Former India opener Aakash Chopra recently shared his views on who should lead Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2027 following Ajinkya Rahane‘s retirement. KKR, who won the IPL title in 2024 under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, were led by Rahane in the 2025 and 2026 seasons but failed to qualify for the playoffs in either campaign. As the three-time champions gear up for the new season, they are searching for a new skipper after Rahane recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

According to Chopra, KKR should appoint batter Rinku Singh as their next captain. Notably, Rinku has been associated with the franchise since 2018 and has produced several match-winning performances for the team. He recently led Meerut Mavericks to the UP T20 League title, further strengthening his credentials for the leadership role.

“Rinku Singh has captaincy experience. He is slightly underrated, but he is the kind of character you need in a captain. He takes everyone along with him. He is unassuming. He is a match-winner, a performer and a contributor. If you look at all these qualities and then look at his performance as captain in UP T20, you will find that his captaincy does not affect his performance,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“He puts the team ahead of himself. That’s another quality he possesses. He is also someone you can put your arm around, talk to, explain things to and have a conversation with. In my humble opinion, I feel KKR should make Rinku Singh their captain,” he added.

Earlier, former India batter Suresh Raina also backed Rinku as KKR’s next captain, stating that the star batter has already proven his leadership abilities.

“Kaabil e tareef kaptaani Rinku Singh ki. Chautha season hai, chauthe final khel rahe hai (Meerut Mavericks). KKR kaptaan dhoond rahi hai, lekin mujhe lagta hai kaptaan mil gaya hai KKR ko (Rinku’s captaincy has been worthy of praise. Fourth season, fourth final for Meerut Mavericks. KKR are looking for a captain, but I think they may have found him),” Raina said, speaking during the final.

“Thoda nivesh kijiye Rinku Singh pe, thode matches dijiye (They should invest in Rinku Singh, give him a few matches). You never know,” Raina added.

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Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image: X)

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s time will come, but feels India should currently stick with the top-three combination that delivered the 2026 T20 World Cup title, backing Sanju Samson to reclaim his place alongside Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan.Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, was dropped after a string of low scores on the tour of England. Sooryavanshi was subsequently handed his international debut in Manchester and also opened during the T20Is against Zimbabwe.With Samson now recalled for the three-match home series against Afghanistan, beginning at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, Rahane believes the experienced batter should return to the top order.“I feel the top three should be the same that played in the World Cup. Samson has done well, but he got dropped after two or three bad innings. I want him to get another chance. Abhishek and Ishan also did well for us,” Rahane said in a video on his YouTube channel on Friday.“Vaibhav will get his opportunities, and his time will come. But for now, I feel the top three should be Samson, Abhishek, and Ishan, who were our contributors in the World Cup,” he added.

‘He should just play his game’

Rahane welcomed Samson’s return while pointing to the batter’s impact during India’s World Cup-winning campaign.“I am happy to see Sanju Samson back in the team. He was the ‘Man of the Series’ in the World Cup. It has been up and down, and things were happening to him that were not in his control. But he is a match-winner, and his return strengthens the team,” Rahane said.For Sooryavanshi, Rahane’s message was one of patience and freedom. The 15-year-old has made a rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket, but the former India batter believes the teenager should not overthink his early international career.“I think he should just play his game right now. He should back the game that led him to come into the Indian team. It is a very early stage for him in his career and in international cricket,” Rahane said.“As of now, there is no need for him to think a lot, and he should be set free. His game will eventually change after two or three years, as much as he keeps playing. It will be important for him to maintain balance. Apart from cricket skills, it is important to stay balanced off the field. That will be a challenge for him.”

Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking rise

Sooryavanshi has already provided plenty of evidence of his ability. During the Duleep Trophy, he became the youngest player to score a half-century in the competition, reaching the landmark at 15 years and 175 days.He made 92 off 81 balls for East Zone, reaching his fifty from just 42 deliveries and breaking a 57-year-old record previously held by Laxman Singh, who was 16 years and 23 days old when he scored his Duleep Trophy fifty in 1969.Rahane believes the teenager’s next challenge is not proving his talent but maintaining the mental stability needed to handle his rapid rise.“If we talk about cricket skills, we saw how well he batted in the IPL and scored consistently. He scored for India A and also made runs for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy,” Rahane said.“He has shown consistency. The only thing for him will be to stay mentally balanced and stable so that he can continue operating the way he does. Yes, he will have to make some tweaks in his game, but there is time for that,” he concluded.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jonathan Kuminga poses with his jersey during an NBA basketball news conference at Target Center, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

MINNEAPOLIS— Jonathan Kuminga took to heart the hard sell from some of the most important members of the Minnesota Timberwolves to complete their starting lineup and help them chase an NBA championship.

The on-court fit was there, of course. The chance to join a winner was, too. But the extra efforts and meaningful connections by the Timberwolves with the 23-year-old Kuminga made his decision about where to play this season clear, even if he could’ve made more money elsewhere.

READ: NBA: Jonathan Kuminga, Timberwolves agree to 2-year, $12.4M deal

From president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to basketball operations assistant Alonzo Gee visiting him in Miami, to receiving regular phone calls from star guards LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, Kuminga quickly realized the strength of their interest in him.

“Especially Ant, he called me every single time. He checked up on me, and he was a very, very genuine person. He didn’t have to do that,” Kuminga said on Thursday at Target Center during an introductory news conference. “That just shows how much he wants to bring me over here.”

The chats transcended basketball, too, from raising young children to going fishing.

“Them wanting me to be here, it felt real, and they were very genuine people, and these are people you could sit down with and have a conversation,” Kuminga said. “I think that’s when I felt the vibe.”

After the Wolves traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid as part of the blockbuster acquisition of Ball, they were left with a gaping hole at the power forward position. They took a swing at signing LeBron James, even though they knew it was a long shot.

But the opportunity to use their limited salary cap space on a two-year, $12.4 million contract for a young multi-skilled player like Kuminga was too good to miss. The solid relationship that already existed with his agent Aaron Turner helped build the foundation of a deal.

“Just kind of being ourselves and telling him how we envisioned our team helping him and how we envisioned him helping our team,” Connelly said. “Just trying to be honest and as clear and transparent as possible.”

Kuminga, who was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the seventh overall pick in 2021 that originally belonged to the Wolves, won an NBA title as a rookie. The native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo started 46 games and averaged a career-high 16.1 points per game in 2023-24.

He missed much of the following season with a right ankle injury, though, and then fell out of coach Steve Kerr’s rotation in 2025-26, before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks.

With a player option on his contract for the second year, Kuminga won’t have to wait long to cash in if he stays healthy and performs well. The question about how the new-look Wolves will share the ball beyond the volume-shooting backcourt has yet to be answered, with small forward Jaden McDaniels also in the mix for regular touches. Ayo Dosunmu, acquired from the Bulls at last season’s trade deadline, also brings scoring off the bench.

But Edwards has led an offseason push to make the Wolves a more connected team, both off the court and on it. Kuminga’s athleticism and intensity ought to help their defense as much as their offense.

“I know what it takes to win, and I think just me including myself with those guys, I think we have a chance of going far,” Kuminga said. “I think just me bringing my mentality to what they have already, I think we can do such a great job out here.”

Man United are stepping up preparations for the Manchester derby against Man City at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have been handed a major injury worry over Bruno Fernandes ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend. United host rivals City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm kick-off).

United were in action on Thursday as they took on Sobah in the Champions League. Fernandes played the full 90 minutes of the 4-0 win and got on the scoresheet.

The club captain was, however, spotted appearing to limp as he made his way from Old Trafford. During the game, he didn’t appear to pick up a knock.

Speaking about the midfielder playing the full game, Michael Carrick said: “We only had five subs!

“We had to make certain decisions on what that looked like. But yeah, of course, he’s like anybody else.

“He has played an awful lot, but I think we’re developing the group and the squad to be able to accommodate that in different ways. Tonight was just one of those things, there was decisions to be made and he ended up staying on.”

It could be an anxious wait for United fans on Fernandes. The latest update has also been given on other players in the treatment room ahead of the weekend.

Here’s a look at the latest injury news and potential return dates at Old Trafford.

Luke Shaw

Injury: Cramp

The left-back was taken off in the final minutes against Everton with cramp, and was not risked for the Champions League clash vs Sabah on Thursday.

What Carrick has said: “We’ll have to see. We just kind of looked after him a little bit going into tonight. He wasn’t quite ready for it 100%, so we didn’t risk it. We’ll see how he is over the next couple of days or so.”

Potential return date: Vs Man City (H) – Sunday, 13 September.

Carlos Baleba

Injury: Ankle

The midfielder is yet to make his debut for the club since completing a move from Brighton.

What Carrick has said: “He’s got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks, but we’ll see. But we knew that before, so it’s no major issue. It will be great to have him back. We’ll wait and see. We’re hopeful but I don’t want to put any deadlines on it just yet.”

Potential return date: Vs Fulham (A) – Sunday, 20 September.

Matthijs de Ligt

Injury: Back

What Carrick as said: “It’s positive. He’s trained really well but we’re still managing it, when you’re out for such a long period of time, you get to the final stages, pushing and pushing, and you’ve got to manage that last stage. It’s important to get that balance right to take the next step.

“But he’s on a good track, in a good place and it’s great to have him back around us. Hopefully, some time soon.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Amad

Injury: Knock

What Carrick has said: “Amad won’t be involved this week. He’ll be out a little bit longer.” (August 28)

Potential return date: Unknown

Tom Heaton

Injury: Hamstring

Potential return date: Unknown

Manuel Ugarte

Injury: Knee

What has been said: “Man United confirm Manuel has undergone successful surgery to address a knee ligament injury, which he suffered whilst representing Uruguay at the World Cup. Ugarte will now begin the rehab stage of his recovery and will be carefully managed by the club’s medical and performance staff.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Less than two months after his maiden race start, Castillo King is preparing to face some of the premier three-year-olds in the Run To The Rose. Jockey Tommy Berry suggests the colt is up to the challenge, provided a crucial condition is met.

The Michael Freedman-trained galloper has drawn barrier 12 of 13 for Saturday’s 1200m sprint. Facing a quality field that includes Group 1-winning juveniles Fireball and Tron Bolt, Berry highlighted the absolute necessity for Castillo King to encounter some luck in the initial stages of the race.

“We had to ride him quiet from a poor alley last start and we were hoping he drew well this start because we wanted to be prominent on him,” Berry stated. “I’m just disappointed with the draw. I still wouldn’t think, this weekend, we’d ride him quiet, only for the fact he is there to run well.

“He’s been working well, so we’d want to still be positive on him and hope for a bit of luck. If we get the luck, he’s going to be right in the finish.”

After an impressive victory at Warwick Farm on debut in July, Castillo King settled in the second half of the field, making ground to finish fourth behind Chilly Girl in the Rosebud (1100m) last month.

Freedman has opted for a spaced race program for the colt, and Berry believes his athletic build means he will handle the Run To The Rose race conditions effectively when racing fresh.

“He’s not a big, gross horse so we weren’t worried about the month between runs with him,” he commented. “He’s working really well at home. He had a few days in the paddock after his last run and he’s spot-on.

“He’ll have no excuses on the weekend bar bad luck, but if we get a bit of luck in the first furlong, I guarantee he’ll be in the finish.”

While Berry has been aboard Castillo King for his two career starts, he will ride Hidrix for the first time in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m), another significant three-year-old event.

The Canonbury Stakes (1100m) winner resumed with a solid fifth place against older horses in benchmark grade last month. From barrier four, Berry suggests Hidrix is drawn perfectly to get an ideal run.

“The barrier is probably imperative so he can get a nice run behind the speed,” he said. “His run was really good first-up when he went back to the inferior ground on the inside.

“I saw him the other morning and he’s in great order. He’ll appreciate the step up in distance as well.”

Want to get involved with the action? Check out the latest racing betting markets for the Run To The Rose.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are preparing to send six horses to Rosehill, with five of them entered in stakes races. Among these are four promising three-year-olds aiming to showcase their potential for the spring racing season.

The Golden Rose aspirations for Plagiarism and Revengeance will be put to the test in the Run To The Rose (1200m). Meanwhile, I’m Ya Huckleberry has the opportunity to stake his claim for that race with a strong showing in the Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap (1400m).

Their stablemate Savagram is also set to compete in the Ming Dynasty. As a half-brother to the Derby winner Major Beel, Savagram is being considered for a potential campaign towards the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

I’m Ya Huckleberry joins the three-year-old feature races after being sidelined by a fetlock injury that occurred following his debut second in the Breeders’ Plate (1000m) last spring. He achieved his maiden victory at Wyong last month, and Bott is keen for him to race on the larger Rosehill track.

“He’s a big striding horse, so the bigger track will be more suitable for him, and getting out to 1400 metres,” Bott stated. “The thought process is he’s got that natural speed and being able to sustain that over 1400 metres, 1600 metres as opposed to 1200 is going to be what hopefully separates him when he can get to a good level.”

An increase in distance is also expected to benefit Savagram, who finished fourth last start behind Plagiarism in the Up And Coming Stakes (1300m). Bott felt the colt’s inexperience was apparent in that run.

Plagiarism will be striving for a repeat of that performance in the Run To The Rose (1200m), where he is anticipated to have a fitness edge over several of the leading contenders. “He’s gone to the Run To The Rose for that reason. He’s pretty conditioned for a tougher race like that, particularly with where he’s at in this ‘prep’ having had two runs over 1300 metres and dropping back to 1200,” Bott explained. “Traditionally, it’s the main lead-up to the Golden Rose and he certainly put himself in contention at his last start. We wanted to give him that chance.”

Bott also suggested that punters should be forgiving of Revengeance, who tired late in the San Domenico Stakes (1200m) upon his return from an extended break. While he expects the colt to improve further after Saturday’s run, he has not ruled out aiming him at the Group 1 feature in two weeks. “I still don’t think it’s necessarily the right race (on Saturday) yet, but it’s the right stepping stone to get back,” Bott said. “If we need to readjust after this we can, but at this stage he’s on a path to the Golden Rose.”

Stardom completes Tulloch Lodge’s black-type contenders in Sydney when she contests the Sheraco Stakes (1200m), aiming to prove her narrow second in the Toy Show Quality (1100m) was not a fluke. Although she started at long odds that day, Bott indicated her performance was not a surprise to the stable, and she has continued to develop positively. “She used to be in a bit of a rush, but she is harnessing things much better,” he commented. “She’s got to improve again off that personal best, but I’m really happy with her. She’s going great.”

Bet on the Golden Rose with leading Australian betting sites.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (left) and Sanju Samson.© AFP

Michael Carrick believes Manchester United have raised the expectations of the club since he returned to Old Trafford with a derby win in January.

Carrick faces Manchester City for the second time as a manager on Sunday after leading United back into the Champions League, a year after they finished 15th in the Premier League.

They came third last season, only one place behind their neighbours, and after Carrick beat Pep Guardiola’s City in his first game back in charge, he has gone on to earn the manager’s job and increase the demands put on United now.

“I think going into the Champions League game and talking about the expectation there, I think it’s a really good thing that it’s shifted in a way, and all of a sudden there’s different things asked of us now to maybe what was a few months ago, and we’re in the Champions League,” Carrick said.

“That in itself shows the steps we’ve made, and we need to be in the latter stages of that, and then the expectations around that.”

While Carrick tasted victory in his first derby in charge, he feels it is no guarantee his side make it a double when they meet Enzo Maresca’s City at Old Trafford.

“I think there’s no way we’re assuming we won last year, we’ll do the same things and everything will be the same,” he explained.

Carrick is waiting to see if Luke Shaw will be fit enough to feature after he sat out Thursday’s 4-0 win over Sabah in the Champions League.

He added: “We’ll have to see. We just kind of looked after him a little bit. He wasn’t quite ready for it 100 percent, so we didn’t risk it.”

Michael Carrick will face Man City for the second time as Man Utd head coach after he beat Pep Guardiola’s side in his first game in charge in January.

Michael Carrick will celebrate eight months in charge of Manchester United on Sunday with a repeat of the fixture that marked the start of his journey to landing the head coach role on a permanent basis.

Carrick was the short-term interim when he was given the keys to Old Trafford on January 13, but a home victory against Manchester City five days later was the first sign that he might just be in with a chance of extending that stay.

A two-year contract followed when he steered United to third and a return to the Champions League but the 45-year-old is adamant his own approach to the job hasn’t changed, from his first week preparing to face City to this week when he does so with his feet under the table.

After a stint managing Middlesbrough in the Championship, Carrick’s ascension to permanent United head coach looked unlikely until he started to deliver results, but he knows how quickly things can change and will continue to plan for the long-term, even if he knows his own stay in the dugout could end at any moment.

“I think I said it pretty early on, I was always planning to be – all the decisions we were making were if we were going to be here for a period of time. I never knew how long that was going to be, I still don’t!” said Carrick.

“But you’re always planning to what the future, what we want it to look like and the direction we want to go, and that was from day one. Obviously, it was quick and it was a turnaround and there was a bit of, as I’ve just said, around that game where it was a bit of an unknown, to be honest with you.

“The performance the lads gave was incredible with all that, but there was definitely always – has been, always will be for me – from the start was planning to try and get this club to where we want to get it in the long term.”

The 2-0 win back in January was thoroughly deserved for Carrick’s side, with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealing victory. They built on that by winning against Arsenal at the Emirates a week later.

But plenty has changed since then, not least Enzo Maresca replacing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, and Carrick knows his second derby in charge of United could be very different to the first.

“It’ll definitely be different, just because no two games are ever the same,” he said. “I think there’s no way we’re assuming we won last year, we’ll do the same things and everything will be the same.

“I understand the expectation that was quite fresh, everything was new, there was a bit of didn’t really know where it was going to go, and players, maybe myself, coaches, obviously you guys, you were all waiting to see how it would go, and it was quite a quick turnaround.

“I think the confidence that we’ve built over a period of time and feel like we’re getting better all the time, I think that helps us. We know it’s a big game, we know it’s an important game. There’s a lot riding on it, it’s pretty obvious to say, but we’re looking forward to it. We’ve got a short space of time to recover and prepare for it, but we’ll make the most of it.”