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India are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI, but West Indies might be tempted to bring in the left-arm pace of Jediah Blades

Sidharth Monga09-Oct-20253:13

Gill outlines the challenges of being an all-format player

Big picture: Series sweep on India’s mind

The late Khushwant Singh, one of the more illustrious lovers and residents of Delhi, called October in the city the “pleasantest” of all the months in the northern hemisphere. Like with most things Khushwant, the statement sparks lively debate, especially with lovers of spring in late February and March.This is all relative now: with rampant urbanisation and climate change, it is now more about which months are less unpleasant and less harmful to your health. The BCCI has just about winged the most harmful time for elite athletes to undertake high-performance activity – not before being called out for it – and the early snowfall in the hills has cooled the temperatures to the usual October levels to tease those given to wistfulness for the Delhi of old.Related

• The art of Jadeja: subtle genius hiding in plain sight

• Sammy: 'We did not reap financial rewards' of our legacy

• India trying to ready Reddy for greater challenges

• Brian Lara asks West Indies players to 'find a way'

• West Indies' Test-match batting a symptom of deeper issues

Those given to wistfulness also yearn for the West Indies of the old. Not the one that lasted just 89.2 overs in the first Test. More importantly, not the one that looked unthreatening with the ball in an effort of 5 for 448. Not the side whose coach Daren Sammy has to hope a player will “accept” the opportunity when he calls to inform them they have been selected for West Indies.There is not a lot West Indies can hope to change between the two Tests. Ahmedabad, with an early-season greenness on the pitch, was their best chance, but they were without the Josephs, Alzarri and Shamar. In Delhi, the onus will be more on the slower bowlers.It doesn’t help that India are somewhere close to their best after the blip against New Zealand last year. With the exception of Rishabh Pant, whose fractured foot hasn’t fully healed yet, they are at full strength. They are keen on making this a clean sweep, which will take their WTC points percentage to 61.9, still in third place.

Form guide

India WWDLW
West Indies LLLLW1:33

Chopra: ‘West Indies batters need belief on better batting pitch’

In the spotlight: Nitish Kumar Reddy and Jomel Warrican

Test cricket is not where you prepare players for the future, but like Hardik Pandya almost a decade ago, India want to give Nitish Kumar Reddy a proper workload in slightly lesser challenges so that he can be the seam-bowling allrounder India need not just in away Tests but also the ODI World Cup in South Africa in 2027. Ryan ten Doeschate, their assistant coach, said just that two days before this Test. In Ahmedabad, he got to bowl only four overs and didn’t get to bat at all. It remains to be seen if India go out of their way to involve him more in this Test.Jomel Warrican is the vice-captain of the side, their most experienced specialist spinner, and joint-most experienced bowler. But he averages 54.25 in four Tests against India, two each at home and away. He will want to do way better in Delhi than the 29-5-102-1 he returned in Ahmedabad.0:49

Chopra: ‘Sai Sudharsan needs runs or the pressure will mount’

Team news: Could Devdutt Padikkal get a game?

India have no reason to change their XI. However, is B Sai Sudharsan feeling any heat, and is Devdutt Padikkal breathing down his neck?India (possible): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 KL Rahul, 3 B Sai Sudharsan, 4 Shubman Gill (capt), 5 Dhruv Jurel (wk), 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajIt doesn’t make a lot of sense to change the batting on such a short trip. The one change West Indies might consider is bringing in Jediah Blades to give themselves a left-arm seam option.West Indies (possible): 1 Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 2 John Campbell, 3 Alick Athanaze, 4 Brandon King, 5 Shai Hope (wk), 6 Roston Chase (capt), 7 Justin Greaves, 8 Jomel Warrican, 9 Khary Pierre, 10 Johann Layne/Jediah Blades, 11 Jayden Seales

Pitch and conditions

Delhi is likely to be a typical Indian track, good for batting on the first two-and-a-bit days before bringing the spinners into the game. The drop in temperatures should make it difficult for the pitch to break up suddenly. The week in the lead-up to the Test has brought some rain, but the Test is not likely to be affected.3:31

Sammy: ‘Our problems are rooted deep into our system’

Stats and trivia

• India haven’t lost a Test in Delhi since November 1987, which, incidentally, was to West Indies. Since then, they have won 12 and drawn 12.
• Ravindra Jadeja is ten short of 4000 Test runs. Only Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Daniel Vettori before him have achieved the double of 4000 runs and 300 wickets.

Quotes

“We think it would be unfair on the guy [Reddy] if we only play him overseas. Because that doesn’t give him that many opportunities. In the next year and a half, we aren’t playing that many matches outside of India, so to be able to back a guy who can bowl 10-15 overs in a day and can bat as well – we sat his ability and potential in Australia – so we want to give him as much game time in India to help him.”
India captain Shubman Gill doesn’t feel Reddy is an option only for overseas Tests“If we complain about not having the best facilities, not having enough manpower like the other teams, not having the best technology, all these things which the other teams are superior to us [in], then why the hell are they still outworking us? The only way we could match up [and] compete at a consistent level is if we as the coaches and the players are prepared to outwork the opposition, and we’re not doing that.”

Manchester United and INEOS are now reportedly stalling on a new contract for Kobbie Mainoo, as doubts over his Old Trafford future continue.

Mainoo’s fall from grace has been sad to see of late, considering the midfielder emerged has one of the most emerging youth products in years with the Red Devils, even starting for England at Euro 2024 last year.

The 20-year-old has been limited to just 138 minutes of Premier League action across seven cameo appearances this season, with Ruben Amorim not considering him a key man.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Mainoo, but journalist Simon Stone gave his thoughts earlier this week, suggesting his time at Old Trafford may still have legs.

Mainoo contract talks stall with transfer ruled out

Now, speaking to Football Insider, journalist Pete O’Rourke provided an update on Mainoo’s Manchester United future, claiming talks over a new deal have stalled with INEOS, but that they won’t let him leave.

“I’m sure it’s (handing Mainoo a new contract) something that Man United would definitely be interested in doing. They’ve been in talks with Mainoo for a while now over a new contract. Suggestions are now that contract talks have been put on hold because of his uncertain future at Old Trafford.

“We know Mainoo was interested in a move away in the summer window as he knew he wasn’t going to be playing in Ruben Amorim’s side. I don’t think he’s started a Premier League game so far this season.

“For United, on their part, they don’t really want to lose Kobbie Mainoo, and that’s why they blocked the move in the summer window and obviously I think they’d be reluctant to let him go in January as well because United want to be competing in that top four, if they can.”

To lose Mainoo so early in his career would be a negative for United, given his vast potential, so the hope is that Amorim and INEOS’ stance on him changes.

Granted, he has endured a year of struggles, not helped by injury problems, but he is a special young footballer with the natural ability to be a star, as he has already shown in his career.

Antoine Semenyo chooses between Man Utd and Liverpool

What a signing this could be…

1

By
Henry Jackson

Nov 22, 2025

Hopefully, a contract extension is agreed, but ultimately, if the manager and the club don’t value Mainoo enough, a move away could be best for everyone, sad as it would be.

49ers keen on signing Man Utd star Kobbie Mainoo for Leeds

Starc reflects on his growth as a Test bowler, his relationships with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, his physical challenges, and his commitment to Tests over franchise cricket

Andrew McGlashan11-Jul-20251:08

Starc stars from around the wicket

“It makes me feel old,” Mitchell Starc joked as he was asked to reflect on playing his 100th Test.While last week Kraigg Brathwaite became the 82nd player to reach 100 Tests, only 12 have done so as what would be considered a frontline pace bowler. Starc will join that group against West Indies at Sabina Park, nearly 14 years after his debut, and he also stands five short of 400 wickets.”I don’t like it,” he said about the attention that comes with his looming milestones. “Just get on with the cricket.”Related

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• From Galle to Lord's: Starc's ten greatest Test performances

But Starc was able to reflect on the journey to reach this point. “Growing up I was always wanting to pull on the baggy green. I didn’t think I’d play one game, but to have 99 chances to do that has been a real privilege.”Despite only taking up bowling at the age of 14, once he reached the professional level Starc knew he had the ability to bowl quickly and swing the ball but didn’t always have the “tools” to master a variety of conditions and match situations. He credits the long-standing alliance and friendships with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins in helping him develop, including adopting the wobble seam.”I didn’t have a lot through the period where the ball didn’t do anything,” he said. “I obviously had the ability to reverse swing it, but that portion through the middle [of the game]. To grow up in international cricket with two of my closest mates who are two of the world’s best, to learn from them along the way and develop a bit more to my game over the years has probably certainly helped me in the long run.”Then to be able to bowl in different facets of the game, different conditions around the world. It’s probably helped me get as far down the track as I have.”The bond between the three quicks, and overlapping nature of their careers in which they have played 37 Tests together, has also helped each of them. “It’s not lost on myself or the three of us how lucky we are that we’re all from the same place,” Starc said. “We train together, we sit in rehab rooms together over the years. The ability to push each other along the way, whether it’s a flat week or a Test week. I think that contributes to the longevity of the three of us, in particular.”

“Test cricket was probably the hardest format to either feel like I was good enough for or felt like I was capable of doing. To get that opportunity, I wasn’t going to let that pass at all. The years that I did miss franchise cricket, I don’t regret that at all. To get my body in as good a spot as I could for Australia to play 99 games, spend some time at home, spend some time with Alyssa [Healy] and family. That’s the reason why I did those things.”Mitchell Starc on why he missed so many IPL tournaments

Starc himself has not missed a Test through injury since damaging a finger against South Africa in late 2022 which forced him out of three matches, although he still bowled through it in the game itself at the MCG.”There’s a few scars and a few sore bits most days,” he said of the toll of fast bowling. “Whether it be jabs or pain killers along the way, I know what I can and can’t get through. I’m never going to go into a game that I don’t think I can get through.”Whether it’s the growing pains or your body adapting to different modes of bowling. Working out what good pain is, bad pain is, [or] just general soreness. They all contribute to the progression of a young cricketer or a young bowler. I certainly had to learn those pretty quickly, otherwise I was probably going to be at the back end of it pretty quick.”There’s a fair bit of stubbornness along the way. Maybe some stupidity at times. As long as I’m continuing to play my role, no matter how the body’s feeling, then that’s the best thing I can do for the team.”Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have played 37 Tests together•Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesWhile in recent times Starc has been able to cash in at the IPL, for a number of years he opted not to put his name forward when he could easily have done so to prioritise Test cricket.”I wouldn’t change it,” he said. “Test cricket was probably the hardest format to either feel like I was good enough for or felt like I was capable of doing. To get that opportunity, I wasn’t going to let that pass at all.”The years that I did miss franchise cricket, I don’t regret that at all. To get my body in as good a spot as I could for Australia to play 99 games, spend some time at home, spend some time with Alyssa [Healy] and family.”That’s the reason why I did those things. Whether it’s paid off now, being a couple of days away from playing 100, or the series wins or the Test match wins, looking back at it, I wouldn’t change it.”In terms of the future, Starc didn’t want to look past the upcoming summer which includes the Ashes. As an all-format bowler he will be involved in next year’s T20 World Cup, with the 2027 ODI version a potential further carrot. In terms of Test cricket, which Starc has always said is his No. 1 format, Australia have a bumper period starting next August through to mid-2027.”Andrew [McDonald] said something the other day, [about] we’re not a young bowling group,” he said. “Whilst having a little bit of an eye on what’s to come, it’s also having a mind on making sure we’re as fit and impactful as we have been when we were younger. What that looks like going forward, I’m not sure. I’ll have a few weeks to think about things along the way this year, but obviously we’ve got a big summer coming up.”

Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw is officially set to retire from MLB after the 2025 season, the team announced on Thursday.

It marks the end of an era in Los Angeles, as the beloved lefty and 11-time All-Star has played his entire professional career for the organization, spanning across 18 illustrious seasons. Kershaw isn't just a Dodgers icon, however. He's an MLB legend and one of the greatest pitchers to ever grace the mound in the big leagues.

After almost two decades of dominance, Kershaw has climbed the ranks of some of MLB's most distinguished pitching categories. The future Hall of Famer is one of the most decorated left-handers to pitch in MLB, and has a boatload of accolades to show for it, including three Cy Youngs, an NL MVP award, a pitching Triple Crown, five ERA titles, a Gold Glove and a Clemente Award, as well as a 2020 World Series win.

So, where does Kershaw rank in league history in some key pitching categories? We'll take a look below:

MLB All-Time Strikeouts Leaders

Across his MLB career, which will still include one more home start in the regular season, Kershaw has amassed 3,039 strikeouts. He's one of 20 pitchers in league history to clear the 3,000K mark, which he accomplished just this season. Kershaw ranks 20th all-time in strikeouts and is 45 behind John Smoltz for the No. 19 spot on the leaderboards. He's well away from Nolan Ryan's all-time record of 5,714 Ks, however.

MLB All-Time Wins Leaders

Kershaw racked up 222 wins in his career, which puts him tied for 73rd all time. If he can secure a win on Friday, he'd reach 223 and move into a tie with Paul Derringer and Mel Harder for 71st. As dominant as he was, he failed to rack up even half of the 511 wins Cy Young recorded throughout his career.

MLB All-Time ERA Leaders

Kershaw's pristine ERA throughout his 18-year career was an exceptional 2.54. That ranks 47th all-time on a list that consists of many relief pitchers, too. Ed Walsh, who pitched as both a reliever and starter in his career, tops the all-time leaderboard with a 1.82 ERA.

Among pitchers with at least 2,000 innings pitched in their careers, Kershaw’s 2.54 ERA puts him second-lowest in the Live Ball Era dating back to 1920.

MLB All-Time Cy Young Award Leaders

Kershaw has won three Cy Young awards in his career, joining just 11 pitchers in league history to win the award three or more times. He's on level footing with legends such as Justin Verlander, Sandy Koufax, Pedro Martinez, Tom Seaver, Jim Palmer, and Max Scherzer. The only pitchers with more Cy Young wins than Kershaw are Roger Clemens (7), Randy Johnson (5), Steve Carlton (4) and Greg Maddux (4).

Kershaw had an incredible MLB career, and he'll bid an emotional farewell to Dodgers Nation on Friday at Dodger Stadium, against a team he's plenty familiar with in the rival Giants.

Clayton Kershaw vs. MLB's Best Lefties

Not only is Kershaw one of MLB's greatest pitchers, but he's also a lefty. He ranks 18th all time in terms of wins by a southpaw with 222, trailing the great Warren Spahn who owns the No. 1 spot with 363 wins. He's ninth in ERA and is one of just four MLB left-handed pitchers to ever record more than 3,000 strikeouts, joining Randy Johnson (4,875), Steve Carlton (4,136) and C.C. Sabathia (3,093).

Luka Modric admits he took "a step down" by joining AC Milan after his spell at Real Madrid came to an end, but the midfielder insists he made the "right" decision by accepting the Serie A side's offer. Still going strong at 40 years old, the midfielder is aware his longevity has been "incredible" as he explained why he abandoned his plan to retire in Madrid.

• Modric still a key component at 40

  Modric bailed on his initial plan to end his playing career at Madrid by joining Milan in the summer. Having since turned 40, the midfielder has thoroughly impressed in Serie A, earning immense praise from his team-mates and many former heroes of the Italian game. The six-time Champions League winner has one goal and two assists to his name for the Rossoneri so far, immediately taking on an integral role as Massimiliano Allegri's side target the Serie A title. His performances have already sparked rumours of another transfer, but the ex-Tottenham star has opened up on his attraction to the San Siro club and his joy at wearing the red and black shirt.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Veteran midfielder explains AC Milan move

  As per the Croatian, it was Milan's reputation that prompted him to sign a one-year deal at the club. He explained to : "After Real, I've always said it, wherever you go it's a step down. There is no doubt about this and all players can confirm it. But I think I arrived at a club that is very close to Real Madrid in terms of reputation and history: for me it is the most ideal situation that could have happened to me. Especially because I love Milan and as a child I grew up with Italian football. Milan was the club I adored the most. When Milan's option presented itself, it was the right one for me."

  Speaking on his experience in the city and at the club, he claimed, "The city is wonderful. People welcomed me phenomenally, both inside and outside the club. The teammates, the coach, the fans, everything is really high-level. You can see that Milan is a great historic club, one of the biggest in the world. You can feel it at every step, so I'm really happy and I'm enjoying all of this."

• Modric admits leaving Madrid was difficult

  Modric won 28 trophies during his 13-year tenure at the Spanish capital, and that includes six Champions League titles and four La Liga accolades. However, departing from the club was tough for him, as he mentioned: "Honestly, it wasn't easy, because I spent 13 years, almost half of my life, practically in a club, in a city. It was one of the best times of my life. I arrived in Madrid perhaps relatively late, at 27, but at the right time. I was ready for that step. The four years in England helped me a lot. And everything I experienced and achieved in Madrid afterwards seems unreal to me.

  "Apart from the trophies and victories, staying 13 years in such a club… I arrived at 27 and I stayed almost until 40 and it is something incredible! Because you know what kind of club Madrid is, you know that they don't tolerate mediocrity, and to stay at that level, in a club like that, for so many years, with all the successes I've experienced there, it's something incredible. In my previous way of thinking, I believed that I would be satisfied if I ended my career at 35. But my professional curriculum has long since exceeded that limit, and I do not hide my gratitude: I am still, thank God, at that level and it is something incredible!"

  He added: "I've always said it and it wasn't platitudes, flattering the fans or the club – my big wish was to retire in Madrid. But simply, everything has a beginning and an end."

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  When will Modric play again?

  Sitting second on the Serie A table, Modric's Milan will take on Lazio on Saturday at San Siro with the aim of leapfrogging Roma into first place, temporarily at least. Modric, who enjoyed a full 90 minutes in the Rossoneri's 1-0 win over arch-rivals Inter, is expected to start once again this weekend. 

He capped the occasion with an unbeaten 44 that earned him the Player-of-the-Match award

Mohammad Isam28-Oct-2025Rovman Powell marked his 100th T20I in style, sticking to his “batting template” of a late surge to guide West Indies to a 16-run win over Bangladesh in the first T20I in Chattogram. On Monday, he became only the third West Indian to reach the milestone of 100 games, capping the occasion with an unbeaten 44 that earned him the Player-of-the-Match award.Powell, however, didn’t make a great start to his innings against Bangladesh. He couldn’t time the ball properly, striking just one four as he made 18 runs off his first 22 balls. It was in the 19th over when Powell finally struck his first six – a mow across the line against Mustafizur Rahman.Then, when he got the strike in the final over, he hammered Tanzim Hasan for three sixes in a row, ending up unbeaten on 44 off 28 balls. He made 26 runs in his last six balls. The late momentum took West Indies to 165 for 3 in 20 overs, before their bowlers helped dismiss Bangladesh for 149.Related

• Seales and Hosein boss powerplay as West Indies go 1-0 up

“I am very happy,” Powell said. “It is not always that someone gets to play 100 T20Is, especially for West Indies. It shows the hard work that I have done in the duration of my career. A lot of credit goes to my family and friends, and the players with whom I have played these 100 matches. It is very special to get Man-of-the-Match award in my 100th game.”I think it’s a batting template that I have used in the last year or two. I have had good success with it. I try to get a start and get into the last five overs when I try to hit as many sixes as possible.”Powell also noted that heavy dew affected the West Indies’ bowling effort. He added that they would have felt pressure had Bangladesh kept wickets in hand towards the end of the 166-run chase.”If one of the main Bangladeshi batters had stayed at the wicket for longer, we would have been under pressure,” he said. “It was very wet in the end. Having said that, a lot of the credit goes to our bowlers. They stuck to their plans and picked up wickets at critical times.”We had information about the ground but we didn’t know it would get this wet. Maybe that’s something that we keep in consideration.”Instead, Bangladesh lost four wickets in the powerplay and lost all their frontline batters by the 12th over. Fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib top-scored for Bangladesh, making 33 runs.Tanzim said that Bangladesh could have done with a better powerplay and with specialist batters in the final overs.”Of course, when there was dew, the ball came on to the bat more easily,” Tanzim said. “If we had one set batsman at that stage, the game would’ve been much easier. In the last couple of overs, a settled batsman always keeps you in the game. We lost four wickets in the powerplay. Even if it had been two, the chase could still have been managed.”Powell, meanwhile, looked forward to a series win for West Indies on Wednesday. He said that they have the opportunity to get over their recent T20I record – they have lost their last seven T20I bilateral series – if they can win the second game against Bangladesh to clinch the series.”Whatever the stats say, it doesn’t leave a good taste in our mouth. Myself and the guys are eager to turn that around. Being 1-0 up against Bangladesh will provide the opportunity for us to turn it around. Bangladesh are a tough side at home. We will see if we can continue improving to win the series in the next game.”.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s Crystal Palace future is in doubt with an insider revealing the player and his agent are “testing the waters over a move”.

The 28-year-old has grown into such an important player for the Eagles, helping them win the FA Cup last season and already scoring six goals in 12 Premier League appearances this time around.

In fact, former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino has called the Frenchman Palace’s “most improved” player in the recent past, and in fact of all time, hailing his impact leading the line at Selhurst Park.

“Again, Mateta, in my opinion, is probably the most improved player I’ve ever watched, I’ve ever seen. I’ve watched Mateta two years ago and the one I’m witnessing now, completely different.”

Mateta’s rise has unsurprisingly seen him linked with a move away from Palace of late, and now a new update has shared some concern for the Eagles.

Jean-Philippe Mateta eyeing Crystal Palace exit

Insider Mick Brown reports that Mateta is “testing the waters” over leaving Palace, as he eyes a new challenge.

Palace must do all they can to convince Mateta that staying put is best for his career, with the Eagles certainly doing enough of late to suggest as much, not least sealing FA Cup glory last season.

That said, the France international may look at Eberechi Eze leaving for Arsenal in the summer, and Marc Guehi continually being linked with a move to Liverpool, and feel that now is the right time for him to move on.

Arsenal now eyeing another Crystal Palace star as contract talks in danger

He’d be an excellent addition.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 22, 2025

Palace supporters will desperately hope this isn’t the case, as will manager Oliver Glasner, but at 28, he will know that he has reached a key point in his career, in terms of sealing one big move before he passes his peak.

Liverpool now eyeing Mateta deal amid fresh Crystal Palace contract concern

The KKR match-winner did it all, hit sixes, pick up wickets, run people out and even captain his team

Matt Roller29-Apr-20251:36

Rayudu: Narine completely dismantles oppositions

Anukul Roy turned around to embrace his team-mate. Varun Chakravarthy slapped him on the back. Rahmanullah Gurbaz beamed from ear to ear, while Ajinkya Rahane and Rinku Singh both cheered in celebration. Only Sunil Narine remained unmoved as ‘OUT’ flashed up on the big screens, utterly emotionless as he pursed his lips.It is easy to get caught up in IPL 2025’s delirium: sold-out crowds, bright floodlights, cheerleaders, smoke machines, and the strains of over a deafening public-address system. But Narine has seen and heard it all before across 186 IPL appearances; he will soon overtake Kieron Pollard as the most-capped overseas player in the league’s history.Yet even Narine’s calmness could not conceal the significance of the moment. He has spent most of his career looking utterly ambivalent to the very idea of fielding, but his dead-eye pick-up-and-throw from short fine leg was perfection. It caught KL Rahul just short of his ground at the striker’s end, and put Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on track to defend 204.Related

• Ganga: Regardless of Kuldeep's day, he should bowl his full quota

• Ajinkya Rahane suffers hand injury in victory over Delhi Capitals

• Narine's all-round show sets up tense win for KKR

“I’m obviously not the greatest fielder,” Narine said with a smile at the post-match presentation. “But it’s always good to give a good run-out whenever it’s possible.” His thought process, he said, was as simple as it could be: “Just pick up and swing, and throw the ball as hard as possible.”Two nights after a stellar all-round performance from Krunal Pandya defeated Delhi Capitals (DC), Narine delivered an even better one. His run-out came after he had cracked 27 off 16 balls from the top of the order, and shortly before he was pressed into captaincy duties with Rahane (struck on the hand) and Venkatesh Iyer (subbed out) both off the field.KL Rahul was run-out by a direct hit from Sunil Narine•Associated PressBut Narine’s biggest contribution came with the ball. His first 13 balls cost 25 runs, including three towering sixes from Axar Patel; after the third, DC needed 69 off 41 and were ahead of the game. In his next seven deliveries, Narine had put KKR in control: Axar miscued to extra cover, Tristan Stubbs was done on the inside edge, and Faf du Plessis picked out deep midwicket.Narine has been opening the batting on and off in the IPL since 2017, and opposition captains know what to expect from him by now. But his potential to wreak havoc is still enough to make bowlers – and captains – second-guess themselves: after opening the bowling two games in a row, Axar did not dare bring himself on while Narine was at the crease.He hit the first ball he faced for six – a feat nobody has done more often in the IPL – by swinging Dushmantha Chameera straight back over his head, and his opening stand with Rahmanullah Gurbaz was worth 48 in just under three overs. Kevin Pietersen, DC’s mentor, said that Narine’s presence had prompted Axar to give Mitchell Starc a third over in the powerplay; he gave the strike to Rahane, who slog-swept him for six then whipped him for four.And with the ball, Narine remains a banker for any captain under pressure – including, on this occasion, himself. His lengths are typically immaculate, and while analysts now have more than 500 T20 matches worth of footage on Narine across nearly 15 years, batters still struggle to read his variations out of the hand.”He’s been a champion bowler for this franchise,” Rahane said. “It’s so good to have him and Varun in the team: I can always go back to them whenever we are in trouble… He’s been working really hard, coming early for the practice sessions, bowling for hours and hours in the nets.”Tristan Stubbs was bowled by Sunil Narine•Getty ImagesNarine has never been an expressive player: he has very rarely given interviews outside of contractual obligations, and wears his emotions lightly. But it is all too easy to make assumptions about players’ character without knowing them: Andre Russell, the man who has played more with Narine than anyone else, believes he is misunderstood.”He’s very active when he’s on the field,” Russell said. “A lot of guys maybe misjudge him. He’s a quiet individual when he is in a certain environment, where he’s not comfortable. But on the park, he’s a leader. He’s been more talkative over the last five years, and it just goes to show that when you express yourself, you enjoy the game and your performance shows as well.”Narine is largely motivated by “self-pride” at this stage in his career, aged 36. “I always want to be able to give the captain an option that any time you’re in a pressure situation, you have someone – and that comes with hard work,” he said. “If you want to be that kind of player, you have to put in hard work.”If Narine has not quite lived up to his performances of last season, that is largely because he had set himself such a high bar: 488 runs and 17 wickets in a title-winning campaign, securing an unprecedented third MVP award. Even in what has been a relatively quiet year by his standards, Narine sits sixth in ESPNcricinfo’s own MVP rankings.It is easy to take Narine’s consistency for granted, but consider this a mark of his longevity. When KKR first signed Narine at the 2012 auction, Vaibhav Suryavanshi was yet to celebrate his first birthday. Now, Suryavanshi is an IPL centurion for Rajasthan Royals – and Narine is still winning games in purple and gold almost single-handedly.

The PCB also lodged a complaint against Suryakumar Yadav for his “political” comments after the first India vs Pakistan game at the Asia Cup

PTI25-Sep-2025The BCCI has filed an official complaint against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan with the ICC for their on-field gestures during the Asia Cup Super Fours game in Dubai last Sunday. It is reliably learnt that the BCCI filed the complaint via an email on Wednesday, and the ICC is in receipt of it.In case Farhan and Rauf deny the allegations in writing, an ICC hearing could take place to address the matter for the hearing. They might have to appear before match referee Richie Richardson – the second match referee at the tournament, Andy Pycroft being the other.Farhan’s celebration after getting to his half-century and Rauf gesturing towards a section of fans while fielding at the boundary – the incidents the BCCI has complained about – have been all over social media since that day.Related

• Suryakumar found guilty of breaching code of conduct; verdict on Rauf and Farhan awaited

• Pycroft given barely any notice ahead of handshake-gate

• Suryakumar: India vs Pakistan isn't a rivalry anymore

“Let me first say, the amount of pressure that’s been heaped on the players because of the situation, it’s very difficult to control your behaviour,” India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said on Tuesday when asked about Haris’ provocative gestures.”I did see some of the things Haris did and that’s not our concern. Like I said earlier, we’re really proud of how the guys carried themselves. They fought fire with their bats on the field. Other teams may have had issues with some of the things we’ve done. But from our side, we’re proud of how the guys have carried themselves.”The PCB has also lodged an official complaint with the ICC against Suryakumar Yadav for the India captain dedicating the win over Pakistan in the first round, on September 14, to “the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack” in April this year, which led to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.”Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all, and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile,” Suryakumar said in the presentation ceremony after that match, which made headlines for events before and after the match – the captains didn’t shake hands at the toss, the players didn’t greet each other after the match, and “handshakegate” has continued to be a subject of talk and debate at the Asia Cup ever since.The PCB has alleged that Suryakumar’s comments were “political”.Sunday’s Super Fours match, the second meeting between the two teams during the Asia Cup, witnessed several heated moments including exchanges between Pakistan quicks Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rauf and India openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.

This season is shaping up to be one of Arsenal’s best in a very, very long time.

Now, there is still a lot of football to be played, but going into the third international break of the campaign, Mikel Arteta has his side top of the Premier League and with four wins from four in the Champions League.

What makes it all the more impressive is the fact that, aside from the defence, there is a real sense that the team aren’t even operating at their best.

Moreover, the club have a significant number of injured players set to return in the coming weeks, which will massively bolster the squad, although it might also make it clear that a certain player appreciated by Thierry Henry needs to be moved on.

Arsenal's injury crisis

Now, Arsenal supporters will be the first to admit that the team just weren’t good enough to win the league last season.

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However, a significant reason why the side was lacklustre on the domestic front was the absurd number of injuries Arteta has to deal with.

Understandably, the club sought to avoid a similar situation this year by signing eight first-team quality players in the summer, rather than spending record sums on individual players.

It’s an approach that has already paid off multiple times this season, as even though it hasn’t been discussed as much, the squad has once again dealt with a barrage of injuries this season.

Noni Madueke was able to cover for Bukayo Saka; Cristhian Mosquera covered for Gabriel Mahgaelese; Eberechi Eze stood in for Martin Odegaard, and Viktor Gyokeres was thrown into the deep end in place of the injured Kai Havertz.

However, the dam can only hold out for so long, and over the last few weeks, the injury list has grown too significant, with Mikel Merino once again starting up top for two matches in a row.

In all, Arsenal were without six first-team players for the draw against Sunderland, and all six of them were attacking players, which helps explain why the bench looked so short on options and why the manager brought on only Mosquera.

The good news is that most of them will be back in contention after the international break, and all should be available to play by the new year.

However, that means the squad could become quite bloated in attack, and so it might be time to sell someone Henry was once very complimentary about.

The Arsenal star who should be sold

With Gyokeres and Madueke being summer signings and Havertz clearly a firm favourite of Arteta, it feels like, of all the injured players, it’s £45m man, Gabriel Jesus, who should be moved on.

Now, that is no indictment of the player himself, as at his best, the former Manchester City star was almost unplayable and capable of things that no other Arsenal attacker could even think of doing.

That’s not hyperbole either, as following a particularly impressive showing against Seville, the legendary Henry said he “would have loved to play with him” due to his close control and ability to create for others.

However, that was over two years ago, and it’s been over three years since he was at his utterly incredible best.

Since then, there have been flashes of that sensational ability, but every time he seems to build up any steam, he goes down with another injury.

Since the start of his Arsenal career in the 22/23 season, the Brazilian international has been injured seven times, which has seen him spend a grand total of 559 days on the sidelines and miss 90 games for club and country.

It doesn’t really matter how talented a player is; if they are that unreliable, then they are not an asset to a club.

Moreover, it’s not like the 28-year-old is on a modest wage; he’s currently earning a whopping £265k-per-week, which makes him the second-highest earner at the club.

Ultimately, Jesus is undeniably an excellent footballer, but he’s just never available when the club need him and considering he has such an enormous wage, it might be time to sell him in the winter, or at the end of the season.

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Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 12, 2025