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Manchester City have now identified a “top-level midfielder” as a priority target, joining a number of Europe’s top clubs in the race for his signature.

Man City set sights on Yaya Toure-esque midfielder

Despite his well-documented fallout with Pep Guardiola, Yaya Toure is undoubtedly a Man City legend, winning three Premier League titles, three EFL Cups and one FA Cup during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

The Ivorian, who is now working as Saudi Arabia’s assistant manager, posed a threat going forward throughout his time in England, scoring a whopping 20 goals during the 2013-14 Premier League season, while also amassing nine assists.

Since then, City’s style of play has changed, with Guardiola’s side reliant on Erling Haaland to provide the majority of their goals, and the Norwegian certainly hasn’t disappointed so far this season, averaging 1.05 goals per 90 in the Premier League, having found the back of the net 15 times.

However, Man City have now joined the race for an up-and-coming central midfielder with shades of Toure, according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states they have identified Trabzonspor’s Christ Inao Oulai as a priority target.

Bayern Munich and Manchester United are also rivalling City for the 19-year-old’s signature, with all three clubs identifying him as one of their key teenage targets in Europe.

In his hometown of Yopougon in the Ivory Coast, the teenager is known as ‘Le Petit Yaya’, while City view him as a long-term partner for Rodri in midfield, and believe he could replace the Spaniard on a long-term basis.

Pep's a big fan: Man City leading race for "superstar" and ready to bid £65m+

City have moved into pole position in the race for a new defender, with a bid now being prepared.

By
Dominic Lund

3 days ago

It could be difficult to get a deal over the line, however, with Trabzonspor unwilling to sanction a departure in January, and looking to receive £35m.

Christ Inao Oulai already a "top-level midfielder"

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Essien is a keen admirer of the Trabzonspor star, saying: “He’s a top-level midfielder, and he’s only 19 years old. I hope to see him one day wearing the Chelsea jersey.”

The two-time Ivory Coast international has emerged as a key player for the Turkish side this season, displaying his attacking prowess by chipping in with one goal and two assists in eight Super Lig matches.

Bernardo Silva’s future at Man City is up in the air, given that his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and it has been suggested that Guardiola is willing to let the Portugal international move on.

As such, it could be a savvy move to bring in a central midfielder with attacking qualities in January or the summer, and Inao Oulai is exhibiting very promising signs in the Super Lig.

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Oct-2016Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan got together for an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 63•AFPShafiq, who had resumed on 5, compiled an unbeaten 58, before Pakistan declared on 227 for 2 at the stroke of lunch•AFPSet a target of 456, West Indies lost Leon Johnson in the eighth over, when he gloved an attempted sweep off Yasir Shah onto his stumps•AFPRahat Ali was gifted a wicket when Darren Bravo chased a wide delivery and slashed it straight to backward point•Getty ImagesYasir sent back Marlon Samuels for 23 after accepting a simple return catch•AFPKraigg Brathwaite struck his first half-century in the fourth innings of a Test, before falling lbw to Mohammad Nawaz•Getty ImagesJermaine Blackwood moved on to a brisk, unbeaten 41 to take West Indies to 171 for 4 at stumps – still 285 away from a win•AFP

Stats highlights of Australia’s collapse for 85 on the first day of the second Test against South Africa in Hobart

Gaurav Sundararaman12-Nov-201685 Australia’s total, their lowest in a home Test in 32 years. They were bowled out for 76 by West Indies in Perth in 1984. In all home Tests, they have been bowled out for less than 85 only ten times.

197 The number of balls South Africa took to dismiss Australia. It was Australia’s second shortest innings at home in terms of balls faced since 1936, after the Perth Test against West Indies in 1984. Till 1936, they had seven such instances.11 Instances of Australia being bowled out in under 200 balls in a Test innings since 1950. Only two of those have been at home, while six have been in England.

17 The lowest score at which Australia have lost half their side in the first innings of a Test. The previous lowest was 21, against England at Trent Bridge in 2015. Their score at the fall of the sixth wicket in Hobart – 31 – was also their second lowest at home.1978 The previous instance of Australia losing six of their top-seven batsmen for single-digit scores at home – against England in Brisbane.8 Instances of an Australian batsman scoring a higher percentage of the team’s runs than Steven Smith. Smith contributed 48 unbeaten runs out of Australia’s 85 (56.47%). The last time an Australian batsman contributed a higher percentage was in 1999, when Michael Slater scored 123 out of Australia’s 184 (66.84%) against England in Sydney. In team totals of below 100, this is the fifth-highest contribution ever: only Asanka Gurusinha (63.41%), Mohinder Amarnath (61.85%), Len Hutton (57.69%) and Trevor Goddard (56.56%) have done better.

6 for 43 Australia’s worst first session of a home Test since the 4 for 58 against England in the Boxing Day Test in 2010. There have been only three worse first sessions for any team since then. Australia were dismissed in the first session at Trent Bridge, Pakistan lost 6 for 36 at Edgbaston, and New Zealand were dismissed for 45 at Newlands.15 Wickets that fell on the first day of this Test, which is the most ever in a day at the Bellerive Oval. Thirteen wickets fell on a day in each of the first two Tests in Hobart – on the first day in 1989, and the third day in 1993.2 Runs by Australia’s openers – the fewest they have scored since the game against England in Nottingham in 2015. Before that, both openers were dismissed for no runs against Sri Lanka in Kandy in 1999.3 Number of innings in which the opposition has been dismissed for fewer than 100 and Philander has taken a five-for. Apart from today’s game, Philander took 5 for 7 against New Zealand and 5 for 15 against Australia.

Celtic are now reportedly plotting a 2026 move to sign a Manchester City ace, who Pep Guardiola called “world-class”.

Celtic targeting Premier League goalkeeper

There’s a lot of work for Wilfried Nancy to do in the transfer window and that work may well include signing a new goalkeeper next summer. As things stand, current No.1 Kasper Schmeichel is set to leave Celtic as a free agent at the end of his contract next summer, handing the Bhoys the task of finding a replacement.

The former Leicester City man has been an excellent servant since replacing Joe Hart in 2024, but looks destined to bow out of Scotland at 39 years old.

Celtic star with 'high ceiling' could be biggest winner of Nancy's arrival

This promising young Celtic talent could be the biggest winner of Wilfried Nancy’s arrival at the club.

By
Dan Emery

6 days ago

Celtic may also have no choice but to target attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window, amid reports that Daizen Maeda could leave the club. The Japan international has plenty of admirers in the Premier League and could yet deal the Bhoys an undeniable blow this winter.

Speaking about the January transfer window and potential additions after arriving, new manager Nancy told reporters: “Each organisation, the idea is to improve.

“I’m going to have to assess the team. I know them as a team because I’ve watched many games. Now it’s about knowing them as a person. After that we’ll see what is the best for the team. I like to take my time. I know that I don’t have a lot of time.

“It’s not a secret I want to play in a certain way. Proactivity, try to put [pressure] on the opposition, try to attack the ball as soon as possible and after that also be disgusting to play against when we defend – because we’re going to have moments when we’ve got to suffer.”

With that said, it could be a busy 2026 for those at Celtic Park and one that includes the arrival of Man City’s Stefan Ortega, according to reports.

Celtic plotting Ortega move

According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Celtic are now plotting a move to sign Ortega when his current Man City contract expires next summer. The 33-year-old could come straight in for Schmeichel as the Bhoys turn to English football for yet another shot-stopper.

Whilst Ortega has dropped down the pecking order at the Etihad, Guardiola hasn’t held back from praising the experienced goalkeeper in the past – telling reporters just last year: “Ortega is a world-class goalkeeper. An exceptional, exceptional goalkeeper.”

For Celtic, the move makes perfect sense. Their move for Hart worked out for all involved, so too did their move for Schmeichel. Now, it looks like they’re ready to follow the blueprint by signing Ortega.

After reporting the news, O’Rourke told Football Insider: “Ortega would be a good fit, you would think, especially if he does become a free agent in the summer.

“He’s basically just fallen totally out of favour at Man City, with Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford ahead of him, and Marcus Bettinelli has been travelling with the squad.

“If Celtic are looking a new goalkeeper come the summer when Schmeichel’s contract is up, Ortega could be a really good pick up on a free transfer.

Liverpool agree terms to sign "aggressive" Celtic teenager in first Nancy exit

Coach played key role in developing Stokes as a teenager, along with other future England stars

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-2025John Windows, the long-standing director of Durham Men’s academy, is stepping down from his role for health reasons, after a 27-year stint in which he helped to develop the careers of a range of the club’s greatest players, including Ben Stokes, Mark Wood and Liam Plunkett.Windows, 49, started out as a batter in Durham’s second XI, but with the club still relatively new to the first-class scene, the focus on developing home-grown players became a means to fast-track the team’s long-term viability. He became an academy coach in 1999, under the leadership of Geoff Cook, and progressed to the role of academy Director in 2007.On his watch, the academy became one of the most prolific pathways for young talent in the country. Steve Harmison, Paul Collingwood and Graham Onions were among the first graduates to forge successful international careers, while more recent successes include Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts and Ben McKinney, the former England Under-19 captain.Windows himself was instrumental in recruiting Stokes as a raw 17-year-old, utilising the strong relationships that he had helped to build with neighbouring counties, including Cumbria, where Stokes’ family had lived after arriving from New Zealand in 2003.In a statement, however, he revealed that a recent medical diagnosis had left him needing to step away from his hands-on role at the academy. He will remain involved with the club in a mentorship capacity.”It is with great sadness and regret that I am having to stand down from my role as men’s academy director,” Windows said. “I have enjoyed every day of my coaching career at Durham, it has been a privilege to work with such a great club and contribute to its success.”Unfortunately, I no longer have the physical capacity to support our young talent. The role is multi-faceted but to do it successfully I have always felt you need to be active on the shop floor as well as working strategically behind the scenes.”Stepping back from a full-time role will give me more time to recharge my batteries and look after myself. I feel this is essential if I am going to maintain any sort of ‘normal life’.”Marcus North, Durham’s director of cricket, said: “John has decided that now is the right time to step away from his role as men’s academy director, due to his ongoing medical condition.”Over the course of nearly 30 years with the club, John has played an extraordinary role in shaping the journeys of hundreds of young cricketers, many of whom have become professional and international players.”His vision, passion, dedication, and care for developing players have left a lasting mark on our pathway and on the club as a whole.”Although he will no longer be leading the academy, we are delighted that John will continue to be part of the club and share the wisdom and experience that have inspired so many.”I would like to personally thank John for everything he has given to the club, and for the remarkable commitment and energy he has put into making our men’s academy the best in the country, a legacy that will live strong for future generations.”

In a deal that would commence the Graham Potter era with a bang, West Ham United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign “one of the best strikers in the world” at a cut price in the January transfer window.

West Ham transfer news

Bringing Julen Lopetegui’s tenure to an end following defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Manchester City on top of poor results throughout the current campaign, West Ham have since turned towards Potter, who has taken his first job in football since being shown the door at Chelsea in 2023.

Back in the technical area and back in the Premier League, the pressure will be on the former Chelsea boss to avoid a repeat of his Stamford Bridge failure and instead enjoy similar heights to the ones that he took Brighton & Hove Albion to in the past.

Addressing the fans for the first time, Potter told West Ham’s official website: “I am delighted to be here. It was important to me that I waited until a job came along that I felt was right for me, and equally that I was the right fit for the Club I am joining. That is the feeling I have with West Ham United.

“My conversations with the Chairman and the Board have been very positive and constructive, we share the same values of hard work and high energy to create the solid foundations that can produce success, and we are on the same wavelength in terms of what is needed in the short-term and then how we want to move the Club forward in the medium to long term.”

West Ham make shock contact in race to sign first Potter target this month

He could rediscover his best form under Potter…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jan 9, 2025

With the January transfer window open, meanwhile, the new manager may not have to wait long until he gets his first signing through the door. According to GiveMeSport, West Ham have now been offered the chance to sign Jonathan David at cut price from Lille, who have one final chance to profit from their forward this month before he leaves on a free deal in the summer.

David would be an instant upgrade

Dubbed “one of the best strikers in the world” by podcast host and Canadian football expert Tony Marinaro, there’s no denying that David would be an instant upgrade on West Ham’s current options, having scored as many as 17 goals in 27 appearances throughout the current campaign – more than Jarrod Bowen and Niclas Fullkrug combined.

Still just 24 years old, the Canada international would be an incredible coup for the Hammers. He could solve their goalscoring problems for years to come and finally ease the responsibility on Bowen, who has carried their frontline more than once over the years.

At a cut price too, West Ham should jump at the chance to secure the forward’s signature ahead of the chasing pack waiting to snap it up for free at the end of the campaign.

It has been a year of upheaval and cleaning up for the BCCI and its glitzy T20 league, but the IPL’s popularity with players and fans offers it a shot at redemption

Nagraj Gollapudi08-Apr-20164:07

Agarkar: Won’t be very difficult for new franchises to build fan base

On the eve of the World T20 final, West Indies allrounder Andre Russell was walking back from the nets towards the dressing room at Eden Gardens. It was about eight in the evening. Sweat glistened on his muscular arms, and dripped off his face.Suddenly, Russell saw a man he recognised in front of him. The Jamaican’s face lit up instantly. He exchanged pleasantries with the man, who was an official from his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. About 15 minutes later, Russell walked into West Indies’ dressing room with the purple kit bag of Knight Riders.The day before the final of the World T20, Russell was already gearing up for the next big event: the Indian Premier League – event the cricketing world waits for. Or, at least, the players involved do.Like cherry blossoms in Japan every spring, the arrival of IPL is eagerly awaited by many. The colours are more garish, the scene anything but peaceful. Administrators are averse to halting the cricketing treadmill and so, this year, the IPL starts just six days after the World T20. The players might want rest, but they cannot afford to ask for time off because millions are at stake. And so IPL 9 begins on Saturday in Mumbai.This IPL has some new elements. One of the biggest is the acceptance of its importance by England, no less. The mention of the IPL in the past forced the majority in England to look the other way. And, despite a well-rounded domestic structure, England was behind countries like India, Australia and South Africa in the T20 race.As soon as former England captain Andrew Strauss took over as the managing director of cricket at the ECB, he decided to allow England players to participate in the IPL without imposing restrictions that had discouraged them in the past. And so Kevin Pietersen will not be the solitary flag-bearer of the English contingent at the IPL. He will be joined by Jos Butler (Mumbai Indians), Sam Billings (Delhi Daredevils) and Eoin Morgan (Sunrisers Hyderabad).

As soon as Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli walked out wearing RCB’s new jerseys, the cacophony created inside the small ballroom by about 200 delirious fans revealed why the IPL continues to be a strong brand

The IPL tree has sprouted two new branches after the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals – two of the original bunch of eight franchises, one of which especially cultivated a dedicated and distinct following. It was hugely significant moment in Indian sport when the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee decided to suspend Super Kings and Royals, having acted upon the ample evidence of wrongdoing by influential officials at both franchises.The BCCI, under the N Srinivasan administration, had not even blinked when the Delhi and Mumbai Police triggered investigations into the corruption that had taken root in the IPL in 2013. But the Lodha panel thought otherwise and, by suspending one of the biggest and most successful franchises, made it clear that the league needed to be cleaned up.Chief priest of Super Kings, MS Dhoni, is now the captain of Rising Pune Supergiants. He still has by his side head coach Stephen Fleming and strike bowler R Ashwin. But Dhoni is bound to miss the quartet of Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo and Brendon McCullum, who are now part of the second new franchise: Gujarat Lions. If Dhoni’s test will be to inspire a new set of players, Raina will face the onerous task of leading a franchise for the first time, on the back of a season in which his poor form made his place in the Indian team vulnerable.Elsewhere, former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan will join his former India captain Rahul Dravid at Delhi Daredevils to forge a new beginning. The franchise overhauled virtually its entire squad at the pre-season auction in an attempt to finally win the IPL crown; Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab remain the only franchises to have not won the IPL from the original batch of eight.Defending champions Mumbai Indians and Knight Riders, who will look at becoming the first franchise to win three IPL titles, enter the tournament with question marks over their best bowlers. The injured Lasith Malinga is doubtful and is likely to miss a big chunk if not all of the tournament, while Sunil Narine is likely to be circumspect with his freshly cleared bowling action.The IPL was struck a big blow when the Lodha Committee suspended one of its most influential franchises, but it will live to tell the tale•BCCIThere is a new set of challenges for the organisers, too. For the first time since its inception, the tournament will be headed solely by the BCCI. Lalit Modi presided over decisions on his own till 2010. Sundar Raman, Modi’s operating arm, took charge once the latter was suspended by the BCCI, and remained the one-point contact for franchises and the BCCI as the league’s chief operating officer till last year. Under these two men, with global sports management company International Management Group (IMG) in the background, the IPL became a pioneer of franchise-based sport in the country, and a trendsetter for T20 leagues globally.However, with Raman now part of the business empire that owns Mumbai Indians, this will be the first season in which BCCI administrators play decision-makers for the IPL. Paradoxically, the BCCI has been pulled up by the Supreme Court for failing to establish a professional structure despite being one of the richest governing bodies in sport.These are fragile times for the BCCI. In January, the Lodha Committee unveiled radical recommendations to reform the governance structure of the BCCI. Although the board has opposed most of the recommendations, the Supreme Court has forced the BCCI to kneel down like an naughty schoolboy for failing to adhere to the rules of professional conduct. A soft-spoken man, TS Thakur, the chief justice of India who is presiding over the case, has told the BCCI with a smile: Indian cricket does not belong to you.Two days before the tournament opener in Mumbai, a two-judge bench of the Bombay High Court asked the BCCI whether cricket really was that important in times of drought in Maharashtra, where a total of 20 IPL matches are scheduled to be played across three cities – Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. Although it gave its permission to play the opening match in Mumbai on April 9, the court reminded the BCCI, “Ultimately, the question is, what you give priority to: a game or people who’ll die without water?” The judges observed: “Is it necessary to maintain grounds and pitches when people are dying? If this is the argument, we are very shocked.”Elsewhere, some politicians in Delhi want the BCCI to be charged a higher rate for consuming power and want the board to invest in solar energy. Yes, indulgent, pampered, autocratic till now, the BCCI remains on shaky ground.But the goes on. Rohit Sharma rings the opening bell at the Bombay Stock Exchange. Dwayne Bravo is on a “Champion” ride across the country. Ajinkya Rahane is breaking coconuts to inaugurate a cricket stadium in rural Maharashtra. For the next two months, Indian papers will be awash with the colours of the IPL. People with sensibilities of a different kind are bound to be annoyed reading about IPL with their morning cup of tea. Former sports minister of India, MS Gill, said the BCCI “have made the Indian public zombies of cricket”.Like it or not, the “zombies” and the IPL are here to stay for a while yet. On Thursday evening, Royal Challengers unveiled their new home and away kits. As soon as Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli walked out wearing the new jerseys, the cacophony created inside the small ballroom by about 200 delirious fans revealed why the IPL continues to be a strong brand.

Arsenal are likely to emerge as the potential beneficiaries of a star international forward when the transfer window reopens in around a week’s time, with Mikel Arteta in need of fresh attacking options after multiple injury blows.

Arsenal tipped to move for new winger after Saka and Sterling injuries

Following their imperious 5-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend, Arteta was dealt some less-than-ideal news regarding two big-name forwards in his squad.

"Extraordinary" player "top" Arsenal target to replace £200k-per-week star

The Gunners are putting plans in motion.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 24, 2024

Bukayo Saka looked a frustrated figure in south London on Saturday, forced off with a hamstring injury in the 24th minute against Palace, and it has since come to light that the 24-year-old is set for “many weeks” on the sidelines.

To make matters even worse for Arteta, summer signing Raheem Sterling will also be out for a lengthy period after sustaining a knee problem, with Arsenal now having to make do with vastly reduced attacking options in the wide area.

“It’s not looking good,” said Arteta in a latest injury update on Saka.

“He’s going to be out for many weeks.”

There are even suggestions that Saka could be out until March with a torn hamstring, which would be a hammer blow for Arsenal, who were also forced to cope without club captain and chief creator Martin Odegaard for months earlier on in the campaign.

In light of this terrible news for the Gunners, who are attempting to keep up with current Premier League title favourites Liverpool at the top of the table, it is believed they could bring forward their plans to sign a new winger.

Saka and Sterling’s injuries are allegedly forcing Arteta to pull a “major U-turn” over bringing in a wide attacker this January, and we saw similar reports when the former injured himself during England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley in October.

Football Insider claimed back then that Arsenal may explore a quick January deal for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo, so this may well be the case once more, given Saka’s injury looks far more serious this time round.

Barcelona’s Dani Olmo is now among the names linked with a January switch to Arsenal, and out-of-favour £203,000-per-week PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani could be floated in Arsenal’s direction as well.

Arsenal "likely" to be offered PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani

That is according to reliable journalist Simon Collings, who writes for Standard Sport that Arsenal are “likely” to be offered Kolo Muani on a loan deal in January.

The 26-year-old was tipped to step into Kylian Mbappe’s shoes at the Parc des Princes, following the latter’s departure to Real Madrid, but Luis Enrique hasn’t called upon him quite as much as most expected.

His lack of consistent opportunities has opened the door to a potential mid-season departure, and Arsenal are one of many clubs who could be handed an opportunity to bring in Kolo Muani on a temporary deal.

Despite not being a regular at PSG, the former Eintracht Frankfurt sensation remains a star for France at international level.

He burst on to the scene for Les Bleus at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, scoring their semi-final opener against Morocco and bagging an assist in the final against Argentina, with manager Didier Deschamps including him in every single squad since then.

Kolo Muani has bagged three goals and an assist over their last five UEFA Nations League games, with Deschamps still highly favouring the forward regardless of his PSG woes.

Real Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal was spotted clashing with Bukayao Saka as the Arsenal winger headed into the tunnel at half-time at the Bernabeu.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Arsenal up against Madrid in Champions League
• Saka misses penalty after attempting cheeky Panenka
• Carvajal wanted words with the winger at half-time

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Carvajal remains sidelined with a serious knee injury but was spotted on the touchline at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. The veteran approached Saka as he headed towards the tunnel at half-time of the quarter-final second leg and could be spotted seemingly hassling the Arsenal star in an ugly confrontation.

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  Arsenal had taken a 3-0 lead to the Spanish capital but wasted the chance to make it 4-0 early in the first half. The Gunners were awarded a spot-kick after Mikel Merino was tugged by Raul Asencio but Saka's Panenka penalty was clawed away by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. It seems that Saka's cheeky attempt may not have gone down well with the 33-year-old Real Madrid star.

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  Arsenal and Real Madrid are bidding for a place in the semi-finals of the competition. The winners of the tie will go on to play Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the final after Luis Enrique's side booked their spot in the last four by beating Aston Villa.

No Indian batsman in the Kings XI line-up is close to threatening a spot in the T20I team, and it showed in the way they tied themselves in a mess in the middle overs against Gujarat Lions

Sidharth Monga in Mohali11-Apr-20161:26

‘Bravo’s spell was the turning point’ – Finch

Two yorkers. One fast, one slow. Both at the base of the stumps. Glenn Maxwell and David Miller gone. It will be tempting to surmise that Dwayne Bravo, rightly being hailed as arguably the best bowler in this IPL, won Gujarat Lions the match in one over, but it is important to also look at events that led to this big over and those that followed it. Kings XI Punjab’s Indian batsmen – not one of them is anywhere close to threatening a spot in the Indian T20I side – will have to take a lot of the blame.M Vijay and Manan Vohra got off to a dream start with the new ball coming on to the bat, when all that was required to do was clear the infield. In T20 cricket, especially on Indian pitches, the bowling side is not overly bothered by these kind of starts, so long as the batsmen are going at under 10 an over. The best bowlers are saved for the overs immediately after the Powerplay. This is when lesser T20 batsmen get stuck.There is no time for batsmen to relax in a T20 game. If you do have a slow period in the middle, you better trust your game as much as Virat Kohli does, and you better be that good. If you cannot hit boundaries, you should be able to keep working the twos and be able to go at a strike-rate of about 120 before you can open up again. As they got stuck into Sarabjit Ladda and Pradeep Sangwan, Vijay and Vohra took Kings XI to 52 for 0 in six overs. Then, Gujarat Lions went to their best bowlers: Ravindra Jadeja and Bravo.In the sixth over, Vijay hit his final boundary. Until then Vijay batted beautifully, his flicks languid, his drives free-flowing. Even opponent Aaron Finch said for some time it was beautiful to watch. In T20s, though, there is not much room for the niceties of the high elbow.Vijay eventually fell in the 11th over, trying to hit Jadeja inside-out – a low-percentage shot unless you are playing with a wet ball or on a perfectly flat surface. Vijay scored 10 off the last 14 balls he faced. Vohra enjoyed some luck in a slow start – he was dropped early by Bravo – but he too relied just on the big shots, and perished to the wily Jadeja. Ajinkya Rahane faces criticism for similar dismissals in T20Is.By the time Miller and Maxwell came together, Kings XI had fallen behind on a pitch where 190 was about par. They were ideally the men to be doing the big hitting at the end, but were obliged to look for those big ones earlier than they would have wanted. That task was made even more difficult because they came up against Gujarat’s best bowler, Bravo.Just before Miller was done in by the Bravo slower one, the field had changed. Midwicket had gone back, and third man had come in. It was apparent Bravo was going to bowl a slower ball. This was also the last ball of the over. Who knows if, in another circumstance, Miller would have just looked to pick a single? A proper batsman should not be getting so befuddled by a slower ball when it has been telegraphed.What followed was a reminder that Wriddhiman Saha, despite being a plucky Test batsman and despite one great IPL season, is a limited T20 batsman, especially when the field has been spread out. His 20 off 25 was one of the prime reasons Kings XI fell 30 short of a par score. They now have a problem at hand. Their Indian batsmen will have to pull their weight, and their two big star batsmen will have to pull themselves out of an ordinary run of form.