The Steelers, who recently placed the rare right of first refusal tender on Rodgers, were optimistic he would eventually join them, despite it taking him until May to formally decide.
Rodgers, 42, signed a one-year deal with the Steelers last season following a tumultuous two years with the Jets. During his first season in Pittsburgh, Rodgers proved he is still capable of playing at a high level. He went 10-7 as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback (including the postseason) while helping the Steelers win their first division title since 2020.
This Steelers team is vastly different. For starters, there’s a new coach in town: Mike McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl with Rodgers in 2010. McCarthy replaces Mike Tomlin, who stepped down one day after Pittsburgh’s season-ending loss to the Texans in the AFC wild card round.
Pittsburgh also underwent some notable roster turnover. Gone is team MVP Kenneth Gainwell (and a Rodgers favorite) after the veteran running back signed with the Buccaneers in free agency. The Steelers replaced him with Rico Dowdle, who just compiled his second-straight 1,000-yard rushing season.
The Steelers acquired former Colts receiver Michael Pittman and rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard, who was Alabama’s leading receiver each of the past two seasons. Both players should make life infinitely easier for Rodgers and DK Metcalf in the quest to limit double teams in pass coverage.
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During the draft, the Steelers added another quarterback into the mix when they selected former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round. Pittsburgh’s quarterback room, for now, also consists of 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and veteran Mason Rudolph.
Despite Pittsburgh’s lack of weaponry at receiver last season (a weakness further magnified by Metcalf’s two-game suspension), Rodgers played well enough to help the Steelers go 10-7 during the regular season. He opened the season with a four-touchdown performance while leading Pittsburgh to a win over his former team, the Jets. Rodgers ended the regular season by throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III against the Ravens that ultimately sealed a division title and playoff spot for Pittsburgh.
Rodgers’ lowlights last year included a Week 13 loss to the Bills, during which he sustained at least three fractures in his non-throwing (left) wrist. Despite the injury, Rodgers missed just one game. The injury appeared to make Rodgers even more wary of getting hit, leading to quicker passes and questions about his reluctance to let Myles Garrett break the single-season sack record at his expense during Pittsburgh’s Week 17 loss in Cleveland.
Rodgers passed former teammate Brett Favre for fourth all-time in touchdown passes. Rodgers is just 13 touchdown passes away from passing Peyton Manning for third on the all-time list. He is fifth all-time with 66,274 passing yards, which is 5,564 yards behind Favre, who is fourth all-time.
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Rodgers won four MVP awards from 2011-21 while cementing his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. He has yet to get back to a Super Bowl, however, which is the biggest blemish in an otherwise remarkable career. In 2026, Rodgers will try to climb the mountaintop once again.
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Odyssey’s Ai-Dual putters feature an innovative half-ball alignment aid — a visual that can be especially helpful on short-range putts — as well as an insert comprised of two layers of urethane with a softer outer layer and firmer inner layer shaped by artificial intelligence to control ball speeds.
On the wedge front, Callaway’s Opus SP (Spin Pocket) wedges were first introduced last year. Their primary design attribute: A raised center of gravity to help players flight lower wedge shots with more spin.
The Opus SP+ wedges made their debut earlier this year, and were described by gear editor Jack Hirsh as a version of their predecessor “on steroids.” The Opus SP+ features an even higher CG for more control and spin.
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Back by popular demand, the X Grind returns in OPUS SP. Designed for shotmakers who want added bounce for forgiveness, without giving up versatility, the X Grind is ideal for players who like to open the face around the greens or play in firmer turf conditions. It’s the perfect blend of playability and performance in a wide range of shots and conditions.
Introducing the all-new Opus SP+ with Spin Pocket™ Construction + Tungsten, a new extension of our Opus SP family. Tour-preferred shaping with an even higher center of gravity for more spin and precision.
As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her original interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.
Bryan Bagunas.–Photo from Bryan Bagunas’ Instagram
MANILA, Philippines — Bryan Bagunas earned his first Japan SV. League title with the Osaka Bluteon, completing a successful return to the international pro league.
Bagunas made history as the first Filipino men’s volleyball player to win the prestigious championship in Japan after Osaka pulled off a series comeback with a 25-22, 25-20, 25-18 sweep in Game 3 to dethrone the Suntory Sunbirds on Sunday.
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Japanese national team star Yuji Nishida finished with 15 points, including the championship-clinching ace, while Cuban spiker Miguel Angel Lopez delivered 19 points to beat the Ran Takahashi-led Sunbirds.
The Alas Pilipinas captain only played in Game 1 and scored three points as a substitute with two points, as Suntory bagged the series opener 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23, last Friday.
But the Bluteon never gave up forcing a series opener, eking out a 13-25, 25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 15-9 result in Game 2 behind the duo of Nishida and Lopez.
The 28-year-old outside spiker returned to Japan after he made an epic comeback from a knee injury in the FIVB Men’s World Championship and led Alas Pilipinas’ gallant stand, beating Egypt and narrowly missing the round of 16 with a heartbreaking five-set loss to Iran.
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It was his third overseas stint after winning two titles and one MVP trophy for WinStreak Club in Taiwan. He made his international debut also in Japan with Oita Miyoshi.
Bagunas found himself in the stacked rotation of the Bluteon during the regular season after finishing second with a 38-6 record behind top seed Suntory.
The former National University star scored a total of 31 points built on 23 kills, five blocks, and three aces in 39 matches played during the regular season.
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Bagunas joined Santiago, who last won an SV.League title with the Osaka Marvelous last year. Alyssa Solomon was this year’s import for Osaka but settled for silver.
Marck Espejo also won a championship in South Korea, and he is now seeing action in Taiwan.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates with wide receiver Justin Jefferson during the first half of a road game against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 2, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit. McCarthy and Jefferson connected for a touchdown as the Vikings offense continued building momentum in a key NFC North showdown. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-Imagn Images
On Sundays, we post the Minnesota Vikings’ “nopedy nopes” for the week — stuff that is wrong, bizarre, or didn’t work out as most planned. It’s basically a journal of bad takes and Vikings-themed theories gone bad.
Minnesota’s rumor cleanup list gets another round.
This is the May 17th edition, with most of the meaty parts of the offseason in the rearview.
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Three Vikings Talking Points Need a Closer Look
The Vikings’ Nopedy Nopes for May 17th, 2026.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during first-half action on Sep. 8, 2025, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. McCarthy opened another chapter in the NFC North rivalry while continuing his development as Minnesota’s young starting quarterback during an important early-season divisional matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings could have traded — or still might trade — J.J. McCarthy to a new team.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano examined the NFL’s “10 lingering offseason questions” this week and discussed why McCarthy had not been traded.
He noted, “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to trade him. The Vikings have already paid 70% of McCarthy’s rookie contract. There’s no way they could get anything in return that remotely approaches what they spent in terms of draft capital to acquire him in the first place. They’re less than a year removed from believing he could be their starter, not just now but for years to come.”
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“And it’s not like Murray is some automatic fix, either. He has had one fully healthy season in the past five, and the Cardinals are paying him almost $36 million this year to play for another team. People I’ve talked to who are close to this situation insist that the Vikings haven’t given up on McCarthy — that part of their hope is bringing in Murray sends some sort of shock to McCarthy’s system and gets him refocused on whatever they think he got away from last year.”
McCarthy tallied 15 total touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season in 10 starts.
Graziano continued, “It’s probably a long shot, but again, there doesn’t seem to be much they would gain from trading him at this point. Murray is signed for one year, and his deal prohibits the Vikings from franchise-tagging him next offseason.”
“There’s a world in which Minnesota gets to the end of this season believing that McCarthy has figured some things out and can still be what it thought he would be. If not, maybe then the Vikings cut bait. But there’s no reason to do it now.”
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That’s the word from ESPN: a McCarthy trade is probably a no-go.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on the Vikings trading McCarthy just because they signed Kyler Murray.
The Nopedy Nope: UDFA LB Scooby Williams could latch on as a long-term contributor.
In-the-weeds Vikings fans on Twitter (X) asked late last week, “Where’s Scooby?” The man was not included on the Vikings’ rookie minicamp roster, though the club signed him in undrafted free agency three weeks ago.
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Florida Gators linebacker Scooby Williams pressures Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III during second-half action on Sep. 16, 2023, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Williams helped anchor Florida’s defensive effort in a heated SEC matchup, pursuing Milton as the Volunteers attempted to generate offense through the air late in the contest. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
A few days later, there’s an explanation. SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote, “Williams attended the combine but never did athletic testing in the pre-draft process for injury reasons, and it appears a medical issue has resulted in him not officially putting pen to paper with the Vikings. The Vikings’ official website’s story on the 19 UDFAs has a May 11 update that states ‘Williams did not sign with the Vikings.’”
“That explains why he wasn’t on the roster for last Friday’s rookie minicamp, which some astute diehard fans noticed. And on Tuesday, replying to one of those fans on X, The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis reported that an issue with Williams’ physical is the reason.”
Williams will have to regroup, bide his time, and try out for the Vikings or another team later this summer.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Scooby in the Vikings’ summer plans.
The Nopedy Nope: Jaren Hall would have staying power in the NFL.
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Hall was pretty straightforward on Instagram this week, writing on Wednesday, “There’s a lot I could say, but mostly I just feel grateful. Sports have been woven into nearly every part of my life- they’ve challenged me, humbled me, shaped my faith, introduced me to lifelong friendships, and given me experiences I never could have imagined.”
“From growing up in this community to representing my hometown, to having the opportunity to play in the NFL, it has all been a blessing. What I’ll carry most isn’t the milestones, but the people– teammates, coaches, family, and a community that supported me every step of the way.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall makes adjustments before the snap against the Philadelphia Eagles during second-quarter preseason action on Aug. 24, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hall continued competing for positioning on Minnesota’s quarterback depth chart while the Vikings evaluated roster decisions ahead of final preseason cuts later in the summer. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports
Hall closed the message, “My heart is full as I close this chapter and finish my football career. I’m thankful to everyone who’s been part of the journey. The game has given me more than I could ever give back.”
Hall flamed out of the UFL in January, and that was evidently his sign to call it quits.
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The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Hall latching on in the NFL with long-term staying power.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
The training duo of Gary and Nichole Searle from South Australia, joined by daughter Brianna Callanan, have Melbourne Cup aspirations for their stayer Sir Kingsford.
During Sir Kingsford’s previous Flemington visit, Nichole Searle witnessed the Andrew Ramsden vibe when The Map won the Melbourne Cup qualifier in 2024.
Searle made the journey alongside co-trainer Oopy MacGillivray for The Map and shared in the post-victory joy, despite not seeing the mare cross the line on track.
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“Sir Kingsford ran earlier in the day, so I travelled over with Oopy and I know a few of the owners that live out Mallala way,” Searle said.
“There was this hype around her, and everyone was so excited, that she was going there, and then when she won, the hype in South Australia was just fantastic.
“I wasn’t there when the horse won, but when Oopy got back, we were out at Ballarat, we had a pretty good night of celebrations.”
Sir Kingsford’s team was fired up by The Map’s achievement to seek their own major target.
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The stayer claimed victory in last year’s Port Adelaide Cup before being spelled after a tough preparation.
Sir Kingsford now heads into his sixth race of this season.
“We all want to try and emulate something like that, getting to a nice big race,” Searle said.
“Sir Kingsford is probably the sort of horse that can take that step, take us to a nice race.
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“Hopefully, the Andrew Ramsden is that on Saturday.”
Sir Kingsford was runner-up to Alainge, another Andrew Ramsden contender, in the Port Adelaide Cup held at Morphettville on May 2.
Searle indicated Sir Kingsford has bounced back strongly since then, including a recent gallop under Saturday rider Teegan Voorham.
“He’s had a few trips across now, so the travel shouldn’t bother him,” Searle said.
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“He always eats pretty well, so fingers crossed all goes well with him.
“We thought we’d have a throw at the stumps and see where we land.”
Discover competitive racing odds for the Andrew Ramsden Stakes among top betting sites.
The Grand Finals of the Free Fire Max Asia Invitational (FFMAI) 2026 Spring is all set to be played on May 17, 2026. The top 12 teams from the Group Stage will be seen fighting in this high-octane clash for the trophy. The tournament features a total prize pool of $50,000, of which $15,000 will be awarded to the winners of this phase.
The Group Stage of the FFMAI 2026 was hosted from May 14 to 16. A total of 18 teams, divided into three groups, competed in 12 matches each. The first-to-12th ranked squads on the overall points table entered the Grand Finals. The 13th-to-18th-placed teams faced elimination from the Asia Invitational 2026.
Qualified teams for FFMAI 2026 Spring Grand Finals
Here are the names of the 12 finalists:
Dewa United Horus (Indonesia)
Team Hind (India)
Expand (Malaysia)
Autobotz Esports (India)
Straw Hats Esports (Bangladesh)
NXT Esports (India)
Team Akkee (Thailand)
Total Gaming Esports (India)
Horaa Esports (Nepal)
GodLike Esports (India)
Revenant XSpark (India)
Extreme Ex (Bangladesh)
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How to watch
Fans can enjoy all matches of the Grand Finals live on the YouTube channel of Free Fire Max Esports India Official from 6:30 pm onwards on May 17, 2026.
Indonesia’s Dewa United displayed its supremacy in the Group Stage of the FFMAI 2026 Spring, scoring more than 250 points in 12 matches. The squad won three Booyahs and clinched 181 eliminations in the previous stage, reflecting their dominance. Dewa United will be one the top teams to follow in the Grand Finals.
India’s Team Hind was the second-best performer in the Group Stage of the FFMAI. The squad recently clinched the FFMIC 2026 Spring after an astonishing run. This team will now try its best to secure another tittle.
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Expand from Malaysia and Autobotz from India also had a decent run in the Group Stage, as they came third and fourth in the overall standings. Both teams have played well in their respective regional events in the past.
Straw Hats from Bangladesh displayed commedable performances in its last six matches of the Group Stage and managed to finish into the top-five. Notably, the team recently came out victorious in the Free Fire Bangladesh Pro Season 2.
Popular Indian organizations Total Gaming and GodLike saw a mediocre run in the Group Stage. Revenant XSpark, who’d played remarkably in the SA Play-Ins, struggled in the Group Stage of the FFMAI. These squads will aim to find their rhythm in the Grand Finals.
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NEW DELHI: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered their crucial IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala without regular captain Rajat Patidar. In Patidar’s absence, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma led the side.RCB are the defending IPL champions, having defeated Punjab Kings in the 2025 final to lift the title. Jitesh walked out for the toss as stand-in captain after Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to field first.“We’re going to bowl. I’m not going by the stats, we’re clearly seeing how the games pan out. If we bat and bowl well, the toss doesn’t matter. I seriously had no clue that this was my 100th game as a captain but it feels great. It feels like a great opportunity for me to win my 100th game (as captain),” Iyer said during the toss.“The bowling has been fantastic, but there are pressure moments where you need to execute and so you can’t change the past, nor you can’t anticipate the future. The beauty is to stay in the moment and see the moment and enjoy the pressure. Two changes for us (Harpreet) Brar and Lockie (Ferguson) come in,” he added.Jitesh, meanwhile, provided a major update on Patidar’s fitness status.“We would have loved to bowl first, but the wicket is good and should play well for 40 overs. Rajat is doing fantastic and we should see him in Hyderabad. Every game is important, this win can change a lot for us and other teams. Suyash replaces Rajat and Romario replaces Duffy,” Jitesh said.
Why is Rajat Patidar not playing against PBKS?
According to sources, Patidar did not travel with the squad to Dharamsala and also missed both practice sessions ahead of the RCB-PBKS clash.Jitesh confirmed during the toss that the RCB captain is recovering well and could return for the team’s next game.“Rajat is doing fantastic and we should see him in Hyderabad,” Jitesh said.RCB will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their final league-stage match on May 22.Patidar has enjoyed an outstanding IPL 2026 season so far, scoring 326 runs in 10 innings at a blistering strike rate of 195, including three half-centuries.The focus will now shift to Jitesh, who has struggled with the bat this season. The wicketkeeper-batter has managed only 90 runs so far in the tournament.RCB currently sit at the top of the IPL 2026 points table with 16 points from 12 matches. They have won eight games and lost four, while maintaining a healthy net run rate of +1.053.They have played 12 matches, won 8 and lost 4 and have 16 points with a solid net run rate of +1.053. Playing XIs:Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma(w/c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash SharmaPunjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra ChahalHere are the Impact substitutes for both the teams:Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact subs: Rasikh Salam Dar, Jordan Cox, Abhinandan Singh, Swapnil Singh, Kanishk ChouhanPunjab Kings Impact Subs: Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, Musheer Khan, Praveen Dubey
May 16, 2026; Chester, Pennsylvania, USA; Columbus Crew defender Andres Herrera (2) shoots the ball against the Philadelphia Union in the second half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Milan Iloski scored his fourth goal midway through the second half but the Philadelphia Union again fell short of a first home win in a 1-1 draw against the Columbus Crew on Saturday night at Chester, Pa.
Iloski’s tally canceled Hugo Picard’s 10th-minute strike from distance for the visitors.
Cavan Sullivan came closest to scoring a late winner for Philadelphia (1-9-4, 7 points), which is now 0-3-3 at home after going 12-1-4 there in 2025 en route to the Supporters’ Shield title.
Patrick Schulte made four saves to help Columbus (3-7-4, 13 points) snap a three-match losing streak, on a night the Crew were outshot 12-6 overall and 5-2 in efforts on target.
Philadelphia midfielder Jovan Lukic departed at halftime with an apparent injury, perhaps the same ailment that forced him out late in the first half of a 4-3 loss at Orlando on Wednesday night.
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Picard put Columbus in front in the 10th minute.
Andre Gomes served in an outswinging free kick from beyond the right corner of the penalty area. Union center back Olwethu Makhanya got his head on it, but while retreating could only clear it back to the edge of the penalty area on the left side.
That’s where Picard controlled it with his first touch, then curled an arcing shot with his second into the top right corner beyond Andre Blake’s dive.
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Iloski leveled in the 70th minute on an opportunity created by Agustin Anello.
The substitute took Ben Bender’s pass on the left, drove at defender Rudy Camacho on the dribble, then struck a low cross that rolled between Camacho’s legs and toward the top of the 6-yard box.
Iloski did the rest with a one-time finish into an open goal before Schulte could recover from his near-post position.
Sullivan had two promising late chances to finally end the Union’s home misery.
Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricketer Rohan Gavaskar has criticised Gujarat Titans (GT) for their batting approach during the IPL 2026 clash between the two sides. The teams faced off in Match 60 on Saturday, May 16, at Eden Gardens.
Chasing 248, GT fell short by 29 runs, finishing on 218/4 in 20 overs. Speaking during a discussion on Cricbuzz after the match, Gavaskar pointed out that the key difference for KKR was that only Ajinkya Rahane had a strike rate of 100, while all the other batters scored at strike rates above 180.
On the other hand, for GT, only Sai Sudharsan had a strike rate above 180, while the rest failed to do so. The 50-year-old noted that this should not happen when a team is chasing a target above 240 and no batter scores at a strike rate above 200. He said:
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“I can clearly see the difference. If you really want to understand the difference in batting, then forget everything else and look at the strike rates. For KKR, Ajinkya Rahane was the only batter whose strike rate was around 100. Every other batter had a strike rate above 180. For Gujarat Titans, only Sai Sudharsan had a strike rate above 180. The rest of the batters all had strike rates below 180.
“So when you are chasing 240, it shouldn’t happen that not even one batter has a strike rate above 200. You want one or two batters to play impactful cameos. Even if someone scores just 25 runs, that innings should come at a strike rate of 200, 225, or even 250. Here, Sai Sudharsan’s strike rate was around 190, but no other batter had a strike rate above 180,” he added.
Meanwhile, this marked KKR’s fifth win of the season, with the team now sitting seventh on the table with 11 points from 12 games.
In the same discussion, former GT seamer Mohit Sharma questioned the team’s tactics. During the innings, Sai Sudharsan walked off after getting hit on the elbow in the third over while he was on 23 off 13 balls. He later returned after Shubman Gill was dismissed for 85 off 49 in the 17th over, when GT needed 71 off 22 balls.
Mohit noted that at that stage, the team could have sent in Rahul Tewatia or Jason Holder, but the franchise showed faith in players who have been consistently delivering for them, and said:
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“But there were options. I would still say that the thought process behind sending Sai Sudharsan back out raises questions somewhere. But yes, they did have options. They could have sent Rahul Tewatia, and it was a perfect situation for him. After that, they also had Jason Holder, who could have come in and used his long hitting ability in that situation.
“But yes, this is how Gujarat Titans operate. GT tends to show more faith in the players who have been consistently delivering for them and are already settled in the setup. So, that’s their way of thinking. But for me, Sai Sudharsan coming back again and again keeps raising the same question,” he added.
Gujarat Titans currently occupy second place in the table with 16 points from 13 games.
Seven-time Ulster Championship winner Paul McGrane believes that Monaghan will “have no fear” facing Armagh in Sunday’s Ulster Senior Football final.
Kieran McGeeney’s side are favourites to end their 18-year wait to lift the Anglo-Celt Cup given they have hit 100 points in their three Ulster games to date, including a thumping 28-point victory over Down in the semi-final.
But Monaghan have recovered from a poor league campaign to reach the final as they look to win the county’s first Ulster title since 1988.
McGrane, who was the last Armagh captain to lift the Anglo-Celt Cup in 2008, says that Monaghan’s experience of beating Armagh in the All-Ireland in 2023 and the Ulster SFC in 2021 will give them confidence at Clones.
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“There’s a Monaghan team coming that are Ulster club champions, on their own patch and the display of grit they showed against Derry and to do what they did with the sideline points, they’ll relish playing Armagh,” he told BBC Sport NI.
“They’ll have no fear playing them. The last two big games they played them; in Croke Park [shootout win], they came out the right side of it and in the match in Pairc Esler [a thrilling 4-17 to 2-2 win].
“They’ll be going with hunger the same that Armagh have to get over the line and get an Ulster title themselves.”
;)
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