Duckett scored 149 after Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped him on 97, the latter’s third drop of the match
ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jun-2025
Shardul Thakur struck back-to-back•Getty Images
Tea Shardul Thakur blew the first Test back open with two wickets in two balls to keep India’s hopes alive after Ben Duckett set England on their way to another famous Headingley run chase. Thakur had been a passenger for the first four-and-a-half days of the Test but was thrown the ball by Shubman Gill, and dismissed Duckett and Harry Brook off consecutive deliveries.Duckett and Zak Crawley added another 71 in quick time after batting through the morning session, with Duckett racing to his hundred – his sixth in Tests, and his first in England’s second innings – off 121 balls. He was reprieved on 97 by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped his third catch of the match – this time on the square-leg boundary – as Duckett punched the air on reaching three figures.After a brief interruption for rain, Crawley pulled Prasidh Krishna through wide mid-on for four but fell to his next ball, edging to slip for 65. England’s first-innings centurion Ollie Pope followed soon after, chopping Prasidh on to his own stumps, but Duckett continued to cruise; his most outrageous shot was a reverse slap for six over cover off Ravindra Jadeja.But Thakur’s reintroduction gave India a foothold, as he struck with two innocuous balls. Duckett slapped the first, a wide half volley, straight to substitute fielder Nitish Kumar Reddy at extra cover; Harry Brook strangled the second, a freebie angling a long way past leg stump, through to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps, becoming only the fifth man out for 99 and 0 in the same Test.Ben Stokes started scratchily against Jadeja, missing a pair of reverse sweeps – the first of which Shubman Gill unsuccessfully reviewed for a catch at short leg, only for replays to confirm the ball had hit him on the biceps. Stokes and Joe Root will resume with 102 more runs required after the tea interval, which arrived early due to another rain shower.
Jadon Sancho to Aston Villa looks to be a matter of when and not if, with the Englishman following Marcus Rashford in moving to the Midlands side from Old Trafford.
It has not been made clear whether there will be an option or obligation to buy the winger at the end of the season, but he will spend 2025/26 in the West Midlands.
He might not be the only creative player who joins Villa before the window slams shut at 7pm today, either.
Aston Villa exploring another deal alongside Sancho
With the deal to sign Sancho on loan all but confirmed, Villa will move on to their next target. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Villans are now closing in on a move for Harvey Elliot to join Unai Emery’s ranks.
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The Liverpool star is set to sign on a season-long loan deal, although it would include an obligation to buy as part of that initial temporary switch. According to Ornstein, the Reds are looking for a fee in the region of £35m, should such a clause be included.
Why Elliot would be a good signing
Described as a “diamond” by football scout Antonio Mango, England under-21 international Elliot has impressed for Liverpool. However, with the quality they have in creative areas, such as Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz, it is hard for him to break into the side.
However, his quality is undeniable. He has made 149 appearances for the Reds, with 15 goals and 21 assists to his name. His best campaign came in 2023/24, which was Jurgen Klopp’s final season. Elliot scored three goals and assisted nine in 33 Premier League games.
The former Fulham player shone in the recent under-21 European Championships, too. He was a pivotal part of England retaining their title, scoring five goals in six games and even skippering the side in their final group stage clash.
It is easy to see how Elliot could become the second coming of Morgan Rogers at Villa Park. The newly-crowned PFA Young Player of the Year winner has been sensational under Emery since his move to the West Midlands.
In 73 appearances so far, he’s found the back of the net on 17 occasions and has also chalked up the same number of assists.
Last season in the Premier League, he scored eight times and created 11 goals for his teammates.
It is easy to draw comparisons between the two players. Both are young English talents who excel at operating between the lines and creating chances.
On top of that, they’ve each played for huge clubs, with Rogers coming through the Manchester City academy, and Elliot, of course, at Liverpool.
Liverpool's HarveyElliottcelebrates
Statistically, you can compare the players and see the similarities. In the last two Premier League campaigns, Elliot has averaged 2.46 key passes and 2.83 progressive carries per 90 minutes.
As for Rogers, he’s played an average of 1.44 key passes and completed 3.26 progressive carries on average each game.
Goals and assists
0.63
0.53
Key passes
2.46
1.44
Progressive passes
9.01
3.62
Progressive carries
2.83
3.26
Ball recoveries
4.87
3.6
Signing Elliot could be a huge addition for Villa. He is certainly similar to Rogers, given the playmaking ability he possesses in the final third. For a fee of around £40m, this could be a bargain for Emery and for Monchi on deadline day.
Their own Isak: Aston Villa target £15m “poor man's Haaland” after Sancho
Aston Villa are still searching for new attackers, even amid Jadon Sancho’s impending move to the Midlands
MS Dhoni might be 43 but he’s still at his best, especially behind the stumps. That’s what Matthew Hayden felt after watching him complete a lightning-quick stumping of Suryakumar Yadav when Noor Ahmad beat his outside edge during the IPL 2025 match against Mumbai Indians at Chepauk.”He [Dhoni] was on fire,” Hayden, the former Australia batter and Dhoni’s team-mate at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) till 2010, said on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out. “I mean Noor Ahmad was firing down the leg side and it was just a movement across the ball. You know, they’re difficult when you when you’re sitting there sort of partially obscured by the batsman. Then the stumping was just superb, just such quick timing, great hands, good vision. He’s still got it.”Suryakumar was dismissed for 29, and with his wicket, CSK got back into the game, breaking a 51-run stand and restricting MI to 155 for 9.Related
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While CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said at the post-match presentation that he hardly sees Dhoni doing keeping practice, Piyush Chawla, who has bowled for India and CSK several times with Dhoni behind the stumps, said he would have probably trained to keep for Noor during pre-season camp.”It does happen, it is a challenge if you have not kept against somebody,” he said. “But I’m sure in the camp, he must have kept a lot of balls because if he’s keeping for somebody new, he especially takes that person to the stumps and says, you bowl a few balls.MS Dhoni stumps Suryakumar Yadav•BCCI
“[It has] not [happened] with me because I have bowled against him so many times and bowled to him in the nets also. But whenever somebody new comes, especially a wristspinner, he just makes sure he’s keeping 10-12 balls so that he gets used to the wrist position.”Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron believes Dhoni has changed the way wicketkeepers react to stumping chances.”Traditionally keepers tend to receive the ball,” Aaron said. “He’s just removed that receive completely. It’s just that stumps are here, [he gathers it close to the stumps] and it’s just from there to there [takes his hands forward to finish the stumping].”Hayden gave the example of Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen missing a stumping of Rajasthan Royals’ Sanju Samson in the afternoon game on Sunday.”Klaasen sort of missed, right? I think everyone commented on it at the time that if that was Dhoni, it would have been gone.”
Prime Bank became the first team in Bangladesh to score 400 in the List A format
Mohammad Isam10-Mar-2025Key takeawaysThere is already evidence that the 46th edition of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League will be the most open competition of the last 15 years. The top seven teams – all on four points each – have already dropped points in the first round that began on March 3. Defending champions Abahani Limited are among the top six teams, although many felt that they would have financial constraints in the 2024-25 season, given their political links with the Awami League.Prime Bank Cricket Club have begun the league spectacularly, becoming the first side to reach a 400-plus total in a List A game in Bangladesh. There have been two other 300-plus totals in the first three rounds, but there have been also been two sides getting bowled out for under 100 runs.Coming hot on the heels of Bangladesh’s disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, the spotlight will be on if the Dhaka Premier League, known as the country’s most important domestic competition, can provide some new performers.Best battersMohammad Naim continues to be the standout batter of the season in domestic cricket. He struck a career-best 176 against Brothers Union in the game in which Prime Bank racked up 422 for 8 in 50 overs. Naim has limited his strokeplay, concentrating mainly on three or four shots to get him the runs. The most impressive factor is his growth as an accumulator, picking ones and twos regularly.Best bowlersLeft-arm spinner Tanvir Islam has taken three wickets in each of the first three matches for Legends of Rupganj. His 3 for 15 (against Shinepukur Cricket Club) and 3 for 23 (against Gazi Group Cricketers) were impressive spells. Tanvir couldn’t quite do well in the BPL, so he must be eager to bounce back in the Dhaka Premier League. Tanvir reached 150 List A wickets, and completed 100 matches in the format on March 10.Best matchPrime Bank started the season with a tight contest, beating Rupganj Tigers by three wickets. Batting first, Rupganj were bowled out for 216 in 48.4 overs. Prime Bank, however, slipped to 23 for 4 in the third over. Openers Naim and Sabbir Hossain were dismissed for ducks, before Zakir Hasan fell in the second over. When captain Irfan Sukkur was run-out, Prime Bank were in big trouble.But Shamim Hossain held things together with an unbeaten 98 off 83 balls that included ten fours and four sixes. He added 110 runs for the unbroken eighth-wicket stand with Khaled Ahmed, who contributed with 28 from 37 deliveries. Shahadat Hossain also struck a quick fifty from No. 4.Points to ponderApart from the top seven teams all reaching four points each, Gulshan Cricket Club, Partex Sporting Club, Shinepukur and Brothers Union have two points each. Rupganj Tigers remain the only team yet to open their account after three losses.Players to watchBrothers’ 21-year-old batter Mahfijul Islam struck a century and a half-century in the first three games to be the top-scorer at this stage of the competition. Parvez Hossain Emon, having returned from the Champions Trophy, also struck a century and a fifty.
Newcastle United remain without Alexander Isak, with the Sweden international still refusing to play for the club this season. It meant Eddie Howe had to get creative in their Premier League opener, with Anthony Gordon leading the line and Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga operating out wide.
For Isak’s Sweden teammate Elanga, it was an impressive debut. According to the stats on Sofascore, he made 23 sprints and showed his electric pace, clocking in at 35.3km/h as his quickest speed. He also created two chances and was a bright spark going forward for Newcastle.
However, their attack feels unbalanced with Gordon up front. They are still targeting a striker this summer, with Isak’s future still very much hanging in the balance.
Newcastle’s striker target
There have certainly been plenty of names bandied about when it comes to Newcastle’s search for a striker. One of the latest targets is Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, with fellow Premier League centre-forwards Yoane Wissa of Brentford and Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea also viable options.
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However, another name from within the Premier League has once again cropped up. According to a report from TBR Football, the Magpies are said to have made Aston Villa and England star Ollie Watkins a ‘prime target’ ahead of the final ten days of the window.
The former Brentford attacker could leave Villa Park if they themselves can sign Jackson from Chelsea. Given Waktins is ‘one of the names high on their list’, Newcastle could pounce.
As for the price, it was reported earlier in the window that the Villans would demand as much as £50m for the 29-year-old.
Why Watkins would be a good signing
There is no doubt that, if Watkins makes the move to Tyneside this summer, his potential new club would be signing a ready-made Premier League striker. He has garnered a reputation as one of the Premier League’s biggest threats in front of goal.
Watkins has become an incredibly potent Premier League striker. Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley described the England star as a “dangerous” number nine, and it is easy to see why. He has 75 goals in 185 games in the English top flight, assisting a further 36.
Consistency has been key for the Exeter-born attacker. In the five full seasons of Premier League football he has played, Watkins has reached double figures for goals in all of them. The 2023/24 season was his best, a campaign in which he scored 16 top-flight goals.
2020/21
37
14
2021/22
35
11
2022/23
37
15
2023/24
37
19
2024/25
38
16
Well, Watkins might be a player that Elanga loves playing with. Newcastle’s new recruit, who signed from Nottingham Forest, had an impressive season in Garibaldi Red in 2024/25, scoring six goals and assisting 11 in 38 Premier League appearances.
Newcastle’s number 20 had a big role to play in their 0-0 draw against Watkins’ Villa last weekend.
His line-breaking pass on the counterattack to Gordon led Villans defender Ezri Konsa to haul down the makeshift striker, with the result a red card for the centre-back.
The winger loves to play with space ahead of him, as he said in an interview last season. He explained after a stunning solo effort against Manchester United that “attacking the space” is a key part of his game.
The fact that he can exploit that so well must be music to Watkins’ ears. The England striker has previously said himself that “running in behind and causing the defence trouble” is his “bread and butter”, as this goal against Everton last season showed.
It is easy to see why Elanga and Watkins could work so well together. Elanga is a player who loves to carry the ball and find runners in behind, and with Watkins’ ability to stretch play, this could play into his hands perfectly.
For a fee of £50m, pairing up a deadly Premier League striker and a proven assist-maker could be the perfect move for Howe.
He's Isak 2.0: Newcastle in race for £56m "future star" who wants the move
Newcastle are still searching for a striker if Isak leaves
There has been some concern from sections of the Celtic fanbase in recent weeks about the role that Paulo Bernardo is going to play for Brendan Rodgers this season.
The Portugal U21 international has been an unused substitute in both of the club’s Scottish Premiership matches so far this term, with Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Benjamin Nygren, Arne Engels, and Luke McCowan all ahead of him in the pecking order.
Paulo Bernardo
Bernardo played 28 times in the league for the Hoops in the 2024/25 campaign, but only started 13 of those matches, and produced two goals and three assists, per Sofascore.
Rodgers has seemingly decided that he is his last option in the middle of the park, though, as five other central midfielders have been used ahead of him in the opening two matches.
Celtic told asking price for midfield target
It could get even worse for Bernardo before the end of the summer transfer window, as the Hoops appear to be looking at signing another player in his position.
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According to Claret & Hugh, West Ham United central midfielder Andy Irving is a target for Celtic, as they look to further bolster their options in the coming weeks.
The report claims that the Scotland international is not going to get regular football under Graham Potter at the London Stadium, and is on an unofficial transfer list for the Hammers.
It adds, though, that the Hoops will have to pay a fee of around £3.5m to land a deal for the left-footed maestro, who they have already turned down a bid of £2.2m for this summer.
Celtic now have to decide whether or not they want to splash the cash to bring the Scottish midfielder to Parkhead before the end of the window.
Why this is bad news for Paulo Bernardo
The news of the club’s interest in Irving, and the relatively reasonable asking price, will come as bad news to Bernardo because the arrival of another midfielder would send him even further down the pecking order.
It seems unlikely that the Hoops would want to bring in another midfielder, much less one for £3.5m, if they did not plan for the player to play a key role in the side, which means that they would be signed with the view to playing instead of the Portuguese star.
This means that the arrival of Irving could leave Bernardo as the seventh choice central midfielder for the Hoops, meaning that he would not even make the starting line-up if Rodgers switched his midfield three up completely.
Appearances
31
28
Goals
5
9
Big chances missed
0
1
Big chances created
10
7
Key passes per game
1.4
1.2
Assists
6
4
As you can see in the table above, Irving played regularly in Austria in the two seasons before the 2024/25 campaign, when he only started one game for West Ham in the Premier League, as per Sofascore.
These statistics suggest that the Scottish midfielder could provide a big threat at the top end of the pitch from the middle of the park as both a scorer and a creator of goals for his side when given the chance to play week-in-week-out.
The 25-year-old, whose football journey was described as “fascinating” by reporter Barry Anderson, could be an exciting addition to the squad as a homegrown, Scottish, talent who could provide quality depth behind the starters.
However, not everyone would be delighted by his arrival at Parkhead because it could force Bernardo to consider his short-term future at Parkhead with the summer transfer window due to close at the start of next month.
Rodgers could axe Adam Idah by sealing Celtic move for "explosive" £6m star
Celtic can drop Adam Idah from the starting line-up with a move to sign this £6m-rated star.
1 ByDan Emery Aug 12, 2025
The former Benfica starlet will not want to be the seventh choice in midfield for the 2025/26 campaign, as it may see him rarely feature on the pitch, and that is why the possible signing of Irving could result in the Portuguese talent moving on from Celtic.
And breathe. It’s finally happened. Manchester United have reached a breakthrough with Brentford for the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo, who will join Old Trafford in a deal worth up to £71m.
Of course, the Cameroon winger hasn’t signed yet, with his medical slated for this weekend. But this is a significant step forward, ending the interminable negotiating with Premier League rivals Brentford for their star man.
United have bagged Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5m; Ruben Amorim is redefining his frontline, but more is needed to spark a much-needed resurgence after finishing 15th in the top flight and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
In any case, the Red Devils have stepped in the right direction, but more is certainly needed.
The latest Man Utd transfer news
United have secured their offensive flanks, but they still need to sign a striker, with Rasmus Hojlund flattering to deceive last season, scoring just four times in the Premier League.
However, with Christian Eriksen having left at the end of his contract, United also need to improve their midfield, and while a wealth of names, such as Atalanta’s Ederson, have been bandied about, Amorim appears to have centred on a talent who could make a lasting impact.
As per Calcio Mercato Javier Guerra has reached a verbal agreement with Man United as he leans toward an exit from Valencia.
The clubs are still negotiating the details, but this is a promising update indeed.
Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra.
Further outfits from Spain and England have made enquiries, while AC Milan failed with a move in June. The 22-year-old is valued at £26m, but could be a shrewd long-term investment.
What Javier Guerra would bring to Man Utd
Guerra is, thus far, a one-club man, having graduated from Valencia’s Mestalla reserve side to complete 89 senior appearances for the first team, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.
Regarded by talent scout Jacek Kulig to be a deep-lying playmaker with a tactical style akin to Xabi Alonso, Guerra would instil composure, ball-playing intelligence and clear vision to Amorim’s set-up, making it easier to put emphasis on transitional play and ferry the ball forward to the likes of Bruno Fernandes.
Valencia's JaviGuerrain action with Atletico Madrid's Samuel Lino
He would, in this way, prove a seamless replacement for Eriksen, all the while packaging the United system with his own brand, having actually been hailed as a “phenomenal young talent” by journalist Zach Lowy.
Indeed, Guerra ranked among the top 15% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues last term for shots taken, the top 17% for successful take-ons and the top 18% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.
The Spaniard’s blooming roundedness even suggests that he could be the next version of his legendary countryman Rodri, only this time playing on Manchester’s red side.
To claim that Guerra would emulate his fellow Spaniard Rodri from the off in the Premier League would be a fool’s game, to be sure. Pep Guardiola’s Ballon d’Or winner joined Man City from Atletico Madrid in a club-record deal worth £63m back in July 2019, when he was 23 years old.
Rodri was further in his development than Guerra at that stage, but the similarities are there, even if the Valencia star is more of a pass-focused player than he is, with the City sensation encapsulating every facet of the midfield game to a preternatural level.
Rodri Pep Guardiola Manchester CityRodri Pep Guardiola Manchester City
The 29-year-old has won the whole gamut with Pep Guardiola at Man City, and he won the 2024 European Championship with his nation too.
If United can forge their own version of the modern great in Guerra, Amorim’s vision truly could have lift-off in the coming months and years.
It would be redundant to contrast and compare Guerra with the current iteration of Rodri, who is both vastly superior and missed the majority of the 2024/25 campaign through injury.
So, instead, let’s have a look at Guerra’s La Liga statistics from the recent term against Rodri’s from his final year in his homeland. Though the latter maintained a higher level, there’s plenty of promise to be taken from the collation.
Matches (starts)
36 (31)
34 (32)
Goals
3
3
Assists
3
1
Touches*
49.8
69.8
Pass completion
80%
91%
Big chances created
6
2
Key passes*
0.6
0.5
Dribbles*
0.8
0.6
Ball recoveries*
5.9
9.2
Tackles + interceptions*
2.0
4.2
Duels won*
3.5
7.1
As you can see, Rodri was by far the more combative and commanding midfield general, with his energy and tenacity seen through his rate of defensive contributions and ball recoveries.
But Guerra has put in a terrific campaign on his own merits.
It’s also worth noting that Guerra has been competing in an imperilled Valencia side, who looked doomed and headed for the second tier across the opening half of the season before a resurgence after a wintry 7-1 defeat to Barcelona in January sparked new fluency and focus.
The victory that followed that hammering, by the by, was crafted by Guerra, who scored and assisted in a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo.
Certainly, Guerra is showing himself at a younger age to have a bit more creative flair about him than Rodri, who marshalled so confidently an organised Atletico Madrid side.
To set the expectation that he would reach Rodri’s lofty level would be the instant undoing of this talented young midfielder. But can Amorim not fashion his own version, one not expected to reach his compatriots’ level, but instead offer his technical qualities to Man United and improve them?
Manchester United manager RubenAmorim
Signing a rising star with a point to prove is exactly the kind of move Amorim needs to make, and it’s one which might establish foundations for a much-needed revival.
He's more important than Mbeumo: Man Utd to make bid for £30m "machine"
Manchester United’s dealings in the transfer window have shown no signs of slowing down in recent days.
Everton’s centre-forward issues date back several years. Indeed, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin looked like he could be the new messiah, his final few years at the club were poor.
Not since Romelu Lukaku left in the summer of 2017 have the Toffees enjoyed the services of a striker who knew how to find the back of the net on a regular basis.
Ex-Everton forward Romelu Lukaku.
David Moyes has splashed out £27m to sign Thierno Barry in the hope that the Frenchman could finally be the answer to the club’s centre-forward dilemma.
The Scot won’t stop there, however, as he looks keen on adding another attacking player this summer. Could he be close to hijacking a deal for a recent target?
Everton's search for another striker
Hamza Igamane is on the club’s shortlist, as Moyes looks to potentially hijack Lille’s deal to sign him from Glasgow Rangers.
It might not be the only deal Everton are set to hijack. Recently, the club showed interest in Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, but it appeared as though Bayern Munich were going to secure his signature.
Stuttgart's Nick Woltemade
According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, however, the German side have temporarily pulled out of any potential deal, leaving the door ajar for Everton to swoop in and hijack a deal.
Any move could cost Moyes around £42m, but given he is a young striker with plenty of room for development, it might be a masterstroke.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
He could even turn into Lukaku 2.0 for the club.
Why Everton must sign Nick Woltemade
Lukaku arrived at Goodison Park as a young, strong centre-forward. Fast-forward four years later, and he departed after scoring 87 goals in 186 appearances for the club.
The bustling striker was a menace in front of goal, and Moyes would dearly love someone to replicate these types of performances.
Woltemade doesn’t look like a typical centre-forward. Possessing a hulking frame like Lukaku, the 6-foot-6 German might not offer the most aesthetic-looking performances, but there is no denying how effective he is.
Indeed, last season for Stuttgart, Woltemade scored 17 goals in all competitions, helping the club win the German Cup in the process.
Following his stunning campaign for the club, Antonio Mango hailed the striker as “exceptional”, and he looks set for a bright future indeed.
Not just competent in front of goal, Woltemade is also impressive at taking on opposition defenders and working the ball into the box, as Lukaku was in Everton blue.
Indeed, when compared to his positional peers across Europe’s big five leagues, the German ranks in the top 1% for touches in the penalty area (8.82), in the top 4% for successful take-ons (1.72) and in the top 3% for shot-creating actions (4.38) per 90.
Nick Woltemade’s Bundesliga stats last season
Goals
12
Assists
2
Shots per game
1.8
Big chances created
8
Key passes per game
1.3
Big chances missed
11
Via Sofascore
These are the sorts of statistics which Lukaku has exuded throughout his career, turning into a powerful centre-forward capable of moments of magic.
Should Moyes manage to hijack a move for the current Stuttgart starlet, it would prove to be a significant coup for the club. The next few weeks will be interesting indeed.
Everton in contact to sign "fantastic" defender who pocketed Calvert-Lewin
The Toffees are in the hunt for defensive reinforcements…
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have named Dinesh Karthik as the batting coach and batting mentor of their men’s team.Karthik, 39, was part of the RCB squad until IPL 2024 before retiring from all forms of representative cricket at the end of the season. The wicketkeeper-batter was picked by the RCB franchise at the IPL 2022 mega auction and stayed with them for three seasons. He also had a stint with them in 2015 for one season.Karthik finished his IPL career on a high with 326 runs in 13 innings in the 2024 season at a strike rate of 187.35. Overall, Karthik played 60 matches for RCB in the tournament and scored 937 runs at an average of 24.65 and a strike rate of 162.95. His run tally is currently the second-highest for an Indian player for RCB in the IPL behind Virat Kohli. Karthik also took 36 catches and affected nine stumpings during his RCB career.Related
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“Coaching at a professional level is incredibly exciting for me and is something I’m truly passionate about as a new chapter in my life. Hopefully, the breadth of my experiences as a player can contribute to the development of the group and added value,” Karthik was quoted via a press release.”I believe that cricket success hinges not only on technical proficiency but also on match intelligence and composure. I am eager to coach and mentor our batting group, helping them to not only refine their method but also to develop the keen match awareness needed to excel under pressure. It’s also great that I can continue my association with RCB as the franchise continues to move from strength to strength.”As far as his coaching experience goes, Karthik had more recently joined the England Lions coaching staff when they toured India in January earlier this year. He assisted the England Lions’ preparations after being included in the squad’s coaching set-up for the first nine days of the tour. At RCB, Karthik will work alongside head coach Andy Flower, bowling coach Adam Griffith and director of cricket Mo Bobat.”DK is an excellent addition to our coaching group,” Bobat said. “He was thrilling to watch on the field, and I’m sure he will be just as impactful as a coach. His longevity and track record as a player speaks volumes about his skill and dedication. I know he will bring that same quality and commitment to this new professional chapter.”Karthik is just one of seven players to have featured in every edition of the IPL since 2008. He represented six IPL teams in all, starting with Delhi Daredevils, before moving to Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders and RCB.Overall, he played 257 matches in the tournament and scored 4842 runs while averaging 26.31 and striking at 135.36 with 22 fifties. As a keeper, Karthik is second on the list (174) behind MS Dhoni (190) in overall dismissals.Karthik also played 26 Tests, 94 ODIs and 60 T20Is for India having first turned out for the country in an ODI against England in 2004.
Celtic enjoyed another successful season in 2024/25 under Brendan Rodgers, winning another Scottish Premiership title while also lifting the Scottish League Cup.
The Hoops narrowly missed out on a domestic treble, however, attention is already turning to the new campaign with additions already made in the transfer market.
Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic Park has now been confirmed, with the left-back joining on a free transfer after his contract at the Emirates expired. Talking after re-joining Celtic, Tierney was delighted.:
The Scot will be looking to add to his tally of 11 Celtic honours over the coming years, but who else could join Tierney and Fulham youngster Callum Osmand through the Parkhead door this summer?
Celtic's most expensive sales of all time
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Grok the AI tool on X, has predicted five more signings Celtic could make this summer, totalling more than £20m.
AI predicts 5 players Celtic will sign this summer 1 Mathias Kvistgaarden Brondby (£8m)
A new attacking addition looks set to be on the to-do list at Parkhead, with Mathias Kvistgaarden a long-term target for the Hoops.
Wanted by Celtic over the last 12 months, they have once again been linked with a move this summer. The closest Rodgers’ side have come to signing Kvistgaarden was in January after Kyogo Furuhashi left to join Rennes.
Grok have put an estimated £8m transfer fee on a deal as Celtic search for their Kyogo replacement.
2 Lennon Miller Motherwell (£5m)
Lennon Miller continues to be a man in-demand after starring at Motherwell, with Celtic among the many clubs looking to sign the talented teenage midfielder.
Recent claims have suggested that the Hoops are set to go back in for the 18-year-old after seeing a bid turned down in January, and Grok thinks a transfer could be worth £5m for the now Scotland international.
Amid reports of Sunderland looking at signing Miller for £10m, Celtic may well be delighted if they can sign him for half the price.
3 Harley Mills Peterborough United (£2m)
Despite already signing Tierney, Celtic could still yet bring another left-back to Glasgow to replace Greg Taylor.
Peterborough United’s Harley Mills may well be that man to provide competition to Tierney, with an approach made by the Hoops for the EFL ace.
Mills starred at Wembley for Peterborough against Birmingham in their Vertu Cup final victory, scoring a free-kick, and he could cost up to £2m according to Grok.
4 Nilson Angulo Anderlecht (£5m)
Celtic have been predicted to bring in a South American winger over the coming months, and Nilson Angulo, dubbed as “the next Neymar” in the media, may well be that man.
An Ecuador international, the Hoops recently expressed an interest in signing Angulo, who can play on either flank. He has already played in the Europa League for Anderlecht and is still just 21 years of age.
Grok say a ‘young, dynamic winger would fit Rodgers’ vision for Champions League impact’, and Angulo could be that man in a deal potentially worth up to £5m.
5 James Penrice Hearts (£2m)
Described by Grok as a domestic solution for defensive depth, Hearts left-back James Penrice is another who has been backed to move to Celtic Park this summer in a deal worth up to £2m.
This comes after Celtic scouted the 26-year-old, who impressed at Tynecastle in what was a struggling Hearts side.
As well as playing in his primary left-back role, Penrice can also turn out as a left midfielder or as a central midfielder, providing plenty of versatility for Rodgers.