Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Josh Hazlewood, who was named Player of the Match for his impactful spell in their five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 20526, said he felt in “good shape” and adapted well to the slow conditions in Bengaluru. Reflecting on his performance, Hazlewood emphasised the importance of assessing conditions early and adjusting plans accordingly. “Felt much better today, in good shape. Got to look at who you are playing against, conditions play a part, slow wicket today, just had to whack that length,” Hazlewood said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

The Australian pacer also highlighted his ongoing work on variations, particularly slower deliveries, to stay effective in T20 cricket. “I’d like to have a few funky deliveries… always working on those slower balls… keep moving forward,” he added.

Hazlewood further noted that quickly reading match conditions was a key strength for RCB in the contest, helping them restrict LSG to a below-par total. “Summing up the conditions as early as we can is a huge plus for us,” he said.

Looking ahead, the fast bowler expressed confidence about his fitness and availability for the upcoming fixtures, saying he expects to continue featuring regularly in the tournament. “The plan is hopefully to keep playing; the schedule is pretty good here on, so I should be okay to keep playing.”

The defending champions, RCB, registered a dominant five-wicket victory over LSG in IPL 2026 in Bengaluru, chasing down a modest target of 147 with 29 balls to spare.

Virat Kohli anchored the chase with a fluent 49, while Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma provided quick-fire contributions to take RCB comfortably home and push them to the top of the points table.

Earlier, LSG endured a dramatic batting collapse after being asked to bat first and were bowled out for 146. Despite a fighting 40 from Mitchell Marsh, regular wickets and a lack of momentum derailed their innings, with Rasikh Salam Dar starring with a four-wicket haul and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood providing key support.

LSG also suffered setbacks, including Rishabh Pant retiring hurt briefly and later falling cheaply, as RCB’s disciplined bowling attack kept them under pressure throughout.

RCB’s all-round performance ensured a convincing win and strengthened their position in the tournament standings.

The defending champions have climbed to the top spot with eight points to their name in five matches. LSG, on the other hand, are at the seventh place with four points in as many matches.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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IPL 2026 News | Shami’s Sensation Leads Lucknow to First Win of Season

Seeing a thoroughbred complete twelve starts within one preparation is not the norm anymore, though Michael Morrison believes his durable mare Down Under Stunnah remains capable of a competitive effort in her parting start this time around at Ipswich.

Having transferred his stable recently from Beaudesert to Ipswich, Morrison is eager for the five-year-old to notch the breakthrough success for the fresh setup and follow up her January triumph at the course in the Living Turf Benchmark 60 Handicap (2180m) this Thursday from draw two.

“This is her last run for the prep but I think she is well and truly still in good enough order to be going close again,” Morrison said.

The mare held on tenaciously for second, beaten by a whisker, at Ipswich going 2010m on March 6, and then placed fourth over 2030m at Doomben in April.

“She probably for a little bit further back that what is preferable,” he said of the metro midweek outing.

“They didn’t go overly quickly so if made things a little bit difficult, but it was a strong midweek race and I think the top four gapped the rest and she was taking a bit of ground off them late.

“We’re back out again in trip and the good thing about a good gate is that she can land in the good spot without having to do any work early and I think with her, she begins well enough but you also don’t want to have her under pressure early.

“The good gate will allow her to land in a good spot without using any petrol where two starts ago at Ipswich, she had to be used a bit to find a spot and I think that probably made the difference late.

By Under The Louvre from dam Stryking Stunnah, Down Under Stunnah leads her family with two successes and two further placings in thirteen appearances.

Young Queensland resident Brandon Lerena, originally from South Africa, has handled the reins for eight of her past ten starts.

“He’s a strong rider and has great hands in terms of being able to get horses to relax,” Morrison said.

“I think that is very important wherever they are settling to be in that rhythm and give late.

“He’s the perfect rider and probably still underutilised up here and that works in our favour because we usually get first call on him.”

Morrison paired with Lerena has delivered three victories and four placings from 17 rides in the jockey’s recent 100 engagements.

For betting sites offering competitive lines, visit betting sites ahead of Down Under Stunnah’s tilt at the Living Turf Benchmark 60 Handicap.

Gerald Ryan intends the Frank Packer Plate at Randwick as a trial for Matias’ endurance limits, confident nonetheless that the three-year-old can manage a solid middle-distance assignment.

Victor of Eagle Farm’s Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) in December, Matias tackles longer than ever before in the 2000m race set for Saturday.

Out of Never Listen by Snitzel, whose reputation leans towards sprinters but includes 2013 Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, Matias’ appeal lies in his dam line according to Ryan.

“His first three dams have either won or been placed in an Oaks,” Ryan said.

“Never Listen is by Trusting and she ran second in a VRC Oaks. Rose O’ War is by Danehill, she ran second in a VRC Oaks and second in a Wakeful (Stakes). His third dam, Savana City, won an AJC Oaks.”

Ryan and co-trainer Sterling Alexiou map out a Queensland winter carnival path for Matias, contingent on Randwick results.

Falling short over 2000m might direct him to the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on May 2, while staying on well points to the Rough Habit Plate (2000m) on May 16 at Doomben and the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm two weeks later.

“We’ll go to the Frank Packer Plate and that will decide if we keep going to the Rough Habit Plate,” Ryan said.

“If he doesn’t look as though he’ll get further than 2000 metres, then we’ll bring him back to the Queensland Guineas.”

Ryan forecasts a lively run Saturday and laments Matias’ misfortune in the recent Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), pinned inside throughout the straight.

“If he’d been able to come around the leaders’ heels last start instead of going back inside, I reckon he nearly wins the race,” he said.

“He’s done terrific. His coat has come through, and he looks bright and well.”

Discover the finest betting sites offering markets on the Frank Packer Plate.

During this offseason, if there has been a better value signing than Jalen Redmond’s exclusive rights tender that keeps him in Minnesota for the 2026 season, I haven’t seen it. The Vikings announced their interest in keeping Redmond a while back, but it became official on Tuesday when the big defensive tackle signed on the dotted line. The deal represents a massive bargain for the Vikings.

Redmond Could Outplay His Contract in 2026

From unwanted in 2023, failing to make the grade as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers, and spending a season playing in the XFL. Redmond’s career trajectory has been done the hard way.

After two seasons with the Vikings, he has quickly become one of the most important players on Brian Flores’s defense, and securing his services for this season at the meager amount of a touch over $1 million is an absolute bargain.

For reference, the Vikings spent $30+ million combined to sign Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen last year. Both have left Minnesota after being comfortably outperformed by Redmond during the 2025 season.

Redmond even got a bonus payday this offseason thanks to the league’s new performance-based payment system. If his performance continues to trend in the same direction, he can expect a big contract to come his way eventually, but for now, the Vikings have a very good player at the minimum price point.

Redmond’s Vikings Career So Far

His more unusual career path has seen Redmond break through as a seemingly young player, even though he turns 27 in March. Minnesota took a chance on him in 2024, and the former Oklahoma Sooner grasped it with both hands.

He fought his way onto the roster and played in 13 games, even finishing the season with two starts. Redmond recorded 18 tackles, one sack, and two pass breakups, and despite the two big signings at his position, he was expected to still have a role in 2025.

As it turned out, Redmond appeared in all 17 games for the Vikings last season, officially starting 15. He totaled 62 tackles, six sacks, 36 pressures, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and five pass breakups.

Redmond earned an overall defensive grade of 72.7 from Pro Football Focus in the 2025 season, 22nd among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen. His PFF pass-rush grade of 62.5 ranked 66th among 134 qualified linemen, and his run-defense grade of 72.7 ranked an impressive 10th at the position.

He built on his promising debut season in Minnesota and cemented himself as a vital part of the Vikings defense – bringing him back for the 2026 season was a no-brainer. I would hope Redmond’s stay in Minnesota extends beyond a third season, but that decision will come down the line.

For now, the Vikings have a very good player for a very low price. Redmond has been one of the best acquisitions made by the team in recent years.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

Carl Froch has offered his honest thoughts on a potential clash between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn, who has maintained his desire to face the WBC world welterweight champion.

The 29-year-old scored a wide unanimous decision victory over Regis Prograis last Saturday, featuring on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But despite the dominant nature of Benn’s 10-round performance, many have highlighted the fact he was facing a faded, injured and physically inferior opponent.

Sure enough, Prograis confirmed that he had sustained multiple injuries throughout his training camp, while also announcing his retirement shortly after losing to Benn.

The former two-time world champion also seemed undersized at their catchweight of 150lbs, which Benn had successfully made after dropping down from middleweight.

Should he face Garcia, then ‘The Destroyer’ would need to make 147lbs for the first time since 2022, when he secured a second-round finish over Chris van Heerden.

It was several months after this performance that Benn twice tested positive for clomifene, a banned substance, while Garcia’s failed drugs tests arrived in 2024.

But despite their controversial history, there is a good chance that the pair will collide in the near future, especially with Benn boasting a No.1 WBC welterweight ranking.

Discussing their possible showdown, Froch said on his YouTube channel, Froch On Fighting, that he favours Garcia to take care of business.

“In his post-fight interview with Anna Woolhouse, [Benn] said, ‘Listen, I want the Ryan Garcia fight’.

“He’s got to take off another 3lbs, to make him even more drained – down at an even lower weight – against someone who punches hard; someone who’s very capable.

“I think that’s a tough fight for Conor.”

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Garcia claimed his WBC title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory after flooring his man in the opening round.