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Shivam Mavi lost his pace, his swing and his fitness, but has found a way back and is determined to make it count this time

Shashank Kishore and Daya Sagar29-Aug-2025March 2025. After an intense bowling session in the nets on an oppressive afternoon, Shivam Mavi waited on the sidelines as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) debated an injury replacement for Mohsin Khan.For a brief while, Mavi’s hopes had gone up. Unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, a back-door entry into the big league loomed. But Shardul Thakur beat him to it. Mavi was broken. Yet, deep down he knew the only way back was to rebuild himself, piece by piece, into the bowler teams could trust again.”Obviously IPL franchises may have taken note of my back-to-back injuries,” Mavi tells ESPNcricinfo on the sidelines of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League, where he’s representing Kashi Rudras. “Maybe they thought this guy is way too injury-prone and may be a risky auction pick.Related

• Deshpande is 'fit and fine' again and raring to give his dream another shot

• Umran Malik gears up for domestic comeback

• 'Everything came to a standstill for a split second'

“But, during the season, LSG called me [for trials] only because they saw I was fully fit and performing. My focus was simple: do what I could control and if I got the chance, play as much as possible and perform.”Things were a lot more promising just two years earlier, when Mavi was among Indian cricket’s bright and upcoming fast-bowling prospects. He had broken through into the T20I setup, combining high pace and late swing. The ability to hit sixes down the order was a bonus. But six T20Is and seven wickets later, his top-flight career hit a roadblock.Mavi noticed his pace drop. He couldn’t generate the old zip off the pitch. And without swing, he lost another key ally of his trade. He watched IPL 2023 come and go on the Gujarat Titans’ bench, despite being a costly INR 6 crore pick.Although disappointed, Mavi looked to the upcoming domestic season as a chance to prove himself all over again. But just as he began preparing, there was another blow: a side strain followed by a rib stress fracture ended his 2023-24 campaign before it had even begun. The final sting came when the BCCI dropped him from its targeted pool of players.Mavi was down, emotionally and otherwise, but not all was lost. LSG picked him at the auction for INR 6.4 crore despite the setbacks. If fit, there was hope he would be in the mix to challenge for a spot in the XI, considering they had traded Avesh Khan to Rajasthan Royals. But to Mavi’s misfortune, he pulled up with an injury during a fitness test prior to the start of the season.

“Since last year, I’ve been able to play without discomfort. That’s been the biggest win. Bowling-wise, I’ve put in a lot of work on my action and because of that, my rhythm feels better, the pace hasn’t dropped”Shivam Mavi

Determined to break the cycle, Mavi turned to former India team physio Ashish Kaushik. He checked in to Kaushik’s private facility in Bengaluru, dissecting his biomechanics and rebuilding from scratch. It took a year of working on his action and fine-tuning to be fully fit and ready.”Every time I increased my workload, the stress reaction on my side became evident,” Mavi says. “It wasn’t random. It was because of my action. I used to fall away on the left side while delivering. As the spell went on, it became worse. That’s what caused the strain.”Ashish sir helped me understand that the flexion on my side was the reason. Now my body weight doesn’t go sideways, even at the end of a long spell. Until that point, no one had looked at my action to this extent before.”The results have been encouraging: for the first time in years, Mavi says he is pain-free.”I can bowl long spells without discomfort. I can push my body again. I’ve understood fitness is something you need to constantly work on,” he says. “Since last year, I’ve been able to play without discomfort. That’s been the biggest win. Bowling-wise, I’ve put in a lot of work on my action and because of that, my rhythm feels better, the pace hasn’t dropped.”Once part of India’s future in fast bowling, Shivam Mavi (as well as Umran Malik) have fallen behind in the race•BCCINot just the physical pain, the lengthy rehab also tested him in other ways. Alone in Bengaluru, away from family, doing the same set of drills every day, monotony hit him hard. “It was irritating,” he says with a chuckle. “It was mentally challenging. But I kept telling myself ‘when my chance comes, I shouldn’t let it slip’. That thought kept me going.”The Mavi of today is different from the one that broke down often in the past. His speeds are back close to 145kph, his action looks smoother, and his rhythm has returned. In the UP T20 League, he’s been in stride, not just as a new-ball bowler, but as an allrounder.His first six games have brought him ten wickets and a 21-ball 54 in which he hit six sixes. “Earlier, I used to think I’m just a bowler. Now, I work equally on my batting,” he says. “In T20s, when you come in at the death, you don’t have time. You have to hit from ball one. I’ve been preparing for that role.”After having played the entire 2024-25 season without breaking down, Mavi couldn’t have asked for a better lead-in to the upcoming domestic season. For now, he’s focused on continuing to push the bar at the UP T20, but doesn’t hesitate when asked about the bigger picture.”An India comeback,” he says. “Whichever match I play, I want to focus solely on that and do well. If I keep doing that, the India comeback will take care of itself.”

On Tuesday, in a match India had to win, he seemingly batted without any burden of pressure to script a fairly comprehensive win

Deivarayan Muthu09-Aug-20231:53

‘When on song, Suryakumar Yadav a nightmare for bowlers’ – Wasim Jaffer

Suryakumar Yadav cycled through two shots when he faced Akeal Hosein in the second over of India’s chase on Tuesday. He had originally got down low to sweep Hosein, but the left-arm fingerspinner spotted it, shortened his length and hid it wide of off stump. Despite one knee on the floor, Suryakumar manufactured enough strength from his upper body to scythe the ball flat and hard over point.It was a portent for the carnage that was to follow.Suryakumar went on to smash 83 off 44 balls on a slow, two-paced Providence pitch that was designed to negate most batters. But Suryakumar is not most batters. West Indies’ bowling wasn’t particularly bad, and the pitch kept getting slower, but he made the attack look pedestrian, and made Providence look like Wankhede.Related

• Suryakumar and Tilak do the chase in a canter to keep the series alive for India

After Suryakumar had manufactured a boundary on the off side from him, Hosein adjusted his line and attacked the stumps. But Suryakumar was ready with the flat sweep, and picked him away – both in front of and behind square. Just like that, Suryakumar broke Hosein’s rhythm.He then went about dismantling the best-laid plans of the seamers too. Obed McCoy had drawn a mis-hit from Yashasvi Jaiswal when he banged the ball into the pitch, but when he tried to dig one into the pitch against Suryakumar, the batter swivelled back, held his shape for long enough, and hooked the ball over midwicket for four. This forced McCoy to dart an on-pace full one on the stumps, which was launched over his head for six.But the most extraordinary shot came off Romario Shepherd in the tenth over of the innings. When Shepherd floated a slower offcutter wide of off, Suryakumar walked across off and played a half-scoop and half-sweep to hit the ball over short fine-leg, despite falling on the floor in the process. shot brought back memories of Rohan Kanhai for Ian Bishop, who was on commentary at the time. Suryakumar’s ball-striking in front of square – and gum-chewing swagger – was more Viv Richards than Kanhai, though.After India kept the series alive with their first win in the T20I series, Suryakumar refused to pinpoint the aspect of the game that pleased him more, and simply put down his 360-degree range to practice.”I think it was really important to be myself when I went into bat in the powerplay,” he said after collecting the Player-of-the-Match award. “That’s what the team and the team management demanded from me – to bat as much as possible. I’m very happy with the way things went. I’ve practiced these strokes a lot when I used to practice back home. I’ve loved doing that, and I just stick to my game and just express myself whenever I get an opportunity.”ESPNcricinfo LtdWith Tilak Varma being a stable presence at the other end, Suryakumar continued to do his thing in an 87-run third-wicket partnership off 50 balls. He eventually holed out in the 13th over, but Tilak ushered India home in their chase of 160 with an unbeaten 49 off 37 balls. Suryakumar, who has also worked closely with Tilak at Mumbai Indians in the IPL, was enthused about Tilak’s knock.”I think we’ve batted together for a long time now,” Suryakumar said. “We both understand how we bat together. It was his day to bat with maturity, and the way he batted gave me a lot of confidence. I told him straightaway, ‘Just because you’re batting, it’s giving me an opportunity to express myself’. So it was a great innings from him at the other end, and a great learning as well.”Having lost back-to-back T20Is, and with the series on the line, Suryakumar conceded that India did feel some pressure in the lead-up to the third game. Perhaps, there was some pressure on him too, considering he wasn’t particularly fluent on sluggish pitches away from home in IPL 2023, and on similar tracks during the ODI leg of the West Indies tour.”It [the pressure] was running in the back of the mind – it’s human tendency – but at the same time, we spoke [about it] in the team meeting yesterday,” Suryakumar said. “Our captain said it was really important for someone to put their hand up and show some character, and it was the perfect game.”But Suryakumar batted without that burden of pressure on Tuesday. He batted as if the world was at his feet.

Key players, squads, schedule and salaries – all your questions answered in one place

Sruthi Ravindranath03-Nov-20208:20

Women’s T20 Challenge: A stage for young Indian talent to shine

When and where will the Women’s T20 challenge take place?This tournament, like previous editions, will take place during the IPL playoffs. The three teams – Supernovas, Velocity and Trailblazers – are set to play three matches between November 4 and 9 in Sharjah, with the final scheduled on November 9 at the same venue. Three matches start at 7.30 IST (6pm local time). The only day game will be the second one, which will begin at 3.30pm IST (2pm local time), on November 5. Like the eight IPL franchises, the women’s contingent also underwent a mandatory six-day quarantine at the team hotel in addition to being tested at regular intervals. They were allowed to train only after that.Why is this year’s edition important?Though short, this tournament is significant for women’s cricket. The T20 World Cup earlier this year was a huge success and was expected to have a knock-on effect for the women’s game around the globe. Last year’s T20 Challenge was in Jaipur and had a good crowd turnout. However, the coronavirus pandemic meant everything came to a standstill. The India Women’s team hasn’t played any competitive cricket since the T20 World Cup final against Australia on March 8, and it increasingly began to look like the players wouldn’t have any top-flight cricket for the remainder of the year. This tournament, then, could be one of the few competitive games they play.For the longest time, it was also unclear if the tournament was on until the BCCI confirmed the squads in October. This could have probably been a bigger event – the BCCI said in February it would involve four teams – had it not been for the pandemic. Mithali Raj, one of the three captains, welcomed the tournament, despite its clash with Australia’s WBBL, calling it a “relief”.The T20 Challenge is a platform for talented players to make a mark and spend time with non-India internationals. Teenager Shafali Verma was among the brightest players in last year’s tournament; it got her a maiden T20I call-up for the series against South Africa later that year and she has continued to impress since.Smriti Mandhana goes for the big one•BCCIA title sponsorFor the first time ever, the tournament will have an exclusive sponsor, with Jio bagging the rights. Getting a title sponsor could hint at the BCCI possibly exploring the branding potential of the tournament. If successful, it could mean bigger things to come.How does the clash with the WBBL affect the T20 Challenge?The WBBL, which began on October 25, features several of the game’s top players from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa; all of them will miss the WT20 Challenger. Players from Australia – the largest overseas contingent in the one-off exhibition match in 2018 – and South Africa had missed the 2019 edition too. However, Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka and England players will feature this season. Seven of the 12 overseas players will feature in the tournament for the first time.What are the three teams like, how do they stack up against each other? Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj will once again lead the three teams – Trailblazers, Supernovas and Velocity.Two-time champions Supernovas have a strong Indian batting line-up led by Kaur, with Jemimah Rodrigues, who was Player of the Series in 2019, offspinner Anuja Patil and wicketkeeper-batter Taniya Bhatia. Their spinners Poonam Yadav and Radha Yadav are among the top 10 in the T20 bowling charts. Their overseas contingent has Sri Lankan captain Chamari Atapattu and former captain Shashikala Siriwardene, experienced West Indies seam bowler Shekera Selman and the South Africa quick Ayabonga Khaka.Supernovas squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues (vice-capt), Chamari Atapattu, Priya Punia, Anuja Patil, Radha Yadav, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Shashikala Siriwardene, Poonam Yadav, Shakera Selman, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Ayushi Soni, Ayabonga Khaka, Muskan Malik
Coach: Mamatha MabenLast year’s runners-up Velocity are a mix of youth and experience. Captain Raj aside, they have the likes of middle-order batter Veda Krishnamurthy, wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma and pace-bowling allrounder Shikha Pandey, all India caps. They will team up with South Africa’s Sune Luus, New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek, England’s Danni Wyatt and Bangladesh’s Jahanara Alam. The uncapped Meghna Joshi has been named a replacement for India pacer Mansi Joshi, who had tested positive for Covid-19. They also have Verma and 21-year-old uncapped offspinner Sushree Dibyadarshini.Velocity squad: Mithali Raj (capt), Veda Krishnamurthy (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Sushma Verma (wk), Ekta Bisht, Shikha Pandey, Devika Vaidya, Sushree Dibyadarshini, Manali Dakshini, Leigh Kasperek, Danielle Wyatt, Sune Luus, Jahanara Alam, M Anagha, Meghna Singh
Coach: Suman SharmaMandhana’s Trailblazers have England’s Sophie Ecclestone, the No. 1-ranked T20I bowler, West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin, Bangladesh captain Salma Khatun, and India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami in their ranks. They also have Thailand batter Nattakan Chantam, who made an impression with her strokeplay during her team’s maiden T20 World Cup appearance in Australia earlier this year. The Indian contingent includes allrounder Deepti Sharma, opener Punam Raut and youngsters Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh.Trailblazers squad: Smriti Mandhana (capt), Deepti Sharma (vice-capt), Punam Raut, Richa Ghosh, D Hemalatha, Nuzhat Parween (wk), Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Harleen Deol, Jhulan Goswami, Simran Bahadur, Salma Khatun, Sophie Ecclestone, Nattakan Chantam, Deandra Dottin, Kashvee Gautam
Coach: Nandita AdhiyaShafali Verma clubs one to the off side•BCCIWhat is the schedule of matches?Supernovas vs Velocity, November 4
Velocity vs Trailblazers, November 5
Trailblazers vs Supernovas, November 7
Final, November 9The second game is the only one which takes place on an IPL match day, with the first Qualifier set to take place on November 5 between the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals. That is why this will be the only day game in the Women’s T20 Challenge.Who are the uncapped India players to look out for?Kashvee Gautam (Trailblazers): The 17-year-old Chandigarh pacer made headlines after she picked up all ten wickets – including a hat-trick – in an innings in the Women’s U-19 One-Day Trophy earlier this year. Having done well in U-19 and U-23 tournaments before, this is her first appearance in the T20 Challenge.Ayushi Soni (Supernovas): The 20-year-old Delhi allrounder captained a successful India B side at the U-23 Challenger Trophy last year.Sushree Dibyadarshini (Velocity): The offspinner made a mark on her T20 Challenge debut last year when she snuffed out West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor in her second over and finished with figures of 3-1-14-1. The 23-year-old features regularly for India A.Can we expect big scores?The Sharjah pitch was a batting paradise for teams in the first half of IPL 2020, which saw totals in excess of 200. However, there was a marked slowing down of the surface as the tournament went on.How much are the players being paid?ESPNcricinfo understands that the match fee of a section of overseas players is estimated to be around USD 2500 per player per game, and a daily allowance of around INR 5000 INR (USD 67 approx.). All Indians, uncapped or otherwise, were understood to have been paid a base amount of at least INR 1 lakh last year as match fee, but the numbers for this year are not known.

عقد أوسكار رويز، رئيس لجنة الحكام بالاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، اليوم، اجتماعًا مع حكام ومساعدي دورى القسم الأول بحضور الدكتور مصطفى عزام، الأمين العام للاتحاد وأعضاء لجنة الحكام.

شهد الاجتماع محاضرات وتأهيلاً للحكام خلال فترة التوقف الحالية، استعداداً لاستئناف الدوري الممتاز خلال الفترة المقبلة، بجانب اختبارات اللياقة البدنية للحكام في الملعب.

طالع.. بيراميدز يتهم 3 حكام بتشويه العدالة في الدوري.. ويطالب بتحقيق عاجل

وخضع الحكام والمساعدون لأول مرة لاختبار “الفواصل الزمنية” أسوة بالحكام المرشحين لكأس العالم 2026، وهو جزء من اختبارات اللياقة البدنية الصارمة، التي يخضع لها الحكام، ويُعرف باختبار الجري السريع المتكرر. 

ويجب على الحكام إنهاء سباق جري لمسافة معينة (75 مترًا حسب البروتوكول) خلال 15 ثانية، تليها فترات راحة محددة للمشي، لتقييم قدرتهم على تحمل الجهد المتكرر وسرعة الاستشفاء في المباريات. 

وهذا يتطلب لياقة بدنية عالية جدًا، وظهر جميع الحكام والمساعدون بشكل مميز خلال الاختبار.

Shohei Ohtani is baseball’s Houdini. Somehow, he finds a way to continue to amaze us. The first player with 200 home runs as a hitter and 600 strikeouts as a pitcher. The first player to start an All-Star Game as a pitcher and designated hitter. The first 50–50 player. The first athlete in major North American sports to win three MVPs unanimously.

Now Ohtani is well on his way to his latest trick: the greatest run-scoring season in 89 years.

The Los Angeles Dodgers DH leads the major leagues with 59 runs in 56 team games—while, oh by the way, training on the side to return to major league pitching. How crazy is that pace?

Only two players in the modern era (since 1900) scored 162 runs in a season: Babe Ruth (twice) and Lou Gehrig (twice), the last to do it, in 1936.Only five players scored 154 runs in the modern era, all between 1920 and ’36: Ruth (four times), Gehrig (twice), Chuck Klein, Rogers Hornsby and Kiki Cuyler.As a follow-up to 50–50, Ohtani might as well go for 50–150 this year, as in 50 homers and 150 runs. Only two players have gone 50–150: Ruth (four times) and Jimmie Foxx, the last to do it, in 1932.

Yes, runs scored is influenced heavily by the strength of the surrounding lineup. The Dodgers are scoring more runs per game this year than any team except the Chicago Cubs and more runs per game than any full-season Dodgers team in 72 years.

But with his speed, extra-base power and ability to steal bases, Ohtani makes full use of his opportunities. He scores 49% of the time he reaches base, a rate exceeded only by Ceddanne Rafaela of the Red Sox and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs.

Ohtani is a superb baserunner, not just a leadoff hitter riding the coattails of a deep lineup. Statcast rated him the fifth best baserunner in 2023 and the third best baserunner last year. He ranks tied for 10th this year, though in subtle ways he has bettered his game.

Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel challenged Ohtani after last season to improve his secondary leads and his reads on the bases. Ohtani is a massive dude who is surprisingly fast. As Ebel says, “He’s like Mike Trout. When he comes around third base, you can him running. There is sound that comes from someone that big, moving that fast.”

Truth is, however, that Ohtani needed to sharpen his baserunning work. Last year he was thrown out on the bases seven times, a career high, including three times at home, also a career high. (Outs on the bases do not include pickoffs, caught stealing or force plays.)

To no one’s surprise, Ohtani has improved. He has not been thrown out on the bases and his rate of taking the extra base is a career high (48%).

If you want to stop the Dodgers, you must stop Ohtani. The Cleveland Guardians discovered that truism Wednesday. They kept Ohtani from scoring (he reached base once via a walk) and defeated Los Angeles, 7–4. The Dodgers are 28–9 (.757) when Ohtani scores a run and 6–19 (.316) when he doesn’t.

Houdini died 99 years ago but was such a force of showmanship that he lives on eponymously as the very name of escape maneuvers. Like Ohtani, Houdini was an enormous global sensation who transcended his craft to become a cultural icon. And like Ohtani, Houdini knew the magic came not from words but from deeds.

“Never tell the audience how good you are,” Houdini said. “They will soon find out for themselves.”

Luis Enrique shared his reaction to a horror challenge on Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier by Lamine Camara. The night ended in frustration and anger in equal measure as the reigning champions fell 1-0 to Monaco on Saturday evening. But the result was overshadowed by a rash early challenge on Chevalier that astonishingly went unpunished by VAR.

• Chevalier survives horror challenge

  PSG arrived riding the momentum of a breathless 5-3 Champions League win over Tottenham earlier in the week. Yet within the opening quarter-hour, the tone of the night changed dramatically when Monaco midfielder Camara lunged recklessly at Chevalier, catching the goalkeeper flush on the right ankle with vehement force. Referee Clement Turpin brandished only a yellow card, a decision that immediately prompted disbelief from the PSG bench. Chevalier remained on the pitch, rolling in agony as the medical team rushed to him. For a moment, it appeared the 22-year-old’s night, and possibly his season, was over. Shockingly, VAR did not intervene despite replays showing Camara’s studs planting high and hard into the goalkeeper’s ankle. After several minutes of treatment, Chevalier somehow returned to his position between the posts. 

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• AFP
  

  What Chevalier and Luis Enrique said

  Speaking to , Chevalier admitted the severity of what had unfolded: "As for my ankle, listen… I think everyone saw it… I think my career could have taken a different turn today, and I was very lucky. I didn't dwell on it; it was over. But I think sometimes there are certain actions you have to avoid. Today I just know that I was very lucky and that I'll be able to continue playing football every week."

  While Luis Enrique is known for avoiding refereeing debates, he could barely hide his disbelief when questioned about the incident.

  "He was very lucky today," he told "I think…I'm not going to say anything more because it's not my job, but it's incredible…Lucas Chevalier was very lucky."

• Monaco edge PSG after sustained first-half pressure

  Beyond the controversy, the match itself unfolded with Monaco pushing relentlessly in the first half. Chevalier, once recovered, was forced into several interventions as the home side pressed with energy. PSG, by contrast, appeared sluggish and disjointed, a far cry from the impressive attacking performance that had dispatched Tottenham just days earlier. Their passing patterns lacked sharpness, and they repeatedly ceded possession in vulnerable areas. The breakthrough came midway through the second half. In the 68th minute, Takumi Minamino punished PSG’s hesitancy by guiding a precise finish past Chevalier after yet another incisive move from the hosts. 

  It was a deserved lead for a Monaco side who had spent much of the match dictating tempo and exposing PSG’s defensive vulnerabilities. With nine minutes left, PSG were handed an unexpected numerical advantage. Monaco defender Thilo Kehrer was dismissed for what Turpin judged as a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity. Despite a frantic final push in stoppage time, PSG could not find a response. Their late surge was spirited but insufficient, mirroring Chevalier’s post-match assessment of the team’s performance. 

  "There were quite a few things that didn't go our way today. We lacked impact, we lost possession a bit silly. I think we weren't at 100 per cent. Monaco were a bit sharper," Chevalier told Ligue 1+. "We pushed hard in the last 10 minutes, but it wasn't enough. We've had a lot of injuries since the start of the season, we're playing a lot of games in quick succession. It's a different season compared to last season."

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• AFP
  

  Table trouble looms for PSG

  Saturday’s defeat marked PSG’s first league loss since falling to Marseille in September, and it could prove particularly costly in the title race. Should Roberto de Zerbi's men win against Toulouse and Lens defeat Angers, PSG could tumble from first to third place in the Ligue 1 standings. With Rennes awaiting them on December 7, Enrique knows that his side cannot afford any more slip ups. Nonetheless, on Saturday, the manager was relieved that his goalkeeper was able to walk out of the stadium, despite being at the receiving end of a horrific challenge. 

Santos boss Juan Pablo Vojvoda delivered an honest update on Neymar's latest injury setback after the forward's withdrawal from the Brazilian Serie A clash with Internacional. Neymar had just returned from a hamstring injury and was slowly settling into playing again for Santos, but a fresh knock forced him back onto the sidelines.

Neymar's fitness issues continue

Neymar was optimistic about making a fresh start and reviving his career when he joined his boyhood club Santos in January 2025. He had just recovered from an ACL injury that kept him out of action for nearly one and a half years, which prompted Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal to mutually terminate the star winger's contract.

 His comeback, however, has not gone as planned. A return of seven goals and three assists in 25 matches across all competitions does not make for great reading, and the 33-year-old has repeatedly been out injured during his second spell at Santos. His constant injury setbacks have also delayed his comeback to the Brazil national team and with only one international break left in March before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, he is facing a race against time to prove himself to Carlo Ancelotti.

After recovering from a recent hamstring injury, Neymar had featured in Santos' starting lineup in their last three Serie A matches but right before the Internacional clash on Monday, reported that he had been dealing with knee discomfort throughout the week. 

AdvertisementGettySantos boss delivers update on Neymar

After a 1-1 draw against Internacional, Santos boss Vojvoda told reporters: "The plan is for him to be in the match against Sport. I have to talk to him, I'm not in his physical presence and I will respect Neymar's decisions. But his commitment is to be there, he always wants to be there. Before the Mirassol game, he felt discomfort in his knee. He also felt it during the game. The following day he was experiencing significant discomfort in that knee. 

"We know we have games every three days. With travel, we'll arrive in Santos tomorrow afternoon… He's a player we need for all three rounds and he'll help us. He's our leader on the field. He'll be there. He felt he wouldn't be able to meet the demands of today's game."

Will Santos offer new contract to Neymar?

Neymar's current contract expires at the end of this year and he has yet to meet with Santos officials to negotiate a new contract. There is a possibility that the winger could consider returning to Europe, although club president Marcelo Teixeira appears confident a deal can be struck. He said earlier this month, "Neymar's project is the 2026 World Cup. If there's consensus, he will extend. There is great trust between him and the club, and I believe we'll find a solution at the right moment."

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AFPCan Neymar play at the 2026 World Cup?

At the moment, Neymar's participation at the World Cup seems like a distant dream, considering he has played in only four matches since September. However, Selecao boss Ancelotti still remains hopeful that he will be able to include the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star in the North America-bound squad next year. 

The Italian recently said: "Neymar is on the list of players who can go to the World Cup. He has six months to make the final list. Neymar has recovered, but he needs to show performance. When the Brazilian league ends, he’ll have some vacation time, and then he must show his quality and physical condition again." 

The former Real Madrid boss also offered some words of advice for the Brazilian great, as he added. "The truth is that soccer today asks for many things, not just talent. Also, physical condition, intensity. Hopefully, Neymar can be at his best level. He needs to play more centrally, not as a winger. Wingers in today’s soccer are players you need to help also defensively. When you play a little bit more inside the defensive work is much less than if you play as a winger."

The investigation into Pakistan cricketer Haider Ali, who was arrested on suspicion of rape by the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in the UK last month, has been closed, with all charges against the player dropped. Haider, who had been released on bail following his arrest, is now free to leave the UK.”We always take allegations of this nature very seriously and will assess each incident thoroughly,” the GMP told ESPNcricinfo. “Following a comprehensive review of all available evidence, the investigation has been closed at this time. Should any further information come to light, we would review the material and case again appropriately.”Related

• Haider Ali under criminal investigation in the UK, suspended by the PCB

• Haider Ali arrested and granted bail after report of alleged rape

Haider, 24, was part of a tour by the Shaheens – effectively a Pakistan A side – to the UK, playing matches against a select XI in Beckenham and Hove. During a game on August 3, GMP officers arrived at the ground in Beckenham, where Haider was arrested during the game. According to a GMP statement at the time, the alleged offence leading to the arrest had occurred in Manchester on July 23, the day after the Shaheens’ first tour game, which Haider played. Haider was bailed at the time and the alleged victim was being “supported by officers”.The PCB confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that charges against Haider had been dropped. At the time of his arrest, the PCB had put out a statement saying it “reserve[d] the right to take appropriate action under its Code of Conduct, if necessary”.ESPNcricinfo understands a decision on whether to take action against Haider has not been made yet, with the PCB waiting on the player to return to Pakistan before it takes a decision.Haider has played two ODIs and 35 T20Is for Pakistan. Initially feted as a destructive hitter, he burnished his reputation with standout performances in the PSL with Peshawar Zalmi in 2020, when he scored 239 runs at a strike rate of 157.23. He was called up to the national side later that year, his international debut coming in a T20I game in Manchester, where he scored a 33-ball 54 as Pakistan won by five runs.Inconsistency has dogged him since, and he has repeatedly found himself in and out of the Pakistan side. However, his talent and explosiveness have kept him in international contention, and the current Shaheens tour was widely viewed as an opportunity to reintegrate a player whose batting approach aligns with the aggressive style Pakistan’s current T20 set-up has made no secret it wants to pursue.

Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki combined to devastating effect as Manchester City comfortably beat Bournemouth 3-1 and provided the perfect response to last week's defeat at Aston Villa. The French playmaker started at No. 10 after impressing against Swansea City in midweek and proved to be the perfect foil to City's insatiable striker, who he provided with two goals.

City got an early scare when Eli Junior Kroupi finished off a lightning-quick breakaway move in the opening minute but he was offside. Their game plan was above all about getting the ball to Haaland in dangerous situations and it paid off in the 17th minute, when Cherki's cushioned header went behind Bournemouth's high defensive line and to Haaland, who sprinted clear from behind the halfway-line to slot past Djordje Petrovic.

Bournemouth levelled thanks to some suspect goalkeeping from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who tried to punch away a corner but instead swatted it into the air for Tyler Adams to volley home from close range. The Italian's protests that he had been fouled fell on deaf ears. City appealed for a penalty when a cross hit the body and then the arm of Alex Jimenez and it did not take long for fans to turn on referee Anthony Taylor. But they did not need any help when they regained the lead.

Cherki crafted a delicious first-time pass which split Bournemouth's defence and released Haaland, who powered his way into the area and rounded Petrovic to score his 13th league goal of the season in 10 games. The Norwegian could have had a hat-trick before the break when he was released by Jeremy Doku but this time Petrovic got the better of him and punched his chipped attempt away.

Bournemouth had three decent attempts to level after the break as Donnarumma denied Brooks and Kroupi, who also fired just wide. City made them pay down the other end with another slick move. Cherki and Foden combined to set Nico O'Reilly on his way and the academy product curled a low strike into the bottom corner, effectively ending the game on the hour-mark.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Gianluigi Donnarumma (5/10):

  His lousy punch was a stark reminder of his occasional weakness dealing with crosses and he didn't help himself by getting booked for his protests. To his credit he bounced back with important saves to deny Kroupi and Brooks.

  Matheus Nunes (6/10):

  Coped very well with the threat of Antoine Semenyo throughout. Made an important tackle on Brooks after the Ghana winger had surged forward. Didn't do too much damage going forward.

  Ruben Dias (6/10):

  Given a couple of scares by Kroupi but largely kept the visitors at bay with some astute defending.

  Josko Gvardiol (6/10):

  Had an early warning when Brooks raced past him in the move leading to the offside goal. Steadied himself and combined well with Dias to snuff out any future threats, including making a crowd-pleasing tackle on Semenyo.

  Nico O'Reilly (8/10):

  A powerful display in every sense. Played on the front foot and could have scored in the first half. Made amends with his brilliantly-taken strike.

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  Midfield

  Bernardo Silva (6/10):

  Took a back seat and rarely got forward but still played an important role in the victory with clever use of the ball.

  Nico Gonzalez (7/10):

  The best compliment you can pay him is that City are barely noticing the absence of Rodri. Put himself about to ensure City won the midfield battle and combined well with Cherki.

  Phil Foden (7/10):

  Was overshadowed by Cherki somewhat but still played his part in opening up the visitors, particularly with his pass to set up O'Reilly.

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  Attack

  Rayan Cherki (9/10):

  Weaved his magic throughout and no one benefitted more than Haaland. His headed assist was unexpected but exactly what City needed to open up their opponents while his first-time pass to the Norwegian was a work of art. Wasn't far from crowning his excellent display with a goal, being denied by Petrovic from a free-kick and blasting over in the second half.

  Erling Haaland (9/10):

  Simply inevitable. Had a telepathic understanding with Cherki and put the fear of God into Bournemouth's defenders whenever he latched on to a through ball. Produced two confident finishes and was mighty close to his first hat-trick of the season.

  Jeremy Doku (6/10):

  A hit-and-miss display. Lost the ball leading to Bournemouth's offside goal but probed well in attack, laying the ball on for Haaland on the one occasion the Norwegian failed to beat Petrovic.

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  Subs & Manager

  Savinho (5/10):

  Didn't capitalise on Bournemouth effectively throwing in the towel, misplacing a key pass which could have unlocked a fourth goal.

  Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):

  Tried to do damage on the break after replacing Cherki.

  Omar Marmoush (N/A):

  Replaced Haaland in the 82nd minute.

  Rayan Ait-Nouri (N/A):

  Came on in the 90th minute.

  Rodri (N/A):

  Came on in the 90th minute.

  Pep Guardiola (8/10):

  Playing Foden and Cherki together raised eyebrows against such a quick Bournemouth side but it worked a treat.

A pair of October friendlies showed that Pochettino's side have a reliable system – and World Cup success could follow

Perhaps the most encouraging part is what happened after Christian Pulisic limped off the Dick's Sporting Goods Park field with a hamstring injury. That really should have been game over. The U.S. men's national team is supposed to lean on its star man, improve every time he touches the ball, and see their chances of winning improve exponentially when he makes things happen.

In short, they can't win without him. 

So much for that narrative. Pulisic was removed from last Tuesday's match against Australia in the 31st minute. The U.S. scored in the 33rd. They did so again in the 52nd. Without their main man, Mauricio Pochettino's side quite comfortably saw off an opponent set up to make their life a nightmare.

It is such a soccer cliche to suggest that "these are the kinds of games that they used to lose." But there is a thin veil of truth to that. The U.S. were supposed to lose in that scenario. But they didn't.

Of course, the USMNT are always better with Pulisic. But without him, they turned in the kind of performance that offered that most valuable of commodities in soccer: hope. Part of this is down to the intangibles – vibes, motivation, the apparently crucial "fighting spirit."

But it's also tactical, a change in formation and crucial flexibility around it that might just turn that hope into something even more tangible: winning.  

Getty ImagesA pair of good results

It's been a strange year for the USMNT. No one, it seemed, was quite sure what the goals were. Did Pochettino need results? Did he need to establish a culture? Did he have time to do both, with a World Cup on the horizon? Yes, and no. There were tactical ideas, new players brought in, speeches about how he was "not a mannequin."

But there weren't really any convincing scorelines. The U.S. got as far as they should have in the Gold Cup – falling to Mexico in the final – lost the games they should have lost, and won the games they were expected to win. Pochettino is 11-7-2 in 20 matches in charge.

In hiring the former Chelsea and PSG manager, US Soccer intended to bring in a "serial winner." What they got instead was a culture guy who didn't seem to know exactly what culture he wanted.

In that light, then, back-to-back good results is impressive. A 1-1 home draw with Ecuador doesn't make for excellent reading. But the South American side hadn't lost in 11, and had been the surprise of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. This was not a win, but there were positives to be taken.

Australia was better. The USMNT went down a goal, rallied, scored two, should have bagged a couple more, and went home with the most comfortable of 2-1 wins – against a side that had beaten Jesse Marsch's Canada just a few days before.

The dust has settled, and it now seems a pretty impressive October window.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportA shift in formation

It is worth asking, then, how this all happened. If the U.S. were so poor for so long, so averse to getting results, how is it that things are now revolutionary? Why has the optimism returned? Strip away the glaring fact that soccer has a short-term memory, and it really comes down to one big tactical change: a switch in formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-3. 

This isn't necessarily revolutionary. Pochettino isn't the first manager to play three at the back. He certainly won't be the last. But in context, it is pivotal. When Pochettino arrived, there were a two fundamental assumptions about playing style. The first was that he was a 4-2-3-1 truther. The second was that he believed, unwaveringly, in a high press.

He soon learned, it seemed, that the latter can be translated into defensive weakness. This is not club soccer, where you have days on end on the grass, and plenty of film to watch in the days in between. These are complex systems that have to be learned over time. And Pochettino didn't have any of it to work with. 

What he has done, then, is what most international managers do, and revert into the system that fits his squad the best. This seems obvious. Pochettino has a bunch of good players. This is the setup that, in theory, gets the best out of them. Simple? Yes, but not always so easy to pull off.

Getty ImagesAn act of compromise

Actually implementing such a change requires a remarkable act of compromise for a manager who likes control. Pochettino's brilliance is partially in his man management, but mostly due to his tactical nous. He has been so good for so long because his basic principles have been readily applied, tweaked, and reinvented for the relevant squad.

This is a guy who took a fundamentally flawed Tottenham, won 86 points in the Premier League, and carried them to a Champions League final. These things don't happen by accident. Relinquishing what he knows, then, is a difficult thing. He deserves plenty of praise for realizing that he had to change.

And he good news is that this still has the look of a Pochettino side. The USMNT don't press high. They don't scramble for the ball. But they still are fiercely vertical when they have it. They take risks in attack, allow for positional fluidity, and admit, by result, that their defensive structure might be a bit suspect when they lose the ball – it's how they conceded the first goal to Ecuador.

And that led to some results.

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Getty ImagesAttacking quality

It starts up front. Pochettino's best attacking trait is that he is willing to allow players to express themselves in the final-third. Yes, this is the bit where we have to talk about Pep Guardiola. So much of modern soccer ignores that. Guardiola's idea of "juega de posicion" limits players to specific zones or areas – and prevents them from moving outside of them.

The logic is that if you position a load of good players in specific areas, and allow them to be their best – within that very space – you can piece together a reliable attacking system. That makes sense, and every club practices some version of it.

Pochettino doesn't reject it outright, but his version of the U.S. is far more fluid. Max Arfsten, oddly, is the perfect example. The left wing back is encouraged to attack. But there is not necessarily a consistency in his movements. Sometimes, he overlaps. Sometimes, he cuts inside. Against Australia, he popped up in the middle. These things are not conventional. Some coaches might hate them. But for Pochettino, it's ideal. 

It also helps that, outside of Pulisic, the U.S. has a number of quality No. 10s who can recognize the movements of players around them. Malik Tillman played that role admirably against Ecuador, assisted on Folarin Balogun's goal and created six chances. Diego Luna, in a brief cameo, showed much of the same.