Atletico Madrid are planning a summer move for out-of-favour Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, according to reports from talkSPORT.
The Mexican hit-man has managed just 15 Premier League appearances this term, with Robin van Persie’s summer arrival limiting his first-team opportunities.
This has led to speculation that he could move on at the end of the season, alerting Atletico Madrid.
The Spaniards are preparing for the loss of star forward Radamel Falcao, who is a £50m target for Chelsea, and see Hernandez as the ideal man to fill the void if he does leave.
It’s believed that they are willing to pay £15m for the 24-year-old, which may tempt United, who are keen to bring in Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski for a similar figure.
Despite only making six league starts this term, Chicharito has managed an impressive eight goals, illustrating his lethal edge.
But, the likes of van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck have all made it into Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting XI on more occasions, causing Hernandez to question his future at Old Trafford.
His infrequent playing time comes as somewhat of a surprise, following an impressive spell in England since his 2010 arrival from Chivas Guadalajara.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Atletico could offer him Champions League football, and a greater chance of first-team action.
Everton fans have found another reason to fall in love with Jordan Pickford, after their new star taunted Newcastle fans after Monday’s win.
If there’s one thing football fans love more than winning, it’s winning and rubbing it in the other team’s faces.
Jordan Pickford did just that on Monday night, as the ex-Sunderland man enjoyed getting one over on his former rival.
The 24 year-old moved to Goodison for a big fee last summer, and has been the sole success story of the Toffees’ summer spending spree.
[ad_pod ]
Newcastle fans understandably gave their former nemesis a fair bit of stick on Monday night, booing and taunting the youngster every time he touched the ball.
Needless to say, Pickford had the last laugh, as Everton not only won but kept a clean sheet.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Everton fans have heaped praise on the young stopper on more than one occasion this season, and Toffees and Sunderland fans alike are loving the clip of Pickford taunting the Toon Army.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Crystal Palace continued their fine run of form since new boss Alan Pardew took over the helm at the start of 2015. Their latest victory; 2-1 away at Stoke, lifted them to eleventh in the table and has all but guaranteed their Premier League survival for another season.
In the bottom three when he took over, Pardew has played a big part in the clubs revival, but one of their star players has also been instrumental in helping Palace climb the table.
Wilfried Zaha scored the winner at the Britannia a week ago, his second goal in as many weeks, and alongside teammate Yannick Bolasie has formed an impressive attacking force on either side of Palace’s midfield.
The 22-year-old took the Championship by storm as Palace sealed promotion to the Premier League back in 2013. Having already secured a dream move to Manchester United, Zaha helped Palace through the play-offs with two goals against fierce rivals Brighton in the semi-final, before winning the decisive penalty in the final to help see off Watford in what was his farewell appearance.
However, the winger endured a difficult and frustrating campaign at Old Trafford the following season, failing to hold down a regular position in the team with question marks surrounding his attitude.
The fact he made just four appearances for the Red Devils told its own story that something was clearly not right between the player and manager at the time, David Moyes. He was later loaned out to Cardiff for the remainder of the season, before putting an end to his United nightmare by returning to Palace the following summer on an initial loan deal.
[ffc-gal cat=”Premier-League” no=”5″]
Back at the club where it all began, Zaha found his confidence once more, clearly happy at returning to a team he loved where the fans and staff appreciated him.
And after impressing during his loan spell, Pardew made it one of his first duties to bring him back on a permanent basis as the Palace star set about getting his career back on track.
Zaha is back playing with a smile on his face and the freedom to express his undoubted quality. He has the ability to beat defenders with ease, something that he is clearly far more comfortable doing at Palace than he was with the pressure of 70,000 fans watching him at Old Trafford. His pace and trickery make him a handful for any full-back, and if Pardew can continue to keep him on the right path there’s no reason why he can’t become one of the league’s leading wingers.
It could be argued that the United deal came too soon in his career, but whatever the case it’s clear he wasn’t given a fair crack at proving himself at the highest level. But despite the apparent hurt this will have caused him, he needs to put the bad experience behind him and use it as an inspiration to recapture the form that saw him end up their in the first place.
Playing week in week out at the top level under Pardew certainly provides him with an adequate platform to do just that, and as long as he keeps his head down and concentrates on his football, there’s no limit to what he can achieve second time around.
It’s clear he has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League, and his performances this season have proved it. Many people seem to forget just how young he is, and so there’s still plenty of time for him to develop into the world class player he can become.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Just like Palace, Zaha is thriving once again and is certainly one to keep a close eye on over the next couple of seasons. And who knows maybe one day we could see back in a red shirt at Old Trafford.
On 8th January 2010 rebels who had been fighting for the region’s independence shot the Togo national team’s bus at the African Cup of Nations. Injuring several squad players and killing the bus driver, this was an example of politics and football clashing in tragic circumstances.
When talking about politics and football it can often bring yawns around a table, fortunately football politics is not about the next match David Cameron will be attending. Of late there has been more involvement of politics in football than ever before and more topically racism, fascism and the seemingly never-ending Sepp Blatter leadership at FIFA.
Over the last decade there has been a large rise in action against racism, not because there has been an increase in racism but because action has finally been taken in greater severity. This is no surprise with the way society has changed and a demand for equality has been called for.
Clubs with fans chanting racial abuse have been punished with fines, bad publicity and in the case of Mario Balotelli’s racial abuse from Juventus fans, handed a one match home fan ban. Balotelli was subjected to further racial abuse from a Stoke fan, who was then banned for three years. Action was taken here politically from both FIFA and The FA, however in the case of Zenit Saint Petersburg action has gone somewhat missing. After two incidents of banana throwing against Roberto Carlos in 2011, Zenit’s official fan group released a manifesto demanding the club exclude all non-white and homosexual players from the club’s roster. The club did respond stating they do not hold archaic views and recruit talented individuals no matter what the demographic. It is clear however, that there needs to be political guidance in a situation like this. Further action has to be taken in order to establish a state of equality, something that should be taken seriously.
FIFA is an organisation which is solely run under an umbrella of politics and caused controversy recently with Qatar successfully winning the role as hosts of the 2022 World Cup. Two FIFA members were accused of accepting bribes for the Qatari bid and these allegations were tabled by Lord Triesman of the English FA. An internal inquiry is ongoing and political debate surrounding the Qatar bid is still current. Due to the country’s severe weather conditions a winter World Cup has been hinted at, a decision that could cause further controversy. Given FIFA’s track record of long decision making which we have seen with goal line technology, it could be a while before we know if we have our first winter World Cup or not.
Very recently Paolo Di Canio caused a media frenzy by not answering whether or not he was a fascist. The newly named Sunderland boss once said he was a fascist not a racist. Di Canio has since distanced himself from his political ideologies stating that he’d rather be judged on his skills as a manager and performances from the team. A correct move from Di Canio, this is a time where both he and Sunderland are very excited for the future. Not a time where something that happened a long time ago should be brought up so seriously.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
All of the cases mentioned are different ways in which politics and football mix. Politics has a way of drawing a large amount of negativity from football, but in truth without it, football wouldn’t have order. Political issues such as racism, homophobia and fascism should always be taken seriously, and should be dealt with in similar accordance. As much as football is the beautiful game, behind the scenes there can be an ugly truth.
Cricket NSW says the player has been “suspended indefinitely from involvement in all cricket related matters”
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Dec-2025A New South Wales cricketer has been banned from playing at all levels indefinitely after a serious complaint was made about alleged misconduct involving young players.First reported in the , a player who has appeared for NSW and a T20 side has had his registration cancelled following an emergency board meeting.It is understood the matter is of a sensitive nature and being investigated by police but no charges have yet been laid.A Cricket New South Wales spokesperson released a statement advising that the player have been de-registered.”After being made aware of a serious complaint the Cricket NSW Board determined to permanently cancel a player’s registration effective immediately.” the statement said”As a result, he is suspended indefinitely from involvement in all cricket related matters. We cannot comment further on this matter while investigations are ongoing.”The reported that the complaint had come from the player’s Sydney grade club and had only been made recently.
“I feel that the bowlers are trying more to read the batters’ mind instead of sticking to their strengths,” Kuldeep says
Daya Sagar06-May-2024Though there has been some respite for bowlers of late, with pitches slowing down somewhat and the frequency of 200-plus totals going down along with it, IPL 2024 has been about big hitting and record team totals. And the impact player rule is one of the reasons for it. For Kuldeep Yadav, though, faced with such “non-stop hitting”, bowlers must show courage and remember that they “have more chances of taking wickets”.”Every team is now trying to attack in the powerplay and score as many runs as possible,” Kuldeep said at a press event in Delhi recently. “It slows down a bit in the middle overs because of the open field, so the batters are playing more freely in the powerplay. Those days are gone when teams used to target 45-50 runs in the powerplay. But I think the bowlers must show more courage. If a batter goes for the attack, then a bowler also has more chances of taking wickets.”I feel that the bowlers are trying more to read the batters’ mind instead of sticking to their strengths. They are trying to bowl where the batter looks a little weak. But I think a bowler should understand his strengths and back his strengths. You can see Jasprit Bumrah, who backs his strengths. The way he bowls, any batter is on the back foot. He dominates the batters mentally. All these things become very important.”Related
Kul-dip and driftin' away to becoming one of the best
Pooran, Kuldeep, his wrong'un, and its ripple effect
Bumrah, of course, has been one of the rare exceptions this season, a bowler who has not only picked up wickets – he is the joint-highest wicket-taker at this stage with 17 wickets – but has also been tough to score off – his economy rate of 6.25 is the best of all frontline bowlers.Kuldeep himself is lower on both the tables, with 12 wickets from eight bowling innings and an economy rate of 8.45, but has been impressive on the whole. And a good example of what he is talking about came in Delhi Capitals’ game against Sunrisers Hyderabad – the team that broke and then rebroke the record for the highest IPL total this season – in Delhi on April 20. Kuldeep conceded 55 runs in SRH’s 266 for 7, but came back with four wickets, those of Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy.”If you are not confident then you will be in a defensive mindset,” he said. “On the other hand, if you are confident, then you are ready to bowl even in the powerplay. I am now ready for all the challenges and always look to take wickets. My self-confidence has increased, and I have a lot of faith in my skills. I see how the batter is batting and how I have to bowl to him. I think where should I bowl to him so that he has a little difficulty in hitting.”Sometimes you can get hit even on good balls, like it happened to me during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. [Heinrich] Klaasen and Abhishek hit sixes on good balls. But I believed in my skills, and I also got wickets that day. Now I enjoy my bowling more and I have learned all this from experience.”So far this season, Kuldeep has bowled just one over in the powerplay, for 20 runs. At the death (overs 17-20) too, he has bowled only three overs, giving away 33 runs. It’s in the middle phase that he has been used the most and has been most effective: 27 overs for 11 wickets, with an economy rate of 7.85.He is expected to be one of the players Rohit Sharma and the team management depend on during the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA come June. And in a team without many allrounders, Kuldeep is hoping to pull his weight with the bat too. It’s something he has been working on, and he showed glimpses of ability in DC’s last game, when he scored 35 not out in 26 balls with five fours and a six against Kolkata Knight Riders.”Rohit does not talk to me much about bowling because I am doing what he wants from me with the ball,” Kuldeep said. “He was concerned about my batting. He told me to improve my batting. I worked on it during the Test series against England [at home earlier this year] and he was impressed by my hard work. He used to be with me in the nets and speak to me about the nuances of batting. This helped me a lot and now I am enjoying my batting as much as my bowling.”
Both teams will have tricky selection calls to make if Chahal and Nissanka are fit and available
Hemant Brar14-Jan-20233:08
Should India stick with Kuldeep? Should Sri Lanka look to make changes?
Big picture – Why dead rubbers still matter
In 26 attempts across formats, Sri Lanka have never won a bilateral series in India. If you look at it through that lens, Sunday’s ODI in Thiruvananthapuram is inconsequential, with India having already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead. However, in a World Cup year, the teams would like to utilise every opportunity they get.India will be looking to fine-tune their strategy and XI. Should their top three continue playing the aggressive brand of cricket they have adopted so far in this series? Who among the two wristspinners – Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav – is their preferred option? Is Umran Malik ready for the big stage?Sri Lanka, perhaps, are still in search of a couple of pieces to complete their jigsaw. Pathum Nissanka scored 72 in the first ODI but missed the next one because of back stiffness. In his absence, debutant Nuwanidu Fernando scored a fifty to put his case forward. If Nissanka is available for the third ODI, whom do Sri Lanka leave out? It’s a headache they won’t mind.
Form guide
India WWWLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first) Sri Lanka LLWLL
In the spotlight – Mohammed Siraj and Kusal Mendis
Mohammed Shami might be the leader of India’s pace attack at the moment, but Mohammed Siraj has had a bigger impact in this series, picking up five wickets at 12.00, with an economy rate of 4.73. He also seems to have grown more aware of his own strengths. In the second ODI, with the new ball not swinging, he switched to bowling wobble-seam and castled Avishka Fernando with a nip-backer to give India an early breakthrough.Kusal Mendis is by far the most experienced batter in this Sri Lanka line-up. He played some handy knocks during the T20I series, and looked good in the second ODI as well before being dismissed for a run-a-ball 34. If Sri Lanka are to challenge India, Mendis will have to bat longer.
Team news – Will Chahal return?
Chahal missed the second ODI with a sore right shoulder. If he is available for Sunday’s game, it will be interesting to see if Kuldeep Yadav once again misses out after a Player-of-the-Match performance.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Umran Malik, 11 Mohammed Siraj.Mohammed Siraj has been both economical and incisive with the new ball for India•BCCI
It will not be easy to keep out Nuwanidu after his composed half-century at the top of the order in the previous game. Given that he bats in the middle order in domestic cricket, Charith Asalanka may have to miss out if Nissanka is available.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Nuwanidu Fernando/Charith Asalanka, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Chamika Karunaratne, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Lahiru Kumara.
Pitch and conditions
The Greenfield International Stadium has hosted only one ODI to date: India vs West Indies in 2019. Batting first, West Indies were bowled out for 104, and India chased it down with nine wickets to spare. The temperature during the day time should be around 30°C; it will become slightly cooler at night. There is no forecast for rain.
Stats and trivia – Kohli vs Jayawardene
Virat Kohli (12,588) needs 63 runs to go past Mahela Jayawardene’s ODI tally of 12,650 and move to fifth position among the top run-getters in ODIs.
In the second ODI, Nuwanidu Fernando became the sixth Sri Lanka batter to score 50 or more runs on ODI debut.
Avishka Fernando is 11 short of 1000 runs in ODI cricket. If he gets there on Sunday, in his 29th innings, he will be the fourth-fastest to the landmark from his country.
Quotes
“We will have a look at the pitch [in Thiruvananthapuram], we will definitely have a look at some of our guys because there are three ODIs coming against New Zealand as well. So we have to keep the guys fresh. We have got a long season ahead, so we need to keep everything in mind. If need be we will make some changes.”
CWI and PCB to hold meeting to determine fate of tour after all remaining touring party members have been tested again
ESPNcricinfo staff16-Dec-2021West Indies’ ongoing tour of Pakistan has been cast into doubt with five more members of the touring party testing positive for Covid-19. The five include players Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, and Justin Greaves, along with assistant coach Roddy Estwick and team physician Dr Akshai Mansingh.Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed that all three players will be unavailable for the remaining games – one T20I on Thursday and three ODIs – and that all five members who tested positive will remain in isolation for 10 days. They will not be allowed to join the main group until they return negative tests. Once all remaining members of the touring party have been tested again, CWI and PCB officials will meet to determine if the tour can continue.Related
Cottrell, Chase, Mayers test positive for Covid-19
Shadab's all-round display seals Pakistan's series win
With Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers having already been ruled out due to positive Covid-19 tests earlier, and a finger injury to Devon Thomas (sustained during the first T20I), the West Indies are now short of six players, raising questions over the viability of the tour continuing.That leaves the tourists with only 14 available players to choose from in their T20I and ODI squads, with the batting particularly hard hit. Only Nicholas Pooran, Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks and Darren Bravo remain available among specialist batters.Cottrell, Chase and Mayers had returned positive results in the initial tests that were done after the team’s arrival in Karachi on December 9. The trio missed both the T20Is that have been played so far, with Pakistan taking a series-winning 2-0 lead after winning both. The third T20I is scheduled for Thursday, December 16.West Indies were already without many of their senior players for the tour, due to rest, injuries or personal reasons, with none of Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis or Fabian Allen available.
Kiran Carlson and Billy Root lead Glamorgan reply after triple-century partnership
ECB Reporters Network09-Aug-2020Kiran Carlson and Billy Root led a powerful Glamorgan fightback after centurions Jake Libby and Brett D’Oliveira had earlier rewritten the record books for Worcestershire in the Bob Willis Trophy encounter at Blackfinch New Road.Libby and D’Oliveira set a new partnership record for Worcestershire for any wicket against their Welsh opponents of 318 out of a total of 455 for 8 from their 120 overs and then Ed Barnard dismissed Glamorgan openers Nick Selman and Charlie Hemphrey. But Carlson and Root batted with plenty of fluency in the final session in each completing half-centuries and their unbroken stand was worth 137 in 44 overs by the close when the Glamorgan total stood on 181 for 2.Carlson ended on 76 off 147 balls with 12 fours and Root faced 134 deliveries with six boundaries and at the close was unbeaten on 53. It was an encouraging contrast for Glamorgan to last week’s opening BWT encounter at Taunton when they were bowled out for 131 and 166 in suffering a 289-run defeat to Somerset.The Libby-D’Oliveira stand surpassed the previous Worcestershire best of 287 by Graeme Hick and Tim Curtis for the second wicket at Neath 34 years ago.Libby also achieved his career best score, beating his 144 for Nottinghamshire versus Durham four years ago, and went onto make 184. He batted for more than seven hours, faced 319 balls and struck one six and 18 fours to take his run tally to 286 in three knocks since a winter move from Nottinghamshire.D’Oliveira advanced to 174 before he was dismissed and clearly enjoys facing the Glamorgan bowlers. The 28-year-old scored a double-century against them in 2016 at Cardiff and another hundred batting at No. 9 at the same venue last season – in addition to nine wickets. He faced 262 deliveries hit one six and 21 boundaries.Worcestershire resumed on 309 for 3 and Libby and D’Oliveira were initially watchful against the second new ball attack of Michael Hogan, who picked up three wickets on day one, and Timm van der Gugten.The scoring rate gradually quickened and Libby went past his previous highest score when he clipped van der Gugten through midwicket for two. He completed his 150 with a cover drive for three off Hogan.The new partnership record was achieved with a chop for two off spinner Kieran Bull by D’Oliveira who then reached his 150 with a single off the same bowler. After such dominance by bat over ball, it came out of the blue when Libby gave Bull the charge and was stumped at 388 for 4.Worcestershire secured their fifth batting point with seven balls to spare of the 110 overs before late wickets were sacrificed in the chase for runs. Riki Wessels was caught and bowled by Graham Wagg and D’Oliveira’s splendid knock ended when he tried to steer Wagg down to third man and departed to a fine low catch by keeper Chris Cooke.Wagg (3 for 66) claimed a third scalp as Ed Barnard holed out to Hogan at long-off. Worcestershire Club captain Joe Leach swatted Bull over the midwicket boundary for six before he was caught in the deep attempting a similar hit to the next delivery.When Glamorgan launched their reply, Selman and Hemphrey looked secure in advancing the total to 39 but the situation changed after Barnard’s introduction to the attack.The last ball of his first over accounted for Selman, who nicked a delivery which moved away from him through to keeper Ben Cox. It became 44-2 when Hemphrey was leg before to the England Lions allrounder in his third over.But that was the last success of the day for Worcestershire as Carlson and Root joined forces and batted impressively. Root cut Barnard for two fours in an over and Carlson completed his half-century with a boundary off Charlie Morris and in the process also brought up the 100 partnership in 29 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah’s discipline and wickets shared among the rest meant that the Australians lost 6 for 54 in 77 balls in the final overs
The Report by Daniel Brettig13-Mar-20195:01
India’s middle order still a concern?
A decade ago Australia won an ODI series in India despite a surfeit of injuries. Numerous stronger sides have left empty handed since then, so it was with a great deal of satisfaction that Aaron Finch’s team sealed this victory from 0-2 down, the first time an Australian side had ever done so in 50-over matches, with a disciplined, determined and tactically astute defence of 272 in Delhi.Being 0-2 down is something the Australians have become used to in more than one sense over the past year, missing the names of David Warner and Steven Smith from their team sheet as a result of the Newlands scandal.But there was much to be savoured in winning a series over one of the World Cup fancies in the final assignment before the Smith and Warner bans expire at the end of this month. Their reintegration meeting in the UAE later this week will take place in the afterglow of a first series victory in seven attempts dating back to January 2017, at the same time inflicting India’s first home ODI defeat since 2015.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Tellingly, two of the men to stand up in the former leaders’ absence were those who were directly replacing them: Usman Khawaja gliding to a second century of the series to further press his case for World Cup inclusion, and Peter Handscomb providing more than useful support having been promoted to No. 3 after Shaun Marsh was dropped. Finch and the national team coach Justin Langer have spent some months feeling like they were short of viable options; now they find themselves spoiled for batting choice.Equally the Australian effort with the ball and in the field showed an expanding tactical and technical repertoire, as Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon combined artfully as spin bowlers on a slow, low Feroz Shah Kotla pitch, only a matter of weeks after it appeared that Langer and company had belatedly acknowledged the need to find wicket-taking spinners for the middle overs. Masterful too was Pat Cummins, giving barely anything away, while Marcus Stoinis returned from injury to enjoy his He-Man moment when coaxing an edge from Virat Kohli.India had not lost any ODI series at home since going down 3-2 to South Africa in October 2015. That result arrived only a matter of months after Australia won the previous World Cup so was not considered a major reverse. However this defeat, on the cusp of the IPL, has left India with precious little time to iron out an increasing number of wrinkles. By contrast the Australians can now look forward to a further five matches against Pakistan.Marcus Stoinis is fairly pleased with his work, don’t you think?•Getty Images
India’s chase, and defeat from 2-0 up for the first time in history, opened more than a few questions for Kohli and the coach Ravi Shastri, not least team balance after only three specialist batsmen were selected. With Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli dismissed cheaply, Rohit Sharma seemed weighed down by the task before him, twice offering chances spurned off Zampa’s bowling before charging wildly to be well stumped by Alex Carey. MS Dhoni’s resting for the final two matches provided opportunities for others in India’s middle order, but they were far from taken.All this was after Khawaja’s dismissal in the 33rd over of Australia’s own innings had seen the game change markedly. Jasprit Bumrah’s discipline and wickets shared among the rest meant that the team lost 6 for 54 in 77 balls just as they were looking to accelerate. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja were the chief wicket-takers for India, while Ashton Turner and Stoinis were irritated to have failed to go on from their starts. Jhye Richardson and Cummins put on a pesky 34 runs in 2.4 overs and ultimately ensured the Australians would be happy with their total.Despite Australia’s record-breaking chase in Mohali, led by Turner, Finch chose to bat first and attempt to put scoreboard pressure on India, who also made a couple of changes, calling in Jadeja and Mohammed Shami while dropping Yuzvendra Chahal and KL Rahul.Shami and Bhuvneshwar floated the ball full in the early overs in search of swing, but slipped obligingly into the driving zones of Khawaja and Finch as the tourists made a fluent start. Khawaja in particular was punishing on balls either too straight or too short, while Finch was for the most part content to bat in his partner’s slipstream. Neither batsman was overly troubled as they rattled to 76, and it took an excellent delivery from Jadeja, spinning past the outside edge of Finch’s bat and clattering off stump, to separate them.Adam Zampa is starting to bamboozle more and more batsmen in international cricket•Getty Images
Handscomb was quickly into stride however, maintaining the momentum from his Mohali innings by finding the boundary while rotating strike expertly with Khawaja, who was soon saluting his second century of the series. It was his third in international cricket since he returned from knee surgery with a hundred against Sri Lanka in Canberra last month.At 175 for 1 with 17.1 overs left, a major score seemed likely, but when Khawaja picked out Kohli at cover, causing the Indian captain to hurl the ball into the turf as he released his frustration, the game began to shift in momentum.The ball was ageing, the pitch slowing, and new entrants to the crease found the going harder. Glenn Maxwell shaped to hit Jadeja inside out but could not clear cover, Handscomb’s innings ended when he was surprised by extra lift from a Shami delivery he wanted to run down to third man, and Turner’s follow-up innings to Mohali ended when he miscued Kuldeep Yadav to long-on after he had lifted the left-arm wristspinner for six.At the other end Stoinis soaked up 16 dot balls out of 27 faced before dragging Bhuvneshwar onto the stumps, but Richardson and Cummins were able to pull together a priceless stand in the closing overs to push Australia’s total past 270. From a point where Kohli’s men had looked likely to need to beat the previous record chase at the ground – 281 in 1982 – they were ultimately left with a target of more modest dimensions.Kedar Jadhav punches through covers•Getty Images
Much depended on how the hosts could start, and though there was a sprinkling of boundaries against the new ball, Cummins’ dismissal of Dhawan opened up the opportunity to hunt Kohli’s wicket while the ball was still new. Cummins and Richardson were unable to find a way through, but Stoinis, bowling across the seam and finding extra bounce, did the trick by finding a thin edge through to an exultant Carey.Rishabh Pant threatened for a while, but was becalmed and then dismissed by Lyon’s offbreaks, prodding at a delivery that turned and bounced, offering a catch to Turner at slip. Vijay Shankar also made a start, only to sky Zampa to Khawaja at deep midwicket, and when Rohit was dropped off consecutive Zampa deliveries – first a thin edge through to Carey and then a catch by Maxwell at cover – Indian frustration was clear.Zampa did not have to wait long to celebrate, for in his next over Rohit ran down the wicket, was beaten between bat and pad and clearly stumped by Carey after he had stayed admirably low with the ball. Ravindra Jadeja had not scored when he stretched forward and was beaten by a Zampa wrong’un with Carey again in position for a stumping, this time achieved by the barest of margins as the left-hander’s foot was deemed to be stuck on the line and not behind it.That left India 132 for 6 and seemingly in quicksand. Bhuvneshwar and Kedar Jadhav got the equation down to 50 off 25 balls with a nifty union of 91 that brought the crowd to life and had Finch nervously drying the ball as late evening dew began to settle.But Cummins returned to have Bhuvneshwar miscuing to mid-off, and the very next ball Jadhav was well pouched by a running Maxwell off Richardson, leaving Stoinis to complete formalities by knocking out Kuldeep’s middle stump. At the boundary’s edge Langer, so frazzled for much of the past 10 months, raised two arms in triumph.