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Once mocked as a bits-and-pieces player, India’s No. 7 continues to have the last laugh

Nagraj Gollapudi02-Jul-20222:28

Ashley Giles: ‘Ravindra Jadeja showed great maturity in near-flawless knock’

The first ball Ravindra Jadeja faced on Friday was curving into him from James Anderson. The ball swung fast in towards his legs, but Jadeja dug it out without missing a beat. Standing inside the crease, bat close to the body, Jadeja made contact with the ball right under his eyeline. There was no hurried or abrupt movement.Soon it became clear that Jadeja was not going to have a rush-of-blood moment in trying to counterattack his way out of the situation India were in. He was taking a big stride towards the pitch of the delivery while playing, as far as possible, with a full face. His bat remained tucked close to his body to avoid any nicks and, like all good batters, he played the ball late.Related

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Two days before this Test, Jadeja had spent the majority of his time in the nets practising that big stride towards the delivery and focusing on defending. But don’t think this was Jadeja adding a new string to his bow. It was more a case of him polishing the wares he put on display in the first four Tests of the Pataudi Trophy last summer. Measured in terms of balls played for lower-order batters so far in this series, Jadeja has faced nearly double that of the next person across either side: 459 deliveries, after the Edgbaston innings, with Rishabh Pant a distant second at 259.In their first innings of the first Test, at Trent Bridge, Jadeja came in at 145 for 5 and then helped India take 95-run lead, scoring 56 over two hours. India were in pole position chasing a short target before the fifth day was washed out.At Lord’s, where India recorded a memorable comeback, among the many psychological battles the visitors won, prominent again was Jadeja, who was the last man out, helping them to 364 in the first innings, having come at 282 for 5. He might have made just 40 runs, but they came off 120 balls and 160 minutes – highlighting both his grittiness as well as the ultimate aim of ensuring a healthy total. In the fourth Test, Jadeja conjured something out of nothing from a lifeless Oval pitch, which showcased his strength as an allrounder as well validating his selection over R Ashwin, who has sat out all the five Tests in this series.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhen he walked in on Friday afternoon, the ball might have grown a bit old – 28 overs – but the conditions remained overcast through the day. For the initial part of his partnership with Pant, Jadeja matched his partner’s scoring rate (Jadeja was 24 off 34 while Pant was 25 from 31 deliveries). Even as Pant started to score more freely, Jadeja did not get distracted. He slipped effortlessly into the role of playing second fiddle, in the process taking more strike and facing more questions from the England quicks. From Anderson to Matthew Potts to Stuart Broad to Ben Stokes – each of them attacked his off stump by pitching on a length and shaping the ball away. Barring a few occasions where he did fall for the bait, Jadeja kept his bat tucked in. When they bowled short, he did not pull awkwardly, instead ducking away.But when the opportunity presented itself – against a shorter ball or a fuller delivery – Jadeja had no qualms in taking them on and putting them away. Take the pushed straight drives on both sides of the wicket against Anderson and Broad on Friday afternoon: playing late and leaning into the shot, Jadeja used his powerful wrists to flick strokes without overhitting them. Once against a short delivery from Broad, Jadeja steered behind square for a certain boundary, but Ollie Pope, at backward point, threw himself to his right to intercept. Jadeja, instantly punched his bat.Against Anderson and Potts, Jadeja’s control dropped to 74% and 76% respectively, but overall his in-control numbers were at 82%. That might not appear high, but keeping in mind the conditions along with the quality of the bowling attack, you could say it was good.In the same over Pant brought up his century, Jadeja twirled his bat to celebrate his half-century, which had taken 20 more balls that the former’s ton (Jadeja reached 50 off 109 balls, compared to Pant getting to three figures in 89). As Pant said after play on Friday evening, both he and Jadeja wanted to solely focus on creating a partnership instead of adding pressure on themselves.Ravindra Jadeja got to his century off 183 balls after walking in with India at 98 for 5•AFP/Getty ImagesIf Stokes and England were not aware that Pant and Jadeja are among the best lower-order batters for the last three years, having conducted several rescue acts, they now know. Anderson pointed out that Jadeja had grown into a “proper batter”. “In the past he was coming at eight, batting with the tail so he had to chance his arm a little bit, whereas now at seven he can bat like a proper batter. He leaves really well and made it difficult for us.”In March Jadeja scored 175 against Sri Lanka to take a record from Kapil Dev for the highest score by an Indian No. 7 or lower. ESPNcricinfo analyst Shiva Jayaraman produced in-depth piece explaining how Jadeja had become a sting in the tail for the opposition since 2017. Updated numbers show 591 of Jadeja’s 1652 runs since 2017 – 35.8% – have come with India already six down. That is the highest for batters with a cut-off of at least 1000 runs in the last five years.Since 2019, with a cut-off of a minimum of 15 Test innings, Jadeja has taken on average 2.9 innings for a 50, which is the quickest for India, even better than the likes of Rohit Sharma (3.3) and Pant (3.5). In the same period, among all teams, Jadeja has the highest average of 51.45 (minimum cut-off of 10 innings) for No. 6 and lower batters.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhen Pant got out six overs before the finish on day one, Jadeja was on 68. India were still some way off a desired score of 400. Jadeja resumed with the same plan and method he had deployed the previous afternoon, rode his luck once, as England’s slips fumbled a catch, and next ball whipped a cut that brought up his third century, and first overseas.Then came the celebration which also carried a message. Jadeja stood mid-pitch, both arms aloft, one holding a helmet, the other his bat, looking across the ground, as if to ask: ladies and gents, did you expect anything less from me? On the back of a difficult season personally at the IPL, after he stepped down as captain at Chennai Super Kings at the halfway stage and then abruptly left the tournament, it may have felt that much more special.Heart, courage and character have defined Jadeja the cricketer. Once mocked as a bits-and-pieces player, Jadeja simply laughed back at his critics with enough spectacular acts – with bat, ball, as a gun fielder. At the end of the media briefing on Saturday he even joked saying people could now describe him as: “Fielder who bats and bowls.”An important element of Jadeja’s batting which is often overlooked is his pursuit of discipline, which has helped him become the Mr Dependable in the lower order.

The Brewers experienced a redemptive victory in Game 5 of the National League Division Series on Saturday to advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2018. In order to do that, they had to eliminate the Cubs, which was probably a nice little cherry on top of their third run to a league championship series since the early 1980s.

After the game, the team gathered together on the field to take a team picture. Someone got ahold of a white flag with a big blue L on it, meant to mirror Chicago's Win Flag which flies at Wrigley Field whenever the Cubs win.

According to the media present for the picture, pitcher Trevor Megill was the one brave enough to grab the flag and hold it up to immortalize the win with a little bit of trolling.

The two teams have both played in the NL Central since Brewers moved over from the American League in 1998. This troll job is just another chapter in an intense rivalry that's only getting spicier.

Real Madrid were humbled by bottom-of-the-table Celta Vigo, finished the match with nine men and failed to close the four point gap on league leaders Barcelona following a shock 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu. Xabi Alonso’s side went behind midway through the second half courtesy of a stunning finish from Williot Swedberg, Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were both shown red cards before Swedberg scored another in time added on to a chorus of boos as the match ended in chaotic scenes.

Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior all delivered diabolical performances on a night when they were needed at their best in a defeat which could have huge ramifications in the title race. The Bernabeu was stunned into silence after Real went behind to a stunning finish from 21-year-old Sweden international Swedberg. Real’s defence was caught napping as Swedberg dropped off inside the box and found a yard of space to fire home with an audacious flick of his right boot which found the bottom corner of the net. 

And there was worse to come for Los Blancos as Fran Garcia was sent off following two yellow cards in the space of a couple of second-half minutes for two impetuous fouls. Real were rocked and the crowd responded, reminding their players what was at stake and the need for three points to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona. 

But the embarrassment was completed in the closing stages when Alvaro Carreras was handed his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards and in a final act, Swedberg walked the ball around the shocked Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to seal the victory and end an awful night for Alonso's side. 

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Bernabeu…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Thibaut Courtois (6/10):

  Started off as a relatively quiet evening for him, and could do nothing about the two goals. Will be sorely disappointed about his defence. 

  Raul Asencio (4/10):

  Was left red-faced after a slip early in the first-half opened the door for Celta to attack, would have been relieved the visitors failed to capitalise. 

  Eder Militao (6/10):

  Lasted just 20 minutes after pulling up with what looked like a nasty hamstring injury, replaced by Rudiger. Really bad news for Alonso as Militao has been in excellent form for Los Blancos. 

  Alvaro Carreras (2/10):

  Shambles of an evening. Two quick-fire yellow cards for playground-level incidents and was shown a straight red card. 

  Fran Garcia (3/10):

  Ridiculous behaviour in two mad minutes in the second-half, picking up two yellow cards for wholly unnecessary challenges to leave his team down to ten men. Referee had no option on either and was right to show the red card. 

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  Midfield

  Aurelien Tchouameni (4/10):

  Endured a poor evening, which was summed up by his effort from 20 yards out which sailed miles over the bar to a chorus of boos from the home crowd. 

  Arda Guler (5/10):

  Squandered a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring in the 40th minute, but fired wide from just a few yards out.

  Federico Valverde (5/10):

  Was a busy running all evening, but like his team-mates, failed to create a moment of quality worth mentioning. 

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  Attack

  Jude Bellingham (3/10):

  Took a hefty whack to his right eye in the second-half, which left blood pouring from a small cut. In truth it was a terrible night for Bellingham who failed to create anything in front of goal after an early headed chance was saved. 

  Kylian Mbappe (3/10):

  Thought his moment had come in the 74th minute but his delightful control and chip over the on-rushing goalkeeper landed just over the cross bar on the roof of the net. Below par in every department on a woeful night for the France superstar. 

  Vinicius Junior (3/10):

  Made all the recent talk of big money moves seem a little premature after putting in a performance that was high in effort, but low in quality. Now hasn't scored in 11 games for Real. 

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  Subs & Manager

  Antonio Rudiger (5/10):

  Brought on in the 24th minute, replacing the injured Militao. Had plenty of covering to do as Real Madrid pushed up searching for an equaliser and did well to out-muscle Swedberg in the final moments. 

  Gonzalo Garcia (4/10):

  Replaced Guler in the 75th minute, plenty of running but not enough time on the pitch to influence the match

  Xabi Alonso (3/10):

  Thoroughly frustrating evening for the boss who deployed his star players and watched them all flop against the league's bottom side. His evening summed up by being shown a yellow card after complaining too vociferously to the referee. Has plenty to ponder after a terrible night for his team's title hopes. 

تحدث لاعب منتخب مصر السابق، أحمد المحمدي، عن أزمة محمد صلاح في ليفربول ورد فعل إدارة النادي والمدرب الهولندي آرني سلوت.

واستبعد سلوت لاعبه محمد صلاح من قائمة ليفربول للمباراة أمام إنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا، وذلك بعد تصريحات المصري مؤخرًا.

كان صلاح انتقد قرار سلوت بتواجده بديلاً لثلاث مباريات متتالية في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وأعرب عن شعوره بأن هناك شخص ما يدفعه لمغادرة ليفربول.

وقال المحمدي في تصريحاته بشبكة “بي إن سبورتس”: “رد فعل متوقع من سلوت وإدارة ليفربول علي تصريحات صلاح”.

وأضاف: “تصريحات سلوت متناقضة تمامًا، هو يقول لا توجد مشاكل، لكن الحقيقة المشاكل بدأت منذ المباراة أمام وست هام، حيث تواجد محمد صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء، وصرح المدرب بعد المباراة بأنه يحاول القيام بمداورة ومنح راحة لبعض اللاعبين لكثرة المباريات”.

اقرأ أيضًا | حاتم الطرابلسي: الإعلام الأوروبي لا يتعامل مع محمد صلاح باحترام.. وسلوت أساء له

وأشار المحمدي: “منح الراحة للاعب يكون في مباراة واحدة وليس 3 مبارايات متتالية، أفضل لاعب في ليفربول خلال آخر 7 أو 8 مواسم يتواجد بديلاً بقرارك فهذا يعني أن هناك مشكلة”.

وأتم: “الميزة أن محمد صلاح سيذهب لمنتخب مصر للمشاركة في كأس الأمم الإفريقية، وسيبعد عن ليفربول، فممكن أن تهدأ إلى حد ما، لكن أنا من وجه نظري بعد تصريحاته، علاقة محمد صلاح بليفربول انتهت”.

Manchester City are now willing to make an unexpected decision about Rodri’s future at the club in an attempt to sign Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid in 2026.

The Citizens were in a ruthless mood against Liverpool before the international break, with Pep Guardiola overseeing his 1000th game as a manager in classic, dominant style.

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It was the first time that the Citizens have sent a damning statement to the rest of the Premier League about their title credentials this season and former player Micah Richards believes that they could yet beat Arsenal to the crown once again.

What has made City’s quietly impressive form even better is the fact that they’ve coped without Rodri. In the Spaniard’s absence last season, they looked a shadow of their controlled best. This time around, as Rodri continues a stuttered recovery from an ACL injury, Nico Gonzalez has provided Guardiola with the perfect replacement.

It’s allowed City’s Ballon d’Or winner to slowly work his way back to his best, but has also welcomed some interesting reports about his long-term future at the Etihad. Some in Spain have even gone as far as to suggest that Rodri could yet be sacrificed as part of another £100m+ deal.

Man City willing to spend £100m+ to sign Bellingham

According to those reports in the Spanish media, Man City are now willing to spend €150m (£133m) to sign Bellingham in 2026 and could be prepared to use Rodri as a makeweight in any potential deal with Real Madrid.

There’s been more unrest at the Bernabeu since the arrival of Xabi Alonso, with Vinícius Jr particularly struggling with the Spaniard’s call for discipline, and that has opened the door for a number of potential exits.

Whether Bellingham is among those is the question that many will be asking. There’s no doubt that he — as one of the best midfielders in the world — would take City back to the level that resulted in Premier League dominance not so long ago.

Former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has been one of many iconic names to hand Bellingham plenty of praise in recent years, having told Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast earlier this week: “I think Jude is a fantastic player.

“If I have to compare, we were talking about Kaka. He is this kind of player, a really intelligent player, who is physically really strong, fantastic to arrive in the box at the right time.”

Every current manager in the 2025/26 Premier League ranked

أبدى هارفي بارنز، نجم نادي نيوكاسل يونايتد، سعادته الكبيرة بفوز فريقه اليوم السبت على مانشستر سيتي بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موضحًا أن الماكبايز كانوا بحاجة ماسة إلى هذا الانتصار.

بارنز تألق وسجل هدفين مساهمًا في انتصار نيوكاسل على مانشستر سيتي بهدفين مقابل هدف، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من المسابقة المحلية.

وأشاد بارنز في تصريحات إلى شبكة “سكاي سبورتس”، بالمستوى الذي ظهر عليه لاعبي نيوكاسل في شوط اللقاء الثاني على وجه التحديد.

وقال بارنز: “نتيجة رائعة لنا، كنا بحاجة ماسة إليها بعد بعض النتائج السيئة، يا لها من مباراة رائعة، قدمنا ​​أداءً قويًا في الشوط الثاني وفزنا بثلاث نقاط ثمينة”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رجل مباراة مانشستر سيتي ونيوكاسل في الدوري الإنجليزي

وأضاف: “هذه هي كرة القدم، وكلما أسرعنا في تجاوز الفرص الضائعة، استرجعنا توازننا سريعًا، لذا كان علينا أن ننسى الأمر ونمضي قدمًا”.

وعن إهدار لاعبي نيوكاسل للعديد من الفرص: “أوافقكم الرأي، إنها فرص يجب أن أسجلها، عندما تكون في هذا الوضع يتعلق الأمر بتسجيل الهدف، في المباراة يتعلق الأمر بالحفاظ على رباطة جأشك، عليك الانتظار لمدة دقيقتين لمعرفة ما إذا كنت متسللًا أم لا”.

وحول أمر تمثيل منتخب اسكتلندا واللعب في كأس العالم العام المقبل، اختتم: “هذا ليس في بالي حاليًا، لا يزال أمامنا طريق طويل حتى الصيف، ولم نكن في أفضل حالاتنا مع النادي، كان تركيزي منصبًا فقط على مباراة الليلة والمباريات القادمة، لا أستطيع أن أقول إننا فكرنا في ذلك، بل كان الهدف هو إنجاز المهمة الليلة وهو ما فعلناه”.

The Cincinnati Reds missed the postseason in 2024 for the fourth consecutive season and the 10th time in the last 11 years. The team dismissed manager David Bell on Monday as it looks to turn the corner and get back into contention.

It's been a frustrating past decade for the Reds and their fan base, and perhaps no one knows that better than longtime second baseman Jonathan India.

India has been with the franchise since making his MLB debut in 2021, and the former Rookie of the Year winner voiced his exasperation with the lack of improvement the team has made during his tenure. He also expressed his desire for the team to make the necessary adjustments in order to bring postseason baseball back to Cincinnati.

"We're tired of losing,” India said, via . "It's the same thing every year here. We just float around .500 and try to make the push but we just don’t have enough. We need to make a move. I know what it is, but I just want to say it to the media."

India signed a two-year, $8.8 million deal with the Reds to avoid arbitration during the offseason. He's due to be a free agent in 2027, as '26 is his final year of arbitration. Of his future with the organization, he said this upcoming offseason was a critical one, as he's not sure where he'll be after the '25 season.

"It's got to be (a big offseason). Who knows if I'll be here next year. Who knows if [Tyler] Stephenson will be here. We're running out of time. We were the young core. Then, we added Elly [De La Cruz] and so many guys. They need to make moves. I want to win."

India slashed .247/.353/.395 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2024, featuring in 146 games throughout the year.