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As the Premier League campaign draws near, Manchester City have now reportedly been told that a half-price offer will be enough to sign a midfield target this month.

As expected, it’s been a busy summer for Manchester City on all fronts. They began with a flourish of incomings in preparation for the Club World Cup and have since taken their total to six fresh faces. Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, James Trafford, Sverre Nypan and Marcus Bettinelli have all arrived as Pep Guardiola aims to rebuild following last season’s disappointment.

After missing out on the Premier League title for the first time in four seasons last time out, however, it’s not just incomings that Man City have been working on this summer. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Yan Couto have already sealed permanent departures, whilst Jack Grealish looks likely to follow suit.

The England international was left out of Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad earlier this summer and has seemed destined for a departure ever since. There remain question marks over just where his next destination could be, though.

Whilst Everton have opened talks to sign Grealish, Tottenham Hotspur have also reportedly made contact and could certainly do with a creative spark following the news that James Maddison will miss the majority of the campaign through injury.

Related Man City now eyeing hijack of £35m rising star with Man Utd also set to bid

The Blues have set their sights on a Manchester United target…

Posts 1 ByDominic Lund Aug 6, 2025

Meanwhile, as one talented midfielder potentially heads for the exit door, the Citizens have reportedly been handed the chance to land a transfer target of their own at a bargain price this month.

Man City told they can sign Paqueta in half-price deal

Following the news that he’s been cleared of any spot-fixing charges, the transfer rumours regarding Lucas Paqueta’s future have once again been sparked into life. According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Man City have now been told they can sign Paqueta for £45m this summer in what is around half the £85m fee that they’ve previously been quoted by West Ham United.

In a bargain deal, those at the Etihad have quite the decision to make. Whilst the addition of Reijnders has helped solve their midfield problem, the chance to sign a long-term target at a bargain price may well be too good to turn down.

Now that he doesn’t have potential charges hanging over him too, Paqueta may finally get back to his best following a disappointing campaign last time out. And it’s at his best that the midfield star has earned impressive praise from former West Ham boss David Moyes, who described him as “incredible”.

Now, amid reports that Graham Potter has opened the door for his exit, the Brazilian could finally get the big move that he was previously denied.

Nottingham Forest fans must be having sleepless nights over the long-term future of Morgan Gibbs-White.

It looked nailed on that the 25-year-old was going to be the next through the exit door at the City Ground after Anthony Elanga, as Tottenham Hotspur smugly activated his release clause, yet this move looks to be fraught with controversy now, with the Tricky Trees even threatening legal action over Spurs’ cloak-and-dagger approach.

Whatever does occur between now and the entertaining transfer window closing involving Gibbs-White, Forest know they will need to press on with more incoming signings joining Nuno Espirito Santo’s group, with an ambitious midfield move now reportedly in the pipeline.

Nottingham Forest prepare move for £50m battler

Talk about fresh, new signings entering the fray has taken a backseat somewhat due to the drama of Elanga leaving and Gibbs-White nearly following suit.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

However, there have been some notable links here and there, with Ben Doak allegedly on the Forest radar for around the £25m mark as the Scotsman contemplates a move away from Liverpool.

Another standout rumour comes in the form of ex-Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz who could make a return to the Premier League with Forest.

talkSPORT are reporting that Nuno’s men are ‘exploring’ a move for the former £50m Juventus buy, as Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis fancies the idea of bringing the top-flight-experienced Brazilian back to the Midlands.

It is stated that his £100k-per-week wage could be a potential stumbling block, but this might well be a standout signing Forest need to pursue in order to potentially convince Gibbs-White to remain put over favouring Champions League opportunities elsewhere, with the pair perhaps striking up an exciting midfield partnership very soon.

Why Gibbs-White could love playing with Luiz

Before flopping in Turin, starting just three Serie A games last term, Luiz was a dependable performer week in week out for Unai Emery’s Villans, with a sumptuous effort such as this one against AFC Bournemouth in his back pocket.

Not just an energetic battler in the middle of the park, Luiz has proven himself to be more than capable of chipping in with a goal and an assist in the final third.

Indeed, he collected a sizeable haul of 22 goals and 24 assists for Villa, with Gibbs-White coincidentally on the exact same tally at this point in time for Forest as another livewire in the centre of the pitch.

Games played

175

154

Goals scored

20

18

Assists

18

27

Passes completed

7,744 (87%)

4,106 (78%)

Dribbles completed

202 (66%)

298 (48%)

Duels won

775

591

Tackles won

285

123

Looking at the table above, it’s clear there are differences between the duo, however, that would help them form a healthy working relationship, with Luiz more than content sitting deeper in the pitch when viewing his high number of 775 duels being won across his Premier League career to date, alongside his 285 tackles.

On the contrary, Gibbs-White excels when bombing forward, with Luiz’s addition to the group gifting Forest more stability in the middle, alongside an equally combative Elliot Anderson, to allow for the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker to express himself even more.

During his final season at Villa Park, Luiz averaged a mightily impressive 5.3 ball recoveries in league action to be that tireless presence for his side, with football analyst Statman Dave even going out of his way to label the Brazilian as an “engine” for his relentless drive.

Away from competently completing his dirty work, Luiz would also be an addition that would stand out to the wantaway Englishman. Forest clearly need to showcase their ambition to Gibbs-White and the Brazilian’s pedigree in European competitions, as seen in the six Champions League appearances, would potentially be the type of signing to prove that.

Rather than deserting Forest, therefore, Gibbs-White might well believe Europe’s grandest stage can come to the City Ground shortly if Luiz’s expertise is added to the mix.

With new pictures coming out of Forest also showing Gibbs-White returning to training, it might not be a foregone conclusion anymore that the 25-year-old is on the move, especially if the “world-class” Luiz, as he was once labelled by ex-Villa teammate John McGinn, heads to Nottingham.

Dream Elanga replacement: Nottingham Forest in contact to sign £25m "menace"

Nottingham Forest now need to replace Elanga after his move to Newcastle

ByJoe Nuttall Jul 15, 2025

Fair to say, this transfer window has not exactly gone to plan for Newcastle United.

Anthony Elanga has arrived from Nottingham Forest for a reported fee of £55m, which is certainly an exciting addition.

However, now that James Trafford is poised to re-join Manchester City, the Magpies have now missed out on seven key targets, with Hugo Ekitiké, Liam Delap, João Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Dean Huijsen all choosing to go elsewhere.

There’s also the small matter of their best player, seemingly, going on strike to force through a move, more on that in just a second, hence why Eddie Howe is in the market searching for a striker.

Newcastle's search for a new striker

As you may have pieced together by now, according to a report by Chris Waugh of the Athletic, Alexander Isak has not travelled with the rest of the squad to Asia for pre-season friendlies in Singapore and Korea Republic.

The club statement claims he is nursing a groin injury, but George Caulkin of the Athletic outlines the Sweden international’s desire to leave and join an ‘elite team’, with a move to Liverpool his preference.

Thus, as they commence their striker search, Craig Hope of the Daily Mail reports that Newcastle have added Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson to their list of targets.

The Blues have already signed both Liam Delap and João Pedro for £30m and £55m respectively this summer, so Matt Law of the Telegraph claims Jackson is available for sale, with Chris Burns of Football.London adding that the Senegalese international is valued at around £80m.

So, could Jackson soon swap West London for the North East?

How Nicolas Jackson would improve Newcastle

Despite often being much maligned, Jackson’s scoring record since joining Chelsea two summers ago is pretty impressive, bagging 30 goals in 81 appearances for the club, including netting both times Newcastle have visited Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch praised his “unbelievable” performances, while Liam Twomey and Mark Carey of the Athletic document his ‘excellent’ pressing, making him ‘a big part’ of how the team play.

Similarly, Ed Dove of ESPN outlines how the Blues’ form waned while Jackson was injured, praising the striker’s ‘broader contribution… without the ball’ as well as his ‘self-sacrifice and relentless running’, becoming the first Chelsea player to reach double figures for Premier League goals in successive seasons since Didier Drogba.

Should he move to Newcastle, Jackson would be following in the footsteps of a pair of fellow Senegalese strikers who are certainly remembered fondly on Tyneside.

During the 2011/12 season, spearheaded by Papiss Cissé and Demba Ba, the Magpies finished fifth under Alan Pardew, just two years after being promoted from the Championship, and both strikers were on fire.

Alexander Isak

2024/25

23

Alexander Isak

2023/24

21

Callum Wilson

2022/23

18

Loïc Rémy

2013/14

14

Demba Ba

2012/13

13

Demba Ba

2011/12

16

Papiss Cissé

2011/12

13

Alan Shearer

2003/04

22

Alan Shearer

2002/03

17

Alan Shearer

2001/02

23

Alan Shearer

1999/00

23

Alan Shearer

1998/99

14

Alan Shearer

1996/97

25

Les Ferdinand

1996/97

16

As the table outlines, 2011/12 remains the only season in which two Newcastle players have scored 13 or more Premier League goals since the heady days of 1996/97, a year the Magpies finished second.

Demba Ba, the more prolific of the duo, was ultimately sold to Chelsea for £7.5m in January 2013, so could Jackson become the reverse Ba?

Well, let’s compare the pair to find out.

Games

54

33

65

Minutes

4,399

1,533

5,050

Goals

29

7

24

Mins per goal

152

219

210

Assists

6

1

10

As the table outlines, Ba at Newcastle was marginally more prolific than Jackson has been during his time at Chelsea, scoring five more goals in around 600 fewer minutes, albeit the latter has registered more assists; the former certainly did not continue this scoring spree at Stamford Bridge all those years ago!

Nevertheless, in contrast, Jackson, at 24 years old, would surely be primed to have make immediate impact should he arrive at Newcastle, just as Ba did, hence why he should be amongst their top targets, if Isak does indeed get his wish and depart.

More prolific than Sesko: Newcastle targeting move for £87m "monster"

Newcastle are looking to bring in another striker or two this summer

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 27, 2025

اعترف دين هويسن، مدافع نادي ريال مدريد، أن بعض لاعبي برشلونة قد سخروا منه، بعدما اختار اللاعب الشاب التوقيع مع الملكي.

هويسن برز اسمه بقوة خلال الموسم الماضي، في ظل مستواه المتميز للغاية مع نادي بورنموث، حيث كان اللاعب الشاب حديث الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وجعل مستوى هويسن المتميز العديد من الأندية الأوروبية الكبرى تطلب التعاقد معه، ومن بينها برشلونة وآرسنال وليفربول إلى جانب تشيلسي.

لكن في نهاية المطاف نجح ريال مدريد في التعاقد مع هويسن قادمًا من بورنموث، مقابل حوالي 58 مليون يورو وبعقد مدته ست سنوات.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مبابي يعترف: عملاق أوروبي حاول ضمي.. وألونسو مدرب رائع

وقال هويسن في تصريحات نقلها صحفي شبكة سكاي سبورتس، فابريزيو رومانو: “في المنتخب الوطني، أخبرني بعض اللاعبين أنني اتخذت قرارًا صائبًا باختيار ريال مدريد، لاعبو برشلونة يسخرون مني، لكننا سوف نلتقي في الكلاسيكو وسنرى”.

هويسن حجز مكانه بنجاح في التشكيلة الأساسية لـ ريال مدريد سريعًا وبات من بين أهم اللاعبين في تكتيك المدرب الشاب تشابي ألونسو.

ويعتبر كذلك هويسن لاعبًا أساسيًا في منتخب إسبانيا، وذلك على حساب لاعب برشلونة، باو كوبارسي.

Club World Cup hopefuls Benfica are set to raid Wolverhampton Wanderers should they be knocked out of the competition earlier than expected, according to a recent report.

2025 Club World Cup gets underway

The FIFA Club World Cup has been given a makeover this year, with 32 teams now qualifying for a competition that will take place every four years, just like the World Cup. Teams such as Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester City have qualified from Europe, with many other teams from across the globe also participating in the USA.

How to Watch the FIFA Club World Cup for Free

Everything you need to know about the Club World Cup.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025

The competition got underway this weekend as Inter Miami and Al Ahly played out a goalless draw. Since then, Bayern Munich have thrashed Auckland City 10-0 and Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain have beaten Atlético Madrid 4-0.

Representing England in this competition are Chelsea and Man City, who previously won this competition back in 2023. Chelsea get their tournament underway on Monday as they face Los Angeles Football Club, while City have to wait until Wednesday when they play against Wydad Casablanca.

Benfica eyeing Pereira if booted from Club World Cup

Benfica are participating in the competition and are preparing for their opening match against Boca Juniors on Monday. Ahead of that game, The Sun reports that should Benfica flop in the Club World Cup, they will make a move for Wolves’ Vitor Pereira.

Bruno Lage is currently the manager of the Portuguese side, someone Wolves know well, given his time at Molineux. The 49-year-old is under growing pressure following last season’s performances, and should they be knocked out early, club president Rui Costa is ready to move for Pereira.

This news comes at a time when Wolves have already seen big-name players such as Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri leave to join Manchester United and Manchester City, and now their manager could be on the way out.

Games

22

Won

10

Drawn

3

Lost

9

Points

33

Points per game

1.50

Pereira arrived at Molineux in December 2024, taking charge of 25 matches, and in that time oversaw an excellent turnaround which saw Wolves go from destined for relegation to a comfortable finish at the end of the season.

The Portuguese has won 10 of his 22 Premier League matches in charge, which led to pundit and former Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer heaping huge praise on Pereira, stating what he has done has been “incredible”.

“He really has done an incredible job, the whole atmosphere on the pitch and off the pitch.

“He’s given everyone belief and confidence, made them more solid at the back. All over the park, they’re better, so he’s done a great job.”

Molineux chiefs are reportedly scrambling to tie the manager down and ward off any interest from Benfica, but fans may have a new team to root for in the revised Club World Cup given the impact it could have in the West Midlands.

Liverpool have made a shock offer for a £400k-a-week star who is now keen to play in Europe next season, according to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Reds' summer transfer plans taking shape

After two quiet transfer windows since replacing Jürgen Klopp in the dugout, Arne Slot will be tasked with strengthening his squad in a number of key areas this summer, and FSG are prepared to back their manager with significant financial backing.

A new striker could be required, with Darwin Nunez’s future in doubt, and the aforementioned report names Napoli’s Victor Osimhen as a potential option, alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and prolific Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold recently confirming his decision to leave his boyhood club this summer, the Reds have also ramped up their pursuit of a new right-back, and David Ornstein believes Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong is keen on a move to Anfield.

The dream Isak alternative: Liverpool working on deal for £60m goal machine

Liverpool could be about to land a star who could allow fans to forget about Alexander Isak.

ByEthan Lamb May 7, 2025

Having perhaps overrelied on Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, there have also been suggestions that Slot could look to bring in a new midfielder this summer, and there is serious interest in Stuttgart maestro Angelo Stiller.

However, a surprise move for a Premier League attacking midfielder could also be on the cards, according to Di Marzio, with the Sky Sports journalist recently stating Liverpool have now made a shock offer for Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne is set to leave Man City on a free transfer this summer, with Pep Guardiola’s side taking the decision not to extend his contract, but the Belgian wants to remain in Europe, despite widespread links to the MLS.

Napoli are making a concrete attempt to sign the 33-year-old, so there could also be competition for his signature from some of Europe’s top clubs.

"World-class" De Bruyne likened to Gerrard

In truth, the Man City legend moving to Anfield doesn’t seem particularly realistic, given that he was in direct competition with the Reds for a number of years, during which time he impressed Klopp, who described the maestro as “world-class”.

Wayne Rooney has also likened the Belgium international to Steven Gerrard in the past, saying: “De Bruyne reminds me a bit of Steven Gerrard. He drifts out to that right-hand side and plays some brilliant balls whipped in, like Stevie used to. What I like most is he takes chances, he takes risks, he doesn’t go for the easy ball – he plays the hard pass.”

The £400k-a-week star is evidently in the twilight years of his career, given City’s willingness to sanction a departure, but he has still impressed in the Premier League at times this season, while also catching the eye in the FA Cup.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Premier League

25

4

7

FA Cup

3

2

1

As such, De Bruyne could still be a difference-maker for a top club, but a move to Anfield would be extremely controversial.

Manchester United have made a £115m+ offer for the services of an “exceptional” attacking player, according to an exciting new transfer update.

Man Utd eyeing high-profile signings

The Red Devils and INEOS continue to be linked with some massive talents ahead of the summer transfer window, including Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling. The Englishman has been one of the new bright sparks in an otherwise hugely disappointing season for Saint, and Ruben Amorim could snap him up if his side win the Europa League.

Meanwhile, United are said to be leading the race to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who has enjoyed an excellent campaign for an impressive Cherries side. Amorim reportedly loves him as a player, with the Ghanaian registering 12 goal contributions (eight goals and four assists) in the Premier League in 2024/25 to date.

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is also seen as an option for the Red Devils before next season gets underway, following some eye-catching performances for the Bundesliga side. That said, rivals Liverpool are also firmly in the mix and may even be winning the race to sign him.

In terms of potential outgoings at United in the summer, Rasmus Hojlund could depart Old Trafford, following a tough season. The Premier League giants may be happy to accept offers of £55m.

Man Utd make £115m+ offer for Netherlands star Simons

According to a report from Spain, Manchester United have made a huge £115.7m bid for RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons ahead of the summer.

The story describes him as “one of the most promising players in Europe”, following a strong campaign for the Bundesliga side, having joined permanently from Paris Saint-Germain after an initial loan spell.

Simons is a young player with a huge amount of promise, and it is encouraging for United supporters to see the club being so ambitious in the transfer market.

A lot may depend on whether Amorim’s side are back in the Champions League next season by virtue of winning the Europa League, with the Dutchman arguably wanting to play in Europe’s top club competition.

Simons could be such an asset for United, combining great technical ability with end product and versatility in the final third, with Christoph Freund saying of the 21-year-old:

“He is a very good player. He had a very good European Championship and a great season with Leipzig. He’s developed really well. I think he’s going to have a really good career at the highest level. He has everything, mentality, character and is just an exceptional player.”

This season, Simons has scored nine goals and bagged five assists in the Bundesliga, and he also enjoyed a good EURO 2024 campaign with the Netherlands last summer, assisting three times and netting in his country’s eventual 2-1 defeat to England in the semi-finals.

Man Utd want new forward with £100m price tag if Amorim wins Europa League

There could be a statement arrival at Old Trafford.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Apr 19, 2025

His aforementioned versatility allows him to thrive as both an attacking midfielder and out wide, which would immediately add a huge amount of depth to United’s attack.

Everton could now sign a new defender for just £20m this summer, having identified a target who could be a great fit for the Premier League, according to a report.

Toffees pursuing centre-back amid Branthwaite uncertainty

Speculation continues to mount about the long-term future of Jarrad Branthwaite, with Manchester United willing to shell out £50m for the defender, while Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid have also previously been linked with moves.

As such, David Moyes may be tasked with bringing in a replacement during his first summer transfer window back at Goodison Park, and the manager recently conducted a personal scouting mission to watch Burnley’s Maxime Esteve over the weekend.

Another option could be Juventus’ Federico Gatti, with the Toffees being handed fresh hope of signing the Italian defender, given that contract talks have been delayed until the end of the campaign, which could open the door for a move elsewhere.

Related As tall as Crouch: Everton plotting move to sign "strong" 12-goal striker

He could replace Calvert-Lewin.

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Gatti is not the only Serie A defender on the shortlist, however, with a report from Football Insider revealing Everton hold an interest in Koni De Winter, and there has been a positive development in their pursuit, as Genoa are now happy to sell the defender.

There is widespread interest in De Winter’s signature from the Premier League and across Europe, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Inter Milan in the picture, but a move to Goodison Park could be on the cards, should Moyes’ side be willing to fork out £20m – £25m.

A bid in that region would be accepted by the Italian side, in news that will come as a boost for the Toffees, who are looking to sign a new centre-back regardless of whether Branthwaite moves on this summer.

The Genoa defender’s physicality could make him an ideal fit for the Premier League, and it looks like a move could now be possible for a reasonable fee.

Everton’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Liverpool (a)

April 2nd

Arsenal (h)

April 5th

Nottingham Forest (a)

April 12th

Manchester City (h)

April 19th

Chelsea (a)

April 26th

"Imperious" De Winter could be a fantastic signing

The 22-year-old has been a key player for Genoa for quite some time, having previously received high praise from journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who described him as “imperious” last season.

Tavolieri also hailed the Belgian as his nation’s “best” right-footed centre-back, and he has since gone on to establish himself at international level, receiving his second cap last month.

The 6-foot-3 colossus has used his imposing height to his advantage on many an occasion, ranking in the 93rd percentile for aerials won per 90 over the past year, while also placing in the 95th percentile for non-penalty goals, when compared to his positional peers.

With Michael Keane’s contract set to expire in the summer, it is important Moyes bolsters his defensive options this summer, and the Genoa star is showing plenty of signs that he would be a good fit at Goodison Park.

B Sai Sudharsan brought grit, composure and a glimpse of permanence to India’s most unsettled slot

Sidharth Monga23-Jul-2025

B Sai Sudharsan found fluency after a watchful start•Getty Images

Since the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy late last year, India have gone through five No. 3s. There have been seven changes in all: Devdutt Padikkal took over from the injured Shubman Gill at the start, then Gill came back; Gill was then dropped and KL Rahul took over; then Gill came back, became captain, and took the vacant No. 4 slot, handing over No. 3 to B Sai Sudharsan; then Karun Nair had that spot for two Tests before it came back to Sai Sudharsan.It appeared to be a late call between Sai Sudharsan and Nair at Old Trafford and for a while it looked like both of them would play, going by signs in the India nets. Both of them were in the slips for catching drills, and Sai Sudharsan did some visualising drills on top of wet covers a day before the Test. On the morning of the Test, India saw mixed signals from the conditions: overcast skies and a pitch that had been under covers called for extra seam, but the dry pitch with some cracks demanded spin as well.Eventually, India decided to cover both bases and were forced to choose between Sai Sudharsan and Nair for No. 3. India went back to their plan at the start of the series: ask for the giant shoes of Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara, the last two regular No. 3s for India, to be filled by a batter who averaged 39.93 in first-class cricket.Related

• Pant retires hurt after inside-edging a reverse sweep onto his right foot

• Sai Sudharsan fifty guides India after they lose Pant to injury

Not since WV Raman in 1988 have India handed out a debut to a specialist batter averaging under 40 in first-class cricket. Usually, you need to average close to 60 in first-class cricket to get close to the Test side as a specialist batter in India. They made an exception for Suryakumar Yadav in recent times; he averages 42.33 in first-class cricket including that one Test experiment.Sai Sudharsan’s case is different. Almost everybody who has seen him has been bullish about him. R Ashwin played against him in club cricket when Sai Sudharsan was 17, and he was amazed that someone so young had an actual working game plan against him. He had left midwicket open, but Sai Sudharsan didn’t play a single ball against the spin until Ashwin overpitched.Two years later, the same Ashwin ran out of money in a bidding war for Sai Sudharsan at a Tamil Nadu Premier League auction. At the IPL, Gujarat Titans bet big on him. That is the second big endorsement, from Ashish Nehra, considered a sharp cricket brain. And then, when the national selectors overlook your first-class numbers to push you into Test cricket, there has to be something special about you. Two things always stood out about what the decision-makers would say about him: his competitiveness and that he finds ways to score runs.1:47

Sai Sudharsan: ‘Shubman communicates very well as captain’

And yet, the jump up to Test cricket is a big one. Ben Stokes, who is a sharp and instinctive captain, wasted little time in actually attempting to get him caught down the leg side. And he did oblige England with two leg-side dismissals. Test cricket can be ruthless: he had to make way for the next two Tests for the sake of the balance of the side.Back at No. 3 now, on a pitch that was already showing signs of uneven bounce and appreciable sideways movement, Sai Sudharsan showed those two exact qualities: competitiveness and finding a way.”It was actually a really enjoyable experience,” Sai Sudharsan said of the contest against the short ball and Stokes. “Because the best bowler in the country is steaming in, trying to hit you hard, and you were batting there and giving your best for the team. That’s one of the best feelings you can have. And of course playing against England on their home soil, definitely, you have to be ready for that aggressive nature. So I enjoyed it very well.”Stokes, in particular, troubled him the most, both with his straight lines and short-pitched bowling. He also tried to get under his skin when Sai Sudharsan took him on and hit a four. Stokes clapped him all the way back from his follow-through. And since Sai Sudharsan was running his runs after hitting the pull, he could see Stokes right in his face. And, as he said it, he enjoyed it.2:28

Manjrekar: Sai Sudharsan’s game tailor-made for Test cricket

For an innings that can be considered slow by many used to modern batting pace, Sai Sudharsan played at least five shots that will make any highlights reel: two dismissive pulls with his front leg in the air a la Gordon Greenidge, a back-foot punch for four off Stokes, and two whippy cover-drives against spin. He was, as has been said of him, finding ways.Between scoring shots, Sai Sudharsan had to endure looking scratchy at times. If he was slightly unlucky at Headingley for getting out the way he did, he was slightly lucky Jamie Smith dropped him when he again tickled one down the leg side. “If he would’ve taken the catch, I would walked off,” he said matter-of-factly. “That’s about it.”Sai Sudharsan’s innings was crucial for India in this match because England hadn’t necessarily made full use of the conditions in the first session and were beginning to make amends after lunch. He walked in at the fall of yet another wicket just before or after a break. He weathered the storm the way India have been desperate for their No. 3 to do even as wickets fell at the other end.This was the first half-century by an India No. 3 in nine Tests starting from that Border-Gavaskar Trophy. There will be days when Sai Sudharsan will be more fluent. There will also be days when he won’t enjoy the rub of the green. But by steering the team towards a good score on a day that they likely lost Rishabh Pant to a suspected foot fracture, Sai Sudharsan has shown enough to back up the promise shown in him and give India hopes they might have found a No. 3.

His transformation has been remarkable, and he has earned his place as India’s premier white-ball wristspinner

Abhimanyu Bose26-Sep-20233:00

How Kuldeep Yadav has fared since the 2019 World Cup

If, at the start of 2022, you were asked which wristspinner among Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav was going to be picked for the ODI World Cup the following year, you would not be blamed for choosing the former. In fact, that would be the sound, educated guess.After all, from the end of the 2019 World Cup to the end of 2021, Chahal had picked 34 wickets in 21 ODIs at an average of 28.47. Kuldeep, in that same period, played a game more, got just 26 wickets, and averaged 43.73.Nothing seemed to be going right for Kuldeep around then – he was even relegated to the bench by his then IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.But then, something changed.Related

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It’s not like Chahal did a lot wrong. He picked up 24 wickets in 16 ODIs between the start of 2022 to now, and his average improved marginally to 27.91. Even his economy rate dropped from 5.70 to 5.53.But Kuldeep’s transformation was massive.Suddenly, he was bowling quicker, but still getting the turn that troubled batters when he first burst on to the scene. His variations were still as effective, if not more, and now came with more zip off the surface.The results followed.From the start of 2022, Kuldeep has picked up 43 wickets in 24 matches and his bowling average has shot down to 18.93 (in this period). His economy rate, which was 5.76 between the end of the 2019 World Cup and the end of 2021, dropped to 4.70. He has picked up three-wicket hauls against Australia and New Zealand and four-fors against South Africa and Sri Lanka. And then, of course, there was the 5 for 25 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup Super Four game.Kuldeep Yadav has been a transformed bowler since the start of 2022•ESPNcricinfo LtdA criticism Kuldeep often faced when his career seemed to be all downhill was that he was bowling too slow. Despite the prodigious turn he would generate.But the solution wasn’t simple, because Kuldeep had to get quicker without losing the trajectory that so deceived the batters, and turn that made him so good in the first place.A knee injury, suffered during IPL 2021, turned out to be the point the transformation started. The surgery that followed offered him a chance to start over, in a sense. As he completed a five-month recovery and got back to bowling, he tweaked his run-up from what was almost a 45-degree angle to a much straighter approach. That was change number one.”It’s been over one-and-a-half years since I had surgery,” Kuldeep said after his heroics against Pakistan at the Asia Cup. “The run-up has become straighter. The rhythm has become aggressive. The approach is nice.”Other things might have changed too.1:25

How did Kuldeep Yadav outfox Pakistan?

“Maybe my hand used to fall over but that is well in control and faces the batter more,” he said. “At the same time, I did not lose my spin and drift, and my pace increased – all of which helped me.”These, and an increased focus on his lengths, which he has credited for his success not only during the Asia Cup but also on India’s tour of the West Indies.The increase in pace without a loss in turn means batters now don’t have as much time to read him off the pitch as the ball comes on quicker. Add to it his variations, and it leads to indecision.During his devastating spell against Pakistan, Kuldeep tossed a ball up to Fakhar Zaman that rose above the batter’s eyeline, drawing him forward. But the ball dipped sharply and landed on a perfect length and zipped away, leaving Fakhar leaden-footed and getting an outside edge with a poke. Rohit Sharma spilled it at slip, but the delivery showed the threat that has made Kuldeep so hard to play again.At 83kph, it wasn’t a particularly quick delivery for a modern spinner, but unlike before, the ball did not lose pace after pitching and skidded through, not giving the batter enough time to adjust.He displayed this ability time and again in the West Indies, where he also used the wrong’un to great effect.Kuldeep Yadav finished with the Player-of-the-Series award at the Asia Cup for his nine wickets•AFP/Getty ImagesAnil Kumble: Kuldeep has ‘more body behind every ball’ nowThe key, though, is the run-up, as Anil Kumble, legspin great and Kuldeep’s first international coach, explained.”Even when I was the coach, Kuldeep had just come into the Indian team and we were trying to get him to bowl straighter. And hats off to him, he has been able to understand that that had to be done and he’s done that to good effect,” Kumble told ESPNcricinfo. “He is now running in straighter, which means that the body is more behind the ball that he bowls and that has certainly helped the pace at which he bowls now. Naturally, he doesn’t have to bowl quicker. It’s not that the arm-speed has suddenly become quicker.”What is really good and impressive is that he’s always been a big turner of the ball so he is still able to give it a good rip. And because of the change of the angle of the run-up, it’s given him the advantage of body behind every ball.”Kumble further said that the front arm coming down in line with his body instead of going across it has, indeed, given Kuldeep greater control.Kuldeep will head into the World Cup after a special performance in the Asia Cup, where his nine wickets helped him get the Player-of-the-Series award, even though he got to bowl just the one over in the final after Mohammed Siraj blew Sri Lanka away with his opening spell.1:41

Kuldeep: My rhythm is more aggressive now

Kuldeep was rested for the first two ODIs against Australia, with Rohit explaining the importance of “preserving” the lone wristspinner in his World Cup squad.”Kuldeep is a rhythm bowler, we all know that,” Rohit said ahead of the Australia series. “But we thought of a lot of things and took this call. We have been looking at Kuldeep for the last one, one-and-a-half years, this is why we don’t want to expose him a lot.”He is coming back for the last match. There are a lot of reasons. This is the best decision for us, to have him sit out for two games and play the third. We also have two practice matches [before the World Cup opener], so for the bowling rhythm, he will be back in it.”With 31 wickets since the start of 2023, Kuldeep is the joint-highest wicket-taker in ODIs this year for players in teams that will be playing the World Cup in India.Kuldeep is anyway a point of difference in a world-class bowling attack – Tabraiz Shamsi and Noor Ahmad are the only other left-arm wristspinners at the World Cup. And with his all-round improvement, he could well become India’s ace in the hole as they look to win a second home World Cup.