Parunika Sisodia and Nuzhat Parween will replace them at MI and RCB respectively
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Feb-2025
Pooja Vastrakar has been a key player for Mumbai Indians•Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians (MI) seam-bowling allrounder Pooja Vastrakar and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legspinner Asha Sobhana have been sidelined from the entire WPL 2025 with injuries. Parunika Sisodia, fresh off winning the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, and Railways wicketkeeper-batter Nuzhat Parween, will replace them at MI and RCB respectively.Vastrakar has been a “big player” for MI, as their head coach Charlotte Edwards alluded to during the pre-season press-conference, so filling the void created by her absence could be a challenge. Sisodia, the left-arm fingerspinner isn’t a like-for-like replacement for Vastrakar, but her recent form is encouraging for MI: she took five wickets across the semi-final and the final of the Under-19 World Cup, helping India become back-to-back champions.Related
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Akshita Maheshwari, the Rajasthan seam-bowling allrounder, is more of a like-for-like replacement for Vastrakar. In the Under-23 Women’s One Day Trophy last season, Maheshwari had finished with 23 wickets, the second-most in the competition, and picked up two hat-tricks: against Mizoram and Odisha.Asha’s unavailability, meanwhile, compounds RCB’s troubles. They are also sweating on the fitness of Shreyanka Patil and Ellyse Perry. Asha’s 12 wickets in 10 games at an economy rate of 7.11 were vital to RCB winning their maiden WPL title last season.Parween, who has played five T20Is for India, will be a back-up wicketkeeper to Richa Ghosh. She had scored 134 runs at a strike rate of 101.51 for Railways in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy earlier this season.WPL 2025 will kick off on February 14, with defending champions RCB taking on Gujarat Giants in Vadodara.
O Brasileirão entrou na era dos pontos corridos em 2003 e, desde então, alguns times ficaram marcados por grandes conquistas e títulos. Porém, outras equipes ficaram marcadas péssimos desempenhos.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBrasileirãoQuais times brasileiros nunca foram rebaixados no Brasileirão?Brasileirão17/07/2023América MineiroAmérica-MG promete ir à CBF por ‘falta de critério’ da arbitragem no BrasileirãoAmérica Mineiro10/07/2023BrasileirãoRebaixamento: quais times caíram mais vezes no Brasileirão?Brasileirão10/07/2023
+ Confira a classificação atualizada e a tabela completa do Brasileirão
A pior campanha nos últimos 20 anos foi da Chapecoense, em 2021. O time teve apenas 13% de aproveitamento. A equipe também foi a primeira da história a terminar o campeonato sem nenhuma vitória como mandante.
Veja abaixo as piores campanhas no Brasileirão na era dos pontos corridos:
Chapecoense (2021) – 15 pontos / 13% de aproveitamento América-RN (2007) – 17 pontos / 15% de aproveitamento Náutico (2013) – 20 pontos / 17% de aproveitamento Juventude (2022) – 22 pontos / 19% de aproveitamento Paraná (2018) – 23 pontos / 20% de aproveitamento Botafogo (2020) – 27 pontos / 24% de aproveitamento Santa Cruz (2006) e América-MG (2016) – 28 pontos / 25% de aproveitamento
Pooran doesn’t “plan to hit sixes” but only looks to “time the ball” he says after slamming a 26-ball 70 to blow away SRH
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Mar-2025
Nicholas Pooran hit an 18-ball fifty•Associated Press
Nicholas Pooran is a six-hitting machine. He has already hit 13 sixes in two outings in IPL 2025. Six of those came in Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). And yet, he says he does not “plan to hit sixes” but only tries to “time the ball”.”I just try my best to get in good positions and if it’s there, just time the ball nicely,” Pooran said after his 26-ball 70. “In the last nine years, I have been working on my craft. Obviously, I have been getting the opportunity to bat higher up in the powerplay as well. It is really important to cash in when the wicket is nice and obviously when the match-up is there you try your best to execute your skills.”Pooran walked out to bat on the tenth ball of LSG’s 191-run chase in Hyderabad. It did not take long for him to get going, hitting his second ball for a four and taking two sixes off Simarjeet Singh in the third over. By the time the powerplay ended, Pooran was on 44 off 16 with four fours and an equal number of sixes. He completed his half-century in just 18 balls, his third-fastest in the IPL.Related
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“I’ve never worked on my bat speed, I’m just blessed with incredible talent,” he said. “I am really happy that I have put in the work over the years, and I am getting the reward on the cricket field and winning games for my team as well.”At LSG, it came down to having one of Pooran and Rishabh Pant batting in the top order. And the team decided that Pooran should be given that freedom to bat at No. 3 with captain Pant moving down into the middle order.”Mostly the thought was to give freedom to him,” Pant said after his first win as LSG captain. “We know what damage he can do down the order. I like that freedom too, but you have got to give someone that charge that you have to go and express yourself. The way he has been batting is phenomenal for us.”Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh added 116 for the second wicket•AFP/Getty Images
Pooran added 116 for the second with Mitchell Marsh to set the platform for LSG. It was Marsh’s second half-century in two games in a competition he has been cleared to play as a batter only. In the first match, he was subbed out, and in the second, subbed in.”It’s a really long tournament and it’s nice to see Marsh at the top of the order,” Pooran said. “He’s shown his class especially against the seamers there. We are playing cricketing shots and not losing wickets. Our left-right combination is really important. In important parts of the game, we drop our intensity a bit, knock it around to ensure that we continue to build partnerships and also take our match-ups down.”Marsh paid the compliment back at the press conference: “Fascinating, that’s probably the word I have for it. Obviously, I’ve played against Nicky [Pooran] for a long time and you’re often on the other end of that. So, to be on his team, I feel like I really connect with him as a bloke and someone who I’m going to hopefully bat with a lot. He’s a fantastic player.”Pooran was unstoppable tonight.”
كشف مصدر داخل النادي الأهلي عن الطلبات الفنية للمدير الفني الدنماركي ييس توروب، استعدادًا لفترة الانتقالات الشتوية المقبلة، ضمن خطته لتدعيم صفوف الفريق خلال المرحلة القادمة.
وكان النادي الأهلي قد أعلن رسميًا تعيين ييس توروب مديرًا فنيًا للفريق الأول لكرة القدم خلفًا للبرتغالي خوسيه ريبيرو، ليتولى قيادة المارد الأحمر في الفترة المقبلة.
وبدأ ييس توروب مهمته الأولى بمواجهة إيجل نوار البوروندي في الدور التمهيدي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، حيث نجح في قيادة الفريق للفوز بهدف دون رد خارج الديار.
طالع أيضًا | خاص | تفاصيل إصابة محمد شريف وموقفه من المشاركة مع الأهلي في السوبر المصري
ووفقًا لما علمه موقع بطولات من مصدر داخل القلعة الحمراء، فقد طلب توروب تدعيم الفريق في ثلاثة مراكز أساسية خلال الميركاتو الشتوي، وهي: قلب الدفاع، الظهير الأيسر، والمهاجم الصريح، وذلك ضمن رؤيته لتقوية العمود الفقري للفريق.
ومن المقرر أن تُقام مباراة الإياب بين الأهلي وإيجل نوار يوم السبت المقبل على استاد القاهرة الدولي، حيث يكفي المارد الأحمر التعادل أو الفوز بأي نتيجة لحسم بطاقة التأهل إلى دور المجموعات من البطولة الإفريقية.
Newcastle United’s summer of transfer activity once again underlined the scale of ambition since the PIF takeover.
Deals for Jacob Ramsay, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga have complemented headline-grabbing signings such as Nick Woltemade for £69m and Yoane Wissa for £55m.
Alexander Isak’s £125m move to Liverpool left a sour taste, but the overall picture was one of a club continuing to spend at the very top of the market.
That has not always been the case on Tyneside.
Before Saudi investment changed the landscape, Newcastle were known for trimming squads and selling talent to make a profit.
Promising youngsters would be moved on for financial reasons or simply slip through the cracks, only to thrive elsewhere.
This summer’s spending spree serves as a reminder of how much things have changed, but also how much has been lost.
The departure of Elliot Anderson last year remains a striking example.
Newcastle did not want to lose the academy graduate, but Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) forced their hand.
Nottingham Forest seized the opportunity, and now the Northeast club must watch a homegrown talent flourish elsewhere – much like another striker once forced to leave before truly being given a chance at St James’ Park.
Anderson's rise away from Tyneside
Anderson’s move to Forest in 2024, part of a deal that saw Odysseas Vlachodimos move the other way, was emblematic of Newcastle’s recent financial gymnastics.
The midfielder represented pure profit under PSR calculations, a valuable asset when books needed balancing.
Jankuba Minteh was sold to Brighton in the same scramble, and even the sales of Isak and Anthony Gordon were considered.
At the time, it looked like a sacrifice of potential for compliance.
Yet Anderson has proven exactly why the club were so reluctant to lose him.
Last season, the 22-year-old made 37 league appearances for Forest, scoring twice and providing six assists. His form earned him a first senior England call-up, and he started against Andorra, winning the Player of the Match award.
The numbers underline his growing influence.
Last season, Anderson ranked in the 88th percentile for assists per 90 (0.19) and 77th percentile for shot-creating actions (3.07).
His ability to progress play was matched by tenacity in midfield.
He sat in the 88th percentile for tackles per 90 (3.07) and 87th percentile for clearances (2.40).
Analysts like Max Scott have even gone so far as to describe Anderson as having “a bit of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Zinedine Zidane” in his game.
It is difficult to see how he would have found the same opportunities had he remained at Newcastle.
Competing with Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton for minutes, he might have stagnated.
Instead, Forest have given him the platform to grow, and Newcastle are left to reflect on a talent that got away, not for the first time either.
Newcastle's homegrown striker regret
Anderson’s story draws inevitable comparisons to Ivan Toney, another player who slipped through Newcastle’s net.
Signed from Northampton Town in 2015 for around half a million, Toney struggled for first-team opportunities and was farmed out on loan before leaving permanently for Peterborough United in 2018.
From there, his career trajectory exploded. Toney scored 72 goals and provided 23 assists in 141 appearances for Brentford, firing them to Premier League promotion with a goal in the 2021 play-off final.
His 20-goal return in the 2022/23 season made him one of the division’s most reliable strikers, hailed as such by Thomas Frank who described him as a “monster”.
Recognition followed on the international stage. Toney made his England debut in 2023 and was part of the Euro 2024 squad, holding his nerve to score in the penalty shoot-out against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
The numbers again tell the story of a rounded, top-level forward.
During the 2022/23 season, Toney ranked in the 72nd percentile among centre-forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals (0.43 per 90), 70th percentile for progressive passes (2.41), and was outstanding aerially, sitting in the 91st percentile for aerials won (3.32 per 90).
His defensive contribution was underrated too, with strong numbers for interceptions and clearances.
Ivan Toney – 2022/23
Matches Played
33
Goals
20
Assists
4
Progressive Carries
14
Progressive Passes
79
Source: FBref
In 2024, Toney completed a £40m move to Al-Ahli, where he scored 23 goals and registered four assists in the Saudi Pro League last season.
At 29, he remains a high-level striker whose career arc must leave Newcastle wondering what might have been.
The parallels between Anderson and Toney are plain to see.
Both left St James’ Park for very different reasons, but both have gone on to prove themselves at a high level.
Each departure highlights the fine margins between financial management and footballing vision.
Newcastle’s current owners are now spending freely, with marquee signings transforming the squad.
Yet history shows that some of the biggest success stories can be those who slipped away. In Anderson, Newcastle may once again have let a future England regular leave too soon.
PIF have already signed Newcastle's new Elliot Anderson and he's "terrific"
Eddie Howe will hope he has his own Elliot Anderson now at Newcastle United in this terrific talent.
كشف الجهاز الطبي للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك عن حجم الإصابة التي تعرض لها أحمد شريف لاعب الأبيض خلال مباراة ديكيداها الصومالي اليوم في بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.
وفاز الزمالك على ديكيداها الصومالي بهدف دون رد على استاد السلام، في إياب دور الـ32 لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية ليتأهل إلى دور المجموعات بعدما سبق وفاز في لقاء الذهاب بسداسية دون رد.
طالع.. سيف الجزيري: أريد تحقيق إنجاز تاريخي مع الزمالك
وأكد الجهاز الطبي أن أحمد شريف تعرض لإصابة في العضلة الضامة، وسيخضع لفحص طبي غدٍ السبت، للوقوف على حجم الإصابة.
وفي سياق متصل أوضح الجهاز الطبي أن أحمد ربيع لاعب وسط الزمالك يعاني من إجهاد عضلي خفيف وتم الاتفاق مع الجهاز الفني على إراحته من مباراة اليوم أمام بطل الصومال.
Palmeiras e Cruzeiro se enfrentam nesta segunda-feira (14), às 19h, no Allianz Parque, pela 19ª rodada do Brasileirão. Enquanto o Verdão está em recuperação depois de se livrar de fase ruim, a Raposa quer voltar a vencer para interromper jejum. Os donos da casa devem ter força máxima, enquanto os visitantes sofrem com algumas lesões.
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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Empolgado pela classificação às quartas de final da Libertadores, o Palmeiras agora foca no Campeonato Brasileiro para tentar se aproximar do Botafogo, que disparou na liderança. Para isso, Abel Ferreira contará com elenco completo e poderá repetir a formação que eliminou o Atlético-MG na quarta-feira (9). Apenas Atuesta, que passou por cirurgia no joelho, será desfalque nesta segunda (14).
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
+Confira aqui dicas, odds e estatísticas desse jogão!
+Veja todas as promoções da Lance! Betting para a 19ª rodada do Brasileirão!
+ Clique aqui e aproveite a odd turbinada da Lance! Betting
Há quatro jogos sem vencer, o Cruzeiro vai para São Paulo com a missão voltar a somar três pontos. No entanto, precisa lidar com alguns desfalques, como Matheus Pereira, que chegou recentemente e sofreu uma lesão no joelho que o deixará fora dos gramados por algum tempo. Ainda assim, Wesley, Bruno Rodrigues e Rafael Cabral retornam e estão à disposição do técnico Pepa.
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+ Palmeiras reencontra o Cruzeiro quase quatro anos depois de ‘rebaixar’ o adversário; relembre o que mudou
Veja todas as informações da partida:
PALMEIRAS X CRUZEIRO
Local:Allianz Parque, em São Paulo (SP) Data e hora:14/8/2023, às 19h (de Brasília) Árbitro:Wagner do Nascimento Magalhães (Fifa/RJ) Assistentes:Thiego Henrique Neto Correa Farinha (RJ) e Luiz Claudio Regazone (RJ) VAR:Rodolpho Toski Marques (VAR-Fifa/PR) Onde assistir:Premiere e no tempo real doLance!
PALMEIRAS:Weverton; Mayke, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino e Raphael Veiga; Artur, Dudu e Rony.Técnico:Abel Ferreira.
CRUZEIRO:Rafael Cabral; William, Neris, Luciano Castán e Marlon; Matheus Jussa, Filipe Machado, Lucas Silva e Mateus Vital (Bruno Rodrigues); Wesley e Arthur Gomes. Técnico:Pepa.
Desfalques:Wallisson, Matheus Pereira, Ramiro, Rafael Bilu, Weverton e Wesley Gasolina (lesionados) Pendurados:Lucas Oliveira, Bruno Rodrigues e Luciano Castán
Rescuing visitors from 82 for 4, Clark shares stands of 124 with Ollie Robinson and an unbroken 124 with George Drissell
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay02-May-2025
Graham Clark raises his bat on reaching a century•Getty Images
Graham Clark celebrated his fifth Rothesay County Championship century with a pristine innings to put Durham in charge against Hampshire.Clark led Durham’s run surge, having been 82 for 4, with partnerships of 124 with Ollie Robinson, who scored 76, and 124 unbroken with George Drissell – who reached the close on 58 not out.Clark – who hadn’t reached three figures since 2023 – ended the day unbeaten on 110, with Durham following up their victory over Worcestershire by totting up 330 for 5 under the sun at Utilita Bowl.Hampshire’s Kyle Abbott was the star of the morning session, as his three wickets put Hampshire on top, after Durham had chosen to bat first on a wicket previously used in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition under perfect blue skies.Emilio Gay – who returned from injury – had played with intent but his heavy hands cost him as he pushed away from his body and edged to second slip after a 16-ball 19.Will Rhodes was more circumspect in his 22 but fell for Abbott’s midwicket trap, as the South African bowled into the left-hander’s ribs to produce a pull to the prowling Felix Organ.Alex Lees had been the equal to Abbott in his first spell, but a change of ends and coming wider of the crease saw the bowler win the battle. The new angle exploited a gap between bat and pad to find a route into his stumps.The 80 for 3 at lunch became 82 for 4 12 balls afterwards as Colin Ackermann swished at Brad Wheal and was caught behind.But a mixture of a softening ball, even hotter weather, and two batters who made their task look like child’s play evened up the afternoon session.Neither Robinson nor Clark ever seemed to actively attack the bowler, merely waiting for opportunities to keep a constant flow of runs.Having scored almost 900 runs last season – at an average of 48 – Robinson’s only contribution over 20 so far this season had been the unbeaten 22 which got his side over the line against Worcestershire last week.Four of his six dismissals had been as a result of either edging or falsely playing outside his off stump, but here he was tight, disciplined and decisive in the corridor of uncertainty.That extra patience against pace was rewarded once he faced Liam Dawson – taking the newly awarded Wisden Cricketer of the Year for three boundaries in a row as he closed in on his half-century in 66 deliveries.Clark – who was also not out in the chase at Visit Worcestershire New Road – was the more watchful of the pair, but wary, having got a start in each of his innings of 46, 62, 33, 16 and 20* but not progressing to three figures.The only time he truly let loose was against Sonny Baker. The quick honoured a bouncer ploy and was taken for a quartet of fours in succession. Otherwise, he was humble in his 81-ball fifty.Robinson misstepped when his swing across the line to Dawson saw him bowled, to end a 124-run stand, while Drissell survived an early drop. But from there, Drissell stepped into Robinson’s mould to build on Durham’s growing advantage.Drissell came out after tea with a pep in his shot-making – as he tried to make the most of the older ball before the 80-over mark. His towering six back over Dawson’s head was the most sweetly timed shot of the day.He made his maiden County Championship half-century in 100 balls, and the second new ball caused no issues for him and Robinson.Clark then took centre-stage as he brought up his first ton in Division One, in 188 balls to underscore an impressive fightback from Durham.
Celtic are in action in the quarter-finals of the League Cup this weekend as they prepare to take on Partick Thistle to battle it out for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.
The Hoops thrashed Falkirk 4-1 in the last 16 of the League Cup earlier this season, thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston, and Dane Murray, along with a Liam Henderson own goal.
This clash with Partick Thistle will provide Brendan Rodgers with a chance to rotate his side, which could see Arne Engels handed a rare chance to impress.
Why Celtic should be worried about Arne Engels
After selling Adam Idah to Swansea City for a deal worth up to £7m, £1.5m less than they paid Norwich City for him last year, the Hoops should be worried that Engels is the next big-money signing to ultimately flop at Parkhead.
The Belgium international, who signed for a club-record fee of £11m from Augsburg last year, has only started two of the club’s five matches in the Scottish Premiership this season, and was an unused substitute against Kilmarnock last time out.
Engels has failed to score a goal and provided one assist in seven appearances in all competitions this season, after a return of ten goals and 13 assists in the 2024/25 campaign, per Transfermarkt.
The 22-year-old midfielder has found himself out of the side and potentially clinging onto his career at Parkhead, and it is because of the summer signing of Benjamin Nygren.
Why Benjamin Nygren could end Arne Engels' career at Celtic
The Sweden international, who sometimes played as a striker before his move to Celtic, was compared to legendary centre-forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he was 16.
First Impressions
What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.
Nygren is Swedish and also has a lanky build, which is why it is not a surprising comparison, but he has established himself as a central midfielder at Parkhead, rather than as a centre-forward like Ibrahimovic.
Despite mainly playing as a right winger for Nordsjaelland in the 2024/25 campaign, per Transfermarkt, the £1m (£1.3m) signing has locked in a spot alongside Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate in central midfield, which was the slot that Engels filled last term.
25/26 Premiership
Benjamin Nygren
Appearances
5
Starts
5
Goals
3
Key passes per game
3.2
Big chances created
2
Assists
1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Nygren has scored three goals and created 3.2 chances per game across five outings in the Premiership so far this season for the Hoops.
Engels, however, only scored two non-penalty goals and created 1.7 chances per game across 34 appearances in the top-flight for the Hoops last term, per Sofascore.
These statistics suggest that Celtic have improved their midfield by signing Nygren for £1.3m to replace Engels in the XI because of the quality that he has already provided as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
This is bad news for the Belgium international because it will now be difficult for him to break back into the starting line-up unless he is able to improve on his performances from last season and on Nygren’s this term.
If he cannot oust the Sweden international from the midfield before the January transfer window or next summer, there could be a decision to be made on his future, as there was with Idah when it was clear that Rodgers did not fancy him as the first-choice number nine moving forward.
Worth more than Tounekti: Celtic are brewing the new Reo Hatate at Parkhead
Celtic have a brilliant midfield star who could be the club’s next Reo Hatate in the middle of the park.
ByDan Emery Sep 16, 2025
Therefore, Nygren, once compared to a legendary striker, may be the player who ends Engels’ career at Parkhead if he continues to impress in midfield for the Scottish giants.
Delhi Capitals, who began the season with four wins on the trot, are now out of contention
Ekanth21-May-20253:05
Rapid Fire: What will be DC’s biggest regret this season?
Mumbai Indians (MI) secured the last remaining IPL 2025 playoffs spot thanks to a late onslaught from Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir followed by crafty three-fors from Mitchell Santner and Jasprit Bumrah. Delhi Capitals, led by Faf du Plessis with regular captain Axar Patel ruled out by flu, were knocked out of contention. Having won each of their first four matches of the season, they have won just two of their next nine.Related
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Du Plessis: MI's counterpunch cost us in last two overs
Put in to bat on a spin-friendly Wankhede Stadium pitch with rain on the cards, MI were in some trouble at 132 for 5 but Suryakumar and Dhir smacked 48 runs off the last two overs to lift them to 180.DC’s chase never got going with Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul falling cheaply. A comeback seemed to be on the cards, with Sameer Rizvi and Ashutosh Sharma putting on 38 as a drizzle began, but Santner ensured that it wasn’t to be.1:49
Moody: ‘DC bowlers should have used the surface more’
MI start steadily on a tricky pitchMI’s innings started with Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton punishing full balls in the first two overs before Mustafizur Rahman’s angle away from Rohit’s bat found the edge when he tried to drive him.Vipraj Nigam, brought on in the fourth over, found turn but was pulled for two fours by Will Jacks when he dropped short. Jacks hit a four and a six in the next over, off Mustafizur, before Mukesh Kumar undid him by going pace-off in the sixth over, and Nigam completed the job with a good catch running back. MI finished the powerplay 54 for 2.Kuldeep and Nigam apply the brakesSuryakumar survived a top-edged sweep that landed safely behind short fine leg but Rickelton was less fortunate next ball as he toed his slog-sweep to deep backward square leg to hand Kuldeep Yadav his 100th IPL wicket.Nigam mixed up his lengths and created two near-chances in the tenth over while Kuldeep bowled consistently and kept the batters quiet. DC gave away just 26 runs in the first four post-powerplay overs, leaving MI 80 for 3 at the halfway mark.The return of pace helped MI release some pressure, with Tilak Varma lapping Dushmantha Chameera for six in the 11th over and Suryakumar stepping out to drive Mustafizur over mid-off for another maximum in the 14th. In between, though, Nigam and Kuldeep conceded just nine in two overs.Suryakumar pulled Mukesh for four to start the 15th over, but Tilak fell four balls later, too early into a pull off a slower ball. When Hardik sliced a lofted drive to short third off Chameera in the 17th, MI were 123 for 5.2:17
Aaron: Bowlers’ Plan B is Suryakumar’s Plan A
Dhir, Suryakumar break freeSuryakumar brought up a 36-ball fifty at the start of the 19th over, launching Mukesh over the covers for six. Then Dhir let loose, going 4, 6, 6, 4 to end a 27-run over, as Mukesh, suffering from cramps, missed three yorkers and then offered room when he went into the pitch.The onslaught continued in the final over where Suryakumar dined on Chameera’s pace-on offerings. This time, he farmed the strike and whacked two sixes over deep midwicket and two fours through the off side to finish on a high. A highlight was a dab off a near-perfect yorker that rolled wide of the keeper for four. Suryakumar scored 28 off the last eight balls of his innings, while Dhir walked off unbeaten on 24 off eight.Suryakumar’s unbeaten 73, meanwhile, was his 13th successive 25-plus score in T20s, a joint record alongside Temba Bavuma.DC lose big guns earlyKL Rahul and du Plessis, DC’s most experienced batters, made their intent clear by putting away the first balls they faced to the boundary. But their attack was shortlived as du Plessis holed out to long-on off a slower ball from Deepak Chahar and Rahul – who charged early and made too much room – was caught behind off Trent Boult.Will Jacks spun his first ball square and then got one to go straight, beating Abishek Porel to have him stumped, a close call that went in the bowler’s favour. Jacks then bowled a no-ball, which allowed the promoted Nigam to get off the mark with a six over cover.Nigam hit three more fours in his next four balls, but with DC 49 for 3 at the end of the powerplay with all four of Bumrah’s overs remaining, MI were well ahead.1:51
Moody: Santner a nightmare on pitches like this
Wily Santner wrecks middle orderSantner capitalised on MI’s start and the conditions, ripping the ball away from Nigam’s bat before firing the next one in quicker to have him caught and bowled. Bumrah then got an offcutter to beat Tristan Stubbs’ inside edge to reduce DC to 65 for 5 in the tenth over.DC seemed all but done when a drizzle began and eased things up a bit. Ashutosh whacked loopy deliveres from Karn Sharma for a four and a six in the 11th over, and Rizvi picked up another four in between when Jacks ran too in too far from long-off and overran the ball.Santner then beat Ashutosh and almost had Rizvi caught and bowled but the batters survived, and DC kept chipping away, going past 100 in the 14th over. Their task was still steep, though: 78 off the last six overs.With the drizzle in the background, Santner darted a full ball at Rizvi before slowing the pace down to 77kph to beat his sweep and hit middle stump. The game was effectively over three balls later when Santner had Ashutosh stumped. It was a juicy length ball angling in towards the stumps that spun away a mile and beat the inside-out drive.Santner’s three-for came at the cost of just 11 runs in four overs, the joint-fewest conceded by a spinner in an IPL match at Wankhede. Bumrah and Karn then cleaned up the tail, helping MI qualify for the playoffs for the 11th time in 18 seasons.