UP Warriorz head coach was “very surprised” to bag Sophie Ecclestone for INR 85 lakh, as he expected her to go for 1.50 crore

Daya Sagar28-Nov-20253:39

Karim: ‘Getting Lanning a masterstroke by UPW’

Coming into the WPL 2026 auction with the leanest squad and hence the biggest purse, UP Warriorz (UPW) made some heads turn by buying Shikha Pandey for a whopping INR 2.40 crore, using the RTM (right to match) option for Deepti Sharma, whom they had released earlier, and getting England’s left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone for just INR 85 lakh. Their new head coach Abhishek Nayar, who takes over from Jon Lewis from the upcoming season, said they wanted Pandey for her experience and using the RTM for the Indian names was always their plan.”[Shikha] came for the trials. She is an experienced player and we wanted her experience of having played in high-pressure tournaments,” Nayar told ESPNcricinfo after the auction in Delhi on Thursday. “Her numbers in the WPL are the best among Indian pace bowlers in the last three years, be it in the powerplay or death overs.”We wanted experience in those aspects. Kranti Gaud is a young and exciting player, but like I said we wanted experience.”Pandey last played a T20I for India in February 2023 and has since been playing in T20 franchise leagues around the world such as the WPL, the Women’s CPL and the WBBL. Even though she currently doesn’t have a WBBL deal, she recently played all four games for Trinbago Knight Riders in the WCPL and finished as their top wicket-taker with five scalps and an economy rate of 6.73. Overall, she was joint-third on the wicket-taking charts.Related

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WPL 2026 from January 9 to February 5

Deepti, Kerr, Shikha get biggest bids; Healy unsold

Like Nayar said, Pandey is the top wicket-taker among Indian pace bowlers in the three seasons of WPL, with a tally of 30 (and economy rate of 6.96), just behind Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 32. The next Indian fast bowler on the list is Arundhati Reddy with 14 wickets. Pandey, Gaud, Tara Norris of USA, and allrounder Deandra Dottin will be the pace-bowling options for UPW.Leading their spin attack will be Deepti and Ecclestone, along with Asha Sobhana, Georgia Wareham and allrounder Chloe Tryon among the other options. While UPW splurged INR 3.2 crore on Deepti, Mumbai Indians spent INR 3 crore on Amelia Kerr, Asha fetched INR 1.1 crore and Georgia Wareham INR 1 crore (from RCB) – all spinners – it came as a surprise to many that Ecclestone got a top bid of just INR 85 lakh, despite being the No. 1 ODI bowler and No. 4 T20I bowler in the ICC rankings.”I was very surprised, everyone was surprised,” Nayar said of Ecclestone’s price. “I thought she would go for something like 1.5 crore. But we got her for a great deal at just 85 lakh. But that’s how the auction works – sometimes you pay less, sometimes more. So I’ve very happy overall.”Even before using the RTM for Ecclestone, UPW used that option for Deepti, who led them earlier this season in the absence of Alyssa Healy. While their decision to release Deepti before the auction might have been surprising, using the RTM for her was not.”We wanted a big purse in the auction, that’s it,” Nayar said. “The first retention price was 3.5 crore, we got her in 3.2 [at the auction]. So, there is still some money saved and we can get an extra player. Getting someone like Pratika Rawal, though she is injured, has become possible.”So the mindset was we are going to get her (Deepti), that is the advantage of having the RTM. If we didn’t have the RTM, I think things would be different but we were very confident with the RTM, we just wanted to try and use it in the auction.”UPW went into the auction with four RTM options and used them on Deepti, Ecclestone, Gaud and Kiran Navgire, but not on Healy, who was the first name to come up in the mega auction and she eventually went unsold. UPW filled the opening slot with former Australia captain Meg Lanning, the third-highest run-scorer in the WPL, behind Sciver-Brunt and Ellyse Perry. They also picked Phoebe Litchfield, whom Lanning has earmarked as a future captaincy candidate for Australia. Will Lanning and Litchfield open together for UPW?

“Our attempt was to get those players who can play for India in the long run, are potential superstars, and who can become the face of this franchise.”Abhishek Nayar on buying the injured Pratika Rawal

“Meg is a leader, we all know,” Nayar said. “Phoebe is also a kind of a leader, we think. She can add a lot of value to the team. She is a fearless cricketer and she can play 360 (degree cricket) or 180. So we were very excited to have someone like that potential and I feel really good to buy her with that money (INR 1.20 crore). But right now we can’t say that they both are going to open for us. If we reveal that here in this interview, teams will already be making strategies about it .”Another opening batter UPW bought was India’s ODI opener Rawal, who was prolific in the recent World Cup-winning campaign at the top with Smriti Mandhana, but is yet to make her T20I and WPL debut. She picked up an injury while fielding in India’s last league game in the World Cup and missed the knockouts after that, and may not be fit in time to play the WPL too.”When you buy a good player there’s no guarantee that she will be fit or not for the season,” Nayar said. “We know that she is not fit right now but we also know that if there’s a superstar rising through Indian cricket, it’s Pratika Rawal. Like I said earlier our attempt was to get those players who can play for India in the long run, are potential superstars, and who can become the face of this franchise. That was an important thing to do because that will be an advantage for the next retention cycle after two years.”

Arsenal captain Leah Williamson returned to action for the first time in four months following a knee injury. The 28-year-old sustained the issue during the Lionesses' Euro 2025 final triumph over Spain and has not featured since then. However, she is back playing after coming off the bench in the Gunners' 3-1 Women's Super League win at Everton on Saturday.

• Williamson suffers post-Euros blow

  The centre-back guided the Lionesses to a second straight Euros title over the summer but in that herculean effort, she injured her knee, which required a small clean-up operation in late August. Williamson missed Arsenal's pre-season training camp in Germany earlier that month after reporting swelling in her right knee. Following surgery, she began her rehab at a time when the north London team badly missed her in the backline. Then, last week, head coach Renee Slegers said the defender should be back playing before Christmas.

  "She's progressing well," Slegers said. "She did her first session on pitch yesterday, which was good. Exact timeline, we'll have to see day by day, week by week, but we hope to see her back before Christmas. That will be great. But then everything has to go to plan.

  "Of course, it was unfortunate for her to sustain that injury in the Euros and she had to work hard to come back from it. She is in a really good place and has been spending a lot of time on the pitch. Maybe the timing of the international break extended that as there was no opportunity to train in big groups with 11 v 11 and in chaotic moments. But she is very ready and we will be very happy to have her back. The players who have been playing have been doing really well."

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  Arsenal welcome back Williamson

  Arsenal leapfrogged defending WSL champions Chelsea into second in the table after an exciting 3-1 win over Everton. Katie McCabe gave the visitors an early lead with a half volley before Honoka Hayashi responded with a brilliant long-range strike. Alessia Russo marked her 100th WSL appearance by restoring Arsenal's lead before substitute Olivia Smith ensured all three points headed back to London. Moreover, Williamson was introduced into the action for the final 10 minutes and came through her cameo unscathed, with the experienced campaigner getting a good reception from the fans. Both Chelsea and Manchester United can overtake Arsenal in the division if they win this weekend, however.

• Williamson on the growth of the women's game

  During her time on the sidelines, Williamson spoke about how the Arsenal women's side used to get small crowds at Meadow Park in Borehamwood. But now, tens of thousands come to watch them at Emirates Stadium, helping them become "household names". 

  She told the New Statesman: "We started with a very small community of 200 or 300 spectators [at Meadow Park]. We don’t want to lose that. But the demands of the game are also increasing. You want to keep that connection, but it’s not always possible anymore… If the game stayed small, you wouldn’t see the quality we have now, and you wouldn’t have the players, because people couldn’t afford to be a footballer.

  "We've gone from being just female footballers to household names. That's a strength and a weakness, but every player has to deal with it. It’s safer in general to be at the Emirates; it’s a lot safer for us as players as our profiles grow. You notice a difference now I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. You’re more accessible. It’s a five-metre difference [between the players and the fans]. So, the dynamic changes from being in a stadium where you can hear a boo or a cheer to then a personal remark."

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  What comes next for Williamson?

  Before the WSL heads off for the winter break, Arsenal have two more games to look forward to. On Wednesday, they resume their Champions League campaign, this time away at OH Leuven. The Gunners, who have already guaranteed a spot in the play-offs for the quarter-finals as they try to defend their European crown, then start their Subway Women's League Cup journey away at Crystal Palace next Sunday. It remains to be seen how much football Williamson will get in those fixtures.

Jurgen Klopp has reportedly emerged as a potential successor to Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid after the club’s disastrous 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo. The German, who stepped away from frontline management after leaving Liverpool and now works as Red Bull’s global head of football, is reportedly one of two names under consideration to replace Alonso as Real Madrid weigh their options in what has rapidly become a full-blown crisis.

Bernabeu hierarchy convene for emergency talks

Madrid’s loss on Sunday night, compounded by two red cards and fury in the stands, has triggered alarm among the club’s leadership. Having taken just six points from a possible 15 in their last five La Liga games, the Spanish giants, who were five points clear at the summit after beating Barcelona in late October, now sit four points behind their eternal rivals. 

According to, Real Madrid officials convened an emergency meeting after the match, one that reportedly stretched until 1 am. The club’s hierarchy was split: some urged immediate dismissal, while others argued for granting Alonso one final opportunity to steady the team during Wednesday’s crucial Champions League fixture against Manchester City. What is becoming increasingly clear, however, is that patience is scarce inside the Bernabeu. Senior figures are troubled by what they see as a weakening connection between Alonso and key members of the dressing room. While club officials do not place all the blame on the 44-year-old, there is growing dissatisfaction with both the team’s performances and what one insider described as a confused identity on the pitch.

AdvertisementAFPKlopp’s name resurfaces as Madrid assess options

Though Klopp has repeatedly stated he is no longer interested in full-time coaching, his name has resurfaced in Madrid circles. Some within the club view him as the type of commanding figure capable of re-establishing authority in a fractured squad. His decision to join Red Bull in January drew stinging criticism, with many highlighting the contradiction between his past critiques of multi-club ownership models and his new position within one. It has been widely reported that his contract contains an escape clause allowing him to apply for the German national team role if it becomes available. But whether similar provisions exist for club jobs, such as Real Madrid, is unknown. One source close to Klopp told that he is "happy" in his current role, though few believe the door to a major European job is ever truly closed.

Zidane and Arbeloa also under consideration

Club favourites Alvaro Arbeloa and Zinedine Zidane are also admired by the Madrid hierarchy. Arbeloa, who oversees Real Madrid Castilla, fits the profile of a young coach steeped in the club’s culture. Zidane, meanwhile, maintains enormous affection from Florentino Perez after winning three consecutive Champions League titles. However, reports in France indicate he remains committed to pursuing the national team job should it become vacant. Madrid turned to Zidane for a second time in similar circumstances in 2019 after the short-lived reigns of Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari. Yet this time, his availability, and more importantly, his willingness to be back at the Bernabeu dugout, is far from assured.

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AFPCrucial UCL night awaits at the Bernabeu

Wednesday’s continental tie against City now carries immense weight for Alonso’s future, one that may determine whether Madrid make a managerial change before the winter break. All eyes will be on the crowd. The reception Alonso and his players receive could speak volumes about how much faith remains in this project. It's wait-and-watch time for the Real Madrid board.

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez is baseball's consensus top trade candidate this season, as the Diamondbacks appear primed to rent out their slugger ahead of his free agency.

However, a wrench was thrown into their plans Monday. Suarez was hit on the hand by a pitch against the Detroit Tigers, forcing him out of the game.

Tigers pitcher Will Vest threw the fateful pitch in the ninth inning—a 95 mph sinker with his team ahead 5–1. Suarez left the contest 1-for-3.

This season, the Venezuela native is slashing .247/.319/.579 with 36 home runs and an MLB-best 87 RBIs—yet another plus season for one of the game's most consistent sluggers. Suarez owns six 30-homer seasons and three 100-RBI seasons since debuting in 2014.

After the game, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo signaled Suarez would receive X-rays and called him day-to-day, via Cody Stavenhagen of .

The Diamondbacks are currently 51-56, and is 6.5 games back of the National League's final wild-card playoff spot. It will play two more games against Detroit before the trade deadline, which is Thursday.

It's July 2, 2025, and as he has been for the last half-decade, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is the most feared hitter in baseball.

He is famously the kind of player to whom no numbers can do justice—but on Tuesday, he added yet another statistical milestone to his storied resume.

A home run against the Chicago White Sox in his team's 6–1 win gave him 30 on the year to go with 10 stolen bases and five triples. According to OptaSTATS, Ohtani is the first player ever to do that in five consecutive seasons.

Only four players, in fact, have accomplished that feat in consecutive seasons—Milwaukee Braves outfielder Hank Aaron (1960 to '62), Milwaukee Brewers third baseman and left fielder Ryan Braun (2007 to '09), New York Giants center fielder Willie Mays (1955 to '57), and Dodgers outfielder Raul Mondesi (1997 to '99). Mays and New York Yankees outfielder Babe Ruth are the only other players to accomplish that feat in five seasons .

He has a long way to go at just 30, but it seems almost certain that Cooperstown, N.Y. awaits Ohtani.

India’s replacement opener entered the record books when he hit a 131-ball 210 against Bangladesh – here’s the story in numbers

Sampath Bandarupalli10-Dec-2022126 – Balls Kishan needed for his double-century, the fastest in ODI cricket.The previous fastest in men’s ODIs was 138 balls by Chris Gayle, against Zimbabwe in 2015 World Cup, while the quickest double in all ODIs [across men and women] was Amelia Kerr’s 134 ball effort against Ireland in 2018.0 – Players to convert their first ODI century into a double century before Kishan. The previous highest score for the first century was 194* by Charles Coventry, against Bangladesh in 2009 in Bulawayo.24y 145d – Kishan’s age on Saturday, making him the youngest player to score a double-hundred in men’s ODIs. The previous youngest was Rohit Sharma, who was 26 years and 186 days old at the time of his first double in 2013 against Australia.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – Kishan is now the first batter to score a double-century in ODI cricket against Bangladesh. The previous highest score against Bangladesh was the unbeaten 194 by Coventry.0 – Number of individual ODI scores in Bangladesh higher than Kishan’s 210. The previous highest score on Bangladesh soil was by Shane Watson, who scored an unbeaten 185 in 2011 in Dhaka.34.6 – Team overs when Kishan reached 200 in Chattogram, the earliest point any batter has completed the landmark in ODIs. The previous earliest was in 43.3 overs by Virender Sehwag when he scored 219 against West Indies in 2011.156 – Runs scored by Kishan in boundaries during his 210-run knock. Only two batters have scored more in boundaries in an ODI innings – 186 by Rohit against Sri Lanka in 2014 and 162 by Martin Guptill against West Indies in 2015.The 290-run stand between Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli also made it to the record books•Associated Press103 – Balls Kishan needed to reach the 150-run mark – the fastest individual 150 by an Indian in men’s ODIs. Sehwag held the record for bringing up his 150 in 112 balls against West Indies in 2011.290 – Partnership runs for the second wicket between Kishan and Kohli, the highest for any wicket in ODIs against Bangladesh. The previous best was the unbeaten 282-run opening stand between Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock in 2017.68.6 – Percentage of runs scored by Kishan during the 290-run stand with Kohli, the highest contribution by a single batter in a 200-plus runs partnership in men’s ODIs (where data is available). The previous highest was 65.6% by Tom Latham, who scored 145 out of 221 with Kane Williamson against India last month. The Kishan-Kohli stand is also the second-fastest 200-plus stand by run rate in men’s ODIs.409 for 8 – India’s total in Chattogram, is now the first 400-plus ODI total against Bangladesh and the first by any team in Bangladesh. The previous highest against Bangladesh was 391 for 4 by England in 2019, while India’s 370 for 4 in 2011 was the previous highest in Bangladesh.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após as partidas de ida da semifinal do Gauchão, Grêmio e Internacional ficam em situações diferentes. Nos duelos entre as equipes de Porto Alegre e Caxias do Sul, o Tricolor levou a melhor sobre o Caxias no sábado, jogando no Estádio Centenário. Já o Internacional, que também subiu a serra, não saiu do zero contra o Juventude, no Alfredo Jaconi. Veja abaixo como foram as partidas:

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CAXIAS 1 x 2 GRÊMIO

No sábado, o Tricolor foi até Caxias enfrentar os donos da casa e levaram a vitória para casa. Cristaldo abriu o placar antes da metade do 1º tempo, após cruzamento de Villasanti pela direita, o meia cabeceou em direção ao gol, e após espalmada de Volpi, aproveitou o rebote e marcou. Mesmo com mais chances o Caxias não aproveitou e no 2º tempo viu o Grêmio voltar com maior controle de jogo, o que culminou em um pênalti sofrido por Diego Costa, aos 19 minutos. O mesmo cobrou e converteu, marcando seu 3º gol em 3 jogos com a camisa tricolor. Pouco depois, o Caxias descontou, mas não teve forças para reagir e acabou sendo derrotado em casa.

JUVENTUDE 0 x 0 INTERNACIONAL

Internacional e Juventude fizeram um jogo com boas chances de gol, mas sem sucesso nas tentativas de finalização. O Juventude começou indo para cima, mas sem grandes chances viu o Inter ter o primeiro chute a gol, com destaque para Valencia que teve duas chances na casa dos 20 minutos, mas em ambas parou no goleiro Gabriel. Logo depois, Gilberto poderia ter tido a melhor chance dos donos da casa, mas perdeu o controle da bola. No 2º tempo, o Juventude já assustou nos primeiros segundos em chegada promissora de Jean Carlos, que adiantou demais a bola e perdeu a oportunidade. O Papo continuou intenso, quase marcou após finalização de Jean Carlos, com Mercado salvando na linha. E pouco depois o árbitro chegou a marcar pênalti em Alan Ruschel, mas o VAR interviou e o juiz anulou a marcação. Em seguida, o jogo perdeu intensidade e sem grandes chances acabou tudo no zero.

Para as partidas de volta não temos critérios de desempate, se as equipes empatarem no agregado iremos para os pênaltis. Com isso o Grêmio joga pelo empate na Arena e o Inter precisa vencer para chegar na final.

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Campeonato GaúchoCaxiasFutebol NacionalGrêmioInternacionalJuventude