أثار الإعلامي أحمد حسام ميدو، نجم الزمالك السابق، جدلًا واسعًا بعد تعليقه على أحداث مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا في بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وشهد استاد القاهرة مواجهة الجولة السابعة بين الفريقين، انتهت بفوز الأهلي بهدف نظيف حمل توقيع محمود حسن تريزيجيه في الدقيقة 26، بعدما قدّم لمحة فنية مميزة داخل منطقة الجزاء أنهاها بتسديدة قوية سكنت شباك الحارس محمد بسام.
المباراة لم تخلُ من الجدل التحكيمي، حيث طالب لاعبو الأهلي بركلة جزاء لم تُحتسب، قبل أن يرد سيراميكا بهجمة خطيرة طالب على إثرها أيضًا باحتساب ركلة جزاء، إلا أن الحكم وبعد العودة لتقنية الفيديو لم يحتسب شيئًا، كما اعترض لاعبو المارد الأحمر مجددًا بعد تسديدة لتريزيجيه بدت وكأنها تجاوزت خط المرمى، لكن الحكم اعتبر أن بسام أمسك بالكرة قبل عبورها كاملة.
وفي أعقاب اللقاء، تقدّم الأهلي بخطاب رسمي إلى اتحاد الكرة، طالب فيه بالتحقيق مع حكم الفيديو طارق مجدي، على خلفية قراراته خلال المباراة.
طالع أيضًا | شوبير: التحكيم موهبة وليس لياقة بدنية.. وبعضهم يعانون من الثقة الزائدة
وكتب ميدو عبر حسابه على منصة “إكس”: “من حق الأهلي الاعتراض على قرارات الحكام كما من حق أي نادي المطالبة بالتحقيق مع أي حكم!!”.
وأضاف: “الغريب بالنسبة لي هو موقف سيراميكا الفريق أتظلم بوجود ضربة جزاء صحيحة لصالحهم ولم يحرك النادي ساكنا ولم يتحدث الكابتن علي ماهر عن الظلم اللي أتعرض له فريقه في المؤتمر الصحفي بعد المباراة!!”.
واختتم: “لا يوجد أي تفسير بالنسبة لي إلا انها تعليمات من الأستاذ محمد أبو العينين اللي أعلن من قبل انه في مباراة فريقه ضد الأهلي بيكون مبسوط لو أي من الفريقين فاز بالمباراة!! هي دي الرياضة؟ هي دي المنافسة؟ الدوري المصري إلى أين؟”.
For over three hours on the final day of the Duleep Trophy game in Bengaluru, KL Rahul’s discipline kept India B waiting. Victory had seemed a mere formality post lunch when India A stumbled to 99 for 6 chasing 275. Rahul, who walked into bat at No. 4, denied himself runs he would pocket on most days because he wasn’t willing to be lulled into driving on the up even with cover vacant.It meant the scoreboard came to a standstill. Rahul battled for 99 deliveries for a half-century, even going 55 balls without a boundary at one stage. But when he saw width from Mukesh Kumar, he couldn’t resist a cut. The ball gripped a hint onto the surface to take the edge as Rishabh Pant dived forward to complete the catch. Rahul’s 121-ball vigil that brought him 57 was over and India B went on to win by 76 runs.The margin of victory could have been a lot bigger if not for Akash Deep’s enterprising 43, which wasn’t the only highlight for him. His 5 for 56 earlier in the day ensured India B were bowled out for 184 after pocketing a 90-run first-innings lead. This included the wickets of Abhimanyu Easwaran, first-innings centurion Musheer Khan and Washington Sundar.Related
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Akash finished with a match haul of 9 for 116 to put himself in the frame for the Bangladesh Tests which begin in 11 days as the third fast bowler in the squad. Among the other quicks to make an impression was left-arm fast bowler Yash Dayal, whose 3 for 50 triggered India A’s second innings slide.He had Mayank Agarwal nicking to second slip in his first over when he got one to move away appreciably off the seam to square him up. Dayal had his second when Riyan Parag feathered a drive to Pant. He celebrated the wicket with a send-off after not taking too kindly Parag’s adventurous short-arm jab that flew over midwicket for six. Dayal’s third came shortly before lunch when Dhruv Jurel’s loose drive away from the body flew low to Yashavi Jaiswal.In between Dayal’s carnage, Navdeep Saini, who made quite an impression with his ability to bring the length ball back in, had Shubman Gill caught behind with a loose drive. The match seemed to be heading for a quick finish until Rahul’s obstinance took centerstage. This perhaps stemmed from wanting to make up for his first-innings lapse, when he was out attempting a cute paddle sweep off Washington Sundar after battling his way to 37.KL Rahul looked comfortable in what was a tricky time for his team•PTI Losing a clutch of wickets left Rahul with two options: going for runs or looking to take the game into the final session. He chose the second option. It wasn’t necessarily entertaining, but his willingness to put a price on his wicket on a surface Akash felt was “getting more and more tougher” stood out.However, on the positive side, at least from an Indian standpoint, there was also perhaps no bigger endorsement of Rahul’s match fitness, considering he was playing his first red-ball game in over seven months. That said, it wasn’t all dour defence There were two on-drives that oozed class, a cut shot that sped to the fence. He hit seven fours in all.Akash’s slogs provided some late fireworks, but the fun ended when he was run out after losing his balance attempting to fend a bumper, with Musheer Khan at short leg flicking the ball back onto the stumps. India A were bowled out for 198 in 53 overs. Dayal apart, Saini picked up two wickets to go with his three from the first innings, while Nitish Reddy and Washington picked up a wicket apiece.
Aston Villa are set for a busy summer after missing out on Champions League football, but they may now be in position to strike for a talented winger from the continent.
Aston Villa run rule over Rashford and Asensio alternatives
Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio were both instrumental signings from Unai Emery in January, though landing either on a permanent basis may prove difficult after having to settle for a place in the Europa League next term.
Admittedly, Emiliano Martinez departing to ease pressure on Aston Villa’s PSR situation could create some room for manouvre on that front if he leaves before the June 30th deadline.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez
Talks have been held to sign Asensio and both parties feel a return to Villa Park for the Spain international makes sense, though it remains to be seen if the financial realities of such a scenario stand the test of time.
In the meantime, seeking out alternatives appears to be a smart move from Aston Villa, who have placed Tyler Dibling high on their radar and watched him several times in a campaign where he became a shining light at Southampton.
Similarities have been cited between the Saints’ playmaker and Villans target Jack Grealish amid news that Emery is interested in bringing the Three Lions international back to his former stomping ground.
Aston Villa’s top five scorers in 2024/25 – should they add to their forward line?
Ollie Watkins
17
Morgan Rogers
14
Jhon Duran
12
Marco Asensio
8
Youri Tielemans
5
Such a move would be bound to provoke a mix of excitement and trepidation in equal measure. However, plenty of other names will begin to circulate in connection with Aston Villa as the window begins to heat up.
Like clockwork, Emery’s men are now interested in yet another wide-man and have reportedly started to make advances on that front.
Aston Villa register interest in Real Betis star Jesus Rodriguez
According to Spanish reports, Aston Villa are circling for Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez and have moved to register their interest, therefore making contact with the Europa Conference League finalists regarding his situation.
The outlet relay that RB Leipzig have submitted an offer mooted to be in the region of £16.8 million for his services. However, it is noted that he has a release clause of £29.4 million, which is possibly a more realistic price-tag. Manchester United and Liverpool have also been mentioned as suitors.
Aston Villa now ready to offer major deal to sign £50m Mozambique winger
He could replace Marcus Rashford.
ByTom Cunningham Jun 4, 2025
Monchi and company don’t want to miss a market opportunity like Rodriguez, and the Spain Under-21 international’s running style has been likened to Gareth Bale’s unique presence, giving an inkling of what fans could expect if he does end up at Villa Park.
This campaign, the Seville-born talent has registered five goals and four assists in 44 appearances and is very much one for the future at 19-years-old.
With Aston Villa set for changes this summer, Rodriguez could provide some youthful exuberance on either flank as Emery looks to challenge the elite and make strides in Europe.
Football might have stopped for a few months, but the powers that be at Arsenal can’t afford to take a break.
The transfer window is here, and with it, the Gunners have the chance to close the gap between Premier League rivals Liverpool.
However, while the impending signing of Martin Zubimendi is undoubtedly exciting, Mikel Arteta and Co need to add some attacking stardust to the team, as the Reds look intent on bringing the incredible Florian Wirtz to Anfield in the coming weeks.
Bayer Leverkusen's FlorianWirtz
Fortunately, recent reports have linked the North Londoners with another international superstar who has won comparisons to the German monster and could, therefore, be their answer to him.
Arsenal transfer news
Before we get to the superstar in question, it’s worth looking at some other exciting attackers who have been touted for a move to Arsenal in recent weeks, like Rafael Leao and Ademola Lookman.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former could cost up to a staggering £145m thanks to a release clause in his contract, but with a tally of 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 games this season, he’d undoubtedly improve the Gunners’ frontline.
Lookman, on the other hand, would cost far less at around £55m but has actually been even more impressive than the Portuguese international this season, racking up a haul of 20 goals and seven assists in 40 games for Atalanta.
Ademola Lookman for Atalanta
Yet, to match a signing like Wirtz, Arteta and Co need someone of comparable significance in the eyes of football fans, someone like Rodrygo.
Yes, according to a recent report from Spanish outlet AS, Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the Real Madrid superstar.
In fact, the report claims that alongside other suitors like Manchester City and Chelsea, the Gunners are now ‘moving’ for the talented winger, who is awaiting a conversation with new manager Xabi Alonso to determine his future at the club.
The report does not mention a potential price, but according to other stories last month, the former Santos star could be available for around £85m.
It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rodrygo’s immense ability and stature in the game, this is a transfer Arsenal should fight for, especially as he’s won comparisons with Wirtz.
Why Rodrygo could be Arsenal's answer to Wirtz
So, before we go into the other reasons why Rodrygo could be Arsenal’s answer to Wirtz this summer, it’s important to examine this comparison to the German and where it even comes from.
In this instance, it stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, before creating a list of the ten most comparable players.
By doing this, it has been concluded that the Bayer Leverkusen star is the seventh most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Real ace across the last 365 days.
Progressive Carries
5.28
5.02
Progressive Passes Received
11.8
11.8
Goals per Shot
0.11
0.11
Key Passes
2.29
2.18
Crosses
3.79
3.87
Aerial Duels Won
0.33
0.34
The best way to see how this is worked out is by taking a look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including but not limited to progressive carries, goals per shot, key passes, crosses, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.
However, besides having some undeniably statistical similarities to the Bundesliga winner, the “terrifyingly good” Brazilian, as dubbed by journalist Sam Tighe, would also be moving to one of next season’s Premier League challengers.
Moreover, as the 24-year-old would be moving to the Emirates from Los Blancos, it would have a similar project-defining feel and be just as much of a statement as the Merseysides signing the Pulheim-born gem.
Ultimately, while it wouldn’t be cheap, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Rodrygo this summer, as it would be an unmistakable signal to their title rivals that they are not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.
Mega Martinelli upgrade: Arsenal eyeing £101m star with "devastating pace"
The sensational talent would be a real needle-mover for Arsenal.
An “outstanding” manager has now exploded into contention to replace Barry Ferguson as Rangers manager this summer, according to a report.
Gers stepping up new manager pursuit
After crashing out of the Europa League in the quarter-final, the Gers are now set for a trophyless season, which suggests major changes could be needed this summer, and it is looking increasingly likely that interim manager Ferguson is replaced.
Several top managers have been identified as potential targets, including Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho, with the 62-year-old believed to be among the frontrunners, although he would only be willing to join if he receives the board’s backing in the transfer market.
Having been in charge during the Light Blues’ 2020-21 Scottish Premiership title triumph, links to former manager Steven Gerrard are to be expected, and the Liverpool legend is now believed to be in pole position to replace Ferguson this summer.
Celtic and Rangers race to sign "brilliant" 11-goal Scotland international
The Bhoys are looking to beat their rivals to a deal…
By
Sean Markus Clifford
Apr 30, 2025
According to a report from TEAMtalk, the 49ers have now whittled down their shortlist to just two managers, with Gerrard being rivalled for the job by Marco Rose, who has now exploded into contention to become the new Rangers boss.
While Gerrard remains under serious consideration, there is now a feeling that the Gers could make a move for Rose, who is ready to return to work next season, having been dismissed from his role as RB Leipzig manager back in March.
RB Leipzig coachMarcoRosebefore the match
The former RB Leipzig boss has shot up the list of targets, with incoming sporting director Kevin Thelwell expected to play a big role in appointing the new manager.
Ferguson is desperate to be appointed on a permanent basis, but it is now looking increasingly likely the 49ers will make an outside hire.
Rose could be "outstanding" appointment for Rangers
The German’s time at RB Leipzig may not have ended the way he would’ve wanted it to, but he enjoyed some success during his time with the Bundesliga side, winning the DfB Pokal in 2023 and the German Super Cup in the 2023-24 campaign.
Not only that, but the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss also received praise during his time at Signal Iduna Park, with Marco Reus describing the job he did during his first few months with the club as “outstanding”.
The 48-year-old, who favours a 4-4-2 formation, could be a forward-thinking appointment for Rangers, given that he likes to implement a high-pressing style of play, so it is exciting news that he is among the main candidates for the job.
There may be a desire to appoint Gerrard, given that he has already experienced success in Scotland, but Rose’s time with RB Leipzig has demonstrated he could be capable of closing the gap on Celtic and winning the title next season.
Liverpool are eyeing up a move for a “world-class” Bayern Munich player in the summer transfer window, according to an intriguing new update.
Salah signs Liverpool deal and Van Dijk should be next
It has been a positive week at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah finally putting pen to paper on a new contract that will see him remain a Reds player until the end of the 2026/27 season.
There is no guarantee that Salah will leave Liverpool at that point, but he will be about to turn 35 years of age when that time arrives, and will have spent a decade at the club, becoming one of the greatest players in their history.
It’s now a case of the Reds trying to tie down Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk to new deals as well, with the pair both out of contract this summer. For the former, a move to Real Madrid does feel more likely than him staying, but the hope is that he realises he can’t leave his boyhood club.
As for Van Dijk, recent claims have suggested that it is only a matter of time until Liverpool’s captain does the same as Salah, which would be another massive boost for Arne Slot.
Liverpool eyeing move for "world-class" winger
According to Bild journalist Christian Falk [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are eyeing a summer move for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman, seeing him as a strong option to bolster their attack:
“Liverpool are actually interested in him. He’s on the shortlist. It’s not to the point where there are negotiations or offers yet, but they’re monitoring his situation, especially after he’s Bayern’s number one sales candidate. Not because they don’t appreciate him, but because they can see him bringing in money.”
While Coman’s injuries are “one of the considerations” for Liverpool to think about, Falk added that “he would fit in really well” at Anfield.
Bayern Munich's KingsleyComancelebrates
The £284,000-a-week Frenchman could be such an exciting addition, possessing so much attacking threat and experience at the highest level.
Coman scored the only goal in the 2020 Champions League final for Bayern, edging them past Paris Saint-Germain, and former manager Julian Nagelsmann was a big admirer of the winger, saying:
“One of the keys today was Kingsley Coman’s world-class defensive interception at the start of the game. He’s had an incredible energetic performance. Hats off! King opened the door for us.”
At 28, Coman isn’t necessarily getting any younger, however, so Liverpool may be wiser to look at younger alternatives, especially given his wages.
Liverpool now "ready" to push hard for 18 y/o Championship starlet
He could be a big talent for the future.
ByHenry Jackson Apr 12, 2025
That said, if a scenario occurred where the France international came in as an upgrade on Luis Diaz, for example, he could be an excellent signing, having bagged 69 goals and assists apiece in 329 appearances for Bayern.
The CSK allrounder talks about the reception he has received in the league, and his ambitions to play the Ashes and the T20 World Cup
Matt Roller24-Apr-2025Jamie Overton tends to spend April in leafy Kennington, keeping a low profile in the early weeks of the County Championship season. This year, even a 500-yard walk down the road from a hotel to a café is enough to prompt countless requests for selfies.”I don’t really get noticed in London,” Overton says from Mumbai, midway through his first IPL season with Chennai Super Kings. “Everyone just goes about their business. But cricket is just so big over here that everyone recognises who you are… You can’t go out too much without 30 or 40 people coming up to you, asking for pictures. It’s a different world.”For Chennai, doubly so. After eight group games, they sit dead last with only two wins, but their “Yellow Army” has been as visible as ever, dominating the stands even at away fixtures in Guwahati, Mullanpur and Lucknow. MS Dhoni, who has resumed the captaincy with Ruturaj Gaikwad injured, still attracts a unique following at the age of 43.Related
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“I messaged my dad and my agent after the first home game. I was like, ‘You have to come out and experience MS walking out to the middle,'” Overton says. “[Ravindra] Jadeja got run-out… and you had a home crowd cheering for someone to get run-out. I’ve watched Premier League games, plenty of other sports events, and there’s nothing else like that noise.”Until this year, Overton’s only experience of India was an England Lions tour in early 2019. But after also touring with England’s white-ball team early this year, he is growing accustomed to travelling between huge cities and spending most of his time in hotels. With games and training sessions under floodlights, he is “still on English time” despite the 4.5-hour difference.Overton has played three games to date in an unfamiliar role: a hard-hitting finisher and hard-length fast bowler elsewhere on the T20 circuit, he has only faced seven balls to date and has bowled four of his six overs in the powerplay. “I’m trying to find a way to do it,” he says. “The last three years, I’ve not bowled in the powerplay at all… It’s been a bit different.”But he is determined to make use of the opportunity to train in Indian conditions, after struggling against spin in an England shirt earlier this year. He has worked closely with Rajiv Kumar, CSK’s “batting guru”, adjusting his technique to counter the lower bounce, and has been watching Dhoni from close quarters.
“I messaged my dad and my agent after the first home game. I was like, ‘You have to come out and experience MS [Dhoni] walking out to the middle'”
“He holds the bat quite low with his hands, whereas I’m more an English or Australian version, with quite high hands,” Overton explains. “The spinners don’t get as much bounce [in India] so I’m trying to be a bit lower, with my hands a bit more relaxed, so I can keep my head really close to the ball… I feel like I’m in a good place with my batting.”Those improvements may come in particularly useful early next year, when Overton will hope to be part of England’s squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. It was about 12 months ago that a stress fracture of the back denied him a place at the 2024 edition, prompting a spell on the sidelines.”I’m in a better place now for being injured,” he reflects. “It actually gave me time to reassess what I need to do with my health.” He had struggled to manage his diet during a winter on the franchise circuit and sought advice from Surrey’s nutritionist Ollie Whiteman; six months later, he had shed 10kg.It is a change that Overton believes could help him extend his career. “When I’m bowling, I put seven or eight times my body weight through my knees and my back every ball. Taking 10kg off… If you’re playing a four-day game and bowling 30 overs, that is a hell of a lot of difference in the strain you’re putting on your body.”The mention of four-day cricket underlines that Overton retains ambitions across formats – for now, at least. He turned 31 this month and concedes that he may be having “some different conversations” in two years’ time but hopes to return to red-ball cricket at some stage this year and believes he could thrive on Australian pitches if selected for the Ashes this winter.In six white-ball games for England in India earlier this year, Overton took nine wickets at an economy of 8.27•Getty Images”Ashes cricket is probably the pinnacle for English players, and I feel like I’ve got a decent record on Australian pitches,” he says. “It probably suits my game more than wickets back in England – but I’m not expecting anything. I need to play red-ball cricket to give myself a chance of being there, so we’ll just see where we get to when I’m back home.”His home season is likely to start with T20Is and ODIs against West Indies and will be dominated by white-ball cricket – including the Hundred, where he was the top pick at March’s draft. “There’s not many bowlers that play all three formats now. I’ve obviously had issues with my body, so the first thing is to make sure that’s in the right spot before going into anything.”I bowled ten overs in the Afghanistan game [at the Champions Trophy], but I’ve not bowled more than that in a day since last April. It’s going to take a lot to get the body back to those bowling workloads, and we’ll just see where we go and play it by ear. It’s a short career, so you’ve got to maximise it while keeping your body in a good place.”But those conversations will come down the line, with Overton soaking in his first IPL experience in the here and now. “Any person’s dream is to travel the world doing what they love doing and I’m fulfilling that at the moment. I’m grateful for whatever I’m doing. Hopefully, it goes on for a lot longer.”
He has the smarts, maturity and stroke-play to fill up a spot that was occupied by two greats for almost three decades
Shashank Kishore24-Jun-20232:22
Has Cheteshwar Pujara played his last Test?
The winds of change are here.For a better part of the last 28 years, India have had two rocks at No. 3 in Test cricket – Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara, who played 267 Tests between them. Their style of play is a throwback to classical ways: mind over matter, technique and hard grind over flamboyance, and crease occupation as important as runs on the board.They made a single look sexy. Think back to Sydney 2008 or Jo’burg 2018, when they elicited wild applause from the crowd for scoring a run after a succession of dots and leaves. They had that effect on you. Leaving the ball was like muscle memory, a sound defensive game their USP. It’s this layer to their game that brought them a combined 20,483 Test runs and 55 centuries.Related
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Now, with Pujara left out for the start of India’s new WTC cycle, beginning with the two-Test tour of the Caribbean in July, India have three batters to choose from to replace him. Among them, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal have earned maiden call-ups. Then there is Shubman Gill, currently an all-format opener.Irrespective of who they pick, one thing is certain: unlike previously, India will be picking a T20 superstar to fill up one of the most critical batting positions. For now, most indications are that a newcomer will be allowed to ease into the role and it’s likely to be Jaiswal, the 21-year-old from Mumbai who has built a solid body of work for the past three seasons.On the face of it, it’s easy to assume Jaiswal is an IPL pick. No uncapped batter has scored more in a single season than the 625 runs he made in 2023, including the tournament’s fastest fifty, off just 13 balls. He pulls and hooks some of the most fearsome fast bowlers for fun. He mimics Jos [Buttler] ‘s scoops and ramps at training and spends hours off the field talking T20 batting with him.Those who know Jaiswal vouch for that inquisitive nature being a reflection of his personality. A go-getter who constantly seeks help in refining himself. “I realised only if you ask for help, you will get it and when there are so many people willing to, you have to make that effort as a youngster,” he told ESPNcricinfo last year. “Later I realised, it wasn’t just my T20 batting that improved. My English got better too.”Earlier this month, Jaiswal was part of India’s WTC contingent for the final as a reserve player after Gaikwad opted out. And after losing the final, when Rohit Sharma touched upon playing a certain “brand of cricket” and how they needed to find those who have done well in domestic cricket, it was as much hint as one could have that the transition phase was about to get kickstarted into motion.Yashasvi Jaiswal has an impressive first-class record, with 1845 runs from 26 innings•ICC via Getty ImagesThis brings us to Jaiswal’s selection. His record in first-class cricket makes for impressive reading: 1845 runs in 26 innings at an average of 80.21. He has converted nine of his 11 half-centuries into three figures. That’s a peek into his insatiable hunger for runs. It’s the kind of hunger that once had him sleeping in tents as a newcomer to Mumbai; it made him realise if someone made 100, he perhaps needed 200 to get noticed.But without for a moment romanticising this “struggle” those from Mumbai often speak of, it’s impressive enough that Jaiswal has managed to carve an identity for himself over the past year alone. Let’s be clear: Jaiswal is unlikely to be your stonewaller; a first-class strike rate of nearly 70 tells you he’ll be anything but that. Jaiswal has developed into a free-stroking batter without compromising on his technique.It’s an uncomplicated approach. There are no exaggerated trigger movements apart from a tap, and brief back-and-across movement for balance that allows him to easily transfer weight forward or back. Jaiswal almost always meets the ball with his eyes right over. And fluid footwork against the short ball allows him to ride the bounce and look increasingly comfortable while tucking deliveries safely into the square.What sets him apart though is the capability to hit similar deliveries into the long leg fence by getting inside the line. With Jaiswal, there’s no one method. His ever-evolving game is a series of minor tweaks made over time. Yet, he can be stodgy when you need him to be. Like in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal last June against a decent Uttar Pradesh attack.Playing in only his third first-class game ever, Jaiswal was dropped twice, on 33 and 37. The first was a lazy swish at a fifth-stump line delivery that had him nicking. Then he flashed one to gully where a tough chance was put down. From beyond the ropes, Mumbai coach Amol Muzumdar sent a clear, but stern message. “You have two options: get a single, watch the next 15 minutes from the non-striker’s end or don’t play any shots even if the ball is there to.”For the remainder of the day, Jaiswal embodied composure and walked back after batting for 353 minutes and getting to a century, his second in first-class cricket, to a polite but satisfied “sir, I followed your instructions” note to his coach.It underlines Jaiswal’s maturity, which for someone just 21 is refreshing. As such, the prospect of filling a position occupied by two greats for close to three decades can be daunting. Jaiswal, though, is equipped to not be burdened by that and embrace sterner challenges that will come his way.
Their contrasting methods, both utterly devastating, gave India a glimpse of an exhilarating ODI future
Saurabh Somani19-Jul-20215:10
Muralidaran: India’s ‘fearless’ batters went after ‘not very good’ SL attack
“They were bowling some good balls which I converted into boundaries.” That was Prithvi Shaw at the post-match presentation, after India had romped to a seven-wicket win with 80 balls to spare against Sri Lanka.Shaw had jump-started a chase of 263 as if India had to get them in 20 overs and not 50. Ishan Kishan, on debut, made more runs and wasn’t tardy either, with a 42-ball 59. Shikhar Dhawan top-scored, anchoring the chase smoothly with 86 not out off 95. And yet, it didn’t feel out of place that the Player-of-the-Match award went to Shaw for his 43 off 24 balls. The remarkable aspect of India’s chase was, it would have felt just as right if it had gone to Kishan.A right-hand opener from Mumbai with a Test century on debut, Dhawan, and a left-hand batter earmarked for bigger things since his days as Under-19 captain. That was India’s top three. Not Rohit Sharma, Dhawan and Virat Kohli – this was Shaw, Dhawan and Kishan.Shaw and Kishan might never fill the big boots their batting positions have been occupied by for so long and with such success. But that isn’t the expectation placed on them either, anyway. They came with license to thrill, and delivered on that promise spectacularly.India’s chase was done in 36.4 overs, and both Shaw and Kishan were out less than halfway through it, but the memories of this game will be formed by their batting. Shaw was all pristine timing, seemingly finding the boundary without even trying to. Kishan, on the other hand, was very visibly trying to find the boundary, and succeeding.When Shaw gets his bat flowing smoothly, the runs come almost effortlessly. One of his checked drives to a Dushmantha Chameera slower ball raced to the long-off boundary. He didn’t have pace on the ball to work with, he had virtually no follow-through, and yet he found the boundary. Pure timing. In his first 22 balls, Shaw hit nine fours. And it would be ten in 23 balls if you attribute the bouncer that rattled his helmet and went for leg-byes to him too.It was glorious, I-don’t-care-what-the-target-is-I’m-having-a-net batting. Within five overs, Shaw had driven India to 57 without loss. An outstanding score in a T20 start. The kind of ODI start you want when your team is chasing 350-plus. A ridiculous shutting out of the opposition when the target is 263.No follow-through, no problem for Prithvi Shaw•AFP/Getty ImagesWith Sri Lanka already pounded by Shaw, Kishan came out and enjoyed the most glorious first two balls anyone could have wished for. Skip, dance, swing, six. Lunge, transfer weight, lash, four. He might be the only player in ODI history to have seen his career strike rate dip by a 100 points, from 600.00 to 500.00, in one ball, despite hitting it to the boundary.Where Shaw’s economy of movement caught the eye, Kishan’s extravagance was the kind you couldn’t tear your gaze away from. He seemed to be operating in a crease that was twice the normal size, twinkling down the track as frequently as he stayed put, swishing his bat in arcs well away from his body. If Sri Lanka had only a glimmer of still making a contest of this game post-Shaw, Kishan stomped on those hopes forcefully.Shaw might have got runs without going looking for them. Kishan went looking, and was just as successful.It was exhilarating batting because this has not been India’s start-of-innings template for the most part in ODIs. Not that they have been slow – they couldn’t have been and had so much success in the format – but the prototype of an Indian innings is one that gathers steam. This one began with an explosion.The lull that followed Kishan’s wicket was brief, the pace picking up again when Suryakumar Yadav – also on ODI debut – walked in at the fall of the third wicket.”I was telling them to take it easy actually,” a beaming Dhawan would say after his captaincy career got off the blocks with an emphatic win. “The way these young boys play in the IPL, they get lots of exposure and they just finished the game in the first 15 overs only. I thought about my hundred but there were not many runs left. When Surya came out to bat, I thought I need to improve my skills!”All said with a guffaw and disarming candor. Taking it easy is not the natural style of Shaw or Kishan. Or Suryakumar for that matter. In a year that will have the T20 World Cup, this frenetic approach in ODIs might not be a bad idea.
The Brewers experienced a redemptive victory in Game 5 of the National League Division Series on Saturday to advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2018. In order to do that, they had to eliminate the Cubs, which was probably a nice little cherry on top of their third run to a league championship series since the early 1980s.
After the game, the team gathered together on the field to take a team picture. Someone got ahold of a white flag with a big blue L on it, meant to mirror Chicago's Win Flag which flies at Wrigley Field whenever the Cubs win.
According to the media present for the picture, pitcher Trevor Megill was the one brave enough to grab the flag and hold it up to immortalize the win with a little bit of trolling.
The two teams have both played in the NL Central since Brewers moved over from the American League in 1998. This troll job is just another chapter in an intense rivalry that's only getting spicier.