Sports
Eighth National Indoor 60m Hurdles Title for Sarah Lavin
The opening day of the 123.ie National Senior Indoor Championships at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena saw headline wins for Sarah Lavin, Adam Nolan, Sophie Becker and Mark Smyth.
Eighth title for Lavin
Emerald AC’s Sarah Lavin won her eighth national indoor 60m hurdles title as she beat world silver medallist Kate O’Connor of Dundalk St Gerard’s.
Lavin produced a smooth 60m hurdles run to win in 8.07 seconds, finishing ahead of Kate O’Connor who ran a huge personal best time of 8.21 seconds to go third on the Irish all-time list behind Derval O’Rourke and Lavin.
Commenting on her victory this afternoon, Sarah Lavin said:
“I’m happy, I would have liked a season’s best but to run sub eight is a difficult task. There were things I did really well there, and some things I need to tidy up but overall, it was a positive run. I want to carry the speed and intent through the race, sprinting is one thing, working on technique for the hurdles is another, and trying to bring those together”.
Orlaith Mannion (South Galway AC) rounded out the 60m hurdles podium in third in a time of 8.45 seconds.
Adam Nolan wins men’s 60m hurdles
The men’s 60m hurdles was claimed by Adam Nolan from St Laurence O’Toole AC, as he successfully defended his 2025 gold in a time of 8.03 seconds. Leevale’s Seán Carmody took second in 8.19 seconds, with 2025 high jump champion Ciarán Connolly of Le Chéile AC taking third spot in a time of 8.45 seconds.
Becker takes first senior 200m title
Sophie Becker won her first national senior indoor 200m title with an indoor PB time of 23.43 seconds. Racing in the sixth lane, Becker utilised her opening 100m speed to break clear of the field to cross ahead of Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers), who clocked 24.07 seconds for second place, with DSD’s Mollie O’Reilly finishing third in 24.14 seconds.
Becker spoke of her delight post-race in claiming the 200m title:
“I’m delighted with that. My first 200m title and an indoor PB to go with it so two boxes ticked and I’m thrilled to have taken the title. I’ve been lacking a little bit of confidence and the 200 really helps my 400 because I’m more of a speed-based athlete, so to know I have that time over 200 will give me plenty of confidence”.
Third national title for Mark Smyth
Raheny Shamrock’s Mark Smyth took a third national indoor title following a titanic tussle with defending champion Marcus Lawler of Clonliffe Harriers. The Raheny clubman held off the strong finishing Lawler to cross the winning time in 21.11 seconds. Lawler was second in 21.24, with Adam Murphy (Tinryland AC) third in 21.68 seconds.
Finals Results
Women’s 200m
1 Sophie BECKER Raheny Shamrock A.C. 23.43
2 Molly DALY Kilkenny City Harriers A.C. 24.07
3 Mollie O`REILLY Dundrum South Dublin A.C. 24.14
Men’s 200m
1 Mark SMYTH Raheny Shamrock A.C. 21.11
2 Marcus LAWLER Clonliffe Harriers A.C. 21.24
3 Adam MURPHY Tinryland A.C. 21.68
Women’s 60mH
1 Sarah LAVIN Emerald A.C. 8.07
2 Katherine O`CONNOR Dundalk St. Gerards A.C. 8.21
3 Orlaith MANNION South Galway A.C. 8.45
Men’s 60mH
1 Adam NOLAN St. Laurence. O’Toole A.C. 8.03
2 Sean CARMODY Leevale A.C. 8.19
3 Ciaran CONNOLLY Le Chéile A.C. 8.45
Women’s High Jump
1 Aoife O’SULLIVAN Liscarroll A.C. 1.75
2 Sommer LECKY Finn Valley A.C. 1.75
3 Lauren DUFFY Bohermeen A.C. 1.65
3 Maeve FLEMING Leevale A.C. 1.65
Men’s High Jump
1 Mohammed IBRAHIM HALIL Raheny Shamrock A.C. 1.93
2 Darragh KELLY Craughwell A.C. 1.90
3 Emmanuel OSAS Ratoath A.C. 1.90
Men’s WFD
1 Michael HEALY Leevale A.C. 9.11 NR
2 David TIERNEY Leevale A.C. 7.99
3 Robert HIGGINS Na Fianna A.C. 7.08
Women’s WFD
1 Kotryna PACERINSKAITE Fanahan Mc Sweeney A.C. 8.70 NR
2 Laura DOLAN Ferbane A.C. 6.46
3 Bridget MC DYER Finn Valley A.C. 6.29
Men’s Triple Jump
1 David ONWUDIWE Ennis Track A.C. 13.96
2 Darragh FAHY Loughrea A.C. 13.94
3 Joseph GILLESPIE Finn Valley A.C. 13.75
Women’s Triple Jump
1 Daphni DOULAPTSI TEEUWEN Raheny Shamrock A.C. 12.54
2 Caoimhe MC DONAGHSouth Sligo A.C. 12.21
3 Anna RYAN Moycarkey Coolcroo A.C. 11.4
Sports
‘Gautam Gambhir country ke liye kitno se dushmani le raha hai’: Munaf Patel defends India coach | Cricket News
Former Indian cricketer Munaf Patel has backed men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying that if he is removed from his position as the head coach, it will become tough to handle players, adding that many people don’t like Gambhir because he is a genuine person.“Just remember this, if a head coach like Gautam Gambhir is removed, then handling the players will become very difficult. He is a genuine person; he calls the truth as it is and many people don’t like that,” Munaf said while speaking on TOI Sports’ Bombay Sport Exchange Podcast. Gambhir has won three major titles — the Champions Trophy, Asia Cup and T20 World Cup — during his tenure so far. However, India’s results in Test cricket during his tenure have led to criticism and questions over his position.
However, Munaf, who was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team, said Gambhir’s presence is important in maintaining control within the team.“Gambhir is the only one who’s handling the players today. Other than him, the players won’t be handled by other coaches. Because he’s still feared — because he loves cricket, not money. You will never see him fighting for money. He doesn’t even need money, nor has he ever been like that,” said Munaf on TOI Sports’ Bombay Sport Exchange Podcast.“I am saying, Gambhir is a true human being. He speaks the truth. Many people don’t like it because he speaks on the face. He doesn’t have any betrayal in his mind.”Senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been key figures in world cricket for over a decade, having been coached earlier under coaches Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid.Gambhir took charge in July 2024 at a time when the team was entering a transition phase. More than a year into his tenure, concerns over performances in Test cricket led to discussions around the future of Kohli and Rohit in the format and both retired from Tests after India lost the Border-Gavaskar series in 2024-25.Patel said Gambhir has the “guts” to drop players. “If Gambhir leaves after three years, then you will see things become more scattered. Because he can keep control. Absolutely—he has a complete controlling system. And everyone knows that if anything goes wrong, he has the guts to drop players,” Munaf further said.The former India bowler even said that a coach “shouldn’t be a friend.” “The coach should have control. He can’t be a friend. If he is, then you are spoiling the system. There should be fear,” Patel added while talking on TOI Sports’ Bombay Sport Exchange Podcast.
Poll
What do you think is the most important quality for a cricket coach?
“Think about it—how many enemies Gautam Gambhir is making while doing this job. In commentary panel, 8 out of 10 people are against him. 4 out of 5 selectors will be against him. But still, he does his work, Munaf Patel added.
Apr 3, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz (55) during the national anthem against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images A three-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Baltimore Orioles already has been eventful.
One of the teams will capture the series victory when they meet for the decisive game of the set on Wednesday afternoon in Baltimore.
The Diamondbacks evened the series with a 4-3 victory on Tuesday, a night after the Orioles rallied from six runs down to win 9-7.
The series also included a scary sight and then relieving news for the Orioles. First-year manager Craig Albernaz sustained a broken jaw and some fractured cheekbones when he was struck in the face by a foul ball Monday night, but he was back on the job Tuesday.
“I kind of have to show up every day,” he said. “… We have a game. I’m physically able to be here, so let’s go.”
There will be some adjustments away from the field for Albernaz, but he said he can handle the baseball managerial duties. He will be on a special diet and for six weeks he won’t be allowed strenuous activities, so that nixes his role of throwing pitches during batting practice.
“I think it’s more of the peace of mind, knowing I don’t need surgery and stuff,” he said. “I can see the whole eating component could be really difficult, which makes sense about the baby food diet, so soft foods for a while.”
The Diamondbacks faced their own health issue on Tuesday, pulling Ketel Marte from the lineup a night after he hit two home runs. The second baseman was dealing with back tightness, so his availability for the quick turnaround for the Wednesday afternoon game might be in question.
“We were working on him during the course of the game,” manager Torey Lovullo said after the Tuesday contest. “I got word about the fifth inning he’d be unavailable. I’ve got him in the lineup (Wednesday), so hopefully he can go out there.”
The Orioles will hand the ball to right-hander Kyle Bradish (1-2, 5.27 ERA) on Wednesday. He reached the five-inning mark for the first time this year on April 8 in a road victory against the Chicago White Sox. Bradish has been dealing with control issues, as he has walked three batters in each of his three outings.
In parts of five big-league seasons, Bradish’s only encounter with Arizona resulted in a victory during a September 2023 matchup. He allowed two runs on four this across six innings, striking out six and walking three.
Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 0.50 ERA) gets the call for the Diamondbacks. The left-hander hadn’t allowed an earned run until his third outing, when the New York Mets broke through for a single tally on Thursday in a game Arizona won 7-1. He went six innings in that appearance. Rodriguez holds a 14-5 career record with 2.74 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) against the Orioles. Baltimore is the only opponent against which he owns double-digit wins in his 11-year career.
Depending upon how long Rodriguez last on Wednesday, he could have an unfamiliar reliever taking over for him.
With veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly joining the Arizona rotation this week, Brandon Pfaadt was shifted to the bullpen. Pfaadt has appeared in relief in just one of his 87 major league outings, and that was a 2023 game in which he was the bulk reliever after an opener.
Lovullo acknowledged the move will be an adjustment for Pfaadt. “It’s just where we’re sitting right now,” Lovullo said. “I want to believe it’s going to be great, but it’s going to take some work.”
Last April, Pfaadt threw six shutout innings against the Orioles as a starter, and Arizona won the game 9-0 in Phoenix.
–Field Level Media
Michelle Wie West isn’t making a comeback, but her brief return to the LPGA just added a stop.
On Tuesday, Wie West announced that she will compete in next month’s Mizuho Americas Open, an event that she hosts, on a sponsor invitation. The 36-year-old Wie West said goodbye to competitive golf at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, but announced last month that she will be teeing it up at this year’s U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club. Wie West received a 10-year exemption into the event for winning the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst No. 2. That exemption was extended two years for maternity leave.
So, Wie West is back, but for a limited time.
The five-time LPGA champion has been grinding at home in Las Vegas as she looks toward Riviera in June. She said the nerves of preparing to compete again are there, but she has just one goal in what will be a brief return to competition.
“For me personally, knowing that this is not, like, a comeback by any means, it’s not, like, a beginning of something else,” Wie West said on Tuesday at the media day for the 2026 Mizuho Americas Open. “Because I know it’s so finite, that I just really want to go out there and just two more times, play like how I know I can play, and how I feel like I can play.”
That last part is key.
Wie West battled injuries for much of her professional career, including injuries to both wrists that required surgery in 2007 and hand surgery in 2018. Those physical battles also took a mental toll, which Wie West discussed on Nike’s No Offseason podcast in 2022.
“I felt like when I started, mental health wasn’t really talked about,” Wie West said. “What was talked about was having a champion mindset, being strong, being a warrior. That included never breaking. That included never resting. That included laser-focus. So in my mind, seeing that, I felt like to be a champion golfer, I had to have that mindset. I had to have that mindset that never broke, never complained.”
As her career wound down, Wie began to acknowledge her injury struggles, a decision she found freeing.
“I remember not telling the media really honest answers about my injuries, kind of hiding it, just because I didn’t want to feel weak,” she said. “And later on in my career, when I was going through more injuries, just being honest about it. You know, being like, this hurts. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to play. It was kind of freeing because I felt like I didn’t have to put up a front during my hardest times.”
Since having her son, Jagger, Wie West has spent time rebuilding her body without needing to think about birdies and bogeys. That has been a gift as she prepares for this limited comeback.
“I can’t remember if there’s ever [been] a time in my life that I got to really focus on rebuilding my body without the aspect of golf,” Wie West said. “And I am kind of fortunate that it happened that way.”
At Pebble Beach, Wie West drained a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole. It was an emotional goodbye, but one that Wie West was prepared for.
Now, as she readies to step back into the U.S. Women’s Open arena, the expected feelings have also returned — but Wie West welcomes them, especially now that she can share the entire experience with her daughter Makenna, who was just a baby when Wie West waved goodbye along the shores of Stillwater Cove.
“The anxiety definitely is there,” Wie West said. “But it’s like a good form of anxiety, right? Like I’m super excited to put myself in that position. Just being able to talk about it, honestly, very candidly with my daughter as well too has been really great.”
Michelle Wie West is ready to return to the arena. Her success will be gauged on a feeling, not a result. And then, Michelle Wie West plans to say goodbye one final time.
Munaf Patel (Screengrab)
Former India pacer and current Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel has raised serious concerns about India’s cricketing ecosystem, calling for urgent reforms in the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and the domestic structure.Speaking on TOI Sports’ Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast, Munaf did not hold back in his assessment, suggesting that the current system lacks a strong feeder pathway and has inadvertently sidelined specialised institutions. He stressed that grassroots infrastructure, including access to physiotherapists, trainers, and structured coaching, must be strengthened at the state level to produce quality cricketers consistently.
Munaf was particularly critical of the NCA, describing it as overly focused on rehabilitation rather than holistic player development.“Just look at the setup,” he said. “If you go inside the NCA, you’ll understand everything. I’ve been saying this for a long time, it needs to change, 100 percent.”Tracing its origins, Munaf pointed out that the NCA was built in the early 2000s based on Australia’s Centre of Excellence model. ”Back in 2000-01, when the NCA started, Raj Singh Dungarpur and others built it by adopting Australia’s Centre of Excellence model. They brought their coaching manual and implemented it in India. Since then, Australia has updated their manuals multiple times, but we are still following the same 25-year-old manual from 2000. It hasn’t really evolved. Hopefully, with the new Centre of Excellence, things might change, but so far, that hasn’t happened,” Munaf said during podcast. One of his sharpest criticisms was of the NCA’s current role, which he likened to a “hospital.””Tell me this, when I get injured, I go to the NCA. Why? To get fit. It has become more like a hospital. You recover, come back, and go straight into the team. But who corrects your mistakes? If I’m a bowler or batter, it’s not just about fitness, my skills also need improvement,” Munaf said.Munaf also revealed that many players deny to go to the NCA, but refrain from speaking out due to fear of livelihood.”Players are fearful of going to the NCA, nobody really wants to go. But everyone stays quiet because their livelihood depends on it. No one wants to speak up as it could create trouble. However, the higher authorities should know what’s right and wrong,” he added.Highlighting structural gaps, Munaf pointed out the lack of monitoring across India’s vast domestic circuit, ”There’s no system tracking what’s happening in domestic cricket. For that, the NCA needs to be more regional,” he said.
Thirteen months ago, the Minnesota Vikings took a flyer on former 1st-Round cornerback Jeff Okudah in free agency, and the experiment did not work. Okudah succumbed to injuries and poor performance, so much so that he remains a free agent in 2026. And according to SI.com, Okudah could eventually make his way to the Miami Dolphins.
Miami has the roster situation to consider Okudah after the draft.
The Dolphins have made a habit of signing journeyman corners in recent offseasons. Why not Okudah next?
The Dolphins Could Revisit a Vet CB Bet
Okudah has no free-agent nibbles to date.
SI.com: Okudah to MIA Makes Sense
Tyler DeSena of SI.com recently sized up next-wave free-agent options for Miami, with Okudah’s name getting a mention.
He explained, “The third overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, Jeff Okudah was the prototype outside corner: solid size, strong athletic testing, and top end production at Ohio State. However, as is the case with a few players on this list, injuries have largely kept Okudah from reaching his full potential.”
“He missed most of his rookie and sophomore seasons with injuries, and suffered a concussion that landed him on injured reserve this past season. Okudah has appeared only in 12 games over the last two seasons, but with Miami’s massive need at cornerback, and the fact that he would likely only command a minimum salary, a shot on the former Buckeyes star would be very low risk.”
DeSena also name-dropped players like running back Khalil Herbert and EDGE Clelin Ferrell.
The Dolphins’ CBs
How would Okudah fit in Miami? Here’s a look at the Dolphins’ cornerbacks through mid-April:
- Storm Duck
- Jason Marshall Jr.
- Darrell Baker
- JuJu Brents
- Marco Wilson
- Ethan Robinson
- Ethan Bonner
- Alex Austin
- Jason Maitre
- Isaiah Johnson
- A.J. Green III
- Miles Battle
Pound for pound, that is the worst cornerback unit in the NFL. In that vein, it makes sense why Okudah might be in play for the Dolphins. He’d actually get playing time.
DeSena also mentioned free-agent CB Martin Emerson as an option: “Martin Emerson Jr. played in 50 of 51 possible games from 2022 to 2024, but after tearing his ACL last July, he missed the entire 2025 season. The former Browns third-round pick started 12 games in 2023, when Cleveland had the No. 1 defense in terms of total yards and passing yards allowed.”
“Emerson logged 14 pass breakups and all four of his career interceptions in this season At 6-2, 201-pounds with 33½-inch arms, Emerson has plenty of athletic potential, and at only 25 years old, it would be wise to at least call the four-year veteran and check in on his recovery.”
Okudah in 2025
Okudah struggled to find his footing in Minnesota, as injuries hampered his performance and opposing teams frequently targeted him with success. Consequently, his career has veered significantly from the high expectations set when he was a top-three draft pick in 2020.
The consistent skills at Ohio State that made him such a promising prospect have been elusive, giving the Vikings little incentive to re-sign him, suggesting his career may be in rapid decline.
All told, Okudah played 93 defensive snaps last season in six games, delivering a horrid 146.5 passer rating against and a laughable 32.4 Pro Football Focus grade. Not ideal.
The Draft Options at CB for Miami?
Thankfully for Miami’s sake, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has seven picks in the Top 100. It’s not unreasonable to predict two to three new cornerbacks from that allotment.
Here’s who’s in play for the Dolphins at cornerback in the Top 100:
- Mansoor Delane (LSU | R1)
- Jermod McCoy (Tennessee | R1)
- Avieon Terrell (Clemson | R1)
- Colton Hood (Tennessee | R2)
- Chris Johnson (San Diego State | R2)
- Brandon Cisse (South Carolina | R2)
- D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana | R2)
- Treydan Stukes (Arizona | R2)
- Keionte Scott (Miami | R2)
- Keith Abney II (Arizona State | R3)
- Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State | R3)
- Julian Neal (Arkansas | R3)
- Chandler Rivers (Duke | R3)
- Malik Muhammad (Texas | R3)
- Devin Moore (Florida | R4)
- Daylen Everette (Georgia | R4)
SI.com‘s Alain Poupart recently mock-drafted Delane to Miami, noting, “Can hear it now, a lot of fans shaking their head at not taking Bain in this spot. This simply is a matter of the Dolphins not being in a position to take risks early in this draft because of where they are as an organization and Bain’s short arms representing just that. Delane is a safe prospect with a high ceiling who should be a starter for years to come at a key position.”
Miami also needs wide receivers after trading Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos and cutting Tyreek Hill. Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson are popular mock-draft candidates in Round 1.
Okudah will turn 28 around the Super Bowl next year.
Grahame Begg highlights two hurdles for his charge Zakouma as the stayer chases victory in the Mornington Cup.
The Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday delivers a ballot waiver into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) come October, serving as an excellent target for Zakouma, perfect in three appearances this campaign.
Begg expresses apprehension regarding the tight turn at Mornington, but the real issue is obtaining a berth.
Zakouma is listed 21st among entrants for the capacity field of 14 runners and four reserves.
Wednesday brings the final field confirmation.
“He’s a pretty nice horse and if he can get a run, he’ll definitely run, but that will be the challenge, getting a run,” Begg said.
“He’s so lowly rated, he’s only got a benchmark rating of 78, but he is a promising horse.
“Having a look at the form, there is a bit of a tail to the race, there’s plenty of horses that are out of form, but they’ve got a higher benchmark on previous form from previous campaigns.
“He looks like he’ll run the trip, but the biggest thing for him would be getting around Mornington because he likes to be relaxed in the early part of his races.”
In the event of a start, Daniel Stackhouse takes the mount on Zakouma, with Begg eyeing a 2000m benchmark 100 at Flemington on Anzac Day as the alternative for the gelding.
Begg mentioned a Mornington Cup triumph on Saturday would see Zakouma rested for a Caulfield Cup campaign, deeming it improbable to extend much past the subsequent Flemington outing.
“The Andrew Ramsden would be unlikely, and we would be unlikely to travel interstate at this stage,” Begg said.
“We’d prefer to just stay in our lane.”
Begg was runner-up in the 2021 Mornington Cup via Nonconformist, who then was second to Incentivise in the 2026 Caulfield Cup.
Zakouma launched his season with a win at Caulfield Heath over 1600m, then at Sandown (1800m), and latest over 2000m on heavy at Flemington March 28.
Visit the racing betting markets ahead of the Mornington Cup.
Michael Olise is enjoying a sensational season, having scored 17 goals and provided 29 assists in 42 games for FC Bayern Munich.
Heading into Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash with Real Madrid, head coach Vincent Kompany backed the 24-year-old French winger to become one of the best players in the world if he continues on his current trajectory.
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“We see him every day and he does it at the highest level in the Champions League. He’ll surely be one of the best in the world one day,” Kompany said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“He’s on the right track now. Everything he does is right. His level now is one of the best in Europe. But if I said now he’s the best, people will ask how many titles he’s won. He needs to keep going as he has done over the last 18 months. If he keeps going, we’ll see what becomes of him.”
Going into the game with a 2-1 lead from the first leg at the Bernabeu, Bayern will hope Olise delivers another remarkable performance against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
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A motorcycle crash in North Carolina claimed the life of a 20-year-old college football player over the weekend.
North Carolina A&T’s Kelvin Level Broadhurst Jr. died in Greensboro after being ejected from his bike.
Greensboro police said he was riding a Ducati motorcycle and lost control at around 5 p.m., according to The Charlotte Observer.
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Kelvin Broadhurst Jr. during a 2023 A&T football game against Richmond. (Kevin L. Dorsey/NCATaggies.com)
Broadhurst, traveling east on Interstate 40 to get onto U.S. 29 South, hit a guardrail and was ejected from his seat, and pronounced dead at the seen.
“He’s just always been the most polite, most respectful young man… and everybody came in contact with loved him,” Broadhurst’s mother, Latoya Lyles, said to WFMY News 2. “He left a lasting impression on anyone he encountered. I loved him with everything in me… I needed him in my life because he made me a better woman from the day he was born.”
“I was planning his 21st birthday… and it just seemed unreal cause now I’m having to plan his funeral,” she added.
Kelvin Broadhurst Jr. poses for a photo during the 2024 North Carolina A&T football picture day. (Kevin L. Dorsey/NCATaggies.com)
Broadhurst was a defensive lineman who appeared in 28 games during his time at the HBCU. He recorded 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Broadhurst was originally from Woodland, South Carolina and attended Dorman High School.
The crash is still being investigated.
Kelvin Broadhurst Jr. prepares in a three-point stance during the 2024 A&T football game against Delaware. (Kevin L. Dorsey/NCATaggies.com)
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Broadhurst was set to wrap up his junior year at the school. His best season was his sophomore year where he played in all 12 games and recorded 19 total tackles.
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There aren’t many names in football who possess football intelligence comparable to Toni Kroos, the man who played for two of the biggest clubs in European football – Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. As Bayern wrapped up an impressive 1-2 victory against Real Madrid at Bernabeu, the Bundesliga club’s fans rejoiced at the advantage the Bavarians gained ahead of the return leg at home. But Bayern’s performance didn’t convince Kroos as much because of the late goal the club allowed to concede. Kroos was quick to fire a warning that the tie is far from over.
The Bayern vs Real Madrid matches are often closely contested, though the head-to-head stats favour the Spanish club. More often than not, Real Madrid have managed to beat Bayern, even when they have been trailing at early intervals of the game. There’s a reason why Real Madrid are called the ‘Kings of Comeback’, and Kroos saw glimpses of that in the first leg in Spain.
“I was not surprised by what happened in the game, although Bayern signed an excellent performance, but what happened after getting 0-2 was the most striking aspect mentally,” the former Germany midfielder said.
“In recent years, Bayern has offered good performances against Real Madrid, but in the return matches they often fail to maintain their level or secure the classification, being affected by small details,” he added.
Kroos isn’t wrong, At Least Historically
In the 2023/24 semi-final second leg between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, the La Liga side scored twice — in the 88th and the 91st minutes — to beat Bayern 2-1 and enter the Champions League final. The first leg was a 2-2 draw.
That wasn’t an isolated case. In the 2017/18 semi-final first leg between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, Real Madrid scored twice — in the 44th and the 57th minutes — to beat Bayern 2-1 after Joshua Kimmich had opened the scoring. The second leg was a 2-2 draw, allowing Madrid to progress to the final.
The 2016/17 quarter-final second leg saw Real Madrid score four times — including three goals in extra time — to beat Bayern 4-2 on the night and progress 6-3 on aggregate. Bayern had led 1-0 and 2-1 during regular time to force the match into extra time.
In the 2016/17 quarter-final first leg, Los Blancos scored twice — in the 47th and the 77th minutes — to beat Bayern 2-1 after Arturo Vidal had given the hosts an early lead.
The 2001/02 quarter-final second leg saw Real Madrid progress 3-2 on aggregate after winning the second leg 2-0. Bayern had won the first leg 2-1, meaning Madrid had to come from behind in the overall tie to enter the semi-finals.
Historically, Bayern have let their focus slip against Real Madrid, let the occasion get the better of them. The onus is on Vincent Kompany‘s side to avoid a repeat of the same at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
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Jasprit Bumrah: ‘Bumrah is a star, but…’: Munaf Patel drops truth bomb on Indian fast bowlers | Cricket News
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers in world cricket today, with his impact and stature often placing him alongside icons like Virat Kohli in terms of influence. However, former India pacer and current Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel offered a candid and thought-provoking perspective on Bumrah’s popularity and the broader fast-bowling ecosystem in India.Speaking on TOI Sports’ Bombay Exchange Podcast, Munaf acknowledged Bumrah’s superstar status but pointed out that the level of mass appeal still differs when compared to a batter like Kohli.
”How will that happen sir? Look at Virat Kohli’s popularity and Bumrah’s popularity. There is a difference,” Munaf Patel said. “Bumrah is a star, no doubt, but there is still a difference when you compare his popularity with someone like Virat Kohli,” he added. The conversation soon shifted from individual stardom to a deeper issue, the development of fast bowlers in India. Munaf highlighted a systemic challenge, stressing that while India has begun producing bowlers with higher speeds, there remains a gap in awareness, training, and proper guidance at the grassroots level.He made a striking observation about pace being the primary currency in modern cricket.“If you ask me to find bowlers who can bowl at 125 kmph, I can bring many. But if you ask for bowlers who can consistently hit 140+, they are very rare,” he explained. “And the reality is, if you bowl 140+, you won’t go unnoticed. There’s almost no chance.”Munaf went on to underline what he believes is a paradox in Indian cricket, despite the clear demand for genuine pace, many aspiring fast bowlers are not being groomed effectively to reach those speeds.“It’s actually the easiest pathway right now,” he said. “If you are a fast bowler who can hit 135–140+, you can get into the Indian team quickly. But if you bowl at 125, no matter how much you swing the ball, you may not even get picked in IPL auctions.”He also questioned whether enough is being done at institutional levels to nurture fast bowlers scientifically. Referring to facilities like the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Munaf emphasized the need for structured training involving coaches, trainers, and physiotherapists to help bowlers increase pace safely and effectively.“You need to understand how to build that pace, strength, technique, workload management. Who is teaching that? That’s where the focus should be,” he added.Munaf’s remarks reflect a broader conversation in Indian cricket, one that balances the celebration of world-class talents like Bumrah with the urgent need to build a sustainable pipeline of high-quality fast bowlers for the future.
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