Sports News: Cricket Updates: Nehra's Departure, Women's Asia Cup Win, New T20I Captain, Transfer Rumors

With speculation on Yuvraj Singh joining the coaching staff, Ashish Nehra and Vikram Solanki are likely to leave Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2025. Gary Kirsten has already left to take up a full-time role with Pakistan. There might be further coaching changes in the team which won the title in 2022 but struggled last year. While former India head coach Rahul Dravid might make a comeback with the Rajasthan Royals, the IPL franchise owners are likely to have a meeting with the BCCI this month to reach decisions on retentions, the Impact Player rule, and salary purse.

Shafali Verma's 81 off 48 balls powered India to a commanding 82-run victory over Nepal in their final group match of the Women's Asia Cup T20. Alongside Dayalan Hemalatha, who scored 47, India posted a target of 179. For Nepal, though they tried hard, they could only reach a nine-over score of 96. Deepti Sharma returned figures of 3/13, and Radha Yadav, who bowled impressive length, took 2/12, with Arundhati Reddy chipping in with 2/18 as India booked its semifinal spot along with Pakistan.

Suryakumar Yadav is appointed captain of the Indian T20I team for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka, starting July 27. His appointment comes at the back of Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is on the spur of his victorious leadership in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Many have mooted Yadav as the best option, for he has been in fine form and already given glimpses of his leadership potential in T20Is as captain. Now, Ajit Agarkar has cited the ability to play regularly as one reason. Hardik Pandya had batted well in the series and is T20's vice-captain; Suryakumar Yadav was picked over him for captaincy due to his round contributions on the field and availability.

India will play Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series commencing July 27, to be captained by Suryakumar Yadav. As many as nine players from its 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team are part of the 15-member lineup. India has a very good record in T20Is against Sri Lanka, winning 19 out of 29 matches. Key statistics include India's highest total of 260/5, the lowest total of 81/8, and Rohit Sharma's highest individual score of 118 runs. As for the series, Gautam Gambhir made a head coach debut.

KL Rahul will make a comeback to ODI cricket with India's three-match series against Sri Lanka next month, having been missing from T20I squads but remaining an integral part of the ODI set-up. With the tour build-up having progressed, he shared a video of himself sweating it out in net practice at the gym, bashing the leather-cover off the ball. He will again link up with Gautam Gambhir, his Lucknow Super Giants mentor, for whom this will be an initial task. Rahul, however, is expected to play second fiddle to Rishabh Pant, who is making his ODI comeback after a long injury layoff.

According to reports last week, the BCCI believes that the new head coach for the Indian men's cricket team will be Gautam Gambhir, who was appointed after the completion of Rahul Dravid's contract in June 2024. In the end, though, despite the vocal interest expressed by big names for the coach's job, the BCCI settled on one of their own compatriots. While being an excellent player and current head coach of Gujarat Titans, Ashish Nehra failed to apply. And he has said he has small kids and does not want to travel a lot. While Nehra led the side to the 2022 title, the focus for him at least is on the present.

Arsenal remains one of the key deliverances for Viktor Gyokeres, who is offering around £55-60 million despite the release clause from the Portuguese club standing at £86 million. The talks are not over yet. Chelsea eyes stay on him, but the Champions League berth may seal the deal with Arsenal a little more appealing for the Swedish striker. Some of Arsenal's interest comes with Eddie Nketiah's possible transfer to Marseille, along with injury problems to Gabriel Jesus. Meanwhile, the Gunners are close to landing Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiari. And they will pursue hard for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.

Manchester United is eyeing to strengthen their right-back options, with one of the names under contention being Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui. United did agree on a deal for 18-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille, but still the door is open for more defensive recruits. It was said that Bayern Munich would be willing to let him go if their price for him is met. De Ligt Manchester United have watched Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong while scouting Bayern's Matthijs de Ligt, whose price will run above £42 million.