Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated six state-of-the-art indoor cricket academies across northeast India, which are part of the BCCI’s expansion programme for cricketing infrastructure in the region. The academies are located in Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Madankurklang (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), and Dimapur (Nagaland). “The Honourable Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the facilities during a state function in Gangtok, Sikkim, marking a significant step towards strengthening sports infrastructure and unlocking the immense sporting potential of the North-East region,” the BCCI stated in a release.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by ICC chairman Jay Shah along with all the office bearers of BCCI while administrators from the other five northeastern states joined via video conference.
“This project was conceptualised and driven by the BCCI under the leadership of Jay Shah during his tenure as Secretary, with a clear focus on strengthening cricketing ecosystems in emerging regions,” the BCCI said.
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“The foundation stone for these academies was laid by Shah in May 2024, setting in motion a structured effort to build world-class cricketing infrastructure in the North-East.” The academies have been designed as high-performance centres, equipped with indoor practice pitches, high-tech gymnasiums, temperature-controlled swimming pools, and dedicated administrative and training blocks.
These facilities will enable year-round training, particularly addressing the challenges posed by extended monsoon seasons in the region, and significantly reduce the need for players to travel to other parts of the country for professional training.
BCCI president Mithun Manhas said: “This initiative reflects a clear intent to take cricket infrastructure to every region and build a stronger, more inclusive foundation for the game.
“It is also a significant step in ensuring that aspiring cricketers from the North-East have access to the same quality of facilities as anywhere else in the country.” “I am confident that this will pave the way for more players from the North-East to progress to the highest levels of the game,” added secretary Devajit Saikia said.
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On his part, vice-president Rajeev Shukla said: “The focus now will be on creating competitive exposure and pathways that allow this talent to flourish at the highest level.”
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IPL 2026 News | Shami’s Sensation Leads Lucknow to First Win of Season
Rajasthan Royals beat Punjab Kings by 6 wickets. (Image: BCCI/IPL)
Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey produced a sensational finish, stitching an unbeaten 77-run partnership off just 32 balls to guide Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling six-wicket win over Punjab Kings in Match 40 of IPL 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh.With the chase finely poised after 14 overs and the required rate climbing beyond 12, the duo turned the game on its head. Ferreira and Dubey targeted the pace attack with precision, capitalising when the spinners were out of the attack. Arshdeep Singh was taken apart for three boundaries in an over, while Marco Jansen also leaked crucial runs. Their fearless hitting ensured RR cruised home with ease, handing PBKS their first defeat of the season.
Sooryavanshi Sets the Tone
Earlier, Rajasthan’s chase was ignited by a stunning cameo from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. After being given the strike by Yashasvi Jaiswal, the youngster made an immediate impact.Despite Arshdeep starting with pinpoint yorkers, Sooryavanshi counterattacked brilliantly, smashing 6, 4, 4 in the opening over. He continued his assault against Lockie Ferguson and Jansen, racing to 43 off just 16 balls (3 fours, 5 sixes) before being dismissed.In the process, he reached 400 runs in just 167 balls at a staggering strike rate of 238.09, the fastest to the mark in an IPL season. RR stormed to 66/1 in just four overs, setting the foundation for the chase.After Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, Yashasvi Jaiswal took charge, playing a composed yet aggressive knock. He brought up a 26-ball fifty, finishing with 51 off 27 balls. However, PBKS fought back through Yuzvendra Chahal, who removed both Jaiswal and Riyan Parag (29) in quick succession. Along with Dhruv Jurel’s slow 16 off 20, RR’s momentum dipped, managing just 25 runs across four overs.At one stage, the equation read 100 needed off 52 balls, with the pressure firmly back on Rajasthan. Just when PBKS looked to regain control, Ferreira and Dubey flipped the script. With clean hitting and calm composure, they dismantled the bowling attack in the death overs.Ferreira led the charge with a blazing 52, while Dubey played the perfect supporting role as RR chased down the target in 19.2 overs without losing another wicket. Earlier: Stoinis Powers PBKS to 222Batting first, Punjab Kings posted a strong 222/4, thanks to a late blitz from Marcus Stoinis (62 off 22).Prabhsimran Singh (59) anchored the innings, while Cooper Connolly (30) and Shreyas Iyer (30) chipped in with useful contributions. Stoinis’ explosive finish ensured PBKS crossed the 220 mark.
The Philadelphia Eagles‘ offense is undergoing some massive changes this offseason. Yes, Nick Sirianni is still the head coach and Jalen Hurts is still the quarterback, but star wideout A.J. Brown is on his way out, the Eagles fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and replaced him with Sean Mannion, and the franchise no longer has their most important assistant: Offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland.
Stoutland announced in February that he was leaving the organization after 13 seasons served. He is regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in the world, and was a part of Philly’s two Super Bowl campaigns. Eagles offensive linemen have racked up a league-high 27 Pro Bowls since 2012. Stoutland turned a seventh-round rugby star into one of the best left tackles in the NFL with Jordan Mailata, helped Lane Johnson set the standard for right-tackle play, worked with the legendary Jason Peters and oversaw Jason Kelce as he morphed into a frachise legend.
Speaking of Kelce, he and brother Travis Kelce recently had Stoutland on their podcast, “New Heights”, and he was asked what went wrong for the Eagles in 2025. It goes without saying that last season was a tumultuous one for Philadelphia. Not only were the Eagles unsuccessful in defending their Super Bowl title, but the offense was the worst of the Sirianni era. Philly averaged 22.3 points per game (19th in the NFL), 311.2 total yards per game (24th) and 116.9 rushing yards per game (18th).
Stoutland said that play-calling and execution were two reasons why this Eagles offense failed to live up to expectations.
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“I think anytime things don’t go well, and I don’t want to sound like I’m in an interview, but it’s the truth. It’s execution, it’s calling the right play at the right time, and not running bad plays into bad defenses,” Stoutland said. “I mean, it ain’t that hard. I’m not going to sit here and make up all these … that’s pretty much it.”
On paper, the Eagles had one of the best offenses in the NFL. A reigning Super Bowl MVP at quarterback in Hurts, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year at running back with Saquon Barkley, one of the best offensive lines in the NFL that was still a top 10 unit despite multiple injuries, and then plenty of pass catchers, such as Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. However, moving the ball down the field was a chore this past season.
There’s more to this story than Stoutland is revealing. ESPN reported that Sirianni and Patullo started incorporating changes to the run game in an effort to get the offense off the ground last season. Stoutland, the run-game coordinator, was not consulted about these changes, “to what he felt was an appropriate degree,” a source told ESPN. Stoutland’s agent, Alan Herman, indicated that his client felt like his voice was not being heard in the organization.
Stoutland reportedly didn’t plan on retiring right now, but clearly didn’t like how this past season went down on the field and off the field.
Cooper Flagg has been named the 2025–26 NBA Rookie of the Year after an outstanding debut season with the Dallas Mavericks.
The award was selected by a global media panel of 100 voters. Flagg finished ahead of Kon Knueppel by 26 points, the second-smallest margin since the current voting format began in 2002–03. VJ Edgecombe placed third.
Flagg led all rookies in scoring with 21 points per game. He also averaged 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks, showing his all-around impact.
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At 19 years old, he is the second-youngest winner in history, behind only LeBron James.
He also led Dallas in total points, rebounds, assists and steals. The only other rookie to do that since steals were first tracked is Michael Jordan.
One of his standout moments came in a 51-point performance against the Orlando Magic, making him the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points. He also became the first rookie since Allen Iverson to record four 40-point games in a season.
A 135-rated hurdler, Eachtotheirown ran out a four-and-a-quarter length winner over Blake (17/2) from the Noel Meade yard.
The runner-up, ridden by Donagh Meyler, had a two-and-three-quarter length advantage over Le Labo (9/1) and John Gleeson at the line.
El Cairos (2/1), the Gordon Elliott-trained favourite, disappointed, eventually finishing in fourth place, a further length-and-a-half behind the third-placed horse.
The LA Rams made one of the most surprising moves of the 2026 NFL draft by selecting Ty Simpson at No. 13 in the first round. It signaled a long-term transition plan from Matthew Stafford.
The move initially drew attention due to a viral moment showing Rams coach Sean McVay with a frustrated body language, which led to speculation about internal disagreement. However, reports suggested that LA thoroughly evaluated the Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, and that the decision was part of a more deliberate strategy.
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Simpson provided insight on Monday into his predraft interactions with the Rams. He revealed that he and McVay spent hours together ahead of the draft.
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“We tried to keep this under wraps as long as we could,” Simpson said, via ESPN Radio. “It was something to where I knew they were interested, but they wanted to make it private and didn’t want people to know that they were interested.
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“So, I had some secret meetings with coach McVay, and I just was trying to be on script and do what everybody told me and not to tell anybody.”
Earlier speculations suggested that LA general manager Les Snead may have pushed for Simpson’s selection due to a relationship with the quarterback and his family. However the Alabama star’s revelation indicated that the decision was more coordinated than initially believed.
Snead has a long-standing professional relationship with Ty’s father, UT Martin coach Jason Simpson. Snead reportedly assured the family months ahead of the 2026 NFL draft that the quarterback was a first-round prospect.
Lack of trade interest prevented Rams from moving down for Ty Simpson
The Rams’ initial plan was to trade down before making a first-round selection. according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter on Monday. He revealed that the team hoped to move back while collecting additional picks and still landing Ty Simpson. However, the plan fell through when no trade offers came in.
“Now, the Rams were going to try to trade back,” Schefter said on “The Adam Schefter Podcast.” That was the plan. Hopefully, move back to, say Detroit at 17, get some extra picks and take Ty Simpson there. When their turn on the clock came, they didn’t get any calls. They got no offers. So they were forced to take Ty Simpson at that spot.”
Simpson boosted his draft stock with a productive 2025 season with Alabama (11-4, 7-1 Southeastern Conference). He finished with 3,567 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, leading the program to a College Football Playoff quarterfinal appearance.
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However, draft projections placed him in the latter part of the first round, contributing to the perception that his selection at No. 13 came earlier than expected.
Donovan Ferreira’s audacious stroke-play handed Punjab Kings the bitter pill of defeat for the first time in this edition of IPL as Rajasthan Royals cantered home by six wicket.
Chasing a target of 223, Rajasthan Royals needed 71 off the last six overs when Ferreira smashed his way to an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls in company of an unheralded Shubham Dubey (31 not out off 12 balls) to clinch the victory with four balls to spare. Ferreira was brilliant while picking his areas as PBKS troika of Arshdeep Singh (1/68 in 4 overs), Lockie Ferguson (0/57 in 4 overs) and Marco Jansen (0/41 in 3.2 overs) would like to forget this day in a hurry.
Between Ferreira and Dubey, they hit nine fours and five sixes as they undid all the good work done by Yuzvendra Chahal (3/36 in 4 overs). The manner in which Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (43 off 16 balls) started with a deluge of sixes — five — including a couple of flicked maximums off Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson, it seemed RR would make a meal of the chase.
Feb 22, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Fired Red Sox manager Alex Cora sent a short farewell note to Boston via social media on Tuesday.
“Boston, we will miss you,” he wrote.
“Gracias for making us part of you. #RedSoxNation, you are the [heart emoji] of that team, keep believing, you really care and that’s what pushes everyone in the @RedSox to give it all day in and day out.
“With respect and love, AC”
Team officials dismissed Cora and five of coaches on Saturday after the Red Sox staggered out of the gate to start the season at 10-17.
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While Cora’s firing has been met with some support among fans, posts on social media show they largely place the blame for the team’s woes on management, especially owner John Henry and Craig Breslow, the chief baseball owner.
After serving as bench coach for the 2017 world champion Houston Astros, Cora was hired as manager in Boston in 2018. He led the Red Sox to a franchise-record 108 victories and a World Series title.
However, after the 2019 campaign, Cora was implicated in an MLB investigation involving sign-stealing by the Astros. MLB undertook an investigation into the Red Sox practices, but Cora and the Red Sox mutually agreed to separate before the 2020 season.
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Cora, 50, was suspended for the 2020 season for his role in Houston, but returned to Boston as manager in 2021.
After missing the playoffs from 2022-24, the Red Sox returned last season, but lost a American League wild-card series to the New York Yankees.
Cora posted an eight-year regular-season record of 619-541 and postseason mark of 18-10.
Chad Tracy has been elevated from manager at Triple-A Worcester to serve as interim manager of the Red Sox.
Paris Saint-Germain host Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final this Tuesday. Bayern are aiming for their first final since 2020.
Also in this sports roundup:
Kylian Mbappé is injured and could miss the rest of the season with Real Madrid. In tennis, Alexander Zverev gave Terence Atmane no chance at the Madrid Masters 1000. Cooper Flagg from the Dallas Mavericks has been named NBA Rookie of the Year. Finally, badminton is adopting new rules.
Mumbai Indians’ Rohit Sharma during a practice session . (PTI Photo)
MUMBAI: The availability of Rohit Sharma remains uncertain ahead of Mumbai Indians’ crucial IPL 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, with the franchise confirming that a final decision will be taken only at the toss on Wednesday.“Rohit has continued to progress but any call on his involvement in Wednesday’s game will be taken at the toss,” an MI spokesperson was quoted as saying by news agency PTI on Tuesday, keeping fans and team management on edge ahead of the Wankhede encounter.
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Virat Kohli inaugurates his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma’s new academy
Rohit Sharma’s recovery under watch
The former MI skipper has been sidelined since April 12 after suffering a hamstring injury during a home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Since then, Rohit has been steadily working his way back, featuring in multiple net sessions in recent days.At the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, the 38-year-old was present during training but refrained from batting. Instead, he focused on light warm-ups and running drills under the supervision of support staff, followed by an extended discussion on the sidelines before leaving the field.While his gradual progress is a positive sign, MI appear cautious about rushing him back into match action.
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Suryakumar leads intense preparations
In Rohit’s potential absence, the spotlight has shifted to Suryakumar Yadav, who put in an extended training session on the eve of the match. The dynamic batter was the first to arrive at the nets and trained for nearly 90 minutes, signalling his intent to rediscover top form amid a packed schedule.The session also saw interactions between players from both camps, with Suryakumar later seen in conversation with Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, while MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene exchanged words with SRH opener Travis Head.With Rohit’s participation hanging in the balance, MI will be hoping for a timely boost as they prepare for a key contest at home.
Prior to that, he had amassed seven consecutive world title victories at 147lbs, all by stoppage, but could only cement himself as the top dog by dethroning Spence.
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Not only did he defeat ‘The Truth’, and claim his three world titles, but Crawford made it a surprisingly one-sided beatdown through nine rounds.
Welterweight, however, is where Crawford managed to produce several of his top performances, perhaps striking the perfect balance between feeling healthy and physically imposing.
Another man who found considerable success at 147lbs, of course, is Felix Trinidad, who reigned as the IBF world champion for nearly seven years.
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Two of his greatest victories came against Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker, who both crafted Hall of Fame careers in their own right.
It is only natural, then, that ‘Tito’ fancies his chances in a prime-for-prime battle with Crawford, telling Fight Hub TV that he would have handed ‘Bud’ his only professional blemish.
“With all due respect to Crawford… Tito Trinidad – I’m going to win.”
While no fighter managed to find an answer to the Crawford puzzle, it could equally be said that the former five-division world champion never faced anyone like Trinidad.
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