal await.

Bolivia are seeking a return to the tournament for the first time since 1994, boosted by strong recent performances in South American qualifying. Suriname, meanwhile, are hoping to make history with a maiden qualification after a breakthrough campaign.

Iraq, the final team in the mix, are aiming to end a 40-year absence from the World Cup, having last appeared in 1986.

With dreams of global glory on the line, the Play-Off Tournament promises high drama as teams make one last push for a place on football’s biggest stage.

Only 81 Days to Go!!!!

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition of the tournament in history, featuring 48 teams and hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The expanded format will see teams competing across multiple host cities in North America, with the tournament scheduled to take place in June and July 2026.

Football fans in Afghanistan will be able to watch all the action live through the Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights to the tournament in the country. ATN will air the matches live across Ariana Television, bringing comprehensive coverage of the world’s biggest football event to Afghan audiences.

Fans are encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest developments, updated match schedules, team news and other World Cup information as the tournament approaches.