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Time away from the game due to a stress fracture helped Jaydev Unadkat gain physical strength and perspective and has driven his success this season

Arun Venugopal17-Feb-2016When Jaydev Unadkat tells you that ‘switching off’ is integral to his game it is easy to mistake it for the kind of jargon that spontaneously seems to roll off a modern cricketer’s tongue. He has, after all, been as ‘switched on’ as only somebody who has prised out 20 wickets in two matches can be – his destruction of Vidarbha and Assam in the knockouts saw Saurashtra make the final of the Ranji Trophy for the first time since 2012-13.But you only need to go back to August 2014 to see where Unadkat is coming from. During India A’s tour of Australia, Unadkat developed trouble in the lower back region which was eventually diagnosed as stress fracture. For four months thereon, Unadkat was forced to push the ‘pause’ button. He didn’t go anywhere close to the ground during the first two months, following which he kept bowling off short strides for four weeks before eventually bowling off a short run-up. Unadkat played only one Ranji Trophy game in the 2014-15 season, four in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament and made one appearance for Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2015.The downtime helped him indulge in luxuries he had missed – spending time at home, catching up with friends and cousins, and a family holiday. More important, however, was the perspective that kicked in. “Sometimes it happens that you take things for granted and in times like these you start counting your blessings,” Unadkat tells ESPNcricinfo. “When you are going through a season you don’t really pause to reflect where you are standing at present in life. Sometimes we just look at the negatives, don’t look at the positives of how our career is going. All of us are really blessed to pursue something which we really love.”Switching off only helped me. I was thinking a lot about my game during that period. I guess I would have become that [a cricket nut]. [Now] I don’t keep on talking about the game. Probably that has helped me overcome this. I was refreshed and eagerly waiting to start playing again so that motivated me again when I came back.”Combating negativity was the biggest challenge for Jaydev Unadkat as he made his way back to cricket after the injury•Associated PressBy his own admission he emerged a better person at the end of a phase where combating negativity was the biggest challenge. “[It was] probably the time after the injury that did that [made me a better person],” he says. “Rather than those four months the next three months were more difficult when I started bowling. I wasn’t feeling as if I was the same bowler. It was in the back of my mind, ‘What if I try to give my full effort and it occurs again?’ That can be the limit of self-belief going down. I have felt that in those two months. I wasn’t really feeling that I could really bowl at the highest level.”[I] probably [developed] a bit of control over my thoughts. I was talking to a couple of coaches – I don’t want to name them – who said the technical faults in my action – a semi-open action is probably a mixed action – won’t allow me to bowl fast and will keep giving me injuries. That has kept haunting me… if I can I manage with those technical flaws? I wanted to be clear with my thoughts [and] that’s one thing I was working on.”A welcome consequence of Unadkat’s injury and his non-selection for India or India A matches was the time he found to work on his strength and stamina and the mental aspects of bowling. He has also looked visibly quicker than he was a year or two ago. “These two-three months in between, the off season that I got, were really crucial. Because of the work I put in the period I can see the difference in my bowling [speed] and I have been able to persist with it throughout the season. Someone told me I clocked 138-139 [kmph in the Assam game]. I have increased my pace by at least 4-5 kmph.He also attributes his improved performance to a better balance between his bowling sessions and gym work. “I have bowled a lot in the off season. I wasn’t bowling this much in the past. I mean I was focusing on gym and all, but I wasn’t bowling much,” he says. “You need to have a work log for yourself where you can see it’s not going above the limit. But it’s important to keep bowling, keep pushing yourself in the nets as well.”I would say during the season [bowling in the nets] is not much. But in the off season I have really pushed it a lot. My workload has increased 20 or 30% more than in the past. I bowl probably eight to ten overs in a session and I do at least five sessions of bowling a week apart from the running and agility sessions.”Unadkat has sought to upgrade his skill quotient and in the process has acquired some valuable pointers from Wasim Akram and Zaheer Khan. “I have met a lot of good people on the way. Bharath Arun sir was in the NCA when I used to go to NCA a lot in the last couple of seasons. He has been guiding me.”Zaheer bhai used to use the angles a lot. He would always tell us that it is about going one step above the batsman. You should be knowing as a batsman what would you think if you were in his place. I have seen him do that [go round the stumps and move the ball away from the right hander]. I have practised that a lot in the nets. That angle is really difficult for a batsman.”I was also making sure [during the Ranji semi-final] that I don’t fall over at the time of delivery. I don’t want to bowl faster and in the process end up losing my bowling shape. I wanted to hold my non-bowling arm till the end. Those are a couple of things I am working on.”

“When you are going through a season you don’t really pause to reflect where you are standing at present in life.”

Unadkat also gets his adrenalin rush from movies and songs. He listened to from on the way to the ground before unleashing a fiery spell against Assam in the second innings in Vadodara. “I have my specific playlist when it comes to listening songs on match days – a couple of songs from or , and English songs like and . My favourite movies have been Lagaan, Iqbal and I like those movies related to the army as well.”All the movies which have positive vibes like conquering something and proving something to your country or yourself… I just get that sense of inspiration. When you are going through your routines this helps you to get that adrenaline high.”His biggest influences off the field are his older sister, Dheera, and team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara. “The only girl that I adore at present is my sister. I am very close to her. There was one time when I was playing for RCB and she felt that season would be the turning point for me. She would send me something in red to wish me luck before every game as it matched the colour of our team kit. She doesn’t talk cricket at home and motivates me at the right time.”Cheteshwar has been my best friend since the last five-six years now. I have gained a lot of maturity from him. I have tried to learn from him is his approach for the game and the discipline he has in all his schedules. We share rooms. Even if we get single rooms we try to stay together. That bond is something we cherish. Whatever cricket I talk about is with him.”

Ipswich Town have shown in their last two Premier League outings that there’s plenty of fight in their camp, with an unexpected home win against Chelsea being followed up with a battling 2-2 draw away at Fulham.

That draw at Craven Cottage might well have been all three points on another day if Leif Davis hadn’t clattered into Raul Jimenez for the home side’s equaliser, but a share of the spoils was still a positive result for Kieran McKenna’s men to take back to Suffolk come full-time.

Yet, McKenna and Co won’t be resting on their laurels as they do find themselves submerged in the bottom three still on goal difference, meaning this month’s busy transfer window could come in handy in boosting the underdogs’ chances of survival.

Who Ipswich could sign in January

Whilst there has been significant talk this January that Liam Delap could up and leave the relegation-threatened outfit, there have also been plenty of rumours linking Ipswich with some notable incomings.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

One recent report from journalist Alan Nixon suggests that the Tractor Boys would be willing to fork out £30m to win Botafogo striker Igor Jesus’ services this month, with Everton also reportedly keen near the foot of the division.

Whilst this could look like Ipswich are preparing for the worst regarding Delap’s fate, Jesus’ arrival would make sense as they aim to boost McKenna’s options up top, away from George Hirst and Ali Al-Hamadi already at Portman Road.

What Jesus could offer Ipswich

With reports linking the Tractor Boys with a move for Liverpool’s exciting young winger Ben Doak alongside the expensive South American, this could be a duo made in heaven as far as McKenna is concerned.

Indeed, Doak has set the Championship alight so far this season on loan from Liverpool, with two goals and six assists standing out from his league numbers to date at Middlesbrough, alongside his ability to twist and turn defences with slaloming solo surges up the pitch.

Capable of playing down either wing, McKenna might well believe the Scotsman could become his new Omari Hutchinson if he can get his hands on him, having managed to get ten goals and six assists out of the ex-Chelsea man down a division before letting him loose on the Premier League.

Whilst Doak would undoubtedly boost the Tractor Boys in midfield, with Wes Burns the only recognised option down the right owing to injuries, Jesus would also come in and give McKenna another option he could fall back on if Delap is having a rare off-day with some impressive numbers, notably at Shabab Al-Ahli.

Football journalist Zach Lowy even described the Brazilian’s heroics as “incredible” across 2024, with his rich vain of form in front of goal playing out in the Middle East seeing him win an international call-up.

Both players entering the building this January could well give McKenna the depth he craves in attack, and would make the Tractor Boys even more of a threatening prospect going forward to try and surprise more teams in their ongoing bid to beat the drop. The thought of the two linking up in attack should also be a salivating prospect for the masses at Portman Road.

Whilst it would be risky to fork out £30m on an unknown entity in the English game, Ipswich never looked back after splashing £20m on Delap who had never cut his teeth in the Premier League prior, with the hope this wild buy – alongside the added energy of Doak – can help the Suffolk side survive against all the odds.

After Godfrey: Ipswich target £16m monster who outperformed Delap last year

The experienced forward would add more goals to Ipswich’s attack.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 6, 2025

Winless on the tour, it took a century from the New Zealand captain to help turn around their fortunes in Delhi

Arun Venugopal21-Oct-20161:46

Agarkar: Once Williamson gets a start, he gets big runs

It’s easy to picture Kane Williamson as a school head boy. Like the best of them, he is extremely talented, has a fine work ethic and seen to be an ‘all-round good bloke.’As with all good head boys, Williamson finds himself at the nervecentre of every activity. Team meeting? Call Williamson. Press conference? Williamson will tackle it.

Williamson on…

Winning and getting a hundred
“It’s great that we showed some signs of improvement from the previous game which is always our focus. Although there were a lot of dots which is sort of the nature of the surface there was also boundaries which allowed us to score at a reasonably good rate. So it was nice to get that partnerships saying if we were able to perhaps get a few more in the later overs, we could have gotten an even better score.”
Boult
“Boult was extremely clever the way he tried to swing the ball early and then made the adjustment to come round the wicket just so with the low bounce not to give width. He was extremely accurate and I think a huge part or a huge reason why we got over the line today is his 10 overs.”

There is also the inevitable comparison with his predecessor – Brendon McCullum – to contend with. While McCullum had the class of 2015 rapping to the tune of fearless, attacking cricket, Williamson’s imprint is still work in progress.The class of 2016 does not comprise slackers – most of McCullum’s merry men continue with the good work – but the India tour has proved to be overwhelming for many of them. Martin Guptill has resembled an agonised drifter, while Ross Taylor seems to have gone uncomfortably numb. After the Test series whitewash, the free fall continued in the first ODI in Dharamsala. Who do they call on to arrest it? You hear a chorus, “Captain Kane!”It is not like Williamson has had it all worked out himself. While he has looked good on different occasions during the tour – never mind the bullying by R Ashwin – he had not managed a century. “That is a good place to start,” Mike Hesson, the headmaster, may possibly have told Williamson on the eve of the game. “And, for heaven’s sake, win the toss.” No pressure, Kane.Hours later, Williamson loses another toss. Minutes later, he watches Guptill’s bat stay away from the ball’s path. Seconds later, Williamson walks out. India’s new-ball pair of Umesh Yadav and Hardik Pandya has a skinny leg-side field, and they keep the off side interested by bowling well outside off. Further, the slip goes out to short cover, and a gully is in place to shut down the dab to third man, one of Williamson’s strong scoring zones.Williamson, standing on middle and leg stump, moves closer to the off stump. The counter-strategy is to enable him to connect deliveries outside off better, and also create an angle favourable for leg-side play. And so, Williamson flicks and tucks balls that remotely veer towards middle and leg, while flaunting his cover drive when the bowler overcorrects and goes too wide outside off.MS Dhoni is doing everything to seal the off side, especially in front of square on a dull track, but there is the left-hand solidity of Tom Latham to contend with as well. Like many head boys, Williamson has a geeky, loyal sidekick in Latham, who refused to abandon the crease in Dharamsala even as the rest of his mates loped off.1:46

‘Fantastic effort from our seam bowlers’ – Williamson

The pitch has by now begun misbehaving, and the balls keep low as promised. But Latham is driving and pulling smoothly, as is Williamson, who does so by going down on his knee. At the start of the 13th over, he stays low and bashes Axar Patel through midwicket, and two balls later steps out to loft him over mid-on for six. The next delivery is flat and fast. Williamson lets the ball go past him and taps it on its head past gully. When Wiliamson is not playing these strokes, he is sweeping firmly and wristily. He has scored a half-century, but there is no theatre. The celebrations can wait. New Zealand, though, are breathing more easily at 115 for 1 in 20 overs.That soon changes as Kedar Jadhav dismisses Latham with his Virender Sehwag-esque offbreaks. Jadhav’s larger contribution, however, is drawing Taylor out of the dressing room. For the next 10 overs, Taylor is swiping at everything, but mostly air. Attempted cuts are inside-edged and slower ones are missed. The bowlers are now bowling further away from off stump. When one of Taylor’s desperate swishes lands into the fielder’s hands, New Zealand have scored only 38 runs in the 10.3 overs since Latham’s dismissal.Williamson knows the momentum has been snatched away. The bowling side is on top. He merely looks downwards with one hand on his waist. There is no discernible emotion otherwise. There is Corey Anderson on the comeback trail, and together they attempt to rebuild, brick by brick. As Williamson nears his hundred, the exertions are showing. On a day of unusual injuries – Rohit Sharma later seems to have a bicep cramp – Williamson’s forearms are cramping. Massages are given and fluids are administered, literally, as he is not able to hold the bottle.But, Williamson gets back to work, drives crisply to gather the two runs needed for his century. The bat is held up momentarily and the helmet is off, more as a polite ‘thank you’ than in any sense of accomplishment. Soon, he watches Anderson depart. Not long after, he departs, too, after battling three flanks – India’s tactics, his team-mates’ inadequacies and his own body.New Zealand’s last ten overs are a laborious blur and they only just manage a par score. But, as the night comes to a close, the head boy is making his victory speech. Unlike whatever he has done on the field, it is vanilla and free of passion. The good head boy is glad to keep it this way.

Virat Kohli feels he is playing his “best T20 cricket again”, following his back-to-back IPL tons

ESPNcricinfo staff21-May-2023Virat Kohli feels he is playing his “best T20 cricket again”, having scored back-to-back hundreds at the end of the league stage of IPL 2023, and helped Royal Challengers Bangalore to 197 for 5 in their must-win game against Gujarat Titans. Kohli’s unbeaten 101 off 61 balls steered RCB, especially in the last six overs of the innings, after they were 133 for 5; he put together 64 runs off the last 34 balls with Anuj Rawat to give his side a formidable total.When asked by Ravi Shastri after the innings how he’d felt at the crease, Kohli said: “Ya, I felt great. A lot of people feel my T20 cricket is declining, but I don’t feel like that at all. I feel I am playing my best T20 cricket again. I’m just enjoying myself, this is how I play T20 cricket. I look to hit gaps, hit a lot of boundaries and the big ones in the end if the situation allows me to.”Strike rates, all those kind of things like I said in the past as well… You have to read the situation and rise up to the occasion when the situation demands, and that’s something I take a lot of pride in doing, and I’ve been doing it for a while now. I feel really good with my game at the moment and how I’m batting out there in the middle.”Kohli overtook his former RCB team-mate Chris Gayle for most centuries in the IPL and became the third batter to score consecutive hundreds in the IPL after Shikhar Dhawan (2020) and Jos Buttler (2022). Later in the night, Shubman Gill too joined that club.Kohli and Faf du Plessis gave RCB a rapid start with an opening stand of 67 in 7.1 overs before RCB lost three wickets – including those of du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell – to Titans’ spinners in the space of 13 balls.”Spin wasn’t easy to get away and I think the strength of a lot of our fast bowlers is also taking pace off,” Kohli said of the score they finished on and the conditions. “There’s enough in this pitch for our bowlers to make a dent through the [chase], and hitting big shots as you saw in the middle overs wasn’t as easy when the field spread out. So you have to hit a lot of gaps and run twos. If we can cut down those boundaries and now allow them to run twos from those gaps, then it’ll be a very difficult chase.”But Gill’s unbeaten 104 off 52 made sure that was not the case, knocking RCB out of the tournament as Titans chased down their target in 19.1 overs.”Obviously very disappointed,” du Plessis said after the game. “You get to the last game of the campaign, you want to make sure you get through. But we played a very strong team tonight, Shubman Gill played an amazing innings to get a hundred. We were a little bit off in one or two areas and when you are playing a team like this, they will capitalise on it.”The conditions were really wet in the second innings but I think it was also wet in the first innings with a lot of moisture from the rain [which delayed the start by 55 minutes]. So we changed the ball three times, there wasn’t a lot of grip in the second innings. But I thought 195 was a good score, Virat played an unbelievable knock to give us a chance, but we needed that wicket of Shubman to feel like we were really in the game.”One of the biggest positives for RCB this season was the opening partnership of Kohli and du Plessis. The pair added 939 runs in 14 innings, equalling Kohli and AB de Villiers’ record of most runs by a pair in a T20 tournament, set in IPL 2016.”He [Kohli] has played really good cricket throughout the season,” du Plessis said, “and as a partnership, I think there was not one game where we didn’t score 40 for the opening stand [they failed to add 40 in four out of 14 innings]. So that was really pleasing for both of us that we got the team off to a really good start. But it just shows you Virat has got a lot left in the tank in T20 cricket; he is playing really well still.”

RB Leipzig have held initial talks with Jobe Bellingham as they are determined to sign the Sunderland star in the summer.

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• Bellingham could head to Germany in the summer
• RB Leipzig held talks with the youngster
• Bellingham's Sunderland contract expires in 2028

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bellingham could follow in brother Jude's footsteps and move to Germany in the summer as he has reportedly held talks with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, according to Sky Sports Germany's . Leipzig have accumulated all the information regarding the midfielder, who has a deal with Sunderland until 2028. The German side currently consider Bellingham's overall package to be too expensive, but they have also made it a priority to bring him to the Bundesliga ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, the report adds.

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Other than RB Leipzig, another German giant, Borussia Dortmund, is also keen on signing the player. BVB believe they will be able to convince the youngster to join the club, where his elder brother Jude spent many memorable years before switching to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 19-year-old has impressed in the North East and looks set to move to a new club in the summer should the Black Cats miss out on promotion to the Premier League. English giants like Manchester United and Chelsea are also in the queue to secure the midfielder's signature.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR JOBE BELLINGHAM?

  For now, Bellingham remains focused on the current campaign and will be next seen in action for Regis Le Bris' side on Saturday as they face Millwall in a crucial Championship fixture.

Clubs could now try to poach a “rising” Arsenal figurehead who is absolutely “key” for manager Mikel Arteta, according to reliable Gunners journalist Charles Watts.

Arsenal bury West Ham 5-2 for second straight Premier League win by three goals

The north Londoners, still hopeful of their first Premier League title in 21 years, have certainly rediscovered their best form since returning from the international break.

Arsenal could eclipse Declan Rice fee with £112m bid for "superb" forward

It would be their most expensive ever transfer.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 3, 2024

Their 5-2 win over West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday put one more nail in the coffin of manager Julen Lopetegui, who is under increasing pressure, all the while making it their second straight league win by a three-goal margin.

Arsenal also thrashed Sporting Lisbon 5-1 in the Champions League this time last week, with Arsenal finding their mojo in front of goal once again and proving to everybody that they’re not out of this season’s title race.

Defender Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring against West Ham with a header from a set-piece, and his threat from dead-ball situations is becoming quite the reoccurring theme of his season at N5.

It was the 26-year-old’s third headed goal in the league this season – putting him level with Chris Wood and Ollie Watkins – with Arsenal set-piece coach Nicola Jover in the spotlight as a result.

Arteta was asked whether Jover should have a goal bonus, due to his contribution in making Arsenal such a threat from set plays, and reporter Watts believes that elite clubs could even come knocking on the 43-year-old’s door.

Clubs could try to poach Nicola Jover from Arsenal

Jover is a crucial figure behind the scenes at Arsenal, with Watts telling CaughtOffside that sides will be taking notice of him.

“I did laugh when Mikel Arteta was asked in his press conference after the West Ham game about whether Nicolas Jover should be getting a goal bonus,” said Watts.

“That would certainly be eating into Arsenal’s profits should that be the case, given the number of goals they have been scoring from set pieces over the past couple of seasons. Jover’s star is certainly rising at the moment and his reputation grows stronger with every goal Arsenal score from one of his carefully constructed routines.

“I’m sure other managers or clubs would love to lure him away to take advantage of his expertise, but I can’t imagine he would be looking to go elsewhere at the moment. He is such a key figure in Arteta’s coaching staff and you can see how much work he puts into making the team such a threat from dead ball situations.

“I loved the one against West Ham for Gabriel’s goal. It was just a bit different to the one that had worked so well against Sporting a few days earlier, but that made all the difference.

“Gabriel started just a bit deeper than he usually does. This time his starting point was from within the pack that always gathers beyond the far post, whereas against Sporting he started his run from a more central area and attacked the back post.

“It caught West Ham out and that allowed the Brazilian the space he needed to meet Bukayo Saka’s corner. It’s just such a potent weapon for Arsenal that works time and time again.”

Amol Karhadkar15-Oct-20158:18

‘Give me a reversing ball and I still get excited’ – Zaheer

How tough is it to finally give up on what you say is your life?
It was tougher than I thought, and that is summed up in my press release as well. For any cricketer it is the toughest decision you have to make. You always think that one last push is there. Especially with me, knowing that “Zak is Back” can happen, I thought that I can give that push. Somewhere during the training, as I was preparing for the season, I realised that it is the right time to walk away from international cricket. This is how the whole process happened. What happened post that was discussion with people and letting them know that this is what is going on in my mind.You wrote in your press release that your mother was happy with your journey. Are you satisfied with your career or are there any regrets?
Very, very satisfied. She summed it up very nicely. That kind of consolidated my decision. The decision was very clear post that discussion I had with my family members.Whom did you consult?
The decision was made, and then I went and spoke to everyone. I did go and meet Sachin [Tendulkar] also. I had a good word with Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar. I had a good word with all my coaches. I spoke to Sudhir Naik sir, I spoke to TA Sekhar as well. Pretty much, they were all also happy. Pretty much everyone I have been talking to, they have been talking about the journey, too. That’s the highlight of it.Did anyone urge you to give another try?
Jokingly, my friends keep telling me that. They are pulling my leg till today, asking if I am going to take a U-turn. But, [Javagal] Srinath was the only one who said that I could have played for one more year easily. I told him, being a pace bowler yourself, you shouldn’t be telling me all this. You should relate to me, and not tell me to play another year.Considering that you played 15 years of international cricket, how much did you have to unlearn and learn new things to keep yourself fresh and relevant?
That process goes on throughout, and will continue as I am just watching the game. That thing never stops. As you see, cricket is evolving and batters are adapting new techniques. They are trying different tactics to counter what bowlers are throwing at them.Do you think injuries shortened your career or did they play a role in making you the player that you went on to become?
I have done well with all of it. That’s one thing I feel proud of, that whatever things which have been thrown at me at different situations, I have dealt with it well. That’s why “Zak is Back” is there. That’s one thing I have always looked at as a learning curve. Every experience has made me and changed me as a person in a better way.Have you counted the number of surgeries or injuries you had?
Surgeries I have had only two. That way I was lucky. Yeah, I did have niggles and stuff like that here and there.On his preparations for the 2011 World Cup final: “I was fully zoned out, focused only on the job on hand.”•Santosh Harhare/Getty ImagesFrom a schoolboy cricketer who traveled to play MLA Trophy with tennis-ball matches all over Ahmednagar district to winning a World Cup. Can you recall your journey on a day like this?
Since the time I have made my decision, I have been thinking about all of that. It’s been a special journey. At no point in Shrirampur did I think I would make it to Indian cricket. There are a series of events that happened and if one link was missing, I don’t think I would be sitting here and talking to you guys.
Leading up to international cricket, the journey was very critical. I started way back in 1996 and I came to National [Cricket Club]. Right from Sudhir Naik telling me to take cricket seriously to [Vidya] Paradkar [Naik’s assistant coach at National Cricket Club, Mumbai] spending a lot of time just working on my bowling, going to [MRF] Pace Foundation and working with Dennis [Lillee] and TA Sekhar that time, and also getting exposed to fitness training. Even physios and trainers, all have played their part. From Chennai, I landed up in Baroda to make my Ranji Trophy debut. So, from Shrirampur I have gone to many places to make it to the Indian team. That’s what I really feel proud of.You mastered the art of swing, both with the new and old ball. Was it a self-taught process?
As I was playing more and more, things were falling into place. I would think of approaching certain situations in a certain way, and then it kind of formed a pattern. If it’s 80 overs in a day, how different situations are played. If you are playing in Australia or South Africa, especially with the Kookaburra balls, batters would look to come at you between 60 to 80 overs, because that’s when the ball is not doing much. If it is a really flat wicket, they will start at 50. Initially they will be very watchful. When they are watchful, it’s your time of attacking. You have to force them. When they are attacking, it’s your time to be defensive.
These are the things you learn with experience, and also different balls react differently. [The] Kookaburra ball reacts differently to [the] SG ball. Later on, in Test cricket here in India, you would have seen that I did not bowl longer spells with the new ball, but saved myself for reverse-swing, so that I am fresh and I have enough strength because the wicket is not going to offer you much. Those kind of things happen with experience. That’s what the learning curve is all about. As I was playing more and more games, I started understanding these situations and helping speed up that process of understanding for the youngsters.Chaminda Vaas has said that he learnt reverse-swing by watching Wasim Akram on television, because no one shared the secret with him. How did you master it, especially when there was no tradition in India?
In Indian conditions, the ball would go reverse on most occasions. There is a particular way in which you can release the ball to get the maximum amount [out] of it. If you don’t do that and hide the ball appropriately, you won’t get that.I started hiding the ball and it just happened to me. I cannot really pinpoint any particular moment. I just started bowling it, and I started running in trying to hide the ball with the other hand, and it kind of amplified the effect of reverse-swing.The current crop of fast bowlers is not able to master that. Why is it [reverse-swing] dying?
In one-dayers, it is dying. In Test matches, it is still there.Zaheer Khan stated that his stint with Worcestershire helped him become a more attacking bowler•BCCIYou spoke about experience. Do you think the 2006 county stint with Worcestershire played a role in your transformation as a bowler?
It played a huge role, but I must tell you that leading up to it I had been advised to cut short my run-up. Just that I was just not able to do that because I was playing international cricket regularly, and those are things you just cannot go in the international game and change. So, when I was away from international cricket, I got an opportunity to work on that.Cutting my run-up short gave me more control. With technology and by asking people even you all will know the faults of the batters, but as a bowler you have got to be able to execute that. And to execute that you need control. That process happened in county as I bowled more and more with a short run-up. That kind of helped me become a more attacking bowler, in terms of exploiting a batsman’s weakness.In 2005, when India lost the ODI series to Pakistan 4-2 you were in an important phase of your career. Can you recall what happened in that phase, and the people who came up to you and gave you the idea of playing county cricket?
It just happened. Murali Kartik, who is good friends with Vikram Solanki and had played with him, called me. He said there is a place available and, honestly for me, there was no option. I didn’t think about it and just said that I want to play. I looked at the next six months and playing some kind of cricket. I just wanted to be on the field as it was the off season in India. Then, Vikram called me, and I spoke to Steve Rhodes, the coach, and Mark Newton, the [chief] executive, and that’s how Worcestershire happened. There was no thought process as such. I would just go and train. There was no cricket. I was just training in Mumbai in that phase, completely blank. I was not sure [of] what’s next.More than returning mentally and physically in tune after a county stint, was the idea of constantly picking up wickets more appealing?
The way I approached my bowling was to focus on the right areas and keep asking questions. If I knew a batsman’s weakness, then I would just keep bowling there or go according to the situation. If there is a partnership happening and someone is coming hard at you, then have a plan which is going to restrict him from achieving that. That, itself, is a victory in that particular phase. So, I used to approach that way.You were seen in a different light after returning from England. In the Wanderers Test against South Africa in 2006, Sreesanth took more wickets, but you were a different bowler. Was it because you were secure about your place in the Indian team?
I was just enjoying the game. I would say that’s what Worcestershire taught me. I was just there playing the game of cricket, and enjoying it. I just continued that mindset from thereon. Leading up to that, yes, there were a lot of things happening in India, which kind of put pressure on me. It was all about getting back into the team, doing this and that, or you have to show the wickets. Going to Worcestershire was an enjoyment factor.Very few players have managed to make the second part of their career far more impressive than the first one. What would you attribute your success to?
It all came back to knowing more about the game and understanding how the whole thing is going. If a particular team is doing a media conference in a certain way, then what’s the reason behind that. Those things do happen, right? Later on, I started using it to my advantage.So you secretly enjoyed it when the media started projecting Graeme Smith as your bunny?
Of course, yes. That’s the fun part of it. Aggression is important, but these things are also important. If you saying something as a bowler is going to affect his game, that’s what you want, right?Would you go and grin at Smith between deliveries?
I would say things. Sometimes, I did not say anything and just looked at him because he would not look at me on the field. That itself is enough at times. It was a good battle. I have been a part of many battles. Sometimes you are fielding for long, long days and you come back. That’s what I enjoyed about Test matches. The ability to make things happen is exciting and when your plan succeeds, it’s most satisfying.Zaheer on his rivalry with Graeme Smith: “Sometimes, I did not say anything and just looked at him because he would not look at me on the field.”•AFPHow much did you act up the jelly bean incident during the 2007 Test series in England?
I did act up a bit, and that’s what everyone does. I am happy about that. I didn’t act it up on the field, but post the match I did, because I thought there was an opportunity.What went into the making of your 2011 World Cup performance and did the memories of the 2003 World Cup final linger?
Actually, in a way it was a good learning for me. Obviously, I was disappointed when it happened to me. After the national anthem [in 2003], everyone was so charged up and I was about to bowl. That didn’t help and I was acting out of my character. That was not my natural way of approaching situations. I did go at the batters and in the process I lost control in those two overs. Then, it was hard for me to get back. Australia, of course, was playing good cricket at that time. They had not lost a single game in the World Cup, and had the edge and good players to put the pressure back on us.That experience did help in 2011. As I was standing for the national anthem, I was kind of zoned out and we happened to bowl again this time. The night before, I was saying that I have worked at it, I have got a second opportunity and I know what to do. I looked at it [2003] as an experience which is going to help me do better, and not as the pressure of not doing well.Considering what happened in 2003, did playing the 2011 final at the Wankhede Stadium add more pressure or was it good to have home support?
I was fully zoned out, focused only on the job on hand. It started with winning the Pakistan game (semi-final) in Mohali. We did celebrate our win, but we all were very aware that we will be playing the final in two days’ time. So, that was very clear with everyone, that we will mingle with people but not relax as it was not the end. The talks in the dressing room were like that and it was a great thing. Personally, I was saying that I have come this far and I know what’s going to come next.Were you relieved after that opening spell of five overs in the final?
I remember it was a very, very hot day. It was probably one of the hottest days in Mumbai. The conditions were tough and the first spell was critical, but I was not relaxed after that. I remember walking up to MS [Dhoni] and asking him to give me the final over. He wanted Munaf to bowl that. These are the decisions you take on the field, and I am glad we could win the match so easily.Between these two World Cups, there was the 2007 edition. Was it the worst India dressing-room you have been a part of?
It was tough (laughs). Everyone was planning the next thing, but we had to cut short the trip. It was a tough couple of weeks.Zaheer Khan and Kevin Pietersen exchange words during the 2007 Trent Bridge Test, famous for the jelly bean incident. “I did act up a bit, and that’s what everyone does,” Zaheer said about the incident.•Getty ImagesWhen you walked out of Lord’s in 2011 with 2 for 18 on the first morning, what was running through your mind?
The hamstring has always been a tricky thing with me, and I knew that it might not be an easy thing. With hamstrings, you never really know when it has healed fully. I did play the next practice match, but within three overs I knew I won’t be there for a while.In 2011, when you broke down in England, it came after a heavy international calendar and the IPL. You did not travel to the West Indies for the preceding tour, but do you think your career could have panned out differently if you had taken a break after the World Cup?
Not really. Before I took a decision on any niggles, I consulted enough guys. So, the call was right. It just happened. You don’t have any control over an injury. I was actually waiting for the tour to get over and go for an ankle surgery. That surgery was not mandatory. And, the injury I had was of the hamstring, and had nothing to do with the ankle. But, because I was missing the series, I went for the surgery at that point. Whatever calls you take, you take after discussing with experts.Talking about numbers, there were many four-wicket hauls but you could not convert them into five-fors. Is that a regret?
Not really. If I can create that impact in a spell by taking three-four wickets, then I am happy. I was always looking for the kind of situations where I could have an impact on the game, and I am happy that I have achieved it and changed the course of many games.You have been given a lot of compliments. Sachin Tendulkar said that you out-thought the batsmen. Kapil Dev said that he would have loved to share the new ball with you had you been his contemporary. How do you want to be remembered. What is Zaheer Khan’s legacy?
Someone who just kept trying, never gave up is what I look at. That’s the approach I carried on to the field every time. I think sometimes even when you are defensive, that’s also attacking. You got to know that.Kumar Sangakkara rates you among the toughest bowlers he has faced. Are you happy that some of the top batsmen have rated you the most difficult to play?

When I look back, these are the things which make you proud about yourself. Sanga is a top guy. He has his record to speak for itself. Someone like him, praising you, you tell yourself that you deserve a pat on your back. You have done well for yourself.Javagal Srinath told ESPNcricinfo that perhaps you could have managed your body better. Do you agree or do you think you understood your body better in the latter half of your career?
There are ifs and buts in every aspect of life. He told me this, and I told him that every time we used to restrict a team to 220 or 230, he used to say that we could have restricted them to 180. It’s all part and parcel of the whole process. When I look back, I am happy and proud with what I have achieved.Zaheer on his later battles with fitness: “You don’t have any control over an injury.”•Associated PressCan you recall one day or one spell you bowled with complete control?
I can’t pinpoint, but that 2006 phase is where I could just make it happen. Just land up at the ground, and do it right. That was the phase when I managed pretty well. If you guys were travelling, you would have seen that I hardly bowled in the nets. It was a phase where my rhythm was good until I got that plantar fascia injury [in 2007]. Injuries are a stop-gap and you rebuild again.Indian bowlers are unable to find the right combination between pace and swing. Pace bowlers try to go for swing, and swing bowlers go for pace. What is your suggestion?
You need both. If you can adapt your skill level to what the wicket is offering, to a certain extent, then you can create more impact. If you have to bowl on a dampish wicket, hit-the-deck bowlers usually lose that edge. If you can adapt your skill to releasing and kissing the deck, then you are going to get maximum number of wickets.There is a lot of talk that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has lost his swing in order to up his pace. What is your advice?
I don’t relate it to that. Bhuvi has never been an out-and-out pace bowler. I don’t think he is trying to bowling at 145kmph. He is still focussing on his skills and trying to swing the ball. That he is not able to swing it is a different story.What are you going to miss the most?
Going out there and trying to figure out batsmen. Going with the game on the field. I really enjoyed that part. Being outside [the team]and seeing things, you can’t do much really. But, being inside you always had a chance of doing something. That’s what I will miss the most.Are you going to miss mentoring or do you plan to become a bowling coach?
It depends. Yes, it comes naturally to me. So, I am always there if anyone needs any help. How exactly that is going to happen, I have not really given it a thought. I will right now focus on playing maybe play some club cricket just for the fun of it.

A look at how top performers in the Pakistan Cup fared

ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2016

Winner

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team, representing a northern province in the country, won their fourth domestic title in the last two years when they beat Punjab in the final of the Pakistan Cup. The side remained focused despite the controversy surrounding their captain Younis Khan, who left the team briefly to protest a 50% fine imposed on him.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lost their opening match to Islamabad but their two-run win over Punjab proved to be a turning point. They went on to win their remaining league matches – against Balochistan and Sindh – before thrashing Punjab by 151 runs in the final.Ahmed Shehzad and Fakhar Zaman shepherded the batting while seamer Zia-ul-Haq, left-arm spinner Zohaib Khan and legspinner Yasir Shah were pick of the bowlers. Younis returned for the final against Punjab, scoring 49 off 59 balls in the team’s total of 311 for 9.

Runners-up

Punjab
The team, which represents a province that is home to nearly 60% of Pakistan’s population, was led by Shoaib Malik. They had a formidable batting and bowling line-up but did not live up to expectations. They lost twice to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, chasing 263 and 312. Their most convincing performance came in a low-scoring match against Sindh, which they won by five wickets to qualify for the final.

Best batsmen

Ahmed Shehzad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Shehzad was the highest run-getter in the tournament with 372 runs at an average of 74.40, and a century and three fifties. His dot-ball problem was a talking point during Pakistan’s World T20 campaign but in this tournament, he enjoyed good form and went past the 4000-run mark in List-A games. Despite the rich form, Shehzad had disciplinary issues in the tournament, and this played a part in his exclusion from the national training camp for the England tour.Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Born in the town of Mardan, in the northern region of the country, Zaman has played most of his cricket in Karachi. The left-handed batsman was the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 297 runs in five innings at 59.40, including a knock of 115 that set up Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s 151-run win in the final. His ability to bowl left-arm spin makes him a utility player and he is in contention for a place in the national side after appearances for Pakistan A.Khalid Latif (Sindh)
The former Pakistan Under-19s captain was the third-highest run-getter, with 252 runs in four games at an average of 126. His best in the tournament was a 129-ball 168*, which nearly carried Sindh to victory in a chase of 320 against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Although he has won call-ups to the one-day and T20 sides, he has failed to convert his domestic form into more substantial scores in international cricket. He was recently picked for the national training camp.In addition to his accuracy with the ball, Zohaib Khan is also a handy batsman•PCB

Best bowlers

Mohammad Amir (Sindh)
Mohammad Amir’s remarkable progress since his return to cricket from a ban for spot-fixing was also on display in this tournament. He took 11 wickets in four matches, including his maiden List A five-for. His team, Sindh, however, won only two of their four games and finished third on the table.Zohaib Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
The left-arm spinner, aged 32, also picked up 11 wickets, at an average of 16.63 and was selected in the probables squad for the national camp. In September last year, he captained Peshawar Region to the Haier T20 Cup title, beating Karachi Blues in the final. He reached the 100-wicket mark in List A cricket recently and has scored over a thousand runs in the format.Zia-ul-Haq (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Tall, thin and athletic, Zia-ul-Haq hails from Vehari, a small town in Punjab that is also the birthplace of former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis. His series haul of 10 wickets at 17.70 was a major driving force for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as was his ability to contain runs and provide vital breakthroughs. Zia, 21, has emerged through the Under-19 set-up. He took 11 wickets for Pakistan Under-19s in the 2012 World Cup and nine in the 2014 edition.

A quiet run

Salman Butt (Punjab)
Butt’s chances of reviving his career after the spot-fixing ban depended on his performances in this tournament, but he disappointed with 135 runs in five matches at an average of 27. His performances in the National One Day Cup earlier this year, where he finished as the second-highest run-getter with 536 runs, had generated interest but he failed to capitalize on the opportunity presented in this tournament.Shoaib Malik (Punjab)
Shoaib Malik had yet another quiet domestic tournament. He led Punjab to the final but his own contributions, with bat and ball, were ordinary. He scored 99 runs at 19.80 in five games and took five wickets.

New face

Imam-ul-Haq (Islamabad)
The inclusion of the 20-year-old nephew of Pakistan’s new chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq may have raised some eyebrows but Imam smacked a century for Islamabad in the only game he played to quash doubts over his ability. Imam is seen as one of Pakistan’s emerging players and has represented the Under-19s side in the 2012 and 2014 World Cups. He was not part of the Islamabad squad initially but was brought in to replace Misbah-ul-Haq, who took a break for personal reasons.

Given his success with Sporting CP, which has seen him win 71% of his matches in charge, Ruben Amorim will arrive at Old Trafford with high expectations of being an immediate success with Manchester United.

The 39-year-old has won two league titles during his tenure in Portugal, joining the Red Devils next week as he looks to make his mark following the upcoming international break.

However, he will have a huge task to turn around the early season slump that sees United currently occupy 13th place in the Premier League, 13 points off leaders Liverpool – a huge gap given the near £200m spent by Erik ten Hag during the summer.

It will take a quick transition for the first-team squad if they are to immediately adapt to the new manager’s 3-4-3 system, which is reliant on frequent overlaps from the wing-backs along with rapid transitions into forward areas.

Amorim will be hoping that his ideology will allow players who have been underperforming to flourish, whilst also allowing some to reach the next level, as demonstrated from his time in Portugal.

Viktor Gyokeres’ stats at Sporting

Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres has caught the eye over the last two months for his goalscoring exploits under Amorim in Liga Portugal, playing a pivotal role in the club’s recent success.

The Swedish international arrived in a £20m deal from Championship side Coventry City during the summer of 2023 after their failure to gain promotion to the Premier League – a bargain fee given his recent form for the club.

During his first campaign in Portugal, Gyokeres registered 43 goals and 14 assists in just 50 appearances as he helped Amorim’s side claim the league title ahead of Porto and Benfica.

However, in the opening months of the 2024/25 season, he’s taken his performances to the next level, already notching 23 goals and four assists in his opening 17 outings – including a hat-trick in the Champions League victory over Manchester City earlier this week.

As a result, there’s no surprise to see such interest in his signature, with many United fans undoubtedly wanting the 26-year-old to follow Amorim’s footsteps and make the move to the Theatre of Dreams in the near future.

Any transfer for Gyokeres would set the Red Devils back around €100m (£83m) given that’s the price tag of his current release clause, but it’s unknown if the club would be willing to match such a figure, potentially allowing one player to star instead.

The player who could be Amorim’s new Gyokeres

Big-money striker Rasmus Hojlund is yet to hit the ground running at Old Trafford this campaign, scoring just two times in all competitions – an average of one goal every five games.

His last outing against Chelsea was no different, failing to find the back of the net once more, failing to even register a shot, before being replaced by Joshua Zirkzee – who has scored just once for his new club – in the closing stages.

The Red Devils have only registered nine league goals in ten matches this season, showcasing their lack of threat, which could hand academy star Chido Obi-Martin an opportunity in the first-team under Amorim before too long.

The 16-year-old joined the Red Devils from Premier League rivals Arsenal during the off-season, originally linking up with the U18 side, but he’s already taking the level by storm despite his tender age.

After notably netting 32 goals in 21 games at U18 level for the Gunners, Obi-Martin registered a hat-trick on his academy debut for his new employers against Nottingham Forest a week ago, before contributing with an assist in the 8-0 rout of Leeds United last weekend.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Despite being 16, the striker stands at 6 foot 2, having that big presence that Amorim desires in his centre-forwards as seen with Gyokeres at Sporting.

He has the pace to beat the defenders, along with the strength to hold them up, before having a cool head to slot home – leading to former Arsenal academy coach Jack Wilshere dubbing the youngster as “exceptional”.

Given his age, it may take a little bit of time before the new boss utilises the talent within his first team at Old Trafford, but he’s proven he knows where the back of the net is.

The lack of goals will be a concern for the 39-year-old, with Obi-Martin certainly one to watch during Amorim’s tenure in the North West.

Amorim must immediately axe Man Utd flop who earns far more than Mainoo

Manchester United’s deal to sign him has been a complete disaster.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 6, 2024

“It is very difficult to balance the side at the moment. I am not 100% sure if Shakib would be able to bowl”

Mohammad Isam18-Dec-2022Shakib Al Hasan is likely to play the Dhaka Test as a pure batter after he was unable to bowl post the first day in Chattogram. Head coach Russell Domingo said that they would have difficulty in balancing the side if that was the case, but would be happy having Shakib as batter and captain as they try to level the series.”He could play as a batter [only],” Domingo said after Bangladesh lost the first Test. “Obviously he didn’t bowl enough overs. He is still struggling with his shoulder and [ribcage] bruising. It left us with four bowlers – a big blow for us.”Ebadot [Hossain] broke down [too], so we were stuck with three bowlers. It is very difficult to balance the side at the moment. I am not 100% sure if Shakib would be able to bowl. He is definitely available to play as a batter, which is an issue for us. We need an allrounder.”Related

• 'We need to be more gritty' – spin-bowling coach Rangana Herath

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• Debutant Zakir Hasan seizes his chance after years of domestic toil

Shakib made 84 in the second innings in Chattogram, getting out trying to slog Kuldeep Yadav as he looked for quick runs even as Bangladesh kept losing wickets at the other end on the fifth morning. The hosts eventually lost the match by 188 runs but Shakib’s batting was one of the few bright spots in the game.Domingo said that Shakib has shown that despite his “laidback” demeanour, he is hungry to perform in Tests. The topic came up for discussion after Shakib was not seen on the field for certain periods during India’s first innings, but Domingo believes Shakib wants to continue to play Tests.”It is a tricky question. It is a good question,” he said. “He comes across as very laidback, but when he is in the contest, he has pride in performance. Looking from the outside, you may think, ‘Does he really care?’. But I know that he has a lot of pride in performances. He doesn’t want to be embarrassed out there. He is competing 100%.”Bangladesh have brought on left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed as cover for Shakib, who is unlikely to bowl in the second Test. But Shakib’s fitness aside, they have other worries too – specifically with the bat. They were folded for 150 after India posted 404 in the first innings, before performing much better with the bat on the fourth day. However, late wickets meant survival would be difficult while chasing an improbable 513.Russell on debutant Zakir Hasan: “It was a no-brainer to pick him due to his confidence and form”•AFP/Getty Images

Domingo said that their top order “isn’t confident”, but the inclusion of Zakir Hasan was a timely one, as he brought recent runs from domestic and A cricket.”We wanted to compete. India is a good side, but once again, one bad session with the bat destroyed our chance in the match,” Domingo said. “Four-hundred is a good score, but it is manageable in Chittagong. We shouldn’t have been bowled out for 150 in the first innings. The most disappointing thing is the poor decision making from the batters.”There’s a lack of confidence in the top order. They are not managing to find a way to get out of the slump. There’s a whole host of players in the top five or six that haven’t played well or been as consistent as I had hoped. The young player who hasn’t played Tests with us is confident at the moment. He has shown us how to do it. He played really well.”Domingo was particularly disappointed at the timing of Litton Das’ dismissal on the fourth evening. He had built a nice defensive approach but six minutes before the tea break, dinked one straight to mid-on, playing what seemed like a half-hearted loft of Kuldeep.”I was disappointed with Litton’s dismissal, particularly the timing of it,” he said. “He is such a good player, so I am sure he’d be disappointed with it too. I can’t see Virat, Root, Smith or Marnus giving their wicket away in that sort of mode six minutes before tea. Litton is that good for us.”Domingo also explained that Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque were dropped due to lack of form.”It is based on the fact that domestically and for the A side, [Joy] hasn’t really got a lot of runs off late,” he said. “He hasn’t played international cricket for five to six months. It was a no-brainer to pick Zakir due to his confidence and form. That’s why Joy missed out.”Mominul got 10 of his 11 hundreds at this venue. He’d be the first to admit that in the last year, he hasn’t got the runs. But he is too good a player to not have around. You cannot lose a player of Mominul’s quality. He will definitely be considered for the second Test.”Mominul lacks confidence. He is under constant scrutiny, [and] pressure. He probably is trying too hard, listening to a lot of opinions, [and] trying a lot of things. He needs to go back to find his own to get runs. Some of the best players in the world have gone through slumps.”