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The chief selector said Kohli’s experience was valuable to India’s T20 squad and that there was enough muscle in the middle order

Shashank Kishore02-May-20241:03

Agarkar: Someone with Kohli’s experience matters at World Cup level

“Are you concerned about Virat Kohli’s strike rate?”India’s chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar was asked that question at a press conference to discuss the squad for the T20 World Cup in Mumbai on Thursday. Though he didn’t specify, it’s possible the questioner may have meant Kohli’s strike rate against spin.”I don’t think we’ve been discussing it,” Agarkar said. “Look, he has been in great form fortunately in the IPL, so there are no concerns there at all with regards to how it’s going [for Kohli] in the IPL.”Kohli is currently the second highest run-scorer this season, with 500 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 147.49. But, among 16 players who have scored at least 100 runs against spin in IPL 2024, Kohli ‘s strike rate of 135.66 is the fifth lowest.Agarkar, however, said that Kohli’s experience was valuable and that they had made selections to give the middle order more power. “I mean we’ve obviously got some reinforcements. That’s the whole thing, but you want some experience in your team,” he said. “I mean these guys [Rohit, Kohli] have been around because they’ve been good enough to be around. That’s the reason they played. They have played multiple World Cups.Virat Kohli has 500 runs at a strike rate of 147.49 after 10 innings in IPL 2024•BCCI”But look, like Rohit spoke before, we have tried to get in players who are going to bat a certain way in the middle of the innings where just presuming that a lot of teams will use spin sometimes. That has been an issue. We have tried to address that with some of the guys that we picked. We have tried to get in some left handers as well through the middle of that innings. Surya has been the number one T20 player in the world for a while. I don’t think he’s too bad through the middle either.”Last week in the IPL, Kohli played one of his best T20 innings against spin, scoring 70 not out off 44 balls against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. He scored 61 runs at a strike rate of 179 against Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Sai Kishore, the most he has ever scored against spin in a T20 game.”All the people who talk about strike rates and me not playing spin well are the ones who love talking about this stuff,” Kohli said after that innings. “But for me, it’s just about winning the game for the team. And there’s a reason why you do it for 15 years – because you’ve done this day in [and] day out; you’ve won games for your teams.”I am not quite sure if you’ve been in that situation yourself to sit and speak about the game from a box. I don’t really think it’s the same thing [as playing out there]. So for me, it’s just about doing my job. People can talk about their own ideas and assumptions of the game, but those who have done it day in [and] day out know what’s happening, and it’s kind of a muscle memory for me now.”

Celtic were officially crowned as champions of the Scottish Premiership for the fourth time in as many seasons when they beat Dundee United 5-0 away from home last month.

Braces from Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn, after an own goal from Ryan Strain, secured the win and the title for the Hoops on the day, which made the rest of their league games relatively stress-free.

There was some negative news that came from that result, though, as Jota hobbled off with a knee injury just before half time, and it has since been confirmed that he will be out for between six and nine months.

This means that the Portuguese winger will not be available for selection when the Hoops take to Hampden Park to face Aberdeen in the SFA Cup final next weekend, and he is set to miss the start of next season on top of that.

Jota, however, is not the only Celtic star who will not be available for Brendan Rodgers to call upon at the national stadium, as the manager has confirmed that Reo Hatate is set to miss the match through injury.

Why losing Reo Hatate is a big blow

The Northern Irish head coach recently revealed that the Japan international suffered a knee injury in the 5-1 win away at Aberdeen, after being on the wrong end of a “needless” challenge.

Rodgers confirmed that the 27-year-old star should be fit for pre-season, if all goes well, but he will not be in the squad that travels to Hampden Park to take on the Dons, which is a blow for the Hoops.

Losing Hatate to injury is a big blow because he has starred for Celtic in the middle of the park throughout the campaign, as a player who can make an impact at the top end of the pitch, and played a pivotal role in the club’s SFA Cup semi-final win over St. Johnstone.

As you can see in the highlights above, the Japanese midfield star created three of the five goals, assisting Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda, and Adam Idah, to help his side progress through to the final of the competition, a game he will now miss.

Hatate has also caught the eye with his impressive performances in the Premiership for the Scottish giants, as he has displayed his ability to score goals and create high-quality chances at an exceptional rate.

Appearances

37

Goals

10

Big chances missed

2

Big chances created

14

Key passes per game

1.2

Assists

2

As you can see in the table above, the Celtic star has delivered 24 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 37 appearances in the division, which further illustrates why losing him to injury is such a big blow for Rodgers.

The Scottish Sun recently reported that Serie A side Udinese are eyeing up a big-money swoop for the Japan international in the upcoming summer transfer window, which shows that teams are paying attention to his performances for the Hoops.

Celtic may, therefore, have a decision to make over his future if Udinese, or any other team, come in with a firm offer for his services ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

With this in mind, Rodgers could source a brilliant replacement for Hatate by pushing the club to secure a deal for Motherwell central midfielder Lennon Miller, who is a reported transfer target for the Hoops ahead of the summer window.

Why Celtic should sign Lennon Miller

Celtic should sign the Scotland U21 international, who is reported to be valued at £5m, because he is an incredibly young talent who has both the potential to be a long-term signing as well as the quality to make an immediate impact at Parkhead.

Miller, who does not turn 19 until August, has already racked up 60 appearances in the Premiership for Motherwell, which suggests that he could hit the ground running at Parkhead because he already knows the country and the league.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The 18-year-old, who has been praised as “ridiculous” by pundit James McFadden, has the age and quality to be a starring player in midfield for many, many, years to come as a possible replacement for Hatate, who turns 28 this year.

Miller’s performances in the Premiership suggest that he could be a brilliant replacement for the Japanese star next season, as he was awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year award in the Scottish top-flight, which speaks to how highly his peers rate him.

The Scottish whiz is not as much of a goalscoring threat as Hatate, as he only scored two goals in the Premiership, but the creative and defensive aspects of his game suggest that he could be a fantastic signing for Rodgers and Celtic this summer.

Appearances

37

31

Goals

10

2

Big chances created

14

12

Key passes per game

1.2

1.6

Assists

2

8

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.1

3.1

Ball recoveries per game

3.2

6.4

Duel success rate

44%

52%

As you can see in the table above, Miller, despite playing for Motherwell, delivered a similar number of ‘big chances’ created and key passes per game, whilst creating six more goals for his teammates.

The Scotland youth international has also proven himself to be an active and effective defender in the middle of the park, making 9.5 tackles, interceptions, and recoveries per match alongside a 52% duel success rate.

Whereas Hatate has only made 4.3 per game and lost 56% of his duels, which suggests that Miller could be an upgrade on him from an out-of-possession perspective, and that could make him particularly valuable on the European stage in the Champions League when Celtic face tougher challenges.

Therefore, the Motherwell star could be a brilliant signing to replace Hatate, whether that is as a direct replacement or just as a depth option to come in when the midfielder is injured, because of the creative and defensive qualities he can bring to the party at Premiership level.

Rodgers can sign Jota 2.0 in Celtic move for star who could be worth £30m

Celtic could find their next version of Jota by swooping to sign this star this summer.

1 ByDan Emery May 17, 2025

Canada have India left to face in the group stage and the opening batter said, for all the stars, they must play the ball, not the name

Sidharth Monga11-Jun-20241:24

O’Brien: ‘Ultra-aggressive’ Johnson perfectly suited for this surface

Twenty more runs, and who knows what Canada might have been able to achieve? And looking at the way Aaron Johnson started they threatened to go past the run-a-ball mark, which has been successfully defended in New York on the last two days.Canada now have only a remote chance to make it to the Super Eights but for a while they dreamed. All thanks to Johnson’s half-century on a surface where every batter has struggled. Not surprisingly, Johnson called it the best international innings of his life.Related

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• Rizwan takes Pakistan to their first win after Amir-led quicks put on a big show

“I think it’s my best innings so far in international cricket,” he said. “And growing up, you know that Pakistan, one thing they have is quality fast bowling attack, right? And to be able to get a decent total on the board for my team, I think that’s up there with the top, probably top two best innings for me.”Johnson took advantage of the early full lengths and never looked back. “If it’s in my area, my team-mates, my coach, they give me the license to back myself and play my shots. So, once I get going, I knew that they would pull the length back because they saw that I’m scoring so it’s just a matter of me batting as long as possible for the team.”The relentlessness of bigger attacks is something that stood out for Johnson. “One thing I learned, if you’re going to score runs, you have to bat very, very hard,” he said. “You have to focus. Because again, these guys, just imagine, I batted well against Shaheen Shah [Afridi], and then Babar signal to Amir to come and bowl. And you’re thinking to yourself, I remember when I was playing cricket in England, these guys were playing for Pakistan international team. I went to the ground to watch them play. So, to be playing against them, it’s a wonderful experience.”Aaron Johnson took on the Pakistan attack in tricky conditions•Getty Images

Earlier this year, Johnson spent time with Carlos Brathwaite in Toronto. And the Jamaican-born Johnson is also friends with Chris Gayle and Andre Russell. He cherishes the friendship but is also aware that he represents Canada now.”I’m here representing the Canadian national team and as you say my fellow West Indians, Carlos, Chris Gayle, and these guys. Last game we won, I got a personal message from Russell – we’re very good friends. Chris Gayle and these guys would text you sometimes or just to like some of the posts that you make.”Yes, I get some amount of inspiration from them. And one thing Carlos said to me when we met about two, three weeks ago in Toronto is just relish the opportunity and express yourself. Someone you can change the game for your team. So don’t stress too much, don’t think too much about it, just react to what you see.”Possibly Canada’s last match in this World Cup will be against India, and Johnson is aware of the line between respect and awe. “Again, as I say it’s just a ball,” Johnson said when asked about the challenge Bumrah and Co. pose. “The ball is very round the moment you walk on the field, anyone can win. Yes, you have to have respect for these guys. They have been doing it for years.”There are some of them, like someone like Babar today, he’s a legend. I’m pretty sure he will be a legend of the game, right? And hopefully we get to play against Kohli, Rohit, all of these guys, the list goes on and on. And you have to respect them, but at the end of the day, you have to know that you’re a professional cricketer also. And if they did it, you can do it also. So, it’s about respecting them, but also respecting yourself.”

Alex Carey was the beneficiary when Shamar Joseph breached his defences only for a spinning bail to remain on its groove

Andrew McGlashan26-Jan-20241:57

Gabba Test, Day 2: Australia climb out of a hole

Do West Indies believe they can win? For a little while, as they cut through Australia’s top order in double quick time at the Gabba, it was just possible for the mind to drift back to the past. The quicks roaring in, a line of five slips stood well back and the ball climbing through past the edges, shoulders and heads of the batters, plenty of whom were soon in the dressing room.Steven Smith missed one that nipped back, Marnus Labuschagne fended into the cordon and was brilliantly held by debutant Kevin Sinclair, who had already scored his maiden Test fifty, Cameron Green drove to mid-off and Travis Head glanced down the leg side first ball. Australia went to dinner on 24 for 4. A short while later Mitchell Marsh’s brief counterattack ended with a miscued pull to mid-on.Then Alex Carey’s off bail refused to drop. The ball from Shamar Joseph nipped past the inside edge and there was an appeal for caught behind because of the sound. West Indies didn’t review. The replay showed the zing bail spinning in its groove. clocked the ball was travelling at 115kph. Carey was on 8 and had the bail fallen they would have been 72 for 6.Related

Khawaja, Carey, Cummins rescue Australia from 54 for 5

“We only saw it on TV inside. No one knew,” Kemar Roach said. “There was a noise, but everyone thought it was the pad. Sometimes you need some luck and it didn’t go for us today. Would have been a different game, I think, at 70 for 6.”At the end of the over Carey was on 10 off 15 balls; in another 23 deliveries he had brought up his half-century and the mood was changing. When he flicked to deep square leg and Mitchell Starc soon followed, the deficit was still 150. Yet before the close Pat Cummins, having flayed his career-best, felt confident enough to declare behind and have a crack at West Indies’ top with the new ball under lights.Alex Carey raced to his half-century in 38 balls•Cricket Australia/Getty Images”I didn’t go out there with that [his scoring rate] in mind,” Carey said. “I felt like I reacted pretty well to what was bowled at me and had good intent. Think we’ve seen that this summer with Mitch Marsh and Travis Head, they play that way. Would have been nice to get a few more but to be where we are after a difficult start, we are certainly in this game of cricket.”Having made the major inroads, the West Indies were in a position rarely seen for visiting sides in Australia. Pakistan had a taste of it at the MCG when they had the home side 16 for 4, but Australia had taken a first-innings lead on that occasion. There was a realistic chance West Indies could earn a decisive advantage but, after Carey’s moment of fortune, they couldn’t stem the run rate. It finished as Australia’s fourth-quickest 250-plus total in Tests – two of those above it were in the second innings to set a target and the other back in 1902.”We knew that the wicket gets better after the new ball disappears so we knew it would be hard work and Australia bat deep,” Roach said. “We haven’t won [in Australia] in a long time. We don’t really come here too often, but guys really want to come here and leave a mark. To win a Test match in Australia as a young side with a lot of debutants and guys who have played less than ten Tests, that would set a really good mark for us.”Until the dying moments of the day it appeared West Indies’ openers would get through a nasty 35 minutes unscathed after Smith spilled a chance at second slip. Then Tagenarine Chanderpaul was given out caught behind on review to the smallest of spikes. West Indies lead by 35. Do they believe?

Sunrisers had 300 within their sights at the start but even 266 proved to be too big for Capitals

Karthik Krishnaswamy20-Apr-20241:56

What has given the Sunrisers batters so much freedom?

It would have been the highest total in the history of the IPL if it had happened last season, but on Saturday night in Delhi, 266 for 7 almost felt anticlimactic. That’s how far Sunrisers Hyderabad have moved the window of batting possibilities this season. It was the fourth-highest total in IPL history, but it was only the third-highest total achieved by Sunrisers in IPL 2024.At one point it had felt like they could have finished with so much more, with 300 looking like a frighteningly realistic prospect. Sunrisers had gone where no team in any competition had ever gone before in a T20 powerplay, with Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma raising a hair-raising six-over score of 125 for no loss. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, fortified by the relaxation of field restrictions, brought Sunrisers’ innings back to the earthly realm thereafter, but that awe-inspiring beginning would remain the defining passage of the match.Related

• When Head and Abhishek caused carnage at Kotla

• 125 in 6 overs: Head and Sunrisers shatter T20 powerplay records

• When Head stopped worrying and turned a corner

Delhi Capitals began their reply by racing to the joint second-highest powerplay score of IPL 2024, but it was 88 for 2. Jake Fraser-McGurk bettered Head’s 16-ball effort by one ball to bring up the season’s quickest half-century, but his dismissal in the seventh over effectively ended the contest. Capitals had suggested they might run Sunrisers close when they began their chase, but they slumped badly through its back half, against some excellent defensive bowling led by T Natarajan. In the end they were bowled out for a symbolic 199, with Rishabh Pant struggling for fluency before he was last man out for 44 off 35 balls.

A powerplay from another planet

The first over of the match went for 19, and ended up being the lowest-scoring over of Sunrisers’ powerplay.Head was batting on 84 off 26 balls at the six-over mark, and his opening partner was scoring significantly quicker than him: Abhishek was batting on 40 off 10 at that point.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The hitting was a relentless blur, and no line, length or style of bowling seemed to have any power to stop it. So true was the pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, which was hosting its first game of the season, and so single-minded the two openers in their desire to hit every possible ball to the boundary. Of the 36 balls bowled in the powerplay – Capitals could have given themselves an ironic pat on the back for bowling no wides or no-balls in that time – 13 went for four and 11 for six.

Kuldeep, Axar intervene

Abhishek hit the first non-powerplay ball of the match for six too, stepping out to Kuldeep and going through his shot despite not reaching the pitch of the ball. This had happened in the fifth over too, off the same bowler, and it seemed to reiterate to Capitals’ bowlers that they were on a hiding to nothing.But sometimes a wicket can come out of nowhere, especially if the batters are going after everything, and this is what happened off the next ball, as a diving Axar intercepted an uppish drive at cover.Aiden Markram came in at No. 3 ahead of Heinrich Klaasen – who is more noted as a spin-hitter – and fell in the same over, slapping a not particularly good ball from Kuldeep – shortish and wide – straight to cover. But sometimes, even an ordinary ball from a wristspinner can behave oddly, sticking in the pitch slightly longer, or bouncing a little more than expected.Kuldeep’s value came to the fore again in his next over – after Klaasen hit him for a pair of sixes – when Head failed to get hold of a ball that wasn’t quite short enough to pull. He had put that length away easily in the powerplay, but there was a man back at long-on now and he was out for 89 off 32.Klaasen is a master at pulling not-quite-pullable lengths against the spinners, but on the day he was done in by an Axar skidder that beat his inside edge to bowl him. Sunrisers were a surreal 154 for 4 in 9.1 overs.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shahbaz apply the finish

Given how many runs they already had on the board, and given the time that remained in their innings, Sunrisers’ fifth-wicket pair could afford to bat in a relatively conservative way and make sure that Abdul Samad, a specialist death-overs hitter, wouldn’t be called upon too early. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed did this, putting on 67 off 47 balls.1:48

Moody: No risks in Sunrisers’ game

Shahbaz broke free at the finish, hitting Khaleel Ahmed for two sixes in the 19th over and taking two fours and a six off Mukesh Kumar in the 20th to finish unbeaten on 59 off 29 balls. It was the Bengal allrounder’s first fifty in the IPL.

A chase of two halves starring Fraser-McGurk and Pant

Prithvi Shaw hit Washington Sundar for 4, 4, 4, 4 off the first four balls of the chase in a battle of Impact Players. Then Washington had his revenge, looping up a delivery with plenty of overspin – the kind of ball that’s rarely seen in T20 cricket, but one delivered now with the hope of stemming the run-flow giving way to the desperation of somehow prising out a wicket – and getting him to miscue a lofted hit.That first over set the tone for Capitals’ powerplay. They also lost David Warner early, but they kept going hard, because they had to, and because Fraser-McGurk knows no other way. His smooth, unfettered golfer’s swing was in perfect rhythm on the day, and Washington – handed the unforgiving task of bowling two powerplay overs – was at the receiving end of 4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 6 in the third over. Abishek Porel then carved Pat Cummins through and over the off side with abandon in a 20-run fifth over, and Capitals were somehow keeping themselves in the game.Fraser-McGurk finally mis-hit one in the seventh over, off Mayank Markande, but despite that wicket Capitals’ win probability kept rising, with Porel crunching three fours and a six in the next over off Shahbaz. At that point, ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster gave them a 21.23% chance of victory, astonishing given the target they were chasing.But that was more or less that, as their run-scoring ground to a halt after Markande – who had a similar effect to Kuldeep, conceding runs but inducing just enough false shots with his wristspin – had Porel stumped in the ninth over.Thanks in part to skillful bowling from Natarajan, Cummins and Reddy – they varied their pace nicely while bowling into the pitch, and used the wide line outside off stump effectively to Pant in particular – and in part to the struggle for fluency that Tristan Stubbs and Pant endured on the day, Capitals went nowhere. From the start of the ninth over to the end of their innings, they scored just 68 runs in 67 balls. The match was long over as a contest when Natarajan took out three wickets in the 19th over to finish with figures of 4 for 19.

Tottenham Hotspur have made their first move to sign a Belgium international defender at the top of his game, according to a new report.

Ange prepares for Alkmaar while Spurs chiefs eye summer moves

Ange Postecoglou’s side haven’t had a season to remember so far, with Spurs currently in the bottom half of the Premier League. The only way the season can be deemed somewhat of a success is if they end their long wait for a trophy by lifting the Europa League.

Tottenham have it all to do against AZ Alkmaar, though, as they trail 1-0 after a Lucas Bergvall own-goal in the Netherlands ensured Postecoglou’s side have it all to do in the second leg as they look to book a spot in the quarter-finals.

£80m player ready to demand exit as Tottenham plan talks for his signing

He’s preparing to communicate his wish to leave.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 12, 2025

Bergvall did help Tottenham fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth days after his own goal against AZ Alkmaar, though, which resulted in praise from Postecoglou.

“Lucas was great. He has been great but he has played a lot and we’ve just got to be mindful of that. He’s becoming an important part of our team. I thought he made a real big impact when he came on.

“Like I said we were sloppy when we were on the ball in the first half and he’s one who takes a bit more care with it. He’s a technician and he carries the ball really well. I thought he and Sonny (Heung-min Son) made a really good impact when they came on.”

Away from the pitch, and Spurs chiefs are seemingly preparing for the summer transfer window, with strong rumours to a number of targets.

Tottenham are once again ready to open talks to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, whereas Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen is also on Spurs’ radar amid a £55m release clause in his Cherries contract.

Defensive reinforcements are clearly on Postecoglou and Tottenham’s to-do list, and a new name ah now emerged.

Spurs make approach to sign £25m defender Koni de Winter

According to reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham have made contact with Genoa over a potential move for defender Koni de Winter.

Tottenham have ‘asked for information on the 22-year-old, as have top-flight rivals Man Utd and West Ham. Napoli and Roma are also keen on De Winter, who is expected to cost €30m (£25m) as Genoa look to make a profit on the Belgium international.

Tottenham have a history of signing Belgian defenders in Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, so De Winter could be the next to move to north London.

Primarily a centre-back, De Winter would offer plenty of versatility as he’s also capable of turning out as a right-back or as a holding midfielder.

Appearances

48

Goals

3

Assists

1

Yellow cards

12

Red cards

1

Minutes played

3,969

He is at the top of his game with a career-high €12m Transfermarkt valuation, a figure which stood at just €2.2m three years ago.

De Winter came through in Juventus’ academy and made his loan move to Genoa permanent last summer, but by the looks of things, he could be on the move again 12 months on, potentially to England with Spurs.

Liverpool found a way to win in Paris.

It’s the marker of a champion, absorbing the pressure, withstanding the onslaught, emerging with a precious advantage to take back to Merseyside.

There’s plenty to do, but Liverpool will be confident they can advance to the last eight of the Champions League, potentially setting up a grand-slam finish to the season, 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League and preparing for a Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United too.

However, Arne Slot will want more. He’ll want sustained success over so many years at Anfield. To do that, FSG must invest to stay ahead of their rivals.

Well, there’s positive news on that front, with preliminary moves being made to secure an upgrade at left-back, in the form of Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.

Why Liverpool want Milos Kerkez

Talent scout Antonio Mango has hailed Kerkez as “one of the best young left-backs in football,” having only signed the 21-year-old from AZ Alkmaar in July 2023.

He’s ready for a fresh challenge – as per Fabrizio Romano – and Liverpool would only be too happy to oblige. However, this potential Andy Robertson upgrade won’t come cheap, priced at £40m.

However, Manchester United’s January acquisition of Patrick Dorgu does help the Reds’ cause since they will no longer be pursuing the Hungarian star.

Matches (starts)

27 (27)

26 (24)

Goals

2

0

Assists

4

0

Touches*

57.7

66.2

Pass completion

81%

89%

Big chances created

5

6

Ball recoveries*

4.6

3.3

Dribbles*

0.6 (52%)

0.1 (30%)

Tackles + interceptions*

2.5

2.0

Clearances*

2.9

1.3

Ground duels (won)*

3.0 (56%)

1.7 (51%)

Athletic, creative and balanced, he’s already outstripping Liverpool’s Robertson, 30, who is still committed and experienced but on the decline after so many years of toil under Jurgen Klopp.

Kerkez is just one part of a potential long-term rebuild in this new chapter. Efforts are being made for centre-backs too, for example, since Virgil van Dijk is nearly 34, and while a new contract is on the cards, the wider picture is being taken into account.

However, the beauty of FSG’s Liverpool system is its strength across a multitude of areas.

For example, Liverpool have an up-and-coming hero the same age as the young Kerkez, and he’s already worth even more than him.

Together, they could form the future of this great club long after the likes of Van Dijk and Mo Salah have departed Anfield…

The Liverpool starlet worth more than Kerkez

They might be baseless claims, but Liverpool have been accused by a few dissenters of being a one-man team under Slot’s wing. Looking at you, Salah.

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth, with Salah out of sorts against PSG and withdrawn for a younger member. That member stepped up to the plate.

Like Kerkez, Harvey Elliott is only 21 but proving himself to be among the most talented players of his position in that age bracket. And that’s across all of Europe.

His goal in Paris this week made it four for the campaign, having only started four matches in all competitions. Slot is well aware of Elliott’s quality, and given Liverpool are looking to sign Kerkez too, it’s safe to say the Dutchman is pushing for the tools to craft a lasting and youthful legacy.

Elliott, somewhat a hybrid playmaker, capable on the right or in Dominik Szoboszlai’s midfield role, hasn’t nailed down the starting berth he so covets at Liverpool, but he’s a valued and impactful member of the team who, only 21 (the same age as Kerkez), could become a Merseyside superstar in the years to come.

Though he has things to build on, Elliott is without question one of the most gifted young playmakers in the game. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of midfielders over the past year across goalscoring, assisting and shot-creating metrics per 90.

Described as a “special talent” by The Athletic’s James Pearce, Elliott’s now scored in three successive Champions League matches. He’ll never have netted a more important strike than the one in Paris.

Remarkably, his potency is invariable despite the bit-part role he’s held in Slot’s system this season, somewhat down to stylistic preferences but much is due to the foot injury he picked up with England U21s near the start of the campaign.

Premier League

84

4

9

FA Cup

15

4

1

Carabao Cup

15

1

1

Champions League

13

5

0

Europa League

10

0

4

Community Shield

1

0

0

Although Elliott ebbs and flows from a match-action standpoint, that’s not to say he’s not regarded as a high-class player. As per Football Transfers, the English ace currently has a market worth of £41m, marginally higher than Kerkez’s value.

Although, in truth, Liverpool would be within their rights to demand much more.

His Midas touch in the Champions League and wealth of experience despite his young age suggest Elliott – just like fellow up-and-comer Kerkez – could be set for a prominent future at the core of Slot’s project.

Earns more than Nunez: Liverpool must sell £150k-p/w dud who does nothing

It hasn’t worked out for this Liverpool talent.

3 ByAngus Sinclair Mar 4, 2025

New Zealand batter on how he prepared for what he knew would be a tough challenge, and being momentarily distracted when he was finally dismissed

Mohammad Isam08-Dec-2023Following a 72-ball 87 that lifted New Zealand out of the depths of 55 for 5, Glenn Phillips said his mantra for dealing with the demanding Dhaka pitch was simple: use your bat as much as possible. His counterattacking half-century, his second in Test cricket, meant New Zealand took an eight-run lead over Bangladesh in a low-scoring affair that was in the balance by the end of day three.Phillips struck 13 boundaries all around the dial, but his slog-swept sixes were especially effective. It caught the Bangladesh spinners by surprise and forced them to shorten their lengths, allowing Phillips to attack the ball even more.”I was just trying to play with my bat as much as possible and picking my poison effectively,” Phillips said after the day’s play. “[It was about] understanding that they’re going to bowl really good balls and what do I want to have in my court to be able to counteract those balls. I guess just trying to stick to my game plan as clear as possible. I accepted the fact that the pitch is going to have a little bit of turn and bounce in some stages, and [I was] not getting too caught up in that and just trying to stay calm and as clear as possible.Related

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“For me, it is about using my bat as much as possible. I’m generally not looking to leave many deliveries. I will defend balls that are there to defend and that are really well bowled. But on pitches like this, understanding that sometimes being a little bit more aggressive is almost the best remedy. If you can put a bowler off their length a little bit, then you can get them to bowl in the area that you would feel a bit more comfortable with.”How did Phillips prepare for this innings, having had a full day of rain to see out before resuming on the third morning on 5? Being interested in playing as much as possible, he analysed how the rest of the New Zealand batters made contact with the ball, but did not let that get in the way of his own technique.”I saw a graphic about the different contact points of our batters. Everybody has their different way of going about it. Some guys come a lot further forward, some guys go a lot further back. It’s just understanding what works best for that individual. For me, trying to stay a little bit leg side of it and use my bat as much as possible was probably the key.”Phillips could not go on to a hundred, however, and had seemed visibly upset about something when he nicked behind on 87. He explained what had happened: “Just at the last second when Shoriful [Islam] got into his delivery stride, someone walked out from the side of the sight screen. I should have pulled away but it was also in my head. It’s probably a bit too late and then I didn’t watch the ball and I didn’t pull away; I did neither and I nicked it off.”Phillips said that New Zealand would not want to be chasing much more than 180-200 heading into the fourth innings. “Obviously we had a bit of a tough start in our first innings and a couple of great catches from the Bangladesh boys, which put us on the back foot quite quickly. I think if the pitch doesn’t change – which I think with the time it has had under covers it will be pretty similar throughout the whole game – I would probably say anywhere around that 180-200 mark is going to be a good score and tough to chase.”Not impossible to do, but obviously it’s going to take some work, and we’re going to have to stick to our game plans really well. But if we can keep them to anything under 200 we’ll be really happy.”

One high-profile manager has hinted that he is open to managing Rangers in the future, as those at Ibrox search for Philippe Clement’s long-term successor.

Rangers manager rumours

The Gers decided to bring in former captain Barry Ferguson until the end of the season after parting ways with the Belgian.

However, in the Scottish Premiership, things didn’t go to plan for Ferguson in his first game in charge at Ibrox last weekend. Ferguson’s side lost to Motherwell, however, the ex-skipper can improve his chances of getting the Rangers job on a full-time basis with a positive result against Celtic next weekend.

Top target: 49ers and Rangers now want "excellent" 4-4-2 manager at Ibrox

He’s looking for a job.

1 ByCharlie Smith Mar 5, 2025

It isn’t just Ferguson who has been mentioned as a target for Rangers, with likely new owners the 49ers Enterprises on the manager hunt after agreeing a deal in principle to own the Scottish giants.

Derek McInnes of Kilmarnock and former Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner were two early names mentioned with the long-term Ibrox vacancy, and recently, it has been claimed that Rangers and the 49ers have made Rafael Benitez the preferred managerial target.

The Spaniard has been out of work for 12 months now after leaving Celta Vigo but is keen to return to the dugout, and another experienced name has also hinted at a move to Scotland, but not immediately.

Mourinho hints at managing Rangers in future

Rangers are currently halfway through their Europa League last 16 tie with Fenerbahce, with Ferguson coming up against iconic manager Jose Mourinho.

During the first leg in Turkey, Ferguson got the better of Mourinho, with Rangers taking a 3-1 advantage into the second leg after an opening goal from Cyriel Dessers and a brace from Vaclav Cerny.

The former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Man Utd boss was asked about the chances of managing in Scotland in the future, and appeared to be open to a move down the line, saying ‘why not?’

“In this moment, no, because I have a job. It’s a job that motivates me and demands loyalty. But why not in the future? People can say the Scottish league is a league of two teams, but it is a league of passion. Passion in football is everything.

“To play in empty stadiums and competitions where there is not that fire of the passion does not make any sense.

“Celtic and Rangers are two big clubs with incredible history also in Europe. I have lots of respect. They are big clubs with big fan bases, expectations. Celtic has a fantastic coach in Brendan [Rodgers]. Rangers has Ferguson now and I am not searching for a new job.”

Games

1,177

Wins

730

Draws

238

Losses

209

Goals scored

2,299

Goals conceded

1,087

Trophies

26

Mourinho, who plays a 3-5-2 system and has been called “outstanding”, currently has Fenerbahce second in the Super Lig, four points behind Galatasaray. He also has a 100% record against Rangers’ rivals, Celtic, beating them in the 2003 UEFA Cup final with FC Porto to win his first European trophy.

The two-time Champions League winner was only appointed last summer and has a contract until 2026, but a move down the line to Glasgow could be one to watch.

Narine hits form too, meaning a question mark still hangs over CSK’s playoff spot

Karthik Krishnaswamy14-May-20231:59

Dasgupta: ‘You can see how well Rana has taken to leadership from his batting’

Kolkata Knight Riders tripped Chennai Super Kings in their last home game of the league season, out-spinning them and out-batting them on a tricky Chepauk pitch to stay in contention for the playoffs. CSK would have become the first team to seal a playoffs spot if they had won; they’re still in a good position to go through, but this defeat may have hurt their chances of a top-two finish.KKR’s mystery spinners played a massive role in restricting CSK to 144 for 6, with Varun Chakravarthy continuing his excellent season and Sunil Narine returning to wicket-taking ways after taking just one in his last eight games. KKR were always favourites from there, particularly with dew setting in, but they kept the contest interesting by losing three wickets within the powerplay before Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana put them back on top with a 99-run stand for the fourth wicket.KKR fined for slow over-rate

Nitish Rana and his team-mates have been penalised for KKR’s slow over-rate in the Sunday night game against CSK. Since it was KKR’s second such offence this season, Rana was fined Rs 24 lakh and the others in the playing group Rs 6 lakh or 25% of their match fee, whichever is lesser.

KKR eventually won with nine balls to spare. They may have hoped for a more comprehensive win, but Rinku and Rana had little choice but to put NRR considerations on the back burner after KKR lost three early wickets.Varun, Narine dominate after Dhoni chooses to batInterviewed at the end of the game, MS Dhoni said CSK would have needed 180 to have any chance of defending a total once dew set in, but there was no way they could have scored 180 in the conditions that prevailed through the first innings.It was, of course, Dhoni’s decision to bat first. Their innings began promisingly enough, with the first two wickets putting on 31 and 30 respectively. Varun ended both partnerships, with his carrom ball turning significantly both times to have Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane caught off miscues.Rahane’s wicket sparked a collapse, as CSK slumped from 61 for 1 to 72 for 5, with Shardul Thakur dismissing a scratchy Devon Conway for 30 off 28 balls before Narine struck twice in the 11th over to send back Ambati Rayudu and Moeen Ali.Dube repairs CSK innings from one endWith the odd ball stopping on the batter or turning sharply, or both, and with not a lot of batting to come, Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja cut out risk-taking and looked to take the innings deep. But while Dube still found the boundary every now and then, Jadeja stagnated; he hit just the one six and no fours while scoring 20 off 24 balls.Dube, though, ensured CSK passed 140, hitting Suyash Sharma for two sixes, and clearing his front leg to clatter Varun for another in the 18th over. He found a way to score even when Varun bowled his typically strangulating lengths, working the ball between long-on and deep midwicket for a pair of doubles in that 18th over.Deepak Chahar picked up three wickets in the powerplay•BCCIChahar picks up an unusual three-forAt the innings break, it felt as if the result would hinge on how KKR dealt with CSK’s spinners. As things happened, though, the powerplay was all-pace, with Deepak Chahar from one end and Tushar Deshpande from the other. Chahar struck in each of his overs, but this was no vintage display of swing bowling: the wickets, instead, came off catches to deep point, short third and short third.Rinku and Rana bat CSK out of the gameBy the time the powerplay was done, Rana and Rinku had already showed signs of rhythm. Rana had whipped Chahar off his hip for six in the fifth over, and Rinku had hit Deshpande for a straight six to end the sixth over.Spin came on immediately, with Dhoni bringing on his two offspinners against the two left-handers. They began well, conceding just seven runs across the seventh and eighth overs, before Rinku relieved the pressure with a pair of fours off Moeen Ali in the ninth.Moeen continued to go for runs thereafter, with Rana hitting him for three fours across his third and fourth overs – a reverse-sweep and two inside-out drives. In all, he took 34 off 22 balls against the offspin pair of Moeen and Maheesh Theekshana. It was a demonstration of a well-known fact, that Rana is among the best left-hand batters against offspin in the IPL.ESPNcricinfo LtdRinku usually prefers pace onto the bat, but on this day he was excellent against the spinners too, and made sure that he dominated his favourable match-up, hitting Jadeja for two sixes.It didn’t help Super Kings that they put down the one chance they got to break this partnership when it could have still mattered, with Matheesha Pathirana putting Rana down at deep backward square leg when he miscued a sweep off Moeen in the 11th over. Rana was on 18 at that point.Both batters went on to bring up their fifties before Rinku was run out in the 18th over, attempting to take a tight single that would have brought up the century stand. By then, the contest was all but over, with KKR needing just 13 from 17 balls.