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Único festival de cinema de futebol do Brasil e pioneiro na América Latina, o Cinefoot realiza sua 14ª edição de 25 a 30 deste mês, no Rio de Janeiro, com 51 filmes e entrada franca. E Johan Cruyff, eterno camisa 14 da Holanda, será o homenageado em alusão ao número do evento. Além disso, o festival vai celebrar o cineasta Pedro Asbeg, as pioneiras do futebol feminino no Brasil e o centenário dos Camisas Negras e da Resposta Histórica, que fizeram história no Vasco com sua luta antirracista. A abertura ficará por conta da projeção de “Doval: o gringo mais carioca do futebol” e o encerramento será feito com a exibição de “A turma do Maestro Júnior”.

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A programação do Cinefoot mantém o perfil de pluralidade e diversidade, abrigando os mais variados olhares sobre o futebol presentes em produções vindas de diversos países. Dos 51 títulos que integram a programação, 35 são brasileiros e 16 internacionais – oriundos de Itália, Espanha, Alemanha, Chile, Estados Unidos, Irã e Suíça, além de três coproduções: Argentina/Espanha, Croácia/ Alemanha e Brasil/Egito.

O Cinefoot entra em campo em quatro espaços de exibição: Estação Net Botafogo, Estação Net Rio, CCJF-Centro Cultural Justiça Federal e Cine Teatro Eduardo Coutinho Biblioteca Parque de Manguinhos. Além das exibições presenciais, o festival disponibiliza uma programação especial no formato virtual, através do canal do YouTube do Cinefoot.

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FILME DE ABERTURA:
25/04, às 20h30, Estação Net Botafogo.
Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 88 – Botafogo

“DOVAL: O GRINGO MAIS CARIOCA DO FUTEBOL”
Direção: Sérgio Rossini e Federico Bardini

A breve vida do argentino mais querido da história do Brasil: o jogador de futebol Horácio Narciso Doval, que no Rio se tornou ídolo de dois clubes rivais, Flamengo e Fluminense, repetindo o feito na Argentina, atuando pelo San Lorenzo e Huracan. Doval também fazia sucesso fora de campo desfilando sua beleza e simpatia em Ipanema.

FILME DE ENCERRAMENTO:
30/04, às 20h30, Estação Net Rio
Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 35 – Botafogo

“A TURMA DO MAESTRO JUNIOR”
Direção: Daniel Furiati Sroulevich

O Rei está posto! Viva o novo Rei! Em 1989, após o pedido do seu filho, Junior volta ao Flamengo e recebe o bastão de Zico, que faz sua despedida. Com um clube em crise, uma molecada genial e geniosa, e a ajuda de novos companheiros, o ‘Maestro’ rege o Fla para a conquista de todos os títulos nacionais possíveis.

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HOMENAGENS:
A galeria de homenagens do CINEFOOT 14 terá a seguinte escalação:

JOHAN CRUYFF
Na sua edição número 14, o CINEFOOT vai destacar o legado e a genialidade do maior camisa 14 de todos os tempos: Johan Cruyjff.

Com apoio do Consulado Geral do Reino dos Países Baixos no Rio de Janeiro, o CINEFOOT leva ao público o filme “A ÚLTIMA PARTIDA”, Direção de Jordi Marcos, que conta com depoimentos de Josep Guardiola, Xavi Hernandez, Jordi Cruyff, Josep Carreras, dentre outros protagonistas que vivenciaram a era Cruyff.
28/04, às 18h30, Estação Net Rio
PEDRO ASBEG
Pela sua trajetória com mais de 25 anos de experiência na produção audiovisual e atuação destacada no campo do cinema futeboleiro, Pedro Asbeg recebe a “Honraria Futebol Arte” do CINEFOOT 14.

Diretor e editor de um seleto conjunto de documentários, Pedro Asbeg é formado pela University of Westminster de Londres, tendo já colaborado em conteúdos para Netflix, HBO, Globoplay, Canal Brasil, ESPN, GNT, Multishow, Space e Al Jazeera, entre outros canais e plataformas.

É multicampeão do CINEFOOT, recebendo a láurea máxima do festival em três edições. Dentre seus filmes sobre futebol estão filmes como “DEMOCRACIA EM PRETO E BRANCO”, “GERALDINOS”, “DOGÃO CALABRESA”, “UNIDO VENCERÁS”, “SOM DAS TORCIDAS”, “O DEUS DA RAÇA”, “CARTA AO MAGRÃO”, “ONDE ESTIVER, ESTAREI” e, mais recentemente, “O NINHO: FUTEBOL E TRAGÉDIA”.
29/04, às 20h30, Estação Net Rio

LUCY ALVES
Lucy Alves integra a galeria das pioneiras do futebol feminino no Brasil, marcando presença na primeira Seleção Brasileira, que disputou o Torneio Mundial Experimental da FIFA, em 1988, na China. Lucy foi a primeira jogadora brasileira jogar no exterior, radicando-se na Itália.

Para homenagear Lucy Alves, que receberá a “Honraria Gol de Placa”, será exibido o documentário italiano “LUCY – O DESTINO DE UMA PIONEIRA”, com Direção de Roberto Pili.
27/04, às 18h30, Estação Net Rio

PIONEIRAS DO FUTEBOL FEMININO BRASILEIRO
A resiliência, história e luta das pioneiras do futebol feminino brasileiro, modalidade proibida por mais de quatro décadas no Brasil, ganham foco na homenagem do CINEFOOT-14. Estas desbravadoras marcam presença na sessão especial dedicada a elas para receber a “Honraria Gol de Placa”, com a exibição de “AS PRIMEIRAS”, Direção de Adriana Yañez.

O documentário retrata a vida destas mulheres que vivem nos subúrbios do Rio de Janeiro, estão perto dos 60 anos e guardam um passado comum: são a base da primeira seleção feminina de futebol do Brasil.
27/04, às 20h30, Estação Net Rio

ROBERTO DINAMITE, CAMISAS NEGRAS, RESPOSTA HISTÓRICA
Ao longo da sua história centenária, o C.R.Vasco da Gama sagrou-se campeão em várias jornadas. Porém, as conquistas obtidas além das quatro linhas da disputa futebolística, são glórias consagradas pela contribuição à sociedade e merecem o devido reconhecimento.

Em 1923, o lendário time dos CAMISAS NEGRAS fez história conquistando o primeiro título estadual do C.R.Vasco da Gama. O time composto por negros, operários e suburbanos, alcança a glória derrotando todo o cenário adverso imposto pelos clubes rivais.

Já em 1924, a RESPOSTA HISTÓRICA, documento no qual o C.R.Vasco da Gama comunica que se recusaria a disputar a divisão principal do Rio de Janeiro sem seus jogadores negros, exigência que havia sido imposta pelos dirigentes da época, reafirma o papel do cruzmaltino na luta contra o racismo no esporte brasileiro.

Roberto Dinamite, ídolo eterno do C.R.Vasco da Gama, será homenageado nesta sessão, na qual serão exibidos os filmes “CAMISAS NEGRAS UMA JORNADA HISTÓRICA”, Coordenação de Thais Vieira, “A FORÇA DO GIGANTE”, Direção de Marco Antonio Rocha, além de um vídeo-homenagem do Museu da Pelada ao ídolo Roberto Dinamite.
26/04, às 20h30, Estação Net Rio

ACESSIBILIDADE:
A exemplo das edições anteriores o CINEFOOT disponibiliza uma programação com recursos de acessibilidade (Legenda Descritiva / Audiodescrição / Libras), com vistas a promover o acesso de pessoas com deficiência ao festival.
26/04 a 28/04, CCJF-Centro Cultural Justiça Federal

ATIVIDADES PARALELAS
Além das exibições, a programação do CINEFOOT apresenta atividades paralelas como a consagrada Mesa-Redonda, que reúne bate-papos com convidados, a ação formativa “Oficina Audiovisual para Jovens” e a aguardada Masterclass, encontro com cineasta homenageado.

MASTERCLASS

POR DENTRO DO ESQUEMA TÁTICO. 90 MINUTOS COM PEDRO ASBEG.

O CINEFOOT 14 convida o diretor e editor Pedro Asbeg para desvendar o esquema tático das suas produções futebolísticas, através de uma Masterclass com duração de uma partida de futebol, 90 minutos.

Pedro Asbeg, homenageado pelo CINEFOOT 14, é um colecionador de troféus do festival e tem na sua trajetória os filmes “DEMOCRACIA EM PRETO E BRANCO”, “GERALDINOS”, “DOGÃO CALABRESA”, “UNIDO VENCERÁS”, “SOM DAS TORCIDAS”, “O DEUS DA RAÇA”, “CARTA AO MAGRÃO”, “ONDE ESTIVER, ESTAREI”, “NINHO: FUTEBOL E TRAGÉDIA”.

MESA-REDONDA CINEFOOT / DEBATES
A MESA-REDONDA CINEFOOT destaca três temas que merecem abordagem especial e será disponibilizada através do Canal do Youtube do Cinefoot: YOUTUBE.COM/CINEFOOT

1) GENIALIDADE E LEGADO DE JOHAN CRUYFF.
2) AS PIONEIRAS DO FUTEBOL FEMININO BRASILEIRO.
3) CAMISAS NEGRAS, UMA MARCO ANTIRRACISTA.

FORMAÇÃO: OFICINA DE INICIAÇÃO AUDIOVISUAL PARA JOVENS
Com a coordenação de Thais Vieira, educadora e realizadora do documentário “CAMISAS NEGRAS UMA JORNADA HISTÓRICA”, a tradicional oficina de iniciação audiovisual voltada para o público jovem do CINEFOOT, será disponibilizada aos participantes de forma gratuita.

PREMIAÇÃO DO CINEFOOT 14:
Na sua edição número 14, o CINEFOOT lança um novo prêmio, o TROFÉU MUSEU DA PELADA, que será destinado ao filme mais conectado com a irreverência, fantasia e valorização da memória do futebol.

Taça Cinefoot de Melhor Longa-Metragem
Taça Cinefoot de Melhor Curta-Metragem
Medalha de Prata: 2˚Lugar na categoria Longa-metragem
Medalha de Prata: 2˚Lugar na categoria Curta-metragem
Medalha de Bronze: 3˚Lugar na categoria Longa-metragem
Medalha de Bronze: 3˚Lugar na categoria Curta-metragem
Troféu JOÃO SALDANHA
Troféu REDAÇÃO AM
Troféu MUSEU DA PELADA

A CONVOCAÇÃO GERAL DO CINEFOOT 14:
Esta é a relação geral dos filmes convocados para as integrar a programação do CINEFOOT 14, nos quatro espaços de exibição.

ESTAÇÃO NET BOTAFOGO
Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 88 – Botafogo

FILME DE ABERTURA:
25/04, às 20h30.
“DOVAL: O GRINGO MAIS CARIOCA DO FUTEBOL”
Direção: Sérgio Rossini e Federico Bardini

ESTAÇÃO NET RIO
Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 35 – Botafogo

FILME DE ENCERRAMENTO:
30/04, às 20h30.
“A TURMA DO MAESTRO JUNIOR”
Direção: Daniel Furiati Sroulevich
MOSTRA COMPETITIVA INTERNACIONAL DE LONGAS-METRAGENS:

AMILTON MELO – ÍDOLO DE TODOS. Dir. Ciro Câmara e Vinicius Augusto Bozzo (Brasil)A ÚLTIMA PARTIDA. Dir. Jordi Marcos (Espanha)AS PRIMEIRAS. Dir. Adriana Yañez (Brasil)BOLA PRO ALTO! Dir. Cecília Lang (Brasil)DIAMANTE. Dir. Georg Nonnenmacher, Ingo Haeb, Karin Berghammer (Alemanha/Áustria)LUCY – O DESTINO DE UMA PIONEIRA. Dir. Roberto Pili (Itália)

MOSTRA COMPETITIVA INTERNACIONAL DE CURTAS-METRAGENS:

4/11: VITÓRIA E GLÓRIA ETERNA, FLUMINENSE! Dir. Lucas Costa, Marco Carvalho e Thiago
Salata (Brasil)Dir. Vuk Jevremovic (Croácia/Alemanha)CAMPOS CONQUISTADOS: A LUTA DAS MULHERES NA ARBITRAGEM BRASILEIRA DE FUTEBOL.
Dir. Jéssica Gomes (Brasil)CEMITÉRIO DE CARROS. Dir. Miguel Ángel Olivares (Espanha)EMPATE ETERNO. Dir. Nicolás Cefarelli (Argentina/Espanha)ESTRELAS DO DESERTO. Dir. Katherina Harder Sacre (Chile)MAGRO DE AÇO. Dir. Renato Martins (Brasil)MOKATTAM. Dir. Marco Antonio (Brasil/Egito)POR TRÁS DO APITO. Dir. Angelo Martins (Brasil)VOLVEIRÁN. Dir. Ángel Rodriguez (Espanha)

CCJF-CENTRO CULTURAL JUSTIÇA FEDERAL
Av. Rio Branco, 241 – Centro – Cinelândia

MOSTRA ESPECIAL E ACESSIBILIDADE:

RADAR, UM TIME! UMA NAÇÃO! Dir. Douglas Lima e Jefferson Rodrigues (Brasil) (LD-LEGENDA DESCRITIVA / AD-AUDIODESCRIÇÃO / LIBRAS)

A CULPA É DO NEYMAR. Dir. João Ademir (Brasil) (LD-LEGENDA DESCRITIVA / AD-AUDIODESCRIÇÃO / LIBRAS)

LOUISE. Dir. Amanda Gomes, Andressa Fernandes, Nathanael Cruz (Brasil) (LD-LEGENDA DESCRITIVA / AD-AUDIODESCRIÇÃO / LIBRAS)

FERMENTO. Dir. Carlos Eduardo Ceccon (Brasil) (AD-AUDIODESCRIÇÃO)

CAMISAS NEGRAS, UMA JORNADA HISTÓRICA. Coord. Thaís Vieira (Brasil) (LD-LEGENDA DESCRITIVA / AD-AUDIODESCRIÇÃO / LIBRAS)

GERALDINOS. Dir. Pedro Asbeg e Renato Martins (Brasil)

CAMISAS NEGRAS, OFICINA AUDIOVISUAL. Coord. Thaís Vieira (Brasil)

PELÉ: O REI DO DESCONHECIDO. Dir. Ernesto Rodrigues (Brasil) (LD-LEGENDA DESCRITIVA / LIBRAS)

FAZ UM C! Dir. Paulo China e Oscar Colombo

MIMO – O MILAGRE DE MILAGRES. Dir. Rafael Luis Azevedo (Brasil) LD-LEGENDA DESCRITIVA / LIBRAS)

DEMOCRACIA EM PRETO E BRANCO. Dir. Pedro Asbeg (Brasil)

CINE TEATRO EDUARDO COUTINHO / BIBLIOTECA PARQUE DE MANGUINHOS
Av. Dom Hélder Câmara, 1184 – Benfica

MOSTRA ESPECIAL E DENTE DE LEITE:

LOUISE. Dir. Amanda Gomes, Andressa Fernandes, Nathanael Cruz (Brasil)

GAÚCHOS CANARINHOS. Dir. Rene Goya Filho (Brasil)

A CULPA É DO NEYMAR. Dir. João Ademir (Brasil)

ZIMBÚ. Dir. Marcos Strassburger Souza (Brasil)

RONALDO. Dir. Jan Mettler (Suíça)

MOACYR BARBOSA. Dir. Emílio Domingos (Brasil)

DOIS PÉS ESQUERDOS. Dir. Isabella Salvetti (Itália)

O PRIMEIRO JOÃO. Dir. André Castelão (Brasil)

LEO. Dir. Moein Rooholamini (Irã)

MENINAS FALAM SOBRE FUTEBOL. Dir. Paola Sorrentino (Itália)

O GOLEIRO SOLITÁRIO. Dir. Andre Andreev (EUA)

RADAR, UM TIME! UMA NAÇÃO! Dir. Douglas Lima e Jefferson Rodrigues (Brasil)

MIMO – O MILAGRE DE MILAGRES. Dir. Rafael Luis Azevedo (Brasil)

BOCA DE FOGO. Dir. Luciano Pérez Fernández (Brasil)

DEMOCRACIA EM PRETO E BRANCO. Dir. Pedro Asbeg (Brasil)

GERALDINOS. Dir. Pedro Asbeg e Renato Martins (Brasil)

CINEFOOT ON-LINE
Programação disponível no canal do Youtube do CINEFOOT.
YOUTUBE.COM/CINEFOOT

ESPAÇOS DE EXIBIÇÃO:
(Entrada franca, sujeita à lotação da sala)

Estação Net Botafogo
Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 88 – Botafogo

Estação Net Rio
Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 35 – Botafogo
CCJF-Centro Cultural Justiça Federal
Av. Rio Branco, 241 – Cinelândia, Centro.

Cine Teatro Eduardo Coutinho Biblioteca Parque de Manguinhos
Av. Dom Hélder Câmara, 1184 – Benfica.

Tudo sobre

CruyffRoberto Dinamite

Dasun Shanaka has been named Sri Lanka’s vice-captain for the upcoming T20I tri-series that will also involve Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Fast bowler Eshan Malinga, meanwhile, is in line to make his debut in the same series while also being included in the ODI squad for the three matches against Pakistan before the tri-series begins.Uncapped middle-order batter Pavan Rathnayake, 23, is named in the ODI squad. This is reward for longer-term domestic performance rather than recent form, though he did hit a List A hundred at the end of July.Dilshan Madushanka has been ruled out of the ODI series as he hasn’t yet recovered from a knee injury, and was replaced by Malinga, whereas Matheesha Pathirana isn’t a part of the T20I squad as he is recovering from an upper respiratory tract infection. Pathirana was replaced by Asitha Fernando.Top-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who last played a T20I at the start of the year, was back in the squad for the shortest format, having missed two bilateral series and the Asia Cup since then. His recall is partly down to some explosive batting in the recent SLC T20 tournament, in which he struck at 163 across four innings. Sri Lanka have generally struggled for firepower in the middle order.The exclusion of Nuwanidu Fernando, meanwhile, is despite him having top-scored in that SLC T20 tournament. His runs came at a strike rate of 124, however.Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage didn’t find a spot in either of the 16-member squads, but he will lead Sri Lanka A in the Rising Stars T20 Asia Cup in Doha later this month, with Nuwanidu also named in that squad.Sri Lanka’s ODIs against Pakistan are all scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi, on November 11, 13 and 15. Those will be followed by the tri-series from November 17 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, with the final slated for November 29.

Sri Lanka squads

ODIs: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranaga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Eshan MalingaT20I tri-series: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka (vice-capt), Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranaga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga

England took on Boland two years ago on home soil and could look to take a similar approach this year

AAP12-Oct-20257:05

Advantage England if Cummins misses first Ashes Test?

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has warned England that Scott Boland will be a different prospect at home, and any belief they have figured the Victorian out is based on a false economy.Boland’s role for this summer’s Ashes is now appearing increasingly important, with concerns over how many Tests Pat Cummins will be able to play throughout the series.The 36-year-old Boland debuted against England four years ago on Boxing Day, with his 6 for 7 in the second innings catapulting him into cult-hero status.Related

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Cummins says he's 'less likely than likely' to play in the first Ashes Test

The one blip in Boland’s Test career remains the 2023 Ashes, where England went after him and messed with his lengths at Edgbaston and Headingley.Boland’s career average of 16.53 also remains the best of any bowler in the past 100 years, while his economy-rate of 2.75 makes him the most miserly of any regular seamer since his debut.But he took just two wickets at an average of 115.5 in the 2023 Ashes, as England’s batters walked at Boland and took him for 4.91 runs an over in his two Tests.That alone prompted former England captain Michael Atherton to state this week Cummins’s back injury was a massive boost for the tourists given they had no fear for Boland. Not that Australia’s coach is buying into the suggestion.”Scotty was challenged with some lack of bounce in the benign conditions in England,” McDonald said. “I think conditions sort of conspired a little bit against him. I know there’s been some press around that England have worked Scott Boland out.  But when he comes back into the Australian conditions, he gets bounce, hits the deck, he’s a handful.Will it be a big Ashes for Scott Boland?•Getty Images

“And as we saw last year against India, I think Rohit Sharma rated him the best of that series. That’s a huge compliment from an opposing captain.”McDonald pointed to two overs Boland sent down under heavy cloud at Edgbaston during the 2023 Ashes as proof the situation may have been conditions-dependent.”We did get the overheads there for that short snippet at the end of day three,” McDonald said. “And when he bowled a few overs under the cloudy skies, he looked like he was going to get a wicket every ball.”So we’re confident and comfortable that Baz can get the job done in Australia, which he’s done over a long period of time. And bounce will be his friend.”McDonald also insisted there was enough depth in Australia’s pace-bowling stocks to cover if injuries struck. He has not had to call upon a frontline quick other than Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood or Boland since December 2022.Cummins will have a clearer picture later this week on whether he is a chance to play in the first Test, with the captain needing at least four-and-a-half weeks of bowling in the lead up.Tight turnarounds between the final three Tests could also cause workload-management headaches, particularly if the third Test in Adelaide was to go the distance.”It’d be nice if we sat back at the end of the summer and said there were only four fast bowlers used,” McDonald said.  “But we’ve got some good options in [Brendan] Doggett, [Sean] Abbott, [Michael] Neser.  Jhye Richardson is potentially coming back around that midpoint of the series.”So I feel like we’ve got some good options if we do get stretched, which is one of the great things of domestic cricket.”

Young batter has opportunity to build narrative ahead of England’s defining campaign in November

Matt Roller13-Oct-2025Jacob Bethell has gone platinum. He has not broken into the music industry just yet, but England’s wunderkind used his time off at the end of the season to refresh his bright blond shock of hair and arrived in New Zealand this weekend with a golden chance ahead of him.He may not have an England crest tattooed on his biceps to prove his allegiance, but Bethell’s haircut is as much of a statement as the ‘skunk’ that Kevin Pietersen wore two decades ago in similar circumstances. For not since Pietersen in 2005 has an England batter gone into a white-ball series with such a clear opportunity to lock down a spot for the subsequent Ashes series.The obvious difference is that Pietersen had scored 21 first-class hundreds by the time that his one-day performances – most notably, a match-winning 91 not out at Bristol – secured his place ahead of the late Graham Thorpe for the first Test a few weeks later. Bethell has not scored any; as such, his case to beat Ollie Pope to the No. 3 spot in Perth relies on potential far more than performance.There may be little obvious relationship between three T20Is and three ODIs on small grounds in New Zealand and an Ashes series in Australia, but narrative is a powerful drug. After 61 Tests – already more than Jonathan Trott – Pope is a known entity, whose average has stabilised at 35. Bethell’s may yet do the same, but the uncertainty is precisely what makes him so enticing to an England management obsessed with upside.Bethell’s role in England’s white-ball teams became steadily more prominent last month: having mainly batted at No. 6, he shuffled up to No. 4 in the final two ODIs against South Africa, and moved up to No. 3 in the T20I side. If that continues in New Zealand, he will have more than enough time in the middle to press his case with substantial scores; all the while, Pope will have to watch on from afar.”I’ll be playing cricket, but whether that has any impact on what actually happens going into that Ashes series, I don’t know,” Bethell said at Thursday’s Toyota PCA Awards. “Form’s a big thing in sport… I’ll just try to put in performances to win games for England, and if that does end up in an Ashes call-up into the XI, then I’ll be taking that with both hands, hopefully.”Bethell scored the first hundred of his professional career in the ODIs against South Africa•ECB via Getty ImagesEngland have indicated that they will take a late call on the identity of their No. 3, with the logic that selection dilemmas are often solved by circumstance. Harry Brook’s withdrawal from their tour to India last year for personal reasons avoided a middle-order logjam, and England are only a rolled ankle or a broken finger away from being spared a headache for Australia.The downside of that approach is that it leaves room for speculation, which will only increase over the next month. But in turn, that only adds relevance to Bethell’s white-ball opportunities in New Zealand: if he can overcome the pressure of knowing that his Ashes spot is on the line, then he should be well equipped for the intense scrutiny of a Test series in Australia.Bethell has played in Australia before: he scored a hundred from No. 3 while captaining England Under-19s three winters ago, and had a modest season for Melbourne Renegades last year. He found conditions “pretty different to what I expected” in the Big Bash – where some pitches are slow and low – but is confident that he will be up to the task this time.Related

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'He doesn't need much' – Starc says Cummins can play off limited preparation

Cummins says he's 'less likely than likely' to play in the first Ashes Test

Brook named as Ashes vice-captain as Jacks wins recall

Ashes tracker: Labuschagne shines as Konstas stumbles

“I’ve definitely had a little think about the kind of challenge that I’m going to face over there,” he said. “The only thing I’ll be looking to do is try to adapt as quickly as possible. I think my game is pretty suited to Australian conditions, in terms of [there being] a bit more bounce [than in England], so that’ll be something that I’m looking to capitalise on.”Bethell spent two weeks with his family in Barbados at the end of the summer, and reflected on a summer in which he scored his maiden professional hundred and captained England for the first time with a level of disappointment. “I’m actually not very happy with the summer I had, but it’s something that has lit a fire in me,” he said.It is that attitude that has impressed so many players and coaches in Bethell’s career to date, and means that he is a genuine contender to replace Pope – a man with nine Test hundreds – at No. 3 in Perth on November 21. He could not hope for a better chance to prove it than over the next three weeks in New Zealand.

Pollard smashed the fastest half-century of this CPL, off 17 balls, but it wasn’t enough

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2025Dwaine Pretorius’ late sixes trumped Kieron Pollard’s in a tense chase of 168 to start Guyana Amazon Warriors’ home stretch with a victory and boost their playoff chances. They are fourth now on the points table, just one point behind Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, but with three matches in hand compared to one for Falcons. Trinbago Knight Riders, second on the table and already through to the playoffs, were lifted to a competitive score single-handedly by Pollard’s unbeaten 54 off 18, but it didn’t prove to be enough on a night where batting got easier later on, according to Pretorius.Amazon Warriors were in a spot of bother once their set batters Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were gone by the 16th over and they needed 38 to win off 18. Pretorius, fresh on the back of his 53 off 34 against Barbados Royals two days ago, ended the 18th over, from Andre Russell, with consecutive sixes to bring it down from 19 to 12, and further eased the nerves in the last over, of which they needed nine, with a hack over wide long-on off Pollard before they reached the target with a ball to spare.TKR got off to a sedate start after they were put in to bat. They kept attempting boundaries, but kept losing wickets in the process as Romario Shepherd rattled Alex Hales’ stumps and Moeen Ali did the same to Nicholas Pooran, leaving them on 40 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. Moeen and captain Imran Tahir slowed them down further with a spin strangle, conceding just 18 in the next four overs with just one boundary. Moeen finished with 4-0-11-1 before Darren Bravo broke the shackles but soon holed out off Tahir for 33 off 35.On 100 for 4 after 16, TKR got a massive late lift when Pollard faced 17 off the last 24 balls and smashed the fastest half-century of the season, off 17 balls, studded with his trademark swings across the line after going back and across. He started with consecutive fours against Pretorius and smashed back-to-back sixes off Shepherd before Keacy Carty retired out for 29 off 34 at the end of the 18th. Pollard took on Tahir too, with a six that travelled 103 metres back over the bowler. The innings ended with a sequence of 6, 6, 4 and 4 as Pollard tore into Shepherd for a 21-run over.Amazon Warriors’ start wasn’t very impressive either, as Akeal Hosein sent back Moeen and Keemo Paul in his first eight balls. Hope, however, broke free with 6, 6 and 4 off Russell before Hetmyer hammered Usman Tariq for three sixes in an over to place them on an impressive 66 for 2 after six overs. But Amazon Warriors, too, slowed down after the powerplay, with the introduction of Sunil Narine. He added to the hosts’ woes by having Hetmyer hole out for 49 and trapping Hope lbw for 53. But Pretorious held his nerve by being prepared for yorkers and variations, and putting a bunch of them away to the ropes to see Amzaon Warriors home.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge fifty sets hosts up for success

ECB Media10-Aug-2025Southern Brave made it two from two in this year’s competition, as Sophie Devine starred in a 15-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix in front of a record crowd at Utilita Bowl.A crowd of 11,167 turned out in the Hampshire sunshine to see the home side prevail in a game which see-sawed throughout but was ultimately decided by the regular wickets Brave took throughout the Phoenix run chase.Both teams came into today’s game off the back of strong opening wins, with Phoenix winning the toss and opting to field. Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s 59 from 39 balls was the foundation for the Brave’s total of 139, ably supported by Laura Wolvaardt (28) and Devine (27).After a good start from Brave, Phoenix came back into the first innings, restraining the home side in the last 25 balls. At one stage, a big score was on the cards but, led by Megan Schutt (2 for 23 from 20 balls) and then Em Arlott (2 for 19 from 20 balls) at the death, Brave faltered to 139 with only 19 coming from the last 15 balls.Southern Brave took the early wickers of Emma Lamb and Georgia Voll, both of whom had done well in the Phoenix’s first game. Ellyse Perry and Amy Jones then steadied the ship and looked comfortable in their efforts to knock off the total.When Jones was out for 20, Sterre Kalis took over the charge to the finish, with Phoenix needing 45 from the final 30 balls. However, when Perry was caught well in the deep by Mady Villiers for 26 from 21 balls, Kalis accelerated but ultimately ran out of support, and Phoenix were bowled out with two balls to spare, 15 short.The Brave bowling performance was headlined by Lauren Bell taking 3 for 17 from 19 balls, with Devine’s 2 for 28 and Tilly Corteen-Coleman’s 2 for 16 also doing damage.With her 27 runs, two wickets and a run out, Devine, the Meerkat Match Hero said: “I’m really pleased about the result. Danni (Wyatt-Hodge) was outstanding. The way she set up the game, it was trickier than she made it look. It was a great game for us and nice to do it in front of the home crowd.”It is always nice to perform against teams you have previously played for. Every game is on the line and you have to be good. We have to keep sharp and keep learning. I have not played a lot of cricket over the last few months and was probably swinging like a rusty gate. I’ve played enough cricket to know that it will come. When you have someone like her (Wyatt-Hodge), it makes easier. If I can contribute in any way, that is what I am here for.”

Sri Lanka fought hard through cameos from Samarawickrama, Theekshana and then Hasaranga but had a tall ask and fell six runs short

Madushka Balasuriya11-Nov-2025

Salman Agha got to his century in just 83 balls•AFP/Getty Images

Pakistan withstood a valiant all-round display from Wanindu Hasaranga to come away with a six-run victory in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, and with it take a 1-0 lead in the three match series.Chasing 300 to win, a target that would have constituted the second-highest successful chase in Rawalpindi, Sri Lanka were set up well courtesy an 80-run opening stand, but then lost wickets in clusters through the middle overs to fall behind the required rate. A few stands through the middle overs still provided Sri Lanka the control they might have been looking for but none of their batters were able to capitalise on their starts.It meant Hasaranga was left batting with the tail during a 52-ball 59 to take the chase into the final overs, but with 21 needed from 10 he too would fall. Even then, two boundaries from Maheesh Theekshana in the final over gave Sri Lanka hope of an unlikely heist, but Hussain Talat held his nerve with the ball.This though was a hard-fought win set up by Salman Agha’s second ODI century, which helped Pakistan recover from a sluggish start to pose a competitive target. It was then brought home by what was an eventually stellar display from Pakistan’s bowlers, but not one without some significant blemishes – the innings saw 26 wides and two dropped catches.Igniting the game was fiery spell from Haris Rauf, who ended with figures of 4 for 61. Rauf’s intervention came at a point when Sri Lanka were coasting along with Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara, on ODI debut, in the midst of an 85-run opening stand off just 70 deliveries.Babar Azam and Haris Rauf celebrate a wicket•AFP/Getty Images

During that period, Sri Lanka were rollicking along – though much of that early brisk scoring was of Pakistan’s own doing. Of the 26 wides across the Sri Lankan innings, roughly 70% came inside the opening powerplay. That provided Sri Lanka’s chase the impetus it needed, shortly after which both Nissanka and Mishara also began to find their range.At that point it was hard to look past a comfortable Sri Lankan chase, but all that changed when Mishara spliced an attempted flat-batted slap straight to mid-off of Rauf. This triggered the first of two mini-collapses in the innings, as Kusal Mendis chopped on the very next delivery, before Nissanka edged behind in Haris’ next over. From 85 for 0, Sri Lanka had stumbled to 90 for 3.But even at that point, with Sri Lanka playing seven specialist batters, the chase seemed well in hand. A view reinforced by the 57-run stand between Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama that followed.Coming off 80 deliveries, it wasn’t a particularly rapid stand, but it helped Sri Lanka regain some of the control that had been lost by the sudden burst of wickets. It was also a partnership which had minimal risk-taking, and as such it took a moment of utter brilliance to bring it to an end.After Sadeera had edged one through a vacant slip region and swung and missed at another, Shaheen Shah Afridi swiftly installed Babar Azam at slip. And Babar was immediately in action as he sprung to his right and plucked an edge off Sadeera the very next delivery. It was a moment of outrageous skill that brought those in attendance at an increasingly raucous Rawalpindi stadium to their feet.That though was the appetiser for what was to follow. The arrival of Janith Liyanage instilled some urgency to Sri Lanka’s proceedings, as he and Asalanka put on a stand of 36 off 31 balls. While Asalanka, who had earlier in the day seemed to have incurred what looked to be a hamstring niggle, was struggling for fluency, Liyanage was rotating strike with ease.During this period it seemed like Sri Lanka had at last found the blueprint for victory: rotate strike, take the game deep, don’t panic. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, that final memo seemed to have passed them by.Asalanka’s brain fade was the catalyst for the next mini collapse, as he charged out to Mohammed Nawaz, only to be left all at sea as Mohammed Rizwan whipped off the bails. Liyanage fell shortly after, as Naseem redeemed himself for his earlier profligacy by seaming one back in to knock back off stump. Kamindu Mendis then ended up chopping on an attempted pull after one had kept low from the excellent Faheem Ashraf.Just like that Sri Lanka were 210 for 7, with Hasaranga the only recognised batter at the crease. Hasaranga’s last ODI fifty had come back in November 2022, but here he batted with clear purpose. Intent on taking the came deep, he was unafraid to give strike to Dushmantha Chameera and then Maheesh Theekshana, as he mixed in the odd boundary to keep the required rate from going beyond a relatively manageable 10 an over.But with boundaries the need of the hour, heading into the penultimate over, Hasaranga could only muscle a just-below-waist-high full toss to Babar at long-on – a catch not as spectacular as his first, but arguably more important. From then on, Pakistan could breathe a little easier, while Sri Lanka were left to ponder what might have been.After Pakistan were asked to bat first, they lost early wickets but a century from Agha and a maiden ODI fifty from Talat helped revive their flagging innings to 299 for 5. The pair came together at 95 for 4 in the 24th over, but by the time their 138-run partnership came to an end, they had taken Pakistan to 233 for 5 in the 44th over.Wanindu Hasaranga sparkled with both ball and bat•AFP/Getty Images

Agha then turned on the afterburners alongside Nawaz, as Pakistan managed 104 runs off the last 10 overs to set Sri Lanka 300. Agha brought up his second ODI ton with a gentle dab behind point for a single off his 83rd delivery, but the ball prior to that highlighted the confidence with which he was batting – sweeping an attempted Chameera yorker for four.Prior to Agha and Talat’s stand, however, Sri Lanka had choked the Pakistan innings for large parts. Miserly opening spells from Asitha Fernando and Chameera ensured just 28 runs were scored inside the opening powerplay, and while just one wicket fell during that period the introduction of Hasaranga saw wickets fall at a canter. He ended up with figures of 3 for 54, with Asitha and Theekshana the only other wicket-takers for Sri Lanka.Hasaranga might have had another to close out the over after he had Talat rapped on the knee-roll only for the umpire to turn down the appeal. Ball-tracking showed it would have crashed into leg stump, but Sri Lanka had burnt both their reviews early on – both for lbw appeals where the ball pitched outside leg.That proved to be a sliding doors moment of sorts as Pakistan’s fortunes gradually began to shift, and it was also some much-needed luck for Talat, in particular, whose place in the side had come under increasing scrutiny of late – his six innings in ODIs leading up to this game had seen him manage 107 runs with a high score of 41.But with Pakistan in need of resuscitation, he and Agha set about rebuilding. The plan was clear at this point: keep wickets intact for the final overs and then launch. And in this instance, the execution was perfect. Sri Lanka, who might have regretted their decision to not go with a genuine fifth bowling option, were left requiring Janith Liyanage to bowl eight overs of his part-time seam after Charith Asalanka was taken for 18 in his two solitary overs.Liyanage, to his credit, gave away 48 runs, though with Sri Lanka in the ascendancy at the halfway point of the innings, their need to get through their fifth bowler quota allowed Talat and Agha to settle in nicely.And while Talat was unable to see the innings to its close, Agha ensured he remained unbeaten to get his side to a competitive total – one that proved just about enough in the end.

In terms of legacy, Root has surpassed his two recent England counterparts, and he still seems to have plenty left in the tank

Greg Chappell29-Jul-20254:14

Manjrekar: ‘Serious chance’ for Root to break Tendulkar’s record

Joe Root is arguably England’s best batter of the modern era. Since making his debut in 2012, he has compiled 13,409 runs at an average of 51.17, including 38 centuries – a record that places him ahead of both Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen in several key areas. His highest score, a commanding 262 against Pakistan in 2024, showcased his ability to not only build innings but dominate the opposition across conditions.Root’s longevity – he has now been 13 years at the highest level – sets him apart from many of his contemporaries. Having eclipsed Pietersen, and Cook’s monumental tally of 12,472 runs, a mark once considered untouchable for English batters, he now has his sights on the incredible record of Sachin Tendulkar. Perhaps most impressive is not just the quantity of Root’s runs but the consistent quality of them across eras, formats and conditions.What separates Root from many gifted players is his willingness to evolve. The Covid-enforced break in 2020 was not a pause but a pivot point. While the cricketing world was on hold, Root immersed himself in data, scrutinising his modes of dismissal and identifying patterns in his own vulnerability.This period of introspection and analysis catalysed a technical and mental reboot. He refined his game to address weaknesses – particularly against spin and short-pitched bowling – and returned with a stunning run of form that saw him average over 60 in two years, including landmark hundreds in Sri Lanka, India, and at home.Root’s ability to dissect his own technique, to probe the whys behind failures, reveals a mind as dedicated as it is curious. This is what separates the elite from the excellent. Like Tendulkar before him, Root embodies the mindset that greatness is not inherited but earned – over and over again.Final countdown: 13,409 down, 2512 more to go to GOAT status•AFP/Getty ImagesAt 33 he continues to bat with the hunger and intensity of a debutant. There is a lightness to his presence at the crease, a joy that belies the immense pressure of expectations. His commitment to improvement and passion for batting have become the lifeblood of his sustained success.And yet, a looming challenge remains. Root has never scored a Test century in Australia – a curious gap in an otherwise glowing résumé. It is a fact that fans and critics alike have noted. While that shortcoming can partly be attributed to the quality of Australia’s recent attacks – Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon – it remains a mountain left to climb. The Ashes series at the end of this year may offer Root a final opportunity to correct that omission and complete his batting CV.Among English batters of the last 30 years, the debate over the best often centres on Cook, Pietersen and Root. Each has left an indelible mark on the game, but their journeys and impacts have been distinct.Cook, the grinder and accumulator, played 161 Tests, scoring those 12,472 runs in the most demanding of positions as an opener, at 45.35, with 33 centuries. His hallmark was his durability and unwavering concentration. His legacy was built on the volume of runs and sheer time spent at the crease – an unmatched feat of mental fortitude.Pietersen, by contrast, was a maverick – flamboyant, fearless, and fiercely individualistic. In 104 Tests, he scored 8181 runs at 47.28 with 23 centuries. His batting was all about impact, match-turning brilliance, and dominant shot-making, especially at home where he averaged 52.78.Root sits between these two in style but ahead in legacy. His away average of 46.66 is marginally higher than those of both Cook and Pietersen, demonstrating his adaptability in hostile conditions. While his conversion rate is lower, his consistency – 104 scores of 50-plus in 157 Tests – and leadership during a period of flux place him firmly at the top of the modern English batting pantheon.The closest Root got to a hundred in Australia was his 89 at the Gabba in 2021•AFPRoot’s tenure as England captain (2017-2022) was a mixed bag in terms of results, and he averaged six runs fewer with the bat during his captaincy than before. But while Cook led England to the top of the world rankings, and Pietersen often dominated under pressure, Root has been the glue holding the team together through transitions.What makes Root’s ongoing excellence even more extraordinary is the relentless mental pressure. Being a top-order Test batter in a high-visibility role is mentally and emotionally draining. The phenomenon I call Elite Performance Decline Syndrome (EPDS) – a gradual erosion of the mental sharpness required to succeed at the top – looms large over players entering their mid-30s. Signs of EPDS often include slower starts, indecisiveness, and dwindling confidence. Root, however, shows few signs of decline. His footwork remains assured, his decision-making sharp, and his appetite for runs undiminished. The challenge will be sustaining all of this into a potential record-breaking chase over the next three years, culminating – perhaps heroically – on the 2028 India tour.To surpass Tendulkar’s Everest-like 15,921 Test runs, Root still needs 2512 more – a career’s work in years gone by. It is a daunting ask, particularly in an era where Test matches are fewer and physically gruelling. If Root were to reach that milestone on the 2028 tour of India, it would mark 16 years at the top level, a feat almost unparalleled in modern sport, let alone in one as mentally taxing as Test batting.Such a scenario would thrust him into the glare of history, of expectation, and of unrelenting scrutiny. How he navigates those final few thousand runs – whether with grit like Cook, flair like Pietersen, or reinvention like in his own career previously – will define the closing chapter of a storied career.Root approaches challenges with humility, resolve, and an ever-present smile. As Ian Chappell put it on this website last year, he is “a batting phenomenon, but he has two big exams coming up” – implying that performance in Australia, and eventually, surpassing Tendulkar’s record, will complete the picture.Root is not just one of England’s finest batters, he is one of the game’s most thoughtful and universally admired players. His career, still unfolding, offers lessons in resilience, humility, and the enduring power of curiosity. He is both craftsman and scientist, artist and technician. As Eoin Morgan observed, he’s England’s “most complete batsman”. Whether or not he ultimately surpasses Tendulkar, he has already carved out a legacy worthy of reverence. Add to this his brilliant catching and better than part-time spin bowling, along with his mentoring of the next generation of English batters, and he is a priceless asset to the team.Batter, spin-bowler, mentor, rock: Root has been whatever England needs him to be•Getty ImagesIn an era of fleeting fame and white-ball dominance, Root’s dedication to Test cricket is refreshing. He is, quite simply, the Peter Pan of batting – a boy who never tires of the game he loves, and a man who might just defy time itself.

****

At Old Trafford, India conjured a thrilling escape to draw the fourth Test, frustrating an English side that had sniffed victory but ran out of puff and poise. A century eluded KL Rahul but Shubman Gill brought up his fourth for the series. Their dogged resistance, alongside the calm defiance of Washington Sundar and the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja, ensured India walked away with honours even – and perhaps even the upper hand. England’s bowlers looked weary by the final session, but it was their loss of composure, not stamina, that will be most remembered.What should have been a celebration of Test cricket’s enduring drama ended in an ugly scene: England’s fielders aiming barbs and bouncers at India’s centurions-in-waiting. For a team that has traded on the breezy moralism of the Bazball era, the petulance was jarring. England, often quick to claim moral victories, inadvertently surrendered the high ground here. India, conversely, left Manchester buoyed not only by resilience but also by the visible cracks in the English facade.More significantly, India may have unearthed a genuine all-round gem. Washington, with a technique built on simplicity and courage, played with the assuredness of a top-order batter. He has the temperament, shot range, and maturity to be a long-term fixture.Looking ahead to The Oval, India must act boldly. It’s time the selectors back their batting depth and field a balanced attack capable of taking 20 wickets. The message is clear: go deep, deeper, and deepest – bring in Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav.

On managing workloads of Jasprit Bumrah & Co: “We’re going to take a call on a match-to-match basis,” Shubman Gill says

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Oct-20252:50

‘Nothing is pre-decided’ – Gill on Bumrah’s workload

It’s “very important” for India to do well in the two-Test series against West Indies after they were blanked 3-0 in their previous home Test series by New Zealand, Shubman Gill said on the eve of the first Test in Ahmedabad.”We are looking to play some hard, grinding cricket. Over the past few years, if you see the Test matches, they haven’t got to five days. So what we are looking to do is play some good, hard cricket,” Gill said at a press conference. “All the Test matches that we played in England went pretty deep [all five Tests went into the fifth day]. And I think what you can expect from us is good, hard, grinding cricket and we won’t be looking for any easy options.”And I think we have the skills to dominate in any kind of situation and the kind of talent we have got in the team, we can turn around from any situation, so that’s what we will be looking to play.”Related

• Between formats and futures: Shubman Gill's most unprecedented test yet

• From invincibles to uncertain: India begin home season with everything to prove yet again

• One of the greenest Indian pitches likely for Ahmedabad Test

• India's selection headache: Two slots, multiple contenders

• With patience and old-school grit, Chanderpaul gets ready

In recent years, when India have hosted teams for Test cricket, spin-friendly pitches have been prepared more often than not. Seeing how well India competed in the 2-2 series in England earlier this year, what sort of pitch should we expect?”I can’t speak about the conversations before I came, but we would be looking to play on wickets that offer [something] to both the batsmen and to the bowlers,” Gill said. “But, having said that, any team that comes to India, the challenge is the spin and reverse swing. These are the two things that, if teams can play spin well and if they can challenge the reverse swing, they are going to get good success.”So keeping these challenges in mind, you’d be looking to play on wickets that offer [something] to the batsmen and the bowlers.”In England, India picked a pace-heavy bowling attack, and the only spinners in the mix were the allrounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, with Kuldeep Yadav sitting out all five Tests. Two days out from the Test, the Ahmedabad pitch appeared to be greener than anticipated.”The weather and wickets we have in India, it will be difficult to follow that template [employed in England],” Gill said. “We have such quality in our team. Someone like Kuldeep, such a wicket-taker for us in all formats, didn’t get a chance to play in England, which was very unfortunate. Here, I think, playing four spinners, and spinners of such quality, you are always tempted to look at the batting depth, you have to just weigh in your options, what can give you a bit more.”6:18

Aaron on Bumrah: India not taking any chances after NZ drubbing

Will Jasprit Bumrah play both Tests?

It was a constant talking point in England after it had been announced before the series that Jasprit Bumrah would play only three of the five Tests to manage his fitness. What happens now?”We’re going to take a call on a match-to-match basis depending on how long a Test match goes on and how many overs our fast bowlers bowl,” Gill said. “Nothing is pre-decided. We’re going to take the call once the Test match is over and how our fast bowlers feel and how their bodies feel after the match.”And what about Gill himself? Going from red-ball cricket in England to white-ball cricket in the UAE and back to red-ball cricket, on a red-soil pitch this time, just three days after winning the T20 Asia Cup?”For a batsman, I don’t think it’s physical fatigue. It’s more mental for a batsman. That’s a little different for a bowler,” he said. “As of now, I feel fresh and my body is ready. I am just looking at what I have to do this week and next week and that’s how I will be taking my decisions.”

For a second season in a row, the same contest at the same ground produced the same, pulsating finish

ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2025It’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Yash Dayal has the ball. MS Dhoni is on strike. Ravindra Jadeja is at the other end. A 200-plus chase at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has come down to the final over. Sounds familiar? For a second season in a row, the same contest at the same ground produced the same, pulsating finish. And yet again, when all the nerves and dust settled, it was the left-arm quick Dayal who held his own.Here’s how Shashwat Kumar called it on ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball commentary:Related

• Dayal trumps CSK in last over again to take RCB to the top

19.1 Yash Dayal to Dhoni, 1 run
low full toss on middle and leg. Dhoni cannot get under this and scuffs it down the ground to long on. Throws his head back in disappointment soon after19.2 Yash Dayal to Jadeja, 1 run
full toss on middle and leg and Jadeja cannot put it away. Drags it towards deep mid wicket and this over has begun with two singles off two balls19.3 Yash Dayal to Dhoni, OUT
massive lbw shout, and the finger goes up! No MS Dhoni magic at the Chinnaswamy tonight! Low full toss slanting into leg stump. Dhoni has a massive swipe at it but does not get any bat on it. Gets rapped on the pads and the finger goes up. Dhoni has reviewed this but it could be more in hope than anything else. The impact is in line and Ball Tracking has the ball crashing into leg stump. A monumental moment in this game, and Dayal has outwitted Dhoni two years in a row at the Chinnaswamy!19.4 Yash Dayal to Dube, (no ball) SIX runs
that is a high full toss and Dube smashes it out of sight! Borderline waist-high full toss outside off and Dube cannot believe what has been dished out. After scratching his eyes, he thumps it over deep mid wicket. No ball not given, and Dube has reviewed this. This could be touch-and-go! Dube’s waist is measured at 1.11m, and Ball Tracking shows the ball to be passing him at 1.14m. That will be a No ball – oh dearie me!19.4 Yash Dayal to Dube, 1 run
full toss just outside off. Dube swings at it with all his might and scuffs it down the ground to long off. Just a single, and the onus shifts back onto Jadeja19.5 Yash Dayal to Jadeja, 1 run
zipped in very full on off. Jadeja looks to go downtown but can only find the inside edge and then the front pad. Rolls away harmlessly into the off side19.6 Yash Dayal to Dube, 1 run
Dayal wins it for RCB again! Up against the five-time champions, Dayal shows that he is a champion to be reckoned with too. Under extreme pressure, and under extreme duress, RCB pull a win out of the fire, and they are going absolutely bonkers. It was proper carnage at the Chinnaswamy and after 40 overs of high-octane cricket, RCB stand atop the team that has caused them so much pain in the past! Full toss just outside off. Dube clears his front leg and swings for the hills. Cannot get under it and cannot find the gap either. Drilled straight to long on and that will be just a single. Spare a thought for CSK. They came so close, but in the end, fell short. A truly remarkable game of cricket, and one that those at the ground will reminisce and rejoice in years to come!