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As Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad battle for survival in IPL 2026, the spotlight remains firmly on promising youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi

New Chandigarh, May 27 (BNP): The IPL 2026 playoffs are set for another gripping chapter as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-pressure Eliminator clash at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Wednesday, with a place in Qualifier 2 hanging in the balance.

For both franchises, the equation is simple — win and stay alive in the title race, lose and bow out of the tournament. As the knockout stage intensifies, anticipation is building around what promises to be a fiercely contested battle between two sides eager to keep their championship dreams alive.

While both teams boast match-winners across departments, a major talking point ahead of the contest is Rajasthan Royals’ young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi. With expectations mounting, all eyes will be on the promising youngster as fans and cricket experts keenly watch whether he can deliver a match-defining performance in one of the biggest games of the season.

Suryavanshi’s ability to handle pressure and rise to the occasion could prove pivotal for Rajasthan Royals, who will rely on composure, consistency, and key individual performances to navigate the knockout hurdle. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to capitalize on their explosive line-up and aggressive approach to dominate the do-or-die encounter.

The Eliminator carries immense significance, with the winner advancing to Qualifier 2 to face the loser of Qualifier 1 for a coveted spot in the IPL 2026 final.

With no second chances remaining and everything at stake, New Chandigarh is set to witness a thrilling showdown as SRH and Rajasthan Royals battle for survival, while the spotlight firmly remains on whether Vaibhav Suryavanshi can rise to the occasion and script a memorable chapter in IPL 2026.

Rajat Patidar’s unbeaten 93 powers Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a record 254/5 as Gujarat Titans collapse under pressure in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala

Dharamsala, May 27 (BNP): Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) produced a commanding all-round performance to storm into the final of IPL 2026 after crushing Gujarat Titans (GT) by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala.

Putting up a sensational batting display, RCB posted a mammoth 254 for 5 in 20 overs — the highest-ever total in IPL playoff history. Captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a breathtaking unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls, smashing nine sixes at a staggering strike rate of over 281.

RCB received strong support from senior batter Virat Kohli, who contributed a brisk 43, while Krunal Pandya added another quickfire 43 to propel the team to a massive total.

Chasing a daunting target, Gujarat Titans suffered an early collapse, losing five wickets inside the powerplay and never recovering from the pressure. Rahul Tewatia offered some resistance with a fighting 68, but GT were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs.

RCB bowlers delivered an impressive performance with Jacob Duffy leading the attack, claiming 3 wickets for 33 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28), Rasikh Dar (2/26), and Krunal Pandya (2/29) also played crucial roles in dismantling the Gujarat batting line-up.

The emphatic victory sends defending champions RCB into their second consecutive IPL final and marks their fifth overall final appearance in tournament history.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans will get another opportunity to stay alive in the competition when they face the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2.

With momentum firmly on their side, RCB now stand just one step away from lifting the IPL 2026 title.

LONDON, UK. MAY 2026. A rare and historically important piece of global telecommunications history has been uncovered at a WeBuyVintage antiques roadshow in Evercreech, Somerset after antiques expert Ismael Khan identified an authentic 1858 Tiffany & Co. Transatlantic Telegraph Cable section brought in by a member of the public. The remarkable find, valued at £800 originates from the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable, completed in 1858, under the leadership of entrepreneur Cyrus W. Field and the Atlantic Telegraph Company.

The cable stretched between Valentia Island in Ireland and Newfoundland in Canada, transforming communications by reducing message delivery times between Europe and North America from around ten days by ship, to only minutes. Although the cable operated for only three weeks, it proved that transatlantic communications were possible and paved the way for the global telecommunications systems used today.

Cyrus W. Field (1819-892) was an American businessman and financier who spear-headed this 19th century pioneering achievement. Although he had no formal background in engineering, he was inspired by the idea of linking Europe and North America through a telegraph cable laid across the Atlantic Ocean. Beginning in the mid-1850s, Field organized and financed multiple expeditions to attempt the project, working closely with scientists and engineers from both sides of the Atlantic. The early attempts were plagued by technical failures; cables broke during laying and signals were unreliable, but he continued to raise money and rebuild support despite repeated setbacks.

After years of effort, the first successful transatlantic telegraph message was finally sent in 1858 between Queen Victoria and U.S. President James Buchanan, though that early cable soon failed. A more durable line was successfully completed in 1866, marking the true breakthrough that made near-instant communication between continents possible for the first time. Field’s persistence and ability to secure investment were key to overcoming the immense technical and financial challenges of the project. He is remembered not just for the cable itself, but for helping usher in a new era of global communication.

Following the success of the project, Cyrus W. Field sold a quantity of the leftover 1858 Atlantic cable to Tiffany & Co. to be transformed into souvenirs, in order to mark such a historic occasion. Tiffany & Co. cut the cable into smaller sections and sold them as authenticated commemorative pieces, such as this example, for collectors and history enthusiasts (with some being made into jewellery).

Ismael Khan, an antiques specialist at WeBuyVintage who has extensive experience sourcing and valuing rare antiques, immediately recognised the significance of this unusual object during the Somerset roadshow. He said: “This is an exceptionally rare find and certainly not the sort of item you come across every day. To discover this genuine 1858 Tiffany & Co. transatlantic cable section is incredibly exciting. It represents a major moment in global history and the beginning of instant international communication. Pieces like this are highly sought after because they combine engineering, innovation and historical significance.”

The cable section measures approximately four inches long and still has its original brass certification band engraved with the words: “Atlantic Telegraph Cable / Guaranteed by Tiffany & Co. / Broadway, New York. 1858. It retains its original engineering structure, including copper wire core, gutta percha insulation, tarred hemp wrapping and iron wire armouring, making it both a technological artefact and a highly desirable collector’s item.

Khan adds: “This is exactly why we hold roadshows around the country. People often have fascinating items tucked away without realising what they are. To uncover something linked to one of the Victorian era’s greatest engineering achievements is a real privilege and a reminder that important history can still turn up in unexpected places.”

Mumbai, May 27 : Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin, representing esports and gaming content powerhouse S8UL Esports, has officially qualified for the Chess main event at the Esports World Cup 2026 through the Champions Chess Tour 2025-2026 Leaderboard. He joins teammate Aravindh Chithambaram as the only two Indian players to qualify for the prestigious tournament so far.

The CCT 2025-2026 season featured two major events, the Speed Chess Championship 2025 and Chess.com Open  2026. The top three players from both tournaments secured direct qualification to the EWC, while players finishing between fifth and ninth in SCC, along with the remaining participants in CCO, earned points toward the CCT Leaderboard based on their performances.

In addition to these events, players also accumulated points through the Titled Tuesday Grand Prix  circuit, which was divided into Autumn, Winter, and Spring splits featuring 13 Titled Tuesday tournaments each. Players earned leaderboard points in every Titled Tuesday event across the season. At the end of the season, the top nine players in the final CCT Leaderboard standings, excluding already-qualified players, secured their spots at EWC 2026.

Nihal narrowly missed out on direct qualification through the CCO after finishing fourth, just one spot away from qualification, but still secured 100 crucial leaderboard points from the event. He further added points through consistent performances across the TTGP circuit, including one point in the Autumn Split and four points in the Winter Split. A standout second-place finish in the Spring Split ultimately helped him accumulate 34 points and finish with a total of 139 points in the standings to secure his berth at the EWC 2026.

Last year, Nihal was one of only two Indians representing the country at the EWC 2025 after qualifying through the Last Chance Qualifier  . He went on to reach the quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Magnus Carlsen.

Speaking about the qualification, Nihal Sarin said,

“Qualifying for the Esports World Cup once again is a very special feeling, especially through a circuit as competitive and demanding as the Champions Chess Tour. This season required consistency across multiple formats and tournaments over several months, and I’m happy that the hard work paid off. Last year’s experience at the EWC gave me a real understanding of how competitive and intense the event is, and it has only motivated me to come back stronger this time. Representing India and S8UL on such a global stage is always special, and I’m looking forward to competing against some of the very best players in the world once again.”

Meanwhile, fellow S8UL Grandmaster Pranesh M, finished just four spots behind the final qualifying position in the CCT Leaderboard standings and also reached the quarterfinals of the India Rising qualifier. He still remains in contention for EWC qualification through the upcoming LCQ, from which four additional players will qualify for the tournament.

“Nihal and Aravindh qualifying for the Esports World Cup reflects the depth of talent we have within our chess program. We have always believed that Indian players can compete with the very best in the world when given the right opportunities and support. Seeing two Indian Grandmasters from S8UL earn their spots at one of the biggest global events is a proud moment for the organization, and we hope it inspires more players to pursue chess at the highest level,” said Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO, S8UL Esports.

This year’s EWC Chess competition, where the world’s best players will compete for a prize pool of USD 1.5 million (~INR 14.3 crore) from August 11 to 15, will feature a revised two-phase format. The tournament will begin with the newly introduced Play-In stage, where eight players qualified through the LCQ and DreamHack Atlanta will compete in a double-elimination bracket featuring two-game matches. Aravindh, who secured qualification through DreamHack Atlanta earlier this year, will compete in this stage. The top-performing players from the Play-In stage will advance to the Group Stage.

Nihal, meanwhile, has directly qualified for the Group Stage through the CCT rankings. The Group Stage will feature 16 players divided into two groups of eight, once again competing in double-elimination brackets with two-game matches. The top four players from each group will advance to the Playoffs.

The Playoffs will follow a single-elimination format, featuring four-game matches in the quarterfinals and six-game matches in the semifinals. The tournament winner will ultimately be decided through a grueling Grand Finals series comprising three separate sets of games.

Having been selected for the Esports Foundation’s Club Partner Program for the second consecutive year, S8UL earlier announced its most ambitious international esports campaign to date, competing across qualifiers for 13 titles. The organization has placed a strong emphasis on Indian representation alongside proven international talent, ensuring homegrown players feature across multiple titles. This vision has already translated into results, with S8UL’s Honor of Kings roster comprising Indian players securing qualification for the tournament and Nihal and Aravindh becoming the only Indian Chess players to officially qualify so far. The organization has also qualified in Fortnite through its international roster while remaining in contention across several additional titles.

The EWC 2026, set to take place from July 6 to August 23 in Paris, France, will bring together over 2,000 players from 200 clubs across more than 100 countries competing for a record-breaking prize pool of USD 75 million (~INR 718 crore). With confirmed qualification across three titles, S8UL will continue its push to represent India on the global stage while pursuing qualification in additional events.

Atlanta, USA May 27 : Pataaka Indian Restaurant, one of Atlanta’s  Indian dining destinations known for its elevated culinary experiences and contemporary interpretation of Indian hospitality, has appointed Prrateek Chaudhary as Director of Beverage, effective June 2026.

A renowned hospitality professional with extensive international experience, Prrateek Chaudhary is currently associated with Kiran’s as Director of Beverage and previously worked as Beverage Manager at Sanjh Restaurant. During his tenure at Sanjh Dallas, he played a key role in developing innovative beverage concepts and enhancing overall guest experiences.

With an impressive career spanning luxury hospitality brands and successful pre-opening projects across India and the United States, Prrateek Chaudhary brings deep expertise in beverage management, restaurant operations, revenue growth, culinary innovation, and guest engagement strategies.

Prior to his journey in the United States hospitality sector, Prrateek Chaudhary was associated with Crowne Plaza Gurgaon as Assistant Director – Food & Beverage. During his tenure, he significantly contributed to business growth, helping increase departmental revenue from INR 26 crore to a projected INR 31 crore within just nine months. He also led the successful pre-opening and launch of three signature concepts –  Kaansa, an Indian fine-dining restaurant; Terrace Garden, a Mediterranean grill concept; and Artisan’s Atelier, a premium patisserie and lounge.

Throughout his professional journey, Prrateek Chaudhary has held leadership positions with globally recognized hospitality brands including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group, The Leela Palace New Delhi, Taj Hotels, and The Lodhi. His extensive luxury hospitality background has established him as a respected leader within the food and beverage industry.

Prrateek Chaudhary has also been actively involved in five major pre-opening projects, contributing to the successful launches of Fairmont Jaipur, Hyatt Centric Janakpuri New Delhi, Perbacco at The Lodhi, Kaansa Gurgaon, and Sanjh Dallas, USA.

Speaking about his new role, Prrateek Chaudhary said:

“I am excited to join Pataaka and contribute to its vision of delivering exceptional Indian hospitality and innovative dining experiences. My journey across luxury hospitality brands and international restaurant projects has provided me with valuable experience, and I look forward to creating memorable beverage experiences while strengthening guest engagement at the restaurant.”

The appointment of Prrateek Chaudhary is expected to further strengthen Pataaka Indian Restaurant’s position as a premium Indian dining destination in the United States while elevating its beverage program and enhancing the overall guest experience.