All posts by h716a5.icu

Both teams picked four seam options with Nortje returning for his first international game since last year’s T20 World Cup final

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2025India went back to losing the toss under a new captain in the first T20I against South Africa, after winning the toss in the series decider in the ODIs. As expected, Aiden Markram chose to chase with dew expected to play a role in the night. Suryakumar Yadav wasn’t too fussed, expecting having to bowl with the wet ball.India welcomed back Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya to the XI after injury-forced breaks. “The body feels perfectly fine physically, I spent some time at the COE [BCCI’s Centre of Excellence],” Gill said. “Perfectly fine physically and mentally feeling ready. I had a disc bulge in my neck which was hitting the nerves. When I went there [to bat in the Kolkata Test], I had a bit of a spasm before the start of play in the morning. And when I played the game, I got a bulge which hit the nerve and had to go the hospital for a couple of days but recovered well after that.”Japsrit Bumrah, who was rested for the ODIs, also returned to the XI for the first T20I, along with the format’s specialists – Suryakumar, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy, Jitesh Sharma. India decided they needed two quicks in the XI, which meant Kuldeep Yadav was left out. They went for Arshdeep Singh ahead of Harshit Rana as the second fast bowler, which meant India had batting depth till No. 8 and not No. 9. Axar Patel, left out for the ODIs, was listed at No. 8. Varun, Arshdeep and Bumrah were nine, ten and eleven.South Africa welcomed back Anrich Nortje, David Miller and Donovan Ferreira into the XI. Lutho Sipamla and Lungi Ngidi were the other two fast bowlers to go with Nortje and Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj the lone frontline spinner.India: 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 8 Axar Patel, 9 Varun Chakravarthy, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Jasprit BumrahSouth Africa: 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Aiden Markram (capt), 3 Tristan Stubbs, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 David Miller, 6 Donovan Ferreira, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Lutho Sipamla, 10 Anrich Nortje, 11 Lungi Ngidi

The five T20Is in England offer India an early glimpse of the World Cup venues and a chance to narrow down personnel that could do the job for them

Sruthi Ravindranath26-Jun-2025T20Is back in focus for IndiaThis series will be India’s first T20I assignment of the year. Their last series was against West Indies at home in December, which they won, but 2024 was all about heartbreaks: a loss in the Asia Cup final followed by a group-stage exit in the T20 World Cup. Most of the players were, however, in action at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in February.They do have several T20Is lined up after this series before the T20 World Cup next year – they will be playing three home T20Is against Bangladesh, three in Australia in February 2026 followed by a tri-series in New Zealand which will also feature England in May – but this will be their chance to try out new faces. India will also be playing across five venues, all of which will be hosting T20 World Cup matches next year.New (and old) faces in the T20I squadThe returning Shafali Verma is likely to slot straight in as opener, given her superb form in the last few months in domestic cricket and the WPL. In her absence during the West Indies T20Is, Uma Chetry opened with Smriti Mandhana but failed to make an impact.Related

Back on the field after 11 months, Shreyanka Patil is ready to 'just roar' again

Mandhana: 'Shafali deserves this comeback and I'm really excited to open with her again'

The metamorphosis woman – third time could be a charm for Shafali

Home World Cup in Beaumont's radar after three-year absence from England T20I side

Mithali Raj: Time for 'saturated' India to move on from Harmanpreet as captain

A few new faces have been added to the bowling department. Left-arm spinner N Shree Charani and seam-bowling allrounders Kranti Goud and Sayali Satghare have received their maiden T20I call-ups, while batting allrounder Amanjot Kaur has been recalled into the T20I squad.Sneh Rana has returned to the T20I squad for the first time since February 2023 on the back of her impressive performances with the ball – and on one occasion with the bat – in WPL 2025. She also picked up two wickets in the three overs she bowled in the tour game against ECB XI in Beckenham.There’s a bit of inexperience in the fast-bowling unit with the likes of Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar out of this series. They had not played India’s last assignment – the ODI tri-series with Sri Lanka and South Africa in April and May – due to injuries. India might field a completely new bowling line-up from the West Indies T20Is in December, barring Radha Yadav. With Renuka and Vastrakar expected to be back at some point, India will be looking to build their fast-bowling reserves in this series.Amanjot could be the new-age finisher India are looking for•BCCIThe gaps India will look to fillIndia have persisted with Harmanpreet Kaur as captain in the format despite the criticism she faced after the T20 World Cup exit. Between then and now, she’s proved her capabilities as a T20 leader by taking Mumbai Indians to their second WPL trophy this season. She is also one of India’s best batters in the format, having been their go-to during pressure situations, as she showed during India’s T20 World Cup group-stage game against Australia where she top-scored as the rest of the line-up collapsed around her. Last year, she had spoken about the need for India to develop the “mindset” to deal with nerves. With two global tournaments to be played in the next year, captain Harmanpreet’s focus will be on assembling a squad specifically with players who can handle pressure situations better.The batting department looks solid with Mandhana, Shafali, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh making the top five. However, India have been hurt by a lack of contribution from the lower middle order, which also troubled them during the T20 World Cup last year. Their batters from No. 6 and further down strike at just 104.05 and have just hit just four sixes in total in 42 matches since 2023.Spin-bowling allrounder Deepti Sharma, who’s played in the middle order, has a strike rate of just 99.10 since 2023. India will also want to nail down the rest of the line-up, which has seen several changes in the last few years. Amanjot, who showed off her skills as a finisher in the WPL, will be one of India’s options to fill that gap in the middle order, though she played at No. 3 in the tour game in Beckenham, with Rodrigues dropping to five.India have also not been able to nail down their go-to spin option in the format. Deepti aside, they have tried as many as ten spinners since 2023. While Rajeshwari Gayakwad has been out of favour recently, the likes of Saika Ishaque, Shreyanka Patil and S Asha – who were part of the last few series – have not found a place in this squad. One of the three spinners in the squad – Radha, Rana and youngster Charani will want to make the most of their chance to make sure India’s search for a reliable spinner ends.Where India have improvedIndia will also want to define the brand of T20 cricket they want to play, with their batting approach having come under scrutiny over the last few years. While Ghosh has the highest strike rate of 148.80 among all players since 2023 (minimum 200 balls faced), India’s next best is Mandhana’s strike rate of 122.66, which exposes this gap. Ghosh also has the best balls per six ratio of 18.75 since 2023, while Mandhana, who’s hit the most sixes for India in this period, has hit one every 40 balls.India’s overall scoring rate, however, has seen an improvement: they were at their best-ever in 2024, scoring at 7.99 per over compared to 6.93 in 2023. They also posted their highest-ever T20I total of 217 (in the third T20I against West Indies) in 2024. But their run rate at the death since 2023 is 8.86 compared to Australia’s 10.16, the best on this list.

Manchester United are now advancing in talks to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, with it being revealed that a formal offer is in the works…

With Casemiro’s contract due to expire at the end of the season, and Kobbie Mainoo’s future still in doubt, having already held talks over a January exit, it is little wonder Ruben Amorim is keen to bring in a new central midfielder, and a Premier League player recently joined the shortlist.

With Carlos Baleba Man United’s dream target and an approach recently being made for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, there is no shortage of exciting options to choose from, although it was recently revealed Amorim wants to bring in two midfielders before next season.

Recruiting from the Premier League in the summer has served United well so far this season, with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha becoming key players, but a move for a slightly more left-field central midfielder is now gaining traction.

Man Utd advancing in talks to sign Kees Smit

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Man United are progressing in talks with AZ Alkmaar over a deal for Smit, with an opening bid in the works, and the deal could be finalised when Amorim’s side formalize their ‘definitive’ offer.

The 19-year-old has caught the eye due to his passing and ability in transition, and there is a belief he would be able to adapt to life in the Premier League, despite still being relatively inexperienced.

The midfielder is valued at just €25m (£22m), meaning a deal wouldn’t break the bank, and there could be money left over to pursue the likes of Baleba or Anderson, with Alkmaar also willing to sanction a departure.

Lauded as a “duel monster” by scout Ben Mattinson, the teenager has already established himself as a key player for Alkmaar, amassing two goals and four assists in all competitions this season, while his performances last term indicate he could be the future of the Netherlands national side.

There may be some concern over the fact the Dutchman is yet to prove himself outside his home country, but a deal would be relatively inexpensive at just £22m, so it would certainly be a low-risk move.

Smit is extremely comfortable in possession of the ball, placing in the 90th percentile for both successful take-ons and progressive carries per 90 over the past year, and it would be fantastic if Man United were able to beat the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona to his signature.

Carlos Baleba's stance on leaving Brighton to join Man Utd How £100m Carlos Baleba now feels about leaving Brighton to join Man Utd

Will the Red Devils get their man?

1 ByHenry Jackson Nov 17, 2025

India’s batting hero spoke about the challenges she has been through during the World Cup

Sruthi Ravindranath31-Oct-2025

Emotional Jemimah Rodrigues waves at the crowd after her sensational innings•Getty Images

Jemimah Rodrigues revealed the mental battle she faced in the weeks leading up to her match-winning unbeaten 127 against Australia in the World Cup semi-final, describing a period of anxiety that left her feeling “numb” and brought her to tears. Rodrigues broke down during the post-match press conference, saying she hoped sharing her experience could help others facing similar struggles.”I will be very vulnerable here because I know if someone is watching, this might be going through the same thing and that’s my whole purpose of saying it. Nobody likes to talk about their weakness. I was going through a lot of anxiety at the starting of the tournament,” she said, pausing to hold back tears.”It was a lot, you know, before few games also, I used to call my mom and cry the entire time, let it all out. Because when you are going through anxiety, you just feel numb. You don’t know what to do. You are trying to be yourself. And also in this time, my mum, my dad, they supported me a lot. And also there was Arundhati [Reddy], who I think almost every day I have cried in front of her.Related

Australia feel India's force as Rodrigues brings down the Death Star

Rodrigues completes her redemption arc as the silence turns to roars

The greatest chase: how India kept their cool amid the drama

“Later I was joking, saying ‘you don’t come in front of me, I will start crying.’ But she checked on me every single day. There was Smriti [Mandhana], who helped me. She also knew what I was going through. Few of the net sessions, she was just standing there. Even yesterday she came, she just stood there, just because he just knows that her presence is important for me.”There has been Radha [Yadav], who has, always been there, taking care of me. I am so blessed to have friends, I can call family, that I didn’t have to go through it alone. And it’s okay to ask for help.”Rodrigues had entered the semi-final on the back of a 76 not out against New Zealand, but her tournament began with a few low scores, including two ducks. She had also been dropped for the match against England as India opted for an extra bowler, a bold call given Rodrigues’ status as one of India’s top batters. She said it was difficult to stay patient, but she chose to hang in and trust that her moment would come.”My family went through a lot, but everyone stood by me, and believed in me when I didn’t, when I couldn’t,” she said. “And it started with the anxiety thing. Then I was dropped from the team [for the match against England]. That really hit me.”When you are dropped, you have a lot of doubts because I always want to contribute to the team. But that day, I couldn’t do much sitting out. And then, when you come back in, it’s a lot more pressure, than everything that was happening in the past month.’I am very grateful for the people who believed in me when I couldn’t, and were there for me and understood me because I couldn’t do this on my own’•ICC/Getty Images”But sometimes all you need to do is, just hang in there and, things fall into place. So, I am very grateful for the people who believed in me when I couldn’t, and were there for me and understood me because I couldn’t do this on my own.”During India’s chase of 339, Rodrigues was at the crease for nearly the entirety of the innings after entering at No. 3 in the second over. She remained unbeaten on 127 off 134 balls, guiding India to victory with five wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. Her innings, however, included a reprieve when she was dropped by Alyssa Healy on 82. Asked how she would rate her innings, Rodrigues reflected on her mindset.”I mean, how do I rate this innings? Actually, I have not let it sink in,” she said. “All I would say was I didn’t play for my 100. I didn’t play to prove a point at No. 3. I didn’t play for my 50. I just played to make sure India win. I wanted to see India win at the end and that was my only motivation.”I think when you have that thought process, I think God also favours you. You do it for the team, you don’t do it for yourself. And I think I have always played my cricket that way. I’m short of words actually.”Rodrigues also revealed that during a team discussion on the eve of the match, she had expressed a clear goal for the game.”We were just saying what all we could do better in this World Cup and all I said was that I want to be there till the end and finish the game. Whether we are batting first, I know if I am there, I can make a partnership. And get those 20-30 runs extra because I run well, pick gaps, unusual gaps.”And the second thing was if we are chasing, then I want to make sure I take the team through. And this just feels like a dream actually. It just felt like everything was such a set up. Because the last month wasn’t the easiest, but it just felt like a set up for this moment.”

Karl Etta Eyong has been backed for a potential transfer to Barcelona, with the Cameroonian coach Marc Brys praising the Levante striker’s qualities. Viewed as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski, Eyong has impressed in La Liga and is now attracting interest from top European clubs.

Cameroon coach Brys highlights Eyong’s qualities

The 22-year-old has quickly drawn attention across Europe since joining Levante in August. Under contract until 2029 with a €30 million (£26m/$34m) release clause, he has been earmarked by Barcelona as a potential long-term replacement for Lewandowski once the Pole’s contract expires next summer.

Brys, the Cameroon national team coach who gave Eyong his senior debut with the Indomitable Lions, has spoken highly of the striker’s attitude and impact. Despite Levante’s current struggles near the bottom of La Liga, the striker has shown glimpses of the talent that has captured the attention of Europe’s elite, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester United. His contract also involves complex clauses with Villarreal, which will add another layer to any potential negotiations.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBrys praises young striker's humility and work ethic

Brys has been impressed not only by Etta Eyong’s talent but also by his professionalism and team-first mentality. In an interview with , he highlighted the striker’s character as a major reason for his rapid rise in both club and international football.

"He's a very good player, Very modest and humble, which is a gift," said Brys. "He's not an egocentric striker; he plays for the team. I like that: he's hard-working, he draws attention so others can take advantage of the space. He played one game with us and did well, even though he didn't score. He was an important addition to the squad. He has a good heart, he's polite, and he has no negative attitude. That's what makes him special." 

"He needs to continue developing, to integrate more fully, but he has the potential to score a lot of goals. He's already shown that, although he hasn't yet reached his full potential. We'd like to continue working with him because he can keep growing and go very far."

Etta Eyong to follow Yamal’s path at Barcelona?

When asked if Etta Eyong has the quality to play for Barca, Brys expressed confidence in the striker’s potential. He drew parallels to Lamine Yamal, highlighting how young players with the right attitude and talent can quickly become key figures at top clubs.

"I think so, given his potential. There's always room for a new player on a team if they have the right qualities. Look at Lamine Yamal: a year ago, nobody thought he'd be playing for the first team, and now he's a key player. Etta has that potential too. He's dangerous, unpredictable, and can surprise anyone. And that's valuable for any top team."

The Catalan giants see Etta Eyong as more than just a potential Lewandowski replacement. His work ethic, versatility, and ability to create opportunities for teammates make him an attractive long-term option. Meanwhile, other clubs have monitored his rise, but Levante are adamant that he will remain in Spain for this season to help the team avoid relegation.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportEye on transfers and Etta Eyong’s next steps

As the 2025-26 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Etta Eyong’s development at Levante. While CSKA Moscow already submitted an offer that was immediately rejected, the Cameroonian striker’s dream remains a move to Barcelona, the club he grew up supporting.

Negotiations for Etta Eyong will require careful consideration of both Levante and Villarreal’s financial interests, due to sell-on clauses and matching rights. Any potential deal will likely be structured around these conditions, ensuring all parties are compensated fairly. For now, Etta Eyong’s focus is on delivering consistent performances, helping Levante fight for La Liga survival, and positioning himself for a high-profile transfer next summer.

The All-Star break is behind us and the 2025 MLB season is heading for the home stretch. With 15 teams legitimately in contention for Wild Card spots, the race to the finish could get hectic, which might make this one of the most active trade deadlines in recent years.

Over the next few weeks contenders will attempt to position themselves for the stretch run by making deals to fill needs. What follows is a look at the five most glaring holes National League contenders have as we head toward the deadline.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Starting Pitcher

Despite a rash of injuries to their pitching staff, the Dodgers still look like a juggernaut capable of repeating as World Series champions. With Tyler Glasnow back, Blake Snell close to returning and Shohei Ohtani working himself back into shape, things are beginning to look much better for their starting rotation. But can they trust it? L.A.'s rotation pieces all have lengthy injury histories and there's a pretty good chance they don't remain healthy for the rest of the season. With a ton of organizational depth and a stock farm system, the Dodgers can aim high at the deadline.

Prices will be sky-high for good rotation pieces, but the Dodgers can pay whatever it takes to improve. If they want to become the first back-to-back World Series champions since the Yankees won three straight from 1998 to 2000, they should be willing to add to their rotation.

Philadelphia Phillies: Bullpen Help

The Phillies reached the break with a 1/2-game lead over the New York Mets for supremacy in the NL East, and those two teams should be slugging it out for the rest of the season. If Philadelphia wants to prevail, it must address its biggest weakness. The Phillies' bullpen currently ranks 23rd in ERA (4.38) and has blown 17 saves in 44 opportunities. None of the team's relievers has an fWAR of 1.0 or better. The team's revolving door at closer hasn't helped things.

There will be relievers aplenty to go around, but they won't be cheap. That said, after watching helplessly as the Mets scored 19 runs in the sixth inning or later during their NLDS series in 2024, the Phillies can't enter the postseason with a weak bullpen.

Chicago Cubs: Starting Pitcher

The Cubs have one of MLB's best offenses and come out of the break a game up on the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. The team's starting rotation, which has a Justin Steele-sized hole. With Steele out for the year following elbow surgery, Chicago's rotation has had its ups and downs. Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga have been excellent, but the team's starters rank 18th in baseball in ERA (4.06) and have allowed the second-most home runs (84).

It's highly likely the Cubs only have Kyle Tucker for the next few months, as he's set to seek an enormous contract in free agency. While he's still in town and they have an elite offense, the franchise should go all-in. Netting a top-tier starting pitcher could be the difference between the Cubs making a run to the World Series or suffering an early exit in the postseason.

New York Mets: Center Fielder

Yes, the Mets could use another starting pitcher, but the rotation looks much healthier now, led by Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Clay Holmes. The real issue is the team's lack of production from center field. Tyrone Taylor has played 85 games in center and has an OPS of .580. There isn't a good option to replace him on the roster, so New York needs to go shopping.

Steve Cohen didn't give Juan Soto $765 million to have a flawed roster, the team's owner is almost certain to go all-in during his superstar's prime. There are a number of center fielders out there the Mets could make offers on, with Luis Robert and Cedric Mullins leading the list.

San Diego Padres: Catcher

While left field is also a major hole for the Friars, nothing is more pressing than San Diego finding a catcher that can hit. So far this season, Padres catchers have a combined WAR of -0.9, worst in baseball. The combination of Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado has been a flop, and something has to change at the position. General manager A.J. Preller is always looking to wheel and deal, and he'll earn his paycheck if he can find a reliable backstop.

Catchers who can hit are a rare commodity in baseball these days and finding one won't be cheap. But even a league-average catcher would be a massive improvement for the Padres at this point.

Former Barcelona star Kevin-Prince Boateng revealed how Lionel Messi "had the power" to block his shock transfer to the Catalan club. The Blaugrana signed the striker from Sassuolo in January 2019, initially on loan with an €8 million option to buy. Now, speaking on the YouTube podcast Unscripted, Boateng has revealed that the transfer only went ahead after Messi gave his blessing.

Under scrutiny at Barcelona

When Boateng arrived in Spain, he was already under the scanner. Old quotes resurfaced suggesting he had grown up admiring Real Madrid, and had even said years earlier that he could have played for Los Blancos had he applied himself more diligently. However, he quickly brushed those aside during his first press conference. 

"I am a Barcelona player and Lionel Messi is the best player in this world and every world," the Germany-born former Ghana international told reporters. "Why are you laughing? That's the truth, he has shown that with all that he has won in the last 10 years. It's a great honour [to be at Barcelona] because Messi is the best player in the world, and Luis Suarez the best striker in the world. They play amazingly and being able to play by their side is a great gift."

He added: "At my age, the number nine role is perfect for me, but for a coach, I think a player like me is a plus because I can play in different positions, but I feel very good as a number nine. I have not talked to the coach [Ernesto Valverde], but I know I have not come to play in the starting line because there are incredible players in this team. I'm here because of my experience and to help. I'm here to play well and sign on for more years here, that's my goal."

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport"If Messi said no, it was over"

Now, Boateng has described in vivid detail the moment the near-finalised transfer was abruptly paused. All the principal decision-makers at the club, president Josep Maria Bartomeu, manager Ernesto Valverde, and both sporting directors, including Eric Abidal, had given full approval. Everything appeared ready for Boateng to put pen to paper. But then came the shock.

"If Messi had said no, the transfer wouldn't have happened," he asserted on the YouTube podcast . "At the time, there were two sporting directors. One of them was Eric Abidal, and he said, 'Yes, we want you.' The other sporting director said, 'We want you'. The president (Bartomeu) wanted me, the coach (Valverde) too, so I said, 'Perfect, let's sign tomorrow!' They replied, 'No, we have to talk to Leo first.' He had that power. I went to sleep hoping Messi would approve my signing. If he had refused, I wouldn't have signed for Barcelona." 

The Real Madrid "lie" and a carefully managed image

Speaking later to Rio Ferdinand on , Boateng revealed that Real Madrid had been his favourite club growing up, but insisted that saying so upon arriving in Catalonia would have been impossible.

On being asked which was his favourite club, he said: "I supported Hertha Berlin, where I grew up and then, sorry, Blaugrana…Barcelona fans gonna hate me now, but Real Madrid. I couldn't say that in the press conference [when I signed for Barcelona]. They told me I could never say that. Because otherwise we can't play you."

He added: "Two years before, when I was at Las Palmas, they asked me in a press conference who was the best player in the world and I said 'in this world Ronaldo, in the galaxy Messi' and then they asked me my favourite club and I said 'Real Madrid'. Then, the first question was who is your favourite club, I said ‘Barcelona’. I think anyone would have done the same, I wanted to pull on that shirt one time at Camp Nou. It's one of the biggest lies I've ever told."

Ferdinand, himself no stranger to football politics, responded: "Footballers lie…we lie all the time, man."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPShort spell but a big achievement

Boateng’s on-field impact for Barcelona was limited to just four appearances, none of them particularly memorable. But he did finish the season with a La Liga winners’ medal. For a player who had journeyed through Las Palmas, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Sassuolo, it was an extraordinary late-career chapter.

Under new captain Latham, the likes of O’Rourke and Ravindra have shown what they can do, and there are others knocking on the door

Deivarayan Muthu27-Oct-20245:09

Latham: Immensely proud moment for this group

At 3.55pm local time in Pune on Saturday, Tom Latham’s New Zealand did the unthinkable by beating India in India in a Test series. Before 2024, New Zealand had visited India for 12 Test series across 69 years without ever winning one. Before 2024, they had two Test wins in India in 36 years. Now, in a space of less than two weeks, New Zealand have doubled that tally and made history.After Tim Southee coolly took the winning catch at the edge of the long-on boundary to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja, Latham sprinted all the way from leg slip to embrace him. Having stepped down as captain ahead of the Test series in India, Southee was no longer a certain starter in spin-friendly Indian conditions. But, as it turned out, he had the first say under cloudy skies in Bengaluru and the final say under cloudless skies in Pune.More than three years ago, when Ross Taylor hit the winning runs for New Zealand in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India in Southampton, he exchanged hugs and glove-punches with Kane Williamson. This image of the pair walking off the ground together became iconic, with the New Zealand public even suggesting it should be immortalised as a statue at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe bear hug between Latham, Southee and Daryl Mitchell in Pune was perhaps just as iconic, with their screams of joy reverberating around the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, where more than 20,000 Indian spectators were stunned into silence.Southee was the only fast bowler from both teams to have taken a wicket in Pune. Latham was the only batter from both sides to have scored more than 80. The pair is the last link to New Zealand’s golden generation. Kane Williamson, who missed the first two Tests of the ongoing India series with a groin injury, has knocked back his New Zealand central contract, as have Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham. Meanwhile, Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme have all retired from international cricket.Related

Ravindra's journey to the top: from copying Sachin, to chants of Rachin

Team-man Tim and the art of letting go (only if he has to)

Stead 'very confident' Williamson will be available for start of home summer

Williamson to miss third India Test as well

Santner's 13 hands India first home Test series defeat since 2012

Transitions are always tricky and New Zealand have a limited talent pool, but they have found ways to invest in their next line of players. And it felt like Pune 2024 marked the beginning of a new era, with some old, familiar faces still around to oversee the transition.”I guess in cricket teams you have times where you’re grouped together a long time,” Latham said at his post-match press conference. “I guess around that World Test Championship, the group had been together for a long time and we obviously had guys retire, we’ve had guys move on. We’ve obviously seen a new wave of players come through and I think for them to come in and perform straightaway has been the most pleasing thing. You’ve obviously still got a mix of older guys or more experienced guys and some youth, which is awesome.”I guess the likes of Will O’Rourke and Rachin [Ravindra], those two guys are going to play a lot of cricket for New Zealand. It’s obviously really special for them to come here and be in this position. Certainly really proud of this group and everyone’s proud of each other.”Everybody wants a bit of Mitchell Santner•AFP/Getty ImagesLatham and Mitchell beamed with pride every time they spoke to the Indian reporters about their Canterbury team-mate O’Rourke’s potential.In his first Test in India, O’Rourke, 23, took out Virat Kohli for a duck on his way to match figures of 7 for 114. Kohli’s dismissal had New Zealand’s planning written all over it. They placed their best fielder Glenn Phillips at leg slip and had their tallest bowler bouncing him out in Bengaluru. They were braced for the conditions changing in Pune and once again made a percentage call by bringing in Mitchell Santner and that paid off handsomely too.Everything has to come together perfectly for wins like these and they did, which is having quite an effect back home.

Congratulations to the @BLACKCAPS on a famous and historic test series win in India! Absolutely brilliant!

— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) October 26, 2024