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KKR’s new captain also says his deputy Venkatesh Iyer “deserves” his hefty auction price tag, as the franchise gears up to defend their title

Sreshth Shah13-Mar-20255:11

Chopra: Rahane could face ‘captain-batter conflict’

It was only three months ago that Chandrakant Pandit and Venkatesh Iyer were sitting in the Madhya Pradesh camp plotting against Ajinkya Rahane and his Mumbai team before the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. Now, as IPL 2025 approaches, the three are on the same side with a common goal: crafting a winning formula for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).With six key players retained and several familiar faces re-signed at the auction, KKR have kept the core of their title-winning squad, ready to take on the new season. The only major missing piece? Former mentor Gautam Gambhir and his coaching staff, who are now with the India national team. But in Dwayne Bravo, KKR have likely found a champion – pun intended – replacement.That said, with Bravo’s vibrant persona in stark contrast to Gambhir’s reserved intensity, might we see a change in KKR’s approach in the coming season? “I think it’s going to be disrespectful of me not to try and find out some of the good things he [Gambhir] did last season,” Bravo told the media in Kolkata on Thursday. “But also the core of the team is here, and that was the duty of the coach and myself to go back into the auction and try our best to get back as much as the same squad of players from the championship-winning team, and we were able to get that.Related

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“But I think GG [Gambhir] has his style and I have my style, and we both have been successful in our own ways. I definitely messaged him a few times and stuff, so yeah… But again, I will be leaning a lot on the guys here because they had a successful formula, and it’s to follow that.”One thing that was made clear in Thursday’s chat was KKR’s desire to not allow Gambhir’s absence to become a central theme of their new season. When Venkatesh was asked about his opinion on the change in mentors, Pandit interjected: “Excuse me guys, please. You know the current scenario. Let us not go back. He [Bravo] has already answered on that, so, please.”In Bravo, they have a mentor whose T20 credentials are nearly unmatched. His 17 titles in T20 competitions are the most for any player. His five titles as captain – all in the Caribbean Premier League – are behind only MS Dhoni (9) and Rohit Sharma (8), and equal with Shoaib Malik.Rahane, who returns to the KKR camp after a forgettable 2021 season with the franchise, acknowledged Bravo’s value. “It is really exciting to work with him,” Rahane, KKR’s new captain, said. “Obviously, he’s been the [second] most capped T20 player in history, so he brings a lot of experience to the table. He’s a hard-working tactician of what I’ve heard of him. I’ve always seen him go around the boundary line, and [he] keeps talking to the bowlers. So I’m really excited to play under him.Venkatesh Iyer, Chandrakant Pandit, Dwayne Bravo and Ajinkya Rahane address the media•Kolkata Knight Riders

“And see, nothing can beat experience. He’s played so many games, [and] he’s won so many games for West Indies and the franchises that he’s played for. So, obviously, for us, working with him, I expect that I’ll get to learn a lot with him both individually as well as in a team.”Rahane himself comes into IPL 2025 with a lot of eyes on him. When the auction took place, in November 2024, Mumbai and Rahane had played only one Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in the season. While Mumbai were one of the tournament favourites, very few would have imagined him going on to finish as the highest run-scorer. Bought for INR 1.5 crore (USD 180,000 approx.) – after initially being ignored by all teams and later picked by KKR at his base price in the accelerated round – KKR’s Rahane deal looks like a masterstroke in hindsight. But where he bats for KKR remains to be seen, Rahane said. Separately, he backed Venkatesh to come good on his INR 23.75 crore (USD 2.83 million approx.) price tag.”I have always played wherever the team wanted me to play throughout my career, and that’s been my thinking,” Rahane said. “Always team comes first. Still, for the first game, we have eight days to go, and we need to have more conversations with the coach and mentor. But whatever the team wants, I will always give my best on that particular number.””At the same time, I do want to tell you all that Venkatesh deserves that price. People are talking about all these things, but he has done well for this franchise on number of occasions. So I think he has deserved that price.”The reality is that pre-season questions around a price tag as hefty as Venkatesh’s are hard to avoid. Venkatesh has become familiar with this line of questioning over the last three months, and he said there will be pressure; but come the IPL, pressure is something every player experiences in some form.”Wherever I go, I get asked this question, so it [pressure] exists, right?” Venkatesh said. “You can’t ignore it altogether, but when the IPL starts, it really doesn’t matter. Pressure is always there irrespective. If not the price tag, it’ll be something else. Selection, performing at your batting position, playing at multiple positions, bowling, fielding – there’s pressure in everything for everyone. So the pressure will still be there. It’s just up to me now on how I absorb the pressure. I can’t ignore it altogether, so I’ll be looking to absorb it instead while fulfilling my responsibilities.”Bravo finished the chat by explaining how, having worked with Shah Rukh Khan at Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL over the past decade, he is keen to give back to the man who invested in franchise cricket in his home island, Trinidad and Tobago.”In the CPL, I started off with the Trinbago Night Riders when SRK bought the team, and I was one of the happiest persons on the planet to know that someone like him showed an interest to buy a team – not only in the Caribbean, but my hometown,” Bravo said. “I was able to help build the Trinbago Knight Riders into the most successful franchise in CPL history.”That energy and that vibe I’m going to try to bring that here as well. It’s already a successful team, you know – behind Mumbai and CSK [both sides that Bravo has previously represented], we have the third-most trophies in the cabinet. We are looking to build on that, and I think with a squad like this, we have every opportunity to do so.”As for the toughest question of the evening: “Is Bravo releasing a new song to seal his KKR association?” Bravo replied, wearing a smile, that the Caribbean version of would have to wait.

Sri Lanka began with a huge win against Malaysia before India brushed West Indies aside in the evening game

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jan-2025

Defending champions India started their Under-19 Women’s World Cup campaign with a bang, routing West Indies for just 44 before scripting a nine-wicket win. This came just hours after Sri Lanka had skittled Malaysia for 23 earlier on Sunday.In the second game of the day, India’s bowlers cashed in on their decision to bowl first by troubling West Indies with swing and spin. Fast bowler VJ Joshitha handed them a double-blow when she trapped Samara Ramnath in front and on the next ball had Naijanni Cumberbatch caught at slip to a superb diving catch from Sanika Chalke.When left-arm spinners Aayushi Shukla and Parunika Sisodia struck in consecutive overs to remove Jahzara Claxton and Brianna Harricharan respectively for ducks, West Indies were 17 for 4 after 5.1 overs. Three run outs in as many overs added to their woes, and 39 for 7 soon became 44 all out as Shukla and Sisodia wrapped things up. Sisodia finished with 3 for 7 while Joshitha and Shukla picked up two each.India lost only Gongadi Trisha, for 4, in the modest chase as G Kamalini and Chalke finished things off in 4.2 overs.Dahami Sanethma top scored for Sri Lanka with 55•ICC via Getty Images

Hosts Malaysia were shot out for just 23 in their maiden Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup appearance by Sri Lanka, who completed a 139-run win in the first of the two games on Sunday, in Kuala Lumpur.Put in to bat, Sri Lanka rode on quick knocks from opener Sanjana Kavindi (30 off 13) and No. 3 Dahami Sanethma (55 off 52) to score 52 in the powerplay before Sanethma led the innings even as wickets fell at the other end, including two in the 17th over. Cameos from Hiruni Hansika (28 off 21) and Shashini Gimhani (13 off 7) powered them to 162.In reply, Malaysia lasted 14.1 overs as left-arm spinner Chamodi Praboda struck twice in the second over to reduce the hosts to 2 for 3. Manudi Nanayakkara and Limansa Thilakarathna took two wickets each as no Malaysia batter reached double-figures and six were dismissed for ducks. Praboda finished with figures of 4-2-5-3.

Manchester United supporters would’ve been hoping for a reunion between Ruben Amorim and Viktor Gyokeres this summer after the pair’s successful spell together at Sporting CP.

The Swede was the 40-year-old’s main talisman in their Liga Portugal triumph back in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 43 times in his 50 appearances across all competitions.

He unsurprisingly won the division’s Golden Boot award, carrying on his tremendous goalscoring form even after the boss left the club to take the reins at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old ended the most recent campaign with 54 goals, bettering his tally from the previous season, subsequently making him one of Europe’s most sought-after talents, with the Red Devils previously in the race.

However, after the striker completed a move to join Premier League rivals Arsenal in recent weeks, attention has subsequently turned to other talents to provide the goods in the final third.

Man Utd's hunt for a new striker this summer

Ollie Watkins has been a name constantly on United’s radar over the last couple of weeks, as Amorim desperately looks to land a new striker for his 3-4-2-1 system.

The Aston Villa forward could be available for a fee in the region of £60m this summer, leading to talks being held between the Red Devils and his agent over a potential switch to Old Trafford this window.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix in recent days, with Al Hilal talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic a player the hierarchy are monitoring, according to one Spanish outlet.

They state that Amorim’s side are preparing a potential move for the Serbian international after he posted a tally of 28 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions last season.

It also states that he could be available for as little as £26m this summer, but the Red Devils face the possibility of a battle for his signature between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Why United’s £26m target would be Amorim’s next Gyokeres

Gyokeres’ rise to stardom injects hope and faith into all strikers that one day they can flourish and reach the top-level of the game further down the line in their career.

Before his move to Portugal, the Swedish international was plying his trade for Coventry City in the Championship, finding a settled home after multiple failed loan spells.

He only moved to Sporting in a £20m transfer back in the summer of 2023, before his goalscoring spree catapulted him to being one of Europe’s deadliest strikers.

The 27-year-old operated in England’s second tier during the same year as Mitrovic, as the former Fulham man netted a staggering 43 league goals – subsequently breaking the division’s record for the most goals scored by a player in a single season.

After leaving Fulham two years ago, he’s had to move abroad to further his career and build on the success he achieved during his spell in the Championship.

He’s followed a similar trajectory to Gyokeres, now deserving of a move back to England to demonstrate he’s capable of being the leading forward for one of the biggest teams in the league.

When comparing his stats to those of Gyokeres from last season, Mitrovic managed to outperform him in numerous areas, showcasing he has the tools to thrive under Amorim, just as the Swede did.

The Serbian, who’s been labelled a “monster” by Statman Dave, registered a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate whilst achieving a better non-penalty xG, subsequently being capable of creating better goalscoring opportunities in the final third.

He also completed more of the passes he attempted, whilst posting a better aerial success rate, a component of his game that would be crucial given United’s lack of focal points.

Whilst a move back to the Premier League would be a huge jump compared to the players he’s coming up against at present, a deal for Mitrovic would make perfect sense this window.

He would provide the boss with an immediate fix to his issues in the final third, whilst also being a bargain at £26m – having all the tools to emulate the success the new Arsenal forward endured under his guidance.

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The show must go on at Crystal Palace even as they await their European verdict, and that show could yet feature a fresh character as the Eagles reportedly step up their chase to sign a £20m midfielder.

CAS confirm Crystal Palace appeal

As expected, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has now confirmed the news that Crystal Palace have appealed UEFA’s decision to demote them to the Europa Conference League for violating multi-club ownership regulations.

A decision is now expected by August 11, at which point Crystal Palace will be hoping for a different outcome. Whether that is a realistic possibility remains to be seen, however. Club chairman Steve Parish, as well as many others involved at Selhurst Park, has already shared his disappointment at the situation and he’ll be desperate to see his side take the spot they earned by winning the FA Cup last season.

Alas, as ever, the world keeps on spinning and Palace must still keep one eye on the transfer window. On that front, the South London side have already welcomed left-back Borna Sosa and goalkeeper Walter Benitez, but their best signing could yet be on the horizon.

Crystal Palace confident they'll win Hackney race

As reported by Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Crystal Palace are now set to accelerate their move to sign Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough this summer. The Championship side are reportedly keen to get any business done early so they can focus on incomings of their own, and have set a £20m price tag for their impressive midfielder.

Despite interest from Everton, Palace are confident that they’re in position to win the race for Hackney’s signature even as the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Porto set their sights on the England U21 international.

The £20m star earned plenty of praise last season, including from former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, who told reporters: “We were playing against two very good central midfielders. I’ve watched Hayden Hackney from afar, seeing his career flourish.

“There’s no better teacher for him than Michael, and he’ll enjoy the way Middlesbrough play. He’s a super player, and Morris is a good player in there too.”

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A player who is Premier League-ready, Crystal Palace could at least welcome some good news and an impressive signing if they manage to secure Hackney’s signature ahead of fierce competition this summer.

Enzo Maresca handed new Chelsea signing Joao Pedro made his debut today as the west Londoners booked their place in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

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The Brazil international, who brought an end to his £50,000-per-week contract at Brighton, cost Chelsea an initial £55 million to sign, plus a potential £5 million in add-ons.

Making his first appearance for Chelsea, Pedro replaced fellow summer arrival Liam Delap just past the 50-minute mark against Palmeiras to help his new team into the next round of the CWC.

Maresca’s side beat Palmeiras 2-1 in their quarter-final tie at Lincoln Financial Field in the early hours of this morning, local time, with Chelsea now earning a total of around £55 million from their participation in the tournament so far – which has effectively paid for Pedro.

If Chelsea go on to win the whole thing, they could end up banking around £90 million (The Mirror), and Pedro is poised to play a key role after being registered on time to be named in their updated CWC squad.

What Joao Pedro is "already" doing in Chelsea training

Speaking on talkSPORT earlier this week, pundit Troy Deeney shared that the 23-year-old has been making quite an impression in training – with Pedro looking to establish himself as a key first-teamer.

Deeney has also tipped the former Watford frontman for stardom, despite his young age, explaining exactly why Pedro is one to watch at Stamford Bridge.

“Joao brings an intensity – he is obviously an exceptional football player,” Deeney said.

“The social media clips Chelsea have put out in training show him throwing his weight around already.

“He’s all or nothing. I think the misconception of him is that he’s a troublemaker. He’s absolutely not that at all. He’s passionate, energetic and he wants to win. He wants to play every minute of every game.

“But I think at Chelsea now you’re going to see the real Joao Pedro, one that enjoys competition and one that believes he should be starting for Brazil.”

Deeney even goes on to tip Pedro for a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid, if he can impress in the next two years.

“I’ve seen this player since he was 18 years old and the mentality has not changed one bit.

“It’s always been, ‘I want to be the best and I want to be the new R9’. Whether he can be that is for everyone to decide. In the short term, it’s all about how he gets there. He’s only 23 years of age.

“I think the business Chelsea have done this summer has been exceptional so far. When you look at the Brazilian national team, it’s not as strong as the teams we’ve seen over the years. I think he’ll look at it and say I can do that [become first-choice striker].

“I’m sure the eight-year contract is more for Chelsea spreading it out over PSR, but if he does well for two years there, Real Madrid and Barcelona will come knocking and Chelsea are a model for buying young, and potentially selling on for a lot more than they paid.”

While the transfer window is of secondary importance to everyone connected with Liverpool, they have made significant progress on that front courtesy of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong’s arrivals.

Arne Slot has committed himself to creating a club culture where elite talent can thrive under his stewardship. Their Premier League title victory last season was an example of what can happen when astute tactical ideas and togetherness are mired together with significant on-field talent.

Despite the Reds claiming glory last term, they last made a central midfield signing in 2023, but that could be about to change after Liverpool submitted an official offer for Barcelona star Marc Casado.

Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen are also in the hunt for his signature. Either way, he may be allowed to leave the La Liga giants due to their need to ease their ongoing financial situation.

Marc Guehi and Castello Lukeba are candidates to strengthen Liverpool’s defence, with the former being a well-documented target since the arrival of Wirtz, Frimpong, and Kerkez.

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The spine of the Reds’ side is already impressive by anybody’s standard. Still, there may come a time when the likes of Wataru Endo move on to make way for reinforcements of a more youthful complexion to carry the torch forward.

Slot didn’t feel the need to raid the transfer market in his first campaign, other than Federico Chiesa’s arrival. He may now have an opportunity to bring a trusted lieutenant to Anfield if reports are to be believed.

Liverpool leading race to sign Orkun Kokcu

According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool want to sign Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu and are the frontrunners, with the Turkey international prefering a move to Anfield despite interest from Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan.

The 24-year-old has previously worked under Slot at Feyenoord and called him “the best coach in the world” in 2024. Intriguingly, his current employers would be willing to let him take on a new challenge if their £35 million valuation is met, and Slot is also keen on a reunion.

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Enjoying a productive campaign last term, Kokcu registered 12 goals and 11 assists in 55 appearances for Benfica across all competitions, featuring primarily in centre midfield.

He is also capable of featuring as an attacking midfielder and has a knack for laying opportunities on a plate for his teammates, illustrated by the fact he created 76 chances in the Primeira Liga.

Should Slot look to open the Reds’ chequebook for a midfielder, it makes sense that Kokcu is said to be high on Liverpool’s list given the positive relationship that exists between both parties.

Celtic are reportedly eyeing a move for an impressive defender in the summer transfer window, as Brendan Rodgers looks to perfect his squad for a chance at Champions League glory.

Celtic eyeing signings after Rodgers admission

Back in April, Rodgers made it clear that a busy summer was needed at Parkhead, even though his side were once again coasting towards the Scottish Premiership title.

“We always want to improve the team, improve the hunger in the team. Because one of the ways to succeed and guard across what I’ve been talking about, is you need the freshness. It’s either that or the manager goes. It’s as simple as that. You cannot be at a club for a long period of time with the same group of players. And, likewise, the same group of players need a different voice maybe. But, at this moment, it will be about improving the squad.”

Celtic continue to be linked with potential signings to bolster their chances of further success in Europe, with a move for Nordsjaelland attacker Benjamin Nygren thought to be on the verge of being completed.

Meanwhile, a reunion with former striker Odsonne Edouard has also been mooted, having been loaned out to Leicester City by Crystal Palace last season. The 27-year-old scored 87 goals in 179 appearances during his first stint at Celtic, and given his age, he could be an excellent signing this summer.

Celtic eyeing surprise move for defender

According to The Herald‘s reliable journalist Stephen McGowan, Celtic are “working on a surprise move” for Japanese defender Hayato Inamura. The 23-year-old currently plays for J-League side Albirex Niigata as a left-sided centre-back, but he can also play on the left side of a back four, which is a bonus in terms of squad depth.

Inamura isn’t a household name like Edouard, but that’s not to say that he couldn’t be a shrewd acquisition by Celtic ahead of next season.

At 23, the Japanese talent is a young player who is still improving, so the Hoops could be getting his best years, potentially even keeping him for a decade if he proves that he is up to the challenge of consistently performing for one of the biggest clubs in Britain.

Inamura has made 33 appearances for Albirex Niigata, and given Celtic’s penchant for signing Japanese players throughout their recent history, they should be trusted in seeing him as a sensible signing.

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His versatility is a clear positive, allowing him to flourish in two different positions – the fact that he is left-footed also adds balance to the squad – and while he may not be a regular starter from the off, he could be a solid squad option who can develop into a key man over time.

In a move that would instantly boost their attacking options, Aston Villa now reportedly want to sign a Premier League rival who put on an impressive performance in front of Unai Emery earlier this season.

Aston Villa's summer plans taking shape amid PSR concerns

It’s a big summer for the Villans. Even if they don’t have Champions League football to offer, those in the Midlands must maintain the level of Unai Emery’s side and they must do so whilst complying with PSR rules. That’s what may hold them back, however. According to recent reports, Aston Villa will likely have to sell before buying this summer if they want to avoid breaking any profit and sustainability rules.

To that end, the rumours have already been coming thick and fast over just who Aston Villa could sell this summer to avoid any potential sanctions. Among those mentioned is Morgan Rogers. The talented midfielder has enjoyed an excellent season in the Midlands, attracting plenty of interest as a result, and his sale would certainly ease Villa’s concerns.

Given just how impressive he’s been this season, though, it seems unlikely that Villa will be desperate to part ways with Rogers to a Champions League rival such as Chelsea this summer.

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However, such a sale would at least allow sporting director Monchi to welcome a number of fresh faces and potentially get permanent deals over the line for Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford.

Those in the Midlands club are seemingly in for a busy summer on all fronts, with new targets beginning to emerge and star players finding themselves on the radar of several rival clubs.

Aston Villa eyeing "unbelievable" Joao Pedro

According to Caught Offside, Aston Villa now want to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion, who are set to demand as much as €60m (£51m) to sell the Brazilian this summer. The forward hasn’t quite been as consistent as last season, but that hasn’t stopped him from leaving his mark in the Premier League, with 10 goals and six assists to his name.

Emery should already be more than familiar with the 23-year-old’s quality too, after getting a first-hand glimpse when Pedro created both of Brighton’s goals in a dramatic 2-2 draw at Villa Park earlier this season.

Brighton’s asking price should come as little surprise, either. Pedro is clearly rated highly at The Amex and Fabian Hurzeler’s praise has reflected that this season. The Seagulls boss told reporters back in November when asked about his forward after a 2-1 win over Bournemouth: “In possession he is unbelievable. He makes the difference for us today.

“It’s also very important to see how he works against the ball. He invests a lot out of possession. He does a lot of work in the shadow and the work that is unseen. That’s why it is very good to have him as a leader on the pitch.”

Manchester City are now ready to make a big offer for a “spectacular” forward, but there could be fierce competition from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Man City set for summer rebuild

Pep Guardiola is tasked with revolutionising his aging squad this summer, and perhaps one of the manager’s most difficult tasks will be finding a suitable replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, whose 10-year stay at the Etihad Stadium is set to come to an end.

Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison has reportedly been identified as an heir to De Bruyne, with City willing to make a £60m bid for the England international, while they are also in talks over a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.

Attacking midfield is not the only area in which Guardiola is looking to strengthen, however, with the manager also keen on strengthening his wide options, and FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is among the more audacious targets.

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That said, it may be difficult to prise Yamal away from Barcelona, given that he is protected by a £850m release clause, so the Sky Blues may be forced to move on to other options.

According to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), Man City are now ready to make a big offer for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, whose future in Italy is uncertain, amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Manchester United and Chelsea are also ready to make approaches for the 19-year-old, so there could be fierce competition for his signature this summer, at which point Juventus are worried they may struggle to keep hold of the teenager.

With the Serie A side at risk of missing out on Champions League qualification, Yildiz could be on the move, but he will not come cheap, with previous reports detailing Juventus could hold out for over £75m.

"Spectacular" Yildiz impressing in Italy

Despite his age, the Turkey international has managed to establish himself as a key player for Juventus this season, making 31 appearances in the Serie A, during which time he has amassed six goals and three assists.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has singled the starlet out for praise too, claiming he has “high on-the-ball bravery to make spectacular solo runs”, while also suggesting he is “almost perfectly two-footed”.

Yildiz could be an excellent signing for Man City, and at 19-years-old he is at the right age to be a long-term success at the Etihad Stadium.

However, finding a suitable replacement for De Bruyne should be City’s number one priority for the summer, rather than bringing in a new winger, given that it will be an extremely difficult task to find an heir for the Belgian.

After years of setbacks and near-burnout, Rath returns to a familiar place with renewed hope and a joy in cricket he never thought he’d find again

Shashank Kishore07-Sep-2025When Anshuman Rath returned to Hong Kong in early 2023, he was “cooked.” He contemplated a career in insurance, finance or real estate, instead of trying to return to a team he’d captained as a teenager. At 25, a promising cricket career was at the crossroads.Two years of playing for Odisha in India’s domestic circuit had drained him mentally, emotionally, even physically. He was 20 kilos heavier, nursing injuries, and battling a deep sense of disillusionment. The game he loved as a teenager felt like a burden.”I’m someone who enjoys cricket because of the camaraderie, the team environment. In Odisha, I just wasn’t feeling it,” Rath, back as Hong Kong’s batting lynchpin, tells ESPNcricinfo in Dubai ahead of the Asia Cup. “I was questioning myself, doubting every decision I’d made.”Related

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Rath felt stifled by the culture, the regimentation, the senior-junior divide in Odisha. Youngsters would be berated publicly, something Rath, who had grown up in cosmopolitan Hong Kong, struggled to reconcile with.”I remember once being made fun of for eating rice and with a spoon,” he recalls. “It sounds silly, but when you have no one to talk to, no support system, those things hit you hard. No matter what level you play, if you’re not enjoying it or you’re not in the right frame of mind you’re wasting your time.”So I called my dad, literally almost in tears being like, ‘what am I doing here? I just don’t want to do it.’ I had played two years of it, but didn’t have anything more to give.”When I felt it the most, I remember getting injured during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy [2022-23, India’s domestic T20 competition]. Wasim Jaffer was our head coach. He sent me to get a scan in Mumbai. So I went there and started punching myself in the collarbone to make it worse so that I wouldn’t have to play more. It was that bad.”For me, I’m a massive team person. So I love playing with my teammates. That’s why I don’t think of it as work. Whereas when I was in Odisha, the environment wasn’t like that. The coaches had their favourites. I actually played the rest of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with that injury. It was just an awful time.”It was around this time that Rath turned to food for comfort.”When you’re in that state of mind, there are very few things that make you happy,” he says. ‘For me, it was food – eating just to survive, to feel something. It was the only enjoyment I was getting. I piled on 20 kilos. I completely lost the plot.”Anshuman Rath – “No matter what level you play, if you’re not enjoying it, you’re wasting your time”•Getty Images

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This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.Rath’s journey had already taken him through the heartbreak of visa denials in England – which ended a near-signed deal with Middlesex – and a tough, lonely stint in Christchurch as he tried to qualify to play for New Zealand in late 2018.Canterbury Cricket had sponsored Rath a three-year work-to-residence visa for him to potentially qualify for New Zealand. He’d put his studies on hold for it initially, but found the move harder than he’d thought.”Because I was 21 at the time and the whole Middlesex thing had happened, I hadn’t really processed the whole thing yet,” he says. “The trauma of going through the Middlesex visa stuff, the ECB visa stuff. I didn’t really want to do more qualifying.”To spend another three years, it was kind of daunting. Obviously, they’re lovely people in New Zealand. But, it was the other side of the world. You know, you wake up in the morning, you don’t know who to call. Because all the people you know are asleep.”Rath eventually didn’t sign the document to pledge himself to New Zealand via the qualifying path. He chose something that was slightly easier. At the time, though, he didn’t know that too would be quite be, what he says, was an “un-ending nightmare.””So, then I made the decision. I had an Indian passport, so I thought I might as well use it, so we decided to test the Indian waters,” Rath continues. “I had to start from scratch but I was fine. As long as I didn’t have all these three-year qualifying rules again. I knew I had to serve a one-year cooling off period, and I was fine with that.”After trying with a few teams, Rath identified Vidarbha as his home in India. And for a while, it seemed like the perfect environment. He was received warmly and he thrived in the club cricket ecosystem alongside the likes of Jitesh Sharma, Faiz Fazal, Atharva Taide, and Harsh Dubey among others.”Every time I walk on the field now, I’m smiling, I’m laughing. And I think that shows in my cricket too”•Peter Della Penna”It reminded me of the systems in the UK. Structured, professional, with a clear pathway to the senior team. I loved it,” he remembers.But administrative roadblocks derailed his plans. A registration issue with the BCCI – according to the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) – meant he couldn’t be picked despite completing his cooling-off period. Rath later checked with a lawyer contact in the BCCI if there were issues with his paperwork. He was told there wasn’t any, and he was green lit.”That was a real sinking moment,” he says. “I don’t like politics. I’ve always believed in letting my bat do the talking. To be told I couldn’t play despite doing everything right was hard to take.”What followed was a downward spiral that eventually took him to Odisha, his home state, where his grandparents live. It should have felt like a homecoming. Instead, those three years drained him.”No matter what level you play, if you’re not enjoying it, you’re wasting your time,” he says. “I was just going through the motions.”On a cold January morning in 2023, when Odisha were put in to bat on a green top in nondescript Nadaun (in Himachal Pradesh) in a Ranji Trophy fixture, he finally took a decision that had been simmering underneath for months.”I was like I don’t even want to play on a flat track, let alone here,” Rath says. “I walked up to the coach on day two and told him, ‘please book me a flight back to Bhubaneswar.’ I knew that was that. I spoke to the association people, they said, you’re doing fine, stay back. But I was like no, that was it.”For Rath, a prodigiously talented left-hander who once nearly helped Hong Kong pull off a giant ODI upset against India at the Asia Cup in 2018, it was the closest he’d ever come to turning his back on the game.When Rath returned to Hong Kong in February 2023, he was ready to walk away from cricket entirely.”I told my dad I was never touching a bat again,” he says. “I was ready to try my hand at the corporate world – finance, real estate, insurance, whatever. Just something different.”

“I don’t like politics. I’ve always believed in letting my bat do the talking. To be told I couldn’t play despite doing everything right was hard to take”Rath on his turbulent time in India

That’s when Mark Farmer, Cricket Hong Kong’s High Performance manager who’d known Rath from his younger days, stepped in.”He sat me down and said, ‘Let us know what you need. We’re happy to give you a contract right now.’ I hadn’t even played,” Rath says. “And they were willing to give me that love, that faith. It was the first time I’d felt something like that in five or six years. I almost teared up.”Rath eased his way back, found his rhythm, his fitness, and most importantly, his love for the game. “I wake up in Hong Kong now, have meals with my family, and enjoy the vibe of the city. There’s a sense of freedom I hadn’t felt in so long. I laugh more on the field. I banter with teammates. I enjoy touring again. I’m just grateful to be playing.”For Rath, who once captained his country at 20 and chased professional cricket across three continents only to nearly give it all up, his return to Hong Kong has been a second coming.”This isn’t going to last forever,” Rath says. “So every time I walk on the field now, I’m smiling, I’m laughing. And I think that shows in my cricket too.”