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أجرى لامين يامال لاعب برشلونة وإسبانيا مقابلة مطولة، تحدث خلالها عن كأس أمم أوروبا “يورو 2024″، ورقمه الجديد مع ناديه بعد تسجيله في الفريق الأول.

وتحدث يامال عن تشافي مدرب برشلونة السابق وتأثيره عليه، كما علّق على تصريحات لاعب فرنسا أدريان رابيو.

ونشرت صحيفة “سبورت” و”موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية تصريحات يامال في مقابلته مع جيرارد روميرو.

وقال يامال: “لا يهمني الرقم، طالما ألعب… فيتور روكي لديه الرقم 19، سأختار الرقم الذي لا يملكه أحد، لا أعتقد أن أي شخص لديه الرقم 17 لأن ماركوس ألونسو رحل”.

ومع كون الرقم 10 شاغرًا والذي يملكه أنسو فاتي المحتمل رحيله، أفاد: “لقد عرفته منذ لا ماسيا، وأعتبره صديقًا وآمل أن يتمكن من البقاء معنا”.

وعن الأنباء المتداولة بشأن فوزه بجائزة الفتى الذهبي، أكد يامال: “لم أكن أعلم بشأن جائزة الفتى الذهبي، آمل أن أتمكن من الفوز بأكبر قدر ممكن، لكنني أفضل الفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وعن المدرب الذي أثر فيه، رد يامال: “أعتقد أن تشافي، لأنه هو من ضمني للفريق الأول، وثق بي، جعلني أبدأ ضد بيتيس، أعتقد أنه هو من أعطاني الثقة”.

وفيما يتعلق بكأس أمم أوروبا، وما فعله بعد الفوز أمام فرنسا، أوضح: “بعد المباراة ضد فرنسا، أول شيء فعلته هو النوم والراحة، لحسن الحظ أنني تمكنت من ذلك، في اليوم التالي أجبت على جميع الرسائل”.

وتابع: “في نهاية المباراة ضد فرنسا، رأيت اسم لامين على جميع الملاحظات على إنستجرام، أدركت أن الناس كانوا سعداء ودعموني، أحاول الاستمتاع بالأمر وعدم التفكير في الضغط”.

اقرأ أيضًا | لامين يامال عن صورة طفولته مع ميسي: لم نرغب في المقارنة ولن أكون مثله أبدًا

وسُئل يامال عن تصريحات أدريان رابيو، لاعب فرنسا الذي صرح قبل المباراة: “إذا أراد لامين يامال أن يلعب نهائي اليورو مع إسبانيا، فعليه أن يلعب ضدنا بصورة أفضل، سنضغط عليه كي لا يشعر بالراحة”.

وعلّق يامال: “لم أتحدث مطلقًا مع رابيو، لا قبل ولا بعد المباراة، لقد ركزت على المباراة النهائية وأعطيت أهمية لذلك”.

كما تحدث عن زميله في إسبانيا وبرشلونة، جافي، الذي يتعافى من إصابة الرباط الصليبي، واستطرد: “آمل أن يأتي جافي يوم الأحد، إنه جزء من هذا”.

ويزداد الحديث عن انضمام نيكو ويليامز إلى برشلونة هذا الموسم، ولم يخف يامال رغبته في اللعب إلى جانبه، إلا أنه رفض الاعتراف بأي مساع لإقناعه بالانضمام.

وأوضح: “نيكو ويليامز إلى برشلونة؟ ليس لدي أي علاقة به، لكني أتمنى أن ألعب معه”.

وأكد: “أنا ونيكو سنحتفل بعيد ميلاده من خلال الذهاب للنزهة بعد الظهر، والتأكد من أنه مرتاح، وإذا فزنا عندما نصل إلى مدريد سأمنحه شيئًا”.

وسُئل هل ستمنحه قميصًا، وأجاب في ختام حديثه: “نعم قميص”.

Eric Dier labelled Harry Kane as the "most reliable goalscorer in the world" after the striker netted a double against Lazio in the Champions League.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Kane hailed by Dier after Lazio win
• English forward bagged a brace
• Fired the Germans to the UCL quarter-final

• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international stole the spotlight with a brace against Lazio to inspire a second-leg turnaround. A goal in each half from Kane and another strike from Thomas Muller inspired the Bavarians to a 3-0 victory over Maurizio Sarri's men to seal a Champions League quarter-final spot on Tuesday evening at the Allianz Arena. After the dust had settled down, Dier, a long-time teammate of Kane, hailed the prolific striker as one of the best for putting rising to the occasion when the stakes were high.

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• WHAT DIER SAID

  Speaking to after the match, Dier said: "Incredible. I am so happy for him tonight as he got his goals. Yeah, he is the most reliable goalscorer in the world. Anyone would be happy to play with him and obviously being a friend, it is nicer and makes it easier for me to settle in as well."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Dier has been awarded for his consistent performances with a permanent contract by Bayern and the defender admitted that he is relishing the fresh challenge in Gemrnay with a new club and teammates.

  "It feels great the way the players, the club and the fans have received me. It has helped a lot," he said.

  "It has made it very easy for me to settle in. Obviously, I am enjoying something new. A fresh start – it was something I needed individually. New country, new club and everything is going well. But a lot of things have to be done yet. Always looking to improve."

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• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Bayern will hope to carry their continental form into the Bundesliga as they are set to host Mainz in a vital league clash on Saturday.

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma dívida com o ex-clube de Alexander Lecaros fez com que o Botafogo escapasse de uma dor de cabeça ainda maior. Nas últimas semanas, o Alvinegro depositou 250 mil dólares (R$ 1,4 milhão, na cotação atual) ao Cusco FC – ex-Real Garcilaso – pela transferência do atacante peruano no início do ano de acordo com o mecanismo de solidariedade da Fifa.

O jogador de 20 anos fez toda a base no clube peruano e, mesmo se tratando de uma transferência sem custos, o anexo 5 do regulamento da Fifa prevê que o time formador de um atleta precisa de uma indenização nestes casos.

O Botafogo, contudo, poderia ter sido punido caso não entrasse em dia com a equipe peruana pela transferência da Fifa. A parte de medidas no Código Disciplinar da Fifa afirma que o Botafogo poderia ter sido enquadrado e sofrido com algumas consequências, tais como:

a) Ficar impedido de contratar
b) Jogar sem público
c) Jogar uma partida com um número limitado de espectadores
d) Jogar uma partida como mandante em campo neutro
e) Ficar banido de jogar em um determinado estádio
f) Anulação do resultado de uma partida
g) Perda de pontos
h) Rebaixamento
i) Exclusão de uma competição
j) Desistência
​k) Repetir uma partida
l) Implementação de um plano de prevenção

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Pelo contexto do Botafogo e do mundo – com a pandemia do novo coronavírus -, alguns itens poderiam ser riscados da lista. Como esta seria uma punição envolvendo uma outra equipe e um mecanismo de negociações, a principal chance seria o Alvinegro tomar uma punição de ficar impedido de contratar. Como a dívida foi quitada e o Cusco FC não entrou a Fifa, o risco é inexistente.

Um exemplo é a situação do Cruzeiro. De acordo com o “Jornal O Globo”, a equipe mineira recebeu um ofício da Fifa na última quarta-feira dizendo que a instituição pode ficar impedida de registrar novos jogadores por três janelas consecutivas se não quitar uma dívida com o Union Flórida-ARG pela contratação de Ramón Ábila.

Em 2016, a Raposa contratou o atacante junto ao Huracán-ARG, mas não repassou o dinheiro correspondente à transferência ao Union Flórida, clube ao qual o atacante atuou até a categoria sub-17.

Assim, o Botafogo “limpou” o nome com a Fifa e está à salvo de qualquer tipo de punição envolvendo o registro de futuros jogadores. Vale ressaltar que esta dívida foi quitada com parte do dinheiro ganho com a transferência de Luís Henrique ao Olympique de Marselha, como informou o “GE”.

Alexander Lecaros ainda tenta se achar no Botafogo. O peruano tem apenas três jogos no Alvinegro desde que assinou pelo clube, no começo do ano.

No sooner had Todd Astle been grasping a rare opportunity in Test cricket than he has been hit by injury

Andrew McGlashan28-Mar-2018

No sooner had Todd Astle been grasping a rare opportunity in Test cricket than he has been hit by injury, a side strain ruling him out of his hometown match in Christchurch as New Zealand target just a fourth series win over England.Astle took 3 for 39 in the second innings at Eden Park, but scans the following day showed he had picked up the injury. He had a previous side strain earlier in the season and this one means he still has yet to play consecutive Tests after single outings in 2012 and 2016.”Through some incredibly hard work, Todd’s already overcome some injuries this summer, so for this to happen now is a cruel blow,” coach Mike Hesson said. “Todd played a major role in helping us win the game at Eden Park, so it’s disappointing for Todd and the team that he’s forced to the sideline ahead of Friday.”With Mitchell Santner sidelined by a long-term knee injury, it has opened up the chance for fellow legspinner Ish Sodhi to resume his Test career having not played the format since September 2016 against India in Kanpur. If New Zealand maintain the same balance of attack, rather than going all-seam with Matt Henry, Sodhi will come into the match and high on confidence at that. He took career-best match figures of 12 for 62 against Wellington in the Plunket Shield last week, which included a 7 for 30 in the first innings, and 7 for 98 against Otago in the outing before that.”It was good to get the chance to bowl some overs in the middle so you go into the Test, if I play, with a bit of momentum. It was the ideal scenario,” Sodhi said. “As a young spinner learning your art, the best way to do it is to bowl as much as you can and bowling in the nets is so different to bowling in the middle in games. You have to take the chance with both hands.”It’s awesome to get the opportunity to be part of a winning team. The last game was fantastic and boys got up a great spectacle with the pink-ball Test so to be part of it is fantastic but I feel sorry for Toddy. He’s work very hard in the last game, performed well so it’s heartbreaking.”Astle’s absence will lengthen New Zealand’s tail unless they take a cautious approach and opt to play an extra batsman. Martin Guptill is in the squad but, on Tuesday, Hesson said the team would not go into the match looking for a draw despite the carrot of the series win.On the other hand, spin has only taken 14 wickets in four Tests at Hagley Oval. New Zealand didn’t play a spinner against Australia in 2016, and in Tests against Pakistan and Bangladesh, they used a grand total of four overs with Santner not bowling a ball in the Bangladesh contest.Sodhi hasn’t played a first-class match at the ground since 2015 – and in three matches has a return of 3 for 256 – but believes the surface could offer him something. “It’s normally hard and bouncy and if you gave me the option, and the turn was slow, I’d rather have the bounce so hopefully can extract something out the wicket.”The prize for a win or drawn Test is significant for New Zealand: to join the team of 1983-84 as the only series winners against England on home soil, and the 1986 and 1999 sides who achieved the feat in England. They will be favourites going into the match after dismantling England for 58 in Auckland and overcoming the rain to win in effectively little more than three days, but getting carried away is not the New Zealand style.”I think we saw in the second innings what they are capable of and we expect them to be a lot tougher in this match,” BJ Watling said. “They are a quality outfit and we’ll have to on our game.”

Tottenham Hotspur team news has come to light as Ange Postecoglou's Spurs side prepare take on Sheffield United in the Premier League this weekend.

Tottenham vs Sheffield United

The north Londoners kick off their return from internationals with a home clash against Paul Heckingbottom's newly-promoted Blades at 15:00 on Saturday.

Spurs are absolutely flying at the moment under Postecoglou; having tasted victory in each of their last three top flight encounters with wins over Man United, Bournemouth and Burnley in that order.

In that time, they've scored nine goals whilst showcasing Postecoglou's electric, entertaining brand of football at it's devastating best.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United's fortunes are at the opposite end of the spectrum, as Heckingbottom's men are yet to record their first league win of the 023/2024 campaign.

They were arguably unlucky with 2-1 defeats against Man City and Nottingham Forest while their lack of bite going forward also meant they couldn't get past Crystal Palace – who beat them 1-0 on the opening day.

The Bramall Lane side did manage to get their first point in the bag a fortnight ago against Everton with a 2-2 draw, but all the signs suggest this could be a routine win for Tottenham.

What's the latest Spurs team news?

Ahead of their clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a few days time, some team news has come to light on who will and will not be available to feature for Postecoglou.

There were reports that defender Cristian Romero picked up a knock on international duty with Argentina against Ecuador, but those fears were later quashed when he started their subsequent 3-0 win over Bolivia.

Meanwhile, fellow Argentine Giovani Lo Celso is a doubt for Sheffield United after missing their round of internationals through injury, though he could be back on September 30.

Ryan Sessegnon, Alfie Whiteman and Rodrigo Bentancur are all longer term absentees after undergoing surgeries on their various problems, with an update now coming to light on Bryan Gil.

The Spaniard, who has been tipped to slot nicely into Postecoglou's fluid Spurs system, could be out till "late October or early November" after his own groin issue.

That's according to The Evening Standard, with Gil requiring surgery for the problem and isn't likely to feature again for Tottenham till late next month at the earliest.

How good is Bryan Gil?

The 22-year-old, who has been called a "magician" going forward, found game time very difficult to come by under Antonio Conte but did manage to impress in small flashes.

Gil has also been likened to Man City legend Bernardo Silva for his playing style, and even though Conte used him sparingly, the ex-Spurs boss did have some kind words to say about him earlier this year.

“It was really important, you know about Bryan Gil we are talking about a player who was born to play football," said Conte in January.

"He understands football quickly. He’s so clever, so intelligent to understand the situation. Then you know this league is difficult, because you have to be good in quality and be fast and to have good endurance and he has this type of quality.

“But at the same time you have to be strong physically. I think compared to last season Gil is improving a lot also under this aspect. He has to become stronger physically. I compared him to Bernardo Silva, at Manchester City, because in my opinion they are really, really similar."

Everton are hoping to make another signing before the summer transfer window closes on Friday after securing a new talisman in Beto.

The striker joined from Serie A side Udinese for £30m this week following concerns over Dominic Calvert-Lewin's ever-unreliable fitness and Neal Maupay's woeful efforts in front of goal, with the Frenchman scoring just once for the Toffees and now linked with a move away.

Sean Dyche has been focussing on restoring the offence after finishing last season as the Premier League's second-lowest scorers, but the club need to make a defensive acquisition and might've now identified their man.

What's the latest on Nico Elvedi to Everton?

According to German outlet Sport Bild, Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi could be available for just €5m (£4m), with the Swiss international now in the final year of his contract and previously believed to hold a price tag of £8m.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

Gianluca Di Marzio reported last weekend that the Merseyside outfit had opened talks for Elvedi, but will now need to act fast with top-flight rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers also pursuing a deal.

How good is Nico Elvedi?

All of the attention has been on bolstering the attack at Goodison Park this summer, and perhaps the fact that Yerry Mina, Conor Coady (who was on loan) and Mason Holgate have all left the club has gone under the radar.

Dyche has not touched the central defence with just two days of the market remaining, and while Jarrad Branthwaite has returned after an impressive loan spell with PSV Eindhoven, an acquisition surely needs to be made.

Elvedi could be the perfect solution to this problem, with the exiguous fee for an established international sure to stamp some authority and control into the Toffees' backline.

Having been hailed as "incredible” by former Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl, Elvedi has made 270 appearances for Gladbach, scoring 14 goals and serving nine assists, competent both in central defence and out wide.

Given that the 26-year-old titan ranks among the top 6% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 10% for clearances and the top 17% for goals scored per 90, as per FBref, Dyche would be wise to consider completing a swoop for a player who could serve in Michael Keane's stead.

Dyche has wielded Keane at both Everton and his former club Burnley, and while the 30-year-old central defender reclaimed his starting berth at Goodison Park following Dyche's appointment in January, despite this return to regular match action, must now be ditched if the club are to ascend from their lowly position.

Indeed, having been signed for £30m back in 2017, Keane has failed to live up to the potential and prove to be the fulcrum of a backline that was supposed to lead the club to Premier League prominence, not desperate scraps for survival.

Described as a "genuine defensive liability" by journalist Richard Buxton, the inconsistent £80k-per-week defender ranks among the bottom 2% of positional peers for pass completion and the bottom 5% for tackles per 90, illuminating the lack of robustness that Everton need as they look to stop the issues.

With this in mind, Elvedi would be a perfect fit to upgrade on Keane, bringing a ball-playing ability to instil assurance and composure and a defensive work rate to build a foundation for a successful season.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo poderá contar com Paulo Autuori normalmente nas próximas partidas. O treinador do Alvinegro foi julgado pelo STJD nesta segunda-feira pelas declarações após a partida contra o Flamengo, pelo Brasileirão, e foi apenas advertido. Consequentemente, o treinador poderá seguir treinando a equipe à beira do gramado naturalmente.

Paulo Autuori foi denunciado pelas declarações após o empate em 1 a 1 com o Flamengo, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, em 23 de agosto. O treinador do Botafogo foi enquadrado pela CBF no Artigo 243-F do CBJD (Código Brasileiro de Justiça Desportiva), que diz respeito à ofensa à honra, e Artigo 258 (assumir conduta contrária à ética desportiva) pela ANAF.

-Em nenhum momento, em nenhuma derrota eu justifiquei com erros de arbitragem. Justifico com falta de eficiência ou eficácia da equipe que eu trabalho. Hoje nós fomos eficientes, fomos eficazes porque fizemos o gol, mas não conseguimos sair com a vitória. Nada a falar com relação à arbitragem e à interpretação. E tudo a falar sobre a conjuntura do futebol brasileiro. É muito fraca e é suspeita. Porque as coisas acontecem sempre da mesma maneira. Chega um momento que cansa – declarou Autuori, após o duelo contra o Flamengo.

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A denúncia do artigo 243-F foi cancelada porque os presentes na sessão consideraram que Paulo Autuori não faltou com respeito para com Leandro Vuaden ao conversar com o árbitro após a partida contra o Flamengo e, por isto, não faltou com respeito. No artigo 258, o comandante foi absolvido por maioria.

Paulo Autuori, presente no começo da sessão, tentou se defender afirmando que não fez nenhuma crítica específica à arbitragem. O treinador do Botafogo afirmou que foi conversar com Leandro Vuaden para questionar os critérios utilizados na marcação de um pênalti de Marcelo Benevenuto aos 47 minutos do segundo tempo.

– Adentrei no campo para refletir sobre a situação (pênalti marcado após mão de Marcelo Bevenenuto) e a lógica. A conversa foi agradável e com respeito. Creio que o próprio árbitro (Leandro Vuaden) colocaria alguma atitude desrespeitosa na súmula, o que não aconteceu. Em nenhum momento eu questionei. Queria entender o critério dele. Foi uma conversa natural – afirmou Autuori, durante a sessão.

Michael Klinger, Shaun Marsh and an aggressive Cameron Bancroft maintained Western Australia’s unbeaten start to the domestic limited-overs competition by powering them to a total beyond Queensland’s reach in a rain-affected match at the Drummoyne Oval

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2017
ScorecardGetty Images

Michael Klinger, Shaun Marsh and an aggressive Cameron Bancroft maintained Western Australia’s unbeaten start to the domestic limited-overs competition by powering them to a total beyond Queensland’s reach in a rain-affected match at the Drummoyne Oval in Sydney.The Warriors did so despite a startling innings by Michael Neser, who got the Bulls closer than they might reasonably have expected after slipping to 5 for 63, largely at the hands of Matthew Kelly. Neser played a willing ally to Queensland’s captain Usman Khawaja, who had appeared set to be stranded.After Khawaja fell, Neser took flight, clattering seven sixes at the harbor-side venue to take Queensland to within 12 runs of their Duckworth-Lewis-Stern-adjusted, 41-over target.Marsh and Klinger had given WA the ideal start, the latter going on to a century, but after rain interrupted the innings, it was the often obstinate Bancroft who provided the sort of acceleration required to make the most of a reduced allocation of overs. Like Peter Handscomb for Victoria, Bancroft is also keeping wicket in this tournament.

Manchester United have been handed some good news this week when it comes to potentially landing Harry Kane, with Football Insider reporting that Spurs are preparing to sell the striker and it's brought the Red Devils back into the race.

How many goals has Harry Kane scored?

The 29-year-old was once more a key figure for Tottenham in 2022/23, as he played in every single Premier League game for the club. Not only that, but he hit a superb 30 goals along the way, with a further three assists. It meant that the England international had one of his best ever goal contribution tallies – bettered only in the last six seasons by his 2020/21 amount.

It showcases that the attacker is still at the very top of his game despite his age and is well capable of adding a hatful of goals to an attack, no matter how successful or ailing a side is.

There's been a long-standing interest from Man United in Kane, with the Red Devils keen to try and sort out a deal for him this summer. Whilst it looked as if a move could happen at one point, hopes had recently been dashed with the news that Spurs don't want to let him leave to a rival team in the top flight. It had paved the way for Bayern Munich to try and land Kane, but they too have yet to have a deal agreed for the striker.

United had seemingly moved on to other targets – they've been heavily linked with a transfer for Rasmus Hojlund, with personal terms already sorted over that move, although no deal has yet been confirmed. Talks are still being held over a potential transfer fee for the Atalanta man but PSG have also now launched a move to try and sign the youngster, placing a bid of their own today.

Are Manchester United signing Harry Kane?

Now, according to a report from Football Insider, there could be another twist in United's search for a striker. That's because Tottenham are now willing to let Kane leave this summer it seems if he refuses to sign a contract extension, rather than holding onto him.

It also adds that the forward himself actually prefers a move to Old Trafford over Bayern Munich – meaning if a fee could be sorted, he would likely jump ship to the Red Devils. The only remaining stumbling block is Spurs' insistence that they would not let him leave for a Premier League rival and would rather sell to the Bundesliga club – even if the player himself would rather stay in England and join United.

Kane stands out as one of the best strikers in Europe right now in terms of his goal rate, and it has also led to plenty of plaudits from players, coaches and pundits alike. Jurgen Klinsmann only a few months ago stated that the attacker is "exceptional" and added that he is the current "symbol of English football".

A bold statement, but one that shows how pivotal he has been for club, country and in the Premier League in general. To sign someone like the 29-year-old then would be a huge coup and a big piece of business – and if United can get a deal sorted, then it would instantly make them a hard team to beat next season.

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

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.