Chelsea are making a serious statement this summer in terms of both incomings and outgoings, with BlueCo sealing some very impressive deals so far and more expected to follow before the transfer deadline on September 1.

Chelsea now pushing to seal £100m double signing with talks ongoing

They’re actively pursuing both men.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 5, 2025

To balance out their £277 million expenditure on transfers this summer, Chelsea are poised to bank well over £200 million in sales.

From a PSR standpoint, Enzo Maresca’s side appear to be comfortably sailing above the threshold of a £105 million loss over a rolling three-year period. Their £87.5m winnings from the Club World Cup and qualification for the Champions League, combined with player sales, means Chelsea have very few worries when it comes to PSR compliance, but it is a different story when it comes to UEFA’s FFP rules.

After being fined and charged with breaching FFP last month, Chelsea essentially have to balance out their incomings with outgoings, or risk not being able to register new signings for the Champions League next season.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

This is why their player sales are absolutely crucial, and it is why we’ve seen a flurry of exits taking place in the last week.

The departures of Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja to Burnley, combined with Kieran Dewsbury-Hall’s imminent Everton move, will help to make space for the potential signings of RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons and Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho.

Chelsea have been in talks to sign Simons for a while, and they’re apparently making progress alongside their ongoing talks for Garnacho as well.

United may have to sell Garnacho for just £40 million too, with the Red Devils forced to drastically reduce his asking price from £70 million amid their struggles to offload the Argentine.

Alejandro Garnacho makes subtle Chelsea transfer hint on Instagram

While Chelsea and Ruben Amorim’s side negotiate a deal, the player himself has made a subtle hint on Instagram that Stamford Bridge is his preferred destination.

As relayed by journalist Simon Phillips, Garnacho liked a post from Fabrizio Romano linking him with a move to Chelsea – so it appears the 21-year-old may in fact be pretty keen on joining Maresca in the coming weeks.

There is an argument to be made about the lack of professionalism on display here, and whether it could be a bad sign from Chelsea’s perspective about the winger’s attitude, especially after Garnacho’s Old Trafford fallout.

However, according to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, Chelsea have conducted extensive background checks into Garnacho’s character and are satisfied by what they’ve found. As the clock ticks towards deadline day, this is definitely one to watch.

Former India batter Venugopal Rao will be their new director of cricket

Nagraj Gollapudi17-Oct-20246:12

Making sense of the musical chairs in DC’s ownership structure

Former India batter Hemang Badani will take over as the new head coach at Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2025. Along with Badani, DC have also appointed former India batter Venugopal Rao as the director of cricket.While Badani replaces Ricky Ponting, who amicably parted ways recently after seven seasons as head coach, Rao takes over the role performed in the past few years by former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Both appointments are part of the decision taken by the DC ownership to overhaul the coaching staff and the overall running structure of the franchise which has never won the IPL. The franchise has also decided not to renew the contract with Pravin Amre, who served as assistant coach and talent scout since 2014.”With the mega auction around the corner, my job, in collaboration with the rest of our coaching staff, is cut out,” Badani said in a franchise release. “I can’t wait to get started.”ESPNcricinfo has learnt the recruitment drive to bolster the coaching bench will continue with more assistant coaches and mentor to be appointed.As part of the restructuring, the co-owners of DC – the GMR Group and JSW Sports – will swap the operational leadership roles every two years for their teams in the IPL and the WPL; it means the GMR Group will take over the men’s team for the next two seasons and JSW Sports the women’s team for 2025 and 2026. Consequently, Ganguly will take over as director of cricket in the WPL for the next two seasons. Ganguly will switch back to the IPL from 2027 when JSW Sports will be back in charge. In a media statement on Thursday, the franchise said “key decisions like auctions, captaincy, player release and retentions of both teams will be made by the Delhi Capitals’ board, and will be decided mutually by senior leadership of both groups.”Why Hemang Badani?
While the appointment of Badani, who played four Tests and 40 ODIs, is expected to arouse curiosity, the former Tamil Nadu captain has been a successful coach in the domestic T20 circuit. After being part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squads in the initial few years, Badani was the head coach at Chepauk Super Gillies, who have won four TNPL titles, one of which was shared. With them, Badani played a key role in the development of young players like R Sai Kishore, the current Tamil Nadu captain.That experience played a role in Badani joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coaching staff in IPL 2022. He also has coaching experience in overseas T20 leagues: with Sunrisers Eastern Cape in 2023, when they won the inaugural SA20 title, and with Jaffna Kings, who won the most recent season of the Lanka Premier League. He was the head coach at Dubai Capitals (also owned by GMR Group) who finished runners-up in the ILT20 this January.Rao, who played 16 ODIs between 2005 and 2006, was part of Deccan Chargers’ IPL – winning squad in 2009 and has also been part of Dubai Capitals, first as mentor in the inaugural season and then as director of cricket.

Brazilian full-back Wesley said he thought Roma were "crazy" to offer €20 million for him as he laughed about his own performances for Flamengo.

Wesley felt Roma were 'crazy' to spend €20m on himFelt he was forced out by Brazilian club FlamengoSpeaks about Gasperini's crucial role in Italy moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Wesley joined Italian side Roma from Flamengo in the summer for €20m (£17m/$23m), fending off interest from Serie A rivals Juventus. Despite not being a regular starter at Flamengo, he admitted he initially felt Roma were overpaying, believing he wasn’t yet at that level.

AdvertisementWHAT WESLEY SAID

"When the €20 million offer arrived and I wasn't even playing, I thought: these guys are crazy," he said in an interview with . "€20 million and I'm not even playing, and when I was playing I would miss a pass in front of the cameras. So I asked myself: how can they pay €20 million for me?"

Wesley had flirted with a move to Atalanta last year, but nothing materialised. When Gian Piero Gasperini returned for him in the summer after taking over as Roma coach, it helped convince the Brazilian to make the move. 

"When I saw Gasperini had gone to Roma, I thought: 'Wow, he really wants me.' So everything went well," he added. "Once I got there, even the coach surprised me with the way he's making me work. I hope to improve a lot, but obviously it will take time: I won't become Dani Alves overnight, it's impossible. I feel like when a coach wants a player so badly, that means a lot. He called me, he talked to me. There were other offers, but a coach who already wanted you last year, then changes teams and wants you again… that weighed heavily. I just hope to grow with him, like all the players he had at Atalanta."

WESLEY'S DIFFICULT TIME AT FLAMENGO

Wesley says things had turned sour for him at Flamengo, but that the situation changed after Chelsea legend Filipe Luis took over as head coach.

“At first, it was difficult. I couldn't deliver what the coach asked. I tried, but it didn't work. I wasn't affected by the internet; it never will be affected by it," he said. 

"In 2024, halfway through the year, I wasn't doing well at all. After the FIFA International Day, which I didn't go to, I had 10 games and I was ruined. So, they started asking me to be on the Brazilian national team. Then, Filipe Luís arrived. Filipe Luís' arrival changed everything. For the Copa do Brasil match against Corinthians, he said I would play. Thank God, everything happened. I just have to thank the entire Flamengo fan base for their support."

In the end, though, he felt he was forced out of the club as Flamengo received a very generous offer from Roma, saying: "It was no longer possible to stay, I wasn't well and nobody wanted me."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR WESLEY AND ROMA?

Wesley has hit the ground running in Rome, starting both of Roma’s opening fixtures and netting the winning goal against Bologna. He will be hoping to repay the faith Gian Piero Gasperini has shown in him.

Tottenham are expected to be one of the busier Premier League sides during the final few weeks of this summer transfer window, and technical director Johan Lange will have multiple plates spinning behind-the-scenes.

Lange is known to operate in secrecy when it comes to his transfer planning, with Spurs showing a tendency to agree out-of-nowhere deals since the Dane took over from ex-managing director Fabio Paratici.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

The Lilywhites’ move for Wilson Odobert last summer took everyone by surprise, while their botched deal for Morgan Gibbs-White accelerated in similar fashion with very few leaks to the press – until the transfer was very close to being done.

Unfortunately for Lange, he ended up missing out on Gibbs-White in what was a very bizarre transfer saga.

After losing club legend Son Heung-min to the MLS, and now James Maddison for the majority of the season, it is absolutely imperative that Tottenham’s technical director brings in a fresh, proven attacking alternative before the deadline on September 1.

Maddison will undergo surgery on an ACL rupture, Spurs confirmed today, with the 28-year-old set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Tottenham called Man City over Jack Grealish in the last few days, according to Fabrizio Romano, but face stiff competition from Everton, who have now opened formal talks over a loan deal for the 29-year-old.

Elsewhere, Liverpool sensation Harvey Elliott has been mooted as a potential target for Spurs after his exceptional Euro Under-21 Championships with England.

However, Bundesliga sides like RB Leipzig are offering Elliott the chance to further his development abroad, with sides across Europe now clamoring to reinforce their squad as we reach the final phase of this window.

Daniel Levy is dealing with a major headache when it comes to their pursuit of an attacker, and that botched deal for Gibbs-White is now looking all the more significant after Maddison’s injury.

According to Alasdair Gold, the most reliable Spurs source you could ask for, Levy and Lange have other items on their transfer agenda too – namely signing another new centre-back.

The club triggered Kevin Danso’s obligation to buy clause from RC Lens earlier this summer, and already boast the likes of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin among their crop of central defensive options.

Dragusin was recently handed Sergio Reguilon’s number 3 jersey, whilst Romero’s links to Atlético Madrid have practically died after Diego Simeone sealed a deal for David Hancko – so none of the quartet appear likely to be going anywhere this summer.

Tottenham ready to meet asking price for Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi

Regardless, Spurs are apparently in the market for another central defender, and they’re still contenders for Bournemouth star Illia Zabarnyi.

According to French newspaper L’Équipe, as translated by Sport Witness, the Ukranian’s switch to PSG is advanced, but Luis Enrique’s side are currently haggling over a few million.

PSG made a recent written offer to the Cherries for Zabarnyi – £52m whilst covering FIFA’s solidarity payment.

Bournemouth are prepared to accept this bid, if PSG include a further £3m in bonuses, which the Ligue 1 giants are currently refusing to do.

This has handed Levy an opportunity to hijack the deal, with L’Équipe reporting that Tottenham are ready to meet Bournemouth’s demands for Zabarnyi ‘immediately’ and are ‘pushing’ to sign the 22-year-old.

Spurs were actually in the mix for his former Bournemouth teammate, Dean Huijsen, before he chose a move to Real Madrid (Fabrizio Romano).

Now, Frank could win the race for another Bournemouth defender instead, but they’ll first have to convince Zabarnyi himself, who’s been chasing a move to Paris for quite some time.

Liverpool would “without a doubt” look to replace Luis Diaz with “world-class” trophy-laden player this summer, according to an exciting new update.

The latest on Diaz's Liverpool future

The future of Diaz continues to be a big talking point at Anfield this summer, with the Colombian pushing for a move away, amid strong interest from Bayern Munich.

The Bundesliga champions have already seen a bid rejected, but it looks as though they will return with an improved offer for the 28-year-old, especially after Jamal Musiala suffered a broken ankle at the Club World Cup, and the fact that they were beaten by Liverpool to the signing of Florian Wirtz.

Reds supporters are split over the idea of Diaz departing this summer, with some feeling he is a vital player, having scored 17 goals in all competitions last season, helping Arne Slot’s side win the Premier League title.

Others believe the winger isn’t a truly elite attacker, however, and given his age, they would be happy to see Liverpool cash in on him, signing a superior option in the process.

Liverpool backed to sign "world-class" superstar

According to a new update from L’Equipe [via Get French Football News], Liverpool will “without a doubt” look to sign Rodrygo if Diaz goes this summer.

The 24-year-old has been mentioned as an option for the Reds plenty of times in recent weeks, with the Brazilian potentially looking to leave Real Madrid, having not been a key part of new manager Xabi Alonso’s plans during the Club World Cup.

The idea of Rodrygo in a Liverpool shirt is a mouthwatering prospect, given his reputation as one of the best wide forwards in European football.

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He has excelled for Madrid, even if he hasn’t always made as many headlines as the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, being hailed as “world-class” by Luka Modric and earning praise from Carlo Ancelotti.

Rodrygo is four years younger than Diaz, and simply a better player, as a tally of 119 goal contributions in 270 appearances highlights, so signing the former to replace the latter could be inspired business by Liverpool, with the Brazil star having the potential to become an icon on Merseyside.

Manchester United’s hunt for a new striker has been far and wide so far this summer as Ruben Amorim looks to strengthen his squad ahead of 2025/26.

The 40-year-old has already added Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to his ranks, but the pair are set to operate in the number ten role behind the striker.

With Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee only netting seven Premier League goals between them last campaign, it reinforces the need for a new talisman during the current window.

However, despite their success elsewhere in the market, a new striker has still eluded them to date, opening the door to added investment from the hierarchy.

Various players have emerged on their radar as of late, with a real importance on landing a new forward to help catapult the Red Devils back to the top of England’s top-flight.

Man United on the hunt to sign a new striker

Benjamin Sesko has been a player who’s emerged as a key target for United this summer, but they’re not alone, with Newcastle United also keen on the 22-year-old this summer.

Amorim’s side are said to be in talks with RB Leipzig over a move for the Slovenian international, after he registered 21 goals for the German side throughout 2024/25.

However, the youngster isn’t the only player in their sights, with Chelsea talisman Nicolas Jackson also a player they’re considering, according to The Independent.

They claim that United have held talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign the Senegalese international, but it could be an expensive addition, as they’ve placed an £80m price tag on his head.

Despite the price tag, the report states that the hierarchy are proposing a potential swap plus cash deal which could see bomb squad member Alejandro Garnacho move in the opposite direction.

Why United’s latest target would be a better signing than Sesko

As previously mentioned, Sesko has been targeted by United in recent weeks, but despite his excellent goalscoring record in Germany, the hierarchy must be cautious in any deal for his signature.

Whilst the Slovenian has showcased his goalscoring record, he could cost a pretty penny, with his current employers demanding £80m for his signature this summer.

Such a move could see a repeat for Hojlund, after the Danish international scored 10 goals for Atalanta the season before his own £72m move to Old Trafford.

The additions of Cunha and Mbeumo highlight the club’s recruitment strategy of investing money in players who have already proven themselves in England’s top-flight.

A deal for Sesko would go against their ethos during the current window, subsequently needing to avoid a move for the Leipzig star and prioritise a move for Jackson this summer.

Whilst the Senegalese international may not be many of the supporters’ first choice, his experience in the Premier League could be vital, whilst also being a cost-effective option should Garnacho be included in any deal.

He’s also managed to better Sesko in numerous areas during recent times, undoubtedly being a better addition for Amorim’s side during the off-season.

How Jackson & Sesko compare throughout 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Jackson

Sesko

Games played

30

33

Goals & assists

15

18

Shot-on-target accuracy

45%

43%

Pass accuracy

76%

67%

Key passes made

1.2

0.7

Shot-creating actions

2.8

1.9

Progressive carries

1.9

1.7

Carries into opposition box

1.3

0.5

Stats via FBref

Jackson managed to achieve a higher shot on target accuracy rate last season, subsequently being more accurate with his efforts in attacking areas, leading to Pubity Sport labelling him as “sensational”.

He also managed to complete more passes, with more of which being defined as key passes, highlighting his all-round ability, which could allow the aforementioned new additions to hit the ground running in Manchester.

His dominance over Sesko is further reflected in his tally of carries into the opposition box per 90, being able to create chances out of nothing, undoubtedly being less reliant on players around him to have chances in front of goal.

If a deal can be agreed with Chelsea over a potential swap deal, it would be a superb piece of business by the club, offloading a player not in Amorim’s plans whilst landing a star who’d fill a key position in the side.

There’s no denying that the Leipzig star would be a solid option, but given the difference in stats and Jackson’s prior experience in England, the hierarchy should be going all out on a move for the Senegalese star.

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After conceding 75 in his first 15 overs, he dismissed Pant, Rahul and Jadeja to put New Zealand in sight of victory

Ashish Pant19-Oct-20241:17

What worked for New Zealand’s bowlers?

William O’Rourke admitted being “pretty streaky” and “hot and cold” in the early part of the second innings of the first Test in Bengaluru. But having gone for 75 off his first 15 overs, he dismissed Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja in three successive overs with the second new ball as India lost their last six wickets for just 29 runs.”Overall, for me, I’ve been pretty streaky, pretty hot and cold with the ball,” O’Rourke said at the end of the fourth day. “Pant and Sarfaraz [Khan] obviously batted very well for a long time there, but that second new ball came on and started doing a little bit for us.”So, credit to Timmy [Tim Southee] for getting that first breakthrough [of Sarfaraz] and then I was lucky enough to get a wee chop on there [from Pant] to give us a bit of momentum going through.”Related

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Sarfaraz, in particular, handled O’Rourke well, picking him for 39 runs in 35 balls and repeatedly throwing him off his lengths with ramps and late cuts. While O’Rourke said he and the rest of the bowling unit could have been tighter with their lengths, he credited Sarfaraz for using the angles and opening up the field.”He [Sarfaraz] played me really well,” O’Rourke said. “With that angle of me sort of falling away, it sort of opens up that little dab shot. Yeah, maybe we could have been in the game a little bit, but he played it so well.”I would have liked to be a little bit tighter. Obviously, one of his strengths is that [the late cut]. So, yeah, I would have liked to be a little bit tighter, but I was missing a little bit wide, and he put me away. So credit to him.”O’Rourke has had a rousing start to his Test career. This is his fifth Test and he has already picked up 26 wickets at 18.84, which includes two five-fors. Fifteen of his 26 wickets have been in the subcontinent. He had an excellent tour of Sri Lanka last month where he picked up eight wickets in two Tests, and has continued his good run in India.William O’Rourke took three wickets in three overs to hurt India•BCCI”I think we had a really good prep in Tauranga and down in Lincoln,” he said about his success in the subcontinent. “We had a few wickets that were a bit drier than probably what we are used to at that time of the year in New Zealand. And yeah, learning from the guys like Matt Henry, Tim Southee, who have been here before and done it before, it’s been massive for me coming here.”In the first innings here, O’Rourke picked up four wickets, including Virat Kohli’s for a duck.”It’s obviously pretty special getting someone so great, one of the greats of our game, out like that,” he said of the Kohli wicket. “You grow up watching those guys. So to come here and take that wicket, it’s probably right up there as one of the [best] wickets I’ve got.”While O’Rourke has been pleasantly surprised by the bounce he has seen on the Bengaluru surface, he is also loving bowling with the SG ball.”It has got a bit more of a pronounced seam than the Kookaburra [that New Zealand use at home], so it seems to be nice and hard to start with. It goes through nicely and big seams are always a big plus. [It’s] my first time here and [Bengaluru] probably had a little bit more bounce, a bit more pace than we expected coming over here, which suits a bowler like me. So far, I’ve really enjoyed it.”We definitely do our scouting and stuff before games. I’d say at the moment in my career, I’m more of a feel bowler. I like to back what I do, run in and do what I do. But definitely I have a look at the players beforehand, I like to know their strengths and weaknesses. But I think it normally comes back to just being me and doing what I do.”

The 2024/25 campaign was a turbulent one for West Ham United. A change of manager halfway through, moving from Julen Lopetegui to Graham Potter, made things tough, and the Hammers never really gained any momentum, struggling to move out of the bottom few teams in the Premier League.

Yet, relegation was never really a concern, with the Irons finishing almost 20 points clear of 18th.

Looking ahead to the new season, Potter must surely want his side to become more consistent in front of goal. They only managed 46 last season, as per Understat, better than just five other teams in the top flight.

That might be why the East Londoners are targeting a new number nine in the transfer window.

West Ham search for a new striker

After a loan move for Evan Ferguson last season did not work out, the Hammers are still looking for a new centre forward to supplement the likes of Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen in attack. Well, perhaps they have found someone who can add to the goals next season.

According to a report from Tasnim News Agency, the Hammers have ‘expressed interest’ in signing Inter and Iran striker Mehdi Taremi. The 33-year-old’s ‘departure from Inter is now certain’ in the aftermath of Simone Inzaghi leaving the club and the arrival of new summer signings.

This could give West Ham an opportunity to pounce. They are set to go head to head with Fulham, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest for his signature, however, with Turkish side Besiktas also interested.

As for the price, it was reported earlier in the window that Inter would accept up to €10m (£9m) for the 33-year-old this summer.

Why Taremi would be a good signing

The 2024/25 season was tough for Taremi, who struggled for opportunity in the Inter side. Of course, last season’s Champions League runners-up have Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram in their squad, so getting a starting berth ahead of those two is far from easy.

The Iranian international played 43 games last season across all competitions. Although he only managed to find the back of the net three times, he did grab nine assists, four of which came in the Champions League. One of those was in the semi-final second-leg win over Barcelona.

The veteran striker arguably played the best football of his career at Portuguese giants FC Porto. He played 182 games for the club, amassing a sensational 91 goals and chipping in with 51 assists, too. He bagged this acrobatic volley against Chelsea back in 2021, a real standout effort in his large goal catalogue.

Comparisons can be drawn between Taremi and his potential new teammate, Fullkrug. The Germany international joined for £27m last summer from Borussia Dortmund, as an experienced striker, aged 31, when he moved to the London Stadium.

It certainly wasn’t the easiest first season in Claret and Blue for the striker, born in Hannover. He played 20 games for the club, scoring three goals and grabbing two assists. Two separate injuries certainly disrupted his progress during his debut campaign for West Ham.

The similarities between each striker do not stop at the fact that they are both experienced players in their early 30s. In fact, they are both stastically similar on FBref, after their respective Champions League campaigns in the 2022/23 season.

The numbers behind their goal-scoring form in that campaign are alike. The Inter star, then playing for Porto, averaged 0.33 goals and 0.22 goals per shot on target each game. In contrast, West Ham’s number 11, then a Dortmund player, averaged 0.26 goals and 0.27 goals per shot on target per 90 minutes.

Taremi and Fullkrug key stats compared

Stat (per 90)

Taremi

Fullkrug

Goals

0.33

0.26

Shots on target

1.49

0.96

Goals per shot on target

0.22

0.27

Expected goals

0.43xG

0.47xG

Goal-creating actions

0.87

0.69

Stats from FBref

At upwards of £9m, this move could be a bargain for West Ham this summer. There are certainly shades of the deal to sign Fullkrug last summer, given their age and similar threat in front of goal.

Taremi is a “complete striker” according to Statman Dave and capable of scoring 20 goals a season, as he showed at Porto. This could be one of the bargains of the summer.

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Former India batter Venugopal Rao will be their new director of cricket

Nagraj Gollapudi17-Oct-20246:12

Making sense of the musical chairs in DC’s ownership structure

Former India batter Hemang Badani will take over as the new head coach at Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2025. Along with Badani, DC have also appointed former India batter Venugopal Rao as the director of cricket.While Badani replaces Ricky Ponting, who amicably parted ways recently after seven seasons as head coach, Rao takes over the role performed in the past few years by former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Both appointments are part of the decision taken by the DC ownership to overhaul the coaching staff and the overall running structure of the franchise which has never won the IPL. The franchise has also decided not to renew the contract with Pravin Amre, who served as assistant coach and talent scout since 2014.”With the mega auction around the corner, my job, in collaboration with the rest of our coaching staff, is cut out,” Badani said in a franchise release. “I can’t wait to get started.”ESPNcricinfo has learnt the recruitment drive to bolster the coaching bench will continue with more assistant coaches and mentor to be appointed.As part of the restructuring, the co-owners of DC – the GMR Group and JSW Sports – will swap the operational leadership roles every two years for their teams in the IPL and the WPL; it means the GMR Group will take over the men’s team for the next two seasons and JSW Sports the women’s team for 2025 and 2026. Consequently, Ganguly will take over as director of cricket in the WPL for the next two seasons. Ganguly will switch back to the IPL from 2027 when JSW Sports will be back in charge. In a media statement on Thursday, the franchise said “key decisions like auctions, captaincy, player release and retentions of both teams will be made by the Delhi Capitals’ board, and will be decided mutually by senior leadership of both groups.”Why Hemang Badani?
While the appointment of Badani, who played four Tests and 40 ODIs, is expected to arouse curiosity, the former Tamil Nadu captain has been a successful coach in the domestic T20 circuit. After being part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squads in the initial few years, Badani was the head coach at Chepauk Super Gillies, who have won four TNPL titles, one of which was shared. With them, Badani played a key role in the development of young players like R Sai Kishore, the current Tamil Nadu captain.That experience played a role in Badani joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coaching staff in IPL 2022. He also has coaching experience in overseas T20 leagues: with Sunrisers Eastern Cape in 2023, when they won the inaugural SA20 title, and with Jaffna Kings, who won the most recent season of the Lanka Premier League. He was the head coach at Dubai Capitals (also owned by GMR Group) who finished runners-up in the ILT20 this January.Rao, who played 16 ODIs between 2005 and 2006, was part of Deccan Chargers’ IPL – winning squad in 2009 and has also been part of Dubai Capitals, first as mentor in the inaugural season and then as director of cricket.

The defending champions were 18 for 4 in their small chase before Hilton Cartwright and the in-form Josh Inglis guided them home

Tristan Lavalette23-Oct-2024

Cameron Bancroft made his fourth single-figure score of the Shield season•Getty Images

Cameron Bancroft’s bid for a Test recall took another hit after a fourth consecutive failure to start the Sheffield Shield season. But Josh Inglis continued to press his case while Hilton Cartwright capped a whirlwind few days to guide Western Australia to a six-wicket victory over Tasmania at the WACA.With WA chasing just 83 runs under sunny conditions early on the final day, Bancroft had a golden opportunity for a confidence boosting innings having scored just eight runs in his first three Shield innings.Related

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Victoria steamroll New South Wales but Starc primed for India

'A right-handed version of Warner': Josh Inglis launched into opening debate

But he looked uncomfortable from the get go against probing new ball bowling from quicks Riley Meredith and Kieran Elliott. With the pressure building having scored just two runs from his first 15 deliveries, Bancroft decided to attack but miscued a pull shot off Meredith to fine leg and trudged off with his Test hopes to fill the vacant opener’s slot having seemingly nosedived.”He’s pretty good to be honest…keeping things really simple,” WA captain Sam Whiteman said of Bancroft. “I think it’s a matter of time. Each fail…he’s one closer to a big score. He’s a pretty positive guy.”The low target proved tricky for WA and the tension heightened among the sprinkling of fans when they slumped to 18 for 4 after Whiteman, Mitchell Marsh and Aaron Hardie fell to Elliott, who conjured movement from the grassy wicket.It was a quiet match for Marsh, who had scores of 9 and 6 as a specialist batter at No. 4. He had stated ahead of the match that he would build up his bowling loads, but a return with the ball has been put on hold.There appeared to be some tense scenes between Hilton Cartwright and Tasmania•Getty Images

Inglis and Cartwright steadied the ship with a quick half-century partnership to guide WA over the line. Having scored two game-changing centuries to start the season, Inglis again looked at ease to finish 26 not out from 36 balls.Cartwright remained unbeaten on 39 from 50 balls to cap a remarkable match after he had to dash from the ground at tea on day two when his wife went into labour. He returned on day three to resume his innings on 52 after the birth of his second child in the early hours. Cartwright needed Tasmania to agree for him to return to the crease.There appeared to be tension on the field on day four with Cartwright engaged in a war of words with Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald. They had a lengthy exchange while shaking hands after the match.Tasmania started day four in a forlorn position with a lead of just 80 runs and one wicket in hand. They only added two runs before quick Brody Couch claimed his fourth wicket of the innings after trapping Meredith in front of the creaseAfter a patchy performance in his WA debut against Queensland, Couch was outstanding throughout to finish with match figures of 7 for 83 and touching speeds of 143kph.