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يستعد منتخب السودان لمواجهة نظيره منتخب موريتانيا، في المباراة التي تجمع بين الفريقين ضمن تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

ويلتقي منتخب السودان ضد موريتانيا، في الجولة التاسعة من عمر مواجهات تصفيات كأس العالم، على ملعب بنجامين مكابا في تنزانيا.

ويحتل منتخب السودان المركز الثالث في المجموعة برصيد 12 نقطة، بينما يحتل منتخب موريتانيا المركز الخامس في ترتيب المجموعة برصيد 6 نقاط، ويتصدر السنغال المجموعة برصيد 18 نقطة. 

وكان منتخب السودان قد خسر في الجولة الماضية أمام نظيره منتخب توجو بهدف دون رد، بينما منتخب موريتانيا قد تعادل سلبيا في الجولة الماضية أمام منتخب جنوب السودان. 

طالع.. ترتيب مجموعة السودان في تصفيات كأس العالم بعد الخسارة أمام توجو موعد مباراة السودان وموريتانيا اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم

ومن المقرر أن تقام مباراة السودان أمام نظيره منتخب موريتانيا، في تمام الساعة الرابعة عصر اليوم الجمعة بتوقيت القاهرة، على ملعب بنيامين مكابا بتنزانيا، في الجولة التاسعة من تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم. القناة الناقلة لمباراة السودان وموريتانيا 

وسوف تذاع مباراة منتخب السودان أمام نظيره منتخب موريتانيا، عبر منصة شاهد.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا

The batter posted his List A stats on social media, expressing surprise at his omission

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Dec-2024Prithvi Shaw has been left out of Mumbai’s squad for the first three rounds of the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy beginning December 21. The announcement was made on Tuesday, two days after Mumbai beat Madhya Pradesh in Bengaluru to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Ajinkya Rahane, who played a key role in the triumph by top-scoring in the tournament, has been rested following a request for a break. Rahane made 469 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 164.56, with five half-centuries, as an opener.Shreyas Iyer continues to remain captain, while Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube and Shardul Thakur feature in a full-strength 17-member squad. Opener Ayush Mhatre, who missed the domestic T20 competition to be part of India’s Under-19 Asia Cup squad, returns to the mix.Shaw’s exclusion comes at a time when questions continue to be raised about his form and fitness. He failed to hit a half-century in nine innings in the SMA Trophy – 197 runs with a highest of 49 against Vidarbha in the quarter-final.Related

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Shaw expressed surprise at his omission by posting his List A stats in an Instagram story. “Tell me god, what more do I have to see…if 65 innings, 3399 runs at an average of 55.7 with a strike rate of 126, I’m not good enough…but I will keep my faith in you and hopefully people believe in me still…cause I will come back for sure. Om Sai Ram.”The spotlight has been on Shaw since he was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad in October owing to fitness and disciplinary issues. While he received support from Greg Chappell and Kevin Pietersen, Shaw’s fitness standards and “work ethic” – as stated by Iyer – continues to be a concern. In December, Shaw wasn’t picked in an IPL auction for the first time.”He needs to get his work ethics right, and if he does that, the sky is the limit for him,” Iyer said after Mumbai won the SMA Trophy. “We can’t babysit anyone, right? Every professional who is playing at this level, they need to know what they should be doing. And he has also done it in the past; it’s not that he hasn’t. He has to focus, he has to sit back, [and] put a thinking cap on, and then figure out himself. He will get the answer by himself.Baroda, semi-finalists at SMAT, will be without Hardik Pandya for the first few rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy as part of his workload management, keeping in mind India’s upcoming schedule that includes six white-ball games at home against England followed by the Champions Trophy. Hardik played seven games for Baroda in the SMA Trophy, where he hit 246 runs at a strike rate of 193.70, with two half-centuries. He also bowled 19 overs in those games for six wickets.

Newcastle United are now “expected” to complete the signing of an “exceptional” player in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Howe shares latest on Isak's Newcastle future

Magpies-related transfer rumours are continuing to make the rounds, but Alexander Isak’s future is still understandably the big current talking point.

Newcastle are desperately trying to convince the Swede to stay put and not join Liverpool this summer, and Eddie Howe has now provided some fresh comments on the situation.

“He is still our player. He’s contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control.”

One of the few pluses to Newcastle selling Isak is that they could receive the biggest fee in the history of English football for his signature, allowing Howe to build his squad in various positions. A goalkeeper has been an area of focus throughout the summer and a big update has now dropped regarding their search for someone new between the sticks.

Newcastle "expected" to sign £120k-a-week ace

According to Romano on X, Newcastle are “expected” to sign Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who has “said yes” to a move to St James’ Park.

Missing out on James Trafford to Manchester City is an undoubted setback for Newcastle, considering he is such a highly-rated young ‘keeper, but Ramsdale could be an astute signing instead.

Granted, the £120,000-a-week England international has just suffered relegation with Southampton, but he knows Howe extremely well from their Bournemouth days, so there will be no concerns about him being the wrong type of character to come in.

Ramsdale may have left Arsenal after David Raya took his spot in the team, but Mikel Arteta was always a big admirer of his, once saying of him: “He’s been exceptional around the place with the situation. Like everybody. We love him more for sure. We have him every day. We know him, we know his character and we are really happy to have him. I don’t think I’m the one to answer the question about Aaron Ramsdale’s quality because I’m the one who signed him when everyone else was questioning that decision.”

There may be some Newcastle fans who aren’t necessarily overwhelmed by the signing of Ramsdale, especially with Trafford seen as the ideal addition, but at 27, he is still relatively young for a ‘keeper.

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Newcastle United set to battle Manchester United and Tottenham for Al Hilal striker’s signature

Posts 1 ByWill Miller Jul 29, 2025

His likeable personality has the potential to make him a popular figure at St James’ and the hope is that his best years are still to come, making him a seamless long-term replacement for Nick Pope.

The Bangladesh coach expects Shakib, Mehidy and Mushfiqur to step up in the two Tests against India

Alagappan Muthu17-Sep-20242:01

Manjrekar impressed with the ‘spark’ in Bangladesh’s bowling

Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mushfiqur Rahim are expected to shoulder significant responsibility for Bangladesh as they look to build on an uptick in Test match performances away from home. Although they’ve only won eight of 67 matches on tour, four of them have come since 2021 and the most recent two were the stuff of legend.”[The win in Pakistan] certainly gives us a lot of confidence coming into this series,” Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe said ahead of the first Test against India. “Not because of the outcome of the series, the way we played that series, the way we handled certain situations, we were behind the game in both Test matches and then how we come back and then the people who contribute at different times give us a lot of belief for this series.”Much of the good vibes in Bangladesh is the result of the way their new players are performing but their stalwarts are still keeping up with the youngsters.Related

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“Shakib [has] always played a huge part in Bangladesh cricket whenever he is available and playing well,” Hathurusinghe said. “I mean obviously he gives us the luxury to balance the team the way we want, whether we want to play extra bowlers or extra batsmen because of his all-round capabilities. So he gives that adaptability as well as a huge experience.”He is probably one of the longest international players going around and then he is coming from playing countless matches and he is in good shape. So he brings a lot into the team, not only his skill set but otherwise as well.”And, Miraz, I would say he is the most improved Bangladesh cricketer for the last five to six years. He is ready to take over whenever Shakib moves out. I think he has developed his batting and obviously his bowling has always been, his strength, his No.1. Now I think he has improved his batting as well and on the field, he is a gun fielder.”The success of any away team in India depends on their ability to cope with R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Bangladesh will be relying on Mushfiqur, who was typically meticulous with his preparations in Chennai, practicing various kinds of sweeps against the offspin and left-arm spinning net bowlers that he trained with.Mushfiqur Rahim averages 55.16 in Test matches in India•Associated Press

“I think Mushfiq actually mentioned to me his record on the way to India in the flight. He said, I average 55 coach, you forget about that,” Hathurusinghe said. “He is a phenomenal player and for a long time the way he prepared, I haven’t seen anyone prepare that much detail-wise. So the one I haven’t seen is probably Sachin Tendulkar…something like that. Close to all the reports that I have read about him, Mushfiq is like that. He is just a professional, a thorough professional when it comes to cricket.”Bangladesh have played three Tests in India and lost all three (two by an innings). Hathurusinghe is hopeful they will present a stiffer challenge this time around.”I think this is probably the most well-rounded team that Bangladesh has produced in my previous time and this time,” he said. “We’re covering a lot of bases, we’ve got good fast bowlers, we’ve got a really experienced spin attack and then the batting, we actually have good depth because of two reasons.”One is that two of our spinners [Shakib and Mehidy] are genuine batters who got Test hundreds and then two of our wicketkeepers [Litton Das and Mushfiqur] are our main batters. So our balance of the team in this series is really, really good and that gives us actually a lot more confidence that we can be competitive in this series.”

James Anderson says he is “at peace” with his impending retirement from Test cricket, despite admitting that he didn’t have much say in the decision and feeling that he is “still bowling as well as I ever have”.Anderson will play his 188th and final Test against West Indies at Lord’s this week, having been told by the England management at the start of the season that they were planning to move on. He will bow out as the most-prolific fast bowler in Test history, having taken his 700th wicket, at the age of 41, on the tour of India in March.His England career will come to end at the same ground where he took a five-wicket haul on Test debut 21 years ago, and Anderson admitted that it would be an emotional few days.Related

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“I’m trying not to think too much about the game itself yet, or certainly how I’d feel about it,” he said. “I’m trying to be as focused as I can. The big thing for me this week is wanting to play well, bowl well and get a win. That’s what I’m trying to focus on really. I’m sure the emotions during the week will change, but right now that’s what I’m trying to focus on to stop myself crying.”It’s been a strange couple of months. I feel pretty happy with where things are now and pretty excited for the week as well. I think having quite a few friends and family come down for the week, which is good. I’ve had a lot of people who’ve stopped me in the street or met out and about saying that they’re coming to the game. I’m just excited for the week.Asked whether he was calling it a day too soon, after claiming 7 for 35 in his first appearance of the season for Lancashire last week, he said: “It’s difficult to say. I’ve not really got a choice.”It was important for me that I try and put in some good performances to finish with. I loved being out on the field with Lancashire last week. I’ve always loved playing for Lancashire. I’ve not played a huge amount for them over the last 20 years because of England duties. But every time I’ve had a chance to go back to play for them, I’ve tried to give it my all and that’s exactly what I did last week. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the win because of the north-west weather.”On whether he could have stayed fit enough to play in the 2025-26 Ashes, which formed part of England’s decision-making, Anderson said it was “impossible to say”.James Anderson poses in the Long Room ahead of his final Test•Getty Images

“It’s always difficult to answer that sort of question,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen. It’s 18 months away. It’s a long time. Throughout my whole career, I’ve never really focused on too far ahead. I’ve always tried to take it series by series and focus on those little goals. as my career has gone on.”It’s really impossible to say. I probably thought before the last away Ashes that I wouldn’t make [it] 18 months before that because of the way the game is and the age I was getting to. I can completely understand the decision and the way the team and management want to go. As I’ve said, the last couple of months I’ve made peace with that and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”He added: “Coming off the back of seven-for last week, obviously I feel like I’m still bowling as well as I ever have. I knew it had to end at some point, whether it’s now or a year or two years. The fact that it’s now is just something that I’ve got to deal with and accept.”Anderson will stay on in the England dressing room this summer as a team mentor and is expected to go into coaching, although he has yet to make a decision on whether he will continue playing for Lancashire.He confirmed that he had not been thinking about retirement before being invited to a meeting with the “three big dogs” – England men’s managing director, Rob Key, Test coach, Brendon McCullum, and Test captain, Ben Stokes – earlier in the year, but said he was comfortable with how it had been handled.”I hadn’t really thought about it just because as I said I felt as fit as I ever have been in India,” Anderson said. “I thought that playing this summer would be achievable. Obviously as a senior bowler you don’t play every Test anyway, you get rested and stuff like that. I thought that was achievable and then think about stuff after that. That’s the way I’ve always approached it.”I wouldn’t say it was a surprise because when the three big dogs invited to a hotel in Manchester for a chat I didn’t think it was just a normal appraisal. I had a suspicion that that was going to be the case. I think they were surprised at how calm I was when I reacted. I think I was probably surprised at my reaction. I wasn’t overly emotional about it or angry about it or anything.”I saw their point of view and appreciated them taking the time out to lay it out for me, the reasoning and stuff like that. Since then I’ve come to terms with it and made peace with that decision. Just looking forward to one more game and then see what’s ahead.”

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke followed in Marcelo Bielsa’s footsteps this season by becoming the latest boss to win the Championship title for the club.

The Whites recorded a club-record 100 points in the second tier with a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the season, to earn their promotion to the Premier League.

Bielsa, of course, then went on to keep the team in the top-flight with a top-half finish in the 2020/21 campaign, before he was relieved of his duties midway through the following season.

Farke will now be hoping to follow in the Argentine great’s footsteps once again by coaching the team to avoid relegation from the Premier League at the first time of asking, something that he was unable to do in two attempts at Norwich City.

Recruitment in the upcoming summer transfer window will be key to the success or failure of the German head coach next season, as shown by how important Bielsa’s signings in 2020 were.

Victor Orta and the board backed the manager by making several significant signings to bolster the squad, including high-profile forward Rodrigo from Valencia.

Why Rodrigo was a key signing for Leeds

Leeds pushed the boat out to smash their transfer record with a £30m deal to sign the Spain international ahead of the 2020/21 campaign to back Bielsa.

Rodrigo had already been capped 22 times by his country and had scored 59 goals and delivered 41 assists in 220 appearances for Valencia in all competitions, which meant that the Whites were signing an experienced player at the top level in Europe.

The West Yorkshire outfit knew that they had to add proven quality to their squad to handle the jump from the Championship to the Premier League, so they went out and signed a player who had been there and done it, albeit in Spain instead of England.

Rodrigo delivered seven goals and two assists in 26 matches in the Premier League in his debut season with Leeds to steer them clear of relegation, which was then followed up with six goals and one assist in 31 games in the 2021/22 campaign under Jesse Marsch.

The Spanish star’s haul of 13 goals and one assist in 31 matches in the Premier League during the 2022/23 campaign was not enough to prevent relegation back down to the second tier, but there is no doubt that he played a role in their survival in his first two years at Elland Road.

Rodrigo was, therefore, a key signing for Leeds because he brought proven quality and made an instant impact at the club in the top-flight, which is why the club should try to repeat that masterclass this summer.

Leeds eyeing deal for Serie A striker

The Whites could be on their way to finding their next Rodrigo in the upcoming summer transfer window, as they are reportedly eyeing a new centre-forward.

According to an Italian journalist, Leeds United are lining up a move to sign Lecce number nine Nikola Krstovic to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Farke already has Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph, and Patrick Bamford vying for one place in the starting line-up, but it is seemingly looking to add even more quality to his attacking arsenal.

Krstovic will not come cheap, though, as the reporter adds that Lecce, who are at risk of being relegated from the Serie A, are set to demand a fee of around €25m (£21m).

It now remains to be seen whether or not Leeds are prepared to pay the £21m that the Italian team want for their star striker, but they should consider doing so because he could be their next Rodrigo.

Why Krstovic could be Rodrigo 2.0 at Leeds

The 49ers should swoop to sign the £21m-rated striker for Farke because he has proven his quality in one of Europe’s major leagues and would be a player who could make an instant impact in the Premier League, rather than a player from the lower leagues in England or a young player with it all to prove.

Like Rodrigo, Krstovic would arrive at Elland Road as a seasoned international footballer. He has scored six goals in 24 caps for Montenegro to date, which shows that he has performed well on the international stage for his country.

The 25-year-old star made a name for himself in Slovakia with Dunajska Streda by scoring 37 goals in 66 matches in all competitions, an unbelievable return in front of goal for the striker, which earned him a move to Lecce in the summer of 2023.

Krstovic, who former manager Roberto D’Aversa claimed has a “hunger for goals”, did not take much time to adapt to life in one of Europe’s major leagues, with a return of seven goals in 35 games in the 2023/24 Serie A campaign.

Appearances

35

36

Goals

7

11

Right-footed goals

4

7

Left-footed goals

1

3

Headed goals

2

1

Big chances created

4

4

Assists

1

4

As you can see in the table above, the Montenegro international has showcased his quality in front of goal, with 18 goals and eight ‘big chances’ created, in his two seasons with Lecce in the Serie A to date.

A return of 11 right-footed goals, four left-footed goals, and three headed goals also shows that he is a versatile goalscorer who can thrive off a variety of service, rather than being limited to one way of scoring goals.

His statistics for Lecce perfectly illustrate why he could be Rodrigo 2.0 for Leeds because he has proven that the quality is there for him to make an instant impact in the Premier League as a goalscorer, given what the forward has already achieved in Italy.

This is why Farke must push the board to get a deal over the line for the £21m marksman, because Krstovic could bolster the club’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the top-flight by providing a big goal threat throughout the campaign.

Leeds could land their own Florian Wirtz by signing "outstanding" £33m star

Leeds could secure their own version of Florian Wirtz by signing this £25m transfer target.

ByDan Emery May 25, 2025

Fulham have now held talks over signing a “phenomenal” midfielder who has scored three Champions League goals this season, according to a report.

Cottagers' summer transfer plans taking shape

With a top-half Premier League finish looking increasingly likely, Marco Silva is likely to be very happy with the strides his side have taken this season, but the manager will still have aspirations of kicking on and competing for a spot in Europe next season.

Nottingham Forest’s performance this season indicates the Cottagers could be capable of pushing for Europe, should they recruit well in the summer transfer window, and Silva is now keen on strengthening his squad in a number of areas.

The west Londoners are well-positioned to sign former player Joao Palhinha to strengthen in central midfield, while contact has been made over a deal for versatile Juventus defender Nicolo Savona.

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He could be about to cross the divide.

ByBarney Lane Apr 21, 2025

Silva’s side have also emerged as potential suitors for Werder Bremen full-back Felix Agu, with the need to sign a new left-back exacerbated by the fact that Antonee Robinson could be in line to exit Craven Cottage at the end of the season.

That is according to a report from The Boot Room, which states that Liverpool are in negotiations to sign Robinson, and Fulham have spoken about signing Harvey Elliott during talks, with the Englishman looking increasingly likely to leave this summer.

Elliott wants to go to the next World Cup with England, but he needs regular game time to compete for a place in the squad, which means a return to Craven Cottage could now be on the cards.

There may be competition for the 22-year-old’s signature, however, with Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Newcastle United and West Ham United also registering their interest.

"Phenomenal" Elliott impressing in Champions League

There have been suggestions that Liverpool have set a price tag of £50m for the midfielder, with the fee likely to be inflated by his impressive performances in the Champions League this season, picking up three goals in five matches.

The former Fulham man also bagged a remarkable goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup to seal the Reds’ place in the fourth round.

Having also been lauded as “phenomenal” by journalist David Lynch, there is every indication the Liverpool ace is capable of achieving his goal of going to the 2026 World Cup, but he will need to receive consistent game time to stand a chance of doing so.

That has not been the case at Liverpool, with Elliott making just 14 Premier League appearances this season and often featuring as a substitute, so he may need to move on for the good of his career this summer, and a move back to high-flying Fulham could be an attractive proposition.

Manchester City have already spent big in 2025, and are showing no signs of easing up.

In January, the Sky Blues splashed a reported £180m on five new signings, recruiting Abdukodir Khusanov, Juma Bah, Vitor Reis, Nico González and Omar Marmoush.

Nevertheless, after suffering an early Champions League exit and relinquishing their Premier League title, Pep Guardiola is set to oversee a major rebuild in the summer, with plenty more new signings set to arrive at the Etihad.

Manchester City targeting a new goalkeeper

As reported by Foot Mercato, Manchester City have been ‘given the initial green light’ in their attempt to sign Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who they claim is ‘keen on joining the club’.

The report notes that Costa has a €75m release clause, around £64m, reporting that Man City are willing to ‘break the bank’ to secure his services, following Ederson’s ‘disappointing season’.

Editor Zach Lowy certainly thinks this would be a good move, labelling Costa “one of the best goalkeepers in world football”, notably becoming the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a European Championship shootout last summer, as Portugal dumped out Slovenia in Frankfurt.

Kevin Araújo Fernandes of Breaking the Lines asserts that Costa is ‘inarguably one of the brightest’ goalkeepers on the planet, underlining that he would be an excellent signing for Manchester City, but did they already sell an even bigger talent?

Manchester City already sold a bigger goalkeeping star

On Monday, following their 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Turf Moor, Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed.

Astonishingly, the Claret have conceded just 15 goals in 44 EFL Championship fixtures to date, hence why goalkeeper James Trafford has been earning plenty of plaudits.

Scott Parker’s side kept 11 successive clean sheets earlier this year, just the fifth club in English Football League history to achieve this, while enjoying 28 shutouts in total to date; the previous second-tier record was 25.

Meantime, the former record for fewest goals conceded in a Championship season is 30, while the Clarets’ require clean sheets from the final two fixtures, against QPR and Millwall, to match Chelsea’s all-time record of 15 goals conceded, achieved under José Mourinho in 2004/05, albeit in eight fewer matches.

Trafford has been a key figure in this defensive solidity, described as “world-class” by his manager Parker, with the table below underlining exactly why.

Clean sheets

28

1st

Clean sheet %

65.1%

1st

Goals conceded (min 11 apps)

15

1st

Goals conceded per 90

0.35

1st

Save %

84.5%

1st

% of penalties saved

100%

=1st

Post-shot xG – goals allowed

+10.9

3rd

As the table outlines, Trafford comes out on top for pretty much every statistic this season, with his two penalty saves especially remarkable considering they came just nine minutes apart, in the 88th and 97th minutes no less, denying Wilson Isidor both times, preserving a goalless draw against Sunderland in January.

Trafford joined Manchester City’s academy as a 13-year-old, before being sold to Burnley for a reported £19m two years ago, with Transfermarkt believing his current market value is now at its peak.

Thus, the 22-year-old is unquestionably a talented goalkeeper, so let’s analyse how he compares to Costa.

Appearances

43

41

Minutes

3,870

3,720

Goals conceded

15

44

Clean sheets

28

18

Save %

84.5%

68.3%

% of penalties saved

100%

33%

Post-shot xG – goals allowed

+10.9

-2.7

% of crosses stopped

5.9%

6.2%

Pass completion %

72.9%

78.5%

As the table outlines, Trafford has outperformed Costa this season, while plying his trade at only a slightly lower level; according to Global Football Rankings, the Championship is the 11th strongest league in the world, with the Primeira Liga ranked seventh.

So, regardless of who you believe to be the better goalkeeper, selling Trafford for £19m only to then sign Costa for in excess of three times more may be viewed as a mistake.

100% dribbles, 88% passing: Pep has found his own Cambiaso in Man City star

Manchester City claimed a vital 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Tuesday, with one star in particular catching the eye.

ByBen Gray Apr 23, 2025

Vote for the best individual Border-Gavaskar Trophy performance by an Indian in Australia since 2000

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-2024Update: This poll has ended. Jasprit Bumrah’s performance goes into the semi-finals. Check the other polls here.ESPNcricinfo LtdJasprit Bumrah’s slower ball to Shaun Marsh remains one of his iconic deliveries•Getty Images

Jasprit Bumrah – 6-33 and 3-53 in Melbourne, 2018

India won by 137 runs, lead series 2-1India had won in Adelaide, lost in Perth, and knew Melbourne would be a hard slog on a slow surface where only 24 wickets had fallen in a drawn Ashes Test the previous year. Time was precious, particularly with rain forecast on days four and five, so they declared seven down with less than 450, recognising they had batted nearly 170 overs.Turns out you don’t need much time if you have a game-breaker who can take the pitch out of the equation. India bowled Australia out twice in 156.2 overs, with nine of their 20 wickets coming from Jasprit Bumrah’s irresistible blend of brain and biomechanical brawn. They wrapped up victory shortly after lunch on day five, with even a washed-out first session powerless to stop them.Bumrah’s first three wickets, all on day three, all from round the wicket to left-hand batters, showcased how dangerous he could be even with minimal swing, seam or pace off the deck. A pinpoint bouncer managed to both rush Marcus Harris and cramp him for room. An unstoppable yorker, with a hint of reverse, burst through Travis Head.In between came the last ball before lunch, a devious, 113kph change-up that would go on to define not just this spell but all of Bumrah’s remarkable career. Shaun Marsh’s movements, tuned to Bumrah’s regular 140 kph rhythm, were entirely out of step with this ball out of a slow-motion nightmare. Fixated on a front leg that moved too far across and far too early, it dipped late to miss the cue end of the bat and pinged the pad on the full, plumb in front.By Karthik KrishnaswamyWatch the highlights of these performances on the Star Sports network at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm IST, from October 30 onwards.Cheteshwar Pujara was the rock Australia could not budge in Adelaide•Getty Images and Cricket Australia

Cheteshwar Pujara – 123 and 71 in Adelaide, 2018

India won by 31 runs, lead series 1-0Mitchell Starc was swinging the ball again. At 145 kph. Some of the quickest bowling ever seen in Australia in 2018 had India 127 for 6 on the first day of a long tour. But it still wasn’t enough to dislodge Cheteshwar Pujara. It barely even made a dent. In an age where batting is nothing if it doesn’t look sexy, one man stood up to show the world that “when you defend confidently you know you are in command, you are on top of the bowler, and he doesn’t have a chance to get you out.”Pujara batted for more than six hours to contribute 123 to India’s first-innings total of 250 in Adelaide. He then wore Australia down for nearly another five hours in the second innings; his 71 putting India on course to set a target of over 300. They won by 31 runs, and went on to take the series 2-1, their first ever triumph on Australian soil.
By Alagappan Muthu

On the verge of his 100th Test, the India batter looks back at his top innings and talks about the qualities that have made him the player he is

Interview by Nagraj Gollapudi14-Feb-2023A dozen Indian players have played over 100 Tests each. This select group is expected to be updated this week, when Cheteshwar Pujara plays the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. A one-format player, Pujara, who made his Test debut 13 years ago, has kept himself relevant despite regular scrutiny over the way he plays his game. By being honest to his beliefs, sticking religiously to his routines and staying disciplined, he has built a career that ranks among the finest of this era. In a chat with ESPNcricnfo, conducted before the start of the Australia Test series, Pujara opens up on his journey and where he is headed.Is it going to be just another Test or is your 100th Test special? Do you feel proud?
It is like when you are scoring runs – when you reach 50 or when you reach 100, there’s a special feeling. But again, when you score a hundred, you enjoy that moment but you still carry on. There is a satisfaction after reaching a milestone, but there is always a job to do.Yes, it will be my 100th Test match, but you still have a job to do for the team and you focus on that a bit more. It is similar to batting: when you reach the hundred, you start again. Sometimes you want to score a double-hundred. Here it is not like that – you can’t reach 200 Test matches. But you move on to the next target.Related

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We are playing an important series against Australia. Yes, the second Test will be my 100th, but there will be two more Tests after that which will be very important for us to win to qualify for the WTC final.Matches and series against Australia have been important in your career. It was against them that you made your Test debut in Bangalore in 2010. What do you remember of that day?
Feels like it happened yesterday. There have been many ups and downs, but that is the game I have enjoyed the most. I still remember when I was handed the cap, that feeling, that pressure moment. As a youngster you are anxious, you are nervous. The feeling of playing for the Indian team for the first time is something you can never forget. Even after that, playing your first overseas Test match, the kind of pressure you go through, you figure out that you need to work on your team to be successful in overseas conditions.I have played international cricket for more than a decade now. You learn so many things: you are tested in your character, in your temperament, in your patience, as a person. This game is not just about what you do on the field, it’s also about how you behave off the field, and that also has an impact on what you do on the field because if you are not disciplined enough in Test cricket, you will see the results eventually on the field. That’s why Test cricket is special. Yes, T20 cricket is more popular now but if you speak to any Test cricketer, regardless of how many matches they have played, they will tell you it takes a lot to become a successful Test player.At training: “It is not just concentration on the field – the combination of things you have done beforehand is equally important”•Associated PressYou only play one format, and your desire to excel in it is as strong as ever. What has kept you going?
Firstly, it’s the love for the game. My passion has become my profession. I never dreamt of doing anything else apart from playing cricket. I don’t need any kind of motivation to do well. And it’s not just about international cricket. If you look at my performances in games at whatever level – club, state, county, country – no one can question my commitment. I hate losing.As a recent example, I can talk about the Ranji Trophy game against Andhra where we lost and I scored 91. That was one of the best domestic innings I played, considering the kind of pitch we were playing on. We lost by 130-odd runs [150 runs]. I was the ninth wicket to fall. I felt if I could have done something else… because Dharmendrasinh Jadeja was batting at the other end and Yuvrajsinh Dodhiya was still to come. I still felt that there was a possibility as long as I was there. That’s the kind of attitude I normally have: as long as I am there at the crease, I can still make things possible to win a game for the team.When you are playing for the Indian team, you don’t need that motivation. It comes from within. Every time you walk onto the field, you are always switched on. I don’t think there is any drive required. I want to give my best and try and achieve the best I can.Your ability to concentrate has been a hallmark of your game. Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, your Sussex team-mate last year, said he has never seen anyone with better concentration than you. How do you manage to keep your focus intact at all times?
It is about how you are as a person, how your journey has been. I live a very simple life and that’s the reason I don’t get distracted by too many things. Also, as a person I believe in God and that’s a strength which gives me a lot of positivity when you are going through a tough time. At times there are so many things spoken about you. Sometimes people will talk negatively about you or criticise you, but to stay positive is important. That’s why I feel that when you believe in a superpower, it gives you that strength.Yoga has helped me immensely in the last several years, and I’ve been doing it regularly. That has also helped me improve my concentration.In the beginning: Pujara (centre) with his ecstatic team-mates after winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in his debut Test. Pujara counts his 72 in that match among his top innings•AFPMost importantly, if you forget the things that are around you, you can try and bring down your focus to one particular thing. For me, when I’m batting out there in the middle, I try and keep my mind blank, I try and just focus on what I have to do. And to do that you need to also forget what the bowler will do, because in cricket you have to be in the present, you have to look at the ball and let your instinct follow. For that you need to prepare well, you need to know what you are going to face, utilise your muscle memory. It is not just concentration on the field – the combination of things you have done beforehand is equally important.I’m guessing you don’t spend a lot of time on your phone?
No, I don’t. Apart from talking to friends and family, not much, I do agree. So there is one less distraction. Also, I try and avoid social media. As a sportsperson you need to be active on social media – that’s a different thing. But I don’t try and see what other people, celebrities, are doing. Even when someone is talking about me on social media, whether it is positive or negative, I stay away. Because I know my methods, I know my routine, I know what I have to do to become successful. When you have done that over a period of time, you figure out a way and you stick to that.You have always kept going back to domestic cricket. How big a role has that played in your career?
It has, definitely, without any doubt. If I look back a few years when Covid-19 was around, that was the time I had a little bit of a challenge in finding my rhythm. The reason I would say is, I didn’t play enough domestic cricket to be in touch with the game. I feel that no matter how much time you spend in the nets, playing first-class matches is very important to be successful at the international level, especially in the Test format. You need that preparation, you need that time in the middle to find your rhythm, to find your concentration, even for your feet to move.Would you advise youngsters who play just white-ball cricket for India to also play first-class cricket?
Yes. If you are just playing white-ball cricket and if you aim to play Test cricket, then you should definitely play Ranji Trophy, without any doubt. Otherwise you will eventually get exposed at the international level in red-ball cricket. If you look at examples of whoever has done well in Test cricket, they would have played some red-ball cricket – whether it is Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy or India A, Rest of India. It is slightly different for the bowlers, but for a batsman, it is important to play red-ball cricket.Which are some of your innings you look back on fondly?
Without ranking, among my top innings would be the 72 on Test debut. Then my first hundred in South Africa, 153, in 2013.You may break my body but not my spirit: Pujara grimaces after getting hit on the hand during his 56, made over five and a half hours•Tertius Pickard/Associated PressIn 2010, my first overseas series, I had a tough time. I batted at No. 5 or 6. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were at their peak. I still remember, I spoke to Rahul [Dravid] that I am finding it difficult because I have always played on Indian pitches where the bounce is low and the pace is slow. And in South Africa I am finding it difficult to get acclimatised and it is like facing a different challenge altogether. He gave some good advice. I worked on it. I ensured that whenever I came to South Africa next, I would do well, I wanted to be successful against those bowlers. That happened in 2013 in Jo’burg.In 2017 against Australia in Bangalore is another innings I will remember. I have said many times that sometimes your fifties are more valuable than some of your hundreds. And that was one of those knocks which decided not just that Test match but the entire Test series. If we had lost that match, the series was on the line, so it was a series-defining knock for me personally and for the team.The 123 in Adelaide in 2018 – first innings of an important series. Again, I had done my homework and it paid off and I was really pleased with that.Last one is the fifty at the Gabba in the 2020-21 series where I got hit so many times on my body and I had to work my way out. I felt it was an important innings from the team’s perspective.You have just turned 35. It is an age when chatter begins about how much longer a player might go on. James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who both only play Tests, have shown that skillsets don’t degrade. As a batter, what do you reckon?
I don’t want to set a target for myself. I want to be in the present. I want to take it one Test match at a time rather than thinking about how long I can play. It’s important to enjoy the game, it’s important to be on top of your game, and whenever you are not able to contribute, or you are not performing to the best of your abilities, you can consider the next step. I have just turned 35. There’s still some time.With his wife, Puja, in the UK in 2017•Cheteshwar PujaraWhen I first got injured [right knee surgery in 2009] I didn’t know how long I would play. I had my left ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] reconstructed, and then the second one in 2011. When I got injured in 2009, I was playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL in a practice game. I actually didn’t have any idea of what the injury was. Before that I had never had a serious injury, so I was in shock. I really didn’t know whether I would be able to carry on playing. So whatever has happened since then has been a bonus. At the time I wasn’t familiar with rehab and surgery – I was sort of traumatised and I didn’t know what to do. I was told I would be out of the game for six months. After I had the second knee injury in 2011, that was when I realised I needed to look after my body, and since then I have been paying a lot of attention to my fitness.It is probably accurate to say that you will play till you believe that you are capable of being the match-winner you have always prided yourself on being. But is it also your goal to ensure you average 50 before you retire?
Well, that is not a goal I would set for myself. That is something I think should happen, because as a cricketer you always want to do well and score as many runs as possible. It is about scoring runs in each and every Test match. And when I score those runs, the average will go up. My aim and goal is definitely to score runs, not to think about the average because that is a by-product.Will your family be at the Test?
Yes, they will definitely be watching. My dad has been my inspiration. He is someone who started coaching me when I was eight years old, so it’s been a long journey for him too, to see me play over that period of time, to have guided me as a coach. I’m very thankful to him and it’s a proud moment for him also to see his son play his 100th Test. And he’s a very emotional person, so for him it will be a very big moment.Also, I will be completing my tenth wedding anniversary soon. It is not just concentration on the field – the combination of things you have done beforehand to achieve that is equally important. My wife also has seen a lot of ups and downs and she has been always with me. When we got engaged, she didn’t have any knowledge about cricket. She has been following the game for about eight or nine years now, so she understands the game, she understands why my routine is the way it is. Sometimes she will tell me that you better make sure that you are completing your gym sessions rather than worrying about anything else. She has managed everything really well, not just on the house front, but there are so many things in a cricketer’s life, including endorsements, so I can be relaxed and focused on my game.