Category: News

Gurugram, May 27 : BPTP Limited, one of the National Capital Region’s established real estate developer, has announced the launch of Downtown 66, a premium residential development in Sector 66, Gurugram, with a Gross Development Value of approximately INR 2,500 crore. The residential development comprises 504 luxury residences in 3 & 3.5 BHK configurations, with prices starting from INR 5.32 crore. The project is being developed with an estimated investment of approximately INR 1,200 crore. Positioned within one of the city’s prominent urban corridors, the project is inspired by global downtowns where, residences are seamlessly connected to social spaces, lifestyle experiences, and commercial hubs within a cohesive, walkable ecosystem.

 

Rising to an approximate height of 150 metres along Golf Course Extension Road, Downtown 66 introduces a built form that integrates architecture with a layered living experience one that moves beyond conventional residential planning towards a more curated, immersive, experience-oriented format of urban living.

A Residential Format Shaped by Curated Living: Downtown 66 draws from a global shift in how premium urban spaces are experienced where value is increasingly defined not by scale alone, but by curation, discretion, and quality of engagement.

The development adopts a hospitality-influenced planning approach, where:

• Social spaces are designed to feel intimate, layered, and purpose-driven, rather than expansive and impersonal
• Access is structured to support a more private, resident-led environment
• Design emphasizes materiality, mood, and spatial sequencing, creating spaces that evolve through the day

This approach translates into a residential ecosystem where everyday living is supported by thoughtfully composed environments for interaction, retreat, and routine.

Dining, Entertainment, and Social Life as Core to Living: A key aspect of Downtown 66 is the integration of food, entertainment, and social infrastructure as central elements of the residential experience. Instead of being treated as ancillary amenities, these spaces are designed as destination environments within the development, including:

• Dining-led spaces that prioritize ambience, layout, and flow encouraging both casual and occasion-based use
• Evening and social lounges designed for smaller gatherings, informal interactions, and resident-led engagement
• Multi-use entertainment areas that can transition across formats quiet during the day and more active in the evenings

The intent is to create a self-contained social fabric, where residents have access to spaces that support both community interaction and personal privacy, depending on time and context.

Wellness as a Daily Infrastructure: Wellness at Downtown 66 is positioned as a continuous, integrated layer of living, rather than a standalone amenity.

Dedicated zones for fitness, recovery, and mindful routines are interwoven into the development, enabling:

• Structured and unstructured physical activity
• Spaces for relaxation and decompression
• Access to environments that support long-term well-being

This is complemented by landscaped zones and open areas that allow for movement, pause, and transition throughout the day.

Design, Architecture, and Living Experience: The architectural language of Downtown 66 is defined by a luminous glass and metal façade to maximize natural daylight, enhance ventilation, and create open panoramic views.Each tower is planned with four residences per floor and multiple high-speed passenger and service lifts.

Residences are designed with expansive wraparound decks, extending internal spaces outward and enabling uninterrupted views. With a limited configuration of four residences per floor, the layout prioritizes privacy, openness, and spatial continuity. The structure is engineered with enhanced safety considerations, including design aligned with seismic Zone V standards for high-rise developments, ensuring alignment between design intent and structural performance.

Amenity Ecosystem: Spread across expansive interconnected zones, the project features a total amenities and landscape area of 1.35 lakh sq. ft., consisting of:

• Entertainment & Social Living
• Dining & Lifestyle Spaces
• Health & Wellness
• Sports & Fitness
• Kids & Family

At the core of the amenity ecosystem is a centrally positioned clubhouse designed as a social and wellness hub, integrating spaces for fitness, recreation, dining, and community engagement.

The wellness offering includes facilities such as yoga and zumba rooms, meditation pavilions, hammam, treatment rooms, sauna, jacuzzi, gymnasium, and an indoor heated pool supporting everyday well-being.

The development also features a multi-layered landscape across podium and ground levels, along with lifestyle amenities including indoor sports facilities, dining spaces, entertainment lounges, and dedicated zones for children and senior residents. The podium-level planning creates a clear separation between public and residential layers, allowing for a more controlled and elevated community environment.

Sustainability and Environmental Approach: Downtown 66 carries an IGBC Platinum pre-certification, incorporating energy-efficient systems, passive cooling strategies, water conservation measures, and green building practices. Planning principles emphasize natural light, ventilation, and efficient spatial layouts, ensuring that sustainability is embedded into the overall design framework.

“In global cities, downtowns are shaped not just by location, but by how people engage with their surroundings through dining, social interaction, and everyday routines. With Downtown 66, the intent has been to translate this into a residential format that brings together walkability, hospitality-influenced spaces, and a more curated, design-led living environment.The development is envisioned as a setting where social, wellness, and lifestyle experiences are seamlessly integrated into daily life positioned not merely as a residential address, but as a composed urban-environment where architecture and everyday living come together within a structured, walkable framework in Gurugram.”- Vineet Nanda, Chief Business Officer, BPTP Limited

Located in Sector 66, Gurugram, the development sits within one of the city’s evolving micro-markets. The Golf Course Extension Road corridor offers connectivity to Sohna Road, Golf Course Road, NH-48, and Dwarka Expressway. The surrounding ecosystem includes hospitality, commercial, education, and healthcare infrastructure, positioning Downtown 66 within a fully developed urban network that supports walkable, day-to-day living.

Downtown 66 is supported by a multidisciplinary team of consultants, bringing together global and domestic expertise across design, engineering, and compliance. AEDAS, an international architecture and design firm headquartered in Hong Kong, leads the principal architecture and interior design, while Coopers Hill, a Singapore-based landscape practice, curates the project’s outdoor environment. RWD1, an international wind engineering firm, supports wind tunnel analysis to optimise structural and façade performance. The Indian consultant team – including, Manish Consultant, RSMS, ATN Consultants, Sanelac, and Proion collectively ensures alignment with regulatory requirements, sustainability benchmarks, and execution standards.

May, 2026: The excitement around Eid starts long before the celebrations do. It begins with planning the day, looking forward to family gatherings and, of course, finding the outfit that feels special, photographs beautifully and takes you effortlessly from daytime celebrations to evening festivities. 

This season, Eid dressing feels lighter and more effortless, with styles that are easy to wear while still feeling special. Nykaa Fashion’s Eid al-Adha Edit brings together modern festive looks made for every moment of celebration. 

Festive Dressing Without the Fuss 

Eid often means a full day of meeting family, spending time with loved ones and capturing special moments. And with that comes a common thought, finding an outfit that looks festive while still feeling comfortable through the day.

Festive fashion is becoming easier with soft colours like blush pink, sage green and rich jewel tones paired with light fabrics and delicate embroidery. Styles like the Gajra Gang Guldasta Light Peach Printed Organza Saree, Likha Utsav Pink Lace Detailing Kurta Set and Gajra Gang Rue De Ruffles Gold Satin Georgette Ready-To-Wear Saree and Gajra Gang Pixie Dust Black Ombre Sequined Saree bring together comfort and festive style. 

Looks That Keep Up With Every Celebration 

Eid celebrations can take you from family lunches to evening get-togethers. The right outfit should help you enjoy every moment while keeping you comfortable through the day. 

Flowy kurtas, shararas and modern co-ords are leading the season with styles that are easy to wear and still make a statement. Pieces like the Gahan Silk Blend Embroidered & Mirror Embellished Pink Kurta Pant & Organza Dupatta (Set of 3), Seerat Black Embroidery Silk Straight Kurta with Pant and Dupatta (Set of 3) & Mirror Embellished Pink Kurta Pant & Organza Dupatta Set and bring together style and comfort. Menswear follows the same mood with tonal kurtas and textured bandhgalas. 

The Finishing Touches 

Accessories often bring the whole look together. The right details from Fida Baby Pink Teardrop Bridal Jhumkas Earrings for Women, Anekaant Dangle Peach and Off White Velvet Pearl Embellished Potli, I Jewels Gold Plated Traditional Handcrafted Pearl Kundan Beaded Drop Earrings can instantly lift any festive look. 

Statement jhumkas, embellished potlis, pearl details and handcrafted accents add a special touch to every look.

Pune, May 26: Karma Foundation, an advanced animal healthcare facility in Pune equipped with an in-house pathology laboratory, ICU, operation theatre, recovery wards, and outpatient department, has successfully crossed 25,573+ stray animal sterilization surgeries since its inception. This milestone reflects the foundation’s continued commitment towards responsible stray animal management, accessible veterinary care, and community animal welfare through sustained on-ground efforts.

At Karma Foundation, the approach has been to build a system that works in real conditions. Animals are registered through an online process, and in cases where the team conducts pick-ups, the exact location is logged at the time of catching. The system does not allow release unless the animal is taken back to the same spot, helping avoid relocation-related issues commonly seen in urban areas.

The organisation has also implemented medical checks and surgical protocols that are often skipped during large-scale drives. Dogs undergo blood tests before surgery to detect conditions such as tick-borne fever or distemper, while cats are handled differently to reduce stress and recovery time. The team follows highly sterile surgical practices with minimal post-operative intervention.

Alongside its sterilization initiatives, Karma Foundation has also recorded 22,157+ animal rescues, 47,730+ vaccinations, 13,575+ surgeries, and 6,210+ treatments through its community clinic. The facility has the capacity to provide inpatient care for up to 150 cats and dogs, along with outpatient services for nearly 300 animals every month.

Speaking on the milestone, Ms. Priya Kailad, Founder and President, Karma Foundation, said,

“Reaching this number is important, but what matters more is how the work is being done. Sterilization only works if it is consistent and properly tracked. From making sure every animal goes back to the same location to carrying out basic medical checks before surgery, we have tried to remove the gaps that usually exist on the ground. The issue exists because of us human beings, and it needs to be handled with that level of responsibility.”

Karma Foundation currently operates out of a 14,000 sq. ft. facility in Pune, providing both in-patient and out-patient care. As cities continue to struggle with managing stray populations, the organisation’s focus remains clear; build a system that is consistent, accountable, and difficult to break, rather than one that only works in fragments. The milestone is not just a number, but a marker of what sustained, method-driven execution can achieve when done right.

New Delhi, May 26: The Karnataka government has formally initiated action on the complaint submitted by Dr. Bhargav Mallappa, Chairman of the Akhila Sevak Samaj Sangh, regarding alleged unauthorised mobile surveillance and suspicious digital monitoring activities.

In official communications issued from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and the Office of the Home Minister on May 25, 2026, Karnataka authorities acknowledged receipt of Dr. Mallappa’s petition and directed senior police and cyber crime officials to examine the matter and take action as per established procedures.

A note issued by M. Shanthappa, Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister, forwarded the representation to the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, requesting review of the petition and necessary action under the rules.

Separately, a communication from Dr. Channabasappa K., Private Secretary to the Home Minister, instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime-2 Division, Bengaluru City, to look into the complaint. The letter specifically referred to requests for technical verification by the Cyber Crime Cell and an urgent cyber forensic investigation into the alleged activities.

The development comes after Dr. Mallappa raised concerns over suspected unlawful digital monitoring, interception-related activities, and possible misuse of communication systems involving certain mobile connections. In his representations, he sought a transparent and time-bound probe into the matter, stressing the importance of privacy, digital security, and constitutional protections.

The official responses indicate that the matter has now been formally placed before Bengaluru Police and relevant cyber crime authorities for examination and further action.

May 26 : A new report from environmental nonprofit Canopy shows that wheat straw has the potential to create high-quality, sustainable viscose and lyocell fibre for the fashion industry — reducing reliance on forest fibres, cutting air pollution, and creating new income opportunities for rural communities.

The report, called From Wheat Straw to Wardrobes: Fashioning a new fibre future, reveals the results of a pilot project that tested whether pulp made from Indian wheat straw could be used to create high-quality viscose and lyocell fibres instead of conventional wood-derived pulp.

The results show that wheat straw pulp can not only directly replace wood-based pulp in viscose and lyocell fibre production but can also create a range of yarns and fabrics that successfully meet brand performance and technical standards across multiple product applications.

Wood-derived pulp is used to create many Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres  including viscose and lyocell. These materials are often positioned as more environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic fibres such as polyester, and to cotton, due to being derived from trees. However, analysis shows that more than 300 million trees are cut down annually to create these fibres, including from some of the world’s most climate-critical and biodiversity-rich forests. Leaving these forests standing is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce carbon emissions and support the global “30×30” biodiversity target, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and waters by 2030.

The pilot  named Project Latvus  brought together nonprofits Canopy and Fashion for Good, brands C&A, H&M Group, and Reformation, supply chain innovators and manufacturers Chempolis, TITK, Inovafil, Yee Chain, Shahi, Filpucci, and DBL traceability technology provider Textile Genesis and wheat straw supplier A2P (Agri to Power) Energy. The project was supported by Laudes Foundation and built on Spinning Future Threads, an earlier report commissioned by Laudes, which found that agricultural waste could be feasibly sourced as a raw material for textiles. By connecting stakeholders across the supply chain, Project Latvus aimed to integrate every stage of production  from farm to garment  to help identify and solve challenges that often slow the scale-up of new materials.

Representatives from brand Reformation and TITK noted that the fibre closely matched the look and feel of conventional lyocell while meeting performance expectations for commercial applications. Other supply chain partners also reported confidence in the fibre’s potential to scale.

Canopy, who led the project and authored the report, noted that alternative feedstocks play a critical role in diversifying the fashion industry’s fibre basket, reducing reliance on forests, and strengthening supply chain resilience. They also highlight the wider environmental and social benefits of scaling these materials, including reducing air pollution from crop burning and creating new income opportunities for rural farming communities.

In particular, the report highlights India’s potential to become a leader in the production of next-generation MMCFs, due to the country’s large supply of agricultural residue alongside circular textile to textile production systems. Estimates suggest that more than 90 million tonnes of crop residue are burned annually in India, representing a significant untapped resource that could instead be used to create low-impact fibre for textiles and other uses. Scaling this opportunity could help create new income streams for farming communities, strengthen local manufacturing capacity and support the growth of a more circular textile industry. Crop burning is also estimated to contribute to seasonal air pollution in Northern India, where levels of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 — tiny air pollution particles that can harm human health — have in recent years measured above WHO safety guidelines.

Canopy is calling on fashion brands to support the scale-up of MMCFs that don’t rely on wood pulp, noting in the report that pooled demand will help these materials achieve price parity and scale quickly.

“Project Latvus shows that the future of fibre is already here. While continued scale-up is needed to optimize efficiency and close the price difference, the direction is clear — Next Gen MMCFs are ready for the next stage of commercial adoption,” said Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy. “By diversifying feedstocks beyond forests, we have a real opportunity to build a more resilient, circular, and low-impact textile industry.”

The red dress and pink cardigan are made out of wheat straw lyocell by Chempolis for Reformation.
The yellow blouse is made out of wheat straw lyocell by Chempolis for C&A.
The white skirt is made out of wheat straw lyocell by Chempolis for YeeChain.
The blue pants are made out of Refibra by Lenzing.

 

 

The second round of the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship delivered drama, surprises and intense competition throughout the weekend. Mārtiņš Sesks and Renārs Francis secured second overall with a mature and controlled performance, while Brynildsen collected crucial points for the Teams Championship. Strong praise also goes to Simone Tempestini, an excellent fifth overall after a highly consistent rally.

 

Karlstad (SWE), May 26 – Team MRF Tyres leaves the BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia, round two of the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship, with great satisfaction after securing second overall at the end of 16 special stages thanks to Mārtiņš Sesks and Renārs Francis aboard the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 run by SRT.
 
The Latvian driver, once again confirmed his talent, class and remarkable race management abilities, making the most of the competitiveness of the MRF Tyres gravel package, which played a substantial role in achieving this result on the fast and technical Scandinavian stages. Sesks managed the different phases of the rally like a hungry cat, taking some risks along the way but then delivering a superb second leg. Starting the day from fifth overall, he steadily climbed the order with effective stage times and a mistake-free approach that eventually allowed him to finish second, 15.7 behind the winners and missing to score the fastest time in the Power Stage for 0.4 seconds. A result that moves him up to third in the drivers’ standings, effectively second considering the top two drivers are tied on points. 
 
“MRF Tyres brought me back to this championship. It was not easy, but returning here, where everything started for us, was really special and it was fantastic to drive on these roads again. I’m happy with the result and hopefully see you again soon,” said Sesks.
 
Completing the result for Team MRF Tyres was Norwegian driver Eyvind Brynildsen, joined on this occasion by Swedish co-driver Anders Fredriksson aboard the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 also run by SRT. The winner of the 2025 Royal Rally once again showed speed, potential and strong confidence with the technical package, but compromised his chances with a mistake during Friday’s Qualifying Stage, which forced him to start near the front throughout Saturday’s leg. That handicap prevented him from fighting on equal terms with the main contenders. Despite the time lost while sweeping the roads, Brynildsen pushed hard throughout Sunday, recovering positions up to an extremely positive sixth overall, a result that allowed him to score crucial points for the Teams Championship, where Team MRF Tyres now leads by 61 points with a significant margin over its rivals.
 
“Thank you. It was a tough and crazy rally. It’s unbelievable how a small mistake in the Qualifying Stage can compromise everything else. From 18th to 6th is not bad at all. Thanks to MRF Tyres, and everyone who supported me and all the people who did a brilliant job throughout the weekend. It’s a pity because we could have fought for the podium, but I really enjoyed it and it was a fantastic opportunity” said Brynildsen.
 
The FIA European Rally Championship will continue in the first week of July with another asphalt event, the Italian round at Rally di Roma Capitale.
 
FIA European Rally Championship – Teams standings after round 2
1. Team MRF Tyres pt. 61; 2. Recalvi Team pt. 49; 3. JC Raceteknik pt. 32; 4. Rautio Motorsport pt. 28; 5. Motorsport Ireland Academy pt. 2

Mumbai, May 26: Leading Indian teen boy band OutStation has officially announced ‘The Homecoming Bus’, a massive 14-day, 11-city road trip kicking off next month to celebrate their breakout one year anniversary

Exactly one year after five boys from different corners of India were brought together by Visva Records’ nationwide talent search, the band is returning to the road to thank their rapidly growing, fiercely loyal fanbase called the ‘Passengers’. 

From June 14 to June 28, 2026, the five-member act will live, travel and create entirely out of a custom tour bus. The journey begins in Mumbai and will cut through Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jaipur, Delhi, Agra, Bhopal, Indore and Pune, before completing the loop back to Mumbai.
 
‘The Homecoming Bus’ completely flips the traditional concert model. Driven by raw, unscripted fan interaction, the 14-day journey will feature daily unscripted livestreams, impromptu performances and meet-ups. In a bid to turn the road trip into a national cultural exchange, the band will collaborate daily with local creators, artisans and musicians specific to each city. The entire 14-day expedition will be heavily documented with daily content drops across social platforms, culminating in a raw, feature-length documentary chronicling the highs, lows and chaos of life on the Indian highway.
 
OutStation states,

“A year ago, the five of us were absolute strangers from completely different towns, packing our bags with nothing but a dream. We didn’t know if anyone would listen. To see over Tens of Thousands of ‘Passengers’ step into our world this year has been life changing. ‘Homecoming‘ is a love letter to our fans. We aren’t just putting on shows; we are living on the road, cooking up cultural collaborations, and coming straight to the doorsteps of the people who built us. We left home to chase this, now we’re coming to yours.”

Mentored by Grammy-nominated global hitmaker Savan Kotecha (the mastermind behind iconic hits for One Direction, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd), OutStation has evolved from a bootcamp experiment into India’s fastest-rising pop acts. Despite having only two official independent releases, ‘Tum Se’ and ‘Aaj Kal’, the band has already commanded a collective audience of over 2,00,000 fans across venues, pop-ups and livestreams, while opening for global giants like Akon and indie icon Anuv Jain.

The emotional heartbeat of this road trip is their upcoming debut EP of the same name, scheduled for a worldwide release on July 31, 2026 across all major streaming platforms.

Mumbai, May 26 : Hansa Research Group, through its IPLomania study tracking audience behaviour during the first six weeks of IPL 2026, has revealed emerging trends across viewership, consumer engagement, brand visibility, and fandom patterns. The findings highlight how the IPL is steadily evolving into a multi-platform entertainment ecosystem, driven by dual-screen consumption, digital-first engagement, and growing interaction with short-format content and highlights.

The study reveals that IPL consumption in 2026 is being driven by extremely high engagement intensity among core fans, with audiences increasingly treating the tournament as a daily entertainment habit rather than an occasional sporting event. Over 41.18% viewers reported watching 7+ IPL matches weekly, while another 29.78% viewers watched 6–7 matches every week. The average IPL viewer consumed 6.12 matches weekly during the tournament period, indicating sustained and habitual engagement across the season.

The IPLomania study further reveals that audiences are increasingly shifting how they consume the tournament, with multi-platform and digital-first viewing behaviour continuing to strengthen during IPL 2026. Nearly 70% viewers now consume IPL across both television and OTT platforms, making dual-screen viewing the dominant mode of tournament consumption.

While only 18.98% viewers now watch IPL exclusively on television, 38.26% viewers mainly consume IPL on TV while simultaneously engaging through OTT platforms, and another 31.16% viewers primarily consume through OTT while continuing partial TV viewing. According to Hansa Research’s IPLomania trends, exclusive linear TV viewership has declined from nearly 27% earlier to 18.98% in IPL 2026, indicating a clear migration toward connected TVs, mobile streaming, and digital-first viewing habits.

The findings also highlight the rapid rise of short-format and catch-up IPL consumption beyond live broadcasts. Around 13.64% viewers actively consume IPL through social media highlights and reels, while another 8.40% audiences engage with match highlights on YouTube. Among engagement-led formats, “Super Sixes” emerged as the most consumed content category at 36.33%, followed by “Moment of the Day” at 33.66%, “Fall of Wicket” clips at 32.99%, “Winning Moments” at 32.14%, and “Action Replay” content at 28.38%.

On the advertising front, CEAT emerged as the most recalled brand during IPL 2026 with a recall score of 59.61, followed by RuPay at 56.45, Amul at 54.99, and TATA AIG at 54.00. Other strongly recalled brands included Groww, Rajshree Pan Masala, Mutual Fund Sahi Hai, Asian Paints, Google Gemini, and Angel One.

The IPLomania study also evaluated the strongest sponsorship properties for brand visibility during IPL broadcasts. Player jerseys emerged as the highest-performing branding asset, with 55.06% viewers recalling brands displayed on jerseys. This was followed by on-ground and pitch branding at 49.48%, boundary rope branding at 47.36%, commentator and presentation backdrops at 44.75%, helmet branding at 40.27%, player pants branding at 38.20%, and perimeter LCD branding at 36.45%.

The research further captured a major shift in IPL fandom during the 2026 season. Royal Challengers Bangalore  emerged as the most supported IPL franchise this year with 20.25% support share, overtaking Chennai Super Kings (19.35%) and Mumbai Indians (17.83%), both of which witnessed declines compared to the previous season. Rajasthan Royals also recorded notable fan growth, increasing from 5% support in 2025 to 7.28% in 2026.

Among emerging players, Vaibhav Suryavanshi emerged as the biggest breakout player of IPL 2026 with 18.56% audience preference, establishing a significant lead over all other emerging cricketers tracked in the study. Ayush Mhatre followed at 5.09%, while Noor Ahmad, Priyansh Arya, Sameer Rizvi, Jacob Bethell, and Tristan Stubbs also emerged among the key young players attracting audience interest this season.

Commenting on the findings, Pramod Pawar, Quantitative Research – Vice President, Hansa Research Group said,

“The way audiences are interacting with IPL is becoming far more fragmented and continuous than before. Fans today are not just following full matches, but are actively engaging with key moments, highlights, replays, and cricket conversations throughout the day across multiple platforms. This evolution is creating a far more dynamic engagement environment for broadcasters, teams, sponsors, and digital platforms, where audience attention is increasingly distributed across formats, screens, and content moments rather than concentrated only around live television viewing.” 

New Delhi, May 26 (BNP): In a high-stakes showdown, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2026 at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Tuesday, with a direct spot in the final up for grabs.

Both teams finished the league stage level on points and were separated only by net run rate, setting the stage for a blockbuster encounter between two of the tournament’s most consistent sides. The winner of the contest will seal a place in the IPL 2026 final, while the losing side will get another opportunity in Qualifier 2.

The clash marks the first-ever playoff meeting between Bengaluru and Gujarat, despite both franchises making the playoffs four times in the last five seasons. Their rivalry has remained finely balanced, with both teams sharing four wins each in eight previous meetings.

RCB head into the contest with a formidable batting line-up led by experienced campaigners and explosive finishers, giving them depth and flexibility in pressure situations. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, will bank heavily on their in-form top order, with captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler expected to shoulder the responsibility.

One of the key battles to watch could be between RCB pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Gujarat’s top-order batters. The veteran pacer has enjoyed notable success against Gill and Buttler in the T20 format, making the opening exchanges potentially decisive.

RCB will also rely on the experience of Virat Kohli in pressure matches, while skipper Rajat Patidar could play a crucial role in the middle order. Gujarat’s hopes may rest on the bowling brilliance of Rashid Khan and pace ace Kagiso Rabada, especially if the Dharamsala surface assists seam and bounce.

The HPCA Stadium pitch is expected to provide movement and carry for fast bowlers early in the innings, though batters are likely to enjoy stroke play once settled. Chasing teams have traditionally found success at the venue during evening matches.

Weather conditions in Dharamsala are expected to remain pleasant, with only a slight chance of rain earlier in the evening. Officials expect conditions to clear well before the toss, allowing for an uninterrupted contest.

The toss for the much-anticipated Qualifier 1 will take place at 7 PM IST, while the match begins at 7:30 PM IST. Fans can catch the action live on the Star Sports Network, with streaming available on JioHotstar.

With power hitters, proven match-winners and a place in the final at stake, cricket fans can expect towering sixes, game-changing wickets and intense playoff drama in what promises to be one of the biggest clashes of IPL 2026.

May,  26: Chupa Chups, Perfetti Van Melle’s vibrant brand, ushered in the summer season with an exclusive, invite-only poolside summer party, bringing its ‘Summer Ka Fun Funa Fun’ campaign to life. The high-energy afternoon saw a curated mix of creators and trendsetters come together for a burst of flavour, spontaneity, and a bit of sweet & sour fun. Set against a vibrant poolside backdrop, the experience was crafted as the ultimate summer hangout, complete with bold, Chupa Chups-inspired installations, interactive zones and content-ready moments designed to be instantly shareable. From start to finish, every corner invited guests to play, create and capture their own take on summer.

At the heart of the experience was a simple yet creative idea: to make summer all about fun, spontaneous, shareable moments. Chupa Chups brought this alive through immersive zones that reimagined how the brand can be enjoyed. A mocktail bar where guests crafted colourful drinks using Chupa Chups Frozen Jellies as mix-ins, toppings and frozen cubes. Next to it was a masala station for a bold flavour twist pairing jellies with spicy, tangy and sweet seasonings. And, a dessert bar for Indulgent creations featuring Chupa Chups across ice creams, waffles, pancakes and brownies.

Speaking about the initiative, Gunjan Khetan, Director – Marketing, Perfetti Van Melle India, said:

“Summer is a natural playground for heightened self-expression, fun and social sharing. With Chupa Chups, ‘Summer Ka Fun Funa Fun’, our idea was to go beyond just offering a product and inspire new, playful ways to enjoy it during the summer season. It is not just about flavour, but unlocking new consumption occasions, turning everyday summer moments into exciting, shareable experiences. The Poolside Summer party was conceived to help Chupa Chups add a burst of fun to everything from drinks to desserts, making it a natural part of joyful, sharable summer celebrations.”

With a strong creator presence and a visually vibrant setup, the experience extended beyond the venue, driving social buzz and giving audiences a glimpse into the ultimate Chupa Chups summer vibe. As part of its broader campaign, the event serves as a key step in building strong associations between Chupa Chups and summer fun, while generating engaging content that fuels ongoing conversations. By blending product innovation with experiential storytelling, Chupa Chups continues to strengthen its relevance among young consumers and reinforce its position as a brand that transforms everyday moments into playful escapes.