Bayern reach DFB Pokal final to keep treble dream alive

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Berlin, April 23 (IANS) Bayern Munich reached the DFB Pokal final for the first time since 2020 after a 2-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen, keeping them on course to win three major trophies this season.

Vincent Kompany’s side, which sealed the Bundesliga title with victory against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, took control early and stayed in command before Luis Diaz wrapped up the tie in stoppage time.

Harry Kane put Bayern ahead in the 21st minute after a quickly taken throw-in sent play down the right. Michael Olise backheeled the ball onto Jamal Musiala, who found Kane in the middle, and the striker drove his finish under the bar, reports Xinhua.

The visitors had already threatened through Dayot Upamecano and Diaz, while Bayer Leverkusen struggled to play through Bayern’s high press and barely reached the Bayern area before the break. Kane went close again before halftime, and Bayern’s 10-0 edge in shots reflected their control.

Leverkusen improved after the interval. Robert Andrich made a clearance to deny Musiala shortly after the restart, then Nathan Tella forced Manuel Neuer into a diving save from the edge of the area.

Bayern responded by pushing the game back into Leverkusen’s half. Mark Flekken kept the deficit down with another stop from Kane, but Leverkusen remained within reach and Schick headed over from a promising position in the 70th minute.

Diaz missed chances before finally finishing a counterattack in the third minute of added time after an assist from Goretzka. The goal stood after a VAR check for offside.

Bayern will meet either VfB Stuttgart or SC Freiburg in the Berlin final on May 23. The club is also through to a Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain, while sixth-placed Leverkusen remains in the fight for a place in Europe’s top club competition next season.

“We are very happy for the club to be back in the final. In football, you cannot enjoy success because the next game is always on your mind. The most important thing is that we are through. The first half was very good from us.

“We allowed nothing and created chances. Leverkusen were better in the second half, but even then we allowed little,” said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.

–IANS

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Markram, Bavuma return for South Africa white-ball series against Australia

Johannesburg, July 24 (IANS) South Africa’s regular white-ball captains, Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, are set to resume leadership duties for next month’s tour of Australia, with Markram heading the T20I side and Bavuma leading the ODI squad.

Markram was rested for the recent Test and T20I series in Zimbabwe, while Bavuma was ruled out of the Zimbabwe Tests due to a hamstring injury picked up during the World Test Championship final in June. Both captains will have near full-strength squads at their disposal.

Off-spinner Prenelan Subrayan, who recently made his Test debut against Zimbabwe, has earned his maiden T20I call-up. He is one of four frontline spinners in the squad alongside George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy and Nqaba Peter.

Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius have been named in the ODI squad, with Pretorius receiving his first call-up to the 50-over setup. While Brevis, who was part of the ODI squad for the home series against Australia in 2023, is yet to debut. Both players will be aiming to build on their experience in T20Is and Tests as they continue their progression at the international level.

Brevis, Pretorius and Subrayen feature in both squads, along with batters Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, as well as seamers Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada.

“It’s great to have our senior players back in the mix after their rest following the WTC Final. Their experience and quality add real value to the group as we continue to build a strong core in both formats,” said head coach Shukri Conrad in a statement.

“Every series from here on plays a part in shaping our squads for next year’s T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup at home in 2027. Touring Australia is never easy. We know their conditions and intensity will test us in every department, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge we’re after.”

The tour comprises three T20Is scheduled from August 10 to 16, followed by a three-match ODI series from August 19 to 24. The games will take place across Darwin, Cairns and Mackay.

T20I squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Rassie van der Dussen.

ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen.

–IANS

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1st Test: I have time to prepare myself and I can pace my innings, says Jadeja

Ahmedabad, Oct 4 (IANS) Ravindra Jadeja, who was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance in India’s thumping win over the West Indies by an innings and 140 runs, said the clarity in his batting role has ensured that he has enough time to prepare himself and pace his innings well.

Although Jadeja missed out on a five-wicket haul, he did have a memorable Test by scoring an unbeaten 104, his sixth century in the format, along with taking 4-54 in the second innings.

“I have been working hard with my batting. We had a two-month off, there was no Test cricket or ODIs. I was working on my fitness and I went to the Centre of Excellence in Bangalore, worked on my skills and fitness there.”

“I had been batting at number 8 and 9 a few years ago but now I got my place at 6. I have time to prepare myself and I can pace my innings. I don’t need to hurry, I don’t need to rush unnecessarily. I can go out there, take my time and just pace my innings,” he said at the conclusion of the game.

He also spoke about his enduring love for red soil pitches. “I always love playing on red soil pitches. It’s fun because as a spinner you get more turn and bounce. So, always as a spinner you want that.”

“I think I was enjoying it and as I got to know that we are playing on a red soil, I thought it would be okay for batting and bowling as well. If the wicket is flat, you can score runs. If the ball is turning, then you can enjoy bowling on the red soil.”

Jadeja also acknowledged the team environment and his role as vice-captain. “Being a vice-captain you are always there as a team’s special member and that honour always pleased me… I am always there and happy to do it.”

Asked about leading the spin attack, Jadeja was quick to correct it. “No, I am still not there… Ash was there. I am not the captain. Kuldeep has also played many games for India. Washi (Sundar) has also played many games… So everybody is working hard. Everyone is positive. That’s good to see.”

Mohammed Siraj, who took three wickets in the second innings, was pleased with his contribution on a slow surface. “Feeling very happy, we did well with both bat and ball. The wicket was slow in the 2nd innings, it just wasn’t coming onto the bat, felt like taking 5 wickets here.”

Siraj was surprised to learn it was his first second-innings haul in India. “I didn’t know that… it’s a special feeling. KL has been making runs since the England tour, Shubman has been good and so have the others.”

India lead the two-match series 1-0, with the second and final Test set to begin at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 10.

–IANS

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‘Pick wicket in the middle to put pressure on opposition,’ Kuldeep reveal’s on DC’s bowling plan vs RCB

Bengaluru, April 19 (IANS) India’s prime spinner Kuldeep Yadav underlined the importance of picking wickets in the middle overs and reading conditions well after his side Delhi Capitals (DC) pulled off a thrilling six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

RCB looked set for a big total after racing through the powerplay, but DC’s bowlers clawed their way back by adjusting their lengths and pace on a surface that gradually slowed down.

“Obviously we started not really well. I thought they batted well in the first five or six overs. We knew the wicket is a bit slower side,” Kuldeep said in a video released by IPL on X. “Especially, I was talking to Axar because the length was very important, and trying to vary the pace. Understanding who’s batting and what sort of strength they have. Someone like Phil, he’s a very left-side-dominated player, so we tried to keep him away. He’s just pushing it wide,” he explained.

The turning point came in the middle overs when DC struck in quick succession. Salt’s dismissal triggered a slowdown, and skipper Axar Patel further dented RCB by removing Devdutt Padikkal and Tim David, while Kuldeep himself chipped in with the key wicket of Romario Shepherd.

“We got the wicket of Phil and then Akshar, an important wicket of Tim David at that situation. And then obviously he brought me for Romario. It’s very important to pick the wicket,” Kuldeep said.

From a strong 105/3, RCB slipped to 175/8, managing just 29 runs in the last five overs as DC’s bowlers, including T Natarajan, Lungi Ngidi, and Mukesh Kumar, executed their plans to perfection.

Kuldeep believes that taking continuous wickets is crucial, especially on a short ground like the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where momentum can shift rapidly.

“Whenever I played here, the first thing that came to my mind was to pick the wicket in the middle. If I get one wicket, obviously, you are at the top of your rhythm at that time. And if you get another one, you’re putting pressure on the team. So that was my plan, especially playing here. Small ground, you can turn things in your side,” he added.

Speaking of the match, chasing 176, DC were rocked early by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, slipping to 18/3 at the end of the third over. However, KL Rahul (57) and Tristan Stubbs (60 not out) stitched a crucial 76-run partnership to revive the innings.

The game once again tightened in the death overs, but David Miller’s experience proved decisive as he smashed two sixes and a four in the final over to take DC home with a ball to spare.

–IANS

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