It wasn’t a classic, but Arsenal did what they had to in their League Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night.

Mikel Arteta named a significantly changed team to the one that beat Crystal Palace, and still ran out 2-0 winners, and are now set to face the Eagles again in the quarter-finals.

With all that said, while it wasn’t the most thrilling of games, the Gunners did play reasonably well, and aside from a few moments early on, were far and away the better team.

Moreover, there were a few starters who made a strong case for staying in the side, including two gems who are looking like the new Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.

Arsenal's standout performers vs Brighton

One player who should not be in the team for Burnley this weekend, but still made a good impression on Wednesday night, was Andre Harriman-Annous.

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The academy gem was handed his first senior start for the side, and while he didn’t score a goal, he was a handful all night and made several intelligent runs.

Moreover, it was his shot that led to Saka scoring his goal and sealing the deal for the side, so even though he should not play at the weekend, the 17-year-old is someone to keep an eye on.

A youngster who does deserve to make it into the travelling squad for Saturday is, of course, Max Dowman.

The “certified worldie of a talent,” as dubbed by analyst Rohan Jivan, was utterly incredible in his first senior start, and the Seagulls had no option but to double- and triple-team him when he had the ball, he was so dangerous.

Finally, even though they lacked some synergy in the first half, the entire backline came out of the game looking good, with the centre-back pairing of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie looking particularly sturdy.

With all that said, there was another duo who did themselves proud, a duo who could be the new Saka and Smith Rowe.

Arsenal's new Saka and Smith Rowe

With Dowman already mentioned, it will come as no surprise that the two youngsters who could be Arsenal’s new Smith Rowe and Saka are, of course, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Now, this doesn’t mean the pair exactly mirror the former Hale Enders, nor does it mean they’ll follow their exact footsteps, especially as injuries unfortunately saw Smith Rowe left behind by the project.

However, like the duo that came before them, the two 18-year-olds are of the same academy cohort and, most importantly, play incredibly well together.

For example, it was the Gunners’ exciting young left-back that provided the assist for Nwaneri to open the scoring midway through the second half.

Moreover, while they only combined for a single goal, there were other moments in the game in which the “fearless” Lewis-Skelly, as dubbed by Declan Rice, charged into the middle of the park and played some quick passes with his “phenomenal” teammate, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock.

Nwaneri & Lewis-Skelly

Games

28

Minutes

765′

Points per Game

2.14

Goals

2

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Including Wednesday night’s game, the pair have now made 28 senior appearances together, totalling 765 minutes, in which they’ve combined for two goals and averaged 2.14 points per game.

Finally, on top of their connection on the pitch, the youngsters have made it clear in numerous interviews that they are incredibly close friends, which can surely only improve their in-game synergy.

Ultimately, it’s still early in their careers, but it looks like Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly could be Arsenal’s new Saka and Smith Rowe.

Related Not Zubimendi: Arteta has found Cazorla 2.0 in Arsenal's "little magician"

The international monster has been one of Arteta’s best signings at Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 29, 2025

Aston Villa are now battling Manchester United for the signature of AC Milan star Christian Pulisic, amid a new update on his future at the San Siro.

Villa’s interest in a new forward comes amid doubts over both Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott, with the former failing to hit the ground running since arriving on loan in the summer, being unable to register a goal or assist in his opening eight matches in all competitions.

Elliott, on the other hand, hasn’t received any game time in the Premier League since the end of September, with transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealing the attacking midfielder could be set to return to Anfield, saying: “Aston Villa does seem to be having second thoughts on potentially making that long deal permanent as well.

“There’s a possibility he returns to Anfield in the January window if he’s not going to figure in Unai Emery’s plans going forward.”

As such, if the Villans are to remain in the hunt for the European places, Emery may want to bolster his attacking options this winter, and a new target has now been identified…

Aston Villa now fighting Man Utd for Christian Pulisic

According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa are now battling Manchester United for the signature of Pulisic, and view the American as an ideal addition to the squad, given that they are looking to bring in a versatile forward.

The 27-year-old is able to play both through the middle and out wide, which is what has alerted Villa, but there is a possibility he remains at the San Siro, with it being revealed that AC Milan have already opened talks over a new contract.

The Milan star’s agent is already ‘handling offers’ and awaiting a decision about where he would like to play next, with a move to Villa Park potentially attractive, given that he would be likely to receive regular first-team football.

The former Chelsea man has managed to establish himself as an important player for AC Milan, and his performances over the past year have been very impressive, placing in the 86th percentile for non-penalty goals and assists per 90, when compared to his positional peers.

Although Milan underperformed last season, finishing eighth in Serie A, the USA international remained a reliable source of goals and assists in all competitions.

The versatile forward, who has scored 32 goals for the USA, has also been lauded by journalist Jacob Schneider, who described him as “sensational” on X.

Pulisic has clearly taken his game to the next level in the Serie A, so he could be a real statement signing for Aston Villa, but the competition from Man United could pose a problem.

Aston Villa want deal for Real Madrid forward done ASAP

Aston Villa want deal for Real Madrid forward done ASAP after making offer

The Villans have made an approach for a new forward, but there could be major competition from their Premier League rivals.

By
Dominic Lund

Nov 16, 2025

Sri Lanka have never beaten Australia in ODIs but they have the advantage of playing at home

Madushka Balasuriya03-Oct-20252:44

Can the Australia batting juggernaut be stopped?

Big picture: Sri Lanka need to up their gameIf there were even the faintest doubt about who the favourites for the 2025 Women’s World Cup were, they were put to bed as swiftly as an Ashleigh Gardner blade swing after Australia’s dominant win over New Zealand in their tournament opener.In Indore, Australia started fast and stumbled, but like an unrelenting force, they just kept coming. In the end, their victory was less about outplaying New Zealand and more about brute-forcing the result. As far as early tournament markers go, it was an impressive one.Against India in their opener, Sri Lanka too set an early marker of the sort of side they are. They had India reeling at 124 for 6 but then proceeded to drop each of the next four chances that came their way to let the hosts claw themselves back into the contest and register a fairly comprehensive win eventually. Discipline followed by indiscipline; bad undoing the good.Related

'Good to start with best teams' – Sri Lanka's Athapaththu ready for Australia after India

Sri Lanka have not played an ODI against Australia since 2019, but they know what they need to do. Resilience has been a buzzword for Chamari Athapaththu, and in that sense it’s clear that any lingering hang-ups from that opening defeat will be well behind them come Saturday. But execution might be the more pertinent declaration if they’re to show their best selves against the defending champions.With free entry being granted to the stadium, Sri Lanka will also be hoping for substantial home support. They’re also very familiar with the Khettarama surface, as the high-performance centre where the national players train is located there. So while Sri Lanka have never beaten Australia in an ODI, the conditions for an upset are nevertheless in place.Form guideAustralia WWLWW (last five ODIs most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLWWVishmi Gunaratne’s form is a concern for Sri Lanka•ACCIn the spotlight: Ashleigh Gardner and Vishmi GunaratneLike the surprise manifestation of a final boss’ second health bar after you think you’ve finally got them beat, Ashleigh Gardner sits spearheading Australia’s lower middle order. Her 115 off 83 against New Zealand served to highlight not just the resilience of this Australian outfit, but their entire aura. While her role is a challenging one, it’s invaluable in that it affords the licence for those above her to play with freedom, while allowing her to provide guidance to those below her. And it means that while she is at the crease, Australia are never beat.In August 2024, Vishmi Gunaratne struck her maiden ODI hundred against Ireland. Her three innings in the lead-up to that read 40, 50, 44. But in ten innings since then, she has not been able to cross 36. While Athapaththu would be the obvious pick for this section, if Sri Lanka are to challenge Australia, they need the rest of their batting to chip in in a big way. Gunaratne has been out of sorts, but Sri Lanka will be banking on her rediscovering her groove even though it’s her first ODI against Australia.Team news: Brown or Schutt?Australia are unlikely to make any changes to the batting, though it remains to be seen if Darcie Brown continues in place of Megan Schutt.Australia (probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ashleigh Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath, 8 Sophie Molineux, 9 Kim Garth, 10 Alana King, 11 Darcie BrownSri Lanka played their first-choice XI against India, and it’s unlikely there will be any changes.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Hasini Perera, 2 Chamari Athapaththu (capt), 3 Harshitha Samarawickrama, 4 Vishmi Gunaratne, 5 Kavisha Dilhari, 6 Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), 7 Nilakshika Silva, 8 Sugandika Kumari, 9 Inoka Ranaweera, 10 Achini Kulasuriya, 11 Udeshika PrabodhaniAshleigh Gardner scored a brilliant hundred against New Zealand•Getty ImagesPitch and conditions: Rain could play spoilsportThe pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium has traditionally offered up an even contest between bat and ball. However, efforts have been made recently to make it more batting-friendly, so there may not be as much in it for the spinners as usual. As for the weather, there is a distinct chance of rain in Colombo throughout the afternoon.Stats and trivia: Australia 11-0 Sri Lanka Sri Lanka have lost each of their 11 ODIs against Australia. Athapaththu is 80 runs away from 4000 ODI runs. Gardner’s 51 wickets are the most by an Australian since the 2022 World Cup. They are the joint-third-most in that period among all players.Quotes”The beauty of a World Cup is you play every different side and you have to prepare. You don’t really get time to learn. You’ve got to come out firing. But I think our group’s got some awesome heads on our shoulders and we are able to assess conditions and adapt to whatever’s thrown at us.”
“We’re playing against the best team. The world champions. But if we can execute the right plan at the right time, I know we can beat any team. But execution is the most important thing, rather than the skill and the mindset. So we’ll have to play our best game tomorrow.”

Matthew Revis hundred helps Yorkshire to post imposing 517 for 6 declared

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-Jul-2025

Surrey 338 for 4 (Patel 86*, Burns 78, Lawrence 78, Sibley 52) trail Yorkshire 517 for 6 dec (Revis 110) by 179 runsOpener Dom Sibley became the first batter in either division of the Rothesay County Championship to reach 1000 runs for the summer as Surrey responded strongly to Yorkshire’s first-innings 517 for 6 declared from late morning onwards on day three at Scarborough.Sibley is enjoying a superb 2025, highlighted by a career best 305 earlier this month against Durham, and he needed to reach 24 in this game to get to four figures.The 29-year-old reached the aforementioned milestone shortly after lunch and went on to make 52 in Surrey’s 338 for four from 83 overs. He was one of four half-centurions in Surrey’s top order alongside Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence and unbeaten Ryan Patel, who top-scored with 86 off 133 balls.Earlier, emerging allrounder Matthew Revis posted an excellent 110 off 134 to help Yorkshire advance from 376 for 5 overnight. However, given Surrey’s response, this 10th round Division One fixture will almost certainly end in a draw.Revis dominated the morning session, which he started on 34, and finished with 13 fours and five sixes.This was his second successive Championship century after 150 in the second innings of the win over Essex at York earlier this month. Before that he hit 93 not out in the late June draw at Nottinghamshire.Revis, aged 23, first of all helped to take 20 off one Jamie Overton over and then launched Sai Kishore’s left-arm spin for two sixes in three balls to move into the eighties.Kishore had Will Sutherland, for 17, caught at mid-off following a miscue. But they were unable to limit the runs as emerging allrounder Revis, who is on the radar of the England management, hurtled towards another ton.By the time he reached it, off 131 balls – his second fifty came in 35, Yorkshire were 497 for 6. With Dom Bess also adding an unbeaten 45, they declared 50 minutes before lunch.While Revis may be the future, the jury’s out on whether Sibley is England’s past.Capped 22 times at Test level, many will argue that his accumulative, watchful approach is not suited to the Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum style. However, if he carries on racking up the runs, he will be hard to ignore.Sibley just pipped Northamptonshire’s Saif Zaib to the 1,000 mark, and he got there with a lovely pushed drive down the ground for four off Will Sutherland’s seam during the early stages of the afternoon.At that stage, Surrey were 64 without loss, including 36 for left-handed captain Burns. The latter was first to 50, off 78 balls. He pulled Jordan Thompson’s seam for six on the way there and went on to post 78 off 136.By the time Sibley reached his fifty, off 87 balls, Surrey had 129 on the board. But both openers fell quickly, leaving Surrey at 150 for 2.Sibley fell when he miscued a short ball from the offspin of Bess to short-leg – 134 for one – before Burns spooned a pull to wide mid-on off Thompson.Bess – three for 87 – got Will Jacks after tea in identical fashion to how Sibley fell. Jacks fell for 17 having reverse swept the previous two balls for four. Surrey were now 194 for three in the early evening.Patel pulled two sixes off seam in following Burns and Sibley to 50, this off 82 balls.Lawrence was the most aggressive Surrey batter on show and helped his side accelerate in pursuit of valuable batting bonus points, dominating a 115-run stand with fourth-wicket partner Patel.By the time he reached his fifty off 51 balls, Surrey were 271 for 3 and cruising along. But Lawrence fell for 78 off 77 when looking set for a century, caught at deep midwicket pulling against Bess – 309 for 4.

MS Dhoni has said the return of Ruturaj Gaikwad will bolster Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) batting in IPL 2026.Gaikwad was ruled out of IPL 2025 after playing five games with an elbow injury. Dhoni took over the CSK captaincy but could not turn the team’s fortunes around; they finished at the bottom with just four wins from 14 matches, struggling to put together consistent batting efforts.”We are slightly worried about our batting order,” Dhoni said at an event in Chennai. “But I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. He got injured. But he will be coming back. So, we are quite sorted now.”Related

• R Ashwin asks CSK for clarity ahead of IPL 2026

• What can CSK do to rise from rock bottom next season?

• Dhoni on his IPL future: I have four-five months to decide

Dhoni said the team will try to further strengthen the unit at the mini-auction later this year. “I won’t say we [CSK] slacked off [in IPL 2025],” he said. “But there were certain holes that we needed to plug in. A small auction is coming in December. Some loopholes are there, and we will try to plug those in.”Gaikwad’s last competitive outing remains CSK’s match against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on April 8. He had a county deal with Yorkshire but withdrew citing personal reasons. He has been named in the West Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025-26, beginning later this month.MS Dhoni wants CSK to use the mini-auction to plug the holes•BCCI

Dhoni admitted CSK were below-par over the last two seasons, and said it was important for the team to identify the areas of concern.”Yes, the last couple of years have not been good for us,” Dhoni said. “We have not been up to the mark. But what is important is for you to see the learnings. Yes, you had a bad season. But what went wrong? And that was the question for us last year also.”We were like, ‘okay, there are some shortcomings’. But first we needed to exactly figure out what were the shortcomings and then look at solutions. I feel more often than not we have been able to figure out what exactly went wrong. In sports, you know you can have a very good time and at the same time there will be periods when you won’t be performing well. In CSK, more often than not, we are on the higher side.”So, we do talk about the processes. But at the same time we do want the result to come to our side. Last year it wasn’t there. But looking ahead, we will try to sort out most of the things, and we will hopefully be at our best.”Dhoni started his journey with CSK in 2008 and has led them to five IPL titles. He said his journey with franchise and the city has played an important part in his personal growth.”It’s a very long relationship that we have had and it started much before the start of IPL … 2005 was the time when I made my Test debut which happened to be in Chennai. So, it started from that point of time. And yes, CSK helped in a big way because all of a sudden I’m spending 45-50 days here.”So, I feel the relationship over the years has grown. It helped me improve as a person. It helped me improve as a cricketer. So, CSK just happened. I think it’s good for Chennai. So, today it’s good for me also. Nowadays when we go and say CSK, it’s not a brand only in India, but when we go to Australia, South Africa, or any of the cricket playing nations.”

Leeds United fell 3-1 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, despite American midfielder Brenden Aaronson assisting Lukas Nmecha’s 13th-minute opener. The 25-year-old’s early contribution wasn’t enough to stop Daniel Farke’s side from suffering their fourth defeat in five Premier League matches.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Aaronson brilliance undone by swift Forest response

  The opening goal showcased Aaronson's vision and technical ability as he capitalized on Nicolò Savona's hesitation, sliding a perfectly weighted pass to Nmecha who fired a brilliant low shot into the far corner. The move began with Noah Okafor winning possession in the hosts’ half before releasing Aaronson, who set up Nmecha for a clinical finish.

  Forest responded almost immediately through Ibrahim Sangaré's equalizer just two minutes later, before second-half goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson secured all three points for Sean Dyche's resurgent side.

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• Watch the assist

• AFP
  

  Leeds now battling the drop

  The Peacocks have won just once in their last six league matches and now sit 16th – just one point ahead of 18th-placed West Ham. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  International break arrives at critical moment for Leeds

  The defeat comes at a troubling time for Farke, whose position is reportedly under scrutiny as the international break gives ownership a chance to assess the team’s direction. The Peacocks face Aston Villa on Nov. 22 after the international break before going on the road to face Manchester City on Nov. 28.

كشف محمود صابر، لاعب وسط منتخب مصر وفريق زد المعار من صفوف بيراميدز، تفاصيل مفاوضات الأهلي والزمالك لضمه.

وقال محمود صابر في تصريحات عبر “أون سبورت”: “مفاوضات الأهلي والزمالك مجرد كلام، لكن لم يتواصل معي أحد بشكل مباشر، قد يكون هناك حديث مع النادي، ولكن لا توجد موافقة على رحيلي”.

وأوضح: “يتبقى في عقدي ثلاث سنوات مع بيراميدز، وما زلت لا أعرف هل سأعود الموسم المقبل بعد انتهاء إعارتي أم لا”.

طالع.. أحمد حسن: استبعاد لاعب منتخب مصر الثاني بعد ضم مروان حمدي.. وكنا نريد “قطة”

وأضاف: “حلمي الاحتراف، وأنا في سني الصغير الآن، ليس حلمي الانتقال للأهلي أو الزمالك، بل الاحتراف الخارجي وصلتني عروض من الخارج مرتين، لكن العروض لم تكن من أندية كبيرة، أريد فقط أن تكون العروض من دوريات معروفة، بالإضافة إلى أن الأموال التي عُرضت لم تكن كبيرة سواء لي أو للنادي”.

واختتم: “الاحتراف أول شيء لا تنظر فيه للأموال، اللاعب لا يحصل على أموال كثيرة كما يتخيل البعض، ولكنها تكون خطوة لما بعد ذلك، وبالتالي تُضحي بالأموال في البداية، وأتمنى أن أحترف في الدوري الإنجليزي”.

The New York Yankees placed outfielder Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list over the weekend with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Though Judge will have to miss some time, he did avoid a more serious injury or any damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, and his elbow will not require surgery.

"I think we in the big picture dodged something pretty good," Yankees manager Aaron Boone told on Tuesday. "Hopefully this little bit of downtime does the trick and also serves as a little bit of a physical reset for him in a long season where you're playing every day."

Boone added that he thinks Judge will begin hitting off the tee on Tuesday or Wednesday, and will resume throwing 10-15 days after the injury. Boone remains unsure of how long it will take Judge to be ready to go in the outfield after he starts throwing again.

Per Bryan Hoch of , Boone said the "hope" is that Judge will play as the designated hitter when he's eligible to return from the IL on Aug. 5.

The Yankees have talked to designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton about playing outfield with Judge out and for depth down the stretch. Though Stanton is "eager" about the opportunity and will do some drills in the outfield this week, Boone is unsure if he will actually use Stanton in that role.

MatériaMais Notícias

Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos, presidente da Federação Paulista de Futebol, convocou Leila Pereira e Júlio Casares, presidentes de Palmeiras e São Paulo, para uma reunião na sede da FPF com o intuito de “acalmar os ânimos” após o polêmico clássico no Morumbis. A informação foi divulgada pela ESPN.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

A conversa foi cordial e considerada “positiva” por todas as partes envolvidas, mas Júlio Casares não pediu desculpas à Leila Pereira pelos xingamentos de Carlos Belmonte à Abel Ferreira, nem mesmo ter impedido a entrevista coletiva do técnico palmeirense no Morumbis.

Ainda, ficou definida a criação de uma comissão com membros do Palmeiras, São Paulo e Federação Paulista para detalhar a organização dos próximos clássicos, desde a chegada das delegações aos estádios até a organização de coletivas. A medida é válida para todas as competições.

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Apesar do encontro ter sido positivo, Leila Pereira ainda estuda banir Carlos Belmonte do Allianz Parque, e Abel Ferreira comunicou à pessoas próximas que espera ver o diretor de futebol são-paulino julgado e punido pelo xingamento de “português de me…”.

➡️ Veja os grupos e datas dos confrontos no Paulistão

O Tricolor foi multado em R$ 5 mil por ter impedido a coletiva de Abel Ferreira e denunciado pelo Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva de São Paulo (TJD-SP). Rafinha, Wellington Rato e Calleri podem pegar gancho de uma a seis partidas de suspensão e desfalcar a equipe em um eventual mata-mata no Paulistão.

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Behind the wicket is this unorthodox India batter’s happy place

Deivarayan Muthu22-Oct-20241:37

Manjrekar: Sarfaraz should walk into India’s XI for the Australia tour

When Will O’Rourke, at 6’4″, the tallest bowler in the current New Zealand attack banged one into the pitch in Bengaluru, it seemed destined to smack Sarfaraz Khan on his head until an impish intervention from the batter. Sarfaraz had originally misjudged the bounce as he tried to avoid the bouncer. To make matters worse, it kept veering into him as well. The fates had decided he was going to end up on his backside. He said, ‘fine but I’m getting something out of it’ and somehow ramped a ball that was pushing him down into the floor for a boundary.Ramps are ostentatious shots for most batters but for Sarfaraz it is staple. It’s his signature. Like how the cover drive is Virat Kohli’s. Like how the pull is Rohit Sharma’s. Like how the one-handed loft is Rishabh Pant’s.Having been bred on the bouncy, red-soil pitches in Mumbai, Sarfaraz has developed various versions of this shot, from the delicate dab ramp over the cordon to the full-blooded scythe over deep third. And he can play these shots to balls ranging from just back-of-a-length to a bouncer by twisting his body like a contortionist to get underneath the ball.He even played the ramp off a full and wide one from Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in IPL 2016 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Having spotted Sarfaraz manufacture swinging room, Bhuvneshwar had shifted his lines wide of off stump, but the batter still caught up with the ball, got underneath it, and ramped it over the deep-third boundary. Sarfaraz was only 18 then. This ability to manipulate the “V” behind the wicket has been with him from day one of a professional cricket career that is now in its 10th year.Sarfaraz showed his full range behind square in the first Test against New Zealand at the same venue where he had bested Bhuvneshwar as a teenager. Look at his wagon wheel from the recent Bengaluru Test. He scored 96 of his 150 runs behind the wicket.Fourteen of Sarfaraz’s 21 boundaries in the first Test came behind the wicket•ESPNcricinfo LtdSarfaraz was dismissed for a duck in the first innings. When there was excessive seam movement for New Zealand’s seamers under overcast skies, he went hard at the ball and ended up playing well in front of the body, shanking a catch to mid-off. In the second innings, when the pitch had lost its early juice, and there wasn’t as much lateral movement, Sarfaraz allowed the ball to come onto him and kept directing it behind the wicket. Believe it or not, he had not scored a single run in the “V” in front of wicket until after his hundred.”I like playing the balls that rise high. I have a bouncy wicket back at home [Mumbai], and I play regularly there, and the bounce easily allows me to cut,” Sarfaraz said. “They [New Zealand] were trying to bowl short at me, and I simply played accordingly. It was fun.”Related

India's invincibility under threat as NZ look to complete the impossible

Mitchell: 'We can't change the wicket, but we'll find a way to adapt'

Rohit praises Sarfaraz and Pant for showing maturity

Pune set to roll out slow turner for second Test

Williamson to miss second Test against India

It’s not always fun though. The same shot that left jaws on the floor in Bengaluru – the duck ramp – led to his downfall in Lucknow. It was IPL 2023. Mark Wood was the bowler and he was giving Sarfaraz a serious working over to the extent that he was caught off a bouncer that he had initially tried to avoid. That couldn’t have felt good. It certainly didn’t look good. That dismissal epitomised the risk that comes with unorthodox strokeplay; not so much that it could result in your downfall but more that it makes you look silly. Sarfaraz is happy to live with this risk. He trains to try and minimise this risk. When he met Wood again in the Dharamsala Test earlier this year, he ramped the fast bowler, nonchalantly, to the deep-third boundary.The pitch in Pune might not offer as much bounce for Sarfaraz to play his ramps, with a bald, back-soil surface set to negate the seamers and bring the spinners into play. Sarfaraz, though, can also disrupt spin, thanks to a number of sweeps, including the reverse. He crouches low for these sweeps and often crunches them flat and hard – both in front of and behind the wicket.Sarfaraz Khan countered the short balls with the ramp•BCCIWhen Ajaz Patel dangled a full ball up outside off in India’s second innings in Bengaluru, Sarfaraz stretched out, met the pitch of the ball, and swept so hard that it sounded like a thunderclap. Earlier, in the Irani Cup, when Saransh Jain, the emerging offspinner from Madhya Pradesh, blocked the sweep with a packed leg-side field, Sarfaraz unfurled the reverse-sweep and countered him.With Shubman Gill likely to be fit for the second Test, India will have to make a choice between Sarfaraz and KL Rahul. It will incredibly hard for the team management to ignore Sarfaraz, especially after he had scored his maiden Test hundred, which had them dreaming about a remarkable comeback win at one point, though Rahul has a case for himself: he was a bit unlucky in Bengaluru and has a strong body of work overseas.”Sarfaraz was obviously brilliant in the last Test,” Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, said on Tuesday. “I went to KL after the last Test and said: ‘how many balls did you play and miss at?’ He didn’t play and miss one ball and that’s what tends to happen when you’re not getting runs. He got the two balls in the game – one caught down the leg side and one that he managed to nick.”So there’s certainly no concerns about KL. He’s batting nicely, he’s in a good mental space, but yeah, we’re certainly going to have to fit seven pieces into six spots for this Test and look at the pitch now and decide what’s going to be best for the team.”For so long, Sarfaraz has been on the outside looking in on this Indian team. But bit by bit, day by day, shot by shot, his chances of making it to the first-choice XI are ramping up.