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The fast bowler opens up about his evolution over the last two years, his struggles, and the attitude that has shaped his success so far

Nagraj Gollapudi10-Sep-2025In the last year, Delhi fast bowler Harshit Rana has debuted for India in all three formats. Rana, who is 23, and plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, was picked for the Asia Cup, where he could audition for the crucial No. 8 role. In this interview he talks about his growth over the last two years, and how he hopes to fulfill his dream of becoming a regular all-format bowling allrounder.In Kolkata Knight Riders’ first match of the 2024 IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad brought the target of 209 down to 13 runs from the final over. Heinrich Klaasen had made 50 off 25 balls. You had only played 12 T20s till then, and you were bowling the last over for only the second time in your career. Can you reconstruct that over for us?
It was a very important over for me [in my career]. Shreyas [Shreyas Iyer, the KKR captain], while giving me the ball to bowl the final over, told me: ” time hero defend problem . [This is your time to be a hero, but even if you are not able to defend those runs, it’s not a problem.] The first ball, Klaasen hit me for a six. It was now seven runs from five balls. Shreyas told me to “chill” and bowl what I wanted to bowl.The idea to bowl the slower ball was playing in my mind already. I would like to credit Nayar ‘s [Abhishek Nayar, KKR assistant coach], role here. He passed the same message from the dugout, saying bowling slower would benefit me, because the slower ball sometimes grips at Eden [Gardens]. And I had practised and developed the slower ball while recovering from the injury that year at the NCA [National Cricket Academy in Bangalore]. I had not bowled the slower ball before that IPL, so it was a moment where I needed to deliver perfectly because otherwise it would be a six and the game would have ended.Related

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But with them [Iyer and Nayar] giving me the confidence and telling me to bowl the slower ball [bravely], I bowled the next ball and it was a good slower one. Just one run came off it. So I decided I would only deliver slower balls for the rest of the over, because the batters would be waiting and guessing if it was the quicker delivery or the slower one. Even the [fifth] ball, when they needed [five runs off two balls], I thought whether I should go for the yorker, but Shreyas told me to stick to the slower ball and not be bothered even if it got hit. In fact, I was telling him that he – Klaasen – would swing the bat against the slower ball and even if he mistimed it, it could go for a six if I faltered. But it went my way.Since you bowled the slower ball the previous four deliveries, Klaasen might have predicted you were going to bowl the same again and might have planned for it, right?
Our plan for Klassen was to bowl wide outside off stump because he didn’t use his feet that much and used his hands more to hit those sixes. So the plan was to keep the ball far from his arc and that is exactly what happened, and he was caught at third.The execution sounds simple in hindsight. But what kind of preparation goes into delivering such balls?
You have to repeatedly do the things in the practice that you want to deliver in the match. So I bowled – and continue to bowl a lot – against a single stump, on the same spot. I specifically trained a lot for getting the slower ball close to the wide tramline or the wide yorker.Rana nervelessly defended 12 runs in the final over of KKR’s first game of the 2024 IPL season, with the full backing of his captain Shreyas Iyer•BCCICutters, like the one you used to dismiss Klaasen in that match, are not easy. Do you worry about the ball slipping out of your hand?
Yes, it happens at times. Because when the ball is wet, it becomes difficult to bowl the offcutter. Because a cutter is such a delivery that if it is [full/short] then it usually goes for a six. If it is full then it comes in the arc, and if it is short then the batsman gets extra time to hit it. So the five- to six-metre length becomes essential for a cutter for a fast bowler. In death overs the ball becomes wet usually due to dew, so we train using a wet ball for such a scenario. During training I place the cones at the five- to six-metre-length area with the aim of hitting that length at least ten of the 12 balls.Shah Rukh Khan [KKR co-owner] was watching that match. But there were two more special people watching. Can you talk about them?
It was the first game for Mumma and Papa when they had come to watch me live at a stadium. I had called them [insisted they come]. Papa would always tell me that he doesn’t want to see me live at a ground because he gets nervous easily. Even on that day after Klassen hit me for a six, Papa told me after our victory that he had quickly gone inside towards the washroom, as he couldn’t bear to watch it. Later when he started hearing the and ecstatic noises from KKR fans, he walked out. I was very happy in that moment for all of us.Tell us a bit about your childhood and how you came to cricket.
My dad is a property dealer and Mummy is a housewife. I was born and brought up in Ghevra, which is the last village on the border of Delhi and Haryana. My parents still live there. When I was young, there was no ground in Ghevra and we had to travel some distance towards the neighbouring village to play. But when I was there recently, I noticed every second corner had a big ground full of turf pitches and good enough facilities.Cricket would allow me to get [time] off from tuition. I have studied [for the] BA [degree], the simplest for cricketers. My sister, who is six years older, insisted I do my graduation and she ensured I completed it.In IPL 2024, there was another key match at Eden Gardens. Mumbai Indians needed 22 runs from the final over in a rain-shortened match. A win would make KKR become the first team to qualify for the playoffs. You had been hit for runs in the powerplay by Ishan Kishan, but you gave away just three runs in that last over, and picked up two wickets. What was the planning there?
My first three [wicketless] overs were nothing special prior to that. It was between me and [Mitchell] Starc for the final over. Shreyas handed the ball to me. The planning for that over was a little bit different because on that day there was no hold [grip] on the surface.The day before the match we were chatting to Gautam [Gautam Gambhir, KKR mentor in 2024 IPL], on what we could do differently in the death overs, because you can get predictable for batters who know you might only bowl the slower ball or you might only bowl yorkers. He told me that batters usually will predict I could bowl a slower bouncer or a yorker or a slower ball, but they don’t normally expect a fast ball on a hard length. In my previous over I had delivered a few slower balls, but against one of them Tilak [Varma] swept a four and a top edge had flown over the third man. So I realised I had to change something and not get predictable.”I love to bat. In domestic cricket for Delhi, I have felt that we have won due to my batting, and that gave me that inner confidence that, yes, I can bat”•BCCIThe first ball of that final over I bowled quick, pitched on hard length, and Naman Dhir was caught skying towards deep midwicket. Next ball, against Anshul [Kamboj], I decided to go slower because I did not want him to mistime a faster delivery that he could edge and sneak a four. They took a single and that brought Tilak on strike. I decided to go for the hard-length plan but set a field for the slower ball. He was caught behind.Gambhir who rarely smiles, was happily smiling after that KKR win. How has he helped you?
He has changed my mindset. I had never met Gautam before he joined KKR. In our first conversation, which was before the start of IPL 2024, he said: “You will play the 14 matches in the season regardless of how many runs you give. I just want you to continue playing cricket with the same aggressive nature as you have always – with your head up. Whether you get hit for 70 or 80 runs in four overs, your head should not be down. And if you are able to do that, I am telling you, 100% you will do something.”To be told as a player, just go out and play openly, don’t think too much, that, I feel, was the turning point. My confidence shot up and I could express myself fully, including in my celebrations, which you might have seen, where I was aggressive at times.Gambhir is a straight talker. Has there been an incident where he scolded you?
Whenever I am around GG , I am always on my toes (). I hope I don’t do anything [that leads to] scolding me. Because he always tells me that things have just started in my career and if I can devote as much time and energy towards cricket, I will grow in the game that much.How do you deal with bowling in pressure situations? What are your strengths?
More than skills it is my mindset. When I stand at the start of my run-up I think, , I will do it. I will save [the situation]. I’ve had this mindset from the beginning. And it’s because of my father. In the first decade when I started playing cricket, I never achieved any success. I never played anywhere. I played nothing. I only got rejection from every place I went. I only heard no, no, no. I used to cry, wondering what I would do in life. Papa used to always say: , do the hard work and do the things that are in your hand [control], you will get something in life.He never allowed me to doubt myself. I used to cry in front of him, saying, my name is not coming anywhere, nobody is playing me, I won’t be able to do anything in life, what will happen if I don’t succeed in cricket? He would always motivate me and say, “[As long as] I am around why are you taking the tension? You just play with a free mind.” Whenever I went to play a match, he would always say, “As a bowler, think how you can be one step ahead of the batsman.” I feel it is a mind game. If your mind is working quicker than the batsman and you are more proactive, then you are better.Rana had Harry Brook caught out for a duck on the third-ball Brook faced in the Nagpur ODI, discombobulating him with a head-high bouncer•AFP/Getty ImagesWhen was this rejection phase?
I did not play Under-14, did not play Under-16, played just three matches, and that too for a year, for Under-19 for Delhi. Then, again, I got rejected in Under-25, which was before I started to play IPL. I would go for all the trials but never got my name shortlisted. I could never get a reason why I was not being selected.Let’s talk about your white-ball debuts during the England series earlier this year. On ODI debut, in Nagpur, you picked up three wickets. You must have fond memories?
The debut was amusing, to say the least. [Phil] Salt had hit me for 26 runs in an over. I had leaked a good amount of runs [0 for 37] after my first three overs. Soon after, Shreyas brilliantly ran-out Salt. As everyone gathered to celebrate in the huddle, I stood there quietly. Rohit [Rohit Sharma, India captain] then told me, “” [Bowl from the other end].[Ben] Duckett got out immediately, caught by [Yashasvi] Jaiswal. Gautam always says, your strength is high pace, you should focus on doing that. So when [Harry] Brook walked in, I thought a new bat has walked in, why not bowl a head-high bouncer. I asked Rohit “?” [Shall I bowl a head-high bouncer?] He said, “” [Bowl it.] So I bowled the short-pitched delivery. Brook tried to fend it away and KL [KL Rahul] took a very good catch behind the wicket.You also got rid of Liam Livingstone, taking advantage of his aggressive intent.
Livingstone was trying to swing his bat at each and every ball of mine. He swung at it jumping out of the crease, he swung at it standing in the crease. I was thinking to myself, , you are swinging at the ball despite being new to the crease. Why don’t you wait for a bit, since there are so many overs still left in the innings? So when he attempted to go big while jumping out of his crease again, I bowled the short delivery, which he edged.You made your T20I debut in Pune under interesting circumstances. Morne Morkel, India’s bowling coach, said you were eating your dinner, mid-innings, when you were told.
() After the first innings, we reserve bowlers did some bowling against a single stump, and we went upstairs to have our dinner. As I came down after dinner, Gautam told me, “Be ready, you can [might] go in.” Initially, I couldn’t understand how that was possible. Then I was told [Shivam] Dube had been hit in the head and he was feeling dizzy and I would be the concussion substitute. So I walked in without doing any warm-up. I was standing at third and immediately I had a catch off [Ravi] Bishnoi’s bowling come towards me. I took it cleanly, thankfully. But what I remember is that it was that day I logged my fastest ball in T20 – 151 kph. I had walked in without any warm-up, but I loosened up as it started sinking in that I was making my T20I debut.Rana’s substitution for Dube in the Pune T20I was not without controversy, with England saying it was not a like-for-like replacement•Associated PressYou turned in a match-winning performance of 3 for 33. Did you joke with Dube on the like-for-like substitution?
pace like-for-like batting [Since I am a like-for-like sub for you, I will need to improve my batting.]You have been picked for the Asia Cup where you could end up playing at No. 8. What gives you the confidence that you can deliver if you get the opportunity?
I love to bat. I don’t feel like I can’t bat. In domestic cricket for Delhi, I have felt that we have won due to my batting and that gave me that inner confidence that, yes, I can bat.Did Rohit give you any suggestions on how you can improve as a batter?
During one of the training sessions for the 2025 Champions Trophy, I had just walked out after hitting in the nets. While I was removing my gear, he walked to me and said: “” [We all know you can hit sixes, but you first play safely to begin with.] He impressed upon me the important role the lower-order batters play and that the runs I make will eventually be helpful for the team.In terms of your fitness, do you feel anything needs to change?
There are many things I need to continue to work on. To play cricket for long, very long, for years, I need to work more on my strength.There is this interesting incident with Starc during the 2024 IPL when you were KKR team-mates. Tell us about that.
We were in Mumbai. We both started running around the ground. But he is very tall and he would stride ahead. After one of the runs, I said, “Starcy, I’ll beat you in the next one.” I knew I would not be able to and he would win easily. He said, “Don’t beat me, you just run with me.” He was telling me to run at his pace and run the distance he ran. At the end of it, I was lying flat on the turf. Then I heard Starcy say, “Eh, come on, one more.”What did you learn from him in terms of bowling?
Mindset and calmness. He is at the next level. If you remember, Starcy did not have a good start to the 2024 IPL, but I never saw that guy worried about anything. He was always smiling, though he might have gone for 80 runs in four overs. He did not get many wickets for the first four or five matches and people were talking, but he was still smiling. I liked that thing so very much, because if he is the world’s No. 1 bowler and if he is going through a rough time and he is still like this, then I thought, we younger lot, who have just started, what do we have to be tense about? The things we want, we are getting, so let’s enjoy our time playing the game.Starc and Rana’s KKR camaraderie spilled into a bit of sledging during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar trophy•AFP/Getty ImagesYou have been lucky to work with another bowling legend, Dwayne Bravo, who joined KKR as mentor last IPL. Has he helped you make any tweaks to your game?
Bravo told me, “Do whatever you feel like, I’m not going to teach you the mechanics, I’m going to focus on the mindset.” He always says that even if you are bowling your first over and if you feel like everybody is getting hit or if the wicket is really good, then straightaway you can go for a death-overs field. Since I bowl in the powerplay, I applied that plan a few times, like straightaway bowling a slower ball wide outside off stump, or a wide yorker or a yorker.Your body language is always positive whenever you play. After KKR’s victory in the 2024 IPL opening match, your senior team-mate Andre Russell said how your body language “was on point” in the last over. He said, “With the first ball gone for six, still there was some doubt there, but he came back strong and he got the job done.” Do you agree it is a strength?
When you are on the cricket field, the way you portray yourself can define you. Say, my day is not going well and I am getting hit, then if I am thinking about that with my head down in the field, I will not enjoy that. I play cricket for my feel and my enjoyment. I like being on the cricket ground and if even there I am not happy and have a weak body language and allow doubts to creep in, then I will not enjoy playing cricket. So if my bowling is not going well, I tell myself I will do well in fielding, or dive, or whatever to make an impact.Does your feisty attitude help you with the mindset?
Yes, it does. Others might doubt you, but if you doubt yourself then I don’t think you can do much. So I tell myself not to doubt myself.Having played for India across the three formats, what is the immediate next step in your plans as you evolve?
I need to work more on my batting to become a three-format player. Because if I can make more runs it will be beneficial for both me and my team.What is the best thing someone told you recently?
Last year after I got picked for the Zimbabwe series immediately after the IPL, I told my father about the selection. He said, “You have fulfilled my 35-year-old dream. Thank you so much.” Those words were bigger than anything else for me. We both cried.

Manchester United are now preparing a huge bid for a “sensational” midfielder, who is now their priority target, with Ruben Amorim personally keen.

Man Utd readying move for midfielder after Scholes' Mainoo comments

Paul Scholes has recently made it clear he believes Kobbie Mainoo needs to leave his boyhood club, given a lack of game time this season, saying: “For his football career he has to leave Man United. He has lost 18 months of development.

“I hope he goes abroad, it is embarrassing if he goes to Chelsea. They might go and get him, as they are putting together a very good young squad. They keep buying young players and the right good young players.”

Mainoo is still yet to start a Premier League game, although he did impress after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 4-1 rout of Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

The Englishman’s most recent display may give Amorim something to think about, but with his future up in the air, the Red Devils have now set their sights on a new central midfielder.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Man United are now preparing a €100m (£87m) bid for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, who has been identified as their ‘absolute priority’ target in the middle of the park.

Amorim is personally keen on signing the England international, with bringing in a new central midfielder deemed essential, given that Casemiro is likely to leave upon the expiration of his contract next summer.

Crystal Palace are reluctant to sell one of their prized assets, but there is now growing interest, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur also keen.

Signing "sensational" Wharton would soften blow of Mainoo leaving

It is always bitterly disappointing when an academy graduate leaves, especially one as talented as Mainoo, with the 20-year-old playing a major role in United winning the 2024 FA Cup, scoring against Manchester City in the final.

That said, it would be understandable if the youngster wanted to leave, amid interest from reigning Serie A champions Napoli, given that his development is being stifled by a lack of game time, featuring for just 183 minutes in the Premier League this season.

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Signing Wharton could soften the blow of losing Mainoo, however, with the Palace star a similar age to the Stockport-born midfielder at 21, and he has put in some top-quality performances this season.

Most recently, the Englishman chipped in with an assist as Palace won 2-1 away at Fulham, while he has also impressed at international level, making three key passes and maintaining a 91% pass-completion rate in the Three Lions’ 2-0 win against Albania last month.

Having proven himself for club and country, Wharton could be an excellent addition for Man United, and it is exciting news that a bid is being prepared.

Suryavanshi scored a 15-ball 38 in chase but the middle order failed to fire before an unlikely lifeline took the game to a Super Over

Shashank Kishore21-Nov-2025
Bangladesh A won the Super OverIn a thriller that nearly went into a second Super Over, Bangladesh A seamer Ripon Mondol knocked India A out in the semi-final of the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha, Qatar on Friday.Mondol delivered a superb 19th over, giving away just five runs and removing the well-set Ramandeep Singh to leave India A needing 16 off the final over; a target Bangladesh A nearly didn’t defend.With eight needed off the last three balls, Jishan Alam dropped a sitter at long-off to reprieve Ashutosh Sharma off left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan. Even worse, he parried it to the boundary for four. Ashutosh couldn’t capitalise, though, and was bowled next ball to leave India A needing four off the final delivery.Yet, India A found an unlikely lifeline thanks to a misjudged underarm throw from Bangladesh A captain Akbar Ali. As Harsh Dubey dug out a full delivery to long-on, he’d nearly given up but somehow willed himself to run a second.Akbar collected the return and had enough time to run to the stumps to seal the game, but instead flicked an underarm throw that missed. With no one backing up, India A stole a third run to force a Super Over.India A then perhaps misfired tactically, not unleashing the tournament’s highest six-hitter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, to open. Instead, Mondol bowled a pinpoint yorker to castle a frazzled Jitesh Sharma, who premeditated too early and got into a tangle attempting to paddle. Ashutosh toe-ended a yorker straight to extra cover as India A ran out of gas, leaving Bangladesh A a mere one run for victory.There appeared to be another twist when Suyash Sharma struck off the first delivery to remove Yasir Ali to a sharp catch by Ramandeep at the long-on fence. Akbar then took a strike with an opportunity to undo some of his earlier damage. Fortunately for him, Suyash’s misdirected googly ended up being a wide and Bangladesh A sealed victory in dramatic circumstances.Habibur Rahman Sohan led Bangladesh A’s charge•Asian Cricket CouncilAs a result, India A bowed out following an underwhelming campaign, where they were also beaten by Pakistan A in the group stages, while also being pushed by Oman.As chaotic as the finish was, India A would reflect on a poor finish with the ball as one of the major turning points. They conceded 50 off the last two overs alone, as left-hander SM Meherob made an unbeaten 48 off 18 balls. This included four stunning sixes in a 28-run penultimate over by Naman Dhir.Meherob’s cameo was the perfect sequel to Habibur Rahman’s 46-ball 65 up top that helped set up the game for Bangladesh A, before the middle-order briefly wobbled.India A brought up their fifty off just 19 balls as Vaibhav Suryavanshi went big, hitting two fours and four sixes in his 38 off 15 before he toe-ended a slog to long-on. Dhir struggled for timing – he was on 3 off 10 at one stage – and fell soon after.The chase was revived by Priyansh Arya and Jitesh Sharma, who made 44 and 33, respectively, to ensure India A were up with the asking rate for most parts. When Jitesh fell to leave India A 150 for 4 in 15 overs, the chase was upon Ramandeep and Nehal Wadhera, who appeared to have it under control before India A’s chase combusted in dramatic circumstances.

With several months between matches and a World Cup on the horizon, MLS players are finding different ways to stay sharp through the winter to ensure they get off to a strong start

For several years, the concept of an offseason has been a hot topic in global soccer. As players play more games than ever, there are fewer breaks and moments to shut the body down to recover. Major League Soccer, generally, has had the opposite problem.

The reality is that those who missed the postseason are staring down just about four months without a club match. That's a long time in comparison to the leagues in Europe, where the offseason can be less than a month when factoring in friendlies played over the summer. The best professionals know how to navigate that time in a way that gets them the rest they need and the training required to stay sharp.

Staying sharp is always paramount, but even more so this year. When the MLS season kicks off in February, it'll be just a three-month sprint before World Cup rosters are selected. Those on the fringes will know that, and they'll know there will be no time to waste. Starting the season strong will be more important than ever before, and to do that, players will need to understand a vital fact: this is no regular offseason.

 "I'll treat this preseason and offseason the same way I treat every single one and come back from preseason knowing that 2026 is going to be a huge, huge year," U.S. men's national team and Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream said. "I have goals I want to reach, and it's what you do when no one's looking that allows you to reach those goals."

So how are players approaching it? What are they doing to stay fit? GOAL, in partnership with Catepillar, takes a look…

Getty Images SportThe initial days

Diego Luna's season ended much earlier than he wanted. Real Salt Lake were knocked out in the Wild Card round of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Oct. 22, ending their campaign, in Luna's mind, wildly prematurely. With a few weeks between that loss and the U.S. men's national team's final camp of 2025, Luna had to stay sharp. As a result, he spent a whole bunch of time training on his own to ensure he kept his legs for USMNT camp.

"I show up every single day at the RSL facility with a bag of balls to run my butt off for three weeks straight of grinding. No one there; just me in the dark, lights off," Luna told GOAL. "It's three weeks of hard work that no one is noticing, but everyone's thinking 'Diego's done this' or 'Diego's done that'. I show up against Uruguay and put in a performance, but people don't see the hard work that was done before."

Luna's work, ultimately, paid off. He dazzled against Uruguay, scoring a goal in the 5-1 win. He was joined on the scoresheet that day by another player who endured something similar: Alex Freeman. The Orlando City star scored twice against Uruguay, having gone through a similar process in Florida. After falling in the Wild Card round himself, the fullback grinded on his own in South Florida for a few weeks before earning his own USMNT call-up.

With the international break now over, though, there are no immediate games to train for. It's easier to stay motivated for a few weeks when you know that national team camp is around the corner. With that over, though, the hard work really begins.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportStaying fit

Tim Ream has been doing this for a while. It's fair to say he's done this longer than most. Now 38, the Charlotte FC star has had a whole bunch of offseasons in his career, so he knows what it's like not just to shut down, but get back going again.

As he's gotten older, that second part has become more difficult. In his eyes, resting is important, of course, but it's vital not to let the levels drop too much, simply because getting them back requires more work than ever.

"I think I hit 45 games between club and country this year at 38 years old," Ream said. "It's been a lot, especially when you throw in the travel. Listen, when you finish here, it's about rest and recovery. I'm one of those who struggle with too much time off, so I'll take 10 days off, completely shut the body down, then get back on the bike and get back to running and doing the things that I know work for me in the offseason. As you get older, you actually need or should be taking less time off. I've found, for me, that's the approach."

That's not just the approach for wily veterans. Ethan Sonis, who works with stars like Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, and Sergio Aguero with S.A.T. Soccer, says he'll work with between 20 and 30 players this winter to help them stay in shape during these colder months.

Luna's approach is similar: he'll be training extensively throughout this offseason "break." 

"This is maybe my most exciting offseason yet," Luna says. "It's definitely my most important offseason. I'm seeing it as my preseason to my preseason. I'm not treating it like an offseason. I'm going to manage it well. I'm going to clear the space from 10 months of soccer, but I'm going to be working my butt off."

Historically, some of the league's biggest players have worked their butt off in a different way: by going on loan. It'll be an option for some, but those situations have become far less common in recent years.

Getty ImagesAre loans in consideration?

During previous World Cup years, MLS stars like David Beckham famously spent time with AC Milan, Landon Donovan crushed it for Everton. Thierry Henry famously got one final swansong with Arsenal in his final years, giving fans one last goal and one last memory. Those three are among those to have spent an MLS offseason on loan, and you can understand the allure: competitive games in big leagues at a time when, normally, you wouldn't have much going on.

Son Heung-Min, one of the biggest names in MLS, had been rumoured for a loan of his own. He's not interested, he insisted. His focus on rest, recovery, and Los Angeles FC as he heads into his weeks-long break without the intention of moving.

“I’ve never spoken to any club about a winter move. Such talk is simply untrue,” Son said, reported TV Chosun. “For me, showing respect to my club and giving everything where I play – that’s what matters most. That won’t change. I won’t leave LAFC this winter, or ever, while I’m here. I respect this club deeply. As long as I’m wearing this badge, there will be no such thing as a loan or a move. Never.”

“I’ll rest well, recharge, and get myself in the best condition for the World Cup,” Son added. “My focus is fully on LAFC and my country – nothing else."

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ImagnResetting and starting new

At the end of the day, staying fit is vital, but players are human, too. Because of that, there is a necessity to restart the body and mind. For someone like Freeman, who enjoyed an award-winning breakout 2025, the offseason is a natural conclusion.

"I think everyone knows I probably need a reset, and maybe not even a reset, but a rest. I want to see family, maybe travel a little," Freeman told GOAL. "Maybe even go visit my national team teammates in different countries. For me, it's going to be a reset. I'm going to train and be fit as well, but it's been a long year for me, and I want to share this time with he people that have been supporting me."

Colorado Rapids star Paxten Aaronson will be doing the same. He's blending work with pleasure as he plans to spend his offseason going back to where it all began: training with his dad.

"I think some of the best preseasons I've come into at my sharpest have been when I've just been able to train with my dad," he said. "I haven't really been able to with the European off-season, just because they're so condensed. So yeah, I think off-season is a great time to kind of just work on the things you don't get to in the real season – just because you're so focused on the match minutes and your body's always fatigued."

Everyone will have a different approach and a different system. The key thing is finding whatever works for each particular player.  Everyone, though, will be eager to start the 2026 campaign hot, and that campaign doesn't start in February. In many ways, it's already started.

"This is not an offseason for me," Luna says, "but a season where I get to combine having fun with my family with the work ethic and understanding that this year is a huge year that could be an amazing year. That's the mindset."

Game 1 of the National League Championship Series came down to one deciding at-bat on Monday night and the person in the batter's box would have done something differently if he had the opportunity.

With the Dodgers holding onto a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, Brewers' Brice Turang encountered a bases-loaded, two-out opportunity against L.A. reliever Blake Treinen. Turang quickly fell down 1-2 in the count and went into battle mode. The next delivery broke inside and potentially would have hit him on his back leg for a game-tying HBP, but Turang instead avoided it. Treinen would go on to notch a strikeout, ending the proceedings and giving the Dodgers a 1-0 series league.

Turang was asked about the pitch and his avoidance after the game and couldn't quite explain it.

"Well, if you see me look in the dugout, I'm thinking, 'Damn.' I know it. Everybody knows it. I couldn't tell you why I did it, I just got out of the way. That's how it is."

Turang didn't wear the breaking ball because he was in the biggest at-bat of his life and instinct kicks in when someone is throwing pure heat with incredible movement. It would have been nice for Brewers fans had he simply stood his ground and made the score 2-2 but it's much, much easier to make decisions given more than .1 of a second to consider them.

Matheesha Pathirana, who last played at the Asia Cup this September, has been hampered by injuries in recent times

Nagraj Gollapudi15-Nov-2025In a late move, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have decided to release Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana from their squad ahead of IPL 2026. ESPNcricinfo has learned that CSK have been deliberating their future with Pathirana, who they had bought ahead of IPL 2023 and retained before the 2025 mega auction for INR 13 crore.This emerged on Saturday – the IPL retention window closes at 3pm.With his slingy action and ability to find swing consistently at 140-plus clicks, Pathirana announced himself at IPL 2023, when CSK won the title, picking 19 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 8.01. Then captain MS Dhoni, though, had warned that Pathirana would need to be carefully managed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in order for him to have a long career. Dhoni’s words were not far off the mark – Pathirana has struggled with various injuries over the years.Related

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Pathirana, who last played at the Asia Cup this September, had a curtailed IPL 2024 owing to a hamstring injury and then left for home midway into the SA20, where he playes for Joburg Super Kings. In IPL 2025, he was under par, taking 13 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 10.13.CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming had said during the season that the franchise was concerned by Pathirana’s drop in impact, which he suspected had to do with the SLC tweaking the bowler’s release point which was causing him troubles.CSK have now decided to release Pathirana with a possibility of buying him back at the auction, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.CSK had been the only team Pathirana has played for in the IPL, with his overall numbers in the three seasons being 47 wickets in 32 matches at an average of 21.61 and economy of 8.68.CSK are set to be among the few teams to go into the auction with a big purse, having also decided to release a host of players including the New Zealand pair of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. They have also traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals for Sanju Samson.

Lionel Messi is considered to be “better than ever” as questions continue to be asked of his participation at the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine superstar is yet to confirm his involvement, but the door will always be left open for him. Ariel Ortega sees no reason why the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner cannot form part of a global title defence, with any fears regarding his presence in MLS being calmed.

MLS Cup triumph: Messi wins trophy No.47

All-time great Messi has been plying his trade in the United States since 2023. He has, with his initial deal in South Florida expiring, committed to a three-year extension with the Herons that will take him through 2028.

The evergreen 38-year-old has continued to star while chasing the American dream, helping Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory within weeks of his arrival. He has now inspired a historic MLS Cup triumph, with his record-shattering haul of major honours being taken to 47 and counting.

AdvertisementGettyBetter than ever: Why Messi is being tipped to grace 2026 World Cup

With a post-season break being reached, Messi has stated that he does not want to become a “burden” for Argentina as they piece together World Cup plans. He will not have taken in as much competitive action in 2026 by the time that tournament rolls around as European-based colleagues.

Fellow countryman Ortega does not see that being an issue, with Messi having shown in 2025 – when winning the MLS Golden Boot – that he still has enough hunger and energy left in the tank to compete at the very highest level.

Ex-Argentina star Ortega has told : “Given how much Messi loves playing football, he’s going to be there. Besides, personally, I see him as better than ever. He’s at an incredibly high level, regardless of what people say about the league he plays in. I think playing at that level isn’t easy, and he’s going to be at the World Cup.”

He went on to say: “It’s going to be a personal thing for him; he’s going to want to play every game. The World Cup is different; he hasn’t had any serious injuries in his career and he looks to be in good physical shape. He’s going to prepare well to be there without any problems.”

Rolando Schiavi added to that debate when saying, with every nation taking part at FIFA’s flagship event in the United States, Canada and Mexico having to contend with some testing conditions: “My only concern is the weather: the heat it could get during the World Cup in the United States. That's the only thing I'd be worried about and the only thing that would make me doubt Leo. Even so, I think he'll play and be in every match.”

Playing or watching? Messi's update on World Cup plans

Messi told recently when asked again about his possible involvement in another major international tournament: “I hope I can be there. I've said before that I'd love to be there. At worst, I'll be there watching it live, but it will be special. The World Cup is special for everyone, for any country – especially for us, because we live it in a completely different way.”

He added on those that pose the greatest threat to Argentina’s title, which was captured in dramatic fashion at the end of a penalty shootout with France in 2022: “It's very difficult to win a World Cup. It's something that is lived differently: as a spectator, as a player, and as a fan. Now, seeing the group, I'm sure they will fight.

“Winning took a huge weight off our shoulders. Playing without that pressure is a relief, but at the same time it doesn't guarantee anything, because everyone wants to beat the world champion. There are very good national teams – Spain, France again, England, Brazil, who haven't been champions for a while and want to win again, and also Germany.”

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Getty2026 World Cup draw: Who will Argentina face in the group stage?

The 2026 World Cup draw has seen Argentina placed alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J. Their campaign will get underway at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas – the home of the NFL heavyweight Chiefs – on June 16, with Messi expected to take the field against African opposition.

Former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers made several additions to the playing squad during the summer transfer window, and Wilfried Nancy is tasked with getting the best out of them.

The Northern Irish boss made 11 signings to bolster his options across the pitch before he eventually resigned after a 3-1 defeat to Hearts at the end of October.

Nancy has to try to get the best out of those signings in the coming months and years, as many of them have failed to live up to the hype so far this season.

Ranking Celtic's summer signings

Whilst this may say more about the rest of the business done in the summer, Benjamin Nygren has been the club’s best signing of the season, as he is currently Celtic’s top goalscorer in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, with seven goals in 25 games.

Kieran Tierney, who arrived on a free transfer, and Marcelo Saracchi, who joined on loan from Boca Juniors, have also been solid additions in the left-back position, sharing duties in that role.

Callum Osmand joined from Fulham after his contract expired with the English side and scored one goal and won a penalty in three first-team matches before picking up an injury, which suggests that he is an exciting talent to watch out for when he is back fit.

1

Benjamin Nygren

2

Kieran Tierney

3

Callum Osmand

4

Kelechi Iheanacho

5

Marcelo Saracchi

6

Ross Doohan

7

Sebastian Tounekti

8

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey

9

Hayato Inamura

10

Shin Yamada

11

Michel-Ange Balikwisha

Ross Doohan, who joined on a free transfer as a third-choice goalkeeper, is the dividing player between poor and good signings in the rankings above, as the most average addition to the squad.

We have Sebastian Tounekti in the lower half of the rankings because he is starting to look like one of the biggest wastes of money since Albian Ajeti.

Why Sebastian Tounekti looks like a waste of money

After creating four chances, completing five dribbles, and scoring one goal in his first two matches, per Sofascore, the Tunisia international looked primed to be a star for the Hoops. Rodgers even claimed that he “excites the crowd”.

Celtic paid £5.2m to sign the forward from Hammarby to make him the most expensive signing of the summer, falling just shy of the £6m mark that would have taken him into the club’s top ten most expensive signings in their history.

Unfortunately, three months later, Tounekti has recorded two goals and zero assists in 18 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he has struggled to make an impact at the top end of the pitch.

Since Celtic paid £5m for Ajeti, who scored just nine goals in 48 games as a striker (Transfermarkt), the Hoops have signed six players for more than £5m: Jota (twice), Cameron Carter-Vickers, Arne Engels, Adam Idah, Auston Trusty, and Tounekti.

Jota was sold for £25m, before being re-signed, and Idah was sold for £6m after scoring 20 goals in all competitions last season, which shows that they were not complete wastes of money.

Carter-Vickers, of course, has been a long-serving regular starter for the club and Auston Trusty has made 50 appearances, now established as a regular starter, per Transfermarkt.

Engels, signed for £11m from Augsburg, has been fairly effective at the top end of the pitch, per Transfermarkt, with a return of 12 goals and 17 assists in 76 appearances since the start of last season.

This shows that the five other most expensive signings since Ajeti flopped at Parkhead have either been successful signings or had plenty of positives in their time at Celtic, even if it did not work out perfectly.

Tounekti, though, has one goal and no assists in his last 16 appearances for Celtic, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be a regular starter under the new manager, after he was the first player to be substituted in the 2-1 defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

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For a player signed for £5.2m, he has not delivered enough quality at the top end of the pitch to suggest that he was a worthwhile signing, which is why he currently looks like one of their biggest wastes of money since Ajeti flopped at the club with his nine goals in 48 games.

Memories of the loss against England were not far from the India allrounder’s mind, but there would be no repeat

S Sudarshanan31-Oct-2025

Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur embrace in the middle•ICC/Getty Images

As soon as she cut the ball past backward point, Amanjot Kaur exulted. She was hoisted by Jemimah Rodrigues, who then sank to the floor, covered her face and started to tear up. Amanjot just stood there and patted her on the back. Navi Mumbai erupted in joy. The Indian players sprinted to the middle. For those in the dugout, the hugs were the tightest. There were tears of joy.Beating Australia was one hurdle India had repeatedly failed to cross in knockouts of recent ICC tournaments. Not anymore. India were in the final of the Women’s World Cup 2025.Related

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When do you actually go for the kill in a run chase? It forms the crux of our sport. Yet it is one of the most discussed, often debated and dissected, parts of the game – the timing of actually stepping on the pedal. A pure judgement call.India hadn’t got it right against England in Indore. An equation of 36 off 30 became 32 off 24. And then 27 off 18. Amanjot was in the middle then. She tried to take the game deep. But they ran out of time. India needed 23 off 12 balls and 14 off the last over; they lost by four runs. The final kick never arrived.This recent bit of history made every one of the 34,651 at the DY Patil Stadium – and those watching on the television – on Thursday twitch in their seats. The set Rodrigues, who scored her maiden World Cup century, was just offered a reprieve. India now needed 48 off 36 in their 339-run chase. Richa Ghosh hit Ashleigh Gardner, who she had taken apart in the WPL 2025 season-opener, for a six and a four in the space of three balls.Annabel Sutherland stood at the top of the mark for her penultimate over. Is there anything she can’t do? She gave away just five runs. More tellingly, she removed Ghosh for the second time in two meetings at this World Cup. The India wicketkeeper’s wild swing only resulted in a top edge to backward point.Jemimah Rodrigues eased the pressure with vital boundaries•Getty ImagesWhen Smriti Mandhana had been ruled out caught behind via the DRS, you could hear a pin drop even in one of the noisiest stands at the DY Patil Stadium. The Bucket Hat Cult, a fans’ group that enhances stadium experience at women’s cricket matches in India, had gone quiet in disbelief. Imagine being in that section of crowd with Amanjot walking in with India needing 7.25 per over.”Should I charge at the bowlers or will you do so?” was Amanjot’s first question to Rodrigues. Both Amanjot and Rodrigues’ physique may not scream out power, but they possess the ability to hit mean sixes. But that wasn’t the need of the hour.”She said, we are good runners. (we will get us home),” Amanjot said after the game. “‘You see the ball, the track is nice, and we should do it.’ It was a great surface. She said we should finish it with one over to spare.”Australia are one team you wouldn’t want to give a sniff. They had one now. Do India have to endure a heartbreak again? The tension was palpable. Stay unmoved. Don’t utter a line about the state of the game. Let’s not talk about the what-ifs. Instructions were going out left, right, centre. The sounds of keys being hammered away was audible in the media box, deadlines drawing closer and the finish unrelenting.This time there would be no heartache•Getty ImagesSutherland ran in for her tenth over but had to abort her run-up because Amanjot pulled away. A long chant from the crowd. Amanjot then took ran a two and a single on the first two legal deliveries, either side of a wide, and gave strike back to Rodrigues, who has seen a fair bit of Sutherland at Delhi Capitals.Sutherland’s slower ball arrived, Rodrigues was early but she waited and scooped it past the wicketkeeper. And then, after another wide, she hung back to a length ball to slash it past backward point. India had managed to take 15 off the 48th over. Now 8 off 12 was a walk in the park, and Amanjot hit two fours in three balls of the 49th over to set off wild celebrations.”After Richa fell, the game was in the balance,” she said. “I had the England game in my mind where I took the game deep but we were left needing 12 [14], which was too much. I did not want a repeat. If she would have asked me to charge [at the bowler], I would have charged. But she asked me to play carefully, and the pitch was good. We calculated and the nine [15] runs that came from Annabel Sutherland’s over helped us greatly.”On the India team sheet, Amanjot was slated to bat at No. 3 and Rodrigues at No. 5. But Rodrigues was informed that she would be one-drop for the day, and within five minutes – and ten balls into the chase – she found herself walking out. It was only a quirk of the day that Amanjot and Rodrigues were in the middle for the photo-finish.