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Kuldeep Yadav has said bowling to MS Dhoni was challenging but he was not scared to be hit for a boundary

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Apr-20171:20

‘Wasn’t afraid of bowling to Dhoni’ – Kuldeep

Kuldeep Yadav could feel the pressure of bowling to MS Dhoni on Wednesday evening. Despite being a spinner, Kuldeep was picked by Gautam Gambhir to bowl the 18th over of Rising Pune Supergiant’s innings with Dhoni and Steven Smith in a partnership of 35 runs from 21 balls. One batsman had regained his touch of smashing sixes in the end overs and the other has not gone out of form since landing in India for the Test series.”If you are a spinner there’s always pressure on you,” Kuldeep said after the match. “As a spinner, I believe that you can put the opposition under pressure by picking wickets. Like in the last over I took two wickets and they were under pressure. Bowling the 18th over is always tough; the captain needs to believe in you for that.”Kuldeep’s first ball to Dhoni in the match, in the 16th over, had been pulled for a flat six over midwicket. In the 18th over, Kuldeep deceived Dhoni with a googly. Dhoni stepped out to get to the pitch of the ball, but it turned away, beat his bat and was stumped.”Bowling to Dhoni is always challenging and I could feel the pressure,” Kuldeep recalled. “But I wasn’t scared that he would hit me for a six or a four. I flighted the ball and I was focused on getting him out.”Three balls later, Kuldeep had Manoj Tiwary on strike, Rising Pune’s best batsman this season in terms of strike rate (with at least five innings). Kuldeep had conceded only three runs in four balls until then in the over and he had Tiwary stumped even though the batsman did not step out to hit him. Kuldeep bowled another googly, Tiwary leaned forward to tuck the ball to the leg side with the spin but the ball went the other way and Tiwary’s back foot was outside the crease.Kuldeep, however, said the conventional legspinner was still his stock delivery as he used the wrong’un and the flipper mainly to get wickets.”It (googly) is only a variation and you can use it in T20s to confuse a batsman when he is attacking,” he said. “But I really believe in my chinaman bowling rather than the wrong’un and flipper. I back my stock ball more and I’m mainly a chinaman bowler; the wrong’un is a variation you use to pick wickets or stop the runs. But my main delivery is chinaman delivery. Obviously, the wrong’un gets you wickets and the batsmen keep wondering if the ball will come in or go out, they find it difficult to pick, especially the overseas batsmen. So if you dismiss Indian batsmen like that, it’s a big boost for confidence.”Kuldeep has so far gone wicketless in just one match this IPL and has collected eight wickets, joint with team-mates Nathan Coulter-Nile and Umesh Yadav, who have had the advantage of a pacer-friendly relaid pitch at Eden Gardens.Kuldeep has had an impressive run since the beginning of the domestic season. He was the highest wicket-taker and the leading run-scorer for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy; he topped the wicket-takers charts in the Duleep Trophy too, with 17 wickets in three matches, and he shone on his Test debut with 4 for 68 against Australia in Dharamsala.”If you play the entire season and you’re highest run-getter or the highest wicket-taker, it becomes easier to play on the next level because of the momentum you are carrying,” Kuldeep said. “If you aren’t playing domestic cricket you might lack in some places. I’ve played Duleep Trophy, one-dayers, T20s, India A, so this season has been really helpful for me which is why I have a lot of confidence.”Knight Riders will play their next match against Delhi Daredevils on Friday.

Aston Villa still have their sights set on Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, as Unai Emery imagines a reunion with his former player.

News linking the Frenchman to Villa Park isn’t new, with rumours of his potential suiting to the Villans spanning back to the winter transfer window, where it was suggested the Midlands side would revisit the target in the summer.

Now, with Monchi dictating the business this transfer window, the speculation has reappeared, with news revealed yesterday firmly keeping Villa in the race for the 24-year-old.

What’s the latest on Matteo Guendouzi to Aston Villa?

As reported by French outlet La Provence – relayed by Sport Witness – the Frenchman remains on the radar of both Villa and West Ham United, with his future still undecided.

The report claims that the midfielder is waiting to see what his role will be under Marcelino, with Villa and the Hammers named as two of the favourites in the race to capture the former Arsenal gem.

Contracted to the Ligue 1 side until 2025, the saga surrounding Guendouzi’s future is not over yet, however Sport Witness state a move ‘could be on’ with reference to the two Premier League clubs interested.

What could Matteo Guendouzi offer to Aston Villa?

Emery fired the Villans up the table to confirm European football next term, however, the 51-year-old has set his sights on further success, which he could do so should this summer be prosperous.

Back in the summer of 2018, Emery captured the signature of 19-year-old Guendouzi to bring him to north London.

The Frenchman went on to make 82 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, before endeavouring on various loan spells, however, his impact at the Emirates has made him an encouraging target for a return.

Lauded as a “monster in the making” by talent scout Jacek Kulig during his time at Arsenal, the Frenchman showcased his ability in orchestrating the engine room with an eye for a good pass and being alert defensively.

Now equipped with further experience and maturity, Guendouzi could well be the 'monster' player to take Emery’s side to the next stages of development, and act as the Spaniard’s answer to a player seasoned in the English top-tier.

Likened to former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan via FBref, the £42k-per-week gem could give Villa Park glimpses of the treble-winning maestro should he arrive in claret and blue.

When comparing the duo’s respective seasons, it’s clear to see why the 24-year-old is wanted back in the Premier League, scoring similar numbers to the magical talent of Gundogan.

The differences between the two midfielders are limited, with Guendouzi scoring marginally better than the 32-year-old in a range of attributes typical of a deep midfielder.

The Poissy-born star averaged 7.26 progressive passes to Gundogan’s 6.50 per 90, as well as exceeding the German in terms of his passing rate to the final third, with an average of 6.11 passes per 90 to his 5.47 in the Premier League, via FBref.

A similar ratio is evident in their defensive work in the 2022/23 campaign, with the Marseille controller averaging 1.67 tackles and 0.90 interceptions per 90 to the treble winner's 1.15 tackles and 0.77 interceptions, via FBref comparisons.

It’s clear to see just how impressive Guendouzi could be for Emery and Villa should the Spaniard secure the trust of his former player this summer, giving Villa Park the potential to have their own answer to the new Barcelona signing.

Everton youngster Jarrad Branthwaite wants to leave the club during the summer transfer window, according to an update regarding his future.

When is Branthwaite out of contract at Everton?

The 21-year-old arrived at Goodison Park from Carlisle United back in 2020, and has since gone on to make 13 first-team appearances to date. Chances have been few and far between for him in an Everton shirt, however, and he spent last season on loan at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, where he played 27 times in the Eredivisie.

Branthwaite's current Blues contract expires in the summer of 2025, meaning that time is slowly ticking by before they risk losing him on the cheap, with the next 12 months possibly becoming the last realistic chance to receive good money for his services.

It could be that the decision is out of the hands of Everton officials anyway, however, with a fresh update suggesting that his time at the club could be coming to an end sooner rather than later.

Could Branthwaite leave Everton this summer?

According to Football Insider, Branthwaite "has told the club he wants to leave this summer", with Everton wanting to retain his services after being impressed with his performances for PSV, but possibly having to accept that his mind is made up.

Branthwaite sees his future elsewhere moving forward – he is "keen" to find a club where he will be guaranteed more regular first-team football in the coming years – with West Ham one of the clubs who could potentially sign him before the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

Losing Branthwaite this summer would be a blow for Everton, considering former manager Carlo Ancelotti once admitted he was "really impressed" with him during his time at the club, whereas he was called "terrific" by ex-Carlisle boss Steven Pressley, so the ideal outcome would be for him to stay for at least another season.

If Sean Dyche doesn't see the one-time capped England Under-21s international as a key man moving forward, however, it is pointless keeping hold of an unhappy player, instead allowing him to thrive elsewhere, as was the case at PSV.

That being said, there is no guarantee that things could pan out differently for Branthwaite at West Ham, should he move there, with the Hammers also having plenty of competition for places, so the centre-back must think long and hard before making what is a big decision in his career, although it appears as if he is leaning in the direction of an exit at this stage.

ESPNcricinfo’s wrap of the second day of the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and South Australia in Sydney

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Mar-2017
ScorecardFile photo – Ed Cowan scored his third hundred in four games•Getty ImagesEd Cowan’s dominance of the Dukes ball in the Sheffield Shield continued as he plundered his third century in four matches to help New South Wales into a strong position at stumps on the second day against South Australia in Sydney. Cowan ended the day unbeaten on 125, with Peter Nevill on 1, and the Blues had cruised along to 4 for 333, already holding a 104-run advantage over the Redbacks.In the first half of the Shield season, before Christmas, Cowan did not manage a century against the Kookaburra balls, but since the Dukes have been introduced in the second half of the campaign he has made 212, 0, 115, 51* and now 125*. In this match he came to the crease at first drop, with the score on 1 for 82 after Daniel Hughes fell for 26.Opening the batting in his first Shield match following his axing from the Test side and subsequent time away from the game, Nic Maddinson flew to 70 from 60 deliveries before he was caught behind off the bowling of Daniel Worrall. But Cowan had plenty of support from Kurtis Patterson (52) and Moises Henriques (54) as the Redbacks struggled to make inroads.South Australia had started the day on 5 for 169 but added only 60 for the loss of their final five wickets. Callum Ferguson failed to add to his overnight score and was caught off Pat Cummins for 75, before Alex Carey chipped in with 56. Cummins finished with 4 for 57 in his first innings of Shield bowling for nearly six years.

Mason Crane, the Hampshire legspinner, has become the first overseas cricketer to play for New South Wales in more than 30 years after being handed his debut against South Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2017Mason Crane, the Hampshire legspinner, has become the first overseas cricketer to play for New South Wales in more than 30 years after being handed his debut against South Australia.There was some thought that damp weather in Sydney would hamper his chances of being named in the XI, but on Tuesday morning he was handed his NSW cap by former Australia legspinner Stuart MacGill, who Crane has worked closely with during his stint playing grade cricket for Gordon where he caught the eye of NSW selectors.At the end of a rain-affected first day, Crane had his first Shield wicket. Despite only bowling five overs, he had Tom Cooper caught trying to clear the infield as South Australia stuttered to 5 for 169.His spell in Australia had been arranged through the ECB’s overseas placement scheme with help from Hampshire team-mate Will Smith, a previous Gordon player, and 20-year-old Crane is the first overseas player for NSW since Imran Khan in 1984-85.”Australian State teams don’t pick overseas players lightly, especially New South Wales, as their record shows,” Peter Such, the ECB’s leading spin-bowling coach, said. “So to force his way in through weight of wickets, and also the impression he has made in their practice sessions, is a tribute both to his ability and the hard work he has put in.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo last month, Crane highlighted his time with MacGill – “there can’t be many better blokes to talk about that with” – and said the volume of overs he had bowled had been ideal for him.”I’ve bowled nearly 500 match overs out here, and there’s really no substitute for that,” he said. “I’ll leave here very cricket-fit, and in great rhythm.”Ahead of his NSW debut, Crane had 45 first-class wickets at 40.75.

Leeds United are in advanced talks to appoint Daniel Farke as their new manager at Elland Road, according to reports.

Where is Daniel Farke now?

The German boss has gained plenty of experience over the years. His first ever role in the dugout was with Regionalliga West outfit SV Lippstadt 08, before going on to take charge of Borussia Dortmund’s B side, Norwich City, Krasnodar and most recently Borussia Monchengladbach, where he left earlier this month and is now a free agent on the market, as per Transfermarkt.

Sky Sports previously reported that the Whites were set to interview the 46-year-old regarding their vacant post with West Bromwich Albion’s Carlos Corberan and Patrick Vieira also named as individuals of interest, but it would appear that the former is the candidate being favoured among the hierarchy.

The Daily Mail recently claimed that the former Canaries coach has emerged as the leading contender for the role after shooting to the top of the board’s shortlist, and if the following update is to be believed, an agreement being reached is now closer than ever.

Is Farke going to Leeds?

According to Football Insider, Farke is in “advanced talks” with Leeds to become their new manager ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. The Yorkshire outfit are “confident” that the appointment will soon be completed with the deal “all but done”.

Elland Road chiefs are waiting for the Football League to ”ratify the takeover” of the 49ers where they will then be able to unveil their fresh face ahead of the start of pre-season.

Leeds will know what a “fantastic” manager, as hailed by journalist Josh Bunting, Farke is having previously beat the club twice with his visiting team, and looking at his excellent track record, he could be the perfect candidate to succeed Sam Allardyce.

The Steinhausen native, whose preferred formation is a 4-2-3-1, has overseen 138 games in the Championship, of which he’s won 71, drawn 38 and lost just 29 whilst averaging 1.82 points per match, via Transfermarkt, and this consistent form has more than paid off.

During his time at Norwich, Farke led the side to promotion from the second tier twice so knows exactly what it takes to compete and be successful at this level, therefore making him an ideal match to try and achieve that again a third time, only on this occasion at Elland Road in the 49ers' first campaign fully at the helm.

A round-up of North Zone matches in the Inter State T20 tournament on January 31, 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jan-2017Jammu & Kashmir seamer Umar Nazir’s 4 for 15 helped his side to a 26-run win over Punjab as they defended a total of 127 in Dharamsala. Nazir, along with his new-ball partner Ram Dayal (3-18), took four wickets inside four overs to wreck Punjab and leave them at 26 for 4. They were eventually bowled out for 101. Earlier, an unbeaten 47-ball 52 from Pranav Gupta helped J&K tide over a batting slump and post 127 for 7. The team had been struggling at 58 for 5 in the 11th over before Gupta pulled them past 100. Offspinner Nikhil Chaudhary took 3 for 36 for Punjab. This was J&K’s first win of the tournament.A late surge from Himachal Pradesh in the slog overs, crafted by Rishi Dhawan and Bipul Sharma, and a four-for from medium-pacer Pankaj Jaiswal set the base for a 48-run win over Delhi in Nadaun. Put in to bat by Delhi, Himachal were struggling at 93 for 5 in the 15th over before Dhawan (37 not out off 18) and Bipul (32 not out off 19) smashed an unbroken stand of 70 for the sixth wicket in 34 balls to lift them to 163 for 5. Between them, the pair hit a total of nine fours and three sixes. Delhi’s innings was once again marred by a top-order slump – they were struggling at 28 for 5 by the fifth over. The lower order, led by contributions from Milind Kumar (31) and Pradeep Sangwan (24) helped take the score past 100, as Delhi finished at 115 for 9. Jaiswal accounted for Gautam Gambhir in his 4 for 22 and also struck twice in the 18th over to ascertain Himachal’s win.Rahul Tewatia’s late strikes were enough for Haryana to cross 160.•Shailesh BhatnagarIn Dharamsala, Haryana completed a 17-run win after Rahul Tewatia struck 40 runs off 17 balls with five sixes to take his team to 166 for 7. In response, Services opener Rahul Singh (38) and Amit Pachhara (37*) played useful hands but economical spells from seamer Mohit Sharma (1-23) and offspinner Jayant Yadav (1-21) meant Haryana’s target was out of their reach. Their victory did not seem entirely likely when Haryana were 95 for 5 in the 15th over, with medium pacer Nishan Singh taking three wickets. But Tewatia led a phenomenal charge in the slog overs, as he helped his team rack up 72 runs off the final 33 runs.

Celtic appear to be closing in on the signing of Valerenga playmaker Odin Thiago Holm, according to reports.

What’s the latest Celtic transfer news?

Brendan Rodgers is the new man in charge at Parkhead, replacing Ange Postecoglou who left for Tottenham. The Northern Irishman is expected to be backed by Parkhead officials in the transfer market, looking to continue the good work made by Postecoglou.

The Hoops are once again preparing for Champions League football and will more than likely look to bolster their squad. One target who was linked with a move to Glasgow before Rodgers was confirmed as the club’s new manager was Holm, with talks taking place over a transfer.

A fee in the region of £2.6m was reportedly agreed, and there has now been a further development in the last 48 hours, with Celtuc seemingly closing in on their man.

The Scottish Sun relayed an update from journalist Stian Andre de Wahl regarding Celtic and Holm. He said that the Norwegian was set for a Celtic medical in London on Wednesday ahead of a transfer to the Scottish Premiership champions.

"Medical test for Odin Thiago Holm today (Wednesday). It is carried out in London for practical reasons. He is sold from Valerenga."

Who is Odin Thiago Holm?

Holm is primarily a central midfielder but can also play in defensive or attacking midfield roles and was named on The Guardian's list of promising young stars back in 2020.

The 20-year-old has come in for plenty of praise, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig describing him as a “huge talent”, and former Celtic striker Harald Brattbakk compared the midfielder’s potential to that of Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard.

“As a midfielder, I would say he is more attacking than defensive. Certainly, his work ethic is really good. He runs a lot and is one of those players who you don’t see all of the time during games, but he is right behind you backing you up or he is just in front of you taking charge.

“The manager wanted to play him young, so he’s got quite a few games at a high level. You can see that he has got potential. Compared to, say, a Martin Odegaard, maybe he has the same potential, but Odegaard got the potential out when he was 15. ‘It is always exciting to see when players move if they are able to reach the next level. You don’t know until they try.”

He’s already made 76 senior appearances for Valerenga, and by the looks of it, he is on course to become Rodgers’ first signing, looking to continue his development at Celtic Park.

The PCB has responded to advice from the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) that international players should decline to play in the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore

Umar Farooq10-Jan-2017The PCB has issued a strong rebuttal of the security advice given by the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) over the planned staging of the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore. The report strongly suggested that overseas players should decline to participate due to concerns over safety.Pakistan’s board swiftly and fiercely rejected the FICA assessment via a strongly worded press release. “FICA has done great disservice to the cause of cricket in general and Pakistan cricket in particular by advising players not to play in the PSL final in Lahore next March because of ‘security reasons’,” read a statement. “FICA has cited unnamed expert security consultants for updated security advice that claims Pakistan is at an extremely elevated state of insecurity.”The FICA statement came shortly after the PCB had announced that the final would be played in Lahore on March 5, as planned, whether overseas players take part or not. If they decline to travel, they will be replaced by players from Pakistan or foreign players who are ready to make a trip. Apart from the final the entire tournament will be played in the UAE – as was the 2016 edition. The two finalists will then meet at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.In the report, FICA warned that the risk level in Pakistan remains “at an extremely elevated state” and that “an acceptable level of participant security and safety cannot be expected or guaranteed”. The report, which FICA said was based on “updated security advice” from expert security consultants, states that: “Pakistan continues to experience significant terrorist attacks across the country and westerners have in the past been directly targeted and killed in Pakistan.”Indiscriminate and targeted attacks are likely to continue, and expert advice is consistent with all Government Agencies and Diplomatic Missions, who generally advise to reconsider the need to travel. There have been attacks at sporting events, which have had significant security overlay in the past, and terrorist groups in Pakistan have demonstrated the intent and capability to launch attacks anywhere in the country. Locations including luxury hotels are also at high risk of being targeted by militant groups.”In its response, the PCB said: “This is a careless and cavalier approach to an issue of great importance. FICA sits thousands of miles away from Pakistan and cannot name even one credible security expert, yet makes a sweeping negative statement about the security situation in Lahore. FICA’s claim that ‘westerners and luxury hotels have been attacked’ is contrary to the facts on the ground that prove that not a single foreigner or hotel has been attacked in Lahore in the last five years.”Pakistan has been a no-go country for major international teams since the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009. Zimbabwe are the only Full Member to tour Pakistan since, when they visited for a limited-overs series in 2015. There was an attempted suicide attack during that short tour, during the second ODI at Lahore, but it took place nearly 800 metres away from the stadium premises. The tour went ahead. During more than six years of isolation, the PCB has also hosted several Associate and Affiliate countries – Afghanistan, Kenya, Hong Kong and, currently, Malaysia.Recalling previous incoming tours, the PCB’s statement further read: “PCB has recently hosted Kenya, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh (Women), Afghanistan and Malaysian national cricket teams in Lahore and Karachi without any problem. In the case of PSL final in Lahore for one day, the government has guaranteed protection by over 3000 army and police personnel in Lahore. PCB will provide armoured buses for travel along with VVIP security protocols.”The statement noted the names of a number of former players, including Brian Lara, Jonty Rhodes, Damien Martyn and others, who had visited Pakistan in recent years in relation to their work as TV experts. Without expanding, the statement also added that the PSL had “already received confirmation from top international players to play in Lahore and PCB is determined to bring cricket home to Pakistan”.

Leeds United have identified a few managerial targets to kickstart the 49ers' reign, with one man boasting particular experience in the Championship…

What's the latest on Daniel Farke to Leeds United?

That's according to The Athletic's Phil Hay, who penned an article regarding their pursuit of a new head coach following the exit of Sam Allardyce.

The experienced relegation specialist failed in his task of retaining the Whites' Premier League status, therefore leaving a huge decision to be made for the new-look hierarchy as they seek to bounce straight back to the top flight.

With top target Brendan Rodgers having seemingly been taken off the market by Celtic, it seems that attention has been diverted to the out-of-work Daniel Farke. It is expected that the German will be interviewed early next week.

Would Daniel Farke get Leeds United promoted?

Whilst it is easy to look at his two promotions with Norwich City as a big factor in this potential appointment, when delving deeper it is clear that it is far from just his pedigree that secured this feat with frequency.

His style is seemingly tailored towards the second division, and as such his 4-2-3-1 system relies on balance as well as a few other key factors.

Such a formation is conducive to a classic gegenpressing system, which is akin to what Marcelo Bielsa and later Jesse Marsch tried to uphold during their stints. Such aggressive play, which seeks to win back possession high up the field, would see a return to a style that saw them cruise to the Championship title in 2020.

Not only this, but Farke's record at this level is splendid too, having won 71 of the 138 league games he has overseen, losing only 29 times.

Clearly aligned with the classic German way of playing, with Jurgen Klopp's early Liverpool as a more appropriate comparison, he prides himself on aesthetics as much as he does on success.

Having been appointed by Borussia Mönchengladbach last year too, in what turned out to be a failed spell, he outlined exactly the kind of things fans can expect his teams to be: "brave, creative and easy on the eye."

With 294 goals in 208 games in charge of the Canaries, many of which were played in the Premier League, this is a notion supported by these figures.

As something of a promotion specialist, having achieved such success in the 2018/19 and the 2020/21 campaigns, perhaps he can make it a hat-trick by applying his philosophy at Elland Road, under the guidance of the 49ers.

After all, such an all-action philosophy was key to Bielsa's Championship success and that surely makes Farke the perfect man to steer Leeds back up from the second-tier this time around.