Auction trends: Is there a need for speed in the IPL?

Four factors that could influence how the franchises spend their cash at the 2018 IPL player auction

Gaurav Sundararaman24-Jan-2018Are really fast bowlers worth the big bucks?
IPL teams often splurge on a bowler who is capable of consistently hitting speeds in excess of 140kph. But are such express bowlers really effective in Indian conditions? Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan, Chris Morris, Mitchell Starc – who had one good season – and Nathan Coulter-Nile, who was effective largely only in Kolkata last season, none of the others have made an impact consistently. Bowlers like Adam Milne, Tymal Mills, Matt Henry, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Johnson, Sean Abbott, Varun Aaron and Chris Woakes – to make several – have failed to justify their high prices.Eden Gardens is the only pace-friendly venue in the IPL at the moment, so while it might make sense for Kolkata Knight Riders to invest in speed for their home games, the other franchises might do well to exercise restraint while bidding on high-speed bowlers. They could be purchased for smaller amounts and played largely in the few games when conditions call for the extra yard of pace. Shorter boundaries, batting-friendly pitches, bigger bats and night games have them rarer in the IPL.About half of IPL’s most consistent batsmen over the past three seasons have been retained by their franchises•ESPNcricinfo LtdSecond-season syndrome
Do you remember Swapnil Asnodkar, Paul Valthaty, Ashok Menaria and Sudeep Tyagi? They had one really good IPL season, and no others. One-season wonders are fairly common in the IPL and the challenge for the teams is to not get carried away by them in the auction. Historically, only a few players do well across two or three IPL seasons. Hardik Pandya had a great 2015 but a woeful 2016, and came back strongly in 2017. Similarly, Shreyas Iyer had a good 2015 and a poor 2016.Over the previous three IPLs, only ten international batsmen – AB de Villiers, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Brendon McCullum, David Warner, Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina – have scored in excess of 300 runs each season at a healthy average and strike rate. Similarly, only eight bowlers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dwayne Bravo, Axar Patel, Chris Morris, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma and Yuzvendra Chahal) have been among the top wicket-takers list across all three seasons with good economy rates and strike rates. And though the likes of Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Washington Sundar and Ben Stokes did extremely well in 2017, history says that they might be hard pressed to have it as good in 2018. The franchises might want to watch out for that.Left-arm quicks have proven to be effective strike bowlers, but ill-suited to control the run flow in the IPL•ESPNcricinfo LtdLeft is right
Why did Tymal Mills get such a high bid – sold for $1.8 million – in the 2017 auction? Supply and demand. There aren’t that many left-arm quicks around internationally, and far fewer in Indian domestic cricket. Having a left-arm seamer who can swing the ball adds variety to the attack, especially because most Indian batsmen would not have faced too many quality left-armers in domestic cricket. As a result, these bowlers go for more money than others. Starc, McClenaghan and Mustafizur Rahman are some overseas success stories, while Ashish Nehra, Jaydev Unadkat and S Aravind have done well among the Indians.Data reveals that these fast bowlers are better used as wicket-taking options early on than to contain. Most left-arm pacers over the last three seasons have good strike-rates but only five have an economy below eight per over. Trent Boult, Mills, Mitchell Johnson and McClenaghan went for a lot of runs, while Aniket Choudhry, T Natarajan, RP Singh and Pradeep Sangwan failed. Franchises need to mindful of picking bowlers who are capable of providing the team with early breakthroughs, or at the back end with their variations.ESPNcricinfo LtdOverseas spinners
Unless they are Sunil Narine or Rashid Khan, overseas spinners have not had a major impact in the IPL. Only a handful have had match-winning performances in the league – a specialist overseas spinner has been Man of the Match in only 14 IPL matches. Narine won six of those awards, Shane Warne four, and Rashid Khan twice in his maiden season, which is a special performance.Apart from Imran Tahir – briefly in 2017 – no other overseas spinner has made any sort of impact consistently over the last few seasons. The likes of Adam Zampa, Ish Sodhi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Samuel Badree and Akila Dhananjaya are perhaps best suited as back-ups, rather than a first-choice overseas player. Franchises could choose to spend more prudently on overseas spinners, and pick up domestic spinners to do the job.

How Oman turned it around in the last three overs for a Super Over

17.1 Mehran Khan to Smit, 4 byes, Good length ball outside off. Tries to cut, but extra bounce forces no connection, and it flies past the keeper for four more!17.2 Mehran Khan to Smit, no run, Fullish ball just outside off. Cut is stopped by point17.3 Mehran Khan to Smit, OUT, Twist? Perhaps not given Frylinck is still out there. But some Oman flags flutter as Smit holes out at long on. Variable bounce again as Smith tries to club Mehran for a big-shot, however it comes off the top-half of the bat.17.4 Mehran Khan to Wiese, no run, Full ball around off stump. Caresses a drive to cover17.5 Mehran Khan to Wiese, no run, Full ball wide outside off, but inside the tram-lines. The ball barely bounces and dribbles through to the keeper17.6 Mehran Khan to Wiese, no run, Good length ball on a fourth-stump line. The cut is hit well, but straight to the man lurking at point. Namibia need 14 off 1218.1 Bilal Khan to Frylinck, no run, Full ball on his pads and clipped to the leg side, but not for any run18.2 Bilal Khan to Frylinck, 1 run, Flat-batted down the ground for a single18.3 Bilal Khan to Wiese, SIX runs, Just clears wide long on! Length ball around leg stump and Wiese backs himself to clear the boundary with a big shot. Even though the timing isn’t perfect, he targets the shortest boundary of this ground, and Aayan’s attempt is futile.18.4 Bilal Khan to Wiese, no run, Yorker, fourth-stump line. Bit of tail away. Dug away to point18.5 Bilal Khan to Wiese, 1 run, Yorker on middle stump and all Wiese can do is keep the ball away from the stumps. Dug away to the leg side18.6 Bilal Khan to Frylinck, 1 run, Yorker length ball on off to end the over, but Frylinck manages to bunt it away to the off side for a single towards square leg19.1 Mehran Khan to Frylinck, OUT, Oh my days! More drama! Around the stumps. Full ball on middle and leg. Frylinck tries to clip it leg side but the hits his pad, and then it ricochets onto the stumps!19.2 Mehran Khan to Green, no run, And it is a dot ball! Green makes room at first but then returns to his normal stance as Mehran bowls a full ball outside off. Green attempts to ramp it over short-third but missesFive needed off four balls!19.3 Mehran Khan to Green, OUT, O man, Oman are in this! Green tries to play a cheeky leg-side scoop over short fine leg but he misses. Mehran’s full ball on off stump hits him on the pad and the umpire gives him out LBW. Namibia review. Crashing into the stumps!19.4 Mehran Khan to Kruger, 1 run, Kruger gets Wiese on strike with a single. Full ball outside off and pushed to cover’s left19.5 Mehran Khan to Wiese, 2 runs, Full ball on off and he creams the straightest of straight drives. Ball smashes into the stumps at the bowler’s end and it ricochets away towards cover for a couple of runs. The stumps have probably saved a boundary there!19.6 Mehran Khan to Wiese, 1 bye, WE ARE GOING TO A SUPER OVER! Good length ball outside off. Ball takes extra bounce and Wiese can’t cut. Keeper can’t grab cleanly either, and the ball falls to his left. Wiese and Kruger run across and the keeper tries a reverse throw while diving. He misses, and Kruger completes the run. We finish on a tie.

Palmeiras e Fortaleza negociam empréstimo de Breno Lopes para 2023

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras segue sem novidades por reforços, mas tem se movimentado para definir as situações pendentes do elenco atual. Uma delas é a possível saída de Breno Lopes, que pode ter um novo clube em breve, uma vez que o Fortaleza tem interesse em seu empréstimo para a temporada 2023. A informação foi publicada primeiramente pelo GE e confirmada pelo LANCE!.

> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2023 clicando aqui

Embora não tenha sinalizado que o atacante não faz parte dos planos do departamento de futebol do Verdão para o próximo ano, o clube coloca Breno como um daqueles jogadores que poderiam ser negociados em caso de boa proposta para ambas as partes.

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Com a concorrência no ataque, Breno pode ter pouco espaço para 2023 e seria de seu interesse jogar de forma mais frequente. É aí que aparece o Fortaleza, que gostaria de contar com o jogador por empréstimo de um ano e trabalha para concretizar a negociação nos próximos dias.

O trunfo da equipe tricolor é a participação na Libertadores. Ainda que seja na fase preliminar da competição, a disputa pode atrair o atacante a vestir a camisa do clube nesta próxima temporada.

>LANCE! elege sua Seleção da Copa do Mundo; confira como ficou a escalação

Aos 26 anos, Breno Lopes foi contratado pelo Palmeiras em 2020, temporada em que marcou o gol do título da Libertadores em final contra o Santos. Ao todo, o atacante tem 99 partidas com o Alviverde e marcou 16 gols. Em 2022, foram cinco bolas na rede e 43 duelos disputados.

Após conquistar a vaga na Libertadores, Fluminense busca bater meta de premiação da temporada

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fluminense carimbou a vaga na fase de grupos da Libertadores com o empate entre São Paulo e Atlético-MG. Agora, o Tricolor busca terminar o Campeonato Brasileiro nas primeiras colocações para bater a meta de premiações da temporada. No momento, a equipe ocupa a quarta colocação e está levandoR$ 38,2 milhões.

+Cano iguala Magnata! Relembre os artilheiros do Fluminense em cada temporada neste século

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No entanto, a equipe carioca tem condições de lutar pelo vice-campeonato, visto que o Palmeiras conquistou o título na tarde desta quarta. Com o tropeço do Internacional, o Tricolor pode alcançar o adversário na próxima rodada (64 a 61). O Flamengo, por sua vez, mede forças com o Corinthians nesta noite e também pode chegar aos 64.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeoanto Brasileiro

Pela contas, caso o Fluminense termine a competição pelo menos em terceiro, irá alcançar a meta de premiação da temporada. Com o aumento no valor da premiação do Brasileirão anunciado pela CBF, o clube ainda tem condições de bater a meta orçamentária, que é de
R$ 67,2 milhões (no momento somouR$ 26,9 milhões).

No início do ano, o clube esperava chegar à fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores, às oitavas de final da Copa Sul-Americana, às quartas de final da Copa do Brasil e encerrar o Brasileirão em sexto.

+Fluminense volta à Libertadores e repete sequência após dez anos; relembre as campanhas do Tricolor

No momento, falta apenas o valor do Brasileirão, mas o Fluminense já somou R$ 5,5 milhões da Pré-Libertadores, R$ 4,3 milhões da fase de grupos da Sul-Americana e R$ 16,8 milhões até a semifinal da Copa do Brasil. Vale lembrar que o time foi campeão carioca, porém a competição não teve premiação. Resta, então, R$ 40,3 milhões, e caso termine em terceiro receberá R$ 40,5 milhões.

Confira a premiação Brasileirão 2022 posição por posição

1º colocado: R$ 45,0 milhões
2º colocado: R$ 42,7 milhões
3º colocado: R$ 40,5 milhões
4º colocado: R$ 38,2 milhões
5º colocado: R$ 36,0 milhões
6º colocado: R$ 33,7 milhões
7º colocado: R$ 31,5 milhões
8º colocado: R$ 29,2 milhões
9º colocado: R$ 27,0 milhões
10º colocado: R$ 24,7 milhões
11º colocado: R$ 19,3 milhões
12º colocado: R$ 18,0 milhões
13º colocado: R$ 16,6 milhões
14º colocado: R$ 16,2 milhões
15º colocado: R$ 15,7 milhões
16º colocado: R$ 15,2 milhões

Man City appoint Andree Jeglertz as head coach with Denmark boss set to join WSL club after Euro 2025

Andree Jeglertz will become Manchester City Women's head coach following Euro 2025.

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Swede is currently Denmark managerJeglertz has 20 years experienceLed Umea IK to Champions League titleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Swede is currently leading Denmark's women in Switzerland at the European Championship. A vastly experienced coach, he has also managed the Finnish national team, and let Umea IK to a Champions League title in 2004.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

City finished fourth in the Women's Super League in 2024/25 but parted company with Gareth Taylor in March after a poor run of form. Former boss Nick Cushing was appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season. Despite these difficulties, Jeglertz said he was not planning to "change the world", rather he would be "continuing the job that has been done and taking it to the next level."

WHAT JEGLERTZ SAID

Jeglertz said: "[I have] a lot of feelings. Mostly maybe honoured to be part of this big and great club but also excited to get started. I’m really looking forward to it.   

"The Club is one of the biggest in the world. But also, the way Therese [Sjogran] and Charlotte [O’Neill] are presenting the club, what does it stand for, what do you want from a coach and everything that’s connected to football.   

"But there are a lot of things around the Club that makes me excited about the job."

He added: "One of my key things is to come in and not try to change the world. It’s about continuing the job that’s been done and taking it to the next level. 

"I’m excited to work with the people. Working with people who have the same motivation and ambitions as I have.

"And that is young players, but also older players. I think all female players in general are interested in becoming better and trying to find the next step.

"That of course excites me and also challenges me, because I need to find different ways and different players.

"And that’s definitely an interesting job I have." 

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR JEGLERTZ?

Jeglertz will be laser-focussed on Denmark's Euro 2025 campaign, before he turns his attention to his new job at City. The Danes have a tricky assignment in Group C, up against Jeglertz' native Sweden and eight-time winners Germany.

Celtic star who "raises the bar" has become the club's new Aiden McGeady

Celtic are on the other side of the last international break of the 2024/25 campaign and this means that there are only a couple of months left to go before the end of the season.

Whilst the Hoops will have their focus set on winning the Scottish Premiership and securing the SFA Cup, to complete a domestic treble, they will also have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Hoops may be concerned about the future of some of their star players amid reported interest from elsewhere ahead of the summer, with Nicolas Kuhn one of those reportedly in the crosshairs of other teams.

Last month, it was reported that Premier League side Newcastle United are interested in a deal to sign the German forward from Celtic, who are said to value him at around £20m.

Kuhn, who has – as shown above – showcased his quality in the Champions League this season, would be far from the first winger to be sold for big money by the Bhoys.

Where Kuhn would rank in Celtic's most valuable winger sales

The Scottish giants have a long history of cashing in on their star players, in every position over the years, as they have allowed the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster, Moussa Dembele, Odsonne Edouard, and countless others, to move on from Parkhead to further their respective careers.

Kuhn, though, would be one of their most expensive sales out of all of the wingers they have cashed in on if he moves for £20m or more in the upcoming summer window, placing him just below Jota.

Celtic’s biggest winger sales

Player

Fee

Jota

£24m

Aidan McGeady

£10m

Liel Abada

£6.7m

Mikey Johnston

£2.9m

Sead Haksabanovic

£1.6m

Fees via Transfermarkt

However, these fees do not account for the inflation of transfer fees in football over the years. As per Totally Money, a transfer fee of £10.8m in 2010 would be worth around £29.7m in today’s money.

This suggests that McGeady, who was sold to Spartak Moscow in the summer of 2010, is the most valuable sale on that list with a modern-day valuation of almost £30m.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The now-retired Ireland international was a terrific, long-serving, winger for the Hoops and they raked in a significant sum of money, for the time of the sale, when they sold him to the Russian side for £10m.

Why Aidan McGeady was such a valuable player

The Scottish-born star came up through the academy system at Parkhead and burst onto the scene as a promising young player in the 2003/04 campaign, scoring one goal in four league matches.

McGeady went on to score 36 goals and provide 48 assists in 233 appearances for Celtic in all competitions, including seven goals and 14 assists in his last league season before his big-money move to Spartak Moscow.

Former Celtic forward Aiden McGeady.

The Ireland international put on a show for Hoops supporters when he went out onto the field at Parkhead, due to his incredible technical ability and creative genius.

Such was the level of his skill, McGeady even had a signature trick that was named after him, as shown in the clip below, which speaks to just how inventive he was with the ball at his feet.

Typically operating on the left flank, the flair forward was equally capable of delivering quality with either foot, dribbling past players, scoring goals, and providing assists, whilst often cutting in on his right foot from the left wing.

In the present day, Celtic have unearthed their latest version of McGeady and it is not Kuhn, despite his potential big-money move away from Parkhead. It is Portuguese forward Jota, who has already sealed a big transfer away from Parkhead in his career.

Why Jota is Celtic's new McGeady

Jota, as aforementioned, was sold to Al Ittihad for a record fee for a Hoops winger back in the summer of 2023, after his first spell as a player in Glasgow under Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou.

As you can see in the graphic above, the Portugal international delivered brilliant performances on the flank as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Scottish giants.

That earned him a move to Saudi Arabia for a huge fee at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, but he returned to Parkhead 18 months later when Brendan Rodgers snapped him up from Rennes in January.

The Northern Irish boss brought the 25-year-old forward back to Celtic and it has been a masterstroke so far, with the winger registering his latest goal contribution against Rangers last time out with a great assist for Daizen Maeda.

Jota has scored three goals, created three ‘big chances’, and registered two assists in seven appearances, including four starts, in the Premiership since his January switch.

This shows that he has hit the ground running at Parkhead as both a scorer and a creator of goals, as McGeady was at Celtic, in his second spell in Glasgow.

Jota (24/25)

Champions League

Premiership

Starts

1

4

Goals

0

3

Big chances created

1

3

Assists

0

2

Dribbles completed

3

8

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Jota has completed 11 dribbles in just five starts across the Champions League and the Premiership for Celtic this season, which illustrates both his desire and ability to take defenders on and get supporters off their feet.

Like McGeady, the Portuguese speedster constantly looks to progress attacks by using his technical and dribbling skills to get his team up the pitch, whilst being a right-footed player on the left flank – as opposed to Kuhn being a left-footer on the right.

Pundit Michael Stewart claimed that Jota “raises the bar” for the Bhoys because he is a “game-changer” with his ability to take multiple players on at once.

Therefore, Rodgers – even though it is the player’s second spell at the club – has unearthed Celtic’s new version of McGeady by bringing Jota back to Parkhead, and he will be hoping that the Hoops continue to benefit from his attacking talent for many more years to come.

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Kuhn may well move on from the club this summer, amid Newcastle’s reported interest in him, but they would still have Jota and his terrific output in the final third to rely upon next season.

Rehan Ahmed survives Yorkshire's run-glut as Leicestershire face familiar fight

Dawid Malan century keeps hosts on front foot in first outing after bleak winter

David Hopps07-Apr-2023An elderly Headingley cricket historian observing Rehan Ahmed’s attempts to build on his achievement as England’s youngest Test cricketer might just have recalled the experience of one of Yorkshire’s most famous sons, Brian Close, the man who until last winter held that claim to fame for 70 years and more, and reflected that no matter how great Rehan’s talent, building on his breakthrough won’t necessarily be all plain sailing.It is one thing for rich potential to be recognised by an England leadership team with gamblers’ instincts – debuts granted in all three international formats by the age of 18, including five wickets in a Test debut in Karachi, which unsurprisingly brought the happy pronouncement that it was the best day of his life.But it’s another challenge entirely to build the foundations on pitches in an English spring to support a reputation already granted. Leicestershire’s has begun that task over the past two days at Headingley and, if the pitch was still slow and the breeze still chilly, at least this time there was sun to provide some encouragement.Rehan collected three for 89 in 15 overs which was a bit of an escape considering that Yorkshire racked up 517 at more than five an over. His first over, on the previous day, had gone for 22, including a shoulder-high full toss, and his start to the second day was not much better, 15 conceded this time as the nightwatchman, Matt Milnes, collected three boundaries on his way to 75 from 105 balls. Milnes made room to good effect and played him comfortably, his innings ending lbw during Michael Finan’s unpredictable spell with the second new ball.The ghost of Closey might well have popped up when Rehan’s satisfaction was at its lowest, jabbing him meaningfully in the chest, and telling him to pull himself together. There would have been no need to be offended if he had because he told everybody that. Close made his own debut at 18 against New Zealand in 1949, his National Service delayed for the privilege, and went on to do the Double that season of 1,000 first-class runs and 100 wickets, but even though he became one of the most loved players in Yorkshire’s history, and skippered England 17 years after that Test debut, his international career always spluttered along, his immense talent too often betrayed by a wandering mind.If there is any point in this comparison across the ages, it is to remark that it is unfair to expect too much from someone acclaimed so young. Reputation can hang heavily, even for a player who is widely praised by those in the know for his quiet maturity and level-headedness, an accolade rarely enjoyed by Close. Rehan is still a teenaged professional learning his trade – that Karachi Test debut was only his fourth first-class match and he still has only 19 first-class wickets.He took three good ones here. When Dawid Malan reverse-swept a full toss to extend his overnight 91 to 132, extending a remarkable if only occasional run-scoring record on this ground, Rehan was beginning to look tentative. But two balls later, Malan plonked one to long off. From the bowler, there was not the merest hint of relief or celebration. He just rubbed his nose and accepted a high-five that he didn’t have much heart for.His second wicket was cleverer, quicker and wider to set up a stumping for Peter Handscomb as George Hill advanced down the pitch; a token half-raise of his arm to mark this one. By the time he bowled Dom Bess (49 from 43 balls) to wrap up Yorkshire’s innings, he was happier in his work. A stocky 5ft 9ins, he reputedly bowls a little quicker than Adil Rashid, hunting the stumps, and there was air of the hunter in this dismissal, a quicker ball that beat Bess on the pull and caused Rehan to punch his palm in satisfaction. It completed the sense of a bowler who even so early in his career appears to have the wherewithal more often than not to survive the tough days.Dawid Malan made another century for Yorkshire•Getty ImagesThere will be more challenges like this over the summer, often fought out when scrutiny is conspicuous by its absence. That will bring its own test. By his own admission, until he shared in the joy of the Karachi Test win, he used to see the longer formats as “a boring game”. He has serious pretensions as an all-rounder and while he commits himself to his first full county season, he is likely to be giving more of an eye to events in the IPL.Leicestershire acquitted themselves well in response to Yorkshire’s 517. Sol Budinger looked more like Sol Budweiser – two beers for the price of one – as he attempted a series of intoxicating hacks at Milnes, four boundaries within six balls, none of them convincing, before he sliced an attempted leg-side hit to mid off.The new ball brought two more breakthroughs. Lewis Hill edged Ben Coad to slip, pushing warily forward, and Jordan Thompson rescued a good return catch, diving forward, to account for Ryan Patel.But this is a sedate surface, offering little lateral movement for the first week of April and Handscomb and Colin Ackermann played with poise in an fourth-wicket stand of 121. Even the sight of Bess’ new-look platinum hairstyle could not unnerve them. The crowd settled back, arms folded, huddled in winter coats, looking in the Rugby Stand like flies on a white wall, not quite as short-sighted as your average fly, to be fair, but probably a good deal easier to swat.It was the first little test of how Yorkshire’s dressing-room spirit and common sense has survived the winter’s ructions. Quite well, on this evidence, as Milnes, acquired from Kent, had the satisfaction of two late wickets with Ackermann patting a return catch and Wiaan Mulder edging behind. The announcement, too, that Pakistan opener Saud Shakeel finally has his visa – and a four-match deal – emphasised that their ambition is an immediate return to the First Division, potential points penalties or not.

Fit-again Shreyas Iyer to join India's Test squad in Delhi

Batter has been cleared by the BCCI’s medical team after undergoing rehab at the NCA

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Feb-2023

Shreyas Iyer is particularly strong against spin•AFP/Getty Images

Shreyas Iyer will join India’s squad for the second Test against Australia in Delhi, having been passed fit by the BCCI’s medical team. The middle-order batter had been sidelined from the first Test in Nagpur because of a back injury that had also ruled him out of the home ODI series against New Zealand last month. Iyer subsequently underwent rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.After playing the two-Test series in Bangladesh in December, Iyer had a swelling in his lower back for which he was given an injection at the NCA. He was originally expected to travel from Bengaluru to Nagpur and join the India squad for their preparatory camp for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting on February 2. However, his rehab was extended and in his absence, Suryakumar Yadav made his Test debut in Nagpur, scoring eight in India’s innings victory.Related

Kohli an uneasy fit at slip as India search for Rahane's replacement

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In Delhi, Iyer could potentially slot back into the XI ahead of the other contenders Suryakumar and Shubman Gill. Iyer has played seven Tests so far, scoring 624 runs at an average of 56.72 and strike rate of 65.13. He is particularly strong against spin, which makes him a key batter for India on turning tracks. Iyer is also one among four Indian batters to average above 50 in Asia since the start of 2021.The second Test will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi from February 17.India squad: Rohit Sharma (capt), KL Rahul (vice-capt), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Suryakumar Yadav.

Cole Palmer & Phil Foden told they're behind Morgan Gibbs-White in England pecking order as Thomas Tuchel plans for June internationals

Cole Palmer and Phil Foden have been warned they're behind Morgan Gibbs-White for England as Thomas Tuchel plans for their June internationals.

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Foden & Palmer have struggled with form

Gibbs-White fuelling Forest's UCL hopes

Alan Hutton believes he should be preferred over othersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Gibbs-White has enjoyed a remarkable campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo, becoming one of the driving forces behind Forest's turnaround after seasons of battling near the foot of the Premier League. His consistent output and creative influence have sparked renewed discussions about his role in the national setup while also being linked with a move to Manchester City as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

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Despite his excellent performances throughout the season, Gibbs-White was initially omitted from Tuchel’s first England squad earlier this year, a decision that raised eyebrows among supporters and pundits alike. It wasn’t until Palmer withdrew due to injury that Gibbs-White was brought into the squad. However, the former Wolves midfielder didn't get a chance to prove himself on the pitch. He was left out of the matchday squad for the 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley and was an unused substitute during the following fixture against Latvia.

WHAT ALAN HUTTON SAID

Foden and Palmer are battling their dip in form this season, and this has led Alan Hutton to advocate Gibbs-White’s inclusion in the England starting XI.

Hutton told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Champions League odds: "Gibbs White has been brilliant, absolutely brilliant. He's probably one of the main reasons why Nottingham Forest are where they are at this moment in time. Looking at other options for England, Palmer has kind of dropped off a little bit. Foden is probably not playing as much as he would like. As class players as they are, these things happen. You have drops in form or whatever it may be.

"Even for England, it goes back to the old thing where you think of Morgan Gibbs-White. He wasn't in the initial squad last time, then he got brought in through injuries, which is quite incredible. If you're picking off form, he should definitely be there, but he needs to continue to play at that high level if they want to make the Champions League."

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WHAT NEXT?

While Palmer and Foden remain central figures in England’s long-term plans, their current situations leave them vulnerable to being overtaken by in-form competitors. With just a few Premier League fixtures left before Tuchel announces his squad, players vying for selection know every performance counts. Gibbs-White has put himself firmly in the conversation – and if his current trajectory continues, he could well find himself starting in an England shirt this summer. The Three Lions resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra on June 7 before hosting Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground on June 10.

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