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The 23-year-old has the rare gift of slowing down an ultra-quick sport

Sidharth Monga06-Feb-20232:05

The secret to Gill’s back-foot play

Cricket the sport and cricket the spectacle are two entirely different universes.The operative part of sport happens in an extremely brief moment in time. It is actually a sport of milliseconds. If we assume the average pace of a fast bowler is 135kph, it almost translates to two pitches per second. The ball does lose speed, and on average, goes at 32 metres per second off the surface, according to Nathan Leamon, England’s former analyst.The quickest recorded human reaction to a visual stimulus is 120 milliseconds, which is roughly a tenth of a second. Most of the elite batters have to be roughly there or do no worse than being half as quick. That is to say they react to the ball in 20% of a second.Related

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The spectacle, though, loves languid, a word whose dictionary definition is the exact opposite of what the sport is. The spectacle can also, at times, overlook the competitive nature of the sport to whose essence only the cold numbers on the scoresheet matter and not the aesthetics of it.Languid is, admittedly, a guilty pleasure. It can also be high praise. If someone can compete and excel in this ultra-quick sport while looking languid or effortless, it follows that such a player must be extraordinarily gifted.These gifts are spotting the ball perhaps five milliseconds sooner than others, having made half your movements before the ball is released (trigger movement, for short), and having put in millions of repetitions in your formative years to almost make the shots you play your muscle memory.All this translates into a languid Shubman Gill square-drive. Or a low slip catch taken effortlessly that put one of our readers of live ball-by-ball commentary in the mind of Mark Waugh.Waugh is not a bad comparison. Similar height, similar build, similar languid movements, both excellent slip fielders, openers in limited-overs cricket, with their spiritual home in Tests in the middle order.Shubman Gill seems to have that extra millisecond to play his shots than most other players•Associated PressPart of the reason Gill seems to have so much extra time that he can play languidly is his trigger movement. It is not the classic back and across, but along where he stands, which is, unlike many modern batters, well inside the crease. Many a batter these days prepare themselves for the movement by moving forward to cut it down rather than playing the ball after it has moved. They prepare themselves by batting for hours against the sidearm, which can simulate extreme pace. So pace for modern batters is less of a problem than movement. They want to play the ball before it has moved.Gill, though, stays inside the crease with his back foot across and the front foot slightly open. The weight is committed on neither foot. Most of his shots to good balls then are just the transfer of weight back or forward. Because he plays back, he has that extra millisecond or five.A trigger movement is not always set in stone. For bowlers of extreme pace, his back foot actually goes back. His batting against New Zealand in the ODIs in New Zealand perfectly illustrated that. Against Matt Henry, his trigger was parallel and across with the front foot slightly open. Against Lockie Ferguson, he actually went back and across in preparation to face the ball.As a result, there are no frantic movements, the flow of his bat is smooth from his high back lift, and there is no bat tap. If the ball merits a back-foot shot into the off side, he just transfers his weight back. If it merits a front-foot shot, he moves the front foot only to cover the line. To cover for a length that is not exactly a half-volley, he plays on the up. As a result, it looks like things are happening a touch slowly when Gill is batting. This has been hardwired into him from a young age and repeated millions of times.This is where the difference between spectacle and sport is: Gill doesn’t do this to look aesthetically pleasing, he does it to score runs. It is the cold numbers that matter. Ask Rohit Sharma, who will happily trade his aesthetics for runs in the initial years when he was finding his feet in international cricket.Shubman Gill’s technique was put to stern test in his debut Test series in Australia•Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty ImagesGill’s technique was put to test in the sternest manner possible when he made his Test debut in Australia. Day one of the Boxing Day Test after India had been bowled out for 36 in the previous Test, 40 minutes or so, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood doing all sorts of things with the ball, a wicket lost in the first over, Gill was beaten three times in his first over of Test cricket, bowled by Cummins. Gill went on to score 45, which was crucial in the low-scoring Test. His 91 in the Gabba chase often goes unnoticed.There are many perks of playing cricket in and for India, but they come with the downside of hyper scrutiny. It is not just external. The competition for slots is so intense it is tempting to look at those outside and forget the natural law of cricket that you will fail more often than succeed. Gill faced question marks too. His luck was such that every time the team management thought of giving him a middle-order slot – he played mostly in the middle order under Rahul Dravid for A teams – a Test opener would get injured.This year, things are coming together beautifully. In ODI cricket, despite a great start to his career, he would have known he was keeping out a double-centurion and a dear friend, Ishan Kishan. He went ahead and became the youngest double-centurion in men’s ODIs. He has averaged 74 and struck at 110 per 100 balls on his way to being the quickest Indian to 1000 ODI runs. There can’t be better news for India in a World Cup year.There should ideally be room for only one anchor in a T20 side, and he went on to become the youngest T20I centurion for India while playing the anchor role at a 200 strike rate.Nobody wants it, but as luck would have it, right when Gill is in the purplest of touches, Shreyas Iyer’s injury has opened up a middle-order slot for him, and for a change, both the regular openers are fit too.If he does well at No. 5 or 6, Gill will be the heir apparent for No. 4 whenever Virat Kohli is done, just like Kohli was in the final phase of Sachin Tendulkar’s career.Gill’s time has arrived. And he has the extra milliseconds to relish it.

The Afghanistan spinner takes top honours despite playing just 40 matches

ESPNcricinfo stats team08-Dec-2020Rashid Khan’s impact on the BBL has been incredible. In the last three seasons, he has taken 56 wickets at an average of 17.66 and strikes once every 17 balls. Khan concedes a boundary once every 11 balls. This means he conceded just about two boundaries per BBL match. That makes him the BBL’s Most Valuable Player ( MVP) across all nine seasons in spite of playing just 40 matches as per ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats. His conventional economy rate of 6.36 is the best in the league.Khan’s ability to trouble the opposition batsmen year after year shows his value to the Adelaide Strikers who bank on him to bowl all the tough overs. His economy rate in the middle overs in the last three seasons is 6.06 and he averages 14 runs per wicket. The next best average in this phase is 19.61, by Sandeep Lamichhane. Rashid also has taken 25% of the Strikers wickets since his debut in the BBL.ESPNcricinfo LtdAccording to Smart Stats, which looks at every batting and bowling performance through the prism of match context as well as the pressure on the batsman and bowler at each delivery, Khan’s 56 wickets were worth 72 and his Smart Economy was 5.09. While all other bowlers in his team strike at 28.7, Khan Strikes once every 17 balls.D’arcy Short is next in terms of impact points per match. His batting through the seasons has been top notch while his bowling has been useful too, and his impact for Hurricanes has helped him get a score of 53 points per match. There is little to separate the next three, with Jason Beherendoff, Nathan Coulter Nile and Glenn Maxwell completing the top five. Shane Watson, Chris Lynn, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and Travis Head are the others that make up the ten.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe bowlers dominated the overall impact but the most impactful performances in a match across nine seasons have come from batsmen. Short tops the match-wise top impact for his outstanding unbeaten 122 from 69 deliveries against Brisbane Heat in 2018. The next highest score was just 19 by Ben Mcdermott. While all batsmen struggled to get going it felt like Short was batting on a completely different wicket. Only one other batsmen had a strike rate of more than 100.ESPNcricinfo LtdStoinis features twice in this list – one for his all-round display, though in a losing cause, when he took three wickets and scored 99 from 51 balls, and another for his superb bowling performance under pressure to help Stars defend a total of 134. According to Smart Stats both these all-round displays comfortably trump his unbeaten 147 of 79 balls against Sixers earlier this year. Left-handers Craig Simmons and Matt Renshaw complete the top five.ESPNcricinfo LtdShort is also the best batsman in the BBL, according to Smart Stats. His impact has been outstanding for a team that has been heavily reliant on two players. Short’s batting impact score in the BBL is 40.29. He has scored 23% of the runs made by Hurricanes and plays an average of 29 balls per innings.Short has had to repeatedly play long innings to prevent the middle order from getting exposed, and he has done it with a lot of success. Short has two centuries and 15 fifties from just 43 innings. The fact that he plays for a team that does not have too many high-impact players puts him high up in the Batting Impact rating.Just like Short, Lynn faces the same challenge. Brisbane Heat also are heavily reliant on a couple of players to win matches for them. Lynn has had some amazing seasons for the Heat and has a score of 38.06. He is the league’s top scorer and has a Smart Strike Rate of 167.1, the best in the league. Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh complete the top five in terms of batting impact.

Leeds United are now lining up a January move for Brentford’s Fabio Carvalho, amid concerns about their lack of attacking threat.

After picking up just one point from their previous three Premier League games, Leeds picked up an important three points against a struggling West Ham United side last time out, meaning they are now six points clear of the relegation zone.

Survival will undoubtedly be Daniel Farke’s main goal this season, and the manager clearly thought bolstering his frontline was important when it comes to strengthening his side’s chances of avoiding the drop, bringing in the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha in the summer.

However, it was the Championship promotion-winning duo of Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon that provided the goals against West Ham, with Calvert-Lewin failing to provide any sort of threat, recording an xG of just 0.1.

Nmecha hasn’t exactly been prolific since his arrival either, failing to score since converting a penalty against Everton on the opening day, and the Whites have now joined the race to sign a new forward.

Leeds lining up January move for Carvalho

According to a report from MOT Leeds News, there are concerns about the lack of attacking threat Leeds have posed this season, meaning they are keen to strengthen their forward line in January, and they are now lining up a loan approach for Brentford’s Carvalho.

The board are considering several new attacking signings, including a striker, but they are also keen to inject some more creativity into the squad, meaning the Whites are now prepared to battle it out with Bundesliga clubs for the Brentford forward’s signature.

The 23-year-old has found game time difficult to come by this season, but there is a feeling he could be ideal for Farke, given his ability to play in a number of positions, with the German a fan of versatile players.

The Portuguese attacker is capable of playing on both wings, in the number 10 role and even at centre-forward, with his attacking quality regularly on display during a loan spell at Fulham, picking up ten goals and eight assists in the Championship during the 2021-22 campaign.

The former Hull City loanee also impressed with the Tigers, scoring nine Championship goals in the 2023-24 season, during which time he was lauded as “fantastic” by Fabrizio Romano.

That said, there may be some concerns about the fact the four-time Portugal U21 international is yet to establish himself as a key player for Brentford, despite scoring a dramatic late equaliser against Chelsea back in September.

Carvalho is yet to make a name for himself in the top flight, but he would still be a low-risk signing for Leeds, given that they are aiming to get a loan deal done this January.

Leeds also lining up move for Ross Barkley

Leeds eyeing "unbelievable" midfielder whose teammates compare him to Maradona

This could salvage his 2026 World Cup chances.

By
Henry Jackson

Oct 27, 2025

Had Liverpool been dispatched at the London Stadium right now, the calls for Arne Slot’s dismissal would have risen a few decibels, higher than the din that followed successive Anfield defeats against PSV Eindhoven and Nottingham Forest.

But Liverpool secured a 2-0 win over the Hammers in the Premier League, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealing three much-needed points for the struggling Redmen.

Still, the Merseyside outfit have left so much to be desired this term, lacking all of last year’s balance and belief as Slot was crowned king in his first year in charge.

So much has gone wrong, and the forthcoming league fixtures against Sunderland and Leeds United will determine whether a true crisis has been averted.

Much more is needed. The likes of Florian Wirtz and Isak are beginning to show signs of world-class quality, but FSG must feel pretty rueful over their decision to sell Luis Diaz and opt against sealing a like-for-like replacement for the Colombian winger.

How Luis Diaz has performed since leaving Liverpool

In fairness, Diaz was set to enter the penultimate year of his Liverpool contract, and there was no sign of a resolution. The Reds cashed in for a healthy £66.5m sum.

However, the 28-year-old’s blistering performances in Germany this season have underscored the dimension that Slot has lost down the left channel. Moreover, let’s not forget that Diaz played plenty of football as a makeshift number nine last year.

Bayern score a lot of goals, and they are the dominant force in the Bundesliga. However, Diaz is impartial as to who he picks apart, having played some immense stuff in the Champions League too.

His prolificness has catapulted him to a seat at the highest table, marrying his athleticism and electricity with a new sharpness in front of goal.

Harry Kane

24 + 3

27

Kylian Mbappe

23 + 3

26

Erling Haaland

19 + 1

20

Michael Olise

9 + 10

19

Luis Diaz

12 + 6

18

This serves as a reminder that the grass is not always greener. Diaz will have no regrets over his summer transfer, but Liverpool desperately miss his speed and energy and potent threat.

And now, FSG are in danger of losing their next version of the versatile forward.

Liverpool star could be "the next Diaz"

Liverpool opted against directly replacing Diaz this summer, hoping to keep a road to the first team for Rio Ngumoha clear from clutter.

But Diaz is an elite player, and he is not easily replaced. Perhaps some of a Liverpool persuasion regret their frustrations directed toward him last season, with the clinical performances coming in pockets throughout the year.

History may repeat itself with Alexis Mac Allister, who has been described by prominent Liverpool fan John O’Sullivan as being “the next Diaz” in that he is being hounded out by some segments for his performances this year.

While it’s true that the Argentina “superstar”, as he has been called by pundit Joe Cole, has been off the boil this season, he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, instrumental for the club’s success since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023.

Few know the byways of the midfield game like Mac Allister, who is combative and creative and cerebral in his performance in the engine room. Not just a steely lieutenant, he is smart and savvy, and that sets him apart.

Matches (starts)

35 (30)

12 (11)

Goals

5

0

Assists

5

2

Touches*

55.8

49.2

Accurate passes*

35.5 (87%)

33.1 (86%)

Key passes*

1.3

0.8

Dribbles*

0.5

0.3

Ball recoveries*

4.2

3.1

Tackles + interceptions*

3.3

1.6

Clearances*

0.8

0.8

Duels (won)*

4.9 (48%)

2.8 (46%)

Form is temporary, as the old adage goes. Mac Allister will surely bounce back, but if Liverpool are set for a rocky road through the 2025/26 season, the 26-year-old may be considered for sale next summer, though reports suggest sporting director Richard Hughes and the club’s officials want him to stay put.

It’s as clear as day: Mac Allister will thrive if sold to a superpower in Germany or La Liga.

And Liverpool, as with Diaz, will be left rueing their decision as they scramble to find an adequate replacement.

Semenyo upgrade: FSG enter race to sign £88m "superstar" for Liverpool

Liverpool and FSG are getting ready to sign a new forward in 2026.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 2, 2025

Juan Soto found himself involved involved in another base running lowlight during the New York Mets game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. With a runner on first in the bottom of the first inning, Soto hit a line drive to right-center and Chicago centerfielder Michael Taylor attempted to make a diving catch.

Taylor did not get there in time to make the catch, but he did trap the ball, which really confused the Mets. Soto, who might have been looking at an extra base hit when the ball left the bat, thought he was out, so he got out of Nimmo's way as he hustled back to first, having also thought the ball was caught.

When the ball got back to the infield the White Sox touched second and then tagged Soto while Nimmo stood on first.

According to home plate umpire Sean Barber, in the end Soto was ruled out for passing Nimmo. And despite the fact that the centerfielder, second baseman and shortstop all handled the ball on the play, it went down as an unassisted lineout to first baseman Miguel Vargas on a ball that was hit 354 feet into the outfield.

Somehow the Mets went on to score four runs in this inning.

After sacking Liam Manning, Norwich City have reportedly conducted an interview with former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil and set a managerial deadline.

The Canaries made the decision to sack Manning after 15 Championship games in charge. The former Bristol City manager arrived off the back of an excellent campaign with the Robins, in which they secured a playoff place, but was unable to replicate that form in charge of Norwich.

Instead of the top six, the Canaries have found themselves in the bottom two courtesy of Manning and only above Sheffield Wednesday, who were hit with a 12-point deduction after entering administration.

After two wins in 15 league games, Manning’s tenure suddenly makes former manager Johannes Hoff Thorup’s time at the club look rather promising, on reflection. Whether there’s some regret that those at Carrow Road didn’t give the latter more time is up for debate, however.

Sporting director Ben Knapper released a statement after sacking Manning, telling fans that they “tried absolutely everything possible” to turn things around under the former Bristol City boss.

Meanwhile, the search for a new manager is very much underway with reports going as far as to claim that the Canaries have already interviewed two candidates for the job.

Norwich interview Gary O'Neil

As reported by The Telegraph’s John Percy, Norwich have now interviewed O’Neil for their vacant managerial role and are keen to make an official appointment in the next 10 days.

The ex-Premeir League manager was recently linked with a second stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but turned his former club down. Now, he could be on his way to Carrow Road.

Former Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has also reportedly been interviewed, but O’Neil’s Premier League experience should make him Norwich’s number one choice.

Dubbed “fantastic” by former Wolves winger Jordan Graham during his time in the Midlands, O’Neil has all the credentials needed to finally turn things around at Norwich, who sit four points adrift of safety in the Championship.

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