سيد عبد الحفيظ: ما فعله مدحت شلبي "نقص".. وهذه حقيقة الخلاف مع الخطيب

علق سيد عبد الحفيظ مدير الكرة الأسبق بالنادي الأهلي، على خلافه السابق مع محمود الخطيب رئيس القلعة الحمراء، موجهًا رسالة إلى مدحت شلبي بعد أزمة تصريحاته الأخيرة.

وقال سيد عبد الحفيظ في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “أنا في الحقيقة لم أخرج من الأهلي، الواحد ممكن يخرج من الأهلي لكن الأهلي عمره ما بيخرج منه، أنا من يوم الثلاثاء 19 يونيو سنة 89 دخلت الأهلي، وهو نموذج للمعاني في الحياة من شخصيات تعلمت منها”.

وبسؤاله لماذا لم تتحدث عن خلافك مع الخطيب بعد رحيلك قبل ذلك؟، أجاب: “أنا لا أنسى أفعال الخير التي تحدث معي، وأحاول دائمًا أشيل المعروف، قد يكون هناك خلاف مع ناس ويتم العتاب، والخلاف مع الخطيب لم يكن خلاف بالمعنى ولكن هي كانت رؤية”.

وتابع: “الخطيب هو من رشحني لشغل منصب مدير الكرة في الأهلي، وكنت أعمل منسقًا، وقال لي أنا أثق فيك ومتأكد أنك ستكون نموذج جيد وناجح، لذلك الجزء لا يمكن يغطي على الكل”.

كيف استطعت أن تصمت ولم تتحدث بعد رحيلك؟، أوضح: “أنا أتعامل مع الأهلي وكأنه بيتي، والموجودين فيه كبار السن مثل والدي ووالدتي، لا آخذ الموضوع بشكل شخصي بل لمصلحة المكان، والذي يحب مكان يحاول خدمته في أي مكان آخر”.

كيف كانت مقابلتك الأخيرة مع محمود الخطيب؟: “كأني خرجت من النادي أمس، لا يوجد شيء أقوله غير إني سواء موجود أو غير موجود فهذا نادينا كلنا أخذنا خيره ماديًا واجتماعيًا، أنا معروف الآن بسبب الأهلي”.

واستطرد: “الدور الذي سأقوم به مستقبلًا، لن أتكلم عنه حاليًا حتى يُعلن بشكل رسمي من النادي”.

وأكمل: “قد يكون لدي نية للترشح لعضوية مجلس إدارة الأهلي، ولكن ماذا قد يحدث؟ لا أعلم، أنا أجتهد فقط، ودائمًا جزء من حل المشكلة، عمري ما كنت المشكلة”.

خاص | حكم مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في الدوري المصري

وزاد: “أريد أن أتحدث عن ما قاله مدحت شلبي بشأن الكابتن الخطيب، ومن المهم جدًا أن تكون حذرًا عندما تنتقد شخصًا أو عندما يكون لديك حسابات شخصية، والتشكيك في مرض أحدهم يُعد نقصًا في أبشع صوره، وما يهمنا هو ألا تكون الأجواء ملتهبة، رغم أن الوضع ليس ملتهبًا قبل مباراة القمة، لأن الفريقين ليسا في أفضل حال”.

وأشار: “لا العمر الباقي يتحمل الصراعات، ولا يهم من يكون الإعلامي الأول، والحياة لا تحتاج إلى هذا ولا تستحقه، ونصيحتي للكابتن مدحت شلبي أنه من الأفضل أن تكون عزيزًا وغاليًا وأنت غائب، بدلاً من أن تكون بلا قيمة وأنت موجود”.

واختتم: “الكابتن الخطيب رمز كبير، وموقف قناة إم بي سي مصر كان مشرفًا جدًا، حيث لم تسمح بالتجاوز في حقه، وهو موقف احترافي ومحترم، أتمنى في المستقبل أن يتوقف الكلام عن المرض أو افتعال شيء لتحقيق أهداف أخرى، فهذا ليس تصرفًا صحيحًا”.

As quick as Haaland: Man Utd readying "formal bid" to sign "special" star

Looking to spend big once again this summer, Manchester United are now reportedly preparing a “formal bid” to sign an attacking reinforcement who’s just as quick as Erling Haaland.

Amorim: Man United look like "different team" in pre-season

It’s been a summer full of positives so far for Manchester United, who have welcomed both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to Ruben Amorim’s side. Off the pitch, the Red Devils have spent well and have the potential to spend more. On the pitch, meanwhile, things are beginning to come together under Amorim.

His side particularly impressed in their most recent pre-season outing when they defeated Bournemouth 4-1 in the Premier League Summer Series. Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and Ethan Williams sealed an impressive victory just two weeks out from the start of the campaign.

Amorim lauded his side for how different they’ve looked in pre-season, telling reporters: “Of course, scoring first in the beginning of the games can change the confidence of the team. We changed some positions, and you feel that they know what to do in different positions.

“It was a good test. We controlled quite well the runs of Evanilson and Semenyo one against one. Luke Shaw was also really strong. So it was a good day.

Man Utd offered their very own version of Isak in Garnacho swap talks

The Red Devils could potentially ignite an intriguing player exchange deal.

1 BySean Markus Clifford Aug 1, 2025

“It was just a pre-season game but the feeling with the same players, even being a pre-season game, if you look at the same players now playing, it looks like a different team and that is a good sign.”

Things could be about to get even better for the United boss too, with reports suggesting that those at Old Trafford are now readying a formal bid to land their answer to Haaland.

Man Utd readying "formal bid" for Sesko

According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United are now readying a “formal bid” to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Looking to welcome the forward, who reportedly favours a move to Old Trafford rather than Newcastle United, the Red Devils have been told to pay as much as €75m (£65m) for his signature in their biggest deal of the summer.

Whether Manchester United match Leipzig’s hefty price tag with their opening offer is now the big question. Of course, it’s clear to see why the German club are keen to make a hefty profit on their star striker.

Dubbed “special” by former Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell, Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions last season and clocked a top speed of 36 km/h to match Haaland’s explosive record.

RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann

The last powerful speed demon took to the Premier League with ease and now Manchester United will be hoping to welcome Sesko before watching him enjoy the same fortunes as the world-class Haaland.

رسمياً.. تشيلسي يواصل تدعيم صفوفه رغم إغلاق سوق الانتقالات الصيفية

توصل نادي تشيلسي لاتفاق لتعزيز صفوفه بصفقة جديدة ستنضم إلى صفوف الفريق بشكل رسمي في العام المقبل 2026.

وأعلن تشيلسي عبر موقعه الرسمي عن توصله لاتفاق للتعاقد مع إيمانويل إيميجا لاعب ستراسبورج الفرنسي والذي سينتقل للبلوز العام المقبل ليصبح تحت قيادة إنزو ماريسكا.

وسجل إيميجا صاحب الـ22 عاماً 14 هدفا وصنع ثلاث تمريرات حاسمة خلال 27 مباراة في الدوري الفرنسي الموسم الماضي ويعد أحد أكثر المهاجمين الشباب إثارة في أوروبا.

ونجح تشيلسي في خطف اللاعب الشاب خوفاً عليه من رغبات أندية الدوري الإنجليزي ودوري أبطال أوروبا، وسيبقى اللاعب هذا الموسم مع ستراسبورج قبل أن ينضم في 2026 بعقد لمدة 7 سنوات.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ماريسكا يحدد مدة غياب ديلاب ويرد على توجيه الاتحاد الإنجليزي 74 تهمة لـ تشيلسي

وكان تشيلسي قد قام بسوق انتقالات صيفية نشط جداً وتعاقد مع 9 لاعبين، أبرزهم أليخاندرو جارناتشو من مانشستر يونايتد وليام ديلاب من إبسويتش تاون وجواو بيدرو من برايتون وجيمي جيتينز من بوروسيا دورتموند.

ويخوض تشيلسي هذا الموسم بعد تحقيقه لقب دوري المؤتمر الأوروبي الموسم الماضي على حساب ريال بيتيس وكذلك بطولة كأس العالم للأندية على حساب باريس سان جيرمان.

وتحت قيادة إنزو ماريسكا في بداية موسم الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز جمع تشيلسي حتى الآن 7 نقاط من انتصارين على وست هام وفولهام وتعادل مع كريستال بالاس.

West Ham in pole position to sign midfielder who won 120 duels in 2024/25

West Ham United are on the hunt for arrivals and now find themselves in pole position to sign a talented midfielder from the continent, according to a report.

West Ham look for improvement ahead of next season

There are a lot of mitigating factors behind the Hammers’ poor campaign last time out, and James Ward-Prowse believes West Ham need to reflect ahead of the new season to ensure there is no repeat scenario next time out.

He stated: “We know it’s not been anywhere near the level that we know we can produce. In the years gone by, the club’s been used to European triumphs and the campaigns they’ve had.

“So for us not to be able to do that or deliver that again is disappointing. I’m sure we’ll have a period of reflection over the summer to look at what we can improve for next season.”

Inevitably, signings will be necessary for Graham Potter and company to navigate another full-on Premier League campaign, so who have the Hammers got their eye on with the window now well underway?

AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah is said to be a West Ham target despite interest from Serie A champions Napoli amid reports that they have cooled their admiration for the United States international.

He'd perfectly replace Kudus: West Ham submit bid for £17m "creative force"

Kudus seems set to leave West Ham United this summer.

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 25, 2025

Plenty of work is there to be done as the Irons’ hierarchy look to bring the good times back to the London Stadium. However, rebuilds require patience, so it remains to be seen how Potter opts to reshape his side.

Stepping into the market, West Ham are now reportedly in pole position to sign a powerful midfielder who is attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere.

Tavolieri: West Ham in pole position to sign Raphael Onyedika

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, West Ham are in pole position to sign Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika despite rival interest from Everton in the Nigeria international.

The Jupiler Pro League outfit want around £25.5 million before agreeing to any sale, and it is said that the Hammers have the most concrete attachment to the 24-year-old at this point.

Operating as a protector of the back four, Onyedika registered two goals and two assists in 52 appearances across all competitions last term, and he also won no fewer than 120 duels on league duty.

Freshening up the engine room will be a key priority for Potter this summer and the man in question certainly fits the bill as someone who could help to elevate the Hammers should they manage to push a deal over the line.

Farke's own Phillips: Leeds schedule talks to sign "phenomenal" £30m star

The promotion-winning campaign for Leeds United will live long in the memory of all supporters, taking them back to the Premier League after a two-year absence.

Daniel Farke was the man to lead the Whites back to the top division of English football, finishing top of the table and subsequently claiming the title on goal difference ahead of Burnley.

Such a feat was made all the more impressive after the sales of Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, who all departed after the play-off final defeat the year prior.

However, such departures allowed the likes of Ao Tanaka to move to Elland Road, securing his place at the heart of the side and subsequently being named in the division’s Team of the Season.

The Japanese international could be about to be partnered by another star at the base of the side, as the hierarchy looks to strengthen the side ahead of their top-flight return.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new signings this summer

Over the last couple of days, Leeds have ramped up their efforts in the market as they look to provide Farke with the tools to survive next campaign.

His side have had an offer for Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol rejected, but it appears as though they are set to return with an improved offer to force the Italian side into selling the 26-year-old.

However, he may not be the only summer arrival from Serie A, with Leeds also having keen interest in a deal to sign Juventus star Douglas Luiz, according to GIVEMESPORT.

The report claims that the Brazilian international has been offered to the Whites this summer, with the hierarchy set to schedule talks over a potential deal with the Old Lady.

It also states that he could be sold for just £30m this summer, only 12 months on from his move from Aston Villa, after making just 26 appearances across all competitions throughout 2024/25.

Why Luiz could be Farke’s very own Phillips

Midfielder Kalvin Phillips was a crucial part of the Leeds squad back in their previous stint in the Premier League, operating at the heart of the side after emerging through the club’s academy.

Kalvin Phillips for Leeds United

The 29-year-old spent 12 years with the Whites in Yorkshire, amassing a total of 234 appearances in the first team, being a mainstay in the side and enjoying a huge rise to stardom under Marcelo Bielsa.

Such form led to the midfielder being named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championships back in 2020, as they fell at the final hurdle and lost in the final to Italy.

However, he would depart his boyhood side in a £45m deal to join Manchester City – a move that would subsequently ruin his career, only featuring 31 times in the last three years, with multiple loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich Town.

From a business perspective, it was great business for the club, with such funds allowing Farke to potentially have his own version of the Englishman in the form of Luiz.

Douglas Luiz in action for Juventus.

When comparing their respective stats from Phillips’ final season at Elland Road, the former Villa star massively outperformed him, showcasing why he would be the manager’s own version of the fan favourite.

The Brazilian, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, registered more goals and assists, having the attacking threat to contribute to the Whites’ ambitions within the final third.

How Luiz compared to Phillips in the PL (2021/22)

Statistics (per 90)

Luiz

Phillips

Games played

34

20

Goals & assists

5

1

Pass accuracy

83%

80%

Key passes

1.2

0.5

Through balls completed

0.3

0.06

Tackles won

1.5

1.4

Fouls won

1.4

1.1

Aerials success rate

45%

37%

Stats via FBref

He also managed to complete more passes and more key passes, subsequently aiding attackers ahead of him, as demonstrated by his assist tally back in 2021/22.

Luiz’s dominance doesn’t stop there, winning more tackles per 90 and coming out on top in more aerial battles, having the tools to star out of possession for the Whites.

£30m for a player of his quality in today’s market is an absolute bargain, with the 27-year-old having the experience to thrive in such a division should he return to England.

It remains unclear whether he would be open to a switch to Elland Road, but Farke and the hierarchy must work tirelessly to convince the international star to move to Yorkshire this summer.

He'd be Farke's own Jansson: Leeds preparing bid for "monstrous" talent

Leeds United are set to make a move for a star who could become a fan favourite at Elland Road.

2 ByEthan Lamb Jun 13, 2025

Chelsea can bin Nkunku by signing "fantastic" £100m Premier League striker

Based on what we’ve seen since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital acquired the club three years ago, we’re expecting yet another busy summer of transfer activity at Chelsea.

So far, under Boehly’s ownership, the Blues have spent in excess of £1bn on over 40 new first-team players, numbers that are likely to rise this summer, regardless of whether or not Enzo Maresca’s side secure Champions League qualification next Sunday.

A new striker is likely to be at the top of their list of priorities, so could they return to one of their favourite shopping destinations?

The latest on Christopher Nkunku's Chelsea future

Earlier this month, Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Deutschland reported that Christopher Nkunku ‘has decided’ he will leave Chelsea this summer.

Christopher Nkunku scores for Chelsea

The French international arrived from RB Leipzig for a reported fee of £52m two summers ago, but has made very little impact at Stamford Bridge, as the table below outlines.

Christopher Nkunku’s Chelsea career in numbers

Statistics

Nkunku

Total appearances

56

Total starts

24

PL appearances

38

PL starts

11

Matches an unused substitute

7

Matches missed due to injury

43

Total goals

17

Total assists

5

PL goals

6

UECL goals

7

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

As highlighted in the table, Nkunku has spent almost half of his Chelsea career in the treatment room, while 41% of his goals have come in the Conference League, which isn’t the competition they spent big money hoping he would star in.

Aurélien Léger-Moëc of Foot Mercato claims that Bayern Munich and Newcastle are amongst those ‘interested’ in signing Nkunku this summer, and now is certainly the time for Chelsea to cash in and attempt to recoup a decent fee, so do they have their eyes on a replacement?

Chelsea could sign dream replacement for Nkunku

As reported by Sam Dean of the Telegraph, Chelsea are ‘interested’ in signing Brighton forward João Pedro, with Arsenal and Liverpool also considering making a move.

This week, the Brazilian was nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award, with manager Fabian Hürzeler praising his forward as an “important player” for the Seagulls.

Meantime, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him “simply fantastic”, Oliver Haines from Breaking the Lines is impressed by his high-quality finishing, while Chris Wilder, who was his manager at Watford, believes he is a “super-talented player”.

Pedro joined Brighton for a reported £30m two years ago, and his outstanding form means the Albion now value him at £100m, according to James Holland of Team Talk.

Well, Chelsea are not usually shy when it comes to signing Brighton players, as the table below underlines.

Chelsea signings from Brighton (2022-present)

Players

Fee

Moisés Caicedo

£115m

Robert Sánchez

£25m

Marc Cucurella

£62m

Shumaira Mheuka

£4.25m

Zak Sturge

£1m

Total

£207.25m

All information courtesy of Transfermarkt

With that in mind, could João Pedro be next?

Well, let’s compare his statistics this season to those of Nkunku to see if he would, indeed, be the dream replacement for the wantaway Frenchman.

Christopher Nkunku vs João Pedro Premier League 2024/25 comparison

Statistics

Nkuku

Pedro

Appearances

27

27

Minutes

910

1,953

Goals

3

10

Assists

2

6

Shots

25

42

Shots on target %

44%

35.7%

Big chances created

1

11

Big chances missed

6

7

Shot-creating actions

34

72

Goal-creating actions

4

9

Touches per 90

44

44

Average Sofascore Rating

6.82

7.15

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and SofaScore

As the table outlines, Pedro boasts almost universally better statistics than Nkunku this season, when it comes to goals, assists, shooting, and chances created.

Thus, the Brazilian would surely be an excellent signing for the Blues, and that is why the club should ruthlessly ditch Nkunku from the squad in order to make room for this new addition.

He's better than Joao Pedro: Chelsea looking at signing the "next Mbappe"

Chelsea are looking for a new striker this summer

ByJoe Nuttall May 15, 2025

Newcastle "ready" to sign £17m ace with more goals than Bruno in 2024/25

Newcastle United are said to be “ready” to make a move for an “international” level midfielder this summer, according to a new transfer report.

Newcastle may need midfielder if Tonali leaves

The future of Sandro Tonali at St James’ Park is up in the air currently, with no guarantee that the Italian will still be at the club next, following two seasons there. One report has claimed that Newcastle are willing to listen to offers for the 24-year-old, with bids of around £68.5m possibly being accepted in the summer transfer window amid interest from Man City and Juventus.

Meanwhile, a swap deal involving the Magpies hero and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has also been mentioned, with the Serie A giants happy to let the Serb leave this summer.

Tonali himself played down a return to AC Milan earlier this year, prior to the EFL Cup final victory over Liverpool, saying: “I have never ever spoken about it with my agents. And I know, from experience, that if you don’t get to that point there is nothing. And in any case, I am happy with myself here [at Newcastle]. I have found my line and there is no need to upset it again. I want to win for the Newcastle United fans.”

Newcastle "ready" to sign Saelemaekers this summer

Now, according to Il Messaggero [via Sport Witness], Newcastle are “ready to invest” in Milan midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers this summer, with the 25-year-old out on loan at Roma currently. Milan are believed to value the midfielder at £17m, which is too much for Roma, with the Magpies and Nottingham Forest potentially looking to strike a permanent deal instead.

Whether Saelemaekers is seen as a possible replacement option for Tonali remains to be seen, but there is plenty for Eddie Howe to admire about him. The Belgian has enjoyed a good season out on loan at Roma, scoring six times in Serie A, which is two more than Bruno Guimaraes has managed in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Claudio Ranieri lauded his quality and versatility earlier in the season, saying: “Saelemaekers is an international player, a good player who can play different roles. I needed him on this wing to execute certain plays, and he is doing well in interpreting what I want from him.”

Saelemaekers could add great energy to Newcastle’s midfield next season and beyond, with Howe no doubt liking the fact that he can shine in various central and wide roles, and he is a 14-cap Belgium international, which is no mean feat alongside some stellar names.

Juventus director wants to sell £320k-a-week star amid Newcastle interest

Newcastle have been linked with a move for a “world-class” striker.

1 ByHenry Jackson Apr 21, 2025

At 25, there is a lot more to come from him, too, and while £17m could be a steal, his arrival hopefully wouldn’t be at the expense of Tonali, who the Magpies must look to keep hold of.

'I love playing risk-free cricket' – Rathod extends dream red-ball run

He was disappointed to miss out on a maiden first-class double ton but pushed towards his India A dream

Ashish Pant13-Sep-2025Yash Rathod paused for a moment right after facing his first ball on the second morning of the Duleep Trophy final. He had just been beaten by Gurjapneet Singh. Stepping away, Rathod nodded his head furiously, talking to himself, trying to calm his nerves. After a disappointing semi-final against West Zone, where he managed just 2, Rathod was determined to make amends.Two hundred and eighty five balls later, as he walked back for 194, he had done his bit in helping Central Zone close in on their first Duleep Trophy win in 11 years.It wasn’t easy initially. Central Zone were 93 for 3 in the 34th over when Rathod walked out. A first-innings lead was just 56 away, but Gurjapneet was in the middle of a searing spell. He had just flattened Shubham Sharma’s middle stump, had Danish Malewar nick to slip, and was extracting plenty of movement in overcast conditions.Rathod started tentatively, particularly against Gurjapneet, who bowled 16 straight dot balls at him. He was beaten a few times and had an early escape when he edged the quick to second slip, with the ball falling just short. Then, twice he flashed outside off against fast bowler MD Nidheesh and was lucky to get thick edges past the gully fielder. The fluency, which had fetched Rathod 960 runs in the last Ranji Trophy season, was missing.Related

  • Saransh Jain keeps 'India logo on my jersey' dream going with another statement display

  • Patience and precision: how Kartikeya turned the Duleep final on its head

  • Yash Rathod's 194 gives Central Zone a firm hold

“Initially, I think I was over-trying,” Rathod told ESPNcricinfo. “When I went to bat, the situation was tricky, but the plan was to react to the ball. Gurjapneet was also hitting the right areas quite consistently. The ball was swinging and seaming off the wicket as well.”Once I got past that phase, and the spinners came on to bowl, I thought I will capitalise. I tried to dominate them before lunch, but no matter what I tried – stepping out, sweeping, or playing off the backfoot – I wasn’t connecting [with] the ball consistently. It just wasn’t clicking.”Lunch came at the right time for Rathod. At the break, as he gathered himself, focus shifting over to playing instinctively, and once back, everything fell in place. Rathod clipped Gurjapneet for four through midwicket to raise his half-century off 84 balls. Soon after, he waltzed down the track to left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma, driving him past mid-on and then through covers.A key feature of Rathod’s innings was his backfoot play. He would often go deep into his crease off Ankit, nudging him fine past slip and would pull anything that was marginally short of a length. It took Rathod just 132 balls to reach his seventh first-class century, getting there by tapping Ankit to point off the backfoot, ending the second day unbeaten on 137.

My immediate goal is to prepare myself for the Irani Trophy. If I perform there, I will get closer to my India A dream. Yes, I want to play for India, but to reach there, India A is my first stepYash Rathod

Rathod was more proactive on the third morning. He clipped Gurjapneet through midwicket in the first over and reached his 150 with a push to mid-on. He rushed through the 180s with two fours but was cleaned up by Gurjapneet shortly after lunch, falling six short of a maiden first-class double-century. He was visibly dejected as he trudged off slowly, constantly looking at the replays of his dismissal on the big screen at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.”It was very disappointing,” Rathod said on missing out on a double ton. “I have been trying to get a double-century for a while. Last year, I scored five centuries, but being a No. 5 batter, it becomes tough to score a 200 as you end your innings mostly with tailenders.”Today, I had a chance to score a double ton on such a big stage. So yes, it was quite disappointing to not score those six runs but again, very grateful for 194. Maybe there is something better lined up for me, maybe I can score a double-century in the Irani Trophy.”Rajat Patidar and Yash Rathod added 167 for the fourth wicket•PTI A highlight of Rathod’s 194 was his calmness. Once settled, at no stage did he look hurried. He was involved in two big stands – 167 for the fourth wicket with Rajat Patidar and 176 for the sixth wicket with Saransh Jain – and ensured he didn’t try to match his partner’s pace.”It doesn’t matter how the batter at the opposite end is playing. Everyone has a pattern,” Rathod said. “I can’t play like Rajat bhai. His intent is different. My game plan is very different. I love playing risk-free cricket.”Five-day cricket is a long game. I know my patterns, I know my strengths where I can perform well. I like to take the game forward calmly, take control of the situation and stay clear with my plans and what I need to do.”Rathod has had a stellar start to his first-class career, with 15 scores of fifty-plus in just 35 innings, and was a key factor behind Vidarbha’s winning 2024-25 Ranji season. His next goal is to play all three formats but he is not looking too far ahead.”I have the belief it [playing all three formats] will happen,” Rathod said. “I also obviously want to play IPL, but my immediate goal is to prepare myself for Irani Trophy as that is also a big stage. If I perform there, I will get closer to my India A dream. Yes, I want to play for India, but to reach there, India A is my first step.”At 25, Rathod has already been part of a Ranji Trophy-winning team and is now close to being part of a Duleep Trophy-winning side. While things have happened quickly in the last year, Rathod is taking them in calmly, at a specific pace, much like his batting.

All Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva's twinning records

The Sri Lankan pair broke several records with their double-act against Bangladesh – here’s all the key numbers from that show

Sampath Bandarupalli24-Mar-20243 – Number of instances of two players from the same team with twin hundreds in a Test match – Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis did it for Sri Lanka in Sylhet. The Chappell brothers – Ian and Greg – scored twin tons against New Zealand in Wellington in 1974, while Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq did the same against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.There have also been three Test matches where one player from each side scored twin hundreds – Arthur Morris and Denis Compton in Adelaide in 1947, Andrew Jones and Asanka Gurusinha in Hamilton in 1991, and David Warner and Virat Kohli in Adelaide in 2014.3 – Number of pairs with two 150-plus partnerships in a Test match, including Dhananjaya and Kamindu with 202 and 177 in Sylhet. Paul Gibb and Eddie Paynter added 184 and 168 for the second wicket against South Africa in the 1938 Johannesburg Test, while Joe Burns and David Warner had opening stands of 161 and 237 against New Zealand in the 2015 Brisbane Test.2 – Players with hundreds in both innings of a Test match while batting at No. 6 or lower before Dhananjaya and Kamindu in Sylhet. Kamindu became the first batter with two hundreds in a Test while batting at No. 7 or lower.Allan Border had two 150-plus scores while batting at No. 6 against Pakistan in Lahore in 1980, while Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 162 and 143 at No. 6 against Bangladesh in the 2009 Chattogram Test.266 – Runs scored by Kamindu in Sylhet are the second-most by any batter while batting at No. 7 or lower in a Test match. Don Bradman’s 270 runs against England in the 1937 Melbourne Test are the highest: he scored 270 in Australia’s second innings while batting at No. 7.164 – Kamindu’s score in Sri Lanka’s second innings is now the sixth-highest individual score while batting at No. 8 or lower in Test cricket. Only one player before Kamindu had a 150-plus score for Sri Lanka in Tests while batting outside the top six – 154* by Prasanna Jayawardene while batting at No.7 against India in 2009.375 – Partnership runs by Dhananjaya and Kamindu in Sylhet – the third-most by any pair for the sixth wicket or lower in a Test match. They are also the third pair with two century partnerships for the sixth wicket or lower in a Test.292 – Runs added by Sri Lanka after the fall of the sixth wicket in their second innings. These are the most runs by Sri Lanka in a Test innings after the fall of the sixth wicket, surpassing the 223 runs against Bangladesh in 2007 in Colombo.528 – Runs scored by Sri Lanka across the two innings in Sylhet after the fall of the fifth wicket, the most by them in a Test match. These are the fifth-most runs added by any team after losing their fifth wicket across two innings in a Test match.

World-class Babar Azam constructs an innings that only he can

He batted slow, trusted his defence and played another sublime innings when no one else could get to even 20

Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Jul-2022Babar Azam is the top-ranked ODI batter, 77 rankings points ahead of the next guy (Imam-ul-Haq). He is also the top-ranked T20I batter but is ahead of the second by a slimmer margin (Mohammad Rizwan is 24 points back).In Tests, though, the format that matters, the purists’ format, the thing that gets you into Wisden, he’s ranked a paltry fourth. Above him Joe Root (obviously), Steven Smith (partially riding on past glories), and Marnus Labuschagne (originally a discounted Steven Smith who has now proved more popular in the market since the rumours that the original has declined in quality).Related

Babar: Shafique can become 'one of the best' in the world

Babar ton restricts SL lead after Jayasuriya's five-for

We’re comparing him to the best now. Is the Big Four, now the Big Five? Root, Smith, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and…. Babar? We have to be comparing, right? This is sport. You cannot exist in a universe all on your own. No player is an island. Forget that the others on that list are four to five years older than him, which in cricketing years, is at least one generation removed, maybe more. They are setting the standard. The over-arching narrative is there. We must make Babar fit into it.Must we though? Do we have to play this game? Is the cricket world really the kind of even place where star batters from teams such as England, Australia and India, and to a lesser degree New Zealand, can fairly be compared to Babar? We don’t have to drag capitalism into it, but you know if we did, that analysis would not land in Babar’s favour.In this innings in Galle, Babar hit 119 runs. Sri Lanka series are not high-octane, or high-prestige, and they won’t get you into the big global lists. Even at home, they’ll move the needle less, you’d think, than series against the Big Three, or even South Africa.Babar, though, is there. Playing another sublime innings, on what is already a big-turning pitch. He plays (late, and under his chin) for the straighter one from Prabath Jayasuriya, which has duped his team-mates and brought lbw dismissals. He bats slow, trusting his defence, when plenty of great batters have hit out at this venue, reasoning that a good ball will inevitably get them out so why not make runs before it does.Babar Azam thanks the Almighty after reaching his seventh Test ton•AFP/Getty ImagesBut this is Babar we are talking about, and the good balls that get the best out are still not too good for him, so he is in his own space, playing as he thinks he should, and likely constructing an innings only he is capable of. In the last two weeks, we’ve had Smith and Labuschagne on this surface too. They produced innings of varying quality – Labuschagne progressing to a hundred on a flatter Galle track than the one on display now, though only after being let off early on.They never looked like they trusted their game like Babar.And rarely will the best batters around the world have their team-mates abandon them as happily as Babar’s did. Babar faced 244 balls in this innings. The next best was Yasir Shah who batted out 56 balls. Divide Babar’s 119 by six, and he’d still be the top scorer for his side. There are lone vigils, and then there’s dragging the bodyweight of your entire top order like vegetables in a gunny bag to the market vendor you need to sell it to, and that was basically Babar.He was on 28 when the seventh wicket went down. Then 38 for the eighth; 55 when the ninth fell. Then, farming roughly 72% of the strike, he more than doubled his score, on a pitch that no one else in his team could get to even 20. Though he was never in a rush through the course of this innings, he occasionally ventured the kinds of salvos that let you know, that if he wanted to, he could. Three successive fours off Kasun Rajitha towards the end of the second session, for example, one drilled down the ground, another crashed over midwicket, the third whipped over square leg.In the long view of this career, this innings might not be part of the central folklore. But a batter hitting 82 runs in the company of Nos. 9, 10 and 11, is not un-spectacular. It’s futile to pretend we won’t compare him with the others, because of course we will. But across formats, across pitch conditions, oppositions, match situations, perhaps we seed the thought there is something special happening here that is happening nowhere else.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus