Sport
Team unity, newfound aggression key to RCB’s dramatic IPL turnaround
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have dragged themselves back into the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoff race after their early season struggles and skipper Faf du Plessis believes a bolder approach in recent matches had sparked their revival.
After losing seven of their first eight matches, RCB embarked on a superb five-match winning spree, with Sunday’s 47-run win over Delhi Capitals lifting them to fifth in the table with 12 points, above Delhi and Lucknow on net run rate, Reuters reported.
Needing a win to keep their top-four hopes alive, RCB shrugged off the early dismissals of Du Plessis and top-scorer Virat Kohli as Will Jacks made a 29-ball 41 and Rajat Patidar smashed a 32-ball 52 to help them post 187-9.
Their bowlers ripped through Delhi to dismiss them for 140 in 19.1 overs, with pacer Yash Dayal claiming three wickets.
“We want to play that style of cricket – RCB talks about playing bold,” Du Plessis said. “Just proud that we can actually do that now, putting our performance together.
“It’s just confidence, isn’t it?. First half of the season, we were really fighting for it, didn’t quite come together for us. You just need a couple of guys to find their form in the tournament and it’s happened.”
Victory over Delhi marked the third straight match that RCB had bowled a team out and they have posted totals of 200 or more in five of their last seven games.
“There’s been a positive change. Even when we were losing, nobody was pointing fingers at anyone,” Dayal said.
“We’ve been positive throughout the season and we’ve become more attacking. We’ve switched that mode on.”
Meanwhile, Yash Dayal who took three wickets against Delhi Capitals, also felt that the strong sense of team unity is a key factor for their team’s dramatic turnaround.
“There has been a positive change. Even when we were losing, no one was pointing anyone’s name out. This supportive atmosphere, coupled with a newfound aggressive approach, seems to be the winning formula for RCB,” Dayal said.
“There has been a positive change. Even when we were losing, no one was pointing anyone out, so it’s a big positive point. And all through the season, we were positive. And now we have become more attacking.”
RCB face third-placed Chennai Super Kings in what could be a virtual quarterfinal between the two teams on Saturday.
The 2026 Winter Olympics are underway in Italy, running from February 6 to 22, with events staged across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo and surrounding alpine venues.
It is the first time the Winter Games are being hosted jointly by two cities, with Milan hosting ice events and mountain competitions spread across Cortina and nearby valleys.
The Winter Olympics were first held in 1924 in Chamonix, complementing the Summer Games revived in 1896. Traditionally dominated by European and North American nations, Norway remains the most successful country in Winter Olympic history.
Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 (Cortina d’Ampezzo).
The 2026 Games will feature 16 sports and 116 medal events, including the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering.
Key Dates
Opening Ceremony: 7 February
Games conclude: 22 February
From high-speed alpine racing to gravity-defying snowboarding and freestyle skiing, Milano Cortina 2026 promises a showcase of elite winter sport, iconic Italian scenery and some of the most exciting Olympic competition yet.
For sports enthusiasts across Afghanistan this event is not one to be missed and can be viewed live and exclusively on Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN).
While the opening ceremony is only on Saturday, February 7, early events get underway tonight (Thursday February 5) at 10.30pm on Ariana Television. So be sure to tune in.
Afghanistan’s national cricket team defeated the West Indies by 23 runs in their second and final warm-up match ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The match was played in India, where Afghanistan had already beaten Scotland by 61 runs in their first warm-up game.
Afghanistan will open their official World Cup campaign on February 9 in Chennai, India, when they face New Zealand.
Sport
Winter Olympics finally underway, ATN to broadcast exclusively across Afghanistan
Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) will broadcast the Games nationwide, starting Thursday, February 5, with an exciting snowboarding event airing live from 11:00 pm local time.
The long-awaited Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are finally underway, bringing the thrill of world-class winter sport to audiences across the globe — and for viewers in Afghanistan, all the action will be available exclusively on Ariana Television.
Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) will broadcast the Games nationwide, starting Thursday, February 5, with an exciting snowboarding event airing live from 11:00 pm local time. A pre-show will start at 10:30 pm local time.
The coverage marks a major moment for sports fans, offering front-row access to one of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles.
From high-speed snowboarding runs to the drama and determination of elite athletes competing on ice and snow, the Winter Olympics promise weeks of excitement, inspiration and global unity through sport.
ATN said its exclusive coverage aims to bring international sport closer to Afghan audiences, celebrating athletic excellence and the Olympic spirit from the opening events onward.
With the first medals on the line and snowboarding kicking off the broadcast schedule, fans are being urged to tune in Thursday evening as the Winter Olympics roar into life.
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