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Thirteen years ago, a greenhorn fast bowler announced his arrival on the world stage with a fiery spell to Ricky Ponting. Sharma revisits that spell

Interview by Nagraj Gollapudi23-Feb-2021On Jan 19, 2008, Ishant Sharma, still in his teens, bowled a defining spell against Australia at the WACA in Perth. Playing only his fourth Test, Sharma rattled Australia captain Ricky Ponting with his lengths and pace in nine overs in the second innings – a spell so good that even Steve Waugh, not one quick to praise, complimented it. It possibly also changed Sharma’s life: a month later, he was bought for $970,000 in the inaugural IPL auction.Weeks before the Perth Test, India were playing Pakistan in Bengaluru in a home series. Sunil Gavaskar reckoned, in a syndicated column, that perhaps it was “too early” for Sharma to play that Test. Sharma went on to pick up his maiden five-for there, in just his second Test. It is the story of his life: to surprise when no one expects him to. And Perth 2008 remains perhaps the most memorable such example.Now on the verge of his 100th Test, Sharma looks back at his battle with Ponting, and at his other memorable spells down the years.You were not even supposed to go on that tour to Australia, but injuries to Sreesanth and Munaf Patel gave you the spot.
I don’t remember that. But I thought I got selected for the Australia tour because I took a five-for against Pakistan in Bangalore, which happened just before the selection.Then you played in Sydney because Zaheer Khan returned home. You took 0 for 146, which did not really showcase the effort you put in. Can you talk about your first time in Australia and understanding what lengths to bowl?
The biggest adjustment I had to make was that we had not played any practice match [before the Test series]. It was my first tour of Australia. I didn’t have much of an idea of the bowling conditions. I had never bowled with the Kookaburra ball, [didn’t know] how much it swings, what kind of lengths to bowl in Australia.We were on top in the first innings. We had taken their top four or five wickets early [134 for 6]. Then Andrew Symonds edged early on, but Steve Bucknor did not give him out. If he had been given out, that series would probably have been totally different, because Symonds scored 150 or something [162], Brad Hogg scored [72]. After that, the situation changed completely for us.At the time I felt I was bowling short. I spoke to Venky [Venkatesh Prasad], who was our bowling coach at that time. He told me I was bowling a bit short. It was proving very difficult for me to find the right length. It was not like I was playing at home, bowling with the SG ball, which swings even late [when old], which Kookaburra does not. It was a learning experience.You played in the practice match in Canberra, before the Perth Test. Richie Benaud on commentary said he’d spotted that you’d made adjustments between the Sydney and Perth Tests, and how there was a big difference in the lengths and how consistent you had become. What did you work on?
Once you know that you are playing all the games, you get more confident. Then you prepare yourself accordingly. When I played the practice match, I bowled as if I was bowling in a Test match. I was trying to bowl fuller, to get more swing. I was talking with Venky about that in the practice game. Even Anil [Anil Kumble, India captain for that series] said, bowl as if you are bowling in a Test match with the new ball.In fact, I bagged three wickets in my first spell with the new ball. You then get the confidence. You bowl long spells. My body is such that the more I bowl, the better my bowling becomes. Venky helped me a lot at that time.

“Sometimes a fast bowler achieves rhythm: when you want to bowl where you want to, and that starts happening, suddenly things start changing”

You were 19 years old when you played your fourth Test, at the WACA. Had you heard about the history of the ground before the match?
I remember one incident. I was marking my bowling run-up. Sunny [Sunil Gavaskar] was there at the time of the toss [as TV commentator]. He told me I was doing well, but he cautioned me, saying, “Don’t bowl too short. Don’t get carried away.” He said he was alerting me because every fast bowler thinks since it is Perth you can bowl bouncers. I told him I will try and bowl fuller. He said that was the best way to go. In the first innings I got Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting [by sticking to that plan].[During the Perth Test] I also remember Gary Kirsten had come just for one match [as consultant coach], because he was taking over as India head coach after that series. The evening before Australia’s second innings we spoke about how I should go about it. It was a good experience for me [talking to Kirsten].On the third evening I had bowled just three or four overs, but I was literally bowling full tosses because I was trying to pitch fuller. So I was unable to stick to the plans. On the way back to the team bus that evening, Gary asked me, “What do you think?” I said, “I didn’t bowl well.” Gary actually looked shocked. He was like, “How can you say that? You are just 19 and you are taking the blame that you didn’t bowl well.” I told him, “That’s the truth, right? So I need to pull up my socks and do better tomorrow.”I am from Delhi and we speak directly. I told him clearly that I was bowling full tosses. Then after that, spell happened.Fourth morning, you came on to bowl the fifth over of the innings. What was the plan?
At 19 you don’t plan, to be honest []. You just bowl. When you play a lot then the planning starts, about what you should do and not do. I knew just one thing: I have to bowl in good areas and after that somehow I should get a wicket. And the more consistently I bowled in good areas, the greater the chances of me getting a wicket.On the fourth morning when I arrived at the ground I felt a bit of pressure. I was nervous because I felt then that if I don’t bowl well here then it might be the end for me. But I tried to stick to my basics.Ponting earned a reprieve in the 24th over when the ball hit him on the knee roll, but umpire Billy Bowden overruled the appeal•Getty ImagesIt was not so hot, so the Kookaburra ball was actually swinging despite being 30 overs old. That was a surprise for me. In Sydney that didn’t happen. [In Perth] the ball was swinging, coming in and everything, and when that was happening I was actually enjoying it. I was just bowling. I was then not thinking this or that will happen, how will I get the guy out.Sachin [Tendulkar] was standing at mid-on at the time. He asked me [initially]: “What are you doing?” I said, “Nothing, I am just bowling.” He said that’s great, just carry on doing that, just enjoy your bowling.He just kept on telling me after every ball, “Don’t try anything [different]. Don’t change anything. He [Ponting] is not comfortable with whatever you are bowling and you’ll get him out.” I said, “”. With the ball moving in naturally, I did not even need to try hard.Related

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There was a ball that hit Ponting’s pad early on. He did not play a shot. It appeared the ball hit him under the knee, but Billy Bowden overruled India’s appeal. TV replays showed the ball would go on to hit the bail. When you walked back to your mark, what did you think?
Nothing. Good thing was said, “Don’t worry. Keep bowling. You’ll get him out.” Like I said, I just kept bowling. I wasn’t thinking whether he [Bowden] gave it out or not.Sometimes a fast bowler achieves rhythm: when you want to bowl where you want to, and when that starts happening, suddenly things start changing. You can say that like a batsman enters a zone, a bowler also enters a similar zone – you are running in well, you are bowling well, your ball is swinging, automatically the ball is going straight from the same spot. So when I myself did not know, how would the batsman know when the ball was straightening? ().And your speeds were the same throughout the spell, around mid-130kph?
I have never been a fan of the speedometer. If I was running in well I didn’t get worried about the speeds.Did you get tired at all during that spell?
No. I just wanted to carry on bowling.

“Anil asked me: ‘Will you bowl another over?’ I said, ‘Yes, I will.’ Ponting got out next ball”

When did Kumble tell you that he was going to replace you?
After the eighth over [of the spell] Anil said, “Okay, you stop now. Bowl later.” He felt having already bowled in the first innings and then now eight overs on the trot, it was better I took a break. But Viru [Virender Sehwag] told Anil that I was bowling well and Ricky was uncomfortable. He also said that I can bowl long spells. In the entire domestic season before the Australia tour, Viru was the Delhi captain. So he had seen I had bowled quite a few long spells.Viru said that even if you bowl him continuously for an entire session he will not tire. Anil asked me: ” dalega?” [Will you bowl another over?] I said, “” [Yes, I will.] He said, okay, come bowl. Ponting got out next ball.What was the length you were bowling, about six metres from the stumps?

Yeah. But the ball [Ponting] got out on, it was slightly fuller. It did not come in that much. That ball just went straight. That was the first delivery of the ninth over. There was only just one more delivery that had straightened, which was around the sixth or seventh over, in which again he was beaten.Otherwise the rest of the deliveries mostly moved in or were swinging in the air or seaming off the pitch. I really did not know it would straighten. If you ask me now, I can tell you when I’m bowling straighter and when I’m swinging it.Can you recount the delivery as it happened?
The way I held the ball as I ran in to bowl, I wanted to swing it in. It did swerve a bit in the air, but after pitching it went straight. [Ponting] did play the right line, because the seam position suggested it would come in, but the ball went straight and took the outside edge.What was the difference from the dismissal in the first innings?
The difference was that I wanted to get him [Ponting] out early. [Harbhajan Singh] was not playing that Test, so I told him, you are not playing, so I will get him [Ponting] out. and Yuvi [Yuvraj Singh] made us comfortable by joking around. [Harbhajan] said, “If you get him out I will come out on the balcony and clap because he is such a big player.”Sharma and Harbhajan Singh celebrate after India’s win•Getty ImagesIn those days, you didn’t, and still don’t, go by the name – who is playing in front of you and who the batsman is. In the first innings the ball pitched and went away a little, but there was a bit more bounce. His bat was hanging and the edge went to slip. It was a similar delivery against Michael Clarke [in the first innings in Perth], but that ball was slightly fuller compared to Ponting.Did Bhajji come out on the balcony?
Yeah, he did come out. After that, during the lunch break, he said, ” out [You would have got him out anyway].Did that ball change your life?
That ball changed my life! But to be very honest, I’m still surprised. Because, such spells, in Ranji Trophy, in first-class, you need to continuously bowl them. The more consistently you bowl, you get that much bigger an opportunity to get a wicket. First-class cricket is all about patience – only then you can get the batsman out. If your aim is only to get a wicket then you can go for runs.That patience, in my bowling, has come only after playing first-class cricket – that having bowled two balls inswing, now I will try to bowl one going-away delivery. With experience you can do such things.So, actually, I was surprised when I saw that spell, and all the hype that followed. I felt it is my job – I do this daily in first-class cricket – that if I am bowling 20 overs in a day, I have to give 40-45 runs and I can get three wickets. So what I was doing in the Ranji Trophy, the same thing I was doing in the Test match.Not long before that, you delivered a spell of 15 overs in Vijayawada in the Ranji Trophy.
Yes, I had bowled continuously throughout the session. It was against Andhra Pradesh. We [Delhi] had to win the match outright or save it, and one of our bowlers had got injured. Mithun Manhas, who was the captain in that match, asked me to just keep bowling, so I bowled 15 straight overs.

“I never watch that spell. There are a lot of people who tag me on social media in clips of that spell, but I never watch it”

At that young age it is about adrenaline, isn’t it? You don’t bother about workload and all that, you just go with the rhythm.
Yeah, at present everyone tries to manage their workload, bowl so many overs in the nets and all that. That was not the case when I started. And for that I should say thanks to my coach, Shravan Kumar. Because when I started to play, whether it was the afternoon heat or the cold, you started to bowl at 1pm and until it got dark you could not stop bowling. If you stopped [you would be scolded]. That is why I am used to bowling long spells.Ponting wrote in his book that if he had survived, he was confident he could have scored a century. Did he ever speak to you about that spell?
No, he never has spoken to me.Has that been the spell of your life so far?

Can’t really say that. I feel that spell became famous because I was young, was playing my fourth Test, bowling to a legend, making him struggle a bit. That is why it became big.I don’t know if you remember a similar spell I bowled in Galle with the new ball, where I got [Mahela] Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews out. Same kind of spell I bowled in the 2008 Irani Trophy when Rest of India were playing against Delhi. I bowled five maidens on the trot to [S] Badrinath in the second innings. Do you watch videos of that Perth spell?
I never watch that spell. There are a lot of people who tag me on social media [in clips of that spell], but I never watch it. Okay, that spell gave me the confidence, it was pretty good. Yes, people started to recognise me.When people have confidence in you and have expectations, then you get confident, right? After that spell, I realised I deserve this praise. That was very important.”The Wellington spell that told me there is no limitation: that if you don’t put the burden of expectation on yourself, you can go on”•Getty ImagesWhich are your top five spells in first-class cricket?
Obviously, Lord’s 2014.My first five-wicket haul against Baroda in Delhi [2006].That New Zealand Test series [2019-20], in Wellington where I took five wickets. That is special for me because I had torn my ligaments and I was not sure whether I would go on that tour or not. Just two days before the Test match, the team asked me, “You want to play or not?” I said, “I’m here to play cricket. I’m not here on holiday.” Yes, I was struggling, no doubt about that. I was jet-lagged. But I had bowled a lot at the National Cricket Academy [during rehab in Bengaluru]. But that is one spell that told me there is no limitation: that if you don’t put the burden of expectation on yourself, you can go on. It taught me that if I can just focus on bowling in good areas… that spell taught me to trust myself more.And that spell in Jo’burg in 2013-14 where I took four wickets [in the first innings]. Around that time I had been hit for 30 runs in an over by James Faulkner. After that I could have gone wrong any time – both emotionally and mentally, I was struggling. But suddenly something clicked in me. I was like, I can’t play like this. If I have to be the best version of myself then I have to pull up my socks and do well. So something sparked inside me and suddenly I picked up four wickets.I am talking about these spells from memory. I can’t really pinpoint one spell [as the best].You will obviously add Perth to that, to make it a top five?
I am still thinking ().

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo conheceu seus adversários na Libertadores 2024, após sorteio realizado na segunda-feira (18), na sede da Conmebol, no Paraguai.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo

➡️Com R$100, você pode faturar R$2000 na Lance! Betting com o futuro campeão da Libertadores 2024!

O jogo mais aguardado do grupo será o reencontro com o Talleres. Isso porque a equipe da Argentina eliminou o Tricolor na fase preliminar do torneio continental em 2019, episódio que marcou o torcedor são-paulino de forma negativa.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

O modesto Cobresal representa a menor ameaça técnica ao São Paulo na Libertadores, mas a viagem desgastante e a altitude jogam em seu favor. O estádio dos chilenos fica localizado entre a Cordilheira dos Andes e o Deserto do Atacama, cujo deslocamento é considerado difícil, além do estádio ficar a 2,3 mil metros de altitude.

Apesar de ser figura carimbada nas últimas edições do torneio, o Barcelona não vive grande fase na liga local, tendo uma vitória, um empate e uma derrota.

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LOGÍSTICA

O São Paulo é o terceiro clube brasileiro com viagens mais longas na Libertadores, atrás apenas de Flamengo e Botafogo, respectivamente. O Tricolor vai percorrer aproximadamente 19 mil km nas viagens para Argentina, Chile e Equador.

DATAS

Os dias e horários exatos das partidas da Libertadores não foram divulgados, mas o São Paulo sabe que o primeiro adversário é o Talleres, fora de casa.

continua após a publicidade1ª rodada (2 a 4 de abril): Talleres (Argentina) x São Paulo2ª rodada (9 a 11 de abril): São Paulo x Cobresal (Chile)3ª rodada (23 a 25 de abril): Barcelona (Equador) x São Paulo4ª rodada (7 a 9 de maio): Cobresal (Chile) x São Paulo5ª rodada (14 a 16 de maio): São Paulo x Barcelona (Equador)6ª rodada (28 a 30 de maio): São Paulo x Talleres (Argentina)

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After enduring a 10-game stretch without a home run dating back to June 2, Shohei Ohtani ended the long ball drought in a big way, belting two round-trippers in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 11-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night. But getting back into the home run column is far from the only thing Ohtani achieved in Los Angeles' win.

Ohtani's second home run, a 384-foot shot in the bottom of the sixth inning, gave him 250 for his career. The Dodgers' two-way star needed just 944 career games to notch 250-plus career home runs and 150-plus stolen bases, the fewest of any player in MLB history, surpassing the previous mark set by Alex Rodriguez (977 games), according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

As Langs notes, Ohtani reached the mark even quicker, as he has technically only actually hit in 928 of his career games, but, being a two-way player, his total of 944 career games reflects those in which he's both pitched and taken at-bats as a hitter.

And while Ohtani did seem a bit relieved to be rid of the home run drought, he was more concerned with the fact that the first of his two homers allowed the Dodgers to get an early jump on the Giants.

"It did feel like I haven't hit a homer in awhile," Ohtani said after the Dodgers' victory. "In terms of the context of the two homers, I think the first one was more significant just being able to score early in the game."

Ohtani, the reigning National League MVP, now owns a .290/.385/.638 slash line with 25 home runs, 41 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 69 games played in 2025.

Kuldeep Yadav achieved his career-best ranking in Tests after taking 12 wickets against West Indies

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2025

Afghanistan wristspinner Rashid Khan has become the No. 1 ranked bowler in ODIs following his team’s 3-0 sweep of Bangladesh this month in Abu Dhabi.Rashid, who was previously No. 1 in November 2024, took 11 wickets in the series at an average of 6.09 and economy rate of 2.73. His performance helped him rise from sixth place, and with 710 ratings points he is 30 ahead of South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj.Full rankings tables

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Ibrahim Zadran, who was the Player of the Series against Bangladesh for top-scoring with 213 runs at an average of 71 in three innings, has moved up eight places to No. 2 in the ODI batting rankings – the best ever by an Afghanistan batter. He has 20 ratings points fewer than Shubman Gill at No. 1 and eight more than Rohit Sharma at No. 3.In the ODI rankings for allrounders, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai reclaimed the top spot from Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza after taking seven wickets – the second-most in the series – and scoring 60 runs in the three ODIs against Bangladesh. He had been ranked No.1 between February and August too.India’s left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav has achieved his career-best ranking among Test bowlers, rising seven places to 14th after finishing the two-match series against West Indies as the top wicket-taker. Kuldeep took 12 wickets at an average of 19.50. India’s opener Yashasvi Jaiswal rose from seventh to fifth after scoring 175 in the first innings of the Delhi Test.

واصل أحد لاعبي برشلونة الغياب عن تدريبات الفريق صباح اليوم، قبل مباراة أتلتيك بلباو غدًا على ملعب الكامب نو في الجولة الثالثة عشر من الدوري الاسباني لكرة القدم.

وقالت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية إن ماركوس راشفورد لم يتدرب مع الفريق صباح اليوم وكان قد غاب أيضاً عن تدريبات يوم الخميس بعد أن حصل على إذن من النادي.

ووصل الدولي الإنجليزي للمدينة الرياضية في برشلونة صباح الجمعة، ولكنه اجتمع مع المدرب الألماني هانز فليك الذي قرر أن يمنحه الإذن مرة أخرى وقد يكون لأمر شخصي.

وعلى الرغم من غياب راشفورد عن تدريبات برشلونة لكن مشاركته ليست مستبعدة ضد أتلتيك بلباو، على الرغم من أنه لم يشارك في المران الجماعي لليوم الثاني على التوالي.

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ومع ذلك فإن ماركوس راشفورد لم يغيب عن تدريبات برشلونة لمشاكل بدنية كما ذكرت بعض وسائل الإعلام.

واستقبل هانز فليك أخبارًا سارة أخرى بعودة ثلاثة لاعبين اليوم السبت، منهم خوان جارسيا ورافينيا الذين انتظر برشلونة عودتهما منذ فترة طويلة وكذلك مارك كاسادو الذي غاب عن لقاء سيلتا فيجو بسبب تعرضه لإصابة في الإحماء.

وسينضم الثلاثي إلى جانب لامين يامال جناح برشلونة الذي سيكون متاحاً أيضاً بعد خضوعه لعلاج بالترددات الراديوية لعلاج مشكلة في الفخد، ولن يتمكن بيدري من المشاركة بعد ومن المتوقع أن يلتحق بالمجموعة يوم الأحد لتقييم حالته البدنية ويستهدف النادي عودته ضد ألافيس أو أتلتيكو مدريد وسيكون من الصعب لحاقه بمواجهة تشيلسي وسيغيب أيضاً فرينكي دي يونج عن مباراة بلباو.

David Miller remains in contention for the 2027 World Cup despite his absence from South Africa’s squad for their ODI series in England, according to captain Temba Bavuma.Miller, 36, has not played international cricket since the Champions Trophy in March and signed a hybrid contract with Cricket South Africa earlier this year. He missed South Africa’s white-ball tour to Australia in August while playing for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred and will not feature in this week’s ODI series, but will return for the three T20Is that start on September 10.Bavuma said that Miller’s involvement in the Hundred – which ended on Saturday night in the Eliminator – effectively precluded him from selection for the ODI series, since he had missed South Africa’s build-up since arriving in Leeds last week. By contrast, five of England’s players only travelled to Headingley on Monday afternoon after playing in Sunday night’s final.Related

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“What I understand is that those communications were done during his contract times, in terms of him being available during this period for the Hundred,” Bavuma said. “Essentially, he wasn’t available for selection – but I stand by correction around that… David’s still within the mix in the ODI stuff, if that answers your question.”The Australia tour would’ve coincided with the Hundred. I guess any international commitments that occurred during the Hundred, David wasn’t available for. Unfortunately, the one-day [series], it clashes: he wasn’t part of our build-up. But then with the T20 stuff, the Hundred is done, he’ll fall back into the team.”While Miller will be 38 by the time of the 2027 World Cup, he has an exceptional ODI record as a middle-order batter, averaging 42.30 and striking at 103.68 after more than 150 innings in the format. He impressed during the Hundred too, scoring 133 runs in five innings and hitting 14 of the 71 balls that he faced for six – including four in 10 balls in Saturday’s Eliminator.South Africa’s squad is otherwise at full strength for the ODI series, although Matthew Breetzke and Kagiso Rabada miss out for Tuesday’s series-opener with niggles. They have also lost Heinrich Klaasen from the group that reached the Champions Trophy semi-finals, following his retirement from international cricket earlier this year.Bavuma said that the wider context for this week’s ODI series is for South Africa to continue their development as a 50-over side ahead of the 2027 World Cup – which they will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia: “That’s the bigger picture… But we’d like to bring ourselves back to here and what we need to do to be successful in England.”

كشفت تقارير صحفية اقتراب المهاجم الدولي الإنجليزي هاري كين، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بايرن ميونخ من الانتقال إلى برشلونة الصيف المقبل.

ويرغب برشلونة في التعاقد مع خليفة البولندي روبرت ليفاندوفسكي الذي ينتهي عقده الصيف المقبل.

ووفقًا لصحيفة”سبورت” فإن هاري كين هو له الأولوية القصوى داخل برشلونة من أجل التعاقد معه الفترة المقبلة ليكون على رأس المشروع الرياضي الجديد للفريق خلال الموسم المقبل.

وذكرت صحيفة “جارديان” أن برشلونة وضع التعاقد مع كين على رأس أولوياته بعد دراسة سوق الانتقالات ومراقبة أدائه هذا الموسم، سيبلغ كين 33 عامًا في يونيو لكنه في قمة مستواه.

كين استطاع أن يسجل هذا الموسم 26 هدفًا ويقدم 4 تمريرات حاسمة في 22 مباراة وإجمالًا مع بايرن ميونخ سجل 108 أهداف في 113 مباراة وهي أرقام مميزة للغاية.

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وأفادت الصحيفة البريطانية أن وضع كين يسمح له بالرحيل هذا الصيف إذ وقع المهاجم بندًا مع بايرن ميونيخ ينص على إمكانية مغادرته النادي الألماني في صيف 2026 في حال تلقيه عرضًا بقيمة 60 مليون يورو.

هذا الشرط الجزائي ثابت وهو سعر مناسب للعديد من الأندية الأوروبية الكبرى، حتى الآن اكتفى كين بالتصريح برغبته في البقاء مع بايرن ولكن بشرط تمديد عقده إذ ينتهي عقده الحالي في عام 2027.

يُذكر أنه حتى الآن لم يبدأ النادي الألماني أي مفاوضات مع مهاجم توتنهام هوتسبير السابق بشأن تجديد عقده، مما أدى إلى شعور كين بأنهم لن يقدموا عرضًا للتجديد.

من جانبها أكدت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية والمقربة من برشلونة أن النادي الكتالوني استفسر عن وضع المهاجم، في الواقع، يدرس وكيل اللاعب الإنجليزي خياراته الصيفية حتى أنه تلقى عرضًا مغريًا من نادي سعودي لكنه طلب وقتًا للتفكير في انتظار أي عرض أوروبي كبير.

وأفادت الصحيفة الإسبانية أنه من المؤكد أن كين سيرحب بمغامرة جديدة في الدوري الإسباني ومع برشلونة بداية من الموسم المقبل، إذ إنه واثق من قدرته على تحقيق رقم قياسي من الأهداف، وستكون هذه خطوة مشابهة لتلك التي اتخذها ليفاندوفسكي قبل بضع سنوات.

Looking to close out the holiday weekend with some MLB winners?

You've come to the right place, as here at SI Betting, we give out a pick for every MLB game in action every day, including the 15-game slate on Sunday, July 7.

The oldest rivalry in baseball closes out this weeked with the New York Yankees hosting the Boston Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball, but before that we have several intriguing matchups to consider betting.

Here's a look at where I'm leaning for all 15 games today.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction and Pick

Simply put, Reynaldo Lopez has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, registering a 1.83 ERA for the Atlanta Braves while leading them to a 10-5 record in his 15 outings.

I have to give him the edge against Philadelphia's Michael Mercado, who is making just the third appearance of his MLB career.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals Prediction and Pick

The Washington Nationals aren't a great team this season, but they do have a key advantage on Sunday with lefty DJ Herz on the bump.

The St. Louis Cardinals are just 29th in MLB in OPS against left-handed pitching, a sign that Washington could get off to a fast start in this game. Plus, Kyle Gibson (3.88 ERA, 4.24 FIP) has been far from lights out in 2024.

I'll take the home underdog to win the series on Sunday.

New York Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction and Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates are starting reliever Luis Ortiz for the second time this season, and that could spell trouble.

Pittsburgh's bullpen is 27th in ERA (4.48) this season, so using an opener may not be as effective as it would like on Sunday.

Plus, New York Mets lefty Sean Manaea has been solid in 2024 with a 3.67 ERA, leading the Mets to a 10-6 record in 16 outings.

Detroit Tigers vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction and Pick

AL Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal gets the ball for Detroit on Sunday, and the Tigers are a must bet when he's on the mound.

Not only has Skubal led the Tigers to an 11-6 record in his starts, but he's posted a 2.45 ERA overall. Meanwhile, Cincinnati Reds starter Graham Ashcraft has a 5.45 ERA in 14 starts, allowing at least three earned runs in eight straight starts.

San Francisco Giants vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction and Pick

I'm taking a shot on the San Francisco Giants and young starter Hayden Birdsong, who is 1-0 through two outings in MLB.

The Cleveland Guardians have struggled with Carlos Carrasco on the mound, going 6-9 in his outings while he's posted a 5.21 ERA.

Chicago White Sox vs. Miami Marlins Prediction and Pick

Chicago is playing better as of late, winning five of its last 10 games, and it may have the edge over the struggling Miami Marlins on Sunday.

Miami is a dreadful 17-31 at home, and it looks to be going with a bullpen game in this matchup. Overall, Miami's 'pen is in the middle of the pack in ERA at 4.04. I don't mind a shot on the underdog in a matchup between two last-place teams.

Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins Prediction and Pick

I love the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, as they'll send Simeon Woods Richardson (3.52 ERA) to the mound against Houston's Spencer Arrighetti (6.13 ERA).

Houston is somehow 7-8 in Arrighetti's outings this season, but he has multiple outings with seven or more earned runs in the past month. I'll gladly take the Twins, who are 10-4 when Woods Richardson takes the mound in 2024.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction and Pick

Chicago Cubs youngster Hayden Wesneski recently returned to the rotation, and it hasn't gone well, as he's allowed eight runs in two starts (9.0 innings of work) while the Cubs have gone 0-2.

I think that will move to 0-3 on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, who have Jose Soriano (3.77 ERA) on the bump.

The Cubbies are in last place in the NL Central, and I'm far from sold on their offense — 23rd in MLB in OPS. The underdog is worth a shot on Sunday.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers Prediction and Pick

Can the Texas Rangers win a third straight?

I'm willing to take a shot on them at home with Nathan Eovaldi (3.15 ERA) on the mound fresh off of seven scoreless innings in his first start of July.

Rays starter Zack Littell has been solid in 2024, but his ERA is much higher on the road (4.46) than it is at home (3.57). He's a fade candidate in this one.

Kansas City Royals vs. Colorado Rockies Prediction and Pick

Colorado Rockies starter Tanner Gordon is making his MLB debut on Sunday, but I don't think Colorado is going to pull off the win.

Brady Singer is on the bump for the Kansas City Royals, and he's been great in 2024, posting a 3.05 ERA and leading the Royals to a 10-7 record in his 17 starts. Trust the playoff-hopeful Royals to earn the win in this one.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Oakland A's Prediction and Pick

It's been pretty clear this season that Baltimore is a far better team than the lowly Oakland A's, but today's starting pitching matchup furthers that case.

The Orioles are 11-4 when Grayson Rodriguez is on the mound in 2024, while the A's are just 2-7 in Mitch Spence's nine starts since he joined the rotation. I'll lay the juice with the O's on Sunday.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction and Pick

Milwaukee Brewers veteran Dallas Keuchel is in trouble on Sunday against a Los Angeles Dodgers offense that is No. 1 in MLB in OPS against left-handed pitching.

Keuchel has been in and out of the league the past few seasons, and he has a 6.75 ERA in two starts in 2024. I can't back him against one of baseball's best offenses on Sunday.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Prediction and Pick

Is this a bounce-back spot for Dylan Cease, who allowed six runs in his last start for the San Diego Padres?

I think so, as he'll take on Arizona Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson (5.42 ERA), who was rocked by the Padres in his last outing against them, giving up six runs in 3.1 innings.

Cease (4.24 ERA) has a 3.28 FIP this season, a sign he's due for some positive regression.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners Prediction and Pick

Seattle has been money at home this season (30-17), and it should tee off on Jose Berrios, who is due for some regression with a 5.07 FIP compared to his 3.63 ERA.

Plus, I love backing Mariners starter George Kirby, who has allowed two or fewer earned runs in six straight starts since the beginning of June, lowering his ERA to 3.32.

Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Prediction and Pick

The Yankees bounced back from a bad loss on Friday night, scoring 14 runs on Saturday to beat Boston and even this three-game set, but can they pull off a win on Sunday Night Baseball?

I'm not sold on it, especially with the struggling Luis Gil on the mound. The rookie had been lights out through the first 2.5 months of the season, but his ERA has ballooned from 1.82 on June 4 to 3.41 heading into this start.

He did allow just one run over five frames in his last start against Boston, but Gil's lack of command as of late is something to worry about for Yankee fans. He's allowed 13 walks in his last four starts, giving him very little margin for error — especially against an offense like Boston's.

With New York struggling over its last 20 games, I'll take Boston as a short underdog to win the series.

تحدث النجم الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي، قائد الفريق الأول 0لكرة القدم بنادي إنتر ميامي عن اعتزال الثنائي سيرجيو بوسكيتس وجوردي ألبا الموسم الحالي.

وكان سيرجيو بوسكيتس، لاعب إنتر ميامي قد أعلن نيته اعتزال كرة القدم رسميًا في نهاية الموسم الحالي 2025/2026.

وكان صاحب الـ37 عامًا قد صعد للفريق الأول في برشلونة عام 2008 تحت قيادة بيب جوارديولا في عمر الـ 20 وأصبح لاعبًا أساسيًا في جيل قاده الأسطورة ليونيل ميسي وسيطر على عالم كرة القدم في هذا الوقت.

أما جوردي ألبا، فقد أعلن في وقت سابق قرار اعتزاله كرة القدم نهائيًا بنهاية الموسم الجاري، ونشر مقطع فيديو مطول عبر حسابه الرسمي على “إنستجرام”.

وتناول ميسي إعلان اعتزال سيرجيو بوسكيتس وجوردي ألبا بعد فترة أسطورية قضاها الثنائي معًا في نادي برشلونة، وفترة لعبهما مع الفريق الأمريكي أيضًا.

وقال ميسي في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “بصراحة، الأمر صعب للغاية، أولًا لأنك ترى أنك جعلت حياتك المهنية بأكملها لكرة القدم، وأن من حولك بدأوا بالرحيل، وتدرك أن وقتك سيأتي قريبًا لا محالة”.

كان ليونيل ميسي قد راوغ عند سؤاله هل سيشارك في كأس العالم 2026 المقبل رفقة منتخب الأرجنتين أم لا (لمزيد من التفاصيل اضغط هنا).

وأكمل: “لطالما كانت علاقتنا داخل الملعب وخارجه جيدة للغاية، كنا قريبين جدًا وتشاركنا الكثير من اللحظات ليس في الملعب فقط بل أيضًا مع عائلاتنا”.

وأتم: “فقدان الأصدقاء يعتبر خسارة كبيرة داخل الملعب وخارجه وبالطبع هذه أيضًا أوقات عصيبة بالنسبة لهم، لأنه ليس سهلًا أبدًا على أي فرد أن يترك شيئًا أحبه وعاش من أجله”.

After watching on as they failed to secure victory on the European stage once again, former player Chris Sutton revealed why he feels sorry for one Celtic player.

Rodgers: Celtic need to have some "realism"

For a brief moment, Celtic were on their way in Belgrade after Kelechi Iheanacho found the back of the net once again just before the hour mark. But any momentum proved to be short-lived, with Marko Arnautovic finding a swift equaliser just 10 minutes later to leave both sides holding onto a point apiece to open their Europa League campaigns.

Whilst a draw will have frustrated many, Brendan Rodgers called for “realism” in his post-match reaction. The Celtic boss told reporters: “I think there needs to be a bit of realism.

“We are where we are. Tonight is a good point. You’re not going to win all eight games, so a bit of realism. This is a good point for this squad coming here. We’ve now got two really [important] home games to push forward.”

Related Worse than Maeda: Rodgers must drop Celtic star who lost the ball 13x

Celtic endured a night of mixed fortunes away in Belgrade on Wednesday evening…

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Rodgers did at least save some praise for 19-year-old fullback Colby Donovan following another excellent display, saying: “I thought he was absolutely outstanding. I said to the players after, I thought he was incredible for a young player making his fourth or fifth start for us. To play to that level in such a tough stadium [and he’s] just turned 19, he’s got personality.”

The same can’t be said for others in Celtic squad, however, and questions will be asked of a number of senior stars, which is likely to include one player that Sutton feels sorry for at the moment.

Sutton: Maeda being "shoehorned" by Rodgers

Taking to X when the Japanese forward was taken off, Sutton revealed that he believes Maeda is being “shoehorned” by Rodgers despite being such a “revelation” for the Bhoys last season.

The former Celtic Park star said: “Maeda off… if he’s not injured I feel for him. A guy who was a revelation playing wide shoehorned into playing a position he’s not comfortable in… surely playing him off the right would be better. 33 goals last season… a bit of a pickle Celtic are in…”

Maeda 25/26

Stats

Games

10

Goals

2

Assists

2

It’s hard to disagree with Sutton’s verdict. From scoring 33 goals last season, Maeda has netted just two in 10 games in the current campaign in a record that will catch up to him as Iheanacho continues his bright start.

Having already lost so much firepower in the summer when Nicolas Kuhn completed a move to Como 1907, the last thing that Celtic need is for Maeda to drop out of form entirely.

They’ve struggled for goals without the forward at his best on the European stage and will be well aware of the damage that could still be done in the Scottish Premiership.