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Akash Deep shines with four-wicket haul against England, uncertain for Lord’s Test

Akash Deep picked four wickets against England in the second Test, but the pacer says he isn’t sure if he’ll feature in the next match at Lord’s as the final XI is decided just before the game.

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India’s commanding position in the second Test against England received a strong boost from Akash Deep, who delivered a standout performance with the ball at Edgbaston. However, the pacer remains unsure if he will feature in the next game at Lord’s, even after his impactful spell.

Akash, drafted into the XI in place of rested senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah, made his presence felt immediately by troubling the English batters with swing and discipline. The 28-year-old removed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in consecutive deliveries on Day 2, and continued his assault on Day 3 by ending a massive partnership and bagging two more crucial wickets.

Despite his 4/88 helping India restrict England to 407 and secure a 180-run lead, Akash said selection decisions remain out of his hands. “Right now, I’m only focused on this match. I don’t know if I’ll play the next one. That’s up to the team management. We usually get to know a day before the match,” he told reporters after stumps.

Key breakthroughs and solid bowling partnerships

The highlight of Akash’s spell was breaking the 303-run stand between Harry Brook and Jamie Smith. Brook, who scored 158, was clean-bowled by Akash with a sharp delivery. He then dismissed Chris Woakes, wrapping up an impressive outing that may yet be overlooked due to Bumrah’s expected return at Lord’s.

Akash credited his on-field communication with fellow pacer Mohammed Siraj for their effectiveness. “We were discussing what lines and lengths were working and made sure we kept the pressure from both ends. That helped me bowl freely,” he added.

Siraj, who finished with six wickets in the innings, also played a crucial role in keeping the run rate under control as the two bowled in tandem, choking England’s middle and lower order.

Calm mindset despite irregular chances

Since debuting against England in Ranchi in early 2024, Akash Deep has had sporadic opportunities across series against Australia, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. However, the Bengal pacer remains focused on preparation rather than selection. “I don’t think about continuity or chances. I just stay ready and give my best whenever called upon,” he stated.

India ended Day 3 at 64/1 in their second innings, with a 244-run lead. KL Rahul looked solid after an early cameo from Yashasvi Jaiswal, and India will look to press home the advantage over the remaining two days.

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IPL 2026 playoff race heats up as Sunrisers Hyderabad lead qualification odds at 75%

Sunrisers Hyderabad lead the IPL 2026 playoff race with the highest qualification probability, while Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings remain locked in a close contest for the final spot.

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SRH

The IPL 2026 playoff race has intensified further, with the latest qualification projections showing a clear edge for Sunrisers Hyderabad, while the battle for the final knockout spot remains wide open among multiple contenders.

According to updated playoff probability estimates following recent matches, Sunrisers Hyderabad hold the strongest position among all teams still in contention, with a 75% chance of qualifying for the top four. Their consistent performances have kept them comfortably ahead in the mid-table scramble.

At the same time, the race behind them has become increasingly tight, with several teams separated only by small percentage margins and net run rate factors beginning to play a decisive role.

CSK, RR and PBKS in close fight for fourth spot

The most competitive battle is currently for the fourth playoff position, where three major franchises remain in contention.

Chennai Super Kings are placed at around 35.5% qualification probability, keeping their campaign alive but under pressure after inconsistent results in recent matches.

Close behind them are Rajasthan Royals, who continue to hover in a similar range with nearly identical chances, making every remaining fixture crucial for their campaign.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have seen their prospects weaken further, slipping to around 31% despite still being in the playoff mix. Their position in the points table remains vulnerable as they struggle to build momentum in the final stretch of the league stage.

Other contenders and overall standings

Elsewhere, teams like Gujarat Titans continue to maintain a strong hold on qualification scenarios with a high probability of finishing in the top four, despite occasional setbacks.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already secured qualification status, strengthening their position at the top end of the table.

The mid-table remains highly competitive, while Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders continue to fight mathematically but face tougher paths due to lower probabilities and net run rate challenges.

What the numbers mean going forward

With only a few league matches remaining, the playoff cutoff is expected to settle around the 16-point mark, making every remaining fixture critical. Net run rate is also likely to become a key deciding factor if multiple teams finish on similar points.

Sunrisers Hyderabad remain in the strongest position, while the battle between Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings is expected to go down to the final set of league matches.

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IPL 2026 playoff race tightens as RCB and CSK feature in key qualification projections

RCB and CSK feature in updated IPL 2026 playoff qualification projections, with Bengaluru at 92.6% and Chennai at 41.7% as the race tightens.

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The IPL 2026 playoff race is intensifying as teams move deeper into the league stage, with qualification scenarios highlighting a closely contested battle for the top four spots.

According to recent playoff probability projections reported in media coverage, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) currently hold a strong position with a 92.6% chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Their consistent performances have placed them among the leading contenders for a top-four finish.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), meanwhile, remain in the mix but face a more challenging path ahead. Their qualification probability stands at 41.7%, meaning the five-time champions will need strong results in their remaining fixtures to stay in contention.

The updated projections underline how competitive the tournament has become, with small changes in form significantly impacting playoff chances at this stage of the league.

While only select team probabilities have been highlighted in the available data, the overall playoff race remains open, with several teams still competing for the remaining qualification spots as the league phase progresses.

The coming matches are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the final top four standings for IPL 2026.

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Who is Sahil Parakh? Teenager makes IPL debut for Delhi Capitals vs RCB

Sahil Parakh, an 18-year-old batter from Maharashtra, made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals against RCB in IPL 2026.

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Sahil Parakh, an emerging batter from Maharashtra, made his Indian Premier League debut for Delhi Capitals during their 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

The 18-year-old was handed his maiden cap as the franchise made changes to its playing XI, looking to test fresh talent in a crucial stage of the tournament.

Opens innings alongside KL Rahul

Parakh was included as an opening batter and partnered experienced wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul at the top. The move reflected Delhi Capitals’ intent to experiment with their batting combination and give exposure to young players in high-pressure games.

Short stay at the crease

The debut outing did not last long for the youngster, as he was dismissed early in the innings. Despite the brief appearance, the opportunity marked an important milestone in his career.

Promising name from domestic circuit

Parakh is a left-handed batter who has impressed in age-group and domestic cricket, earning attention for his performances at the state level. His selection in the Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2026 underlines the franchise’s focus on nurturing young talent for the future.

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