Who could replace Shreyanka Patil if she misses the Women T20 World Cup 2026?

Despite a resounding 95-run victory over the Netherlands in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, there is an air of concern within the Indian camp. The joy of this big win was dampened when the team's star off-spinner and all-rounder, Shreyanka Patil, sustained an injury while fielding. She suffered a severe injury to her right ankle while attempting to field the ball off her own bowling during the final over of the powerplay, forcing her to be stretchered off the field.

Shreyanka's injury has become a major cause for concern for captain Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of crucial Group A clashes against formidable teams like South Africa and Australia. Shreyanka not only stifles the run rate during the middle overs but also provides explosive batting in the lower order. The BCCI is currently awaiting her official scan report, but should Shreyanka be ruled out of the tournament, these three players are the top contenders to replace her.

How did Shreyanka Patil get injured?

Shreyanka Patil came on to bowl the sixth over in the match against the Netherlands. Off the very first ball of the over, the Dutch batter Phoebe played a shot towards mid-wicket; Shreyanka ran to stop the ball but slipped and fell while attempting to take a catch. She was writhing in pain and struggling to get up. An ambulance was immediately summoned, and she was carried off the field on a stretcher. The BCCI shared details about Shreyanka's injury on social media and wished her a speedy recovery.

Who could replace Shreyanka Patil if she misses the Women T20 World Cup 2026?

1. Tanuja Kanwar

Tanuja Kanwar has emerged as the strongest contender to replace her. The left-arm spinner has previously been part of the national team; she was called up during the 2024 Women's Asia Cup after Shreyanka sustained a finger injury. Kanwar has established a strong reputation in domestic cricket and the Women's Premier League through her accurate bowling and ability to perform well during the middle overs. Her experience in bowling under pressure makes her an ideal choice, especially when India requires a specialist spinner.

2. Sneh Rana

Despite having considerable experience across various formats, many were surprised by Sneh Rana's exclusion from the World Cup squad. An off-spin bowling all-rounder, Sneh has played numerous matches for India and ranks among the most skilled spin-bowling all-rounders in domestic cricket. Her ability to bolster both the batting and bowling departments makes her a valuable asset. Rana's experience in ICC tournaments and overseas conditions would have further strengthened the group of young spin bowlers.

3. Saika Ishaque

If India requires a specialist spin bowler, Saika Ishaque could also be considered. This left-arm spinner has previously been part of India's T20 International squad and has consistently performed well in domestic tournaments. Ishaque caught the national team's attention after delivering a stellar performance in the Women's Premier League, where she emerged as one of the highest wicket-takers. Her ability to turn the ball and exert pressure on batters during the powerplay and middle overs offers India a valuable strategic option should Shreyanka be unavailable.

Who Will Replace Jacob Bethell for the IPL 2026 Playoffs?

 Although Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) currently sits atop the points table and has secured its spot in Qualifier 1, the team has suffered a major blow. England's young star, Jacob Bethell, has been officially ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2026 season due to an injury sustained to his left ring finger during the league stage. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and RCB have confirmed that he has returned to the UK to recover from his injury ahead of England's Test series against New Zealand.

Although Bethell's performance playing as a replacement for the injured Phil Salt was somewhat underwhelming by his own standards (he scored 96 runs across 7 innings), his sudden departure has created a strategic void in the team's top order; this comes at a critical juncture as RCB prepares to face Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala on Tuesday. These are the most likely candidates to join the squad as Jacob Bethell's replacement.

1. Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow could take the place of his English teammate in the playoffs for this franchise. This wicketkeeper-batter possesses experience playing in the IPL; he has previously played for the Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Bairstow also has two centuries and nine half-centuries to his name in this prestigious league, and he delivered his most impressive performances while playing for SRH. Last year, he scored a total of 85 runs across the two matches he played for Mumbai. The 36-year-old player failed to find a buyer in the 2026 IPL mini-auction.

2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who entered the 2026 IPL mini-auction with a base price of INR 1.50 crore, went unsold. However, this Afghan wicketkeeper-batter could still get an opportunity to play in the current IPL season if RCB decides to sign him as a replacement for Jacob Bethell. Gurbaz has played 19 matches in the Indian Premier League, all of which he played for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

KKR did not retain the 24-year-old player for the 2026 season. Primarily playing as an opening batter, Gurbaz scored a total of 363 runs for KKR across three different seasons. This Afghan wicketkeeper-batter possesses the ability to play big shots and could prove to be an excellent addition to the team's lineup.

3. Jake Fraser-McGurk

Jake Fraser-McGurk went unsold in the 2026 auction. Fraser-McGurk has played a total of 15 matches for the Delhi Capitals across two seasons. His best performance came in the 2024 season, when he scored 330 runs in 9 matches, maintaining a strike rate of 199.49 and an average of 25.67.

After failing to perform well in the 2025 IPL season, the Capitals dropped him from the squad during the second half of the season, and he ultimately lost his place in the team. Despite this, this explosive Australian opener could still get an opportunity to play under the banner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Australian Squad Announced for Tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh

Australia has announced its squads for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan and the white-ball series against Bangladesh. These series are scheduled to take place in May-June 2026. Mitchell Marsh, who is currently playing in the 2026 IPL, will be seen captaining the team in both formats.

Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc have been rested. Billy Stanlake and Riley Meredith are making a comeback to the ODI squad. Ollie Peake, Liam Scott, and Joel Davies have been included in the Australian squad for the first time. Peake has been selected exclusively for the ODI series against Pakistan, while Scott has been given a spot solely in the ODI series against Bangladesh. Joel Davies will play only in the T20 series against Bangladesh.

Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, and Xavier Bartlett who are playing in the 2026 IPL will replace Peake, Stanlake, Meredith, and Matt Short in the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh. Glenn Maxwell, who has retired from the ODI format, has not been included in the T20 squad.

Peake, Scott, and Davies have been rewarded for their stellar performances in domestic cricket. Scott was named the 'Sheffield Shield Player of the Year' for the 2025/26 season, while Davies was a standout performer in the 2025/26 Big Bash League. Ollie Peake captained the Australian team at the 2026 Under-19 World Cup, following which he was included in the Australia 'A' squad.

Selection Committee Chairman George Bailey said, It is always exciting to see new players get the opportunity to play international cricket and become part of the national team. This blend of experienced players, along with new and returning players, will prove to be extremely crucial on the tour of the subcontinent.

Australia tour of Pakistan 2026

Match	Date	Venue
1st ODI	May 30, 2026	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
2nd ODI	June 2, 2026	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
3rd ODI	June 4, 2026	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Australia Squad for the ODI Series Against Pakistan

Mitchell Marsh (Captain), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, and Adam Zampa.

Australia tour of Bangladesh, 2026

Match	Date (2026)	Venue
1st ODI	June 9	Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
2nd ODI	June 11	Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
3rd ODI	June 14	Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
1st T20I	June 17	Bir Sreshtho FL Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram
2nd T20I	June 19	Bir Sreshtho FL Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram
3rd T20I	June 21	Bir Sreshtho FL Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram

Australia Squad for the ODI Series Against Bangladesh

Mitchell Marsh (Captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, and Adam Zampa.

Australia Squad for the T20 Series Against Bangladesh

Mitchell Marsh (Captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, and Adam Zampa.

IPL 2026: Can Mumbai Indians still qualify for the playoffs?

The Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) suffered another crushing defeat—this time at the hands of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This marked MI's fourth loss in their last five matches a result that has now jeopardized the five-time champions' chances of reaching the playoffs. While other teams are frequently posting scores in excess of 200, MI managed to score only 159 runs in the 'El Clásico' clash against the 'Yellow Army' at Chepauk. In this match, Naman Dhir and Ryan Rickelton were the only players from the Mumbai side to score 30 runs or more.

Can Mumbai Indians still reach the IPL 2026 playoffs?

The team led by Hardik Pandya has won only two matches so far in IPL 2026—one against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the other against the Gujarat Titans (GT). The 'Men in Blue' are on the verge of being eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoffs; although, on paper, MI remains in the race, their chances of advancing are negligible. Yes, you read that absolutely right! Let's take a look at a potential scenario outlining how MI could still reach the next round, despite their disappointing performance thus far.

• To reach 14 points in the standings, Mumbai must win all five of their remaining matches.
• Even with 14 points, qualification is not guaranteed, as the team will have to rely on the results of other teams.
• Furthermore, to stay in the race, MI must win all their remaining matches by a large margin to improve their Net Run Rate (NRR).

MI Remaining Matches in IPL 2026

Match No.	Opposition	Date and Time (IST)	Venue
47	Lucknow Super Giants	May 4, 7:30 PM	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
54	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	May 10, 7:30 PM	Shahed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
58	Punjab Kings	May 14, 7:30 PM	Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala
65	Kolkata Knight Riders	May 20, 7:30 PM	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
69	Rajasthan Royals	May 24, 3:30 PM	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Will Mitchell Starc play in the RR vs DC match of IPL 2026?

In the 43rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) will face each other on Friday, May 1. This contest will be played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. DC has suffered humiliating defeats in their last two matches of IPL 2026. In their previous match, Axar Patel and his team were bowled out for a mere 75 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and lost by nine wickets.

In their earlier encounter against Punjab Kings (PBKS), despite posting a massive total of 264/2 in the first innings, they suffered a six-wicket defeat. Out of the eight matches played so far, they have won only three; to bolster their chances of qualifying for the playoffs, they must deliver exceptional performances in their upcoming matches.

Will Mitchell Starc play in the RR vs DC match of IPL 2026?

Since the very beginning of the tournament, the Capitals have sorely missed their star fast bowler, Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer was recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries and was unable to participate in the matches played during the first half of the tournament. Last week, he joined the DC squad and took part in training sessions.

Although he joined the team last week, he did not play in the previous match. Now, fans are eager to know whether the left-arm pacer will feature in the upcoming clash against the Rajasthan Royals (RR).

During a pre-match press conference, DC's bowling coach, Munaf Patel, stated that Starc would be available for the encounter against RR. He also added that Starc is fit to play, but the final decision will rest with the team management.

Mitchell Starc IPL Career

IPL season	match	over	run	wicket	Average	Economy	best	4 wickets
2025	11	36	366	14	26.14	10.17	5/35	0
2024	14	41.5	444	17	26.12	10.61	4/33	1
2015	13	43	291	20	14.55	6.76	4/15	1
2014	14	53.4	402	14	28.71	7.49	2/21	0
Total IPL	52	174.3	1503	65	23.12	8.61	5/35	2

RR vs DC Playing 11s

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Riyan Parag (Captain), Dasun Shanaka, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Brijesh Sharma, Nandre Burger, Yash Raj Punia

Impact Player: Shubham Dubey

Delhi Capitals (DC)

Abishek Porel (WK), KL Rahul, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (C), David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar

Impact Player: T Natarajan

List of Orange Cap Winners from All IPL Seasons: Who Won How Many Times?

 In the IPL, the 'Orange Cap' is awarded to the batsman who scores the most runs in each season. It is not merely an award, but a symbol of a batsman's consistency and dominance throughout the entire season. Since the tournament's inception in 2008, many legendary batsmen have claimed this cap. Notably, across 18 seasons, 14 different players have won the Orange Cap a fact that underscores the competitive nature of this tournament.

List of IPL Orange Cap Winners

Year	Winner	Runs	Team
2008	Shaun Marsh	616	KXIP
2009	Matthew Hayden	572	CSK
2010	Sachin Tendulkar	618	MI
2011	Chris Gayle	608	RCB
2012	Chris Gayle	733	RCB
2013	Michael Hussey	733	CSK
2014	Robin Uthappa	660	KKR
2015	David Warner	562	SRH
2016	Virat Kohli	973	RCB
2017	David Warner	641	SRH
2018	Kane Williamson	735	SRH
2019	David Warner	692	SRH
2020	KL Rahul	670	KXIP
2021	Ruturaj Gaikwad	635	CSK
2022	Jos Buttler	863	RR
2023	Shubman Gill	890	GT
2024	Virat Kohli	741	RCB
2025	Sai Sudharsan	617	GT

Over the past few seasons, young players have truly made their mark. Batsmen like Ruturaj Gaikwad (2021), Shubman Gill (2023), and Sai Sudharsan (2025) delivered magnificent performances to win the Orange Cap. In 2024, Virat Kohli once again showcased his class by scoring 741 runs.

Which Players, How Many Times? Orange Cap

Player	Season	Total Orange Caps
David Warner	2015, 2017, 2019	3
Virat Kohli	2016, 2024	2
Chris Gayle	2011, 2012	2
Shaun Marsh	2008	1
Matthew Hayden	2009	1
Sachin Tendulkar	2010	1
Michael Hussey	2013	1
Robin Uthappa	2014	1
Kane Williamson	2018	1
KL Rahul	2020	1
Ruturaj Gaikwad	2021	1
Jos Buttler	2022	1
Shubman Gill	2023	1
Sai Sudharsan	2025	1

When it comes to winning the Orange Cap the most number of times, David Warner leads the pack. He has claimed this title three times (2015, 2017, 2019). Meanwhile, Chris Gayle has won the Orange Cap twice—a feat also achieved by Virat Kohli. Kohli's 2016 season (973 runs) is still regarded as the finest batting performance in the history of the IPL.

IPL 2026 Orange Cap Winner

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Strike Rate	Fours	Sixes
Virat Kohli	7	7	328	54.67	163.18	36	12
Abhishek Sharma	7	7	323	53.83	215.33	25	27
Heinrich Klaasen	7	7	320	53.33	153.11	22	13
Shubman Gill	6	6	297	49.50	149.25	29	11
Sanju Samson	7	7	293	58.60	178.66	31	15

Why did the RCB team wear the green jersey against Delhi?

In the match against the Delhi Capitals, the Royal Challengers Bangalore team has taken the field wearing green jerseys. This match is being played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. While RCB's standard jersey features a combination of black and red, why have the team's players stepped out in green jerseys for this match against Delhi? The primary reason for this is the 'Go Green' initiative, which aims to raise awareness regarding environmental conservation.

It is worth noting that today, Royal Challengers Bangalore is playing its 100th match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. This is another reason why the RCB team has taken the field in green jerseys—to truly make this day a special occasion. They have also become the first team in the history of the IPL to set the record of playing 100 matches at a single venue.

Why did the RCB team wear the green jersey?

In 2011, Royal Challengers Bangalore launched the 'Go Green' initiative. Since 2011, the RCB team has taken the field wearing a green jersey in at least one match every season. By doing so, the Bangalore team works to spread awareness regarding global warming and environmental conservation. Rajesh Menon, CEO of the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise, states that it is the result of years of hard work that the franchise has today achieved the status of being carbon-neutral. He further added that this initiative also serves to inspire the general public.

RCB's management takes special care to ensure that carbon emissions at the team level are minimized. To this end, records are maintained regarding the team's travel, hotel stays, electricity consumption, and emissions generated by diesel generators. Furthermore, the team has endeavored to involve fans in this initiative; arrangements have been made to provide metro tickets alongside match tickets.