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Tottenham Hotspur were hammered 4-1 by their arch-rivals in the North London derby on Sunday in the Premier League, as they were beaten 4-1 by Arsenal at The Emirates.

Thomas Frank started with a back five and two holding midfielders in an attempt to shut the Gunners out, yet it was still far too easy for the hosts to slice through their defence.

Whilst their overly-cautious approach did not prevent Arsenal from creating chances, it did prevent Spurs from creating chances. They only had three shots in 90 minutes, and one of them was Richarlison’s long-range goal from around 45 yards out.

Creating chances and playing forward-thinking football has been a problem for the Lilywhites in the Premier League since Frank came through the door from Brentford in the summer, as shown in the statistics below.

xG

11.0

17th

Non-penalty xG

11.0

16th

Progressive passes

413

12th

Shots

110

19th

Shots on target

40

15th

Average shot distance

15.6 yards

17th

The defeat to Arsenal will be even harder to take because Tottenham were chasing a deal to sign Eberechi Eze in the summer before the Gunners swooped in and hijacked the move, and he was the star of the show on Sunday.

Meanwhile, it has been a struggle for a few of the players whom the Lilywhites were able to get in the building in an attempt to bolster Frank’s squad in the summer transfer window.

Ranking Tottenham's summer signings for Thomas Frank

Looking at the positive additions first, it is hard to look past Bayern Munich loanee Joao Palhinha as the best signing of the summer, as the Portugal international has delivered four goals and three assists whilst also averaging 5.6 tackles and interceptions per game, per Sofascore.

Mohammed Kudus, who was signed from West Ham for £55m, is deserving of second-place after a return of one goal and four assists in 11 Premier League appearances so far this season.

As you can see in the table below, Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso then rank in the middle of the pack, which is because they were brought in as squad additions and have filled that role without any major issues so far this term.

1

Joao Palhinha

2

Mohammed Kudus

3

Luka Vuskovic

4

Mathys Tel

5

Kevin Danso

6

Koto Takai

7

Randal Kolo Muani

8

Xavi Simons

Koto Takai has yet to play a game for Spurs, due to injury, since his move in the summer, which makes it hard to rank him any higher or lower, whilst Kolo Muani is in seventh place with no goals and one assist in nine appearances for the club, per Sofascore.

Ranking in last place, then, is £52m summer signing Xavi Simons. He arrived at Spurs after a return of 21 goals and 21 assists in the last two seasons with RB Leipzig in Germany, yet has failed to live up to the hype that his form in the Bundesliga created.

The Dutchman was brought in as Tottenham’s alternative to Eze, after they failed to sign the England international, and has only managed two assists and no goals in 15 appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, the former Crystal Palace attacking midfielder has delivered five goals and three assists in 16 outings for Arsenal, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he has been far more influential for his side than Xavi has.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Spurs, though, may already be brewing their own homegrown version of Eze in their academy in the form of exciting teenage attacking midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett.

Why Luca Williams-Barnett could be Tottenham's own Eberechi Eze

The 17-year-old starlet’s form for club and country suggests that he is a player to watch for the future, as the Tottenham youngster has shown incredible promise as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

He has been with England’s U17s at the U17 World Cup in recent weeks, knocked out by Austria in the quarter-finals last week, and caught the eye with his performances at the tournament.

Appearances

5

Sofascore rating

7.38

Goals

2

Big chances missed

0

Key passes per game

1.4

Big chances created

3

Assists

1

Dribbles completed per game

3.4

As you can see in the table above, Williams-Barnett provided regular quality as a goalscorer, a creator, and a dribbler across his five appearances in the competition for his country.

One of his two goals, which came against Haiti’s U17 side, was also an incredible solo goal that showcased his composure, creativity, and quality, as shown in the clip below.

On top of his impressive form for England at youth level, the 17-year-old playmaker has also proven himself to be an incredibly prolific attacker for Tottenham’s academy.

Williams-Barnett, who U23 scout Antonio Mango described as an “underrated” player, has racked up 22 goals and 13 assists in 30 games for the club’s U18 side, per Transfermarkt, to go along with seven goals and five assists in eight U21 games.

These statistics show that the attacking midfielder has delivered goals and assists on a regular basis for both club and country, which is why he could be Tottenham’s own Eberechi Eze, who has scored five goals for Arsenal and two goals for England this season.

Como scout Ben Mattinson claimed that the Spurs youngster “scores bangers” and it is hard to disagree with that assessment, particularly when you see goals such as the ones in the clip above.

Like Eze, Williams-Barnett is a number ten with incredible footwork, finishing, creativity, and dribbling skills, but it is now down to him to make the step to senior level and prove that he can deliver consistent performances in the first-team.

Fewer touches than Vicario: Frank must drop 3/10 Spurs dud after Arsenal

Thomas Frank has numerous glaring errors he needs to address at Tottenham Hotspur after the Arsenal defeat.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 24, 2025

If he can handle that step up, Frank could have his own version of Eberechi Eze and a possible upgrade on Xavi in the number ten position moving forward.

Bangladesh couldn’t counter the dew, and that wasn’t their only problem in Sharjah

Mohammad Isam23-May-2025

Bangladesh bowlers made it easy for UAE to swing hard

In terms of numbers, Bangladesh hit more sixes than UAE in the three-match series, but UAE hit more fours, and that meant they led the boundary count. UAE also had two other factors in their favour. They hit fours and sixes in clusters, and since they chased in all three games, they timed those clusters well.This was mainly due to how the Bangladesh bowlers missed their lengths. Granted that there was dew whenever they bowled, but they couldn’t quite grasp how big-hitters like Muhammad Waseem and Asif Khan operated. Both batters often telegraphed their intention to go leg side, but the bowlers, particularly spinners Mahedi Hasan and Tanvir Islam, still allowed them the room to swing their arms to take the ball high over the midwicket or mid-on boundaries.And fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud were far too wide or far too short far too often. Tanzim Hasan found it hard to grip the ball, and Shoriful Islam started off well in both appearances, but then lost his steam, losing pace and losing his lengths.

UAE tackled the dew, Bangladesh complained about it

UAE’s Haider Ali said after the third T20I that he often bowls with the wet ball in training to prepare for the familiar Sharjah dew. Although it is not clear whether the Bangladesh bowlers did the same, their captain Litton Das complained about the dew after each match. Dew can only be encountered with practical methods. Complaining about something that affects a lot of games in Asian conditions took Bangladesh nowhere.When they beat West Indies 3-0 without many of their top players in December, Bangladesh seemed to adjust better to conditions. It’s also true that Bangladesh like pitches that produce 140-150 runs, which was the case in Kingstown then. They won all three games defending low totals, with their spinners bowling well under lights. There was no dew then, though, something that frustrated them in Sharjah.Parvez Hossain Emon’s century in the first T20I was one of the few highlights for Bangladesh•Emirates Cricket Board

Batters have a hit-and-miss series

Despite putting up scores like 191 and 205, Bangladesh’s batting generally lacked consistency. Parvez Hossain Emon struck a century and Tanzid Hasan got a half-century. The openers generally gave the team good starts – Tanzid went well in all three matches. But more was expected from Litton and Towhid Hridoy.Litton is slowly coming back into some batting form. But Hridoy couldn’t get the team out of trouble when he had the opportunity in the third game.There also appears to be some lack of clarity about Najmul Hossain Shanto, who got to play only the second game. Jaker Ali took his opportunity in the third game when the top and middle order collapsed, but Mahedi and Shamim Hossain have hit-or-miss roles that they couldn’t capitalise on.

The missing pace frontman

Even before the Bangladesh players boarded their flight to the UAE, there was confusion about their squad composition. Delhi Capitals (DC) had announced that Mustafizur Rahman would be joining them at IPL 2025, but the BCB said it hadn’t been approached for the no-objection certificate. Once the documents came through, the BCB allowed Mustafizur to leave for the IPL after the first match against UAE.That made a difference, Bangladesh losing a bowler who returned 2 for 17 in the first T20I, which was the only one they won. His absence became all the more glaring as the inexperienced bowlers failed to contain the UAE batters in the next two games.

Carrying the scars to Pakistan

Bangladesh would have expected to have a fairly easy time of it in Sharjah heading into the bigger series in Pakistan. How things have changed! It is now crucial that the players pick up the pieces from the series against the 15th-ranked team in T20Is. Not to forget, they had earlier lost 2-1 to USA last year. Against UAE, Bangladesh’s lack of game awareness stuck out. Pakistan are next, a team that is much better than UAE, that too in home conditions. Can Bangladesh lift themselves in Lahore?

A major injury update has now emerged on Gabriel ahead of the North London Derby, with Arsenal set to host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, four points clear of nearest-rival Manchester City, but injuries once again risk derailing their title charge, with Mikel Arteta being forced to contend with a number of setbacks already this season.

Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz have all spent time on the sidelines in recent weeks, and there has been more bad news during the international break, with defender Riccardo Calafiori being forced to drop out of the Italy squad.

Fortunately, Calafiori is expected to be available for the big game against Tottenham at the weekend, but a more concerning injury update has now emerged on one of Arteta’s other key players.

Gabriel now a major doubt for North London Derby

As reported by The Guardian, Gabriel is now a major doubt for the North London Derby, with recent scans revealing the defender suffered a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil, and there are concerns he may be facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old has returned to London for treatment, having not travelled with Brazil for their upcoming friendly against Tunisia, with the Gunners planning to take their time to assess the extent of the injury.

There are concerns the Brazil international could be sidelined during a busy period, with a number of tough fixtures on the horizon for Arteta’s side over the next few weeks.

Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Tottenham Hotspur (h)

November 23rd

Bayern Munich (h)

November 26th

Chelsea (a)

November 30th

Brentford (h)

December 3rd

Aston Villa (a)

December 6th

Should the centre-back be unavailable for quite some time, it would be a major blow for Arteta, given that he has been one of the manager’s key players so far this season, with the Spaniard saying: “I adore Gabriel: his attitude, his commitment, his positivity, what he’s willing to do for the team.”

The £150k-a-week defender has formed a formidable partnership with William Saliba at the heart of defence, with the Gunners shipping just five goals in the Premier League this term, the fewest of any side.

That said, Piero Hincapie has proven he could be a solid replacement for Gabriel, having impressed in the 2-0 EFL Cup triumph against Brighton & Hove Albion, receiving an 8.2 SofaScore match rating, the highest of any player, after winning six duels and recording a 94% pass-completion rate.

Gabriel has been named as one of the best centre-backs in the world The Best 15 Centre-Backs in World Football Ranked (2025)

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 20, 2025

England’s Bajan boys Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell had a party of their own in front of family, friends and fans in the first T20I

Cameron Ponsonby10-Nov-2024There’s many reasons why you’re sat reading about the West Indies vs England T20I, and Phil Salt was out there playing it.Talent, for one. Desire, another. And that’s before we mention ability, the coach at Under-13s who didn’t back you and that knee injury you had at 16. You could have made it.But one of the main reasons is because on Thursday, Salt was invited to a party with Rihanna and turned it down in favour of an early night. You choose to have five beers on a Friday with your mate who works in finance and says “inflation” every other word, Salt chooses not to hang out with one of the world’s most successful and talented mega stars even with 48 hours to spare to pop a Berocca or two.Related

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“Rihanna’s parties can wait,” Salt joked after the game.It is, objectively, the wrong decision and one might think less of Salt as a result. When the new era of player welfare came in, where they were asked to prioritise themselves as much as the game, this is what they were talking about. Going to parties with pop stars. Not golf.But he did score a century. So there’s that.On a genuinely wonderful evening at Kensington Oval, Salt, who spent part of his childhood here, registered his third hundred in five matches against West Indies, while Jacob Bethell, for whom Barbados is home, registered his maiden T20I fifty in front of a crowd that appeared to be 90% friends and family.The Bajan boys did the business for England. Both of them played their cricket for Harrison College down the road, a school where Bethell was a pupil, while Salt was a loanee, attending a nearby private school but being released on daycare to play cricket.Salt himself described Kensington Oval as the ground he has watched the most cricket at through his youth. The tale of him watching Paul Collingwood carry the T20 trophy past him in 2010 is well trodden for a reason. This place means something to him and when he reached three figures, the outpouring of emotion spoke to that.”I don’t get very emotional on the cricket field,” he said afterwards. “But that’s as close as I’ve come I think for so many reasons. That’s number one for me.”Jacob Bethell scored his first T20I fifty in front of a crowd that looked 90% friends and family•Getty ImagesA lifelong Manchester City fan, Salt added, “It’s something you can’t really put into words without wanting to sound too cheesy. That’s what you dream of as a kid. That is the cricket equivalent of the 30-yard screamer at Maine Road in the 89th minute.”Barbados is a small place. As of 2023, the population stood at 282,000. So when one of their own takes to the field people know about it. Salt has played here for England many times, but for Bethell it was a first.His school coach, Corey Edwards, a former Barbadian seamer, said he knew Bethell was destined for the top from the beginning. While Barry Wilkinson, a local commentator, remembered Bethell from when he was three years old and described watching him walk out at Kensington Oval as the closest thing to “watching his son” do the same. Whether he would play at this ground as an international cricketer seems of less debate than who it would be for. Wilkinson always thought it would be for West Indies, Edwards wasn’t so sure.Regardless, the locals supported both as their own. Mainly because they are.”There was a turning point in the chase where we could both sort of feel the crowd had turned and were now supporting us,” Salt said of their partnership.”Is that his old school?” Salt asked, looking over to a throng of supporters still in the stands supporting their friend. “Good on him, I love that. I’m more pleased for him than I am myself right now, seeing that. There’s a lot of happy people with smiling faces there, it was Beth’s first 50 on this ground.”Phil Salt made his third T20I century, all of them in the Caribbean•Getty ImagesFor Salt, his innings added to his incredible record against West Indies. In his last five matches against them, he has made three centuries and scored 456 runs at an average of 228 with a strike rate of 193.The three centuries represent his only in T20I cricket and one of the two innings where he didn’t reach three figures was an 87 not out in the World Cup. On the surface, asking Salt what the secret sauce against these lot appears to be a dull question, it is surely a coincidence, but it is one he has wondered himself.”The secret is there is no secret,” he said. “I had a look into it to see if there is anything I could take in other places in different conditions and there really wasn’t that much. It just seems to be that I’ve played a bit better here, that’s it.”On paper, it was a routine victory for England. But everywhere you looked across the evening there was entertainment to hand. Andre Russell launching Liam Livingstone onto the roof and out of the stadium before being caught next ball. Jos Buttler snaring a one-handed catch at slip before being caught even more preposterously by Gudakesh Motie at third for a golden duck. Motie himself walking out at 117 for 8 and blazing his first two balls for sixes. It was full throttle, played out in front of an invested, passionate crowd that was evenly split between tourists and locals. If there is a way to watch cricket that is better than a T20 on a Saturday night in Bridgetown, I’m yet to see it.But even after all that, you’d think you’d still rather party with Rihanna on a Thursday.

Celtic’s new head coach Wilfried Nancy will already have plenty on his plate in the coming weeks after taking over the club midway through the season, in the midst of a Scottish Premiership title race.

Aside from the obvious objectives, which include making it to the next stage of the Europa League, winning the league title, and winning the two domestic cups, the French boss also needs to develop players.

One player who desperately needs to kick on after an underwhelming start to the 2025/26 campaign is central midfielder Arne Engels, who must show his quality under the new boss.

Why Nancy needs to get more out of Engels for Celtic

Celtic splashed out a club-record fee of £11m to sign the central midfielder from Augsburg in the summer of 2024 under Brendan Rodgers, and he enjoyed a strong first season at Parkhead.

Engels delivered ten goals and 13 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops in his debut season, per Transfermarkt, yet he has only managed two goals and four assists in 23 games in the current campaign.

This shows that the Belgium international needs to improve his performances under Nancy to prove that he was worth the £11m that the club paid for him last year, and to attract interest from other clubs to potentially be sold for a profit in the future.

Whilst Celtic’s club-record signing is yet to raise his value at Parkhead, there is a former Hoops talent who is now valued at even more than Engels.

The former Celtic star who is now worth £20m

In the summer of 2024, Rocco Vata, despite the club’s and Rodgers’ attempts to keep him, decided to leave at the end of his contract to sign for Championship side Watford.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

The Premiership champions raked in a compensation fee of £225k for the Ireland international, who came through the ranks at Parkhead, and he is now worth a staggering £20m 18 months on from that move.

At the end of November, the Daily Mail reported that Crystal Palace, Fulham, Atalanta, and Eintracht Frankfurt are all interested in signing the Irishman, who is valued at £20m by the Hornets, ahead of the January transfer window.

Vata’s journey gives off shades of Ben Doak. The winger left Celtic to join Liverpool for a compensation fee of £600k in 2022 and was sold to Bournemouth for £25m in 2025, after making just two first-team appearances for the Hoops.

The 20-year-old talent, Vata, has provided six goals and six assists in 47 games for Watford, per Transfermarkt, and his impressive play on the left wing has clearly attracted interest from some big clubs across Europe’s major leagues.

Vata was described as a “potential superstar” by analyst and Watford content creator Louorns on X last year, which now looks like a terrific take when you consider the clubs interested in him and the valuation on his head at the age of just 20.

Hibernian

6

Ross County

1

Kilmarnock

22

Motherwell

11

Aberdeen

3

Buckie Thistle

26

Yet, as you can see in the table above, the versatile attacker barely got a look-in during his time at Celtic, with zero starts in his six first-team appearances for the club.

It is easy to say with hindsight, but Celtic should have offered him more chances on the pitch at first-team level to show the talented youngster that there is a pathway to regular football at Parkhead.

Perhaps Colby Donovan’s emergence, with 516 minutes under his belt this season, is an example of them having learned from their mistake with Vata last year and with Doak in 2022.

Now, Vata is shining in England with Watford, with 12 goal contributions since the start of last season, and could seal a £20m move away from the club in January if any of the aforementioned interested parties are willing to seriously pursue a deal.

This shows the kind of value that can be generated by simply giving young players an opportunity to shine, as Watford have done with Vata, as he is now valued at more than Celtic’s club-record signing, Engels, was signed for.

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Celtic are heading into a new era, following the belated confirmation of Wilfried Nancy’s appointment.

ByRobbie Walls Dec 4, 2025

Hopefully, Donovan’s emergence this season is a sign that Celtic have learned from their mistakes with Vata and Doak and will be able to keep hold of their emerging talents in the future, instead of losing them for compensation fees.

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.

India must win this contest to avoid making their next two games a knockout

S Sudarshanan18-Oct-20254:09

India face another challenge vs left-arm spin

Big picture – High stakes for IndiaPeople selling replica jerseys outside a stadium is one of the signs that a big game is coming up. Outside Holkar Stadium in Indore, vendors selling caps, flags and jerseys with “Smriti 18” and “Harman 23” among others, were spotted as early as Friday afternoon, a full two days before the India vs England match of the Women’s World Cup 2025.India must win this contest to avoid making their next two games a knockout. They go into it on the back of successive defeats to Australia and South Africa, with just four points in four games. England, on the other hand, are yet to lose a match in this tournament (although Pakistan did give them a mighty fright)India have had a week-long break since their last match. After they reached Indore on Monday, they had one day off when they went to Ujjain and attended full-tilt training sessions on Wednesday and Friday. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana opted to train on optional days in between as well.Related

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India need to fix flaws ahead of tougher challenges in World Cup

TV umpiring slip-ups come under the scanner at Women's World Cup

Going by the intensity and the meticulousness of their practice, India are aware of how big this game is with only two of the four semi-final spots still up for grabs. But their recent record against England should act as a confidence-booster. Since the 2022 World Cup, India have won five of the six ODIs the two sides have played against each other.Under the new leadership of head coach Charlotte Edwards and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, England have punched above pre-tournament expectations. Their spinners have picked up 24 of the 30 wickets the team has at this World Cup. The batting though remains a problem with only Heather Knight and Sciver-Brunt showing the kind of mettle needed to win these events.England’s batters have not coped with conditions at the World Cup as well as the bowlers have•ICC/Getty Images

Still “if someone had said to me a few weeks ago, we’d be in the position we are in, having been unbeaten, I would have taken it,” Edwards said on Saturday. “Our best cricket is in front of us. These are the occasions you want to play or be a part of as a player and as a coaching staff.”A sellout crowd in Indore is about to be treated to a high-profile game with lots of jeopardy.Form guideIndia LLWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
England WWWLWIn the spotlight – Mandhana and Harmanpreet vs Smith and EcclestoneIn this World Cup so far, India have lost 15 wickets to left-arm spin. That is the most by any team. They have also faced the most overs against this style of bowling. And England have two left-arm spinners in Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith.Ecclestone has dismissed Smriti Mandhana four times in 12 innings while Smith dismissed her in the rain-affected ODI at Lord’s in July. Harmanpreet has also fallen three times in ten innings to Ecclestone and once to Smith.Some of these numbers may stem from India’s preference to attack left-arm spin (5.01 runs per over). Only England (5.44) and Australia (5.25) have scored quicker against this type of bowling since 2023. However, those two teams appear to be managing the risks that come with this kind of aggression better. Australia (45.63) and England (37.19) average much higher than India (27.79)One of the India top order’s focus in their training on Friday was hitting with the spin and using their feet. A delicious contest awaits us on Sunday.Team news – Renuka in for India?There were questions raised about the absence of the sixth-bowling option after India’s defeats to South Africa and Australia. But they are set to go into Sunday’s clash with the same balance, with Harmanpreet chipping in with a few overs if needed. India could also bring in Renuka Singh for Amanjot Kaur, who did not train on each of the two days before the game.India (possible XI): 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Pratika Rawal, 3 Harleen Deol, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Sneh Rana, 9 Kranti Gaud, 10 Shree Charani, 11 Renuka SinghBoth Ecclestone and Lauren Bell have recovered from the illness that ruled them out of the Pakistan game and are available for selection. So expect them to slot back into place ahead of Sarah Glenn and Em Arlott.England (possible XI): 1 Tammy Beaumont, 2 Amy Jones (wk), 3 Heather Knight, 4 Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), 5 Sophia Dunkley, 6 Alice Capsey, 7 Emma Lamb, 8 Charlie Dean, 9 Sophie Ecclestone, 10 Linsey Smith, 11 Lauren Bell2:41

Edwards: ‘Ecclestone is bowling as well as I’ve seen’

Pitch and conditions – Red-soil pitchThe game will be played on a red-soil pitch, which tend to have bounce and carry. This will be a fresh pitch as well and given the 13-day gap between games in Indore, the curator has had enough time to prepare it. The surface had a greenish look to it two days out but on match eve, a lot of the grass was shaved off.The weather on Sunday is expected to be hot and humid. No rain is in forecast, although it did drizzle a little on Friday and Saturday. Expect a high-scoring contest.Stats and trivia: Deepti eyes 150 ODI wickets Since the 2022 World Cup, no player has scored more ODI runs against England than Harmanpreet’s 347. She has hit two centuries and a fifty in this period. Mandhana is third on the list with 296 runs Deepti Sharma is just one wicket away from being just the second Indian bowler with 150. Deepti has dismissed Sciver-Brunt four times in 12 ODI innings. Only Jess Jonassen and Afy Fletcher have dismissed her more often (five times) Mithali Raj is currently the only Indian with 1000 ODI runs against England; Harmanpreet and Mandhana are 45 and 58 runs away from the mark Since 2024, Tammy Beaumont has been especially vulnerable to dismissals inside the first 10 overs of an ODI. She’s been out 12 times in this period – same as Mandhana and Alyssa Healy – but her average (36.25) and strike rate (81.61) are the lowest among the three. Beaumont also averages 19.29 in 29 matches against India, much lower than her ODI career average of 40.69.Quotes”It is not that if we lost, we should keep talking about that game. Even before that we played a lot of good games. Had we won [against Australia], our small errors would not have been magnified like this. We have trust in our team and are backing everyone.”
“We’ve been lucky to have played a lot against India in the last 12 months. But this is a one-off game in a World Cup in India. A massive game which we are looking forward to and we will be preparing for it like any other game. We know the threats of India but equally we have got some wonderful players in our group.”