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O meio-campista Gabriel Pirani, que está no D.C. United, dos Estados Unidos, não escondeu a insatisfação com a perda de espaço no Santos antes da sua saída do clube. Além disso, pontuou a admiração pelo sucesso conquistado por Marcelo Fernandes.

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Em entrevista exclusiva ao Lance!, o Menino da Vila fez um balanço sobre a falta de oportunidades na equipe do litoral paulista, que se deram principalmente após a saída de Fernando Diniz, e os fatores que podem ter contribuído para isso.

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– Eu não entendo (o motivo da falta de oportunidades), eu tive pouquíssimos jogos. Com o Carille eu ainda jogo, apesar de ter uma lesão nada séria, mas que me incomodava bastante. Eu jogava bastante até o final de 2021 e vinha dando resultado, eu contribuí para o time. Todos ali sabiam que a gente estava passando por um momento de reconstrução e dificuldades, e ainda está passando – disse o jovem atleta.

– Pela grandeza do Santos, jogar a responsabilidade em um menino também é uma coisa errada. Tiveram contratações no meu setor também e eu acabei sendo menos utilizado, mas quem conhece meu dia a dia sabe que eu estava louco por uma oportunidade. Se não estiver jogando, quero estar em algum lugar onde me dêem oportunidades. Não teve nada muito pontual, na minha visão foi porque chegaram contratações – continuou Gabriel Pirani.

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O SANTOS CAI?

O jogador não escondeu o carinho pelo Peixe e demonstrou confiança na manutenção do Peixe na Série A do Brasileirão. Além disso, não escondeu o apreço por Marcelo Fernandes, atual treinador do clube.

– Sem dúvidas não cai. Primeiro pela grandeza do Santos, tudo conspira a favor. Tem pessoas ali que eu tenho muito carinho, como o Marcelo Fernandes que participou muito do início da minha carreira e eu sempre torço por ele. O carinho que eu tenho pelo Santos vai ser eterno na minha vida independente do que acontecer, ele mudou minha vida, sem o Santos não teria minha família por perto ou não conheceria a minha esposa. Enfim, tenho certeza que não vai cair não – opinou o Menino da Vila.

TITULAR PRECOCE

Convocado pela Seleção Brasileira para participar dos Jogos Pan-Americanos no Chile, Pirani afirmou não ter arrependimentos na carreira e acredita que a exposição na equipe principal aconteceu no momento exato.

– Eu acho que na minha vida eu não tenho muitos arrependimentos. Acho que aconteceu no momento certo minha subida no Santos. Passei por todas categorias, fiquei muito pouco no Sub-20 e Sub-23. Acho que (minha promoção ao profissional) aconteceu quando tinha que acontecer e para mim está perfeito. Meu começo foi muito bom, mesmo passando por um ano difícil, e depois eu não tive tantas oportunidades para demonstrar o que eu poderia. Não tenho nenhum arrependimento e não posso falar que faria algo diferente – finalizou Gabriel.

Moments after news that Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki was set to be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines, the Nippon Professional Baseball team he has played for in Japan, the World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers quickly emerged as the favorites to land the ace righthander.

So much so that ESPN's Buster Olney, after speaking with all 30 MLB general managers, said on an episode of earlier in November that "thirty out of thirty teams believe he's going to the Dodgers." Sasaki's agent Joel Wolfe, did not take kindly to such a stance from the league's executives, which has some believing the Dodgers already have a handshake agreement with Sasaki.

Wolfe, insulted by the consensus belief of baseball's executives, strongly denied that any such agreement exists.

"While a bunch of executives who should know me better and do a lot of business with me insult my integrity by insinuating that I would be a part of some type of nefarious agreement," Wolfe told Evan Drellich of . "In reality, this is just poor sportsmanship."

Because Sasaki, 23, is not yet 25 years old, he will be considered an international amateur free agent, which means that MLB teams can only use international bonus pool money to sign him. After the Marines' announced on Nov. 9 their intention to post the Japanese ace, it was initially expected that he would be considered a member of the 2024 international class.

The Dodgers, with $2.5 million left, currently possess the most remaining international bonus pool money of any MLB team for the 2024 signing period, which ends on Dec.15. This is likely why many believed he was headed to Los Angeles.

But speaking to reporters on Wednesday following the owners meetings, commissioner Rob Manfred said that the timing of Sasaki's posting will likely now make him a member of the 2025 class.

"It kind of looks like the way it’s going to shake out, that the signing there, just because the timing, will happen in the new pool period," Manfred said.

According to , the Dodgers, who last December signed two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million contract after he turned down a qualifying offer, lost $1 million from their 2025 bonus pool money for exceeding the competitive balance tax.

Los Angeles, along with the San Francisco Giants, has just $5,146,200—the lowest pool amount in MLB—to spend during the 2025 signing period, which begins on January 15.

In theory, this will give more small-market teams a real shot at Sasaki. Considered one of the best pitchers in the world, Sasaki pitched to a 2.10 ERA in 394 2/3 career innings in NPB.

It's safe to say ESPN's Jeff Passan isn't a fan of Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting.

On Wednesday, Pat McAfee had the ESPN MLB insider on his show to discuss the Pirates' treatment of first baseman Rowdy Tellez. Tellez was four at-bats away from hitting a $200,000 bonus in his contract when Pittsburgh released him on Tuesday. While Passan said that stuff happens all the time, he took aim at Nutting for how he runs his franchise.

"I think the important point here is not to focus on how the Pirates screwed Rowdy Tellez out of $200,000," Passan said, "it's to look at the Pirates and look at Bob Nutting and to ask, 'Why is Rowdy Tellez your first baseman in the first place? Why aren't you going out and getting better players? Why don't you sign Christian Walker or Pete Alonso, or someone this winter to go and be a part of the core of that lineup long-term? Why are you always playing for short term with little money? Why do you have an $86 million payroll to open the season when the rest of the sport, at the top, has $300-plus million? How do you continue to exist as a Major League Baseball owner, who theoretically wants to win a championship, and do so pinching pennies?"

He added, "This is what happens. This, Pat, is the consequence of ownership that does not treat things seriously."

Pirates fans should pay to put that entire segment on a video billboard across from PNC Park and play it on repeat all offseason.

It's the final week of the 2024 MLB season and the Pirates sit in last place of the National League Central with a 73–84 record. That's the eighth-worst record in baseball despite having the best young pitcher on the planet in Paul Skenes.

Things need to change in Pittsburgh.

Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer put on a 106-run partnership to take Amazon Warriors to a big total before Imran Tahir picked up his first five-wicket haul in the CPL

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Aug-2025

Captain Imran Tahir turned back the clock with a sensational five-wicket haul as Guyana Amazon Warriors stormed to their second consecutive win in CPL 2025, dismantling Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by 83 runs in a rain-hit match in North Sound.Chasing a steep target of 212 for their third win, Falcons were not allowed to settle at any point after a flying start, thanks largely to Tahir’s spell of 5 for 21. Falcons raced to 58 runs in the first four overs but lost both openers – Rahkeem Cornwall and Jewel Andrew – in the process, both to Dwaine Pretorius.Related

Tahir: 'You always learn about the game every single day'

Karima Gore’s 31 off 14 balls kept the good work going, but once he was dismissed by Romario Shepherd in the fifth over, the run rate dipped sharply.Tahir, 46, made an immediate impact with a double-wicket maiden in his first over – the seventh of the chase – removing Shakib Al Hasan and captain Imad Wasim. His trademark googlies and flighted deliveries triggered a middle-order collapse as Falcons slipped from 77 for 3 to 116 for 8, losing five wickets for just 39 runs. Eventually, they folded for 128 in 15.2 overs. These were also Tahir’s best figures in the CPL.Earlier in the evening, Warriors had made a strong start before rain halted play for nearly an hour after 5.5 overs.Shai Hope top-scored with a clinical 82 in 54 balls at the top of the order. Having managed just 33 off his first 32 balls, Hope accelerated after the 11th over, smashing 49 off the next 22.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

He got big support from Shimron Hetmyer, who blazed 65 off just 26 balls, including five sixes and five fours, as the pair had a commanding 106-run partnership off just 44 balls for the third wicket.Even after Hope’s dismissal, the Amazon Warriors’ innings didn’t lose momentum, with a late flourish from Shepherd – an unbeaten 25 off just eight balls – pushing the total to an imposing 211 for 3.The last nine overs of the innings had Warriors accumulating 145 runs, 41 of which came from the last two, which proved more than enough in the end.The result took Amazon Warriors, with two wins in two games, to the second spot on the table, which is topped by Falcons, whose two wins have come from five outings.

Maya Jama was among those in attendance at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City claimed an impressive 3-0 victory over Liverpool. The TV presenter was in the crowd to cheer on boyfriend Ruben Dias. The Portuguese defender helped Pep Guardiola’s side to a clean sheet on home soil having recently been spotted viewing a £4 million mansion with Jama.

A-list fan: Jama cheers City to victory over Liverpool

City moved to within four points of table-topping Arsenal as they picked up three precious points against their modern-day rivals. Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku were on target for the Blues as they piled more misery on the reigning Premier League champions.

Jama was given plenty to cheer in the stands, with the Love Island host taking in another trip to the Etihad. She has been a regular at City matches this season, with Dias taking in 15 appearances across all competitions. He has now reached another international break and will be heading off on 2026 World Cup qualifying duty with Portugal.

AdvertisementHouse hunting: Jama ready to move in with Dias

Jama, who posted a video on social media of City and Liverpool players emerging from the tunnel ahead of their crunch clash and could be heard saying “there he is” as Dias lined up on the field, may decide to take in another Portugal fixture having been spotted watching the defender in international action, too. A date with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin is next on the agenda for them.

A break in club action for Dias could also provide him with more time to check out houses with Jama. According to , they have already taken a look around a stunning mansion in Cheshire that was the top prize in an Omaze draw.

The 6,300 square foot, four-bedroom abode boasts panoramic views, landscaped gardens and a “luxury indoor leisure suite”. The house would not come cheap, if renting or buying, but Dias and Jama are looking to put down roots together – with the latter ready to move out of London and head north.

Instagram

Famous neighbours: Mansion is in swanky Cheshire

A source has told The Sun: “It's the third time Ruben and Maya have looked at the property. They spent about two hours there on Wednesday. It's quite a long time to spend on a viewing, but the house is very captivating.

“Ruben arrived in his Lamborghini and Maya came separately in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes. They looked deep in thought when they left together. The house is up for rent at around £20,000 a month, but also up for sale if the price is right. They are very happy together and want to move into a place together which they can call home.”

Emily Ward, who won the mansion in question from a £25 Omaze ticket, said of the property that she is looking to sell: “The house is spectacular — I can see why it’s so popular with millionaire footballers. It will be quite surreal popping out to buy a pint of milk and bumping into Wayne or Coleen Rooney.” Alongside the Rooneys, Alderley Edge has also been home down the years to David and Victoria Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kyle Walker and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

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Getty/GOALRomantic breaks: Dias & Jama met at MTV awards

Dias recently told of his relationship with Jama – who he met at the MTV European Music Awards in November 2024 – and whether life in the public eye is a problem: “No, I think that's the last thing you think about. We are just both aware of it, and there's no way around it. But at the end of the day, you don't make it about it. You make it about everything else, and then that's an extra you have to deal with and, obviously, be smart with it.”

Dias and Jama have enjoyed a number of romantic breaks together and are ready to take their relationship to the next level, with an insider having previously told The Sun: “Maya loves the down-to-earth nature of Manchester, as well as the glamour of the football and WAG scene. Bristol and London will always be special to her, but she is loving spending more time in Manchester with Ruben.”

Lancashire have said they are investigating the incident at Old Trafford

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jul-2025Lancashire have said they are investigating after an incident in which a fan attending the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford was asked to cover up the Pakistan shirt they were wearing.The fan, named in Pakistani media as Farooq Nazar, posted a video on social media documenting the request, initially from a member of the security staff at the ground, that he cover the shirt, a replica of Pakistan’s traditional green limited-overs kit.The security guard, who identifies himself as working for Lancashire, says: “I’ve been asked by control if you can cover that shirt up, please.” Later on, a steward can be heard saying the shirt “might be considered nationalistic”.Related

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In the video, Nazar can be seen becoming increasingly agitated amid repeated requests to cover up. Eventually, he is approached by a police officer, who asks to continue the conversation away from the stands. According to reports, Nazar then opted to leave the ground rather than hide his shirt.Political relations between India and Pakistan, frosty for years, have been at their most tense this year, following a brief military skirmish between the two countries in May. Those tensions have filtered into relations between the BCCI and PCB; the two sides have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 and no Test cricket since 2007-08. Their participation in ICC events hosted by either country has also recently become problematic, with a neutral venue added in to stage their games as part of a hybrid solution to the issue.It is unclear on which day of the Test, which ended in a draw as India batted their way through five sessions, the incident took place but Lancashire confirmed they were looking into it.”We are aware of the incident referenced and are taking steps to understand the facts and context surrounding the matter fully,” a Lancashire spokesperson said.In recent years, Lancashire have openly spoken of building their links with India. The Hundred team based at the ground, Manchester Originals, are set to become 70% owned by Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG group, which runs Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, while Lancashire’s chief executive, Daniel Gidney, has suggested giving the BCCI a stake in the 100-ball tournament.

One of the biggest troubles for Leeds United this season is how poorly they have performed in front of goal. Daniel Farke’s side find themselves in a relegation battle, which many people expected would be the case. ESPN journalist Bill Connelly said they need “random bursts of quality attacking” to help them stay up.

Well, things haven’t worked out that way so far for the Whites. They’ve found the back of the net just nine times, better than just two sides, including bottom of the league Wolverhampton Wanderers. Leeds’ expected goals tally is just 12.94xG, the 12th best in the top flight.

One man who has struggled for his best goalscoring form is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Calvert-Lewin’s struggles in front of goal

Leeds secured the signing of Calvert-Lewin in the summer on a free transfer, after his contract at Everton expired. He was brought in with the aim of bolstering their Premier League goalscoring stocks, although it hasn’t really worked out that well so far.

The experienced 28-year-old, who has 11 caps and four goals for England, has not quite hit the ground running in a Leeds shirt.

In nine games for the club so far, Calvert-Lewin has only found the back of the net once, against fellow strugglers Wolves.

It was a good finish, too, from the new Leeds number nine. He got on the end of a loopy cross from Jayden Bogle, finding space between the Wolves defenders and heading home. That is the kind of striking instinct Leeds fans may have expected.

However, it hasn’t really worked out for Calvert-Lewin, aside from that goal. His underlying numbers are surprisingly low, averaging just 2.8 shots per 90 minutes, with an expected goals per game of 0.33xG. That places him in the 25th percentile for Premier League strikers.

With a huge game against Nottingham Forest next up, Farke may decide to rotate the striker out of the side in favour of a man who knows where the back of the net is.

Leeds’ Calvert-Lewin alternative

Ultimately, Leeds need to start finding the back of the net more consistently soon. Goals win you football matches, and right now, they could do with a few victories to help propel them up the table.

Chalkboard

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

Well, Farke could well make the decision to axe Calvert-Lewin against Forest this weekend, and bring in Joel Piroe.

The Dutchman is someone who knows where the back of the net is, and Farke even called him the “best finisher” he’s ever seen as a manager.

With strikes like this one against Bristol City in the Championship last season, it is easy to see where the Whites’ boss is coming from.

Piroe bagged from quite a tight angle outside of the area, which takes some doing.

Indeed, he has put up some impressive numbers in a Leeds shirt so far. In 102 games for the club, the striker has 33 goals and ten assists. Last term in the Championship, Piroe was the main man up front and bagged 19 goals with seven assists in 46 games.

His underlying stats showcase how deadly he can be, too. During the league-winning 2024/25 season, the Dutch striker averaged 0.56 goals per 90 minutes, with an expected goals tally of 0.49xG. Both of those stats placed him in the top 5% of Championship strikers.

Goals

0.56

95th

Shots on target

1.14

89th

Expected goals

0.49xG

95th

Shot-creating actions

2.43

84th

Goal-creating actions

0.38

91st

Bringing Piroe into the side for the trip to the City Ground could be a stroke of genius from Farke. He has a point to prove, having fallen out of favour this season. He’s only played 164 top-flight minutes, but would surely love to get more regular game time.

Calvert-Lewin has been out of form this season. With someone who Farke himself has admitted is a deadly finisher waiting in the wings, he could be the difference in helping find the back of the net more often.

Farke can get DCL firing by ditching Aaronson for "unstoppable" Leeds star

Daniel Farke can finally get Dominic Calvert-Lewin firing at Leeds United by unleashing this speedy winger.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 6, 2025

Liverpool have not one chance but two to win a game of football this week. Albeit that makes up just half of the four-game losing run that has sent the Arne Slot project into a spin.

How fickle football is. Yesterday’s heroes are today’s villains, and Liverpool know they need to demonstrate sharply a return to form as their Premier League title defence crumbles before them.

This seems rather dramatic, but the Reds are beset with problems, alright, and their issues are illustrated clearly by the miserable statistic of 21 goals shipped in 2025/26. League leaders Arsenal, conversely, have conceded three times across all competitions.

The forwards aren’t really firing, either, not on all cylinders, and there’s a real acceptance now that Liverpool have far-reaching tactical imbalances despite the record-breaking summer of spending, and by Slot’s own admission, they do not have the answers.

What Liverpool and Slot and the supporters need to rise from this rut is a talisman, something to spearhead a charge through so many obstacles. Could that, once again, be Mohamed Salah?

Mohamed Salah's role this season

This has unquestionably been the most challenging period of Salah’s Liverpool career. The 33-year-old has looked a shadow of his usual self, facing heavy criticism for quiet and wasteful performances on the right wing.

Football’s fickleness casts last year’s incredible achievements into the background, and this is unfair. Salah carried Slot’s early project to the highest peak of English football, shattering records and scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists across the Premier League season. Other avenues lift that haul higher still.

But, equally, we cannot shirk from the Egyptian’s struggles, having watched this legendary forward struggle against a tide. Four goals and three assists from 13 matches is shocking by Salah’s standards, but it’s the squandered chances and lack of fluidity which have beggared belief.

Still, if ever there was a man to return to form, it is him, and Salah’s consolation goal against Brentford last weekend served as a timely reminder of his greatness.

The £400k-per-week superstar will play his part again this year, to be sure, but Liverpool need a new leader.

Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak have been signed on to take the baton as goal-getters-in-chief, but there’s another player under Slot’s wing who is proving himself the talisman to drive a pathway out of this mess.

Liverpool's new version of Salah

If Liverpool’s current “crisis”, as Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher has defined it, is to abate in time to make this a successful season, it’s clear that leaders are needed in more than just the forward areas.

Virgil van Dijk has come under fire for his recent displays, but he remains the galvanising force in defence, barking across the field as the club’s captain.

But the man emerging as the new leading light is Dominik Szoboszlai, who has looked the Anfield side’s best player across a range of positions this term, which is equally impressive and concerning.

It’s been over two years since Szoboszlai, 25, moved from RB Leipzig to Merseyside for £60m, and from the get-go, he’s provided bundles of energy and tenacity.

Slot’s decision to pull him deeper has proved a successful one, as Szoboszlai is not naturally prolific in front of goal and this deeper berth gives rise to his many other qualities.

Said by analyst Raj Chohan to be “Liverpool’s best performer currently”, the Hungary captain has raised his game, maturing while sharpening his technical skill and developing his defensive game.

The data shows us that Szoboszlai has made headway this season, more robust and more complete than his hitherto level. His physicality and ability to direct and offer dynamism in the build-up is something that, say Alexis Mac Allister has failed to match, and in this, Szoboszlai is stretching head and shoulders above his teammates.

It seems quite likely that, when Liverpool stabilise, Szoboszlai will be able to take his game to the next level, still driving things forward but surrounded by a collective competency that is simply not there right now.

Football is unforgiving. You cannot ride the coattails of your club’s former successes, standing on the shoulders of giants, some of whom might even remain within the first-team squad.

Liverpool were always going to need a period of adaptation, it was clear this would be a transitional season, lacking the fluency and muscle-movement spark of 2024/25 as Slot grabbed and sustained the final embers of Jurgen Klopp’s legacy.

Szoboszlai has retained all that high-octane Klopp-tailored quality while moulding his game into something Slot-esque too. To put it another way, he is more complete than he has ever been, and he is far outstripping his struggling teammates.

Slot must devise a solution to this pit into which Liverpool have fallen. So many players across the field need to step up.

Szoboszlai cannot stand any higher than he already is, and if the Reds are to turn a corner, they will owe much to the Hungarian machine’s quality and verve and unbreakable spirit.

Move over Salah: Slot's 5/10 Liverpool star is the new Jordan Henderson

Liverpool’s crisis deepened as they were condemned to a fourth successive Premier League defeat at Brentford.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 26, 2025

تحدث إبراهيم حسن مدير منتخب مصر، عن مواجهة الفراعنة أمام منتخب أوزبكستان الودية، استعدادا لبطولة كأس الأمم الإفريقية في المغرب. 

ويواجه منتخب مصر نظيره أوزبكستان، في تمام الساعة السادسة من مساء غد الجمعة، على ملعب هزاع بن زايد، على هامش الدورة الودية التي يخوضها المنتخب استعدادا لكأس أمم إفريقيا. 

طالع.. تشكيل منتخب مصر المتوقع أمام أوزبكستان

وقال إبراهيم حسن في تصريحات على قناة “أون سبورت”: “منتخبات أوزبكستان وإيران والرأس الأخضر تأهلت لكأس العالم في المرات الماضية، وبالتالي احتكاك مع فرق تصنيف عالي”.

وأضاف: “أوزبكستان أدائهم ليس أداء آسيويا ولكن أوروبي وشاهدناهم كثيرًا، منتخب محترم ومنظم ويشبه المنتخبات الأوروبية، احتكاك جيد، وأهم شيء الغرض من البطولة، وهو الاحتكاك”.

وتابع: “الغرض من البطولة الودية التي سنخوضها هو تحفيظ اللاعبين والشكل الذي سنلعب به في كأس أمم إفريقيا، والجزء البدني يزيد في الفترة المقبلة”.

Lunch Harry Brook launched an exhilarating counterattack to help England recover from the loss of two wickets on the fourth morning, keeping the fifth Test in the balance. India were on top when Mohammed Siraj trapped Ollie Pope lbw, leaving England 106 for 3 in pursuit of 374, but Brook and Joe Root added 58 in 10.3 overs to put their seamers back under pressure.Brook made the play, and was given a life on 19: he picked out long leg with a miscued pull off Prasidh Krishna, only for Siraj to step on the advertising toblerone on the boundary rope after completing the catch. He continued to attack, lashing Prasidh through cover and cutting him past gully having cracked back-to-back boundaries off Akash Deep’s previous over.It was Prasidh who struck the first blow of the morning, dangling a carrot outside off stump which Ben Duckett snatched at. He was drawn into driving at a fuller ball in the channel, and KL Rahul made a sharp chance at second slip look straightforward. India came out fired up, their close fielders vocal, and regularly beat the bat in the first hour.

Pope, England’s stand-in captain, hit three boundaries in an over off Prasidh to pass 300 runs for the series, but was trapped plumb in front by Siraj’s nip-backer and took a review with him. He has only reached 50 once since his first-innings century in Leeds, and incredibly, the 27 was his second-highest score in the fourth innings of a Test.Root started uncharacteristically skittishly, surviving a tight lbw shout from Prasidh, but steadily grew into his innings. He was happy to play in Brook’s slipstream, and is the key wicket for India as they bid to square the series.