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SRH vs CSK, IPL 2026: Will he? Won’t he? The great MS Dhoni waiting game continues  The M.S. Dhoni frenzy, building steadily with each passing season, has reached a near-fever pitch this year. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will the former captain finally step onto the field?Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s official Instagram account only heightened the anticipation, teasing Dhoni’s arrival in the City of Pearls. Yet, at Friday’s training session, the 44-year-old kept things low-key, alternating between light jogging and a casual game of foot-volley alongside Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz Khan, and a few others.Head coach Stephen Fleming remained predictably tight-lipped, offering little beyond the standard line that Dhoni was “progressing well” in his recovery. But just when it seemed like another day of speculation would drift by unanswered, a late twist reignited belief. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field?
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                NAGARA GOPAL
                            

                            Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field?
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                NAGARA GOPAL
                                                    As the squad wrapped up and disappeared into the depths of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni emerged once more – this time fully padded up, bat in hand. Facing a handful of side-arm throwdowns, he unleashed a flurry of towering hits, punctuated by his signature helicopter shot.Word spread instantly. By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature.ALSO READ | Contrasting fortunes converge as Punjab Kings hosts Lucknow Super GiantsAnd then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated. At the toss, Dhoni’s name was nowhere to be found – not even among the impact substitutes.Back to square one. Back to the waiting game. And once again, the question lingers: when will he finally return? Or maybe more importantly, will he?Published on Apr 18, 2026  #SRH #CSK #IPL #Wont #great #Dhoni #waiting #game #continues

SRH vs CSK, IPL 2026: Will he? Won’t he? The great MS Dhoni waiting game continues

The M.S. Dhoni frenzy, building steadily with each passing season, has reached a near-fever pitch this year. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will the former captain finally step onto the field?

Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s official Instagram account only heightened the anticipation, teasing Dhoni’s arrival in the City of Pearls. Yet, at Friday’s training session, the 44-year-old kept things low-key, alternating between light jogging and a casual game of foot-volley alongside Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz Khan, and a few others.

Head coach Stephen Fleming remained predictably tight-lipped, offering little beyond the standard line that Dhoni was “progressing well” in his recovery. But just when it seemed like another day of speculation would drift by unanswered, a late twist reignited belief.

SRH vs CSK, IPL 2026: Will he? Won’t he? The great MS Dhoni waiting game continues  The M.S. Dhoni frenzy, building steadily with each passing season, has reached a near-fever pitch this year. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will the former captain finally step onto the field?Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s official Instagram account only heightened the anticipation, teasing Dhoni’s arrival in the City of Pearls. Yet, at Friday’s training session, the 44-year-old kept things low-key, alternating between light jogging and a casual game of foot-volley alongside Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz Khan, and a few others.Head coach Stephen Fleming remained predictably tight-lipped, offering little beyond the standard line that Dhoni was “progressing well” in his recovery. But just when it seemed like another day of speculation would drift by unanswered, a late twist reignited belief. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field?
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                NAGARA GOPAL
                            

                            Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field?
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                NAGARA GOPAL
                                                    As the squad wrapped up and disappeared into the depths of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni emerged once more – this time fully padded up, bat in hand. Facing a handful of side-arm throwdowns, he unleashed a flurry of towering hits, punctuated by his signature helicopter shot.Word spread instantly. By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature.ALSO READ | Contrasting fortunes converge as Punjab Kings hosts Lucknow Super GiantsAnd then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated. At the toss, Dhoni’s name was nowhere to be found – not even among the impact substitutes.Back to square one. Back to the waiting game. And once again, the question lingers: when will he finally return? Or maybe more importantly, will he?Published on Apr 18, 2026  #SRH #CSK #IPL #Wont #great #Dhoni #waiting #game #continues

Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field? | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

lightbox-info

Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field? | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

As the squad wrapped up and disappeared into the depths of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni emerged once more – this time fully padded up, bat in hand. Facing a handful of side-arm throwdowns, he unleashed a flurry of towering hits, punctuated by his signature helicopter shot.

Word spread instantly. By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature.

ALSO READ | Contrasting fortunes converge as Punjab Kings hosts Lucknow Super Giants

And then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated. At the toss, Dhoni’s name was nowhere to be found – not even among the impact substitutes.

Back to square one. Back to the waiting game. And once again, the question lingers: when will he finally return? Or maybe more importantly, will he?

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#SRH #CSK #IPL #Wont #great #Dhoni #waiting #game #continues

The M.S. Dhoni frenzy, building steadily with each passing season, has reached a near-fever pitch this year. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will the former captain finally step onto the field?

Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s official Instagram account only heightened the anticipation, teasing Dhoni’s arrival in the City of Pearls. Yet, at Friday’s training session, the 44-year-old kept things low-key, alternating between light jogging and a casual game of foot-volley alongside Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz Khan, and a few others.

Head coach Stephen Fleming remained predictably tight-lipped, offering little beyond the standard line that Dhoni was “progressing well” in his recovery. But just when it seemed like another day of speculation would drift by unanswered, a late twist reignited belief.

Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field?
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL

lightbox-info

Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field?
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL

As the squad wrapped up and disappeared into the depths of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni emerged once more – this time fully padded up, bat in hand. Facing a handful of side-arm throwdowns, he unleashed a flurry of towering hits, punctuated by his signature helicopter shot.

Word spread instantly. By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature.

ALSO READ | Contrasting fortunes converge as Punjab Kings hosts Lucknow Super Giants

And then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated. At the toss, Dhoni’s name was nowhere to be found – not even among the impact substitutes.

Back to square one. Back to the waiting game. And once again, the question lingers: when will he finally return? Or maybe more importantly, will he?

Published on Apr 18, 2026

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#SRH #CSK #IPL #Wont #great #Dhoni #waiting #game #continues

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Deadspin | With heavy hearts, Angels clash with Padres again <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28754366.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28754366.jpg" alt="MLB: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 17, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; A patch honoring former Los Angeles Angels player Garret Anderson is seen on the sleeve of center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Veteran right-hander German Marquez will vie to win his third consecutive start on Saturday night when his San Diego Padres try to even their three-game series against an “emotional” Los Angeles Angels team in Anaheim, Calif. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Marquez (2-1, 5.54 ERA) enters off of back-to-back wins over the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies, allowing a total of four runs on 10 hits over 10 innings while striking out nine. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-2, 7.50 ERA) will take the mound for Los Angeles and try to end what has been a rough April. He has allowed 13 earned runs in just 13 2/3 innings (8.56 ERA) while losing two of his three starts this month.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Angels, behind ace Jose Soriano, cruised to an 8-0 win in Friday night’s series opener, snapping the Padres’ league-best eight-game winning streak and handing San Diego manager Craig Stammen’s team its first shutout loss of the season. </p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The victory came after an emotional pregame tribute for Angels Hall of Fame member and 2002 World Series hero Garret Anderson, who died Thursday at age 53 of a heart attack at his home in Southern California.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Anderson, the franchise record-holder in games (2,013), hits (2,368), doubles (489) and RBIs (1,292), was an analyst on some pre- and post-game shows for the team. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“It’s been a pretty emotional day for us,” said first baseman Nolan Schanuel, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run. “I know he’s looking down on us today with a big smile.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>The Padres finished with only three hits, including two singles over 5 2/3 innings against Soriano. But Stammen took the glass is half-full approach afterward, noting San Diego also grinded out four walks and got Soriano out of the game before he could complete six innings. </p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>“Tough to hang your hat on that, but the competition, the competing we are showing in the box is good,” Stammen said. “That will only benefit us going forward the rest of the year.” </p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The Padres had Soriano in trouble for one of few times this season in the third inning when they loaded the bases on a Ty France single and walks by Luis Campusano and Fernando Tatis Jr. But Soriano got out of the jam by getting Jackson Merrill to ground out. </p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“We took good at-bats against Soriano,” Stammen said. “He’s just a really good pitcher. We battled him. We got him out of there before (the end of the) sixth inning, which was a goal of ours pre-game.” </p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Soriano improved to 5-0 while lowering his ERA to major-league-leading 0.28. He has allowed just one run — a homer by Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin — and 11 hits over 32 2/3 innings. </p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Besides ERA, Soriano leads the majors in strikeouts (39), WHIP (0.73), opponent batting average (.104) and is tied with Milwaukee’s Aaron Ashby for the MLB lead in wins. Soriano also is the first Angels pitcher to win each of his first five games to start a season since Jared Weaver in 2011. </p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“To us, it looked like he had to grind tonight,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “I think that’s the maturity showing up now. He’s learning how to pitch, and I say this lightly, without his best stuff. He learned how to navigate a great lineup over there without his best stuff, and gave us 5 2/3 with no runs on two hits (which) was pretty incredible.” </p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Marquez is 0-2 with a 3.54 ERA in three career starts against the Angels, while Kikuchi is 1-1 with a 4.95 ERA in four career starts against San Diego, </p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #heavy #hearts #Angels #clash #Padres

We’re almost a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time to take a look at how the 2026 draft class has fared thus far.

Full disclaimer: it’s early days, and a lot of this will change. Still, here’s a way-too-early glance at the Rookie fo the Year race.

1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx

Draft Number: No. 2
Stats: 15.8 points (on 49.5% shooting), 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals
Minutes per game: 30.6

Olivia Miles has been incredible in the early days of the WNBA season. She leads all rookies in minutes, points, made field goals (5.4), and made free throws per game (4.7). The Lynx have outscored opponents by 12.1 points per game with her on the floor, and in turn, they have the league’s best record at 7-2. Miles has looked much more like a 10-year veteran than a rookie so far.

2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings

Draft Number: No. 1
Stats: 12.1 points (on 57.1% shooting and 43.8% from three), 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1 block
Minutes per game: 25.5

Azzi Fudd came off the bench to begin the season, but she’s been on an upward trajectory. The Dallas Wings, meanwhile, keep winning games. Fudd has scored at least 22 points in two of the last three games, and in double figures in four of the last six.

3. Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo

Draft Number: No. 6
Stats: 13.1 points (on 55.2% shooting and 40.9% from three), 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Minutes per game: 27

The former UCLA standout has been awesome for the Tempo in her rookie campaign. She’s the second-leading scorer among rookies, the 5th-leading rebounder, and she’s been a critical part of the Tempo’s 5-4 start to the year. Rice has been shooting lights out from three, while showing versatility on both ends of the floor.

4. Pauline Astier, New York Liberty

Draft Number: Undrafted
Stats: 12 points (on 61.2% shooting and 47.1% from three), 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Minutes per game: 26.2

Pauline Astier, the 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of France, has been huge for the Liberty, particularly in the wake of so many early-season injuries. She’s the fifth-leading scorer among rookies and has been shooting lights out. Astier has started 8 of 9 games this season for the Liberty, and filled in well with Sabirna Ionescu sidelined.

5. Gabriella Jaquez, Chicago Sky

Draft Number: No. 5
Stats: 11.5 points (on 42.9% shooting and 33.3% from three), 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Minutes per game: 28.3

Lots of people wondered if Gabriella Jaquez was drafted too high at No. 5, calling into question whether UCLA’s recent title run had swayed WNBA front offices too much. But Jaquez has been every bit the player Jeff Pagliocca and the Sky front office envisioned when they selected her fifth overall. She’s scored in the double-figures in four of her last six games, and has been one of the top rebounders in the class. The only concern is that she’s been sidelined since May 23rd with a knee injury.

6. Jovana Nogic, Phoenix Mercury

Draft Number: Undrafted
Stats: 12.8 points (on 42.9% shooting and 50.9% from three), 1.5 assists, 1 rebound
Minutes per game: 21.9

It’s been an interesting season for Nogic, the 28-year-old rookie out of Serbia. On one hand, she’s been an offensive powerhouse — the third-leading scorer on the Mercury and third-leading scorer among rookies. On the other hand, she’s seen limited minutes on a Mercury squad that has been among the league’s worst (they’re currently one of two teams with a 2-8 record). Nogic will probably need to be better on the defensive end of the floor, but she’s already shown she can score with the best of them.

7. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm

Draft Number: No. 8
Stats: 11.9 points (on 31.2% shooting and 25% from three), 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Minutes per game: 26.2

Flau’jae Johnson was drafted 8th overall by the Golden State Valkyries and subsequently traded to the Seattle Storm on draft night in exchange for Marta Suarez, who was later waived. Johnson will probably benefit from that trade; she’s already playing the fourth-most among rookies, and is averaging the 6th-most points per game. But, Johnson hasn’t been very efficient — not unusual for a rookie WNBA guard. The Storm is a good landing spot for her to figure it all out.

8. Sydney Taylor, Chicago Sky

Draft Number: Undrafted
Stats: 9.2 points (on 32.7% shooting and 21.2% from three), 1.5 assists, 1.2 rebounds
Minutes per game: 13.9

Sydney Taylor has been one of the biggest surprises in the rookie class. The former Louisville standout went undrafted, signed with the Sky, and has since become a rotation player. Last Wednesday, she poured in a career-high 27 points in a loss to the Toronto Tempo. Like Johnson, Taylor hasn’t been particularly efficient, but she’s managed to find minutes on the roster and showed flashes of the scoring prowess that could keep her on the court.

#Olivia #Miles #Azzi #Fudd #WNBA #rookies #ranked">Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd and the 8 best WNBA rookies, ranked  We’re almost a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time to take a look at how the 2026 draft class has fared thus far.Full disclaimer: it’s early days, and a lot of this will change. Still, here’s a way-too-early glance at the Rookie fo the Year race.1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota LynxDraft Number: No. 2Stats: 15.8 points (on 49.5% shooting), 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 stealsMinutes per game: 30.6Olivia Miles has been incredible in the early days of the WNBA season. She leads all rookies in minutes, points, made field goals (5.4), and made free throws per game (4.7). The Lynx have outscored opponents by 12.1 points per game with her on the floor, and in turn, they have the league’s best record at 7-2. Miles has looked much more like a 10-year veteran than a rookie so far.2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas WingsDraft Number: No. 1Stats: 12.1 points (on 57.1% shooting and 43.8% from three), 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1 blockMinutes per game: 25.5Azzi Fudd came off the bench to begin the season, but she’s been on an upward trajectory. The Dallas Wings, meanwhile, keep winning games. Fudd has scored at least 22 points in two of the last three games, and in double figures in four of the last six.3. Kiki Rice, Toronto TempoDraft Number: No. 6Stats: 13.1 points (on 55.2% shooting and 40.9% from three), 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assistsMinutes per game: 27The former UCLA standout has been awesome for the Tempo in her rookie campaign. She’s the second-leading scorer among rookies, the 5th-leading rebounder, and she’s been a critical part of the Tempo’s 5-4 start to the year. Rice has been shooting lights out from three, while showing versatility on both ends of the floor.4. Pauline Astier, New York LibertyDraft Number: UndraftedStats: 12 points (on 61.2% shooting and 47.1% from three), 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assistsMinutes per game: 26.2Pauline Astier, the 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of France, has been huge for the Liberty, particularly in the wake of so many early-season injuries. She’s the fifth-leading scorer among rookies and has been shooting lights out. Astier has started 8 of 9 games this season for the Liberty, and filled in well with Sabirna Ionescu sidelined.5. Gabriella Jaquez, Chicago SkyDraft Number: No. 5Stats: 11.5 points (on 42.9% shooting and 33.3% from three), 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 stealsMinutes per game: 28.3Lots of people wondered if Gabriella Jaquez was drafted too high at No. 5, calling into question whether UCLA’s recent title run had swayed WNBA front offices too much. But Jaquez has been every bit the player Jeff Pagliocca and the Sky front office envisioned when they selected her fifth overall. She’s scored in the double-figures in four of her last six games, and has been one of the top rebounders in the class. The only concern is that she’s been sidelined since May 23rd with a knee injury.6. Jovana Nogic, Phoenix MercuryDraft Number: UndraftedStats: 12.8 points (on 42.9% shooting and 50.9% from three), 1.5 assists, 1 reboundMinutes per game: 21.9It’s been an interesting season for Nogic, the 28-year-old rookie out of Serbia. On one hand, she’s been an offensive powerhouse — the third-leading scorer on the Mercury and third-leading scorer among rookies. On the other hand, she’s seen limited minutes on a Mercury squad that has been among the league’s worst (they’re currently one of two teams with a 2-8 record). Nogic will probably need to be better on the defensive end of the floor, but she’s already shown she can score with the best of them.7. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle StormDraft Number: No. 8Stats: 11.9 points (on 31.2% shooting and 25% from three), 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assistsMinutes per game: 26.2Flau’jae Johnson was drafted 8th overall by the Golden State Valkyries and subsequently traded to the Seattle Storm on draft night in exchange for Marta Suarez, who was later waived. Johnson will probably benefit from that trade; she’s already playing the fourth-most among rookies, and is averaging the 6th-most points per game. But, Johnson hasn’t been very efficient — not unusual for a rookie WNBA guard. The Storm is a good landing spot for her to figure it all out.8. Sydney Taylor, Chicago SkyDraft Number: UndraftedStats: 9.2 points (on 32.7% shooting and 21.2% from three), 1.5 assists, 1.2 reboundsMinutes per game: 13.9Sydney Taylor has been one of the biggest surprises in the rookie class. The former Louisville standout went undrafted, signed with the Sky, and has since become a rotation player. Last Wednesday, she poured in a career-high 27 points in a loss to the Toronto Tempo. Like Johnson, Taylor hasn’t been particularly efficient, but she’s managed to find minutes on the roster and showed flashes of the scoring prowess that could keep her on the court.  #Olivia #Miles #Azzi #Fudd #WNBA #rookies #ranked

Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.

The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.

With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.

The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.

More to follow…

Published on Jun 03, 2026

#Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title">Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen to stay in hunt for title  Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.More to follow…Published on Jun 03, 2026  #Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title

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