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A series victory in India is bigger than winning the Ashes, according to Australia players including Steven Smith and David Warner, who are gearing up for the “toughest challenge in Test cricket”. India and Australia go up against each other in a high-profile four-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Nagpur on February 9.”It [India] is a difficult place to win a Test match let alone a series. So if we are able to do that, it would be huge. I think if you win in India, it is bigger than an Ashes series [win],” Smith told cricket.com.au, in a video featuring several Australia players taking about the challenges of playing in India.Warner said he is looking forward to playing against the best spinners in the world. “Being a part of the last Ashes was fantastic but to go to India and beat India in India is the toughest challenge in Test cricket for us.”I’m looking forward to the tour, it’s always a hard graft. One thing that I’m looking forward to is applying myself against the best spinners in the world.”Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who will miss the Nagpur Test due to an Achilles niggle in his left leg, said: “Probably been long since Australia won there or less frequently we have won. In world cricket that’s everyone’s goal – to try and win in India.”Mitchell Starc, who will also miss the first Test, having not recovered sufficiently as yet from a finger tendon injury, said a series win in India “has always been a crown jewel for Australian touring teams”.”Winning a series in India will be really special for our group,” Starc said. “I think it has always been a crown jewel for Australian touring teams. It’s one of, if not the hardest place to play away… Such foreign conditions and how strong the Indian team are as well.”On one side you’ve got all this history of the Ashes and on the other you have this tour of India, which has been for many Australian teams out of reach.”Captain Pat Cummins mirrored the sentiments of his team-mates, saying: “Winning a series in India is like an Ashes away series [win] but even more rare. It will be a career highlight, an era-defining series if we win out there,” Cummins said.

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Na manhã desta terça-feira, na Academia de Futebol, o Palmeiras deu sequência na preparação para o confronto com o Red Bull Bragantino, nesta quarta (22), às 21h35, no Allianz Parque, pela 10ª rodada do Campeonato Paulista. Foi o penúltimo treino do elenco antes do duelo pelo estadual.

> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2023 clicando aqui

A primeira atividade foi posicional, com os jogadores dispostos em pontos específicos, foram aprimorados movimentações, passes, lançamentos, cruzamentos e finalizações. Na sequência, foi colocado em prática um trabalho recreativo e, por fim, mais um treino tático, com muitas orientações da comissão técnica de Abel Ferreira.

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Neste momento, o único desfalque do Alviverde é Marcelo Lomba, que sofreu uma fratura em dedo da mão esquerda e está fora de combate. No entanto, ele vem treinando na linha nas atividades.

> Palmeiras x Bragantino: saiba onde assistir ao jogo pelo Paulistão

O Palmeiras não libera a entrada de jornalistas na Academia de Futebol para acompanhar os treinos. Assim, as informações são fornecidas pelas assessoria de imprensa do clube.

> Palmeiras x Red Bull Bragantino: mais de 27 mil ingressos vendidos; saiba como comprar

Uma provável escalação do Verdão é para pegar o Massa Bruta é: Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino e Raphael Veiga; Rony, Dudu e Endrick. Na manhã desta quarta-feira, o Alviverde fará mais uma atividade leve pensando no Bragantino.

Com o empate no Dérbi, o Palmeiras somou 21 pontos (seis vitórias e três empates) e se manteve como o dono da melhor campanha da competição até o momento. Por conta da combinação de resultados da rodada, o Alviverde, inclusive, já garantiu vaga nas quartas de final do torneio estadual sem precisar entrar em campo. Agora o objetivo é se manter como melhor campanha geral do campeonato para ter vantagem de decidir os confrontos de mata-mata no Allianz Parque.

The PCB has also hired Simon Helmot and David Reid as fielding coach and mental performance coach respectively

ESPNcricinfo staff14-May-2024

Gary Kirsten interacts with the media•Gameplan Media/Anesh Debiky

Gary Kirsten will start his two-year stint as the head coach of the Pakistan men’s national side on May 19 in Leeds, the PCB announced in Lahore on Tuesday.This will give him three days with the players and other members of the coaching staff before the first game of the four-match T20I series against England, at Headingley on May 22. The series will be Pakistan’s last before the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA, where they begin their campaign with a game against USA in Dallas on June 6.”These are indeed thrilling times for Pakistan cricket, with a new administration and players who are driven to deliver solid results,” Kirsten said in a statement. “The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 presents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our skills and uphold Pakistan’s legacy as a formidable force in cricket.”However, success will require collective effort, meticulous planning and unwavering support for one another. With 19 other teams vying for the title, we must consistently outperform our rivals to realise our aspirations.”On a personal level, I’ve missed the experience of coaching at the international level and nurturing talented players to reach their full potential. I’m committed to working closely with the team to elevate their game and bring joy to fans around the world.”Kirsten’s most famous coaching achievement came with India, with whom he was head coach from 2008 to 2011 and won the 2011 ODI World Cup. He was head coach of South Africa for the two years that followed, and is currently batting coach of Gujarat Titans in the IPL.The PCB has also brought in Simon Helmot and David Reid as fielding coach and mental performance coach respectively. The board said Reid would join the side on May 20 and continue until the end of the World Cup, while Helmot will link up with the side on May 31. Aftab Khan, currently the fielding coach of the side, will “assume responsibilities of high-performance coach” for the World Cup once Helmot takes charge.Related

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“Ensuring the mental health and well-being of our elite cricketers is not just a priority, but a fundamental commitment,” Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, said. “Recognising that their performance on the field is intricately linked to their mental state, we have taken decisive action to provide them with the best support possible.”That’s why we’ve brought on board David Reid, a seasoned expert with nearly two decades of experience as a qualified mental health clinician. His track record speaks volumes, having successfully worked with world-record holders, Olympians and top-tier sports franchises like Chennai Super Kings, the Melbourne Stars and the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.”With his expertise in enhancing both functioning and performance, we are confident that our players will receive the comprehensive care they need to thrive both on and off the field.”Kirsten and Jason Gillespie were announced as Pakistan’s next white-ball and red-ball head coaches respectively last month. Gillespie will arrive in Pakistan in July, the PCB said, in time for the World Test Championship series at home against Bangladesh.

“Drawing is maybe as big as a loss for us,” the opener said ahead of his final Test, where he will also be standing in as captain

Firdose Moonda02-Jan-2024Dean Elgar likened the emotions of a Test series victory to winning a World Cup, while recognising that he has never played in one of the latter.”I only play the game to win,” Elgar said on the eve of his final Test. “I don’t care about stats. I care about wins. I care about series wins. That’s the greatest memories you can ever share with your team, everyone that has got an influential role in the background. Test series wins – you don’t top that. Maybe a World Cup win is up there. I have never had that opportunity but this is my World Cup. This is my arena where I want to win.”Elgar’s career will end this week with 86 Test caps and with him as one of only eight South Africans to have scored more than 5000 runs in Test cricket. He is 167 runs away from catching Mark Boucher, who is seventh on the list and will equal Herbie Taylor, with 18 Tests as captain, the fifth-most by a South African. While the runs are something Elgar hopes to reflect on in the future, being asked to lead the side, 11 months after being stood down from the captaincy because of an injury to regular skipper Temba Bavuma, is among Elgar’s proudest achievements.Related

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“I don’t think you get a bigger accolade or bigger credit than to be asked to captain. I did it in the past for a year-and-a-half or whatever it was and it has been the best learning experience for me as an individual – not just from a cricketing point of view but off-field stuff,” he said. “I give my 100% whether I am playing or captaining and I am going to have that mentality going into this game. For me, it’s about showing the right ways for the younger players and hopefully that catches on.”Playing against India, the team Elgar led South Africa to a 2-1 win against in the 2021-22 summer, holds extra meaning for him. “There’s no bigger honour than to captain your country irrespective of who you are playing against but being against India adds more flavour. India is the powerhouse nation in the world and we are in a situation where I can influence and try to get a 2-nil win.”

“It’s a massive Test for us, being our highlighted Test of the year. The New Year’s Test at Newlands, they don’t get much bigger and better, against really tough opposition.”Dean Elgar

Though South Africa’s innings win at SuperSport Park last week means that they cannot lose the series, Elgar does not want them to settle for that. Instead, he wants them to adopt a mindset that this is a series they should not share, because it will be played at home and with the final match at many of the players’ favourite venue: Newlands.”We are in a fortunate position knowing that we can’t lose the series but drawing is maybe as big as a loss for us,” he said. “It’s a massive Test for us, being our highlighted Test of the year. The New Year’s Test at Newlands, they don’t get much bigger and better, against really tough opposition. Playing the New Year’s Test is big for guys and they are going to have a lot of firsts so we want them to just live in that moment but be mindful of the opportunity of winning 2-nil. Drawing the series is not something we are thinking about at all.”This is South Africa’s first series of the 2023-2025 WTC, during which they will only play two-Test series and will not face England or Australia at all. The dearth of fixtures was believed to be part of the reason Elgar chose to retire, despite his 185 in the Boxing Day Test suggesting he still has much to offer, and though he did not confirm that, he also made it clear he will not be changing his mind. “One thing people need to understand is that I made my decision long ago,” he said. “A couple of months ago, I chose this to be my last series, irrespective of what is happening behind the scenes. I made my bed and I am sleeping in it quite nicely.”

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says there is a "problem" with the Ballon d'Or if Ousmane Dembele does not win this year's award.

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• Dembele favourite to win Ballon d'Or
• Barca's Yamal one of the contenders
• PSG president issues verdict on matter

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  PSG star Dembele is the favourite to win this year's Ballon d'Or after leading his side to Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France glory last season. Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is also in the running to claim the 2025 Golden Ball but Al-Khelaifi insisted the 28-year-old deserves this prestigious accolade.

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• Getty Images Entertainment
  

  WHAT THE PSG PRESIDENT SAID

  Al-Khelaifi told DAZN: "Ousmane’s season is magnificent. There is no doubt that he won’t win the Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t win it, there is a problem with the Ballon d’Or. He has done everything."

  Dembele himself added: "I’m thinking about [the Ballon d’Or]. I know that, with the season that I have had, I am not far [from the Ballon d’Or], but I am focused on the objectives, before thinking about myself."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ex-Barcelona man Dembele has had the season of his life, scoring 33 goals and adding 15 assists in 49 matches in all competitions. He would be a worthy winner but last year, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior was tipped to win the Ballon d'Or, only to be pipped by Manchester City's Rodri in a surprise pick. So it is not a given that he wins the award.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Former Rennes and Borussia Dortmund star Dembele will not have too long to wait to find out if he will be crowned the world's best player in 2025, with the prestigious ceremony taking place in Paris on September 22.

Manchester United are considering a move for Fiorentina's Moise Kean after the striker's resurgence in Serie A.

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United consider move for KeanStriker under attention from Saudi clubsKean could return to Premier League where he struggledFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Kean has found a new lease of life in Florence, scoring 19 goals and registering three assists in 32 Serie A games last season, and, according to , is on United's radar. The Red Devils are desperately searching for a new striker and rebuffs from Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres have forced their attentions to the Italian forward. Ruben Amorim has been unable to find his ideal number nine from within the squad, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to impress, and could look to trigger Kean's release clause of €52 million (£44.5m) available from 1 to 15 July.

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United may have to move quickly to secure the services of Kean who is also the target of Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah. It is unclear whether the Italian striker would be open to a move to the Middle East, but could be tempted by a huge contract offer. Kean is also determined to keep his place in the national team ahead of the World Cup next summer and a move to United over Al-Qadsiah could keep him in hotter contention.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kean has already played in the Premier League with Everton, but it did not go exactly how he would have wished. Signed as a brightly-tipped youngster, Kean struggled to adapt to life in England and was criticised for his attitude. His plight in England epitomised by the time he was taken off by Duncan Ferguson in the 88th minute after only being brought on as a substitute in the 70th minute against United at Old Trafford as a 19-year-old.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR KEAN?

There is no guarantee that Kean chooses to leave Italy this summer, particularly to Manchester United. The striker is enjoying life at Fiorentina and helped the club achieve Europa Conference League qualification by finishing sixth. It is unclear whether he would consider following the likes of former Serie A stars Hojlund and Zirkzee to Old Trafford and may choose to remain in Italy.

Perhaps with replacing Mohamed Salah in mind, Liverpool have now reportedly set their sights on signing the Egyptian’s greatest rival to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or this summer.

Liverpool eye new forwards as Diaz, Jota and Nunez disappoint

Arne Slot’s debut campaign has gone so well at Anfield that the natural expectancy was that they would, one way or another, find a way past Paris Saint-Germain. For the first time in the Dutchman’s Liverpool career, however, his side’s weaknesses were laid bare up against a PSG side who are simply more complete under Luis Enrique these days.

Not just Nunez: Liverpool star who lost the ball every 3 mins let Slot down

Liverpool exit the Champions League in the last 16 after losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Mar 12, 2025

It was fairly fitting that arguably Europe’s best two sides needed penalties to decide what was a two-legged tie filled to the brim with world class quality and in many ways it summed up Darwin Nunez’s Liverpool career that he was the one who blinked first.

Between Diogo Jota’s frantic yet ineffective performance, Luis Diaz’s mixed display and Nunez’s own frustrating cameo, it became clearer than ever that the Reds need an attacking boost this summer, especially if Salah departs as a free agent.

If that is to be the case – and a disastrous one at that – then those at Anfield must pursue the signature of the Egyptian’s Ballon d’Or rival this summer, having already reportedly set their sights on his potential arrival.

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are now eyeing a summer swoop to sign Raphinha from Barcelona in a move that would instantly ease their Salah blow and revive their frontline.

Unlike this time last year, however, Barcelona are unlikely to part ways with Brazilian at the first chance they get. In fact, they’re likely to deny any offer at all for the winger’s signature, given how he has exploded into life to become one of Europe’s most lethal players in the current campaign – scoring 27 goals in all competitions.

"Special" Raphinha one of few who could replace Salah

When Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes go searching for a player capable of guaranteeing 20-plus goals a season whilst also taking up the role of main creator, they will struggle to find an extensive list of players able to come close to the levels that Salah has consistently shown. However, if they turn that search towards Spain they may just find one of a select few stars beginning to show similar traits.

Goals

13

27

Assists

7

17

Expected Goals

14.4

22

Key Passes

74

68

Although the numbers show just how unbelievable Salah’s season has been, Raphinha has been no slouch either and remains the Liverpool star’s greatest Ballon d’Or rival – especially after advancing in the Champions League.

At 28 years old, the former Leeds United winger is finally at the absolute peak of his powers and earning deserved praise from Hansi Flick as a result. The Barcelona boss told reporters earlier this season: “He has good dynamics with the ball and he has had an extraordinary match.

“His offensive and defensive dynamics, and his good technique, are something special. I have never had a player like him and he helps us a lot.”

David Payne chimes in with two wickets as Gloucestershire beat Middlesex

ECB Reporters Network04-Jun-2023

David Payne chimed in with two wickets•Getty Images

Oliver Price produced a telling performance with both bat and ball to guide Gloucestershire to an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Middlesex in an ultimately one-sided Vitality Blast contest at Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium.The Oxford-born allrounder top-scored with 46 and shared in crucial partnerships of 60 with Miles Hammond and 52 with Zafar Gohar for the second and third wickets respectively as the home side chased down a target of 140 with 10 balls to spare to register their second win in three days.Middlesex have struggled to post big totals in the short format this season and this match was no exception, the visitors struggling to build meaningful partnerships and coming up short on 139 for 9 after being put into bat. Jack Davies hit a defiant unbeaten 46 and Max Holden contributed a valuable 34, but veteran left-arm seamer David Payne claimed 2 for 21 and off spinner Price 2 for 18 as Gloucestershire took wickets at regular intervals to keep a lid on things.Victorious in three of their last four outings, improving Gloucestershire kept alive their hopes of progressing to the knock-out stages, but Middlesex are already down and out, consigned to the foot of the South Group after losing their opening six games.Just as they did against Surrey on Friday night, Gloucestershire restricted their opponents to a below-par total and then managed the chase in a controlled fashion.Promoted to open the innings on the back of his record-breaking 19-ball 50 against Essex last week, Ben Charlesworth has yet to spark at the top of the order, and he was stumped off the bowling of Josh de Caires for 12 as Gloucestershire lost their first wicket with 24 on the board in the fourth over.Also pushed up the order, Hammond made a better fist of things, twice cover driving Blake Cullen to the boundary and then stepping down the track and hitting Thilan Walallawita straight down the ground as the home side advanced their score to 43 for 1 while the fielding restrictions were in place.Cautious beginnings gave way to adventure on the part of Price, the 21-year-old tucking into spinners de Caires and Walallawita to provide Gloucestershire with crucial momentum. The 21-year-old plundered a brace of fours off de Caires in the sixth over and then repeated the feat against Walallawita in the ninth, Gloucestershire reaching the halfway stage of their innings well-placed at 73 for 1.Requiring a further 67 runs at 6.70 an over with nine wickets in hand, Gloucestershire were well served by their second-wicket pair, who accumulated in a controlled fashion to lay the foundations for a successful chase. By the time Hammond squirted a catch to extra cover off the bowling of Luke Hollman, the partnership was worth 60, the Cheltenham-born left-hander having contributed 34 of those from 38 balls with four fours, and the rate remained at just over a run a ball.Within four runs of a maiden T20 50, Price attempted to reach that landmark and win the game with a single blow in the 18th over, only to over-balance and fall to a sharp stumping by Davies. Left to finish things off, Zafar remained unbeaten on 37 from 22 balls, with a six and three fours, while skipper Jack Taylor hit the winning run.Gloucestershire performed at the top of their game to reduce Surrey to 29 for 4 in the powerplay at Bristol 48 hours earlier, but were unable to emulate that feat on this occasion. They began well enough, Payne having Stephen Eskinazi caught at the wicket in the act of driving recklessly and Joe Cracknell hoisting Danny Lamb to square leg as Middlesex lurched to 20-2 in the third over.But the home side then blotted their copybook when Holden, still to get off the mark, was put down at point by Matt Taylor off the bowling of Zafar with the score on 26. He and Pieter Malan advanced the score to a respectable 45 for 2 at the end of the powerplay as the visitors sought to make the most of their good fortune.But Gloucestershire continued to press hard and Price had Malan caught at long-on for a 19-ball 21 and Zafar bowled former team-mate Ryan Higgins for one as Middlesex, struggling to contend with spin from both ends, were reduced to 52-4 in the eighth over.Fortunate to still be at large and determined to make good his escape, Holden led a Middlesex fightback of sorts, partially rebuilding the innings with a restorative fifth-wicket stand of 24 with de Caires. Gloucestershire were already regretting dropping the left-hander when he hoisted Matt Taylor for the first six of the match, and he went on to add a quartet of fours in a progressive innings that yielded 34 from 22 balls.Veteran slow left armer Tom Smith eventually put paid to Holden’s antics, luring him into a trap that saw him hit straight to Price at deep mid-wicket as Middlesex slipped to 76 for 5 in the eleventh.A good deal of responsibility resting on their shoulders, de Caires and Davies ran hard between the wickets and scored at slightly better than a run-a-ball in adding 29 for the sixth wicket. But Gloucestershire stuck to their task and de Caires, having made 18 from 20 balls, hoisted Price to substitute fielder Zaman Akhter at long-on and perished going for the big hit with the score on 105, while Luke Hollman was run out for one by Smith’s throw from deep backward square as Middlesex slumped to 114 for 7 in the sixteenth.Worse followed for the visitors, Tom Helm falling cheaply to the returning Payne, who applied concerted pressure at the death, keeping things tight to further frustrate Middlesex.In danger of running out of partners and forced to take matters into his own hands, Davies batted with real purpose to finish just four runs short of a half century, his 33-ball innings containing 3 fours and a six. Blake Cullen stayed with him long enough to stage a ninth-wicket alliance of 22 in 20 balls, but there was no escaping the strong suspicion that the Londoners had fallen short.

Mumbai coach Boucher says England seamer has “picked up a little niggle”

Nagraj Gollapudi and Matt Roller08-Apr-20232:45

Tait worried for Archer after more elbow trouble

Jofra Archer was absent from Mumbai Indians’ line-up for their seven-wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday evening. ESPNcricinfo has learned that Archer experienced discomfort in his right elbow immediately after his first game of the season against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 2.Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai captain, when asked by Ravi Shastri at the toss about injuries replied, “one injury.” He then quickly corrected himself to say, “not an injury actually, more of a precaution” before confirming that Archer was sitting out.It is understood that Archer has not bowled since that match although he did turn up for one of Mumbai’s training sessions this week. He travelled to the Wankhede with the rest of the squad but warmed up away from his team-mates, undergoing short running and throwing drills.”He’s picked up a little niggle,” Mark Boucher, Mumbai’s head coach, said after the match. “We’ve got a fantastic medical team that are looking after him. He’s obviously a massive player for us, so hopefully they can pass him fit sometime soon.”We will always look after the player, so if he’s not ready to put his hand up to play then we’ll look after him as well, but we’re following medical advice from our team at the moment. Hopefully he’s up for selection pretty soon.”Related

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As it happened: MI vs CSK

Mumbai bought Archer for INR 8 crore (£800,000 approx) last year, even though they knew he wouldn’t be able to play IPL 2022. Saturday’s game was his debut for the franchise, having previously represented Rajasthan Royals. He went wicketless, giving away 33 runs in his four-overs spell as Royal Challengers cruised to victory.Having broken onto the scene as a generational talent, Archer suffered a major injury setback in 2021 when he began to have trouble with the same right elbow that is causing concern now. The England fast bowler had to undergo two operations for it, and missed nearly two years of international cricket after suffering a lower-back stress fracture during his rehabilitation.He had only just returned to cricket in January this year, playing for another Mumbai franchise – MI Cape Town – in the SA20. In total, Archer has played 10 T20s and four ODIs since his comeback. The 28 year-old has been careful about doing too much too soon and is already seeing the possibility of playing anything more than one Ashes Test – the five-match series begins on June 16 – as a bonus.Super Kings without Stokes and MoeenBen Stokes, Archer’s England captain, was also ruled out of Saturday night’s fixture. Stokes said earlier this week that he had bowled “pain-free” during Super Kings’ victory over Lucknow Super Giants on Monday night, but reports emerged on Friday night that he had a sore heel after training. Stokes has been clear that he wants to be fit and ready for the new English summer, which begins with a Test against Ireland on June 1 and leads into the Ashes.Archer, Stokes travelled to the Wankede on Saturday night but took minimal part in the team’s warm-ups. The franchise clarified on Sunday afternoon that Stokes was “nursing a minor toe injury” which he had sustained in training.A third England player, Moeen Ali, was also ruled out of the game due to illness. Moeen played in both of Super Kings’ first two matches of the 2023 season and addressed a press conference on Friday evening, but Dhoni said he was “not well” at the toss.Deepak Chahar was added to this list when the game began, the fast bowler only able to complete one over before leaving the field with his left hamstring causing problems. He’s already had a difficult time with injuries to his back and quadricep in 2022.

The USMNT defender shared his frustrations about missing international duty and outlined his perspective on what the team needs to improve

• Dest maintains regular communication with USMNT coaches
• Emphasizes need for complete commitment from squad
• Identifies work rate and creative spark as key areas for improvement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  After being sidelined for nearly a year with an ACL injury, Sergino Dest finally made his comeback for club and country earlier in 2025, and it has many excited for the 24-year-old’s future. However, that spell out has seen Dest miss out on a lot of chances to impress. But Dest acknowledged that while he stays in regular contact with Mauricio Pochettino's coaching staff.

  “I’ve had conversations with the assistant coach, and they’re watching me, we keep in contact, but yeah, it’s different,” Dest told when asked if he’s in touch with the USMNT coaches. “It’s different to meet them all in person, be at the camp, be with the players again, and I miss the players again because the last time was March 2024."

  He added, "And it’s been way too long, and we have a World Cup coming up, and I want to spend as much time with the players to be in the best shape with the team to be ready for the World Cup."

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• WHAT SERGINO DEST SAID

  Dest also touched upon what he believes the USMNT lacks and what they need to do before the 2026 World Cup.

  “I feel like we have some work to do as well. I don’t know, I'm willing to work 100 percent with the whole team cause that is our spirit, and I think you know if we’re our best version, if everybody gives 100 percent and maybe some creativity,” Dest added when asked what he thinks the USMNT lack.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The USMNT has struggled to find consistency under new coach Pochettino since his appointment in the Fall of 2024. Injury absences to key players like Dest, Tyler Adams, and others have complicated the transition, with the team showing concerning deficiencies in creativity and attacking threat. Dest's identification of work rate and creativity as areas needing improvement aligns with Pochettino's recent assessments as well.

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  The USMNT will come together at the end of the 2024-25 season for the 2025 Gold Cup, with Dest likely to be a part of the squad for the tournament. That will be the last section of competitive action that the team will have prior to the 2026 World Cup, beyond regularly scheduled friendly games.