Author: Barkha Roy

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is counting on Gabriel Martinelli to step up and fill the void left by Bukayo Saka’s absence due to a hamstring injury. Saka, a key figure in Arsenal’s attack, is expected to be sidelined for several weeks, potentially missing crucial matches, including the north London derby against Tottenham on January 15. Arteta confirmed on Monday that Saka suffered the injury during the first half of Arsenal’s win against Crystal Palace. The England winger’s recovery timeline means he will also miss the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal against Newcastle and an FA Cup third-round clash…

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is determined to return to action this season, defying earlier expectations that his recovery would extend into next year. The Spaniard sustained a severe knee injury involving ACL ligament damage during City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal in September. Following surgery, the club announced that the 28-year-old would likely remain sidelined until the next campaign. However, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Rodri expressed optimism about an earlier return. “My target is to come back this season. Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial for me. I don’t want to rush and make mistakes, but I aim…

Real Madrid has announced that forward Rodrygo will miss the upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona after sustaining an injury during the team’s UEFA Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. The Brazilian forward was forced off in the 5-2 victory on Tuesday after suffering a thigh issue, which has now been diagnosed as a Biceps Femoris injury. The 23-year-old has grown into a key figure in Real Madrid’s attack, showcasing his versatility in various positions across the front line. In the match against Dortmund, he started and played with intensity, contributing to his side’s impressive comeback. However, in the 83rd minute,…

Morne Morkel, the former South African fast bowler, has been officially appointed as the bowling coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the appointment on Wednesday, ending weeks of speculation about the role. Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, made the announcement. Morkel takes over from Paras Mhambrey, who previously held the position. His appointment finalizes the Indian team’s coaching staff, which now includes head coach Gautam Gambhir, assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, and fielding coach T Dilip. The decision to bring Morkel on board follows a rigorous…

Real Madrid has announced that Luka Modrić has signed an extension, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2024-25 season. The Croatian midfielder, who has been with the Spanish giants since 2012, hinted at his continued stay during the club’s Champions League celebrations. “Thank you for your support all year. See you next season!” Modrić told the crowd at the Bernabéu on June 2. Modrić, 38, has had a storied career with Real Madrid, amassing a joint-record total of 26 trophies, including six Champions League titles and four La Liga titles. His journey with Madrid began after…

Ajit Agarkar’s appointment as the chief selector of India’s men’s cricket team marks a significant milestone for multiple reasons. The BCCI broke away from their long-standing tradition of selecting individuals from different zones to ensure equal representation. Instead, they focused on the player’s reputation rather than their regional affiliation, resulting in the selection of Agarkar despite the presence of another representative from the West Zone, Salil Ankola, in the committee. One of the primary reasons why renowned former cricketers were hesitant to join India’s senior selection committee was reportedly the subpar remuneration offered by the BCCI. While the chairperson of…

England batsman Ollie Pope has been ruled out of the 2023 Men’s Ashes series after he sustained a dislocated shoulder in the second Test match at Lord’s. The right-hander had suffered an injury prior to the third innings of the match, but still played in Australia’s second innings, after there was some confusion regarding the rules with respect to a substitute fielder taking his place. If reports are to be believed, Pope was not allowed a substitute in his place and was forced to take the field, which is believed to have aggravated his injury. England coach Brendon McCullum spoke…

Premier Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah has given a slight ray of hope in relation to his recovery in time for the World Cup, which will commence in October. It will be a huge World Cup for India, given that they will be the sole hosts of the event. The stakes will be ever so higher after their losses in the semifinals of the 2015 and 2019 editions of the World Cup following their famous triumph in 2011. India suffered two disappointing defeats in the two previous World Cups in almost identical circumstances, with their top order letting them down, resulting…

The ODI and Test squads for the upcoming West Indies tour were recently announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Team India are scheduled to play the two-time ODI World Cup champions in a multi-format series that includes two tests, three ODIs and five T20Is which is scheduled to begin from July 12. Sarfaraz was once again absent from the team when the BCCI announced the Test squad for the tour. The 25-year-old has been one of the most important players in domestic cricket and one of the highest run scorers while playing at the top of…

Veteran England pacer James Anderson believes that declaring the first innings at 393/8 late on Day 1 of the Ashes 2023 Test at Edgbaston was a ‘positive’ move by skipper Ben Stokes. Following the defeat, the skipper captain faced some criticism, with many believing that the hosts’ declaration had come back to haunt them. Anderson, on the other hand, opened up about his conversation with Stokes at the time of declaration. Here’s what Anderson had to say about Stokes’ decision to declare early in his Telegraph column: “I had my pads on waiting to bat when Ben declared. He said…