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GOAL breaks down what the U.S. team will look like for this summer's tournament on home soil

The Copa America is heading back to the United States and, for the hosts, this summer's tournament will be a vital measuring stick as we reach the halfway point on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

The U.S. men's national team will be looking to build on the successes of the 2022 World Cup cycle, and on the road to 2026, this summer's Copa America will be their biggest test. For years, this group has been desperate to prove that they can hang with the world's elite; well, here's their chance. Teams like Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay are up there with the best on the planet, and if the U.S. wants to be considered among them, an extended run in this tournament is the only way to prove it.

Back in 2016, the last time the tournament was hosted stateside, a U.S. team under Jurgen Klinsmann put forth a respectable showing, making it all the way to the semifinals before being trounced by Lionel Messi's Argentina, and eventually fell in a third-place game against Colombia, too.

A run to the semis will feel like the bare minimum for Gregg Berhalter and co. this summer. He has a talented young group at his disposal, perhaps more talented than any U.S. team we've ever seen. As such, Berhalter has needed to make some tough choices this summer in terms of his roster selection as he looks to guide the U.S. through a big moment in this group's history.

So who is on the USMNT Copa America squad? GOAL takes a look at the official 26-man roster.

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  GOALKEEPERS

  Matt Turner remains the USMNT's No.1, and despite his lack of minutes at club level for Nottingham Forest, it doesn't feel like that'll change any time soon. There isn't quite anyone in position to challenge him at the moment, and his U.S. performances have never shown any sign of dropping off.

  Behind him, Ethan Horvath remains the clear backup, with Johnson behind him.

  Name	Club
  Ethan Horvath	Cardiff City
  Sean Johnson	Toronto FC
  Matt Turner	Nottingham Forest

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  DEFENDERS

  At right-back, Sergino Dest was set to be the go-to starter before his untimely injury. Joe Scally is his replacement, though Tim Weah and Shaq Moore provide alternative options. Antonee Robinson, meanwhile, is a lock at left-back, while Kristoffer Lund will provide backup.

  Centrally, Tim Ream and Chris Richards seem are the starters, but all three of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson will be competing for minutes.

  Name	Club
  Cameron Carter-Vickers	Celtic
  Kristoffer Lund	Palermo
  Mark McKenzie	Genk
  Shaq Moore	Nashville SC
  Tim Ream	Fulham
  Chris Richards	Crystal Palace
  Antonee Robinson	Fulham
  Miles Robinson	FC Cincinnati
  Joe Scally	Borussia Monchengladbach

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  MIDFIELDERS

  The MMA midfield of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams carried the USMNT through the 2022 World Cup, and that trio could very well return this summer. However, Gio Reyna still has his role to play, and it will likely move Musah to the bench.

  Behind Adams, the U.S. has a new backup No.6 in Johnny Cardoso, while Luca de la Torre is the player to come in if McKennie or Musah are absent.

  Malik Tillman, meanwhile, will still have his say after an outstanding season with PSV.

  Name	Club
  Tyler Adams	Bournemouth
  Johnny Cardoso	Real Betis
  Luca de la Torre	Celta Vigo
  Weston McKennie	Juventus
  Yunus Musah	AC Milan
  Gio Reyna	Nottingham Forest
  Malik Tillman	PSV

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  FORWARDS

  Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent will all be vying for a starting role at striker, but it's more likely now that we see Wright played in a wide role.

  With Sargent carrying a knock, it's more than likely one of Pepi or Balogun get the nod for game one vs Bolivia, now, too.

  Out wide, the options essentially pick themselves. Christian Pulisic will start on the left, while Weah will be on the right, with Wright available off the bench alongside Brenden Aaronson.

  Name	Club
  Folarin Balogun	Monaco
  Ricardo Pepi	PSV
  Christian Pulisic	AC Milan
  Josh Sargent	Norwich City
  Tim Weah	Juventus
  Haji Wright	Coventry City
  Brenden Aaronson	Leeds United

The India captain says the side wanted to stick to the XI that defeated Australia in the previous game, so Mithali Raj missed out

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Nov-2018After enjoying an unbeaten run in the group stage of the Women’s World T20 in Guyana, India’s batsmen collapsed spectacularly against England in their semi-final in North Sound and exited the tournament. An attacking approach – amplified by captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s blistering hundred in the tournament opener – had served India well in Guyana, but it worked against them at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, which offered more turn to the spinners.Harmanpreet, Veda Krishnamurthy and Anuja Patil all fell while looking to hit aerially, as India crashed from 89 for 2 to 112 all out. Harmanpreet defended India’s plan to attack England’s bowlers.”I’ll say if you see throughout the tournament our approach was attack, so that is the reason,” she said. “We wanted to attack. I think sometimes it works your way and sometimes it doesn’t work. So I think that was our plan, to attack. And I know the wicket was a bit different here, again at the beginning it was different.”Harmanpreet Kaur sets her field•ICC/Getty Images

Another major talking point in India’s defeat was their strategy of benching a fit-again Mithali Raj, the top scorer for India in T20Is and scorer of back-to-back fifties in this tournament against Ireland and Pakistan. In the tournament opener, Raj did not even bat, with wicketkeeper-batsman Taniya Bhatia having been promoted to open alongside Smriti Mandhana. After that game Harmanpreet explained that Bhatia brought greater firepower at the top.Raj, though, returned to the top and set up India’s wins against Pakistan and Ireland. She had missed the side’s last group game against Australia because of a knee injury. Today, despite recovering from it, she wasn’t picked for the semi-final. Harmanpreet said that the side wanted to stick to the XI that defeated Australia.”We were going with a winning combination,” she said. “We did really well against Australia. And that is the reason we just wanted to go with the same combination.”Harmanpreet, though, drew positives from 18-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues’ batting. After opening the tournament with a punchy half-century against New Zealand and pitching in with handy contributions through the Guyana leg, she used the depth of the crease and showed signs of adaptability during her run-a-ball 26 in North Sound.”When you’re building the team, you need some more young players to come and perform,” Harmanpreet said. “I think we are quite a young team and they’re doing well. Jemi, she’s very mature. She has adapted to the international level very early. It’s a learning process and it’s like building the team. If we get some more young players who take the responsibility, that will be great for us.”Amy Jones, who might not have been in the England side had Sarah Taylor been available, did just that for her team, showing adaptability and taking on the responsibility to seal their chase with an unbeaten 53 off 47 balls. She hit the winning runs when she swatted Anuja Patil over wide mid-on for four. So, where does she rank this innings?”It’s definitely at the top,” she said. “I haven’t played a big role within team at World Cup before. So obviously semi-finals, fantastic. So, yeah, it ranks very high.”Natalie Sciver played an equally important role in the chase, making a fifty of her own in a fuss-free 92-run stand with Jones.”Nat was fantastic. She came in and straightaway took the pressure off, having just lost a wicket,” Jones said. “She’s an attacking batter and she always goes straightaway, which makes the partnership easier. I could easily take the singles and knew as long as we stayed in together we’d get the job done.”

Fast bowler has lost his starting berth to Olly Stone, but insists he’s comfortable with competition for places

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Pallekele19-Oct-2018When you’re part of an outfit that is as successful and confident as this England one-day team, players are driven forward by all sorts of surprising pressures.Take the case of fast bowler Liam Plunkett. He is a high-performing incumbent in the side, having taken 54 wickets at an average of 23.83 since the start of 2017. Aside from his bowling, Plunkett has also been known to give the ball a clobbering, batting in the lower order. But having missed the first three ODIs to get married – an unforeseen scheduling change in the series meant the clash could not be avoided – Plunkett returns in the knowledge that there are others now vying for his place in the XI.”We were so far into the wedding preparation, and with my wife Emeleah being American, a lot of people had booked flights, and I wasn’t interested in paying them back,” Plunkett said of missing the start of the series. “But in the back of your mind you know someone will come in and do well – that’s just sport, right? It’s good for the team that people come in and do well. I think England know what I can bring to the game.”And if I don’t get the nudge, I will graft hard. People forget for the first seven years of my England career, I didn’t play, I was 12th man the whole time. I know how to deal with the situation. Hopefully I get the nod and play one or two games here, but if not I’ll hopefully get a go again.”The man who replaced him in the XI for the two games that have been played so far, was Olly Stone – a 25-year-old capable of regularly breaching 145kph. Stone had troubled the Sri Lanka top order in the second ODI, taking the wicket of opener Niroshan Dickwella with a sharp bouncer, and beating several other batsmen with deliveries that he got to seam off the pitch, as well as bounce.England captain Eoin Morgan had been impressed by that performance, and even pointed out an area in which Stone is perhaps better than the man he has stepped in for: where Plunkett’s pace is used primarily during the middle overs and the death, Stone could be used as a new-ball option as well. As a result, there’s now a little extra strain on Plunkett to work on his new-ball bowling.”I don’t look for a ball in the nets that’s old – I always pick a new ball up because you want to work on your skills,” Plunkett said. “In T20 it’s similar, you might be on in the second or third over when the ball’s new. I used to be a swing bowler, but now I’m more of a hit-the-deck bowler. Who knows? As I get older a little swing might come back into my game and in two or three years I might be opening the bowling again.”In any case, for now, England have the option of not rushing Plunkett back into the XI. Plunkett only arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, and perhaps has not quite acclimatised as well as his teammates yet. He insists, though, that he is not short of bowling practice.”I did a lot in the last six or seven weeks, I found an indoor centre so I was bowling 30 or 40 overs a week. I’ve been keeping tabs on it and training hard. I don’t think I’m lacking overs, I’ve bowled a lot. It’s just getting used to the temperature.”

Raphael Varane has issued an optimistic injury update after going off at half-time of Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Brentford.

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• Manchester United held to 1-1 draw at Brentford
• Varane and Victor Lindelof pick up injuries
• Defender says problem is not serious

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United have been plagued by injuries all season, particularly in defence, and encountered more problems on Saturday at Brentford. Varane had to go off at half-time at the Gtech Community Stadium in the 1-1 draw, while centre-back partner Lindelof was also substituted in the second half due to a knock. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, who is only just back himself, replaced the duo.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United will be sweating on Varane's fitness ahead of key Premier League games against Chelsea and Liverpool. The Red Devils are already without Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia due to injury, while Martinez has also spent the majority of the season sidelined.

• WHAT VARANE SAID

  The French defender told the that injury was "not too bad" which will be a relief for the Red Devils.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR VARANE AND MAN UTD

  Varane's injury also comes at a time when his future at the club is uncertain. The defender's contract is up at the end of the season and it's not certain yet if a new deal will be offered to the 30-year-old. Varane has also reportedly attracted interest from Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.

The stand-in captain told the players before the Asia Cup to perform as if they were playing domestic cricket. He said it was “to ensure there’s no insecurity within”

Shashank Kishore in Dubai29-Sep-20180:33

We have ticked all boxes in this tournament – Rohit

Rohit Sharma, India’s victorious stand-in captain, wants those auditioning for the Nos. 4 and 6 spots in the ODI XI to get more opportunities in the next few months, even if team dynamics change when Virat Kohli takes over the leadership.”The guys who were here had the ability to win matches for the team,” Rohit said. “They’ve won matches for their state or IPL teams. No one took extra pressure because some players weren’t available. We want to create an environment where boys come in, play carefree, and not think that this is an international match and we need to change our game.”As a management, it is our duty to give the players that freedom to go play like they play at the club or domestic level. At the start of the tournament, we discussed this and gave them a clear message: ‘treat this like you’re playing for your domestic team, nothing to change.’ It was very important to give them this message, to ensure there’s no insecurity within.”At his pre-tournament press conference, Rohit had advocated for continuity, and he stuck to it through the Asia Cup. India gave six straight opportunities to Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik and Kedar Jadhav to further strengthen their cases for a middle-order berth with next year’s World Cup in mind.Among them, Rayudu displayed his versatility in batting at different positions. He scored a half-century apiece as an opener and at No. 3 against Afghanistan and Hong Kong respectively, while Karthik made 146 runs in five innings at No. 4, largely playing the role of an accumulator on sluggish surfaces where batting required a certain degree of patience and calm. Those included scores of 33, 31*, 1*, 44 and 37. Jadhav impressed with his wicket-taking abilities in the middle overs, apart from making a crucial unbeaten 23 in the final despite an injured right hamstring.”I think we pretty much have clarity. Those at No. 4 and No. 6 need to get more games as the World Cup comes closer,” Rohit said. “It’s too early to judge or say they’ve sealed the spot. I shouldn’t be saying that because right now is not the time. The next few tournaments that we’re going to play will probably be ideal for us to judge as a management and see where they stand.Associated Press

“When we came here, I wanted to give them the assurance first that they will play all the games. That’s how you make players. You give them the assurance of going and playing freely without taking pressure. If you know that you’re going to be dropped after two games, it’s not easy for anyone. I think it is important to keep that team consistently going, and that is something that we spoke at the start of the tournament. I wanted to give everybody a fair run and play more games. That’s how you will understand a player’s capability because in one-odd game you can’t judge. You need quite a few games.”Rohit himself registered scores of 23, 52, 83*, 111* and 48, thereby proving captaincy had little effect on his batting. He delivered two half-century opening stands and a double-century opening stand with Shikhar Dhawan, all in match-winning causes. The flip side of this consistency was less-than-ideal batting time for the middle order.The near-failed chase against Afghanistan in a tie and their mini-collapse in the final notwithstanding, Rohit was reasonably happy with the middle order’s performances. “As far as the batting goes, middle order didn’t get as many chances as we wanted them to, because the top-order batsmen batted quite a lot in the tournament,” Rohit said. “But whenever they’ve got chances, they’ve shown signs of handling pressure well. It’s a different issue that they didn’t finish it off, but I think they handled the pressure well.”Kathik apart, the only batsman among those who played all matches to have not made a half-century was MS Dhoni. He started the tournament with a duck against Hong Kong, but showed glimpses of solidity in making 33 and 36 against Bangladesh in the Super Four game and the final, respectively. On Friday, Dhoni’s dismissal triggered a lower-order wobble that threatened to pull Bangladesh back into the contest, but India had vital lower-order partnerships involving Jadhav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.Associated Press

Bhuvneshwar’s 31-ball 21 at No. 8 helped absorb pressure after India were 167 for 5 and Jadhav had hobbled off with a hamstring strain. Bhuvneshwar added 45 with Ravindra Jadeja, with the pair intent on strike rotation without taking too many gambles. In a sign of his improved power game, Bhuvneshwar also drilled an attempted yorker from Rubel Hossain over long-off for six with India needing 26 off 28.In just the one innings, he showed what India had missed all along while he was injured, a solid No. 8 who could provide the team batting cushion in situations like these. “Bhuvi is a very crucial member of the squad. Not just now, but for a few years,” Rohit said. “In Sri Lanka too, he got a fifty and had a big partnership with MS to win the game. Even today, his runs were so crucial.”He understands that the team wants him to bat as well, and not just bowl. If any player in your team can provide you with something else apart from their main skill, it makes your team better, so that’s what we all look forward to from each player. He takes his batting very seriously.”Rohit was effusive in his praise for Ravindra Jadeja, who made an ODI comeback at the Asia Cup after more than a year. In his very first outing, he bagged a four-for, while his fielding and lower-order batting – the knocks where he failed to finish off notwithstanding – providing soothing signs to a unit intent on finding back-ups for every spot. That Jadeja returned was because of Hardik Pandya’s back spasms that ruled him out of the competition.With the ball, Jadeja’s no-frills variety helped deliver crucial breakthroughs, but his impact on the field earned him plaudits. In the final, he intercepted a drive by putting in a full-length dive to his left at cover, before recovering quickly and having the presence of mind to fire a throw to the correct end. This resulted in the dismissal of the in-form Mohammad Mithun, paving way for a lower-order implosion that cost Bangladesh heavily.Rohit quickly corrected a query on Jadeja’s forced ODI break and then explained why he thought those performances mattered. “I don’t think it was a break, Jadeja was out of the team,” he clarified. “When you’re out, you have the fire inside you, that burning desire to make a comeback and prove to yourself, rather than proving to anyone else. I think he’s proved himself in this tournament that he’s much better than what he was before.”I clearly remember, he flew in the night before the first game and got four wickets immediately. Even today, he didn’t bowl 10 overs, but his batting and fielding abilities are very, very crucial to the team. I think what he did on the field, that run-out of Mithun was the turning point. I think that is something that gave us a way to come back into the game. Also as a team we understand what sort of a player he is, what he brings to the table. His batting again today, although he made around 25-odd, it was so crucial. In the context of a match, it was as good as scoring a half-century.”

Shamar Joseph and Gudakesh Motie are in both ODI and T20I squads after missing the Test tour of India

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Oct-2025Ackeem Auguste has earned a first call-up to West Indies’ ODI squad for the white-ball tour of Bangladesh in the second half of October, as replacement for Evin Lewis who has been ruled out with an injured wrist.Khary Pierre, who made his Test debut in the first match against India earlier this month in Ahmedabad, has earned a recall to the ODI side as the third spinner alongside Gudakesh Motie and allrounder Roston Chase, while Alick Athanaze has also made a return to the squad after playing his 13th and last ODI in December last year.”The selection of Ackeem reflects the pathway Cricket West Indies is creating for our emerging players who have shown the qualities to perform at the international level,” head coach Daren Sammy said in a CWI statement. “He is a player for the future, one who has progressed from Under-15s to the senior level, and another Academy graduate to feature in an international squad this year.”

West Indies tour of Bangladesh

1st ODI – October 18, Dhaka
2nd ODI – October 21, Dhaka
3rd ODI – October 23, Dhaka
1st T20I – October 27, Chattogram
2nd T20I – October 29, Chattogram
3rd T20I – October 31, Chattogram

Also included for both the ODIs and the T20Is is Shamar Joseph, who missed the Test tour of India, along with Alzarri Joseph, because of an injury, the nature of which CWI didn’t disclose at the time. Motie is another player who missed the Test tour of India as West Indies wanted to manage his workload in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup early next year.The Bangladesh series will be the penultimate one of the year for West Indies.”The squad assembled will strive to maintain a winning mentality and strong team cohesion, essential components for long-term success ahead of the World Cup,” Sammy said. “Facing Bangladesh provides another opportunity to earn crucial points in our push for automatic qualification to the showpiece event.”Ramon Simmonds has been on the rise in recent months•CPL T20 via Getty Images

For the T20Is, left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds and Amir Jangoo have been included in the squad. While Jangoo has been picked as the back-up wicketkeeper-batter to captain Shai Hope, it’s a continuation of a steady rise for Simmonds, who picked up 13 wickets for Barbados Royals in the recent CPL 2025 and then returned 4 for 15 in only his second T20I, against Nepal last month.Related

• Sammy: WI 'did not reap financial rewards' of their legacy

• Lara asks West Indies players to 'find a way'

In what CWI called “a concerted effort to provide players with valuable exposure to subcontinent conditions in advance of the series”, Motie, Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Auguste and Jangoo will train at the Chennai Super Kings Academy prior to the Bangladesh series.”With the 2026 T20 World Cup around the corner, it is important for our players to get as much practice as possible in these conditions, with that tournament being held in India and Sri Lanka,” CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said. “In addition to the important aspect of acclimatisation, the camp will feature skill and tactical training and development specific to those conditions, which is critical to preparing the players ahead of this series as well as next year’s World Cup.”The tour of Bangladesh will start with the three ODIs, on October 18, 21 and 23, all in Dhaka, followed by the three T20Is in Chattogram on October 27, 29 and 31.

West Indies ODI squad for tour of Bangladesh

Shai Hope (capt), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd

West Indies T20I squad for tour of Bangladesh

Shai Hope (capt), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Ramon Simmonds

It’s been an unusual season for Arsenal this year.

It has felt as if Mikel Arteta’s side have simply gone from one disaster to another, and yet, as things stand, they look set for a second-place finish in the Premier League and almost made it to the final of the Champions League.

However, while challenging is nice, the North Londoners have now done that for three campaigns on the bounce, and fans are understandably demanding that they get across that finishing line next season.

Fortunately, the board seem intent on making the signings to help them do that this summer, with recent reports now linking the club to a prolific goalscorer who could be an ideal Viktor Gyokeres alternative and a massive Kai Havertz upgrade.

Arsenal's striker search

While Arsenal have been linked with a host of sensational strikers in recent weeks and months, perhaps the most significant have been to Sporting CP star Gyokeres.

Transfer Focus

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

The Swedish international was touted for a move to North London last summer, and now, in recent weeks, it appears as if new Sporting Director Andrea Berta has really stepped up the club’s pursuit of the former Coventry City man.

In fact, reports from the last week or so have gone as far as claiming that the player has already agreed terms with the Gunners, while others have asserted that the North Londoners have submitted a bid in the region of £63m.

However, for all the goals Gyokeres has scored this season – 53 in all competitions – Arteta and Co might prefer to sign someone who could be even more of a sure thing, someone Premier League-proven, someone like Bryan Mbeumo.

Yes, according to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal have an ‘active interest’ in the Brentford star, whose raw output, versatility and underlying numbers have left the recruitment staff impressed.

However, given the Cameroon international’s importance to the Bees and the interest from other sides like Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Newcastle United, he wouldn’t come cheap, with the West Londoners expected to demand around £60m for his services this summer.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Mbeumo’s sensational ability, it’s worth pursuing, especially since he could be an ideal Havertz upgrade.

How Mbeumo compares to Havertz

So, the first to say is that while Mbeumo has primarily played off the right for Brentford, he’s no stranger to playing down the middle either, making 42 appearances as a second striker and 32 as a centre-forward.

Therefore, with that in mind and the fact that Bukayo Saka is near-enough undroppable when fit, it seems likely that Arsenal would sign the Bees ace primarily with the intention of starting him up top, in turn placing him up against Havertz for game time.

With that said, who comes out on top between the two attackers?

Well, when it comes to their raw output, which is, of course, what matters more than anything else for a striker, it’s the “unplayable” Cameroonian, by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who comes out miles ahead.

For example, so far this season, he has scored 19 goals and provided nine assists in just 41 appearances, totalling 3487 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games, or every 124.53 minutes.

In contrast, the Gunners’ number 29 has scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 35 appearances, totalling 2790 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.75 games, or every 139.5 minutes.

Unfortunately for the former Chelsea ace, the one-sided nature of this comparison only continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

For example, the “monster” forward, as dubbed by presenter Beth Tucker, comes out on top in the majority of relevant metrics, such as goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries shot and goal-creating actions, key passes, passes into the final third and penalty area, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while he might not be the biggest name around, Mbeumo has shown this season that he has what it takes to score bags and bags of goals in the Premier League, and therefore, Arsenal should sign him, even if it would be bad news for Havertz.

Their original Zubimendi: Deal done for £110k-per-week ace to leave Arsenal

Arsenal are set to lose one or two midfielders this summer.

By
Matt Dawson

May 20, 2025

India lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Chennai by 280 runs

Hemant Brar26-Sep-20242:23

Manjrekar: I will play Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test

Big picture: Another stern test awaits Bangladesh

Bangladesh came into this series riding on the high of winning 2-0 in Pakistan. It peaked when they had India 144 for 6 in the first innings in Chennai. But then India once again showed why they are arguably the strongest home side in Test history and went on to steamroll Bangladesh by 280 runs.It was a show of India’s depth in both batting and bowling. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli managed only 34 runs between them across four innings, but India had three centurions and two half-centurions. When it came to bowling, their seamers shared eight wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings and the spinners nine during the second.Things will not get easier for Bangladesh in Kanpur, where New Zealand’s tail had held on to secure a draw the last time a Test was played here. There is also some uncertainty about the pitch. The ground staff were preparing two surfaces and, as of noon on the eve of the match, it was not clear which one would be used.Related

• Green Park's C stand deemed 'unsafe' for India-Bangladesh Test

• Shakib 'eligible for selection' for Kanpur Test against India

• Ravindra Jadeja, the quick and the deadly

Kanpur generally offers good Test-match pitches that help fast bowlers on the first morning before flattening out and assisting spinners on the last two days. However, the weather could be an issue this time, with rain forecast on the first three days. That could impact not just the pitch but also the toss decision and team compositions.But all is not bleak for Bangladesh. In their second innings in Chennai, their openers gave them a solid start, followed by Najmul Hossain Shanto’s return to form with 82. In their first innings, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz all got starts. But to be competitive against this Indian team at home, you have to be at your best for much longer periods. Can Bangladesh do that?

Form guide

India WWWWW (last five Tests, most recent first)
Bangladesh LWWLL0:48

Manjrekar: Bangladesh attack lacks quality and experience

In the spotlight: Shubman Gill and Shakib Al Hasan

Shubman Gill knows his ceiling. Even after scoring 452 runs with two hundreds in the home series against England earlier this year, he recently said he was yet to fulfil his expectations as a Test player. Gill got out for a duck in the first innings of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh but scored a stroke-filled unbeaten 119 in the second. Given India are to face tougher opponents in the coming months – New Zealand and Australia – Gill would be keen to fine-tune his game at No. 3.When is Shakib Al Hasan not in the spotlight? While batting in Chennai, he was seen biting a black strap, wrapped around his neck, to keep his head from falling over. When it was time to bowl, there were murmurs about his workload, ineffectiveness and discomfort with the spinning finger. And after Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe confirmed Shakib’s availability for the second Test, he dropped a bombshell about his future on the eve of the match.

Team news: Wait and watch?

There was no indication from the Indian camp whether they would play three spinners. Even if they do, it may not be a straightforward choice. If the pitch is too slow, Axar Patel could be handy with his pace and attacking the stumps. But India already have a similar spinner in Ravindra Jadeja. In Kuldeep Yadav’s favour, this is his home ground. So he is a tempting option, too. If India play one of Axar or Kuldeep, Akash Deep could be the one to miss out.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 KL Rahul, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Kuldeep Yadav/Axar Patel, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajIf Bangladesh go with three spinners, Taijul Islam could replace Nahid Rana. That could also help with Shakib’s workload, if required.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Shadman Islam, 2 Zakir Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Shakib Al Hasan, 7 Litton Das (wk), 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Hasan Mahmud, 11 Taskin AhmedGautam Gambhir and Abhishek Nayar inspect one of two pitches in consideration for the Kanpur Test•AFP/Getty Images

Pitch and conditions: Slow and low bounce?

The red-soil pitch in Chennai had decent bounce for both seamers and spinners in the first Test. Kanpur will be different. The two pitches being considered for the match are black-soil surfaces. They are likely to be flatter, with lower bounce, and are expected to become slower as the Test progresses. All that could change if it rains as forecasted, and bad light could become a factor too towards the end of each day.

Stats and trivia: Jadeja double on the cards

• For the first time in their Test history, India have more wins (179) than losses (178).
• Jadeja is one short of becoming the seventh Indian to take 300 Test wickets.
• When Jadeja gets there, he will also complete the double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets. If he does it in Kanpur, in his 74th Test, he will be the second fastest to do so after Ian Botham (72).
• Virat Kohli is 129 short of 9000 Test runs.
• Taijul is five short of 200 Test wickets. Only Shakib (242) has more Test wickets for Bangladesh.

Quotes

“We don’t particularly pattern bad pitches. But we try to make sure the conditions are tough enough so that the players are challenged. A lot of these guys have played for so many years. Only if they’re challenged are they going to get better. So sometimes the thought process is just to challenge them differently so that your game and you, organically and mentally, grow.”

Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, fast bowler Hasan Mahmud and left-arm spinner Hasan Murad were left out

Mohammad Isam18-Mar-2024Bangladesh have called up pace sensation Nahid Rana for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Sylhet. Rana is among three changes in the squad that also includes uncapped fast bowler Musfik Hasan and Litton Das, who returns to the Test squad after skipping the previous series against New Zealand.The 21-year old Rana has only been around for three seasons in domestic cricket, but already he has taken 63 wickets at 21.92 bowling average in first-class cricket. It includes three five-wicket hauls.The selectors have also included Musfik, who earned a call-up against Afghanistan last year. Musfik has 55 first-class wickets at 21.16. It will also be a chance for Litton to get back in the runs after having a horrid time in the white-ball formats against Sri Lanka recently.Related

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Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, fast bowler Hasan Mahmud and left-arm spinner Hasan Murad were left out from the squad that played against New Zealand in November.The first Test starts in Sylhet on March 22.Bangladesh squad for first Test against Sri Lanka: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Litton Kumer Das, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Mushfik Hasan, Nahid Rana

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to test the water with an offer to sign a potential replacement for exit-linked forward Richarlison, and it is believed the Spurs target is keen on a big move elsewhere this summer.

Tottenham prepared to sanction cut-price Richarlison sale

The Brazilian was linked with a move away from N17 last summer, with clubs in Saudi Arabia displaying a public interest, but Richarlison opted to remain in north London and fight for his place under Ange Postecoglou.

£35m Premier League forward wants to join Tottenham after talks

Spurs are convinced.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 6, 2025

Richarlison was adamant that a move to Saudi didn’t interest him at the time, but the forward has since struggled with injuries and a lack of opportunities to establish himself as a star player under Postecoglou as a result.

Reports suggest this could be the South American’s final season at Spurs, with Everton said to be planning talks to sign Richarlison early on in the summer window as they prepare for life in a state-of-the-art new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is apparently prepared to take a £20 million loss on the 27-year-old’s sale this summer as well. Tottenham are willing to sanction Richarlison’s sale for £40 million, far beneath the £60 million they paid to sign him from Everton in 2022, according to GiveMeSport.

With Everton lurking in the background for Richarlison’s signature, there are now reports emerging of the Lilywhites scouring for possible replacements. As per CaughtOffside, Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo is firmly in Spurs’ thinking.

Tottenham set to bid £34 million for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo

According to their information, Semenyo is one of Tottenham’s priorities to replace Richarlison, following his excellent campaign under Andoni Iraola at the Vitality Stadium.

It is also claimed in the report that Spurs are set to test Bournemouth’s resolve with a £34 million bid for the 25-year-old, who will actually face off against Postecoglou’s side later today, so it will be interesting to see how he performs.

In the build up to this game, Semenyo has bagged nine goals and five assists across 30 appearances in all competitions, with his performances also attracting attention from Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle and Serie A title chasers Napoli.

It is added that Semenyo is keen on a big move elsewhere this summer, which could hand Spurs a boost. The former Bristol City star has also been praised for his top flight performances this season, especially by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

“He’s a lovely footballer to watch”, said Redknapp on Premier League productions earlier this term.

“The manager’s taken him to another level, he obviously has that capability because you saw it with Solanke. I’m just seeing him elevate his game right now, we’ll talk about why does that happen, a lot of it is purely on confidence.

“He looks like he’s enjoying his football, his shoulders are back, he’s relaxed, every time he gets it, he plays with a bit of a swagger. He’s actually a joy to watch right now.”