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The 20-year-old allrounder from a small town close to Lucknow has already made a splash in IPL 2025

Shashank Kishore and Daya Sagar04-Apr-2025Vipraj Nigam, 20, is pleasantly surprised at how much recognition he has received over the past two weeks at IPL 2025.An allrounder signed by Delhi Capitals (DC) primarily for his legspin bowling, Nigam helped his team turn the tables on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on his IPL debut when he smashed a 15-ball 39 after going out at 113 for 6 in a tall chase of 210. DC won, with Ashutosh Sharma overshadowing Nigam with an unbeaten 66 in 31 balls.”I was nervous, but also excited,” Nigam tells ESPNcricinfo. “The feeling of earning the respect of your team-mates and coaches is something I can’t express in words. It’s been amazing to come and play with the same people I’ve watched on TV.”Related

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Nigam’s batting chops were never in doubt – he broke through into the Uttar Pradesh Under-19s as a batter first, and then legspin took over. When he picked up “13 or 14 wickets in two crucial matches”, an opportunity to be part of a junior camp at the National Cricket Academy [now Centre of Excellence, in Bengaluru] opened up soon after domestic cricket resumed after Covid, sometime in 2022. It was there that he realised the need to develop his all-round abilities.”They [the coaches] told me legspinning allrounders are rare,” he says. “After that, I started working on my bowling seriously.”What he thought was a small step turned into a giant leap when he earned further recognition at the UP T20 League in 2024, where he was the second-highest wicket-taker. Blessed with a quick-arm action modelled on his hero Yasir Shah, the former Pakistan legspinner, Nigam found his way past batters with his fizz. Those performances earned him trials with DC, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS).”A few other teams had invited me, but the Ranji Trophy was on, and I wanted to prioritise that,” he says. “But I did well at the trials wherever I went – they gave me good feedback. But there were no guarantees.”At the auction last year, Nigam was signed for INR 50 lakh, “big money” for the son of a primary schoolteacher from Barabanki, a small town near Lucknow. “My father never stopped me from playing cricket,” he says. “My mother would initially tell me it was important to study, but after a point even she started encouraging me. Sports wasn’t a thing at home.”

“I didn’t move to Lucknow initially, I’d do up and down by bus. There was this excitement of going every day to play, as a youngster you don’t think ‘oh, I have to travel this far’. It’s all you want to do. Now the journey has gotten more comfortable since I’ve bought a car”Vipraj Nigam

Sports wasn’t big in his hometown either. Those who aspired to play cricket had to move to Lucknow. Nigam, however, was fortunate to be under the mentorship of Sarwar Nawab, who had just started the lone cricket academy in Barabanki.As Nigam began to develop physically, Nawab worked on his power hitting, while state senior Zeeshan Ansari, who has also broken into the IPL this year, worked on Nigam’s legspin.Ansari played for India at the Under-19 World Cup in 2016 alongside Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan, but lost his way for a few years, failing to break into the UP senior team. During this period, Ansari kept his cricket dream burning by practicing and playing A-division cricket in Lucknow, while being a big brother for young Nigam.Nawab and Ansari helped enhance Nigam’s skills, but the proof of the pudding was in being able to play and perform in competitive games. Nawab happened to know Khaleeq Khan, who ran the UP Timber Cricket Club in the A division of the city’s club circuit. Khaleeq offered Nigam an opportunity to play for the club and he has been a regular since.”I didn’t move to Lucknow initially, I’d do up and down by bus,” Nigam says. “There was this excitement of going every day to play, as a youngster you don’t think ‘oh, I have to travel this far’. It’s all you want to do. Now the journey has gotten more comfortable since I’ve bought a car. Earlier, I used to walk, then take a bus, train there for five-six hours and come back. It used to be tiring.””I learnt a lot from several of my seniors,” Vipraj Nigam says of his UP team-mates•Delhi CapitalsAt the club, Nigam enhanced his skills by playing with the cream of UP’s next in line. “I learnt a lot from several of my seniors there,” he says. “Akshdeep Nath, Upendra Yadav, Mohammad Saif – all of them had Ranji Trophy experience. Playing and training with experienced players helped me tremendously.”Nigam also got to play with many of them when he earned a senior state debut in the 2024-25 season. UP made the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarter-finals after Nigam made an impression with the bat, an unbeaten 27 off eight balls against Andhra, a prelude of sorts to his IPL fireworks.”I feel very blessed to have had the journey I’ve had,” he says. “I’m learning from the best. KL Rahul is in my team. I’ve been speaking to him every day. Kevin Pietersen [the team mentor], Axar [Patel] , Kuldeep [Yadav] – they’re all amazing players. The IPL is such a platform where you see and learn from the best. I’d like to have a chance to speak to MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav.”For now, bowling and picking up wickets and being able to “make an impact” for DC and wherever he plays is enough for Nigam.

A significant update has now emerged regarding Raphael Wicky becoming Middlesbrough’s next manager, as the Championship side look to find the right replacement for Rob Edwards in the near future.

The exit of Edwards to Wolves has knocked Boro for six at an important point in the season, but it is vital that they don’t allow it to derail their Championship promotion push in the coming weeks and months.

A number of candidates have already been mentioned as potential options as the Englishman’s successor, including former Young Boys manager Wicky.

It has been claimed that Boro are serious about appointing the 48-year-old as their next boss after he impressed during talks, although he is far from the only candidate being mentioned for the job.

Former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a contender for the Championship side, with the Dutchman reportedly given Gareth Southgate’s endorsement, following their time working together with the England national team. Steven Gerrard, Gary O’Neill and Carlos Corberan are some of the other names to have been thrown around.

Wicky keen on taking Middlesbrough job

Now, according to a fresh claim from The Northern Echo, Wicky is keen on becoming Middlesbrough’s next manager, with the Swiss very much in the mix to come in.

He is said to be one of a host of overseas bosses who are “interested” in taking charge at the Riverside Stadium, following his exit from Young Boys last year, having spent two years at the club.

Wicky stands out as a strong option for Boro, with journalist Graeme Bailey describing him as an “impressive” individual, following a successful managerial career to date.

He won both the Swiss league title and Swiss Cup with Young Boys in the 2022/23 season, outlining his winning mentality, and at 48, he is still a relatively young manager who will bring fresh ideas to the Riverside.

It remains to be seen if the 4-4-2 diamond-playing Wicky will ultimately be Boro’s pick as their new boss, but the fact that the job appeals to him can only be a good thing, and his trophy-winning pedigree isn’t something that should be ignored.

Middlesbrough now considering move for ex-QPR manager recommended by Southgate

He’s been out of a managerial job since 2022.

1 ByTom Cunningham Nov 14, 2025

It is vital that the club don’t rush into the decision, however, instead ensuring that they have the best possible choice of manager to hopefully spearhead their return to the Premier League, rather than making a quick call and bringing in the wrong man.

How Middlesbrough feel about Raphael Wicky as Swiss manager holds Riverside talks

Hossan, Beg make half-centuries for visitors as Minto impresses again with three wickets

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay07-Sep-2025England U19 273 for 6 (Mohammed 104, Basir 3-35) beat Bangladesh U19 272 for 9 (Hossan 57, Beg 51, Minto 3-48) by four wicketsA superb Isaac Mohammed century guided England Men U19s to a four-wicket win against Bangladesh Men U19s in the second Youth one-day international at Loughborough.The Worcestershire batter, who was dropped on six, was the backbone of a potentially tricky run chase after half-centuries from Rifat Beg and Rizan Hossan helped Bangladesh post 272 for nine.James Minto claimed three for 48 from his 10 overs – to follow his five-wicket haul in the opening-match defeat – although the highlight of the innings was arguably Joe Moores’ stunning catch to remove KS Aleen off Manny Lumsden.Moores dived full length to his right at a floating slip to haul in a remarkable one-handed catch and then struck 47 alongside Mohammed at the top of the order to put the hosts on track in their pursuit.Mohammed went on to reach 104 from 95 balls, which included nine sixes, before Jack Nelson, who made his debut in the opening game on Friday, saw the Young Lions over the line with an unbeaten 35 from 38 balls.The five-match series is level 1-1 heading into the next match at Bristol on Tuesday.Despite the early loss of Zawad Abrar, caught at mid-off from Matthew Firbank’s bowling, Bangladesh edged the initial stages, reaching 67 for one after 10 overs.The drinks interval proved pivotal, as three wickets fell in three consecutive overs, after the break. The pace of Hampshire’s Manny Lumsden rushed Beg into a mistake, ending a promising knock of 51 from 52 balls. The soft dismissal of Azizul Hakim Tamim followed, as he offered a simple chance to square leg and Lumsden claimed his second wicket courtesy of Moores excellent catch.At 126 for four inside 20 overs, Bangladesh were precariously placed but Hossan, a centurion in Friday’s game and wicketkeeper Mohammed Abdullah rebuilt with a partnership of 69. It was ended when Abdullah mistimed a pull shot off Minto.Hossan, displaying power and subtlety, got to his fifty soon after, off 54 balls. His crucial wicket was taken the ball after he deposited a huge six onto the roof of an adjacent building, Jack Nelson being rewarded for perseverance.At 218 for six Bangladesh’s innings never really regained impetus, as Nelson’s leg-spin claimed another wicket in his next over, with Samiun Basir Ratul’s top edge being caught by Bryon Hatton-Lowe.Two further cheap wickets followed as the England bowlers continued to apply themselves, although late innings hitting from Al Fahad elevated the final total to 272-9 off 47 overs – three overs being reduced due to rain.In response, the England openers raced to f50 off 6.5 overs, to get ahead of the asking rate. Mohammed’s graceful straight hits and Moores’s scooped six, were highlights of a partnership worth 68. Moores was out gloving the ball behind, from Shahrir Al-Amin’s first delivery.The next wicket came somewhat against the run of play, Ben Mayes bowled by Ratul when the second-wicket partnership looked well set, leaving the score on 120 for two. Mohammed’s second successive fifty came shortly afterwards off 69 balls, and in a run soaked 26th over he struck three sixes off Hossan’s medium pace.At the other end, a sharp stumping sent Will Bennison back for 12, before skipper Thomas Rew departed for 14 to a catch in the deep, which just kept Bangladesh in the game with 59 runs needed off 14 overs.Mohammed was dismissed, holing out off Fahad, two balls after completing a composed century. The sixth-wicket pair of Nelson and Ralphie Albert took England to the brink of victory, which eventually came with 3.5 overs remaining.Moores said: “It was a really good win, I though last game we were pretty close for a lot of the time, we had a lot of good moments, we spoke about trying to build that for longer.”Obviously Isaac batted really well, he set the tone really nicely, the lads who came in after him followed it up really nicely as well. Everyone chipped in, it’s definitely good to get the win and go one-all.”Speaking about his scoop for six, Moores added: “It’s just going to your strengths as quickly as possible, I feel like those kinds of shots are one of my strengths. It felt like it was a good option.”Moores added about his diving slip catch: “I was very pleased, it’s one of those that sticks, it felt like it was going in slow motion, it was a nice feeling (to take the catch).”

Bangladesh’s heartbreak or West Indies defeating Australia in a Test for the first time in 21 years? Which Test was better? Vote now!

ESPNcricinfo staff16-May-2025Update: This poll has ended. The AUS-WI 2024 Brisbane Test moves into the round of 16.Defiance and heartbreak – Multan, 2003This was supposed to be Bangladesh’s moment. Their first Test win after 22 defeats (and one draw). A chance to show the world they belonged.Only they couldn’t get past one man.Bangladesh batted first and scored 281, riding on Habibul Bashar’s 72. They then skittled Pakistan for 175 with Khaled Mahmud and Mohammad Rafique sharing nine wickets between them to secure a 106-run lead. Despite being bowled out for 154 in their second dig, the odds were stacked in Bangladesh’s favour with Pakistan chasing 261.On a fourth day Multan surface, Bangladesh had Pakistan in trouble at 81 for 4, which became 164 for 7 in no time. They breached the defences of every player, barring one: Inzamam-ul-Haq. But by the time he completed his fifty, Pakistan had already lost six wickets.When Inzamam brought up his century, Pakistan were still 44 runs adrift of the target with two wickets in hand. He found an able ally in Umar Gul, with the duo adding 52 runs for the ninth wicket, in which Gul’s contribution was just five off 50 balls. But when Gul was run out with the target only four runs away, Bangladesh saw some hope, again.Inzamam, however, kept his cool and flicked Mahmud away to the long-leg fence as Pakistan clinched a thriller. A teary-eyed Inzamam was showered with rose petals as he made his way to the change room, unbeaten on 138 and giving Pakistan a win to savour.Shamar announces his arrival – Brisbane, 2024Carl Hooper and Brian Lara broke down. The most patriotic Australian supporter cheered for the opposition. The Test world champions were knocked over. All because one bowler, with a broken toe, decided it was time for a siege on fortress Gabba.Australia had not lost a Test to West Indies since 2003, and not lost to them at home since 1997. They had also never lost a pink-ball Test. It was all going to change.They were coming into the second Test having decimated West Indies in Adelaide inside three days. At the Gabba, West Indies batted first and scored 311 with useful middle- and lower-order contributions. Australia declared behind on 289 for 9 to make use of the twilight session.West Indies showed fight but were bowled out for 193, giving Australia a 216-run target. But more importantly, Shamar Joseph had to retire hurt after a searing Mitchell Starc yorker struck him flush on the toe. This was late on the third evening. Australia lost Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne early in the chase, but Steven Smith and Cameron Green took them to stumps, requiring 156 runs to win. Shamar hadn’t bowled at all on the third evening.On the fourth afternoon, Smith and Green went merrily about their run-scoring ways. Then Shamar arrived. He conceded 19 runs off his first ten balls. Off his 11th and 12th, he knocked over Green and Travis Head.The odds were still stacked in Australia’s favour at this stage. There were just 103 runs away and Shamar had a broken toe. How long could he continue? He continued… straight for 11.5 overs. And Australia were blown away. Shamar removed Mitchell Marsh, then knocked over Alex Carey with 145kph thunderbolt. He then snapped up Starc before sending back Pat Cummins.All this while, Smith kept at it. But when Alzarri Joseph had Nathan Lyon with Australia still 25 adrift, the end was in sight. Fittingly, it was Shamar who claimed the final wicket, flattening Josh Hazlewood’s off pole and then wheeling away in celebration, finishing with stunning figures of 7 for 68. It was a performance that single-handedly elevated Shamar to stardom.

Unlike last month, the current international break is an unwelcome escape from Premier League football for West Ham United fans.

Nuno Espírito Santo has seemingly worked his magic, and a team that looked incapable of a win just a few weeks ago have just beaten Newcastle United and Burnley.

One of the reasons the Hammers look so much better is that Freddie Potts has finally been given his chance to start in the first team.

The Barking-born star has been immense in the middle of the park, and the good news is that the academy is producing a few players who could be the next Potts, although they also lost a youngster who’s an even bigger talent than the 22-year-old.

West Ham's next Freddie Potts

The good news for West Ham fans is that their academy system continues to produce exciting prospects, some of whom could go on to become the next Potts in a few years.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

One of those youngsters is Preston Fearon, who joined the Hammers in 2022, signed his first professional contract last year, and then signed another just last month.

Jarrod Bowen has described the 18-year-old as a “special player”, and it’s not hard to see why, as, in addition to making 43 appearances across the club’s youth sides, he was also taken on the pre-season tour of America.

Like the Hammers’ new star, the youngster can play in several positions, but thrives as a tough-tackling, yet technically accomplished, central midfielder.

Another youngster who could be fighting for first-team minutes a few years from now is Isaac Thomas.

The 16-year-old Welshman just scored four goals during his second appearance for the U18S, and what’s even more incredible is that he did so from centre-back.

However, just like Fearon and Potts, his primary position is in the middle of the park, but he’s capable of filling in where he is needed.

Finally, while a little older, Mohamadou Kanté looks every bit as exciting.

Described as having “good anticipation” and being “very calm and composed on the ball” by one analyst, the 20-year-old Frenchman is also no stranger to scoring goals and could provide a similar presence to the middle of the park as Potts.

In all, West Ham have plenty of exciting youngsters coming through the ranks, but even so, they surely rue losing someone who is an even bigger talent than Potts.

The academy gem who is a bigger talent than Potts

West Ham have done relatively well at retaining their most promising academy talents over the years, but they were unable to do so with Divine Mukasa.

The incredible prospect joined the Hammers as a five-year-old, but in September 2023, he moved to Manchester City for free.

The 18-year-old phenom made his senior debut for City in September, in a League Cup game against Huddersfield Town, and as if that wasn’t impressive enough, he also provided an assist.

He also started the following game in the competition against Swansea City and has been on the bench for three Premier League games so far this season.

However, while a player his age starting two games for a club like City is certainly impressive enough, it’s his record for their youth sides which suggests he could be a future superstar.

Appearances

41

Minutes

2807′

Goals

17

Assists

25

Goal Involvements per Match

1.02

Minutes per Goal Involvement

66.83′

For example, in 41 appearances across various youth sides last season, totalling 2807 minutes, the former Hammer chalked up an outrageous tally of 17 goals and 25 assists.

That means the incredible superstar in the making averaged 1.02 goal involvements per game, or one every 66.83 minutes all season, which goes some way in justifying journalist Nassali Sandrah’s claim that he is “the best academy player in Europe.”

To top it off, the Newham-born gem has also won five caps for England’s u19s, and scored his first goal for them against Wales last time out.

Ultimately, there are some seriously exciting prospects emerging from West Ham’s academy at the moment, but it certainly appears that they have lost the biggest talent of all in Mukasa.

Alongside Fullkrug: West Ham must sell £30m flop who was a "big voice"

The former international should have been a big success at West Ham United.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 12, 2025

The Rangers are enduring a major blow to their starting rotation.

Rangers' president of baseball operations Chris Young said Tuesday that starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has a rotator cuff strain and will likely miss the rest of the season, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Eovaldi, who is in his third season with the Rangers, is 11-3 with a 1.73 ERA and 129 strikeouts through 22 starts this season.

The veteran 35-year-old has been a crucial member of the Rangers during his time in Texas. He has the best ERA among Rangers' starters this season, and by far the best ERA of his lengthy career that includes stints with the Dodgers, Marlins, Yankees, Rays and Red Sox. Eovaldi also helped the Rangers win the World Series in 2023 and made the MLB All-Star Game for the second time in his career that year.

With about a month remaining in the 2025 regular season, the Rangers are 66-67 and on the outside looking in for the postseason this year.

From draining Test duel with India to the Hundred, in-form batter looks ahead to Ashes tour unburdened by captaincy, and answers David Warner

Valkerie Baynes14-Aug-2025Joe Root’s relief was right there on his face when he declared Ashes selection as “not my concern anymore”.Root, the England captain from 2017 to 2022 whose fine run of form was a key feature of the recent drawn home Test series with India, which captivated even the most casual of followers, scarcely drew a breath before launching into the Hundred with Trent Rockets.But it all forms part of his evolution, which has him enjoying one of his best seasons to date and playing with greater freedom, ahead of his first Ashes series in Australia unburdened by the captaincy since 2013.Root’s two subsequent Test tours of Australia featured plenty of off-field drama that he had to deal with as skipper including, in his words, the post-Covid restrictions surrounding the 2021-22 series, for which Ben Stokes was added to the squad after an injury lay-off just 10 days before they departed. Before that, Stokes missed the 2017-18 Ashes in the aftermath of the Bristol nightclub affair and Jonny Bairstow was embroiled in a bizarre “headbutt incident” (inverted commas gestured by Root) with Australia’s Cameron Bancroft which turned out to be a proverbial storm.Related

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“There was a lot of distractions,” Root said. “This time I just want to go and enjoy the tour for what it is. It’s a beautiful country, it’s a great place to go play cricket.”Clearly it’s going to be hostile, it’s going to be everything you’d expect and want from an away Ashes series. That’s something you’ve got to relish and want and I want to go out there and just enjoy being a part of it.”There was a reminder of those hostilities earlier this month when David Warner, now retired from Australia duty, reminded Root that he was yet to score a century in Australia, adding: “He will have to take the surfboard off his front leg.”That was ahead of Warner’s debut in the Hundred, the competition which will again bring him face to face with Root in London Spirit’s clash with Trent Rockets on Thursday.Root shrugged off Warner’s comments as “all part of the fun”.”You know that there’s going to be storylines and there’s going to be people wanting to hype up a big series and it doesn’t really change anything when you get out there,” Root said. “You’ve got to try and impact the game and help your team get off to a good start. That’s business as usual as far as I’m concerned.”I can’t have any control or say how people see the game or talk in an interview, so it’s sort of irrelevant. What more can I do about it? Just make sure it’s not a talking point in six months’ time or a hundred days’ time.”But he did address that elusive century on Australian soil.

“Naturally with age, with experience, I’ve got a better understanding of my own game and how I want to construct innings in different situations on different surfaces against different bowler types and been able to roll it out pretty well over the last little while”

“The thing that stands out for me is I probably wanted it way too much the last couple of times,” Root said. “It took me away from what was important.”Having played there a couple of times before, now going there with 150-odd Test matches under my belt, I feel like you couldn’t be more ready for it so just go and enjoy what a great tour it should be.”Root was the second-highest run-scorer in the India series with 537 at 67.12. His innings-to-century ratio in Tests for 2025 is the best it’s been in a calendar year at 3.33 and his conversion rate is also superior after turning three of his four 50-plus scores into centuries. The other was an unbeaten 53 in a successful run chase as England went 1-0 up in the India series.In terms of batting average, Root’s 63.44 for 2025 so far is his third-best after 2014 (97.12) and 2023 (65.58) in years where he has scored 100 runs or more.During India’s visit, Root also moved to No. 2 on the all-time leading run-scorer’s chart, after Sachin Tendulkar, and posted his 39th century in the format, putting him fourth behind Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting.But, after 158 Tests, Root said it wasn’t so much the milestones that kept him going.”As a player, more of the motivation is can you keep evolving,” he said. “Can you keep finding ways of staying ahead of your opposition? Can you make sure that you don’t stand still and become stale? Can I keep being creative? Can I keep finding ways of improving and making sure that the stuff that I’m doing well stays at that level as a bare minimum?Root celebrates his 39th Test century•Getty Images”Naturally with age, with experience, I’ve got a better understanding of my own game and how I want to construct innings in different situations on different surfaces against different bowler types and been able to roll it out pretty well over the last little while.”The continuing challenge will be, can I stay consistent with that? Can I keep finding answers to questions posed at me wherever we are in the world and whatever conditions and whatever situation. That’s the fun of it, right?”Root also credited Brendon McCullum, whose arrival as England head coach came shortly after Root relinquished the captaincy in April 2022, with rejuvenating his batting career.”Having worked with Baz has changed the way that I look at the game,” Root said. “I’ve got less technical, I’ve become more about trying to manage the game better and find ways of problem solving. It’s been very refreshing to have someone with a very different way of looking at things come and add a huge amount to my game. He’s been brilliant.”Without the burden of captaincy – for his country or franchise – Root has also relished playing in the Hundred, even if it is at the end of an energy sapping five-Test wrangle with India, and even if attention has inevitably shifted to upcoming Ashes selection.Speaking on a call set up by KP Snacks, who are celebrating the achievement of installing over 100 grass root community pitches in England and Wales, Root said of the India series: “It was tiring. We fielded a lot, so it was physically quite tiring, it was mentally tiring. All the games went pretty much down to the wire. But when you flick into a new format, you go into a new dressing room and it can energise you in a different way.”Come Ashes time in November, there’s no doubt that energy will be in healthy supply too. KP Snacks, the Official Team Partner of The Hundred, are celebrating the installation of over 100 new community cricket pitches across England and Wales. To find out more and search for your nearest pitch, visit: www.everyonein.co.uk/pitchfinder

Rest of India lost a wicket off the first ball of the third day of the Irani Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Oct-2025
Vidarbha strengthened their grip on the Irani Cup fixture by taking a sizeable first-innings lead against Rest of India and then extending it to 224 on the third day in Nagpur.The day began with Rest of India on 142 for 5 in response to Vidarbha’s 342, with their captain Rajat Patidar and Manav Suthar at the crease. Vidarbha fast bowler Aditya Thakare struck with the first ball of the day, dismissing Suthar lbw after successfully reviewing the umpire’s not-out decision.Yash Thakur took the next two wickets, bowling Saransh Jain with a yorker and having Akash Deep caught at cover. Patidar had resumed his innings on 42 and got to 66 with ten boundaries before he was the penultimate wicket to fall – caught off fast bowler Harsh Dubey while trying to clear the long-off boundary.Thakur picked up the final wicket to dismiss Rest of India for 214, finishing with figures of 4 for 66 and giving Vidarbha a first-innings lead of 128.Vidarbha’s openers Atharva Taide and Aman Mokhade put on 42 for the first wicket in the second innings before Taide holed out to deep midwicket off Suthar. Mokhade fell for 37 in the 24th over, caught behind while trying to hook Gurnoor Brar. From 64 for 2, Dhruv Shorey and Danish Malewar steered Vidarbha to 96 at stumps, ahead by 224 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Former Chelsea left-back and Strasbourg star Ben Chilwell has revealed that he is not giving up on his dream to play for England at the 2026 World Cup, despite being sold by the Blues over the summer. Chilwell claimed that he has already received positive responses during talks with national team boss Thomas Tuchel, adding that "it would be a nice feeling to prove some people wrong".

England squad shaping up ahead of 2026 World Cup

England will be heading into next year's World Cup in the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico as one of the favourites, led by Tuchel, whose pedigree at club level is both proven and widely respected. The Three Lions have experienced a tale of 'so near, yet so far' in recent major international tournaments. They lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain as the agonising wait to taste success continued, but Tuchel's troops look strong as things stand. 

Despite boasting ridiculous squad depth, with most positions stacked with talent in abundance, one of the weakest links in the England XI is the left-back spot. In recent times, Tuchel has called up the likes of Djed Spence, Miles Lewis-Skelly, and Tino Livramento, with Manchester City's rising star Nico O'Reilly starting there in the most recent pair of international fixtures.

AdvertisementAFPChilwell eyeing England's 2026 World Cup squad

It's anyone's guess as to who will be England's starting left-back at the marquee event next summer in North America. With no player seemingly nailing down that position as things stand, could there possibly be an opening for former Chelsea defender Chilwell to play himself into contention? The 28-year-old certainly doesn't rule it out. Chilwell last made an appearance for England in March 2024, but has since been an afterthought internationally.

"What a story it would be if I went to the World Cup after I was in the [Chelsea] bomb squad and everyone had counted me out 12 months prior," Chilwell told . "It would just be the biggest middle finger to so many people, which to me is a motivation. Chelsea were honest with me and there's no resentment, but of course I've got an ego, so it would be a nice feeling to prove some people wrong."

The ex-Leicester City man also revealed that he has kept in touch with the national team gaffer and initial talks have gone well. 

"Probably 99 out of 100 people are saying, 'No, he's not going, and it is impossible to go to the World Cup'," he admitted. "We've had conversations since he's got the job at England. I'll try and word it right – it has been said that it's not out of the equation.

"It makes me laugh that people think I'm an old player at 28 – I'm really in my prime. That's why the World Cup is an ambition… there's so much to achieve. First things first, I want to play well here, be healthy, and then the rest – the World Cup – may follow. If I can say I gave everything but don't achieve it then it's not the end of the world. I'll still be enjoying my football, and only be 29."

Chilwell reflects on his Chelsea departure

Last summer, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made it clear that Chilwell would not be a part of his plans for the 2024-25 season. Barring a second-half substitute cameo against Barrow in the Carabao Cup in September, he did not make a single appearance. His exile under Maresca came to an end towards the end of the winter transfer window, as Crystal Palace signed him on a short-term loan.

In the summer, with the chapter of his Chelsea career well and truly closed, he joined BlueCo's sister club Strasbourg permanently, moving to Ligue 1. However, the 2021 Champions League winner revealed that he doesn't hold any grudges over how he was treated by Maresca.

"I've never had anything against Enzo Maresca. I told everyone how much I respected the fact that he was honest, because at least then I could just go, 'alright, cool, I'm not wanted'," he explained. "Of course I wasn't happy with the decision – I didn't agree with it, but I respected it.

"I definitely feel like I suffered from it. I also completely knew I could have done the role [as an inverted full-back]. I played centre-mid until I was 12 and even with Thomas [Tuchel], when we played in a back three, I was making runs into striker positions, or because Toni Rudiger liked to drive with the ball, I'd go inside. I was able to do it – I just didn't have the opportunity."

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AFPAmbitions with Strasbourg – silverware & UCL dream

Things have been going well for Chilwell at Strasbourg, where he has earned the trust of head coach Liam Rosenior. The Milton Keynes-born full-back shared his ambitions for this season.

"It wasn't my top choice, but then I spoke to the manager. It was only a 10-minute call, and I rang my agent straight away after and said, 'Yes, let's get Strasbourg done,'" Chilwell added. "Liam said I'd be surprised how much I'd enjoy it. He still thought I could improve and said he would ask me to play certain roles I haven't played before, which has already started to happen.

"Then there's the leadership side of it. I've been in changing rooms with serial winners and know how to be in a group that wins stuff. It just seemed like a no-brainer and a pretty perfect fit.

"I'm definitely shocked at the quality. There are a lot of people going straight to the top here, and I include the manager in that. The league is good and the stadiums are full. We've shown we can compete with PSG and the manager has big ambitions to win stuff this season and qualify for the Champions League."

As talks continue with Swansea City, former Liverpool coach Vitor Matos could reportedly be about to face an instant problem if he takes the job in Wales courtesy of the January transfer window.

It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks for Swansea, who are still without a manager after sacking Alan Sheehan before the international break. There’s no escaping the fact that they missed out on their top target, either. It looked as though they were destined to appoint Hammarby’s Kim Hellberg, before Middlesbrough came swooping in to hijack their deal.

Since then, those in Wales have been back to square one in their search and have reportedly held talks with Matos. The former Liverpool coach is currently the manager of Maritime in Portugal’s second division, but could now have the chance to take his first managerial job in England courtesy of Swansea.

It’s undoubtedly a gamble, given the 37-year-old’s inexperience in the dugout, but it’s one that Swansea may still take. And to Matos’ credit, Maritime have only lost four of the 12 games that he’s had in charge, highlighting exactly why he could be on his way to the Championship.

It’s no easy job in England’s second tier, however. Swansea currently sit as low as 18th and seven points clear of the dropzone. If Matos, or whoever it is in charge for the foreseeable future, does not get off to a good start then the Swans will be at risk of dropping down even further.

It’s a relegation battle that they could certainly do without if they want to keep their top players too, with one of their key men receiving interest from the Premier League.

Premier League clubs interested in Ronald

As reported by ESPN Brazil’s Felipe Silva, Premier League clubs are now interested in signing Ronald from Swansea in the January transfer window, sparking an instant problem for Matos. The winger is considered “one of Swansea City’s key players” and there’s no doubt that his exit would deal their survival chances a major blow.

Reporting the news, Silva said on X: “Brazilian winger Ronald, one of Swansea City’s key players, could leave the team that competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, in the next transfer window. The forward’s strong performances have sparked interest from some Premier League teams and clubs in the Middle East.”

With three goals and one assist to his name in a Swansea side which has struggled for goals in the Championship this season, the Brazilian winger could become his side’s most influential player under Matos.

At just 24 years old, there’s also every chance that the next Swansea manager could take Ronald to new heights in what would provide those in Wales with a much-needed, consistent outlet.

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