Oleksandr Usyk’s next fight has been confirmed, with the heavyweight boxing champion defending one of his world titles at the pyramids of Giza, in a stunning development.
Remarkably, it will take place at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, as he defends the WBC title against kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven on 23 May.
Usyk, 39, had been linked to the Dutchman, 36, in recent weeks, but the location of the fight comes as a major surprise.
Usyk was recently granted a voluntary title defence for his next bout and was previously linked to Deontay Wilder, but the American was later paired with Derek Chisora. Instead, it will be Verhoeven who vies for Usyk’s WBC belt, while aiming to hand the Ukrainian his first professional loss.
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Verhoeven’s kickboxing record stands at 66-10 (21 knockouts), and he is a former long-reigning heavyweight champion, widely regarded as an all-time great in his sport. However, this upcoming fight is just his second in pro boxing, and it comes 12 years after he won his first.
Rico Verhoeven is regarded as one of kickboxing’s all-time greats (Getty Images)
“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport,” Usyk said on Friday. “Rico is one of them. I respect his journey – he’s truly the king of kickboxing. But this is boxing, a different game with its own rules and kings.”
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Verhoeven said: “I spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion. I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing, that’s the kind of challenge that motivates me – undisputed versus undisputed.”
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Usyk, who outpointed Joshua in 2021 and 2022, last fought in July, when he stopped Daniel Dubois at London’s Wembley Stadium. The result came two years after Usyk first TKOed the Briton, and it crowned him a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Oleksandr Usyk (right) last fought in July, stopping Daniel Dubois for the second time (PA Wire)
Elsewhere in the division, Tyson Fury will emerge from his fifth retirement when he boxes Arslanbek Makhmudov on 11 April. Following that fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in the English capital, Fury could pursue a trilogy bout with Usyk.
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The Ukrainian outpointed Fury twice in 2024, handing the “Gypsy King” his only losses as a pro, and the first of those results marked Usyk’s first undisputed heavyweight triumph.
Usyk vs Verhoeven will stream live on DAZN and will be organised by The Ring magazine and Sela, a Saudi events company. The Ring is owned by Saudi government official Turki Alalshikh.
This week, The Telegraph reported that British promoter Frank Warren is claiming $1bn in lost income from Sela and combat-sports brand TKO, who co-own the new promotion Zuffa Boxing. Warren told the BBC: “It’s just a difference of opinion over the contracts that we signed, so that will just take its course. I can’t make any comment on it. It is what it is.” A representative of Sela told The Independent: “We are disappointed by the unfounded claims brought by Queensberry and Frank Warren. We reject them in their entirety and are confident that the facts will fully vindicate our position.”
Instead, it has been announced that he will take on the surprise alternative opponent he has also been linked to – kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven. As per the announcement, Usyk will be making a voluntary defence of his WBC belt, which will lead to legitimate questions over how Verhoeven has been sanctioned as a legitimate challenger.
The ‘Prince of Kickboxing’ has fought just once as a professional boxer, back in April 2014. The IBF and WBA belts are noticeably absent at this stage, meaning Usyk could be vacating them before the fight.
The event will take place at a spectacular venue, with the pair squaring off at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on May 23. The event is to be broadcast live on DAZN.
Legends collide where legends were built 🥊🦂
On May 23rd, under the shadows of the ancient giants, Oleksandr Usyk takes on Rico Verhoeven at the iconic Pyramids of Giza 🔥
Speaking about the announcement, Usyk explained why he is giving Verhoeven the opportunity.
“I respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief.
“I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings. I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming!”
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The Ukrainian will be a considerable favourite in the fight, and fans will hope for a more legitimate opponent later in the year.
Arne Slot has launched into a defence of Liverpool’s record spending spree by declaring they bought “great” players who will be a “big, big, big success” at Anfield and insisting they did very well with their money.
Arne Slot (left) has defended summer signings like Florian Wirtz (PA Wire)
But Slot is confident the Swede and Wirtz, plus top scorer Hugo Ekitike, full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, injured centre-back Giovanni Leoni and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili represent a good use of Liverpool’s budget.
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“They are great football players which will be a big, big, big success for this club,” he said. “In general I only ever see, ‘£450m spent, 450, 450, 450’. And no one looks at the circumstances, which are that the £450m is very well spent, very, very, very well spent – one more time, very well spent.”
Slot often points out that, over his time in charge, Liverpool have brought in around £300m so it is not a £450m net spend.
And because of injuries he is not able to put all that £450m on the pitch. He believes he will be without £300m of talent against West Ham on Saturday with Leoni out for the season, Isak for another few weeks and Wirtz missing with a back problem, while Mamardashvili will be on the bench, though Frimpong is able to return.
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Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike were two of Liverpool’s big-money summer signings (Getty Images)
But he accepts that Liverpool have not always seen the newcomers at their best, adding: “Alex has not been the Alex of Newcastle, [apart from] maybe 20 minutes at Tottenham, I don’t criticise him because we signed him for six years not six months. Giorgi, we needed him because Caoimh [Kelleher] left but we hardly played with two goalkeepers. Jeremie has been many times injured, Giovanni [is] out for the season. Tomorrow, I miss out on Florian. Him and Hugo and Milos needed time to adapt.”
EA Sports has released the EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC in Ultimate Team, with the Georgian striker winning the LaLiga Player of the Month award due to his amazing performances over the course of February. The Villareal forward has spearheaded his team’s attacking efforts and led them to the third position in the league table, and he is fully deserving of this 87-rated item.
With the meta of the game evolving at a rapid rate, Player of the Month SBCs have also started to receive two PlayStyles+. The EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC is an excellent example, as the LaLiga striker now has impressive stats in relevant areas after receiving his very first upgraded item of the season in Ultimate Team.
All tasks and cheapest solutions of the EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC
Similar to the recently released Joey Veerman Fantasy FC SBC, the EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC also requires two squads to be unlocked. This will keep the overall cost of the item relatively low despite his impressive attributes and traits, making him a tempting proposition for fans on a low budget.
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The requirements (Image via EA Sports)
These are the requirements and cheapest solutions of each segment of the POTM SBC:
Task 1: LaLiga
LaLiga players: Minimum one in your starting eleven
Team overall rating: Minimum 84
Solutions:
Romelu Lukaku: 84
Alexander Sorloth: 84
Greggi: 84
Nusken: 84
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: 84
Alex Greenwood: 84
Damaris Egurrola: 84
Fox: 84
Hampton: 84
van de Donk: 83
Ilkay Gundogan: 83
Task 2: Top Form
Team of the Week players: Minimum one in your starting eleven
Team overall rating: Minimum 85
Solutions:
Alexandra Popp: 85
Foord: 85
Girelli: 85
Granit Xhaka: 85
Giugliano: 85
Svenja Huth: 85
Vivianne Miedema: 85
Kim Little: 85
Caroline Weir: 85
Damaris Egurrola: 84
Reed (TOTW): 84
The requirement of a Team of the Week player in the Top Form segment will raise the overall price of this item, as these versions are relatively more expensive to purchase from the transfer market compared to regular gold items.
Is the EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC worth it?
The stats (Image via EA Sports)
The overall expected cost of the SBC is around 32,000 coins. This is a decent price for a well-rounded striker from LaLiga who has four-star skill moves, a four-star weak foot, 88 pace, 90 shooting and 90 dribbling. He also has meta PlayStyles like Finesse Shot+, First Touch+, Pinged Pass, Low Driven Shot, Quickstep and Technical.
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Manchester United’s resurgence under Michael Carrick has coincided with Benjamin Sesko scoring goals as a substitute and earning the team points with his impact
Alan Shearer says Benjamin Sesko should face no judgment until the centre-forward is starting regularly for Manchester United rather than only playing as a substitute.
Michael Carrick has used the summer signing exclusively to make an impact during matches, with Sesko’s last start coming while Darren Fletcher was briefly in charge. The striker scored three goals across two games during that spell, and has as many across his previous four cameos off the bench for the current boss.
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However, the difference is that Sesko is now earning United points, five in total by scoring the winner against Everton and Fulham, as well as the equaliser to draw with West Ham United. His two goals at Turf Moor under Fletcher were enough for a point after Jaidon Anthony’s equaliser.
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Shearer spoke highly of Sesko, telling Betfair: “I was critical of the price that Manchester United paid for Benjamin Sesko [but] he’s done well when called upon for them recently. There’s obviously a reason why Michael Carrick is not starting him.
“When he starts playing games on a regular basis, 12 or 15 games on the spin, that would be the time to judge him. But as a substitute coming on and scoring goals, he’s doing a job.
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“Carrick has obviously put a belief in and a structure that the players are comfortable with. It’s remarkable they are in that position; they’re in there because of him, and there’s no way they would have been there if he wasn’t there.
“They are finding a way to win or not lose games, which is a great sign. He’s given them a very realistic chance at Champions League football.”
Carrick has also played down the external calls for Sesko to start. He says: “I just think the whole thing is a real positive, to be honest, it’s certainly not a decision that is one that I look to in a negative way or anything like that.
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“We’re playing well as a team, we’ve been winning games, and I’m still not getting carried away and thinking that just carries on, but certainly within the group and the forward players have scored a good number of goals so far.
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“Ben’s been so good in so many ways for us. It’s really not a drama, believe it or not, for how people see it, it’s not a drama, and I think it just shows the qualities Ben’s got for what he’s produced over the last few weeks.
“If and when he starts the next game or the one after, I think, it is what it is, you know, but he’s doing so many good things as well as the team that it’s a good position for us to be in.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
President Donald Trump will host a White House roundtable next week, Fox News Digital has confirmed. The panel is expected to include prominent coaches, college sports and pro sports league commissioners and other professional athletes, according to multiple reports.
The group will meet March 6 to examine solutions to key challenges, including NCAA authority; name, image and likeness issues (NIL); collective bargaining; and governance concerns.
President Donald Trump before a college football game between the U.S. Army and Navy at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore Dec. 13, 2025. (Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump is expected to chair discussions on the issues raised by the roundtable. College sports leaders have yet to craft a comprehensive fix for the major challenges facing collegiate athletics.
NCAA authority has come under scrutiny in recent years amid several court rulings. The rise of name, image and likeness has transformed college athletics, intensifying debate over amateurism for student-athletes.
The gap between schools that compete in power conferences and smaller universities that play in the Group of Six conferences has only seemed to widen over the past several years. The Big 10, Big 12, SEC and ACC hold or are in negotiations for massive media rights contracts that significantly outpace smaller conferences.
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The NCAA logo outside the NCAA’s headquarters Feb. 28, 2023, in Indianapolis. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
There have been calls for the U.S. Congress to step in and establish a national framework to create a more stable playing field. However, no proposal has emerged that would effectively address the issue.
According to Yahoo Sports, the list of panel invitees includes Tiger Woods, former Alabama coach Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. However, the list is subject to change, sources told The Athletic.
Brad Neffendorf, coach of the LSU Shreveport baseball team, from center right, President Donald Trump and Jay Johnson, coach of the Louisiana State University baseball team, during a celebration for the LSU Tigers and LSU Shreveport Pilots baseball champions in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Oct. 20, 2025. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Trump’s interest in college sports has carried into his second term, highlighted by his attendance at last month’s College Football Playoff national championship between Indiana and Miami. Trump was also on hand for the annual Army-Navy game in December.
In July 2025, the president signed an executive order, “Saving College Sports,” instructing federal agencies to review antitrust protections for the NCAA and conferences and oversight of third-party name, image and likeness payments.
The order led to no binding changes, signaling that any impactful reform would likely need congressional action. Trump also considered a presidential commission co-chaired by Saban, though the plan was eventually tabled.
Feb 22, 2026; Hampton, Georgia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick celebrates the win at EchoPark Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images
With two exciting finishes under its belt, NASCAR has opened its season strong and certainly raised questions. The biggest one might be this: Who or what can stop team owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, their two 23XI Racing teams and rising drivers Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace?
After last season found the organization and Front Row Motorsports in court against NASCAR regarding an antitrust accusation, with Jordan and company citing the sanctioning body as an unfair, monopolistic group, a settlement was reached on Dec. 11.
23XI Racing has not let any distraction slow it down, though the third race this season — the 95-lapper around the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Sunday in Austin, Texas — will be a much different animal to deal with than the first two drafting tracks.
It’s an affectionate animal for Reddick thus far.
The NASCAR Cup Series has visited the Texas twister of a track five times since the 2020 COVID-affected campaign.
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Following Chase Elliott’s win in 2021 and Ross Chastain’s a year later, Reddick used a series of sharp lefts and rights to handily beat Kyle Busch in 2023 for his fourth career win and first with 23XI Racing in a race that had 16 lead changes and 3,110 green-flag passes (53.6 per lap).
Over the past two seasons, William Byron and defending winner Christopher Bell have been the best at figuring out the track that looks like it was designed on an Etch A Sketch.
Bell’s victory a year ago came against Byron, but the day’s biggest story was that road racing ace Shane van Gisbergen did not find the checkers first and finished sixth after leading 23 laps.
That’s disappointing for someone who went 5-for-6 on road courses in 2025.
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The Jordan/Hamlin-led team brings a ton of momentum to the Lone Star State, and Reddick stands on the cusp of being alone in history Sunday.
No driver has ever opened with three points wins. Only Matt Kenseth (2009), Jeff Gordon (1997), David Pearson (1976), Bob Welborn (1959) and Marvin Panch (1957) have won two consecutive races out of the gate.
“If at any point during this week I’m running out of reasons to be motivated to go win, I’ll keep that in my back pocket, for sure,” Reddick said. “You know, it’s cool to be able, or have the opportunity to potentially do things like that, but … it’s all about just doing everything I can and showing up every week being as prepared as I can.”
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Naturally, the hotshot leads in points as Texas looms in the Southwestern horizon. He has 125 points, while teammate Wallace, the top driver with 86 laps led, is 40 points back in second.
In fact, Wallace’s name could have replaced Reddick’s here this week, and the No. 23 Toyota that led in the closing laps at Daytona and Atlanta could be racing in Austin for history with a couple of breaks or better final maneuvers.
Yet winning in Texas sounds speculative.
“Pray for me,” Wallace joked about COTA, where he finished 20th last time.
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Can Reddick win again in the Texas capital like he did in 2023, or is it possible the snaking COTA will constrict 23XI Racing’s successful run to start 2026?
The answer to both are as obvious as asking Michael Jordan if he knows his championship ring size.
Brooks Koepka did just enough to stay in the tournament at the 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, but he made it clear he expects much more from himself. Playing his hometown event for the first time since 2022, the five-time major champion fought back in Round 2 to safely make the cut.
He started the week with a rough 74 (+3), recording two birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey. Koepka improved sharply on Friday, carding a 66 (−5) with six birdies and only one bogey. That lifted him to two under par through 36 holes, tied for 29th.
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Despite the improvement, Koepka was not satisfied with simply making the weekend. Speaking after the round, he admitted he isn’t happy with how he’s playing.
“If I’m out here to try to make cuts, I’m probably done. I just need to putt like I did the first day and then putt like I did today. I have a feeling the putting will come around, but just been hitting it really good, so just nice to see a red number.”
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This week’s performance is better than his first two starts since returning to the PGA Tour. Brooks Koepka finished T56 at the Farmers Insurance Open and missed the cut at the WM Phoenix Open. He came into the event ranked No. 263 in the world and is still trying to get back to his best form.
Brooks Koepka pointed to course changes ahead of the tournament
Before the event started, Brooks Koepka spoke about how different PGA National feels compared to the version he used to play. The 35-year-old first played here in 2014 and hardly missed it before joining LIV Golf, so this week marks his eighth appearance at the event.
Ahead of his return, Koepka said several changes have softened what was once one of the toughest courses on the PGA Tour.
“The course has changed so much, I think, from when I last played it, being overseeded,” he stated.
He also pointed out that shots around the greens should be easier than before, when thick rough made it almost impossible to predict how the ball would come out.
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“Chipping around the greens has gotten a lot easier. The rough is down a little bit. It was so difficult because if you got in the rough here, you had to judge whether it was going to be a 30-yard flier or just come out 30 percent of its normal distance.
Brooks Koepka came into the week ranked sixth on Tour in strokes gained around the green, so those changes looked like they could suit his game.
After two rounds, though, his numbers show a mixed performance. He has gained 0.437 strokes off the tee (55th) and 2.384 on approach (21st), but lost 2.475 around the greens (113th). His putting has been solid at +1.858 (25th). Overall, he is tied for 31st with 2.425 strokes gained total and has hit 14 of 28 fairways, a 50 percent mark that ranks tied for 76th.
Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced Friday that the 21-year-old forward underwent successful surgery on Thursday and will not play again this season.
After his rehab, Lekkerimäki is expected to be ready for 2026-27 training camp in September.
Lekkerimäki spent the majority of the season with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, scoring 13 goals and 20 points in 21 games.
He initially broke camp with Vancouver, but suffered an injury in October and was assigned to the AHL upon his return. But with Vancouver well out of playoff contention, Lekkerimäki got the chance to log some NHL ice time heading into the Olympic break.
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In 13 total games with the Canucks, he had two goals and one assist while averaging 11:41 of ice time.
Lekkerimäki was drafted by Vancouver 15th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft out of Sweden.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United will square off in a South African Premiership round 19 fixture on Sunday (March 1st). The game will be played at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
The home side are coming into the game on the back of a 1-0 away win over AmaZulu in midweek action. Marcelo Ivan Allende’s 84th-minute strike settled the contest.
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Sekhukhune, meanwhile, advanced with a 1-0 away win over Pretoria University in a Nedbank Cup round-of-16 tie. Vuyo Lellapa’s goal 10 minutes into the second half helped his side book a quarterfinal date with Milford FC.
The Limpopo outfit will shift their focus to the league, where their last game saw them claim a 2-0 home win over Orbit College.
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The victory left them in third spot in the standings, having garnered 32 points from 18 games. Sundowns lead the way at the summit on 38 points.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Sekhukhune United Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Mamelodi Sundowns are unbeaten in 10 head-to-head games, winning nine games and drawing one.
Sekhukhune’s last 11 games across competitions have produced less than three goals, with each of the last eight seeing one side keep a clean sheet.
Sundowns have made a 15-game unbeaten start at home across competitions in regulation time this season (11 wins).
Sekhukhune are unbeaten in their last five away games, winning each of the last four on the bounce.
Sundowns have scored at least two goals in six of the last seven head-to-head games.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Sekhukhune United Prediction
Mamelodi Sundowns are joint-level on 38 points with rivals Orlando Pirates as they aim to win a ninth successive league title. They have been rampant in games played in front of their fans and will be fancied to claim maximum points here.
Sekhukhune are one of the sides that could hamper the feel good factor in Pretoria. They are just six points off the summit and a win here would put Eric Tinkler’s side right in the thick of the title race.
Back the home side to claim a routine win and keep a clean sheet.
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Prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Sekhukhune United
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Sekhukhune United Betting Tips
MUMBAI: The iconic Wankhede Stadium is set to honour legends of the game, with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Friday announcing that a stand will be named after former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri, alongside gates dedicated to Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar, and Diana Edulji.While the stand will be named in honour of former Mumbai captain Shastri, three different gates of the venue will be named after players from the city.
India land in Kolkata for do-or-die WI clash | Semi-final spot on the line
“The Apex Council approved a proposal to name Level 1 Stand below the Press Box at the iconic Wankhede Stadium after former India captain and renowned commentator Ravi Shastri, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Mumbai and Indian cricket, both as a player and as a coach,” the MCA said.The decisions were taken during an apex council meeting of the MCA here.Gate No. 3 will be named after Sardesai, who played 30 Tests for India and an overall 179 First-Class matches between 1960-61 and 1972-73.Gate No. 5 will be named in honour of Edulji, who played an overall 20 Tests and 34 ODIs between 1976-1993.Similarly, Gate No. 6 will be named after Solkar, a former all-rounder and one of the best close-in fielders who featured in 27 Tests and seven ODIs for India.“Mumbai cricket is built on the foundation laid by our stalwarts. It is our responsibility to honour those who have brought pride to the city and the nation,” MCA president Ajinkya said.“The proposal to name Level 1 Stand below Press Box after Ravi Shastri is a tribute to his immense contribution as a player, leader and coach.“Similarly, dedicating gates at (the) Wankhede Stadium to Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar and Diana Edulji ensures that every fan who walks into the stadium is reminded of the legends who shaped our glorious cricketing heritage.“These decisions reflect MCA’s commitment to celebrating its past while inspiring future generations,” he added.
