Gujarat Titans have brought in promising South African wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen as a replacement for Englands Tom Banton, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League 2026 season due to a finger injury.The 24-year-old Esterhuizen arrives with a rising reputation after a breakthrough international outing against New Zealand last month. In what was his maiden T20I series, the young batter lit up the five-match contest, scoring 200 runs at an impressive strike rate of 145.98. His consistency and power-hitting including 13 sixes earned him the Player of the Series award as South Africa clinched a 3-2 win after trailing earlier in the series.IPL 2026: GT vs KKR Live ScoreA rising star earns IPL opportunityEsterhuizens signing marks his first stint in the IPL, a significant step in his career after steadily climbing the ranks in domestic and franchise cricket. He has previously featured in South Africas SA20 league, representing sides like MI Cape Town and Pretoria Capitals, where his aggressive batting and wicketkeeping skills caught attention.GT have secured him at his base price of Rs 75 lakh, bringing him in primarily as a backup wicketkeeping option for England white-ball captain Jos Buttler. However, given his recent form, Esterhuizen could well push for a role in the playing XI if opportunities arise during the tournament.Titans look to regroupLed by Shubman Gill, Gujarat Titans have had a mixed start to their IPL 2026 campaign, with two wins and two losses placing them in the middle of the table. The team will be keen to build momentum as the tournament progresses, especially with squad adjustments becoming crucial in a long season.Their next assignment comes against struggling Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad on Friday. KKR are currently rooted to the bottom of the standings, still searching for their first win after five matches. 130337191While Esterhuizen may not walk straight into the XI, his arrival adds depth and fresh energy to the Titans setup. For a side aiming to regain consistency, the South African youngster could prove to be an intriguing option as the season unfolds.

Mauricio Pochettino won't coach the USMNT forever, and when he does leave, will U.S. Soccer be able to bring in another big-name boss to replace him?

Canadian swimmer Sydney Pickrem announced her retirement from competition Thursday after more than a decade with the national team.

Want proof that the Houston Texans value star defensive end Will Anderson Jr.? Anderson and the Texans have agreed to a three-year, $150 million extension, NFL Media reported on Friday. The contract includes $134 million guaranteed and a no-trade clause, with the $50 million average annual value an NFL record for a non-quarterback. Green Bay Packers superstar defensive lineman Micah Parsons held the previous record for the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history, signing a four-year, $186 million deal last summer ($46.5 million average annual value). Anderson, a two-time Pro Bowler who was the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, earned his first All-Pro honor in 2025, racking up 12.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three passes defended and 54 combined tackles; all five totals were career highs. Then, he racked up 3.5 sacks over Houston's two postseason games, marking the second consecutive year that he did so. Moreover, Anderson ranked first among edge defenders with 70 hurries and third with 93 total pressures in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus. Anderson has averaged 11.5 sacks per year over the last two seasons (2024-25). The Texans traded up to select Anderson with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after a decorated collegiate career playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide, with whom he was a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time All-American. Anderson and the Texans are coming off a 12-5 season that saw them win the AFC South for a third consecutive year but also be eliminated in the AFC divisional round for a third consecutive season.

Kolkata Knight Riders continued their dismal run in IPL 2026 as the Ajinkya Rahane-led side suffered a 5-wicket loss against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Bold predictions for all 18 Big Ten programs as spring practices wrap ahead of the 2026 season

Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy / | CameraSport via Getty ImagesAfter losing to both Doncaster Rovers and top-of-the-table Lincoln City, the Royals now host Cardiff City, who are also looking to be automatically promoted. The Royals are playing some horrible football under Leam Richardson and even the players are rumoured to be complaining now. We were warned by Wigan Athletic fans that his style of play may win us games but it definitely isnt pretty to watch. Gloom is going over the Reading fanbase, just waiting to see what happens next with Richardson still in charge.Cardiff managed a late, late draw against Huddersfield Town with Yousef Salech getting the goal to equalise in the fifth minute of added time in the second half. The 6 foot 5 striker is really starting to come along in this Bluebirds side and his 14 goals this season have helped Cardiff pretty much achieve promotion back to the Championship.The Welsh team were always destined to go back up and I just want to say a potential congratulations to them and Lincoln for making that happen.The head-to-head between the sides is in the Royals favour with 29 wins, 24 draws and 26 defeats. Despite this, Reading havent beaten Cardiff since 2022, when Shane Long and Tom Ince scored the goals to win the game 2-1 for the Royals.In this preview I will mention more players who have played for both and I will give my predictions.What? League One matchday 43Season? 2025/26Who? Cardiff CityWhere? Select Car Leasing StadiumWhen? Saturday April 18Time? 15:00Opposition manager? Brian Barry-MurphyPlayers who have played for bothChris Gunter played a whopping 314 times for the Royals, managing five goals and 17 assists from right-back.He appeared 35 times for Cardiff, managing no goals and one assist.Midfielder Danny Drinkwater played 34 times for Reading in the 2020/21 season. In this campaign he managed one goal and one assist.10 years prior he played 12 games for Cardiff, providing one assist but not scoring.Gabriel Osho played 10 games for Reading, registering one assist.He is currently playing for Cardiff and has managed 20 games so far this season. He is yet to have a goal involvement.Current Reading player Andy Rinomhota is on his second stint at the club. He has played 141 times for Reading, scoring four goals and getting seven assists.In his two-year tenure with Cardiff he played 82 games, getting six assists.Finally, Adam Le Fondre. Alf played 110 times for Reading, scoring 41 goals and getting seven assists for the club.After leaving the Royals he signed for Cardiff, where he played 25 times, scoring three goals and getting two assists.My lineupJoel Pereira starts in goal.Paudie OConnor, Derrick Williams and Jeriel Dorsett will start in defence.The midfield will be Ryan Nyambe, Lewis Wing, Liam Fraser and Daniel Kyerewaa.The attack will consist of Charlie Savage, Jack Marriott and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan.Score prediction: 1-1If we do have Marriott back, God help Cardiff.Good luck to those going to the game!Come on you Royals!

Before we get to a weekend full of wrestling, our crew shares its thoughts on WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.