On March 8 fireworks lit up the sky in Ahmedabad as India celebrated a memorable T20 World Cup triumph. Far away in Mumbai, Prithvi Shaw quietly stepped into a new phase of his life. Away from the roaring crowds and national euphoria, the 26-year-old got engaged to his long-time girlfriend Akriti Agarwal. It was a personal milestone which, in many ways, could redefine the trajectory of his cricketing journey.

For Shaw, the timing was critical and symbolic. A few months ago he found himself at a crossroads, unsure about what was next. Over the past couple of years, his career had drifted from the promise that once made him one of India’s brightest young stars to hopelessness. He went from a dream Test debut century in 2018 to being dropped from domestic squads and going unsold at the IPL 2025 auction.

But if there’s one thing that stands out now, it is a renewed sense of purpose—fuelled not just by ambition, but also by stability off the field.

“I’m not married yet, but I’m engaged… having the right partner makes a big difference,” Shaw says, almost candidly to a question asked by NDTV during a casual press briefing by the Delhi Capitals. He was shy, trying to gather his thoughts, admitted that it was not a question he’s used to answering. He called Agarwal his “lucky charm,” saying that their relationship has been built on effort and understanding. “We’ve both worked very hard to build this. It wasn’t easy. We understand each other’s professional lives—I’m a cricketer, she’s an actress—and that means both have to make sacrifices.”

Shaw has often been criticised for lack of discipline and focus, but on Wednesday it seemed there was a subtle but important shift. The Maharashtra batter spoke of balance, boundaries, and emotional support, perhaps missing during his more turbulent years.

There is also a sense of self-awareness. “Sometimes I still feel like a kid,” he admits, reflecting on how quickly time has passed since his early days in international cricket. “But when you have a partner who understands you, it helps. I feel I have the right person beside me.”

That emotional anchor may prove crucial as Shaw attempts what could be one of the toughest comebacks in Indian cricket.

After a disappointing run that saw him dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad in 2024 due to concerns over fitness and discipline, Shaw’s stock fell sharply. His struggles were further highlighted when he went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction—a significant fall for a player who was once bought for Rs 1.2 crore after leading India to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2018.

It is this second chance that now defines his mindset. And he looks forward to a chance to open for India again.

“That’s exactly why I’m playing… there’s no doubt I want to come back to the Indian team,” Shaw says with conviction. But this time, the intent is backed by action. “I feel like I’m putting in two to three times more effort than before. I’m giving 200%—not just on match days, but in practice as well.”

For Shaw, preparation is no longer just physical, it is deeply mental. He admits that stress once affected him significantly, but his approach has evolved. “Now I try to handle everything with a smile. You have to be mentally strong, especially when you go through tough phases. Life is a challenge—you can’t run away from it.”

There’s also a noticeable shift in how he views failure and expectations. Once seen as a prodigy burdened by hype, Shaw now speaks like someone who has made peace with the unpredictability of the sport. “You can’t promise anything in cricket. It could be a quick 50, a slow 50, or even a zero. What matters is giving your 100%.” So what’s new for him this season? The Mumbaikar says,“ I got engaged, that’s one big highlight! But apart from that, it’s been hard work—three times more than before. Training, mental strength… everything.”

He is wiser with a supportive partner by his side. Delhi will hope for this wisdom and the new- found calm to impact his cricket as well. 

A majority of IPL captains on Wednesday expressed their reservations about the Impact Player rule that has divided opinions since its introduction in 2023. In 2024, the BCCI had extended the Impact Player rule in the IPL until at least 2027. Yet, the strategic rule continues to be debated by fans and players alike. In the IPL Captains’ Meeting in Mumbai, the topic was discussed at length by the leaders of all 10 franchises.

“Majority of the captains gave their inputs on the Impact Player rule and expressed their reservations even though the BCCI has extended the rule till 2027. They were told it can only be reviewed after the 2027 edition and not before that,” an IPL source told PTI.

Earlier this week, Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel joined the likes of Rohit Sharma in criticising the Impact Player rule.

“I don’t like this rule as I am an all-rounder myself. Earlier we used to pick all-rounders for this role (batting and bowling). Now the team management goes with a particular batter or bowler, they say why do we need an all-rounder? Being an all-rounder myself I don’t like it, but at the same time rules are rules. We have to follow them. But personally, I don’t like it,” Axar said on Monday in his opening media interaction ahead of IPL 2026.

In 2024, Rohit had said that he was not a fan of the Impact Player concept, saying it hampered the development of all-rounders in Indian cricket. The following season, Hardik Pandya said it had become difficult to pick an all-rounder in the side unless he was equally good with both bat and ball.

Even foreign players like Glenn Phillips have said that the rule could adversely impact the future of all-rounders.

“I do feel like there could be an issue at some stage with all-rounders losing out and not being so prevalent, which then obviously has an impact on the international game – international T20s, international one-dayers,” the Black Caps cricketer told PTI last season.

Captains seek ball change after 10 overs of first innings

The BCCI last season allowed teams a one-ball change after the 10th over of the second innings to counter dew. On Wednesday, one captain proposed that teams should be allowed to change the ball after the 10th over of the first innings.

“Ball change after 10 overs of the first innings was proposed, but it did not gain a lot of traction. There is heavy dew usually in the second innings and the current rule stands,” said the source.

Clarity on training guidelines sought

The IPL captains – all Indians this time, with Ishan Kishan leading SRH in place of regular skipper Pat Cummins – also inquired with IPL officials about the training guidelines issued for the 2026 edition.

As per the guidelines shared with franchises, no practice will be allowed on match days, and “if one of the teams finishes their practice early, the other team is not allowed to use the wickets for their practice.”

“The captains wanted more clarity on the training guidelines and that was provided,” added the source

A former Aussie Rules player has come out as gay, becoming the first man in the sport to do so.

Leigh Ryswyk played one match for the Brisbane Lions in 2005 in the Australian Football League (AFL) before he was delisted due to injuries. He went on to play more than 220 games for North Adelaide in the South Australian league.

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Ryswyk shared the news in a radio interview on Wednesday, saying he had been openly gay among his friends for five years and when he told his parents, they were supportive.

It comes seven months after Mitch Brown – who played for the West Coast Eagles between 2007 and 2016 – came out as bisexual, the first time an AFL player has done so in the sport’s 129-year history.

Prior to Brown’s news, the AFL had been the only major professional men’s sport globally to never have had an openly gay or bisexual player, even after retirement.

Asked how the AFL could support current players who might want to come out, Ryswyk was optimistic.

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“I think the AFL, and the community, will wrap their arms around that player,” the 41-year-old said on Melbourne radio station Joy 94.9’s GayFL programme.

“I think the community itself, obviously the queer community, the fan base, I think in the whole they will celebrate that when the time comes.”

Ryswyk said it took him about three years to work up the courage to tell his parents.

“When you come out to your family it’s always a massive experience, there’s a lot of things going on in your head,” he said.

“I had the opportunity to sit down with mum and talk to her about it, and let her know, which was massive. She obviously was crying, I was crying, and she goes ‘I still love you’, so for me, that was a wow moment.”

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His dad was also supportive.

“I really didn’t know what to expect, but he was like, ‘I love you, it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re happy I’m happy for you’, that blew me away to be honest.”

He said his close circle of friends know about his sexuality but for many others, it would be the first time they knew.

“I’m a very private person, so it’s not all over my social media, and things like that, and that’s fine.”

Originally from Victoria, Ryswyk moved to Queensland to join the Lions and played a match against Fremantle in Perth. After a successful career with North Adelaide in the state’s league, he was inducted into the AFL Queensland Hall of Fame.

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In August last year, Brown came out as bisexual, saying that the weight of hiding his sexuality played a “huge” part in his decision to retire.

Pacer Navdeep Saini on Wednesday replaced Harshit Rana in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the IPL beginning on March 28. Both Saini and Rana have played for India and represent Delhi in domestic cricket. Rana underwent knee surgery last month that ruled him out of the T20 World Cup that India won. “Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) have picked Navdeep Saini and Kulwant Khejroliya respectively as player replacements for TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026,” said the IPL in a statement.

Khejroliya replaces Prithviraj Yarra in the Gujarat Titans squad.

Saini has scalped 23 wickets in 32 IPL matches played so far, in addition to 23 wickets in international cricket for India. He will join KKR for Rs 75 lakh.

“Meanwhile, Khejroliya replaces the injured Prithviraj Yarra in GT. The left-arm pacer, who has six IPL wickets to his name, has previously featured for GT, KKR, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He will join GT for Rs 30 lakh,” added the IPL statement.

Kolkata Knight Riders squad for IPL 2026 season

Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Navdeep Saini, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep, Blessing Muzarabani.

Gujarat Titans squad for IPL 2026

Shubman Gill (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Jos Buttler, Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Arshad Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Jason Holder, Tom Banton, Kulwant Khejroliya, Luke Wood.

Jaylen Brown MVP Case Remains Alive As Both PTI Hosts Endorse JB’s Candidacy originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown still has a strong case for NBA MVP, especially if you ask Pardon The Interruption’s legendary co-hosts Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser. Both Wilbon and Kornheiser subtly endorsed Brown for 2025-26 MVP on Wednesday, with Wilbon’s words on JB going viral.

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“I have a vote in this,” Wilbon said. “And I will tell you it’s tightened up. My vote, and I’m not even sure the order. I think it’s Jaylen Brown one, I think it’s SGA two, and I think it’s Victor three. And then don’t talk to me about a guy who plays half the court, Luka Dončić.”

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner is confident his side can still reach the Women’s Champions League semi-finals despite defeat to Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.

Skinner’s side were edged out 3-2 in the first leg of their last-eight tie on Wednesday.

Momoko Tanikawa’s 84th-minute strike proved the difference after United replied to two Pernille Harder goals with a Maya Le Tissier penalty and Hanna Lundkvist header.

Skinner said: “I’m frustrated with all the three goals – I don’t think they had to particularly earn them. I felt that we left the spaces for Pernille Harder to run through twice.

“But what I know about this team is that they’ll be open and honest with that and obviously we’ve got another leg to try and turn it around and fix it.

“I honestly don’t think it was naivety – it was maybe a little bit of playing a high-level opponent.

“Bayern changed their game. They’re usually a possession-based team but were more direct tonight.

“We’ve felt that now and we must turn it around. We’re still in this tie for sure. Now we need to go to the Allianz and win.”

United have little time to rest before next week’s second leg as they face rivals Manchester City, the Women’s Super League leaders, on Saturday.

Skinner said: “It will challenge us, it will take us to the depths, but the carrot is there for us in both games. We expect it to be difficult.”

Opposite number Jose Barcala insisted Bayern would not be getting carried away with their victory.

He said: “We need to stay with our feet on the earth, humble and keep looking forward for the next game.

“It’s important we learn things from this game and adjust for the second leg.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik hailed Virat Kohli after the batter scored a 19-ball 45 in the team’s second intra-squad practice game ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Speaking after RCB’s second practice game on Wednesday, Dinesh Karthik praised Virat Kohli for his strong performance in the warm-up match, highlighting his consistency, evolving game plan, and relentless drive to improve. He also emphasised Kohli’s energy and influence both on the field and within the team environment.

“Good game today. The class of Virat came through quite nicely up front, played some lovely shots. The greatness about Virat is every year he comes up with a certain plan, a certain intent. You saw how he’s really upped what he wants to do. I feel this year he’ll try and get even better. That tells a lot about the person that he is. He’s always trying to push his boundaries. And also what he brings in terms of energy to the crowd, to the meetings – those are all big things, and that’s a big part of Virat’s personality as well,” Karthik said in a video posted by RCB on social media.

ohli gearing up for another banger of a season.

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DK talks about prep, intent, and the energy Virat’s bringing this season on @bigbasket_com presents RCB Bold Diaries. #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/NpToH0uOeq

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 25, 2026

RCB held their first intra-squad warm-up match on Monday. In that match, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma scored a 37-ball 81, skipper Rajat Patidar smashed a blazing 25-ball 74, while Kohli played a quick 12-ball 29-run cameo.

Batting first, the team led by Venkatesh Iyer posted 234/7, with Jitesh (81 in 37 balls), Tim David (36 in 14 balls), Iyer (30 in 16 balls) and Virat (29 in 12 balls) dominating the scorecard. In their 20 overs, the other team, led by Krunal, fired 247 runs, with Rajat (74 in 25 balls), Padikkal (63 in 33 balls) and Krunal (58 in 33 balls) delivering standout performances.

RCB will kickstart their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home in Bengaluru on March 28.

Manchester United fan Pernille Harder scored twice against her childhood club at Old Trafford as Bayern Munich gained a precious first-leg advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie.

REPORT: Manchester United 2-3 Bayern Munich

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Joe Flacco may be 41 years old, but he still thinks he has plenty left in the tank.

The Super Bowl XLVII champion signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals to be Joe Burrow’s backup, but he wants much more than that.

“Not being one of those guys to go sign somewhere, yeah, it pisses me off a little bit,” Flacco said.

Joe Flacco of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of the game at Paycor Stadium on Oct. 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

He then added a parting shot at just about every team in the league.

“And believe me, I wish I was the guy somewhere, and I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy,” he said.

Flacco started last season for the Cleveland Browns and was their Week 1 quarterback, but with two rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the wings, the writing was on the wall.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)

Cleveland traded him to Cincinnati after Burrow suffered a serious turf-toe injury, and he found some success. Flacco played well despite going 1-5 as a starter with the Bengals. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals’ offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

But with his success, despite his wishes to be a starter, it’s a good consolation prize.

“I feel like I have unfinished business. That’s part of why I’m here and still playing and doing all those things…” he said. “I had a lot of fun with Joe, and Joe’s the guy.”

Flacco, who was Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season, has played for the Broncos, Jets, Eagles, Jets again, Browns, Colts, Browns again and the Bengals.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 2 2025. (Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)

He has thrown for 48,176 yards, 272 touchdowns and 172 interceptions in 19 seasons. He is 10-6 in the playoffs with 3,530 yards passing, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Liverpool fans are bracing themselves for the end of an era as Mohamed Salah prepares to leave Anfield after nine sensational years. The Egyptian forward, who has lit up the Premier League with his pace, skill, and finishing ability, leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable moments. 
From crucial goals to historic performances, here are five of Salah’s most memorable contributions in a Liverpool shirt.

1. Champions League Redemption: Penalty vs Tottenham, Madrid, June 1, 2019

After the heartbreak of the 2018 Kiev final, where Salah was injured following a clash with Sergio Ramos, the 2019 Champions League final offered a chance for redemption. Salah approached his penalty with steely determination, recalling the previous year’s setback to fuel his resolve. His composed finish past Hugo Lloris not only gave Liverpool an early advantage but also served as poetic justice after the prior year’s disappointment. It was a defining moment of resilience and maturity for the superstar.

2. Historic Hat-Trick: Manchester United, Premier League, October 24, 2021

Salah silenced doubters and made history at Old Trafford with a stunning hat-trick. He first assisted Naby Keita’s opener before scoring twice before halftime and completing his treble in the second half with a Jordan Henderson setup. This performance marked the first hat-trick by an opposition player at Old Trafford in the Premier League era, cementing Salah’s reputation as a big-game performer and a nightmare for Liverpool’s fiercest rivals.

3. Masterclass vs Manchester City: Premier League, Anfield, October 3, 2021

During one of the most thrilling Liverpool-City encounters under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, Salah’s goal stood out for its brilliance. Evading three defenders with exquisite close control and finishing with a right-footed strike past Ederson, Salah displayed skill reminiscent of Lionel Messi. This goal exemplified his peak form and ability to deliver in high-stakes Premier League clashes.

4. Champions League Quarter-Final Brilliance: Manchester City, April 10, 2018

In the 2018 quarter-final, Liverpool had won the first leg 3-0, but the second leg posed a significant challenge as City pushed hard for a comeback. Salah’s calm, precise finish over Ederson showcased his ability to maintain composure under pressure. Celebrating with arms outstretched, he embodied confidence and dominance, giving Liverpool fans one of the season’s iconic European moments.

5. First Premier League Goal at Anfield: Arsenal, August 27, 2017

8 Major Trophies: The Egyptian superstar helped Liverpool lift two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. 

$50 Million Transfer: Liverpool paid $50 million to sign Salah from Roma in 2017. 

255 Goals: Salah scored 255 goals for Liverpool, placing him third on the club’s all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285). 

435 Appearances: Across all competitions, Salah made 435 appearances, leaving an indelible mark on the club’s history.