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Daryl Mitchell, meanwhile, is hopeful of recovering from his finger fracture in time for New Zealand’s T20 World Cup opener

Deivarayan Muthu08-Oct-2022A minor abdominal injury to fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has depleted New Zealand further in the ongoing T20I tri-series, involving Pakistan and Bangladesh. The hosts are already without allrounders Daryl Mitchell, who has been sidelined from the entire tri-series with a fractured finger, and Mitchell Santner, who will join the squad on Sunday after his paternity break.Given Ferguson’s history of injuries – he had also been ruled out of last year’s T20 World Cup with a calf tear – New Zealand will have to manage him carefully in the lead-up to this year’s T20 World Cup. Head coach Gary Stead has said that there’s a chance that Ferguson too might miss the entire tri-series.Related

Mitchell in doubt for T20 World Cup with fractured finger

Ferguson ruled out of 2021 T20 World Cup with calf tear

“Lockie has a little ab injury at the moment. We’re just managing just that and the most important thing is we get to the start of the World Cup and Lockie is ready to go,” Stead said. “He’s a very, very important cog in our bowling line-up. Unfortunately for him, he missed last year’s World Cup with the injury he had then. I mean we are mindful of it and we want to make sure that he’s right and ready for those early games in the World Cup.”There is that chance [of him missing the entire tri-series]. We will just see how he responds to treatment over the next few days.”New Zealand’s other priority is to get Adam Milne fully fit ahead of the global tournament. Milne, who is also injury-prone, is working his way back from a persistent Achilles injury that forced him to miss the Hundred earlier this year. His last competitive game was in March when he made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings.On Saturday, New Zealand picked Blair Tickner ahead of Milne.”It’s the first time I’ve had eyes live on Milne at the nets and he looked really good,” Stead said. “We’re pleased with what we are seeing there and again he is coming off a reasonably extensive injury break as well, so just managing him and making sure he’s right will be the most important thing for us in these four games.”Daryl Mitchell’s presence would lend balance to New Zealand’s XI•Getty ImagesMitchell hopes to be fit for T20 World Cup
Mitchell, who was hit on the little finger of his right hand while batting in the nets on Friday, is hopeful of recovering in time for New Zealand’s World Cup opener against Australia at the SCG on October 22.”Obviously, not ideal timing but we’ve got some good news around where the fracture is in the hand and the time frame to be ready for the first game in Australia in a couple of weeks’ time,” Mitchell told Spark Sport on the sidelines of New Zealand’s tri-series opener against Pakistan on Saturday. “We’ll do everything we can to try and be ready and fingers crossed that I’ll be good to go.Dane Cleaver, Kane Williamson’s cousin, who had hit 83 against India A in a one-dayer in Chennai last month, has been named as Mitchell’s replacement for the tri-series. Cleaver will also be the back-up wicketkeeper to Conway although Finn Allen has also occasionally done the job for his domestic side Wellington Firebirds.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to sell Nice, with Saudi Arabia reportedly lurking, after admitting that he doesn't "enjoy" watching the Ligue 1 side.

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Ratcliffe ready to sell his stake in NicePaid around £89 million (€100m) to acquire the clubThe PIF is keen to get their hands on NiceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to the British billionaire is preparing to part ways with Nice, the French outfit he acquired in 2019 for around £89 million (€100 million). When he took the reins of OGC Nice five years ago, supporters were hopeful that his arrival would usher in a new era capable of challenging Paris Saint-Germain’s domestic dominance. But despite his vast financial resources, the club have consistently failed to climb into Ligue 1’s upper echelon and have hovered between ninth and fifth in the standings.

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Currently, under manager Franck Haise, the team is positioned sixth, just two points shy of third place, which would grant them direct entry into the Champions League. Yet even with the possibility of European qualification looming, Ratcliffe has shown no inclination to reinvest or double down on the Nice project.

WHAT RATCLIFFE SAID

When Ratcliffe acquired a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United, he suggested that Nice would no longer be the central focus, likening the French outfit to a “fifth wheel” in his growing sporting empire.

“I don’t particularly like going to see Nice because there are good players, but the level of football isn’t high enough for me to get excited," he admitted last March. "Nice’s best season was the one we weren’t allowed to get involved in due to timeshare rules. They were so much better without our interference! Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned from that."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Reports in June 2024 from the English press confirmed that Ratcliffe is actively seeking to offload his stake in the French club. It appears the INEOS chairman has taken concrete steps toward that goal. According to French outlet L’Informé, Ratcliffe has hired global financial advisory firm Lazard to oversee the search for potential buyers. One prospective suitor has already taken note – Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Known for its high-profile acquisition of Premier League side Newcastle United, the PIF is reportedly "seriously considering" a move for Nice.

It is no great secret that Arsenal are in the market for a new striker, and have been for quite some time now, with a reporter sharing the Gunners’ stance over signing a potential bargain forward in fantastic form right now.

Emergency striker Mikel Merino rescues Arsenal

Mikel Arteta was dealt a seismic blow with news last week that Kai Havertz has joined Gabriel Jesus in being out for the remainder of Arsenal’s campaign, prompting the Spaniard to get very creative in search of solutions.

Arsenal told new Alexander Isak price tag in boost for Mikel Arteta

He’s a reported top target for the Gunners.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 18, 2025

Raheem Sterling played as the frontman during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium last Saturday, but it was his replacement off the bench, Mikel Merino, who proved the hero instead – grabbing a late brace to clinch a vital three points for the Premier League title hopefuls.

West Ham (home)

February 22nd

Nottingham Forest (away)

February 26th

Man United (away)

March 9th

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

Fulham (home)

April 1st

The Spaniard hardly expected to play at centre-forward when he put pen to paper on a move from Real Sociedad last summer, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

“It’s the first time that I’ve played as a striker,” said Merino on his goals against Leicester. “It’s a good day to score because I forgot to give my wife a Valentine’s Day present, so I think she’ll appreciate this more than a rose or some chocolates.”

It is unclear just how often Arteta will turn to Merino for this unexpected role, but interim sporting director Jason Ayto and his recruitment team are working to ensure that Arsenal won’t have to rely on such a wildcard emergency option next campaign.

Arsenal are targeting a new striker this summer, after failing with a low-ball bid to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in January (David Ornstein), and the Italian press have claimed that Fiorentina star Moise Kean is of interest to the Gunners.

The former Everton, PSG and Juventus forward joined La Viola permanently for just £11 million last year, with Kean’s exceptional 19-goal haul in all competitions potentially making him one of the bargains of the summer window.

Arsenal's stance on signing Moise Kean from Fiorentina

TMW, among other outlets, have reported that Arsenal are monitoring Kean ahead of the next window.

Now, reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking to GiveMeSport, has shared an update on Arsenal’s pursuit of Kean, stating that they would need to see more evidence of the Italy international’s proficiency before making a formal move.

“Kean has found a bit of a breakthrough season, having struggled for goals at Juventus, he had a good loan at PSG, but other than that, the vast majority of his career, he struggled to get into double figures,” said Jacobs.

“And although the Fiorentina numbers are very strong at the moment, I’m told Arsenal feel they would need to see a bit more evidence of back-to-back seasons of him being this prolific.”

If they do opt to move for the 24-year-old, it is rumoured that Kean’s contract includes a release clause of around £43 million for the summer.

“It was thought among the hierarchy that Richardson is exceptional at the death and we’ll utilise him there as opposed to Mitch,” Australia’s assistant coach said

Danyal Rasool04-Nov-20222:59

Moody: Much more to Starc’s exclusion than it being a tactical selection

Australia’s assistant coach Daniel Vettori pointed to Kane Richardson’s death-bowling prowess as he defended the decision to leave out pace bowler Mitchell Starc for their match against Afghanistan on Friday. Starc was used as a third or fourth bowling option – as opposed to a new-ball bowler – for the best part of the men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and was replaced by Richardson in the XI for their final group game, after an extended drop in form.Related

Australia's hometown exit: a campaign that started badly and never got going

The baffling breakdown of the Australian T20I team

Could Australia's uphill battle against net run rate have been avoided?

Should Australia turn to new-ball Starc for Afghanistan match?

Australia relying on Sri Lanka after sneaking past Afghanistan

“It was a tactical decision [to leave out Starc],” Vettori said after the match. “We brought in Kane to play the role he executed tonight at the back-end of the powerplay, looking at the death overs where Kane has been exceptional in the past. We were looking to use Josh Hazlewood at the start and implement a plan around him and Pat [Cummins] being effective with the new ball and pushed Mitch into a role where he’s competing with Kane Richardson, especially at the death where everyone thought Kane excels.”Starc’s T20I economy rate at the death (overs 17-20) has risen from 8.66 to 10.30 in the last three years, while Richardson’s corresponding figure is 9.50. However, in a game Australia needed to win by a huge margin to sneak ahead of England on net run rate, Richardson had a difficult outing, conceding 16 in the one death over he bowled, and 48 in four overs – his third-most expensive T20I figures. In the end, any hopes of a huge victory quickly evaporated, with Australia eking out a four-run win.Mitchell Starc picked up three wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 8.50•Getty ImagesVettori, however, said the decision to leave Starc out was a product of relying on Hazlewood and Cummins for wickets up top.”It was more around the effectiveness of Hazlewood and Cummins at the top and their ability to take the new ball and be wicket-takers, and therefore that pushed Starcy into a different role, and he obviously came up against Kane Richardson,” he said. “It was thought among the hierarchy that Kane is exceptional at the death and we’ll utilise him there as opposed to Mitch. Players can [be flexible], particularly in their home country where you have a bigger sample size; you’ve seen Kane in the Big Bash and internationals and understand how effective he can be in this format.”I think we’ll reflect on that and Kane would say he probably missed a couple at the backend of two overs. But apart from that the majority of his spell was what we expected. So if that had been tidied up he would have had a great day.”The decision to leave Starc out for such a big game led to criticism from former Australian cricketers, including Michael Clarke and Tom Moody, who called it “very alarming”.”That really surprises me,” Moody said on ESPNcricinfo T20 Time:Out. “There must be something more to it than a tactical selection. I would be alarmed if they think that is the tactical way to go about trying to bowl Afghanistan out for less than 100.”Even Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott couldn’t help but express surprise at Australia’s decision to line up without Starc.”It was a little bit of a surprise to us,” he said at the post-match press conference. “We heard there were rumours but you never want to preempt or suggest injuries. So you prepare for any inevitability. We’re not sure why Starc didn’t play, but Richardson came in and replaced Starc. So we had to adjust to that a little bit as well.”We thought Starc was going to play. We prepared for that. Obviously we saw Richardson marking his run-up. That was a real surprise for us – we don’t know any reason.”

The former coach continues to believe he made the changes asked of him and still got forced out

AAP23-Nov-2022A war of words has erupted between Cricket Australia and Justin Langer after CEO Nick Hockley rejected criticism from the former coach and moved to defend senior players.Langer attracted front- and back-page headlines on Wednesday when he lashed out at officials over his February axing, while accusing players of not being up front with him early enough.The former coach also claimed the majority of players supported him, while labelling sources who leaked concerns over his intense nature to the media as “cowards” with agendas.Speaking to the podcast, Langer praised former Test captain Tim Paine’s feedback but claimed others, including Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch, should have been up front earlier.Related

Starc: I have a pretty good relationship with Langer

Justin Langer joins Channel Seven's commentary team

Langer looks at 'other opportunities' despite Ponting's pursuit for Hurricanes job

“I spoke to Pat Cummins. He said to me about five times, ‘This might be brutally honest’,” Langer recalled. “I said, ‘Pat, there is nothing brutal about your feedback. What is brutal is I’m hearing it behind my back through the media or through sources’.”No one’s telling me. Tell me. People say that I’m very intense, but they’re mistaking intensity with honesty.”The drama coincides with concerns of a rift between current and former players over Langer’s exit, centred around whether players should have stood by the coach.Langer insisted he was not an angry coach, and that players had misinterpreted his silence and reflection after losses.He also claimed there was no mutiny against him beyond a few loud voices, and was adamant he deserved more than a six-month extension after T20 World Cup and Ashes successes.”The hardest thing for me of all of it was, I got the feedback [and] I did something about it,” Langer said. “We won the T20 World Cup, we won the Ashes. We were No.1 in the world…and I’ve still got sacked. You can’t give someone feedback, [they] do something about it, and then [for] that to happen.”Having largely maintained an eight-month silence over Langer’s exit, Hockley on Wednesday broke that when he claimed he wanted to “correct inaccuracies” in the former coach’s comments.”Regular formal and informal opportunities to provide and receive feedback took place throughout his tenure, which is consistent with a high-performance environment,” Hockley said. “Following a comprehensive process, Justin was offered a short-term contract extension, which he rejected.”I am disappointed by Justin’s comments unfairly criticising some of our players. The playing group are aware they have my full support.”The drama comes a week out from Australia’s first Test against West Indies in Perth, where there is significant hometown support for Langer.The former coach will also step into the commentary box for the first time with Seven, meaning the ghosts of his tenure are likely to linger over the summer.It is unlikely Langer’s comments will go down well with current players, who could be interviewed by their old coach during broadcasts during the season.Some close to the team have claimed last summer’s success came after Langer took a back seat following the mid-year feedback, with assistants taking charge.There were signs of feedback as early as the 2018 Boxing Day Test, after which Usman Khawaja can be seen in documentary telling Langer players were “intimidated” and “walking on eggshells”.

Everything you need to know about Joao Neves' salary details playing for PSG

Portuguese sensation Joao Neves has been hailed by many as one of the best upcoming youngsters in world football, with the midfielder regularly showcasing his immense talent at Paris Saint-Germain.

Breaking into the Benfica first team at a young age, Neves further established himself by making it into the Primeira Liga Team of the Year for the 2023-24 season before making his move to PSG.

Neves signed a five-year contract with the Ligue 1 side, keeping him at the Parc des Princes until 2028. While he earns a substantial salary playing for PSG, his numbers appear modest compared to the big names in the PSG dressing room.

But exactly how much does the youngster earn?

GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology and found out!

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Joao Neves' wages at PSG in numbers

Under his existing contract with PSG, Neves secures a weekly salary of £79,677 ($105,272), culminating in a substantial annual income of £4.1 million ($5.4m).

Player

Nationality

Weekly Salary in GBP

Weekly Salary in USD

Annual Salary in GBP

Annual Salary in USD

Joao Neves

Portuguese

£79,677

$105,272

£4,143,915

$5,474,131

AdvertisementAFPTop earners at PSG

Leading the ranks as PSG's top-earning player is the distinguished French talent, Ousmane Dembele. Trailing him is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in second, with the esteemed club captain Marquinhos in third. Completing the top five are Lucas Hernandez and Achraf Hakimi, both full-backs receiving equal compensation from the club.

Player

Nationality

Weekly wages in GBP

Weekly wages in USD

Annual wages in GBP

Annual wages in USD

Ousmane Dembele

French

£297,548

$393,131

£15,472,512

$20,442,812

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Serbian

£270,438

$357,312

£14,062,794

$18,580,245

Marquinhos

Brazilian

£222,235

$293,756

£11,561,405

$15,275,324

Lucas Hernandez

French

£218,202

$288,296

£11,346,509

$14,991,396

Achraf Hakimi

Moroccan

£218,202

$288,296

£11,346,509

$14,991,396

Top earners in Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain's unparalleled influence in both football and finance within Ligue 1 is unmistakable, particularly when reviewing the league's highest-paid players. PSG boasts an impressive roster, with its players dominating the top thirteen positions. The only exception is Adrien Rabiot, a former PSG player now with Marseille, who ranks fourteenth.

Player

Club

Weekly wages in GBP

Weekly wages in USD

Annual wages in GBP

Annual wages in USD

Ousmane Dembele

Paris Saint-Germain

£297,548

$393,131

£15,472,512

$20,442,812

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Paris Saint-Germain

£270,438

$357,312

£14,062,794

$18,580,245

Marquinhos

Paris Saint-Germain

£222,235

$293,756

£11,561,405

$15,275,324

Lucas Hernandez

Paris Saint-Germain

£218,202

$288,296

£11,346,509

$14,991,396

Achraf Hakimi

Paris Saint-Germain

£218,202

$288,296

£11,346,509

$14,991,396

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AFPHighest paid players in the world

Despite PSG's undeniable dominance in Ligue 1, none of their players rank among the top five highest-paid footballers worldwide.

The top five are exclusively from the Saudi Pro League, with Cristiano Ronaldo, still a formidable force, leading with a remarkable salary at Al Nassr.

His former Real Madrid colleague Karim Benzema is second, while Riyad Mahrez, formerly of Manchester City and now with Al-Ahli, holds third place.

Rounding out the list are Senegalese stars Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly in fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

Player

Club

Weekly wages GBP

Weekly wages USD

Annual wages GBP

Annual wages USD

Cristiano Ronaldo

Al Nassr

£3,216,155

$4,210,425

£167,250,468

$218,942,120

Karim Benzema

Al Ittihad

£1,608,178

$2,105,213

£83,625,234

$109,471,060

Riyad Mahrez

Al Ahli

£839,469

$1,098,921

£45,652,372

$57,43,893

Sadio Mane

Al Nassr

£643,271

$842,085

£33,450,094

$43,788,424

Kalidou Koulibaly

Al Hilal

£558,038

$730,509

£29,017,956

$37,986,458

The “top name” to come in at Newcastle United in the summer transfer window has been revealed in a report on their upcoming business.

Newcastle chase new attackers in 2025

A recent transfer rumour has claimed that the Magpies are close to beating Real Madrid to the signing of young Malaga winger Antonio Cordero. The 18-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, allowing the Premier League club to snap him up on a free despite plenty of competition for his signature.

It looks as though Newcastle will be targeting youth in the coming months, with Hertha Berlin forward Ibrahim Maza also emerging as a rumoured addition ahead of the summer.

Away from the transfer news, Eddie Howe’s side are preparing for a crucial Premier League clash with reigning champions Manchester City this weekend. The Magpies head to the Etihad sitting level on points with Pep Guaridola’s team, highlighting the importance of the game in the top four battle.

Victory for Newcastle would be another massive step in the right direction this season, and with City having one eye on the Champions League clash with Madrid next week, the visitors should see it as an opportunity to pick up a vital three points on their travels.

"Wonderful" player is Newcastle's top target

According to Football Insider, PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko is Newcastle’s “top target right now” ahead of the summer window.

A new right-sided attacking player is seen as a priority for the Magpies at the end of the season, especially after the exit of Miguel Almiron in January, and the 21-year-old has emerged as the front-runner to come in.

Bakayoko has been a target for Newcastle for some time, and at this point, it would arguably be a surprise if he didn’t seal a move to St James’ Park once the current campaign reaches its conclusion.

The Belgian is a hugely talented player with a Mohamed Salah-like ability to cut inside from the right wing, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig describing him as “wonderful”.

While Jacob Murphy has done a tremendous job on the right wing for Newcastle this season, scoring four goals and registering eight assists in the league, he is now 29, so a long-term upgrade is required.

In Bakayoko, the Magpies would be signing a player eight years his junior, and with a higher ceiling than the Englishman, so the idea of him joining is a mouthwatering prospect.

Newcastle on verge of beating Real Madrid to deal for "exciting" new gem

He’s been a man in demand…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 13, 2025

Admittedly, there is still a rawness to his game that makes him a work in progress, but a tally of 53 goal contributions (33 goals and 21 assists) in 116 appearances for PSV is a testament to the end product he already possesses in his game.

Barcelona have taken 17-year-old Brazilian talent Joao Vitor Roraima on trial, following a recommendation from sporting director Deco.

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Barca bring in teenage Brazilian for trials Roraima plays in the U17 category Caught the eye at the Sao Paulo Juniors Cup Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona's quest to unearth the next teenage sensation from the South American soil continues with 17-year-old Joao Vitor Roraima, who has been taken on trial by the club following a recommendation from sporting director Deco.

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The report comes from who state that Roraima's performances at the Sao Paulo Juniors Cup are believed to have caught Barcelona’s attention, in particular Deco, who personally rallied for the player to be taken on trial. The promising playmaker currently plays for Ibrachina, a lesser-known club based in East Sao Paulo. Ibrachina celebrated the move on social media, calling it proof of the club’s growing stature within Brazilian football and its ability to produce top-tier talent.

DID YOU KNOW?

Roraima prefers to play as a No.10, but is yet to make his debut for Brazil at youth levels. As per EU regulations, Barcelona will not be able to sign Roraima officially as a player until he turns 18. The Catalans will use the coming days to assess the player's potential before making any decision.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

The Blaugrana's next assignment is the much-anticipated El Clasico on Sunday, May 11, at the Montjuic. Hansi Flick's side have a four-point lead over rivals Real Madrid, with just four games left.

A “fantastic” Celtic player is seen as a transfer target for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, according to a fresh transfer update that has emerged regarding their summer business.

Celtic pull 16 points clear at the top

It proved to be another good weekend for Brendan Rodgers’ side in the Scottish Premiership title race, following an emphatic 5-2 victory away to St Mirren on Saturday.

Not only that, but Rangers also lost 2-1 at home to Motherwell, meaning Celtic have now opened up a 16-point lead at the top of the table. While the manager and his players won’t allow themselves to get carried away, they must also feel like they have one hand on yet another league troophy.

In terms of Hoops transfer news, Rodgers has confirmed that he will discuss a potential permanent move for loanee Jeffrey Schlupp, saying: “I’ll have a chat with Jeffrey towards the latter part of the season. It was the case of him coming in and settling and getting to understand how he plays. I think we can all see he has that Premier League physicality and quality.”

Meanwhile, Borja Sainz is a player who has been linked with a move to Celtic at the end of the season, having scored 15 goals in 30 appearances for Norwich City in the Championship this season. The Spaniard would provide additional firepower for the Scottish champions, and at 24, there is also still so much more to come from him.

Worrying Celtic exit rumour emerges

Now, according to InterLive.it [via Sport Witness], Inter Milan are interested in signing Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston this summer. The 26-year-old is seen as a “surprise name” on the Serie A champions’ list of transfer targets in that position, and there is belief that they could snap him up for around £8m.

Losing Johnston would be a big blow for Celtic, considering what a model of consistency he has been at right-back ever since arriving from CF Montreal in 2023. The Canada international has bagged four goals and seven assists in the Scottish Premiership this season, also averaging 2.4 clearances and 1.7 tackles per game across 25 appearances in the competition, showing what an effective all-round footballer he is.

Rodgers is clearly a big admirer of his full-back, too, saying of him back in November of last year: “He’s clearly a player we would want to tie down. He’s a fantastic guy to work with on and off the pitch, so hopefully in the future that can be the case.”

The hope is that Johnston feels settled at Parkhead, not wanting to move on any time soon, but his head could be turned by interest from a club of Inter’s stature.

He's better than Tierney: Celtic must rue losing "world-class" star for £0

Celtic allowed the talented young defender to move on from the club at academy level.

ByDan Emery Mar 3, 2025

Should the Canadian want to leave, Celtic must make sure that they receive a healthy amount for his signature, however – £8m at a bare minimum – especially as his current deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2029.

Kishan’s 126-ball double-hundred was the fastest in ODI cricket, and helped India to a 227-run win

Deivarayan Muthu10-Dec-20223:37

Jaffer: Kishan ahead of Gill in India’s pecking order now

Ishan Kishan ripped up the ODI record books and Bangladesh’s attack with the fastest double-hundred, off 126 balls, to deny the hosts a 3-0 whitewash in Chattogram. Chris Gayle had held the previous record, having reeled off a 138-ball double-century in the 2015 World Cup against Zimbabwe in Canberra. At various points, Kishan looked good to surpass Rohit Sharma’s 264 – the highest score in ODI cricket – but Litton Das plucked a catch out of thin air in the 36th over to limit Kishan to 210 off a mere 131 balls.Kishan dominated a 290-run second-wicket stand with Virat Kohli, who shrugged off a shaky start to notch up an 85-ball century – his first in ODI cricket since August 2019. Kohli holed out for 113, but cameos from Washington Sundar (37 off 27) and Axar Patel (20 off 17) propelled India past 400. It was the first time since October 2015 that a team other than England had run up a 400-plus score in men’s ODIs.In response, Bangladesh folded for 182 in 34 overs, just about avoiding the ignominy of their biggest defeat (via runs) in ODI cricket. In all, they could manage only 20 boundaries. Kishan alone had hit 24 fours and sent ten sixes flying over the boundary in a knock that dripped with sustained intent, a departure from India’s recent safety-first approach.Related

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'That's the way to do it'

Kishan might not have even played this game had India’s regular captain Rohit been fit. The replacement opener seized his opportunity and unfurled his full range, which starkly contrasted with Shikhar Dhawan’s struggles this series. Dhawan was dismissed for 3 off 8 balls – his third successive single-digit score – with Mehidy Hasan Miraz pinning him lbw with his first ball after a successful review.Mehidy got the new-ish ball to turn and hold in the pitch. He could’ve cut Kohli’s innings short at 1 in his next over had Litton not dropped a sitter at short midwicket. Kishan then teed off, allowing Kohli enough time to adjust to the pace and (variable) bounce of the Chattogram pitch.Kishan jumped onto any hint of width outside off and went 4,6,4 against Ebadot Hossain in the 12th over. It should’ve been a portent, but Bangladesh didn’t read the signs. They kept offering Kishan width and kept copping severe punishment. And when they erred too straight and short, Kishan powerfully pulled them over the leg side. He also regularly flitted around the crease to manufacture boundaries on both sides of the pitch with ridiculous ease.3:10

Should India continue backing Dhawan?

Kishan reached his maiden ODI ton off 85 balls and needed just 18 more balls to zoom past 150. Around this point, him getting record double-century seemed inevitable – so much that Kohli even celebrated pre-maturely, thinking the ball had travelled to the boundary after Kishan had tapped a single to deep cover in the 35th over. Four balls later, Kishan became the fourth Indian player – after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Rohit – to post an ODI double-hundred.With still 15 overs left in India’s innings, Rohit’s 264 – and possibly 300 – wasn’t beyond Kishan’s reach. Litton, however, completed a smart catch running around from long-off, off Taskin Ahmed, to stop Kishan in his tracks.Kohli sent Kishan off with pats on his head and took over from him in the middle. After getting to his fifty off 54 balls, he hit over the top with greater freedom. When Taskin dug a short ball outside off, Kohli could have opted to pull him over midwicket. Instead, he held his shape and swatted him over mid-off. Then, when Taskin went fuller and outside off in his next over, Kohli reached out and slapped him over the same mid-off region. He eventually broke his ODI century drought and celebrated the landmark by launching a Mustafizur Rahman offcutter over his head for six.Shakib Al Hasan then provided Bangladesh some respite with the late wickets of Kohli and Washington, followed by 43 off 50 balls with the bat. He was the only Bangladesh batter to have got a measure of the pitch and even fronted up to rapid short balls from tearaway Umar Malik. Litton pitched in with 29 off 26 balls at the top, but Kishan’s opening salvo had put Bangladesh so far behind that they were never in the chase.Kuldeep Yadav, who had been added to the injury-hit squad on the eve of the game, put in a good shift, though he had only one wicket to his name. It was Axar, the other left-arm spinner, who had triggered a batting collapse with the wickets of Anamul Haque Bijoy and Mushfiqur Rahim. Not even Mehidy could save Bangladesh on the day.