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Sedrick Barefield keeps focus on Blackwater amid trade talk

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Blackwater Bossing's Sedrick Barefield during a game vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.

Blackwater Bossing’s Sedrick Barefield during a game vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—Sedrick Barefield played a key supporting role, if not a shared starring one, in Blackwater’s blowout of Rain or Shine to open its 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup campaign.

Barefield’s 24 points to back up import Kentrell Barkley’s 29 enabled the Bossing to roll past the Elasto Painters, 131-108, on Saturday at Ynares Center Montalban here, giving his team something to hope for in the season-ending conference.

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His performance came despite the eventful weeks leading up to the Governors’ Cup when Barefield’s name floated in trade rumors.

Those talks never materialized–at least for now. But Barefield’s focus at this point is on giving the Bossing every bit of a chance to contend for a playoff spot.

“Just because naturally it’s there, just because of how much was circulated,” Barefield said when asked if the trade talks are in the back of his mind.

“But my mentality is that I’m with my guys,” he continued. “I love this team. I love Coach Pat [Aquino]. So I’m just focused on each game that I get to play with this team.”

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With Barefield playing well, Blackwater got some measure of revenge on Rain or Shine after being handed a 56-point loss in the Commissioner’s Cup that set a PBA record for the most lopsided game ever.

He and the rest of the Bossing are hoping that the result will translate into something positive, especially with Aquino now having a full conference and preparation time to run his schemes.

But on Saturday, Barefield seems happy to be on a winning start.

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“I mean, winning takes care of everything, right? So it feels good,” said Barefield. “I’m just proud of this group. Proud of how we stayed together through the highs and lows of that game.”



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5 players who are switching states ahead of India’s 2026-27 domestic season ft. Shashank Singh

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The annual pre-season transfer window in Indian domestic cricket allows players to switch state associations as outstation or guest recruits under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations.

State teams are permitted up to three guest players to strengthen their squads ahead of the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaigns. These transfers are driven by players seeking more game time, specialized roles, or leadership opportunities, while developing state teams aim to recruit veteran talents to bolster their squad depth.

The upcoming 2026-27 season features several notable moves, with prominent domestic regulars and IPL players shifting allegiances. Let’s take a look at five such moves.

#1 Shashank Singh

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Shashank Singh will turn up for Puducherry in the 2026-27 season after shifting base from Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) has already issued an NOC to the player.

Singh alleged that the state association didn’t support him while he was recovering from an injury that he suffered last season. He further claimed that the association questioned his commitment, saying that the batter only wanted to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 27-year-old added that CSCS officials didn’t give him any clarity over why he was left out of the Chhattisgarh Premier League and the team’s pre-season camp.

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Singh has played 21 first-class games for Chhattisgarh over the last seven years. He has also represented the state in 31 List A and 42 T20s.


#2 Yash Dayal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Yash Dayal will represent Chhattisgarh in the upcoming domestic season. He has already joined the team’s pre-season camp in Alur.

Dayal has not played any competitive cricket since the IPL 2025 final, after which he faced charges relating to sexual assault. The left-arm pacer was retained by Gorakhpur Lions for the upcoming UP T20 League. However, he didn’t feature in the 18-member squad the franchise announced following the auction.

The 28-year-old has represented Uttar Pradesh in 27 first-class, 23 List A, and 71 T20s, picking up 186 wickets across formats, including two five-wicket hauls.

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Dayal will look to start fresh for Chhattisgarh in the upcoming season and make his way back to the scheme of things.


#3 Dharmendrasinh Jadeja

Chhattisgarh is looking to build a strong squad for the upcoming domestic season. As a result, they have roped in Saurashtra‘s veteran left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja.

The 35-year-old spinner has been a stalwart in the domestic circuit, picking up 423 wickets in 100 first-class matches, including seven 10-wicket hauls and 26 five-fors. Jadeja also has 121 List A and 65 T20 wickets under his belt.

Jadeja is also a very handy batter in the lower order, accumulating almost 2900 runs across formats. He also has 10 fifties under his belt.

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Jadeja’s addition will certainly boost Chhattisgarh’s squad depth as they look to put in a spirited performance next season.


#4 Prasad Pawar

Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter Prasad Pawar has signed with Puducherry to play alongside Shashank Singh as a guest player in the upcoming domestic season.

Prasad has struggled for game time in the Mumbai squad, with Hardik Tamore playing as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. As a result, Prasad has decided to shift base to Puducherry in search of more playing time.

Prasad made his List A debut in 2021, while his first-class and T20 debuts came in 2023. Overall, he has represented Mumbai in 27 matches, scoring 591 runs, including one hundred and fifty each.

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#5 Jayant Yadav

An offspinner from Haryana, Jayant Yadav, has decided to join Chhattisgarh for the 2026-27 domestic season. He brings truckloads of experience along with him, having represented India in six Tests and two ODIs while picking up 17 wickets in total.

Yadav has 96 first-class, 74 List A, and 95 T20s under his belt, picking up 272, 68, and 61 wickets, respectively, including two 10-wicket hauls and 15 five-fors. He is also very handy with the bat in the lower order, scoring 4781 runs, including three hundreds and 22 fifties. The 36-year-old cricketer also has one Test hundred and fifty each to his name.

Chhattisgarh will rely heavily on the spin duo of Yadav and Jadeja to bring laurels for the team in the upcoming season.