Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri feels that the lack of consistency and poor backing between batting and bowling units have played a key role in Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) poor performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Lucknow Super Giants slumped to their sixth consecutive defeat after going down by six wickets to the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, despite posting a formidable 228/5. Mumbai chased down the target in 18.4 overs, riding on a commanding 143-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83).
Analysing LSG’s campaign, Shastri highlighted the team’s inability to deliver collectively with both bat and ball. He also believes that back-to-back losses can dent the confidence of any side
“The problem with LSG is that when their bowling unit performs, the batters fail to back it up, and when the batters score runs, the bowlers go for plenty. There’s no consistency. Six losses in a row can really dent a side’s confidence, and even in games where you are in a comfortable position, there are thoughts like, ‘Will we win, won’t we?’” Shastri told Jio Hotstar.
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He further pointed out how LSG failed to capitalise on strong starts, especially in batting-friendly conditions.
“You are 100 for one in 7 overs, and in the next 13 overs, you score less than 130, which means you have faltered. And you won’t get better batting conditions than this,” he added.
Shastri stressed that the team management needs to reassess their approach, particularly in crunch phases of the game, as they look for an outside chance at the playoffs.
“So, they’ll have to sit down and think about what went wrong in the last three overs while batting, and how they can tighten up their bowling,” he said
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Shastri also urged the bowlers to adapt better to varying conditions across venues.
“The bowlers have to adjust their lines and lengths according to the conditions. The Lucknow wicket tends to assist fast bowlers, but when you go to Bengaluru or Mumbai and get good batting wickets, that’s where the real test lies,” he concluded.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash
Rhea Ripley shared a five-word reaction to her impressive WWE run today on social media. The Eradicator emerged victorious in a major title match last month at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ripley took to social media today to share a video reflecting on her journey from NXT to the main roster. She noted that it had been quite the journey so far, and you can check out the video in her post below.
Thanks for the submission!
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“It’s been a wild ride… ✨,” she wrote.
Rhea Ripley won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match earlier this year to earn a title shot at WrestleMania 42. She defeated Jade Cargill at The Show of Shows to become the new WWE Women’s Champion.
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Ripley used to be in a popular tag team with IYO SKY on RAW. SKY will be squaring off against Asuka at Backlash 2026 this Saturday in Tampa, Florida. Kairi Sane used to be aligned with Asuka in The Kabuki Warriors tag team, but the veteran was released by the promotion following WrestleMania last month.
WWE star Rhea Ripley opens up about struggling in NXT
WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley discussed her time in NXT and how she struggled early on in her career.
“It was terrifying. It made me feel like, honestly, how I felt in high school when I was shopping for my graduation. I just felt so nervous and uneasy, and I felt like I hated myself in everything that I was wearing. I thought my shoulders were too broad. I just thought I was like a weirdly shaped human. I just hated all the clothes on me. So shopping those days was terrifying,” she said.
That time Rhea Ripley won the NXT Women’s Championship and the crowd jumped the barricade and stormed the ring. THIS MOMENT WASN’T EVEN PLANNED 🔥
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Rhea Ripley defeated Jacy Jayne via disqualification on the April 24 edition of WWE SmackDown. Jacy Jayne and The Fatal Influence faction were recently called up to the main roster. Jayne picked up a victory over Charlotte Flair this past Friday night on the blue brand.
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After Churchill’s Choice’s near-rail triumph on the outside, trainer Nathan Doyle was filled with joy and release.
“She has been a frustrating mare as she’s always had the ability but hasn’t won one of these stakes races,” Doyle said.
“But she’s got that good win now and I’m really happy for her owner, Kevin (Hill). He has been quite crook and is in hospital in Brisbane so hopefully that picks him up.”
Regan Bayliss aboard the $26 Churchill’s Choice flew externally to take the Hawkesbury Gold Cup by a half length ahead of $19 Palmetto, War Eternal ($31) third a matching distance away, nosing out $3.30 Taken.
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For top Sydney owner Carl Holt, disappointment struck as his royal blue and red vee was carried by the jockeys placing second through fourth.
This led to big payouts for select TAB players, with Trifecta at $6739.10 and First Four an enormous $53,067.20.
Doyle credited a tactical riding switch for unlocking Churchill’s Choice’s best career result.
“We took her back to the trials because we thought she might be a mad fresh horse,” Doyle said.
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“She went so well first-up but then was a bit plain at her next run.”So, I got Regan up for the trial as she can hit a flat spot between the 500m and the 300m.
“She is probably dropping back two to three lengths and that’s where she has been losing her races.
“But you could see today that Regan got on his ‘bike’ at the 500m and got her into the race.”
Answering Doyle’s call for a Gosford barrier trial ride on Churchill’s Choice proved crucial for Bayliss at Hawkesbury.
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“I’m glad I trialled her as that flat spot can cost her races,” Bayliss said.
“I just wanted to have her within striking range today and when she started to think about ‘dropping’ at the 500m, I kept at her.
“Once she got balanced up in the straight, she had to show a really good turn of foot today but she was strong to the line.”
It was Churchill’s Choice’s third appearance back from a break, with the Hawkesbury result booking her spot in the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick for Melbourne Cup Day, the first Tuesday in November.
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Doyle, though, eyes something closer, contemplating the Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600m) at Scone on May 15.
Discover the finest betting sites offering odds on the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.
Matheus Cunha also recently gave some fans hope Casemiro may remain at the club, by saying “you never know” while hinting he wants his teammate to stay. However, the midfield veteran confirmed himself he will walk out of Old Trafford with his head held high at the end of the season.
Speaking to ESPN, when asked if he might now stay at the club, Casemiro replied: “I don’t think there’s a chance. There’s no chance. Mostly because of what I said, you know? Go out the big door.
“I think it was four beautiful, wonderful years and I am eternally grateful not only to the club, but to the fans. But I think I have to leave in good terms, I have to go out on top.
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“I will be an eternal United fan here in England and I just have to thank all the love from the fans.”
This will be a huge disappointment for Cunha especially, who recently said: “I play with him in the national team and I know how important he is. He’s an amazing guy. And yeah, to have this guy in the dressing room is a privilege.
“We don’t know in the end how it is with his contract, and then of course we, everyone, hopes there’s a little bit more. Of course, I know it’s harder than we talked about, but yeah, in the end, you never know.”
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Carrick also told the United fan base to enjoy Casemiro’s performances and spirit as much as they can between now and the end of the campaign. The United interim boss said: “Case’s had an influence within the group.
“He’s got huge experience, he’s a big player, he’s achieved an awful lot in the game, and I have to say, since I’ve been here, he’s given everything that he could possibly give.
“The situation’s probably helped that, knowing exactly where it’s at, there’s nothing to hide and he’s thrown himself right into it. It’s football, you know, it’s football. Some players have come and gone, players have come and left this football club over the years and you’ve got to evolve and you go with that.
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“That’s kind of the world we’re in, but he’s definitely given everything and I think it’s nice that he’s got that connection with the supporters and it comes from both ways because I know he’s an emotional guy and it means a lot to him.”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
It was another underwhelming display by the Delhi Capitals batters. Delhi Capitals’ struggles with the bat at home continued as they faltered on a testing track to end up with a below-par 155 for seven against Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday. On a pitch offering assistance to the spinners, with the odd ball holding up, the home team’s batters failed to apply themselves.
The free fall began with the loss of opener Pathum Nissanka, who failed to clear the mid-on fielder off a slower ball from left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary. Both Nissanka (19 off 15) and K.L. Rahul (12 off 13) began with crisp boundaries but did not last long. After Nissanka’s dismissal, Rahul attempted an inside-out hit off left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein but could not get to the pitch of the ball on the charge and was caught by opposition captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
According to Cricbuzz, DC have been the ‘worst’ team in the IPL 2026 powerplays on four parameters.
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DC in Overs 1-6 in IPL 2026
Wickets lost: 21
Average runs per wicket: 23.85
Run rate: 8.35
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Dot-ball percentage: 46.4%
DC laboured to 37 for two in the powerplay, with Hosein bowling half of the overs, including one from the other end that produced the wicket of Rahul.
With DC’s innings failing to gain momentum, the crowd-mostly clad in yellow in support of CSK and M.S. Dhoni, who did not even travel for the game-added to the pressure on the ‘home team’. Chants of “CSK, CSK” were heard regularly during the innings.
With such a batting performance, it appeared that DC had not overcome the mental demons of being bowled out for 75 in their previous game at the venue.
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After the powerplay, another spinner, Noor Ahmad, dominated the opposition, removing Karun Nair and Nitish Rana, both of whom fell to poorly executed sweep shots.
DC captain Axar Patel had an ideal opportunity to make an impact with the bat but fell to a soft dismissal, offering a sitter to the cover fielder off a Gurjapneet Singh delivery that appeared to stop on him. DC were reeling at 69 for five in 11 overs.
Tristan Stubbs (38 off 31) and Impact Player Sameer Rizvi (40 not out off 24) struck a flurry of sixes to push the innings forward during their 65-run stand, but the damage done in the first half of the innings could not be undone as DC finished with an underwhelming total.
With PTI inputs
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Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas runs onto the field ahead of kickoff for a matchup against the Tennessee Titans, taking in the atmosphere on Nov 17, 2022, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as Lambeau Field fills with energy for a primetime contest under the lights in a late-season NFC-AFC clash. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Network.
Last year, when the Minnesota Vikings needed summer cornerback depth, some argued that the club should sign veteran Rasul Douglas. Fast forward to May 2026, and that’s happening once again — the same guy.
Minnesota’s CB room looks deeper than last year, but one more veteran would still make sense.
Douglas remains a free agent, and if he sounds familiar, it’s because he spent time with the Green Bay Packers.
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Douglas Would Add Size and Experience to Flores’ Secondary
Do the Vikings really need another cornerback?
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas reacts after a pass interference penalty during third-quarter action against the Cleveland Browns, showing visible frustration on Aug 23, 2018, in Cleveland, Ohio, as the preseason contest unfolded at FirstEnergy Stadium in an unusual low-scoring exhibition result. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports.
Pro Football Network: Vikings Should Sign Douglas
PFSN’s Jacob Infante outlined the league’s Top 25 free agents, with Douglas checking in at No. 10.
He explained Douglas’ availability and connected him to the Vikings, “The Dolphins needed a stopgap starting option at cornerback last year, and Rasul Douglas filled that role admirably. He had two interceptions and ranked No. 15 in the league in PFSN’s CB Impact Scoring at 84.3.”
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“He’ll be 31 in August, so he’s hardly a long-term solution for any team, but he should get the chance to battle for a starting role. 2026 Predicted Team: Minnesota Vikings.”
In 2025, Minnesota ended up rolling with Jeff Okudah at CB3 after many fans’ requests to sign a guy like Douglas. Okudah later struggled and suffered a season-ending injury after six underwhelming games.
The PFF and Career Resume
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Douglas in Round 3 of the 2017 NFL Draft, the same day the Vikings picked running back Dalvin Cook. Since then, he’s forged a career with 135 games, including 93 starts and 21 interceptions.
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Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume in the last nine years:
SI.com‘s Nate Gosney made the case for Gosney to the Los Angeles Chargers this week, as well: “One spot remains wide open for a free agent to come in and sign…immediately. That is cornerback, a position that the Chargers lost Benjamin St-Juste to the Green Bay Packers and did nothing to replace the snaps he played in 2025.”
“Douglas has long been linked with the Chargers, dating back to his stint with the Green Bay Packers, where he solidified himself as one of the better cornerbacks in the entire NFL. Midway through 2023, he was traded to the Buffalo Bills, where he continued his prowess as a veteran DB who can learn a new system and thrive.”
Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas defends Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman during a contested catch in the second quarter of a playoff matchup, battling on Jan 19, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York, as the AFC Divisional Round game unfolded at Highmark Stadium with physical coverage throughout. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images.
Eight times in his career, Douglas has faced the Vikings as an opponent.
Gosney added about the Chargers angle, “Douglas seems like an outlier (due to his playstyle and multiple years on different teams) and would play the same snaps seen from St-Juste the year before. The Chargers coaching staff knows how to get the best out of players, as seen by St-Juste’s career resurgence in 2025. Why not Douglas as well?”
Minnesota’s Current CBs
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While the Douglas free-agent idea is intriguing, the Vikings are actually in a better spot than last year at this time, mainly because they signed veteran James Pierre in March and drafted Stephen F. Austin’s Charles Demmings in April.
This is the CB room before organized team activities later this month:
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr. CB2: Isaiah Rodgers CB3: James Pierre CB4: Charles Demmings CB5: Dwight McGlothern CB6: Zemaiah Vaughn CB7: Da’Veawn Armstead CB8: Marcus Allen CB9: Tyreek Chappell
Unless a training camp injury rattles the Vikings or they just want a cornerback room five defenders deep, Douglas really isn’t needed, especially due to Brian Flores’s defensive practices. He proved last year that he could get by with 3-4 decent corners.
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Other Free Agents to Consider
Of course, Minnesota could still enhance the roster by filling out other positions. The WR3 hole on the depth chart is particularly glaring, making a player like Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk (trade), Jauan Jennings, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, or DeAndre Hopkins look attractive.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores speaks with reporters and outlines defensive adjustments during a media session on Oct 16, 2024, in Eagan, Minnesota, as he discussed scheme progress and accountability at TCO Performance Center while continuing to shape the unit during the 2024 NFL season. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
The Vikings could also use a third outside linebacker after trading Jonathan Greenard two and a half weeks ago. Players like Jadeveon Clowney, Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and A.J. Epenesa are eagerly awaiting free-agent phone calls.
Delhi Capitals’ captain Axar Patel shares a light moment with Chennai Super Kings’ Kartik Sharma and Sanju Samson (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
NEW DELHI: There are very few sports teams that look as out of place in home conditions as Delhi Capitals do at the Ferozeshah Kotla. For the second match in a row here, the Capitals brought their unsure and inept batting forward to post 155/7 for Chennai Super Kings to chase it down with eight wickets and 15 balls to spare on Tuesday evening. Not for nothing that the local crowd invariably supports the visiting teams. The stadium turned yellow in favour of CSK despite MS Dhoni not even travelling for the game. The deafening roar after each wicket must have been intimidating for Delhi Capitals. That doesn’t help when you are playing for your survival in the tournament. At the end of the day, CSK’s bowling and Sanju Samson’s assured innings of unbeaten 87 off 52 offered a lesson in playing on a comparatively sluggish surface. This is why CSK are still breathing in this tournament while Capitals are now pushed to the brink.
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India debut: The calls are getting louder
CSK applied the choke with left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein opening the bowliung and returning figures of 1/19 from his four overs. Samson, batting with utmost composure and clarity, anchored and paced the chase to a nicety. That again is reflection of his growing stature as a senior batter which helped the rookie Kartik Sharma to pace his innings with little pressure and score 41 not out off 31 balls. The unbeaten 114-run partnership is sharp commentary on Capital’s lead batters KL Rahul and Axar Patel’s inability to step up in conditions that challenge your tenacity tad more. Kuldeep Yadav’s sub-standard bowling, leaking 34 from his three overs, on a helpful pitch made another dent on his reputation Rahul, as has been the case with him on slightly tricky surfaces, played out a sedate Powerplay which yielded 37/1 for Capitals. The slog off Hosein was almost a sign of resignation on Rahul’s part as he departed for 12 off 13 in the sixth over of the match. Captain Axar Patel’s struggles look unending. Tuesday’s proceedings may have been a welcome break from the heady run-scoring trend in the IPL. But it also demonstrated the modern batter’s inability to find a middle ground when the conditions give the bowlers something to work with. Twice in as many matches here, Capitals were forced to use up their Impact Player in the first innings of the match. If it was Abhishek Porel coming out to bat at No. 7 in the Powerplay against Royal Challengers Bengaluru last week, it was Sameer Rizvi’s turn to bring about some respectability at 69/5. But that also meant Capitals couldn’t use their third spinner on a comparatively sluggish track to defend the score in the second half of the match. It is now established that Rizvi is most comfortable playing sedate knocks in situations that don’t demand a high rate of scoring. And he stuck to his game plan—an ultra-cautious start to his innings and then a flourish at the back end to finish with an unbeaten 40 off 24 balls.
Becky Lynch had a rough night on this week’s episode of WWE RAW. The Man interrupted Sol Ruca’s official contract signing. The young star previously appeared on the post-WrestleMania 42 edition of the flagship show, losing to Liv Morgan due to Zaria’s interference.
Ruca was set to make her move to the red brand’s show official this week. Adam Pearce was in the ring with her contract, but before she could sign it, Lynch came out. The Women’s Intercontinental Champion complained to Adam Pearce that she was allotted this time slot for her celebration of greatness.
Thanks for the submission!
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Amid the argument between Lynch and Pearce, Sol Ruca spoke up. The young star had a verbal back-and-forth with The Man, in which she called Lynch a “rude, big-headed b*tch.” The Irish star did not appreciate the young star speaking to her in this manner.
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Lynch was about to strike Sol Ruca, but she moved out of the way, leading to Adam Pearce taking the hit. The RAW General Manager was irate with The Man, as she apologized. Getting physical with an authority figure is never a good idea, and Becky Lynch may have to face the consequences for her actions.
In this listicle, we will look at five consequences Becky Lynch could face for punching Adam Pearce on RAW.
#5. She may be forced to defend the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Sol Ruca
Adam Pearce could turn Becky Lynch’s punishment into an opportunity to book a high-profile match for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The segment on RAW ended with Sol Ruca taking Lynch out with a Sol Snatcher. The RAW General Manager could book The Man to defend the Women’s IC Title against the young star.
While it may not happen at Backlash since there is no time for build-up, Saturday Night’s Main Event is set to take place on May 23, where Lynch vs. Ruca for the title could happen. The former NXT Women’s North American Champion has all the potential in the world to lead WWE’s women’s division for years to come.
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Having her face a veteran like Lynch immediately after her main roster debut could elevate Ruca. As a punishment for The Man, Adam Pearce could even allow the ex-NXT star to pick the stipulation for the match.
#4. Becky Lynch could be suspended
The issues between Becky Lynch and Adam Pearce have persisted for a while now. Big Time Becks was practically running an online campaign, claiming that Pearce was incompetent to be the RAW General Manager. Pearce now has a reason to take strict action against Lynch, and he could make the most of it.
Adam Pearce could suspend The Man without pay for punching him on RAW. This would only further Lynch’s disdain towards the on-screen authority figure, opening multiple possibilities for a future storyline.
#3. She could be fined
It’s not unusual for managers and authority figures to become collateral damage in brawls. Adam Pearce himself has been caught in the middle of multiple unfavorable situations. The standard punishment for attacking an authority figure is a fine, which is what Becky Lynch may have to pay for punching Pearce.
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The RAW General Manager could heavily fine The Man for her actions on Monday. Even though Lynch is one of the top stars of the company and is likely wealthy, even she may not enjoy paying a hefty amount for an accidental punch on Adam Pearce.
#2. Becky Lynch could be stripped of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Now, this would perhaps be the harshest punishment Adam Pearce could give Becky Lynch for putting her hands on him on RAW. The Man is a record-setting three-time Women’s Intercontinental Champion. She has struggled a lot to regain the title from AJ Lee.
After suffering multiple losses at the hands of AJ, Becky finally defeated her bitter rival at WrestleMania 42 to win the Women’s IC Championship for a third time. Adam Pearce could strip the title away from The Man for her actions on RAW.
Lynch could go on a hiatus, which would then set the stage for a blockbuster return down the line and a potential babyface run for Big Time Becks.
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#1. Adam Pearce could announce an all-brand tournament to determine the number one contender for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Adam Pearce could make the Women’s Intercontinental Championship the most sought-after title in WWE. Much to Becky Lynch’s dismay, the RAW General Manager could announce a tournament to determine the number one contender to Lynch’s title.
To raise the stakes further, Pearce could open the field for stars from SmackDown and NXT as well. This may be done to find the most suitable challenger for Big Time Becks’ title, something she may not appreciate.
Lynch has arguably made Pearce’s job as the RAW General Manager harder, and he could now get his payback over the Women’s Intercontinental Champion by booking her to face the toughest challenger on the roster.
The Gunners, who secured a 2-1 semi-final aggregate victory, will face either title-holders Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in only their second appearance in the final of Europe’s premier club competition.
Saka was on hand to slot in the rebound after Leandro Trossard’s shot was saved by Jan Oblak in the 45th minute to put Arsenal up 2-1 on aggregate in the second leg of their semifinal.
The Gunners’ stingy defense did the rest as Arsenal has now kept a clean sheet at home in all three knockout rounds. The team also conceded a competition-low four goals in winning all eight of its matches in the league phase.
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It will be only Arsenal’s second final in Europe’s premier competition, having lost the 2006 title match to Barcelona. This time it will face either defending champion Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30. PSG won the pulsating first leg of their semifinal 5-4, and the second leg is in Munich on Wednesday.
Chennai Super Kings are well and truly very much in the IPL 2026 playoffs race. With their fifth win in 10 matches, CSK have climbed to sixth place in the points table. They are now just three points behind table-toppers Punjab Kings, having played one game more. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, are placed seventh with four wins in 10 matches. Sanju Samson bossed the chase with authority, anchoring a modest 156-run target with a fluent 87 not out as Chennai Super Kings outclassed Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the IPL on Tuesday.
Samson’s knock came off just 52 balls and included seven fours and six sixes, as he batted through the innings to guide CSK to victory in 17.3 overs, giving a significant boost to their net run rate.
Electing to bat on a tricky surface, Delhi Capitals were restricted to 155 for seven.
West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein set the tone with the new ball, returning tidy figures of 1 for 19, including 14 dot balls.
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Reduced to 69 for five in 11 overs, Delhi found some late impetus through Tristan Stubbs (38 off 31 balls) and Sameer Rizvi (40 not out off 24), who stitched together a crucial 65-run stand off 47 balls to take the innings to a respectable total.
Brief scores: Delhi Capitals 155 for 7 in 20 overs (Tristan Stubbs 38, Sameer Rizvi 40 not out; Noor Ahmad 2/22); Chennai Super Kings 159 for 2 in 17.3 overs (Sanju Samson 87 not out, Kartik Sharma 41 not out). CSK won by eight wickets.
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El Pensador has endured nine starts and nearly 10 months winless, though Rex Lipp expects his charge to strike at Ipswich this coming Monday.
The offspring of So You Think targets building on a promising reappearance in the antepenultimate race, the Seven News BM68 Handicap run at 1350 metres.
The five-year-old earned third across 1400m at Eagle Farm April 8 on return, his premiere placing in the top three since prevailing at Monday’s circuit last July, validating Lipp’s view of his peak readiness.
“Last preparation I just had a few little niggling things from after he came up from Melbourne,” Lipp said.
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“It took a while to sort him out, but he seems to be back on track now.”
Under Lipp, El Pensador has secured every one of his three career successes in 20 appearances, after failing twice with Victorian trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
Lipp eyes 1800m for El Pensador later but remains unperturbed by the fresh 1350m assignment.
“I wanted to give him another run over the 1350 before I step him up to the mile,” he said.
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“He’s going to run a mile, even 1800 this horse, but I just want to get him right.”
Lipp’s additional Victorian transfer Arcelia contests her next for the Toowoomba handler in the Great Northern Maiden Handicap (1200m), slotted as race two.
Post three goes with Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the Japanese mare delivered third at 1100m Gatton on April 10 stable debut, boosting Lipp’s optimism.
“It’s taken a while to get her right, get her balanced and get her going,” Lipp said.
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“She went to Melbourne, so we’ve had to get her going the other way, but I give her a good chance if everything pans out OK in the run.”
Arcelia draws barrier eight with 1.5kg apprentice Corey Sutherland aboard, while El Pensador gets Angela Jones from gate 13, becoming 12 absent emergencies in the 16-runner contest.
Visit leading betting sites to check racing odds for the Seven News BM68 Handicap.
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