Latest news with #TeamoftheTournament
Mint
4 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
The IPL 2025 Team of the Tournament
IPL 2025 was a tournament like no other. Apart from being disrupted by a war and having a new winner, it had a whole clutch of players making significant impacts across teams. That makes picking a Tournament XI (or XII with an impact player) doubly difficult. For example, who do you pick as an opener when all, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mitchell Marsh, Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre make different but compelling cases? Let us solve just that dilemma through this selection. From among the worthy candidates listed above, I have gone for Phil Salt and Sai Sudharsan. It was a wrench leaving Kohli out, especially in a championship-winning season. But Sudharsan as opener was probably the best of the lot, and to complement his stability - and given the batting to follow - I have gone for the more explosive Salt. These picks should meet with near-universal acclaim: Jos Buttler, Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer. Buttler was easily the best No. 3 in the competition and will be the ideal man to come in regardless of whether there is a set platform or a wicket has fallen early. He will be followed by the best batter in the tournament, Suryakumar Yadav. The run of scores that SKY racked up is still unbelievable. He achieved consistency without sacrificing scoring speed in the most volatile format. Batting one spot below the No. 4 as he had during the latter half of the IPL is Shreyas Iyer, who will also be the team captain. Shreyas had a pretty incredible season with the bat alone, unveiling his revamped white-ball game in its full glory. His leadership of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) was inspirational and astute, and he marshalled a team with several rookies expertly. Krunal Pandya is a sure-shot entry. He has had an underrated superstar season, coming to the fore with the ball in almost every match, and doing the job with the bat too when he was required. Krunal had his best-ever wicket-taking season as a bowler, taking 17 wickets overall. While he is slotted into the lower middle-order, he is not someone who can hit out right off the bat. He will be more of a firefighter than a firestarter, so the two men alongside him need to be of the type who can get going fast. Both Jitesh Sharma and Naman Dhir have shown that ability amply this IPL. They are among the best at starting quickly, while also having the ability to finish explosively. Jitesh's keeping has also been understatedly brilliant, so he will take the gloves ahead of Buttler or Salt (who was great in the outfield anyway). Three pace bowlers had standout seasons: Josh Hazlewood, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna. They are all automatic entrants in the Team of the Tournament. Hazlewood was Bangalore's colossus, incisive whenever he came on, and hard to score off to boot. Prasidh showed impressive control of length, which allied with his natural strengths of pace, bounce, and movement to fetch him the most number of wickets for the season. As for Bumrah, well, he was Bumrah. A cut above the rest, a genius nonpareil, and a bowler who can seemingly conjure magic on demand. Even when he gave up a 20-run over, he ensured his next three overs went for just 20. A champion if there ever was one. Two left-arm wrist spinners were in contention: Noor Ahmad and Kuldeep Yadav. Noor won because he had to perform for a team where most others were floundering consistently. He often did not have the cushion of runs to play with and inconsistent bowling support. Yet he shone brightly for CSK. Kuldeep was also excellent, but he had a better team around him. The XII: Sai Sudharsan, Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Naman Dhir, Krunal Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Josh Hazlewood, Noor Ahmad. There are four players from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one from Punjab Kings (PBKS), three from Mumbai Indians (MI), three from Gujarat Titans (GT) and one from Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This XII also satisfies the four overseas player criteria (Salt, Buttler, Halzewood and Noor). None of the bowlers can really bat, but given their own skills and the batting line-up they have, they won't really need to. So one of them can sit out of the batting XI. Buttler might well be the one to sit out of the bowling XI, since he won't have the gloves.
Metro
6 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Chelsea respond to AC Milan transfer request for Mike Maignan
Chelsea have opened talks to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan (Getty) Chelsea are unwilling to meet AC Milan's €30 million (£25m) asking price for Mike Maignan, according to reports. Enzo Maresca's side are looking to strengthen their goalkeeper position in the summer transfer window following the unconvincing performances from Robert Sanchez this season. Chelsea have begun talks with AC Milan over a deal for Maignan, who has just one year remaining on his contract with the Serie A club. It's understood that AC Milan are demanding a €30m (£25m) fee for the highly rated France international. However, Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea and AC Milan are 'not close' in their valuation, with the Premier League side only willing to offer €10m (£8.4m). Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Chelsea are also said to have set a deadline of Monday for an agreement to be reached with AC Milan. Mike Maignan was named in the Team of the Tournament at Euro 2024 last summer (AFP via Getty) The summer transfer window opened on June 1 in order to allow teams to strengthen for the Club World Cup and will close again next Tuesday, June 10. During his time with AC Milan, Maignan has helped the club win the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana. The 29-year-old, who also won the Ligue 1 title with Lille four years ago, was crowned Serie A's Best Goalkeeper in 2022 and was named in the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament last summer. More Trending Speaking before Liverpool's 3-1 win against AC Milan in the Champions League earlier this season, Alisson regarded Maignan as one of the 'elite' goalkeepers in world football. 'He has been at the best level for five years now,' Alisson said. 'He has been good since he arrived at AC Milan, he is good for the France national team. He has perfectly replaced a great goalkeeper, a world champion in Hugo Lloris. It isn't easy but he has done very well. 'He is physical, quick, he has clean technique. He is very strong. He is one of the best in the world. The quality of goalkeepers has really increased – Mike Maignan is within this elite.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Arrow MORE: Ian Wright says he 'would love' Arsenal to sign £22m former Everton midfielder Arrow MORE: Arsene Wenger's dream Arsenal signing revealed for summer transfer window
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
PSL 2025: Team of the Tournament revealed, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi
Listen to article The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the 12-member Team of the Tournament for the 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). The squad, which was selected by members of the official commentary panel, showcases players who excelled in the tournament, held across four venues—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi—from April 11 to May 25. The final saw Lahore Qalandars lifting their second PSL title in as many years with a six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium. The honour of leading the Team of the Tournament goes to Lahore Qalandars captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi. The left-arm pacer not only led his team to the trophy but also claimed the Fazal Mahmood Cap for the tournament's highest wicket-taker, finishing with 19 wickets from 13 matches. Afridi's exceptional leadership and bowling prowess earned him the captaincy of the star-studded squad. Joining Afridi in the team are two of his Lahore Qalandars teammates: all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who contributed 254 runs and 10 wickets in 11 matches, and opening batter Fakhar Zaman, who scored 439 runs, including four fifties, in 13 matches. The Quetta Gladiators, champions of PSL 2019, are represented by three players in the squad. Hasan Nawaz, who was named Best Batter of the Tournament for his 399 runs in 12 matches, including a century and three fifties, is joined by all-rounder Faheem Ashraf (163 runs, 17 wickets) and spinner Abrar Ahmed (17 wickets in 12 matches). From Karachi Kings, who finished third in the league stage before their elimination in Eliminator 1, three players earned spots: captain David Warner (368 runs in 11 matches), opening partner James Vince (378 runs, one century, three fifties), and pacer Hasan Ali (17 wickets in 10 matches). Additionally, Khushdil Shah, who scored 253 runs and took 7 wickets in 11 matches, has been named the 12th man. Islamabad United's Sahibzada Farhan, who claimed the Hanif Mohammad Cap as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 449 runs in 12 matches, is the sole representative from his franchise. Rounding off the team is emerging Peshawar Zalmi fast bowler, Ali Raza, who impressed with 12 wickets in nine matches. Surprisingly Babar Azam, who amassed 288 runs, and Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 367 runs, put up commendable performances for their respective teams—Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans—but were overlooked in favour of other standout players. HBL PSL 10 Team of the Tournament: Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars), Sahibzada Farhan (Islamabad United) – Wicketkeeper, David Warner (Karachi Kings), James Vince (Karachi Kings), Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators), Sikandar Raza (Lahore Qalandars), Faheem Ashraf (Quetta Gladiators), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) – Captain, Hasan Ali (Karachi Kings), Ali Raza (Peshawar Zalmi) – Emerging Player, Abrar Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators), Khushdil Shah (Karachi Kings) – 12th Man
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Ravi Shastri 'can't believe' Virat Kohli is 'done' with Test cricket, fans say 'he was never the same once you left'
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, and it surprised cricket fans around the world. Taking to Instagram, the former India skipper announced the news, and it surprised many as India are touring England from next month for a five-match Test serues. Taking to X, Ravi Shastri, who has worked with Kohli in the past as Team India head coach, paid tribute to the RCB star. Shastri called the batter a 'modern-day giant' and a 'fantastic ambassador for Test cricket'. 'Can't believe you are done. You are a modern-day GIANT and were a fantastic ambassador for Test match cricket in every way you played and captained. Thank you for the lasting memories you've given to everyone, and to me in particular. It's something I will cherish for life. Go well, champ. God bless @imVkohli @BCCI," he wrote. Meanwhile, Shastri also reminded fans of his partnership with Kohli, when the latter was captain. Fans were quick to point out that it Kohli was never the same player after Shastri's departure. Kohli featured in 123 Tests for India, registering 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. He is also India's fourth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, and captained the side in 68 fixtures. He also captained India in their 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory, but then had to give up his Test captaincy in 2022 after India's loss to South Africa. He is also India's most successful Test skipper with back-to-back Test mace wins and the most victories in his tenure. He has already announced his retirement from T20Is, which he did after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. Kohli was also key for India in their 2025 Champions Trophy title-winning run, and was named in the Team of the Tournament. He also overtook Sachin Tendulkar's record for most 50-plus scores in ICC ODI tournaments and became India's highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history. In his retirement statement, he also revealed that it wasn't an easy decision to quite Test cricket. He wrote, 'As I step away from this format, it's not easy — but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for.'
Morocco World
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Zekri Set for Ajax Switch After U17 AFCON Heroics
Moroccan starlet Moncef Zekri is on the verge of signing his first professional contract with Ajax Amsterdam, capping off a breakout year for the highly-rated left-back. Zekri, 16, caught the eye of European scouts during Morocco's historic triumph at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Atlas Cubs clinched their first title after beating Mali on penalties. The youngster played every minute of the tournament and was named in CAF's Team of the Tournament. According to Dutch outlet Voetbal International , Zekri has opted for Ajax despite serious interest from Bayer Leverkusen and the chance to stay with his current club KV Mechelen. Sources close to Zekri say Ajax's reputation for nurturing young talent and its Moroccan presence tilted the decision. Moncef Zekri (16) on his way to Ajax, reports @VI_nl The 16-year-old Moncef Zekri, winner of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco, wants to continue his career at Ajax. The talented left-back could have also chosen Bayer Leverkusen or signed a professional contract with… — 𝗠𝗩𝗡_𝗘𝗡 | 🇲🇦 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 (@MVN_EN) May 3, 2025 Zekri is expected to join Ajax on a free transfer as he is not currently under a professional contract. The U17 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Morocco from March 30 to April 19, attracted scouts from across the footballing world. According to CAF, over 200 club representatives attended matches, including scouts from Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Morocco's title run put the spotlight on several young talents, five of whom, including Zekri, were named in the tournament's Best XI. The final, played against Mali, ended goalless in regular time, before Morocco held their nerve to win 4-2 on penalties. Goalkeeper Chouaib Belaarouch made two crucial saves, securing a historic first African trophy for the Atlas Cubs. Tags: Moncef ZekriMoroccou17 afcon
