Após 12 jogos de invencibilidade, Atlético-MG perde para o Peñarol na Libertadores

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O Atlético-MG perdeu para o Peñarol, no Uruguai, por 2 a 0, na quinta rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores. Os gols no Estádio Campeón del Siglo foram marcados por Lucas Hernández e Maxi Silvera.

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✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
PEÑAROL 2 X 0 ATLÉTICO-MG
5ª RODADA – LIBERTADORES
🗓️ Data e horário: terça-feira, 14 de maio de 2024, às 19h (de Brasília);
📍 Local: Estádio Armando Maestre Pavajeau, no Valledupar (COL);
🟨 Árbitro: Wilmar Roldan (COL);
🚩 Assistentes: Alexander Guzman (COL) e Jhon Gallego (COL);
🖥️ VAR: Leonard Mosquera (COL).

PEÑAROL (Técnico: Diego Aguirre)
Aguere; Milans, Léo Coelho, Guzmán Rodríguez e Maxi Olivera; Damián García (Cristóforo), Gastón Ramírez (Ignacio Sosa), Leo Fernández (Ángel González, Darías e Sequeira (Lucas Hernández); Maxi Silvera (Acosta).

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ATLÉTICO-MG (Técnico: Gabriel Milito)
Everson; Saravia, Bruno Fuchs, Jemerson (Alisson) e Guilherme Arana; Battaglia, Otávio (Igor Gomes), Alan Franco (Vargas) e Zaracho; Hulk e Paulinho.

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Atlético-MGFutebol NacionalLibertadoresPeñarolSTARPLUS

What is the highest total for a team losing by an innings in a Test?

And is Harry Brook the youngest Test triple-centurion?

Steven Lynch15-Oct-2024Pakistan lost the first Test against England by an innings despite scoring over 550 in their first innings. What’s the highest score for a team losing by an innings? asked Bernard Woodhams from New Zealand
Pakistan’s 556 against England in Multan was the highest in any Test that was not enough to avoid an innings defeat. The previous record was set fairly recently: Ireland made 492 in Galle in April 2023 , but went on to lose by an innings and ten runs after Sri Lanka declared at 704 for 3.There have been only four higher Test totals that were not enough to insure against defeat. The highest of all remains Bangladesh’s 595 for 8 declared against New Zealand in Wellington in January 2017. Australia made 586 against England in Sydney in December 1894, but lost narrowly even though England followed on; Pakistan scored 579 against England in Rawalpindi in December 2022 but lost; and they also tasted defeat despite making 574 for 8 declared against Australia in Melbourne in 1972-73.This list shows all 19 occasions when a total of 500 or more has not been enough to avoid defeat in a Test. This was the third time in the current century that a team had been bowled out for exactly 556 in a Test – and all three of those ended in defeat.The only higher total in all first-class cricket to result in an innings defeat is Leicestershire’s 584 in a County Championship match at Grace Road in July 2022 – Glamorgan replied with 795 for 5 then bowled the home side out for 183.Six Pakistan bowlers conceded 100 runs in England’s huge innings at Multan. Has this happened before in a Test? asked Aminul Islam from Bangladesh
You’re right that six Pakistan bowlers conceded at least 100 runs in England’s massive total of 823 for 7 in Multan last week. This has happened only once before in a Test: six Zimbabweans went for 100 or more as Sri Lanka hurtled to 713 for 3 declared in Bulawayo in May 2004. But there was a near-miss in Kingston in June 1955, when five West Indians conceded at least 100 runs in Australia’s total of 758 for 8 declared, while Garry Sobers finished with 1 for 99.Was Harry Brook the youngest to score a Test triple-century? asked Casey Dewar from Australia
Rather surprisingly perhaps, 25-year-old Harry Brook comes in quite low on this particular list: ten of the 28 Test triple-centurions were younger when they first achieved the feat. Youngest of all was Garry Sobers, who was 21 when he made 365 not out against Pakistan in Kingston early in 1958. Don Bradman was also 21 – but about three months older – when he hit 304 for Australia against England at Headingley in July 1930.The only younger man to score a triple-century for England is another Yorkshireman, Len Hutton, who was 22 when he amassed 364 against Australia at The Oval in August 1938.England do have the two oldest Test triple-centurions: Andy Sandham was three months short of his 40th birthday when he made 325 (the first Test triple-century) against West Indies in Kingston in April 1930, while Graham Gooch was 37 when he cracked 333 against India at Lord’s in July 1990.Brook is the 11th youngest batter to score a triple-hundred, and the second youngest from England•Getty ImagesBrydon Carse hit the second ball he faced in a Test for six at Multan. Was this a record? asked Jim Macaulay from England
You’re right that Brydon Carse got off the mark in Tests with a six off Saim Ayub in Multan last week. He was the 15th* man whose first scoring shot in Tests was a six, but the first for England.Carse hit his six off the second ball he faced. The only man to hit the first ball he received in a Test for six was the New Zealander Mark Craig, off Sulieman Benn of West Indies in Kingston in June 2014. India’s Rishabh Pant also got off the mark with a second-ball six on debut, off England’s Adil Rashid at Trent Bridge in August 2018.Was India’s 297 the other day the highest score in a T20 international? asked Vivek Vishwarao from India
India’s remarkable 20-over total of 297 for 6 in Hyderabad at the weekend, which set up a big win and a series sweep over Bangladesh, was the second-highest in all men’s T20Is, behind Nepal’s 314 for 3 against Mongolia (who were then bowled out for 41) in the Asian Games in Hangzhou (China) in September 2023.The previous-highest total in a match involving Test-playing nations was Afghanistan’s 278 for 3 against Ireland in Dehradun in 2019.There have been five totals of over 300 in women’s T20Is, with the highest being an eye-watering 427 for 1 by Argentina against Chile in Buenos Aires in October 2023. Two days later, Argentina ran up 333 for 1 against the Chileans. The highest in a match involving two Test-playing nations is England’s 250 for 3 against South Africa in Taunton in June 2018.*Oct 16, 02:20 GMT: A correction was made to reflect that Carse was the 15th and not the 13th man whose first scoring shot in Tests was a six.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Blue Jays Make Decision on Bo Bichette for ALDS Matchup vs. Yankees

The AL East champion Blue Jays will officially be without their star shortstop Bo Bichette during their upcoming American League Division Series tilt with the Yankees.

Bichette hasn't played since Sept. 6 due to a left knee sprain. Should Toronto advance, he'd be eligible to return to their postseason roster for the American League Championship Series. The star shortstop led the 94-win Jays with a .311 batting average, plus 18 home runs and 94 RBIs in 139 games over the regular season.

Toronto will lean on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer to power their lineup. Springer led the team with 32 homers this year as he slashed .309/.399/.560. Guerrero hit 23 homers and drove in 84 runs with a .292/.381/.467 slash line in the regular season.

On Friday, manager John Schneider mentioned Bichette was day-to-day still and his status for the ALDS was "coming right down to the wire." That sounds like a positive sign for the star shortstop's potential availability for the ALCS should the Blue Jays get past the Yankees.

The Blue Jays also left off pitchers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer off their ALDS roster. They made 31 and 17 starts, respectively, for Toronto over the regular season. Toronto decided to go for additional left-handed pitching as a matchup favor against New York's lefty-heavy lineup.

First pitch between the Blue Jays and Yankees' ALDS series is set for 4:08 p.m. ET Saturday, where righthander Kevin Gausman will toe the rubber at Rogers Centre. Righthander Luis Gil will start for the Yankees.

Kuldeep Yadav released from India's T20I squad in Australia

Left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the T20I squad in Australia to return to India and prepare for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.Kuldeep has now been included in the India A squad for the second four-day game against South Africa A beginning on November 6 at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. India A won the first game on Sunday, with Rishabh Pant scoring 90 in a chase of 275.The BCCI said in a statement that the request to release Kuldeep had come from the Indian team management. Kuldeep had played only one of the three ODIs and the first two T20Is in Australia. He was left out of the XI for the third T20I in Hobart and Washington Sundar took his spot. India play the fourth and fifth T20Is in Carrara and Brisbane on November 6 and 8.Related

  • Arshdeep and Washington help India level the series against Australia

  • Kamboj, Suthar take India A home after Pant 90

  • Arshdeep's career highlights the balancing act T20 cricket imposes on India

India’s first Test against South Africa starts on November 14 in Kolkata.

India squad for last two T20Is in Australia

Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vc), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.

India A squad for second four-day game vs South Africa A

Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sai Sudharsan (vc), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav

تشابي ألونسو: قراري تجاه لاعب ريال مدريد تكتيكي.. وكسر سلسلة الهزائم ضروري

تحدث مدرب ريال مدريد تشابي ألونسو في تصريحات أعقبت الفوز أمام أتلتيك بلباو في منافسات الدوري الإسباني، وأشاد بمهاجم الفريق كيليان مبابي.

وتغلب ريال مدريد على أتلتيك بلباو بثلاثية نظيفة، وسجل مبابي هدفين وصنع هدفًا، ونشرت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية تصريحات تشابي عقب المباراة.

وقال تشابي: “كيليان مبابي في حالة رائعة، يتمتع بحركة ممتازة وتناغم قوي مع فينيسيوس، دخل الفريق المباراة عازمًا على الفوز منذ الدقيقة الأولى، كانت لحظة مهمة للعودة إلى سكة الانتصارات خارج أرضنا، وسنعود إلى أرضنا يوم الأحد”.

وتابع: “مبابي كان أداؤه جميلًا وسلسًا في هدفيه الأول والثاني، وتعاون بشكل رائع مع فينيسيوس، نحن بحاجة إليه”.

وعن تصديات كورتوا، أضاف: “ليس من المستغرب أن يقوم بتصديات حاسمة، لقد سمح لنا بالحفاظ على تقدمنا ​​ومواصلة اللعب”.

وعن تواجد أردا جولر بديلاً ومشاركته في الدقيقة 69، علّق: “بالطبع يمكنه اللعب مع بيلينجهام (في وسط الملعب) لقد لعب ثلاث مباريات متتالية، ونحن نلعب كل ثلاثة أيام، كان هذا قرارًا خاصًا بمباراة اليوم فقط، إنه مجرد قرار تكتيكي”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رجل مباراة ريال مدريد وأتلتيك بلباو في الدوري الإسباني

وأردف: “أداء الفريق، والجودة الجماعية، وكيف سيطرنا على المباراة، كان الأداء متسقًا للغاية، بعد التعادل أمام جيرونا، كانت لحظة مهمة، والآن علينا التفكير في سيلتا فيجو، جدول المباريات حافل بالمباريات ولا يسمح بأي تأجيل”.

وواصل: “قدمنا ​​مباراة متكاملة ومركزة للغاية، تقدمنا ​​بجدارة، نافسنا بشكل جيد، كنا بحاجة إلى ذلك، وحافظنا على هدوئنا، علينا مواصلة التقدم، كانت تلك اللحظة مهمة، ولعبنا واحدة من أكثر مبارياتنا اكتمالًا”.

وأشار: “لقد لعبنا ست مباريات خارج أرضنا، ونفتقد بالفعل ملعبنا وجماهيرنا، وعلينا أن نحافظ على هذا الزخم، كانت مباراة مهمة؛ أردنا كسر سلسلة الهزائم، دخلنا المباراة بهدوء واستعداد”.

وأكد: “كان أداءً متكاملاً للغاية، كنا في غاية التركيز طوال التسعين دقيقة، ولم نتلقَّ أي فرص تُذكر، بل خلقنا العديد منها بأنفسنا، كان أداؤنا الأكثر اكتمالاً في ملعبٍ مُتطلب، لكننا نأخذ الأمور ببساطة ونمضي قدمًا”.

وعن هدف كامافينجا، أتم: “كان لديّ شعور جيد حياله، وجدنا ترينت على الجناح الأيمن، كانت الأهداف الثلاثة رائعة، برأيي، كانت جميلة جدًا، وسلسة للغاية”.

Mikel Arteta shares what's impressed him most about Harriman-Annous after Arsenal debut

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shared what’s impressed him most about teenager Andre Harriman-Annous after the Hale End graduate’s senior debut against Brighton on Wednesday.

The Gunners extended their unbeaten run to 11 in all competitions whilst booking a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after their victory over Brighton.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Goals from fellow youngster Ethan Nwaneri and star winger Bukayo Saka handed Arsenal a routine win at the Emirates Stadium, despite summer signing Kepa Arrizabalaga being forced into a string of early saves to deny the Seagulls, who threatened to break through first.

The headlines initially belonged to Max Dowman, after the 15-year-old became Arsenal’s youngest ever starter.

Dowman showed flashes of brilliance on the right-hand side in place of Saka and the injured Noni Madueke, who’s believed to be making “faster-than-expected” progress in his recovery from a knee injury.

However, once the teenager was hauled off Saka, and Harriman-Annouss replaced Declan Rice, attention turned towards the latest in a long queue of star-studded talents from the Hale End production line.

Harriman-Annous, who bagged 18 goals in 37 games for the Under-21s last season, has been a regular in first-team training at London Colney with Arteta taking note.

The England Under-18 international can feel hard done by that he didn’t mark his first senior appearance for the club with a goal too, having watched Jason Steele save his one-v-one effort before Saka dispatched the rebound.

Arteta shares what's impressed him about Harriman-Annous after Arsenal debut

It was a night to remember for Harriman-Annous, with Arteta explaining in a post-match press conference why he finally gave the youngster a chance to shine at N5.

Arsenal’s boss explains that Harriman-Annous has impressed him with a fierce mentality and work ethic behind-the-scenes, with the versatile centre-forward desperate to make an impact.

Arsenal supporters have plenty of reasons to feel excited about Harriman-Annous after his debut against Brighton.

Stepping onto the pitch in a high-stakes cup match is no small feat, and the teen showed glimpses of the potential that has impressed coaches throughout his development.

His composure and confidence stood out. He demonstrated good technical skills and an understanding of the game that belies his age. For a young player making his first senior appearance, showing such calmness under pressure is a promising sign of future growth.

Harriman-Annous made the bench against Liverpool in August, and if he continues to seize his opportunities like he did against Brighton, it’s only a matter of time before he makes his first Premier League outing.

Copa Verde, Campeonato Maranhense e Rondoniense: saiba onde assistir as finais desta quarta-feira

MatériaMais Notícias

A bola vai rolar nesta quarta-feira para diversas finais espalhadas pelo Brasil. São os casos da Copa Verde, do Campeonato Maranhense e do Campeonato Rondoniense. Confira abaixo tudo sobre onde assistir, horário e boas histórias sobre as decisões.

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VILA NOVA X PAYSANDU
🗓️ Data e horário: quarta-feira, 29 de maio de 2024, às 20h (de Brasília);
📍 Local: Olímpico Pedro Ludovico, em Goiânia (GO);
📺 Onde assistir: não terá transmissão pela TV ou serviços de streaming definidos, ao menos por enquanto. A exibição da partida deverá ser de responsabilidade dos clubes envolvidos na decisão.

O torcedor do Paysandu já comprou faixas de campeão da Copa Verde. Só um milagre tira esse título do Papão, tendo em vista que a equipe goleou por 6 a 0 na primeira partida da final.

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Com o hat-trick, no primeiro jogo da final, o atacante Nicolas alcançou a marca de cinco gols na Copa Verde. Porém, os dados do centroavante do Papão não param por aí. Por exemplo: o jogador é o vice-artilheiro do Brasil, atrás somente de Pedro, do Flamengo, que tem 20 gols em jogos.

Nicolas tem 17 gols em 26 jogos e supera atacantes renomados como Júnior Santos, Germán Cano, Gabigol, Vegetti, Tiquinho Soares e Endrick.

SAMPAIO CORRÊA X MARANHÃO
🗓️ Data e horário: quarta-feira, 29 de maio de 2024, às 19h30 (de Brasília);
📍 Local: Castelão, São Luís (MA);
📺 Onde assistir: TV Sampaio.

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Sampaio Corrêa e Maranhão se enfrentam pelo primeiro jogo da final do Campeonato Maranhense após as finais serem alvo de polêmica. Na ocasião, o MAC eliminou o Tuntum, que perdeu pontos por entrar em campo com um jogador irregular.

O Maranhão chegou a empatar num primeiro jogo da final do Campeonato Maranhense com o Sampaio Corrêa. No entanto, o Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD) anulou a final, contra a Bolívia Querida, e a semifinal, contra o Tuntum. Com isso, o Moto Club se tornou um dos semifinalistas, mas também acabou sendo eliminado pelo MAC.

BARCELONA X PORTO VELHO
🗓️ Data e horário: quarta-feira, 29 de maio de 2024, às 16h30 (de Brasília);
📍 Local: Estádio Aluízio Ferreira, Porto Velho (RO);
📺 Onde assistir: sem informações sobre a transmissão.

O atrativo desta para esta final do Campeonato Rondoniense também fica por conta do poder ofensivo do Porto Velho. Luan Vianna e Marco Goiano lideram a artilharia da competição. Ambos possuem sete gols cada.

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BarcelonaMaranhãoPaysanduPorto VelhoSampaio Corrêa

رابطة الأندية تقرر إيقاف ثنائي بيراميدز وكهرباء الإسماعيلية.. وغرامة مالية

أعلنت رابطة الأندية المصرية المحترفة عقوبات مباراة كهرباء الإسماعيلية وبيراميدز، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

والتقى بيراميدز مع كهرباء الإسماعلية على ملعب استاد الإسماعيلية، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثامنة من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

طالع.. حكم مباراة بيراميدز وبتروجيت في الدوري المصري

وحقق بيراميدز الفوز على كهرباء الإسماعيلية بهدفين مقابل هدف، ليزيد من رصيده إلى 26 نقطة في وصافة جدول ترتيب مسابقة الدوري المصري.

وقررت الرابطة إيقاف محمد أوناجم، لاعب كهرباء الإسماعيلية مباراة وتغريمه 5000 جنيه، بسبب حصوله على البطاقة الصفراء الثالثة.

وغرمت الرابطة فريق كهرباء الإسماعيلية، 50 ألف جنيه وذلك بسبب حصول اللاعبين على عدد ستة بطاقات في نفس المباراة.

وفي نفس الوقت تقرر إيقاف محمود عبد الحفيظ زلاكة، لاعب بيراميدز، مباراة وتغريمه 5000 جنيه، بسبب حصوله على البطاقة الصفراء الثالثة.

Nico Paz is a magician! Como must not 'cage' star player who can pull a goal 'out of his hat', says coach Cesc Fabregas

Como coach Cesc Fabregas believes that Argentine midfielder Nico Paz should not be restricted, describing him as an incredible talent. The former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder compared Paz to a magician on the pitch, saying he can pull a trick out of his hat at any moment, which is why he should never be “caged”.

Paz's entry into Serie A and his explosion

Paz has quickly become one of Serie A’s brightest young stars since joining from Real Madrid in 2024 for a fee of €6 million (£5.2m/$6.9m). In his debut campaign, he delivered eight goals and six assists, earning the award for the league’s best young player. His impact has only grown stronger this season, where he has already contributed four goals and four assists, showing remarkable consistency and maturity for his age.

A major reason for his rise has been his seamless fit in Fabregas’ system. Fabregas has given him the freedom to dictate the tempo, find pockets of space, and drive the team forward, allowing Paz’s intelligence and technical quality to shine. The coach has even placed him in the “Lionel Messi category” in terms of how opponents react, noting that rival teams do everything they can to stop him from receiving the ball. Paz is now beginning to show that he can be a worthy successor to Messi in the national team as their primary creative force.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesFabregas' praise for Paz

In an interview with , Como coach Fabregas praised Paz, saying the young midfielder does incredible things on the pitch, saying: “Nico does incredible things. He is a footballer capable of pulling a trick out of his hat at any moment.”

Fabregas also highlighted Paz’s versatility and unpredictable nature, explaining that his ability to attempt and execute crazy ideas makes him difficult to contain. For this reason, Fabregas believes Paz should not be restricted this season, adding: “He does crazy things that are unpredictable, which is why he should not be caged.”

Inter's interest in Paz and Madrid's buy back clause

Inter are preparing to make a major statement in the upcoming transfer window by submitting a €58 million (£49m/$63m) bid for Paz. The club view the young midfielder as a long-term partner for Lautaro Martinez and believe his creativity and versatility would strengthen their attack for years to come. However, Inter face a significant obstacle in Madrid. The Spanish giants hold a buy back clause on Paz, reportedly valued at €8 million in 2025, €9 million in 2026 and €10 million in 2027. This contractual leverage gives Madrid the power to either block the move or bring the player back at a fraction of Inter’s proposed offer, complicating the Nerazzurri’s ambitious pursuit.

Como President Mirwan Suwarso addressed Paz's transfer situation, explaining that Real Madrid are fully entitled to re-sign him based on the terms agreed in the original deal. He made it clear that the club respects the arrangement and that the player's future remains his own choice. Suwarso said: “I couldn’t care less. It’s a situation we agreed on from the beginning. Real Madrid are allowed to buy him back whenever they want. It’s up to Nico to decide what he wants to do with his future. We are very happy to have him. We like to build a home for him in Como. He chose to stay this season, and we take it day by day. We see how it goes. Does he go back to Madrid next season? Madrid have every right to do that. Will he stay with us? It’s up to him whether he wants it or not.”

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Getty ImagesPaz’s Central Role in Como’s Success This Season

Paz has been central to Como’s impressive campaign, with the club currently sitting seventh and pushing for European qualification. His performances have directly contributed to key results, including a memorable win over Juventus and a hard-fought draw against defending champions Napoli. With Paz in strong form, Fabregas will aim to shape his system around maximising the midfielder’s impact, ensuring he remains the driving force behind Como’s pursuit of a historic finish.

Will Kanpur kid Kuldeep get a chance to weave his magic at home?

Bangladesh are a good opposition for the ever-improving wristspinner to play against, especially in Kanpur

Alagappan Muthu26-Sep-20241:22

Should Kuldeep Yadav be playing more Tests?

A Player-of-the-Match award usually comes with a trophy, some money and maybe a bit of a headache about what to do with the giant novelty cheque. They never fit in the luggage to carry back home.Kuldeep Yadav has been given this honour twice in his Test career so far. And each time, he couldn’t find a place in the India XI for the next game. Since when did they start smuggling pink slips into these things?In Chattogram 2022, which was his first Test in 22 months, Kuldeep ran through Bangladesh’s middle order in the first innings to set up a comfortable victory for India. He finished with 8 for 113 in that game but in the next one, in Mirpur, a week later, his place was taken by Jaydev Unadkat.”Ideally, like in IPL, if Test cricket also had the Impact Player rule, I would have definitely loved to bring in Kuldeep in the second innings,” stand-in captain KL Rahul said at the time.Related

  • India and Bangladesh brace for lower bounce on black-soil pitch in Kanpur

  • Domestic grind prepares Akash well for the deep end

  • Weather and pitch in focus as India, Bangladesh ponder three spinners

  • Which pitch? Teams still guessing on eve of the match

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In Dharamsala 2024, he was the difference India were looking for against an England side who, when in doubt, often tried to whack it out. Kuldeep took a five-for in R Ashwin’s 100th Test match. It almost seemed like a sign. For years, he had been that kid who kept hearing he wasn’t tall enough to go on this ride – because Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja kept raising that bar sky high – but now, he was up there with them. Ashwin even insisted that he take the match ball.Then came Chennai, a pitch made for fast bowling and once again Kuldeep had to make way. It was a gross error in foresight on his part. He should’ve known all those years ago, when he switched from fast bowling to wristspin, that the 2024 home season would begin in conditions borrowed from Headingley or something.Now India are in Kanpur, his home ground. A black soil pitch awaits, which usually tends to be batting friendly and eventually starts to take a bit of turn. Kuldeep makes a lot of sense in these conditions, because as a wristspinner he is able to turn the ball both ways and keep the batter guessing. That is part of the reason why Ravi Shastri, when he was India coach, proclaimed that they had found a new No. 1 overseas spinner after Kuldeep took a five-for in Sydney. (Guess what happened when India announced their playing XI in the next match in North Sound?)Kuldeep Yadav last played a Test in Dharamsala in March this year•Getty ImagesThere are two ways to deal with a less-than-ideal pitch as a bowler. One, be as disciplined as possible. Deny the opposition easy runs. And if you manage to do that long enough, you might just be able to buy a mistake. The other is what Kuldeep specialises in, his wristspin is capable of rising above the need for any help from the pitch. It is perhaps this belief that made India try him out at Lord’s in 2018, but that backfired. He was slow through the air back then and in Test cricket, where there was no need for the batter to manufacture runs, England were able to camp on the back foot and punish him with ease.Kuldeep has worn these setbacks well, in that he has never given up the one thing that makes him special, giving the batter precious little indication about which way his balls will turn. At a point, when he was being clapped at for being too slow through the air, he clapped back saying nobody was telling him how to be quicker without compromising on his other skills. Even when he was left out, and called out, he was clear in his mind that he wouldn’t change anything unless he was sure it would add to the bowler he already was.That belief can also be seen in how he rarely shrinks when a batter tries to take the attack to him; he still tosses it up. Like when he bowled to Ben Duckett in Dharamsala and had him caught off the leading edge while sweeping. There was no change in length; no thought of flattening it. He just shifted his line wider and made it riskier for the batter to play the shot with which he seemed to want to build his innings.Bangladesh are a good opposition for Kuldeep to play against. They do not have any real history of wristspin bowlers, let alone facing them on a regular basis. Kanpur is a good place for Kuldeep to play in. He’s never had the opportunity to represent India here in the past. Only time will tell though if India are also thinking this way because they have to consider a lot more than just the romance of a hometown boy getting his day in the sun.

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