Tag Futebol

Granit Xhaka is now officially a Sunderland player.

It had been the talk of the town on Wearside for some time, with the deal having a will he won’t he quality to it, but the Black Cats have managed to successfully pull off the statement move by securing the former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder’s services for £17m.

Well-versed in what it takes to be a success in the Premier League, too, this really does feel like a coup on the end of the Black Cats to land such a recognised top-flight performer.

They aren’t done here, however, when it comes to raiding the Bundesliga for some exciting talents, as another midfielder remains on their shopping list from Germany.

Sunderland in race to sign £26m sensation

The Premier League newcomers have been casting their net all across Europe this summer to date, with Habib Diarra joining Regis Le Bris’ camp from Strasbourg for a whopping £30m, on top of Noah Sadiki leaving Belgium behind for the challenge of the English game.

Up next, it looks as if Sunderland are going to win themselves a brand-new goalkeeper from the Netherlands, with reports suggesting that NEC Nijmegen stopper Robin Roefs will link up with Xhaka and Co. very soon for around the £11.5m mark.

Then, their attentions might well shift back to Leverkusen, with journalist Julien Laurens revealing via X that Le Bris’ side have now entered the race for Amine Adli’s signature, alongside fellow top-flight outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It would reportedly cost the Black Cats in the region of £26m to land Adli, who is also believed to be prioritising a move to England, over sticking it out at Erik ten Hag’s men.

Over time, Adli could even go on to establish himself as a bigger talent than Simon Adingra at the Stadium of Light, as Le Bris’ options down either flank grow more plentiful by the day.

How Adli could become a bigger talent than Adingra

Adingra is up and running in Sunderland red and white, having fired home a strike against Hull City last time out in a pre-season runout.

The expectation will be that he can instantly take the Premier League by storm after gaining these valuable minutes in pre-season, having already tallied up eight strikes in the relentless division from 60 outings for ex-employers Brighton and Hove Albion.

However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the 23-year-old on the South Coast, with Adingra only averaging 40 minutes of Premier League action on average last season, as he tumbled down the pecking order under Fabian Hurzeler.

Whilst Adli has also suffered from minimal first-team opportunities at the BayArena – with only six Bundesliga starts coming his way last campaign – his numbers have never really stalled, as the English top-flight now opens up as a daring next step for the Moroccan forward.

24/25

28

2

2

23/24

42

10

12

22/23

38

7

6

21/22

34

4

4

Despite Xabi Alonso utilising him far less last season, Adli would still manage to reach the same number of goals and assists Adingra registered at Brighton in one fewer clash, on top of also boasting 47 goal contributions full stop for Leverkusen from 142 contests. Adingra, on the contrary, only collected 17 for the Seagulls, albeit from 68 fewer clashes.

Therefore, with that wealth of experience on his side, which has also seen him tally up four goals and four assists in the Europa League previously, the “electric” winger – as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – could well get the starting nudge by Le Bris to line up down the left over the Ivorian.

Once also lauded for possessing an “outstanding” pass by ex-Leverkusen teammate Mousa Diaby, Adli could further be the spark that gets more out of the Sunderland bodies around him, as his new potential side attempts to make survival look comfortable, as opposed to an all-consuming chore.

Le Bris' next Rigg: Sunderland strongly pursuing £38m “soldier” after Xhaka

Sunderland could sign their second coming of Chris Rigg by snapping up this exciting youngster.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 29, 2025

Here’s all we know about the players who are set to be retained by their respective franchises

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-202410:37

Who will RCB retain apart from Kohli?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)MS Dhoni is one of five players set to be retained by CSK, along with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube and Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana. The amounts CSK are paying to each retained player is yet to be confirmed but they will lose at least INR 65 crore from their overall purse of INR 120 crore.
Gujarat Titans (GT)Gujarat Titans are likely to retain Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan, leaving them with one right-to-match card (RTM) option at the upcoming IPL mega auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)The franchise is set to retain Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy. Their 2024 title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer and star allrounder Andre Russell are unlikely to be retained.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi, along with the uncapped pair of Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni, are set to be retained by LSG for IPL 2025. KL Rahul, who has led the franchise since its inception in 2022, is unlikely to be retained.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Sandeep Sharma are the four players set to be retained by Rajasthan Royals. ESPNcricinfo has learned that England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler and India legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal are not part of the retention list.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)South Africa power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen is set to be the top retention for SRH and will get INR 23 crore (US$ 2.74 million approx.) as the first retained player. Pat Cummins, who was SRH captain in 2024, is set to be retained at INR 18 crore (US$ 2.14 million approx.), and India allrounder Abhishek Sharma at INR 14 crore (US$ 1.67 million approx). Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy are also set to be retained as their final two capped retained players ahead of the auction.
Delhi Capitals (DC)Rishabh Pant is all set to go into the auction after not being retained by DC. ESPNcricinfo has learned that talks between DC’s ownership group and Pant failed after stretching over the past few months and Wednesday. The franchise has retained four players: the spin pair of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, South Africa batter Tristan Stubbs and uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)Punjab Kings are likely to retain only two uncapped players – batters Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh – from their IPL 2024 squad. They will go into the upcoming mega auction with the largest purse, likely in excess of INR 100 crore, and also have four right-to-match options which can be used to buy back their players.
Mumbai Indians (MI)Mumbai Indians are set to retain their four major Indian players – Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav – along with Tilak Varma ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.With those five capped players retained, MI can use their one right-to-match option only on an uncapped player at the auction. While the individual amounts for each of their retained player is yet to be ascertained, MI will lose at least INR 75 crore from their purse of INR 120 crore, or more if they have paid a higher aggregate amount to the five.

Leeds United have now “fully approved” the signing of an “explosive” attacking player this summer, according to a key update from journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

Leeds submit enquiry to ramp up attacking signings

The Whites are still working hard on potential incoming transfer business, with the opening weekend of the new Premier League season edging closer all the time.

Feyenoord forward Igor Paixao has emerged as a priority target in the past month or so, with Leeds said to have submitted an enquiry regarding the signing of the 25-year-old. Talks have now also taken place over a summer switch to Elland Road for the £34m-rated ace.

Elsewhere, Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens has been linked with a move to the Whites this summer, being seen as an alternative option to Lucas Perri, as they look to bring in an upgrade on the mistake-prone Illan Meslier.

Former Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff has already completed his move to Leeds, and Hoffenheim’s Anton Stach has been backed to join him in the middle of the park, too.

Leeds have "fully approved" Paixao signing

Now, according to Tavolieri on X, Leeds are closer to completing the signing of Paixao than ever, with his switch to Elland Road now “fully approved” by 49ers Enterprises.

At this point, it would be a big surprise if Paixao wasn’t a Whites player come the beginning of the 2025/26 season, with significant progress made with this latest update.

The Brazilian has the ability to be such an influential signing for Leeds, bringing quality and threat in the final third, having bagged 26 goal contributions (16 goals and 10 assists) in 34 Eredivisie appearances last season.

The next Ampadu: Leeds accelerating move to sign £100k-p/w "creative force"

Leeds are still on the hunt for signings this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Jul 18, 2025

While at his best on the left wing, Paixao is also a strong option on the right flank and in a central attacking role, making him a versatile option, and scout Jacek Kulig has hailed him as an “explosive” talent, likening him to a younger Raheem Sterling.

Paixao is at the perfect point in his career to hit the ground running at Leeds, possessing plenty of experience but also being young enough to improve further.

If he can take his Eredivisie form with him to the Premier League, it would go a long way to helping the Whites avoid relegation back to the Championship.

Career-best 97 is ample to see off challenge despite Wilson’s 42

ECB Reporters Network16-Jun-2024

England hopeful Hollie Armitage hit a fabulous 97 off 64 balls – the highest score in this season’s Charlotte Edwards Cup – as the Northern Diamonds beat Western Storm by 28 runs in a dead-rubber clash at Headingley.A penultimate round group fixture between two regions with only a win apiece in this season’s T20 competition saw the hosts post 146 for three and defend it comfortably.Former England batter Fran Wilson top-scored with 42 in Storm’s 118 for seven, but Scotland international Rachel Slater, Sophia Turner and Katie Levick all impressed with two wickets.Armitage hit 14 fours and two sixes in a career-best score in all T20 cricket. She dominated a 97 opening partnership inside 12 overs with Emma Marlow, who contributed only nine.This game was watched by a number of former Yorkshire players who had been invited by the club as part of their ongoing Celebration of Women’s sport.England legend Katherine Sciver-Brunt, handed an OBE on Friday in the King’s Birthday Honours list, was one.The Diamonds innings was, in truth, all about Armitage, who drove the first ball of the match – from Issy Wong – to the cover boundary, her first of 10 in a 30-ball fifty.The England fringe all-rounder took advantage of a true Headingley surface to pile the pressure on the Storm, especially their seamer Ellie Anderson, who she hit for five fours in the fifth over.When Armitage reached her fifty in the sixth, Diamonds were 56 without loss, and opening partner Emma Marlow basically had the best spectator’s seat in the house.Marlow only contributed five off 11 balls to a 10-over score of 90 without loss, of which her skipper had 82.Marlow fell caught behind for nine off a top-edge against Sophia Smale’s left-arm spin in the 12th over.Armitage raced into the nineties. But, as she got closer to a maiden T20 century, rain started to fall.Whether it contributed to her dismissal – caught and bowled off Chloe Skelton’s off-spin, at 124 for two in the 16th over – remains to be seen.She may have been concerned that the heavens were going to open to deny her, hence shimmying down the pitch and miscueing a return catch.And that was the start of an impressive Storm recovery in the last 10 overs, with loanee quick Wong bowling Sterre Kalis for 22 as Diamonds didn’t make the most of Armitage’s good work.Smale and Wong returned one for 23 from their respective four overs. But it wasn’t enough.Just as Storm were under early fire with ball in hand, they were with the bat too.Left-arm seamer Slater had Dani Gibson caught behind with the first ball of the chase before uprooting Nat Wraith’s middle stump with a sumptuous in-swinging yorker to leave the Storm at one for two after one over.Again, they recovered, with opener Emma Corney and Wilson sharing 50 for the third wicket. But the former holed out for 17 to long-on off Turner’s seam at a crucial juncture – 51 for three in the ninth.From there, Storm just couldn’t get going quickly enough.Miserly Scottish off-spinner Katherine Fraser had Wilson caught at long-on, leaving the score at 80 for four after 14 overs.Leg-spinner Levick removed captain Sophie Luff stumped in the next over, and Diamonds were all but home and hosed. Turner and Levick, the latter defending 33 off the last over, both struck again.

Have you ever seen an end to the season like this? For Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side, it was more stressful than they ever hoped for.

After being sent out of the Champions League by PSG, they have been left to bemoan a run of awful results in the Premier League, putting their hopes of qualifying for a place at Europe’s top table next season in danger.

The 4-0 win over Ipswich Town aside, the Gunners have not picked up all three points in the top-flight since the very first day of April when they defeated Fulham.

So, their 1-0 win over Newcastle United, their top four rivals on Sunday, was rather timely. While Arteta’s side haven’t sewn up second place just yet, they have confirmed their participation in next season’s Champions League.

Behind them, there’s an almighty battle taking shape to finish inside the top five. Thankfully, Arsenal can go to Southampton next weekend with nothing riding on it.

So, who stood out in the new red home strip on Sunday?

How Arsenal beat Newcastle United at the Emirates

When Alexander Isak, William Saliba’s nemesis, was not named on the Newcastle teamsheet due to injury, Arsenal knew they were in for an easier ride.

Chalkboard

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

Yet, during the first half, they had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping them in the game.

This certainly wasn’t a straightforward win, particularly for those at the back who worked tirelessly to preserve the club’s clean sheet.

While Raya’s passing was rather errant inside the opening half, he made up for it with a string of superb saves, the two most notable of which saw him the Spaniard sprawl down low to his left to deny Harvey Barnes and then again to his left to keep out Dan Burn’s header from a corner.

Handed the Player of the Match award by Sky Sports after the game, Raya certainly proved why he’s one of the division’s best stoppers.

That being said, it wasn’t Raya who had the most decisive of says. That was Declan Rice who with a swish effort from outside the box, gave Arsenal the win.

It was a peach of a goal from a man who is only going from strength to strength in the final third. He is the Granit Xhaka replacement everyone at the Emirates hoped they’d find.

Raya and Rice were certainly the best players in Arsenal red and will play a crucial part in rebuilding next season. That said, there are some who won’t be around to see the stadium again as a home player.

The players who featured in their last home game for Arsenal

The raucous reception that Kieran Tierney was given as a late second-half substitute was joyous. The Scot has had an injury-hit time in north London and this was sadly the last we will get to see of him as an Arsenal player at home.

The left-back’s contract is expiring at the conclusion of the campaign and it’s widely expected that he’ll head back to Celtic, the side who sold him for £25m.

Also likely playing their last home game was Jorginho. Another of Arsenal’s out-of-contract stars, it looks as though he’ll be going off to end his playing days in Brazil.

Jorginho’s fellow midfielder in Thomas Partey would also be fortunate to be back at the Emirates next season.

The £45m signing from Atletico Madrid has had his days in the famous red and white but Arsenal need fresh blood, and that was certainly evident against Newcastle.

Partey’s day certainly wasn’t disastrous, but it was a shoddy display nonetheless, with the Standard handing him a 5/10 match rating, writing that he was ‘one of Arsenal’s sloppiest players during a poor first half and he was caught in possession a few times’. Meanwhile, one content creator and podcaster, Le Grove, even suggested it looked like the midfielder “was already on the beach.”

His numbers certainly weren’t the finest either, chiefly losing four of his five battles in the air.

The 31-year-old is usually a monster in the duel but his lack of pace and athleticism in the transitional phases of the game is becoming a concern.

He’s quick to get the ball out of his feat but he lacks the drive to get forward and then doesn’t have the speed required to track back if Arsenal get done in the press. He’s the polar opposite to Rice in that regard.

As a result, with Partey’s contract due to expire in a few months, now is surely the time to sever ties with a player who isn’t going to get any better.

There is a reason the club plans to sign Martin Zubimendi this summer. Let him be Rice’s partner next season, please Mikel.

Arsenal could see £59m bid accepted for "monster" upgrade on Sesko

Arsenal have been handed the chance to sign an upgrade on Benjamin Sesko.

By
Matt Dawson

May 18, 2025

In an attempt to weaken their top-five rivals, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly readying a big transfer play to sign a Manchester City star who’s not short on potential suitors.

Leicester clash now a must-win for Nottingham Forest

After one win in their last five Premier League games, Nottingham Forest are in danger of derailing their season at the worst moment possible, with just three games remaining to claim Champions League qualification.

A 1-1 draw against Brentford last time out at least ensured that they avoided three consecutive defeats in all competitions, but Nuno Espirito Santo will be well aware how important victory against Leicester City is this weekend.

The Nottingham Forest manager told reporters in his pre-match press conference: “We are always aware of the quality of our opposition, and this is the responsibility of the players no matter what situation the team is in.

“Both sets of players are going to give their all, and as long as we are the better team, we should be proud. We expect a tough match and it’s an East Midlands derby and it means a lot for all of us at the club.

Related Nottingham Forest believe they can sign "exceptional" £50m star this summer

The Tricky Trees are keen to sanction reinforcements.

Posts BySean Markus Clifford May 10, 2025

“Looking back at our last game, we insist we have to be more clinical, improve on set pieces, create more and defend properly. Everything we have done during the week we have to bring to the game. This is what we have to evaluate if we’re going to the fundamentals that we want to.”

What Champions League qualification would do for Nottingham Forest in the transfer window this summer cannot be overstated, especially as they reportedly go in pursuit of signing one particular Manchester City midfielder.

Nottingham Forest readying McAtee move

According to The Boot Room, Nottingham Forest are now readying a big transfer play to sign James McAtee from Manchester City this summer. The midfielder is reportedly keen to leave the Etihad in pursuit of a starting place elsewhere, opening the door for those at the City Ground to make their move.

That said, Forest aren’t alone in the race for his signature. Reports have also revealed that the likes of Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in the City graduate and see him as an ideal player to replace Florian Wirtz.

Of course, the advantage that the Bundesliga club have is that Manchester City are one of the reported clubs chasing a deal to sign Wirtz this summer.

Described as “talented” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, McAtee is likely to have a decision to make when the summer transfer window arrives. However, whether that ends with a move to Nottingham Forest remains to be seen.

Manchester United are now eyeing a shock move to sign an “unbeatable” goalkeeper for a bargain £17m fee in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Man Utd drawing up goalkeeper shortlist

Andre Onana has put in some very disappointing performances as of late, with his late blunder against Lyon last Thursday night costing his side a crucial away win in the Europa League quarter-final, and Man United have now started to draw up a list of replacements.

FC Porto’s Diogo Costa has been named as a leading candidate to replace Onana, but with the Portugal international protected by a £64m release clause in his contract, the Red Devils will have to pay a hefty sum if they are to get a deal over the line.

As such, United could look at some cheaper alternatives, and they have also joined the race for Angers shot-stopper Yahia Fofana, who is attracting widespread interest from the Premier League, having put in some impressive performances in Ligue 1 this season.

Related Offer made: Man Utd now lead rivals in race for "incredible" £30m striker

There has been a positive development in Man United’s pursuit of a forward…

Posts ByDominic Lund Apr 16, 2025

Fofana may cost just £15m this summer, making the Ivory Coast international an affordable option, and the same applies to Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, with Man United now interested in a shock move for their former academy player, who spent 18 months in the acadmey between 2014 and 2016.

That is according to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), which states Milinkovic-Savic has a release clause of just €20m (£17m), which is set to become active at the end of July.

Torino owner Urbano Cairo is eager to receive the full amount, but United believe the goalkeeper’s value is around €12m (£10m), so the two clubs may still be some way apart, and there could be competition for his signature from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

"Unbeatable" Milinkovic-Savic impressing in Italy

The 28-year-old is enjoying a very impressive campaign in the Serie A, having been lauded as “unbeatable” for his record of saving penalties, while he has also looked very solid in general play.

The Serbian ranks extremely highly on a number of key metrics for goalkeepers over the past year, and he places in the top 2% for touches per 90, indicating he is composed in possession of the ball, which may be of key significance to Ruben Amorim.

Statistic

Average per 90

Save percentage

78.7% (95th percentile)

Goals against

1.06 (83rd percentile)

Touches

48.0 (98th percentile)

Save percentage (penalties)

57.1% (92nd percentile)

Amorim has confirmed that Onana will start for United against Lyon in the crucial Europa League encounter on Thursday evening, but the Cameroonian could be running out of chances, having been dropped for Altay Bayindir against Newcastle United last weekend.

Should the former Inter Milan man fail to make major improvements between now and the end of the season, it seems likely Amorim will bring in a replacement, having identified a number of targets, and Milinkovic-Savic has proven he could be a fantastic choice.

Liverpool turned a corner at the weekend, professionally defeating West Ham United at the London Stadium to arrest the shocking slump that has sent Arne Slot’s project into a spin.

However, it’s important for those of a Red persuasion not to get too excited. West Ham are hardly in good form, teetering on the edge of the Premier League relegation zone.

But there were some positives to be taken after that industrious win. Particularly, Liverpool looked sharp in attack, with Alexander Isak netting his first league goal for the Reds and Cody Gakpo notching a goal and an assist. Florian Wirtz sparkled in his creative role.

There has been talk of FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes dipping into the transfer market for a new forward in January, but if anything, the win over the Hammers and Liverpool’s abject form highlight a different area that needs attention.

Liverpool's winter transfer plans

It’s clear that Liverpool need a centre-back. Top sources have also linked the Premier League champions to prolific Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause valid from January.

However, the centre of the park appears to have been overlooked. Certainly, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have not formed a convincing partnership this season, and a tough-tackling and dynamic option could be worthwhile for a Liverpool side looking to bounce back.

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are expected to table a €60m (£53m at current exchange rates) bid for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, with the French midfielder no longer considered untouchable at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It’s understood that Los Blancos have held informal discussions about the 23-year-old’s future after an injury-affected few years, but Camavinga is one of the best in the business, and Liverpool could hit the jackpot by signing him for a comparatively affordable fee.

Why Liverpool want Eduardo Camavinga

Camavinga has been at Real Madrid for most of his professional career, having left France and Rennes and joined the Spanish giants in a €40m (£34m) package back in 2021.

He’s won the full gamut, and, on an individual level, been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as “a real war machine in midfield”. One of the sternest criticisms Slot’s side have faced pertains to their lack of physicality and bite in midfield this season, outduelled in most of their defeats – and there have been a whole host of losses.

Camavinga would fix that, settling into the six berth. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 12% for successful take-ons, and the top 1% for tackles won per 90, emphasising his ball-playing quality and the gritty defensive acumen that would stabilise Slot’s sinking system.

Looking at those metrics – and more – in a different format, see how Camavinga could add more defensive solidity to the engine room when assessing his data against that of Mac Allister, whose form has plummeted this season.

Goals

0.11

0.18

Assists

0.11

0.20

Touches

76.18

63.79

Pass completion (%)

90.8

83.3

Shot-creating actions

2.44

3.80

Progressive passes

4.76

5.76

Progressive carries

1.93

1.46

Successful take-ons

1.13

0.67

Recoveries

5.72

4.65

Tackles won

2.72

1.46

Interceptions

1.25

0.91

Aerials won

1.30

0.56

But those metrics are taking across a year-long stretch, and the Argentine was among the creme-de-la-creme last year as Slot’s Reds romped their way to the title.

Semenyo might be a stellar addition to a Liverpool side who opted against a direct Luis Diaz replacement this summer, but Gakpo has held down the fort measurably well, and Rio Ngumoha, 17, was entrusted with a regular first-team role after an impressive emergence season.

Real Madrid are in a state of upheaval right now, and signing a player of Camavinga’s ilk for a decent figure won’t come around too often. Wataru Endo is scarcely used by Slot and Gravenberch and Mac Allister need proper competition.

Should Liverpool instil some French flair into their midfield in the form of Camainga, they would be sure to level up, adding the joie de vivre that has been lacking this term, and a tough-tackling presence that would ease the defence’s burden and free up the forwards to reach new heights.

Gakpo upgrade: Liverpool open surprise talks to sign "magic" £70m PL star

Liverpool are planning to strengthen their flanks after a tough start to the season.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 1, 2025

Fifties from Bens Compton and Dawkins provide platform before home side stumble

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Sep-2025Lancashire bowled Kent out for 293 on day one of their Rothesay County Championship match at Canterbury, before reaching 19 for 0 at stumps, to trail by 274.Ben Compton hit 77 and Ben Dawkins 60 but Kent lurched from 217 for 2 to 274 for 5, before the next four wickets fell for four runs. Mitch Stanley took 5 for 80 and Tom Hartley 3 for 68, although the bowling was marred by 37 extras, including 26 no-balls.Luke Wells and Keaton Jennings then survived eight overs to reach stumps on 3 and 10 respectively.James Anderson travelled with Lancashire but was left out of the starting XI, while Kent handed a first-class debut to Mo Rizvi and Michael Cohen made his first red-ball appearance for the hosts.Stanley struck in the sixth over to get Jaydn Denly caught behind for 8, but it was an otherwise joyless morning for Lancashire, with Kent reaching 122 for 1 at lunch.Dawkins crunched Stanley through point to bring up his maiden first-class fifty and Compton then eased to the same milestone with two off the same bowler.When Stanley then appealed for caught behind against Dawkins, for a delivery that seemed to flick his shirt, it was turned down, to a chorus of catcalls from the Nackington Road Grumblers, although Dawkins soon perished when he flicked Stanley to Michael Jones at midwicket, ending a stand of 136.Tawanda Muyeye, out for a golden duck in the Vitality Blast quarter-final between these two sides on Saturday, cracked Tom Hartley back over his head for six and even Compton charged down the wicket on a couple of occasions but their partnership was interrupted when they collided with such force while attempting a second run that Muyeye’s helmet flew off.Compton stayed down in the middle, while Muyeye staggered to his feet before collapsing after making his ground. The ball was ruled dead in accordance with the ECB’s concussion guidelines and both batters needed treatment. After an 11-minute delay both were able to continue.Muyeye was then hit on the upper arm and dropped by Matty Hurst off Stanley when he was on 29, but any doubts about how well he was seeing it were banished when he dumped Hartley for six over midwicket.He then produced an outstanding upper cut to hit Stanley for six over point, only to play on to Hartley in the next over, bowled for 48.From here on, everything went south for the hosts. Stanley had Compton caught behind and Hartley bowled Ekansh Singh for 4, leaving Kent on 248 for 5 at tea.Harry Finch and Joey Evison seemed to have stabilised things until three wickets fell in seven deliveries. Finch was unlucky to be given caught behind to Wells and Rizvi lasted just two balls before he chopped on to the same bowler. Hartley then had Evison caught at first slip for 22.Stanley finished Kent off, bowling Matt Quinn for 1 with the new ball and getting Matt Parkinson caught behind for 12.The closest Kent came to a wicket was when Corey Flintoff, on as sub for Muyeye, missed a difficult chance to catch Wells off Evison in the final over.

A look at a few iconic matches between these two much-loved teams in the IPL

Omkar Mankame21-Mar-2025Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) met in the first ever IPL match. Seventeen years later, they meet in the season opener for the first time since. Here is a look at some of the iconic matches between these two much-loved teams.2008, Match 1, BengaluruKKR won by 140 runsThe IPL couldn’t have asked for a better launchpad. On the tournament’s opening night, Brendon McCullum lit up the league with an electrifying 158 not out. His onslaught powered KKR to a towering 222 for 3, leaving RCB shell-shocked. The chase never took off, as RCB crumbled for 82, handing KKR a resounding 140-run victory.2009, Match 41, CenturionRCB won by six wicketsNow leading KKR, McCullum delivered another statement at the top, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 84 to set RCB a target of 174. The chase looked wobbly at 74 for 3 in 11 overs, but Ross Taylor had other ideas. Capitalising on some erratic death bowling, he tore into the KKR seamers, smashing an unbeaten 81 off just 33 balls to power RCB home with four deliveries to spare.Ross Taylor and Mark Boucher embrace after sealing a tense six-wicket win•Associated Press2013, Match 12, BengaluruRCB won by eight wicketsThe contest itself was a no contest, as Chris Gayle steamrolled his way to an unbeaten 85 in a chase of 155. But what made headlines was the fiery exchange between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. After Kohli sliced a catch to deep point, Gambhir did not hold back with his celebrations. Words were exchanged, tempers flared, and the two had a go at each other before their former Delhi team-mate Rajat Bhatia stepped in to defuse the tension.2016, Match 30, BengaluruKKR won by five wicketsKKR had RCB on a leash for 17 overs, only for a late flourish to push the home side to 185. In response, KKR struggled to keep pace, slipping to a position where they needed 93 off the last seven overs. Enter Andre Russell and Yusuf Pathan. The duo turned the game on its head, with Pathan taking apart Shane Watson in the 17th over, plundering 24 runs to shift the momentum. His unbeaten 60 off 29 balls sealed a dramatic win for KKR, capping off a stunning comeback.Related

• An IPL soaked in soap-opera intrigue

• Chetan Sakariya replaces the injured Umran Malik at KKR

• KKR trust in continuity in bid to defend 2024 title

• RCB hope 18 is the charm as hunt for IPL glory continues

2017, Match 27, KolkataKKR won by 82 runsAt the halfway mark, KKR were at least 50 runs short. Sunil Narine’s blistering 17-ball 34 had given them a quick start at 65 for 1 in the powerplay, but they still stumbled to 131 all out. What followed, however, was historic. The most star-studded batting line-up in T20 cricket crumbled in a heap – RCB skittled for a mere 49, still the lowest total in IPL history. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes, and Colin de Grandhomme shared three wickets apiece as not a single RCB batter reached double digits.2017, Match 46, BengaluruKKR won by six wicketsIn the return fixture, KKR turned the tables with the bat. RCB’s superstar trio of Gayle, Kohli, and AB de Villiers managed just 15 runs between them, but Mandeep Singh’s 52 and Travis Head’s unbeaten 75 lifted them to a modest 158. That total looked woefully inadequate once Narine and Chris Lynn unleashed mayhem. The duo blasted 105 runs in the powerplay, with Narine smashing the fastest IPL fifty at the time – off just 15 balls. KKR barely broke a sweat in a commanding victory.Andre Russell goes big•BCCI2019, Match 17, BengaluruKKR won by five wicketsDesperate to snap a four-match losing streak, RCB seemed on course for a much-needed win, having set KKR a daunting 206 and leaving them needing 66 off the last four overs. Kohli and de Villiers had struck fluent half-centuries, and it was now up to the bowlers to keep Russell quiet. But Dre Russ had other plans. In yet another display of brute force, he hammered an unbeaten 48 off just 13 balls, making a mockery of the chase as KKR stormed home with five deliveries to spare.2024, Match 36, KolkataKKR won by one runMitchell Starc had 20 runs to defend off the final over against Karn Sharma – and it almost wasn’t enough. Karn smashed three sixes in the first four balls to bring RCB to the brink. But his dismissal on the fifth ball, followed by Lockie Ferguson’s run-out while pushing for a second, sealed a dramatic one-run win for KKR in a game that saw over 440 runs in 40 overs. Earlier, RCB seemed on course in their chase of 223 before Russell’s double strike in the 12th over halted their momentum, setting up a thrilling finish.