Glasgow Rangers are now interested in completing the signing of a young player who could play in six different positions at Ibrox, according to a new Gers transfer claim.
Rangers and Martin could miss out on Liverpool gem
The Gers have been linked with a move for Liverpool left-back Owen Beck this summer, seeing him as a strong option in that area of the pitch.
However, it looks as though the Scottish Premiership giants are set to miss out on the 22-year-old, with journalist John Percy claiming that a move to Championship side Derby County is now on the cards instead.
While defensive additions are important for Rangers ahead of the new season, it looks as though Robin Propper’s exit remains possible, with FC Twente technical director Jan Streuer talking up a return to the club, should the centre-back not be part of Russell Martin’s plans at Ibrox.
“We had too many changes at the back last season; something had to be done. It isn’t [very simple], because of all sorts of factors beyond your control. Just before last season, our captain, Robin Propper, left at the last minute. We really missed him. Rangers bought him.
“A Scottish top club, you can’t compete with that. Now there’s a new manager at Rangers, he might play less. Then he could return. But he’ll want to wait and see first whether he’ll actually play less. Do we have to decide: do we wait for that, or do we look further?”
Rangers keen on signing versatile new target
According to Prima Vercelli [via Sport Witness], Rangers are in the mix to sign KR Reykjavik youngster and new target Johannes Bjarnason this summer.
The 20-year-old midfielder is also wanted by Genk and Pro Vercelli, but there is no mention of an asking price in the report. The Gers have reportedly been attracted by his impact in the final third, with Bjarnason netting six league goals in 2025.
Rangers – Ibrox corner flag
Bjarnason is a relative unknown compared to some other Rangers targets this summer, given his age and the fact that he is playing in Iceland currently.
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The midfielder could still be an astute signing by the Gers, however, coming in as a long-term option who will hopefully blossom from a squad player to a key man over time.
Bjarnason has already scored 15 goals and registered 10 assists in 72 appearances for his current club, and has represented Iceland across six different youth age groups. His versatility allows him to shine in as many as six different positions, too.
Johannes Bjarnason stats by position
Games
Goals
Assists
Central midfield
16
5
2
Right midfield
14
3
4
Right-back
10
0
1
Attacking midfield
3
0
2
Defensive midfield
3
0
0
Left-back
1
0
0
This all highlights why Rangers signing him this summer could be exciting, with the Icelandic ace possibly a player with lots of potential moving forward.
Ricky Ponting has tipped Australia to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India later this year by a 3-1 margin.He said the hosts will have a “bit of a point to prove” after losing their previous two home Test series to India 2-1 in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Australia have not beaten India in a Test series since 2014-15.”It’s going to be a competitive series and, as I said, I think Australia’s got a bit of a point to prove against India in Australia on the back of what’s happened the last two series here,” Ponting said on the . “We are back to five Tests as well, which is the other really important thing about this series. It’s only been four Tests the last couple of times. Five tests, I think everyone’s really excited by that and I don’t know if there’d be too many drawn games.”I’m obviously going to tip Australia to win and I’m never going to tip against Australia. There will be a draw somewhere and there will be some bad weather somewhere, so I’m going to say 3-1 to Australia.”
Should Steven Smith continue to open?
Ponting said the Australian side would “pretty much pick itself” but he wasn’t sure whether Steven Smith should continue to open or not, after the spot was left vacant by David Warner’s retirement at the SCG earlier this year.”Probably the only one question there might be with Australia again, is if Smith’s the right man to be opening the batting. That would be the only query that I can see there. But that was all about obviously bringing Cameron Green back into the side.”So I’ll rephrase it, not whether Smith’s the right man to open the batting but whether he thinks it’s the right spot for him. Because I think if he doesn’t think it’s the right spot then they’ll make a change and get someone else back up there.”In his last Test series, in New Zealand in March, Smith scored just 51 runs in four innings while opening. His promotion to the top after Warner retired was to also accommodate Cameron Green in the XI, which paid dividends when Green was the top scorer on the tour with 238 runs in four innings including a career-best 174 not out in Wellington.Though the sample size is small – eight innings as opener – the numbers aren’t in Smith’s favour. Apart from a high score of 91 against West Indies at the Gabba this year, he has passed 30 only once and averages 28.50.
Tottenham Hotspur are now “pushing to sign” a £70m “beast” who is “very open to a move to Spurs” this summer, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed.
Richarlison and Son Heung-min's futures up in the air
Despite an impressive 2023-24 campaign, it would be fair to say that Richarlison hasn’t exactly set the world alight since making the move from Everton, and the Brazilian once again struggled to make an impact last season after struggling with injuries.
Richarlison at Spurs
PL appearances
Goals
Assists
2022-23
27
1
4
2023-24
28
11
4
2024-25
15
4
1
As such, Tottenham have now made the decision to transfer list the striker, amid interest from Galatasaray and Saudi Arabia, with talks over a potential exit being held over the course of the past month.
Consequently, one of Thomas Frank’s main tasks this summer could be to bring in a replacement, and a £32m offer has now been submitted for Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, who is also attracting attention from newly-promoted Leeds United.
There has also been speculation surrounding Son Heung-min’s future, with the captain at one stage said to have been close to an exit, and Spurs are now looking at bringing in a long-term replacement for the South Korean.
According to an update from Plettenberg on X, Tottenham are now “pushing to sign” West Ham United winger Mohammed Kudus, who is “very open to a move to Spurs” this summer.
West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus against Nottingham Forest.
Negotiations are currently ongoing with West Ham, as Spurs “really want” to get a deal over the line, but there could be competition from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
However, Kudus has aspirations of playing at the highest level in Europe, indicating the Lilywhites could be well-placed to win the race for his signature, with Champions League football set to be on offer at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season.
"Beast" Kudus could be exciting signing for Spurs
A deal for the Ghanaian is likely to be on the expensive side, with reports suggesting the Hammers could hold out for £70m, but there are plenty of signs that he could be an exciting addition to Frank’s squad.
The 24-year-old is a particularly impressive dribbler of the ball, placing in the 97th percentile for successful take-ons over the past year, when compared to other wingers, while he has also displayed an ability to create chances and score goals.
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Indeed, the West Ham star regularly contributed with goals and assists during his first season in England, picking up 17 goal contributions in the Premier League, while finding the back of the net five times in the Europa League.
Described as a “beast” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Kudus could take his career to the next level at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but there may be some reservations about shelling out £70m, given that he didn’t manage to kick on at West Ham last season.
Chelsea secured the Europa Conference League title last night, becoming the first side to win such a title alongside the Europa League and the Champions League.
Enzo Maresca’s side produced a stunning second-half comeback after being a goal down against Real Betis at the break, ending the game as 4-1 victors in Wrocław.
Goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo secured the triumph for the Blues, topping off what has been an excellent few weeks.
Such a result saw the Italian claim his first trophy after taking the reins last summer, looking to build on such success throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
However, despite the inspirational second-half comeback, numerous players failed to deliver in the European final, putting their place at Stamford Bridge at huge risk.
Chelsea’s poor performers against Real Betis
Winger Noni Madueke once again started for Chelsea last night, but the Englishman was unable to produce a performance to remember – often failing to deliver in the final third.
The 23-year-old only completed 50% of his dribbles and was unable to complete a single cross, with the attacker’s showing in Poland one to forget.
He wasn’t alone in struggling to perform, with right-back Malo Gusto also producing a disastrous showing, subsequently being replaced at the break by Reece James.
The Frenchman had to play in an inverted role, but made a mistake that led to the Spanish side’s opener, whilst failing to win a single one of the tackles he entered.
However, despite the showing from the aforementioned duo, one other first team member failed to deliver in the final, with his outing last night needing to be his last one for the Blues.
The Chelsea dud who must never play for the club again
Despite such a triumph, this summer promises to be a huge one for Chelsea, with incomings and outgoings to be expected at Stamford Bridge over the coming months.
Maresca has some huge decisions to make, including whether to make Jadon Sancho’s deal permanent or pay a £5m fee to send him back to Manchester United.
As for incomings, the likes of Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitiké and Joao Pedro have all been touted with moves to join the Blues, with the manager evidently targeting reinforcements in the final third.
However, regardless of what deals he decides to pursue or approve, he needs to offload centre-back Benoit Badiashile and allow the defender to move on to pastures new.
He joined the club in a £35m deal from Monaco back in 2023, making 53 appearances, with the majority of his showings this season coming in the Conference League.
The 24-year-old started the final against Betis, featuring for 61 minutes before being replaced by academy graduate Levi Colwill, highlighting his lack of impact.
He may have registered 92 touches, but he was disappointing without the ball, losing 100% of the tackles he entered and committing a foul which led to him being carded.
Minutes played
61
Touches
92
Passes completed
81/84 (96%)
Tackles won
0
Fouls committed
1
Interceptions made
1
Aerials won
0
Badiashile also only made one interception and failed to come out on top in any aerial duels, struggling to produce a display worthy of a European Cup final.
As a result of his showing against the Spanish outfit, he was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by The Standard’s Malik Ouzia – showcasing his lack of positive impact.
With the summer transfer window now just around the corner, it would be a surprise to no one if Badiashile was offloaded during the off-season, ending his spell in West London.
He demonstrated last night that he’s unable to deliver in key moments, with Maresca needing to cut his losses and sell him to allow for added investment in key areas this summer.
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Chelsea came from behind to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final on Wednesday night
Tottenham Hotspur have now internally “discussed” appointing a former Premier League manager as a replacement for Ange Postecoglou this summer, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.
Levy set to make decision on Ange's future this week
There have been conflicting reports about Ange’s future as Tottenham boss, but Sky Sports News have now clarified that a decision is likely to be made at some point this week, when chairman Daniel Levy returns from his holiday.
Levy has a very difficult decision on his hands, as there are differing opinions as to whether the Europa League victory sufficiently papers over the cracks of Spurs’ performances in the Premier League, with Ange’s side finishing in just 17th place after a dismal campaign.
While a final decision is yet to be made, the north Londoners have already started to identify potential replacements for Ange, having held direct talks with Brentford boss Thomas Frank, and internal discussions have now taken place over a move for a different manager.
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That is according to Jacobs, who recently told GiveMeSport that Roberto De Zerbi has now become a potential option for Tottenham, saying: “Levy will also know having Champions League football next season makes Spurs an attractive prospect to managerial candidates.
“Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva have definitely come under consideration, but Bournemouth expect the former to stay. And Silva has said publicly he plans to remain at Fulham.
“I would keep an eye on Thomas Frank if a change is made. Roberto De Zerbi has also been discussed, but Marseille also got Champions League under him this season.”
"Genius" De Zerbi impressing in Ligue 1
After making the decision to leave Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, the Italian manager has gone on to impress in Ligue 1, leading Marseille to a second-placed finish and securing qualification for the Champions League.
As such, the 45-year-old, who prefers to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, could be tempted to remain at the French club for at least another year, but if he does become an option for Tottenham, there are plenty of signs that he could be a solid replacement for Ange.
Statman Dave was left particularly impressed by the former Brighton boss during his time in the Premier League, describing him as a “genius”, and he managed to lead the Seagulls to sixth place in the 2022-23 season, securing Europa League football in the process.
De Zerbi’s Premier League experience could serve him well in the Tottenham hot seat, but many will feel that Ange has earned one last chance in the job, having led his side to Europa League glory despite suffering numerous injury setbacks in a difficult campaign.
Everton manager David Moyes is prepared to enforce sweeping changes this summer after guiding his team, hitherto imperilled, toward safety since re-joining in January.
Incomings will flood through the gates at some stage, but for now, some house-keeping. Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic and Abdoulaye Doucoure are among the first-teamers set to depart when their contracts expire next month.
The biggest presence, Doucoure, has done a lot for Everton, not least scoring against Bournemouth on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign to preserve the club’s long-sustained Premier League status, but he’s 33 next year and the top earner besides at £130k per week.
With Dwight McNeil and Charly Alcaraz in the fold (the latter should sign after his loan spell), number ten isn’t actually the priority position for Moyes though.
However, signing a new striker is definitely an urgent job for the Toffees as they step into the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton need a new striker
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out of contract at the end of the season, but the 28-year-old striker has not been named as one of the outgoing players.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
If Everton are to keep him on the books, it shouldn’t come at the expense of a fresh signing, for Calvert-Lewin has only scored three goals across 25 Premier League games this term.
Beto has been a man reborn under Moyes’ wing, but is still prone to some misfires and Armando Broja, whose loan spell at Goodison Park has been ruined by injury, will return to Chelsea after this weekend’s culminating fixture against Newcastle United.
Everton manager David Moyes andBetoafter the match
Everton desperately need to sign a new number nine, having only scored 41 goals in the league this season; the three relegated sides are the only ones to have bagged fewer.
While it’s easier said than done, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes one of English football’s most sought-after stars would be wise to make the move to Bramley-Moore Dock in the coming months.
Carragher urges Moyes to sign PL star
On Monday Night Football, following Liverpool’s defeat at Brighton, Carragher was critical of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap’s potential transfer to Manchester United.
Ipswich Town'sLiamDelapapplauds fans after the match
As per The Athletic, the 17th-place Red Devils have held executive meetings to determine whether a deal for the Englishman is feasible, with Chelsea also keen.
Moyes has been candid about his side’s own hopes of completing a move, and it’s something Carragher seems to agree with, believing the 22-year-old’s development would be best served in a talismanic berth on Merseyside.
Delap has a £30m release clause in his contract, which became active after the Tractor Boys’ relegation was sealed toward the end of April.
Though it’s been a pretty miserable campaign for Kieran McKenna’s newly-promoted team, Delap can hold his head high after scoring 12 goals from 32 starting appearances in the Premier League, praised as being “very strong” and a “powerful runner” by Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who seems keen.
Delap’s physicality and natural-born clinical edge may well see him become Everton’s finest centre-forward in a long time, perhaps even since the days of Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku joined Everton from Chelsea for £28m (a similar fee) in July 2014 after a successful season-long loan spell at the outfit, and though he’s plied a nomadic career for himself, the 32-year-old devoted four prolific campaigns to the Blues cause.
Delap differs from the well-known Lukaku, but he’s similarly brutish in applying his physicality, eager to outmuscle his opponents and marry that presence with a deceptive swiftness and a sharp shooting sense.
As you can see below, Delap has maintained a comparatively superior level of prolificness to Everton’s existing strikers, also matching a combativeness that can be observed through high numbers in the duel.
Matches (starts)
36 (32)
29 (14)
25 (19)
Goals
12
8
3
Assists
2
0
1
Goal conversion
18%
16%
6%
Shots (on target)*
1.9 (0.9)
1.6 (0.8)
1.9 (0.8)
Big chances missed
10
12
14
Pass completion
62%
58%
64%
Key passes*
0.6
0.3
0.3
Dribbles*
1.1
0.7
0.4
Duels won*
4.3
5.0
5.0
And, of course, he’s far more progressive in his ball-carrying, something perhaps more clearly underscored by data-led platform FBref, who record Delap to rank among the top 13% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues this term for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90.
Lukaku has been noted to ‘run like a wrecking ball’ by The Athletic’s Carl Anka in his heyday, and given the success Everton gleaned from the goal machine’s inward tactical database, extracting the raw quality of his skill set and building a team perfectly framed to promote his talent, Delap may well be curious at following suit to kick on over the next few years.
Given that the goalscorer used to be on Manchester City’s books as an academy player, a further similarity with Lukaku can be found, amid his initial stint at Chelsea. Let’s not forget too, the Belgian had one of the most fruitful spells of his storied career at Everton, posting 87 goals and 27 assists across 166 displays.
Described as a “wrecking ball” earlier in the campaign by Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones, just like Lukaku, Delap has what it takes to become a bona fide superstar in English football.
But would moving to Manchester be the most prudent for him right now? Old Trafford has proven to be a hotbed for stagnation and even regression over the past decade, and this is a player who needs balmy conditions so he can continue to foster his skills.
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Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal Premier League campaign continued with a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home on Sunday.
Vitor Pereira’s side have been battling relegation throughout the season and moved to within two points of Spurs with their impressive victory at the weekend.
As you can see in the highlights above, the goals were largely down to poor defensive work from several Tottenham players, rather than them being cut open by quality play.
There is no hiding from the fact that Ange Postecoglou’s side have not been good enough defensively this season, as they have conceded 49 goals in 32 matches – more than any other traditional top-six side in the Premier League.
Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore
As you can see in the graphic above, though, it was one of Tottenham’s attacking players – Dominic Solanke – who was one of the worst-rated performers against Wolves on Sunday.
The England international joined the club from Bournemouth for a reported fee of £55m, with a further £10m in potential add-ons, and has endured a frustrating first season in North London.
Why Dominic Solanke has been a flop for Spurs
For the money that was spent on him last year, Tottenham should expect instant quality from the 27-year-old marksman in his first year at the club.
Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke
Solanke arrived as an experienced player, aged 26 at the time of his move, with plenty of Premier League football under his belt for Bournemouth, which meant that he did not have to adjust to the league or the country in order to perform for Spurs.
Despite that, the English dud has failed to deliver goals on a consistent basis for Postecoglou, with a return of just 11 goals in 37 matches in all competitions.
The former Bournemouth star has averaged less than a goal every three games on average, which speaks to his lack of ruthlessness in the final third, and that has also been the case in the Premier League.
Starts
23
xG
9.92
Goals
7
Big chances missed
11
Minutes per goal
290
Assists
3
Duel success rate
39%
As you can see in the table above, Solanke has only scored seven goals in 23 Premier League outings for Spurs this term, underperforming his xG by roughly three goals.
A goal every 290 minutes and a negative xG differential for a £65m-rated, prime-aged, centre-forward is simply not good enough, which may be why the club are now reportedly looking to bolster their attack ahead of next season.
Spurs willing to spend big on Premier League star
According to a report from Spain, Spurs are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The outlet claims that there are six Premier League teams showing an interest in the Brazil international, who scored against Tottenham in the 4-2 win for his side on Sunday.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It reveals that Aston Villa, Spurs, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest are all eyeing up a swoop for the ex-Atletico Madrid star.
The report states that the Premier League sides are willing to spend big on the Brazilian dynamo, as they are prepared to pay £75m to land the impressive attacker ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhacelebrates scoring their fourth goal
It does not, however, claim whether or not Wolves would be willing to part ways with him for £75m, or whether or not Cunha would be interested in joining Tottenham, or any of the other teams that are reportedly interested in him.
Spurs must, now, push to convince the forward to join them this summer because he could come in as the huge upgrade that they need on Solanke at the top end of the pitch.
Why Cunha would be a huge upgrade on Solanke
The £75m-rated star would improve Tottenham’s team based on his form for Wolves, who are currently below Spurs in the table, in the Premier League this season.
Cunha has scored 14 goals from 7.27 xG in the top-flight for the Old Gold, which means that he has scored twice as many goals as Solanke despite having fewer high-quality xG chances to find the back of the net.
This shows that he is a ruthless finisher who does not need many high-quality opportunities to score goals at Premier League level, which is not the case with the ex-Bournemouth forward.
As you can see from the goal above, which was described as “Bergkamp-esque” by pundit Ashley Williams, the Brazilian magician has immense quality in the final third and the capacity to score amazing goals.
These statistics, and the nature of his goals for Wolves, suggest that he would be an upgrade on Solanke as a goal threat, by offering a clinical presence in front of goal, rather than being as wasteful as the English flop has been.
Starts
23
24
xG
9.92
7.27
Goals
7
14
Big chances created
6
12
xA
1.15
4.58
Key passes per game
0.6
1.7
Assists
3
4
As you can see in the table above, Cunha has significantly outperformed the £65m Spurs signing, who has failed to offer consistent quality as either a scorer or a creator of goals in the top-flight this term.
These statistics suggest that the Wolves sensation would also provide more creativity at the top end of the pitch, given that he has created twice as many ‘big chances’ and more than three times as much xA for his teammates in just one more start.
Therefore, £75m – only £10m more than the deal agreed for Solanke – could be a bargain deal for Spurs if they manage to win the race for his signature in the summer transfer window, because he has the potential to offer twice as much in front of goal, as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
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Cunha would arrive as a Premier League proven star, with room to grow still at the age of 25, and Daniel Levy must, now, push to get this deal done to bolster Postecoglou’s squad for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.
All the stats highlights from a stunning match 68 of IPL 2024 where RCB beat CSK by 27 runs
Sampath Bandarupalli18-May-20246 – Consecutive wins – each of them a must-win – for RCB to qualify for the playoffs. This is, interestingly, the second-longest winning streak for RCB in the IPL, behind the seven they won in succession in the 2011 edition. RCB had five successive wins in 2009 and 2016, too, when they made it to the final.1 – Number of wins for RCB in their first eight matches in IPL 2024. These are the fewest wins for any team in the first eight matches in a season where they have qualified for playoffs. The previous fewest was two wins for Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2014, where they won five of their last six league games.2 – Number of teams to have won each of their last six matches in the league stage of an IPL edition, including RCB in 2024. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won their final seven league matches of 2014 and finished with nine consecutive wins to win the title.3 – IPL 2024 is only the third season where CSK have failed to make it to the playoffs. They previously missed out in 2020 and 2022, when they finished second last.Most sixes in IPL 2024•ESPNcricinfo Ltd5-0 – RCB’s record in the IPL matches played on May 18. CSK was the opposition on May 18 in 2013, 2014 and 2024, and they also had wins against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2016 and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2023, all on May 18.157 – Sixes hit by RCB batters in IPL 2024. They are the first team to hit 150-plus sixes in a T20 tournament. The 146 sixes by SRH in this IPL are the next most by a team in a T20 tournament.6 – Number of 200-plus totals by RCB in IPL 2024. These are the joint-highest number of 200-plus totals for a team in a single edition of the IPL. MI had six 200-plus totals in the 16 matches they played last year, while KKR also have six 200-plus totals in IPL 2024 across 12 completed games.3040 – Runs by Virat Kohli in the IPL at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. He is the first player to complete 3000 runs at a venue in the IPL.Kohli also went past 9000 runs in T20 cricket on Indian soil on the night, making him the first player with 9000-plus T20 runs in any country.
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What’s gone wrong for Chahal in the Asia Cup?
This time last year, ahead of the T20 World Cup in UAE, Yuzvendra Chahal found himself at a crossroads. The selectors had lost faith in his loopy legbreaks. Pace on the ball became the new mantra. For perhaps the only time in his tenure, chief selector Chetan Sharma explained the reasons behind a player’s -selection. India “needed a spinner who can find grip and deliver with slightly more speed.” They dialled Rahul Chahar.Twelve months on, Chahar is on the sidelines and Chahal is back to being the lead spinner once again, following a sensational IPL where he topped the charts with 27 wickets in 17 matches. He outperformed fellow legspinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Rashid Khan. In fact, Chahal’s performance had been one of the contributing factors in Rajasthan Royals making an inspired run to the final.Now, as India build towards this year’s T20 World Cup, Chahal has endured a slight dip again, on the very shores where he was ignored. Three matches at the Asia Cup have brought a solitary wicket at an economy rate of 7.75 and strike rate of 93. The economy isn’t particularly worrisome, the lack of wickets is. And with Chahal, when he’s in form, he picks them up in bunches.Related
The formula for Sri Lanka to beat India at the Asia Cup
India's Asia Cup crown on the line against resurgent Sri Lanka
One of the reasons for the dip has been his predictability. On Sunday, in India’s Super 4 clash against Pakistan, Chahal bowled 16 deliveries on a length. But because he was bowling it slower through the air, the batters found it easy to play him off the back foot and access the square boundaries, one of which was barely 60 metres.Chahal also struggled to land them, and on two occasions when he tried to slow it down even further, probably to tempt the batter into stepping out, he ended up bowling full tosses that were carted for boundaries.Yuzvendra Chahal has picked up only one wicket in three matches at the Asia Cup•AFP/Getty ImagesCheteshwar Pujara touched upon Chahal’s pace on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time:Out show.”What I feel is that he’s a lot slower through the air which has worked for him, but he needs to vary his pace a bit more,” he said. “On slow pitches, I think he needs to bowl a bit quicker. Not every ball, but he needs to vary that pace. He’s a little predictable, his lines are quite [wide] outside off stump and many batters are predicting that. They’re not stepping out against him and waiting for him to bowl that line outside off. I feel that if he can vary his pace a bit against right-handers, he’ll be more effective.”Chahal wasn’t the only legspinner India played on Sunday. There was also Ravi Bishnoi, who is diametrically opposite in the manner that he operates. Where Chahal relies on flight and dip, Bishnoi relies on being quick and skiddy. It was the quick and skiddy bowler that India called on to bowl a couple of tough overs – one in the powerplay and another at the death.Are these alarming signs for Chahal? Not according to Robin Uthappa. “He’s been going through a tournament where he hasn’t been bowling well, I don’t think any less of him as a bowler, the skills are still there. It’s just a matter of getting a wicket. Sometimes in a tournament like this, you just want to get that one breakthrough to get your juices flowing. He’s not far away.”Yes, he’s predictable in the sense that when he bowls slower, when people start going after him, he bowls even slower. So like Puji [Cheteshwar Pujara] said, when you’re out of form what do you do? You need to be ahead of your curve and have variations within your game.”For a batter, it could be ‘I have two-three shots up my sleeve. I feel like I can throw that onto the opposition who are predicting what I’m doing’. Similarly, maybe a variation of pace could be useful for Yuzi at this point in time, bowling slightly quicker through the air, a bit more flippers that oppositions don’t really anticipate.”Earlier in the year, in the home series against South Africa, Chahal went through a similar patch where his apparent struggles threw up questions over his effectiveness, only for him to completely shred those perceptions with a match-winning haul of 3 for 20 to keep India alive. Tuesday’s game at the Asia Cup carries even greater significance. India will hope their ace legspinner can bounce back once again.
The Bumrah-AB-Kohli Super Over, Tewatia’s feats, Pooran’s catch, and more
Mark Nicholas12-Oct-2020It came home to me in the Super Over. Not the one that resulted from the Kings XI Punjab effectively drowning themselves in a sea of misadventure against the Delhi Capitals but the one when Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers had to make eight runs for the Royal Challengers Bangalore against Jasprit Bumrah’s Mumbai Indians. Eight runs, pah!These are three exceptional cricketers; in the case of the two RCB batsmen, among the best there have been, ever. Bumrah is somewhere near the height of his powers: young and fast enough to be a genuine threat, old enough to know what to do with it. That he is unorthodox is a boon for the game that needs its many interpretations.ALSO READ: Bumrah vs de Villiers, an IPL battle for the agesBumrah slipped de Villiers two decidedly slippery bouncers in their Super Over, one that shot past his nose, and one that flew from the flailing edge of his bat to the long-leg boundary. That was four of the eight right there – lucky. Kohli pulled a ball from back of a length that would have made a hole in an advertising board but picked out the fielder at deep backward square. It was a shot that, if not exactly heard around the world, changed his IPL. Later in the over he flicked an attempted yorker off his toes and the match was done and dusted. Virat and ABD were never not going to manage eight runs, but Jasprit made them think and fight tooth and nail. This drama lasted five minutes, that’s all, but it was five minutes on another level. It came after Kieron Pollard’s onslaught – 60 from 24 balls – gave Mumbai another even-money crack at a game they had long lost. It was kind of mad but immense fun, everyone on the edge of their seats in wonderment. The five minutes of the Super Over alone crystallised what this whole thing is about.The IPL is surprising, stimulating and on speed. Most of the elite are here, and when they go at each other, they do so as if they are in the ring, trading blows in the name of franchises that have become an integral part of Indian life. Yes, their bank balances improve to often unimaginable levels but most take the vow and perform. What’s not to like?Kohli gets his groove back Kohli said that pull shot was a relief, given he had barely located the middle of his bat since the tournament began. He had put too much pressure on himself, he added, the corollary of which was that he was tight and, in desperation, simply trying too hard to influence every moment of every match. One over, to be bowled by a serious opponent and in which he faced only three deliveries, reminded him to loosen up and watch the ball, only the ball. He hit the shot so well, it became a eureka moment. He hasn’t looked back since.ALSO READ: Virat Kohli after ending his rut: ‘I love this game and hate it too’On Saturday Kohli played one of those innings for which he is famous – the slow build and the quick strike. His way is that of the hunter and his prey knows the odds only too well. In his first 30 balls on a sluggish and two-paced pitch, he eked out 34 runs; in the next 22 he smashed 56. He never blocked and he never slogged, he just did what he does: he outplayed his opponent.Beyond the boundary: Nicholas Pooran makes an incredible save during a match against the Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah•BCCIFunny how even the greats have doubts, fears even. There is something of Novak Djokovic in Kohli: in the abhorrence at anything less than the ticking of every box. Having done so, they see themselves as pre-eminent and delight in asking their opponent what he’s got and how long for. On these pages four years ago, Ed Smith wrote a brilliant piece about the development of modern batting. It’s a must read if the link between art and science, body and mind in the act of sporting performance is to be fully appreciated. “Kohli’s investment in success is total and self-reinforcing – hard work, desire and self-belief loop back into each other,” wrote Smith. “Like Djokovic, Kohli has turned his body into an agent of that self-belief; a body dedicated to a game that is dedicated to success.” Smith might well have added “mind” to “body”. He wrote that each man “combines fierce and literal determination with hints of mysticism – if you want something enough and commit to it sufficiently, good things will happen.”Early in the tournament, it was clear that during the long days of lockdown Kohli had driven himself to excess but had forgotten how to let go of the expectation that came from it. To bat well again, he had to let go. Put another way, he had to be free. The pull stroke off Bumrah was the key to the door of freedom.Nicholas Pooran’s miracle save It might not have been completed in the old days because the boundary was often a picket fence, an iron railing, an advertising board, or a rope with spectators sitting on the grass beyond. I watched the 1967 Gillette Cup Final at Lord’s from behind that rope and in front of the Tavern. The players of Somerset and Kent signed autographs but definitely did not go leaping into and out of the crowd to pull off the double whammy on a boundary catch. Why? Because no one had thought of it, simple. Alan Knott would surely have played the ramp and reverse had they been invented. Colin Cowdrey might not have done.Pooran’s effort was beyond brilliant. It was magical, really, causing a general dropping of the jaw and deep intakes of breath, followed by “We gotta see that again!” And again, and again. Pooran is a wonderful athlete, or contortionist should we say in this instance, and has a lovely instinct for cricket, as if the game is in his blood. Keep an eye on him with the bat by the way, there is a rare talent in this fellow.Rahul Tewatia… …was at it once more on Sunday, and by that, I mean dragging the Rajasthan Royals’ more celebrated batsmen out of the mire. Steve Smith looks strangely rudderless at the crease, as if his strong mind needed a break and it has come in the form of carefree swings at the ball that might or might not come off. This is high-tariff cricket, not usually his thing. One imagines he will work it out soon enough and that one of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes will sprinkle some stardust over the Royals in the coming days and weeks.ALSO READ: Rahul Tewatia and the romance of the struggleMeantime, hail Tewatia, the man who surely saw the other side during the excruciating first part of his innings against the Kings XI at Sharjah. Watching, you felt the world wincing with you – indeed, someone said he should walk past a straight one and save himself the humiliation, but oh ye of little faith.The rest is history. Tewatia played the innings of his life, which probably saved him from a fate worse than death. He played another little gem on Sunday afternoon, easing the Royals over the line with his rather charming brand of off-side elegance and leg-side wipes.Tewatia is the feel-good factor of the tournament – an unlikely hero but a hero all the same. He gave us all hope that day in Sharjah, reminding cricketers the world over that the game is our gift and that to give it away is never an option.Shreyas Iyer (left) and Prithvi Shaw: two of several attractive batsmen in the IPL•BCCIOn the subject of feel-good… Young Indian batsmen with good technique and enviable flair: Devdutt Padikkal, Mayank Agarwal, Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer. Proper fast bowlers not afraid to let the white ball fly: Jofra Archer, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and of course, the boy Bumrah. Wristspinners going well on pitches that make life less easy for them than they are used to when under the pump. Oh, and David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, an Australian and an Englishman on the field together and in cahoots.The yorker, or absence of it You’d think the coaches would work their bowlers to the blister in search of a consistent yorker when the slog is on. Perhaps it’s harder said than done in these days of invention. On Sunday Sandeep Sharma bowled a good one to Riyan Parag, who ramped/scooped it over Bairstow’s head to the boundary. I mean, please. Having said that, I’m convinced the yorker should be a default position.Even more feel-good The Delhi Capitals chairman and co-owner surprised the team by calling an impromptu meeting saying he wanted to show them a video about the past, rather unsuccessful, week.Instead, the video was a collage of family messages to each of the players from their homes all over the world – wives, girlfriends, kids, mums, more kids, dads and dogs. Even Ricky Ponting shows emotion (insert laugh emoji). He then makes a nice speech about the sacrifices involved with three months in the IPL bubble. It confirmed the feeling I have had that the IPL is less mercenary than it appears from afar and that the players mainly buy into the “family” that has paid their asking price.
Delhi, Dubai, or any part of the world, we always aim to keep players closer to their families
Our Chairman & Co-owner, @ParthJindal11's stirring surprise made the DC stars emotional and surely brought them joy
Not just a team, a family away from home #YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/Uz1ma9Vw9h
— Delhi Capitals (Tweeting from) (@DelhiCapitals) October 11, 2020
As if to emphasise this, yesterday there were a couple of shots on television that told the story well. With eight needed from the final over, the camera picked up Shane Warne on a balcony above the Royals dugout. The Covid mask had slipped down his face and we saw him close his eyes and mouth to himself something like “C’mon, please, this time, please.” It was a prayer of sorts. Warne is a Royals mentor, low-grade stuff after the glory days of leading the team to the title in the IPL’s first, barnstorming year.Only a couple of hours later, Harshal Patel bowled too straight at Suryakumar Yadav, who worked him off middle and leg to the square boundary. Ponting looked daggers. Harshal had missed his mark by three inches. But Ponting cares. So too Warne. And their bar is set high.Finally Credit big time those who have dressed the grounds, curated the audio and created an atmosphere from nothing. It really does fell like the real thing, albeit in a different space.Finally, finally The absence of spectators means that the cricket has taken centre stage. Confirming the quality of that cricket is no bad thing. Much as we love the bling, the cricket is the thing.