Ahead of the IPL 2024 final showdown against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders faced a setback as a sharp spell of rain disrupted their final practice session. Scheduled to practice under lights, players were forced indoors as rain poured down, halting their warm-up game. Groundsmen covered the strip designated for the final match amidst concerns over pitch composition. While there's no official rain forecast for Sunday, minor threats loom due to Cyclone Remal's activity in the Bay of Bengal. Despite a reserve day, teams hope for clear skies for the much-anticipated clash.

Natasa Stankovic has responded to rumors about her divorce from cricketer Hardik Pandya. While out with Aleksander Alexllic, she was asked about the speculation and simply smiled, saying “thank you.” This is her first reaction to the rumors. The couple, married since May 2020, has a 3-year-old son, Agastya. Rumors began when Natasa removed the ‘Pandya’ surname from her Instagram and stopped posting pictures with Hardik. A viral Reddit post further fueled the speculation. Despite the rumors, neither Natasa nor Hardik has made an official statement about their relationship.

Hardik Pandya's absence from the first batch of Team India players departing for the T20 World Cup in New York sparks speculation amid divorce rumors with wife Natasa Stankovic. While captain Rohit Sharma and others set off, Pandya and Virat Kohli were notably absent. Pandya's recent struggles, both on-field with Mumbai Indians and off-field with personal issues, fuel speculation about his well-being. Reports suggest Pandya's training stint in London, with expectations of joining the team later. His presence remains crucial for India's T20 World Cup campaign, aiming to end an 11-year ICC title drought.

Natasa Stankovic’s recent Instagram story, saying "Someone is about to get on the streets," has fueled rumors of her divorce from cricketer Hardik Pandya. Speculation is rife that Natasa may receive 70% of Pandya's property. The rumors intensified when she removed "Pandya" from her Instagram username and was absent from IPL 2024 matches. Fans have trolled her online, accusing her of taking advantage of Pandya. The Mumbai Indians, led by Pandya, had a disappointing season, finishing last. The couple has not posted photos together recently, adding to the speculation.

In a milestone for gender equality in football, the upcoming Copa America tournament will feature female referees for the first time. Eight women, including referees Edina Alves and Maria Victoria Penso, will join a team of 101 match officials for the June 20-July 14 event in the United States. This achievement marks a significant step in CONMEBOL's commitment to developing and professionalizing women in football, both on and off the field. The selected female officials have already made their mark in senior men's tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup and the World Cup in Qatar.

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) clinched a spot in the IPL 2024 final with a 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2 in Chennai. Led by Pat Cummins, SRH defended a 175-run target with effective spin bowling from Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, who took a combined four wickets. Heinrich Klaasen's crucial 50 and key contributions from Rahul Tripathi (37) and Travis Head (34) propelled SRH to 175/9. RR faltered in their chase, finishing at 139/7. SRH will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final on May 26.

Harbhajan Singh, one of India's cricket legends, has decided not to apply for the position of Team India's head coach. Despite showing initial interest, Harbhajan confirmed he isn't pursuing the role. The BCCI is seeking a new head coach to take over after the 2024 T20 World Cup, with the tenure lasting until the 2027 ODI World Cup. Harbhajan, a key player in India's 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup victories, concluded his international career with 417 Test and 269 ODI wickets. He retired from IPL in 2021, having won three titles with Mumbai Indians.              

Deepthi Jeevanji, representing India, secured gold in the women's 400m T20 category at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe. She shattered the world record with a stunning time of 55.07 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Breanna Clark. Hailing from Telangana, Deepthi has a remarkable track record, previously winning gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Her victory highlights her exceptional talent and determination. With India's medal tally reaching five, including two silver and two bronze, Deepthi's achievement stands as a testament to her hard work and dedication on the global stage.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by four wickets in the IPL 2024 Eliminator, securing their spot in Qualifier 2 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Opting to bowl first, RR restricted RCB to 172/8. Key contributions came from Rajat Patidar (48 off 32) and Mahipal Lomror (32 off 22). Ravichandran Ashwin was exceptional, taking 2/19, while Trent Boult was economical, conceding only 16 runs in his four overs. In response, RR’s Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a vital 45 off 30 balls. Despite some mid-innings stumbles, Riyan Parag (28* off 16) and Shimron Hetmyer (22 off 14) ensured a successful chase, with Rovman Powell finishing it off, hitting a six to clinch the win.              

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) canceled their practice session and press conference ahead of their IPL 2024 Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) due to a security threat involving four arrests on terror suspicion. Scheduled for May 22 at the Gujarat College ground in Ahmedabad, the session was called off while RR continued their practice as planned. This unusual move by RCB came because both teams couldn't use the main Narendra Modi Stadium, occupied by the IPL Qualifier 1 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The decision underscores the heightened security concerns surrounding the event.