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When asked what was going on, Ashwin’s response was: “I just play with passion, so does he”

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Apr-20190:18

We just play with passion – Ashwin on Kohli send-off

Did Virat Kohli mock R Ashwin’s controversial mankading of Jos Buttler earlier in the season after he caught his Test team-mate at the long-on boundary? Paul Collingwood, former England captain and a staunch critic of the Buttler run-out, certainly thought so.

Love @imVkohli reaction catching @ashwinravi99 Great entertainment @RCBTweets and @IPL !! Mother cricket always gets you!! #mankad

— Paul Collingwood (@Colly622) April 24, 2019

With 27 required off the last over against Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab captain Ashwin hit the first ball for a six. The next only made it as far as Kohli at the long-on boundary. Kohli gesticulated after catching the ball before moving his right hand – which held the ball – behind his body, an action not too dissimilar to flicking the bails off behind you when you effect the mankad.Virat Kohli is over the moon as a Kings XI Punjab wicket falls•BCCIAshwin walked off, and proceeded to fling his gloves in anger upon reaching the dugout, which may or may not have been a reaction to Kohli’s antics. He was later asked about what had been going on between him and Kohli – Ashwin has been animated whenever his side has got Kohli out – and replied, “I just play with passion, so does he. That’s it. As simple as that.”No current India cricketer has openly come out in support of Ashwin – or made any comment one way or another – on the run-out debate, whereas current England cricketers – and others – have taken to Twitter to criticise him. The support for Ashwin has only come from former Indian cricketers.Ashwin did pull out of his delivery during his match against Delhi Capitals with Shikhar Dhawan, the non-striker, not leaving the crease. When Ashwin ran in to bowl the next ball, Dhawan danced outside the crease but with the bat inside it. Kohli reacted similarly when Sunil Narine pulled out of his delivery stride in another match, but that wasn’t with the intention of running the non-striker out. Kohli squatted low to send the message that he was doing all he could to keep his bat inside the crease.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson says he will get a Tottenham tattoo if Spurs beat Manchester City to help the Gunners win the Premier League.

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Arsenal top of Premier League after Man Utd winManchester City face Tottenham in midweekMerson to get Spurs tattoo if City drop pointsWHAT HAPPENED?

City went top of the Premier League on Saturday after thrashing Fulham 4-0, only for Arsenal to leapfrog them again after beating Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday. The Gunners have one match left but Pep Guardiola's men have a game in hand, a trip to Tottenham in midweek. Ahead of that clash, Merson made a wild bet, insisting that Spurs have little chance of getting a result that would essentially hand the title to their bitter rivals.

AdvertisementWHAT PAUL MERSON SAID

He said on Sky Sports: "Arsenal are probably going to finish second. If you're relying on Tottenham to win or draw a football match… yeah… no. If they win that, I will have a Tottenham tattoo. I will. I'll put it where you can't see it!"

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Arsenal are looking to win their first Premier League title since 2004 whereas City are aiming to win a fourth straight crown. For the former to come out on top, they will need Guardiola's side to slip up but whether that happens remains to be seen.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

City finish off their league season away to Tottenham on Tuesday, before hosting West Ham next Sunday. Arsenal, on the other hand, host Everton on the same day – looking to pip their rivals to the trophy.

Jorginho revealed Mikel Arteta had been a huge admirer of him for nearly a decade and tried to get him since he was in Napoli in the mid 2010s.

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Jorginho signed an extension with ArsenalSet to stay until 2025Believes Arteta will sign an extension as wellWHAT HAPPENED?

As his contract approached its conclusion this summer, Jorginho opted to prolong his stay, penning a short-term deal believed to span 12 months, with the possibility of an additional year. The 32-year-old midfield maestro has become a mainstay in Arteta's squad as the Gunners challenge for the top crown in England. Notably, Arteta's interest in the Italian dates back to his time at Napoli between 2014 and 2018, with the Arsenal manager making multiple attempts in the past to secure his signature.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT JORGINHO SAID

"When he (Arteta) was at City and I was in Naples, that was the first time (he tried signing me) and then he tried twice when he was here and it didn't happen," Jorginho said after signing the new deal.

"But now fortunately it happened. I am here, happy, having the opportunity to work together with him and learning a lot from him."

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With one year remaining on Arteta's contract, speculation surrounding his future has been rife. However, Jorginho remains confident in Arteta's commitment to Arsenal, citing the transformative impact the coach has had on the club.

"I feel that he could stay way longer," he said.

"I feel he feels good here and I honestly don't see him going. It is really important for the club for him to stay because him with Edu and the board, the whole club, they created something special. I don't believe he wants to go as well."

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR JORGINHO?

As Arsenal prepare for a crucial fixture against Manchester United on Sunday, Jorginho will aim to maintain the momentum garnered from recent successes. A victory against their rivals would bolster Arsenal's position at the top of the table, leaving Manchester City no room for error against Tottenham on Tuesday night.

Andrew McGlashan in Brisbane06-May-2019The Australians, including Steven Smith and David Warner for the first time in more than a year, had to scramble for a one-wicket victory against a New Zealand XI including just five of the World Cup squad after suffering a batting collapse on the first of three practice matches at Allan Border Field.Having earlier restricted the New Zealanders to 215 they stumbled from 2 for 122 to 9 for 205 leaving the final pair of Jason Behrendorff and Adam Zampa to edge them across the line as darkness fell and save the blushes of a middle order that produced some poor shot selection.For all the excitement at the end, the result of this match won’t be hugely significant in the bigger picture but it was the latest milestone in the comeback story of Warner and Smith, pulling on the Australian colours for the first time since the Newlands ball-tampering scandal. They are likely to face more hostile crowds over the next few months than the 1000-plus of friendly local support that gathered on a public holiday. “Welcome back, Smithy” came a lone voice as the Australians took the field in the morning and both were greeted by warm applause as they walked to the crease. In England, however, things are expected to be a bit different.One of the more intriguing aspects of the day was a small message in how Warner was used: it doesn’t matter how good your form is, you may have to take on a new position in the team as he was slotted in at No. 3 despite only once in 104 ODI innings having not opened.As it was, Warner arrived at the crease in the first over of the chase when Usman Khawaja was bowled by Matt Henry playing an expansive drive and, after an iffy start where he was dropped at gully before scoring, cantered his way to 39 off 43. Smith, who earlier took a terrific one-handed diving catch that will have given the troublesome elbow a good test, got himself settled before falling for 22 and the innings stuttered.Marcus Stoinis was caught behind from a loose drive, Shaun Marsh slashed to gully and Alex Carey nicked a wild shot to leave it to the bowlers. Nathan Coulter-Nile tried to muscle the Australians over the line but was lbw to Todd Astle with 11 still needed.David Warner takes the field•Getty ImagesIn the weeks leading up to Warner and Smith returning, Australia strung together eight consecutive ODI wins. One of the key parts of that was the success Khawaja and Aaron Finch had together at the top of the order. What the top order looks like at the World Cup remains one of the questions Australia need to answer. In all likelihood various combinations will be used during the three matches against New Zealand, and the odds still favour Warner opening come the tournament, but the fact he didn’t get first crack was a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted.Warner didn’t quite middle everything from the off, perhaps still adjusting to the change in conditions from the IPL to Brisbane. He almost spooned his first ball close to backward point then nearly offered a return catch to Henry, who should have had him in his next over when Daryl Mitchell spilled a chance at gully, but was soon dispatching deliveries to the boundary. He took a particularly liking to anything Doug Bracewell dropped short before trying something a little too inventive off Astle and top edged a reverse sweep.Smith had been given a tough net session by the Australian quicks yesterday but looked reasonably assured in the middle, one straight in particular standing out, until he was caught behind off Henry as Australia’s collapse was set in motion.The player who was a shining light for the men’s team during a difficult home summer, Pat Cummins, had got the day off to a lively start when he struck twice in the opening over to send back George Worker and Henry Nicholls.From there, the New Zealanders recovered impressively through a third-wicket stand of 137 between Will Young and Tom Blundell. Young, recently handed a central contract, is the next in line behind the incumbent batsmen while Blundell earned the final spot in the World Cup squad when he was preferred ahead of Tim Seifert as back-up wicketkeeper.After laying a foundation following the early losses both started to expand their strokeplay; Blundell launched Behrendorff into the grandstand over deep square and Young later peppered the same area. However, when Young clubbed Coulter-Nile to deep midwicket and Blundell fell four overs later and the innings went into a nosedive as the New Zealanders lost 8 for 78.Cummins, Behrendorff and Coulter-Nile each finished with three wickets while Adam Zampa nipped out Mitchell with a stumping. Kane Richardson, who is one of the standby pacemen for the World Cup along with Josh Hazlewood, and would be in line for a call-up if Jhye Richardson doesn’t recover from his dislocated shoulder, went wicketless and will hope for another chance in the next two matches. Australia will hope to bat better.

Chelsea are set to beat Real Madrid in the transfer race to sign Palmeiras wonderkid Estevao 'Messinho' Willian.

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Chelsea closing on signing MessinhoReal Madrid out of the transfer racePalmeiras boss wants to keep the player WHAT HAPPENED?

According to journalist , the Blues have initiated talks with the Brazilian giants to sign their 17-year-old forward Estevao Willian, also known as 'Messinho'. At one point, Real Madrid had shown interest in signing the youngster, but they are now out of the transfer race.

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Last week it was reported that the Premier League giants were preparing a third bid worth €55 million (£47m/$58m) after reportedly failing with their first two offers for the teenage sensation. Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira, however, requested the club to retain the player's services at least until 2027.

DID YOU KNOW?

The youngster has enjoyed a rich vein of form in the current season having scored seven goals and provided three assists in 18 matches for his club across all competitions.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ESTEVAO WILLIAN?

'Messinho' will be next seen in action on Thursday as Palmeiras take on Uruguay's Liverpool in a Copa Libertadores group stage clash.

UAE’s top order flounders with no batsman crossing 50, legspinner Ryan Burl finishes with career-best figures

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2019After running Zimbabwe close two nights ago, UAE were put through another tough examination in Harare in the third ODI of their four-match series, and the quality of Zimbabwe’s batsmanship was good enough to help them clinch the series 3-0 with one to play.This was made possible courtesy Sean Williams’ third ODI century, an unbeaten 84-ball 109, that helped Zimbabwe post 307 for 4. Williams was helped along the way by Craig Ervine and Peter Moor, the captain, with whom he put together 104 and 145 respectively.Moor made 58 off 52 balls during the course of the mammoth fifth-wicket stand off just 107 deliveries. That helped the pair add 100 in the last ten overs. They took a special liking to offspinner Rohan Mustafa, whose 1 for 67 was the most expensive spell for UAE.In reply, UAE slumped to 15 for 3 in the sixth. Zimbabwe were briefly kept at bay by CP Rizwan and Muhammad Usman, who made 47 and 49 respectively, but that served to merely limit the damage. Ryan Burl, the 24-year-old legspinner, first removed Rizwan and then returned to clean up the lower order to finish with a career-best 4 for 32.The two sides will square off in the fourth and final ODI on Tuesday.

After passing a fitness test, the left-arm wristspinner Zahir was one of two bowlers added to Afghanistan’s Test squad

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Mar-2019Afghanistan have strengthened their bowling arsenal for their first ‘home’ Test – against Ireland on March 15 – by adding left-arm wristspinner Zahir Khan and left-arm seam bowler Sayed Shirzad to the squad.Zahir was initially not selected for the Test since the ACB was awaiting his fitness report. But now that Zahir has been declared fit, he will join the team in Dehradun. He has an outstanding first-class record, with 34 wickets in seven matches, at an average of 13.14. The 24-year-old Shirzad has played 15 first-class games, taking 49 wickets – including four five-wicket hauls – at an average of 25.38.”Both Zahir Khan and Sayed Shirzad have very good bowling records in first-class cricket and have played in the ICC Intercontinental Cup for Afghanistan,” Afghanistan’s chief selector Dawlat Ahmadzai said while announcing the update. “We were awaiting Zahir’s fitness report when announcing the initial 14-member Test squad and now that he is fully fit, we have decided to add him to the squad.”Sayed Shirzad is added as an additional pacer in the squad to have another bowling option if needed.”It will be Afghanistan’s second Test in India but will be designated as their first home game. For their opponents Ireland, it will be their first away Test, having made their debut against Pakistan in Dublin last year.Afghanistan squad: Asghar Afghan (capt), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Ihsanullah Janat, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Nasir Jamal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhail, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Wafadar Momand, Yamin Ahmadzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Waqar Salamkhail, Zahir Khan, Sayed Shirzad.

Paris Saint-Germain have reached a decision on a potential Marcus Rashford pursuit as they attempt to find a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.

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PSG cool Rashford interestStriker shortlist doesn't include Man Utd starSummer approach previously expectedWHAT HAPPENED?

PSG are reported by to have "cooled" their interest in Rashford and are expected to actively pursue other targets instead during this summer's transfer window. The French champions are looking at "three or four" strikers to replace Kylian Mbappe, including Victor Osimhen, but Rashford is not believed to be among them, despite attempts to sign him last year.

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An earlier report suggested that United could give "genuine consideration" to credible offers they might receive for Rashford and almost every other member of the squad – only three players are considered not for sale at this point. It comes as the club look for ways to increase a limited transfer budget after failing to qualify for next season's Champions League, which will negatively affect revenue and therefore spending power in 2024-25.

DID YOU KNOW?

Rashford is on the brink of making his milestone 400th Manchester United appearance. His 399th came against Bournemouth recently, but he has been made to wait for the landmark game due to injury ruling him out of Sheffield United and Burnley clashes. Only 27 players have made more appearances in United's entire history.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

Hoping to return from injury quickly, Rashford will be determined to finish the season on a positive note, especially with Euro 2024 on the immediate horizon. His current club form, which is far removed from last season when he scored 30 goals in all competitons, is unlikely to land him a starting place in Gareth Southgate's side.

The opener says that a spot in the World Cup squad will be “a dream”, but he insists that his focus is much more short-term

Liam Brickhill21-Jan-2019South Africa are wary of a resurgent Pakistan team that cruised to a five-wicket win in the first of five one-day internationals in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.”We know Pakistan is a good one-day outfit,” opener Reeza Hendricks, who contributed 45 to an opening stand of 82 in the first ODI, said. “They’ve been performing really well over the years in one-day cricket, so we’re quite wary and know that they’re a good team. They proved it by beating us in P.E.”Hendricks’ opening partnership with Hashim Amla allowed South Africa to set a platform, but a sluggish track and a committed bowling effort meant the hosts were never able to substantially up the run rate. Hendricks struck at 67.16 during his knock, and after him neither Amla or Rassie van der Dussen were able to raise their strike rates as high as a run a ball. Although David Miller capped the innings with a 12-ball 16, South Africa’s 266 for 2 was not enough to challenge a Pakistan top order that took more risks but completed the chase with five balls to spare.”In our minds, we thought it would be a good score,” Hendricks said. “There were slower conditions in the day, and it did quicken up at night. In our minds, we thought we went about it the right way. The batters that were in the middle felt it was a good score.”We’ve had a good discussion around the PE game, what went wrong and what we can learn from. It’s been those discussions we’ve had, and a good training session today ahead of tomorrow’s game.”With the World Cup five months away, the tournament is providing increasing context to the one-day cricket being played in the interim and every member of South Africa’s squad will see the series against Pakistan as a chance to stake a claim. Rassie van der Dussen made an immediate impact on debut with his 93, but his performance did not come as a surprise to Hendricks, who has shared a dressing room with van der Dussen with the Lions franchise for several seasons.”I was quite proud to see him make his debut and contributing the way he has,” Hendricks said of van der Dussen. “Obviously disappointed that he couldn’t get to his three-figure mark, but at the end of the day he played really well to contribute as well as he did. I’ve played a couple of seasons now with him. I know his capabilities and seen him improve over the years. He showed what he’s about to deserve a spot in the team.”Hendricks admitted that a spot in the World Cup squad would be “a dream” and would mean “a hell of a lot” to him, but he insisted that his focus is much more short-term.”I’m not looking at it like that,” he said. “Yes, the World Cup is around the corner but we’ve got a series on hand now at the moment and this is an opportunity that we get as well. We take it as it comes. Personally, I’m taking it game by game, trying to contribute as well as I can to each game and every opportunity I get, and the rest will take care of itself. I’m not looking too far ahead, or looking who’s around me, because at the end of the day if I don’t get selected I know the player next to me and the guys that are going will do the job, and I back them 100 percent.”Aside from individual aspirations, the remaining nine ODIs scheduled for South Africa before the World Cup also provide an opportunity to fine-tune ‘Vision 2019’, the team’s blueprint for what they believe will bring success at the tournament.”We’re quite close,” Hendricks said. “I think we’re on the right track. We’ve had a good chat in how to go about it and how we’re playing, and as a unit we’re all buying into it. We’re doing good things. There are still a couple of months to try and get it right for the World Cup.”

Marcus Thuram paid tribute to 'best uncle' Thierry Henry after guiding Inter to Scudetto win on Monday.

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Thuram's message to Henry Called French legend 'best uncle' Scored in Inter's win over AC Milan WHAT HAPPENED?

The French forward scored the second goal of his team – which proved to be decisive – in Inter's 2-1 win over rivals AC Milan in the Milan derby on Monday. The three points helped the Nerazzurri clinch their 20th Scudetto win with five games to go in the current season.

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After contributing to his team's title triumph, Thuram sent a heartfelt message to his father Lilian's former France team-mate and CBS Sports pundit Thierry Henry, as he called the French legend his 'best uncle.'

WHAT MARCUS THURAM SAID

Speaking to CBS Sports after the Milan derby, the striker said, "I’d like to thank Thierry Henry – maybe he’s going to see this – for all the advice that he gave me, and I hope that this is only the start. He's like my best uncle; he's the uncle who's here for me, to help me in good moments and bad moments. He always tells me the truth; today, I'd like to take the time to thank him because if I'm here, it's because of him."

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR INTER?

The newly crowned Italian champions will be next seen in action on Saturday as they host Torino in a Serie A clash.