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Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who had lost their central contracts for not prioritising domestic cricket, are also back

Shashank Kishore14-Aug-2024

Rishabh Pant is set to make his comeback in red-ball cricket with the 2024-25 Duleep Trophy, as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee picked the squads for the first round of the tournament. This is the first time Pant will play first-class cricket since his car accident in December 2022.Mohammed Shami, however, isn’t part of any of the four squads. He is nearing full fitness and has begun bowling full tilt as he targets a comeback during the two-Test home series against Bangladesh from September 19. Shami is expected to continue training under the NCA’s watch in Bengaluru.Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who had lost their central contracts for not prioritising domestic cricket last season, are also back in the first-class fold along with a host of other top players, including KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav.Related

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Rahul, Pant, Suryakumar, Gill set to play Duleep Trophy

As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Test captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah have been given an extended break ahead of India’s home season.Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, whose most recent competitive game was in January 2024, is also set to make a comeback after a lengthy injury layoff. He is in the final stages of rehab for a quadriceps tendon injury, for which he underwent surgery in February. Prasidh will miss the Maharaja T20 Trophy, Karnataka’s domestic T20 competition, to complete his recovery ahead of the first round of the Duleep Trophy matches played simultaneously in Anantapur and Bengaluru from September 5.Top-order batter Tilak Varma, who suffered a wrist injury towards the end of IPL 2024, was also picked for the Duleep Trophy. He wasn’t picked in India’s squad that played five T20Is in Zimbabwe in July because of the injury.The selection panel has rewarded domestic form, an example of which is the inclusion of Mumbai allrounder Musheer Khan. The 19-year-old had a breakout year in which he was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup squad as well as Mumbai’s victorious Ranji Trophy campaign.Musheer, who struck a double-hundred in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final and a match-winning hundred in the final, will play alongside his older brother and India batter Sarfaraz Khan, one of the several contenders for a place in India’s Test middle order.Allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been included subject to fitness. He is recovering from a sports hernia surgery in June, after being withdrawn from India’s T20I squad to Zimbabwe. Some notable names not to make the cut were Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson and Shams Mulani. It is not yet known whether any of them would come in as replacements for the Test players who will leave after the first round.Originally a zonal competition featuring teams from six zones – North, South, East, West, Central and North-East – Duleep Trophy will have only four teams this time, named Team A, Team B, Team C and Team D. The players who will be picked for the Bangladesh series will be replaced in the Duleep Trophy.Duleep Trophy 2024-25 squads (first round)Team A: Shubman Gill (capt), Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kumar Kushagra, Shaswat Rawat.Team B: Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Musheer Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Awasthi, N Jagadeesan (wk)Team C: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Abishek Porel (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, B Indrajith, Hrithik Shokeen, Manav Suthar, Umran Malik, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Anshul Khamboj, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayank Markande, Aryan Juyal (wk), Sandeep WarrierTeam D: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Atharva Taide, Yash Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ricky Bhui, Saransh Jain, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Aditya Thakare, Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Sengupta, KS Bharat (wk), Saurabh Kumar

Leeds United now hold an advantage in the race for a £17m midfielder, who Red Bull will know “all about”, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed.

Leeds eyeing midfielder after missing out on Diarra

After being promoted from the Championship alongside Sunderland, it is no surprise that Leeds have identified similar targets to the Black Cats, and they will be extremely disappointed to have lost out to the play-off final winners in the race for two midfielders.

Habib Diarra had been on the Whites’ shortlist prior to the 21-year-old’s move to the Stadium of Light, and they now appear to have missed out on a deal for Noah Sadiki, with the Union Saint-Gilloise maestro set to complete a move to Wearside.

As such, Daniel Farke’s side will now be forced to move on to different options in the middle of the park, and Bailey has dropped a more promising update on their pursuit of Hoffenheim midfielder Anton Stach.

The transfer expert told Leeds United News that the Whites’ Red Bull connection should give them the edge over their Premier League rivals in the race for the German’s signature, given their minority owners’ involvement in the Bundesliga.

More pointless than Meslier: £11m Leeds flop set to be sold for millions

Leeds United are reportedly set to sell a flop who is even more pointless than Illan Meslier at Elland Road.

ByDan Emery Jul 2, 2025

Bailey said: “He’s on the list I’m told. Hoffenheim are not keen for him to go. Leeds aren’t the only ones interested from what I’m told. A very good player and obviously through Red Bull, Leeds are well-versed on him.

“They’re ahead of many other Premier League teams when it comes to German-based talent. So, it’s not a surprise, you know, it’s not going to be a huge surprise. If there’s a good one, Leeds know all about it.”

"Underrated" Stach could be better signing than Sadiki

Leeds will be frustrated that Sunderland were able to pip them to Sadiki’s signature, but there are signs that Stach could be a better signing than the Belgian-born midfielder.

Firstly, the two-time Germany international is more experienced in a top league, having made 122 Bundesliga appearances, while Sadiki remains unproven outside Belgium.

Not only that, but the “underrated” Hoffenheim star excels defensively, outperforming the new Sunderland signing across a number of key metrics over the past year.

Statistic

Anton Stach

Noah Sadiki

Interceptions

1.65 (93rd percentile)

1.08 (55th percentile)

Blocks

1.60 (85th percentile)

1.34 (64th percentile)

Clearances

3.65 (99th percentile)

1.34 (38th percentile)

Aerials won

1.83 (88th percentile)

0.30 (8th percentile)

Stach should be available for a fee of around £17m, which seems a reasonable fee, given the level of his performances for Hoffenheim, and it could be a blessing in disguise that Leeds missed out on Sadiki and Diarra.

“Whoever had the ball in hand wanted to make a contribution for the team,” Rohit says after hard-fought win over Pakistan

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-20243:25

Bumrah: ‘I wasn’t desperate for the magic delivery’

Rohit Sharma was effusive in his praise for his bowlers after India successfully defended 119 – despite looking like they wouldn’t be able to at various points – against Pakistan on a New York pitch where “140 was a good score to fight”.”We didn’t bat well enough,” Rohit said on the host broadcast after the game. “Halfway through, we were in a good position, 80 for 3 [81 for 3]. You expect guys to stitch partnerships, but we didn’t put enough partnerships there.”I thought we fell 15-20 short. We spoke about how every run matters on a pitch like that. We were looking at 140, but I thought the bowlers can [do], and did, the job for us.”Related

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Bumrah spearheads India's defence of 119; Pakistan on brink of elimination

Jasprit Bumrah cracked the game wide open for India in his third over, the 15th of the Pakistan chase. With Pakistan needing a straightforward 40 off 36, he beat Mohammad Rizwan’s swing to hit timber, and that was the twist in the tale.Then, in the penultimate over, with Pakistan needing 21 off 12, he conceded just three while picking up the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed to leave Arshdeep Singh with 18 to defend. Bumrah finished with figures of 4-0-14-3 to earn his second straight Player-of-the-Match award.As for Pakistan, they went from 80 for 3 at the start of the 15th to 113 for 7 after 20 to fall six short.”We felt we were a little under par,” Bumrah said. “When the sun came out, the wicket got a bit better. So we had to be disciplined with what we were trying to do. I tried to keep it simple, the wicket got better, and the swing was less. So I tried to hit the seam as much as I can. I just tried to be clear with my plan and focused on my execution.”Rohit talked up India’s “never-say-die” attitude on a New York surface he felt was “good” compared to those in the earlier games. “With only 119 on the board, we wanted to make early inroads, which we didn’t,” he said. “Halfway through, I got everyone together. We said if things can happen to us, it can happen to them as well.”

“We need everyone to show up. Those little contributions make a huge difference. Whoever had the ball in hand wanted to make a contribution for the team”Rohit Sharma

Bumrah aside, India also had key bowling contributions from Hardik Pandya (2 for 24), Arshdeep (1 for 31), Mohammed Siraj, who gave away 19 runs in four overs, and the spin twins – Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja – who conceded 1 for 21 in four overs between them.Axar, in particular, bowled an excellent 16th over that went for just two runs, even though the match-up of bowling to Imad Wasim, a left-hand batter, could have worked against him.”Absolutely! That’s what’s required in a tournament like this,” Rohit said of his bowlers. “We need everyone to show up. Those little contributions make a huge difference. Whoever had the ball in hand wanted to make a contribution for the team.”Bumrah is going from strength to strength. We’ve seen him over the years what he can do, I’m not going to talk too much about him. We want him to be in that kind of mindset till the end of the World Cup. He’s a genius with the ball, we know that, but hats off to the other guys as well.”

Liverpool won the Premier League this season but already FSG are planning for the future. Arne Slot came and conquered English football when none beyond Merseyside’s red reach thought he had the capacity, and he did it with minimal transfer investment.

Now, though, is the time for action. This is the squad Jurgen Klopp build over so many years, carefully created and layered to now stand among Europe’s elite.

That’s not to say Slot has ridden the coattails of his predecessor, who failed to add to his one Premier League triumph across each of the previous four campaigns.

The Dutch coach has taken the tools handed to him and built something new, but with Trent Alexander-Arnold now officially a Real Madrid player and Liverpool’s fiercest rivals at home and abroad gearing up to strengthen, it was always going to be important to build.

The latest Liverpool transfer targets

Liverpool have acted with consummate efficiency in the build-up to the summer transfer window, already announcing the signing of Jeremie Frimpong as Alexander-Arnold’s direct replacement at right-back.

Bayer Leverkusen have lost their electric right-sider, and their star playmaker is set to follow. Florian Wirtz is one of the most talented midfielders on the planet, and FSG have entered the final stages of what should become a club-record €130m (£110m) signing.

Next up, Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez should join the Anfield rebuild, with Kostas Tsimikas mooted for a departure and Andy Robertson, 31, taking a step back, handing the Hungarian Kerkez the keys for the long-term berth.

When all this is wrapped up, you’d think the Reds would turn toward exits, with Darwin Nunez expected to depart and the futures of younger squad members like Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah uncertain too.

Such financial gains would lead Liverpool toward a new number nine, but they may not stop there. Extra cover at centre-back has been discussed, and sporting director Richard Hughes may even move for a new centre-midfielder.

Liverpool enter race for new midfielder

Liverpool are well-stocked in the centre of the park, but Ryan Gravenberch’s qualities were exhausted in the deep-lying role across the campaign, and some competition would do nicely.

That’s why – according to GIVEMESPORT – Liverpool are prepared to hijack Manchester United’s potential move for Atalanta’s Ederson, 25, whose performances in Italy have earned praise, leading to a stunning Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen last season.

Though the Brazilian would cost around £50m, this could be a worthwhile investment for a Liverpool side determined to challenge for silverware across a range of various fronts.

Why Liverpool want to sign Ederson

It may not be a priority position this summer, but the beauty of Liverpool completing the lion’s share of their transfer business is that they can turn toward bonus deals, and Ederson would surely be the icing on the cake.

An athletic and robust player, Ederson thrives at the heart of the field, flying in with challenges, recycling possession and driving the ball forwards.

A man of different parts, then. Ederson completed 87% of his passes in Serie A this season, winning 4.9 duels per game at a success rate of 56%, suggesting he has the physical strength and technical crispness to succeed in the Premier League.

As per FBref, Ederson ranks among the top 12% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes and the top 19% for ball recoveries and aerial battles won per 90, emphasising a rounded approach that ‘Slotball’ would welcome with open arms.

Ederson’s powerful eye for goal and Brazilian heritage suggest he could become Slot’s own Fabinho, with the iconic Klopp favourite doing the dirty work in the middle of the park for Liverpool, allowing the forwards to flourish and steal the headlines.

Liverpool signed Fabinho from AS Monaco in a deal worth £44m back in May 2018, the Brazil international going on to feature prominently across five campaigns, winning the full gamut.

Fabinho might not have had the flair of, say, Gravenberch, who is more of an elegant, shoulder-dropping maestro of a number six, but his industrious approach to his craft bred rich results for the Anfield side, anchored as he was in the middle, dispossessing opponents and calmly picking out teammates in opportune areas.

Now, it’s time to bring in the next version, one who could give Slot a greater width of possibility to pick from in the centre of the park. Described as a “machine” of a midfielder by journalist Carlo Garganese, Ederson is the real deal, a proven winner in Italy with the physicality and dynamism to make a positive impression with Slot’s champions.

He’s also tuned to the modern way of things, with a broad tactical reach that could see Liverpool’s boss shuffle him across a variety of positions to best serve their goals, maybe even discovering a formula which could see Gravenberch and Ederson playing together on the field.

Central midfield

151

16

6

Defensive midfield

62

5

1

Attacking midfield

20

–

–

Right-back

3

1

–

Centre-back

2

–

–

Left midfield

1

–

–

Given Liverpool fell by the wayside across tournament fronts this season, it might be wise to bring in a different profile to jockey with Gravenberch, who has performed remarkably well and was crowned the Premier League Young Player of the Year; however, sometimes a grittier style is required.

It’s the kind of profile Fabinho utilised so expertly across the span of his Liverpool career. Wataru Endo has been brilliant since arriving as a stop-gap replacement, but becoming a cult hero and a Premier League champion besides, but the 31-year-old doesn’t bear his predecessor’s completeness.

Transfer Focus

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

It’s clear: if Liverpool manage to complete their business this summer and recoup some lost money through the sales of several fringe stars, Ederson is the man to go for, especially if it foils Man United in their pursuit of a much-needed rebuild.

Same agent as Yoro: Man Utd make approach for £15m Premier League defender

He could be an instant upgrade.

1 ByTom Cunningham May 31, 2025

Sheffield Wednesday are looking to build the foundations for another tilt at the Championship playoffs next term, though they may now face a fight with Blackburn Rovers to sign a reported target.

Sheffield Wednesday remain in a state of limbo with Danny Rohl

Usually, stability at a football club starts from the manager and filters down to his players, but the future of Danny Rohl at Hillsborough appears anything but certain at this point.

With the 36-year-old’s work in South Yorkshire not going unnoticed, interest is starting to mount in his services as clubs around Europe enter a period of change in the off-season.

If he were to leave South Yorkshire, where could the Sheffield Wednesday boss end up? Glasgow could be a potential destination after Rangers identified Rohl as a prospective permanent successor to Philippe Clement.

Fulham are another side intrigued by his managerial style, though ties haven’t been formally severed, which has led to a state of limbo involving all parties.

Regardless, Sheffield Wednesday need to start building for the new season. Some clarity over the direction of their squad has been found in Thursday’s retained list amid a lack of communication on matters at managerial level.

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The Owls could welcome as many as five future stars.

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Barry Bannan, Akin Famewo and Callum Paterson are in talks to stay, while Anthony Musaba, Michael Smith and Josh Windass have been tied to new deals following the club’s decision to trigger their options. Stuart Armstrong, Mallik Wilks and Marvin Johnson are among notable departures, paving the way for eventual reinforcements to take their place.

Undoubtedly, a feeling of anxiety exists over Rohl’s future, but forward planning is underway regarding their pursuit of a highly-rated defensive target.

Sheffield Wednesday make enquiry to sign Aston Villa youngster Rowe

According to Football Insider, Sheffield Wednesday are pursuing Aston Villa youngster Triston Rowe on a loan basis amid competition from Blackburn Rovers for his signature and have made a move by launching an initial enquiry.

The Villans have seen enough in the England Under-19 international’s development to decide on farming him out to the EFL Championship for further experience after his role in their Under-18 side’s treble victory.

Triston Rowe in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

35

Goals

1

Assists

1

Primarily a right-back, Rowe can also deputise in central defence or further up the flank if needed and was previously called up to Aston Villa’s matchday squad in their 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers last year.

Nevertheless, he isn’t yet viewed as a viable competitor to Matty Cash, so a loan move would allow him to continue developing without the spotlight of being thrust into a high-stakes top-flight environment.

Former Scotland international Liam Palmer isn’t getting any younger, which may have prompted Sheffield Wednesday to assess their own pecking order on the right-hand side of defence.

Now, their challenge will be to convince the youngster that Hillsborough is the correct environment to thrive while growing into the senior game next campaign.

Their contribution to ODI cricket has been rooted in identity and belief

Greg Chappell23-Oct-2025Author and Philosopher Bo Bennett once said “Success is not what you have but who you are.”
In an era where cricket often bends to the whims of fleeting formats and instant gratification, two Indian giants stood tall, not just for the runs they scored but for the men they became. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two pillars of modern Indian cricket, carved their legacies through distinct journeys, both marked by immense skill, fierce preparation, and an abiding respect for the 50-over format. Their contribution to ODI cricket wasn’t accidental – it was deeply personal, rooted in identity and belief.Kohli was never just a batter, he was a movement. He arrived on the ODI scene in 2008 with raw promise, and by 2017, when he was full-time captain in the format, he had seized the reins of a side in transition and reshaped it. He brought what few dared to – a warrior’s mindset. He turned India’s ODI side into a sharp, focused and supremely fit unit that played to win, home or away.But what truly set him apart, even from the legends who came before him, was his detachment from personal statistics. While the world raved about centuries and aggregates, Kohli cared only about the outcome. He once said that he played for India, not for records – a statement that defined his leadership. Individual feats were often the focal point of India’s cricketing narrative; Kohli sought something larger. His currency was legacy, not numbers.Related

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Under his watch, India beat Australia 2-1 in an ODI series in 2018-19. They held fort at home like a colossus, dominating bilateral contests and ICC events. Kohli made chasing a priority, fielding a crop of finishers who could rattle teams even in high-pressure chases. He transformed India’s attitude from reactive to relentlessly proactive.Where Kohli’s rise was meteoric and defined by intensity, Rohit’s journey was more about a slow-burn path to greatness. For years he dazzled in limited-overs cricket; his timing, poise and flair made him a household name. But it didn’t come easy: though he made his debut in 2007, inconsistency and middle-order struggles kept him from cementing a place, especially in big tournaments.Then came 2013. Promoted to open during a home series against England, he seized the opportunity with quiet confidence. There was a double-century against Australia. Elegant hundreds, of which the first came also against Australia that year. Sudden comfort against the swinging ball. Something had changed – not just in technique but in belief. What followed was one of the most remarkable second winds in Indian cricket. Rohit didn’t just adapt to ODI cricket, he conquered it.

Where Kohli’s rise was meteoric and defined by intensity, Rohit’s journey was more about a slow-burn path to greatness

His batting, so often described as “effortless”, now carried the weight of responsibility. The short-arm pull, the nimble footwork against spin, the patience outside off stump – all made for a batter who could both grind and grace. A blistering 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 cemented his credentials as a record-breaker, while his measured leadership in the 2023 ODI World Cup showed a cricketer at peace with pressure.When Kohli stepped down as captain in 2021, it was Rohit who inherited the mantle – not by clamour but by quiet readiness. Where Kohli roared, Rohit observed. His captaincy was marked by calm decisions, clear planning, and unwavering support for younger players. He doesn’t chase the camera. He lets his cricket speak – and speak it does, fluently.Their captaincies were a study in contrasts, but both chased one of the same ends – Indian excellence in ODIs. Kohli led in 95 ODIs, winning 65 – among the top two highest by an Indian captain. His win rate of over 68% came against the best teams, in the toughest conditions. Rohit, newer in the role, led in just a little under half as many matches as Kohli and had an even better win percentage – 75%. Together they ensured that India remained an ODI superpower, not just a red-ball giant.Technically, Kohli’s game was forged in fire. His mastery of pace, particularly the searing quicks of Australia, England, and South Africa, made him a modern-day gladiator. His cover-drive became a symbol not just of class but of courage. Off the field, his dedication to fitness, diet and relentless improvement made him a trendsetter.Rohit, on the other hand, thrived on rhythm. His strokeplay is a masterclass in timing. Few play spin better; fewer still can pull like he does. He doesn’t impose himself on bowlers initially – he outsmarts them, and then dismantles them relentlessly. Mentally, both men were titans – Kohli driven by the fire of legacy, Rohit by the calmness of knowing his time would come.There were moments when they didn’t just shine, they paused the game itself. Kohli’s 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, in a high-pressure chase, showed he wasn’t afraid of the big stage. His leadership in the 2018-19 Australia series win remains a defining Indian cricket moment.It’s one last time into the breach in Australia for the two•ICC/Getty ImagesFor Rohit it was the 264 against Sri Lanka, the innings that declared him an ODI phenomenon. Then the five centuries at the 2019 World Cup, where he tamed global attacks with poise. And more recently, his tactical nous through the 2023 World Cup campaign as captain.But beyond individual brilliance in ODIs lay something rarer: their love of and devotion to Test cricket. Kohli wasn’t shy about it – he spoke often, and passionately, about the purity of the format. He made it cool again to care about playing in whites. Rohit, through his transformation, showed that Test cricket rewards those who respect its tempo.In an age where players often chase leagues, fame, and IPL contracts, Kohli and Rohit were naturals who became the face of their franchises for over a decade. No matter the format, they dominated. They were never trying to be viral. They were trying to be vital.Praise for them came from everywhere. Michael Vaughan was effusive in his admiration of Kohli as an ODI player, and Ravi Shastri lauded his obsession with chasing success. Ben Stokes admired Rohit’s calm control. Steve Smith admired Kohli’s competitiveness. Ajinkya Rahane said once that Rohit always made you feel like the team came first. Their team-mates loved them. Their opponents respected them. Their fans, like us, will remember them as more than just batters, as torchbearers.Now, as the cricketing world moves forward, new names will rise. New captains will lead. But this golden chapter – the Kohli-Rohit era – will remain engraved not just in record books but in the hearts of every fan who understood what they stood for. Kohli’s passion, his refusal to settle, his belief in legacy over statistics. Rohit’s elegance, his humility, and his redemption arc, which reminded us all that timing is everything – in cricket, and in life.What they gave the game can’t be fully measured in runs or centuries or wins. They gave it belief, dignity, and character – which, as Bo Bennett reminded us, is the true measure of success.

He suffered a tragic accident at the age of eight, but found the strength to not give up his dream

Ashish Pant09-Mar-20247:01

Amir Lone’s inspiring journey: How he became the J&K para-cricket captain

A video of a para-cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir recently went viral. In it, he is wearing the India jersey with Sachin Tendulkar’s name on the back. He has no arms but still displays some innovative shots by gripping the bat under his chin and between his neck and shoulders. He also bowls by holding the ball between his big toe and the second toe.The cricketer is Amir Hussain Lone, the 34-year-old captain of J&K’s para-cricket team. Tendulkar saw the video and replied saying that he would love to meet Lone. A month later, Tendulkar kept his promise while on holiday in Kashmir with his family.”It was such an overwhelming feeling that someone of the stature of Sachin sir came to meet me,” Lone tells ESPNcricinfo. “Even talking about it, my happiness knows no bounds. The way he welcomed me, I don’t have words to express my joy. I spoke to him for around one hour. We spoke about cricket, my journey, where all I have played matches. I then showed him my technique, the straight drive, cover drive. [They say that if you love someone, then you can wait an eternity for the person.]In the video posted on Tendulkar’s social media handles, he gifts Lone an autographed bat with the message: “To Amir, the real hero, keep inspiring.”

****

Like a lot of 90s’ kids in India, Lone loved cricket and Tendulkar. Born in Waghama, a village in the Bijbehara tehsil in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, Lone spent his early years trying to become a cricketer like his idol.His life, however, took a sudden and unfortunate turn. In 1997, when Lone was eight years old, he was playing in his father’s sawmill, where he got sucked into the machine and lost both his arms.”,” he says. [Everyone has dreams, and my dream was to become a cricketer like Tendulkar, but after the accident that dream was totally shattered.]It took Lone a long time to come to terms with his new reality. He didn’t know how to face the future. A cricketer was the only thing he wanted to become, and eventually he began to find a way.”I did not give up,” he says. “I wanted to go forward in life and I worked hard, day in and day out, to become a cricketer like Sachin.”But how can you play cricket without arms? Lone didn’t know where to begin, and his initial motivation was fuelled by the taunts he received from his neighbours. His family stood by him but the others around him viewed him as a freak.”The people I used to play with before my accident turned their faces to the other side,” Lone says. “They did not want to play with me, did not want to take me in their team. Whenever I went to any coach, he just used to say that ‘you don’t have arms, you can’t play cricket, you can’t do it’.”But I made myself strong so that I did not have to depend on anyone. By god’s grace, today I do not have any problems, but I will never forget how all those people used to treat me.”Lone recalls an incident, when he went to his neighbour’s house to watch an India-Pakistan match as he did not have a television at home. Tendulkar was batting and whenever he hit a four, Lone would shout in delight. His presence, however, made his neighbours uncomfortable and he was asked to leave.”I didn’t quite understand what happened, why did they drive me out of their house? That’s when I decided to develop my cricket.”Amir Hussain Lone in Bengaluru with his family•Gujarat GiantsLone taught himself to hold a bat by placing it between his neck and shoulder. He learned to grip the cricket ball between his big toe and second toe. He practiced catching and fielding with his legs.His drive, however, went beyond cricket. He wanted to become self-dependent. He taught himself to eat, use the mobile phone, and most things a fully-abled person can do, with the use of his legs.”I worked day and night. And slowly I developed my skills to the extent that I started playing with fully-abled people,” Lone says. “Most of the matches that I was playing were with normal people. I used to face fast bowlers and that too with a leather ball. I did not play with a tennis ball. I also bowl with a leather ball by holding it in my right leg. I have no problems at the moment, but to reach there, I really struggled.”It was when Lone attended Degree College Bijbehera in 2013 that his career as a para-cricketer took off. One of the coaches was amazed by his skills and advised him to register for a para-cricket camp being held in the state.”When I enrolled in college, I saw a few players practicing with the coach. One of them asked me if I wanted to play, and I immediately said yes,” Lone says. “I just played defensive shots. I didn’t try to hit fours, didn’t try to go for the big hits and batted for around 30 minutes.”The coach really appreciated my batting skills. He said that he bowled every kind of delivery, offspin, legspin, fast. He informed me of a para camp. When the camp began, I was selected in one of the teams and we played some matches. I remained not out in those games and was immediately named J&K para team captain. I played my first national game in Delhi the same month.”Lone remembers his first game fondly. The opposition was dumbstruck by someone with no arms playing cricket. He scored 25 runs and took a wicket, but what happened after that is something Lone says he will never forget.”Probably my best moment on the field was after my batting, players from the opposition team lifted me on their shoulders and shouted ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ slogans. This was an extremely proud moment for me.”Amir Hussain Lone watches the Gujarat Giants-Delhi Capitals match in Bengaluru•Gujarat GiantsSince then, Lone has played a number of para-cricket games, both in India and overseas. He’s won accolades and met several established cricketers, but when talking about Tendulkar, there is a glint in his eye. He recalls the night before the meeting, his nervousness still palpable.”I got a call the evening before and it was from Sachin sir’s team. The person at the other end just said ” [Can you spare us an hour tomorrow?]”I can’t explain the happiness I felt after hearing this,” Lone says, smiling ear to ear. “My joy knew no bounds. I tried having dinner at 8pm, couldn’t finish it. I just couldn’t sleep that night. I don’t remember the number of times that I woke up. I kept looking at the time. [This is such a long night.] I just wanted the night to end.”And as soon as I entered Sachin sir’s hotel room, he hugged me. Even now, when I recall my meeting, I can’t quite believe that happened.”Lone was recently in Bengaluru with his wife and son on an invitation from WPL franchise Gujarat Giants. It was his first visit to the city and he fell in love with the food and, of course, the weather. He also met the Giants players and visited the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to watch the match between Giants and Delhi Capitals.Lone’s story is a shining example of overcoming adversity, and he is philosophical about looking too far ahead. ” [No one has seen tomorrow, no one knows what’s in store tomorrow]. I have many dreams but firmly believe that only when god decides, those dreams will get fulfilled.”

Daryl Mitchell’s record runs for New Zealand, and other stats highlights from the hosts’ 3-0 sweep of the visitors

Sampath Bandarupalli28-Jun-2022England’s hat-trick of 250 chases
England completed a clean sweep against New Zealand with successful chases in all three matches – 277 at Lord’s, 299 at Trent Bridge and 296 at Headingley. It was the first time a team won chasing 250-plus targets in three successive Tests. It was also the first instance of a team winning three times while chasing 250-plus targets in a Test series.England’s chases at Trent Bridge and Headingley this series came at a run rate of 5.98 and 5.44 respectively, both being the fastest 250-plus chases in Test history.The England-New Zealand series also became the first Test series with three successful chases of 250-plus targets by both teams involved. In fact, there has been only one previous instance of three 200-plus chases in a series – between Australia and West Indies in 1951-52, where the hosts won twice and the visitors once.England’s fast-scoring rates
England set new benchmarks with their scoring rates in this series as their run rate of 4.54 across the three matches was the highest for any team to have batted five or more times in a Test series. Their aggressive batting took over from the chase at Trent Bridge, where they scored 299 in only 50 overs, the second-fastest Test innings of 300-plus balls.ESPNcricinfo LtdTheir scoring rate in Headingley was quite close to a limited-overs game, as they scored 656 runs across both innings at 5.4, the highest run rate for any team in a Test match (with a minimum of 500-plus runs). England’s run rates in Headingley were 5.37 and 5.44 respectively, both among the top seven fastest Test innings in terms of run rate.Bairstow’s mayhem
England’s high scoring rates coincided with Jonny Bairstow’s destruction in the last three innings of the series. Bairstow scored only 25 runs in the first three innings, but in the following three knocks, he registered the second-fastest fifty, the second-fastest century and the second-fastest 150 for England in Test cricket. England’s run rate crept well over five in all three of those innings.ESPNcricinfo LtdBairstow finished the series with 394 runs at a strike rate of 120.12. It is by far the highest for any batter to have faced 300-plus balls in a series.Ben Stokes is second on this list, scoring 411 runs at 109.01 against South Africa in 2016. Bairstow’s strike rate is also the second-highest by any player with 300-plus runs in a series, behind only Shahid Afridi’s 121.32 against India in 2006.ESPNcricinfo LtdMitchell stands tall
Daryl Mitchell was the star for the visitors with the bat on the England tour, scoring 538 runs, the most by a player in a three-match series for New Zealand. His tally was also the fourth-highest in a Test series for his country. His three hundreds on the tour were also a New Zealand record, equaling Andrew Jones and Ross Taylor.ESPNcricinfo LtdMitchell scored only 13 runs on the opening day of the series, but by scoring 50-plus in the remaining five innings, he became the first New Zealand batter with five consecutive 50-plus scores in Test cricket. Mitchell’s 538 runs are also the second-highest by a batter in a series where their team got swept. Brian Lara holds the record, having scored 688 runs in their series defeat of 0-3 against Sri Lanka in 2001.New Zealand’s pair of hope
Tom Blundell played a crucial role in Mitchell’s success with the bat, with long partnerships for the fifth and lower wickets throughout the series. The duo added 724 runs in six innings, the highest by any New Zealand pair in a Test series. They also became the first New Zealand pair to share four century stands in a series, and only the fifth pair overall.They faced 1417 balls together, the second most by any pair in a Test series (where balls data is available).ESPNcricinfo LtdMost of the runs scored by New Zealand in this series came from the partnerships of these two batters. They contributed 37.9% of New Zealand’s series aggregate. Only one pair in a three-plus match series made a higher contribution to their team. Australia’s Warren Bardsley and Charles Kelleway added 484 runs against South Africa in 1912, equivalent to 43.8% of the team’s runs in the series.