India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Sunday asserted that Kuldeep Yadav was benched from the second Test against Sri Lanka due viral fever, and there was no need for the management to “fake” an illness to leave out a player from the eleven. However, Kotak rather inadvertently countered bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, who attributed Kuldeep’s absence from the nets here for two days in a row to travel-related fatigue. “I don’t think that’s a relevant question (on Kuldeep’s fitness). If he is not fit, how will he think if he plays or not? When he left there (Galle), he was genuinely having viral (fever),” Kotak said in the post-day press conference.

The Saurashtra stalwart further clarified that Kuldeep indeed was in no position to be in consideration for selection.

“If the team needs a spinner and then he doesn’t play, there is no need to fake that he wasn’t keeping well. When the guy is not in position to play, there is no point thinking about whether he would have been fit or not. It would be very unfair to think that way,” he said.

However, Kotak said Kuldeep has progressed well from his illness, and his non-availability and the presence of left-handers’ presence in SL line-up prompted the management to hand debut to off-spinner Saransh Jain.

“He has recovered reasonably well. He looked good when I met him in the (today) evening and, obviously, he wasn’t available for the match (in the morning).

“So, when it comes to whether we go with three fast bowlers or three spinners and then having four left-handers in (SL) top order, probably it makes sense to play an off spinner,” he noted.

Rishabh Pant had to retire on three after getting pinged on his forearm by pacer Lahiru Kumara.

Kotak said the wicketkeeper batter looked good to resume on the second day of the match.

“I think he will be fine to continue tomorrow,” he said.

Kotak lauded Devdutt Padikkal after the top-order batter made his second successive hundred of this series — a 117 off 168 balls that led India to 300 for five at close on day one.

“He has made the most out of the opportunity. For me the intent he has shown, the temperament he has shown and the pace in which he batted as well matter a lot. He batted with a very good strike rate as well.

“So, the way he batted is really, really a good sign for us. He has been waiting for his turn for the last year and a half or maybe two years. I am so happy with the way he prepared, and made the most of that opportunity,” he added.

So has Padikkal sealed the No. 3 slot? Kotak left it hanging.

“Number three, obviously, he is batting well and he may continue at that number. But for me, that is not something that is very exciting — this number three, he has scored runs and that’s more important.” However, Kotak said he would have been even more delighted had India not lost five wickets on the day.

“It was a good toss to win and 300 for five is a good score. If you ask me personally, I would say 300 for three would have been better because three of our batters got set and then got out — 50, 45 and 43.

“If one of them got converted to 100, then we would have probably three or maximum four wickets down at the end of day. But sometimes it happens.

“Now it is the time for all-rounders and lower-order batsmen to contribute. If we play the first session well, I think we will reach a total which we feel is a good total,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Managers can come and go, but something about Liverpool and Newcastle remains: an addiction to late drama, a capacity to entertain and enthrall. Kevin Keegan knew it more than most: perhaps the greatest Premier League game of all ended 4-3, maybe costing his Newcastle team the title three decades ago. As two of his former clubs paid tribute to him, as Matthias Jaissle was on the brink of a debut win which, it seems safe to assume, Keegan would have loved, came the newest late twist in this remarkable rivalry.

After a 100th-minute winner at St James’ Park last season, Liverpool got a 99th-minute equaliser this. Andoni Iraola’s reign did not begin with defeat. “It’s a strange feeling,” said the Spaniard. “Before the game we would haven’t signed for this result, but the way we scored the goal in the end, it tastes better.” Not for Newcastle. “It is really hard to digest,” said Jaissle, who, like the departed Eddie Howe before him, got a taste of the cruelty this fixture can provide. Although, perhaps, it could have been still crueller for Newcastle.

When Lewis Hall upended Victor Munoz – “it is a really soft penalty, as you call it here,” said the German Jaissle – and referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot, many an eye on Tyneside turned to one man. This, it seemed, was Alexander Isak’s moment after an afternoon of anonymity and abuse. Except it wasn’t.

Isak was a penalty taker supreme for Newcastle. Against them, though, it was Dominik Szoboszlai who stepped forward. With nerveless magnificence, he fired his penalty into top corner. “An almost impossible penalty to stop,” said Iraola. But as Szoboszlai stepped forward, it invited the question of why Isak did not. Liverpool’s reigning player of the year seized the moment. “More than 50,000 fans in the stadium against you. You can’t hear your own voice,” said Szoboszlai. “That’s why I love football and that’s why I am doing it.”

For Liverpool and Newcastle alike, the new came with certain lashes of the old, and not merely Szoboszlai’s relish for the occasion. Liverpool had Isak’s latest ineffectual showing. Newcastle conceded too many injury-time goals last season and began the current campaign with another. They have lost out to Liverpool for too many players: Hugo Ekitike last summer, who then scored against them home and away, and Munoz this, who made his mark in his cameo. “I am happy for Victor,” said Iraola. “He has created problems.”

It gave the new head coach an immediate return from a signing he championed; while Liverpool still need a right winger, on the afternoon Mohamed Salah opened his Trabzonspor account, Munoz at least showed his speed with a surge on the right. Liverpool could savour another debut, the giant Jeremy Jacquet showing huge promise at the heart of their defence.

And yet, when the anguish of added time dissipates, Newcastle may derive more encouragement from this. Eddie Howe’s departure seemed to plunge them into chaos. Only 18 days after his appointment was announced, Jaissle’s frantic football instead left Liverpool looking dishevelled.

If Iraola had compiled a checklist of what he wanted from his first game, Jaissle instead got it on an afternoon to indicate there is life after Howe. An early goal to give a flying start. A display of intensity, with the crowd galvanised by the pace of the game and the team buying into the manager’s methods. Two goals from transitional football at its fastest, with stunningly quick breaks. A goal from a substitute, just after coming on, hinting at a managerial Midas touch. An encouraging display by one of his signings. A brilliant performance from last summer’s striking signing.

But even that could leave Newcastle with regrets. Wissa was outstanding, a player bought with the proceeds of Isak’s sale and wearing the No 9 shirt the Swede vacated belatedly looking an excellent buy. He started as a No 10, finished as the No 9, flourished as both. This, he said himself, was his best game for Newcastle. “Amazing performance, even though he could have killed the game,” said Jaissle. Because Alisson denied the £55m man when he ran clear. But instead of making it 3-1, it soon became 2-2. Alisson’s excellence in one-on-one situations meant he served as Liverpool’s saviour again.

When he was beaten, Newcastle’s goals offered a glimpse of Jaissle’s brand of football. It only took four minutes for the first, Will Osula – leading the line in more dynamic fashion than Isak – releasing the roadrunner Anthony Elanga, who sprinted clear of Milos Kerkez to finish; as in much of last season, Liverpool’s full-backs looked fallible. The last team to score two from two fast breaks against Liverpool was Iraola’s Bournemouth.

Ryan Gravenberch lost the ball for both goals, albeit nearer the Newcastle box than his own. Wissa ran 50 yards to set up Joe Willock: a minute after coming on, with his first touch, the midfielder scored. The home faithful could enjoy that, and a fine performance from their new right-back Amar Dedic, even if his immediate opponent struck.

Cody Gakpo drilled in a shot from 20 yards for the first goal of Iraola’s reign. He was the threat, even as the Newcastle crowd concentrated on the returning Isak. Whistles greeted his every touch. He was barracked by the crowd who used to celebrate him, “one greedy b******” was at the politer end of the spectrum. “It was not a big surprise for him,” said Iraola. Perhaps Isak was intimidated by the vitriol; certainly he was ineffectual.

But if Isak has divided Liverpool and Newcastle, it was also about a man who united them. Keegan’s name rang around St James’ Park. And so maybe a draw felt fitting, even as Liverpool hurt Newcastle again.

An NHL return to Arizona may be closer than it appears. Hockey insider Steve Peters says there is plenty happening behind the scenes, although the league still needs a plan for an arena and ownership before anything can move forward.

Peters made the claim during Morning Cuppa Hockey while discussing the possibility of the league returning to Arizona.

“There is so much smoke going on right now here in Arizona; so much going on…right now behind the scenes; just wait Arizona fans, it’s closer than you think.”

NHL Rumour Report later shared his comments on X.

The league left Arizona in 2024 after years of issues surrounding the Coyotes, including ownership and arena problems. Any return would require a new ownership group and a suitable arena.

Texas could be first step toward NHL’s 34-team plan

The National Hockey League could be on its way to Texas before the end of the decade.

Houston already has teams in the NFL, NBA and MLB, and it has had an NHL-level hockey presence before. The Houston Aeros played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1978 and became a popular team in the city.

Austin has a different case to make. The city had a population of just over 1 million in July 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making it the largest U.S. city without a team in one of the four major professional sports leagues.

Dan Friedkin’s Pursuit Sports has agreed to pay $2 billion for an expansion franchise, with Houston and Austin still the two options. The group needs an arena plan before the NHL’s Board of Governors can give the final approval.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Friedkin’s group is working toward a 2029-30 start.

“They’re projecting the ability to start play in 2029-30,” Daly said during the NHL’s European Media Tour. “So we will have one down and potentially one to go.”

Texas would give the league its 33rd team. And Daly’s “potentially one to go” comment suggests the league could then look at adding another club.

Phoenix and Atlanta are among the other markets being discussed.

“We have ongoing discussions both with people in the Phoenix marketplace, but also Atlanta, and then we’ll see what comes of those discussions.”

Indianapolis and New Orleans have also been mentioned by Gary Bettman as possible markets. Quebec City continues to push for another chance to join the league, while a second team in the Toronto area has also been discussed.

The league could also consider relocation rather than adding another franchise if an existing team moves to a new market.

Adding another team would have an effect on the current clubs as well. A new franchise would need players, while existing teams would have to decide which players to protect in an expansion draft.