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Fifties from du Plessis, Patidar and Karthik took RCB to 196, but MI topped that in just 15.3 overs

Deivarayan Muthu11-Apr-20242:01

Rapid Fire Review: What makes Bumrah so good?

The bash-through-the-line Wankhede pitch and dewy conditions contributed to five 50-plus scores, including a 17-ball half-century from Suryakumar Yadav, but it was Jasprit Bumrah who produced the most decisive performance on the night to set up Mumbai Indians’ second successive victory at home.Bumrah’s 5 for 21 – he was on a hat-trick twice – kept Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 196 for 8, despite Dinesh Karthik’s inventive 53 not out off 23 balls. Karthik hit four sixes and a four off the last seven legal balls he faced to give RCB a biggish total.But it looked smaller than it was when Ishan Kishan cracked a 23-ball half-century inside the powerplay in the chase. It looked a whole lot smaller when Suryakumar, playing only his second game back from injury, reminded the world of his power and range. MI eventually mowed down the target with seven wickets and nearly five overs to spare.Captain Hardik Pandya was booed when he bowled a solitary over earlier in the night, but a packed crowd celebrated with him when he finished the chase with a six.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Patidar, du Plessis prop up RCBRCB were 23 for 2 in the fourth over when Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar came together.Before that, Bumrah had Virat Kohli swiping and edging behind for three off nine balls in his first over, the third of the innings. In the next over, Akash Madhwal generated his signature skid to have Will Jacks, who made his IPL debut in place of Cameron Green, flapping a catch to mid-on for eight.Du Plessis tried to salvage the powerplay by staying leg side of the ball and using his hands to pump the ball over the top. Patidar, too, started quickly and later overtook du Plessis to become the first of many half-centurions in the game.Patidar reached the landmark with back-to-back sixes off Gerald Coetzee, but the South Africa quick hit back the next ball to bounce Patidar out for 50 off 26 balls.2:03

‘Bumrah does his research, he doesn’t leave a stone unturned’

Bumrah’s masterclassAfter removing Kohli with the new ball, Bumrah returned with the old one to almost shut down RCB’s innings.In a 17th over, which was full of yorkers or low full-tosses, he dismissed du Plessis (61) and Mahipal Lomror (0). Du Plessis failed to get under a hard-to-hit low full-toss and holed out to long-on while Lomror was pinned lbw by a yorker off the next ball.In his next over, Bumrah found himself on a hat-trick again but didn’t get to it this time either. He bounced out Saurav Chauhan, RCB’s impact player, and Vyshak Vijaykumar off successive balls, but Akash Deep somehow kept out the hat-trick ball, which was a yorker.Bumrah’s five-wicket haul, though, had his former captain Rohit Sharma lifting him off the ground, and his former bowling partner and current bowling coach, Lasith Malinga, on his feet, applauding him from the dugout.On Sunday, against Delhi Capitals, Bumrah came away with 4-0-22-2 on a day when 439 runs were scored. Thursday’s performance was even more special on a dewy night.Karthik finishes with a flourishKarthik, who has represented MI in the past, had the Wankhede crowd chanting his name when he picked a slower ball from Bumrah and launched it over extra-cover, providing a throwback to his six that won India the Nidahas Trophy in 2018.He played a number of other sensational shots as well. When Madhwal denied him easy access to the shorter square boundary on the leg side, Karthik scooped him for a pair of fours over short third in the 16th over that cost MI 19 runs. Karthik also helped take 19 off Madhwal’s final over, also the final over of the innings, but it would not be enough for RCB.Ishan Kishan was unstoppable at the top•Associated Press

Kishan blasts offMohammed Siraj and Reece Topley swung the new ball in the early exchanges, but that didn’t stop Kishan from maximising the powerplay.When Siraj swung one into his pads, he picked it up over square leg for six. Then, when Topley moved one away from him, Kishan crunched him over point. Kishan had a nervy moment on 12, when Topley found his edge, but it flew between keeper and first slip for four more.Kishan continued to deal in boundaries and repeated his feat of smashing a fifty in the powerplay for MI.Suryakumar Yadav, playing his second game of the season, got a 17-ball fifty•Associated Press

A new high for SKYAkash Deep stopped Kishan on 69 and Jacks removed Rohit for 38, but there would be no respite for RCB.Their bowlers kept missing their lengths as the dew set in and Suryakumar went about making life even more difficult for them.Suryakumar could have been dismissed on 15 but Maxwell dropped him at backward point and then left the field, writhing in pain. Suryakumar then unfurled his shot and used his wrists and fast hands to scythe wide balls over point. He charged to his fastest T20 fifty with a sequence of 4, 6, 4, 4 off Topley in the 13th over. He holed out in the next over, but Hardik and Tilak Varma sealed a NRR-boosting win for MI with 27 balls in hand.

Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer can show everyone how good he is by leading Chelsea in their bid for more silverware at the Club World Cup.

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Chelsea start Club World Cup campaign on MondayPalmer has become Blues' talisman Maresca backs him to shine in USAFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea manager Maresca has backed Palmer to shine at the Club World Cup this month and show fans everywhere just how good he is. The England international helped the Blues scoop the Conference League trophy in late May and will hope to win a second piece of silverware since his move to Stamford Bridge in FIFA's newly-revamped tournament.

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The likes of Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are among those playing in the United States this month and all will be keen to claim the trophy. However, Palmer ended the club season in good form as he powered Chelsea to victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final and Maresca says the 23-year-old, who he worked with as a coach previously at Manchester City, can show he belongs at the highest level with good performances this month.

Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowWHAT MARESCA SAID

Speaking ahead of his side's opener against LAFC, Maresca said: "I've said it more than once: Cole Palmer is up there with the best players who can produce something at any moment, create something out of nothing.

"He wasn't with me on the USA tour last summer, so it will also be a chance for him to experience the environment there and to introduce himself to North America."

DID YOU KNOW?

Palmer will be key to Chelsea's hopes this month and he has also received praise from former midfielder Geremi, who believes the attacking midfielder is capable of "carrying" them to the title.

The fast bowler has a hamstring injury and will return home from Bangladesh to start rehabilitation work before joining Mumbai Indians after recovering

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2024Dilshan Madushanka, who left the field during Sri Lanka’s second ODI against Bangladesh on Friday, has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour and is unlikely to play the first few matches of the IPL, where he is a part of Mumbai Indians.In a statement on Sunday morning, Sri Lanka Cricket said that an MRI scan has confirmed that Madushanka “has suffered a left hamstring injury”, and he will “return [home] to start rehabilitation work”.”We got the report on his injury only today [Sunday], and it shows a small tear,” Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda said. “It’s a new injury. We’re not yet sure how long it will take for him to recover, but he’ll have to be assessed again when he goes home by the medical team at the high-performance centre. For now we know he’s out of the ODI tomorrow for sure.”In the second ODI in Chattogram, which Sri Lanka won by three wickets to level the series with one to play, Madushanka opened the bowling and picked up the first two Bangladesh wickets to fall, but went off after bowling just 6.4 overs.Madushanka, and his Sri Lanka colleague Nuwan Thushara, were among the new players acquired by Mumbai Indians in the latest IPL auction, held in December last year. Madushanka was brought on board for INR 4.6 crore (US$554,000 approx.), and formed formidable fast-bowling line-up alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Behrendorff, Gerald Coetzee, Akash Madhwal, Arjun Tendulkar and Thushara; captain Hardik Pandya, Romario Shepherd and Anshul Kamboj are also in the line-up as fast-bowling allrounders.Madushanka picked up two wickets each in the two ODIs in Bangladesh, and now has 41 wickets from 23 ODIs (average 24.87) to go with 14 wickets from 14 T20Is (economy 9.41). He made his Test debut against Pakistan in Colombo in July last year, but went wicketless in one innings of bowling.There is some doubt over Coetzee’s participation in the IPL as well. While he has linked up with Mumbai Indians, Coetzee is understood to be recovering from a groin injury and is being monitored by the Mumbai Indians medical team. He last played competitively in the Boxing Day Test against India in Centurion, where he developed pelvic inflammation and was unable to take part in the next match, the SA20 or the opening rounds of the domestic T20 tournament.

The Mumbai captain credited his coach Omkar Salvi for creating a vision focussed on player fitness and freedom

Abhimanyu Bose14-Mar-2024Ending a wait that lasted eight years, Mumbai lifted their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in front of a jubilant home crowd at the Wankhede. Up against a stubborn Vidarbha team that refused to give in, Mumbai were eventually comfortable in defending 538 to win the final. Captain Ajinkya Rahane credited the triumph to the vision instilled in the team by head coach Omkar Salvi.”I think our journey started in June and it was all because of Omkar’s vision. We all had a vision as a team, but it came from Omkar,” Rahane said in the post-match press conference. “We focused on player fitness, creating a great culture in the team and giving freedom to all the players, not only on the field but off the field as well.”And you know, when someone is not doing well, you have to back that individual. It’s a team sport. Some players will do well in the team, few players won’t do well. But it’s all about backing all the players in the right time,” Rahane said. “So I think massive credit to Omkar. He has worked hard for this moment. Today I am really proud of him, really happy for him. His hard work has really paid off.”Related

• Mumbai find a way to ensure the Vidarbha miracle wasn't to be

• 'Our mentality is that we can win from any situation' – Mumbai players celebrate 42nd Ranji triumph

• Mumbai win 42nd Ranji title to end eight-year wait

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Rahane said that the title win, and the fact that there are several players from Mumbai representing India, bodes well for the team.”This victory means a lot. 42nd title, waiting seven-eight years. Last year we played really good cricket but unfortunately because of one run we couldn’t qualify for the playoffs. But this 42nd title means a lot. And as you mentioned, ten players representing Indian cricket, it’s massive.”He also underlined the importance of players turning up in domestic cricket.”I want to mention one thing about BCCI giving importance to domestic cricket which is a very good thing, telling players to play domestic cricket. Which is very important,” Rahane said.”From here on, for Mumbai cricket, it is important to keep growing, to keep thinking about how can we get better in all formats,” he said. “Winning the championship after eight years, we did this, but again, we want to repeat this in the coming years. Our focus will be on that.”But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Mumbai on the fifth day of the final as Vidarbha skipper Akshay Wadkar and rookie Harsh Dubey played out a wicket-less morning session, sparking chatter about a potential upset of epic proportions. It wasn’t to be, but Rahane was the first to tip his hat to Vidarbha’s resilience.”The way they played cricket, the way they have fought in this match. When you concede a 120-run first-innings lead and are chasing 538, it’s easy to give up. But the sport teaches you that if you don’t give up and believe in your abilities, anything can happen,” Rahane said.”Chasing 538, the character which they have shown in the second innings was a great learning experience for all of us. The grit and determination with which they batted was very good.”The last 7-8 years they have been doing really good. They had a couple of championships and they won Irani Trophy once or twice. They are playing really good cricket.”Dhawal Kulkarni took the final wicket to seal Mumbai’s victory•PTI

Wadkar: ‘Never thought we were out of the game’

At stumps on the fourth day, Karun Nair had said that Vidarbha, 290 runs away with five wickets in hand, were faced with a “tough task” but also that they are a team that would not quit.Wadkar and Dubey exemplified that in their defiant partnership that saw Vidarbha go into lunch on the final day 85 runs closer to their target with no more damage to the wickets column. Wadkar scored his second century in Ranji Trophy finals, while Dubey brought up his second first-class fifty.”When we had our huddle, when we spoke in our team meeting, when we were speaking in our partnership, we didn’t think even 1% that we are out of the match,” Wadkar said.”We were just thinking that all the batters together, we’ll win the match. Because it’s the final and the last inning, so there was no scope of giving up or thinking negative. You have to go for the win, so we just believed that we will win.”Wadkar said that the Mumbai team kept having many discussions on their tactics since the fourth day, when he put on a 90-run stand with Nair and started his 130-run partnership with Dubey, but at no point did Rahane or his team look flustered, which meant that he knew Vidarbha still had a long way to go in the match.”[Mumbai] were having discussions since yesterday. When I was batting with Karun, when I was batting with Harsh. So they had discussions on field changes and bowling changes,” Wadkar said. “I was just observing their captain, Rahane, that what are his expressions? Is he talking a little harshly with the bowlers? Because then we would know that we are in the game.”But from his attitude, it looked like he was cool and calm. He didn’t let it show if he was getting frustrated or that we were getting close to the game.”So we also felt that we are quite far in the game and we have to go a long way. We did have a long way to go, of course, but from the attitude of the opponents, you get vibes about what they are thinking. But from his attitude, it didn’t look like [they were getting frustrated].”Akshay Wadkar scored his second century in a Ranji final•PTI

MCA increases prize money for Mumbai

While Mumbai were already receiving INR 5 crore from the BCCI for winning the Ranji Trophy, the Mumbai Cricket Association decided to double the prize money with a prize of INR 5 crore of their own.”MCA President Amol Kale and Apex Council has decided to double the Ranji Trophy prize money. The MCA will pay additional sum of Rs 5 crore to the winning Mumbai Ranji Trophy team,” the MCA said in a statement.Mumbai coach Salvi praised the board for the move, saying it would give the players more security.”I think nowadays there are very less institutions that provide jobs [to players]. I think BCCI taking that step and giving that money and along with that MCA putting that step forward to equal that amount is a great help for the players who don’t have jobs or other sources of earning,” Salvi said.”It also gives an inspiration. Definitely I feel [Inspiration] should be intrinsic but the monetary help will give them the security and it will stabilise them mentally and financially and they will give more to the game.”

As they potentially look to replace Callum Wilson this summer, Newcastle United have reportedly made contact with the entourage of a Champions League-winning striker.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies are closing in on what must be an important summer at St James’ Park, with exit rumours continuing to surround star man Alexander Isak. In what would be the move of the transfer window – perhaps in terms of both valuation and the impact it would make – both Liverpool and Arsenal are reportedly targeting the Swede, who’s worth £150m.

Whilst there’s no doubt that his exit would leave a gaping hole, Newcastle would at least be free from any PSR constraints to finally welcome reinforcements of their own.

That said, Isak may not be the only one to depart this summer, with Callum Wilson currently on course to leave as a free agent when his contract comes to an end in the coming months. In one swoop, it’s certainly a real possibility that Eddie Howe could be left without both of his strikers.

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If that does prove to be the case, the arrival of one particular target will be more important than ever and the Magpies seem to be well aware of that. According to CaughtOffside, Newcastle have now made contact with Tammy Abraham over a summer move from AS Roma.

The former Chelsea man has spent the campaign on loan at Milan in a mixed spell and has since found himself on the radar of the Tyneside club, along with the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham United.

Whether a return to the Premier League beckons for the 27-year-old remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that he’s one to watch amid growing rumours. An experienced goalscorer these days, he could instantly ease Newcastle’s Wilson blow.

"Amazing" Abraham could make Premier League return

Eyebrows were raised when Abraham swapped Chelsea for Milan in 2021 after winning the Champions League with the Blues, but the forward’s Italian adventure has proved more than worthwhile when fit and firing. Now, five years later, he looks destined to receive the chance to return to England’s top flight as a far more complete player.

Earning the praise of Jose Mourinho during their time together in Rome, the so-called Special One told reporters after a 3-0 win over Monza in 2022: “Today he was my Tammy.

“He played how I wanted him to. He won everything, he kept the ball, he provided an outlet, he won the first ball and he gave us an option in behind to push them back.

“We always talk about strikers when they score and obviously tonight was Paulo [Dybala]’s night, but Tammy was amazing.”

After scoring eight goals in all competitions in more of a backup role on loan at Milan this season, Abraham could yet become the perfect option for Newcastle behind Isak next season.

It’s a role that Wilson has struggled to fulfil amid injury issues, but one which could yet see the former Chelsea man thrive at St James’ Park.

What a game at the Etihad Stadium it was between Manchester City and Real Madrid. It was a Champions League classic, in which the visitors ran out 3-2 winners late in stoppage time, in one of the most enthralling games of the season.

After early chances for Madrid, which they probably should have scored from, Erling Haaland gave City the lead 19 minutes into the game. The Norweigan finished off a lovely team move, in which Jack Grealish clipped a pass over to Josko Gvardiol, who chested it down to Haaland for 1-0 to the home side.

Their lead lasted until the 60th minute when Kylian Mbappe had his say on the game. It wasn’t a clean strike from the Frenchman, but he lifted the ball over Ederson and it looped into the back of the net for 1-1.

With time ticking away, it seemed like the next goal could be decisive. It was once again Haaland who scored, converting a penalty won by first-half substitute Phil Foden, who was brought down just on the edge of the box.

However, the City number nine’s strike was anything but decisive. In classic fashion, Los Blancos scored two late goals to equalise and then win the game, in what was a calamitous few moments for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The man who scored the winner, Jude Bellingham, proved to be a real thorn in City’s side as they collapsed in the final minutes of the crunch clash.

Bellingham’s brilliance as City collapse

The last six minutes of the game, from the 86th to the 92nd minute, were a calamity for the Citizens. Firstly, the Spanish side equalised through a former City academy graduate, Brahim Diaz.

It was poor defending from the Premier League champions, who did not pick up their former player, allowing him to waltz into the box unmarked. He got on the end of a rebound from Vinicius Junior’s shot and fired home to make it 2-2.

It got worse for the home side, however, in the 92nd minute when Madrid won the game. Who else but Bellingham, the “big game player” himself, as Statman Dave called him. The England international was superb on the night and got the decisive touch to win the game for his side.

It was, again, terrible work from City. Mateo Kovacic sloppily lost possession in midfield, selling Rico Lewis short with his pass. Vinicius ran onto the ball, clipped it over the onrushing Ederson and into Bellingham’s path. He got ahead of Three Lions teammate John Stones and sealed a remarkably victory.

Bellingham was excellent on the night, and City simply fell away. They would have been looking for their own creative force to step up like Bellingham did, but he was, in many ways, outclassed by the Madrid number five.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

The Man City star who was outclassed by Bellingham

It was not the worst performance ever from Kevin De Bruyne against Los Blancos, but Guardiola would have wanted more from City’s star man. He threatened to impact the game with a goal or assist but did not actually manage to do so in that sense.

The Belgian stalwart’s stats via Sofascore from the game were, perhaps, a little disappointing. He did manage to create three chances, although lost the ball 19 times and had a dismal 74% pass accuracy. Off the ball, he was underwhelming too, winning just one from nine ground duels.

In comparison, Bellingham managed to create two chances himself, lost the ball just nine times and had an impressive 92% pass accuracy. He was imperious off the ball, winning seven from 12 ground duels, and, of course, scored the all-important winning goal.

De Bruyne vs. Bellingham key stats
Stat	De Bruyne	Bellingham
Touches	51	60
Pass accuracy	74%	92%
Passes completed	24/35	36/39
Key passes	3	2
Dribbles completed	0/2	3/3
Number of times ball lost	19	9
Ground duels won	1/9	7/12
Stats from Sofascore

There is no doubt that Guardiola will have been seeking more complete display from his number 17. So often a rich source of goals and assists, the Belgian did cause Madrid problems at times, but nothing too concerning. The Manchester Evening News journalist Simon Bajkowski described his balls into the box as “a nuisance”, but they did not lead to anything for City.

In the second leg, the Citizens will be desperate for their star man to show up for the count if they are to turn the tie around. De Bruyne already has eight goal involvements in ten games against Madrid, including Tuesday’s clash, but will be hoping to add to that next week in Spain.

Whether or not he starts, however, remains to be seen with both Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden waiting in the wings. Perhaps a place on the bench beckons next time out.

Man City's answer to Nwaneri: Pep must unleash "insane" teenage star

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