Most of the news about Germany’s World Cup squad was around the return of Manuel Neuer. But beyond the headlines lies another story.
Eight of the 26 players representing Germany this summer have roots in Africa: Jonathan Tah (Ivorian father), Antonio Rüdiger (Sierra Leonean mother), Leroy Sane (Senegalese father), Felix Nmecha and Jamal Musiala (both Nigerian fathers), Assan Ouedraogo (both parents from Burkina Faso), Malick Thiaw (Senegalese father) and Jamie Leweling (Ghanian father).
In fact, if you look at the last year of Germany squad selections, there have been a total of 17 players with African roots called up. The connection Germany’s footballers have with African countries is inescapable and of huge importance at the 2026 World Cup.
“Today we have great diversity in the team, which symbolizes a new generation of German players,” Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly, told DW. “That wasn’t always the case,” Baerbock added. “That shows how important anti-racism campaigns are. A team is also always a reflection of society.”
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Diversity important in time of division
Musa Okwonga, a Ugandan-British author and football podcaster who has lived in Berlin for over a decade, believes the timing of this team’s diversity is significant.
“With the far right leading some major polls in Germany by five, six, seven points, I think it’s really important at this point in time, when a quarter of immigrants who arrived in Germany are thinking about leaving again, to show there are people here who are thriving within this country, who are not white, who have a heritage from elsewhere, who grew up here, who moved here, and made Germany their home,” Okwonga told DW.
The German FA (DFB) haven’t explicitly gone out of their way to highlight the diversity of this team, but do recognize its significance.
“At the end of the day, everyone is united to make a decision by conviction and less to do with picking the place where more sporting success is likely,” DFB Director Andreas Rettig told DW.
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“We were happy to see an early commitment to the Germany team and that left an impression on us,” said Rettig, referencing the example of Jonathan Tah.
“We know it from the economy, mixed teams with men and women or different nationalities, young or old, is always advantageous to the end product so we are happy to have this diversity in the team,” added Rettig.
In early 2025, Tah visited the Ivory Coast for the first time since he was 14, explaining in an interview with DW that the trip was “extremely grounding.” Rüdiger has also set up a foundation in Sierra Leone.
“Going back to a place where you have benefited from the Western European colonial extraction, and you’re going back to see relatives of yours who only two generations ago, you were with and would have been around, that’s hard for a lot of people,” said Okwonga.
Given Germany has colonial historical roots in Namibia, Tanzania, Cameroon and Togo to name but a few, it is clear why connecting to both one’s country of origin and one’s new home comes with conflicting and complication emotions. Okwonga believes though that the visibility of footballers who have African roots but are also equally proud of having Germany as their home is an important symbol.
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Musa Okwonga is an expert in football and has lived in Berlin for over a decadeImage: Michel Rosenberg
Impact beyond football
In the build-up to Euro 2024, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann called out a survey by German public broadcaster WDR that revealed 21% of those asked wanted more white players on the national team.
“A football team can be a role model of how to unite different cultures, religious backgrounds and skin color. It is good the way it is now. We play the Euros for everyone in the country and whoever plays top football is invited to be a national team member,” said Nagelsmann.
His bullish stance on non-football matters was noteworthy, because the symbolic value and influence of the German team and football as a whole is widespread.
“In the 12 years of being here, the team I saw at the Euros was the best version of a Germany team. In terms of the football they played, how they worked together, how they supported each other. It’s everything you’d want from a football team, a collective, a community,” said Okwonga, who also said Vincent Kompany being Bayern Munich head coach has also positively impacted the environment for German players with African roots.
Vincent Kompany’s presence and leadership at Bayern Munich has had an impact on the way African players in Germany are viewedImage: Frank Hoermann/Sven Simon/IMAGO
Clearly, a lot has changed since Gerald Asamoah became the first African-born German to appear in a World Cup in 2006. But the issue remains, as incidents such as the one in 2023 proved when two Germany youth internationals with African roots were inundated with racist comments on social media after missing penalties. Systemic issues can be improved by policies not the actions or words of a football team, but that doesn’t make their symbolism any less significant.
“I think this actually the diversity of this team is not really about the people that hate to see it. It’s about modeling the fact that friendship across all groups is entirely possible,” Okwonga said. “If they don’t win, it’s not because the multi-ethnic project was a failure. It’s because they got beaten by a better team.”
“If Germany win the World Cup, it’s primarily a triumph for this group of players and the supporters that were behind them. I don’t think it is a point of political leverage in a progressive sense, because I think too many other things are going wrong in Germany at the moment,” Okwonga explained.
“I think that success in the football field from a diverse team can be a catalyst in the right political context. I do not, unfortunately, believe this is the right context.”
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With or without the right context, the diverse heritage of this Germany team requires recognition.
A costly goalkeeping mistake by South Korea’s Seung-Gyu Kim handed Mexico a 1-0 victory and secured their place in the FIFA World Cup round of 32.
In a largely uneventful Group A match in Guadalajara, the decisive moment came when Kim failed to hold a header from Raul Jimenez. The loose ball fell kindly to Luis Romo, who calmly lifted his effort over the South Korean goalkeeper and into the net.
The error proved enough to separate the two teams in a match that produced few clear chances.
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South Korea pushed for an equaliser late in the game, but Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel came to his side’s rescue with two excellent saves to deny substitute Gue-Sung Cho.
The victory means Mexico become the first nation to qualify for the round of 32. Javier Aguirre’s men now have six points from two matches after also beating South Africa in their opening game.
Mexico are in a strong position to finish top of Group A, which would allow them to play their round-of-32 tie in Mexico City.
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For South Korea, qualification hopes are still alive, but they must defeat South Africa in their final group match to stand a chance of progressing.
While Mexico celebrated another important win, South Korea were left to reflect on the goalkeeping error that ultimately decided the contest.
Man United and Manchester City could both challenge for the Premier League title in the 2026/27 season
Manchester City and Manchester United are second and fourth favourites respectively to win the Premier League title. The Blues took the title race down to the last week of the campaign last season with a draw at Bournemouth ultimately ending their hopes of winning the league as Arsenal were crowned champions.
City are going through a period of change with Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva and John Stones all leaving at the end of the last campaign. However, according to Betfair, the Blues are expected to overcome the upheaval and have a strong season with odds of 5/2 on them winning the league.
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Meanwhile, United are backed to do well this season after their resurgence under Michael Carrick in the second half of the last campaign. The decision to sack Ruben Amorim in January paid off as the Reds lost just two Premier League matches on the way to a third-place finish.
The turnaround from United ensured Carrick was handed the job on a permanent basis. However, despite finishing third, they are predicted to finish a place worse off next season with Betfair offering odds of 13/2 on United winning the league. Currently, Arsenal are favourites to retain the title.
They are priced at 6/4 to do what only City have managed in the past decade – retain the Premier League. As mentioned, the Blues are second favourites while Liverpool are third most likely to regain the league, priced at 6/1. The Manchester clubs’ only other realistic title challengers, according to the bookmakers, are Chelsea.
Under new head coach Xabi Alonso, they are priced at 11/1. Check out the full list of odds for the Premier League title below:
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Arsenal – 6/4
Manchester City – 5/2
Liverpool – 6/1
Manchester United – 13/2
Chelsea – 11/1
Aston Villa – 28/1
Newcastle United – 40/1
Tottenham Hotspur – 50/1
Brighton and Hove Albion – 150/1
AFC Bournemouth – 200/1
Everton and Brentford – 250/1
Sunderland, Leeds United, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace – 500/1
John Chayka is closing in on his first blockbuster as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs are working on a sign-and-trade for Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Darren Raddysh, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported in the early hours of Friday morning.
Raddysh, 30, had a breakout season with the Lightning in 2025-26, posting 22 goals and 70 points. He was also a plus-21 and averaged 22:42 of ice time. All were career highs.
The Toronto native was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
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Raddysh was signed by the Lightning as a free agent on July 28, 2021, and has career totals of 35 goals and 108 assists for 143 points in 249 games.
File photo of former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh. (ANI)
New Delhi: Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh will join the Delhi Capitals support staff from the 2027 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). TimesofIndia.com has learnt that Sourav Ganguly, who is expected to lead the franchise’s support setup when JSW Group returns to take control for the next two years, will have his former teammate in the dugout.A senior DC official confirmed the development and TimesofIndia.com has also reached out to Yuvraj and JSW Sports founder and director Parth Jindal for a comment. The story will be updated when they respond.The role will mark Yuvraj’s first coaching stint in the IPL. The 44-year-old has mentored players such as Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh and Abdul Samad in recent years, while also working with Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant and Priyansh Arya. However, he has not yet been part of a formal coaching setup.Multiple franchises have closely followed his work with young cricketers and the impact he has had on careers, particularly that of Abhishek Sharma. His experience and hands-on approach are viewed as valuable assets, with Delhi Capitals potentially becoming the first franchise to bring him into an official role.“Who wouldn’t want a Yuvraj Singh in the dugout? Many of his former teammates, including Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag, have had coaching stints in the IPL. Yuvraj may be a little late to the party, but he has spent considerable time working with youngsters and understanding the demands of the role,” a well-placed source said.“He doesn’t just train players; he mentors them. It’s not limited to phone calls or virtual sessions. He spends hours on the ground, often standing behind the nets and working under the sun alongside his players. It’s a genuinely hands-on approach that has benefited numerous cricketers,” the source added.
The FIFA World Cup witnessed another landmark moment on Thursday as an all-women refereeing team took charge of the Group A encounter between Czechia and South Africa at Atlanta Stadium.
Referee Tori Penso, alongside assistant referees Kathryn Nesbitt and Brooke Mayo, became only the second all-female on-field officiating crew to oversee a men’s World Cup match. The appointment also marked the first time an entirely American refereeing trio officiated a men’s World Cup fixture.
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Their selection continues FIFA’s efforts to increase representation at the highest level of the sport and follows the trailblazing example set at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when France’s Stephanie Frappart, Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina became the first all-women refereeing team to officiate a men’s World Cup match.
Tori Penso: From Marketing Professional to World Cup Referee
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Leading the historic crew was Tori Penso, whose journey into officiating began as a teenager in Florida.
Initially taking up refereeing at the age of 14 as a way to earn extra income, Penso later established a successful career in digital marketing and also worked as a university lecturer. Despite balancing multiple professional commitments, she steadily climbed through football’s officiating ranks.
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Her breakthrough came in 2020 when she became the first woman in nearly two decades to referee a Major League Soccer match. After receiving her FIFA badge in 2021, Penso was selected for some of football’s biggest events, including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final and the Paris Olympic Games.
By officiating Czechia’s clash against South Africa, she became the first American woman to referee a men’s FIFA World Cup match.
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Kathryn Nesbitt: The Scientist Who Chose Football
Assistant referee Kathryn Nesbitt brings one of the most unique stories in international football.
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Before becoming a full-time official, Nesbitt built an academic career in science. She earned a doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and worked in research and teaching, focusing on neurological and brain-related studies.
Her passion for officiating eventually led her away from academia and into professional football.
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Since earning FIFA accreditation in 2016, Nesbitt has officiated at multiple Women’s World Cups and Olympic tournaments. She also made history in Qatar four years ago when she became the first woman to serve as an assistant referee in a men’s World Cup knockout-stage match during England’s Round of 16 encounter against Senegal.
Brooke Mayo: Breaking Barriers Beyond Football
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Completing the trio was Brooke Mayo, whose football journey has included playing, coaching and officiating.
The Texas native played collegiate football before working as a physical education teacher and high-school coach. She later transitioned fully into refereeing and quickly established herself among the top officials in the United States.
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Mayo joined FIFA’s international refereeing panel in 2018 and has since worked at major tournaments, including the Women’s World Cup, Olympic Games and FIFA Club World Cup.
Her achievements were recognised in 2025 when she received U.S. Soccer’s Female Referee of the Year award.
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Mayo’s appointment in Atlanta also carried broader significance. She became the first openly gay match official to officiate a men’s FIFA World Cup fixture, representing an important milestone for LGBTQ+ visibility in international football.
A Historic Step Forward
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The trio are already familiar with making history together. In 2023, they became the first American officiating team to work a FIFA World Cup final when they oversaw the Women’s World Cup title match between Spain and England.
They added another milestone in 2025 by becoming the first all-female crew to officiate the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.
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Now, their appointment at FIFA World Cup 2026 adds another chapter to that journey, highlighting the growing role of women in elite football officiating and showcasing how the sport continues to evolve on its biggest stage.
Harry Kane has expressed his desire for Oasis’s iconic track ‘Wonderwall’ to become the unofficial anthem of England’s World Cup campaign, following a triumphant start to their tournament. The Three Lions secured an impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening Group L fixture in Dallas on Wednesday, a match that saw Kane net twice, equalling Gary Lineker’s record of 10 World Cup goals.
The celebratory scenes after the match, with England’s victorious squad singing along to ‘Wonderwall’ in front of their fans at the Dallas Stadium, left a lasting impression on the captain. Kane, visibly moved by the moment, hopes this connection with supporters will continue as they pursue their World Cup ambitions.
Speaking on the Lions Den, Kane reflected: “That was one of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt and especially at a major tournament. I know it’s just the first game, and we’re not getting carried away, but just that emotional connection with the fans, we know how much it means to them. I think they see how much it means to us.”
England celebrated their opening win against Croatia in the World Cup (Reuters)
He continued: “We have that connection right now, but just that moment, singing ‘Wonderwall’ in the stadium, everyone knew the words, and that was a really special moment, I thought. As first games go, to have that kind of support from everyone, and we know back home is the same. We know there would be plenty of beer getting thrown around, with it being a night game, so we love that stuff.”
The England manager, Thomas Tuchel, has consistently emphasised fostering a strong “brotherhood” within the squad, building upon the foundations laid during the 2018 World Cup under Sir Gareth Southgate, which saw the national team reconnect with its fanbase after years of underperformance.
Kane, one of only three players remaining from the 2018 squad alongside Jordan Pickford and John Stones, highlighted the “freshness” and renewed energy within the current group.
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Harry Kane scored twice in England’s World Cup opener (PA)
“This one feels a little bit different, I think,” he remarked. “Our roles have changed a little bit, obviously, being the more experienced guys, the older guys. There aren’t many players from those early tournaments in this squad, so there’s a freshness about it, where you can really see a hunger, a desire, and excitement from the players in the team, just to kind of be part of what could be obviously a special summer.”
The squad boasts significant depth and competition for starting positions, with Tuchel encouraging healthy rivalry. This was evident in the Croatia match, where substitutes Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Morgan Rogers all made an impact from the bench.
“Throughout a tournament, you need all the players in the squad,” Kane added. “Whether it’s the players who play or come off the bench, or the players who are training the next day, there’s a level that I think we’ve all set each other, and it’s a great squad to be a part of.”
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
Trainer Tom Charlton is confident that Shangri La Impact has been presented with the opportune race to advance her career at Randwick this Saturday, even if a return to Stakes-level racing is uncertain.
The four-year-old filly, by Staphanos, is scheduled to participate in the $160,000 B&J Guttering & Metal Roofing BM72 Handicap over 1800 metres.
This fillies and mares event represents her first competition against her own sex since her involvement in last year’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and Charlton is pleased with the mare’s preparation.
“It’s the perfect race for her really; fillies and mares, a nice distance for her on home track, so I think it looks a nice option,” Charlton said.
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This will mark Shangri La Impact’s fifth start for Charlton, who took over from former trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Waterhouse and Bott entered her into the Queensland Oaks after she achieved back-to-back wins in May last year, but she finished second-last in that 2200m race.
Shangri La Impact commenced her tenure with Charlton with a debut victory in BM64 grade at Kembla Grange on March 3. This was followed by a third-place finish at Newcastle and another win over 1800m in BM72 grade at the Randwick Kensington meeting on April 27.
She returned to Saturday racing at Rosehill on May 30 but weakened in the run home to finish sixth, 6-1/4 lengths behind the winner, having gone too hard in the early stages.
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Nash Rawiller will ride Shangri La Impact from barrier two in Saturday’s event, replacing Dylan Gibbons. Charlton is hoping for a less taxing run.
“She doesn’t have to lead but she naturally has herself in a forward position,” he said.
“Last time we just went a bit too quick, we had a bit of pressure on our outside and you could see the race how it developed that it suited the backmarkers.”
“So I think there was a genuine excuse and I think also getting back on a sounder surface might be more beneficial as well.”
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Shangri La Impact is currently listed as the second favourite with leading betting sites for Saturday’s handicap, behind Chris Waller’s sparingly raced British mare Nasebah.
For those interested in wagering, exploring the available racing odds on Australian betting sites for this BM72 handicap could prove advantageous.
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could trigger a “revival of Test cricket” if he fulfils his potential in the longest format, said former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth, urging fans and experts to stop over-analysing the youngster’s performances. Riding on his IPL exploits, Sooryavanshi has earned his maiden call-up in the Indian T20 set-up. The teenager has been picked for the seven-match tour of Ireland and England, comprising two games against Ireland and five against England, beginning in Belfast on June 26. Srikkanth said the 15-year-old possesses a rare ability to attract audiences and should be allowed to develop naturally without being burdened by expectations.
“What I like about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is he has an appetite to score runs and an appetite to dominate. At the same time, he could stay there and play also,” Srikkanth told PTI at his residence on Thursday.
“If he progresses beyond T20 cricket to one-day cricket, and then to Test cricket, and if he clicks in Test cricket, which he will, I am sure then you will see a revival of Test cricket.
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“You need that kind of cricketer today. People switch on the TV just to watch Sooryavanshi. I switch on the TV to watch Sooryavanshi. That is the aura he has created around himself. And he is something amazing.”
Don’t worry about what people talk, just play your natural game
Srikkanth cautioned against “too much assessment, scrutiny and advice” after the youngster’s modest returns on the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka.
“Vaibhav, don’t worry about what people talk about you, just play your natural game,” the former selection committee chairman said.
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“In one series, you don’t judge a person. Come on. That happens. Poor boy. It doesn’t matter. You just give him time. Don’t be in a hurry. In the IPL, he was just amazing. In his second year in the IPL, he won all the awards beating all the top cricketers in the world.
“I think he is amazing. He has amazing shot making capability, an amazing eye, and amazing reflexes. I think that boy is tremendous for India’s future.”
He is the future of Indian cricket, let’s mould him beautifully
Srikkanth said Sooryavanshi should be nurtured carefully rather than burdened with expectations.
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“That boy needs a lot of time. You give him lot of encouragement. He is a guy who can win matches single-handed. So, I believe that he should be given a very, very, very long rope,” the former India opener said.
“And I don’t think you should mess up with him. Let’s mould him beautifully And if you give him ample chances and if you mould him well, he will be simply outstanding for Indian cricket.”
Srikkanth also welcomed Sooryavanshi’s exposure to the senior Indian set-up.
“For the England series, let him be in the reserves. Let him understand this is international cricket. I believe that he should remain with the team, even if he doesn’t have a place in the XI because Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are playing, they are the certainties,” he said.
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“I don’t think you should look at lesser teams or bigger teams. End of the day, it’s trial by fire. If he has to play against England, let him play against England. Against Ireland, let him play against Ireland. You don’t need to push him hard. Let him get chances to play his natural game.”
Asked if he saw similarities between Sooryavanshi and Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut under his captaincy, Srikkanth ruled out any comparison.
“Let’s not compare Sachin and Sooryavanshi. Sachin is God of cricket and this boy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, I believe is the son of God. Let’s put it that way. Just leave Sachin alone. Nobody can come near him.” Praising Sooryavanshi, Srikkanth said: “He has been simply amazing in under-19 cricket. His shot-making is astonishing. The way he hits those shots, hitting all the top bowlers for a six on the first ball, and his ability, his wrist speed, his bat speed, his bat swing.
“I think he has a very stable mind. If you see the last IPL matches, against Gujarat Titans. RCB were 9 for 2 and he stayed back and scored,” he noted.
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Kohli should have given him a royal send-off in Test cricket
Srikkanth said Virat Kohli should have played the England series as he deserved a royal send-off from Test cricket.
“Virat Kohli is a different level. He has the passion, the aggression, and the commitment. He is simply amazing … he has been one of the best captains India has ever produced, especially in Test cricket. But his luck is just that he has not been lucky enough to win an ICC trophy.
“Kohli should have played the Test series against England last year … for a guy like Kohli who has done so much for Indian cricket, I think they should have given him a royal send-off in Test cricket. But unfortunately, it didn’t happen.
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“I think you should let him be. Let Virat decide what to do, like what Sachin did. See, Virat is that great. He is King of Kings Kohli…” On Rohit Sharma, Srikkanth said: “I still believe he is one of the best one-day cricketers the world has produced in modern day. One of the best ODI openers the world has produced.
“I think if he is scoring runs and if he is fit enough, why not? He should play the 2027 World Cup.”
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