أشاد نبيل معلول، المدير الفني السابق لمنتخب تونس، بلاعب النادي الأهلي، بعد تألقه وتقديم أداء أكثر من رائع خلال الفترة الماضية مع الفريق.
ويستعد فريق النادي الأهلي في الوقت الحالي، لمواجهة إنبي، يوم الأحد 14 سبتمبر، في الجولة السادسة من عمر منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وقال معلول خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “النهار” لبرنامج “أوضة اللبس”: “محمد علي بن رمضان لاعب الأهلي، يمتلك إمكانيات بدنية وفنية مميزة تجعله من أفضل لاعبي خط الوسط في الدوري المصري هذا الموسم”.
وأضاف: “محمد علي بن رمضان، من نوعية اللاعبين البوكس تو بوكس، يدخل منطقة الجزاء كثيرًا ويصنع ويسجل الأهداف، وأؤكد أنه سيقدم موسمًا استثنائيًا مع الأهلي”.
وعن المقارنة بينه وبين فرجاني ساسي لاعب الزمالك السابق، أوضح مدرب تونس السابق: “لكل لاعب ستايل مختلف، ساسي يمتاز بالربط بين الخطوط وفكر كروي عالي، بينما بن رمضان يضيف قوة هجومية من العمق، وأفضل الاعتماد عليهما معًا في خط الوسط”.
طالع | منتخب المغرب للمحليين يحسم موقفه من ضم لاعب الأهلي في كأس العرب
وفيما يتعلق بتولي نبيل معلول تدريب فريق القادسية الكويتي، أوضح معلول: “انضمام محمود كهربا إلى الفريق الكويتي في بداية الموسم الحالي أمر جيد، هو لاعب لديه قدرات وعندما أن يكون ملتزمًا”.
وتابع: “تفاجأت جدًا بكهربا، فهو أول من يحضر إلى التدريبات وآخر من يغادر، وعندما يكون ملتزمًا يظهر قدرات رائعة”.
وأكمل: “التزام كهربا مؤخرًا يعكس رغبته في استعادة أفضل مستوياته مع القادسية”، مشددًا على أن البيئة المناسبة من الجهاز الفني هي العامل الأهم لإخراج أفضل ما لدى اللاعب.
وأتم معلول في ختام حديثه: “كهربا يعاني من إصابة بالوقت الحالي، ويخوض مرحلة من التأهيل”.
Tottenham Hotspur’s rooted strategy in signing exciting young talents and developing them into high-class players capable of thriving in the Premier League preceded the glittery early days of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure.
But perhaps the Londoners lacked a bit of experience to help guide them through the stormy spells any season will bring. The lowly top-flight finish ended Postecoglou’s frenzied spell at the helm, a two-year stint that elicited every range of emotion from the Spurs faithful and culminated with triumph in the Europa League, thus restoring Tottenham’s place in the Champions League.
While the Lilywhites have created a foundation with their historic victory over Manchester United, it’s crucial that the secured silverware is used as a springboard for sustained success over the coming years.
In order to do this, Tottenham are going to need to hit the mark with their transfer priorities, piecing a team together that is fit for purpose at the highest level of the Premier League.
Spurs' transfer priorities this summer
Uncertainty continues to reign over Cristian Romero’s future in the English capital. The Argentina centre-back is being chased by Atletico Madrid, who are willing to spend around £60m to bring him over to La Liga.
Frank is desperate to keep hold of his defensive anchor. However, the Danish tactician does seem keen on bolstering his ranks with a slick attacking full-back – the £45m-rated Antonee Robinson is on the radar – and a winger to replace Heung-min Son, should the iconic captain leave.
While he wouldn’t have strictly been a direct replacement, the powers that be down at N17 were desperate to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo as Tottenham’s new goalscoring winger supreme, but he’s rejected advances from all but United and is edging closer to a transfer to Old Trafford.
Midfield is in less need of reinforcements, but the pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze denotes an interest in signing a creative midfielder to contest for a starting berth with the likes of James Maddison.
However, with Eze fixed in Arsenal’s sights, Daniel Levy seems to have shifted his attention elsewhere.
Spurs join race for sought-after midfielder
According to Caught Offside, Tottenham have joined the race for SL Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu, who is anticipated to be available this summer for the right price.
Orkun Kokcu for Benfica.
Kokcu would fetch a €40m (£34m) fee, having impressed across his two terms with Benfica. Spurs are alongside Manchester United, Tottenham and Inter Milan in their interest; however, the player is thought to favour a move to Premier League champions Liverpool.
The 24-year-old worked under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, but Frank’s new project, offering the promise of Champions League football, could see the Londoners sign an exciting new creative presence.
Why Spurs wants Orkun Kokcu
Kokcu is still young in his professional career, but he has already accomplished so much. Joining Benfica from Feyenoord for around €30m (£25m) in June 2023, he’s chalked up 19 goals and 22 assists over 98 appearances in all competitions.
Once heralded as “one of the best midfielders in the country” by football legend Jaap Stam, while plying his trade in Holland, Kokcu opted against taking a move to one of Europe’s elite and instead focused on fostering his talents with Benfica, now more complete for it.
And given that he’s been praised as a “leader” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, this rising star might turn out to be the galvanising midfield force to spearhead the Frank era.
Who knows, maybe he’ll even come to be an upgrade on Maddison.
League Stats 24/25 – Orkun Kokcu vs James Maddison
Stats (* per game)
Kokcu
Maddison
Matches (starts)
33 (30)
31 (21)
Goals
7
9
Assists
7
7
Shots (on target)*
1.9 (0.7)
1.3 (0.5)
Big chances missed
2
5
Pass completion
86%
87%
Big chances created
12
6
Key passes*
2.3
1.3
Dribbles*
0.3
1.1
Ball recoveries*
5.6
2.5
Tackles + interceptions*
1.6
1.4
Duels won*
3.0 (47%)
4.3 (53%)
Data via Sofascore
As you can see, Kokcu is more than capable of matching Maddison’s immense creative qualities – an aptitude which has indeed seen the England international hailed as a “magician” by the likes of statistician Statman Dave in the past.
Moreover, the 28-year-old playmaker’s two terms with Tottenham have been frustratingly defined by regular injury setbacks. Given that Kokcu is four years his junior, there’s plenty of scope for growth with Frank might want to take advantage of.
While Spurs’ man is somewhat more combative than Kokcu, the Turkey talent is even more creative and clinical besides. Indeed, having missed just two big chances in the Primeira Liga last season, scoring seven goals, he’s got the goalscoring edge that could be channelled in a similar fashion as his counterpart here.
And the proof is in the pudding, for Kokcu, indeed, has demonstrated his ability to stand out against high-level Premier League opposition.
While Maddison is an incredible, dynamic midfielder, he’s got his flaws, and in Kokcu, Tottenham could get their hands on a pass master with the ever-widening scope that is required for success at the highest level.
After all, he managed to throw down with the heavy hitters in last season’s Champions League, finishing the campaign ranked among the top 15% of midfielders for goals scored and shot-creating actions, the top 19% for progressive passes and the top 13% for completed through balls per 90, as per FBref.
Tottenham might not be able to sign one of their top targets in Eze, but by moving for Kokcu, Frank could get his hands on an astute signing who has so much room for growth – potentially even turning out better, more consistent, than Maddison.
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Tottenham are looking to make some shrewd signings ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Arsenal have come an incredibly long way over the last few seasons.
Just four years ago, Mikel Arteta’s side were languishing down in mid-table, and in the campaign after that, were unable to make it into the top four.
Since then, the North Londoners have made it to the quarter-finals and then semi-finals of the Champions League while also finishing as runners-up in the Premier League three campaigns on the bounce.
19/20
9
6
5
8th
20/21
18
7
13
8th
21/22
22
3
12
5th
22/23
26
6
6
2nd
23/24
28
5
5
2nd
24/25
20
14
4
2nd
However, the time has come for the club to make good on their transformation and finally lift some major silverware next season, which could explain recent links to a superstar attacker who has won comparisons to serial winner Kylian Mbappé.
Arsenal transfer news
With the club being so close to achieving something great over the last few years but still coming up short, it’s not been much of a surprise to see them linked to several attackers who could provide them with that extra push in recent weeks; stars such as Morgan Rogers and Nico Williams.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former could be available for a fee as high as £100m this summer, but while that’s an astronomical amount of money, it would be hard to say he wouldn’t be worth it, as in 54 appearances for Aston Villa this season, he scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists.
Williams, on the other hand, wasn’t quite as productive, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in 45 games for Athletic Bilbao, but then again, he’d also cost a lot less, with a release clause reportedly worth around £50m in his current deal.
Athletic Bilbao'sNicoWilliams
Yet, while both players would certainly improve Arteta’s side next season, they might not utterly transform it, unlike Viktor Gyokeres.
Yes, according to reports from Spain, Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the Sporting CP striker ahead of the transfer reopening next week.
In fact, the report has revealed that, alongside Premier League rivals Manchester United, the Gunners have already submitted an offer for the Swedish star.
However, it would appear as if the Portuguese outfit now want €80m, which comes out to about £68m.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
While it would represent a serious financial investment to match that fee, Gyokeres’ incredible ability and record suggest it would be one worth making, especially as he’s won comparisons to Mbappé.
How Gyokeres compares to Mbappé
Before going over some of the other reasons why Arsenal might want to sign Gyokeres this summer, it’s worth examining this comparison to Mbappé and where it’s come from, as the Real Madrid forward is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in world football.
Well, in this case, it stems from FBref, which looked at players in similar positions in the Champions League this season and then created a list of the ten most comparable players.
By doing this, it concluded that the Frenchman was the number one most similar forward to the Swedish international in the entire competition this season.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.70
0.77
Progressive Carries
4.26
4.24
Goals per Shot
0.18
0.14
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.03
0.96
Shot-Creating Actions
3.85
3.52
Carries into the Penalty Area
1.91
1.92
The best way to see how this is worked out is by taking a look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including but not limited to assists, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, goals per shot, passes into the penalty area, shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.
With all that said, while a comparison to one of the best and most exciting players in the world is certainly encouraging, there is another enormous reason why the Gunners should be doing all they can to sign the former Coventry City star: his ridiculous output.
In his first season with Sporting, the Stockholm-born “powerhouse,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, was able to rack up a sensational haul of 43 goals and 15 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 4169 minutes, which equates to an average of 1.16 goal involvements per game, or one every 71.87 minutes.
Then, as if on a one-man mission to prove he wasn’t just a one-season wonder, the 27-year-old marksman did even better this year, scoring 54 goals and providing 13 assists in 52 appearances, totalling 4248 minutes, which comes out to a frankly absurd average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.
Ultimately, Gyokeres is a lean, mean goalscoring machine and, like Mbappé, is someone who could potentially lead a team to multiple league titles, and therefore, is someone Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign this summer.
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Going in search of their next Tom Rogic, Celtic now reportedly have concrete interest in signing an attacking addition who’s valued at just £1.5m ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
Next Rogic could be key for Rodgers
During his time at the club, Rogic more than played his part to continue Celtic’s Scottish dominance and ensure that Brendan Rodgers’ first spell ended with a place in the history books. Now, in his second stint in charge, it’s clear just how much of an impact a player in a similar mould would have on the current Celtic side.
Appearances
272
Goals
46
Assists
51
Scottish Premiership titles
7
Scottish Cups
5
Scottish League Cups
5
A player who made his mark going forward in key moments, Rogic’s best work came when working under Rodgers, who was full of praise for the Australian during his time in Scotland.
The Celtic boss told reporters when Rogic returned from a spell on the sidelines in 2017: “He’s back in the squad. The magic man is back – what a player. He’s an amazing player. I think he can grow into one of the top midfield players in Europe.
“You saw him grow in the Champions League. You saw him against Manchester City and just purr at his quality. There was a big disappointment when he got injured because the week building up to it he was amazing. Top players know where there is space and he’s as good as any I’ve seen at finding space.”
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Eight years on, Rogic is now retired and Rodgers is searching for his next arrivals at Celtic amid reports that the Bhoys have now set their sights on signing a 23-year-old star who has already been compared to the Australian.
Celtic interested in "Rogic-esque" Fallenius
According to Fotboll Direkt in Sweden, Celtic now have a concrete interest in signing Oskar Fallenius from Djurgarden this summer afetr sending scouts to watch him in aciton.
The winger reportedly cost the Swedish club just £1.5m in 2023, but that price is only likely to increase if they decide to sell their emerging star in the coming months.
Oskar Fallenius celebrates for Djurgarden.
Celtic’s interest should come as no shock. As detailed by Celtic Down Under’s – a Celtic fan channel in Australia – and X account UnDiluted, Fallenius is a potential “Rogic-esque” fit on the Bhoys’ radar.
The podcaster reiterated that whilst the Swede is not a like-for-like clone of Rogic, he does share some similar traits. The Australian’s greatest strengths came in his close control, powerful striking ability and creative vision. In comparison, Fallenius is similarly physical – standing at 5’11 and reportedly has a reputation for his skill and movement.
With that said and Celtic’s interest reportedly concrete, Fallenius looks set to be one to watch in the coming months.
Aston Villa moved a step closer to sealing Champions League qualification for next season following an impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle United at the weekend.
Unai Emery’s men are on a wonderful streak of form which will hopefully carry into the next few weeks, especially with an FA Cup semi-final and five more Premier League games left.
Aston Villa
Despite the season entering the final straight, Villa are also looking to the future as Emery begins to plan for 2025/26.
Could this see him raid a fellow top-flight club for one of their star players when the window opens?
Aston Villa readying bid for Premier League sensation
Despite the summer window not yet open, Villa are already working to conclude their first deal of the summer with Rosenborg’s sensational wonderkid Sverre Nypan.
He’s not the only creative star on Monchi’s radar ahead of a busy window. Indeed, according to journalist Alan Nixon, Villa are now eyeing a move for Crystal Palace sensation Eberechi Eze this summer.
They are poised to make a bid for the Englishman, especially if they don’t trigger the option to buy clause in Marcus Rashford’s loan agreement.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Palace will be braced for offers of around £50m, and this shouldn’t be a problem for the Midlands club, especially if they secure qualification for the Champions League next term.
Emery has raided Premier League clubs in the past for players to spearhead his Villa revolution. Notably, names include Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen and, of course, Rashford back in January.
Eberechi Eze for Crystal Palace.
One of his best signings, however, was that of Youri Tielemans, who has been outstanding this season.
Why Eberechi Eze could be Emery’s next Tielemans
The Belgian midfielder has started every single one of Villa’s Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup matches so far this season, highlighting his importance to the cause.
Across those games, he has scored four goals and registered ten assists. When compared to his peers in the top flight, Tielemans ranks impressively, notably sitting in the top 3% for passes into the final third (6.91) and in the top 10% for progressive passes (7.04) per 90, suggesting he is excellent at starting attacks and moving the ball into dangerous positions often.
So, why could Eze be the next version? Well, arguably having been one of Palace’s finest players this season, across 36 matches, the Englishman has registered 18 goal contributions – seven goals and 11 assists – under Oliver Glasner.
Goals
2
Assists
7
Key passes per game
1.8
Big chances created
16
Total duels won per game
5.6
Tackles per game
2.5
From an attacking standpoint, he has been superb when compared to his positional peers in the top flight. Indeed, the England international ranks in the top 7% for total shots (3.56) and in the top 14% for shot-creating actions (4.59) per 90 this season.
He tends to operate in a more advanced position than Tielemans, but there is no doubt he could have the same level of impact the Belgian has had this season. After all, both are particularly creative individuals.
Hailed as a “wizard” by England teammate Declan Rice, the Palace gem could be a statement signing for Villa during the summer transfer window.
Manchester United are also keen, according to Nixon’s report, but European football will be a big draw for the 26-year-old as he looks to take the next step up in his career.
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Manchester United now appear to have one foot in the Europa League final after claiming a 3-0 triumph over Athletic Club in the semi-final first leg away from home.
Bruno Fernandes’ double and Casemiro’s header secured the triumph for Ruben Amorim’s side ahead of next week’s return leg at Old Trafford – needing to hold on to secure their place in the final.
Should the Red Devils reach such a stage, it would be a superb achievement, especially considering the side was on the brink of elimination with a handful of minutes to go against Lyon in the previous round.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimbefore the match
It’s the perfect opportunity for the manager to claim his first trophy in the role after taking the reins back in November, potentially securing a place in the Champions League as a result.
Numerous players produced performances to remember in Spain last night, playing a huge role in the success which led them to a three-goal advantage after 90 minutes.
United’s star performers against Athletic Club
As previously mentioned, captain Fernandes managed to get himself on the scoresheet twice, taking his goal tally to 19 goals across all competitions in 2024/25.
However, his underlying stats from the win were just as impressive, making 12 passes into the final third, along with three chances created – enabling other players the opportunity to impress in attacking areas.
Manuel Ugarte was another player who starred in Bilbao last night, registering two assists for Casemiro and Fernandes – offering a presence at both ends of the pitch for Amorim.
He also managed to win 100% of the tackles he entered, along with five recoveries and five ground duels won – highlighting his impressive showing in Spain once more.
However, despite the performances of the aforementioned duo, one other Red Devils talent failed to deliver, putting his position within the side at huge risk with the summer rapidly approaching.
The United dud who’s becoming the new Van de Beek
Midfielder Donny van de Beek joined United in the summer of 2020, looking to be a key player in the side’s ambitions of returning to former glory.
Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek.
However, the Dutchman, who cost a remarkable £40m, would make just 62 appearances during his four years at Old Trafford, with injuries also preventing him from being a regular.
He would depart the club in the summer of 2024, joining Spanish side Girona for just £500k, seeing the side lose 99% of their investment, highlighting how poor their business has been in recent years.
Amorim may have unearthed another version of the midfielder in the form of Mason Mount, who has massively failed to deliver since his £60m move from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.
Like Van de Beek, injuries have hampered his progress, making just 41 appearances in the last two seasons, but also failing to deliver when fit – as seen in his showing against Athletic Club last night.
He was brought on with 25 minutes remaining, but could only muster a total of 23 touches, completing a tally of just 12 passes – unable to have the desired impact.
Mount also failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles or his attempted crosses, losing possession seven times – looking wasteful when having the ball at his feet.
Minutes played
25
Touches
23
Passes completed
12/16 (75%)
Dribbles completed
0/1 (0%)
Crosses completed
0/1 (0%)
Possession lost
7x
Fouls committed
1
The 26-year-old picked up a booking to top off his showing off the bench, before being handed a measly 5/10 match rating by Manchester Evening News’ Samuel Luckhurst – highlighting his lack of impact off the bench.
Throughout this season, Mount has been unable to make an impact, especially since Amorim’s arrival, often being injured but also unable to provide the goods when fit – as seen with his cameo last night.
Given his decline, the club desperately need to sell him this summer, avoiding a repeat of Van de Beek and losing a whole load of money on their investment, with any funds allowing the manager to make the changes he desires.
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With relegation back down to the Championship a growing certainty, Ipswich Town now reportedly face the prospect of losing both Liam Delap and one other attacking star this summer.
Liam Delap clause emerges
The Tractor Boys may sit 18th and as many as 12 points adrift of safety, but that should not stand in the way of praise for Delap. The former Manchester City man has been excellent, and with or without Kieran McKenna’s side, should keep hold of his place in the Premier League.
His form certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed either, with a plethora of clubs already chasing his signature amid a reported relegation clause worth just £30m this summer.
With both Chelsea and Manchester United keen on his signature, Delap looks destined to have a decision to make when the summer arrives. Ipswich, meanwhile, are likely to watch on as the player they signed for a reported £20m walks out the door for just £30m.
McKenna, as many are, is well aware of the talent that he has on his hands and attempted to instil belief that Delap could yet stay at Portman Road recently, telling reporters: “It’s not something that’s been discussed loads internally at because everyone’s focus, honestly, has been on Bournemouth, on Wolves, now on Chelsea. But if you ask me, is that a possibility?
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He’s currently in the Championship.
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“I think it’s certainly a possibility. Liam’s a young striker. He’s developing really, really well at the football club. He’s happy and he’s improving every week and we’re enjoying working with him.
“I’m sure there’s lots of different possibilities. But Liam’s an Ipswich player. He enjoys being an Ipswich player and that’s where his full focus is.”
Meanwhile, although the focus has been on Delap in recent weeks, reports are now indicating that another attacking star could yet be heading for a summer departure.
PSV eyeing Jack Clarke move
According to Wayne Veysey of Football Insider, PSV are now eyeing a move to sign Jack Clarke from Ipswich this summer in a deal that would see the winger potentially leave alongside Delap.
A Champions League club, the former Sunderland man would be completing quite the move by going from likely Premier League relegation to the Eredivisie and one of Europe’s elite.
Like Delap, Clarke only arrived at Portman Road last summer – and for a hefty fee, at that. The Tractor Boys reportedly secured his signature for as much as £15m, but have since watched on as he’s struggled to make his mark in England’s top flight. Now, they will be desperate to at least recoup what they paid if PSV come swooping in.
Dubbed “talented” by McKenna earlier this season, Clarke could yet realise his potential away from English football and away from Ipswich this summer.
The hosts had victory within reach but their tournament now stands on the edge with two huge games ahead
S Sudarshanan20-Oct-20253:15
Review: How did India lose this game?
A bizarre thing happens at the Holkar Stadium in Indore every time it hosts an international match. A small part of the wall between the adjoining basketball court and the stadium is demolished to facilitate entrance to the north stand that houses the press box. Once the game (or series) is over, the wall is rebuilt. It is not a makeshift entrance as there is a permanent grill gate, which becomes operational once the wall is broken down.This can be loosely used as an analogy to explain India’s situation at the Women’s World Cup 2025 – the more the things have changed, the more they have remained the same.Against South Africa, India’s top and middle order failed and the lower order got them to a decent score but the bowlers couldn’t defend it. Against Australia, the top- and middle-order gave them the platform but the lower order didn’t contribute and their bowlers crumbled under the pressure.Related
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England in semi-finals after India unravel in tense finish
Knight and Smith stay cool in the heat of the battle
Now chasing 289 against England, India had seven wickets in hand, a set batter in, 57 runs needed off 57 balls – comfortable, right? Nine times out of ten, the chasing team would be backed to win in such a scenario. Sunday was the tenth occasion. India slipped from there to a third straight defeat at this World Cup.It was Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur’s calculated assault that helped set the chase up after India were 42 for 2 in ten overs. Mandhana started off scratchily, faced only 18 deliveries in the first 12 overs and scored her first four off the 23rd ball, courtesy of an outside edge. Harmanpreet played her most fluent innings this tournament as India’s senior duo chose their battles carefully. All this after India’s bowlers led by Deepti Sharma helped drag England back after they seemed on course for a 320-plus total.England had two left-arm spinners, a bowling style that has been India’s undoing in recent times. But they were kept wicketless until the 42nd over. Whenever England bowled anything wide outside off, both Mandhana and Harmanpreet used the loft over extra cover to release the pressure. Their 125-run stand came off only 122 balls. Before Sunday, England were the most economical bowling unit (3.31 runs per over) in overs 11 to 30; India went at 6.05 runs per over in this phase in Indore.Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana walk off after India’s defeat•Getty ImagesIndia had dropped a batter (Jemimah Rodrigues) and brought in an extra bowler (Renuka Singh). So it was imperative for one of Mandhana and Harmanpreet to see the chase through. Mandhana took the onus upon herself by being patient and, as she later said, avoiding aerial shots. Till the rush of blood in the 42nd over.Linsey Smith chose the around-the-wicket angle with square leg, midwicket, long-on and long-off in the deep. Extra cover was clear and Mandhana was tempted to explore that region to get India’s ask under six an over. But Smith got the ball to drift away a little, which meant Mandhana lost control of her stroke and holed out to long-off.”Smriti’s wicket was a turning point for us, but we still had many batters,” Harmanpreet said after the game. Those other batters were Deepti, Richa Ghosh, Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana – all of whom have contributed with the bat in this tournament.England were unrelenting thereon. They pressed both Smith and Sophie Ecclestone into service, and India could score only 31 for 2 in the six left-arm spin overs in the third powerplay. The squeeze was truly on. Case in point being Deepti’s progress: she faced only 14 dots off her first 39 balls and scored 36 before Mandhana’s fall, and 10 dots in the 18 balls since then.Deepti Sharma started briskly but couldn’t keep up the temp•ICC/Getty Images”I don’t know how things went the other way,” Harmanpreet said. “It is a bad feeling, when you put so much hard work and take the game to the end. But the last five-six overs didn’t go to plan. I am at a loss of words but [it is] definitely a heartbreaking game.”Smith and Ecclestone used the Jess Jonassen model of stifling batters by denying them the bat-swing. They bowled from over the wicket to right-handers with three fielders deep on the leg side and cramped the batters for room. India did not collapse; they just could not break loose out of England’s stranglehold.It is not all doom and gloom for India. Their campaign is far from being over. They have two more games – against New Zealand and Bangladesh – at DY Patil, a venue they have recently played a lot at. They needn’t look beyond their latest victors for inspiration: England had lost each of their first three games at the 2022 World Cup and still qualified for the semi-final and finished runners-up.They might have a relook at their team combination again. Do they need that sixth proper bowler? Or can they do with the extra batter and squeeze some overs from the part-timers? Can they hold their nerves in a tense finish after three such outings?There are cracks in the wall. India need to ensure they fix it before it all crashes down on yet another home World Cup.
All that remained was the pseudoscience of watching nets and observing body language, as neither let go of any chance to bat
Karthik Krishnaswamy27-Feb-2023At around 2.30 on Monday afternoon, the press box at the Holkar Stadium in Indore came to life. A line of reporters pressed up against the glass front of the box, and whipped out their cameras and phone cameras. Down at the practice pitches on the edge of the outfield, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul were batting side by side.At the halfway point of this Border-Gavaskar series, debate over the composition of India’s XI has quietened to the extent that it’s nearly non-existent. Nearly, because there’s still the question of Gill vs Rahul, Rahul vs Gill.On Monday, two days out from the third Test, Gill batted for longer than any other member of India’s top order, and Rahul batted for nearly as long. India’s nets sessions seldom throw up easy answers to tricky questions.Related
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Before anyone else had had even padded up, Gill was halfway through a lengthy stint against India’s throwdown specialists, with the left arm of Nuwan Seneviratne getting through a serious workout. Anyone watching this would have inferred that Gill was preparing to face Mitchell Starc, who’s likely to return to Australia’s XI in two days’ time.But if you shifted your gaze to a different part of the ground, you’d have seen Rahul practising slip catches at the same time.Gill then got rid of his protective gear, as first Cheteshwar Pujara – and then Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – took his place in the nets. But Gill was back soon enough, with Rahul alongside him. And when Pujara returned with Shreyas Iyer, Gill and Rahul moved over to another practice pitch, near the opposite square boundary.Neither was letting go of any chance to bat. Make of it what you will.There were no hints to be gleaned from the day’s press conference either. India sent out KS Bharat, the least experienced member of their XI in the first two Tests, and he dead-batted the Rahul-Gill question smartly, saying it was above his pay grade to answer it.All that remained, then, was the pseudoscience of watching nets sessions and observing body language. Rahul exudes a downbeat diffidence at the best of times; he’s currently not going through the best of times, and he exuded the same sort of energy.Both Gill and Rahul are languid, effortless strokeplayers, but they’re languid in different ways. Gill is languid from start to finish, languid even when the bowler is in his run-up, his bat held up in an utterly natural way with his hands alongside his back thigh. There’s a sort of practiced stiffness to Rahul’s stance, however – a little more crouched, with his hands behind his back thigh.As Gill and Rahul batted side by side on Monday, their stances seemed to represent the points they currently occupy in their respective career arcs.Rahul, of course, probably batted the same way when he was scoring big runs – and tough runs – two years ago in England and South Africa. But now you could watch him from an airconditioned vantage point above and behind him, and wonder whether his set-up at the crease was potentially closing him off and inhibiting his leg-side play.Who can say. And who can say, in two days’ time, whose name will feature alongside Rohit Sharma’s on India’s team sheet. It won’t be an easy decision either way.
Also, why did RCB hold Washington Sundar’s offspin back on a slow Chennai track?
Sidharth Monga09-Apr-20211:44
Daniel Vettori: No. 5 pretty low for a player of AB de Villiers’ ability
Why did Washington Sundar not bowl early on? It’s a slow, low surface, and offspinner Washington Sundar is at Chepauk, his home ground, where he has played most of his cricket, but he hasn’t been used in the first 12 overs of the 2021 IPL opener. The most obvious reasons for this might be all the right-hand batsmen at the top of Mumbai Indians’ batting order. However, there is another trend at play here.Sundar came to prominence with his superb restrictive performances with the ball in the powerplay for Rising Pune Supergiant. Then he joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018 where he is not looked at as that new-ball specialist. So 2017 remains the only IPL in which he bowled more overs in the powerplay than in the middle overs.Protecting fingerspinners against right-hand batsmen makes sense, but if there is an offspinner you would back against right-hand batsmen, it is Sundar. Before he bowled the 13th over in this match, in all IPL cricket, he had a better average against right-hand batsmen than left (26.4 as against 39.22) and only a slightly worse economy rate (6.9 as against 6.83). Sure enough he took out the threatening Chris Lynn, a right-hand batsman, on 49.How the 20th over of Mumbai’s innings, bowled by Harshal Patel, went•ESPNcricinfo LtdHow did Harshal Patel outdo the Mumbai Indians hitting machinery? Harshal Patel’s five-for was the first five-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians in all IPLs. More important than that, his bowling at the death kept Mumbai to just 25 off the last four overs, their lowest in this period since 2016. Harshal took the wickets of the designated death-overs hitters, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya, to go with Ishan Kishan, in his last three overs.Two things happened, which both had to do with the pitch in all likelihood. The ball reversed for him, and it gripped the surface too. It was probably down to a dry track. It was expected that the bowlers would go for slower balls into the surface to use both the surface and the dimensions of the ground, but the little bit of tail made Harshal even more dangerous. The Royal Challengers bowled 23 slower balls in the last five overs, which accounted for four wickets and just 29 runs.Why no Jasprit Bumrah against Glenn Maxwell? Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians are big on match-ups. And here was an obvious match-up if ever there was one: Japsrit Bumrah had taken Glenn Maxwell out six times in 58 balls in T20 cricket for just 67 runs before this. Sharma usually brings Bumrah on as soon as Maxwell comes out to bat, but not on this occasion. By the time Bumrah came on to bowl to him, in the 13th over, Maxwell had scored 34 off 21, including his first six in the IPL in his last 172 balls.It is highly unlikely Sharma was not aware of the match-up. Was he trying to save Bumrah for AB de Villiers? Or did he think a slightly older ball would provide Bumrah’s slower balls more grip?It was a long wait for a Maxwell IPL six, but tonight was the night•ESPNcricinfo LtdTrent Boult or Marco Jansen, who should have bowled the 18th over of the chase? Or should it have been Kieron Pollard?Related
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Staying with match-ups, Mumbai played themselves into an unfavourable one. Three overs to go, 34 to get, Bumrah to bowl the 19th, and two specialist bowlers to pick from either side of that. One of them a debutant, Marco Jansen, the other a veteran, Trent Boult. However, Boult to de Villiers in the IPL has not even been a contest: 16 balls, 41 runs, three sixes, four fours.You could see why Mumbai might have wanted to protect Jansen a little, though. Hope to bowl two really good overs and give him over 15 to defend in the last over. de Villiers, though, got stuck into Boult and changed his numbers to 55 off 21 balls from Boult in the IPL. The Royal Challengers now needed just 19 off the last two.Given Jansen’s lack of experience, Sharma’s hand was perhaps forced, but he did have another option: Pollard, who has bowled 33 balls to de Villiers for 33 runs and has got him out four times. Now we don’t know if Pollard is bowling-fit or not, but Sharma has tended to use him sparingly as a bowler in the past. With Hardik Pandya underarming throws from the deep on the night, Mumbai might want to look at Pollard as the sixth bowling option. Preferably not in the 18th over, though.