Logo após a derrota por 3 a 0 contra o Botafogo, Cássio reuniu os jogadores do Corinthians no gramado do Nilton Santos para uma conversa franca sobre os problemas do time na partida.
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Cássio comete pênalti infantil, Corinthians sofre na criação e é amassado pelo Botafogo
Na saída do gramado, Róger Guedes foi sincero e admitiu que a equipe não conseguiu pressionar e atacar os espaços cedidos pelo líder do Brasileirão.
– As vezes é a gente entender dentro de campo. Não conseguimos pressionar na hora que era pra pressionar. Mais uma vez saímos atrás do resultado, correr atrás é mais difícil, eles jogaram dentro de casa, estão vindo em uma crescente boa, excelente equipe. Não soubemos marcar nem atacar os espaços. Infelizmente tem pouco tempo, é difícil trabalhar. Levantar a cabeça e se juntar, porque só juntos vamos sair desta situação – disse Guedes ao Premiere.
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+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!
O Timão chega ao terceiro jogo consecutivo com derrota no Brasileirão e está uma posição acima da zona do rebaixamento. Para reverter a situação, o camisa 10 cobrou mais intensidade do grupo e disse que é momento de falar menos e trabalhar mais.
– O time tem que jogar mais, não estamos demonstrando bom futebol, mais uma vez perdemos. Falar menos e trabalhar mais, levantar a cabeça, temos um clássico pela frente, decisão atrás de decisão. Demonstrar dentro de campo, não tem muito o que falar. Todo mundo tem que se doar mais, é o que está precisando. Trabalhar para sair com a vitória diante do São Paulo – concluiu o atacante.
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+ Veja tabela e a situação do Timão no Brasileirão
O Corinthians volta a campo no domingo (14), no clássico Majestoso contra o São Paulo. O Timão defende o tabu de jamais ter sido derrotado pelo Tricolor na Neo Química Arena. A equipe de Vanderlei Luxemburgo ocupa o 16° lugar na tabela, uma posição acima da zona do rebaixamento.
Manchester United have now made contact with the agent of an “unbelievable” attacker, who could be in line to join alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, according to a report.
Man Utd identify Sesko as major target with striker pursuit heating up
With the Premier League season set to get underway in just over two weeks, it is becoming increasingly important for Man United to get a deal for a new striker over the line, and they have now identified two major targets.
Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins is one of the names on the shortlist, with the 29-year-old being joined by Sesko, and Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed United have now presented an offer to the Slovenian’s entourage.
Ruben Amorim has been particularly keen to bolster his attacking options this summer, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha already arriving at Old Trafford, and contact has now been made over a new attacking midfielder.
That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Man United have now approached the agents of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, but there could be fierce competition for the attacker’s signature.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
Manchester City have also made contact over a potential deal, and Bayern Munich are seriously considering a move, however, Arsenal are currently thought to be leading the race for his signature.
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United will need to spend big if they are to stand any chance of securing Eze’s signature, given that he is protected by a £68m release clause, which Arsenal are willing to pay in installments.
"Unbelievable" Eze would be statement signing for Man Utd
Signing Cunha and Mbeumo without European football on offer is a testament to United’s pulling power, but it would be a major coup if they were able to sign the Palace star, considering he is wanted by a number of top clubs.
A deal seems unlikely, but if United were to win the race, there is every sign the England international would be a fantastic addition to Amorim’s squad, having picked up eight goals and eight assists in the Premier League last term.
That said, Man United are well-known to have PSR concerns, and a deal for Eze would break the bank, meaning they should prioritise the addition of a new striker instead.
Sesko and Watkins could both be exciting signings, but the Villa star is already Premier League proven, which is a bonus, and he outscored the RB Leipzig striker in the league last season, while also providing more assists.
Tottenham Hotspur’s business in the transfer market over the last couple of years has been seriously impressive, helping the club end the 17-year wait for any form of silverware.
Attention has been turned to investing in younger talents, buying them at bargain prices and allowing them to develop and improve to reach their full potential in North London.
The likes of Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall are just two examples, with the pair featuring in a combined tally of 100 outings between them despite their tender ages.
Both have shown the rewards their current recruitment focus could yield if done correctly, with Thomas Frank needing to continue such a trend ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
However, they’ve also spent big in the past, as seen by Mohammed Kudus’ £55m transfer from West Ham United this window, with other big-money additions also being lined up.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for Morgan Gibbs-White
Two weeks ago, Spurs triggered the £60m release clause in Morgan Gibbs-White’s contract at Nottingham Forest, with a deal expected to progress after such a move.
However, that switch swiftly ground to a halt after Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis raised an issue with the transfer, claiming that the Lilywhites made an illegal approach for his signature.
Morgan Gibbs-White 2024-25 stats (timeless)
No one even knew that the England international had an option in his current deal, entering talks with the player and his agent without the approval of his current employers.
It had subsequently been reported that the 25-year-old remained keen on a move to North London this summer, although the latest developments appear to suggest otherwise.
Having travelled with the Forest squad on their pre-season tour of Portugal, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man has since quashed any speculation after penning a new deal with the Tricky Trees.
The playmaker has committed his future to City Ground until 2028, with journalist Fabrizio Romano outlining that a move to Spurs is now “off”.
The Spurs player who’s already worth more than Gibbs-White
With Gibbs-White undoubtedly one of the hierarchy’s main targets this summer, other options will likely be drawn up as a result of his decision to stay put in Nottingham.
Morgan Gibbs-White for Nottingham Forest.
However, trust should be placed in the recruitment team to make the right call, something which they’ve done as seen by their recent success rate in the market.
As previously mentioned, with the likes of Bergvall and Sarr, the club have got it right in previous times, just like they have with winger Brennan Johnson, who’s excelled at the club in recent months.
The Welsh international arrived in a £47.5m deal from Forest back in the summer of 2023, with such a price tag appearing a huge chunk given he’d only had one prior year of top-flight experience.
However, a couple of years on from his transfer, it appears to be a shrewd piece of business, racking up a total of 23 goals within his 85 appearances for the club.
18 of which came in the most recent campaign, subsequently proving all of his doubters wrong after he was forced to deactivate his social media accounts following abuse from supporters for his lack of impact.
The 24-year-old is also responsible for one of the biggest moments in the club’s recent history, scoring the winner in the Europa League final – topping off a dream campaign for the youngster.
As a result of his rise in the last few months, Johnson, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by international teammate Aaron Ramsey, is now valued at a staggering €75m (£66m) by CIES Football Observatory.
His subsequent value is higher than that of Gibbs-White, who’s deemed to be worth £60m due to his release clause, showcasing the phenomenal rise he’s endured during his time at the Lilywhites.
Rank
Player
Fee
Signed from
Year
Dominic Solanke
£65m
Bournemouth
2024
Tanguy Ndombele
£62.8m
Lyon
2019
Richarlison
£60m
Everton
2022
Mohammed Kudus
£55m
West Ham
2025
Brennan Johnson
£47.5m
Nottingham Forest
2023
Micky van de Ven
£43m
Wolfsburg
2023
Cristian Romero
£42.5m
Atalanta
2021
Davinson Sanchez
£42m
Ajax
2017
If he can continue his incredible form into the 2025/26 campaign, he will be a key player in Frank’s quest to lead the side up the Premier League table.
The prospect of Johnson linking up with Gibbs-White once again after their time at the City Ground was certainly an exciting one, although the former teammates will remain foes against next season.
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Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making a move for another young Premier League talent this summer.
Everton need to sort out some of their players’ contract situations before it is too late. The Toffees could lose four experienced figures at the end of the month when their contracts expire, according to the Liverpool Echo. Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gueye, Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could all leave on a free.
The report says Gueye and Coleman have both ‘been offered the chance to extend their stays’ at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, although it is unclear what their decision will be. It would certainly be a loss for both to leave, given the experience they provide to David Moyes’ side.
Indeed, if Gueye was to depart the club this summer, the Toffees could already be lining up his perfect replacement.
Everton's Gueye replacement
It will certainly be hard for Everton to replace Gueye this summer. He is a player with bags of experience and is a key figure for Moyes in the middle of midfield. They certainly need to replace him with someone who adds that know-how.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Well, perhaps Everton’s latest midfield target, Fenerbahce star Fred, is the man who can do just that.
According to a report from Turkish outlet Fanatik, the former Manchester United star is a key target for the Toffees. They explain that ‘Moyes wants to see the Brazilian star as one of the key names in the midfield’ in 2025/26.
However, Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho ‘will not give up easily’ when it comes to keeping Fred at the club.
They are reportedly set to ask for £17m to let the midfielder go this summer, although the 32-year-old ‘continues to insist on transferring’, which looks positive for Everton.
Why Fred would be a good signing
Fred’s game has certainly evolved in the last few years, and his time in Turkey seems to sum that up. A genuine box-to-box midfielder, he is someone involved in all phases of the game, and can make an impact in any third.
Fred in action for Fenerbache.
Last season for Fenerbahce, Fred played 45 games, contributing five goals and eight assists, highlighting the impact he has in attack. In the top flight of Turkey, the Brazil international contributed to 11 goals in just 31 appearances.
Of course, let’s not forget the contributions he made in a Man United shirt. A key part of the Red Devils’ midfield for a number of years, Fred played 213 times, scoring 14 times and grabbing 19 assists. 22 of those 33 goal involvements came in his final two seasons at Old Trafford, further highlighting that more advanced role he now plays.
fred-man-united-premier-league-transfers
The 2025/26 campaign is a huge one for those on the Blue side of Merseyside. They are moving into the Hill Dickinson Stadium and will be looking to build on the momentum gathered under Moyes last season.
Well, Fred could be the perfect player to help guide them through these huge months. Described as a “big-game player” by Statman Dave, he is prone to stepping up in those big moments. Take this strike for United in the Europa League back in 2022/23 against Barcelona, during a game in which his side were behind.
The Brazilian would be a key replacement for Gueye next term, if he were to leave. The Senegal international played 37 times in the Premier League, featuring in every single one of Moyes’ games in charge.
He provides experience and a sense of calm at the base of the midfield in that famous Blue shirt, although he does play a slightly different role to Fred. Gueye tends to sit at the base of Everton’s midfield. Last season, he made the most tackles in the top flight, with 133.
Yet, the numbers via FBref from Fred’s most recent Premier League season, compared to Gueye’s stats from this term, are not too dissimilar. For example, the Brazilian averaged 4.75 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes compared to the Everton star’s 5.32 each game.
Fred and Gueye key stats from most recent PL season
Stat (per 90)
Fred (2022/23)
Gueye (2024/25)
Progressive passes
5.47
4.26
Blocks
2.73
1.41
Tackles and interceptions
4.75
5.32
Ball recoveries
9.14
5.71
Progressive carries
0.72
0.79
Stats from FBref
Losing the experience and guile of Gueye in midfield would certainly be a blow to Moyes, but Fred could be an apt replacement. The Brazilian is versatile and can sit a bit deeper to help screen the back four, or can operate in advanced areas to a great degree of success.
Adding experience and Premier League quality for a fee of £17m seems like a good deal for the Toffees. Fred could well be the dream Gueye replacement if he departs this summer.
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A £2.5m Rangers player has agreed terms with a new club to leave Ibrox as he doesn’t feature in Russell Martin’s plans.
Rangers announce Martin as new manager
The Gers finally brought their long-running search for a new permanent manager to an end on Thursday, with Martin unveiled to the media as Philippe Clement’s successor.
Martin, who had a brief spell on loan at Rangers during his playing days back in 2018, has signed a three-year deal in Glasgow and is confident he can silence the critics.
Looking to win just Rangers’ second Scottish Premiership title in 15 years in 2025/26, Martin has plenty of work to do in a short space of time, with the Gers’ first Champions League qualifier scheduled for July 22/23.
With the transfer window now temporarily open, Rangers will be looking to make their mark in the window, having recently been linked with a move to sign South American midfielder Vicente Pizarro as the first signing of the Martin era.
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However, there could also be a number of Ibrox departures ahead of the new season, and an update has emerged on Robin Propper amid claims he is looking to leave the club.
Propper agrees three-year deal to leave Rangers for FC Twente return
According to reports in the Netherlands, relayed by Sport Witness, Propper, who joined Rangers last summer from FC Twente, could be about to make his return to the Eredivisie side.
The Gers paid £2.5m to sign Propper, however, they are now ready to sell the centre-back for half of that figure, with the player himself already agreeing a three-year deal to return to Twente.
An agreement between Twente and Rangers is expected to be finalised quickly, with Propper not in Martin’s Ibrox plans.
Propper’s 24/25 stats at Rangers
Games
40
Goals
2
Yellow cards
9
Red cards
1
Tackles per game
1.4
Clearances per game
3.9
As can be seen, Propper featured regularly under Clement and interim boss Barry Ferguson, but his days in Scotland look numbered.
A move will be one to keep an eye on, especially as the transfer window is set to shut on June 10 and re-open again on June 16.
Liverpool’s pre-season schedule commences on Sunday July 13, at the Deepdale Stadium. It’ll be a feeling-out process, but one which Arne Slot will hope to use his new recruits.
And the head coach might have a range of new options to pick from. Indeed, Jeremie Frimpong is already signed and sealed as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s successor on the right flank, left-back Milos Kerkez is the subject of advancing talks with Bournemouth and the outcome of Darwin Nunez’s future move (he’s “planning to leave”, reports Fabrizio Romano) will see a new striker brought in.
But, of course, the name on everyone’s lips is that of Florian Wirtz, with the playmaker’s Bayer Leverkusen employers locked in talks with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes to agree to a British-record transfer.
The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool
Wirtz is quite the player. While biased in his opinion, former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes has described him as “the best midfielder in the world”, which is high praise indeed and justifiable, if subjective.
Florian Wirtz scores for Germany
Liverpool have done so well to beat off competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich to come to the closing stages of a deal for Wirtz, which isn’t there yet.
Until the negotiations are brought to an agreeable close, fans will continue to bite their nails, with Liverpool seeing a £110m bid rejected. The Werkself are holding out for a British-record £120m fee.
Florian Wirtz
While it would be a travesty if the bid unravelled now, it wouldn’t be unprecedented. Remember Nabil Fekir, anyone?
Liverpool would be wise to have a back-up plan. And they do.
Liverpool eyeing Wirtz alternative
As per TEAMtalk, Liverpool have joined a host of clubs in the race for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White, who has also attracted Chelsea’s attention following Manchester City’s earlier declaration of interest.
City might have the lead, but Liverpool may yet make their move for the £70m-rated playmaker, with Forest said to be bracing themselves for official bids.
Gibbs-White, 25, may have been monitored by the Anfield side for a while, but they will need to up their game in the coming weeks if they are to beat off the divisional competition.
Why Liverpool want Morgan Gibbs-White
One of the principal architects of Nottingham Forest’s extraordinary campaign, qualifying for Europe, Gibbs-White is now proving the Tricky Trees have received bang for their buck after forking out £42.5m for his services back in August 2022.
Nottingham Forest's MorganGibbs-Whitereacts after the match
This season, the part-time Tricky Trees skipper scored seven goals and supplied ten more across 34 Premier League matches, creating ten big chances, averaging 4.5 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.
Gibbs-White clearly boasts the kind of profile Liverpool desire for their midfield, especially since BBC analyst Raj Chohan has also humourously hailed him as “the Aldi Jude Bellingham.”
Real Madrid superstar Bellingham has opened up about his “hero” being the iconic Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, no doubt having fashioned elements of his game on Gerrard in his pomp.
Liverpool wanted Bellingham in 2023, but pulled out of the race for the Borussia Dortmund prodigy when it became clear he was leaning toward the Spanish capital, funds instead put toward making sweeping midfield changes.
The point is, though, that the Reds wanted Bellingham’s athletic, dynamic approach, and Gibbs-White could be the perfect man to bring such an identity to the Anfield heart, providing Slot with the perfect Wirtz alternative.
Ah yes, it’s probably worth noting Liverpool would only make their move for Gibbs-White if a deal for Wirtz falls through, which would strike a sense of profound numbness across Merseyside if it came to be.
But the Forest man has the skills to succeed under Slot’s wing. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 12% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers last term for goal-creating actions, the top 15% for progressive passes, the top 9% for through balls, the top 12% for interceptions and the top 15% for aerial battles won per 90.
One scout has even remarked that the all-action midfielder has a “Steven Gerrard mentality”, so influential and willing to take control of a match, to spearhead the pursuit of victory.
Once called a “real character and leader” for his club by Tottenham Hotspur historian John Wenham, Gibbs-White might not be in the same talent bracket as Gerrard once was, but that’s not to his discredit.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard
Gerrard was in a different sphere to the lion’s share, in fairness, retiring as one of the standout midfielders of his generation and perhaps the greatest player in Liverpool’s history, devoting his entire European career to Anfield and its denizens.
A supreme leader and fiercely rounded midfielder, Gerrard’s blueprint has been replicated by new blood, but he’s never been overtaken.
However, Gibbs-White could perform the role to an emphatic effect, breaking lines, inspiring his teammates and providing a combative sheen too, the complete player.
1.
Ian Callaghan
852
2.
Jamie Carragher
737
3.
Steven Gerrard
710
4.
Emelyn Hughes
664
5.
Ray Clemence
663
Maybe he wouldn’t succeed in becoming quite so legendary a Liverpudlian as Gerrard, who featured 710 times for the Merseysiders, his boyhood club, but he could play an instrumental part in winning the Premier League, breaking clear of Manchester United and becoming the most successful
It would be nice to bring Wirtz in, for he is matchless in his position right now. However, Gibbs-White would do a job in Slot’s system.
He’s still an immense midfielder with a vibrant personality and a persistent attitude besides. If Liverpool wish to continue to make gains over the coming years, this is exactly the kind of profile they should be going for.
If the move for Wirtz doesn’t come to fruition, of course.
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Looking to get one over on Arsenal this summer, Aston Villa have now reportedly sent scouts to watch a Ligue 1 forward amid a fresh mission to boost Unai Emery’s attacking options.
Aston Villa's summer plans
Aston Villa will be an interesting side to watch on all fronts this summer. When it comes to incomings, their Champions League fate is likely to play a large part in whether they’ll be in a position to attract major upgrades. Recently linked stars such as Andriy Lunin and Gabriel Sara could be looking to leave Real Madrid and Galatasaray on the basis that they’ll be playing among Europe’s elite – something Villa may not be able to offer as it stands.
Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Aston Villa will be in a financial position to keep hold of some of their star men. Rumours have already emerged regarding Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, who have seemingly attracted interest from Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, and if those in the Midlands need to cash-in then they could yet be heading for shock exits.
With three Premier League games left to be played, Aston Villa still have time to creep into the top five ahead of Chelsea but must hope to see the Blues slip up in the coming weeks.
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Once the end of May arrives and Villa’s position is clear, their transfer plans could begin to form with or without PSR issues. With a fresh scouting mission reportedly underway too, they seem unlikely to waste any time.
Aston Villa on fresh mission to sign Guessand
According to Caught Offside, Aston Villa are now on a fresh mission to sign Evann Guessand from OGC Nice ahead of Arsenal this summer. Having recently sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old striker, those in the Midlands could look to make their move in the coming months. Amid rumours that Watkins could yet leave too, signing a player who could instantly replace the England international would be no bad idea.
Dubbed “electric” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Guessand has since taken his tally to 12 goals for the season and may yet improve that record even more in the closing stages of the Ligue 1 campaign.
At 23 years old, Guessand is entering the peak of his powers, potentially making this season the starting point for an impressive rise in Ligue 1 or, indeed, in the Premier League.
Leeds United looked on course for a triumphant return to the Premier League when convincingly putting Sheffield United to the sword 3-1 at Bramall Lane back in February.
Now, however, everything has seemingly gone pear-shaped again on the end of Daniel Farke and Co, with the once confident table-toppers tumbling out of the Championship top two after a third successive draw in the division against Luton Town.
Much like last season when Leeds failed to win promotion, there are a number of underperformers who have failed to reach the heights expected of them across the last few worrying clashes, with one player in Farke’s camp now replicating Jaidon Anthony’s poor loan stint.
Anthony's poor stint at Leeds
Sometimes in football, certain moves just don’t go to plan, with Anthony’s forgettable season-long loan spell at Elland Road last campaign seen as one of those.
The AFC Bournemouth loanee would only start two Championship games all campaign for Farke’s Whites, with just one meagre goal coming his way off the back of such sparse game-time.
Jaidon Anthony in action for Leeds.
Thankfully for the former fringe Leeds winger, he has since bounced back on loan with new employers Burnley, with the Clarets amazingly now top of the second tier at the expense of his ex-outfit.
The two golden strikes that took Scott Parker’s men to the very summit actually came about from Anthony, with six goals and six assists in total for the Lancashire side in league action across 2024/25 far outweighing his measly Elland Road output.
Leeds will just hope another situation similar to Anthony’s isn’t playing out in West Yorkshire right now, with Farke sparingly using this attacker much like the now rejuvenated 25-year-old.
Farke's next Anthony at Elland Road
The German has shown across recent crunch games in the Championship that he can go against the grain with his team selections, seen in first-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier being axed.
But, even though Farke has shown some signs of flexibility by dropping the ex-Lorient shot-stopper, he has still left Largie Ramazani mainly rooted to the substitutes bench.
Ramazani hasn’t always found himself on the periphery at the promotion chasers, however, with the ex-UD Almeria attacker racing out of the blocks all guns blazing after his summer move from Spain, with this strike against Norwich City his second goal from five Leeds outings in the league.
He has since notched up two more goals in the unpredictable second tier, alongside also registering a promising two assists, but Farke’s reliance on starting the likes of Manor Solomon and Daniel James week in week out down the wings has seen the Belgian’s own minutes disappointingly deplete.
Games played
26
Games started
7
Average minutes
29
Goals scored
4
Assists
2
Indeed, the £17.5k-per-week attacker has started just seven of his 26 league clashes for Leeds so far this campaign, with a worry that Ramazani will just fade into the background now despite such promising beginnings.
Farke didn’t even bring on the “explosive” winger – as he was previously branded by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – in any capacity during the 1-1 draw away at Luton, stating that the £10m man needs to “step up” his game in order to be considered for more first team opportunities.
The door hasn’t been completely slammed shut, but Ramazani’s time at Leeds hasn’t exactly been a rip-roaring success so far, with a concern that any possible departure down the line could see him shine much like Anthony is now proving for one of the Whites’ fierce promotion rivals.
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Hemant Brar27-May-2024
Narine the batter
Not many would have expected Sunil Narine to return as an opener in an IPL season where bowlers were allowed two bouncers in an over. Even fewer would have expected him to succeed, let alone have his best season with the bat. Narine ended the tournament with 488 runs – the most for champions Kolkata Knight Riders – at an average of 34.85 and a strike rate of 180.74. Before 2024, Narine had four 50-plus scores in the IPL. He doubled that tally this season, including smashing his maiden T20 hundred. Add his bowling exploits to it – 17 wickets at an economy of 6.69 – and it’s arguably the greatest season for any player in any league in the world.
Bumrah at his miserly best
In a season where the scoring rates went through the roof, Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler with an economy rate of 6.48. This was also Bumrah’s best economy rate in an IPL season, bettering 6.63 in 2019. That year, the overall economy rate in the tournament was 8.27; this year it was 9.41, which makes Bumrah’s performance even more remarkable. Bumrah was also the most economical bowler in the powerplay (6.00) and at the death (6.06) among those who bowled at least five overs in those phases. He went for less than six an over in seven out of the 13 games he played this season.Related
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Kohli tames strike-rate demons
With the Impact Player rule giving teams an extra batter, the anchor has become an outdated concept in the IPL. That was also the reason Virat Kohli freed himself from the self-imposed restrictions and showed more intent this year. The result was his highest strike rate in an IPL season: 154.69 (previous best: 152.03 in 2016). What stood out was his approach in the powerplay and the use of the slog sweep against spinners. In the first six overs, he struck at 161.47. It was a significant jump from his previous best of 139.54 (in 2018) in that phase. His strike rate against spinners was 137.08, his best against them since 2017.
Abhishek’s six appeal
Abhishek Sharma made his IPL debut in 2018, but this was the season where he made everyone sit up and take notice. Opening the innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he and Travis Head rewrote the template of T20 batting. Abhishek hit 42 sixes in the tournament – the most in IPL 2024 and the most for an Indian batter in a single edition of the IPL. He was equally brutal against pace and spin, which helped him become the first batter to score 400 runs in a T20 league without lasting 30 balls in any of the innings. All told, he scored 484 runs at an average of 32.26 and a strike rate of 204.21.Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson were the backbone of the Rajasthan Royals middle order•AFP via Getty Images
Samson’s consistency
Over the years, a major criticism of Sanju Samson has been his lack of consistency. He would invariably start an IPL season with a bang but it would soon turn into a whimper. This time, taking that little bit extra time at the start of his innings helped him stay consistent and he crossed 500 runs in a season for the first time in his IPL career. His five 50-plus scores was also a personal best. In all, he amassed 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46, for which he was rewarded with a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad.
Parag’s breakout season
Riyan Parag finally repaid Rajasthan Royals for years and years of backing. After topping the runs chart in the latest Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Parag finished IPL 2024 as the highest run-scorer for his team, and the third-highest overall. Before this season, Parag had 600 runs in 44 IPL innings, at an average of 16.21 and a strike rate of 123.96. In 14 innings this season, he almost doubled that tally, scoring 573 at 52.09 with a strike rate of 149.21. Along with Samson, he formed the engine room of RR’s batting line-up and struck four half-centuries.
Karthik takes on spinners
Playing his last season at the age of 38, Dinesh Karthik did not stop improving. For the last five IPL seasons, he was one of the best hitters against pace in the death overs. This year, he unlocked his potential against spin, too. He smashed 63 off 38 balls against spinners without getting out even once. That gave him a strike rate of 165.78 – his highest ever against spin in an IPL season. His previous best was 160 in 2008, but since then he had never crossed 140. His overall tally of 326 runs this season, at a strike rate of 187.35, briefly put him in contention for India’s T20 World Cup squad as well, but that was not to be.
On Tuesday night, the veteran served a reminder that he could still do the job at the top level
Deivarayan Muthu06-Apr-20223:01
Brathwaite: Karthik has a clear mind while batting
In January 2019, R Ashwin had tweeted: “Just going through some batting numbers of Dinesh Karthik over the last 18 months and it’s not surprising to see that he has become one of the best finishers in the world right now. This version of DK is all that he ever wanted to be, I am very happy for him.”Karthik made it to India’s 50-over World Cup squad that year, largely on the back of his finishing skills in the shortest format. However, after he managed only 14 runs in two innings, including a 25-ball six in the semi-final that India lost to New Zealand, he was axed from the set-up altogether.Related
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However, that didn’t stop him from unlocking his best version: the finisher. During the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where Karthik captained Tamil Nadu to final, he told ESPNcricinfo that he’s targeting an MS Dhoni-like finishing role. After having closed out multiple white-ball games for Tamil Nadu over the past few seasons, Karthik served a reminder that he could still do the job at the top level.He did it against Punjab Kings in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s opening game in IPL 2022. He did it again in Royal Challengers’ second, helping them survive a scare against his former franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. On Tuesday, against Rajasthan Royals, Karthik unveiled his best version once again, and Ashwin, who has seen his evolution from close quarters, was at the receiving end.When Karthik had walked out to bat, Royals Challengers were 87 for 5 in the ninth over, chasing 171 on an atypical Wankhede track where the ball gripped and turned. Yuzvendra Chahal was running riot against his former franchise, with Ashwin ably backing him up until he ran into a red-hot Karthik in the 14th over.The pair go back a long way: Karthik was Ashwin’s captain in the Tamil Nadu side that won the inaugural Syed Mushtaq Ali title in 2007. Fifteen years later, they were facing each other in a high-pressure IPL scenario.After giving up just singles off the first two balls of the 14th over, Ashwin darted a carrom ball – a front-foot no-ball – down the leg side. Karthik picked it up and swept it over short fine leg for four. Ashwin hiked his pace to 103kph and shifted his line to outside off for the free-hit delivery, but dropped it too full, as Karthik pumped him into the sightscreen with the stillest of heads and smoothest of bat-swings.Ashwin slowed it up third ball and found some grip, but Karthik was up to it, cleverly checking his drive and chipping it over Ashwin’s head once again. The next ball was a faster carrom ball from Ashwin, which swerved past Karthik’s outside edge. Karthik ultimately closed out a 21-run over with a trademark reverse-swept four from a fairly wide line outside off.Dinesh Karthik’s 360-degree game guided RCB home•BCCIKarthik turned the tables on Royals in a space of five balls. In the next over, he picked off Navdeep Saini for back-to-back fours to bring the target well within Royal Challengers’ radar. Matching up Chahal with Karthik in the 17th over was Royals’ last throw of the dice, but he coolly saw him off and saw Royal Challengers home with four wickets and five balls to spare.Karthik’s unbeaten 23-ball 44 at the strike-rate of 191.30 proved that the finisher isn’t finished yet. Karthik’s overall death-overs strike-rate of 188.01 since 2018 in all T20 cricket is the third best among Indian batters who have scored a minimum of 500 runs during this period. Only Virat Kohli (206.47) and Hardik Pandya (193.56) have a better strike rate than Karthik among Indians in the slog overs. His Royal Challengers captain Faf du Plessis is so impressed by Karthik’s finishing skills that he believes he needs to “put his name back into international cricket”.”It feels nice (laughs). I think I made a conscious effort to do justice to myself because I felt last year I could’ve done a little better,” Karthik told host broadcaster Star Sports after winning the Player-of-the-Match award. “The way I trained was a little different – hats off to the person I trained with. He put me through some things which was very important for me in life as well. I say that only because I was making a conscious effort to tell myself that I’m not done yet. I have a goal and I want to achieve something and I tried my best in terms of preparation.”I made a lot of conscious effort to play white-ball cricket, I don’t play four-day cricket anymore. The quantity of matches has reduced. I have to play that much more matches as practice matches and scenarios. So, I try and do a lot more of that… going to grounds and a lot of people have been with me in this journey when I practice. Those are the hours that you put in with nobody is seeing and those are the most important hours. Because when it comes here, it’s great. The set-up is beautiful, you have a lot of people and they’re helping me a lot, but the real work is done in the lead-up to the tournament, which is what I’ll give a lot of credit to. “Karthik’s preparation in the lead-up to the IPL involved playing in the middle order for India Cements in a T20 tournament at Theni, located about 500 kilometres from Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. This, after he had counter-punched his way to a century in the 50-overs Vijay Hazare Trophy final in December 2021 in Jaipur. And the goal is to return to India’s T20I side and help them win the World Cup although there is fierce competition for various spots.