MUMBAI: IPL-2026 will be chronicled as relentless run-fests. Scores of 200 and even 220-plus are no longer exceptional. They are routinely chased down, prompting concerns that the balance has tilted heavily towards batters. Flat pitches, coupled with the Impact Player rule, have deepened batting line-ups to No. 8 or 9, leaving bowlers with shrinking margins for error.
Recent games underline the trend. Punjab Kings chased down a staggering 265 against Delhi Capitals in Delhi, while Sunrisers Hyderabad made light work of 244 against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede.
Author: Michael
Standout Stats | Napoli-Juventus Women
The Juventus Women’s First Team claimed three vital points away to Napoli on Serie A Women Matchday 20, putting them in the driving seat for the third Champions League qualification spot.
Let’s take a look into the standout stats to emerge from the game in Campania.
STANDOUT STATS
UPPER HAND | Of the teams that Napoli have never beaten in Serie A, Napoli have played more matches against only Milan (12 – four draws, eight losses) than against Juventus (10 – one draw, nine losses).
Manchester United host rivals Liverpool as both teams look to secure a top-four Premier League finish and rubber-stamp their place in next season’s Champions League.
After beating Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season under Ruben Amorim, Michael Carrick’s United have the chance to complete a Premier League double over the Reds for the first time in 10 years.
Stoke City’s 2-0 defeat at Bristol City was their 18th loss in their past 32 games.
At the end of matchday 14, Stoke were second in the Championship with eight wins and 27 points.
Over the remaining 70% of the season they failed to double that win tally, picked up just 28 more points and compiled a record second only to Sheffield Wednesday as the worst in the league over that period.
Oona McClelland (left) and Hannah Grey were among the thousands of people setting off from Stormont on Sunday morning [BBC]
The annual Belfast City Marathon has begun with thousands of runners aiming to complete the 26.2-mile course.
The 44th marathon started at Stormont at about 09:00 BST.
Almost 24,000 people signed up for the race, which will pass landmarks including City Hall and Parliament Buildings, before finishing in Ormeau Park.
There will be numerous roads closed and changes to public transport for much of Sunday while the event takes place.
‘We need to be careful’ Arteta explains why he subbed off Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka was substituted at halftime during Arsenal’s match against Fulham after delivering an outstanding first-half performance, a decision that initially left many observers puzzled. His influence on the game had been clear, making his early withdrawal appear unexpected.
As the teams returned for the second half, Noni Madueke was introduced as his replacement, prompting supporters to question whether there had been an issue with the attacker.
The 2026 North West 200 promises to produce another exhilarating week of high-speed action over the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit on the north coast of Northern Ireland.
The event attracts the world’s leading exponents of road racing on an array of exotic machinery, with an atmosphere to match as thousands of spectators thrill to the action trackside.
Daniel Hampton of Howell is contending for the Livingston County baseball batting title again, which is nothing new.
Hampton has finished in the top 10 the past three seasons and missed out by one percentage point two years ago when he hit .443 to finish second to Pinckney’s Nolan Carruthers, who hit .444. Hampton was 10th with a .344 average in 2023 and fourth with a .427 average last season.
Hampton, who recently set the school record for career hits, leads all hitters in the county who have at least 25 at-bats this season with a .463 average. Cole Dryer of Charyl Stockwell is hitting .
With accommodation options scarce in some cities and a high price of transit, a late trip to the World Cup looks to beyond most supporters [BBC Sport]
The 2026 World Cup has been a story of high ticket prices, expensive accommodation and train fares way above normal rates.
It has been clear for a while that, on cost alone, this tournament is set to be like no other.
Tottenham visit Aston Villa in desperate need of a result to boost their Premier League survival chances.
Spurs could be lifted by relegation rivals West Ham losing 3-0 to Brentford yesterday, which means three points would move Tottenham out of the relegation zone with three game to play.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side ended their long winless run at Wolves last weekend but suffered a couple of big injury blows with Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke ruled out.