Debutant Malki Madara’s three-for combined with two-fors from Kavisha Dilhari and Inoshi Priyadharshani set up a comfortable victory for Sri Lanka in the T20I series opener in Christchurch. Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 64 off 48 balls then took the visitors home with seven wickets in hand. This was Sri Lanka’s first T20I win in New Zealand and second win overall against New Zealand in the format.Emma McLeod (44) was New Zealand’s highest scorer but only two of her team-mates got into double figures, and there was only one partnership that stretched past 20 balls.Despite Priyadharshani dismissing Georgia Plimmer early, the hosts got off to a decent start thanks to captain Suzie Bates’ 14-ball 21. Madara, Sri Lanka’s fourth bowling option, brought on in the fifth over, got the big wicket of Bates which dried up the scoring. The next two overs went for just five runs.Dilhari, the seventh bowler, struck twice upon being introduced in the ninth over as New Zealand slipped from 39 for 1 to 52 for 4. Maddy Green being run out cheaply had New Zealand play with caution as illustrated by the next two partnerships which produced a combined 29 runs off 41 balls.McLeod, who had three fours in her first five balls, finished without adding to that tally across her 46-ball innings. She was the last New Zealand batter to fall as Madara ended the innings in the penultimate over.Athapaththu then hit seven fours and took Sri Lanka to 46 for 0 at the end of the powerplay. Jess Kerr removed Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama in successive overs while Dilhari’s innings was cut short by a run out. Sri Lanka slipped to 66 for 3 but that didn’t stop their captain from attacking.She hit Eden Carson for four immediately after Dilhari’s exit and smacked two sixes and a four off Bree Illing, the first of the sixes brought up her fifty off 43 balls. It left the hosts no room to make an unlikely comeback as Sri Lanka romped to a victory with 35 balls to spare.
Manchester United are looking to conclude some late deals and may now be on the road to making an important signing that will remedy a key area of their squad, according to reports.
Manchester United reject Kobbie Mainoo loan request
Plenty of stories are doing the rounds surrounding Manchester United at the moment, but Kobbie Mainoo’s future has shot to prominence in the last few days amid confusion surrounding his situation.
Despite murmurs that he has submitted a request to go on loan, Ruben Amorim has made it clear that he wants the England international to fight for his place rather than leaving to find regular minutes elsewhere.
He told reporters at his most recent press conference: “I want Kobbie to stay. He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie. So that is not going to change.
“The rest I don’t know how it’s going to finish. I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed, but everyone has the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week.”
After the Red Devils’ shock defeat to Grimsby Town, pressure is on Amorim’s shoulders from Old Trafford chiefs, heightening the need for signings before next Monday’s deadline.
Man Utd now seriously considering late move for "wonderful" £32m midfielder
INEOS may not be done just yet…
2 ByDominic Lund Aug 28, 2025
Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher is in the frame to join Manchester United as a potential reinforcement in the engine room, albeit it remains to be seen whether that can be completed in time.
Randal Kolo Muani has also been approached by the Red Devils, though again, it may be difficult to bring in someone of such repute at short notice.
With speculation escalating, Manchester United are now in the final stages of concluding a deal to address an important area of the field.
Manchester United in final stages of Senne Lammens deal
According to Sacha Tavolieri on X, Manchester United are now in the ‘final stages’ of a deal to sign Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens in a transfer that will amount to £21.6 million.
The 23-year-old is set to sign by the weekend on a five-year contract after talks began to accelerate on Friday, and his current employers are now confident they can complete a sale that will see the Red Devils inherit a valuable option between the sticks.
Earning a save percentage of 73.3% this term, per FBRef, he has conceded four goals in Antwerp’s first four matches of the season, but could now be set to unseat Andre Onana at Old Trafford.
Now, it remains to be seen if the final details mentioned will be wrapped up before the close of play. However, Manchester United appear to be making good time.
Celtic are planning a busy end to the transfer window with Brendan Rodgers wanting at least three more signings coming through the door. The Hoops boss wants to sign a new winger, striker and centre-back to compete for the Scottish Premiership and in Europe.
Rodgers has already made six signings this summer but believes more signings will allow them to compete on multiple fronts, especially if they qualify for the Champions League.
The first of these new signings have been identified as Celtic have put in a bid for one of their long-term forward targets.
Rodgers and Celtic bid for Jota-like winger
Celtics hunt for a new winger might come in the form of long-term target Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Balikwisha is similar in his position and style of play to Jota, as per Football Transfers, so he would be a suitable replacement while the Portuguese star is recovering from his injury.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha in action for Royal Antwerp.
Sports Witness have reported that the Hoops’ interest in Balikwisha first started last summer when Rodgers attempted to sign him. The report also shares that Celtic and Royal Antwerp had negotiations on his signing and that injuries to the Belgian forward halted the deal.
This summer, Celtic are seen as ‘currently the most concrete option’ for Balikwisha’s next team. The Scottish champions have reportedly put in a bid of unknown value, however, that was rejected by Antwerp. It seems the 24-year-old could cost Celtic up to £4.7 million as Antwerp are hoping to recoup most of what they spent on him in 2021.
Balikwisha injury concerns
Celtic have a long-term interest in Balikwisha, and with a similar profile to Jota, he could be a good fit to join the club. However, the deal has failed to come to fruition once before because of his injuries, and it’s certainly a factor that needs to be taken into consideration.
Balikwisha’sInjury History Since Joining Antwerp
Season
Days Missed (Games Missed)
Injury
24/25
205 (29)
2x Unspecified Muscle
1x Torn Thigh
23/24
49 (10)
Knee Surgery
22/23
103 (14)
1x Unspecified Muscle
1x Torn Thigh Muscle
21/22
51 (10)
1x Hip Injury
1x Hamstring Injury
Total
408 (63)
8 Injuries
Even in Balikwisha’s best season at Antwerp, he missed 10 games through injury. However, his best seasons are far less concerning than his worst, as last year he was only available for 17 of Antwerp’s 46 games.
It is not certain that, just because Balikwisha has experienced these injuries at Antwerp, that he would continue to at Celtic. A change in medical staff and physio department might be needed to help the 24-year-old train so that his injuries are not as frequent, but there’s no guarantee of this, and he may just be an injury-prone player.
Celtic will have to take this into consideration when they decide whether or not to make a new offer. From the report, this has been an issue that has deterred them from this transfer in the past, so Rodgers and his team need to decide whether he is worth the money.
يستعد فريق الكرة بـ النادي الأهلي لخوض مباراة هامة أمام منافسه إيجل نوار البوروندي، في افتتاح مشواره ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
ويلتقي الأهلي مع نظيره إيجل نوار بطل بوروندي على أرضية ملعب انتواري، في إطار لقاءات ذهاب دور الـ32 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
ويبدأ الأهلي مشواره الإفريقي هذا الموسم بمواجهة تُعدّ الأولى في طريقه نحو الفوز ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بجانب رغبة لتحقيق انتصار خارج الديار يخفف ضغوط البداية ويمهد الطريق نحو مرحلة المجموعات من المسابقة القارية.
طالع | توروب يٌعلن قائمة الأهلي لمباراة إيجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
وفي الوقت ذاته يترقب جمهور الأهلي الظهور الأول للفريق تحت قيادة المدير الفني الجديد توروب، بعد التعاقد معه خلفًا لخوسيه ريبيرو بعد فترة شهدت تراجعًا في الأداء وتذبذبًا في النتائج، ليبدأ الأهلي صفحة جديدة. موعد مباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار البوروندي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
ومن المقرر أن تنطلق أحداث مباراة الأهلي أمام فريق إيجل نوار، يوم السبت 18 أكتوبر الجاري، في الرابعة عصرًا بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار البوروندي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
وتذاع المباراة بين الأهلي وإيجل نوار، عبر قناة اون سبورت 1.
Ruben Amorim has been brutally told that he "bluffed his way into a job" at Manchester United, with his gift of the gab allowing a prominent Premier League post to be secured. The Portuguese tactician, after impressing in his homeland with Sporting, was handed the reins at Old Trafford in November 2024. A baptism of fire in English football has been endured since then, leading to plenty of uncomfortable questions being asked.
Man Utd stumbled out of the blocks in 2025-26
Amorim is facing more of those at present, with United stumbling out of the blocks again in 2025-26. They could only muster a 15th-place finish last season, while also suffering defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final and missing out on qualification for continental competition. Through six fixtures this term, the Red Devils have seven points to their name.
Advertisement
Getty
Humbling defeats & formation questions for Amorim
Amorim has come in for criticism, having suffered a humbling Carabao Cup defeat at League Two side Grimsby, and refuses to change his ways when it comes to a 3-4-3 system that many believe United lack the players to fit. He has been backed in the transfer market, but little return is being seen on that investment. Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney is among those to have aired concerns regarding the direction in which 13-time Premier League champions are heading.
Did Amorim talking himself into Man Utd job?
Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood, who won the English top-flight title as a player with Blackburn, shares that opinion. He has told of United’s struggles under Amorim: "It looks like they are emulating that season again. All of a sudden to be challenging for the title, that’s not going to happen. But we need to see gradual improvement. When I’m asked ‘Is he under pressure?’, I always said ‘no’. I feel like he should be, but I don’t think he is. I think they will give him this season, I really do.
"He has already been in the job a year, we have seen no improvement. He keeps talking about the three at the back, we have talked about different personnel coming in, playing staff. He has had the windows to bring the players in. Perhaps he hasn’t got what he wants. How many more windows are we going to give him and when are we going to see an improvement – even gradual? We aren’t seeing anything.
"What we are seeing is a man who sticks his chest out, certainly in the press conferences. When I see him on the touchline, he has got his head down, he was hiding in the dugout at Grimsby. But when I see him in front of the press, he fronts it up – he looks and he talks brilliantly. He has probably talked so well that he has bluffed his way into a job there at Man United because we’re not seeing anything.
"He has done very well in Portugal, a lot of managers do very well in Portugal – it’s an inferior league to the Premier League. You can build sides on the job, you have three or four games in Portugal that are really competitive, the other times you can just play and experiment with different formations. You can’t do that in the Premier League. You do that in the Premier League, you come unstuck. And that is what he’s been doing. Since he has been at the football club, 34 points in 33 games, it’s not good enough, it’s relegation form."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty
International reset: One more game before next break
Sherwood has previously accused Amorim’s United of looking "clueless", with questions being asked of what he is doing on the training ground to get his squad ready to deliver on a remit that has been in place for several months now.
The Red Devils came unstuck at Brentford in their latest fixture, with club captain Bruno Fernandes missing a penalty in a demoralising 3-1 defeat. United have just one more game to take in before the next international break, during which another reset button could be hit, with Amorim and Co set to play host to newly-promoted Sunderland on Saturday.
It’s hard to predict how this season is going to go for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
On the one hand, Vitor Pereira proved himself to be a more than competent manager last year, and someone capable of getting more out of his players than you’d expect.
Yet on the other hand, the Old Gold have sold their two best players in Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha this summer, massively weakening both ends of the pitch.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom, as the club has made a couple of interesting signings themselves, and if reports are to be believed, they could be about to bring in a young phenom who could be the heir to Cunha.
Wolves target their new Cunha
While losing both Ait-Nouri and Cunha could be hugely detrimental to Wolves’ chances this season, the Old Gold have at least added a number of exciting talents to the squad who could be enough to keep them away from a relegation scrap.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Jhon Arias, for example, managed to rack up 17 goal involvements in 35 games last season, Fer Lopez racked up 11 in 37, and Jorgen Strand Larsen, whose loan has now been made permanent, scored 14 goals and provided five assists in 38 games during his debut campaign at Molineux.
Moreover, while some clubs would stop there, it appears as if the West Midlands outfit want to make at least one more signing before the window slams shut next month and bring in someone who could be the heir to Cunha.
At least that is according to a recent report from the Daily Mail, which claims Wolves are interested in Ben Doak.
In good news, the report has revealed that Liverpool are willing to sell the teenage sensation for a relatively reasonable fee of around £20m.
However, the less good news is that there could be quite a battle to land the Scotsman’s signature, with Leeds United, West Ham United, and Everton all credited with an interest.
It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Doak’s ability and massive potential, one worth fighting for, especially as he could be an heir to Cunha at Wolves.
Why Doak could be Cunha's heir
Now, the first thing to say here is that we are not suggesting that Doak is anywhere near the level of Cunha at the moment, nor will he likely be there within the next season or two.
After all, the mercurial Brazilian managed to score 17 goals and provide six assists in just 36 appearances for the Old Gold last season, and was arguably one of the most dynamic players in the Premier League.
However, just because it’s unlikely that the young Scotsman would be able to replicate the new Manchester United star’s output from the word go, it does not mean he couldn’t still be his long-term heir at Molineux.
We say this because the 19-year-old has shown plenty of potential over the last year or so, and has got plenty of people in the know very excited about the player he could become.
For example, while on loan with Middlesbrough in the Championship last season, the “explosive” ace, as dubbed by Danny Murphy, was able to score three goals and provide seven assists in just 1789 minutes across 24 appearances.
That means the potentially “generational” talent, as dubbed by analyst John Walker, averaged a goal involvement every 2.4 games, or every 178.9 minutes, in what was his first full season of senior football.
It’s not like he just got lucky either, as his underlying numbers are utterly superb.
According to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the next best 14 competitions for carries into the penalty area, the top 2% for progressive carries and touches in the opponent’s penalty area, the top 6% for non-penalty expected goals per shot and more, all per 90.
Progressive Passes Received
12.65
Top 1%
Carries into Penalty Area
4.05
Top 1%
Progressive Carries
6.78
Top 2%
Shots on Target %
51.9%
Top 2%
Touches (Att Pen)
6.12
Top 2%
Progressive Carrying Distance
160.46
Top 3%
Average Shot Distance
13.60
Top 4%
npxG/Shot
0.16
Top 6%
Touches (Att 3rd)
30.93
Top 7%
Assists
0.35
Top 8%
SCA (Live-ball Pass)
3.34
Top 11%
Penalty Kicks Won
0.05
Top 11%
Total Carrying Distance
246.56
Top 12%
GCA (Live-ball Pass)
0.46
Top 14%
Passes into Penalty Area
1.87
Top 17%
Carries into Final Third
2.58
Top 17%
Pass Completion %
79.1%
Top 18%
Goal-Creating Actions
0.56
Top 18%
Key Passes
2.23
Top 20%
Ultimately, while there is still some way to go in his development, it’s clear that Doak is an immensely talented player, and in time could become as crucial to Wolves as Cunha once was.
Therefore, while it’s going to be a tough transfer to get over the line, the Old Gold should be doing everything they can to bring the young Scotsman to the West Midlands this month.
Wolves make formal approach for £45 million pair in potential double deal
The Old Gold could look to initiate two deals to bolster the ranks.
Australia withstood a thrilling onslaught from Maddy Green to secure a 3-0 whitewash over T20I world champions New Zealand in Wellington with the home side left to rue a woeful fielding display in which they dropped Georgia Voll six times.When Sophie Devine fell in the ninth over, New Zealand were a long way adrift in their chase of 181 on 54 for 4 – which included Megan Schutt becoming the first women’s player to 150 T20I wickets – but Green turned the game on its head with a 29-ball fifty, her first in T20Is, and in all struck five sixes while adding a New Zealand-record 99 for the fifth wicket with Amelia Kerr.That brought the requirement down to 28 from 15 balls when Green fell to a brilliant piece of fielding by Georgia Wareham who produced a direct hit from deep midwicket the over after she had missed a return catch from Amelia Kerr on 55.Annabel Sutherland then claimed three wickets in four balls in the 19th over with Wareham again to the fore with an excellent catch to remove Jess Kerr and a simpler one to end Amelia Kerr’s innings. That all-but ensured Australia would get home with New Zealand needing 20 off the last and Brooke Halliday unable to bat due to an injury sustained in the field.The eventual narrow margin highlighted what could have been for New Zealand had they taken any of the chances offered by Voll as she made her second half-century of the series and she was honest enough to admit her fortune. “Think I’m going to head to the Lotto store and buy one after this game,” she told the broadcast at the change of innings.Brooke Halliday shells one of multiple chances New Zealand missed•Getty Images
Voll added 64 for the first wicket with Beth Mooney and 54 for the second with Phoebe Litchfield. Australia’s innings was then given a strong finish by Ellyse Perry who made an unbeaten 32 off 19 deliveries and captain Tahlia McGrath with 14 from five balls. In all, 109 came from the second ten overs after Australia had been a steady if unspectacular 71 for 1 at the midway point.After the home side opted to bowl first, the tone for their horror catching display was set in the first over when Jess Kerr was unable to hold a firm return chance, high to her right, offered by Voll two balls after she had cleared deep square leg for six from the third ball of the contest.Two much simpler opportunities were shelled by Green at mid-on (when Voll was 13) and Rosemary Mair at long-off with the latter allowing Voll to bring up her fifty from 44 balls.Voll was never entirely fluent and at times appeared frustrated, particularly during the powerplay when Mair and Devine managed to build some pressure with dot balls. However, Mooney was able to keep the scoreboard moving as Australia finished the fielding restrictions on 43 without loss.Georgia Voll took advantage of numerous dropped catches•Getty Images
After reaching fifty, Voll was starting to move through the gears, using the crease to good effect, while being given further lives on 62 and 63 before finally falling to Suzie Bates when she walked across her stumps.Amid all the dropped chances, Mair managed to cling onto a swirling chance to remove Sutherland but Australia produced a powerful finish with 15 off the last over when New Zealand were penalized for a slow over-rate and were forced to have an extra fielder inside the ring.New Zealand’s chase began in bizarre fashion when Schutt’s first delivery slipped out of her hand, bounced by her feet and bobbled up the pitch for a no-ball that brought some wry smiles. But it was soon normal service for Schutt when she removed Bates to join Tim Southee and Rashid Khan as the only players in the T20I 150-club.Schutt struck again in her second over to remove Georgia Plimmer and Bella James’ debut innings was ended with a spliced pull against Sutherland. Amelia Kerr started brightly but Devine couldn’t hit her stride and picked out deep midwicket against Wareham for 1 off 9 balls.At that point, New Zealand needed a daunting 127 off 71 balls. But Green cleared the rope for the first time from her 17th delivery, clubbing McGrath over the leg side, and then took four more sixes in the space of seven deliveries to suddenly give the home side belief before Australia, as so often, found a way to come out on top.
Back in February, reports emerged that Arsenal were set to spend big this summer. It was alleged this would be an unprecedented transfer window.
Well, the Kroenke’s have certainly put their money where their mouth is. This has indeed been a remarkable few months on the transfer front.
Having hired Andrea Berta to replace Edu in the early months of the year, the Italian has performed incredible work with regard to incomings.
The Gunners have added their elusive centre-forward at long last, welcoming Viktor Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium.
They’ve signed back-up to Bukayo Saka in the form of Noni Madueke, they’ve replaced midfield departees with Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, while they’ve strengthened the rearguard too.
Cristhian Mosquera arrived in a bargain deal from Valencia and Piero Hincapie, providing Jakub Kiwior leaves, also looks poised to arrive in north London.
But, of course, the standout addition in recent weeks has been Eberechi Eze. Could we smell another repeat of that in the last six days of the window? It’s unlikely, but there’s another player lusting after signing for the club he supporters.
An Eze repeat for Arsenal
A week ago to the day, Berta completed a remarkable hijacking, one we’ve very rarely seen in the Premier League in recent years.
Eze was all set to sign for Tottenham Hotspur. The Crystal Palace playmaker had agreed personal terms and the Eagles were just putting the finishing touches on a deal with Spurs.
Yet, after a last-minute phone call with Mikel Arteta where Eze enquired about the possibility of signing for Arsenal, the decision makers met later that day and a deal was agreed by the evening.
It was a remarkable turn of events as the England international headed to the red side of the capital in a move worth an initial £60m.
This has been a brutal window for Spurs and should the Gunners conclude a move for Hincapie, it will have been another hijacking of sorts. Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Lilywhites had made a bid before their noisy neighbours came calling.
But, if Arsenal have their way, they could sign another Spurs target. Reports on Tuesday indicated that as Tottenham gear up for a busy end to the window, they have made calls to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.
Valued as highly as £69m, this news is significant because, as is well-documented, Semenyo is a boyhood Arsenal fan like Eze.
Earlier in the window it was reported that Semenyo was indeed keen on the idea of playing for Arsenal. So, why should they make a move?
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Why Semenyo could be the new Saka for Arsenal
It must be stated that the idea of Arsenal signing another forward after Eze this summer is highly unlikely.
However, there are still some supporters who believe Arteta’s side is lacking genuine quality on the flanks, Saka aside.
Eze might well take a role on the left side of the pitch but the jury remains out on fellow new signing, Madueke, while concerns have been held about Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard’s inconsistent form for over a year now.
Martinelli, in particular, is a cause for concern. He’s usually the first to be subbed and it was rather damning that he played zero minutes during Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds.
Martinelli and Trossard in pre-season
There has been talk of a move to Saudi this summer and if that did occur, it could well grant the Gunners the freedom to sign another forward, whether it be in the final week of the window or in future windows.
Semenyo has been a mighty fine player for Bournemouth. He’s two-footed, a “duel monster” in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, and he can play on either flank.
Arteta loves positional versatility and that’s what the Cherries attacker would offer to the Spaniard if he moved to the club.
Last season, no player had more shots in the Premier League than Semenyo, a fact that rubberstamps the immense threat he holds in the final third. His performance against Liverpool on the division’s opening night was also really rather special.
But, with an ability to glide inside from the right and beat his man, there are shades of a certain Saka.
Goals
0.31
0.31
Assists
0.14
0.52
Progressive passes
3.06
3.65
Progressive carries
3.93
5.00
Successful take-ons
1.94
2.14
Carries into final 3rd
1.94
1.67
While Saka was evidently streets ahead as far as assists were concerned in the top-flight last term, their carrying ability is very similar.
Indeed, when it comes to take-ons and movement into the final third of the pitch, in particular, there’s not a lot to separate them.
Both players ooze quality, they glide across the right-hand side of the field with ease and they have proven themselves to be two of the most dangerous forwards in English football.
Admittedly, a deal is unlikely, but wouldn’t it be nice to steal another player away from Spurs?
Perfect for Saka: Arsenal submit bid to sign "complete" star after Hincapie
Arsenal have made their move to land another star for Mikel Arteta this summer.
Royals captain further said they want to be a team that also wins while chasing, not just batting first
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-20252:07
Jaffer: Quality of RR’s squad after auction is questionable
Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson has pulled up his bowlers for veering off from the team’s death-overs plans during their 58-run loss to Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad.RR started well with a fiery spell from Jofra Archer, who dismissed Shubman Gill for 2 and made use of the movement and bounce on offer, but the team leaked 72 runs in the final five overs that lifted GT from 145 for 2 to 217 for 6. They also conceded 17 runs in all through wides.”There was definitely some purchase in the wicket, “Samson said in the post-match presentation, “having someone like a Jofra to bowl first, the way he started taking Shubman Gill’s wicket and the way we started in the powerplay, that’s what we planned.Related
Samson backs himself to lead Royals youngsters to IPL glory
Team combination continues to be a problem for Royals
Prasidh, the silent superstar in Titans' mix-and-match attack
Samson fined INR 24 lakh for RR's second over-rate offence
Sai Sudharsan and Prasidh lead GT to the top of the IPL table
“We just went off the plan in the death overs. I think, a few plans… we prepared something else, the bowlers executed something else. So we need to look back maybe tomorrow or day after in the meeting and we’ll come back and try to execute the same.”They [GT] also batted really well but I think a couple of sixes or 15 to 20 runs, we gave away in the bowling.”Even though Maheesh Theekshana dismissed M Shahrukh Khan in the 16th over, he also leaked 18 runs off it before Sandeep Sharma sent down the 17th for 13 runs. Archer then returned for an 11-run 18th over – that conceded just one boundary – but then Tushar Deshpande bowled the 19th over for 14 runs and Sandeep’s last went for 16, as Rahul Tewatia went on the charge.RR’s spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule also said in the press conference that “it was a very good track to bat on” but they expected the par score to be around “180 to 200″ and not 217.”Yeah, we could have maybe given about 20 runs less but I think they batted well,” he said. “[B] Sai Sudharsan came out of the powerplay very strongly and they had better partnerships than what we did, and that’s how they got a total, which was big but I personally feel we could have got closer to that only if we had some partnerships going.1:10
Bangar: Royals missed a sixth bowling option
“T20 is a format where sometimes the execution doesn’t go the way you want it to. They [RR’s bowling attack] obviously had plans but unfortunately the execution didn’t happen the way they wanted. We are going to bowl some wides [in T20s], but overall the bowling unit definitely did their best on a track which was full of runs.”RR went into the game on the back of wins against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), both after batting first. But Samson, who opted to bowl on Wednesday, backed to his decision despite the loss and said RR didn’t want to be a team “that’s only good at defending totals”.”When you lose games, we also feel that ‘should we have chased first’ or ‘should we have done something else?’ But I think the conditions, we were expecting this, and this was a really good wicket to chase on,” he said. “We’d like to stick in and respect the conditions and do what the condition requires. We don’t want to end up being a team that’s only good at defending totals. We also want to win games while chasing, not just while batting first.”
Looking to follow up their recent deal to sign Emanuel Emegha in 2026, Chelsea have reportedly joined the race to sign a teenage gem ahead of their Premier League rivals.
Chelsea agree deal to sign Emegha
Once again using BlueCo’s connection to Strasbourg – another club that they own – Chelsea have officially announced a deal to sign Emegha. The talented striker will join the club in 2026 after one more season in France and represents the fifth player to move to either Chelsea or Strasbourg in the last 12 months.
Emegha’s pending arrival will lead to questions about Nicolas Jackson’s future once again. The forward is currently on loan at Bayern Munich, but even though that deal has an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met, Bayern chief Uli Hoeneß recently made it clear that it is unlikely that he reaches those conditions.
He told reporters: “It’s not a €16.5m loan fee, because the player and his agent are contributing €3m, so that leaves €13.5m. And there will definitely not be a permanent contract. That only happens if he plays 40 games from the start. He will never do that.”
Outscoring Palmer: Chelsea sold the "closest thing" to Hazard for just £18m
A former Chelsea attacker who was tipped to be the next Eden Hazard has now been outscoring Cole Palmer in 2025.
ByBen Gray Sep 12, 2025
If that proves to be the case, Chelsea will have as many as four strikers at their disposal in 2026 with Jackson’s sale still on their list of priorities. That’s not to say their spending is about to end, however.
The Blues have now reportedly turned their focus towards Enzo Maresca’s midfield, joining the race to sign a teenage sensation ahead of their Premier League rivals.
Chelsea racing to sign Jorthy Mokio
According to TeamTalk, Chelsea are now racing to sign Jorthy Mokio from Ajax after sending scouts to watch the 17-year-old midfielder. Compared to Declan Rice and former Stamford Bridge star N’Golo Kante, the Belgian is certainly one to watch in the next 12 months. As ever, Ajax have helped develop an incredibly impressive talent after securing his signature from KAA Gent last summer.
Compared to Kante by TeamTalk thanks to his exceptional recovery ability and positioning during transitions, Mokio could yet follow Jorrel Hato’s path by swapping Ajax for Chelsea as a rising star.
Described as “quick & agile” as well as “intelligent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango last May, Mokio has only improved ever since. Now, as several Premier League sides chase his signature, the midfielder, who can also play centre-back, has a decision to make.