Cheteshwar Pujara also questioned India’s approach and shot selection on the turning Kolkata pitch

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2025

A dejected Ravindra Jadeja walks back for 18•AFP/Getty Images

India are going through a period of transition in Test cricket, but Cheteshwar Pujara will not accept it as an excuse for losing a Test at home.After India lost their first Test to South Africa, collapsing to 93 all out in the final innings, Pujara questioned the India batters’ approach on a pitch that had uneven bounce and turn from day one, but also said the batters were not the only ones to be blamed.”I don’t buy this that India are losing at home because of transition. I can’t digest that,” Pujara said on JioStar after India lost by 30 runs in Kolkata. “If you lose in England or Australia because of transition, it could be acceptable. But this team has the talent and potential. You look at the first-class record of all the players – Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill… Washy [Washington Sundar] batted at No. 3 in this game – all their records are so good. Still if you lose at home that means something is wrong.Related

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“If you had played the same match on a good wicket, there were much better chances of [India] winning. How do you define Test cricket? On what kind of a wicket are your chances better of winning? On such tracks, your chances decrease and the opposition is at par with you. There’s so much talent in India, even an India A side could beat South Africa. So if you say this loss is because of transition, it’s not acceptable.”After the match, where 189 was the best innings total and only one half-century was scored largely due to the sharp turn, up-and-down bounce and rough patches that made batting a challenge, India head coach Gautam Gambhir had clarified that it was “exactly the pitch we were looking for”.Even though India have often preferred rank turners to gain their home advantage, their choice of such a track in the wake of the 3-0 whitewash to New Zealand at home last year and now this loss – their fourth in the last six home Tests – has raised questions.4:55

Philander: ‘On that surface 123 was like 350-400’

“You can’t just blame the batters on this kind of a wicket because firstly if you want to play on such wickets, your preparation has to be different,” Pujara said. “Gauti said they asked for this kind of a wicket but it wasn’t easy to bat on. Look at the stats of both teams – only one batter scored a fifty so it shows it wasn’t a good wicket.”If you want to play on such tracks, your batters have to be prepared accordingly and it didn’t look like they were prepared. On such wickets, you have to play different kind of shots, like rely more on sweeps, play a little positive, try to move the scoreboard. But there was an expectation that this wicket would be a bit decent, it would have some turn, and you can bat well and score runs. But this wicket wasn’t like that. If the Indian team wants such turning wickets where the ball turns from ball one, then the batters’ approach will have to be different.”That 3-0 last year had cost India a place in the WTC final and this defeat to South Africa has seen them slip to fourth position on the current WTC table, behind Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka.The second and final Test of the series begins on November 22 in Guwahati. After this series, India’s next WTC series will be two matches in Sri Lanka in August next year. India’s next home series is more than a year away from now, when they host Australia for five Tests in January-February 2027.

Arsenal star Noni Madueke scored a brilliant goal to open the scoring for the Gunners against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The summer signing from Chelsea shrugged off challenges from two defenders before ending a slaloming run by crashing a shot past goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel and into the top corner to break the deadlock in some style in Belgium.

Madueke at the double as Arsenal stay perfect

Madueke was the star for Arsenal as they maintained their perfect record in the 2025-26 Champions League by beating Club Brugge 3-0. The Arsenal star lit up the Jan Breydel Stadium with a fantastic opening goal and then scored again early in the second period to double the visitors' advantage. Gabriel Martinelli went on to add a third for Mikel Arteta's side as Arsenal made it six wins from six in the Champions League so far this season. The Premier League leaders remain the only team in the competition with a 100 per cent record. Meanwhile, Madueke becomes the first player in Arsenal's history to score each of his first three goals for the club in the Champions League or European Cup.

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Madueke enjoys 'sweet' strike

Madueke spoke about his goals after the game on : "The first goal was really nice, second a tap in but the first one was sweet. Delighted with the result. The bare minimum I need to give to my team is threat; they need to give the ball and feel that something can happen. Trying to score and be as decisive as possible is the next level I need to get to. I want to be consistently decisive for my club and my country. I think I can reach that level, so I'll keep working every day."

The forward also spoke about Arsenal's good form and their belief they can be crowned champions of Europe.

"We're tight, we want each other to do well. We have top players everywhere in the squad. It's about all of us a collective, not any individual. We know we all have a part to play, so that's a good thing about this team," he added.

"I feel like we can win this competition, I feel like we can win the league as well. That has to be our aim. We're in a good place at the moment, so we'll just keep going."

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Arteta hails 'outstanding' Madueke

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was also impressed by Madueke's strike. He told : "Madueke and Martinelli were outstanding today, the level of threat and two finishes spectacular. Jesus back after 11 months, to see him perform in the manner he did was really positive.

"We know how difficult the Champions League is, and to win away from home especially with that many players out, it makes it bigger. Christian Norgaard is someone who probably prepares the best out of all of them. He is someone who makes all of us better every single day. He can play in any position, whether he plays more or less minutes his attitude is immaculate, a really good example for all of us.

"Right now it is about managing the situations we have in the backline, some players were there but could not play more than 45 or 30 minutes. To manage that has been tough. But with the attitude that the players have, I know that if I ask anyone to play there then they could do it, and they have done a great job."

The long Test drought between Australia and Zimbabwe is set to continue, but the countries will contest a three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe next year ahead of the 2027 World Cup in southern Africa.Before their Test and ODI tour of South Africa, earmarked for September-October 2026, Australia will have a brief stopover in Zimbabwe for a trio of ODIs, a development first reported by and likely to be officially announced in the coming weeks.The series is to be played in Harare, and possibly Bulawayo, with the flagship 10,000-seat stadium at Victoria Falls unlikely to be ready by then.ESPNcricinfo has learnt that Zimbabwe Cricket had been pushing for a one-off Test match to be included in what would have been a showpiece of the tour. But it will not eventuate with Australia to undergo a heavy Test schedule, playing at least 19 Tests from mid-2026 to the Ashes tour of 2027. An ODI series also looms as important preparation for Australia with Zimbabwe to co-host the next 50-over World Cup along with South Africa and Namibia.Zimbabwe and Australia have only played three Tests against each other with the last two being in October 2003 in a short series best remembered for Matthew Hayden briefly setting a world record score of 380 in the first Test at the WACA.The only Test in Zimbabwe was played in 1999 when a Steve Waugh-led Australia won by 10 wickets in what proved to be wicketkeeper Ian Healy’s last Test match.The ODI series will end an eight-year absence for Australia in Zimbabwe. Australia were part of a T20 tri-series, also involving Pakistan, in 2018 while they last played the 50-over format there in 2014.While Test cricket between the nations remains on pause, Zimbabwe power brokers are confident that England will visit for a one-off Test match as an extension of their tour to South Africa in late 2026-early ’27. It is hoped the match will be played at Victoria Falls, named the Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium.England and Zimbabwe in May ended a 22-year Test drought with a four-day match at Trent Bridge. The countries have played just seven Test matches against each other, with only two in Zimbabwe – a 0-0 drawn series in December 1996.ZC have been actively trying to encourage countries to stopover en route to neighbouring South Africa and long circled late 2026 as opportunities to negotiate rare fixtures with Australia and England.”We are a Test nation, so playing the top countries like Australia and England at home will go a long way to making this format popular in Zimbabwe,” ZC chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani told ESPNcricinfo.”Playing against the best teams will help our players develop their skills in Test cricket. Understandably Australia wants to prepare for the World Cup, but hopefully we can play them in Test cricket in the future.”As ESPNcricinfo reported earlier this month, the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is likely to feature all 12 Full Members in one division.It means teams will have more incentive to play Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland, who aren’t part of the current nine-team WTC. If the 12-team, one division WTC eventuates as expected – a final decision is likely at the ICC meetings in March – it has been widely assumed that those teams will mostly host one-off matches. No extra funding is expected to be available for hosting Tests.But Zimbabwe plans to host longer series in the next WTC, doubling down on their commitment to Test cricket. “Some countries might just play a minimum number of Tests, but we are hoping to play more,” Mukuhlani said. “We will aim to stage two or more Test match series against the likes of Australia and England.”

دافع أحد الصحفيين الإنجليز صباح اليوم الأحد عن نجم نادي ليفربول، محمد صلاح، موضحًا أن الدولي المصري يستحق معاملة أفضل من الريدز ومن الصعب كذلك استمرار اللاعب مع النادي الإنجليزي خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وانفجر محمد صلاح خلال الساعات الماضية، بعد بقائه كبديل مع ليفربول، وأشار إلى أنه لا تتم معاملته بشكل عادل من قبل إدارة الريدز والمدرب آرني سلوت.

وأفاد محمد صلاح أن ليفربول قدم له وعودًا لم يفي بها، موضحًا أنه قدم الكثير من أجل النادي الإنجليزي لكنه لم يشعر بالتقدير.

ويرى هنري وينتر، الصحفي الإنجليزي المعروف، أن محمد صلاح يستحق أن تتم معاملته بشكل أفضل من ليفربول، موكدًا أن الدولي المصري سيبقى محبوبًا بين جماهير النادي الإنجليزي.

وكتب وينتر عبر حسابه الرسمي على “تويتر”: ”لن يرحل محمد صلاح وحيدًا أبدًا، فهو محبوب جدًا من جماهير ليفربول لما حققه على مدار تسع سنوات و420 مباراة، و250 هدفًا، و113 تمريرة حاسمة، وثمانية ألقاب، منها لقبان في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ودوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وأضاف وينتر: ”محمد صلاح لديه ذكريات لا تنسى وأشياء كثيرة في كتب التاريخ. لن يرحل محمد صلاح وحيدًا أبدًا، فهو محبوب جدًا من جماهير ليفربول لما أظهره من تألق في تمثيل النادي داخل الملعب وخارجه”.

وأوضح: ”كان الحزن هو رد الفعل الفوري على رحلة صلاح الحتمية نحو مغادرة أنفيلد، والتي لم تكن بمحض إرادته، هناك حزن كبير، كان صلاح سيرحل عاجلًا أم آجلًا، ربما إلى السعودية، في مرحلة ما وقد تراجع مستواه منذ فترة، يبلغ من العمر 33 عامًا وما يثير الحزن أكثر هو طريقة رحيله الظاهرية”.

وأردف: ”من المحزن أن نرى الوضع مشوبًا بمثل هذا الحقد والتوتر مع مدربه وعلى ما يبدو مع إدارة ليفربول، لاعب ورجل استثنائي كهذا، أحد أعظم لاعبي ليفربول صاحب التاريخ الطويل الحافل بالألقاب، يستحق وداعًا خاصًا، أنفيلد عليه أن يقف صفًا واحدًا ويحيي ذكرى أسطورة وهو يرحل، ربما يكون ذلك في يناير”.

أقرأ أيضًا .. رد فعل قوي من ليفربول على تصريحات محمد صلاح الهجومية

وتابع: ”من الصعب أن نرى صلاح باقيًا بعد تلك الكلمات الصادقة، وإن كانت مؤثرة في ملعب إيلاند رود الليلة الماضية، على أصحاب النفوذ في ليفربول دعم آرني سلوت وإلا ستسود الفوضى، على أصحاب النفوذ في ليفربول دعم مبدأ اختيار التشكيلة بناءً على الأداء وإلا ستصبح الأمور عبثية، كان خطأ صلاح في تعليقاته هو استحقاقه حق الاستمرار في التشكيلة الأساسية، الرياضة لا تسير بهذه الطريقة”.

وواصل: ”يمكن لمشجعي صلاح الكثيرين مع بعض الشرعية، الإشارة إلى الأداء الضعيف لجاكبو وكوناتي والتساؤل عن سبب استمرارهما في التشكيلة الأساسية”.

واستكمل: ”مشكلة صلاح هي مساهمته المتواضعة عندما لا تكون الكرة مع ليفربول، هذا أمر جيد عندما يكون الفريق فائزًا ويسجل بكثرة، لكنها مشكلة عندما يعاني الفريق كما هو الحال حاليًا، لم يفاجأ الكثير من مشجعي ليفربول أو المحللين بجلوس صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء”.

واختتم: ”لا يستحق صلاح أي معاملة خاصة في مركزه لكنه يستحق معاملة خاصة في طريقة تعامل ليفربول معه الآن، إنه نادي عظيم يلعب فيه شخصية عالمية بارزة مثله، إذا رحل صلاح وهو لم يطلب ذلك، فلنأمل أن يتم ذلك بالاحترام الذي يستحقه لما قدمه لنادي يفخر بكونه ناديًا لا يسير وحيدًا أبدًا”.

The Mariners provided Seattle with a night the city won't forget any time soon Friday as they took down the Tigers in their marathon of a winner-take-all Game 5 that lasted 15 innings. If the incredible 3-2 win at home wasn't enough, the team provided their fans with an electric celebration to send them home on an even higher note.

The franchise's social team caught an incredible video that captured the moment the Mariners advanced to their first American League Championship Series since 2001 and ensuing celebration, which is certain to raise the hair on your arms.

Luis Castillo came on in relief due to how long the game lasted after he started in their Game 2 win. He recorded the win Friday and was back in the clubhouse presumably preparing to pitch the 16th inning if it was necessary. The M's finally finished the job, though, and their social team recorded "La Piedra" jumping for joy with some staffers before he quickly ran out of the dugout onto the field to join the rest of his team.

What a great moment, incredibly captured from Castillo's point of view before joining the joyous squad:

Jorge Polanco was the hero for Seattle, sending a base hit through the infield that brought in J.P. Crawford for the thrilling walk-off win that ended the Tigers' season. Now, the Mariners and their plethora of tired arms prepare to meet the Blue Jays in the ALCS with Game 1 slated for Sunday evening. Hopefully they can get some rest on their day off after a well deserved celebration Friday night.

The 2025 MLB season concluded earlier this month with the Dodgers defeating the Blue Jays in the World Series. In recognition of the best players from this past season, MLB is announcing the winners of the league’s top honors and awards this week, before the offseason kicks into high gear.

The MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year awards are voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America. A combination of fans, media members, executives, managers, and/or players vote on the other awards. For a closer look at the voting process, click here.

Without further ado, here’s a look the 2025 MLB award winners.

MLB Award Winners 2025

In the most anticipated award of the season, Aaron Judge edged out Cal Raleigh to win his third AL MVP. Both Judge and Raleigh each had exceptional campaigns, but Judge nabs the award after leading the league with a .331 batting average, 1.144 OPS and hitting a fourth-best 53 home runs.

Shohei Ohtani wins MVP for the fourth time and has now won either AL or NL MVP in three straight seasons. Ohtani takes MVP unanimously after hitting 55 home runs, third in MLB, and recording a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts after returning to the mound this season. Ohtani is the second player in MLB history to win MVP more than three times in a career, joining Barry Bonds, who has a record seven MVP wins. 

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was named the AL Rookie of the Year over finalists Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony and teammate and shortstop Jacob Wilson. Kurtz led all rookies with 36 home runs in 2025, 15 more than any other rookie this season. Braves catcher Dake Baldwin claimed the NL Rookie of the Year award over finalists Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin and Cubs right-hander Cade Horton.

The Brewers’ Cinderella season didn’t quite end the way they hoped when they were swept by Los Angeles in the National League Championship Series, but manager Pat Murphy has been named the NL Manager of the Year. Murphy has won the award for the second year in a row after leading his team to the No. 1 seed an MLB-best 97-65 record.

Like Murphy, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt has won back-to-back AL Manager of the Year awards. Vogt wins the award after Cleveland pulled off an incredible comeback by erasing the Tigers’ 15.5 game division lead to end up winning the AL Central.

After winning Rookie of the Year last year, Paul Skenes has upgraded to winning his first Cy Young award. The Pirates ace posted a 1.97 ERA during his second season, the best in MLB. Skenes also threw 216 strikeouts, tied for fourth in the league. 

In the American League, Tarik Skubal takes home his second consecutive Cy Young award. The Tigers ace finished second in the league in both ERA and strikeouts, with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts. Skubal earned 26 of 30 first-place votes, while runner-up Garrett Crochet earned the other four.

Along with these awards, Mookie Betts was named the winner of the Roberto Clemente Award during the World Series.

MatériaMais Notícias

O atacante Hulk ficou na bronca com a arbitragem do empate entre Atlético-MG e Bahia. Após o final da partida, o jogador questionou por que o árbitro Bruno Arleu de Araújo não revisou um possível pênalti para o Galo e acusou que o VAR está mandando no futebol.

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

— O que não pode é fugir da responsabilidade. Infelizmente, o VAR está mandando no futebol brasileiro — disse.

Hulk ainda completou dizendo que, como o lance era interpretativo, o árbitro teria que assumir a responsabilidade de revisá-lo no monitor do VAR.

— Lance interpretativo quem define é o árbitro, quem manda no jogo é o árbitro. O árbitro decide se é mão ou não é, mas ele assume a responsabilidade de ver o lance. Cara, é triste para a gente. Não sei se foi pênalti, mas em lance interpretativo o árbitro tem de assumir a responsabilidade e olhar o VAR. Infelizmente, fica essa indecisão, por isso tem a reclamação no final – concluiu.

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Na reta final do segundo tempo, o Atlético-MG de Hulk pressionava o Bahia e teve bola alçada para a grande área. Alan Kardec disputou no alto com Biel, que tocou com o braço na bola. Bruno Arleu não marcou pênalti, e o VAR manteve a decisão de campo.

Tudo sobre

Atlético-MGHulk

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has his work cut out for him at Parkhead after a frustrating first match in charge of the club against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

A 2-1 defeat to the league leaders proved that the Frenchman has plenty of issues to solve and plenty still to learn about the squad of players that he has at his disposal.

The former Columbus Crew head coach has a big group of players to work with in Glasgow, and there are a number of stars who he should give an opportunity to in the coming weeks.

The rarely-seen Celtic stars Nancy should unleash

Kelechi Iheanacho, for example, was an unused substitute against Hearts after returning from injury, and he should be given a chance to lead the line after Daizen Maeda missed two ‘big chances’, per Sofascore, on Sunday.

The Nigerian centre-forward has scored three goals in eight appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants this season, per Sofascore, and could emerge as Nancy’s first-choice number nine.

Another rarely-seen star who could benefit from the change in shape to a 3-4-2-1 could be Dane Murray, who has started two league games this season, as he is a naturally right-sided centre-back who can provide balance when playing out from the back.

Auston Trusty played in that role on Sunday, as a left-footed player, and was slow to bring the ball forward and progress the play, as he was on his weaker side, which could open the door for Murray to come in and take that spot.

Colby Donovan was also snubbed in Nancy’s first game, playing zero minutes, but he could emerge as the manager’s own Kieran Tierney in the right wing-back position, having been set to leave in the summer window.

Wilfried Nancy is brewing the next Tierney

The 19-year-old academy graduate was “set to join Dundee on loan for the season”, per journalist Josh McCafferty, in the summer transfer window, before an injury to Alistair Johnston meant that he was needed as a first-team option at Parkhead.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

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Donovan has gone on to play 716 minutes across 12 appearances for the first-team, per Sofascore, since the decision was made to keep him at the club, instead of sending him out on loan, and he has shown real promise.

The Scotland U21 international is looking to follow in Kieran Tierney’s footsteps in Glasgow, as the left-back came through the academy to provide a big threat down the left flank as an attacking full-back.

In his first spell with the club, as shown in the graphic above, the Scotland international provided an eye-catching 37 assists in 170 matches for the club, and Donovan has the potential to provide a similar threat in this new system.

Hyun-jun Yang started at right wing-back against Hearts. However, Nancy could move him over to the left and unleash the academy graduate on the right to provide crosses on that side.

25/26 Premiership

Donovan per 90

Rank vs RBs

xA

0.14

Top 28%

Assists

0.28

Top 1%

Long pass accuracy

46.2%

Top 23%

Chances created

1.12

Top 39%

Successful crosses

1.12

Top 25%

Touches in opposition’s box

2.80

Top 14%

Stats via FotMob

Donovan, as shown in the statistics above, has stood out as one of the most impressive creative right-backs in the Premiership this season under Brendan Rodgers and Martin O’Neill, whilst playing as a right-back.

Playing as a wing-back under Nancy would give him even more opportunities to push forward and show off his creativity in the final third, which could improve his output as a creator and make him a Tierney-esque threat on the right-hand side.

Whilst Johnston is still to return from his injury eventually, unleashing Donovan in this new role could provide him with a chance to nail down a regular starting spot in the team to become the next academy graduate to become a star at Parkhead, like Tierney.

His emergence in the first-team this season, after being set to go out on loan in the summer, is perhaps a lesson that Celtic can learn from, as they could give more opportunities to their academy players to see if they have what it takes to play for the senior side before letting them move on, permanently or on loan.

Related Worse than Yang: Nancy must bin 3/10 Celtic dud who once had "the X factor"

This Celtic star who had “the X Factor” should be ruthlessly dropped from the starting line-up on Thursday.

Posts ByDan Emery 3 days ago

ITV presenter Laura Woods was taken ill during ITV's broadcast of England Women's friendly against Ghana on Tuesday. While speaking with Ian Wright and Anita Asante, Woods fell forward, and the Arsenal legend appeared to try to catch her. The broadcaster then cut to an extended break, with Woods replaced by Katie Shanahan ahead of kick-off.

• Woods falls ill on air

  Woods is one of ITV's flagship presenters and was working alongside Asante and Wright while presenting the opening moments of the broadcast of England's friendly against Ghana. While introducing the game, she was speaking with Asante and Wright, and appeared to fall forward, before hitting the ground. Wright attempted to catch her, and a hot microphone revealed that he asked if she was okay, before ITV cut to a lengthy advertising break. 

  Woods was replaced after the advertising break by Katie Shanahan, who said the popular host was "taken ill" and that "she's in really good hands and we're wishing her a speedy recovery." At half-time, she gave a further update, adding: "Laura Woods fell ill at the start of the programme but we want to reassure you that she's doing okay and we all send her our love."

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  Tsunami of love sent to Woods

  Shanahan has stepped in at short notice to take Woods' place, having previously been expected to work as the pitch-side reporter for the fixture. The Lionesses will hope to put on a glittering performance to distract fans from the scary scenes, which saw Woods lurch forward and attempt to catch herself, before being held up by her presenting colleagues. 

  Fans on social media have been quick to send their best wishes to Woods, who works primarily for TNT Sports, presenting the Champions League, but has frequently fronted ITV's coverage of the England Women's team.

• Woods' impressive CV

  Woods has blazed a trail in sports broadcasting, and has twice been voted the Sports Journalists' Association Presenter of the Year. She began her career as a runner on Sky Sports before working her way up to present some of the biggest fixtures in world football.

  In 2022, she encouraged young women to be themselves, as they aspire to follow in her footsteps in an interview with The Guardian.

  She said: “When you look at broadcasting from the outside in it can look quite daunting and as if it is a very difficult nut to crack, and it is. You have to be in the right place at the right time but you also have to be ready for it and be confident as well. And confidence comes from practice, it really does. You are never going to wake up one day and be very, very good at something straight away.

  “The one thing I learned is that a listener or a reader or a viewer can all smell any inauthenticity and I figured that out really quickly. It wasn’t that I wasn’t trying to be me; it was more that I was struggling with the confidence a bit. But eventually I kept doing it over and over again and I got much more comfortable in my own skin. And that is the only thing you have got that no one else has – your own personality, your own way of doing things. It sounds like a cliche – just be yourself – but you really have to do that.”

  On potential criticism, she added: “I used to read all my tweets, when I had much fewer followers, and I used that for instant feedback, whether it was good or bad, and I found it addictive. I went on it straight away after I had done something and it became a bit like a sounding board for whether or not I had made a mistake. But I once interviewed a football manager who said: ‘You can’t get too high with the highs and you can’t get too low with the lows’ and I now use social media in that way too.

  “You know, let it be. If someone has something bad to say about you, you don’t actually have to let it in. I take time away from it, I don’t read all of it. I find myself typing a response and then I delete it and go: ‘Why get involved in this now?’ It is a bit like seeing a fight or an argument and you don’t need to get involved. You can just walk away and have a great day.”

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  What next?

  Woods will hope to make a swift recovery to our screens. First, the Lionesses face Ghana in a friendly, fresh from a thumping 8-0 win over China in their most recent outing. Another result of that calibre would surely make Woods feel better.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is hopeful of a resolution with PCB and Asian Cricket Concil (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi over the Asia Cup trophy dispute after the “ice has been broken” between the two boards during the recent ICC meeting in Dubai.”I was a part of both the informal and formal meeting of the ICC. PCB chairperson Mohsin Naqvi was also present. During the course of a formal meeting, it was not on agenda but ICC facilitated a meeting between myself and the PCB chief separately in the presence of a senior ICC office-bearer and another senior official,” Saikia told PTI. “It was really good to start the process of negotiation.”Both sides will work out something to solve the issue at the earliest. The ice has been broken now, so various options will be worked out. There will be options from the other side as well and we will also give options on how to settle this issue and come to an amicable solution.”Related

• Rauf gets two-match ban; Suryakumar, Bumrah sanctioned after Asia Cup drama

• India refuse to accept Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

India have not yet received the Asia Cup trophy after beating Pakistan in the final on September 28. There was a standoff at the presentation ceremony with India refusing to accept the trophy from Naqvi, the ACC and PCB chair who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, following the cross-border skirmish between the two countries in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam in April.India and Pakistan played each other three times during the Asia Cup – in the group stage, the Super Fours, and the final – with all the fixtures fraught with tension that began with India’s decision not to shake hands with the Pakistan players in their first meeting on September 14. The matches were ill-tempered with Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan all receiving penalties of varying severity from the ICC for their comments or on-field actions.After the final, the presentation ceremony was delayed by more than 90 minutes while Naqvi remained insistent that he be the person handing over the trophy to India, who did not budge from their stance. Eventually the trophy was taken away from the stage and the team has not received it to date.