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They are backing established Indian domestic players like Mahipal Lomror and Siddarth Kaul to add heft to their international stars

Shashank Kishore22-Mar-2022

Where they finished in 2021

RCB finished third in the league phase, before losing to a resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator. It was RCB’s second straight playoffs finish.

Potential first XI

1 Faf du Plessis, 2 Anuj Rawat, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Mahipal Lomror, 6 Dinesh Karthik, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Harshal Patel, 9 Shahbaz Ahmed/Karn Sharma, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Josh HazlewoodRelated

• Kohli: RCB working towards the 'vision' set by du Plessis

• Kings boast batting muscle but bowling lacks experience

• Death bowling could be a worry for Rajasthan Royals

• Middle order a worry but Rashid leads potent Titans attack

• Depth, variety give Lucknow Super Giants formidable first XI

Player availability

The newly wed Glenn Maxwell will miss at least the first two games, while Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the first three matches due to Australia commitments. RCB can choose between the firepower of Finn Allen or Sherfane Rutherford to plug the Maxwell void.Allen offers them big-hitting ability at the top of the order. He has a T20 strike rate of 175.65 across 51 matches. Rutherford, meanwhile, can be used as a finisher, a role he played, albeit sparingly, for Delhi Capitals three years ago. He has a decent body of work in T20 cricket lately, being a key player in the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots team that was crowned CPL 2021 champions. He was their second-highest run-getter with 262 runs at a strike rate of 127.18.

Batting

For a long time now, RCB have tended to be top heavy. Season after season, they try to plug gaps, but the more they’ve tried to change, the more they’ve remained the same. Last year, they looked to plug the middle-order gap with Rajat Patidar and KS Bharat. This time around, they will need Mahipal Lomror and Suyash Prabhudessai – both established domestic names now – to fire and take the pressure off Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik.At the top, they don’t have the calming presence of Devdutt Parikkal anymore. But in Anuj Rawat, all of two games old in the IPL, they have a player with potential. Can he translate that into performance? RCB appear to be keen on giving him a long rope as an opener alongside du Plessis, with a freed-up Kohli set to bat at three.Anuj Rawat, who has played for Rajasthan Royals previously, albeit without much game time, is likely to open for Royal Challengers Bangalore this season•BCCI/IPL

Bowling

Mohammed Siraj, one of RCB’s three retentions ahead of the auction, will have the new-ball responsibilities and Harshal Patel, among their costliest auction picks, will be their death-overs weapon. Harshal’s career graph has skyrocketed following a record-equalling 32 wickets in IPL 2021.In the spin department, Yuzvendra Chahal’s void will be filled by Wanindu Hasaranga, who also offers some lower-order batting depth in addition to his deceptive legspin. Karn Sharma is an able back-up for Hasaranga should they need a local option for the sake of team balance.Incidentally, Karn was first signed by RCB in 2009 as a rookie pick outside the auction. Since then, he’s been part of IPL title-winning campaigns with Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings.Shahbaz Ahmed also offers them all-round depth and the ability to be a floater in the batting line-up. In Siddarth Kaul and CV Milind, they have experienced local Indian pace reinforcements. Both Kaul and Milind have been consistent performers for Punjab and Hyderabad in domestic cricket for a long time now.

Young players to watch out for

Keeper-batter Anuj Rawat’s formative years in Delhi clashed with those of Rishabh Pant, who has gone on to establish himself as India’s No. 1 keeper across formats. Two truncated domestic seasons haven’t helped, and Rawat is trying to make up for lost time. Still only 22, Rawat is an exciting top-order stroke-maker who has been backed to open. He’s been a part of the IPL for three seasons with Rajasthan Royals, without much game time. This could be the opening he was looking for.Nicknamed “Junior Gayle” by Chandrakant Pandit, the renowned domestic coach, Mahipal Lomror used to toy with age-group attacks in Rajasthan along with his best friend Rishabh Pant. After the Under-19 World Cup in 2016, where both featured an India line-up that finished runners-up, their paths diverged. While Pant soon graduated to play for India, Lomror has had to go back to the drawing board in domestic cricket. After years of being in the fringes and a middle-order back-up at Royals, Lomror has an opportunity to step it up.

Coaching staff

Mike Hesson (director of cricket), Sanjay Bangar (head coach), Sridharan Sriram (batting and spin coach), Adam Griffiths (bowling coach), Malolan Rangarajan (fielding coach)

Poll question

The five names who could hit higher notes in the fifth season of the tournament

Deivarayan Muthu19-Feb-2020Fabian Allen (Multan Sultans)On his day, Allen can clear the boundaries from the get-go lower down the order. He is an electric fielder. He can also chip in with quick-ish left-arm fingerspin. Allen is the kind of T20 package that every franchise desperately wants and he is already a superstar in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He had cracked 177 off 79 balls between overs 16 and 20 in CPL 2019 at a strike rate of nearly 225. His big-hitting didn’t miss the eyes of Sunrisers Hyderabad, who snapped him up for INR 50 lakh as they look to fill the Shakib Al Hasan-sized hole in IPL 2020. Allen is currently in action for West Indies in Sri Lanka and is set to join the Multan Sultans roster after that tour ends on March 6.Ali Khan (Karachi Kings)A fast bowler who can hit speeds north of 140kph, Khan was among the breakout stars in CPL 2018. Incidentally, PSL 2020 will be a homecoming of sorts for Khan: he was born in Pakistan before he migrated to the USA and forged a career there.Khan had claimed 16 wickets in CPL 2018 at an average of 20.81 and economy rate of 7.80 in Trinbago Knight Riders’ run to an unprecedented third title. Khan’s form somewhat tailed off in CPL 2019, but his raw pace and ability to bowl yorkers have paved the way for stints in the Bangladesh Premier League, Global T20 Canada and T10 League.ALSO READ: Top-order batting key for Gladiators; Islamabad’s strength is in their solid coreSeekkuge Prasanna (Lahore Qalandars)Khan’s Knight Riders team-mate Prasanna could be the middle-overs enforcer for Lahore in an attack that is packed with quicks like Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Shinwari, Dilbar Hussain and David Wiese. Prasanna doesn’t have a big-turning legbreak, but he often gets his wrong’un to skid into the batsman. He has also evolved into a power-hitter, something that was on bright display during the second CPL qualifier last year. Prasanna smote a 27-ball 51 during which he launched slower-ball specialist Harry Gurney out of the Brian Lara Stadium. The Sri Lankan allrounder has been a regular in the BPL and T20 Blast over the years, but this will be his maiden PSL stint.Phil Salt gave the Strikers an excellent start•Getty ImagesPhil Salt (Islamabad United)A bruising batsman at the top, Salt has had an eventful few months. The day before the CPL 2019 final, the Sussex batsman was holidaying in Miami, and he received a call-up from the Barbados Tridents as a replacement for the injured JP Duminy. Just about 24 hours later, Salt was a CPL champion with the Tridents although he had bagged a duck. He then went to the Big Bash League, where he led the way for the Adelaide Strikers at the top.Salt can be brutal against pace when the bounce is true but hasn’t been as effective against top-quality spin. Tackling the slower bowlers is among the challenges Salt is likely to face in his second stint with Islamabad. In 2019, he had made only 94 runs in six innings at an average of 15.66 and strike rate of 128.76.Lewis Gregory (Peshwar Zalmi)Peshawar have a surfeit of allrounders in their squad, but with Kieron Pollard on international duty for the early half of the season, they might look to trial England seam-bowling allrounder Gregory instead. The 27-year old had struggled as England’s finisher in New Zealand last year, but in a new role at No. 4 in the BPL, he scored 262 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 140.10 for the Rangpur Riders. He also contributed with the ball, picking up 15 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.64. If he follows it up with a productive PSL, he can be in with a chance to return to England’s T20 World Cup mix.

Chelsea are poised to field interest from a quartet of English sides as a member of their squad sets his sights on the January exit door, according to a report.

Players who could leave Chelsea in January

Chelsea are preparing for a mini January clearout as Enzo Maresca looks to trim his bloated squad and free up valuable wage space at Stamford Bridge.

The most pressing situations involve ‘bomb squad’ members Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, both of whom have trained separately from the first team throughout this entire season.

Neither player features in Maresca’s plans moving forward, yet both remain stuck on Chelsea’s books after failing to secure summer exits.

Sterling, earning well in excess of £300,000-per-week, spent last campaign on loan at Arsenal but failed to impress at the Emirates Stadium.

The former Man City winger joined Chelsea for £47.5m in 2022 with ambitions of competing for the Ballon d’Or, but his performances have fallen dramatically short of those expectations.

Chelsea star out for a month through injury with January transfer stance shared

The Blues will be without him for weeks.

ByEmilio Galantini 4 days ago

His astronomical wages present a major obstacle to finding a suitable destination, with Turkish and Saudi clubs previously rebuffed as Sterling prioritises remaining in Europe.

Disasi’s predicament appears marginally more promising.

The French defender, who cost £38.5m from Monaco in 2023, spent the latter half of last season on loan at Aston Villa and recently made a surprise appearance for Chelsea’s Under-21 side.

Lyon have engaged in preliminary discussions regarding a January loan move to provide defensive cover during AFCON absences, though Chelsea may prefer permanent offers to avoid his return next summer.

Sterling and Disasi are sure-fire candidates to leave as we fast approach the winter window, but the same can also be said of Cobham academy graduate Tyrique George.

Tyrique George ready to leave Chelsea in January

Accoridng to TEAMtalk, George is actively pursuing a January departure from Chelsea after growing frustrated with his lack of opportunities under Maresca this season.

The 19-year-old Camden-born winger enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last term, making 26 appearances across all competitions after effectively replacing Sterling in the squad.

However, his progress has stalled dramatically this season, with just two League Cup starts, two Champions League starts, and a meagre 143 Premier League minutes accumulated from the bench.

Summer arrivals Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho have all leapfrogged George in the pecking order, while Pedro Neto has arguably emerged as Maresca’s most consistent wing option.

The teenager has not started a single Premier League game this campaign, leaving his first-team prospects looking increasingly bleak.

Chelsea themselves are open to George’s exit and a potential transfer to sister club Strasbourg is seen as an ideal solution.

The BlueCo ownership group views such a move as allowing George to continue his development within their multi-club system whilst gaining regular first-team minutes under Liam Rosenior.

Any deal would likely include clauses protecting Chelsea’s interests should George become a success in France. However, the Englishman ideally wants a permanent exit rather than another loan, and several Premier League clubs are monitoring his availability after being made aware of his desire to leave.

Fulham remain strongly interested after their £22m summer deadline day move collapsed, with the likes of Leeds United, Everton and Championship side Southampton also keen on the forward.

With George now increasingly likely to leave in January, the race for his signature is already heating up.

Chelsea tipped to 'easily' sign 'superstar' amid 'mind-boggling' club stance

The Blues are an ideal destination for him.

ByEmilio Galantini 5 days ago

Chelsea have opened talks with the representatives of a big-name player after their triumph over Barcelona in the Champions League, according to a fresh update on Wednesday morning.

Chelsea seal statement win over Barcelona on dream European night

Enzo Maresca’s side put in a scintillating performance at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, dismantling Barça 3-0 in a European encounter that underlined their credentials as genuine contenders for silverware this season.

Chelsea dominated from start to finish, displaying an intensity and quality that left the five-time European champions thoroughly outclassed.

The Blues flew out of the blocks with relentless energy, pressing Barcelona high and refusing to allow the Spanish side any time on the ball. Their attacking intent was evident throughout a pulsating first half that saw Chelsea create numerous opportunities, though they endured frustration as two goals were chalked off for offside and handball before finally breaking through.

The first goal arrived when Marc Cucurella’s dangerous cross deflected off Jules Koundé, giving Chelsea a deserved advantage after 27 minutes of intense pressure.

As good as Estevao: £60m star is on his way to becoming "a Chelsea legend"

Estevao was the star of the show as Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 26, 2025

It got from bad to worse for Barça, with captain Ronald Araujo receiving a second yellow card for his reckless challenge on Cucurella near the touchline. The sending-off proved catastrophic for Hansi Flick’s side, allowing Chelsea to seize complete control after the restart.

The second half belonged to 18-year-old sensation Estevao, who produced a moment of individual brilliance that will be remembered for years in west London.

Collecting the ball wide on the right, the Brazilian winger embarked on a mesmeric dribble, gliding past Pau Cubarsí before cutting across Alejandro Balde and unleashing an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net. The stunning strike showcased his exceptional technical ability and composure, stealing the show in a much-anticipated head-to-head with Barcelona’s own teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal.

Liam Delap then rounded off a superb Chelsea display with his first Champions League goal for the club after initially seeing it chalked off, with Cucurella getting a lot of plaudits too for his exceptional display against Yamal.

Minutes

93′

Expected Assists

0.59

Tackles (Won)

5 (4)

Interceptions

1

Clearances

2

Blocked Shots

1

Recoveries

4

Aerial Duels (Won)

1 (1)

Key Passes

1

Passes

55/63

Touches

97

It was a statement win for Chelsea, who now go into their mouth-watering Premier League tie against Arsenal this weekend in very high spirits.

Now, according to Sky Switzerland reporter Sacha Tavolieri, supporters could have more reason to get excited.

Chelsea reopen talks with Mike Maignan who's "very keen" to join

AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan has long been a target for Chelsea amid their hunt for an elite-level keeper, with his contract expiring at the end of this season and potentially up for grabs at zero cost.

As per Tavolieri, Chelsea have reignited negotiations with Maignan and his camp, as the French international edges closer to departing the San Siro.

BlueCo are seizing on a developing contract standoff that could see the 30-year-old leave Italy as a free agent next summer, with Maignan reportedly informing Milan that he will not sign a new deal despite the club offering improved terms that would double his current salary.

The France number one can begin formal discussions with foreign clubs from January onwards, positioning Chelsea favourably in the race for his signature.

Maresca apparently views the experienced shot-stopper as a potential solution to Chelsea’s ongoing goalkeeping concerns. While Robert Sanchez has featured regularly this season, Filip Jorgensen could leave in January, and neither have fully convinced Chelsea’s manager.

Maignan is also “very keen” on the idea of joining them, so this could be one to watch closely as we fast approach the winter window.

The former Lille star is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top shot-stoppers, with Liverpool’s Alisson describing him as a world-class keeper at a truly elite level.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo tem um novo técnico: Luis Zubeldía. O argentino, que comandava a LDU, do Equador, até janeiro acertou com o Tricolor até o fim de 2025. A estreia dele deve ser na próxima quinta-feira (25), quando a equipe do Morumbi encara o Barcelona de Guiaquil, também do Equador, fora de casa.

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Zubeldía chega à equipe paulista para ocupar a vaga de Thiago Carpini, que não resistiu aos maus resultados, principalmente a eliminação nas quartas de final do Paulistão, para o Novorizontino e foi demitido após a derrota são-paulina para o Flamengo, no Maracanã, pelo Brasileirão, nesta quarta-feira (17).

O argentino já havia despertado o interesse da direção do São Paulo no início do ano, quando o Tricolor perdeu Dorival Júnior para a Seleção Brasileira. O treinador chegou a conversar com dirigentes do time paulista, mas não houve acordo com o estafe. A equipe do Morumbi, então, optou pela contratação de Carpini.

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Além da LDU, Zubeldía também tem passagens por times de Argentina (Lanús e Racing), Colômbia (Independiente de Medellín), Paraguai (Cerro Porteño), México (Santos Laguna) e Espanha (Alavés). Ele é o atual campeão da Conmebol Sul-Americana e, também, tem no currículo dois títulos nacionais no Equador.

Agora, a grande missão do novo treinador são-paulino é colocar o clube em processo de recuperação no Campeonato Brasileiro, após a equipe perder as duas primeiras partidas, e também na Libertadores, onde o Tricolor tem três pontos em seis disputados. O intuito no Morumbi é que o time ganhe, pelo menos, um título na temporada, como foi no ano passado, quando conquistou a inédita Copa do Brasil.

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A new claim has emerged regarding who Norwich City’s next manager could be, with Kim Hellberg reportedly the subject of talks with the club recently.

The Canaries are still looking to bring in the right replacement for Liam Manning, who was relieved of his duties earlier this month, with the 40-year-old sending a classy message to the fanbase.

“I look back on being appointed head coach of my hometown club with great pride. Unfortunately, we were unable to achieve the results or fulfil the plans we set out when we took over in June.​ Although my time with the fans was brief, I want to acknowledge their outstanding support during a challenging period. They continued to show up in great numbers – unsurprising given their passion and loyalty – and displayed incredible spirit despite understandable frustrations.”

“I would like to thank the players for their efforts throughout my time at the club and wish them all the best, both personally and professionally. The club welcomed me warmly, and the dedication of everyone across all departments never went unnoticed. I am truly grateful for that and I wish everyone associated with Norwich City the very best for the future.”

A host of individuals have been linked with being Manning’s successor at Norwich, including former Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson, and now a new update has thrown another name into the hat.

Related The latest on Jon Dahl Tomasson becoming Norwich City's next manager

Is he the right man for the job?

Posts ByHenry Jackson Nov 16, 2025 Norwich have held talks with Kim Hellberg

According to Sky Sports, Norwich briefly spoke to Hammarby manager boss Hellebrg about taking charge at Carrow Road, but that ship appears to have sailed.

That’s because Middlesbrough are believed to have a verbal agreement in place with the 37-year-old, bringing him in to replace Rob Edwards, who has departed for Wolves.

Hellberg would have been a left-field choice by Norwich, given his lack of experience, but it is easy to see why they have looked at him as a potential strong choice.

The Swede has been lauded as the “brightest football mind” by assistant coach David Selini, highlighting his tactical acumen, and by IFK Varnamo sporting director Enes Ahmetovic for the detail he goes into, and he is at an age where he is likely to bring fresh ideas.

It looks as though Norwich will have to look elsewhere, though, whether it be Tomasson, Gary O’Neil or someone else, and the Canaries will hope that Hellberg doesn’t thrive too much at Boro, assuming he does move there.

Norwich City also had talks with manager who has 100% win record vs Manning

When asked whether Manchester United had seen the best of him yet, £74m man Benjamin Sesko had the perfect response – “there’s loads to come”.

Speaking after netting his first Old Trafford goal in the Premier League win over Sunderland prior to the international break, the Slovenian striker didn’t appear to be getting carried away, despite having scored in two games in succession.

And rightly so, considering the nature of his price tag, with the ex-RB Leipzig sensation still having plenty to prove following his summer arrival from Germany, albeit with the recent signs having certainly been more promising.

Amid a post-Sir Alex Ferguson era that has been littered with short-term, problematic fixes in that centre-forward berth, alongside expensive gambles such as Rasmus Hojlund, the Red Devils simply need Sesko to deliver the goods over the next few years.

Thankfully, there is at least a new wave of talent brewing in the academy to potentially rival the 22-year-old moving forward, with the club’s new number nine in waiting already shining at Carrington.

Ranking Man Utd's best No.9's of the Premier League era

While it may not carry the same weight as United’s famed number seven, there is still a level of pressure and scrutiny that comes with being the club’s number nine – a jersey that started the Premier League era in the hands of cult hero, Brian McClair.

The selfless Scotsman – who scored 101 goals in all competitions during his 11-year stay at the Theatre of Dreams – notably relinquished that status to marquee signing, Andy Cole in 1995, following the free-scoring Englishman’s arrival from Newcastle United.

In truth, it is hard to look past Cole as the best of the lot, with the one-time Arsenal man memorably forging that partnership with Dwight Yorke, helping to spearhead Alex Ferguson’s side to treble glory in 1999.

The successor to Cole then came a few years after his 2001 exit, in the form of Louis Saha, with the Frenchman lauded by Gary Neville as among the most underrated players in Premier League history, having previously “destroyed” him during his Fulham days.

Craven Cottage would prove to be the destination for United’s next number nine, Dimitar Berbatov, with the fleet-footed Bulgarian eventually departing for west London in 2012, following four fruitful years in Manchester that included claiming the Golden Boot in 2010/11.

The less said about the next recipient, Radamel Falcao, the better, considering his forgotten, one-season stint, while Anthony Martial’s two spells with the jersey showcased a mix of genius but also frustrating inconsistency.

The Frenchman had seen that status initially removed in 2016 following the statement signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the enigmatic Swede scoring 28 times during his solitary full campaign in red, despite having arrived at the age of 34.

Romelu Lukaku, by contrast, didn’t quite live up to the billing, departing after just two turbulent years that did at least yield 42 goals in 96 games, before the number nine returned to Martial.

The most recipient was of course Hojlund, who initially arrived as the new number 11, although last term saw the Dane score just ten times in all competitions, before being shipped off to Napoli.

1 – Andy Cole

2 – Dimitar Berbatov

3 – Louis Saha

4 – Brian McClair

5 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

6 – Anthony Martial

7 – Romelu Lukaku

8 – Rasmus Hojlund

9 – Radamel Falcao

Sesko, hopefully, will far exceed Hojlund’s impact in Manchester, although he might not be the future number nine…

Man Utd's next number nine in waiting

Having arrived with Hojlund still on the books, Sesko unsurprisingly opted for the vacant number 30 shirt, having previously worn it for both Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg during his stints in Germany and Austria.

With number 11 also what the new United man wears for his country, perhaps he is gunning for Joshua Zirkzee’s jersey instead, rather than the now vacant number nine.

Perhaps, if things go to plan, the successor to Hojlund could well emerge in the form of academy sensation, Chido Obi, with the 17-year-old having already made a fine impact at Carrington since his arrival from Arsenal last summer.

Described as a “goalscoring machine” at the Gunners’ Hale End academy by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Obi has translated such form to Manchester over the past 12 months or so, scoring 12 times in just ten U18 games, alongside netting five goals in 11 outings in the U21 setup, as per Transfermarkt.

Not set to turn 18 until next month, the teen marksman had previously scored 32 goals in just 21 recorded games for Arsenal’s U18s, with United having pulled off a real coup by prising him from their top-flight rivals.

While chances have yet to come at first team level this season, the Denmark U20 international did make eight senior appearances in 2024/25 under Amorim, namely producing a lively cameo in the FA Cup against Fulham.

On another day, the £4m-rated starlet – who has scored three goals so far this term – may well have walked away with a goal during that night at Old Trafford, having been denied from the angle by a fine save from Bernd Leno.

Subsequent appearances showcased that the raw forward still has plenty of work to do to establish himself in the senior side, although he did score twice against Hong Kong during the post-season tour.

Hopefully, with Hojlund out of the equation – and with Joshua Zirkzee looking more suited to a number ten berth – Obi can begin to challenge Sesko more directly in the months and years to come, with Amorim certainly needing competition at the top end of the pitch.

Currently the club’s number 32 – albeit while wearing the nine in the U21 ranks – the former Gunners gem will be pushing to secure a promotion in the years to come.

Considering his sky high potential, he looks destined to be United’s next number nine.

Man Utd already sold Hojlund 2.0 who's "one of the best ST's in the world"

Selling a striker who’s now flourishing in Serie A? Manchester United know all about that…

ByRobbie Walls Oct 15, 2025

Tawanda Muyeye cemented himself as the leading run-scorer in the Men’s Vitality Blast 2025 with a jaw-dropping maiden T20 century as Kent Spitfires tore rivals Essex apart.Muyeye became Kent’s eighth T20 hundred-maker, with the club’s joint-most sixes in an innings as he hoisted his bat on a stunning 58-ball 100.He and opening partner Daniel Bell-Drummond are the only two players to reach three figures in this year’s competition, with Muyeye’s 362 runs leading the charts.Matt Parkinson’s first T20 five-wicket haul pulled the rug out under Essex’s doomed chase of 214 as they were bowled out for 172, despite Dean Elgar’s patient 50 and Simon Harmer’s late pyrotechnics in scoring 55.Essex wanted to chase, and started strongly with the ball with three tight overs before Muyeye swung Harmer for two sixes in a row to begin his assault on Chelmsford. He put on 71 with Bell-Drummond for the first wicket, 76 with Joe Denly and 43 with captain Sam Billings – all got starts, but there was only one star of the show.There is no secret that Muyeye is one of the most aesthetically pleasing batters on the circuit. His quick hands, paired with a long backswing, caught the eye, but it was the power that had the hosts scrambling.He fired seven sixes in total into the balmy sky, equalling the record for Kent, plus six hammered fours.Muyeye quickly moved to the top of the Blast run-scoring charts for this season, and made a play to stay there for the rest of the campaign, with a half-century ticked off in 32 balls and his ton in 58.In doing so he joined an esteemed and exclusive list of Kent T20 centurions – Denly, Bell-Drummond, Billings, Zak Crawley, Azhar Mahmood, Sam Northeast, and Andrew Symonds being the other inductees.He might have controlled a full toss straight to long-off next ball, but the damage was done. Kent reached 219, with Shane Snater, Harmer and Luc Benkenstein picking up a wicket each, although Mohammad Amir was the only bowler to go at under sevens.A bumper Friday night crowd resorted to gallows humour when Elgar finally found the boundary with the 20th ball of the innings, having already seen Tom Rogers skip one past Michael Pepper.Things heated up later in the third over when Jordan Cox swung and missed. Wicketkeeper Billings threw the ball at the stumps, missed and hit his former team-mate. Cox responded by kicking the ball away and verbals were exchanged at close quarters.Cox punted the following delivery down the ground for four, but the spat ended when Billings gave Cox a send-off after skying to long-on.Parkinson, who had dismissed Cox, then bowled Paul Walter with legspinning perfection with the next ball, but squandered a hat-trick with a leg-side wide.Parkinson added a third when Benkenstein stuck one straight up and another as Matt Critchley found the deep point fielder.Elgar had quietly amassed his 16th T20 fifty, but he was bowled by another Parkinson beauty, the spinner ending up with 5 for 23. Charlie Allison, Noah Thain, Shane Snater and Harmer also fell – with Joey Evison taking two in two at one point.While Essex remain the sole winless side in either group, Harmer entertained the crowd with seven sixes once the match was mathematically lost – he smacked 55 in 21 balls.

Glasgow Rangers are still yet to officially confirm their next head coach ahead of their clash with Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday at Ibrox.

The Light Blues parted company with Russell Martin prior to the start of the international break, after a 1-1 draw with Falkirk, and Steven Smith will be in charge as an interim this weekend.

Martin left after five wins in 17 matches in charge in all competitions, as shown in the graphic above, and Rangers are closing in on a head coach with a far superior record.

The latest on Kevin Muscat to Rangers

According to RangersReview, Kevin Muscat is set to ‘finalise’ a deal to become the next Rangers manager in a move that could be confirmed over the weekend.

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Meanwhile, the Daily Record reports that the Light Blues board are willing to allow him to see out the remainder of the Chinese Super League season before he makes the switch to Ibrox.

SH Port have three matches left to go in their season, as they sit top of the table, and their last game is on the 22nd November, which means that it could be over a month before Muscat takes the reins in Glasgow to finally replace Martin.

Once the Australian head coach is in charge at Ibrox, one thing that he will be tasked with is getting the best out of central midfielder Mohamed Diomande, who flopped under the previous head coach.

Why Kevin Muscat needs to revive Mohamed Diomande for Rangers

Muscat needs to revive the Ivorian star because he allowed his form to dip way too low under Martin, after an impressive 2024/25 campaign with the Scottish giants.

Diomande’s discipline was a notable cause for concern. He was given three yellow cards and one red card in his last four appearances for the club, and Tam McManus went as far as to call his performance “embarrassing” against Hibernian because of how many fouls he was committing.

The left-footed star was sent off against Genk in the Europa League, a game that the Gers lost, and he was booked against Hibernian, Celtic, and Falkirk, with the Light Blues winning just one of those matches. Embarrassing was a strong word from McManus, but the midfielder did let himself down with too many challenges that caught the referee’s attention.

Appearances

36

6

Sofascore rating

7.19

6.37

Goals

4

0

Assists

7

0

Dribbled past per game

0.5x

0.5x

Ground duel success rate

57%

46%

Aerial duel success rate

48%

17%

As you can see in the table above, his form in his six matches for the former Rangers head coach this season in the league was nowhere near as good as what he produced under Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson last term.

These statistics show that Diomande is capable of much better than he has shown in the 2025/26 campaign, which provides hope that Muscat can come in and get him back to his best in the middle of the park.

At his best, the 23-year-old whiz, who is valued at £7m by Transfermarkt, is a central midfielder who can provide a combative presence whilst also contributing with goals and assists for Rangers, as evidenced by his form from last season.

However, he has not been anywhere near his best this term, with no goals and one assist in 12 matches, per Sofascore, and that is why one of Muscat’s first jobs should be trying to revive the Ivorian ace.

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If the incoming Rangers head coach can unlock the left-footed star’s top level, Muscat will have a terrific player on his hands in the middle of the park.