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All the interesting numbers from the IPL retentions on Williamson, Narine, Maxwell, and others

Nagraj Gollapudi01-Dec-20215:50

Why were Russell and Narine retained? KKR CEO explains

14 – The amount (in INR crore) Sunrisers Hyderabad will pay for Kane Williamson is the highest-ever retention price for an overseas player. Williamson will now get nearly five times the money he got in the 2018 auction when Sunrisers bought him for INR 3 crore. He joined Sunrisers in 2015 and was paid INR 60 lakh for the first three seasons before he was bought back at the 2018 auction.29 – The percentage fall in Sunil Narine’s earnings compared to the price he was retained at for before the 2018 mega auction. In 2012, Kolkata Knight Riders picked the then unknown mystery spinner, who had impressed during the 2011 Champions League T20, for a whopping USD 700,000. Narine, who had played just three matches for West Indies at the time, had set himself a base price of USD 50,000. In 2014, Knight Riders retained him for INR 9.5 crore, and ahead of the 2018 mega auction, he negotiated a fee of INR 8.5 crore. However, as per the IPL retention slabs, since Narine was the first player Knight Riders have retained this time, their purse was deducted by INR 12.5 crore. This time Narine’s retention fee is INR 6 crore, a 29% dip in the retention price, the biggest for any player between the 2018 and 2021 mega auctions.ESPNcricinfo Ltd40 – Venkatesh Iyer’s IPL salary has shot up 40 times. In the 2021 auction, Knight Riders bought the allrounder for his base price of INR 20 lakh. On Tuesday, Iyer, who made his India debut in November, was retained by Knight Riders for INR 8 crore. Historically, the record in terms of exponential surge from base price to retention fee belongs to Hardik Pandya, who joined Mumbai Indians in 2015 as an uncapped player for the base price of INR 10 lakh but, in 2018, Mumbai retained him at 110 times his 2015 fee, spending INR 11 crore.ESPNcricinfo Ltd3 – The fewest IPL matches played by someone before he was retained. That honour belongs Umran Malik, who was retained by Sunrisers as an uncapped player for INR 4 crore. Malik was the second uncapped as well as Jammu & Kashmir player, alongside Abdul Samad, to be retained by Sunrisers. Close behind Malik is Iyer, who played just ten matches, in 2021 – his maiden IPL season, the same as Malik. Sanju Samson held that record previously, with Rajasthan Royals retaining him after he had featured in just 11 IPL matches. The same year, another uncapped Indian player, Manan Vohra, was retained by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) after playing 12 matches.Glenn Maxwell’s price drop•ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – In terms of the mega bucks he has earned at IPL auctions in the past, the INR 12 crore that Royal Challengers Bangalore paid Glenn Maxwell is not a head-spinning number. But it is, remarkably, the first time he has been retained by a franchise ahead of a mega auction in his IPL career spanning nine seasons spread across four franchises – starting with Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils), Mumbai Indians, Kings and now Royal Challengers.8 – According to IPL retention rules, if a franchise retains four players, a total of INR 42 crore will be deducted from the auction purse, even if the teams are paying the players less than that. Four out of the eight existing teams – Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Capitals and Knight Riders – retained four players. Two of those – Super Kings and Mumbai – spent the entire 42 crore while Capitals spent 42.50 crore to retain their four players (if a team pays a player more than the retention slab, the higher amount of the two is deducted from the purse). In contrast, Knight Riders procured their four retentions for just INR 34 crore, which means they have saved INR 8 crore from their actual operations costs even if the auction purse is deducted by 42 crore.

تمكن فريق نابولي من الفوز أمام إنتر ميلان مساء اليوم السبت، بمنافسات بطولة الدوري الإيطالي موسم 2025-2026، بثلاثية لهدف.

وحل إنتر ميلان ضيفًا على نابولي بملعب “دييجو أرماندو مارادونا” في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثامنة للدوري الإيطالي.

وتحصل نابولي على ضربة جزاء في الدقيقة 31 من عمر اللقاء، احتسبها الحكم بعد الرجوع لتقنية الفار، وعقب ذلك وقع تبديل في صفوف إنتر ميلان بخروج ميختاريان ومشاركة زيلينسكي.

وسجل كيفين دي بروين ضربة جزاء نابولي في الدقيقة 33، ثم أمسك بعضلة الفخذ الخلفية متأثرًا بالإصابة، ولم يتمكن من الاستمرار في الملعب، وخرج باكيًا، وشارك ماتياس أوليفيرا بديلاً له بالدقيقة 37.

اقرأ أيضًا | دي بروين يغادر الملعب باكيًا بعد هدفه في مباراة نابولي وإنتر ميلان

وفي الدقيقة 54 أحرز سكوت مكتوميناي هدف نابولي الثاني في شباك إنتر ميلان، مستفيدًا من تمريرة سبينازولا.

وتحصل إنتر ميلان على ضربة جزاء بعد الرجوع للفار، وسجلها هاكان تشالهان أوغلو في الدقيقة 59، وبالدقيقة 66 سجل نابولي هدفًا ثالثًا عن طريق أنجويسا.

حسمت المباراة بفوز نابولي بثلاثية لهدف، ليتصدر الدوري الإيطالي برصيد 18 نقطة، ويأتي إنتر ميلان في المركز الثالث برصيد 15 نقطة، فيما يحتل ميلان المركز الثاني بـ17 نقطة.

Newcastle United will be aiming to bolster their defence this summer, and Marc Geuhi is still earmarked as a target.

The Crystal Palace defender has been on the club’s radar for a while now, and, with his contract set to expire next year, Eddie Howe may look to strike a deal to bring him to the club.

A recent report states that the Toon might be able to strike a deal worth £40m to sign Guehi this summer, given his contract status.

With other interest in him from elsewhere, however, might Howe target an alternative?

Newcastle could target a move for Liverpool defender

While Guehi has been a target for the Magpies for quite some time now, it looks as though he could perhaps miss the boat.

According to The Chronicle, Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah is a player who remains on the club’s radar this summer, as they look to bolster their defensive options.

Although the Anfield side won the Premier League title last term, the Englishman played a bit-part role in the success and could move on to pastures new.

He is also attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen, with Erik ten Hag looking to launch a bid worth around £40m for the Liverpool starlet this summer.

Transfer Focus

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While Guehi remains one of the players that Howe is desperate to bring to Newcastle, the window is getting shorter for this move to happen.

Could he perhaps strike a deal to bring Quansah north instead? Only time will tell.

Why Newcastle must sign Jarell Quansah

There is no doubt that Guehi is heading into the peak years of his career. He will turn 25 next month and helped Palace win the FA Cup just last month.

Quansah, on the other hand, just turned 22 earlier this year and still has plenty of years left before he hits his peak, which is why he could be a dream alternative to the Eagles star.

Metric (per 90)

Guehi

Quansah

Pass success rate

87%

89%

Tackles

1.1

1.5

Total duels won percentage

60%

64%

Possession lost

7.4

8.4

Interceptions

0.7

1.1

Balls recovered

4.8

4.2

As you can see in the table above, the England U21 international has the potential to offer more than Guehi from a defensive perspective, as he won a higher percentage of his duels and averaged more tackles and interceptions per 90 in the Premier League.

Under Jürgen Klopp, the defender made 17 league appearances throughout the 2023/24 campaign. He suitably impressed, finishing the season with an 89% pass success rate while winning 64% of his total duels contested and losing possession just 8.4 times per game.

When compared to his peers in the top flight that season, Quansah also ranked in the top 11% for aerial duels won per 90 (3.4) and in the top 3% for non-penalty goals (0.15) per 90.

It was perhaps no wonder that he was dubbed an “absolute monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig that season for his performances. He hasn’t quite settled into Arne Slot’s side during the Dutchman’s maiden season at Anfield, however.

The defender was restricted to just 25 appearances during 2024/25, with only 13 of those coming in the starting XI.

Does he need a fresh start to fulfil his potential? Newcastle would be the perfect place for him to gain regular gametime.

With Champions League football on the horizon, Quansah could become a regular under Howe at the Magpies as a dream alternative to Guehi this summer.

He could be better than Mbeumo: Newcastle enter race for £38m "future icon"

Newcastle need a new forward this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 14, 2025

Yorkshire are closing in on victory over Division Two leaders Sussex at Hove following Ben Coad’s new-ball five-for at Scarborough, setting up a victory target of 103 late on day three.Sussex started the day on 26 without loss in their second innings, 111 runs behind the league’s third-placed side, and were bowled out for 239 as seamer Coad returned five for 69. His wickets came with the first and second new balls.Half-centuries for Tom Alsop and captain John Simpson, who top-scored with 67, meant the visitors were not over-run. But they realistically needed more to defy a Yorkshire attack who kept on coming at them.The hosts then closed the day on 28 for 2 from 10 overs and require 75 more to seal a third win in as many four-day games. Sussex were teetering at lunch against their third-placed rivals, 66 for three in their second innings and still 71 runs in arrears. Only their second defeat of 2024 looked like it might come quickly.However, Alsop with 61 – his second fifty of the match – and Simpson held things up with a fifth-wicket partnership of 85, compiled through the majority of the afternoon.A 45-minute rain delay from 11.10am cut 10 overs from the day’s allocation of 103. Yorkshire still had enough time before lunch to prise out three Sussex wickets.George Hill claimed two of them with his seam after Fin Bean had helped Coad strike with a stunning one-handed leaping catch above his head at third slip to remove the Australian opener Daniel Hughes. That wicket had come in the opening stages of the day, before the rain.Afterwards, Hill had Tom Haines caught by Bean at first slip and Tom Clark caught behind by Jonny Bairstow – his first catch of the match. Both Toms were out playing loosely.By now, Sussex were faced with a pitch showing significant signs of invariable bounce. Clark, for example, faced balls which rapped him on the gloves from Jordan Thompson and shot past his ankle from Hill en route to 17. Thompson himself struck in the early stages of the afternoon when he uprooted James Coles’ leg stump.But that paved the way for the Sussex fightback, with Alsop and Simpson – their two most prolific batters this season – wiping out the remaining 53-run deficit and claiming a lead. Largely, they advanced with caution, though Alsop, who drove nicely, did reverse sweep one of his boundaries off Dan Moriarty’s left-arm spin.By the time tea arrived, Sussex were 164 for 4, 27 ahead and Alsop had reached a 125-ball fifty. Their partnership was closing in on three figures when Alsop was caught behind at the second attempt by Bairstow on the cut.And when Fynn Hudson-Prentice was run out at the striker’s end having been sent back by Simpson, with Jonny Tattersall from backward point and Bairstow combining, Sussex were 179 for six in the 78th over, leading by 42 and with the new ball on the horizon.That new ball worked immediately for Yorkshire, with Coad getting Jack Carson caught behind. At 188 for 7, the earlier good work of Alsop and Simpson was threatening to be undermined. So it proved.As Simpson reached his fifty off 129 balls, Ollie Robinson clubbed a quick 28, only for him to be caught behind off Coad. Bairstow’s fourth catch of the day left Sussex 226 for eight, leading by 89.Coad had Jaydev Unadkat caught at mid-on shortly afterwards before bowling Simpson, who tried to ramp a second six as he was shorn of partners, to wrap things up with his 35th wicket of the campaign. No bowler has taken more in Division Two this season.Unadkat and Robinson then had Bean and Thompson caught in the slips – 18 for 2 – to at least give Sussex a glimmer of hope that they can achieve what would be a remarkable turnaround.

Club Brugge have not yet responded to the initial proposal sent by AC Milan, with the Belgian side aiming to receive a club-record transfer fee.

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• Milan's move for Jashari on a standstill
• Initial offer not enough for Club Brugge
• Belgian side demand €40 million

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to a report from , the initial €35 million (£30m/$38m) proposal submitted by AC Milan for Jashari is not enough for Club Brugge, with the Belgian side yet to provide a definitive response to the bid. It's a tactic they are employing in an attempt to receive a higher offer, which would make Jashari the most expensive sale in their club's history.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The report adds that Brugge not giving the final okay for the player's departure is a strategy they are using to drive up the price of the Swiss international. The 2024-25 Belgian Cup winners are anticipating a fee in the region of €40m (£34m/$47m) including variables. However, the proposal sent by Milan sporting director Igli Tare can be considered to be final and non-adjustable. Tare and the Serie A giants were expecting some answer from Brugge on Tuesday, but no further developments have taken place as of yet.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Tare, for his part, is heavily reliant on Jashari's desire to make the switch to Italy. Moreover, his strong relationship with the player's camp and family could still sway the operation in the Rossoneri's favour. The Serie A heavyweights have reportedly set a deadline for this transfer, which means they will not push beyond the limits should Brugge keep playing hardball.

• GOAL
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Milan are overseeing a major midfield overhaul, with veteran Serie A manager Massimiliano Allegri at the helm. They have already sealed the deals for Samuele Ricci and Luka Modric, although an official confirmation regarding the Real Madrid icon is pending. Adding Jashari to their ranks could bolster the squad even further, but it remains to be seen how longer Brugge can delay the 22-year-old's potential move to San Siro.

Rangers are among the clubs who are interested in signing a legendary player in the summer transfer window, according to an exciting new update.

What's going on with Rangers' manager search?

The Gers are continuing their search for their next manager, as they look to get their appointment spot on after the disappointing reign of Philippe Clement.

Davide Ancelotti is still a leading option to take charge at Ibrox ahead of next season, having left his role as assistant manager at Real Madrid. Only 35, the Italian may want to test himself in management, going his own way rather than working alongside with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti.

Meanwhile, Rangers are also believed to have held talks with former Ajax boss Francesco Farioli about becoming their next manager, following a sad end to the season for his side, being pipped to the Eredivisie title by PSV Eindhoven.

The likes of Russell Martin and Steven Gerrard are also among the front-runners to come in and hopefully guide the Gers to greater heights moving forward, and it is essential that the club pick the right man, during a period in which they have only won one Scottish Premiership title since the end of the 2010/11 season.

Whoever is given the job will know the importance of adding to their squad, and a hugely exciting transfer rumour has now emerged.

Rangers lining up stunning summer signing

According to The Daily Record [via Ibrox News], Rangers are keen on signing Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy this summer, with the 38-year-old now a free agent.

There is plenty of interest in the striker,however, including from some Premier League clubs, so it may not be easy for the Gers to strike a deal.

At 38, Vardy clearly isn’t the force he used to be, not possessing the electric pace of old, but that’s not to say he couldn’t still be an effective signing for Rangers.

The Englishman still scored nine goals in the Premier League last season, in a team that got relegated, and Gary Lineker paid tribute to him recently, calling him “inimitable”.

Vardy has the character to be a hero at Ibrox, always enjoying goading opposition fans, but most importantly, he remains a good goalscorer who could add firepower to Rangers’ squad.

49ers not messing: Rangers advancing free transfer to sign 29 y/o defender

He could be the first arrival of the 49ers era.

ByTom Cunningham May 31, 2025

Signing him on a one or two-year deal would make sense for the Gers, during which time he could have the potential to be a cult hero, doing his best to get his hands on the Scottish Premiership trophy.

da realbet： Liverpool fans have been treated to an incredible year under the wing of Arne Slot, and it’s only going to get better, with FSG making serious moves in the overtures of the summer transfer window.

da wazamba： A deal for Jeremie Frimpong is being finalised, and the Bayer Leverkusen right-sider will join as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ostensible replacement.

But it’s another of a Werkself persuasion who is slated to be the true heir to Trent’s playmaking position. Indeed, in a saga moving faster than Mohamed Salah in his heyday, Liverpool are now clear favourites to sign Florian Wirtz, who has rejected Bayern Munich in favour of a move to Anfield this summer.

With Manchester City previously withdrawing from consideration (perhaps because they knew he favoured Merseyside?), everything is in place for sporting director Richard Hughes to finalise a deal.

It would be a record signing for Liverpool, but it’s one which makes a whole lot of sense.

Why Liverpool need Florian Wirtz

A deal for Wirtz is almost done, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. Liverpool won the Premier League this season, but they aren’t resting on their laurels.

Though Slot’s system still needs a reliable and out-and-out striker, this is a stunning coup that signals a statement of intent. Bayern and Man City both wanted Wirtz, but he chose Anfield.

And what a player. As per FBref, the 22-year-old ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for goal contributions, the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

His ability to manipulate space and wrongfoot opponents is second to none; moreover, Wirtz is remarkably switched on, always making the right call and demonstrating precision through his creativity and his ball-striking ability.

This season alone, Wirtz has scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists across all competitions for Leverkusen. Last term, he spearheaded an invincible Bundesliga triumph, earning the division’s Player of the Season award; he won the DFB-Pokal too.

He’s the real deal, all right, having been hailed as a “generational talent” by sports media professional Cristian Nyari. And Liverpool might even be gearing up to partner him with a thriving centre-forward.

Liverpool considering move for LaLiga star

As per Spanish sources, Liverpool are battling Bayern Munich for yet another high-profile signing, with the two powerhouses joining Arsenal in a bid to sign Julian Alvarez.

The Argentina star has been immense since joining Atletico Madrid last summer, and while the La Liga giants don’t want to sell, they would be tempted by offers reaching toward the €100m (£85m) mark.

It’s too early to say which direction this story will take in the coming weeks, but Liverpool bosses may feel they have a trump card in Darwin Nunez, a striker they hope to offload this summer and a player who has been reported to be on Los Colchoneros’ radar.

The report claims that the Reds are one of the clubs considering a move to sign the World Cup-winning marksman, and that they would be interested in including Nunez as part of a deal for the striker.

What Julian Alvarez would bring to Liverpool

Liverpool supporters know Alvarez well, for he won a shedload of silverware across two seasons with Manchester City before leaving for Atletico Madrid in a whopping £82m deal last summer.

That figure raised a few eyebrows, but Diego Simeone will certainly feel he has received bang for his buck after the Argentine’s prolific season, surpassing any of his individual success at the Etihad Stadium.

Alvarez’s fine-tuned clinical edge could actually see him leap over Wirtz as Liverpool’s most important signing of the summer, especially when considering the issues the club have been beset with at number nine this term, Nunez and Diogo Jota’s troubles leading Luis Diaz into a makeshift centre-forward role.

Julian Alvarez – Career Stats by Club/Nation

Club/nation

Apps

Goals

Assists

River Plate

122

54

31

Manchester City

103

36

19

Atletico Madrid

53

29

6

Argentina

44

12

33

Data via Transfermarkt

Refocused into more of a goalscoring force than his times in England, Alvarez has been described as “the best forward in the world” this season by journalist Roy Nemer, having indeed reached the verge of the 30-goal mark in his first year in Spain.

Alvarez might be a prolific player, but that’s not why Liverpool have a vested interest, of course. As per FBref, the 5 foot 8 striker ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe this season for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, the top 7% for progressive passes, and the top 8% for progressive carries per 90.

This completeness and dynamism suggest Alvarez would be the perfect addition to Slot’s ranks, the perfect upgrade at number nine. He’s considered by FBref’s data-driven analytics to be a comparable player to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, and would be far cheaper at that.

Securing the 25-year-old’s signature alongside Wirtz’s would represent a staggering coup for Liverpool, but given the need for a new striker, he would indeed prove the standout, not just a new goalscorer but a multi-faceted force to be reckoned with.

Alvarez has scored 17 goals in La Liga this season, and he has only missed seven big chances, as per Sofascore, bespeaking his newfound skill as an elite marksman.

Wirtz is going to be a stunning acquisition, for sure, but Liverpool are already relatively well stocked in their attacking midfield area, whereas up front there is a gaping hole for a reliable marksman.

If FSG manage to pull this one off after swiping Germany’s prized playmaker from the Bundesliga, beating Bayern to the finish line on both occasions, it speaks highly of Michael Edwards’ vision and Liverpool’s potential over the coming years.

Fans have rejoiced over the triumph in the Premier League this season, but you might say that success has merely scratched the surface of what this team is capable of.

Related Open to leaving: Liverpool “machine” would be finished if FSG sign Wirtz

Liverpool are going punch-for-punch with Bayern Munich in the fight to sign Florian Wirtz.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair May 23, 2025

He has a Test average of 32.07 from 47 Tests, and that’s well below what the team needs from a senior batsman

Mohammad Isam18-Nov-2019A much improved T20I batsman. A middle-order stalwart in ODIs. A calming influence and an all-round nice guy. Mahmudullah is all these things, but is he someone Bangladesh can bank on in Test cricket?The answer or solution probably lies in something the BCB has been pondering for a while now: separating the core groups for the three formats. Since 2015, Mahmudullah has been a more reliable ODI batsman than before, averaging 35.98 – including all his three centuries in the format – as against an average of 32.16 prior to that. And ever since Chandika Hathurusingha drilled into him his importance as a T20I finisher, he’s been a match-winner.The problem is with Tests.With Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal missing, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim are the two senior batsmen in the side. In the Indore Test, which Bangladesh lost inside three days, Mushfiqur top-scored in both innings for his team with 43 and 64. That’s in team totals of 150 and 213. As for Mahmudullah, in the first innings, he left all three stumps exposed as he attempted a sweep off R Ashwin, missed altogether, and was bowled. In the second, he went after a Mohammed Shami length ball outside off and poked it to the slips. Not what you’d expect.

As Domingo has said, Bangladesh are prepared to struggle with new faces in the side. It would be like taking a clean break from the era of picking players on reputation and form from other formats.

Mahmudullah played important hands in Test wins last year against Zimbabwe and West Indies, and even scored a classy century against New Zealand in Hamilton, though in a losing cause, earlier this year. Three of his four Test centuries have come in the last 12 months. Around this time last year was the first time in many years that Mahmudullah truly batted like a proper Test batsman, gritting it out against Zimbabwe to make an unbeaten 101 to set up a big fourth-innings target for the visitors.But, after 47 Tests, that average still reads 32.07. He scored 7 and 7 in the two innings in the Chattogram Test loss to Afghanistan in September, and now just 25 runs in Indore. Mahmudullah’s trend of going for several innings without making a substantial contribution is another reason why his Test career has never quite taken off: since his debut in July 2009, there have been six occasions when he has not crossed fifty in five or more innings in a row.Coach Russell Domingo speaks to some of the players during a training session•BCBWhen coach Russell Domingo said during the Indore Test that the team management was looking to restructure the Test side, one wondered if Mahmudullah was in those discussions. Yes, there might be some backlash if that happens, but as Domingo said, they are prepared to struggle with new faces in the side. It would be like taking a clean break from the era of picking players on reputation and form from other formats.This, at a time when it is clear that the BCB is thinking about three teams for the three formats. Naming Mominul Haque as the Test captain is a step in that direction, and if a few more Test specialists start performing consistently, Bangladesh’s World Test Championship campaign, which runs till mid-2021, will have the stability and focus it needs.Even if Mahmudullah doesn’t figure there, if he is handed the reins of the T20I side – given his improvement there as a batsman and the fact that he is a natural leader in the format – Bangladesh will have a proper roadmap towards next year’s T20 World Cup too. There should be a separate, grander plan for the ODI side as well, where Mahmudullah will be central to the overall strategy for the 2023 World Cup.So, in many ways, Mahmudullah stepping away from the Test side wouldn’t be the worst thing for him or the team. Can Bangladesh afford to walk that route right now, though, with Shakib and Tamim out and, more immediately, a Test series on the line?

Here’s how the KKR players and coaches reacted after their IPL title win

ESPNcricinfo staff26-May-20241:25

Moody: Gambhir has created stability and clarity for KKR

Andre Russell: “No words to explain right now. It means so much with all the fans that have been supporting us throughout the season. We are the players who go game after game and make sure that we get the job done. And it’s the first time we’re actually celebrating our victory and I think it’s the right moment. I’m happy that all of us, we are very disciplined and want the same goal. This franchise has done so much for me, with the fitness and everything. This is a big gift from all of us to them, so I’m happy.”Russell to Star Sports: “It’s my first final for KKR and to get three wickets as well, it means a lot to me and all the bowlers did their job. We keep it as simple as possible. In the first couple of overs we realised the wicket was on the slower side and we used the cutters well, we didn’t overuse it as well. We kind of mixed up the pace. I was happy with a 113 chase any day . I just mentioned to him [Mitchell Starc]. I said, ‘hey, big man, you saved the best for last’. And I’m happy with that because he started on the rough side and I kept feeling that he’s still a world-class bowler, he doesn’t take a few bad games to decide the destiny and I’m happy that he bowled that jaffa to that guy [Abhishek Sharma] and then we’re on our way.Related

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“GG [Gautam Gambhir] has not just been a mentor, he’s been a leader in every department for us, and I think that’s what was key to our success. He made sure that every batter and every bowler was playing their part and GG is just an amazing guy to be in any set-up. The support staff always gave us what we wanted, made sure that we were satisfied leaving the nets and everything played a big part leading up to this championship. GG coming back, winning the IPL, amazing support staff, you don’t need anything more than that.”Varun Chakravarthy: “All I can think of right now is the person who’s built this Indian core. Obviously the international players have been doing very well always, but the main guy behind this is Mr Abhishek Nayar.”Varun to Star Sports: “It’s a result of hard work. Credit goes to two main people, Dinesh Karthik and Abhishek Nayar. They are the guys who set the Indian core about five years back and that’s bearing fruits now. You can bowl at any other ground if you’ve bowled at Eden Gardens. It’s such a small ground, smaller than the TNPL grounds.”It went great bowling with Sunil Narine. We spoke a lot. We lost to Punjab Kings earlier in the season. Gautam then told us: ‘This is the loss that’s going to make us win the final’. And that’s what happened now. That Punjab match was the turning point for us. After we gave away 260-plus runs, Shah Rukh Khan [team owner] told me not to expect any magic ball. He said, ‘Just focus on your basics and that’ll bring you magic; don’t run behind the magic’.”Abhishek Nayar, assistant coach: “It means everything. It has taken a very long time. Personally, I started playing IPL in the first season. It’s taken me 16 years before I got my championship, but I’m really happy for the boys. It’s been five-six years. I can’t express how happy I am. Can’t express it, with the big man [Russell] turning up as usual, but it’s the most surreal feeling that I’ve had in a very long time.”1:20

How dominant were KKR this season?

Venkatesh Iyer: “As Varun mentioned, credit has to go to Abhishek Nayar. You know certain things go unnoticed. I’ll make sure that they don’t go because that guy deserves all the credit in the world for the way he’s been working for this franchise. And this one is for the fans who turned up in huge numbers year after year, waiting for ten years. We have some superstars in our team still we did not win, but kudos to the fans who came in regularly to cheer and support us, this is for them.”Nitish Rana: “When Gautam Gambhir was signed as our mentor, I had congratulated him on WhatsApp. I wrote a long message to him and he thanked me, but he also said he’ll be the happiest when we’ll lift the trophy at the podium. Today is that day and I’ll remember that message forever.”Bharat Arun, bowling coach: “I think it’s been pretty tough last two years. It was touch and go, we didn’t qualify and there’s been a lot of introspection and we did find out what are the areas we really need to work on. We did exactly that. I think Mitch [Starc] coming into the team boosted the confidence of the other youngsters in the side. Mitch is probably one of the best bowlers in world cricket and he’s been in similar situations many times. I think it’s just about Mitch discovering what his strengths are and how the Indian conditions would suit him. Once he understood that, it’s magic all over.””They [Narine and Varun] have been outstanding. Not often you come across spinners who are experienced. Spinners mature with age and so Sunny [Narine] with his experience and also Varun has been in the IPL for four to five years – both bowling in tandem has worked exceptionally well for us. He [Narine] has brought a totally different dimension to our batting this year. I thought it was Gautam who insisted that Sunny opens and that was a move that really paid off. What Sunny did was outstanding.”

Napoli are set to face a challenge to sign Liverpool flop Federico Chiesa with six clubs reportedly eyeing a move for the Italy international.

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Liverpool considering selling ChiesaNapoli interested in the Italian winger'Six clubs' eyeing move for ChiesaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool's cut-price transfer for Chiesa from Juventus last summer did not pay dividends for the Reds as the Italian winger spent much of his time on the sidelines due to injury or fitness issues. As such, the Premier League champions are considering parting ways with Chiesa this summer, with Antonio Conte's Napoli said to be interested.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Italian journalist Valter De Maggio has reported that Napoli will face a challenge in their bid to sign Chiesa this summer. The report has suggested that Inter Milan, AC Milan are two of the sides that have joined the hunt to land the Euro 2020 winner's signature.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to reports, Chiesa only played 104 minutes during the Premier League season (466 minutes across all competitions), and is reportedly paid £140,000 a week. As such, Liverpool are said to be keen on a potential bidding war, which would earn them an influx of cash.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CHIESA?

As per earlier reports, Chiesa does not have any preferences over a move to any specific club; however, his heart demands a move back to Italy this summer. He is said to be keen on returning to a familiar setting to return to form.