Mukul Choudhary has emerged as one of the exciting young talents of IPL 2026 despite Lucknow Super Giants enduring a disappointing campaign and missing out on the playoffs. The youngster recently opened up about a memorable interaction with Virat Kohli, revealing how the RCB superstar offered him important advice about handling pressure situations and mastering the art of finishing games in T20 cricket.Speaking to JioHotstar, Mukul said Kohli had closely followed his innings against Kolkata Knight Riders and appreciated the way he guided the chase.When I spoke to him, he told me that he had watched our match against KKR and seen how I finished the game, Mukul revealed.The young batter said Kohli stressed that modern-day cricket has evolved to a point where power-hitting alone no longer separates batters from the rest.He said that hitting sixes is not a big deal anymore. Every young batter in this generation can clear the ropes. But what really matters is learning how to finish matches, Mukul said.According to the LSG youngster, Kohli explained that the true test of a batter begins when pressure starts mounting during difficult chases.Anyone can hit a six when theres no pressure. But in chases of 170 or 180, when wickets are falling at the other end and the required rate is climbing, that is when the real test begins. If you learn to handle that pressure, stay calm, and control the innings, that is what makes you a big player. Finishing games consistently is a rare skill, Mukul recalled Kohli telling him. StarSportsIndia (@StarSportsIndia) The conversation clearly left a deep impression on the youngster, who admitted the advice changed the way he now views batting in T20 cricket.He told me to focus on that, not just on hitting big shots. That advice really stuck with me,'' Mukul concluded. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are playing their last league match of the IPL 2026 season today, against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Lucknow has already been officially eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoff race. They are playing strictly for pride to finish their season on a winning note and avoid the bottom spots of the table. Unlike LSG, this is a do-or-die, must-win match for the Punjab Kings. Sitting in 5th place, PBKS desperately needs a victory tonight to keep their fading playoff qualification hopes alive before relying on Sunday's results.

Sandis Vilmanis scored two empty-net goals to help Latvia upset the United States 4-2 for the defending champion's third loss at the ice hockey world championship.

  Le paysage des jeux d’argent en ligne en France est régi par un cadre législatif rigoureux, placé sous la supervision constante de l’Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ). À ce jour, la législation française demeure ferme : l'offre de jeux de casino virtuels — comprenant les machines à sous, la roulette ou le...

IAN LADYMAN: Those who have followed Tuchel's England through qualifying, this is a national coach sticking to patterns, beliefs and benchmarks he set out on the very first day in the role.

Sprinter Fred Kerley revealed that he is not taking performance enhancers as he embarks on the next phase of a career that officially kicks off Sunday at the Enhanced Games, where drugs are allowed.Another surprise: The 2022 world champion at 100 meters, banned from the regular track circuit until August 2027 for missing tests required by a system he portrayed as disrespectful and intrusive, has every intention of being on another starting line.I will compete at the LA Olympics in 2028," he said.When Kerley signed onto the Enhanced Games roster, he became their most recognizable name and gave the new enterprise a headliner it had been missing.Some six months later came his two-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing tests, a violation of the antidoping code that doesn't necessarily mean an athlete is taking drugs.The 31-year-old Kerley, who bet on himself after the COVID-19 pandemic when he successfully gave up the 400-meter grind for the 100-meter straightaway, insisted it was the multimillion-dollar contract, not the prospect of taking performance enhancers, that led him to the breakaway league.I don't need it, he said. God gave me fast feet for a reason. I'm here to showcase my talent. You still have to work. Drugs aren't going to give you an advantage if you're not putting the work in.USADA's doping control officers on hand this weekThat, in part, is what the Enhanced Games will or will not prove on Sunday. Most of the 50 athletes competing in track, swimming and weightlifting are taking performance enhancers under the watchful eye of doctors and trainers. A few, like Kerley and Olympic gold-medal relay swimmer Hunter Armstrong, say they are not.Rick Adams, the former chief of sport performance for the U.S. Olympic team who moved over to become an executive for Enhanced, said doping control officers are on hand in Las Vegas this weekend, testing on behalf of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which still keeps a list of active athletes who could return to traditional events.There's a lot of scrutiny, not only against me but against the Enhanced Games, Armstrong said. I want them to test me because I don't want there to be a single doubt that I'm a man of my word.Kerley, a man of few words, says he will be fast on SundayKerley, who has a reputation as a man of few words, has spent large parts of 2026 using his social media feed to rip into antidoping authorities, while teasing that a 9.4-second run could be possible. He has turned himself into maybe track's most intriguing character this side of Sha'Carri Richardson.Does he think Usain Bolt's 9.58-second world record can be broken Sunday a feat that would earn the record breaker $1 million, in addition to a $250,000 first prize? It's going to be destroyed," Kerley said.How fast does he think he can go? Fast.How fast? Fast.Does he have a time in mind? Fast.When Kerley's ban for missing tests was announced in March, the easy conclusion was that he didn't care about testing anymore now that he was part of the Enhanced Games.But the reason, he explained, had to do with the 24/7 whereabouts requirements in antidoping. In essence, athletes in the testing pool have to spell out where they'll be at all times and give drug testers specific windows when they'll be available.When the ban came down, Kerley argued he had no intention of answering phone calls that looked like spam from Mexico while he was in the U.S. Those, apparently, were from doping control officers trying to track him down.On Friday, he went a little deeper.I grew up with family, he said. You just dont come and disrespect my space. Once you come and start disrespecting my space, its irritating.But, he says, despite the ban and despite his presence with Enhanced, he continues to be tested by the AIU and USADA.He says the move to Enhanced had nothing to do with taking drugs, everything to do with signing a contract that he suggested on social media would take $12 million to get him out of.Like so many in his sport, he has grown tired of shoe contracts that place too many obligations on athletes and sometimes go away if an injury hits or the times go up.We're training, basically, 365, and it hasn't changed from back in the day when all the greats were running, Kerley said. Banned for taking PEDs, Marvin Bracy-Williams makes a comebackAlso running in the 100 on Sunday is Marvin Bracy-Williams, whose own curious doping case resulted in what could have been a career-ending 45-month ban but instead led him to the Enhanced Games where he said he is, in fact, taking drugs.Bracy-Williams, who finished second at worlds to Kerley by .02 seconds in 2022, conceded that his sudden disappearance from track in 2023 came because he was doping after a series of injuries.He ended up providing information to authorities that led to the arrest of a Florida man, who faces up to 10 years in prison for violating a law passed in 2020 that allows U.S. authorities to prosecute doping crimes involving international events.The reduced ban wasn't enough to salvage the Olympic hopes of Bracy-Williams, now 32, so he jumped when he saw the chance to go to the Enhanced Games.We get in these situations where the treatment is good when you're good, Bracy-Williams said, referencing a $100,000 reduction in his contract that came if he failed to make a U.S. national team. "But when you're in a place where you're not doing so good, it just goes away, and sometimes, for some people, that can be hard.Bracy-Williams said he trained with Tyson Gay in the early 2010s when Gay got nailed for doping. He passed no judgment on him or anyone else.The dude never changed, Bracy-Williams said. I didn't look at him like he was some boogeyman now."He rattled through a long list of great sprinters who had tested positive for doping through the years.But you meet them behind closed doors, and they're good guys, Bracy-Williams said.As he spoke at a table surrounded by media, his two kids sat quietly against the wall and played on their cellphones. There was no need to ask why Bracy-Williams, who has a two-year contract with "lots of zeros" on it, was trying to extend his career at the Enhanced Games.Same for Kerley, who promises that track and field hasn't seen the last of him.At the end of the day," Kerley said, I'm here to provide for my kids and myself.___AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Sprinter Fred Kerley revealed that he is not taking performance enhancers as he embarks on the next phase of a career that officially kicks off Sunday at the Enhanced Games, where drugs are allowed.Another surprise: The 2022 world champion at 100 meters, banned from the regular track circuit until August 2027 for missing tests required by a system he portrayed as disrespectful and intrusive, has every intention of being on another starting line.I will compete at the LA Olympics in 2028," he said.When Kerley signed onto the Enhanced Games roster, he became their most recognizable name and gave the new enterprise a headliner it had been missing.Some six months later came his two-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing tests, a violation of the antidoping code that doesn't necessarily mean an athlete is taking drugs.The 31-year-old Kerley, who bet on himself after the COVID-19 pandemic when he successfully gave up the 400-meter grind for the 100-meter straightaway, insisted it was the multimillion-dollar contract, not the prospect of taking performance enhancers, that led him to the breakaway league.I don't need it, he said. God gave me fast feet for a reason. I'm here to showcase my talent. You still have to work. Drugs aren't going to give you an advantage if you're not putting the work in.USADA's doping control officers on hand this weekThat, in part, is what the Enhanced Games will or will not prove on Sunday. Most of the 50 athletes competing in track, swimming and weightlifting are taking performance enhancers under the watchful eye of doctors and trainers. A few, like Kerley and Olympic gold-medal relay swimmer Hunter Armstrong, say they are not.Rick Adams, the former chief of sport performance for the U.S. Olympic team who moved over to become an executive for Enhanced, said doping control officers are on hand in Las Vegas this weekend, testing on behalf of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which still keeps a list of active athletes who could return to traditional events.There's a lot of scrutiny, not only against me but against the Enhanced Games, Armstrong said. I want them to test me because I don't want there to be a single doubt that I'm a man of my word.Kerley, a man of few words, says he will be fast on SundayKerley, who has a reputation as a man of few words, has spent large parts of 2026 using his social media feed to rip into antidoping authorities, while teasing that a 9.4-second run could be possible. He has turned himself into maybe track's most intriguing character this side of Sha'Carri Richardson.Does he think Usain Bolt's 9.58-second world record can be broken Sunday a feat that would earn the record breaker $1 million, in addition to a $250,000 first prize? It's going to be destroyed," Kerley said.How fast does he think he can go? Fast.How fast? Fast.Does he have a time in mind? Fast.When Kerley's ban for missing tests was announced in March, the easy conclusion was that he didn't care about testing anymore now that he was part of the Enhanced Games.But the reason, he explained, had to do with the 24/7 whereabouts requirements in antidoping. In essence, athletes in the testing pool have to spell out where they'll be at all times and give drug testers specific windows when they'll be available.When the ban came down, Kerley argued he had no intention of answering phone calls that looked like spam from Mexico while he was in the U.S. Those, apparently, were from doping control officers trying to track him down.On Friday, he went a little deeper.I grew up with family, he said. You just dont come and disrespect my space. Once you come and start disrespecting my space, its irritating.But, he says, despite the ban and despite his presence with Enhanced, he continues to be tested by the AIU and USADA.He says the move to Enhanced had nothing to do with taking drugs, everything to do with signing a contract that he suggested on social media would take $12 million to get him out of.Like so many in his sport, he has grown tired of shoe contracts that place too many obligations on athletes and sometimes go away if an injury hits or the times go up.We're training, basically, 365, and it hasn't changed from back in the day when all the greats were running, Kerley said. Banned for taking PEDs, Marvin Bracy-Williams makes a comebackAlso running in the 100 on Sunday is Marvin Bracy-Williams, whose own curious doping case resulted in what could have been a career-ending 45-month ban but instead led him to the Enhanced Games where he said he is, in fact, taking drugs.Bracy-Williams, who finished second at worlds to Kerley by .02 seconds in 2022, conceded that his sudden disappearance from track in 2023 came because he was doping after a series of injuries.He ended up providing information to authorities that led to the arrest of a Florida man, who faces up to 10 years in prison for violating a law passed in 2020 that allows U.S. authorities to prosecute doping crimes involving international events.The reduced ban wasn't enough to salvage the Olympic hopes of Bracy-Williams, now 32, so he jumped when he saw the chance to go to the Enhanced Games.We get in these situations where the treatment is good when you're good, Bracy-Williams said, referencing a $100,000 reduction in his contract that came if he failed to make a U.S. national team. "But when you're in a place where you're not doing so good, it just goes away, and sometimes, for some people, that can be hard.Bracy-Williams said he trained with Tyson Gay in the early 2010s when Gay got nailed for doping. He passed no judgment on him or anyone else.The dude never changed, Bracy-Williams said. I didn't look at him like he was some boogeyman now."He rattled through a long list of great sprinters who had tested positive for doping through the years.But you meet them behind closed doors, and they're good guys, Bracy-Williams said.As he spoke at a table surrounded by media, his two kids sat quietly against the wall and played on their cellphones. There was no need to ask why Bracy-Williams, who has a two-year contract with "lots of zeros" on it, was trying to extend his career at the Enhanced Games.Same for Kerley, who promises that track and field hasn't seen the last of him.At the end of the day," Kerley said, I'm here to provide for my kids and myself.___AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

The BBC is planning not to broadcast the World Cup final's half-time entertainment, only showing the production through its digital platforms.Rather than broadcasting the musical performances during the main television coverage, the corporation intends to maintain its traditional approach of having pundits analyse the opening 45 minutes.Alan Shearer, Cesar Azpilicueta, Olivier Giroud and Wayne Rooney will be among those providing expert analysis for viewers.Whilst no definitive decision has been confirmed, those wishing to view the concert will likely need to access BBC digital services instead.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayThe star-studded interval entertainment at MetLife Stadium will feature performances from Shakira, Madonna and South Korean pop sensation BTS.Fifa president Gianni Infantino has pushed for the spectacle to emulate the famous Super Bowl half-time show that draws millions of viewers annually.However, British broadcasters appear reluctant to prioritise the musical showcase over football-focused content, according to The Times.The entertainment segment could see an extension beyond the standard 15-minute interval, with the exact duration remaining unclear.LATEST SPORTS NEWSArsenal youngster given late call-up to England camp for World Cup in surprise moveBruno Fernandes named Premier League Player of the Season after stunning campaign with Red DevilsCharlotte revealed to support Chelsea following Prince William U-turnBroadcasters have yet to receive confirmation of the performance length, with speculation suggesting it could run anywhere between 11 and 25 minutes.At the Club World Cup final last year between PSG and Chelsea, the half-time show lasted just over 24 minutes.Coldplay were previously confirmed as the headline act for the World Cup final, but the performance is expected to feature a host of global stars.The full line-up emerged in an unusual announcement video posted to the official social media account of Sesame Workshop, featuring Coldplay frontman Chris Martin alongside Elmo.Shakira's inclusion carries special significance given her enduring association with football's biggest tournament.Her 2010 anthem Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) remains one of the most recognisable World Cup songs ever recorded.The Colombian star is also set to release a new song for this year's competition titled "Dai Dai."Madonna will bring decades of pop history to the event.The 66-year-old remains one of the most influential artists in music, more than four decades after launching her recording career.Also joining the show are BTS, whose global popularity is expected to attract enormous attention from fans around the world.The Korean supergroup appeared via video call in the announcement, confirming their participation in what is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious entertainment productions in football history.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Is this the most consequential by-election ever?

Chair hogging has long been a problem on major cruise lines and now a few popular companies are cracking down on so-called pool pirates.For decades, cruise passengers have practiced a time-honored tradition of grabbing anything they can find towels, flip-flops, even dolls to reserve lounge chairs by the pool for hours when the individuals are nowhere to be found, according to several cruise blogs.Now, social-media reports indicate Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is getting serious about the issue.CRUISE PASSENGERS COMPLAINED ABOUT CABIN PROBLEM, NOW SHIPS ARE MAKING A BIG CHANGE"Norwegian Cruise Line is earning praise from passengers for actually enforcing its chair-hogging policy," according to the unrealcruises Instagram account."Crew members aboard Norwegian Escape have been actively marking unoccupied chairs and removing towels and personal items from loungers left unattended," the post continued."Passengers reported that crew members began marking reserved chairs with stickers at approximately 10 a.m."The post went on, "If the chairs were not occupied an hour later, crew members removed items, so other guests could use the space. The enforcement has received overwhelmingly positive reactions from cruisers."Fox News Digital reached out to Norwegian Cruise Line for comment.CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIESThe cruise line's official policy about reserving chairs can be found on its company website."Pool, deck and [theater] chairs may not be reserved," the website states.The policy continues, "Topless sunbathing is not permitted. Boom boxes or loud radios are not permitted."It adds, "Roller blades, roller skates, skateboards, scooters, surfboards, bicycles and similar items may not be utilized on-board, except for mobility aids related to special needs, as approved by the ship's management."TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZCruise passengers sounded off on Facebook, Reddit and Instagram about the deck drama."We faced this on the [Norwegian] Bliss, but my husband was my hero," one NCL passenger wrote on Facebook recently."I avoided the confrontation. He went and put the stuff on the ground behind the chairs, and we came and sat down. He would tell them they know the rules, and too bad for behaving worse than a child."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERAnother traveler responded by saying, "You shouldn't touch people's belongings. Have the attendant do it."Another cruise passenger noted, "Some ships have a better deck supervisor who will deal with these entitled folks."One traveler on Instagram said, "Peace at last."Another traveler in r/Cruise on Reddit said, "Im not a chair hog, but I know why people do it. Because theyre entitled, and they think the rules dont apply to them."Many passengers applauded timestamp systems that provide a clear way to monitor chair usage. Others made the distinction between how families are reserving the chairs."If you're using the pool or whatever attraction where you are saving your chair, absolutely fine," a traveler in r/Cruise said."If you are eating lunch at the buffet or in some other area of the ship while your towel and hat [have] been sitting on a chair for the past hour not fine."

Der Finaltag der Amateure ist die grte Bhne fr den Amateurfuball. Welche unterklassigen Teams sichern sich das Ticket fr den DFB-Pokal?[mehr]