Spurs target Gvardiol better than Bastoni

Tottenham Hotspur are prioritising the addition of a left-sided centre-back this summer and it’s thought that they have two clear choices…

What’s the word?

According to ever-reliable journalist Alasdair Gold of football.london, the north London outfit have made Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni and RB Leipzig gem Josko Gvardiol their two main targets this off-season.

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Both are likely to cost in excess of £51m, though it is the latter who could offer Spurs more, even despite manager Antonio Conte previously working with the Italy international.

In the past, The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke has stated that it could take “as much as £70m or £80m” to prise the Croatian away from the Bundesliga club. Meanwhile, Transfermarkt value him at just £27m, having cost Leipzig around £13.5m plus add-ons.

Better than Bastoni

It’s no surprise that the Spurs boss would be keen on bringing Bastoni over to England, having managed him at the San Siro on their way to the club’s first Serie A title in over a decade in 2021.

He certainly has plenty of attributes which could appeal to Conte, too. However, when comparing them to the former Dinamo Zagreb starlet, there’s evidently only one winner.

The 20-year-old colossus has emerged as one of Europe’s most talented young defenders, enjoying a run in Leipzig’s starting XI this season. Only two other players registered a better seasonal WhoScored rating than him – the free-scoring Christopher Nkunku and his defensive partner Willi Orban.

He has also offered Domenico Tedesco great versatility by also being capable of playing at left-back, being a natural left-footer – the one gap in Spurs’ backline right now.

“Since he was a child, he’s been built like a tank. He can go forward, he can jump, he can tackle – he can do everything you want,” once claimed Germania Sport assistant editor Izak Ante Sucic, who also compared him to a current Premier League monster.

“In Croatia, we like to compare him to Virgil van Dijk, because he’s built that way (6ft 1in). He’s one of his role models in football and he’s also mentioned Thiago Silva and Sergio Ramos.”

Over the course of their respective careers to date, Gvardiol outranks Bastoni in pretty much every metric that Conte should be looking for in a central defender in his system.

As per FBRef, the young colossus is performing greater defensively, averaging more interceptions (3.30 vs 1.07) and tackles (2.01 vs 1.68) per 90, whilst his passing ability is unrivalled, too.

The 6 foot 1 star makes nearly two more progressive passes per 90 than the Inter man, meaning he’s successfully playing the ball forward more, whilst an xG&A of 0.16, compared to Bastoni’s 0.09 suggests that he can be a bigger threat from set-pieces and when attacking the opposition.

That’s also backed up by the fact that Gvardiol also outranks him for aerial duels won per 90 (2.65 vs 1.97). You have to consider just how defensive the Italian top-flight game is as well, making the Leipzig talent’s numbers all that more impressive when comparing the two.

All in all, it could be very worthwhile for sporting director Fabio Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy to pay up for Gvardiol over the £51m-rated Bastoni, on the above evidence alone.

His form and potential at just 20 years of age is surely too enticing to ignore. He must be the no.1 option between the two main targets.

AND in other news, Conte could land his next Perisic as Spurs now plot bid for “unstoppable” £17m “beast”…

Everton: Dean Jones drops Armando Broja claim

Everton boss Frank Lampard could ‘use his contacts’ to send a ‘big message’ and bring Armando Broja to Goodison Park.

The Lowdown: Interest in Broja

According to a report by GOAL, Premier League sides West Ham and Newcastle, along with Serie A clubs AC Milan, Inter Milan and Napoli, are all in the race to secure the Albania international’s signature.

The 20-year-old made 32 top-flight appearances whilst on loan at Southampton this season, and Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl made it clear that he wanted to keep hold of the talented striker.

However, a recent farewell message on Instagram suggests that Broja will not be heading back to St Mary’s next season.

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The Latest: ‘Big message’

Whilst there has been other Premier League interest in Broja, transfer insider Dean Jones thinks Everton should be the club to go all out for the youngster, believing Lampard could send a ‘big message’.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, he claimed:

“I’m not sure West Ham have got the interest that they had at one point, so I don’t think there’s the competition level there for Broja anymore.

“Lampard obviously can use his contacts to get into Broja early, speak to him himself, and just try and convince him that Everton is a club that’s going to be in transition but in a good way. That’s going to be the big message that they send out.”

The Verdict: Strong signing

With the ongoing financial fair play situation at Goodison, Lampard may be forced into selling one of Richarlison or Dominic Calvert-Lewin (via 90min).

If the England international were to go, Broja could be a strong replacement due to his similar profile. Coming in at 6 foot 3, the Albanian ranks in the 86th percentile for aerials won when compared with positional peers across Europe (via FB Ref).

Therefore, if Lampard can use his contacts at Chelsea to get a deal over the line, the man dubbed ‘athletic and powerful’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig could be a very good signing for Everton.

In other news: Everton: Oleksandr Zinchenko touted for Toffees move

Gibbs-White tipped to shine for Wolves

Morgan Gibbs-White can become a key player for Wolves next season after returning from his loan spell, according to journalist Ryan Taylor.

The Lowdown: Gibbs-White excels away from Wolves

The 22-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements by Bruno Lage last summer, with the manager struggling to promise him regular starts at Molineux. Instead, Gibbs-White joined Sheffield United on loan for the 2021/22 campaign, as he aimed to continue his progress and enjoy regular first-team action elsewhere.

The midfielder did exactly that, scoring 12 times and registering 10 assists in 37 Championship appearances as the Blades reached the play-offs, and he will now return to Wolves this summer riding the crest of a wave.

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The Latest: Gibbs-White backed for big season

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Taylor claimed that Gibbs-White could now become a fixture in Wolves’ team from the start of the 2022/23 season and backed him to quickly move on from the disappointment of penalty shoot-out heartache for Sheffield United in the Championship play-offs.

The Daily Express journalist said:

“Morgan Gibbs-White could be a player that sort of really kick-starts his career next season. He’s had an unbelievable loan spell with Sheffield United.

“He missed a penalty in the shoot-out, but Conor Coady’s already said what a player he’s going to become.”

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The Verdict: Will he stay?

While there is great hope that Gibbs-White could become a star at Molineux – he has been described as ‘brilliant’ by ex-Blades team-mate Billy Sharp – there is also no guarantee that he will stay put at Wolves.

The youngster has been linked with a move to newly-crowned Serie A champions AC Milan, further highlighting what a gifted player he is, so he may be weighing up his options.

However, one can certainly hope that Gibbs-White will realise that Lage may now see him as a big part of his plans in the Black Country, so that he ends up committing his future to Wolves, helping to fill the midfield void which could be left by the likely departure of Ruben Neves.

In other news, Bruno Lage has been backed to bring one player to Wolves. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle handed Chris Wood boost

A huge Newcastle United injury lift has emerged regarding centre-forward Chris Wood…

What’s the latest?

The New Zealand international was not in the matchday squad for the 2-0 win against Arsenal on Monday night, but Eddie Howe has now hinted that he could be back at the weekend.

An own goal from Ben White and a strike from Bruno Guimaraes sealed the three points for the Magpies as Callum Wilson led the line in place of Wood on the night.

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh tweeted after the game: “Javier Manquillo missed NUFC’s 2-0 victory over AFC tonight with chicken pox, while Chris Wood was absent with a hip injury which Eddie Howe “hopes isn’t too serious”. Wood has a chance of being back for Burnley, his former club, on Sunday.”

Howe will be delighted

The Toon boss will be delighted that the striker’s blow is not a serious one, as it suggests that Wood will be back for the final game of the season on Sunday.

Newcastle are two points off the top half of the table heading into their clash against Burnley, and they have a realistic chance of finishing in the top 10 if they are able to beat the Clarets – potentially consigning them to relegation from the Premier League in the process.

This means that there is still a lot riding on this game for both teams, although the Magpies have already secured their place in the top flight for another year. Therefore, it may be a tense, cagey encounter at Turf Moor as Mike Jackson’s side scrap for their lives to avoid the drop.

With this in mind, having a player with Wood’s physical prowess available will be a big boost to Howe’s team. In the Premier League this season, the striker has won a whopping 6.2 aerial battles per game, which highlights his strength in the air.

The 30-year-old will be a useful option for Howe to call upon as he can win headers to create counterattacks and alleviate pressure from the defence. Burnley may start the game quickly and attempt to load the box with crosses in what could be a must-win clash for them, and this would mean that the Newcastle defenders will need a target to hit when they clear the ball. That is what Wood can be.

Therefore, the Magpies boss will be buzzing by the prospect of having the attacker available and may utilise his strengths against the club that he left to come to St James’ Park in January.

AND in other news, Forget Guimaraes: £59k-p/w NUFC dynamo who won 100% duels was a monster on Monday…

Big news on Postecoglou’s Celtic future

Celtic want to tie Ange Postecoglou down to a new contract after clinching the Scottish Premiership, The Daily Record’s Fraser Wilson reported late on Thursday night. 

The lowdown

The Hoops’ 1-1 draw with Dundee United on Wednesday night was enough to seal glory with a game to spare.

They’ve regained the title after Steven Gerrard’s Rangers halted their nine-year streak in 2020/21.

Postecoglou, who took up his post as Neil Lennon’s permanent successor last summer after leaving Yokohama F Marinos, has steered his side to 28 victories, six draws and just three defeats from 37 league matches.

In addition, he delivered the Scottish League Cup after a 2-1 victory over Hibernian in the December final.

The Australian had signed a one-year rolling contract on his arrival at Parkhead.

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The latest

Wilson revealed late Thursday evening that Celtic are ‘set to hold contract talks’ with Postecoglou and his representatives ‘in the coming weeks’.

The board have been ‘delighted’ with how this season has gone, both on and off the pitch, and want to reward the manager in recognition of his ‘central’ role.

He’ll be offered an improved salary and a longer-term commitment.

The verdict

Postecoglou has only added to his impressive CV in 21/22. He’s now won nine trophies a manager across three different countries – Australia, Japan and Scotland.

There have been rave reviews, with FOX Sports Australia likening him to Tom Cruise after he accomplished ‘Mission Impossible’, while The Japan Times labelled him a ‘distinguished’ coach (via The Scottish Daily Express).

Perhaps the main task next year will be to do better in Europe.

Celtic could only finish third in their Europa League group and suffered a heavy 5-1 aggregate defeat to Bodo/Glimt in their Conference League quest.

The return of Champions League football is exciting, but it will bring with it even greater challenges.

In other news, this BBC man predicts an imminent Celtic incoming.  

Stats – Contrasting records for Stoinis and Finch

An evening to forget for Hasaranga too

Sampath Bandarupalli25-Oct-202217 balls Marcus Stoinis needed for his fifty against Sri Lanka, the fastest for Australia in men’s T20Is. The previous quickest was off 18 balls, jointly shared by David Warner (vs WI in 2010) and Glenn Maxwell (vs PAK in 2014 and vs SL in 2016). Stoinis’ fifty is also the second fastest in men’s T20Is against Sri Lanka, behind Colin Munro’s fifty off 14 balls in 2016.1 Number of fifties in the men’s T20 World Cup, faster than the Stoinis’ 17-ball effort. Yuvraj Singh’s fifty against England in the 2007 edition came in only 12 balls, which is the fastest in T20Is. Dutch batter Stephen Myburgh also has a 17-ball fifty in T20 World Cups, which he scored against Ireland in 2014.ESPNcricinfo Ltd73.8 Aaron Finch’s strike rate during his unbeaten 31 off 42 balls. It is the slowest innings by any batter in the men’s T20 World Cup for a minimum of 30 runs. The previous slowest was by Paul Stirling, whose 30* against Netherlands in 2021 had a strike-rate of 76.92.254 Difference in the strike rates between Stoinis and Finch, the highest between two batters to have faced 15-plus in a T20I innings. The previous highest was 246.3, between the Serbian opening pair of Wintley Burton and Robin Vitas against Bulgaria in June this year.ESPNcricinfo Ltd17.66 Wanindu Hasaranga’s economy rate for his three overs, where he conceded 53 runs. It is the second-worst economy rate in an innings at the men’s T20 World Cup for a minimum of three overs bowled. Izatullah Dawlatzai had an economy of 18.66 against England in 2012, where he conceded 56 runs in three overs. Hasaranga’s economy is also the second-worst for a Sri Lanka bowler in a men’s T20I.Related

Aaron Finch acing verbal volleys but needs his bat to do the talking

As it happened – Australia vs Sri Lanka in Perth

Stoinis' 18-ball 59* gives Australia NRR-lifting win over Sri Lanka

2.5 Overs in which Hasaranga conceded fifty runs with the ball against Australia. Only one bowler from a full-member nation conceded 50 runs in fewer overs in a men’s T20I – 2.3 overs by Hamish Bennett against West Indies in 2020 (where ball-by-ball data is available). This game was also the first instance of Hasaranga conceding 50-plus runs in a T20.

71.5 Percentage of target runs scored by Australia in the middle overs (7-16). It is the third-highest percentage of a 150-plus target in men’s T20Is achieved during the middle overs. Nepal scored 77% of their 152-run target against Singapore in 2019 between 7th and 16th overs, while P.N.G accounted for 72.7% of their 161-run chase in that phase against Uganda in 2022.

Mason Greenwood 'believes he can play for England again' despite FA & Thomas Tuchel blacklisting Marseille star from selection

Former Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood still believes that he can play for the England national team, even though he has been blacklisted by the FA and head coach Thomas Tuchel from selection. Greenwood's last – and only – appearance for the Three Lions came in 2020 in a Nations League clash against Iceland. After that, he was charged with serious criminal allegations, which marked the end of his journey with Three Lions.

Forward's revival in France with OM

After being banished from the United squad in 2023, despite criminal allegations against him being dropped, Greenwood briefly played in Spain for Getafe on loan before securing a permanent transfer to Marseille in 2024. It was in France that the winger finally got a chance to revive his professional career.

Greenwood enjoyed a fine debut campaign in Ligue 1 as he scored 21 league goals in 34 matches as Marseille finished second behind European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

This season, he has picked up where he left off, as the 24-year-old has already scored eight Ligue 1 goals in 11 appearances and provided three assists.

AdvertisementGettyGreenwood still dreams of playing for England again

According to the , after reviving his form in France, Greenwood now dreams of making a comeback for the Three Lions someday. This, even though he has been blacklisted by the FA and Tuchel. With only months left before the 2026 World Cup, Greenwood's comeback into the national team is even more improbable. Yet, the ex-United youth player 'believes he can play for England again'.

Greenwood has secured Jamaica's citizenship through his lineage and was eligible to represent their national team. He was even called up by the Jamaica boss and former England manager Steve McClaren in September for their World Cup qualifiers but he could not reach out to the Marseille star. 

Will Greenwood play for Jamaica?

Despite Greenwood's Jamaica and McClaren remains hopeful that he would agree to make his debut for the nation soon. Explaining his absence from the squad in September, the head coach had said: "We acquired a passport and we expected him to be coming to this camp but on a conversation with his family, he's not going to commit at this time to anybody. So he's taking his time over that. It's a little bit disappointing, we probably have to be more patient. We will keep the contact. We will keep pursuing him because I know from my conversations with Mason that he loves Jamaica, he respects Jamaica. He wants to concentrate on club football and not commit to an international team at the moment. We have to respect that, however much we've worked to get him here for these camps. So, who knows in the future?"

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AFPCould Greenwood return to the Premier League?

Greenwood has not just been blacklisted from the national team but it is also extremely unlikely that he could return to the Premier League any time soon due to the extreme public scrutiny an English top-flight club would face.

According to , Tottenham and West Ham have shown interest in signing Greenwood in 2026, exploring a possible return to the Premier League for the one-cap England international. While Spurs seek a dynamic, energetic player, West Ham see him as a potential game-changer and are desperate for new additions while languishing in the relegation places after a shocking start to the season, which has seen them change managers. 

The report, though, further claimed that Atletico Madrid were impressed with Greenwood during the loan spell at Getafe and are keen to bring him back to La Liga. Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League clubs like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are said to be preparing lucrative offers, though Greenwood's current preference is to stay in Europe and compete in the Champions League.

Rohl already gets January promise from Rangers board as Cavenagh eyes two moves

Following the appointment of Danny Rohl, Rangers chief Andrew Cavenagh has already set his sights on some much-needed January upgrades at Ibrox.

Cavenagh admits early Rangers mistakes

It would be a major understatement to say that the 49ers’ haven’t had the best start at Rangers. The new owners have faced fan protest and are already on their second manager after deciding to sack Russell Martin just 123 days into his tenure. But they will hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel for their problems now that Rohl has arrived.

The 49ers have also faced up to their mistakes, with Cavenagh admitting publicly that things have not gone as they “envisioned” and that it is key to own their mistakes.

The Rangers chairman said: “When we came here, we said we wanted to do two things, sustain winning and winning sustainably.

“It has not gone as we envisioned, we knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we are incredibly committed to getting back to what everybody wants, which is winning football matches. When we get things wrong, the key is to recognise that, own it and improve and we are incredibly committed to that.

“It didn’t work out with Russell, I think he is a good person, he worked tirelessly in the role, he desperately wanted to win, and I wish him nothing but the best but, in the end, it didn’t work out. We recognised that and that is a big part of the reason that we have changed.”

Rangers claim they have a 6 foot 4 youngster at Ibrox who's the next Calvert-Lewin

They’ve had their say…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 22, 2025

There may be more change on the way yet, with the chairman already setting his sights on two moves in the January transfer window.

Rohl already has Rangers transfer promise

Speaking to Sky Sports, Cavenagh set his sights on two Rangers moves this January amid an early promise to Rohl about reinforcements. The club chairman admitted that he still wants to add more experience and steel to the new manager’s side when the winter window swings open.

Despite already spending big to hand Martin plenty of changes, it looks as though the 49ers are ready to bite the bullet and return to the transfer market to make up for previous mistakes for Rohl this winter.

Ademola Lookman and Ivan Juric in explosive touchline confrontation but Atalanta coach downplays incident after Marseille win

Ademola Lookman and Ivan Juric were involved in a heated touchline confrontation during Atalanta’s tense 1-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League. The Nigerian forward reacted angrily to being substituted, prompting an exchange that required staff intervention. Juric later downplayed the incident, insisting the pair were caught up in the “heat of the moment”.

Lookman’s substitution sparks tense touchline clash

Atalanta’s 1–0 victory over Marseille was overshadowed by a fiery confrontation between Lookman and head coach Juric. The flashpoint arrived in the 75th minute when Lookman was withdrawn for Yunus Musah. The Nigerian forward, visibly frustrated, muttered toward the bench and then turned directly to Juric as he made his way off the pitch. Juric reacted instantly, stepping toward the player and briefly grabbing his arm, sparking a tense exchange that required backroom staff to intervene before the situation escalated further.

Lookman had earlier seen a potential opening goal ruled out for offside after VAR intervention, adding to the striker’s frustration. Atalanta also missed a first-half penalty through Charles De Ketelaere, meaning the pressure remained high throughout the match. Lazar Samardzic’s late strike eventually secured all three points, but the touchline confrontation became the main talking point of the evening.

The incident highlighted the emotional intensity surrounding Atalanta, who entered the match needing a morale-boosting performance amid patchy domestic form. Lookman’s reaction, while dramatic, also reflected his personal frustration during a season that has yet to fully settle for him.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Heat of the moment' – Juric plays down incident

Speaking to after the final whistle, Juric dismissed suggestions of a deeper conflict with Lookman, insisting that such episodes are normal in high-pressure environments. "We've all experienced these situations. They happen. It can get a bit exaggerated in the heat of the moment, but what matters is Atalanta, the team, and the fans," he said. "We have to behave well and give our all. For me, anything goes. The important thing is to win against Sassuolo.

“These are things we discuss more or less every Sunday. The players don’t want to come off and don’t accept substitutions. These are somewhat uncoordinated reactions.”

Winger Raoul Bellanova echoed the manager’s sentiments, telling reporters that the situation had already been resolved behind closed doors. “Everything was resolved in the dressing room. We’re a family, we’re like brothers,” he said, reinforcing the club’s desire to avoid unnecessary tension or speculation.

Tension remains after Lookman transfer debacle

This emotional flashpoint arrives during a difficult spell in Lookman’s season, as the Nigerian international has struggled to consistently find scoring rhythm, registering just one goal so far. His summer desire to explore a move to Inter created uncertainty around his status in Bergamo, and although he remained with Atalanta, the ongoing adjustment to Juric’s tactical demands has not been seamless.

Yet Lookman remains a crucial figure in Atalanta's attacking structure, and with his pace, ability to isolate defenders, and direct threat in transition are qualities few in the squad replicate. Against Marseille, his movement helped stretch the French side’s defensive line even if his final contribution was ultimately cut short.

The incident also highlights the competitive edge Atalanta have been trying to restore. After weeks of inconsistent results and questions about identity under Juric, the emotional charge suggests players are fully engaged, though fine emotional balance will be key moving forward.

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AFPFocus shifts to crucial Sassuolo clash

Atalanta now turn their attention back to Serie A, where they have struggled to convert performances into results. Their upcoming match against Sassuolo represents a vital moment in their effort to climb the table and stabilise form. Juric emphasised the importance of carrying momentum from the Marseille win, noting: “We needed an emotional victory. We’re happy. Now we’re back in the league where we’re lagging behind. We’ll try to climb back up.”

Sassuolo have shown resilience in recent weeks and possess enough attacking strength to challenge Atalanta’s defensive discipline. With Lookman expected to remain in contention for the starting XI, how he responds to this flashpoint will be closely watched. A positive reaction could help rewrite the narrative quickly, while a lingering rift could create complications in an already delicate phase of the season.

Abhishek Nayar appointed UP Warriorz head coach

He will take over the position from Jon Lewis at a franchise that has struggled since reaching the playoffs in WPL’s inaugural season

Nagraj Gollapudi and Ashish Pant25-Jul-2025UP Warriorz (UPW) have appointed former India allrounder Abhishek Nayar as their head coach for the next edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Nayar’s appointment comes after the franchise parted ways with Jon Lewis, who had been at the helm for the last three seasons.Nayar comes to the set-up with an extensive coaching background. A Mumbai stalwart in first-class cricket, Nayar also played three ODIs for India before his retirement in 2019. Since then, he has transitioned into coaching. He was the lead coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders academy in 2018 and then joined the KKR support staff as assistant coach. Nayar also served as the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) head coach in CPL 2022.While Nayar has never coached a women’s team, he oversaw a week-long off-season camp with UPW in August 2023 in Bengaluru. He has also worked on a one-on-one basis with several international and uncapped Indian players over the years.”I really enjoyed my time working with the UP Warriorz before and I’m thrilled to take on this new role,” Nayar said. “WPL is a fantastic platform for women’s cricket and I’m looking forward to working closely with the management to build a strong team for Season 4. UP Warriorz already have a strong foundation in place, and I believe we can build something truly special. There is incredible potential and I will give it my all to help win their first-ever title this season.”During his stint at KKR, Nayar built a rapport with mentor Gautam Gambhir, and their partnership helped the franchise lift their IPL third title in 2024. When Gambhir was appointed the head coach of the Indian side the same year, Nayar joined it as assistant coach, but his contract was terminated less than a year into the job. He subsequently returned as KKR’s assistant coach for IPL 2025, having been a part of their backroom staff from 2018 to 2024.Related

UP Warriorz and coach Jon Lewis part ways

“Bringing Abhishek Nayar on board as head coach feels like a natural and exciting step forward for UP Warriorz,” Kshemal Waingankar, COO and director of cricket UPW, told ESPNcricinfo. “When someone of Abhishek’s calibre became available, it was a no-brainer. Few in Indian cricket bring the same depth of experience when it comes to shaping players and shaping winning cultures.”In just the past 18 months alone, Abhishek has been part of three championship-winning campaigns, each in a different role, each leaving a lasting impact. We are thrilled to have him lead a Warriorz side that’s united, fearless and hungry to grow. With Abhishek at the helm, we believe this group can do something truly special.”Nayar played a crucial part in unlocking Dinesh Karthik’s potential as a finisher in T20 cricket. At various times, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi have also credited Nayar for their batting resurgence.More recently, KL Rahul also thanked Nayar: “I’ve worked really hard on my white-ball game the last year or so. Big shoutout to Abhishek Nayar. I’ve worked a lot with him ever since he’s come into the Indian team.”UPW haven’t had the best of times at the WPL so far. They made it to the playoffs in the inaugural season in 2023, where they lost to eventual champions Mumbai Indians in the eliminator. Since then, they have finished second to bottom and bottom of the five-team points table, in 2024 and 2025 respectively.UPW have played 25 matches in the WPL across seasons, of which they have lost 15 games and won ten. Deepti Sharma was named their captain for WPL 2025, after Alyssa Healy was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

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