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With three of the four playoffs spots decided, the season is set for an explosive final leg

Deivarayan Muthu03-Jul-20234:50

TNPL highlights – Kovai vs Madurai

Shahrukh puts Kovai in the first qualifier

Fastest fifty in TNPL 2023: check. Wickets with the ball: check. Plucking a catch out of thin air with one hand: check. M Shahrukh Khan contributed handsomely in all three departments to help Lyca Kovai Kings thump Madurai Panthers by 44 runs in Tirunelveli on Sunday and seal their spot in the first qualifier.Related

• Jhathavedh's journey from Hong Kong to TN(PL), via UK and Hyderabad

• Ashwin reviews the review in bizarre incident in TNPL 2023

• Week 1: Sai Sudharsan's helicopter, Washington's low-key return

• Week 2: Natarajan's emotional homecoming

With B Sai Sudharsan leaving Kovai and linking up with the South Zone side for the Duleep Trophy, captain Shahrukh promoted himself to No.5 and flayed a 20-ball half-century. It included a sequence of 4,4,4,6 against legspinner M Ashwin. Shahrukh isn’t usually comfortable starting against wristspin, but on Sunday he started in fifth gear and stayed there.Shahrukh is also the joint-highest wicket-taker this season, with 13 strikes in seven innings at an average of 10.46 and economy rate of 6.80. Plus, his strike rate of 200 is also the best among batters who have faced at least 25 balls this TNPL.

No Ashwin? No problem for Dindigul

R Ashwin has left Dindigul Dragons for India’s tour of the Caribbean, but under B Indrajith, Dindigul continue to challenge Kovai for the title. Since Ashwin’s departure, Dindigul have notched up back-to-back victories, set up by back-to-back half-centuries from opening batter Shivam Singh.All told, Shivam, who was part of the Punjab Kings side in IPL 2023, has struck fifties in his last three innings in the TNPL. Shivam is particularly prolific on the off side and can even play the reverse-sweep. Suboth Bhati, the former Delhi allrounder, has fronted up to bowl the tough overs in the powerplay and death. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has shared the load with Bhati, returning to his best after taking some tap from Sai Sudharsan last week. Left-arm fingerspinner Aushik Srinivas has belatedly joined the side as Ashwin’s replacement.Washington Sundar nails a slog-sweep against Chepauk Super Gillies•TNPL

Washington hits form before Duleep Trophy

Washington Sundar had managed just three wickets in seven matches in IPL 2023 before being sidelined from the tournament with a hamstring injury. Washington has had a fairly rusty start to TNPL 2023 and has picked up just one wicket in six games, but he has found some form with the bat ahead of joining South Zone for the Duleep Trophy.Against Chepauk, Washington came in when Madurai were 46 for 5. He watched his team slump further to 50 for 6 and then 79 for 7, but he walloped an unbeaten 56 off 30 balls to drag Madurai to 141 for 7, which proved enough to keep them in the hunt for the playoffs. Fast bowler Ajay Krishna, who has had a stint with Chennai Super Kings as a net bowler, claimed 4 for 18 in three overs to back up Washington’s punchy batting effort.Chepauk’s captain N Jagadeesan has also been released from the TNPL to turn out for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy as a potential replacement for KS Bharat, who has joined the India side for the Caribbean tour. Chepauk’s Pradosh Ranjan Paul will also miss the final leg of the TNPL for the Duleep Trophy.Gurjapneet Singh has had a stint with CSK as a net bowler•TNPL/TNCA

Emerging Player: Gurjapneet Singh

Gurjapneet Singh is a bit of a rare package in Tamil Nadu. He’s a tall left-arm seamer, who can pound the deck and bowl in the high 130s [kph]. He also has a deceptive back-of-the-hand slower variation and the yorker in his repertoire. After impressing R Ashwin at Dindigul during his first TNPL season in 2021, Gurjapneet was picked as a net bowler by CSK, but a back injury then ruled him out of TNPL 2022.Madurai snapped up Gurjapneet at the TNPL 2023 auction, and he has repaid their faith with 11 wickets in six games at an average of 11.72. His economy rate of 5.95 is the best among seamers who have bowled at least 15 overs this season.In his most recent game on a placid pitch in Tirunelveli, where Kovai piled up 208 for 5, Gurjapneet came away with 2 for 30 in his four overs, limiting the damage at the death.

A look at the India Women captain’s batting numbers in a storied career

Sampath Bandarupalli03-Jul-20211 Mithali Raj became the leading run-getter in women’s international cricket, going past Charlotte Edwards’ tally of 10,273 runs. Raj and Edwards are the only players to scale the 10,000-run mark in women’s international cricket.7304 Runs aggregated by Raj in ODI cricket. No other player has managed to breach the 6,000-run milestone in women’s ODIs. Raj is the only player with a batting average over 50 among the top ten run-getters in the format.ESPNcricinfo Ltd6015 Runs scored by Raj in 179 matches as captain in women’s international cricket. Only Edwards, with 6,728 runs in 220 games, has scored more than Raj when leading the team. She also went past Belinda Clark’s 83 wins as captain in Women’s ODIs.87 Scores of fifty-plus runs by Raj, including eight centuries, the most by any player in women’s international cricket. She has 54 scores of fifty-plus as captain (5 hundreds, 49 fifties), also the most for any player while being in charge.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2924 Raj’s runs against England, the most by any player against an opponent in women’s international cricket. She has scored these runs across 81 innings, with 25 fifties and a century.3613 Runs scored by Raj in international matches played in India. Only Edwards, with 4,490 runs in England, has scored more runs at home in women’s international cricket than Raj.214 Raj’s highest score, against England in 2002 during the Test match at Taunton. It is the only double century by an Indian woman, and the fourth-highest individual score in women’s international cricket.935 Runs scored by Raj in international cricket in 2018, the most she has scored in any calendar year. The majority of those came in T20Is, as she scored 575 runs in 19 innings with seven fifties. She also made 360 runs in 11 ODIs.700 Runs by Raj at the County Ground in Taunton, the most by her at any venue across the three formats in international cricket. Raj has scored 301 runs in two Tests, including her double century, and 311 runs in six ODIs with four fifties.16 years 205 days Raj’s age at the time of her debut, during an ODI against Ireland in 1999. She scored an unbeaten 114 in that game, earning her the title of the youngest centurion in international cricket, among men or women.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington stated this week that the team is not trading ace Paul Skenes this offseason, but a report emerged Wednesday with a teammate claiming Skenes has said he wants to play for the Yankees.

According to a report from NJ Advance Media, the teammate stated that Skenes said he has “no confidence the Pirates ever are going to win” while he’s in Pittsburgh. “Trust me, he wants to play for the Yankees,” the Skenes teammate said. “I’ve heard him say it multiple times.”

The report also came hours before Skenes won the Cy Young award for the first time—doing so unanimously. Skenes ended up addressing the claims after winning the prestigious pitching award.

“I got shown the Tweet and really didn’t think anything of it,” Skenes said Wednesday on a Zoom, via 93.7 The Fan. “I got some texts about it. I’m on the Pirates, my goal is to win with the Pirates. I love the city of Pittsburgh.”

Skenes also said of the report, “I don’t know where that came from, the goal is to win. I don’t know the reporter that reported it. I don’t know the player who supposedly said that, but the goal is to win and the goal is to win in Pittsburgh.”

Skenes is not just focused on the Pirates, but leading the team to winning. While Skenes got to celebrate his Cy Young win, he remained focused on his goal to help the Pirates win going forward as he spoke to the media.

“Pittsburgh, the way that fans see us outside of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is not supposed to win,” Skenes said. “There are 29 fan bases that expect us to lose. I want to be a part of the group, a part of the 26 guys that change that.”

“The fans are hungry to have a winner in Pittsburgh and I want to be a part of the group that did that. I think about it the same way as when I was at the Air Force Academy,” he said. “We had never been to a conference championship and my sophomore year we ended up winning the conference. We had never finished in the top four in the conference before that.”

The Pirates have not made the playoffs in a decade and have gone just 147-177 over Skenes' two seasons in Pittsburgh. Overall, they’ve advanced to the postseason just three times in the last 33 years and have not made or won the World Series since 1979, well before Skenes was even born. He's determined to change that.

"Forty-six years since we won a World Series championship,” Skenes said. “This is why I’m going to show up to the ballpark and I’m going to work to get everybody pushing in the same direction and I know there are other guys that are going to do the same. That’s all the truth.”

The 2025/26 campaign has brought a whole host of problems onto Arne Slot’s doorstep, with his title-winning Liverpool side knocked so far out of kilter it is difficult to see how they will be realigned before the end of the season.

The tenth-place champions would be in deep bother were they to limp to the finish line, trailing the Champions League pack, trailing the pay packet that comes with Europe’s elite competition.

Liverpool spent a lot of money this summer, a record-breaking amount. It would be fair to say that Richard Hughes’ signings haven’t all worked out, and the onus is now on finding form and sustaining it, mounting a fightback after months of distress.

However, the recent Mohamed Salah conundrum has cast Liverpool’s season into new territory, and it needs sorting out quickly.

The latest on Salah's situation at Liverpool

Slot was coy when discussing Salah’s explosive outburst at Elland Road, incensed after being kept on the bench for three successive fixtures.

All of a Liverpool persuasion hope for an agreeable resolution, but the truth is that the 33-year-old may be headed for the exit, with multiple pointers suggesting he will not return after jetting off to the African Cup of Nations with Egypt.

Liverpool need a replacement, and they may have found one in a star bearing a likeness to Luis Diaz, who was sold to Bayern Munich in August.

According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool are in talks to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, whose future has been a hot topic this year.

Semenyo’s £65m release clause becomes active in January, and with Salah ostensibly inching toward a bitter exit at the end of his glittering Merseyside career, FSG are primed to make the payment and restore Liverpool’s frontline.

Why Liverpool want to sign Semenyo

Semenyo, 25, was hailed as “the best winger in the country” by pundit Chris Waddle in November, having enjoyed a blistering start to the campaign with Bournemouth. On the opener, he netted twice at Anfield.

Now he has six goals and three assists to his name in the Premier League this term, and that’s without having notched a direct involvement across the past two months. This could be perceived as a negative thing, but Andoni Iraola’s side have been in a rut for a little while, and Semenyo continues to stand out as a shining light.

The Ghanaian’s physicality and directness could even see him emerge as Liverpool’s new version of Diaz, even if he’s welcomed to – in theory – replace Salah.

Diaz and Semenyo share in their athleticism an economy of strength and motion. The two players are versatile and confident across the frontline. They are both fleet-footed and as electric as they come, but they are also intelligent and calculated, reserving their energy for opportune moments.

Goals scored

0.43

0.49

Assists

0.21

0.19

Shots taken

2.29

2.66

Shot-creating actions

3.43

4.39

Touches (att pen)

4.43

6.27

Pass completion (%)

71.3

84.2

Progressive passes

3.65

4.13

Progressive carries

3.65

4.05

Successful take-ons

1.64

1.99

Ball recoveries

5.00

3.94

Tackles + interceptions

2.00

1.73

Semenyo’s pace and ability to take on and beat defenders set him apart from Liverpool’s current crop. Cody Gakpo is too one-note; Salah is getting old, and he lacks his one-time speed and physical attributes.

Liverpool need more variation. They have been ‘found out’ this season, with the same players weaving the same patterns and struggling to get the same results as last year. Semenyo would change that, adding not one attacking dimension but two or three.

Four matches have come and gone since Liverpool last tasted defeat. The midweek win over Inter Milan at the San Siro was impressive, for sure, but Premier League draws against Sunderland and Leeds United shine a light on the many dents in the metalwork.

FSG, Slot, Hughes, Michael Edwards. Nobody could have foreseen such a staggering slide, but the slump has to be arrested and kept locked up.

It’s all well and good making Liverpool more compact, harder to beat, but if the restoration process is to launch the Reds back into the ascendancy, they need an elite forward as Semenyo added to the mix. The decision against directly replacing Diaz has had far-reaching ramifications. It’s time to sort it out.

Sell him before Gakpo & Konate: Slot must bin Liverpool's "Origi regen"

A number of Liverpool stars face uncertain futures on Merseyside following a dismal start to the season.

ByAngus Sinclair 4 days ago

Mousa Dembélé is a star who exceeded all expectations during his time as a Tottenham Hotspur player, with the Belgian one of the most underrated players in their history.

He would go on to rack up a total of 249 appearances during his seven-year spell at the club, often catching the eye with his physicality and dazzling feet.

Despite his massive frame, you wouldn’t expect a player to easily get past the opposition, but Dembélé used to glide past his men in North London – with many of his former players singing his praises.

However, since his departure in 2019, the first-team have lacked the dominant and ball-playing option at the heart of the side, but that could be about to change in January.

With the window now on the horizon, Thomas Frank is starting to draw up a list of players who could improve the options at his disposal in the middle of the park.

Spurs’ hunt for a new midfielder in the January window

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been one of the Premier League clubs linked with a potential winter deal to land Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba.

Manchester United were massively touted with a deal to land the Cameroonian international in the summer, but were massively put off by his £100m valuation.

The same could be said for Frank’s side in January, with the Lilywhites wanting to land the 21-year-old, but are unwilling to fork out the current asking price for his signature.

However, he’s not the only midfielder in their sights at present, with Atlético Madrid talent Conor Gallagher once again appearing on their radar ahead of the upcoming window.

According to one Spanish outlet, the Englishman is available for a fee in the region of €60m (£52m) next month, with Fabio Paratici wanting to fork out such a fee for his services.

It also states that the player himself could be keen on a move back to the Premier League, but Diego Simeone’s side will only sanction a move if the asking price is met.

How Gallagher compares to Dembele

Spurs have often formed numerous rivalries in the Premier League over the years, with Chelsea just one of the sides in which they have had many fierce contests with.

Frank Lampard was a player who regularly starred against the Lilywhites, often leaving the fanbase wishing they had their own version of the English midfielder.

He featured against the club on 41 separate occasions, winning 22 of which and only losing eight times – often providing the difference in the London derby.

The now-retired star scored ten times within the aforementioned meetings, the third-best record against any time in his professional career – further showcasing his impact against Spurs.

Mixing a player of Lampard and Dembélé’s quality is always going to be a difficult ask, but it’s one that Gallagher has managed to do during recent months in Madrid.

He’s been a dominant player for Simeone’s men in LaLiga, with his underlying stats from the 2025/26 campaign showcasing his incredible ability at both ends of the pitch.

Gallagher has won 2.5 tackles and made 1.6 interceptions per 90 this season, with such numbers showcasing his dominant ball-winning presence that Dembélé possessed.

Games played

15

Goals & assists

1

Pass accuracy

88%

Shots taken

1.4

Progressive carries

2.7

Progressive passes

3.9

Tackles made

2.5

Interceptions made

1.6

Carries into opposition box

0.9

He’s also made 0.9 carries into the opposition box as part of his 2.7 progressive carries per 90, another component of his game that the Belgian demonstrated in North London.

However, his ability in possession has also caught the eye, with England U21 manager Lee Carsley previously stating that the midfielder is just “like Lampard”.

Gallagher has completed 88% of the passes he’s attempted to date, with 3.9 of which per 90 going into the final third – something which Lampard became known for with the Blues.

His crashing nature also handed the Spurs fans numerous moments of anguish, something which the Atletico star has demonstrated with his tally of one goal and 1.4 shots per 90.

£52m may appear to be a huge investment in the former Blues star, but his all-round stats in Spain’s top-flight this season showcase his elite-level output at both ends.

Should he merge the levels achieved by Dembélé and Lampard in the Premier League, it would be a stellar signing and one that can take Frank’s side to the next level.

Saved by Romero: Frank must bin Spurs flop who had fewer touches than Vicario

Tottenham Hotspur were fortunate to walk away with a point against Newcastle United last night.

2 ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

West Ham have been handed an injury update on Crysencio Summervile after the winger missed their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last weekend.

The Hammers have rediscovered hope in their battle against relegation after an impressive three-game unbeaten streak that has breathed new life into their campaign under new manager Nuno Espírito Santo.

West Ham United’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Liverpool (h)

November 30th

Manchester United (a)

December 4th

Brighton & Hove Albion (a)

December 7th

Aston Villa (h)

December 14th

Manchester City (a)

December 20th

The turnaround began with a crucial 3-1 home win over Newcastle at the start of November, ending a dismal 248-day wait for a London Stadium victory. Lucas Paqueta’s strike and Sven Botman’s own goal overturned Jacob Murphy’s early opener before Tomas Soucek sealed the points in stoppage time.

The victory was significant not just for the three points but for demonstrating resilience after falling behind early, a scenario that had previously prompted capitulations against Chelsea, Tottenham and Brentford.

Six days later, West Ham delivered another comeback against Burnley, grinding out a vital 3-2 victory. After Zian Flemming’s header put the visitors ahead, Callum Wilson equalised before halftime with his eighth career goal against Burnley. Soucek then produced another crucial intervention, bundling home with thirteen minutes remaining before Kyle Walker-Peters wrapped up all three points just minutes from full-time.

The momentum continued at Bournemouth, where Wilson tormented his former club with two excellent first-half goals. Although Nuno’s side surrendered their two-goal advantage through Marcus Tavernier’s penalty and Enes Unal’s late equaliser, the 2-2 draw extended their unbeaten run to three matches.

West Ham have now got eleven points from their last twelve games, climbing out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Striker could join West Ham for £30m after giving Bayern Munich and Man City nightmares

He’s emerged as one of their arguable best options.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 26, 2025

Nuno has brought defensive organisation and tactical discipline that was absent under his predecessor Graham Potter. Wilson’s form has been crucial too. Despite initially not being fancied by West Ham’s boss (ExWHUemployee), the summer signing has now bagged four goals in his last three matches.

Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman have improved recently as well, among others, with vice-chair Karren Brady’s decision to push for Nuno’s appointment now paying dividends.

Nuno is on record suggesting that Summerville will be a crucial player for West Ham, and the winger had started every Premier League game for West Ham’s new boss before last weekend’s draw.

ExWHUemployee shares Summerville injury update out of West Ham

Nuno will be keen to have him back to face Liverpool this weekend, and the consensus is that may well be likely.

However, ExWHUemployee has shared an update erring on the side of caution.

Writing via his Patreon, Ex claims that, while Summerville’s injury is perceived as minor, an eight-word message from one of his sources suggests that there is a degree of uncertainty.

If Summerville isn’t fit enough to take part against Liverpool, Nuno will likely call upon Brazilian talent Luis Guilherme, as he did against Bournemouth last Saturday.

Albert Pujols is ready to chase another title.

According to multiple reports on Friday, Pujols is set to return to the World Baseball Classic in 2026 as a member of the Dominican Republic squad—this time as the team’s manager.

Pujols should slot nicely into the role, as he is fresh off of his first championship as a manager, leading Leones del Escogido to a title in the Dominican League earlier this year.

The Dominican Republic won the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but have come away with disappointing results in the past two playings of the tournament, going 2–2 in the group stage in 2023 and failing to reach the knockout round.

وافق الاتحاد الأيرلندي لكرة القدم على قرار بتقديم اقتراح رسمي الاتحاد الأوروبي “يويفا” لكرة القدم لحثه على حظر مشاركة الكيان الصهيوني في المسابقات الأوروبية للأندية والدولية.

ونشرت صحيفة “الجارديان” البريطانية أن قرار الهيئة الإدارة الذي اقترحه أحد الأندية قد أشار لانتهاكات من جانب الاتحاد الصهيوني لكرة القدم لاثنين من بنود لوائح الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم.

ويعد هذين البندين هما عدم تطبيق سياسة فعالة لمكافحة العنصرية وكذلك لعب الأندية في الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة دون موافقة الاتحاد الفلسطيني لكرة القدم.

أقرأ أيضاً.. بول ميرسون يتوقع نتيجة مباراة مانشستر سيتي وليفربول ويصرّح: سلوت يحتاج إلى لاعب معين

وأفاد الاتحاد الأيرلندي في بيان أن القرار حصل على مجموع 74 صوتًا مقابل معارضة سبعة أصوات فقط وامتنع صوتين فقط عن التصويت، ولم يعلق الاتحاد الأوروبي على التصويت بعد.

وكان الاتحاد الأوروبي قد علق خططه لحظر مشاركة الكيان الصهيوني في كرة القدم الأوروبية في نهاية سبتمبر الماضي بعد إقرار خطة السلام التي اقترحها دونالد ترامب رئيس الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

ولم يؤكد الاتحاد الأوروبي بعد إذا كان سيقوم بدراسة عقد اجتماع استثنائي للجنة التنفيذية للتصويت على هذه القضية، ولكن يعتقد بأن الخطط المتعلقة بالمقترح مدروسة بشكل جيد ومن المتوقع أن يتم عقد أي اجتماع قبل موعده المحدد.

Daniele De Rossi has been officially appointed as Genoa’s new head coach, replacing Patrick Vieira after the club’s difficult start to the Serie A campaign. However, the Roma and Italy legend will not be on the bench for his first match against Fiorentina. A suspension from his final game in charge of Roma, ironically also against Genoa, still needs to be served, meaning his return begins from the stands.

• De Rossi appointed to lead Genoa revival

  Genoa have confirmed the appointment of De Rossi as their new head coach following the dismissal of Vieira after a winless opening run. The Frenchman’s tenure produced three draws and six defeats, leaving the club rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table. Domenico Criscito and Roberto Murgita oversaw the team’s 2-1 win away to Sassuolo at the weekend, which lifted Genoa to 18th place, level on points with 17th-placed Pisa. But Genoa’s board moved quickly to secure a long-term managerial solution, turning to the former Roma captain for a new direction.

  De Rossi has already arrived at the Signorini Sports Centre and has taken his first session with the squad, and he is expected to be presented officially in a joint press conference alongside Chief of Football Diego Lopez, where he will outline his plans to stabilise the club and rebuild confidence. The announcement statement read: "Genoa CFC announces that Daniele De Rossi has been appointed head coach of the first team. The new coach has already met with the players and will lead the afternoon training session scheduled at the Signorini Sports Center.”

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• Touchline ban from Roma days carries over

  Despite being officially unveiled and immediately beginning work, De Rossi will not be physically present on the bench for Genoa’s upcoming match against Fiorentina. The reason traces back to his final match in charge of Roma in September 2024, a 1-1 draw against Genoa at the Ferraris. During that match, De Rossi was sent off for protesting against refereeing decisions and subsequently received a suspension.

  Since he was dismissed shortly afterwards and had not taken up another coaching role until now, that suspension was never served. Regulations require him to complete the ban in his next official match as a head coach, which happens to be this weekend. The irony of missing his debut due to an incident that occurred at the same stadium and against the same opponent only deepens the narrative of his return.

  De Rossi will still prepare the team, lead training and select the match squad, but assistant staff will handle in-game touchline duties.

• New chapter begins following turbulent end at Roma

  De Rossi’s appointment marks the start of his second major coaching role. After replacing Jose Mourinho early in 2024, he guided Roma to sixth place and reached the Europa League semi-finals, achievements that initially earned him a contract renewal until 2027. However, a poor start to the 2024-25 season led to his dismissal just months later. That final 1-1 draw at Genoa symbolised the end of his tenure, and now becomes the context of his new beginning.

  De Rossi’s managerial career mirrors his identity as a player, emotional, determined, and deeply tied to the fabric of Italian football. Genoa provides him an opportunity to rebuild his reputation at a club with proud tradition but immediate survival priorities.

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  Fiorentina clash opens his new era

  Genoa’s next match, at home against Fiorentina, will serve as De Rossi’s touchline debut in spirit if not in presence. Fiorentina themselves are in turmoil, having recently dismissed Stefano Pioli after a winless start of their own. Both clubs find themselves desperate for stability as they attempt to climb away from the relegation zone.

  Genoa will expect De Rossi to bring structure and identity to a squad that has lacked both, and his experience with Roma in stabilising a troubled dressing room could prove decisive as the team heads into a critical run of fixtures. Beyond survival, the club hopes his long-term leadership will spark steady progress. The official restart is underway, even if the first match begins from the stands.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s natural leadership qualities face a significant test as he attempts to revive Bangladesh’s flagging ODI fortunes. The new captain takes over just as his team has sunk to its lowest ICC ranking in 19 years.Mehidy’s first assignment will be in Sri Lanka where Bangladesh play their hosts in three ODIs from July 8. He has said that he is targeting a series win in a country where Bangladesh has won just four out of 36 ODIs. Bangladesh will be playing 50-over cricket for the first time since the Champions Trophy in February this year, where they made a swift exit after defeats to India and New Zealand.”We want to win our first ODI series in Sri Lanka,” Mehidy said at the pre-departure press conference on Friday. “The first match is very important as we haven’t been playing a lot of ODI cricket lately. We didn’t play many last year. It is going to be challenging as we used to playing 15-20 every year usually.”Related

• Litton recalled as Bangladesh ring in the changes for Sri Lanka ODI series

• Shanto banks on Bangladesh's away form, squad flexibility for fresh WTC campaign

• Mehidy Hasan Miraz appointed Bangladesh's ODI captain for next 12 months

Mehidy has previous experience of leading Bangladesh in the 3-0 ODI series defeat against West Indies in December, where he was deputising for Najmul Hossain Shanto, whom he has replaced this time permanently.”I made my captaincy debut in a different circumstance. I was the vice-captain so I had to step up as Shanto got injured. It is difficult to captain the side in that situation. It was Shanto’s set-up. I just had to run the field. I gathered experience in those four ODIs but captaincy is better on a long-term basis. I will try to get the team to a good position in 12 months.”Bangladesh are scheduled to play 23 ODIs during this period. Mehidy has been one of their standout performers, with his batting improvements highlighted since the 2023 World Cup. He has also been a steady operator with his offspin, but beyond those tangible details. Bangladesh are looking to his strong temperament to tide them through this tough time. His track record in leadership positions and his ability to fight back from adversity are good signs.Mehidy led particularly well at the age-group level. He is the most experienced Under-19 captain of all time, with a win percentage of 62.5 in Youth ODIs. Mehidy led Bangladesh to their first appearance in the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup in 2016, also winning the Player-of-the-Tournament award.He went from cricket for boys to men in the same year, taking 19 wickets in his debut Test series against England. Mehidy settled into the senior team quickly and gained a reputation as a fast learner and an avid listener.”I have learned a lot from my captains in the past,” he said. “I will use that knowledge as the ODI captain. I have always followed how they took their decisions strongly. A captain has to take strong decisions in tough situations. You might not get a second chance. How you take the decision, is an important thing.”I will help the younger players just like our senior players used to help us when we were starting our careers. It is now time for us to take the responsibility. I have gained a lot of experience playing for eight or nine years. Those in the dressing room must not feel he is alone, he should feel that I have others with me.”Mehidy: Those in the dressing room must not feel he is alone, he should feel that I have others with me•Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Mehidy already has a high point as Bangladesh captain – a stirring Test match win over West Indies in Jamaica last November. Many of his team members were down with flu and others were battling poor form but they all rallied together to draw the series 1-1.Mehidy was battered by bouncers and verbals in both Tests, but he fought hard against West Indies’ fast bowlers. It was a short stint but it gave a window into Mehidy’s style of leadership.”The captain is responsible for the team result but he also has to perform himself,” he said. “We are giving priority to the team result. We want to play together, and take Bangladesh to a better stage. We used to be a very good team, and I hope we can go back there again.”Mehidy has been a successful top- and middle-order inclusion in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, but he is open to a change if it suits the team better.”Runs from the top-order batters makes life easier for the middle and lower order. I want my top-order batters to do well in ODIs. It doesn’t matter whether I get to bat or not, the team must win regardless. I got three fifties batting at No 4. I think there are scoring opportunities if I bat up the order. My bowling is very important so if I bat too high up the order it might affect my bowling. I want to bat in a position that benefits the team and me.”Mehidy’s first real test, however, is off the field. His appointment was reportedly handled clumsily by the BCB, hours after Shanto told a press conference that he was waiting to hear from the board about the ODI captaincy. Mehidy and Shanto go back a long way, so it will be up to the pair to communicate clearly about the way forward.”Shanto and I have been playing together since our Under-15s,” Mehidy said. “We spoke about taking Bangladesh forward, it doesn’t matter who is the captain. I don’t think it will have an effect in the dressing room. We are all playing for the country. These things won’t bother Shanto and me. I helped him a lot during his captaincy. He will do the same. He will help me.”Shanto could feel hard done by, as he was averaging 51.27, including a century and four fifties, as the ODI captain. Bangladesh, however, won just four out of 13 games. Shakib Al Hasan, who was captain just before Shanto, also won just four out of 12 games.Mehidy has said that he appreciates the board appointing him for an extended period – 12 months – but whether he will continue till the 2027 World Cup is a different matter. “Longer term captaincy is always ideal, but I think it is up to the board (whether the captaincy goes on till the 2027 World Cup). The thinking is to get the team out of the current struggle. We have a number of ODIs in the next 12 months. Two senior players [Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim] retired from ODIs recently so those who will get the opportunity, have to get settled in the next 12 months.Bangladesh’s ODI performance has been its only saving grace in international cricket for the last 15 years. The steady captaincy in this format, for the better part of the last 11 years under Mashrafe Mortaza and Tamim Iqbal has had a positive effect on the ODI performances. They have now landed on their third captain in two years. A natural leader, Mehidy will be expected to bring back some consistency into the role.