Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso on a four-year contract

IANS | May 17, 2026 3:20 PM

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Chelsea F.C. have confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the club’s new head coach, with the former Spanish international set to begin a four-year spell at Stamford Bridge from July 1, 2026.

IPL 2026: Rajat Patidar misses out for RCB as PBKS opt to bowl

IANS | May 17, 2026 3:15 PM

Dharamsala, May 17 (IANS) Punjab Kings (RCB) have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the match number 61 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Sunday. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar is not taking part in the match, while wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma is leading the side in his absence. Suyash Sharma is replacing Patidar, while Romario Shepherd replaces Jacob Duffy.

Satwik-Chirag finish Thailand Open with silver

IANS | May 17, 2026 1:39 PM

Patumwan (Thailand), May 17 (IANS) India’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty finished runners-up at the Thailand Open after going down to Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin 21-12, 25-23 in a 53-minute final at the Nimibutr Stadium in Thailand.

‘It is simple math,’ says Patel on GT's qualification scenario after KKR loss

IANS | May 17, 2026 1:08 PM

Kolkata, May 17 (IANS) Gujarat Titans(GT) batting coach Parthiv Patel admitted that there is no panic in the dressing room despite the 29-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Saturday, as the team is looking to keep things simple and qualify for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoffs by winning their last group stage match.