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AC Milan have been linked with a move for a Manchester United ace who Ruben Amorim rates and now a new update has dropped regarding their pursuit.

Joshua Zirkzee has struggled to fully ignite in a Red Devils shirt to date, with Fabrizio Romano recently talking up his potential exit, even though Amorim values him as a player.

“Yeah, we have to follow the situation closely in the next weeks because the calls have started. First was West Ham, now also Roma have made some calls to understand the situation of Joshua Zirkzee. So the market is moving around the Dutch striker again. Let’s see what happens with Sesko because now with the Sesko injury, again, it’s not a super serious one probably.

“Let’s wait for Manchester United statement. But obviously when you have a player like Sesko injured, there is still the opportunity to have a player like Zirkzee who can cover cover several positions as number nine, as number 10. Ruben Amorim according to my sources never wanted to let Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee leave because he believes that also Zirkzee can cover several positions and can be very important.”

Now, a fresh update has appeared over Zirkzee’s next step in his career, with a move away from United in 2026 still potentially looking on the cards.

AC Milan make contact over Zirkzee signing

According to a report from Corriere dello Sport [via Caught Offside], Milan have held talks with Zirzkee’s representatives over a move from Manchester United.

The January transfer window will be a chance to get a deal over the line, with the Red Devils striker in need of more regular playing time, in order to boost his 2026 World Cup chances with the Netherlands.

It has been a tough spell for Zirzkee at United, scoring just seven goals in 54 appearances, so it is only natural that a move away could be best for all parties.

The 24-year-old remains a popular figure among United supporters, always giving his all, but the summer arrival of Benjamin Sesko has pushed him further down the pecking order.

As mentioned, the World Cup is only around the corner, so warming the substitutes’ bench most weeks is going to do little to aid his chances of being a fixture in the Netherlands’ team, as he battles former Red Devils striker Memphis Depay to lead the line for his country.

Man Utd join race to sign "underrated" Arsenal target in bargain Baleba alternative

United could get one over on the Gunners.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 15, 2025

If Zirkzee does leave permanently, it will be yet another attacking signing that hasn’t worked out for United, but equally, if a move doesn’t materialise, Amorim will surely be content to have him around until at least the end of this season.

Amorim's "modern-day Berbatov" is now already on borrowed time at Man Utd

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O Palmeiras encaminhou a contratação por empréstimo do atacante Lázaro, ex-jogador do Flamengo, atualmente no Almería, da Espanha.

Caso a negociação se concretize, o atleta estará à disposição de Abel Ferreira até o final desta temporada. O acordo prevê uma opção de compra, mas os valores não foram divulgado. A informação foi divulgada pela Energia 97.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

➡️ Abel Ferreira pode igualar recorde histórico no Palmeiras

Lázaro pode se tornar o quarto reforço do Alviverde para a temporada. Anteriormente, a equipe paulista anunciou o lateral-esquerdo Caio Paulista, o meia Aníbal Moreno e o atacante Bruno Rodrigues.

O atacante não estava sendo utilizado com regularidade por Gaiska Garitano, técnico do clube espanhol, e vê o Palmeiras como uma oportunidade para retomar o bom rendimento.

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Nesta temporada, Lázaro não contribuiu com gols ou assistências nas 16 partidas que disputou. Formado nas categorias de base do Flamengo, o jogador participou da Copa do Mundo sub-17, em 2019, e marcou o gol que garantiu o título do torneio nos acréscimos da segunda etapa contra o México.

Tudo sobre

FlamengoFutebol NacionalPalmeiras

Eddie Howe believes Dan Burn was probably worth £30m rather than the £13m Newcastle paid for him when they brought him home from Brighton.

Burn was one of Howe’s first signings in January 2022 as the club’s new owners flexed their financial muscle for the first time and he has since become a key member of the team which won the Carabao Cup last season and is playing Champions League football for the second time in three years.

Howe hails Burn and says Newcastle got him on the cheap

Asked if the versatile England defender has proved to be worth every penny of his £13million fee ahead of Saturday’s trip to his former club, head coach Howe said after a pause:

Burn reported back from England duty dreaming of a trip to next summer’s World Cup but facing a gruelling schedule for his club, who have seven games in the space of 23 days before the next international break, starting with the trip to Brighton.

Howe shares Newcastle injury updates on star players

Howe, who welcomed the appointment of Ross Wilson as the club’s new sporting director, could have Jacob Ramsey back following his recovery from an ankle injury, while fellow midfielder Joelinton is expected to be fit after returning from his exertions with Brazil nursing a minor groin problem.

However, full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall and striker Yoane Wissa, who continues to work his way back from posterior cruciate ligament damage, are still out.

Joe Willock will be in the squad after finding himself at the centre of a viral social media hoax in which it was claimed he had to be rescued after getting lost in York Maze for six hours.

Asked if he had spoken to the midfielder about the story, Howe said with a smile: “Yes, I did discuss it with him – just to check whether it was true or not, probably like everybody else. Thankfully it wasn’t.

“Joe’s fine, he’s good. He’s got the ability to laugh with it rather than be concerned by it.”

Nuno Espírito Santo’s Herculean task of keeping West Ham United in the Premier League this season could be about to get much harder.

On top of having to arrest the East Londoners’ terrible form, the Portuguese manager could be without the brilliant Lucas Paqueta once the winter window opens.

At least, that is according to recent reports claiming that the Brazilian wants to leave the London Stadium before the campaign is over.

However, it might not be all doom and gloom, as the academy could provide West Ham with the perfect replacement.

West Ham's Paqueta solutions

If Paqueta really is set to leave in January, then Nuno has to start looking at possible solutions as soon as possible, and the good news is that he might already have a few in his squad.

For example, while it would be a bold move, the manager could start giving the young Luis Guilherme more opportunities to play and start in attacking midfield over the next month.

After all, while he is looked at as more of a winger at the moment, he is no stranger to playing in the ten, having done so in Brazil and even for the Hammers before.

Moreover, even though he is nowhere near the finished product just yet, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described the 19-year-old prospect as a player who “thrives on transitions” and can “turn past players with ease” thanks to his “elite ball manipulation.”

On top of that, while he’s not the most shot-happy player, when he does let one off in a dangerous area, it’s often of “high calibre.”

Like Guilherme, Nuno could also move summer signing Mateus Fernandes back into an attacking midfield role, which is an area of the pitch he spent plenty of time in during his time with Southampton.

With all that said, there is another young player, someone who might be the most exciting of all, who could be West Ham’s perfect Paqueta replacement.

West Ham's perfect Paqueta replacement

There are certainly other options when it comes to replacing Paqueta for West Ham, but perhaps the most exciting one would be to play George Earthy.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Yes, it would undoubtedly be something of a gamble to hand the 21-year-old prospect far more game time than he’s ever had before, but he’s one of, if not the most exciting, players in the club’s academy.

Moreover, before his recent injury, his record in the youth sides was nothing short of incredible.

For example, in 60 appearances for the U18s, totalling 4804 minutes, he scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 111.72 minutes.

Then, upon moving up to the U21s, he has scored 17 goals and provided 13 assists in 51 appearances, totalling 3444 minutes.

Appearances

60

51

Minutes

4804′

3444′

Goals

25

17

Assists

18

13

Goal Involvements per Match

0.71

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

111.72′

114.8′

In other words, he’s averaging a goal involvement every 1.7 games, or every 114.8 minutes, which is more impressive when taking into consideration the fact that he mainly plays in attacking midfield.

However, it’s not just the output that makes the young prospect so “priceless,” in the words of coach Steve Potts, but his overall game.

For example, according to Mattinson, he’s become a “creative left-footed #10 with good ball manipulation and retention” who “does well in tight spaces.”

On top of his efforts in the academy and the technical foundation, which should serve him well in the Premier League, the youngster also has a decent amount of senior experience.

For example, he spent last season on loan with Bristol City and ended up making 40 appearances across all competitions.

Ultimately, even though it would be something of a gamble, West Ham should look to play Earthy in place of Paqueta if he ends up leaving, as he could be a future superstar.

West Ham brewing Noble 2.0 who knows "what it means to wear the shirt"

The academy product might be able to add some much-needed fight and heart back into Nuno’s West Ham side.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 28, 2025

تمكن الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بيراميدز، من تسجل الهدف الأول في شباك التأمين الإثيوبي، خلال اللقاء الجاري الآن بينهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وتقام المباراة بين بيراميدز والتأمين الإثيوبي، على استاد الدفاع الجوي، ضمن منافسات إياب دور الـ32 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع.. تشكيل بيراميدز أمام التأمين الإثيوبي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. مايلي يقود الهجوم

وسجل مصطفى زيكو، الهدف الأول لصالح بيراميدز في الدقيقة الحادية عشر من عمر اللقاء برأسية بعد عرضية من محمد الشيبي.

ويأمل بيراميدز في تحقيق الفوز في لقاء اليوم من أجل التأهل إلى دور المجموعات بعدما انتهى لقاء الذهاب بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1. هدف بيراميدز الأول أمام التأمين الإثيوبي اليوم

Maia Bouchier misses out as batters Alice Davidson-Richards and Emma Lamb make returns

Valkerie Baynes14-May-2025

Sophie Ecclestone has been left out of England’s white-ball squad for the home series against West Indies, where Issy Wong is poised to make a comeback to international ranks.Ecclestone has been unable to play domestic cricket due to a knee injury, although she turned out for Lancashire on Wednesday and scored a fifty as England’s selection panel, including newly appointed national selector Lydia Greenway, named their squads.Maia Bouchier was omitted, while Wong joined fellow Warwickshire seamer Emily Arlott in the squad for three T20Is. Arlott – yet to make her international debut – was also selected in the squad for three ODIs to follow.Wong last played for England on the tour of Ireland last September while the first-choice T20 squad was preparing for the World Cup after a difficult period struggling with her form. She impressed for England Women A in their recent tour of Australia and in her county’s opening matches.Also making returns are batters Alice Davidson-Richards and Emma Lamb, selected for the ODIs off the back of impressive performances with the bat in the Metro Bank One Day Cup domestic competition.The Blaze’s opening batter Tammy Beaumont and spinner Linsey Smith – the leading wicket-taker in the Metro Bank One Day Cup – are selected in both squads while Mahika Gaur, the 19-year-old left-arm quick who travelled to Australia for the Ashes but didn’t play as part of her return from injury, was called up for the ODIs. Beaumont returned to the T20I format last year following a two-year absence from the format although she only played the Test and ODIs in Australia.”Following her knee injury, Sophie Ecclestone is physically not quite at 100% yet,” said head coach Charlotte Edwards. “She’s been rehabbing and working hard but she’s only just got back on the park for Lancashire so she doesn’t have enough cricket under her belt to be ready for this series.”All-rounders Freya Kemp (back) and Danielle Gibson (stress fracture) are both unavailable due to injury. Lauren Filer’s return from a knee injury continues positively and she will continue to be reviewed.”Maia Bouchier misses out having been a part of the Ashes series, Maia’s talent is there for all to see and the challenge to her is to go and make consistent match-winning contributions for Hampshire in domestic cricket. It’s the same for any player who’d disappointed to not be a part of these squads.England Women T20I squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-HodgeEngland Women ODI squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Alice Davidson-Richards, Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Mahika Gaur, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith

Tottenham Hotspur might not have secured all three points away to Brighton & Hove Albion, but Thomas Frank must be satisfied with the way things are taking shape.

The Spurs boss replaced Ange Postecoglou in the summer and was tasked with creating a more stable project. Tottenham won the Europa League last year, but also languished to a 17th-place finish in the top flight.

Signings have been made, and while he’s an imperfect player, Mohamed Kudus has offered much to the Lilywhites cause after signing from West Ham United for £55m in July.

Mohammed Kudus' start to life at Spurs

Kudus’ shot somewhat fortuitously found Richarlison before the break, and so the Brazilian converted and halved the deficit, scoring a crucial goal that would lead to late parity.

The Ghanaian winger still needs to bring his clinical output into focus, but there’s no denying he is a talented and effective winger, adding a dimension to Frank’s project.

According to Sofascore, Kudus won eight duels and completed six dribbles across the afternoon, causing all sorts of problems for his opponents and whipping in the ball that ricocheted off Jan Paul van Hecke.

With three assists from five Premier League appearances for Tottenham, Kudus is coming into his own, bouncing back from a difficult campaign last year with the Hammers.

However, this isn’t the biggest revival within the Spurs squad, with Destiny Udogie rising back up to the fore in a manner not dissimilar to that of Djed Spence last season.

Frank's own Djed Spence revival

When Spence was called up to Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, it was a landmark moment in the 25-year-old full-back’s development.

While Spence has revived his career over the past year, reinventing himself last year under Postecoglou’s wing, Udogie’s performance against Brighton underscored the importance of having a natural left-footer at left-back, working wonders for the side’s progression.

Awarded an 8/10 match rating by football.london, the statistics perhaps don’t tell the full story, with Udogie shackling – for the most part – the bright Yankuba Minteh and working effectively to build up patterns of offensive play down the left flank.

They also considered Udogie to have been the standout performer against the Seagulls.

Minutes played

90′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

86

Accurate passes

58/65 (89%)

Key passes

1

Possession lost

14x

Dribbles

1/3

Tackles + interceptions

2

Clearances

1

Ground duels won

3/7

Having struggled with injury and subsequent dips in form last year, the Italy international made his first start of the season here, with Frank hailing his “absolutely exceptional” performance and continuing to remark that he was “almost unstoppable going forward”.

With Udogie fit and firing on all cylinders, Tottenham’s backline will begin to look far more fluent, not just solidifying when facing the ball but opening up a more coherent build-up process too.

This is not to the discredit of Spence, who continues to go from strength to strength at the club, but instead highlights the quality of the 22-year-old, who now provides his manager with the very best kind of selection headache.

Kudus might have been directly involved in both of Tottenham’s goals, but Udogie proved his worth as one of the most exciting full-backs in the Premier League, and under a new manager in Frank, this might just prove to be the start of something special.

Worth even more than Kudus: Spurs have struck gold on "sensational" talent

Tottenham Hotspur have once again shown their impressive work in the transfer market given one player’s rise.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 19, 2025

Who’s playing

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, 7.30pm IST

What to expect: Can Giants find form?

Two teams coming off back-to-back losses, but in no way comparable. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have actually been really good in WPL 2025. Yet, they find themselves under pressure as they get ready to face Gujarat Giants at home.After two commanding wins, they went down to Mumbai Indians off the second-last ball of the game, and then lost to UP Warriorz in a Super Over, despite dominating most of the match. Momentum in cricket is a double-edged sword. Wins under the belt can act as a confidence booster, but losses can be deflating. And having suffered two heartbreaking losses, RCB will want to get back to winning ways, especially with the tournament entering its business end.RCB have a good record against Giants. They have won three out of five matches, which includes a solid win in this year’s season opener. In addition, they have never lost to them in Bengaluru. They also have the current purple cap holder and an all-time great in touching distance of the orange cap, and will want to move up the points table before the Bengaluru leg ends.Giants, on the other hand, have a number of problems to sort. They ended WPL 2023 and 2024 bottom of the pile, and are down there again. They are too dependent on Ashleigh Gardner and Deandra Dottin, who have also failed to get going in the last two matches.Their problem starts right from the top in the batting. Giants have the worst run rate (5.79), least runs, least boundaries (16 fours and four sixes) and have lost the most wickets (11) in the powerplay this season. With Beth Mooney not in form, and Harleen Deol not a natural striker, do they need one of Gardner or Dottin to go up the order and go on the assertive?

Recent results

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: LLWW
Gujarat Giants: LWLLESPNcricinfo Ltd

Team news

It is unlikely that RCB will make any changes to their playing XI from the previous match against Warriorz.Royal Challengers Bengaluru (likely): 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Raghvi Bist, 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Kanika Ahuja, 7 Georgia Wareham, 8 Sneh Rana, 9 Kim Garth, 10 Ekta Bisht, 11 Renuka SinghGiants made three changes to their playing XI in the previous game, but didn’t have Phoebe Litchfield open the innings. There is a chance she moves to the top with Harleen Deol moving to the No. 3 position. Simran Shaikh has failed to make an impact so far in the tournament, and it is possible Giants might draft in Dayalan Hemalatha to shore up the batting.Gujarat Giants (likely): 1 Beth Mooney (wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Harleen Deol, 4 Ashleigh Gardner (capt), 5 Deandra Dottin, 6 Dayalan Hemalatha, 7 Bharti Fulmali, 8 Kashvee Gautam, 9 Tanuja Kanwar, 10 Priya Mishra, 11 Meghna Singh

Players to watch: Ellyse Perry and Kashvee Gautam

Ellyse Perry seems to have gone up a gear with the bat in WPL 2025. The second-highest run-scorer this season with 235 runs in four innings at 117.50, Perry, in the last game, also went past Meg Lanning to become WPL’s overall highest run-scorer. Coming into the tournament with a hip injury, Perry did not bowl in RCB’s first three games, but sent down two overs against Warriorz, picking a wicket. If she can contribute with four overs, it could help in balancing the RCB unit even better.In an otherwise demoralising tournament so far, Kashvee Gautam has been a bright star for Giants. She was picked up for a whopping INR 2 crore ahead of the WPL auction for 2024, but was ruled out of the season due to an injury. Giants still retained her, and she is repaying the faith. She started poorly against RCB going for 22 off her two overs, but in the next three games, the 21-year-old has picked five wickets at a miserly economy. Out of all the bowlers who have bowled a minimum of 30 balls this WPL, Gautam’s economy of 6.00 is the fourth-best. Apart from the 15-ball 20 against Mumbai, Gautam hasn’t done much with the bat, and that’s one area she might want to improve.

Stats that matter

• Mandhana has been dismissed by Gardner nine times in 26 T20 innings and three times in five innings at the WPL
• Giants have won just five matches in the WPL and two of those wins have come against RCB
• Giants have the two lowest scores this season – 120 against Mumbai and 127 for 9 against Delhi Capitals
• RCB have the worst economy rate in the powerplay this season: 9.04. Giants have the best, 7.29
• Giants have conceded 175 runs across four innings in the powerplay this season. Only Mumbai with 142 runs in three games have conceded fewer

كسر خوان لابورتا، رئيس نادي برشلونة، صمته وتحدث عن مصير بطولة السوبر ليج، والتي يصر البلوجرانا على إقامتها إلى جانب ريال مدريد وبعض الأندية الأخرى خلال السنوات الأخيرة.

برشلونة يشارك مشروع السوبر ليج مع ريال مدريد وعدد كبير من الأندية الأوروبية كيوفنتوس ومانشستر سيتي، قبل أن تنسحب أندية عديدة من هذا المشروع بعد تهديدات الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم ”يويفا” بفرض عقوبات على الأندية المشاركة.

ويقود مشروع السوبر ليج ، رئيس نادي ريال مدريد، فلورنتينو بيريز، والذي يريد استبدال السوبر ليج ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لابورتا: أمريكا أهم سوق لـ برشلونة.. وسنعوّض جماهيرنا

وكشف لابورتا في تصريحات نقلتها ”Barca universal”، أنه تحدث مع بيريز بشأن آخر تطورات مشروع السوبر ليج.

وقال لابورتا: “لقد تحدثت مع بيريز آنذاك ومع الرؤساء الآخرين، شارحًا موقف برشلونة ولا أريد أن أخوض في تفاصيل أكثر”.

وعن رئيس باريس سان جيرمان، ناصر الخليفي، أضاف لابورتا في حديثه: ”نريد التوصل إلى اتفاق والعودة إلى الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم، تربطنا علاقة جيدة جدًا مع ناصر الخليفي”.

وأوضح: ”نحن على وشك التوصل إلى اتفاق مع الاتحاد الأوروبي بشأن السوبر ليج، كل من تشيفرين والخليفي في وضع يسمح لهما باستقبالنا في الاتحاد الأوروبي بشكل جيد والتحدث معنا”.

الجدير بالذكر أن برشلونة سوف يلعب ضد فياريال في الدوري الإسباني هذا العام في ولاية ميامي الأمريكية، وذلك في حدث استثنائي لكرة القدم الإسبانية وسط جدل كبير.

“It has definitely helped me to get better, be more instinctive, be on my toes, and think correctly at the right moment”

Deivarayan Muthu24-Jan-20252:51

Varun excited for first home game in Chennai: ‘Important day for me’

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy has given a ringing endorsement of the country’s domestic system, more specifically the 20-overs Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, saying it is “almost on par” with the IPL and international cricket.”The level of cricket in the domestic [circuit] is extremely high,” Varun said on the eve of the second T20I against England in Chennai. “I would say [it is] almost on par with IPL and the other international matches we play. I would really suggest everyone to go and play the Syed Mushtaq Ali because we play on small grounds. It is very challenging [for bowlers].”Related

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Varun himself has benefitted from regular game-time in domestic white-ball cricket over the past two seasons. In the 50-overs Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2023-24, his first List A tournament in five years, Varun came away as the joint-highest wicket-taker, with 19 strikes at an average of 13.05. In the most recent Vijay Hazare Trophy, he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker, with 18 strikes in six innings at 12.16. In this season’s 20-overs Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was put under pressure on the easy-paced, bash-through-the-line pitches on a small ground in Indore. For instance, in Tamil Nadu’s opening game of the tournament, he was taken for 49 runs by Tripura in four overs.”I find it very tough playing SMAT,” Varun said. “It has definitely helped me to get better, be more instinctive, be on my toes, and think correctly at the right moment.”Over the past two years, Varun has also been active in other T20 tournaments like the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and the DY Patil tournament in Mumbai.Varun Chakravarthy took a match-winning three-wicket haul in the first T20I in Kolkata•BCCI

On Friday, he returned to Chepauk, the scene of his emergence as an international player. His family and friends will turn up at the venue on Saturday to watch him in action in his first international at home. Even before he had featured in TNPL 2018, which first put him on the T20 map, Varun bowled at the Chepauk nets to the Chennai Super Kings batters. It was his first professional stint in top-flight cricket after he had transformed himself from a medium-pacer in tennis-ball cricket to a mystery spinner. Having worked as an architect and made a cameo appearance in a Tamil movie back in 2014, Varun is eager to reintroduce himself as an international cricketer at his home ground.”Definitely [special],” Varun said of his homecoming. “Back to Chennai and in the blues is very important for me. I see it as a very important day for me. I’m coming back to Chennai after a long time. Playing for the country in front of my parents and the home crowd. Yeah, it is very special for me.”At his press conference, Varun was also asked about stepping into the shoes of the recently retired R Ashwin, his former India team-mate and current captain at Dindigul Dragons, under whom he won TNPL 2024.”It’s a big deal for me that you’re making this comparison,” Varun said. “Ashwin has played all three formats. I’m only just coming back into the team, and I’ve not yet done enough to merit this comparison. But still, everyone wants to get into the Indian team, and I’ve been doing my processes, and I’ll go wherever that takes me. I can’t think about filling the shoes of someone like Ashwin – he’s played so many matches, taken 500 [Test] wickets, big shoes to fill, I’m not even close yet.”R Ashwin, Varun’s captain at Dindigul Dragons, has encouraged him to bat up the order•TNPL/TNCA

During TNPL 2024, Ashwin had encouraged Varun to bat up the order and, in one of the games, he even batted above at Ashwin at No.7. Varun said he has also been working on his batting with Abhishek Nayar, the former assistant coach at Kolkata Knight Riders who is now with the India team in a similar capacity.”I have been working on batting for the last six-seven months,” Varun said. “I started my preparation in KKR only with Abhishek Nayar. That kind of helped me. There is still a lot of work to do.”In the first T20I against England, Varun took 3 for 23, including the big wickets of Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone in the same over. With England’s Bazballers gearing up for a backlash, Varun might have to do more work with the ball on a fresh Chepauk pitch, where the ball is expected to slide onto the bat, and he’s prepared for it.”Even when you see Eden [Gardens], it’s a small ground,” Varun said. “Bowlers have the challenge of bowling [with smaller boundaries]. We do plan for that also. If they [England] are looking to have an aggressive approach, that is how T20 is. I cannot complain or be shocked by their approach. I am expecting that. I also have certain plans for that.”