Kotak has been head coach of several India A tours, and served as assistant coach to Laxman during the Ireland T20Is, and has been a batting coach at the NCA since 2019
Nagraj Gollapudi16-Jan-2025Former Saurashtra captain and batter Sitanshu Kotak is set to join the India men’s set-up as batting coach. ESPNcricinfo has learned that Kotak, who is 52, will start with the five-match home T20I series against England which starts from January 22.Kotak, who retired in 2013 after a first-class career spanning more than 20 years, has been the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy since 2019. Kotak also was the head coach of several India A tours and served as assistant coach to VVS Laxman when the latter helmed India’s white-ball bilateral engagements as head coach in the last few years.Kotak will be the fifth assistant on the coaching staff which is led by Gautam Gambhir, who took charge as the all-format head coach last August. At the time Gambhir brought in three assistant coaches: former South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel (bowling coach), along with former India and Mumbai allrounder Abhishek Nayar and former Netherlands and Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches. T Dilip, who was the fielding coach during Rahul Dravid’s tenure, was retained.Related
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The development comes soon after the BCCI conducted a review meeting in Mumbai last weekend to assess India’s disastrous run of series defeats starting with the white-ball loss in Sri Lanka, followed by an unprecedented 3-0 defeat in the Test series against New Zealand at home and then the 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.The India batters’ plummeting form – and subsequent failures – was the key reason behind those defeats, and played a big role in the Test side missing out on a World Test Championship final berth. It is understood that batting was among the significant points discussed during the review meeting which included Gambhir, selection committee head Ajit Agarkar and many from BCCI’s top brass, including newly-appointed board secretary Devajit Saikia.
From power-hitters to speed demons, this IPL has the potential to be a showcase of bright young talent
Yash Jha24-Mar-2022The addition of two new teams this IPL has opened a lot of doors for a lot of young Indian players. ESPNcricinfo has handpicked a dozen of them to keep an eye on.
Shahrukh Khan
Punjab Kings
Having already built a reputation as a power-hitter, Shahrukh Khan got his IPL break in 2021 but it proved to be a frustrating season with Punjab Kings. He got ten hits and returned 153 runs at a strike rate of 134.21, but it felt like he was batting too low in the batting order and wasn’t getting enough chances to influence the game.What did he do next? He took the domestic calendar by storm, across formats: 101 runs off 64 balls in six innings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s – including knocks of 19*(9) and 33*(15) to seal last-over victories in the quarter-final and the final respectively – 253 runs at a strike rate of 186.02 from seven outings in the Vijay Hazare 50-overs Trophy, and 285 runs from four innings in the Ranji Trophy (strike rate 102.88). Chennai Super Kings went all out to try and secure the Tamil Nadu man at the auction, but Shahrukh will return to Punjab – for INR 9 crore (USD 1.2m), this time – who, surely, can’t repeat their mishandling of the finisher.Arshdeep Singh’s skills at the death have been eye-catching•BCCI
Arshdeep Singh
Punjab Kings
Punjab did back Arshdeep Singh though – he was one of only two retained players at the franchise ahead of IPL 2022. Through 2019 and 2020, the left-arm seamer had modest returns – 12 wickets from 11 games while leaking 9.38 per over. In 2021, Arshdeep turned a corner with 18 wickets from 12 outings, conceding 8.27 per over. Even more impressive was his skill at the death: between overs 17 and 20, Arshdeep took eight wickets in 80 balls while keeping the scoring down to 9.67 per over – only six bowlers took more wickets at the death in IPL 2021; among those who bowled at least ten overs in the phase, only five had a better economy rate. A certain starter now, Arshdeep – and Punjab – will hope to build on the gains this season.Anuj Rawat has been around a while but hasn’t set the IPL alight just yet•BCCI/IPL
Anuj Rawat
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Three seasons, two appearances, one ball faced – Anuj Rawat has been around the IPL for a while (at Rajasthan Royals), but it’s safe to say this will be his first real break in the competition. The bare numbers don’t say much – 501 runs in 22 T20 innings, strike rate 121.01 – but there’s a reason why Royal Challengers Bangalore had to go all the way up to INR 3.4 crore (USD 453,000), fending off interest from Sunrisers Hyderabad and then Gujarat Titans, to make him theirs: Rawat is a left-hander who bats in the top-order and can take down spin. Given the constants at No. 1 and No. 3 for RCB, Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, and their fairly similar frailties (read: attacking spin), the 22-year-old becomes a potentially key cog in the wheel. He also doubles up as a back-up wicketkeeper, although that might not be required much given the presence of Dinesh Karthik.Rajvardhan Hangargekar: bowls fast, hits long•ICC/Getty Images
Rajvardhan Hangargekar
Chennai Super Kings
Of the five India Under-19 World Cup winners to get maiden IPL contracts, only one fetched a higher auction price than Rajvardhan Hangargekar, who went to Chennai Super Kings for INR 1.5 crore (USD 200,000). The teenager from Tuljapur, Maharashtra boasts the one important skillset that every T20 team needs – serious pace, touching 140kph – and another that is highly valued – lower-order muscle (at the U-19 World Cup this year, Hangargekar hit six sixes off the 28 balls he faced). Deepak Chahar’s absence opens up a slot for at least one of the Super Kings’ several domestic pace options, but Hangargekar’s utility can tip the scales in his favour ahead of Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Choudhary and KM Asif.Abhinav Manohar rose to prominence at the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s in 2021•Abhinav Manohar
Abhinav Manohar
Gujarat Titans
He only made his professional debut in November last year, but Titans shelled out INR 2.6 crore (USD 346,000) to secure the services of Abhinav Manohar. The 27-year-old has shown appreciable versatility, even considering a low sample size of four T20s: on debut, against Saurashtra, Manohar walked out with Karnataka at 34 for 3 chasing 146, and hit an unbeaten 70 off 49 balls to secure a final-over finish; in the Syed Mushtaq Ali final a week later, against Tamil Nadu, he entered at 32 for 3 and scored a measured 37-ball 46 that helped Karnataka reach 152 – which almost proved enough. Manohar’s range could be essential for Titans, whose batting wears a rather thin look.R Sai Kishore is yet to play an IPL game despite having a solid domestic record•R Sai Kishore
R Sai Kishore
Gujarat Titans
Few players can claim to have a more impressive track record on the domestic circuit and yet be without any IPL caps, but that may soon change for R Sai Kishore. He was picked up by Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2020 auction following a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali campaign – 20 wickets in 12 games, economy rate 4.63 – but with Ravindra Jadeja a fixed starter, Sai Kishore couldn’t force himself into the playing XI. The 25-year-old’s frugal left-arm spin – a career economy of 5.46 after 38 T20s – could prove to be the ideal foil to Rashid Khan in the Titans set-up. Sai Kishore’s ability to bowl in the Powerplay could also enable Titans to free up some overs of Mohammed Shami and Lockie Ferguson to utilise elsewhere.Sheldon Jackson may get a proper go this IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders•kkr.in
Sheldon Jackson
Kolkata Knight Riders
All of Sheldon Jackson’s four IPL appearances came in 2017, for Kolkata Knight Riders. Five years on, at the age of 35, he’s on the cusp of a first ‘proper’ stint in the tournament – and it comes on the back of his best year in T20 cricket. In 2021, through two Syed Mushtaq Ali campaigns, Jackson smashed 513 runs in 11 matches, striking at 147.83 and averaging 73.28 (up from career figures of 110.52 and 22.17 in 54 T20s prior to 2021). With Aaron Finch, Pat Cummins, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine the expected overseas quartet (when available), there may not be room for Sam Billings, leaving Jackson as the only wicketkeeping option. Knight Riders will hope he can carry his recent T20 surge into the IPL.Abhishek Sharma bats well in the top order and Sunrisers may take advantage of that this season•BCCI
Abhishek Sharma
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Abhishek Sharma has been with Sunrisers for three seasons, but he has only just begun to his true potential. The left-hander from Punjab averages 31.37 while striking at 141.57 when batting in the top three, compared to an average of 15 and a strike rate of 131.75 lower down the order. The last two games of IPL 2021 were the first time Sunrisers batted him in his best position, and he smashed 33 off 16 against Mumbai Indians. Having shelled out INR 6.5 crore (USD 866,000) to get him back at the auction, Sunrisers are likely to stick with Abhishek at the top, along with Rahul Tripathi and Kane Williamson. Given he can bowl a bit of left-arm spin as well, including a remarkable little backspinning legcutter, the 21-year old makes for an attractive first-team option.Umran Malik, who can bowl 150kph, has the chance to learn from the best in the IPL•BCCI
Umran Malik
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Umran Malik was still waiting to debut even as IPL 2021 went into its final week of the league stage. He got a go in the last three games Sunrisers played; two months later, he had the distinction of being the player to have featured in the fewest IPL matches before being retained. The speedometer instantly came into focus once Malik arrived on the scene – in his second match, he bowled the fastest delivery by an Indian in the tournament’s history, clocked at 152.95kph. High pace remains an exclusive club in the IPL; high pace, from an Indian, who is still only 21, marks Malik as the rarest of the rare – and explains the retention. Expect him to feature prominently, especially on the speed lists.Tilak Varma scores his runs rather quickly•ICC via Getty
Tilak Varma
Mumbai Indians
Nineteen-year-old Tilak Varma is yet to play in the IPL, but already has a glowing endorsement from an all-time great: Mahela Jayawardene, Varma’s coach at Mumbai, labelled him a “massive talent” ahead of the season – and Mumbai’s squad composition suggests this talent is set to get his opportunity. Varma has enjoyed a productive start in domestic cricket: he made 215 runs at a strike rate of 147.26 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021-22 – of the 20 batters with 200-plus runs in the tournament, only four scored faster – to follow his returns of 391 runs (average 97.75, strike rate 97.26) in the 2020-21 Vijay Hazare Trophy. The left-handed batter could shuttle between No. 3 and No. 4, helping Mumbai maintain a left-right combination in their top four.Sanjay Yadav could fill the Krunal Pandya shaped hole in the Mumbai squad•TNPL
Sanjay Yadav
Mumbai Indians
Five years in the domestic grind have seen Sanjay Yadav travel from Tamil Nadu to Meghalaya to Tamil Nadu again; he’s also found squad spots at Sunrisers and Knight Riders, but his quest for an IPL debut could finally end at Mumbai – where he could be looked at to fill the Krunal Pandya role from the last few years. He’s no big hitter (T20 career strike rate 124.12 from 23 innings) but he’s more than handy with the bat, as evidenced by a first-class average of 46.38 and a List A average of 45.50. He doesn’t take a lot of wickets either, at least not in T20s (16 in 27 outings), but his slow left-armers go at 6.65 per over and give Mumbai the match-up card, when needed.Yashasvi Jaiswal is a work in progress but his talent is undeniable•BCCI
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rajasthan Royals
One of four uncapped players to have been retained ahead of IPL 2022, Yashasvi Jaiswal has had the backing of the Royals for a few seasons now. To be part of a retained trio featuring Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson at such a nascent stage of his career is an exhibition of the faith. While he didn’t take the tournament by storm in 2021, the left-handed opener showed glimpses of his destructive abilities in several cameos – none more emphatic than his 19-ball 50 against Super Kings in Abu Dhabi, which included an incredible assault on Josh Hazlewood (38 off 12 balls). At 20, he remains a work-in-progress, but there’s little doubt he’s set for a lengthy run at the top of the Royals line-up.All USD figures are approximations where 1 USD=75 INR
He ended his 1020-day century drought with relentless, pressure-free and unhurried batting taken to the next level
Shashank Kishore08-Sep-20223:08
Is Kohli back to his absolute best?
It had a ‘ vibe to it. Except, there weren’t too many in the aisles in Dubai. Yet, when Virat Kohli swatted Fareed Ahmad over deep midwicket to bring up his 71st international century, the monkey that had probably grown into a giant-sized dinosaur was off his back.Just like that, Kohli had rendered all those who kept count of the days between No. 70 and this one, jobless. The count ended at 1020 days, a period that was intercepted by a full-blown pandemic, and one that had taken Kohli, and many others, down dark alleys of lockdowns, quarantines and isolations and bio-bubbles.Related
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When the moment arrived in the 19th over of India’s innings, Kohli was as free-spirited and expressive as you’d seen him in recent times. He carefully unlocked his helmet and belted out a big smile towards his applauding team-mates. There was this distinct look of disbelief on his face, as if he was suggesting this was the format he was least likely to break that deadlock in.All the while, Rishabh Pant stood still with a smile, allowing Kohli to soak in the moment and then embraced his former captain with a hug. Kohli didn’t stop there. He looked up at the skies, then yanked his gloves off to pull out to kiss his ring that had the initials of his wife engraved on it. By now, the shutter bugs who had frantically positioned themselves at appropriate angles, besides each other by the boundary rope, were clicking away to capture that ‘perfect’ moment.Before the moment passed, Kohli looked around the ground with a big smile, scanned his eyes towards pockets that had maximum fans and raised his bat. For all the ferocity he can display on the field, with his nerve-popping celebration and yelps, angry growls and send-offs, this was a moment of pure, unadulterated happiness.Once Kohli had regathered himself, it was business as usual. No dropping of guard, no ugly slogs suggesting he was done. He was going to carry on. Early in his innings, he trusted the good balls on merit, even defending them or nudging them around until he got his eye in. Now, he was in that batting zone players often talk of where they’re so in the moment that they let their instincts take over and muscle memory dictate their game. It was as if Kohli has transported himself to his 2016 vintage.This was fearless, pressure-free, relentless and unhurried batting taken to the next level. He uncorked his wrists to scythe wide yorkers behind point, got into positions quickly to sweep bowlers off their lengths. It’s a shot he almost never plays, but had seemingly pushed boundaries here, willing himself on to replicate shots he’d been training for. And when he wasn’t going down on his knees to sweep, he was slicing wide deliveries behind square, decking low full tosses deep over the extra-cover fence with his solid bottom-handed power.Kohli was having fun, he was toying with the bowling. He was backing away slightly, as if to ask the bowlers to follow him. When they didn’t, he’d bring his left foot back in line and play the most awe-inspiring cover drive. So what if there was sweeper cover? So what if the fielder had anticipated the shot and started running to his right as the shot was hit? He had no chance. This was Kohli at his regal best.As Kohli’s innings progressed, the gum-chewing aggression that brings with it the typical swagger was back in full view. Kohli wasn’t just seeing ball and hitting ball, he was enjoying that pristine feeling of finding that sweet spot and balls flying off in different trajectories. For a change, not many were looking at scores or runs or overs remaining. The small crowd had lost their voice in cheering for a majestic hundred. At that moment, nothing else mattered. Not India’s score, and most definitely not their early exit from the Asia Cup.The return of the King: Kohli’s maiden T20I ton was a magical one•Associated PressHis innings was magical. It was a display of the level he’d cranked his batting intensity to. All the while having a big smile. He was stepping out to deliveries as if he had the free license to bat the way he liked, and hitting them to different corners, as if he was merely listening to chants of the fans.And when you thought you’d seen it all, he played one of the most majestic no-look sixes you’d see. He got into position no sooner than Fazalhaq Farooqi had released the ball, knowing fully well what was coming, and sent it soaring over deep square. The glove punch with Pant that followed told you how much he enjoyed it.This was Kohli having fun. This was Kohli unshackled by expectation. There was a glistening smile that you couldn’t take off his face, litres of sweat dripping off his shirt as he walked off bat raised, gloves up, giving a victory sign and then a beautiful namaste.The joy factor in his batting was well and truly back. He had threatened all tournament, and on Thursday, all that positive energy that had been brimming on the surface had burst open like confetti on a grand stage. The giant screen flashed a message: welcome back, King.The King was indeed back.
Just as you thought Arsenal’s start to the summer was quiet, they have roared into life over the last fortnight to welcome in a batch of new acquisitions.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has signed from Chelsea (yes, another one), Christian Norgaard has arrived from Brentford and the headline addition so far has been £55m Martin Zubimendi.
The trio have already got to work during the club’s warm weather training camp in La Manga and it’s not long now until the Gunners head to Asia, more specifically Singapore, for their pre-season tour on July 19th.
Before then, Mikel Arteta will hope for more new faces. Here’s the latest on that.
Arsenal's summer transfer window: the latest
This could be a busy old week for Andrea Berta and Co as he aims to bring in a few more fresh signings before that trip to Singapore.
The first is set to be Noni Madueke. Whether you like it or not, the Chelsea winger is due to be announced as an Arsenal player this week after undergoing a medical this weekend.
According to Henry Winter, he looks set be followed through the door by Valencia centre-half Cristhian Mosquera. A deal had gone quiet over recent weeks, but the journalist shared that things should be wrapped up soon.
And then there’s the centre-forward, the elusive striker. Will Viktor Gyokeres finally head to the Gunners?
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Well, things are becoming rather toxic between him and Sporting at the moment. The Swede has regularly told his club that he will never play for them again and has made it clear he won’t attend pre-season training.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas, has since hit back at the striker, saying: “If they [Arsenal] don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we’re very comfortable with that for the next three years. This strategy is also making it more complicated for the player to leave. Nobody is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are. We’re calm. Everything will be resolved with the market closing, a hefty fine and an apology to the group.”
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
Sky Sports reports that the Portuguese giants are looking for around £69m, add-ons included. Despite the war of words here, the former Coventry star is still confident of getting his move, so much so that he expects to be in London this week.
That’s according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who said: “Gyokeres considers his Sporting career over, having agreed personal terms with Arsenal. Sources have also told me that he hopes to be in England early next week to complete his move.”
The impact Viktor Gyokeres could have at Arsenal
In recent years, it’s safe to say that Arsenal haven’t exactly got their squad building 100% nailed on.
They’ve signed good players, of course, but since Arteta became Arsenal boss, he has only signed six attackers; Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Willian and Marquinhos.
It’s hardly an illustrious list of names and therefore, the signing of Gyokeres could transform this Arsenal side.
Let’s cast our minds back two years a moment. In the same week of the 2023 summer window, Declan Rice was putting pen to paper on a club-record £105m move at the Emirates Stadium and Gyokeres was completing his switch from Coventry to Sporting.
Since then, the duo have become two of the best players on the continent. Rice has totally transformed this Arsenal team and it was his performances that propelled them towards the Champions League semi-finals.
No one will forget that night in north London when Arsenal hit three past Real Madrid. Rice was the hero, scoring two stunning free-kicks. It felt like his transfer fee had been paid back in one night, if it hadn’t already.
Rice went on to dazzle in the Bernabeu too, with Rio Ferdinand noting that the England international “stood up against the holders of this trophy” and “ran the show in both games”. The former defender exclaimed that the midfielder has now “put himself in another bracket.”
Well, if Rice was one piece of the puzzle that was missing, then Gyokeres could be the final piece that completes the jigsaw. He could be the Rice-like signing that catapults this Arsenal team to greater things, and by greater things, we mean finally winning a trophy.
Arteta may have the FA Cup to show for his efforts, but the Premier League and Champions League continue to elude him.
Rice has now taken Arsenal close but Gyokeres could help across the finish line. Why? Well, he’s one of, if not the best centre-forwards in Europe right now.
2020/21
34
5
1
2021/22
47
18
5
2022/23
50
22
12
2023/24
50
43
15
2024/25
52
54
13
Forget Alexander Isak, forget Erling Haaland, what the Swedish powerhouse has done over the last two years is nothing short of remarkable.
In 2023/24, the striker bagged 43 goals in 50 outings and went even better throughout the latest campaign, netting a stunning haul of 54 goals in 52 appearances.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that that tally is pretty damn good, and considering how Arsenal struggled in offensive areas of the pitch last season, he could be game-changing.
Arteta’s side didn’t lack creativity. No player registered more expected assists per 90 minutes in the Premier League than Bukayo Saka in 2024/25. As a club, they had the sixth-highest number of shots in the division and produced the fifth-most key passes.
However, despite that, they found it difficult to put the ball in the net. For the first time since 1923/24, the Gunners failed to find a player who scored double figures in the league.
As a result, signing a man who has scored 97 goals at club level over the last two campaigns ought to fix the problem.
Gyokeres might not be a club-record move like Rice was but his impact on the field of play is likely to be just as significant. Dare we smell another Arsenal title charge? Time will tell.
Eze's dream CF: Arsenal in talks to sign £69m "monster" & it's not Gyokeres
Arsenal could still change their mind on Viktor Gyokeres.
Strikers recovered from 58 for 8 courtesy a Doggett-Boyce record BBL partnership but the total of 142 was chased down with 33 balls remaining
AAP31-Dec-2024Perth Scorchers finished 2024 in second position on the BBL ladder after cruising to a seven-wicket win over the Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve.A record-breaking ninth-wicket stand between tailenders Brendan Doggett (47*) and Cameron Boyce (29*) spared Strikers total humiliation in front of a bumper crowd of 41,624 at Adelaide Oval, lifting them to 142 for 8.But it wasn’t enough to stop resurgent Finn Allen (50 off 23 balls), golden-bat leader Cooper Connolly (48* off 35 balls) and captain Ashton Turner (35* off 18 balls) from piloting the Scorchers to victory with 33 deliveries to spare.The Scorchers reply, though, wasn’t without drama. Matt Hurst was dropped twice before being pouched for 3, and Scorchers should have been 13 for 3 when Connolly, on 4, edged Doggett to wicketkeeper Ollie Pope but only the bowler offered a muted appeal.Allen, who came into the match with 10 runs from four innings, was grassed on 11 by Alex Ross before earning the ire of fiery Strikers import Jamie Overton.
The pair exchanged words before clashing again when Overton ran Allen out backing up at the non-striker’s end, but didn’t follow through with the appeal, instead animatedly warning the New Zealander for backing up too far.After Doggett castled Allen, Turner came in and finished the job by crunching Boyce for 6, 6, 4.Earlier, Strikers crashed to 58 for 8 before Doggett – whose previous best T20 score was 10 not out – and Boyce became unlikely batting allies.Only D’Arcy Short and Ross – filling in as skipper for injured Matt Short, who suffered a fractured toe against Hobart Hurricanes last Friday – reached double figures for Strikers before Doggett and Boyce’s resurrection job.”Credit to them, they bowled well in the first 6 to 10 overs,” Strikers opener Short said. “It was nice for the boys to put on a bit of score for us to try to defend, but in the end it wasn’t enough.”Pope and Chris Lynn went cheaply before Jake Weatherald fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Andrew Tye, launching himself skyward at mid-off.Jhye Richardson, recalled to the Australian squad for the recently completed Boxing Day Test against India, bolstered his hopes for selection in the upcoming Sydney match.The paceman had Overton prodding a leading edge to Ashton Agar at backward point, then cleaned up Liam Scott with a superb yorker next ball.”It [win] was nice,” Richardson said. “We would have liked to have kept them to an even lower score. Coming into today, we know this is a high-scoring venue and [conceding] 140-odd, we would have taken every day.”Strikers, who lost 6 for 18 in 30 balls, were rescued by Doggett and Boyce who combined for an unbroken 84-run srand, the best-ever for the penultimate wicket.Pace trio Richardson, Jason Behrendorff and Lance Morris were the chief destroyers with the ball for the visitors, whose only concern came when Agar left the field with back spasms, although Scorchers don’t believe he will miss any games.”I would expect him to be back next game,” Richardson said. “It was a bit of an unfortunate spasm at the wrong time. I think he’ll be fine.”
da bet vitoria： There could be plenty of change at Manchester United this summer as Ruben Amorim prepares for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.
da jogodeouro： The Red Devils and INEOS may have to move some players on before splashing the cash to comply with PSR, especially after the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham didn’t help with the club’s finances.
Amorim also now knows that he will be leading his Man Utd side against Arsenal at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
AI predicts the 2025/26 Premier League table
Who are the winners and losers from AI’s table?
1 ByCharlie Smith Jun 7, 2025
Marquee signing Matheus Cunha will be expected to feature on the opening weekend, but who else will be in that side? Well, Grok, the AI tool on X, has predicted Man Utd’s 25/26 starting line-up, with three more new faces backed to join the Brazilian.
AI predicts Man Utd’s 2025/26 starting line-up GK: Emiliano Martinez
According to Grok, the new goalkeeper for the 25/26 season at Old Trafford will be Emiliano Martinez.
The Red Devils are seemingly on the search to replace Andre Onana two years after he arrived, and the Argentine is thought to be open to joining Amorim’s side. A fee of £40m has been mooted in the media for Aston Villa to sell.
RCB: Noussair Mazraoui
Versatile defender Noussair Mazraoui has been predicted to start on the right-hand side of a back three after making 20 appearances as a central defender last season.
AI says that the Moroccan ‘adapted well to Amorim’s right centre-back role, offering defensive solidity and attacking contributions’.
CB: Leny Yoro
Still just 19 years of age, Leny Yoro looks set to be a regular at the back over the coming years, and he made 33 appearances in his first season at Old Trafford.
His ‘long-term potential make him a starter’ under Amorim, according to Grok, providing he stays fully fit.
LCB: Matthijs de Ligt
With Lisandro Martinez still sidelined through injury, Matthijs de Ligt has been predicted to make up the back three alongside Mazraoui and Yoro.
Despite being right footed, the Netherlands international has bundles of experience at the highest level and should continue to help Yoro and Mazraoui.
RWB: Amad Diallo
In a 3-4-2-1 system, Amad Diallo impressed as a right wing-back in the early days of Amorim’s Man Utd tenure.
Amorim also praised Diallo, saying the Ivorian has “improved so much defensively”, and he has been backed to feature there on a regular basis, starting against Arsenal ahead of Diogo Dalot.
LWB: Patrick Dorgu
On the other side, January signing Patrick Dorgu could get the nod ahead of his first full campaign as a Red Devils player.
The Denmark international was a regular in the second half of the 24/25 campaign and will be looking to add to his 20 Man Utd appearances.
CM: Manuel Ugarte
The first of two midfielders is Manuel Ugarte, who, despite being known for his defensive work, contributed to eight goals under Amorim in 24/25.
Ugarte is described as a ‘guaranteed starter’, providing a major midfield signing isn’t made, as he ‘brings energy and defensive nous to midfield, aligning with Amorim’s desire for dynamism’.
CM: Bruno Fernandes (c)
After snubbing interest from Saudi Arabia, Bruno Fernandes was always going to start in Grok’s Man Utd predicted XI.
Bruno Fernandes’ Man Utd stats
Games
290
Goals
98
Assists
86
Trophies won
2
The Red Devils captain is into his sixth year at Old Trafford and despite the club’s struggles, will go down as an iconic Man Utd star. AI says Fernandes ‘will anchor the midfield, likely playing slightly advanced’.
RW: Matheus Cunha
After triggering Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m release clause, it is no surprise to see Man Utd’s new signing thrown straight into the starting line-up.
The Brazilian contributed to 19 goals last season as an attacking midfielder or second striker, with the remaining four contributors coming as a winger or centre-forward. Grok has predicted that Amorim will use Cunha as one of two No.10s behind a striker.
LW: Bryan Mbeumo
Joining Cunha in behind a forward is another new face in Bryan Mbeumo. The Red Devils have a major interest in the Brentford star, who is valued up to £60m.
Grok says Mbeumo ‘pace and goal-scoring’ will offer a ‘balance to the attack’, and after a career best season in front of goal with the Bees in 24/25, it’s hard to argue against that.
ST: Viktor Gyokeres
Finishing off the side could be Man Utd’s most exciting and expensive signing of the summer in Viktor Gyokeres. The goalscoring machine starred under Amorim with Sporting CP and a reunion has been spoken about, although he does have an £85m release clause in his contract.
Grok says Gyokeres ‘could be the answer to their goal-scoring woes, outshining Rasmus Hojlund’ in the process.
Former Chelsea captain Thiago Silva has delivered his verdict on Joao Pedro after the new signing helped dump Fluminense out of the Club World Cup.
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Pedro stars on first Chelsea start
Scores twice to send Blues into final
Silva says he's a special talent
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Pedro dazzled on his first start for Chelsea following his big-money move from Brighton. The forward scored two brilliant goals as the Blues beat Silva's Fluminense in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup on Tuesday.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Pedro refused to celebrate after scoring against his former team but did admit it had been a "dream" to bag a brace. Silva spoke about Chelsea's new boy after the game and told the Blues they have a very special talent on their hands.
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WHAT SILVA SAID
He told : "This kid is special, I have a lot of affection for him. A while ago, I recommended him to the people who take care of my physical health. He works with my physiotherapist in Europe, who also takes care of my children.
I faced him a few times at Chelsea, when he was still at Watford, and he had two great games against us. I said, ‘Man, this kid is special’.
I didn’t expect him to be inspired today, he hit some great shots. One of our kids knocked us out of such an important competition, but good luck to him."
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Silva also wished Chelsea well for the final where they could come up against another of his former sides in PSG. He added: "I now hope Chelsea can do well in the final, regardless of who they face. If it’s Paris Saint-Germain, my heart will be divided. If it’s Real Madrid, I’m definitely rooting for Chelsea. Now it’s time to lift our heads, wish Joao Pedro luck, and move on."
Wolves have edged past AC Milan in the race to sign Almeria and former Spain Under-21 right-back Marc Pubill.
Wolves lead the race for Pubill's signatureMilan in contact with player's agentAlmeria open to sell Pubill, but with inflated price tagFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Almeria are open to selling Pubill; however, they have attached an asking price of €19m (£16.5m/$22.1m) with a 20% sell-on clause, which has to be paid to his former club Levante. Milan are after his signature, as they deem him to be a perfect fit under manager Massimiliano Allegri; however, their 'would be' formal offer of €15m (£13m/$17.4m) is falling short of Almeria's demands. Now, Wolves have emerged as favourites to sign him.
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Wolves are short in defence as Nelson Semedo left the club after his contract expired this summer. Now, they have identified Pubill, 22, as the perfect replacement. The defender featured 36 times in the Spanish second-tier last season and seems ready for a higher level. The two-way fight between Milan and Wolves might end soon if the latter succeeds in convincing Almeria.
DID YOU KNOW?
The right-back, who has an existing contract at Almeria until 2029, was a Spain Under-21 international and scored a goal against Slovakia in the Under-21 Euros last June.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PUBILL?
One-time capped Catalonia player Pubill, who spent some time in Espanyol's academy before joining Levante in 2021, will now weigh up these offers and settle for the most convenient one in the coming weeks.
Maiden first-class hundred for former England Under-19s captain
ECB Reporters Network22-Aug-2024A magnificent maiden first-class century from Ben McKinney and a dogged hundred from Alex Lees put Durham in a dominant position on day one of their Vitality County Championship clash with Nottinghamshire.McKinney, who is playing in just his second County Championship match, smashed an experienced Notts bowling attack around the park at the Seat Unique Riverside after Haseeb Hameed put the hosts into bat at the toss, while Lees anchored the Durham innings to reach three figures for the third time this season in the County Championship.McKinney was very much the aggressor in the early stages of the day as the pair put on 189 runs for the first wicket, the hosts’ highest opening stand of the season. The visitors then made a mini-fightback and picked up three wickets for 58 runs, but Lees combined with Ashton Turner for a partnership worth 122 to leave the hosts 393 for 5 at close.McKinney, who was part of the England Lions side that beat Sri Lanka last week, was excellent throughout his innings and laid a fantastic foundation for Durham in this mid-table battle. The 19-year-old dominated with some great shots, particularly on the off side, while Lees offered few opportunities as he went through the gears on the way to a 15th first-class century for Durham.Meanwhile Notts skipper Hameed will be scratching his head after his decision to bowl first allowed the hosts to post a big total. As a result his side already look like having a mountain to climb.On the opening morning at Chester-le-Street Durham managed to negotiate a tough period of opening bowling from Olly Stone, who was released from the England Test squad to play in this game, and Brett Hutton, but McKinney and Lees looked in good touch.Once he made it through the opening exchanges, McKinney looked to attack whenever he could and he hit two glorious boundaries on the off side from a Stone over. The tall left-hander passed fifty for the second time in his first-class career with a cover drive for four while Lees kept the scoreboard ticking at the other end to take the partnership past 100 just before lunch.McKinney continued where he left off after lunch as he remained positive and he picked up several boundaries including a lovely pull shot off the bowling of Hutton.Then came a flurry of milestones for the hosts with Lees reaching his fifty from 114 balls and former England Under-19s skipper McKinney brought up his maiden hundred from 117 balls with a beautiful cover drive. He then hit Freddie McCann for the first six of the match over the long-off boundary, but his excellent knock didn’t last much longer as he chipped a McCann delivery straight to midwicket and had to depart for 121.Scott Borthwick looked in good touch but Lyndon James bowled him for 26 after he left one which clipped the top of off stump and the Notts bowler struck again soon after, removing Ollie Robinson for 13, which gave the visitors some hope.While wickets were falling at the other end, Lees remained firm and joined McKinney in getting a century after tea, albeit in a somewhat different style with the former England man’s milestone coming from 223 balls with just seven boundaries.Turner, who is making his first-class bow for Durham, came to the crease and ran well between the wickets with Lees as they accumulated runs and passed 300. Turner then played a delightful pull shot for four and Lees got in on the act as he dabbed a Stone ball to the third man boundary as the hosts piled on the runs.The second new ball initially couldn’t help Notts in their pursuit of wickets as Turner reached his fifty from 70 balls. However, Hutton then bowled Lees for 145 to end a fine innings and give the visitors a sniff in the final stages of the day.James picked up his third of the day as Graham Clark went for 7, but Turner remained unbeaten on 62 at stumps.
India vice-captain looking forward to forging opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal
ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jul-20241:05
Gill: We’re the world champions and we have to play like that
Shubman Gill, India’s vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is, has said he aims to improve his performance in the shortest format, as the team begins to build towards defending their T20 World Cup title in 2026.”My performance in T20Is before the World Cup this year wasn’t how I had expected it to be,” Gill said ahead of the series opener against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. “Hopefully, going forward, in the upcoming cycle – I think we play 30-40 T20Is [before the next T20 World Cup] – I can improve my performance when it comes to batting, and also [we can improve] as a team.”Gill was a reserve player and not part of the squad that just won the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, where India opened with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With both senior batters now retired from T20Is, Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was the back-up opener at the World Cup, are now first choice for India at the top of the order”We really enjoy batting with each other. Especially the kind of shots we play, we kind of complement each other,” Gill said of his partnership with Jaiswal. “Being a right-left combination, we have had good partnerships in whatever T20Is we have played before; two partnerships have been 150-plus [too]. So we have a great understanding and communication between us, and I have fun batting with him.”Related
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Gill and Jaiswal strung a couple of big partnerships in the T20Is in Zimbabwe after the T20 World Cup 2024 ended. Gill, who was India’s stand-in captain that series, top-scored with 170 runs at a strike rate of 125.92 in five innings. He was then appointed vice-captain for the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka, selected ahead of other opening contenders like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma, who had scored a hundred in Zimbabwe.The series in Sri Lanka is also Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as India coach after he succeeded Rahul Dravid, whose coaching tenure ended after the T20 World Cup triumph.”We have had just two net sessions together, and this is the first time I am working with him,” Gill said about Gambhir the coach. “But whatever he has told me during these two sessions, his intent and communication have been very clear – he knows what he wants from which player, and what he thinks will work for each player.”India play three T20Is against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on July 27, 28 and 30, followed by three ODIs in Colombo on August 2, 4 and 7.