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All the key numbers from a famous South Africa win in India

Sampath Bandarupalli16-Nov-20253:40

Did India let South Africa off the hook in the morning?

124 Target India failed to chase against South Africa at Eden Gardens. It is the second-lowest that India have failed to chase in a defeat, behind the 120 against West Indies in 1997 in Bridgetown.It is also the second-lowest target that South Africa have defended successfully in Tests. The lowest is 117 against Australia at Sydney in 1994, which they won by five runs.The target of 124 is also the second-lowest any team has lost chasing in the fourth innings in Asia. The lowest is 107 by Australia against India in 2004 at Wankhede Stadium, where they got bowled out for 93.Related

• Kolkata minefield: Bavuma stands tall, Washington stands longer

• 'Job's far from done' – Conrad eyes series win

• With 'small hands' and strong instincts, Bavuma shows self-assurance of a player at his peak

• Shubman Gill under observation, out of remainder of Eden Gardens Test

• Bavuma, Harmer and Jansen script sensational South Africa win at treacherous Eden Gardens

2010 Previous Test win for South Africa in India, when they won in Nagpur by an innings and six runs. South Africa played eight matches between that win and this one in Kolkata, of which they lost seven, including five in a row, while another game ended in a draw with no play after the first day.32-2 India’s record while chasing sub-200 targets in Test matches at home. Their previous defeat came in last year’s Mumbai Test against New Zealand, where they lost chasing 147.Before the start of the 2024-25 season, India’s record in sub-200 target chases at home was 30-0 out of 33 matches, with another three ending in a draw.312 South Africa’s aggregate at Eden Gardens, the second-lowest by them in a Test win, where they got bowled out twice. Their lowest is 298 against England in 1957 at Gqeberha.It is also the lowest aggregate for any team to win a Test match against India, despite being bowled out twice. The previous lowest was 365 by Pakistan in the 1987 Bengaluru Test.Temba Bavuma’s 55 was the highest individual score in the match•AFP/Getty Images159 South Africa’s first-innings total at Eden Gardens is the third-lowest by them in the first innings of a Test match, which they went on to win. The two lower totals have come against England at Johannesburg – 126 in 1930 and 148 in 1922.The 159 is also the third-lowest total by a visiting side in their first innings to defeat India in a Test match in India.93 India’s fourth innings against South Africa at Eden Gardens. It is their fourth-lowest total in the fourth innings in Tests and their third-lowest ever against South Africa. It is also their second-lowest total at home against South Africa, behind the 76 all-out at Ahmedabad in 2008.1 This Test between India and South Africa is the first-ever in India to record sub-200 totals in all four innings. It is only the 12th instance of four sub-200 all-out totals in a Test match and the first in 66 years.39 KL Rahul’s first innings score is the highest individual score for India at the Eden Gardens. Only once was India’s highest individual score lower than 39 in a home Test, when they were bowled out twice – 33 against Australia, also at Eden Gardens in 1956.Simon Harmer finished with match figures of 8 for 51•BCCI55* Temba Bavuma’s score in the second innings is the only individual score in this match higher than Rahul’s 39. It is the second-lowest ‘highest individual score’ for a completed Test match in India. The lowest is 40 during the 2015 Nagpur Test match, also played between India and South Africa.10 Ten wins as captain for Bavuma in the eleven matches he led South Africa, while the other game ended in a draw. Bavuma’s ten wins are the joint-most by any captain before losing a game, alongside Mike Brearley, who also won ten Tests before his first defeat as England captain.South Africa’s win at Eden Gardens also meant Dhruv Jurel’s record-winning start to his Test career – seven wins in seven matches came to an end.8 for 51 Simon Harmer’s bowling figures at Eden Gardens are the second-best for South Africa in Test cricket in India. Dale Steyn’s 10 for 108 at Nagpur in 2010 is the best for South Africa in India.Harmer’s match figures of 8 for 51 are also the best Test match figures for a South Africa bowler without taking a five-for.

'Baby Lukaku'. That is the nickname, coined by Romelu Lukaku's former team-mate Kevin Mirallas, that Belgian journalists love to use when they write about Promise David. It's easy to see why, too, with the Union Saint-Gilloise striker one of European football's most unsung talents, a true Hidden Gem.

The striker is physically and mentally strong and is very fast. Weapons with which he can force something in every game. With his profile, it is not surprising that Premier League clubs such as West Ham United are closely following him. And yet David does not dispel all doubts.

David appears clumsy, wild, certainly no clinical finisher, and his lack of concentration is apparent. David is an enigma to scouts. He can't tread water, but he can swim easily from A to B. The black Michael Phelps, he calls himself in Similarly, David can play a terrible game, yet still manage to get his name on the score sheet. That may actually be his greatest quality. It drives his coach, David Hubert, crazy. But Hubert can't ignore him, because his striker can score anytime, anywhere. And his five-year plan? He's ticked that off in a year and a half. Promise David has found his way.

• Lukaku-esque

  If there is one goal that perfectly illustrates just why Mirallas, who now works as USG's attacking coach, compares David to Lukaku, it was his striker against Royal Antwerp in March 2025. In the opening game of the Jupiler League championship play-offs, David was played in behind the Antwerp defence as Rosen Bozhinov pulled out all the stops to fend the striker off.

  "As I ran, I felt a claw at my neck," the striker told podcast about a goal that quickly went viral on the internet. "When I took a shower later, it hurt badly because he had literally torn the skin off my neck. I bled throughout the entire match and didn't even realise it."

  "I headed straight for the goal, seeing nothing but green," David continued. "I didn't want to dive or fall. Then he grabbed me again. I thought, 'You f*cking dick!' I swung my arms back and my shirt ripped. I was happy about that, because every time he pulled on that shirt, it felt like I was choking."

  With only half a shirt left, David finally broke free from Bozhinov, though the defender had slowed him down just enough for a team-mate to catch up. David, though, produced a simple body feint to leave the second defender in the dust before sliding the ball into the net, slapping his chest powerfully and screaming mightily in celebration.

  "I was subbed and then took a look at my phone," he said. "The goal had already been posted on social media and it looked horrible. It was just assault!

  "Our sporting director has that shirt hanging in our new training facility, alongside all kinds of other historic kits from Union's history. He said, 'This shirt symbolises Union: it's about resilience, strength and not giving up." It is precisely those three things that symbolise David's unusual career path, too.

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• Where it all began

  As a child, David always was an energetic boy – "My teachers thought I was a good kid, but also that I was a distraction to others," he recalls – as he grew up in Brampton, Ontario, a city that also has links to his fellow Canada internationals Cyle Larin, Atiba Hutchinson and Tajon Buchanan.

  However, it was not in Canada, but rather in Lagos, Nigeria, where David discovered his love for football. As a toddler, he lived there with his grandparents, while his uncle was a huge Chelsea supporter.

  "I'll never forget him picking me up at my grandmother's house," David told . "I sat on the back of his motorbike and we rode to the bar together to watch the matches."

  Upon moving back to Canada, David looked for a hobby to pour his energy into. At first, it was the piano, but when it broke – "That really p*ssed me off!" – David went looking for something else, and soon found his new love: football.

• 'F*ck you moment'

  David initially joined Toronto FC's academy, but at the age of 15 he was let go. He then spent three years with semi-professional outfit Vaughan Azzurri before, having turned 18 in 2019, he was offered a move to Europe to join Croatian third-division side NK Trnje. It proved, however, to be a painful moment in his young life.

  "Things happened in Croatia that I didn't even dare tell my parents about," David recalls, before revealing the racist abuse he suffered from his coach in Zagreb. "He didn't want black people, Africans, on his team. He said bizarre things to me.On one occasion, my team-mates didn't translate what he had shouted during a training session until a month later because they found it too awful. Everyone froze the moment he said it. It was something like,God forbid I ever put a black player in my team.'"

  David was sent back to the youth team, where he was able to rediscover his love of the game under a different coach, Rajko Vidovic. When Vidovic became the coach of the first team shortly afterwards, he provided the prolific striker an opportunity, one which David took immediately.

  "It was the biggest f*ck you momentof my life," David says of the goal he scored moment after coming off the bench for his debut. "It felt like revenge on that one man."

  David soon left Zagreb, however, and moved to the United States and USL outfit FC Tulsa. The switch did not prove to be a success, and he soon headed back to Europe, joining Maltese side Valletta.

  "I lost a cup final there," David remembered. "That broke me. I've cried three times in my life when it came to football, that match was one of them. My niece Liz was in the stadium at the time and she took a photo of me on the big screen just as I was crying. Man, I'm ugly when I cry."

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• The big break

  By the time a spell with a different Maltese club, Sirens FC, had also ended in disappointment, David was 21 and his dream of a career as a professional footballer seemed very far away.

  "My parents wanted me to come home," he said. "Until then, they had always supported me. But they had lost hope. I asked them for one more opportunity." That opportunity soon arose in Estonia with Kalju FC. At that point, David drew up an ambitious five-year plan that would end with him playing and scoring at a World Cup.

  "The idea was to either play football really well, or be a loser," said David when summing up his thoughts at the time to podcast. "I really didn't want to go to school."

  Things didn't start well for him in his new home, however. David was regarded as a 'project' and was initially integrated into Kalju's youth team. There, however, he scored a lot of goals and was eventually promoted to the first team. But any suggestion that David was finally on the right track were soon put to bed.

  "I remember playing a match," he recalled. "We were 2-1 up at half-time and I was playing pretty well. They lured us in and then played long balls, so as an attacker I didn't put any pressure on them when we were leading. I walked into the changing room and the president grabbed me by the neck and dragged me out before saying, Is this how you want to play? Don't you know what your father does to keep you here? I'm 60 and I move more than you do!'

  "In the second half, I scored again and we won 4-3. All my team-mates were celebrating in the dressing room but I was in the shower crying because the president had just called my father and agent and said it was a big mistake to bring me to the club.

  "I didn't have an apartment, but was staying in a hostel. At the same time, all my friends from home were graduating. I had my father's credit card with me because I wasn't earning any money from football. That's when I really thought, 'What am I doing with my life?'"

  Those emotions eventually subsided and David worked hard to secure a regular role in the first team. In the 2024 season, he scored 14 goals in 16 games, but despite interest in his services from leagues higher up the food chain, Kalju initially refused to let David leave under any circumstances: "It was insane. I begged them, 'Please release me'. Those times made me understand how people feel when they have to work a 9-to-5 job they hate."

  David's plea worked and Kalju reached an agreement with USG in the summer of 2024 for David to move to Belgium.

The 2024/25 campaign was truly one to forget for everyone involved with Manchester United, as the club registered their worst-ever Premier League finish.

Ruben Amorim’s side ended the year in a measly 15th position, sitting just three spots above the relegation zone, with various issues rearing their head throughout the season.

The Red Devils had a real goalscoring issue during their top-flight campaign, as seen by their measly tally of just 44 goals in their 38 outings – an average of just 1.15 per game.

However, at the other end, things were just as disappointing, as they shipped 54 goals in just 38 matches, ultimately leading to a total of 18 league defeats in 2024/25.

Many of the failures that season were directed that way of one man, with Amorim desperately needing to make the right call on his future during the recent summer window.

The stats behind Andre Onana’s failures for United in 2024/25

After David de Gea’s departure from United back in the summer of 2023, former boss Erik ten Hag decided to delve into the transfer market to bolster his ranks – landing the signature of Andre Onana.

As a result, the Dutchman decided to fork out a reported £47.2m for the Cameroonian’s signature – a deal which could go down as one of the worst in the club’s history.

Upon Amorim’s arrival last November, he decided to stick with the former Inter Milan shot-stopper between the sticks, but he was unable to match the confidence shown in him by the boss.

The 29-year-old featured 50 times across all competitions last campaign, but made nine direct errors that led to goals, many of which came in key moments.

From parried shots against Lyon to misjudging Morgan Gibbs-White’s effort against Nottingham Forest – it truly was a regular occurrence for Onana to drop numerous clangers.

His only appearance for the Red Devils this season came in the Carabao Cup defeat to League Two Grimsby Town – a game that would signal the end of his first-team place at Old Trafford.

Amorim decided to ship Onana out on loan to Turkish Super League side Trabzonspor, with the hierarchy backing him with a new goalkeeper on Deadline Day.

Man Utd have another Onana-esque liability

As a result of Onana’s departure, Senne Lammens was the man chosen to fill the void in the goalkeeping department for United, with the Belgian joining from Royal Antwerp.

At just 23, such a move may have been a daunting task to many, but the youngster has wasted no time in cementing the number one shirt as his own at Old Trafford.

He’s made six appearances for the Red Devils to date, keeping one clean sheet, but his goal prevented xG of 0.2, showcases his immediate impact between the sticks.

Lammens is also yet to register an error leading to a goal after his big-money transfer, with his arrival already solving one of the glaring issues in the squad from last season.

However, not all the new additions have slotted in as seamlessly as the goalkeeper, with full-back Patrick Dorgu unable to be as successful at Old Trafford.

The Dane arrived from Italian side Lecce back in January for a reported £30m, with such a move seeming to end the hierarchy’s hunt for a long-term left wing-back.

However, nearly a year on from his transfer, it’s evident that the 21-year-old simply isn’t at the level required and is now becoming a huge liability for Amorim’s men.

Dorgu has only started seven out of a possible 12 league games to date this campaign, with his latest showing highlighting why he’s been an inconsistent figure in 2025/26.

He featured for 58 minutes in the defeat against Everton on home soil, before being replaced by Diogo Dalot after struggling to make the desired effect at both ends.

The youngster was labelled “unreliable” by one analyst, after only winning one tackle, and losing all four of the aerial duels he entered – offering a lacklustre option out of possession.

Even with the ball, Dorgu struggled to impress, only completing 75% of his attempted passes, losing possession a staggering 11 times whilst failing to complete a single cross.

As a result, he’s massively becoming a liability under Amorim, arguably the biggest one since Onana’s lack of form for the club back in the 2024/25 season.

A solution for all parties is desperately needed before the January transfer window, with the club potentially needing to reinvest in the market to solve the problem at left wing-back.

Alongside Zirkzee: Man Utd's "waste of time" must not start again for Amorim

Ruben Amorim has a bold decision to make over the future of one Manchester United flop.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 25, 2025

Barcelona full back Jules Kounde has revealed that he chose to sign for Barcelona over Chelsea because he preferred then Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez’s approach compared with then-Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. The French defender, who was at Sevilla at the time, had been the subject of a transfer battle between the two clubs. Kounde explained that he enjoyed his discussions with Xavi and that time flew by, noting that he liked the legendary former midfielder's natural style of speaking.

• Barcelona vs Chelsea: The battle for Kounde

  Kounde joined Barcelona in 2022 after an impressive spell with Sevilla, where he notably won the 2019-20 Europa League. Known for his defensive solidity, tactical awareness, and ability to play out from the back, Kounde quickly became an integral part of Barcelona’s defence and has helped the club secure two La Liga titles. 

  Before joining Barcelona, Kounde was heavily pursued by Chelsea, sparking a transfer battle between the two clubs. Ultimately, Barcelona secured his signature as Xavi’s vision and project convinced Kounde more than Tuchel’s Chelsea. Since arriving, he has been an essential figure in stabilising the defence and contributing to Barcelona’s domestic and European ambitions.

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  Kounde explains transfer decision

  Kounde has revealed that Xavi’s approach impressed him more than Tuchel’s, highlighting the Spaniard’s natural way of speaking when discussing football. This played a key role in his decision to join Barcelona over Chelsea.

  “I enjoyed our conversation," he said. "Time flew by, and that's always a good sign when you're talking so naturally. We mainly talk about football, which is what I like talking about most, especially with the manager, Xavi, who was one of the best players ever.”

  He added: “I spoke to Tuchel and felt that he wanted me to go, but I simply preferred Xavi's approach.”

  Kounde also favoured Barcelona because they planned to use him as a centre-back, unlike Chelsea who wanted him as a full back, saying: “I chose Bara because I know that most of the time I will play in this position [centre-back].”

• City's interest in Kounde

  In July of this year, reports suggested that Manchester City were interested in Kounde as they looked to strengthen their defence. The French centre-back had been one of Barcelona’s standout performers the previous season, playing a key role in their league-winning campaign and even scoring the decisive Copa del Rey final goal against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, City endured their toughest season under Pep Guardiola since 2016–17, finishing without a major trophy and struggling defensively. Speculation ended, though, when Kounde signed a contract extension with Barcelona, keeping him at the club until 2030. 

  Barcelona sporting director Deco confirmed that City did check on Kounde’s availability in July, saying: "No, there was no offer. The only thing I do know is that City, and now there's [new director of football] Hugo Viana and before that there was Txiki [Begiristain], were looking for a full-back, and of course they asked us if Koundé was on the market. And we told them no. So, there was no offer or any negotiation."

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  Barcelona back to winning ways vs Bilbao

  With Kounde signing an extension until 2030, committing his future to Barcelona, his decision to join the Catalan club has paid off handsomely. He has won multiple titles with the club while competing at the highest levels in Europe. Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in their first game at the Camp Nou since renovations. 

  Barcelona sit 11th in the Champions League with seven points from four matches, five worse off than leaders Bayern Munich and Arsenal. The Catalan club come up against Kounde's former suitors Chelsea on Tuesday aiming to prevent the German and English clubs, who will face each other on Wednesday, from moving further ahead. Then, on Saturday, they return to La Liga action with a game against Deportivo Alaves. Sitting just one point behind Real Madrid, who have drawn two in a row in the division, they are gunning for another league crown under coach Hansi Flick.

Soumya Sarkar and Mahidul Islam should get into the Bangladesh XI straightaway, while Alick Athanaze is the likeliest replacement for Evin Lewis

Mohammad Isam17-Oct-2025

Big picture: Nothing to separate the two teams

West Indies are wary of the Dhaka pitch, and Bangladesh are trying to get out of their ODI funk as they face each other in the first ODI on Saturday. Ranking points are up for grabs with both teams setting their sights on automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup. And there’s little to separate them historically – they have won six bilateral ODI series each over the years.Bangladesh have to sort out a batting puzzle. Soumya Sarkar’s inclusion means Tanzid Hasan will likely have to stay on the bench. Saif Hassan is an automatic choice, though he needs to strengthen his position with a big innings. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s form is still a concern, though he is getting a longer rope than some others have got over the years.Related

• 'Assess, decide and deliver' – West Indies embrace the unknown in Dhaka

• Keacy Carty took the stairs, not the elevator, but he's not complaining

• Patience running thin amid Bangladesh's batting gloom

Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali and Nurul Hasan also weren’t among the runs against Afghanistan. Mehidy Hasan Miraz has scored runs but his strike rate has come under fire in the last two ODI series. The national selectors have added Mahidul Islam to the mix, while Shamim Hossain is another middle-order option.Bangladesh’s only plus point is their bowling. The fast bowlers have been rotated smoothly, and have done well in most conditions. Spinners Rishad Hossain and Tanvir Islam have also been in control of proceedings for the most part. They will be licking their lips with the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch in front of them.It will be the same for Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase, the spin twins who have brought West Indies some success in recent times. They have Shai Hope and Chase for batting experience in Bangladeshi conditions, while the likes of Brandon King, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze and Amir Jangoo will combine to provide the rest of the batting firepower.Jayden Seales will have good memories from the last time he played against Bangladesh, at the end of 2024. Seales was in great form against Pakistan in West Indies’ last ODI series, picking up six wickets in the third ODI.Tanvir Islam is one of the few undroppable players in the Bangladesh team•AFP/Getty Images

Form guide

Bangladesh LLLLW
West Indies WWLLL

In the spotlight: Tanvir Islam and Keacy CartyTanvir Islam was one of Bangladesh’s rare consistent performers in the Afghanistan series. He took just four wickets but produced good spells in all three matches. His magic delivery to Azmatullah Omarzai in the third game highlighted his improved quality as a left-arm spinner. He is also one of the few automatic choices in the current ODI setup.It’s early days, but Keacy Carty has provided West Indies with stability at No 3. He averages more than 50 with 1100-plus runs at the position. Carty has the shots to keep him finding the boundary regularly, but also has the percentage game. Centuries in Ireland and England are evidence that he can play in different conditions.Alick Athanaze should replace Evin Lewis in the West Indies XI•AFP/Getty Images

Team news: Soumya, Mahidul could enter XI

Soumya and Mahidul might slot into Bangladesh’s line-up after being called up for the series.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Soumya Sarkar, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mahidul Islam, 5 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Nahid Rana, 10 Tanvir Islam, 11 Hasan Mahmud.Athanaze is the most likely batter to replace Evin Lewis from West Indies’ last ODI against Pakistan in August. They also have Jangoo, Ackeem Auguste and Khary Pierre as allrounders.West Indies (probable): 1 Brandon King, 2 Alick Athanaze, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Roston Chase, 7 Gudakesh Motie, 8 Justin Greaves, 9 Romario Shepherd, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Jayden Seales.

Pitch and conditions

A sneak peek of the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch the day before the first ODI revealed a dark surface, which strongly suggests slow turn and a bit of low bounce. There is light rain forecast on an otherwise warm day.

Stats and trivia

• Only Hope and Chase from the current West Indies squad have played ODIs in Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh have lost their last five ODI series dating back to November last year. In that time, they have only won two of their 14 matches.

On a pitch better suited, on a day with more luck, he could have bowled exactly as he did on day two and finished with several wickets

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Jun-2025Nahid Rana took 0 for 97 in the only innings he bowled in Galle, has 0 for 54 at the end of day two at the SSC, but if you’re thinking of jumping off the Rana hype train over his Sri Lanka performances, hold up, stay close, this isn’t your stop. Those figures don’t necessarily correlate with his potential. There are things to consider here.Up first on the list of things to consider is the raw pace. Rana is almost certainly the fastest bowler Bangladesh has ever produced. He is not just fast in brief, fresh bursts; he can be fast late on difficult days too. Deep into session three on day two at the SSC, he was still breaching 145kph, still bowling bouncers, still rushing batters, even the supremely well-set. He has also been known to bowl faster than 150kph. Forget Bangladesh, for most of Test cricket’s history, it would not have had a bowler who could consistently bowl that quickly. Even now, around the world, there may only be a handful that fast.There are other virtues. Those bouncers, partly because of the pace, but also because it is one of his more accurate deliveries, can often be truly vicious. Pathum Nissanka, very arguably the batter of this series so far, found this out on 94 when he tried to hook Rana, and discovered the ball was on him already at 149kph – fast for a bouncer. It smacked his helmet hard by the badge, looped so high in the air that Rana could race forward in his follow-through and spring forward to intercept it centimetres above the grass. He appealed for that catch, but on replay, it was clear there was no way the bat could have touched it. The ball was too fast – already in Nissanka’s face by the time he pulled his bat through.Related

• The Taijul light shines bright on Bangladesh's day of gloom

• Kusal Mendis on SL's day three plans: We want to bat as long as possible

• Rapid Rana at the bleeding edge of Bangladesh's seam-bowling tradition

• Nissanka 146*, Chandimal 93 put Sri Lanka in control

Bowling short was a big part of Rana’s day. When he bowled bouncers, he generally forced the batters to duck, or he hit them. There was a short leg in place, plus a catching fine leg, and catchers out to the off side, so balls that skewed off the shoulder or handle of the bat could be gobbled up. In first-class cricket, he had frequently blasted batting orders out this way, averaging 19.81 across 19 innings for Rajshahi Division.The easy critique to make here is that Test batters are not first-class batters, and that you need more than raw pace to get Test batters out, but this is not necessarily the case. Test batters frequently get out to sheer pace and bounce, but this SSC pitch – slow off the deck and with modest bounce and carry – is almost exactly wrong for Rana, so he can only make so much of his height and pace.Pathum Nissanka was pinged in the helmet by a Nahid Rana bouncer•AFP/Getty ImagesOne theory about Rana’s present state is that he is most effective as a third seamer, not as a new-ball bowler. There is evidence to back this up. In his first outstanding Test performance, Rana was the second-change bowler, and took 4 for 44 to seal a historic series win in Pakistan. Three months later – in Kingston – his only five-for came when he was first change. Four of those wickets were with the old ball.On day two at the SSC, he was frequently bowling cross-seam short balls, which is a deeply third-seamer move. Swing bowlers tend to like preserving that shiny side of the ball, for conventional swing first, and reverse swing later. Even spinners like one side of the ball to be in smooth condition, because they can get more drift that way. It is the fast bowlers who revel in the shorter lengths and exploit the chaos, the uneven bounce created by cross-seam deliveries.Nahid beat plenty of cross-batted shots with cross-seam deliveries on day two, but they never took an edge. Both Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal looked most uncomfortable against Rana’s bowling late in the day, but he had been wayward in his two new-ball overs, conceding 20. “Rana didn’t bowl well with the new ball initially, but found his rhythm again and looked good towards the end” is what coach Phil Simmons said.He is 22, and still developing skills, having had no serious cricket coaching till being discovered late in his teens. But pace is pace and height is height, and as long as you stay fit, those things can get you pretty far in a fast-bowling life. On a pitch better suited, on a day with more luck, Rana could have bowled exactly as he did on day two and finished with several wickets.

Shohei Ohtani recored his 1,000th career MLB hit on Wednesday. No. 1,000 came on a 1-1 count in the bottom of the 3rd inning when he hit a massive two-run home run to give his team a 2-1 lead. Ohtani did his usual celebrations as he rounded the bases for the 39th time this season, but when he got to the dugout something changed.

As you can see in the image featured above, Ohtani clearly snapped. Or sneezed. Or stepped on a LEGO. Or maybe he could see into the future and knew that he'd be pulled after four innings with the lead and the defense would give up the game-tying run on a very bad defensive play with two outs in the 8th.

In addition to that home run, Ohtani also struck out a season-high eight St. Louis Cardinals on the mound. He's now struck out 33 batters and given up just six earned runs in 23 innings this season. Not bad for the guy who has the third most home runs in baseball.

Italian side Roma are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur striker Mathys Tel on loan in the January window. Tottenham are not considering a permanent sale but are open to a loan move until the end of the season, having just signed the forward on a permanent basis in the summer. Roma are in the market for a striker after both Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk failed to deliver the expected performances this campaign, leaving the team in need of a more reliable attacking option.

• Roma's interest in Tel

  Tel joined Tottenham permanently in the summer of 2025 for €35 million (£31m/$40m) after a promising six-month loan spell from Bayern Munich during the 2024-25 season. He made an immediate impact, scoring three goals and providing an assist while playing an important role in Spurs’ Europa League triumph. However, this season Tel has struggled for regular game time, attracting interest from Roma, who reports are closely monitoring his situation. Tottenham are unwilling to let the young striker leave on a permanent transfer but are open to a short-term arrangement. Roma are ready to propose a six-month loan in January, viewing Tel as a valuable reinforcement who can strengthen their attack without a long-term financial commitment.

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  Roma's striker problem

  Roma find themselves in a strong position this season, sitting second in Serie A and boasting the best defensive record in the league, having conceded just five goals. However, their attacking output remains a major concern. Among the top six teams, Roma have scored the fewest goals, highlighting the urgent need for a reliable number nine. The club parted ways with Tammy Abraham, who joined Besiktas, and Eldor Shomurodov, who moved to Istanbul Basaksehir, leaving a noticeable void in the frontline. Roma had shown interest in Rasmus Hojlund, but he opted to join Napoli instead. Their loan signing of Ferguson from Brighton has not worked out so far, with the forward registering only one assist in seven games before suffering an injury in late October. Meanwhile, Dovbyk has struggled as well, managing just two goals and one assist. The search for a dependable striker continues.

• Tel's underwhelming season at Tottenham

  Tel’s rise began in August 2021 when, at just 16 years and 110 days, he made his debut for Rennes, becoming the youngest player to appear for the club and breaking Eduardo Camavinga’s record. His potential quickly drew attention across Europe, and in 2022 he secured a major move to Bayern. During his time in Germany, Tel scored 16 goals in 83 appearances and won two Bundesliga titles, establishing himself as one of Europe’s brightest young attacking talents.

  A versatile forward, Tel is naturally a centre striker but is equally capable of playing across the entire frontline, including as a winger in a three-man attack. His pace, movement and ability to attack space make him a valuable option in multiple systems.

  However, after joining Tottenham permanently following a positive loan spell, Tel has found minutes difficult to come by this season. He has featured for only 359 minutes under new manager Thomas Frank, who has consistently preferred Richarlison as his first-choice striker. This lack of playing time has raised questions about Tel’s short-term future, with interest emerging from other clubs eager to offer him more regular opportunities.

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  Can Gasperini revive Tel?

  Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to push for a new striker in the upcoming transfer window, with Roma’s attack proving inconsistent this season. In the past, forwards like Duvan Zapata and Mateo Retegui have been crucial in bringing Gasperini’s dynamic, high-intensity tactics to life. A signing such as  Tel could provide the mobility, pace and finishing that Roma currently lack, potentially transforming them into genuine Scudetto contenders.

  For Tel, a loan move to Roma would offer valuable playing time after limited opportunities at Tottenham. Working under Gasperini could significantly accelerate his development and help him unlock the next stage of his career.

Tottenham Hotspur are adjusting to a more pragmatic tactical style under Thomas Frank. This has caused several contentious talking points to spring up over the past several months.

Yes, Spurs are imperfect, and improvements are needed. But they are also fifth in the Premier League after 11 matches, and have lost only three times.

Goals are being scored, albeit with underlying attacking metrics emphasising the work is needed in creative departments. But then, even this comes with the caveat that Tottenham have been without Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, arguably the two most creative outlets at the club, since before the start of the season.

Yes, more is needed. And Frank will consider across the next two international-break-filled weeks his options across the park, and how he can water the roots of his philosophy while growing his Tottenham garden into something viewed as new and growing, rather than negative and Nuno-esque.

The changes Frank needs to make at Spurs

Tottenham showed spirit and resolve against Manchester United last weekend, and though Richarlison’s late strike was cancelled out at the death by Matthijs de Ligt’s header, the hosts did not crumble but responded after a wretched first half.

That’s a glass-half-full way of looking at it, sure, but Tottenham must take the positives – as Frank did.

However, the Danish tactician needs to iron out the many creases in this squad, and one sure-fire way to start that process is by forgoing the decision to field Djed Spence and Richarlison as a left-sided partnership. Width and dynamism are needed down the flanks, and the out-of-position Spence and technically limited Richarlison don’t work well together.

When Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert connected in the second half, things changed.

Likewise, there must be a wider shift in regard to mentality and confidence. Over the past year, Tottenham have played 20 home games and they have won only three. Much-improved away results and a tougher framework from head to toe have scrubbed away the bitter lower-table position of last year, but there remains a need for more positivity, more fluency and enterprise on the ball.

The forwards need to much do more, yes, but the midfielders have flattered to deceive from this perspective this season, and it’s time for Frank to consider parting with one player who lacks the nuance in his role to thrive and make the system tick.

Frank must drop struggling Spurs star

When Tottenham signed Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus in January 2022, initially on loan and then for a fee just shy of £22m, they knew they had landed a talented and multi-faceted midfielder.

And yet he’s falling by the wayside in Frank’s system. The 28-year-old hasn’t fallen, not yet, but his performances are becoming a concern, with analyst Raj Chohan even describing him as a “candidate for worst centre-midfielder at a big six club”.

The conundrum here is two-fold: Bentancur has just signed a new contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, raising his salary considerably to around £120k per week.

But the other angle here is that the Uruguayan just doesn’t work alongside Joao Palhinha, a player who has been regarded by many as one of the best Lilywhites players so far this season, having arrived on a loan deal from Bayern Munich in the summer.

So, if Palhinha has to play, his tough-tackling, protective presence in the middle, Frank must start playing a deep-lying midfielder beside him who can drive play forward with surgical passes. Instead, two pragmatic midfielders have been yoked together in a midfield lacking creativity under a manager who is facing criticisms for a pragmatic style of play.

It is not that difficult to identify the potential problem here, especially when bringing Xavi Simons into the equation, the playmaker yet to adapt to the rigours of the English game, and then addressing again the duel absence of Kulusevski and Maddison.

As per data-led platform FBref, Bentancur actually ranks among the bottom 39% of Premier League midfielders this term for progressive passes per 90, underscoring the issues presented in the build-up. Palhinha, unsurprisingly, does not rank highly himself (bottom 11%).

The decision to start Bentancur from the bench against Man United – ending the South American’s run of six successive Premier League starts – tells of Frank’s awareness about all this, but then Pape Matar Sarr wasn’t at his best on that day in any case, albeit growing into the game after a shaky start, his energy and optimism a nice counterpoint to Palhinha’s ruggedness.

Much to chew on. Lucas Bergvall has the progressiveness to forge a protean partnership with Palhinha in the centre, but the teenager has not yet nailed down a prominent role under Frank.

Bentancur might have signed a new contract recently, but that does not mean he is unsellable. Conversely, this could provide an insight into a longer-term plan; this summer, Atletico Madrid were among those interested in an experienced midfielder whose stock has now risen from a financial vantage.

If Tottenham are to persist with the anchoring presence that is Palhinha, it might not be a bad thing to ship Bentancur and his limitations out. When the injured parties return, the picture will become a whole lot clearer, and Bentancur may well be absent from the view.

Spurs flop who's been "swallowed in the PL" must be dropped for Odobert

Thomas Frank can unleash Wilson Odobert by ruthlessly dropping this Spurs flop.

2

By
Dan Emery

Nov 10, 2025

When New Zealand and India met in an ICC final for the first time

Himanshu Agrawal07-Mar-2025It is something of a cliché now that New Zealand are typically always underrated but consistently manage to deliver big with low-profile players. And one of the first instances that earned them that reputation was when their men’s team won the ICC KnockOut, later rebranded as the Champions Trophy, in Nairobi 25 years ago.In that tournament New Zealand had their share of players who had been around for a bit. Chris Cairns had made his international debut in 1989, and their captain, Stephen Fleming, had been around for about six years. But true to form since, there were no superstars in the side.In the final, New Zealand beat an India team boasting legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, and that also had in their ranks Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, both about four years into what would become storied careers. In the semi-final, New Zealand beat Pakistan, who had greats like Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq in their side.Related

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That was New Zealand’s first semi-final win in a global tournament; they had lost the four ODI World Cup semi-finals they had made it to till then – the last of them, coincidentally, against Pakistan at Old Trafford. Playing a final was uncharted territory.”I think if we’re completely honest with ourselves, we were never really rated that highly,” Shayne O’Connor, who took 5 for 46 in that semi-final against Pakistan, said. “But we knew within our team that we were going well, and things were kind of building. We were just starting to get a bit of belief in ourselves. The shorter the game, the more chance a lesser team has of knocking over some big teams. And it just so happened that we knocked over a couple of big teams to get through.”Before facing Pakistan, New Zealand went up against Zimbabwe in the quarter-final. Zimbabwe had just beaten New Zealand 2-1 in an ODI series in Zimbabwe about a week before.”We certainly didn’t want to get knocked out early,” Roger Twose, New Zealand’s leading run-getter in the ICC KnockOut, said. “Over the years Zimbabwe have ebbed and flowed. But at that point in time they were a pretty good team, and [were] probably similar to us – no big names. So we certainly didn’t take them lightly. And, you know, you could easily lose to Zimbabwe.” But the quarter-final went New Zealand’s way – they won by 64 runs.India, whom New Zealand had beaten in the Super Six of the 1999 World Cup, awaited in the title match in Nairobi.Robin Singh made a brisk 13 before he was dismissed by Geoff Allott•Tom Shaw/Allsport/Getty Images”We had a number of young players that were just starting out international careers,” Craig McMillan, who got half-centuries against Zimbabwe and Pakistan in the tournament, said. “We had others that had been around a wee while. So it was a good blend, a good mixture, within that New Zealand team that was going to be pretty consistent for the next three or four years.”McMillan thought the pressure was actually on India in the final, but it didn’t seem that way from the way Tendulkar and Ganguly went about the things at the top of the innings after Fleming put India in. “If you were to ask me what’s the first thing you really remember about the tournament or about playing that final, it was Ganguly and Tendulkar absolutely teeing off against us,” O’Connor, who was taken off after his first two overs went for 16 runs, said. The second-most successful ODI batting pair at the time – and still No. 1, they crashed one boundary after another. New Zealand leaked 37 runs off the first four overs.”To be fair, we’d played Tendulkar and Ganguly previously. So we knew how they played and what they could do,” McMillan said. “Because generally, in one-day cricket, they were very destructive at the top. It happened to us before. We were on the back foot.”The partnership went beyond 100 in the 19th over, quick for that era, and New Zealand seemed lost. But they had a taste of luck when Tendulkar was run-out for 69 after a mix-up with Ganguly, and the opening stand ended at 141 in the 27th over. “That was perhaps exactly the thing we were waiting for,” O’Connor said.But Ganguly went on to get his second successive century – after one against South Africa in the semi-final. It would take something special from New Zealand to stop India’s flow, and they got it when Dravid too was run-out.India slid after that, just 62 runs coming off the final 11 overs, and finished on 264. “They should have got a lot more – [maybe] closer to 300,” McMillan said. “We were actually quite buoyant [at the halfway stage] because we fielded well with those two run-outs. So I felt that in the changing room, there was a feeling of resolve and determination, and a feeling that, yep, this game was up to be won.”New Zealand had successfully chased totals higher than 250 only three times before, but the latest of those had come against Pakistan in the match before.Two in two: Sourav Ganguly followed his semi-final hundred against South Africa with 117 in the final•AFP”I would be lying if I said that we hadn’t thought about or talked about winning the tournament at all,” O’Connor said. “But the only time I can remember talking about what would happen if we won the tournament was in the change room after we had beaten Pakistan, and it never really came up outside of that.”But New Zealand’s optimism was quickly checked. Venkatesh Prasad dismissed Craig Spearman and Fleming to reduce them to 37 for 2. In walked Twose, on the back of match-winning eighties against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.”We were just trying to absorb a little bit of pressure, and trying to play relatively low-risk cricket,” Twose said of his rebuilding stand with Nathan Astle. “We had some depth in our batting. So we steadied the ship, if you like, for that period of time.”Twose hit four boundaries off his first 17 balls. Astle, at the other end, was happy keeping it ticking over. But Kumble had him caught off the last ball of the 15th over. New Zealand were still 183 runs away.The next man in was managing a knee injury, which made him miss the semi-final. He was supposed to bowl only five overs in the final, as he wrote on this site about five years later, but ended up bowling all ten. After all, there was a trophy to play for. Despite his injury, Cairns played the definitive hand in the game.He too started aggressively, with four early boundaries, but when New Zealand were about 150 away, Kumble had Twose stumped for 31 off 35 balls and the pendulum swung once more. Twose still feels the frustration of the dismissal.”As a left-hander, I think [Kumble] was slightly easier to play,” Twose said. “He was able to turn his legspinner over time, but back then he was actually bowling quite fast. It was a just a good-length ball on or just outside off.”I’m pushing forward, trying to maybe nudge it into the off side for a single. And it either carries on with the angle or goes slightly away from me. It doesn’t take much to beat the outside edge, and unfortunately, I think it’s just a matter of millimetres.”Shayne O’Connor went wicketless in the final but he was Player of the Match for his five in the semi-final against Pakistan•Tom Shaw/Allsport/Getty ImagesNew batter McMillan joined Cairns and swept Kumble for back-to-back boundaries in the 21st over. “I always felt that the extra pace he gave you, I could use,” McMillan said. “And sweeping was one of my favourite shots. [But] if you missed it, you’re out lbw. So there was some danger in playing the sweep against him because he bowled so quick and flat. But I just felt that if I could get the ball fine enough, then I could actually use his pace, and it would beat the fielder. So on that small ground, I thought that was a good option too.”Ganguly had introduced Tendulkar into the attack in the 20th over, just after Kumble got Twose. That paid off when McMillan played what he described as an average shot in Tendulkar’s third over, slashing one straight to Ganguly at point. At 132 for 5, New Zealand were halfway to India’s total, but India were halfway through New Zealand too.Chris Harris, another of New Zealand’s allrounders, walked in at No. 7. India were operating with Kumble and Tendulkar for the sixth over in a row, and sensing the slow pitch was supporting spin, Ganguly brought Yuvraj Singh on. Bogged down by spin, Cairns and Harris went at about three runs an over for a nine-over stretch. By the time 15 overs were left to play, the required run rate had gone up to nearly seven runs per.O’Connor, though, reflected on feeling confident at that point. “When our backs were against the wall, we always knew on our day we could beat anyone,” he said. “Because you look at that batting line-up, and [there’s] Astle, Fleming, Twose, Cairns, McMillan, Harris, and even [Adam] Parore – it’s a pretty useful one. So if they were to fire, we were very capable of chasing or setting big totals.”Cairns was set, and past 50, and he had put on 63 with Harris. But the pressure was on. New Zealand needed 70 from the last ten overs.”The key was if we could bat the 50 overs, we were going to win,” McMillan said. “If we got bowled out, that was going to be the difference. I was confident we were going to win because of where we were.”India’s persistence with spin finally ended after 25 overs on the trot, when Ganguly brought Zaheer Khan back for the 44th over. Zaheer responded by conceding only four runs. New Zealand needed to score at close to nine an over in the last five. Only once before had they scored at a higher rate at that stage of an ODI, and that was against Pakistan in the World Cup eight years before.Grin when you’re winning: New Zealand after the final•Tom Shaw/AllsportThe 46th over. Zaheer to Harris, who had been accumulating patiently until then. On 33 off 59 deliveries at the start of the over, he crashed the first and final balls for four.New Zealand were in it. It was going deep. India’s nerve was being tested.India fans far outnumbered their New Zealand counterparts in Nairobi. But each time the ball went to the boundary, even that minority crowd made its presence felt, and the rare New Zealand flag on the ground stood out.With another 30 runs to get from 20 balls, Cairns launched Kumble for a massive six. The cameraman lost it in its flight as it went, and it had to retrieved by a local from a car park nearby. Now New Zealand needed 24 from 19. The telecast showed a supporter on the verge of tears, clenching his fist. Cairns punched gloves with Harris so hard that the latter’s fingers were nearly taken.Next ball, the paddle sweep got Cairns four. Ganguly looked clueless. Cairns could smell the trophy.”An informed, determined Chris Cairns is a pretty hard concept to break,” O’Connor said. “Thankfully, he was the one who’d come off on the day.”Second ball of the penultimate over, Cairns brought up his third ODI hundred. Harris was out immediately after. New Zealand still needed another 11 runs with nine balls left. They got four leg-byes at a crucial stage, and Fleming, sitting with his feet up until then, rose up, pumped.New Zealand needed just three from the final over. Victory was theirs when Ajit Agarkar bowled a high full toss fourth ball, and it was Cairns who, fittingly, swung to deep square leg.The ICC KnockOut was New Zealand’s – their first global trophy.