Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan (Pic credit: IPL)

NEW DELHI: Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill continued their extraordinary IPL 2026 season by rewriting record books during Gujarat Titans’ crushing 89-run win over Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad on Thursday.The GT opening pair once again dominated proceedings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, stitching together a commanding 125-run stand that laid the foundation for Gujarat’s massive total of 229/4. Gill smashed 64 off just 37 deliveries, while Sudharsan followed it up with a brilliant 84 off 53 balls.But beyond the runs and boundaries, the night turned into another landmark occasion for the two batters as they shattered and matched a host of IPL and T20 records.Back-to-back 600-run seasons for both GT starsSudharsan and Gill both crossed the 600-run mark this season, becoming only the sixth pair in IPL history to have two batters from the same team score 600-plus runs in a single edition.They had already achieved the feat in IPL 2025, making them the first pair to do it in two seasons.600-plus runs by two different batters for a team in an IPL edition

Sudharsan also entered an elite list of batters with consecutive 600-plus IPL campaigns. Only Chris Gayle, David Warner, KL Rahul and Kohli had achieved the feat before him.Gill joined the same list with his second straight 600-plus season, underlining the consistency of GT’s opening combination.600-plus aggregates in consecutive IPL editions

Sudharsan equals rare IPL milestoneSudharsan’s 84 was also his fifth consecutive 50-plus score in IPL 2026, equalling the all-time IPL record jointly held by Virender Sehwag, Jos Buttler and Warner.The stylish left-hander now has 638 runs from 14 matches this season and remains one of the frontrunners for the Orange Cap.Most consecutive 50-plus scores in the IPL

Gill reaches 6000 T20 runs in elite companyGill achieved another massive milestone during the innings by becoming the seventh-fastest batter in men’s T20 cricket to complete 6000 runs.The GT captain reached the landmark in just 185 innings, making him the second-fastest Indian after Rahul and placing him alongside some of the greatest T20 batters in history.Remarkably, only three other cricketers — Babar Azam, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Will Jacks — had crossed 6000 T20 runs before turning 27.GT opening pair now among T20’s greatestGill and Sudharsan’s partnership numbers are now entering historic territory.The duo now have 10 century stands together in men’s T20 cricket, equalling legendary pairs like Gayle-Kohli, Kohli-AB de Villiers and Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan for the most 100-plus partnerships in the format.Most century stands Men’s T20 cricket (any wicket)

They also moved to second place in the list of highest opening partnership aggregates in IPL history with 1898 runs together, behind only the iconic Warner-Shikhar Dhawan pair.Another milestone followed as Gill and Sudharsan registered their 15th fifty-plus opening stand in just 31 innings — the joint second-most in IPL history.With playoffs approaching, Gujarat Titans’ destructive opening duo seem to be peaking at exactly the right time — and the records just keep coming.Highest opening partnership aggregates in the IPL

Alex Eala and Janice Tjen in action during the Abu Dhabi Open doubles tournament. –PHOTO: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

Alexandra Eala and Janice Tjen have taken different routes to the women’s top 40, but both began their journeys from a region that is rarely on the tennis map.

In January, Eala, who turns 21 the day before Roland Garros starts, became the first player from the Philippines to break into the top 50.

Tjen turned 24 earlier in May. When she entered the top 40 in February, she became the highest-ranked Indonesian woman since Yayuk Basuki, who reached the top 20 in 1997 and 1998.

READ: Alex Eala faces Iva Jovic in French Open first round

While their far-flung countries are more than 1,500 kilometres apart, they share a maritime border. The impact of the sometime doubles partners, not only on the court but in the stands, has brought them the nickname ‘SEASters’.

The huge Filipino expat population flock to see their first tennis star everywhere she plays.

“The start of the season is when I seriously noticed that people were really coming, they were buying tickets, they were taking time out of their day. It was like, wow,” world number 38 Eala told the Served website.

She added she had been a “little bit in denial” about her popularity.

READ: Alex Eala proves she’s earned her place among world’s best

“After I broke that barrier of not accepting, thinking, ‘I don’t think I’m really famous’, every week they just kept coming, so I was, ‘Okay, you have to accept it, absorb it, it’s here, it’s a really good position’.”

Her opponents notice.

“I love that she has such an incredible fan base. I’ve seen the atmosphere. It’s amazing,” American Amanda Anisimova said in Dubai.

Yet, Eala is cautious.

“I want to give back all the support they give me, but my first obligation is to myself,” she told the Punto de Break website. “I try to find the healthiest way to deal with all of this, because I feel like many things could go wrong… It’s all about balance.”

Representing a nation of 288 million, 41st-ranked Tjen is also proving a draw.

“I don’t think too much about it,” she told the Times of India ahead of a Billie Jean King Cup match in Delhi in April. “I know that as long as I keep working hard and giving my best, I always have Indonesia behind me. That’s something I’m proud of.”

Two Thai women, Lanlana Tararudee and Mananchaya Sawangkaew are also hovering around the top 100.

“I’m super, super proud to be part of this group. And these are girls that I grew up with,” said Eala. “I think Southeast Asia has its own little charm. We have certain humour that’s very similar, maybe cultural things that we share. There’s definitely that shared sense of pride for my region.”

Eala left home aged 12 to join the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca. She won the US Open junior singles in 2022.

 ‘Tennis demands a lot’

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala reacts as she plays Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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After breaking into the top 50 last season, she became the first person to hit with Nadal since his retirement over a year earlier.

“It was crazy,” Eala told The National. “It was my first time ever hitting with him and I was so nervous and it was definitely physically demanding for me.

“Just to say that you hit with Rafa, it’s insane.”

She has Nadal’s willingness to go to the limits.

READ: Alex Eala embracing clay growth ahead of French Open

After beating Magdalena Frech in a tough three-setter at the Italian Open earlier this month, she said on Tennis Channel: “I told myself that I wasn’t tired enough.”

Eala is a lefty, like Nadal, but has not yet displayed the 14-time Roland Garros champion’s love for clay.

“I’m starting to build that relationship,” she said in Rome. “This is my first season where I’ve really done these high-level tournaments.”

Tjen developed later on tennis scholarships at US universities, spending one year at Oregon and three at Pepperdine by the beach in Malibu. She has hardly any experience on clay and played her first tour-level matches on the surface in April.

“So I’m just taking things one at a time,” she told the Roland Garros website.

She also admitted she had previously held doubts about pursuing a tennis career.

“Tennis demands a lot of you,” she told the Times of India.

“You basically have to travel every week of your life and that’s a very tough demand for me. I don’t like travelling as much and considering that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it and being away from home for that long I decided to quit, but I had a lot of good people around me and they kept convincing me to give it a try.”

Cristiano Ronaldo rose to the occasion on the most important night of Al Nassr’s season, scoring twice in a convincing 4-1 win over Damac to help the Riyadh club win the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League title.

The victory at Al-Awwal Park gave Al Nassr their 10th league title and their first since 2019. It also handed Ronaldo his first domestic league trophy since joining the Saudi Arabian club.

With the title race still open before kick-off, Al Nassr produced a calm and confident performance. Sadio Mané gave the home side the lead in the 34th minute after a fine team move involving João Félix.

Al Nassr continued to dominate after the break and Kingsley Coman made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute with a smart finish.

Damac pulled one goal back in the 58th minute when Morlaye Sylla scored from the penalty spot, but Ronaldo quickly ended any hopes of a comeback.

The Portuguese star restored Al Nassr’s two-goal advantage in the 63rd minute with a well-taken free-kick before adding his second goal in the 81st minute to complete an excellent display.

Ronaldo’s brace not only secured the league title for Al Nassr but also moved him closer to the milestone of 1,000 career goals.

Coman’s impressive performance earned him the Player of the Match award, while Al Nassr comfortably saw out the game to celebrate a memorable triumph.

The title-winning campaign highlighted the quality of Al Nassr’s star players, with Ronaldo, Mané, Coman and Félix all playing key roles throughout the season.

For Ronaldo, it was another major trophy in his remarkable career, while for Al Nassr, it marked a long-awaited return to the top of Saudi football.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 12 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and
South Sydney Rabbitohs. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday May 24, 2026 at 4:05 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview

North Queensland and South Sydney wrap up Round 12 with both sides searching for consistency as they meet in Townsville on Sunday night. The Cowboys head into the clash with confidence after grinding out an impressive 18-12 victory over the Roosters, showcasing the defensive resilience that has often been missing from their campaign. Todd Payten’s side has also avoided major Origin disruption, losing only Reuben Cotter, while Jason Taumalolo’s return at lock provides a timely boost through the middle. South Sydney, meanwhile, is looking to rebound after a disappointing loss to the Dolphins exposed ongoing defensive concerns. The Rabbitohs regain experienced fullback Alex Johnston, but injuries to Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham leave Wayne Bennett reshuffling his backline yet again. North Queensland has enjoyed recent success in this matchup, winning the past three meetings against the Rabbitohs heading into Sunday’s encounter.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s skipper Pat Cummins and teammates celebrate the wicket of Chennai Super Kings’ Kartik Sharma during their Indian Premier League 2026 match at MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai on Monday. (ANI Photo)

New Delhi: Every now and then, the cricketing world needs a reminder that Pat Cummins remains exceptional at his primary craft: fast bowling. Yet, in the process, Cummins the captain has been somewhat overshadowed. Amid the celebration of his extraordinary skills with the ball, his tactical brilliance as a captain has been flagrantly overlooked.But one cannot deny that Cummins the captain and Cummins the bowler are inseparably intertwined.Nowadays in the IPL, even a score of 264 is not safe, and it is Cummins’ ultra-aggressive captaincy that has shifted the paradigm of this tournament. In his first season as captain in IPL 2024, he set the tone. And who can forget his dressing room talk to his teammates, where he famously said: “Everyone’s terrified when they come up against us and we’ve got to blow some teams out of the water before they’ve even walked out onto the field.“SRH had a difficult 2025 campaign. This season, things have looked different, and they are once again in the playoffs. Although Cummins joined the campaign midway after recovering from a stress injury, SRH continued to play a “take-no-prisoners” style of cricket under stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan, a brand that had been instilled into their DNA by Cummins.In an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia.com on the sidelines of the New Balance Grey Days 2026 celebration and the launch of The New Retail Concept store in Noida, Pat Cummins opens up about his captaincy style, SRH, the six-hitting madness in T20 cricket, workload management, being an all-format cricketer, and why he went “wow” after watching Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bat. Edited Excerpts: It’s turning out to be another strong season for you at the SRH. How has the ride been so far?It’s been great. It’s a bit of a different season for me, joining halfway, but I felt really high energy and really excited to be part of it. The team has been playing fantastically well, strong contributions across the whole squad, which has been really pleasing.

Ahmedabad, May 12 (ANI): Sunrisers Hyderabad’s skipper Pat Cummins celebrates the wicket of Gujarat Titans’ Nishant Sindhu during their Indian Premier League 2026 match at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

Joining the team midway and then sustaining the momentum, it seemed like a seamless takeover from Ishan Kishan. Tell us a little about thatIshan is a fantastic captain, fantastic around the boys, so I kind of stayed out of the way for the first seven games. Obviously, Daniel Vettori, the head coach and the whole coaching staff, they’re great as well, so it’s all very seamless, whether it’s Ishan or myself captaining, not much changes about how we go about it.The last few seasons you and SRH in particular have been the pioneers in changing the way T20 cricket has been played. How difficult was it to imbibe that mindset in the group?I think it’s a natural fit for T20 cricket. There’s 10 teams in this competition, if you just want to be average, you’re not going to make it, so you’ve got to do something that stands you out, makes you stand out from the pack. Look around at some of the talent, Abhishek (Sharma), Klaassen( Heinrich), Trav (Travis Head), Ishan (Kishan), these guys shouldn’t be told that they can only bat a certain way. You want to see them at their full flight.A lot of my style is getting out of the way and let those guys go and play their natural game.

We see the kind of pitches, the runs that have been scored, every time it has been told that bowlers need to be upskilled. Do you really see how much a bowler can do, because balance has tilted one way?I think that’s the new reality. You don’t have that many tools at your disposal. Cutters don’t normally grip, there’s not much swing, there’s not much bounce.I don’t think it’s anything different to what it was a few years back. Batters have been a bit more aggressive and maybe starting to realise that they can score a bit quicker than what they previously thought. I think that’s been the biggest challenge.As a bowler, you’ve just got to adapt to the new normal, find ways to defend yourself. Even if it’s the second over in a game, that might be a super important over you’ve got to try and defend.

SunriserscCaptain Pat Cummins

How does Pat Cummins prepare when he knows he will be bowling to a 15-year-old teenager like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who takes on the bowlers from the word go?I think he keeps everyone on their toes.You think the batter’s going to play a certain way and you see someone like him come out and try and hit every ball for six. You’re like, okay, this is fun. How am I going to counter this challenge? It’s mostly the way I look at it. If something gets thrown at me, I’m like, okay, this is interesting. How do I try and solve this problem.

I think the trend is you see players being rested from a few more games than previous generations because you are trying to avoid the big 12-month injuries.

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Pat Cummins on challneges of bring ann all-format bowler

It’s been a growing trend now that very few would end up playing/mastering every format. Not just batters but even bowlers. Very few are left – yourself, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc and Kagiso Rabada. You reckon every team/country will now look at formats in isolation and not maybe have repetition of players across formats?I’d say not necessarily. I think the trend is you see players being rested from a few more games than previous generations because you’re trying to avoid the big 12-month injuries.Before this injury, I played a lot of cricket over the last five years, bowled a lot of balls, but I was also rested from a few games here and there. There’s just so much cricket. For example, next year, it’s an ODI World Cup year.I’m sure I’ll probably play more ODIs that year than I have in the previous few years. Just like a T20 year, I’ll probably play more T20s.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 22: Pat Cummins takes part in a training session at Cricket Central on October 22, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

How challenging is it to transition between formats, especially going from something as physically demanding as a five-Test series straight into the intensity of the IPL?Particularly in Test cricket, we try and carve out a little bit of time before or post to make sure that you are ready for the Test matches but also get a little bit of recovery after them. They’re the ones that I find probably the easiest to adapt to. And then T20s, I feel like I’ve played enough over the last couple of years, so you’ve just got to mentally switch on and know what your style is.How do you manage the toll it can take on the body and mind over such long stretches of cricket?I’m a little bit used to it, but when we do have a little bit of a break, we’re not on holidays. We’re at home, going to the gym every couple of days, trying to get strength in so that when we do play a Test match, our body’s ready for the rigours of it.

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I was like wow after seeing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi going nuts against me.

Pat Cummins

When was the last time Pat Cummins went wow while watching a cricket or IPL match. Like taken aback by what you witnessed in a fixture.Went wow? Probably seeing Sooryavanshi (Vaibhav) going nuts against me.You are one of the most successful leaders for Australia. Bowlers do make great captains right? Would you want to see more of that?The fast bowler’s always the smart ones, so it makes sense. I just think whether you’re a bowler, a keeper, whoever you are, I think your role on the team shouldn’t really matter whether you can be a captain or not.For example, when I’m talking about my own bowling and my own plans, a lot of times I gravitate to the other bowlers because they’ve got really good insight on how they’re seeing the game, so I think it’s a pretty natural fit for bowlers to be captains.

What aspect of Pat Cummins’ game do you find most impressive?

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You have got a young family as someone constantly travelling and performing under pressure, how important is routine and balance in your everyday life?That’s the hardest thing about this lifestyle. I’ve spent a fair bit of time at home the last 12 months with my injuries, but they’ve come over to India, so our little four-year-old’s been to about 20 countries. You get very good at packing different bags and packing toys, but it’s fun. It’s hard work at times, but you always get home and you create some great memories.