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All the records and RCB and Jitesh Sharma broke against LSG on Tuesday

Sampath Bandarupalli27-May-2025228 Target that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully chased on Tuesday. It is the third-highest successful chase in the IPL. Punjab Kings (PBKS) had chased 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024 but were on the losing side earlier this season when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) chased 246.204 Target RCB chased against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2010, their previous highest successful chase in the IPL. Overall, the 228-run chase was only the third successful 200-plus chase for RCB in the IPL.7-0 RCB became the first team to win all their away matches during the league stage of an IPL edition. KKR and Mumbai Indians (MI) also won seven away matches in the 2012 season, but it was across eight games, and they lost one. Gujarat Titans (GT) lost only one away match in 2023, winning their remaining six.Only three teams before RCB had won all their away matches during the league phase of a T20 tournament, involving five-plus teams (minimum of five away matches). Otago in the HRV Cup 2012-13, Titans in Ram Slam T20 Challenge 2015-16, and Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL 2019 won all their five away matches in the league phase of the respective tournaments.85* Jitesh Sharma’s score in the chase on Tuesday is the third highest while batting at No. 6 or lower in the IPL. Hardik Pandya’s 91 against KKR in 2019 and Andre Russell’s 88* against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2018 are ahead of Jitesh’s knock.Jitesh’s effort is also comfortably the highest in a successful IPL chase, with the previous highest being 70*.8 Fifty-plus scores for Virat Kohli in IPL 2025, all of them resulting in wins for RCB. These are the most fifty-plus scores by any batter in wins in an IPL season. Kohli and David Warner in 2016 and Shubman Gill in 2023 had seven fifty-plus scores in wins.5 IPL editions where Kohli has scored 600-plus runs, including the IPL 2025. These are the most for any batter, surpassing KL Rahul, who did it four times.1 Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 118 is the first individual hundred across 22 IPL matches in Lucknow. It was his second hundred in the IPL, having scored 128* against SRH in 2018, but he ended up on the losing side both times.203 Runs scored by the captains on Tuesday – 118* by Pant and 85* by Jitesh. Only once did the captains aggregate more runs in an IPL match – 210 by KL Rahul (91 for PBKS) and Sanju Samson (119 for RR) in 2021 at Wankhede.74 Runs conceded by Will O’Rourke in his four overs are the third most by any bowler in an IPL match. The 76 runs Jofra Archer conceded against SRH and 75 by Mohammed Shami against PBKS are higher than O’Rourke’s 74, all in the IPL 2025.9030 Runs scored by Kohli for RCB in all T20s. He is now the first player to aggregate 9000-plus runs for a team in this format. The next highest is 6030 by Rohit Sharma for MI.

He’s doing a Master’s in English while also making headlines for Mumbai Indians

Nagraj Gollapudi28-Mar-20251:26

‘A breath of fresh air’ – Varun Aaron on Vignesh Puthur

Sunil Puthur did not go to work between Monday and Wednesday this week. His wife, Bindu, and he had to stay at home in Perinthalmanna, a town in Malappuram district in north-central Kerala – state and local media had been parked outside their house ever since their only son, Vignesh Puthur, made an impactful IPL 2025 debut, picking up three wickets in his first match for Mumbai Indians (MI) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) last Sunday.”The local media in Kerala swamped the house from as early as 7am until evening,” Sunil tells ESPNcricinfo over the phone on Wednesday. While it’s common for families of cricketers to turn the watching experience into an event for the community, especially when the player is little-known, Sunil and Bindu opted to watch Vignesh’s debut at home by themselves. But the next morning, they were happy to share their feelings about it in interviews to the media, their eyes welling up on more than one occasion.Part of that emotion has to do with the sacrifices the family has made to ensure Vignesh got all the support he needed to grow in cricket.Related

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About a decade ago, Sunil gave up running an agency for a popular biscuit brand in order to drive an auto-rickshaw, largely to ferry Vignesh to his cricket training.”He is my only son, and I wanted to support him to the best of my ability,” Sunil says. “The only thing I wanted to do was to ensure I supported his decision to pursue cricket.”

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When Vignesh was ten, one of his friends took him to the Perinthalmanna Cricket Academy, run by CG Vijayakumar, who took up coaching at the behest of his mentor, Vasoo Paranjape, the famed Mumbai-based coach. Vijayakumar saw that Vignesh was a fast learner.”His movements were just natural in everything he did,” says Vijayakumar, who continues to stay in touch with Vignesh. “In the first few months, I could see his rubbery wrists. In six months, his loading, follow-through, and the way he imparted spin [on the ball] already made him a good unit. In a year, he had started to bowl a googly, too, slowly.”By the time he was 14, Vignesh joined the Kerala Cricket Association academy, where he went up the ranks before playing for the state in the Under-14 and U-19 categories, and later for the Kerala U-23 team in invitational tournaments. While he is yet to play for Kerala in domestic cricket, a pathway opened up for Vignesh when MI called him for IPL trials last year after he was spotted by former India fast bowler TA Sekar, who was scouting for the franchise in Thiruvananthapuram.

“He had a very good action. He was flighting the ball well, and spinning both ways. I always go for a good technique and [see] if a bowler has variations. I observed both of those before recommending him for trials”TA Sekar on his first impression of Vignesh Puthur

Vignesh had not been on Sekar’s list of players to watch out for, but his trained eye, from his years working as a bowling coach, national selector, and team director, picked up the quality of Puthur’s action.At the trials, held before the mega IPL auction in November, Vignesh impressed the MI leadership group, and when the franchise bought him uncontested for INR 30 lakh, there was understandable joy in the Puthur household.Left-arm wristspin is a rare art and remains a bit of a mystery to batters. Kuldeep Yadav’s success in the IPL and for India is evidence that such a skillset can win you matches. In 2023, MI had picked another left-arm wristspinner, Raghav Goyal from Haryana, but he only played one match.”He had a very good action,” Sekar says about Vignesh. “He was flighting the ball well, and spinning both ways. I always go for a good technique and [see] if a bowler has variations. I observed both of those factors during the two matches I saw Vignesh in before recommending him for trials.”At the trials, Vignesh bowled with a bit more zip, was accurate, and showed he had a good googly, too.MI sent Vignesh, who turned 24 earlier this month, to South Africa earlier this year to hone his skills by bowling in the nets to the MI Cape Town batters in the SA20 league. Before IPL 2025, Vignesh also played in the DY Patil T20 Invitations Trophy in Navi Mumbai, where the domestic Indian players in the MI ranks usually feature. That experience might have come in handy on his IPL debut.Vignesh Puthur is mobbed by his Mumbai Indians team-mates after taking a wicket•AFP/Getty ImagesMI lost the match, but Vignesh’s three-wicket haul, with the scalps of CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda – all of them internationals – impressed everyone and earned him a pat on the shoulder from MS Dhoni after the game.The big positive for Vignesh, who is simultaneously pursuing his MA in English, was that he did not seem overwhelmed by the occasion at any stage, and was confident about what he was doing in front a packed Chepauk.Sekar saw that as well. “In his first big match, in front a really big crowd, he held his own and was deceiving batters in the air.”Dube’s wicket was a classic example. CSK retained the left-hand batter specifically for his ability to demolish spin, but Vignesh lured Dube out with his flight and then the dip did not allow the batter the space to create power and he was caught on the straight boundary.

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Vignesh’s parents as well as Vijayakumar say that he is a quiet person who likes his own company more than anyone else’s. Bindu, in a chat with PTI this week, said that her son was emotional in the hours leading up to his debut. “He called us around midnight after the match and then again he called after an hour. He was so happy. I have never seen him so happy. We also could not sleep because of our happiness.”Sunil hopes that Vignesh can continue his schooling in cricket at MI. “MI are a good team. We want Vignesh to keep moving forward at the franchise.”

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Em processo de recuperação após realizar uma cirurgia no rim, Gerson retornou ao centro de treinamentos do Flamengo, mas deve perder o início da fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores.

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O meia, que reassumiu a camisa 8 após a saída de Thiago Maia, foi submetido a uma pieloplastia para corrigir uma estenose no ureter. Segundo Bruno Benigno, urologista do Hospital Oswaldo Cruz, o tempo de recuperação é de, no mínimo, 45 dias.

– O prazo de recuperação depende da atividade física do atleta. Para atividades intensas, com risco de impacto, o tempo de recuperação varia de 45 dias a dois meses, dois meses e meio – revelou o profissional.

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Portanto, Gerson não estará à disposição da comissão técnica da equipe carioca para as primeiras partidas do torneio continental, que começa no dia 3 de abril.

Capitão do Flamengo de Tite, o meio-campista acumula seis gols e 12 assistências em 66 partidas desde que retornou à Gávea.

CONFIRA DETALHES DA CIRURGIA DE GERSON

Como funciona uma a cirurgia de pieloplastia?

– Pieloplastia é um procedimento cirúrgico que significa a reconstrução do sistema que drena a urina, filtrada pelo rim e tem que ser direcionada para o ureter, o tubo que liga o rim à bexiga. A pieloplastia trata o estreitamento deste canal. É uma reconstrução de um canal que está em formato de ampulheta.

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Ela pode ser feita de três formas, de forma aberta, tradicional, por cortes. Por cortes pela laparoscopia, através de furos, ou com laparoscopia robótica, um método mais moderno e preciso”.

Possíveis dificuldades no retorno às atividades

– 10 a 20% dos pacientes em casos congênitos apresentam casos leves, e o diagnóstico não é feito na infância, e o paciente descobre na fase adulta a estenose de JUP.

Ele pode ter cólica renal, náusea, infecção urinária, vômito, formação de pedras no rim. Assim o paciente é direcionado para tratamento cirúrgico, que é a pieloplastia. Não existe medicação ou tratamento alternativo que faça a correção desta condição sem a necessidade de intervenção cirúrgica.

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Niko Kovac has given his backing to Aaron Anselmino amid the defender's struggles for regular playing time after he recovered from a muscle injury that hindered his start following a loan move from Chelsea. The Argentine has started four matches for the German side, sparking suggestions he could end up being recalled to Stamford Bridge.

• From Chelsea loanee to Dortmund’s unsung hero

  When Dortmund lost defenders to injury in August, the club moved quickly to bring in Anselmino on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The expectation with the Argentine's signing wasn't much but to provide cover, learn, and offer rotation. Few predicted how quickly he'd stake a claim.

  Anselmino debuted just days after arriving and immediately impressed with calm ball control and intelligent positioning. His early displays earned praise inside the club and across the Bundesliga, prompting supporters and pundits to ask whether a loanee originally considered short-term cover should now be an automatic starter. That debate intensified after he recovered from a brief muscle knock. Some wanted him protected; others saw a player ready to take on more minutes.

  Kovac has navigated that tension carefully. Praising the youngster publicly while managing his workload behind the scenes. The young defender now starts regularly, but his exact minutes remain a talking point as Kovac balances his team selection ahead of crucial fixtures.

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  Kovac publicly backs Anselmino

  During the press-conference ahead of the Bayer Leverkusen clash, Kovac left no doubt about his view of Anselmino.

  "Aaron is doing really well. You can rely on the young man from the first minute to the last," he said. "A great lad, a great defender. He doesn't let anything slip. Everything is settled with Chelsea. I expect him to remain our player until the end of the season. He's getting the minutes he wasn't getting at Chelsea."

  A key element in that plan is the loan arrangement with Chelsea with all parties having agreed the move would last through the season, giving Anselmino time to settle and the club certainty about his availability. 

• Schlotterbeck’s stalling clouds Dortmund's defence

  Anselmino’s breakthrough is valuable precisely because Dortmund’s defensive picture is unsettled. Nico Schlotterbeck remains under contract until 2027 but has stalled on signing an extension; Bayern and Liverpool have been linked, and internal offers, including significant pay rises and captaincy promises, have not yet convinced him to stay. Kovac acknowledged the limits of his influence: “I don't know to what extent I can influence things there – other than showing him appreciation. I do that every single day,” he said.

  That impasse matters. If Schlotterbeck departs or his focus wavers, Dortmund will rapidly move from the luxury of rotation to the pressure of replacement. The club’s short-term defensive depth is therefore contingent on two variables: Anselmino’s fitness and readiness to step up, and a timely decision from Schlotterbeck. Sporting director signals that they want clarity as soon as possible.

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• AFP
  

  Kovac needs to focus on three aspects

  Kovac now faces three choices he must juggle in real time. First, manage Anselmino’s workload so the loanee can grow into a leading role without injury setbacks. Second, push for clarity on Schlotterbeck's contract extension that would stabilise the back line and allow continued rotation. Third, prepare tactical contingency allotting more minutes for Anselmino in a two-man centre-back pairing, temporary shifts to a back three, or prioritising a defensive signing in January if Schlotterbeck looks likely to leave.

  Dortmund will next face Leverkusen in the league before clashing with the same opponents in DFB Pokal's round of 16 on December 2.

The best teams in football have always been built on at least a few brilliant partnerships, and this Arsenal side are no different.

Mikel Arteta’s side is full of duos who complement and perfectly understand one another, with the most obvious example being the partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.

The two centre-backs have played a massive part in making the Gunners the best defensive side in the Premier League, if not Europe, and have appeared in 129 competitive matches together, averaging 2.16 points per game.

However, as exceptional a pairing as they are, Arsenal’s Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night made it clear that Arteta might have already created an even better one.

Arsenal's standout performers vs Bayern

It wouldn’t be an overreaction to say that, given the opponent and competition, Wednesday night was one of Arsenal’s most impressive performances under Arteta’s reign.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

In other words, there were sensational displays from practically everyone donning the red and white, but someone who really stood out was Jurrien Timber.

The former Ajax gem was the one who opened the scoring, heading home from a corner, but he did far more than that.

Minutes

81′

Expected Goals

0.52

Goals

1

Tackles (Won)

2 (2)

Interceptions

1

Recoveries

4

Ground Duels (Won)

5 (4)

Aerial Duels (Won)

3 (3)

Long Balls

1/1

Dribbles

1/1

For example, in addition to providing a constant threat down the right-hand side and linking up nicely with Bukayo Saka, the Dutch international was almost perfect from a defensive point of view.

In his 81 minutes of action, he won 100% of his tackles and aerial duels, made one interception, recovered the ball four times, and more than justified The Athletic’s Aaron Catterson-Reid claim that he’s “the best right-back in the world at the minute.”

Another starter who deserves praise is Eberechi Eze, as while he was quieter than on the weekend, he still provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli.

Moreover, he had some real moments of quality in and around the Germans’ penalty area.

Finally, Riccardo Calafiori and Noni Madueke made quite the impact coming off the bench, with the former setting up the latter to score his first goal for the club.

With all that said, one of the reasons these players were able to shine is the efforts of a partnership within the side that might just be better than Gabriel and Saliba’s.

Arsenal's new best partnership

While Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera looked great on Wednesday, as did Eze and Mikel Merino, neither of those pairings is shaping up to be Arsenal’s best new duo.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Instead, that title goes to the brewing partnership between Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.

Yes, while the Englishman was already performing at a world-class level for the Gunners over the last two years, the arrival of the Spaniard has helped him to further improve.

The former West Ham United captain has even said as much after Wednesday’s game, telling TNT Sports that the side “all trust him with the ball.”

The addition of the former Real Sociedad star has allowed the 26-year-old to maraud forward more freely, which is precisely what he did on multiple occasions against the Baverians.

However, he also still drops deeper on occasion and continues to do plenty of the dirty work, which is one of the reasons they’re such an incredible pairing, and why content creator Jamie Kent has dubbed the Englishman “the best midfielder in Europe.”

The watching press were unsurprisingly impressed with the two midfielders on Wednesday, with the Express’ Tom Parsons awarding both 9/10 match ratings.

That might sound slightly over the top, but it’s really not, and their statistics prove as much.

For example, in his 94 minutes, the Spaniard took 50 touches, completed 40 passes, was accurate with 100% of his long balls, recovered the ball three times, blocked one shot, and didn’t get dribbled past once.

In his 94 minutes, the £105m man produced a combined expected goal and assists figure of 0.61, played three key passes, took one shot on target, won 100% of his tackles, made one interception, took 66 touches, completed 39 passes, blocked one shot and recovered the ball five times.

Ultimately, while it was just the 16th competitive game Rice and Zubimendi have played together, Arsenal’s win over Bayern Munich was just more evidence that they could well be the Gunners’ new most important duo.

A dream for Eze: Arsenal enter race to sign "one of the best STs in Europe"

The incredible goalscorer would make Arsenal far more dangerous and be a dream teammate for Eberechi Eze.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 26, 2025