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Next Dhoni? No…‘One and only Sanju’ When Gautam Gambhir corrected Shashi Tharoor | Cricket News

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Next Dhoni? No…‘One and only Sanju’ When Gautam Gambhir corrected Shashi Tharoor
Sanju Samson, front centre, being congratulated by head coach Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has long been an admirer of Sanju Samson, who recently earned the Player of the Tournament award as India clinched a record third T20 World Cup title. Reflecting on the wicketkeeper-batter’s rise, Tharoor recalled telling a young Samson that he could become the next MS Dhoni.“I feel tremendous pride. I first met him when he was 14, a young club cricketer with a big smile and immense talent, already excelling in both wicketkeeping and batting. I had told him, somewhat patronisingly, that he would be the next Dhoni,” Tharoor said.

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Gautam Gambhir reflects on India’s World Cup win and backing Sanju Samson in the tournament

However, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir later advised Tharoor that Samson did not need to emulate anyone else and would instead forge his own path. Gambhir, even before becoming India’s head coach, had consistently backed Samson. In 2020, he had called him “not just the best wicketkeeper-batsman in India, but the best young batsman in India.”“Years later, Gambhir corrected me, saying he does not need to be the next Dhoni; he will be the one and only Sanju Samson — and that is exactly what he has become,” Tharoor added.Dhoni remains the benchmark for wicketkeeper-batters, arriving at the international stage as a big-hitting top-order batter before becoming one of India’s finest middle-order finishers and captains, winning all three major ICC white-ball trophies.Samson, meanwhile, had struggled with form in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup and was even benched before returning for the crucial Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe. He then followed that performance with three consecutive half-centuries: 97* against West Indies, 89 against England, and 89 against New Zealand in the final, consistently anchoring India’s innings and guiding them to defend the title.“He has been a terrific success — quiet, modest, unpretentious, and an effective leader,” Tharoor said. “He has led Rajasthan Royals very well for years and brought stability to India’s top order. Even during his difficult phases, I always felt that if he composed himself, his core talent would shine through.”Recalling Samson’s semi-final and final displays, Tharoor added, “In both matches, he reached 89 before being dismissed while selflessly playing big shots for the team. He could have played conservatively, but he chose to accelerate, showing the selfless, talented, and dedicated nature of Sanju Samson.”

Sanju Samson’s record-breaking T20 World Cup 2026 campaign

Sanju Samson’s stellar campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 has rewritten the record books. In just five innings, he scored 321 runs, breaking Virat Kohli’s long-standing record of 319 runs in the 2014 T20 World Cup for the most runs by an Indian in a T20 World Cup, and set a new benchmark for the most sixes in a single World Cup with 24.Samson also broke multiple other records, including the most runs for India in consecutive innings, the most runs in T20 World Cup knockout matches, and the highest score for India in a T20 World Cup final and in a chase. His blend of power-hitting, composure under pressure, and match-winning instincts made him the standout performer of the tournament. With these feats, Samson not only helped India clinch their third T20 World Cup title but also elevated himself into the elite echelon of T20 cricket legends.

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Bruno Guimaraes to Man United transfer update emerges as ‘advanced talks’ held for £69m move

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Bruno Guimaraes is one of many midfield transfer targets for Manchester United with Casemiro set to leave at the end of the season

Manchester United are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, as per Reuters. Their report has claimed it would be in an €80million (£69m) summer move but that Real Madrid’s interest threatens to complicate a switch.

Los Blancos’ interest dates back to 2022 with the Brazilian midfielder seeming likely to join before Newcastle’s hefty bid was sent to Lyon. However, initial contact between United and Guimaraes’ camp have suggested that both parties want the move.

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The Magpies’ elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona has increased the likelihood of Guimaraes departing with European qualification for next season currently unlikely. Guimaraes would almost certainly arrive as a replacement for the outgoing Casemiro.

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A departure for the 34-year-old at the end of the season has already been confirmed and he has been recommending his fellow Brazilian as the perfect replacement. United have plenty of other midfield options including Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and several others.

Two additions in the centre of the park would likely be needed this summer as United are light in midfield even with Casemiro still currently at the club. Champions League football also looks destined to return to Old Trafford for the 2026/27 campaign which makes the need for a deep squad even more important.

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Having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions at the first round, United will only play 40 games this season which has allowed focus to be firmly on the Premier League.

Since taking interim charge, Michael Carrick has won seven out of a possible nine games to move. Their latest win came over top-five rivals Aston Villa with Casemiro on target for the third time under Carrick.

United have subsequently moved up to third in the table, six points clear of Chelsea, who occupy the first position outside of Champions League qualification.

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Bournemouth are United’s next opponents with that clash taking place on Friday evening, which gives them the chance to put pressure on their rivals.

United could also be just four points behind Manchester City heading into the March international break as they are in Carabao Cup final action this weekend.

Despite mostly only playing once every week, injury problems have ramped up for Carrick in recent weeks and some key players are set to remain absent.

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On Lisandro Martinez and then Matthijs de Ligt, Carrick said: “He’s [Martinez] a lot closer. He’s getting there. After this one, I think he’ll be alright Frustrating for Mata (De Ligt), he’s been trying to work towards getting back, it’s a back issue that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard as we can.”

Mason Mount returned to the matchday squad last weekend but is unlikely to be in the starting XI while Patrick Dorgu remains absent.

Carrick also revealed that Noussair Mazraoui has missed some training this week through illness but he is confident the defender can still feature at the Vitality Stadium.

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Rory McIlroy includes elk sliders and one of his mother’s dishes on Masters Champions Dinner menu

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Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy has unveiled a distinctive menu for the traditional Champions Dinner, featuring grilled elk sliders and a dish inspired by his mother.

The Northern Irishman, who completed a career Grand Slam with his play-off victory over Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose at Augusta last April, will host the exclusive event.

Held in the clubhouse on the Tuesday evening of Masters week, the dinner sees the reigning champion curate a bespoke menu for fellow past winners.

Among the four appetisers are bacon-wrapped dates, a nod to McIlroy’s mother Rosie, alongside the grilled elk sliders, rock shrimp tempura, and peach and ricotta flatbread.

McIlroy explained the personal touch behind his choices, stating: “My mum does these really, really nice dates stuffed with goat cheese wrapped in bacon, so I put those on the appetisers list. So thanks to Rosie for that one.”

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McIlroy won the Masters in dramatic fashion last year
McIlroy won the Masters in dramatic fashion last year (Getty Images)

He added: “In the build-up to the Masters last year, I got this big shipment of elk and I was eating a lot of that, and I didn’t want elk to be the main course because I didn’t know if everyone would like that. I incorporated that into the appetisers so I’m doing grilled elk sliders, which I think is fun.”

For the first course, Yellowfin tuna carpaccio has been selected, replicating a dish from Le Bernardin, McIlroy’s favourite restaurant in New York City.

Main course options include Wagyu filet mignon and seared salmon, accompanied by Irish champ (mashed potatoes with spring onions), followed by sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

McIlroy described his selections as being “from the heart and from personal experience, and I guess a little bit of nostalgia for me of what I wanted to serve.”

The 36-year-old was particularly enthusiastic about the wine list, which includes a 2015 Salon Brut champagne, a 2022 Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet – the first white wine he “actually liked” – a 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and a 1989 Chateau D’Yquem dessert wine.

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The 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild was enjoyed the night he won the Masters, while the dessert wine hails from his birth year and is described as “like liquid gold.”

“I wanted to be really intentional with the wines,” he said, highlighting his growing passion for collecting. “To work with the sommeliers at the club and be able to choose these wines was a lot of fun.”

The 2026 Masters is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 9.

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Eagles acquire veteran Andy Dalton as backup quarterback to Jalen Hurts

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The Philadelphia Eagles made an interesting trade to bring in a backup for starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. 

The Eagles acquired veteran quarterback Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick, according to multiple reports. 

The 38-year-old signal-caller spent the past three seasons with the Panthers, where he mostly served as a backup to Bryce Young, the first overall selection of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

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Andy Dalton throws pass

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton throws against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

But he did take over in 2024 as the team’s starter after first-year head coach Dave Canales didn’t like what he saw out of Young to start the year. Dalton started five games for the Panthers, going 1-4 in that stretch before Young’s return. 

Dalton was a starter for nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, going 70-61-2 over that span with four straight playoff berths from 2011-14. Unfortunately for Dalton and the Bengals, they were never able to pick up a postseason victory. 

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After the 2019 season, the Bengals shifted away from Dalton after they drafted Joe Burrow first overall during the 2020 NFL Draft. Dalton was in and out of a starting role in Dallas and with the Chicago Bears in the 2021 season. 

He assumed the role full-time with the New Orleans Saints in 2022, going 6-8 over 14 starts before ultimately joining Carolina. 

Andy Dalton throws

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images)

It’s an interesting move for the Eagles considering Tanner McKee, who has played well during the preseason, was Hurts’ backup all last season. While this could be competition for McKee entering training camp, Dalton continues to play with the idea of being on a roster full-time, even if he’s not the starter. 

The Panthers signed Kenny Pickett, a former Eagles quarterback, this offseason. As a result, Dalton was expendable. 

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The Eagles head into the 2026 season with the obvious hope that Hurts is healthy enough for a full 17-game slate and then some. However, he didn’t have the best season under offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who caught flak from the rabid fan base as the team struggled. 

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.  (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)

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Philadelphia finished 11-6 before losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round at home. Patullo was fired days later, and the Eagles hired ex-Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion to take over the role. 

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What is Movsar Evloev’s ethnicity? A look at the featherweight star’s cultural heritage

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While a UFC title shot has eluded him so far, Movsar Evloev is widely regarded as one of the best talents at featherweight. He is 9-0 in the promotion with wins over the likes of Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Diego Lopes, among others.

The 32-year-old will next be seen against Lerone Murphy this weekend, in what many believe to be a title eliminator, with the victor likely earning a shot at the reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Evloev is primarily a grappler and has outwrestled every opponent he has faced inside the octagon. Fueling that domination is an exceptional gas tank, and while his work ethic is undeniable, many believe his heritage also plays a significant role.


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What is Movsar Evloev’s ethnicity?

Movsar Evloev comes from the Caucasus region of Ingushetia, Russia. The UFC fighter belongs to the Ingush ethnic group.

The Caucasus regions of Russia, particularly Dagestan and Chechnya, are renowned for producing world-class combat sports athletes and wrestlers, including UFC greats like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Khamzat Chimaev.

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Evloev holds a takedown accuracy of 48%, a takedown defense of 61%, and averages 4.67 takedowns per 15 minutes. He trains out of the American Top Team, home to MMA elites including Dustin Poirier, Kayla Harrison, and Arman Tsarukyan, among others.

His nationality appears to have posed a major hurdle for him in the lead-up to his fight against Lerone Murphy in Manchester, England. Evloev was reportedly facing visa issues. However, those hurdles appear to have been sorted out, and the undefeated fighter is now in the U.K. ahead of the event.

During an interview with MMA Junkie in the lead-up to the event, he detailed the ordeal:

“I was very quiet for the past couple of weeks. I was busy with all of those different distractions. What was important for me was that I sleep well, I eat well, I prepare well, and with all of those things, trying to stay focused and maintaining all of this composure. I literally had time for nothing else than just to figure out the bureaucracy, figure out the documents, and stay in shape and work, so I can come out here and show my best at the best level.” [7:58 mark of the interview]

Check out Movsar Evloev’s comments below:

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