Betting sign up offers and free bets are available from betting sites for signing up and betting online.
At The Independent, our experts have used their impartial and detailed analysis to find new and existing customers the best betting sign up offers and free bets on the market.
We have stringent criteria when it comes to picking our top betting offers available. Our experts focus on accessibility, flexibility, fairness, key terms and conditions and regularity when selecting the best options out there.
Every betting site that we recommend is licensed and regulated by United Kingdom Gambling Commission, ensuring that new and existing customers are using a reputable betting operator.
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Free bets can be claimed from betting sites by new and existing customers, allowing bettors to bet without risking their own money.
Terms and conditions are attached to free bets and betting offers. Usually, bettors must deposit or stake a qualifying amount to claim a free bet, which can be used on selected sports and events.
Wagering requirements can be attached to free bet offers, which means winnings must be played through a set number of times before you can withdraw funds as cash, but this is more common on casino sites.
Types of free bets
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Bet & Get: The most common betting sign-up offer, bet a minimum amount, meet the T&Cs and receive a free bet bonus.
Moneyback specials: Typically an ongoing free bet promo, whereby punters get their money back as a free bet if there’s an underwhelming outcome such as a 0-0 draw.
Free bet clubs: Loyalty reward schemes aimed at those who bet regularly with one bookmaker in particular.
Enhanced odds with free bet winnings: A bookmaker offers a wildly inflated price on a popular market, such as 40/1 on Man City to win, with winnings paid out as free bets.
No deposit free bets: These are rare, but can be obtained via free-to-play prediction games on several online bookmakers.
Free bets are straightforward to use for customers, although the way they can be deployed may differ depending on your chosen bookmaker.
Usually, betting sites will have a box or toggle on your bet slip that users can tick or move to confirm free bets on their bet.
An important note. If your bet wins, you only keep the profit, the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.
Bookmakers may require you to use free bets in precise portions, such as £5 or £10, while others will allow you to bet with amounts of your choosing until you’ve used up your balance.
Here are the latest betting sign up offers and free bets available for this week’s major sporting events.
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William Hill: Wales World Cup Epic Boost
William Hill are offering an Epic Boost price for Wales to qualify for the World Cup play-off final on Thursday.
Customers can claim the Epic Boost price of evens boosted from 2/5 for Wales to advance from their World Cup play-off semi-final clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Qualifying bets must be placed before kick-off and customers are limited to a maximum £10 stake.
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Paddy Power: Free Bet Builder Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Paddy Power are offering customers a free bet builder for users that place a qualifying bet builder on Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
To qualify, customers must opt-in on the free bet offer before placing a £2 bet builder on the World Cup play-off clash with three selections or more and odds of evens or greater.
Once the qualifying bet has settled, customers will receive a free bet builder worth £2 to use on football. Free bet builder expires within seven days.
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Bet365: Bet Builder Boost 25% World Cup Playoffs
Bet365 are offering 25 per cent bet builder boosts on select games for tonight’s round of World Cup play-off matches.
Customers can claim the betting offer for matches including Italy vs Northern Ireland, Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina and Czech Republic vs Northern Ireland.
Qualifying bet builders must include three selections or more and odds of evens or greater, with users selecting the bet builder boost option in their bet slip.
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Winning bet builders will be paid out with the 25 per cent boost.
Betting Site
Offer Type
Min. Bet
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Free Bet Value
Best For
Coral
Welcome bonus
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£5
£30
Low-stake sign up value
Betano
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Welcome bonus
£10
£50
Football free bets
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Tote
Welcome bonus
£10
£30
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Horse racing free bets
Bet365
Moneyback special
£10
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£10
Ongoing money-back as free bet offers
Virgin Bet
Free Bet Club
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£20
£5 weekly
Ongoing rewards for regular bettors
Free bets value for money (Independent)
Here are the standout betting offers on the market for users broken down into strength of category.
Coral – Best low-stake betting sign up offer
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Coral offer the best low stake betting sign up offer allowing new customers to secure £30 in free bets after signing up and betting just £5 on any sports bet of their choice.
There’s plenty of flexibility over where users can place their qualifying bet. Customers can choose any sport with odds of 1/2 odds or greater, only Bet365 has a lower threshold among welcome offers, but their value is not as high as Coral’s.
Time is also on your side using Coral. Customers can take up to 14 days after sign up to make their first bet and still qualify for the betting sign up offer.
Coral rewards customers with £30 in free bets for betting just £5 online (The Independent)
Payout is also prompt as soon as your qualifying bet settles. Coral will credit your account with £30 in free bets within 24 hours. These free bets are paid out in 6 x £5 free bets, giving customers plenty of scope to use their funds.
These free bets are fairly flexible as 4 x £5 free bets available to use on any sport on Coral, while the remaining £10 free bet balance is reserved for 1 x £5 football bet builder and a 1x £5 horse racing bet builder.
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It’s arguaaly the best £5 deposit betting site around as customers secure a 600% return from their first deposit and bet. For first-time bettors it’s a perfect betting sign up offer for value.
Betano – Best football betting sign up offer
Betano is the best option for punters looking for free bets at leading football betting sites, with the Betano sign up offer providing £50 in free bets with an initial wager of just £10 (an excellent return for a low entry stake).
The offer includes a straightforward qualifying bet with minimum odds of evens and no accumulator required, while the 30-day expiry on free bets gives users flexibility, with plenty of time to use bonuses.
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Newcomers can get £50 in free bets after an initial £10 bet (iStock/The Independent)
This new betting site provides great variety on its football markets – from match odds and BTTS to goalscorers, correct scores and much more – and users will also find regular offers and promotions once signed up to the site.
Tote – Best for horse racing free bets
The Tote betting sign up offer is an excellent choice for horse racing fans, with a £10 bet returning £30 in racing value – a strong 3x reward for such a low qualifying stake.
The offer provides £20 in Tote Credit for horse racing – which is ideal for pools, exotics, and Tote-only markets – as well as £10 in free bets to use on the sportsbook, offering plenty of flexibility for new customers.
The Tote website performs equally well on mobile and desktop (iStock/The Independent)
The qualifying bet simply need to be a £10 wager on any sport (with some exclusions, though win, place, or pool bets all count) at odds of evens or greater, and winnings are fully withdrawable, with Tote Credit profits available to be cashed out, keeping risk low.
Tote also guarantee boosts payouts paid at SP or better, adding an extra upside for horse racing bettors and making Tote the best choice among horse racing betting sites.
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Bet365 – Best for moneyback as a free bet
Bet365 have recently launched its moneyback specials across a number of sports, including football and horse racing, as well as a range of major events.
Customers can wager up to £10 and will receive their stake back in free bets if their bet fails. The system is simple for claiming the betting offer, with users ticking the ‘Money Back As Free Bets’ box on their bet slip to qualify.
Free bets are usually credited within a matter of hours, but it can take up to 24 hours. Free bet credits can be used anywhere on one of the best betting sites in the business with no limit on where and how your credits can be spent.
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Bet365 customers can get up to £10 back as a free bet on losing racing and football bets (iStock/The Independent)
Bet365 moneyback specials are most common on football, and notably the Premier League where the highlight games of the week are covered with a moneyback special notably on Saturday and Sunday evenings, although Champions League and Europa League midweek games have also featured this betting offer.
The nuts and bolts of the requirements are as follows. Customers must place a qualifying bet builder on the eligible game or event, with bet builders needing only evens (2.0) or higher odds.
Bet365 also attaches its Sub Play On feature on football bet builders in conjunction with the moneyback special, which keeps bets alive even if a player is subbed.
Virgin Bet – Best free bet club
Existing customers can use the weekly Virgin Bet rewards club to claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas.
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Users only need to opt-in on the promotion before placing four £5 accas with odds of 2/1 or greater between Monday to Sunday, making these qualifying stakes smaller than most rival free bet clubs.
Virgin Bet have an extremely low minimum odds requirement to use your free bet at 1/100.
Claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas on Virgin Bet (iStock/The Independent)
You’re spoiled for choice, and better yet, there are no restrictions where you can use your bonus.
In addition, the seven-day expiry gives plenty of time to use the bonus, meaning the free bet club offers huge flexibility.
After the qualifying bets have settled, Virgin Bet pays out the £5 free acca bet into your account and to activate the free bet offer, simply use the toggle on your bet slip to use up the credits.
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Below, we’ve provided some detail on common traps that users can fall into when claiming free bets:
Stake not returned on free bets
Not all free bet offers return the original stake if your bet wins. For example, a £10 free bet at 3/1 pays £30 profit, not £40; always factor this in when comparing headline free bet amounts.
Short expiry windows
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Free bets usually expire within 5-7 days of being credited, and occasionally less. Unused free bets are removed automatically once they expire, so casual or infrequent bettors can lose value this way.
Remember to always check the expiry date as soon as the free bet is added.
Bet builder or market restrictions
Some free bets are limited to certain types of use. For example, some are football bet builders only, accumulator bets or bets fixed to specific sports, leagues or events. These restrictions reduce flexibility and can increase risk.
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Bet builder-only free bets often require multiple selections to win, meaning long odds, and it is the same with accas. Remember to check eligible markets before placing your qualifying bet.
Minimum odds requirements
Betting offers may require minimum odds on either the qualifying bet or the free bet itself, and sometimes both. Higher odds thresholds can push bettors toward riskier selections, while a smaller free bet with low odds requirements can offer better value.
Cash-Out and In-Play exclusions
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Remember that cashing out a qualifying bet often voids eligibility for the offer. Some free bets also cannot be used on in-play markets.
These exclusions are commonly hidden in the T&Cs, so avoid cashing out unless you’re sure it won’t affect the promotion.
Wagering requirements and bonus conditions
Wagering is uncommon on free bets, but it is not unheard of. Some promotions attach extra conditions to winnings or follow-on bonuses instead.
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Offers requiring winnings to be wagered multiple times reduce real value, while simpler “bet and get” free bets are usually the safest option.
Before a bookmaker makes our list of free bet offers, they must meet key criteria to ensure a high-quality betting experience.
1. Licensing
Only sites with a valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence are considered on our list of recommended operators.
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The UKGC ensures fair play and consumer protection, working alongside independent testing agencies like eCOGRA. If a bookmaker isn’t regulated, it’s not safe – anyone can verify a licence via the UKGC register.
2. Security
Every bookmaker we recommend must implement high-quality security measures such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication to protect customer data.
3. Reputation
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Reputation also plays a role – established brands like Betfred, William Hill and Bet365 consistently rank highly with us, but we also highlight new, reputable operators such as BetMGM when their free bet offers meet our expectations.
4. Mobile
With most bets now placed on phones and tablets, mobile betting functionality is essential.
Bookmakers with dedicated betting apps that mirror the desktop experience are given preference, and we also consider user app reviews from the Apple and Google Play stores.
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5. Experience
The customer experience is equally crucial – we rigorously test bookmaker support channels, favouring those that provide fast, effective resolutions.
Ultimately, our rankings focus on the quality of the free bet offers, but we also take into account matters including odds restrictions, timeframe to both unlock free bet offers and use your bonus funds, wagering requirements and available payment methods.
6. Value
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Operators that provide valuable betting sign up offers, competitive terms, and ongoing free bet promotions for returning customers get the highest ratings.
Why trust us?
Chris Wilson is a betting content producer and sports reporter who has been working at The Independent since 2023.
He writes betting tips across a range of sporting events as well as reviewing dozens of betting sites and casino sites across the UK.
Chris has extensively tested and reviewed offers from established operators and new betting sites to find the best free bet offers for readers of The Independent.
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Responsible gambling is always at the forefront of his research, ensuring customers have a fair and secure experience claiming and using betting offers online.
If you decide to engage with any of the online betting sites highlighted on this page, remember to gamble responsibly, even when using free bets and betting sign up offers.
When betting, always assume you’ll lose and therefore, only bet what you can afford to lose. Even free bets still involve a level of risk.
Make sure you use the responsible gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits and time outs. These can stop gambling from getting out of hand.
If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:
Are free bets withdrawable?
No, it is not possible to withdraw a free bet. It must be used according to the terms and conditions of the free bet offer or it will be forfeited.
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Can you cash out free bets?
In most cases, bookmakers will not allow punters to cash out a free bet before the bet has run its course, so you will likely have to wait for your bet to settle before receiving any winnings.
What does money back in free bets mean?
This means you can get a refund on your stake, but not as withdrawable cash – only as a free bet, meaning you have to stake the same cash again on a different bet.
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What is the best betting sign up offer available now?
In the Independent’s view, Coral provides the best betting sign up offer on the market at present. New customers need only sign up and deposit £5 before betting £5 on any sports market with odds of 1/2 or greater to unlock £30 in free bets.
What betting sites give free bets without a deposit?
Few bookmakers hand out free bets for nothing, but you can earn free bets by entering free-to-play prediction games on Bet365, BetVictor, NetBet, Betway, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral and BetMGM.
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We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Apr 23, 2023; London, UK; Participants of the London Marathon seen in the finish area after completing the race. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe became the first runner to complete an official marathon in less than two hours as he broke the world record at the London Marathon on Sunday.
On a calm, sunny morning, the 31-year-old finished the marathon in one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. That crushed the previous record — set by Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum in the 2023 Chicago Marathon — by 65 seconds.
“I am feeling good,” Sawe told BBC Sport. “I am happy. It is a day to remember for me.”
Not only did Sawe blast through a psychological and physiological barrier akin to the four-minute mile, he set the pace for Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha to go under two hours as well. Kejelcha finished in 1:59.41.
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“We started the race well and approaching the end of the race, I was feeling strong and I remember (Kejelcha) was so competitive,” Sawe said. “I think he helped me a lot. Finally, reaching the finish line, I saw the time. I was so excited.”
Pushed by Kejelcha, Sawe ran a reverse split to defend his London Marathon title. After reaching the halfway point in 1:00.29, he needed just 59:01 to complete his second 13.1 miles.
Sawe wasn’t the only racer to set a world record in London on Sunday. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa needed just 2:15.41 to break the tape, which placed her in the record books — again — for a marathon run only by women. Last year in London, she ran the marathon in a record 2:15:50.
Sabastian Sawe of Kenya has become the first person to break the fabled 2-hour barrier in an official marathon.
In a huge, once-inconceivable moment in sports history, Sawe smashed the men’s world record by 65 seconds in winning the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds on Sunday.
“What comes today is not for me alone,” Sawe said of his extraordinary feat, “but for all of us today in London.”
Remarkably, the second-place finisher, Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia, also dipped under 2 hours by crossing the line in 1:59:41 in his first-ever marathon, while Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda broke the previous world-record time – set by Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum in Chicago in 2023 – by seven seconds, finishing in 2:00:28.
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Watch Sabastian Sawe ???????? run 1:59:30 to destroy the Marathon World Record in London!!????????
First man ever to break 2 hours in a marathon.
2. Yomif Kejelcha ???????? 1:59:41
3. Jacob Kiplimo ???????? 2:00:28
All under the previous World Record.pic.twitter.com/g76PpMHkiG
The 29-year-old Sawe, who retained his title in London, said it was a “day to remember for me” and thanked the huge crowds who lined the streets of the British capital to cheer him on.
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“I think they help a lot,” he said, “because if it was not for them you don’t feel like you are so loved … with them calling, you feel so happy and strong.”
In an exhilarating sight, Sawe ran quicker as the race went on, covering the second half of the marathon in 59 minutes and 1 second. He pulled clear with Kejelcha after 30 kilometers and then made his solo break in the final two kilometers, sprinting along the finish on The Mall to loud cheers.
Under two hours has been done before – unofficiallyBreaking two hours in a marathon has been a long time coming – and has been done before.
However, when Eliud Kipchoge – the Kenyan long-distance great – achieved the feat in Vienna in 2019, it was in a specially tailored race called the 1.59 Challenge that was arranged by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe in favorable conditions, on a 6-mile (9.6-kilometer) circuit, and using rotating pacemakers.
That meant it wasn’t classed as an official race setting, so Kipchoge’s time of 1:59:40 didn’t go in the record book.
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In any case, Sawe surpassed that time by 10 seconds on a mostly flat course across London in dry, sunny conditions.
“The goalposts have literally just moved for marathon running,” Paula Radcliffe, a former winner of the London Marathon, said during commentary of the race for the BBC.
At the turn of the century, the world’s best time for the men’s marathon was 2:05:42, set by Khalid Khannouchi in Chicago in 1999.
Khannouchi broke his own record by four seconds in 2002 – the last time the fastest men’s marathon was run in London – and it has been whittled down gradually over the last 24 years by a succession of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, including Haile Gebrselassie, Wilson Kipsang, Kipchoge and most recently Kiptum.
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Assefa wins fastest-ever women’s-only marathon A record was also set in the women’s race, with Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa pulling away with about 500 meters remaining to win in 2:15:41 to defend the title in the fastest-ever time in a women’s-only marathon.
However, it was 16 seconds slower than the course record set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003 when it was a mixed race.
Swiss double in wheelchair racesIn the wheelchair races, there was a Swiss double with Marcel Hug powering to a sixth straight men’s title and eighth in total and Catherine Debrunner beating Tatyana McFadden in a close finish to defend the title.
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming said MS Dhoni’s return from a calf strain has been delayed after the injury became worse during a warm-up game before IPL 2026.Fleming gave the update after CSK lost by eight wickets to Gujarat Titans at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.Dhoni has been with the squad since March and has been seen in practice sessions and warm-up games, but he has not played any of CSK’s eight matches so far. He has also not been at the ground on match days.Fleming said the injury remains a concern because another setback could rule Dhoni out for the whole season.“The calf is a tough one,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said after they went down to Gujarat Titans by eight wickets on Sunday. “If he takes off and rips the calf again, then he will be gone [for the whole season]. So we pushed it early. In a warm-up game, he tweaked it again, is my understanding. And since then, he has been just working hard to get some movement into it. But there was a setback,” Fleming said during the press conference.The 44-year-old has played IPL matches in the past while carrying injuries, but this time the recovery is taking longer than CSK expected.Four days ago, CSK had also shared a video on social media where captain Ruturaj Gaikwad explained what happened before the season.“You know, we were playing a practice match. That’s when he snapped his calf and then he wasn’t able to run as comfortably as he wanted to,” he said.“And I think after that, it was just about, he saw some of the youngsters playing in practice games and playing in match simulations where he felt confident enough on them, you know, who are ready, who have that ability to play in the IPL.”“After that, it was just about taking time on his recovery. Slowly, slowly, he is getting there. Never know, maybe next game, maybe after that, but definitely one day for sure.”CSK are currently sixth on the IPL 2026 points table after eight matches, with three wins and five losses.They have six league matches left this season, and their next game will be at home against Mumbai Indians on May 2.
Gujarat Titans notched a comprehensive win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL game on Sunday but captain Shubman Gill admitted that “finishing an innings” has been a problem and his side will need to improve on that aspect of the game going ahead. GT beat CSK by eight wickets, overhauling the target of 159 with 20 balls to spare. Opening batter Sai Sudharsan hit 87 off 46 balls while Gill and Jos Buttler chipped in with 33 and 39 not out respectively. “Very happy to get a win like that in this part of India. Apart from the last four or five overs, it was a complete performance,” Gill said at the post-match presentation. “If I have to be critical, finishing an innings has been a problem. We need to do better in that.”
Gill said he was a little confused whether to bowl or bat when he won the toss. Eventually, he asked CSK to bat first, which turned out to be the right decision, as GT restricted the home side to 158 for 7.
Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the GT bowlers with fine figures of 3/25, for which he was named Player of the Match.
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“But we bowled well in the powerplay.” On star leg-spinner Rashid Khan being given just one over, Gill said, “There was confusion in the middle. When Dube came in, I thought should we bowl Washy (Washington Sundar), but the game was in our hand. He (Manav Suthar) bowled a decent last over, gave 12 or 13. Pretty good effort from us.”
Gill also praised Sudharsan for his brilliant batting.
“It (form) was always with him. It was all about spending the time at the crease.” Sudharsan, who hails from Chennai, said he got confidence from the last knock (100 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru).
“I just wanted to take the confidence from the last innings to this innings. I felt the pitch slightly got better but first six overs, it was tough. Shubi (Shubman Gill) played an extraordinary cameo.
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“When I am hitting the ball well, then I play late,” he said, adding that he will go to his favourite tea shop and have ‘bun maska and chai’ there.
Rabada said he felt he didn’t start well but went on to grab three wickets in the match.
“That’s how cricket goes. I am glad to play a part to take the team across the line. We needed the two points. The team is clicking,” said the South African pacer.
Asked how kept himself ahead of the game, Rabada said, “It’s just not taking anything for granted. Sticking with your process and always looking to improve. The day that you stop looking to improve is the day that you retire.”
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On the combination with Mohamed Siraj and other seamers, he said, “Yeah, a lot of fast bowlers, that’s been a clear tactic of Gujarat over the years, playing at Ahmedabad. So it’s nice to see the fast bowlers union coming together and it’s been working thus far.
“I think we’ve been taking a lot of wickets, but at the same time, we need to find ways to contain too. So it’s been a really lovely journey that we’ve had so far.” CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad rued his side lost too many wickets and it was difficult to play some shots on the Chepauk pitch.
“Sometimes I hate to assess this way but it was challenging in the first innings. It was holding for the medium pacers and the bounce was up and down. We lost too many wickets but it was difficult to play some shots.” Asked about the pitch, he said, “Not expected. It is hard to assess how it plays. This game we didn’t have any idea. By the time, we wanted to adapt it was too late.
“At the first timeout, when Flem (Stephen Fleming) came out, I told him I am trying to attack but it was tough. There was more bounce, or less bounce, and I told him I am trying to change. It just did not come good. It was just an off day and even on the field we were lethargic.” On his innings of 74 off 60 balls, he said, “I got off to a really good start, and then I thought to keep up the momentum. But after the wickets fell, I though to build a partnership. I then just wanted to take my time and rotate the strike.
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“Any other pitch, any other day, I would have rotated the strike. Once I got hit, I just thought let’s keep going.”
Featured Video Of The Day
IPL 2026 | Delhi Capitals Wins By 6 Wickets Against Mumbai Indians: Redemption For Sameer Rizvi
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) lines up against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Nov 26, 2023, scanning the defense before the snap during a tightly contested matchup between two playoff-caliber teams in a late-season game with postseason implications. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
The NFL schedule release is still a few weeks away, but hardcore Minnesota Vikings fans know the team’s opponents are readily available to study. Accordingly, the gauntlet of opposing quarterbacks is public knowledge, and it’s time for you to know the pecking order.
Brian Flores will see stars, veterans, and several uncertain young passers.
So, here’s a look at the signal-callers who Flores will face starting in September. We’ve ranked them from easiest to most difficult.
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Minnesota’s Roadmap Starts with the Opposing QBs
It’s not necessarily an easy setup.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) waits in the tunnel before facing the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Dec 21, 2025, standing calmly ahead of kickoff as he prepares to lead the offense in a road matchup with playoff implications late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images.
Geno Smith | New York Jets
The Jets are rolling with Smith in 2026, and nobody knows why. There’s a decent chance that by the time this game rolls around, New York has benched Smith for a rookie.
Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa | Atlanta Falcons
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The Falcons thought they had the QB solution licked in 2024 when they signed Kirk Cousins and drafted Michael Penix Jr. Two years later, Tagovailoa could be the QB1 when the Vikings play them. Tagovailoa has never faced Minnesota.
Tyler Shough | New Orleans Saints
Shough ranked 23rd in the NFL per EPA/Play, a decent mark for a rookie passer. He’ll throw the ball to Chris Olave and rookie Jordyn Tyson on Sunday, which might just work.
Bryce Young | Carolina Panthers
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Young faces perhaps the most significant make-or-break season of all NFLers this season. He can blossom into a Top 15 passer or continue to live in the league’s bottom tier per efficiency.
Daniel Jones | Indianapolis Colts
Per EPA/Play, Jones was the sport’s sixth-best quarterback in 2025, but he tore his Achilles in November, prompting the Colts’ season to wholly unravel. He’s back in the saddle now, reportedly healing nicely and the owner of a two-year, $88 million contract extension.
Malik Willis | Miami Dolphins
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Willis looked marvelous on a few occasions for the Packers. Will that translate to Miami, where he has the worst weapons stable in the NFL?
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said about Willis last month, “I think Malik’s an ascending player. One, it was important for us to get him on a three-year deal because we want to build around him. Two, this is not a band-aid. I don’t look at this as a band-aid.”
“Now he’s got to go play, and he knows this. But with any young quarterback, there needs to be daily improvement, getting fluid with his reads, taking care of the football.”
Willis was once left for dead by the Tennessee Titans.
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“He’s got, as you guys watched the tape last year, all the traits in the world. He’s got an elite arm. He’s a very, very good athlete. He’s a big, strong, powerful body. He can take the punishment, make plays with his legs, attack all levels of the field,” Sullivan added.
Jared Goff | Detroit Lions (twice)
Goff looked like a total buffoon when the Vikings beat the Lions on Christmas Day. He’s a bit like Kirk Cousins — you know he’s good, but you’re never terribly afraid of him.
Brock Purdy | San Francisco 49ers
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Purdy’s solid, but the Vikings always get the best of him. There’s something about Flores’s defense that flusters him, and that could eventually loom large in a playoff game.
Jordan Love | Green Bay Packers (twice)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) walks out of the tunnel during warmups at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on Dec 15, 2024, stepping onto the field before a matchup with the Seahawks as the Packers prepare for a late-season game in a loud road environment. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.
Love is similar to Dak Prescott: he’s a really good quarterback, but he may never turn the corner into elite status. Most Vikings fans are happy that Green Bay has taken a break from Brett Favres and Aaron Rodgerses. Love is beatable. Often, Rodgers was not.
Jayden Daniels | Washington Commanders
Daniels had a sophomore slump in 2025. He actually played like a moron against the Vikings last year. In all likelihood, he’ll be back with a vengeance in 2026.
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Baker Mayfield | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mayfield started the 2025 campaign white-hot, drawing MVP chants for about three weeks. When it was said and done, he ranked as the NFL’s 19th-best quarterback per EPA/Play.
Drake Maye | New England Patriots
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) delivers a pass during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Dec 28, 2025, stepping into the throw as defenders close in during a divisional matchup late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images.
Speaking of Daniels, will Maye take a step back when his team plays a real NFL schedule? The Patriots somehow faced one of the easiest slates of opponents in NFL history. That should change in 2026.
Caleb Williams | Chicago Bears (twice)
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Williams came into his own down the stretch of 2025, authoring a playoff game — basically a throw — for the ages. Put plainly, you can’t bring the guy down. He feels like he’s on the verge of a monster next step.
Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills
Patrick Mahomes will probably bounce back and reclaim his throne as the best player in the NFL. Until then, Allen is the standard-bearer in the NFL. He is the Buffalo Bills.
Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella has made history by becoming the first Nigerian player to reach 100 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen.
The 26-year-old achieved the milestone during his team’s 2-1 win against Koln on Saturday. Tella played an important role in the match, setting up the second goal scored by Patrik Schick.
Tella’s time at the club has been mixed. Three seasons ago, he was part of the squad that went unbeaten on their way to winning the Bundesliga title. His performances during that period showed his quality and importance to the team.
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Last season, he enjoyed a decent run, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 39 matches. However, this season has been more difficult for him due to repeated injury problems. He only returned to regular action recently after spending time on the sidelines.
Despite concerns about his fitness, the club have shown confidence in him by offering a new contract that will keep him until 2031. Tella has already started to repay that trust with strong performances in recent games.
Leverkusen are currently sixth in the league table and are just two points away from a Champions League place. The club will hope Tella can continue his good form as they push for a strong finish to the season.
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At international level, Tella has struggled to secure a regular place in the Super Eagles squad. Since making his debut in 2023, he has not had many chances to establish himself in the starting line-up.
He is yet to play under the current national team coach, but his recent improvement in form could boost his chances of earning a recall ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in June.
Andrew Yang, a former Democrat presidential candidate and an American entrepreneur, took a swipe at TKO Group Holdings on Sunday over WrestleMania 42.
Yang was critical of TKO’s handling of the Las Vegas event, which took place last week at Allegiant Stadium for the second straight year and needled the company over the recent wave of WWE departures. TKO Group is the parent company of WWE.
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang speaks during the Iowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame dinner on June 9, 2019, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.(Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen)
“It seems that TKO has really screwed up WWE/Wrestlemania with ads and celebs and getting away from the heart of pro wrestling – and talented performers are paying the price,” he wrote on X.
Several WWE superstars announced they were leaving the company during the week. The wrestlers were either cut outright or their contracts were not renewed by WWE.
Yang echoed concerns from pro wrestling fans, who seemingly took issue with the number of advertisements during the show.
Regardless of any criticism, WWE said it still put together one of the highest-grossing events in the company’s history. More than 106,000 people attended the two-night show.
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Roman Reigns is introduced before the World Heavyweight Championship match against CM Punk during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026.(Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
WWE said in a news release that WrestleMania had records, or near-records, in gate, sponsorship, merchandise sales, WWE World’s paid-experience sales.
“WrestleMania Saturday was the most-viewed telecast of the year on ESPN2, while WrestleMania Sunday was the most-viewed telecast of the entire weekend on ESPN,” the release read.
“At WWE World, a five-day interactive fan experience in partnership with Fanatics, paid experience sales reached all-time highs. WWE World also featured a lounge for attendees who signed up for Club WWE, the recently announced Gold membership experience for fans.
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“Additionally, WrestleMania 42 set a new digital record, generating more than 1.3 billion views across all social platforms – up 18 percent from the record set at WrestleMania 41.”
Austin Theory, IShowSpeed and Logan Paul enter the arena during the first night of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026.(Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Kolkata Knight Riders batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi was dismissed for ‘obstructing the field’ during the IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday. The incident took place on the final ball of the fifth over as the batter tried to take a run after nudging a delivery from Prince Yadav towards mid-on. However, he was sent back by Cameron Green, and the throw ended up hitting Raghuvanshi’s legs. Mohammed Shami and LSG skipper Rishabh Pant went up to appeal, and the third umpire decided that the batter knowingly changed his path while running and did not let the throw reach the wicketkeeper. The decision left the KKR camp completely stunned, and even Raghuvanshi got into an argument with the on-field umpires following the decision. The batter expressed his frustration by throwing away his helmet in anger.
Even KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar was seen having a fiery chat with the fourth umpire.
Lucknow Super Giants won the toss and opted to bowl against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL here on Sunday.
Coming off their first win of the season after seven matches, KKR went unchanged from the side that defeated Rajasthan Royals. Reeling from four losses on the trot, Rishabh Pant-led LSG made one change, bringing in George Linde.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi, right, argues with the umpire after being given out (AP Photo)
Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s dismissal became one of the most debated moments of IPL 2026 as Kolkata Knight Riders’ struggles deepened against Lucknow Super Giants.Coming in during a shaky start, Raghuvanshi attempted to steady the innings, but his stay ended in unusual fashion when he was given out for obstructing the field.
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The incident unfolded off Prince Yadav’s delivery as Raghuvanshi nudged the ball towards mid-on and set off for a quick single. Sent back midway, he dived to make his ground as the throw came in. The ball struck him on the way, prompting an appeal from Mohammed Shami. After a review, the third umpire ruled that Raghuvanshi had changed his running line, leading to the dismissal.The decision did not go down well with the KKR camp. There was visible disbelief in the dugout, while Raghuvanshi reacted in frustration, slamming his bat and throwing his helmet as he walked back.Batters dismissed via obstructing the field in IPL:72 (44) – Yusuf Pathan (KKR) vs PWI, Ranchi, 20131 (2) – Amit Mishra (DD) vs SRH, Vizag, 20195 (6) – Ravindra Jadeja (CSK) vs RR, Chennai, 20249 (8) – Angkrish Raghuvanshi (KKR) vs LSG, Lucknow, 2026*It was only the fourth such dismissal in IPL history and came at a crucial time, with KKR already four down after being put in to bat by Rishabh Pant.Both teams entered the contest under pressure. LSG had managed just two wins from seven matches, while KKR had only one victory in as many games.
Casemiro announced earlier this year that he will be leaving Manchester United this summer when his contract expires
Casemiro has sent a message to Manchester United fans as his expected exit from the club moves ever closer. The Brazilian announced earlier this year that he would be calling time on his United career at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Rumours have been swirling for several months about whether or not Casemiro would sign an extension at United, particularly after the impact the midfielder has made since the news was announced.
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The 34-year-old has scored eight goals for United this season, four of which have come since the start of February, and has played a key role in helping guide the Reds to third place in the Premier League table.
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United have just five Premier League matches remaining this season, starting with a home clash against Brentford on Monday night at Old Trafford.
Ahead of the fixture, Casemiro sent a one-word message to United fans in a post on social media.
Accompanied by a photo of himself at Carrington, which featured the word ‘forever’ on the wall in the background, Casemiro wrote the same word in the caption in a post to his 22.5 million followers on Instagram, along with a red love heart.
Should Casemiro leave United this summer, the midfielder now has only three home matches at Old Trafford left this season, with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest the opponents, as well as Brentford on Monday night.
During United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa last month, the Stretford End could be heard chanting ‘one more year, one more year Casemiro’ after the Brazilian scored in the victory.
Michael Carrick was asked about Casemiro’s future after the game and was quizzed about the possibility of the midfielder changing his mind and deciding to stay at United beyond this season.
“I think in some ways it’s difficult to say, I think it’s when something’s decided and in some ways the fact that it was decided makes things a little bit easier and everyone understands the situation really,” Carrick said last month.
“I think the impact he’s had has been terrific, certainly since I’ve been here and working with him and his influence within the team and big moments and goals.
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“It was a nice moment at the end there with the supporters and having that connection, and the respect. That was a nice moment. I think you’ll enjoy that one.”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
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