Category Uncategorized

Virat Kohli opens up about going three years without a Test century, and how he prepares to bat in a variety of conditions

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Mar-2023

It took a while, but Virat Kohli celebrated Test century no. 28 in Ahmedabad•Getty Images

Rahul Dravid: I have seen this young man [Kohli] score plenty of hundreds, seen him as a player when I was playing, seen a lot of hundreds of his on television, but I have taken over as coach about 15-16 months ago and was a bit desperate to actually to see him score a Test hundred and really enjoy it from the comfort of the dressing room … And it was a beauty. You made me wait a long time, but it was an absolute privilege and a pleasure to watch that innings and the way you constructed it. So really well played.Related

'Things we love to see' – Kohli ends hundred drought in Tests

The Virat Kohli century that was a trip back in time

How do India approach the WTC final without Bumrah?

India, Australia brace for unknowns at WTC final

Dravid: We were in the field for two days and the wicket got a little bit more challenging as the day went on. They tested your patience, they challenged you skill-wise, and mentally as well. What is the mindset? How did you go about doing that?
Virat Kohli: Thanks for your kind words, Rahul . As far as approaching this innings was concerned, I knew that I was playing well even in the Test matches before we played this one (Ahmedabad). To be fair it was a really good wicked to bat on, but having said that, the Australians, whatever little help was there in the wicket, they utilised it really well. Their consistency to bowl in the little rough that was created through Mitchell Starc bowling for Nathan Lyon and the other off spinner (Todd Murphy) as well. They capitalised on it really well: the fact that they put a 7-2 field most of the time for me meant that I had to be patient. I had to trust my defence. And that’s the template I’ve always played with in Test cricket: my defence is my strongest point. Because when I defend well then I know that when the ball is loose and it’s there to hit, I can cash in and get the runs that I need. The boundaries were not easy to come by, the outfield was slow, the ball was soft, and they were pretty consistent.The one thing that really calmed me down was: I’m happy to just run ones and twos and score a hundred. I can bat four sessions. I can bat five sessions here. I go into the field relaxed because I know I can bat in many ways. I’m not desperate if I play three sessions and I feel like I’m breaking down here and I need to get fast runs, otherwise I won’t be able to stay out there for long.So for people who must have seen it, or, we have watched you guys back so many times in the past as well, the one thing that stood out was, batting fitness, which was to be able to bat five sessions, six sessions. For that you need to physically prepare yourself. I’m pretty happy scoring 30 runs in a session and not hit a boundary and absolutely not be desperate because I know that boundaries will come, but even if I have to play like this, I can bat six sessions and get 150. I have no issues doing that. So the preparation paid off. It’s not something that you can do for two months or three months. I’ve been doing it for seven, eight years non-stop every day of my life. So when I’m in these situations that naturally comes to the surface and it really helps me in challenging conditions.Virat Kohli: “The fact that they put a 7-2 field most of the time for me meant that I had to be patient. I had to trust my defence”•Getty Images

Dravid: Sometimes as a coach, there’s frustration (hearing a player say) – “oh, this is the only way I know how to play … You mentioned a line there that ‘I feel confident when I go in because I know I can bat in different ways.’ Maybe just elaborate on that a little bit and talk to us on some of the preparation of playing on a turner. You have got a hundred in Perth, you have got a hundred in English conditions. Can you always play the same way all the time?
Kohli: No, I don’t think you can play in the same way all the time. You need to adjust according to the conditions that are in front of you. This is one of the main reasons why I have been able to play all formats of the game for so long. The adaptability comes from knowing that physically I can do things in many different ways. Mentally, I can prepare to play a certain way or play in another way, but if my body won’t support it, then I’ll be found out. An example would be, even in this Test match, I would back myself to run six doubles an over for a span of six, seven overs if the scoring rate needs to be upped; it’s not necessarily that I look to clear deep midwicket, and that is my only option because that brings in the risk as well.So that’s why I have been able to bat in different situations and bat differently in different conditions because I was able to take ones and twos and I could do the power-hitting as well. For that you need to have all-round fitness, and that is something that you need to work on every day. You might have a great phase where you feel great, but then if the conditions are challenging and the run-scoring is not ideal, I wouldn’t want to play a bad shot and get out when the team needs me. So I always felt like, how can I prepare better. How can I find more ways to help my team win the game, but in a way that the situation demands me to, not in a way that I prefer to do it this way.Dravid: That’s exactly, for me, the essence of what a team player is: playing to the situation of the team and developing the skills, knowing that the team will be put in different situations and challenging yourself. I mean, we are talking to someone who’s one of the best six-hitters, he could’ve stepped out and hit a six anytime he wanted, but realised what the team needed and played according to that situation. That’s really for me is a sign of an absolute champion cricketer.Virat Kohli: “I’m just happy that it happened at the right time before the World Test Championship finals. I’ll definitely be going there very relaxed and a very excited man”•BCCI

You are someone who takes a lot of pride in your performances, who’s had that habit of scoring hundreds so regularly. I know that a lot of this period there has been Covid, there’s not been a lot of Test matches, but has it been hard? Has it been tough not scoring a hundred … ?
Kohli: I have let the complications grow on me a little bit because of my own shortcomings. The desperation to get that three-figure mark is something that can grow on you as a batsman and we have all experienced that at some stage or the other. I let that happen to me to a certain extent, but also the flip side to it is – I’m not a guy who’s happy with 40 and 45. I have always been someone who takes a lot of pride in performing for the team. It’s not like Virat Kohli should stand out. When I’m batting on 40, I know I can get a 150 here and that will help my team. So that was eating me up a lot – why am I not able to get that big score for the team? Because I always took pride in the fact that when the team needed me, I would step up and perform in different conditions in difficult situations. The fact that I wasn’t able to do that was bothering me.Not so much the milestones as such, because I never played for milestones. A lot of people ask me this question, how do you keep scoring hundreds? And I have always told them, a hundred is something that happens along the way within my goal, which is to bat as long as possible for the team and get as many runs as possible for the team. But, yeah, if I have to be brutally honest, it does become a little complicated and difficult because the moment you step out of the hotel room, right from the guy outside the room to the guy at the lift, to bus driver, whoever is saying: we want a hundred.So it does play on your mind all the time, but that’s the beauty of playing for so long as well – to have these complications come up and to overcome these small little challenges. And then when it comes together nicely, like it did in this game, then that gives you an extra gust of air to go beyond, go further and start enjoying the cricket a lot more and be more excited for what’s to come. I’m just happy that it happened at the right time before the World Test Championship finals. I’ll definitely be going there very relaxed and a very excited man.Dravid: Thanks Virat, thanks for your honesty. That’s really a great lesson for a lot of young kids as well to know that even great, champion players at times can feel a certain amount of pressure. The pressure of expectations is because of your own performance.

Setting their sights on defensive additions, PIF are reportedly considering a summer swoop to sign a former Serie A centre-back who could return to European football courtesy of Newcastle United this summer.

Newcastle transfer news

Finally in position to welcome reinforcements, PIF are set for an important summer at St James’ Park. First and foremost, keeping hold of Alexander Isak should be their biggest priority. The Swedish striker has been one of the Premier League’s most clinical players throughout the current campaign and looks like a player destined for the very top.

Amid interest from both Liverpool and Arsenal, the Magpies face quite the battle to keep hold of their star man, but also look set to focus on reinforcements of their own.

According to TVPlay (as relayed by Sport Witness), PIF are now considering a move to sign Kalidou Koulibaly, using their Saudi Arabia links to their advantage to welcome the defender back to European football from Al-Hilal.

Related Signed by Howe: Newcastle hit gold on "fearless" ace worth more than Tonali

He’s got the potential to become a Premier League superstar in the years to come.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Feb 21, 2025

However, the deal won’t come cheap, given that the former Napoli defender reportedly earns as much as £553,000 a week in Saudi Arabia. Whether the Magpies match that salary remains to be seen, but they could certainly do with another centre-back.

At 33 years old, Koulibaly would add instant experience alongside the likes of Fabian Schar and Sven Botman, which would prove particularly key if Newcastle qualified for the Champions League this season.

With money to spend, Newcastle should finally be among those to watch this summer.

"Strong" Koulibaly has vital experience

Whilst there will be concerns over Koulibaly’s salary and his ability to step back into Europe’s top league for the first time since leaving Chelsea, his experience is undeniable. In the Champions League, Premier League and Serie A, it wasn’t often that the 33-year-old failed to impress. Now, it’s Newcastle who could take full advantage.

Earning plenty of praise from Thomas Tuchel during his time at Chelsea, the former Blues boss told reporters after his first start for the club: “He is a very, very good signing. A strong personality, a strong player. I am happy that he could play 70 minutes now. He’s getting fitter and fitter which is very important for us for the start of the season.”

What would help those at St James’ Park is the clear link between PIF and Saudi Arabia. If Newcastle have the finances available, then a deal to sign Koulibaly, on paper, should be fairly simple.

That said, it remains to be seen whether they’ll look past his age and salary as they aim to add depth to their backline.

Pat Cummins will captain his first one-day series against England while Australia’s Test squad remains stable

Andrew McGlashan08-Nov-2022Travis Head has returned to Australia’s ODI squad for the series against England and Marcus Harris has been included as the spare batter for the Test matches against West Indies.Following the early exit from the T20 World Cup, a full-strength squad has been named for the three games against England in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne which will be Pat Cummins’ first series as ODI captain.Head fills the vacancy created by Aaron Finch’s one-day retirement having been unavailable for selection for the early-season series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand due to paternity leave. He has had an excellent 2022 in ODIs with 310 runs at 62 and a strike-rate of 112.72 when he faced Pakistan in Sri Lanka.In the Pakistan series, where he made 101 and 89 in consecutive matches, Head played in place of David Warner but now will open alongside him.Related

'All the skills are there' – Ashton Agar eyes Test recall for India tour

Ashton Agar and Todd Murphy named in PM's XI with India tour in mind

Hayden: 'Australian team has some thinking to do' after T20 World Cup exit

How Starc's lack of IPL cricket has left him off the pace

Australia's hometown exit: a campaign that started badly and never got going

“Our focus is to continue to build a squad with an eye to next year’s World Cup under Pat as the new ODI captain, so it’s an important series,” national selector George Bailey said.”Travis Head…has demonstrated flexibility in the types of roles he can play in our ODI line-up. Our next opportunity in the ODI format will be in India next year which will allow us to experience similar conditions as for the World Cup in October.”Sean Abbott misses out from earlier in the season despite a couple of impressive performances against New Zealand as does Josh Inglis. The multi-format quicks have all been included, along with Cameron Green, and they will then back up into the Test summer which begins in Perth on November 30.The squad for the two matches against West Indies is very stable with perhaps the only talking point the retention of Harris. After losing his place during the Ashes when Usman Khawaja’s prolific form led to a reshuffle of the order, Harris was the reserve batter in Pakistan then part of the Australia A squad in Sri Lanka either side of playing county cricket for Gloucestershire where he made 726 runs at 42.70.He has made a solid start to the domestic season with 287 runs in three Sheffield Shield matches although it is Victoria team-mate Peter Handscomb who is well ahead at the top with 518 runs.Scott Boland, who has not yet been able to add to his three Ashes Tests where he took 18 wickets at 9.55, is the extra quick in the squad behind Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. None of that trio will play Shield cricket before the Tests, but that is a preparation that Australia have become comfortable with in recent seasons. Green’s inclusion in the ODI squad means he is unlikely to feature in any Shield cricket this year with the India Test tour due to start in early February.Australia ODI squad vs England Pat Cummins (capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam ZampaAustralia Test squad vs West Indies Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner

Following a hectic January transfer window, in which Jhon Duran left for Al-Nassr in a big-money move, Aston Villa are now reportedly in the race to sign a key replacement for the forward this summer.

Aston Villa transfer news

Whilst Duran’s exit certainly opened the floodgates for further arrivals to come flying in at Villa Park, the Midlands club ultimately ended the window without signing a replacement. Instead, they seemed to focus on the surrounding areas – strengthening on the flank through Donyell Malen and Marcus Rashford, before replacing Diego Carlos with Chelsea’s Axel Disasi.

Speaking to the club website after putting pen to paper, late arrival Disasi said: “My happiness to play, my desire to play and to win. I’m still young, but I have experience, so I want to bring this.

“I’m just a guy that loves to give everything for the team, and it’s this that I want to bring. I hope we will succeed. I would say I like to be aggressive, I like to be dominant. I like to play with the ball also from the back, and I can score some goals. I am very happy to be here.”

Revealed: Why Aston Villa missed out on £365k-p/w trio before Disasi loan

It was a busy and hectic winter window at Villa Park as they tried for several new signings.

ByBen Browning Feb 4, 2025

After such a busy window, the Villans are still not done there it seems. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Aston Villa could now take advantage of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s contract doubts to land their Duran replacement.

The Crystal Palace striker is reportedly deliberating over a new deal with his current contract coming to an end in the summer 2026. Leaving the door ajar, Villa could come swooping in and sign the added firepower they may need ahead of other interested parties such as Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.

"Strong" Mateta is ready for step up

As Aston Villa eye Champions League qualification for the second year in a row, they could welcome a striker who is more than ready to step up to that European level following two standout campaigns at Selhurst Park. Even as Ollie Watkins’ deputy too, Duran proved that there’s still space in the spotlight for another striker to shine.

Minutes

1,862

638

Goals

10

7

Assists

1

0

Expected Goals

8.2

4.9

Outperforming his expected goals by two and hitting double figures this season, it’s no surprise that Mateta has found himself at the centre of Paul Merson’s praise.

The former Arsenal midfielder and now Sky Sports pundit said, as relayed by The Metro: “He’s a strong lad up front, playing at the top of his game, he leads the line, scoring goals now. He runs and works his socks off harder than anyone you know.”

With his Crystal Palace future still in question, Mateta looks set to have quite the decision to make in South London when the summer arrives and Aston Villa alongside others come calling for his signature.

In the grand scheme of things, Arsenal have enjoyed a rapid rise back up the footballing ladder in recent years.

Mikel Arteta has taken the North Londoners from mid-table mediocrity to genuine challengers in the Premier League and Champions League.

However, this season has felt like something of a step back, and following their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the League Cup during the week, it looks like they could end the campaign without a trophy yet again.

There were disappointing performances across the pitch on Wednesday, including from Leandro Trossard, who received a more than justified 5/10 match rating from the Standard’s Simon Collings.

The Belgian has been underwhelming for the whole campaign this season, so recent reports linking the club with an exciting winger who could replace him should not be a massive surprise.

Arsenal chase Trossard replacement

According to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal are one of several teams very interested in Deportivo La Coruña’s star winger, Yeremay Hernandez.

Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that fellow Premier League sides Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United are all keen on the young Spaniard and already have scouts watching him closely.

While the level of competition could prove a barrier to signing him, his price probably won’t, as another report out of Spain earlier this week revealed that the Galician outfit have set a €20m release clause in his contract, which converts to about £17m.

It could be a difficult transfer to get over the line, but given Hernandez’s performances this season, the potential some believe him to have, and Arsenal’s dire need for attacking reinforcements, it’s worth pursuing, even if it could spell trouble for Trossard.

How Hernandez compares to Trossard

So, it’s no secret that after his brilliant return of 17 goals and two assists in 46 appearances last season, Trossard has been seriously disappointing this year.

As things stand, the Belgian international has scored just four goals and provided three assists in 28 games, meaning he went from averaging a goal involvement every 2.42 games last year to averaging one every four games this year.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion ace cannot blame dwindling output on lousy luck either, as his underlying numbers have also significantly worsened.

Trossard’s poor form
Season	23/24	24/25
Appearances	46	28
Goals	17	4
Assists	2	3
Goal Involvements per Match	0.41	0.25
All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, according to FBref, he was in the top 3% of attacking midfielders or wingers for non-penalty expected goals in the Premier League last season, whereas this year, he sits in the top 36% for the same metric.

In short, the 30-year-old international appears to be rapidly losing his edge, which is where the exciting Hernandez could come in.

Now, the 22-year-old has not experienced top-flight football before, so there is an element of risk in signing him, but he has been electric this season.

For example, in just 17 appearances, the “excellent” prospect, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored seven goals and provided three assists, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.70 games.

Moreover, his underlying numbers are utterly phenomenal.

According to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of midfielders in the next best 14 competitions for actual and expected non-penalty goals, total shots, progressive carries, successful take-ons, touches in the opposition’s penalty area and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, Trossard’s days of being a compelling option on the wing for Arsenal look numbered, and while there is an element of risk in signing Hernandez, his raw output and underlying numbers are so good it’s a risk worth taking.

Arsenal chase £42m "box-crashing" titan who could already replace Merino

The Premier League veteran would be an excellent signing for Arsenal.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 10, 2025

Bayern Munich are worried they will miss out on a financial boost as Tottenham will decide against signing Mathys Tel permanently.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Tel joined Spurs on loan in winter window
• Has struggled to make an impact
• Tottenham not expected to take up purchase option

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tel arrived at Tottenham at the end of the winter transfer window and was handed the No. 11 shirt. Tottenham have the option to sign Tel permanently for a fee of €50m (£43m)but do not look like taking it up as the striker is effectively fifth choice now in north London, according to . The striker is described as having been "anything but good" during his time with Spurs and the fear is he's turned into a flop.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Tel has managed just two goals for Spurs this season. He's netted against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and Southampton in the Premier League but has struggled to impress for Ange Postecoglou's side. If Tottenham do not sign Tel it will be a blow for Bayern, as the club had reportedly been planning on using the funds to help reinvest in the squad which may subsequently affect their summer transfer plans.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Tel was wanted by Tottenham's Europa League quarter-final opponents Eintracht Frankfurt last summer. Manager Dino Toppmoller told Sky Sport Germany: “Mathys was a topic during several transfer windows, of course because I know him and there’s simply a connection. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the way we had hoped. I’m happy for him that he’s now found a club he’s chosen for himself. Let’s see how long he stays there – I believe it’s just a loan. We’ll see.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR TEL

  Tel will come up against Frankfurt in the second leg of the Europa League tie on Thursday in Germany. Before then, Spurs face a trip to Molineux to take on Wolves on Sunday in the Premier League.

Wrexham are eyeing the January signing of a player who Jamie Carragher has described as “brilliant”, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

Wrexham looking strong in promotion push

Phil Parkinson’s side continue to impress back in League One, with some wondering if they would find it hard being in the third tier of English football back in August.

Instead, Wrexham have taken to the league like a duck to water, sitting third in the table behind Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers, with the trio looking like front-runners to seal promotion to the Championship.

The Welsh outfit could be looking to conduct some important business during the January transfer window, in order to give Parkinson’s men an even better chance of sealing promotion once again.

Ethan Wheatley has emerged as a rumoured target for Wrexham, even being seen as a player who could bring similar qualities to Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres. The 18-year-old Manchester United ace has been touted as a loan option, providing extra firepower in the final third.

Wrexham keen on signing "brilliant" ace in January

Speaking to The Wrexham Insider, Bailey talked up the idea of Wrexham signing Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt in January, possibly instead of Patrick Bamford:

“Patrick Bamford is an interesting name, but from what I am told Leeds are not in a huge hurry to lose anyone this January, it is all about promotion for them. And whilst Wrexham have a big budget, I don’t see how they could afford Bamford who is still on a Premier League contract.

“I do expect Wrexham to do something and I am actually told they could raid Leeds for another player, as they like Joe Gelhardt, although they are not alone and it would not easy to land him either. But I understand Wrexham have been offered a host of names and are confident of getting the right man.”

Gelhardt could be such an exciting addition for Wrexham midway through the season, with Carragher calling him “brilliant” in the past, seeing him as a gifted young player.

Meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp has also spoken of his admiration for the Englishman in the past, saying: “You see him on the pitch, he made a real difference. I like him, he’s really exciting. He’s fast, he’s aggressive, he gets on the ball, takes people on. Once he gets into the box he loves it and where he can cause most of his damage.”

Admittedly, Gelhardt’s time at Leeds has petered out a little, with Daniel Farke struggling to make him a key man and only nine minutes of Championship action coming his way this season.

Wrexham in League One: Latest standings, fixtures, results & key dates

FFC has all the latest Wrexham info as they seek promotion from League One, along with a look at the Red Dragons’ journey to where they are today.

By
Stephan Georgiou

Oct 8, 2024

He is still only 22 years of age, however, and could simply be desperate for a fresh challenge to prove himself. He would, therefore, be an eye-catching addition for Wrexham, who could even eye a permanent move at the end of the season if he impresses.

Ed Sheeran, who is a minority stakeholder at Ipswich, has blamed his awkward stand-off with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on "10 pints".

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Pop star owns a stake in the Tractor BoysBoasts his own box at Portman RoadInterrupted Portuguese coach's interviewFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Singer-songwriter Sheeran owns 1.4 per cent of the Tractor Boys, having grown up supporting the club after seeing his family relocate to Suffolk. He is the front of shirt sponsor on Ipswich’s kit and has been treated to his own VIP suite at Portman Road.

AdvertisementGetty Images/GOALTHE GOSSIP

Sheeran likes to make the most of that hospitality when attending Premier League games. He can, however, take things too far occasionally – such as when he drunkenly interrupted Sky Sports’ post-match discussion with Amorim following a 1-1 draw at Ipswich in the Portuguese coach’s first game as United boss.

WHAT ED SHEERAN SAID

Discussing that incident on the podcast, Sheeran said of why his alcohol-filled executive box was to blame: "I had it gutted and turned into a pub, you don't need to go for pre-drinks anywhere else. And it's definitely got me in trouble sometimes.

"Like that United game where I didn't realise Amorim was getting interviewed. I honestly didn't. Jamie [Redknapp] said come and see me afterwards and I was wandering out afterwards. I'd had about 10 pints, saw Jamie, so I was like ‘Oh, I'll go up and say hi to Jamie’. It was the wrong time – very clearly the wrong time – but I have learned my lesson and it won't happen again."

Getty/IpswichDID YOU KNOW?

Sheeran has also urged supporters to come up with better songs when poking fun at him during top-flight fixtures. The Brit Award winner added: "The chants haven't been funny enough. I need better chants when we go away. I see so much thought and preparation go into some of the rude chants, and I just feel like I haven’t got the humour.

"We were at Wolves and there was a chant saying ‘Ed Sheeran’s a c***’, and I was like ‘at least have a bit of imagination’. You go to Spurs and they’re singing ‘gimme, gimme, gimme a ginger from Sweden’ (to the tune of Abba’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! for their midfielder Dejan Kulusevski), and you’re like, someone has put some thought into that, someone has really taken their time, I want that.

"I want someone in the home fans’ pub beforehand being like, ‘lads, we’ve got it, we’ve got something to rip Sheeran apart and it’s this’. I want time spent on it."

Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann has matched Lionel Messi as the foreign player with the most appearances in La Liga after making his 520th outing.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Griezmann made 520th La Liga appearanceMatches Messi recordFaced former club Barca in crucial clashFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Griezmann is a legend of La Liga and is soon to stand at the top of the appearance charts when it comes to non-Spanish players in the division. After being named in the starting XI for the crucial league match against Barcelona, he made his 520th outing in the top flight, matching the iconic Messi.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Frenchman starred alongside Messi at Barca between 2019 and 2022, but has played his best football at Atletico, where he hopes to win his maiden La Liga title under Diego Simeone. He is already a Europa League, Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup winner with Los Colchoneros, and has hit 197 goals across his two spells for the Madrid-based club.

DID YOU KNOW?

At 33, Griezmann is still flying at the top level. In the 2024-25 campaign, the former Barcelona ace has bagged 16 goals and notched seven assists, and is on course to match his respective tallies from last term. However, Atletico's title hopes suffered a major blow on Sunday as they suffered a 4-2 defeat to Barca, despite taking a two-goal lead in the match.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR GRIEZMANN?

The World Cup winner has been linked with a move away from Spain at the end of the season. His contract runs until the summer of 2026, but there are strong rumours circulating about a potential move to the MLS, with Messi's Inter Miami among the clubs to have been linked with his services.

“Cricket shouldn’t be sabotaged because of the Taliban’s takeover of the country,” says former ACB official

Tristan Lavalette08-Apr-2022

Before the Taliban takeover, the ACB had announced central contracts for a pool of women cricketers•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Tumult in the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) appears to have quelled, but there remains uncertainty over women’s cricket as findings into a “complex” situation are set to be shared at the ICC board meeting on April 10.The swift return of the Taliban last year cast a pall over the fledgling women’s game in Afghanistan, exacerbated after public comments by ministers that women and girls would not be allowed to play sport.It led to calls for Afghanistan to be culled from the 2021 T20 World Cup and sparked debate over whether their Full Membership should be stripped. Cricket Australia postponed last November’s historic men’s Test with Afghanistan.But Afghanistan have continued playing international cricket and the ICC has preferred to wait until a working group tasked with investigating the situation provided its findings. Chaired by board veteran Imran Khwaja, the working group – which also includes Ross McCollum (Ireland chair), Ramiz Raja (Pakistan chair) and Lawson Naidoo (SA chair) – has liaised several times since its formation in November, interviewing past and present officials and closely monitoring developments at ACB.Related

Away in Canada, Roya Samim keeps a candle lit for women's cricket in Afghanistan

ICC quarterly meeting: Bilateral calendar, quadrangular T20 event proposal in focus

Afg women's cricket in danger after Taliban's reported opposition

Women's cricket 'in peril' even as game returns to Afghanistan

According to sources, in what is set to be its only recommendation to the ICC board, the working group has found 33-year-old Afghanistan allrounder Mirwais Ashraf’s appointment as chairman to be in compliance with the ACB and ICC constitutions. If accepted by the board then Ashraf will become an ICC board director.There was upheaval at the ACB in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover, with warring factions within the board trying to seize power for themselves. It culminated with Ashraf replacing Azizullah Fazli, who was in charge for just two months.”There needs to be stability within ACB,” a former ACB official who was interviewed by the working group, told ESPNcricinfo. “The chairman is meant to be in the role for three years. There needs to be clear directions (by the ICC) to the government that the constitution and procedures need to be met.”I told them (working group) that Afghanistan cricket shouldn’t be sabotaged because of the Taliban’s takeover of the country.”While there has been governance concerns and continual uncertainty over women’s cricket, revoking Afghanistan’s Full Membership was never really an option given their men’s team serves as a powerful symbol of hope and inspiration.”How can we punish the ACB for something they didn’t do?,” said an official with knowledge of the situation. “That’s out of the question. It’s not fair to pull the carpet out considering the progress they have made in developing Afghanistan cricket. If we start doing that then we have to banish half the (ICC) members.”Development and pathway structures for women’s cricket are part of strict criteria for Full Membership. When Afghanistan received it in 2017, an exemption was invoked on the proviso that they take active measures to develop women’s cricket. Before the Taliban takeover, the ACB had announced central contracts for a pool of women cricketers though they were still some way off fielding a team.After the Taliban’s takeover there were reports of female cricketers fleeing Afghanistan amid concern the regime would reinstate a ban on women and girls playing sport.”There is no way to know if women’s cricket is developing there right now,” an official familiar with the situation said. “The ACB is saying that women are still allowed to play. Indication is that the ACB is trying. Every country has an obligation to develop women’s cricket.””Women’s cricket was moving in the right direction prior to the situation changing,” McCollum told ESPNcricinfo. “The priority is to make sure their players are still available and can play. It’s a difficult situation. Afghanistan is complex.”In case complex becomes something a little more problematic, the working group contemplated the idea of controlled funding, where the ICC would make payments on behalf of the ACB (using Afghanistan’s share of the ICC’s money). It is a practice currently implemented due to the ACB having banking and foreign exchange issues since the Taliban seized power.”There is no impropriety at the moment and no reason to believe there would be danger of funds being sequestered,” an official said, with controlled funding not set to be part of the recommendations.The working group will convene a final time in Dubai to formalise its position before presenting to the ICC.