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The season has seen unprecedented numbers, with the batters dominating through and through and the trend is likely to continue

S Rajesh10-May-2023Run-scoring quicker than ever beforeThe average run rate this season has been 8.95; the previous highest was 8.64 in IPL 2018. If we talk just about the first innings, the scoring rate has breached the nine runs per over mark for the first time in IPL history (9.07). The chase run rate of 8.83 is the highest too.

Win-loss ratios as captains to dot-ball percentages as batsmen, here’s how their IPL records stack up

Sampath Bandarupalli08-Apr-2021Two of the biggest names in Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, are set to face off in opening match of IPL 2021. How do they stack up against each other in terms of IPL batting and captaincy? Here’s the lowdown.ESPNcricinfo LtdCaptain’s log
Sharma has been part of a record six victorious campaigns (with Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians), including five as Mumbai Indians captain. Under Sharma, Mumbai Indians have been the league’s most successful franchise, winning 68 out of 116 matches. However, Sharma’s performance with the bat as captain is not exceptional. He averages 30.25 as captain, against 32.91 without the captaincy tag. Kohli is one of four IPL captains with 100-plus caps – he is the only one on this list to not win the title.ESPNcricinfo LtdKohli’s overall win-loss record as IPL captain isn’t great either. The Royal Challengers have won only 55 out of 125 matches under him. However, as a batsman, there are not many who can match Kohli’s consistency and impact. He is the leading run-getter in the competition and also holds the record for most runs as captain. Kohli’s average as captain of 43.88 is second only to David Warner’s (49.01) among those with 1000-plus runs as captain, and well ahead of his IPL average before he started leading the Royal Challengers (26.96).ESPNcricinfo LtdImpact on the team with the bat

Mumbai Indians are far less dependent on Sharma the batsman than the Royal Challengers on Kohli. While Sharma has moved himself around the batting order, Kohli is a top-order specialist. Only four times has he batted outside the top three for the Royal Challengers, contributing 22.93% of the team’s runs overall.On the other hand, more than 40% of Sharma’s captaincy career has been spent batting outside the top three. He stuck to the opening spot in the last two seasons, but has not achieved high levels of consistency or volume of runs. However, when he makes significant scores, the chances of Mumbai Indians winning are higher: only seven of his 22 fifties as captain have resulted in defeats, and he was Player of the Match on 12 out of the 15 occasions when he scored fifties in wins.Kohli, too, has been a key contributor in the Royal Challengers’ wins, scoring one-fourth of the team’s tally in those matches. Kohli’s batting average as captain in wins shoots up to 64.02, with four centuries and 15 fifties in 55 victories.ESPNcricinfo LtdHow they build their innings
The playing styles of Sharma and Kohli are quite similar, if you look at their scoring rates in various phases of an IPL innings. Both score at a strike rate of a little over 110 in the powerplays and at 120-plus during the middle overs. In the last four overs, their strike rates go up to two runs a ball: Sharma scores at 198.26, Kohli at 205.52.Both players are relatively slow off the blocks, and like to settle in before shifting into higher gears. While there is a risk factor to this approach – the team suffers if the batsman gets out well into this period but before teeing off – the upside is very high if they convert those starts: among Indian players, the strike rates of Kohli and Sharma in the death overs occupy the top two places (with a minimum cut-off of 500 runs). Overall, only AB de Villiers (233.08) and Andre Russell (218.03) strike at a quicker rate than them in this period.Much like the strike rates, their balls-per-boundary and dot-ball percentage are also similar. While Kohli plays fewer dots across the three phases of an innings (46%, 29% and 21% from start to finish respectively, to Sharma’s 52%, 32% and 25%), Sharma edges the boundary count in the powerplays (one boundary every 5.6 balls, to Kohli’s 6). Overall in their IPL careers, Sharma’s dot-ball percentage is 36.16 to Kohli’s 33.62, but he hits a boundary once every 5.96 balls to Kohli’s 6.38.ESPNcricinfo LtdHow to – possibly – keep them quiet
Legspinners have been the go-to bowlers for IPL teams when they are up against Sharma and Kohli. Sharma, in general, has struggled against legspin – his struggles on this front particularly stuck out in the 2017 edition, when he was dismissed six times by legspinners after returning from a six-month injury break. In his IPL career, Sharma has an average of 27.13 against legspinners and a strike rate of 113.24.While there is a perception that Kohli is weak against legspin, the numbers tell a different story. He averages 53.56 and strikes at 142.35 against this type of bowling. However, Kohli’s tendency to fall to legspin has increased recently. During the recent T20I series against England, he got out only twice in five matches, both times to the legspin of Adil Rashid. In the last three IPL seasons, Kohli been dismissed six times by legspinners, but still averages 48.83 against them. However, his strike rate against this type of bowling in this period is 124.68 – it was 153.67 in the first ten seasons. In the last two IPL seasons, Kohli faced 58 googlies and was dismissed twice.Rather than legspin, the numbers suggest left-arm pace has been Kohli’s weak spot in the IPL: he averages just 23.45 and strikes at 132.66 against these bowlers, and is dismissed once every 17 balls against them.

The Yankees are sending Oswald Peraza to the Angels, YES Network's Jack Curry reported on Thursday shortly before the trade deadline. In return, Los Angeles is getting prospect Wilberson De Pena and international money, insider Joel Sherman added.

Peraza has spent his entire MLB career with the Yankees since signing with the club in July 2016 as an international free agent from Venezuela. He made his major league debut in 2022 and has appeared in 145 games for the Yankees since then.

Through 71 games this season, which is the most Peraza has ever appeared in during a given season, he's averaging .152/.212/.241, all career-lows. The Yankees were hoping for more from Peraza this season, but he just didn't deliver, so it's not a major surprise he was traded. The Angels hope a new environment will be the boost Peraza needs right now.

At 53–56, Los Angeles is struggling at the plate. The Angel with the highest batting average right now is first baseman Nolan Schanuel with a .277. With Peraza is struggling in that department as well, we'll see how this trade fares for the L.A.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has offered his thoughts on Xavi Simons and his performances in training, while addressing the decision to bench him in Spurs’ last four matches.

Thomas Frank set for Brentford reunion amid poor Spurs run

Spurs welcome Brentford to north London on Saturday, desperately needing to end a dismal run that has seen them plummet to 11th in the Premier League table with just 19 points from 14 games.

Frank’s side approach this clash winless in their last five league outings, including three defeats.

Cristian Romero’s dramatic late overhead kick salvaged a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in their last match, with a controversial VAR penalty to Newcastle denying them all three points.

Their home form has completely collapsed too, with the club now going six consecutive league matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a single victory.

16. Burnley

2

1

4

7

-2

17. Nottingham Forest

2

1

4

7

-5

18. West Ham

2

0

5

6

-9

19. Tottenham

1

2

4

5

-1

20. Wolves

0

1

6

1

-11

That shocking run includes 10 home defeats throughout the entire calendar year of 2025, matching the club’s worst-ever records for home losses in a single year.

Most concerning was their last appearance on home soil, where Fulham raced into a two-goal lead within the opening six minutes before securing a 2-1 victory.

The final whistle brought a cacophony of boos ringing around the stadium, aimed squarely at Frank and his struggling squad.

The ghosts of their 4-1 capitulation at Arsenal last month continue to haunt the team. During that humbling derby defeat, Tottenham managed an expected goals figure of just 0.07, one of their lowest outputs this season, highlighting their serious lack of creativity which has become a concern.

Injury problems compound Frank’s difficulties.

Player reveals Daniel Levy blocked his dream transfer to Chelsea from Tottenham

The ex-Lilywhites chairman held him hostage.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 4, 2025

Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski remain sidelined, robbing Spurs of crucial attacking impetus, with James Maddison not expected back until the new year. Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma also has no set return date yet.

The Lilywhites really need Simons to step up right now after his marquee £55 million move from RB Leipzig, but the Dutchman has scarcely been given a chance lately.

Simons’ highlights in a Spurs jersey are few and far between, with the ex-PSG sensation putting in a Player of the Match display against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League and notching an assist against West Ham way back in September.

That is, however, the sum of his contribution this season, with the ex-Eredivisie starlet attracting criticism.

Thomas Frank makes Xavi Simons training claim in response to Tottenham snubs

Simons could end up costing the club £125 million when factoring in wages, agent’s fees and other add-ons over a potential seven-year contract, but to be fair to him, it’s hard to justify that price with limited game time.

Speaking in his latest press conference, Frank addressed why he hasn’t been starting for Simons for Tottenham lately — claiming it is down to a matter of form with alternatives and different personnel for contrasting matches.

The Dane also shared how Simons has been impressing in Tottenham training lately, so it is absolutely not a question of work ethic.

With the pressure on Simons to perform, Saturday sets the perfect stage, and he could become a hero by helping to arrest the club’s barren home form through a convincing display against Frank’s former club.

Daniel Farke and the Premier League is never a happy marriage and he already now needs to find a way of saving his skin as Leeds United manager across his side’s upcoming games in November.

Indeed, the Whites were resoundingly beaten 3-0 away at Brighton and Hove Albion over the weekend, as ex-Elland Road star Georginio Rutter came back to haunt the West Yorkshire giants, the day after Halloween.

Next up for Leeds is a huge clash away at Nottingham Forest, which feels like a must-win game, not only so the Whites don’t get dragged further into the early relegation fight, but also so Farke can try to survive another day in the dug-out.

After all, Wolverhampton Wanderers have now just dismissed Vitor Pereira, as fixtures become more and more pressurised for managers all across the bumpy division.

Farke will know he has some decisions to make regarding who he starts down either flank for this crucial tie at the City Ground, with both areas of the pitch becoming a problem for the German in recent weeks.

Leeds' winger issues

Coming up to the Premier League, Leeds had a very frightening attack to try and keep their hands on.

Manor Solomon, in particular, stood out for his gung-ho displays down the left wing for Farke’s title-winners, with a stunning ten goals and 13 assists falling into his lap from 41 Leeds outings.

Thankfully, £18m summer recruit Noah Okafor has shown signs of his brilliance as a Solomon-style replacement, with two goals already next to his name in the Premier League, despite his new side’s overall up-and-down form. That said, they did have to rely on the underperforming Jack Harrison when the Swiss missed a period through injury.

It’s more on the right channel where Farke will feel less at ease, as both Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto – who are EFL superstars in their own right – have failed to maintain fitness so far this season, leading to the German having to shoehorn Brenden Aaronson into a right wing spot regularly.

The heavily scapegoated American did put in a sublime showing on the right channel against West Ham United, as his early goal set Leeds on their way to a 2-1 home victory.

But, that is Aaronson’s only goal contribution in Leeds white from this position on the pitch, with the other ten strikes he has put away for Farke and Co in the past all coming from a more central viewpoint.

Subsequently, the former Norwich City manager might well feel he needs more reinforcements in this spot, particularly with Gnonto also being linked with a January move away from West Yorkshire.

Leeds could sign "special" £23m Gnonto replacement

Leeds showed in the summer that they are willing to splash the cash, with £98m forked out on the likes of Okafor and many more talents.

£23m could soon be added to that spending amount, if Ismael Saibari’s Transfermarkt valuation is anything to go by, with a recent report from the Boot Room linking the Premier League newcomers to the on-fire Moroccan attacker.

At the close of October, the site speculated that a whole host of top-flight outfits were taking a look at the blistering PSV Eindhoven forward, with Aston Villa, Everton, and West Ham named as onlookers, alongside the West Yorkshire side.

Leeds are desperately in need of some additional firepower, and while Saibari has regularly lined up as a central option for PSV, whether that be as a number ten or as a traditional midfielder, he can also cut it as a right or left winger.

His immense goal and assist record in the Netherlands to date will no doubt be further music to the ears of an under-pressure Farke.

Eredivisie games played

77

Goals scored

24

Assists

17

Champions League games played

26

Goals scored

8

Assists

1

After advancing up the youth system in Eindhoven, Saibari has never looked back since entering the first-team fold.

He has a stunning 24 goals and 17 assists from just 77 games in the Dutch top-flight. Staggeringly, eight of those strikes have come just this season, leading to his current manager in Peter Bosz, hailing him as a “special” asset to possess.

With further Champions League pedigree under his belt – which has led to Saibari collecting ten goals from 15 games this season – Leeds could really show they mean business by landing the red-hot 24-year-old’s services this January, as they attempt a revamp of some of their attacking spots shortly.

With Farke further set on what the makeup of his central midfield options looks like, with no number 10 position in fill in his current formation choice, either, Saibari could well be handed one of the wing roles on his potential arrival at Elland Road, as Leeds perhaps puts their money where their mouth is to ensure an immediate return to the Championship is pushed to one side.

Leeds have a "wrecking ball" out on loan who can put DCL on borrowed time

Leeds United have an impressive star out on loan who can put Dominic Calvert-Lewin on borrowed time already at Elland Road.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 3, 2025

Birmingham Phoenix battle back after posting 111 for 9, but hosts do enough to seal second spot

ECB Media27-Aug-2025Trent Rockets 113 for 7 (Rehan 37) beat Birmingham Phoenix 111 for 9 (Rehan 3-15) by three wicketsTrent Rockets geared up for their Eliminator showdown with Northern Superchargers by sneaking past Birmingham Phoenix with one ball to spare after a memorable debut in The Hundred for Ben Cox and an eye-catching all-round display from Rehan Ahmed.The Rockets confirmed their second-place finish in the group, behind Oval Invincibles on net run rate, and will go into Saturday evening’s contest at the Kia Oval full of confidence after claiming their sixth win in eight.Spin was the key for the Rockets, with their slow bowlers producing combined figures of 6 for 35 from 50 deliveries after Ben Duckett (20 from 15) and Will Smeed (23 from 12) had made a promising start.Rockets skipper David Willey may have been questioning his decision to insert the opposition when the Phoenix raced to 36 for 0 from 21 deliveries, but the innings stalled when Duckett scuffed a short delivery from Lockie Ferguson to Rehan at midwicket.Joe Clarke soon followed, slog-sweeping southpaw spinner George Linde to deep midwicket, and from there the wickets tumbled. The irrepressible Rehan (3 for 15) induced a chop-on from Smeed and snared Jacob Bethell for a duck three deliveries later before Linde (2 for 12) claimed his second when Liam Livingstone’s ugly heave met thin air.Rehan grabbed his third – and 10th in the competition overall – when Benny Howell picked out Max Holden on the boundary and Joe Root, whose 15 deliveries cost just eight runs, got in on the action when Liam Patterson-White’s edge was brilliantly held by Cox, who only received a call-up to join the Rockets yesterday following an injury to Adam Hose.Dan Mousley (26 from 25) gave the score some respectability but 111-9 looked well under par, even on a spin-friendly surface.The chase was far from easy though. After the early loss of Tom Banton for 1, caught at mid-on off Boult, Rehan sparkled once more, racing to 37 in 23 balls before an audacious slog sweep was caught in the deep off Livingstone. Root continued his good recent form in the tournament with a run-a-ball 25 that came to an end when he was bowled by Patterson-White and the left-arm spinner struck again five deliveries later, castling Willey with a devilish delivery that spun back sharply between bat and pad.Linde was run-out after a mix-up and Marcus Stoinis got a leading edge to cover off Bethell as the Rockets slipped to 89-6, and the left-arm spinner struck again when Sam Hain holed out to leave six required from five.Bethell was entrusted with the final set and conceded just three runs from his first three deliveries but Cox kept a cool head and swept the fourth to the boundary to finish unbeaten on 17 from 12 balls.Named Meerkat Match Hero after his three wickets and quickfire knock, Rehan said: “Coxy was always going to do it, I had full trust in him. There was a lot of assistance for spinners on this pitch. We train on similar surfaces so it was about going out there and doing the same thing. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity I’ve been given and hopefully I can do it in the next couple of games.”