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Tottenham Hotspur wide-man Ivan Perisic has given Ange Postecoglou "some little things to think about" after his brilliant performances for the team on Spurs' pre-season tour, claims journalist Alasdair Gold.

Is Ivan Perisic leaving Tottenham this summer?

One of the great benefits of a pre-season tour for a manager is the ability to reassess players that might have otherwise been deemed surplus to requirements from the season just gone, and for Spurs, the recent Asia-Pacific tour has done precisely that for Croatian Perisic.

The 34-year-old has excelled for new boss Postecoglou in the team's recent run of friendlies, playing in the games against West Ham United in Perth and the Lion City Sailors in Singapore.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

The former Borussia Dortmund winger has been predominantly used as a wing-back since moving to N17, but was deployed in his original position as a winger during the recent friendlies – a change which allowed him to focus his efforts on the attacking side of the game where he is most decisive.

Before going on tour with the club, he was expected to terminate his contract in north London and join Hajduk Split in his home country, per transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio.

However, following his brilliant performances for the team over the last couple of weeks, some believe the Lilywhites could try to convince the Split-born star to stay another year, per Spurs journalist Gold.

He explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:

"He played very well in some of the games. His delivery is unquestioned. It's a terrific delivery he puts into the box, but the fact that actually, as a winger, without the defensive responsibilities, it played to his strengths as an older player not having to get back, he was able to just concentrate on pressing. He was involved in pretty much every goal that occurred when he was on the pitch.

"I still get the feeling he might depart, maybe because of his wages and because of his desire to probably play in the Champions League, or maybe there's talk about him going home to Hajduk Split in Croatia.

"But he gave Postecoglou some little things to think about. He was really good, he looked really sharp the whole time."

Who else could leave Tottenham Hotspur this season?

If Perisic could potentially be staying for another year or more under the new boss, who else is likely to leave regardless?

One name heavily linked with a departure from N17 is centre-back Davinson Sanchez, with the club accepting a £13m offer for the player from Russian outfit Spartak Moscow earlier this week, per BBC Sport.

The Colombian hasn't quite reached the heights people hoped he would since arriving at Tottenham for what was a club-record fee of £42m in the summer of 2017, making just eight starts in the Premier League last season and only 17 the year before.

When Postecoglou was asked about the move, he simply replied that the defender is "exploring his options".

Another defender that looks like he's on the way out is Spanish full-back Sergio Reguilon.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that La Liga side Real Sociedad have a "genuine interest" in the player, but that the deal is in the early stages and has "not advanced yet".

If Postecoglou can convince Perisic to stay in the Premier League for just one more year under the promise of a more attacking role, then he could have just one more potential trick up his sleeve in their quest to return to European football next term.

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake is close to signing a new long-term deal at the club, according to an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

When is Nathan Ake out of contract?

Pep Guardiola's side enjoyed a truly legendary season last time around, winning the treble after securing Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup glory. It was a monstrous effort from everyone involved, with the manager showing why he is one of the best of all time, and so many players doing their bit for the cause.

While the likes of Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan may have often made the headlines, Ake was an outstanding performer in his own right, playing with such consistency and authority throughout the campaign. He started 22 Premier League games, averaging 1.8 clearances per game and enjoying a 91.1% pass completion rate, also featuring five times for the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup.

The 28-year-old only has two years remaining on his current City contract, and given his importance to the squad last season, the club will surely be wanting to extend his stay as soon as possible. That certainly looks set to be the case, following a promising new update.

Is Nathan Ake set to sign a new Man City deal?

Taking to Twitter, Romano provided a positive update regarding Ake's future at the Etihad, saying a contract extension is now close to coming to fruition:

"Manchester City are close to reaching an agreement with Nathan Ake over new long term deal. Talks are advanced – understand it’s just matter of time to get it done. Salary will be significantly improved, as Telegraaf reported."

This is brilliant news for anyone of a City persuasion, with Ake really growing into his role at the club after what was arguably a fairly slow start there, having arrived from Bournemouth back in 2020. The Dutchman has displayed his versatility superbly, allowing him to shine at both centre-back and left-back, and he has played with so much intelligence and defensive nous in recent times.

Guardiola has described Ake as a "proper defender", while former City striker Paul Dickov has lauded him as "fantastic", following a particularly impressive performance up against Arsenal's dangerous attacker Bukayo Saka last season. Having players of his ilk around is so important to the club's success moving forward, given his consistency and knowledge of the system, so the idea of him signing an extension is good to hear.

At 28, there is no reason why the Netherlands international can't continue to be an important figure at the Etihad for the next four or five years, becoming an even more experienced head, and he is a great example and showing patience with a player and seeing them eventually develop into a real force.

Ake will have to continue to improve, such is the level of competition at City in defence, but he has shown that he is ready to fight for his place, and his spot in the starting lineup became undeniable at times last season, including in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan in June.

Derbyshire allrounder Shiv Thakor has been arrested following allegations that he indecently exposed himself

George Dobell14-Jul-2017Derbyshire allrounder Shiv Thakor has been arrested.Thakor, a former England U19 player, was suspended by the club on full pay last week after allegations that he had indecently exposed himself.”The club has been advised that one of our players, Shiv Thakor, has been arrested by police investigating allegations concerning the player when he was not on duty with the club,” Derbyshire said in a statement.”In consultation with the player’s representatives, the player continues to be suspended on full pay pending the outcome of the investigations.For legal reasons, the club is unable to comment further at this stage.”

Samit Patel has a career-best 257 to his name, moe runs than he has made all season, and a pleasure in an otherwise drab contest

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Bristol11-Jun-2017
ScorecardSamit Patel produced the highest innings of his life•Getty ImagesThanks to Samit Patel, Nottinghamshire find themselves in a commanding position going into the final day against Gloucestershire. This match, for the most part, has hummed along like an old fridge: serving its purpose but giving little joy to no one. That was until Patel interjected to produce an innings of immense quality. The 31-year-old finished unbeaten on 257, a new first class record, on a pitch that has offered nothing to either discipline.To understand how dominating this knock was, consider this: it eclipses the 226 runs he has accumulated over all of his previous eight Championship innings this season. And of course, a bit of red ink does his average no harm.Patel’s unbeaten 257, which featured 23 fours and a towering six to midwicket off Jack Taylor, was brought up with a tapped single and fist pump that bumped a 256 against Durham MCCU in April 2013 down the list. The merits of classifying university matches as first class is another debate for another time, but that Patel was desperate to beat that score – “it was the most nervous I was the whole time I was batting” – underlines his desire for worthwhile contributions.The four through cover point that took Patel to his hundred summed up his innings: not even a Test batsman of the class of Notts’ number three Cheteshwar Pujara (the next highest scorer of the innings with 67), had been able to time as well or as often on this pitch. This was his first Championship hundred of the season, and his 25th in his first class career. It was also his second against Gloucestershire – that first, a score of 176 (his previous career best in the County Championship) coming way back in April 2007, at this very ground. It was in the back of his mind – “you always remember your best” – and he breezed passed it with two runs struck over the top of wide mid off.Both 2007 and 2017 Patel still have much in common. Time takes the shine away from much, but it does not seemed to have dulled any of the strokes he played with such relish as a 22-year-old. There remains an exuberance to his shot-making, most notable in the way that he used his feet to the spinners to hit them for boundaries inside-out over extra cover – the only region left open to him. Challenge posed, challenge accepted. The swagger after each boundary has, if anything, become more pronounced.Perhaps a 31-year-old Patel has learned the value of patience, though even that is simply an observation made in hindsight: he spent more than eight hours at the crease absorbing 452 deliveries, showing great restraint to not make the mistakes of those who fell before and during his stay at the crease. Most batsmen have been undone snatching at opportunities to score. Patel simply waited. And in waiting, he made up for lost time.”It reminds you of the bad days you have with the bat. The times you can’t score any runs and you’re searching. I suppose you’ve got to try and make use of it.”I’ve been training hard with Mooresy (head coach Peter Moores) and Pike (assistant coach Paul Franks) and my mindset has been pretty good for a few weeks now. I’ve just not been converting as much as I should have done.”On 185, he had a life: skipping down the pitch to the left-arm spin of Graeme van Buuren, he struck high towards long on, where the fielder in question looked to have taken a good catch. Patel thought he was out, but the catch was spilled – in fact, it have even gone for six. Instead, four was signalled. That was about as ungainly as his innings got. On 192, he struck the medium pace of Kieran Noema-Barnett for consecutive fours through cover point to take him to 200 from 379 balls. “I’ve been searching for a big one for a few weeks now.” Here it was.His supporting actors changed throughout the day. Michael Lumb looked as good as you could for 23 before he was trapped by a searing yorker from Chris Liddle. Riki Wessels came out to instigate the charge, scoring his first boundary with a trademark sweep to square leg off Neoma-Barnett. A third batting point came up an over later before Patel struck his 12th boundary to take Nottinghamshire past Gloucestershire’s first effort of 303.While Wessels was unable to last much beyond lunch, trapped LBW by Jack Taylor, Chris Read’s enterprising 40, which featured the game’s first six, clubbed crisply over long on, ensured Notts put on 126 in the middle session to go into tea with a comfortable lead of 136. Luke Wood tagged in for the evening, striking a composed 38 as part of a 95-run partnership with Patel that further demoralised Gloucester, taking the lead to 232 before Read called the innings off.More misery was to come for the hosts as Cameron Bancroft was struck in front second ball by Luke Fletcher, just as he was in the first innings. Unfortunately for him, this time the umpire raised his finger. The 24-year-old from Western Australia is now averaging 16.44 from nine innings: a return far below what is expected of an overseas player, let alone someone of Bancroft’s talent. The stodginess of this Bristol pitch is enough to make any Perth-dweller homesick. Chris Dent and Will Tavare reconvene tomorrow, 202 behind with bold ambitions to try and take Gloucestershire to safety.There was further reason to cheer for Nottinghamshire as Moores confirmed to BBC Radio Nottingham that James Pattinson will rejoin the squad for their Royal London Cup knock-out match on Tuesday against Somerset. He will then be available for the following two Championship matches before his deal expires at the end of June.

Aston Villa are still keen on signing Leeds United youngster Wilfried Gnonto this summer, but Everton appear to be ahead of them in the race.

What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

The Villans had such an enjoyable second-half of last season, excelling with Unai Emery at the helm and eventually finishing seventh in the Premier League, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League in the process. It was a run of form that few saw coming, but they are now in a position where they can improve even further this summer.

Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres have already completed exciting-looking moves to Villa Park, which has the potential to make Emery's team more formidable, but it would be a big surprise if their spending stopped there.

Another player who has been linked with a summer move to the club is Gnonto, who caught the eye for Leeds last term, standing out as a rare spark in an otherwise confidence-sapping campaign for the Whites. The young Italian scored twice and got four assists in the league, and was arguably one of the few players at Elland Road who looked like providing some attacking magic during games.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding the 19-year-old's future, with Villa still in the mix to sign him, but certainly not having things their own way.

Who is signing Wilfried Gnonto?

According to Sport Mediaset [via Sport Witness], Gnonto has the option to join either Villa or Everton this summer, with an exit from Leeds expected due to their relegation to the Championship.

It is stated that the Villans will have to "exceed" the Blues' bid for the winger, however, if they want to have a chance of pipping them to his signature, which is €18m plus €6m in bonuses (£20.6m total). NSWE have made contact with the player and talks could possibly intensify in the coming days.

While Gnonto may not be a guaranteed starter for Villa next season, unlike immediate key men in Tielemans and Torres, he could still be a fantastic signing who is viewed as a long-term addition with a high ceiling.

The Leeds ace has won 12 caps for Italy, despite not yet turning 20 – Leeds coach Michael Skubala has also described him as "special" – and he did enough in a struggling team last term to show what he is capable of in wide areas, combining quick feet, blistering pace and end product that will only improve with age.

With all due respect to Everton, they could again find themselves in a relegation battle for a third year in a row, whereas Villa really do look like they are going places under Emery, making strong signings, having plenty of money to spend and looking to even push for a top-six finish in the Premier League in 2023/24.

They are the more exciting proposition, but the one potential issue is that the Merseysiders could promise him more regular football from the off, which could appeal to Gnonto at this stage in his career, rather than warming the substitutes' bench and having to accept Emery's rotation across four competitions.

Arsenal have “held talks” to sign Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia, reports 90min journalist Graeme Bailey.

Which players are Arsenal signing in 2023?

The Gunners have been on fire in the transfer market so far this summer, splashing the cash to ensure their incredible 2022/23 season under Mikel Arteta is no flash in the pan.

The north Londoners have already announced the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea – a sure sign of the power shift in the capital – and deals for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are thought to be all but done.

Arteta and Edu’s work won’t finish there however, due to the fact that they are also set to lose some key players from the team that performed so well last term. Granit Xhaka has left the club to join Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen while Thomas Partey is also thought to be likely to leave, so the addition of Rice may need to be accompanied by another new arrival in the centre of the park.

And that’s where Lavia could come in, with the Southampton youngster expected to depart after the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League. The 19 year-old is one of several midfield targets to be linked – the likes of Moises Caicedo and even Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni have been mentioned – but the Belgium international appears to be the most advanced.

Are Arsenal signing Romeo Lavia?

Indeed, the Gunners have actually “held talks” to sign the former Manchester City starlet, reports Bailey, but they aren’t alone as Chelsea and Liverpool have also made the same steps.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle are also keeping an eye on the situation, with the teenager “emerging as one of this summer's most in-demand players”. Saints apparently expect to recoup £50m to sell their prized asset.

It’s hard to imagine Lavia coming in and starting week in week out for the Gunners – he is outperformed by Rice in all but three of FBRef’s key metrics for defensive midfielders – but he would be an excellent option to have in the building depending on the opposition, especially with tricky European ties on the way.

The three areas he actually betters Rice in are tackles, blocks and successful take-ons, painting the picture of a player who is excellent at shielding the back four, breaking up play and then weaving out of tight situations to retain possession once he has taken it.

With Rice sure to be striding forward and aiding the more attack-minded players in the XI, having a pure number six behind the England international in certain games would allow him to focus more on those attacking phases of play, and Lavia looks the perfect candidate.

You don’t need to look far to find plaudits for the tough-tackling ace either, with Pep Guardiola saying this earlier this year: “We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not (get) enough minutes like he has in Southampton.”

Many pundits and fans alike have pointed out the similarities between the way Arteta’s team operates and Pep’s City, so it is no surprise to see the boss looking to recruit a player valued so highly by his former mentor, and the interest from various big six rivals shows exactly how Lavia is seen by those around the game.

Shreyas Iyer’s 57-ball 96 steered Delhi Daredevils through a tense chase of 196 and consigned Gujarat Lions to yet another defeat while batting first

The Report by Karthik Krishnaswamy10-May-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:08

Bangar: Iyer’s use of the crease was impressive

Before Wednesday, Gujarat Lions had only won one match while batting first in the IPL, in 12 attempts. The last time they had played Delhi Daredevils, they had failed to defend 208. Now, sent in to bat, they made 195, and ended up on the losing side yet again, their bowling falling apart at critical moments.Daredevils’ match-winner, yet again, came from their group of young, sometimes inconsistent, but undoubtedly gifted Indian batsmen. At the Feroz Shah Kotla, Daredevils had romped home with 15 balls to spare, after Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson added 143 in 63 balls.Here, at Green Park, they had to pull off a different sort of big chase, where they kept losing wickets right through. Shreyas Iyer’s 96 was a different sort of innings to Pant’s 97. Daredevils were 121 for 6 at one point, with only the lower order left to give Iyer company.Then, out of the blue, came some of this season’s most exhilarating batting, as Iyer and Pat Cummins plundered 52 from three overs. Suddenly, Daredevils only needed 23 off 18 balls.There would, of course, be some late tension. Cummins holed out when he may not have needed to hit in the air. Iyer fell in the last over, leaving Nos. 9 and 10 seven to get off four balls. Amit Mishra, though, kept his head, pulling off two ice-cool fours off successive balls to haul Delhi over the line with two balls to spare.Finch, Karthik lift Lions out of early troubleGreen Park provided a flat batting pitch for its first game of the IPL season, and Lions, despite losing their top three inside the first seven overs, kept scoring at a healthy rate. A lot of this was down to the bowling; in this game, Daredevils’ bowlers seemed to have caught the contagion of bowling too straight – and often too short – and leaked runs behind square on the leg side.In all, they would concede 52 runs, and 10 boundaries (out of 26 overall), in that region. Mohammed Shami provided an early instance of this, bowling one ball full and leg-stumpish and another short and leg-stumpish to Ishan Kishan in the fourth over – with fine leg and square leg both inside the circle – giving away six and four.Still, Lions had to fight from 56 for 3, and they did so via a 92-run stand, in 58 balls, between Aaron Finch and Dinesh Karthik. Both batsmen played some eye-catching shots, the highlights including a straight six by Karthik off Shami and some ruthless pulls from Finch, who finished with 69 off 39.Run-outs imperil Daredevils chaseSanju Samson hit two sumptuous fours through the covers before dragging a pull onto his stumps in the second over of the chase. Then Rishabh Pant, having sauntered absentmindedly out of his crease after surviving an lbw appeal from Pradeep Sangwan, was caught out by a direct hit from Suresh Raina at slip.That left Daredevils 15 for 2. Iyer then put on the first of his two substantial stands, 57 off 34 balls, with Karun Nair. Right from the start, Iyer’s placement stood out – he kept finding gaps in the infield, particularly through the off side, and particularly through or behind point. Then Nair, having just hit three successive fours off Dwayne Smith’s slow-medium long-hops and reverse-lapped Ravindra Jadeja for another four, miscued a James Faulkner slower ball.Then came two run-outs, both from direct hits powered by Jadeja’s priceless left arm. First, Marlon Samuels was slow responding to Iyer’s call for a single after a push towards point. Mistake. Then Corey Anderson wandered out of his crease after bunting Basil Thampi towards backward point. Another mistake. When Carlos Brathwaite fell to a short ball from Dhawal Kulkarni in the 14th over, Daredevils were sinking. They needed 75 from 37 balls at that point, with only four wickets in hand.Iyer, Cummins blast offDaredevils didn’t have time for a slow-burning comeback. They duly hit four fours in the next over, two each by Iyer and Cummins, all of them hit along the ground, into off-side gaps. Then Iyer drove and flicked three successive fours off Kulkarni. The biggest over, though, was still to come. It would come – as it has more often than he’d like to admit – against Faulkner. Cummins, expecting and getting the slower, length ball first up, clouted him over long-on. Then Iyer lifted Faulkner over long-off before drilling a drive between the bowler and mid-off.To recap Daredevils smashed 17, 14 and 21 runs off the 15th, 16th and 17th overs.Mishra the finisherWhen Cummins picked out long-on in the 19th over, Daredevils needed 14 off 10 balls. When Iyer played all around a Basil Thampi yorker in the final over, they needed 7 off 4. In walked Mishra, a vastly improved long-format batsman, but not one counted among T20’s most dangerous lower-order hitters.Mishra knows the game inside-out, though, and probably guessed that Thampi would bowl a yorker first up. Down the track he went, surprising the bowler into a full-toss, which he flicked nonchalantly past midwicket. Then, with three to get off three balls, he walked across his stumps, with the knowledge that fine leg was stationed rather square. Thampi’s slower ball may have surprised some batsmen, but not Mishra. He waited, kept his shape, waited some more, and unfurled a deft little scoop. The fielder chased hard, dived, got his body behind the ball, but couldn’t help deflecting it into the rope.

Everton are one of the teams that currently in the running to land Allan Saint-Maximin on a deal this summer, according to a report from 90Min.

How many goals has Allan Saint-Maximin scored for Newcastle?

The 26-year-old has been with Newcastle for the last four seasons and has regularly produced the goods in front of goal for the Toon. He burst onto the scene back in 2019/20 and became an immediate first-team player, featuring on 26 occasions for them in the Premier League and bagging three goals with four assists.

He matched those totals a campaign later too, despite having less minutes on the field. With the club making gradual improvement, he then featured 35 times – his highest amount since his move to St James' Park – and rewarded Newcastle for their faith by hitting a double-digit amount of goal contributions for the first time (five goals and five assists).

In 2022/23 though, he struggled to maintain his place in the team and as the Toon fought for European football, Saint-Maximin's tally tailed off as well. He started just 12 league games and produced only one goal for the club, although he still managed five assists.

However, it led to his worst ever total in a Newcastle shirt and he could now be on the chopping block given Eddie Howe's penchant for playing either Alexander Isak or Joelinton in that left-wing role at St. James' Park.

Are Everton signing Allan Saint-Maximin?

It's led to suggestions that he could now be sold off this summer, with the Frenchman having fallen down the pecking order. According to a report from 90Min, there is certainly interest in his services and one of the clubs that is in the race to sign him is Everton.

The Toffees have "checked on" the situation of the winger and could therefore make a move if they think it is feasible to do so this summer window. However, they aren't the only club that seemingly want to try and sign him.

Crystal Palace also have an interest in keeping him in the top flight, whilst AC Milan could offer to take him to Italy. Most recently too, there is now an offer from Saudi Arabia on the table – so the player may have some decision making to do when it comes to selecting whether to stay with Newcastle or to head to a new team this window.

He clearly has talent in his locker when he gets on form too, with football journalist Josh Bunting stating that Saint-Maximin is "intelligent" and is "so good" at finding "pockets of space" while scout Jacek Kulig calls his dribbling "unstoppable".

It shows that the Frenchman is a winger who is not only excellent in one on one situation but also has the composure to pick a pass at the end of it. If Everton did seal a deal for the 26-year-old then, it would be a real boost to their forward line next season and certainly get the crowd off their feet at Goodison Park.

Shahid Afridi has announced, via Twitter, that he is leaving Peshawar Zalmi and is open to playing for another team in the Pakistan Super League

Umar Farooq25-Mar-2017Shahid Afridi has announced, via Twitter, that he is leaving Peshawar Zalmi and is open to playing for another team in the Pakistan Super League. The franchise’s owner, Javed Afridi, told ESPNcricinfo that he was “clueless” in the matter and would speak to Afridi about his “surprising” decision.

Won d with 1 team,Time for another.Im announcing my end of service as president&player of PeshawarZalmi Team due to my personal reasons1/2

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 24, 2017

My best wishes with Peshawar Zalmi nd as far as my Peshawar fans r concerned I know they are with me wherever i go.

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 24, 2017

Incidentally, Afridi had talked about the importance of Peshawar Zalmi to his local region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, yesterday, during the Emirates Airline Twenty20 Trophy in Dubai. “We have not created the Peshawar Zalmi team to play just a month’s cricket in the PSL and then sit at home,” Afridi had said. “Our work goes beyond the cricket field and we want to change the lives of the underprivileged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”After security operations there, the situation is a lot better in the province, but there are few opportunities or facilities for the youngsters. The Shahid Afridi Foundation works in the health and education sector, but the focus of the Peshawar Zalmi Foundation is towards sports. We want to provide facilities to people who don’t have it.”Team owner Javed Afridi said of Afridi’s decision: “Like many, I am also surprised after reading his tweets. I have no clue and am not aware about the reason he wrote this. But definitely I would like to speak to him before making any further comment.”Peshawar Zalmi won the PSL title this season, defeating Quetta Gladiators in the final held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Afridi had missed the final with a finger injury that he picked up during the playoffs in the UAE. In all, in ten matches in PSL 2017, he had scored 177 runs at 25.28 with a strike rate of 173.52, and taken two wickets with an economy rate of 6.75. He had captained the franchise in the inaugural edition of the tournament, before handing over to Darren Sammy this season.During the group stage of this PSL, Afridi had also announced that he would not be playing international cricket anymore.

Near-full-strength teams face off in what is likely to be a run-fest in Bangalore

The Preview by Nikhil Kalro13-Apr-2017Match factsRoyal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians
Bengaluru, April 14, 2017
Start time 1600 local (1030 GMT)4:13

Agarkar: To leave Chris Gayle out must be a tough decision

Head to headLast season Mumbai Indians, bowling first on both occasions on chasing-friendly grounds, won both games.Overall Mumbai have an 11-8 winning record against Royal Challengers in the IPL. At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Mumbai have won six of seven games against RCB.Form guide

Royal Challengers Bangalore (sixth): lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 35 runs, beat Delhi Daredevils by 15 runs, lost to Kings XI Punjab by eight wickets

Mumbai Indians (third): lost to Rising Pune Supergiant by seven wickets, beat Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets, beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by four wickets

In the newsRoyal Challengers captain Virat Kohli is available, having recovered from a shoulder injury. AB de Villiers, who missed the first two games with a back injury, struck a 46-ball 89 against Kings XI in the previous game. This means Royal Challengers will have their strongest squad, save for KL Rahul. Kohli, at a press conference, said Chris Gayle is a “top-contender” to play in all home matches. Vishnu Vinod may therefore be left out, and Jadhav could resume wicketkeeping duties.Kohli also said Royal Challengers are unlikely to bat first again at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. “We decided to strengthen our bowling and then back that part of our side, but now with me coming back that might change again,” Kohli said. “Bangalore has generally been a ground where you can chase down high totals. Tomorrow, being a day game, really matters because the wicket plays much better under lights than during the day time.”Since Lasith Malinga’s return from international duty, only Ambati Rayudu’s absence does not let them be a full-strength side. Their headache is the form of fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan, who has conceded 129 runs and taken three wickets in three games this season. In a like-for-like replacement, Mumbai may bring in Tim Southee for McClenaghan.RCB will be led out by their full-time captain on Friday•BCCIThe likely XIsRoyal Challengers Bangalore: 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Virat Kohli, 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Shane Watson, 5 Kedar Jadhav, 6 Mandeep Singh, 7 Stuart Binny, 8 Pawan Negi, 9 Tymal Mills, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Aniket ChoudharyMumbai Indians: 1 Parthiv Patel, 2 Jos Buttler, 3 Rohit Sharma, 4 Nitish Rana, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Krunal Pandya, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Jasprit BumrahStats that matter On a small ground, chasing seems to be the preferred way to go. In 10 T20s at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium before Royal Challengers’ successful defence of 157 against Delhi Daredevils in the previous game, five scores of over 200 were defended and the five totals under 200 were successfully chased. Chris Gayle’s weakness against right-arm spinners has been accentuated in the IPL. He has scored 771 runs in 574 balls in the IPL, at a strike rate of 134, and has been dismissed 19 times in 56 innings in which he has faced right-arm spinners. Against Harbhajan Singh, Gayle has scored just 65 runs in 65 balls in the IPL, with three dismissals. Using left-arm spin to limit damage against AB de Villiers, Against left-arm spinners, de Villiers has scored 448 runs in 330 balls, at a strike rate of 135.75. He has also been dismissed nine times in 46 innings.
Who can Mumbai use? Krunal Pandya has conceded just seven runs in 10 balls against de Villiers. Krunal dismissed him twice in the last season. Royal Challengers have been Lasith Malinga’s only nemesis in the IPL. He has taken just 13 wickets against Royal Challengers at an an average of 36 – his worst average against any team in the IPL.
At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Malinga has taken 5 wickets in 20 overs, at an average of 31.80 and an economy rate of 7.95, his worst at any venue where he’s bowled at least 20 overs. Malinga v de Villiers? De Villiers has scored 71 runs in 42 balls against Malinga without being dismissed. Malinga has a T20 economy rate of 6.74, compared to 10.14 against de Villiers. In the 2016 IPL, Virat Kohli had a single: dot ball ratio of 1.58 (291 singles: 184 dot balls). By contrast, Gayle had a single:dot ball ratio of 0.322 (29 singles: 90 dot balls).