وكيل ناجلسمان يؤكد محادثاته مع الأندية: الأمر لا يقتصر على بايرن ميونخ فقط

أكد فولكر ستروث، وكيل يوليان ناجيلسمان أن مدرب ألمانيا أجرى محادثات بشأن العودة إلى بايرن ميونخ، وأن النادي الألماني ليس الوحيد الذي تحدث إليه.

وتمت إقالة ناجلسمان سابقًا من تدريب بايرن ميونخ وتولى تدريب منتخب ألمانيا خلفًا لهانز فليك، وعلى الرغم من ذلك، جدد النادي الألماني محادثاته لاستعادة المدرب ليحل محل توماس توخيل الذي يغادر نهاية الموسم الجاري.

ناجلسمان ارتبط أيضًا بتدريب ليفربول ليحل محل يورجن كلوب، وبرشلونة خلفًا لتشافي، ومانشستر يونايتد مع إمكانية إقالة إريك تين هاج.

وفي تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” البريطانية، قال فولكر ستروث: “الجميع يسألونني.. هل سيعود ناجيلسمان إلى بايرن ميونخ أم ماذا يفعل؟”.

اقرأ أيضًا | “لهذا السبب رحلنا”.. هاري كين يعلق على مواجهة بيلينجهام المرتقبة في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وأضاف: “سوف يقرر قريبًا، في الخمسة أو الستة أو السبعة أيام القادمة، سيكون محض هراء القول بإننا لا نتحدث مع الأطراف المعنية”.

وتابع: “دون أن أقول من هي الأطراف المهتمة، لا أستطيع إلا أن أقول إننا لا نتحدث فقط إلى بايرن ميونخ، هذا أمر عادي”.

وأتم: “هذه وظيفتي وسيكون من المزاح في وسائل الإعلام القول بإننا لا نجري محادثات، بالطبع نحن نتحدث الآن”.

وتولى ناجلسمان تدريب بايرن ميونخ قادمًا من لايبزيج في عام 2021، ولكن تمت إقالته في مارس 2023 وحل محله توخيل، وعقب ذلك تولى ناجلسمان تدريب منتخب ألمانيا.

Newcastle Could Land £22m Livramento Alternative

Newcastle United are preparing to extend upon their impressive progression seen at St James' Park over the last 12 months and Eddie Howe will be working hard to develop the best approach to their European challenge.

After finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, the Magpies have qualified for the Champions League for the first time in over two decades and the former Bournemouth boss will be hoping he can not only maintain their high standards set domestically, but compete comfortably on the European stage too.

Newcastle have already completed the signing of former AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali and ex-Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes, but Financial Fair Play restrictions mean they have had to part ways with Allan Saint-Maximin to bolster transfer funds to continue their pursuit to bolster key areas of the squad.

What's the latest on Tino Livramento?

The Tynesiders have been in a back-and-forth with Southampton to sign their young full-back Valentino Livramento this summer, however, they had their second bid rejected less than a week ago.

Saints value their player at £50m this summer, as they battle with Premier League sides to keep hold of their prized assets after being relegated to the Championship at the end of last season.

talkSPORT reported last week that Newcastle had offered £30m in their second attempt to secure Livramento's signature, but have failed to meet the demands set with Southampton unwilling to budge on their valuation.

As a result, Newcastle could now look to another target to fulfil their desire to snap up the services of another full-back this summer, with Galatasaray's Sacha Boey named as a potential alternative, according to Turkish news outlet Aksam.

It is further claimed that despite not wanting to sell their young talent, the Super Lig champions would part ways with their player for €25m (£22m) – less than half of the price tag Southampton have tied to Livramento.

Who is Sacha Boey?

The 22-year-old – hailed "tireless" by Turkish writer Çetin Cem Yılmaz – rose through the ranks of the Stade Rennais academy before making a permanent move to Galatasaray in 2021 and has also been a consistent feature in the France U21s so far.

Since making his move to the Turkish top-flight, Boey has been linked to Premier League clubs with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all previously credited with interest in the full-back over the last six months due to his outstanding performances.

sacha-boey-premier-league-transfers-newcastle

Over 31 Super Lig appearances last season, the Galatasaray dynamo scored one goal, registered four assists and created eight big chances, as well as averaging 1.1 successful dribbles to outline his attacking attributes.

In making 2.1 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and winning a whopping 6.9 duels per game, it proves that he is also defensively solid.

Not only that, Boey was the fifth-highest ranking player in his squad last season with a SofaScore rating of 7.14, which only further demonstrates his impact and the revelation he has become over his short time in Turkey.

Whilst Livramento is a homegrown prospect, his recent return from a long-term ACL injury is cause for concern ahead of next season, with no clarity on whether he will be fit enough to play even in rotation, let alone first-team football, whereas Boey has a relatively clean recent injury history with just two games missed since December 2021.

With that being said, Boey could be a great alternative for Livramento if the club cannot meet Southampton's valuation this summer and would provide Howe with an all-action full-back who would be a worthy successor to Kieran Trippier in the future.

Dhoni, Yuvraj under spotlight in ODI selection

Virat Kohli played down questions over his availability for the ODI series, and stressed that he had plans and combinations that he wanted to discuss with the selectors

Sidharth Monga in Pallekele11-Aug-2017

Kuldeep Yadav impressed Virat Kohli in the West Indies and it appears the side have acknowledged the need for a genuine wristspinner in ODIs•AFP

At some point during India’s last Test of this series, the selectors are likely to meet to announce the squad for the Sri Lanka ODIs. There has been talk that a few of the big stars might rest given India sent pretty much a full-strength squad to the West Indies, too. However, Virat Kohli is showing no signs he wants to rest.The Contenders

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma;

Openers-cum-middle-order batsmen: KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane;

No. 3: Virat Kohli;

Middle order: MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, outside chance for Suresh Raina and Shreyas Iyer;

Allrounder: Hardik Pandya;

Spinners: R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, outside chance for Axar Patel and Krunal Pandya;

Fast bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, outside chance for Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur

“My participation? Who said I am not playing?” a bemused Kohli responded, when asked about his participation in the ODIs. “I don’t know where this came from… if you don’t want me to play, then tell me… I have no problems in playing.”The chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad, has been travelling with the team during the Tests. He will hand over the touring selector’s duties to one of his colleagues after the Tests. The BCCI secretary, Amitabh Chaudhary, too, is expected to be in Sri Lanka for an Asian Cricket Council meeting. So the convenor of the selection meeting and two selectors are likely to be in attendance in Sri Lanka with the third perhaps joining in through teleconferencing from India.Kohli said he already had plans in mind for the ODIs. “We are going to sit down on selection soon and we certainly have plans in mind and combinations that we want to speak about,” Kohli said. “So as captain I am definitely in the thick of things and know what to speak to the committee about.”The big question in the ODI selection continues to be the future of the two veterans, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, now that KL Rahul is fit and playing Tests in Sri Lanka and Manish Pandey has returned to competitive cricket in style in the triangular A-team series in South Africa. If both the veterans continue to hold their places, youngster Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik might have to make way for Rahul and Pandey. Another way to accommodate Rahul will be to leave out Ajinya Rahane, who plays the similar dual role of opening and middle-order back-up.Suresh Raina has also been at the NCA, proving his fitness. If the selectors look to give both veterans and youngsters a run, one or two of the established stars might have to rest. Kohli injured his shoulder during the long home season of 13 Tests, and came back midway during the IPL only to continue playing practically non-stop since then. There is a long home season and a South Africa tour lined up soon after India go back from Sri Lanka.The ODI selection will also reveal a lot about how Kohli and the selectors foresee the role of spinners in the side. Kuldeep Yadav impressed the India captain a lot in the West Indies, which shows India have woken up to the need of a genuine wristspinner given the flat pitches in ODIs. Kohli was glowing in praise for Kuldeep, who appears set for his second Test in Pallekele.”A guy like Kuldeep, when you hand him the ball he is willing to bowl in any situation, willing to bowl with attacking fields, willing to throw the ball up towards the batsmen, he believes in his own ability and believes in deceiving the batsmen with the skill that he has so,” Kohli said. “I think that’s his biggest quality. A chinaman bowler is always something, which is an x-factor in a team. I would say his confidence is his USP.”Where does that leave the two spinners ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in Tests? Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, like many other fingerspinners, have had mixed fortunes in limited-overs cricket for a while. It is a tricky situation India find themselves in. Ashwin was left out of the XI in the West Indies just when he looked like he was getting into some kind of rhythm. Jadeja replaced him. If Kuldeep keeps doing well and if India retain the combination of only two spinners in the 15, which they took to the Champions Trophy in England, at some point they might have to choose between Ashwin and Jadeja.India find themselves with many choices but are yet some way off the ideal combination in ODIs. Take a look at the sidebar. Even if those with an outside chance are to be left out, there are 19 fit players out of which four have to be eliminated. It will be three batsmen and one spinner in all likelihood. Not just the selections now on, the communication with those left out will be just as crucial.

كلوب قبل مباراة ليفربول وإيفرتون: لن أفتقد ديربي ميرسيسايد

أكد يورجن كلوب، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، أنه لن يفتقد مباريات ديربي ميرسيسايد أمام إيفرتون، بعد رحيله الوشيك عن الريدز.

كان كلوب قد أعلن، في شهر يناير الماضي، أنه سيغادر صفوف ليفربول بمجرد انتهاء الموسم الحالي.

ويخوض ليفربول مباراة اليوم ضد إيفرتون، على ملعب “جوديسون بارك”، وهو لقاء مؤجل من الجولة التاسعة والعشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي.

ويُعد ذلك الديربي هو الأخير بالنسبة لـ كلوب كمدرب لـ ليفربول، ولكنه أكد أنه لن يفتقده.

وقال كلوب في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “تليجراف” الإنجليزية: “في الديربي هناك مجرد ضغط، الضغط أعلى، فلماذا تكون الفرحة أكبر؟ لقد فزت، هذا عظيم، ولكن لماذا يجب أن أفتقد الضغط المحيط به؟”.

وأضاف: “عندما تلعب حقًا من أجل شيء ما، فهذا هو الضغط، ولكن عندما لا يكون كلاكما في لحظة رائعة، فهذه هي المباراة الوحيدة التي يجب عليك الفوز بها بالتأكيد، لماذا أفتقد هذا النوع من الضغط؟ إنه ليس أمرًا ممتعًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. “ذا صن” لـ ليفربول: قولوا وداعًا لـ محمد صلاح في الصيف.. علامات الشيخوخة ظهرت

وواصل: “لا يمكن لأي شخص آخر سوى مشاهدته والتفكير في (يا إلهي، إنه يبدو مثيرًا)، لكن على شخص ما أن يتخذ القرارات، على شخص ما أن يفعل هذا”.

وأردف: “يزورني الكثير من الأشخاص أثناء المباريات ويقولون لن نرى ذلك بعد الآن أو ذلك بعد الآن، أريد فقط أن أخبرهم أنني أعمل طوال الوقت بينما تأتي أنت إلى هنا وتشاهد المباريات، أنا أمارسها باستمرار، حتى عندما تنتهي المباراة، لا أستطيع إيقافها، ليس من الرائع أن تكون في هذا الموقف طوال الوقت”.

وأكد: “ربما يستمتع الآخرون بذلك أكثر مني، لكن هذا شيء لن أفتقده بالتأكيد”.

 

موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة الهلال والاتحاد اليوم في كأس خادم الحرمين الشريفين.. والمعلق

يخوض فريق الهلال السعودي مباراة قوية اليوم أمام اتحاد جدة في المواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس خادم الحرمين الشريفين.

ويلتقي الهلال مع الاتحاد، على أرضية استاد الجوهرة المشعة، في خضم مواجهات نصف نهائي البطولة السعودية.

ووصل فريق الاتحاد إلى دور نصف النهائي بعد الفوز على الفيصلي برباعية دون رد، فيما تأهل الهلال عقب الفوز بثلاثية نظيفة في شباك التعاون.

وكان الهلال قد حقق لقب آخر نسخة من المسابقة بالفوز على الوحدة بركلات الترجيح في النهائي الذي أقيم في مايو الماضي. موعد مباراة الهلال والاتحاد اليوم في كأس خادم الحرمين الشريفين

وتنطلق المباراة اليوم الثلاثاء 30 أبريل الجاري في تمام الساعة التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الهلال والاتحاد اليوم في كأس خادم الحرمين الشريفين

من المقرر أن تنقل المباراة بين الهلال واتحاد جدة عبر قناة SSC HD1. معلق مباراة الهلال والاتحاد في كأس خادم الحرمين الشريفين

ويتولى الثنائي فارس عوض ومحمد حسين مهمة التعليق على أحداث المباراة بين الهلال والاتحاد.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا

Leeds United: First-Team Defender Set To Seal Elland Road Exit

Experienced defender Liam Cooper is set to leave Leeds United this summer, according to a journalist in the Middle East. The 31-year-old has been at Elland Road since 2014, but looks set to finally bid farewell to the Yorkshire club.

Where is Liam Cooper going?

Cooper is set to end his nine-year stay at Leeds this summer, with an agreement reached on personal terms with Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadisiyah, according to journalist Abu Faisal, via MOT Leeds News.

The defender is set to leave after an impressive nine years, which featured a promotion back to the Premier League in the 2019/20 season, before the Yorkshire club ultimately suffered relegation back down to the Championship at the end of the previous campaign.

Now back in England's second tier, it looks as though Leeds will have to earn promotion at the first time of asking without the experience of Cooper in their side.

The veteran defender has agreed to join Al-Qadisiyah after the club finished 11th in the Saudi First Division – Saudi Arabia's second tier – last season, and has the job of taking them far closer to promotion.

Cooper will, of course, join up with Premier League legend Robbie Fowler if he completes the move this summer. The former Leeds and Liverpool forward has taken up the managerial role at the club.

How can Leeds replace Liam Cooper?

Leeds United defender Liam Cooper.

Replacing Cooper's experience won't be easy, but when it comes to the work done on the pitch, the defender only made 18 league appearances for the Yorkshire club last season, so his impact in the side could certainly be replicated by others.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Karl Robinson believed that Cooper looked ready and willing to take Leeds back to the Premier League recently, telling TalkSport, via Leeds Live: “I tell you what, you’ve got Luke Ayling, you’ve got Liam Cooper, you’ve got Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford, just really good lads who have obviously been promoted with them, felt the pain of the relegation.

“At the end of the game against Tottenham, Liam Cooper’s stood up and everyone was down and a little bit struggling with what’s just happened and he actually said a few words.

“And I thought to myself, do you know what, there’s a proper man, someone who literally said, ‘If you don’t want to be here next year, don’t come back.’

“I sort of looked at him and you could see there was a steeliness in his eyes that he was so determined to drag Leeds United back to the Premier League.”

Perhaps summing up the Scotland international's leadership qualities more than anything, Robinson's quotes make it clear that Leeds will miss Cooper's presence in the dressing room.

On the pitch, it could come down to young players to step up and make their mark, particularly Charlie Cresswell.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan in the Championship at Millwall, so already carries plenty of experience in England's second division. After missing out on a play-off place with the London club on the final day of last season, too, Cresswell will be keen to make up for that failure by securing promotion at Elland Road in the coming campaign.

Pakistan players' BPL, Global T20 participation in doubt

A clash between the dates of the Pakistan National T20 Cup with the BPL and South Africa’s Global T20 means the participation of Pakistan’s players in overseas leagues is in doubt

Danyal Rasool and Umar Farooq06-Sep-2017

Fakhar Zaman is one of a number of players who could miss the Global T20 due to the National T20 Cup•AFP

The participation of Pakistan’s players in the Bangladesh Premier League and the inaugural edition of the Global T20 in South Africa is in doubt, as Pakistan’s national T20 competition is scheduled to clash with those dates. With the PCB strongly indicating that the National T20 Cup would “take precedence over global leagues” around the world, the possibility of around a dozen Pakistan players being unable to fulfil global T20 commitments looks very real.This is the second time in as many months that the scheduling of the National T20 Cup has created uncertainty. Last month, the PCB revoked the NOCs of 13 Pakistan players participating in the CPL and the English domestic circuit to participate in the National T20 Cup, then slotted to begin on August 25. The move especially frustrated the counties concerned and even led a senior member of the Pakistan team management to describe it as “a bit of a mess”. However, just days later, PCB chairman Najam Sethi announced the postponement of the National T20 Cup to November, saying the recalled players had to undergo fitness tests, after which they were free to resume their engagements abroad.The National T20 Cup is now scheduled to run from November 4-19, the entirety of which clashes with significant chunks of both the BPL and the Global T20. The BPL lasts from November 2 to December 10, while the Global T20 begins on November 3, with the final taking place on December 16. Further complicating the situation is the fact that the PCB has already gone ahead with a selection process last month with a draft ceremony. All sponsorship rights were sold, which means the PCB eventually has to hold the tournament sometime this year.When ESPNcricinfo approached a PCB spokesperson to enquire about the potential clash, he said that players would “naturally” have to fulfil their domestic commitments. “I can say that the National T20 Cup will take precedence over other league,” Amjad Hussain, director media and coordination, said.At least seven Pakistani players were expected to take part in the Global T20, with Wahab Riaz, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Nawaz, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Anwar Ali and Imad Wasim signed by various franchises. While the player list for the BPL is not yet out, Junaid Khan and Shahid Afridi had confirmed that they would take part in Bangladesh’s premier T20 competition.”We haven’t heard about anything from the Pakistan players as yet, officially or unofficially,” Ismail-Haider Mallick, secretary of the BCB governing council, told ESPNcricinfo. “But if it happens then it will be a big loss for the players as BPL is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. But we are not too worried about the situation as we have a lot of foreign players who can replace missing Pakistan players.”

ميدو: مصطفى شوبير وضع كولر في أزمة.. ومصير الشناوي "غير مضمون"

أثنى أحمد حسام ميدو مهاجم الزمالك الأسبق على الأداء الذي يقدمه مصطفى شوبير حارس الأهلي خلال المباريات الأخيرة، موضحًا رأيه في مشاركة محمد الشناوي أساسيًا بعد تعافيه من الإصابة.

وقدم مصطفى شوبير أداءًا متميزًا في مباراة الأهلي أمام الإسماعيلي أمس والتي انتهت بفوز القلعة الحمراء بنتيجة 2-1.

وقال ميدو في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة المحور: “أؤكد إعجابي بمصطفى شوبير لأنه شجاع ومستواه الفني يتطور، ووضع كولر في أزمة (صحية) بالنسبة للمدير الفني”.

خبير تحكيمي يوضح مدى صحة ركلة جزاء الإسماعيلي أمام الأهلي

وأردف: “محمد الشناوي منذ سنوات يلعب في الأهلي ووضع قدما على القدم وفي منتخب مصر أيضا، بمشاركة شوبير وإنقاذه لكرات مهمة ولعبه بشخصية والتطور الذي يحدث له، وضع كولر في أزمة صحية”.

وتابع: “مشاركة محمد الشناوي بشكل أساسي مع المستوى الذي يقدمه شوبير أصبحت غير مضمونة له ولكولر، الآن توجد منافسة”.

وواصل: “الشناوي حارس مرمى كبير جدًا ولكن المستوى الذي يقدمه شوبير مع بعد الشناوي عن الملعب، فأنا لو مكان كولر والثنائي متاحين أمامي سأعطي الفرصة لشوبير، لأنه هو الذي قدمه في الملعب، الحارس الثاني لو تألق حقه المشاركة”.

وعن تقييمه لمباراة الأهلي والإسماعيلي، قال ميدو: “شعرت أنها تقسيمة، أبارك للأهلي، نتيجة منطقية وطبيعية نظرًا لفارق المستوى الكبير بين الفريقين”.

وأتم: “حزنت أن هذا هو مستوى لقاء الأهلي والإسماعيلي، تشعر أن لاعبي الدراويش لا يصدقون أنهم من الممكن أن يحققوا التعادل، ومصطفى شوبير من أبرز أسباب فوز الأهلي أمس”.

Tottenham: "Top" Spurs Star Now "Heading" Out The Door

Tottenham Hotspur are "set to cut their losses" on Tanguy Ndombele and it looks like he's "heading to Galatasaray", according to journalist Darren Lewis.

Who will leave Spurs?

Barring the obvious one repeatedly linked with a Spurs exit, namely star striker Harry Kane, there are a fair few others who could depart with the Englishman.

The Lilywhites, after sealing three major signings in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, midfielder James Maddison and winger Manor Solomon, may have to balance the books as we enter the final phase of this transfer window.

Spurs are also rumoured to be closing in on deals for both Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven and Blackburn Rovers starlet Ashley Phillips, making the need to offload fringe squad members even greater.

Ivan Perisic, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are just some of the players mentioned (The Telegraph), alongside goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who has even admitted this window could mark the "end of an era".

“We have reached an important moment, whether it be for the club or me,” said Lloris to Nice-Matin.

“It’s the end of an era. I have a desire for something else. I will carefully study what is possible. However, I haven’t forgotten that I have a year left on my contract at Tottenham, and in football, it’s always hard to predict what will happen."

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Ndombele, who has spent the last one and a half seasons various loan spells at Lyon and Napoli, looked set to be handed a chance by Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou – who praised the 26-year-old for his application in pre-season training.

"Tanguy has been good," said Postecoglou ahead of Tottenham's pre-season tour.

"He's been working hard in training, as they all have because they've got no choice.

"I take things as I see them. He was part of a Serie A-winning side last season, and he's been working well. Within that context, I'm pleased to have him here and part of the group. What that means for the long-term, we'll see."

However, reports in the last week have indicated that chance may have come and gone, with reporter Lewis echoing that in a piece for The Daily Mirror.

He says that Tottenham are "set to cut their losses" on Ndombele this summer and he is "heading to Galatasaray".

The Turkish Super Lig side are aiming for an £11 million deal, and due to Maddison's arrival, Postecoglou will have that consistent creativity in midfield – making the need for Ndombele absent.

What's been said about Tanguy Ndombele?

The Frenchman simply hasn't displayed his raw quality on a regular enough basis over his four-year Tottenham stay, so now could be time to call it a day.

Ndombele has previously been praised for his undoubted talent, with Arsenal star Declan Rice even claiming last summer that the midfielder is one of the toughest opponents he's ever faced.

"I tell you now, he is one of the toughest I have played against," explained Rice.

“He is top. Just a street footballer on the pitch. He takes the ball anywhere, little flicks and tricks. Like he doesn’t care. He does everything so confidently.

“With players like that, you just have to let them play. Give them the freedom to go out and do whatever they want. When we played against Lyon in the Europa League, he was incredible. He’s a top player.”

Dhawan sidelined from first three ODIs against Australia

The India opener has asked for leave to look after his wife, who is unwell

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Sep-20172:37

Dasgupta: India may choose Rahane over Rahul to replace Dhawan as opener

Shikhar Dhawan will not play the first three ODIs against Australia. A press release from the BCCI said the India batsman has asked for leave to take care of his wife, who has taken ill.The selectors have decided not to name a replacement for Dhawan, with back-up openers KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane already in 16-man squad.India do have to contend with losing a player in excellent form though. He had missed the ODIs against New Zealand in 2016 – and played only two of three against England that followed – but since his return to the top of the order in the Champions Trophy, he has made two centuries and four fifties in 14 innings. Dhawan had to miss the final ODI and the only T20 in the Sri Lanka tour earlier this month to fly back home to attend to his mother who had been unwell.It is likely that Rahane will now take over the opener’s spot. He had been excellent in the West Indies in June and July, named the Man of the Series for his 336 runs in five innings. Four of them were fifty-plus scores.Should that be the case, Rahul might have to get used to life in the middle order. His first time to the new role didn’t go well – 28 runs in three innings in Sri Lanka – but he has the backing of the captain Virat Kohli, who has repeatedly called him a “champion” player.India play the first of five ODIs against Australia on September 17 in Chennai.

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