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Arsenal’s hunt for a new striker has led them to Aston Villa star man Ollie Watkins, with Mikel Arteta’s side having a £60m bid rejected earlier this week.

The Englishman has been a constant source of goals for Unai Emery’s side in 2024/25, registering 11 goals and ten assists in 32 matches across all competitions.

However, whilst he would be a good addition for the Gunners, it’s a huge fee to be paying for a 29-year-old who will be entering the final years of his professional career in the coming seasons.

As a result, Arteta’s men could return with an improved offer for the England international before the end of the window, but they may need to target other options at the top end of the pitch.

Numerous players have already been touted with a move to the Emirates this month, with the hierarchy looking to resurrect previous interest in one talisman before Monday’s deadline.

Arsenal interested in landing European talisman

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal are interested in making a late move for Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović to try and hand Arteta the ammunition he’s desired this month.

The 24-year-old has impressed for the Italian giants once again throughout 2024/25, registering 12 goals across all competitions, including four in the Champions League.

The report claims that RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko is Arteta’s main target after having a bid rejected for Watkins, but that Juve are open to allowing the Serbian to depart after landing Randal Kolo Muani from PSG earlier in the window.

It’s not the first time that the Gunners have pursued a move for Vlahovic in this window, with the former Fiorentina ace previously on their shortlist a couple of weeks ago.

However, should they make a move to land the striker who earns £315k-per-week, as per Capology, it would allow one current first-team member to star upon his return to action from injury.

Why Vlahovic would be perfect for Bukayo Saka

Academy graduate Bukayo Saka has developed into a leading star in European football in recent years, highlighting how crucial the club’s academy setup is to their first-team success.

The 23-year-old has now made over 250 appearances since his debut back in 2018, scoring on 67 occasions – cementing his place in the right-wing position, with Arteta playing a huge role in his development.

The England international was in stellar form during the opening months of the ongoing Premier League, scoring five but registering ten assists, still sitting second in the assist tally throughout the whole division, with only Mohamed Salah posting more.

1. Mohamed Salah

13

2. Bukayo Saka

10

3. Antonee Robinson

9

4. Mikkel Damsgaard

8

= Jacob Murphy

8

5. Trent Alexander-Arnold

6

= Cole Palmer

6

However, he’s been missing since the middle of December after picking up a hamstring injury in the victory over Crystal Palace, with Saka still yet to return to action.

When he does, he could be aided in his efforts within the final third should Vlahovic move to the Emirates, with the Serbian international allowing the youngster to take his game to the next level.

The Juve striker, who’s been described as “world-class” by one analyst, has averaged 1.8 aerials won, providing that focal point that Saka has been craving given his tally of three chances created per 90 along with 2.2 successful crosses.

Vlahovic has also averaged 1.4 shots on target per 90 in Serie A this campaign, potentially thriving alongside the Englishman in attack, with his tally of 0.7 assists per 90 aiding the striker, whilst potentially improving his own tally.

It’s unclear how much a late move for the frontman would cost the Gunners’ hierarchy in the coming days, but the prospect of him linking up with Saka in the final third is certainly a frightening one – allowing the pair to form a deadly partnership.

Their answer to Tel: Arsenal targeting move for "one of the best talents"

Arsenal could land their own Mathys Tle in a late move for an attacking talent.

ByEthan Lamb Jan 31, 2025

Given the club’s 20-year wait for a league title, the striker is arguably the final piece in Arteta’s Arsenal puzzle, massively increasing their chances of ending the generational wait for a top-division triumph.

That could then make Vlahovic the perfect alternative to Watkins, as deadline day looms…

Visitors need to re-write history after fifties to Clarke, James and Hameed set lofty target

ECB Reporters Network06-Sep-2022

Leicestershire 93 and 20 for 0 (Evans 10*, Azad 4*) need 479 runs to beat Nottinghamshire 201 and 390 for 7 dec (Clarke 67, James 61, Hameed 60)Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire put their foot firmly on Leicestershire’s throat on day two of their rapidly evolving LV= Insurance County Championship match at Trent Bridge, setting their winless opponents a fourth-innings target way beyond anything achieved in the county’s history.After Monday saw 20 wickets fall on a first-day pitch conducive to swing and seam movement, with the home side bowled out for 201 but Leicestershire succumbing for a paltry 93 in reply, Nottinghamshire made good use of much more docile conditions before declaring their second innings on 390 for 7.It left Callum Parkinson’s team needing 499 runs to win – 105 runs more than the 394 the post-war Leicestershire team scored to beat Derbyshire at Grace Road in 1947, which remains the county’s highest fourth-innings total to win a Championship match.After the declaration, openers Sam Evans and Hassan Azad negotiated 13 overs at the close without mishap – although Azad was dropped at third slip off Dane Paterson on one – but two more days is too long for Leicestershire to survive, realistically, against a Nottinghamshire side intent on completing a seventh win of the season and stretching their lead over Middlesex, currently in second place, to 50 points.Earlier, there were half-centuries for Nottinghamshire’s Joe Clarke, Haseeb Hameed and Lyndon James. Michael Finan, the left-arm seamer, dismissed Hameed and Matt Montgomery to claim two more debut wickets, but such good balls as he did deliver had to be set against his 10 no-balls, giving him a match total of 17.In the morning, under cloud cover so heavy and threatening that bad light caused an interruption after only 39 minutes, Leicestershire had hoped wickets might tumble as they had on day one as Nottinghamshire resumed on 15 without loss. Yet they were disappointed.Instead, the home side progressed to 112 for 1 at lunch, with Ben Slater the solitary casualty. The pitch was offering less help to the bowler after the heavy roller was deployed, but Leicestershire served up too many loose deliveries.Slater – dropped on nine off Finan as third slip Rishi Patel spilled his fourth catch of the match – fell on 39, giving a rather tame return catch to Ed Barnes. Hameed completed an 80-ball half-century just before the interval.The Leicestershire vice-captain, enjoying his most productive summer since his breakthrough season with Lancashire in 2016, looked in complete control, so it came as a surprise when he was dismissed half an hour or so after lunch for 60, seeming to change his mind about whatever shot he intended to play to a short ball from Finan, yet still getting a touch, which Harry Swindells eagerly grabbed behind the stumps.If a second breakthrough was some kind of encouragement for Leicestershire, the next 75 minutes or so were not, thanks largely to Clarke, who looked as comfortable at the crease as he has all season, punishing every error as he rushed to a 45-ball half-century with nine fours.Combined with Montgomery’s 32 and another batch of no-balls from Finan, Clarke’s runs were enough to put the contest effectively out of reach of Leicestershire, the third wicket partnership adding 101 in 112 balls before Montgomery miscued a short ball from the errant Finan, the one bright spot in an awful over that cost 17 runs.Clarke, still without a first-class hundred this season, fell soon afterwards as Parkinson found his outside edge, but by then the Nottinghamshire lead was 353.James and Steven Mullaney extended it to 403 in less than 10 overs before the latter, making room for himself, was caught at slip off Louis Kimber. James went past fifty for the seventh time this season before he was caught behind off a rank legside delivery by Roman Walker and after Tom Moores was caught at deep backward point, terminating a six-over thrash with Liam Patterson-White, Mullaney signalled the declaration.

Celtic are “highly likely” to complete the signing of a “special” player during the January transfer window, according to a claim from former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Latest Celtic news

The Hoops continue to be linked with potential new signings in January, as Brendan Rodgers looks to give his side the best possible chance of glory across all competitions in the second half of the season.

Manchester City youngster James McAtee has been mentioned as an option for Celtic, with the 22-year-old not managing to force his way into Pep Guardiola’s plans in recent months, despite their huge struggles in the Premier League. The attacking midfielder could be a great signing for the Scottish Premiership champions, adding real quality in the final third and making them an even more fearsome attacking proposition.

There are two other Premier League players who the Hoops are eyeing up, too, with Chelsea pair Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka seen as options next month. Both midfielders have found it hard to enjoy regular playing time for the Blues this season, with the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia all preferred in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile, Brondby forward Mathias Kvistgaarden has also been backed to seal a move to Celtic, potentially coming in and providing more competition in the attacking third.

Celtic "highly likely" to sign "special" ace

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Robinson claimed that Celtic are “highly likely” to seal a reunion with Kieran Tierney in January:

“It’s achievable. That’s probably what both parties would want, even Arsenal wouldn’t stand in his way. Like you say, injuries, not playing, he’s not been part of Mikel Arteta’s squad going forward. [Him leaving] frees that space up in Arsenal’s squad, [and] for Tierney, it’s a great fit. For Celtic, it seems a great fit. That one looks like it’s got highly likely potential of happening in January.”

Bringing Tierney back to Celtic should be seen as a no-brainer, considering the quality he possesses, and what a popular player he was at Parkhead during his first stint there.

Things haven’t quite panned out the way the left-back would have hoped for, in terms of being first-choice, but Mikel Arteta has still heaped praise on him during his time at the Emirates, saying:

“I am really looking forward to working with him and giving him the opportunity to play. His attitude, his commitment, his willingness it’s incredible. I think he’s going to bring something special to us.”

Still only 27, Tierney could remain a key man for Celtic for another five or six years, and he could cement further legendary status if he returns and helps inspire the Hoops to many more trophy wins, after claims he would accept a pay cut to move back to Parkhead.

Celtic make enquiry over signing "outstanding" £20m Premier League player

Brendan Rodgers is eyeing a midfielder this January.

ByDominic Lund Dec 28, 2024

The idea of getting more regular football will surely appeal to the Scotland international, too, as he looks to reignite his career and enjoy his peak years, rather than growing stagant at Arsenal.

Pakistan have relocated their home series against West Indies from Rawalpindi to Multan. The decision has been taken in light of political uncertainty in Islamabad – the country’s capital, adjacent to Rawalpindi. The fixtures and schedule, however, remain unchanged, with the three ODIs, which are a part of the Cricket World Cup Super League to be played on June 8, 10 and 12.The games were originally slated for Rawalpindi, but the PCB had kept Multan as a back-up option, with former Prime Minister Imran Khan potentially planning protest rallies in the capital over the coming days. The original protest rally took place on May 25, but there remains a significant possibility of further such rallies over the coming days.Multan remained the only viable option, with Lahore and Karachi’s pitches being relaid, and the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar undergoing renovation work.Multan is situated in southern Punjab, and among the hottest cities in the country, with temperatures in the high 40s expected on matchdays. Pakistan has never hosted elite cricket at this time of year due to the summer heat, with nearly all high-level competitions including domestic season played during the winter and spring months between September and April.During the summer months, the PCB has mostly held its training camps in northern side of the country mostly in Abbottabad, which is located in the hilly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and experiences relatively milder weather. Last year, the PCB had made an attempt to host women cricketers camp in Multan but had to call off the camp due to extreme heat.The games will start at 4pm in the afternoon to mitigate the weather conditions. Pakistan will carry out their training camp in Lahore from June 1-4, before the squad moves to Multan on June 5. West Indies will arrive in Islamabad as planned on June 6 and will travel to Multan on a charter flight. The ODIs have been carried over from the series scheduled last December, when only the three T20Is took place, a Covid outbreak in the West Indies camp forcing the postponement of the ODIs. There will be no biosecure bubble for the series.

MatériaMais Notícias

Sem jogos no calendário, o Ceará permanece a todo vapor de olho na estreia da Copa Sul-Americana, quando a equipe mede forças com o Independiente-ARG.

– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE A DO BRASILEIRÃO

No CT de Porangabuçu, o Alvinegro é comandado por Dorival Junior que realiza treinos diários para implementar seu esquema de jogo ao elenco.

Além da parte tática, a comissão técnica aproveita o período sem jogos para melhorar o condicionamento físico dos atletas.

A partir da próxima terça-feira, o calendário do Ceará fica agitado com as disputas da Copa do Brasil, Copa Sul-Americana e Campeonato Brasileiro.

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Liverpool had a less than ideal return to Premier League action this weekend, having had to wait it out for their next clash after Storm Darragh called off the Merseyside Derby.

It was a stormy game in truth between the Reds and Fulham, as Andrew Robertson’s early red card set the tone for a contest that was frantic rather than straightforward for Andre Slot’s table-toppers, with the final score reading 2-2.

Away from Robertson’s underperformance, Slot would have at least been impressed by Darwin Nunez’s late cameo from off the bench, with the Uruguayan playing a key part in the late equalising goal.

Darwin Nunez's form this season

Nunez was only gifted a 20-minute run-out against Marco Silva’s men, but that would still be enough time for the out-of-sorts striker to leave his mark on the contest.

The former Benfica man poked the ball into Diogo Jota’s path to fire home, which means his total for the season in the Premier League for goals and assists now stands at a still underwhelming four.

Nunez just hasn’t exactly breathed life into his stuttering Reds stay under the fresh ways of the new Dutch manager with only six starts handed to him in the league to date by the ex-Feyenoord boss.

It’s fair to say his time at Anfield was beginning to unravel under Klopp too, with an unsatisfactory 11 strikes in the league during 2023/24, as the likes of Jota now regularly lead the line over him.

Not all hope will be lost just yet surrounding the South American, however, with other striker missteps far more gutting to those of a Liverpool persuasion in the past, which includes one injury-prone attacker never quite managing to settle.

The Liverpool striker who was worse than Nunez

Danny Ings joined the Reds during the infancy of Klopp’s celebrated reign, having built up a reputation at Burnley before the bright lights of Liverpool beckoned for being a potent goalscorer.

He bowed out from his time with the Clarets by netting 11 Premier League strikes during the 2014/15 season, with the German hopeful that his new clinical buy could go on to be a hero donning Liverpool red.

In truth, Ings’ time on Merseyside would be very turbulent, with the striker suffering from some horrendous luck just five games into his big move.

Scoring an acceptable two goals across that stretch of matches, it looked as if there was plenty more to come from the ex-Burnley man as he grew in confidence, only for a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury to stop him in his tracks.

Ings’ numbers at Liverpool

Stat

Ings

Games played

25

Goals scored

4

Assists

1

Games missed through injury

96

Day missed through injury

498

Sourced by Transfermarkt

His constant presence in the treatment room ultimately got the better of him during his time at the Reds, with Ings staggeringly missing 498 days of action owing to various long-term injury issues, resulting in 96 games also passing him by.

Even though Klopp labelled his unfortunate striker as an “inspiration” in the way he managed to fight back from these lengthy layoffs, Liverpool eventually sold Ings to Southampton in the summer of 2019 for £20m after the now 32-year-old pushed for a move away to gain more game-time.

Whilst the ex-Liverpool man did prove himself to be a reliable source of goals for the Saints, with a healthy 46 goals tallied up from 100 appearances on the South Coast, Ings is now finding his time at West Ham United is petering out in the present day.

Even Nunez has one more strike than the Hammers dud has managed in Premier League action this season, with Ings very much more of a flop than the Uruguayan when he was back at Liverpool.

Slot will persist with the ex-Benfica attacker, with a start perhaps even coming his way this mid-week when EFL Cup action comes Liverpool’s way against Ings’ former employers in Southampton.

Related As well as Diaz: Slot must drop Liverpool man who lost 75% duels

The Liverpool manager must take the central midfielder back out of the starting XI.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Dec 14, 2024

Hampshire have announced the signing of Ben McDermott, the Australia batter, for their Vitality Blast campaign.McDermott, 27, has enjoyed a stellar recent run of form, finishing as the leading run-scorer in the 2021-22 Big Bash before notching his maiden international half-century for Australia, in the T20Is series against Sri Lanka, last week.”Ben is an exciting talent and we are really pleased that he’s joining us for the Vitality Blast,” Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket, said. “He had an excellent BBL and his power and ability to clear the ropes make him an excellent fit for us. We are looking forward to seeing him in a Hawks shirt this summer.”McDermott, the son of former Australia fast bowler Craig, has played two ODIs and 20 T20Is since first being capped in 2018. In this season’s BBL, he scored 577 runs with a strike rate of 153.86 for Hobart Hurricanes, which included back-to-back hundreds.He was due to play for Derbyshire in the 2020 Blast but had his contract deferred by the Covid-19 pandemic. He then featured in just two first-class matches for the county last summer before being called up for Australia’s tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh.McDermott said: “I am really excited to join the Hawks for this summer’s Vitality Blast. I’m looking forward to joining James Vince and the team at the Ageas Bowl and am hoping I can contribute to a successful T20 campaign.”

Newcastle have looked like a bit of a mixed bag this season, having some brilliant results already, such as a 1-0 win over Arsenal, but also losing to Fulham, Brighton and Chelsea in quick succession.

The Magpies have averaged 49.1% possession so far this season which happens to be the 11th highest in the Premier League. They have also averaged 12.6 shots per game (6th fewest in the top-flight), and conceded 14.5 shots per game (7th highest in the division).

Eddie Howe’s side take on West Ham on Monday night, and if they are to get a result, their main concern will entail stopping Jarrod Bowen. But with a few players missing, who exactly is available for Newcastle against West Ham?

Newcastle team news vs West Ham

Dan Burn is a big omission, as he serves a suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season during Newcastle’s 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest before the international break.

Other defensive options such as Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles are also unavailable, due to their various injuries, leaving the Magpies relatively short in defence.

Kieran Trippier is another defender who remains a doubt for the game, with Callum Wilson also likely to miss out, meaning the Toon could be without six players against the Hammers.

Luckily, Howe could have the perfect man to slot into defence, to help deal with Bowen, but also to solve their injury and suspension woes.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Newcastle's solution to Dan Burn's suspension

Lloyd Kelly has barely played for the Magpies since joining on a free transfer in the summer, only playing 387 minutes in his nine appearances so far this season, with only three of those appearances being Premier League starts.

But it’s Kelly and Lewis Hall that could lock down that left side of defence for Newcastle against West Ham, stunting the progression of Bowen, and stopping him from cutting inside onto that devastating left foot of his.

Vitally, this wouldn’t be the first time Kelly has been trusted with dealing with one of the league’s best wingers. Indeed, ex-manager, Gary O’Neil, praised him back in 2023, labelling the defender as “incredible” for keeping Mohammed Salah quiet against Liverpool.

This is precisely the type of job Howe will be asking for from Kelly on this occasion, in tandem with Hall to keep Bowen quiet on that right wing for the Hammers.

Progressive Carries

0.00

0.00

Progressive Passes

2.61

1.27

Passes Attempted

42.6

54.6

Pass Completion %

79.6%

89.7%

Tackles

0.87

0.82

Blocks

1.74

0.73

Interceptions

0.23

0.63

Aerial Duels Won

1.30

3.73

With Burn out, Kelly would fill in at left centre-back, with Hall playing next to him at left-back -a position he has made his own as of late.

The metrics above tell us that Kelly can provide a similar level, if not even more, in defensive actions. However, his passing accuracy is quite a bit lower than Burn’s, and therefore, whoever is the partner for Kelly in defence will need to have extra ball-playing responsibility.

The 6 foot 3 defender can offer that same physical and height in defence that Burn brings, whilst also having the ability to cover the channels better, with slightly more mobility, and the same experience as Burn had, playing as a left-back at times last season, which will help him cover for Hall if Bowen does get past that first line of defence.

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ByAngus Sinclair Nov 22, 2024

Australia batter Travis Head has tested positive for Covid-19, as the Australia team delay their flight from Melbourne to Sydney and call up replacements for the fourth Test at the SCG, with doubts mounting as to whether the series will be able to continue with both squads now having cases.Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday morning that Head had tested positive from a routine PCR test becoming the first player in either squad to be affected. He is asymptomatic and will remain in Melbourne with his partner to isolate for seven days under the Victorian government guidelines.Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis have all been called up to Australia’s squad as cover in case there are further positive cases within the playing group. Australia already have Usman Khawaja with the squad and he would be the likely replacement for Head in the middle order.A Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed that the remainder of the Australia squad, families, and support staff have undergone PCR and rapid tests on Friday morning and are still expected to travel to Sydney on a charter today.”As part of our testing procedures, we are PCR testing players, their families and our support staff daily,” the spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, Travis returned a positive Covid-19 result earlier today. Thankfully, he is asymptomatic at this stage. We anticipate that he will be available to play in the fifth Vodafone men’s Ashes Test in Hobart.”We are grateful to our exceptional medical staff for all the work they have done throughout this series and we will continue to work with and support the players, their families and staff from both teams.”England are travelling separately to Sydney, after CA split the teams onto separate charters to try to mitigate the risks, but without coach Chris Silverwood after it was confirmed one of his family members had tested positive for Covid-19. Silverwood, like Head, will miss the Sydney Test and remain in isolation in Melbourne. That brought the total number of positive cases in the England touring party to seven. However, the entire England playing group has reportedly returned negative PCR tests in the last 24 hours.ICC match referee David Boon will also miss the Sydney Test after testing positive to Covid-19. He has been replaced by Steve Bernard, who is based in New South Wales.The first Covid case to hit the Ashes appeared on the second morning of the MCG Test although the game was able to continue after the rest of the England squad were cleared through rapid tests. There has been daily PCR testing since.New South Wales recorded more than 21,000 cases on Friday. The definition of a close contact has been narrowed following a meeting of the state and federal government on Thursday and the isolation period reduced in most states.

“Going forward, we will definitely keep an eye out for him,” India’s T20 captain says of Venkatesh Iyer

Sreshth Shah22-Nov-2021With the 2022 T20 World Cup just 11 months away, India’s captain for the format, Rohit Sharma, wants the new players who featured in the team’s 3-0 series win over New Zealand to be given a long run to express themselves.Speaking to the media after sealing the series sweep in Kolkata on Sunday, Rohit pointed to India’s huge pool of talented cricketers and said that with so many of them making a case for selection in the Indian T20 team, the onus was on him and head coach Rahul Dravid to create that sense of security among the players.”When you’re playing bilaterals, you need to tick certain boxes, and we are trying to do that,” Rohit said. “We are trying to create a healthy atmosphere, giving the younger players security so that players can go out and play fearlessly.Related

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“In the first meeting that we had, we spoke about this very clearly. Told them that ‘if you’re trying to do something for the team, that act will never get unnoticed; you will be noticed when you raise your hand and try to take pressure on yourself and try to do something for the team’. That’s the job of the captain and coach. To tell the players that ‘we do understand what you’re trying to do for the team’.”You tell them to take their chances, and if it doesn’t come off, you still back them because we know what they are trying to do for the team.”India fielded a fairly inexperienced squad for the series, with the previously uncapped Harshal Patel and Venkatesh Iyer making their international debuts, and Axar Patel – who had played just one T20I in four years coming into the series – getting a run in Ravindra Jadeja’s absence. However, there was no place for Ruturaj Gaikwad and Avesh Khan in any of the games.”Seeing the talent pool of India, it is not easy,” Rohit said. “Most of the guys sitting outside have also done very well. It’s not easy, only 11 can play, we know that. It’s always tough, but we will try our best that whenever our players step out, they do not have any baggage.”‘Batting down the order will be tough for Venkatesh Iyer’
Rohit was also clear on what role was being considered for Venkatesh Iyer, the breakout star from the UAE leg of the 2021 IPL. Although he has been opening for Kolkata Knight Riders, the management wants him to find a place between Nos. 5 and 7 for India.Watch live cricket on ESPN+ in the US

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from India vs New Zealand live in the US. Match highlights of the third T20I is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).

Rohit said the team acknowledged that changing batting positions so drastically could be tough on the newcomer, his skills as a medium-pace bowler made him a tempting option.”The plan is to keep Iyer in the mix as much as we can,” Rohit said. “At the same time, we need to give him a role to bat where he usually doesn’t bat for his franchise. It’s going to be slightly tough for him to bat down the order. We’ve given him a role to bat at No. 5, 6 or 7 and see if he can do the job for us.”Today, he looked composed, he was clear in his mindset, and he has a very good approach. And you saw his bowling skills, looks a very, very bright prospect for us. He can get the job done for us, it’s about giving him the confidence and making him play as much as he can. It’s still very early days – been just three games. He’s not had much of an opportunity to make an impact but going forward, we will definitely keep an eye out for him.”The more depth we have the better it is for us. But for now, the way our bowling is going, and the way we have bowled, you don’t need a sixth or seventh bowler if the five players bowl well. But as a captain, it’s a good cushion to have.”Rohit on Ashwin: “He is always an attacking option for the captain – when he is there, the captain has the opportunity to take wickets in the middle overs”•BCCI’Fielding, bowling biggest positives’
Looking back at the series win, Rohit said that there were two standout positives for India. First, the fielding, which saved them around 15 runs each in the first two games, and secondly, how they managed to restrict New Zealand in the first two games despite being put on the back foot early on.In Jaipur, India took five wickets for 68 runs in the last eight overs to keep New Zealand down to 164 and in Ranchi, New Zealand managed to score only 153 despite a 64-run powerplay. In Kolkata, too, New Zealand’s batters were stymied by a varied bowling attack that bowled them out for 111 batting second in dewy conditions.Much of the praise from Rohit went to the spin duo of Axar and R Ashwin. “I think it’s been a great comeback for Ashwin,” Rohit said. “He has proved himself with the red ball and even with the white ball, he doesn’t have a bad record. It shows the quality that he has. He is always an attacking option for the captain – when he is there, the captain has the opportunity to take wickets in the middle overs. And we know how important middle overs are – you need to take wickets there.”Along with Axar, both of these guys are wicket-taking options, and when they bowl, it’s never about surviving for them. It’s about ‘how I can get the batter out, or how I can put pressure on the batter’.”