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IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya’s captaincy has been a big part of our success, says Vikram Solanki

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4 years ago

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In the newbies Gujarat Titans’ impressive run in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), the captaincy skills of Hardik Pandya has been a vital cog in the wheel, speaking to the bowlers and having good communication with everyone in the team.

Hence, it wasn’t surprising that on the eve of Qualifier 1 match against Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens, Vikram Solanki, Gujarat’s director of cricket, acknowledged that Pandya’s captaincy and involvement in the game has played a huge part in the success of the side in the tournament.

“He has grown as a leader. He has taken to the captaincy very well. He has been very giving of his time and has really sort of involved. That is what exactly is paying off. He is having conversations with each and every bowler. Of course, someone like a Shami needs no guidance. But it is always useful to have a connection or understanding of what they are planning to do,” said Solanki in the pre-match virtual press conference.

“Hardik’s display of captaincy is actually interacting with the bowler, which is just quick communication playing out and making sure that our plans are in place and everybody is on same sort of page. What I will add again is to reiterate the fact that Hardik’s captaincy has been a big part of our success. He’s absolutely been involved in every aspect of our campaign and long may he continue to do so,” added Solanki, a former England batter.

In the form of Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha, Gujarat have found a dependable opening pair though the latter has been the aggressor of late in power-play. Solanki quashed suggestions that the opening pair of Gill, in particular, and Saha are a weak point for the side, citing the former’s 63 not out off 49 balls and carried his bat through the innings on a tough Pune pitch against Lucknow Super Giants.

“I would disagree with it because the partnership created by Shubman and Wridhhi has been a very good one for us. What you are saying about Shubman’s performance, it is incorrect according to me. Shubman has made so many match-winning contributions on his own abilities. For example, you can see the match against LSG, the way he handled his knock and controlled the whole innings, he gave us a chance to put up a defendable score, and then we were able to win the match.”

“I am in total disagreement with your assessment. As far as opening partnership is concerned, at the moment, Wriddhi (Wriddhiman Saha) and Shubman are an ideal combination. They compliment each other in their style of play and having Wriddhi around Shubman works very well because they communicate and have a good understanding, which works well for our opening partnership.”

In three out of Gujarat’s four losses in the league stage, top-order collapses of the side stood out as a common thread. Losing wickets back-to-back was also something which Pandya had said they would like to avoid in the playoffs after Gujarat’s loss to Bangalore in their final league match.

Asked about what has been his discussion with the batting group on avoiding wickets back-to-back, Solanki explained, “It’s a good question. But it is a common held view across all ages that there is no value in losing wickets. Jab se cricket chala hain, yeh baat toh pakki hain ki agar aap wicket lose naa kare, toh you are in a better position. (Since the time cricket has begun, it’s absolutely certain that if you don’t lose wicket, you are better placed). If you happen to lose wickets in a cluster, you always put yourself under pressure.”

“It’s not necessary that anyone in management, coaching or captain has to have discussion with the players on this. Players are experienced, they are playing IPL and international cricket and are well-versed with exactly what is required. There are obvious dangers in losing wickets in a cluster; it’s a given matter. That said, sometimes when it happens, you have to react and respond to that. There is no sort of signs to it and no surety that you will lose wickets in a cluster.”

“You can manage risk, certainly evaluate what is appropriately required at that time. But then, that’s a fine balance as well. We are playing T20 format and are constantly needing to balance risk and actual mindful batting, which is a common thing. I assure you all teams will be exactly of the same mindset: don’t lose wickets in a cluster, give ourselves opportunity to create partnerships and make use of it by putting the opposition under pressure. It’s exactly the same phase.”

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FIFA WC: When and where to watch Portugal vs DR Congo; know all details

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4 days ago

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June 16, 2026

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Houston, June 16: Portugal will kick off their 2026 World Cup journey against DR Congo on Wednesday, aiming for an ideal start in Group K, which also features Colombia and Uzbekistan. Widely considered favourites to progress, Roberto Martinez’s side will be keen to secure three points early and strengthen their bid to finish top of the group.

The spotlight will once again fall on Cristiano Ronaldo, who enters what is expected to be his sixth and final World Cup. At 41, the Portuguese captain has already lifted the UEFA European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles, but the World Cup remains the one major honour missing from his glittering career.

For DR Congo, the tournament marks a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage after more than five decades. Their only previous appearance came in 1974, when the nation competed as Zaire. Having finally ended a 52-year absence from the World Cup, Sebastien Desabre’s side will now look to build on that achievement and prove they can challenge more established opponents in Group K.

How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo live in India:

Live streaming and live telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 football matches will be available on the Zee5 platform and app in India. A subscription will be needed.

Live telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on the Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels in India.

Key details:

Date and kick-off time: Wednesday, June 17, 10.30 PM IST

Venue: Houston Stadium, Texas, USA

Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim

Squads:

Portugal-

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Rui Silva

Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Matheus Nunes, Nelson Semedo, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Inácio, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, Tomas Araujo

Midfielders: Ruben Neves, Samuel Costa, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva

Forwards: João Félix, Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leão, Gonçalo Guedes, Gonçalo Ramos; Cristiano Ronaldo

DR Congo-

Goalkeepers: Timothy Fayulu, Lionel Mpasi, Mike Epolo

Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Gedeon Kalulu, Joris Kayembe, Arthur Masuaku, Steve Kapuadi, Rocky Bushiri, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Dylan Batubinsika

Midfielders: Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Nathan Mukau, Charles Pickel, Ngal’ayel Mukau Mbuku, Brian Cipenga, Theo Bongonda, Gael Kakuta

Forwards: Meschack Elia, Fiston Mayele, Cedric Bakambu, Simon Banza, Yoane Wissa

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FIFA WC 2026: ‘Physically fit Haaland primed for massive impact’, says Norway coach Solbakken

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4 days ago

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June 16, 2026

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Boston, June 16: Head coach Stale Solbakken hailed Erling Haaland as the “world’s best goalscorer” and stated that the physically fit one of the world’s deadliest strikers is primed to make a massive impact as Norway are making their return to the FIFA World Cup after a 28-year absence.

Norway will begin their World Cup campaign against Iraq in a challenging Group I that includes two-time champions France and Senegal on Wednesday in Boston.

Haaland has scored 55 goals in 50 international appearances for the Norway national team, making him the country’s all-time leading goalscorer. He reached 50 Norway goals in 46 appearances. It made him just the sixth footballer and first in 53 years to register the half-century in fewer than 50 international caps.

Haaland, with 17 goals in nine games, finished as international football’s leading marksman for 2025, six clear on his closest challengers. Solbakken believes powerhouse Haaland is without equal when it comes to to putting the ball in the back of the net.

“Hopefully Erling will have a very big impact. I think he’s the world’s best goalscorer. He is physically fit, he was given a little break at the end of the season – (missing) one game for Manchester City and one for us. Hopefully we can give him good service because, if we give him chances, he has a tendency to score,” Solbakken told reporters.

Solbakken also highlighted the importance of Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard. “When he is on the pitch he is a very, very important player for us, and he’s our captain. He dictates, in many areas, the tempo of our play,” the coach said.

Norway’s last World Cup appearance came in 1998, when Solbakken was part of the squad. Securing qualification for the 2026 finals carries special meaning for the former midfielder.

“I think that’s for every citizen – to lead this country in a game like that. And especially after 28 years, then obviously that is perhaps the top thing on the list. Hopefully it will be a nice experience. We will firstly get a good performance and then a nice result,” he said.

Asked what his last message to the players would be before the match, Solbakken said motivation would not be an issue, but handling the occasion correctly would be key.

“The match can have better and less good periods, and we have to find back the good feeling if we lose that feeling in the course of the match,” he said.

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain boss De la Fuente confident injured trio will be fit for debut

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2 weeks ago

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June 8, 2026

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Madrid, June 8: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remains confident that the injured trio of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Victor Munoz will be fit in time to start his side’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

De la Fuente was speaking to the press ahead of his side’s friendly against Peru in the Mexican city of Puebla, which is the final chance to make adjustments ahead of his side’s World Cup opener against Cabo Verde in Atlanta on June 15, reports Xinhua.

De la Fuente left Williams, Munoz, and Yamal at Spain’s base in Chattanooga to continue their return to fitness, but insisted they were “meeting their recovery deadlines.”

“They were scheduled to do more specific work these next few days, and if they continue progressing this way, I think they’ll be available [against Cabo Verde],” he said.

Yamal and Williams have hamstring problems, while Munoz has a calf strain. “Each one had their own process. Lamine’s injury was different, as was its duration. But the most important thing is that, within the expected timeframe, he’s currently fit to be included in the squad,” De la Fuente insisted.

Yamal, Williams, and Munoz all play on the wing, but even if they aren’t fit for the opening game, De la Fuente said he had players in the squad who could provide cover.

“We have other options. There are different styles, and we’ll see how the week goes,” the coach said, adding that the Peru game would see him field a more recognisable team than the one that drew 1-1 with Iraq last Thursday.

“I have a plan for how to start the World Cup if there are no adverse circumstances. Football can always surprise you, but I won’t reveal the lineup,” he concluded.

The Spain national team reached the United States on Saturday to continue with its preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals, with a few questions still to be answered — especially the one hanging in the balance of the fate of the injured trio.

Spain flew in from Santiago de Compostela (northern Spain) to Nashville after Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Iraq, and from Nashville, the squad travelled to Baylor School in Chattanooga, which will be its base for the tournament.

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