Virat Kohli has quietened speculation over whether IPL franchises have been asked to “manage” the workloads of India players who are likely to be part of the World Cup squad, saying no instructions have been issued to cap the number of games a player would take part in.”You cannot put a cap on anything,” Kohli said in Bengaluru, at an event to launch a new app for Royal Challengers Bangalore, his IPL franchise. “If I’m able to play 10, 12 or 15 games, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the other guy can only play that many. My body might demand I play a certain number of games and I need to be smart about that and rest. Someone else’s body might be more capable than mine or less, that is a very individual thing. And everyone wants to play the World Cup, so people will be smart about it because you don’t want to miss out on such a big event.”Kohli emphasised that the responsibility for managing workloads lay with the players themselves.”From a responsibility point of view, all the Indian players will have the responsibility during the IPL to keep a watch on their fitness and their workloads,” he said. “And to continue the frame of mind we have created in the Indian team – strive towards excellence and improve every day. Each player will take this tournament as an opportunity to go to the World Cup in a good frame of mind.”While Kohli said it was left up to players when they would want to play or rest, Ashish Nehra, the former Indian bowler and joint coach of RCB, said playing in the IPL would give players an advantage leading up to the World Cup, and that prolonged rest before the tournament could be counterproductive.”If somebody tells Virat Kohli that you are not playing this IPL, come fresh for the World Cup, I don’t think it’s the right way,” Nehra said. “If he’s only practising, that practice is different [from match play]. The IPL is a pressure tournament, it is as good as international cricket, that’s why everybody wants to play. So you are going to the World Cup through that pressure. If I’m a bowler, I keep bowling yorkers or good-length balls, it’s the same thing I have to do in the World Cup.”There’s a three-week gap between the IPL final and India’s first game [at the World Cup]. If you’re not injured, three weeks is enough time. If someone tells me, ‘You bowl in the IPL final today and then for the next three weeks you don’t bowl, and then bowl straightaway against South Africa’ – I would not like to do that. Active rest is very important, not just for fast bowlers but for everyone.”It doesn’t matter how tired Virat Kohli is… he might stay away from the nets for maybe a week, or ten days at the most. The last 11 days, he will want to have seven-eight sessions. The more you play the better you get. I can understand if the IPL final is on the 12th and the first World Cup game is on the 16th, you might feel [Jasprit] Bumrah or Bhuvneshwar [Kumar] or Mohammed Shami [might need to be rested]. Some bowlers come up to me and say, ‘We are fresh; the more we play the better we feel.’ Some won’t say that. Everyone is different.”Gary Kirsten, RCB’s other coach, agreed with Nehra.”We do understand all the international players, apart from the Indians, will be called back to their internationals teams anyway through the IPL,” Kirsten said. “We have to accept there’s not much we can do about that. We understand the demands that an international player has. We’ll be very reasonable in that space.”And Ashish has made a good point: if you get yourself match-ready during the IPL, that’s going to hold you in really good stead during the World Cup. I think it’s an advantage to the Indian players, actually. Because the IPL is such a pressurised tournament, it’s great preparation for the World Cup.”

An "unbelievable" Liverpool player could seal a move away from the club in the January transfer window, according to an update from reliable journalist Gregg Evans.

Potential Liverpool exits

There is so much to admire about Jurgen Klopp's side at the moment, who aren't necessarily performing at their highest level, but still find themselves top of the Premier League after battling their way to numerous late wins.

The signings of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch have made a world of difference in midfield, while Klopp looks reborn after cutting a dejected figure during a dispiriting 2022/23 season. While there are so many important players at the club right now, whether it be Alisson, Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah, to name just a few, there is always the risk that individuals could move on at some point.

Joel Matip and Thiago are both out of contract at Liverpool at the end of this season, for example, and it remains to be seen if either will end up signing extensions at the club. The same applies to Adrian, although he is clearly a more expendable figure, considering he is the Reds' third-choice goalkeeper.

Other fringe players and loanees could also look for new challenges in the coming months, and an important update has dropped regarding one such individual.

Fabio Carvalho could be set new loan move

According to Evans on X, Liverpool are now thought to be "considering a new loan for Fabio Carvalho", such has been his lack of impact at RB Leipzig so far this season.

The 21-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements by Klopp during the summer, so a temporary switch to the Bundesliga side came to fruition.

In Evans' report for The Athletic, he goes into more detail, explaining that a number of clubs are interested in the Liverpool man, should he return to Anfield next month:

"Liverpool are in discussions with Fabio Carvalho over his future after an unsuccessful loan spell at RB Leipzig. The 21-year-old could be recalled early and then sent on another loan in January with a number of clubs already showing an interest. Carvalho is unlikely to be reintegrated into the Liverpool first team this season, though."

Bringing an end to Carvalho's time at Leipzig seemingly makes complete sense for all parties, with the youngster growing stagnant there, starting just one Bundesliga match this season. That isn't helping his development at all, so it would be far wiser for Liverpool to end his loan spell prematurely, before allowing him to move elsewhere in January, to a club who are genuinely willing to offer him regular playing time.

Appearances

7

Starts

1

Goals

0

Assists

0

Key passes per game

0.1

Carvalho's career in the short term is in danger of petering out a little if he isn't careful, so he could do with settling at another club for the second half of the season and get things back on track, rather than being an exciting young talent who falls by the wayside.

He is still someone who Klopp himself has hailed as "unbelievable" in the past, however, so a strong loan spell elsewhere could reinvigorate him.

Emma Hayes' side are on course for a fifth-successive league triumph and will likely retain their title with a win over Man Utd on the final day

Chelsea are on the brink of a fifth-successive Women's Super League title after edging Tottenham in a nervy 1-0 win on Wednesday night. The Blues will go into the final day of the season on Saturday level on points with Manchester City, but they are top of the table thanks to a superior goal difference and are in pole position to be crowned champions of England once more.

Emma Hayes' side didn't have it all their own way in this London derby, with two strong penalty shouts waved away by referee Emily Heaslip, and they struggled to create many clear-cut chances. The biggest one fell to Maika Hamano early on but she made amends for sending a free header over the bar when she scored Chelsea's long-awaited opener just before the break.

However, that didn't open any floodgates and Spurs asked questions of the Blues, especially early in the second half when Luana Buhler forced Aggie Beever-Jones to make a massive block before Ashleigh Neville fired over from close range. Fortunately for Chelsea and their title hopes, though, they held on for all three points despite Fran Kirby missing a great chance to put the result beyond doubt in the closing stages. Hayes' side need to beat Manchester United on Saturday, but do that, and they'll likely retain their title.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Brisbane Road…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Zecira Musovic (6/10):

Had a sloppy moment in possession early in the second half that was almost costly, but was otherwise able to deal with the little thrown at her.

Ashley Lawrence (6/10):

Got forward plenty and contributed to the build-up play well.

Millie Bright (7/10):

Her best performance since her return from injury.

Nathalie Bjorn (6/10):

Solid at the back without being troubled too much.

Niamh Charles (8/10):

Her and Reiten worked brilliantly down the left. Superb cross to Hamano for the opening goal.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Erin Cuthbert (7/10):

Tenacious as ever in the middle of the park, winning possession back more than any other player.

Melanie Leupolz (6/10):

Some nice passes in the final third to create chances.

Catarina Macario (8/10):

Thrived in this deeper role, picking up space where she could and using it to cause Spurs problems.

GettyAttack

Maika Hamano (8/10):

Made amends for an early miss with some good movement and a great finish for the opener. A lively performer all night.

Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):

A handful for Spurs' centre-backs, if not as involved as she usually is when she plays out wide. Made a huge block in her own box to deny Buhler when Chelsea were under pressure.

Guro Reiten (6/10):

Linked up well with Charles to cause Tottenham issues down the left.

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GettySubs & Manager

Jess Carter (5/10):

The first of a triple sub just after the 70-minute mark. Settled into the defence just fine, without doing anything spectacular. Took a necessary booking late on to help Chelsea secure the win.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):

Electric pace gave Spurs something to think about in the last 20 minutes.

Sjoeke Nusken (5/10):

Couldn't have much influence in her short cameo.

Lauren James (N/A):

On for the final 10 minutes and added something to the attack.

Fran Kirby (N/A):

Came on with James and had a golden chance to make it 2-0, but didn't get the finish right.

Emma Hayes (6/10):

Had her hands tied a little with some injuries but put out a team that allowed some names to be rested ahead of the final day, though that almost proved costly with the tight nature of the result. Subs came a little later than anticipated.

Both teams are coming off losses in their most recent match, and both have six points from five games so far

The Preview by Varun Shetty07-Apr-20196:47

Can hosts Kings XI tame Sunrisers?

Big pictureSunrisers Hyderabad have the reputation of being a model franchise. They also possess a middle order that has long had the reputation of being their weakest link. Heading into their next fixture against Kings XI Punjab at Mohali, these two dimensions will be in focus: will the franchise’s ethos, built on balance and positivity, help them come back from a humiliating 40-run defeat chasing 137, like it has in the past? Or will we see a more deadpan reaction, a reshuffle and fortification of the batting beyond their blockbuster opening pair? They’re close to the halfway point of seven matches in the season, the fixtures around which the tone for the final stages is set – that frenzied, volatile period during which certain teams specialise in sneaking in and rattling the favourites.Kings XI have often been that team in the IPL, but have begun this season looking much better than a late-doors spoilsport. They have six points from five games, but have only really been below-par on one occasion, when they doled out schoolboy errors to lose by 28 runs to Kolkata Knight Riders.Form guide

Kings XI: Lost to Super Kings by 22 runs, beat Capitals by 14 runs, beat Mumbai by eight wickets
Sunrisers: Lost to Mumbai by 40 runs, beat Capitals by five wickets, beat Royal Challengers by 118 runs

Both teams have the same number of points in the same number of games, and are both coming in after losses. Are Kings XI overachieving? Are Sunrisers underachieving? That assessment will have to wait till after this game, which will divide the table into an eight-point chunk and a six-point chunk.Siddarth Kaul looks on in awe as Rashid Khan spins a different kind of ball•BCCIPrevious meetingWhen they last met, Sunrisers’ top order failed and a Manish Pandey fifty took them to 132 for 6. Ankit Rajpoot took 5 for 14, and was Man of the Match, but his individual effort was overshadowed by Sunrisers collective bowling effort as Kings XI lost by 13 runs.Likely XIsKings XI Punjab 1 KL Rahul (wk), 2 Chris Gayle, 3 Mayank Agarwal, 4 Sarfaraz Khan, 5 David Miller, 6 Mandeep Singh, 7 Sam Curran, 8 R Ashwin (capt), 9 M Ashwin, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Mujeeb Ur Rahman/Hardus Viljoen/Andrew TyeSunrisers Hyderabad 1 David Warner, 2 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3 Vijay Shankar, 4 Manish Pandey/Ricky Bhui, 5 Yusuf Pathan, 6 Deepak Hooda, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar (capt), 10 Sandeep Sharma, 11 Siddarth KaulSarfaraz Khan plays through the off-side•BCCIStrategy punt R Ashwin likes bowling in the Powerplay, especially to left-handers. This is unlikely to change despite David Warner’s excellent record in Powerplays against spin – only one dismissal since 2016. However, if he’s paired with Sam Curran with the new ball, they could cause trouble to both openers. Warner averages 30 – his lowest – and has been out five times to left-arm seamers in the phase, while Bairstow has only 39 runs off 36 balls against spin. Manish Pandey is among the highest-paid players at Sunrisers and has been given a long rope by the management, as one of their elite domestic players. But his form has been on the decline since the start of 2018 and they could be well-served by giving him some time off. Rashid Khan has taken four wickets in five games, a below-par strike-rate for him. Sunrisers could get more wickets from him by leaving some of his overs for the slog overs where batsmen don’t have the luxury of playing him out. All his wickets this season have come in the 16-20 overs phase.Stats that matter Chris Gayle has fallen four times in eight innings to Sandeep Sharma and has only managed a strike rate of 107.4 against the swing bowler. Sunrisers’ middle order (4-6) has contributed less than half the runs as the top order (1-3) since the start of IPL 2018; that’s 26.4% in comparison to 60.52%. Kings XI have been the quickest-scoring team in the middle overs this season – they strike at 9.1 per over between overs 7 and 15, whereas Sunrisers score at 8.2. Both of them have scored at 9.4 in the slog overs, but Sunrisers have been far ahead of Kings XI’s 7.4 in the Powerplay with 9.4. For batsmen facing at least 250 balls, Manish Pandey has the worst average – 22.78 – and boundary rate – 10.3 balls per boundary – since IPL 2018.

Despite some initial positivity stemming from an impressive pre-season campaign and the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea fans have had to endure another miserable season of false dawns and poor performances.

The Blues are on a three-game winning streak across all competitions but find themselves tenth in the Premier League and closer to the relegation zone than top spot.

One of the most significant problems at Stamford Bridge is the side's inability to finish chances, so fans should be excited about the latest player touted for a move to west London: Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024 Chelsea transfer news – Victor Osimhen

According to reports in Italy, via Football Transfers, Chelsea have made the Nigerian superstar their number-one transfer target for 2024, and they are entirely unfazed by the new contract he signed at the end of 2023.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Blues view the €120m (£103m) release clause in Osimhen's latest contract as an invitation from the Serie A champions to launch a bid with Todd Boehly and Co readying a 'big summer assault'.

While it would be another outlandishly expensive transfer for the west Londoners, it might just be worth it to sign a goal-scoring "machine" and "Naploli's heart and soul", as dubbed by journalist Mina Rzouki.

Additionally, the prospect of seeing Osimhen and Cole Palmer in the same team should be all the convincing that Chelsea needs to once again dip into their seemingly endless piles of cash.

How Victor Osimhen and Cole Palmer could play together

In a season that has been generally quite miserable for the Chelsea faithful, there has been at least one undeniably positive development: the signing of former Manchester City youngster Palmer.

The 21-year-old has already scored eight goals and provided four assists in 12 Premier League starts, and if his teammates were more clinical, he'd have a lot more of the latter by now.

The Blues' primary striker this season has been Nicolas Jackson, and while the Senegalese international has looked good at times, and has racked up seven league goals already, he would have scored many more if his finishing was up to par.

The same problem exists with the Blues' backup striker, Armado Broja, as the Albanian has looked good at points, but hasn't delivered in front of goal, netting twice all term.

The poor finishing of the Chelsea pair is painfully apparent during games and even harder to ignore when comparing their underlying numbers to Osimhen's.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.39

0.66

0.48

Non-Penalty Goals

0.45

0.43

0.23

Shots

3.63

2.80

2.54

Goal-Creating Actions

0.45

0.37

0.23

Shot-Creating Actions

1.91

2.98

1.39

Dispossessed

1.36

2.30

1.86

Aerial Duels Won

1.91

0.93

0.47

For example, Jackson generates a higher non-penalty expected goals figure than Osimhen – almost double, in fact – and yet when it comes to the number of non-penalty goals they score per 90, the 6 foot 1 Napoli star comes out ahead.

Now imagine it was the "natural talent" of Osimhen, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, getting on the end of Palmer's crosses, and not Jackson – the former City prospect could end the season with close to 20 assists.

Ultimately, it would be a massive investment from Chelsea to sign the Nigerian forward, but the partnership he could build with Palmer is surely reason enough for them to go for it.

Sunderland are reportedly eyeing up a move to sign an in-demand forward this month, with a number of Championship sides keen.

Sunderland form under Beale

The Black Cats, now under the leadership of Michael Beale, enter the January transfer window in a relatively strong position in the second tier, occupying the final playoff position.

The 43-year-old got off to a rocky start with a heavy home defeat to Coventry City, but since then, has overseen wins against Hull City and Preston North End and a draw with Rotherham United.

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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

Attention could now be on new arrivals ahead of the second half of the season, and when asked about the club’s transfer plans recently, Beale hinted that although talks are going on in the background, the club aren’t close to sealing any signings.

"I think everyone is to-ing and fro-ing a little bit. There have been a lot of discussions going on but nothing concrete as yet so I wouldn't want to put a timeline on it and disappoint, or be accused of pulling the wool over people's eyes if it comes in a bit quicker. At the moment, though, there is nothing imminent."

It appears as if targets are being drawn up, though, with one in-demand striker on Sunderland’s radar.

Sunderland eyeing Kieffer Moore move

According to The Sun in the last 48 hours, Bournemouth are open to letting Kieffer Moore go this month, with a number of sides mentioned as possible destinations.

Sunderland are named as one of those clubs, alongside Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Ipswich Town and West Brom. Any exit from the south coast for the Wales international could be on loan due to his £40,000-a-week wage, though.

Moore, who scored twice at the Stadium of Light in his only visit with Barnsley back in 2018/19, has plenty of experience in the Championship for a number of clubs, so a move could be a shrewd one by Sunderland, who have relied on winger Jack Clarke for plenty of their goals this season.

Kieffer Moore's Championship stats

Appearances

155

Goals

47

Assists

14

The 31-year-old has represented the likes of Ipswich, Barnsley, Wigan, Cardiff and Bournemouth in the second tier, and he has netted five Premier League goals in recent years too.

The striker has come in for praise over the years as well, with former Cherries boss Scott Parker previously calling the forward “unplayable”. He also said Moore is a unique style of forward.

“He's his own player in that sense. But I think you see today a snapshot in 90 minutes, I suppose, exactly what Kieffer’s like. He makes it uncomfortable for you. He can threaten you in behind, in terms of because of his mobileness and he can then come into feet and hold the ball up, make it stick and bring in other players into play as well. So he’s an all round nine.”

It looks as if a deal could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks, but Sunderland may need to act fast if they want to secure the striker’s services before the month is out.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has vowed that the Gunners will be looking to "win everything" during the 2024-25 season.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Arsenal lose out on title to City
• Odegaard vows Gunners will be back stronger
• Busy summer expected in north London

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners lost out on the Premier League title to Manchester City on the final day. Despite beating Everton 2-1 at the Emirates, with Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu getting the goals, City pipped them to the trophy courtesy of a 3-1 victory over West Ham.

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• WHAT ODEGAARD SAID

  Addressing the club's supporters at full time, Odegaard said: "I think we’re all a little bit disappointed at the moment. We’ve been fighting for so long and we’re so close. But at the same time I’m so proud of the boys, everyone at the club, the fans. I’m so proud of the progress we’re making. When I first came here until today, it’s a big difference. We’ve changed the club. I think you’re all believing us now. We’re on a good wave, We were closer than last year. Now we need to use the break to come back even stronger next year. We’re going to push to win everything."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arsenal have indeed got closer to the champions' points tally this term. Last season, the Gunners finished five points behind City, but this time around they have ended up only two adrift of Pep Guardiola's team. Champions League football has been secured once again and they'll be looking to go further than the quarter-final stages – where they exited this season – in 2025.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke has hinted that the club would again be investing in the men's team this summer, as they look to further close the gap on City. It's understood that Arteta is particularly interested in signing a new centre-forward, with the futures of Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus uncertain.

Batsman who hit winning run has mixed emotions over end of an era in domestic one-day cup

Alan Gardner26-May-2019Having scored the run that ended Somerset’s 14-year wait for a major trophy, James Hildreth admitted to feeling an unusual mixture of emotions. Delight at his side having secured the Royal London Cup, overcoming 2018 winners Hampshire by six wickets, mixed with relief and surprise at not coming second-best once again; as well as a “bittersweet” sense that he and his Somerset team-mates may be the last to experience the feeling of winning a domestic limited-overs final at Lord’s.From next season, the 50-over tournament is set to run alongside The Hundred, and the addition of the ECB’s new format to an already crowded schedule means List A cricket is likely to be downgraded to “development” status. With the final also moving to Trent Bridge, Somerset’s victory on a sun-kissed afternoon at Lord’s looks set to mark the end of an era in English one-day cricket.”We thought about it to be honest, it’s kind of bittersweet,” Hildreth said. “Because it’s great we got the opportunity to play in it, but it’s sad in a way because you want other guys to experience it in the future. It’s such a big history, especially with our club, legends winning one-day trophies and images of them playing here. So it’s special for us but frustrating that more guys potentially can’t experience it in the future.”It seems like it will be a very different tournament with The Hundred coming in. We don’t know how everything’s going to look at the moment but you’re getting your best players go off and play in The Hundred, and what the one-day tournament will look like … it’s bound to be weakened because the best players won’t be playing it. So that’ll be frustrating but time will tell because nobody really knows what’s going on next year.”While Somerset enjoyed several successful trips to Lord’s in the 1970s and ’80s, winning the Gillette Cup and its successor the NatWest Trophy, as well as twice lifting the Benson & Hedges Cup, they have more recently been associated with near misses, finishing as runners-up in all three major competitions over the last decade. Hildreth is old enough that he played in the 2005 Twenty20 Cup final victory – hitting the winning runs on that occasion, too – and he was grateful for finally being able to add to that title.”It was a frustratingly long time ago, to be honest, it feels like we should have had a few more in between,” he said. “I’m so glad we got over the line today, I’m really pleased for the boys especially the young lads, some of their first experiences of a being in a final and to come away with the right result is great for them and hopefully a platform for us to kick on.”Hildreth, who recently set an appearances record for Somerset across the formats, showed his experience to finish off the job but it was two of the club’s young talents in Jamie Overton and Tom Banton who provided the platform. Overton was named Man of the Match for his three-wicket burst that knocked the stuffing out of the Hampshire innings, while Banton then proceeded to demonstrate why he is so highly rated with a run-a-ball 69 to calm any nerves around chasing.James Hildreth celebrates after hitting the winning runs•Getty Images”I absolutely loved it [being out there at the end], it’s why you play, for those kind of moments,” Hildreth said. “You want to win trophies with your mates and that’s exactly what happened today. The first half we did well, the bowlers restricted them – we always felt they were under par at the halfway stage. We were pretty confident with chasing it but you always want to get off to a good start. Tom Banton has impressed the whole tournament and it was great he could showcase his talents today in the final.”Relief [was the feeling at the end]. Strange, because it was like ‘Wow, we won!’ It was quite bizarre but it was great, we’ve been bridesmaids for so many years. We’ve all seen the support in the stands, they come around everywhere with us, we’ve got the best support in the country, so it’s great to do it for them.”As for ending an even longer wait, Hildreth was cautiously optimistic that the club would be able to sustain their challenge in the Championship. Somerset, who have never won the pennant, currently sit top of Division One with three wins from four, although they saw Lewis Gregory (side) and Josh Davey (quad) pick up injuries at Lord’s. While the club may not have the same depth as other squads, they have the following week off and there is likely to be renewed vigour when they resume four-day competition against Surrey at Guildford on June 3.”We’re playing well, coming off the back of a few wins – a few different players coming into the Championship team but we’re playing good cricket. There’s no reason why we can’t keep winning games and push on in all three competitions.”

Shubman Gill is not getting opportunities to bat higher in the Kolkata Knight Riders line-up because the top and middle-order positions have been firmed up in favour of more experienced hands, their captain Dinesh Karthik explained. Karthik said that Gill did open once this season when their regular opener Chris Lynn was unwell, but otherwise he had to look at the team “as a whole and not just one bright kid on the block”.”I’ve been asked this a number of times… Look, we’ve made it clear to Shubman that, as and when opportunities arise, he will be sent up the order,” Karthik told the . “Shubman was promoted to open when Chris Lynn was unwell. He grabbed that chance and got 65. Now, when Lynn was available, we had to give him back his position. He’s done a lot for us and we have to show faith… Sunil Narine, for his part, stays as the other opener.”Question is whether we can bat Shubman at No. 3 or No. 4. Well, Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana have won us matches from those positions and, again, it’s a matter of showing faith. India is obsessed with novelties, and even I like novelties, but I have to look at Knight Riders as a whole and not just one bright kid on the block. I need to show faith in Shubman, yes, equally I have a responsibility to give Robin and Nitish enough opportunities. As the captain, I have to show faith… Is Shubman upset at going down the order? I don’t think so.”Gill made his IPL and T20 debut last year for Knight Riders and played 13 of their 16 matches. He impressed with his strokeplay and scored 203 runs at average of 33.83 and strike rate of 146.04. Apart from the odd chance in the top order, Gill batted three times at No. 6 and six times at No. 7 in IPL 2018 to play the finisher’s role. This season, too, he has batted three times at No. 6 and twice at No. 7 so far, and once each as an opener and No. 4 batsman.Gill was asked how he prepared for facing only six-odd balls when he bats at No. 7. “To face those six balls you have to practice at least 100 balls at nets,” he told . “If you practice less, you’ll lack confidence even to hit four out of those six balls. The mentality shouldn’t be to practice less just because you are going to face just those number of balls. So to make the most of those six balls, one must utilise their net sessions.”

تقدم منتخب مصر، بالهدف الثاني أمام منافسه بوتسوانا، في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما الآن، ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع بوتسوانا، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثانية من عمر مباريات المجموعة الثالثة لـ تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 بالمغرب.

طالع | مباشر بالفيديو.. مباراة مصر وبوتسوانا في تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا

وجاء هدف منتخب مصر الأول عن طريق محمود تريزيجيه، في الدقيقة 5 من عمر اللقاء، بعد ارتداد الكرة من فوكو حارس بوتسوانا ويصوبها مباشرة في المرمى.

كما سجل تريزيجيه الهدف الثاني لمنتخب مصر في الدقيقة 29، بعد تلقيه تمريرة سحرية من رامي ربيعة، ويتوغل مهاجم مصر لمنطقة الجزاء ويسددها لتسكن الشباك. هدف مصر الثاني أمام بوتسوانا في تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا