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Liverpool are making some statement moves this summer as they bid to retain the Premier League title and could now see another young star join the club, according to a report.

Liverpool agree deal to sign Florian Wirtz

The most high-profile story of the transfer window so far has, without doubt, been Florian Wirtz’s impending move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool following a stellar campaign in his homeland.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that all that remains are formalities to be put in place before the Germany international officially pitches up at Anfield for a British record fee if he meets all the add-ons.

Following Jeremie Frimpong through the door, Bradley Barcola and Anthony Gordon could join the Reds as Arne Slot looks to strengthen the wide areas.

Undoubtedly, the Premier League title race is set to be a rollercoaster next season, with Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea all bolstering their ranks. Therefore, it makes sense for Liverpool to ensure they have adequate strength in depth to compete on all fronts.

Victor Osimhen could be a statement striking addition from Liverpool should Darwin Nunez move on this summer. Nevertheless, Manchester United remain in pursuit of the Nigeria international after he turned down Saudi Pro League interest.

Plenty of movement is beginning to occur as the Reds plan for the next few years. Immediate first-team level signings will be the priority, though identifying prodigious talent at youth level will also be an important feature.

In light of that statement, Liverpool now have a teen on their radar that could soon officially become the latest in a potential long line of new assets at Anfield.

Liverpool agree fee to sign Sidy Barhama Ndiaye

According to journalist Nabil Djellit, Liverpool are keen to finalise a deal for Sidy Barhama Ndiaye for a fee in the region of £850,000 after agreeing on a price for the Diambars Academy teen.

After scouting the youngster at the Under-17 African Cup of Nations, he impressed officials and now appears to be primed for a dream move to the Premier League.

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1

By
Robbie Walls

Jun 12, 2025

Born in 2009, Ndiaye is capable of featuring on either flank and is renowned for his quick feet and rapid acceleration. Nevertheless, not much is known about the rising star in the public domain.

Ultimately, Liverpool have a duty to explore all avenues in order to bring in untapped talent with room to develop, either readying them for first-team action or to sell on for profit. Ndiaye appears to fit that mould and will no doubt be a name that excites supporters, even if he is one for the future.

There is no shortage of transfer links swirling around the Leeds United sphere as the club eye up plenty of players for possible moves to Elland Road this summer.

The Whites will be in the market to strengthen their squad after they won the Championship, with 100 points, and earned promotion back to the Premier League.

Daniel Farke is looking to bolster his team with new signings, and has already been linked with a number of stars. The club are reportedly in talks over a deal for Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol, for example.

The Championship champions have also reportedly made contact with Premier League rivals Fulham over a potential move for their centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz.

Leeds are clearly targeting players in several areas of the pitch, in defence and in attack, but there is one central midfielder who has also been linked with a return to Elland Road, Kalvin Phillips.

However, a recent report suggested that a move back to West Yorkshire is unlikely for the Manchester City outcast, which could be good news for Farke.

Why Leeds should not sign Kalvin Phillips

TEAMtalk recently claimed that Leeds United are not planning a move to bring the England international back to the club this summer, because they have a budget that they do not want to waste and his £150k-per-week wages would be difficult to take on.

The outlet added that Phillips is also dealing with an Achilles problem that is set to keep him out for a big chunk of pre-season next month, which means that he would be playing catch-up heading into the campaign when the Whites need a fast start.

Even taking the financial issue and his injury situation out of the equation, the West Yorkshire outfit should not sign the defensive midfielder because of his dismal performances in the Premier League in recent years.

Phillips failed to make the grade at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and was sent out on loan to West Ham United for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, before joining Ipswich on loan this season.

Kalvin Phillips (Premier League)

23/24 (West Ham)

24/25 (Ipswich)

Appearances

12

19

Starts

3

14

Dribbled past per game

4x

25x

Error led to shot

0

1

Error led to goal

1

1

Red cards

1

1

Ground duel success rate

42%

46%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 29-year-old dud was dribbled past more than once per start across both spells and dominated in duels on the deck, whilst also being sent off for both clubs.

Phillips has been a liability in the Premier League in the past 18 months, as evidenced by his dismal statistics and the scathing criticism from referee Mike Dean in the clip below, and that is why the club are right not to be interested in signing him this summer.

Farke, however, could land his own version of Phillips, when he was at his best at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa, by signing the club’s latest reported target.

Leeds eyeing deal for Championship star

According to the printed edition of the Daily Mail (9 Jun, page 55), as relayed by MOT Leeds News, the Championship champions are lining up a move for Southampton defensive midfielder Shea Charles.

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The report claims that the Whites ‘admire’ the Northern Ireland international, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, ahead of a potential swoop for him in the summer transfer window.

It does not, however, reveal how much money Southampton would want for the 21-year-old talent, who signed for the club from Manchester City in a deal reported to be worth up to £15m in the summer of 2023.

Leeds must, now, press ahead with a move to sign the Championship enforcer this summer because he could be Farke’s own version of Phillips next season.

Why Shea Charles could be Kalvin Phillips 2.0

As aforementioned, the Manchester City flop is not in his best moment right now, after two dismal loan spells, but he earned a move to Guardiola’s side off the back of two impressive seasons in the Premier League with Leeds under Bielsa.

In the 2020/21 campaign, Phillips made 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game, winning 52% of his duels, whilst completing 85% of his attempted passes in the top-flight.

That was the England international at his best for the Whites, as a combative and composed midfielder, and Charles’ performances for Sheffield Wednesday suggest that he can offer similar qualities in the middle of the park.

As you can see in the chart above, the Northern Irish star’s statistics this season are notably similar to Phillips’ in the 2020/21 Premier League campaign, whilst he also excelled more in possession as a progressive passer and carrier.

Whilst these statistics are only from his displays at Championship level, Charles has plenty of time left to develop and improve at the age of 21, and he could grow into being Farke’s own version of Phillips at his peak.

24/25 Championship

Shea Charles

Appearances

43

Assists

5

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.9

Ball recoveries per game

5.7

Dribbled past per game

0.7x

Ground duel success rate

58%

Aerial duel success rate

60%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Southampton loanee caught the eye with his defensive work for the Owls in the second tier, making almost four tackles and interceptions per game without being dribbled past very often.

Charles, who talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed has “undeniable Premier League potential”, can offer the destructive midfield presence that Phillips provided Bielsa with, but without a tendency to be taken out of the game with ease by being dribbled past.

The midfield star may also be more reliable defensively than Phillips because he ended the season without any errors that led to shots or goals for the opposition and was not sent off a single time.

Therefore, Farke could unearth an even bigger talent than the England international by signing Charles, because he has the potential to be more reliable defensively whilst also offering more in possession with his progressive passes and progressive carries to influence play on the ball.

Related He must go before Bamford: Leeds have told £11m flop he will now be sold

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It is now down to the club to strike an agreement with Southampton to bring the Northern Ireland international to Elland Road to bolster the manager’s midfield options for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

Manchester United are set for a summer overhaul and plenty of movement is expected in both directions over the next few months, especially in the goalkeeping department.

Man Utd set to make Cunha first summer signing

The Premier League has proven to be an unhappy hunting ground for Ruben Amorim, and it is now abundantly clear that changes will be on the way to restructure his side ahead of next season.

Any notion of a backdoor route to Champions League football via claiming the Europa League was put to bed by Tottenham Hotspur last Wednesday, who prevailed 1-0 in Bilbao courtesy of a scrappy first-half effort from Brennan Johnson.

Andre Onana, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire could all be held culpable for the goal, albeit lapses in concentration in key moments have been a central feature in the Red Devils’ failure to string together consistent results.

Further up the field, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles in the Europa League final indicate that there will be plenty of work done to improve the spine of Amorim’s side.

Matheus Cunha is a prime target to freshen up the forward line and the Brazilian forward is set to make the move to Old Trafford from Wolves in a transfer that is expected to be worth £62.5m. The Red Devils look primed to trigger Cunha’s release clause as he looks likely to become the first summer signing ahead of Amorim’s first full season in charge.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho’s decision to demand a move to Real Madrid has let the cat among the pigeons regarding potential reinforcements.

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Robust in his assessment of what may come this summer, Amorim believes his side will be able to avoid making the same mistakes once the new campaign commences.

He said: “We are going to avoid a lot of mistakes next season. Now is the time we can use all of that suffering to change things in the summer.”

Casting an eye to the window, Amorim could now be set to deliver on his promise by bringing in a high-profile figure between the sticks.

Man Utd well-placed to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez

According to Football Insider, Manchester United are well-placed to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa if they can sell Onana during the summer window.

Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Saudi Pro League clubs are also in the mix to sign the Argentinian stopper, who could be available for between £35 million to £40 million after switching agencies.

Andre Onana vs Emiliano Martinez – who is the better goalkeeper?

Andre Onana – Premier League (before final day)

Saves

90

Save percentage rate

67.2%

Goals conceded

44

Goals prevented

0.53

Clean sheets

9

Emiliano Martinez – Premier League (before final day)

Saves

95

Save percentage rate

67.9%

Goals conceded

45

Goals prevented

0.42

Clean sheets

8

Labelled “brilliant” by Alan Shearer, Martinez has kept 15 clean sheets in 52 appearances across all competitions this campaign, helping the Villans to put on a strong showing across several fronts.

Now, Manchester United have a task on their hands in convincing the former Arsenal man that a move to Old Trafford is the best course of action at this stage of his career. Onana leaving the club will also be crucial to making that notion a reality. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if that possibility will evolve into a done deal.

Liverpool are believed to be interested in signing an “extraordinary” attacking talent this summer, but it would be a seriously controversial piece of business.

Liverpool one win from Premier League title glory

The Reds are now just one victory away from being crowned Premier League champions for the second time, following Sunday’s 1-0 win away to Leicester City.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s second-half strike proved to be the difference between the two teams, with Liverpool’s vice-captain coming off the substitutes’ bench to fire home the winner, celebrating in style in the process.

Some Reds supporters feel hopeful that the passionate nature of Alexander-Arnold’s celebration means he is staying put this summer, but he remained coy in his post-match interview, suggesting that a move to Real Madrid still feels most likely at the end of the season.

Liverpool can actually be confirmed as champions without playing this week, but only if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening. If that doesn’t happen, glory can be secured against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Now, a transfer rumoured has dropped that could cause a huge stir in the summer window.

Liverpool linked with "extraordinary" former Manchester United attacker

According to a report from Spain, Liverpool are interested in signing former Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood this summer and are ‘willing to launch a multi-million-pound offensive’.

The 23-year-old is now plying his trade at Ligue 1 side Marseille after some serious off-field issues saw United dispose of him. The Reds are reportedly willing to pay as much as £68.5m for his services.

Greenwood has enjoyed a good season with Marseille, scoring 18 goals in 28 starts in the league, being praised by journalist Daniel Riolo: “Greenwood, in terms of pure qualities, over the first three games, is perhaps the best player in Ligue 1. We know his history but we’re going to talk about the pitch and on the pitch he’s extraordinary. He’s almost above Ligue 1.”

Despite the clear ability that Greenwood possesses, however, having burst onto the scene as a talented youngster at United, this is a move that surely cannot happen at Liverpool for various reasons.

For starters, the Englishman’s aforementioned off-field troubles led to the Red Devils selling him, so for the Reds to snap him up would be a bad look for the image of the club, which has generally been squeaky clean under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.

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There is also the small matter of Greenwood being a former United player, which would also be controversial in its own right, so frankly, it is a transfer that Liverpool shouldn’t even be considering this summer.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers isn’t hanging around with the summer window around the corner and could now turn his attention to a surprise target, per reports.

Celtic's summer window is beginning to take shape

The Bhoys are well on course for the Scottish Premiership title and may seal their fate this weekend if they emerge victorious against Kilmarnock followed by Aberdeen defeating Rangers 24 hours later.

Unfortunately, Celtic missed their chance to guarantee league glory after a surprise defeat to St Johnstone last Sunday. However, Brendan Rodgers will know that misfortune will just be a minor setback en route to domestic glory.

With all that said, what does it mean for the reigning champions’ prospects come the window? On the face of it, the Hoops appear to be proactive at an early stage.

Augsburg midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj is said to be on Celtic’s radar and could be available for £3 million. On the same token, long-term target David Strelec is attainable for £4.2 million as potential competition to Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah across the frontline.

The fee could stretch to £5.9 million with add-ons, though Celtic would have no problem in paying a premium amid their rude financial health. On the flip side, that could prove to be a downside when negotiating for particular targets.

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Nevertheless, there is little time to waste with Champions League qualifiers kicking off in the early part of next season. Rodgers will know his side need to be ready if they have designs on securing a spot in the league phase.

Stocking up on talent, the Irishman has now turned his attention to a surprise target who could bolster the ranks ahead of 2025/26.

Celtic look to strengthen goalkeeping ranks with Martin Dubravka

According to Chronicle Live, Celtic have taken an interest in Newcastle United’s Martin Dubravka amid his uncertain future at St James’ Park due to rumours linking James Trafford with a move to the North East.

Coming as a surprise, the Bhoys could now pursue the Slovakia international despite already having Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo between the sticks. The latter has filled in recently due to his counterpart being ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Martin Dubravka vs Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo – domestic league

Martin Dubravka – Premier League

Save percentage rate

70.9%

Clean sheets

5 in 10 appearances

Goals conceded

12

Kasper Schmeichel – Scottish Premiership

Save percentage rate

77.3%

Clean sheets

19 in 30 appearances

Goals conceded

20

Viljami Sinisalo – Scottish Premiership

Save percentage rate

83.8%

Clean sheets

1 in 2 appearances

Goals conceded

1

Labelled “excellent” by Tom Heaton, the 36-year-old has racked up nearly 180 appearances for Newcastle United and earns £40,000 per week on the books at his current employers.

Observing the financial realities that come with PSR regulations in England, Dubravka may be a fairly straightforward sacrifice if Celtic want to deal for the veteran stopper.

From 1985 to 2017, India and Pakistan have met in five major tournament finals. They play their first ever Asia Cup final on Sunday

Sreshth Shah27-Sep-20252:02

‘India shouldn’t let complacency creep in for the final’

The India and Pakistan men’s teams have played each other in 210 matches across formats, but meetings in tournament finals are rare. In the last 40 years, it’s happened only five times in tournaments with five or more teams. In the lead up to the first ever Asia Cup final between the sides, here’s a look back at those iconic matches.Srikkanth, Shastri conquer the MCGWorld Championship of Cricket, 1985, MelbourneThe hype was massive: Melbourne the stage, India versus Pakistan in front of 50,000 fans, but the final was one-sided. Pakistan batted first and never broke free. Kapil Dev and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan took three wickets each, with Javed Miandad’s 48 and Imran Khan’s 35 the only resistance as Pakistan crawled to 176 for 9.India’s reply was comprehensive. Kris Srikkanth, the player of the match, hammered 67 with six fours and two sixes, while Ravi Shastri scored an unbeaten 63. Their 103-run stand deflated Pakistan and India won by eight wickets. Shastri took home the “Champion of Champions” title and an iconic Audi. Two years after winning the 1983 World Cup, India were undisputedly the best ODI team in the world.Javed Miandad celebrates•Palani Mohan/Fairfax Media/Getty ImagesMiandad, and that last-ball sixAustral-Asia Cup, 1986, SharjahIf Melbourne ’85 was a smooth Indian victory, the Austral-Asia Cup final in Sharjah the following year was its polar opposite. Srikkanth again troubled Pakistan, blazing 75 off 80, while Sunil Gavaskar (92) and Dilip Vengsarkar (50) put India on course for a huge total. But Wasim Akram ran through the middle order with 3 for 42 and India eventually ended up with 245 for 7, an extremely competitive total for that era. Pakistan’s innings swung back and forth. Wickets fell regularly, but one man remained resolute – Javed Miandad, dazzling with a century in hot, sapping conditions, cajoled for singles and twos and his occasional boundaries brought the game down to the last ball.The climax that followed dominated the India-Pakistan narrative for years to come. With Pakistan nine down, needing four off the final delivery, Chetan Sharma missed his attempted yorker and Miandad clubbed the low full toss over midwicket for six to finish unbeaten on 116. The image of Miandad punching the air remains one of cricket’s most replayed moments. Beyond the result, it shaped the psychology of future India-Pakistan contests. For much of the next decade, Pakistan had mental edge, and for Indian fans, it was a scar that lingered for years.Wasim Akram took two wickets in the 1994 Austral-Asia final•PA PhotosIndia undone by Sohail and AnwarAustral-Asia Cup, 1994, SharjahBy 1994, Pakistan had an even more formidable batting line-up. Opener Saeed Anwar had become India’s nemesis, and he set the tone with a fluent 47. His partner, Aamer Sohail crunched 69. Their 96-run partnership set such a strong base that offspinner Rajesh Chauhan’s three-wicket haul, which included the dismissals of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saleem Malik in one over, couldn’t stop Pakistan’s momentum. Basit Ali’s 57-ball 58 gave the finishing touches and Pakistan posted 250.India started the chase poorly. Ajay Jadeja was dismissed in Wasim Akram’s first over, and despite 59 in 11 overs from Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Sidhu, they slumped to 83 for 4. Vinod Kambli found an ally in Atul Bedade, who overcame a nervous start in his fourth international match to score 44 from 45 balls, with four sixes. But he was caught attempting another six and the last five wickets could add only 48. Sohail claimed the player-of-the-match award for his 69, two wickets, and two catches, one of them in the covers to cut off Tendulkar in full flight.India’s win against Pakistan in the 2007 World T20 final changed cricket forever•Getty ImagesHeartbreak for Misbah, joy for DhoniICC World T20, 2007, JohannesburgThe Wanderers was buzzing. The first ever T20 World Cup had a dream finale. India batted first and Gautam Gambhir top scored with 75 off 54 balls, while at the death, a 20-year-old Rohit Sharma proved why he was rated so highly, blasting 30 not out from just 16 deliveries. India could have had more than their 157 for 5 but Umar Gul, Pakistan’s go-to death bowler, kept the runs in check with his spell of 3 for 28.Pakistan were jolted early in the chase but Imran Nazir countered with 33 runs off his first 13 balls. However, Robin Uthappa ran out Nazir with a direct-hit to bring India back. RP Singh picked up 3 for 26, Irfan Pathan ripped out the middle order with 3 for 16, but as long as Misbah-Ul-Haq was batting, the game was not over.He expertly brought the equation down to 13 off six balls, and that’s when MS Dhoni gave the ball to little-known Joginder Sharma. The first ball was a wide and the second was launched for six. With nerves jangling, Misbah, on 43, chose to scoop the third delivery. He miscued and Sreesanth held the catch at short fine leg. India won by five runs, kickstarting a T20 revolution, but Joginder never played for his country again.Pakistan hit peak unpredictability to win the 2017 Champions Trophy•PA PhotosFakhar, Amir own The OvalICC Champions Trophy, 2017, LondonPakistan had barely scraped into the Champions Trophy. They were the lowest-ranked side and had already been comprehensively beaten by India earlier in the competition, and yet on June 18 they collectively came together under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed and played a perfect day of cricket.Sent in to bat, they piled up 338 for 4. Fakhar Zaman, reprieved early by a Jasprit Bumrah no-ball, cashed in with a fearless 114 off 106 balls. Azhar Ali added 59, Babar Azam 46, and Mohammad Hafeez’s unbeaten 57 off 37 provided the finishing kick.India had the batters to chase that kind of target but Mohammad Amir bowled an opening spell to remember. In a fiery six-over burst, he ripped out Rohit Sharma for a duck, Virat Kohli for 5, and Shikhar Dhawan for 21. At 33 for 3, the final was almost done though Hardik Pandya tried to fight back by battering 76 from 43 balls.Hardik was eventually run-out and the rest of the Indian innings folded quickly. Hasan Ali, with his three wickets, and Shadab Khan took two as India were bowled out for 158 in the 31st over. Pakistan’s 180-run victory was the biggest margin ever in a ICC men’s tournament final.

Even before he was born, Sachin Dhas had his career chalked out for him. Fortunately, he has walked that path well

Daya Sagar09-Feb-2024Back in the 1990s, pretty much every cricket-loving Indian was a Sachin Tendulkar fan. Sanjay Dhas was among them – even missing ten balls of a Tendulkar innings seemed like “a crime” to him. He tried to become a cricketer, but it wasn’t to be. He turned to kabaddi instead and represented his state, Maharashtra, at the national level. He also started a cricket academy in Beed, a small town.He knew, he says, that if he had a son, he would be called “Sachin” and he would play cricket.”Sachin” became a reality in 2005. You may not know whom we are talking about if you haven’t been keeping track of the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. Sachin Dhas has scores of 26*, 21*, 20, 15, 116 and 96 in the tournament and is going into the final against Australia as one of India’s in-form batters. He is the third highest run-scorer at the World Cup – behind team-mates Musheer Khan and Uday Saharan – with 294 runs at an average of 73.50 and a strike rate of 116.66.Related

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“Even before he was born, I had decided he would be a cricketer and nothing else,” Sachin’s father Sanjay tells ESPNcricinfo. “I would have done anything for that to happen. When he was just over two years of age, I gave him a bat and a ball and would take him to the ground in the mornings. By four or so, he was at the academy. I knew he had to start early if he was to make it big. I wanted him to achieve what I couldn’t.”By 2009-2010, Sachin was at the Adarsh Cricket Academy run by a gentleman called Azhar Sheikh. “There were 60-70 kids at the academy, but Sachin was different,” Sheikh says. “Whatever you taught him, he would learn it quicker than the others. He was disciplined. He would play 500-600 balls in the morning and 700-800 balls in the evening. The bowlers would get tired, but he never complained.”He moved up the ranks. By 12, he was playing for the Maharashtra Under-14s.”When he played for the state Under-14s, even his mother [Surekha] was convinced that Sachin would go far as a cricketer,” Sanjay says. “Prior to that, she wasn’t happy about him playing cricket and wanted him to focus on his studies. She felt that no-one from a small place like Beed could become a cricketer. But I didn’t listen to her.”It’s true that Beed hardly had any facilities for cricket at the time. There was just one ground in the region, and cricket was taught there on a matting wicket. The Maharashtra age-group selectors saw Sachin play and were impressed, but told Sanjay that to get better, Sachin needed to play on turf pitches.Sanjay Dhas: “Even before Sachin was born, I had decided he would be a cricketer and nothing else”•Sanjay DhasSanjay was on the job immediately. He got around INR 6-7 lakh from relatives and friends, took permission from the authorities, and prepared a turf pitch at the ground.Sachin’s progress was unhindered. After the Under-14s, he played for Maharashtra Under-16s at the age of 14, and the Under-19s at 16.It still wasn’t enough. Sanjay felt that for Sachin to get to the next level, he needed to play around 1200-1400 balls every day, but not spoil the training of the other kids in the process. So he demolished an old family home and converted it into an indoor training area. Roof – check. Floodlights – check. Synthetic turf – check. Bowling machine – check. From that point on, Sachin trained at the academy in the morning and at the indoor facility in the evening.The results are now showing. In the Under-19 World Cup semi-final, when South Africa’s short-ball attack was causing problems for the other India batters, Sachin was untroubled – his 96 from 95 balls from No. 6, and his 171-run stand with captain Uday Saharan which lifted India from 32 for 4 to 203 for 5, was evidence of that.Sachin Dhas was training under Azhar Sheikh till eight days before he left for South Africa•Sanjay DhasThe most impressive of Sachin’s shots during that innings was the short-arm pull, which he used to hit five boundaries in the midwicket region. Even during the century against Nepal in the Super Six stage, it was one of his most productive strokes.”Till eight days before he went to South Africa, Sachin was training with me. I took a steel plate and placed it on a back-of-a-length spot, and gave him throwdowns with a plastic ball, making the ball go into his body” Azhar says. “Some of the balls hit him, and initially he played the pull, which sent the ball up rather than long. We discussed keeping the pull down. We did that for two months. Now look, he is playing the short-arm pull like Shubman Gill.”Like his father, Sachin is a Sachin Tendulkar fan, but his favourite is Virat Kohli. He prefers batting at No. 4 (like Tendulkar and Kohli in Tests) but was given the role of finisher at the World Cup. He has done justice to it so far.”It’s because of the name that he is doing so well – it’s like god’s [Sachin’s] hand is working for my son,” Sanjay says. “Hope he plays for India one day.” For now, there’s the [U-19] World Cup final to win, like Kohli did [in 2008], and then, who knows how far this Sachin will go.

The numbers that sum up the New Zealand quick’s ability to unsettle batters with his bouncers

Shiva Jayaraman27-Feb-2022Experts in the commentary box at the Hagley Oval wondered if Neil Wagner’s bouncers at Rassie van der Dussen were leaking valuable runs to South Africa. The visitors’ lead had crossed 150 and van der Dussen was negotiating Wagner’s short balls pretty well. The one real chance that Wagner created by bowling short at van der Dussen had been spilled by Colin de Grandhomme. Surely, the South Africa batter wouldn’t give another one? May be it was time to change tactics?But that’s not how Wagner operates. He is a few days shy of 36, but continues to bowl every ball of every spell in every Test match he gets to play with relentless intensity. That relentless intensity was what got van der Dussen in the end. Like he did in South Africa’s second innings, Wagner has repeatedly delivered for New Zealand when they desperately need him to. And it’s often been through aggressive short-pitched bowling. No bowler has taken more wickets bowling short balls than Wagner since his debut in July 2012.